Yield Components Of Wheat Research Articles

Biometric Parameters and Yield Components of Wheat (Triticum aestivum) as a Function of Lime and Phosphogypsum Reapplication

ABSTRACT The effects of lime and phosphogypsum (GY) on wheat (Triticum aestivum) nutrition are well documented. However, little is known about the influence of these soil amendments on biometric parameters or yield components. This study investigated the effects of lime and GY on wheat crops grown at cation base saturation (BS) levels of 44%, 70%, and 90%, achieved by surface application or soil incorporation of lime. Two additional treatments were included: surface liming to 70% combined with a standard rate of GY (3.71 Mg ha−1) or twice the recommended GY rate (7.42 Mg ha−1). The experiment was conducted during two crop seasons in Southern Brazil. The treatments did not influence dry biomass partitioning between spikes, stems, and leaves and total. In one season, liming increased flag leaf area, which was strongly associated with grain yield. Regardless of the rate, application method, and combined use of GY, liming increased the number of grains per spike in both seasons, which was the variable that most influenced wheat yield. Liming also increased spike length and the number of spikelets per spike in the 2018 season. No benefits were seen when lime was applied by soil incorporation, BS was raised to 90%, or liming was combined with GY application. The results showed a positive effect of liming on wheat yield components that are associated with grain yield.

Impacts of Humic Acid on Growth and Yield of Wheat: A Review

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a crucial crop, providing 20% of caloric intake for many populations worldwide. Soil organic matter, an essential component of soil, directly influences soil fertility and texture. Humic substances, derived from biomolecules' physical, chemical, and microbiological transformation, are integral to soil humus. Humic acid has become a standard method for enhancing crop growth, yield, and soil fertility. While the effects of humic acid on wheat have been extensively studied, the optimal type and application method for wheat cultivation remain undetermined. This review investigates sustainable wheat production methods using humic acid to mitigate the negative impacts of chemical fertilizers and climate change factors. Research indicates that humic acid significantly increases wheat plant growth parameters: shoot length (18%), root length (29%), shoot dry weight (76%), root dry weight (100%), and chlorophyll content (96%). Moreover, humic acid substantially improves wheat yield and yield components, including spike length (14.66%), number of spikes per square meter (28.73%), number of spikelets per spike (23.52%), and 1000-grain weight (23.90%). As a sustainable organic substance, humic acid application offers a promising approach to improving wheat production. This method could help meet the food demands of the growing global population, particularly in countries like Afghanistan, where food security is a pressing concern.

Effect of Nitrogen Fertilizer and Seed rates on Yield and Yield Components of Bread Wheat in the Irrigated Condition of South West Shewa, Central Highland of Ethiopia

Inappropriate seed density and fertilizer management can lead to unstable crop yields. Excessive fertilizer application can potentially cause yield loss and nitrogen (N) leaching that leads to environmental pollution. The aim of this study was to explore the optimal N application rate and seed rate on bread wheat with different nitrogen responding under irrigation condition at two experimental sites in the South West Shewa, Ethiopia. A year field experiment was conducted to explore the effects of five N application rates (N0, N23, N46, N69, and N92) and three seed rates on bread wheat yield components like; - aboveground biomass, harvest index, number of tillers per plant, spike length, number of kernels per plant, grain yield and net return. The results showed that N application rate and seed rate were significantly interaction (P< 0.05) effect on aboveground biomass, harvest index, number of tillers per plant, spike length, number of kernels per plant and grain yield. Generally, spike length, number of tillers per plant and number of kernels per spike of wheat were increased with increased at some level in nitrogen fertilizer rate for the three seed rate at both locations. Highest number of kernels per spike (42.00, 44.00) and the highest mean above ground biomass yield (13.70 t ha<sup>-1</sup>, 7.5 t ha<sup>-1</sup>) were obtained for 150 kg ha <sup>-1</sup> seed rate with 69 N kg ha<sup>-1</sup> application at Ameya and Woliso sites respectively. The highest net benefit of 171531.88 EB ha<sup>-1</sup> with marginal rate of return of 351.14% was obtained from 175 kg ha<sup>-1</sup> seed rate with application of 69 kg N ha<sup>-1</sup>. Therefore, 175 kg ha<sup>-1</sup> seed rate with application of 69 kg N ha<sup>-1</sup> is economical feasible for bread wheat production at Ameya area and also the highest net benefit of 51675 EB ha<sup>-1</sup> with marginal rate of return of 115.22% was obtained from 150 kg ha <sup>-1</sup> seed rate with application of 69 kg N ha<sup>-1</sup> at Woliso area.

Effects of dry bio-slurry and nitrogen fertilizer on potato and wheat yields under rotation cropping system.

Integrated nutrient management and crop rotation are important farming practices, which enhance the nutrient use efficiency of crops and reduce the incidence of diseases and insect pests. The study was carried out to address the gap in using integrated nutrient management in crop rotation systems for soil qualities and crop yield improvement. That was done by adjusting the balance ratio of dry bio-slurry and nitrogen fertilizers. The experiment was containing ten levels; Control (0,0), recommended nitrogen, 50% dry-bio slurry, 100% dry-bio slurry, 75% dry-bio slurry, 75% dry-bio slurry+25% recommended nitrogen, 50% dry-bio slurry+50% recommended nitrogen, 25% dry-bio slurry+75% recommended nitrogen, 100% dry-bio slurry + 25% recommended nitrogen and 100% dry-bio slurry + 50% recommended nitrogen that was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications for three years. The data on soil properties and yield components of potatoes and wheat were collected and analyzed using statistical analysis system software 9.4. An application of dry bio-slurry with nitrogen fertilizer was significantly affected both crop yield and soil properties in the rotation system. The application of 25% dry bio-slurry with 75% recommended nitrogen gave the highest tuber yield of potato (27.6 tha-1) as compared to control. Similarly, using 100% and 75% sole dry bio-slurry resulted in the highest grain yield (3.85 tha-1) and above-ground biomass (9.59 tha-1) of wheat. The combination of 25% dry bio-slurry with 75% recommended nitrogen scored the highest net benefit (2889.2 US$) with an acceptable marginal return (4463.3%) via by improving crops yield in the system. So, an application of 25% dry bio-slurry with 75% recommended nitrogen could be promoted for yield-soil improvement in the study area and similar agroecology.

Biopotential of Cyanobacteria, Fulvic Acid and Nano-chitosan in Controlling Leaf Rust of Wheat

Biocontrol agents, including Cyanobacteria, Spirulina platensis and Nostoc calcicole, as well as Fulvic Acid and nano-chitosan were tested to control leaf rust of wheat under field conditions during 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 growing seasons. All biocontrol agents significantly reduced all parameters for disease severity i.e. coefficient of infection (CI), the average coefficient of infection (ACI) and the area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) compared to untreated control. The best treatments were nano-chitosan which recorded efficacy of 91.17% followed by S. platensis (90.2%) in the application of two sprays for disease control. All biocontrol agents significantly increased grain yield components of wheat. Applications of two sprays were more effective than one spray. From our research work it can be concluded that S. platensis, N. calcicole, Fulvic Acid and nano-chitosan can be used for controlling leaf rust disease as a safe alternative to chemical fungicides.

Spectral-genomic chain-model approach enhances the wheat yield component prediction under the Mediterranean climate.

In light of the changing climate that jeopardizes future food security, genomic selection is emerging as a valuable tool for breeders to enhance genetic gains and introduce high-yielding varieties. However, predicting grain yield is challenging due to the genetic and physiological complexities involved and the effect of genetic-by-environment interactions on prediction accuracy. We utilized a chained model approach to address these challenges, breaking down the complex prediction task into simpler steps. A diversity panel with a narrow phenological range was phenotyped across three Mediterranean environments for various morpho-physiological and yield-relatedtraits. The results indicated that a multi-environment model outperformed a single-environment model in prediction accuracy for most traits. However, prediction accuracy forgrain yield was not improved. Thus, in an attempt to ameliorate the grain yield prediction accuracy, we integrated a spectral estimation of spike number, being a major wheat yield component, with genomic data. A machine learning approach was used for spike number estimation from canopy hyperspectral reflectance captured by an unmanned aerial vehicle. The spectral-based estimated spike number was utilized as a secondary trait in a multi-trait genomic selection, significantly improving grain yield prediction accuracy. Moreover, the ability to predict the spike number based on data from previous seasons implies that it could be applied to new trials at various scales, even in small plot sizes. Overall, we demonstrate here that incorporating a novel spectral-genomic chain-model workflow, which utilizes spectral-based phenotypes as a secondary trait, improves the predictive accuracy of wheat grain yield.

Seeding and Blended NPSB with Nitrogen Fertilizer Combined Rates Effect on Growth, Yield and Yield Components of Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in South Ari, Southern Ethiopia

Wheat is one of the most important cereal crops in South Ari, Ethiopia. However, the productivity is below the national and regional level due to in adequate seeding rates and soil nutrition. Therefore, a study was conducted to determine rate of seeding and blended NPSB fertilizer and nitrogen on growth, yield and yield components of wheat during 2021-2022 cropping seasons. The experiment consisted of three Seeding rates (50, 100, and 150 kg ha-1), four rates of blended NPSB (0,100, 200 and 300 kg ha-1) combined with two rates of Nitrogen (50 and 100 kgha-1) fertilizer and laid out in split plot design with three replications. The results showed that phenology; growth, yield and yield components of wheat significantly affected by seeding rate and blended NPSB with N fertilizer combined rates. Increasing seeding rate and blended NPSB with nitrogen fertilizer combined rate resulted increase in crop phenology, growth, yield and yield components except harvest index where maximum was recorded at 100 kg ha-1 seeding rate and zero blended with 23 kg ha-1 nitrogen combined rate. Therefore, it is concluded that application 100 kg ha-1 seeding rate and no blended NPSB combined with 23 kg ha-1 nitrogen fertilizer and or 150 kg ha-1 seeding rate and 200 kg ha-1 blended NPSB with 23 kg ha-1 combined rate found to be significant to impact wheat growth and yield at South Ari. However, further study requested in different seasons and locations under extended rates to exploit the recommendation of present study.

IMPACT OF SOIL STERILIZATION FROM DIFFERENT LOCATIONS, WHEAT SEEDS CLEANING AND THEIR INTERACTIONS ON WEED CONTROL, AND YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENTS

IMPACT OF SOIL STERILIZATION FROM DIFFERENT LOCATIONS, WHEAT SEEDS CLEANING AND THEIR INTERACTIONS ON WEED CONTROL, AND YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENTS

Assessing the Impact of Nitrogen Fertilization, Variety Selection, Year and Their Interaction on Wheat Yield and Yield Components

This five-year study (2016–2021) in Morocco’s Mediterranean climate investigated the effect of nitrogen fertilization and genotypic selection on wheat yield and associated components. Utilizing a split-plot design, the study assessed five wheat genotypes—’Faraj’, ‘Luiza’, ‘Itri’, ‘Karim’ and ‘Nassira’—under three nitrogen application rates (120, 60 and 0 kg/ha) across thirty plots with two replicates. Interactions between nitrogen and year showed marked significance in yield (p = 0.001), biomass (p = 0.002), TKW (p = 0.003) and Spk/m2 (p = 0.001), underscoring the variability in optimal nitrogen application rates across different years. Additionally, significant interactions between variety and year were observed for biomass (p = 0.001) and G/m2 (p = 0.001), indicating variability in the performance of different varieties across years. The ‘Itri’ genotype showed the highest yield in 2017, while ‘Luiza’ was pre-eminent in 2018, with ‘Itri’ producing the most biomass. ‘Faraj’ demonstrated consistent superiority in yield and biomass during 2019 and 2020. Our integrated principal component analysis and quadratic models elucidated that an intermediate nitrogen rate of 60 kg/ha (N2) was particularly advantageous for the ‘Faraj’ and ‘Karim’ genotypes. These findings highlight the substantial impact of informed nitrogen level adjustment and genotypic selection on yield optimization.

Assessment of stability for some yield components in wheat under different fertilizations on saline soil

Salt-affected soils constrain wheat production in many countries. It is estimated that more than 831 million hectares (Mha) are salt affected globally, with 10 Mha of cultivated land lost annually. Salinity adversely affects wheat grain yield and grain quality traits. Wheat genotypes show wide variation for salinity stress tolerance. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the performance and stability of spike traits in 14 winter wheat varieties with different origin, in order to identify the varieties that can exploit the growing conditions of saline soils. The wheat material was tested in nine environments as a combination of three years and three fertilization treatments (urea, calcium nitrate, ammonium nitrate), using a split-plot design with three replications. At maturity plant height, spike length, grains number per spike, and spike yield were determined. The significant effect of genotype × environment interaction on the phenotypic expression of different traits indicates differential response of the genotypes across the testing environments, thus offering the possibility of identifying some genotypes of interest. The Romanian varieties ‘Alex’ and ‘Glosa’ present the highest productivity of spike associated with an average stability, being specifically adapted to favourable rainfall conditions, achieving above-average yields in less favourable conditions. The varieties ‘Cerere’, ‘Genesi’, ‘Alex’ and ‘Glosa’ can be selected for crossing and included in wheat breeding programs for the development of stable cultivars adapted to saline soils.

Studying the Efficacy of Some Organic Compounds as a Source of Potassium Fertilization and their Effect on the Wheat-Peanut Crop System in Sandy Soil

To encourage sustainable agriculture and increase net revenue for the agricultural community, the use of expensive chemical fertilizers should be reduced and replaced with locally produced organic byproducts. For this reason, a field experiment was conducted on sand soil at Ismailia Agric. Res. Station in Ismailia Governorate, Egypt, to evaluate the impact of various organic K rates 0, 50%, 75%, and 100% from the recommended plant dose) and three different K organic sources i.e., seaweed (SWE), yeast sludge (YS), and filter mud cake (FMC), in two successive seasons of wheat (Triticum sativac. v. Giza 168) as a winter crop and peanut (Arachis hypogaeac. v. Giza 6) as a summer crop season; to study how responsive they are to different potassium rates and sources applied to crop productivity. After both crops were harvested, the chemical features of the soil were also assessed. The current findings state that the use of varied organic K rates and sources boosted the yield components of wheat and peanut crops, as well as the nutritional total content in straw, grains, or seed of both wheat and peanut, as compared to the control treatment. Furthermore, the application of all treatments improved pH, EC, OM, and cation exchangeable capacity (CEC); the availability of P, K, and soluble K followed a similar pattern after the wheat-peanut crop was harvested. Furthermore, the highest increases resulted from 75% of the recommended K dose, and the best organic sources of K were YS and SWE for wheat and peanut, respectively. In conclusion, the use of tested organic potassium sources is a good alternative to mineral potassium fertilizers, is economical, which is reflected in crop yield, and is environmentally friendly.

Potential subterranean interference of Solanum elaeagnifolium, commonly known as silverleaf nightshade, on durum wheat

Aim of study: Silverleaf nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium) has evolved as an invasive weed in Greece, affecting many farmers’ fields. The potential subterranean interference of silverleaf nightshade on durum wheat growth and yield, as well as its aqueous extracts phytotoxic activity on four winter cereals were investigated. Area of study: Northern Greece. Material and methods: The phytotoxic activity of silverleaf nightshade was determined in the laboratory using a perlite-based bioassay. The interference of silverleaf nightshade on durum wheat yield components was investigated by a 3-year field experiment. Main results: The silverleaf nightshade leaves/stems or the flowers/fruits extracts were in most cases more phytotoxic than those of roots. Durum wheat and oats were more sensitive than winter wheat and barley. In the field, the incorporated summer biomass of 14-18 plants m-2 (about 4.5-4.8 t ha-1) of silver nightshade caused 14.5, 23.1, 23.3, 15.9, 17.3 and 16.9% reduction (averaged across years) in durum wheat plant number, tiller number, total fresh weight, total dry weight, ear number and seed yield, respectively, compared with the silver nightshade-free plots (control). The corresponding reductions caused by 30-34 plants m-2 (about 8.3-8.6 t ha-1) were 28.5, 41.2, 45.9, 31.5, 27.0 and 31.2%. Research highlights: The presence of aboveground silver nightshade biomass, incorporated by tillage before seeding significantly reduced the emergence, growth and yield of durum wheat. This fact could be attributed to the allelopathic effect of the weed and demonstrates the need for its control before wheat establishment to enhance wheat productivity.

Winter wheat irrigation parameters in the Brazilian Cerrado

Wheat is the second most produced cereal in the world. The gap between production and consumption in Brazil shows that wheat production must be increased to meet the domestic demand. In this context, the objective of this study was to determine the crop coefficient of wheat and the ideal moment for irrigation, based on the soil water depletion rate (f). The study was carried out in the tropics, on an Oxisoil (Typic Haplustox), in an experimental field of Embrapa Cerrados in Planaltina, Federal District of Brazil. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks with three replications. The treatments were differentiated by the soil water depletion index (f) of 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8. In other words, irrigation was initiated when 20, 40, 60 and 80% of the available soil water capacity (AWC) at a soil depth of 0.4 m was consumed by the crop. Wheat yield and yield components were evaluated. The phenological development was monitored based on Zadok’s scale, in days after emergence, and the management parameters crop coefficient (Kc) and irrigation timing were determined. The results indicated a soil water depletion index of 0.4 as the best indicator for beginning wheat irrigation. Under this condition, Kc can be estimated daily as a function of days after emergence (DAE) by the quadratic polynomial regression or curve fitting method, adjusted as follows: Kc = −0.000298 × DAE² + 0.036695 × DAE + 0.332486. Alternatively, the means of Kc of each phenological crop phase can be used: Kc = 0.45 (establishment); 0.81 (tillering); 1.21 (booting); 1.43 (flowering); 1.27 (grain formation); and 0.89 (maturation). Thus, there is a limit of consumption of soil available water, at which wheat still achieves the full yield potential, with a rational use of water which varies according to the development phase.

Identification of QTLs associated with grain-filling duration and heading date in wheat.

An increase in genetic diversity of bread wheat caused by spring x winter forms leads to an alteration of genetic control of maturity time. Maturity time (MAT) is one of major yield components in wheat, which has two components: the heading date (HD) and grain-filling period (GFP). Using the Illumina Infinium 25k platform we analyzed the genetic control of the HD, GFP and MAT in the F2 and F2:3 populations from a cross between late-ripening spring/winter line 124-1 and spring wheat cultivar Novosibirskaya 31, possessing the same allelic composition of the VRN1 and PPD-D1 genes. The phenotypic evaluation of the populations studied was performed during three years. A total of 17 QTLs were mapped, out of which 4 QTLs for MAT or its components were confirmed over two years. Two common MAT and HD QTLs were identified on the 4A chromosome, and two loci controlling GFP and MAT were found on 6B chromosome. An environmentally stable HD QTL QHd.icg-7B.1 was associated with the FT-B1 gene having a non-synonymous polymorphism [G/C] in its coding region. A novel НD QTL was identified on 7D chromosome. QTL dissection allowed to propose putative genes for QMat.icg4-A and QMat.icg6-B, namely the SPL family gene (TraesCS4A02G359500) and the TCP transcription factor (TraesCS6B02G462100), respectively. The results of this study provide information for further investigation into wheat development.

Controlling Fusarium head blight in wheat through a Mixture of varieties in an organic production system

In the organic production system, the management of diseases and pests is based on agricultural practices rather than the use of certified phytosanitary inputs. The mixture of varieties is an agricultural practice that has shown its interest not only in the management of diseases and pests but also in the increase and stability of crop yields. The objective of our study is to evaluate the performance of this practice in the management of fusarium head blight in wheat. To achieve this objective, we conducted four trials. Two trials (one on durum and the other on soft wheat) in 2019 on a certified organic farm and the two trials were repeated in 2020. During the two years of experimentation, we compared the mixture of four durum wheat varieties and the mixture of four soft wheat varieties with the monoculture varieties. In the field, we evaluated the severity of Fusarium head blight and wheat yield components as well as the grain yield. The results showed a significant difference between the different treatments for Fusarium head blight severity and yield components for both species and in both years of the experiment.

Modulation of soil aeration and antioxidant defenses with hydrogen peroxide improves the growth of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants

Soils with subsurface drip irrigation are often characterized by hypoxia, which could impair the aerobic respiration of roots and the productive potential of crops. Irrigation with hydrogen peroxide oxygenated water (HPOW) is one way to improve soil aeration in the rhizosphere. However, few studies have focused on exploring the interaction of HPOW with soil aeration and productivity of crops. The current work aimed to investigate the effects of four levels of HPOW [0 ppm H2O2 solution (tap water) as a control (H0), 600 ppm, 800 ppm and 1000 ppm H2O2 solution (H600, H800 and H1000)] on irrigation water properties, soil aeration, antioxidant defenses, growth biomarkers and yield components in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants. Results confirmed that dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations in H600, H800 and H1000 were significantly increased by 52.10%–126.59% and surface tension coefficients were significantly decreased by 17.72%–31.60% as compared to H0. DO concentrations in soil solutions irrigated with H600, H800 and H1000 were significantly elevated by 9.78%–15.68% as compared to H0, and the maximum value equal to 7.44 mg L−1 was found at a soil depth of 20 cm. Further, H600 and H800 reduced concentrations of malondialdehyde and H2O2 in leaves, increased accumulation of proline and activities of antioxidant enzymes, and resulted in an enhancement in grain yield of 15.28% and 25.23%, respectively. Application of H1000 resulted in lower growth biomarkers and yield components due to oxidative stress induced by decreased activities of antioxidant enzymes and accumulation of proline as well as elevated levels of lipid peroxidation as compared to H600 and H800. The optimal regulation was achieved with the H800 treatment. Overall, HPOW improved the plants growth by modulating soil aeration and antioxidant defenses which enhanced tolerance to hypoxic stress.

Effect of Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates on Yield and Yield Related Traits of Durum Wheat (Triticum turgidum L.) Varieties

Low productivity and poor quality of the durum wheat compels Ethiopian pasta industries to import the required raw material; Thus, proper type and amount of nitrogen fertilizer application is the major factor that affects yield and quality components of durum wheat. Hence, field experiment was carried out on farmers’ training center field to determine the effect of nitrogen fertilizerrates in combination with durum wheat varieties on growth, yield and quality components of durum wheat. Factorial combinations of three durum varieties (Mangudo, Ude and Utuba) with six levels of nitrogen (0, 23, 46, 69, 92 and115 kgha-1) were laid out in a randomized complete block design in three replications. The analysis of variance indicated that the interaction effect of nitrogen fertilizer and variety significantly (p< 0.05) influenced 90% days to maturity and spike length. The highest days to 90% maturity (128 days) was recorded from Utuba variety at 115kg N ha-1 application. The longest spike length was recorded from Ude variety at 92 kg N ha- 1 application. However, seed per spike, plant height, productive tiller, grain yield and grain protein content were significantly (p<0.01) influenced by the main effect of nitrogen rates. The highest plant height (85.82cm), productive tiller (7.56), grain yield (4862 kg ha-1), and grain protein content (15.88%) were recorded at the highest N rate (92 kg N ha-1) applied; but, a maximum seed per spike (51.89) was obtained at the rate of 69 N kg ha-1 applied. The analysis of variance also showed that the difference of varieties significantly (p<0.01) influenced the plant height, thousand kernel weight, grain yield, and protein content with highest result obtained from Ude except highest protein content obtained from Utuba. The economic analysis revealed that for a treatment to be considered worthwhile to farmers, application of 92 kg N ha-1to all varieties gave better yields as compared to other N treatments. However, Ude variety is a promising variety for better productivity with profitable economic benefit to the crop at 92 kg N ha-1 application in the study area. However, since the study was done once in single place it is recommended to replicate it spatially and seasonally to have a concrete recommendation on the wheat varieties and nitrogen rates.

Effect of Nitrogen Sources and Stages on Yield Components of Wheat

Effect of Nitrogen Sources and Stages on Yield Components of Wheat

POTENTIAL MUTATION IN PDS GENE THAT CAUSES HERBICIDE RESISTANCE IN WILD RADISH GROWS WITH WHEAT CROP

A field experiment set out during the winter of 2022–2023 availed one of the Holy Kerbala Governorate's agricultural experimental fields. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of some herbicides in controlling the wild radish weeds accompanying the wheat crop, as well as, diagnosing genetic mutations in the PDS gene responsible for resistance to herbicides in wild radish. The experiment employed a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with a split-plot arrangement and three replications. The main plots included five groups of wild radish seeds taken from five Iraqi Governorates, i.e., Najaf, Kerbala, Babel, Diwaniyah, and Wasit. The subplots contained four herbicides: Navigator, Tatsteler, Mark zone, and Decimate, in addition to the treatment of spraying with water only. Wild radish seeds serve for artificially infecting wheat seeds after field preparation. The study also measured wheat yield components, with the weeds appraised twice after 60 and 90 days of management. Genomic alterations in the PDS gene caused herbicide resistance in wild radish. The global herbicide-resistant cultivar has two missense mutations in codons 69 and 330 (TGT → TAT and CGT → GGT), encoding for Cys → Tyr and Arg → Gly. These alterations were identical in all weeds studied, but some Governorates had new mutations, such as, in the seeds of the Babylon Governorate's weed. The evaluation of the efficiency of chemical pesticides comes after 60 and 90 days. Wild radish seeds in the targeted Governorates differed in all features. The herbicides Navigator and Decimate are vital in giving the best percentages of control and inhibition in wild radish weeds. Chemical herbicides have enhanced wheat production by eradicating weeds, specifically difficult ones. Genetic changes in wild radish weeds in wheat crops make some chemical herbicides less effective. Herbicide-resistant radish weed seeds are genetically mutated. Thus, herbicides can target gene variants and be diversified to prevent weed resistance.

Optimizing seeding rates for irrigated bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties in the lowland area of Jawi, northwestern Ethiopia

Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the main food security crops in sub-Saharan Africa. The Ethiopian government is putting a great effort into increasing the production of bread wheat under various production systems to narrow the gap between demand and supply. There is no agronomic recommendation for wheat production produced under irrigation conditions. Thus, this study was initiated to identify the optimum seeding rates of different wheat varieties for the highest-yield and profitability in the lowland area of northwestern Ethiopia under irrigation conditions in 2020/2021. The experiment was laid out using a randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments are five levels of seeding rates (100, 125, 150, 175 and 200 kg ha-1) and three bread wheat varieties (Fentale-2, Kakaba and Ogelcho). Wheat yield and yield component data were statistically subjected to analysis of variance using SAS-JMP-16 software. Results revealed that the performance of wheat varieties in the lowland area of Jawi was promising irrespective of their yield differences. The study showed the highest number of total and effective tillers per unit area; and biomass and grain yield were recorded when varieties Fentale-2, Kakaba and Ogelcho were planted at a seed rate of 200 kg ha-1, 175 kg ha-1 and 200 kg ha-1, respectively.The same varieties gave a grain yield of 3.99 t ha-1, 3.47 t ha-1 and 3.44 t ha-1, respectively. On the other side, maximum net benefit and marginal rate of return were obtained when the variety Fentale-2 was planted at a seeding rate of 200 kg ha-1 (NB = 65,778.8 ETB ha-1 and MRR = 224 %) followed by the same variety at the seed rate 175 kg ha-1 (NB = 63,402.4 ETB ha-1 and MRR = 297 %). Thus, it can be concluded that planting variety Fentale-2 with 200 kg ha-1 seed rate under irrigation condition is the promising agronomic practice in lowland agro-ecology of Jawi area. However, further research is also recommended by considering the appropriate planting time and the irrigation water requirement.