Analysis on Absorption,Utilization and Transfer Efficiency of Nitrogen in High-yield Wheat Cultivars at Different Sowing Dates

This study aimed to analyze the absorption, utilization and transfer char- acteristics of nitrogen in high-yield winter wheat （Triticum aestivum） cultivars at dif- ferent sowing dates, so as to determine the optimum sowing dates for different high-yield wheat cultivars. A field experiment was conducted in the Shajiang black soil of Anhui Province with Jimai 22, Wanrnai 52 and Zhoumai 22, and the effects of early sowing （October 3）, optimum sowing （October 12） and late sowing （October 30） on wheat plant N content and accumulation, pre-and post-anthesis N accumula- tion （NA） of total plant, nitrogen remobUization to grain （NR）, N remobilization effi- ciency （NRE）, contribution of N remobilized to grain （NRC）, grain yield, N use effi- ciency （NUE） and N harvest index （NHI） of different wheat cultivar were investigat- ed. The results showed that sowing date had an impact on N content, absorption and utilization in wheat plants at various growth stages. The NA, NR and NRC of aboveground vegetative organs of wheat before anthesis were higher than those af- ter anthesis. Under the condition of late sowing, the grain N accumulation mainly depended on the N absorption by vegetative organs before anthesis. Under the conditions of optimum and early sowing, the absorbed N after anthesis accounted for a large proportion in grain N accumulation. The N uptake intensity and relative cumulative rate differed greatly among different growth stages and different-genotype wheat cultivars, and the pre-anthesis NA, pre-anthesis NR, pre-anthesis NRE, post- anthesis N assimilation amount and post-anthesis NRC showed significant differ- ences among different wheat cultivars. The grain yields of different wheat cultivars under the early and optimum sowing were all higher than those under the late sowing. The NHI and grain N accumulation were highest under the optimum sow- ing, and the latter significantly decreased with the delay of sowing dates. In con- trast, the NUE was highest under the late sowing, reaching 35.95%-41.32%. It indi- cated that under the condition of late sowing, most of the nitrogen was not ab- sorbed by wheat, but the use efficiency of the absorbed nitrogen significantly in- creased. In overall, the three high-yield wheat cultivars were all suitable for early and optimum sowing. Under the condition of late sowing, the yield of Zhoumai 22 showed the smallest differences with those under early and optimum sowing, and its NUE was significantly improved. Therefore, among the three high-yield wheat culti- vars, Zhoumai 22 was most suitable for late sowing.

Effects of Different Sowing Dates and Sites on Starch RVA Profile Characteristics of Different Ecotypes of Rice (Oryza sativa, L. japonica)

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the effects of different sowing dates and sites on starch RVA profile characteristics of different ecotypes of japonica rice. [Method] Five different ecotypes of japonica rice were sown at seven different dates in four rice planting regions in Jiangsu Province to analyze the differences in starch RVA profile parameters among different rice varieties. [Result] Among eight parameters of rice starch RVA profile, peak time exhibited no significant differences among different sites, while other seven parameters varied significantly or extremely significantly among different sites, sowing dates and varieties. Specifically, rice variety exerted the most significant effects on rice starch RVA profile parameters. Starch RVA profile characteristics varied significantly among different ecological conditions but exhibited no significant differences among different latitudes. To be specific, in different sites, peak viscosity （PKV）, hot paste viscosity （HPV） and breakdown viscosity （BDV） demonstrated a descending order of Huai＇an 〉 Suzhou 〉 Lianyungang 〉 Yangzhou. Cool paste viscosity （CPV） and consistence viscosity （CSV） were higher in the north than in the south; specifically, CPV and CSV were significantly higher in Lianyungang and Huai＇an than in Yangzhou and Suzhou. Setback viscosity （SBV） showed an increasing trend with increasing latitude; specifically, SBV was significantly lower in Suzhou than in other three sites. Pasting temperature （PAT） and peak time （PET） changed slightly among different latitudes. With the postponing of sowing date, peak viscosity （PKV）, hot paste viscosity （HPV）, cool paste viscosity （CPV） and peak time （PET） showed a decreasing trend, setback viscosity （SBV） and consistence viscosity （CSV） increased, breakdown viscosity （BDV） increased first and then decreased, whereas pasting temperature （PAT） decreased first and then increased. Furthermore, rice starch RVA profile parameters showed the same variation trend with sowing date in different sites; early sowing within suitable sowing dates could effectively improve the parameters of rice starch RVA profile. However, different parameters exerted different variations among different sites and most parameters were higher in the north than in the south, which indicated that starch RVA profile parameters were significantly affected by sowing date in the north of Jiangsu Province. Among eight starch RVA profile parameters, setback viscosity exhibited the maximum variation coefficient, while peak time exhibited the minimum variation coefficient. Among five rice varieties, Nanjing 46 exhibited the highest peak viscosity and breakdown viscosity and the lowest setback viscosity and consistence viscosity, suggesting that Nanjing 46 had the most appropriate starch RVA profile characteristics and the best cooking and eating quality. Lianjing 4 exhibited relatively high peak viscosity and breakdown viscosity, and relatively low setback viscosity and consistence viscosity, suggesting that Lianjing 4 had good starch RVA profile characteristics. Different sowing dates and sites exerted significant effects on starch RVA profiles of different eco- types of japonica rice. Rice starch RVA profile characteristics varied significantly among different sites but exhibited no significant variations among different latitudes. In addition, starch RVA profile characteristics varied significantly among different sowing dates. Therefore, early sowing of the same variety was conducive to improving starch RVA profile characteristics in appropriate planting regions. [Conclusion] This study provided a theoretical basis for producing high-quality rice and improving the eating quality of rice in Jiangsu Province.

Study on Sowing Date for Mechanicaltransplanting Rice under Wheat-Rice Cropping System in Chengdu Basin

Nurturing sturdy mechanical-transplanting seedlings is the key to achieve high yield using mechanical-transplanting technology under wheat-rice cropping conditions in Chengdu Basin. In this study, super hybrid rice II You 602 was adopted as experimental material, to investigate the effects of sowing date on seedling growth,transplanting quality, growth process and yield of mechanical-transplanting seedlings in wheat-rice cropping region of Chengdu Basin, thus exploring supporting high-yield cultivation techniques for mechanical-transplanting technology in Chengdu Basin, Results showed that the appropriate sowing date for mechanical transplanting in wheatrice cropping region of Chengdu Basin was April 10-15, and the appropriate seedling age was 45-50 d, which led to the highest yield of mechanical-transplanting seedlings. Although postponing sowing was conducive to improving transplanting quality and increasing the percentage of earbearing tillers, it would result in lagged group growth, poor spike quality and reduced effective number of panicles, grain number, seed-setting rate, 1 000-seed weight and other yield components, thus declining the yield. Yield reduction rate would be above 10% with sowing date postponed by 15 d.

Effect of Different Sowing Dates and Densities on Individual Morphological Development of Super Short-season Insect-resistant Cotton

[Objective] The paper was to explore the effect of different sowing dates and densities on individual morphological development of super short-season insect-resistant cotton,confirm their effects on vegetative and reproductive growth of cotton,so as to provide theoretical and practical guidance for sowing date and density management of cotton planting in Jidong cotton growing region in Yellow River Basin.[Method] With super short-season insect-resistant cotton＂546＂as materials,the effects of different sowing dates（sowing dateⅠ：May 20;sowing dateⅡ：June 2;sowing date Ⅲ：June 14）and densities（low density：120 000 plants/hm2;middle density：150 000 plants/hm2;high density：180 000 plants/hm2）on individual morphological development of super short-season insect-resistant cotton were explored.[Result] Different sowing dates and density treatments significantly affected the individual morphological development of super short-season insect-resistant cotton＂546＂.The effectiveness of sowing date was higher than the effectiveness of density,and the effectiveness of sowing date on development of number of individual fruit branches was higher than that on plant height and stem diameter.[Conclusion] The regulation of sowing date and density during the cultivation process of super short-season insect-resistant cotton ＂546＂ in Jidong cotton growing region in Yellow River Basin could effectively promote vegetative and reproductive growth of cotton,strengthening its production base.

Effects of Different Sowing Dates and Sites on Grain Quality and RVA Profile of Nanjing 46,a Popular Cultivar of Japonica Rice(Oryza sativa L.)

[Objective] This study was performed to determine the effects of sowing dates and sites on grain quality and Rapid Viscosity Analyzer （RVA） profile of Nan-jing 46. [Method] The field experiments were carried out at five sites in Jiangsu Province, and in every site, the seeds were sowing on seven different dates. RVA related indices were measured after harvest. [Result] Along with the delay of sowing date, the mil ing quality of Nanjing 46 increased at first and then reduced, while its appearance quality went up and the cooling and edible quality decreased. With the sowing sites moving southward, the rice mil ing quality, appearance quality, and cooling and edible quality of Nanjing 46 decreased at first and then increased. Grain traits responded variably to the sowing dates and sites. The brown rice rate, grain width, grain length, length/width, mil ed rice rate and head mil ed rice rate were less affected, while the chalky rice rate and chalkiness degree were more af-fected. The gelatinization temperature, protein content, amylose content, gel consis-tency and eating value were in-between. The RVA profile analysis revealed that the breakdown value, setback value and pasting temperature were affected by the sow-ing date and geographical environment. The peak viscosity, hot viscosity, cool vis-cosity and peak time were influenced more by geographical environment. With the delay of the sowing date, peak viscosity, hot viscosity, cool viscosity, setback value and pasting temperature decreased at first and then increased, while the breakdown value changed inversely, and the peak time did not exhibit a regular trend. With the decrease of latitude, the peak viscosity, hot viscosity, breakdown and cool viscosity declined at first and then increased, the setback value and peak time decreased, while the pasting temperature increased. [Conclusion] This study wil provide refer-ences for the effective production of Nanjing 46.

Optimization of sowing date and seeding rate for high winter wheat yield based on pre-winter plant development and soil water usage in the Loess Plateau,China

Sowing date and seeding rate are critical for productivity of winter wheat(Triticum aestivum L.).A three-year field experiment was conducted with three sowing dates(20 September(SD1),1 October(SD2),and 10 October(SD3)) and three seeding rates(SR67.5,SR90,and SR112.5) to determine suitable sowing date and seeding rate for high wheat yield.A large seasonal variation in accumulated temperature from sowing to winter dormancy was observed among three growing seasons.Suitable sowing dates for strong seedlings before winter varied with the seasons,that was SD2 in 2012–2013,SD3 in 2013–2014,and SD2 as well as SD1 in 2014–2015.Seasonal variation in precipitation during summer fallow also had substantial effects on soil water storage,and consequently influenced grain yield through soil water consumption from winter dormancy to maturity stages.Lower consumption of soil water from winter dormancy to booting stages could make more water available for productive growth from anthesis to maturity stages,leading to higher grain yield.SD2 combined with SR90 had the lowest soil water consumption from winter dormancy to booting stages in 2012–2013 and 2014–2015; while in 2013–2014,it was close to that with SR67.5 or SR112.5.For productive growth from anthesis to maturity stages,SD2 with SR90 had the highest soil water consumption in all three seasons.The highest water consumption in the productive growth period resulted in the best grain yield in both low and high rainfall years.Ear number largely contributed to the seasonal variation in grain yield,while grain number per ear and 1 000-grain weight also contributed to grain yield,especially when soil water storage was high.Our results indicate that sowing date and seeding rate affect grain yield through seedling development before winter and also affect soil water consumption in different growth periods.By selecting the suitable sowing date(1 October) in combination with the proper seeding rate of 90 kg ha–1,the best yield was achieved.Based on these results,we recommend that the current sowing date be delayed from 22 or 23 September to 1 October.

Maize kernel weight responses to sowing dateassociated variation in weather conditions

Variation in weather conditions during grain filling has substantial effects on maize kernel weight(KW). The objective of this work was to characterize variation in KW with sowing date-associated weather conditions and examine the relationship between KW, grain filling parameters, and weather factors. Maize was sown on eight sowing dates(SD) at 15–20-day intervals from mid-March to mid-July during 2012 and 2013 in the North China Plain. With sowing date delay, KW increased initially and later declined, and the greatest KW was obtained at SD6 in both years. The increased KW at SD6 was attributed mainly to kernel growth rate(Gmean), and effective grain-filling period(P). Variations in temperature and radiation were the primary factors that influenced KW and grain-filling parameters. When the effective cumulative temperature(AT) and radiation(Ra)during grain filling were 950 °C and 1005.4 MJ m-2, respectively, P and KW were greatest. High temperatures(daily maximum temperature [Tmax] > 30.2 °C) during grain filling under early sowing conditions, or low temperatures(daily minimum temperature [Tmin] < 20.7 °C) under late sowing conditions combined with high diurnal temperature range(Tmax-min> 7.1 °C) decreased kernel growth rate and ultimately final KW. When sowing was performed from May 25 through June 27, higher KW and yield of maize were obtained. We conclude that variations in environmental conditions(temperature and radiation) during grain filling markedly affect growth rate and duration of grain filling and eventually affect kernel weight and yield of maize.

Effect of Rice Sowing Date on Occurrence of Small Brown Planthopper and Epidemics of Planthopper-Transmitted Rice Stripe Viral Disease

To understand the relationship between rice sowing date and occurrence of the rice small brown planthopper （SBPH） Laodelphax striatellus Fallen and the epidemics of the planthopper-transmitted rice stripe viral （RSV） disease, four sowing dates of rice were evaluated in 2006 and 2007. The results showed that the peak density of SBPH and RSV incidence in the nursery and in the transplanted field decreased with the delay of sowing date in single crop of japonica rice in north Zhejiang Province of China. The relationship between seedling RSV incidence at the end of the nursery trial with sowing date was well described by Weibull equation. The area under the curve of population dynamics （AUCPD or planthopper-day accumulation） or the peak density of the planthopper in the nursery could be summarized by a logistic equation. RSV incidence in the transplanted fields could be characterized quantitatively by a multivariate regression equation, including the variables of sowing date, peak density of the vector, and RSV incidence at the end of the nursery trial. That the descriptive model excluded the AUCPD in transplanted field implies that this variable is not necessary in forecasting disease epidemics in the field. The 2-year experiments sufficiently indicated that suitable sowing of rice could be used as one of the effective measures to control the vector population and therefore the planthopper-transmitted RSV on a larger scale. The optimal sowing date for the single-cropped transplanted japonica rice is recommended from late May to early June in north Zhejiang, China.

Adaptation of potato production to climate change by optimizing sowing date in the Loess Plateau of central Gansu, China

Potato grows in most part of China, it achieves higher yield and better quality in Gansu Province than in others. With global warming, its growth duration has been prolonged and sowing date become earlier than before. Therefore, to regulate its sowing date and growing period is of great significance for better harvest. In this study, experiments were conducted with six sowing-date treatments of potato in Dingxi, which is in the Loess Plateau of central Gansu Province in Northwest China in 2010. The growth period, morphological index and change in yield and their relationships with temperature, precipitation, and other climatic factors were investigated for each treatment. Results show that the crop with different sowing dates experienced different climate conditions, leading to distinct growth duration, plant height, and leaf area index. The growth duration was shortened due to a delay in sowing date. For each 15-day delay in sowing, the growth duration was reduced by 12 days on average. A significant linear relationship was found between numbers of days either from seeding to emergence or from flowering to harvest and mean temperature over the corresponding period. Dry matter accumulation, tuber fresh weight, and final yield were all decreased because of insufficient cumulative temperature over the shorter growing periods. Marked differences in tuber yield were discovered among the six treatments of sowing date, the potato planted on May 27 giving the highest yield. The potato planted either earlier or later would produce invariably lower yield than the treatment of May 27. Late May therefore can be taken as the optimum sowing time of potato in this region because the crop can fully utilize thermal resource. We conclude that to postpone sowing time is a good practice for potato production to adapt to climate warming in the Loess Plateau of central Gansu, China.

A Dynamic Knowledge Model for Design of Suitable Sowing Date and Sowing Rate in Winter Wheat

Based on research concerning dynamic relationships of winter wheat growth to environments and production conditions, a winter wheat model for selecting suitable sowing date, population density and sowing rate under different varieties, spatial and temporal environments was developed. Case studies on sowing date with the data sets of five different eco-sites, three climatic years and soil fertility levels, and on population density and sowing rate with the data sets of two different variety types, three different soil types, soil fertility levels, sowing dates and grain yield levels indicate a good model performance for decision-making.

Protein and hordein fraction content in barley seeds as affected by sowing date and their relations to malting quality

The effect of sowing date on grain protein, hordein fraction content and malting quality of two-rowed spring barley was investigated by using ten commercial cultivars with different grain protein content and the relationships among these traits were examined. The results showed that grain protein content and B hordein content increased as the sowing date postponed and were significantly affected by sowing date, while C and D hordein contents were less influenced by sowing date. There were significant differences in grain protein and hordein fraction content among the ten cultivars. The coefficient of variation of D hordein content was much larger than that of B and C hordein contents, suggesting its greater variation caused by different sowing dates. Beta-amylase activity and diastatic power were also significantly affected by sowing date, with malt extract being less affected. Significant differences in measured malt quality were found among the ten cultivars. Grain protein was significantly correlated with B hordein and malt extract positively and negatively, respectively. There was no significant correlation between beta-amylase activity or diastatic power and grain protein content. B hordein was negatively and significantly correlated with malt extract, but no significant correlations between C hordein, D hordein and malting quality traits.

Effect of Different Sowing Dates in South Henan 's Rice-growing Areas on the Growth and Yield of Ratoon Rice

In order to determine the optimal sowing date of ratoon rice in South Henan's rice-growing areas,this paper performs a comparative analysis of rice growth process,seedling quality and yield of first season rice and ratoon rice under different sowing date treatments. The results show that under climatic conditions( 2014),by using dry seedling cultivation in a small plastic shed,the growth of seedling sown on February21 was affected,while the sowing treatments from March 1 to April 11 can breed normal seedlings,and in this period,the maturity period of first season rice was delayed with prolonged sowing date,and ratoon rice yield declined with prolonged sowing date( total production of rice sown on 11 March reaching a peak). Thus,it is considered that the optimal sowing date of ratoon rice in South Henan's rice-growing areas is mid-March.

Effects of sowing date and ecological points on yield and the temperature and radiation resources of semi-winter wheat

Exploring the effects of sowing date and ecological points on the yield of semi-winter wheat is of great significance.This study aims to reveal the effects of sowing date and ecological points on the climate resources associated with wheat yield in the Rice–Wheat Rotation System.With six sowing dates,the experiments were carried out in Donghai and Jianhu counties,Jiangsu Province,China using two semi-winter wheat varieties as the objects of this study.The basic seedlings of the first sowing date (S1) were planted at 300×10^(4)plants ha^(-1),which was increased by 10%for each of the delayed sowing dates (S2–S6).The results showed that the delay of sowing date decreased the number of days,the effective accumulated temperature and the cumulative solar radiation in the whole growth period.The yields of S1 were higher than those of S2 to S6 by 0.22–0.31,0.5–0.78,0.86–0.98,1.14–1.38,and 1.36–1.59 t ha^(–1),respectively.For a given sowing date,the growth days increased as the ecological point was moved north,while both mean daily temperature and effective accumulative temperature decreased,but the cumulative radiation increased.As a result,the yields at Donghai County were 0.01–0.39 t ha–1lower than those of Jianhu County for the six sowing dates.The effective accumulative temperature and cumulative radiation both had significant positive correlations with yield.The average temperature was significantly negatively correlated with the yield.The decrease in grain yield was mainly due to the declines in grains per spike and 1 000-grain weight caused by the increase in the daily temperature and the decrease in the effective accumulative temperature.

Evaluation of the CROPGRO-Peanut model in simulating appropriate sowing date and phosphorus fertilizer application rate for peanut in a subtropical region of eastern India

Projected changes in weather parameters, mainly temperature and rainfall, have already started to show their effect on agricultural production. To cope with the changing scenarios, adoption of appropriate management strategies is of paramount importance. A study was undertaken to evaluate the most appropriate combination of sowing date and phosphorus fertilization level for peanut crops grown in sandy loam soil in a subhumid region of eastern India. Field experiments were conducted during the summer seasons of 2012 and 2013 on peanut crops at the farm of the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur. The DSSAT v4.5 CROPGRO-Peanut model was used to predict the phenology, growth, and yield of peanut crop under combinations of four sowing dates and four phosphorus fertilization levels. The model was calibrated with a 2012 dataset of growth, phenology, and yield parameters for estimating the genetic coefficients of cultivar TMV-2 and was validated with a 2013 dataset of the same parameters. Simulations of pod yield and other yield parameters using the calibrated model were found to be quite accurate. The model was able to reasonably simulate pod yield and final biomass with low normalized root mean square error (RMSE_n), low absolute root mean square error (RMSE_a) and high coefficient of determination (R^2> 0.7) over a wide range of sowing dates and different phosphorus fertilization levels sensitivity analysis indicated that sowing from the second week of January to the end of February with 30–50 kg P_2O_5 ha^(-1)would give the highest pod yield.

The effects of sowing date on cottonseed properties at different fruiting-branch positions

A two-year field experiment was conducted to illustrate the effects of sowing date on cottonseed properties at different fruiting-branch positions（FBPs）.Two cotton cultivars（Kemian 1 and Sumian 15）were sowed on 25 April,25 May,and10 June in 2010 and 2011,respectively.The boll maturation period increased with the delaying of sowing date.Normal sowing treatment（25 April）had higher seed weight,embryo weight,embryo oil content and protein content than late sowing treatments（25 May and 10 June）.The flowering date,seed weight,embryo weight,embryo oil and protein contents,and the dynamic changes of embryo oil and protein contents were altered by different FBPs.A significant interaction of sowing date×FBP was observed on embryo weight,embryo oil content,embryo protein content and the dynamic changes of embryo oil and protein contents,but was not observed on seed weight.Seed weight,embryo weight,embryo oil and protein content had significant positive correlations with the mean daily temperature（MDT）,mean daily maximum temperature（MDTmax）,mean daily minimum temperature（MDTmin）,and mean daily solar radiation（MDSR）,indicating that temperature and light resources were the main reasons for different sowing dates affecting the cottonseed properties at different FBPs.Moreover,the difference in MDT was the main difference in climatic factors among different sowing dates.

Yield and Yield Components of Bread Wheat as Influenced by Water Stress, Sowing Date and Cultivar in Sokoto, Sudan Savannah, Nigeria

Field experiments were conducted during 2009/10 and 2010/2011 dry seasons at the Fadama Teaching and Research Farm of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, in the Sudan Savanna ecological zone of Nigeria (latitude 13°01'N;longitude 5°15'E, altitude of 350 m above sea level) to study the effect of water stress, sowing date and cultivar on yield and yield components of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The treatments consisted of factorial combination of water stress at three critical growth stages which was imposed by withholding water at tillering, flowering, grain filling and control (no stress), four sowing dates (21st November, 5th December, 19th December and 2nd January) and two bread wheat cultivar (Star 11 TR 77173/SLM and Kuaz/Weaver), laid out in a split-plot design with three replications. Water stress and date of sowing were assigned to the main-plot, while variety was assigned to the sub-plots. Result revealed that water stress at tillering significantly reduced spike length and grains per spike. Whereas, water stress at flowering and grain filling significantly reduced 1000-grain weight, grain yield and harvest index. Results also indicated significant (P st November and 5th December and lowest at 19th December and 2nd January, therefore wheat should be sown in November or at least first week of December in this area and other area with similar climate. Variety had significant effect on spike per m-2, grain yield and harvest index. Water stress at flowering and grain filling should be avoided as they are the most critical growth stages in yield determination in wheat, because plants cannot recover, while delay in sowing resulted in reduction in yield and yield components. Star II TR 77173/SLM is therefore recommended for the area.

Effect of Different Sowing Dates on Disease Initiation and Development of Roselle (<i>Hibiscus sabdariffa</i>L.) Leaf Spot Disease Caused by <i>Coniella musaiensis</i>Var. <i>hibisci</i>in Makurdi, Central Nigeria

The experiment was conducted mainly to investigate the effect of change in sowing dates on disease severity of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L) leaf spot caused by Coniella musaiensis Var hibisci, plant height, number of branches, number of fruits and calyx yield of Roselle (H. sabdariffa L). Five dates were selected with an interval of fourteen days (14) between the dates for two years (2003 and 2004) to determine the most appropriate time to sow the crop using two Roselle accessions;green (Acc1) and red (Acc3).The first date was determined by the establishment of the rains in the season. It was observed that change in sowing dates had significant (p = 0.05) effect on disease severity but not on plant height, number of branches, number of fruits and calyx yield. Plants sown on July 18/27 had lowest disease indices;and are thus the best and therefore recommended for cropping of Roselle.

Effects of Sowing Dates on Yield,Agronomic Traits and Resistance of Millet in Yan'an

[ Objective ] This study aimed to investigate the appropriate sowing dates of different millet varieties and analyzed the yield, agronomic traits and resist- ance of millet. [ Method ] Split-plot design was employed with sowing date and millet variety assigned to the main plot and sub-plot, respectively, to investigate the effects of sowing dates on yield, agronomic traits and resistance of millet. [ Result] The results showed that early or late sowing would lead to yield reduction. Changsheng 07, Jingu 36 and Changnong 35 exhibited higher yield. Based on the yield, agronomic traits and resistance, the appropriate sowing date of Changsheng 07, Jingu 40 and Jingu 36 was May 13 ; the appropriate sowing date of Yangu 13 and Changnong 35 was May 20. [ Conclusion] The most appropriate sowing date of millet in Yan＇an was May 10 to May 20. Key words Millet; Sowing date; Yield; Agronomic traits ; Resistance

Weed Control Practices and Varying Sowing Dates Effects on Seed Production of Pearl Millet (<i>Pennisetum americanum</i>L.) under Semi-Arid Environment

Peral millet being drought tolerant has substantial potential to contribute in food security ensuring the food, fodder and nutritional value in different Asian and African countries. Susceptibility to abiotic and biotic factors and low productivity are the main reasons for decreasing productivity and area of millets. In this context, evaluation of the effect of weed control practices and varying sowing dates on grain yield of kharif season grown pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum L.) was demonstrated at post graduate agriculture research station, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad during 2015. Forage pearl millet was sown at three different sowing dates i.e. mid-June, end of June and mid-July and four weed control practices viz. weedy check (no weeding), twice hoeing at 15 and 30 days after sowing (DAS), weed control using herbicides i.e. application of Atrazine (Awax 38 SC) &#64;330 g a.i. ha-1 at 15 DAS, and twice foliar applications of 10% Sorghum water extract (Sorgaab) (at 15 and 30 DAS). The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) under split plot arrangement, comprising of three replications. The treatments with varying sowing dates were randomized in main plots and weed control practices were in subplots. Results showed that the highest plant height (279.51 cm), leaf area (2777.80 cm2), fresh weight of leaves per plant (155.57 g), maximum number of grains per head (3162.0) and grain yield (3419.7 kg&middot;ha-1) were obtained in the treatment combination of 30th June sowing × twice weed hoeing (at 15 and 30 DAS) while, maximum 1000-grain weight (8.45 g) was observed in treatments where weeds were controlled by hoeing (at 15 and 30 DAS). Moreover, cultural weed control practices reduce significantly weed density, fresh and dry Wight of weeds. In sum, it is concluded that to reduce the weed-crop competition and to gain higher productivity of pearl millet, field should be weed free 20 - 45 days after sowing.

Effect of Sowing Date on Growth,Yield and Diseases and Pests Occurrence in Sunflower Helianthus annuus L.

Effect of sowing date on growth, yield and diseases and pests occurrence in sunflower Helianthus annus L. were compared and the relationship between sowing date and occurrence degree of diseases and pests or yield were analyzed in the paper, aiming to reduce the occurrence of diseases and pests in sunflower by adjusting sowing date. The results showed that sowing date was obviously correlated with occurrence of diseases and pests in sunflowers, and appropriate sowing date could effectively reduce the occurrence degree of diseases and pests, beneficial to high yield and good quality. In the main sunflower producing area in Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture of Xinjiang, it is more appropriate to sow sunflower in early and mid May, resulting in lighter occurrence of diseases and pests, and better yield and quality.