Nutrient removal and payback of mineral fertilizers by harvest of winter wheat varieties were studied under technologies of different intensity levels in 2012-2015. The design of the experiment included three fertilizer systems divided into three yield levels (6, 8 and 10 t/ha) adjusted for the actual content of mobile phosphorus and potassium in the soil. Samples of grain and straw were taken for each variety and technology before harvesting, nutrient content was determined. Calculation of nutrient removal was carried out at 14% moisture. Nutrient removal and payback of fertilizers by harvest of winter wheat varieties depended on genetic characteristics and cultivation technology. Nemchinovskaya and Moskovskaya varieties had the highest (17-29 kg/kg) and the lowest (39-21 kg/kg) fertilizer payback, respectively, in high-intensity technology. The lower the stem height, the lower the nutrient removal. The sum of fertilizers (NPK) used by Nemchinovskaya 24 variety was 210 kg/ha in standard technology, 330 kg/ha in intensive technology, and 450 kg/ha in high-intensity technology. Lower fertilizer costs were noted on average over the research years. Increasing intensity of technology - from standard to high-intensity - resulted in increased nutrient removal and fertilizers costs, and their payback decreased.

Nutrient removal and payback of mineral fertilizers by harvest of winter wheat varieties were studied under technologies of different intensity levels in 2012-2015. The design of the experiment included three fertilizer systems divided into three yield levels (6, 8 and 10 t/ha) adjusted for the actual content of mobile phosphorus and potassium in the soil. Samples of grain and straw were taken for each variety and technology before harvesting, nutrient content was determined. Calculation of nutrient removal was carried out at 14% moisture. Nutrient removal and payback of fertilizers by harvest of winter wheat varieties depended on genetic characteristics and cultivation technology. Nemchinovskaya and Moskovskaya varieties had the highest (17-29 kg/kg) and the lowest (39-21 kg/kg) fertilizer payback, respectively, in high-intensity technology. The lower the stem height, the lower the nutrient removal. The sum of fertilizers (NPK) used by Nemchinovskaya 24 variety was 210 kg/ha in standard technology, 330 kg/ha in intensive technology, and 450 kg/ha in high-intensity technology. Lower fertilizer costs were noted on average over the research years. Increasing intensity of technology - from standard to high-intensity - resulted in increased nutrient removal and fertilizers costs, and their payback decreased.

Objective Apart from various climatic differences, corn harvest stage and varieties are two major factors that can influence the yield and quality of corn silage in the tropics. A study was conducted to determine the optimum harvest stage of four corn varieties for silage production in Malaysia. Methods Corn was harvested at four growth stages; silking, milk, dough, and dent stages from four varieties; Sweet Corn hybrid 926, Suwan, breeding test line (BTL) 1 and BTL 2. Using a split plot design, the treatments were then analysed based on the plant growth performance, yield, nutritive and feeding values followed by a financial feasibility study for potential commercialization. Results Significant differences and interactions were detected across the parameters suggesting varying responses among the varieties towards the harvest stages. Sweet Corn was best harvested early in the dough stage due to high dry matter (DM) yield, digestible nutrient, and energy content with low fibre portion. Suwan was recommended to be harvested at the dent stage when it gave the highest DM yield with optimum digestible nutrient and energy content with low acid detergent fibre. BTL 1 and BTL 2 varieties can either be harvested at dough or dent stages as the crude protein, crude fibre, DM yield, DM content, digestible nutrient and energy were not significantly different at either stage. Further financial analysis showed that only Sweet Corn production was not financially feasible while Suwan had the best financial appraisal values among the grain varieties. Conclusion In conclusion, only the grain varieties tested had the potential for silage making according to their optimum harvest stage but Suwan is highly recommended for commercialization as it was the most profitable.

Potato tuber colour is an important factor that influences consumer preferences. Eastern plain region of India contributes about 50% of total potato acreage and production. Consumers in this region generally prefer red skinned varieties. Growing awareness for nutrient rich food can create a niche market for nutritious potatoes. Potato is crop of choice for mineral biofortification owing to better mineral bioavailability due to its high ascorbic acid and minimal phytate content. Iron and zinc are the essentially required minerals for good health. Considering the nutritional importance of these elements and wider prevalence of their deficiency in Indian sub-continent, thirteen Eastern regions red skinned advanced hybrids and varieties were evaluated to find the genetic diversity for iron and zinc content. A significant wide range of contents was observed for both the elements. High heritability of both mineral suggests feasibility of selecting genotypes for breeding nutrient rich varieties. Identified genotypes can be utilised as parental lines for future breeding programme and can be released as nutrient rich potato variety.

Potato tuber colour is an important factor that influences consumer preferences. Eastern plain region of India contributes about 50% of total potato acreage and production. Consumers in this region generally prefer red skinned varieties. Growing awareness for nutrient rich food can create a niche market for nutritious potatoes. Potato is crop of choice for mineral biofortification owing to better mineral bioavailability due to its high ascorbic acid and minimal phytate content. Iron and zinc are the essentially required minerals for good health. Considering the nutritional importance of these elements and wider prevalence of their deficiency in Indian sub-continent, thirteen Eastern regions red skinned advanced hybrids and varieties were evaluated to find the genetic diversity for iron and zinc content. A significant wide range of contents was observed for both the elements. High heritability of both mineral suggests feasibility of selecting genotypes for breeding nutrient rich varieties. Identified genotypes can be utilised as parental lines for future breeding programme and can be released as nutrient rich potato variety.

Potato tuber colour is an important factor that influences consumer preferences. Eastern plain region of India contributes about 50% of total potato acreage and production. Consumers in this region generally prefer red skinned varieties. Growing awareness for nutrient rich food can create a niche market for nutritious potatoes. Potato is crop of choice for mineral biofortification owing to better mineral bioavailability due to its high ascorbic acid and minimal phytate content. Iron and zinc are the essentially required minerals for good health. Considering the nutritional importance of these elements and wider prevalence of their deficiency in Indian sub-continent, thirteen Eastern regions red skinned advanced hybrids and varieties were evaluated to find the genetic diversity for iron and zinc content. A significant wide range of contents was observed for both the elements. High heritability of both mineral suggests feasibility of selecting genotypes for breeding nutrient rich varieties. Identified genotypes can be utilised as parental lines for future breeding programme and can be released as nutrient rich potato variety.

Field experiments were conducted during winter (rabi) season of 2016–17 and 2017–18 at Udaipur (Rajasthan) to study the effect of wheat varieties and nutrient management on zinc biofortification. The treatments consist of four wheat varieties, viz. Raj 4120, Raj 4037, Raj 4079 and Raj 4238 in main plots and seven nutrient management treatments viz. 100% RDN, 100% RDN + ZnSO4 25 kg/ha soil application, 100% RDN + ZnSO4 0.5% foliar spray, 100% RDN + ZnSO4 25 kg/ha soil application + ZnSO4 0.5% foliar spray, 125% RDN + ZnSO4 25 kg/ha soil application, 125% RDN + ZnSO4 0.5% foliar spray and 125% RDN + ZnSO4 25 kg/ha soil application + ZnSO4 0.5% foliar spray in sub plots. The study of different wheat varieties indicated that highest values of yield viz. grain (5707 kg/ha) and straw (8869 kg/ha) yield; quality parameters viz. protein content (12.96%), hectoliter weight (80.48 kg/ hl) and sedimentation volume (45.20 CC); and nutrient content and uptakes of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and zinc in both grain and straw was recorded with variety Raj 4037 (on pooled basis). Further, application of treatment 125% RDN + ZnSO4 25 kg/ha soil application + ZnSO4 0.5% foliar spray recorded significantly higher grain (5681 kg/ha) and straw (8265 kg/ha) yield; protein content (13.77%), grain appearance score (7.87), hectoliter weight (80.98 kg/hl), sedimentation volume (46.97 CC) and beta carotene content (3.64 ppm); and nutrient content and uptakes of nitrogen, potassium and zinc in both grain and straw (on pooled basis).

Field experiments were conducted during winter (rabi) season of 2016–17 and 2017–18 at Udaipur (Rajasthan) to study the effect of wheat varieties and nutrient management on zinc biofortification. The treatments consist of four wheat varieties, viz. Raj 4120, Raj 4037, Raj 4079 and Raj 4238 in main plots and seven nutrient management treatments viz. 100% RDN, 100% RDN + ZnSO4 25 kg/ha soil application, 100% RDN + ZnSO4 0.5% foliar spray, 100% RDN + ZnSO4 25 kg/ha soil application + ZnSO4 0.5% foliar spray, 125% RDN + ZnSO4 25 kg/ha soil application, 125% RDN + ZnSO4 0.5% foliar spray and 125% RDN + ZnSO4 25 kg/ha soil application + ZnSO4 0.5% foliar spray in sub plots. The study of different wheat varieties indicated that highest values of yield viz. grain (5707 kg/ha) and straw (8869 kg/ha) yield; quality parameters viz. protein content (12.96%), hectoliter weight (80.48 kg/ hl) and sedimentation volume (45.20 CC); and nutrient content and uptakes of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and zinc in both grain and straw was recorded with variety Raj 4037 (on pooled basis). Further, application of treatment 125% RDN + ZnSO4 25 kg/ha soil application + ZnSO4 0.5% foliar spray recorded significantly higher grain (5681 kg/ha) and straw (8265 kg/ha) yield; protein content (13.77%), grain appearance score (7.87), hectoliter weight (80.98 kg/hl), sedimentation volume (46.97 CC) and beta carotene content (3.64 ppm); and nutrient content and uptakes of nitrogen, potassium and zinc in both grain and straw (on pooled basis).

Terminal drought greatly enhanced <i>Aspergillus flavus</i> Link infection (AI) and aflatoxin contamination (AC) in peanut. Identification of new surrogate traits which have an association with AC may be effective to improve peanut varieties with reduced AI and AC. The objective of this work was to examine the relationships of nutrient uptake and N₂-fixation (NF) with AC in peanut in a terminal drought condition. Five peanut varieties were tested in well-watered (WW) and terminal drought (TD) conditions (1/3 available water (AW) from R7 (7th reproductive growth stage; beginning of pod maturity stage)). Data were collected for nutrient uptake (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium), nodule dry weight (NDW), and NF. AI and AC were also examined. Nutrient uptake, NDW, and NF had negative and significant correlations with AI and AC in the TD condition. Negative and significant correlations of the drought tolerance index of nutrient uptake, NDW, and NF with AI and AC were also observed in the TD condition. The results showed that the ability to maintain nutrient uptake and NF in TD might be a mechanism of tolerance to AI and AC. Moreover, due to their negative impacts on AI and AC, nutrient uptake and NF could be used as selection traits for resistance to AI and AC in peanut in TD.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate (a) the performance of two modern rice varieties (non-tolerant and tolerant for saline soils) under different fertilizer management options, and (b) assess the yield gap and income increase through proper crop and nutrient management at different levels of soil salinity. Experiments were carried out in moderate and high levels of soil salinity in West Java, Indonesia. A split plot design with three replications was used. The main plots included two rice varieties, Inpari-30 Ciherang sub1 and Inpari-34 (tolerant variety for saline soils), and subplots included eight fertilizer management treatments. Farmer participatory field trials were also established across three levels of soil salinity with four different rice varieties, Sidenuk, Inpari 30, Inpari 34, and Inpari 35, and a fertilizer package consisting of organic and inorganic fertilizers. Under low and moderate soil salinities, Sidenuk and Inpari 30 with recommended practice had higher productivity and economic benefit compared to the saline tolerant rice varieties, Inpari 34 and Inpari 35. However, under high soil salinity, the yields of Inpari 34 and Inpari 35 with recommended practice were 93% higher than farmers’ practice, representing an exploitable yield gap of 1.3 t ha−1 and benefit above fertilizer cost of USD 301 ha−1. The combination of tolerant varieties and improved nutrient management use for rice production can therefore be used as a strategy for improving farmers’ income and livelihoods in coastal areas of Indonesia.