Grain Yield Of Barley Research Articles

Zinc fractions and Barley productivity under zinc fertilization and sodic irrigation water management

An experiment was conducted to know the effect of different residual sodium carbonate (RSC) water, farmyard manure (FYM) and different levels of zinc fertilization on different zinc fractions of soil, yield attributes and yield of barley in loamy sand soil under semi-arid climatic conditions. The three levels of RSC of irrigation water (2.5, 5 and 10 mmol/ L), two levels of FYM (control and 15 t/ha) and four levels of zinc (control, 15, 30 and 45 kg ZnSO4/ha) were evaluated on barley production in split plots design. Results indicated that application of high RSC irrigation water (10 mmol/ L) significantly reduced the different fractions of soil Zn (except Occ-Zn), plant height, total and effective tillers, test weight and yield of barley during both the years, while 5 mmol/L of RSC irrigation level found at par with 2.5 mmol/L. Application of FYM significantly increased the different Zn fractions in soil (except Occluded- Zn) as well as yield attributes, grain and straw yield of barley. The increasing level of zinc application significantly increased the different fractions of soil Zn (except Occ-Zn), available soil Zn, yield attributes and yield of barley. It was observed that the grain yield of barley positive and significantly correlated with different fractions of Zn, viz. DTPA-Zn (r=0.888), Ads-Zn (r=0.525), Occ-Zn (r = 0.670), OC-Zn (r = 0.948) and Res-Zn (r = 0.923). The optimum dose of zinc for barley computed as 37.6 kg / ha ZnSO4 with corresponding optimum yield of 4365 kg/ha.

Micro-Water Harvesting and Soil Amendment Increase Grain Yields of Barley on a Heavy-Textured Alkaline Sodic Soil in a Rainfed Mediterranean Environment

This paper focuses on the adverse effects of soil sodicity and alkalinity on the growth of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in a rainfed environment in south-western Australia. These conditions cause the accumulation of salt (called ‘transient salinity’) in the root zone, which decreases the solute potential of the soil solution, particularly at the end of the growing season as the soil dries. We hypothesized that two approaches could help overcome this stress: (a) improved micro-water harvesting at the soil surface, which would help maintain soil hydration, decreasing the salinity of the soil solution, and (b) soil amelioration using small amounts of gypsum, elemental sulfur or gypsum plus elemental sulfur, which would ensure greater salt leaching. In our experiments, improved micro-water harvesting was achieved using a tillage technique consisting of exaggerated mounds between furrows and the covering of these mounds with plastic sheeting. The combination of the mounds and the application of a low rate of gypsum in the furrow (50 kg ha−1) increased yields of barley grain by 70% in 2019 and by 57% in 2020, relative to a control treatment with conventional tillage, no plastic sheeting and no amendment. These increases in yield were related to changes in ion concentrations in the soil and to changes in apparent electrical conductivity measured with the EM38.

Intercrop of olive trees with cereals and legumes in Chalkidiki, Northern Greece

It is estimated that olive groves cover an area of 700,000 ha in Greece, with 124,311 ha forming agroforestry systems combined with various crops or pasture, established in the understory of the trees. A lush understory grows under the olive trees, consisting mostly of herbaceous vegetation for animal grazing, vegetables and various crops such as cereals and legumes. The aim of this study was to produce quantitative information about the intercropping of olive trees and leguminous crops or cereals in northern Greece, where olive agroforestry is a traditional practice. For this reason, a controlled experiment (1.08 ha area) was established in 2014 and was composed of olive trees, in a density of 100 trees/ha, intercropped with barley and a mixture of barley and common vetch. The latin square design involved three treatments (olive trees and barley, olive trees and a mixture of barley and common vetch, and olive trees as control), with three replications for three years and fertilized by N–P–K. Soil, tree and crop parameters were measured since plant germination to harvesting. Based on the results, barley and common vetch plant density and height were higher in the middle of the alleys than in the proximity of the trees. On the contrary, the number of grains per spike was higher close to the trees. Above ground biomass of the mixture (barley and common vetch) was higher in the middle of the alleys for the duration of the experiment. Total grain yield of barley was close to 80% of the average barley in monocultures.

Efficiency of basic tillage systems in the cultivation of barley

The effectiveness of long-term use of various basic tillage systems of dark grey forest soil in the conditions of the Northern Trans-Urals was established. Their impact on the efficiency of barley cultivation depending on the grain (spring wheat) or legume forecrop (vetch for grain) was determined. The research was carried out in a stationary experiment covering moldboard, nonmoldboard, combined, differentiated, stubble-mulch and surface systems of basic soil tillage. The experiments took place during the third–sixth rotations (1996–2018) of two grain-fallow crop rotations spread in time and space. The first crop rotation was: bare fallow – winter rye – spring wheat – spring vetch – spring barley, the second crop rotation: bare fallow – winter rye – spring wheat – spring wheat – spring barley. When cultivating barley following the legume forecrop (spring vetch), it was economically feasible to use basic tillage systems with the elements of minimization. It included non-moldboard and combined tillage with subsurface loosening by a plow with SibIME tines to a depth of 20-22 cm differentiated with stubble-mulch at 12-14 cm and disk harrowing at 10- 12 cm. These methods provided conditions for the formation of productivity close to the moldboard system and practically the same yield of barley, net income and energy efficiency coefficient. Without fertilizers, the yield was 2.97-3.03 t/ha, with the use of N40P40P40 it was 3.47-3.65 t/ha. When planting barley following wheat sown twice, the most effective was moldboard tillage system with a net income of 14.67 thousand rubles/ha without fertilizers and 22.75 thousand rubles/ha with fertilizers and energy coefficient of 2.65 and 2.75. The use of resource-saving tillage methods with repeated wheat led to a decrease in the yield of barley grain by 0.09–0.40 t/ha, and a decrease in the net income of barley cultivation compared to the legume forecrop by 31.0–44.1%.

INTERMEDIUM-M encodes an HvAP2L-H5 ortholog and is required for inflorescence indeterminacy and spikelet determinacy in barley

Inflorescence architecture dictates the number of flowers and, ultimately, seeds. The architectural discrepancies between two related cereals, barley and wheat, are controlled by differences in determinacy of inflorescence and spikelet meristems. Here, we characterize two allelic series of mutations named intermedium-m (int-m) and double seed1 (dub1) that convert barley indeterminate inflorescences into wheat-like determinate inflorescences bearing a multifloreted terminal spikelet and spikelets with additional florets. INT-M/DUB1 encodes an APETALA2-like transcription factor (HvAP2L-H5) that suppresses ectopic and precocious spikelet initiation signals and maintains meristem activity. HvAP2L-H5 inhibits the identity shift of an inflorescence meristem (IM) to a terminal spikelet meristem (TSM) in barley. Null mutations in AP2L-5 lead to fewer spikelets per inflorescence but extra florets per spikelet. In wheat, prolonged and elevated AP2L-A5 activity in rAP2L-A5 mutants delays but does not suppress the IM-TSM transition. We hypothesize that the regulation of AP2L-5 orthologs and downstream genes contributes to the different inflorescence determinacy in barley and wheat. We show that AP2L-5 proteins are evolutionarily conserved in grasses, promote IM activity, and restrict floret number per spikelet. This study provides insights into the regulation of spikelet and floret number, and hence grain yield in barley and wheat.

Diversity within and among Ethiopian barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) landraces in resistance to barley net blotch (Pyrenophora teres F. teres (Ptt))

In this study, we evaluated a collection of 585 barley landraces along with 10 checks at Sinana Agricultural Research Center (SARC) and Bale-Goba research sites in 2018/19 and 2019/20 cropping seasons for resistance to net blotch (Pyrenophora teres F. teres (Ptt)). The experiments were laid out in an augmented complete block design. Data on agronomic performance and disease response were recorded. Analysis of variance showed highly significant variations between and within the landraces and cultivars in net blotch percent severity index (PSI), area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC), apparent infection rate, days to heading, plant height, number of fertile tillers per plant, seeds per spike, spike length and thousand seed weight. The overall mean net blotch epidemics varied from area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) of 86 to 1835. The disease was as high as AUDPC of 1378 on the susceptible check ‘Abdanie’. Similarly, the variations between and within barley landraces in terms of regions of origin, altitude classes and ear-types were significant. Out of the 585 barley landraces evaluated, 198 (33.85%) had significantly lower disease than the susceptible check, of which 12 (2.05%) and 186 (31.79%) landraces, respectively showed resistant (R) and moderately resistant (MR) infection types. The frequency of resistant landraces was more in third (2000-2500 m) and fourth (>2500 m) altitude classes and six-rowed and irregular barley types than in lower altitude areas and two-rowed ear-types. Furthermore, the correlation analysis among PSI and some yield components revealed adverse effect of the disease on grain yield of barley.

Influence of fertilizer systems on spring barley yield under conditions of the Right Bank Forest Steppe

The research results of the influence of fertilizer systems on the productivity of spring barley in the Right-bank Forest Steppe were presented. Traditionally fertilized backgrounds were studied: mineral, organic and organomineral (with half fertilizer rates of previous backgrounds), and the alternative to organic matter was cereal straw and biomass of green manure crops. The best backgrounds and optimal fertilizer systems for high level of grain yield were determined. The main factors that formed the productive plant density of spring barley were the rates and types of fertilizers. The improving of plant nutrition due to using of organic and mineral fertilizers led to an increase in the productive plant density in the agrocenosis and the competitiveness of plants, the reducing of weed infestation. Depending on the type of fertilizer, the grain yield of spring barley changed. Based on the research results, it was found that the combination of traditional fertilization with the application of alternative types of organic matter increased the grain yield of barley spring compared to the control variant on mineral background within 1.61–2.04 t/ha, organic – 1.69–2.14 t/ha, organomineral – 1.79–2.19 t/ha. At the same time, the yield indicators had a range: 4.86–5.29 t/ha on the mineral, 4.94–5.39 t/ha – organic and 5.04–5.44 t/ha organomineral background. The highest yield of spring barley was provided by a combined fertilizer system with half norms both mineral fertilizer and manure against the background of the afteraction of predecessor straw with compensatory dose of N10/t and green manure biomass of white mustard as organic fertilizer, and equaled of 5.44 t/ha (yield gain was 2.19 t/ha compared to control). The optimal fertilizer systems to increase of spring barley yield in conditions of the Right Bank Forest Steppe are combined mineral, organic and organomineral fertilizer systems, which include the use of traditional fertilizers: the action of mineral fertilizers and the afteraction of manure, as well as alternative fertilizers – the straw of predecessor with a compensatory dose of N10/t in combination with the white mustard biomass. Keywords: spring barley, predecessor by-products, mineral fertilizers, yield, fertilizer systems, grain quality.

Interpretation of genotype × environment interaction for grain yield of barley using the GGE biplot method

The identification of the most favorable cultivar(s) with high yield and stable performance is usually done based on the analysis of the genotype × environment (GE) interaction. The yield stability of 16 barley lines with two check varieties was studied in a randomized complete block design with four replications across three years at five locations in a multi-environment trial layout. The dataset was analyzed with a GGE (genotype main effect (G) + GE interaction) biplot method. Results indicated that the first two principal components (PCs) explained 81, 78 and 71% of the GGE sum of squares for 2017, 2018 and 2019 growing seasons, respectively. According to the average environment coordinate abscissa, G2, G13 and G18 were the best genotypes in terms of grain yield in years 2017 and 2018 while genotypes G2, G7 and G14 were the highest yielding genotypes in 2019. When both yield performance and stability were considered simultaneously, the G2 and G13 genotypes in 2017 and G2, G8 and G13 in 2018, were closer to the ideal genotype. In 2019, G2, G7 and G14 were the best in terms of grain yield and stability. In the which-won-where the five locations in 2017 fell into four sectors with different winning genotypes as G2, G5, G14 and G13. In 2018, the five locations fell into three sectors in which G2, G4 and G17 were the highest yielding genotypes while in 2019, locations were positioned in four sectors and G2, G7, G10 and G13 were chosen as the winning genotypes. However, for practical use of the “which-won-where” pattern, the mean performance of genotypes over three years in the five test locations was taken into account. Although the results revealed six mega-environments, by neglecting small differences, we can assume only one mega-environment in which G2 (the check variety Khorram) was the best performing genotype.

Subsoil compaction effect on spatio-temporal root growth, reuse of biopores and crop yield of spring barley

Subsoil compaction in arable farming caused by increasingly heavy machinery results in increased subsoil strength and reduced aeration and water flow. This can restrict root growth and reduce crop yield. To mitigate these effects of subsoil compaction, we included a deep-rooted catch crop of fodder radish (Raphanus sativus var. oleifera) in a rotation of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare). The objective was to determine the effect of subsoil compaction on root growth and grain yield of barley, and to investigate the creation and use of biopores for subsequent root growth. Studies were carried out in 2013–2016 in a soil compaction experiment established in 2010 on a sandy loam. The soil had for four consecutive years (2010–2013) been compacted with multi-passes in an 8 Mg wheel load treatment (M8) or had not been compacted (Control). Spring barley was grown every year and fodder radish was grown as a catch crop from harvest to winter in 2013–2016. Penetration resistance to 90 cm depth was measured in 2015 at a soil water content near field capacity. Root growth and biopore reuse were investigated using horizontal minirhizotrons installed at 30, 50 and 70 cm depth from 2013–2016. Spring barley grain yield was recorded annually. We found that M8 caused critical subsoil compaction with penetration resistance peaking at 3.5 MPa in the upper subsoil (30−40 cm depth). Subsoil compaction reduced root growth by c. 50 % at 30 cm depth and barley yields by 6–8 % compared to the Control in three years after cessation of the compaction treatment. The number of biopores that were reused were higher for fodder radish than for spring barley, 4.1 % and 3.1 %, respectively, but did not differ between compaction treatments. Our study displayed a marked, negative residual effect of soil compaction on above- and belowground crop growth. There was no tendency towards a recovery within the years studied (1–3 years after compaction). Severe subsoil compaction is a widespread problem and therefore we call for more studies on the spatio-temporal dynamics of the creation and subsequent use of biopores for root growth as these are essential for the recovery of compacted subsoils.

Treated wastewater outperformed freshwater for barley irrigation in arid lands

The high demand of barley for animal feed and the scarcity of fresh water increase the need for the reuse of treated wastewater as an alternative source for irrigation. Therefore, two-field experiments were conducted to study physiological processes, plant growth, grain yield and yield components of four-barley cultivars grown under four-irrigation treatments using treated wastewater or fresh water. Plants of four-barley cultivars (ACSAD176, Rum, Athroh, Yarmouk) were exposed to four-irrigation treatments: 1) Full-irrigation using treated wastewater (FWW); 2) Supplementary-irrigation using treated wastewater (SWW); 3) Supplementary-irrigation using fresh water (SFW); 4) Non-irrigation treatment (Rainfed). Full- or supplementary-irrigation using treated wastewater reduced stomatal resistance and increased plant photosynthetic rate, plant height, grain yield and yield components as estimated by grain number plant-1 and 1000-grain weight compared with rainfed conditions. Plants grown under supplementary-irrigation using treated wastewater produced higher grain yield than those grown under supplementary-irrigation using fresh water. Rum cultivar had the highest grain yield among cultivars grown under irrigation. Under rainfed conditions, Rum and ACSAD176 had the highest grain yield. In conclusion, supplementary-irrigation using treated wastewater improved grain yield of barley and can be a better choice to conserve water and reduce the risk of plant lodging at the end of the growing season. Irrigation barley using treated wastewater did not change heavy metal (Zn, Cd, and Pb) concentrations in soil or harvested grains.

Optimizing planting geometry for barley-Egyptian clover intercropping system in semi-arid sub-tropical climate.

Intercropping legumes with cereals has been a common cropping system in short-season rainfed environments due to its increased productivity and sustainability. Intercropping barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) with Egyptian clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) could increase the grain yield of barley and improve resource use efficiency of the intercropping system. However, non-optimum planting geometry has been a hurdle in the adaptation of barley-based cropping systems. This study was aimed at optimizing the planting geometry, and assess the productivity and profitability of barley-Egyptian clover intercropping system. Ten different planting geometries, differing in number of rows of barley, width and number of irrigation furrows and planting method were tested. Intercropping barley with Egyptian clover improved 56–68% grain yield of barley compared with mono-cropped barley. Barley remained dominant crop in terms of aggressiveness, relative crowding coefficient and competitive ratio. The amount of water used was linearly increased with increasing size of barley strip from 3 to 8 rows. The highest water use efficiency (4.83 kg/cf3) was recorded for 8-row barley strip system with 120 cm irrigation furrows compared to rest of the planting geometries. In conclusion, 8-rows of barley planted on beds with Egyptian clover in 120 cm irrigation furrows had the highest net income and cost benefit ratio. Therefore, it is recommended that this planting geometry can be used for better economic returns of barley-Egyptian clover intercropping system. However, barley strips with >8 rows were not included in this study, which is limitation of the current study. Therefore, future studies with >8 barley rows in strip should be conducted to infer the economic feasibility and profitability of wider barley strips.

Combined effect of deficit irrigation with saline water affects gas exchange, phytochemical profiles, antioxidant activities and grain yield of barley landraces “Ardhaoui” at heading stage

Drought and salinity are the two major abiotic stresses limiting barley growth and productivity. In order to understand the physiological and biochemical traits associated with deficit irrigation using saline water in barley at heading stage, this study was performed under field conditions to treat two barley landraces, “Karkeni” (origin: irrigated) and “Bengardeni” (origin: rainfed in arid area), with three irrigation treatments as a function of cultural evapotranspiration ETc (T0: 100% ETc, T1: 75% ETc and T2: 50% ETc). In both barley landraces, deficit irrigation with saline water (T1 and T2 treatments) significantly decreased net photosynthetic rate (A), transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (gs), K+ content, K+/Na+ ratio and grain yield (GY); by contrast, DPPH and ABTS scavenging capacities as well as Na+ content were increased, concomitant with a landrace-dependent variation in phenolic compounds composition. Interestingly, under T1 and T2 treatments, “Karkeni” had the lowest A, E, gs and K+/Na+ ratio, and the highest Na+ content and GY. Overall, at heading stage, salt accumulation in deficit irrigated soils with saline water significantly reduces GY of barley by influencing gas exchange, phytochemical profiles and antioxidant activities, in a landrace-dependent manner.

INFLUENCE OF BIOLOGICAL PRODUCTS AND FERTILIZERS ON THE PRODUCTIVITY OF SPRING BARLEY WITH ADDITIONAL SOWING OF PERENNIAL GRASSES

Two-factor field experiment was carried out at the research and training station of Ivanovo State Agricultural Academy in 2015-2017. The aim of the research was to establish cooperation effect of various biological products and modified mineral fertilizers on the productivity of spring barley with additional sowing of perennial grasses. As a result of the studies, it was found that the highest average yield of barley grain - 2.13 t / ha, was revealed in the conditions of timothy grass additional sowing as a sub-cover crop. At the same time, the combination of biological preparations Mizorin + Rizoagrin proved to be most effective; on average, the yield of grain and straw with this combination was 2.33 t / ha and 3.42 t / ha, respectively. When choosing meadow clover as a sub-cover crop, the maximum data on grain and barley straw yields of 2.92 t / ha and 4.26 t / ha, respectively, were obtained from the use of combination of biological products Mycorrhiza + Rizoagrin on the background of modified fertilizers. Under conditions of sowing a mixture of clover and timothy, the highest yields of grain and barley straw were 2.94 t / ha and 4.29 t / ha, respectively, obtained from the use of the biological product Rizoagrin on the background of modified fertilizers. In the course of the field experiment, positive data on additional income and profitability were obtained on most options, which were maximal in the conditions of replanting a mixture of herbs. Moreover, the largest value of the additional conditionally net income is 21.2 thousand rubles obtained from the use ofpreparation Rizoagrin on the background of modified fertilizers. And the highest profitability is 91.8 % in the absence of presowing treatment of seeds.

Benefits of biochar and its combination with nitrogen fertilization for soil quality and grain yields of barley, wheat and corn

Benefits of biochar and its combination with nitrogen fertilization for soil quality and grain yields of barley, wheat and corn

INFLUENCE OF BIOLOGICAL PRODUCTS AND FERTILIZERS ON THE PRODUCTIVITY OF SPRING BARLEY WITH ADDITIONAL SOWING OF PERENNIAL GRASSES

Two-factor field experiment was carried out at the research and training station of Ivanovo State Ag-ricultural Academy in 2015-2017. The aim of the research was to establish cooperation effect of various biological products and modified mineral fertilizers on the productivity of spring barley with additional sowing of perennial grasses. As a result of the studies, it was found that the highest average yield of bar-ley grain - 2.13 t / ha, was revealed in the conditions of timothy grass additional sowing as a sub-cover crop. At the same time, the combination of biological preparations Mizorin + Rizoagrin proved to be most effective; on average, the yield of grain and straw with this combination was 2.33 t / ha and 3.42 t / ha, respectively. When choosing meadow clover as a sub-cover crop, the maximum data on grain and barley straw yields of 2.92 t / ha and 4.26 t / ha, respectively, were obtained from the use of combination of biological products Mycorrhiza + Rizoagrin on the background of modified fertilizers. Under condi-tions of sowing a mixture of clover and timothy, the highest yields of grain and barley straw were 2.94 t / ha and 4.29 t / ha, respectively, obtained from the use of the biological product Rizoagrin on the back-ground of modified fertilizers. In the course of the field experiment, positive data on additional income and profitability were obtained on most options, which were maximal in the conditions of replanting a mixture of herbs. Moreover, the largest value of the additional conditionally net income is 21.2 thousand rubles obtained from the use of preparation Rizoagrin on the background of modified fertilizers. And the highest profitability is 91.8 % in the absence of presowing treatment of seeds.

Influence of calculated doses of mineral fertilizers and biological products during presowing seed treatment on barley yield

AbstarctThe research found that the best field germination of seeds and the safety of plants for harvesting was noted in the variant with the introduction of calculated doses of mineral fertilizers (N139R72K83) and spraying of crops with a biological product Azotovit JO, 0.3 l/ha and amounted to 87.6 and 86.9 %, against 83.3 and 82.5 % on the variant without the treatment of seeds and crops with biologics. The maximum contamination of barley crops was noted on the background without mineral fertilizers and seed treatment and biopreparations in the tillering stage amounted to 30-37 pcs./m2, and high rates of weeds air-dry mass were in the variant with mineral fertilizers (N139P72K83) and amounted to 3.56 g/m2 on the version without treatment of seeds and crops with biological products. The introduction of calculated doses of mineral fertilizers N113P60K68 and N139P72K83 and seed treatment with Trichodermine, F and Azotovit JO led to a greater decrease in the infestation of plants with root rot. The best development of the leaf surface area occurred in the earing phase of plants with the introduction of calculated doses of mineral fertilizers N139P72K83 and the presowing treatment of seeds with Azotovit JO and amounted to 37.4 thousand m2/ha. High yield of barley grain (3.88 t/ha) was formed with the application of mineral fertilizers N139P72K83 and the pre-sowing treatment of seeds with the Azotovit Zh0 biological preparation, the increase from the application of fertilizers was 2.10 t/ha, from the presowing treatment of seeds - 0.32 t/ha. The best indicators of grain quality were noted with the introduction of mineral fertilizers N139P72K83 and pre-sowing treatment of seeds with the biological preparation Trichodermin, J.

Knockout of the HvCKX1 or HvCKX3 Gene in Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) by RNA-Guided Cas9 Nuclease Affects the Regulation of Cytokinin Metabolism and Root Morphology.

Barley is among four of the most important cereal crops with respect to global production. Increasing barley yields to desired levels can be achieved by the genetic manipulation of cytokinin content. Cytokinins are plant hormones that regulate many developmental processes and have a strong influence on grain yield. Cytokinin homeostasis is regulated by members of several multigene families. CKX genes encode the cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase enzyme, which catalyzes the irreversible degradation of cytokinin. Several recent studies have demonstrated that the RNAi-based silencing of CKX genes leads to increased grain yields in some crop species. To assess the possibility of increasing the grain yield of barley by knocking out CKX genes, we used an RNA-guided Cas9 system to generate ckx1 and ckx3 mutant lines with knockout mutations in the HvCKX1 and HvCKX3 genes, respectively. Homozygous, transgene-free mutant lines were subsequently selected and analyzed. A significant decrease in CKX enzyme activity was observed in the spikes of the ckx1 lines, while in the ckx3 lines, the activity remained at a similar level to that in the control plants. Despite these differences, no changes in grain yield were observed in either mutant line. In turn, differences in CKX activity in the roots between the ckx1 and ckx3 mutants were reflected via root morphology. The decreased CKX activity in the ckx1 lines corresponded to greater root length, increased surface area, and greater numbers of root hairs, while the increased CKX activity in the ckx3 mutants gave the opposite results. RNA-seq analysis of the spike and root transcriptomes revealed an altered regulation of genes controlling cytokinin metabolism and signaling, as well as other genes that are important during seed development, such as those that encode nutrient transporters. The observed changes suggest that the knockout of a single CKX gene in barley may be not sufficient for disrupting cytokinin homeostasis or increasing grain yields.

The impact of onion cultivation at irrigation on the productivity of spring barley in the system of dry farming in the North-Western Pre-Caspian

They are given technological schemes for the rational development of the agricultural lands of the periodic irrigation of the North-Western Pre-Caspian. Experimental studies were carried out to study the water and physical properties of periodically irrigated light chestnut soils in the system of dry farming in the North-Western Pre-Caspian. Observations, accounting and economic calculations were carried out in accordance with generally accepted methods. During all the years of research, barley yields on periodically irrigated plots, regardless of the meteorological conditions of the growing season, were higher than the corresponding indicators on rainfed plots by 1,5...3,0 times. The average yield of barley grain was 2.43 t / ha - after onion, 0.91 t / ha –after autumn ploughing. Crops after onions with drip irrigation were distinguished by high profitability - from 57.5 to 173.4% (on average – 129.5%), whereas, crops on dry-farming land were unprofitable from eight years in three because of the dry conditions of the vegetation period. The developed technology of periodic irrigation in conjunction with climatic factors and soil conditions of the North-Western Pre-Caspian, as well as the technical means of its implementation, makes it possible to significantly reduce the degradation processes of the irrigated soils of the region and reduce the cost of producing spring grain crops.

Barley Yield Response to Nitrogen Application under Different Weather Conditions

Barley, one of the most important crops worldwide, will be exposed to high air temperatures as a result of global warming. Since global warming is projected to progress with annual fluctuations, weather-adaptive cultivation techniques are needed in the area of barley production. This study aimed to determine the effect of nitrogen (N) application rate at heading on the grain yield of barley grown under different weather conditions based on two years of field experiments. Grain yield increased markedly with increasing N application rate in the 2017–2018 cropping season but not in the 2016–2017 cropping season. In contrast, late-emerging tillers clearly increased with increasing N application rate in the 2016–2017 cropping season but not in the 2017–2018 cropping season. Plants grown in the 2016–2017 cropping season produced relatively few grains due to the short period of tillering as a results of high air temperatures compared with those grown in the 2017–2018 crop season. Thus, in the 2016–2017 cropping season, N application could be used for the production of late-emerging tillers as a consequence of the limited sink capacity, whereas, in the 2017–2018 cropping season, it could be used effectively to increase grain yield.

Influence of variety and nitrogen fertilizer on productivity and trait association of malting barley

Poor soil fertility is a major constraint to crop productivity in the highlands of Ethiopia. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of nitrogen (N) fertilization, variety and growing season on grain yield and yield related traits, and determine relationships among agronomic traits of malting barley. The treatments studied were five N levels (0, 23, 46, 69 and 92 kg ha−1) and two malting barley varieties (Miscal-21 and Holker) over three growing seasons (2012, 2013 and 2014) at Bekoji, south eastern Ethiopia. The results revealed that as N rates increased, grain yield, number of tillers and spikes per square meter, biomass yield at harvest, days to physiological maturity, spike length and number of kernels per spike increased, but harvest index decreased. Grain yield, harvest index, number of tillers and spikes per square meter, spike length and biomass yield at harvest were greater in Miscal-21, whilst days to maturity and number of kernels per spike were greater in Holker. Grain yield, harvest index, number of tillers and spikes per square meter, spike length, biomass yield at harvest and days to maturity were significantly affected by seasonal conditions, but spike length and kernels per spike were not affected. Grain yield was positively influenced by the number of tillers per square meter, biomass yield at harvest, spikes per square meter, spike length, kernels per spike and harvest index. However, the number of tillers per square meter followed by biomass yield and spikes per square meter largely determined grain yield. The results of the current study suggest that genetic improvement of those yield related traits is the likely basis of increasing grain yield in barley.