ARTIFICIAL FIELD INOCULATION OFBREAD WHEAT ADVANCED LINES WITH TILLETIAINDICA, CAUSAL AGENT OF KARNAL BUNT

The reaction to Tilletiaindica of one thousand and ninety twobread wheat advanced lines were evaluated in the field during the crop season 2016-2017. Sowing in beds with two rows was carried out on November 11 and 24, 2016, using 8 g of seed. Five spikes per line were inoculated by injection with 1 mL of an allantoidsporidial suspension (10,000/mL) during the boot stage, and at maturity the percentage of infection was determined by counting healthy and infected grains. The range of infection in the first date was 0-88.83 with a mean of 31.81%, while in the second date it was 0-82.65% with a mean of 24.44%.The range of infection of the two dates was 0.46-83.71% with a mean of 28.12%.Sixteenlines showed a percentage of infection equal or below 5.0% in both dates, and out of those lines, the following five showed less than 2.5%: two sister lines of MUNAL#1/FRANCOLIN#1*2/3/ATTILA*2/PBW65//MURGA(CMSS12Y00701T-099TOPM-099Y-099M-0SY-13M-0WGY), MUNAL#1/FRANCOLIN#1*2/3/ATTILA*2/PBW65//MURGA (CMSS12Y00701T-099TOPM-099Y-099M-0SY-17M-0WGY), BAJ#1/3/KIRITATI//ATTILA*2/PASTOR*2/4/MUTUS*2/TECUE#1, VILLAJUAREZF2009/6/ATTILA/3*BCN//BAV92/3/PASTOR/4/TACUPETOF2001*2/BRAMBLING/5/PAURAQ, and KACHU/BECARD//WBLL1*2/BRAMBLING/4/FRET2/TUKURU//FRET2/3/MUNAL#1. Lines with the highest percentage of infection were: BABAX/LR42//BABAX*2/3/KUKUNA/4/CROSBILL#1/5/BECARD/6/KSW/SAUAL//SAUAL/7/BABAX/LR42//BABAX*2/3/KUKUNA/4/CROSBILL#1/5/BECARD with 88.83 in the first date,MUU/KBIRD//2*KACHU/KIRITATIwith 84.77 and 82.65%in the first and second date, respectively, and TACUPETOF2001*2/BRAMBLING//WBLL1*2/BRAMBLING/6/WBLL1*2/KURUKU*2/5/REH/HARE//2*BCN/3/CROC_1/AE.SQUARROSA(213)//PGO/4/HUITES/7/BAV92//IRENA/KAUZ/3/HUITES/4/2*ROLF07 with 81.67% in the first date. The average of the three highest levels of infection of the susceptible checkwas99.7%.

Influence of irrigation and hydrogel application on yield and economics of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) under Eastern UP condition

An experiment was conducted at CRF (Crop Research Farm), Department of Agronomy, SHUATS, Prayagraj, (U.P.) during Zaid crop season 2020. The soil of site was sandy loam in texture with neutral PH. The experiment was carried out in split plot design having nine treatment consisted of main plot Irrigation viz., I1 (2 Irrigation during Emergence and Early Tillering), I2 (3 Irrigation during Emergence, Early Tillering and Boot stage) and I3 (4 Irrigation during Emergence, Early Tillering, Boot stage and Grain filling) and sub plot, Hydrogel viz., H0 (0 kg/ha), H1 (2 kg/ha) and H2 (4 kg/ha) which are replicated thrice and effect was observed on Manipuri variety of Bajra. The result indicated that increase in irrigation interval and hydrogel significantly improved yield attributes and yield. At, harvesting, 4 irrigation recorded maximum of Grain yield (1.88 t/ha), Stover yield (4.31 t/ha) and Harvest index (30.24 %) hydrogel also resulted significantly higher Grain yield (1.98 t/ha), Stover yield (4.44 t/ha) and Harvest index (30.79 %) Maximum Gross return (69222.96/ha), Net return (45066.76/ha) and Benefit to Cost ratio (2.87) were recorded by application of 4 kg/ha hydrogel with 4 irrigation.

Propionic Acid and Sodium Benzoate Affected Biogenic Amine Formation, Microbial Community, and Quality of Oat Silage

Investigating the microbial communities and biogenic amine (BA) formation in silage is of vital for improving the quality and safety of oat silage. The present study evaluated the effects of propionic acid (P) and sodium benzoate (SB) on the quality properties, microbial communities, and BA formation in oat silage. Oat was harvested at boot stage and ensiled using P and SB as additives in mini silos, followed by 14 days of aerobic exposure. The results showed that P and SB improved fermentation quality of oat silage, increased the lactic acid content, and decreased pH value and ammonia nitrogen content. Putrescine, cadaverine, and tyramine were the dominant BAs in oat silage; spermidine and spermine were not detected. The control silage had the highest content of total biogenic amine (TBA, 2506.7 mg kg–1 DM), and decreased by 51.1 and 57.7% after adding P and SB, respectively. Moreover, a lower putrescine, cadaverine, and tyramine content and undesirable microbes, such as Caproiciproducens, Stenotrophomonas, Herbinix, and Enterobacter genera, were observed in P and SB silages, which was beneficial for oat silage quality. The fungal community of P silage was dominated by Monascus fuliginosus, and the temperature, pH and ammonia nitrogen content increased after exposure to air. Sedimentibacter, Herbinix, Caproiciproducens, Enterobacter, and Escherichia-Shigella were found to be positively correlated with BA formation in oat silage. Overall, P and SB effectively inhibit the undesirable microbes and BA formation in oat silage, the P silage exhibited lower aerobic stability than the SB silage.

Reaction of advanced lines of triticale to karnal bunt (Tilletia indica)

Twenty advanced lines of triticale were evaluated for resistance to karnal bunt during the 2014-2015 crop season, at the Norman E. Borlaug Experimental Station. The sowing dates were November 19 and 29, 2014. One mL of an allantoid sporidial suspension (10,000/mL) was injected during the boot stage of ten spikes per line. A mist-irrigation system was used to provide high humidity in the experimental area. Harvesting and threshing were done manually, and the counting of infected and healthy grains was perfomed by visual inspection. The range of infection for the first sowing date was 0 - 2.4%, with an average of 0.3, and for the second 0 - 1.4%, with an average of 0.4. Five lines did not show any infected grains in both dates and the rest was in the 0.1-2.5% infection category. The average of infection of the susceptible check during the period of inoculation of this group of lines was 86.6%. The highest average percentage of infection of both dates were shown by lines: TURACO/CENT.SARDEV/7/LIRON_2/5/DISB5/3/SPHD/ PVN//YOGUI_6/4/KER_3/6/BULL_10/MANATI_1/8/LIRON_2/5/DISB5/3/SPHD/PVN// YOGUI_6/4/KER_3/6/BULL_10/MANATI_1/9/BICEN (CTSS08Y00035S-099Y-026M-19Y-099M-2Y-2BMX-4Y) with 1.6 and POPP1_2/CAAL//THELIN#2/5/PRESTO//2*TESMO_1/ MUSX603/4/ARDI_1/TOPO1419//ERIZO_9/3/SUSI_2/6/ARDI/GNU//2*FAHAD_1/4/BULL_ 10/MANATI_1/3/ELK54/ BUF_2//NIMIR_3 with 1.3%. These lines also showed the highest percentage of infection in the first date with 1.8 and 2.4%, respectively.

Integration of grazing and herbicide application improves management of barb goatgrass and medusahead in pasture and rangelands

The invasive annual grasses barb goatgrass (Aegilops triuncialis L.) and medusahead (Elymus caput-medusae L.) are widespread in western states and present management challenges on grasslands. To develop an integrated management strategy for these species, we treated sites in five pastures in Mendocino County, comparing combinations of intensive sheep grazing, glyphosate herbicide (low and high), and application timings (tillering, boot and heading stage). We found that grazing alone reduced barb goatgrass spikelet densities by 68% and the number of seeds per spikelet by 35%. Both rates of glyphosate application without grazing had similar effects on seed production. High and low glyphosate application at tillering resulted in almost complete control of both target species. Boot- and heading-stage applications reduced barb goatgrass density by 39% and 32%, respectively. Application at the boot stage also resulted in an 82% reduction in number of seeds per barb goatgrass spikelet. Our results suggest that intensive grazing may be a useful management strategy to reduce barb goatgrass and medusahead spikelet densities and barb goatgrass seed numbers, especially when integrated with a boot- or heading-stage glyphosate application.

Creating hyssop phytocenoses in anthropogenically transformed ecosystems

The aim of the article is to define hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) ‘Markiz’ cultivar capacity parameters aimed at recultivating degraded soils, alkali soils, sloping lands, local landscaping of technologically polluted areas, which will promote improvement of anthropogenically transformed ecosystems. To implement such practical measures comprehensive approach should be used while selecting agronomic measures for growing crops by applying fertilizers (N60P60 broadcast, N30P30 broadcast + N30P30 with irrigation water during boot stage) and retaining soil moister per 30–40 cm depth on the level of 80–70–70% MHC. In these circumstances, stable agrophytocenosis is formed with optimal plants capacity parameters and crops of dry floral materials at the level of 52.6–53.7 c/ha. After the first mowing at the end of June, shoots are growing and flowering during the last August decade and beginning of September. However, phytomass yield is twice lower compared to the first mowing.

Boot Stage Forage Yield and Quality of Pearl Millet as Influenced by Organo-mineral Fertilizer Rates in Humid Rainforest Zone of Nigeria

An experiment was conducted at the experimental site of Federal College of Agriculture, Akure to investigate the effects of different levels of organo-mineral fertilizer (OMF) on forage yield and quality of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L) R.Br). The experiment was arranged in randomized complete block design with three replications. Five levels of OMF at 0 (control), 1, 2, 3, 4t/ha and 100 kg/ha N.P.K. 15:15:15 were used. Pearl millet seeds were sown at the rate of 10 kg/ha. Statistical analysis showed significant differences in the plant height, fresh and dry forage yield obtained at boot stage. The following ranges were obtained in the investigated traits among the fertilizer applications; plant height 1.08-2.54 m, fresh forage yield 24.37-59.10t/ha and dry matter yield of 4.25-10.67 t/ha. Quality parameters (CP, CF, EE, NFE and Ash) showed significant increase with higher levels of OMF applied. The ranges obtained were: CP 8.56-13.32%, EE 15.82-16.1%, EE 7.14-8.69%, Ash 11.46-16.07%, NFE 33.38-44.48 and moisture content 9.49-11.58%. The study concludes that organo-mineral fertilizer application at 4t/ha is particularly effective in improving the forage yield and quality of pearl millet.

Combined Use of PGPR and Reduced Rates of Azoxystrobin to Improve Management of Sheath Blight of Rice

Farmers heavily rely on the use of strobilurin fungicides to manage sheath blight (ShB) caused by Rhizoctonia solani AG1-IA, the most important disease in rice in the southern United States. Greenhouse and field studies were conducted to evaluate the potential use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in combination with a reduced rate of azoxystrobin as a strategy to improve the current fungicide-reliant management. Of the nine antagonistic PGPR strains screened in the greenhouse, Bacillus subtilis strain MBI600 provided the most significant and consistent suppression of ShB. Efficacy of strain MBI600 was further evaluated at the concentrations of zero, 103, 106, 109, and 1011 CFU/ml alone or in combinations with zero, 17, 33, 50, 67, 83, and 100% of the recommended rate (0.16 kg a.i./ha) of azoxystrobin. Strain MBI600 applied at 106,109, and 1011 CFU/ml alone was effective in reducing ShB severity. Combinations of this strain at these rates with 33% or more of the recommended rate of azoxystrobin further reduced ShB severity. A dose response model defining the relationships between strain MBI600, azoxystrobin, and ShB severity was established. Estimates of the effective concentrations, EC50 and EC90, of strain MBI600 when applied in combination with 50% of the recommended rate of azoxystrobin were 104 and 109 CFU/ml, respectively. A field trial was conducted over 4 years to verify the efficacy of their combinations. Strain MBI600 alone, when applied at 109 CFU/ml at the boot stage, reduced ShB severity but did not significantly increase grain yields each year. Combination of strain MBI600 with azoxystrobin at the half-recommended rate improved efficacy of strain MBI600, reducing ShB severity to a level comparable to that of azoxystrobin applied at the full rate in all four years. The combined treatment also increased grain yield by 14 to 19% comparable to the fungicide applied at the full rate in 3 of 4 years. Combined use of PGPR strain MBI600 with a reduced rate of azoxystrobin can be a viable management option for control of ShB while allowing producers to use less fungicide on rice.

Intercropping winter cereals in Kura clover for spring forage production

Intercropping winter cereals into Kura clover (Trifolium ambiguum M. Bieb.) has the potential to improve forage nutritive value without reducing yields. The objective of this research was to compare forage yield and nutritive value of cereal–legume mixtures to cereals or Kura clover grown in monoculture and harvested at two different maturity stages in spring. Winter rye (Secale cereale L.), winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and winter triticale (×Triticosecale Wittmack) were sown in autumn at two locations as monocultures and into herbicide suppressed and non-suppressed Kura clover and harvested for forage the following spring. Harvested at the cereal crop boot stage at Arlington, forage yields averaged 4.7, 4.8, 5.3, and 1.7 Mg ha−1 and 3.5, 3.7, 4.1, and 2.6 Mg ha−1 at Lancaster for mixtures with non-suppressed Kura clover, suppressed Kura clover, monoculture cereals, and monoculture clover, respectively. At the milk stage, yields across all mixture treatments increased by 46% to 115% compared to the boot stage at Arlington and by 88% to 101% at Lancaster. Kura clover in mixtures increased crude protein by 34% to 46% and in vitro true digestibility by 3% to 6%, neutral detergent fiber digestibility by 0% to 6%, and reduced neutral detergent fiber concentration by 8% to 18% relative to cereal monocultures. The nutritive value of mixtures and monoculture Kura clover was always greater than that of monoculture cereals. Winter cereals can be successfully managed with Kura clover for forage production by maximizing nutritive value with boot stage harvests or achieving higher yields by harvesting at the milk stage.

65 On-farm demonstrations improve producer understanding of using metsulfuron for tall fescue seedhead suppression

In 2018, a series of 4 on-farm demonstrations were conducted using a metsulfuron herbicide for tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum) seedhead suppression to increase producer awareness of this practice. Chaparral© herbicide was applied prior to the boot stage (April 5–April 21, 2018) and the design was an unreplicated field with side by side treated and untreated areas. Forage samples were taken to determine yield, nutritive value, species composition and ergovaline level. Treatment with Chaparral© increased crude protein (12.1 vs. 14.2%) while reducing yield (5477 vs. 3738 kg/ha) and tall fescue seedhead proportion (42.8 vs. 25.4%) (P < 0.05). Total digestible nutrients tended to be higher (57.2 vs 59.2%, P = 0.08) and ergovaline level tended to be lower (901 vs. 491 ppb, P = 0.11) with treatment. Workshops were held to report the demonstration results. Total workshop registration was 147 with 91 evaluations completed. Participants were 78% male and 22% female with 65% being over the age 50. The pasture hectares grazed by participants was 4253 with 1415 ha as hay. Attendee’s livestock inventories were 6357 beef cattle, 105 sheep, 66 goats and 70 horses. Post-workshop evaluation indicated that 100% of attendees increased understanding of fescue toxicosis, management strategies to reduce fescue toxicity and of using metsulfuron for seedhead suppression. Evaluations completed at the conclusion of each workshop (n = 90) indicated satisfaction with (scale of 1 = not satisfied to 4 = very satisfied, mean ± SD): instructors’ knowledge (3.86 ± 0.34), workshop environment/format (3.83 ± 0.37), and overall quality (3.82 ± 0.41). One hundred percent indicated that this workshop met their expectations and they would recommend it to others. Producer interest and responses indicate that on farm demonstrations are an effective method for education of new production practices