Efficiency of nutrient solutions with different concentration in the cultivation of white cabbage seedlings

Fertilizers help to fill the missing nutritional elements for plants and affect their growth and the future crop. The paper presents the results of conducted studies on the effect of nutrient solution concentration on morphological and biochemical indicators of white cabbage seedlings. The seedlings of two early-ripe cabbage hybrids – Mirror F1 and Tiara F1 – were grown in peat substrate trays. A nutrient solution of 50 ppm (No.1) and 150 ppm (No.2) was used to feed the seedlings twice during the growing period. The obtained results showed the differences in experimental variants in terms of the height of seedling plants, the number of leaves and leaf-area duration, the weight and volume of the root system, total solids, content of sugar, ascorbic acid. The varietal reaction of cabbage seedlings to the introduction of root feeds with different concentrations was revealed. The nutrient solution No. 2 of hybrid plants Mirror F1 stimulated the development of roots, their weight exceeded the control indicators (without fertilizers) by 37.3%, and the volume – by 37.8%, contributed to the increase of the content of solids (8.27%), general sugar (0.53%), ascorbic acid (78.79 mg%). When fed with nutrient solution No. 2 the seedlings of Tiara F1 hybrid were characterized by a large leaf-area duration, which exceeds the control by 1.3 times, and the indicators of the root system. The plants of this seedlings consisted of 49.5% of the root system. The chemical analysis of water in greenhouse farming for irrigation of plants showed that it contains various macro- and microelements that are necessary for the growth of vegetable seedlings. The concentration of the nutrient solution did not significantly affect the content of macroelements in the seedlings. When using nutrient solution No. 2, an increase in the plants of the two studied phosphorus hybrids was noted, a deficit of which is very often observed when growing seedlings.

Impact of integrated nutrient management on production potential of mungbean

Mungbean is one of the important grain legume crops in Pakistan due to its vigorous growth even in adverse environment. Mungbean is part of daily cuisine in the country but its production is low mostly due to imbalance fertilization. The study was carried out to find best combination of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) for maximum production under less fertile soils during 2017-2018. In this study, three combinations of NPK (i.e., 30:30:0, 30:60:0 and 30:60:30 kg ha-1 ) were compared with control (without fertilization). Maximum pods per plant (22.43), pod length (9.51 cm), seeds per pod (8.97), 1000 seed weight (44.07 g), seed yield (1163 kg ha-1 ), biological yield (5231 kg ha-1 ) and harvest index (24.63 %) were obtained from 30:60:30 kg NPK ha-1 during 2017 and similar trends were found during 2018. Maximum leaf area duration (212.64, 215.09 days), crop growth rate (3.99, 4.02 g m-2 d -1 ), net assimilation rate (2.46, 2.54 g m-2 d -1 ) and fraction of intercepted radiation (0.89, 0.88 MJ m-2 ) were obtained from mungbean plant under 30:60:30 kg ha-1 NPK application during 2017 and 2018, respectively. These results are suggesting that integrated application of nitrogen, phosphorous and potash is very imperative to attain higher production of mungbean under semi-arid environments. It is concluded from the findings that farmers can harvest maximum final outputs of mungbean by the application of 30:60:30 kg ha-1 NPK, respectively.

Phenology, Growth, Yield and Nitrogen Uptake of Wheat in Response to Nitrogen, Potassium and Their Application Methods

Application of macronutrients in less amount along with improper application method(s) are the major factors for low yield. Experiments were designed with the objectives to determine the optimum rate of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) along with suitable application method to minimize nutrients losses. The experimental site was New Developmental Farm of the University of Agriculture Peshawar and experiments were conducted for two consecutive years i.e. 2010-11 and 2011-12. After analysis, the results indicated that both N and K significantly affected days to phenology (anthesis and maturity). Days to phenology increased linearly with increase in rate of N and K and more days to phenology were recorded when both were at their highest rates. Similarly plant height, leaf area/tiller, flag leaf area, leaf area index, leaf area duration, grain yield, N uptake by grains and straw were increased with increasing level of N and K and attained maximum value when N and K was applied at the rate of 180 and 90 Kg/ha, respectively. Nutrients application method significantly affected plant height, leaf area/tiller, flag leaf area, grain yield and N uptake by straw and grains with maximum values for these traits were recorded when nutrients (N and K) were applied in such a combination that 15% nutrients were supplied through foliar and 85% through soil application. Application methods had a non-significant effect on days to phenology, leaf area index and leaf area duration. It is concluded from the results that application of N and K at the rate of 180 and 90 Kg/ha respectively in such a way that 15% is applied through foliar spray and 85% through soil application improved growth, yield and N uptake of wheat crop under the semi-arid climate.

Genetic variability studies in amaranthus (Amaranthus spp.)

An investigation was carried out to estimate the nature and extent of genetic variability​ ​among twenty Amaranthus genotypes (Amaranthus spp.) under a randomized block designduring the year 2019-20. The phenotypic coefficient of variation was higher than the genotypic​ ​coefficient of variation for all the traits. High genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and​ ​phenotypic coefficient variation (PCV) was observed for leaf area, leaf area index, leaf area​ ​duration, AGR, dry weight of leaf per plant, specific leaf weight, speed of germination,​ ​chlorophyll content and ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Moderate GCV and PCV were observed​ ​for leaf length, leaf width, petiole length, dry weight of stem per plant, leaf: stem ratio and​ ​foliage yield per plant. The high estimates of heritability coupled with higher values of genetic​ ​advance as per cent mean (GAM) were observed for the parameters like test weight, speed of​ ​germination, germination percentage, seedling dry matter, seedling vigour index-1, seedling​ ​vigour index-2, plant height, leaf length, leaf width, leaf area, leaf area index, leaf area​ ​duration, AGR, specific leaf weight, stem weight per plot, dry weight of leaf, dry weight of​ ​stem, leaf: stem ratio, foliage yield per plant, chlorophyll, ascorbic acid and beta- carotene​ ​content which indicates the predominance of additive gene action. Arka Arunima,​ ​Chikmagalur local, IC-551486, IC-551494 and IC-551466 recorded high foliage yield per​ ​plot and these can be utilized in further breeding programmes.

Soybean Physiology and Yield Response to Seed Rate and Sowing Method

The soybean crop is highly sensitive to climate change associated events viz., global warming, drought, and water-logging at the time of highly sensitive flowering and grain filling stage, causing a shortfall in production and supply of quality seed to the country. Under prevailing high-density planting, at the seed rate of 70 kg ha-1 and flatbed sowing method, plant growth is restricted due to limitation of radiation and nutrients. Hence, the seed rate and sowing method need revision in an era of climate change. Therefore, we hypothesized that adopting a lower seed rate under ridges and furrow sowing would improve seed yield and quality over the prevailing seed rate of 70 kg ha-1 and flatbed sowing method. In order to test our hypothesis, an experiment was conducted to study the effect of various seed rates and sowing methods on growth and productivity of soybean. Studies revealed that a seed rate of 70 kg ha-1 shows superiority in terms of seed yield (3873.70 kg ha-1) which was at par with 60 kg ha-1 (3359.40 kg ha-1). Lower seed rate of 60 kg ha-1 was superior in terms of seed yield per plant (8.99 g plant-1), biological yield (6310 kg ha-1), Harvest index (35.69%), dry matter accumulation in pods at 61 DAS (1.74 g). Ridges and furrow sowing method was found superior for biological yield (26.33 g plant-1) and (6958.90 kg ha-1), dry matter accumulation in pods at 61 DAS (1.84 g), Leaf Area Duration at 71 DAS (19535.00 cm2.days). Interaction studies revealed that 60 kg ha-1 seed rate with ridge and furrow stand superior in terms of seed yield per plant 10.65 g plant-1 which was attributed to maximum harvest index (29.58%), dry matter accumulation in pod at 61 DAS (2.13 g), Leaf Area Duration at 71-81 DAS (22069.00 cm2.days). In contrary, highest seed yield(4018.89 kg ha-1) was observed for seed rate of 70 kg ha-1 with flat bed sowing. Hence it can be concluded that, under low productive environment the efficient dry matter accumulation, leaf area development and number of branches under low density planting will not compensate for the higher plant stand induced yield increment due to high density planting. Therefore, higher seed rate of 70 kg/ha with ridge and furrow sowing will be recommended to the farmers to get higher yield of soybean under rainfed and low productive environment.

The technology of improving almond planting material tolerance to the salt stresses of soils based on experience in phytotron

There was studied impact of the bitter almond seeds preliminary steeping on the development of plants at the first stages of development in conditions of saline waters irrigation in the greenhouse experiment ambient in phytotron. It was established that steeping the seeds in excessive salt solution results in enhanced plants tolerance to the soil salinization and saline waters irrigation. This is evidenced by the obtained regularities of influence on the development of plants of biochemical character (content of proline, chlorophyll and carotinoids, total carbon); chemical (content of basic chemical elements); morphological (rate of the plants height and stalk diameter growth, leaf-area duration). The introduction of developed technology into nursery science will permit to improve the tolerance of seedlings to salinization of soils and irrigation waters.

Influence of the rootstock variety on the vegetative and uvological measures of grapes

The goal of research – signification of influence of the genotype of rootstock varieties on the vegetative and reproductive characteristic of the Purple early (Fioletoviy ranniy) grafted grape variety during adaptation in the field. Observations of research was made with using rootstock varieties - PP 101-14, Kober 5BB, Vierul-3. The influence of the rootstock genotype was introduced on the basis of by the survival rate of bushes, plant growth characteristics of the Purple early (Fioletoviy ranniy) variety, and uvological properties. The least death of bushes was found by usage the rootstock Vierul -3. Was revealed influence of the rootstock genotype on the vegetative measures of the grafted variety. The genotype of the Vierul - 3 rootstock variety was materially affected the leaf-area and leaf-area duration of the bush. Was found that influence of rootstock on the reproductive properties of graft - rootstock combinations. Grafting on the rootstock Cober 5BB foster the increase slightly of yield per Bush. Uvology indicators point at a positive effects of rootstock Vierul-3 on the weight of cluster and berries, the size of cluster and berries, the structure and form of the cluster and total sugars. On-farm research of agrocenosis, is advisable to graft the rootstock Vierul-3 for Fioletoviy ranniy variety.

Influence of Weather and Growth Parameters on Yield of Pigeon pea in an Alfisol of Karnataka

In field trials for six years, the influence of weather parameters on pigeon pea was studied in the Alfisols of Bengaluru, Karnataka. Pooled analysis revealed that for delay in sowing by each day, the normal sowing month from June resulted in decreased yield of pigeon pea by 11.13 kg ha-1, thus indicating the importance of early and timely sowing to get the advantage of higher rainfall, rainy days (RD), length of growing period (LGP in days), growing degree days (GDD) and leaf area duration (LAD in days). Among the above RD, LGP, GDD, LAD were found to have influenced the yield of pigeon pea in Alfisols significantly. For achieving maximum yield, the optimum values of the above parameters obtained from the fitted quadratic curves, were 90 RD, 2600 GDD and 300 LAD during the cropping period. Among the 10 multiple linear regression (MLR) models established, model V was found to be the most reliable in judging the yield potential of pigeon pea.