Incomplete Gamma distribution of rainfall for sustainable crop production strategies at Palampur, Himachal Pradesh

The knowledge of rainfall pattern (amount and probability) helps in planning of crops to be grown in a region. Therefore weekly, monthly, seasonal and annual rainfall data for 33 years (1974-2006) for the station Palampur have been collected and its analysis has been attempted. The annual and monthly rainfall data were analyzed for finding out drought normality and abnormality. The analysis indicated that the rainfall is mainly confined in annual rainfall 2343 mm with 25.7 per cent variability. The standard deviation of annual rainfall is 62.8 mm. Each standard week from 26th to 35th receive a rainfall of more than 100 mm, indicating the crop period. Seed sowing in paddy nursery in the Palampur region generally takes places immediately after initiation of monsoon during 23rd - 25th standard meteorological weeks and transplanting is carried out around 27th or 28th standard meteorological week. The tillering, 50 percent flowering and dough stage are observed during 32-33rd, 37-38th and 40-41st standard meteorological weeks respectively.

Growth response and water production functions of wheat (Triticumaestivum L.) under abiotic stresses in central and south-western Punjab

A field experiment was conducted in two agroclimatic zones of the Punjab (viz., Ludhiana representing central plain zone and Bathinda representing south-western arid zone) to study the growth, yield and water use efficiency of wheat under abiotic stresses. The wheat variety HD-2967 was evaluated under five thermal environments (D1 - 20th October, D2 - 05th November, D3 - 20th November, D4 - 5th December and D5 - 20th December) to expose the crop to different thermal environments and two nitrogen levels (N1- Recommended dose of N and N2 - 25 per cent less than recommended N) in main plots and two irrigation levels (I1-Optimal (recommended) irrigation (Irrigation at CRI, Jointing, Flowering and Soft dough stage) and I2-Sub-optimal irrigation (one irrigation less than recommended) (Irrigation at CRI, Flag leaf emergence and Soft dough stage) in sub-plots during two consecutive rabi seasons of 2017-18 and 2018-19. At 45 DAS; number of tillers/m2, plant height, dry matter accumulation and leaf area index in 20th October sown crop was significantly higher than other dates of sowing at both the stations during both the years. But at the time of harvesting, tiller count and plant height was highest under 5th November sown crop, whereas dry matter accumulation and leaf area index was significantly highest under 20th October sown crop. Yield and yield attributes were significantly highest under 5th November and significantly lowest under 20th December sown crop. Wheat crop exhibited significantly highest WUE w.r.t. straw and grain yield in 5th November sowing (D2) which was at par with that under 20th October sowing and significantly lowest water use efficiency was observed under 20th December (D5) sown crop at both the locations during both crop seasons. Recommended dose of nitrogen and optimal irrigation also produced significantly higher WUE at both the locations during both the years. The study concluded that earlier sowing of wheat along with recommended nitrogen and optimal irrigation can significantly improve growth and yield attributes as well as water use efficiency in both the agroclimatic regions.

Improving heat use efficiency of wheat (Triticumaestivum L.) under abiotic stresses in semi-arid and arid agroclimatic conditions of Punjab

A field experiment was conducted in two agroclimatic zones of the Punjab (viz., Ludhiana representing semi-arid and Bathinda representing arid zone) to study the phenologicalbehaviour and heat use efficiency of wheat under abiotic stresses. The wheat variety HD-2967 was evaluated under five thermal environments (D1- 20th October, D2-5th November, D3- 20th November, D4- 5th December and D5- 20th December) to expose the crop to different thermal environments and two nitrogen levels (N1- Recommended dose of N and N2- 25 per cent less than recommended N) in main plots and two irrigation levels (I1 - Optimal (recommended) irrigation (Irrigation at CRI, Jointing, Flowering and Soft dough stage) and I2 - Sub-optimal irrigation (one irrigation less than recommended) (Irrigation at CRI, Flag leaf emergence and Soft dough stage) in sub-plots during two consecutive rabi seasons of 2017-18 and 2018-19. It was found that the wheat crop sown in semi-arid zone i.e., Ludhiana took more number of days to reach physiological maturity. The number of days required to attain different phenological stages decreased with delayed sowing at both the locations. The crop utilized heat more efficiently in the arid zone i.e., Bathinda. At Ludhiana, highest HUE was observed in the crop sown on 20th November (3.08 kg/ha/°C/day) and 5th November (3.18 kg/ha/°C/day) during 2017-18 and 2018-19, respectively; whereas at Bathinda, HUE was highest in the crop sown on 5th November (3.31 and 3.32 kg/ha/°C/day) during both the years. Recommended dose of nitrogen and optimal irrigation also produced significantly higher HUE at both the locations during both the years. The study concluded that timely sowing of the crop along with recommended nitrogen and optimal irrigation can significantly improve efficiency of heat utilisation both in semi-arid and arid agroclimatic conditions.

Biometric characteristics of winter forage cereals grown under nitrogen fertilization in temperate rain conditions

The farmers of hilly areas face severe fodder shortage in winter season except to have only dry stalks of summer cereals. The study aimed to evaluate the adaptability of winter forage cereals (barley, oats, rye and triticale) and to quantify the suitable dose of nitrogen (0, 75, 150 and 225 kg.ha-1) for the assessment of bio-metric and qualitative characteristics of winter forage cereals (WFCs) at booting stage (BS) and milking dough stage (MDS) grown under temperate conditions. Two years (2016-2017 and 2017-2018) field trials were executed at the University of Poonch Rawalakot, Pakistan. Harvested forage then preserved as silage by adding Formic acid and Molasses as additives at the rate of 5 kg.t-1. Rye crop in conjunction with 225 kg.ha-1 nitrogen out yielded greater plant height which led to the highest green fodder (55413 and 43542 kg.ha-1) and dry matter yield (188471 and 12440 kg.ha-1) during consecutive years 2017 and 2018, respectively. Whereas, oats cultivar performed better for fresh weight, dry weight and leaf area per plant. More crude protein contents were recorded for triticale crop at N3 level with use of molasses during both the years at both cutting stages (booting and milking dough). More crude fibre was noted in barley crop at control level of nitrogen fertilization on both booting and milking dough stage. The correlation analysis revealed direct interrelationship among yield attributes and fodder yield of winter forage cereals and thus indicating the need to supply nitrogen at the rate of 225 kg.ha-1 for improving biometric characteristics of WFCs.

Sensitivity Analysis of CERES-Wheat Model under Hisar Conditions

The field experiment was conducted at Research Farm, Dept of Agricultural Meteorology, CCS HAU, Hisar (Lat.: 290 10’ N, Log.: 75036’ E & 215.2 m above msl), Haryana, India during the rabi season of 2014-15 and 2015-16. Experimental designed laid out with strip plot, as main plot treatment: four growing environments i.e. D1: 5th Nov., D2: 20th Nov., D3: 5th Dec. and D4: 20th Dec. and sub-plot treatment: four irrigation regimes, it applied at different phenophases (I1-CRI, I2- CRI and heading, I3- CRI+ jointing and milking, I4- CRI+ jointing + anthesis and dough stage). Crop growth and yield data of 2014-15 were used for calibration of DSSAT model and cultivar coefficients for WH1105 based on the observed crop characteristics. Genetic coefficient parameters are in the ranges obtained by the few other studies conducted on wheat with the exception of parameters G1, G2, and G3, related to grain growth. Sensitivity of simulated grain yield to down scaled sunshine hours, solar radiation -0.5 to -2.5 hours and -1°C to -5 MJ-2 day-1 showed a gradual decrease in grain yield, respectively.

Effects of homo- and heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria on the quality and aerobic stability of corn silage

This study aimed to investigate the effects of homo/heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on the quality of corn silage and its rumen digestibility. Maize (Zea mays strain Xingsiyu No. 10), at the early dough stage, was harvested, chopped, ensiled in vacuum bags and divided into four groups: 1) control (without added bacteria); 2) with the homofermentative LAB Lactobacillus plantarum and Pediococcus pentosaceus (1:1 mixture, 1 × 105 cfu g-1); 3) with the heterofermentative LAB Lactobacillus buchneri (1 × 105 cfu g-1); and 4) with the homo/heterofermentative LAB L. plantarum, P. pentosaceus, and L. buchneri (1:1:1 mixture). At 2, 8, 15, 45, and 60 d of ensiling, nutritional quality, fermentation characteristics, and microbial content were assessed. After 60 d, aerobic stability and rumen digestibility tests were performed. The addition of homo- and/or heterofermentative LAB significantly improved the nutritional quality, fermentation characteristics, and microbial content. Addition of the heterofermenter L. buchneri, with or without the homofermenters L. plantarum and P. pentosaceus, improved aerobic stability. The different LAB inoculants increased the degradation rates of dry matter, acid detergent fiber, and neutral detergent fiber of the corn silage by sheep ruminants. Analysis indicated that L. buchneri yielded the best corn silage.

A Comparison of Cereal and Cereal/Vetch Crops for Fodder Conservation

Experiments were conducted at three sites across southern New South Wales, Australia, over three years (2008 to 2010), to evaluate the agronomic and quality parameters of two wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), two barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), two oat (Avena sativa L.) and one triticale (× Triticosecale) variety, grown as monocultures or in combination with purple vetch (Vicia benghalensis L.). Harvests occurred when individual cereal varieties were at the boot, anthesis, milk and soft/mid dough stage of maturity; though drought conditions or lodging forced some soft/mid dough stage harvests to be abandoned. Yield and species composition of mixed crops were measured and digestibility, crude protein, water soluble carbohydrates and fibre content were determined. Yield differed between years reflective of growing season rainfall, which varied from 185 to 479 mm. Drought conditions in 2008 were associated with low yield, vetch inclusion and fibre content and high digestibility, water soluble carbohydrates and cereal crude protein content. Conversely, very favourable conditions in 2010 were associated with high yield and fibre content, and lower digestibility, water soluble carbohydrates and cereal crude protein content. Addition of vetch increased crude protein content all crops in 2009 and 2010, and 50% of the crops in 2008. Lodging was observed in later harvests of cereal/vetch crops in 2009 and 2010.

Conversion of Spent Coffee and Donuts by Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Larvae into Potential Resources for Animal and Plant Farming

Nutritionally unbalanced organic waste can be converted into potential resources for animal and plant farming by culturing black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae (BSFL) and prepupae (BSFP). BSFL and BSFP are rich sources of protein and lipids, while the leftover excrement called “frass” can be used as an organic fertilizer. Using readily available resources, BSFL were cultured on spent coffee, donut dough or an equal blend for 35 days. Survival, productivity, daily pupation and biochemical composition of BSFL and BSFP were measured along with the nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium values of the frass. Survival was highest in the blend compared (81%) to spent coffee (45%) or dough (24%); however, BSFL and BSFP were significantly longer and heavier from dough. Stage and food significantly influenced the protein, lipid and glycogen content of the BSFL and BSFP, which tended to be higher in the latter. While fatty acids were often significantly higher in BSFL fed spent coffee, the amino acid composition of BSFL was generally higher in dough. Frass from the blend had significantly highest nitrogen content, while potassium and phosphorus were significantly higher and lower from spent coffee, respectively. Although coffee and donut dough were suboptimal substrates for BSFL, a blend of these produced BSFL and frass that were nutritionally comparable to soybean meal and many organic fertilizers, respectively.

Comparing spring triticale varieties to barley and wheat varieties when harvested as whole crop

Two plot experiments in two consecutive years were conducted to compare spring triticale varieties to spring barley and spring wheat varieties to produce whole crop cereals for ruminants. In the first year, triticale varieties Nagano and Nilex, barley varieties Kaarle and Trekker, and the wheat variety Helmi were studied. In the second year, the triticale varieties Bikini and Somtri and the barley variety Armas were also used. The crops were harvested at the early dough stage of ripening. A treatment with reduced fertilizer and seed rates was included to study their effects on the development of the undersown ley, but such effects could not be demonstrated. The triticale varieties except for Bikini produced high dry matter yields. The highest ear:stem ratio and pepsin-cellulase solubility in the ear were found in the barley varieties Armas and Kaarle, but the digestibility of the whole crop was not improved because of low pepsin-cellulase solubility of the stems or leaves. All the studied varieties were suitable for whole crop production. The production costs of the different types of whole crop silage were fairly similar.