scholarly journals Mitigating Striga hermonthica parasitism and damage in maize using soybean rotation, nitrogen application, and Striga-resistant varieties in the Nigerian savannas

2020 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 620-632
Author(s):  
Alpha Y. Kamara ◽  
Abebe Menkir ◽  
David Chikoye ◽  
Abdullahi I. Tofa ◽  
Aminu A. Fagge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Integrated Management ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Striga Hermonthica ◽  
Nitrogen Application ◽  
N Application ◽  
Resistant Varieties ◽  
Moisture Deficit ◽  
Maize Varieties ◽  
Control Technologies ◽  
On Farm

AbstractStriga hermonthica infestation causes significant losses of maize yield in the Nigerian savannas and several technologies have been developed and promoted to control Striga in maize. However, since no single technology has been found to be effective against Striga, integrated management is needed to achieve satisfactory and sustainable Striga control. Both on-station and on-farm trials were undertaken from 2013 to 2015 in Bauchi and Kano States of Nigeria to evaluate the performance of integrated Striga control technologies. In the on-station trials, a soybean–maize rotation did not suppress Striga in maize in either location. However, nitrogen application suppressed and reduced Striga infection, except in Bauchi in 2014. The soybean–maize rotation accompanied by N application reduced Striga damage in both locations. On farmers’ fields, rotating soybean with maize significantly reduced Striga infection. At the same time, the use of maize varieties with a combined tolerance to drought and resistance to Striga parasitism also increased maize grain yield on farmers’ fields, probably due to three factors: a reduction in Striga infection, reduced effects of a mid-season moisture deficit, and increased uptake of nutrients from the soil. We concluded that the use of Striga-resistant maize varieties in combination with the application of N fertilizer and rotation with soybean could increase the productivity of maize in Striga-infested fields in the Nigerian savannas.

scholarly journals Simulating the Response of Drought–Tolerant Maize Varieties to Nitrogen Application in Contrasting Environments in the Nigeria Savannas Using the APSIM Model

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 76
Author(s):  
Aloysius Beah ◽  
Alpha Y. Kamara ◽  
Jibrin M. Jibrin ◽  
Folorunso M. Akinseye ◽  
Abdullahi I. Tofa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Net Income ◽  
Nitrogen Application ◽  
N Application ◽  
Area Index ◽  
Support Tool ◽  
Maize Varieties

This paper assessed the application of the Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator (APSIM)–maize module as a decision support tool for optimizing nitrogen application to determine yield and net return of maize production under current agricultural practices in the Nigeria savannas. The model was calibrated for two maize varieties using data from field experiments conducted under optimum conditions in three locations during the 2017 and 2018 cropping seasons. The model was evaluated using an independent dataset from an experiment conducted under different nitrogen (N) levels in two locations within Southern and Northern Guinea savannas. The results show that model accurately predicted days to 50% anthesis and physiological maturity, leaf area index (LAI), grain yield and total dry matter (TDM) of both varieties with low RMSE and RMSEn (%) values within the range of acceptable statistics indices. Based on 31-year seasonal simulation, optimum mean grain yield of 3941 kg ha−1 for Abuja, and 4549 for Kano was simulated at N rate of 120 kg ha–1 for the early maturing variety 2009EVDT. Meanwhile in Zaria, optimum mean yield of 4173 kg ha–1 was simulated at N rate of 90 kg ha−1. For the intermediate maturing variety, IWDC2SYNF2 mean optimum yields of 5152, 5462, and 4849 kg ha−1, were simulated at N application of 120 kg ha−1 for all the locations. The probability of exceeding attainable mean grain yield of 3000 and 4000 kg ha−1 for 2009EVDT and IWDC2SYNF2, respectively would be expected in 95% of the years with application of 90 kg N ha−1 across the three sites. Following the profitability scenarios analysis, the realistic net incomes of US$ 536 ha–1 for Abuja, and US$ 657 ha−1 for Zaria were estimated at N rate of 90 kg ha−1 and at Kano site, realistic net income of US$ 720 ha–1was estimated at N rate of 120 kg ha−1 for 2009EVDT.For IWDC2SYNF2, realistic net incomes of US$ 870, 974, and 818 ha−1 were estimated at N application of 120 kg ha−1 for Abuja, Zaria, and Kano respectively. The result of this study suggests that 90 kg N ha−1 can be recommended for 2009EVDT and 120 kg N ha–1 for IWDC2SYNF2 in Abuja and Zaria while in Kano, 120 kg N ha−1 should be applied to both varieties to attain optimum yield and profit.

EVALUATION OF EXPERIMENTAL VARIETIES FROM RECURRENT SELECTION FOR STRIGA RESISTANCE IN TWO EXTRA-EARLY MAIZE POPULATIONS IN THE SAVANNAS OF WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA

2007 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. BADU-APRAKU ◽  
M. A. B. FAKOREDE ◽  
A. FONTEM LUM
Keyword(s):  
Recurrent Selection ◽  
Random Mating ◽  
Central Africa ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Striga Hermonthica ◽  
Yield Potential ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Maize Germplasm ◽  
Resistant Varieties ◽  
Maize Varieties

A breeding programme for resistance to Striga hermonthica in maize (Zea mays) was initiated in Côte d'Ivoire in 1994. Two extra-early populations, white (TZEE-W Pop STR) and yellow (TZEE-Y Pop STR), were formed from diallel crosses of the best adapted extra-early maturing maize germplasm in the West and Central African subregion. In an effort to improve the populations for Striga resistance, TZEE-W Pop was crossed to inbred 1368 STR (Tzi 3 STR), and TZEE-Y Pop to 9450 STR (Tzi 25 STR). The resulting F1 populations were carried through two backcross (BC) generations. S1 lines were developed from the BC2 and subjected to two cycles of random mating to generate TZEE-W Pop STR C0 and TZEE-Y Pop STR C0. These two populations were subjected to three cycles of S1 recurrent selection under artificial Striga infestation and several experimental varieties were extracted from the different cycles of the selection programme. The original populations (C0), improved populations, and experimental varieties were evaluated in two experiments under Striga-infested and Striga-free conditions. The primary objective was to determine the effectiveness of S1 recurrent selection in developing Striga-resistant extra-early maize varieties. Results of the performance tests showed that the populations were good sources of Striga-resistant varieties with high-yield potential under both Striga-infested and Striga-free conditions. The results have also confirmed the effectiveness of inbreeding, selection and hybridization, as well as the backcross breeding methods, as tools for the development of extra-early populations, synthetic varieties and inbred lines.

scholarly journals Optimization of Nitrogen Fertilizer Application with Climate-Smart Agriculture in the North China Plain

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (23) ◽  
pp. 3415
Author(s):  
Jinsai Chen ◽  
Guangshuai Wang ◽  
Abdoul Kader Mounkaila Hamani ◽  
Abubakar Sunusi Amin ◽  
Weihao Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Use Efficiency ◽  
Nitrogen Fertilizer ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
N2o Emissions ◽  
Nitrogen Application ◽  
Residual Concentration ◽  
Nitrogen Use ◽  
N Application ◽  
Use Efficiency

Long−term excessive nitrogen fertilizer input has resulted in several environmental problems, including an increase in N2O emissions and the aggravation of nitrate leaching; monitoring nitrogen fertilizer is crucial for maize with high yield. This study aimed to optimize the amount of nitrogen applied to maize by Climate−Smart Agriculture (CSA) so as to continuously improve agricultural productivity and reduce or eliminate N2O emissions as much as possible. Field experiments with a completely randomized design were conducted to examine the effects of six nitrogen treatments (N application levels of 0, 120, 180, 240, 300, 360 kg·ha−1, respectively) on N2O emissions, residual concentration of nitrate and ammonium nitrogen, maize yield, and nitrogen utilization efficiency in 2018 and 2019. The results indicated that the residual concentration of nitrate nitrogen (NO3-−N) in the two seasons significantly increased; N2O emissions significantly increased, and the nitrogen fertilizer agronomic efficiency and partial productivity of maize fell dramatically as the nitrogen application rate increased. The maize grain yield rose when the N application amount was raised (N application amount <300 kg·ha−1) but decreased when the N application amount > 300 kg·ha−1. An increase in the nitrogen application rate can decrease nitrogen use efficiency, increase soil NO3-−N residual, and N2O emissions. Reasonable nitrogen application can increase maize yield and reduce N2O emissions and be conducive to improving nitrogen use efficiency. By considering summer maize yield, nitrogen use efficiency, and farmland ecological environment, 173.94~178.34 kg N kg·ha−1 could be utilized as the nitrogen threshold for summer maize in the North China Plain.

scholarly journals Nitrogen fertilizer management strategy for oil palm-maize intercropping system in the semi-deciduous forest zone of Ghana

2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-86
Author(s):  
I. Danso ◽  
E. Larbi ◽  
E. Andoh-Menash ◽  
P. F. Ribeiro ◽  
I.K. Adjarko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Fertilizer ◽  
Oil Palm ◽  
Aboveground Biomass ◽  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Nitrogen Application ◽  
Forest Zone ◽  
Maize Varieties ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

  In an attempt to increase yield of maize in oil palm-maize intercropping system, farmers resort to indiscriminate cutting of fronds of palms leading to low yield of oil palm. This study evaluated the impact of different N fertilizer levels on maize varieties in oil palm-maize intercropping system. The economics of nitrogen application was also studied. The treatments were: T1-Sole oil palm, T2-Oil palm+‘Omankwa’, T3-Oil palm+‘Abelehi’ and T4-Oil palm+ ‘Obatanpa’. The crop associations were superimposed with nitrogen fertilizer levels as sub-treatments at N0- N0:P0:K0, N1-N60:P60:K60, and N2-N120:P60:K60 per ha. The experiment was a split plot design with 4 replications. There was no significant difference (p< 0.05) between maize varieties across seasons for both maize yield and aboveground biomass though ‘Omankwa’ was promising across seasons and more responsive to nitrogen application. Across the three maize varieties, N60P60K60 was significantly higher (p<0.05) by 40% and 17% for maize yield and aboveground biomass respectively as compared to N0:P0:K0. The study recommends N60P60P60 fertilizer level and further states that to improve fertilizer adoption, government should subsidize fertilizer cost for farmers to purchase. The outcome of cost benefit analysis revealed that return per cash invested favored cropping system with N60:P60:K60 and season with less water stress.

CARBON (13C) AND NITROGEN (15N) TRANSLOCATION IN A MAIZE-STRIGA HERMONTHICA ASSOCIATION

2005 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 321-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
GODWIN K. S. AFLAKPUI ◽  
P. J. GREGORY ◽  
R. J. FROUD-WILLIAMS
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Striga Hermonthica ◽  
Nitrogen Application ◽  
N Application ◽  
Growing Medium ◽  
C And N ◽  
Maize Plants ◽  
Glasshouse Experiment ◽  
Sampling Times

The translocation of C and N in a maize-Striga hermonthica association was investigated at three rates of nitrogen application in a glasshouse experiment. The objectives were to measure the transfer of C and N from maize to S. hermonthica and to determine whether the amount of N in the growing medium affected the proportions of C and N transferred. Young plants of maize were labelled in a 13CO2 atmosphere and leaf tips were immersed in (15NH4)2SO4 solution. The Striga×N interaction was not significant for any of the responses measured. Total dry matter for infected maize was significantly smaller than for uninfected maize from 43 to 99 days after planting, but N application increased total dry matter at all sampling times. Infected maize plants partitioned 39–45% of their total dry matter to the roots compared with 28–31% for uninfected maize. Dry matter of S. hermonthica was not affected by the rate of N applied. S. hermonthica derived 100% of its carbon from maize before emergence, decreasing to 22–59% thereafter; the corresponding values for nitrogen were up to 59% pre-emergence and up to 100% after emergence. The relative proportions of nitrogen depleted from the host (up to 10%) were greater than those of carbon (maximum 1.2%) at all times of sampling after emergence of the parasite. The results show that the parasite was more dependent on the host for nitrogen than for carbon.

scholarly journals Optimizing Nitrogen Application for Growth and Productivity of Pomegranates

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 366
Author(s):  
Silit Lazare ◽  
Yang Lyu ◽  
Uri Yermiyahu ◽  
Yehuda Heler ◽  
Alon Ben-Gal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
N Uptake ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Field Conditions ◽  
Nitrogen Application ◽  
N Application ◽  
Environmentally Responsible ◽  
Irrigation Solution ◽  
Vegetative Indices ◽  
Leaf N ◽  
Usage Efficiency

Quantification of actual plant consumption of nitrogen (N) is necessary to optimize fertilization efficiency and minimize contamination of earth resources. We examined the performance of fruit-bearing pomegranate trees grown in soilless media and exposed to eight N-fertigation treatments, from 5 to 200 mg N L−1. Reproductive and vegetative indices were found to be optimal when 20 to 70 mg N L−1 was supplied. Nitrogen application levels over 70 mg L−1 reduced pomegranate development and reproduction. N uptake in low-level treatments was almost 100% and decreased gradually, down to 13% in 200 mg N L−1 treatment. N usage efficiency was maximized under 20 mg N L−1, in which case 80% to 90% of added N was taken up by the trees. At high N application, its efficiency was reduced with less than 50% utilized by the trees. Leaf N increased to a plateau as a function of increasing irrigation solution N, maximizing at ~15 to 20 mg N g−1. Therefore, analysis of diagnostic leaves is not a valid method to identify excessive detrimental N. The results should be valuable in the development of efficient, sustainable, environmentally responsible protocols for N fertilization in commercial pomegranate orchards, following adaptation and validation to real soil field conditions.

scholarly journals Nitrogen Application and Leaf Harvesting Improves Yield and Nutritional Quality of Beetroot

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 337-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salfina S. Mampa ◽  
Martin M. Maboko ◽  
Puffy Soundy ◽  
Dharini Sivakumar
Keyword(s):  
Block Design ◽  
Root Diameter ◽  
Total Protein Content ◽  
Root Weight ◽  
Nitrogen Application ◽  
Root Yield ◽  
N Application ◽  
Leaf Yield ◽  
Leaf Harvest

Beetroot (Beta vulgaris), commonly known as table beet, is used as a staple in the diet of many people through the consumption of the entire plant, leaf, and the root. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of nitrogen (N) application and leaf harvest percentage on the yield and quality of roots and leaves of beetroot. The treatment design was a randomized complete block design with five levels of N (0, 60, 90, 120, and 150 kg·ha−1) combined with three leaf harvest percentages (0, 30, and 50) and replicated three times. The first leaf harvest was initiated 35 days after transplanting (DAT) by removing the outer matured leaves and the second harvest occurred 80 DAT by removing all the leaves. The results showed increases in leaf and root yield with an increase in N application. Nitrogen application at 90 and 120 kg·ha−1 increased fresh leaf weight, leaf number, and fresh and dry root weight, including root diameter and length with the exception of leaf area which was significantly higher at 120 kg·ha−1 N. Magnesium and iron leaf content, and N root content were significantly improved by the application of 120 kg·ha−1 N. Leaf harvest percentage did not have a significant effect on leaf yield or leaf and root mineral content. However, dry root weight was significantly reduced by the 50% leaf harvest. Leaf harvest at 30% or 50% increased total protein content of the roots of beetroot, whereas an increase in N application decreased concentration of total proteins. Results demonstrate that leaf and root yield, as well as magnesium, zinc, and iron leaf content, increased with the application of 120 kg·ha−1 N, whereas 30% leaf harvest did not negatively affect root yield.

scholarly journals Yield performance of upland rice cultivars at different rates and times of nitrogen application

2012 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 475-483 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Hildernando Bezerra Barreto ◽  
Ismail Soares ◽  
José Almeida Pereira ◽  
Antonio Marcos Esmeraldo Bezerra ◽  
José Aridiano Lima de Deus
Keyword(s):  
Upland Rice ◽  
Oryza Sativa L ◽  
Block Design ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Rice Cultivars ◽  
Nitrogen Application ◽  
N Application ◽  
Yield Performance ◽  
Randomized Block Design ◽  
N Rates

Nitrogen is the most important nutrient for rice (Oryza sativa L) yields. This study aimed to evaluate the response of upland rice cultivars to N rate and application times in a randomized block design, in subdivided plots with four replications. The studied factors were five rice cultivars (BRS MG Curinga, BRS Monarca, BRS Pepita, BRS Primavera, and BRS Sertaneja), three application times (100 % at planting, 50 % at planting - 50 % at tillering and 100 % at tillering) and four N rates (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg ha-1). All cultivars responded to increased rates and different times of N application, especially BRS Primavera and BRS Sertaneja, which were the most productive when 50 % N rates were applied at sowing and 50 % at tillering. The response of cultivar BRS Monarca to N fertilization was best when 100 % of the fertilizer was applied at tillering.

scholarly journals Genetic Approaches to Enhance Multiple Stress Tolerance in Maize

Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 1760
Author(s):  
Nenad Malenica ◽  
Jasenka Antunović Dunić ◽  
Lovro Vukadinović ◽  
Vera Cesar ◽  
Domagoj Šimić
Keyword(s):  
Stress Tolerance ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Association Studies ◽  
Metal Exposure ◽  
Genome Wide Association Studies ◽  
Haploid Induction ◽  
Multiple Stress ◽  
Resistant Varieties ◽  
Maize Varieties ◽  
Multiple Stress Tolerance

The multiple-stress effects on plant physiology and gene expression are being intensively studied lately, primarily in model plants such as Arabidopsis, where the effects of six stressors have simultaneously been documented. In maize, double and triple stress responses are obtaining more attention, such as simultaneous drought and heat or heavy metal exposure, or drought in combination with insect and fungal infestation. To keep up with these challenges, maize natural variation and genetic engineering are exploited. On one hand, quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with multiple-stress tolerance are being identified by molecular breeding and genome-wide association studies (GWAS), which then could be utilized for future breeding programs of more resilient maize varieties. On the other hand, transgenic approaches in maize have already resulted in the creation of many commercial double or triple stress resistant varieties, predominantly weed-tolerant/insect-resistant and, additionally, also drought-resistant varieties. It is expected that first generation gene-editing techniques, as well as recently developed base and prime editing applications, in combination with the routine haploid induction in maize, will pave the way to pyramiding more stress tolerant alleles in elite lines/varieties on time.

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