Stem Yield Research Articles

STRAIN PRODUCTION IN INDUSTRIAL HEMP GENOTYPES – COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

The study evaluated the stem production of ten fiber hemp genotypes. The research was conducted within the ARDS Lovrin. The field experiments were located on a chernozem soil, of medium fertility. The fiber hemp genotypes were designated with numerical codes, 721 to 730. Each genotype was cultivated in replicates. The comparative crop was under non-irrigated conditions. The plants samples were harvested within each variant, and according to the experimental protocol they were left to dry on the ground for a few days, placed "in scissors". After drying and shaking off the leaves, the stems were weighed. The stem yield (Y) varied between Y = 8800±260.58 kg ha-1 (genotype 724) and Y = 11236±260.58 kg ha-1 (genotype 728). The analysis of the results was done in relation to genotype 721 (control), as well as in relation to the mean value of the experiment (Y_m). Compared to the control variant (genotype 721, Y = 9840.00±260.58 kg ha-1), genotype 728 (***), genotype 730 (**) and genotype 722 (*) showed positive differences, according to LSD. Compared to the mean of the experiment (Y_m = 9861.40 kg ha-1) genotype 728 showed positive differences at the p<0.001 level (***), and genotypes 722 and 730 at the p<0.01 level (**). The yield increase for stem production, compared to the mean value of the experiment, was at the level of DY = 960.60 kg ha-1 (genotype 722), DY = 983.60 kg ha-1 (genotype 730), and DY = 1374.6 kg ha-1 (genotype 728), respectively. Cluster analysis facilitated the grouping of genotypes based on Euclidean distances (Coph.corr. = 0.910). The recorded results highlighted genotypes with advantages in stem production, important for the hemp fiber breeding program.

Pressurized liquid extraction followed by high-performance liquid chromatography for determination of beta-ecdysone extracted from Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng.) Pedersen

Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng.) Pedersen has among its main bioactive compounds saponins, with the phytoestroid β-ecdysone as its chemical marker. In this study, pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), a green extraction technique used to obtain bioactive compounds from plants, was employed to extract beta-ecdysone from P. glomerata leaves, stems, and roots. The 22 factorial design was used with the variables temperature (333 K and 353 K) and flow rate (1.5 and 2 mL min−1), pressure (300 Bar), time (60 min), and solvent [ethanol and distilled water (70:30 (v/v)] were kept constant for all parts of the plant. The results of experimental responses demonstrated that the factors temperature and flow rate significantly interfere with the yields of leaf (0.499%), root (0.65%) and stem (0.764%) extracts. The latter presented presents the highest yield compared to the other parts of the plant. HPLC results showed the presence of beta-ecdysone in all parts of the plant with concentrations of β-ecdysone 86.82, 76.53 and 195.86 mg L−1 to leaf, root and stem, respectively. FT Raman results exhibited typical peaks of beta-ecdysone, such as 3310 cm−1, 1654 cm−1, and 1073 cm−1 for all plant parts. Another interesting result was the presence of the peak at 1460 cm−1 in the PLE root extract can be associated with selenium. This foundational knowledge confirms that the PLE extraction process was efficient in obtaining the chemical marker of Pfaffia glomerata in all plant parts.

Impact of Fertilization on the Profitability and Yield Of Statice (Limonium sinuatum L.) Cut Flower Production under Ratoon Cropping System

Annual statice (Limonium Sinuatum L.) can produce two harvests of the quality crop in one cropping season with proper nutrition management. The effect of fertilization on yield and profitability of statice ratoon system has not been reported yet. Hence, the present study addresses the impact of fertilization on increased production potential and profitability of statice ratoon system. Results of the experiment reveal that the overall cost of cultivation as well as the economics of statice flower production under the ratoon cropping system was significantly influenced by fertilizer management in the main crop. An increase in dose of NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium) fertilizer increases the yield and quality of main as well as ratoon crop. The stem length and number of marketable flowers in ratoon crops increase with optimum dose of fertilizer application. The increase in yield and quality of ratoon crop ultimately lead to an increase in net income. Maximum net returns (₹ 6066612.17) and benefit-cost ratio (14.60:1) per hectare area were obtained from the same treatment while lowest (10.60:1) was observed with 100:75:50 kg/ha NPK. Hence, a fertilizer dose of 150:125:75 kg/ha NPK may be adopted to produce the maximum yield of quality cut flower stem of statice under ratoon cropping system which will result in getting maximum returns.

Spacing, Fertilizer and PGPR on Yield and Nutrient Uptake in Industrial Hemp (Cannabis sativa ssp. sativa) and Chemical Properties of Soil

A field experiment was conducted to assess the influence of spacing, fertilizer levels and PGPR on yield and primary nutrients accumulation in different parts of industrial hemp and on chemical properties of soil. The experiment was laid out in Factorial Randomized Complete Block Design, spacing and fertilizers levels with or without PGPR were the factors. The results revealed, plants spaced at 15cm × 10cm registered significant yield of leaves, stems and roots (7.84, 9.80 and 4.20 t ha-1 respectively). The uptake of nitrogen and potassium (450.32 and 159.13 kg ha-1 respectively) was highest in this spacing, while, the phosphorous uptake (75.74 kg ha-1) was maximum in 10cm × 5cm spacing. Among nutrition, 125 percent RDF plus PGPR recorded a significant yield of stem and seed, also, this treatment resulted in maximum uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus (440.33 and 72.58 kg ha-1 respectively) by the plants. It can be inferred that spacing of 15cm × 10cm and application of 10 tonnes FYM with 250:125:250 kg N, P2O5, K2O ha-1 (125% RDF) plus PGPR consortia (Azospirillum brasilense, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus megaterium @ 5kg each) was found to be optimum to produce higher yields.

Optimization of the selection of suitable harvesting periods for medicinal plants: taking Dendrobium officinale as an example

BackgroundDendrobium officinale is a medicinal plant with high commercial value. The Dendrobium officinale market in Yunnan is affected by the standardization of medicinal material quality control and the increase in market demand, mainly due to the inappropriate harvest time, which puts it under increasing resource pressure. In this study, considering the high polysaccharide content of Dendrobium leaves and its contribution to today’s medical industry, (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer) FTIR combined with chemometrics was used to combine the yields of both stem and leaf parts of Dendrobium officinale to identify the different harvesting periods and to predict the dry matter content for the selection of the optimal harvesting period.ResultsThe Three-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (3DCOS) images of Dendrobium stems to build a (Split-Attention Networks) ResNet model can identify different harvesting periods 100%, which is 90% faster than (Support Vector Machine) SVM, and provides a scientific basis for modeling a large number of samples. The (Partial Least Squares Regression) PLSR model based on MSC preprocessing can predict the dry matter content of Dendrobium stems with Factor = 7, RMSE = 0.47, R2 = 0.99, RPD = 8.79; the PLSR model based on SG preprocessing can predict the dry matter content of Dendrobium leaves with Factor = 9, RMSE = 0.2, R2 = 0.99, RPD = 9.55.ConclusionsThese results show that the ResNet model possesses a fast and accurate recognition ability, and at the same time can provide a scientific basis for the processing of a large number of sample data; the PLSR model with MSC and SG preprocessing can predict the dry matter content of Dendrobium stems and leaves, respectively; The suitable harvesting period for D. officinale is from November to April of the following year, with the best harvesting period being December. During this period, it is necessary to ensure sufficient water supply between 7:00 and 10:00 every day and to provide a certain degree of light blocking between 14:00 and 17:00.

Impact of Forest Management on Wood Production under Climate Change in the Bonis Catchment

The concept of integrated forest management offers a framework for understanding how forest ecosystem services interact with efforts to conserve natural resources. Forests face various disturbances stemming from human activities, management approaches, and shifts in climate patterns. This study aims to explore how forested watersheds respond to diverse silvicultural practices amidst changing climate conditions. The research is centered in the Bonis catchment, situated in the mountainous region of Sila Greca (latitude 39°25′15″ N, longitude 16°12′38″ W) within Southern Italy’s Calabria region. Nearly 93% of the catchment area is cloaked in a forest dominated by approximately 50-year-old Pinus laricio Poiret stands. To model the catchment’s response to various climate and management scenarios, the FEST-FOREST eco-hydrological model, which is distributed and based on physical principles, has been employed. This model accounts for the dynamic interactions between vegetation and the watershed’s hydrological processes. The monitoring of the basin has been ongoing since 1986, with runoff measurements collected at the catchment outlet using dedicated gauging structures. These data have been utilized to calibrate and validate the model, ensuring its accuracy in simulating future scenarios. These simulation results offer stakeholders some qualitative and scientifically based recommendations for the sustainable management of the catchment. In fact, thinning intensity affects hydrological processes, with a 50% stand density reduction identified as a threshold for significant impact on processes like rainfall partitioning and evapotranspiration. Under heavy thinning scenarios, runoff can change by over 60%, and the impact decreases with larger thinning intervals. Furthermore, different climate scenarios influence stem yield levels, with higher production under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 compared to the base climate scenario. In particular, the RCP 8.5 scenario produces the highest yield due to better forest growth under different climate scenarios. This implies the idea that in regions with a Mediterranean climate and coniferous forests, amidst climate change, meticulous forest management involving precisely calibrated thinning schedules and intensities, tailored to unique biotic and abiotic factors, could potentially enhance carbon sequestration while positively influencing runoff rates.

Yield and nutritive value of Urochloa hybrids at different regrowth ages

Objective: To evaluate the productive behavior of Urochloa hybrids, depending on the regrowth age.
 Design/Methodology/Approach: The study was carried out under rainfed conditions during 2018. The Cayman, Mulato II, Convert 330, Cobra, Camello I, and Camello II hybrids were evaluated based on the regrowth age (2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 weeks). The following variables were evaluated: plant height (PH), total dry matter (TDM) yield, dry matter per leaf (DMl) yield, dry matter per stem (DMs) yield, crude protein content (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). The data obtained were evaluated by means of a randomized complete block design with three repetitions, divided into plots: a large plot for the cultivars and small plot for the regrowth ages.
 Results: The Camello II cultivar obtained the highest TDM yields during the sixth and eighth weeks (4.15 and 6.35 t DM ha-1, respectively); however, during the tenth week, the yield was equal to the yield obtained with the Mulato II and Cayman cultivars (p<0.05). The highest DMl yield was obtained by the Mulato II cultivar during the sixth, eighth, and tenth weeks (3.37, 4.56, and 3.86 t DM ha-1, respectively). The Mulato II cultivar recorded the highest CP values during the second and fourth weeks (158 and 126 g kg-1, respectively); however, the Camello II cultivar obtained the highest CP values during the sixth, eighth, and tenth weeks (99, 95, and 87 g kg-1, respectively). The NDF and ADF values increased as the regrowth age increased: in the tenth week, the Camello II and Cobra cultivars obtained the highest NDF values, while the Camello II cultivar recorded the highest ADF value during the same period.
 Study Limitations/Implications: Urochloa cultivars were developed for their establishment in humid tropical conditions, where their productive performance is greater. However, in dry tropical conditions, the Cayman, Mulato II, and Cobra cultivars have had a better performance than other grasses —such as buffel grass (Pennisetum ciliare), which is used to feed ruminants. In this sense, other Urochloa cultivars (e.g., Camello I and Camello II), which have greater tolerance to droughts, show desirable forage characteristics, such as yield and forage quality.
 Findings/Conclusions: The cultivars with the best productive performance were Camello II, Mulato II, and Cayman.

Effect of organic fertilisers on the yield and quality of giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) in Jharkhand

Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Hook. f. and Thoms. is an important medicinal plant belonging to the family Menispermaceae that is used in Ayurveda to improve the immune system and the body's resistance against infections. The experiment was conducted at the Botanical Garden, PG Department of Botany, Vinoba Bhave University, Hazaribag, to determine the effect of organic fertilisers on the yield of Tinospora cordifolia. The plants of Tinospora cordifolia were planted in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 12 treatments replicated three times. The seedling plant was transplanted in February 2021 on a plot size of 2 m x 2 m with a spacing level of 100 cm x 100 cm. The number of plants in each treatment was four. Farm Yard Manure (FYM), Vermicompost, Sunflower Cake (SC), Mahua Cake (MC), Linseed Cake (LC), Karanj Cake (KC), Mustered Cake (MC), Neem Cake (NC), Azotobactor, and Tricoderma were used as organic fertilisers for application in all treatments. The useful part of this plant is the stem, and the effectiveness of its medicinal value depends upon its thickness. The objective of this research was to find out the effect of organic fertiliser on the yield of Tinospora cordifolia in Jharkhand. Maximum significant stem yield per hectare (16781.00 kg/ha), dry stem yield per hectare (10695.42 kg/ha), and percentage of Giloy-satva (3.71%) were recorded from Treatment-7 (Application of Linseed Cake: 5 t ha-1). Linseed cake is the best organic fertiliser for the cultivation of Giloy. It will be significant to the farmers and medicinal plant growers interested in the commercial cultivation of Tinospora cordifolia in Jharkhand.

ANÁLISIS DEL CRECIMIENTO DE CULTIVARES DE CAÑA DE AZÚCAR A TRAVÉS DE LA EVALUACIÓN DEL RENDIMIENTO Y MATERIA SECA

<p><strong>Background:</strong> The production of aboveground biomass of sugarcane is mainly due to the interactions between edaphic, climatic, and genetic factors. Objective: To evaluate the growth of three sugarcane cultivars through the evaluation of yield and dry matter accumulation, during the template and soca cultivation cycles, in the supply area of the Santa Rosalía de la Chontalpa Sugar Mill. <strong>Methodology:</strong> In the supply area of the Santa Rosalia de la Chontalpa Sugar Mill (ISRCH), Tabasco, an experiment was established under rainfed conditions, during two cycles (plantilla and soca), with three cultivars (MEX69-290, MEX79-431 and CP72-2086), established in a eutric Fluvisol soil. In each plot, five observation sites of 30 x 30 m were set up, in which the production of stems and biomass was determined.<strong> Results:</strong> In the plant cycle, the cane yield at 450 days after sowing (DAS) followed the following order CP72-2086> MEX79-431> MEX69-290 with 144.73, 130.09 and 94.18 t ha<sup>-1</sup>, respectively. On the contrary, in ratoon 360 days after harvest (DAH), MEX69-290 presented higher stem yield. In ratoon cycle, the stems yield decreased 14.5, 30.9 and 32.5% for MEX69-290, MEX79-431 and CP72-2086, respectively, compared to the plant cycle. The maximum absolute growth rate reached by the evaluated cultivars was 187, 192 and 262 kg ha<sup>-1</sup> day<sup>-1</sup> at 210 DAS in the plant cycle and 193, 177 and 151 kg ha<sup>-1</sup> day<sup>-1</sup> at 180 DAH in ratoon cycle for MEX69-290, CP72-2086 and MEX79-431, respectively. <strong>Implications:</strong> This allows knowing the growth rate of sugarcane cultivation in the humid tropics. <strong>Conclusions:</strong> The yield and harvest index of sugarcane varies with respect to the age of the crop (Cycle) and the cultivar.</p>

Evaluation of Bioethanol Yield Potential of Different Sweet Sorghum Cultivars Grown as a Second Crop Under Eastern Mediterranean Conditions

Sweet sorghum has a high potential for bioethanol production due to its high fermentable sugar content and biomass yield. This research was carried out to evaluate bioethanol yield potential of six sweet sorghum cultivars (ICSV 93046, ICSV 700, Black Amber, White African, Gülşeker, and Red’s Red) during summer growing season of 2022 under eastern Mediterranean conditions. Cultivars were significantly differed for brix degree, green herbage yield, juice yield, and juice ethanol yields in the study. ICSV 93046 produced the significantly highest fresh stem yield (58811 kg/ha), juice yield (16105 kg/ha), and juice ethanol yield (1194 L/ha) and followed by ICSV 700. On the other hand, the significantly lowest brix degree (10.5 ◦ Bx) and juice ethanol yield (322 L/ha) were achieved by Gülşeker. These results suggested that ICSV 93046 was the most suitable cultivar to be grown as a second crop for bioethanol production under eastern Mediterranean conditions.

Integrating the Soil Microbiota and Metabolome Reveals the Mechanism through Which Controlled Release Fertilizer Affects Sugarcane Growth.

Root-soil underground interactions mediated by soil microorganisms and metabolites are crucial for fertilizer utilization efficiency and crop growth regulation. This study employed a combined approach of soil microbial community profiling and non-targeted metabolomics to investigate the patterns of root-associated microbial aggregation and the mechanisms associated with metabolites under varying controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) application rates. The experimental treatments included five field application rates of CRF (D1: 675 kg/ha; D15: 1012.5 kg/ha; D2: 1350 kg/ha; D25: 1687.5 kg/ha; and D3: 2025 kg/ha) along with traditional fertilizer as a control (CK: 1687.5 kg/ha). The results indicated that the growth of sugarcane in the field was significantly influenced by the CRF application rate (p < 0.05). Compared with CK, the optimal field application of CRF was observed at D25, resulting in a 16.3% to 53.6% increase in sugarcane yield. Under the condition of reducing fertilizer application by 20%, D2 showed a 13.3% increase in stem yield and a 6.7% increase in sugar production. The bacterial ACE index exhibited significant differences between D25 and D1, while the Chao1 index showed significance among the D25, D1, and CK treatments. The dominant bacterial phyla in sugarcane rhizosphere aggregation included Proteobacteria, Actinobacteriota, and Acidobacteriota. Fungal phyla comprised Rozellomycota, Basidiomycota, and Ascomycota. The annotated metabolic pathways encompassed biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, carbohydrate metabolism, and lipid metabolism. Differential analysis and random forest selection identified distinctive biomarkers including Leotiomycetes, Cercospora, Anaeromyxobacter, isoleucyl-proline, and methylmalonic acid. Redundancy analysis unveiled soil pH, soil organic carbon, and available nitrogen as the primary drivers of microbial communities, while the metabolic profiles were notably influenced by the available potassium and phosphorus. The correlation heatmaps illustrated potential microbial-metabolite regulatory mechanisms under CRF application conditions. These findings underscore the significant potential of CRF in sugarcane field production, laying a theoretical foundation for sustainable development in the sugarcane industry.

Trichoderma harzianum inoculation promotes sweet sorghum growth in the saline soil by modulating rhizosphere available nutrients and bacterial community.

As one of the major abiotic stresses, salinity can affect crop growth and plant productivity worldwide. The inoculation of rhizosphere or endophytic microorganisms can enhance plant tolerance to salt stresses, but the potential mechanism is not clear. In this study, Trichoderma harzianum ST02 was applied on sweet sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] in a field trial to investigate the effects on microbiome community and physiochemical properties in the rhizosphere soil. Compared with the non-inoculated control, Trichoderma inoculation significantly increased the stem yield, plant height, stem diameter, and total sugar content in stem by 35.52%, 32.68%, 32.09%, and 36.82%, respectively. In addition, Trichoderma inoculation improved the nutrient availability (e.g., N, P, and K) and organic matter in the rhizosphere soil and changed the bacterial community structure and function in both bulk and rhizosphere soil by particularly increasing the relative abundance of Actinobacter and N-cycling genes (nifH, archaeal and bacterial amoA). We proposed that T. harzianum ST02 could promote sweet sorghum growth under saline conditions by regulating available nutrients and the bacterial community in the rhizosphere soil.

Effect of nitrogen application rate and harvesting stage on yield and agronomic parameters of industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.)

AbstractHemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is one of the world's oldest and most diversely cultivated plants, but legal constraints and a lack of agronomic rules have curtailed its production. This study aimed to determine the optimum nitrogen (N) application rate and harvesting stage for hemp yield in terms of seed, fiber, and stem. Treatments included (1) five nitrogen application rates (control [N0], 60 kg ha−1 [N60], 120 kg ha−1 [N120], 180 kg ha−1 [N180], and 240 kg ha−1 [N240]) and (2) three harvesting stages: before flowering (HS1), during flowering (HS2), and at the end of flowering (HS3). A 2‐year field experiment was conducted with three replicates. Harvest stages were randomly distributed over N rates in both years. The following agronomic parameters were evaluated: plant height, stem diameter (lower, middle, upper), number of leaves/plant, leaflet width, leaflet length, dry stem yield, fiber yield, and seed yield. The highest stem yield and fiber yield were obtained in the 240 kg ha−1 N treatment, and also the highest fiber (bast) yield and dry stem (hurd fiber) were obtained flowering and at the end of the flowering stages, respectively. When nitrogen application rate was increased from 0 to 240 kg ha−1, plant height, stem, and fiber yields increased by 48%, 65% and 57%, respectively. Agronomic parameters increased significantly (p &lt; 0.01) when the harvesting time was moved from “before flowering” to “at the end of flowering.”

Polyaspartic acid facilitated rice production by reshaping soil microbiome

Polyaspartic acid (PASP) is used efficiently to promote yield and nitrogen (N) utilization covering various crops including rice, wherein soil microbiome functions are less understood. The present pot experiment investigated the effects of PASP application on rice growth, N utilization, and the soil bacterial community, and identified underlying associations among them. Results showed that changes in soil N forms due to PASP application contributed to augmentations of biomass and N absorption, leaving significantly increased yields of root (35.76 %), stem (14.62 %), and grain (20.46 %) as well as N use efficiency (13.20 %), respectively. An interesting finding was that PASP application enhanced potassium uptake to support rice growth. The soil bacterial community was reshaped after PASP application, which enhanced species richness and diversity and phylogenetic diversity, and attracted nitrification-related phyla (Chloroflexi and Nitrospirae) reducing N loss and beneficial genera (Novosphingobium, Gaiella, Nocardioides, Hydrogenophaga, Iamia, and Geobacter) involved in the nutrition cycle, pathogen suppression, nutrient assimilation, enzyme production, hormone secretion, etc. Co-occurrence network analysis revealed that PASP application enhanced the complexity, stability, functionality, and collaboration of the bacterial community, and showed a shift of keystone taxa towards those beneficial to rice growth. The structural equation model unveiled the synergistic mechanism of PASP, and highlighted the roles of bacterial species diversity and soil N availability in yield promotion. This study implied that beneficial shift of soil microbiota contributed a lot to the synergistic mechanism of PASP to rice yield.

Increased cassava growth and yields through improved variety use and fertilizer application in the highlands of South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo

Nutrient limitations due to low soil fertility and insufficient fertilizer use widen cassava yield gaps in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). This study was undertaken to investigate firstly the effects of variety and combined application of mineral fertilizer and organic (farm yard manure, FYM) inputs on cassava growth and yields, secondly to identify nutrient limitations to cassava production in the highland conditions of South Kivu, and thirdly to evaluate the economic benefits of the use of the improved variety and fertilizer in cassava production. Twenty-one multi-locational trials were conducted on farmers’ fields during two consecutive years. The use of an improved variety resulted in significant increases in both height and stem diameter in both years when fertilizer was applied; without fertilizer, both parameters were higher in the improved variety than in the local variety but only in the second year. Total biomass yield (storage root + stem) was significantly increased by 28% (11.2 t ha−1) through the use of an improved variety with fertilizer in the first year while in the second year, both total biomass and storage root yields were significantly increased by 58% (12.5 t ha−1) and 74% (9.8 t ha−1), respectively without fertilizer. Application of NPK+FYM resulted in significant increases in height and stem diameter over time, independent of the variety; and of total biomass, storage root and stem yields by 38% (11.5 t ha−1), 25% (5.1 t ha−1) and 63% (6.5 t ha−1), respectively relative to the unfertilized treatment. Sole application of mineral fertilizer and omission of macronutrients did not result in significant effects on storage root yields in both years. However, the application of NPK and NPK+ (Ca, Mg, S, Zn) significantly increased stem yield by 51% (6.0 t ha−1) and 56% (6.6 t ha−1), respectively while the omission of N significantly decreased both total biomass and stem yields by 31% (10.4 t ha−1) and 81% (8.0 t ha−1), respectively but only in the first year. Despite the lack of a significant response to applied N, P or K, addition of N and K increases storage root yield by 1.3 t ha−1 and 3.2 t ha−1 respectively (averages for both years). The findings reveal that the positive effects on cassava growth and yields and economic benefits from fertilizer are larger than the one from the choice of variety. Although the importance of combined application of mineral fertilizer and farm yard manure was demonstrated, no evidence of macronutrient limitations to cassava production was proven under the specific conditions of the study sites. A better understanding of the conditions under which positive effects of fertilizer occur can improve targeting and therefore achieve high profitability in cassava production.

Transcriptomic Profiling of Shoot Apical Meristem Aberrations in the Multi-Main-Stem Mutant (ms) of Brassica napus L.

Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) is a globally important oilseed crop with various uses, including the consumption of its succulent stems as a seasonal vegetable, but its uniaxial branching habit limits the stem yield. Therefore, developing a multi-stem rapeseed variety has become increasingly crucial. In this study, a natural mutant of the wild type (ZY511, Zhongyou511) with stable inheritance of the multi-stem trait (ms) was obtained, and it showed abnormal shoot apical meristem (SAM) development and an increased main stem number compared to the WT. Histological and scanning electron microscopy analyses revealed multiple SAMs in the ms mutant, whereas only a single SAM was found in the WT. Transcriptome analyses showed significant alterations in the expression of genes involved in cytokinin (CK) biosynthesis and metabolism pathways in the ms mutant. These findings provide insight into the mechanism of multi-main-stem formation in Brassica napus L. and lay a theoretical foundation for breeding multi-main-stem rapeseed vegetable varieties.

Doğu Akdeniz koşullarında ikinci ürün olarak yetiştirilen bazı hibrit mısır genotiplerinde tane ve yem verimi ile yem kalite özelliklerinin değerlendirilmesi

This research was conducted in order to guide farmers and researchers by determining grain, forage yield and yield-related traits and forage quality of different parts of the whole plant in some maize cultivars in Eastern Mediterranean ecological conditions. In this study, it was assessed grain and forage yield and fodder quality of four maize cultivars (PR91G98, SY Castaneda, SY Gladius, and SY Tuscani) cultivated under the Estern Mediterranean conditions. To determine forage quality, ear, stem and leaves of the whole plant maize were analyzed separately. To evaluate grain and forage yield, parameters like plant height, stem diameter, hay yield, dry matter yield, green leaf yield, green stem yield, ear weight, green ear yield were investigated while features such as crude protein, crude ash, organic matter, NDF, ADF, digestibility of dry matter, dry matter intake and relative feed value were examined to determine forage quality. The new maize cultivars have been updated continually; it is important to clarify the responses of new varieties to agronomic practices and forage yield, quality, grain yield, and related traits. The results of this study revealed that ear is very important for forage yield and quality. The greatest hay and grain yield were produced by PR31G98 maize cultivar. It was observed SY Tuscani had higher NDF and ADF values than other maize varieties. With this study, the importance of nutrient content according to silage yield and plant parts in second crop corn cultivation was determined. In addition, research results showed important source data for farmers and researchers regarding forage and grain yield of maize farming and production area is continually increasing.

Meteorological variables, water balance, biomass and nutrients accumulation by cassava intercropped with Crotalaria juncea

Increasing cassava yield in response to growing consumer market demand requires good management practices to avoid degradation caused by soil nutrient depletion. The objective of this work was to evaluate components of macronutrient production and extraction of cassava in consortium with the legume Crotalaria juncea. A statistical design was used in randomized blocks, with four replications, in plots subdivided in time. In the plots were the treatments presence and absence of cassava consortium with C. juncea, the subplots were formed by 11 evaluation periods every 30 days for the production components and 6 evaluation periods every 60 days for the extraction of nutrients. The following were evaluated: production components (partitioned yields and total wet and dry mass - t ha-1) and extraction of macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulfur - kg ha-1). The water balance of the crop was determined on a monthly scale. The annual evapotranspiration of cassava was 1,273 mm in the 12-month cycle. The agricultural productivity of roots, stakes, stem, leaves, shoot and total biomass of cassava was 18.4, 1.8, 7.2, 2.7, 9.9 and 30.1 t ha-1, respectively. The dry mass yield of roots, stakes, stem, leaves, shoot and total was 5.1, 0.8, 2.1, 0.9, 3.0 and 8.9 t ha-1, respectively. There was a higher extraction of nitrogen by cassava, 119 kg ha-1, followed by calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and sulfur. The cassava consortium with C. juncea did not interfere in the variables studied.

Comparation Test on High-Quality Flax Resources for Oil and Fiber Production in Kazakhstan

ABSTRACT Oil flax stems are often burnt because of the low fiber content; this issue is especially serious in Kazakhstan. To solve this problem, this study aimed to determine which flax resources could exhibit a significant increase in stem yield without a decrease in seed yield. In a previous study in 2019, we tested seven types of flax stems at the research site of the S. Seifullin KATU campus. Here, a further investigation of the same resources, which was conducted in 2020, is described. According to the results, the UF03, UF05, and UF06 showed higher dynamics of plant height in the budding and blooming stages compared to a local Kazakhstani variety; this result greatly differed compared with the data from 2019. UF03 yielded the best oil quality, especially in terms of the linolenic acid and linoleic acid contents. UF02 had good performance in terms of yield and the largest fat content of all resources. More foreign flax resources should be introduced to improve the development of the flax industry in Kazakhstan.

IDENTIFIED RESILIENT FLAX GENOTYPES WITH IMPROVED AGRONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS FOR PRE-BREEDING

Genetic diversity evaluation in a breeding program is essential produce robust, resilient crop varieties with improved agronomic characteristics under environmental challenges in the sustainable agro-ecosystems. Knowledge and full potential on the impact of genotypes and growing conditions on flax yield traits still incomplete. The aim of this study was to evaluated the influence of hydrothermal conditions on the development of agronomic important traits of flax, analysed agronomic characteristics and identified perspective genotypes for pre-breeding. Field investigations were carried out from 2014 to 2017 for agronomically important traits of flax. In the study was evaluated flax population with Latvian origin in 24 fibre flax genotypes and ‘Vega 2’ (ST) as the standard variety of Lithuanian origin under Latvian meteorological conditions. Correlation between flax genotypes of the agronomically important yield traits and years of the hydrothermal coefficients during the growth period were analysed. According to the results obtained that most of genotypes the significant higher plants stem yield, total plant height, technical plant height, number of seed vessels per plant were measured in the growing seasons with high humidity. However, the higher seed yield and 1000 seed weight were measured in the driest year. The correlation between flax fibre content, seed number per seed-vessel, oil content and humidity level differed in dependence on genotype. The coefficient of variability between years was higher for of stem yield when compared with seed yield. The flax genotypes ‘S13/5-7/5-93’ exhibited more stable, highest stem yield (840.0 g m-2) and high seed yield (162.2 g m-2). The flax was identified 80% samples the short and 20% the medium vegetation period.