Effect of Varieties and Crop Geometries on Yield and Profitability of Soybean in Semi – Arid Climate of Telangana

A field study entitled ʻʻEvaluation of varieties at varied crop geometry for yield maximization in soybeanʼʼ was conducted at College farm, Agricultural College, Polasa, Jagtial, PJTSAU, during the kharif season of 2018. The experiment was laid out in split-plot design with three replications to evaluate the performance of promising varieties of soybean (V1- Basar, V2- JS 335, V3- KDS 756 and V4- MACS 1281) and to standardize the crop geometry for Soybean varieties (S1- 45 x 10 cm, S2- 30 x 10 cm, S3- 45 x 05 cm and S4- 35 x 05 cm) under rainfedsemi arid conditions of Telangana. The results obtained from the present experiment indicated that among the varieties the yield attributes and yield are numbers of pods plant-1, number of seeds pod-1, seed yield, stalk yield and harvest index (%) and monetary returns of KDS 756 variety was significantly higher as compared to other varieties followed by Basar, MACS 1281, respectively. Hundred seed weight was significant among varieties and was higher with variety KDS 756 followed by MACS 1281, JS 335 and Basar. JS 335 showed inferior performance regarding yield attributes yield and monetary returns. Among crop geometry 30 x 10 cm recorded higher yield characters and monetary returns followed by 45 x 05 cm, 30 x 05 cm and 45 x 10 cm, respectively.

Effect of Organic Nutrients and Growth Regulators on Yield and Quality of Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis L)

An Investigation was conducted to study the effect of organic inputs and growth regulators on yield and quality of goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) was conducted at the floricultural unit, Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University during 2018. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with twelve treatments, various organic inputs and growth regulators including panchagavya @ 3%, vermiwash 1:5 dilutions, humic acid @ 0.2%, GA3 @ 250 ppm, NAA @ 250 ppm were applied. The yield and quality characters were studied at different stages. The observations recorded viz., yield of flower stalks/ha, days to first flowering, length of flower stalks and weight of individual flower stalks. The results revealed that plants treated with NAA @ 250 ppm + panchagavya @ 3% (T9) was observed highest flower stalk yield (1140.02 flower stalks/ha), No. of flower stalks/plant (24.48), weight of individual flower stalks, days to first flowering. Considering the overall performance, it was found that the plants treated with NAA @ 250ppm + Panchagavya @ 3% recorded better performance with regard to growth, yield and quality characters.

DRY MATTER ACCUMULATION AND SUGAR AND ALCOHOL YIELD OF SUGARCANE SUBMITTED TO NITROGEN SOURCES AND DOSES

The study aimed to evaluate the nitrogen sources and doses application effects on the dry matter production and the sugar and alcohol gross yield of sugarcane (SP80-1816) in the cane-plant cycle in a dystrophic Red Oxisol. The experiment was conducted in the Fazenda Rio Paraiso II field, belonging to Usina Raízen, in Jataí - GO. The experimental design used was randomized blocks, arranged in a factorial scheme (2 x 4), with three replications. The treatments consisted of two nitrogen sources (urea and ammonium nitrate) and four nitrogen doses (0, 60, 120, and 180 kg ha-1). Dry matter variables were analyzed in sub-subdivided plots, as four evaluation periods were added (210, 250, 290, and 330 days after planting). The evaluation periods influenced sugarcane dry matter, and urea favored these variables to the ammonium nitrate's detriment. In contrast, the opposite occurred for stalk yield and sugar and alcohol yields, in which ammonium nitrate provided greater increments. The increase in nitrogen doses provided linear gains in practically all studied variables.

Plant Spacing and Variety of Field Corn (Zea mays L.) Affecting Yield, Yield Components and Silage Quality

The recent increase in dairy and cattle production in Thailand has increased demand for high-quality roughage, particularly corn silage. Although there has been a great deal of research on field corn, far fewer studies have focused on corn intended as silage. This study involved a field experiment that analyzed crop management methods, focusing on plant spacing and 8 of the field corn varieties most commonly used in Thailand. The objectives were to determine which plant spacing and variety produced the best forage yield and silage qualities of corn silage. The plantings were arranged in a split-plot Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. The main plot contained two spacing (75×20 and 75×25 cm2), each with subplots of 8 field corn varieties (SW5, NS2, NS3, NSX982013, TE1719, WS6437, WS6440, WS6442). All plants received the same crop management care regarding soil conditions, water, fertilization, and weeding. The results showed plant spacing did not significantly affect plant height (cm) and ears per plant, but the narrower 75×20 cm2 spacing produced the highest fresh leaf yield (13 t ha-1) and dry stalk yield (4.5 t ha-1) (p < 0.05). At 75×20 cm2 spacing, the TE1719 varietal had more ears per plant than SW5 (the check variety). TE1719 had the best fresh ear, stalk, and total biomass yield at both spacing of all the varieties. With regard to silage quality, the plant spacing did not significantly affect the CP, ADF, ADL, ash, and pH of the corn silage. The study revealed planting TE1719 varieties at 75×20 cm2 spacing is more economical for farmers because it increases forage yields without negatively affecting the nutritional value of corn silage.

Soil Nutrients Status and Cotton Yield as Influenced by Split Application of Nitrogen and Potassium in Vertisol

The present investigation was conducted during 2018-19 with a view to study the effect of split application of nitrogen and potassium on yield of cotton and soil nutrient status at Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola. The experiment comprised of eight different treatments and their combination with foliar spray of 1 per cent MgSO4 at two different growth stages viz. flowering and boll development in randomized block design with three replications. The results of the present experiment revealed that, available nutrient status of soil was slightly increased with increase in the splits of N and K fertilizer. Available N, P, K, S and exchangeable Ca in soil were significantly increased with the split application of fertilizer. The fertilizer split did not show significant effect on the exchangeable magnesium status of soil. Foliar sprays of 1 per cent MgSO4 at two different growth stages viz. flowering and boll development irrespective of fertility levels showed slightly higher exchangeable magnesium status of soil. The lowest available N, P, K, S and exchangeable Ca and Mg was recorded in treatment of absolute control. The fertilizer splits show a consistent increase in the seed cotton yield and stalk yield of Bt cotton. Hence, it can be concluded that, application of 60:30:30 N, P2O5 and K2O kg ha-1 with splits of nitrogen at basal, 30, 60 and 90 DAS, 100 per cent P2O5 as basal and K2O in two equal splits at basal and 60 DAS recorded significantly higher seed cotton and cotton stalk yield. The seed cotton (R2 = 0.913**) and stalk yield (R2 = 0.935**) was significantly and positively correlated with the soil organic carbon status.

Bio-Fuel Potential of Some Sweet Sorghum Genotypes [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench ssp. saccharatum]

The fossil energy sources used in the world are gradually decreasing and limited. Fossil fuels cause environmental pollution, and the unit price is constantly increasing. For this reason, demand for cheaper and renewable energy sources that do not pollute the environment is increasing day by day. The sweet sorghum plant has attracted attention in recent years with its high biomass yield, sugar content and bioethanol yield. In this study, it was aimed to determine the bio-fuel potential of some sweet sorghum genotypes in semi-arid climatic conditions. The experiment was set up in randomized complete block design with 4 replicates. Research was carried out in 2015 under Harran Plain (36o 42’ N and 38o 58’ E) second crop conditions, Sanliurfa, Turkey. In the study 49 genotypes of sweet sorghum were used. Stalk yield, juice yield, syrup yield, brix, sugar yield and theoretical ethanol yield were determined in the study. Significant differences were found between the genotypes for tested characteristics (P≤0.01). Stalk yield ranged from 7110.0 kg da-1 to 24262.5 da-1, juice yield from 2550.0 L da-1 to 12187.5 L da-1, syrup yield from 291.4 L da-1 to 2242.5 L da-1. Also, brix value varied between %7.0 and %18.87, sugar yield between 247.7 da-1 and 1906.1 da-1, Theoretical ethanol yield between 131.9 L da-1 and 1014.8 L da-1. Considering to stalk yield, juice and syrup yield, brix, sugar yield and theoretical ethanol yield; Nebraska sugar, Topper 76, Smith, M81E and Corina genotypes were found as the best. As a result of research, 21 genotypes with better performance than the others were selected for further studies.

Seed Yield and Yield Components of Sesame as Affected by Various Weed Control Methods

Weed control strategy greatly influences on weed infestation and yield of sesame. An experiment was conducted at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Ishurdi, Pabna during Kharif-1 season of two consecutive years 2015-16 and 2016-17 to find out the suitable weed control methods in sesame. It comprises five weed control methods viz., Application of Panida (T1), Application of Panida with one hand weeding at 20 DAE (T2), One hand weeding at 20 DAE (T3), Two hand weedings at 20 and 40 DAE (T4) and Control (no weeding) (T5 ). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Among the weed species, Cyperus rotundus and Digitaria sangunalis were the most abundant weeds. Application of Panida with one hand weeding at 20 DAE (T2) gave the lowest weed density, weed biomass and the highest weed control efficiency followed by application of Panida (T1) in both years. Weed biomass influenced negatively on plant height, number of capsule plant-1, seed yield and stalk yield. The maximum seed yield and stalk yield were also obtained from T2 which was statistically similar to T1 treatment and the minimum seed yield from T5. Economic analysis indicated that T2 gave higher gross return but T1 provided higher gross margin and benefit cost ratio. The treatment, T4 showed higher total variable cost due to the high cost of labour for hand weeding with the increase of variable cost, which affected the marginal return and benefit-cost ratio. However, based on the economic point of view, application of Panida in pre-emergence condition (T1) was a profitable and suitable weed control method in summer sown sesame. Bangladesh Agron. J. 2020, 23(1): 107-116

Characterization of semi-arid Chadian sweet sorghum accessions as potential sources for sugar and ethanol production

Sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is an important crop in Chad that plays an economic role in the countryside were stalks are produced mainly for human consumption without any processing. Unfortunately, very little information exists on its genetic diversity and brix content. Studies performed in 2014 and 2015 showed that there were significant variations (p < 0.001) for all assessed quantitative traits. Potential grain yield (0.12–1.67 t ha−1), days to 50% flowering (68.3–126.3 days), and plant height (128.9–298.3 cm) were among traits that exhibited broader variability. Brix content range from 5.5 to 16.7% across accessions, was positively correlated to stalk diameter and plant height, but negatively correlated to moisture content in fresh stalk and potential grain yield. Fresh stalk yield range from 16.8 to 115.7 Mg ha−1, with a mean value of 58.3 Mg ha−1 across accession. Moisture content in fresh stalk range from 33.7 to 74.4% but was negatively correlated to fresh stalk yield. Potential sugar yield range from 0.5 to 5.3 Mg ha−1 across accession with an average of 2.2 Mg ha−1. Theoretical ethanol yield range from 279.5 to 3,101.2 L ha−1 across accession with an average of 1,266.3 L ha−1 which is significantly higher than values reported under similar semiarid conditions. Overall, grain yields were comparatively low. However, two accessions had grain yield of more than 1.5 t ha−1; which is greater than the average 1.0 t ha−1 for local grain sorghum varieties in Chad. These could have multi-purpose uses; grains, sugar and bioenergy production.

Straw Removal Effects on Sugarcane Root System and Stalk Yield

The sugarcane (Saccharum spp. L.) mechanical harvesting system leaves a large amount of straw mulch on the soil surface. The straw mulch may affect soil conditions, root regrowth, and sugarcane yield. Thus, this study assessed the response of sugarcane root system growth and stalk yield to different rates of straw removal. An experiment was conducted in a Rhodic Kandiudox with sand clay loam texture to test the impact of four rates of straw removal: no removal (18.9 Mg ha−1 of dry mass); moderate removal (8.7 Mg ha−1); high removal (4.2 Mg ha−1) and total removal on sugarcane root system and stalk yield. Higher concentrations of roots (60%) were found in the first 40 cm of soil. Moderate straw removal resulted in higher root mass (3.6 Mg ha−1) and stalk production (23 Mg ha−1 of dry mass). However, no straw removal reduced root mass by <40% (2099 kg ha−1) and reduced stalk yield by >20% (105 Mg ha−1). Through regression analysis, it was estimated that retaining between 8.5 and 13 Mg ha−1 of straw resulted in the highest root mass and stalk yield. Managing straw removal to retain a moderate amount enables producers to sustain suitable soil conditions for sugarcane root growth and stalk production while providing straw for industrial use.

Yield and technological quality of sugarcane under irrigation depths and nitrogen fertilization

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the stalk yield, sugar yield and technological quality of two varieties of sugarcane under different irrigation depths and nitrogen doses. The experiment was conducted in two consecutive years (2015 and 2016) at Olho D’Água Farm, in Itambé, Pernambuco, Brazil. The experimental design was randomized blocks in the split-split-strip-plot scheme, with four replicates. Treatments consisted of four irrigation depths (L1 = 12, L2 = 45, L3 = 100 and L4 = 125% of the crop evapotranspiration - ETc, plant cane) and (L1 = 10, L2 = 40, L3 = 100 and L4 = 125% ETc, ratoon cane), four doses of nitrogen (N1 = 0, N2 = 50, N3 = 100 and N4 = 200 kg ha-1 of N) and two varieties of sugarcane (RB92579 and RB002754). Sugarcane plants irrigated with the highest depths of 1,324.06 and 1,242.3 mm in the plant cane and ratoon cane cycles respectively produced 38.40 and 49.14 t of stalks ha-1 and 0.48 and 1.82 t of sugar ha-1 more, compared to those irrigated with the lowest depths of 124.06 and 99.4 mm. The highest stalk yield was obtained with the combination of 120.7 kg ha-1 of N and 1266.6 mm of irrigation depth. Sugarcane technological quality is positively correlated with the increase of the irrigation depth in the plant cane and ratoon cane cycles and negatively correlated with nitrogen.