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Climate change poses challenges to maize production and productivity in eastern Ethiopia. Impact assessment using climate predictions is the prime step to design adaptation strategies. Crop Environment Resource Synthesis (CERES)-Maize model in DSSAT (Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer) was calibrated using GenCalc software. The model was used to simulate change in maize yield in the baseline (1988–2017) and future climate periods (2030s and 2050s) under (Representative Concentration Pathways) RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios using 17 CMIP5 (Coupled Model Inter-comparison Project Phase Five) GCMs (Global Circulation Models). During calibration and evaluation of the model excellent agreement of measured and simulated anthesis, and days to physiological maturity for all the cultivars with normalized root mean square error (nRMSE) of less than 10% and R2 value of 0.99 was obtained. The seasonal leaf area index (LAI) and top weight progressions were also predicted well by the model with d-index of 0.96 and 0.99, respectively. Excellent (nRMSE < 10) to good (nRMSE 10–20) predictions were also obtained for grain yield and tops weight. The average annual temperature would increase by (1.90 ± 0.36) oC, (2.45 ± 0.53) oC and rainfall would increase (8 ± 5) %, (12 ± 8) % under RCP 4.5 in 2030s and 2050s, respectively across GCMs compared to baseline in the study area. As a result in 2030s yield reduction, – 10.6% to – 15.4% and – 7.4% to – 9.3% in 2050s of maize cultivar was projected across GCMs. In 2030s and 2050s under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 long maturing cultivars (BH661) on 15th May planting with 130.5 kg N ha–1 application predicted the highest maize grain yield.Highlights: Climate change poses challenges to maize production and productivity. Adaptation strategies such as cultivars, planting dates, and nitrogen fertilizer rates were assessed. Under RCP4.5 and 8.5 in 2030s the highest maize grain yield predicted by planting late maturing (BH661) cultivar on 15 May with 130.5 kg ha–1 nitrogen fertilizer application. In 2050s planting late maturing (Raare-1) cultivar with 87 kg ha–1 nitrogen fertilizer application under RCP4.5 and, Planting late maturing (BH661) cultivar with 130.5 kg ha–1 nitrogen fertilizer application under RCP8.5 predicted to give higher yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Planting of kenaf usually commences from March - April as these months mark the onset of the rainy season in Nigeria. On the contrary, it is now difficult for anyone to predict when rain start due to climatic variation. Hence, field experiments was conducted between 2015 and 2016 to determine the appropriate time of sowing kenaf that will optimize its yield potential in South Western Nigeria. As a result of delay in the commencement of rain, planting did not start until May. Hence, kenaf seeds were sown in May, June, July and August at 30 days interval in each year. The experiment was a 4 x 2 factorial laid out in a randomized complete block design and replicated three times. The result indicated that the highest fibre yield (1.00 t/ha) was from the kenaf sown in June irrespective of the year, but not significantly different from the one sown in July (0.98 t/ha). On the other hand, kenaf sown in July had the highest seed yield (2.28 t/ha) with the lowest seed yield (1.04 t/ha) obtained in May followed by August (1.19 t/ha). The experiment conclusively affirm June for sowing of kenaf for fibre cultivation and July for seed production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Chickpea leaf miner (Liriomyza cicerina R.) is one of the main insect pests damaging chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in the Mediterranean region. This study assessed yield losses caused by the chickpea leaf miner on four improved kabuli varieties using two planting dates, winter and spring, with insecticide treatment at two locations. The grain yield losses caused by this pest were on average 20% for winter planting and 42% for spring planting. In addition, infestation by leaf miner was about 25, 43 and 3% for untreated winter planting, untreated spring planting and treated plots, respectively. The chickpea leaf miner could be effectively managed using several integrated pest management options such as winter planting and use of resistant varieties. Highlights • Winter-planted chickpea was less infested than spring-sowing crop. • Grain yield losses caused by leaf miner were higher on spring planting than winter sowing. • Early planting should be used as one of the management options for chickpea leaf miner in Morocco. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To identify the high yield planting date and pinching pattern, we compared the yields of five new varieties (lines) of tea-applied chrysanthemum, the ' Suju 10', ' Suju 12', ' Suju 13', ' CH1-44' and ' CH5-13' . A field experiment with split-split plot design was carried out. The main plot treatments including three ( early, middle and late) planting dates, split-plot treatments including 5 new varieties (lines), and split-split-plot treatments including four different kinds of pinching schemes. The results showed that the yield of ' CH5-13' and ' Suju 13' was relatively higher among the five varieties (lines), followed by ' CH1-44' and ' Suju10', and ' Suju 12' showed the lowest yield. Among the five varieties (lines), planting date on May 27th and two-time pinching treatments showed the highest values of plant height, crown width, flower number, flower diameter, fresh mass, yield per plant and yield per unit area. Compared with the planting date on May 7th and June 13th, the above indexes increased by 16.0% and 19.0%, 18.0% and 22.8%, 36.7% and 42.2%, 11.1% and 2.3%, 13.0% and 4.0%, 47.8% and 36.6%, 48.5% and 36.7%, respectively. With the pinching time postponed, plant height decreased. Compared with the no pinching treatment, plant height of the two-time pinching treatment decreased by 50. 2%, and values of crown width, flowers number, the flower fresh mass, the yield per plant and the yield per unit area were highest, with increases of 7.0%, 9.%, 5.5%, .0% and .8%, respectively. The impact performance of three main factors on the growth and yield of the tea-applied chrysanthemum was in order of planting date>varieties>pinching time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the lack of labor and the mechanization of planting work, seedlings should be planted during the entire period of unfrozen soil, from early spring to late autumn. In experimental studies, it is difficult to investigate all the risk factors related to different planting windows. In Finland, the winter of 2015–2016 was harsh for seedlings. First temperatures were above zero, then they suddenly dropped to <−30 °C without any protective snow cover. These conditions offered a good opportunity to study the success of autumn plantings and clarify which factors best predict the field performance of autumn planted conifer seedlings. In the survey, 22 regeneration sites planted with Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris L.) and 71 with Norway spruce ( Picea abies (L.) Karst.) seedlings were inventoried in the summer of 2016. Scots pine seedlings were more sensitive, and the regeneration result was good only in a few sites. With Norway spruce, the results were better although both good and poor results were found. For Norway spruce, we modeled the probability of severe damage and leader growth damage separately for summer (July and August), September and October plantings. The most important factors affecting the probability of damage was the quality of the planting and the planting spot as well as the soil type. If a planting hole was open or a seedling was planted in a planting spot other than a mineral-covered mound, the risk of damage was high. In fine and course textured soils, as well as medium coarse soils with a high risk of frost heaving, the probability of damage was also high. Low precipitation after planting and during the following spring also increased the probability of leader growth damage. Planting in the summer and early September exposed seedlings to leader growth damage, especially when the seedlings were planted in sites with a high risk of frost damage in autumn and spring. The results indicate that the planting of Scots pine seedlings in the autumn should be avoided. Norway spruce seedlings can be planted even in October when the work quality is good and suitable sites are selected for plantings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybean cultivation in Ghana is on a rapid increase because of its importance as food and cash crop. However, its production is constrained by pod-sucking insects that attack the pods and seeds. Field studies were conducted to deterimine the effect of planting date and cultivar on pod-sucking bug (PSB) infestation and yield of soybean. Four soybean varieties, four planting dates and two insecticide spraying regimes were evaluated. The results showed that soybean planted early (i.e. mid-June) suffered less PSB attack resulting in low seed damage and high yields. This suggests that mid-June is the best period to plant soybean to avoid PSBs for maximum yields in northern Ghana. Planting should be completed by mid July to avoid poor yields. The genotypes TGX 1799-8F and TGX 1834-5E consistently suffered less insect attack and can therefore be incorporated in an IPM package because of their relative resistance to insect pests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Narrow brown leaf spot (NBLS) of rice ( Oryza sativa L.) is caused by Cercospora janseana (Racib). O. Const. (Synonyms: Cercospora oryzae Miyake, Passalora janseana Racib. U.). Experimental studies were conducted in Louisiana to study NBLS progression in resistant to very susceptible cultivars at different planting dates. The very susceptible cultivars CL131 and Cheniere, susceptible CL111, moderately susceptible CL151, and resistant cultivars, Della and Presidio were planted in mid-April and mid-May plantings. Weekly disease assessments began at 45 days after sowing (DAS) and the final disease assessments were done at 109 DAS. Results revealed that AUDPC and final NBLS severity were greater in very susceptible and susceptible cultivars as compared to resistant cultivars. The AUDPC for mid-May plantings were greater for all cultivars. AUDPC increased with increasing susceptibility rating in the mid-April planting. Early onset of NBLS was observed in very susceptible and susceptible cultivars regardless of planting date. Significant interactions were detected between cultivar and planting date for AUDPC and final disease but were non-significant for apparent infection rate. Apparent NBLS infection rate was greatest in the highly susceptible Cheniere and CL131 in the mid-May planting. Apparent infection rates were less in the susceptible and moderately susceptible cultivars and least for the resistant cultivars in both plantings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing variability in the start and end of the season, with climate change, is presenting a dilemma to farmers on the optimum planting dates for bush beans in semi-arid areas. A study to investigate the effect of planting date on bean yield and weed pressure was conducted at Nyagatare, Rwanda, during the 2009/10 and 2011/12 seasons. The highest seed yield and weed density were recorded at the second planting date in the wet 2009/10 season. Seed yield and weed density were significantly (P<0.001) lower at the first and third planting dates in the wet 2009/10 season. In the dry 2011/12 season, seed yield was highest at the earliest planting date and significantly (P<0.001) decreased ten times with each 15 day delay in planting. There was a significant linear correlation between days delay in planting and weed density (r = 0.99, P<0.001), bean plant dry weight (r = -0.97, P<0.01) and monthly rainfall (r = -0.97, P<0.01) in the dry 2011/12 season. These results suggest that early planting may be detrimental to bean seed yield in long wet seasons, most likely due to intermittent water logging and pre-disposition of the beans to higher disease and pest pressure. Bean seed yield declined as planting was delayed in a short dry season because the beans increasingly matured during dry hot conditions when the rainy season had ended and weed pressure increased as planting was delayed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insect pests are a major constraint to cowpea production in northern Ghana where it is widely cultivated. Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of planting date, cultivar and insecticide applications for the management of major insect pests attacking cowpea. There were 4 planting dates, 6 cowpea cultivars of medium maturity periods and 2 insecticide spraying regimes. Data were collected on densities of the major insect pests, including the legume pod borer Maruca vitrata F., thrips Megalurothrips sjostedti Trybom, and the pod-sucking bug complex dominated by Clavigalla tomentosicollis Stal., and grain yield. Early planting of cowpea in mid- or late July resulted in the lowest pest densities compared with those planted at later dates. Two of the six cowpea varieties (IT99-573-2-1 and IT99-573-1-1) supported the lowest numbers of insects across planting dates and irrespective of insecticide spraying regime. However, insecticide sprays significantly lowered pest densities and improved yields in all varieties, and yields were the highest when treatments were combined with early planting in mid-July. The results suggest that for maximum yield, cowpea in the study area should be planted in mid-to-late July and sprayed with insecticide. Where available, these treatments can also be integrated with varieties such as IT99K-573-2-1 and IT99k-573-1-1 which appeared to be less susceptible to insects in the current study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three field experiments were conducted to assess the effect of planting date on the incidence of viral diseases and the severity and the susceptibility of the cultivars. Two cultivars of cucumber (Hybrid Tokyo F1 and Poinsett) and one local variety of zucchini (Bolle) were used for the evaluation in May-July 2014, September-November 2014, and February-April 2015. A randomized complete block design with three replications was used for the experiments. Data were collected on disease incidence, severity, and time until first symptoms occurred. Area under severity index progress curve (AUSIPC) and area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) were calculated respectively for disease severity as well as the incidence on each cultivar. The results demonstrate the susceptibility of all cultivars to the tested viral diseases. The effect of planting dates on cultivars was significantly different (P < 0.05) at the different growing stages whereas there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in planting date-variety interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Narrow brown leaf spot (NBLS) of rice ( Oryza sativa L.) is caused by Cercospora janseana (Racib). O. Const. (Synonyms: Cercospora oryzae Miyake, Passalora janseana Racib. U.). Experimental studies were conducted at Rice Research Station, Louisiana State University, and Agricultural Center, Crowley, to manage NBLS by fungicide application of propiconazole at different growth stages of rice cultivars having different susceptibility levels to NBLS in different planting dates. Results of these studies revealed that April (early) had less NBLS severity as compared to May (late) planting. Very susceptible cultivars, CL131 and Cheniere, had the highest and resistant cultivars, Della and Presidio, had the lowest NBLS severity at both the planting dates. Propiconazole application significantly reduced the NBLS severity in comparison to untreated. Fungicide application at panicle initiation was the most effective time to manage NBLS on the very susceptible and susceptible cultivars at both planting dates. NBLS on moderately susceptible cultivars was best managed by applying fungicide either at panicle initiation or early boot stage in early planting but panicle initiation was the best time to apply fungicide in late planting. Resistant cultivars did not need fungicide in April planting but did need in May planting. Rice yield was determined to be higher in April than May planting. Fungicide application at early boot stage protected the yield by 9.4% in April planting and 34.2% when applied at panicle initiation in May. Susceptible cultivar, Cheniere, exhibited the greatest yield and resistant cultivars had lowest yield in both the planting dates regardless of its susceptibility level to NBLS. Yield of very susceptible to susceptible cultivars was reduced in late planting but no effect was observed on yield of moderately susceptible and resistant cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melanaphis sorghi is a key pest of sorghum production across the southern USA, where it causes serious damage that can lead to 100% grain yield loss in severe situations. Studies aiming to refine IPM strategies are crucial to improve management of this invasive pest. Here, the authors investigated the impact of planting date and insecticide application methods, including in-furrow vs. foliar applications, on M. sorghi infestation and grain sorghum yield. Field trials with four insecticide treatments (untreated, flupyradifurone in-furrow at 117 g/ha, flupyradifurone in-furrow at 146 g/ha, and flupyradifurone foliar at 73 g/ha) and two planting dates (mid-April to early May = early planting and late May to early June = late planting) were conducted on grain sorghum at Tifton, Georgia and Florence, South Carolina, in 2020 and 2021. Generally, early planted sorghum supported higher aphid density and severity of infestation as evident in the greater cumulative insect days in early planted sorghum in both Florence and Tifton. While a single foliar insecticide application immediately reduced infestations below the economic threshold, the lower rate in-furrow insecticide application significantly suppressed aphid density to near zero levels. These results suggest that foliar insecticide applications suppressed aphid densities, but were less consistent compared to in-furrow applications. Early planting dates and in-furrow insecticide treatments resulted in highest grain yield in both study locations. These data strongly suggest that planting early and using an in-furrow insecticide is the most consistent way to suppress M. sorghi infestations and improve grain yield in sorghum production in southern USA. • Early planted sorghum supported higher Melanaphis sorghi infestation. • A single foliar insecticide application significantly reduced aphid infestation. • In-furrow insecticide application suppressed aphid density to near zero levels. • Early planting dates and in-furrow insecticide treatments improved grain yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Newly planted seedlings suffered from early summer drought stress in boreal forests. • Freezer-stored seedlings tolerated drought stress after planting quite well. • Growing seedlings planted in mid-summer had a high risk of drought damage. • Good site preparation and planting prevented drought and pine weevil damage. • No geographical variation in drought and pine weevil damage was observed. With climate change, drought and warm growth conditions in the spring and early summer are predicted to become more common in Nordic boreal zones in the future. Such conditions occurred in Finland in June and July 2021, offering a good opportunity to study the field performance of seedlings and which factors, including the weather, regeneration site, and operational or seedling level factors, affected the field performance of the seedlings. In the survey, 65 regeneration sites planted with Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) container seedlings from May to July 2021 were randomly selected from different parts of South and Central Finland (60–64°N), and several variables were assessed in sample plots from these sites in September–October 2021. On average, 6 % of the seedlings died, and 26 % were damaged during the first growing season. In most cases, the damage was caused by drought. The most important factors affecting drought risk were the planting period and packaging and storage methods of the seedlings: in freezer-stored seedlings, the probability of drought damage was <0.20 for all planting periods, except for July; when the seedlings overwintered outdoors and were delivered to the forest in open trays, the risk of damage was <0.25 when they had been planted in May and early June, but in late June, it was > 0.60. When the seedlings had overwintered outdoors and were then packed in closed packaging, the risk was >0.20, regardless of the planting period. A low previous-year height of the seedlings (especially in the outdoor stored seedlings), precipitation a week before planting, and a low average temperature two weeks after planting reduced the risk of drought damage. When the average air temperature was below 15 °C (i.e., during the May plantings), the shade of the nearby stand slightly reduced the drought risk, but in higher temperatures, shade did not affect it. The effect of the pre-planting precipitation was stronger in coarse-textured and peat soils than in medium-coarse soils. The risk of drought damage was lowest when the freezer-stored seedlings were planted in good quality mineral soil mounds, deep enough in medium-rich (MT type) and medium-coarse soils. It is impossible to completely prevent drought damage in newly planted Norway spruce seedlings, but by optimizing operational choices and measures, the development of full density fast-growing young Norway spruce forests can also be ensured in a warming climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relay cropping of cover crops is a strategy of increasing biomass yields and productivity of maize-based systems. However, there is need to strategically plan the relay cropping to avoid competition between the main crop and the relay cover crops while at the same time obtaining optimum yields from both crops. A study was carried out in a clay soil in a sub-humid region of Zimbabwe to investigate the effect of introducing different relay cover crops at 8, 11 and 15 weeks after planting maize (WAPM) into a standing maize crop on biomass yield of the relay cover crops, their emergence and maize yields in the 2012–13 and 2013–14 seasons. From the results of the study, it was observed that the introduction of relay cover crops late in the season compromises their emergence and hence biomass yields (as low as 0.8 kg ha −1 for blue lupins ( Lupinus angustifolius var. angustifolius (L.)). In a season where longer mid-season dry spells were experienced (2013–14), biomass yields of the relay cover crops were lower than in 2012–13 season. Delays in planting of relay cover crops (i.e. from 8 to 11 and from 11 to 15 WAPM) resulted in yield reductions of around 50%. Relay cover crops introduced at different periods of the season had no significant effects on maize grain and biomass yields. However, there are relay cover crops such as the velvet bean ( Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC) and common oats ( Avena sativa L.) that showed better emergence even in the sub-optimal conditions (with emergence as high as 90%). Of all the investigated relay cover crops, none could contribute to significant amounts of biomass thus insignificant increases in total plot biomass. There is need to investigate on other earlier planting dates that do not compromise the biomass productivity of such relay cover crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidences stated that microclimate causes noticeable effects on life cycle, consumptive use of water and planting time of the plant species. So, two field experiments were established at Sakha Agricultural Research Station during 2013 and 2014 growing seasons in order to evaluate the effect of microclimate on planting date as well as the influence of applying nitrogen fertilization (F 1 : without nitrogen, F 2 : 60 kg nitrogen/fed as compost, F 3 : 30 kg nitrogen/fed as urea + 30 kg N as compost/fed and F 4 : 60 kg nitrogen/fed as urea) on growth, yield and components of coriander ( Coriandrum sativum , L.) plants. The planting dates were October 10 th , November 9 th and December 9 th . The obtained results showed that the microclimate affected planting date in the studied region which indicated that planting in the first third of December improved plant traits as significantly produced the heaviest weight of 1000 seeds, fruit yield/plant and /fed (1923.77 kg/fed) and decreased number of days from planting to harvest to 135 day, highest essential oil%, essential oil yield/plant and /fed, the highest N, P and K% for the two seasons. Cultivation on November 10 th and December 10 th were saving 11.25% and 25.17% of water applied, respectively as comparing with cultivation on October 9 th . The highest productivity of irrigation water and water productivity were recorded on December 10 th as 1.21 and 1.24 kg m −3 , respectively. On the other hand, the consumptive use decreased from 42.71 cm on October 9 th to 31.74 cm on December 10 th . For the application of nitrogen sources, the F 4 treatment was observed to produce the highest promoted effect on most growth parameters, yield, and the rate of increase in yield% reached to 46.25, essential oil% and oil yield in both seasons. Fourteen components were identified in coriander oil. Linalool was found to be the first major compound with the highest percentage obtained in oil sample for plants sown under all planting dates with all fertilization treatments. The highest percentage of linalool was obtained from oil sample from plants sowing on December 9 th and fertilized with F 4 (60 kg nitrogen/fed as urea (89.41%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve soybean production in Benin, knowledge of prevalent viral diseases is needed. For this purpose, surveys were conducted in 2011 and 2012 to assess the importance of cowpea mild mottle virus (CPMMV) in 8 districts of Benin on 1103 soybean samples analyzed by ELISA. Furthermore, a study was conducted to determine the influence of three planting dates on occurrence of viral diseases of soybean at the experimental farm of the Faculty of Agronomy of the University of Parakou from July to October in 2011 and 2012. For that, five soybean varieties were planted in a split-plot design with planting date as the main factor and variety as the secondary factor. The prevalence of viral diseases was evaluated on leaf samples with virus-like symptoms using 5 specific antibodies. The results of the survey showed that CPMMV was present in 175 of the 523 fields inspected in 2011 (33.4%) and in 180 of the 580 fields in 2012 (32.6%). The highest prevalences were recorded in N'dali (46.7%), Savè (44.4%) and Pèrèrè (41.7%) in 2011. In 2012, similar levels of infection were observed in these areas. In the field trial, cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) was the most predominant virus at the three planting dates, with reduced incidence at the late planting date. The prevalence of bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV) and cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus (CABMV) were not significantly different between planting dates. CPMMV prevalence was significantly higher at the late planting (17.8% in 2011 and 18.6% in 2012) than at the early and normal planting. The alfalfa mosaic virus was not detected during the experiment. Moderately resistant soybean varieties differed in their reaction to the tested viruses, and varieties with moderate resistance to the single viruses were identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Maize cultivation has recently expanded to the West African Sudan savannah and has the potential to play a key role in the cropping systems of the region where intercrop yields have been low. Staggering planting date and manipulating plant population of component crops are potential ways to improve yields of intercrops. A field trial was conducted to investigate the performance of contrasting cowpea cultivars when sown at different dates under varying maize plant populations at Minijibir in the Sudan savannah of Nigeria in 2008 and 2009. The trial was laid out in a randomized complete block design with split-split-plot arrangement and replicated four times. Planting date (four and six weeks after sowing maize) formed the main plot; plant population (0, 17,777, 26,666 and 53,333 plants ha-1) was assigned to subplots and cowpea cultivars to sub-sub-plots. Results showed that the best grain yield potential for intercropped cowpea was achieved by sowing early in low to moderate maize plant populations. Early sowing was more conducive to achieving a higher number of branches, higher number of peduncles, higher number of pods, and higher fodder and grain yields. Cowpea performance reduced progressively with increase in maize plant population because of increased shading from maize plants. Growing cowpea under high maize population was more favourable for indeterminate cowpea cultivar whereas, growing under zero to moderate maize populations favoured semi-determinate cowpea cultivar most in grain production. Thus, when planning to grow cowpea with maize at full maize crop, farmers may need to seed indeterminate cowpea cultivar early under maize. At reduced maize plant populations, growing maize with semi-determinate cowpea cultivar will do. However, choice of maize plant population to use may depend on the income, food nutrition and feed needs of the farmer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cauliflower is grown for its hypertrophied inflorescences that are used in the preparation of various fresh cooked dishes as well as in pickling or canning industry. The inflorescences are rich in water (90%). The energy value of cauliflower inflorescences is low (118.5 kJ / 100) due to low content of energetic substances. Cauliflower culture is practiced in the field and in protected areas. Climatic conditions are favorable for growing cauliflower in Transylvania. Cultures are mainly started with seedlings leading to additional costs for their production. The experience was carried out in 2011-2012 in the Reghin area, Mures County. Experimental factors were planting date and culture method. Experimental culture was established at different dates (April, May, June) by two methods (by planting seedlings and direct seeding). The aim of the experiment was to demonstrate the feasibility of growing cauliflower crops by direct seeding, in Reghin area, and if the obtained results, are comparable to those achieved by seedling cultures. In the experiment it was found that direct sowing method can be best practiced if the culture is established in June. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cowpea-maize intercropping causes low yields of cowpea due to shading effect by maize plants. Staggering of dates of planting of cowpea in an intercrop is a potential way of reducing intercrop shading while increasing cowpea yield. Nonetheless, contrasting cowpea cultivars may have differential response to planting dates. A field trial was conducted in 2008 and 2009 growing seasons at Samaru in Nigerian Guinea savannah to determine the performance of diverse cowpea cultivars intercropped with maize 4, 6 and 8 weeks after planting maize. The trial was laid out in a split-split-plot design. Grain yield and crop value were stable (1,110.5-1,163.5 kg ha-1, $2,379.3-2,566.8 ha-1, respectively) among planting dates. Sole cowpea was more productive than intercropped cowpea for number of branches (11 vs. 5 m-2), peduncles (41 vs. 24 m-2), pods (69 vs. 48 m-2) and seed (569 vs. 406 m-2), fodder yield (2685 vs. 1889 kg ha-1) and grain yield (1479 vs. 797 kg ha-1). Number of pods and seeds, seed weight and fodder yield were positive key traits of cowpea grain yield. Rankings of cowpea cultivars in terms of grain yield did not change with cropping system suggesting that cowpea cultivars that have superior yield in sole crops can be recommended for intercropping with maize. Grain yield of intercropped cowpea and crop value of maize plus cowpea and that of intercropped cowpea were highest for late maturing and indeterminate cowpea. Therefore, late and indeterminate cowpea cultivars should be preferred for intercropping with maize. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Millet and sorghum grown in West Africa showed a strong response to daylength and photoperiod. [•] The photoperiod response was not only related to the latitude of origin but also the capability of lowlands to maintain soil moisture. [•] The critical photoperiod for millet and sorghum ranged from 13 to 13.35hrs. [•] The photoperiod sensitivity for millet and sorghum ranged from 142 to 6,184 growing degree days (GDDh−1) per hour of photoperiod extension [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Kale or Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala is not well known and cultivated in our country, so it could be considered a new vegetable or a very rare one. From the Brassicaceae group, kale is the most valuable in terms of nutrition. The therapeutic qualities of kale are recognized since antiquity by Hippocrates, Pliny the Elder, Cato the Elder, Galen. Kale was considered a panacea by the romans. The main purpose of this paper was to establish an optimal sowing date that ensures the highest yield, adapted to the specific environmental factors of Transylvania. The organized experience was tri-factorial, with factor A - planting period, factor B - hybrid and factor C - seedling type. All factors had two graduations, thus resulted 8 experimental variants. The first planting period was the second decade of May and the second period was the third decade of June. The hybrids used were F1 Winterbor and F1 Redbor and the seedlings, one part were transplanted and the other part were not transplanted. The crops from the first planting period achieved the best results. The conducted study concluded that kale is sensitive in the immediate period after planting in terms of environmental conditions, especially regarding the humidity and temperature. Thus, in regards to the environmental conditions of the Transylvanian Plateau, optimal planting period for kale is the third decade of April. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: To develop predictive models using a simple and effective modeling technique, field experiments were conducted at the Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville, Mississippi (33°25′ N, 90°55′ W) under irrigated conditions. The models were constructed using 4 years of field data (1998 to 2001), and validated with a fifth year of data (2002). Potential factors affecting stages of soybean growth and development were considered for developing the models. Affecting factors, such as weeds, insects, diseases, and drought stresses, were controlled optimally to simplify the modeling procedures. In addition, stepwise regression (SR) analysis, artificial neural networks (ANN), and interpolation approaches were used to construct the models. The modelling of soybean growth and development processes was separated into 2 distinct periods: vegetative growth stage (V-stage) and reproductive growth stage (R-stage). The models included 10 V-stages (up to V8) and 8 R-stages. In the V-stage models, planting date (PD) and mean relative time-span from planting to a particular stage were the only significant parameters, whereas in R-stage models, PD and maturity group (MG) were significant. The models obtained accurate predictions when only using PD, MG, and mean relative time-span from planting to a particular stage. The ANN method provides the greatest accuracy in predicting phenological events, indicating that the ANN method can be effectively applied in crop modeling. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Winter damage risk was highest and recovery lowest in fall-planted seedlings. • Late planting date in summer increased the damage risk in freezer-stored seedlings. • Long storage duration increased the risk of winter damage. • Good quality planting spot reduced the risk of damage and improved recovery. In boreal and temperate forest zones, snowless winters and springs with varying temperature conditions are becoming more common with climate change. In the spring of 2020, extensive winter damage in Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) seedlings, which had been planted the previous year in Central Finland, was observed. In most cases, the probable reason was winter desiccation. This provided a good opportunity to study the regeneration site, seedling, and weather factors that affect winter damage and the recovery of seedlings from damage. In the study, systematic plot sampling was done in 60 selected regeneration sites where damage was known to have occurred. The prediction models for the probabilities of winter damage and the recovery of seedlings were fit to the data. The risk of winter damage was higher in seedlings packed in a closed package than in seedlings stored in open trays. The risk was especially high if seedlings packed in a closed package were stored for more than a week before planting in the middle of June or later. In open trays, the risk of damage was highest in seedlings planted in September, but even then, the risk was lower than in seedlings packed in a closed package. Long storage duration also increased the damage risk in seedlings stored in open trays and planted in September. Other factors that increased damage were coarse soil and the sample plot being on top of a hill. Factors reducing the risk were a fast chain from clear-cutting to planting, planting in good-quality mounds, a sample plot position on the north slope, and the shading of the forest edge on the southern side of a plot. Recovery of seedlings was weaker when seedlings were stored in a closed package and planted in the fall, in too shallow planting depth, or in humus-covered mounds. Recovery improved when seedlings were planted at a depth of at least 5 cm, or when the coniferous forest edge was on the southern or western side of a plot. Winter damage reduced seedling growth and induced the formation of multiple leaders. In practice, the most important factors to be taken into account were avoiding long storage duration and planting seedlings packed in a closed package after the middle of June. Good-quality site preparation and planting were also important for minimizing the risk of damage and improving recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract: In order to make mechanized planting economically viable, the present spring planting period of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.)) seedlings in Fennoscandia needs to be enlarged. To evaluate the possibilities of enlarging the planting period, seven field experiments were established in the course of 3 years, during which actively growing or short-day-treated seedlings were planted regularly from the beginning of July to the middle or end of September, depending on the experiment, and also the following spring. The survival of seedlings differed between experiments, but the planting date had an effect only in the experiment where seedlings were planted on a mounded site with no short-day treatment before planting. Seedlings planted after mid-July were more susceptible to damage from night frosts. Seedlings planted in July and early-August had greater root egress and growth in height after the planting in comparison to seedlings planted after mid-August and during the following spring. For plantings in July, actively growing seedlings can be used without negative effects on their field performance. In order to avoid possible frost damage, short-day treatment is recommended before planting for seedlings used in plantings performed in August and later in the autumn. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Most afforestation hardwood plantations in the Central Hardwood Forest Region, USA, are established with bareroot seedlings planted in late winter or early spring. This brief planting season is preferred for several logistical and physiological reasons, yet interest in fall planting has increased as a means to extend the planting season. We evaluated effects of a wide range of planting dates on 2-year survival and growth for six different temperate deciduous forest tree species grown as 1+0 bareroot stock at a southern Indiana, USA, nursery and outplanted onto an afforestation site in southeastern Indiana. In 2001–2002 and again in 2002–2003, seedlings were planted on 10 and 9 different planting dates, respectively, between November and July. Planting date only affected survival of Prunus serotina Ehrh. and Juglans nigra L. in 2001–2002, and Liriodendron tulipifera L. in 2002–2003. Planting date did not consistently affect seedling growth of any species; however, low precipitation in summer of 2002 apparently limited growth of late season plantings. These results suggest that the planting season could effectively be extended given adequate soil moisture. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Artificial photoperiod reduction did not affect bud set in the Pinus tabuliformis. • Early summer planting leads to high field growth but high winter mortality. • High winter mortality occurred in seedlings with low carbohydrate and N concentration. • Low carbohydrate and N levels can be the result of a storage-field growth tradeoff. Planting during summer is considered as a suitable option for forest plantations in regions with a temperate monsoon climate. However, seedlings planted early in the summer are not dormant and experience active growth, which makes them vulnerable to planting stress. The artificial reduction of the photoperiod in the nursery is used to harden seedlings of boreal and alpine tree species for summer planting. Little, however, is known about the effect of artificial reduction of photoperiod with respect to summer planting in temperate monsoon climate tree species. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of length and timing of photoperiod reduction on seedling morphology and physiology attributes in the nursery and on the field performance of Pinus tabuliformis. We applied four photoperiod treatments (6 h, 8 h, 10 h, control) in the nursery on four dates in the summer (June 23, July 3, July 13, and July 23). The nursery and field site were located near Beijing, Northern China. We measured seedling morphology and non-structural carbohydrates and nitrogen concentrations in the nursery and in the field. Additionally, we measured field mortality and plant growth for three years. The reduction of the photoperiod did not have any effect on bud set, but it reduced seedling growth and non-structural carbohydrate concentration, while increasing plant N concentration. A delay in the application of photoperiod treatments increased plant size and the proportion of seedlings that developed buds, and it decreased plant non-structural carbohydrates and nitrogen concentration. High field mortality was typically observed in the winter, and the early application of photoperiod treatments increased winter mortality but enhanced field growth. Mortality during the first winter was negatively related to plant non-structural carbohydrates and nitrogen concentrations at the beginning of the cold season. In contrast, photoperiod had no effect on outplanting mortality and a minor effect on field growth. Field growth in subsequent growing seasons was directly related to the size of the plant at the beginning of the first cold season. However, field growth during the growing season immediately after planting was negatively related to seedling size, and positively related to non-structural carbohydrates and nitrogen concentrations at planting. This study demonstrates that summer planting of container seedlings is feasible for P. tabuliformis , and there is no need to reduce the photoperiod in the nursery before outplanting. Optimizing the planting date during the summer appears to be critical for good mid-term growth and low winter mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]