Wheat Growers Research Articles

Spectral-Based Classification of Genetically Differentiated Groups in Spring Wheat Grown under Contrasting Environments.

The global concern about the gap between food production and consumption has intensified the research on the genetics, ecophysiology, and breeding of cereal crops. In this sense, several genetic studies have been conducted to assess the effectiveness and sustainability of collections of germplasm accessions of major crops. In this study, a spectral-based classification approach for the assignment of wheat cultivars to genetically differentiated subpopulations (genetic structure) was carried out using a panel of 316 spring bread cultivars grown in two environments with different water regimes (rainfed and fully irrigated). For that, different machine-learning models were trained with foliar spectral and genetic information to assign the wheat cultivars to subpopulations. The results revealed that, in general, the hyperparameters ReLU (as the activation function), adam (as the optimizer), and a size batch of 10 give neural network models better accuracy. Genetically differentiated groups showed smaller differences in mean wavelengths under rainfed than under full irrigation, which coincided with a reduction in clustering accuracy in neural network models. The comparison of models indicated that the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) was significantly more accurate in classifying individuals into their respective subpopulations, with 92 and 93% of correct individual assignments in water-limited and fully irrigated environments, respectively, whereas 92% (full irrigation) and 78% (rainfed) of cultivars were correctly assigned to their respective classes by the multilayer perceptron method and partial least squares discriminant analysis, respectively. Notably, CNN did not show significant differences between both environments, which indicates stability in the prediction independent of the different water regimes. It is concluded that foliar spectral variation can be used to accurately infer the belonging of a cultivar to its respective genetically differentiated group, even considering radically different environments, which is highly desirable in the context of crop genetic resources management.

Effect of Melatonin, Salicylic Acid, and Mycorrhizal Fungi Application on Agronomic and Grain Quality Traits in Wheat Grown under Different Water Irrigation Levels

Effect of Melatonin, Salicylic Acid, and Mycorrhizal Fungi Application on Agronomic and Grain Quality Traits in Wheat Grown under Different Water Irrigation Levels

Quality and Yield of Wheat Grown Under Organic and Inorganic Nutrients Management

Quality and Yield of Wheat Grown Under Organic and Inorganic Nutrients Management

Effect of Farmyard Manure (FYM) and Zinc Fertilizer Application on Yield Parameters of Common Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Grown on Sandy-clay Loam of Borno State, Nigeria

A Screen House experiment was carried out in University of Maiduguri to study the effects of Farmyard Manure (FYM) and Zinc fertilizer rates on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain yield, 1000 grain weight, total dry matter weigh and HI on Sandy Clay-loam soil with location; Latitude (11.923100 ON and 11.919042 ON) and Longitude (13.228927 OE and 13.221758 OE) of Jere Local Government Area, Borno state, Nigeria. The study was set out in CRD with 3 replications. Composite 10 kg soil was weighed into 36 pots and treatments applied. Reyna 28 wheat seed obtained from Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI) Maiduguri was used for the pot experiment. Six (6) wheat seedlings were allowed to grow to maturity from each pot. The pots were kept clean from weeds. Results obtained showed improved wheat yield with 5t/ha FYM + 5ppm Zn and 10t/ha FYM + 0 ppm Zn fertilizer rates leading the best yield for wheat grain and TDMW. 1000 grain weight and harvest index were also significantly increased with FYM and Zn fertilizer application. It was concluded that application of FYM and Zn fertilizer had increased wheat grain and TDMW yield as well as 1000 grain weight and harvest index.

ADOPTION AND ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF UAF FERTILIZER PREDICTION MODEL UNDER IMPROVING SOIL FERTILITY PROJECT, ICARDA

It is widely recognized that by balancing the present use of N (Nitrogen) and P (Phosphorous), the yields of important crops in Pakistan can be increased from twenty five to forty five percent. University of Agriculture, Faisalabad has developed Fertilizer Prediction Models that can be used to predict the exact quantity of N and P for the desired yield of major crops on the basis of soil test values of the specific field. These models were validated and disseminated under the project titled “Improving Soil Fertility and Soil Health in Pakistan Through Demonstration and Dissemination of Best Management Practices for Farmers” from 2014-18. The particular aspect of the model investigated through the present research was disseminated by Agricultural Service Providers (ASPs) in three villages viz; 81 JB Pansera, 109 JB Jarawala and 411 GB Tandailiawala of Faisalabad district. The basic objective of research was to quantify the economic benefits of fertilizer prediction model disseminated and implemented through ASPs in the selected villages. ASPs applied doses of fertilizers to selected farmers after soil tests in accordance with UAF fertilizer model in case of wheat crop. A primary data was collected through random sampling technique from 60 wheat growers including 10 adopters and 10 non adopters from each village. The data was analyzed by applying descriptive statics in SPSS software. The survey results revealed that overall income gain from balanced use of fertilizer and higher yield of wheat crop was Rs. 4194.6 per acre. Further, the balanced use of fertilizers also helped in improving the fertility status of sampled farms. There was definitely increase in awareness and adoption intention of model among the farmers of selected villages after the project campaign. It is concluded that a continuous effort from public or private sector is required to adopt the UAF model by the farming community and reap maximum benefits from it.

Zero-tillage Technology and Farm Profits: A Case Study of Wheat Growers in the Rice Zone of Punjab

The rice-wheat cropping zone of Punjab is the main producer of high-valued and fine quality basmati rice in Pakistan. The rice produced in this area is famous for its grain length and aromatic characteristics. Being an important export item, rice contributes significantly to the national foreign exchange earnings. Wheat is the other major crop of the rice-wheat system and being the staple food is central to national agricultural policies. Rice is grown on a vast area in this zone during Kharif mostly followed by wheat in the Rabi season. Studies have shown that a large gap exists between the potential and yields actually realised by the wheat growers of the area [Byerlee, et al. (1984); Hobbs (1985) and Sheikh, et al. (2000)]. Farmers’ practices regarding land preparation for paddy, wheat planting time, and other conflicts endogenous to the rice-wheat based cropping system were identified as the major factors limiting wheat yield in the area. The flooded and puddled soils that are well suited for paddy production as compared to well-drained conditions required for wheat is such an example of the system conflicts.

An Analysis of Allocative Efficiency of Wheat Growers in Northern Pakistan

For the last couple of years several agricultural and trade experts have been advocating if Pakistan has to compete in the international market for export of agricultural products then it needs to decrease the cost of production. In the light of Agreement on Agriculture of WTO, member countries are required to provide increased market access, decrease domestic support and tariff. These agreements are likely to increase the cost of production of various agricultural products for farmers producing these products, and make international competition tougher for export of agricultural commodities. There are three possible ways to decrease the cost of production—by decreasing cost of inputs, by developing cost effective high yielding technologies or by improving management practices. There is little hope for decrease in the cost of inputs. Over the recent years prices of the petroleum products, were revised upward several times and this trend is likely to continue in future. Similarly, there was increase in the prices of gas, electricity and other agricultural inputs. Historically, in Pakistan, increase in prices of agricultural inputs has been much higher than the increase in prices of agricultural outputs [Pakistan (1988)]. Under these circumstances there is little hope of decease in prices of agricultural inputs. As far as development of new agricultural technologies, particularly high yielding varieties, is concerned it is a long-term process. It takes several years to develop a new variety and in its formal approval for distribution to farmers. Nevertheless, there is room for decreasing cost of producing through improvement in the management practices. When economists talk about improvement in the management practices they talk in terms of ‘technical efficiency’ and ‘allocative efficiency’. Technical efficiency has been defined as firm’s ability to produce maximum output given a set of inputs and technology.

Registration of ‘NW13493’ hard white winter wheat

AbstractHistorically, wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars developed by the cooperative University of Nebraska–USDA‐ARS wheat improvement project were hard red winter wheat. With the expanding hard white wheat market, there is a greater emphasis on developing hard white winter wheat lines adapted to the Great Plains. ‘NW13493’ (tested as NW13493) (Reg. no. CV‐1197, PI 699380) was selected for its white kernels, agronomic performance, relevant disease resistances, and end‐use quality and is adapted to the central Great Plains. NW13493 was licensed to Bay State Milling Company on the basis of its superior agronomic and end‐use quality performance and also the need to ensure hard white wheat growers have a known market for their grain. NW13493 hard white winter wheat was released in February 2021 by the developing institutions and the licensee. NW13493 was a selection in 2013 from the cross ‘SD98W175‐1’/‘NW03666’, which was made in 2007. The pedigree of SD98W175‐1 is ‘KS84273BB‐10’/‘KSSB110‐9’//’KS831374‐141B’/‘YE1110’/3/ ‘KS82W418’/‘Stephens’ and the pedigree of NW03666 is ‘N94S097KS’/‘NE93459’. The F1 generation was grown in the greenhouse in 2008, and the F2 to F3 generations were advanced as bulks at Mead, NE, in 2009–2010. NW13493 was evaluated in replicated trials beginning in 2014. It has excellent winter survival and agronomic performance, acceptable disease reactions to many of the common diseases in its target area, and good end‐use quality for bread making.

Impact of Mobile Internet Application on Farmers’ Adoption and Development of Green Technology

Mobile Internet refers to a new mode of information interaction through mobile terminals and the use of wireless communication to access information services. The mobile Internet has provided a new model for the traditional information circulation mode, rural economic structure, and social transformation. With an association between the mobile Internet and farmers’ adoption behavior of new green technology, this paper investigated the impact of mobile Internet application on farmers’ adoption of green technology through a mediating effect model. From the perspective of new agricultural technology diffusion and based on the perspective of factor substitution, we decompose the mechanism that mobile Internet applications affect the adoption of new wheat varieties. Along the path of information transmission, evaluation, and adoption of new wheat varieties, we deeply explored the impact of the mobile Internet on the adoption of new wheat varieties by different types of wheat growers. The results show that there is a significant mediating effect of information acquisition ability, risk attitude, and expected return on the influence of the mobile Internet on green technology adoption. For the adoption mechanism of new green varieties, there was a distinct difference among various farmers.

End-use quality of wheat affected by late maturity α-amylase

Late maturity α-amylase (LMA) is associated with elevated α-amylase within the aleurone of wheat grains. The increased α-amylase contributes to a reduced falling number (FN). A reduction in FN also results from preharvest sprouting and frost during grain fill which are associated with poor baking quality. Low FN can also lead to downgrading of wheat at grain receival sites, reducing returns for wheat growers. A population created to investigate LMA expression was used to assess the impact of LMA on dough rheology, pan bread and yellow alkaline noodles. Elevated levels of α-amylase due to LMA were found to have a negative impact on dough development time, stability and mixing tolerance index. Elevated α-amylase also led to darker crust colour and increased loaf volume, however, the improvement in loaf volume was less than that produced by bread improver. The increased α-amylase content associated with LMA also reduced the brightness of cooked and uncooked yellow alkaline noodles and the strength of overcooked noodles. The detrimental effect of LMA on dough rheology and yellow alkaline noodles means that flours produced from LMA-affected grain have reduced utility in some important wheat markets.

Comparative analysis of household food insecurity between selected coffee and wheat growers of Ethiopia

Comparative analysis of household food insecurity between selected coffee and wheat growers of Ethiopia

Assessing the Performance of Farmers’ Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Varieties for Yield and Its Attributing Traits under Organic Cultivation

Background: The local cultivars and farmers’ plant varieties have good yield potential under a minimal input system. Therefore, the present investigation was carried out to assess the performance of the farmers’ wheat varieties in Gandhinagar, Gujarat condition under organic cultivation during November-March (winter season) 2015-16 and 2016-17.
 Study Design and Methodology: The field experiments were constituted in Randomized Complete Block Design having three replications of fifteen treatments comprising twelve farmers’ varieties and three checks. The observations on yield and its attributing traits were recorded.
 Results: The pooled data analyzed over both years showed that the variety Mohit Gold was found significantly superior in terms of spike length (15.33 cm) and the number of spikelets per spike (22.97) among all the tests and checks during both years. Whereas, the significantly longest awn length was found in the Rajyog variety (14.48 cm). The number of grains per spike was reported superior in RK-7 (68.39) with at par RK-2 (64.18). However, the number of spikes per square meter (499.38) was recorded as significantly superior in HZG 30 which also reported a higher grain yielder per hectare with the next-best leaf length to superior check Bansi and at 94.05 cm plant height found at par to Mohit Gold (96.65 cm) and Rajyog (95.71 cm). Henceforth, HZG 30 can be a suitable option for wheat growers which might produce good biomass as well.
 Thus, it is concluded with the recommendation to conduct more such trials in different wheat growing areas to generate reliable production data to identify potential cultivars for recent breeding programs.

Agrotechnological methods of plant feeders applying for spring wheat agrocenoses – North-Eastern Kazakhstan varieties

To improve plant resistance to pests, we analysed the impact of various agronomic practices on the number and species diversity of pests in the crops of spring wheat varieties of foreign and Kazakhstan breeding in North- Eastern Kazakhstan. The intensive development of agriculture, resulting in the new technological flow processes of wheat growing, the sowing of foreign varieties not previously cultivated under local conditions, and climate change contribute to the formation of new food chains in agrocenoses. These new food chains require the monitoring of plant-feeding species with the help of ecological approaches and techniques. Efficient protection of crops with plant feeders requires constant updating on the phytosanitary in agrocenoses. Information on phytosanitary monitoring previously carried out in the region is not available, so it became necessary to collect data and analyse the number and species composition of wheat pests, considering new foreign varieties and cultivation technology practices. The research was carried out in 2021 in typical agricultural organisations of the North-Eastern regions of Kazakhstan with different preceding crops. The vegetation period was characterised by high atmospheric temperatures and a lack of moisture in the soil in spring and summer, contributing to decreasing of plant turgor and damage resistance. Early sowing of the ‘Triso’ wheat variety was affected by high temperatures and lack of soil moisture in the initial stage of development, which delayed its growth and made it more susceptible to pest damage. The other varieties were sown in optimal dates recommended by regional scientific institutions.

Trends in Area, Production and Productivity of Wheat Cultivation at Global Level

The present study was conducted on trend analysis of wheat production in India and Afghanistan. The study was based on secondary data collected from various published and unpublished sources in India, Afghanistan and at the global level from 2000-19. The present study was undertaken to know the growth rate in area, production and productivity of wheat in India and Afghanistan which were found positive during 2019-20. The findings of this study have far-reaching implications that will have a significant impact on the planning, execution, and design of appropriate methodologies in order to achieve meaningful and fruitful demonstration results not only for wheat growers, but also for other sectors that essentially provide feedback to agencies involved in various demonstration programmes. It explicitly emphasises the relevance of frontline demonstration in increasing farmer production, returns and reduce the extension and technology gap.

Optimizing Sowing Window for Local and Chinese Elite Lines under Changing Climate

Climate change threatens major global crops including wheat of subtropical regions, especially during critical developmental stages. To address this concern, researchers try to identify exotic genetic diversity with pronounced stress tolerance or avoidance or find improved genotypes with optimal sowing time. Current research evaluated seven exotic Chinese wheat genotypes (MY4094, MY1617, MY1416, MY2914, MY1501, MY1419, and MY902) for yield and associated characters along with a local check variety (PS-15) under optimal (1st November), moderate (16th November), and late sowing times (1st December) during both years. The result revealed that delayed sowing reduced yield and yield components of the tested genotypes, including the local check. Genotype MY1617 performed best under optimal sowing in terms of grain yield and yield attributes, with a 5% increase over the local check. MY902 had the highest seed yield among late-sown genotypes. Correlation analysis showed that grain yield was positively correlated with grains per spike, days to anthesis, booting, and heading. The current study provides important information for wheat breeders to exploit exotic genetic materials under a diverse sowing window and develop genotypes with improved traits that may boost wheat growers’ production.

Subcellular Element Distribution in Shoots of Wheat Grown in an Acidic Soil with Native AMF Extraradical Mycelium

Soil acidity can reduce crop growth by increasing bioavailable soil Al, Fe, and/or Mn to toxic levels. The presence of an intact extraradical mycelium (ERM) of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), developed by the native Ornithopus compressus in the acidic soil, can increase wheat growth and prevent symptoms of Mn toxicity. To understand the protective effect of the intact ERM of this native plant on wheat element balance and distribution, in the present study, shoot Al, Fe, K, Zn, Na, and Si levels and their subcellular partitioning were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), for the first time, for this system. In undisturbed soil, where an intact ERM structure is maintained, wheat shoot growth was promoted, probably due to faster root mycorrhizal colonization. The levels of potentially toxic Al and Fe were reduced, the proportions of the macronutrient K and micronutrient Zn were higher in the symplast, and the Na proportion increased in the vacuole, while Si increased in the apoplast. Overall, the undisturbed soil from O. compressus treatment appeared to influence the uptake and distribution of essential and beneficial elements, as a strategy to reduce the negative effect of soil acidity on wheat growth. Understanding the dynamics of element distribution influenced by stress-adapted AMF on wheat growth can provide more sustainable approaches to intensive agriculture.

Physiological and Antioxidant Response to Different Water Deficit Regimes of Flag Leaves and Ears of Wheat Grown under Combined Elevated CO2 and High Temperature.

Triticum aestivum L. cv. Gazul is a spring wheat widely cultivated in Castilla y León (Spain). Potted plants were grown in a scenario emulating the climate change environmental conditions expected by the end of this century, i.e., with elevated CO2 and high temperature under two water deficit regimes: long (LWD) and terminal (TWD). Changes in biomass and morphology, the content of proline (Pro), ascorbate (AsA) and glutathione (GSH), and enzymatic antioxidant activities were analyzed in flag leaves and ears. Additionally, leaf gas exchange was measured. LWD caused a decrease in biomass and AsA content but an increase in Pro content and catalase and GSH reductase activities in flag leaves, whereas TWD produced no significant changes. Photosynthesis was enhanced under both water deficit regimes. Increase in superoxide dismutase activity and Pro content was only observed in ears under TWD. The lack of a more acute effect of LWD and TWD on both organs was attributed to the ROS relieving effect of elevated CO2. Gazul acted as a drought tolerant variety with anisohydric behavior. A multifactorial analysis showed better adaptation of ears to water deficit than flag leaves, underlining the importance of this finding for breeding programs to improve grain yield under future climate change.

Technical, Economic and Allocative Efficiencies of Wheat (Triticum aestivum) Growing Farmers in Intermediate Zones of J and K

The study was carried out in two intermediate zones of Jammu and Kashmir to identify both farm specific and socio-economic factors that influence the technical efficiency (TE) and also to analyze the economic (EE)and allocative efficiency (AE) of wheat growing farmers to assess the level of possibilities to gain the desired level of productivity by improving all three types of efficiencies(TE, AE and EE)by estimating Cobb-Douglas Stochastic Production Function and Stochastic Profit Function. The study revealedthat how different cost components affect the profitability of production of wheat crop and also proposes that at how much level of efficiency, the farmer is producing the wheat crop and how much level of efficiency is yet to be obtained. The maximum likelihood estimates of the stochastic production function revealed that fertilizer and farmyard manure showed a negative and significant effect on wheat production. The coefficients of the frontier profit function revealed thatall input shows a negative and significant impact on wheat farmer profitability. Socio-economic factors show positive and significant relation with technical efficiency except cultivated area. The mean technical, economic and allocative efficiencyof farm households was found out to be 86 per cent, 71 per cent, and 83 per cent indicated that there is still scope for wheat growers to increase all the three efficiencies by operating at a full efficient level by proper utilization and allocation of existing resources and technology. This study provides crucial information for the farmers and also to the government about to formulate effective policy measures for attaining the sustainability of wheat crop in rainfed hilly areas of Jammu division.

Productivity analysis of wheat (Triticum aestivium) in irrigated sub-tropics of Jammu

Present study was carried out in Jammu district of Jammu and Kashmir with 180 randomly selected wheat growers from three different blocks (R.S. Pura, Suchetgarh and Bishnah) with the objective to analyze the productivity status of wheat (Triticum aestivium L.) crop in irrigated sub-tropics during 2020–21. There was large variation in productivity of wheat crop in different wheat growing regions of the state. Results of the study revealed that all the farmers sown their wheat crop by broadcasting method, 36% farmers replaced their wheat seed and same percentage of farmers adopted the practice of seed treatment. All the farmers applied DAP and urea as basal dose at sowing time and herbicide for controlling narrow and broad leaved weeds. Only 45% farmers applied first irrigation at the crown root initiation stage. Second dose of urea was applied by 100% farmers after first irrigation and 60% farmers applied third dose of urea in their wheat crop. Only 18% of sampled farmers sprayed fungicides. Overall average wheat crop productivity of respondent farmers in study area was 2.789 t/ha and R. S. Pura block had significant difference in productivity of wheat crop as compared to Bishnah (P=.039) and Suchetgarh (P=.010) block.

Precision Irrigation Scheduling Based on Wireless Soil Moisture Sensors to Improve Water Use Efficiency and Yield for Winter Wheat in Sub-Saharan Africa

In Sub-Saharan Africa, where most irrigation systems are manually operated, water allocation and irrigation scheduling are often based on uniform application irrespective of crop needs and growth stages, which results in nonoptimal water use. Recently, a lot of research has been carried out to improve irrigation water use efficiency through automation by employing wireless sensor-based monitoring systems. Further to the improvement of water use efficiency and yield, while reducing costs, a field trial was carried out at a farm in Harare, Zimbabwe, during the 2016, 2017, and 2018 winter seasons to test whether a new approach to the automated irrigation systems, one based on IoT and wirelessly connected soil sensors (called hereafter as WCSS), improves water use efficiency without reducing yield. WCSS method was compared with three widely used conventional irrigation methods, that is, manual scheduling, tensiometer-based scheduling, and weather-based scheduling. Impacts on water savings and yield of winter wheat crops under drip irrigation were evaluated. WCSS saved up to 25% more water compared to typical fixed irrigation schedule rates used by wheat growers during the winter season.