Choice of nitrogen fertilizer affects grain yield and agronomic nitrogen use efficiency of wheat cultivars

Abstract

Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is low in cereals especially in wheat. Different wheat cultivars may vary in NUE due to inherited biological nitrification inhibition (BNI) potential. In this study, three wheat cultivars (Punjab-2011, ARRI-2011 and Millat-2011) were fertilized at the rate of 140?kg ha^?1 with three N sources [nitrophos (NP), urea and calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN)]. The soil nitrate (NO₃^?)-N contents were significantly enhanced coupled with simultaneous decrease in ammonium (NH₄⁺)-N contents in the rhizosphere of cultivar Punjab-2011, fertilized with NP; however, cultivar Millat-2011 receiving urea behaved in contrast. Wheat cultivar Punjab-2011 fertilized with NP had the highest grain yield and agronomic NUE than other treatments due to significant increase in chlorophyl contents, allometric and yield parameters. The highest net benefit was recorded from the cultivar Punjab-2011 fertilized with CAN. In conclusion, use of NP in Punjab-2011 enhanced the grain yield and agronomic NUE.     

Synthesis and characterization of zinc-coated urea fertilizer

The research was focused on the synthesis and characterization of zinc (Zn)-coated urea fertilizer. Zinc oxide (ZnO) particles were coated on urea granules through two different coating techniques, i.e., slurry coating and wet coating, and the release rate of the coated Zn was measured up to 24 hours. Slurry coating technique showed better Zn release rate and morphology of coated urea granules as compared with wet coating technique using different binders, i.e., water, molasses, paraffin oil, and the combined mixture of honey bee wax and gum arabica. Urea granules synthesized through wet coating technique have a low amount of Zn as compared with slurry-coated urea granules. Urea granules coated through slurry coating technique and molasses, paraffin oil, and water (MPW) as a binder were the best in term of coating efficiency, uniform size distribution of ZnO-coated particles, granule's morphology, and release rate of Zn from coated formulations.     

Stimulatory effect on pea of Typha Angustifolia L. extracts and their chemical composition

In this study, the influence of aqueous and organic extracts of different plant parts (flowers, leaves, and stems) of Typha angustifolia on the germination and early seedling growth of field pea (Pisum sativum L.) was evaluated. Chemical composition of extracts of different plant parts of Typha was also determined. Aqueous (20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 g L^?1) and organic extracts (at 0.5, 1, and 2 mg mL^?1) were applied to the seeds of two pea cultivars, Douce de Provence and Lincoln, placed in Petri dishes. Application of extracts had a beneficial effect on germination and early seedling growth of both pea cultivars. However, aqueous extract of leaves showed the most beneficial effect at 60 and 40 g L^?1 for the cultivars Douce de Provence and Lincoln, respectively. The effect could be attributed to the allelochemicals present in the aqueous extracts. Petroleum ether and chloroform extracts of leaves had the most stimulating effect on the germination and early seedling growth of pea. Analysis of Typha extracts indicated the presence of vitamin E in leaves, which could be responsible forthis stimulation. Moreover, Typha leaves also had substantial amount of flavonoids. In conclusion, the allelopathic activity of of Typha was dependent on the plant part, the solvent nature, the concentration of the extracts tested, and on the pea cultivar. Application of leaf extract was the most effective in improving the germination rate and early seedling growth of pea.     

Biochar for crop production: potential benefits and risks

Purpose

Biochar, the by-product of thermal decomposition of organic materials in an oxygen-limited environment, is increasingly being investigated due to its potential benefits for soil health, crop yield, carbon (C) sequestration, and greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation.

Materials and methods

In this review, we discuss the potential role of biochar for improving crop yields and decreasing the emission of greenhouse gases, along with the potential risks involved with biochar application and strategies to avoid these risks.

Results and discussion

Biochar soil amendment improves crop productivity mainly by increasing nutrient use efficiency and water holding capacity. However, improvements to crop production are often recorded in highly degraded and nutrient-poor soils, while its application to fertile and healthy soils does not always increase crop yield. Since biochars are produced from a variety of feedstocks, certain contaminants can be present. Heavy metals in biochar may affect plant growth as well as rhizosphere microbial and faunal communities and functions. Biochar manufacturers should get certification that their products meet International Biochar Initiative (IBI) quality standards (basic utility properties, toxicant assessment, advanced analysis, and soil enhancement properties).

Conclusions

The long-term effects of biochar on soil functions and its fate in different soil types require immediate attention. Biochar may change the soil biological community composition and abundance and retain the pesticides applied. As a consequence, weed control in biochar-amended soils may be difficult as preemergence herbicides may become less effective.

     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Use of Carbon Microspheres for Removal of Different Dyes from Aqueous Environments

Water, Air, & Soil Pollution - Sustainable groundwater quality has become a major concern for the agro-based country like Bangladesh. Integrated approaches of various irrigation water quality...     

Grain phosphorus and phytate contents of wheat genotypes released during last 6 decades and categorization of selected genotypes for phosphorus use efficiency

Grain phosphorus (P) and phytate contents are important for early growth and quality of wheat, respectively. We studied seed P and phytate contents of 57 wheat genotypes released during last 6 decades. The grain total P and phytate P concentrations ranged from 2.0 to 8.9 mg g^?1 and 1.6 to 4.7 mg g^?1, respectively. Grain P was higher in genotypes released in current or last decade than pre-green revolution period and it correlated well with grain phytate contents. Indicating that breeders worked only for increased grain P and did not consider the phytate contents. Twenty-five genotypes were selected based on differences in grain P and phytate contents to observe the P use efficiency under field conditions. Genotypes differed significantly for grain P and yield at both 0 and 60 kg ha^?1 P levels. In conclusion, phytate fraction in grains of recent wheat genotypes was more as compared to old genotypes and genotype Inqlab-91 and Chakwal-86 had maximum grain total P. Moreover, number of productive tillers, spikelet per spike, grain weight, harvest index and grain P concentration and uptake were found responsible for P tolerance under P deficiency.     

Assessment of the combining ability and authentication of F1 hybrids using SSR markers in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Six wheat genotypes (three female and three male) were crossed for the study of some quantitative traits in wheat. Analysis of variance showed a highly significant difference for all the characters except flag leaf area, which was significant. Testers revealed that LU26S was the best general combiner only for plant height. Mehraj showed a good general combining ability effect on plant height, flag leaf area, peduncle length, and 1000-grain weight. Farid 2006 was the best male parent as general combiner for plant height, peduncle length, spike length, number of grains per spike, and grain yield per plant. The wheat parental lines revealed that 9381 was the best general combiner for plant height, flag leaf area, peduncle length, 1000-grain weight, and grain yield per plant. Whereas 9428 was the best general combiner for flag leaf area, spike length, and number of spikelets per spike. Among crosses, LU26S × 9272, LU26S × 9381, Mehraj × 9272, and Mehraj × 9381 showed a significant effect of specific combining ability (SCA) on grain yield per plant. Other crosses with significant and positive SCA effects were LU26S × 9272 on plant height and 1000-grain weight grain yield per plant, LU26S × 9428 on peduncle length, and Mehraj × 9381 on plant height and grain yield per plant. These crosses with significant effects of general combining ability (GCA) on grain yield per plant can be used in the development of new varieties. These crosses with nonadditive genes would give transgressive segregants. For yield improvement, vigilant selection of the potent transgressive segregants through family selection would be valuable for yield enhancement. A total of 15 SSR primers of Xgwm series and 5 of X series were used to find out the codominant loci in the hybrid and single dominant loci in parents. Out of 15 primers only, Xgwm-314 gave the polymorphic banding pattern. This primer showed the polymorphic dominant loci in the parents (LU26S, Mehraj, 9272 and 9381) and codominant loci midway between these parents. Therefore, this SSR primer was used to confirm the two best performing hybrids (LU26S × 9272 and Mehraj × 9381) on the bases of positively significant effects of GCA and SCA on plant height, 1000-grain weight and grain yield per plant, and other economically important traits. The two hybrids namely LU26S × 9272 and Mehraj × 9381 can be used in the further breeding program for the development of high yielding varieties.     

Comparison of conventional puddling and dry tillage in rice–wheat system

In many parts of Asia, rice is transplanted in puddled fields and after the harvest of this crop wheat is grown. This traditional method of growing rice may have deleterious effect on the growth of the subsequent crop in a rice–wheat cropping system. Wheat crop was planted in the same plots following a rice crop to evaluate the residual effects of various tillage treatments suitable for rice on the growth of the subsequent crop. Rice cultivar Super-basmati was grown in summer and wheat cultivar Auqab-2000 in autumn after rice. Four treatments were used to grow rice viz. transplanting in continuously flooded conditions (TRF), transplanting with intermittent flooding and drying (TRI), direct seeded using dry seeds (DSR) and direct seeded using primed seeds (DSP). Traditional puddling tillage system was followed in TRF and TRI, while for DSR and DSP, dry tillage system was followed. For convenience, the abbreviations of the rice treatments were used to indicate the same plots during the wheat crop. For the rice crop, tiller number, fertile tillers, kernel and straw yield, and harvest index were significantly better with transplanted treatments (TRI and TRF) than the direct seeded treatments. TRI also gave a yield advantage of 5% over TRF. For wheat, crop following direct seeded rice was better than transplanting. This study suggests that intermittent irrigation in the traditional puddling tillage system and DSP dry tillage system are the promising alternatives that may be opted.     

Development of Maghemite Glass Fibre Nanocomposite for Adsorptive Removal of Methylene Blue

Maghemite glass fibre nanocomposite with excellent magnetic and adsorption properties was successfully developed from nontoxic and eco-friendly reagents by thermal decomposition approach. The developed nanocomposite was utilized in adsorption of methylene blue which follows Freundlich adsorption isotherm. The excellent value of adsorption capacity (51.31 mg g^-1) as compared to other adsorbents recommends its potential role for adsorption phenomenon in multiple applications. The developed nanocomposite can be recycled and reused easily. Surface and other functional characteristics of developed nanocomposite were determined through scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, raman spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and vibrating sample magnetometer. The obtained results revealed that maghemite glass nanocomposite is a potential tool that can be utilized in waste water treatments.     

水稻花期高温胁迫影响颖花育性生理机理研究进展

全球气候变暖产生的局部短期极端高温,会对水稻形成高温胁迫,影响水稻的各种生理代谢过程,其出现频率有增加趋势.高温胁迫对水稻的影响主要是在开花期,极易导致严重的颖花不育.水稻耐高温胁迫能力存在基因型间的差异.在当天温度较低的时段开花,花粉活性高,花药长,花药基部开裂长度较长、开裂孔较大,是水稻耐高温胁迫的重要表型指标.热激蛋白的表达,提高花药的抗氧化能力,以及维持结构蛋白、酶和细胞膜的稳定性是增强柱头及柱头上花粉粒耐高温胁迫的重要生理机制.目前,国内外学者对高温胁迫影响水稻颖花受精结实的特征、水稻耐高温胁迫的形态与生理机理方面进行了大量研究,但未深入研究缓解水稻高温胁迫伤害的方法与策略,今后应结合水稻耐高温胁迫的形态与生理机理,加强有效缓解高温胁迫方法的探索与研究.