Matter Yield Research Articles

Improving vegetable production under semi-arid, saline conditions in south-western Madagascar

AbstractAgricultural production on the Mahafaly Plateau in SW-Madagascar has traditionally been based on subsistence rain-fed agriculture, with yields declining as a result of low soil fertility, recurrent droughts, and erratic rainfall. Market-oriented vegetable production in this area may help households improve their nutrition and diversify their income. In field trials between the 2013 and 2016 dry cropping seasons, the feasibility of carrot (Daucus carota L.) and onion (Allium cepa L.) production was assessed by testing effects of manure and charcoal amendments, shading, and seed quality on yields. Due to damage caused by cyclones and strong winds, only data from 2013 and 2016 are reported in this paper. Additionally to the field experiments, effects of salinity on seed germination were also examined under laboratory conditions and in the field. Carrot dry matter (DM) yields were 0.24 to 2.76 t·ha−1 while those of onion were 0.15 to 0.99 t·ha−1 DM. While the combination of manure and charcoal application had only minor effects on crop growth, manure alone increased carrot yield by 26% across years. After one cropping season, manure application reduced soil pH from 9.0 to 8.6 and increased soil Corg from 0.87 to 1.76%, N from 0.08 to 0.14%, and P from 10.6 to 15.1 mg·kg−1. Shading reduced carrot yields from 0.87 to 0.58 t·ha−1 DM in 2013 and from 1.87 to 0.85 t·ha−1 DM in 2016, but increased onion yield in 2013 from 0.24 to 0.62 t·ha−1 DM. Carrot seed procured locally performed better in the field than seed imported from the capital which translated into differences in seedling emergence. Saline irrigation water (electrical conductivity = 7.03 mS·cm−1) reduced seedling emergence rate of carrot from 73 to 20% and for onion from 44 to 28% and unprimed seeds performed better than primed ones. Using shading during the dry season is not advisable for carrot and onion production, but improving seed quality and targeted use of soil amendments (time of manure application, manure quality) may enhance vegetable yields.

PSVIII-23 Effects of different growth height on the yield, chemical composition, silage fermentation profile, in vitro and in situ digestibility of Broussonetia papyrifera

Abstract Broussonetia papyrifera (BP) is a woody roughage source with high protein content. The experiment was conducted to explore the effects of different growth height (GH) on the BP yield, chemical composition, silage fermentation profile, as well as ruminants in vitro and in situ digestibility of different parts of BP. The three different harvested GH of BP were 0.8, 1.2, and 1.6 m, respectively. Samples from leaf, stem, and whole plant of BP were collected (each one has three replicates), making silage, and detected the nutritional composition of them. The results were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance with Duncan’s multiple comparisons. Fresh weight increased with the GH increased (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed in dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) yield of leaf, and CP yield of whole plant between 1.2 to 1.6 m GH (P > 0.05). With the increase of GH, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) of BP increased, while CP content decreased (P < 0.05). Stem had the highest NDF and acid detergent fiber (ADF) content, and the lowest CP content and buffer capacity. The BP silage fermentation quality was deteriorated (lactic acid content decreased and pH values increased) with GH increased. For the different parts of BP, leaf silage had the highest pH and stem silage had the highest lactic acid content (P < 0.05). The leaf and its silage had the highest in vitro dry matter digestibility and gas production compared to others. The BP in situ digestibility were corresponded with in vitro results. DM, CP, NDF, and ADF effective digestibility rates of whole plant with 1.2 m GH were 439.6, 455.1, 412.9, and 381.3 g/kg, respectively. In conclusion, the BP nutritional quality decreased with GH increased and it could be used as a potential feedstuff for ruminants.

Common myths on yield to maturity in bonds or IRR in corporate finance

The yield to maturity (YTM) or internal rate of return (IRR) is a metric used in financial analysis to estimate the profitability of potential investments. Almost all finance textbooks state the following conditioning assumptions:(i) that the coupon payments can be reinvested at a rate equal to the yield to maturity,(ii) that the bond is held to maturity We show that there are two common fallacies about these assumptions, and none of them are necessary to interpret this return measure, and they may have probably arisen as a consequence of a semantic misunderstanding. The calculation of the YTM/IRR is the result of an ex ante mathematical operation focusing on current and future cash flows, regardless of the reinvestment rate, which is different from wealth accumulation. At the end of the paper we provide some numerical examples.

Agrobiological characteristics of spelt wheat and intermediate wheatgrass in the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine

Estimation of spelt wheat and the species of intermediate wheatgrass by the main agrobiological indicators (calendar dates of the beginning of the main phases of plant development, plant height dynamics, dry mass accumulation, grain yield and protein content) compared to soft wheat was done. The index of stability of grain yield formation was determined. It was found that the main phases of development in spelt wheat occurred on average 10–15 days later than in soft wheat. Plants of intermediate wheatgrass in the first year of cultivation had slower growth. The main phases of development in plants of intermediate wheatgrass of the second and third year of growth occurred almost in the same time with soft wheat. It was established that spelt wheat and intermediate wheatgrass were significantly superior to soft wheat in plant height. In the earing phase, the height of these plants was on average more than 100 cm, which had to be taken into account when growing these crops. It varied from 25 to 42 cm in spelt wheat and from 29 to 57 cm in intermediate wheatgrass during the stem elongation phase depending on the weather conditions of the research year. This indicator ranged from 107 to 113 cm and from 96 to 117 cm, respectively, in the earing phase, and from 137 to 168 cm and from 107 to 196 cm in the phase of milk ripeness of grain. Plants of spelt wheat and intermediate wheatgrass had a high stability index of the formation of dry matter and grain yield. It should be noted that intermediate wheatgrass formed a significant vegetative mass even in the earing phase. The vegetative mass in spelt wheat was formed during the earing period – full ripeness of grain. These crops (spelt wheat – 22.1 ± 0.4, intermediate wheatgrass – 22.4–24.6 ± 0.2–0.5) were significantly superior to soft wheat (12.1 ± 0.5) by the content of protein in grain, so it was recommended to involve them in the selection programs to create species with high productivity. However, spelt wheat (5.58 ± 0.13) was less and intermediate wheatgrass (0.98–1.22 ± 0.14–0.18) was the most inferior to soft wheat (8.03 ± 0.27) in terms of grain yield.

Influence of nutrient management practices and varieties on the productivity and economics of maize (Zea Mays L.) and their residual effect in Gobhi Sarson (Brassica Napus L.) under rainfed conditions

ABSTRACT An experiment was conducted to study the effect of nutrient management and varieties of maize on productivity and economics and their residual effect on succeeding gobhi sarson crop. Four nutrient management treatments (viz. site-specific nutrient management, SSNM; recommended fertilizer dose, RFD; 50% RFD and farmer’s practice) were applied to five varieties of maize (viz. PAC 740, PMZ-4, PSCL 4640, HQPM 1, and BISCO 855) during the kharif seasons of 2012 and 2013 at Palampur. The residual effects of fertilizers were studied in succeeding gobhi sarson. The SSNM-based nutrient application in maize significantly increased crop dry matter, cobs/ha, grain yield, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) uptake, succeeding gobhi sarson seed yield, maize grain equivalent yield, net return, profitability, and B:C. The SSNM-based nutrient application in maize resulted in 4.2–4.6% and 32.6–46.2% higher system productivity and Indian Net Rupee (INR) 4,507–4,926 and INR 28,837–30,078 higher net returns of over recommended fertilizer application and farmer practice, respectively. SSNM had lowest productivity cost of INR 3.1/kg grain. Apparent NPK productivity (62.4 kg grain/kg NPK applied) was highest under 50% RFD. BISCO 855 was earliest in silking with bolder grain. PMZ-4 and PSCL 4640 gave significantly higher dry matter, cob number, grain and stover yield, apparent NPK and physiological productivity, maize equivalent yield, net return and B:C, and lower productivity cost. Gobhi sarson seed yield was not significantly affected by preceding maize varieties. For higher system productivity and income from the maize-gobhi sarson, SSNM with PMZ 4 or PSCL 4640 varieties of maize must be adopted.

Overcoming Competition From Intercropped Forages on Upland Rice With Optimized Nitrogen Input to Food Production in Tropical Region

Intercropping forage grasses with upland rice is an alternative cropping system to improve agroecosystem diversification and could potentially enhance sustainability in tropical regions. However, nitrogen (N) immobilization and nutrient competition between rice and forage grasses could reduce rice grain yield and decrease overall productivity. Therefore, fertilizer N requirements of upland rice intercropped with forage grasses needs to be better defined. Field experiments were carried out during three growing seasons on a Typic Haplorthox soil in Sao Paulo state of Brazil. The experimental design was a randomized block design with a 3 × 4 factorial scheme with four replications. Treatments were cropping system [monocropped rice (Oryza sativa L.), rice intercropped with palisadegrass (Urochloa brizantha), and rice intercropped with guineagrass (Megathyrsus maximus) and sidedress N application rate (0, 40, 80, and 120 kg N ha-1). Intercropped grasses were sown between upland rice rows 30 days after rice emergence. On average, intercropping of rice with palisadegrass or guineagrass decreased rice shoot dry matter and grain yield by 11% and milled rice productivity by 10% compared with monocropped rice. Grain yield, grain protein, and milled productivity of rice increased as N application rate increased. Forage dry matter production (first and second cut) and crude protein (second cut) were greatest in the rice + palisadegrass intercropping system. Production of both forage grasses increased with up to 80 kg N ha-1 in the first cut and increased linearly with N in the second cut. Intercropping of rice with palisadegrass or guineagrass with 80 kg N ha-1 application resulted in the greatest land equivalent ratio (1.96 and 1.55, respectively). Relative N yield was greatest at 120 kg N ha-1 (220 and 173%, respectively). Although rice monocropping had greatest grain yield, intercropping systems with forage grasses were more favorable from both economic and environmental perspectives by enhancing plant diversification, nutrient cycling with forage grasses, land use production per unit area, and profitability throughout the year.

Analysis of Factors Affecting Yield to Maturity of Corporate Bonds Traded on Indonesia Stock Exchange 2016 - 2018

This study analyzes the influence of the variable Debt Equity Ratio (DER), Maturity, Firm Size and Bond Rating on the Yield To Maturity (YTM) of corporate bonds. The study population consists of corporate bonds traded on the Indonesia Stock Exchange period 2016-2018. The sample selection technique by purposive sampling. The research sample 43 corporate bonds issued by 18 companies from all sectors except the banking and financial sectors. The research analysis method used is descriptive statistics and Common Effect Model (CEM) panel data regression. The results showed that partially the DER variable had no effect on YTM, maturity had a significant positive effect on YTM, Firm Size and Bond Rating significant negative effect on YTM. The implication of this research is that companies need to improve their bond ratings to maintain investor confidence. In addition, is easier for companies with large assets to find external sources of funds through the issuance of bonds. This is because both are proven to have a negative effect on YTM. For further research, is expected to study other variables that affect YTM because the coefficient of determination in this study is 59%, and 41% is influenced by other variables not explained in this study.

The Response of Maize Lines to Foliar Fertilizing

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of two foliar fertilizers applied on five maize (Zea mays L.) lines. Fertilizers were applied at different growth stages of maize, during three consecutive years (2010–2012) at the experimental field of the Maize Research Institute “Zemun Polje”, Serbia. Maize growth parameters such as fresh matter, height, leaf area and grain yield were recorded. Foliar fertilizer with amino acids (FAA) was more advantageous to maize plants compared to fertilizer containing phosphorus (FP) as a main component. Applied FAA has shown positive effects by increasing fresh matter, leaf area index, and plant height in all three years. In 2012, due to unfavorable meteorological conditions, grain yield and harvest index were very low, compared to the previous two years, although, positive effects on morphological traits were observed 21 days after treatments (DAT), as well as in the anthesis stage. The best results of 30% of grain yield and harvest index increase were recorded in line L1 in 2010 and 2011. The same line had an increase of more than 40% of fresh matter and leaf area on average for all three years. The positive effects that have been noticed in this research could recommend foliar fertilizing with fertilizer containing N in a form of an amino acids complex.

Yield and nutritive value of grazed complex legume–grass mixtures under increasing nitrogen application rates

Complex pasture mixtures are advantageous, but little information exists on the best forage species and nitrogen (N) management in eastern Canada. We compared under mob stocking four complex mixtures of one of two legume species [alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.)] plus one of two grass mixes [No. 1 — timothy (Phleum pratense L.), meadow fescue (Schedonorus pratensis (Huds.) P. Beauv.), reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.), and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.); No. 2 — tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort., nom. cons.), meadow bromegrass (Bromus biebersteinii Roem. and Schult.), reed canarygrass, and Kentucky bluegrass] under three N application rates at three sites over the first three post-seeding years. Legume species had little effect on most forage attributes mainly because of their low contribution to forage dry matter (DM) yield (<30%) in second and third years. The grass mix with tall fescue and meadow bromegrass (No. 2) yielded similar or slightly better than the one with timothy and meadow fescue (No. 1) but tended to have a greater neutral detergent fibre concentration, and lower N and total digestible nutrient concentrations. Nitrogen fertilization increased forage DM yield only in second and third years when the legume contribution to forage DM yield was <30%, and it increased N concentration and decreased nonstructural carbohydrate concentration. These results highlight the challenge of maintaining legume species in rotationally grazed pastures of eastern Canada and confirm recommendations of applying no or little N fertilizer on grazed legume–grass mixtures when the legume contribution to forage DM yield is >30%.

Influence of igneous intrusion on coal and gas by means of element geochemistry and vitrinite reflectance method: a case from the Huainan coalfield, northern China

ABSTRACT Material composition changes of coal and gas under igneous intrusion have been one of the hot research fields in global geology. In this study, through in-depth discussion of a case from Huainan coalfield, North China, some important characteristics of thermal altered coal (TAC) are expounded by using the methods of element geochemistry and vitrinite reflectance (Rmax, Ro, and Rmin) calculation. The results show that the profile of coal reflectance/thermal metamorphic temperature (TMT) vs. distance from the intrusion indicates that the thermal aureole range reveals by the thickness of 2.4 m intrusion is approximately 3.24 m. Close to intrusion, the carbon (Cdaf) of coal increases significantly, while hydrogen (Hdaf) and oxygen (Odaf) decreases significantly, and the nitrogen (Ndaf) change is very irregular. After acid treatment, the volatile matter (VMacid) and ash yield (Ashacid) losses of coal have reached 5× and 4× of the ambient zone. The atomic ratios O/C and H/C are parallel to the changes of VMacid. Based on Rmax-Rmin diagram, the pressure effect of TAC is analyzed. In the actual geological model, the coal is mainly subjected to the bearing stress perpendicular to the contact surface instead of the vertical gravity of the magma body, and the applicable conditions of the theoretical model are proposed. Summing up the previous calculation methods of TMT, the exponential function method can be used when the Rmax is <1.0. On the contrary, the previous method can be used. The empirical formula for calculating the carbon isotope (δ 13 CCH4) of gas by using Rmax of TAC shows a negative result. The δ 13 CCH4 of the gas near the contact is relatively positive, which proves to some extent that 13 C of the thermal residual coal and 12 CH4 of the gas are subjected to carbon isotope fractionation. Here, the regression model between the Rmax of TAC and δ 13 CCH4of gas in the case can be expressed as δ 13 CCH4 = 16.777Ln(Rmax)-49.859.

Morphogenetic and structural characteristics of Megathyrsus maximus cv. Centenário under defoliation intensities

The effect of defoliation intensities (20, 30, 40 and 50 cm above soil level) on green dry matter (GDM) yield and morphogenetic and structural characteristics of Megathyrsus maximus cv. Centenário were evaluated under field conditions in Roraima´s savannas. The effects of defoliation intensities on the GDM yields, leaf area index and leaf elongation rates was adjusted to the quadratic regression model and maximum values recorded with cutting at 35.8; 44.9 and 30.2 cm above soil level, respectively. The tiller population density, number of leaves tiller-1 and leaf appearance rate was inversely proportional to the intensity of defoliation, while the opposite occurred for to average leaf length and leaf senescence rate. Apical meristem removal percentage was higher with increasing defoliation intensity. Vigor regrowth showed close negative correlation with defoliation intensity level. Pastures of M. maximus cv. Centenário managed under 30 to 35 cm residue provides higher forage productivity, larger efficiency of forage utilization, greater tissue renewal and canopy structure more favorable to grazing.

Enhancing performance of berseem clover genotypes with better harvesting management through farmers\u2019 participatory research at smallholder farms in Punjab

A field study was conducted on smallholder farmer fields between 2012 to 2014 to evaluate the performance of cv. Agaitti Berseem-2002, against local landraces exchanged between farmers (LBF1) or available from local markets (LBM1). The effects of genotype and harvesting regimen on forage production, quality and seed production were evaluated. Significant differences (P < 0.05) among genotypes and cutting treatments were recorded for forage and seed yields, and forage quality across all research sites in both years. Maximum cumulative fresh forage (89.7 t/ha) and dry matter (DM; 13.4 t/ha) yields were obtained with Agaitti Berseem-2002 when harvesting occurred five times over the season. However, maximum seed yield (1048 kg/ha) with higher 1000-seed weight (3.63 g) were obtained if forage was only harvested three times and the crop then left for seed set. Agaitti Berseem-2002 also produced forage with the higher crude protein content (27%), DM digestibility (69%), digestible organic matter (DM basis; 65%) and metabolizable energy content (10%) compared to the local landraces (LBF1 and LBM1). Therefore, the harvesting regimen for greatest economic return which produced optimum fresh and DM forage yields of highest nutritive values and maximum seed yield, were comprised of taking three forage cuts (at 65, 110 and 150 days after sowing) prior to seed harvest.

Response of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Piatã pastures to nitrogen fertilization

With the objective to evaluate the effects of nitrogen levels (0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 kg of N ha-1) on green dry matter (GDM) yield and morphogenetic and structural characteristics and nitrogen nutrition index (NNI) of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Piatã, was installed an experiment under field conditions in Roraima´s savannas. Nitrogen fertilization increased significantly (P&lt;0.05) GDM yields, number of tillers, number of leaves tiller-1, average leaf size, leaf area index, leaf senescence rate, leaf appearance and elongation rates. Maximum GDM yields, leaf elongation rates, leaf length and number of leaves tiller-1 were obtain with the application of 145.9; 118.2; 108.9 and 133.6 kg of N ha-1, respectively. Nitrogen nutrition index alone with 120 or 160 kg N application was higher than the grass N internal critical level. The NNI, efficiency of utilization and apparent N recovery were inversely proportional to the increased N levels.

Produtividade de forragem e morfogênese de Brachiaria ruziziensis sob níveis de nitrogênio

Com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos da adubação nitrogenada (0, 60, 120, 180 e 240 kg de N ha-1) sobre a produção de forragem, características morfogênicas e estruturais e índice de nutrição nitrogenada (INN) de Brachiaria ruziziensis foi conduzido um experimento em condições de campo nos cerrados de Roraima. A adubação nitrogenada afetou positiva e significativamente (P&lt;0,05) a produção de matéria seca verde (MSV), número de perfilhos, número de folhas perfilho-1, tamanho médio de folhas, índice de área foliar e taxas de aparecimento, expansão e senescência das folhas. Os maiores rendimentos de MSV, taxa de expansão foliar, tamanho médio de folhas e número de folhas perfilho-1 foram obtidas com a aplicação de 220,6; 238,6; 191,5 e 225,5 kg de N ha-1, respectivamente. O nível crítico de N foi reduzido com o aumento da produtividade de forragem. O INN, para todos os níveis de N avaliados, foi insuficiente para suprir o nível crítico de N da gramínea. Os níveis críticos de N, a eficiência de utilização e sua recuperação aparente foram inversamente proporcionais às doses de N aplicadas.

Effect of canal and desalinated water irrigation with varying levels of fertigation on fruit yield and nitrogen uptake of tomato under polyhouse conditions

A study was conducted at PAU Regional Research Station, Bathinda during 2017–18 to investigate the effect of quality of irrigation water and fertigation levels on the growth, yield, N content and uptake in tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum L.) under polyhouse conditions. The treatments included two irrigation water qualities viz. canal water (CW) and desalinated water (DSW) and three fertigation levels viz. 100%(F1), 80%(F2) and 60%(F3) of recommended NPK. Both the water qualities CW and DSW produced statistically similar dry matter production and total fruit yield of tomato. Increasing fertigation level from 60% of recommended NPK dose (F3) to 100% (F1) significantly increased the total dry matter and fruit yield of tomato at successive growth stages (120 days after transplanting (DAT), 150 DAT, 180 DAT and at maturity). The N content of different partitioned plant parts viz. leaves, stem and roots decreased with each successive growth stage, irrespective of water quality and fertigation levels. Water quality had no significant effect on the N content and uptake of leaves, stem and roots at successive growth stages. The fertigation level (F1) recorded significantly higher content and accumulation of N in leaves, stem and roots compared to F2 and F3 at all growth stages. The absorption of N by tomato leaves increased with increasing plant age up to 150 DAT whereas the total N accumulation tended to decline at 180 DAT and maturity at all the fertigation rates in both the water qualities. Unlike tomato leaves, the total N assimilation in stem and roots continued to increase at successive stages of tomato growth up to maturity. The N content in fruits produced with both water qualities was also statistically similar but the fertigation levels had a significant effect on the N content of fruits at 7th picking and final harvest. Fertigation had a significant effect on soil available nitrogen content of soil. It is concluded that desalinated water proved to be as good a source to that of canal water for production of tomato with 100% recommended NPK fertigation levels under protected cultivation.

PSVII-9 Agronomic characteristics and nutrient composition of purple prairie clover grown under irrigated and dryland conditions

Abstract Dry matter (DM) yield, nutrient composition, and in vitro digestibility of three populations (Common, AC Lamour, Bismarck) of purple prairie clover (PPC; Dalea purpurea Vent.) were determined in a 3-year study. Test plots of the populations were established in the 1st year under irrigation and dryland and whole plants were harvested at vegetative, full flower and late flower stages for determination of DM yield and nutritional characteristics in the 2nd and 3rd year. Only one cut per season was achieved for all populations under both growing conditions. The DM yield was similar among the three populations but irrigated land yielded higher (P &amp;lt; 0.01) DM than dryland in both years. The average DM yields (kg/ha; mean±SD) at the vegetative, full flower and late flower stages were 4739±1431, 4988±1547 and 6715±1580 under irrigation and 1423±479, 2014±348 and 2297±942 under dryland. Nutrient composition (organic matter, protein, neutral and acid detergent fibres and minerals) was similar among the three populations. Protein content was higher (P &amp;lt; 0.01) but neutral and acid detergent fibre content was lower (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in plants grown under irrigation than on dryland. Condensed tannin concentration was higher (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in plants grown under dryland than under irrigation. In vitro organic matter digestibility was higher (P &amp;lt; 0.05) for PPC grown under irrigation than on dryland. The PPC was readily established on both dry and irrigated land with comparable nutrient content to that of alfalfa and sainfoin under the similar growing conditions. Purple prairie clover has potential as an alternative legume forage, but its yearly yield is substantially lower than conventional legume forages.

Magnesium biofortification of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) via agronomy and breeding as a potential way to reduce grass tetany in grazing ruminants

AimMagnesium (Mg) deficiency (known as grass tetany) is a serious metabolic disorder that affects grazing ruminants. We tested whether Mg-fertiliser can increase Mg concentration of Italian ryegrasses (Lolium multiflorum L.) including a cultivar (cv. Bb2067; ‘Magnet’), bred to accumulate larger concentrations of Mg.MethodsUnder controlled environment (CE) conditions, three cultivars (cv. Bb2067, cv. Bb2068, cv. RvP) were grown in low-nutrient compost at six fertiliser rates (0–1500 μM MgCl2.6H2O). Under field conditions, the three cultivars in the CE condition and cv. Alamo were grown at two sites, and four rates of MgSO4 fertiliser application rates (0–200 kg ha−1 MgO). Multiple grass cuts were taken over two-years.ResultsGrass Mg concentration increased with increasing Mg-fertiliser application rates in all cultivars and conditions. Under field conditions, cv. Bb2067 had 11–73% greater grass Mg concentration and smaller forage tetany index (FTI) than other cultivars across the Mg-fertiliser application rates, sites and cuts. Grass dry matter (DM) yield of cv. Bb2067 was significantly (p < 0.05) smaller than cv. Alamo. The effect of Mg-fertiliser rate on DM yield was not significant (p ≥ 0.05).ConclusionsBiofortification of grass with Mg through breeding and agronomy can improve the forage Mg concentration for grazing ruminants, even in high-growth spring grass conditions when hypomagnesaemia is most prevalent. Response to agronomic biofortification varied with cultivar, Mg-fertiliser rate, site and weather. The cost:benefit of these approaches and farmer acceptability, and the impact on cattle and sheep grazing on grasses biofortified with Mg requires further investigation.

Growth and Yield Response of Mungbean (Vigna Radiata L) for the Combination of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilizers with Rhizobium Strains: A Review

Mungbean (Vigna Radiata L. Wilczek) is one of the most important pulses grown in different tropical and sub tropical parts of the world which is commonly known as green gram (bean). It is rich in vitamin A and protein that considered as a substitute of animal protein and forms a balanced diet when taken in combination with cereals contain low level of protein. It is a favorable crop for the semi-arid areas due to its short growing cycle. It has an ability to fix the atmospheric nitrogen for its own use, improves soil fertility and for residual carry over in association with rhizobium strains. Nitrogenous fertilizers are important because nitrogen is the main component of amino acid as well as protein. But the use of biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) technology in the form of rhizobium inoculants in grain legumes can be an alternative of nitrogenous fertilizer. It also requires phosphorus , for growth and development. Mungbean meet up its N requirement through BNF depending on proper growth, development and also leg-hemoglobin content of the root nodules through activity of phosphorus which is very important for nodule formation and to fix atmospheric nitrogen. All characteristics of grain and shoot dry matter (above ground biomass) yields were significantly increased due to seed inoculation with particular rhizobial strains. It is recommended to apply appropriate amount of N mineral fertilizer directly before sowing even though a soil is well supplied with N. Phosphorus is needed in relatively large amounts by legumes for growth and high level of phosphorus in the soil helps the uptake of other nutrients, which ultimately produces healthy plant parts. Growth and yield of mungbean can be increased due to appropriate application of NP fertilizers with rhizobium strains. NP nutrient deficiencies are the major constraints limiting N fixation, growth and yield and a deficiency can be overcome by applying rhizobium strain and providing N and P nutrients in the soil. Production potential of mungbean is dependent on primary essential elements nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers, and rhizobium strains. So, optimum supply of nitrogen and phosphorus inoculating with appropriate strains are the best ways of mungbean production and also further researches on other macro and micro nutrients are need to be done. Keywords : Mungbean, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Rhizobium strain, Growth, Yield DOI : 10.7176/JBAH/9-23-05 Publication date: December 31 st 2019

Crop growth and development dynamics of two fodder beet (Beta vulgaris L.) cultivars sown on different dates in New Zealand

ABSTRACT Two fodder beet (Beta vulgaris L.) cultivars (‘Rivage’ and SF Brigadier™) were evaluated in a field experiment to quantify the effect of cultivar and sowing date on growth physiology. The crops were sown on 19 September, 17 October, 17 November and 15 December in 2014. Crops were sequentially harvested and separated into storage root, leaf blade and petiole for analysis. Fodder beet growth was sigmoidal; the growth of leaf blades and petioles dominated the lag phase while storage root growth dominated the exponential phase. The appearance of the 25th leaf marked the beginning of the exponential phase. The maximum growth rate was not affected by the cultivar or sowing date. Total dry matter (DM) yield was the same for September- and October-sown crops (2444 ± 164 g DM m−2); showing little advantage of early sowing because cold temperatures slowed canopy development. The November- and December-sown crops produced 18% and 30% lower yield than the October-sown crops. ‘Rivage’ partitioned 5% greater DM to the storage root, an indication of greater sink strength, than SF Brigadier. Information on the pattern of growth can aid management decisions for optimising yield, and is valuable for the improvement of fodder beet models.

Evaluation of Submergence Tolerance in Landrace Rice Cultivars by Various Growth and Yield Parameters

Flash flood causes a serious damage to rice crops in northern and eastern parts of Bangladesh almost every year. This study was designed to identify useful agronomic parameters for evaluation of submergence tolerance and to evaluate genotypes by multiple agronomic parameters for submergence tolerance at different growth stages. Twenty-one aman rice genotypes were tested against three submergence treatments viz. (i) no submergence or control, (ii) submerge at 10 days after transplanting (DAT), and (iii) submerge at 30 DAT. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with three replications. The plants were completely submerged in the tanks for 14 days. Dry matter production, growth, yield, and yield components of rice were significantly reduced due to interaction effect of genotypes × submergence. Submergence at the early stage of growth (10 DAT) was more detrimental to plant growth than what happened at later stages (30 DAT). Wide genotypic differences in relative submergence tolerance based on grain and tiller numbers were identified. Grains and tiller numbers contributed most of the variation to seed yield among parameters investigated. When genotypes were ranked for submergence tolerance based on the means of multiple parameters, dramatic changes of submergence tolerance at early and later stages were observed in four genotypes; BRRI dhan33, Lalchikon, Achin and Sadamota were identified with a favorable combination of submergence tolerance. Cluster group ranking of genotypes based on multiple agronomic characters can be applied in submergence tolerance breeding to evaluate submergence tolerance and may have great advantage over conventional methods.