Evaluation of Maize Top Cross Hybrids for Grain Yield and Associated Traits in Three Agro-Ecological Zones in Ghana

When applying municipal sludge according to crop N requirements, the primary aim should be optimizing sludge application rates in order to maximize crop yield and minimize environmental impacts through nitrate leaching. Nitrate leaching and subsequent groundwater contamination is potentially one of the most important factors limiting the long-term viability of sludge application to agricultural soils. This study assessed maize grain yield and potential nitrate leaching from sludge-amended soils, using the SWB-Sci model, based on crop nitrogen requirements and inorganic fertilizer. The following hypotheses were tested using the SWB-Sci model and 20 years of measured weather data for 4 of the 6 South African agro-ecological zones. Under dryland maize cropping, grain yield and nitrate leaching from sludge-amended soils compared to inorganic fertilizer: (1) will remain the same across agro-ecological zones and sites, (2) will not vary across seasons at a specific site, and (3) will not vary across soil textures. Model simulations showed that annual maize grain yield and nitrate leaching varied significantly (P > 0.05) across the four agro-ecological zones, both for sludge-amended and inorganic fertilizer amended soils. The annual maize grain yield and nitrate leaching from sludge-amended soils were 12.6 t∙ha-1 and 32.7 kgNO3-N∙ha−1 compared to 10.2 t∙ha-1 and 43.2 kgNO3-N∙ha−1 for inorganic fertilizer in the super-humid zone. Similarly, maize grain yield and nitrate leaching varied significantly across seasons and soil textures for both sludge and inorganic fertilizer amended soils. However, nitrate losses were lower from sludge-amended soils (2.3–8.2%) compared to inorganic fertilizer (11.1–26.7%) across all zones in South Africa. Therefore, sludge applied according to crop N requirements has a lower environmental impact from nitrate leaching than commercial inorganic fertilizer. Further validation of these findings is recommended, using field studies, and monitoring potential P accumulation for soils that received sludge according to crop N requirements.

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Test cross performance and combining ability of newly introduced quality protein maize (Zea mays) inbred lines for grain yield and agronomic traits evaluated in mid-altitude agro-ecological zones of Ethiopia

South African Journal of Plant and Soil ◽

10.1080/02571862.2018.1537009 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 36 (3) ◽

pp. 173-180

Author(s):

Bitew Tilahun ◽

Girum Azimach ◽

Tolera Keno ◽

Temesgen Chibsa ◽

Belay Garoma ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Zea Mays ◽

Grain Yield ◽

Combining Ability ◽

Agronomic Traits ◽

Inbred Lines ◽

Quality Protein Maize ◽

Ecological Zones ◽

Test Cross ◽

Agro Ecological Zones

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Trait Based Adaptation and Yield Stability Parameters in Little Millet (Panicum sumatrense Roth. ex. Roem. and Schultz.)

International Journal of Plant & Soil Science ◽

10.9734/ijpss/2021/v33i2430770 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 210-221

Author(s):

V. Manimozhi Selvi ◽

A. Nirmalakumari

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Regression Coefficient ◽

Optimum Conditions ◽

Stability Parameters ◽

Ecological Zones ◽

Little Millet ◽

Favourable Environment ◽

The Stability ◽

The Given ◽

Agro Ecological Zones

Twelve accessions of littlemillet genotypes which included 10 germplasm accessions and two released check varieties were studied over five environments of rainy seasons of 2013 for their grain yield and stability. The results have shown that genotypes TNPsu 141 and TNPsu 28 had possessed around unit regression coefficient (b = 1.24 to 0.82), thus displaying average stability and are adaptable to all the above five different agro-ecological zones. Also, these genotypes had non- significant S2di values enabling it to predict the stability. Genotypes TNPsu 17, PM 29, TNPsu 18, and IPmr 886 manifested significantly higher single plant grain yield than the standard check varieties along with regression coefficient values of greater than one expressing above-average stability. These can be performed better in a favourable environment. However, they were classified as unstable due to their significant S2 di values revealing that the performance of the genotypes was unpredictable for the given environment. These genotypes were performed better under optimum conditions. Out of 12 genotypes MS 1826 and MS 4684 had an average response and appeared unpredictable stability. However, among the genotypes studied, TNPsu 141 possessed low yield and perform better in sub -optimum environments which are inferred by less than unit regression.

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YIELD PERFORMANCE AND ADAPTATION OF DESI CHICK PEA VARIETIES IN SELECTED DISTRICTS OF WOLAYTA AND HADIYA ZONES OF SOUTH ETHIOPIA

International Journal of Research -GRANTHAALAYAH ◽

10.29121/granthaalayah.v4.i3.2016.2783 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

pp. 33-41

Author(s):

Yasin Goa ◽

Mathewos Ashamo

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Seed Weight ◽

Block Design ◽

Chick Pea ◽

Ecological Zones ◽

South Ethiopia ◽

Randomized Complete Block Design ◽

Days To Maturity ◽

On Farm ◽

Agro Ecological Zones

The experiments were conducted on station and on farm in three districts of Wolayta and Hadiya Zones, south region, Ethiopia, to evaluate the adaptation and yield, assess farmer’s preferences of desi chick pea varieties to this agro ecological Zones during 2004/05 Meher Season. Data on plant height, hundred seed weight, pod per plant, days to flowering, days to maturity and grain yield were recorded. Five released varieties namely worku, Akaki, Mariye, Dubie, Dz-10-11 and local checks of respective locations were planted on 4.8m2 plots at spacing of 30cm*10cm. The trials were laid in randomized complete block design with three replications. Twelve farmers from three districts at four villages’ three farmers at each village were participated in conducting on farm trials with each farmer as a replicate. There were significant differences among varieties for grain yield and some of traits. The varieties Akaki and worku were superior yielded overall to the standard and local check across villages ’and on stations. Thus, Akaki and worku out yielded other varieties and had average yields of 1440.95 kg/ha and 1434.75kg/ha at on station and similar trends on farm. The combined statistical analysis and farmers assessments revealed Akaki and worku out yielding other varieties which were also selected by farmers and researchers as the most preferred varieties’. It is therefore recommended that worku and Akaki which had higher yields be promoted for cultivation in the selected districts of south Ethiopia.

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Evaluation of Drought Tolerant Top Cross and Three-Way Cross Maize Hybrids for Grain Yield and Related Traits in Three Agro-Ecological Zones of Southwest Nigeria

Notulae Scientia Biologicae ◽

10.15835/nsb11310338 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 414-421

Author(s):

Lawrence FAYEUN ◽

Sayo SESAY

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Block Design ◽

Maize Hybrids ◽

Ecological Zones ◽

Drought Tolerant ◽

Maize Varieties ◽

Different Types ◽

Southwest Nigeria ◽

Hybrid Maize ◽

Agro Ecological Zones

Superiority of hybrid maize cannot be overemphasized. Different types of hybrids are developed by plant breeders to improve productivity and multi-locational evaluation of these hybrids prior to release is necessary to select the best. The objectives of this study were to identify maize hybrids with superior agronomic potentials and compare the performance of top-cross and three-way cross hybrid maize varieties for grain yield and related traits under rain-fed condition in three different locations (Abeokuta, Ibadan and Akure) of Southwest Nigeria. The study consisted of ten hybrids each of top-cross and three-way cross hybrid varieties, tested with two checks. At each location, the experiment was laid out in randomised complete block design with three replications. The results showed that effects of locations, genotypes and genotype x location interactions were highly significant (p<0.01) for all the traits evaluated. Significant differences were also revealed between the top-cross and three-way cross hybrids for all the traits evaluated except days to 50% tasseling, ear diameter and 100-grain weight. The top-cross hybrids were superior over the three-way cross hybrids for grain yield by 5.25%. The hybrids ‘M0926-7’, ‘M0926-8’, ‘M1026-11’, ‘M1026-3’, ‘M1226-2’ (top-cross hybrids), ‘M1124-24’, ‘M1124-27’, ‘M1124-31’, ‘M1227-6’ and ‘M1227-7’ (three-way cross hybrids) showed highest stable yields across the three locations. Hybrids ‘M0926-7’ (top-cross hybrid) and ‘M1124-24’ (three-way cross hybrid) that expressed early flowering with higher grain yield are recommended for drought stress prone areas because of their abilities to tolerate drought through escape.

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Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers Induced Yield Increment of Two Pearl Millet Varieties in Sudanian and Sahelian Agro-ecological Zones in Mali

Journal of Agricultural Studies ◽

10.5296/jas.v6i3.13646 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (4) ◽

pp. 158

Author(s):

Halimatou Aboubacar Toure ◽

Kalifa Traore ◽

Idriss Serme ◽

Korodjouma Ouattara

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Pearl Millet ◽

Agricultural Research ◽

Block Design ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Research Station ◽

Yield Gap ◽

Ecological Zones ◽

Local Variety ◽

Agro Ecological Zones

Soil fertility is inherently low in sub Saharan Africa. The objective of this study was therefore to determine millet yield for two varieties in each zone using organic and inorganic fertiliser in two agro-ecological zones in Mali. A two-year experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Station of Sotuba and Cinzana in 2013 and 2014. A combination of two pearl millet varieties and four fertilizer treatments were used. The fertilizers treatments used were: T1 Control (no application); T2 MANURE of 23:10:17 (5000 kg/ha); T3 NPK of 15: 15: 15 (50 kg/ha) and T4 combination of NPK + MANURE. The experiments were conducted in a randomised complete block design (RCBD) with four replications in a plot size of 10 m x 4.2 m. The varieties evaluated at Sotuba station were Sanioni, an improved local variety and Cho, a local variety while at Cinzana station Sosat, an improved variety form IER /ICRISAT and IBV8001, and an improved variety from ICRISAT were used. At Sotuba high grain with NPK+MANURE (1948 kg ha-1) followed by NPK (1281 kg ha-1), MANURE (1130 kg ha-1)and the Control (813 kg ha-1). In 2014, the grain yield NPK+MANURE) was 1602 kg ha-1, followed by NPK (1502 kg ha-1), MANURE (1466 kg ha-1) and the control (1440 kg ha-1). The grain yield gap for the Control treatment in 2013 (813 kg ha-1) and in 2014 (1440 kg ha1) was high compared to the NPK+MANURE, MANURE and NPK treatment grain yield gap for the same years. In Cinzana In 2013, higher grain yield with the treatments of NPK+MANURE, (1440 kgha-1)> NPK (1429 kg ha-1)> MANURE (1416 kg ha-1)>Control (1276 kg ha-1) were observed . In 2014, the highest grain yield with NPK+MANURE (1915 kg ha-1) followed by NPK (1561 kg ha-1), MANURE (1523 kg ha-1 1) and Control (1121 kg ha-1). The grain yield gap for the combined NPK+MANURE treatment in 2103 (1440 kg ha-1) and in 2014 (1915 kg ha1) was high compared to the others for the fertilizer grain yield gap for both years.

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Effects of Planting Distance on Yield and Agro-morphological Characteristics of Local Rice (Bara Variety) in Northeast Afghanistan

Current Agriculture Research Journal ◽

10.12944/carj.7.3.11 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 350-357

Author(s):

Gulaqa Anwari ◽

Abdourazak Alio Moussa ◽

Abdul Bashir Wahidi ◽

Ajmal Mandozai ◽

Jamal Nasar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Lower Cost ◽

Block Design ◽

Morphological Characteristics ◽

Treatment Results ◽

Ecological Zones ◽

Agricultural Faculty ◽

Four Levels ◽

Planting Distance ◽

Agro Ecological Zones

To evaluate the effect of planting distance on yield and agro-morphological characteristics of Bara variety (local variety of rice), a field experiment was carried out at the experimental station of the Agricultural Faculty of Kunduz University in 2016. Randomized Completely Block Design (RCBD) with four replications was used in the experiment. Transplanting distances with four levels viz. 10x10 cm, 15x15 cm, 20x20 cm, and 25 x 25 cm were used as treatment. Results showed that planting distance had significant effects on tillers number, leaf color, non-filled grain, total grain, and 1000 grains weight. In contrary, no significant effects on plant height, panicle length, number of filled grain per panicle and grain yield were observed between spacing. The spacing of 25 x 25 cm had produced the highest performance for most of the agro-morphological traits evaluated. Grain yield was found similar in all spacing but other yield components like total number of tillers (16.63) and total grain per panicle (119.43) were found statistically superior in 25 x 25 cm planting distance. Overall, the results of this study revealed that the planting distance of 25 x 25 cm seemed to be the best as requires lower seed and fertilizer (lower cost) and can, therefore, be suggested to the farmers for a better valorization of Bara variety in northeastern Afghanistan. Similar investigations are strongly recommended in other agro-ecological zones of the country where Bara variety is largely grown to confirm these findings.

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