Effects of cultivar, seed rate, N rate and plant growth regulator on key processing quality parameters of winter and spring-sown oats

The effects of three seeding rates (250, 350 and 450 seeds/m2), six applied N rates (40, 70, 100, 130, 160 and 190 kg N/ha) and the application of plant growth regulator on the grain quality of two spring oat cultivars (Husky and Keely) were evaluated at four spring-sown sites over a 3-year period (2016–2018). The same cultivars, seeding rates and five applied N rates (80, 110, 140, 170 and 200 kg N/ha) were evaluated at three winter-sown sites, in 2017–2019. Keely had a significantly higher kernel content (KC) in spring (0.7%) and winter-sown (0.6%) oats. Specific weight (SW) decreased as N rate increased in spring-sown crops (1 kg/hl) with no effect observed in winter-sown oats. Hullability (HB) increased (0.92%) in spring-sown crops as N rate increased with a reduction (0.9%) observed when winter-sown. Increases in grain protein percentage (GPP) were observed in spring (1.8%) and winter (1.2%) sowings in response to N rate. The application of plant growth regulator reduced SW (0.4 kg/hl), GPP (0.3%), KC (0.6%) with no effect on HB. Kernel size was highly responsive too applied N rate, with reductions in grains >2.5 mm and increases in grains of smaller size observed as N rate increased. HB had a marked relationship to kernel size with GP inconsistently linked to SW. The results of this study suggest that cultivar, N rate and PGR application are of importance to milling quality and that changes in grain size in response to agronomic practices contribute to changes in specific weight and hullability.

Effects of Splits Content on Dry Matter Loss Rates of Soybeans Measured Using a Static Grain Respiration Measurement System

HighlightsRespiration rate increased with the percentage of split soy beans.The splits multiplier for soybeans appears to be more sensitive than the corn damage multiplier.The relationship between the split percentage and splits multiplier for soybeans is approximately linear.A value for the splits multiplier is provided for 18% moisture content soybeans stored at 35°C.Abstract. The objectives of this study were to compare the effects of 0% to 16% (w/w) splits content (xs) of soybeans stored at 35°C and 18% moisture content (w.b.) on dry matter loss rates (vDML) and to determine a splits multiplier (MS) for soybeans stored at these conditions, similar to the damage multiplier (MD) used in ASABE Standard D535 for shelled corn. Effects of percentage by weight splits (xs) on MS and safe storage time are expected to be greater than MD for corn because soybeans are prone to cracking and splitting, lipid oxidation, and protein degradation, all of which lead to grain dry matter and quality losses. Results indicated that vDML increased with increasing xs, and the mean vDML was 1.5 times greater for samples with 16% splits than for samples with 4% splits. The MS for soybeans was linearly correlated with xs, decreasing from 1.0 to 0.60 for 0% to 16% splits, respectively. Soybeans appeared to be more sensitive to percent by weight splits than corn was to the presence of damaged kernels. In Standard D535, the MD for corn only decreased from 1.0 to 0.8 when percent (w/w) damaged kernel content increased from 30% to 40%. In comparison, it should be noted that damage to soybeans was defined differently from damage to corn. This research is useful in defining MS for 18% moisture content soybeans stored at 35°C under hermetic conditions. The procedures outlined in this article may be used in the future to more formally define a soybean MS that covers a wider range of moisture contents, storage conditions, and possibly an MD based on other factors included in the USDA definitions of damaged soybean kernels. Keywords: Allowable storage time, Grain quality, Splits multiplier.

Intraspecific variability overlays abiotic site effects on some quality parameters of walnut (Juglans regia L.) fruits from Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyz walnut-fruit forests harbour a unique walnut diversity, which has rarely been investigated concerning nut properties and the influence of environmental conditions on these. We evaluated the influence of soil properties and altitude on physical and some chemical walnut properties at three sampling sites differing in altitude by 200 m. Walnut samples were collected from 15 randomly chosen trees. Soil samples from two depths under each tree were analysed for plant available mineral nutrients and soil chemical properties. In contrast to our hypothesis, physical nut and chemical kernel quality parameters did not differ between sampling sites at different altitude and were not affected by soil properties. Only pH showed a relationship with manganese availability in soil and kernel content, and was related to amino acid content of kernels. Tree and site-specific variability overrides abiotic influence caused by different altitude or soil properties and reflect the high genetic variability in these forests.

Theoconcept Structure Reconstruction as Multi-Dimensional Matrix Formation

The article addresses the problem of structure reconstruction of the theoconcept as a sensecreating basic component of religious picture of the world. The theoconcept is interpreted as a multi-dimensional formation which embodies experience of a man (people), both physical and spiritual; and is at the same time typified by a historically conditioned worldview constituent. The rational for employing the diachronic-synchronic approach to account for the concept structure is provided. Major emphasis is placed on the study of theoconcepts against concepts of other types and their modes, particularly, as abstract ontological-intuitive mental entities.Reconstruction of seven levels of the theoconcept REPENTANCE structure is conducted; it bears evidence that this formation is of cognitive-matrix format. It is found that the kernel content of the theoconcept REPENTANCE has been developed on the base of a meaning “turn”, which, according to the Biblical context of conceptualization, reconstructs the essence of repentance (level one). The kernel-centered (circumnuclear) area is formed by such meanings, as “confession”, “sacrament”, “penance”, “reconciliation”, “testament”, “reunion”, with basics of Orthodox doctrine as cognitive contexts (level two). Ethnic coloring of the concept meaning is revealed through such spiritual sense of the theoconcept REPENTANCE, as “congregational confession” (level three). The image of repentance as “the second baptism” emerges in the context of Christian symbolic meanings (level four). The shade of meaning “to turn away” (“military command”) has been developed in a process of its folk-etymological conceptualization, and constitutes the periphery of the concept (level fife). In a context of monastic movement in Ukrainian lands, and life of monks (level six) shades of meanings “atonement”, “asceticism”, “hermitage”, “anchorite” are being actualized. The last level (distant area) of senses embraces the individual-specific shades of senses, personal shades of senses of the concept under consideration, present in idiolects of the faithful. Finally, the results indicate that reconstructed sense levels are the cognitive contexts to interpret the kernel meaning of the theoconcept REPENTANCE. They bring into focus (highlight) its other senses, which interplay and produce its conceptual multi-aspectedness and multi-dimensionality that is nothing but matrix.

Interdependence of yield and yield components of confectionary sunflower hybrids

The two most important criteria for introducing new confectionary hybrids into production are high seed and protein yield. That is why it is important to find the traits that are measurable, and that at the same time show a strong correlation with seed and protein yield, so that they can be used as a criteria for confectionary hybrid breeding. Results achieved during 2008 at the locations Rimski Sancevi (Region of Vojvodina) and Kula (Central Serbia) show that the new confectionary hybrids are expressing higher seed yields in comparison to standards (Vranac and Cepko) though with a lower seed oil content. A very strong positive correlation was determined between seed yield and seed protein content, kernel content and mass of 1000 seeds. A very strong positive correlation was determined between seed protein content, seed yield and mass of 1000 seeds, with protein yield. This indicates that seed yield, seed protein content and mass of 1000 seeds have a high influence on protein yield. The degree of interdependence between different traits is a sign of direction which is supposed to facilitate better planning of sunflower breeding program.

Microbial Loads, Mycotoxins, and Quality of Durum Wheat from the 2001 Harvest of the Northern Plains Region of the United States

The 2001 durum wheat crop grown in the Northern Plains was surveyed for microbial loads, mycotoxins, and quality. Correlations among these factors were identified. Effects of cleaning, milling, and pasta processing on microbial loads and deoxynivalenol(DON) concentrations were determined. Aerobic plate counts (APCs), mold and yeast counts (MYCs), internal mold infection (IMI), and internal Fusarium infection (IFI) were lowest in grain samples from Montana and highest in grain from northeastern North Dakota. DON and 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol (15-ADON) were not detected in samples from Montana. Nivalenol was not detected in any samples. DON in North Dakota samples ranged from none detected to 23 μg/g. 15-ADON was detected in a few North Dakota samples, with a maximum of 0.8 μg/g. DON positively correlated with APCs, MYCs, IFI, damaged kernels, total defects, U.S. grade number, and tombstone kernel content and negatively correlated with test weight, vitreous kernel content, and kernel weight. APCs, MYCs, and DON concentrations were lower in semolina than whole grain. Processing semolina into spaghetti did not change DON concentrations. APCs for spaghetti were reduced 2.2 to 4.1 logs from those for semolina, whereas MYCs were reduced 0.1 to 1.7 log. Some APCs in durum flour and semolina were higher than certain industry specifications would allow, although other factors were acceptable. However, microbial loads in the spaghetti were all within specifications found in the available literature.

Effect of nitrogen, seed rate and plant growth regulator (chlormequat chloride) on the grain quality of oats (Avena sativa)

The physical parameters of oats of prime importance in determining milling quality are kernel content, the content of free kernels, hullability and screenings. In addition to screenings, hectolitre weight is used in the commercial trading of grain as an indicator of quality due to the absence of suitable methods, for commercial use, for determining the parameters that are closely related to milling quality. The effects of nitrogen (0–200 kg/ha), seed rate (200 and 300 seeds/m2) and plant growth regulator, chlormequat chloride, on grain quality were investigated at two locations, in one spring and three autumn sown experiments, in 1997/98 and 1998/99. Yields increased at higher rates of nitrogen and at the higher seed rate but were not significantly affected by chlormequat chloride. The effects of nitrogen rate and seed rate on kernel content were inconsistent but overall there was a small reduction at the higher nitrogen and higher seed rates and where chlormequat chloride was applied. In general, free kernels were reduced at the higher rates of nitrogen, at the higher seed rate and where chlormequat chloride was applied. Hullability improved at higher rates of nitrogen but was poorer at the higher seed rate and with chlormequat chloride. Screenings increased and hectolitre weight declined at the higher rates of nitrogen, the higher seed rate and with chlormequat chloride. The decline in hectolitre weight due to treatments within each experiment in general was associated with reductions in kernel content, content of free kernels and an increase in screenings. However, variation in hectolitre weight did not reflect variation in kernel content, free kernels and screenings between experiments. Overall, the changes in quality due to nitrogen rate, seed rate and chlormequat chloride were small compared with differences between varieties.

The influence of variety, year, disease control and plant growth regulator application on crop damage, yield and quality of winter oats (Avena sativa)

Yield, straw length, ripening, damage, grain composition and quality were determined on seven winter oat varieties included in trials grown in Northern Ireland between 1990 and 2000. Three management regimes were applied to the varieties in each year: (1) with fungicide but without plant growth regulator applications (+F−PGR); (2) with plant growth regulator and fungicide applications (+F+PGR); and (3) with neither fungicide nor plant growth regulator applications (−F−PGR). Disease control significantly improved yield, kernel content and the proportions of groats above 2·0- and 2·2-mm sieves but delayed ripening and increased the content of free kernels. Application of chlormequat significantly reduced straw length and the content of empty husks and increased the content of good oats but reduced kernel content. Specific weight, grain weight and the proportions of grain above 2·0- and 2·2-mm sieves were not significantly affected by either control of disease or application of chlormequat.The combined effects of disease control and chlormequat significantly reduced leaning and brackling while lodging was reduced but not significantly. Rather than an increased incidence following disease control which was reduced by application of chlormequat, the two management strategies resulted in similar small incremental reductions in straw damage. In years with severe straw damage lower specific weight, grain weight and kernel content may have been attributable to the damage but quality was also poor in some years when there was little damage. Grain and groat size were only poor in those years when severe lodging or brackling occurred.Year had the greatest influence on most characteristics and variety to a lesser extent. Disease control and to a lesser extent chlormequat application had smaller effects on fewer characteristics. While the effect of disease control on yield is of economic significance, the effect of chlormequat appears to be mainly of psychological significance.