Evaluation of DSSAT model to predict sorghum yields under Conservation Agriculture in the Pandamatenga vertisols of Northern Botswana

This study was conducted at Pandamatenga of Chobe District in northern Botswana. The main aim of the study was to evaluate the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) model in the prediction of sorghum yields under Conservation Agriculture (CA) technologies. A field experiment was conducted at the Pandamatenga Agricultural Research station during the 2015-2017 growing seasons. A randomized complete block design was used for the on-station field experimentation. The design had trial plots with four treatments, namely No Tillage (NT), No Tillage + Mulch (NT+M), Minimum Tillage (MT), and Broad Bed and Furrow (BBF), with four replicates rotated between sorghum cowpea. Sorghum grain yield results were analyzed using the Statistical Analysis Software (SAS version 9.2). Analysis of variance and means were separated using Duncan’s multiple range test at 5% confidence level. The DSSAT model was evaluated using the experimental data and weather data for the growing periods. The model was further used to test these CA technologies in terms of sorghum grain yield in the future. The DSSAT crop model provided reasonable predictions of sorghum grain yield under NT, MT, NT+M, and BBF on vertisols of Pandamatenga. The model furthermore predicted that sustained NT+M practice by smallholder rainfed farmers in Pandamatenga would increase sorghum grain yield production in the future.

Download Full-text

ESTIMATION OF SOME GENETIC PRAMETERS IN DURUM WHEAT

IRAQI JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES ◽

10.36103/ijas.v48i2.431 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 48 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Almajidy & et al.

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Durum Wheat ◽

Harvest Index ◽

Agricultural Research ◽

Block Design ◽

Selection Index ◽

Research Station ◽

Genetic Progress ◽

Environmental Variance ◽

High Heritability

To estimate genetic parameters and heritability in durum wheat (Triticum turgidum var. durum) genotypes, seventeen genotypes (16 exotic from ICARDA and local variety (Buhooth 7)) were included in this study. This experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design with three replications at Field Crops Research Station, Abu-Graib, Office of Agricultural Research, during 2011-2012 and 2012-2013. The results revealed significant differences among genotypes for the studied characters at both seasons. The best genetic/environmental variance ratio attained for spike length (11.90) and no. of spikes. m-2 (9.22) in the first season, and grain yield (8.82) then harvest index (4.87) in the second season. High GCV observed for grain yield (15.68), no. of spikes. m-2 (15.18) in the first season, and harvest index (16.89) and grain yield (14.22) in the second season. High heritability estimates associated with high genetic advance for no. of spikes. m-2, in the first season. While, moderate h2bs estimates associated with high GA for same trait in the second season. Expected response to selection ranged from 0.93 to 84.6, also selection index ranged from 1.23 to 106.44 for grain yield and number of spikes. m-2, respectively in the first season also the same pattern was observed for value of second season. Characteristics like no. of spikes. m-2, plant height, no. of grains. Spike-1 and grain weight showed high heritability coupled with high genetic progress. Therefore, these characters should be given top priority during selection breeding in durum wheat.

Download Full-text

Management of Pod fly, Melanagromyza obtusa on Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.)

Agricultural Science Digest - A Research Journal ◽

10.18805/ag.d-5042 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

M. Sreekanth ◽

M. Seshamahalakshmi ◽

M. V. Ramana

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Agricultural Research ◽

Block Design ◽

Cost Benefit ◽

Field Studies ◽

Research Station ◽

Benefit Ratio ◽

Grain Damage ◽

Cost Benefit Ratio

Background: Pod fly, Melanagromyza obtusa is one of the most obnoxious pest causing grain damage ranging from 10-80% with a monitory loss of US$ 256 million annually. Being an internal feeder, infested pods do not show any external symptoms of damage until the fully grown maggots chew the pod wall, leaving a thin papery membrane intact called as window, through which adults exit from the pod. Several field studies were conducted to determine the efficacy of insecticides for the control of pod fly. However, these findings did not find acceptability and led to partial success. Insecticides that should leave lesser residues and pose lesser environmental threat have become imperative. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of certain new insecticide molecules against pod fly in pigeonpea ecosystem. Methods: Two field experiments were conducted at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Lam, Guntur during Kharif, 2012 and 2013 in a randomized block design (RBD) using pigeonpea cv. ICPL 85063 (Lakshmi) with 17 treatments including untreated control and 3 replications. Two sprays were given at 10 days interval starting from pod initiation stage. At maturity, number of pods showing pod fly damage were recorded and expressed as percentage. Grain yield was recorded and cost–benefit ratio was worked out. Result: Among different insecticides, thiacloprid 21.7 SC, followed by diafenthiuron 50 WP, flubendiamide 480 SC and dimethoate 30 EC were very effective against pod fly with more grain yield and registered highest incremental cost benefit ratio (ICBR). It was further suggested that effective insecticides may be alternated in order to avoid development of resistance to pod fly in pigeonpea.

Download Full-text

Effect of conservation agriculture on grain yield and income of maize under maize based cropping system in far western Nepal

Agricultural Science and Technology ◽

10.15547/10.15547/ast.2018.04.060 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 320-332

Author(s):

H.K. Prasai ◽

S.K. Sah ◽

A.K. Gautam ◽

A.P. Regmi

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Agricultural Research ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Cropping System ◽

Conservation Agriculture ◽

Research Field ◽

Research Station ◽

Net Benefit ◽

Maize Varieties ◽

Hybrid Maize

Abstract. The adoption of Conservation agriculture (CA) contributes to sustainable production and its advantages include lower inputs and stable yields. This study was conducted in the research field of Regional Agricultural Research Station, Bhagetada, Dipayal, Doti during 2014 and 2015 to identify the effect of CA on grain yield and income of maize in Maize based cropping system. Both conservation and conventional agricultural (ConvA) practices were evaluated on two maize based cropping systems namely maize-wheat-mungbean (M-W-MB) and maize-lentil-mungbean (M-L-MB). For this purpose two maize varieties namely Raj Kumar and Arun-2 were used. The average productivity of maize under M-L-MB cropping system was 1.6% higher (5.75 t/ha) than M-W-MB cropping system (5.66 t/ha). The average grain yield of maize under CA was 16.7% higher (6.15 t/ha) than ConvA (5.27 t/ha). Rajkumar produced 43% higher average grain yield (6.73 t/ha) than Arun-2 variety (4.69 t/ha). The average net benefit was slightly higher (US$ 597.33/ha) under M-L-MB cropping system than M-W-MB cropping system (US$ 573.89/ha). Similarly, the average net benefit from CA was 102% higher (US$ 783.67/ha) than ConvA (US$ 386.79/ha). Rajkumar variety gave 127% higher average net benefit (US$ 813.49/ha) than Arun-2 (US$ 357.81/ha). The average benefit - cost (B:C) ratio of M-L-MB cropping system was slightly higher (1.72) than the average B:C ratio of M-W-MB cropping system (1.70). The average B:C ratio of CA was 42% higher (2.01) than ConvA (1.41). The average B:C ratio of Rajkumar variety was found 33% higher (1.95) than Arun-2 (1.46). The higher grain yield, net profit and B:C ratio were found in CA practices under M-L-MB cropping system and Rajkumar variety. This study suggests that hybrid maize planting and the adoption of M-L-MB cropping system should be used to increase grain yield and economic performance under CA practices.

Download Full-text

Calibration and Validation of the DSSAT Model with Experimental Data for Three Varieties of Wheat on Different Planting Dates

10.36602/jmuas.2019.v01.01.10 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 114-127

Author(s):

Jalal Ahmed Elgadi

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Triticum Turgidum ◽

Agricultural Research ◽

Planting Date ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Unit Weight ◽

Research Station ◽

Good Prediction ◽

Dssat Model ◽

Grain Unit

The Crop Simulation Model (CERES-wheat module) of the Decision Support System for Agrotechnolgy Transfer (DSSAT) was used in this study to simulate the effect of planting date (D) on growth, development and yield of three varieties of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L subsp. durum). The studied varieties were Cham1 (V1), Deir Alla6 (V2) and Haurani (V3). Data were obtained from a field experiment conducted for this purpose on the growing season 2015/2016 at Mushagger Agricultural Research Station Southwest Amman (31° 46' 24.7'' N, 35° 47' 47.3'' E, 800 m above sea level). First planting date (D1) was used for model calibration and the GenCalc software was applied to achieve acceptable genetic coefficient values. Calibration results showed an excellent estimation for days to anthesis, number of grains m-2, grain yield and days to physiological maturity with normalized root mean square error (nRMSE) ranged from 0 to 5.79%. Tops weight, harvest index, unit grain weight (except for V3) and number of tillers m-2 were poorly simulated. Validation of the CERES-Wheat model of the DSSAT using means of observed results of D2 and D3 showed excellent simulation (nRMSE < 10%) for anthesis and maturity dates for the three examined varieties. Good prediction (10 ≤ nRMSE < 20%) were attained for grain yield (for V2 and V3) and for grain nitrogen percent (except for V3 which was excellent). Fair predictions (20 ≤ nRMSE < 30%) were recorded for grain unit weight of (V1 and V2) and tops weight of V1. Conversely, grain unit weight was poorly simulated for V3. From these results, it can be concluded that the DSSAT model can be considered as an effective tool for predicting wheat growth and yield.

Download Full-text

Evaluation of early maize genotypes for grain yield and agromorphological traits

Journal of Maize Research and Development ◽

10.3126/jmrd.v3i1.18923 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 67-76 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Bishal Dhakal ◽

Keshav Prasad Shrestha ◽

Bishnu Prasad Joshi ◽

Jiban Shrestha

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Morphological Traits ◽

Agricultural Research ◽

Block Design ◽

Research Field ◽

Research Station ◽

Local Variety ◽

Selection Strategies ◽

Maize Genotypes ◽

Randomized Complete Block Design

The purpose of this study was to assess the variation on agro-morphological traits and grain yield. A set of 14 early maize genotypes were studied at research field of Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Doti, Nepal in summer seasons of 2015 and 2016. The experiment was carried out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications in each year. The variation among genotypes was observed for grain yield and flowering. The genotype SO3TEY-PO-BM produced the highest grain yield (4.33 t/ha) in 2015 whereas Rajahar Local Variety produced the highest grain yield (2.52 t/ha) in 2016. The combined analysis over years showed that Farmer’s variety was found earlier in tasseling (36 days) and silking (39 days), followed by S97TEYGHAYB(3) in tasseling (45 days) and by S97TEYGHAYB(3) and Arun-4 in silking (48 days). EEYC1 produced the highest grain yield (3.17 t/ha), followed by COMPOL-NIBP (3.09 t/ha), SO3TEY-PO-BM (2.90 t/ha), S97TEYGHAYB(3) (2.78 t/ha) and Rajahar Local variety (2.77 t/ha), respectively. The information on variation for the agro-morphological traits among studied early maize genotypes will be helpful to plant breeders in constructing their breeding materials and implementing selection strategies.

Download Full-text

Response of zinc application on growth, zinc content and grain yield of rice genotypes and correlation between zinc content and yield attributes of rice genotypes

Indian Journal of Agricultural Research ◽

10.18805/a-5096 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Venkatesh Dore ◽

R.V. Koti ◽

K.K. Math

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Agricultural Research ◽

Foliar Application ◽

Block Design ◽

Foliar Spray ◽

Zinc Content ◽

Research Station ◽

Yield Attributes ◽

Rice Genotypes

Field experiments were conducted during kharif 2013 and 2014 at Agricultural Research Station, Mugad, University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Dharwad (Karnataka), to determine the response of zinc applicationon on growth, zinc content and grain yield of rice genotypes and also studied correlation between yield and zinc content. The experiment was comprised of 20 genotypes and three treatments viz., T1: Control (no zinc); T2: Soil application of ZnSO4 (20 kg ha-1) T3– Foliar Spray of ZnSO4 @ 0.5% at 50% flowering, laid out in factorial randomized block design with two replications. The data revealed that application of ZnSO4 recorded significantly higher plant height (85.9 cm), leaf area (764.5 cm-2 plant-1), number of tillers (95.4 m-1), total dry weight (26.1 g plant-1), panicle weight(15.3 g plant-1), number of panicles (81.6 m-1) and grain yield(3966 kg ha-1) over the foliar application of Zn and control . However number of grains panicle-1 (97.8 panicle-1), test weight (23.7 g), shoot and seed zinc content (15.9 and 21.2 ppm, respectively) were increased with foliar application of Zn. Correlation studies classified the genotypes as high seed zinc content (> 21 ppm) and low seed zinc content genotypes ( less than 21 ppm). High and low seed zinc content genotypes showed negative correlation with yield and yield attributes. However, shoot zinc content was positively correlated with yield.

Download Full-text

Study on Effect of Supplementary Irrigation on Rainfed Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

International Journal of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology ◽

10.3126/ijasbt.v3i3.12922 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 3 (3) ◽

pp. 431-433

Author(s):

Nav Raj Acharya ◽

Jiban Shrestha ◽

Subarna Sharma ◽

Gun Bahadur Lama

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Agricultural Research ◽

Proper Time ◽

Block Design ◽

Winter Season ◽

Research Station ◽

Residual Soil ◽

Supplementary Irrigation ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Irrigation Time

Chickpea is one of the important winter legumes in Nepal. It is grown after rice or maize either as sole or mixed crop. In Nepal, chickpea is mostly grown as rainfed crop on residual soil moisture or sometimes under irrigation. Lack of irrigation results drought and heat stress which affects crop growth and development. Irrigation at proper time is one of the most important factors for achieving higher crop yield. The experiment regarding use of supplementary irrigation time on chickpea was carried out at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Khajura, Banke, Nepal during the winter season of the year 2011 and 2012. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Seven different time intervals of irrigation was applied in the experiment for both years. Treatments differed significantly in terms of grain yield but showed non -significant difference in days to flowering and maturity over the years. The combined analysis of the experiments showed that the highest grain yield (2318 kg/ha) was produced when irrigation was supplied at vegetative stage followed by irrigation supplied at flowering stage (2298 kg/ha) and pod fill stage (2104 kg/ha) respectively.Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol 3(3): 431-433

Download Full-text

Evaluate the establishment techniques on growth and yield of rice

Agricultural Science Digest - A Research Journal ◽

10.18805/asd.v36i2.10629 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 36 (2) ◽

Author(s):

N. Senthil Kumar

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Tamil Nadu ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Agricultural Research ◽

Block Design ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Research Station ◽

Straw Yield ◽

Randomized Block Design ◽

Matter Production

Field experiments were conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Thirupathisaram, Tamil Nadu during <italic>kharif</italic> and <italic>rabi</italic> seasons of 2011-12 to evaluate the different establishment techniques on growth and yield of rice. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with four replications. The treatment structure comprises of wet seeding, drum seeding, random transplanting, line planting, SRI square planting and SRI machine planting. Among the different establishment techniques, SRI machine planting significantly influenced the growth and yield characters and yield and which was on par with SRI square planting. The maximum plant height, number of tillers hill−1, LAI, dry matter production, number of panicles m−2, number of grains panicle−1, panicle length, grain yield and straw yield were recorded under SRI machine planting during <italic>kharif</italic> and <italic>rabi</italic>. The lowest grain yield and straw yield were recorded under wet seeding during both <italic>kharif</italic> and <italic>rabi</italic>.

Download Full-text

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.

Download Full-text

Nutrient Management for Higher Productivity of Swarna Sub1 under Flash Floods Areas

Journal of Nepal Agricultural Research Council ◽

10.3126/jnarc.v6i0.28121 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

pp. 101-114

Author(s):

Sarita Manandhar ◽

Bedanand Chaudhary ◽

Ashish K. Srivastava ◽

Sudhanshu Singh ◽

Uma Shankar Singh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Agricultural Research ◽

Flash Flood ◽

Block Design ◽

Flash Floods ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Research Station ◽

Higher Plant ◽

Plant Survival

Two field experiments were conducted at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Tarahara, Nepal during 2012 and 2013 to determine the effect of agronomic management on growth and yield of Swarna Sub1 under flash floods. The first experiment was laid out in a split plot design with three replications; and four different nutrient combinations at nursery as main plots and three age groups of rice seedlings as sub plots. The second experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design and replicated thrice; with three post flood nutrient doses at six and 12 days after de-submergence (dad). The experiments were complete submerged at 10 days after transplanting for 12 days. The survival percentage, at 21 dad, was significantly higher in plots planted with 35 (90.25%) and 40 (91.58%) days-old seedlings compared to 30 days-old seedlings (81.75%). Plots with 35 days-old seedlings produced 5.15 t ha-1 with advantage of 18.83% over 30 days-old seedlings. Plots with 100-50-50 kg N-P2O5-K2O/ha at nursery recorded the highest grain filling of 79.41% and grain yield of 5.068 t/ha with more benefit. Post flood application of 20-20 N-K20kg/ha at 6 dad resulted in higher plant survival and taller plants, leading to significantly higher grain yield of 5.183 t/ha and straw yield of 5.315 t/ha. Hence, 35-40 days old seedlings raised with 100-50-50 kg N-P2O5-K2O /ha in nursery and the additional application of20-20 kg N-K2O /ha at 6 dad improved plant survival and enhanced yield of Swarna Sub1 under flash flood conditions. The practice has prospects of saving crop loss with getting rice yield above national average yield leading to enhanced food security in the flood prone areas of Nepal.

Download Full-text