CREA Journals (Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l’analisi dell’economia agraria)
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india: india
No full textMaize is an important staple crop of India and has significant role in both human consumption and as highquality animal feed. Despite its importance, maize productivity in India remains below the global average due to factors such as poor seed quality, limited technological adoption, reliance on rainfed areas, and diverse climatic conditions. Further, as the world's largest milk producer, India's livestock sector struggles with significant fodder shortage. De-topping is a promising agronomic practice to address these challenges; it involves removing the top portion of the maize plant to enhance light interception and to favor better nutrient assimilation. This practice can significantly improve both grain and fodder yields when executed at the appropriate stage and with proper techniques. By improving maize productivity and fodder availability, de-topping can help alleviate critical feed deficits and enhance the economic viability of India's agricultural sector. Based on previously mentioned focal points, the literature pertaining to the enhancement of maize grain and fodder yields through de-topping has been reviewed
Drought stress induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG) on germination and seedling stage in maize landraces from Yucatan, Mexico: Drought stress in maize landraces
No full textDrought stress negatively affects germination, vegetative growth, biomass production, and yield traits in maize (Zea mays L.). In this study, we investigate the effects of osmotic stress induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG) solutions on germination, early seedling growth traits, and the physiologic response of ten maize genotypes in Yucatan, Mexico. Additionally, drought tolerance indices were calculated and used to differentiate drought-tolerant genotypes. The data were examined by two-way analysis of variance and multivariate analysis. The results showed that PEG treatments significantly reduced germination and retarded seedling growth of maize genotypes. The physiological response of maize genotypes was also affected. Under drought stress, maize genotypes showed reduced carbon assimilation, stomatal conductance, and transpiration, but increased water use efficiency. Additionally, variability was observed in drought tolerance traits among different maize genotypes. According to PCA analysis based on variation in drought tolerance indices, three maize genotypes are drought-tolerant, including NTR, NTA, and NTB. These genotypes are suitable for cultivating areas where water availability is limited and for selecting tolerant genotypes to drought in breeding programs
Field Response and Genetic Variability Analyses of Maize (Zea mays L.) Hybrids and Commercial Varieties Under Natural Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith)) Infestation in Lowland Tropical Ecology: Maize response to fall armyworm
No full textFall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith)) (FAW) impacts maize (Zea mays L.) production. No maize genotype is completely resistant to FAW. This experiment was conducted in Calabar, Cross River State, with twenty maize genotypes using a randomised complete block design with three replications. FAW scores, plant height, leaf count, plant aspect rating, days to 50% anthesis and silking, anthesis-silking interval, fresh and de-husked cob weight and length, husk proportion, ear aspect rating, grains per cob, 100-seed weight, and grain yield responses were all different. FAW score perfectly correlated with plant and ear aspect ratings. Grain yield strongly associated with cobs per plant and grains per cob. The analysis of genetic variability revealed that while seedling emergence, days to 50% anthesis, and 50% silking exhibited moderate genetic advance, all other traits demonstrated high genetic advance, indicating the potential for selecting maize genotypes for these traits under FAW pressure. FAW score, plant aspect, and ear aspect were all found to be in the same cluster in the principal component and genotype by traits biplot analyses. This proved that they were useful for identification of maize genotypes that are tolerant to FAW pressure. In one cluster were cobs per plant, husk covering, cob length, and grains per cob with grain yield. This further confirmed the importance of these traits in selecting maize genotypes with high yield potential under FAW pressure. Despite FAW pressure, maize genotypes AS2001-20, AS2001-24, M1628-8, AS2106-63, and FAW 2212 demonstrated high grain yields considerable for inclusion in further FAW-related studies
Forestry research: strategic insights for a healthy planet and thriving society
No full textResearch plays a pivotal role in driving methodological and technological advancements and translating them into practical applications, an endeavor especially crucial in an era defined by energy, digital, and demographic transitions. Through an interdisciplinary approach, forestry research should generate knowledge that supports policy-making, stimulates technological innovation, and promotes community engagement. The purpose of this note is to highlight several key aspects within this context. To that end, a commented discussion is provided, with particular emphasis on aspects related to silviculture and forest culture
Variation in seed biometry and early seedling growth from northeastern Algerian Quercus suber L. provenances
No full textThis study aimed to assess the effect of provenance on seed biometry and early seedling growth of Quercus suber L. The acorns used for the study conducted in the regional forest research station of Jijel, were collected from thirty healthy mother trees representing six provenances in Jijel. After seed collection, a subsample of acorns from each mother tree was used in a laboratory experiment including biometric characterization and cold storage behavior assessment throughout moisture content and germination measurement. Additionally, a nursery experiment was carried out with acorns stored for three months to assess the effects of the seed source on seedling growth traits including height, collar diameter, biomass and leaf biomass and surface. The results revealed significant differences at 5% probability level among Q. suber seed provenances and mother trees with respect to seed morphology, seed storage, seed germination and seedling growth parameters. Despite the absence of a clear effect of the environmental conditions of the studied provenances, the Kissir provenance was the superior for all the studied parameters. Regardless of provenance, the favorable environmental conditions of the nursery along with favorable cultivation conditions, including proper seed handling and storage, growing mixture, and irrigation could enhance the desirable seedling quality for reforestation purposes
Advances in zinc and silicon applications for maize yield enhancement: A review on nutrient efficiency and stress tolerance
No full textMaize is a crucial crop worldwide, and various environmental stresses often threaten its yield. Recent advancements in applying zinc (Zn) and silicon (Si) have shown promising results in enhancing maize yield and stress tolerance. Silicon application in maize plants enhances resistance against Maydis Leaf Blight and increases leaf gas exchanges, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, and antioxidant activities. Silicon alters phytophagous insects' attack by stimulating deterrent effects on oviposition site selection and affects nutrient digestion, decreasing leaf palatability and digestibility. Silicon contributes to stress mitigation in maize plants under potassium deficiency by enhancing nutrient use efficiency, photosynthetic rate, and dry matter production. Zn oxide nanoparticles have been studied for their synthesis, characterization, modification, and applications in food and agriculture. Silicon plays a crucial role in plant defence against biotic stress, acting as a barrier against insects, fungi, and bacteria, and stimulating the production of defence compounds. We discuss the effects of conventional and nano-scale Zn and Si fertilizers on maize growth, economic and metabolic profiles, and stress responses. The review highlights the potential benefits of combining Zn and Si applications for improved maize productivity under stressful conditions and summarizes the current state of knowledge on using Zn and Si in maize cultivation, focusing on nutrient efficiency and stress tolerance
Maize area mapping using multi-temporal Sentinel 1A SAR data in the Belagavi district of Karnataka, India
Full text linkThe study explores the integration of remote sensing technologies with ground truth data for precise estimation of maize cultivation areas in the Indian Belagavi district, Karnataka, during the rabi season of 2022-23. Leveraging Sentinel-1A satellite data and advanced processing techniques, the study provides insights into crop dynamics, phenology, and spatial distribution. Ground truth data collection involved 369 points covering diverse land use and land cover types. The multi-temporal Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery underwent automated processing, extracting features crucial for maize classification. Classification accuracy assessment revealed robust performance, with 92.4% accuracy for maize and 91.1% for non-maize locations, supported by a Kappa index of 0.83. Taluk (sub- district) wise maize area estimation highlighted spatial variations, with Saudatti emerging as the leading taluk, contributing 25.74% of the total maize cultivation area. The study underscores the importance of localized agricultural planning strategies tailored to each region's agricultural landscape. Through comprehensive analysis and accurate area estimation, policymakers and stakeholders gain valuable insights for informed decision-making, ranging from optimizing input distribution to formulating targeted policies for rural development
Plant species diversity and structure in tree plantations at Téné Protected Forest (Côte d’Ivoire)
Full text linkThis study assessed flora establishment in the exotic tree plantations. The old and young Tectona grandis L.f. plantations, mixed-species plantations (Tectona grandis, Gmelina arborea Roxb., Cedrela odorata L.) and a neighbouring unmanaged forest were inventoried in Téné Protected Forest. In each habitat type, all vascular plant species were recorded and tree species with diameter at breast height ≥ 10 cm were measured and counted. The conservation value was determined through the listing of rare, threatened or endemic species. The diversity, the structure, and aboveground biomass have been estimated for comparison. The results showed that, plant species richness and diversity decreased significantly from unmanaged forest to mixed-species plantations and Teak plantations, while, tree density, basal area and biomass were similar between the four habitat types. This study suggests that the value of forest plantations for plant diversity varies considerably depending on whether the exotic tree species are planted as mixed-species or monocultural plantations
The diversity of termite species on natural forest and agroforestry land in Sulawesi tropical forests in Indonesia
Full text linkThe conversion of natural forest to agroforestry causes physical changes in the forest, which affects the availability of organic matter. Therefore, this could influence the diversity of termites which act as decomposers in forest ecosystems. This study aims to determine the effect on the diversity of termite species of changes in tropical forest due to conversion. The study was carried out in the Educational Forest area of Tadulako University, Indonesia. The observations of environmental biophysical conditions include vegetation diversity, biomass, soil physical and chemical properties. Furthermore, using the transect method, the diversity of termite species was monitored. The results showed that the diversity of termite species decreased along with the conversion, because 13 species were found in natural forests, while only seven species were found in agroforestry land. This implies that changes in the biophysical environmental conditions due to forest conversion of tropical rainforests significantly reduced the number and composition of vegetation types at all growth rates, necromass and litter biomass. This decrease affects the availability of soil organic matter and carbon. Furthermore, these changes led not only to the loss of individual species but also to the emergence of previously unrecorded ones such as Microcerotermes dubius
English: DIVA-GIS and MaxEnt based diversity study
No full textA total of 62 diverse late maturing hybrids of maize (Zea mays L.) both from public and private sector were evaluated during Rainy (Kharif) 2018 across four diverse geographic locations (centres) of the peninsular region of India, viz., Coimbatore, Dharwad, Karimnagar and Hyderabad. The data, viz., plant height, cob height, days to 50% anthesis, days to 50% silking, days to 75% maturity and cob weight was analysed for diversity and richness indices using DIVA-GIS software. The objective was to identify the trait (s), which showed more diversity or richness among the hybrids and to identify the geographical region which was more efficient resolving the diversity and richness in the hybrids. Ecological niche modelling using Maximum Entropy method was analysed to identify the potential regions for growing the elite maize hybrids. The study was able to conclude that the trait plant height recorded maximum diversity index among all the traits, the Hyderabad location was most suitable for resolving diversity among the hybrids and also based on MaxEnt it was concluded that regions in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Tripura were the potential regions, under current climatic conditions, suitable for these hybrids under testing