bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of No-Tillage and Ploughing on Roots of Maize and Leguminous Crops
Authors: Maurya P. R. , Lal R. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYRoot development of maize (Zea mays), soyabean (Glycine max), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), and pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) was investigated with and without tillage. Observations were made at different growth stages by digging trenches normal to the rows, by core sampling, and by observing growth of roots against glass windows. There were more maize roots in the surface layer (0–10 cm) with no-tillage than in conventionally ploughed plots, but at 10–40 cm maize roots were more abundant and soyabean and pigeonpea roots less so in the no-tillage plots.
Weed and Fertility Management in Rain-fed Maize
Authors: Guleria W. S. , Singh C. M. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYA field experiment to study weed and fertility management in rain-fed maize was undertaken at the Palampur Experimental Farm during the wet seasons of 1977 and 1978. Intercropping soya-bean in maize did not impose undue competition and significantly increased net profit per ha. Yields and net returns were significantly higher when weeds were controlled and 80 kg N/ha was applied. Increased application of fertilizer without weed control did not alter the yield of maize, and there was no response to phosphorus. Various yield attributes of maize were significantly affected by weeding and nitrogen treatments through their effects on grain and stover.
Reciprocal Grafts between Large Plants: Technique and Evaluation with Cowpeas
Authors: Summerfield R. J. , Minchin F. R. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYA technique has been developed and tested for successfully grafting large, leafy cowpea shoots onto roots, which may be nodulated or not. Grafting per se had no significant effect on either the production or distribution of vegetative or reproductive dry matter compared with control plants left intact throughout growth. Furthermore, numerical components of yield and the concentration (%) and content (mg) of nitrogen in respective plant components were remarkably invariant. Examples are discussed of the variations in nitrogen nutrition which can be achieved and the potentials of the technique in general.
Effects of Liming and Soil pH on Guinea Grass (Panicum maximum) in Malaysian Tropical Oligotrophic Peat
Authors: Chew W. Y. , Williams C. N. , Ismail L. , Ramli K. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYIn a three-year field experiment on acid peat (pH 3.47) up to 12 t/ha lime increased peat pH (0–30 cm depth) by 0.061/t. Annual guinea grass dry matter increased in quadratic relation with liming up to pH 4.20 (12 t/ha lime) but there was no difference between the cvs Sigor and Colonoa. Liming decreased the N, P and K, but increased the Ca and Mg contents of the harvested grass. Liming also increased the uptake of all five nutrients investigated, either linearly or curvilinearly.
Genotype × Environment Interactions on Grain Yield and other Characters of Soyabeans (Glycine max)
Authors: Funnah S. M. , Mak C. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYTwenty soyabean genotypes, grown in 12 environments, showed significant g × e interactions for grain yield and most of the other traits. The g × s interactions were unimportant, but the g × 1 and g × 1 × s were of considerable magnitude for most traits. The experiments provided estimates of genotypic, environmental and genotype-environmental variance. The presence of a high environmental variance for grain yield suggested the possibility of raising yield levels through improved management practices.
Effects of Age on Celosia Cultivars
Authors: Omueti Olusola 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYStudies of the effects of age on yield components and nutrients status of Celosia argentea cultivars showed the highest crude protein content, total vitamin C and leaf/stem ratio in leaves harvested 5 to 7 weeks after sowing, but the highest total marketable and edible yields, as well as total crude protein, 15 weeks after sowing. The narrow-leaved local cultivar gave higher crude protein per cent and vitamin C than the broad-leaved one, but its yield of edible leaf was lower. Breeding potentials of the cultivars were highlighted.
Effects of Mulches on Soil Temperature and Growth of Tea Plants in Kenya
Authors: Othieno C. O. , Ahn P. M. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYFive types of mulches (black plastic, stone chippings and three types of grass) and a control were used on young clonal tea plants following transplanting. Soil temperature differences were observed in the first two years but disappeared when the tea canopy had developed to cover over 40% or more of the soil surface. Stem diameter, yield (during the first two years) and total dry matter production were positively correlated with soil temperatures over the range 14–21°C. Beneficial effects of raising soil temperature by black plastic mulch were short-lived, but the detrimental effect of reducing temperature by grass mulches was more severe and long lasting. Grass mulches induced shallow rooting, as a result of which the tea was more susceptible to drought.
Effects of Mulches on Soil Water Content and Water Status of Tea Plants in Kenya
Authors: Othieno C. O. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYSoil moisture content and plant water status of young clonal tea plants were affected differently by five different types of mulches (black plastic, stone chippings and three types of grass) when compared with a control without mulch. During prolonged droughts, soil moisture content was generally highest under Napier grass and black plastic but any type of mulch was better than no mulch in conserving moisture to 90 cm depth. Tensiometer data at the onset of rains after an unusual prolonged dry season suggest that the infiltration was fastest under grass mulches. After four years of continuous application grass mulches had significantly most effect on water holding capacity, but induced shallow rooting systems, which made the mulched tea more susceptible to drought.
Effects of Combined Nitrogen on Nodulation and Growth of Phaseolus vulgaris
Authors: Awonaike K. O. , Lea P. J. , Day J. M. , Roughley R. J. , Miflin B. J. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYThe effect of Rhizobium strain and low levels of nitrogen on growth and nitrogen fixation was studied on 5 seedlines of Phaseolus vulgaris. All plants responded to irrigation when low levels of nitrogen were supplied throughout each experiment during vegetative growth, but the final seed yield was not significantly affected. All strains induced less nodule tissue and lower nitrogenase activity per plant when nitrogen was applied; some strains were less sensitive than others. The proportion of the plant's nitrogen estimated to be derived from fixation (based on acetylene reduction) and fertilizer was affected by host genetics. Nodulated plants had nitrogenase activities comparable with other grain legumes and responded to combined nitrogen during vegetative growth, but this was not reflected in grain yield.
Effects of Plant Density on Ear Barrenness in Maize
Authors: Iremiren G. O. , Milbourn G. M. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYIncreasing plant density in maize from 8 to 32 plants/m2, without irrigation, had little effect on the time of ear primordia differentiation but delayed the time of silking (by up to 16 days), reduced the potential grain sites available for pollination and the number of grains pollinated, and increased grain abortion during the grain fill period. In cv LG11 sufficient fertile ears were retained to maintain grain yield throughout the wide range in density, whereas yield fell in Anjou 210 due to barrenness after silking, which was the major factor responsible for the intolerance of this variety to high density. However, in a variety such as Anjou 210, which has a tendency to barrenness under stress, the grain content of the end product would not be affected at the plant densities normally used for maize silage.
Dry Matter Production and Partition in Relation to Yield of Tea
Authors: Magambo M. J. S. , Cannell M. G. R. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYTea yields of 1 to 4 t ha−1y−1 of dry shoot tips are much less than those of other vegetative crops like grasslands or forests growing in similar conditions, partly because plucking restricts tea biomass production, but mainly because the harvest index of tea is small. In Kenya, plucked tea produced 36% less biomass per hectare per year than unplucked tea, and 64% less wood. Only 8·3% of the total annual biomass increment was harvested. This proportion might be increased by plucking older leaves, increasing the shoot:root ratio, and by lowering the plucking table so that less wood was produced.
Comparisons between Press and Pressure Chamber Techniques for Measuring Leaf Water Potential
Authors: Yegappan T. M. , Mainstone B. J. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYA hydraulic press (the J-14) was compared with a Scholander pressure chamber to measure leaf water potential in Theobroma cacao, Gliricidia maculata, Cajanus cajan and Elaeis guineensis. Although the press satisfactorily estimated water status in soft, unhardened leaves of T. cacao, G. maculata and C. cajan at high water potential, it underestimated water status in hardened leaves of T. cacao. Satisfactory estimates were obtained at low water potential for hardened leaves of T. cacao but not for the others. There was a poor relation between readings of the two instruments for E. guineensis over a wide range of water potentials because press readings appeared to be influenced by leaf structure.
Effects of Harvesting Frequency on Leaf and Root Yields of Cassava
Authors: Dahniya M. T. , Oputa C. O. , Hahn S. K. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYTotal fresh leaf yield of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) variety Isunikankiyan was not significantly affected by harvesting frequency, unlike variety TMS 30211. Compared with plants whose leaves were not harvested, there was a decrease in total fresh tuberous root yields of 56–76%, 34–62% and 15–32% when leaves were harvested at 1-, 2- and 3-month intervals respectively. The two cassava varieties reacted differently to leaf harvests in terms of tuber yields. Harvesting the top leaves of cassava at 2- or 3-month intervals is recommended to ensure reasonable yields of both leaves and tuberous roots.
Effects of Planting Patterns and Population on Water Relations of Maize
Authors: Babalola O. , Oputa C. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYSeven plant populations, ranging from 24,000 to 73,000 plants/ha of the maize variety White Composite, were established in four growing seasons between 1976 and 1978 by varying row width and number of plants per hill. Soil water profiles, leaf and soil water potentials, and leaf resistances were monitored. The results indicated a close link between these parameters, number of plants per hill and overall plant populations. Grain yield increased with increasing plant populations during the early growing season but dropped beyond 54,000 plant/ha (spaced two plants per hill at 60x60 cm) during the late season, due to adverse plant water status.
Effects of Irrigation Schedules on Yield of Mustard (Brassica Juncea)
Authors: Prihar S. S. , Sandhu K. S. , Khera K. L. , Sandhu B. S. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYIn a 3-year field study with mustard (Brassica juncea L.) on deep well-drained sandy loam and loamy sand soils, 11 post-sowing irrigation schedules based on pan evaporation and growth stages were compared. One irrigation three weeks after sowing gave maximum grain yield and water use efficiency, increasing yield 40% in 1973–74 and 30% in 1976–77 compared with no irrigation. The total water use in this treatment averaged 31·2 cm, of which 15·8 cm was extracted from the 0–180 cm soil profile. Use of soil water by the crop decreased with the amount of post-sowing irrigation. More than one post-sowing irrigation tended to decrease yield and water use efficiency.
Border Effects and Optimum Plot Sizes for Climbing Beans (phaseolus vulgaris) and Maize in Association and Monoculture
Authors: Davis J. H. C. , AmÉZQuita M. C. , MuÑOZ J. E. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYMinimal competition was observed between adjacent plots of climbing bean varieties and maize in association, but there was a large head border effect which was not uniform among varieties. Head borders of 1 m at each end of the plot are recommended and a net plot size of 11 m2 with 3 replications for climbing bean varieties associated with maize was found to be adequate to detect significant differences in yield of beans of 24% of the mean. For climbing beans in monoculture a somewhat smaller plot (8 m2) would achieve the same level of precision. Larger plot sizes in general were needed for maize comparisons, especially in association.
Comparisons of the Performance of Sugar-cane Varieties in Trials and in Agriculture
Authors: Walker D. I. T. , Simmonds N. W. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYTwelve varieties of sugar-cane grown in Barbados, West Indies, during the past 40 years are compared with respect to cane yield performance in trials and in agriculture. Comparisons are based on data-pairs matched for site, season and crop, using both means and variety-on-variety regressions. Conclusions are that: trials greatly over-estimate mean agricultural differences between varieties; variety-on-variety regressions reveal numerous GE effects and account for much variance, but agree poorly as between trials and agriculture and are not useful in improving prediction; in view of the universal use of trials for prediction and decision-making, it is a matter of some practical importance that their validity should be tested in other crops.
Criteria for Scheduling the Irrigation of wheat
Authors: Misra R. D. , Pant P. C. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYA field experiment evaluating criteria for scheduling wheat irrigation was conducted from 1975 to 1977 in a sandy loam soil with treatments scheduled according to physiological stages, soil moisture conditions, pan evaporation and leaf water potential. Grain and straw yields, spikes/m, fertile spikelets/spike and number and weight of grains/spike were significantly influenced by treatments. Irrigation based on leaf water potential was as good as when based on physiological stages or soil moisture, and the use of pan evaporation was no better than other methods of scheduling.
Yield Increases in Summer Cereal Crops in Israeli Fields Inoculated with Azospirillum
Authors: Kapulnik Y. , Sarig S. , Nur I. , Okon Y. , Kigel J. , Henis Y. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYInoculatingZea mays(three cultivars),Sorghum bicolor, Panicum miliaceumandSetaria italicawith nitrogen-fixing bacteria of the genus Azospirillum in Northern Negev and Bet Shean Valley field experiments resulted in significant increases in yield of grain and foliage of commercial value. It was concluded that inoculating summer cereal crops in Israel may save valuable nitrogen fertilizer.
Heat-induced Sterility in Cotton Sown During Early April in West Punjab
Authors: Taha M. A. , Malik M. N. A. , Chaudhry F. I. , Makhdum M. I. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYAn experiment was conducted during the 1978/79 summer at the Central Cotton Research Institute, Multan-Pakistan to evaluate the crop production patterns of two cultivars of cotton (G. hirsutum L.) differing in their reaction to heat-induced sterility. Boll set in variety ST3 amounted to 7.7% of the total fruiting points, from flowers opening during the hottest months of June, July and early August, while almost all the fruiting points produced by cultivar B557 during the same period were shed and no bolls were set. Of the flowers examined during July, 83.3% in B557 contained non-dehiscent anthers against 6.7% in ST3.
Variability for Seedling Vigour in Maize
Authors: Fakorede M. A. B. , Ojo D. K. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYConsiderable variation in seedling vigour was observed among 36 maize populations; genotypic variances were generally high for emergence percentage (E%), emergence index (EI), dry-matter accumulation and relative growth rate (RGR). Broadsense heritability values and environmental variances indicated that E% and EI would be more reliable indices for seedling vigour than emergence rate index (ERI). The expression of growth rate (GR) was influenced more by the environment than the genetic constitution of seedlings; GR was not therefore an effective indicator for seedling vigour, and RGR would be preferred because it was more heritable and less influenced by the environment.
Growth, Development and Grain Yield of Maize
Authors: Hawkins R. C. , Cooper P. J. M. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYResults from field experiments showed that number of mature grains per plant was related to the plant growth rate during the pre-flowering period. This relation was further improved when growth rate was expressed relative to the rate of plant development. This evidence supports the theory that grain abortion is linked with assimilate production.
Variation in Growth Among 13 Prosopis (mesquite) Species
Authors: Felker Peter , Cannell G. H. , Clark Peter R. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYMesquite (Prosopis spp) is a nitrogen-fixing and drought-resistant leguminous tree which exists in many of the semi-arid regions of the world but little has been done to develop its potential for wood, nitrogen fixation or pod yield. We report field and greenhouse cultural practices for mesquite and the results of a field screening trial for biomass production of 32 accessions, representing North and South American and African germplasm. Non-destructive biomass estimates, derived from height and stem diameter measurements, had a 180-fold range; the preponderance of slow-growing accessions were from the rangelands of southwestern USA.
A Field Technique for Separating Above- and Below-Ground Interactions in Intercropping: an Experiment With Pearl Millet/Groundnut
Authors: Willey R. W. , Reddy M. S. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYA field technique is described in which trenches were dug and vertical polythene partitions installed to eliminate below-ground interactions between component crops in intercropping. With pearl millet/groundnut the control intercrop (i.e. not dug out) gave a yield advantage of 22% compared with sole cropping. A treatment dug out but refilled without polythene partitions was very similar to the control intercrop, indicating that the digging procedure per se had little effect on growth. An intercrop treatment in which below-ground partitions were installed gave a yield advantage of 19% over sole cropping, suggesting that the main determinant of yield advantage was an above-ground interaction between the canopies. However, partitioning decreased millet yield and increased groundnut yield, indicating that below-ground interactions were important in determining the competitive balance of the two crops. It is concluded that the partitioning technique is promising.
Nitrogen Application for Short-Term Forages in Saudi Arabia. I. Winter Annuals: Wheat, Oats and Italian Ryegrass
Authors: Bartholomew P. W. , Williams R. J. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYNitrogen fertilizer requirements and potential forage yield of wheat, oats and Italian ryegrass grown under irrigation in Saudi Arabia were assessed. Mexipak wheat produced high DM yields with between 100 and 150 kg/ha N, and the mode of nitrogen application did not significantly affect DM outputs. Nitrogen at 150 kg/ha produced highest DM yields for oats, although the application of 50% of irrigation requirement as drainage water reduced yield by 8%. Italian ryegrass produced a mean yield of 14.6 t/ha in 169 days with a nitrogen application of 60 kg/ha; direct drilled on a field scale it yielded 8.76 t/DM/ha with a total application of 270 kg N/ha.
Nitrogen Application for Short-Term Forages in Saudi Arabia. II. Summer Annuals: Maize, Proso Millet and Foxtail Millet
Authors: Bartholomew P. W. , Williams R. J. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYNitrogen fertilizer requirements and potential forage yield of maize and two millet types grown under irrigation in Saudi Arabia were assessed. Nitrogen application at 50 kg/ha produced mean yields of up to 15.7 t/ha in maize variety Pioneer H.3147. Splitting the nitrogen application did not significantly affect yield. Nitrogen above 100 kg/ha did not significantly increase DM yield of Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum). Mean total DM yields of 17.6 t/ha of Setaria italica were produced, after 111 days, with 150–200 kg/ha of nitrogen; 150 kg/ha of P2O5 produced a mean DM yield 7.9% higher than 75 kg P2O5/ha.
Intensive Forage Production in Northern Mexico. I. Responses Of Italian Ryegrass to Nitrogen and Irrigation
Authors: Thomas N. , Farias J. M. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYThe response of Italian ryegrass (IRG) to nitrogen fertilization, irrigation frequency and harvest interval indicated that management of nitrogen and water is the determinant of productivity under semi-arid northern Mexican conditions. Where water is non-limiting the effects of harvest interval can be eliminated. A soil moisture balance model indicated the inadvisability of seeding IRG in sandy soils if water is a scarce resource because of the high frequency of irrigation that would be required. The seeding (September) and late production (April) periods were identified as critical in regard to irrigation need and limiting in terms of the area that it would be possible to seed.
Early Exploitation of Hevea Rubber Trees by Puncture and Short-Cut Tappings
Authors: Waidyanatha U. P. de S. , Angammana D. K. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYPuncture tapping and one-eighth spiral (S/8) tapping, both combined with Ethrel stimulation, were compared with conventional half spiral (S/2) tapping of immature Hevea trees. Stimulated puncture-tapped trees in some experiments yielded more rubber and had much more sucrose in the latex than unstimulated half-spiral tapped trees. Yields of puncture-tapped trees also increased with increase in the quantity of Ethrel and the number of punctures, but were not affected by the size of puncture. Girth increments of the trees and percentage dry rubber content of the latex were approximately equivalent in all three methods of tapping.
Intercropping Pigeonpea to Conserve Fertilizer Nitrogen in Maize and Produce Residual Effects On Sugarcane
Authors: Yadav R. L. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYField experiments were conducted for 3 years covering 4 crop seasons at Lucknow to study the utility of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) as an intercrop in economizing N for maize (Zea mays) and to assess the residual fertility of kharif crops on autumn-planted sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum). Pigeonpea increased the soil N content due to substantial nodulation, but as an intercrop it did not increase the yield of maize at any level of nitrogen. Sugarcane grown after pigeonpea yielded 43% more than when grown after maize. Intercropping pigeonpea in maize would be more beneficial than growing a pure crop of maize before planting sugarcane.
Effects of Patterns and Methods of Sowing on Sorghum/Striga Relations
Authors: Bebawi F. F. , Farah A. F. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYChanging the geometry of planting under irrigated conditions from the traditional pattern of regular rows (with plants equidistant from each other) into double rows (with plants arranged in row pairs) promoted plant competition. This resulted in a significant reduction in overall yield components of sorghum but a marked increase in shoot yields of striga. A better yield of sorghum was obtained in ridged plots than in flat plots, associated with less striga infestation and a slightly higher soil moisture content under the ridged plots.