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Imbalanced and excessive use of chemical fertilizers has brought many soil fertility problems. Soil test crop response (STCR) approach aims to estimate precise fertilizer requirement for target yield under varying soil test values and gaining prominence for site-specific nutrient management. A field experiment to estimate STCR based fertilizer requirement for targeted yield of mungbean was conducted during 2019–2020 at G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, India. Three fertility gradient plots of varying soil fertility levels were created by applying graded dose of N, P2O5 and K2O and growing wheat as an exhaust crop. Each of three soil fertility gradient plot was divided into 24 subplots (21 plots with different combinations of varying levels of N, P2O5, K2O and FYM, remaining 3 plots as controls) and mungbean was grown as main crop. Results revealed the requirement of 6.72, 0.883, and 3.52 kg of N, P and K, respectively for producing one quintal of mungbean grain. Soil, FYM, fertilizer and fertilizer along with FYM contributed 28.06%, 5.94%, 113.22%, and 135.01% for N; 24.73%, 3.18%, 15.1%, and 18.85% for P; 13.19%, 7.21%, 39.52%, and 55.84% for K, respectively. This information is used to develop STCR based fertilizer prescription equations along with ready reckoners of fertilizer doses at different soil fertility levels and yield targets of mungbean for providing balanced fertilization. The maximum response of mungbean in terms of grain and protein yield was obtained with the application of 20:50:30 kg ha−1 N: P2O5: K2O, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In previous study, we identified a novel protein elicitor AMEP412 from Bacillus subtilis BU412, which could trigger plant defense response and induce systemic acquired resistance against diseases. In this paper, the production of the new elicitor was optimised. First, optimal carbon source and nitrogen source were determined as glucose and yeast extract by single factor test. Then, effects of seven different factors on AMEP412 production was studied by Plackett-Burman design. Significant factors (yeast extract, culture temperature and culture time) were selected for further optimisation using central composite design by response surface methodology. The optimum conditions for AMEP412 production were yeast extract 21.72 g/L, culture temperature 30.84 °C and culture time 31.84 h. Under these conditions, the yield of AMEP412 was enhanced from 0.32 to 2.39 mg/mL (7.47-fold), which was quite close to the predicted one. This result significantly raised the yield of AMEP412, which laid solid foundation for its application as a biocontrol agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integrated nutrient management with organic manure and chemical fertilizers can improve rice (Oryza sativa L.) production, soil health, and fertility. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the combined effects of organic manures and chemical fertilizers on the yield and nutrient content of wetland rice under field conditions. It was conducted in northern Iran in two consecutive years, 2015 and 2016 as a factorial experiment based on a randomized complete blocks design (RCBD) with three replications. Two local rice cultivars, Tarom Hashemi and Tarom Mahalli, were chosen as the first factor; mineral fertilizers in four levels: 100% recommended nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK), 75% recommended nitrogen with 100% phosphorus-potassium (PK), 75% recommended phosphorus with 100% nitrogen-potassium (NK), and 75% recommended potassium with 100% nitrogen-phosphorus (NP), were selected based on soil analysis and were arranged as the second factor; and three levels of organic manures, namely zero and eight tons of vermicompost per hectare, and 10 tons of rotted manure per hectare was the third factor. Results revealed that the highest paddy yield occurs with vermicompost and manure consumption for both cultivars. Moreover, the highest paddy yield (3962 kg ha−1) occurs with 100% recommended NPK and vermicompost consumption. For both cultivars, the most chlorophyll a and chlorophyll ab content was produced with application of 100% recommended NPK. The most grain nitrogen content, grain nitrogen uptake, protein content, and protein yield were observed with 100% recommended NPK applied with 10 tons of rotted manure and eight tons of vermicompost usage per hectare. Therefore, in view of the ever-increasing use of chemical fertilizers and irreversible damage thereby, the additional use of these compounds can benefit the environment and human health. The global attention to sustainable agricultural concepts and organic manure can, in addition to producing reasonable yields, be considered as an appropriate alternative to chemical fertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the response of chickpea, Cicer arietinum cv. GG 2 to cobalt sulfate and cobalt chloride at 0, 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1,600 g ha−1. At three leaf stage chickpea seedlings were fertigated with both cobalt sources and levels. Both cobalt sources at the higher level (400 to 1,600 g ha−1) were found injurious to chickpea. All growth, yield, and quality parameters were adversely affected by cobalt sulfate at every level; however, cobalt chloride has given appreciable result up to 100 and 200 g ha−1 over no application of cobalt. Cobalt content in plant and soil increased linearly with increases in cobalt concentration, which reduced chickpea yield linearly. Cobalt sulfate was apparently more harmful than cobalt chloride. The study suggests cobalt chloride has not shown any toxicity up to 100 g ha−1 and can be used for higher productivity of chickpea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following the recent years' increase in herd size, the awareness of a group of cows with a generally lowered health and production level, the “loser cows,” has arisen in Denmark. The aim of this study was to estimate genetic correlations between the loser cow score, 305d protein yield and realized productive life (RPL) and inbreeding depression for the loser cow score. Estimation of genetic correlations and inbreeding depression was performed on 2644 first-lactation cows and 4914 multiple-lactation cows, respectively. We found no significant genetic correlation between the loser cow score and the inbreeding level or between the loser cow score and protein yield. However, the loser cow score was favorably correlated with RPL (−0.53). This implies that the prevalence of loser cows is neither a result of inbreeding depression nor an undesirable side effect of selecting for increased production. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Field experiments were conducted at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India for three years from 2001-2002 to 2003-2004 to study the relative efficiency of diammonium phosphate (DAP) and mussoorie rock phosphate (MRP) in a rice-potato-mungbean cropping system. Phosphorus application significantly increased productivity, protein yield and energy output of rice-potato-mungbean cropping system and resulted in an increase in 0.5 M sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) extractable phosphorus (P) content in soil. The MRP at 35 kg P ha-1 was at par with 17.5 kg P ha-1 as DAP in terms of productivity, protein yield, and energy output but significantly superior in terms of PSB population in soil. Phosphorus balance (application - crop removal) was generally more positive for MRP than DAP and the highest with an application of 52.5 kg P ha-1 as MRP. Present study indicates that P requirement of a rice-potato-mungbean cropping system can be met with 76-79% higher dose of MRP as compared to DAP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field study was carried out at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India, for three crop years (2000-2001 to 2003-2004) to find out the effect of cropping systems on the production and chemical and biological properties of soil. Rice-potato-mungbean cropping system gave 59-89% higher productivity, 30-46% higher protein yield, 18-38% higher energy output and resulted in 7-16% higher available P, 60% higher fungi population, 15% higher actinomycetes population, 14% higher microbial biomass and 3% higher CO2 evolution in soil than rice-wheat cropping system. Rice-rapeseed-mungbean cropping system also gave 12-15% higher productivity, 19-26% higher protein yield and resulted in 11-18% higher available P, 65% higher fungi population, 22% higher actinomycetes population, 12% higher microbial biomass and 2% higher CO2 evolution in soil than rice-wheat cropping system. However, the rice-potato-mungbean cropping system was significantly superior to the rice-rapeseed-mungbean cropping system in productivity, protein yield and energy output and thus recommended as in alternative to rice-wheat cropping system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the interaction effects of supplemental irrigation and nitrogen fertilization on grain protein yield, protein content and nitrogen use efficiency of rainfed wheat. An experiment was laid out in complete randomized two-factorial split-strip block design with supplemental irrigation (SLIR) treatments as without irrigation (Io), 30 mm irrigation water (IW) at the flowering stage (I1), 25 mm IW at the grain filling stage (I2) and 55 mm IW at the flowering (FS) and grain filling stage (I3) and nitrogen application (N) treatments as without nitrogen fertilization (N0), net nitrogen as 30 (N1), 60 (N2) and 90 (N3) kg ha-1. All treatments received 326 mm precipitation during growing season. Results revealed that GPC will be increased with increasing N; and decreasing received water at the FS and grain filling stages (GFS). The highest and lowest GPC were 13.3 and 12.0% achieved from plots with I0N3 and I3N0 treatments. SLIR at GFS and FS + GFS produced the highest nitrogen use efficiency of 33.9 kg grain (kg nitrogen)-1 in the plots with N1I2 and N1I3 treatments. The protein yield (PY) increased with increasing in nitrogen application rates. The highest PY (701 kg ha-1) produced by nitrogen rate of 90 kg ha-1. Single irrigation at the GFS increased PY as 27% relative to rainfed production. The influence N and received water on GPC and PY were described by regression models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation of yield in two different combinations: vetch with wheat or oats, and the effect of vetch on yield potential of cereals has been investigated in Estonian field experiments over three years. We found that the inclusion of vetch seed in cereal seed and increase of its seed density led to considerable decrease in the yield of the cereal component (R=0.980-0.998). The adverse effect of vetch on cereal yield led to a reduction in wheat yield by up to 1861 kg ha-1 on average for the three years, and in oats yield by up to 1413 kg ha-1. One reason for the decreases in cereal yields was the formation of smaller grains in cereals under increased vetch seed densities. As a three-year average, the wheat 1000-seed weight decreased by up to 6.3 g while the corresponding figure for oats under identical conditions was 2.5 g. The inclusion of vetch in a crop and the increase of its seed density led to a substantial increase in the protein content of cereal grains. In oats, the change in grain protein content was smaller. At the same time, the maximum protein yield per area unit in cereals was obtained from their monocultures. In a mix with vetch, the amounts of nitrogen consumed by cereals decreased and protein yield of cereals per area unit reduced at higher vetch seed densities. Vetch-cereal mixes had an advantage over cereal monocultures as far as protein yield was concerned. In vetch-wheat and vetch-oats mixes the maximum protein yield was 500 kg ha-1 and 438 kg ha-1, respectively, on average for the three years. Of the two combinations, vetch-oats mixed crop gave the highest yield of grain, whereas the higher mixed crop yield resulted from the oats component. Oats is somewhat more competitive with vetch than wheat. Vetch-wheat mixed crop gave the highest protein yield because the protein content of wheat grains was higher than oat grains. Legume-cereal mixes are particularly suited for the conditions of organic farming as they ensure a relatively good harvest and a high protein yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) is a short-season grain crop in semi-arid regions of North and South America and Asia. The objective of this study was to evaluate seeding rates and nitrogen (N) fertilization on proso millet seed yield, crude protein levels, and biomass yield under irrigated and dryland conditions in a Mediterranean-type transition climate near Bursa, Turkey. Seeds per panicle, panicle length, seed weight per panicle, fertile tillers, protein yield, and plant height were also evaluated. Results indicated seeding rate did not affect seed yield significantly. Seed and protein yield increased with increasing N doses although biomass did not significantly increase. Panicle length, seeds per panicle, and seed weight per panicle decreased with increasing seeding rates. This study proved proso millet can be grown for grain and forage as a short-season dryland and irrigated rotational crop in a Mediterranean-type climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genotype by environment interaction for production and fertility was studied by use of a reaction norm model. Milk recording data, comprising 927 929 records, were analysed to predict reaction norms for young bulls of the Nordic Red dairy breeds. Random regressions were estimated for each bull, regressing phenotypic values of daughters on herd environment. The phenotypic measures were 305 days kg protein production and days open in first lactation. The herd environment was defined as the herd-year average of protein production and days open, respectively. Heritability of protein production and days open and genetic correlation between the two traits were estimated as functions of the herd environment. The results showed that the genetic parameters change over environments, which are measured on a continuous scale across countries. Grouping of observations is avoided and thereby the problem of genetic connectedness between groups or countries may be avoided. Although significant genetic variation for the slope of the reaction norm was found, there was little reranking of sires, except between extreme environments. More appropriate models and methods need to be developed for further studies of genetic variation in reaction norms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]