Agronomy

This work explores the possibilities of biomass production, for energy purposes, of Siberian elm in Mediterranean areas, including marginal lands with poor soil and low water availability. To achieve this, the influence of soil type, planting density, and water availability on biomass production were analyzed after the first 3 years of the growing cycle in 2 different locations. Moreover, a method to estimate biomass production as a function of some morphological parameters of the trees, as well as the use of leaf water potential as a good indicator of trees' water status, are discussed. The analysis of parameters having an influence on elm growth showed that soil type is the most important factor to obtain a good yield. In soils with enough nutrients and higher water-holding capacity, biomass productions in the range 13-14 Mg DM ha -1 were achieved even under rainfed conditions. In irrigated plots, Siberian elm production was more than double the production of biomass under rainfed conditions; however, significant differences were not found between the 2 different irrigation doses under study. Biomass yield was greater for the highest planting density (6666 plants ha -1 ). Leaf water potential has been shown to be a useful tool for finding out plant water status. Tree growth showed a direct relationship to midmorning leaf water potential, and it was equal to 0 for leaf water potentials lower than -1.83 MPa; this value indicates a great resistance to drought by the species.

Wheat is one of the most important cereal crops and extensively cultivated in wide ranges of altitudes in Ethiopia. With an alarming population growth in the era of climatic change, there is a need for further crop improvement for sustainable production. In this regard, the study was carried out at the Kulumsa Agricultural Research Center (KARC) in a rainout shelter to investigate the responses of durum and bread wheat varieties to soil water stress in terms of selected morphological, physiological, and biochemical parameters. e 2 factors were combined factorially and arranged in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications. e 12 wheat varieties, 6 bread wheat and other 6 durum wheat, were sown in pots under well-watered (100% field capacity) and water-stressed (30% field capacity) conditions. Results revealed that water stress resulted in 26%, 9%, 23%, 16%, and 11% reductions in plant height, spike length, number of spikelets spike -1 , relative water, and chlorophyll contents, respectively. e tested wheat varieties under water stress produced 28% and 6% more proline content and total soluble sugar, respectively, as mitigation strategies against drought. Results further exhibited that wheat varieties significantly differed in all of the measured traits except for the plant height and relative water content. e present study verified that the biochemical parameters needs to be considered as better traits to select wheat (Triticum spp.) varieties for drought tolerance under water stress conditions.

Wheat is usually grown as a rainfed crop and no irrigation is applied in most production fields. This study was undertaken to evaluate the quality characteristics of durum wheat germplasm in under rainfed and irrigated field conditions during 2019-2020 and 2021-2022 growing seasons. The experiments were laid out in 12x12 alpha lattice block design with two replicates for rainfed and irrigated experiments. Grain protein content, starch content, wet gluten content and test weight were examined for 125 genotypes which consisted of fifty local cultivars, nineteen foreign cultivars used in Turkey, forty two gene bank landraces (ex situ) and fourteen local landraces (in situ). Supplemental irrigation resulted in a decrease in grain protein content and wet gluten content but an increase in starch content. Ex situ landraces (17.48%) and in situ landraces (16.62%) had higher grain protein content mean values under both rainfed and irrigated conditions. The correlation coefficient was 0.82 be...

The study aimed to identify early‐stage traits of cotton for heat tolerance using multitrait approach reflecting field yield performance. Seedling growth and physiological response of 16 cultivars to high temperature were investigated at three different developmental stages and four heat stress conditions in a climate chamber. Some traits such as hypocotyl dry weight, leaf pigment contents and cellular respiration were significantly correlated with previously known yield of ten cultivars grown in the hot field conditions. Sixteen cotton cultivars were classified for their heat tolerance by principle component analysis (PCA) using yield‐correlated physiological traits. As a result, we showed that heat tolerance classification of cultivars based on PCA significantly coincided with the yield results of cultivars grown in hot field. As a conclusion, yield‐correlated physiological traits determined in the study may facilitate selection of heat‐tolerant cotton genotypes at early stage. In...

The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) practices have been developed in order to increase the production and quality of rice. Based on SRI practices the rice seedlings are transplanted at the young ages, 15 days old with just 2 leaves and carefully planting of just one seedling per hill and space the hills optimally widely in a square pattern of 25×25 cm for better usage of water, sunlight, minerals, space, nutrient, weeding and pest management within shallow depth (1-2 cm) in the moist soil condition. The existing method of mechanical transplanting of paddy which planted between 5 and 8 seedlings per stand is claimed to be inefficient to produce higher yield. From the survey that was carried out, most farmers are looking forward to single-planting translators as it is impossible to do it manually. Modifications have to be carried out on the planting claw (kuku kambing) so that it will only catch one seedling at a time, redesign the seedling tray to allow the SRI transplanter to catch one seedling at a time and determine the best soil condition suitable for the SRI practices. No doubt that the new develop transplanter for SRI will be the future machines for the farmers in Malaysia. Evidence have shown that the SRI practices in paddy cultivation has resulted in the increase in yield as well as superior quality paddy because of its shorter crop cycle, less need for seeds and fertilizer, less chaffy grain because of higher percentage grain filling, little or no lodging from wind or rain and higher head rice recovery rate, so more milled rice from a given amount of paddy and reduced labour demand while boosting productivity. The most important factors that influence the performance are soil moisture content, system of raising seedlings in nursery, degree of land labelling and finally the size of planting claw.

A região norte ainda é carente de informações referentes ao comportamento de cultivares de cebola e sua resposta à adubação fosfatada. O trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar o desenvolvimento vegetativo e o acúmulo de fósforo em cultivares de cebola em Dianópolis, região sudeste do Tocantins. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições, em esquema fatorial 4 x 5. Foram avaliadas quatro cultivares de cebola (Diamantina, Red Creole, Baia Periforme e Primavera) em função de níveis crescentes de superfosfato triplo definidos em razão da dose de fósforo, sendo 0; 100; 200; 300 e 400 kg ha -¹ de P 2 O 5 . Foram avaliadas as seguintes características: teores de fósforo foliar aos 110 dias após o transplante; altura de plantas (cm); número de folhas e diâmetro do pseudocaule (mm) aos 120 dias após o transplante. Doses de fósforo afetam a altura de plantas, número de folhas e diâmetro do pseudocaule das cultivares Diamantina, Red Creole, Baia Periforme e Primavera. Para altura de plantas a melhor reposta à adubação fosfatada foi observada na cultivar Diamantina com altura de 40,36 cm. Os maiores teores de fósforo são observados nas cultivares Diamantina e Red Creole 3,48 e 3,28 g kg -1 , respectivamente. A variação no nível de adubação fosfatada influencia o teor de fósforo das cultivares estudadas.

A field experiment was conducted during the rabi season of 2016-17 to study the effect of nutrient management and moisture conservation practices on yield attributing characters, yield and economic return of organic baby corn grown in a sandy loam soil under rainfed condition. The experiment was laid out in RBD factorial design with three replications. PAC 321 was used as the test variety of baby corn. Among the treatments enriched compost @ 2.5 t ha -1 has shown the significantly better results with respect to yield attributing characters and cob yield followed by application of FYM @ 2.5 t ha -1 +lime+ash (1000:10:1). Treatments with straw mulch @ 2 t/ha recorded significantly higher results with respect to different yield attributing characters, cob yield, green fodder yield and high monitary return with B:C ratio.

The concept of organic agriculture is receiving increased attention and organic food markets are also expanding quite fast in many parts of the world including India. Development of production technology particularly appropriate nutrient management strategy for organic baby corn is necessary for realizing higher yield and economic returns as well as soil health aspect. Most of the organic manures are low in nutrient contents, which are not sufficient to meet the nutritional requirement of the crops with smaller quantities, especially when inorganic fertilizers are not applied. Under such circumstances, enrichment of organic manures and composts with permitted additives like rock phosphate and beneficial microbial cultures is a feasible option for nutrient supplementation in organic food production. Microbial enrichment technique with bio-inoculants to composting material had been shown to improve the quality of compost. The enrichment of the organic manures with beneficial microbial...

A field experiment was conducted during the rabi season of 2016-17 to study the effect of nutrient management and moisture conservation practices on yield attributing characters, yield and economic return of organic baby corn grown in a sandy loam soil under rainfed condition. The experiment was laid out in RBD factorial design with three replications. PAC 321 was used as the test variety of baby corn. Among the treatments enriched compost @ 2.5 t ha-1 has shown the significantly better results with respect to yield attributing characters and cob yield followed by application of FYM @ 2.5 t ha-1+lime+ash (1000:10:1). Treatments with straw mulch @ 2 t/ha recorded significantly higher results with respect to different yield attributing characters, cob yield, green fodder yield and high monitary return with B:C ratio.

Susceptibility of maize inbred lines causes a need to study their response to the existing and new active ingredients of herbicides. The present study observes the effects of the application of five sulfonylurea herbicides at the content of dry weight and soluble proteins in one month old plants, as well as at the grain yield of nine ZP maize inbred lines. The differences in susceptibility to applied herbicides were observed among genotypes. Dry weight values of the plant shoots of the studied maize inbreds varied and were significantly lower in 2007 than in 2006. The highest yield reduction, on the average for all genotypes, was determined in the treatment with foramsulphuron in 2006 and thifensulphuron-methyl in 2007 (7.06 and 4.10 t ha -1 , respectively).

Maize is characterised with high diversity, which is at the same time maintained in present gene banks of plants. From that point, the application of the present ability of maize genetic variability could be used for creating of the genotypes with changed chemical composition of the grain. The aim of experiment was to examine the infl uence of different factors on variability of inorganic and phytic phosphorus in grain of nine ZP hybrids and their parental components. The experiment was performed during 2010 and 2011 on two locations of the Maize Research Institute. The higher values of phytic and inorganic P were mainly present at lines in 2010, as well as at ZP 341 and ZP 434 hybrids, as well as at their parental components. Among all examined hybrids, the signifi cant differences in phytic P, infl uenced by season were present at ZP 434 and ZP 555, as well as mother component of ZP 555. The both parental components show signifi cant and positive imact on inorganic P increase in hybrid grain. The eligible increase of available P, with decrease of phytic P, could be effective obtained by using of the genetic resources in prebreeding process4e, with recurent selection.

The objective of this work was studying the variability of phytate and inorganic phosphorus (Pi), as well as protein content, in 22 ZP maize hybrids and 40 ZP maize inbred lines. Phytate concentrations ranged from 2.64 to 4.19 g kg -1 , averaged 3.29 g kg -1 . Three groups of inbred lines and hybrids were identified as having low, intermediate, and high phytate content. Pi concentration were between 0.43 and 1.91, averaged 0.99 g kg -1 . The protein content was from 8.6 to 15.43, averaged 11.4% d.m. Positive correlation was found between phytate and protein content (r=0, 39). Generally, inbred lines have higher average phytate, Pi and protein content in relation to hybrids.

Growing modern hybrids in narrow plant spacing together with nitrogen and herbicide application gives an advantage to maize crops over weeds. The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the effect of nitrogen form, maize row spacing and herbicide treatment on weed and maize biomass and water usage, as well as maize yield. The investigation was conducted at the Maize Research Institute Zemun Polje, Belgrade during 2014-2016. A field experiment was set up as a split-split-plot block design with four replications. The maize hybrid ZP388 was planted, and a standard and a slow-release form of urea were applied. For each N source, maize was grown at two row spacings: narrow of 50 cm, and standard of 70 cm, while weed control treatments included: C - without herbicide application, T - application of a pre-emergence mix of herbicides. Sowing was done in the second decade of April, 2014, 2015 and 2016. Six weeks after herbicide application, the fresh biomass of weeds uprooted from 1...

Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.) is a very common weed in maize fields in Serbia. Dense Johnsongrass infestations severely limit maize production, especially under continuous maize cropping. The key tool to manage this weed is to implement multiple control strategies when Johnsongrass is first observed and not to wait until it is firmly established. Experiments were conducted in the Maize Research Institute (MRI), Zemun Polje, Belgrade, in order to examine how economically driven continuous cropping of maize influences weed infestation, especially the distribution and abundance of Jonhsongrass, as well as maize productivity. The maize hybrid ZP 606 was grown in continuous cropping from 2009 to 2018 at a density of 59,500 plants ha-1. The experimental field was split into a part treated with the pre-emergence herbicide isoxaflutole + metolachlor (750 + 960 g a.i.) and untreated control. The level of complete weed infestation was evaluated 4-5 weeks after herbicide applicat...

Weed control in corn is a major challenge due to increasing problems with highly dominant weed species and herbicide resistance evolution. Common lambsquarters and johnsongrass constitute up to 80% to 90% of the weed population in many spring crops, such as soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), and corn, in Serbia. Currently, acetolactate synthase–inhibiting herbicides, such as the systemic selective sulfonylurea nicosulfuron, are most commonly used for chemical weed control of those species. A better understanding of the impact of nozzle type and adjuvant use on nicosulfuron efficacy can help to improve control of common lambsquarters and johnsongrass and minimize herbicide resistance development. Field trials were conducted in Serbia from 2020 to 2022 to evaluate the impact of two adjuvants (a non-ionic surfactant [NIS] and a mineral fertilizer ammonium sulfate [AMS]) and two nozzle types (drift-reducing nozzles and flat-fan nozzles) on common lambsqu...

This study aimed to determine the influence of sowing dates on morphological properties and grain yield. The experiment was conducted during 2018 (Y1) and 2019 (Y2) at one location in Serbia (Zemun Polje). Three inbred lines, produced at the Maize Research Institute (Serbia), were used as the material. Sowing was set in two terms, earlier 1 April (SD1) and optimal 20 April (SD2). Morphological properties of the cob were measured in the laboratory conditions: the ear weight (EW), the cob weight (CW), the cob length (CL), the cob thickness (CT), the 1000 kernel weight (SW), and the grain yield (GY). The sowing date significantly affected the morphological properties of the cob (p0,05). The interaction of factors also had a significant impact on the variability of traits. Three-way analysis of variance indicates that SD1Y1 treatment in combination with ZP1 and ZP3 inbred lines has a higher yield (6.28 t ha-1, 7.05 t ha-1). Further, the 1000-kernel weight in all three genotypes was high...

Tillage methods and intensity can be used as means of improving macronutrient and trace element concentration in soil and crops. A two-year field experiment was conducted to examine the impact of two cropping systems—intensive (ICS) and conservation (CCS), on the macro- and microelements in the soil and their accumulation in the grain of two cultivars of winter wheat. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications of each tillage treatment. The results showed that the content of available N (0.7 kg ha−1) and organic matter (0.04%) slightly increased in CCS compared to ICS. The concentrations of Ca, K, and S macroelements and microelements such as Ba, Cr, Hg, and Sr in the soil were significantly higher in CCS than in ICS. Higher concentrations of macroelements K and P, microelements such as Fe, Zn, and As, and the greater value of the bioaccumulation factor for elements essential to humans such as P, Cu, Fe, and Zn, were also found in CCS ...

Organic agriculture offers many benefits through the increased nutritional quality of produced crops, agro-ecosystem preservation, and climate change mitigation. The development of an efficient nutrient management strategy in low-input systems, such as organic agriculture, which supports soil fertility and essential nutrients absorption by crops, is continually exploring. Thus, a study with maize–spelt–soybean rotation during a 5-year period in organic production was established to evaluate the variability in soil organic matter (SOM) and the status of available elements: N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, and Si from the soil, as well as grain yield (GY) and the content of protein, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, and Si concentration in the grain of spelt, maize, and soybean. Significant variations in mineral elements in the soil, GY, and grain composition were detected. Spelt achieved the highest average GY, while soybean grain was the richest in a majority of examined nutrients. The ...

The environment protection, energy, and resources preservation are especially pronounced under present climate changes. In agriculture, these changes are recognised as drought, high temperatures, occurrence of stormy winds and hail. The aim of this study was to determine variations in seed morphology that are a result of different sowing dates in relation with agroecological conditions of maize (Zea mays L.) cultivation. The material used for the study encompassed three inbred lines (G1, G2, G3) sown every 10 d on five sowing dates (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5) starting from 1 April to 10 May, during 2 yr (Y1: 2018, Y2: 2019). The following physical properties of seeds were estimated: width (W), length (L), thickness (Tk), ratio of small (SF) to large fraction (LF) and grain yield (GY). The width was the highest in all three inbreeds on T4 (1.00, 1.03, 0.99 cm, respectively); T5 was the least favourable date for L (1.09, 1.12, 1.09 cm, respectively) while Tk was the lowest in G1 (0.51 cm) and G2 (0.51 cm) sown on T1. The most significant differences in the formation of physical properties occurred in seeds sown on T5 (p ≤ 0.05). The highest differences were observed in width between T5-T4 (-0.223 cm), in length between T5-T2 (-0.309 cm) and in thickness between T5-T3 (-0.129 cm). Later sowing dates favoured LF (85.2%) in comparison to SF (14.7%). Seed size variability participated with 50% in yield formation (R 2 ≥ 0.5).

A set of fifteen elite inbred lines of maize (used as mothers) and three tester inbred lines (used as fathers) were investigated using line x tester statistical model, including both hybrids and inbreds. Four traits were measured: grain yield, 1000 kernel weight, phytic phosphorus (Pphy) and inorganic phosphorus (Pi) in the kernel. Pphy content among hybrids ranged from 2.342 to 4.812 g kg-1 and Pi content from 0.562 to 2.340 g kg-1, while among inbreds (lines and testers) they ranged from 2.503 to 4.180 g kg-1 and from 0.587 to 1.629 g kg-1, respectively. Correlations between the four traits allow breeding for high Pi and low Pphy, as well as for both high Pi and phytate, without compromising grain yield. Correlation for hybrids between Pphy and Pi was 0.185 (p<0.05) and for inbreds 0.142 (non-significant). General combining ability/special combining ability (GCA/SCA) values for all the traits were below 1 (very low) indicated non-additive inheritance. In the investigated set of...

The study was conducted in the experimental field of the Maize Research Institute Zemun Polje, Serbia, during 2013/14-2014/15. The experiment was established as a block design with four replications. As winter cover crops-CC (factor A) the following plants were grown: CV-common vetch (Vicia sativa L.), FP-field pea (Pisum sativum L.), WO-winter oats, (Avena sativa L.), FK-fodder kale (Brassica oleracea (L.) convar. acephala), two mixture variants of legume crops with oats (CV+WO and FP+WO) and two control treatments: a variant in which the surface was covered with dead organic mulch (DOM) and traditional variant: after ploughing in the fall plot stayed uncovered during the winter (TV). Green biomass of the cover crops was incorporated in the soil, immediately after, half of the elementary plot was infested with bio-fertilizer (BF) -Uniker (mobilizer of nutrients) in an amount of 10 l ha -1 (factor B), which contains the strains of cellulolytic and proteolytic bacteria to support the mineralization of entered crop residues. The seeds of sweet maize 'ZPSC 421su (FAO 400) were sown at the arrangement of 70 cm between rows and 22 cm between plants in the row (65,000 plants per ha). Preceding crop in both years was winter wheat. The kernel protein content was measured on infrared analyser. The data were processed by ANOVA. The investigated factors (CC and BF) showed significant effect on protein content in sweet maize kernel in both years. As it was expected, the greatest impact on protein content was exhibited in leguminous species grown alone, or in mixtures with oats, particularly in the dry, 2015. Small grains intercropped with legumes obtained higher values of protein content than small grain grown as monocrops.

Organic agriculture is capable to contribute to the production of healthier food. Organically produced cereals, such as spelt, represent the potential source of quality and healthy components for human food. Spelt wheat is one of the husked hexaploid wheat grown for centuries within a lowinput technology. The nutritive value of spelt is high and it contains all the basic components which are necessary for human nutrition. Spelt is high in digestible proteins, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Differences may occur due to the growing place and season, cultivation, fertilizers etc. The content of nutritionally important minerals (Fe, Mg, Zn, Ca, Mn) and some antioxidants were analyzed in spelt wheat grown during four different seasons and in semiarid conditions. The spelt wheat was organically grown in the period 2012-2015, at Maize Research Institute Zemun Polje. The crop was sown on the area of 0.33 ha and after harvesting, grain yield was measured from all production area and calculated with 14% of moisture. Then, grains were milled and content of nutrients Mg, Fe, Mn, Ca and Zn, as well as inorganic phosphorus (Pi), phytic phosphorus (P phy ), phenolics, β-carotene and glutathione (GSH), were determined in grains. Obtained data were processed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and differences with p<0.05 were considered as significant. Among growing seasons, the highest spelt yield was observed in 2012 (4200 kg ha -1 ). The variations in content of minerals and antioxidants followed variations in sum of precipitation, as well as average air temperature. The content of Mg was significantly higher in 2015, while the Ca content was lower. Concentration of Zn and Mn continuously decreased from 2012 to 2015. The highest content of almost all investigated antioxidants was observed mostly in 2013. GSH and β-carotene content variations were also affected by the meteorological conditions of the growing season.

Drift is the movement of plant protection product droplets through the air and can affect any non-target organism or the environment. In fact, there are three possible scenarios that can be considered as an off-target movement: particle drift, volatility, and contamination of the spray tank. Significant damages that can occur as a consequence of drift are damages to neighbouring crops, environmental pollution, lower level of efficiency of the applied herbicide. Meanwhile, in the case of tank contamination, injuries can occur only in the treated field. In order to examine the negative consequences of nicosulfuron drift, four crops were grown in a greenhouse and treated with low doses of herbicide, after which they were returned to cultivation. After 21 days, the effects of applied treatments were assessed through visual assessment of injury, dry weight, leaf height, and leaf area. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that low doses of nicosulfuron expressed different ef...

Maize is characterised with high diversity, which is at the same time maintained in present gene banks of plants. From that point, the application of the present ability of maize genetic variability could be used for creating of the genotypes with changed chemical composition of the grain. The aim of experiment was to examine the influence of different factors on variability of inorganic and phytic phosphorus in grain of nine ZP hybrids and their parental components. The experiment was performed during 2010 and 2011 on two locations of the Maize Research Institute. The higher values of phytic and inorganic P were mainly present at lines in 2010, as well as at ZP 341 and ZP 434 hybrids, as well as at their parental components. Among all examined hybrids, the significant differences in phytic P, influenced by season were present at ZP 434 and ZP 555, as well as mother component of ZP 555. The both parental components show significant and positive impact on inorganic P increase in hybr...

The yield and weediness of ZP 684Ultra maize hybrid under application of cycloxydim, alone or in combination with some postemergence herbicides for broad-leaf weed control, were evaluated. Maize tolerance to cycloxydim is achieved by the introduction of CTM allele into a single cross hybrid, for the maximal herbicide dose proposed by producer to be used in practice. The application of herbicides included nine treatments: cycloxydim+mesotrione, cycloxydim+tembotrione, only cycloxydim, all at different rates, and untreated control. Grain yield was significantly higher in all treatments than in the control, and also in 2010 than in 2011. The most effective against weeds and yield productive were combinations of cycloxydim and tembotrione.

The objective of this study was to determine the changes in weed infestation of maize caused by crop sequence. The trial encompassed two types of the crop sequence: maize-soybean-wheat-maize (CS I) and maize-wheat-soybean-maize (CS II). The number of weed species as well as weed fresh biomass decreased, in the CS I, while the number of plants per weed species increased. On the other hand, in the CS II, the number of weed species and the number of plants per weed species increased, while weed fresh biomass insignificantly decreased. Crop sequencing in the crop sequence I (CS I) contributed, to greater extent, to the reduction of maize weed infestation than in the crop sequence II (CS II).

Rhizosphere microorganisms are essential for plant growth and development. Many factors, including environmental conditions, genotype, seed inoculation with plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and plant growth stages, influence rhizosphere microbiology. In this study, the dynamics of nitrogen and microbiological soil status at different growth stages of two maize hybrids, as well as their grain yield were analyzed, under the influence of seed inoculation with inoculant containing Azotobacter chroococum, Azotobacter vinelandii, Bacillus megaterium, and Bacillus licheniformis on during three experimental years. Higher nitrogen amount (NA), total number of microorganisms (TNM), number of azotobacters (NAZ), number of aminoheterotrophs (NAM), total number of sporogenic bacteria (NS), number of actinomycetes (NAC), number of oligotrophic (NO) and grain yield, as well as lower number of fungi (NF) were obtained under favorable environmental conditions. The hybrid NS 6010 had highe...

Weed control in sunflower is a necessary practice in cropping, because the weed infestation level directly affects the intensity of competitive relationships between crops and weeds. Suppression of some annual and invasive weeds is difficult due to deficiency of an effective herbicides and the lack of the effects of applied herbicides in years with dry springs, such was in 2009. The two-year study dealt with observed effects of applied herbicides on weeds in different stages of sunflower growth. The intensity of weed infestation of sunflower, expressed through the number of weed species, number of plants per weed species and weeds fresh biomass, was always lower on the treated area and different at particular crop developmental stages. This affects the sunflower plant height, which was higher on the average in variants with the herbicide applications (70.4 cm) than in variants without the herbicides application (69.5 cm). Weed control in sunflower crops has to carry out with adequat...

Maize with specific traits, such as sweet maize, is widely used in the human diet, especially due to its sweetness and flavor. Tocopherols, subgroup of vitamin E, are biologically active compounds. Herbicides in maize crop are used for weed control in order to create and ensure optimal conditions for the plant growth. The aim of this study was to examine the herbicides effects on the nutritive quality, i.e. tocopherols content in sweet maize kernel. This study included three different sweet maize hybrids (ZP1, ZP2 and ZP3) and two herbicides, belonging to the different groups, applied in the recommended doses. The application of herbicides has shown different reduction in content of tocopherols (α-, β + γ-, δ-) in kernel samples compared to the control (no herbicide application).

This research aimed to determine the effects of different cover crops and application ofbio-fertilizer on dynamic of nitrogen in the soil and sweet maize yield. Also, we evaluated theeffect of fall–winter species (common vetch, field pea, winter oats, fodder kale) and a mixtureof vetch and field pea with oats used as cover crops, as such as dead organic mulch andtraditional variant, without coverage on biomass, chlorophyll and protein content in leaves andgrain of main crop. Biomass production and N uptake by cover crops ranged from 4.25 to 90.20kg ha-1 and from 0.34 to 133.80 kg ha-1 N, respectively, depending on cover crop type. Atharvest soil nitrate content in treatments with cover crops was 50-90% lower than in the control,reducing spring N leaching risk. Residual mineral N significantly increased with application ofmicrobiological fertilizer. The chlorophyll content of the main crop was significantly lower intreatments without cover crops. Consequently, sweet maize yield was t...

The investigation of three wheat varieties (PKB Talas, BG Merkur and PKB Lepoklasa) carried out at experimental field and laboratory of Institute PKB Agroekonomik, during two years 2009 and 2010. Correlations between morphological and production traits of plants number of shoots, number of spikelets per spike, number of grains per spike, 1000 grain weight and grain weight per spike, were studied. Correlations were observed separately for three Institute PKB Agroekonomik varieties. The manner of preparing data for calculating correlations influences obtained correlation values, and these values can differ substantially. Correlations calculated based on aggregated data are higher than those based on all data. Correlations differ for different varieties, which is logical, because each variety has a different genotype and specific genes forming various interactions. Taking into account all three varieties, high and positive correlations were found between: number of grains per spike and...

Plant response to herbicides is one of the most essential points in corn (Zea mays L.) production, especially in inbred lines. Weed abundance is higher in corn lines comparing to hybrids. Insufficient herbicide selectivity in lines crop can be a limiting factor for their application. Weed control today is based on Integrated Weed Management (IWM) approach, i.e. to use all possible methods and measures for weed control and better crop fitness. In this research, sensitivity of one corn inbred line (selection based on previous research) was tested to two sulfonylurea herbicides in treatments with and without foliar fertilizer. Treatments included recommended and double field doses and control (no herbicide), with and without foliar fertilizer. Herbicides and foliar fertilizer were applied as a mixture. In a 3 yr field experiment, herbicides expressed different selectivity to the tested line. The line was further tested in controlled conditions for dose-response analyses in order to determine variations in biomass and biochemical compounds levels. The double dose of foramsulfuron affected fresh matter significantly (p < 0.05) with 90% decrease, compared to control. An experiment in controlled conditions showed increased tolerance to herbicides in treatments with foliar fertilizer -according to higher effective doses (ED10, ED50, and ED90) estimated, indicating higher plant tolerance to herbicides when foliar fertilizer was applied. In corn leaves the highest herbicide dose and foliar fertilizer induced slight reduction of concentrations of free thiol groups, soluble proteins and phytic P (to 14.1%, 9.3% and 9.9%, respectively) and increased phenolics concentration (up to 26.7%) compared to treatment without herbicide application. Obtained results indicate positive effects of foliar fertilizer when it is applied in mixture with herbicides, and foliar fertilizing should be considered as important strategy in obtaining higher yields.

Taking into account the better agro-ecological adaptations developed over time to climate changed conditions, cereal local populations (landraces) represent a valuable plant genetic resources with their perspective reflected in the creation of better quality commercial cereal genotypes. The objectives of this research were to explore: i) the genetic variability of nutritional properties of Macedonian landraces of small grain cereals-wheat, barley, oat, and rye; ii) associations among nutritional properties; iii) strength and weakness of landraces based on nutritional properties profiles. Collecting missions were carried out in 2013 year in different locations of rural areas at the territory of Republic of Macedonia. Ten sub-samples of 100 g seeds were extracted from each of regenerated landrace in order to obtain a well-balanced analytical sample. All samples were analysed for moisture content -MOI (%), protein content -PC (%), fat content -FC (%), crude fibre content -CF (%), wet gluten content -WG (%), and dry gluten content -DG (%). In regard to assessed nutritional properties the most perspective landraces proved to be: Okalesta bela (CF of = 2.62%) of bread wheat; Zimski (WG of = 9.24%), Dabilski nizok (DG of =

After-ripening is a complex enzymatic and biochemical process resulting in the breakage of non-deep physiological dormancy. The experiment was set up to identify the minimum duration of storage after harvest for completion of afterripening in meadow (Festuca pratensis Huds.), tall (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and red fescue (Festuca rubra L.). The seeds were stored under ware-house conditions for 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210 and 240 days after harvest (DAH). After the storage periods, the seeds were tested for germination and the primary root length, shoot length and seedlings biomass were measured. The final counts in all three species amounted to 60-65% germination immediately after harvest, suggesting a medium level of embryonic dormancy. The after-ripening during storage improved the final germination in all three species with decreasing intensity. In meadow fescue, the final germination was significantly improved up to 150 DAH, while the seedling size did not change significantly. In tall and red fescue, after-ripening significantly improved the final germination up to 120 DAH, while the seedling size variables reached maximum values after 150 DAH. The obtained data can serve for the determination of proper storage duration management between harvest and sowing (autumn/spring) of the tested fescue species under agro-ecological conditions of south-eastern Europe.

Fifteen genotypes of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and fifteen genotypes of durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) were evaluated in the multi-environment trial during 2010-11. and 2011-12 vegetation seasons to investigate components of variance, heritability in a broad sense (h2), expected genetic advance (GA), and stability of phytic acid (PA), inorganic phosphorus (Pi), phytic phosphorus (Pp)/Pi relation, yellow pigment (YP), water soluble phenolics (WSPH) and free protein sulfhydryl groups (PSH) content. The field trials were carried out at three locations in Serbia, as randomized complete block design with four replications. The genetic component of variance (?2g) predominated the genotype ? environment interaction (?2ge) component for: Pi in bread wheat (3.0 times higher), Pp/Pi in bread wheat (2.1 times higher) and in durum wheat (1.2 times higher), YP content in bread wheat (2.2 times higher) and in durum wheat (1.7 times higher), and WSPH content in bread wheat (1.4 times ...

Studies on maize growing practices have been performed in the Maize Research Institute, Zemun Polje since its establishment. Numerous studies realised in accordance with contemporary global trends indicated the direction of development of maize growing practices with the aim to use the genetic potential of newly derived hybrids. Although, the genetic potential of the yield of maize hybrids grown in Serbia is 10 to 15 t/hа, the recorded average yields are significantly lower. The experimental trials with the application of standard growing practices conducted during the fifteen growing seasons showed that the maize yield varied from 10.46 to 11.38 t/hа. The obtained results indicated that, for the region of central Serbia, contemporary maize growing systems should include a correctly applied crop rotation with legumes (soybean), conventional tillage with deep autumn ploughing, precisely determined plant density and the time of sowing. Another important factor is the application of fertilisers the content and formulation of which are adjusted to the requirements of the cultivated plant and irrigation tuned to the requirements of crops and climate in terms of norms and frequency of the application.

This study concerned the effect of different intercropping systems (alternating rows and alternating strips) of maize and soybean compared with single cropping, in combination with different fertilisers (biofertiliser, organic fertiliser, and urea) on the potential availability of magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) from grain, through their ratio with phytate (as inhibitor) and β-carotene (as promoter). The higher grain yield and land equivalent ratio obtained under alternating rows + biofertiliser treatment demonstrated the improved ability of crops in close proximity for better utilisation of existing agro-ecological conditions. Alternating rows + organic fertiliser decreased the molar ratios phytate : β-carotene, phytate : Fe, phytate : Mg and phytate : Zn, indicating increased availability of the mineral elements in both crops. However, alternating strips + organic fertiliser contributed mostly to an increase in β-carotene, Mg, Fe and Zn concentrations in soybean. Increased...

The aim of this study was to investigate thirteen maize local landraces from Maize Research Institute (MRIZP) Gene Bank drought tolerant mini-core collection in respect to Fe, Mn and Zn content in grain. In addition, phytate (Phy) and β-carotene contents were determined. According to the results obtained, the highest Fe content was found in grain of LL3, whereas LL1and LL13 were the genotypes with the highest Mn, i.e. Zn content, respectively. However, due to the lowest level of P phy , along with relatively higher level of Fe, Mn and Zn contents in grain, LL2 could be considered as valuable source in further breeding programs for improved mineral nutrient contents, particularly for Fe. Possible availability of investigated mineral elements was determined according to molar ratio between phytate as inhibiting factor and β-carotene as promoting factor for their absorption. Accordingly, genotype LL2, being with the lowest P phy content, and genotype LL3, being with the highest β-carotene content (25.63 μg g -1 ) and the lowest phytate/β-carotene ratio, could be considered as potential sources of favorable genes for further breeding programs for improved nutritional quality, such as enhanced availability of investigated mineral elements.

This paper presents the analysis of results obtained during longterm studies on the response of maize inbred lines to herbicides. Under the agroecological conditions of Zemun Polje the response (reaction of maize inbred lines to herbicides of different classes was investigated. Biological tests were performed and some agronomic, morphological, physiological and biochemical parameters were determined when the response of maize inbred lines to herbicides was estimated. The use of active ingredients of herbicides from triazine, acetanilide, thiocarbamate to new chemical groups (sulfonylurea etc.), have been resulted in changes in weed suppression and susceptibility of inbred lines. Obtained results show that effects of

The level of weed infestation directly affects the intensity of competitive relationship between sunflower crops and weeds. The greatest damage is caused by annual, broad-leaf and invasive weeds, such as Ambrosia artemisiifolia L., Xanthium strumarium L. and Datura stramonium L. Suppression of these weeds is difficult because of deficiency of adequate herbicides and because in years with dry springs, such as in 2009, the use of herbicides gives no results. This two-year study dealt with the observed effects of pre-emergence flurochloridone + s-metolachlor herbicides on the distribution of weeds in different stages of sunflower development. Weed infestation was estimated over the sunflower developmental stages, i.e., in the periods when weeds were removed and when the total fresh and dry biomass of the weed species was determined. Simultaneously, in order to monitor the effects of weeds in dependence on herbicides application and the duration of competition, the sunflower plant height was measured. At the end of the life cycle, the yield and the oil content of the sunflower seeds were established. The total fresh weed biomass changed in dependence on the sunflower developmental stages and was always lower on the herbicide-treated area. This affected the sunflower plant height, yield and the oil content, which were higher, on the average, in the variants with herbicide applications (70.4 cm, 2959.7 kg ha -1 and 42.0%) than in the variants without herbicides application (57.4 cm, 2711.1 kg ha -1 and 40.1%). Weed suppression in the sunflower crop has to be done with adequate herbicides and in due time in order to suppress a significant reduction in morphological and yield parameters.

Mineral fertilisation is one of essential cropping practices that provide optimal plant growth and development. In addition to basic fertilisation, it is possible to fertilise maize during the growing season with different types of fertilisers and their formulation. Leaf fertilisation provides plants fast uptake and utilisation of micro and macroelements, which contributes to better crop condition. The aim of this study was to test effects of two formulations of foliar mineral fertilisers applied at the 5-6 and 10-12 leaf stage, on the leaf area, height and yield of five maize inbred lines. The application of foliar fertilisers affected the increase of the average height and leaf area. Treatments with foliar fertilisers increased maize yields in comparison to control.

The influence of crop rotation and different weed managements on leaf area and maize (Zea mays L.) yield was examined. The trial with split-plot design was set up during seasons of 2009-2011 on experimental field of Maize Research Institute "Zemun Polje", on slightly calcareous chernozem soil type. Experiment involved maize monoculture and two-year rotation of maize and winter wheat (Triticum vulgare L.). Hybrid ZP 677 was sowed during all three years, on maize field, while the wheat variety Takovčanka was sowed in the autumn of 2009 on field with two-year rotation. The different in-treatments were applied in maize crop: a) treatment with isoxaflutole + acetochlor herbicides (750 + 768 g a.i. ha -1 ); b) weed removing by manual cultivating; c) control -without cultivating and herbicides. The leaf area index (LAI) and maize yield were observed. In 2011, when the first rotation of maize and wheat was completed, LAI had the highest values of maize crop in two-year rotation in all in-treatments, what is 0.3 -0.9 m 2 m -2 higher than in monoculture. Besides, the higher maize yield was observed in two-year rotation in all in-treatments, too. It was around 1.1 -2.2 t ha -1 higher in relation to monoculture.

Salataje povrtarska vrsta koja je vrlocenjenau dijetetskoj ishrani, a osetljiva je na zaslanjenje podloge. Salataje gajenatokom proleca i jesenikao pescanakultura. Za razlikuod kontrolnesalate koja je zalivana sa modifikovanim Hoagland-ovim rastvorom, salata kod koje je ispitivan utica] zaslanjenja zalivana je sa mineralnom vodom Sveti Dordeiz Torde, sa izrazito visokim stepenom zaslanjenja. Zaslanjena mineralna voda nije uticala na promenu prinosa salate, kao i sadriaja fosfora, kalijuma, natrijuma, vitamina C, hlorofila i p-karotina, alije dovela do smanjenja sadriaja azota (posebno nitratnog oblika]i povecanjasadriaja magnezijuma, sumpora i hlora, ito ne umanjuje njenu nutritivnu vrednost.

The two herbicides and their combined treatment influenced the change of water input in each of 15 investigated maize inbreds. The water volume (ml) fluctuated between 11 to 110% in shoot and 23 to 275% in root, what introduced the change of free energy (G) from -254.6 to -151.6 KJ in shoot and from -248.0 to -172.3 KJ in root. The difference in free, potential energy between non-and treatment (oΔtreatG) was in shoot from 11.1 to 90.2 KJ and in root from 16.8 to 75.7 KJ. Further, the lower magnitude of oΔtreatG amplitude between root and shoot implicated the tolerance of genotypes to applied herbicides. The energy, spent in biosynthesis of 1mg dry substance was amounted from 75.6 to 16.8 KJ mg-1; the applied herbicide treatments assembled the group of genotypes with lowered necessity of this energy, what has the positive implications in the sense of thermodynamics.

With the changing climatic scenario, reduction in CO2 in atmosphere will be viable solution to reduce air temperature as well as production of temperature sensitive crops. Carbon sequestration is a new area for researchers. It is process by which carbon dioxide is taken out from the Earth's atmosphere and afterward stored into the soils. Most soils of agroecosystems having lower C pool than under natural vegetation cover. Some severely depleted and strongly eroded soils may have lost as much as 75% of the antecedent pool (Lal 2004). Thus, soils of agroecosystems have a C sink capacity which can be filled by sequestration of atmospheric CO2 as SOM and as secondary carbonates. With the increasing carbon content in soil, will leads to enhance chemical, physical and biological properties of soils. In India, lots of organic waste is available in urban as well in rural area. This can help to reduce the cost of cultivation by reducing the dependency on chemical fertilizer such as potassic and phosphate fertilizer those are mostly imported from foreign countries. Many authors have been reported that applications of organic fertilizer with organic sources were significantly improved different soil carbon pools as well as soil quality and soil health (

Agrobiodiversity provides the foundation of all food and feed production. Hence, need of the time is to collect, evaluate and utilize the biodiversity globally available. Indian sub-continent is one of the world's mega centers of crop origins. India possesses 166 species of agri-horticultural crops and 324 species of wild relatives. India is reported to have five grass covers identified. There have been almost nil human interference in terms of selection pressure; hence, the biodiversity is well conserved in these grazing lands. There is need of a system approach to understanding biodiversity that moves significantly beyond taxonomy and species observations. In addition to forage value, many grasses hold the medicinal value. Duplication in the collected germplasm is a serious issue. Hence, molecular tools need to be employed. Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi is maintaining >8500 germplasm of many fodder crops. For thousands of years farmers have been domesticating plant species thereby developing a wide range of crop varieties adapted to specific needs and environmental conditions and their rights have been protected through Indian Plant Variety Protection and Farmer's Right Act. The use of diverse species and varieties by farmers enhances their adaptability and resilience capacity to changing environmental and economic conditions. Farmers in Manipur are conserving the biodiversity of the state by farming around 100 traditional varieties of paddy and rare medicinal plants. Old grasslands are very good place of conservation. Southern India forms the important genetic resource centre for many grass crops which includes cereals, millets, sugarcane, lemon grass, ginger grass etc. farmers in Maharastra are also conserving PGR and maintaining Biodiversity Register of the grassland species under guidance of Samvedana. "Community based conservation" and "peoples' participation" have become part of the conventional rhetoric. Wealth of segregating breeding population also need to be conserved. The grasses or other species in grasslands are growing in highly diverse and harsh condition. These are harbouring genes for tolerance to many abiotic stresses such as light, heat and salinity/alkalinity. Hence, this wide variability, if conserved suitably, can prove to be resource to address climate change issue.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most important staple foods for more than half the world's population and influences the livelihoods and economies of several billion people. Drought stress is the major constraint to rice production and yield stability in rainfed ecosystems. Efforts have been made to identify putative traits, which can confer drought resistance in rice grown under rainfed lowland. However, little progress has been made in incorporating tolerance to abiotic stresses such as drought, since the fundamental mechanisms of drought resistance in rice are poorly understood. Efforts have been made for identifying putative traits encoding different drought resistance traits. The results are being used in marker assisted selection (MAS) for the development of drought resistant varieties. Recent trends in climate change have predicted a further increase in drought intensity, making the development of new drought-tolerant rice cultivars critical to sustain rice production in this ecosystem.