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Research on the Strategy of Improving the Small Grain Production...
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Research on the Strategy of Improving the Small Grain Production System

A special issue of Agriculture (ISSN 2077-0472). This special issue belongs to the section "Crop Production".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 February 2025) | Viewed by 7107

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Dimitrios Katsantonis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Plant Breeding and Genetic Resources, Hellenic Agricultural Organization, Ellinikis Georgikis Sholis Avenue, 57001 Thermi-Thessaloniki, Greece
Interests: agronomy; plant pathology; precision agriculture; sustainability; phytochemistry; food science, circular economy, pollution mitigation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Ioannis Mylonas

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Plant Breeding and Genetic Resources, Hellenic Agricultural Organization, Ellinikis Georgikis Sholis Avenue, 57001 Thermi-Thessaloniki, Greece
Interests: genetics; breeding; cereals; legumes; quality; stresses; climatic change; low inputs
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Farmers' decision making is an exigent problem that affects socio-economic pathways worldwide. Inevitably, this necessitates the development of innovative multi-dimensional systems based on the agricultural anthropogenic triptych: demand, environment, and cost-effectiveness. Small grains can generate profitable yields for the cash market and farm feeds when soils are properly managed, while the value of the straw harvest is equally crucial for animal production. Consequently, the deeper understanding of small seeds management systems is essential.

This Special Issue focuses on methodologies that can improve small grain cropping systems in order to develop a strong transition from traditional methods to innovative and environmentally friendly practices. Research articles will cover numerous crops on a wide range of topics concerning innovative cultural practices, genotypic interactions, precision agriculture, remote sensing, quality improvement, and low-input practices and methodologies, with some emphasis on climate change and energy-saving approaches in all categories of ecosystems. All types of articles, such as original research articles, reviews, and, notes are welcome. Nevertheless, let us demonstrate with this Special Issue that the pursuit of small grain systems is a worthy goal.

Dr. Dimitrios Katsantonis
Dr. Ioannis Mylonas
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agriculture is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • rotation
  • productivity
  • stresses
  • innovative breeding
  • resistance
  • diversification
  • conservation
  • silage
  • grazing

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

27 pages, 5110 KiB  
Article
Investigating the Impact of Tillering on Yield and Yield-Related Traits in European Rice Cultivars
by Argyrios Kalaitzidis, Kalliopi Kadoglidou, Ioannis Mylonas, Sopio Ghoghoberidze, Elissavet Ninou and Dimitrios Katsantonis
Agriculture 2025, 15(6), 616; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15060616 - 13 Mar 2025
Viewed by 561
Abstract
Optimizing rice productivity is crucial for global food security, especially in Mediterranean environments. This study investigated the influence of tillering capacity on yield and other agronomic traits in nine European rice cultivars over two seasons (2021–2022). A split-plot design was used with cultivars [...] Read more.
Optimizing rice productivity is crucial for global food security, especially in Mediterranean environments. This study investigated the influence of tillering capacity on yield and other agronomic traits in nine European rice cultivars over two seasons (2021–2022). A split-plot design was used with cultivars as the main factor and five tillering levels: main stems (Mn), primary (T1), secondary (T2), tertiary (T3), and quaternary (T4) as sub-factors. The grain yield, total dry matter, harvest index, 1000-grain weight, and number of stems were measured. Significant differences were revealed among cultivars, tillering levels, and their interaction for all traits. Mn and T1 consistently outyielded later tillers, with Ronaldo’s Mn achieving 4.71 t ha−1. Mare and Olympiada displayed the highest average yields (1.52 t ha−1) through balanced resource allocation across tillers. Strong correlations between tillering levels and yield (R2 = 0.73) demonstrate that early tillers significantly enhance productivity. We conclude that optimizing early tiller productivity—rather than maximizing tiller numbers—should be prioritized in breeding programs. Cultivars combining vigorous Mn and T1 development with efficient resource partitioning offer the most promising approach for improving Mediterranean rice productivity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on the Strategy of Improving the Small Grain Production System)
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26 pages, 18451 KiB  
Article
Long-Term Assessment of NDVI Dynamics in Winter Wheat (Triticum aestivum) Using a Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
by Asparuh I. Atanasov, Gallina M. Mihova, Atanas Z. Atanasov and Valentin Vlăduț
Agriculture 2025, 15(4), 394; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15040394 - 13 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1031
Abstract
The application of reflective vegetation indices is crucial for advancing precision agriculture, particularly in monitoring crop growth and development. Among these indices, the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) is the most widely used due to its reliability in capturing vegetation dynamics. This study [...] Read more.
The application of reflective vegetation indices is crucial for advancing precision agriculture, particularly in monitoring crop growth and development. Among these indices, the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) is the most widely used due to its reliability in capturing vegetation dynamics. This study focuses on the applicability and temporal dynamics of the NDVI in monitoring winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) under the specific climatic conditions of Southern Dobrudja, Bulgaria. Using a Survey3W Camera RGN mounted on DJI unmanned aerial vehicles (Phantom 4 Pro and Mavic 2 Pro) at an altitude of 100 m, NDVI data were collected over a five-year period (2019–2024). Results reveal distinct NDVI trends, with maximum values reaching 0.56 during favorable conditions, and sharp declines during late spring frosts or drought periods. These NDVI variations correlate strongly with environmental factors, including precipitation and temperature fluctuations. For instance, during the 2019–2020 season, the NDVI decreased by 30% due to severe drought and high winter temperatures. In this study, vegetation indices, including the Soil-Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI) and the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), were utilized to compare the results with the NDVI. The high-resolution UAV methodology demonstrated in this study proves highly effective for breeding and agronomic applications, offering precise data for optimizing wheat cultivation under variable agro-climatic conditions. These findings highlight the NDVI’s potential to enhance crop monitoring, yield prediction, and stress response management in winter wheat. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on the Strategy of Improving the Small Grain Production System)
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14 pages, 282 KiB  
Article
Variation in Grain Yield Losses Due to Fall Armyworm Infestation among Elite Open-Pollinated Maize Varieties under Different Levels of Insecticide Application
by James J. Kenyi, Wende Mengesha, Ayodeji Abe, Abebe Menkir and Silvestro Meseka
Agriculture 2024, 14(7), 984; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14070984 - 24 Jun 2024
Viewed by 2175
Abstract
Maize is an important food and industrial cereal crop that serves as the main source of energy for millions of low-income people in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), but its production and productivity are constrained by many constraints, among which the fall armyworm (FAW) is [...] Read more.
Maize is an important food and industrial cereal crop that serves as the main source of energy for millions of low-income people in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), but its production and productivity are constrained by many constraints, among which the fall armyworm (FAW) is the major one. The use of insecticides is the most effective control measure for the FAW. However, excessive use of chemical insecticides has environmental and health implications, and it can be expensive for resource-poor farmers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the extent of variation in yield losses due to the FAW among some elite maize open-pollinated varieties (OPVs) under two levels of insecticide application and control (0 application). In a two-year field study, 10 elite maize OPVs were evaluated under two levels of emamectin benzoate (5% WDG) applications and the control: 75 and 150 mL of spray solution per 20 L of water. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with three replications. The data were collected on grain yield (GY) and FAW leaf damage rating (LDR). The LDR was conducted on a 1–9 scale and used to categorize the maize varieties as resistant (1–4), moderately resistant (4–6), and susceptible (6–9). Significant varietal differences were obtained for GY and LDRs. The GY of the varieties under control (0 mL), 75 and 150 mL insecticide applications ranged from 3.3 t ha−1 (DTSTR-Y SYN-13) to 4.6 t ha−1 (PVA SYN-3), from 4.5 t ha−1 (DTSTR-Y SYN-13) to 6.4 t ha−1 (PVA SYN-13), and from 4.2 t ha−1 (DTSTR-Y SYN-13) to 6 t ha−1 (DTSTR-Y SYN-14), respectively. No significant differences in GY were found between the application of 75 and 150 mL of insecticide application. The relative loss in GY among the varieties under control (0 mL) differed with an increase in the level of insecticide application. The relative GY loss at the 75 mL insecticide application ranged from 18% (PVA SYN-3) to 38% (DTSTR-Y SYN-15) with a mean of 27%, whereas at the 150 mL insecticide application, it varied from 13% (PVA SYN-3) to 42% (DTSTR-Y SYN-15), with a mean of 26%. All the varieties exhibited moderate resistance to FAW, except DTSTR-Y SYN-14, which was susceptible. The varieties PVA SYN-3 and PVA SYN-13 were the most consistent in GY across the three insecticide treatment levels. The mean performance of the varieties for FAW leaf damage ranged from 4.0 (SAMMAZ-15) to 6.2 (DTSTR-Y SYN-14), from 4.5 (SAMMAZ-15) to 6.3 (PVA SYN-6), from 4.5 (SAMMAZ-15) to 6.3 (DTSTR-Y SYN-14), and from 3.5 (SAMMAZ-15) to 5 (DTSTR-Y SYN-14) for LDR 1, LDR 2, LDR 3, and LDR 4, respectively. The use of moderately resistant varieties, combined with timely spraying of emamectin benzoate at 75 mL provided adequate management for the FAW infestation and sustained high maize grain yield. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on the Strategy of Improving the Small Grain Production System)
15 pages, 1335 KiB  
Article
Durum Wheat Production as Affected by Soil Tillage and Fertilization Management in a Mediterranean Environment
by Roberto Mancinelli, Mohamed Allam, Verdiana Petroselli, Mariam Atait, Merima Jasarevic, Alessia Catalani, Sara Marinari, Emanuele Radicetti, Aftab Jamal, Zainul Abideen and Gabriele Chilosi
Agriculture 2023, 13(2), 433; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13020433 - 12 Feb 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2318
Abstract
Several strategies have been proposed recently to reduce the accumulated harmful circumstances of intensive conventional farming practices. The adoption of conservation soil tillage and organic fertilization techniques could contribute to achieving this goal. The study was conducted over a three-year trial to assess [...] Read more.
Several strategies have been proposed recently to reduce the accumulated harmful circumstances of intensive conventional farming practices. The adoption of conservation soil tillage and organic fertilization techniques could contribute to achieving this goal. The study was conducted over a three-year trial to assess the effects of soil tillage practices (plough; subsoil; spading) and fertilization management (inorganic vs. organic) on durum wheat growth dynamics and productivity in a Mediterranean environment. The chlorophyll concentration (CC) was evaluated using an MC-100 chlorophyll meter, and Green Area (GA) was extracted from red-green-blue (RGB) digital images acquired with a commercially available digital camera. These non-destructive low-cost methods were used to examine crop status and its reactions to climate conditions over three consecutive growing seasons in the field. A positive strong linear relationship between both CC and GA against grain yield in each growing season was identified. The study highlights that CC and GA methods are valuable tools to assess crop development under Mediterranean conditions. The results indicated that the applied conservation tillage systems, such as subsoil tillage and using the spading machine, along with organic fertilization with compost, are valuable choices in the Mediterranean basin for sustainable and higher crop production (13%) compared to the conventional traditional system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on the Strategy of Improving the Small Grain Production System)
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