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Background: Cadmium is a noxious heavy metal that is commonly found in the soil while its concentration is increasing in soil because of industrialization at the global level. It does not only reduce the yield of crops but also adulterates food and underground drinkable water. The availability of Cd beyond the threshold level may cause many problems in human beings. Exposure to Cd for a short period causes inhalation, muscle pain and lung damage while for a longer time, it may cause bone and kidney-related issues. The present study aimed to study the phytotoxic effect of Cadmium-induced stress on morphological changes and their impact on the yield of rice plants. Methods: Present piece of research work was carried out on the Research Farm of Lovely Professional University, Department of Agronomy, School of Agriculture, in 2019-20. A range of five different concentrations of CdCl2 was comprised with statistical design CRD. The range of 100 to 300 ppm CdCl2 was considered to induce Cd-based stress. The standard procedures were followed to measure the growth parameters at regular intervals while the SPSS software was used to analyze the significance of the data. Result: Cadmium-induced stress was created artificially in an experiment to analyze the detrimental effect on the growth and yield of rice plants. As the externally imposed cadmium stress increased from the control set (T0), all the growth parameters along with grain yield, Biological yield hill-1 (g) and harvest index (%) started to decline till the maximum concentrations of CdCl2, i.e. 300 ppm. As per the DAT is concerned, % reduction of each parameter was also calculated to the known intensity of toxicity where the maximum % reduction was recorded at 50 DAT in the leaf area and LAI (38.47% and 38.38%) while the maximum % reduction of CGR was recorded at 50-75 DAT (35%). However, the % reduction in grain yield, biological yield hill-1 (g) and harvest index % were recorded at the highest concentration of CdCl2 (31.87, 28.70 g and 11.1%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photosynthesis is responsible for sustained plant productivity and ensures food supply. The change in global climatic patterns affects photosynthesis that subsequently reduces plant yield and poses threat to food security. Photosynthesis relies on a dual nature enzyme ribulose 1, 5 bisphosphate carboxylase oxygenase (Rubisco), which can fix CO2 as well as O2. The fixation rate of CO2 to O2 depends upon the relative concentration of CO2 inside chloroplast. Higher level of CO2 results in improved photosynthesis, however, its concentration depends upon environmental conditions. Under adverse climate conditions, the CO2 level drops down that leads to increased oxygenation which impedes the photosynthesis and reduces plant productivity. The impact is more significant and apparent specifically in C3 plants. Attempts have been made to address the loss in photosynthesis and multiple strategies have been adapted to date that focus on improvement of photosynthesis in C3 plants. In this review, we have discussed the multiple strategies being employed by different researchers to date for improvement of photosynthesis. The strategies discussed in this review include: improving the performance of Rubisco, engineering CO2-concentrating mechanism of C4 photosynthesis into C3 species, transformation of bicarbonate transporters from cyanobacteria into chloroplasts of C3 plants, and establishment of photorespiratory bypasses to catabolise toxic glycolate in shortest possible pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lentil is one of the most significant pulse crops, frequently referred to as "poor man's meat" because of its high protein content and inexpensive price. The present study was assessed for eleven morphological and yield variables to determine genetic variability, correlation and path co-efficients. Methods: The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design using 56 different homogeneous progenies of a spontaneous mutant of lentil variety DPL 62 and four control varieties in triple replica during rabi 2017-18. Result: Significant amount of variability was observed for all the traits. High phenotypic coefficients of variance and genotypic coefficients of variance coupled with high heritability and genetic advance were observed for peduncle length, number of pods per plant, seed width, seed yield per plant suggesting that these traits are genetically controlled by additive gene action. Seed yield per plant exhibited significant positive association with number of branches/plant and number of pods/plant while number of pods/plant revealed highest positive direct effect on seed yield per plant followed by 100-seed weight, number of branches per plant, days to maturity and leaflet breadth. Therefore, selection for these characters will directly lead to improvement in the yielding ability of lentil genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High temperature affects wheat yield severely. This study aimed to explore the variation and recognition of heat responsive traits, to enhance wheat productivity in high temperature stress condition. The recombinant inbred lines were developed by crossing of released wheat variety MACS2496 (heat sensitive) and WH730 (heat tolerant). The experiments were conducted into 2 years at three locations of two planting conditions (heat and terminal heat stress). Combined analysis of variance shows significant variations among all the studied traits at individual location, year and planting conditions. The phenological and yield component traits were highly influenced by environment under terminal heat stress condition. Days to heading and thousand kernel weight coupled with high heritability and high genetic advance per cent of mean in heat and terminal heat stress environments. In heat and terminal heat stress planting conditions, tiller number per plant, kernels per spike, kernel weight per spike and thousand kernel weight confirm positive relationship with grain yield per plant by correlation and principal component analysis. Path and multiple regression analysis accomplish that tiller number per plant, kernel weight per spike, kernel per spike and thousand kernel weight were identified as the key contributor towards grain yield per plant in heat and terminal heat stress environment. Thus, all‐inclusive approaches demonstrated that the promising traits deliver a framework to develop heat tolerant cultivars in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the first aim was to develop a rapid and non‐destructive method for analysing rice genotypes' tolerance to low temperatures (LT) during the seedling stage. Using a growth parameter and a physiological parameter, a discriminant formula was developed to differentiate between tolerant and sensitive genotypes based on their LT tolerance score. The study identified several benefits of the discriminant formula, including its low classification error rate, scalability, and ability to be used in controlled and reduced environments. Additionally, a second study was conducted, which found a strong correlation between the LT tolerance score during the seedling stage and plant yield at the ripening stage in plants grown under field LT during the vegetative stage. Panicle weight was the main mediator of the effect of the LT tolerance score on plant yield, but the number of panicles per plant also played a role. Overall, the results suggest that the LT tolerance score can serve as an indirect selection factor for plants for both LT tolerance and plant yield. This is especially relevant for rice‐growing regions with temperate climates and LT at the beginning of the cultivation season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eryngium dilatatum Lam. is a thorny Iberian Peninsula endemic species belonging to the Apiaceae family that has not been previously analysed from a chemical point of view. Following our studies on this genus, we characterized the chemical composition of the essential oils from the different parts (inflorescences, stems + leaves, and roots) of this species; these parts were gathered in Cádiz (Spain). The specimens were collected in July during the flowering period and air-dried before the oil extraction by hydro-distillation. The essential oils were analysed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The different parts of the plant yielded low amounts of pale yellow oil, with the roots being the fraction that provided the lowest amount of oil. The chemical characterization of the essential oils showed qualitative and quantitative differences between the fractions examined, but all of them showed the same principal compound, germacrene D (9.1–46.5%). Similarly, all the fractions shared most of their representative constituents, with their percentage compositions being different from one sample to the other: α-cadinol (3.8%), bicyclogermacrene (3.5%), octanal (3.1%), and spathulenol (2.5%) were found in the inflorescences; octanal (8.1%), α-cadinol (3.7%), δ-cadinene (3.6%), (E)-caryophyllene (2.6%), bicyclogermacrene (2.5%), and spathulenol (2.4%) were found in the stems and leaves; and spathulenol (4.6%), α-cadinol (4.4%), khusinol (3.2%), α-muurolol (3.1%), and δ-cadinene (2.6%) were found in the roots. As far as we know, this is the first report about the chemical composition of this endemic species of the Iberian Peninsula. It contributes to the knowledge of this species and to the genus to which it belongs. This species could be considered as a natural source of germacrene D, which is a sesquiterpene hydrocarbon with active properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the spatial heterogeneity of light and photosynthesis distribution within a canopy is crucial for optimizing plant growth and yield, especially in the context of greenhouse structures. In previous studies, we developed a 3D functional-structural plant model (FSPM) of the Chinese solar greenhouse (CSG) and tomato plants, in which the greenhouse was reconstructed as a 3D mockup and implemented in the virtual scene. This model, which accounts for various environmental factors, allows for precise calculations of radiation, temperature, and photosynthesis at the organ level. This study focuses on elucidating optimal canopy configurations for mechanized planting in greenhouses, building upon the commonly used north–south (N–S) orientation by exploring the east–west (E–W) orientation. Investigating sixteen scenarios with varying furrow distance (1 m, 1.2 m, 1.4 m, 1.6 m) and row spacing (0.3 m, 0.4 m, 0.5 m, 0.6 m), corresponding to 16 treatments of plant spacing, four planting patterns (homogeneous row, double row, staggered row, incremental row) and two orientations were investigated. The results show that in Shenyang city, an E–W orientation with the path width = 0.5 (furrow distance + row distance) = 0.8 m (homogeneous row), and a plant distance of 0.32 m, is the optimal solution for mechanized planting at a density of 39,000 plants/ha. Our findings reveal a nuanced understanding of how altering planting configurations impacts the light environment and photosynthesis rate within solar greenhouses. Looking forward, these insights not only contribute to the field of CSG mechanized planting, but also provide a basis for enhanced CSG planting management. Future research could further explore the broader implications of these optimized configurations in diverse geographic and climatic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four parental genotypes of okra were crossed in complete diallel design to study the direction and extent of relative heterosis and heterobeltiosis for yield and its associated traits for utilization of existing genetic diversity to develop heterotic F 1 hybrids in okra. The additive genetic component (D) was significant in all studied traits except average pod weight. Nonadditive ( H 1 and H 2 ) components were found to be significant in all studied traits. However, the values of the dominant effect ( H 1 ) were smaller than the D components for no. of nodes/plant, no. of pods/plant, weight of medium pods, weight of large pods, and total fresh pod yield. The maximum significant MP heterosis in the desirable direction (149.9%) was recorded for the weight of large pods/plot. The maximum significant heterobeltiosis in the desirable direction (120.1%) was recorded for the weight of small pods/plot followed by total fresh pod yield (107.4%), the weight of large pods/plot (104.9%), weight of medium pods/plot (92.1%), average pod weight (51.8%), number of pods/plant (38.4%), and plant height (34.3%). It could be concluded that plant height, average pod weight, and the number of branches could be considered for the development of elite hybrids (heterosis breeding) or inbred lines (pure line selection) in succeeding generations. Therefore, these parameters can be considered for selecting genotypes to improve the pod yield of okra. The superior crosses identified through heterosis analysis were Egyptian Balady × Line 4.1.18 (30.8 ton/ha), Line 4.1.18 × Egyptian Balady (29.8 ton/ha), Dwarf Green Long Pod × Line 4.1.18 (28.3 ton/ha), and Egyptian Balady × Dwarf Green Long Pod (27.6 ton/ha) as these crosses had high performance as well as significant and higher estimates of heterobeltiosis for fruit yield per plant and yield attributing other characters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of active edible coatings with improved mechanical and barrier properties is a huge challenge. In this study, active edible coatings for sliced cheese have been developed using pullulan (Pull) in combination with two different biopolymers, chitosan (CS) and gelatine (Gel), and a combination of hydrolats as a source of active compounds with antimicrobial effects. In comparison to the monolayer coating, the bilayer coating system demonstrates improved barrier and mechanical properties. A preliminary assessment of the antimicrobial effect of lemongrass and curry plant hydrolats has revealed that both hydrolats exhibited antimicrobial activity against the targeted bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, albeit at different levels. The obtained results suggest that a mixture of 1.56% lemongrass and 12.5% curry plant hydrolats yielded a lower fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) value. Bilayer coating systems (Pull/CS and Pull/Gel) with an incorporated mixture of hydrolats have demonstrated effectiveness in both cases: artificial contamination before application of the coating system and after application of the coating system. In both contamination scenarios, the coating systems consistently effectively limited bacterial proliferation, indicating the antimicrobial effect of the hydrolat mixture in the coating layers. In the case of artificial contamination before applying the coating system, both coatings demonstrated antimicrobial effectiveness, but the formulation with chitosan had a biocide effect, while the other, with gelatine, had only a bacteriostatic effect in a long-term setting. In the second case, both Pull/CS and Pull/Gel coatings demonstrated effectiveness in inhibiting bacterial growth regardless of the moment of contamination of the sample; the Pull/CS coating showed slightly better antimicrobial activity, achieving complete elimination of bacteria earlier compared with the Pull/Gel coating system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Haplotype-based breeding is an emerging and innovative concept that enables the development of designer crop varieties by exploiting and exploring superior alleles/haplotypes among target genes to create new traits in breeding programs. In this regard, whole-genome re-sequencing of 399 genotypes (landraces and breeding lines) from the 3000 rice genomes panel (3K-RG) is mined to identify the superior haplotypes for 95 drought-responsive candidate genes. Candidate gene-based association analysis reveals 69 marker-trait associations (MTAs) in 16 genes for single plant yield (SPY) under drought stress. Haplo-pheno analysis of these 16 genes identifies superior haplotypes for seven genes associated with the higher SPY under drought stress. Our study reveals that the performance of lines possessing superior haplotypes is significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) as measured by single plant yield (SPY), for the OsGSK1-H4, OsDSR2-H3, OsDIL1-H22, OsDREB1C-H3, ASR3-H88, DSM3-H4 and ZFP182-H4 genes as compared to lines without the superior haplotypes. The validation results indicate that a superior haplotype for the DREB transcription factor (OsDREB1C) is present in all the drought-tolerant rice varieties, while it was notably absent in all susceptible varieties. These lines carrying the superior haplotypes can be used as potential donors in haplotype-based breeding to develop high-yielding drought-tolerant rice varieties. Using a subset of 399 genotypes from the 3000 rice genomes panel, genotypes carrying superior haplotypes were identified for five genes associated with yield under drought stress that hold potential for the development of high-yield drought-tolerant varieties in rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought stress is a worldwide threat to the productivity of crops, especially in arid and semi-arid zones of the world. In the present study, the effect of selenium (Se) seed priming on the yield of quinoa under normal and drought conditions was investigated. A pot trial was executed to enhance the drought tolerance in quinoa by Se seed priming (0, 3, 6, and 9 mg Se L−1). The plants were exposed to water stress at three different growth stages of quinoa, viz. multiple leaf, flowering, and seed filling. It was noticed that drought significantly affected the yield components of quinoa, however, Se priming improved the drought tolerance potential and yield of quinoa by maintaining the plant water status. Se priming significantly increased main panicle length (20.29%), main panicle weight (26.43%), and thousand grain weight (15.41%) as well as the gas exchange parameters (transpiration rate (29.74%), stomatal conductance (35.29%), and photosynthetic rate (28.79%), total phenolics (29.36%), leaf chlorophyll contents (35.97%), water relations (leaf relative water contents (14.55%), osmotic potential (10.32%), water potential (38.35%), and turgor potential (31.37%), and economic yield (35.99%) under drought stress. Moreover, Se priming markedly improved grain quality parameters i.e., phosphorus, potassium, and protein contents by 21.28%, 18.92%, and 15.04%, respectively. The principal component analysis connected the various study scales and showed the ability of physio-biochemical factors to describe yield fluctuations in response to Se seed priming under drought conditions. In conclusion, a drought at the seed-filling stage has a far more deleterious impact among other critical growth stages and seed priming with Se (6 mg L−1) was found more effective in alleviating the detrimental effects of drought on the grain yield of quinoa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genotype by environment interaction significantly influences plant yield, making it imperative to understand its nature for the creation of breeding programs to enhance crop production. However, this is not the only obstacle in the yield improvement process. Breeders also face the significant challenge of unfavorable and negative correlations among key traits. In this study, the stability of root yield and white sugar yield, and the association between the key traits of root yield, sugar content, nitrogen, sodium, and potassium were examined in 20 sugar beet genotypes. The study was conducted using a randomized complete block design with four replications over two consecutive years across five locations. The combined analysis of variance results revealed significant main effects of year, location, and genotype on both root yield and white sugar yield. Notably, two-way and three-way interactions between these main effects on root yield and white sugar yield resulted in a significant difference. The additive main effect and multiplicative interaction analysis revealed that the first five interaction principal components significantly impacted both the root yield and white sugar yield. The linear mixed model results for root yield and white sugar yield indicated that the genotype effect and the genotype by environment interaction were significant. The weighted average absolute scores of the best linear unbiased predictions biplot demonstrated that genotypes 20, 4, 7, 2, 16, 3, 6, 1, 14, and 15 were superior in terms of root yield. For white sugar yield, genotypes 4, 16, 3, 7, 5, 1, 10, 20, 2, and 6 stood out. These genotypes were not only stable but also had a yield value higher than the total average. All key traits, which include sugar content, sodium, potassium, and alpha amino nitrogen, demonstrated a negative correlation with root yield. Based on the genotype by yield*trait analysis results, genotypes 20, 19, and 16 demonstrated optimal performance when considering the combination of root yield with sugar content, sodium, alpha amino nitrogen, and potassium. The multi-trait stability study, genotype 13 ranked first, and genotypes 10, 8, and 9 were identified as the most ideal stable genotypes across all traits. According to the multi-trait stability index, genotype 13 emerged as the top-ranking genotype. Additionally, genotypes 10, 8, and 9 were recognized as the most stable genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was aimed to identify efficiency of recurrent selection program to improve maize population. This program was applied to var. Buhooth 106 with var. 5012 Using RGCA with the inbred Zm7 for the production of RSCA. The recurrent selection program was implemented for four consecutive seasons (2020 - 2021) at the Fields Station of the College of Agriculture - University of Anbar. In the spring season 2020, 100 top crosses were obtained from both varieties and progeny. During the fall season 2020, an experiment was carried out to compare the top crosses of each variety RGCA and RSCA using a 10 × 10 partially balanced lattice design.. Six genotypes from each genetic population as well as Buhooth 106 and 5012 and Zm7 inbreds). The genotype-S1-2 RSCA achieved the lowest female flowering period for females 61.50 days, the highest number of rows per ear 17.80 rows, and the highest grain yield 177.82 g. The genotype-S1-3 RSCA achieved the highest leaf area 0.593 m² and the highest number of kernels per row 43.11 kernel. The broad sense heritability of the traits of the number of rows and the number of kernels in the row and the yield of the plant reached 53.23%, 73.85% and 41.94%, respectively, and high genetic advance for kernels per row and grain yield of 4.79 and 15.52 respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomato is one of the products with the highest production and consumption in the world, and it is among the sine quanon of human nutrition because of its high trade. In terms of plant yield, water deficiency is an important factor. In addition, salt stress in plants is an important limiting environmental factor affecting production. During the study period, the temperature values of the growing room were kept at 23 / 17 ±2 °C (day/night), 55-60% humidity, and under 8000 lux light intensity. In practice, irrigations of 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%, 125%, 150%, 175%, 200%, salt 50 mM, salt 100 mM, and salt 150 mM were performed. It was determined that the control plants under drought and salt stress gave poor and negative results in terms of plant growth. In our application, it was determined that tomato plants under drought, salt, and water stress (excessive water level) had a higher chlorophyll content than plants not exposed to drought. It was observed that the potassium ratio (%) of the tomato plant in the green and root parts of the tomato plant was higher in the control plants exposed to salt stress. It was determined that the potassium ratio (%) in the green and root parts of the tomato plant accumulated more in the control plants at irrigation levels of 100%, 125%, and 150%. In the study, it was determined that water and salt stress applications affect the growth and development of plants negatively, as seen in plants under stress (salt stress, water deficiency and excess). In addition, water plays a vital role for plants in the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Erythropalum scandens is a leafy vegetable that grows in southern and southwestern China. While nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilization as well as organic fertilization in early-stage plants have been well-studied, little is known about the nutrient requirements of it. We therefore conducted a series of pot experiments based on the 3414 strategy (3 factors, 4 levels, and 14 treatments) for N, P, and K fertilization to examine the effects on the soil properties, plant growth morphology, and NPK status of 1.5-year-old E. scandens seedlings. The Diagnosis Recommendation Integrated System was applied at the end of the fertilization period to determine the relationships between nutrient concentration, plant yield, and nutrient status. The results showed that, compared to the control, a better growth status was achieved in response to all treatments except the N0P2K2 treatment. The N, P, and K concentrations and contents in the roots, stems, and leaves of the seedlings differed depending on the treatment. Excessive fertilization, especially excess P, led to soil acidification (N2P3K2, pH 5.88). The optimum concentration ranges of N, P, and K in leaves were 17.138–18.434, 0.002–1.106, and 6.325–10.087 g/kg, respectively. Our study indicates that E. scandens seedlings have a stronger sensitivity to N levels than to K or P levels. A deficiency of N caused yellow, scarce leaves, and a low yield whereas excessive N poisoned the roots and adversely affected the growth of aboveground parts of the plants. Most treatments in the high-yield group resulted in a balanced nutrient status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In greenhouses, the nutrient-rich drainage water is frequently released into surrounding areas, raising pollution issues. Soilless agricultural systems, which have an increasing trend in greenhouse industries, are ideal for recycling water and nutrients because the drainage can be easily captured for reuse. This study was conducted to investigate the reusability of drainage water discharged from an open-system soilless agricultural greenhouse. For this purpose, tomato plants were grown in cocopeat environments. Tomato plants were grown by irrigation mixing different ratios of the drainage water obtained from the open system soilless agriculture greenhouse and the nutrient solutions used for growing plants in soilless agriculture. The study was carried out in five cocopeat environments with four tomato plants in each cocopeat according to a completely randomized experimental design. Some physiological characteristics, yield parameters and the nutritional status of the tomato plants and their fruits were determined. The highest N (5.54%) and K (4.96%) contents in tomato plant leaves were obtained in 100% drainage water applications, while the highest P content (0.84%) was obtained in 100% solution applications. The highest plant height was determined at 100% drainage water application. The highest yield per plant (915.67 g plant−1) and Class I marketable fruit sizes were determined at a 50% drainage and 50% solution mix ratio. No nutrient deficiency or toxicity was detected in tomato plants grown using drainage water. It was concluded that the drainage water discharged from the system can be re-used in greenhouses where open system soilless agriculture is used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change‐induced drought stress (DS) poses a significant threat to crop production, emphasizing the need for innovative strategies to mitigate its adverse effects. Prior studies have demonstrated the distinct capacities of salicylic acid (SA) and sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) to augment plant resilience against drought‐related stressors. However, little is known about how they work together or the specific processes by which they increase DS tolerance. The purpose of this research was to determine how SA and NaHS affected the performance of wheat plants during the growing seasons of 2021–2022 and 2022–2023, when there was a drought. The research employed a block‐randomized experimental layout with split plots, where the primary factors included two irrigation levels: full irrigation (IW1, 100% of water requirement) and deficit irrigation (IW2, 50% of water requirement). Secondary factors included the application of mock control, 0.5 mM SA, and 0.3 mM NaHS, an H2S donor, either individually or in combination, administered before the onset of DS. The application of SA, NaHS, or their combination significantly enhanced wheat plant resistance to DS. Significant increases in a number of physiological markers, including proline content, relative water content (RWC), Fv/Fm, chlorophyll content, and antioxidant enzyme activity, demonstrated this improvement. Furthermore, in drought‐stressed wheat plants, SA and NaHS treatments decreased the amounts of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and electrolyte leakage (EL). In conclusion, our study highlights the possibility of SA and NaHS, whether applied individually or in combination, to improve drought resistance in wheat plants, presenting a viable approach to lessen the effects of climate change on agricultural yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Menta longifolia is an aromatic herb consists of dried aerial parts of Mentha longifolia belongs to family Lamiaceae. Overground parts of the plant yield 2-4% of an essential oil, of which the chief component appears to be the monoterpene ketone, carvone. Mentha longifolia thus approaches spearmint (Mentha spicata) rather than peppermint (M. piperita) in oil composition. Other major constituents of the essential oil, according to various studies, include piperitenone and its oxide, piperitone and its oxide and pulegone. The present study involves isolation of l-Carvone from Mentha longifolia using fractional distillation as a tool for separation which was quantified using Gas chromatography. Characterization of purified L-Carvone was done using NMR spectroscopy (1HNMR and 13C-NMR). Fractions collected using fractional distillation was evaluated for anti-microbial activity for further studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiment was to investigate the effect of different planting densities on the yield and quality of MT-8 in F8 generation of distant hybrid of maize and teosinte. MT-8 was used as the research material, and six planting densities of 52 500, 60 000, 67 500, 75 000, 82 500, and 90 000 plants/hm² were set up. The results showed that the both fresh weight and dry weight of MT-8 increased with the increase of planting density, and reached the maximum value when planting density was 75 000 plants/hm². At a planting density of 75 000 plants /hm², MT-8 had higher nutrient yield and higher feeding value, and the nutrient type was NC. The study indicates that the suitable planting density of MT-8 is 75 000 plants /hm². [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted in the vegetable research field, college of agriculture and forestry, horticulture and landscape design, Mosul Univ., using RCBD design with three replicates, during the spring growing season (2018) for evaluation of the performance yield and its components in nine eggplant varieties under Mosul city environment Iraq at 36°2′ longitude and 43°7′ latitude. The data was recorded for the traits: plant height (cm), number of branches in each one of the plants, fruit weight (gm), number of fruits in each one of the plants, yield in each one of the plants (kg), length and diameter of fruit (cm), and total yield of fruits (ton /ha.). The results indicated that the nine varieties were different in most traits, the Alton kubry and karamleshy c.v gave high results in plant length(116.433, 130.00) respectively, the Mosal local c.v. and White beauty c.v were superior in the length of fruit than other genotypes under the study they gave (15.033 and 15.433 cm) respectively, whereas the number of the fruits per plant has been recorded in White long and Mosely c.v. (18.367 and 19.367 ) respectably. The genotype Alton kubry gave a high value in fruit weight (287.20gm). The phenotypic and genotypic variations (σ² p and σ² g) have been higher in the height of the plant, weight of the fruit, the number of fruits in each one of the plants, yield in each plant, and total yield of fruit for each unit area, the heritability (H² b.s.) was more than 65% for most traits under the study for nine c.v of eggplant. Also, the genetic advance was higher in most traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to select recombinant lines and explore phenotypic and genotypic correlations using BLUP. It was conducted in Capão do Leão/RS during two years, in an incomplete block design with intercalary controls, with four replications. 131 and 128 RILs were tested in the F6 in the F7 generations, respectively. Plant height; days to flowering; panicle length; number of panicles per plant; number of fertile and sterile spikelets per panicle; one hundred grains weight; yield per plant; broken, chalky, white-belly and red-streaked grains; vitreous whiteness; gelatinization temperature; and apparent amylose content were obtained. According to the study, line F105 is an elite line for improving grain quality, exhibiting high amylose content (27.041%). Canonical (r=0.817), phenotypic (0.541) and genotypic (0.808) correlations inferred that groups of grain quality and agronomic traits were not independent and there was a tendency for the amylose content to be associated with grain yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Tassel branch number (TBN) is a key agronomic trait for adapting to high‐density planting and grain yield in maize. However, the molecular regulatory mechanisms underlying tassel branching are still largely unknown.Here, we used molecular and genetic studies together to show that ZmELF3.1 plays a critical role in regulating TBN in maize.Previous studies showed that ZmELF3.1 forms the evening complex through interacting with ZmELF4 and ZmLUX to regulate flowering in maize and that RA2 and TSH4 (ZmSBP2) suppresses and promotes TBN in maize, respectively. In this study, we show that loss‐of‐function mutants of ZmELF3.1 exhibit a significant increase of TBN. We also show that RA2 directly binds to the promoter of TSH4 and represses its expression, thus leading to reduced TBN. We further demonstrate that ZmELF3.1 directly interacts with both RA2 and ZmELF4.2 to form tri‐protein complexes that further enhance the binding of RA2 to the promoter of TSH4, leading to suppressed TSH4 expression and consequently decreased TBN.Our combined results establish a novel functional link between the ELF3‐ELF4‐RA2 complex and miR156‐SPL regulatory module in regulating tassel branching and provide a valuable target for genetic improvement of tassel branching in maize. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Iron (Fe) is an essential nutrient; however, it is deficient in the diets of millions of people globally, resulting in anaemia. Agronomic biofortification has been shown to be effective in alleviating Fe deficiency. Aims. We evaluated the efficacy of soil and foliar applications of Fe with or without nitrogen (N) on floret and plant yield, and nutritional properties of broccoli (cv. Parthenon), in order to assess biofortification potential. Methods. A greenhouse experiment comprised seven treatments: (1) control, no Fe or N application; (2) soil application of Fe (10 mg FeSO4.7H2O/kg before transplanting); (3) soil application of Fe + foliar application of N (0.4% (w/v) calcium ammonium nitrate at floret emergence); (4) foliar application of Fe (0.5% (w/v) FeSO4.7H2O at floret emergence); (5) foliar applications of Fe and N; (6) soil + foliar applications of Fe; (7) soil application of Fe + foliar applications of Fe and N. Key results. Foliar Fe application with N and/or with soil Fe significantly increased commercial floret weight relative to the control (>62.5 vs 46 g), whereas treatments without foliar Fe (i.e. soil Fe alone or with N) did not differ from the control. Similarly, treatments with foliar Fe generally significantly increased floret diameter, whereas those without foliar Fe did not. Treatments with foliar Fe significantly increased floret Fe concentration (>10-fold), resulting in highly available Fe, with phytic acid:Fe molar ratios <0.2, and higher antioxidant activity and polyphenol content. Conclusions. Foliar application of Fe, especially in combination with N, is the most efficient and effective application method, not only for biofortification purposes but also for productivity and for enhancing bioactive compounds in broccoli. Implications. This study opens the door to implementation of effective and economically viable Fe biofortification programs with broccoli and other crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was carried out during the two successive winter seasons of 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 to study the effect of mineral nitrogen levels and plant density on dry weight, yield and its components, as well as bulb quality of onions (cv. 'Ahmar Tanawy'). This experiment included 12 treatments, which were combinations between four levels of mineral nitrogen (0, 192, 240 and 288 kg N/ha) and three plant densities (4, 5 and 6 rows/ridge equal 33.33, 41.67 and 50 plants/m2, respectively). These treatments were arranged in a split-plot design with three replications. Nitrogen levels were randomly arranged in the main plots, and plant densities were randomly distributed in the subplots. Nitrogen application at 192,244 and 288 kg N/ha led to increase dry weight/plant compared to control (zero N) and 288 kg N/ha gave the highest values of dry weight of leaves, dry weight of bulbs, and total dry weight per plant at 100 days in both seasons. The increases in total dry weight per plant were about 4.84 and 4.80 g per plant for 192 kg N/ha, 4.76 and 3.87 g per plant for 244 kg N/ha, and 6.86 and 5.74 g per plant for 288 kg N/ha over the control at 100 days in the 1st and 2nd seasons, respectively. The interaction between N at 288 kg/ha and low plant density (4 rows/ridge) gave the highest values of dry weight of leaves, bulb, and total dry weight/plant and increased yield of grade 1, exportable yield, average bulb weight, as well as nitrate and sulphur contents in bulbs, whereas the interaction between N at 244 kg/ha and high plant density (6 rows/ridge) increased grades 2, 3, and 4, marketable yield, and total yield/ha. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flaxseed has gained popularity as a health food. Wild, perennial Linum relatives of annual flax (L. usitatissimum) possess similar oil compositions, making them perennial oilseed (OS) alternatives. The objective of this study was to phenotype 25 OS and 17 cut flower (CF) breeding populations with 137 wild Linum species' accessions in a common garden over three years (Y1–3) to quantify the impact of selection and identify top candidates. This study was intercepted by COVID-19, which prevented the same detailed phenotyping of Y1 from occurring in Y2–3. Traits measured from the perennial flax OS, in comparison with the CF ideotypes: weekly seed germination (Y1), yield per plant (Y1–3), seed weight (Y1–2), shattering (Y1–2), and seed capsule diameter (Y1). In Y1, OS selections had the highest yield per plant, followed by L. austriacum and then CF selections. The 1000 seed weights in Y1 were highest in annual flax, followed by L. grandiflorum and L. baicalense. Seed numbers/capsule were low in Y1–2, possibly due to shattering. Average yield per plant increased across Y1–3 indicating that, once plant establishment had occurred along with the potential for two harvests/year in Y2 onwards, significant OS yield can be realized. Harvest 1 yields were significantly higher than in harvest 2. In Y1–3, OS selections had the highest average seed yield. In Y1, OS and CF populations had smaller seeds, higher shattering, smaller capsule diameters, and lower germination than wild species. Significant breeding efforts are needed to increase perennial flax yield, using the multiple crop ideotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomato leaf curl disease is a serious constraint to tomato cultivation across the globe. The disease is characterized by leaf curling, crinkling, stunting and puckering with the drastic reduction in plant growth and yield. During two‐year survey in major tomato‐growing belt of Tarai region located in foothills of Himalayas in Uttarakhand, India, the mean incidence and per cent disease index of the disease were found to be 68.76% and 67.19%, respectively. In the morphological analysis using electron microscopy, pathogen contains twin geminate particles measuring 30 × 20 nm. The PCR amplification using RUGEMF1 and RUGEMR1 primers and sequencing of the amplicons, revealed more than 97% similarity to Tomato leaf curl New Delhi Virus (ToLCNDV). Thus, based on the sequence similarity, morphology and whitefly transmission, begomovirus isolate was recognized as a Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus and designated as ToLCNDV_[Pant]. Amplification and sequencing of the Bemisia tabaci partial mtCOI gene from the Tarai region revealed the prevalence of Asia‐II‐1 cryptic species in the region. The overall mean pairwise distance across the 10 sequences studied was 0.0139, whereas the reference Asia‐II‐1 distance ranged from 0.0031 to 0.0332. The current investigation will aid in the development of an integrated strategy to ToLCD management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Farming is the primary lifestyle in numerous nations, particularly India. Assuming they have never worked, youthful ranchers may not realize which yields to plant and which ones to pick. We're taking care of on this problem, which should be fixed. In the event that you can foresee the right yield and result, you can go with better choices, set aside cash, and hold the gamble of cost changes under wraps. Rather than our framework, which utilizes classification and relapse to sort out crop assortment ideas and result appraises, the ongoing framework isn't being utilized. ML strategies ought to be utilized in the cultivation business to foresee the quantity of harvests that will become in view of a bunch of information. The directed ML technique is utilized to take a gander at a dataset and pull information from various sources, like variable unmistakable confirmation, univariate examination, bivariate and multivariate investigation, missing worth frameworks, and so forth. To figure out which program was supposed to give the best return, ML recipes were investigated. While seeing entropy precision, accuracy, recall, F1 Score, sensitivity, specificity, and entropy, the outcomes show that the recommended ML strategy is the most reliable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The performance of the hybrids was primarily affected by the environment, planting dates, and their interactions. • The magnitudes of the GEI sum of squares were more than five times that of the hybrid sum of squares for the grain yield. • The stability of hybrids did not show the same trend across environments among the planting dates. • AMMI, Pi, GGE, YSI, and ASV analysis methods effectively identified stable and high-yielding hybrids. • Dealing with GEI is a valuable strategy to optimize resources in maize breeding programs. Maize is one of the most important field crops for feed, food, and raw material in South Africa. It is the main staple food for the majority of the people impoverished households in South Africa. Maize is susceptible to drought, and erratic rainfall and extreme climate variation are major maize production constraints in South Africa. This study aimed to determine the influence of planting dates on the grain yield stability of six maize genotypes in five environments for three (2019/20 to 2021/22) consecutive seasons. The additive main effect and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) model indicated that the environment contributed 59.20 % and 47.76 % of the total variation in grain yield at planting dates one (PD1) and two (PD2), respectively. The magnitudes of the genotype x environment interaction sum of squares were 5.20 for PD1 and 12.30 for PD2 times that of the genotype (genotype) sum of squares for the grain yield (GEI). The first principal component accounted for 53.14 % (PD1) and 47.76 % (PD2) of the total variation in the dataset. The AMMI genotype superiority measure (Pi), genotype and genotype by environment interaction (GGE), yield stability index, and AMMI stability value analyses identified genotypes DKC75–65BR and DKC78–45BRGEN as stable and high yielding across environments and planting dates. Genotype DKC71–44B was the least stable at both planting dates. Bothaville (E7) for PD1 and Coligny 2021/22(E13) for PD2 had high yield potential and were favorable environments, whereas Potchefstroom 2019/20 and 2021/22 were the least favorable environments for PD1 and PD2, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The grain protein content is an important quality trait in cereals, and the expression level of the OsAAP6 can significantly affect the grain protein content in rice. Through site-directed mutagenesis, we found that the position from −7 to −12 bp upstream of the transcription start site of the OsAAP6 was the functional variation site. By using the yeast single hybrid test, point-to-point in yeast, and the local surface plasmon resonance test, the OsNAC74 was screened and verified to be a regulator upstream of OsAAP6. The OsNAC74 is a constitutively expressed gene whose product is located on the cell membrane. The OsAAP6 and the genes related to the seed storage in the Osnac74 mutants were downregulated, and grain protein content was significantly reduced. In addition, OsNAC74 had a significant impact on quality traits such as grain chalkiness and gel consistency in rice. Although the Osnac74 mutant seeds were relatively small, the individual plant yield was not decreased. Therefore, OsNAC74 is an important regulatory factor with multiple biological functions. This study provides important information for the later use of OsNAC74 gene for molecular design and breeding in rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research results reporting the effect of under periods of induced salt stress on biomass production, yield and composition of the essential oil of rosemary are scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate phytomass production and essential oil yield of basil plants (Ocimum basilicum L. 'Basilicão') in soilless cultivation under different levels of salt stress, in addition to analyzing their phytochemistry. Four periods of salt stress were evaluated in summer and winter experiments: 0, 10, 20 and 30 days. The analyzed variables were fresh mass (FM), dry mass (DM), number of inflorescences (NI), essential oil yield (EOY), and phytochemistry. A completely randomized design was used, and the data were submitted to analysis of variance and evaluated by polynomial regression. Salt stress reduces leaf and stem FM and DM and the FM of total aerial part, in summer and in winter; it increases FM, DM, and NI in summer; there is no difference in FM, DM or NI in winter; and no difference in DM of total aerial part in both seasons. Leaf EOY reduces under salt stress during both seasons, as well as total EOY in winter. Inflorescence EOY increases in summer. Linalool, the main component of the oil, increases under salt stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field trial on green onion crops in the autumn of 2020 transpired at a private farm in the District Al-Saniyah, Al-Diwaniyah Governorate, Iraq. The presented study aimed at characterizing green onion (Allium cepa L.) plants with NPK fertilization and foliar application of hornwort extract for growth and yield traits. In this experiment, the first factor comprised three NPK levels (0, 50%, and 100%) of NPK (150:100:150 kg ha-1) recommended fertilizer added to the soil, while the second factor included the foliar application of hornwort extract with two different concentrations (0, 20 ml L-1). The experiment in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with factorial arrangement had three replications. Consequently, the recommended dose of NPK (100%) and spraying hornwort extract at 20 ml L-1 revealed a significant increase in the studied traits, i.e., plant height, length of the longest tubular leaf, number of leaves, fresh weight of tubular leaves, number of bulbs per plant, weight of the bulb, the diameter of the bulb, leaf chlorophyll content, bulb carbohydrate content, leaf carotenoid content, and plant yield. The interactions of both factors also showed a favorable effect on the mentioned traits in green onion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New gene sources are needed for adaptation to climatic changes, resistance to the regeneration of diseases and pests, and achieving high heterosis in sunflower breeding. Wild species are the most important gene sources for sunflower breeding studies. For breeding studies, it is necessary to know the morphological, Phenological, and agronomic characteristics of these genotypes in field conditions. The aim of this research was to determine these components of annual wild sunflower (Helianthus) species under field conditions in the 2012 and 2013 growing seasons for new gene sources. In this research, H. agrestis, H. annuus (4 different genotypes), H. anomalus, H. argophyllus, H. bolanderi, H. debilis (ssp. debilis, ssp. cucumerifolius, ssp. silvestris, ssp. tardiflorus and ssp. vestitus subspecies), H. deserticola, H. exilis, H. neglectus, H. niveus (ssp. niveus, ssp. canescens and ssp. tephrodes subspecies) H. petiolaris (ssp. petiolaris (2 different genotypes) and ssp. fallax subspecies), H. porteri, and H. praecox (ssp. praecox (2 different genotypes), ssp. hirtus, and ssp. runyani subspecies) were used as material. In this study, determined characters on annual wild sunflower genotypes were plant height, primary branches number, secondary branches number per primary branches, plant spreading diameter, the number of days from planting to first flowering, the number of days from planting to 50 % flowering, the number of days from planting to the end of flowering, the number of days of the flowering period, main stem diameter, head diameter, 1000 seeds weight, and seed yield. Year factor had a significant effect on these characters except plant height. Genotype had a significant effect on all characters in both years except seed width in 2013. In both years, the highest values for seed yield, 100 seed weight, head diameter, and main stem diameter were obtained in wild H. annuus genotypes while H. argophyllus had the highest values for plant height and primary branches number, and the highest days numbers from planting to first and 50% flowering. In the first and second growing seasons; values of the genotypes changed between 61.33 and 325.67 cm for plant height, between 0.73 and 101.20 g for thousand seed weight, between 97 and 223 days for the time from planting to 50% flowering, between 50 and 171 days for the flowering period, between 5.0 and 800.70 units for the number of plant heads, between 1.57 and 233.20 g for plant grain yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Application of vermicompost produced from diverse organic wastes could be one of the most economical and attractive methods of solving waste disposal problem and increasing the nutrient contents of soil simultaneously. Vermicompost is used as an organic fertilizer, the effects of vermicompost obtained from different organic wastes on plant growth and yield. Methods: The vermicomposting of sugarcane trash and bagasse waste was carried out during (January-March) and by using the vermicompost a field culture experiment was conducted in brinjal for three months from April-June, 2019. There are 6 treatments namely T1-T6 and control. Vegetative parameters such as shoot length, root length, number of leaves, fresh weight and dry weight at different stages (30, 60 and 90 DAS), number of flowers and number of branches on 60 and 90 DAS. On 90th day yield characters like number of fruits, diameter of fruits, fruit length, single fruit weight, fruit yield per plant and fruit yield per plot were analyzed. Result: A significant increase in shoot length (32.9, 55.3 and 98.5), root length (17.85, 25.10 and 33.30), number of leaves (21.33, 50.00 and 77.00), fresh weight (31.10, 48.30 and 55.55) and dry weight (7.10, 7.95 and 9.30) was observed in T5-C5 (Predecomposted Sugarcane bagasse, Trichoderma asperelloids and earthworm (Eudrilus eugeniae) 5 t/h) treatment, followed by T2 - C2 (Predecomposted Sugarcane trash, Trichoderma asperelloids and earthworm (Eudrilus eugeniae) 5 t/h) treatment on 30, 60 and 90 DAS. A significant increase in number of flowers (27.50 and 55.50) and number of branches (22.50 and 27.50) was observed in T5 treatment followed by other treatments on 60 and 90 DAS. The maximum amount in number of fruits (22.00), fruit length (15.70), single fruit weight (93.15), fruit yield per plant (10.35) and fruit yield per plot (37.25) were noted in T5 treatment, followed by T2 treatment on 90 DAS and minimum amount were reported in control (soil). The results of the study clearly indicated that treatment T5 significantly increased the vegetative parameters and yield characters in brinjal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Superelongation disease (SED) is a fungal disease that affects cassava in the Caribbean. The symptoms include the appearance of dry necrotic spots and lesions on the leaves, which may severely affect the plant yield. However, the primary causal pathogen is difficult to culture and isolate in the lab because of its slow growth and potential contamination from faster-growing organisms. In addition, the leaf symptoms can be confused with those caused by other pathogens that produce similar necrotic spots and scab-like lesions. There is also little or no information on the contribution of endophytes, if any, to disease symptoms in cassava, a plant where the disease is prevalent. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize the fungal communities in cassava associated with SED symptoms by analyzing gross fungal morphology and performing metagenomics profiling. First, several individual pathogenic fungi were isolated and cultured from diseased cassava leaf tissues from seven locations in Barbados (BB). Both culture isolation and molecular community analyses showed the presence of several other fungi in the disease microenvironment of symptomatic cassava leaves. These included Fusarium, Colletotrichum, and Alternaria species and the suspected species Elsinoë brasiliensis synonym Sphaceloma manihoticola. Additionally, a community analysis using ITS2 amplicon sequencing of 21 symptomatic leaf tissues from BB, St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), Trinidad and Tobago (TT), and Jamaica (JA) revealed that the disease symptoms of superelongation may also result from the interactions of fungal communities in the mycobiome, including Elsinoë species and other fungi such as Colletotrichum, Cercospora, Alternaria, and Fusarium. Therefore, we suggest that examining the pathobiome concept in SED in the future is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experiment was carried out during Kharif 2020 at wetland farm of Sri Venkateswara Agricultural College, Tirupati using 30 inbred lines of maize to assess the trait association for 16 yield and yield attributes. It revealed that ear length, number of kernels per row, plant height, ear girth, SPAD chlorophyll meter reading, 100 kernel weight, number of kernel rows per ear, specific leaf area, harvest index and tassel length had notable positive correlation with kernel yield per plant suggesting that selecting these characters simultaneously lead to an increase in kernel yield per plant. Path analysis revealed a significant and positive direct influence of ear length on the kernel yield per plant. Hence, ear length could be considered during selection in maize for improving kernel yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sixty different varieties of brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) were evaluated for character association. The findings showed that the genotypic correlation was higher than the phenotypic correlation coefficient for most traits. Strong positive correlation was observed between the number of fruits per plant, branches per plant, and fruit yield per plant. Positive correlation was observed between moisture content and fruit characteristics, such as fruit volume and average fruit weight. The path coefficient analysis revealed that high positive direct effect on fruit yield was exerted by fruits per plant, followed by moisture content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study involved the evaluation of 96 pearl millet hybrids synthesized by crossing eight lines with 12 testers using a Line x Tester mating design. The experiment was conducted during the Kharif season of 2022 with two replications and included standard checks COH10 and 86M38. Analysis of variance for combining ability revealed that, significant amount of variation was present in all hybrids for studied traits. The contribution of lines to the total variance in hybrid was greater than tester. The ratio between GCA and SCA variance was less than one for all traits and it showed that non additive gene action was predominant and highlighting the potential of heterosis breeding to exploit hybrid vigor. Among the parents, ICMB 02777 and PT 6679 were identified as good combiners, showing positive gca effects and high mean performance for grain yield, test weight, single earhead weight, and single earhead threshed weight. The other parents viz., ICMB 02444, ICMB 93222, PT 6067, and PT 6476 were also recognized as good combiners for grain yield. Out of the 96 hybrids, the cross ICMB 02777 x PT 6679 exhibited significant positive heterosis along with high standard heterosis over both checks for grain yield, test weight and single earhead threshed weight. Additionally, the crosses ICMB 02444 x PT 6679, ICMB 93222 x PT 6067 also recorded significant sca effect for grain yield per plant. These promising hybrid combinations hold great potential for heterosis breeding programs and may be suitable for commercial exploitation after thorough evaluation under multi-location trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was carried out to assess character association and genetic diversity among green gram genotypes. The results of correlation coefficient analysis revealed a significantly positive correlation for the traits viz., plant height, number of primary branches, number of clusters per plant, pod length, and number of seeds per pod with single plant yield. The path analysis revealed that the number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, and hundred seed weight had the highest positive direct contribution to single plant yield. Pod length showed a low indirect contribution to the total variance and all other traits showed a negative contribution to total variance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted to analyze the interaction of twelve maize genotypes with the environment for fourteen traits. The crop was grown during the kharif season of 2021 and 2022 in six different environments using two production systems, natural farming and the inorganic production system, in Palampur and Kangra using randomized block design with three replications. G × E interaction and stability analysis following AMMI model exhibited significant variation due to genotypes and environments for all the traits, indicating the presence of sufficient variability among the genotypes and environments. In contrast, G × E interaction was significant for all the traits except for number of kernel rows per cob and ear circumference (cm). Results showed that significant variation was present among the genotypes and environments. The environment had greater impact on most traits, except number of kernel rows per cob, ear circumference (cm), 100- grain weight (g), harvest index (%) and protein (%).The mean squares for the IPCA 1, IPCA 2 and IPCA 3 cumulatively contributed more than 80% of the total G × E interaction for all the traits. Overall,Girija was found to be the most stable genotype for the maximum number of traits, followed by L-315 and L-316.Girija was most stable for grain yield per plant followed by L-315, L-316 and L-318 under the inorganic production system. Bajaura Makka followed by L-315 and L-316 were stable genotypes under the natural farming production system with high grain yield per plant. Both L-315 and L-316 were found to be suitable for cultivation under both farming methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, genetic diversity was assessed in RIL population developed at Indian Institute of Soybean Research (IISR) Indore by crossing of released varieties JS 97-52 and NRC 37. The Analysis of variance suggested that all the studied traits differed significantly. High heritability with high genetic advance as percent of mean was observed for plant height, number of primary branches, number of pods/plants, number of seeds/plants, days to maturity, biological yield, 100 seed weight, harvest index and seed yield per plant. Significant positive association with grain yield per plant was observed for days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height, number of primary branches per plant, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per plant, biological yield per plant, harvest index and 100 seed weight. The highest positive direct effect towards grain yield was exerted by biological yield per plant, followed by harvest index and number of pods per plant. Diversity analysis revealed that Cluster VI and XII had highest inter cluster distance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thirty-four red kernel rice genotypes along with two check varieties were evaluated across three different locations of Tamil Nadu viz., Coimbatore, Paiyur and Aduthurai during Kharif 2022 to assess the stability of the genotypes for single plant yield. The AMMI and GGE models were used to study the interaction between the genotypes and the environment in order to select the stable genotypes. Significant differences among the genotypes and the environment revealed the existence of variations among the genotypes and also environmental influence over the genotypes for single plant yield. Considering the overall average single plant yield performances, the genotype Rangoon samba recorded the highest single plant yield over the check varieties, while the genotype Karuthakar had the lowest single plant yield. The genotypes G24 (Thooyala), G25 (Kothamalli samba) and G34 (IG74 Check) recorded higher stable single plant yield across locations. Based on AMMI and GGE stability models, these three genotypes were identified to be highly stable over environments with less G x E interaction and these genotypes can be recommended for cultivation across the environments to obtain a higher single plant yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted during rabi, 2019-20 and 2020-21 with 08 bread wheat diverse parents and their 28 F1s (half diallel, excluding reciprocals) to study gene effects and heterosis for grain yield, yield attributes and physiological traits. Days to heading and days to maturity had general mean values of 89.8 days and 130.4 days, respectively. The parent GW 322 showed early heading in 88 days, while the genotype DBW 110 exhibited early maturity in 128 days. The hybrid NW 5054xPBW 723 (13.45 cm) had the highest spike length, followed by HD 3086xNW 5054 (13.40 cm) and PBW 723xNIAW 34 (13.25 cm). The grain yield plant-1 ranged from 17.37 g to 21.85 g in parents and 14.99 g to 23.41 g among hybrids. The cross HD 3086xK 1006 (23.41 g) and the parent HD 3086 (21.85 g) depicted the highest grain yield per plant. The parent NIAW 34 and the hybrid HD 3086xNIAW 34 showed the highest chlorophyll fluorescence. All three key physiological traits showed significant and positive associations with grain yield and harvest index. All the seventeen characters showed high GCA effects than SCA effects and indicated for preponderance of additive gene effects for yield, its components and physiological traits. An appraisal of GCA effects found that HD 3086 was a good general combiner for the majority of characters, while the crosses, HI 1544xNIAW 34, HI 1544xGW 322 and NW5054xPBW723 with significant SCA effects were found promising under water limited conditions of Bundelkhand region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Greengram is third most important pulse crop which is widely adapted and can improve soil fertility. The genetic variability and association studies help in selection which would increase the yield potential of greengram. Methods: Two hundred stabilized lines (F9) obtained from the cross VBN (Gg) 2 and Vigna radiata var. sublobata were evaluated. The yield and yield contributing traits were recorded to evaluate genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance as % of mean and correlation among the yield and its component traits. Result: Analysis of variance exhibited significant differences among the lines for all the ten quantitative traits indicating the presence of genetic variability. The high GCV values were found for the traits viz., single plant yield (30.18) and the number of pods per plant (26.80). High heritability combined with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was observed for the number of pods per plant (90.19, 52.43), single plant yield (89.58, 58.84), the number of pods per cluster (79.28, 22.70) and the number of clusters per plant (69.50, 30.22) which indicates additive gene effects. In the present study, the number of pods per plant had a high positive direct effect (0.919) on a single plant yield. Therefore, the selection for these characters would improve yield in greengram. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate sorghum hybrids associated or not associated with Azospirillum brasilense and nitrogen fertilization (N) during planting on the yield, fermentative profile, and nutritional value of the respective silages. Five sorghum hybrids (Volumax, 201813B, 201814B, 201709B, BRS716) were evaluated with three nitrogen fertilization strategies using urea (100 kg ha-1 of N) and Azospirillum brasilense, and urea (100 kg ha-1 of N)/A. brasilense in association. A randomized block design was used in a 5 x 3 factorial scheme, with five hybrids, three fertilization strategies and three replications (blocks). The useful area of each experimental unit was 3 m x 3 m. The biomass sorghum hybrids showed a dry matter (DM) production (P = 0.01) 48.31% higher than the DM production of the Volumax forage (mean of 17.49 t ha-1 of dry matter). There was no difference between the sorghum hybrid silages in the pH values (mean of 4.11; P = 0.68), gas losses (mean of 3.74% of DM; P = 0.19). The sorghum hybrids biomass 201709B and BRS 716 showed better digestible and DM productivity. Azospirillum brasilense can be used as a nitrogen fertilization strategy in partial or total replacement of urea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice is an important staple crop influenced by rising CO2 and related climate change, but it is not well-known how N-fixing Azotobacter affects rice growth and yield under different CO2 concentrations. This study aimed to determine the effects of Azotobacter strains on the growth and yield of rice plants grown in two paddy soils under varying CO2 conditions. Rice plants inoculated with three Azotobacter strains were grown in a conventional rice soil (Dali) and an organic rice soil (Houlong) under 500 or 1000 ppm CO2. These three Azotobacter strains significantly increased the harvest index of rice plants grown in Dali soil under 1000 ppm CO2, but they did not significantly increase the harvest index for rice plants grown in Houlong soil under elevated CO2. Interestingly, only A. beijerinckii CHB 461 significantly promoted the thousand-grain weight of rice plants grown in both Dali and Houlong soils under elevated CO2. Dali soil had a high level of soil organic matter, exchangeable Ca and Mg, and available Cu and Zn, probably resulting in a better response of the rice plants to Azotobacter inoculation under elevated CO2. In conclusion, in the application of Azotobacter to promote rice growth and yield under future rising CO2 conditions, the soil properties and characteristics of Azotobacter strains may need to be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poa pratensis is widely distributed in cold temperate regions and can be used as a species for stress restoration and as a forage for livestock. Studying the genetic characteristics of tillering occurrence in bluegrass provides a theoretical basis for studying plant yield formation, environmental adaptation, and improving survival competitiveness. The regulating effects of endogenous hormone IAA content and the expression of related genes ARF1, ARF12, ARF14, ZT content and the expression of related genes CKX2, CKX3, CKX4, SL content and the expression of related genes D14-like, D14.1-like and D14 in wild Kentucky bluegrass were investigated. Kentucky bluegrass from Sunan and Qingshui was used to evaluate the influence of hormone and gene expression on tillering behavior. Endogenous hormone contents and expression levels of related genes in stems and roots of both materials were measured at prophase, peak, and anaphase of tillering. The results showed that among the three materials, the Sunan material had a better tillering ability for Poa pratensis, while the Qingshui material had poorer tillering ability. The downregulation of CKX2, CKX3, and CKX4 gene expression levels promotes the synthesis of ZT, thereby improving the tillering ability of the germplasm. Upregulation of ARF14, D14, and D14.1-like gene expression levels enhances the synthesis of IAA and SL, thereby inhibiting tillering. More importantly, the interaction between hormones affects the tillering ability of bluegrass, and high levels of ZT/IAA, ZT/SL, and ZT/(IAA+SL) values promote tillering. In summary, this study reveals the mechanism by which hormones regulate the occurrence of tillering in Kentucky bluegrass, providing a theoretical basis for understanding the genetic characteristics of plant type, effectively regulating tillering, studying yield development, environmental adaptation, and improving survival rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is commonly perceived that early defoliation of maize (Zea mays L.) is a significant risk for maximum grain yields. However, several studies designed to assess biotic and abiotic factors that reduce leaf area reported contrasting results. When maize suffers defoliation before developing its seventh leaf (V7 stage), plants can often compensate without impacting grain production. Seventy-five percent of 20 reviewed publications that offer empirical information indicated severe defoliation did not affect maize yield when plants were less than V7. We present field results for six maize hybrids, lines, and a landrace with severe (75%) defoliation one, two, or three times before reaching V7, in Maryland. Results showed that despite multiple, severe defoliation, there were no significant differences in grain yield (P > 0.05). Despite seven amounts of defoliation, yields for each defoliation amount did not differ from yields for intact plants. One early defoliation at V2 significantly produced more grain than did the nondefoliated check (P < 0.05). Results confirm the ability of maize to compensate or over-compensate for vegetative-stage defoliation. Results are also discussed in relation to recent reviews of previous studies. It is imperative to reconsider unnecessary recommendations to apply insecticide against maize defoliators when maize plants have yet to develop the seventh leaf. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sowing density optimal is rated a less expensive solution for enhancing the output of tomato yield in the background of extending food requirements worldwide. Methods: The main objective of this study is to investigate the sowing density effect on the growth and tomato yield planted in Don Duong district of Lam Dong province, Vietnam. The study was conducted during the spring tomato crop (January to June 2020) with five different sowing densities varying from 33000 to 50000 plants/ha based on drip irrigation system supply approximately 100% of actual evapotranspiration. Result: Results pointed out that among investigated sowing densities, sowing density 45830 plants/ha obtained the optimal fruit yield (OFY) up to 87.8 tons/ha compared with different sowing densities while other observed variations as the number of bunches, fruit weight per plant and diameter were no significant difference. Based on the findings, tomato growers can sow with a density 45830 plants/ha to obtain the OFY thereby contributing to increase profits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the wake of unpredictable climate change, it is imperative for the breeders to identify hybrids with better adaptation to meet the growing food demand. The present study was carried out to identify stable maize hybrids across various environments. Methods: Twenty one maize hybrids along with two commercial checks viz., CP-818 and Bioseed-TX369 were tested over three locations viz., Viluppuram, Trivandrum and Nagercoil. The experiments were laid out in randomized block design with three replications. Result: AMMI and GGE analysis of variance revealed that the first two principal axes explained the majority of G x E interaction. According to AMMI analysis, the hybrid AUK 6240 was relatively stable with high mean whereas, GGE biplots-genotype view identified AUMH 1277 as stable with better yield per plant. GGE biplot-environment view identified Nagercoil as the ideal test location. What-won-where biplots identified three hybrids viz., AU-101, AU-110 and CP-818 suited to Viluppuram and Nagercoil. Though, hybrids with specific adaptability and ideal test location were efficiently identified, study must be extended to more number of environments and hybrids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) are well-adapted to semiarid regions. A two-year study at New Mexico State University's Rex E. Kirksey Agricultural Science Center at Tucumcari, NM, USA, compared monoculture pearl millet and cowpea with their mixtures in various row arrangements in four randomized complete blocks each year. Treatments included monoculture pearl millet (millet) and cowpea (cowpea), pearl millet and cowpea mixture planted in the same row (millet–cowpea), the species planted in alternate rows (millet–cowpea 1:1), the species planted in two adjacent rows alternating between species (millet–cowpea 2:2), and the species planted in four adjacent rows alternating between species (millet–cowpea 4:4), Mixture neutral detergent fiber (NDF) was reduced i millet–cowpea 1:1 and millet–cowpea 2:2 compared to millet (673, 662, 644, 646, and 666 g NDF kg−1 for millet, millet–cowpea, millet–cowpea 1:1, millet–cowpea 2:2, and millet–cowpea 4:4, respectively, LSD = 18, p ≤ 0.05). Crude protein tended to be increased in millet–cowpea 2:2. Based on these results two rows of cowpea alternated with two rows of pearl millet, all spaced at 15 cm and harvesting for hay at the pearl millet boot stage likely optimizes the compromise of DM yield and the nutritive value of the mixture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]