Number Of Tillers Research Articles

Comparative Study on Cost Analysis of Mechanical and Manual Transplanting of Rice

In Telangana, rice cultivation predominantly relies on traditional manual transplanting, which requires a significant labor force. However, the migration of agricultural laborers to urban areas in search of better wages has led to a shortage of workers, particularly during the critical transplanting season. To address this labor shortage and reduce cultivation costs, an efficient and cost-effective method of rice transplanting is essential, without compromising grain yield. To explore such a solution, Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Jammikunta, Karimnagar district, conducted 30 frontline demonstrations between 2018-19 and 2020-21, showcasing rice cultivation using a self-propelled, walk-behind six-row mechanical transplanter. The performance of this mechanical method was evaluated by collecting data on various growth parameters, including plant height, number of productive tillers per hill, panicle length, grains per panicle, and grain yield, and comparing it with traditional manual transplanting. Economic analysis revealed that the gross returns from mechanical transplanting were Rs. 135,956, compared to Rs. 128,629 for manual transplanting. Similarly, the net returns for mechanical and manual methods were Rs. 95,106 and Rs. 82,204, respectively. The benefit-cost ratio was found to be 3.32 for mechanical transplanting and 2.77 for manual transplanting. These findings indicate that mechanical rice transplanting offers a viable, cost-effective alternative, reducing labor requirements and drudgery while delivering higher yields.

The small RNA biogenesis in rice is regulated by MAP kinase-mediated OsCDKD phosphorylation.

CDKs are the master regulator of cell division and their activity is controlled by the regulatory subunit cyclins and phosphorylation by the CAKs. However, the role of MAP kinases in regulating plant cell cycle or CDKs have not been explored. Here, we report that the MAP kinases OsMPK3, OsMPK4, and OsMPK6 physically interact and phosphorylate OsCDKD and its regulatory subunit OsCYCH in rice. MAP kinases phosphorylate CDKD at Ser-168 and Thr-235 residues in OsCDKD. The MAP kinase-mediated phosphorylation of OsCDKD is required for its activation to control the small RNA biogenesis. The phosphodead version of OsCDKD fails to activate the C-terminal domain of RNA Polymerase II, thereby negatively impacting small RNA transcription. Further, the overexpression lines of wild-type (WT) OsCDKD and phosphomimic OsCDKD show increased root growth, plant height, tiller number, panicle number, and seed number in comparison to WT, phosphodead OsCDKD-OE, and kinase-dead OsCDKD-OE plants. In a nutshell, our study establishes a novel regulation of OsCDKD by MAPK-mediated phosphorylation in rice. The phosphorylation of OsCDKD by MAPKs imparts a positive effect on rice growth and development by regulating miRNAs transcription.

Indica rice “Takanari” exhibited superiority to Japanese rice “Koshihikari” on N-uptake and biomass production under no-weeding practice

ABSTRACT Rice yield and whole biomass production are strongly related to the rice cultivar’s nitrogen (N) uptake ability and various meteorological conditions and management practices. Under different conditions, such as elevated CO2 with limited N-supply, the Indica cultivar” Takanari (Tak)” showed a higher N-uptake ability than the Japonica cultivar ‘Koshihikari (Kos).’ However, it is still unclear how Tak and Kos respond to N-uptake and biomass production under limited N conditions with or without weeding. For this reason, we conducted a pot experiment at Tsuruoka, Yamagata, Japan, in the 2022 rice growing season. Tak and Kos were transplanted individually and interplanted (Tak+Kos) in pots filled with 8.0 kg of air-dried alluvial soil from an organic rice farm with the main treatments of weeding and no weeding. Rice growth parameters (shoot height, tiller numbers, and leaf color) were investigated weekly, while rice biomass and N-uptake were measured after harvest. As a result, plant biomass and N-uptake were significantly different among all treatments. The rice biomass and N-uptake in weeding were significantly higher than those in no-weeding for both cultivars. Compared with Kos, Tak had significantly higher rice biomass and N-uptake for root, ear, and whole rice plants in all treatments, weeding practices, and planting modes. The ratios of aboveground biomass and N-uptake between Tak and Kos in interplanting were higher than their respective ratios in individual planting. Interplanting increased the aboveground biomass ratios between Tak and Kos by 16.24% and 27.43% in weeding and no-weeding conditions, respectively. The ratios of N-uptake in interplanting were higher than individual planting at 21.74% and 34.09% in weeding and no-weeding, respectively. Tak’s ability to compete with Kos on N-uptake and biomass production was increased when two rice cultivars were transplanted in the same pot under interplanting cultivation and no-weeding conditions.

Effect of KCl Fertilizer and Humic Acid to The Growth and Yields Of Spring Onion (Allium fistulosum L.)

The decrease in nutrients in the soil occurs due to leaching, which causes a reduction in the growth and quality of plant yields. Using KCl fertilizer and humic acid is one of the efforts to increase nutrients in the soil and plant growth and yield. This research was conducted in Seda Village, Mandirancan District, Kuningan Regency, from June to August 2024. The research method used was an experimental method with a complete randomized design (CRD), consisting of 16 treatments repeated 2 times. The observed variables consisted of the number of leaves, plant height, number of tillers, root volume, dry weight per cluster, relative growth rate, and fresh weight per cluster. The results of this study showed that the use of KCl fertilizer at a dose of 1.2 g/plant and 0 g/plant humic acid gave good growth and yield in spring onion plants.

Phenotypic, Physiological, and Gene Expression Analysis for Nitrogen and Phosphorus Use Efficienies in Three Popular Genotypes of Rice (Oryza sativa Indica).

Crop nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) use efficiencies (NUE/PUE) are important to minimize wastage and nutrient pollution, but no improved crop for both is currently available. We addressed them together in rice, in the view of its high consumption of NPK fertilizers. We analyzed 46 morphophysiological parameters for the N/P response in three popular indica genotypes, namely, BPT 5204, Panvel 1, and CR Dhan 301 at low, medium, and normal N/P doses. They include 18 vegetative, 15 physiological, and 13 reproductive parameters. The segregation of significantly N/P-responsive parameters correlating with NUE/PUE revealed 21 NUE, 22 PUE, and 12 common parameters. Feature selection analyses revealed the common high-ranking parameters including the photosynthetic rate at the reproductive stage, tiller number, root-shoot ratio, culm thickness, and flag leaf width. The venn selection using the reported NUE/PUE-related candidate genes in rice revealed five genes in common for both, namely OsIAA3, OsEXPA10, OsCYP75B4, OsSultr3;4, and OsFER2, which were associated with three of the common traits for NUE/PUE. Their expression studies using qRT-PCR revealed the opposite regulation in contrasting genotypes for OsSultr3;4 and OsEXPA10 in N-response and for OsFER2 in P-response, indicating their role in contrasting N/P use efficiencies. Overall, CR Dhan 301 has the highest NUE and PUE followed by Panvel 1 and BPT5204 among the studied genotypes.

Unveiling wheat growth promotion potential of phosphate solubilizing Pantoea agglomerans PS1 and PS2 through genomic, physiological, and metagenomic characterizations.

Phosphorus is an abundant element in the earth's crust and is generally found as complex insoluble conjugates. Plants cannot assimilate insoluble phosphorus and require external supplementation as chemical fertilizers to achieve a good yield. Continuous use of fertilizers has impacted soil ecology, and a sustainable solution is needed to meet plant elemental requirements. Phosphate solubilizing microbes could enhance phosphorus bioavailability for better crop production and can be employed to attain sustainable agriculture practices. The current study unveils the biofertilizer potential of wheat rhizospheric bacteria through physiological, taxonomic, genomic, and microbiomics experimentations. Culture-dependent exploration identified phosphate-solubilizing PS1 and PS2 strains from the wheat rhizosphere. These isolates were rod-shaped, gram-negative, facultative anaerobic bacteria, having optimum growth at 37°C and pH 7. Phylogenetic and phylogenomic characterization revealed their taxonomic affiliation as Pantoea agglomerans subspecies PS1 & PS2. Both isolates exhibited good tolerance against saline (>10% NaCl (w/v), >11.0% KCl (w/v), and >6.0% LiCl (w/v)), oxidizing (>5.9% H2O2 (v/v)) conditions. PS1 and PS2 genomes harbor gene clusters for biofertilization features, root colonization, and stress tolerance. PS1 and PS2 showed nitrate reduction, phosphate solubilization, auxin production, and carbohydrate utilization properties. Treatment of seeds with PS1 and PS2 significantly enhanced seed germination percentage (p = 0.028 and p = 0.008, respectively), number of tillers (p = 0.0018), number of leaves (p = 0.0001), number of spikes (p = 0.0001) and grain production (p = 0.0001). Wheat rhizosphere microbiota characterizations indicated stable colonization of PS1 and PS2 strains in treated seeds at different feek stages. Pretreatment of seeds with both strains engineered the wheat rhizosphere microbiota by recruiting plant growth-promoting microbial groups. In vitro, In vivo, and microbiota characterization studies indicated the biofertilizer potential of Pantoea sp. PS1 & PS2 to enhance wheat crop production. The employment of these strains could fulfill plant nutrient requirements and be a substitute for chemical fertilizers for sustainable agriculture.

Mulching tree leaves improve the growth, yield, and yield components of hybrid maize

The experiment was carried out at the Agroforestry Farm, Department of Agroforestry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh from November 2019 to March 2020 to assess the impact of tree leaf mulching on the growth, yield attributes, and yield of maize. The study used a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications and six treatments. These treatments were: T0=Control (no mulch), T1=Akashmoni (Acacia auriculiformis) tree leaf mulch, T2=Segun (Tectona grandis) tree leaf mulch, T3=Kalo koroi (Albizia lebbeck) tree leaf mulch, T4=Jhau (Casuarina equisetifolia) tree leaf mulch, and T5=Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) tree leaf mulch. The results showed that the Kalo koroi tree leaf mulch (T3) led to the highest values for various parameters such as plant height, number of effective tillers per plant, number of leaves per plant, leaf length, leaf diameter, number of cobs per plant, length, and diameter of cob, the weight of single cob, number of grains per cob, grain weight per cob, 100-grain weight, and grain yield of maize (221.18 cm, 0.93, 17.29, 79.26 cm, 7.30 cm, 4.18, 1.70, 21.11 cm, 6.08 cm, 212.12 g, 453.85 g, 138.91 g, 30.60 g, and 11.81 t/ha). Conversely, the lowest values were obtained in the control (T0) (no mulch), followed by T2 and T1 treatments (209.39 cm, 0.37, 12.5, 72.48 cm, 4.62 cm, 1.50, 15.03 cm, 4.44 cm, 202.19 g, 421.56 g, 111.55 g, 26.46 g, and 8.35 t/ha). Among the various tree leaf mulch treatments, it was found that the Kalo koroi tree leaf mulch performed better for vegetative growth, yield, and yield-contributing attributes in maize compared to the no mulch treatment. Therefore, it was suggested that tree leaf mulches could be a potential alternative to traditional mulches in maize cultivation. Res. Agric. Livest. Fish. Vol. 11, No. 2, August 2024: 205-214

Identification and analysis of low light responsive yield enhancing QTLs in rice

Rice is one of the major food crops grown globally. However, during the wet season, rice suffers significant yield loss due to reduced light intensity caused by overcast clouds when the light intensity is only around 450–500 µmol/m2/s, compared to 1400–1800 µmol/m2/s in summer. This reduction in light intensity leads to a decrease in seed yield, mainly by limiting tiller or panicle numbers. Yield and its attributing parameters were recorded in one hundred thirty RILs for four consecutive wet seasons in ambient light (AL) and low light (LL, 35% light-cut using white shade net). QTL analysis was performed using Inclusive Composite Interval Mapping (ICIM) with all the phenotypic data and 927 polymorphic SNPs identified by the 7 K Infinium chip. The study identified a large QTL influencing panicle numbers and yield exclusively in lowlight on chromosome 1 (qPNLL1.1, qGYLL1.1) in four consecutive seasons with LOD > 10 and PVE > 30%. The favourable alleles are from the tolerant parent, Swarnaprabha. Another grain yield improving QTL was identified on chromosome 6 (qGYLL6.1), with LOD > 3 in three consecutive seasons. In a diverse rice panel of one hundred seventeen genotypes with five different models, association analysis identified the associated marker for panicle numbers and grain yield in LL, which is also the left marker of the newly identified QTLs for the traits under LL condition. A shade-responsive gene, monoculm 2 (MOC2, LOC_Os01g64660) inside the QTL on chromosome 1, upregulated in the tolerant parent and its QTL-carrying RILs, whereas repressed in the susceptible one. Therefore, due to its significant additive effect and validation across various genotypes, the yield-improving QTL on chromosome 1 can be directly utilised in marker-assisted selection (MAS) for developing shade-tolerant rice. This can also help reduce the yield gap between wet and dry-season rice.

Effect of Date of Sowing and Nitrogen Level on the Yield of Wheat

An experiment to evaluate the growth and production of BARI Gom-26 was carried out at Bangladesh Agricultural University's Agronomy Field Laboratory from November 2022 to March 2023. The experiment compared various nitrogen amounts and planting dates. Five nitrogen levels (90, 100, 110, 120, and 130 kg N ha-1) were taken into consideration along with three planting dates (November 15, November 25, and December 5, 2022). Three replications of a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) were used in the trial. On March 1, March 18, and March 28, 2023, respectively, harvesting was done independently. According to the findings, November 25th with 110 kg N ha-1 produced the highest grain yield (3.92 t ha-1). Furthermore, on November 25, 2022, 110 kg N ha-1 produced the highest scores of tillers per hill (6.11), effective tillers per hill (5.74), number of spikelets per spike (12.46), number of grain-1 (23.89), straw yield (7.07 t ha-1), and biological yield (11.00 t ha-1). On the other hand, on December 5 with 130 kg N ha-1, the lowest number per total tiller (3.54), number of effective tillers per hill (3.36), straw yield (3.46 t ha-1), and biological yield (6.22 t ha-1) were noted. As a result, November 25, 2022, was linked to the highest grain yield. On November 25, 2022, it was also observed that all three planting dates and all five nitrogen treatments worked effectively with 110 kg N ha-1. The best date to sow wheat was determined to be November 25, 2022, and this date is advised for wheat cultivation in Bangladesh in different agro-ecological zones.

Agronomic Evaluation of Common Bean and Tef (Eragrostis tef) Varieties in Double Cropping System

Double-cropping cereals with legumes is a usual practice by smallholder farmers in southern Ethiopia. However, crop compatibility and sequencing are the major problems for their soil fertility and profitability. Thus, it was useful to conduct experiments on double cropping systems that enable the farmers more profitable on small land to reduce crop failure with current climate change. Thus, an experiment was done to evaluate the effects of the common bean as double cropping on the productivity of tef and to evaluate the economic and technical compatibility of common bean-tef in a double cropping combination to improve production at Wondo Genete district during the cropping season of 2021 using RCBD design. The experiment consisting of twelve treatments including three common bean and three tef varieties was sowed as the preceding and succeeding crop respectively and three sole tef variety to see the compatibility of common bean and tef varieties. The preceding crops showed a non-significant difference in days to maturity, seed per pod, and hundred seed weight, but the biomass and grain yield of Remeda were significantly higher than Awash-2 however, it had no significant yield difference with Hawassa Dume. The variance analysis showed that all the growth and yield parameters of tef were significant such as days to heading, days to maturity, plant height, spike length, number of tillers per plant, tiller number, and grain yield (p<0.05). However, the yield parameters like dry biomass, straw yield, and toughened seed weight for tef had no significant difference.

Effect of Nano Fertilizers on Growth and Yield of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

A field experiment was conducted at Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Jodhpur during two consecutive rabi seasons of 2021-22 and 2022-23. The field experiment was tested in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with fourteen treatments replicated thrice. Results showed that the application of 100% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) + seed treatment (ST) with nano DAP and two foliar sprays of nano urea at 35 and 55 days after sowing (DAS) was found the most effective treatment with recorded highest number of tillers (431/m2), length of spike (17.03 cm), number of spikes (414 /m2), number of grains (45.24 /spike), test weight (46.32) and grain yield (4399 kg/ha) on pooled basis. However, this treatment was found statistically at par with treatments of 100 per cent RDF + 2 foliar sprays (FS) of nano urea at 35 and 55 DAS, 100% RDF + FS of nano DAP at 35 DAS, 75% RDF + ST with nano DAP and 2 foliar spray of nano urea at 35 & 55 DAS but significantly superior over other treatments.

Impact of Potassium Fertilization on Growth and Yield of Small Millets

Aims: To evaluate the impact of varying potassium application levels on the growth and yield of small millets and to assess the economic viability of potassium fertilization in small millet farming. Methodology: A split plot design experiment was carried out, featuring four crops as the main treatments: C1 - Proso millet, C2 - Barnyard millet, C3 - Kodo millet, and C4 - Browntop millet. Potassium fertilizer was applied at four different rates (0, 10, 20, and 30 kg/ha) as sub-treatments. Throughout the cropping period, various morpho-physiological traits were monitored, including plant height (cm), tiller count per plant, and yield-related metrics such as the number of panicles per plant, 1000-grain weight (g), and biomass production per plant (g). At harvest, yield data and yield attributes were recorded, followed by an economic analysis. Results: The results indicated that, Proso millet showed a plant height increase from 75.85 to 94.37 cm, number of productive tillers (4.73) with high potassium doses, while Barnyard millet reached a maximum height of 119.13 cm, grain yield significantly increased from 1547 kg/ha without potassium to 2055 kg/ha with the highest potassium dose. Barnyard millet (achieving the highest gross return of Rs 61650/ha and a B: C ratio of 2.20 with the highest potassium dose. Conclusion: Application of potassium 20 kg/ha, along with the recommended dose of nitrogen and phosphorus, recorded 31.8% higher yield, greater tolerance to lodging, reduced pest and disease incidence and remunerative economics in millet cultivation.

Abscisic acid improves drought resilience, growth, physio-biochemical and quality attributes in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) at critical growth stages

Wheat is an important staple crop not only in Pakistan but all over the globe. Although the area dedicated to wheat cultivation expands annually, the quantity of wheat harvested is declining due to various biotic and abiotic factors. Global wheat production and output have suffered as a result of the drought, which is largely driven by a lack of water and environmental factors. Organic fertilizers have been shown to reduce the severity of drought. The current research was conducted in semi-arid climates to mitigate the negative effects of drought on wheat during its critical tillering (DTS), flowering (DFS), and grain filling (DGFS) stages through the application of three different abscisic acid treatments: ABA0 (0 mgL−1) control, ABA1 (100 mgL−1) and ABA2 (200 mgL−1). Wheat growth and yield characteristics were severely harmed by drought stress across all critical development stages, with the DGFS stage being particularly vulnerable and leading to a considerable loss in yield. Plant height was increased by 24.25%, the number of fertile tillers by 25.66%, spike length by 17.24%, the number of spikelets per spike by 16.68%, grain count per spike by 11.98%, thousand-grain weight by 14.34%, grain yield by 26.93% and biological yield by 14.55% when abscisic acid (ABA) was applied instead of the control treatment. Moreover, ABA2 increased the more physiological indices (water use efficiency (36.12%), stomatal conductance (44.23%), chlorophyll a (24.5%), chlorophyll b (29.8%), transpiration rate (23.03%), photosynthetic rate (24.84%), electrolyte leakage (− 38.76%) hydrogen peroxide (− 18.09%) superoxide dismutase (15.3%), catalase (20.8%), peroxidase (− 18.09%), and malondialdehyde (− 13.7%)) of drought-stressed wheat as compared to other treatments. In the case of N, P, and K contents in grain were maximally improved with the application of ABA2. Through the use of principal component analysis, we were able to correlate our results across scales and provide an explanation for the observed effects of ABA on wheat growth and production under arid conditions. Overall, ABA application at a rate of 200 mgL−1 is an effective technique to boost wheat grain output by mitigating the negative effects of drought stress.

Comprehensive phenotyping of SKUAST-K released rice varieties reveals significant role of root traits in drought resilience

The North Western Himalayan region, particularly the Kashmir valley, harbors a rich diversity of rice landraces, yet systematic studies on climate resilience are lacking. The present study was aimed at investigating the root traits and their interplay with shoot morphological and physiological traits under drought stress using seven indica and three japonica rice varieties released by SKUAST-Kashmir and their possible role in adaptive capacity to different environments. Significant variability was observed in root and shoot traits across the varieties. Root traits exhibited a wide phenotypic range, including rooting depth, fresh and dry weight, diameter, length, volume, surface area, and length density. Associations between root and shoot traits were identified, with notable correlations such as shoot weight with root shoot ratio, shoot length with root dry weight, diameter, and surface area, and tiller number with various root traits. Additionally, physiological traits like canopy temperature depression showed significant correlations with root depth and surface area. Principal component analysis (PCA) analysis grouped japonica type varieties together with a notable outlier, Chenab, due to its superior root traits among indica varieties. These findings emphasize the substantial contribution of root traits to productivity and advocate for their integration into varietal development processes. In view of the increasing evidences in crop plants about their role of root traits in defining plant productivity and reproductive fitness, study of root traits could provide valuable insights into the patterns of crop adaptation to diverse areas and growing environments.

A rare natural variation in TaFT-D2 underlies QTss.cas-3D associated with increased total spikelet number per spike in wheat

Total spikelet number per spike (TSS) is a crucial yield component in wheat. Dissecting and characterizing major stable quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with TSS can significantly enhance the genetic improvement of yield potential. In a previous study, we identified a stable major QTL for TSS, named QTss.cas-3D. In the present study, we conducted fine mapping of QTss.cas-3D, interval to approximately 6.35 Mb, ranging from 105.03 to 111.38 Mb, based on the IWGSC RefSeq v2.1. Through genome re-sequencing and gene function annotation, we identified TraesCS3D03G0308000 (TaFT-D2) as the candidate gene. Phenotypic evaluation with paired near-isogenic lines revealed that this locus predominantly increases kernel number per spike by enhancing TSS and fertile spikelet number per spike, without significantly affecting thousand-kernel weight or tiller number. The presence of the TaFT-D2 allele in the parent P3228, which is rare in nature populations, highlights its potential value. This study provides a valuable gene resource and functional marker for wheat molecular breeding aimed at improving TSS and establishes a foundation for gene functional analysis of TaFT-D2.

Evaluation of Transplanted Aman Rice by Exploiting and Adjusting Existing Technologies

Varietal differences are a common occurrence in rice cultivation across Bangladesh. Moreover, the application of appropriate management practices (MP) is essential for optimal rice production. Against this backdrop, a study was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory (AFL) of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh, during the aman season from July to December 2023. The aim was to assess the impact of different varieties and MP on the yield and other related attributes of Transplanted Aman (T. aman) rice. The study featured five rice varieties: BR11, BRRI dhan49, BRRI dhan52, BRRI dhan75, and BRRI dhan87 and two MP, namely Farmers’ Practices (FP) and Improved Practices (IP). The experimental design was a split plot, with MP as the main plots and varieties as the subplots, replicated three times. The findings indicated that both the variety of rice and the MP significantly influenced the yield and yield-related traits. Specifically, the variety BRRI dhan87 showed superior performance, yielding the highest plant height (PH) (116.87 cm), panicle length (PL) (25.33 cm), number of effective tillers (NET) hiil-1 (10.33), number of grains panicle-1 (NGP) (129.04), 1000 grain weight (TGW) (26.03 g), Biological yield (BY) (11.88 t ha-1), grain yield (GY) (5.69 t ha-1), Harvest index (HI) (47.81%). Under the MP, the IP recorded the highest NET hiil-1 (10.47), NGP (119.35), and GY (5.48 t ha-1), showing a 13.14% increase in GY over the FP. The combination of BRRI dhan87 and IP achieved the highest GY (6.31 t ha-1). The study concludes that the highest GY of T. aman rice can be achieved by cultivating BRRI dhan87 with IP, although further trials at various locations are recommended before drawing final conclusions.

Growth and Production Character Response of Kuantan Singingi Local Rice Mutants Resulting from Gamma Irradiation

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a crucial crop with significant importance in various regions. In Riau, specifically in Kuantan Singingi Regency, it ranks as the fourth largest area for rice production, showcasing numerous local rice varieties with substantial development potential. This study aimed to generate mutants exhibiting early maturity and reduced plant height through gamma-ray induced mutations. A non-factorial Randomized Block Design (RAK) was employed, with the primary factor being the irradiation dose: R0 served as the control group without radiation, while the experimental group received an irradiation dose of 300 Gy, determined to be effective in prior research. Each treatment was replicated five times, utilizing a total of 600 plants per treatment. The findings indicated that rice plants subjected to 300 Gy irradiation exhibited shorter heights compared to those in the control group. Additionally, the stem circumference of plants irradiated with 300 Gy was significantly greater than that of the non-irradiated plants. Furthermore, the number of productive tillers was higher in the 300 Gy group compared to the control. However, the harvest age for rice plants exposed to 300 Gy was extended relative to those without radiation. Conversely, the length of the flag leaf in rice plants irradiated at 300 Gy was shorter than that of the control group. There remains a considerable need for data on the desired characteristics of rice mutants to facilitate advanced breeding efforts.

Application of Jarwo Planting System and Fertiphos Fertilizer on The Growth and Yield of Black Rice Mutant M4

This study aims to examine the interaction between the dose of Fertiphos fertilizer and the JARWO (JARWO) planting pattern on the growth and yield of black rice mutant rice. The experiment was conducted in Jorong Labuah, Agam Regency, and the Seed Science and Technology Laboratory, Andalas University, Padang, from February to June 2024. A Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with two factors was used, namely the JARWO planting system (2:1, 3:1, 4:1) and the dose of Fertiphos fertilizer (0 kg/ha, 100 kg/ha, 200 kg/ha, 300 kg/ha). Data were analyzed using the F test at the 5% level, followed by Duncan's New Multiple Range Test (DNMRT) if significant. The results showed a significant interaction between the dose of Fertiphos fertilizer and the JARWO planting pattern on the growth and yield of black rice mutant rice. Fertiphos fertilizer dose of 200 kg/ha gave the best results on the total number of grains per panicle, the number of filled grains per panicle, the total weight of grains per panicle, and the weight of filled grains per clump. The JARWO 2:1 planting pattern gave the best results on the total number of tillers, the total number of grains per panicle, the number of filled grains per panicle, and the total weight of grains per panicle.

Straw return under deep tillage increases grain yield in the rice-rotated wheat cropping system

ContextStraw return under rotary tillage has been used for two decades in the rice-rotated wheat cropping system in the lower Yangtze region of China, but it has become prone to reduce wheat emergence and yield in recent years, and alternative tillage methods are required to ensure the high wheat yields. AimsTo determine whether straw return under deep tillage can improve wheat yield and under what mechanisms. We hypothesize that straw return under deep tillage can increase wheat seedling number by reducing rice stubble and straw coverage, and expand the nutrient pool and root system of the plow soil profile to keep post-anthesis viability for increasing wheat yield. MethodsA field study was conducted during two consecutive years and included four treatments: rotary tillage after straw removal (RT); rotary tillage after straw return (RTS); shallow rotary tillage followed by straw mulch (STS) and deep tillage after straw return (DTS). Wheat seedling number, yield, aboveground nutrient uptake, growth period, root characteristics, and soil nutrients were measured. ResultsCompared to RT, seedling number under RTS and STS decreased by 8.3 % and 13.4 %, respectively, while DTS increased by 14.7 %. Wheat yield under RTS and STS decreased by 3.0 % and 7.3 %, respectively, while DTS increased by 8.2 %. The reduction in seedling number under RTS and STS would be partially offset in wheat yield by an increase in effective tiller number per plant and grain weight. Consequently, the variation in wheat yield among treatments was less than the variation in seedling number. Aboveground N and P accumulation in wheat under DTS were higher than the other treatments. Among four treatments, DTS had the highest root distribution and soil N and P contents in the middle and deep soil layers, thus prolonged grain filling duration. Wheat nutrient uptake at maturity and yield were significantly correlated with root weight density and root length density in both middle and deep soil layers. ConclusionsStraw return under deep tillage can increase nutrient supply capacity and root distribution in deep soil while ensuring wheat emergence, enabling better filling of post-anthesis wheat and yield. It is therefore an effective alternative tillage method suitable for the rice-rotated wheat cropping system.

Priming of Exogenous Salicylic Acid under Field Conditions Enhances Crop Yield through Resistance to Magnaporthe oryzae by Modulating Phytohormones and Antioxidant Enzymes.

This study explores the impact of exogenous salicylic acid (SA) alongside conventional treatment by farmers providing positive (Mancozeb 80 % WP) and negative (water) controls on rice plants (Oryza sativa L.), focusing on antioxidant enzyme activities, phytohormone levels, disease resistance, and yield components under greenhouse and field conditions. In greenhouse assays, SA application significantly enhanced the activities of peroxidase (POX), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) within 12-24 h post-inoculation (hpi) with Magnaporthe oryzae. Additionally, SA-treated plants showed higher levels of endogenous SA and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) within 24 hpi compared to the controls. In terms of disease resistance, SA-treated plants exhibited a reduced severity of rice blast under greenhouse conditions, with a significant decrease in disease symptoms compared to negative control treatment. The field study was extended over three consecutive crop seasons during 2021-2023, further examining the efficacy of SA in regular agricultural practice settings. The SA treatment consistently led to a reduction in rice blast disease severity across all three seasons. Yield-related parameters such as plant height, the number of tillers and panicles per hill, grains per panicle, and 1000-grain weight all showed improvements under SA treatment compared to both positive and negative control treatments. Specifically, SA-treated plants yielded higher grain outputs in all three crop seasons, underscoring the potential of SA as a growth enhancer and as a protective agent against rice blast disease under both controlled and field conditions. These findings state the broad-spectrum benefits of SA application in rice cultivation, highlighting its role not only in bolstering plant defense mechanisms and growth under greenhouse conditions but also in enhancing yield and disease resistance in field settings across multiple crop cycles. This research presents valuable insights into the practical applications of SA in improving rice plant resilience and productivity, offering a promising approach for sustainable agriculture practices.