Effect of Nano Urea and Foliar Spray of Urea on Growth and Yield of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

In pursuit of high yield today’s agriculture cultivars put the environment at greater risk by the inputs of chemical fertilizers. Using Nano urea we can minimize the inputs damage upto a certain extent. With this objective, field experiment was carried out during Rabi seasons of 2022-2023 at Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, SHUATS, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh on topic “Effect of nano urea and foliar spray of urea on growth and yield of wheat”. The treatment include two factors, Factor- 1 Nitrogen (50 %, 75%, 100%) and Factor- 2 Foliar Spray (2ml/L nano urea, 4 ml/L nano urea, 2% urea) and one control was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 10 treatments and three replications. Result revealed that 100% nitrogen along with foliar spray of 4ml/L nano urea recorded significant effect on Growth, yield and yield parameters. Treatment 6 recorded maximum plant height (101.62 cm), dry weight (21.95 g) number of tillers/running row (85.02), number of effective tillers/m2 (340.08), number of grains/spike (54.16), test weight (48.52 g), grain yield (6.30 t/ha) and straw yield (7.98 t/ha).

Sowing Time and Spacing Influenced Yield, Quality and Economics of Bt Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

A field study was conducted in the 2019 kharif season at the Agronomy Instructional Farm, SDAU, SKNagar, Gujarat, India. To investigate that the sowing time and spacing influenced yield, quality and economics of Bt cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) in loamy sand soil. Twelve treatment combinations were examined, involving three sowing times (T1: 3rd week of May, T2: 1st week of June, T3: 3rd week of June) and four plant spacings (S1: 90 cm × 60 cm, S2: 90 cm × 45 cm, S3: 60 cm × 60 cm, S4: 60 cm × 45 cm). Four replications of a split plot design were used for the experiment. The third week of May was consistently the best time to sow cotton, according to the results, producing the maximum yields of seed cotton and stalk cotton. The quantity of monopodial branches/plant, harvest index and plant population as well as quality parameters such as oil content and ginning percentage were not significantly impacted by sowing time. The 3rd week of May sowing also yielded the highest benefit cost ratio and net realization. In terms of plant spacing, the spacing of 60 cm × 45 cm promoted highest plant population, taller plants and increased yield attributes like the bolls/plant, boll weight and seed cotton yield/plant. The highest seed cotton yield and stalk yield were achieved with this spacing. Harvest index and quality parameters were unaffected by plant spacing. The narrow spacing of 60 cm × 45 cm also resulted in the highest benefit cost ratio and net realization. The interaction effect between sowing time and plant spacing did not significantly influence growth, yield, yield attributes and quality parameters of Bt cotton.

Effect of Dates of Sowing on Growth and Yield of Chickpea Varieties

The field experiment was titled “Effect of dates of sowing on growth and yield of Chickpea varieties” was conducted during rabi 2022-23, at Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, SHUATS, Prayagraj (UP). The soil of the experimental plot was sandy loam in texture. The experiment consists of three varieties (Himmat, Shulabh-45 and Chirag) and three different dates of sowing November 5th, November 15th and November 25th including control i.e., blanket application of 20-60-20 kg/ha of NPK (farmer's practice) which were replicated thrice. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with ten treatments viz., T1: Himmat + November 5, T2: Himmat + November 15, T3: Himmat + November 25, T4: Shulabh-45 + November 5, T5: Shulabh-45 + November 15, T6: Shulabh-45 + November 25, T7: Chirag + November 5, T8: Chirag + November 15, T9: Chirag + November 25, and control plot. The results of the experiment concluded that the variety Shulabh-45 with the date of sowing on November 25th significantly increased the growth parameters viz., plant height (45.54 cm), Number of nodules per plant (31.87), Plant dry weight (20.45 g/plant), and yield parameters viz., pods per plant (35.53), seeds per pod (1.35), seed yield (3.37 t/ha) and stover yield (4.90 t/ha). This treatment also showed its positive effect on economics viz., gross returns (1,71,870 INR/ha), net returns (1,19,475 INR/ha), B:C (2.28).

Effect of Spacing and Biofertilizers on Growth and Yield of Chickpea

The field experiment was conducted during rabi 2022-23, at Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, SHUATS, Prayagraj (U.P). The soil of the experimental plot was sandy loam in texture, nearly neutral in soil reaction (pH 6.9), low in organic carbon (0.32%), available N (283.93 kg/ha), available P (18.3 kg/ha) and available K (223.5 kg/ha). The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with ten treatments viz. T1: Spacing 20 cm x 15 cm + Uninoculated, T2: Spacing 20 cm x 15 cm + Rhizobium, T3: Spacing 20 cm x 15 cm + PSB, T4: Spacing 30 cm x 10 cm + Uninoculated, T5: Spacing 30 cm x 10 cm + Rhizobium, T6: Spacing 30 cmx 10 cm + PSB, T7: Spacing 40 cm x 10 cm + Uninoculated, T8: Spacing 40 cm x 10 cm + Rhizobium, T9: Spacing 40 cm x 10 cm + PSB and T10: Control: 100% RDF each replicated thrice. The results of the experiment obtained that application of Rhizobium (20 g/kg seeds) along with the Spacing 30cmx10cm significantly increased the growth parameters viz. plant height (46.79 cm), number of nodules (31.93/plant), plant dry weight (22.11 g/plant) and yield parameters viz. number of pods per plant (36.80), seed index (22.15 g), seed yield (3.44 t/ha) and stover yield (4.28 t/ha). This treatment also showed its positive effect on economics viz. gross returns (1,71,834 INR/ha), net returns (1,24,486 INR/ha), B:C (2.63). As the majority of Indian farmers are marginal and poor who cannot afford the use of high cost fertilizers with the result that crops are exposed to nutritional constraints. In such conditions biofertilizers can play an important role in contributing towards soil health and crop productivity. Biofertilizers are a cost effective renewable energy source that plays a crucial role in reducing inorganic fertilizer application and at the same increasing crop yield besides maintaining soil fertility. The optimum spacing for any crop means maintaining uniform and healthy crop stand so as to get optimum yield of crop. The growth and yield of crop is closely related to number of plants per unit area.

Response of Sulphur and Molybdenum on Growth and Yield Attributes of Field Pea (Pisum sativum L.)

During Rabi 2022, a field trial was conducted at the SHUATS Agriculture Crop Research Farm in Prayagraj. The soil in the experimental plot was sandy loamy, with a near-neutral soil response (pH 7.1), low organic carbon content (0.36%), available nitrogen (171.48 kg/ha), available phosphorus (15.2 kg/ha), and had an effective soil. K (232.5 kg/ha). The experiment was set up with a randomized block design in which he repeated nine treatments three times, based on a one-year experiment. The treatments are T1: Sulphur 20 kg/ha-1 + Mo 0.5 kg/ha-1, T2: Sulphur 20 kg/ha- 1 + Mo 1.0 kg/ha-1, T3: Sulphur 20 kg/ha-1 + Mo 1.5 kg/ha-1, T4: Sulphur 30 kg/ha-1 + Mo 0.5 kg/ha- 1, T5: Sulphur 30 kg/ha-1 + Mo 1.0 kg/ha-1, T6: Sulphur 30 kg/ha-1 + Mo 1.5 kg/ha-1, T7: Sulphur 40 kg/ha-1 + Mo 0.5 kg/ha-1, T8: Sulphur 40 kg/ha-1 + Mo 1.0 kg/ha-1, T9: Sulphur 40 kg/ha-1 + Mo 1.5 kg/ha-1, T10: Control are used. The application of Sulphur 40 kg/ha-1 + Mo 0.5 kg/ha-1, recorded significant Plant height (56.25 cm), Number of nodules/plant (9.00), Plant dry weight (22.13 g/plant), maximum pods/plant (19.00), Seeds/pod (8.21), Test weight (35.45 g), Seed yield (2.29 t/ha).

Effect of Magnetic Field and Electric Current Treatments on Growth, Yield and Seedling Parameters in Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum L.)

Effect of pre-sowing magnetic field (MF) and electric current treatments on germination, seedling parameters and yield attributes in Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum L) was investigated in this experiment. This study was designed to check the response of magnetic and electric treatments with different intensities and durations on buckwheat on different growth, yield and seedling parameters such as field emergence, leaf surface area, plant height, days to first flowering, seed yield per plant, biological yield, harvest index, germination per-cent, root length, shoot length, seedling fresh weight, seedling dry weight, vigour index ?, seed metabolic efficiency and chlorophyll content (a & b). Seeds of Buckwheat (IC-329456) treated by using an AC magnetic flux intensities 75mT, 100mT, 125mT for 3 and 5 minutes in the magnetic field and AC electric current ranging from 75mA, 100mA, 125mA for 30,60,90 seconds. In this study, it found that among various treatments T6 (Magnetic field @ 125mT for 5 minutes) performing better in terms of field emergence (96.04%), leaf area (30.87m2), days to first flowering(46days), seed yield per plant (8.80g), while lowest was found in control. Results showed that the seeds treated with magnetic field demonstrated remarkable effects on growth and yield parameters of buckwheat. Germination per-cent (99%), seedling fresh weight (0.177g), seedling dry weight (0.035) and chlorophyll (a & b) content was maximum in T6 (Magnetic field @ 125mT for 5 minutes) which performed better among the other treatments. Effect of treatments on seedling parameters were found to be non-significant. Both the electric current and magnetic field treatment of seeds is likely to play an important role in production of food which is free from toxic and chemical residues were beneficial for human consumption.

Evaluation of Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc) Genotypes under Coconut Ecosystem

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance ginger genotypes under coconut ecosystem at Coconut Research Station, Aliyar Nagar, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, and Coimbatore during the period from 2017- 18and 2018-19. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications and the treatments included viz., Rejetha, Ashwathy, Maran, Karthika, GCP 49, IISR 1 (GB), Mahima, ACC 578, Athira, ACC 581, Rio de Janeiro, Varadha, Thadimaram and local Gudalore. data were recorded from five randomly selected plants on plant height, shoot diameter, number of shoots, number of leaves, leaf length, leaf breadth, yield per plot and hectare and was analyzed using analysis of variance. Results showed the highest plant height (92.70 cm),shoot diameter (3.27cm), no. of leaves (30), leaf length (27.89 cm) registered in Thadimaram, whereas the highest no. of shoots (8.10), leaf width (3.78 cm), yield per plot (13.64 kg) and yield (24.80t/ha) was recorded in Athira followed by Rejethawhich recorded the highest yield per plot (12.15 kg) and yield (22.09t/ha) during 2017-18.During 2018-19the highest plant height (99.90 cm),shoot diameter (3.60cm), leaf length (29.10 cm) was registered in Thadimaram, whereas the highest no. of shoots (8.30), no. of leaves (36.0), leaf width (3.90 cm), yield per plot (14.20 kg) and yield(25.50 t/ha) was recorded in Athira followed by Rejethawhich recorded the highest yield per plot (12.70kg) and yield (22.80t/ha). Athira and Rejetha genotypes outperformed the other genotypes and could be considered as the most suitable genotypes for cultivation under the coconut ecosystems of Coimbatore district.

Effect of Bio-fertilizer and Phosphorus on Growth and Yield of Green gram (Vigna radiata L.)

The field experiment was conducted at Crop Research Farm, Naini Agriculture Institute, Department of Agronomy, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj during Zaid 2022 on sandy loamy soil. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design. The experiment consists of treatments i.e., VAM (20g/kg seed) + Phosphorus 30kg ha-1, PSB (20g/kg seed) + Phosphorus 30kg ha-1, VAM + PSB (40g/kg seed) + Phosphorus 30kg/ha, VAM (20g/kg seed) + Phosphorus 40kg ha-1, PSB (20g/kg seed) + Phosphorus 40kg ha-1, VAM + PSB (40g/kg seed) + Phosphorus 40kg/ha, VAM (20g/kg seed) + Phosphorus 50kg ha-1, PSB (20g/kg seed) + Phosphorus 50kg ha-1, VAM + PSB (40g/kg seed) + Phosphorus 50kg/ha, including control i.e., application of 20-40-20 kg NPK ha-1 (Farmer practice), which are replicated thrice. The variety PDM-139 SAMRAT green gram was sown in February 2023. The results of the experiment revealed that the application of VAM + PSB @ (40g/kg seed) along with 50 kg ha-1 of phosphorus significantly increased the growth parameters viz., plant height (32.94 cm), plant dry weight (42.73 g plant-1), crop growth rate (72.1 g m-2 day-1), relative growth rate (2.16 g m-1 day-1), branches per plant (6.53), nodules per plant (16.4) and yield parameters viz, pods per plant (19.20), seeds per pod (11.87), test weight (40.0g), seed yield (1,620 kg ha-1), haulm yield (1,022.22 kg ha-1), harvest index (49.30%) over control. This treatment also showed its positive effect on economics viz., gross returns (Rs. 1,45,770 ha-1), net return (Rs. 1,04,120.40 ha-1) and benefit cost ratio (2.50).

Comparative Performance of Planting Materials and Standardization of Nutrient Requirement for High Yield, Quality and Early Spike Development in Tuberose (Agave amica Medik.) cv. Arka Prajwal

The study was carried out at Vegetable Research Station, TNAU, Palur, Tamil Nadu during 2021to2022. The experiment was laid out in Factorial Randomized Block Design (FRBD) with eight treatments and three replications. Planting materials used for the study were bulbs and bulblets. The eight nutrient combinations were tried with foliar application of micronutrient like zinc sulphate (0.2%), Ferrous sulphate (0.5%), Copper sulphate (0.4%) and Boric acid (0.2%) on 30, 60 and 90 DAP, individually and in combination with 25 t ha-1 FYM and recommended dose of fertilizer (200:200:200 kg ha-1 NPK). The control was maintained with RDF. Various biometric observations on growth and flowering attributes of tuberose were observed for all the treatments at different stages. The result of the present investigation revealed that among the interaction effects,B1N8[RDF + ALL 19 (NPK) + GA3@ 200 ppm (2 spray at 30 days intervals) + ZnSO4 (0.2%) + FeSO4 (0.5%) + H3BO3 (0.2 %) + CuSO4 (0.4 %)] recorded the highest plant height (95.12 cm), leaf length (51.85 cm), leaf width (2.4 cm), number of leaves per plants (42.67), rachis length (34.87cm), number of floret/spikes (46.66), flower duration (18.12 days), floret length (6.92 cm) and floret diameter (4.39cm) followed by the treatment B2N8 which recorded the highest height (90.44 cm), leaf length (48.48 cm), leaf width (2.2 cm), number of leaves per plants (39.78), rachis length (30.42 cm), number of floret/spikes (44.95), flower duration (19.93days), floret length (6.45cm) and floret diameter (4.21cm). From the interaction effect, the treatment combinationB2N1 [control (RDF) 200:200:200 NPK] recorded the lowest plant height (72.36 cm), leaf length (42.81 cm), leaf width (1.12 cm) and number of leaves per plants (43.00), rachis length (25.11cm), number of floret/spikes (37.00), flower duration (15.23days), floret length (5.04 cm) and floret diameter (3.02 cm).

Effect of Growth Enhancer on Growth and Productivity of Maize (Zea mays L.)

The experiment was conducted during Rabi 2021 at Zonal Agricultural Research. Station, GKVK, Bangalore to study the efficacy of a Growth Enhancer (GE) as a foliar nutrient source for enhancing maize growth and yield. The field investigation was carried out using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) having eleven. treatments viz., T1: GE 10.0 ml per litre + 50 % RDF, T2: GE 10.0 ml per litre + 75 % RDF, T3: GE 10.0 ml per litre + 100 % RDF, T4: GE 20.0 ml per litre + 50 % RDF, T5: GE 20.0 ml per litre + 75 % RDF, T6: GE 20.0 ml per litre + 100 % RDF, T7: Urea spray - 0.5 % + 100 % RDF, T8: Nano N two sprays at 30 and 60 DAS + 50% RDN and 100% P&K, T9: Nano N & P two sprays at 30 and 60 DAS + 50% RDNP and 100% K, T10: RDF with FYM, and T11: Only RDF with three replications. The results of the study revealed that among different treatments application of growth enhancer 20 ml per litre of water with 100 % RDF was recorded a significantly higher plant height, dry matter accumulation in leaves, stem, cob and total dry matter accumulation, cob length, cob girth,, number of kernels cob-1 and weight of kernels cob-1, kernel and stover yield in comparison to all other treatments. Similarly higher gross returns, net returns and benefit cost ratio were obtained with the application of GE 20.0 ml per litre + 100 % RDF.

Effect of Weed Management Practices on Growth and Yield of Zero-Till Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

A field experiment to compare weed management practices on growth and yield of zero till chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) during rabi, 2022 at RARS, Jagtial, Telangana. Treatments include Pendimethalin 38.7 % CS @ 700 g a.i. ha-1 , Topramezone 33.6 % SC @ 20.6 g a.i. ha-1 , Quizalofop ethyl 7.5 % + Imazethapyr 15 % EC @ 100 g a.i. ha-1, T4- Propaquizafop 2.5 % + Imazethapyr 3.75 % (w/w) ME @ 125 g a.i. ha-1 , two hand weedings at 15 and 30 DAS , weed free (Season long) and Un-weeded (Check). Weed free treatment and hand weeded plots showed highest growth and yield attributing characters because of season-long weed-free conditions and better microclimate during critical period of crop respectively. Among different herbicides, Topramezone treated plot recorded higher growth parameters viz.; plant height (38.7 cm), dry matter accumulation (320.8 g m-2) and yield attributing characters viz.; total number of pods plant-1 (30.97), with seed yield (1397 kg ha-1), haulm yield (2518 kg ha-1) and harvest index (35.7 %). Post emergence herbicide topramezone can be effectively adopted for getting higher yield of chickpea in rice fallow zero tillage conditions.

Response of Different Levels of NPK and FYM on Growth and Yield of Cluster Bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) var. Neelam-61

Today, with the advancement of environment pollution and health that is obtained from the improper use of inorganic fertilizer, production and use of organic fertilizer is considered as an important approach in the field of soil science in the world’s interest to investors. A research was conducted during Zaid season 2022 on central research farm of department of soil science and agricultural chemistry, (NAI) SHUATS, Prayagraj. Field trial was designed on Randomized Block Design with three replications and nine treatments. It may be concluded from the trial that the different level of NPK and FYM in the experiment gave the highest value. The best results were obtained with T9 treatment which included (N20P40K40 kg ha-1 + FYM10 t ha-1). This treatment resulted in the maximum plants height with the most leaves, no. of clusters plant-1, no. of pod cluster-1, no of pod plant-1, length of pod (cm) and highest pod yield. In contrast, the control treatment (T1) had the lowest results in all categories. The available NPK and FYM with the treatment combination of T9 (N20P40K40 kg ha-1 + FYM10 t ha-1) was found to be the best for the improvement of growth and yield of cluster bean. Therefore, farmers of Prayagraj region can adopt this combination to give the highest yield of cluster bean.

Effect of Vermicompost and Neem Cake with Inorganic Fertilizers on Growth and Yield of Maize (Zea mays L.) Var. S2-981

Today, with the advancement of environment pollution and health that is obtained from the improper use of chemical fertilizer, production and use of organic fertilizer is considered as an important approach in the field of soil science in the world’s interest to investors. Research was conducted by using effective management application of vermicompost and neem cake with inorganic fertilizer with objective to enhance the growth and yield of maize crop. It has been concluded from the trial that the different level of vermicompost and neem cake with inorganic fertilizers in the experiment gave the highest value. Effective results were obtained with T9 treatment with combination vermicompost 10 t ha-1, neem cake 500 kg ha-1 with recommended dose of fertilizer NPK 120: 60: 40 kg hhah ha-1. This treatment result shown best plant height with the most leaves, largest stem diameter, longest cob length, heaviest 1000 seed weight, and highest grain yield in compared with the control treatment T1­ had the lowest results in all categories. T9 was found to be the best for the improvement of growth and yield of maize therefore, farmers of Prayagraj region can adopt this combination to give the highest yield of Maize.

Influence of Zinc and Boron on Yield and Economics of Cowpea

“A field experiment was conducted at Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Naini Agriculture Institute, Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, UP, during the autumn season of 2022 on sandy loam soil. The experiment was carried out in Randomized Block Design supplemented by Zinc (10, 15, 20 kg/ha) and Boron (1, 1.5, 2 kg/ha)”. The variety Kashi Nidhi was used and sown in July 2022. The results revealed that the crop supplemented with 20 kg/ha Zinc + 2 kg/ha boron increased significantly in yield parameters viz., no. of pods per plant (19.7), no. of seeds per pod (15.6), seed yield (1.28 t/ha) and stover yield (2.43 t/ha). This treatment also showed a positive effect on economics viz., gross returns (84029.00 INR/ha), net returns (56369.00 INR/ha) and B: C (1:2.03).

Influence of Aeroponic System on Growth and Yield Parameters of V-1 Mulberry

In an aeroponic system, nutrients are directly delivered to the plant roots, which results in the faster growth of crops. Furthermore, aeroponics has been extensively used as a research tool for many difficult-to-propagate plant species. The present investigation shows that the plants grown under the aeroponic system were recorded maximum for all the growth parameters except leaf area which was found maximum under nursery conditions. Among treatments, T3 (three buds per cutting) recorded the maximum for all growth parameters followed by T2 (two buds per cutting) and T1 (one bud per cutting). The interaction effect between propagation systems and the number of buds per cutting showed significant results. S1T3 (three budded cuttings under aeroponic system) recorded maximum for growth parameters viz., intermodal length (4.27 cm), plant height (44.39 cm), number of leaves (16.91), leaf yield (10.79 g/plant), whereas least was recorded by S2T1 i.e., one budded cuttings under nursery (2.39 cm, 35.47 cm, 5.88, 4.84g /plant respectively) at 60 DAT. However, S2T3 recorded a maximum leaf area of 95.96 cm2. From these results, it can be concluded that the aeroponic system could be effectively used for the production of V-1 mulberry saplings.

Assessing salt-stress tolerance in barley / Determinación de la Tolerancia al estrés por salinidad en la cebada / Determinação da tolerância ao estresse por salinidade na cevada

Abstract Identifying naturally existing abiotic-stress tolerant accessions in cereal crops is central to understanding plant responses towards stress. Salinity is an abiotic stressor that limits crop yields. Salt stress triggers major physiological changes in plants, but individual plants may perform differently under salt stress. In the present study, 112 barley accessions were grown under controlled salt stress conditions (1 Sm-1 salinity) until harvest. The accessions were then analyzed for set of agronomic and physiological traits. Under salt stress, less than 5 % of the assessed accessions (CIHO6969, PI63926, PI295960, and PI531867) displayed early flowering. Only two (< 2 %) of the accessions (PI327671 and PI383011) attained higher fresh and dry weight, and a better yield under salt stress. Higher K+ /Na+ ratios were maintained by four accessions PI531999, PI356780, PI452343, and PI532041. These top-performing accessions constitute naturally existing variants within barley's gene pool that will be instrumental to deepen our understanding of abiotic-stress tolerance in crops.

Resumen La identificación de accesiones existentes en condiciones naturales que sean tolerantes al estrés abiótico en cultivos de cereales es fundamental para entender las respuestas al estrés. La salinidad es un factor de estrés abiótico que limita el rendimiento de los cultivos. El estrés por salinidad desencadena importantes cambios fisiológicos en las plantas, pero plantas individuales pueden comportarse diferencialmente bajo este tipo de estrés. En el presente estudio se hicieron crecer 112 accesiones de cebada bajo condiciones controladas de estrés por salinidad (1 Sm-1 salinidad) hasta la cosecha. Posteriormente las accesiones se analizaron para determinar sus caracteres agronómicos y fisiológicos. Bajo condiciones de estrés por salinidad, menos del 5 % de las accesiones estudiadas (CIHO6969, PI63926, PI295960 y PI531867) mostraron floración temprana. Solamente dos (< 2 %) de las accesiones (PI327671 y PI383011) alcanzaron mayores pesos fresco y seco y un mayor rendimiento bajo estrés por salinidad. Se mantuvieron mayores proporciones K+/Na+ en cuatro accesiones PI531999, PI356780, PI452343 y PI532041. Estas accesiones que tuvieron el mejor rendimiento constituyen las variantes existentes en condiciones naturales dentro del acervo genético de la cebada, que pueden ser instrumentos para profundizar en nuestro entendimiento de la tolerancia de los cultivos al estrés abiótico.

Resumo A identificação de acessões existentes em condições naturais que sejam tolerantes ao estresse abiótico em culturas de cereais é fundamental para entender a resposta ao estresse. A salinidade é um fator de estresse abiótico que limita o rendimento das culturas. O estresse por salinidade desencadeia importantes mudanças fisiológicas nas plantas, no entanto, plantas individuais podem se comportar diferentemente sob este tipo de estresse. No presente estudo 112 acessões de cevada foram cultivadas sob condições controladas de estresse por salinidade (1 Sm-1 salinidade) até a colheita. Porteriormente, as acessões foram analizadas para determinar suas características agronômicas e fisiológicas. Sob condições de estresse por salinidade, menos de 5 % das acessões estudadas (CIHO6969, PI63926, PI295960 e PI531867) mostraram floração prematura. Somente duas (< 2 %) acessões (PI327671 e PI383011) atingiram maiores pesos frescos e secos e um maior redimento sob estresse por salinidade. As maiores proporções K+/Na+ foram mantidas em quatro acessões PI531999, PI356780, PI452343 e PI532041. As acessões com maior rendimento constituem as variantes existentes em condições naturais dentro do fundo genético da cevada, que podem ser instrumentos para aprofundar no nosso entendimento da tolerância dos cultivos ao estresse biológico.

Improvement of Biocontrol of Damping-off and Root Rot/Wilt of Faba Bean by Salicylic Acid and Hydrogen Peroxide

Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium solani, F. oxysporum, and Macrophomina phaseolina were found to be associated with root rott and wilt symptoms of faba bean plants collected from different fieldes in New Valley governorate, Egypt. All the obtained isolates were able to attack faba bean plants (cv. Giza 40) causing damping-off and root rot/wilt diseases. R. solani isolates 2 and 5, F. solani isolate 8, F. oxysporum isolate 12 and M. phaseolina isolate 14 were the more virulent ones in the pathogenicity tests. Biocontrol agents (Trichoderma viride and Bacillus megaterium) and chemical inducers (salicylic acid [SA] and hydrogen peroxide) individually or in combination were examined for biological control of damping-off and root rot/wilt and growth promoting of faba bean plants in vitro and in vivo. Both antagonistic biocontrol agents and chemical inducers either individually or in combination inhibited growth of the tested pathogenic fungi. Biocontrol agents combined with chemical inducers recorded the highest inhibited growth especially in case SA + T. viride and SA + B. megaterium. Under green house and field conditions, all treatments significantly reduced damping-off and root rot/wilt severity and increased of survival plants. Also, these treatments increased fresh and weights of the survival plants in pots compared with control. The combination between biocontrol agents and chemical inducers were more effective than used of them individually and SA + T. viride was the best treatment in this respect. Also, under field conditions, all these treatments significantly increased growth parameters (plant height and number of branches per plant) and yield components (number of pods per plant and number of seeds per plant, weight of 100 seeds and total yield per feddan) and protein content in both seasons (2010~2011 and 2011~2012). Faba bean seeds soaked in SA + T. viride and SA + B. megaterium were recorded the highest growth parameters and yield components. Generally, the combination between biocontrol agents and chemical inducers recorded the best results for controlling damping-off and root rot/wilt diseases in greenhouse and field with addition improved plant growth and increased yield components in field.