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Copyright of Journal of Natural Fibers is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Acta Scientiarum Polonorum. Agricultura is the property of University of Technology & Life Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Direct seeded rice is an emerging production technology in India due to less requirement of water, labour and capital input initially. But direct seeded rice face severe infestation of weeds. A field experiment was conducted during the kharif 2012 at Students' Farm of College of Agriculture, CCS Haryana Agricultural University; Kaul campus (Kaithal) to study the performance of sequential application of herbicides on weed flora in direct seeded rice. The herbicidal treatments included two pre emergence herbicides i.e. pendimethalin 1000 g/ha and oxadiargyl 100 g/ ha and four post emergence herbicides (bispyribac sodium 25 g/ha, fenoxaprop 67 g/ha, ethoxysulfuron 18.75 g/ha and metsulfuron methyl 10% + chlorimuron ethyl 10% WP ready mix (Almix) 4 g/ha). Weed free and weedy check were also included. The results showed that grasses were the dominant weed flora (49 %) followed by sedges (34%) and broad leaf weeds (17%).Sequential application of pendimethalin 1000 g/ha fb bispyribac sodium 25 g/ha and metsulfuron methyl + chlorimuron ethyl RM (Almix) 4 g/ha gave significantly lower weed density (p=0.05) and higher weed control efficiency which resulted in more number of effective tillers (209.3), filled grains/panicle (83.7) and grain yield (3.97 t/ha). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of different of sewage sludge doses on some yield traits and straw chemical contents in triticale (Triticosecale wittmack, Cv Mikham-2001).The field study was designed in randomized complete blocks (RCB) with 7 sewage sludge treatments (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 t ha-1) and 1 conventional inorganic fertilizer treatment (N, P) with 3 replicates.According to the results of this study, sewage sludge significantly increased grain filling period (day), plant height (cm), straw yield (t ha-1) and biological yield (t ha-1), except harvest index (%). The highest straw yield was obtained from the highest sewage sludge dose (30 t ha-1). Similarly, sewage sludge significantly increased the mineral (N, P, Mg, Mn and Fe) contents of triticale straw in dose dependent manner. Also, sewage sludge did not increase heavy metal (Al, Cd, Ch, Ni, Pb and Cu) concentrations in triticale straw. It was concluded from the results that application of sewage sludge at the rate of 30 t ha-1 was more beneficial in terms of better growth, higher straw yield and some yield traits of triticale under low input soil compared to control and inorganic fertilizer. At the rate of 30 t ha-1 sewage sludge application could be substituted for conventional inorganic fertilizer for optimum triticale growth in marginal lands. Also, for agricultural practices, straw material obtained by the rate of 30 t ha-1 application may be recommended for animal feeding operations without any heavy metal risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the bioenergy debate, the 'food vs. fuel' controversy quickly replaced enthusiasm for biofuels derived from first-generation feedstocks. Second-generation biofuels offer an opportunity to produce fuels from dedicated energy crops, waste materials or coproducts such as cereal straw. Wheat represents one of the most widely grown arable crops around the world, with wheat straw, a potential source of biofuel feedstock. Wheat straw currently has limited economic value; hence, wheat cultivars have been bred for increased grain yield; however, with the development of second-generation biofuel production, utilization of straw biomass provides the potential for 'food and fuel'. Reviewing the evidence for the development of dual-purpose wheat cultivars optimized for food grain and straw biomass production, we present a holistic assessment of a potential ideotype for a dual-purpose cultivar ( DPC). An ideal DPC would be characterized by high grain and straw yields, high straw digestibility (i.e. biofuel yield potential) and good lodging resistance. Considerable variation in these traits exists among current wheat cultivars, facilitating the selection of improved individual traits; however, increasing straw yield and digestibility could potentially have negative trade-off impacts on grain yield and lodging resistance, reducing the feasibility of a single ideotype. Adoption of alternative management practices could potentially increase straw yield and digestibility, albeit these practices are also associated with potential trade-offs among cultivar traits. Benefits from using DPCs include reduced logistics costs along the biofuel feedstock supply chain, but practical barriers to differential pricing for straw digestibility traits are likely to reduce the financial incentive to farmers for growing higher 'biofuel-quality' straw cultivars. Further research is required to explore the relationships among the ideotype traits to quantify potential DPC benefits; this will help to determine whether stakeholders along the bioenergy feedstock supply chain will invest in the development of DPCs that provide food and fuel potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was carried out at the Experimental Farm Station of Soils and Water Department, Faculty of Agricultural, Assiut University, during 2013/2014 growth season to investigate the effect of application of phosphorus (P) and sulphur (S) on yield, and the uptake of phosphorus and some micronutrients by wheat plants. The treatments comprised of three P levels (0, 30, 60 kg P2O5 fed-1 ) and three S levels (0, 100, 200 kg S fed-1 ) in different combinations. Applications of P at 30 and 60 kg P2O5 fed-1 showed significant increases in the main straw yield of wheat of 4.45 to 10.50%, respectively, over the control. Also, S addition at 100 and 200 kg S fed-1 resulted in a significant increase in the main wheat straw yield of 1.51 and 3.11 % over the control, respectively. Moreover, a respective significant increase in the main grain yield of 3.58 to 9.56 % was observed due to application of the two P levels, but both applied S levels caused a respective significant increase in the main grain yield of 1.50 to 3.08 % over the control. The application effect of both P and S was synergistic at all applied levels. Applying P at levels of 30 and 60 kg P2O5 fed-1 produced an increase in the main P uptake of 23.19 and 54.23 % by wheat straw, respectively, and 11.89 and 28.83% by wheat grains, respectively, over the control. Also, S applications caused similar effect on the main P uptake by both straw and grains. Moreover, the highest applied P level caused increases in main Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu uptakes of 43.32, 48.65, 36.37 and 69.75 %, respectively, by the straw, respectively, and increases in main Zn, Mn and Cu uptakes of 36.37, 16.92 and 75.02%, respectively, by the grains over the control, and decreases in the Fe uptake of 1.63% by grain . In addition, the highest S applied level resulted in increases in the main uptake of Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu of 21.29, 22.52, 53.32 and 58.83%, respectively, by the straw and 15.04, 16.12, 26.18 and 28.16%, respectively, by the grains over the control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat straw is a potential cellulosic feedstock for bioethanol. This study was conducted to evaluate straw yield potential and its relationship with grain yield for wheat ( Triticum spp.) grown in the United States. The specific objective was to determine if differences in straw yield and harvest index (HI) exist between and within regions and/or wheat classes. Using on-going variety performance trials in eight states, a total of 255 varietal trial entriess from five classes of wheat were surveyed for above-ground biomass. Averaged over all wheat classes and regions the HI was 0.45. Soft red winter wheat in Kentucky had, on average, the highest HI and lowest straw yield among regions and wheat classes. Soft white winter wheat under irrigation in the Pacific Northwest produced the highest straw yield. Hard red winter wheat in the southern plain states of Texas and Oklahoma had, on average, the lowest HI. Differences in the amount of precipitation and cultivars were the major contributors to the variation detected within wheat classes. The amount of wheat straw available as cellulosic feedstock in a state or wheat class can be estimated using the grain yield estimates provided by the National Agricultural Statistics Service and the class specific HI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was conducted at the instructional farm of Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Udaipur, Rajasthan during kharif season of 2013 to study the effect of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients on yield and economics of blackgram. The result indicated that application of 100 % RDF+Zn+Fe (N:P:K- 20:30:15 kg ha-1 + ZnSO4 5 kg ha-1 + FeSO4 5 kg ha-1) recorded significantly highest plant height (34.18 cm), dry matter (10.31 g plant-1), leaf area index (2.216), number of pods (32.38 plant-1), number of seeds (6.88 pod-1), seed yield (870 kg ha-1), straw yield (1843 kg ha-1), biological yield (2713 kg ha-1), harvest index (32.10%), gross return (₹ 50975), net return (34930 ha-1) and B-C ratio (3.18), respectively over rest of the treatments but it was at par with 100% RDF, 50% RDF+50% RDN through FYM and FYM 4 t ha-1. The seed yield and net return of blackgram significantly increased by 8.75 and 11.22 per cent, respectively over 100% RDF. Split dose of vermicompost indicate that split application of vermicompost 1 t ha-1 at 30 DAS along with FYM 2 t ha-1 (Basal) recorded a significant increase yield and net returns of blackgram over vermicompost 1 t ha-1 (Basal)+vermicompost 1 t ha-1 at 30 DAS and control, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, lowland rice contributes more than 70 percent of total rice production, and nitrogen (N) is one of the most yield-limiting nutrients for lowland rice production under all agroecological conditions. A field experiment was conducted for 2  consecutive years to evaluate response of twelve lowland rice genotypes to N fertilization. The N rates used were 0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg ha−1. Plant height, grain yield, panicle number, 1000-grain weight, spikelet sterility, grain harvest index (GHI), and nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE; grain yield per unit of N applied) were significantly influenced by N and genotype treatments, except for 1000-grain weight and spikelet sterility, which were not affected by N treatment. Across N rates, genotypes BRS Tropical, BRA 051126, BRA 051130, BRA 05108, and BRA 051134 produced greater grain yields (above average of twelve genotypes) and genotypes BRS Jaçanã, BRA 02654, BRA 051077, BRA 051108, BRA 051129, BRA 051135, and BRA 051250 produced lower grain yield (lower than average yield of twelve genotypes). The GHI and NUE were significantly and positively related with grain yield, while spikelet sterility was negatively related with grain yield. The NUE decreased with increasing N rates and overall 35 kg grain yield was produced with the application of 1 kg N. Genotype BRA 051130 produced maximum NUE (46 kg kg−1) and genotype BRA 051108 produced minimum NUE (24 kg kg−1) among twelve genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Rice, dry bean, corn, and soybean are important food crops. Phosphorus (P) deficiency is one of the most yield-limiting factors for these crops grown on highly weathered Brazilian Oxisols. Four greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine P requirements of these four crops. The P levels used were 0, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg kg−1. Growth, yield, and yield components evaluated of four crop species were significantly increased with the application of P fertilization. Most of the responses were quadratic in fashion when the P was applied in the range of 0 to 400 mg kg−1. Maximum grain yield of upland rice was obtained with the application of 238 mg P kg−1of soil, maximum dry bean grain yield was obtained with the application of 227 mg P kg−1of soil, and maximum grain yield of soybean was obtained with the application of 224 mg P kg−1of soil. Maximum shoot growth of corn was obtained with the addition of 323 mg P kg−1of soil. Most of the growth and yield components had significant positive association with grain yield or shoot dry weight. Phosphorus concentration and uptake were greater in the grain compared to straw in upland rice and dry bean plants. Overall, P-use efficiencies decreased with increasing P rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copper (Cu) is an essential micronutrients and its deficiency has been reported in many crops including dry bean. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate thirty dry bean genotypes (G) for Cu-use efficiency. The Cu levels used were low (natural soil level) and adequate [10 mg Cu kg−1soil, applied with copper sulfate (24 percent Cu)]. Straw yield, seed yield, number of pods per plant, seed per pod, seed harvest index (SHI), maximum root length (MRL), and root dry weight (RDW) were significantly affected by Cu and genotype treatments. The Cu × G interactions were also significant for these traits, indicating variation in genotype responses with the variation in Cu levels. Based on seed yield efficiency index (SYEI), genotypes were grouped in three classes: Cu efficient, moderately Cu efficient, and Cu inefficient. Fifty-three percent of the genotypes were classified as efficient, 40 percent were classified as moderately efficient, and 7 percent were classified as inefficient in Cu-use efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stable straw and grain yield constituted a challenging objective for breeders to cope with environmental changes as salinity increase. For this purpose, an assessment of grain yield (GY) and yield components stability of 25 durum wheat genotypes was conducted in three semi-arid sites differing by their irrigation water salinity: Echbika (S1, 6 dS m −1 ), Barrouta (S2, 12 dS m −1 ) and Sidi Bouzid (S3, 18 dS m −1 ) during three growing seasons (2010, 2011 and 2012). A significant average effect ( P ≤ 0.05) of sites × genotypes was observed for all measured parameters. GY was the most salinity affected trait showing decrease of 20% in S2, and 50% in S3 compared to control conditions in S1. A significant linear regression exists between GY at control site S1 and GY at saline site S2 ( R 2 = 0.79; P < 0.001) and saline site S3 ( R 2 = 0.36; P < 0.001). Improved genotypes overstep landraces for all yield components. As a result, GY is about 30% higher for improved varieties. This trend was inverted for agronomic traits such as plant height, biomass and straw yield (SY). According to stability analysis, only the improved genotype Maali showed stability for GY and SY in the contrasting salinity water irrigation sites. This genotype had a high average GY mean of 0.49 kg/m 2 ( bi = 1.12; S 2 d = 0.84) and high SY of 0.70 kg/m 2 ( bi = 0.85; S 2 d = 0.42). Our data suggest that improved genotypes could be used under contrasting salinity environment in arid area as well as breeding materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture has straight and indirect contribution to boost the economy of Pakistan. wheat and paddy are among the major rotational crops of Pakistan. The straw management in combine harvested in wheat fields is a major problem. In the past the residual wheat straw in convectional harvesting was burnt in the field which resulted losses of 80% of Nitrogen, 25% P, 21% K and 4% to 60% S. To overcome this problem, locally available wheat straw chopper is used for cutting and collecting the wheat straw left behind the combine harvesters. These locally developed wheat straw choppers are heavy in weight having lower machine efficiency. A wheat straw chopper has been modified using locally available materials making it light weight and more efficient. The performance evaluation of wheat straw chopper has been carried out in the field and further improvements have been incorporated to increase its field efficiency. The modified wheat straw chopper has been tested for its performance at Chakra Farms of the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad during the wheat harvesting season. The experiment was consisted of factorial completely randomized design. Three wheat varieties V1 (Sehar-2006), V2 (Lasani) and V3 (Faisalabad-2008) were selected in which modified wheat straw chopper was operated at two different tractor forward speeds S1 (1.77 km/h) and S2(2.42 km/h) and at two different levels of moisture contents M1(moisture at the same day of combining), M2(moisture after one day of combining). Results showed that wheat straw yield (kg ha-1) for V1, V2 and V3 was found to be 1425, 1118 and 1179 kg/ha respectively. Effect of moisture on wheat straw yield (kg/ha) was found to be significant, and higher wheat straw yield (kg/ha) was found to be at moisture content level M1.The wheat straw yield and efficiency of the wheat straw chopper was found to be higher at S1(1.77 km/h) which is for wheat variety V1 and 67.96% respectively. The average fuel consumption was found to be 9.3 L/ha. Breakeven point of the wheat straw chopper was occurred at 225 hours of use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was conducted on loamy sand soils of during 2012-13. Plant height was recorded significantly higher in variety Gujarat Val 1 when sown on 15th October at 30 cm row spacing. All the growth and yield attributing characters such as number of primary and secondary branches per plant, number of nodules per plant, dry weight of nodules per plant, dry matter accumulation per plant at 30, 60 and 90 DAS as well as at harvest, days required to maturity, number of pods per plant, number of grains per pod, length of pod, seed yield per plant and 100 - seed weight noticed significantly higher when crop was sown on 15th October at 60 cm row spacing using variety Gujarat Val 1. Seed yield and B:C ratio of Indian bean significantly affected with sowing dates, row spacings and varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field experiment was carried out at the Agricultural Research Station, Anand Agricultural University, Arnej during November 2017 to February 2018 to evaluate the efficacy of nine insecticides against the pink stem borer Sesamia inferens (Walker) infesting durum wheat. Spraying of chlorantraniliprole 18.5SC @ 0.006% was found significantly superior over other insecticides with maximum grain as well as straw yield (16.42 and 23.93 qt/ ha, respectively). Maximum ICBR was registered with seed treatment of chlorpyriphos 20EC (1:20.83) followed by chlorantraniliprole 18.5SC (1:10.46) and spraying of spinosad 45SC (1:9.52). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dry bean is an important legume worldwide, and potassium (K) deficiency is one of the important constraints for bean production in most of the bean growing regions. A greenhouse experiment was conducted with the objective to evaluate fifteen dry bean genotypes grown on a Brazilian lowland (Inceptisol) United States Soil Taxonomy classification and Gley humic Brazilian Soil Classification system), locally known as "Varzea" soil. The K rate used was 0 mg kg−1 (low, natural soil level) and 200 mg kg−1 (high, applied as fertilizer). Straw yield, seed yield, pods per plant, seeds per pod, 100 seed weight, and seed harvest index were significantly increased with the addition of K fertilizer. These traits were also significantly influenced by genotypic treatment. Similarly, root length and root dry weight were also influenced significantly by K and genotype treatments. The K X genotype interactions for most of these traits were also significant, indicating variation in these traits with the variation in K level. Based on seed yield efficiency index (SYEI), genotypes were classified as efficient, moderately efficient, and inefficient in K use efficiency. Maximum grain yield was obtained with 74 mg K kg−1 extracted by Mehlich 1 extracting solution. Similarly, K saturation required for maximum grain yield was 1.1%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dry bean (Phaseolus vulgarisL.) is an important legume worldwide and nitrogen (N) is most yield limiting nutrients. A field experiment was conducted for two consecutive years to evaluate response of 15 dry bean genotypes to nitrogen and rhizobial inoculation. The N and rhizobia treatments were (i) control (0 kg N ha−1), (ii) seed inoculation with rhizobia strains, (iii) seed inoculation with rhizobia strains + 50 kg N ha−1, and (iv) 120 kg N ha−1. Straw yield, grain yield, and yield components were significantly influenced by N and rhizobial treatments. Grain yield, straw yield, number of pods m−2, and grain harvest index were significantly influenced by year, nitrogen + rhizobium, and genotype treatments. Year × Nitrogen + rhizobium × genotype interactions were also significant for these traits. Hence, these traits varied among genotypes with the variation in year and nitrogen + rhizobium treatments. Inoculation with rhizobium alone did not produce maximum yield and fertilizer N is required in combination with inoculation. Based on grain yield efficiency index, genotypes were classified as efficient, moderately efficient, and inefficient in nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). NUE defined as grain produced per unit N applied decreased with increasing N rate. Overall, NUE was 23.17 kg grain yield kg−1N applied at 50 kg N ha−1and 13.33 kg grain per kg N applied at 120 kg N ha−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Scientiarum Polonorum. Agricultura is the property of University of Technology & Life Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Wheat is an important cereal crop in Pakistan and poor germination is an important yield limiting factor. A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of boron application on seed germination, seedling vigor and yield of wheat. Five treatments viz. recommended dose (RD) of NPK (control), RD of NPK + 0.5 kg ha-1 B, RD of NPK + 1.0 kg ha-1 B, RD of NPK + 1.5 kg ha-1 B and RD of NPK + 2.0 kg ha-1 B were used. The data regarding plant height, number of tillers per square meter, grains per spike, 1000 grain weight, grain and straw yield was collected. After harvesting the grains were tested for germination and seedling vigor. Boron had no effect on yield components, except, grain per spike and 1000 grain weight which were improved significantly with its application. Wheat leaf B content increased with B application. Maximum grain and straw yield (4.85 and 9.16 Mg ha-1, respectively) was recorded with 2.0 kg B ha-1 along with recommended dose of NPK. Boron had no effect on seed germination; however, seedling vigor i.e. shoot and root length improved with B application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lowland or flooded rice is mainly responsible for about 76% of total rice production at global level, yet information on micronutrient requirements for this crop is limited. Six greenhouse experiments were conducted at the National Rice and Bean Research Center of EMBRAPA, Santo Antônio de Goiás, Brazil, to determine requirements of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), boron (B), molybdenum (Mo), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe) for lowland rice grown on a Brazilian Inceptisol. The levels of micronutrients used were Zn (0, 10 20, 40, and 80 mg kg−1), Cu (0, 5, 10, 20, and 40 mg kg−1), B (0, 5, 10, 20, and 40 mg kg−1), Mo (0, 2, 4, 8, and 16 mg kg−1), Mn (0, 50, 100, 300, and 600 mg kg−1), and Fe (0, 250, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg kg−1). Grain yield was significantly increased in a quadratic fashion with the addition of Zn, Cu, B, Mo, Mn, and Fe. The adequate rates of micronutrients for maximum grain yield were Zn 33 mg kg−1, Cu 25 mg kg−1, B 26 mg kg−1, Mo 10 mg kg−1, Mn 250 mg kg−1, and Fe 1269 mg kg−1. In addition to grain yield, plant height, straw yield, panicle density, and root growth of lowland rice were also improved with the addition of most of these micronutrients. Improvement in root growth has special significance in improving nutrient-use efficiency under nutrient-stress conditions. Micronutrient-use efficiency (grain yield per unit nutrient applied) was in the order of Cu > Zn > Mn > Fe > Mo > B. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The trial on rice (Oryza sativa L.) fallow maize (Zea mays L.) under zero till conditions was conducted during 2008-09 and 2009-10 at Agricultural College Farm, Bapatla on sandy clay loam soil to study the yield and nutrient uptake of kharif rice as influenced by different levels of nitrogen, phosphorus applied to rice and fertilizer schedules given to maize during rabi. The treatments consisted of four nitrogen levels i. e. 80 kg N/ha, 120 kg N/ha, 240 kg N/ha, green manuring @ 5 t/ha; three phosphorus levels i. e. 0, 30 and 60 kg P2O5/ha to preceding rice and three fertilizer schedules i. e. 0, 50 and 100% recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) to succeeding maize. Application of 240 kg N/ha in combination with 60 kg P2O5/ha and 100% RDF to maize significantly increased the grain yield, straw yield and economics (monetary returns) of rice as well as 100% RDF to maize over other levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and fertilizer schedules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yield, chemical composition, in vitro digestibility and kinetics of fermentation of straw from 18 varieties of oats (Avena sativa L.) were studied. All the straw varieties were grown in three replicates under the same agronomic conditions. Significance differences were observed in the yield of straw (4.4 to 7.5 ton dry matter (DM)/ha) from different varieties. The proportion of seed/straw from these varieties varied from 0.28 to 1.02. Crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) content varied from 24.2 to 48.1, 626 to 708, 437 to 533 and 52.0 to 92.4 g/kg DM, respectively in the straws. In vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) differed among varieties and varied from 400 to 539 g/kg DM. The mean value of digestible organic matter yield (DOM) was 2.34 ton/ha. A significant difference was observed in the potential gas production (A) and lag time (L) among varieties. The fractional rate of gas production (c, /h) ranged from 0.030 to 0.034. The results emphasized that in any evaluation of oat varieties, kinetics of digestion or fermentation should be taken into consideration as well as yield and digestibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Straw is a by-product from cereal production which constitutes a considerable biomass resource, for instance for 2G ethanol production. Straw yield per hectare and straw quality in terms of ethanol production are both important factors for the available biomass resource and the potential ethanol production per hectare. In a series of field trials on three locations in 2009, we compared straw and grain yield from the winter cereal species triticale, winter barley, winter rye, and winter wheat. Grain yield did not differ significantly between the species, but winter rye yielded up to 59% more straw dry matter than the other species. The release of glucose and xylose after pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis i.e. the saccharification potential was used to indicate the potential for ethanol production. The saccharification potential did not differ between species, but due to the differences in straw yield, areal saccharification potential (i.e. potential sugar production per hectare) was from 29% to 78% higher for winter rye than for other species. In a series of winter wheat cultivar trials on two locations in 2008 and three locations in 2009, straw yield differed significantly between cultivars in both years and across years. The highest yielding cultivar yielded up to 57% and 37% more straw than the lowest yielding cultivar in the two years, respectively, even among cultivars with non-significant differences in grain yield. The saccharification potential was measured from straw of winter wheat cultivar trials harvested in 2009. The potential varied largely but was not significantly affected by neither cultivar nor location. Due to cultivar differences in straw yield, however, areal saccharification potential differed significantly between cultivars with up to 38% difference in glucose yield and up to 35% in xylose yield. Straw yield increased with increasing grain yield, but the straw:grain ratio differed significantly between cultivars and was not consistent across years and locations. This has implications for straw resource estimates when these are based on the relationship between grain yield and straw yield. In conclusion, it appears possible to choose species and cultivars with higher straw yield and consequently larger potential for ethanol production per hectare without compromising grain yield. This may provide a means of increasing the overall straw resource, as long as increased straw yield is not accompanied by negative effects such as increased tendency to lodging. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper estimates the availability of agricultural crop residue feedstocks in Canada for cellulosic ethanol production. Canada''s major field crops generate 100.6million dry mega grams (Mg) of crops per year while non-forage crops produce 67 million dry Mg, leaving abundant agricultural residues for use as second generation feedstock for cellulosic ethanol production. This study used crop production and livestock data from Statistics Canada for a 10-year period (2001–2010), as well as tillage data from Statistics Canada census years 2001 and 2006, to estimate crop residue availability by province and soil zone. Total residue yield from crops is calculated by incorporating straw to grain ratios. Total agricultural residues available for ethanol production are computed by deducting soil conservation and livestock uses. An average of 48 million dry Mg of agricultural residues is available per year, with a minimum of 24.5 million dry Mg in drought year 2002. This implies an average yearly potential ethanol production of 13 billion litres from crop residues over the 2001–2010 period, with a minimum of 6.6 billion litres in 2002. Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Quebec have enough agricultural residue supply to set up ethanol plants using agricultural crop residues as primary lignocellulosic feedstocks. There is great variability in agricultural residue production between the provinces and by soil zone. Understanding variability in feedstock supply is important for the economics and operational planning of a cellulosic ethanol biorefinery. Factors such as residue yield per hectare and soil zone will influence cellulosic ethanol plant establishment in order to exploit the abundance of lignocellulosic biomass for an ethanol plant. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Four single crosses (VG20 × SGE48, SGE48 × SG35II, VG26 × SG35II, and SG35II × VG20) in opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) were analyzed to study the gene actions involved in the inheritance of quantitative traits, namely plant height, branches/plant, capsules/plant, peduncle length, capsule index, stigmatic rays, straw yield/plant, and morphine content. Simple additive, dominance, and epistatic genetic components were found to be significant for inheritance pattern. Dominance effect (h) was higher than additive effect (d). Digenic interaction indicated the prevalence of dominance × dominance (l) followed by additive × dominance (j) type epistasis. The significance of dominance (h) and dominance × dominance (l) indicated duplicate epistasis for all the traits and crosses except SG35II × VG20 for stigmatic rays. Biparental mating followed by recurrent selection involving desired recombinants may be utilized to improve the component traits. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

An experiment was conducted during the kharif season of 2003 at College of Agriculture, Vellayani to evaluate the economics of different planting methods in rice. The experiment was carried out in split plot design with three methods of planting viz. throwing seedlings at random, machine transplanting by rice transplanter and line transplanting in main plots and with and without AMF(Arbuscular Mycorrhizhal Fungi) inoculation in sub plots. Seedling throwing and machine transplanting recorded higher benefit :cost ratios of 2.85 and 2.82 respectively and the lowest benefit :cost ratio was recorded by line transplanting. Seedling throwing recorded maximum gross return and net return. Lowest gross return was registered in machine planting and lowest net return was observed in line transplanting. AMF inoculated plants registered higher benefit :cost ratio, gross return and net return. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutrient release from plant residues can be manipulated as per crop demand through several approaches. A pot study was conducted to study the influence of incorporation of leaf litter of poplar (Populus deltoides), eucalypt (Eucalyptus hybrid) and dek (Melia azedarach) inoculated with cellulolytic fungus culture (Aspergillus awamori) on the nutrition and biomass of wheat (Triticum aestivum, cv. PBW 343) in loamy sand and sandy loam soils. The residual effect of leaf litter after wheat harvest was studied on sorghum (Sorghum bicolor, cv. Punjab Sudax Chari 1). The treatments consisted of a control (no leaf litter) and three uninoculated as well as inoculated leaf litter levels of tree species-0.15%, 0.30% and 0.45% (w/w, dry weight basis). A uniform dose of N, P and K @ 50, 11 and 10 mg kg-1 soil, respectively from inorganic fertilizers was applied to all the treated pots. Straw and grain yield, and nutrient content of wheat increased with increasing level of uninoculated or inoculated leaf litter in both the soils. The inoculated leaf litter augmented the yield and nutrient content of crop significantly (P < 0.05) as compared to the corresponding uninoculated treatments. Poplar and dek leaf litter produced higher wheat yield, plant nutrient content and available nutrients in soil after wheat harvest than eucalypt leaf litter. Dry matter yield of sorghum raised on residual fertility increased significantly with increasing levels of leaf litter application. The comparative responses in yield and nutrient content of crops were higher in loamy sand than in the sandy loam soil. The study shows the beneficial influence of use of cellulolytic microorganisms on enhancement in decomposition and nutrient release from litterfall of tree species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An optimal sowing date will lead to increased crop yield, but little research on safflower sowing date has been conducted in West Asia and North Africa. The present study aimed to find the optimal sowing month for rain-fed safflower in a semi-arid, high-elevation Mediterranean site. Field trials were conducted for 4 years (1998–1999 to 2001–2002) at the Agricultural Research and Education Center in the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon. There were five monthly sowing dates from November to March. The trials were in randomised complete block designs using a productive Turkish safflower accession, PI301055. Plants m−2, days-to-bud initiation, flowering, and maturity, shoot dry matter at bud initiation, flowering, and maturity, plant height, seed yield, and oil percentage in seed were recorded. Safflower oil and seed yield were higher (59–169%) in November, December, and January (fall or early winter) sowings than in the February and March (late winter or early spring) sowings, but yields did not differ significantly between the November, December, and January sowings. There were no significant sowing-date-by-year interaction and year effect on oil and seed yield. December and January sowings gave higher oil percentages than the other months. Averaged over years, each monthly delay in sowing resulted in a decrease in straw yield. These findings showed clearly that Lebanese farmers in the Bekaa Valley should shift the sowing time for safflower from the spring to the winter. Although sowing in November, December or January gave similar seed yield, farmers should sow safflower as soon as possible after preparation of a weed-free field in order to give the maximum straw yield and environment protection. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Durum wheat cropping in semi-arid areas of West Asia and North Africa is frequently integrated into a cereal–livestock farming system. The wheat straw, mostly used for feeding animals, represents an important commodity, its average sale price per unit weight being not less than 40% of that of grain in three recently surveyed areas. There is uncertainty whether the widespread, short-statured wheat plant type could be economically preferable in these environments relative to a tall type, especially when considering straw yield. Within the Mediterranean durum wheat gene pool, mediterraneum typicum germplasm possesses a markedly tall stature, implying high straw yield. In a first phase of evaluation under prevailing conditions of northern Syria, 13 entries characterized by early heading and good agronomic performance were identified from a collection of about 2000 Tunisian and Algerian accessions. In a second phase reported here, these entries were evaluated in relation to two widely grown adapted cultivars, i.e., the semi-dwarf variety ‘Cham 1’ and the local landrace ‘Haurani’, across four environments of northern Syria diversified for rainfall and soil characteristics. In an economic assessment, the straw value was expressed in terms of grain-equivalent, defining an economic yield as: grain yield+(0.40×straw yield). Compared with the control cultivars, the mediterraneum typicum entries were taller but tended to later heading with a similar grain filling duration. However, a few entries as early as the controls were also found. Almost all exotic entries outperformed ‘Haurani’ for economic yield. Two entries showed significantly higher (P<0.05) economic yield (>12%) and aerial biomass across environments than ‘Cham 1’, owing to higher straw yield and similar grain yield. They compensated for the relatively lower spike fertility by heavier kernels. Genotype×environment interactions were generally limited for yield-related traits. Straw yield was closely associated with plant height (r=0.76, P<0.001) but not with number of fertile tillers. No trade-off between grain and straw yields was apparent. The results support the interest of a tall durum wheat plant type derived from the mediterraneum typicum gene pool for enhancing the profitability as well as the sustainability of semi-arid Mediterranean farming systems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Sowing depth and density are factors which affect development and yielding due to their influence on plants' competition for water, light and nutrients. The aim of the present research was to evaluate the effect of sowing depth (5 and 8 cm) and density (45, 60, 75 seeds m2) on the development and yield of two morphotypes of faba bean. Higher plants were found at 8 cm sowing depth in 2011 and 2013, in turn, plant density before harvest, at 5 cm in 2011 and 8 cm in 2013. The greatest seed yield was observed while sowing shallower in 2011 (4.50 t ha−1) and 2012 (6.62 t ha−1), and deeper in 2013 (3.53 t ha−1). Cultivar played in important role in shaping plant height and seed yield in all years of the experiment, as well as in straw yield in 2012. Bobas characterized by the greatest seed productivity in all years of experiment compared to Granit, as well as quantity of straw yield in 2011 and 2012 (3.51 and 4.88 t ha−1, respectively) and therefore can be recommended for cultivation. Taking into account plant density before harvest in 2011–2013 as well as straw yield in 2011 and 2013, the most favorable sowing density is 75 seeds per m2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil acidity is a major problem when it comes to improving crop productivity and nutrient uptake. This experiment was therefore conducted at a farmer's field—Nalitabari Upazila under AEZ 22 (northern and eastern Piedmont plains) to evaluate the effects of lime and organic manure (OM) amendment on crop productivity and nutrient uptake of the wheat–mungbean–T. Aman cropping pattern in acidic soils of northern and eastern Piedmont plains. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. There were nine treatments applied, varying doses of lime (dololime at the rate of 1 and 2 t ha−1), OM (cow dung at the rate of 5 t ha−1, poultry manure at the rate of 3 t ha−1) and a lime–OM combination to the first crop; T. Aman and its residual effects were evaluated in the succeeding second crop, wheat, and the third crop, mungbean. Results demonstrate that application of lime and organic manure to soil had significant effects on the first crop. However, the effects of lime and organic manure were more pronounced in the second and third crops. The increase in grain yield over control ranged from 0.24 to 13.44% in BINA dhan7. However, it varied from 10.14 to 54.38% in BARI Gom30 and 40 to 161.67% in BARI Mung6. The straw yields of the crops also followed a similar trend. The N, P, K, and S uptake by grain and straw of T. Aman, wheat, and mungbean were influenced significantly by the combined application of lime and organic manure. Sole or combined application of lime and manure amendment significantly improved nutrient availability and soil quality. Therefore, application of lime in combination with manure can be practiced for uplifting the crop productivity and improving soil quality in acidic Piedmont soils of northern and eastern Piedmont plains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to determine the effect of H. avenae initial population densities (Pi) on the yield of wheat (two growing seasons) and barley (one season) and on nematode reproduction, under Saudi field conditions. At increasing Pi, H. avenae suppressed (P lessequal 0.05) the number of spikes, weight of spikes, weight of 1000 kernels, grain yield and straw yield of wheat and barley. Grain yields were reduced by 40 to 92% for wheat (during the two seasons) and 17 to 77% for barley. Straw yields were also reduced, by 50 to 85 for wheat and 30 to 77% for barley. As Pi increased, final populations of H. avenae increased (P lessequal 0.05) on both hosts, but the nematode reproduction factor (Rf) decreased. Significant negative linear regressions were obtained between H. avenae Pi and grain yield of wheat and barley. Final populations (Pf) were positively correlated with Pi on wheat and on barley. Rf was negatively correlated with Pi on wheat and barley. Schadigungspotential und Vermehrung von Heterodera avenae an Weizen und Gerste unter Freilandbedingungen in Saudiarabien - Die vorliegende Untersuchung wurde durchgefuhrt, um die Wirkung unterschiedlicher Ausgangspopulationen (Pi) von Heterodera avenae auf den Ertrag von Weizen (zwei Vegetationsperioden) und Gerste (eine Vegetationsperiode) sowie auf die Vermehrung der Nematoden unter saudiarabishen Freilandbedingungen zu ermitteln. Bei steigender Pi verminderte (P lessequal 0.05) H. avenae die Anzahl der Ahren, das Ahrengewicht, das Tausendkorngewicht, den Korn- und den Strohertrag von Weizen und Gerste. Die Kornertrage wurden bei Weizen (zwei Vegetationsperioden) um 40-92% vermindert, bei Gerste um 17-77%. Auch die Strohertrage gingen zuruck, bei Weizen um 50-85% und bei Gerste um 30-77%. Mit zunehmender Pi stiegen die Endpopulationsdichten von H. avenae bei beiden Wirtspflanzen an (P lessequal 0.05), doch nahm der Vermehrungsfaktor (Rf) der Nematoden ab. Zwischen Pi von H. avenae und dem Kornertrag von Weizen und Gerste wurden signifikante negative Regressionen erhalten. Die Endpopulationen (Pf) waren an Weizen und Gerste positiv korreliert mit Pi. Rf war an Weizen und Gerste negativ korreliert mit Pi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]