Ethiopia is one of the famous and major producers of sesame in sub-Saharan Africa, and Ethiopian sesame is among the highest quality in the world. The experiment was conducted in Northern Ethiopia for three growing seasons (2013–2015) under a rain fed condition with the objective of identifying high-yielding genotypes and their agronomic traits. The experiment consisted of twelve genotypes laid down in randomized complete block design with three replications. The genotype, year, and genotype × year interaction components showed statistically highly significant variation (<svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" style="vertical-align:-3.42938pt" id="M1" height="11.7782pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -8.34882 50.7895 11.7782" width="50.7895pt"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,0,0)"><path id="g113-113" d="M570 304C570 398 525 448 414 448C385 448 343 445 312 434L329 511L321 518C297 504 262 482 244 460L233 411C195 397 159 381 128 358L135 332C160 347 189 360 224 373L111 -147C97 -210 84 -218 17 -231L13 -257L254 -247L259 -218L233 -216C183 -212 177 -202 189 -142L218 -1C238 -10 266 -12 283 -12C351 3 429 48 483 105C543 168 570 242 570 304ZM482 289C482 161 380 33 304 33C278 33 248 51 233 69L303 396C326 400 352 403 369 403C428 403 482 380 482 289Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,11.342,0)"><path id="g117-91" d="M512 -3V55L134 254V256L512 456V514L75 281V230L512 -3Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,22.605,0)"><path id="g113-49" d="M241 635C89 635 35 457 35 312C35 153 89 -12 240 -12C390 -12 443 166 443 312C443 466 390 635 241 635ZM238 602C329 602 354 454 354 312C354 172 330 22 240 22C152 22 124 173 124 313S148 602 238 602Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,28.845,0)"><path id="g113-47" d="M113 -12C146 -12 170 11 170 46C170 78 146 103 114 103S58 78 58 46C58 11 82 -12 113 -12Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,31.809,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,38.049,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,44.289,0)"><path id="g113-50" d="M384 0V27C293 34 287 42 287 114V635C232 613 172 594 109 583V559L157 557C201 555 205 550 205 499V114C205 42 199 34 109 27V0H384Z"/></g></svg>) for most of the agronomic traits which clearly confirms the presence of genotype × year interaction in this study. The highest combined mean grain yield (906.3 kg/ha) was obtained from Hirhir followed by Serkamo white (756.5 kg/ha), and from the three growing seasons, the highest grain yield (1161.5 kg/ha) was recorded from Hirhir grown in the second growing season (2014). The growing seasons were different from one another in allowing the genotypes to have a different performance, and all of the agronomic traits, except thousand seed weight, were statistically different across the three growing seasons. In the ordination of the genotypes and agronomic traits, PCA1, which accounted for 38.3% of the variation, was positively associated with grain yield, branches per plant, length of the pod-bearing zone, plant height, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, and thousand seed weight. On the contrary, PCA2, which accounted for 19.7% of the variation, was positively associated with days to 50% flowering and days to 50% maturity.

Fiseha Baraki

Muez Berhe

Evaluating Performance of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Genotypes in Different Growing Seasons in Northern Ethiopia

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of sulphur and molybdenum fertilization on the yield and chemical composition of common bean seeds. A field experiment was conducted in southeastern Poland in 2012&#x2013;2014. The scheme of the study included the following treatments: O-control, Mo-molybdenum (100&#x2009;g&#xb7;ha&#x2212;1), SBS-sulphur before sowing (50&#x2009;kg&#xb7;ha&#x2212;1), SFA-sulphur foliar application (50&#x2009;kg&#xb7;ha&#x2212;1), Mo&#x2009;&#x2b;&#x2009;SBS-molybdenum (100&#x2009;g&#xb7;ha&#x2212;1) and sulphur before sowing (50&#x2009;kg&#xb7;ha&#x2212;1), and Mo&#x2009;&#x2b;&#x2009;SFA-molybdenum (100&#x2009;g&#xb7;ha&#x2212;1) and sulphur foliar application (50&#x2009;kg&#xb7;ha&#x2212;1). After harvesting, the following determinations were made in bean seeds: content of nitrogen, sulphur, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, methionine, and cysteine. Application of Mo increased seed yield and protein and methionine content, as well as the content and uptake of P, Mg, and Ca in common bean seeds. Sulphur application had a positive effect on seed yield (13.6&#x0025; increase) and protein content. Moreover, sulphur improved the biological value of protein by increasing the content of methionine, cysteine, and some macroelements. The most beneficial effects were obtained when both molybdenum and sulphur were used in fertilization. Considering the yield-producing effect and the impact on the biological quality of protein, sulphur fertilization should be included in the crop management for the common bean.

Aleksandra G&#x142;owacka

Tomasz Gruszecki

Bogdan Szostak

S&#x142;awomir Micha&#x142;ek

The Response of Common Bean to Sulphur and Molybdenum Fertilization

Regional biogeographical models are considered to be important tools for supporting decisions relating to sustainable agricultural planning for climate change. These models are useful for a better understanding of the impact of climate change on individual crop species due to their sensitivity to regional ecological conditions. This paper deals with the application of a regional biogeographical model in order to predict the impact of climate change on growing conditions for grain maize in Central Europe. The model is based on a detailed knowledge of the relationships between the climatic characteristics of vegetation zones in landscapes with ecological growing conditions suitable for grain maize in the region under study. The results gained from using the model indicate a substantial increase in the total area suitable for growing of grain maize in the study region. By 2070, this area is expected to be triple the size it is today. Special maps are used to visualize prediction scenarios in order to support decision-making in regional planning in the study region, where grain maize is an important agricultural crop. This biogeographical model can be used in other European regions, where basic data related to vegetation zones are available.

Petr Pavlik

Veronika Vlckova

Ivo Machar

Changes to Land Area Used for Grain Maize Production in Central Europe due to Predicted Climate Change

The deep placement of urea fertilizer (DMU) containing 1&#x0025; (W/W) of the nitrification inhibitor 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) on soybean growth and seed yield was as effective as those of the coated urea (CU) and lime nitrogen (LN) in a field research. The average seed yields were high in LN (464&#x2009;g&#xb7;m&#x2212;2) and DMU (461&#x2009;g&#xb7;m&#x2212;2) and relatively low in CU (405&#x2009;g&#xb7;m&#x2212;2), U (396&#x2009;g&#xb7;m&#x2212;2), and Cont (373&#x2009;g&#xb7;m&#x2212;2) treatments. The accumulations of dry matter and nitrogen in soybean shoots were higher in the plants with deep placement of CU, LN, and DMU than U and Cont. The daily nitrogen fixation activity and daily nitrogen absorption rate were calculated based on the relative ureide method. Both nitrogen fixation activity and nitrogen absorption rate were higher in DMU, CU, and LN compared with control treatment, suggesting that the deep placement of DMU did not repress nitrogen fixation. Soil incubation test was performed using the same field soil with DMU, U, LN, and urea with DMPP 1&#x0025;, 2&#x0025;, and 4&#x0025;. DMU inhibits nitrification similar to the pattern of LN until 8 weeks. The increasing DMPP concentration did not markedly increase the nitrification inhibition. From these results, it was concluded that urea fertilizer with 1&#x0025; DMPP is efficient for deep placement of N fertilizer for soybean cultivation due to its lower price compared with CU and LN.

Soshi Hatano

Yoichi Fujita

Yoshifumi Nagumo

Norikuni Ohtake

Kuni Sueyoshi

Yoshihiko Takahashi

Takashi Sato

Sayuri Tanabata

Kyoko Higuchi

Akihiro Saito

Takuji Ohyama

Effect of the Nitrification Inhibitor 3,4-Dimethylpyrazole Phosphate on the Deep Placement of Nitrogen Fertilizers for Soybean Cultivation

The source-sink ratio experimental manipulation has helped to define whether a crop is limited by source or sink or co-limited by both. There is no evidence in triticale of source-sink manipulations effects on yield and yield components. Two experiments were accomplished during 2008 and 2009 growing seasons at the Universidad Aut&#xf3;noma del Estado de M&#xe9;xico, M&#xe9;xico, and one in 2010 at the National Institute of Agricultural Technology in Pergamino, Argentina. Two triticale cultivars (line 4 and 7) and one wheat cultivar (Tollocan) were used. Source-sink relations were modified at anthesis by thinning, degraining, shading, and total defoliation procedures. Changes in the source-sink relation affected yields in both species differentially. The changes in yield due to cultivars and treatments were explained mainly by the number of grains rather than by their individual grain weight. The number of grains was affected by all treatments in both species, while the individual grain weight was increased by thinning and degraining mainly in triticale. A greater number of fertile florets in triticale were associated with their higher rate of abortion compared to wheat. These results could help to better understand crop management and genetic improvement.

E. Ballesteros-Rodr&#xed;guez

C. G. Mart&#xed;nez-Rueda

E. J. Morales-Rosales

G. Estrada-Campuzano

G. F. Gonz&#xe1;lez

Changes in Number and Weight of Wheat and Triticale Grains to Manipulation in Source-Sink Relationship

Despite decades of research, development, and extension on the mitigation and management of pesticide resistance, the global agricultural situation is becoming increasingly dire. Pest populations with evolved resistance to multiple pesticide sites of action are becoming the norm, with fewer remaining effective xenobiotics for control. We argue that financial incentives and not regulations are needed to encourage farmers or land managers to use best management practices recommended by academia. Although some incentives are offered by pesticide manufacturers or distributors, there is a paucity of incentives by other industry sectors and all levels of government (federal or state/provincial). Crop insurance can be important to facilitate and reward best pest management practices and address other important agricultural policy objectives. Herein, we describe possible changes to crop insurance programs in the United States and Canada through premium rate changes to incentivise clients to adopt best management practices.

Hugh J. Beckie

Stuart J. Smyth

Micheal D. K. Owen

Savannah Gleim

Rewarding Best Pest Management Practices via Reduced Crop Insurance Premiums

Field studies were conducted in 2016 and 2017 under rain-fed conditions in south-central Louisiana, (a) to determine the effects of plant density levels on plant height, ear height, stalk diameter, lodging, corn grain yield, test weight, and photosynthetically active radiation with modern corn hybrids in central Louisiana and (b) to test the hypothesis that the response of grain yield to plant population density would depend on the reproductive plasticity (flex, semiflex, or fixed ear) of the hybrids evaluated. Rainfall was above average while air temperatures were below average during the growing season in both years. Grain yield showed a hybrid response in one of two years (fixed ear greater than semiflex ear) while yields increased as plant populations increased. Test weights were less with the fixed ear hybrid and the effect of plant populations was inconsistent with increased populations resulting in greater test weight in one of two years. Lodging increased as plant populations increased with the fixed ear hybrid resulting in greater lodging in one of two years. There was a hybrid by plant population interaction for ear height and seed weight. The effect of plant populations is an important factor for corn yield; however, yield gains associated with higher plant populations may be dependent on the genetic predisposition of corn hybrids (regardless of the reproductive plasticity) to tolerate various environmental conditions and stresses associated with higher populations.

Dan D. Fromme

Todd A. Spivey

W. James Grichar

Agronomic Response of Corn (Zea mays L.) Hybrids to Plant Populations

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International Journal of Agronomy publishes research focused on crop production and management, crop science and physiology, crop disease and protection, and agroclimatology and soil science.

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Chief Editor, Dr. Othmane Merah, is an Associate Professor at the University of Toulouse Paul Sabatier, France.

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International Journal of Agronomy - Table of contents 2019

International Journal of Agronomy | Hindawi

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International Journal of Agronomy publishes research focused on crop production and management, crop science and physiology, crop disease and protection, and agroclimatology and soil science.

International Journal of Agronomy