Agronomy

was developed by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and distributed to various national programs in 1993 as a part of the medium-maturing cowpea international trial for evaluation and selection of suitable cultivars adapted to local conditions. This variety was included in the mediummaturing cowpea variety trial under the Nationally Coordinated Cowpea Research Project in 1996 and tested at several locations from 1996 to 2001. The test locations included Ibadan, Ikene, Abeokuta, and Il-Ife in the humid forest zone, Samaru and Bauchi in the subhumid zone, and Maiduguri and Kano in the dry Savanna. The average yield of IT90K-277-2 over all the locations and years was 1172 kg ha 21 compared with 942 kg ha 21 for the improved check variety IAR 48. On the basis of its consistently high yield, wide adaptation, and resistance to major insects and diseases, IT90K-277-2 was recommended for release and large scale on-farm testing in 1999. The on-farm trials at many farmers' fields from 1999 to 2001 in Kano, Jigawa, and Bauchi states showed consistent superiority of IT90K-277-2. On the basis of the average of 3 yr and several locations, IT90K-277-2 showed about 34% superiority in grain yield over the farmers' varieties. Farmers saved seed from the on-farm trials and began cultivating IT90K-277-2 before formal release. Considering its consistent superior performance and popularity among farmers, the National Variety Release Committee gave it the national code name of 'NGVU-05-25' and released it formally in 2005 for cultivation in Nigeria . The committee gives the national code number NGVU (Nigerian Vigna unguiculata) for each released cowpea variety with the year of release, but the varieties are often referred to by their original numbers in which they were tested by farmers in mandatory on-farm tests before the release. NGVU-05-25 is a pure line derived from an F6 plant progeny from a three-way cross, IT87F-1777-2/IT84s-2246-4//TVx 3236 at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Kano Station. IT87F-1777-2 is a single plant selection from a local land race 'Kananado' in Kano State, Nigeria that has straight pods and is resistant to viruses while the source population has curled pods and is susceptible to these viruses. IT90K-2246-4 is derived from the cross IT82D-716/IT81D-1020. IT82D-716 came from the cross TVx 6332/TVx 3236. TVx 6332 is derived from a three-way cross, TVx1193-9F/TVu 2027//TVu 625. TVx 1193-9F came from the cross TVu 1190/TVu 76. TVu 1190 is a land race, V.U.5, from Kenya and TVu 76 is variety Prima (improved West bred from Nigeria). IT81D-1020 is derived from the cross TVx 1193-9F/TVu 2027. TVu 2027 is a local land race 'Kano-8' from northern Nigeria. TVx 3236 is derived from the cross TVu 1509/Ife Brown. Of these, TVu 1509 is selection No. H 27-1-1 and Ife Brown is an improved variety both from Nigeria. Thus, IT90K-277-2 also has diverse pedigree and a broad-based genetic background.

In this study, 110 samples of bread wheat, Aegilops crassa, Ae. cylindrica and Ae. tauschii were investigated to identify Low-Molecular-Weight Glutenin Subunits. Overall, the four alleles in term of the analysis of SDS-PAGE gels were detected. The a allele with 45% had the greatest frequency, and after that, b, c and d alleles were with 38.1%, 11.8% and 9.1% frequencies, respectively; however, in Ae. crassa, b and c alleles were the highest and the lowest frequencies, respectively. The a, c and d alleles were the highest and the lowest frequencies in Ae. cylindrica; nonetheless, In Ae. tauschii, a and d were the highest and the lowest frequencies. In T. aestivum, b was the highest while d shows the lowest frequencies. Genetic diversity (ζ) in populations of bread wheat, Ae. crassa, Ae. cylindrica, Ae. tauschii and total population were 0.6564, 0.5792, 0.6378, 0.6214 and 0.6294, respectively. Furthermore, the average genetic diversity (H) for the total population was 0.6294. The resu...

Background: Under the present context of global warming and climate change, the choice of an ecologically hardy crop is having prime importance. Nutrient management is an important approach for improving crop growth and productivity. Among all the nutrients, nitrogen helps in the overall growth of the plant. Nitrogen helps to synthesize chlorophyll and thereby supports building the protein units that enhance plant growth. As nitrogen is highly mobile, it is lost through different ways such as volatilization, leaching, nitrification, etc. Split application of nitrogen through proper scheduling is an important approach to reduce nitrogen loss as well as to improve nitrogen use efficiency. Hence, the investigation was conducted to find out how the scheduling of nitrogen is affecting pearl millet growth and productivity. Methods: The present study was conducted in kharif season of 2022 on pearl millet at Post Graduate Experimental Farm, M. S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture. The experiment was carried out in randomized complete block design with 3 replications and 9 treatments, namely, T 1 : control, T 2 : 50% basal RDN, T 3 : 100% basal RDN, T 4 : 50% basal RDN + 50% at 30 DAS, T 5 : 50% basal RDN + 25% at 30 DAS and 45 DAS, T 6 : 50% nitrogen as basal + topdressing @10 kg nitrogen/ha at sufficiency index <95%, T 7 : 50% nitrogen as basal + topdressing @ 10 kg nitrogen/ha at sufficiency index <90%, T 8 : 50% nitrogen as basal + topdressing @ 10 kg nitrogen/ha at sufficiency index <85%, T 9 : 50% nitrogen as basal + topdressing @ 10 kg nitrogen/ha at sufficiency index <80%. Result: The results showed that the application of 50% nitrogen as basal + topdressing @ 10 kg nitrogen/ha at sufficiency index <95% gave the maximum growth, yield and income was also significantly higher with this application. So, it could be recommended to the farmers for growing pearl millet during kharif season in southern Odisha to achieve higher growth and productivity.

An experiment was carried out in the greenhouse conditions with Brassica juncea L. grown on alluvial soils that had previously been contaminated at different concentrations of Cu. The main purposes of the research were to determine the effects of Cu and phosphorus applications on plant growth and Cu uptake by Brassica juncea L. Mature plants were harvested for the Cu accumulation analysis. The soil samples from each growing pot were extracted by HNO3 0.43N in order to determine the content of Cu 2+ mobilization in soil, while the plant samples were acid digested for determining the total Cu concentration. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) was employed to determine Cu concentrations in soils and plant samples. The results showed that adding Cu to soils has strong effects on Brassica juncea L. growth and the uptake rate of Cu by the plants. The height and the biomass of plants were reduced dramatically by 36% and 53% respectively at the rate of 200 ppm Cu. In addition, phosphorous ...

Climate variability and changes affect crop yields by causing climatic stresses during various stages of the plant life cycle. A crop growth model must be able to capture the observed relationships between crop yields and climate stresses before its credible use as a prediction tool. This study evaluated the ability of the geographically distributed cotton growth model redeveloped from GOSSYM in simulating U.S. cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) yields and their responses to climate stresses during 1979 to 2005. Driven by realistic climate conditions, the model reproduced long‐term mean cotton yields within ±10% of observations at the 30‐km model resolution across virtually the entire U.S. Cotton Belt and correctly captured the critical dependence of their geographic distributions on regional climate characteristics. Significant correlations between simulated and observed interannual variations were found across 87% of the total harvest grids. The model also faithfully represented the p...

Introduction Material and Methods Plant Material Fatty Acids Carbohydrate, Protein, and Amino-N Analysis Statistical Analysis Results Winter Injury and Fatty Acids in Tap Roots and Crowns Plant Height and Biomass Carbohydrates and Protein Concentrations Implications Acknowledgements References CHAPTER 3. GENETIC VARIANCE AND HERITABILITY OF WINTER HARDINESS

Introduction Material and Methods Plant Material Fatty Acids Carbohydrate, Protein, and Amino-N Analysis Statistical Analysis Results Winter Injury and Fatty Acids in Tap Roots and Crowns Plant Height and Biomass Carbohydrates and Protein Concentrations Implications Acknowledgements References CHAPTER 3. GENETIC VARIANCE AND HERITABILITY OF WINTER HARDINESS

Aim of study: The productivity of poplar plantations in Mediterranean climates might be reduced due to lower precipitations in a climate change scenario. Therefore, understanding the water consumption in these plantations is essential for their management. The objective of this study was to estimate water consumption and preliminary crop coefficients (kc) of two universally used poplar clones (Populus x Canadensis ‘I-214’ and ‘I-488’).Area of study: Central Chile (36º 05 &#39;LS; 72º 47&#39; LW; 470 m.a.s.l.).Materials and methods: Commercial stands of poplar clones established in 2009 and 2010 at low density (6×6 m) were used to experiment during the 2016-2017 growing season. In each of them, water balance was measuring, by determining evaporation using micro lysimeters and transpiration using the sap flow. Additionally, the water status and the leaf area index (LAI) were measured to understand the behaviour of both clones.Main results: Although the water supplied to both clones wa...

Abstract | Mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) is cultivated on large area and has high nutritional values. Leaf spot incited by Cercospora canescens is the major constraint that significantly affects the productivity of mungbean. This research was aimed to manage the Cercospora leaf spot diseases by using different chemicals by foliar spray using 0.05g of boric acid, ZnSO 4 , MgSO 4 , and a combination of all these. The in-vivo experiment was carried out in the open field using randomized complete block design (RCBD). Effects of different chemicals on disease management were examined statistically by using Tukey's honestly significant difference (HSD) test at 5% level of significance. The most effective treatment was the combination of all 3 chemicals that gave maximum disease control and 11.72% disease severity was recorded. Mungbean cultivars were also screened for the source of resistance against leaf spot disease and none was found immune and highly resistant. Correlation and regression analysis were performed to find the relation of environmental factors and disease development. There was a positive relationship between disease severity (Cercospora leaf spot disease) and relative humidity, wind speed and rainfall. The results revealed that there was negative correlation between maximum temperature and disease development. It could be concluded that the application of nutrients alone and in combination caused significant reduction in disease severity and enhanced the plant growth.

A study was conducted under dry conditions for two years to describe, through different statistical criteria, the performance of some morphological components of the plant material 23 of Tithonia diversifolia and determine the models of best goodness of fit. The indicators were determined through the cut conducted every two weeks in the rainy and dry season. The experiment lasted 18 weeks during 2006 and 2007. The height of the tuft (cm) was measured, as well as the weight of 100 leaves, green matter (g) (weight 100 L GM), weight of the whole plant, green matter (g) (weight WP GM), and total weight of a linear meter (g) and green matter (total weight 1 m GM). The variables expressed in dry matter did not have proper goodness of fit in the models. Richards' model was not adequate for describing the performance of the variables. In the rainy season, the model of best fit was the linear for the tuft height and the total weight of 1 m, and the quadratic, for the weight of 100 leaves GM. The variables tuft height and total weight of 1 m reached the highest values at 18 weeks, with 174.98 cm and 4927.3 g, respectively. The maximum weight of 100 leaves GM was at 14 weeks, with 220.59 g. The weight of the whole plant weight kept increasing even at 18 weeks and reached 109.70 g. In the dry season, all the variables had significant fits for the exponential model, due to their low mean squares. The Gompertz model did not have numerical solution for the variables under analysis. The exponential dynamics showed slow performances during the first three weeks (4, 6 and 8) and increases from week 10 to 18. Since that time, they kept increasing, not reaching stable or maximum values. The total weight of 1 m GM reached more than 3000 g at 18 weeks and had considerable amount of leaves. It is concluded that the plant material 23 of Tithonia diversifolia reached the best growth characteristics during the rainy season up to week 14, while, in the dry season, its best growth was since week 10. This information allows further research related to biomass production, cutting or grazing, because performance of different plant components can be known.

The research was conducted during 15 years at the Instituto de Ciencia Animal, located in Mayabeque, Cuba, to evaluate the ecological and productive impact of legumes in the soil-grass system of tropical livestock areas. Two grasslands were studied: 1) Silvopastoral with Leucaena leucocephala / Megathyrsus maximus and 2) Herbaceous legume mixture in association with grasses. By means of principal components analysis, the indicators with higher contribution to the variability of each grassland were selected to evaluate their performance every five years. Those with a preponderance value higher than ± 0.78 and explained at least 65 % of the accumulated variance were chosen. In the vegetation, up to 50 indicators were studied and 7 to 9 were selected, in which the plant coverage, the density of the grass and the presence of natural grasses coincided. From the 76 soil indicators, between 6 and 9 were selected, in which the distribution of aggregates in dry and humid conditions, structur...

Slow release N fertilizers have potential to improve yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and maize (Zea mays L.). A slow release urea formaldehyde polymer (UFP) was compared with aqueous urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) [(NH 2 ) 2 CO, NH 4 NO 3 ] during a 2-yr field experiment in North Carolina. Crops were grown on Candor (sandy, siliceous, thermic Grossarenic Kandiudults), Portsmouth (fine-loamy over sandy or sandy-skeletal, mixed, semiactive, thermic Typic Umbraquults), and Cape Fear (fine, mixed, semiactive, thermic Typic Umbraquults) soils. Treatments were N source (UFP and UAN) and N rate (0, 50, 78, 106, 134, 162, and 190 kg N ha 21 for wheat and 0, 39, 78, 118, 157, 196, and 235 kg N ha 21 for maize). Both sources were band applied as a split application for wheat, whereas maize received UFP at planting and split application of UAN, which is the current standard practice. Based on years of research, NC producers' apply less than one-third of UAN at planting, with the remainder applied before the end of tillering (wheat) or at V4-6 (corn). For both crops and both sites, grain yield and NUE with UAN were statistically similar to or better than UFP. Laboratory incubations suggested UFP release of urea and urea hydrolysis were complete in less than 2 wk. Hence, UFP release was limited to a time scale of days, considered insignificant for summer crop (corn) growth conditions. Since the UFP did not significantly improve yield, UFP may only be economical if priced similar to UAN.

Cucumbers require adequate nitrogen (N) for growth and development. This study was undertaken to determine the most effective tillage system and N rate for hand-picked, processing, cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) production. Three tillage systems and five N fertilizer rates were compared for effects on yield, fertilizer N use efficiency (NUE), and effects on belly rot disease caused by Rhizoctonia solani. In both years conventional tillage had greater yields than no till and was greater than strip tillage one year. Cucumber NUE was not different between tillage systems or N rates; NUE averaged 35%. In one of two years, incidence of belly rot disease was greater under no till and increased with increasing N rate; in the other year, there was no affect of tillage on belly rot. In most years, conventional tillage for cucumbers will outperform strip tillage and no till.

Background: Pinus radiata D.Don has been established in a wide range of soils and climatic conditions, showing high variability in both leaf area and volume productivity. Previous research has shown that plantation yield is affected by water availability, but the majority of this work has been done in unthinned stands and provided little insight on the effect of water availability on the productivity of thinned plantations. In order to improve forest productivity for plantations under a climate change scenario, we must understand the effect of plantation management, including thinning on the relationships among available water, leaf area index, and productivity. The aim of this work is to evaluate the effect of site water availability on the leaf area production and consequent volume growth in thinned radiata pine plantations over a water availability gradient. Methods: The effect of site available water on leaf area production and consequent volume growth in thinned Pinus radiata plantations over a water availability gradient across five sites in central and southern-central Chile was determined. Results: Regression analysis revealed water deficit to be related to both leaf area index and volume growth accounting for 77 and 78% of the variation respectively. Eighty-one percent of the variation in volume growth was explained by the leaf area index. Results showed a growth efficiency of 5 m 3 ha -1 per unit of leaf area index. Conclusions: Strong linear positive relationships between site water availability, leaf area, and stand growth after thinning found in this research suggest that water is the key factor controlling current productivity of radiata pine plantations across sites. A simple and robust water index that is well correlated with leaf area and stand annual volume growth allows for the construction of a simple predictive model that may support management decisions for radiata pine plantations.

Anemia in human being due to iron deficiency would be solved with the intake of iron rich rice (Oryza sativa L.) grain developed by biofortification. Phenotypical study of obsolete rice germplasms containing high iron content is important. Phenotypic characters like flowering and maturity time; plant height; tillers hill‑1; grains panicle‑1; seed weight and grain yield plant‑1 were studied for 39 rice genotypes in this research. In this research, Malagoti showed early maturity (126 day), Dhar Shail showed highest  filled grain panicle-1 (303), Marish Shail showed highest grain yield plant-1 (86.66g),  and Karengal showed lowest  filled grain panicle-1 (59.67) and lowest  grain yield plant-1 (17.20g). Number of filled grains panicle-1 showed high heritability. All the yield contributing traits except panicle length and unfilled grains panicle-1 were significantly and positively correlated with grain yield plant-1 at both phenotypic and genotypic level. The highest direct effects (0.4...

E  l núcleo básico de la maestría en Ciencias en Desarrollo Sustentable y Gestión de Riesgos, Facultad de Ingeniería, de la Universidad de Ciencias y Artes de Chiapas (UNICACH), publica periódicamente compilaciones para presentar resultados de investigación de estudiantes, cuerpo docente y distinguidos invitados. En esta ocasión, se ha dedicado la obra al Mtro. Christian F. Camacho Méndez, egresado de nuestra maestría, con motivo del Premio Nacional al Mérito Archivístico 2022 otorgado por el Archivo General de la Nación (AGN), que recibió como coordinador y responsable del Archivo Histórico Municipal de Tapachula, primera vez que el estado de Chiapas recibe este galardón. La obra se divide en dos bloques, el primero dedicado al tema archivístico, donde se reimprime el trabajo ganador del Premio Nacional al Mérito Archivístico 2022 escrito por nuestro egresado y que redacta bajo el seudónimo del personaje histórico Vicente Riva Palacio; un ensayo del Mtro. Heriberto Cosme López Molina, que fungió como coordinador general de transparencia, acceso a la información pública y protección de datos personales del ayuntamiento de Tapachula, y fue un aliado importante para la obtención de este premio y un reporte de actividades de estudiantes de la licenciatura en historia, Facultad de Humanidades de UNICACH, sobre las Jornadas Archivísticas de Tapachula, proyecto interinstitucional entre el ayuntamiento de Tapachula y la UNICACH, que permitió el gran éxito en materia archivística del Archivo Histórico Municipal de Tapachula. El segundo bloque consta de textos en formato de artículo científico social y son resultado de investigaciones realizadas en la maestría en Ciencias en Desarrollo Sustentable y Gestión de Riesgos de la Facultad de ingeniería de UNICACH, por el cuerpo docente y estudiantes en materia de sustentabilidad y gestión de riesgos, en esta ocasión, con énfasis en temática educativa, esto demostrando el gran espectro de alcance que tiene la sustentabilidad, que puede abordar temas tan diversos como la educación y la archivística.

Silivipastoral systems having trees and grasses play an important role in providing fodder for sustainable livestock production in arid region, prevent soil erosion, conserve soil moisture and add organic matter to soil. A field experiment was initiated on the silvipastoral system having different trees species i.e., Hardwickia binata, Ailanthus excelsa and Colophospermum mopane in association with Cenchrus ciliaris grass at ICAR-CAZRI Jodhpur, India in the year 2003. Observations on growth, biomass production and organic soil carbon content were recorded during kharif season in the year 2015. Maximum plant height was recorded in case of H. binata whereas minimum was recorded for C. mopane. The highest canopy area was recorded in C. mopane, whereas least canopy area was recorded in case of H. binata. Highest DBH was recorded for C. mopane and least for H. binata. Specific gravity of wood of C. mopane was maximum whereas it was minimum in A. excelsa. The AGB of C. mopane (13.5 t ha -1 ) was maximum among the tree species whereas it was minimum in case of A. excelsa (2.6 t ha -1 ). Root biomass of C. mopane (3.51 t ha -1 ) was maximum whereas least was recorded for A. excelsa (0.67 t ha -1 ) which was at par with that of H. binata (0.74 t ha -1 ). The highest amount of carbon was sequestered by C. mopane tree (8.51 t ha -1 ) and least by A. excelsa (1.63 t ha -1 ) which was comparable with that of H. binata (1.80 t ha -1 ). Total Carbon sequestered by C. mopane based silvipature system. (10.19 t ha -1 ) was higher as compared to H. binata (3.69 t ha -1 ) and A. excelsa (4.45 t ha -1 ) based silvipasture systems. These results would help in selection of suitable silvipasture system for the arid regions of Rajasthan for sustainable land use management and increase carbon sequestration.

This study was proposed to analyze farmers' varietal perception of bread wheat. From Meket district, four kebeles were randomly selected to achieve the above objective. The study uses cross-sectional data collected from randomly selected 214 farming households through an interview schedule. Fourteen Likert items were included in two categories as advantages and disadvantages of the technology. Five-point Likert scale was used to analyze varietal perceptions. One-way ANOVA was employed for testing the overall mean differences among bread wheat technology adoption categories. In addition, the Relative Importance Index (RII) was used to analyze item relative importance. Farmers supported improved bread wheat varieties for specific attributes such as, high marketability, early maturity, better grain yield, grain color, food quality, and storability were found to be taking the average score of 4. 43, 4.43, 4.33, 4.01, 3.85, 3.45, and 3.26, respectively. Whereas, improved bread wheat varieties were perceived to be unsuitable for shattering problems, straw quality, and low yield performances in poor soil types. Therefore, breeding objectives should be oriented towards improving bread wheat variety traits related to shattering and straw quality. Limitation of labor is one of the major reasons for the low adoption rate of row planting. Hence, machinery should be carried out to promote row planting of bread wheat. Moreover, the study indicates the need to entertain farmers' perception of bread wheat technologies for creating wider adoption.

Soybean is a very important crop, cultivated mainly as stock feed for animal production, but also for other uses such as biodiesel. Brazil is the second largest producer of soybeans, and the main exporter. About 10% of total Brazilian production is aimed for biodiesel production. The aim of this work was to assess the impact of climate change scenarios on soybean yield and evaluate two simple adaptation strategies: cultivar and planting date. Tests were done for soil profiles from two important producing regions: Chapecó-Red Oxisol, and Passo Fundo-Rodic Hapludox. Two commercial soybean cultivars (CD202 and CD204) and seven regional circulation models (RCM) were used. All simulations were done with DSSAT. After model calibration, eleven planting dates were run for two periods (2011-2040 and 2071-2100) using the RCM's. There were no differences between cultivars. For Chapecó, the majority of RCM's projected yield reductions, with few RCM's projecting increments, and for only few planting dates (November). The response pattern for both time periods were identical, although the end-of-century period presented a further yield reduction. The main reason was reduced water holding capacity in soil, high temperatures, and changes in rainfall distribution along the cropping season. For Passo Fundo, 2011-2040 yields were distinct, depending on the RCM. Simulated yields tended to follow the actual yield pattern along the different planting dates, besides discrepancies. For 2071-2100, all but one RCM indicated yields equal or lower to actual levels. Regarding planting dates, no significant changes were identified, although reductions were observed for the early planting dates (August-September). The scenarios suggest that soybean yields will be reduced, jeopardizing the viability of this crop and biodiesel production in the studied regions.

En s'appuyant sur des mesures de résistance du couvert obtenues sur une culture de luzerne pendant 2 années, nous avons cherché des relations empiriques reliant cette résistance aux facteurs du milieu. La vérification expérimentale de ces relations à l'échelle horaire a conduit à des valeurs calculées de l'évapotranspiration réelle ETR très proches de celles mesurées directement par le système B.E.A.R.N. Les relations empiriques obtenues nous ont conduits aussi à introduire un coefficient cultural C qui fait res- sortir le rôle dominant de l'évapotranspiration critique (P' (R" + d,,,)1 (P' + y)) dans le calcul de l'ETR. En tenant compte d'une revue bibliographique importante et d'un ensemble de données expérimentales obte- nues sur plusieurs cultures et pendant plusieurs années dans la région parisienne, nous avons analysé le rôle et la signification physique et physiologique du coefficient cultural C.

Over the years, interpersonal communication among farmers has been identified as a way farmers share agricultural knowledge among themselves. During this process ideas are exchanged. In the face of inadequacy in the number of extension personnel in Nigeria, there is need to document the effectiveness of farmers' knowledge exchange as an alternative channel of disseminating innovations. Hence, this study assessed the determinants of knowledge exchange on drought tolerant maize (DTMA) technology in Kwara State, Nigeria. A threestage sampling procedure was used to select 391 main plot managers to be respondents for this study. The mean age of the respondents was 47.6 years. Majority (78%) of them were males, 85.3% married and 81.9% had formal education with an average household size of 9 persons and 20.9 years of farming experience. Data were collected through interview schedule and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation and multiple regression analysis. A small proportion (20.1%) of the respondents belonged to the category of very low knowledge exchange of DTMA. Plot neighbor was indicated as the major communication network through which knowledge exchange occurred among the farmers. Comparative benefits of the technology (x ̅ = 3.55) was identified as the most important motivation influencing farmers' decisions to exchange knowledge among themselves. Age, household size, contact with extension agents, and farming experience had significant contribution to the extent of knowledge exchange among the farmers at 0.05 level of significance. It is recommended that farmer-to-farmer extension should be strengthened since it could bridge the gaps in technology transfer and promote adoption of agricultural technologies.

Spring wheat (Triticum aesti7um L. cv. Dragon) was exposed was unaffected by the elevated CO 2 concentration. The only to elevated carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), alone (1995) or in combina-statistically significant effect of elevated CO 2 in 1995 was a tion with two levels of increased ozone (O 3 ) (1994) or in-decrease in the grain protein concentration ( -11% in both creased irrigation (1996) during three successive growing CO 2 concentrations), and in 1996 an increase ( +21%) in the seasons as part of the EU ESPACE-wheat programme and straw yield. In 1996 the soil water potential was less negative in elevated CO 2 , which is likely to reflect a lower water conducted in open-top chambers (OTCs) and ambient air (AA) plots at O 8 stad, 50 km north-east of Go ¨teborg, Sweden. consumption of these plants. Addition of extra O 3 significantly affected the grain yield ( -6 and -10%, respectively) and Doubling the CO 2 concentration had a positive effect on grain yield in all 3 years ( +21, +7 and +11%, respectively), the 1000-grain weight negatively ( -3 and -6%). Statistialthough only statistically significant in 1994. That year was cally significant interactions between CO 2 and O 3 were obcharacterised by a warm and dry summer in comparison with tained for the number of ears per unit area and for the 1000-grain weight. The 1000-grain weight was negatively 1995 and 1996, in which the summers were more humid and typical for south-west Sweden. In 1994, the CO 2 -induced affected by O 3 in low CO 2 , but remained unaffected in the increase in grain yield was associated with an increase in the high CO 2 treatment. There was a significant decrease ( -6%) in the grain protein concentration induced by elevated irriga-duration of the green leaf area, a positive effect on straw yield and on the number of ears per square metre and a negative tion. The chambers, compared with AA plots, had a positive effect on plant development and on grain yield in all 3 years. effect (-13%) on grain protein concentration. Harvest index CO 2 is the substrate for photosynthesis and it has been estimated that, due to decreases in photorespiration and in the substrate inhibition of Rubisco, net photosynthesis may increase between 25 and 75% in the short term when the CO 2 level is doubled (Stitt 1991). Additional CO 2 usually increases the growth of C 3 plants, in which a doubling of the CO 2 level has been shown to increase vegetative growth with an average of 41% (data on 156 species, Poorter 1993) and 47% (data on 250 species, . The growth response varied considerably, both between and within species. For example, in wheat the increase in vegetative growth varied between 7 and 97% (Poorter 1993). Other important

This research was carried out to determine the effects of agronomic practices on the mineral composition of organically-grown wheat species. In terms of all nutrients evaluated, the mineral content of wheat showed signi cant differences according to crop years, varieties, weed control methods and fertilizer sources. As the average of all factors, the Cu, Fe, Mn, Se, Zn, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni and Pb contents of the ground wheat grain were; 3. 93, 42.8, 79.6, 0.549, 11.34, 0.012, 0.140, 0.194, 3.71 and 0.269 mg / kg, respectively. According to the wheat varieties, the Kırik was superior in terms of Cu, Fe, Se, Zn, Co and Cr, and the Dogu-88 was superior in terms of Mn, Cd, and Ni. The effect of weed control methods on mineral content was variable. According to fertilizer sources, the highest mineral content was obtained from the control plots without fertilizer treatments. The lowest mineral contents were obtained from chemical fertilization, cattle manure and organic fertilizer applications. There was no signi cant increase in the mineral content of wheat with organic fertilization, however, organic agriculture still preserves its place in terms of healthy food. As a result, it has been determined that the values obtained for all mineral elements were not at a level that pose a risk on the environment, human and animal health according to WHO.

The aim of this study was to compare the quality of meat from hybrid (Lithuanian indigenous wattle pigs x wild boar intercross) intact and castrated males. A total of 39 intact and castrated male hybrids from 1/4 and 1/2 wild boar genotype were included in the study. The hybrids from 1/4 wild boar genotype had lower eye loin area (P<0.05) and carcass cooling loss (P<0.001) than those from 1/2 wild boar genotype. Intact boars had lower carcass dressing percentage (P<0.05), backfat thickness (P<0.001) and higher loin area (P<0.001) than castrates. No differences were found as regards technological meat quality, but the taste panel study showed higher acceptability of pork from 1/4 wild boar genotype and castrates than that from 1/2 wild boar genotype and intact boars. A significant correlation was found between the age of intact boars and odour and juiciness (P<0.05). The concentration of testosterone in plasma was correlated with pork and fat odour.

ln ali the crops studied there was variation among genotypes in carbon isotope discrimination (A). ln trials of barley genotypes there were strong positive correlations between grain yield and A, though in trials which were irrigated or received abundant rainfa\1, this correlation was non-significant or negative. Sorne of the variation in yield and A was related ta date of heading, as early varieties in stressed trials had highest yields and had high A. ln an experiment with 8 early and 1 0 lata !lowe ring rioe genotypes the re were consistent positive correlations between yield and A in the early group, but in the late group the correlations tended to be negative. Among the early group the early genotypes were highest yielding, and may be presumed to have avoided the worst effects of drought and hence had higher A. ln the Jale group, there was no correlation between yield and date of flowering. ln one experiment with cowpeas, a weak positive correlation between grain yield and t. was observed, but in a second trial, in an abnormally wet season, no such correlation was observed. ln ali three crops further work is needed before the usefulness of carbon isotope discrimination for screening for high yield in water-limited environments can be assessed. Résumé.-Chez toutes les espèces cultivées étudiées, il a été observé des différences entre les génotypes en ce qui concerne la discrimination isotopique du carbone (t.). Chez l'Orge, il existe une corrélation positive très étroite entre le rendement en grains et A, bien que chez les plantes bien irriguées ou ayant reçu une pluviosité abondante cette corrélation ne soit pas significative ou même devient négative. Certaines variations dans le rendement et A sont reliées à la date de montaison, les variétés précoces ayant des rendements plus élevés et une valeur plus grande du A, dans les lots stressés. Chez le Riz (8 génotypes à floraison précoce et 10 à floraison tardive), on a observé une corrélation positive entre le rendement et A chez les génotypes précoces, mais chez les génotypes tardifs, les corrélations tendent à devenir négatives. Dans le groupe précoce, les génotypes précoces ont le rendement le plus élevé, et on suppose qu'ils ont évité les effets les plus néfastes da la sécheresse et donc on un t. plus élevé. Dans le groupe tardif, il n'y a pas de corrélation entre le rendement et la date de floraison.

Brazilian savannas or ''cerrados'', which cover an area of 200 million ha, possess a high potential for agricultural production. Upland rice has been used as a pioneer crop to open these areas for cultivation, and covered an area of more than 4.5 million ha during the 1970s and 1980s. The cultivars used in this system were tall, japonica types, with good tolerance to drought stress and a traditional bold grain type. Subsequently, the shift of rice to more favorable production zones and a change in consumer grain preference has required the development of a new class of aerobic rice cultivars. These were derived from crosses between upland and lowland cultivars, and they combine adaptation to unflooded (aerobic) soils with responsiveness to applied inputs. Crop financing policies take into consideration the climatic risk for different savannah micro-regions, which has been established using water balance models and GIS. Research recommendations have been developed to minimize climatic risk through appropriate date of planting and choice of variety. New varieties, japonica  indica derivatives, with improved plant type and duration and with desirable grain appearance and cooking behavior, provide an economically attractive option for farmers in stable cropping systems. Such varieties have been adopted by farmers both as a regular component of grain cropping systems and as a crop to assist in renewal of degraded pasture. These aerobic rice systems help meet national demand for rice without the levels of water use and investment in infrastructure required for irrigated lowland rice production.

When savannas in Latin America are brought into cultivation, rice (Oryza sativa L.) can be sown with the perennial grasses palisadegrass [Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich) Stapf] and signalgrass (B. decumbens Stapf) to harvest a grain crop while establishing a pasture to suppress weeds and provide grazing in subsequent years. However, these Brachiaria spp. can reduce upland rice yields. Rice cultivars need to be competitive with Brachiaria spp. to maintain yields but must allow Brachiaria spp. sufficient growth for pasture establishment. Field studies were conducted during 1994 and 1995 on a Typic Haplustox oxisol soil in the Eastern Plains of Colombia to evaluate the competitiveness of upland rice cultivars and to identify rice traits for competitiveness. Ten (1994) and 14 (1995) upland rice cultivars were grown with and without signalgrass in 1994 and palisadegrass in 1995. Rice cultivars differed substantially in their competitiveness. Rice yield losses ranged from 18 to ...

Field experiments involving upland rice genotypes, sown in various dates in late season, were carried out to assess the relationship of carbon isotope discrimination with grain yield and drought resistance. In each one of the three years, one trial was kept under good water availability, while other suffered water shortage for a period of 18-23 days, encompassing panicle emergence and flowering. Drought stress reduced carbon isotope discrimination measured on soluble sugars (deltas) extracted from stem uppermost internode at the end of the imposition period, but had relatively less effect on bulk dry matter of leaves, sampled at the same period, or that of uppermost internodes and grains, sampled at harvest. The drought-induced reduction in deltas was accompanied of reduced spikelet fertility and grain yield. In the three trials subjected to drought, genotypes with the highest yield and spikelet fertility had the lowest deltas. However, this relationship was weak and it was conclude...

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench] anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum sublineolum is a serious and destructive foliar disease and a major production problem of sorghum in Nigeria. Field experiments were conducted to determine the efficacy of Apron Star 42 WS seed dressing fungicide and varietal resistance for the integrated management of leaf sheath and midrib anthracnose disease of sorghum in Northeastern Nigeria. The treatments consisted of improved sorghum varieties and local sorghum varieties that were both fungicide treated and untreated. Seed dressing with fungicide significantly reduced the incidence and severity of anthracnose disease in sorghum. The local variety &#39;Warwarbashi&#39; recorded the highest disease incidence (62.2%), while &#39;Bauchi Early Selection&#39; and &#39;Ex-Mali&#39; consis-tently had the lowest disease incidences. Fungicide-treated varieties significantly lowered the severity of leaf sheath anthracnose at all growth stages. The fungicide also l...

Biochar addition to soil has been widely accepted as an option to enhance soil carbon sequestration by introducing recalcitrant organic matter. However, it remains unclear whether biochar will negate the net carbon accumulation by increasing carbon loss through CO2 efflux from soil (soil respiration). The objectives of this study were to address: 1) whether biochar addition increases soil respiration; and whether biochar application rate and biochar type (feedstock and pyrolyzing system) affect soil respiration. Two series of field experiments were carried out at 8 sites representing the main crop production areas in China. In experiment 1, a single type of wheat straw biochar was amended at rates of 0, 20 and 40tha(-1) in four rice paddies and three dry croplands. In experiment 2, four types of biochar (varying in feedstock and pyrolyzing system) were amended at rates of 0 and 20tha(-1) in a rice paddy under rice-wheat rotation. Results showed that biochar addition had no effect on...

SUMMARYThe organic matter intake of two breeds of sheep grazing a dry medic pasture was estimated by five different methods. The methods used were the calibrated weight estimate for measuring available herbage before and after grazing; a total faeces collection and digestibility trial; a tritium dilution technique; an established ratio of dry-matter intake to water intake; and an estimation using established energy requirements and the estimated metabolizable energy of the pasture. All methods gave similar estimates. It was concluded that the tritium dilution technique was the most useful method and that the dry-matter intake to water intake ratio was the easiest technique to use. The relative merits of the different methods used are discussed. The maintenance requirement for grazing German Mutton Merino and Awassi sheep was found to be 0·64 MJ ME/day/kg W0·75. When both breeds were caged in an open field the maintenance was 0·37 MJ.

Finnish N fertilizer application regulations for forage grasses are based on field experiments mainly conducted in the 1960-1970s with cultivars and management practices typical of the time. In order to update the yield response function of N, to make it better suited to current grassland farming, field experiments were conducted at two sites in 2015-2017 with two cultivars of timothy (Phleum pratense L.) and one of meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds.). Dry matter (DM) yield, nutritive value and N balance were evaluated, with N application levels 0, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400 and 450 kg N ha -1 year -1 . The grasses were harvested three times per season. The data indicate that the DM yield response was significantly stronger, and N was used more efficiently for DM production than earlier without compromising the nutritive value, especially during the first two years. The third harvest produced on average 23% of the annual yield, utilizing N efficiently. N application rates below 350 kg N ha -1 year -1 did not cause substantial overwintering losses or lodging. The data indicate that with changing climate and improved cultivars and management practices, there is a need to modify the rates and timing of N application. The results suggest that N application levels could be increased by at least 50 kg N ha -1 year -1 from the current maximum accepted rate (250 kg N ha -1 year -1 ) without too high NO 3 -or CP concentrations in feed, or too high N balance that indicates increasing risk of N leaching.

This study was conducted to quantify water use, grain yield and water productivity of 2 rice genotypes in 5 soil textures grown under the conventional continuous flooding irrigation method (CF), alternate wetting and drying irrigation methods (AWD20 and AWD30). The field experiments were established in two sites (Barangay Pance in Ramos and Barangay Dapdap in Paniqui) in the province of Tarlac, Philippines during the dry season (DS) from November of 2007 to March of 2008; and were laid out in randomized complete block design with treatments in split-plot arrangements, replicated four times. The three irrigation methods occupied the main plots while the two rice genotypes (PSB Rc80 and IR78386H) occupied the subplots. The water productivities (WPi) of hybrid rice genotype (IR78386H) under CF were 1.36, 1.04, 0.30, 0.40, and 0.39 kg grain m -3 water while for the inbred (PSB Rc80) were 1.35, 1.03, 0.24, 0.32, and 0.46 kg grain m -3 water in clay loam, clay, loam, sandy loam, silt loam...

Proper and economical horse keeping is influenced by many factors. Calculating the costs of horse keeping, one should take into account the specific needs of the horse (mainly concerning the keeping technology and feeding). However, probable costs and income are also influenced by the form of utilization and by the working mode of the animals. Cost-effectiveness is determined by the relation between costs and income. In this study costs and potential income related to horse keeping were examined at several horse farms in the Szigetkoz region. The study definitely shows that labour cost is the major cost of horse keeping, which is followed by feeding cost, then cost of veterinarian and the other costs category.

A decision support system (DSS) was developedin Visual Basic 6.0 programming languageto match tractor power and implement size. The proper selection and matching of tractor and implements is becoming very important and difficult in Sudan because of the availability of variety of tractor models and powers ranging from 20 to &gt; 100kW and variety ofimplement sizes. The program options permit the user to select the type of operation and the types of implements available in his/her farm. The system enables the user to insert the inputs data through file system, and obtain the output easily. The developed system was tested with a case study using data from The Arab Investment Corporation-Um Doom Farm. It was found that the power used in the farm can match the implement available. In addition, it was tested by making comparison between the power required for zero tillage and for conventional tillage. The sensitivity analyses showed that changing in some parameters such asspeed, width and...

Weeds play an important role in the proper stand establishment of the growing crop, which ultimately affect the productivity and quality at the end of the growing season. Hand hoeing is still by far the most widely practiced cultural weed control technique in field crop production throughout the traditional agricultural sector in Sudan, because of the prohibitive costs of herbicides and fear of toxic residue coupled with the lack of knowledge about their use. Fields studies were conducted at North Kordofan state, Sudan, on naturally infested fields within the same area, using three similar fields during 2007/2008 rainy season, to determine optimal weeding frequency for weeding management in two widely used cultivated varieties of Hibiscus sabdariffa L, (Elrahad and Elfashir). The majority of weeds in site were the broad leaves (dicotyledons), while grasses (monocotyledons) found in a lesser density. The dominant weed floras were Alhuskaneet (Cenchrus biflorus L), Sheilini (Zornia glochidiata L) and Alraba (Trienemara pentanture L). Weeds reduced yield of the crop by about 75 % compared to weeding twice during the season.

Climate warming and growing population are hot topics for agriculture and food security in Africa. In this context, the CARAIB dynamic vegetation model is run over Africa north of the equator to project future soil water balance and its impact on yields of wheat (a culture whose distribution is projected to increase rapidly given the huge demand on the continent). Forced with different climate and CO2 concentration scenarios, the uncertainties in yield projections are large. Assuming CO2 effects, model results indicate a potential stimulation of wheat growth overcoming negative climate change impacts with yield gains around 20 % in sub-Saharan regions above the equator (up to 40 % in Eastern Africa). Without CO2 fertilization, negative yield anomalies are projected under future climate trends (warming and drying). Since the agronomic adaptation of African agriculture is an important source of uncertainties, the yield-increasing effect of irrigation is also analysed.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) popularly known as the “King of Vegetables” is a starchy, tuberous crop, that belongs to the family Solanaceae. Potatoes play an important role in the daily human diet because they are a copious source of minerals, vitamins, antioxidants and micronutrient. The potato is a basically temperate crop, but it grows under a wide range of climatic conditions. Potato crop is generally affected by different types of biotic and abiotic diseases. Among all diseases, Late blight of potato, caused by the Phytophthora infestans (Mont) de Barry is one of the most devastating diseases of potato worldwide. In India, the losses caused by the disease are 10-20% in Uttar Pradesh, 10-15% in West Bengal and Punjab, 10-15% in Karnataka and Uttrakhand also have been reported during 2013-14. The management of the disease can be done through cultural, mechanical, use of the resistant variety, biological and chemical, etc. The efficacy of current strategies for the management of ...

Bipolaris sorokiniana (Sacc.) Shoem, causing spot blotch of wheat is most important disease of wheat in north eastern plains zone (NEPZ) representing warm and humid climate in India as well as in other South Asian countries. The disease is known to cause yield losses up to 50% as well as deterioration in seed quality. The present study is carried out to check inhibitory effect of nanofungicides and fungicides against Bipolaris sorokiniana. Among nanofungicides, silver nanofungicide at 100 ppm was found highly effective and inhibit the growth by 86.10% followed by agritec nanofungicide (81.41%) and selenium nanofungicide (77.01%). Among fungicides, maximum inhibition (82.57%) was observed in propiconazole at 0.2% followed by hexaconazole (78.96%) and folicure (75.92%) under in vitro condition.

Most of the agriculture sectors have been dependent heavily on inorganic chemical-based fertilizers, which are harmful for both human health and environment. The utilization of beneficial microbes as a biofertilizer has become major concern in industrial agriculture for their potential role in food safety and sustainable crop production. In this study, we examined the effect of Chlorella on germination of barley and wheat grains. Seeds were germinated in culture medium containing microalga (Chlorella sp. 56) and grown for 3, 6, 9 and 12 days in order to study its effect on growth parameters. In conclusion, Chlorella suspension increased the seed growth compared to those of control (sterilized culture medium) of seed germination. The best treatments were 0.06 g/L and 0.23 g/L of algal suspension for the root and shoot lengths of barley and wheat seeds, respectively.

Crop production on acid soils can be improved greatly by adjusting the pH to near neutrality. While soil acidity is commonly corrected by calcite, there is evidence that use of basic slag as an amendment can increase the pH of acid soils. The effect of calcite and basic slag (CaSiO ) with different doses on soil acidity, 3 nutrient availability and grain yield was determined in the experiments. Fourteen field experiments were conducted during the rabi season of 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 in Alfisolsof Midnapur West and Purulia districts of West Bengal, INDIA. Besides liming materials, locally available organic resources e.g. farmyard manure (FYM) and poultry manure (PM) were also used along with basic slag to increase its efficacy. The treatments used were as follows: No lime, 1/5 LR (basic slag), 1/5 LR (calcite), 1/10 LR (basic slag), 1/10 LR (calcite), th th th th 1/5 LR (basic slag + FYM @ 5t/ha) and 1/5 LR (basic slag + PM @ 3t/ha). Results showed that both th th calcite and basic slag increased the grain yield of wheat. They were effective when applied @ 1/5 LR dose th than 1/10 LR. On an average, calcite and basic slag caused an increase in grain yield to the extent of 21.9 and th 31.0% over the no lime treatment, respectively. Results also showed that increase in the yield of wheat was more with basic slag 1/5 LR than with calcite. Incorporation of organic sources of nutrients particularly FYM and th PM caused a further increase in yield, the magnitude being 56.2 and 60.2% respectively over the no lime treatment. Results of straw yield also showed the similar trend of change. Uptake of N and P by wheat plants showed that liming caused significant increases in their uptake. There was no significant increase in concentration of K with lime application. Organic matter addition enhanced the uptake of the nutrient elements viz., N, P and K. Results of the analysis of residual soil showed that total acidity, exchange acidity and hydrolytic acidity recorded a decrease upon liming.

The 'Green Revolution (GR)' has been successful in meeting food sufficiency in India, but compromising its nutritional security. In a first, we report altered grain nutrients profile of modern-bred rice and wheat cultivars diminishing their mineral dietary significance to the Indian population. To substantiate, we evaluated grain nutrients profile of historical landmark high-yielding cultivars of rice and wheat released in succeeding decades since the GR and its impacts on mineral diet quality and human health, with a prediction for decades ahead. Analysis of grain nutrients profile shows a downward trend in concentrations of essential and beneficial elements, but an upward in toxic elements in past 50 y in both rice and wheat. For example, zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) concentration in grains of rice decreased by ~ 33.0 (P < 0.001) and 27.0% (P < 0.0001); while for wheat it decreased by ~ 30.0 (P < 0.0001) and 19.0% (P < 0.0001) in past more than 50 y, respectively. A proposed mineral-diet quality index (M-DQI) significantly (P < 0.0001) decreased ~ 57.0 and 36.0% in the reported time span (1960-2010) in rice and wheat, respectively. The impoverished M-DQI could impose hostile effects on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like iron-deficiency anemia, respiratory, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal among the Indian population by 2040. Our research calls for an urgency of grain nutrients profiling before releasing a cultivar of staples like rice and wheat in the future. Cereals, mostly rice and wheat, are the foundation of food and nutritional security for the humanity 1,2 , particularly of the people of India, providing > 50% of their daily energy requirements. Although a large number of high-yielding cultivars (HYVs) of rice and wheat have been released in the past 50 y since the 'Green Revolution (GR)' in India 3 , a few of them are considered as landmark cultivars. These cultivars showed wider adaptability and resistant to various biotic and abiotic stresses across or within the agro-climatic zones of the country, and thus widely adopted by the farmers. Landmark cultivars eventually transformed fortunes of the cereal growers and supported the GR vis-à-vis ensuring food sufficiency of the country. Despite food sufficiency, it is quite surprising that problem of undernutrition still prevalent in India 4,5 , putting a huge economic burden on its society 7 . Of the 768.0 million undernourished people of the world (9.8%) 8 , India

Energy-efficient and scalable harvesting and lipid extraction processes must be developed in order for the algal biofuels and bioproducts industry to thrive. The major challenge for harvesting is the handling of large volumes of cultivation water to concentrate low amounts of biomass. For lipid extraction, the major energy and cost drivers are associated with disrupting the algae cell wall and drying the biomass before solvent extraction of the lipids. Here we review the research and development conducted by the Harvesting and Extraction Team during the 3-year National Alliance for Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts (NAABB) algal consortium project. The harvesting and extraction team investigated five harvesting and three wet extraction technologies at lab bench scale for effectiveness, and conducted a techoeconomic study to evaluate their costs and energy efficiency compared to available baseline technologies. Based on this study, three harvesting technologies were selected for further study at larger scale. The selected harvesting technologies: electrocoagulation, membrane filtration, and ultrasonic harvesting, were evaluated in a field study at minimum scale of 100 L/h. None of the extraction technologies were determined to be ready for scale-up; therefore, an emerging extraction technology (wet solvent extraction) was selected from industry to provide scale-up data and capabilities to produce lipid and lipidextracted materials for the NAABB program. One specialized extraction/adsorption technology was developed that showed promise for recovering high value co-products from lipid extracts. Overall, the NAABB Harvesting and Extraction Team improved the readiness level of several innovative, energy efficient technologies to integrate with algae production processes and captured valuable lessons learned about scale-up challenges. • Low capital expense (CAPEX) and operating expense (OPEX) • Ease of operation and low maintenance requirements

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is a vital essential nutriment crop in the biosphere and fifth most significant cereal crop afterward wheat, rice, maize and barley. NPK are elementary nutrients for plant development, which play a major role in uptake and energy creation in plants and suggestively improve the grain harvest. Sorghum is grown in a variety of agro-ecosystems, with varied biotic and abiotic variables influencing grain output. Arthropods are a serious difficulty for increasing sorghum yield among the biotic components. A variety of variables contribute to insect pest issues in the field, including alteration of the environment to make it more conducive to insect growth, reproduction, and development, as well as conventional cultural practises. Choosing pest-resistant cultivars that are well matched to local growing circumstances is the first step in integrated insect control in sorghum. This strategy is usually employed in conjunction with crop rotation, optimal pla...

A factorial experiment on the basis of RCB design with three replications was conducted in 2007, to investigate the effects of salinity stress (S1, S2 and S3: control, 5 dS/m and 10 dS/m, respectively) on seed quality of three chickpea cultivars (ILC and Jam from kabuli type and Pirooz from desi type) at different stages of development (H1, H 2, H 3 and H 4: 38, 46, 54 and 69 days after flowering). Seed weight, germination percentage and germination rate were significantly affected by salinity and harvest time, but cultivar had only significant effect on seed weight and germination percentage. Comparison of means indicated that 100 seed weight and percentage of germination for ILC and Jam cultivars were statistically similar, but these traits for Pirooz were significantly less than those for two other cultivars. Seeds produced under non-saline conditions (S1) were larger than those produced under low (S2) and high (S3) salinities. Moreover, germination rate and percentage of all see...

A greenhouse experiment with factorial arrangement based on randomized complete block design with four replications was conduc-ted in 2015 to investigate the effects of salicylic acid (SA) (1 mM) and jasmonic acid (JA) (0.5 mM) on protein accumulation and amino acid composition of soybean seeds under different levels of salinity (0, 4, 7, and 10 dS/m NaCl, respectively). Treatment of SA improved protein percentage and per seed at different stages of seed development under all salinity levels. The highest protein yield was also recorded for SA treated plants, due to higher seed yield and protein content. In contrast, treatment with JA reduced seed protein content and yield as a result of reduction in seed yield. Lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, proline and tyrosine contents increased, but leucine and valine contents decreased with enhancing salinity. Foliar spray of SA improved isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, valine, alanine, aspart...