Winter Sowing Research Articles

How sowing date affects development and performance of safflower through climate variables

AbstractSafflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) has unrealized potential as an alternative crop in many semiarid regions including central Argentina. Our objective was to relate how temperature and precipitation conditions with fall (5 June 2012 and 23 Apr. 2013) and winter sowing (13 Aug. 2012 and 20 Aug. 2013) affected phenology, yield, yield components, and oil percent in four winter and eight spring‐type safflower accessions in the semiarid region of central Argentina. Fall sowing was associated with lower temperatures, higher precipitation, lower heat/moisture stress indices and precipitation deficits than winter sowing. Rosette period lasted 55 d longer, and stem elongation to anthesis period 30 d longer in fall than in winter sowing. However, anthesis was advanced only few days in fall sowing and duration of postanthesis development was comparable between sowing regimes and years. Fall sowing plants averaged 3,252 filled grains m–2 and a grain yield of 109.8 g m–2, whereas winter sowing plants averaged 1,443 filled grains m–2 and a grain yield of 49.3 g m–2. Grain yield was 35% higher in winter than in spring‐type accessions, but winter types had lower oil percent (22.0%) than spring‐types (33.3%). In the semiarid region of central Argentina, we recommend fall sowing as it extended the growing season in terms of days preanthesis and presented favorable climatic conditions for safflower development.

Evaluation of Genotype, Environment, and Management Interactions on Fava Beans under Mediterranean Field Conditions

Faba beans (Vicia faba L.), also known as fava beans, like other crops, are influenced by several factors: their genotype, environment, and management, as well as the interaction between these, have an important impact on seed yielding and seed quality traits. This study was conducted at three locations in South Italy between 2017 and 2019 to evaluate the sowing date effect on yield and yield components of three Vicia faba L., originating from cool climates. The results showed that seed yield (SY) and yield components declined with sowing delay. The crop’s environment (year × site) and management (sowing date) were found to explain 34.01% and 42.95% of the total seed yield variation, respectively. The data showed that the tested genotypes were positively influenced by the environment with sandy loam soil and early winter sowing date, resulting in either a greater number of SY and THS than in the other environment. The three faba bean genotypes showed tolerance to winter frost conditions in the two growing seasons.

Physiological quality of white oat seeds at different temperatures

White oats are cereals that are grown in different regions of the globe because they have good adaptability and final destination. Thus, their cultivation has shown significant increases in order to meet demand, especially for forage production, grains, and animal and human consumption. High-quality seeds are necessary for crop cultivation and white oats are sown in winter when thermal fluctuations may occur. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the physiological changes in oat seeds exposed to different temperatures during the germination phase. The experiment was a completely randomized design with four replications in a 6 × 4 factorial design. Six cultivars were evaluated: Aphrodite, Altiva, Artemis, Brava, Corona, and Guará at temperatures of 15, 20, 25, and 30 °C, and the following measurements were taken: first germination count, germination, germination speed index (IVG), and seedling length and mass. The results were analyzed using analysis of variance (F test) and the means were compared using Tukey’s test. The cultivars were physiologically affected at the minimum and maximum temperatures. At 15 °C, normal seedlings did not form, whereas the highest germination values were recorded at 20 and 25 ºC, which showed that these temperatures were the most favorable temperatures for the germination process. Vigor declined at 30 °C and there was a greater number of abnormal seedlings and dead seeds.

CHANGE IN INDICATORS OF PHOTOSYNTHETIC ACTIVITY OF ECHINACEA PURPUREA SEEDINGS IN THE SECOND YEAR OF LIFE

The effective implementation of the plants biological potential occurs with a high culture of agriculture, as well as optimal moisture conditions and air temperature. Echinacea Purpurea has long-lasting seed germination and low competition to weeds; therefore, when cultivating it, it is relevant to determine the optimal sowing time and an effective way to combat the weed component. In this case, the study of the photosynthetic apparatus parameters is greatly important. According to the results of studies carried out in 2016 - 2018 on the chernozem-meadow soil of the experimental plot of Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education, Penza State Agricultural Academy, it was found that, regardless of weather conditions, the largest area of the assimilation surface is formed by sub winter crops with pre-emergent application of herbicide Lazurit and subsequent treatment with Miura in the phase of 2-4 weed leaves, and also with manual removal of segetal vegetation. On average, over three years, it reached its maximum in the flowering period and made up 50.3 and 49.9 thousand m2/ha. The photosynthetic potential on sub winter sowing in the shooting stage exceeded this indicator on early spring crops with double chemical weeding by 1.4 times, and during budding and flowering - by 1.2 times, with manual removal of weeds by 1.2, 1.1 and 1.2 times, respectively. The highest average daily net photosynthesis productivity of 2.73 g/m2 ? day was observed on early spring crops in the flowering phase, especially after a single chemical weeding with Miura’s herbicide.

Powdery mildew resistance of barley in Southern Dagestan

Background.The most effective way of protecting crops from diseases and pests is the breeding and cultivation of resistant varieties. The hydrothermal regime in the southern plains of Dagest an favors damage to barley plant s by the causative agent of powdery mildew. The high level of disease progress observed annually helps to reliably assess the resistance of collection accessions to the pathogen.Materials and methods.The research material included 1361 barley accessions (570 improved cultivars and 791 landraces) of different ecogeographic origin and growth habit. Field experiments were launched concurrently with winter sowing. Powdery mildew resistance was scored during the heading period and in the milk ripeness phase using a point scale. Each accession was assessed for at least three years.Results and conclusions.The results of a long-term study disclosed a significant intraspecific variability of barley collection accessions in their resistance to powdery mildew. A significant part of the studied barley accessions (63.1%) appeared susceptible to the pathogen. The occurrence frequency of disease-resistant accessions was 11.0%, while those with medium resistance reached 25.9%. Among the landraces, four resistant accessions from the Abyssinian, West Asian and Mediterranean centers of crop origin were identified. Seventeen barley varieties resistant to powdery mildew (predominantly originated from Western Europe) are recommended for use in breeding for immunity.

Zn Foliar Spray as a Management Strategy Boosts Oil Qualitative and Quantitative Traits of Spring Rapeseed Genotypes at Winter Sowing Dates

To determine the suitable sowing date in each region, it is important to note that environmental conditions should be optimal during the crop growing season. Plant nutrition using macro-elements and micro-elements improves crop growth and quantitative and qualitative yields under environmental stresses. A 2-year experiment (2015–2016 and 2016–2017) was conducted to investigate the effect of zinc (Zn) foliar spray on quantitative and qualitative yields of spring rapeseed genotypes at winter sowing dates. The factorial split-plot arrangement of treatments was set up in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Main plots included three winter sowing dates of 9, 19, and 29 February and Zn foliar spray at two levels of non-Zn foliar spray (control) and Zn foliar spray (5 g l−1 at the stem elongation stage). Sub-plots contained four genotypes of Sarigol, Dalgan, Salsa, and Solar. While silique number per plant, seed number per silique, 1000-seed weight, seed yield, oil yield and content, and oleic, linoleic, and palmitic acids of the study genotypes were lessened at late sowing dates, contents of linolenic, stearic, and erucic acids and glucosinolate were significantly increased in such condition. Zn foliar spray improved seed yield and yield components, oil yield and content, and linoleic acid content, while contents of linolenic, stearic, and erucic acids and glucosinolate were dropped. Overall, the current study suggests that to produce the optimal quantitative and qualitative yields in rapeseed agro-ecosystems, genotypes should be cultivated on an optimum winter sowing date (February 9) and treated with Zn.

Morpho-biochemical traits and macro-elements of Lallemantia iberica (M.B.) Fischer & Meyer, as affected by winter (late autumn) sowing, chemical and nano-fertilizer sources

The effects of sowing season and nano-fertilizer source were studied on the morphological traits, biochemical compounds, and elements of dragon’s heads in a factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design with 12 treatments and three replications at the research farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Urmia University in the 2017–2018 crop year. The experimental treatments were composed of two sowing seasons including spring and winter and six fertilization treatments including control, soil-incorporated NPK (NPK-s), nano-NPK (NPK-n), nano-chelated Fe (Fe), nano-NPK + nano-chelated Fe (NPK-n + Fe), soil-incorporated NPK + nano-NPK + nano-chelated (NPK-s + NPK-n + Fe). Based on the results, the interaction of the winter sowing and NPK-n + Fe produced the highest leaf area index, 1000-seed weight, and biological yield. In addition, the winter-sown plants treated with NPK-n + Fe exhibited higher chlorophyll and carotenoid contents and NPK contents. But, proline content was higher in the interaction of the spring sowing and the control. The same treatment also produced the highest carbohydrate content. Overall, the results indicate that the sowing season and fertilizer source have a significant impact on the quantitative and qualitative yield of dragon’s heads in Azerbaijan. Therefore, sowing season and fertilizer source should be simultaneously taken into account to attain a superior crop considering the environmental conditions.

Oat (Avena sativa) yield and grain fill responses to varying agronomic and weather factors

AbstractFactorial experiments were carried out on spring- and winter-sown oat crops in Ireland in 2016–2019 to identify plant responses in yield formation and grain filling procedures. Two cultivars (Husky and Keely), three seed rates (250, 350 and 450 seeds/m2), six applied nitrogen (N) rates (40, 70, 100, 130, 160 and 190 kg N/ha) with a plant growth regulator (PGR) were examined in spring and winter sowings, using the same cultivars at five rates of applied N (80, 110, 140, 170 and 200 kg N/ha). The applied N rate and seed rate significantly (P < 0.05) modified the yield components determining grains/m2 in spring- and winter-sown crops with increases in panicle number of key importance. Increases were also observed in the proportion of primary grain by weight (0.9–1.6%) and number (0.7–1.4%) ratios in spring-sown crops in response to applied N rate, with winter-sown crops exhibiting a more consistent pattern of grain fill. Seed rate and PGR application had minor effects on yield components and panicle conformation. Grain fill procedures played an important role in the maximization of grain yield under seasonal conditions. Significant positive correlations were observed between the number of aborted grain sites and yield under drought conditions (0.22), with negative associations observed in near-optimal conditions (−0.22 to −0.41). Agronomic effects on grain site abortion were minimal in comparison with seasonal effects. In seasons characterized by cool, consistent conditions, grain yield was maximized by the utilization of all available grain sites. Where assimilate shortages were encountered during grain fill the abortion of grains sites was positively associated with grain yield.

Yield and Water Use Efficiency of Winter and Spring-Sown Chickpea to Various Irrigation Regimes Under Mediterranean Environment

The effects of various irrigation strategies applied with drip system and different planting dates on yield, components and water use efficiency of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.; var. Inci), were evaluated during 2010 and 2011 under Mediterranean conditions. The treatments included full irrigation (FI), mild deficit irrigation (DI-75), severe deficit irrigation (DI-25), partial root-zone drying (PRD-50), and non-irrigated (DRY) for winter and spring planting times. DI-75, PRD-50, and DI-25 received irrigation water 75, 50, and 25% of full irrigation, respectively. Both irrigation regimes and sowing dates had significantly different effect on grain yields. Interaction of irrigation and sowing dates was also significant in 2011. Water stress reduced significantly yield of spring-planted chickpea as compared to winter-planted chickpea. The greatest yields of 4.40 and 2.85 t ha-1 were recorded, respectively, for winter- and spring-planted chickpeas under FI. The greatest water use efficiency was 0.70 kg m-3 for winter-planted and 1.03 kg m-3 for spring-planted chickpeas in DRY treatment. WUE increased with decreasing irrigation amounts for both planting times. Winter planting performed better than spring planting for the yield and yield attributes. However, in dry years, deficit irrigations DI-75 and PRD-50 can be practiced to obtain higher yields with winter sowing.

СОПРЯЖЕННОСТЬ ПРИЗНАКОВ СОРТООБРАЗЦОВ ДИПЛОИДНОЙ И ТЕТРАПЛОИДНОЙ РЖИ

Intensive technologies of modern farming dictate the trend of using varieties of a new type, with a whole range of properties. frost-resistant, drought-resistant varieties that are resistant to lodging and adverse weather conditions, fungal diseases, and show high productivity potential and stable yields deserve attention.In our research, we set a goal to study the correlations of morphobiological traits in cultivated rye varieties of different levels of ploidy. The work was carried out at the Dagestan experimental station of VIR, under irrigated conditions, with winter sowing. 12 samples of each ploidy level were taken. The sample consisted of 20 plants. We assessed the morphobiological characteristics of 24 accessions according to the following characteristics: plant height, bushiness (general and productive), spike length, number of spikelets, number of grains, and weight of 1000 grains. Each variety was analyzed and the following statistical indicators were identified: arithmetic mean, arithmetic mean error, coefficient of variation. To identify possible relationships, a correlation analysis of features was carried out. The correlation was considered high when this indicator exceeded the value of ±0.5. The studied samples of rye of all levels of ploidy had correlations of the following morphobiological traits: plant height, general tillering, productive tillering, ear length, number of spikelets, number of grains. There is a strong positive correlation between the number of grains per spike and the number of spikelets per spike.

Зимующий сорт масличного льна Снегурок

Based on the use of our own original technology of polyploid genome recombination (PGR), at VNIIMK, Krasnodar, frost-resistant parental reploid germplasm was obtained, and then a line k-4207 highly resistant to negative winter temperatures was isolated. In 2019, the frost-resistant line of oil flax k4207, under the commercial name "Snegurok", was submitted to the State variety testing. Four-year field trials during winter sowing have shown that the new winter oil flax variety Snegurok is highly resistant to winter, including snowless frosts, and can withstand negative temperatures down to 20-23 °C without significant cryo-damages. In the conditions of the Krasnodar region, the flowering phase of this variety begins after 20th of April. Ripening of plants begins after 10th of June, when the spring sowing varieties of oil flax are in the flowering phase. The growing season of the variety, taking into account the winter period, is 238–244 days. The yield of the variety, on average for 2018–2019, was 2.27 t/ha, which exceeded the same indicator for the standard variety FLIZ of the spring sowing period, on average by 0.61 t/ha. The winter variety of oil flax Snegurok may be of commercial interest for agricultural producers in the dry steppe regions of southern Russia with rainfall up to 250–350 mm/year. It is developed for cultivation in the Central Black Earth, North Caucasus and Lower Volga regions of Russian Federation.

Ecological estimation of winter peas in the conditions of the southern part of the Rostov region

The current paper has presented the study results on the ecological estimation of seed peas of different types of development. The purpose of our study was to assess the quantitative and qualitative indicators of seed peas varieties of different types of development in the southern part of the Rostov region. The trials were carried out on the experimental plots of the FSBSI “Agricultural Research Center “Donskoy” at the laboratory for legumes breeding and seed production. Autumn sowing was carried out in the second decade of October. Spring sowing was conducted in the third decade of March. The objects of the study were the variety ‘Legion’ sown in autumn and spring in comparison with the variety ‘Aksaysky Usatiy 5’, which was used as a standard variety in the trials. The statistical data were processed according to B. A. Dospekhov’s methodology (2012) using Excel with the STATISTICA 10 application. The variety ‘Legion’ sown in autumn ripened earlier in comparison with the standard variety ‘Aksaysky Usatiy 5’. Early ripening of winter peas than spring peas made it possible to evenly distribute the load on the harvesting equipment, since ripening of spring peas often coincided with ripening of winter grain crops, such as winter barley and winter wheat. The variety ‘Legion’ sown in winter exceeded the standard variety ‘Aksaysky Usatiy 5’ in such indicators as “plant height”, “number of beans”, “number of seeds”, “seed weight per plant” and “protein percentage”. The study results have shown that the conditions of the southern part of the Rostov region were favorable for the cultivation of winter peas. The winter peas ripened a decade earlier than spring peas, and seed productivity was 1.7–1.8 times larger.

TOP-DRESSING NITROGEN DOSES IN MAIZE SOWN IN SINGLE AND DOUBLE ROWS AND CULTIVATED IN WINTER

Due to the intensification of production in irrigated areas, maize hasbeen sown in winter, enabling three seasons in one agricultural year. The objective of this study was to evaluate the agronomic performance of maize under irrigation and cultivated in winter under different plant arrangements (single and doublerow) under top-dressing nitrogen doses. The experimental design used was in randomized blocks in a split-plot scheme, with four replicates. Plots were formed by sowing systems single and double rows and subplots were formed by four top-dressing N doses: 0 kg ha-1 of N; 80 kg ha-1 of N with single application in phenological stage V3; 160 kg ha-1 of N with application of 80 kg ha-1 in V3 and V6, and 240 kg ha-1 of N with application of 80 kg ha-1 in stages V3, V6 and V8. The single-row sowing system led to higher grain yield compared to maize grown in the double-row system. Maize grain yield showed progressive linear increments with increasing top-dressing N doses, reaching 11,089 kg ha-1 of grains with the maximum studied dose of 240 kg ha-1 of N. Sowing systems in single and double rows do not differ with respect to the use of top-dressing N.

ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЕ БОБОВЫХ ДЛЯ ЭКОЛОГИЧЕСКОЙ РЕКУЛЬТИВАЦИИ СТЕПНЫХ ДЕГРАДИРОВАННЫХ ПАСТБИЩ КУЛУНДЫ

Intensive development of the steppe communities of Kulunda, located in the southern part of the West Siberian lowland in the XX century led to a significant anthropogenic transformation of all steppe ecosystems. Representatives of the legume family, which is the most important component of steppe grasses, have almost disappeared from the grasslands. The research was conducted on the territory of the Mikhailovsky district of the Altai territory, on the lands of LLC KKH «Partner» in the environs of Poluyamki village scince 2013-till present days climatic conditions of dry steppe zone of Western Kulunda. The aim of the work was to evaluate representatives of the legume family for ecological reclamation of Kulunda steppe pastures. The experiment was performed on 2 degraded fenced steppe areas (10 x 10 m) corresponding to the third stage of pasture digression. Winter sowing of legumes was carried out: cicer milk vetch (Astragalus cicer L.), sainfoin milk vetch (A. onobrychis L.), furrowed milk vetch (A. sulcatus L.), bird’s foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.), sickle alfalfa (Medicago falcata L.), hop alfalfa (M. lupulina L.) and late spring sowing: cicer milk vetch and sainfoin, bird’s foot trefoil by tapping into the sod. Monthly growth dynamics of sown plants (number of shoots per m2, height, phenology) was recorded, and the feed value of aboveground biomass was established. It was found that the drought-resistant species of alfalfa sickle has a significant biomass, is short-lived in the grass stand and requires re-sowing every 4 years. Hop alfalfa is recommended for improving degraded pastures, but due to its short ontogeny, it needs to be re-sown every three years. Among milk vetches, sainfoil milk vetch is the most promising – a long-rooted, rod-rooted polycarpic that increases its area due to numerous underground rhizomes. The greatest nutritional and energy value was possessed by the phytomass of bird’s foot trefoil and sickle alfalfa.

ВПЛИВ ПОПЕРЕДНИКІВ І ФУНГІЦИДУ АБАКУС НА ПОШИРЕННЯ ХВОРОБ ТА ПРОДУКТИВНІСТЬ ЖИТА ПОСІВНОГО (SECALE CEREALE L.) В УМОВАХ ТЕРНОПІЛЬСЬКОЇ ОБЛАСТІ

The article studies the value of beans and soybeans as precursors of winter sowing rye, and the effectiveness of the Abacus fungicide to reduce the spread of crop diseases in soil and climatic conditions of the Ternopil region.
 The research proves that the pesticide reduces the spread of powdery mildew by 2.7 and 3.0 %, brown rust by 2.9 and 3.2 %, leaf septoria by 6.0, and by 7.1 % in the sowing of rye Kharkiv 98. It shows high technical efficiency of application against the stated above diseases, in particular, 50.2 and 58.7 %, 49.2 and 46.9 %, 69.5 and 70.5 % respectively. 
 The use of Abacus significantly increases the grain productivity of rye, which is sown after soybeans (by 2.06 t/ha), compared to the predecessor of beans (1.66 t/ha). This increase in rye grain yield growth after the soybean precursor due to the fungicide is associated with a significant formation of plant density by 26.9 %, total by 36.1 %, and productive by 21.1 %, an increase in quantity (by 13.4 %) and the grains mass in the rye ears (by 19.1 %) and the higher increase in the biological yield of aboveground mass by 38.4 % for the predecessor of soybeans, compared with the growth of these indicators by 2.8, 25.3, 18.6, 4.6, 9.5, 30.4 % accordingly, sowing rye after beans.
 Despite the higher efficiency of the Abacus fungicide in sowing rye after soybean, for its productivity, a more important factor for crop formation was the predecessor, beans, which indicates a higher grain yield compared to the soybeans predecessor, as well as using the Abacus fungicide by 0.46 t/ha, and also in the absence of chemical protection by 0.86 t/ha.
 Analysis of the elements of productivity showed that the higher value of beans as rye precursor, compared with soybeans, is realized, regardless of the use of pesticides, due to higher plant density by 41.6–74.8 %, total stem density by 21.7–32.2 %, and productive stems density by 17.5–20.0 %, as well as the increase of plant height by 3.1–8.8 %, which led to the increase in total biological yield by 38.2–46.6 % and its component, masses of straw, by 49.0–56.1 %. Measurement of rye ears length, counting the number of spikelets and grains in the inflorescences revealed a slight effect of predecessors on these indicators. Significant increase in vegetative mass of rye after the predecessor of beans and limited influence of both predecessors on the generative sphere of plants led to the decrease in grain yield in crops by 6.1–7.5 % compared to plants sown after soybeans, regardless of fungicide.
 Given the higher value of beans compared to soybeans as precursors of rye in its productivity and lack of significant impact on spread of disease, as well as the high efficiency of the Abacus fungicide, it is recommended sewing rye after beans in crop rotation and use pesticides as a tool efficient in crop cultivation in local soil and climatic conditions.

Cropping effect and variety adaptability of winter-seeded spring wheat in Inner Mongolia Plain irrigation area

<p indent=0mm>Growing spring wheat in Inner Mongolia is challenging because of the short growing period, dry-hot winds, and heat-forced maturity. There are also problems with growing winter wheat varieties, such as frost damage, spring droughts, or “late spring cold”. These factors have restricted efforts to increase yields. In order to cope with these challenges, this study adopted a “winter-seeded spring wheat” planting model for growing wheat in Inner Mongolia and investigated wheat varieties with different vernalization requirements through two consecutive field trials. The effects of different varieties on seed germination and seedling emergence, growth, leaf physiological, root traits, and yield formation were analyzed. The results indicated that the spring varieties and some winter varieties of the tested wheat varieties were overwintered as seed and passed the vernalization stage, and matured normally in the following year. Under winter sowing conditions, the spring field germination rate of the tested wheat varieties was lower than that of spring sowing wheat, but the root system developed, and the adaptability to low temperature and drought was stronger. Three wheat varieties suitable for winter-sowing in the Inner Mongolia plain irrigation area were screened out by systematic clustering, including the spring variety Yongliang 4, winter cultivar Ningdong 11 and semi-winter cultivar Henong 7106. Their common characteristics were higher overwintering emergence rate, stronger stress resistance, relatively well-developed root system and higher yield performance, among which, Yongliang 4 could reach the same level as spring-seeded.

Hay Yield, Quality and Competition of Hungarian Vetch (Vicia pannonica) and Italian Ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) Intercropping

A 2-year field study was carried out to determine the hay yield, quality, and competition of Hungarian vetch (Vicia pannonica Crantz) and Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) mixtures at various ratios (100:0, 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40, 50:50, 40:60; 30:70, 20:80, 10:90, 0:100) in the coastal region of the Black Sea (Ordu, Turkey). The plots were harvested during the filling period of the lower beans in Hungarian vetch. The field experiment was arranged as a randomized complete block design with 4 replications for each year. Hay yield, crude protein ratio and yield, acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and interspecies competition of the mixtures were determined. It was determined that sole Hungarian vetch planting and Hungarian vetch-Italian ryegrass mixtures had higher hay yield and quality scores compared to sole Italian ryegrass planting. The highest hay and crude protein yield (respectively; 4026 and 732.6 kg ha-1) was obtained from 90% Hungarian vetch + 10% Italian ryegrass mixture and it revealed lower ADF and NDF ratios than any other mixtures. There was no statistical difference between the land equivalent ratio (LER) values of the mixtures; however, Italian ryegrass was found to be more aggressive in the mixtures. These results suggest that, in temperate and rainy regions, 90% Hungarian vetch + 10% Italian ryegrass mixture for winter sowing could be cultured.

Динамика структурного состава и продуктивности лофанта тибетского под влиянием различных видов минеральных удобрений

Abstract. A study was conducted at a collection site of medicinal plants of the Ural State Agrarian University, located in Beloyarskiy district, Sverdlovsk region. The soil of the experimental site – black soil podzol heavy loamy. The reaction of the medium is close to neutral (pH 6.5). The purpose of the research: to study the effect of various types of mineral fertilizers on the structure and productivity of the aboveground biomass of the Lophanthus tibeticus. The research objectives were to study the effects of fertilizers on height and daily average growth, biometric characteristics of inflorescences, structure and productivity of medicinal raw materials; seed productivity. Method of research. In the experiment, we used early winter sowing of seeds in open ground (late September – early October). Sowing wide-row (25×35 cm). The scheme of the experiment included 5 options: I – without fertilizer (control); II – N60; III – P60; IV – K60; V – N60P60K60. Results. In all variants with the use of fertilizers, In all variants with the use of fertilizers, the plants had an increase in biometric parameters, but the best results were obtained in the V variant: the height of the plants was at the level of 103 cm; the average daily growth of plants was from 0.43 to 2.57 cm; the number of inflorescences – 49 pcs. (on average, per plant), which had a positive effect on the composition of medicinal raw materials (the share of inflorescences was 17.1 %.); the productivity of aboveground biomass (on average over 2 years of research) was 26.2 t/ha; seed productivity ranged from 53.6 (10.09) to 57.3 g/m2 (25.09). Scientific novelty. For the first time, in the conditions of the Middle Urals studied the effect of mineral fertilizers on the most important aspects of the growth and development of the Lophanthus tibeticus. The best option was established in which the lofant had high productivity with an optimal structure of medicinal raw materials (V option – N60P60K60).

The Effect of Winter Sowing, Chemical, and Nano-Fertilizer Sources on Oil Content and Fatty Acids of Dragon’s Head (Lallemantia iberica Fischer &amp; C.A. Meyrefeer)

Dragon’s head is a multifunctional plant with diverse applications so that all its parts, including its leaves and seeds, have nutritional value. For the sake of appropriate agricultural management to enhance plant quality and quantity, the effects of sowing season and chemical—nano-fertilizer sources were explored on plant oil content and fatty acid compositions in a factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design with 12 treatments and 3 replications. The treatments included two sowing seasons (spring and winter) and six fertilizer treatments (control, NPKsoil, NPKnano, chelated-Fenano, NPKnano + chelated-Fenano, NPKsoil + NPKnano + chelated-Fenano). The studied traits included grain yield, oil percentage and yield, unsaturated fatty acids (linolenic, linoleic, and oleic acids), and saturated fatty acids (stearic and palmitic acids). The results showed that the interactive effects of sowing season (winter) and NPKnano + chelated-Fenano were significant on the grain yield. Moreover, the simple effects of winter sowing and NPKsoil, NPKnano, chelated-Fenano treatments showed the highest oil percentage and yield among which NPKsoil + NPKnano + chelated-Fenano and NPKnano + chelated-Fenano had similar effects, so regarding these traits, it is recommended to exclude NPKsoil from the fertilizer combination. However, the treatment of NPKsoil + NPKnano + chelated-Fenano performed well in enhancing unsaturated fatty acids as an advantage of this fertilizer combination. In general, the combined use of the growing season and nano-fertilizer is recommended to increase the quantity and quality of plants, which is consistent with the goals of sustainable agriculture as well.

Dynamics of soil fertility as influenced by intercropping systems, mycorrhizal inoculation and fertilizer levels in maize-sunflower cropping system

Field experiments were conducted for two consecutive years (2010-11 and 2011-12) at Eastern Block Farm, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore on sandy clay loam soils consisting sunflower was raised as residual crop during summer in a sequence of maize sown in winter. The experiments were laid out in split-split plot design with three factors. In respect of succeeding crop sunflower, all the treatment plots were further divided into two equal parts by adopting the following treatment schedule. Three intercropping systems viz., sole maize - sunflower (I1), maize+cowpea - sunflower (I2) and maize+ greengram - sunflower (I3) were the treatments under main plot. Four mycorrhizal treatments viz., M1 - uninoculated (Both crops), M2 - uninoculated (Sunflower), M3 - inoculated (Sunflower), M4 - inoculated (Both crops) were included under sub plot. Three fertilizer levels viz., 75% RDF (F1), 100% RDF (F2), and 125% RDF (F3) under sub-sub plot. Regarding the dynamics of various soil fertility parameters viz., N, P and K uptake of sunflower were found higher to a considerable extent under preceding maize + cowpea intercropping followed by maize + greengram intercropping at both the stages. With respect to mycorrhizal inoculation, nutrient uptake was higher under mycorrhiza inoculated treatments for both the crops over uninoculated treatments. Among the fertilizer levels, 125% RDF to preceding maize recorded higher N, P and K uptake followed by 100% RDF at both the stages of observation. With regard to soil available nutrients, among the intercropping systems, preceding sole maize registered higher soil available N, P and K followed by maize + cowpea intercropping. Among the mycorrhizal treatments, mycorrhiza uninoculated to both the crops and among the fertilizer levels, 125% RDF recorded higher soil available nutrients. As regards the balance sheet of soil available N, P and K,lower actual N loss was (-32.7 kg ha-1), P loss was (-1.2 kg ha-1) and K loss was (-22.1 kg ha-1) under the treatment combination maize + cowpea intercropping along with mycorrhizal inoculation to both the crops and 125% RDF (I2F3M+) during 2011. Regarding 2012, the maximum actual N gain was (5.0 kg ha-1), P gain was (0.1 kg ha-1) and K gain was (12.3 kg ha-1) under the treatment combination maize + cowpea intercropping along with mycorrhizal inoculation to both the crops with 125% RDF (I2F1M+). The maximum actual loss was recorded under the treatment combination of sole maize without mycorrhizal inoculation to both the crops with 75% RDF.