Yield Improvement Research Articles

Variability, Mean Performance Evaluation, Trait Relationship and Principal Component Analysis of Sunflower Genotypes

Forty nine sunflower genotypes evaluated for mean performance and Variability parameters of yield contributing traits at Kulumsa in simple lattice design. The aim is to identify desired characters of the crop, information of nature and genetic variability for seed yield improvement. The traits revealed presence of highly significant genotypic differences at P≤0.01 for yield contrbuting traits: head diameter, number of seed head<sup>-1</sup>, thousand seed weight and seed yield ton ha<sup>-1</sup>. Among the studied genotypes mean performance evaluation indicates that the highest seed yield ton ha<sup>-1 </sup>recorded for genotypes SHRS-2020#18 (3.06ton ha<sup>-1</sup>), followed by SHRS-2020#4 (2.95tonha<sup>-1</sup>) and SHRS-2020#16 (2.84t ha<sup>-1</sup>) and the lowest average seed yield ton ha<sup>-1 </sup>recorded for genotype SHRS-2020#13 (1.15tonha<sup>-1</sup>). Genotypes SHRS-2020#46 (83.5) and SHRS-2020#38 (84.5) the early flowered whereas, the late flowered recorded for the genotype SHRS-2020#43 (107.5) after the date of sowing. Seed yield ton ha<sup>-1</sup> (YTPH), is the most economic trait, was positively and significantly associated with number seed head<sup>-1</sup> and plant height. The characters indicating significantly positively correlation among seed yield and important traits would be highly effective and efficient improving respective traits. Higher estimates of heritability coupled with higher genetic advance were observed for seed yieldtonha<sup>-1</sup> (46.49) and number of seed head<sup>-1</sup> (42.46). This indicated that heritability of the trait is mainly due to additive gene effect and selection is effective for such traits. Principle component analysis (PCA) is usually used to identify the most significant variables in the data. In this study the principle component analysis result showed that accumulative variability original data accounted about 100% for the traits. The first Principal component which accounted for 38.5% total variation were observed through agronomic traits such as: SD, DFF, HD, days to maturity, number of seed head<sup>-1</sup>. Similarily the second principal components which accounted for 17.4% of the total variations among the genoypes were attributed to differently from traits such as: yield ton ha<sup>-1</sup>, number of seed head<sup>-1 </sup>and head diameter were the most important of seed yield positive contributors in the second Principal component. Whereas the third and fourth PCA accounted 14.4% and 14% of variations for agronomic traits such as: TSW, HD and SD in PCA 3 and for PCA 4 TSW, seed yield ton ha<sup>-1</sup>, PH and DNM were the most important positive contributors traits for seed yield. Thus, these variation of traits observed in this experiment can help further as a selection index in genetic improvement of sunflower seed yield and its components.

Optimization of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) grafting technique to enhance its adoption in cassava cultivation

Grafting techniques have been successfully adopted to improve resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, increase yields, fruit quality and study systemic signaling in plants. This technique has not been fully explored in cassava and there is currently no standardized grafting method for this species published especially in Africa. This is the first report on cassava grafting protocol in Africa with valuable advantages including utilizing a cost-effective and environmentally friendly wooden healing chamber. In this study, we describe an optimized cleft grafting protocol for cassava utilizing a wooden healing chamber and outline the step-by-step procedure with optimum conditions to generate a high grafting success rate. Using a top wedge grafting technique with high reproducibility and success rates, we developed a straightforward and robust grafting protocol for cassava (M. esculenta) cultivars. Grafting success was recorded and this protocol produced a high grafting success of 90 % and its reproducibility makes it suitable for mass production thereby addressing the need for efficient cassava propagation. This grafting protocol requires less specialized equipment and expertise making it more accessible to farmers and researchers with limited resources to promote the use of grafting for cassava growth, yield improvement and advanced studies such as systemic long-distance signaling in plants.•Optimization of cleft grafting method obtains a high success grafting rate of cassava.•A wooden healing chamber provides a controlled environment for graft healing.•Promoting cassava grafting; a priority to produce new cultivars and explore breeding research prospects.

Influence of Water and Fertilizer Reduction on Respiratory Metabolism in Sugar Beet Taproot (Beta vulgaris L.).

Inner Mongolia, a major region in China for growing sugar beet, faces challenges caused by unscientific water and fertilizer management. This mismanagement restricts the improvement of sugar beet yield and quality and exacerbates water waste and environmental pollution. This study aims to evaluate the effects of reduced water and fertilizer on the growth and physiological metabolism of sugar beet taproot. Field experiments were conducted in Ulanqab, Inner Mongolia, in 2022 and 2023, using a split-plot design with three levels each of fertilization and irrigation. The study analyzed the effects of reduced water and fertilizer treatments on fresh taproot weight, respiration rate, energy metabolism, respiratory enzyme activity, and gene expression in sugar beet taproot. It was found that a 10% reduction in fertilizer significantly increased the beet taproot fresh weight. Further research revealed that during the rapid leaf growth phase and the taproot and sugar growth period, a 10% reduction in fertilizer upregulated HK and IDH gene expression and downregulated G6PDH gene expression in the beet taproot. This increased HK and IDH activities, decreased G6PDH activity, enhanced the activity of the EMP-TCA pathway, and inhibited the PPP. Taproot weight was positively correlated with the respiration rate, ATP content, EC, and ATPase, HK, and IDH activities, thereby increasing the taproot growth rate and taproot fresh weight, with an average increase of 4.0% over two years. These findings introduce a novel method for optimizing fertilizer use, particularly beneficial in water-scarce regions. Implementing this strategy could help farmers in western Inner Mongolia and similar areas improve crop yield and sustainability. This study offers new insights into resource-efficient agricultural practices, highlighting the importance of customized fertilization strategies tailored to local environmental conditions.

Enhanced crop yields as a potential mitigator of soil organic carbon losses under elevated temperature in erosional and depositional landscape

The dynamics of agricultural soil organic carbon storage have been considerably influenced by the evolution of crop species, offering promising opportunities for restoring soil organic carbon under elevated temperatures through yield improvements. However, the intricate interplay between climate change and surface erosion processes poses challenges in understanding agricultural soil carbon dynamics in hilly landscapes. This study aimed to address these challenges by assessing the effects of climate change on soil organic carbon dynamics under the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways 245 and 585. We utilized projections from 12 distinct global climate models, covering the period from 2015 to 2100. Additionally, we investigated the potential for improving soybean yields by 100 %, 200 %, and 300 % linearly by 2100 to offset the anticipated soil organic carbon losses. Using a coupled landscape and biogeochemical model, our analysis focused on a soybean field in Nenjiang County, China. Our findings revealed a distinct soil organic carbon profile in deposition areas, characterized by relatively low levels of soil organic carbon in surface layers, attributed to carbon influx from adjacent erosion areas with typically low carbon content. We modeled decreases in soil CO2 fluxes with escalating climate change, corresponding to expected decreases in soil organic carbon levels, despite concurrent rises in soil microbial activity linked to increasing temperatures. Erosion areas emerged as particularly vulnerable zones under elevated temperatures due to their higher proportion of soil CO2 fluxes relative to soil organic carbon levels compared to deposition areas. As a soil organic carbon restoration strategy, improvements in soybean yields showed promise in mitigating soil organic carbon losses through enhanced litter inputs and the cooling effects induced by shading the soil. This study underscored the potential for achieving the dual benefits of food security and soil organic carbon restoration in the coming decades through a unified approach to enhancing soybean yields.

Impact of a Mg2+ emulsion coagulant on tofu's gel characteristics

In the industrial production of tofu, controlling the coagulation rate is crucial. A controlled-release Mg2+-loaded water-in-oil emulsion coagulant was employed in tofu manufacturing, and its effects on the physical properties and gel behavior of tofu were studied. Compared with MgCl2, the emulsion coagulant could extend the initial coagulation time of soybean protein from 3 s to about 30 s due to its sustained release effect on Mg2+, which significantly decelerated the tofu gelation rate. In addition, different Mg2+ release rates significantly influenced the physical properties of the final tofu gel. At an appropriate Mg2+ release rate (at 7000 r min−1), it promoted the formation of a uniform and denser gel network, increased protein β-sheet structures, and benefited tofu in terms of moisture retention, yield, color, springiness, and appearance quality improvement. However, under low Mg2+ release rate, the emulsion coagulant weakened the disulfide bond and hydrophobic action, resulting in a weaker network. It also enhanced the moisture mobility in the tofu gel, with a dehydration rate of up to 17.72%. Similarly, too fast Mg2+ release rate also resulted in uneven networks with voids, leading to reduced moisture retention, yield, and color quality of tofu. These findings aim to provide a theoretical basis for the industrial production of tofu.

Soybean production in SEALBA: inoculation, co-inoculation, and starter nitrogen fertilization

The grain production area in the Brazilian agricultural region known as SEALBA, especially in Alagoas State, has seen significant growth in recent years. This study aims to contribute to sustainable regional development by evaluating the effects of inoculation, co-inoculation, and the application of starter mineral nitrogen (N), either individually or in combination, on soybean growth and yield. Eight field experiments were conducted from 2018 to 2021 in two municipalities within Alagoas, covering soybean cultivation areas ranging from the first to the fourth year. The experiments followed a randomized complete block design with four replications, employing a factorial arrangement of treatments. The first factor encompassed five levels related to inoculation technologies and N management: 1) Inoculation with Bradyrhizobium; 2) Inoculation with Bradyrhizobium combined with N basal fertilization; 3) Co-inoculation of Bradyrhizobium + Azospirillum; 4) Co-inoculation of Bradyrhizobium + Azospirillum + N fertilization at the base; and 5) Control treatment without microbiological inputs or nitrogen fertilizers. The second factor involved the evaluation of different soybean cultivars, with two materials assessed in 2018 and three cultivars in 2019, 2020, and 2021. Results demonstrated that seed inoculation with Bradyrhizobium led to increased soybean grain yield in first-year cultivation areas. However, N basal fertilization, commonly known as starter fertilization, did not result in yield improvements compared to the use of microbiological inputs alone. Soybean cultivars BRS 9383 IPRO and FTR 3191 IPRO exhibited greater responsiveness to seed inoculation with Bradyrhizobium.

Synthesis and Luminescent Properties of Zwitterionic Platinum Bis‐Phosphine Complexes Based on a Pendant Closo‐Monocarborane Cluster

ABSTRACTThe synthesis, structures and photophysical properties of a series of zwitterionic platinum complexes are reported. These cyclometalated complexes have the general structure Pt(C^N)(P^P), where C^N is a cyclometalating ligand with a pendant monocarborane cluster and P^P is a bis‐phosphine ligand (dppe or dppb). Their solid‐state structures have been characterized by x‐ray diffraction, and no Pt–Pt interactions are observed. All complexes are emissive at room temperature in solid states with quantum yields of 0.06–0.58 in PMMA films. The emission energy of these complexes is governed by the nature of the C^N cyclometalated ligands, allowing the emission to be tuned from blue to green. In particular, the introduction of an anionic carborane unit provokes a more than twofold improvement in the photoluminescence quantum yield of [Pt(CB11‐ppy)(dppe)] (3b) compared to the parent cationic complex [Pt(ppy)(dppe)]+. In addition, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed on the ground states and first triplet excited states of 1a, 2a, and 3a for interpretation of the observed photophysical properties.

Energy band modulating of NiO/BiOCl heterojunction with transition from type-II to S-scheme for enhancing photocatalytic CO2 reduction

The photo-driven CO2 reduction holds significant potential in facilitating carbon fuel conversion. However, the inefficiency of charge conversion severely limits its spractical applications. Herein, the charge transfer routeway was tailored in NiO/BiOCl-7 heterostructures via a transform from type-II to S-scheme for enhancing CO2 photoreduction to CO. Such S-scheme NiO/BiOCl-7 heterojunctions were prepared by pH-modulation to optimize the energy band structure of BiOCl and introduce abundant oxygen vacancies. Surprisingly, the S-scheme NiO/BiOCl-7 heterojunctions exhibited a significantly enhanced production of CO (78.11 μmol·g−1·h−1) with an impressive selectivity of 97.1 %, representing a remarkable 1.7- and 4.3-fold improvement in CO yield compared to the type-II NiO/BiOCl heterojunctions and pure BiOCl samples, respectively. The in-situ spectral experiments and DFT calculations reveal that the superior CO production can be attributed to a lower energy barrier for COOH* and a smoother potential energy surface of the S-scheme heterojunction with abundant oxygen vacancies. This meticulous strategy of energy band modulation sheds light on the deliberate customization of Bi-based heterostructures with favorable charge transfer for highly effecient photocatalysis.

Radical Cation Alkene Functionalization Using Anodic Oxidation

Oxidative functionalization of alkenes is a promising molecular transformation technique, where intramolecular reactions enable the synthesis of saturated heterocycles1), which are often found in natural products and pharmaceuticals. In addition to the widely studied palladium-catalyzed oxidative functionalization of alkenes2), electrochemical3), 4) and photocatalytic5) methods have recently been developed. These one-electron oxidation-based methods have been applied to trisubstituted and tetrasubstituted alkenes with large steric hindrance, which is difficult to achieve with conventional palladium-catalyzed reactions. In many cases, these methods reported previously form rings as neutral radicals under basic conditions. On the other hand, radical cationic cyclization is relatively rare and have not yet been fully discussed. In this study, we developed an alkene oxidative functionalization using electrolysis for radical cationic cyclization.After optimizing the reaction conditions using trisubstituted alkene (1a) as a model substrate, we succeeded in obtaining the target compound (2a) in 90% yield (Scheme 1). In this reaction, a six-membered ring is formed as a byproduct, but the anion species of the supporting salt affects the reaction selectivity, and it was found that a five-membered ring was formed with high selectivity when ClO4- or TfO- were used. Furthermore, using a 1:9 mixture of highly polar CH3CN and low-polar 1,2-DCE as the reaction solvent improved the solubility and conductivity of the supporting salt, resulting in a significant increase in yield. The use of carbon felt, which has a large surface area, as the working electrode also contributed to the yield improvement by suppressing the voltage increase.For sulfonamides (1b-d) with various substituents on the aromatic ring, we were able to obtain five-membered ring compounds (2b-d) in good yields in all cases. In addition to these results, the details of the condition studies and other substrates will be discussed.1) Nakamura, I.; Yamamoto, Y. Chem. Rev. 2004, 104, 2127-2198.2) McDonald, R. I.; Liu, G.; Stahl, S, S. Chem. Rev. 2011, 111, 2981-3019.3) Xu, H.-C.; Moeller, K. D. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2010, 132, 2839–2844.4) Huang, C.; Li, Z.-Y.; Song, J.; Xu, H.-C. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2021, 60, 11237–11241.5) Reed, N. L.; Lutovsky, G. A.; Yoon, T. P. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2021, 143, 6065-6070. Figure 1

Enhancing Soil Conditions and Maize Yield Efficiency through Rational Conservation Tillage in Aeolian Semi-Arid Regions: A TOPSIS Analysis

Conservation tillage technology possesses substantial potential to enhance agricultural production efficiency and tackle issues such as wind erosion and land degradation in semi-arid regions. The integration of no-tillage and straw mulching technologies in the conventional aeolian semi-arid agricultural zones of western Liaoning, China, has led to notable improvements in crop yield and soil quality. However, a comprehensive assessment of the mechanisms and kinetics involved in soil nutrient variations is yet to be conducted. During a two-year study period, we assessed four tillage systems in the aeolian semi-arid regions of Northern China: no-tillage with full straw mulching (NTFS), no-tillage with half straw mulching (NTHS), no-tillage without straw mulching (NT), and conventional tillage (CT). The investigation focused on examining nutrient conditions, enhancing photosynthetic activity, and increasing maize yield while improving water use efficiency (WUE). Our findings emphasize the beneficial impact of combining no-tillage and straw mulching on enhancing soil water retention, resulting in a notable rise in soil moisture levels during the crucial growth phases of maize. This approach also positively influenced soil nutrient levels, particularly in the 0–20 cm layer, fostering an environment conducive to maize cultivation. In terms of ecological benefits, no-tillage with straw mulching curtailed soil sediment transport and wind erosion, notably at 30–40 cm heights, aiding in the ecological protection of the region. The yield and WUE were substantially higher under NTFS and NTHS than under CT, with NTHS demonstrating the most significant gains in yield (14.5% to 16.6%) and WUE (18.3% to 21.7%) throughout the study period. A TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) analysis confirmed NTHS as the optimal treatment, achieving the highest scores for soil water, nutrient availability, wind erosion control, maize photosynthesis, yield, and WUE, thus emerging as the most effective conservation tillage strategy for sustainable agriculture in aeolian semi-arid regions.

Enhancing sustainable crop production through integrated nutrient management: a focus on vermicompost, bio-enriched rock phosphate, and inorganic fertilisers – a systematic review

Securing a consistent food supply remains a pressing global challenge, particularly for small-scale farmers grappling with obstacles in enhancing agricultural yields, especially in tropical soils. Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) techniques, employing organic manures like vermicompost and bio-enriched rock phosphate, emerge as recommended solutions. Vermicompost is lauded for its nutrient richness and positive soil health impacts. At the same time, bio-enriched rock phosphate serves as a sustainable alternative to conventional phosphorus fertilisers, specifically tailored for tropical soil conditions. Despite individual studies assessing the effects of vermicompost, bio-enriched rock phosphate, and soluble fertilisers on plant growth, a comprehensive overview of their combined application is noticeably lacking. To fill this gap, this study employs the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) method to explore the synergies of combining these elements and their impacts on crop production and the environment. This review is among the first to comprehensively summarize the complexities of combining vermicompost, bio-enriched rock phosphate, and chemical fertilisers on various crops. It thoroughly examines potential advantages, disadvantages, effects on agricultural systems, socio-economic implications, and existing policies governing their usage. Our findings reveal that the combined application of vermicompost, bio-enriched rock phosphate, and soluble fertilisers leads to significant improvements in plant growth, yield, and soil properties. The optimal impact is observed when vermicompost constitutes 25% and soluble fertiliser comprises 75 or 100% of the recommended fertiliser dosage. Moreover, incorporating a mixture of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) strains in rock phosphate further enhances its positive effects. Despite these positive findings, we identified gaps in comprehensive approaches addressing socio-cultural dimensions and the lack of literature on prevailing policies regarding vermicompost use in agricultural systems highlighting the need for a more holistic understanding of vermicompost incorporation and a better grasp of the institutional frameworks guiding these practices. However, to secure sustainable crop production, farmers need to integrate vermicompost and biofertilisers with chemical fertilisers. In fostering the adoption of sustainable and inclusive agricultural practices on small rural properties, it is advisable to incorporate agricultural education into farmer training programs.

A fast ramp-up framework for wafer yield improvement in semiconductor manufacturing systems

A fast ramp-up framework for wafer yield improvement in semiconductor manufacturing systems

Quantum modeling simulates nutrient effect of bioplastic polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) production in Pseudomonas putida

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) could be used to make sustainable, biodegradable plastics. However, the precise and accurate mechanistic modeling of PHA biosynthesis, especially medium-chain-length PHA (mcl-PHA), for yield improvement remains a challenge to biology. PHA biosynthesis is typically triggered by nitrogen limitation and tends to peak at an optimal carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio. Specifically, simulation of the underlying dynamic regulation mechanisms for PHA bioprocess is a bottleneck owing to surfeit model complexity and current modeling philosophies for uncertainty. To address this issue, we proposed a quantum-like decision-making model to encode gene expression and regulation events as hidden layers by the general transformation of a density matrix, which uses the interference of probability amplitudes to provide an empirical-level description for PHA biosynthesis. We implemented our framework modeling the biosynthesis of mcl-PHA in Pseudomonas putida with respect to external C/N ratios, showing its optimization production at maximum PHA production of 13.81% cell dry mass (CDM) at the C/N ratio of 40:1. The results also suggest the degree of P. putida’s preference in channeling carbon towards PHA production as part of the bacterium’s adaptative behavior to nutrient stress using quantum formalism. Generic parameters (kD, kN and theta θ) obtained based on such quantum formulation, representing P. putida’s PHA biosynthesis with respect to external C/N ratios, was discussed. This work offers a new perspective on the use of quantum theory for PHA production, demonstrating its application potential for other bioprocesses.

Process Optimization for Biosurfactant Production by Bacillus aryabhattai SPS1001 using Taguchi Method.

This study employs Taguchi design of experiments (DOE) to optimize biosurfactant yield by analyzing the impact of various input parameters. Signal-to-noise ratio analysis was utilized for optimization, corroborated by ANOVA findings. Regression equations depicted response behaviour and are validated through a confirmation test. Taguchi methodology identified optimal conditions for maximum biosurfactant yield: agitation (180rpm), inoculum size (2%), beef extract (5g/L), diesel (20ml/L), peptone (5g/L), NaCl (7g/L), incubation time (4days), pH (7.9), and yeast extract (6g/L). This yielded an 8.33% increase to 1.53g/L, with initial optimum parameters projecting 1.41g/L. ANOVA ranked and quantified control factor contributions, revealing agitation's significant (31.41%) impact on yield. The study underscores the viability of Taguchi's optimal conditions for substantial yield improvement within specific ranges. The strong alignment between expected and experimental yields affirmed the reliability of developed models for optimal yield selection. This study underscores the power of statistical techniques like Taguchi DOE and ANOVA in systematically enhancing biosurfactant production by Bacillus aryabhattai SPS1001 and paves the way for future advancements in bioprocess optimization.

Carbon nanoparticle exposure strengthens water-relation parameters by stimulating abscisic acid pathway and aquaporins genes in rice

Mechanism of action and molecular basis of positive growth effects including yield increase due to carbon nanoparticle (CNP) treatment in rice plants is dissected here. CNP at 500 -750 µg/mL were found to be the optimum dosages showing best seedling growth. CNP treatment resulted increase in stomata size, stomatal conductance and water use efficiency along with low relative humidity, decrease in stomata frequency and internal CO2 concentration. CNP-coupled with water uptake was found to be endocytosis mediated, although CNP uptake was not affected by endocytosis inhibitor application in roots. Genomic analysis resulted major involvement of ABA pathway and stomata size and frequency genes in Arabidopsis and rice. Elevated endogenous ABA in rice seedlings and flag leaves along with increased expression of ABA biosynthetic genes in Arabidopsis and rice AtNCED3, AtNCED6, OsNCED1 confirmed increased ABA synthesis. Negative regulators of ABA pathway, OsSNRK2 down-regulation and up-regulation of stomagen (OsEPFL9) reconfirmed ABA's involvement. CNP treatment exerted cold tolerance in seedlings and water stress tolerance in reproductive stage. CNP treatment under water withheld condition resulted water stress tolerance by maintaining lower stomatal conductance, transpiration rate and higher relative water content. Increased ABA (OsSNRK1, OsSNRK2) and aquaporin (OsPIP2–5 and OsPIP1–3) genes’ expressions could explain the better water stress tolerance in rice plants treated with CNP. Altogether, due to thermomorphogenesis, down-regulation of Phytochrome B transcript resulted altered the ABA pathway and stomatal distribution with size (Graphical Abstract). These changes resulted improved water relation parameters and water use efficiency (WUE) showing improvement in yield. Detailed mechanism of action of CNP in abiotic stress tolerance can be exploited using nano-agriculture at field level.

Screening Strategies and Methodologies.

While glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss, it presents technical challenges in the design and implementation of screening. New technologies such as PRS and AI offer potential improvements in our ability to identify people at high risk of sight loss from glaucoma and may improve the viability of screening for this important disease. To review the current evidence and concepts around screening for glaucoma. A group of glaucoma-focused clinician scientists drew on knowledge and experience around glaucoma, its etiology, and the options for screening. Glaucoma is a chronic progressive optic neuropathy affecting around 76 million individuals worldwide and is the leading cause of irreversible blindness globally. Early stages of the disease are asymptomatic meaning a substantial proportion of cases remain undiagnosed. Early detection and timely intervention reduce the risk of glaucoma-related visual morbidity. However, imperfect tests and a relatively low prevalence currently limit the viability of population-based screening approaches. The diagnostic yield of opportunistic screening strategies, relying on the identification of disease during unrelated health care encounters, such as cataract clinics and diabetic retinopathy screening programs, focusing on older people and/or those with a family history, are hindered by a large number of false-positive and false-negative results. Polygenic risk scores (PRS) offer personalized risk assessment for adult-onset glaucoma. In addition, artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms have shown impressive performance, comparable to expert humans, in discriminating between potentially glaucomatous and non-glaucomatous eyes. These emerging technologies may offer a meaningful improvement in diagnostic yield in glaucoma screening. While glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss, it presents technical challenges in the design and implementation of screening. New technologies such as PRS and AI offer potential improvements in our ability to identify people at high risk of sight loss from glaucoma and may improve the viability of screening for this important disease.

Long-term integrated agronomic optimization maximizes soil quality and synergistically improves wheat yield and nitrogen use efficiency

Integrated agronomic optimization (IAO) adopts suitable crop varieties, sowing dates, planting density and advanced nutrient management to redesign the entire production system according to the local environment, which can achieve synergistic improvements in crop yields and resource utilization. However, the intensity and magnitude of the impacts of IAO on soil quality under long-term intensive production and high nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) require further clarification. Based on a 13-year field experiment conducted in Dawenkou, Tai'an, China, we investigated the effects of four cultivation modes on the grain yield, NUE, soil aggregate structure, as well as the fraction of organic matter (SOM) and soil quality, reflected by integrated fertility index (IFI) during the winter wheat maturation period in 2020–2022. The four cultivation modes were traditional local farming (T1), farmer-based improvement (T2), increased yield regardless of production cost (T3), and integrated soil–crop system management (T4). As IAO modes, T2 and T4 were characterized by denser planting, reduced nitrogen (N) fertilizer application rates, and delayed sowing compared to T1 and T3, respectively. In this long-term experiment, IAO was found to maintain aggregate stability, increase SOM content (by increasing organic carbon and total nitrogen of the light fraction (LF) and the particulate organic matter fraction (POM)), and improve SOM quality by increasing the proportions of LF and POM and the ratio of organic carbon to total nitrogen in SOM. Compared to T1, the IFI of T2, T3, and T4 increased by 10.91, 23.38, 25.55%, and by 17.78, 6.41, 28.94% in the 0–20 and 20–40 cm soil layers, respectively. The grain yield of T4 was 22.52% higher than that of T1, reaching 95.98% of that in T3. Furthermore, NUE of T4 was 35.61% higher than that of T1 and T3. In conclusion, our results suggest that T4 synergistically increases grain yield and NUE in winter wheat, while maximizing soil quality.

Improvement in Plant Growth, Yield, and Fruit Quality with Biostimulant Treatment in Organic Strawberry Cultivation

The excessive use of chemical fertilizers in agriculture not only causes a decrease in soil fertility but also has negative effects on the environment, natural resources, and human health. Therefore, environmentally friendly practices, such as the use of organic fertilizers (OFs) and plant biostimulants that increase yield and fruit quality can be effective in solving these problems. In the present research study, we investigated the impact of using an OF alone and in combination with as a biostimulant different doses of humic acid (HA) on plant growth parameters, yield, fruit characteristics, and leaf mineral nutrient concentrations in plants of the Monterey and Albion strawberry varieties. As a result of this study, we determined that the combined application of the OF and HA increased the yield, fruit quality, plant growth, and nutritional elements in the crop compared with using the OF alone. In addition, the Monterey variety plants treated with OF and HA (5.0 L·ha−1) in T3 offered the best results among the different treatment groups and varieties. With this treatment, we obtained the highest total yield (262.42 g/plant), fruit weight, total soluble solids (TSS), and TSS/acid ratio, as well as increased growth parameters, and mineral nutrient concentrations in leaves. These results are hopeful for enhancing organic strawberry production.

Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Silicon and its Impact on Crude Plant Drug Production in North East India

Silicon (Si) exhibits a beneficial impact in mitigating both biotic and abiotic stress, yet its potential significance in the context of medicinal plant and crude plant drug production, particularly in the strongly acidic soils of North East (NE) India, remains underreported. This study aimed to assess the effects of Si application on medicinal plants, focusing on growth, physico-chemical and biological attributes under stressful conditions.The study highlighted the benefits of Si application, particularly through foliar application, on medicinal plants such as lemongrass [Cymbopogon flexuosus (Steud) Wats], ginseng (Panax ginseng), coriander (Coriandrum Sativum L.) and bananas. Foliar Si application demonstrated improvements in plant growth and yield, employing morphological, physiological and biological responses in lemongrass and ginseng while enhancing the growth and yield of coriander by improving relative water content, total phenolic and total flavonoid content under water stress. Si applications also resulted in increased fresh and dry weight of bananas, alongside improvements in biochemical parameters, like increased starch and total sugar content and delay in banana ripening through the reduction of cellulose and amylase activity. The study underscores the effectiveness of Si in enhancing the growth and yield of medicinal plants. Within the context of NE India, this report draws attention to the considerable challenges faced in cultivating well-suited medicinal plants and crude plant drugs, crucial for herbal healthcare and the future well-being of humanity. Consequently, Si’s role in fostering t

Genetic Variability and Diversity Analysis in Yard Long Bean [Vigna unguiculata (L.) walp subsp. sesquipedalis (L.) verdcourt] Accessions under Coastal Saline Ecosystem

Background: Yard long bean despite being highly nutritive summer legume vegetable crop, it is not cultivated on large scale due to seasonal constraints with progressing research activities, Tamil Nadu is yet to came up with a suitable commercial variety of yard long bean with higher yield and superior pod quality. Considering this, the present study with 30 yard long bean germplasm accessions was undertaken to estimate the genetic parameters and deciphering the extent of genetic divergence for nine quantitative traits in yard long bean. Methods: The genetic material comprising 30 different sources of germplasm accessions were evaluated for various quantitative traits in randomized block design (RBD) with triplicate replication at the Garden land, Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University during 2022. TNAUSTAT and R Software has been used for data analysis. Result: Analysis of variance exhibited significant differences among the accessions for all the nine quantitative traits indicating the presence of genetic variability. The magnitude of high phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation was obtained for all the traits except days to maturity and days to fifty per cent flowering. High heritability coupled with genetic advance per cent as mean was observed for pod yield per plant followed by number of pods per plant, test weight, pod girth, number of seeds per pod, plant height and pod length indicating the predominance of additive gene action. Direct selection for above indicate traits could be valuable for yield improvement programme. Further, genetic divergence analysis revealed that seven clusters could be identified from 30 genotypes. The cluster I was largest having twelve genotypes. The maximum inter cluster distance was found between cluster I and cluster VII followed by cluster I and IV and the intra cluster distance was noted in cluster III followed by cluster I. Among the yield contributing traits, maximum contribution towards genetic divergence existed for pod length followed by test weight, days to maturity and pod yield per plant. Hence, hybridization between cluster VII (IC-630381), V (IC-630379), IV (IC-630383) and I (IC-626143) could be utilized for superior recombinants with desirable traits in segregating generations of yard long bean.