Plant density and mineral nitrogen fertilization influencing yield, yield components and concentration of oil and protein in soybean grains.

There are few studies on the interaction between soybean plant density and nitrogen fertilization. This research aimed to assess the effect of mineral nitrogen associated to different plant densities on yield, yield components and oil and protein concentrations of soybean grains. Two experiments were conducted in the 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 growing seasons, with randomized complete block design, in a split plots scheme, with six replications. Four sowing densities (150, 300, 440 and 560 thousand viable seeds; ha-1) were allocated in the plots, and two nitrogen levels (0 and 45 kg N; ha-1, applied at V2, using ammonium sulfate) were allocated in the subplots. There was no interaction between soybean plant density and the application of mineral nitrogen on yield, yield components and oil and protein concentrations in soybean grains. Higher plant population reduced the number of pods per plant and the contribution of branch sinks to the grain yield, but the effects on yield differed among the growing seasons. The mineral nitrogen fertilization did not increase yield and protein and oil concentrations in the grains, thus it was unnecessary.

Dry matter yield and nutritional value of Marandu grass under nitrogen fertilization and irrigation in cerrado in São Paulo

The aim of this study was to evaluate dry matter yield and nutritional value of palisade grass (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu) using nitrogen doses and sprinkler irrigation in two periods of the year, aiming at reducing seasonality of forage production. It was used a randomized block design in a split-plot scheme, with five doses of nitrogen (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg/ha/cut), and the sub-plots were defined by the seasons of the year (wet and dry season), with and without irrigation. During the wet season, in the plots with and without irrigation, doses of 175 and 161 kg/ha/cut promoted the highest dry matter yields. During the dry season, 171 kg ha -1N with irrigation resulted in the highest dry matter yield. During the same season, there was no response to N fertilization in the lack of irrigation. Average contents of CP were 10% with and without irrigation. Contents of neutral detergent fiber decreased with nitrogen doses, while acid detergent fiber was not affected by fertilization. Plots under irrigation reached the maximal acid detergent fiber content at N dose of 60 kg ha -1. Irrigation promotes increase of 15% increase in dry matter yield and it increases contents of neutral detergent fiber. © 2010 Sociedade Brasileira de Zootecnia.

Effects of cultural system (organic and conventional) on growth, photosynthesis and yield components of sweet corn (zea mays L.) under semi-arid environment

Organic sweet maize consists of a new industrial crop product. Field experiment was conducted to determine the effects of cultural systems on growth, photosynthesis and yield components of sweet maize crop (Zea mays L. F-1 hybrid 'Midas'). A randomized complete block design was employed with four replicates per treatment (organic fertilization: cow manure (5, 10 and 20 t ha(-1)), poultry manure (5, 10 and 20 t ha(-1)) and barley mulch (5, 10 and 20 t ha(-1)), synthetic fertilizer (240 kg N ha(-1)): 21-0-0 and control). The lowest dry weight, height and leaf area index and sod organic matter were measured in the control treatment. Organic matter content was proportionate to the amount of manure applied. The control plots had the lowest yield (1593 kg ha(-1)) and the double rate cow manure plots the had,greatest one. (6104 kg ha(-1)). High correlation between sweet corn yield and organic matter was registered. Moreover, the lowest values of 1000-grain weight were obtained with control plot. The fertilizer plot gave values which were similar to the full rate cow manure treatment. The photosynthetic race of the untreated control was significantly lower than that of the other treatments. The phorosynthetic rate increased as poultry manure and barley mulch ram decreased and as cow manure increased. Furthermore the untreated control had the lowest stomatal conductance and chlorophyll content. Our results indicated that sweet corn growth and yield in the organic plots was significantly higher than those in the conventional plots.

Nitrogen fertilization and soil management of winter common bean crop

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Influence of nitrogen fertilization and green manure on the economic feasibility of no-tilled wheat in the Cerrado

É importante a busca por melhores rentabilidades para a cultura do trigo por meio de tecnologias que reduzam custos de produção e proporcionem sustentabilidade à agricultura brasileira. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a rentabilidade da cultura do trigo em sistema plantio direto, visando reduzir doses de nitrogênio em cobertura, pelo cultivo de adubos verdes anterior ao do trigo. O experimento foi realizado em Selvíria (MS), Brasil, no ano 2009/10. O delineamento utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados com 36 tratamentos, em parcelas subdividas, com quatro repetições. As parcelas foram formadas por seis tipos de adubos verdes (guandu BRS Mandarim, Crotalaria juncea, milheto BRS 1501, pousio e os consórcios milheto + guandu e milheto + crotalária), que forneceram palha para o plantio direto do trigo no inverno, após a cultura de arroz na safra de verão. As subparcelas foram formadas por seis doses de nitrogênio (0, 25, 50,75, 100 e 125 kg ha-1 de N) em uma aplicação em cobertura, ten-do como fonte a ureia. O trigo cultivado, após a semeadura dos adubos verdes na safra de inverno anterior, sem a aplicação de nitrogênio em cobertura e na dose 25 kg ha-1 de N, apresentou com maior frequência custos de produção superior à receita bruta. O custo de produção de trigo cultivado após os consórcios de milheto + guandu e milheto + crotalária na safra de inverno anterior, associado a doses de nitrogênio de 50 e 75 kg ha-1 de N, proporcionou maior lucratividade em relação aos demais adubos verdes avaliados.

Popcorn (Zea mays L. var. everta) yield and yield components as influenced by the timing of broadcast flaming

Farmers are interested in producing popcorn under organic production systems and propane flaming could be a significant component of an integrated weed management program. The objective of this study was to collect baseline information on popcorn tolerance to broadcast flaming as influenced by propane dose and crop growth stage at the time of flaming. Field experiments were conducted at the Haskell Agricultural Laboratory of the University of Nebraska, Concord, NE in 2008 and 2009 using five propane doses (0, 13, 24, 44 and 85 kg ha(-1)) applied at the 2-leaf, 5-leaf and 7-leaf growth stages. Propane was applied using a custom-built research flamer driven at a constant speed of 6.4 km h(-1). Crop response to propane dose was described by log-logistic models on the basis of visual estimates of crop injury, yield components (plants m(-2), ears plant(-1), kernels cob(-1) and 100-kernel weight) and grain yield. Popcorn response to flaming was influenced by the crop growth stage and propane dose. Based on various parameters evaluated, popcorn flamed at the 5-leaf showed the highest tolerance while the 2-leaf was the most susceptible stage. The maximum yield reductions were 45%, 9% and 16% for the 2-leaf, 5-leaf and 7-leaf stages, respectively. In addition, propane doses that resulted in a 5% yield loss were 23 kg ha(-1) for the 2-leaf and 7-leaf and 30 kg ha(-1) for the 5-leaf stage. Flaming has a potential to be used effectively in organic popcorn production if properly used. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

ASIAN SOYBEAN RUST INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT POTENTIAL: DISEASE SEVERITY, PLANT DEVELOPMENT AND YIELD COMPONENTS, CULTIVAR MG/BR-46 (CONQUISTA)

Soybean rust caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi Sydow & P. Sydow is one of the major diseases of the soybean crop. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of sowing dates, plant populations and reduced doses of fungicides on soybean rust severity and its effects on plant development and yield, cultivar MG/BR46 (Conquista). Field experiments were conducted in the 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 harvests, under natural rust infestation of soybean rust. As from the appearance of the first disease symptoms, also began the fungicide spraying and the disease severity assessments. To understand the nature and extent of the effects of different treatments, a multivariate analysis of factors was applied. For the majority of the agronomic characters and factors, one-third to two-thirds of their variability can be explained by changes in plant populations or by differences in the fungicide treatments, and the remainder, was explained by sowing date variations. The fungicide treatments and sowing dates are determinants in disease severity and its interference on crop productivity. The characters of plant growth are more dependent on plant population variations. Treatments with azoxystrobina + ciproconazol promoted smaller disease severities, reflecting in productivity increase. The plant populations can be reduced up to 160.000 plants ha(-1) without losses in the disease control and the soybean yield. In general, the earliest sowings provided increase in the plant development, although the rust control was less efficient.

Summer deficit irrigation in a hedgerow olive orchard cv. Arbequina: relationship between soil and tree water status, and growth and yield components

El potencial hídrico del tronco es una herramiento útil para el manejo del riego. Los umbrales de riego deben establecerse para cada periodo fisiológico. En este experimento, realizado en Arbequina en seto, se estudio la relacion entre los potenciales hídricos y la produccion de aceite. Cuando los potenciales hidricos son inferiores a -1.3 MPa el crecimiento vegetativo se reduce mas del 50%. En cuanto a la produccion, se observó que regando en Julio cuando se alcanzan potenciales cercanos a -2.9 MPa se puede ahorrar agua sin afectar a la produccion. Sin embargo en Agosto el potencial debe mantenerse por encima de -2 MPa para que no se resienta la producción.

Pasture productivity of crested wheatgrass as influenced by nitrogen fertilization and alfalfa

Prepared in cooperation with Dept. of Animal Science, North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station.

Épocas de aplicação de nitrogênio para híbridos de mamona no sistema plantio direto em safrinha

The castor bean cultivation has a high demand for nitrogen, in addition, the efficiency of nitrogen fertilization in most cases is low, so that this essential nutrient is provided at the appropriate time. The objective was to study the time nitrogen application in castor bean hybrids under no-till system in off-season. The experiment was carried out in an experimental area located in Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil, for two growing off-seasons (2006 and 2007). The experimental design was a randomized block in split plot design, with four replications. The plots were constituted by two castor bean hybrids (Lyra/Savana in 2006 and Lyra/Sara in 2007). Six combination of times out rates (0-0, 0-100, 100-0, 30-70, 70-30, 50-50 kg ha-1 of N) side dressing nitrogen fertilization constituted the subplots. The N source used was ammonium nitrate, applied 20 days after emergence and 40 days after emergence. Measurements were carried out: dry matter production of shoots, nitrate and ammonium leaf, leaf analysis, yield components and nitrogen factor utilization. The highest grain yield was obtained to the hybrid Lyra with nitrogen fertilization. In 2006 the highest nitrogen utilization factor to the hybrid Lyra was obtained with the form 70-30 and in the 2007 with 50-50.

Response of irrigated wheat cultivars to different nitrogen rates and sources

Altas produtividades de trigo requerem um bom manejo da adubação nitrogenada. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos de diferentes doses de nitrogênio na semeadura usando o Entec (fonte de N com inibidor de nitrificação), ou em cobertura, utilizando a ureia, em quatro cultivares de trigo. O experimento foi desenvolvido em área experimental pertencente à Faculdade de Engenharia de Ilha Solteira - UNESP, em um Latossolo Vermelho distrófico epieutrófico álico textura argilosa, o qual foi nativamente ocupado por vegetação de Cerrado. O delineamento estatístico foi o de blocos ao acaso, com quatro doses de N (0, 60, 120 e 180 kg ha-1) na semeadura, usando o Entec, ou em cobertura aos 40 dias (início do alongamento), empregando a ureia e os cultivares E 21, E 22, E 42 e IAC 370, em quatro repetições. Os cultivares de trigo mais produtivos foram o E 21 e o E 42. O cultivar E 22 apresentou maior altura de plantas e altas notas de acamamento, com consequente menor produtividade de grãos. Não houve diferença significativa entre o Entec (aplicado na semeadura) e a ureia (aplicada em cobertura) para produtividade de grãos e para nenhuma das outras avaliações, porém a ureia proporcionou maior teor de N foliar, e o Entec, maior número de espiguetas não desenvolvidas. O incremento das doses de N influenciou negativamente a massa hectolítrica, alterando assim a qualidade dos grãos de trigo. O N aumentou a produtividade de grãos de trigo até a dose de 82 kg ha-1 de N, usando Entec aplicado na semeadura ou ureia aplicada em cobertura.

DNA markers linked to yield, yield components, and morphological traits in autotetraploid lucerne (Medicago sativa L.)

We have mapped and identified DNA markers linked to morphology, yield, and yield components of lucerne, using a backcross population derived from winter-active parents. The high-yielding and recurrent parent, D, produced individual markers that accounted for up to 18% of total yield over 6 harvests, at Gatton, south-eastern Queensland. The same marker, AC/TT8, was consistently identified at each individual harvest, and in individual harvests accounted for up to 26% of the phenotypic variation for yield. This marker was located in linkage group 2 of the D map, and several other markers positively associated with yield were consistently identified in this linkage group. Similarly, markers negatively associated with yield were consistently identified in the W116 map, W116 being the low-yielding parent. Highly significant positive correlations were observed between total yield and yield for harvests 1-6, and between total yield and stem length, tiller number, leaf yield/plant, leaf yield/5 stems, stem yield/plant, and stem yield/5 stems. Highly significant QTL were located for all these characters as well as for leaf shape and pubescence.

DNA markers linked to yield, yield components, and morphological traits in autotetraploid lucerne (Medicago sativa L.)

We have mapped and identifed DNA markers linked to morphology, yield, and yield components of lucerne, using a backcross population derived from winter-active parents. The high-yielding and recurrent parent, D, produced individual markers that accounted for up to 18% of total yield over 6 harvests, at Gatton, south-eastern Queensland. The same marker, AC/TT8, was consistently identified at each individual harvest, and in individual harvests accounted for up to 26% of the phenotypic variation for yield. This marker was located in linkage group 2 of the D map, and several other markers positively associated with yield were consistently identified in this linkage group. Similarly, markers negatively associated with yield were consistently identified in the W116 map, W116 being the low-yielding parent. Highly significant positive correlations were observed between total yield and yield for harvests 1-6, and between total yield and stem length, tiller number, leaf yield/plant, leaf yield/5 stems, stem yield/plant, and stem yield/5 stems. Highly significant QTL were located for all these characters as well as for leaf shape and pubescence.

Grain yield components of pearl millet under optimum conditions can be used to identify germplasm with adaptation to and zones

There is evidence that high-tillering, small-panicled pearl millet landraces are better adapted to the severe, unpredictable drought stress of the and zones of NW India than are low-tillering, large-panicled modern varieties, which significantly outyield the landraces under favourable conditions. In this paper, we analyse the relationship of and zone adaptation with the expression, under optimum conditions, of yield components that determine either the potential sink size or the ability to realise this potential. The objective is to test whether selection under optimal conditions for yield components can identify germplasm with adaptation to and zones in NW India, as this could potentially improve the efficiency of pearl millet improvement programs targeting and zones. We use data from an evaluation of over 100 landraces from NW India, conducted for two seasons under both severely drought-stressed and favourable conditions in northwest and south India. Trial average grain yields ranged from 14 g m(-2) to 182 g m(-2). The landraces were grouped into clusters, based on their phenology and yield components as measured under well-watered conditions in south India. In environments without pre-flowering drought stress, tillering type had no effect on potential sink size, but low-tillering, large-panicled landraces yielded significantly more grain, as they were better able to realise their potential sink size. By contrast, in two low-yielding and zone environments which experienced pre-anthesis drought stress, low-fillering, large-panicled landraces yielded significantly less grain than high-tillering ones with comparable phenology, because of both a reduced potential sink size and a reduced ability to realise this potential. The results indicate that the high grain yield of low-tillering, large-panicled landraces under favourable conditions is due to improved partitioning, rather than resource capture. However, under severe stress with restricted assimilate supply, high-tillering, small-panicled landraces are better able to produce a reproductive sink than are large-panicled ones. Selection under optimum conditions for yield components representing a resource allocation pattern favouring high yield under severe drought stress, combined with a capability to increase grain yield if assimilates are available, was more effective than direct selection for grain yield in identifying germplasm adapted to and zones. Incorporating such selection in early generations of variety testing could reduce the reliance on random stress environments. This should improve the efficiency of millet breeding programs targeting and zones. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Cover Crops and Nitrogen Fertilization Effects on Nitrogen Soil Fractions under Corn Cultivation in a No-Tillage System.

ABSTRACT: The use of cover crops has recently increased and represents an essential practice for the sustainability of no-tillage systems in the Cerrado region. However, there is little information on the effects of nitrogen fertilization and cover crop use on nitrogen soil fractions. This study assessed changes in the N forms in soil cropped to cover crops prior to corn growing. The experiment consisted of a randomized complete block design arranged in split-plots with three replications. Cover crops were tested in the plots, and the N topdressing fertilization was assessed in the subplots. The following cover species were planted in succession to corn for eight years: Urochloa ruziziensis, Canavalia brasiliensis M. ex Benth, Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp, and Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench. After corn harvesting, the soil was sampled at depths of 0.00-0.10 and 0.10-0.20 m. The cover crops showed different effects at different soil depths. The soil cultivated with U. ruziziensis showed higher contents of total-N and particulate-N than the soil cultivated with C. cajan. Particulate-N was the most sensitive to changes in the soil management among the fractions of N assessed. The soil under N topdressing showed a lower content of available-N in the 0.10-0.20 m layer, which may be caused by the season in which the sampling was conducted or the greater uptake of the available-N by corn.