scholarly journals Role of Residual Organic Materials on Productivity of Zea mays L. for Sustainable Soil Fertility Restoration in the Guinea Savannah Zone, Ghana

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-142
Author(s):  
I. K Dzomeku ◽  
O Illiasu ◽  
P. T. Birteeb ◽  
S. Obanyi
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Grain Yield ◽  
Rice Straw ◽  
Rice Husk ◽  
Seed Weight ◽  
Organic Materials ◽  
Residual Effects ◽  
Groundnut Shell ◽  
One Year ◽  
100 Seed Weight

A field experiment was conducted at Nyankpala, near Tamale, Ghana, during the 2014 cropping season and continued during 2015, to investigate one year residual effects of indigenous organic materials (biochar, groundnut shell, rice husk and rice straw) on the growth and yield of maize. It was a 4×3×3 factorial experiment consisting of 4 organic materials at 3 levels (2.5, 5 and 7.5 t ha-1 on dry matter basis) and 3 nitrogen (N) levels (0, 45 and 90 kg/ha N) laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with four replications. The study revealed that integrated management of one year residuals of the organic materials with inorganic N supported increased plant height and grain yield, and moderated time of flowering to promote production of maize variety “Wang Dataa”. Application of 7.5 t/ha biochar + 45 kg/ha N, similarly 5 t/ha biochar + 90 kg/ha N supported tallest crop of 200 cm, whilst early flowering ranged 47 to 50 days with 2.5 t/ha biochar + 90 kg N/ha, 5 t/ha biochar + 45 kg N/ha, 7.5 t/ha biochar+ 90 kg N/ha, 2.5 t/ha groundnut shell + 90 kg N/ha and 7.5 t/ha rice straw + 45 kg N/ha. Grain yield was maximised with 7.5 t/ha biochar + 90 kg N/ha, 5 t/ha groundnut shell + 45 kg N/ha, 7.5 t/ha groundnut shell + 90 kg N/ha and 7.5 t/ha rice husk + 90 kg N/ha in the range of 3000 - 3600 kg/ha. The results also showed strongly that either residual nutrients and other plant growth conditions obtained from the organic materials or application N determined LAI, height of cob attachment, cob length, cob weight, 100 seed weight and stover biomass. Residual conditions provided by 7.5 t/ha of biochar gave the highest LAI. The more increased height of cob attachment ranged from 90 to 100 cm, provided by as low as 2.5 t/ha of biochar. Best cob length of 15 to 17 cm was obtained from 2.5 t/ha biochar and 5 t/ha groundnut shell. Cob weight under residual organic materials was in the range of 125 to 165 g/cob with 5 t/ha biochar or groundnut shell and 7.5 t/ha rice straw adequate to maximize the trait. Residual organic materials impacted on 100 seed weight with 5 t/ha of biochar and 7.5 t/ha groundnut shell impacted largest grain size of 25.5g. Stover weight was both highly significantly determined by residual effects of organic materials and N. Application of 5 t/ha biochar or 5 t/ha groundnut shell or 7.5 t/ha rice husk was adequate for highest stover weight. In this study, application of 45 kg N/ha was overwhelmingly sufficient to optimize leaf area index, height of cob attachment, cob length, cob weight, 100 seed weight and stover weight. Pearson correlation coefficients of grain yield with other traits exhibited robust relationships signifying strong impact of integrated soil fertility management of one year residual organic materials and N on maize production in the Guinea savannah. Grain yield prediction indicated treatments were best fitted in polynomials with 7.5 t/ha biochar + 90 kg N/ha for optimum grain yield.

scholarly journals Crushed bark as a novel soil conditioner for organic plant production

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Päivi Kurki ◽  
Elina Nurmi ◽  
Iina Haikarainen ◽  
Riitta Savikurki ◽  
Janne Kaseva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Field Experiment ◽  
Grain Yield ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Residual Effects ◽  
First Year ◽  
Soil Conditioner ◽  
Wheat Production ◽  
Yield Quality ◽  
One Year

Due to the reduction of cattle farming, the Finnish agricultural sector currently needs solutions to replace animal manure with new sustainable alternatives. This problem is especially acute for organic farms, which need livestock manure to improve soil fertility and soil organic carbon (SOC) to sustain yield. On the other side, plywood manufacturers aim to find ways to reuse waste fractions such as sandy, wet spruce bark waste. To address both issues, a new soil conditioner was developed from crushed bark (CB) and approved for organic farming by the Finnish Food Authority. To test the advantages of CB in organic wheat production, we conducted a two-year field experiment on a farmer’s field in Mikkeli (Finland) on loamy sand with moderate soil fertility (C 3.5%, C/N ratio 17, pH 6.2). CB (organic matter 80%, C/N ratio 78, pH 5.7-6.0) at 40 t ha–1 was applied either in the first year of the experiment or in both years. In addition to CB, half the plots received base ash (4 t ha–1) obtained from a power plant using wood to maintain the optimal soil pH. All plots were fertilised annually with commercial organic fertilisers. The control plots received no CB or base ash. A one-year application of CB with base ash statistically significantly increased the grain yield by 800 kg ha–1 and grain N uptake by about 10 kg ha–1 in the following growing season compared with the control. In terms of grain yield quality, a one-year application of CB with or without base ash already showed an improvement of 1000 seed weight by 2 g in the first year, and the effect was even more pronounced in the second year of the experiment. Hectolitre weight was increased in the following year after application of CB with base ash. In contrast, a two-year application of CB either alone or with base ash caused no changes in grain yield, N uptake, or yield quality compared with the control. The results indicate that the use of spruce CB with a high C/N ratio as soil conditioner in a large amount may be beneficial in terms of yield and quality when it is applied only once, but not twice in successive years. Future studies need to focus on the long-term residual effects of CB on productivity, as well as soil parameters such as SOC, cation exchange capacity, and soil microbial activity. Highlights - Crushed bark (C/N ratio 78) - a side stream of plywood manufacture - was tested in a two-year organic field experiment. - A one-year (40 t ha–1) application of crushed bark with base ash increased yield and the quality of organic wheat. - Residual effects of a one-year application were pronounced. - Crushed bark application in two successive years provided no benefits for organic wheat production.

scholarly journals Combining ability and heterosis for grain yield, fodder yield and other agronomic traits in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 1001-1005
Author(s):  
Sushil Kumar ◽  
Pooran Chand
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Sorghum Bicolor ◽  
Plant Height ◽  
Combining Ability ◽  
Seed Weight ◽  
Leaf Length ◽  
Specific Combining Ability ◽  
Fodder Yield ◽  
Standard Heterosis ◽  
100 Seed Weight

Forty five hybrids derived from a diallel mating design of ten parents and one standard check PUSA CHARI-121 were evaluated for general and specific combining ability effects and standard heterosis for grain yield/plant, dry fodder yield/plant, days to 50 per cent flowering, plant height, number of leaves/plant, leaf length, leaf breadth and 100- seed weight of Sorghum bicolor. The mean square due to general and specific combining ability was significan for Days to 50% flowering, Days to maturity, Plant height (cm),No of Leaves/plant, Leaf length (cm), Leaf width (cm), seed yield/plant (g), Fodder yield/plant (q/ha) and 100-seed weight (g) for all the characters. Both additive and non additive genetic effects were present in the material under study. However the ratio of σ2gca/ σ2sca suggested that the preponderance of non additive gene action in expression of all the characters under study. Out of the nine parents PUSA CHARI-121, PANT CHARI-4, MP CHARI, PANT CHARI-6 and PANT CHARI-5 identified as good general combiner for grain yield/plant, dry fodder yield/plant and other agronomical traits. The hybrid HC-136 x PANT CHARI-4 and PANT CHARI-4 x PUSA CHARI-121 for grain yield/plant and hybrid MP CHARI x PANT CHARI-6, PANT CHARI-5 x SPV 1616 and HC-136 x PANT CHARI-4 for dry fodder yield/plant exhibited higher magnitude of positive significant specific combining ability effect with highest standard heterosis and per se performance. These hybrids were also found suitable for two or three yield contributing traits. In general, close association between specific combining ability effects and standard heterosis was observed among the best hybrids identified on the basis of specific combining ability effects for grain and dry fodder yield.

Path Coefficient Analysis, Character Association and Variability Studies in Selected Maize (Zea mays L.) Genotypes Grown in Southern Nigeria

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Godwin Michael Ubi ◽  
Maria Bisong Onabe ◽  
Success Eni Kalu
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Indirect Effects ◽  
Seed Weight ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Selection Index ◽  
Path Coefficient ◽  
Genotypic Correlation ◽  
Genetic Advance ◽  
Path Coefficient Analysis ◽  
100 Seed Weight

The success of any selection process is greatly enhanced by using appropriate selection indices. The knowledge of the relationship among various traits affecting grain yield is imperative to arrive at potentially effective selection index. The study was carried out to unveil the different attributes of genetic variability, the type of interrelationships among the various traits affecting yield. Fifteen local and improved maize inbred lines were crossed to three tester varieties to develop 45 test cross progenies. The parents and crosses (63 entries in all) were evaluated in two different locations with three replications at each location using the Randomized complete block design (RCBD). Data generated was recorded for the quantitative traits evaluated and subjected to statistical analysis for estimation of various variability parameters namely GCV, PCV, heritability and genetic advance alongside computing genotypic correlation coefficients and path coefficient analysis to unveil the direct and indirect effects of the various traits studied. The analysis of variability parameters evaluated revealed the presence of significant variability for all the traits studied. Grain yield, ear length, ear height, 100-seed weight and ear diameter showed high GCV estimates, with high heritability. The genetic advance was higher for plant height, ear length, grain/row and grain yield. The genotypic correlation coefficient revealed that ear diameter, 100 seed weight, ear length, kernel rows/ear and grains/row had highest significant correlation with grain yield. The path coefficient analysis revealed that highest direct effect on grain yield was exhibited by 100 seed weight followed by grains/row, kernel rows/ear, ear length and ear diameter. Most of the traits exerted their positive indirect effects through 100 – seed weight, kernel rows/ear and grains/row. The inferences of the results of the present study and their possible implications in maize breeding have been revealed.

scholarly journals CORRELATIONS AMONG GRAIN YIELD, YIELD AND WEED ATTRIBUTES OF MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L.) AS INFLUENCED BY WEED CONTROL METHOD AND POULTRY MANURE RATE IN KANO STATE NIGERIA

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 275-284
Author(s):  
Dr. Muhammad Sani Garko ◽  
K. D. Dawaki ◽  
M. A. Yawale ◽  
I. B. Mohammed ◽  
A. Y. Yaroson
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Plant Height ◽  
Weed Control ◽  
Seed Weight ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Control Method ◽  
Poultry Manure ◽  
Dry Matter Accumulation ◽  
Direct Contribution ◽  
100 Seed Weight

Field trials were conducted during the rainy season of 2017 at Teaching and Research Farm of Bayero University and Kano State Livestock development Centre Dangora. To determine the magnitude and nature of the association between growth characters and grain yield of maize, as well as the percentage contribution of each of this independent variable on the dependant variable (yield).The trails consist of six weed control methods, three levels of poultry manure and three varieties of maize. The experiment was laid out in a split-split plot design with variety allocated to the main plot, poultry manure to the sub-plot while weed control method to the sub-sub plot, and was replicated three times.  Grain yield correlated positively and significantly with growth and yield characters evaluated while weed dry weight and weed index were highly negatively correlated. The direct and indirect contributions results indicate that plant height had the highest direct contribution at BUK and Dangora in 2016 and Doka 2017 while plant dry matter accumulation had the highest direct contribution at Dangora in 2017. Cob diameter had the least direct effect in the study; the highest indirect effect was from cob diameter through plant height. The percentage individual contribution to grain yield showed that plant height made the highest contribution at BUK and Dangora in 2016, while cob diameter at both locations and plant dry matter at Dangora resulted in the least contribution. The combined contribution of dry matter and 100-seed weight was the highest positive contribution at BUK and that of plant height via 100-seed weight all in 2016 while cob length via 100-seed weight made the least negative contribution at BUK.

scholarly journals Agronomical and Physiological Response of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Genotypes to Low Soil Fertility at the Southern Highland Region of Yemen

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. A. A. Molaaldoila ◽  
K. A. A. Al-Hakimi
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Common Bean ◽  
Seed Weight ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Coefficient Of Determination ◽  
Nutrient Efficiency ◽  
Shoot Mass ◽  
Southern Highland ◽  
100 Seed Weight

<p class="Style">Production of common bean (<em>Phaseolus vulgaris</em> L.) is often limited by the low soil fertility (LF). Identification of common bean genotypes adapted to LF may be a feasible strategy to overcome the poor plant growth and production in NP-deficient soils. Eight bean genotypes samples/derived from International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and three local common bean cultivars were eval­uated in low soil fertility (LF) and recommended fertilizers (RF) at three locations representing high (Mashwarah), medium (Shaban) and low (Al-Qaidah) rainy seasons at Southern Highland Region (SHR), Ibb, Yemen in 2011, 2012 and 2013 following a completely randomized block design, arranged as split plot with either (LF) or (RF) as the main plots and the genotypes as sub plots. Three replications were used. The LF plots was absolute control, it did not receive any fertilizer (LF) and in (RF) plots, it received only 34.5 kg N and 92 kg P<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub> kg. The common bean genotypes varied in phenotypic, nutrient efficiency traits and low fertility tolerant indices. The genotypes G2381B, MIB-156, BFB-140, BFB-141 performed favorably under both (RF and LF) environments. These genotypes were associated with higher values of pod number/plant, seed number/plant and 100 seed weight and leaf area, root nodules mass, shoot mass and root mass, shoot mass, physiological, nutrients and recovery efficiency and geometric mean percent (GMP), mean percent (MP) and susceptible tolerant index (STI) and low values of agronomy efficiency, percent of reduction (PR), low fertility susceptible index (LFSI) and tolerant (TOL). The results also showed that high and significant positive correlation of low fertility yield (LFY) and recommended fertility yield (RFY) with seed number/plant and 100 seed weight, NP recovery and use efficiency, geometric mean percent (GMP), mean percent (MP) and susceptible tolerant index (STI) under LF or RF. These correlations indicates that direction selection for yield under LF or RF would result into improved LF tolerant genotypes. Using phenotypic, nutrient efficiency traits, low fertility tolerant indices and stability indices criteria, only G2381B, MIB-156, BFB-140, BFB-143 and BFB-144 showed high average of yields, with <em>b</em>-value of 1.00 and a very low standard deviation (s<sup>2</sup>d) approaching zero, low ecovalence value (W) and highly significant coefficient of determination (r<sup>2</sup>). However, the regression coefficients indicating stability (<em>b</em>’s) and residuals were highly correlated with slopes (r = 0.943; P &lt; 0.001) and coefficient of determination (r = 0.711; P &lt; 0.001) and equivalent value (r = 0.809; P &lt; 0.001), respectively. Thus the data collected from three locations x three years can be used to select low fertility tolerant (or ‘stable’) genotypes. Such low fertility tolerant genotypes would be better suited for poor farmers in the SHR-Ibb and other similar production regions in Yemen.</p>

scholarly journals Selection of Cowpea Lines for Multiple Traits by GYT Biplot Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 124
Author(s):  
Derivaldo Pureza da Cruz ◽  
Tâmara Rebecca Albuquerque de Oliveira ◽  
Andréa Barros Silva Gomes ◽  
Camila Queiroz da Silva Sanfim de Sant'Anna ◽  
Lília Marques Gravina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Seed Weight ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Multiple Traits ◽  
R Software ◽  
Randomized Block Design ◽  
Productive Potential ◽  
Pod Length ◽  
100 Seed Weight ◽  
Selection Of

Cowpea is an African legume that was introduced to Brazil by Portuguese settlers in the mid-16th century. The productive potential of this crop may fluctuate depending on its environment. The objective of the present study was to select cowpea lines with high grain yield coupled with other traits of agronomic interest, such as good adaptability and stability, by the GYT biplot methodology. Twelve lines were evaluated in the years 2016 and 2017 in the municipality of Bom Jesus de Itabapoana, Brazil, in a randomized-block design with four replicates and two cultivars, which were used as controls. The following variables were evaluated: number of days to flowering, final stand, crop value, lodging, pod weight, pod length, seed number per pod, seed weight per pod, 100-seed weight (100SW), and grain yield. Analysis of variance was performed and GYT biplots were constructed using R software and the ggplot2 package. The GYT biplot graph analysis allowed for the selection of superior cowpea genotypes. In the combinations of traits observed, lines L1, L3, L5, L6, L8, and L9 were superior and cultivar Imponente stood out as one of the controls. The yield combinations GY*CV, GY*NDF, GY*LDG, GY*CV, GY*PW, GY*SNP and GY*P100G were positively correlated with each other but showed negative to highly negative correlations with GY*SWP and GY*TS.

scholarly journals Stability analysis of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] genotypes under multi-environments rainfed condition of North Western Himalayan hills

2018 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anuradha Bhartiya ◽  
J. P. Aditya ◽  
Vedna Kumari ◽  
Naval Kishore ◽  
J. P. Purwar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Seed Weight ◽  
Gge Biplot ◽  
Rainfed Condition ◽  
Soybean Genotypes ◽  
Glycine Max L ◽  
Superior Genotypes ◽  
Ideal Genotype ◽  
100 Seed Weight ◽  
Location Interaction

In the present study, performance of five promising soybean genotypes over 4 locations during kharif 2013, 2014 and 2015 were investigated using GGE biplot analysis. Location attributed the highest proportion of the variation for all the traits except 100 seed weight ranging from 26.97-86.81% whereas, genotype contributed only 3.01-60.51% and genotype x location interaction contributed 6.01-31.42% of total variation. For 100 seed weight genotype has contributed major proportion of variation (66.26%) than location (31.08%) and genotype x location interaction (2.65%). Superior genotypes for key traits viz., grain yield (VLS 86) and 100 seed weight (Himso 1685) were effectively identified using GGE biplot graphical approach. It may be stated from present study that, VLS 86 was the closest to ideal genotype with stability for high grain yield as well as earliness. ‘Which-won-where’ study partitioned the testing locations into two mega-environments: first with three locations with VLS 86 as the winning genotype; second mega environment encompassed only one location with Himso 1685 as the winning genotype. Existence mega environments was found correlated with the rainfall pattern and clearly suggested that different entries need to be selected and deployed for realising maximum grain yield in hill zone.

scholarly journals The Impact of Soil Amendment of Super Absorbent Polymer on Grain Yield and Yield Components of Corn in Center of Iran

2019 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-157
Author(s):  
M.H. Shahrajabian ◽  
W. Sun ◽  
Q. Cheng ◽  
M. Khoshkharam
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Yield Components ◽  
Seed Weight ◽  
Soil Amendment ◽  
Above Ground Biomass ◽  
Super Absorbent Polymer ◽  
Ground Biomass ◽  
Yield And Yield Components ◽  
Absorbent Polymer ◽  
100 Seed Weight

Abstract Corn is one of the most important cereal crop grown in Iran. A complete randomized design with four replications was used to analysis the influence of soil amendment of super absorbent polymer on grain yield and yield components of corn in center of Iran in 2016 and 2017. Treatments with super absorbent polymer were 0 kg/ha (S1), 15 kg/ha (S2), 30 kg/ha (S3), and treatments with fertilizers were 50% (F1), 75% (F2), 100% (F3), which could be combined into nine pots. The influence of super absorbent polymer was significant on spike weight in 2017, above-ground biomass in 2016, one hundred seed weight in 2016, and grain yield in 2017. There was no meaningful influence of super absorbent polymer on spike weight in 2016, above-ground biomass in 2017, 100 seed weight in 2017 and grain yield in 2016. Fertilizer treatments had significant influence on spike weight, above-ground biomass, 100 seed weight, and grain yield in both 2016 and 2017. The interaction between SAP and fertilizers had significant effect on above ground biomass in 2017. In both years, the highest spike weight, above ground biomass, 100 seed weight and grain yield was related to S3 (30 kg/ha), followed by S2 (15 kg/ha) and S1 (0 kg/ha), respectively. 100% application of fertilizer (F3) had obtained the maximum spike weight, above ground biomass, 100 seed weight and grain in both 2016 and 2017. Our data have shown that the applied SAP had a remarkable effect on corn growth and yield under different fertilization treatments, and its application of 30 kg/ha gave the best corn production index.

scholarly journals Effects of Rice Husk Biochar Coated Urea and Anaerobically Digested Rice Straw Compost on the Soil Fertility, and Cyclic Effect of Phosphorus

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 75
Author(s):  
Ashoka Gamage ◽  
Ben Basnayake ◽  
Janendra De Costa ◽  
Othmane Merah
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Rice Straw ◽  
Rice Husk ◽  
Nitrogen Fertilizer ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Rice Grain ◽  
Coated Urea ◽  
Rice Husk Biochar ◽  
High Yielding Varieties ◽  
Coated Fertilizers

Fertilizer application in rice farming is an essential requirement. Most of the high-yielding varieties which are extensively grown throughout the country require recommended levels of fertilizers to obtain their potential yields. However, effective, and efficient ways of fertilizer application are of utmost importance. Coated fertilizers are used to reduce leaching nutrients and improve the efficiency of fertilizer. However, conventional coated fertilizers such as Sulphur coated urea and urea super granules are not popular among rice farmers in Sri Lanka owing to the high cost. Mixing urea-coated rice husk biochar causes a slow release of nitrogen fertilizer. This coated fertilizer and rice straw compost reduction the cost of importations of nitrogen-based fertilizers per unit area of cultivation. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of rice husk biochar coated urea and anaerobically digested rice straw compost on the soil fertility, and the cyclic effect of phosphorus. Concerning the pot experiment, rice grain yield was significantly higher in Rice husk biochar coated urea, triple super phosphate (TSP), and muriate of potash (MOP) with anaerobically digested rice straw compost. The lowest yield was observed in the control. The release of phosphate shows a cycle effect which is an important finding. Rice husk biochar coated urea can potentially be used as a slow-releasing nitrogen fertilizer. In addition, the urea coated with biochar is less costly and contributes to mitigating pollution of water bodies by inorganic fertilizers (NPK).

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