HETEROSIS IN CHICKPEA FOR GRAIN PRODUCTIVITY IN EMBU COUNTY, KENYA

Chickpea is a major source of proteins especially in arid and semi-arid areas of Kenya. However, its average yield per hectare is low when compared to neighbouring countries. This research was carried out to determine the levels of hybrid vigour on yield in the F1 generation. To obtain the F1s, reciprocal crossing between Mwanza 2 and Chaina I was carried out with controls being the parental lines. The experimental layout was a randomized block design replicated thrice for three seasons. A spacing of 50x20cm was used in plants, while all other agronomic practices were maintained constant. Data on grain yield and biomass per plant was obtained by measuring the weight, then subjecting it to a one-way ANOVA in SAS 9.4 software. Mwanza 2 expressed the highest biomass (2.56g), while both parents attained a maximum grain yield of 1.69g per plant. Chaina I x Mwanza 2 hybrid expressed maximum means of F1s for biomass (2.31g) and grain yield (1.4g) per plant. Chaina I x Mwanza 2 hybrid recorded the highest biomass and grain yield in better parent heterosis with 14.36% and 330% respectively. Mid-parent heterosis means were also highest at 24.53% and 405.88% for biomass and grain yield respectively. Further, the heritability was maximum for biomass under Mwanza 2 x Chaina I, varying from 93.1% to 100%, while Chaina I x Mwanza 2, expressed maximum grain yield and harvest index. Better parent heterosis and mid-parent heterosis was highest in Chaina I x Mwanza 2 than its reciprocal, Mwanza 2 x Chaina I.

The effect of a vegetation period on productivity, protein and oil percentage in grain of the collection soybean samples

The purpose of the current study was to identify the effect of the length of a vegetation period of the collection soybean samples on grain productivity and quality. The study was carried out in the southern part of the Rostov region in the fields of the FSBSI Agricultural Research Center “Donskoy” in 2018–2020. The climate is semi-arid with moderately hot summers. The soil is ordinary thick calcareous heavy loamy blackearth (chernozem). The forecrop was winter wheat. The objects of the study were collection soybean samples of the ARIGPR named after N.I. Vavilov. The study was carried out on 75 samples, including 52 middle early samples with 110-120 days of vegetation and 23 middle maturing samples (120-130 days of vegetation), differing in morphobiological and economically valuable traits. The analysis of a vegetation period, grain productivity and quality of the collection soybean samples has shown that in the southern part of the Rostov region the most variable trait was grain productivity (Cv = 22.5%). The less variable characteristics were protein percentage in grain (Cv = 3.8%), a vegetation period (Cv = 4.2%) and oil content in grain (Cv = 5.3%). There has been identified a positive effect of the length of a vegetation period of soybeans on grain productivity and oil content in grain for both groups of maturity, protein percentage in both groups of maturity having a negative dependence on a vegetation period. The study has shown that in the middle early group, the largest grain productivity was obtained with 117 and 118 days of vegetation, the highest protein percentage with 110 and 114 days of vegetation, and the largest oil content in grain with 118 and 120 days of vegetation. In the middle maturing group, the maximum productivity indicators were obtained for the samples with 126 and 130 days of vegetation, the maximum protein percentage with 122 days of vegetation and the maximum oil content in grain with 123 and 130 days of vegetation. The samples showing the maximum indicators will be included in further soybean breeding.

INFLUENCE OF WETTING CONDITIONS OF SANDY SOILS ON THE PRODUCTIVITY OF WINTER RYE

For many years of creating a new breeding material for winter rye in the changing soil and climatic conditions of the Novozybkovskaya Agricultural Management Plant, the influence of precipitation during the growing season on the grain productivity of diploid winter rye has been studied. It has been established that the lack of moisture during ear formation and maximum growth of the leaf surface (May) and excess during grain ripening (July) negatively affects productivity. The new varietal material of diploid winter rye showed resistance to lodging of 5 points, since the plant height averaged 109 cm with a variation from 98 to 126 cm. The number of productive stems at a seeding rate (manual) of 600 thousand grains/ha averaged 10 pieces, varying from 5 to 16 over the years with a dense elastic straw. The spike is 14 cm long with 42 spikelets and the grain weight from an ear is 2.7 g, the grain yield is 700–800 g/m2. With a high number of productive stems, an economically effective seeding rate of 150–170 kg / ha has been established, which ensures production of up to 5–6 t/ha of grain in production crops.

Herbicide effectiveness — a mean to improve quality of maize grain

Исследования влияния системного применения гербицидов при ресурсосберегающей обработке почвы на качественные показатели зерна кукурузы проведены на землях ОАО «Агросоюз» Рузаевского района Республики Мордовия в 2014–2016 годах. Установлено, что обработка посевов гербицидом «Дублон» (1,2 л/га) и баковой смесью «Дублон Голд» (0,07 кг/га) + «Балерина» (0,25 л/га) способствовала повышению содержания сырого протеина в зерне до 93,67 и 94,97 г/кг соответственно. Анализ содержания жира в зерне кукурузы выявил, что наибольшим оно было в контрольном варианте. Внесение препаратов «Дублон», «Дублон Супер», «Дублон Голд» и их сочетаний с «Балериной» статистически достоверно снижало концентрацию жира. Используемые пестициды достоверного влияния на увеличение содержания крахмала в зерне кукурузы не оказывали. Содержание клетчатки снижалось: при использовании препаратов «Дублон Супер», «Дублон Голд» и «Дублон» + «Балерина» её уровень был ниже контроля на 5–10%. В результате увеличения урожайности зерна кукурузы за счёт высокой эффективности гербицидов во всех вариантах опыта возрастал сбор протеина с 0,51 до 0,75 т/га. В исследованиях также установлено, что в вариантах с применением баковых смесей гербицидов «Дублон + «Балерина» и «Дублон Голд» + «Балерина» по сравнению с контролем валовой сбор крахмала, сахара, сырого жира был наивысшим. Между содержанием в зерне кукурузы сырого протеина, клетчатки, сырого жира, сахара и крахмала наблюдалась достоверная слабая положительная зависимость. Гербициды группы «Дублон» повышали концентрацию сахара до 32,6–33,3 г/кг. В результате повышенного содержания жира в зерне кукурузы уровень валовой энергии был наивысшим в контрольном варианте — 19,37 МДж/кг. При внесении гербицидов она снижалась вследствие повышения доли белка в органическом веществе зерна кукурузы. The investigation was carried out at the OAO “Agrosoyuz” (the Ruzaevskiy district, Republic of Mordovia) in 2014–2016. The effect of herbicide application was tested on maize under minimum tillage. Plant treatment with “Dublon” (1.2 l ha-1) as well as the mixture of “Dublon Gold” (0.07 kg ha-1) and “Balerina” (0.25 l ha-1) increased crude protein in grain up to 93.67 and 94.97 g/kg, respectively. The highest fat content was observed in the control. Application of “Dublon”, “Dublon Super”, “Dublon Gold” and their mixtures with “Balerina” significantly reduced fat accumulation. The preparations had no significant impact on starch formation. “Dublon Super”, “Dublon Gold” and “Dublon” + “Balerina” reduced fiber content by 5–10%. As a result of herbicide use grain productivity increased, and protein yield raised from 0.51 to 0.75 l ha-1. Mixtures of “Dublon” + “Balerina” as well as “Dublon Gold” + “Balerina” provided the highest gross yields of starch, sugar, and crude fat. Significant positive correlation was observed among crude protein, fiber, fat, sugars and starch. The “Dublon” herbicides positively affected sugar concentration up to 32.6–33.3 g/kg. Due to higher fat content gross energy yield was the highest in the control — 19.37 MJ/kg. Herbicide treatment reduced gross energy due to the higher protein content in grain organic matter.

Influence of mineral fertilizers and seed sowing rates on productive tillering, yield and grain quality of winter wheat in the steppe zone of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic

The results of a study on the formation of productive tillering, yield and grain quality of winter wheat in the steppe zone of the KBR is presented. It is shown that only further improvement of the methods of cultivation of the best varieties will allow to realize the biological potential of the grain productivity of this crop more fully. The most effective technologies for the cultivation of winter wheat in field crop rotation, aimed at preserving soil fertility and obtaining stable grain yields with minimal labor and resources, have been determined. Keywords: TECHNOLOGY, CULTIVATION, WINTER WHEAT, FERTILIZER, YIELD

Screening of breeding material of naked barley for breeding-valuable traits in the conditions of the Rostov region

The Southern Federal District is one of the main grain-producing regions of the Russian Federation. The share of the Southern Federal District, in which the Rostov Region is located, accounts for 12-15% of the total Russian barley production. In solving the problem of a further increase in yield and an increase in the quality characteristics of grain, the priority belongs to the variety. As a result of a long-term study of the collection of naked barley, sources of valuable traits and properties were identified: high grain content of an ear: K-9010 (Turkey), Akka (Israel), Nuda Bianco (Italy), 1057-1923 (Czech Republic), Buck CDC (Canada), K-266 (Pakistan); the number of productive stems per unit area: Kitaki-nadaka (Japan), K-11182 (Japan), K-3772 (Dagestan), Golozerny (RF); early maturity: Omsk golozerny 1 (RF), Brunee (Ethiopia), NB-owa (Nepal), K-11182 (Japan), Golozerny (RF), K-3038 (Turkmenistan), K-3426 (Japan), K-19103 (India), K-26598 (Ethiopia), K-266 (Pakistan), Korona Laschego (Poland). Over the years of research on a complex of traits, a number of samples have been identified that combine a high potential of grain productivity with resistance to lodging, different duration of the growing season and plant height: K-26598 (Ethiopia), 84469/70 (Czech Republic), CDC Dawn (Canada), Holozerny (RF), 1057-1923 (Czech Republic), Omsk Holozerny 1 (RF), K-6099 (Afghanistan), Akka (Israel), Kitaki-hadaka (Japan).

GRAIN PRODUCTIVITY OF SOYBEAN UNDER DIFFERENT TILLAGE SYSTEMS IN THE WESTERN REGION OF UKRAINE

The purpose of research is determination of an effective soil cultivation method that will create favorable soil conditions for plant growth and development, accumulation of crop seeds and provides high economic efficiency of culture growing on sod-podzolic soils in the Western region of Ukraine. Research methods - hypothesis, experiment, field observation, laboratory, visual and comparative calculation. Research results. The scheme of the experiment involved studying the impact on yield and efficiency of soybean cultivation of the following factors: – factor A (soil type): a) turf deeply gley sandy; b) sod-slightly podzolic sandy loam; – factor B (tillage): a) traditional (plowing with a reversible mounted plow PON-5/4 to a depth of 25 cm); b) mulching (disking in two tracks with a harrow BDV-3.6 to a depth of 15 cm). The plow and the disc harrow were aggregated with HTZ-150 K tractors According to the quality scores, the turf deeply gleyed sandy soil of plot I by all criteria prevails over similar parameters of sod-slightly podzolic sandy soil of plot II, which indicates its higher fertility. The agrochemical score of the soil in plot I is 56 and is higher than in plot II, where it is equal to 37 points. In the area and density of the stem in the gathering period was 1.7-1.9 pcs./m2 greater compared to this indicator in the II site. On the site and plants grew better and evolved. Biological yield on the site and amounted to 1.77-2.01 t/ha and was greater than in the II region by 41.6 % and 43.6 %. According to the results of research, deterioration of grain performance in variant with mulk treatment is also noted. Biological yield of seeds in areas with traditional treatments was 13.6 % and 12.0 % more comparable to variants of mulum grinding. In section I, the density of stems during the harvest period was 1.7-1.9 units/m2 higher compared to this indicator in section II. In the area I plants grew and developed better. Biological yield in plot I was 1.77-2.01 t/ha and was higher than in plot II by 41.6 % and 43.6 %. According to the results of the research, the deterioration of grain productivity indicators in the variant with mulching was also noted. Biological yield of seeds in areas with traditional tillage was 13.6% and 12.0% higher compared to mulching options. According to research, it can be stated that soil fertility has a greater impact on soybean grain productivity than tillage systems. The costs of growing soybeans, depending on the type and mechanical composition of the soil and the method of tillage ranged from 18860 to 19735 UAH / ha. Higher tillage costs were obtained in section I, which was characterized by heavier mechanical composition of gley soils. However, the soils of plot I have higher fertility and optimal acidity, which allowed to obtain higher grain productivity than in plot II – 1.77-1.01 t/ha against 1.25-1.40 t/ha. Due to higher yields, the unit cost of production in section I was 9818-10765 UAH/t and was lower by 4019-4323 UAH/t compared to section II. Conclusions. The use of traditional tillage requires higher costs, but due to higher yields, and hence the growth of income from the sale of seeds, greater profits and the level of profitability of production. Therefore, it should be noted that in the conditions of Western Ukraine, the traditional method of tillage based on plowing is a more effective method than mulching.

Potential of corn hybrids for fresh consumption

The objective of this work was to evaluate the potential of corn hybrids for grain productivity and fresh produce marketability in two crop seasons. The experiment applied the completely randomized block design with three replications, during 2013-14 and 2014-15 crops. Ten hybrids indicated for the Midwest region of Goiás state were used, namely 2B512PW, 2B587PW, 2B707PW, 30F35HR, 30F53YH, BRS1055, BM3061, P3646H and P3862YH. Hybrid AG1051 was used as control. The studied variables were ear height (EH), unhusked ear productivity (UEP), husked ear productivity (HEP), marketable ear productivity (MEP), marketable ear length (MEL), marketable ear diameter (MED), grain mass (GM), and gross revenue (GR). Records show that hybrid P3646H achieved results lower than the control in all the analyzed variables, regardless of the crop season, whereas hybrids 2B512PW, BRS1055 and P3862YH showed figures similar to AG1051 in 2013/14 crop and lower ones in 2014/15. Therefore, would not represent direct market competitors, as the control hybrid holds a significant share in the domestic market. Hybrids 2B587PW, 30F35HR, 30F53YH and BM3061 presented the greatest suitability for fresh corn consumption, as featured the highest number of favorable traits for that market.

ASSESSMENT OF EARLY MATURITY AND PRODUCTIVITY OF NEW CORN HYBRIDS IN THE CONDITIONS OF THE NORTHERN ZONE OF THE MIDDLE VOLGA REGION IN 2020

Evaluation of new breeding samples of early maturing hybrids of the in FSBSI ARRSI of corn 2020 was carried out on an experimental plot with gray forest heavy loamy soils. Meteorological conditions were characterized by an extremely uneven supply of heat and precipitation during the growing season. Of the earliest hybrids, RM 77/18 was isolated with the speed of recoil of moisture by the grain during ripening of 0.88% per day versus 0.64% for the Kubansky 101 standard, as a source of a valuable economic trait. The universal hybrid RM 139/18 surpassed the Nur standard in grain productivity by 10.6%, moisture-yielding speed (1.12% versus 1.02% per day for Nur) and starch content in the grain (57.7% versus 54.6% for Nur). Among the mid-early samples for silage, RM 151/18 stood out: it surpassed the Nur standard in dry matter productivity by 10.8%, output per hectare of crude protein by 35%, sugars - by 15% and metabolizable energy - by 10.6%. Both hybrids are recommended for transfer to State Variety Trials. Analyzed and noted the unreliability of the generally accepted criteria for the preliminary assessment of the early maturity of new maize hybrids in the northern zone of the Middle Volga region.

Organic and Mineral Source of Nitrogen Associated With Azospirillum brasilense in Culture of Wheat

Nitrogen fertilization in wheat is the item that most impacts production costs when it comes to fertilization, due to its importance and demand for this crop. Thus, organic fertilization and nitrogen fixing bacteria can be management strategies to supply the nitrogen demand. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impacts of the bacterium A. brasilense associated with organic fertilization and mineral fertilization on some plant parameters and on the final productivity of wheat grains. The experimental design was a randomized block, with 8 treatments and 8 repetitions, with the following treatments: T1: Control; T2: A. brasilense; T3: 100% N-mineral; T4: 100% N-mineral + A brasilense; T5: 50% N-mineral + 50% N-organic; T6: 50% N-mineral + 50% N-organic + A. brasilense; T7: 100% N-organic; T8: 100% N-organic + A. brasilense. The parameters of the plant and the final productivity of wheat grains showed that the use of the bacterium A. brasilense was not an efficient strategy, however, in relation to the fertilization sources in the final grain productivity, the use of urea isolated or associated with organic fertilization did not differ from each other and were superior to the other treatments.