scholarly journals Novel Approaches to Optimise Early Growth in Willow Crops

Agriculture ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 116
Author(s):  
Isabella Donnelly ◽  
Kevin McDonnell ◽  
John Finnan

Willow is a fast growing, high yielding biomass crop that can help reduce reliance on fossil fuels. However, long establishment times to get to profitability and sustainable yield may deter interest in planting the crop. A number of different approaches were investigated to optimise and accelerate early growth. These approaches were water immersion, plastic application, altering stem orientation at planting, altering coppicing timings and applying growth hormone. Glasshouse and field trials were used to test the different approaches. In this work, planting material was soaked for a varying number of days and plastic was applied or not applied in field trials. In the planting orientation approach, stems were planted diagonally or vertically with half of the planting material above the ground level or horizontally below ground level. Additionally, willow crops were coppiced at different times throughout their first growing season and a growth hormone trial was also incorporated in this work. Water soaking, plastic application, coppicing during the growing season or hormone application did not improve early growth or yield. However, early growth and yield were increased by manipulating the planting orientation of willow stems. Planting orientation treatments in which part of the stem was left above the ground increased early growth and yield significantly compared to the control without requiring extra inputs at planting. The beneficial effects of coppicing can be achieved by manipulating the planting procedure so that the first year’s growth is not disregarded.

1993 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 417-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. V. K. Sivakumar

SummaryField trials conducted previously in Niger have shown that in years when the onset of the rains is 15–20 days earlier than average, the long growing season can be exploited by growing a relay crop of millet (Pennisetum glaucum) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata). In the trials reported here, the advantages of relay cropping were compared with intercropping with improved management and intercropping under traditional management during the 1989, 1990 and 1991 rainy seasons at the ICRISAT Sahelian Center, Sadore, Niger. The length of the growing season varied from 139 to 150 days over the three seasons. The relay crop produced more dry matter and leaf area and yielded more than the intercrops in all three years, confirming that in years when the onset of the rains is early, relay cropping with millet and cowpea is a better option than growing the same two species as an intercrop. Relay cropping avoids the competitive effects inherent in intercropping systems, while offering the additional advantages of rotating cereals with legumes.Mijo y caupí en sistemas de relevo y de cultivo simultáneo


Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 405
Author(s):  
Miroslav Jursík ◽  
Kateřina Hamouzová ◽  
Jana Hajšlová

(1) Background: Aryloxyphenoxy-propionates and cyclohexanediones are herbicides most widely used in dicot crops worldwide. The main objective of the study was to determine the dynamics of herbicide residues in carrot, lettuce, cauliflower, and onion in order to suggest a low level of residues in harvested vegetables. (2) Methods: Small plot field trials were carried out in four vegetables in the Czech Republic. The samples of vegetables were collected continuously during the growing season. Multiresidue methods for the determination of herbicide residues by LC-MS/MS were used. Non-linear models of degradation of individual herbicides in vegetables were calculated using the exponential decay formula. Action GAP pre-harvest intervals for the 25% and 50% maximum residue limit (MRL) and 10 µg kg−1 limit (baby food) were established for all tested herbicides. (3) Results: The degradation dynamics of fluazifop in carrot, onion, and cauliflower was significantly slower compared to quizalofop and haloxyfop. The highest amount (2796 µg kg−1) of fluazifop residues was detected in cauliflower 11 days after application. No residue of propaquizafop and cycloxydim was detected in any vegetable samples. (4) Conclusions: Aryloxyphenoxy-propionate herbicide (except propaquizafop) could contaminate vegetables easily, especially vegetables with a short growing season. Vegetables treated with fluazifop are not suitable for baby food. Lettuce and cauliflower treated by quizalofop are not suitable for baby food, but in onion and carrot, quizalofop could be used. Propaquizafop and cycloxydim are prospective herbicides for non-residual (baby food) vegetable production.


Agriculture ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 67
Author(s):  
Piotr Żurawik

Crustaceans, including shrimps, are an important group of marine products processed in over 50 countries around the world. It is one of the most profitable and fast-growing processing branches. About 30 to 40% of crustaceans are used immediately after fishing, while 60–70% are processed. This generates thousands of tons of waste, proper management of which becomes increasingly important. The study was conducted in the years 2015–2017. Planting material included rhizomes of Miscanthus sinensis and Miscanthus × giganteus. Shrimp shells, dried and fragmented into 2–3 mm long pieces, were added to the soil at a dose of 5%, 10% and 15%. Mineral soil without the dried waste served as control. pH and substrate salinity were determined both before and after the growing season, and vegetative and generative traits of the plants were assessed. Shrimp biowaste is rich in N, P, K, Ca and Mg, has alkaline pH and high salinity. Its effects on plants depend on its dose and plant species. Miscanthus sinensis turned out more sensitive to the substrate salinity but in both species shrimp biowaste improved their ornamental value. For Miscanthus sinensis the most beneficial dose was 5%, while for Miscanthus × giganteus it was 15%.


1978 ◽  
Vol 91 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. N. Gallagher ◽  
P. V. Biscoe

SummaryAnalysis of measurements of absorbed radiation and leaf area indices of wheat and barley crops showed that throughout most of growth the fraction of absorbed solar radiation could be described by a simple exponential equation.For several of these crops grown under a wide range of weather and husbandry at Sutton Bonington and Rothamsted, 2-weekly values of crop growth rate (C) were closely related to radiation absorbed until ear emergence and about 3·0 g of dry matter (D.M.) were produced by each MJ of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) absorbed. Final crop weight was closelyrelated to total PAR absorbed during growth (SA); on average about 2·2 g D.M. were produced per MJ absorbed, equivalent to a growth efficiency (Eg) of approximately 3·9%. Unfertilized and drought-stressed crops had a smaller Eg.The fraction of total crop D.M. harvested as grain (harvest index) varied more for wheat than for barley. Calculations of a maximum realizable grain yield made using the largest values of Eg and SA for the crops measured and assuming a harvestindex of 0.53 (achieved in an experimental crop) showed a grain D.M. yield of 10·3 t D.M./ha to be possible. To achieve such a yield would require full crop cover from the beginning of April until the end of July in a typical English growing season.


1992 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 1089-1093 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Trowbridge ◽  
F.B. Holl

An overdense lodgepole pine (Pinuscontorta Dougl. ex Loud.) stand was knocked down and the site was prepared by broadcast burn, windrow burn, or mechanical forest floor removal. Inoculated alsike clover (Trifoliumhybridum L.) was seeded at 0, 10, 20, and 30 kg/ha for the three different site preparation treatments to determine the effects of (i) site preparation on infection and effectiveness of the clover–Rhizobium symbiosis and clover percent cover and (ii) the clover–Rhizobium N2-fixing symbiosis on survival, early growth, and foliar nitrogen concentration of lodgepole pine seedlings. The N2-fixing symbiosis established well in all treatments. Clover percent cover increased with increasing rate of seeding, although by relatively few percent in the clover seeded plots. Broadcast burning, windrow burning, and mechanical forest floor removal did not affect the establishment of the N2-fixing symbiosis or clover percent cover. Lodgepole pine survival was not affected by the seeding treatments in any year, nor were height measurements during the first three growing seasons. Seedling height was slightly less in clover-seeded plots compared with controls in the fourth growing season. Lodgepole pine seedlings on clover-seeded plots had decreased diameter growth compared with controls during the first three growing seasons, but incremental diameter growth no longer showed this effect by the fourth growing season. Needle mass (g/100 needles) was less in clover-seeded plots at the end of the second growing season, but this effect was reversed by the fourth growing season, when both needle mass and foliar nitrogen concentration in lodgepole pine foliage were greater in clover-seeded plots.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 021-028
Author(s):  
Mukhtar Iderawumi ABDULRAHEEM ◽  
Sulaimon Abidemi LAWAL

Many see organic agriculture as the most sustainable form of farming and as the paradigm for global food production in the future. One of the solutions to food insecurity and malnutrition in Sub-Saharan Africa is to promote local crops, encourage the use of locally source materials as amendment, improve their traditional system of production, and so diversify subsistence crop. The major reasons are the lack of knowledge and skill in land preparation and agronomic practices, weather uncertainties, pest outbreak and above all the use of fertilizer. Hence, this research will be carried out to investigate the effects of integrated application of Urea fertilizer and Goat Manure on soil Nutrient Availability and Okra performance. Field trials were conducted with four treatments replicated three times in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). The treatments were Control (no Urea, no goat manure), 8t/ha-1 goat manure + 200kg/ha-1 urea fertilizer; 8t/ha-1 goat manure + 175kg/ha-1 urea fertilizer and 8t/ha-1 goat manure + 150kg/ha-1 urea fertilizer. Treatments were applied three weeks after planting by ring method with Urea and goat manure mixed. Soil physical and chemical properties, growth and yield parameters were evaluated. Data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Duncan Multiple Range. 8t/ha-1 goat manure + 200kg/ha-1 urea fertilizer gave the highest plant height, leaf area as well as number of leaves than other treatment. However, the fruits weight, days of 50% flowering, number of fruit, fruits diameter and fruits length were significantly increased at 8t/ha-1 goat manure + 200kg/ha-1 urea fertilizer.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 507-523
Author(s):  
Amir Ehsan ◽  
Muhammad Ehsan Safdar1 ◽  
Amjed Ali

ABSTRACT There is little understanding about ecological interference of weeds in direct-seeded rice. To get estimates of economic thresholds of two weeds in direct seeded rice, two-year field trials were conducted at research area of College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, Punjab-Pakistan. Treatments included 0, 22, 44, 66 and 88 plants m-2 densities of each of Echinochloa colona and Digera arvensis laid out in randomized complete block design. Augmented densities of E. colona (0, 22, 44, 66 and 88 weed plants m-2) enhanced its plant dry biomass up to 348 and 353%; and relative competitive index maximally to 80 and 77% in years 2015 and 2016, respectively. While the corresponding increases in plant dry weight and relative competitive index of D. arvensis were 367 and 360% and 79 and 82%. The enhancement in N (up to 258 & 257 %), P (up to 220 & 232%) and K (up to 293 & 301%) uptake in years 2015 and 2016, respectively were made by E. Colona whereas the corresponding increases in N, P and K assimilation by D. arvensis were as far as 265 & 257%, 238 & 233% and 305 & 298%, respectively. The declines in growth and yield of rice were observed in response to growing number of both the weeds. Rice grain yield losses ranged between 9.8 to 80% and 28 to 80% by E. Colona and D. arvensis. The economic thresholds of false amaranth and jungle rice were estimated to be 1.6-1.4 plants m-2 and 2.2-2.6 plants m-2, respectively.


2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 70-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hossein GHAMARI ◽  
Goudarz AHMADVAND

Dry bean is one of the most important pulse crops in Iran. Field study was conducted in 2011 to evaluate effects of weed competition from a natural flora on growth and yield of dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The treatments consisted of weed infestation and weed removal periods (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 days) after crop emergence. Control plots kept weed-infested and weed-free throughout growing season. To assess the weed competition effect on crop characteristics, Richards, Gompertz and logistic equations were fitted to the data. The most abundant weed species were Chenopodium album and Amaranthus retroflexus. Increase in duration of weed interference decreased the stem height of dry bean. At the end of the growing season, dry bean was 20 cm taller in season-long weed-free treatment compared to the season-long weed-infested treatment. As the number of days of weed interference increased, a declining trend of LAI and number of pods was observed. The minimum number of pods was obtained in season-long weed-infested treatment (5.01 pods/plant). Weed interference during the whole growing season, caused a 60% reduction in yield. Considering 5% and 10% acceptable yield lost, the critical period of weed competition was determined from 20 to 68 and 23 to 55 days after planting (DAE), respectively.


2003 ◽  
Vol 54 (10) ◽  
pp. 957 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. G. Condon ◽  
F. Giunta

Transient waterlogging during winter and spring reduces wheat yield in many parts of southern Australia. Yield reductions from waterlogging are associated with reduced production and survival of tillers, fewer and smaller fertile tillers, and smaller grain size. Under favourable conditions, wheats that have the tiller-inhibition ('tin') gene produce a lower total number of tillers but a higher proportion of large, productive tillers and larger grains than wheats without this gene. These characteristics of restricted-tillering wheat may contribute to improved yield under transient waterlogging. We compared the growth and yield of the commercial variety Bodallin and 2 Bodallin backcross derivatives containing the 'tin' gene in 8 field trials grown on shallow, duplex soils in 1995 and 1996 at 3 locations in the south-west of Western Australia. Trials were sown at standard (1995) and standard and high (1996) seeding rates. Trial-mean yield ranged from 0.5 to 4.7 t/ha, depending on the occurrence and severity of waterlogging before anthesis and of soil water deficit before and after anthesis. Grain yield of the restricted-tillering (RT) lines averaged only c. 80% of Bodallin. At all sites and seeding rates the RT lines had fewer spikes per m2 (45% fewer, on average) but averaged 44% more grains per spike. In 1996 only, grain weight of the RT lines was 6% greater than of Bodallin. There was no evidence that the relative yield of the RT lines was greater at waterlogged sites than at other sites. Waterlogging reduced the number of fertile spikes of RT lines and of Bodallin to the same relative extent and differences in grains per spike and grain size had little effect on relative yields. Even though harvest index of the RT lines was slightly elevated in some environments, biomass production of the RT lines was low in all environments. We conclude that wheats with the 'tin' gene are unlikely to have a yield advantage under transient waterlogging unless their biomass production can match that of more freely tillering wheats.


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