Emissions of ammonia,nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide from urban gardens in Niamey,Niger

Urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) contributes significantly to meet increasing food demands of the rapidly growing urban population in West Africa. The intensive vegetable cultivation in UPA gardens with its high nutrient inputs is often reported to operate at large surpluses of nutrients and presumably high turnover rates of organic matter (OM) and nitrogen (N) losses via emanation and leaching. Many of these claims are lacking solid data which would allow suggesting mitigation strategies. Therefore, this study aimed at quantifying gaseous emissions of ammonia (NH₃), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and carbon dioxide (CO₂) in three representative urban gardens of Niamey, Niger using a closed chamber gas monitoring system. Mean annual N emissions (NH₃-N and N₂O-N) in two gardens using river water for irrigation reached 53 and 48 kg N ha^?1 yr^?1, respectively, while 25 and 20 Mg C ha^?1 yr^?1 was lost as CO₂-C. In the garden irrigated with sewage water from the city's main wadi, N₂O was the main contributor to N losses (68%) which together with NH₃ reached 92 kg N ha^?1 yr^?1, while CO₂-C emissions amounted to 26 Mg ha^?1 yr^?1. Our data indicate that 28% of the total gaseous C emissions and 30–40% of the N emissions occur during the hot dry season from March to May and another 20–25% and 10–20% during the early rainy season from June to July. Especially during these periods more effective nutrient management strategies in UPA vegetable gardens should be applied to increase the nutrient use efficiency in UPA vegetable gardens.     

Effect of nitrogen supply on crop conductance,water- and radiation-use efficiency of wheat

Water-use efficiency (WUE_DM) is directly related to radiation-use efficiency (RUE) and inversely related to crop conductance (g_c). We propose that reduced WUE_DM caused by shortage of nitrogen results from a reduction in RUE proportionally greater than the fall in conductance. This hypothesis was tested in irrigated wheat crops grown with contrasting nitrogen supply; treatments were 0, 80 and 120 kg N ha⁻¹ in 1998 and 0, 80, 120 and 160 kg N ha⁻¹ in 1999. We measured shoot dry matter, yield, intercepted solar radiation and soil water balance components. From these measurements, we derived actual evapotranspiration (ET), soil evaporation and transpiration, WUE_DM (slope of the regression between dry matter and ET), WUE_Y (ratio between grain yield and ET), RUE (slope of the regression between dry matter and intercepted radiation), and g_c (slope of the regression between transpiration and intercepted radiation). Yield increased from 2.3 in unfertilised to an average 4.7 t ha⁻¹ in fertilised crops, seasonal ET from 311 to 387 mm, WUE_DM from 23 to 37 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹, WUE_Y from 7.6 to 12.4 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹, RUE from 0.85 to 1.07 g MJ⁻¹, while the fraction of ET accounted for soil evaporation decreased from 0.20 to 0.11. In agreement with our hypothesis, RUE accounted for 60% of the variation in WUE_DM, whereas crop conductance was largely unaffected by nitrogen supply. A greater fraction of evapotranspiration lost as soil evaporation also contributed to the lower WUE_DM of unfertilised crops.     

Effects of soil water content and nitrogen supply on the productivity of Miscanthus × giganteus Greef et Deu. in a Mediterranean environment

Miscanthus × giganteus is one of the most promising biomass crops for non-food utilisation. Taking into account its area of origin (Far East), its temperature and rainfall requirements are not well satisfied in Mediterranean climate. For this purpose, a research was carried out with the aim of studying the adaptation of the species to the Mediterranean environment, and at analysing its ecophysiological and productive response to different soil water and nitrogen conditions. A split plot experimental design with three levels of irrigation (I₁, I₂ and I₃ at 25%, 50% and 100% of maximum evapotranspiration (ETm), respectively) and three levels of nitrogen fertilisation (0 kg ha⁻¹: N₀, 60 kg ha⁻¹: N₁ and 120 kg ha⁻¹: N₂ of nitrogen) were studied. The crop showed a high yield potential under well-watered conditions (up to 27 t ha⁻¹ of dry matter). M. × giganteus, in Mediterranean environment showed a high yield potential even in very limited water availability conditions (more than 14 t ha⁻¹ with a 25% ETm restoration). A responsiveness to nitrogen supply, with great yield increases when water was not limiting, was exhibited. Water use efficiency (WUE) achieved the highest values in limited soil water availability (between 4.51 and 4.83 g l⁻¹), whilst in non-limiting water conditions it decreased down to 2.56 and 3.49 g l⁻¹ (in the second and third year of experiment, respectively). Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) decreased with the increase of water distributed (from 190.5 g g⁻¹ of I₀ to 173.2 g g⁻¹ of I₂); in relation to N fertilisation it did not change between the N fertilised treatments (N₁ and N₂), being much higher in the unfertilised control (177.1 g g⁻¹). Radiation use efficiency (NUE) progressively declined with the reduction of the N fertiliser level (1.05, 0.96 and 0.86 g d.m. MJ⁻¹, in 1994, and 0.92, 0.91 and 0.69 g d.m. MJ⁻¹, in 1995, for N₂, N₁ and N₀, respectively).     

Characterization of hairs and pappi from Cynara cardunculus capitula and their suitability for paper production

The capitula of Cynara cardunculus contain hairs and pappi representing 7% of the total plant biomass. These low density biomass components could be mechanically separated without apparent losses using a whole-plant processing prototype. Hairs and pappi are filamentous structures made up of longitudinally aligned fibre cells, without intercellular voids or pitting, with the following dimensions regarding length, width and wall thickness: 1.35 mm, 19.8, and 4.8 μm for hairs and 1.78 mm, 10.4, and 2.9 μm for pappi. Chemically hairs and pappi have low content of ash (1.9% and 1.1%, respectively), extractives (5.4% and 6.0%) and lignin (10.6% and 17.8%), and high content of holocellulose (77.5% and 72.8%) and α-cellulose (55.2% and 46.8%).Pulps could be produced using a conventional kraft process with high yields and low residual lignin, e.g. 63% at Kappa 7 for hairs and 48% at Kappa 11 for pappi, low coarseness values (0.04 and 0.03 mg m^?1) and adequate pulp properties for paper (40 and 42 N mg^?1 tensile index; 3.6 and 3.4 kPa m² g^?1 burst index in unrefined pulps of hairs and pappi, respectively). The results also indicated that there is scope for improving pulp quality by optimising pulping conditions to this type of new raw materials. The differences between hairs and pappi may also be further exploited namely the lower lignin content of hairs and the higher slenderness and wall thickness of pappi fibres.The utilization of hairs and pappi may strengthen the differentiated use of biomass fractions of the Cynara plant and its potential as a bioenergy crop.     

Effect of N rate,timing and splitting and N type on bread-making quality in hard red spring wheat under rainfed Mediterranean conditions

Three different experiments were designed to study the effects of N fertilizer rate, timing and splitting, and the response to combined application of N and S fertilizer on the bread-making quality of hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) over a 3-year period in Vertisols under rainfed Mediterranean conditions. The following parameters were analyzed: grain yield, test weight, grain protein content, gluten index and alveograph parameters (W: alveogram index; P: dough tenacity; L: dough extensibility; P/L: tenacity–extensibility ratio). The N rate experiment included rates of 0, 100, 150 and 200 kg N ha⁻¹ applied on four different sites. The experiment was designed as a randomized complete block with four blocks. For the experiment on N timing and splitting, a single rate of 150 kg N ha⁻¹ was used, different fractions being applied at sowing, tillering and stem elongation, at a single site; again, experimental design was a randomized complete block with four blocks. Finally, for the experiment on the response to combined application of N and S fertilizer, a single fertilizer dose of 150 kg N ha⁻¹ was applied in two forms (urea+ammonium nitrate and urea+ammonium nitrosulfate) with one leaf application at ear emergence (zero, 25 kg S ha⁻¹, 25 kg N ha⁻¹, $\text{25}\text{kg}\text{S}\text{ha}{}^{\mathrm{-1}}\text{+25}$ kg N ha⁻¹ and 50 kg N ha⁻¹), also at a single site, using a split-plot design with four replications. Year-on-year variation in rainfall led to marked variations in wheat yield, grain protein content and bread-making quality indices. A close correlation was observed between rainfall over the September–May period and both grain yield and grain protein content (optimum values for both being recorded in the rainfall range 500–550 mm) as well as the alveogram index. A negative correlation was observed between mean maximum temperatures in May and both test weight and alveogram index (W). N fertilizer rate had a more consistent effect on bread-making quality than on grain yield. The highest values for grain yield were recorded at an N rate of 100 kg ha⁻¹, while maximum grain protein content values were recorded at 150 kg ha⁻¹. Application of half or one-third of total fertilizer N at stem elongation improved grain yield and grain protein content with respect to applications at sowing alone or at both sowing and tillering. Increased N rates led to a considerable increase in W values and to a reduction in the P/L ratio, thus improving dough balance, with a negative effect on the gluten index. Leaf application of N at ear emergence only affected grain protein content and the W index. Soil or leaf application of S had no effect on protein quality indices. The response of grain yield and grain protein content to fertilizer N differed from that reported for temperate climates.     

Interspecific competition,N use and interference with weeds in pea–barley intercropping

Field pea (Pisum sativum L.) and spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) were intercropped and sole cropped to compare the effects of crop diversity on productivity and use of N sources on a soil with a high weed pressure. ¹⁵N enrichment techniques were used to determine the pea–barley–weed-N dynamics. The pea–barley intercrop yielded 4.6 t grain ha⁻¹, which was significantly greater than the yields of pea and barley in sole cropping. Calculation of land equivalent ratios showed that plant growth factors were used from 25 to 38% more efficiently by the intercrop than by the sole crops. Barley sole crops accumulated 65 kg soil N ha⁻¹ in aboveground plant parts, which was similar to 73 kg soil N ha⁻¹ in the pea–barley intercrop and significantly greater than 15 kg soil N ha⁻¹ in the pea sole crop. The weeds accumulated 57 kg soil N ha⁻¹ in aboveground plant parts during the growing season in the pea sole crops. Intercropped barley accumulated 71 kg N ha⁻¹. Pea relied on N₂ fixation with 90–95% of aboveground N accumulation derived from N₂ fixation independent of cropping system. Pea grown in intercrop with barley instead of sole crop had greater competitive ability towards weeds and soil inorganic N was consequently used for barley grain production instead of weed biomass. There was no indication of a greater inorganic N content after pea compared to barley or pea–barley. However, 46 days after emergence there was about 30 kg N ha⁻¹ inorganic N more under the pea sole crop than under the other two crops. Such greater inorganic N levels during early growth phases was assumed to induce aggressive weed populations and interspecific competition. Pea–barley intercropping seems to be a promising practice of protein production in cropping systems with high weed pressures and low levels of available N.     

Does undersowing winter wheat with a cover crop increase competition for resources and is it compatible with high yield?

The sustainability of cropping systems can be increased by introducing a cover crop, provided that the cover crop does not reduce the cash crop yield through competition. The cover crop may be sown at the same time as a cash crop in the crop rotation. We carried out an experiment in 1999–2000 and 2000–2001 in the Paris Basin, to analyze the effects of simultaneously sowing winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and red fescue (Festuca rubra L.), a turf grass. Competition between wheat and fescue was analyzed with one variety of red fescue, Sunset, and two varieties of wheat, Isengrain and Scipion, each sown at a density of 150 plants m^?2. In this study, we evaluated the effect of undersown fescue on wheat yield and analyzed the competition between the two species in detail. The undersown red fescue decreased wheat yield by about 12% for Isengrain (8.7 t ha^?1 for undersown Isengrain versus 9.8 t ha^?1 for Isengrain alone) and 7% for Scipion (7.4 t ha^?1 for undersown Scipion versus 8.0 t ha^?1 for Scipion alone). During the early stages of wheat growth (up to the ‘1 cm ear’ stage, corresponding to stage 30 on Zadoks’ scale), undersown fescue and fescue sown alone grew similarly. However, fescue biomass levels were much lower (5.6 and 4.7 g m^?2 for fescue grown alone and undersown fescue) than wheat biomass levels on the undersown plots (120 g m^?2 for Isengrain and 111 g m^?2 for Scipion). From the e1 stage onwards, the wheat canopy rapidly extended, whereas that of red fescue remained sparse. The time lag between the beginning of the rapid increase in LAI and PAR interception by wheat grown alone and that for fescue grown alone was 590 dd in the second year. This resulted in much slower growth rates for undersown fescue than for undersown wheat. Biomass production rate was therefore low for undersown fescue (12% those of fescue grown alone, on average, at the time of wheat harvest), as were levels of water and nitrogen use. Neither the water deficit that occurred during the second experiment nor the nitrogen nutrition status of the wheat on plots with undersown fescue significantly affected wheat biomass production after anthesis.The global interception efficiency index IG?_i indicated that the fraction of the PAR_o intercepted by the wheat during its growth (255 days) was 0.35.     

Biological pretreatment of sugar cane bagasse for the production of cellulases and xylanases by Penicillium echinulatum

In this study, sugar cane bagasse was pretreated with the white rot fungus Pleurotus sajor-caju PS 2001, and this biomass was subsequently used in the production of cellulases and xylanases by the fungus Penicillium echinulatum. Despite the environmental advantages offered by this type of pretreatment, the enzymatic activity obtained with biologically pretreated sugar cane bagasse (PSCB) was lower than that of the control treatments, which were carried out with untreated sugar cane bagasse (SCB) and cellulose. For medium supplemented with PSCB, the average peak activities obtained were 0.13, 1.0, 0.18, and 0.33 U ml^?1 for FPA, endoglucanase, β-glucosidases, and xylanases, respectively. For the cellulose, control values of 0.52, 1.20, 0.20, and 1.46 U ml^?1, and SCB values of 0.95, 1.60, 0.21, and 1.49 U ml^?1 were obtained, respectively. Although the enzymatic activities of the culture with biologically pretreated sugar cane bagasse were lower than the cultures carried out with untreated sugar cane bagasse, it should be noted that production of enzymes of the cellulase and hemicellulase complex after production of the mushrooms is another way to add value to this agricultural residue.     

The efficiency of nitrogen fertiliser for rice in Bangladeshi farmers’ fields

Bangladesh is currently self sufficient in rice (Oryza sativa L.), which accounts for approximately 80% of the total cropped area, and 70% of the cost of crop production. However, farmers are increasingly concerned about the perceived decline in productivity, expressed as the return on fertiliser inputs. Agronomic efficiency is a measure of the increase in grain yield achieved per unit of fertiliser input that can provide a way to quantify the observation of farmers. This study indicates that the yields achieved where only P and K fertiliser were applied ranged from 3–5 t ha⁻¹, indicating good soil fertility, particular in terms of soil N supply (37–112 kg N ha⁻¹). However, at recommended rates and at rates used by farmers, the yield response to application of fertiliser N was low. Data shows that grain yields were significantly correlated in both years (R² = 0.77 and R² = 0.67) with plant uptake in nitrogen. The internal nitrogen use efficiency seems to confirm that sink formation was limited by factors other than nitrogen. Low agronomic efficiency (5–19 kg grain kg⁻¹ N) was caused by poor internal efficiency (45–73 kg grain kg⁻¹ N), rather than low supply of soil N or loss of fertiliser N. Thus, often the applications of large amounts of N fertiliser (39–175 kg N ha⁻¹) by farmers to increase yields of high yielding variety Boro rice were not justified agronomically and ecologically. A rate of 39 kg N ha⁻¹ is very low, hardly an environmental threat. No one single factor could be identified to explain the low internal efficiency. Therefore, it is concluded that the data presented tend to confirm the indication that yields are limited by a factor other than nitrogen, which could be crop establishment, plant density, water or pest management, micro-nutrients deficiency, poor seed and transplanted seedling quality, varieties and low radiation.     

Moisture-dependent physical properties of niger (Guizotia abyssinica Cass.) seed

Moisture-dependent physical properties of niger (Guizotia abyssinica Cass.) seed were studied at 5.60, 12.99, 19.77, 27.08 and 31.65% moisture content (wet basis). The length, width, thickness and geometric mean diameter increased significantly (p < 0.05) from 3.86 to 4.06 mm, 0.96 to 1.02 mm, 0.86 to 0.96 mm and 1.47 to 1.59 mm, respectively with increase in moisture content from 5.60 to 31.65% whereas the increase in sphericity from 38.10 to 39.01% was not significant. Similarly, thousand seed mass, porosity and angle of repose increased (p < 0.05) linearly from 2.50 to 3.69 g, 41.76 to 47.65% and 29.86° to 39.12°, respectively with increase in moisture content under the experimental condition. The bulk density decreased significantly (p < 0.05) from 635.23 to 561.06 kg m^?3 with increase in the moisture content range considered in the study, whereas the true density showed a slight increase from 1090.71 to 1098.42 kg m^?3 with increase in moisture content from 5.60 to 27.08% followed by a drop from 1098.42 to 1071.75 kg m^?3 as moisture content increased from 27.08 to 31.65%. Coefficient of static friction increased (p < 0.05) logarithmically from 0.34 to 0.51, 0.38 to 0.56 and 0.13 to 0.53 on mild steel, plywood and glass surfaces, respectively with increase in moisture content from 5.60 to 31.65%.     

Will nutrient-efficient genotypes mine the soil? Effects of genetic differences in root architecture in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) on soil phosphorus depletion in a low-input agro-ecosystem in Central America

Crop genotypes with root traits permitting increased nutrient acquisition would increase yields in low fertility soils but have uncertain effects on soil fertility in the long term because of competing effects on nutrient removal vs. the soil conserving effects of greater crop biomass. This study evaluated the relative importance of phosphorus loss in crop extraction vs. phosphorus loss in soil erosion as influenced by genetic differences in root shallowness and therefore phosphorus uptake in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Six recombinant inbred lines of varying root architecture and two commercial genotypes of bean were grown in unfertilized, steeply sloped (32%), low phosphorus (5.8 mg kg^?1, Fe-strip) Udults in Costa Rica. Fertilized (60 kg total phosphorus ha^?1) plots of commercial genotypes were also included in the study. Runoff was monitored throughout the bean growing season in 2005 and 2006, and in 2006, monitoring continued through the maize growing season. Phosphorus removed in plant biomass at harvest through the 2006 bean–maize crop cycle averaged 7.3 kg ha^?1 year^?1, greatly exceeding phosphorus loss due to erosion (0.15–0.53 kg ha^?1 year^?1) in unfertilized plots. In fertilized bean plots, total biomass phosphorus averaged 6.32 kg ha^?1 year^?1 and total eroded phosphorus averaged 0.038 kg ha^?1 year^?1, indicating rapid sorption of fertilizer phosphorus. Shoot growth of several recombinant inbred lines under low phosphorus was comparable to that of fertilized commercial genotypes, illustrating the effectiveness of selection for root traits for improving plant growth in low-phosphorus soils. Genotypic differences in root architecture of recombinant inbred lines led to 20–50% variation in groundcover by shoots, which was associated with 50–80% reduction in sediment loss. This study demonstrates that root architecture traits can affect nutrient cycling at the agro-ecosystem level, and that integrated nutrient management strategies are necessary to avoid soil nutrient depletion.     

Using legumes to enhance nitrogen fertility and improve soil condition in cotton cropping systems

Many Australian cotton growers now include legumes in their cropping system. Three experiments were conducted between 1994 and 1997 to evaluate the rotational effects of winter or summer legume crops grown either for grain or green manuring on following cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Non-legume rotation crops, wheat (Triticum aestivum) and cotton, were included for comparison. Net nitrogen (N) balances, which included estimates of N associated with the nodulated roots, were calculated for the legume phase of each cropping sequence. Faba bean (Vicia faba — winter) fixed 135–244 kg N ha⁻¹ and soybean (Glycine max — summer) fixed 453–488 kg N ha⁻¹ and contributed up to 155 and 280 kg fixed N ha⁻¹, respectively, to the soil after seed harvest. Green-manured field pea (Pisum sativum — winter) and lablab (Lablab purpureus — summer) fixed 123–209 and 181–240 kg N ha⁻¹, respectively, before the crops were slashed and incorporated into the topsoil.In a separate experiment, the loss of N from ¹⁵N-labelled legume residues during the fallow between legume cropping and cotton sowing (5–6 months following summer crops and 9 months after winter crops) was between 9 and 40% of ¹⁵N added; in comparison, the loss of ¹⁵N fertilizer (urea) applied to the non-legume plots averaged 85% of ¹⁵N added. Little legume-derived ¹⁵N was lost from the system during the growth of the subsequent cotton crop.The improved N fertility of the legume-based systems was demonstrated by enhanced N uptake and lint yield of cotton. The economic optimum N fertilizer application rate was determined from the fitted N response curve observed following the application of N fertilizer at rates between 0 and 200 kg N ha⁻¹ (as anhydrous ammonia). Averaged over the three experiments, cotton following non-legume rotation crops required the application of 179 kg N ha⁻¹, whilst following the grain- and green-manured legume systems required only 90 and 52 kg N ha⁻¹, respectively.In addition to improvements in N availability, soil strength was generally lower following most legume crops than non-legume rotation crops. Penetrometer resistance during the growth of the subsequent cotton crop increased in the order faba bean, lablab, field pea, wheat, cotton, and soybean. It is speculated that reduced soil strength contributed to improvement in lint yields of the following cotton crops by facilitating the development of better root systems.     

Nitrogen and water management can limit premature ripening of sunflower induced by Phoma macdonaldii

Premature ripening (PR) is one of the most important diseases of sunflower in France since the 90s. Previous results indicated that girdling canker of the stem base, caused by Phoma macdonaldii was its primary cause but elucidation of critical environmental factors involved is crucial for better control of the disease. A field study was conducted in three contrasting cropping seasons (2006–2008) and investigated the effect of N fertilization (0, 75 and 150 kg N ha^?1) and water regime (rainfed, irrigated) on two cultivars with artificial inoculation (AI) and natural infection (NI). Disease assessment was recorded weekly to calculate the area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) and the final percentage of PR plants. Data showed that high levels of N fertilization led to significantly (P < 0.05) more PR than non-fertilization. Water deficit conditions were significantly (P < 0.05) involved in disease severity, and AUDPC and PR were increased when dry conditions were associated with high N supply. This was true for two cultivars which differed in their susceptibility to the disease but cv. Heliasol RM was significantly (P < 0.05) more affected than cv. Melody, partially resistant to PR. Despite contrasting weather patterns, these results demonstrated a clear role of crop management and environmental conditions on the incidence and severity of stem base attacks responsible for the PR syndrome. These findings suggest that sunflower crop husbandry should be adapted to minimize premature ripening induced by P. macdonaldii.     

Model predictions of winter rainfall effects on N dynamics of winter wheat rotation following legume cover crop or fallow

Winter rainfall in a Mediterranean region varies from year to year. Both release of inorganic N from soil organic matter (SOM) or a legume cover crop (LCC) and subsequent nitrate movement in the soil profile are strongly affected by winter rainfall, through its effects on soil water status and on vertical flux. N accumulation of a LCC also varies over years due to weather effects on growth. Thus, these two factors need to be taken into account for efficient use of SOM-N and LCC-N in a wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) rotation. To determine how winter weather might affect the performance of wheat-fallow rotations that include an LCC grown and incorporated during the fallow year, we used the CERES-wheat model and a 46-season weather record to simulate N dynamics of 2-year unfertilized and irrigated winter-LCC wheat systems with high LCC (236 kg N ha⁻¹) or low LCC (118 kg N ha⁻¹) inputs. Unfertilized and fertilized fallow-wheat controls were also simulated. Within a given LCC input value, coefficients of variation for total seasonal N supply (the sum of predicted wheat N uptake, N leaching and inorganic soil N at wheat maturity) over years were <15%, despite the fluctuating winter rainfall (CV 48%). Average N leaching was predicted to be highest in the high LCC input system (108 kg N ha⁻¹), followed by the low LCC input system (86 kg N ha⁻¹) and midseason-intensive and planting-intensive fertilized wheat-fallow systems (82 and 72 kg N ha⁻¹, respectively), and least in the unfertilized wheat-fallow system (54 kg N ha⁻¹). N leaching exceeded 100 kg N ha⁻¹ in 4, 20, 16, 18, and 29 seasons out of 46 seasons, respectively, in the unfertilized and planting-intensive and midseason-intensive fertilized wheat-fallow rotations and in wheat rotations with low and high LCC inputs. There was no difference in predicted wheat yield among the four systems with N inputs from fertilizer or LCC, but yield was lower in the unfertilized wheat-fallow rotation. If the goal of use of LCC was to attain the same yield level as high LCC input or fertilized wheat system while diminishing the risk of N leaching, the low LCC input case met this goal in the short term. However, a simple balance sheet using the model showed that the N balance of the low LCC input system was −147 kg N ha⁻¹ season⁻¹, if we assumed 50% of LCC-N was derived from atmospheric fixation. The low-LCC-input system could therefore fail to maintain inherent soil N fertility in the long term unless nearly 100% LCC-N was derived from fixation.     

Note on effects of soil surface crust on the grain yield of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) in the Sahel

The prominent effects of a soil surface crust on crop production, impedance to seedling emergence and reduced infiltration rate, were examined using a quantitative land evaluation model under the Sahelian environmental and soil conditions of north-central Burkina Faso. The model integrated data from climate, soil and crop for quantifying potential grain yield of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), grown on a sandy loam soil for 14 production years (1977–1990). Crust development was induced using `simulated rainfall' with an intensity of 75 mm h⁻¹ from a 2 m height. Results revealed that seeding sorghum in small holes without sufficiently breaking the surface crust depressed grain yield. Observed and potential yield correlated closely over a 7-year period (r = 0.79, p < = 0.05). Substantial yield gap was found between estimated potential yield (crust broken scenario set to 75% of the predicted yield) and observed, indicating however, the possibility of significantly improving yield by using appropriate tillage to break the crust before seeding.     

Foliar sprays of concentrated urea at maturity of pigeonpea to induce defoliation and increase its residual benefit to wheat

The pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) crop retains appreciable amounts of green foliage even after reaching physiological maturity, which if allowed to defoliate, could augment the residual benefit of pigeonpea to the following wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in a pigeonpea–wheat rotation. The effect of addition of leaves present on mature pigeonpea crop to the soil was examined on the following wheat during the 1999/2000 growing season at Patancheru (17°4′N, 78°2′E) and during the 2001–2003 growing seasons at Modipuram (29°4′N, 77°8′E). At Patancheru, an extra-short-duration pigeonpea cultivar ICPL 88039 was defoliated manually and using foliar sprays of 10% urea (30 kg/ha) and compared with a millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.) crop, naturally senesced leaf residue and no-leaf residue controls. At Modipuram, the effect of 10% urea spray treatment on mature ICPL 88039 was compared with the unsprayed control. At both locations, the rainy season crops were followed by a wheat cultivar UP 2338 at four nitrogen levels applied in a split plot design, which at Patancheru were 0, 30, 90 and 120 kg N ha⁻¹ and at Modipuram 0, 60, 120 and 180 kg N ha⁻¹. At Patancheru, urea spray added 0.5 t ha⁻¹ of extra leaf litter to the soil within a week without significantly affecting pigeonpea yield. This treatment, however, increased mean wheat yield by 29% from 2.4 t ha⁻¹ in the no-leaf residue pigeonpea or pearl millet plots to 3.1 t ha⁻¹. At Modipuram, the foliar sprays of urea added more leaf litter to the soil than at Patancheru. Here, increase in subsequent wheat yield due to additional pigeonpea leaf litter was 7–8% and net profit 21% more than in the unsprayed control. The addition of pigeonpea leaf litter to the soil resulted in a saving of 40–60 kg N for the following wheat crops in both the environments. The results demonstrated that pigeonpea leaf litter could play an important role in the fertilizer N economy in wheat. The urea spray at maturity of the standing pigeonpea crop significantly improved this contribution in increasing wheat yield, the effect of which was additional to the amount of urea used for inducing defoliation. The practice, if adopted by farmers, may enhance sustainability of wheat production system in an environmentally friendly way, as it could reduce the amount of fertilizer N application to soil and enhance wheat yield.     

Moisture-dependent physical properties of jatropha fruit

The physical properties of fruit are important in designing and fabricating equipment and structures for handling, transporting, processing and storage, and also for assessing quality. The study was conducted to investigate some physical properties of jatropha fruit at various moisture levels. The average length, width, thickness and 1000 mass were 29.31 mm, 22.18 mm, 21.36 mm and 1522.10 g, respectively, at moisture content of 7.97% d.b. The geometric mean diameter increased from 24.03 to 24.70 mm and the sphericity varied between 0.82 and 0.83 as moisture content increased from 7.97% to 23.33% d.b., respectively. In the same moisture range, the bulk and true densities decreased from 278 to 253 and 546 to 435 kg m^?3, respectively, whereas the corresponding porosity also decreased from 49.08% to 41.84%. As the moisture content increased from 7.97% to 23.33% d.b., crushing strength was decreased from 275 to 79 N, whereas the angle of repose and surface areas were found to increase from 36.41° to 41.72° and 1815.73 to 1917.59 mm², respectively. The static coefficient of friction of jatropha fruit increased linearly against the surfaces of three structural materials, namely plywood (47.81%), mild steel (62.88%) and aluminium (34.82%) as the moisture content increased from 7.97% to 23.33% d.b.     

Thin cell suspension layer as a new methodology for somatic embryogenesis in Agave tequilana Weber cultivar azul

Commercial micropropagation of plants is enhanced with the use of liquid media cultures; however the presence of hyperhydricity is commonly observed in cultures of the succulent plant Agave tequilana Weber cultivar azul, this phenomenon persists even with the use of temporary immersion systems (TIS). Thin cell suspension layer technology is proposed to solve this problem. This technology fuses the advantages of a liquid culture made through cellular dissociation, and the use of solid medium for somatic embryogenesis expression of the species. The technology was evaluated by means of two experiments in order to know the influence of gelling agent phytagel^®, and of sucrose concentrations through interaction with three cellular suspension densities. It was clear that concentrations of phytagel at 6, 8, 10 or 12 g l^?1 are not significant for embryoid expression of A. tequilana. On the other hand, sucrose at 30 and 60 g l^?1 have statistically superior values than concentration of 120 g l^?1. A larger cellular density (161 × 10³ cells ml^?1) gave a statistical difference in number of embryoids. The advantages of thin cell suspension layer were remarkable: it encouraged complete expression of embryoids without transfer to extra media cultures, and a higher number of generated embryoid was obtained. Absence of hyperhydricity was observed in all regenerants.     

Radiation interception and the accumulation of biomass and nitrogen by soybean and three tropical annual forage legumes

Field experiments were conducted at Gatton and Dalby in southeastern Queensland to determine parameters associated with radiation interception and biomass and nitrogen (N) accumulation for the ley legume species, phasey bean (Macroptilum lathyroides (L.) Urban) and vigna, (Vigna trilobata (L.) Verdc.). Sesbania (Sesbania cannabina Retz.), a native legume species, and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill)) were included in the study for comparison. The most important differences between species related to differences in radiation interception, radiation-use efficiency (RUE), N-accumulation efficiency and the partitioning of N to plant parts. During early growth, soybean intercepted more radiation than the other species, primarily because of its greater leaf area index (LAI). Sesbania had the highest RUE (1.08 g MJ⁻¹) followed by phasey bean (0.94 g MJ⁻¹), soybean (0.89 g MJ⁻¹) and vigna (0.77 g MJ⁻¹). The efficiency of N-accumulation was greater in soybean (0.028 g N g⁻¹) and phasey bean (0.030 g N g⁻¹) than in vigna (0.022 g N g⁻¹) and sesbania (0.021 g N g⁻¹). In all species, the proportion of N allocated to leaves declined throughout the experimental period, being more rapid in soybean than in sesbania and phasey bean. Despite this decline in total N partitioned to the leaves, both soybean and phasey bean maintained a relatively stable specific leaf nitrogen (SPLN) throughout the experimental periods although sesbania and vigna displayed rapid decreases in SPLN. The large variation between species in RUE and N-accumulation efficiency indicates that the development of ley legume cultivars with a combination of traits for more efficient legume production, water use and soil N-accumulation in the water-limited environments of the grain belt of eastern Australia may be possible. The sensitivity of forage production, water use and soil N-accumulation to variation in RUE and N-accumulation efficiency needs to be quantified using modeling techniques prior to embarking on screening programs to select appropriate germplasm for evaluation studies.     

The effect of late-season urea spraying on grain yield and quality of winter wheat cultivars under low and high basal nitrogen fertilization

The late-season foliar application of urea may increase yield and grain quality of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Limited information is available regarding the effect of late urea spraying on the performance of wheat cultivars under various basal N fertilization rates. Field experiments were conducted during 2000 through 2002 to evaluate the responses of six winter wheat cultivars to foliar urea (30 kg N ha⁻¹) treatment around flowering at low (67 kg N ha⁻¹) and high (194 kg N ha⁻¹) basal N fertilization rates. Following urea spraying at low N rate, all cultivars increased grain yields to a similar extent (by an average of 7.8% or 509 kg ha⁻¹) primarily due to an increase in the 1000-kernel weight. No yield response to the late-season urea treatment occurred at high basal N rate where grain yields averaged 24.9% (1680 kg ha⁻¹) higher than those at low N rate. In contrast, late foliar urea application similarly improved grain quality at both low and high N rates by an average of 5 g kg⁻¹ (4.5%) for protein content, 3.2 cm³ (11.9%) for Zeleny sedimentation, and 20 g kg⁻¹ (8.6%) for wet gluten. These quality increments were consistent in all growing seasons regardless of significant variations in grain yields and protein concentrations across years. However, most cultivars failed to achieve breadmaking standards at low N rate as quality increments associated with the urea treatment were relatively small when compared to those achieved by high basal N rate. Late urea spraying had no effect on the falling number, whereas some cultivars showed small, but significant reduction in the gluten index at both N rates. Cultivars improved the hectolitre weight with the late-season urea treatment only at low N rate. Significant cultivar × urea interactions existed for most quality traits, which were due to the cultivar differences in the magnitude of responses. Thus, late-season urea spraying consistently produced larger yields at low basal N rate, and resulted in cultivar-dependent increases in protein content, Zeleny sedimentation, and wet gluten at both low and high N rates.