bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Root Growth and Yield Response of Rainfed Lowland Rice to Planting Method
Authors: Sharma P. K. , De Datta S. K. , Redulla C. A. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYField experiments were conducted on two soils (clay loam and sandy loam) with varying texture and water table depth to study the effects of two planting methods (dry seeding and transplanting) on the root growth and grain yield of rainfed lowland rice. About 75% of the roots were found in the top 10 cm soil. Root length density at the flowering stage and grain yield in the sandy loam soil, with a water table deeper than 1.5 m, were less in dry-seeded than in transplanted rice, probably because of the greater moisture stress in dry-seeded rice between late tillering and harvest. In the clay loam soil, with the water table mostly at the soil surface, there was no difference in grain yield between dry-seeded and transplanted rice.
Influence of Chlormequat on the Growth and Yield of Irrigated and Rainfed Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea) in the Field
Authors: Saini J. S. , Jolly R. S. , Singh O. S. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYThe effect of the field application of chlormequat on the growth, yield and seed oil content of Brassica juncea grown under irrigated and rainfed conditions was evaluated for three consecutive crop seasons. Foliar application at the flower initiation stage increased the number of primary branches, number and length of siliquae, weight of seeds and seed oil content. Chlormequat (50 AS) applied at 80 ml ha−1 increased seed yield by more than 50%. The increase was greater in unirrigated crops.
Plant Population, Rainfall and Sorghum Production in Botswana. II. Development of Farmer Recommendations
Authors: Jones M. J. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYRegional population recommendations for sorghum production in Botswana were calculated by applying long-term meteorological records to an experimentally developed model linking sorghum yield to plant population and rainfall. The basic recommendation at any place was taken to be that population maximizing local long-term yield means while keeping the risk of crop failure to one year in ten or less. Values ranged from 25 000 to nearly 70 000 plants ha−1, according to rainfall amount and reliability. The modifications of these basic recommendations necessary to allow for differences in standards of husbandry and for sorghum variety are discussed.
Farming Systems Research: Procedures for Technology Development
Authors: Collinson M. P. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYProcedures for better decision making in agricultural research are considered. Fanning Systems Adaptive Research (FSAR) has evolved to complement the more traditional research approach, allowing better decisions to be made on recommendations to fanners and on priorities for technical research. This is done through the identification of research results most relevant to the development of specific farming systems; the testing of these results by experiments in farmers' fields; and the identification of factors limiting productivity in local farming systems.FSAR involves interdisciplinary cooperation between production agronomists, farm economists and, where appropriate, animal production scientists, in close cooperation with other production specialists and with farmers.
Effect of De-Branching on the Yield and Yield Components of Mustard (Brassica juncea)
Authors: Chauhan Y. S. , Bhargava S. C. , Tomar D. P. S. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYBranches are an important yield attribute of the mustard (Brassica junceo)crop. However, not all the branches are equally productive and some of those arising from the basal portion of the plant may form parasitic sinks for assimilates. The effect of de-branching at the 50% flowering stage in the apical (AHD) and the basal halves (BHD) of two mustard genotypes, Pusa Bold and Varuna, was examined. The BHD treatment increased the seed yield per plant of Pusa Bold by 36% and of Varuna by 75% over the control. The increase in yield due to the BHD treatment was mainly due to an improvement in the total number of pods per plant in both genotypes. In Pusa Bold, an improvement in both 1000-seed weight and number of seeds per pod, mainly on late formed branches, was also observed. The AHD treatment reduced seed yield but not significantly so. The results suggest that improvement in the yield of mustard cultivars by suppressing branching on the basal portion of plants should be possible.
Effects of Planting Time and Harvest Age on Cassava (Manihot esculenta) in Northern Australia. I. Crop Growth and Yield in Moist Environments
Authors: Hammer G. L. , Hobman F. R. , Shepherd R. K. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYA range of planting times, with sequential harvests to age 24 months, was used to determine crop growth and yield of cassava at two locations, one having a humid tropical climate and the other humid sub-tropical. Yield was doubled during the second year at the sub-tropical site. At the tropical site yield was very high after one year, but root rots occurred in the second year. The dry matter percentage of storage roots fluctuated seasonally and was highest during the cooler months when canopy vigour was lowest. Known or inferred environmental controls of the yield-determining factors of growth rate, growth duration, and partitioning to harvestable organs were used to interpret the results and thus derive guidelines for timing of planting and harvesting in moist environments.
Intercropping Sorghum with Cowpea in Dryland Farming Systems in Botswana. II. Comparative Stability of Alternative Cropping Systems
Authors: Lightfoot C. W. F. , Dear K. B. G. , Mead R. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYThe comparative stability of sorghum–cowpea intercropping and monocropping was assessed by determination of variances, regression against an environmental index, and probability of failure to achieve minimum levels of gross income. Significant differences between the cropping systems were not detected in any of the assessments though intercropping did have a lower probability of failure at the income levels for which risk was more than minimal. The failure of intercropping to show clearly greater stability in this study in which the environmental conditions were harsh provides a conflict with the conventional view.
Environmental Modulation of Flowering in Mung Bean (Vigna radiata): a Reappraisal
Authors: Summerfield R. J. , Lawn R. J. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYThe phenology of mung beans is extremely plastic; responsiveness tobothphotoperiodandtemperature is known to modulate flowering. A previous conclusion, perpetuated uncritically now for almost forty years, has been that both (quantitative) short- and long-day flowering responses exist in the mung bean germplasm. However, our re-analysis of the original data leads us to an alternative conclusion: that genotypes of mung bean are quantitative short-day plants with different optimum mean diurnal temperatures for flowering. This alternative interpretation (which is plausible biologically and in evolutionary terms) is discussed.
A General form of the ‘Land Equivalent Ratio’
Authors: Riley Janet 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYThe Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) concept is presented and interpreted. Several different intercropping systems are considered and the need for methods to evaluate them is discussed. A general form of the LER is proposed for the evaluation, in particular, of a system that combines two intercrops having different yield proportions. Appropriate LER curves, obtained by varying the yield proportions, are used to compare different intercropping systems, and the importance of this approach is discussed.
Effects of Sett Size and Spacing on Tuber Yield of White Guinea Yam (Dioscorea rotundata) in the Rainforest and Savanna Zones of Nigeria
Authors: Kayode G. O. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYField studies designed to investigate the effects of sett size and spacing on tuber yield of white Guinea yam were conducted in three locations over a two year period in the rainforest and savanna zones of Nigeria. Sett weights larger than 400 g could be used for maximum tuber yields in both forest and savanna zones. Spacing had no significant effects on tuber yield in the savanna zone, but optimum spacing has yet to be identified in the forest zone.
Response of Non-irrigatedSorghum bicolortoAzospirillumInoculation
Authors: Sarig S. , Kapulnik Y. , Nur I. , Okon Y. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYIn two experiments, carried out on non-irrigated fields in the Northern Negev region of Israel, inoculation ofSorghum bicolorwith bacteria of the genusAzospirillumresulted in significant increases over controls of 17% in grain yield of cv. 610 and of 19% in the forage yield of cv. 6078. In addition, significant increases over controls in plant dry weight, mineral content (N, P and K) and panicle number were obtained by inoculation of cv. 610.
Stomatal Characteristics among Cassava Cultivars and their Relation to Gas Exchange
Authors: El-Sharkawy Mabrouk A. , Cock James H. , de Cadena Giovanna 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYCassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) has generally been reported to possess hypostomatal leaves. Several cultivars have now been found to possess clusters of functional stomata around the veins on the upper leaf surface and two cultivars (M Col 88 and M Col 90) have significant numbers of stomata (83–140 mm−2) dispersed over the entire upper leaf surface. Stomatal density on the lower leaf surface ranged from 322–553 mm−2 among cultivars, with a relative stomatal area of 3.4–6.1%. The CO2 uptake by the upper leaf surface (27% of total) and the transpiration loss (32% of total) corresponded closely to the ratio of relative stomatal areas on the upper and lower leaf surface of cv. M Col 88.
Sensitivity of Chickpeas (Cicer arietinum) to Hot Temperatures during the Reporductive Period
Authors: Summerfield R. J. , Hadley P. , Roberts E. H. , Minchin F. R. , Rawsthorne S. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYPlants of two genotypes of chickpea (Cicer arietinum), classified as early or late-maturing in the field, and relying either on dinitrogen fixation by nodules or on nitrate-N, were grown in various simulated tropical environments in growth cabinets. Plants were transferred between cabinets at various times so that they experienced either warm (30°C) or hot (35°C) days (both in combination with a typical night temperature of 10°C) for different durations of reproductive growth, after growing in average (30°C day - 10°C night) or warmer than average (30° - 18°C) temperatures for the first 28 days from sowing and then average temperatures until transferred into the hot regime. Diurnal vapour pressure deficits were adjusted so that plants experienced a constant atmospheric relative himidity (70%) in all thermal regimes. The greater the proportion of the reproductive period spent in hot days the smaller the seed yields produced; plants transferred at 50% flowering were almost barren. The implications of these data for breeding chickpeas well adapted to hot environments are discussed.
Confounded Experiments are Simple, Effficient and Misunderstood
Authors: Mead R. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYFactorial treatment structure and, in particular, confounded designs are important methods of using experimental resources efficiently. Confounded experiments are not used, and possibly not understood, by experimenters. However, the construction and analysis of confounded designs is logically extremely simple, and can be expressed in terms of simple principles. Modern computing facilities can make confounded designs even more useful.
Effects of Planting Density on Water Use and Productivity of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum Typhoides) Grown on Stored Water. I. Growth of Roots and Shoots
Authors: Azam-Ali S. N. , Gregory P. J. , Monteith J. L. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYPearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides) was grown on stored water at Niamey, Niger, using three row spacings (38, 75 and 150 cm), to determine the physiological basis of exploitation and conservation of water by crops during drought Between 18 and 32 days after sowing, roots grew rapidly beneath all crops reaching 140 cm in the narrow spacing, but there were differences between crops in the pattern of growth. Soil cores and trench profiles indicated that plants in wider rows had fewer, deeper roots. Substantial differences in both the amount and pattern of shoot growth were recorded in the different populations. Initially growth was fastest at the narrow spacing but stopped by day 45 and eventually the wide spacing produced most dry matter due mainly to greater survival of tillers. The partitioning of above ground dry matter into vegetative and reproductive fractions was similar at all three spacings and was consistent with figures for comparable crops elsewhere. The important role of tillers is discussed in relation to the development and maintenance of a canopy.
Effects of Planting Density on Water Use and Productivity of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum Typhoides) Grown on Stored Water. II. Water Use, Light Interception and Dry Matter Production
Authors: Azam-Ali S. N. , Gregory P. J. , Monteith J. L. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYPearl millet was grown on stored water at Niamey, Niger, using three row spacings. Water extraction based on neutron probe readings was compared with crop transpiration using a porometer and allied measurements. Between 23 and 52 days after sowing, plants at the narrow and medium spacings used about 77 and 100 mm of water, respectively, and those at the wide spacing used between 59 and 75 mm. Estimates of seasonal crop evaporation from leaf resistances and from the green leaf area index (GLAI) of the crops were 103, 130 and 123 mm for the narrow, medium and wide spacings, respectively. The water use per unit of dry weight produced was similar for both narrow and medium spacings but water was used more efficiently in the wide spacing. Dry weight increased in proportion to intercepted radiation with the same efficiency (1·3 g MJ−1) irrespective of spacing.
Coated and Uncoated Urea in Ramie Leaf Production
Authors: Sarkar Apurba , Sarkar Gitasree , Sarkar Anupam 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYRamie (Boehmeria nivea Gaud.), which can provide fodder in addition to bast fibre, was supplied with nitrogen in three different forms: as neem cake coated urea (NCU), lac coated urea (LCU) and standard urea, at rates of 60, 120, 180, 240 and 300 kg N ha−1 annually in four equal applications. The ramie was cut four times a year for two years. NCU increased fresh weight, leaf dry matter yield and leaf protein at almost every cutting compared with the other forms of nitrogen, and there was an indication of increased residual nitrogen in the soil. Leaf dry matter and protein content increased with increasing levels of nitrogen up to 180 kg ha−1. It is suggested that coating urea with neem cake makes it a better source of nitrogen for ramie leaf production.
Sorghum-Legume Intercropping and the Effects of Nitrogen Fertilization. I. Yield and Nitrogen Uptake by Crops
Authors: Waghmaref A. B. , Singh S. P. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYSix intercropping systems and four levels of nitrogen were compared at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, in the summer rainy seasons (July-October) of 1978 and 1979. The maximum increase in sorghum yield was obtained when it was associated with fodder cowpea, followed by association with grain cowpea and greengram. The application of 40, 80 and 120 kg N ha−1 increased sorghum yield by 8.6, 16.1 and 18.2% in 1978 and by 2.9, 8.1 and 14.1% in 1979, respectively, compared with unfertilized sorghum. The nitrogen uptake by sorghum, and by the total system, was greater in sorghum-legume intercropping systems than in sole sorghum. Nitrogen application also increased the nitrogen uptake by sorghum and by the whole system.
Sorghum-Legume Intercropping and the Effects of Nitrogen Fertilization. II. Residual Effect on Wheat
Authors: Waghmaref A. B. , Singh S. P. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYWheat yield was increased significantly when grown after sorghum intercropped with cowpeas (both for fodder and grain) or with groundnut compared with sole sorghum in the previous season. The nitrogen requirement for the target wheat yield of 4.0 t ha−1 was 108 kg ha−1 after sole sorghum and this was reduced by 87, 61, 83 and 38 kg ha−1 after intercrops of sorghum with fodder and grain cowpeas, groundnut and greengram, respectively. The different levels of nitrogen applied to the sorghum-legume intercropping systems also allowed savings of between 18 and 55 kg ha−1 of fertilizer nitrogen on wheat in the following season.
Efficiency of Nitrogenase Activity and Nodule Mass in Predicting the Relative Performance of Genotypes Assessed by a Number of Characters in Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea)
Authors: Arunachalam V. , Pungle G. D. , Dutta M. , Nambiar P. T. C. , Dart P. J. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYTwenty one genotypes belonging to Spanish, Valencia and Virginia groups of groundnut were studied at Patancheru and a further seventeen at Delhi. Their relative performance based on a large number of characters spanning the entire growth phase was assessed. Nitrogenase activity and nodule mass were measured at three stages of crop growth starting from first flowering, and these two characters alone when measured at 30 days after flowering closely matched the measure of relative performance based on the entire set of characters.
The Movement of 14C-Labelled Products from Source Leaves During the Growth and Development of Broad Bean
Authors: Ismail A. M. A. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYSelected leaves of broad bean on separate plants were supplied with 14CO2, at four stages during development and the distribution of radiocarbon products determined quantitatively 24 h later. These leaves retained substantial amounts of the radiocarbon they fixed initially. In the vegetative phase, basal and middle leaves exported more carbon up than down while the apical leaves exported mainly downwards. During the flowering and pod-setting phase, basal and middle leaves exported carbon equally up and down whereas the apical leaves continued to export mainly downwards. Since assimilates produced by basal, middle and apical leaves at any developmental stage in the life of the broad bean plant were moved both acropetally and basi-petally, it must be concluded that bidirectional transport of assimilates occurred in the stem. During the life of the crop all sources supplied assimilates to all sinks.
Effect of Iron on Maize Yields in Forest and Savanna Zones of Nigeria
Authors: Kayode G. O. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYThe results of a two year field study to determine the effect of iron on the yield of maize in the forest and savanna zones of Nigeria have indicated that new and old fields in the savanna, and old fields in the forest zone, require additional iron. The optimum iron requirement for maize in both zones is 3 kg ha−1.
Tree Crops and Farming Systems Development in the Humid Tropics
Authors: Watson G. A. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYExamples are presented of tropical tree commodity plantation crops, tea, coffee, rubber and oil palm, as models for farm system development. They are environmentally benign in comparison with annual food crops, have been organized on a large scale with smallholder participation, and make significant contributions to local and national economies. It is suggested that lessons learned in their development might be used in the large-scale development of other potentially major tree crops, including timber, fruit and nut producing species.
Farmer-Researcher Collaboration in Developing Cropping Practices that Involve the Complementary Use of Mechanical Tied Ridge and Fertilizer Technology for Sorghum in Burkina Faso
Authors: Nagy J. G. , Ohm H. W. , Sawadogo S. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYSpecific soil fertility and water retention constraints limit increased crop production in the subsistence-oriented farming systems of Burkina Faso. Previous attempts to introduce apparently promising technologies based on research that had not directly involved the fanner and that had not benefited from farmer-feedback have been largely unsuccessful. Active farmer involvement can help to identify relevant constraints to production and to identify and modify technologies to make them viable. Formal and informal farmer surveys and farmer participation in field experiments have led to the development of potentially useful cropping practices involving the complementary use of mechanical tied ridge and fertilizer-based technology.
Effect of Gypsum Compared with that of Grasses on the Yield of Forage Crops on a Highly Sodic Soil
Authors: Kumar Ashok 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYA field experiment was conducted from 1979 to 1986 to compare the amelioration of a highly sodic soil by the application of gypsum compared with that achieved by growing Karnal or Para grass for between one and three years. After studies of the growth of rice and wheat on the experimental plots, the growth of four forage crops, less tolerant of sodic conditions, was studied between 1984 and 1986. The forage yields suggest that their order of tolerance to soil sodicity is Persian clover > Egyptian clover > teosinte > maize, the rabi (winter season) forage crops being more tolerant than the kharif (rainy season) ones.
Effect of Time of Planting and Age at Harvest on the Yield of the Stem-tuber and Shoots in Ginger (Zingiber officinale) in the Rainforest Zone of South-eastern Nigeria
Authors: Okwuowulu P. A. , Ene L. S. O. , Odurukwe S. O. , Ojinaka T. I. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYThe yield of ginger following different dates of planting and harvesting was investigated at Umudike. The largest yields of stem-tubers were obtained seven months after planting while maximum yield of shoots was attained five months after planting. The interaction of yield with time of planting and age at harvest was highly significant. Maximum yields were obtained from mid-April plantings harvested six or seven months later in two years with contrasting weather patterns.
Differential Response of Wheat and Barley Genotypes to Substrate-induced Salinity under North Indian Conditions
Authors: Nair K. P. Prabhakaran , Khulbe N. C. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYTen wheat and six barley genotypes were tested for their response to soil salinity regimes varying from 0 to 16 mmhos cm−1. Barley showed remarkable resistance to salt stress, linked to its capability to resist efflux of potassium ions from the plant system. Both crops showed substantial yield reductions at 12 mmhos cm−1, but barley still outyielded wheat by over 50%. There were significant interactions between salinity levels and genotypes in wheat but not in barley.The wheat variety Sonalika showed poor salt tolerance. The implications of these findings in breeding salt-tolerant varieties are discussed.
Evapotranspiration, Water Use Efficiency, Moisture Extraction Pattern and Plant Water Relations of Rape (Brassica campestris) Genotypes in Relation to Root Development under Varying Irrigation Schedules
Authors: Raja V. , Bishnoi K. C. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYA field experiment was conducted on sandy loam soil at Hisar, India during the autumn seasons 1984–85 and 1985–86 to study root characters, evapotranspiration, water use efficiency, moisture extraction pattern and plant water relations of rape genotypes under varying irrigation schedules. Root volume and dry weight increased, while tap root and lateral root lengths decreased with irrigation. Increased irrigation frequency increased evapotranspiration but decreased water use efficiency. The relative water content and osmotic potential of the leaves increased with more frequent irrigation, but plant water retention capacity decreased. There were genotypic differences between the characters examined.