Changes in soybean cultivars released over the past 50 years in southern Brazil

On-farm soybean yield has increased considerably in the last 50 years in southern Brazil, but there is still little information about how selection and breeding for yield increase has changed the agronomic attributes of cultivars. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the changes in soybean yield, seed oil and protein concentration, and changes in plant attributes that might be associated with yield improvement of 26 soybean cultivars released over the past 50 years in southern Brazil, sown simultaneously in a common field environment for two growing seasons. The average rate of yield gain was 45.9 kg ha−1 yr−1 (2.1% ha−1 yr−1), mainly due increased seed number per area and harvest index. Over year of cultivar release, cultivars became less susceptible to lodging, as well as plant mortality reduced. Meanwhile, the seed oil concentration increased, and seed protein concentration decreased, which could have negative consequences for soybeans use and requires further attention for breeding of future cultivars. Breeders have successfully contributed to the annual rate of soybean yield increase in southern Brazil. By our results, as well as the official on-farm production data, there is no evidence of soybean yield reaching a plateau in the near future in southern Brazil.

Diethyl Aminoethyl Hexanoate Increase Relay Strip Intercropping Soybean Grain by Optimizing Photosynthesis Aera and Delaying Leaf Senescence

Insufficient and unbalanced biomass supply inhibited soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] yield formation in the maize-soybean relay strip intercropping (IS) and monoculture soybean (SS). A field experiment was conducted to explore the soybean yield increase mechanism of DA-6 in IS and SS treatments. In this 2-year experiment, compact maize “Denghai 605” and shade-tolerant soybean “Nandou 25” were selected as cultivated materials. DA-6 with four concentrations, i.e., 0 mg/L (CK), 40 mg/L (D40), 60 mg/L (D60), and 80 mg/L (D80), were sprayed on soybean leaves at the beginning of flowering stage of soybean. Results showed that DA-6 treatments significantly (p < 0.05) increased soybean grain yield, and the yield increase ratio was higher in IS than SS. The leaf area index values and net photosynthesis rate of IS peaked at D60 and were increased by 32.2–49.3% and 24.1–27.2% compared with the corresponding CK. Similarly, DA-6 treatments increased the aboveground dry matter and the amount of soybean dry matter accumulation from the R1 stage to the R8 stage (VDMT) and highest at D60 both in IS and SS. D60 increased the VDMT by 29.0–47.1% in IS and 20.7–29.2% in SS. The TRG at D60 ranged 72.4–77.6% in IS and 61.4–62.5% in SS. The MDA content at D60 treatment was decreased by 38.3% in IS and 25.8% in SS. The active grain-filling day in IS was about 7 days longer than in SS. In D60 treatment, the Vmean and Vmax increased by 6.5% and 6.5% in IS and 5.7% and 4.3% in SS compared with the corresponding CK. Although the pod number and hundred-grain weight were significantly (p < 0.05) increased by DA-6 treatments, the grains per pod were maintained stable. The pod number and hundred-grain weight were increased by 30.1–36.8% and 4.5–6.7% in IS and 6.3–13% and 3.6–5.6% in SS. Thus, the grain yield at D60 was increased by 36.7–38.4% in IS and 21.7–26.6% in SS. DA-6 treatments significantly (p < 0.05) increased soybean grain yield and peaked D60 treatments both in IS and SS.

Conservation agriculture for climate smart agriculture in smallholder farming systems in Kenya.

Climate change is any significant change in climatic conditions. Such changes may negatively affect productivity of the rain-fed agriculture practised by over 75% of the smallholder Kenyan farmers. The effect leads to failure to sustainably provide adequate food and revenue to famers. It is on this basis that an almost 8-year field study was conducted to evaluate and scale climate resilient agricultural technological options associated with Conservation Agriculture (CA) systems and practices (no-till; maintenance of permanent soil cover; and crop diversification - rotations and associations), complemented with good agricultural strategies. The activities involved were targeted to sustainably increase productivity of maize-legumes farming systems while reducing environmental risks. The results showed improved soil properties (physical, chemical and health) and consequently increased crop yields and human nutrition by over 30%. Such benefits were attributed to cost savings arising from NT and reduced labour requirement for weed control. This was further based on enhanced crop soil moisture and nutrients availability and use efficiency leading to over 25% yield increase advantage. Apart from the field trials, the study used the Agricultural Production Simulator (APSIM) computer model to simulate CA scenario with the aim of providing potential quick answers to adopting CA practices for farm system productivity. The results were inclusively shared, leading to over 21% increase in the number of farmers adopting the CA practices within and beyond the project sites. The study's overall recommendation affirmed the need to integrate the CA practices into Kenyan farming systems for sustainable agricultural livelihoods and economic opportunities.

Impact of Front Line Demonstrations on Mustard Crop in Sirsa District of Haryana

Krishi Vigyan Kendra conducts cluster demonstrations every year as per target assignedby ICAR. The study evaluates impact of 300 demonstrations on mustard crop in 120hectare area conducted by KVK Sirsa since 2015-16 to 2017-18 in different villages of thedistrict. The extension gaps in technologies were identified through farmers meetings andgroup discussions with the farmers. The findings indicated significant increase in the averageyield of demonstrated plot (15.13%) over the farmer’s practice plot of mustard crop. Averageyield of demonstration plots was recorded higher by 18.18 per cent, 14.09 per cent and13.13 per cent in years 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18, respectively. The extension gapwas 4.0 q/ha, 3.10 q/ha and 2.89 q/ha while technology gap was 2.0 q/ha, 2.90 q/ha and2.11 q/ha during consecutive years respectively. During these three years, yield increase indemonstration plots expressed as additional income over check plots accounted for Rs.7670/ha, Rs. 12350/ha and Rs. 11590/ha respectively during various years.

Impact of Cluster Front Line Demonstrations on Green Gram (MH-421) in Sirsa District of Haryana State

Pulses are one of the important food crops globally due to higher protein content. In India,they are also responsible for yielding large financial gains by amounting for a large part ofthe exports. Cluster frontline demonstrations on moong bean crop covering 110 ha areaunder variety MH-421 were conducted by Krishi Vigyan Kendra at 110 locations in Sirsadistrict of Haryana state during four consecutive years viz. 2016 to 2019. The technologicalgaps were identified in existing crop production technology through farmers meetings andgroup discussions. The findings showed significant increase in the average yield ofdemonstrated plot (23.1%) over the farmer’s plot of moong bean crop. Average yield ofdemonstration plots was recorded higher by 26.90 per cent, 20.50 per cent, 20.00 per centand 25.00 per cent in years 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. The extension gapwas 2.02 q/ha, 1.50 q/ha, 1.50 q/ha and 2.00 q/ha while technology gap was 2.48 q/ha,3.20 q/ha, 3.00 q/ha and 2.00 q/ha in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 respectively. Duringthese four years yield increase in demonstrations plots expressed as additional incomeover check plots accounted for Rs. 11300/ha, Rs. 900/ha, Rs. 6200/ha and Rs.14400/haduring various years.

Evaluation of expression changes, proteins interaction network, and microRNAs targeting catalase and superoxide dismutase genes under cold stress in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)

Rapeseed is the third-largest source of plant oil and one of the essential oil plants worldwide. Cold stress is one of the critical factors that affect plant yield. Therefore, improving cold stress tolerance is necessary for yield increase. The present study investigated BnCAT1 and BnCSD1 genes’ expression behavior in a tolerant and sensitive cultivar under cold stress (4 °C). Besides, protein-protein interaction networks of CATs and CSDs enzymes, and their association with other antioxidant enzymes were analyzed. Moreover, the microRNAs targeting BnCAT1 and BnCSD1 genes were predicted. This study indicated many direct and indirect interactions and the association between the components of the plant antioxidant system. However, not only did the CATs and CSDs enzymes have a relationship with each other, but they also interacted directly with ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase enzymes. Also, 23 and 35 effective microRNAs were predicted for BnCAT1 and BnCSD1 genes, respectively. The gene expression results indicated an elevated expression of BnCAT1 and BnCSD1 in both tolerant and sensitive cultivars. However, this increase was more noticeable in the tolerant cultivar. Thus, the BnCSD1 gene had the highest expression in the early hour of cold stress, especially in the 12th h, and the BnCAT1 gene showed the highest expression in the 48th h. This result may indicate a functional relationship between these enzymes.

Yield results obtained in maize crop following the foliar fertilization with new biostimulators based on keratin and collagen hydrolysates of animal origin

The aim of the paper is to show the reaction of maize crop to the foliar application of new biofertilizers, obtained from the residues left after the wool tanning process and which are based on protein hydrolysates of keratin and collagen. The tests have been performed in microplots (10 sqm) and macroplots (1000 sqm), in three repetitions, in southern Romania. All data obtained as a result of the 2020 autumn harvest have been centralized in tables and statistically processed, in order to establish the influence of each product, compared to the control. The bifactorial analyses show that, in climatic stress conditions (prolonged drought – Calarasi), very significant increases in yield have been obtained with K4 (2.5 and 5.0 l/ha), K5 (5.0 l/ha) and C (5.0 l/ha), with increases between 700 and 1300 kg/ha, ie up to +24%. In macroplots, subject to a moderate drought (Teleorman), product C (5.0 l/ha) brought a yield increase of 1537 kg/ha (+26%), noting that in this location almost all tested biostimulators offer very significant yield growth (except KC). Based on the 2020 yields, it was possible to identify which the foliar biostimulators that will continue to be tested in 2021.

Productivity of durum wheat cultivars depending on seeding rates in the Chuvash Republic

The results of two-year experimental data on the growth, development and productivity of spring durum wheat cultivars - Bezenchukskaya Niva and Bezenchukskaya Zolotistaya - in the Chuvash Republic were considered. It was found that decrease in the seeding rate of germinating seeds (from 7 to 3 million per 1 ha) resulted in reducing of the growing period in the studied cultivars of spring durum wheat by 6-7 days. Seeding rate of 5 million seeds per 1 ha provided the maximum density of spike-bearing stems due to the best indicators of general and productive tillering. The formation of the largest main spike with a high grain content in Bezenchukskaya Niva cultivar was noted at the seeding rate from 3 to 5 million seeds per 1 ha. Increase in the seeding rate ( 5 million seeds) led to a decrease in the parameters of the main spike. Analysis of Bezenchukskaya Zolotistaya yield structure did not reveal clear patterns in the change in length and grain size of the main spike resulted from the seeding rate. However, the highest 1000-seed weight (50.4 g) was obtained in the variant with a seeding rate of 6 million seeds pieces. Compared to the control, the maximum yield increase in cv. Bezenchukskaya Niva (1.2 t/ha) was obtained in the variant with a seeding rate of 5 million seeds per 1 ha. The highest yield of cv. Bezenchukskaya Zolotistaya (3.23 t/ha) was obtained at a seeding rate of 6 million seeds per 1 ha.

Influence of a complex of agrotechnical methods on yield qualities of F1 seeds of the hybrid Fakel in progeny (report II)

The researches were conducted on fields of a farm “Berezanskoe”, Korenovsk district, Krasnodar region. Size of a plot is equal to 112 sq. м, in three replications. The object of the research was F1 seeds of interlinear sunflower hybrid Fakel produced in 2020 with different positive modifications on a hybridization plot. The seed were planted in 2021 to estimate impact of the positive modifications (methods) on yield and quality seeds of the hybrid Fakel in progeny. Two sowing rates (60 and 80 thousand per a га) were used to realize fully a yield potential of the hybrid. A certain positive impact was fixed in variants with application of biological protection measures and microbiological fertilizers during plants vegetative period. Yield increase was 0.02 t per ha. Increase of oil content and oil yield of the hybrids Fakel in progeny under different positive modifications was insignificant: 0.2–0.3% and 0.01–0.02 t per ha, respectively. Application of biological protection measures and microbiological fertilizer during the vegetative period of plants on the hybridization in 2020 contributed in a profitability increase by 6% when sowing F1 seed in 2021 with sowing rate of 80 thousand seed per ha.