Durum Wheat Yield Research Articles

Durum Wheat Yield and Grain Quality in Early Transition from Conventional to Conservation Tillage in Semi-Arid Mediterranean Conditions

In semi-arid Mediterranean areas, there is a growing interest in adopting conservation tillage practices for their advantages in improving soils fertility, reducing production costs, and stabilizing crop yields. The aim of this study conducted in the 2019 and 2020 seasons was to investigate the effect of three tillage systems—conventional tillage (CT), minimum tillage (MT), and no-tillage (NT)—on grain yield, yield components, and quality indices of a durum wheat crop (Triticum durum Desf. cv. Simeto) grown in monoculture in semi-arid conditions of Northern Algeria. Tillage systems had a significant effect on the average yield of the 2 years, with NT being 28% and 35% higher than CT and MT, respectively—a trend even more evident in the second year under observation. The superiority of NT (p < 0.001) in the second year (2020) is mainly due to the increased spikes density (318.93 spikes m2 under NT vs. 225.07 and 215.20 spikes m2 under MT and CT, respectively). Yield components and quality parameters were more affected by climatic conditions than by tillage treatments. The number of kernels per spike being the most affected by water and heat stresses occurred in 2020 season. A decrease of 51% is noted regardless of the tillage treatment, which negatively affected the grain yield in that year (1.9 vs. 1.3 t ha−1 in 2019 and 2020, respectively). This stress also induced an increase in grain protein content, but a reduction of its weight. The results of this study conducted in the early transition from conventional to conservation tillage show that durum wheat grown under NT results in higher grain yield than the other systems in the specific operative conditions of the study region, providing better seed emergence and better spikes density, especially in the dry years. Moreover, the quality parameters are more affected by weather conditions than by the tillage system—with an interaction year × tillage system significant only for the grain.

Modeling of Durum Wheat Yield Based on Sentinel-2 Imagery

In this study, a modelling approach for the estimation/prediction of wheat yield based on Sentinel-2 data is presented. Model development was accomplished through a two-step process: firstly, the capacity of Sentinel-2 vegetation indices (VIs) to follow plant ecophysiological parameters was established through measurements in a pilot field and secondly, the results of the first step were extended/evaluated in 31 fields, during two growing periods, to increase the applicability range and robustness of the models. Modelling results were examined against yield data collected by a combine harvester equipped with a yield-monitoring system. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) were examined as plant signals and combined with Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) and/or Normalized Multiband Drought Index (NMDI) during the growth period or before sowing, as water and soil signals, respectively. The best performing model involved the EVI integral for the 20 April–31 May period as a plant signal and NMDI on 29 April and before sowing as water and soil signals, respectively (R2 = 0.629, RMSE = 538). However, model versions with a single date and maximum seasonal VIs values as a plant signal, performed almost equally well. Since the maximum seasonal VIs values occurred during the last ten days of April, these model versions are suitable for yield prediction.

Adaptive potential of the new winter durum wheat varieties and lines in the conditions of the Rostov region

Currently, with the growth of scientific and technological progress, the issue of the effect of negative anthropogenic factors on the environment is of great urgency. Due to it there is a necessity to develop the most adaptive agricultural varieties, which is the basis of environmentally friendly agriculture. The current study was carried out on the basis of the FSBSI Agricultural Research Center “Donskoy”, located in the southern part of the Rostov region in 2018–2020. The objects of research were 8 varieties sent to the State Variety Testing in 2017–2020 and 5 promising breeding lines of the FSBSI “ARC “Donskoy”. The weather conditions during the years of the study were contrasting, with the most favorable ones in 2018, when there was obtained a record yield of winter durum wheat from 11.25 to 14.04 t/ha. Differences in the yields of the winter durum wheat varieties over the years were characterized by the variation range from 31.9 to 52.4%. There has been identified insignificant deviations in the yields of the variety ‘Solntsedar’ (+3 – -1.9 t/ha) and the variety ‘Zoloto Dona’ (+3.2 – -2.3 t/ha). The greatest deviations from the average yield were established in the varieties ‘Khrizolit’ (+4.5 – -3.6 t/ha), ‘Almaz Dona’ (+4.3 – -2.9 t/ha) and the line ‘721/15’ (+4.8 – -3.3 t/ha). Due to the assessment according to the adaptability parameters, there have been identified 3 groups of varieties. They are the adaptable varieties ‘Lakomka’, ‘Ellada’, ‘Khrizolit’, which will produce maximum yields under cultivation in the areas with favorable agro-climatic conditions at high agro-backgrounds; the weakly responsive varieties ‘Zoloto Dona’ and ‘Solntsedar’, for cultivation on a low agricultural background, which maintain stable yields with the mean values of 6.88–7.04 t/ha), they react poorly to external conditions, i.e. better adapted to bad and worst environments. The varieties ‘Kristella’, ‘Uslada’, ‘Dinas’, ‘Almaz Dona’ are suitable for cultivation on a medium agricultural background, because they are adaptable varieties with bi = 0.97–1.00. However, the variety ‘Almaz Dona’ turned to be unstable in terms of yields. The promising lines that participated in the analysis with different ecological characteristics will be further involved in breeding programs to increase the adaptability of new varieties. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the new varieties and promising lines according to productivity, homeostaticity, adaptability; to identify ecologically adaptable varieties and lines and to give recommendations for further use.

Durum Wheat Yield and N Uptake as Affected by N Source, Timing, and Rate in Two Mediterranean Environments

In nitrate vulnerable zones (NVZs), site-specific techniques are needed to match N availability with durum wheat (Triticum turgidum subsp. durum Desf.) requirements. Enhanced-efficiency fertilizers can improve efficient N supply and reduce leaching, contributing to sustainable agriculture. Two-year field experiments were carried out at two Mediterranean nitrate vulnerable zones in Central Italy (Pisa and Arezzo) to study the effects of nitrogen sources, timings, and application rates. The trial compared: (i) three N sources for the first topdressing application (urea, methylene urea, and urea with the nitrification inhibitor DMPP); (ii) two stages for the first topdressing N application (1st tiller visible—BBCH21 and 1st node detectable—BBCH31); (iii) two N rates: one based on the crop N requirements (Optimal—NO), the other based on action programme prescriptions of the two NVZs (Action Programme—NAP). Grain yield and yield components were determined, together with N uptake. The results showed that: (i) grain and biomass production were reduced with NAP at both locations; (ii) urea performed better than slow-release fertilizers; (iii) the best application time depended on the N source and location: in Pisa, enhanced-efficiency fertilizers achieved higher yields when applied earliest, while for urea the opposite was true; in Arezzo different N fertilizers showed similar performances between the two application timings. Different behaviors of topdressing fertilizers at the two localities could be related to the diverse patterns of temperatures and rainfall. Thus, optimal fertilization strategies would seem to vary according to environmental conditions.

Organic <em>versus</em> mineral fertilization: Assessing of yield and quality of durum wheat in marginal lands

Durum wheat is often cultivated in marginal areas with great management difficulties. Organic fertilization is a sustainable agricultural practice that allows preserving the environment, but its limit can be the reduction of yield and quality of crops, also in cereals. The aim of research was to evaluate the effects of the organic fertilization on yield and quality of Simeto, a variety of durum wheat, cultivated for two years in three different sites of the internal hill of Campania Region (San Giorgio la Molara, SGM; Ariano Irpino, AI; Sant’Angelo dei Lombardi, SAL). SGM was a sandy-clay-loam soil, with high fertility, while AI and SAL were clay soil. The organic fertilization (ORG), based on roasted leather, was compared to mineral fertilization (MIN) and the not fertilized treatment (N0). In SGM, crop growth rate (CGR) and leaf area index (LAI) were significantly higher than AI and SAL until the flowering (about 2- and 4-fold more, respectively). MIN and ORG significantly boosted CGR compared to N0, while for LAI, ORG was never different from N0. The two-years value of yield was 3.0 t ha–1; in SGM, it reached 4.2 t ha–1, and it was 54.6% more than the mean value of AI and SAL, while N0 was not different from MIN of AI and SAL. ORG yield was lower and not different from NO in AI, where the lowest values of 1000 kernels weight, and hectolitre weight were also recorded. MIN and ORG increased the number of spikes per square meter: 27.0%, and 12.8% over N0, respectively, but ORG showed an 11.2% decrease compared to MIN. The 1000 kernels weight reached the highest values in SAL, without differences between N0, MIN, and ORG. The values of protein and gluten percentage were highest in AI and SGM (about 13.5%, and 11.7%, respectively), but without differences between ORG and MIN in the 3 sites for protein percentage. The worst value of the vitreousness was recorded in SAL (52.3%), six-fold more than that of AI (8.2%), probably due to the high rainfall. NUE reached the highest value in SGM in the first year, when it was significantly different from AI and SAL (0.036 vs 0.030 t kg–1). Overall, the effect of nitrogen fertilization type results sitespecific; indeed, organic fertilization had the same performance of mineral in the site with better soil (low clay content, high nitrogen, and organic matter content) and climate conditions. Highlights - Organic fertilization based on roasted leather was compared to mineral fertilization in three marginal environments for two years. - Effect of organic fertilization on wheat yield, grain quality and nitrogen use efficiency was site-specific. - Yield of plants organically fertilized was lower than mineral fertilization in the two environments less fertile and with a high clay content. - Nitrogen use efficiency of organic fertilization was lower than mineral in the two environments less fertile and with high content of clay.- Grain protein and gluten percentage were lower in the site with higher rainfall.

Grain Yield and Quality Traits of Durum Wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) Treated with Seaweed- and Humic Acid-Based Biostimulants

The ongoing climate change with increasingly frequent, prolonged drought during the vegetation period is a significant factor affecting production of field crops, including durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.). One of the approaches to effectively protect plants from drought stress is the foliar application of bioactive substances and selection of appropriate genetic material for specific location conditions. In this study, the impacts of brown seaweed based and humic substance-based biostimulants were researched. The positive impact of bioactive substances on grain yield has been reported in many studies. However, the impact on quality components is questionable and not well investigated. In this study, a highly significant (α < 0.01) positive impact of bioactive substances on grain yield was confirmed. The highest grain yield was observed on the fertilized variant with humic substances (4.03 t ha−1). When compared to control, there was a high statistically significant difference. The biofertilization impact on quality components was weakly positive in most cases, although without statistical significance (α > 0.05). The study included evaluating the interactions biofertilization–weather conditions (BW) and biofertilization–variety (BV). According to the ANOVA results, a highly significant impact in BW on grain yield was found, and in BV, a highly significant impact on protein content, falling number, and gluten content (α < 0.01) and significant impact on grain yield and vitreousness were found (α < 0.05). Correlation analysis among the monitored parameters was performed. The results that we obtained from the multi-annual field research may contribute to sustainable arable farming in areas with a lack of rainfall during vegetation. By foliar application of bioactive substances, we achieved a significant increase in the yield of durum wheat while maintaining or increasing the quality parameters of the grain.

On the sustainability of land applications of sewage sludge: How to apply the sewage biosolid in order to improve soil fertility and increase crop yield?

The fertilization using sewage sludge (SS) and/or SS-derived products have been extensively studied and known to increase crop yield as soil nutrients and plant growth are improved. This study aimed to evaluate two SS application methods (i.e. mulching and mixing with the soil) on soil fertility parameters and the productivity of cereal crops. It compared the effect of SS fertilization methods on changes in soil physicochemical parameters in order to highlight the application mode which gives the best agronomic values and sustains soil productivity. Foliar surface, grain starch content and grain yield of durum wheat (Triticum durum) were determined in plants grown in plastic planters for different fertilization treatments (SS-mulched, SS-mixed, urea, and unfertilized). Each SS treatment was applied in three levels (SS1 = 1% w/w ratio, SS2 = 4%, SS3 = 8.3%). The application of SS improved all soil properties compared to the control and urea, with the SS mulching treatment was the best. The significant improvement of soil fertility was confirmed by soil C:P ratio which indicated a good soil mineralization status, in particular under the screen formed by mulching that helped to conserve high soil moisture for optimizing plant growth. Soil calcium accumulated in greater amount in biosolid-soil mixtures than in SS-mulched soils. Regardless of SS doses, the highest crop grain yields were obtained with the SS mulch treatments. Mulching SS, compared to SS-mixed soils, brings better results in terms of improving soil fertility and yielding high productions. The applicable of this method is also easy in the field and/or large-scale cultures.

How does moderate drought affect quantum yield and the regulation of sugar metabolism at low temperature in durum wheat (Triticum durum L.)?

Currently, limited knowledge is available about the combined effects of drought and light in case of cold stress. The investigation of quantum yield kinetics may help understand how plants utilize light under adverse environmental conditions. In the present study, mild drought helped preserve quantum yield in durum wheat (Triticum durum L.). The time necessary to reach the steady-state actual quantum yield corresponded with the cold sensitivity. Possible underlying mechanisms induced by drought, such as the reduction of malondialdehyde content, accumulation of D-sorbit, and glycine betaine, may have protected photosynthetic apparatus and integrity of light reactions. Low sucrose content at normal growth light might have caused stomatal closing and promoted photorespiration. In contrast to growth light, low light and moderate drought positively affected the sucrose accumulation and maintained glycolysis and energy production at low temperature. Present results emphasized the role of moderate drought as a sufficient acclimation factor against cold in durum wheat.

Methodology for the Definition of Durum Wheat Yield Homogeneous Zones by Using Satellite Spectral Indices

One of the main questions facing precision agriculture is the evaluation of different algorithms for the delineation of homogeneous management zones. In the present study, a new approach based on the use of time series of satellite imagery, collected during two consecutive growing seasons, was proposed. Texture analysis performed using the Gray-Level Co-Occurrence Matrix (GLCM) was used to integrate and correct the sum of the vegetation indices maps (NDVI and MCARI2) and define the homogenous productivity zones on ten durum wheat fields in southern Italy. The homogenous zones identified through the method that integrates the GLCM indices with the spectral indices studied showed a greater accuracy (0.18–0.22 Mg ha−1 for ∑NDVIs + GLCM and 0.05–0.49 Mg ha−1 for ∑MCARI2s + GLCM) with respect to the methods that considered only the sum of the indices. Best results were also obtained with respect to the homogeneous zones derived by using yield maps of the previous year or vegetation indices acquired in a single day. Therefore, the survey methods based on the data collected over the entire study period provided the best results in terms of estimated yield; the addition of clustering analysis performed with the GLCM method allowed to further improve the accuracy of the estimate and better define homogeneous productivity zones of durum wheat fields.

Performance of the Two-Source Energy Balance (TSEB) Model as a Tool for Monitoring the Response of Durum Wheat to Drought by High-Throughput Field Phenotyping.

The current lack of efficient methods for high throughput field phenotyping is a constraint on the goal of increasing durum wheat yields. This study illustrates a comprehensive methodology for phenotyping this crop's water use through the use of the two-source energy balance (TSEB) model employing very high resolution imagery. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with multispectral and thermal cameras was used to phenotype 19 durum wheat cultivars grown under three contrasting irrigation treatments matching crop evapotranspiration levels (ETc): 100%ETc treatment meeting all crop water requirements (450 mm), 50%ETc treatment meeting half of them (285 mm), and a rainfed treatment (122 mm). Yield reductions of 18.3 and 48.0% were recorded in the 50%ETc and rainfed treatments, respectively, in comparison with the 100%ETc treatment. UAV flights were carried out during jointing (April 4th), anthesis (April 30th), and grain-filling (May 22nd). Remotely-sensed data were used to estimate: (1) plant height from a digital surface model (H, R2 = 0.95, RMSE = 0.18m), (2) leaf area index from multispectral vegetation indices (LAI, R2 = 0.78, RMSE = 0.63), and (3) actual evapotranspiration (ETa) and transpiration (T) through the TSEB model (R2 = 0.50, RMSE = 0.24 mm/h). Compared with ground measurements, the four traits estimated at grain-filling provided a good prediction of days from sowing to heading (DH, r = 0.58–0.86), to anthesis (DA, r = 0.59–0.85) and to maturity (r = 0.67–0.95), grain-filling duration (GFD, r = 0.54–0.74), plant height (r = 0.62–0.69), number of grains per spike (NGS, r = 0.41–0.64), and thousand kernel weight (TKW, r = 0.37–0.42). The best trait to estimate yield, DH, DA, and GFD was ETa at anthesis or during grain filling. Better forecasts for yield-related traits were recorded in the irrigated treatments than in the rainfed one. These results show a promising perspective in the use of energy balance models for the phenotyping of large numbers of durum wheat genotypes under Mediterranean conditions.

Short-Term Effects of Biosolid Application on Two Mediterranean Agricultural Soils and Durum Wheat Yield

This study evaluated the effects of de-inking paper sludge (DPS) and sewage sludge (SS) application on soil properties, and durum wheat growth and yield. A pot experiment was performed on Calcaric cambisol (clCM) and Cromic Luvisol (coLV) soils. Three DPS rates (0, 30, and 60 Mg ha−1) were studied with and without nitrogen fertilizer (280 kg NH4NO3 ha−1). DPS was also mixed with SS at two rates (5 and 10 Mg ha−1) to highlight the benefits of organic nitrogen compared to mineral nitrogen. DPS improved total organic carbon and nitrogen, mineral nitrogen, and soils cation exchange capacity, the 30% rate provided the greatest improvement in both soils. DPS increased grain and root P, K, Ca, and Mg contents in both soils. It also increased wheat straw N, P, Mg, and Ca for the same soil compared to the control. Mixed DPS treatments with nitrogen fertilizer enhanced grain yield by up to 38% and increased root biomass in the studied soils. Thus, DPS is a potential source of organic matter and a liming agent for acid soils when appropriate supplemental fertilizer is provided.

Physiological, biochemical and molecular responses of durum wheat under salt stress

AbstractThe yield of durum wheat extremely reduces in response to salinity stress because of several variations in biochemical, physiological and molecular traits in this unfavorable condition. According to the agro-physiological traits under salinity stress, the most resistant and sensitive cultivars were selected from 10 genotypes of durum wheat over a period of 2 years. Afterwards, the molecular, biochemical, and physiological traits in these two genotypes were evaluated. The seedlings (3–4 leaves) were exposed to salinity through irrigating with 0.5 × Hoagland solution containing 200 mM NaCl until physiological maturity. Principal components analysis for the agronomic characteristics and stress resistance index led to identifying Behrang and Arya as the most tolerant and sensitive genotypes, respectively. In these two genotypes in response to salinity stress, osmolyte contents (proline, total soluble carbohydrates and total soluble proteins) and enzymatic antioxidant defence system activities (ascorbate peroxidase, catalase and guaiacol peroxidase) were much higher in the most tolerant genotype than those of the sensitive cultivar. Moreover, the most tolerant genotype showed less amount of oxidative stress parameters (hydrogen peroxide, electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde and other aldehydes) than the sensitive one.Pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase(P5CR) anddelta-1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase(P5CS) genes expression increased under salinity stress (considering much higher increase in the most tolerant cultivar). Also, proline content was shown to have a significant positive correlation withP5CSandP5CRgenes expression levels. Our result not only identified Behrang cultivar as a superior genotype for durum wheat breeding programs, but also represented several efficient mechanisms involved in salt tolerance.

ФОРМИРОВАНИЕ АГРОФИТОЦЕНОЗА И ПРОДУКТИВНОСТЬ ЯРОВОЙ ТВЁРДОЙ ПШЕНИЦЫ ПРИ ПРИМЕНЕНИИ МИНЕРАЛЬНЫХ УДОБРЕНИЙ

The article shows the results of the research on the development of methods for increasing spring durum wheat yield (Triticum Durum) in the system of application of liquid mineral fertilizers: Megamix for pre-sowing seed preparation, treatment of crops during the growing season with mineral fertilizers N16P16K16 for pre-sowing soil preparation in the forest-steppe conditions of the Middle Volga region. The research was carried out on the experimental field of Samara State Agrarian University in 2017-2020. In the course of a three-factor field experiment, the main biometric parametres were assessed: sprout density and plant survivability in crops, formation of aboveground mass and accumulation of dry matter, photosynthetic activity with analysis of leaf area, formation of photosynthetic potential and photosynthesis net productivity. It was found that the best parametres are formed on the variants with seed treatment of with Megamix Seeds or Megamix Profi, followed by two-fold treatment during the growing season with Megamix Profi 0.5 l / ha (tillering phase) + Megamis Nitrogen 0.5 l / ha (flag leaf phase ), with application of N16P16K16 fertilizer. It was revealed that, in this case, the sprout density is formed at the level of 78.0 ... 77.7%. The usage of Megamix for seed treatment system + treatment of crops with Megamix stimulants ensures the maximum increase of the aboveground mass in the variant of seed treatment with Megamix Seeds and treatment of crops with Megamix Profi - 1582.0 g / m2; as well as a mixture of Megamix Profi + Megamix Nitrogen - 1614, 0 g / m2 after applying N16P16K16. In these variants, the maximum leaf area and photosynthetic potential of 0.776 ... 0.981 million m2 / ha days are formed and, as a consequence, the maximum yield with the parametres of 2.89 ... 3.03 t / ha. It was found that application of liquid mineral fertilizers in all variants of the experiment significantly increases spring durum wheat yield.

Small "Nested" Introgressions from Wild Thinopyrum Species, Conferring Effective Resistance to Fusarium Diseases, Positively Impact Durum Wheat Yield Potential.

Today wheat cultivation is facing rapidly changing climate scenarios and yield instability, aggravated by the spreading of severe diseases such as Fusarium head blight (FHB) and Fusarium crown rot (FCR). To obtain productive genotypes resilient to stress pressure, smart breeding approaches must be envisaged, including the exploitation of wild relatives. Here we report on the assessment of the breeding potential of six durum wheat-Thinopyrum spp. recombinant lines (RLs) obtained through chromosome engineering. They are characterized by having 23% or 28% of their 7AL chromosome arm replaced by a “nested” alien segment, composed of homoeologous group 7 chromosome fractions from Th. ponticum and Th. elongatum (=7el1L + 7EL) or from different Th. ponticum accessions (=7el1L + 7el2L). In addition to the 7el1L genes Lr19 + Yp (leaf rust resistance, and yellow pigment content, respectively), these recombinant lines (RLs) possess a highly effective QTL for resistance to FHB and FCR within their 7el2L or 7EL portion. The RLs, their null segregants and well-adapted and productive durum wheat cultivars were evaluated for 16 yield-related traits over two seasons under rainfed and irrigated conditions. The absence of yield penalties and excellent genetic stability of RLs was revealed in the presence of all the alien segment combinations. Both 7el2L and 7EL stacked introgressions had positive impacts on source and sink yield traits, as well as on the overall performance of RLs in conditions of reduced water availability. The four “nested” RLs tested in 2020 were among the top five yielders, overall representing good candidates to be employed in breeding programs to enhance crop security and safety.

Assessment of the compliance of biological characteristics of some grain crops to abiotic factors on the example of the steppe zone of Zavolzhye

This article identifies the optimal conditions for the growth of winter, spring durum and spring soft wheat in Zavolzhye. It has been established that the amount of precipitation in September of at least 120 mm at an average temperature of at least 15 °C and a hydrothermic coefficient value of at least 1.2 contributes to the formation of winter wheat yield of 3.5–4.0 t/ha. For spring durum wheat, the best combination of temperature and humidity conditions is at a hydrothermal coefficient of 1.0–1.2. At a hydrothermic coefficient 0.7, it is possible to put a grain yield of spring durum wheat of no more than 0.70 t/ha. Spring soft wheat forms the highest yield at an average temperature of 13 °C in April, 16 °C in May, 24–25 °C in June and 25–26 °C in July. The best combination of temperature and humidity conditions for the growing season of spring soft wheat and the formation of the maximum yield occurs when the hydrothermic coefficient is 1.0 in April; 0.8-1.0 in May; 0.7-0.9 in June; and 1.1-1.2 in July.

Effects of Seed Microbial Inoculant on Growth, Yield, and Nutrition of Durum Wheat (Triticum Durum L.)

ABSTRACT Fertile soils available for agriculture are gradually diminishing due to climate change, soil deterioration, the use of wrong chemicals, and restraints from urban developments. In the near future, micro-organisms that promote plant growth are foreseen to replace chemicals in agricultural and environmental clean-up strategies. The present study was conducted to determine whether the effect of microbial seed coating product containing Trichoderma spp, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus megaterium, and Mychorrhiza microorganism on the growth, yield and seed nutrient content in durum wheat. The experiment was carried out in the field, in soil of the southeastern Anatolia region of Turkey, during 2015 and 2016 growing seasons. Four (0, 4, 8 and 12 ml kg−1 seeds) doses of the microbial seed coating product were used as seed inoculants. The seeds inoculated with microorganism increased all characters examined in the study (except Ca and Cu). Low (4 and 8 ml kg−1 seeds) doses of this microbial seed inoculant were suitable to increase yield and yield components in wheat. However, it was appropriate to use a higher (12 ml kg−1 seeds) dose to increase the seed nutrient content. As a result, the microorganism containing Trichoderma spp, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus megaterium, and Mychorrhiza appears to increase the yield, quality, and seed nutrient content in wheat. Studies on the use of such beneficial microorganisms are necessary for a sustainable and ecological agricultural wheat production.

Candidate Genes and Quantitative Trait Loci for Grain Yield and Seed Size in Durum Wheat.

Grain yield (YLD) is affected by thousand kernel weight (TKW) which reflects the combination of grain length (GL), grain width (GW) and grain area (AREA). Grain weight is also influenced by heading time (HT) and plant height (PH). To detect candidate genes and quantitative trait loci (QTL) of yield components, a durum wheat recombinant inbred line (RIL) population was evaluated in three field trials. The RIL was genotyped with a 90K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array and a high-density genetic linkage map with 5134 markers was obtained. A total of 30 QTL were detected including 23 QTL grouped in clusters on 1B, 2A, 3A, 4B and 6B chromosomes. A QTL cluster on 2A chromosome included a major QTL for HT co-located with QTL for YLD, TKW, GL, GW and AREA, respectively. The photoperiod sensitivity (Ppd-A1) gene was found in the physical position of this cluster. Serine carboxypeptidase, Big grain 1 and β-fructofuranosidase candidate genes were mapped in clusters containing QTL for seed size. This study showed that yield components and phenological traits had higher inheritances than grain yield, allowing an accurate QTL cluster detection. This was a requisite to physically map QTL on durum genome and to identify candidate genes affecting grain yield.

Zinc biofortification strategies for wheat grown on calcareous Vertisols in southern Spain: application method and rate

The aims of this work were (i) to find a soil indicator to predict durum wheat yield response to Zn fertilization, (ii) to compare the effect of various Zn fertilization strategies on wheat yield and Zn biofortification in calcareous Vertisols of southern Spain, and (iii) to assess the effect of these Zn fertilization strategies on crop P uptake (durum and bread wheat). Different Zn fertilization strategies, soil application (0.3–10 kg ha−1) and foliar spraying (two rates, different growth stages), were tested in wheat crops under field conditions in the period 2012–2019. A simple soil indicator failed to predict durum wheat response to Zn fertilization. Only one of the combinations tested increased wheat yield in the 11 field experiments carried out. Zinc foliar spraying (1.28 kg ha−1) was effective for wheat biofortification when applied at early booting (durum wheat) or flowering, and also when splitting this application between stem elongation and flowering stages (bread wheat). The foliar treatments produced the highest zinc use efficiencies (6–19%) and soil applications the lowest (0.2–1.3%). Moreover, foliar treatments increased grain Zn concentrations by 12–51% while soil application increased such concentrations by only 4–13%. None of the Zn fertilization strategies altered P uptake. No yield increase in wheat is expected from Zn fertilization for the application methods and rates used here and the soils studied (calcareous Vertisols under Mediterranean climate). However, foliar applications at and after early booting stage are promising for durum and bread wheat biofortification.

Influence of feeding by nitrogen mineral and integrated organomineral fertilizers on the yield and quality of hard wheat

The problem of nutrition of the world’s population has become even more acute and complex, due to the increase in the population. In solving this problem, a special role belongs to cereals and winter durum wheat in particular. The soil and climate conditions of the Crimea are quite favourable for growing this crop. The purpose of the research is to study the mutual influence of fertilizing with nitrogen fertilizers in the form of ammonium nitrate and complex organomineral fertilizers on the yield and quality of durum wheat. Field experiments were conducted in 2016-2018 in the Foothill-steppe zone of Crimea. It was found that the highest yield of winter durum wheat (52.3 C / ha) with a gluten content of 28.70% and protein of 15.56% is formed when n 60+60 is applied. The most effective complex organomineral fertilizers are Aminokat, Microkart, Atlante, foliar treatment of which contributes to the production of grain yield of 38.65-39.85 C / ha with high-quality indicators: gluten content-22.85-25.12%, protein content-12.52-13.20%.

Modeling high-resolution climate change impacts on wheat and maize in Italy

The Mediterranean basin has been identified as a prominent hotspot of climate change, with expected negative impacts on crop productivity, among others. Given the primary role that agriculture has to sustain cultural values, economic opportunities, and food security, it is crucial to identify specific risks in agriculture due to climate change, which can address more effective adaptation strategies and policies to cope with climate change. This study aims to evaluate the high-resolution impacts of climate change on the length of the growing cycle and yield of durum wheat, common wheat, and maize in Italy by using the CERES-Wheat and CERES-Maize crop models implemented in the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) software. A digital platform (GIS-DSSAT) was developed to couple crop simulation models with dynamically downscaled climate projections at high resolution for Italy, which can better represent the Italian landscape complexity and the spatial distribution of different pedological and crop management features, providing more detailed information on the expected impacts on crops respect to previous studies at a coarser resolution. The projections have been extended for two climate change scenarios and accounting for uncertainty, either considering or not the potential direct effects of increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations ([CO2]). Results show that climate change may affect Italian cereal production in the medium to long term periods. Maize is the main affected crop, with yield reductions homogeneously distributed from North to South Italy. Wheat yield is expected to decrease mainly in southern Italy, while northern Italy may benefit from higher precipitation regimes. Higher levels of atmospheric CO2 concentrations may partially offset the negative impact posed by climate change and increase the benefits in the northern regions, especially for common and durum wheat.