Grain Yield Research Articles

Кластерный анализ в оценке эффективности зернового производства Тюменской области

Abstract. In recent years, there has been stable production of grain industry products in volumes that meet the needs of the Tyumen region and allow the sale of products outside the region. The article is devoted to the study of territorial differentiation of the production of grain and leguminous crops in the Tyumen region. The purpose of the study is to assess the efficiency of grain production in the context of municipalities in the south of the Tyumen region and determine the dependence on the level of fertilizer application. Methods. Statistical methods of data processing (analysis of time series, method of variation, method of correlation-regression analysis), as well as cluster analysis using the Ward method, were used for the study. The scientific novelty lies in the fact that municipalities have been clustered and ranked according to a set of parameters characterizing the development of the grain production industry in the Tyumen region. Results. An assessment was made of the scale of industry development for the period from 2018 to 2022, quantitative and qualitative indicators were considered: the size of sown areas, gross yields, yields of grain and leguminous crops differentiated by municipal areas. An assessment was made of the dynamics of development of the grain production industry, trends of changes over 5 years, parameters of the influence and dependence of the yield of grain and leguminous crops on the level of fertilizer application were identified, clusters were identified that reflect the differentiation of municipal areas in grain production.

Combined Application of Herbicide and Aqueous Extract of Sorghum and Mustard Crop Residue Enhance Weed Management and Yield of Wheat

The rising costs in agriculture and growing public concern over herbicide use have emphasized the need for non-chemical weed control methods. To evaluate the impact of aqueous extracts from sorghum and mustard crop residues on weed control and wheat crop performance, an experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory (AFL) of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh, from November, 2021, to March 2022. The study involved three wheat varieties (BARI Gom-32, BARI Gom-33, and BWMRI Gom-1) and six treatment levels: no weeding, the recommended dose of herbicide (RDH), 80% RDH + aqueous extract of mustard + sorghum (AEMS) (1:20 ratio w/v), 70% RDH + AEMS (1:20), 60% RDH + AEMS (1:20), and 50% RDH + AEMS (1:20). The experiment was designed using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results demonstrated that the aqueous extracts significantly reduced weed population (WP) and dry weight (DW) of weeds. Among the wheat varieties, BARI Gom-32 achieved the highest grain yield (GY) (3.62 t ha-1) and other yield-contributing traits. The highest numbers of effective tillers (NET) per hill (4.56), numbers of grains per spike (NGS) (34.57), 1000 grain weight (TGW) (57.81 g), GY (4.09 t ha-1), straw yield (SY) (6.05 t ha-1), and biological yield (BY) (10.14 t ha-1) were observed in the RDH treatment, followed by the combined application of 80% RDH and AEMS crop residue (1:20). These findings suggest that AEMS crop residue extracts could be an effective source for suppressing weed population and enhancing yield.

Genetic variation and association of yield, yield components, and carbon storage in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench) genotypes

Trait heritability and the response to selection depend on genetic variation, a prerequisite to developing sorghum varieties with desirable agronomic traits and high carbon sequestration for sustainable crop production and soil health. The present study aimed to assess the extent of genetic variability and associations among agronomic and carbon storage traits in selected sorghum genotypes to identify the best candidates for production or breeding. Fifty genotypes were evaluated at Ukulinga, Bethlehem and Silverton sites in South Africa during the 2022/23 growing season. The following agronomic and carbon storage traits were collected: days to 50% heading (DTH), days to 50% maturity (DTM), plant height (PH), total plant biomass (PB), shoot biomass (SB), root biomass (RB), root-to-shoot biomass ratio (RS), grain yield (GY), harvest index (HI), shoot carbon content (SCc), root carbon content (RCc), grain carbon content (GCc), total plant carbon stock (PCs), shoot carbon stock (SCs), root carbon stock (RCs), and root-to-shoot carbon stock ratio (RCs/SCs), and grain carbon stock (GCs). Higher genotypic coefficient of variations (GCVs) were recorded for GY at 45.92%, RB (39.24%), RCs/SCs (38.45), and RCs (34.62). Higher phenotypic coefficient of variations (PCVs) were recorded for PH (68.91%), followed by GY (51.8%), RB (50.51%), RS (41.96%), RCs/SCs (44.90%), and GCs (41.90%). High broad-sense heritability and genetic advance were recorded for HI (83.76 and 24.53%), GY (78.59 and 9.98%), PB (74.14 and 13.18%) and PCs (53.63 and 37.57%), respectively, suggesting a marked genetic contribution to the traits. Grain yield exhibited positive association with HI (r = 0.76; r = 0.79), DTH (r = 0.13; r = 0.31), PH (r = 0.1; r = 0.27), PB (r = 0.01; r = 0.02), RB (r = 0.05; r = 0.06) based on genotypic and phenotypic correlations, respectively. Further, the path analysis revealed significant positive direct effects of SB (0.607) and RB (0.456) on GY. The RS exerted a positive and significant indirect effect (0.229) on grain yield through SB. The study revealed that PB, SB, RB, RS, RCs, and RCs/SCs are the principal traits when selecting sorghum genotypes with high yield and carbon storage capacity.

Determination of the Relationship of Harmonization Ratio and Some Yield Characteristics with Grain Yield in Barley

In this study, it was aimed to calculate the harmonization ratio before and after the flowering period (GFPtt/VPtt) in barley depending on thermal times, to determine the vegetative period (VP) and grain filling period (GFP) values for higher grain yield (GY) capacity and the possibility of using these qualities as adaptation and selection criteria and to determine the relationship between HR and GY calculated according to phenological periods depending on thermal times under Kahramanmaraş conditions. The experiments were carried out in Kahramanmaraş, located in the Eastern Mediterranean Region of Turkey, between 2014 and 2016 under the conditions of 9 genotypes for 2 successive years according to the randomized completed block design with 3 replicates. Phenological traits such as VP, GFP, GY and days to maturity (DM) were measured in relation to thermal times. According to the results, genotypes were found to be significantly different in terms of harmonization ratio in barley. Considering the two-year averages, the highest grain yields were determined as Samyeli (534.3 kg da-1) and Şahin-91 (532.8 kg da-1). The lowest grain yields were determined as Kendal (404.9 kg da-1) and Sur-93 (416.9 kg da-1). According to the results, barley genotypes were found to be significantly different in terms of harmonization ratio. The highest harmonization ratios were determined as Samyeli (0.753) and Kendal (0.672), the lowest harmonization ratios were determined as Şahin-91 (0.486) and Athena*Yabani (0.558). Although there was a general relationship between grain yield and harmonization ratio, some genotypes had values outside this trend.

Comparative assessment of the yield of green mass and grain of corn hybrids in the conditions of the Central Regions of Russia

Comparative assessment of the yield of green mass and grain of corn hybrids in the conditions of the Central Regions of Russia

Maize breeding effects on grain yield genetic progress and its contribution to global yield gain in Argentina

Context or problemMaize production in Argentina has increased in recent years, following the global gain (GG) in grain yield (GY). The GG in GY depends on genetic progress (GP), which requires frequent quantification to detect potential plateaus and variations in its contribution to the GG. In this sense, hybrid adoption in Argentina shifted from double- and three-way to single cross (F1) hybrids in the 1990s, thereby increasing the level of heterosis of released hybrids. Since heterosis increase may have had a greater impact on estimates of maize GG than those based on a single cross type, GP based exclusively on F1 hybrids and its contribution to GG could be lower than that including different types of crosses. Objective or research questionThe main objectives of this work were to (i) analyze grain yield GP, (ii) dissect grain yield GP into the corresponding trends in its physiological determinants and numerical components, and (iii) estimate the relative contribution of GP to GG in the main maize producing region of Argentina for the period marked by significant changes in heterosis level (i.e. from 1960s to 1990s) and the period of massive adoption of F1 hybrids (from 1990s onwards). MethodsWe used a dataset obtained at the core of the mentioned region (INTA Pergamino; 33°56’S, 60°34’W) from era-decade experiments (ERA) including 24 hybrids released between 1965 and 2016 and grown with no abiotic or biotic restrictions. We quantified GY, its numeric components (KN: kernel number m−2, KW: individual kernel weight) and its physiological determinants (BT: total shoot biomass at maturity, HI: harvest index). ResultsA GP of 0.84 % y−1 was computed for GY from 1965 to 1993, and of 0.51 % y−1 thereafter. We also detected genetic progress for KN (0.53 % y−1) and BT (0.26 % y−1) but not for KW. A GP of 0.66 % y−1 was computed for HI up to 1993, which plateaued thereafter. A 40 % contribution of GP to GG was estimated for the Pergamino site from 1965 to 1993, predominantly driven by changes in heterosis level. The contribution dropped to 32 % from 1993 onwards, when F1 hybrids were massively adopted by the farmers. This contribution was much smaller (e.g. 19 %) in areas less representative of the target population of environments of dominant breeding programs. ConclusionsOur findings underline that the relative contribution of GP to GY improvement at the regional level varies markedly depending upon the period included in the analysis and the environment used for evaluation. The decline observed at less representative locations of the main target population of environments may guide breeders in their decision for developing new programs.

Influence of sowing dates and fertilisation on yield and quality of winter wheat grain

New wheat varieties exhibit a high adaptive potential for productivity. The question of improving cultivation technologies, specifically sowing dates, optimised fertilisation systems, and micronutrient application, remains relevant to fully realise the genetic potential of these varieties under specific soil and climatic conditions. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of sowing dates, fertilisation, and foliar application of micronutrients on the yield and quality parameters of winter wheat grown in the Western Forest-Steppe zone. A field experiment was conducted on grey forest surface-gleyed soils during 2021-2023. The study evaluated the yield formation parameters and quality indicators of the winter wheat varieties Estafeta myronivska, Dovira odeska, and Akhim under sowing dates of 20 September, 5 October, and 20 October. It was determined that the yield and grain quality of the studied wheat varieties varied under the influence of sowing dates, fertilisation, and foliar micronutrient application. Sowing winter wheat on 5 October resulted in the highest yields over the years of the study: on average, 5.29 t/ha for the Estafeta myronivska, 4.78 t/ha for Dovira odeska, and 5.05 t/ha for Akhim. The highest productivity (5.83 t/ ha) was achieved by sowing Estafeta myronivska with N120P90K90 fertilisation and foliar application of the Aidamin complex. Across all wheat varieties, protein content, gluten content, and vitreousness increased from the earliest to the latest sowing dates. The findings of this study can be applied to enhance the productivity of winter wheat agroecosystems and produce high-quality grain under production conditions

Determination of threshold crop water stress index for sub-surface drip irrigated maize-wheat cropping sequence in semi-arid region of Punjab

A thorough understanding of how crops respond to water stress is essential for effective irrigation management under changing climate conditions and declining water resources. Amongst the various methods of irrigation, crop water stress index (CWSI)-based irrigation is popular due to its non-invasive techniques that require less data and can precisely indicate the severity of crop water deficiency. The present study focuses on establishing the upper- and lower-baselines of canopy-air temperature difference (Tc-Ta) for the estimation of the CWSI and to determine the CWSI threshold for maize and wheat crops. The upper- and lower-baseline of (Tc-Ta) was established using the relationship between (Tc-Ta) and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) for different irrigation treatments such as 60 %ETc, 70 %ETc, 80 %ETc, 90 %ETc, and 100 %ETc with irrigation interval of 1-day, 2-days, and 3-days. The study showed that the baselines varied with the growth stages of the crop and with irrigation treatments and reached the maximum in Anthesis and Silking growth stage for wheat and maize, respectively. The threshold of CWSI was estimated by developing a relationship between the normalized values of grain yield (GY) and irrigation water productivity (WPI). For the Rabi wheat, a quadratic correlation was identified between CWSI and WPI (r2 = 0.89), and GY (r2 = 0.93). Similarly, for Kharif maize, a quadratic relationship was noted between CWSI and both WPI (r2 = 0.75) and GY (r2 = 0.85). From the study, it was found that the CWSI thresholds of Rabi wheat and Kharif maize are 0.29 and 0.31, respectively. Based on the study, it can be concluded that by utilizing the thresholds for a winter wheat-summer maize cropping system, high GY and WPI can be achieved.

Efficiency of foliar additional fertilizing of corn at different periods of application

The studies were carried out on ordinary carbonate chernozem in the zone of sufficient moistening in the Stavropol region in 2021–2023. The effectiveness of foliar additional fertilizing with fertilizer Batr Zinc (1.0 l/ha) was studied on corn hybrids Mashuk 220 MV and Mashuk 355 MV in the 5 and 8 leaves phases. Additional fertilizing was carried out on a background without any mineral fertilizing, as well as backgrounds of nitrogen (N30) and complete mineral fertilizing (N30P30K30). Data were obtained on the terms influence of foliar additional fertilizing with fertilizer Batr Zinc on the corn plants height, the yield of green mass and grain, and crop structure elements. Foliar additional fertilizing of corn in 5 or 8 leaves phases with fertilizer Batr Zinc at a dose of 1.0 l/ha had a positive effect on plants growth. Without the use of mineral fertilizers in the flowering phase, the plants height of the hybrid Mashuk 220 MV increased on average for 2021–2023 by 14 and 16 cm, hybrid Mashuk 355 MV – by 17 and 23 cm. On average, over 3 years without the use of mineral fertilizers, corn fertilizing in the phases of 5 or 8 leaves with fertilizer Batr Zinc increased the yield of green mass of the hybrid Mashuk 220 MV by 5.2 and 6.0 t/ha (15.1 and 17. 4 %), hybrid Mashuk 355 MV – by 7.7 and 6.8 t/ha (23.2 and 20.5 %). Depending on the fertilizing terms, the grain yield of the hybrid Mashuk 220 MV increased by 0.59 and 0.63 t/ha (9.2 and 9.9 %), of the hybrid Mashuk 355 MV – by 0.83 and 0.74 t/ha (12.9 and 11.5 %). There was no significant difference in the yield of green mass and grain between the fertilizing terms. Against the background of mineral fertilizers, foliar additional fertilizing with the agrochemical Batr Zinc was ineffective.

Viability and agronomic efficiency of using Bacillus licheniformis to complement nitrogen fertilization and pre-treatment and storage of mayze seeds

The objective of the study was to evaluate the agronomic efficiency and viability of using the bacteria Bacillus licheniformis to complement nitrogen fertilization in top dressing and in the pre-treatment and storage of maze seeds. The study was conducted in the municipalities of Candói- PR and Lapa-PR (phase 1) and in the municipalities of Serranópolis do Iguaçu–PR and São Miguel do Iguaçu (phase 2). Inoculation with Bacillus licheniformis presents agronomic efficiency similar to nitrogen control and inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense during the harvest period. Inoculation with Bacillus licheniformis 90 days before sowing is capable of reducing the application of N-fertilizer by 25% without compromising the yield of maze grains in the second harvest period.

Эффективность использования куриного помета при выращивании зерна озимой пшеницы

In this paper, the possibility and effectiveness of using chicken manure as an organic fertilizer "Soil improver (UP-1)" is studied. "Soil improver (UP-1)" was obtained by adding the plant growth regulator "Mephosphone" to chicken manure. The drug "Mephosphone" is intended for the cultivation of grain crops, as well as the production of organic products. Experimentally, the prospects of using the drug "Mephosphone" to accelerate the processing of organic waste have been revealed. As a result of the research, field data were obtained on the cultivation of winter wheat of the Kazanskaya 560 Elite variety in the fields of JSC Agrofirma Ak Bars - Pestretsy. The introduction of chicken manure - "Soil improver (UP-1)", treated with the drug "Mephosphone" was carried out according to the described method. The local variety of winter wheat "Kazanskaya 560" Elite with a seeding rate of 280 kg/ha was used as an experimental crop. The predecessor was perennial herbs. Before the experiment and after harvesting, soil was selected for analysis from both experimental fields with an area of 300 hectares from 6 random plots at a layer depth of 0-20 cm. As a result of field tests, an increase in the yield of grain of the Kazanskaya 560 Elite variety was recorded when applying chicken manure. In the experimental plots, the yield was 33.5 and 36.0 c/ha. The grown grain with the use of chicken manure treated with the preparation "Mephosphone" meets the basic quality requirements and is practically not inferior to the grain of the control group, which allows it to be freely used for processing into flour of proper quality. Analysis of the indicators of experimental soil samples shows that they do not exceed the requirements of scientific and technical documentation. Thus, the resulting soil is safe for humans and agricultural production. The proposed technology for processing poultry waste will improve the environmental situation around modern poultry farms, reduce the use of unprocessed chicken manure as fertilizers, replacing it with higher-quality and environmentally friendly organic fertilizers formed as a result of anaerobic disposal of manure.

Influence of Selenium on the Yield and Content of the Amino Acid Composition of Spring Wheat Grain under Optimal Conditions of Water Supply and during Drought

In model experiments in soil culture, the effect of various methods of applying sodium selenite on the formation of yield and amino acid composition of grain varieties of spring wheat Zlata and Ester, depending on water supply conditions, was studied. Sodium selenite was introduced by pre-sowing seed treatment and leaf treatment of vegetative plants. The study simulated optimal water supply conditions and soil moisture deficiency during the critical period of plant growth. The role of selenium in the regulation of the production process and the formation of the amino acid composition of spring wheat grain was studied. It was found that the production process of wheat plants, both under optimal water supply and in drought conditions, depended on the method of application of selenium and the varietal characteristics of spring wheat. The results allowed us to assume that selenium activated the attenuating ability of the ear by enhancing its acceptor properties. Under these conditions, the grains were better provided with assimilates. this made it possible to form the maximum possible yield of wheat grain. In conditions of drought, during leaf treatment of plants with sodium selenite, favorable conditions were created for the formation of reproductive organs of wheat, which stimulated the restoration of the processes of assimilate outflow from the vegetative mass into the forming grains. This made it possible to influence production processes and reduce the depression of wheat crop formation. The use of selenium revealed an increase in the total content of key amino acids, which had a significant effect on the antioxidant status of plants and contributed to the realization of their adaptive potential. The positive effect of selenium on the content of a number of amino acids, including on the assimilation of methionine, was revealed, which was probably due to the synthesis of selenomethionine, since the ways of their formation are similar and it is not possible to separate them. The greatest effect of selenium was observed in the cultivation of wheat of the Zlata variety compared with wheat of the Ester variety, which was determined by varietal differences inherent genetically and the unequal protein content in the grain.

Effectiveness of LongActing Urea in the Growing of Spring Wheat

spring wheat crop was studied. It was shown that encapsulated urea, in comparison with its usual form, provided an increase in the yield of spring wheat grain by 9–13%. The coating of urea granules with calcium dihydrogen phosphate contributed to a more uniform release of fertilizer nitrogen, increasing the efficiency of its use by plants by 10–13%. It was found that the effectiveness of encapsulated urea is directly dependent on the thickness of the coating granules.

Effects of Nitrogen Accumulation, Transportation, and Grain Nutritional Quality and Advances in Fungal Endophyte Research in Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) Plants.

This study aims to understand the influence of nitrogen accumulation, fungal endophyte, yield, nitrogen use efficiency, and grain nutritional quality parameters on the yield of quinoa in some areas of China. The endophytic microbial community in plants plays a crucial role in plant growth, development, and health, especially in quinoa plants under different nitrogen fertilizer levels. The results from the present study indicated that appropriate nitrogen application significantly enhanced the nitrogen accumulation and yield of quinoa grains during maturity, increasing by 34.54-42.18% and 14.59-30.71%, respectively. Concurrently, protein content, amylose, total starch, ash, and fat content also increased, with respective growth rates of 1.15-18.18%, 30.74-42.53%, 6.40-12.40%, 1.94-21.94%, and 5.32-22.22%. Our constructed interaction network of bacterial and fungal communities revealed that bacteria outnumbered fungi significantly, and most of them exhibited synergistic interactions. The moderate increase in N150 was beneficial for increasing quinoa yield, achieving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of over 20%. The N210 was increased, and both the yield and NUE significantly decreased. This study provides novel insights into the impact of nitrogen fertilizer on quinoa growth and microbial communities, which are crucial for achieving agricultural sustainable development.

Genetic analysis of popping quality traits and development of superior quality popcorn hybrids for a sustainable popcorn breeding program in India.

Popcorn is the most popular specialty maize and it makes a significant contribution to the Indian and global economies. Despite perfect exploration of heterosis in field corn, progress in popcorn breeding remains constrained due to its narrow genetic base, leading to a significant dependence on imports. In this study, 15 landrace- and population-derived inbreds from temperate and tropical germplasm were crossed with five testers, which are the parents of superior popcorn hybrids, in a line × tester mating design. Significant variation was observed in popping quality and agronomic traits among crosses evaluated across three locations representing diverse maize-based agro-climatic zones in India. Additive genetic variance governed the traits related to popping quality, whereas dominance variance was responsible for the agronomic traits. In addition to significant heterosis specific to certain traits, we identified promising crosses that exhibited superior performance in both popping quality and grain yield (GY). The genotype + genotype × environment (GGE) biplot methodology identified PMI-PC-104 and PMI-PC-101 as the best discriminating testers for popping quality traits and Dpcl-15-90 for GY. Lines PMI-PC-205, PMI-PC-207, and PMI-PC-209 were the best general combiners for popping quality traits and GY. The heterotic groups identified based on GGE-biplots and the magnitude, direction and stability of combining ability effects would serve in the development of competitive popcorn hybrids for a sustainable popcorn market. Using the additive nature of popping quality traits and the dominant nature of GY, recurrent intrapopulation selection can be employed to derive desirable popping quality inbreds with high GY for genetic enhancement. Desirable popping quality alleles from novel germplasm can thus be combined with high-yielding domestic elite inbreds to establish a sustainable popcorn breeding program. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Zinc foliar application may alleviate drought stress in wheat species through physiological changes

Drought is the greatest threat to food security in the climate change scenario, which affects crop plants' growth and development by disturbing the plant's physiological and biochemical processes. Zinc (Zn) is an essential micronutrient in many metabolic processes and may improve plant tolerance to water deficit conditions besides its nutritional value.This study investigated the reaction of several wheat species with different ploidy levels to foliar Zn application under water stress. Water stress significantly reduced grain yield (GY), leaf relative water contents (RWC), chlorophyll (Chla and Chlb), and carotenoid (Car) contents. Water stress also impacted several other physiological characteristics by increasing leaf hydrogen peroxide (HP), free proline (Prl), malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, soluble protein (PC), sodium content (Na+), and antioxidant enzymes, including peroxidase (Pox), ascorbate peroxidase (Aes) and catalase (Cat). Remarkably, the Zn application alleviated yield reduction caused by water stress. Moreover, the Zn application increased grains' Zn, potassium content (K+), and K+/Na+ ratio, RWC, Chl, Car contents, Pox, Aes, and Cat activities while significantly reducing MDA, HP, and Na+ contents compared with the control treatment. Pox, Aes, and Cat activities increased to higher concentrations in 6x and 4x than in 2x, indicating that the 6x and 4x species responded better to water stress. Wild and landrace varieties of 4x, such as T. dicoccum, T. ispahanicum, and T. dicoccoides, showed better water stress tolerance than the landrace varieties of 2x and 6x species. These species may be a valuable genetic source for improving modern bread and durum wheat to water stress.

Spelt in Diversified and Spelt-Based Crop Rotations: Grain Yield and Technological and Nutritional Quality

A properly designed crop rotation contributes to the equilibrium of the agro-ecosystem and the volume and quality of the yield. The cultivation of spelt in crop rotations enriches its biodiversity and provides grains with many different types of nutritional value. The aim of this current study was to investigate how the distribution of winter spelt in different positions and after different forecrops in four-field crop rotations would affect the technological quality of the grain, the nutrient content of the grain, and the grain yield. A 6-year field experiment, designed in a randomised block, was conducted from 2012 to 2018 in north-eastern Poland (53°35′47″ N, 19°51′20″ E). This study provides the results from a 6-year (2013–2018) field experiment. The spelt was cultivated in four crop rotations: CR1—winter rape + catch crop (blue tansy), spring barley, field pea and winter spelt; CR2,—winter rape, winter spelt + catch crop (blue tansy), field pea and winter spelt; CR3—winter rape + catch crop (blue tansy), field pea, winter spelt and winter spelt; and CR4—winter rape, winter spelt + catch crop (blue tansy), spring barley and winter spelt. This study evaluated grain yield and the following grain parameters: the total protein, wet gluten and starch contents, the Zeleny index, the falling number, the weight of 1000 grains, the N, P, K, Mg, Ca, Cu, Fe, Zn and Mn contents, and the grain yield. The results were assessed at the significance level p < 0.05. It was demonstrated that the cultivation of spelt in all four crop rotations after winter rape and after field pea was characterised by higher protein and wet gluten contents, Zeleny index value and falling number, a greater weight of 1000 grains, higher N, P, Fe and Zn contents, and greater grain yield than those harvested from the crop rotations CR3 and CR4 after spelt and after barley. It was demonstrated that the cultivation of spelt in crop rotations CR3 and CR4, in succession after spelt and after barley, caused deterioration in grain quality (lower protein and gluten contents, a lower Zeleny index value, a lower falling number, and a smaller weight of 1000 grains, and the N, P, Fe and Zn contents). In addition, a smaller grain yield was obtained from these crop rotation fields. Regardless of the type of crop rotation, the cultivation of spelt after winter rape and after pea produced a high yield and a good quality yield of this cereal. Due to the lower yield of grain and its lower quality, it is not recommended that winter spelt is grown after each other or after spring barley.

Drip Fertigation Increases Maize Grain Yield by Affecting Phenology, Grain Filling Process, Biomass Accumulation and Translocation: A 4-Year Field Trial.

Drip fertigation (DF) is a widely used technology to increase grain yield with water and fertilizer conservation. However, the mechanism of high grain yield (GY) under DF is still unclear. Here, a four-year field experiment assessed the impacts of four treatments (i.e., conventional irrigation and nitrogen application, CK; drip irrigation with conventional nitrogen fertilization, DI; split-nitrogen fertigation with conventional irrigation, SF; and drip fertigation, DF) on maize phenology, leaf photosynthetic rates, grain filling processes, plant biomass, and GY. The results showed that DF significantly increased maize GY by affecting phenology, grain filling traits, aboveground biomass (BIO) accumulation, and translocation. Specifically, DF significantly increased leaf chlorophyll content, which enhanced leaf photosynthetic rates, and together with an increase of leaf area index, promoted BIO accumulation. As a result, the BIO at the silking stage of DF increased by 29.5%, transported biomass increased by 109.2% (1.2 t ha-1), and the accumulation of BIO after silking increased by 23.1% (1.7 t ha-1) compared with CK. Meanwhile, DF prolonged grain filling days, significantly increased the grain weight of 100 kernels, and promoted GY increase. Compared with CK, the four-year averaged GY and BIO increased by 34.3% and 26.8% under DF; a 29.7%, 46.1%, and 24.2% GY increase and a 30.7%, 39.5%, and 29.9% BIO increase were contributed by irrigation, nitrogen, and coupling effects of irrigation and nitrogen, respectively. These results reveal the high yield mechanism of drip-fertigated maize, and are of important significance for promoting the application of drip fertigation.

Gene action and heterosis studies for grain Fe and Zn content in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Development of rice genotypes possessing high yielding potential; with increased grain iron content is the need of the hour to tackle hidden hunger. Considering the above said fact, genetical analysis was conducted in six improved cultivars along with 15 potential crosses thereof. Analysis of variance for combining ability revealed significant differences in GCA and SCA variances for grain yield as well as for iron and zinc content, indicating the possibility of realization of development of iron fortified varieties with higher yielding potential. The preponderance of additive gene action for these two important characters i.e., iron and zinc content indicate that selection will be highly rewarding for genetic improvement pertaining to these two traits. The genotype Gouri was found to be very good combiner for both grain yield (0.93) and iron content of grain (2.04). Similarly, genotype Sebati was found as a very good combiner for both grain yield (0.13) and zinc content of grain (0.65). Some of the superior crosses identified concerning both grain yield and grain iron content were Birupa / Pradeep, Sebati / Gouri, Sebati / Pratap, Gouri / Pradeep and Pratap / Pradeep. Hence, these specific crosses can be used in further breeding programme for the improvement of both grain yield as well as grain iron content. The crosses viz., Bhanja / Pratap and Bhanja / Sebati were found to be superior crosses for both grain yield and grain zinc content.

Evaluation of Balanced Fertilizer Types and Validation of Soil Fertility Map-Based Fertilizer Recommendation for Bread Wheat Production in Bale Highland Southeastern Ethiopia

The optimal and appropriate fertilizer recommendation packages for all crops considering the improvement in productivity of small-scale farmers in the country. To evaluate the impact of blended fertilizer on wheat output, a field experiment using a five-treatment, three-replicate RCBD design was carried out during the 2020–2023 cropping season at Bale Highland southeastern Ethiopia to evaluate balanced fertilizer types and validation of soil fertility map-based fertilizer recommendation for Bread Wheat production The treatment 1Control (without fertilizer)2 (100 kg/ha-1 Urea )3 (100 kg /ha-1 NPS plus 100 kg of urea)4(100 kg /ha-1 NPSB plus 100 kg of urea) 5(100 kg /ha-1 NPSZnB plus 100 kg of urea). The plot size was 3m by 3 m (9 m2) and the spacing between plots and blocks was 1m and 1m, respectively in comparison to the control, The application of 100 kg ha-1 NPSZnB + 100 kg ha-1 urea in Bale Highland produced the highest and most significant yields of grains (5257.51 kg ha-1) the least amount of grain (3006.51 kg ha-1) in Bale Highland at the same time. To improve the production of wheat in the study area, farmers in Bale Highland must apply NPSZnB, with a similar agroecology.