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The Karakılçık landrace is known for its quality traits, especially protein content. However, its high plant height causes lodging and yield loss, which limits the production area. A Levante × Karakılçık population developed by crossing the local Karakılçık wheat with the commercial variety Levante in order to eliminate the disadvantages of Karakılçık and adapt it to wider production areas. In the study, yield, quality, and some physiological traits were investigated in the population. The experiment was conducted in an augmented experimental design in the cropping seasons of 2021-2022 and 2022-2023. A total of 36 genotypes from Levante × Karakılçık population, parents and 2 controls were tested. The tested genotypes varied significantly for all investigated traits (P < 0.01). Principal component biplot analysis explained 69.3% of the variations and relationships between the traits and genotypes. Among the investigated traits, genotypes LK26, LK19 and LK3 outperformed their parents in 5 traits (spike length (SL), number of spikelets per spike (SNS), number of grain numbers per spike (GNS), protein content (PC) and wet gluten content (G)), 4 traits (SNS, grain weight per spike (GWS), GNS and PC) and 3 traits (grain yield (GY), GNS and test weight (TW)), respectively. The genotype LK3 for yield and the genotypes LK19 and LK26 for quality traits could be recommended to growers and breeders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat is the main grain crop in our country, and the traditional wheat yield estimation method is time-consuming and laborious. By estimating wheat yield efficiently, quickly and non-destructively, agricultural producers can quickly obtain information about wheat yield, manage wheat fields more scientifically and accurately, and ensure national food security. Taking the Xinxiang Experimental Base of the Crop Science Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences as an example, hyperspectral data for the critical growth stages of wheat were pre-processed. A total of 27 vegetation indices were calculated from the experimental plots. These indices were then subjected to correlation analysis with measured wheat yield. Vegetation indices with Pearson correlation coefficients greater than 0.5 were selected. Five methods, including multiple linear regression, stepwise regression, principal component regression, neural networks and random forests, were used to construct wheat yield estimation models. Among the methods used, multiple linear regression, stepwise regression and the models developed using principal component analysis showed a lower modelling accuracy and validation precision. However, the neural network and random forest methods both achieved a modelling accuracy R2 greater than 0.6, with validation accuracy R2 values of 0.729 and 0.946, respectively. In addition, the random forest method had a lower cross-validation RMSE value, with values of 869.8 kg/hm−2, indicating a higher model accuracy. In summary, the random forest method provided the optimal estimation for wheat yield, enabling the timely and accurate pre-harvest wheat yield prediction, which has significant value for precision agriculture management and decision making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring of bioinoculants once released into the field remains largely unexplored; thus, more information is required about their survival and interactions after root colonization. Therefore, specific primers were used to perform a long-term tracking to elucidate the effect of Hartmannibacter diazotrophicus on wheat and barley production at two experimental organic agriculture field stations. Three factors were evaluated: organic fertilizer application (with and without), row spacing (15 and 50 cm), and bacterial inoculation (H. diazotrophicus and control without bacteria). Hartmannibacter diazotrophicus was detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction on the roots (up to 5 × 105 copies g−1 dry weight) until advanced developmental stages under field conditions during two seasons, and mostly in one farm. Correlation analysis showed a significant effect of H. diazotrophicus copy numbers on the yield parameters straw yield (increase of 453 kg ha−1 in wheat compared to the mean) and crude grain protein concentration (increase of 0.30% in wheat and 0.80% in barley compared to the mean). Our findings showed an apparently constant presence of H. diazotrophicus on both wheat and barley roots until 273 and 119 days after seeding, respectively, and its addition and concentration in the roots are associated with higher yields in one crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An important direction of modern agrotechnologies of crop production is the greening of intensive technologies and energy conservation, this contributes to the use of biological preparations that can increase yields, improve grain quality, increase profitability by saving mineral fertilizers and protective equipment. Therefore, field experiment was conducted during 2019-2021 in the dry-steppe zone of chestnut soils of the Volgograd region. The scheme of the experiment included four sites with late-autumn; early-spring; late-spring application dates and control, without the use of nitrogen fertilizers. All records and surveys were carried out according to the methodology of the state variety testing of agricultural crops: calculation of germination, determination of tillering coefficient, determination of the weight of aboveground biomass of plants, the density of productive stems. As a result of studying the issue conducted in various weather conditions of the test years, it was established that the period of application of nitrogen fertilizers had a significant impact on the growth, development and yield of experimental crops. The highest yield indicators were recorded at the time of early spring application of nitrogen fertilizers @ 38.0, 30.8 and 40.2 q/ha in 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively. With the delay in the application of nitrogen fertilizers in the spring, the yield decreased by 8-13% during the observation period, and 32.94 28.2 and 35.8 q/ha in 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively. The introduction of nitrogen fertilizers in autumn, as close as possible to the end of the growing season, led to a decrease in yield by only 2-4% and amounted to 36.5, 29.8 and 39.5 q/ha in 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat can be cultivated by hole sowing, but its border effect has not yet been studied. Therefore, we carried out a field experiment from 2021 to 2022 at the Doukou Crop Experimental Demonstration Station (108°52′ E, 34°37′ N) of Northwest A&F University in Jingyang County, Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province, China. The response of dry matter, photosynthetic characteristics, and yield components of wheat to the border effects under the hole sowing method was studied. The results showed specific border effects on each index of five wheat varieties (XN136, XN175, XN527, XN536, and XN765), among which the border effects of XN175 and XN765 were the most significant, with the highest yield. Subsequent correlation analysis revealed that only grain per spike and intercellular carbon dioxide concentration responded negatively to the border effects, and the rest were positively correlated. Finally, we conducted a random forest model analysis of different indicators of wheat varieties with significant border effects. We found that net photosynthetic rate and aboveground dry matter per plant had the most significant impact and contribution to the border effects. In contrast, grain per spike had the most negligible impact on the border effects. Our results fill a gap in the study of the border effects of wheat under hole sowing cultivation for future researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For efficient grain production in arid climate, producers need a choice of winter crop varieties. For this purpose, an ecological test of varieties of winter wheat and winter barley was carried out on experimental fields typical for the climatic conditions of the Lower Volga region of Russia. Plots with experimental crops, with an area of 10 m2, were located by the method of successive repetitions in 3-fold repetition. By the ecological test, varieties of winter crops of various originators were sown, according to the predecessor - black fallow, with seeds with a field germination rate of 90-95%, with a seeding rate of 3.5 million pcs. ha, to a depth of 5-6 cm. There were 16 varieties of winter wheat in the test, Don 93 served as the standard variety. Five varieties of winter barley were tested, the standard variety was Volzhsky 1. The obtained results of the yield of varieties were processed by analysis of variance to assess their yield. It has been established that in the technological process of production of grain of winter crops, the value of the variety is significant and has a share of 72.4%, the remaining factors of production account for 27.5%. The leader in terms of winter wheat yield (8.5 t/ha) was the Tarasovskaya variety. The lowest yield in the test was in the Governor of the Don variety 5.7 t/ha. High yield of winter wheat in the variety of local selection Kamyshanka 3 was 8.1 t/ha. The maximum biological yield of 6.4 t/ha was obtained for the winter barley variety Buran, mainly due to the larger number of productive shoots 440 pcs/m² and the largest grain mass per spike 1.46 g variety Voskhod 4.9 t/ha. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leaf airborne diseases cause major shortfalls in agricultural crops. The introduction of technical means can significantly improve early-warning systems for plant diseases as well as provide timely and accurate forecasts. In this paper, we aim to evaluate the possibilities of detecting a phytopathogenic infection using a spore-catching device developed at the Federal Research Center of Biological Plant Protection (FRCBPP) on winter wheat varieties of different levels of susceptibility to major economically important leaf diseases, taking into account climatic conditions. The device captures spores in the surface layer of air among crop plants. We conducted research in the experimental fields of FRCBPP in 2019–2021. The objects of the study were four cultivars of winter wheat. They were selected according to the degree of resistance to various leaf diseases. We studied the progress of wheat diseases according to generally accepted international scales the onset of the first manifestations to their maximum development. We studied the aerogenic infection in wheat crops using the FRCBPP developed portable device for determining the infestation of plants. Sampling was carried out in the same period as the visual assessment. The samples were taken in the crops of each variety at five points. The sampling time was one minute. As a result of research on experimental crops of four varieties of winter wheat, we observed the development of such diseases as powdery mildew (Erysiphe graminis), yellow spot (Pyrenophora tritici-repentis), septoria leaf spot (Septoria tritici), yellow (Puccinia striiformis) and brown rust (Puccinia triticina). In a laboratory study of samples under a light microscope, all of the listed pathogens were found except for septoria leaf spot. Two-way analysis of variance confirmed the statistically significant separate and cumulative influence of the cultivar and year factor on winter wheat diseases. A generalized correlation analysis for three growing seasons (2019–2021) showed that an average statistically significant correlation coefficient (0.5–0.6) remains for the total groups for powdery mildew, yellow and brown rust. This indicator for the causative agent of yellow spot was equal to 0.4 with a high level of statistical significance. Thus, we conclude that by using a spore-catching device, it is possible to identify spores of economically significant pathogens in winter wheat crops and predict the further development of pathogens, taking into account the cultivar and annual climate factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding pest evolution in agricultural systems is crucial for developing effective and innovative pest control strategies. Types of cultivation, such as crop monocultures versus polycultures or crop rotation, may act as a selective pressure on pests' capability to exploit the host's resources. In this study, we examined the herbivorous mite Aceria tosichella (commonly known as wheat curl mite), a widespread wheat pest, to understand how fluctuating versus stable environments influence its niche breadth and ability to utilize different host plant species. We subjected a wheat‐bred mite population to replicated experimental evolution in a single‐host environment (either wheat or barley), or in an alternation between these two plant species every three mite generations. Next, we tested the fitness of these evolving populations on wheat, barley, and on two other plant species not encountered during experimental evolution, namely rye and smooth brome. Our results revealed that the niche breadth of A. tosichella evolved in response to the level of environmental variability. The fluctuating environment expanded the niche breadth by increasing the mite's ability to utilize different plant species, including novel ones. Such an environment may thus promote flexible host‐use generalist phenotypes. However, the niche expansion resulted in some costs expressed as reduced performances on both wheat and barley as compared to specialists. Stable host environments led to specialized phenotypes. The population that evolved in a constant environment consisting of barley increased its fitness on barley without the cost of utilizing wheat. However, the population evolving on wheat did not significantly increase its fitness on wheat, but decreased its performance on barley. Altogether, our results indicated that, depending on the degree of environmental heterogeneity, agricultural systems create different conditions that influence pests' niche breadth evolution, which may in turn affect the ability of pests to persist in such systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to culture and screen salt-tolerant Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs) from Bougainvillea glabra rhizosphere to improve wheat HD-2687 and maize PSCL-4642 cultivars under saline conditions up to the seedling stage. Twenty-four rhizobacterial isolates were screened for salt tolerance at different NaCl levels. Indole acetic acid (IAA) production, phosphate solubilization, and siderophore and hydrogen cyanide (HCN) production of salinity-tolerant isolates were tested. Positive salt-tolerant PGPRs were further subjected to seedling studies to examine the improvement in the development of experimental crops under 50, 100, 150, and 200 mM NaCl concentrations with/without bacterial inoculant. Of the 24 isolates, BoGl123 was the most promising PGPR, which showed the maximum phosphate solubilization, and IAA, siderophore and HCN production. It was further subjected to seedling studies. In comparison with controls, BoGl123 resulted in a higher radicle length in maize (34 mm, 87.4%) and wheat (26.8 mm, 85.8%) at the 50 mM salinity level. At the 100 mM NaCl level, the radicle length of wheat and maize seedlings was increased by 82.5% and 78.6%, respectively, compared with controls. At different NaCl concentrations, BoGl123 improved the plumule length of seedlings in both crops. The stress tolerance attributes and plant growth promotion (PGP) indicate the potential of Pseudomonas fluorescens BoGl123 to be used as a microbial inoculant in the cultivation of wheat and maize under stressful conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat (Triticum aestivum) is an important food crop grown all over the world, its production is decreasing day after day due to fungal attacks. Present experimental investigation was designed with an aim to synthesize organic fungicide to control these pathogens in future. Therefore, focus of present manuscript was to isolate the fungal strains of Puccinia striiformis tritici causes rust disease of wheat. Morocco as a check was grown in field conditions favorable for fungal growth on 24 November (2020). Experimental plants were inoculated with fungal strains P. striiformis RR01 at stages 55 to 65 according to Zadok scale. Fungal strains (RR-01) were isolated from the experimental crop after the appearance of symptoms of leaf rust disease and were processed further for identification. Identification was done microscopically confirming that the isolated strains belong to Puccinia. Further molecular analysis of RR-01 also confirmed that isolates have close resemblance with the Puccinia striiformis. Identified sequences of the strains were submitted to NCBI which were assigned the accession number for more confirmation dendrogram were also prepared. After complete identification, infected dried leaves were kept in envelopes as rust is biotrophic fungi, while fungal spores were also stored as glycerol stocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the among the first three agroeconomic important crop plants, with a high carbohydrate and protein content in grains. In this study, 80 cultivars, from the VGRB germplasm collection, were phenotypes in field experiments. Morphological traits were observed on the harvest spike prior to threshing. Awn roughness will be assessed visually and by sliding one's finger along the central part of the awn in the direction from top to bottom. Flowering dates will be retrieved from digitized records of VGRB propagation cycles. Accessions were evaluated in 2020/2021 field trials under a randomized block experimental design. Among the measured phenotypic records there are traits as germination rate, flowering time, disease resistance and yield. Results indicate that VRGB germplasm contains a wide variety of genotypes that have a high agronomical value. This germplasm could be used in future breeding programs. [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]

Organic farming is an agricultural method for producing food with low environmental impact and will play a key role in developing a sustainable food system for the future. The entomofauna monitoring program is the basis for decision-making, regardless of the control strategies used, and knowledge of local entomofauna can influence environmental actions, especially crop management practices. The aim of the study is to determine the species composition and density of populations of harmful and beneficial insects in crop rotation, including alternation of cereals with legumes in the biological system of agriculture in the experimental field of IASS "Obraztsov chiflik"-Ruse. The monitoring showed differences in the quantitative and qualitative composition of harmful and beneficial insects during the four years of the study. Wheat is a host of insects of nine orders, and oats, field beans and spring fodder peas-of seven orders. The most serious economic damage to cereals is caused by English grain aphids /Sitobion avenae L./, and to legumes - by Green leafhopper /Cicadella viridis L./ and Pea aphid /Acyrthosiphon pisum Harr./. In all crops, the reports show that the enemies are in density below the threshold of economic harm, with one exception - pea-eater /Bruchus pisi L./ in spring fodder peas in the period 23- 31.05.2017. The species composition and the population density of the beneficial insects in the specific crop rotation during the studied period are a sufficient and appropriate system for control of harmful insects under economic threshold level. Authorized biological insecticides should be applied as appropriate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soft white winter club wheat (Triticum aestivum L. ssp. compactum) is a specialty class of soft wheat prized for its end‐use quality. Our goal was to develop a broadly adapted club wheat cultivar targeted to the U.S. Pacific Northwest (PNW) with competitive agronomic and end‐use quality characteristics. 'Castella' (Reg no. CV‐1185, PI 695319), a tall semi‐dwarf awnless white‐kernel club wheat, was selected using the bulk‐pedigree breeding method, from the cross NY89‐66‐7131//B980696//'Chukar'. In the seedling stage, Castella is resistant to PSTv‐51 and PSTv‐40 but susceptible to races PSTv‐4, PSTv‐14, and PSTv‐37 of the stripe rust pathogen. Castella exhibited excellent adult‐plant resistance to the pathogen in multiyear trials. Castella is resistant to toxic levels of aluminum and to the biotype of Hessian fly (Mayetiola destructor Say) that is prevalent in the PNW. Across 72 environments, Castella exhibited competitive grain yields compared with existing club and soft white cultivars and higher grain volume weight than the club wheat check 'Bruehl'. Castella has maintained a falling number above 300 s more frequently than Bruehl and the club wheat 'Pritchett' in multiple testing years. Castella has excellent milling and baking properties including superior sponge cake volume and will increase the quality of the club wheat crop in the PNW. Core Ideas: The soft white club wheat Castella is agronomically competitive.Castella has excellent high‐temperature adult‐plant resistance to stripe rust.Castella has the desired properties for soft club wheat end‐use quality.Castella has multiple disease, pest, and abiotic stress resistance characteristics.Castella maintains a falling number above 300 better than other club cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was conducted during the 2017/18 cropping season at the Field Crop Agricultural Experimental Station Institute of Setif, Algeria. The study aimed to investigate the performance and variability of agro-morphological traits present in a set of local durum wheat varieties, registered during the 1950–2017 period and to estimate grain increase and to identify concurrent trait changes accompanying yield increase. The results indicated ample variation for the measured traits. Multivariate analysis grouped the assessed varieties into: high vs low grain yield, tall, late vs early and dwarf and high fertility, low kernel weight vs low fertility, high kernel weight varieties. Post-green revolution varieties performed significantly more than traditional varieties in terms of grain yield, yield components and harvest index. Local varieties were taller, late to head and had high straw yield. Grain yield genetic progress over time was estimated to be equal to 11.56kg/ha/year. Differences between local and recently released varieties are ascribed to Rht genes. To make the best use of desirable characteristics from local and modern varieties, it is suggested to further investigate the variation of dwarfing genes in the tested plant material. This allows to design a breeding program promoting the development of new germplasm more adapted to rain-fed south Mediterranean environments, through selection for dwarfing genes, like Rht24 and Rht8, which express minor effects on the desirable traits in low yield environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To achieve high crop production, long-term field experiments 20 years (1990-2010) were conducted at Urumqi-China. In this study, we investigate the effect of organic and inorganic fertilization treatments on maize, spring wheat, and winter wheat cropping system in Urumqi, Xinjiang China. We investigated the impact of soil fertility, crop yield sustainability index, nutrients balance, carbon sequestration (CSR), and climatic change model through the Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM). Five treatments were studied: CK (control); NPK (inorganic fertilizers nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium); NPKM and manure; NPKS & straw and NPKM2 and manure (the rate of manure was double from NPKM. The study showed that the combined application of inorganic and manure application (NPKM2 and NPKM) significantly increased the crop grain yield and soil fertility and sustainable yield index were higher as compared to NPK and CK. The changes of maximum and minimum temperature (+2), decreasing precipitation (-10), and increased CO2 level (350-650 ppm) from observed values, simulated in the climatic model will significantly decrease essential soil water (191.2- 181.1 mm), runoff (0.43-0.40 mm), total NO3- (1444.0 to 1422.5) kg ha-1, and leaching (0.75-0.73) and runoff (0.43 mm to 0.40 mm) while increased total NH4+ (35.1 to 41.72) kg ha-1 . [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]

In order to determine the genetic differences between high-molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS) 7OE + 8* and 17 + 18, HMW-GS 7OE + 8* from a Canadian extra-strong wheat cultivar Glenlea was introduced to Longmai 20 (1, 17 + 18, 5 + 10) by 6 consecutive backcrosses with biochemical marker-assisted selection. The near-isogenic lines (NILs) of Longmai 20 possessing HMW-GS 7OE + 8* and 17 + 18 were grown in the experimental field of the Crop Breeding Institute of Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences from 2006 to 2009. The field experiments were conducted in a two-column contrast arrangement with four replicates. Compared with the NILs possessing subunits 17 + 18, the quality parameters of NILs with subunits 7OE + 8*, which include protein content, dry gluten content, ratio of wet gluten/dry gluten, ratio of Zeleny sedimentation/dry gluten, stability, maximum resistance and area of extensogram, increased by 1.5% (P = 0.06), − 0.7% (P = 0.47), − 1.9% (P < 0.01), 6.6% (P = 0.02), 11.2% (P = 0.6), 20.3% (P < 0.01) and 19.9% (P < 0.01), respectively. HMW-GS 7OE + 8* have a greater positive effect on the rheological properties of flour, such as the maximum resistance and area of extensogram, which are less influenced by environmental conditions compared to stability of Farinogram. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

About 3 billion people may suffer from micronutrient deficiency such as Ca, Fe, Mg or Zn, caused not only by a mineral deficiency in staple food but also by a high content of phytates which bind those minerals and inhibit their absorption. With the aim of evaluating the potential of new cultivars of bread‐making wheat to accumulate those minerals and low phytates, nine advanced breeding lines from an ongoing Portuguese breeding program were studied during 2 years in a field experiment. A wide genetic variability was found between the studied genotypes in all the parameters studied, especially grain yield (ranging on average between 2,027 and 3,209 kg/ha) and grain Mg and Zn concentrations (ranging on average between 1,070 and 1,336 mg/kg, and 23.4 and 30.7 mg/kg, respectively). In global terms, the cultivars with best performance, and therefore, the most potentially suitable to be used in a breeding program, were the Cultivars 3 and 4. However, such a potential varied depending on the analysed trait, and it was clearly influenced by the climatic conditions. The consumption of 100 g of Cultivar‐4 produced under the most favourable conditions might provide a 5.2% of Ca, 26.4% of Fe, 38.9% of Mg and 31.9% of Zn of the recommended daily intakes, with a very good bioavailability for Fe and Ca, but low for Mg and Zn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty Chinese and two Czech wheat cultivars were assessed with respect to their genetic diversity using single sequence repeat (SSR) markers and high-molecular-weight (HMW)-glutenin alleles. Phenotypic characteristics including morphological, productivity and quality characters, earliness, and resistance to stresses were evaluated in field experiments and, consequently, drought tolerance (estimated by means of 13C discrimination method) and winter hardiness (in provocation test) were tested. Employment of both genetic and phenotypic characteristics allowed identifying promising sources of new genetic diversity. Some Chinese cultivars were considered as potential donors of quality characters, earliness or drought tolerance. The results indicate that new genetic diversity can be found in resources of geographically distant origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of foliar application of different concentrations of Se fertilization (37.50, 56.25, 75.00, 93.75, and 112.50 g ha-1 of Se) at the early grain filling stage on nutritional quality of colored-grain wheat. The results showed that Se plays a role in influencing the nutrients concentration of colored-grain wheat. When it was more than 75.00 g ha-1, the Se concentration in the common wheat was excessive. However, when it was more than 37.50 g ha-1, the Se concentration in the colored-grain wheat was excessive, indicating that colored-grain wheat was likely to be more sensitive to Se accumulation. Se concentration of colored-grain wheat was significantly increased under the optimal foliar application of Se concentration at 37.5 g ha-1, decreased starch concentration, without affecting the yield. Particularly, the concentrations of gliadin and glutenin were significantly increased while both albumin and globulin were reduced with the increased Se concentration. Additionally, our research showed that foliar application Se increased the concentration of iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), but decreased the concentration of copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn). More importantly, the intake of Se promoted the production of amino acids and anthocyanins. This indicates the potential roles Se plays on regulating nutrition value in colored-grain wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breeding for resilience to climate change is a daunting prospect. Crop and climate models tell us that global wheat yields are likely to decline as the climate warms, causing a significant risk to global food security. High temperatures are known to affect crop development yet breeding for tolerance to heat stress is difficult to achieve in field environments. We conducted an active warming study over two years to quantify the effects of heat stress on genetic variation of soft red winter (SRW) wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Forty SRW cultivars and breeding lines were chosen based on marker genotypes at photoperiod sensitivity and reduced height loci. These genotypes were planted in a randomized complete block design replicated twice across two environments, ambient and artificially warmed. Average heading date occurred 5 days earlier in the warmed environment than in the ambient environment over both years (p ≤ 0.05). On average, grain yield was significantly reduced in the warmed environment by 211.41 kg/ha (p ≤ 0.05) or 4.84%, though we identified 13 genotypes with increased yield in response to warming in both years. Of these genotypes, eight had significantly increased N uptake while six showed significantly increased N utilization efficiency under warming. Under warming, genotypes with wild‐type alleles at the Rht‐D1 locus display significantly greater yields (p ≤ 0.01) and biomass (p ≤ 0.001) than genotypes with reduced height alleles. Of the 13 genotypes with higher (p ≤ 0.01) yields under warming, nine have the wild‐type allele at the Rht‐D1 locus in addition to being photoperiod insensitive. The next steps will be to validate these findings in other populations and to develop an efficient breeding/phenotyping scheme that will lead to more resilient cultivars. Increasing global temperatures will reduce wheat yield and productivity. To identify genetic variation for resilience to warming, we screened a set of diverse wheat genotypes in a warmed and a control environment. On average, grain yield was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in the warmed environment though we identified genotypes which had higher yields in response to warming in both years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Field trials were carried out during 2011-2013 in three locations on 10 wheat genotypes. Traits that were investigated included grain weight, grain-filling duration, grain-filling rates and the lag phase from flowering to the commencement of effective grain filling. The grain-filling duration and rate were fitted by Richard’s equation in thermal time (growing degree-days (GDD), base temperature 9ºC). A combined ANOVA across environments showed that the grain weight was mainly affected by genotype, while most of the other grain-filling characters were influenced by the environment and G × E interactions. Grain filling lasted between 362 to 400 GDD and included a lag phase that ranged from 67 to 86 GDD. Both the effective and maximum rates of grain filling ranged from 0.12 to 0.15 mg GDD−1 and 0.18-0.22 to GDD−1, respectively. The lag phase was positively correlated with grain weight and rates of grain filling, whereas days to anthesis were significantly negatively correlated with the lag phase and both rates of grain filling. Temperature during grain filling was negatively correlated with the lag phase. The variation in grain weight was positively associated with the rate of grain filling, which, in turn, was related to the grain number per unit area. A compensating variability existed among the genotypes in both the grain number and grain-filling rate. The study of genotypic stability demonstrated that Chuanmai42 and Chuanmai104 had high grain weight and stability among most of the grain-filling parameters, and also had high grain yield. Chuanmai42 and Chuanmai104 were the best genotypes for improving the yield potential and grain weight stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field experiments were conducted to determine the effect of nitrogen (N) fertilizer forms and doses on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) on three soils differing in their ammonium (NH4) fixation capacity [high = 161 mg fixed NH4-N kg−1 soil, medium = 31.5 mg fixed NH4-N kg−1 soil and no = nearly no fixed NH4-N kg−1 soil]. On high NH4+ fixing soil, 80 kg N ha−1 Urea+ ammonium nitrate [NH4NO3] or 240 kg N ha−1 ammonium sulfate [(NH4)2SO4]+(NH4)2SO4, was required to obtain the maximum yield. Urea + NH4NO3 generally showed the highest significance in respect to the agronomic efficiency of N fertilizers. In the non NH4+ fixing soil, 80 kg N ha−1 urea+NH4NO3 was enough to obtain high grain yield. The agronomic efficiency of N fertilizers was generally higher in the non NH4+ fixing soil than in the others. Grain protein was highly affected by NH4+ fixation capacities and N doses. Harvest index was affected by the NH4+ fixation capacity at the 1% significance level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Australian wheat ( Triticum aestivum ) producers have been sowing crops earlier to adapt to reduced autumn rainfall, extreme spring weather and increasing farm size. Analysis of sowing date records indicate a shift of around 1.5 days/year over a 10 year period. The most suitable development patterns to maintain or increase yield at earlier sowing times have not been identified. Field experiments were conducted over two years at a range of sites and times of sowing (TOS), comparing a novel cultivar with fast-winter (FW) development to current elite spring and winter cultivars, and near-isogenic lines that differed only in major development genes. In cooler environments, the FW exhibited a more stable flowering time across a broader range of TOS compared to spring or slower developing winter cultivars. The optimal sowing window was shorter in warmer environments for the FW. Early-sown FW wheat yielded 8% more than fast-developing spring wheat sown later but flowering concurrently. FW wheat yielded 17% more than the elite mid-winter cultivar, and 18% more than elite slower developing spring cultivars when averaged across all TOS. The FW development pattern has potential to extend sowing periods while achieving 10–20% higher yields and flowering time stability. Wheat cultivars with altered development patterns must be developed to ensure crops flower during optimal periods from earlier sowing times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the combined effect of NPK (Nitrogen, phosphorus and potash) on the growth of wheat cultivar Super Golden. Objective of the study was to determine effects of different levels of NPK on growth by wheat (Triticum eastivum L.) variety. The thrice replicated treatments (T0 : 0-0-0 NPK, T1 : 30-0-20 NPK, T2 : 60-0-0 NPK, T3 : 120-0-0 NPK, T4 : 0-15-50 NPK, T5 : 0-30-0 NPK, T6 : 0-60-10 NPK, T7 : 120-60-50 NPK and T8 : 60-30-25 NPK) kg/ha were tested in randomized block design (RBD). Treatment plot site was situated in longitude 25019'09.0" latitude 081003'59.9" and height 102 meter at sea level. The results revealed that highest growth parameters replied significantly to NPK fertilizers. The highest growth was recorded with the application of 120-60-50 NPK (kg/ha) and lowest concluded treatment combination was T0 (0-0-0) NPK (kg/ha). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat is an important dietary source of zinc (Zn) and other mineral elements in many countries. Dietary Zn deficiency is widespread, especially in developing countries, and breeding (genetic biofortification) through the HarvestPlus programme has recently started to deliver new wheat varieties to help alleviate this problem in South Asia. To better understand the potential of wheat to alleviate dietary Zn deficiency, this study aimed to characterise the baseline effects of genotype (G), site (E), and genotype by site interactions (GxE) on grain Zn concentration under a wide range of soil conditions in India. Field experiments were conducted on a diverse panel of 36 Indian-adapted wheat genotypes, grown on a range of soil types (pH range 4.5–9.5), in 2013–14 (five sites) and 2014–15 (six sites). Grain samples were analysed using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The mean grain Zn concentration of the genotypes ranged from 24.9–34.8 mg kg-1, averaged across site and year. Genotype and site effects were associated with 10% and 6% of the overall variation in grain Zn concentration, respectively. Whilst G x E interaction effects were evident across the panel, some genotypes had consistent rankings between sites and years. Grain Zn concentration correlated positively with grain concentrations of iron (Fe), sulphur (S), and eight other elements, but did not correlate negatively with grain yield, i.e. no yield dilution was observed. Despite a relatively small contribution of genotype to the overall variation in grain Zn concentration, due to experiments being conducted across many contrasting sites and two years, our data are consistent with reports that biofortifying wheat through breeding is likely to be effective at scale given that some genotypes performed consistently across diverse soil types. Notably, all soils in this study were probably Zn deficient and interactions between wheat genotypes and soil Zn availability/management (e.g. the use of Zn-containing fertilisers) need to be better-understood to improve Zn supply in food systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In South Asia, including Bangladesh, most farmers sow wheat under residual soil moisture after rice is harvested, but the upper layer of soil dries quickly after soil has been prepared for wheat sowing. Crop seeds that are sown either deeply or shallowly can result in failed emergence, low dry matter accumulation, and reduced grain yield. Therefore, appropriate sowing depth is crucial for seedling emergence and successful crop establishment. Considering this, a two-year field experiment was conducted at the research field of the Agricultural Research Station of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute at Dinajpur during the dry, rabi (winter) season of 2013-14 and 2014-15, at four sowing depths, i.e., 2, 4, 6 and 8 cm, to identify the most appropriate sowing depth for higher grain yield. Wheat seeds sown at a depth of 4 cm resulted in significantly highest number of seedlings and seminal roots, tallest plants as well as largest roots and plant biomass followed by sowing at a depth of 6, or 2 cm. Depth of sowing also significantly affected the yield and yield-related attributes, all performing best at a depth of 4 cm. The highest number of spikes m-2, grain yield, straw yield and harvest index were observed when seeds were sown at depths of 4 or 6 cm, relative to 2 or 8 cm. Therefore, a sowing depth of 4 to 6 cm is recommended for wheat cultivation in South Asia, including Northern Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extreme variability of climatic conditions, which is a particularly important characteristic of Romania's climate, poses difficult problems not only to agricultural production, but also to breeding programs, including wheat breeding. The alternation of dry years with rainy years, as well as the different moments in which rains occur, make it impossible to carry out a continuous selection pressure for a superior behaviour of the genetic material under water stress. Therefore, identifying indirect methods that would allow characterization of breeding material in all years, regardless of weather, could significantly contribute to accelerating genetic advancement towards future varieties with superior performance under water stress. At Simnic, an experiment was performed in the laboratory using the PEG 6000 solution at 15% and 20%. We determined: stem length at three different moments. For 13 varieties that were field tested for the period (2002-2015), the correlation between the YI-specific drought tolerance index calculated from yield data from the field and determinations under PEG-induced drought revealed a significant positive correlation between drought tolerance index and the ratio of the stem measured after treatment with 20% PEG and that measured in the control (treated with water), at the first moment of determination (15 days after sowing) and in average over all moments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field experiment was conducted at the research farm of CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Rice and Wheat Research Centre, Malan during kharif 2013 with the objective to select the best seedling age and spacing of rice under system of rice intensification in terms of energetic and employment generation for mid hill condition of Himachal Pradesh. The experiment was laid out in 3 times replicated split plot design, assigning of three seedling ages (10, 17 and 24 days) and two spacings (20 cm x 20 cm and 20 cm x 15 cm) in main plots and four seedling vigours corresponding to four seeding rates (25, 30, 35 and 40 g/m2) in sub plots. The leaf area per plant was significantly greater in 10 days seedling age and decreased with increase in age (P=0.05). Seedling rate did not affect leaf area index in all stages except 40 DAS when 35 g/m2 seeding rate had maximum LAI. Seedling age did not significantly influence crop growth rate at any interval but it did relative growth rate and net assimilation rate between 40-70 and 70-100 DAS (P=0.05). 24 days old seedling resulted in significantly higher relative growth rate and net assimilation rate between 40-70 DAS followed by 17 days old seedlings. Maximum value of energy input (13.23) was recorded in 24 days seedling. The energy use efficiency (Energy output: input) varied from 10.6 to 11.1 under different treatments. Wider spacing supporting less plant population consumed 10 man days less than closer spacing of 20 cm x 15 cm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of deteriorating soil health, stagnation of yield in rice-wheat cropping system (RWCS) across Indo- Gangetic plains (IGP) and environmental pollution, a long term field experiment was conducted during 2009–2016 taking four crop scenarios with conservation agriculture (CA), crop intensification and diversified cropping as intervening technology aiming to evaluate the sustainability of the systems. Scenario 1 (S1) represented conventional farmers’ practice of growing rice and wheat with summer fallow. In scenario 2 (S2) and scenario 3 (S3), legume crop was taken along with rice and wheat with partial CA and full CA, respectively. Conventional RWCS was replaced with rice-potato + maize- cowpea cropping system with partial CA in scenario 4 (S4). The S3 scenario registered highest total organic carbon (TOC) stock of 47.71 Mg C ha −1 and resulted in significant increase of 14.57% over S1 (Farmer’s practice) in 0–30 cm soil depth after 7 years of field trial. The S4 scenario having intensified cropping systems recorded lowest TOC of 39.33 Mg C ha −1 and resulted in significant depletion of 17.56% in C stock with respect to S3 in 0–30 cm soil depth. The TOC enrichment was higher in S2, S3 and S4 scenario in the surface soil (0–10 cm) compared to S1. At lower depth (20–30 cm), the TOC enrichment was significantly higher in S2 (12.82 Mg C ha −1 ) and S3 (13.10 Mg C ha −1 soil) over S1 scenario. The S2 and S3 scenario recorded highest increased allocation of TOC (3.55 and 6.13 Mg C ha −1 ) to passive pool over S1. The S2 (15.72 t ha −1 ), S3 (16.08 t ha −1 ) and S4 (16.39 t ha −1 ) scenarios recorded significantly higher system rice equivalent yield over S1 (10.30 t ha −1 ). Among the scenarios, S3 scenario had greater amount of total soil organic carbon, passive pool of carbon and higher system rice equivalent yield, thus, is considered the best cropping management practice to maintain soil health and food security in the middle IGP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted a two-year field experiment to investigate the potential benefit of preceding crop residue incorporation into the soil as a strategy to enhance the density of bioavailable grain zinc (Zn) in a subsequent wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) crop. Sunflower ( Heilianthus annuus L. cv. Allstar), sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor L. cv. Speed Feed), clover ( Trifolium pratense L.) and safflower ( Carthamus tinctorius L. cv. Koseh-e-Isfahan) were grown as preceding crop (precrop) on a Zn-deficient calcareous soil in central Iran, followed by a culture of two wheat cultivars i.e., Kavir and Back Cross Rushan. The harvested aboveground plant matter was air-dried, crushed into pieces of 0.5–2 cm size, mixed, and after taking a sample for analysis, incorporated manually into the upper 15 cm of the soil of one half of the same plot from which it had been harvested, while the other half received no residues. The aboveground residues of precrops were incorporated into soil or removed. A treatment with no preceding crop (fallow) and no residue incorporation, but with the same management otherwise, was implemented as control treatment. For both wheat cultivars studied, higher grain yield was obtained after clover (between 14 and 25.6%) and sunflower (between 11.3 and 19.5%) than that after safflower, sorghum and the fallow. All precrop treatments significantly increased the accumulation of grain Zn and N and decreased the phytic-acid-to-Zn (PA:Zn) molar ratio (by 5–41% in Kavir and by 11–48% in Back Cross), most effectively the clover treatment. The treatment effects on grain Zn were closely correlated with soil pH and dissolved soil organic carbon (DOC). The results show that the cultivation of appropriate precrops, especially legumes, can be an effective strategy to biofortify wheat grains with Zn without compromising yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two field experiments were carried out in the Experimental Farm , of the Faculty of Agriculture , Fayoum University on Sandy Loam soil during 2011 I 2012 and 2012 I 2013 seasons to study the effects of two organic manure levels i.e. (15 and 30 m3 I fed.), biofertilizer (Azotobacter who was inoculation the seeds) and three levels of nitrogen fertilizer .[100% (75 kg NI fed.) & 50 % (37.5 kg NI fed.) and 25 % (18.75 kg NI fed.)] of Urea ( 46 % N) and their combinations on productivity of two wheat cultivars i.e. (Sakha 93 (V1) &Sakha 94 (v2)).The treatments were -set in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in factorial arrangement with three replications . Significant effect for wheat varieties were obtained on plant height (cm) , in the 1st season and on total protein percentage in both seasons but was insignificantly on other traits .The superiority was for Sakha 94 in most characters . Fertilizer treatments was significantly effect on all traits in both season except plant height , number of spike I plant ,1000-grain weight in second season and harvest index% in first season .F3 ( 30 m 3 I fed. organic manure+ bio - fertilizer+ 50 % ( 37.5 kg NI fed.) treatment gave the highest values followed by F 4 (30 m 3 I fed. organic manure + bio - fertilizer+ 25 % (18.75 kg NI fed.)) or F5 (30 m3 I fed. organic manure+ 50 % (37.5 kg NI fed.)) treatments. Interaction between varieties and fertilizer treatments was significantly effect on number of spike I plant and weight of grains I spike in both seasons and on grain yield (ton I fed.) and total protein (%) in 1st and number of grains I spike in second season only but was insignificantly on plant height (cm) , 1000-grain weight, and harvest index (%) in both seasons . Results of stepwise regression revealed that both the harvest index, 1000 grains weight, number of grains/ spike and plant height were causes high grains yield genotypes in wheat programs. By using organic fertilizer and I or bio-fertilizer with half dose of mineral fertilizer it could be increased in plant growth and yield . Besides, using bio-fertilizers that contain different microbial strains had led to decrease in the use of chemical fertilizers and had provided height products free of harmful agrochemicals for human safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tow field trials were carried out in 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 winter seasons to study the evaluation used the organic manure and biofertilizer as a total or partial replacement of nitrogen fertilizer on yield and protein quality of two wheat varieties (Triticum aestivum, L.) under newly reclaimed soils. The field experiments were layout at the Experimental Farm, of the Faculty of Agriculture, Fayoum University, Egypt. The treatments were set in Randomized Complete Block Design in factorial arrangement with three replications. The results showed that significant effect for wheat varieties were obtained on plant height and spike length in the 1st season and total protein percentage in both seasons but were insignificantly on other traits. The superiority was for Sakha 94 in most characters. Fertilizer treatments were significantly effect for all studied traits except plant height and number of tillers/plant in 2nd season and spike length in 1st season. F3 (30 m3/fed organic manure+ bio-fertilizer + 37.5kg N/fed (50 %) gave the superiority in most traits in both seasons followed by F4 (30 m3 /fed organic manure + bio-fertilizer + 18. 75kg N/fed.(25%) or F5 (30 m3/fed. organic manure + 37.5kg N/fed.(50 %)treatments. Interaction between varieties and fertilizer treatments was significantly effect in most of studied traits except plant height and spike length. On the other hand, applying of F3 (30 m3 fed organic manure + bio-fertilizer + 37.5kg N/fed.(50 %) with Sakha 94 or Sakha 93 gave higher values of grains yield in both seasons. Finally, by using organic fertilizer and/or bio-fertilizer with half dose of mineral fertilizer it could be plant growth and yield. Besides, using bio-fertilizers that contain different microbial strains had led to decrease in the use of chemical fertilizers and had provided height products free of harmful agrochemicals for human safety. In path coefficient analysis straw yield and spike length revealed that positive direct effect and plant height through spike length were positive indirect effect on yield. These traits can be considered for selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intensive crop breeding has increased wheat yields and production in India. Wheat improvement in India typically involves selecting yield and component traits under non-hostile soil conditions at regional scales. The aim of this study is to quantify G*E interactions on yield and component traits to further explore site-specific trait selection for hostile soils. Field experiments were conducted at six sites (pH range 4.5–9.5) in 2013–14 and 2014–15, in three agro-climatic regions of India. At each site, yield and component traits were measured on 36 genotypes, representing elite varieties from a wide genetic background developed for different regions. Mean grain yields ranged from 1.0 to 5.5 t ha-1 at hostile and non-hostile sites, respectively. Site (E) had the largest effect on yield and component traits, however, interactions between genotype and site (G*E) affected most traits to a greater extent than genotype alone. Within each agro-climatic region, yield and component traits correlated positively between hostile and non-hostile sites. However, some genotypes performed better under hostile soils, with site-specific relationships between yield and component traits, which supports the value of ongoing site-specific selection activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research was conducted in the experimental fields of the Soil Sciences discipline, which is located in B.U.A.S.M.V. "King Michael I of Romania" in Timişoara Didactic Station from Timişoara and after that in the research laboratory of the Agrochemistry Department from the Faculty of Agriculture. This paper aims to observe specific variations in the measurable values of amino acids and vitamin B1 in wheat grain following differentiated fertilization with essential minerals: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. The experiments had a factorial design with two factors, with maize - sunflower - wheat rotation. Each plot was sub-divided in four replicates, linear, with the size of 10 x 3 m (30 m²). The type of wheat used was the Alex Variety, which is zoned for the western part of Romania (West Plain). In order to obtain optimal results, a balance was maintained between mineral fertilisation and analytic agrochemical control, including various agrophytotechnical measures, thus yielding increased efficiency. The experiment took place in the agricultural years 2014 - 2015 and 2015 - 2016, during which the climate was variable, with higher temperatures and slightly less rainfall comparing to the annual average. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The DSSAT-CERES-Wheat model (V-4.6) was calibrated and validated using field experiment data (2008-2014) collected on phenology, yield and yield attributes of four cultivars (HUW 234, Kundan, HUW 510 and PBW 373) of wheat for Varanasi. The simulated yields were very close to observed grain yield as evident from R² of 0.96 with nRMSE (4.92%) and D-index (0.99). The simulated phenological events and yield attributes of wheat cultivars were also in good agreement. Therefore, the model was used for evaluation of irrigation scheduling in wheat crop. The results revealed that the model performance was good under three, four and five irrigation scheduling while poor performance was observed under two and one irrigation treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several field experiments were conducted to screen 29 bread wheat lines (Triticum aestivum L.), 5 durum wheat lines (Triticum durum L.) and 4 commercial check varieties for grain yield (ardab/fad.) under twelve diverse environments for drought and heat stress in drip and sprinkler irrigation systems of newly reclaimed sandy soils and surface flood irrigation system of old clay soils. The combined analyses of variance showed highly significant differences among environments, genotypes and environments x genotypes for all irrigation systems. Wheat genotypes had higher grain yield under drip irrigation than sprinkler and surface flood irrigation systems. Drought stress and delay sowing date reduced grain yield for all wheat genotypes compared with optimum water irrigation and favorable sowing date. Grain yield over twelve environments ranged from 15.06 for Line 2 to 20.02 (ardab/fad.) for Line 13. Wheat Lines 9, 18 and 21 exhibited the desirable drought and heat sensitivity indices under all irrigation systems (SI < 1). The mean square of joint regression exhibited highly significant differences among genotypes (G), environments (E), the G x E interaction, (E + G × E) and environment (linear). Also, the linear interaction (G x E linear) was highly significant when tested against pooled deviation. Phenotypic stability parameters indicated that bread wheat genotypes Misr 1, Line 13, Line 14 and Line 3 and durum lines 31 (G33), 33 (G35) and 32 (G34) were highly adapted to favorable environments, whereas G36 (Line 34) was adapted to drought stress and delay sowing date environments. Genotypic stability parameters showed that the most desired and stable wheat genotypes were Line 10 and Misr 1. The AMMI analysis of variance showed that environments explained 77.21% of total variation and it was greater than genotypes (5.30%) and genotype × environment (GEI) (12.54%). IPCA 1 score explained 25.08% and IPCA 2 had 17.81% of the total GEI for AMMI model. Whereas, IPCA 1 score explained 36.02% and IPCA 2 had 17.56% of the total GGEI for SREG model. According to the ASV ranking the bread wheat genotypes, Line 10, Giza 168, Line 15, Line 8 and Sakha 93 and durum line 31 (G33) were more stable. GGE biplot exhibited Line 3 as ideal wheat genotype for grain yield. Positive and significant correlation coefficients between Xg , bi, αi and Pi were found among each other. The stability parameters i.e., S2, di, λi, W2 i, CV (%) and ASV were significantly correlated between each other, indicating that they measured similar aspects of stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two field experiments were carried out at the Agricultural Research Station, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, El-Khattara region, Sharkia Governorate, Egypt during the two successive seasons of 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 to investigate the effect of three rates of humic acid application (0, 2 and 4 kg humic acid/fad.) and five nitrogen fertilizer levels (0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 kg N/fad.) on bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Sids 12) grown in sandy soil under sprinkler irrigation system. Results of the combined analysis indicated that application of humic acid at 2 kg/ fad., significantly increased plant height (cm), flag leaf area (cm2), spike length (cm), number of spikes/m2, straw yield (ton/fad.) and harvest index as compared to control treatment. Furthermore, flag leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD), number of grains/spike, weight of grains/spike (g), 1000-grain weight (g), grain and biological yields (ton/fad.) showed significant increase due to raising humic acid application up to 4 kg/fad. On the other hand, it was found that plant height, spike length, number and weight of grains/spike, number of spikes/m2, 1000-grain weight, straw yield and harvest index were significantly increased by increasing nitrogen fertilizer levels up to 90 kg N/fad. Whereas, flag leaf area, flag leaf chlorophyll content, grain and biological yields per fad responded to each N increment up to 120 kg N/fad. Most studied traits were significantly affected by the interaction between humic acid and nitrogen fertilizer levels. It could be noticed that, application of humic acid resulted in reducing the requirement to N fertilizer application. The highest grain yield (16.25 ardab/fad.) was achieved by soil application of 4 kg humic acid with 90 kg N/fad. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a field trial, Dalbergia sissoo biochar was used to investigate its potential for improving growth, yield and nutrient recovery of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), at varying fertilizer rates under calcareous soil. Two biochar levels (0.0 and 1.0% of soil weight) were used along with five fertilizer rates i.e. 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of recommended inorganic fertilizer dose (RFD). Seeds of wheat cultivar Faisalabad-2008 were sown in the field using 2 factorial-randomized complete block design. At reduced fertilizer rates, biochar application improved plant growth parameters i.e. plant height, spike length, number of tillers hill-1 and grain yield over the respective treatments having inorganic fertilizer without biochar. Regarding nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) content, the highest statistical results were achieved at reduced fertilizer doses along with biochar application i.e. N and P content in wheat straw and grain at 50% RFD, straw N and P uptake at 75% RFD, grain N and K uptake at 50% RFD and grain P uptake at 75% RFD. The highest N, P and K recovery was calculated in the treatments having 50% RFD + biochar with 95%, 25% RFD + biochar with 38% and 25% RFD with 117%, respectively. In comparison with control treatment (without fertilizer and biochar), biochar application improved soil CEC up to 40%. With biochar application, no any significant change was observed in other soil chemical properties i.e. pH and EC. The results suggested that 1.0% biochar along with reduced fertilizer doses, could be effectively used to improve wheat growth, yield, nutrient content and nutrient uptake under field condition. Moreover, 1.0% biochar along with 75% of RFD can be effectively used in place of 100% RFD to get the highest yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of this study were to extend the Tracey model in order to quantify and to analyse spring wheat's grain storage dynamics of wet-deposited radionuclides. Tracey, a dynamic model of trace element cycling in terrestrial ecosystems, was extended with descriptions of wet-deposition, interception, foliar uptake and radioactive decay. Radionuclide fluxes were set proportional to corresponding water or carbon fluxes, simulated with CoupModel. The extended Tracey was calibrated against experimental data, where 134 Cs and 85 Sr were deposited on spring wheat at six growth stages in 2010 and 2011. Sensitivities of grain storage to wheat's and radionuclide properties were assessed, using the Eikos software, by 1000 Monte Carlo simulations for each of the 48 scenarios (combination of 2 radionuclides, 1 foliar uptake, 2 root uptake approaches, 6 deposition treatments and 2 years). Simulations were accepted if simulated grain storage values were within 95% confidence intervals (CI) of measurements. We found that 15% of 134 Cs and 85 Sr simulations for 2011, and 6% of the 2010 simulations met the CI-criterion. Foliar uptake accounted for 99% and 90% of total plant uptake of 134 Cs and 85 Sr, respectively. Mean simulated grain storage at harvest increased with lateness of deposition, as the stored proportion of radionuclide deposited was 0.02% when deposition was before flowering, 2% between flowering and ripening, and 5% (2010) or 10% (2011, late harvest) after ripening, respectively. Similarly, the property that governed grain storage depended on the growth stage at time of deposition; stem and leaf fixation rates (deposition before flowering), grain fixation rates (between flowering and ripening) and grains' interception capacity (after ripening). We conclude that grains' interception capacities can be used to predict grain storage of radionuclides deposited in the riskiest period, i.e. close to harvest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biofortification is a novel approach which leads to the development of micronutrient dense staple crops. In our study, four bacterial isolates were selected on the basis of their plant growth promoting abilities and their superior properties of solubilizing insoluble zinc compounds were exploited under in vitro conditions, further bacterial strain were evaluated in field experiment on two varieties of Triticum aestivum Gw-366 and LK-1 (with and without 100 g/plot ZnO) for their role in improving the nutritional quality of wheat grains. Treatments with inoculation of MS-ZT10 ( Exiguobacterium aurantiacum strain ) in Gw-366 variety shows about six-fold enhancement in Zn and Fe (18.2 ppm and 24.67 ppm) in grain compared to uninoculated control (4.4 ppm). The strain also enhances the N, P, and K concentration (2.66%, 1.03% and 0.37%). Micronutrient enhancement was also recorded in LK-1 variety (17.5 ppm Zn and 23.56 ppm Fe) 2.17%, 1.09% and 0.36% N, P K respectively. This significant gain in the nutritional quality of wheat shows the need for inoculation of MS-ZT10 to complement the existing biofortification strategies for reducing malnutrition in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field experiments were performed in 2014/2015 to evaluate the efficacy of certain post emergence herbicides [Rapido 25% EC and Bromoplus 24% EC at 1 L feddan-1 (bromoxynil octanoate), Broadystar 8.5% WG (florasulam 1.42% + pyroxsulam 7.08%) and Banvel 4S 48% EC (dicamba) at 250 ml feddan-1] and hand weeding compared with untreated control on various broadleaved weeds in wheat (cv. Sids 12) fields in Assiut Governorate, Egypt. The experiments were carried out in Plant Protection Farm, Assiut city, Assiut, Egypt (a Nile valley land) and in the El-Wady El-Assiuty Farm, Sahel-saliem city, Assiut, Egypt (a newly reclaimed land). The major broadleaved weed in Plant Protection Farm was Beta vulgaris L. whereas Malva parviflora L. and Melilotus polymorpha L. were the lowest ones. In El-Wady El-Assiuty Farm, M. polymorpha was the dominant weed species while Silybum marianum L. Gaertn recorded as the lowest one. All tested herbicides and hand weeding treatment performed a high efficiency and decreased the fresh weight of individual broadleaved weeds and total weeds in both locations compared to untreated control after 30 days of treatments. In this regard, Rapido and Bromoplus were the most potent ones against broadleaved weeds in both locations and caused the highest grain yield. Broadystar, Banvel 4S and hand weeding treatments also increased the wheat grain yield in both locations compared to untreated control. However, Banvel 4S caused injury symptoms on wheat plants which appeared in the deformations of leaved, stem and spike shape in both locations, as a first report in Egypt but other treatments did not cause any adverse effect on plants. In conclusion, the study confirmed that Rapido, Bromopuls and Broadystar herbicides as well as hand weeding have a great potency against various broadleaved weeds prevailed in wheat fields grown in the new reclaimed land and in the Nile valley land at Assiut Governorate, Upper Egypt, with safety and increase in wheat grain yield compared to untreated control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lower canopy temperature (CT), resulting from increased stomatal conductance, has been associated with increased yield in wheat. Historically, CT has been measured with hand-held infrared thermometers. Using the hand-held CT method on large field trials is problematic, mostly because measurements are confounded by temporal weather changes during the time required to measure all plots. The hand-held CT method is laborious and yet the resulting heritability low, thereby reducing confidence in selection in large scale breeding endeavors. We have developed a reliable and scalable crop phenotyping method for assessing CT in large field experiments. The method involves airborne thermography from a manned helicopter using a radiometrically-calibrated thermal camera. Thermal image data is acquired from large experiments in the order of seconds, thereby enabling simultaneous measurement of CT on potentially 1000s of plots. Effects of temporal weather variation when phenotyping large experiments using hand-held infrared thermometers are therefore reduced. The method is designed for cost-effective and large-scale use by the non-technical user and includes custom-developed software for data processing to obtain CT data on a single-plot basis for analysis. Broad-sense heritability was routinely >0.50, and as high as 0.79, for airborne thermography CT measured near anthesis on a wheat experiment comprising 768 plots of size 2 x 6 m. Image analysis based on the frequency distribution of temperature pixels to remove the possible influence of background soil did not improve broad-sense heritability. Total image acquisition and processing time was ca. 25 min and required only one person (excluding the helicopter pilot). The results indicate the potential to phenotype CT on large populations in genetics studies or for selection within a plant breeding program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty wheat cultivars with a wide range of drought tolerance, including 18 bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and two durum wheat (T. turgidum L.) were used in two separated field experiments during 2009-2010 growing season. Each experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. The moisture level in one of the experiments was full field capacity, whereas it was 45% field capacity after anthesis in the second experiment. Data for several physiological traits related to water retention capacity (relative water content, RWC; relative water protection, RWP; relative water loss, RWL; canopy temperature depression, CTD and transpiration rate, E) and photosynthetic apparatus (photosynthetic rate, Pn; intercellular CO2 concentration, Ci; stomatal conductance, gs; chlorophyll a, Chlla; chlorophyll b, Chllb and carotenoids, Car), and biochemical traits (free proline and membrane stability index, MSI) were subjected to an appropriate model for yield stability in wheat. The results of of different model selection techniques showed that some of the variables did not fit well in the model, so were not suitable for it. In this study, based on the forward, backward and stepwise selection methods, RWP, RWC, Pn, CTD, MSI, Chlla and Chllb were found suitable indicators for modeling yield stability under stress conditions. Path analysis revealed that MSI (-1.20134), CTD (1.021) and E (0.652) had the highest direct effects on yield stability index (YSI) and RWP showed the highest correlation (0.678). In general, MSI, RWP, CTD and Pn were found the best traits for indirect selection of wheat cultivars with higher gain yield and more stable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]