Search Results (943)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of selected herbicides permitted for use in sustainable agriculture, specifically targeting spring rye and spring barley in a no-till farming system. The application of chemical herbicide protection in the cultivation of spring rye and barley significantly increased the yield and improved the quality parameters of the harvested grain, with the most pronounced effect observed in spring barley. The effectiveness of the herbicide treatment in reducing the number of weeds was 99.4% for spring rye and 82.39% for spring barley. The study demonstrated that the application of chemical herbicide protection had a positive impact on the quality parameters of spring barley grain. Both the thousand-grain weight and protein content were significantly higher in the grain collected from protected plots compared to the control plots. By utilizing herbicides permitted for use in integrated production (IP) in a sustainable manner, we protect the environment while minimizing the impact on crop yields and maintaining the quality of the harvested produce. Full article

Maize–soybean intercropping is widely practised to improve land use efficiency, but shading from maize often limits soybean growth and productivity. Melatonin, a plant signaling molecule with antioxidant and growth-regulating properties, has shown potential in mitigating various abiotic stresses, including low light. This study investigated the efficacy of applying foliar melatonin (MT) to enhance shade tolerance and yield performance of soybean under intercropping. Four melatonin concentrations (0, 50, 100, and 150 µM) were applied to soybean grown under mono- and intercropping systems. The results showed that intercropping significantly reduced growth, photosynthetic activity, and yield-related traits. However, the MT application, particularly at 100 µM (MT₁₀₀), effectively mitigated these declines. MT₁₀₀ improved plant height (by up to 32%), leaf area (8%), internode length (up to 41%), grain yield (32%), and biomass dry matter (30%) compared to untreated intercropped plants. It also enhanced SPAD chlorophyll values, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters such as Photosystem II efficiency (ɸPSII), maximum PSII quantum yield (Fv/Fm), photochemical quenching (qp), electron transport rate (ETR), Rubisco activity, and soluble protein content. These findings suggest that foliar application of melatonin, especially at 100 µM, can improve shade resilience in soybean by enhancing physiological and biochemical performance, offering a practical strategy for optimizing productivity in intercropping systems. Full article

This study investigates the effects of low nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) stress on the growth and yield of nine barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) genotypes (1267-2, 1749-1, 1149-3, 2017Y-2, 2017Y-16, 2017Y-17, 2017Y-18, 2017Y-19, and XBZ17-1-61), all of which are spring two-rowed hulled barley types from the Economic Crops and Beer Material Institute, Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences. Data were collected over two consecutive growing seasons (2021–2022) at Huangyang Town (altitude 1766 m, irrigated desert soil with 1.71% organic matter, 1.00 g·kg⁻¹ total N, 0.87 g·kg⁻¹ total P in 0–20 cm plough layer) to elucidate the correlation between stress tolerance traits and yield performance. Field experiments were conducted under two treatment conditions: no fertilization (NP0) and normal fertilization (180 kg·hm⁻² N and P, NP180). Growth indicators (plant height, spike length, spikelets per unit area, etc.) and quality indicators (proportion of plump/shrunken grains, 1000-grain weight, protein, starch content) were measured, and data were analyzed using correlation analysis, principal component analysis, and structural equation modeling. The results revealed that low N and P stress significantly impacted quality indicators, such as the proportion of plump and shrunken grains, while having a minimal effect on growth indicators like plant height and spike length. Notably, the number of spikelets per unit area emerged as a critical factor positively influencing yield. Among the tested genotypes, 1749-1, 1267-2, 1149-3, 2017Y-16, 2017Y-18, 2017Y-19, and XBZ17-1-61 exhibited superior yield performance under low N and P stress conditions, indicating their potential for breeding programs focused on stress resilience. Included among these, the 1749-1 line showed the best overall performance and consistent results across both years. Full article

The production of winter wheat, spring barley, spring oilseed rape, and field beans requires detailed experimental data studies to analyze the quality and productivity of spring barley grain under different cultivation and tillage conditions. As the world’s population grows, more food is required to maintain a stable food supply chain. For many years, intensive farming systems have been used to meet this need. Today, intensive climate change events and other global environmental challenges are driving a shift towards sustainable use of natural resources and simplified cultivation methods that produce high-quality and productive food. It is important to study different tillage systems in order to understand how these methods can affect the chemical composition and nutritional value of the grain. Both agronomic and economic aspects contribute to the complexity of this field and their analysis will undoubtedly contribute to the development of more efficient agricultural practice models and the promotion of more conscious consumption. An appropriate tillage system should be oriented towards local climatic characteristics and people’s needs. The impact of reduced tillage on these indicators in spring barley production is still insufficiently investigated and requires further analysis at a global level. This study was carried out at Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (Lithuania) in 2022–2024. Treatments were arranged using a split-plot design. Based on a long-term tillage experiment, five tillage systems were tested: deep and shallow plowing, deep cultivation–chiseling, shallow cultivation–disking, and no-tillage. The results show that in 2022–2024, the hectoliter weight and moisture content of spring barley grains increased, but protein content and germination decreased in shallowly plowed fields. In deep cultivation–chiseling fields, the protein content (0.1–1.1%) of spring barley grains decreased, and in shallow cultivation–disking fields, the moisture content (0.2–0.3%) decreased. In all fields, the simplified tillage systems applied reduced spring barley germination (0.4–16.7%). Tillage systems and meteorological conditions are the two main forces shaping the quality indicators of spring barley grains. Properly selected tillage systems and favorable climatic conditions undoubtedly contribute to better grain properties and higher yields, while reducing the risk of disease spread. Full article

The reduced N fertilization rate and N supplied by pea (Pisum sativum L.) residue may sustain subsequent spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth, yield, and quality. We examined the response of spring wheat growth, yield, and quality to cropping systems and N fertilization rates from 2012 to 2019 in the US northern Great Plains. Cropping systems were conventional till spring wheat–fallow (CTWF), no-till spring wheat–fallow (NTWF), no-till spring wheat–pea (NTWP), and no-till continuous wheat (NTCW), and N fertilization rates to spring wheat were 0, 50, 100, and 150 kg N ha⁻¹. Wheat plant density and straw yield were 13–100% greater for CTWF and NTWF than NTWP and NTCW in most years. Wheat grain yield and protein concentration were also 15–115% greater for CTWF and NTWF than other cropping systems at most N fertilization rates and years. In contrast, wheat grain test weight was 1–2% lower for CTWF and NTWF at most N fertilization rates and years. Increasing N fertilization rate mostly increased grain yield and protein concentration but reduced grain test weight for most cropping systems and years. Although CTWF and NTWF with or without N fertilization increased wheat yield and quality, these practices are not sustainable due to reduced annualized yield, soil health, and environmental quality. Because of similar or greater grain yields and test weights among NTWP with 50 kg N ha⁻¹ and NTWP and NTCW with other N rates, NTWP with reduced N rates may sustain spring wheat yield and grain size but not grain protein in the northern Great Plains. Full article

Soil organic nitrogen (SON) positively influences crop productivity, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and sustained nitrogen (N) supply. Herein, we observed the effect of different treatments; no fertilizers (CK), chemical fertilizers (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK)), organic manure, and NPK + OM (NPKOM). This study was performed in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The results indicated that NPKOM treatment significantly decreased the nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions by 19.97% and 17.47% compared to NPK in both years. This was linked with improved soil nutrient availability, soil organic carbon, soil organic nitrogen (SON) storage (10.06% and 12.38%), SON sequestration (150% and 140%), increased soil particulate (44.11% and 44%), and mineral-associated organic N (26.98% and 26.47%) availability. Furthermore, NPKOM also enhanced nitrate reductase (NR: 130% and 112%), glutamine synthetase (GS: 93% and 88%), sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS: 79% and 98%), SSs (synthetic direction; 57% and 50%), and decreased SSs activity in the decomposition direction (18% and 21%). This, in turn, inhibited the decomposition of sucrase and enhanced starch conversion into carbohydrates, thus leading to an increase in rice yield and a decrease in N₂O emissions. All fertilizations, particularly NPKOM, significantly enhanced grain protein contents by increasing N uptake and its availability. Therefore, NPKOM is an effective practice to enhance rice productivity, and SON sequestration and mitigate the N₂O emissions and subsequent climate change. Full article

Foliar application of biostimulants can be a valid option to reach the goal of sustainable intensification in agriculture, especially in extensive crops such as durum wheat. However, due to the wide range of active ingredients and their mixtures available in the market, the need to select the most efficient product in a specific growing environment is of dramatic importance to achieve remarkable results in yield and grain quality. To analyze the potential of different active ingredients, a field trial was performed in two consecutive growing seasons (2023 and 2024) under Mediterranean climatic conditions. A randomized block design with three replicates was used. Durum wheat cultivar “Iride” was treated with the following five foliar biostimulants in comparison with the untreated control (T0): seaweed and plant extracts (T1); micronized vaterite (T2); culture broth of Pseudomonas protegens (T3); humic and fulvic acids (T4); organic nitrogen fertilizer (N 5%) containing glycine betaine (T5). Biostimulant treatment was applied at the end of tillering and at heading. Root length, chlorophyll content, grain yield, yield components and grain quality were measured and subjected to a one-way analysis of variance. As compared to the control, seaweed and plant extracts as well as micronized vaterite showed the best results in terms of grain yield (29% and 24% increase, respectively), root length (120% and 77% increase, respectively) and grain protein content (one percentage point increase, from approx. 12% to 13%). The results from this study can help Mediterranean farmers and researchers to develop new fertilization protocols to reach the goals of the “Farm to Fork” European strategy. Full article

Sheath blight (ShB), caused by the necrotrophic fungus Rhizoctonia solani (R. solani), poses severe threats to global rice production. Developing a resistant variety with an ShB-resistance gene is one of most efficient and economical approaches to control the disease. Here, we identified a highly conserved chloroplast-localized stem-loop-binding protein encoding gene (OsCSP41b), which shows great potential in developing an ShB-resistant variety. OsCSP41b-knockout mutants exhibit chlorotic leaves and increased ShB susceptibility, whereas OsCSP41b-overexpressing lines (CSP41b-OE) display significantly enhanced resistance to R. solani, as well as to drought, and salinity stresses. Notably, CSP41b-OE lines present a completely comparable grain yield to the wild type (WT). Transcriptomic analyses reveal that chloroplast transcripts and photosynthesis-associated genes maintain observably elevated stability in CSP41b-OE plants versus WT plants following R. solani infection, which probably accounts for the enhanced ShB resistance of CSP41b-OE. Our findings nominate the OsCSP41b gene as a promising molecular target for developing a rice variety with stronger resistance to both R. solani and multi-abiotic stresses. Full article

Choosing appropriate tillage methods and nitrogen application are important steps in the management of wheat production for obtaining high-yield and high-quality products, as well as managing the level of weed infestation. The aim of this research was to examine the impacts of three different tillage practices (conventional tillage—CT, mulch tillage—MT, and no tillage—NT), and two top dressing fertilization nitrogen levels (rational—60 kg ha⁻¹ and high—120 kg ha⁻¹) on the grain yield and quality of winter wheat, as well as on weed infestation. The present study was carried out in field experiments on chernozem luvic type soil at the Faculty of Agriculture Belgrade-Zemun Experimental field trial “Radmilovac”, in the growing seasons of 2020/2021–2022/2023. The C/N ratio in the soil was also assessed on all plots. The results showed that the number of weeds and their fresh and air-dry weights were higher on the MT and NT plots, compared to the CT plots. Therefore, the CT system has better effects on the yield (5.91 and 5.36 t ha⁻¹) and the protein content (13.3 and 13.1%). Furthermore, the grain weight per spike and the 1000-grain weight were higher in the wheat from the CT system (41.83 and 42.75 g) than from the MT (40.34 and 41.49 g) and NT (40.26 and 41.08 g) systems. Also, the crops from the CT system had higher values of grain density and grain uniformity compared to the crop from the MT and NT systems. Fertilization with a high nitrogen level (120 kg ha⁻¹) causes higher grain yield and more weediness compared with the rational level (60 kg ha⁻¹). Top dressing fertilization in each tillage system resulted in an increase in the number of weeds, but, at the same time, it also resulted in stronger competitive ability of the wheat crop against weeds. The most favorable C/N ratio occurred on the NT plots, and the least beneficial one on the CT ones. A correlation analysis showed strong negative correlations of number (r = −0.82) and fresh weed mass (r = −0.72) with yield. It is concluded that the conventional tillage practice with a low nitrogen dose manifests its superior performance in minimizing weed infestation and maximizing crop productivity. Full article

Numerous scientific studies have confirmed the effectiveness of seed bioactivation using electromagnetic fields (EMFs) in agriculture. This article presents the results of the remote application of an EMF TOR device in the cultivation of barley Hordeum vulgare L. Laboratory studies and field tests were conducted, showing a positive effect on the growth and development of plants both when treating dry seeds before sowing and when treating sown seeds in the field. The optimal time period for EMF treatment was determined: treating air-dried seeds with EMFs before sowing for 10–15 min increased germination by 5–18% and the growth rate of seedlings by 2–3 times. The maximum observed effect occurred during the treatment period from 7:00 to 11:00. As a result of changing the balance of phytohormones, the further stimulation of the root system and the assimilation surface of plants was noted due to a 1.5-fold increase in the content of auxins. The density of productive stems, ear length, seed set, and 1000 seed weight increased, which ultimately led to an increase in yield by more than 10% and, in some varieties, to a decrease in the protein content in grains compared to the control variant (by 3–22%), bringing them closer to brewing conditions. Full article

With the swift progression of the High-Standard Farmland Construction Program in China and worldwide, many dryland wheat fields can be irrigated once during the wheat growth stage (one-off irrigation). However, the combined strategies of one-off irrigation, tillage, and N management for augmenting wheat grain yield and quality are still undeveloped in drought regions. Two-site split–split field experiments were conducted to study the impacts of irrigation, tillage, and N management and their combined effects on grain yield; the contents of protein and protein components; processing quality; and the characteristics of N accumulation and translocation in wheat from a typical dryland wheat production area in China from 2020 to 2022. The irrigation practices (I0, zero irrigation and I1, one-off irrigation), tillage methods (RT, rotary tillage; PT, plowing; and SS, subsoiling) and N management (N0, N120, N180, and N240) were applied to the main plots, subplots and sub-subplots, respectively. The experimental sites, experimental years, irrigation practices, tillage methods, and N management methods and their interaction significantly affected the yield, quality, and plant N characteristics of wheat in most cases. Compared to zero irrigation, one-off irrigation significantly increased the plant N accumulation, enhancing grain yield by 33.7% while decreasing the contents of total protein, albumin, globulin, gliadin, and glutenin by 4.4%, 6.4%, 8.0%, 12.2%, and 10.0%, respectively. It also decreased the wet gluten content, stability time, sedimentation value, extensibility by 4.1%, 10.7%, 9.7%, and 5.5%, respectively, averaged across sites and years. Subsoiling simultaneously enhanced the aforementioned indicators compared to rotary tillage and plowing in most sites and years. With the increase in N rates, wheat yield firstly increased and then decreased under zero irrigation combined with rotary tillage, while it gradually increased when one-off irrigation was combined with subsoiling; however, the contents of total protein and protein components and the quality tended to increase firstly and then stabilize regardless of irrigation practices and tillage methods. The correlations of yield and quality indicators with plant N characteristics were negative when using distinct irrigation practices and tillage methods, while they were positive under varying N management. The decrease in wheat quality induced by one-off irrigation could be alleviated by optimizing N management. I1STN180 exhibited higher yield, plant N accumulation and translocation, and better quality in most cases; thus, all metrics of wheat quality were significantly increased, with a yield enhancement of 50.3% compared to I0RTN180. Therefore, one-off irrigation with subsoiling and an N rate of 180 kg ha⁻¹ is an optimal strategy for high yield, high protein, and high quality in dryland wheat production systems where one-off irrigation is assured. Full article

Plastid division regulatory genes play a crucial role in the morphogenesis of chloroplasts and amyloplasts. Chloroplasts are the main sites for photosynthesis and metabolic reactions, while amyloplasts are the organelles responsible for forming and storing starch granules. The proper division of chloroplasts and amyloplasts is essential for plant growth and yield maintenance. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the J175 (FtsZ2-2) gene, cloned from an ethyl methanesulphonate (EMS) mutant involved in chloroplast and amyloplast division in maize, through map-based cloning. We found that J175 encodes a cell division protein, FtsZ (filamentous temperature-sensitive Z). The FtsZ family of proteins is widely distributed in plants and may be related to the division of chloroplasts and amyloplasts. The J175 protein is localized in plastids, and its gene is expressed across various tissues. From the seedling stage, the leaves of the j175 mutant exhibited white stripes, while the division of chloroplasts was inhibited, leading to a significant increase in volume and a reduction in their number. Measurement of the photosynthetic rate showed a significant decrease in the photosynthetic efficiency of j175. Additionally, the division of amyloplasts in j175 grains at different stages was impeded, resulting in irregular polygonal starch granules. RNA-seq analyses of leaves and kernels also showed that multiple genes affecting plastid division, such as FtsZ1, ARC3, ARC6, PDV1-1, PDV2, and MinE1, were significantly downregulated. This study demonstrates that the maize gene j175 is essential for maintaining the division of chloroplasts and amyloplasts and ensuring normal plant growth, and provides an important gene resource for the molecular breeding of maize. Full article

Nitrogen (N) critically regulates wheat growth and grain quality, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying foliar nitrogen application remain unclear. This study evaluated the effects of foliar nitrogen application (12.25 kg ha⁻¹) on the growth, grain yield, and quality of spring wheat, as well as its molecular mechanisms. The results indicated that N was absorbed within 3 h post-application, with leaf nitrogen concentration peaking at 12 h. The N treatment increased whole-plant dry matter accumulation and grain protein content by 11.34% and 6.8%, respectively. Amino acid content peaked 24 h post-application, increasing by 25.3% compared to the control. RNA-sequencing analysis identified 4559 and 3455 differentially expressed genes at 3 h and 24 h after urea treatment, respectively, these DEGs being primarily involved in nitrogen metabolism, photosynthetic carbon fixation, amino acid biosynthesis, antioxidant systems, and nucleotide biosynthesis. Notably, the plastidic glutamine synthetase gene (GS2) is crucial in the initial phase of urea application (3 h post-treatment). The pronounced downregulation of GS2 initiates a reconfiguration of nitrogen assimilation pathways. This downregulation impedes glutamine synthesis, resulting in a transient accumulation of free ammonia. In response to ammonia toxicity, the leaves promptly activate the GDH (glutamate dehydrogenase) pathway to facilitate the temporary translocation of ammonium. This compensatory mechanism suggests that GS2 downregulation may be a key switch that redirects nitrogen metabolism from the GS/GOGAT cycle to the GDH bypass. Additionally, the upregulation of the purine and pyrimidine metabolic routes channels nitrogen resources towards nucleic acid synthesis, and thereby supporting growth. Amino acids are then transported to the seeds, culminating in enhanced seed protein content. This research elucidates the molecular mechanisms underlying the foliar response to urea application, offering significant insights for further investigation. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of one-time application of controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) on rice (Oryza sativa L.) grain yield, grain quality, and agronomic nitrogen use efficiency (ANUE, ANUE (kg/kg) = (Grain yield with N application − grain yield without N application)/N application amount) in coastal saline soils. A two-year field experiment (2023–2024) was conducted using two rice varieties (Nanjing 5718 and Yongyou 4953) under four nitrogen treatments: N0 (no nitrogen fertilization), N1 (270 kg·hm⁻², with a ratio of 5:1:2:2 at 1-day before transplanting, 7-day after transplanting, panicle initiation, and penultimate-leaf appearance stage, respectively), N2 (270 kg·hm⁻², one-time application at 1-day before transplanting as 50% CRF with 80-day release period + 50% urea), and N3 (270 kg·hm⁻², 50% one-time application of CRF with 120-day release period at the seedling stage + 50% urea at 1-day before transplanting). Compared with N1, the N3 treatment significantly increased grain yield by 10.2% to 12.9% and improved ANUE by 18.5% to 51.6%. It also improved processing quality (higher brown rice, milled rice, and head rice rates), appearance quality (reduced chalkiness degree and chalky rice percentage), and taste value (by 19.3% to 31.2%). These improvements were associated with lower amylose, protein, and soluble sugar contents and favorable changes in starch composition and pasting properties. While N2 slightly improved some quality traits, it significantly reduced yield and ANUE. Correlation analysis revealed that starch and protein composition, as well as pasting properties, were significantly associated with taste value and related attributes such as appearance, stickiness, balance degree, and hardness. Overall, one-time application of CRF with a 120-day release period at the seedling stage, combined with basal urea, offers an effective strategy to boost yield, quality, and ANUE in coastal saline rice systems. Full article

Intercropping is an eco-friendly agricultural practice that can lead to increased productivity and improved resource efficiency. This two-year field study (2022–2023 and 2023–2024) aimed to evaluate the yield and quality (protein content) of lentil when intercropping with bread wheat (Yekora) and oat (Kassandra) under two spatial arrangements (1:1 alternate rows and mixed rows at a 50:50 seeding ratio) in northwestern Greece. A completely randomized design was applied with three replications. Differences were found between treatments regarding yield as well as protein content. Results showed that the highest total grain yield (2478.6 kg/ha) and land equivalent ratio (LER = 2.50) were recorded in the Yekora + Thessalia combination (alternate rows). Legume protein content remained consistently high (27–31%), while cereal protein content varied with genotype. Intercropping in alternate rows generally outperformed mixed sowing, indicating the importance of spatial arrangement in optimizing resource use. These findings suggest that properly designed cereal–lentil intercropping systems can enhance yield and quality while supporting sustainable agricultural practices. Intercropping of Yekora with lentil was superior compared to lentil and bread wheat monocultures and can be recommended as an alternative method for the production of human and animal food. Full article