Naeem Sarwar

Impact of nursery seeding density, nitrogen, and seedling age on yield and yield attributes of fine rice

Producing vigorous seedlings and transplanting them at the appropriate age are the most important factors for obtaining high yield in rice (Oryza sativa L.) paddy production. The impact of seeding densities, N, and seedling age was evaluated in this experiment after transplanting 10, 20, 30 and 40-d old seedlings raised by using different seeding rates (high and low) and N conditions (with and without) in the 2008 and 2009 rice growing seasons. The study revealed that 10-d-old nursery seedlings, irrespective of seeding densities and fertilizer application, showed higher yields and yield attributes (productive tillers, plant height, 1000-grain weight, and straw yield), while at later stages significant interaction was observed with nursery management. Transplanting of 20-d older fertile seedlings grown with low seeding density at nursery-bed, resulted in a higher number of productive tillers m-2 (233.3, 227.3), straw yield (11.1, 10.7 t ha-1), and final yield (3.6, 3.4 t ha-1) in both years, 2008 and 2009, respectively. Yield and yield attributes were significantly reduced by transplanting older seedlings grown at high seeding density and without N application at nursery-bed. Minimum productive tillers (165.7, 133), straw yield (8.7, 8.1 t ha-1) and paddy yield (2.0, 1.8 t ha-1) were recorded with transplanting 40-d older seedlings grown at high seeding density and without N application. These findings support the use of young seedling in a system of rice intensification and illustrate that by making a minor additional investment to raise healthy and vigorous seedlings in nursery seed-bed, farmers can improve yields.

Effect of weed-crop competition on growth and yield of garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.)

A field experiment to evaluate the effect of weed-crop competition duration i.e. Zero competition and competition for 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 days after emergence and throughout the growing season on the growth of weeds and yield of Lepidium sativum L. was conducted during 2005-06 at the Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan. The dominant weeds were Phalaris minor, Anagallis arvensis, Chenopodium album, Convolvulus arvensis and Medicago denticulata. Maximum density and dry weight of weeds were recorded in plots with competition throughout the season and the minimum was observed in weed-crop competition for 40 days after emergence. Maximum seed yield was recorded in plots where weeds were not allowed to grow throughout the growing season. The increase in yield was mainly due to greater plant height, branches and seeds per plant. The minimum seed yield was recorded in plots where weeds were allowed to compete with the crop throughout the growth period of the crop. For obtaining higher yield of garden cress it is suggested to control weeds before 40 days after emergence.

Influence of Nursery Management and Seedling Age on Growth and Economic Performance of Fine Rice

Seedling vigor is the basic component of the transplanted rice, which depends on its growing environment and proper age. Thus the influence of nursery management and seedling age was evaluated after transplanting 10, 20, 30, and 40-days older seedlings raised by using seed rate (high and low) and nitrogen (N) (with and without) in rice growing season 2008 and 2009. Study revealed that 10-days older nursery seedlings, irrespective to nursery-bed treatments, showed accelerated growth start after transplanting in main field while at later stages significant interaction was observed. Transplanting of 20-days older fertilized seedlings grown at low seeding density at nursery-bed resulted in similar growth performance as in younger. Maximum net-benefit (45111, 44402 Rs. ha−1) was recorded with transplanting 10-days older nursery seedlings while the fertilized seedlings grown at lower seeding density recorded highest net-benefit (37908, 36780 Rs. ha−1) in both the years.

Foliar Application of Potassium Sulfate Partially Alleviates Pre-anthesis Drought-induced Kernel Abortion in Maize

Reproductive success in cereals is determined primarily by grain setting and grain filling. The kernel abortion in maize during pre-anthesis drought has been widely studied, but the reasons behind this abortion are still largely unknown. The present study investigated the impact of drought stress (control and drought) around pollination and foliar sprays of potassium (K; 0, 1, 2 and 5% K2SO4) on leaf K concentrations and yield determinants of maize under greenhouse and field conditions. Results of both experiments revealed that drought stress before pollination strongly reduced the cob fresh weights, number of grains per cob and hence grain yields. While cob length, cob diameter and grain weights were only slightly affected by drought. Potassium concentrations in cob leaves of drought stressed plants were slightly below the critical threshold values. Foliar spray of 2 and 5% K significantly increased the leaf K concentration, number of grains per cob and grain yield in drought treatments of both experiments. Foliar application of K had little or no significant effect on growth and yield determinants of control plants. It is concluded that potassium deficiency could be one factor associated with poor kernel setting under drought stress. Foliar application of 2 and 5% K2SO4 before silking can significantly improve grain number and grain yield in droughtstressed maize.

EARLY SOWING REDUCES COTTON LEAF CURL VIRUS OCCURRENCE AND IMPROVES COTTON PRODUCTIVITY

Abstract Cotton productivity is severely hampering by various diseases and insect pests especially cotton leaf curl virus (CLCV) worldwide. Losses caused by CLCV are far more than any other factor affecting cotton productivity. Growing of early and resistant genotypes is of vital significance in alleviating the adversities of these pests in crop plants. The current field trial was conducted at Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI) Multan, Pakistan, to investigate the role of varying sowing dates in managing the CLCV infestation on different elite cotton genotypes. The crop was sown on five different dates i.e. D1= 15th April, D2 = 1st May, D3 = 15th May, D4 = 1st June and D5 = 15th June and three different elite cotton genotypes, i.e. V1= CIM-612, V2 = CIM-591 and V3 = CIM-573 to optimize a suitable sowing date and to screen out high productive and tolerant genotype against the CLCV. Seeds were drilled manually on finely crafted seedbed by using single row hand drill keeping seeding density of 20 kg ha-1 and inter row spacing of 75cm. CLCV severely hampered the crop performance by delayed planting of cotton from 15th April, while increased the chances of disease incidence. It is concluded that early sowing of all tested genotypes especially CIM-592 reduces the problem of CLCV and enhanced cotton productivity.

Seed priming improves irrigation water use efficiency, yield, and yield components of late-sown wheat under limited water conditions

* Correspondence: anaeems@gmail.com

Boron Nutrition Under Intermittent Flooding and Drying Condition Seems Sustainable Nutrient Management Technique in Rice

Abstract Water saving rice cultivation is emerging technique to couple with irrigation water shortage due to climate change all over the world. Major issue in these techniques is to compromise yield and quality fatalities because of higher unfilled grain due to nutrients deficiency. Boron fertilization seems to be big management technique to improve rice agriculture due to having imperative role in pollen viability. Thus, a field experiment was conducted to see the impact of boron fertilization both with basal and foliar application methods in water saving rice cultivation systems. Boron, with basal (3 kg borax/acre) and foliar (2% boron) was applied at different growth stages in rice crop grown under various rice cultivation systems; flooded rice, intermittent flooding and drying and aerobic rice. Boron fertilization both with basal and foliar application technique resulted in improved crop performance in all cultivation systems. Rice plants recorded highest yield, yield attributing parameters like productive tillers, panicle length and grain weight with boron fertilization. Quality parameters like sterile kernels, abortive kernels, opaque kernels were significantly reduced with boron fertilization in all rice cultivation systems. Furthermore, normal kernels were enhanced with basal and foliar application of boron nutrition. Likewise, maximum water use efficiency was recorded in foliar application of boron at panicle stage under intermittent flooding and drying condition. Foliar application of boron nutrition at panicle initiation stage was found to be most appropriate in water saving rice cultivation systems.

EFFECT OF TILLAGE AND ORGANIC MULCHES ON GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY OF AUTUMN PLANTED MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L.) AND SOIL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Abstract The research work was conducted to see the effect of organic mulches and tillage practices on growth, yield and quality of autumn planted maize and soil physical properties. Four types of tillage practices i.e. conventional tillage, zero tillage, bar harrow tillage, subsoiler tillage and two types of mulching material i.e. wheat straw mulch and saw dust mulch was used. The mulching material was partially incorporated in the field after germination of crop. The experiment was carried out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Control treatment was kept for comparison. All other practices were kept uniform throughout the crop period. Data about growth and yield components were collected and analyzed statistically by fisher analysis of variance and treatment significance was measured by significant difference test at 5v% level. The results showed that zero tillage + wheat straw mulch gave maximum 1000-grain weight (341.67 g) and grain yield (6.33 t ha-1) and it was followed by conventional tillage + saw dust mulch (4.92 t ha-1). Higher protein content was recorded in Subsoiler tillage (10.26 %). Conducive soil physical conditions were observed in the zero tillage practices over the other tillage practices. On the basis of these results it could be proposed that the tillage and mulching is a very important practice to increase the yield of crop. Among different practices, zero tillage with wheat straw mulching gave maximum yield and net benefits.

Nutritional status of different biosolids and their impact on various growth parameters of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Biosolids can be effectively recycled and applied as soil amendments for agricultural crops because they contain several important micro and macronutrients including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, manganese. In the current study, we evaluated the effectiveness of seven biosoilds on different growth parameters of wheat crop. The biosolids used were lime stabilized, composted, liquid mesophilic anaerobically digested (liquid MAD), thermally dried mesophilic anaerobically digested (thermally dried MAD), thermally hydrolyzed mesophilic anaerobically digested (thermally hydrolysed MAD), dewatered mesophilic anaerobically digested (dewatered MAD) and thermally dried raw biosolids. We also analysed biosolids for their nutrient contents before application. The results revealed that different types of biosolids differed in nitrogen and phosphorous contents with highest contents observed in dewatered (5.70% nitrogen, 2.32% phosphorous) and liquid biosolids (2.35% phosphorous). The plant height, plant diameter and dry weight yield of wheat was increased with the increase in concentrations of biosolids. Liquid MAD resulted in maximum plant height of 120.35 ± 3.23, 133.2 ± 3.67 and 147.25 ± 3.11 at 3.33, 6.66 and 9.99 tons/ha concentration. The highest plant diameter was recorded (1.05–1.45 cm) where mineral nitrogen was applied. The study will be helpful in replacing the synthetic fertilizer with biosolids to fulfil the nutritional requirements of agricultural crops.

Exogenous Application of Gibberellic Acid Improves the Maize Crop Productivity Under Scarce and Sufficient Soil Moisture Condition

Abstract Drought stress creates imbalance or deficiency of some growth regulators in plants, which leads toward reduced crop yield. Gibberellic acid is one of the most important growth regulators in plants, which improve drought tolerance in plants under optimum concentration. A field experiment was conducted under exogenous application of gibberellic acid under normal or drought condition and with or without gibberellic acid application. Crop growth and yield parameters were assesses during the experimentation. Study revealed that crop reduced growth in term of leaf area index (LAI), leaf area duration (LAD), crop growth rate (CGR), net assimilation rate (NAR) and total dry matter (TDM) under drought condition, while these parameters were improved with gibberellic acid application. Similary, improved growth rate resulted in better performance of yield attributes (cob length, cob diameter, grains per cob, grain weight and yield). Gibberellic acid application improved the crop performance at optimum irrigation, as well as under reduced irrigation. Although highest crop yield was recorded with gibberellic acid application under optimum irrigation level, while its application under drought stress improved crop tolerance and resulted in better crop yield, similar to optimum irrigation level. Exogenous application of gibberellic acid not only improved the drought tolerance in maize, but also increased the crop yield under normal condition.