Stages Of Crop Development Research Articles

Prediction of leaf nitrogen in sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) by Vis-NIR-SWIR spectroradiometry

Nitrogen is one of the essential nutrients for the production of agricultural crops, participating in a complex interaction among soil, plant and the atmosphere. Therefore, its monitoring is important both economically and environmentally. The aim of this work was to estimate the leaf nitrogen contents in sugarcane from hyperspectral reflectance data during different vegetative stages of the plant. The assessments were performed from an experiment designed in completely randomized blocks, with increasing nitrogen doses (0, 60, 120 and 180 kg ha−1). The acquisition of the spectral data occurred at different stages of crop development (67, 99, 144, 164, 200, 228, 255 and 313 days after cutting; DAC). In the laboratory, the hyperspectral responses of the leaves and the Leaf Nitrogen Contents (LNC) were obtained. The hyperspectral data and the LNC values were used to generate spectral models employing the technique of Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) Analysis, also with the calculation of the spectral bands of greatest relevance, by the Variable Importance in Projection (VIP). In general, the increase in LNC promoted a smaller reflectance in all wavelengths in the visible (400–680 nm). Acceptable models were obtained (R2 > 0.70 and RMSE <1.41 g kg−1), the most robust of which were those generated from spectra in the visible (400–680 nm) and red-edge (680–750 nm), with values of R2 > 0.81 and RMSE <1.24 g kg−1. An independent validation, leave-one-date-out cross validation (LOOCV), was performed using data from other collections, which confirmed the robustness and the possibility of LNC prediction in new data sets, derived, for instance, from samplings subsequent to the period of study.

The influence of climatic and environmental variables on sunflower planting season suitability in Tanzania

Crop survival and growth requires identification of correlations between appropriate suitable planting season and relevant climatic and environmental characteristics. Climatic and environmental conditions may cause water and heat stress at critical stages of crop development and thus affecting planting suitability. Consequently, this may affect crop yield and productivity. This study assesses the influence of climate and environmental variables on rain-fed sunflower planting season suitability in Tanzania. Data on rainfall, temperature, slope, elevation, soil and land use/or cover were accessed from publicly available sources using Google Earth Engine. This is a cloud-based geospatial computing platform for remote sensed datasets. Tanzania sunflower production calendar of 2022 was adopted to mark the start and end limits of planting across the country. The default climate and environmental parameters from FAO database were used. In addition, Pearson correlation was used to evaluate the relationship between rainfall, temperature over Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) from 2000 to 2020 at five-year interval for January-April and June–September, for high and poor suitability season. The results showed that planting suitability of sunflower in Tanzania is driven more by rainfall than temperature. It was revealed that intra-annual planting suitability increases gradually from short to long- rain season and diminishes towards dry season of the year. January-April planting season window showing highest suitability (41.65%), whereas June–September indicating lowest suitability (0.05%). Though, not statistically significant, rainfall and NDVI were positively correlated with r = 0.65 and 0.75 whereas negative correlation existed between temperature and NDVI with r = -− 0.6 and − 0.77. We recommend sunflower subsector interventions that consider appropriate intra-regional and seasonal diversity as an important adaptive mechanism to ensure high sunflower yields.

Impact of Nitrogen Fertilizer Rate and Timing on Short-day Onion Production

Onions (Allium cepa) are typically planted late fall and harvested in spring in the Vidalia, GA, USA, region. Onions grown here are renowned for their for sweetness and are marketed to consumers as Vidalia onions. High rainfall during the relatively long growing season (4 to 5 months) may result in nitrogen (N) leaching during production. Therefore, fertilizer applications are usually aligned with stages of crop development to ensure nutrient availability for the entire season. Although the impacts of N application rate have been previously investigated for Vidalia onion production, the optimal timing for the final N application of the season has not been determined. The objectives of this study were to determine the optimal timing of the last fertilizer N application (at bulb initiation, during bulb growth, or during bulb maturation) in conjunction with the impact of three N application rates (75, 105, and 135 lb/acre N) on yield and quality in Vidalia onion. Soil N levels were affected by N rate, year, and onion growth stage. In 2020, up to 135 lb/acre N was required to maximize onion yields, and in 2021, onion yields were unchanged among N fertilizer treatments. Final N applications at bulb initiation resulted in greater yields than applications made during bulb growth or bulb maturation. In addition, as the N rate increased and the time of final application occurred later in bulb development, pungency values increased. Incidence of sour skin (Burkholderia cepacia) and center rot (Pantoea sp.) diseases were greater in 2020 compared with 2021 and seemed to be affected by environmental conditions more than N fertilization.

"Intelligent Firmament - An Overview on Crop Classification and Recommendation System Using Machine"

Abstract: The agriculture industry is essential to maintaining human existence and guaranteeing the availability of food worldwide. As the global population continues to rise, there is an urgent need for novel technology that will improve agricultural efficiency and output. The "Intelligent Firmament" is a cutting-edge system that combines machine learning methods for crop classification with individualized recommendations to transform agriculture. Utilizing proficient machine learning algorithms, the system categorizes crops according to meteorological conditions, soil properties, and satellite photos. The Crop Classification Module is the first part of the Intelligent Firmament. This module extracts useful data about crop varieties, development stages, and general health by analyzing high-resolution satellite photos using deep learning models. To deliver dynamic recommendations, the Intelligent Firmament also makes use of climate models and real-time weather forecasts. The system can adjust and recommend appropriate crops that are in line with expected environmental conditions favorably to machine learning models that have been trained on past weather data to predict future climate trends. By taking a proactive stance, farmers may reduce the hazards brought on by erratic weather patterns and adjust their farming methods as necessary. The Intelligent Firmament, which uses machine learning to classify crops and provide customized recommendations, is a paradigm change in agriculture

Physiological, molecular, and genetic mechanism of action of the biostimulant Quantis™ for increased thermotolerance of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

BackgroundRaising global temperatures limit crop productivity and new strategies are needed to improve the resilience of thermosensitive crops such as potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). Biostimulants are emerging as potential crop protection products against environmental stress, however their mechanism of action remains largely unknown, hindering their wider adoption. We used comprehensive physiological, molecular, and mass spectrometry approaches to develop understanding of the mechanism of plant thermotolerance exerted by the biostimulant, Quantis™, under heat stress. Using orthologues gene mutations in Arabidopsis thaliana we report heat-defence genes, modified by Quantis™, which were also investigated for potential overlapping functions in biotic stress defence to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Rhizoctonia solani.ResultsQuantis™ enhanced PSII photochemical efficiency and decreased thermal dissipation of potato grown under heat stress. These effects were associated with upregulation of genes with antioxidant function, including PR10, flavonoid 3′‐hydroxylase and β-glucosidases, and modulation of abscisic acid (ABA) and cytokinin (CK) activity in leaves by Quantis™. The biostimulant modulated the expression of the heat-defence genes, PEN1, PR4 or MEE59, with functions in leaf photoprotection and root thermal protection, but with no overlapping function in biotic stress defence. Protective root growth under heat stress, following the biostimulant application, was correlated with enhanced CK signalling in roots. Increased endogenous concentrations of ABA and CK in potato leaves and significant upregulation of StFKF1 were consistent with tuberisation promoting effects. Quantis™ application resulted in 4% tuber weight increase and 40% larger tuber size thus mitigating negative effects of heat stress on tuber growth.ConclusionsQuantis™ application prior to heat stress effectively primed heat tolerance responses and alleviated temperature stress of S. tuberosum L. and A. thaliana by modulating the expression and function of PR4 and MEE59 and by regulating CK activity above and below ground, indicating that the mechanism of action of the biostimulant is conserved, and will be effective in many plant species. Thus, a biostimulant application targeting the most susceptible crop developmental stages to heat disorders can be effectively integrated within future agronomy practices to mitigate losses in other thermosensitive crops.Graphical

Impact of climate change on agriculture and discussion on the impact of Agro metereological factors and its relation with crop growth

Climate change poses significant challenges to agriculture worldwide, impacting crop growth, yield, and overall food security. This review paper explores the multifaceted impacts of climate change on agriculture, with a particular focus on the interplay between agro meteorological factors and crop growth. Through a comprehensive discussion, we examine how alterations in temperature, precipitation patterns, humidity, and extreme weather events influence various stages of crop development. Additionally, we investigate the role of agro meteorological factors in shaping plant physiology, penology, and susceptibility to pests and diseases. Furthermore, we analyze strategies for mitigating the adverse effects of climate change on agriculture through improved understanding and management of agro meteorological variables. By synthesizing existing research findings, this paper provides insights into the complex relationship between climate change, agro meteorology, and crop productivity, offering valuable guidance for policymakers, researchers, and agricultural practitioners.

Impact of Weed and Seeding Rates on Crop Growth Rate of Five Barley Cultivars

A randomized complete block design with split-split plot arrangement was used to evaluate the effects of weeds and seeding rates on barley cultivar growth rate and yield in the College of Engineering Agricultural Sciences - University of Baghdad - Jadriyah fields in winter 2021–2022. The main plots had two treatments, weedy and weed-free, and the subplots had 120, 140, and There were significant differences in dry matter weight, crop growth rate, and yield between cultivars. The cultivar Amal had the highest grain yield per unit area (6.98 tons ha-1), dry matter weight at full flowering and physiological maturity (46.80 and 57.60 g), and crop growth rate from planting to 60 days (8.20 g m-2 day-1). Samir also had the highest dry matter weight after 60 and 90 days (37.60 and 61.68 g) and crop growth rate from 90 days to full flowering (7.96 g m-2 day-1). The cultivar IPA 256 had the highest crop growth rate from 60 to 90 days, full flowering to physiological maturity, and planting to physiological maturity (8.61, 34.14, 6.23, and 7.96 g m-2 day-1). The seeding rate of 160 kg ha-1 outperformed the other rates in dry matter weight after 60 and 90 days, at full flowering and physiological maturity (40.04, 62.50, 66.89, and 148.51 g, respectively), crop growth rate from planting to 60 days, 90 days, full flowering, physiological maturity, The weed-free treatment outperformed the other treatments in dry matter weight and crop growth rate from full flowering to physiological maturity and from planting to physiological maturity in all barley growth and yield traits. Since the crop growth rate was highest between planting and full flowering, we can infer that the weedy treatments prioritized vegetative growth over reproductive growth. In the weed-free treatment, however, the trend was toward more robust reproduction. In addition, the biological yield (total dry matter weight) increased as seeding rates were raised, and this translated into a higher grain yield. According to a study that compared crop growth rates from planting to 60 days after planting, Amal was the most effective cultivar at outcompeting weeds in the early stages of crop development, leading to the highest yield.

Prevalence and spatial distribution of cranberry fruit rot pathogens in British Columbia, Canada and potential fungicides for fruit rot management.

Twenty-eight cranberry farms in southwestern British Columbia were investigated for the prevalence and spatial distribution of fungal pathogens that contribute to fruit rot incidence. Farms were selected from six regions where most cranberry production is concentrated. Flowers, and green and ripe fruit (var. 'Stevens') samples, collected during two consecutive crop seasons, were analyzed for fruitrot pathogens. The most frequently isolated pathogens were identified asAllantophomopsis cytisporea, Botrytis cinerea, Coleophoma empetri, Colletotrichum fioriniae, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Fusicoccum putrefaciens, Glomerella sp., Phomopsis vaccinii, Phyllosticta elongata, Phyllosticta vaccinii and Physalospora vaccinii. The pathogens Allantophomopsis cytisporea, Phyllosticta spp., and Physalospora vaccinii were found at high incidence. These pathogens were present in all cranberry growing regions, although their mean percentage incidence varied from farm-to-farm and region-to-region. Amongst the pathogens from three phenological stages of cranberry crop examined, ripe fruit had the highest percentage incidence of fruit rot pathogens compared to that of flowers or green fruit; thus, indicating their presence at the early stages of crop development. The efficacy to inhibit the mycelial growth and spore germination of the fruit rot pathogens by twenty six fungicides, belonging to nine different modes of actions, were evaluated in vitro. The copper-based fungicides and captan of group M, flutriafol, triforine, difenoconazole, prothioconazole and propiconazole of group 3, benzovindiflupyr of group 7, and fosetyl-Al of group 33 demonstrated a high degree of efficacy in inhibiting the mycelial growth of all fruit rot pathogens. The fungicides chlorothalonil of group M, fenbuconazole of group 3, pyrimethanil and cyprodinil of group 9, and fludioxonil of group 12 also demonstrated activity against most fruit rot pathogens. The copper-based fungicides, chlorothalonil, captan, flutriafol, triforine, difenoconazole, prothioconazole, propiconazole, benzovindiflupyr, and fosetyl-Al effectively prevented the spore germination of most fruit rot pathogens. This demonstrated activity of the fungicides towards cranberry fruit rot pathogens should be assessed for efficacy in planta under field conditions. The current study identified the most critical fungal pathogens causing fruit rot of cranberry in British Columbia and potential fungicides that could be used in the management of fruit rot and to improve fruit quality and yield.

Use of Insect Exclusion Row Cover and Reflective Silver Plastic Mulching to Manage Whitefly in Zucchini Production.

The challenges that sweet potato whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) creates for vegetable production have increased in the southeastern U.S. Growers must use intensive insecticide spray programs to suppress extremely high populations during the fall growing season. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the use of a reflective plastic mulch and an insect row cover as alternative methods to the current grower practices to manage whiteflies in zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) production. Field experiments were conducted with a two-level factorial experimental design of cover and plastic mulch treatments arranged in a randomized complete block design, with four replications in Georgia in 2020 and 2021, and in Alabama in 2021. Cover treatments consisted of an insect row cover installed on zucchini beds at transplanting and removed at flowering and a no-cover treatment, while plastic mulch treatments consisted of reflective silver plastic mulching and white plastic mulching. During all growing seasons, weather conditions were monitored, whitefly populations were sampled weekly, zucchini biomass accumulation was measured at five stages of crop development, and fruit yield was determined at harvesting. Warm and dry weather conditions early in the growing season resulted in increased whitefly populations, regardless of location and year. In general, the reflective silver plastic mulching reduced whitefly populations compared to the conventional white plastic by 87% in Georgia in 2020, 33% in Georgia in 2021, and 30% in Alabama in 2021. The insect row cover treatment reduced whitefly populations to zero until its removal. Consequently, zucchini plants grown with the insect row cover and reflective silver plastic mulching had an increased rate of biomass accumulation due to the lower insect pressure in all locations. Zucchini grown using silver reflective plastic mulch and row covers had an overall increase of 17% and 14% in total yield compared to white plastic mulch and no-cover treatments, respectively. Significant differences in yield among locations were likely due to severe whitefly pressure early in the fall season, and total yields in Georgia in 2020 (11,451 kg ha-1) were 25% lower than in Georgia in 2021 (15,177 kg ha-1) and in Alabama in 2021 (15,248 kg ha-1). In conclusion, silver plastic mulching and row covers reduced the whitefly population and increased biomass accumulation and total yield. These treatments can be considered ready-to-use integrated pest management practices for growers.

Absorption, partitioning, and export of nutrients by phenological stage in maize cultivated in Eastern Maranhão, Brazil

This study aimed to evaluate the absorption, partitioning, and redistribution of nutrients by phenological stage of the maize crop, under the edaphoclimatic conditions of the municipality of Brejo, Maranhão, Brazil. The experiment was carried out in a Yellow Argisol, under a randomized block design, with seven treatments corresponding to the phenological stages V5, V8, VT, R1, R3, R5, and R6, and four replicates. The plant was partitioned into leaves, stalk, reproductive organs (tassel, straw, cob), and grains to determine the concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn. The accumulation of nutrients in each organ in the different phenological stages was estimated based on the values of dry weight and nutrient concentrations. A slow accumulation of dry weight was observed in the maize plant until the flowering stage (VT), a pattern also observed for the nutrients P, Mg, S, and Cu. Nutrients N, K, Ca, B, Fe, Mn, and Zn showed values close or superior to 50% of the maximum accumulated up to VT. The decreasing order of nutrient accumulation was N > K > P > Mg > S>Ca > Fe > Zn > Mn > Cu > B. The nutrients with the highest harvest rates were P > N > Mg > S>Zn (0.84, 0.74, 0.72, 0.69, and 0.51, respectively). N, K, Ca, B, Zn, Fe, and Mn are the most absorbed nutrients in the initial stage of crop development. The nutrients that are absorbed in greater quantity after flowering are P, S, Mg, and Cu. The degrees day sum showed no effects on the maize crop cycle under the edafoclimatic conditions of this study.

Comparing the Nutritional Needs of Two Solanaceae and One Cucurbitaceae Species Grown Hydroponically under the Same Cropping Conditions.

Switching over to closed-loop soilless culture systems, thus preventing pollution of water resources by nitrates and saving water and fertilizers, requires accurate estimations of the mean nutrient-to-water uptake ratios. To contribute to this objective, three fruit vegetable species (tomato, eggplant, cucumber) were grown hydroponically in a floating system under identical cropping conditions to quantify species differences in nutrient uptake. The composition of the nutrient solution used to feed the crops was identical for all species. The total water consumption and the concentrations of most nutrients (K, Ca, Mg, N, P, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B) in the nutrient solution and the plant tissues were measured at crop establishment and at two different crop developmental stages. The obtained data were used to determine the uptake concentrations (UCs) using two mass balance models, one based on nutrient removal from the nutrient solution and a second based on nutrient recovery in the plant tissues. The experiment was conducted in the spring-summer season. The results revealed that the nutrient uptake concentrations were substantially different between species for all nutrients except for N, while there were also significant interactions between the two methods used for their estimation of some nutrients. Thus, the UCs of N, P, Ca, and some micronutrients were significantly higher when its estimation was based on the removal of nutrients from the nutrient solution compared to recovery from plant tissues, presumably because with the first method, losses due to denitrification or precipitation could not be separated from those of plant uptake. The comparison of the three greenhouse vegetables revealed a similar UC for nitrogen, while cucumber generally showed significantly lower UCs for P and for the micronutrients Fe, Zn, and Cu at both cropping stages compared to the two Solanaceae species. The obtained results can be used to precisely adjust the nutrient supply in closed-loop soilless cultivations to the plant uptake thus avoiding both depletion and accumulation of nutrients in the root environment.

Assessment of the Responses of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) to the Exogenous Application of Gibberellic Acid and Indole Butyric Acid at Different Crop Development Stages

Background: Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is one of the most important pulse crops in the world. In Tunisia, the chickpea is vulnerable to fluctuation in production in the last few decades. However, phytohormones are known to play crucial roles in regulating different development processes in plants. Methods: This research was conducted in Petri dish and pot experiments in order to determine the effect of gibberellic acid (GA3) and indole butyric acid (IBA) phytohormones on some growth parameters of chickpea. In this study, GA3 at concentrations of 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15 and 0.2 g/l and IBA at concentrations of 0, 10-5, 10-4, 10-3 and 10-2 g/l were applied at different stages of chickpea development. Result: Results of Petri dishes trial revealed that IBA (10-4g/l) and GA3 (0.2 g/l) hormones improved significantly the shoot and root length of chickpea plant. Results of pots pointed out that the chickpea achieves the highest plant height when IBA (10-4 or 10-3 g/l) and GA3 (0.2 g/l) were used at pre-flowering stage. The IBA and GA3 application with concentrations of 10-3 g/l and 0.1 g/l, respectively allowed the highest nodule number at post-flowering stage. The parameters number of branches, fresh and dry weight of the aerial part and leaves number were improved in chickpea plants treated with IBA and GA3 at pre-flowering and post-flowering, respectively. Similarly, the number of flowers was promoted by the two hormones. The weight and the number of seeds were significantly enhanced by all IBA treatments in plants. An increase in weight and the number of seeds was observed at post-flowering phase of GA3 treatment. Thus, these results identified the beneficial effect of tested phytohormones in chickpea growth.

Design of small gravity drip irrigation for smallholder farming in water scarce region of Indonesia

Many regions in Indonesia are suffering from a water crisis due to limited annual precipitation, especially in dry regions, which affects agricultural production. Climate change is becoming more severe, threatening global food and water security. Thus, the development of affordable irrigation for smallholder farms is crucial to increasing agricultural production. The study aims to provide a better design and management of a small gravity drip irrigation system for melon cultivation. Field experiments were conducted on a farmer’s field located in Sinjai Regency to analyze the performance of the small gravity drip irrigation system on melon cultivation. The technical design was determined by analyzing the water application uniformity and irrigation water productivity. The parameters of crop growth under small gravity drip irrigation were monitored during crop development stages, and the irrigation water productivity was calculated after the crop was harvested. As a result, the small gravity drip system performed well in crop performance, and the irrigation water productivity was 1.55 kg/m3. It can be concluded that a small gravity drip irrigation system is an effective strategy for irrigating melon cultivation on smallholder farms, minimizing water loss, and improving crop water productivity.

Modeling of soil moisture and water fluxes in a maize field for the optimization of irrigation

Precision irrigation is becoming more and more important in agricultural crop production due to the limited water resources resulting from the negative effects of climate change. Modeling of irrigation can support decision makers in the maintenance of the quantitative and qualitative parameters of the cultivated crops, while improving the efficiency of water consumption. In the present paper, a 3D hydrodynamic model was created in the HYDRUS environment to support the modeling of the temporal changes and spatial variations in the water balance (WB) of a maize cultivated Hungarian study site, thereby providing inputs for irrigation scheduling and variable rate irrigation for stakeholders. Beside soil physical parameters, crop evapotranspiration (ETc) values were also considered as model inputs for the phenological crop development stages of the maize from the sowing to the harvesting. This period was between the 3rd of May and the 10th of September in 2020 and the 20th of May and 14th of September for the year 2021. The performance of the model for soil moisture conditions were validated by on-field soil moisture measurements. The overall performance (full vegetation period) of the model was good (r2 = 0.88 for 2020 and r2 = 0.91 for 2021), but slightly varied among different phenological stages. Based on the model, the water balance of the investigated area was determined without any irrigation, alongside the cumulative water fluxes (CWF) through the boundaries including the root water uptake (RWU) of the maize as well. The results revealed that the incoming precipitation was not sufficient to supplement the water content in the soil to the optimal soil moisture range, except when the precipitation level is high enough to balance it. It was concluded that the water balance was negative for the investigated time periods without any irrigation. The specific water deficit (WD) values were calculated considering the area of the study site, which is 1439 m3/ha for 2020 and 2068 m3/ha for 2021. From the obtained results, optimal irrigation schedules were presented to keep the soil moisture content in the optimal range (20.92–14.41 V/V%) in the modeled area for two different vegetation periods. It was found that due to the irrigation the crop water productivity (CWP) increased by 6% and 4% in 2020 and 2021. Overall, the model is able to cope with changing circumstances that could help to mitigate the negative effects of climate change with the reasonable use of limited water resources in the future.

Climatic and Fruit Productivity Trends in Solan District, Himachal Pradesh, India

The shortened duration of the winter season in the Himalayan region caused by snow melting has a negative impact on fruit crop growth and productivity. The present study focused on examining the impact of climate change on fruit crops in the Solan district of Himachal Pradesh, India, situated in the Himalayan region. The trend analysis of climatic variables (temperature and rainfall) along with the productivity of fruit crops was investigated. The climate data spanning 30 years (1990–2019), including average temperature (maximum, minimum, and diurnal) and annual rainfall used during crop development stages like pre-flowering, flowering, and fruit-setting stages. To evaluate climatic trends, the Standardized Anomaly Index (SAI) and Mann-Kendall Test for quantification were employed. The Multivariate Linear Regression Analysis was performed to establish a correlation between climatic variables and crop productivity. The findings indicated that during the pre-flowering stage, there was a gradual increase in average maximum temperature at a rate of 0.001°C per year, along with a corresponding rise in diurnal temperature at a rate of 0.036°C per year. However, annual rainfall and average minimum temperature exhibited non-significant decreasing trends, with rates of -0.044°C and -0.033 mm, respectively. During the flowering stage, there was a significant increase in minimum temperature at a rate of 0.151°C per year, while diurnal temperature exhibited a significant decrease of -0.158°C per year. Other variables did not exhibit substantial changes during this stage. In the fruit-setting stage, only the minimum temperature demonstrated a significant decrease over the study period. The response to climate change revealed an overall positive trend for all fruit crops, leading to higher productivity. The correlation study indicated that the phenological stages of each crop were more positively influenced by temperature than rainfall, owing to existing climatic variations. The current climatic conditions in the Solan district were found to be favorable and productive for crop development, as all crops showed increased productivity based on the trend analysis. The study highlights climatic trends and their impact on the productivity of fruit crops in the Himalayan region, which is useful for agricultural planning and adaptation strategies in response to changing climatic conditions.

Bio-efficacy of Sulfentrazone 39.6% SC against Weed Flora of Soybean

Inadequate weed control is one of the primary causes of a decrease in soybean production. Weeds compete for resources with crops (water, light and nutrients). This competition is especially important during the early stages of crop development, when production losses of up to 80 per cent are possible, and in extreme cases, harvest operations are hampered. As a result, the current study sought to identify an effective weed control practice in soybean.To assess the bio-efficacy of Sulfentrazone 39.6% SC as a post-emergent (PRE) herbicide for weed control in soybean. The experiment was laid in RCBD (Randomized complete Block Design). A field experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Bidar, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur, Karnataka, India during kharif seasons of 2019 and 2020. The study consisted seven treatments with three levels of Sulfentrazone as PRE (240, 360, and 480 g a.i ha-1), two check herbicides (Authority XL @ 360 g a.i. ha-1 and Pendimethalin @ 1 kg a.i ha-1as PRE), hand weeding twice at 20 and 40 days after sowing, and a weedy check replicated three times. Application of sulfentrazone 39.6%SC premergent herbicide significantly reduced weed density and dry biomass a during the critical period of crop-weed competition. Sulfentrazone 39.6% SC @ 360 g a.i. ha-1 (PRE) application resulted in significantly higher weed control efficiency (WCE), yield, and economics in soybean, which was comparable to Sulfentrazone 39.6% SC @ 480 g a.i. ha-1 (PRE) application. Hence, Application of sulfentrazone 39.6% SC @ 360 g a.i. ha-1 as pre emergent herbicide is advocated to the farmers in effective control of weeds.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles in combination with biochar alleviate arsenic accumulation in field grown rice (Oryza sativa L.) crop

Plants require zinc (Zn) as an essential micronutrient since Zn plays important roles in metabolism. Arsenic (As) is a toxic metalloid whose accumulation in plants hampers growth of plants. Rice crops are grown under flooded conditions that make them vulnerable to double jeopardy of Zn deficiency and As stress. The goal of this study was to observe the effect of ZnO nanoparticle (NP) and ZnO-NP + biochar on As and Zn accumulation in and growth of rice plants grown under flooded conditions. The study area was Chausa block in Buxar district, Bihar, India. Rice crops were treated with 80 mg L−1 of ZnO-NP and biochar was added to soil at rate of 10 t ha−1. ZnO-NP were sprayed at heading and jointing stage of crop development. The results showed a significant increase in rice growth and yield by 14–26% and 30–33% respectively along with total chlorophyll content in ZnO-NP and ZnO-NP + biochar as compared to control. The level of electrolytic leakage and malondialdihyde (MDA) content was observed to decrease by 48–62% and 14–55%, respectively in treated plants as compared to control. Further, As accumulation was reduced in rice grains by >90% while Zn accumulation was increased by >50% in ZnO-NP and ZnO-NP + biochar treatments than that in control. The enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), and catalase (CAT) showed higher activity in treated crop plants than in control plants. The findings confirm that ZnO-NP and their combined use with biochar in flooded agricultural soil can help to improve growth, yield and reduce As accumulation in rice plants.

Yield shortfall of cereals in Ukraine caused by the change in air temperature and precipitation amount

Yield shortfall of cereals in Ukraine caused by the change in air temperature and precipitation amount

Study on Effect of Rainfall Variability on Crop Productivity of Tur (Arhar) and Cotton Crops for Various Districts of Maharashtra, India

This research article investigates the impact of rainfall variability on the productivity of Tur (Arhar) and Cotton crops in the districts of Maharashtra, India. The study analyzes the correlation between rainfall departure (deviation from the normal) and crop productivity, focusing on specific months when rainfall has the most significant influence on crop yield. Secondary data from the India Meteorological Department and the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare were utilized for the analysis. Statistical methods such as detrending, correlation analysis, and significance testing were employed to measure the relationship between rainfall variability and crop productivity. For the Tur (Arhar) crop, the study covers data from 1997-1998 to 2018-2019 for 34 districts in Maharashtra. The analysis reveals the effects of rainfall on different stages of crop growth, such as sowing, germination, vegetative growth, flowering, grain formation, and harvesting. Similarly, for the Cotton crop, data from 28 districts were examined to determine the impact of rainfall on various stages of crop development. The findings indicate that rainfall plays a crucial role in crop productivity, with both positive and negative correlations observed in different districts and months. The study highlights the significance of rainfall during specific stages of crop growth and emphasizes the importance of considering rainfall patterns when making agricultural decisions. This research contributes valuable insights into the relationship between rainfall variability and crop productivity, providing farmers and policymakers with knowledge to develop sustainable agricultural strategies in Maharashtra. By understanding the influence of rainfall on crop yield, farmers can make informed decisions regarding crop selection and adopt appropriate agricultural practices to mitigate the effects of rainfall variability.

Flint corn silage management: influence of maturity stage, inoculation with Lentilactobacillus buchneri, and storage time on fermentation pattern, aerobic stability, and nutritional characteristics.

High quality corn silage depends on factors such as corn type, stage of crop development at harvest time, fermentation time, in addition to use or not of inoculants. This study aimed to investigate the impact of maturity stage, bacterial inoculation, and storage time on fermentation, aerobic stability, and nutritional characteristics of flint corn silage and their implications for corn silage management. A flint corn hybrid was harvested very early, early, and medium (at 250, 300 and 350 g dry matter (DM)/kg as fed, respectively) and ensiled in mini-silos without (control) or with Lentilactobacillus buchneri CNCM I-4323 at 1 × 105 cfu/g for 120, 240 and 360 d to investigate how these factors interact with each other. There was only a small increase (7 g/kg starch; p = 0.003) in starch digestibility (starch-D) in the silages stored for 360 d when compared to that stored for 240 d, but with no difference for 120 d. Despite the reduced starch-D (526 vs. 694 g/kg starch; p < 0.001), silages produced from medium harvest had higher (p < 0.001) starch content (317 vs. 137 g/kg DM) and higher amount of digestible starch (169 vs. 98.5 g/kg DM; p < 0.001) compared to very early harvest. The 2-way interactions (inoculation × storage time and maturity × storage time) showed that inoculation of corn silage with L. buchneri increased (p < 0.001) the aerobic stability, and that more mature crop silage had higher aerobic stability (140 h; p = 0.036) than the others (118 and 48.5 h for those silages from very early and early harvest). The storage for a longer time (>120 d) with the goal of increasing silage digestibility did not occur. Harvesting whole-crop flint corn with 300 to 350 g/kg DM is desirable to have higher DM yield and starch accumulation. Inoculation with L. buchneri is recommended to preserve the silage against aerobic deterioration. This study has shown the importance of harvesting flint corn at the right time, and the need for inoculation with L. buchneri to ensure greater yield, starch accumulation, and silage preservation, if 120 days of storage are not exceeded.