scholarly journals Post-Harvest Management Practices Impact on Light Penetration and Kernza Intermediate Wheatgrass Yield Components

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 442
Author(s):  
Priscila Pinto ◽  
Lee De Haan ◽  
Valentin Picasso

Kernza intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium) is the first commercially developed perennial grain crop in North America, with multiple environmental and economic benefits. One of the major challenges for adoption of this dual-use forage and grain crop is the decline in grain yield in subsequent harvest years. Post-harvest management practices (e.g., chopping, burning, chemical, and mechanical thinning) could reduce the intraspecific competition for light and maintain Kernza grain yields over time. We aimed to identify management practices that improve light penetration and propose a conceptual model to explain the mechanisms contributing to Kernza grain yield. We applied 10 management practices after the first Kernza grain harvest in a randomized complete block design experiment with three replications, at two different locations in Wisconsin, USA. Light penetration increased when post-harvest management practices were applied. Mechanical or chemical thinning had relatively lower lodging and increased yield components per row, but not per area due to a reduction in the number of productive rows. Threshed grain yield per area in the second year of Kernza was similar among the treatments despite the differences in vegetative biomass generated. Further research is needed to optimize management practices to maintain Kernza grain yield over time.

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 811
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Gianguzzi ◽  
Vittorio Farina ◽  
Paolo Inglese ◽  
Maria Gloria Lobo Rodrigo

The qualitative characteristics of mango fruits change throughout their development process and are also influenced by their duration. Harvesting at different times after the fruit set affects external and internal quality and the post-harvest behavior and management possibilities of the fruits. The objective of this study was to assess the evolution of the most important physicochemical and organoleptic parameters of cv. Osteen fruits concern the length of their stay on the plant and also to their post-harvest management. For this reason, fruits were harvested progressively in ten pickings. The study showed that mango fruits that are kept on the tree reach the best quality traits, corresponding to their physiological maturation. The length of the storage period needed to reach the consumption point varies greatly according to the harvesting moment and to the different environmental parameters, which also affect the organoleptic and physicochemical quality of the fruits. The number of days after full flowering were confirmed to be the primary information to consider when planning harvest with commercial use of the fruit, but interesting indications can be acquired through the definition of non-destructive (hardness, color) or destructive (dry matter) parameters. The data collected help improve mango fruit′s post-harvest management practices, to provide a product with constant quality and homogeneity to the consumer.


2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-96
Author(s):  
MR Sultana ◽  
MA Alim ◽  
MB Hossain ◽  
S Karmaker ◽  
MS Islam

An experiment was conducted at Agronomy Field Laboratory of Rajshahi University to evaluate the effect of variety and weeding regime on yield and yield components of wheat. Four varieties viz. Prodip -V1, Gourab -V2, Shatabdi -V3, Bijoy -V4 and five weeding regime viz. a) No weeding -W0, b) Weed free -W1, c) One hand weeding at 20 DAS -W2, d) Two hand weeding (1st at 20 DAS and 2nd at 42 DAS) -W3 and e) Lintur 70 WG @ 250 g ha-1 -W4 were included as treatments in the experiment. The experiment was laid out in a Split-plot Design with three replications. The results revealed that Prodip produced the highest grain yield (5.33 t ha-1) followed by Gourab (4.85 t ha-1), while the lowest grain yield (3.98 t ha-1) was obtained from Shatabdi. The highest grain yield (5.09 t ha-1) was obtained in Weed free (W1) followed by W3 (Two hand weeding) (4.89 t ha-1) and the lowest grain yield (4.13 t ha-1) was obtained in no weeding treatment (W0). The highest grain yield (5.64 t ha-1) was obtained from the combination of Prodip and weed free treatment (V1W1) and the lowest (3.57 t ha-1) was obtained from the combination between Shatabdi and no weeding treatment (V4W0).DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jesnr.v5i2.14800 J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 5(2): 91-96 2012


Author(s):  
Eugene P. Law ◽  
Christopher J. Pelzer ◽  
Sandra Wayman ◽  
Antonio DiTommaso ◽  
Matthew R. Ryan

Abstract Kernza® intermediate wheatgrass [Thinopyrum intermedium (Host) Barkworth & Dewey], the first perennial grain crop to come to market in North America, can provide a number of ecosystem services when integrated into cropping systems that are dominated by annual grain crops. However, grain yield from Kernza is lower than comparable annual cereal crops such as wheat and oats. Also, although Kernza is a long-lived perennial that can persist for decades, grain yield tends to decline over time as Kernza stands age leading most farmers to replant or rotate to a different crop after 3–5 yrs. Increased intraspecific competition as stand density increases with age has been reported to cause grain yield declines. We investigated the effect of strip-tillage applied at two different timings, between the third and fourth grain harvests, from a Kernza stand in upstate New York. Strip-tillage applied in late fall as plants were entering dormancy increased grain yield by 61% when compared to the control treatment without strip-tillage. However, total crop biomass was not reduced resulting in a greater harvest index for the fall strip-tillage treatment. Strip-tillage applied before stem elongation the following spring reduced overall tiller density and total crop biomass but did not impact tiller fertility or grain yield compared to the control treatment without strip-tillage. Increased grain yield in the fall strip-tillage treatment was due to an increase in the percentage of tillers that produced mature seedheads. This suggests that grain yield decline over time is at least partially caused by competition between tillers in dense stands. Results support further research and development of strip-tillage and other forms of managed disturbance as tools for maintaining Kernza grain yield over time.


Author(s):  
Maryam Rahimi Jahangirlou ◽  
Gholam Abbas Akbari ◽  
Iraj Alahdadi ◽  
Saeid Soufizadeh ◽  
Uttam Kumar ◽  
...  

AbstractIn semi-arid regions, selecting cultivars and planning management practices are critical issues for improving yields and reducing risks of maize cultivation in the short summer cropping season. This study aimed to assess the responses of grain yield (GY) and important phenotypic characteristics of maize cultivars from different maturity groups under various irrigation regimes, planting dates, and nitrogen rates, in a 2-year experiment. According to the clusters identified in the loading plot, stover yield, radiation use efficiency (RUE), height, leaf greenness index, stem weight, and ear size during flowering (VT/R1) were strongly correlated with GY, yield components and harvest index. Based on analysis of variance, more irrigation or N, or their interaction often increased GY, rows ear−1, grains row−1 and hundred-grain weight. Late planting decreased GY of KSC704 (late maturity cultivar). KSC260 (early maturity cultivar) had greater flexibility in planting time, required less days for maturity, and had less water consumption. The findings highlight the physiological basis of the relationship between the different phenotypic characteristics and how they affect GY and its components. They were in line with the established theories that higher RUE, biomass and sink activity (e.g. grain weight and numbers, and larger ear size) are associated with better genetic gains to produce high GY. Although the results were not consistent between years, findings suggested the good performance of recently released early maturity cultivars for use during the summer growing season.


2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (03) ◽  
pp. 1304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dr. Amanullah* ◽  
Arsalan Zahid ◽  
Asif Iqbal ◽  
Mr. Ikramullah

Deficiencies of phosphorous (P) and soil moisture are the main limiting factors under semiarid climates throughout the world. Proper tillage management could increase P and water availability and therefore crop productivity under semiaraid climates. The objective of this study was to investigate proper P and tillage management practices for improving growth, yield and yield components of maize (Zea mays L. cv Azam). The experiment was conducted under, irrigated (no moisture stress) and dryland (moisture stress) conditions at the Agronomy Research Farm of The University of Agriculture, Peshawar Pakistan during summer 2012. Experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with split-plot arrangement having three replications under both irrigated and dryland conditions. Tillage depths (15, 30 and 45 cm) were assigned to main-plots while P levels (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg ha-1) allotted to sub-plots. Better growth and higher yield components and grain yield (3535 kg ha-1) was obtained when P was applied at the highest rate of 90 kg P ha-1 (90 > 60 > 30 > 0 kg P ha-1). Increase in tillage depths showed positive relationship with grain yield and yield components. The deep tillage depth (45 cm) produced the highest grain yield (3323 kg ha-1) while the shallow depth (15 cm) resulted in the lowest grain yield (2894 kg ha-1). Maize planted under irrigated condition had better growth, higher yield components and therefore resulted in the higher grain yield (3621 kg ha-1) as compared with maize under dryland (water stress) condition. We concluded from this study that increase in P level and tillage depth had positive effect on growth, yield components and grain yield of maize under both irrigated and dryland conditions. 


Author(s):  
Nano Alemu Daba ◽  
Janmejai Sharma

The experiment was conducted to assess the integrated effects of pre-emergence herbicides and hand-weeding on weed control, yield components, yield, and their economic feasibility for cost effective weed control in faba bean. The experiment consisted of 12 treatments viz. pre-emergence s-metolachlor (1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 kg ha-1) and pendimethalin (1.0, 1.25 and 1.5 kg ha-1), each at three rates metolachlor, s-metolachlor + one-hand-weeding, pendimethalin + one-hand-weeding, two-hand-weeding, complete weed free and weedy checks arranged. The weed flora consisted of broadleaved and sedge with the relative densities of 81.02 and 18.98 % at Haramaya district, and 80.83% and 19.17%, at Gurawa district, respectively. Application of s-metolachlor and pendimethalin 1.0 kg ha-1 each supplemented with hand weeding 5 WAE significantly (p ≤0.01) affected the broadleaved weeds, sedges and weed dry weight at both sites. S-metolachlor 1.0 kg ha-1 supplemented with hand weeding 5 WAE gave the lowest total number of weeds (8.29 m-2) following the weed free check. Higher grain yield (3555.8 kg ha-1) was produced with s-metolachlor 1.0 kg ha-1 supplemented with one-hand-weeding 5 WAE following complete weed-free at Gurawa. The benefit gained from s-metolachlor and pendimethalin at 1.0 kg ha-1 each supplemented with one hand weeding 5 WAE were greater than the value recorded from the weedy check by 216% and 198 %, respectively. S-metolachlor 1.0 kg ha-1 supplemented with hand weeding 5 WAE treatment resulted in the highest grain yield and economic benefit. However, in case labour is constraint and s-metolachlor herbicide is timely available, pre emergence application of s-metolachlor at 2.0 kg ha-1 should be the alternative to preclude the yield loss and to ensure maximum benefit.


2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 35-48
Author(s):  
B Karmakar ◽  
MAA Mamun ◽  
MS Rahman ◽  
MA Islam ◽  
MR Islam ◽  
...  

Rice cultivation in Aus season is eco-friendly and essential for sustainable food security of Bangladesh utilizing rain water rather than extracting underground water. Four rice genotypes (BR6855-3B-12, BR6855-3B-13, BR6848-3B-12 and BR6976-2B-11-1) along with check variety BRRI dhan43 were evaluated at farmers’ field during broadcast Aus season. The objectives were to investigate the adaptability of the rice genotypes and find out promising genotype(s) for Broadcast Aus rice. The experiment was conducted at farmers’ field in eight agro-ecological zones of Bangladesh. Randomized complete block design (RCB) was used with three replications. Standard and uniform management practices were followed for all the locations. Data were taken on grain yield, days to 80% maturity, plant height, panicles m-2, 1000-grain weight, grains panicle-1, spikelet sterility (%), Phenotypic acceptance at vegetative and maturity stage, pest incidence; feedback of farmers and extension personnel. Genotypes, environments and interaction of genotypes by environments had significant effect on grain yield, yield components and agronomic parameters. Analysis of variance indicated that there were significant differences between the check (control) and improved genotypes except the genotype BR6976-2B-11-1 which was similar with the check BRRI dhan43 for all parameters. Correlation analysis was also performed to establish extent of association between yield and major yield components. Grain yield positively and significantly correlated with the agronomic parameters except spikelet sterility. Across the locations, BR6848-3B-12 produced significantly the highest grain yield (4.88 t ha-1) at Feni while the lowest grain yield (1.58 t ha-1) was obtained in BR6976-2B-11-1 followed by BRRI dhan43 (1.64 t ha-1) at Kushtia. BR6848-3B-12 showed yield advantage of 1.0 t ha-1 over the check variety BRRI dhan43 with similar growth duration (104 day). AMMI stability value, yield stability index and GGE Bi-plot model indicated that BR6855-3B-12 is the most adaptable, suitable and stable genotype for broadcast Aus rice across the locations, and finally it is released in 2017 as BRRI dhan83 for broadcast Aus season. Bangladesh Rice j. 2019, 23(2): 35-48


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