CREA Journals (Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l’analisi dell’economia agraria)
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Synergistic Effects of Crop Establishment Methods and Weed Management on Maize (Zea mays L.) Productivity and Water Utilization
Full text linkThe Indo-Gangetic plains are experiencing significant climate variability and groundwater depletion, threatening agricultural productivity and water security. The dominant Rice-Wheat (RW) cropping pattern exacerbates water scarcity, necessitating the replacement of water-intensive crops like rice with more water-efficient alternatives. Maize, a primary kharif crop, but due to its spacious nature and slow initial growth, it is prone to heavy weed growth, leading to water and nutrient losses. To optimize resource utilization and maintain sustainable maize yields, alternative agronomic strategies are required. Modifying planting systems and implementing effective weed management practices show promise in improving crop and water productivity of maize. So, keeping all this in view, an experiment was conducted for two years including crop establishment methods viz., bed + residue, zero tillage (ZT) with residue and conventional tillage (CT) + residue in main plots and five weed management options as pyroxasulfone (PE), pyroxasulfone (PE) fb tembotrione (PoE), atrazine (PE) fb tembotrione (PoE), weedy check and weed free check (sub plots) were compared in a split-plot design with three replications. Results indicated that bed + residue (Bed+R) recorded highest soil moisture content (11.84 % at knee height and 11.86 % at flowering stage in 0-15 cm of soil depth) and water productivity (9.72 kg-ha mm-1) compared to ZT+R and CT+R. Among weed management options, highest soil moisture content and water productivity was recorded with weed free plot, but in sequential herbicide options, highest soil moisture content (12.35 % at knee height and 12.37 % at flowering stage in 0-15 cm of soil depth) and water productivity (10.30 kg-ha mm-1) was recorded with pyroxasulfone fb tembotrione compared to other treatments. Overall, based on the findings it can be concluded that pyroxasulfone fb tembotrione application in maize with bed planting enhances water productivity with lesser infestation of weeds under Indo-Gangetic Plains of India
Silvicultural potential of two legume species in different planting spacing
Full text linkThe objective of this work was to investigate the silvicultural potential of angico (Anadenanthera peregrina (L.) Speg.) and paricá (Schizolobium parahyba var. amazonicum (Huber ex Ducke) Barneby)) in different planting spacings. The study evaluated the three spacings: 3 m x 3 m, 4 m x 4 m and 5 m x 5 m. A forest inventory was carried out eight years after planting in order to characterize the stand in terms of diameter at breast height (dbh), commercial height, total height and survival. Using dbh, height-diameter relationship and commercial volume models were adjusted for each planting spacing. A meta-analysis was conducted to compare the differences between results in the literature for species of the Fabaceae family. In both species, the 3 m x 3 m spacing produced the largest volumes and the 5 m x 5 m spacing the smallest volume. The angico recorded total mean volume ranging from 23.8 to 29.8 m³ per hectare. The paricá had total mean volume between 111.8 and 143.0 m³ per hectare. There was a strong correlation between height and dbh for the species in the meta-analysis. Higher mean height and dbh values were found for paricá when compared to the other Fabaceae species, showing the species' strong suitability for forestry
Gene action, heterosis of agronomic traits and variable resistance to Turcicum leaf blight in sweet corn (Zea mays saccharata L.)
Full text linkWider ranges of variation were observed for most agronomic traits both in the parents and their F1 experimental cross combinations of sweet corn. Four hybrids SC sel 3 × SC sel 1, SC sel 2 × SC Synthetic, SC Sel 2 × SC sel 3 and SC sel 2 × MRCSC 9 recorded higher green ear yield than best standard check hybrid which ranged from 12.21 to 12.48 tons per hectare. A substantial amount of heterosis over better parent and standard checks in a favourable direction was observed for all the characters. Against the best standard check Misti, heterosis was observed only in three hybrids for GEY, two hybrids for TSS and thirteen hybrids for GFW. The EL and KRN heterosis maintained significantly positive correlation with heterosis values of different cob characters whose heterosis would uniquely describe the GEY. Thus if there is a heterosis for EL and KRN, one would expect greater heterosis for GEY. The potence ratio indicated the presence of a high degree of overdominance in most hybrids for all traits studied suggesting the traits under the control of non-additive gene effects. However, the predominance of both partial dominance and overdominance for green fodder weight, ear height and TSS reveal that these traits are governed by both additive and non-additive gene effects
Nitrogen scheduling in maize in relation to tillage interventions and planting methods in Indian Punjab
Full text linkClimate change and faster depletion of natural resources highlighted the importance of conservation agriculture. To study the effect of different tillage interventions and planting methods on productivity, soil properties and profitability of maize and to optimize the time of nitrogen application in maize under different tillage and planting methods, a field experiment was conducted during kharif 2017 and 2018 in split plot design with four combinations of tillage systems and planting methods [conventional tillage + flat sowing (T1), conventional tillage + bed sowing (T2), zero tillage + flat sowing (T3), zero tillage + bed sowing (T4)] in main plots and four schedules of nitrogen application including recommended (1/3 N as basal, 1/3 N at knee high stage and 1/3 N at flowering stage) (N1), 1/2 N as basal and 1/2 N at knee high stage (N2), 1/2 N as basal, 1/4 N at knee high stage and 1/4 N at waist high stage (N3) and 1/3 N as basal, 1/3 N at knee high stage and 1/3 N at waist high stage (N4) in sub-plots with three replications. Similar grain yield was obtained with different tillage and planting methods as well as with different time of N application treatments. The bed sowing helped in achieving 33.4% higher water productivity over flat sowing. The net returns were higher by Rs 5382 ha-1 under zero-till flat sowing than conventional-till flat sowing. So, advanced time of N application along with permanent bed planting can be adopted profitably for improved productivity
Agronomic interventions for production and preservation of quality maize (Zea mays L) fodder - A review
Full text linkMaize is used as animal fodder throughout the world and considered as ideal forage because of its quick growing habit, produces high palatable biomass and helps to improve body weight and milk quality in cattle due to its higher nutritional value. Production potential of forage maize can be altered with changes in agronomic practices viz. selection of cultivar, planting density, weed management, nutrient management, corn-legume intercropping etc. Maximum productivity of quality green fodder can be achieved by exploring best agronomic practices for its cultivation. Under conventional feeding system, farmers practice’s daily cutting and carrying of fodders for feeding to the livestock is laborious method and also results in increase in lignin content of fodder crop with maturity, thus requires more energy to digest, effecting net energy balance of the animals. Corn silage production has been seen to suffice all these factors which can help in managing round the year fodder availability for dairy animals. The production of quality corn silage depends upon number of agronomic factors such as selection of cultivar, stage of harvesting, method of storage, corn-legume mixture silage etc. Keeping these points in view, the literature pertaining to agronomy of cultivation of fodder maize and its preservation, to obtain higher biomass of quality fodder and silage has been reviewed
Genetic diversity in tropical maize inbreds under well watered and water stress condition
Full text linkMaize being a widely grown crop succumbs to changed climatic conditions especially drought. Breeding for drought tolerant maize hybrids necessitates selection of diverse drought tolerant inbreds which can help in development of heterotic hybrids suitable for both normal and moisture stress situations. Hence, the present study has been conducted to assess genetic diversity among 28 tropical maize inbreds based on physiological, phonological, yield and yield components under well watered and water stressed condition. Seven clusters were formed under water stress and 14 clusters under well watered condition. Cluster I was largest with 15 inbreds in water stressed and nine under well watered condition. There were many mono-genotypic clusters under water stressed condition (5) and under well watered condition (13). Based on inter-cluster distance , the maize inbred PDM 77-4 and PDM 4641 belonging to mono-genoypic clusters were diverse both under well watered and water stress condition Shelling percentage (41.2 %, 33.1 %), grain yield (20.5 %. 25.9 %), cobs per plant (17.8 %. 19.1 %), contributed maximum towards genetic divergence both under well watered and water stress condition and hence these characters may be given weightage while selecting diverse inbreds to develop superior hybrids suitable for both well watered and water stressed condition. The genotype PDM 4541 exhibited higher relative water content, lower days to 50 % tasseling, 50 % silking with reduced anthesis silking interval under water stressed condition and hence can be a potential genotype in developing hybrids suitable specifically for water stressed condition. Maximum cob length, cob girth, kernel row number, number of kernels per row, 100 grain weight and grain yield was distributed in different mono-genotypic clusters having maize inbreds CML 451, CAL 1426-2, CML 563 and PML 54 and hence these inbreds can be used in population improvement programme to derive inbred lines combining many productive traits
Antonio Mussi's memorial and Giovanni Lamo’s plea: Antonio Mussi's memorial and Giovanni Lamo’s plea
No full textUn memoriale di Antonio Mussi e una supplica di Giovanni Lamo, nobili cremonesi, entrambi desiderosi d’introdurre la coltivazione del mais in Toscana, ma senza il successo sperato, costituiscono l’oggetto del presente lavoro. Entrambi presentano la coltivazione del mais, nella Repubblica di Venezia, con ampi particolari, tali da farci considerare le loro considerazioni documenti preziosi per ricostruire la storia della presenza e degli usi di questo cereale alla metà del XVI secolo in Italia. Gli originali sono stati acquisiti, comparati con le trascrizioni già pubblicate e tradotti in inglese. Inoltre, è stata condotta un’approfondita analisi del testo e del contesto storico nel quale queste offerte sono state avanzate.Un memoriale di Antonio Mussi e una supplica di Giovanni Lamo, nobili cremonesi, entrambi desiderosi d’introdurre la coltivazione del mais in Toscana, ma senza il successo sperato, costituiscono l’oggetto del presente lavoro. Entrambi presentano la coltivazione del mais, nella Repubblica di Venezia, con ampi particolari, tali da farci considerare le loro considerazioni documenti preziosi per ricostruire la storia della presenza e degli usi di questo cereale alla metà del XVI secolo in Italia. Gli originali sono stati acquisiti, comparati con le trascrizioni già pubblicate e tradotti in inglese. Inoltre, è stata condotta un’approfondita analisi del testo e del contesto storico nel quale queste offerte sono state avanzate.
A memorial by Antonio Mussi and a plea by Giovanni Lamo, both noblemen from Cremona eager to introduce maize cultivation in Tuscany, but who met with no success, are the subject of this paper. Both documents present the cultivation of maize in the Republic of Venice with such extensive details that their considerations are considered valuable documents for reconstructing the history of the presence and uses of this cereal in the mid-16th century in Italy. The originals have been acquired, compared with the transcriptions already published and translated into English. Furthermore, an in-depth analysis of the text and the historical context in which these offers were made has been conducted
Poplar tree for innovative plantation models
Full text linkThe traditional poplar cultivation does not represent the only way to produce poplar wood: new market opportunities and new more sustainable cultivation models are appearing on the international scene. We are only reconsidering past solutions in a modern key and with new knowledges and technologies able to improve the productions through more sustainable, resilient, cultivation models for the adaptation to climate and market changes. In this note three alternative models (to traditional poplar growth) suitable for production of plywood, packaging, panels, pulp for paper, biomass and for environment services, are described and discussed: high-density model (HD), polycyclic plantation model (PP) and agroforestry (AF)
Taking the right care of scientometric indicators will take care of research quality
Full text linkScience has recently been accelerating at a fast rate (∼3.5% per year in the compound annual growth rate of the number of papers published in scientific journals, according to Scopus source). There are now more scholarly communications than ever before, and scientists have too many choices of journals to read, refer, and where to submit: therefore, the evaluation of the performance of each journal has become necessary to delineate impact and contribution of any journal in its respective field of interest and application
Use of innovative groundcovers in Mediterranean afforestations: aerial and belowground effects in hybrid walnut.
Full text linkForest restoration in the Mediterranean area is particularly limited by water scarcity in summer and by weed competition, especially during the first years after establishment. The negative impact of these factors can be mitigated through environmentally friendly and cost-effective techniques which favour root development. This study describes the results of innovative weeding techniques in a reforestation carried out in a former agricultural field in Solsona, NE Spain, under Continental Mediterranean Sub-humid climate conditions. The tested weeding techniques included both novel groundcovers (based on prototypes built on a new biodegradable biopolymer, jute treated with resin and recycled rubber) and reference techniques, i.e. herbicide application and polyethylene and commercial biofilm groundcovers. We studied the response of hybrid walnut (Juglans x intermedia) to the application of these techniques during the first vegetative period in terms of survival, aerial growth and aboveground and belowground biomass allocation. The innovative groundcovers resulted generally in similar outcomes as the reference techniques with regard to tree survival and growth, and to better results in the case of belowground and, to a lesser extent, total tree biomass. Although preliminary, our results suggest that the tested novel groundcovers, notably the model based on treated jute, represent a promising alternative to plastic mulching and herbicide application in afforestation of agricultural lands in Mediterranean continental conditions. Besides these promising productive results, the novel groundcovers bring together relevant technical and environmental benefits, related to their use (not requiring removal or being reusable) and composition, based on biodegradable or recycled materials