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At the major vernalization locus 'Vrn-D1', the spring allele, Vrn-D1a, and two winter alleles, Vrn-D1b and vrn-D1, have been identified in wheat. We conducted field trials to determine the effects of alleles on growth and yield-related traits, using near-isogenic lines developed in the genetic background of spring type wheat cultivars, 'Abukumawase' and 'Asakazekomugi', both of which carry the Vrn-D1a allele. Although maturity date of three alleles was same, the panicle development occurred earlier in the following order of genotype: Vrn-D1a > Vrn-D1b > vrn-D1. There was a significant difference in panicle development even between two winter type alleles vrn-D1 and Vrn-D1b. Grain yield and the spikelet number per spike of the original spring type cultivars were lower than those of the winter type NILs. In addition, while the young panicle development of the tillers in the spring type cultivars was found to be two weeks to one month later in the tillers than that in the main stem, young panicle development of the main stem and tillers in the winter type NILs were almost identical. Hence, winter type wheat bearing vrn-D1 which exhibit later panicle development than that bearing Vrn-D1b, was elucidated to might be more useful especially in areas with high risk of frost damage. Spring type wheat had a lower sink capacity and grain yield, meanwhile that was considered to prevent severe frost damage by allowing late-developed tillers to survive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractCurrent agricultural production systems face challenges of poor economic returns, soil fatigue and negative environmental outcomes from excess use of nitrogenous fertilizers, especially in wheat production under middle gangetic plains. To overcome these challenges, the current study was conducted to optimize nitrogen management in different wheat genotypes with precision nitrogen management tools and approaches. The field experiment was laid out in split-plot design, with three genotypes assigned to the main plot and six nitrogen management practices to the sub-plot. The soil of the experimental field was sandy loam in texture, with low levels of organic carbon and available nitrogen, and medium levels of available phosphorus and potassium. Results revealed that the HD-2967 genotype outperformed others in terms of growth, grain yield (4.7 and 4.81 t ha−1), gross return (1417.41 and 1505.48 US$ ha−1), net return (953.43 and 1019.76 US$ ha−1), and B-C ratio (2.04 and 2.08) in 2015-16 and 2016-17, respectively. Among the nitrogen management practices, application of 150 kg N ha−1 in three equal splits demonstrated improved crop growth, grain yield (4.7 and 4.81 t ha−1), and economic returns (gross return, 1500.40 and 1607.65 US$ ha−1, net return, 1025.40 and 1110.38 US$ ha−1 and B: C ratio, 2.17 and 2.23) in 2015-16 and 2016-17, respectively. However, it resulted in higher nitrogen losses. Green seeker guided N application significantly reduced apparent nitrogen losses compared to all other nitrogen applied treatments. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing wheat production by selecting appropriate genotypes and implementing precision nitrogen management techniques to enhance yield, profitability, and environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic resistance is the most economical and efficient way to reduce production losses brought on by diseases. Plant breeders continuously incorporate new, dependable sources into their breeding materials to continue developing disease-resistant genotypes. Fourteen certified wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar (Bahawalpur-2000, NIFA-Bathor08, Fareed-2006, Haider-2002, Imdad-2005, Lasani-2008, Marvi-2000, Moomal-2000, Manther-2003, Pirsabak-2006, Iqbal-2000, Pirsabak-2004, Shahkar-2013, and Wafaq-2002) seeds from the Nuclear Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and National Agriculture Research Center (NARC) were grown in pots. DNA obtained from fresh leaves of the wheat cultivars were screened for leaf rust resistance genes (i.e. Lr-51, Lr-47, Lr-46, Lr-37, Lr-36, Lr-35, Lr-34, Lr-28, Lr-25, Lr-19, Lr-13, Lr-9, and Lr-1 using PCR. Results showed that the Lr-47 gene was present in nine wheat cultivars, Lr-1 and Lr-28 in eight, Lr-5, Lr-9, and Lr-13 in three, and Lr-19 and Lr-37 in one cultivar. In the selected wheat cultivars, the resistance genes Lr-25, Lr-35, Lr-36, and Lr-46 were not observed. This study suggests cultivating wheat varieties Haider-2002, Iqbal-2000, Lasani-2008, Manther-2003, Pirsbak-2004, Pirsbak-2006, Shahkar-2013, and Wafaq-2002 for high level of resistance to rust and protection against high production losses. In future studies, phenotypic data alongside genotypic screening will improve the assessment of leaf rust resistance in wheat cultivars, leading to a better understanding of their disease resistance profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractFusarium graminearum is the most important pathogen of maize and winter wheat in Canada, resulting in yield loss and mycotoxin contamination. Fungicides are essential to manage F. graminearum in cereal crops. Until pydiflumetofen became commercial, the only available fungicides were triazoles, limiting the potential to manage fungicide resistance. Fusarium graminearum isolates were surveyed from wheat, grain maize and overwintering maize stalks in southern Ontario. Chemotype and the baseline sensitivity to pydiflumetofen were determined in addition to sensitivity to common fungicides used to control F. graminearum. Fusarium graminearum has several strains producing different trichothecenes called chemotypes. In Ontario, 73.3% of the F. graminearum isolates were 3ANX chemotypes producing 7α-hydroxy, 15-deacetylcalonectrin, in addition to 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol and deoxynivalenol; the remaining isolates were 15ADON chemotypes producing only 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol and deoxynivalenol. Chemotype was not affected by isolate source (wheat grain, maize grain, maize stalks) nor by location. All isolates were sensitive to pydiflumetofen and fungicide products containing pydiflumetofen. The mean EC50 for isolates exposed to pydiflumetofen was 0.05 µg mL−1 (range 0.01–0.10 µg mL−1). The mean EC50 for isolates exposed to Miravis®Ace (containing pydiflumetofen and propiconazole), Miravis®Neo 300SE (containing pydiflumetofen, azoxystrobin and propiconazole), Caramba® (containing metconazole), Proline® (containing prothioconazole) and Prosaro (containing prothioconazole and tebuconazole) was 0.06, 0.13, 0.18, 0.05, 3.75 and 0.30 µg mL−1, respectively. These data will be useful in monitoring the development of fungicide resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is primarily caused by Fusarium graminearum and is the most destructive wheat disease in western Canada. The trichothecene toxin deoxynivalenol (DON) and its derivatives 3-ADON and 15-ADON, which are produced by Fusarium, are toxic to humans and livestock. This study aimed to evaluate the Fusarium species and trichothecene-producing genotypes present in producer wheat fields of western Canada in 2019 and 2020. The grain analysis for DON showed that samples collected from both years experienced mild levels of FHB toxin contamination. In spring wheat, the highest mean DON content was recorded from Saskatchewan samples (0.9 ppm) in 2019 and Manitoba samples (0.3 ppm) in 2020. Winter wheat samples had lesser mean DON levels (<0.2 ppm) for all three provinces in both years. The chaff collected from the same spring wheat heads showed a significantly higher DON content than the grain in both years (P < 0.1 for 2019 and P < 0.001 for 2020), suggesting that chaff should be tested for DON before use as livestock feed. Most samples collected were infected by F. graminearum, with the highest F. graminearum percentage observed in the spring wheat from Manitoba. Further, F. avenaceum, F. sporotrichoides, F. culmorum, F. poae and F. acuminatum were found in infected samples. Most of the F. graminearum isolates were of the 3ADON genotype, which is the dominant genotype in FHB disease in western Canada. The study indicated that 3ADON-producing F. graminearum is becoming more frequent in western Canadian fields than the 15ADON genotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the essential role of nano-fertilizers in crop production, studies have yet to be conducted to evaluate nano-molybdenum (Mo) application on winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The present study assessed the efficacy of nano-Mo on the Mo-uptake, plant growth, and winter wheat yield. Wheat was grown in the pot experiment using four experimental groups (deionized water: C, nano potassium molybdate: NMoK, potassium molybdate: MoK, and ammonium molybdate: MoA), each with six replicate samples applied-foliar three times in a 30-day interval. The results revealed that NMoK improved Mo accumulation in grains, stomatal conductance, root dry weight, yield, and the number of spikes per pot of wheat compared with MoK. Additionally, NMoK treatment significantly increased wheat grain yield by 46.29%, 13.94%, and 17.70% compared with C, MoK, and MoA treatments, respectively. These results demonstrated that the nano-Mo application may enhance Mo-inefficient wheat growth, thus, increasing its productivity under acidic soil conditions. The principal component analysis (PCA) elucidates that all variables reside within the positively correlated variable domain. This encompasses parameters related to yield, photosynthetic machinery, and Mo uptake by various plant organs. Through cluster analysis, the nano-Mo group exhibited a more pronounced influence on the variables than the without-Mo and non-nano-Mo groups. Based on our findings, nano-Mo could be a suitable alternative to non-nano molybdenum fertilizers. This recommendation is particularly relevant for enhancing the growth of winter wheat crops cultivated in acidic soil conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of nanomaterials in agriculture has considerable advantages, but its impact on the dynamic change of soil nutrients is still unclear. In the two-year experiment, the effects of nanocarbon (NC) and nano calcium carbonate (NCC) on the dynamic changes of soil nutrients in the wheat field were studied by setting the ratio of different nanomaterials and fertilizers. All treatments with NC and NCC applications positively affected soil nutrient effectiveness at 0–35 d after wheat anthesis, and the effect of NC+NCC was more significant. At 35 days after anthesis, soil available phosphorus (P), available potassium (K), organic matter (OM), and alkaline hydrolysis nitrogen (N) were elevated by 77.9%, 21.9%, 11.7%, and 7.0%, respectively, in the first year and 44.3%, 10.2%, 9.0%, and 7.6%, respectively, in the second year of treatment with 100% CF (complex fertilizer) + 50% NC + 50% NCC compared with control. The treatment with reduced fertilizer application also demonstrated a greater advantage. At 35 d after anthesis, 70% CF + 35% NC + 35% NCC had 54.3%, 11.5%, 8.4%, and 5.8% higher soil available P, available K, OM, and alkaline hydrolysis N, respectively, compared with the control, and 41.05%, 6.4%, 7.8%, and 5.4% higher the following year, respectively. In acidic soils, positively charged NC and NCC have a lasting effect on maintaining soil nutrients by adsorbing acid ions. Therefore, NC and NCC with compound fertilizer have favorable effects in maintaining soil nutrient content and improving fertilizer utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA) is an environment-friendly super absorbent polymer that can be used as a soil conditioner, which is promising to improve crop productivity and cope with soil degradation. The objectives of this study are to study the effects of γ-PGA on soil physicochemical properties and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Xinong 975) production in arid region of Northwest China. According to the mass ratio of γ-PGA and soil, experiment treatments consisted of four different γ-PGA application rates, which were designated as 0 (CK), 0.05% (P0.05), 0.1% (P0.1), and 0.15% (P0.15), respectively. The mixed soil samples were uniformly filled into identical plastic pots. Each treatment had three replicates randomly distributed within 12 pots. The results indicated that γ-PGA significantly increased saturated water content by 6.3-11.5%, field capacity by 8.4-15.3%, and plant available water by 5.1-12.5% compared with the CK. γ-PGA increased soil NO3−-N content and residue, and enhanced the proportions of soil macro-aggregates compared with the CK. γ-PGA increased winter wheat yield by 29.3-34.7%, and WUE by 21.2-33.3% compared with the CK. The main conclusion γ-PGA application amount of 0.05-0.1% can be used to improve soil physicochemical properties and winter wheat production in degraded soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ground rolling delays spikelet initiation and thus would be expected to reduce frost injury in earlysown spring wheat. To characterize the relationship between the timing of rolling and the delay of spikelet initiation, we investigated apical development of early-sown spring wheat plants (Triticum aestivum L. cv. ‘Ayahikari’) rolled at the 1-, 2-, 3-, or 4-leaf stage in three years. All rollings delayed apical development. The delay was largest in plants treated at the 1- or 2-leaf stage: spikelet initiation by 5.0 days, the start of internode elongation by 5.5 days, and jointing by 3.5 days relative to the control. Our results and recent meteorological data suggest that in early cropping of spring wheat in the Tokai region of Japan, the earliest sowing date to avoid frost injury can be advanced by 3 days by rolling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate and rapid estimation of leaf nitrogen content (LNC) in winter wheat using hyperspectral techniques is important for growth monitoring and accurate fertilization. Based on field experiments conducted over four years at three ecological sites with four different nitrogen (N) application treatments and four different N-efficient wheat varieties in Henan Province, the canopy spectra and LNC of winter wheat were obtained simultaneously in the main growth stages. The original spectrum was subjected to continuum removal (CR), the correlation between LNC and various vegetation indices was systematically analysed, and the optimal vegetation index estimation model for LNC was constructed. Simultaneously, discrete wavelet transform (DWT) was used to further compress and extract the CR spectrum. The model was combined with partial least squares regression (PLSR) and K-nearest neighbour (KNN) algorithms to estimate LNC in winter wheat. The results showed that the spectrum treated with CR was significantly improved in its correlation with LNC and that the model established based on normalized vegetation index NDVI (CR728, CR977) combined with the CR spectrum was better compared to existing vegetation indices. The calibration and validation coefficients of determination (R2) and root mean square error (RMSE) were 0.816 and 0.799, and 0.352% and 0.342%, respectively. DWT was used to transform the CR spectrum, and the results showed that a combination of the CR spectrum and a sym8 wavelet function with PLSR based on the approximation coefficients at decomposition level 2 predicted LNC most accurately. The coefficient of determination RC2, root mean square error RMSEC, and relative percent deviation (RPDC) of the calibration set were 0.884, 0.279%, and 2.932, respectively, and RV2, RMSEV, and RPDV of the validation set were 0.855, 0.291%, and 2.619, respectively, indicating that the model had good stability and predictive ability. Combination of CR and DWT improved the modelling accuracy of wheat LNC and showed better prediction results for multi-year and multi-point samples. The results of the study can provide a basis and reference for rapid monitoring of LNC in winter wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat stress during the grain filling is one of most critical factors impacting grain yield in winter wheat. In a two-year field experiment, we studied the effects of 24-Epicastasterone and KH2PO4 on heat-stressed wheat applied during different times. A completely randomized block design was used with three reagents, that is, 24-Epicastasterone, KH2PO4 and H2O and three spraying times, that is, pre-heat, under-heat and post-heat. Two cultivars, that is, Huaimai 33 and Annong 0711 were subjected to a 7 d post-flowering heat stress using plastic tents. Our study suggests that greater grain weight in heat-stressed plants was achieved through sustaining leaf greenness and higher assimilates supplies to grains. When heat-stressed plants sprayed either with 24-Epicastasterone or KH2PO4 could sustain a relatively higher leaf photosynthetic capacity by up-regulating antioxidant enzymes with reduced damage on lipid membranes and leaf chlorophyll. We also found that KH2PO4 was relatively more effective in improving leaf physiology and grain yield of heat-stressed plants than 24-Epicastasterone. Further analysis showed that pre-heat or post-heat was more pronounced in protecting plants from heat injury than spraying the plants under heat stress. Thus, spraying KH2PO4 either prior to or post stress incidence is recommended to protect wheat crops from terminal heat stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grain yield and protein concentration are critical traits determining wheat economic value and are dependent on nitrogen (N) supply and crop N status. However, application of N fertilisers is costly and has a large environmental footprint. We assessed the effect of slow-release rock mineral fertiliser (RMF) with or without microbial consortium inoculant (MI) on growth, grain yield and protein content of winter wheat grown in a low-fertility soil. The experiment was set up with three factors [RMF rates (0, 10 and 20 mg N kg−1 soil), MI (with and without) and two wheat genotypes] replicated four times and harvested twice (anthesis and maturity). The addition of MI increased root biomass at anthesis, but there was no effect at maturity. The shoot and grain nutrient content and protein yield were highest in plants treated with 20 mg N kg−1 soil. The plants treated with MI resulted in lower grain protein concentration than without MI. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) colonisation was higher in treatment with than without MI. The application of RMF at 20 mg N kg−1 soil produced higher plant growth, nutrient content, grain and protein yield compared to control in nutrient-poor sandy soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen (N), the most vital nutrient, undergoes a transformation in the soil and was subjected to loss through ammonia volatilization, nitrate leaching, and denitrification, which lower the soil fertility, crop yield and pollute the environment. Integrated nutrient management (INM) improves the nutrient supply system by integrating recommended dose fertilizers and biofertilizers, lessens the nitrogen losses, and synchronizes with the nutrient demand of the crop. To evaluate the impact of INM on minimization of N losses and improvement of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield and growth parameters, a field experiment was conducted with different combinations of biofertilizers along with the recommended dosage of fertilizers. Application of NPK + Azotobacter + mycorrhiza (Tram) in combination was found to improve soil nitrogen dynamics, availability of P, K, microbial activity, root growth, urease activity, and nitrogen use efficiency as compared to NPK (Tr) only. The cumulative emission from ammonia flux in the INM plot varied from 10.2 to 10.6 kg ha−1 and denitrification losses varied from 2.4 to 2.5 kg ha−1. At the same time, these were recorded significantly higher in Tr plot. The yield obtained under the INM plot receiving Tram was recorded as 6.4 t ha−1, which is higher than other treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Application of a dose of fertilizer nitrogen (N) at sowing of wheat is a widely adopted management strategy in Egypt and several wheat growing regions in the world. The objective of this investigation was to study the effect of delaying the application of this dose on yield and N use efficiency. The treatments in the field experiment conducted in 2018/19 consisted of applying 150, 200, 250 and 300 kg N ha−1 in three equal split doses. In the second experiment conducted in 2019/20, 200 and 250 kg N ha−1 were applied in three unequal split doses. In both the experiments, the first split dose was applied at 0, 10 or 20 days after sowing (DAS) while second and third split doses were applied at 30 and 50 DAS, respectively. The data indicated that applying the first dose of N at 0 DAS resulted in highest N uptake levels at 20 DAS. However, N uptake at later stages dramatically changed to reach highest when applying the first dose at 20 or 10 DAS. This was significantly reflected on grain yield and N use efficiency. For example, when a total of 250 kg N ha−1 was applied in the second season, postponing the first dose from 0 to 20 DAS resulted in an increase of 10.5% in grain yield and 10% in N recovery efficiency. Thus, this study reveals that delaying application of the first dose of fertilizer N up to 20 DAS of wheat can result in increased fertilizer use efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coarse wool obtained from mountain sheep has low economic value and is treated as a troublesome by-product of sheep farming. To find ways to utilize it, waste separated from the better-quality wool during sheep shearing was used as a fertilizer in winter wheat cultivation. During the preliminary tests, it was stated that unwashed wool does not contain excessive amounts of heavy metals and environmentally unfriendly contaminations and can be safely used as a fertilizer. Then, the raw wool was cut into shorter segments and mixed with the soil, and its influence on winter wheat growth during two seasons was examined. Simultaneously, the progress of wool biodegradation and the nitrogen content in the soil were analyzed. It was stated that, during vegetation, nitrogen compounds are slowly released into the ground, and the content of nitrogen in the soil is strictly correlated with the progress of wool biodegradation. Released nitrogen positively impacts wheat growth in various stages, which is manifested by higher tillering degree, more intense leaf color, higher stems and finally, greater yield. Wool added into the soil reveals its positive influence on wheat development up to two harvests. Mountain sheep wool can be successfully used as a nitrogen-rich, organic fertilizer in organic farming. This enables utilization of coarse wool, which is not suitable for textile processing, according to the zero-waste strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is aimed to evaluate the utility of Sentinel-2 imagery for monitoring exogenous organic matter (EOM) applied on winter wheat crop, using two spatial scales: proximal and satellite. From proximal sensing, multi-temporal spectral field measurements were taken on experimental fields consisting of three treatments (cattle slurry, liquid and raw digestates) and a control throughout 46 days. From Sentinel-2 satellites, images were analysed before and after EOM application. For both sensing scales, EOM and vegetation indices were used. On any scale of observation, the digestates spread on emerging wheat were easily detectable in late winter, in contrast to spring spreading events which were hindered by the developed vegetation. The agglomerative hierarchical clustering from the EOM indices divided by EVI achieved to discriminate digestates at early and medium stages of vegetation growth. Our findings did not apply for cattle slurry, presumably because of both lower organic and dry matter contents. Digestates spread on emerging wheat are detectable in late winter. Developed vegetation constrains the detection of spring spreading events. Spectral measurements did not separate the field with cattle slurry and the control. The visible to near infrared bands are the most impacted after digestate spreading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hyperspectral Remote Sensing (HRS) data is vital for crop growth monitoring due to availability of contiguous bands. This research work provides a new novel crop estimator model given the name “Crop Stage estimator” developed using the HRS data on an open-source R platform. The generic model structure provides an easy way to test and modify the importance of crop parameter namely Leaf Area Index to deduce crop growth stages of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) particularly during –heading, tillering and booting. Further, to know the LAI variations at different agriculture sites, the best model was implemented using the AVIRISNG (Airborne Visible Near-Infrared Imaging Spectrometer - Next Generation) hyperspectral datasets. The analysis indicates that during tillering stage the performance was found best during calibration (r = 0.66, RMSE =0.40, and Bias =0.80) and validation (r = 0.98, RMSE =0.20, and Bias =0.12) in comparison to the ground measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies showed that an increase in proline content had a positive correlation with resistance to water deficit in wheat and drought-resistant wheat varieties accumulated higher proline content than drought-sensitive wheat varieties (Golizadeh and Kumleh [11]; Jiao et al. [15]). Keywords: RWC; proline; drought stress; function markers; wheat; Aegilops; ; ; ; ; EN RWC proline drought stress function markers wheat Aegilops ZH 9434 9443 10 11/21/22 20221220 NES 221220 Introduction Drought is one of the most important abiotic factors limiting crop production worldwide and is a result of water supply or very low rainfall. Our study showed that the PCR product of I DHN i genes with the DHN13 and DHN16 primers had no genetic diversity in all 26 accessions where I DHN i gene was amplified. [Extracted from the article]

High biomass and nutrient acquisition are desirable for oat (Avena sativa L.) as a cover crop. However, our understanding of oat genotypes suitable for cover crops and associated traits is limited. The objectives of this experiment on growing oat as a cover crop, after winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) harvest, were to determine biomass production, nutrient uptake of a set of oat genotypes, and to identify phenotypic traits that can be used as indicators to select cultivars suitable for cover crops. The results showed that the top biomass-producing genotypes took up larger amounts of soil nutrients, up to 142 kg N ha−1 and 17 kg P ha−1 in 2016, and 43.5 kg N ha−1 and 8.3 kg P ha−1 in 2017. The biomass production was significantly related to plant height and leaf area index (LAI) in both years, and to the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) in 2017. Both NDVI and LAI were closely related to the total amounts of N and P uptake. The poor association between biomass and NDVI in 2016 was due to vigorous growth of volunteer wheat and weeds as well as severe rust (Puccinia coronata f. sp. avenae Eriks.) infestation. Our results suggest that it is important to choose oat varieties as cover crops. Leaf area index can be used as a nondestructive indicator for final biomass and nutrient acquisition, while both NDVI and LAI are important traits for choosing oats as soil conservation cover crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Septoria leaf blotch (SLB) disease caused by Mycosphaerella graminicola affect wheat plants causing serious losses in produced yield. Evaluation the potentiality of certain antagonists and growth regulators to suppress the SLB disease severity was performed under natural field conditions for two successive growing seasons whereas three wheat cultivars were sprayed with Pseudomonas fluorescens and Trichoderma harzianum as well as the growth regulators Gibberellic Acetic Acid, Indole Acetic Acid. All applied treatments showed their activity for decreasing the disease severity. The lowest disease severity and highest grains yield was recorded at fungicide Amistar treatment followed by growth regulators GAA, IAA and then the antagonists, P. fluorescens and T. harzianum in descending order. Based on the present finding, it could be concluding that the use of plant growth regulators as well as antagonists as foliar spray on wheat plants revealed reduction in SLB disease severity and increase in produced yield in return [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In hard red winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), increased understanding of relationships between grain protein concentration (GPC) and other phenotypic traits is needed for simultaneously achieving high yield and GPC through genetic improvement and management. Two field experiments with 20 genotypes each were conducted in 2018/2019 in Uvalde and Chillicothe, TX. The primary objective was to assess direct and indirect effects of phenotypic traits on GPC using path analysis. Broad-sense heritability was high for grain yield but low for GPC, indicating that breeding selection for high yield is best done directly, but selection for elevated GPC may be approached indirectly. Grains m−2 was positively related to GPC, though highly affected by environment, whereas 1000-kernel weight was negatively related to GPC and highly heritable. Heads m−2 had a negative direct influence on GPC, but a positive indirect effect of head number on GPC through grain number indicated head number would positively impact GPC if additional heads increased grain number. There were conflicting results between locations on the relationship between aboveground biomass at anthesis and GPC, similar to other reports. Increased time to physiological maturity positively affected GPC, with time to anthesis being the primary offsetting indirect factor, meaning a longer grain-filling period can likewise increase GPC. Crop management practices can interact with these phenotypic factors to affect GPC, which is discussed herein. These findings provide novel information on direct and indirect effects of several phenotypic traits on GPC, giving insights into routes for improvement of wheat quality through breeding and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under intensive rice-wheat cropping system (RWCS), the information on the optimum Zn dose and frequency of application is needed for sustainable productivity of the system and maintenance of soil fertility. In a 6-year field study carried out on a sandy loam (Typic hapludoll), the effect of different dosages (0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0 kg Zn ha−1) and frequency of Zn applications (once, alternate year, and every year) were investigated on yield and Zn nutrition of rice-wheat crops and changes in chemical fractions of Zn in soil. Based on the average grain yields of rice and wheat, it was concluded that application of 7.5 kg Zn ha−1 as zinc sulfate heptahydrate to rice in alternate years was the best practice in a typic hapludoll as it resulted in an average production of 5.67 t of rice grain and 4.53 t of wheat grain ha−1. The practice resulted in a benefit:cost ratio of 14.2: 1 and also helped to maintain the optimum level of Zn in soil. Application of Zn markedly increased the residual Zn fraction in soils. The use of medium (5 kg Zn/ha) and high doses (7.5 and 10.0 kg Zn ha−1) in all years brought a significant increase in water soluble + exchangeable, organically bound, and sesquioxide bound fractions of Zn. Soil application of 7.5 kg Zn ha−1 to alternate year rice crop can be recommended under RWCS on typic hapludoll for higher grain yields, profitability, and maintenance of Zn availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bioactive compounds produced by Streptomyces spp. bacteria can inhibit and reduce the incidence of phytopathogenic fungi in agricultural crops. In this study, two Streptomyces strains 6(4) and R18(6) were tested separately and in a consortium and demonstrated antifungal activity against the phytopathogenic fungus Pyrenophora tritici-repentis (Ptr) that causes tan spots in wheat plants. Streptomyces isolates inhibited mycelial growth and they induce changes in hyphal development in the germination of Ptr. In the dual culture assay, the Streptomyces 6(4) strain inhibited growth of Ptr by 44% and in the agar well diffusion assay, produced the largest inhibition halos when the crude extract was tested (≥20 mm). The detached leaf assay showed that Streptomyces 6(4) and R18(6) strains and consortium crude extracts, reduced the disease index on the leaves of wheat, with 100, 90, and 95% biocontrol efficacy, respectively. Inoculating seeds with the propagules of spores of the same strains, 6(4), R18(6) and consortium, also resulted in biocontrol of the pathogen on detached leaves, although with 48, 53.08 and 60% biocontrol efficacy respectively. Therefore, we can conclude that the crude extracts of these isolates have the potential to control the fungus Pyrenophora tritici-repentis and reduce the symptoms of tan spot in wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fusarium graminearum is a mycotoxin-producing pathogen involved in Fusarium head blight (FHB) disease of cereals, and is responsible for compromising grain yield and quality.Over the course of infection, the fungus secretes various metabolites and proteins, of which only a handful have been fully characterized in the context of FHB. We report herein the role of a secreted cerato-platanin protein (FGSG_10212, FgCPP1) in the growth and aggressiveness of F. graminearum. Pathogen strains in which FgCPP1 was disrupted (Δfgcpp1) or overexpressed (FgCPP1-OX1) did not differ from the wild-type with respect to macroconidial germination or mycelial growth, nor in sensitivity to chemicals targeting fungal cell walls. Host—plant interaction studies were conducted including disease assays in wheat and host-cell localization of FgCPP1 in tobacco cells. Consistent with previous reports for FgCPP1 disruption mutants of F. graminearum, no difference was observed among FgCPP1-OX1, Δfgcpp1 and the wild-type in their ability to cause disease spread in point-inoculated wheat spikes. Spray inoculation of the wheat spikes with FgCPP1-OX1 resulted in an increase in diseased spikelets as early as 3 days post-inoculation in each of the three wheat genotypes assessed; however, this increase was not observed when the disease assay was repeated in the cultivar 'Penhold' with an additional FgCPP1-OX transformant, FgCPP1-OX2. FgCPP1-OX1 also resulted in increased levels of deoxynivalenol accumulation in axenic culture, as well as in spray-inoculated wheat spikes. We propose that FgCPP1 is a minor contributor to pathogen aggressiveness in wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Remote biomass estimation can benefit agricultural practices in several ways, especially larger areas since it does not require local measurements. The advances of the last few decades in machine learning techniques have created new possibilities for estimating aboveground biomass. A pipeline was established from image acquisition to modelling shoot biomass of two wheat cultivars used in Southern Brazil (TBIO Toruk and BRS Parrudo). A UAV was used to acquire multispectral images with high spatial resolution to calculate vegetation indices (VIs). These VIs along with machine learning approaches are used to model the measured biomass of crops in different growth phases. To correlate the wheat images with measured shoot dry biomass, the following regression models were investigated: random forest, support vector regression, and artificial neural networks. An experiment was designed and conducted at the Agriculture Experimental Station of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (EEA/UFRGS) to assess wheat growth. Variability in crop growth was created for all test areas by varying nitrogen availability. To determine shoot biomass, plants were sampled at three different crop growth stages: V6 (stage of six fully developed leaves), three nodes, and flowering. Our results indicate the importance of the radiometric calibration used. Also, the features extracted from images, such as the VIs combined with machine learning models can be used in precision agriculture for predicting the spatial variability of shoot biomass. The best model for Brazilian wheat cultivars was an artificial neural network with R 2 of 0.90, RMSE of 0.83t/ha, and nRMSE of 8.95%. We also found a strong correlation between ground NDVI with image-based NDVI, with an R 2 of 0.84. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of fungicides on the head blight (FHB) development disease index, percent spike harvest index (SHI), and deoxynivalenol (DON) accumulation in wheat kernels under field conditions was evaluated after artificial spike inoculation with Fusarium culmorum (S-14). The trial was carried out using commercially available fungicides and a sensitive cultivar of bread wheat (Flamura-85) in a field of a wheat producer located in the Trakya region of Turkey. Fungicides were applied at the beginning of anthesis (ZGS 61), 48 hours after the inoculation with the pathogen. Disease index was determined 10 days and 14 days post-inoculation. The application of fungicides containing tebuconazole, thiophanate methyl plus tetraconazole and prothioconazole plus trifloxystrobin reduced the FHB disease and increased kernel number, spike weight, and kernel weight, as compared to the inoculated/non-fungicide control. The efficacy of tebuconazole and of prothioconazole plus trifloxystrobin was higher than that of thiophanate methyl plus tetraconazole on FHB disease severity, percent spike harvest index (SHI), and DON accumulation in wheat kernels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) image spectral information and texture feature (TF) information were fused to develop an improved model for winter wheat leaf nitrogen content (LNC) monitoring model to provide a reference for wheat nitrogen status monitoring and accurate management. The data of wheat LNC and UAV-hyperspectral imaging were simultaneously obtained at the main growth stages (jointing, booting, and filling stages) of various winter wheat varieties under various nitrogen fertilizer treatments. The correlation between the vegetation indexes (VIs) in combination of any two bands, the TFs, and LNC were systematically analyzed. Then, the optimal VIs and TFs without multicollinearity problems were screened using a variance inflation factor (VIF) to form a 'graph–spectrum' fusion index. Four machine learning methods, namely ridge regression (RR), partial least squares regression (PLSR), support vector machine regression (SVR), and random forest (RF), were used to construct respective quantitative winter wheat LNC estimation models. The results revealed that the model for estimating LNC constructed using the 'graph–spectrum' information formed by eight parameters, including the normalized vegetation index NDVI (R578, R490), the difference vegetation index DVI (R830, R778), MEA490, MEA778, VAR490, VAR578, VAR778, and HOM578 as input and the RR algorithm, performed the best. It outperformed the models developed by the implementation of VIs and TFs as input. The coefficient of determination (R2), root mean square error (RMSE), and relative percent deviation (RPD) of the calibration set were 0.84, 0.25, and 2.50, correspondingly, and those of the validation set were 0.87, 0.27, and 2.33, respectively. The model of winter wheat LNC constructed by fusing spectral and TF information considerably improved the prediction accuracy. The present research results provide a basis and reference for the application of UAV hyperspectral technology in wheat nitrogen nutrient monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present field experiment was conducted at the Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal on a clayey soil (Typic Haplusterts) during 2012–13 and 2013–14. The performance of soybean (Glycine max, cv. JS 335)–wheat (Triticum durum, cv. HI 8498) cropping system in terms of yield, nutrient uptake and economics under different organic and inorganic nutrient was assessed. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with seven treatments in four replications. The treatments involved different nutrient inputs viz. organic manure (OM) (T1); biodynamic preparation (BD) (T2); OM + panchagavya (OM + PG) (T3); OM + BD (T4); OM + PG + BD (T5); control (T6); and recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) (T7). Cattle dung manure on N equivalent basis to soybean in kharif and cattle dung manure (CDM) + vermicompost (VC) + poultry manure (PM) (1:1:1 on N equivalent basis) to wheat were applied as organic manure whereas nutrients were supplied in the form of chemical fertilizers in RDF treatment. The yield of soybean and wheat crops obtained with organic combinations were found comparable and even better (5–13% higher) with those obtained under RDF which enhanced nutrient removal by soybean and wheat crops. The soybean–wheat sequence registered an increment of 2–11% and 11–26% in total N and P uptake, respectively over RDF. The net returns obtained under organic treatments were found statistically at par with those obtained under RDF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agroforestry system (AFS) is considered to be sustainable agricultural practice delivering wide range of ecosystem services. Nutrients and light are principal limiting resources for understorey crops. To optimize productivity, recommendation is to use well adapted tree–crop–fertilizer combinations. Nitrogen (N) management for wheat poplar is essential for maximizing synergies but the data is scarce. Therefore, current study addressed the issue by monitoring wheat performance fertilized with N: control (N1), 60 (N2), 90 (N3), 120 (N4), 150 (N5), 180 (N6) and leaf color chart (LCC) based-115 (N7) kg ha−1 under 2-, 3-, 5- and 6-year poplar. Tree age and N levels were key determinants of yield with reduction in growth (number of tillers m−1, plant height, ear length), yield parameters (1000-grain weight, number of grains ear−1), yield and NUE of wheat with advancing tree age, maximum reduction under 6-year plantation. However, fertilization with N7 −115 kg N ha−1 showed highest increase in grain yield (95.1%), harvest index (20.1%), NUE (agronomic efficiency (AE) 53.5% and recovery efficiency (RE)-91.1%). Nutrient uptake by grains showed maximum decrease of 32.1 (N), 13.6 (P) and 22.8 (K)%, respectively under 6-year-poplar. Averaged over poplar age, the N fertilizer treatment N7 lead to maximum increase of 2.3-, 2.9- and 2.3-folds in N, P, K uptake by grains, respectively. Therefore, the N management of wheat with N7 −115 kg N ha−1 (LCC-based treatment) under poplar tree canopies show the potential to mitigate the risk of poor crop yield and contribute to food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last few years, the agricultural sector in Syria has suffered from major problems related to land degradation. To cope with this problem, a land suitability assessment has become an essential tool for sustainable land use management. The present research qualitatively evaluated the suitability of land in the Al-Yarmouk Basin (S-Syria) for rainfed winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivation. In this study, a regional spatial approach involving three steps was developed, based on the method proposed by Sys et al. In the first step, a soil survey was carried out and 107 soil profiles were described, sampled and analyzed. In the second step, climatic gridded datasets from 1984–2014 MRm at a high spatial resolution (30 meters) and the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) were clipped from NASA's Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) and prepared for the study area. In the third step, a land suitability assessment was performed using the geographical information system (GIS) and multi criteria decision support (MCDS). Soil survey outcomes showed that the study area was dominated by five soil orders: Mollisols, Inceptisols, Vertisols, Entisols and Aridisols. Also, results from the Sys model illustrated that more than 23.8% of the study area is highly suitable (S1–0) for wheat production without any limitations, whereas 38.7% and 37.5% are highly suitable (S1–1) and moderately suitable (S2), respectively. Also, the study emphasizes the important role of topographical factors in the study area for wheat cultivation. All in all, this research suggests W-Syria as a potential region for wheat cultivation, instead of the eastern area which is subject to climate change and a shortage of water. Integrating the Sys-approach and the GIS framework offers a good tool for policy-makers to apply in Syria for land suitability assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stable isotope analyses are the leading method for geographic origin determination, especially of plant-based agricultural products. Origin analysis is typically done by comparing a suspicious sample to reference materials with known geographic origin. Reference materials are usually collected at the species level, assuming different varieties of a species to have comparable isotope compositions within a given location. We evaluated whether different phenotypes that are expressed in different varieties of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) influence the oxygen (δ18O) and hydrogen (δ2H) isotope composition of plant tissue water and organic compounds. We found that mean δ18O and δ2H values among winter wheat varieties did not differ significantly in leaf water, however, differed significantly in bulk dried grain tissue. The differences in bulk dried grain δ18O and δ2H values among varieties can be related to differences in phenotypic trait expression among varieties. Despite this substantial phenotypic variability, the overall variability of bulk dried grain δ18O and δ2H values among varieties was small (SD 0.54 ‰ for oxygen, 3.60 ‰ for hydrogen). We thus conclude that reference materials collected at the species level should be sufficient for geographic origin analysis of winter wheat and possibly other cereals using δ18O and δ2H values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil erosion and drought are significant environmental hazards for crop production in the northwestern coastal zone of Egypt, leading to increased soil resources degradation. In-situ rainwater harvesting techniques by changing the micro-topography of soil via tillage practices can increase runoff retention and improve soil productivity. In this study, field trials were conducted on a sandy loam soil to determine the effects of four tillage systems [integrated ridge-furrow tillage (RFT), integrated reservoir tillage (RT), conventional tillage (CT), and No tillage (NT)] on soil bulk density, volumetric water content, runoff, soil loss, precipitation use efficiency, and winter wheat yield during two growing seasons under-rainfed conditions. The results indicated that tillage systems significantly affected soil properties, precipitation use efficiency and wheat yield in the order of: RFT > RT > CT > NT. Compared with the CT, the mean runoff with the developed RFT and RT was significantly decreased by 55.4% and 40.3%, respectively. Meanwhile, the precipitation use efficiency increased by 18.1% and 9.5%, respectively. By taking into account the stability of soil productivity along with environmental protection, it is suggested that the RFT and RT are the tillage systems that can efficiently increase the availability of soil water and, consequently, wheat yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prediction models for crude protein concentration (CP) in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) based on multispectral reflectance data from field trials in 2019 and 2020 in southern Sweden were developed and evaluated for independent trial sites. Reflectance data were collected using an unpiloted aerial vehicle (UAV)-borne camera with nine spectral bands having similar specification to nine bands of Sentinel-2 satellite data. Models were tested for application on near-real time Sentinel-2 imagery, on the prospect that CP prediction models can be made available in satellite-based decision support systems (DSS) for precision agriculture. Two different prediction methods were tested: linear regression and multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS). Linear regression based on the best-performing vegetation index (the chlorophyll index) was found to be approximately as accurate as the best performing MARS model with multiple predictor variables in leave-one-trial-out cross-validation (R2 = 0.71, R2 = 0.70 and mean absolute error 0.64%, 0.60% CP respectively). Models applied on satellite data explained to a small degree between-field variations in CP (R2 = 0.36), however did not reproduce within-field variation accurately. The results of the different methods presented here show the differences between methods used and their potential for application in a DSS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis Westend. f.sp. tritici Erikss. (Pst), is one of the most devastating diseases of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) globally. Exploring and utilizing new sources of resistance is essential for breeding resistant wheat cultivars. Thus, a doubled haploid population (n = 291) derived from the cross 'AAC Innova'/'AAC Proclaim' was evaluated to dissect the genetics of resistance in the cultivar 'AAC Innova'. This population was evaluated for stripe rust severity in disease nurseries at Creston, British Columbia (in 2016 and 2020), and Lethbridge, Alberta (in 2016, 2017 and 2020), and genotyped using the wheat 90 K SNP assay. A high-density genetic map was constructed which consisted of 7112 SNP markers with an average marker interval of 2.3 cM. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping identified one major (QYr.lrdc-2A) and 10 minor effect (QYr.lrdc-2B.1, QYr.lrdc-2B.2, QYr.lrdc-2B.3, QYr.lrdc-2B.4, QYr.lrdc-2D, QYr.lrdc-3B, QYr.lrdc-5A, QYr.lrdc-5B, QYr.lrdc-5D and QYr.lrdc-7D) loci. The QTL QYr.lrdc-2A was consistently effective against Pst races across all environments and explained up to 33.0% of the phenotypic variation. Other QTLs were either less consistent or environment specific. 'AAC Innova' contributed stripe rust resistance alleles for most of the QTLs except for QYr.lrdc-2D, QYr.lrdc-5A and QYr.lrdc-7D. The QTLs identified in this study should be valuable for diversifying the sources of genetic resistance against current and new virulent races of Pst. In particular, the 'AAC Innova'-derived QTL QYr.lrdc-2A could be a valuable source of resistance to incorporate into commercial cultivars and combine with other genes using the associated SNP markers identified in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluation of some essential oils as well as algal extracts on stem rust severity of three wheat cultivars were conducted for two successive growing seasons under field conditions. Suppressing disease severity in response to the applied treatments was observed at the two growing seasons. Spraying wheat plants with tested essential oils had superior effect against disease severity followed by algal extracts, the fungicide (Topsin M70) and untreated control, respectively. Garlic oil revealed the highest suppression of disease severity followed by cinnamon, thyme, onion and clove oils, respectively. Meanwhile, the algal extract of S. platensis showed the highest reduction in disease severity followed by A. coffeaeformis and N. oculata, in respective order. The increase in produced yield showed in reverse relation with disease severity. The applied treatments showed their effectivity to suppress stem rust disease severity as a safe alternative method to chemical fungicides under field conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was conducted in years 2016–2018 in crop-rotation: faba bean-winter wheat-winter wheat. After seedling emergency (2016) mineral fertilizer (15NH4)2SO4 having 20.1 at% 15N (dose of 30 kg N ha−1) was applied. The faba bean biomass contained 194.1 kg ha−1of nitrogen (140.0 kg of N in seeds and 54.1 kg in crop residue). This amount included 58.7 kg N ha−1 in seeds and 21.2 kg of N in crop residuesthat were fixed from the air. Crop residue were ploughed into soil. Plots with winter wheat cultivated after faba bean (2017) were divided on two sub-plots 0 and 100 kg N ha−1. Overall, winter wheat cultivated for two subsequent years took up from total nitrogen of crop residue 16.1 kg ha−1 of N in control and 29.8 kg ha−1 in fertilized plots, but from biologically fixed nitrogen 6.29 and 11.6 kg ha−1, respectively. Applied fertilizer contained 5.920 kg 15N ha−1 from which 1.577 kg 15N ha−1 was cumulated in faba bean seeds, 0.662 kg 15N ha−1 in crop residue (sum 2.239 kg 15N ha−1), 0.195 kg 15N ha−1 and in winter wheat harvested (2017) and 0.084 kg 15N ha−1 in winter wheat harvested (2018). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blast diseases, caused by the fungal pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae, are among the most destructive diseases that occur on at least 50 species of grasses, including cultivated cereals wheat, and rice. Although fungicidal control of blast diseases has widely been researched, development of resistance of the pathogen against commercially available products makes this approach unreliable. Novel approaches such as the application of biopesticides against the blast fungus are needed for sustainable management of this economically important disease. Antagonistic microorganisms, such as fungi and probiotic bacteria from diverse taxonomic genera were found to suppress blast fungi both in vitro and in vivo. Various classes of secondary metabolites, such as alkaloids, phenolics, and terpenoids of plant and microbial origin significantly inhibit fungal growth and may also be effective in managing blast diseases. Common modes of action of microbial biocontrol agents include: antibiosis, production of lytic enzymes, induction of systemic resistance in host plant, and competition for nutrients or space. However, the precise mechanism of biocontrol of the blast fungus by antagonistic microorganisms and/or their bioactive secondary metabolites is not well understood. Commercial formulations of biocontrol agents and bioactive natural products could be cost-effective and sustainable but their availability at this time is extremely limited. This review updates our knowledge on the infection pathway of the wheat blast fungus, catalogs naturally occurring biocontrol agents that may be effective against blast diseases, and discusses their role in sustainable management of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The self-sufficiency ratio and national average yield of wheat are low in Japan. Reducing the yield gap and receiving the government subsidy for grain quality are vital strategies for profitability. Elucidating optimum nitrogen application scheme is awaited to attain both higher yield and appropriate grain protein content (GPC) for wheat cultivation in Japan. Such decision support can be realized by integrating field experimental knowledge to crop growth models, although they have scarcely been utilized for wheat production in Japan. Therefore, the purposes of this study were to apply a widely used crop growth model (APSIM) to wheat growth on an Andosol in the Kanto region in Japan by calibration and validation. Selected model parameters of APSIM-wheat for phenology, leaf growth, and grain formation were readjusted based on the phenology and growth data of soft and hard wheat cultivars. Then the model was validated by using similar variables obtained in an independent experiment. For the simulation of the optimum sowing for winter wheat in the Kanto area (November), the root mean square error for grain yield was 23 and 48 g m−2 for Ayahikari and Yumeshiho varieties, respectively, and that for GPC was 1.9 and 1.4%. Thus, the overall model performance was acceptable for optimum sowing. However, grain yield and dry matter production were significantly overestimated when the data of late sowing groups were included. Therefore, further model improvement was suggested to add an algorithm to reduce the number of emerged plants under cold temperature in late sowing conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production requires a large amount of nitrogen (N) supply because growers aim to achieve high grain yield and appropriate grain protein content simultaneously. A comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms that underpin efficient N usage at limited N in wheat can facilitate the development of new N-saving varieties in this major crop. Here, we performed comparative analysis of flag leaf responses to N availability in soft red winter wheat with contrasting N use efficiency (NUE); VA08MAS-369 (high NUE) and VA07W-415 (low NUE). This study demonstrated that accelerated senescence along with enhanced breakdown of protein and starch in flag leaves was correlated with higher grain yield, NUE for grain yield, and NUE for grain protein under N limitation. The more dramatic reductions in flag leaf N compounds and carbohydrate reserves in VA08MAS-369 were linked with significantly elevated expression of genes and enzymes associated with these metabolic pathways in this high NUE genotype. Consistent with the gene expression data, nitrate reductase, glutamine synthetase, and NAD-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase activities were highly induced under limited N in VA08MAS-369. It was previously reported that accelerated senescence contributes to increased grain protein content in wheat under regular N supply. This study provides molecular and physiological evidence that vigorous senescence and N remobilization also benefit grain yield under N deprivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improvements in grain yield and nitrogen (N)-use efficiency (NUE) are being sought to combat the excessive application of N fertilizer in the rice-wheat rotation system in China. Improving N-uptake efficiency (NUpE) is expected to explore the synergy of grain yield and NUE, but the accumulation and remobilization of N in wheat with high NUpE is still obscure. A 2-year field experiment was conducted to study how to improve NUpE through crop management of planting densities, N application splits, and wheat growth stages when the last N was topdressed. In both years, NUpE was significantly positively related to grain yield and NUE. Comparing with the low and medium NUpE groups (grouping the treatments using cluster analysis of NUpE), the high NUpE group had more total N accumulation as a result of absorbing abundant N from re-greening (Zadoks growth stage, GS25) to anthesis (GS60), and higher N accumulation in grains mainly due to increasing N remobilization from the vegetative organs. Our results indicated that improving the planting density (from 150 to 225 plants m−2) promoted N accumulation before stem elongation (GS30). Late application of more N fertilizers (N application splits 3:1:3:3 versus 5:1:2:2) and relatively early application of the last N portion [topdressing when the flag leaf was visible (GS37) or at booting (GS45) versus topdressing at heading (GS55) or anthesis] boosted N accumulation from stem elongation to anthesis. Finally, a combination of agronomic measures was proposed to achieve high yield and NUE through promoting pre-anthesis N accumulation and NUpE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tri sodium polyphosphate, Potassium silicate, sodium silicate, Glutathione and chitosan were evaluated as foliar spray for suppressing septoria leaf blotch (SLB) disease severity were performed under field conditions. Meanwhile, the fungicide Topsin M70 was used as comparison treatment. Field experiments conducted with cultivation of three wheat cultivars in two different fields at two successive dates. Spray treatments with tested chemicals were carried out twice, during the growing season. At all applied treatments, it was observed that the cultivar Giza 171 showed the least SLB disease severity followed by Misr 1 and Gemmiza 12, respectively. The applied silicate salts, potassium and sodium showed superior suppressing effect of SLB severity on all sown wheat cultivars followed by chitosan, tri-sodium polyphosphate, glutathione and the fungicide, in respective order. Furthermore, increase in wheat grains yield showed conversely trend with disease severity. Such promising treatments might be included in integrated management strategies in comparable crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In scarce-irrigated areas of India, pearl millet-wheat cropping system is depleting soil quality, system productivity and resources. The objective of study was to restore soil quality and sustain productivity. It was considered necessary to diversify cereal through legume-based wheat system and shift of traditional to conservation technologies. A field experiment was assessed the rainy season cereal crop pearl millet (PM) and three legumes- pigeon pea (PP), green gram (GG) and cluster bean (CB)-based winter wheat (W) systems under two land levelling methods viz. traditional (TLL) and precision laser assisted (PLL), and three establishment methods- traditional tillage (TT), zero tillage (ZT) and permanent broad bed- furrow (PBBF) on various parameters. Results of PLL and PBBF crop establishment was significantly enhanced the soil quality parameters, growth characters, less plant mortality of rainy season crops and lodging of wheat compared with traditional practices. Overall improvement in soil quality, system- and water productivity (WP) and net returns were in ordered: PP-W > CB-W > GG-W > PM-W and PBBF > ZT > TT. Results indicated that PBBF crop establishment in PLL conditions can be made more sustainable productive, economic profitable, ameliorate soil quality and save resources in scarce/canal support irrigation system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to find an indicator of plant sulfur status correlating most significantly with bioavailable sulfur in soil. The indicators of plant sulfur status in shoot biomass were: sulfur concentration, mass nitrogen to sulfur (N/S) ratio, mass phosphorus to sulfur ratio and sulfur nutrition index (SNI). The bioavailable soil sulfur was determined using water extraction (S-water), Mehlich 3 extractant (S-M3) and anion exchange membranes (S-AEMs). Results cover four years (2015–2018) of on-farm trials in the Czech Republic with winter wheat, winter oilseed rape and maize, and pot experiments including spring wheat and maize. Shoot biomass of plants was sampled at the beginning of stem elongation (winter wheat, winter rape and maize in on-farm trials), during rapid growth (maize in pot experiment) and during flowering (wheat plants, winter rape). Only soils containing 0.5%–1.7% of organic carbon were studied (median 1.31%). Compared to shoot N/S ratio, sulfur concentration in shoot biomass of maize correlated stronger with bioavailable soil sulfur. However, bioavailable sulfur in soil correlated strongest and most significantly with shoot N/S ratio of winter wheat and winter rape grown in on-farm trials. Except for winter rape grown on non-calcareous soils and maize grown in pot experiment, the shoot N/S ratio correlated more significantly with S-M3 compared to S-water and S-AEM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three-year multi-location field experiments were conducted in soils of varying inherent nitrogen (N) supply in diverse agro-climatic zones for improving productivity and mitigating N2O emissions in timely sown and late sown wheat. The biomass, total N uptake (TNU) and spectral properties were monitored at different growth stages. Biomass production and TNU statistics of only 0.76% and 3.4%, respectively, till Zadoks 14 growth stage (four leaves stage) revealed that applying all fertilizer N dose by Zadoks 14 is not an appropriate strategy to assure fertilizer N supply throughout the growth stages. Rescheduled fertilizer N topdressings with moderate N (25 kg ha−1) at sowing and remaining N dose in two equal splits at Zadoks 14 and Zadoks 29 (main shoot and 9 more tillers) growth stages reduced N2O and GHG emissions, respectively, by 32.4% and 30.6%. Sustained N supply till grain filling produced an average of 5.1% to 10.5% higher grain yield and 2.1% to 10.5% higher grain protein content. The spectral properties recorded with PAU-LCC and SPAD meter at Zadoks 29 growth stage governed the grain yield response to fertilizer N application and can be used to fine-tune fertilizer N topdressing decisions over a wide range of varieties, locations, sowing timings and environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field trials in two sowing dates were conducted to assess the possibility of applying bioagents as wheat grain dressing for suppressing severity of foliage diseases, i.e. powdery mildew, septoria leaf blotch and stem rust under field conditions. Bioagents, such as Bacillus subtilis, Azospirillum brasilense, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Trichoderma harzianum and Plant Guard as well as the fungicide Topsin M70, were evaluated. All treatments reduced diseases severity compared with control. Generally, Giza 171 cv. represented the lowest diseases severity followed by Misr 1 and Gemmiza 12. Moreover, early sown cultivars (10th November) showed lower disease severity than those sown late (10th December). Wheat grains treated with B. subtilis and T. harzianum revealed the highest effect on all diseases severity followed by the other applied treatments. Overall, such applied treatments have the possibility to suppress wheat foliar diseases as a safe alternative to chemical fungicides and avoid harmful effect for human health and polluting the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In southern Iran, intensive tillage operations and residue removal have been the major cause of declining crop productivity and nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE). A 2-year field experiment (2016–2017) was conducted to test four nitrogen (N) rates (0, 101, 152, and 202 kg N ha−1) and tillage practices (conventional, CT; reduced, RT; and no tillage, NT) effects on irrigated wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown with or without corn (Zea mays L.) residue removal, using a split-plot design with three replications near Shiraz, Iran. After 2 years, wheat yields were tended to be increased with increasing N rates from 101 to 202 kg N ha−1 under RT with residue retention. Increasing N rate decreased NUE values particularly N physiological efficiency (PEN). Likewise, the lowest NUE was obtained under NT, while RT and CT either showed similar effects or RT was superior over CT. Furthermore, the NNI value around 1 was obtained at 152 kg N ha−1 under RT, when crop residues were retained or removed. Our research has shown that replacing CT with conservation tillage (especially RT) with residue retention and 152 kg N ha−1 can greatly protect wheat yield and optimize NUE values under wheat- and corn in a rotation, but it is based on the short-term results and evaluation of long-term experiment is highly recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought is the main factor restricting the yield of winter wheat in large arid and semiarid areas. The balance between water conservation and photosynthesis is important for breeding drought-resistant wheat cultivars. Besides, the mechanisms for drought resistance in many drought-resistant wheat cultivars have not been completely explored. To elucidate the above questions, the photosynthetic performance of drought-resistant wheat cultivar LH6 and drought-sensitive wheat cultivar ZM7698 were measured under drought treatment with different time and light intensity. The results showed that the photosystem II activity, electron transport from QA to QB, carboxylation and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate regeneration process in LH6 were inhibited less than in ZM7698 in drought conditions, which mainly contributed to the nonstomatal inhibition of photosynthesis. In normal water conditions, the transpiration rate in LH6 was higher and water use efficiency was lower than that of ZM7698, which showed no water conservation effects. In drought conditions, LH6 had a higher photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance by maintaining the water-absorbing capacity of the roots. In conclusion, the photosynthetic apparatus of LH6 is drought resisting but costs more water; both water conservation and photosynthetic capability should be considered during breeding drought-resistant wheat cultivars in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was performed to assess the carbon footprint (CF) of four cropping systems to identify the sustainable cropping system. The four cropping systems were cotton monoculture (CM), winter wheat intercropped with cotton (WIC), wheat cropping followed by transplanted cotton (WTC) and direct-seeded cotton after winter wheat harvest (WDC). The CF calculated per unit area (CFa), yield (CFy), biomass (CFb) and economic output (CFe) increased in the order CM < WIC < WTC < WDC in the low-fertility plot and WIC < WTC < WDC < CM in the high-fertility plot. The results indicated that CM was the best cropping system in the low-fertility plot and presented CFa, CFy, CFb and CFe values of 4848.14 kg CO2eq ha−1 a−1, 0.41 kg CO2eq kg−1 a−1, 0.17 kg CO2eq kg−1 a−1 and 0.06 kg CO2eq ¥ a−1, respectively, whereas WIC was the cropping system with the lowest CFs in the high-fertility plot and presented CFa, CFy, CFb and CFe values of 14,410.70 kg CO2eq ha−1 a−1, 1.31 kg CO2eq kg−1a−1, 0.53 kg CO2eq kg−1 a−1 and 0.34 kg CO2eq ¥−1a−1, respectively. Thus, it can be concluded that improving cropping systems provides a good option for reducing CF and consequently mitigating climate change. Abbreviations: GHG: greenhouse gas; LCA: life cycle assessment; CF: carbon footprint; CFa: The CF calculated per unit area; CFy: The CF calculated per yield; CFb: The CF calculated biomass; CFe: The CF calculated per unit economic output; CM: cotton monoculture cropping system; WIC: wheat intercropped with cotton cropping; WTC: wheat cropping followed by transplanted cotton; WDC: direct-seeded cotton after wheat cropping; IPCC: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change; CO2eq: CO2 equivalent; SOC: soil organic carbon; PAS: publicly available specification [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present investigation was to develop a basic methodological scheme for distinguishing organic, biodynamic and conventional areas of winter wheat cultivation, based on the satellite images from Sentinel-2. The target areas are located in the experimental field of the Institute of Agriculture in Karnobat, Bulgaria. The plant condition was determined on a three-point rating scale according to the average plant height, percentage of projective cover of the aboveground plant parts and intensity of the green color of leaves during the end of tillering to complete ripeness. To determine the homogeneity of the target polygons, we used a small drone DJI Phantom 4, with 1/2.3 CMOS camera and Dronedeploy to compile flight plans for shooting and photogrammetric processing of the images. ArcGIS was used in GIS procedures and analyses. Microsoft Excel, with Solver ADD-IN was used to clusterize the target polygons in order to distinguish the polygons of organic, biodynamic and conventional farming by the multispectral indices (CRI 1, MSAVI, NDVI, NDWI, PSSRa, PSSRc, WDRVI). All selected indices were calculated in GIS environment. Ground observations showed that there were differences in the condition of plants in different cultivation systems during the selected observation phases. The obtained results reveal that the differences in dynamics and development during the growth and development stages of the wheat in the organic, biodynamic and conventional fields can be traced by spectral characteristics from satellite images and they can be used to distinguish them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The awnless trait is the favorite trait for wheat breeding in Qinghai, China, but the major gene underlying the trait is unknown. This study aimed to analyze a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population containing 112 lines by crossing common wheat varieties GY448 (awnless) and GY115 (awned) using genotyping-by-sequencing analysis. A total of 56.62 Gb of clean sequence data were generated. A major gene was identified for the awnless trait based on 101,275 single-nucleotide polymorphisms by quantitative trait locus (QTL)-seq analysis. The region from 685.50 to 709.77 Mb on chromosome 5AL contained 334 genes and 394 transcripts, including B1, the major gene controlling the awnless trait. A 25-bp indel located in the B1 promoter region has a diagnostic value for the awnless/awned genotypes in the RIL population. A total of 42 spring wheat cultivars in Qinghai, China, were analyzed. Further, 23 awnless cultivars had the alleles of the GY448 parent, while 19 awned cultivars had the alleles of the GY115 parent. B1 is crucial in the awnless trait in wheat cultivars in Qinghai, China. The findings of this study might guide the breeding of new wheat cultivars in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]