bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sustainable Agricultural Systems: Concepts and Definitions
Authors: Geng S. , Hess C. E. , Auburn J. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe evolution of concepts and definitions of agricultural systems over time is presented. Inputs of an agricultural system are classified as components and activities. A component is either a resource or a technology. The activities are the management of resources and the application of technology in the production process. The outputs of a production process will include both the targeted product and the environmental impact. When these terms are used to describe an agricultural system graphically, the dynamic aspects of the system can easily be illustrated and problems associated with the system can be properly identified. Sustainable agriculture is recognized as conveying certain objectives or delineating certain requirements of an agricultural system, in terms of both the input and output of the system. These objectives are: (1) producing necessary quantity of high quality food and fiber; (2) profitable to the grower; (3) conserving nonrenewable resources; and (4) harmonious with biological, physical and social environments. These objectives have long‐term implications and attempt to secure the future viability of agriculture. Therefore they embrace the concept of sustainability. The difficulty of constructing such a system is that not all the objectives are compatible; compromise or trade‐offs among the objectives are often necessary in developing a workable sustainable system. Progress and improvement can always be made through research, but no perfect system can realistically be constructed. General research issues in sustainable agriculture are discussed. Priorities in developing appropriate technology based on sound biological principles and laws of physics and mechanics for pest and weed control are suggested.
Effect of Pre‐ and Post‐Kinetin Treatments on Salt Tolerance of Different Potato Cultivars Growing on Saline Soils
Authors: Abdullah Zaibunnisa , Ahmad Rafiq 
Published: April 2008

AbstractDifferent potato cultivars were subjected to 10 −6M kinetin treatment prior to the transplantation in saline soils (pre‐kinetin treatment) and to the plants already growing on the saline soils (post‐kinetin treatment). The kinetine when applied before the exposure of plants to saline soils showed promotory effects on growth, tuberization and some biochemical parameters of potato at 0.5 % salinity. The degree of inhibition in number of tubers and yield was reduced at 1 % salinity due to pre‐kinetin treatment. The level of proline, reducing sugars and sodium was increased in different plant parts to maintain the osmoregulation. However, kinetin did not play any specific role in reducing down the increase in proline content resulted due to salinity. The level of K+ was found to be higher at low salinity in all the cultivars of potato. Higher concentrations of proteins and enhanced activity of starch synthetase at low level of salinity suggest the salutary effect of Na+ in metabolic functions of plant cells. The nitrate reductase (NR) activity was appeared to be more sensitive than starch synthetase. This could possibly be due to the localization of the enzyme and the cellular concentration of toxic substances increased under stress. Total Glyoalkaloids (TGA) content was reduced at both the salinity levels irrespective of kinetin treatments. On the contrary Na+ content was increased in all the treatments of kinetin at both levels of salinity. During this study cvs. Red Lasoda, Patrones and Atom alue approved to be more tolerant as compare to rest of the cultivars tested. This could be a combined effect of genetic setup, amendments in saline soils and pre‐kinetin treatments of plants exposed to various regimes of salinity. Furthermore it is argued that salt tolerance limit can be extended upto certain level of salinity by pre‐kinetin treatment in potato plants.
Dry Matter Production and Distribution of 14C‐Assimilates of Spelt (Triticum spelta L.) and Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as Influenced by Different Temperatures Before and During Grain Filling
Authors: Rüegger A. , Winzeler H. , Nösberger J. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractMorphological characters, dry matter production and the distribution of 14C‐assimilates of the flag leaf were investigated on two spelt varieties (Ostro and Rouquin) and two wheat varieties (Arina and Probus) under controlled conditions. Single plants were grown at three different temperature regimes (18/13 °C continuously = T1; 18/13 °C until anthesis and 13/8 °C after anthesis = T2; 13/8 °C until anthesis and 18/13 °C after anthesis = T3).Spelt produced up to 10 tillers more per plant than wheat. However, tiller reduction was also higher for spelt so that both species finally had a similar number of ears per plant.Under favourable conditions (T1) the large single grain weight of spelt, did not fully compensate for its lower kernel number. As a result, the grain yield per ear was 12 % higher in wheat than in spelt. Under low temperatures during grain filling (T2), wheat did not fill it's kernels completely; thus, under these conditions grain yield of spelt was 12 % higher. It seems that the kernel growth of spelt is less limited as compared to wheat (maximum single grain weight reported at T2: Ostro 67 mg; Rouquin 63 mg; Arina 53 mg; Probus 47 mg [SE 1.8]).The distribution of the l4C from the flag leaf was similar for both spelt and wheat. At anthesis the highest amount of 14C was found in the last two internodes. Three weeks after anthesis, the ear of the main culm was the most important sink (exception T2). Between 48 h after the labelling with 14CO2 and maturity, different amounts of assimilates were translocated from the stem into the ear of the main shoot and partially also into the tillers.In conclusion significant differences were found between spelt and wheat in tiller formation, grain number per ear, single grain weight and grain yield. Especially under low temperature during grain filling kernel growth of spelt was less limited than that of wheat.
Modification of Leaf Photosynthesis by Foliar Application of Aliphatic Alcohols
Authors: Malik C. P. , Singh Parmil , Kaur Sukhvinder , Malik Sonali , Parmar Usha , Grewal Manjit , Bhatia D. S. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractA decrease in net photosynthesis (Pn) in leaves of main shoot with age (7‐28 days after opening) at two stages of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L. var. M‐13) reproductive growth (70 and 90 DAS) is reported. Pn rate decreased with advance in age of leaves, the decline was rapid during peak period of pod filling (90 DAS). Foliar application with aliphatic alcohols, maintained the chlorophyll content and enhanced PEP carboxylase activity. The present studies suggest that aliphatic alcohols enhance functional capabilities of leaf for a larger duration and hence maintain the supply of photoassimilates to the developing kernels of peanut leading to increased yield.
Transport of 14C‐Sucrose and 14C‐Benzyl Adenine in Winter Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the Pre‐Anthesis Period
Authors: Borkovec V. , Procházka S. , Ibrahim M. El.‐D. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe transport and distribution of 14C‐sucrose and 14C‐BA were studied in internode segments with ear of two winter wheat cultivars with a different mass of kernels in the period prior to anthesis. Both labelled substances were transported intensively into all the developing parts of the car, namely the rachis became the main site of 14C‐BA accumulation. While the difference in the transport of l4C‐sucrose among the cultivars was not unambiguous, a more intensive transport of 14C‐BA was observed in the cultivar with a simultaneously higher mass of 1000 kernels. The higher level of zeatin and zeatin riboside in kernels detected in this cultivar suggested that in the period before anthesis it could accumulate (due to intensive transport, probably from the roots) an important part of cytokinins, available for the early stages of kernel development.
Abscisic Acid and Proline Levels in Cold Hardened Winter Wheat Leaves in Relation to Variety‐Specific Differences in Freezing Resistance
Authors: Dörffling K. , Schulenburg S. , Lesselich G. , Dörffling H. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractChanges in dry weight, osmotic potential, abscisic acid and free proline contents were measured during cold hardening of nine winter wheat varieties differing in freezing resistance. During the first weeks of cold hardening dry weight and proline levels increased and the osmotic potential decreased parallel to the development of freezing resistance. Dry weight reached a broad maximum between the seventh and tenth week of hardening. ABA levels had a sharp maximum around the seventh week of hardening, when the dry weight increase began to cease. Maximal levels of proline were observed seven to ten weeks after the start of cold hardening. The mean and final dry weights, the mean, maximal and final proline contents, as well as the maximal ABA contents of the nine varieties correlated significantly with freezing resistance measured at the end of the hardening period.The possible use of proline and of ABA as biochemical markers for freezing resistance in winter wheat breeding is discussed.
Genetic Variability for Net Photosynthesis in Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana Gaertn) Genotypes An Approach to Identify High CER Types
Authors: Shankar A. G. , Udaya Kumar M. , Prasad T. G. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractGermplasm lines of finger millet (400 lines) with diverse genetic background were screened to identify high CER and CGR genotypes. Considerable variation was noticed in LA, biomass and all the growth and yield attributes but range in stomatal frequency was relatively less. The difference in plant stomatal number was more due to variation in LA but not the frequency. Since high TDM is a primary criteria for achieving higher grain yield, from amongst the high biomass types, genotypes differing in LA/DM ratios but with similar DM and HI were selected. In six genotypes each from low and high LA/DM group which showed stability across the environment, gas exchange characteristics were studied. The CER in low LA/DM types was 45 per cent higher. A significant negative relationship (r = ‐0.87) exists between CER and LA/DM ratios. Higher net assimilation rate in these genotypes therefore could be attributed mainly due to CER rather than the dark respiration.An approach to identify high CER types with high CGR and low plant conductances from the germplasm lines has been proposed. These conceptual types will have high CGR but with low functional LA, thus low transpiration leaf surface. These conceptual types will have specific advantage under rainfed water limited conditions.
Influence of Oil Seed Rape and Faba Bean as Green Manure on Nitrogen Utilization in a Spring Cereal Rotation
Authors: Jung J. , Dressel J. , Kuchenbuch R. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractA lysimeter study was conducted to investigate how nitrogen uptake of spring wheat and oats and N leaching losses are differing when either oilseed rape or faba bean are grown as green manure. The experiment was conducted during 1982–1988, and fertilizer applied to the cereals was either farmyard manure, FYM, (6 and 12 g N/m2/year) or mineral fertilizer, MiF, at a rate of 6 g N/m2. On average of the 7 year period faba bean increased N uptake of the cereals fertilized with FYM at harvest by 3–4 g/m2. Differences between the two application rates were negligible. N‐leaching losses increased twofold when faba bean was grown instead of oilseed rape. Growing faba bean after cereals supplied with MiF, too, increased N uptake of the cereals and significantly increased leaching losses.
Influence of a Triazole Plant Growth Regulator on Root and Shoot Development and Nitrogen Utilisation of Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus L.)
Authors: Bruns Gundula , Kuchenbuch R. , Jung J. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractA factorial experiment with 3 nitrogen (N) levels and 4 application rates of the triazole type plant growth regulator (PGR), BAS 111 W = l‐phenoxy‐3‐(1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)‐4‐hydroxy‐5,5‐dimethylhexane, was conducted in hydroponics to study the influence on N uptake and morphological changes of oilseed rape. The following results were obtained:–Increased N level of the nutrient solution increased plant height and root and shoot weight. Enhanced N uptake caused a higher N concentration of root and shoot.–Increasing PGR application rates reduced plant height and shoot biomass production; this reaction was stronger at higher doses of N.–Root weight, root length, root diameter and root surface area were increased by N application. None of these parameters was significantly altered by the PGR. This resulted in increased root‐shoot‐ratios at higher PGR rates.–As a consequence of reduced shoot production PGR application resulted in increased concentrations of N. The root reacted similarly but to a lesser degree.
Thermal Infrared Radiation for Assessing Crop Water Stress in Wheat
Authors: Kumar Alok , Tripathi R. P. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractField studies on differentially irrigated wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crops were conducted at Pantnagar for two years to evaluate the use of thermal infrared radiation to detect crop water stress. Data show that the stress‐degree‐day index (mid day canopy‐air temperature difference) is influenced by environmental variability other than soil moisture. Improvement in the stress‐degree‐day (SDD) index was achieved by including the measurements of vapor pressure deficit and approach was termed as plant water stress index (PWSI). Observations indicated that daily variation in SDD values due to meteorological changes was removed through PWSI. Better correlation was found between soil‐induced leaf water potential and plant water stress index than between total leaf water potential and plant water stress index. It is concluded that remote sensing of thermal infrared radiation offers a promising technique which can be incorporated into irrigation management programme.
Effects of Stocking Rate and Overseeding with Red Clover on Productivity of Native Pasture Continuously Grazed by Yearling Steers
Authors: Bryan W. B. , Prigge E. C. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractOverseeding with red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) and stocking rate are factors that can affect composition and production of hill land pasture. A grazing experiment utilizing yearling beef steers (Bos taurus) was conducted using 3, 4, and 5 yearling steers ha−1 (285 kg), on native pasture (predominantly Poa pratensis L.) overseeded with red clover and non overseeded. Paddocks of 1 ha were continuously set stocked from mid May to the end of Sept. Herbage mass, herbage consumed and the percentage of legumes, grasses, dead material, and non‐leguminous broadleaf plants were recorded. Animals were weighed at the initiation and end of each grazing season and at 4 week intervals. Overseeding increased legume content 4‐fold the seeding year but much of this increase was lost the following year. Herbage mass was greater on overseeded pasture the year following seeding but no effect on animal productivity was found. Stocking rate did not affect percentage legume but the proportions of other broadleaf plants increased at high stocking rates. Average daily gain as well as total gain ha−1 was greatest at 4 steers ha−1.
Cassava and Maize Intercropping Systems — The Effects of Varieties and Plant Populations
Authors: Ezumah H. C. , Lawson T. L. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractMaize dominated cassava irrespective of cassava or maize growth habit and the optimum maize population giving the highest production based on relative yield total or land equivalent ratio varied with maize variety in a tropical Alfisol at Ibadan, transition humid/subhumid zone in West Africa. The sparsely vegetative, early maize supported higher intercrop maize population (up to 80,000 ha‐1) than the late maturing, highly vegetative TZSRW. Because there is a compensatory relationship in the yields of the two crop components, the choice of an appropriate crop type and maize population in cassava + maize intercrop system will depend on the relative economic importance of each crop component.ZusammenfassungCassava und Mais Intercropping‐Systeme — die Bedeutung von Sorten und Bestandes‐dichtenAuf der Grundlage einer zweijährigen Unter‐suchung auf einem tropischen Alfisol zu Iba‐dan, Südwestnigeria, der charakteristisch für die humide/subhumide Übergangszone West‐afrikas ist, konnte gezeigt werden, daß Mais im Vergleich zu Cassava überlegen war, unabhan‐gig vom Cassava‐ oder Maiswachstumsverhal‐ten. Die optimale Maisbestandesdichte ergab in Abhängigkeit von der Maissorte die höchste Produktion in bezug auf relativen Gesamter‐trag bzw., land equivalent ratio“. Der schwach vegetativ entwickelte frühe Mais er‐laubte eine höhere Intercrop‐Bestandesdichte (bis zu 80 000/ha) als die späten Maissorten mit einer starken vegetativen TZSRW. Im Hin‐blick auf die kompensatorische Beziehung in den Erträgen der zwei Fruchtarten wird die Wahl eines geeigneten Fruchtartentyps und einer geeigneten Maisbestandesdichte in dem Cassava + Mais Intercrop‐System abhängig sein von der relativen Bedeutung der beiden Kulturpflanzenarten in der Mischung für den Farmer.
Effect of Growth Regulators on the Productivity of Some Major Oilseed Crops
Authors: Ghosh R. K. , Mandal Bikash Kumar , Chatterjee B. N. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractA number of field experiments were conducted at the Viswavidyalaya Research Farm during 1984–85 to 1986–87 to study the effects of five growth regulators viz. Miraculan (a triacontanol based growth stimulant), Nutron (1‐triacontanol growth stimulant), Planofix (α‐napthylacetic acid), Paras or Mixtalol (Higher alcoholic carbon compounds) and N‐triacontanol on productivity of five different major oilseed crops viz. rapeseed (Brassica campestris L. var. yellow sarson), mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern and Coss), sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) and safflower (Carthemus tinctorius L.). Results showed the positive influence of growth regulators on the productivity of crops (10–40 % increase in yield); however the influence was not consistent over the years. N‐triacontanol when tried on mustard only improved the grain yield significantly, more so when applied with paras or planofix, sesame was most influenced by spraying planofix and paras. Nutron favourably influenced safflower and linseed. The test weight of grains followed by the number of pods/plant were influenced most by the application of growth regulators. Inconsistency in results over the years, however, need further investigations on the timing of spraying.
Heat Unit Requirement and Prediction of Developmental Stages in Soybean
Authors: Ramesh P. , Gopalaswamy N. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractField experiments were conducted at Coimbatore, India with four dates of sowings in each of three seasons to determine the duration of phenological phases, heat unit requirements and evaluation of heat units to predict the developmental phases of Soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.). The variations in development of different phenological phases and maturity of Soybean due to season and sowing dates was manifested by varied accumulation of heat units calculated. There was a linear relationship between the number of days to flower initiation and cumulative day length. Growing degree days (GDD) were better predictors for development of phenological phases whereas maturity was controlled by Calender days and was closely followed by GDD. Photothermal units were the next best predictors for soybean developmental phases.
Yield Stability of Winter Oil‐Seed Rape (Brassica napus L.) as Affected by Stand Establishment and Nitrogen Fertilization
Authors: Boelcke B. , Léon J. , Schulz R. R. , Schröder G. , Diepenbrock W. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe effects of stand establishment and nitrogen fertilizer on yield and yield stability of winter oil‐seed rape (Brassica napus L.) were investigated in two field experiments in north eastern Germany (Mecklenburg‐Vorpommern). During six years of testing from 1984/85 to 1989/90 three sowing dates (10 Aug, 20 Aug, 5 Sept) as combined with three plant densities (60, 100, 140 plants/m2 in autumn) were compared. Although seed yield did not respond to the main effects of these treatments, the two‐way classification resulted in significant differences from the average yield. August sowing combined with lower plant densities caused comparably high yields, while delayed sowing was somewhat effective only with higher plant density. Highest yield stability was achieved at early sowing when combined with lower plant densities. From 1986/87 to 1988/89 nitrogen top‐dressings were applied during early March, at start of stem extension and shortly before start of flowering at five locations. 200 kg N/ha in one dose resulted in lowest yield performance and enhanced instability. Contrastingly, the 240 kg N/ha treatment advanced yield stability regardless of split regimes. Nevertheless, split application to 100 kg N/ha + 50 kg N/ha + 50 kg N/ha also guaranteed that high yield performance and optimum yield stability were reached simultaneously and, that the total nitrogen input could be limited to 200 kg N/ha.
Soybean Nodule Development and Nitrogenase Activity During the Reproductive Phase: Statistical Modeling Approach
Authors: Bona S. , Voltan R. , Mosca G. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractNitrogenase activity during the reproductive phase of the Hodgson 78 soybean variety was tested in a growth chamber experiment to evaluate its relationships with number, weight and specific nitrogenase activity of the nodules. A multiple regression model is proposed.The number of nodules did not change, while the total nodule dry weight increased with the increase of the average dry weight.The regression model adopted showed that the main factors affecting the total nitrogenase activity were the specific activity and the nodule mass, but the former induces the wider variations.Unlike other crops the counting of the nodules cannot be considered as an indirect predictor for nitrogen fixation.
Behaviour of the Root Nodules in Soybean in the Presence of Nitrogen: The Use of a Statistical Simulation Model
Authors: Bona S. , Maculan A. , Mosca G. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractTwo varieties of soybean were grown in large pots out of doors. At the R2 stage, a state of temporary root anoxia appeared caused by a heavy rainfall and in R3, nitrogen was applied. The nitrogenase activity of the nodules was measured at weekly intervals (ARA test).During the vegetative stage, the number of nodules and their weight increased rapidly, although the anoxia caused a slowing down followed by a recovery in the successive stages (R3–5). The same effect was apparent in consequence of a late nitrogen fertilization; both varieties attaining values close to those of the control 15 days after the treatment. Nitrogenase activity also showed an inhibition caused by the anoxia but it appeared earlier. During the latest stages of the cycle (R6–7), the nitrogen treatment increased the rate of nitrogen fixation in Hodgson 78 only. The use of a multiple regression model allowed a verification that the parameters controlling nitrogen fixation acted in a similar way in both varieties. In the field, the weight of the nodules, both single and total, appeared to be particularly important in determining the total nitrogen fixation rate.