Winter Sowing Research Articles

Agronomic adaptations to heat stress: Sowing summer crops earlier

CONTEXTSummer crops are exposed to heat and drought stresses at critical stages during and after flowering, and their intensity and frequency are likely to increase with climate change. Agronomic stress avoidance offers the opportunity to temporally separate critical crop stages from heat and drought events. However, it might require sowing cold-sensitive summer crops earlier into colder than recommended soil temperatures. There is a need to understand how cold is too cold to sow summer crops early in late winter as well as what are the yield benefits and risks. OBJECTIVEHere, we quantify the likely benefits and trade-offs of sowing sorghum, a summer cereal, earlier to adapt to the increased frequency and intensity of heat and water stresses during flowering and grain filling. METHODSTwo years of multi-environment (n=32) genotype by management trials were conducted across the main sorghum growing regions of Australia. Environments (E) consisted of the combination of years, sites, three times of sowing (early, spring, and summer), and the use of supplementary irrigation. At each E a factorial combination of four plant populations (M) and eight commercial sorghum hybrids (G) were sown with three replications. Crop growth and yield components were measured, and the APSIM model was used to simulate all trials and treatments to quantify risks and derive insights into functional relationships between simulated and measured environmental covariates, and measured crop traits. RESULTSThe tested hybrids showed small differences in cold tolerance during crop establishment. Across the tested environments, the G×M combinations produced up to 60% variation in treatment yields across environment yields, which varied between <0.5 to about 10t ha-1; this translated into a ~5.5-fold variation in water use efficiency. Significant G×E and M×E interactions were observed for grain yield components. No G×M or G×E×M interactions were observed on yield or yield components. Early sowing was associated with a reduced risk of heat stress and water use transfer from vegetative to reproductive stages. Early sowing in late winter or early spring resulted in no significant yield gain or loss when all sites and years were included in the analysis. However, early sowing yielded between 1-2 t ha-1 more when the hottest sites and years were considered separately. This resulted from both the avoidance of heat stresses and milder or no terminal drought stresses. CONCLUSIONSEarly sowing of sorghum can reduce the likelihood of heat stresses around flowering as well as the likelihood of terminal drought stresses. Advantages include reduced yield losses in the hottest years and a transfer of water use to grain filling stages, resulting in increased grain yield and improved grain quality parameters. IMPLICATIONSEarly sowing, an agronomic adaptation, offers the opportunity to quickly adapt to the increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme hot events during critical crop stages. However, for the practice to be de-risked, there is a need to increase cold and chilling tolerance in sorghum and/or identify interventions that enhance seed germination and seedling vigour when the crop is sown early into cold soils.

Effect of Winter Sowing and Different Fertilizer Sources on Physiological Parameters and Yield Components of Dragon’s Head (Lallemantia iberica Fisch. &amp; C.A.Mey.)

The effects of autumn sowing and chemical, organic, and biological fertilizer sources were explored on yield components and physiological traits of dragon’s head (Lallemantia iberica Fisch. &amp;amp; C.A.Mey). The study was conducted as a factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design with three replications in a field experiment in the 2017-2018 crop year. The fertilizer treatments included organic fertilizers (vermicompost, manure, and humic acid), biofertilizer (Thiobacillus mixed with sulfur), chemical fertilizer (macro NPK), and control (no fertilizer). The studied traits included seed yield per ha, harvest index, biological yield per ha, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoid, proline, and dissolved carbohydrate. The results of the comparison of the means revealed that the winter sowing outperformed the spring sowing evidently and increased traits like seed yield per ha, biological yield per ha, and harvest index significantly. The fertilization of the plants in both sowing seasons, especially in the winter sowing, increased seed yield per ha, biological yield per ha, and harvest index so that the vermicompost-fertilized winter-sown plants produced the highest seed yield per ha (0.91 g), whereas the application of manure was related to the highest harvest index in the winter sowing (27.9%). The highest biological yield (8797 kg ha-1) was related to the treatment of Thiobacillus of the winter-sown plants. Proline content was higher in the spring sowing plants, and the control treatment in the spring sowing had the highest proline content (0.120 mg g-1). Concerning dissolved carbohydrates, the spring sowing and the unfertilized plants had the highest content (20.3 mg g-1). On the other hand, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoid were higher in the treatments of Thiobacillus and vermicompost, which resulted in achieving higher yields due to the increase in photosynthesis rate. According to the results, the winter sowing of the dragon’s head in the Azerbaijan region of Iran and the use of Thiobacillus and vermicompost could be recommended for obtaining plants with optimum quality parameters.

Durum wheat from North African countries (Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt) in the southern planar zone of the Dagestan Republic conditions

In 2022-2023 at the Dagestan experimental station of the All-Russian Research Institute branch, under irrigated conditions during winter sowing 615 samples of durum wheat from North African countries (Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt) were studied for a set of breeding valuable traits (earliness, resistance to fungal diseases, productivity, height plants, lodging, number of grains per ear, weight of grain per ear and weight of 1000 grains). Standard varieties are k-66674 Odari, k-67482 Yarina (Krasnodar region), k-32453 Derbentskaya black-eared (Dagestan). Productive durum wheat varieties with high adaptive potential have been identified (k-16221, k-16242 and k-54550 from Algeria), which can be used for genetic research and in practical breeding to improve existing varieties and create new ones.

YIELD AND QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF SUNFLOWER (Helianthus annuus L.) CULTIVARS BY DIFFERENT SOWING DATES

A field trial was initiated to ascertain the optimal sowing date for five distinct sunflower cultivars in Turkey’s Mardin Province. The trial scrutinised various parameters including plant height, head diameter, seed yield, protein content, oil content and oil yield. The first sowing produced the highest seed yields (3484 kg ha−1), with the Şems (3255 kg ha−1) and Zuhat (3157 kg ha−1) cultivars producing the highest values. The highest overall oil content was achieved in the second sowing (31.7%) and in the Zuhat cultivar (34.6%). The highest mean oil yields were observed in the Zuhat cultivar (1096 kg ha−1) and in the first sowing (1084 kg ha−1). There was a general decrease in yield as the sowing date was delayed. Winter sowing is suggested for the Zuhat cultivar. If possible, the second sunflower crop should be sown shortly following the harvest of the main crop.

A GWAS study highlights significant associations between a series of indels in a FLOWERING LOCUS T gene promoter and flowering time in white lupin (Lupinus albus L.)

BackgroundWhite lupin (Lupinus albus L.) is a high-protein Old World grain legume with remarkable food and feed production interest. It is sown in autumn or early spring, depending on the local agroclimatic conditions. This study aimed to identify allelic variants associated with vernalization responsiveness, in order to improve our knowledge of legume flowering regulatory pathways and develop molecular selection tools for the desired phenology as required for current breeding and adaptation to the changing climate.ResultsSome 120 white lupin accessions originating from a wide range of environments of Europe, Africa, and Asia were phenotyped under field conditions in three environments with different intensities of vernalization, namely, a Mediterranean and a subcontinental climate sites of Italy under autumn sowing, and a suboceanic climate site of France under spring sowing. Two hundred sixty-two individual genotypes extracted from them were phenotyped in a greenhouse under long-day photoperiod without vernalization. Phenology data, and marker data generated by Diversity Arrays Technology sequencing (DArT-seq) and by PCR-based screening targeting published quantitative trait loci (QTLs) from linkage map and newly identified insertion/deletion polymorphisms in the promoter region of the FLOWERING LOCUS T homolog, LalbFTc1 gene (Lalb_Chr14g0364281), were subjected to a genome-wide association study (GWAS). Population structure followed differences in phenology and isolation by distance pattern. The GWAS highlighted numerous loci significantly associated with flowering time, including four LalbFTc1 gene promoter deletions: 2388 bp and 2126 bp deletions at the 5’ end, a 264 bp deletion in the middle and a 28 bp deletion at the 3’ end of the promoter. Besides LalbFTc1 deletions, this set contained DArT-seq markers that matched previously published major QTLs in chromosomes Lalb_Chr02, Lalb_Chr13 and Lalb_Chr16, and newly discovered QTLs in other chromosomes.ConclusionsThis study highlighted novel QTLs for flowering time and validated those already published, thereby providing novel evidence on the convergence of FTc1 gene functional evolution into the vernalization pathway in Old World lupin species. Moreover, this research provided the set of loci specific for extreme phenotypes (the earliest or the latest) awaiting further implementation in marker-assisted selection for spring- or winter sowing.

Phytoremediation Potential of Flax Grown on Multimetal Contaminated Soils: A Field Experiment.

The aim of this study was to assess the phytoremediation potential of fiber flax (Linum usitatissimatum L., var. Calista) cultivated in a soil contaminated with multiple metals, under real field conditions. A two-year (2022 and 2023) field experiment was conducted in a site contaminated with elevated concentrations of Cd, Ni, Cu, Pb, and Zn due to mining and metallurgical activities. Three different nitrogen fertilization levels were tested (N0: 0 kg N ha-1, N1: 30 kg N ha-1, N2: 60 kg N ha-1), and both spring and winter sowings were conducted. At full maturity, growth parameters and yields were measured. The phytoremediation potential of flax was assessed in terms of the metal concentrations in the above-ground biomass and of the metal uptake (i.e., the potential removal of the soil metals in g ha-1 and per year). Flax demonstrated a shorter growth cycle, with shorter and thicker plants and higher yields when sown in spring compared to winter sowing. Plant growth and productivity were not evidently influenced by additional nitrogen fertilization during plant growth. The cadmium bioaccumulation factor was 1.06, indicating that flax accumulates this metal. For Ni, Cu, Pb, and Zn, the corresponding values were 0.0, 0.04, 0.004, and 0.02, suggesting that this crop excludes these metals. The order of the higher uptake in plant tissues was as follows: Zn > Pb > Cd > Cu > Ni. In conclusion, flax demonstrated tolerance to heavy metals in the soil, effectively supporting soil restoration through cultivation. Additionally, flax showed potential as a cadmium accumulator while excluding nickel, copper, lead, and zinc.

Camelina Intercropping with Pulses a Sustainable Approach for Land Competition between Food and Non-Food Crops

With increasing global attention toward the need for mitigating climate change, the transition to sustainable energy sources has become an essential priority. Introducing alternative oilseed crops, such as camelina (Camelina sativa L.), into intercropping systems with staple food crops can mitigate ILUC (indirect land use change) and their negative impact on biofuel production. The present study compared camelina + field pea intercropping (ICw + IP, winter sowing) and camelina + lentil intercropping (ICs + IL, spring sowing) with their respective single crops regarding weed control, soil coverage, yields, and camelina seed quality (1000-seed weight, oil, and fatty acid composition). The comparison between different cropping systems was conducted using a one-way ANOVA. Both intercropping improved weed control at an early stage but no differences in soil coverage were found. Camelina seed yield was negatively affected by the presence of peas, whereas the pulse was unaffected. Conversely, camelina seed yield was not affected when intercropped with lentils while lentils reduced their yield in the intercropping. Furthermore, when camelina was intercropped with lentils, a significant increase was reported in 1000-seed weight and α -linolenic acid (C18:3) compared with the sole-camelina. However, both intercropping systems had a land equivalent ratio (LER, based on total seed yield at maturity) higher than one. Defining the best combination of crops and the optimal sowing and harvesting settings remain key to increasing the adoption of intercropping systems by farmers.

Comparative characteristics of the durum wheat newest samples based on a complex of agrobiological characteristics

In 2020–2022 at the Dagestan experimental station of the VIR branch 30 samples of durum wheat of different ecological and geographical origins (Russia, Austria, Mexico, Syria, Egypt) were studied under irrigation conditions under winter sowing. The k-66674 Odari, k-67482 Yarina (Krasnodar Territory) and k-32453 Derbentskaya Chernokolosaya (Republic of Dagestan) varieties were sown as standard samples. Over three years of study, a field and laboratory assessment were given for the following characteristics: length of the growing season, resistance to fungal diseases (powdery mildew, brown and yellow rust) and lodging, grain weight per unit area (1 m2), weight of 1000 grains, number of grains in one ear and the mass of grain from one ear. The varieties are recommended as sources of breeding valuable traits (earliness, productivity, large grain size) for further use in breeding and genetic programs for the creation of new adaptive varieties.

New lines of the Triticum Spelta in Sought Dagestan

Few people know about the existence of such a grain crop as spelt and its benefits for human health. This is a unique product with a balanced vitamin and mineral composition, surpassing even soft wheat in the content of valuable substances. The center of origin this crop is the Mediterranean countries. The first mentions of spelled are found in Ancient Egypt, Babylon, Greece, Turkey and Armenia. After a long period of oblivion, spelled Triticum dicoccum (Schrank) Schuebl reappeared in the crops of European countries and is actively cultivated in Iran, India, Turkey, the USA, and in Russia – in the Krasnoyarsk region, Omsk region, Tatarstan, Dagestan. The absence of gene-modified varieties and the complex of beneficial properties of its grain are interesting for the use of this crop. Spelled grain contains more than 18% protein and has a higher content of fiber, Zn, Fe and Mn compared to other types of wheat. Products made from spelled grain are use as dietary products. Using spelled as food reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases and a number of cancers. Today, the main suppliers of spelled cereal are Iran, India, Turkey, USA, Armenia, and Dagestan. Literary information about the regions with soil and climatic conditions appropriate for the cultivation of this crop is rather scarce. The morpho-biological study of spelled in connection with economically valuable traits and the identification of promising samples for cultivation in a particular region is relevant. Since 2013, the Dagestan Experimental Station has been conducting laboratory and field evaluation of new naked spelt lines, created by Professor Vladimir Dmitrievich Kobylyansky (St. Petersburg, VIR). These lines were created by selection hybrids(F12) from crossing of spelt (T. dicoccum) and hard wheat varieties (T. durum Desf.) In 2016, 2 best ones with glassy grain were selected and were included in the control nursery for a comprehensive study under the winter sowing period of spring grain crops accepted in the region. The samples were studied for early maturite, resistance to fungal diseases, lodging and yield. The results of a three-year (2020–2022) study of the two selected forms were obtained and the contribution of various traits to the formation of the crop was determined.

Оптимизация обработки почвы при выращивании озимых культур в условиях Кабардино-Балкарской Республики

The article presents the results of optimizing soil tillage when growing winter crops in the conditions of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic. It has been established that timely, high-quality and thorough soil preparation, ensuring a fine-lumpy, homogeneous structure in the early stages of preparation for winter sowing when using surface or shallow tillage, guarantees the emergence of seedlings even with minimal precipitation. Keywords: SOIL, TILLAGE, PLOWING, CULTIVATION, SOWING, OPTIMIZATION

Agronomic adaptations to heat stress: sowing summer crops early in late winter.

Abstract CONTEXT: Summer crops are exposed to heat and drought stresses at critical stages during and after flowering, and their intensity and frequency are likely to increase with climate change. Agronomic stress avoidance offers the opportunity to temporally separate critical crop stages from heat and drought events, though it might require sowing cold sensitive summer crops early in late winter into colder than recommended soil temperatures. There is a need to understand how cold is too cold to sow summer crops early in late winter as well as what are the yield benefits and risks. OBJECTIVE: Here we quantify the likely benefits and trade-offs of sowing sorghum, a summer cereal, early in late winter as an adaptation to the increased frequency and intensity of heat and water stresses during flowering and grain filling. METHODS: Two seasons of multi-environment ( n =32) genotype by management trials were conducted across sub-tropical and semi-arid regions of eastern Australia. Environments (E) consisted of the combination of seasons, sites, three times of sowing (early, spring, and summer), and the use of supplementary irrigation. At each E a factorial combination of four plant populations (M) and eight commercial sorghum hybrids (G) were sown with three replications. Crop growth and yield components were measured, and the APSIM model was used to simulate all trials and treatments to quantify risks, and derive insights into functional relationships between simulated and measured environmental co-variates, and measured crop traits. RESULTS: The tested hybrids showed small differences in cold tolerance during crop establishment. Across the tested environments the G×M combinations produced up to 60% variation in treatment yields across environment yields, that varied between &lt;0.5 to about 10t ha -1 , this translated into a ~8-fold variation in water use efficiency. Significant G×E and M×E interactions were observed for grain yield components. No G×M or G×E×M interactions were observed on yield or yield components. Early sowing was associated to a reduced risk of heat stress, and water use transfer from vegetative to reproductive stages. Early sowing in late winter or early spring resulted in no significant yield gain or yield loss when all sites and seasons are included in the analysis, and between 1-2 t ha -1 yield gains when the hottest sites and seasons are considered separately. The likelihood and severity of terminal drought stresses was also reduced with late winter and early spring sowings, improving yield quality parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Early sowing of sorghum can reduce the likelihood of heat stresses around flowering as well as the likelihood of terminal drought stresses. Advantages include reduced yield losses in the hottest seasons, and a transfer of water use to grain filling stages that resulted in increased grain yield and improved grain quality parameters. IMPLICATIONS: Agronomic adaptations offer opportunity to quickly adapt to the increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme hot events during critical crop stages. However, for the practice to be de-risked there is need to increase cold and chilling tolerance in sorghum, and or identify interventions that enhance seed germination and seedling vigour when the crop is sown early into cold soils.

Optimizing Chickpea Yield: GGE Biplot Analysis of Sowing Seasons

Maximizing chickpea production in varying environmental conditions is crucial for ensuring food security and agricultural sustainability. This study addresses this challenge by evaluating sixty-six chickpea genotypes across winter and spring sowing seasons over two years (2016-17 and 2017-18). Utilizing an Augmented Trial Design with three replications and six check varieties, the study reveals significant effects of genotype, sowing season, and their interaction on all examined traits (p≤0.01). Notably, winter sowing season led to a substantial increase in yield, demonstrating up to a 57.1% improvement compared to spring sowing season. The first two components of principal component analysis accounted for 67% of the total variation of chickpea genotypes. In the examined traits, the lowest variation was observed in 100 seed weight, followed by seed yield. Biplot analysis, Pearson’s correlation, and heatmap analysis indicated a positive association of seed yield with pod number of plant and seed number per plant, yet a negative association for plant height, first pod height and 100 seed weight. SMN56, SMN57, and SMN51 genotypes consistently performed well across both sowing and growing seasons for desired traits. Furthermore, genotypes SMN13, SMN20, SMN37, SMN38, and SMN54 excelled during spring sowing season, while Gülümser, İnci, Aydın 92, SMN14, SMN20, and SMN39 were superior in winter. This study not only underscores the advantage of winter sowing for improved yield and other traits but also demonstrates the effectiveness of GGE biplot analysis in genotype selection, offering valuable implications for future chickpea breeding efforts.

Identification of cold tolerance and some agronomic traits of advanced safflower genotypes developed by hybridization

AbstractThe development of winter‐tolerant safflower genotypes is crucial for the improvement of global safflower agriculture. The aim of the present study was to determine the cold tolerance abilities and some agricultural characteristics of advanced safflower genotypes. For this purpose, 10 advanced safflower genotypes were used in four different locations. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with three replications. Winter survival and agricultural characteristics were significantly affected by growing season, location and genotype. Winter survival varies between 86.43% and 93.91% among the genotypes which is promising for winter sowing. As the average of 2 years, the highest oil content (36.25%) was observed in genotype EC21 and it was followed by genotypes EC11 (35.51%) and EC20 (35.49%). As with the seed yield, the high winter survival of genotypes with high oil content is highly promising in terms of winter sowing. Safflower should be grown in winter with mild temperature regions for high seed yield and sustainable safflower production. Therefore, this study focused on winter‐tolerant genotypes that are superior one in terms of seed yield and oil content.

Effect of Potassium Doses on Agricultural Characteristics of Camelina Sown in Winter and Summer Season

This research carried out in Konya ecology, Arslanbey camelina [Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz] genotype which was planted in 2 different times as winter and summer, in the vegetation period of 2020, was determined at 6 different doses (0 kg da-1, 10 kg da-1, 15 kg da-1, 20 kg da-1, 25 kg da-1, 30 kg da-1) potassium sulphate fertilizer was applied to the soil and its effects on some agricultural properties were determined. Field trials of the study were established according to the Random Blocks trial design with 3 replications. As the results of the research in summer plantings, plant height 50.23-54.01 cm, number of branches per plant 5.60-8.80, number of capsules per plant 30.87-58.80, number of seeds per capsule 14.10-17.60, first capsule height 39.55-45.28 cm, seed yield per plant 0.28-1.27 grams, the number of seeds per plant 252.53-1166.13, thousand grain weight 0.78-1.12 grams, grain yield 63.76-77.75 kg da-1, oil rate 22.54%-29.66%, oil yield between 14.05-22.25 kg da-1. Additionally, the values obtained as a result of the winter planting of camelina; plant height 52.04-57.74 cm, number of branches per plant 8.33-11.70, number of capsules per plant 199.80-274.67, number of seeds in capsule 11.50-13.23, height of first capsule 41.01-47.17 cm, grain yield 1.24-1.65 grams per plant, number of seeds per plant 1754.43-2424.00 pieces, thousand grain weight 0.69-0.85 grams, grain yield 80.65-125.93 kg da-1, oil rate 14.47-18.77%, oil yield 11.97-19.74 kg da-1. It can be said that it is essential to carry out long-term different agronomic studies in different locations related to camelina, an important and alternative oil plant.

The results of the initial introduction of &lt;i&gt;Bupleurum aureum&lt;/i&gt; Fisch. ex Hoffm. in the middle taiga subzone of the Komi Republic

The paper summarizes the results of a long-term introduction study of plants of golden boletus in the collection of medicinal plants of the Botanical Garden of the Institute of Biology of the Komi Scientific Center of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The primary introduction of the species into new growing conditions became possible only by transferring living plants to cultivation from the places of natural growth of the Tomsk Region, followed by propagation of plants from seeds of their own reproductions. The optimal methods of seed propagation of this species in the conditions of the North were revealed: winter sowing with freshly harvested seeds and self-sowing of seeds with further transplantation of emerging seedlings to a new plot with a feeding area of 30 30 cm golden is distinguished by high survival rate, winter hardiness and stability in the coenosis. The mass transition of plants into the generative period occurred in the second third year of life. The phenology and dynamics of plant growth have been studied. The rhythm of the seasonal development of plants in. golden in culture in the North corresponds to the new soil and climatic conditions of cultivation. The growing season is 96100 days. Golden boletus regularly forms full-fledged seeds, which, after undergoing natural stratification under snow cover, germinate in the spring and give a large self-sowing. Real seed productivity (the number of mature full-fledged seeds) in plants c. golden of different ages varies over the years from 420 to 570 seeds per shoot. The morphobiological signs of the generative shoot were studied in culture and the amplitude of their variability was determined. High and very high levels of individual variability of signs of the floral zone of the shoot indicate the possibility of targeted selection of more productive individuals within the population. For the first time, data on the content of proteins and its amino acid composition in plants are presented. The mass fraction of nitrogen (in terms of crude protein) in the aboveground phytomass was 1,51,8%. In proteins from aboveground phytomass, 17 amino acids were identified, including 7 essential ones (threonine, valine, methionine, isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine, lysine). The proportion of essential amino acids averaged 39% of the total. The highest rates were noted for amino acids: glutamic, aspartic, leucine, lysine, alanine and valine 13,1, 10,7, 9,2, 8,1, 6,7 and 6,2% respectively.

Using Microorganismal Consortium and Bioactive Substances to Treat Seeds of Two Scots Pine Ecotypes as a Technique to Increase Re-Afforestation Efficiency on Chalk Outcrops

The present research is focused on various pine ecotypes’ seed reproduction in the chalky substrate, challenging environmental conditions on the carbonate soils on chalk outcrops in the south of the Central Russian Upland in relation to pine woods re-afforestation. The winter and spring sowing methods were studied, along with a pre-seeding treatment, by biopreparations based on a consortium of Glomales fungi, bacteria of the genus Bacillus, and bioactive substances. The seeds of two pine ecotypes, Pinus sylvestris L.; Pinus sylvestris var. cretacea Kalenicz exKom, underwent treatment. The study revealed that biopreparations and bioactive substances promote higher pine seed germination rates and ensure the stability and survivability of seedlings in an environment that is unfavorable for plant and tree ontogenesis. Applying biopreparations proved effective during spring sowing, whereas, in the case of winter sowing, their positive impact was not statistically significant. The net effect size of the three organized factors studied in the experiment (pine ecotype, biopreparation, sowing term) (h2x) on the “survivability of P. sylvestris seedlings” effective feature significantly increased from 90.8 to 93.8%. The effect size of the “pine ecotype” factor on seedling survivability in P. sylvestris was at its highest (14.4%) during the seedlings’ first-year growth period. The effect size of the “sowing term” factor was at its highest (79.4%) at the stage of seed germination. The effect size of the “biopreparation” factor was at its highest (44.0%) during the seedlings’ second-year growth stage. Our results indicate that it is preferable to create forest plantations on chalk outcrops using Pinus sylvestris var. cretacea ecotypes and with pre-sowing seed treatment via biopreparations based on a microorganismal consortium and Biogor KM. The Spearman correlation between the nitrification capacity of soil substrate and seedling survivability during the first three growth periods (from planting till the next year’s springtime) was of a moderate size (rs = 0.617–0.673, p &lt; 0.05). To improve the growth and productivity of young and mature Scots pine stands, a Biogeosystem Technique (BGT*) methodology was developed.

Genetic Diversity of Global Faba Bean Germplasm Resources Based on the 130K TNGS Genotyping Platform

Novel germplasm resources are the key to crop breeding, with their genetic diversity and population structure analysis being highly significant for future faba bean breeding. We genotyped 410 global faba bean accessions using the 130K targeted next-generation sequencing (TNGS) genotyping platform, resulting in a total of 38,111 high-quality SNP loci by high-standard filtering. We found the polymorphism information content (PIC) and Nei’s gene diversity were 0.0905–0.3750 and 0.0950–0.5000, with averages of 0.2471 and 0.3035, respectively. After evaluating the genetic diversity of 410 accessions using Nei’s gene diversity and PIC, on the basis of their geographical origin (continent) and structure-analysis-inferred subpopulations, we found that the faba bean accessions from Asia (except China) and Europe had rich genetic diversity, while those from the winter sowing area of China were low. The 410 faba bean accessions were divided into four subpopulations according to population structure analysis and clustering analysis based on Nei’s (1972) genetic distance using the neighbor-joining (NJ) method. However, the same subpopulation contained materials from different geographical origins, thereby indicating that the gene flow or introgression occurred among the accessions. Results from NJ clustering based on shared allele genetic distance indicated that the 410 accessions were divided into three groups according to their dissemination routes. The genetic diversity analysis results demonstrated that the genetic relationships among the faba bean groups with similar ecological environments and geographic origins in neighboring regions or countries were closer and frequently found within the same group, while genetic variation among individuals was the main source of their total genetic variation.

Agrobiological characteristics of ancient and newest varieties of durum wheat from Italy in the conditions of the Southern Dagestan coastal zone

In 2018-2020, at the Dagestan Experimental Station (it is a branch of All-Russian Institute of Plant) under irrigation conditions during winter sowing were studied 350 modern and ancient varieties of durum wheat from Italy in accordance to the most important economically valuable characteristics. The varieties Maristella, Trentino, Obelix, Messapia, Dorato, VZ 567 with a productivity of more than 700 g/m2, Maristella, gerardo VZ-466, Messapia, Obelix with an early heading period and a yield of more than 690 g/m2 have been identified. Varieties are recommended as sources of short stature (less than 85 cm) and resistance to lodging (9 points) k-58224 and Synilo, respectively. Large grains (weight of 1000 pieces more than 55.0 g) were possessed by varieties k-26245, k-58224, k-21813 and k-53007. Varieties gerardo VZ-466, Obelix along with high productivity showed high field resistance to all studied diseases (powdery mildew, brown and yellow rust) and to lodging. The optimal combination of breeding and valuable traits was found in the gerardo VZ-466, Obelix, Dorato varieties.

Комплексные полимерные препараты для защиты семян зерновых культур сельскохозяйственных растений

Pre-sowing treatment of seeds of cultivated plants with agrochemicals can significantly reduce crop losses. A promising technology for increasing the yield of spring crops in arid zones characterized by moisture deficiency in the summer is winter sowing. However, this method carries the risk of large losses as a result of premature germination of grain in the event of prolonged positive temperatures in the fall or severe thaws. Special grain processing chemicals can prevent such losses. Complex polymer preparations have been developed to protect grain seeds from premature germination and damage by phytopathogens. It has been shown that compositions based on polyvinyl acetate dispersions and polyacrylamide most effectively prevent premature germination of barley grains. At the same time, treatment with a copolymer of acrylamide and acrylate significantly reduced plant germination. It has been shown that when barley grains are treated with compositions based on polysaccharides with a fungicidal preparation, fungal infection is completely absent, and there is no significant inhibition of seed germination. This composition for treatment against fungal spoilage of grain and seedlings seems promising for practical use.

Effects of Different Soil Moisture-Holding Strategies on Growth Characteristics, Yield and Quality of Winter-Seeded Spring Wheat

Drought during the overwintering period threatens the emergence rate and restricts the yield under the “winter-seeded spring wheat” cultivated model in the Hetao Plain Irrigation District in Inner Mongolia. To address this issue, from 2017 to 2019, six treatments were set up in the field to study the emergence rate, growth attributes, grain quality, yield and its percentage of winter-seeded spring wheat. These treatments were the (1) application of water-retaining agents under winter sowing (WRA), (2) soil amendments under winter sowing (SA) and wheat seed presoaking with amino acid water-soluble fertilizer under winter sowing (SP), (3) straw mulching under winter sowing (SM), (4) film-mulching hole sowing under winter sowing (FMHS), (5) blank control under winter sowing (CKW) and (6) conventional blank control under spring sowing (CKS). The results showed that the emergence rate of winter-seeded treatment was lower than CKS treatment, the emergence of WRA, SA, SM, and FMHS treatment increased by 5.4%, 2.3%, 6.5% and 10.8% compared with CKW treatment, respectively. The winter-seeded treatment is earlier than CKS treatment in the growth process, in which FMHS treatment is between 12 d and 16 d earlier in the emergence period, between 13 d and 15 d earlier in the maturation period, between 8 d and 12 d earlier than the CKW treatment in the emergence period, and between 8 d and 10 d earlier in the maturity period. Compared with CKW treatment, WRA, SA, SM, FMHS and CKS treatments increased yield by 13.49%, 11.42%, 14.75%, 21.61% and 28.15%, respectively. FMHS treatment significantly reduced the total water consumption and significantly improved water use efficiency. The protein content, wet gluten content, sedimentation value, dough ductility and maximum resistance in CKS treatment were significantly lower than other winter sowing treatments. The protein percentage and wet gluten percentage in FMHS treatment were the highest, and the difference with CKW treatment was significant. In summary, film-mulching hole sowing in winter improves soil water and the emergence rate, significantly accelerates the growth process of wheat, increases yield and promotes grain quality.