An experiment was conducted to study the effect of nutrient management and varieties of maize on productivity and economics and their residual effect on succeeding gobhi sarson crop. Four nutrient management treatments (viz. site-specific nutrient management, SSNM; recommended fertilizer dose, RFD; 50% RFD and farmer’s practice) were applied to five varieties of maize (viz. PAC 740, PMZ-4, PSCL 4640, HQPM 1, and BISCO 855) during the kharif seasons of 2012 and 2013 at Palampur. The residual effects of fertilizers were studied in succeeding gobhi sarson. The SSNM-based nutrient application in maize significantly increased crop dry matter, cobs/ha, grain yield, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) uptake, succeeding gobhi sarson seed yield, maize grain equivalent yield, net return, profitability, and B:C. The SSNM-based nutrient application in maize resulted in 4.2–4.6% and 32.6–46.2% higher system productivity and Indian Net Rupee (INR) 4,507–4,926 and INR 28,837–30,078 higher net returns of over recommended fertilizer application and farmer practice, respectively. SSNM had lowest productivity cost of INR 3.1/kg grain. Apparent NPK productivity (62.4 kg grain/kg NPK applied) was highest under 50% RFD. BISCO 855 was earliest in silking with bolder grain. PMZ-4 and PSCL 4640 gave significantly higher dry matter, cob number, grain and stover yield, apparent NPK and physiological productivity, maize equivalent yield, net return and B:C, and lower productivity cost. Gobhi sarson seed yield was not significantly affected by preceding maize varieties. For higher system productivity and income from the maize-gobhi sarson, SSNM with PMZ 4 or PSCL 4640 varieties of maize must be adopted.

A field experiment was conducted at the Research Farm of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu to evaluate the effect of different varieties and fertility levels on yield, nutrient uptake and balance sheet of nutrients in rice under aerobic environment. The experiment was conducted in factorial Randomized block design including four varieties viz. PR-115, DRRH-3, PAC- 837 and PR-121 and four fertility levels viz. Control (N0: P0: K0), N90: P45: K22.5, N120: P60: K30 and N150: P75: K37.5 kg ha-1. The results revealed that the rice variety PAC-837 recorded highest grain yield, straw yield and harvest index followed by variety DRRH-3 and lowest grain and straw yield was recorded in indigenous variety PR-121. The grain yield increase in PAC-837 was significantly superior over all other varieties. Hybrids found to be more prominent under aerobic conditions as compared to inbreds, also recorded higher nutrient response. Highest fertility level (N150: P75: K37.5 kg ha-1) recorded higher grain and straw yield which was significantly superior to all other fertility levels, whereas fertility level of 120:60:30 kg N-P2O5-K2O ha 1 recorded highest nutrient response. Nutrient uptake (NPK) was also recorded highest in variety PAC-837 which was at par with DRRH-3 but significantly superior to PR-121 and PR- 115. Highest fertility level (N150: P75: K37.5 kg ha-1) recorded highest uptake of nutrients though it was at par with 120:60:30 kg N-P2O5-K2O ha 1. Negative soil nutrient balance was recorded in hybrids due to their higher nutrient demand and uptake whereas highest fertility level recorded a positive nutrient balance.

Field experiment was carried out at the experimental research station of Nubaria, representing the newly reclaimed sandy loam soils of Egypt. The study was done to evaluate the nutrient status of barley varieties (Egyptian, Tunisian, Algerian and Morocco) grown under normal (75% water holding capacity=WHC) and stress condition (40% WHC). Results indicated that the Egyptian variety El-Arish scored the highest values of N% under normal and drought stress condition and Giza 127 for P and Giza 123 for K in same sequence. The lowest values of N, P and Ca content observed with Giza 2000 variety. As for the Tunisian varieties, the lowest reduction percentage was attained at Raihane (9.38%, 3.54% and 3.62%) for N, K and Ca, respectively. Algerian barley varieties, N in Naïlia/Techedrett, P in Temacine/Ksar Megrine, K in Ras El-Mouche/Temacine, Ca in Saida/Ksar Megrine, got the highest and lowest values under normal and stress conditions, respectively. Morocco varieties, lowest values of N, P, K and Ca were recorded for Massine, Taffa and Amalou under water stress condition. The highest and lowest value of Fe, Zn and Mn were recorded for barley varieties Giza 2000, Giza 131 and Giza 127, respectively. Results concluded that the Egyptian varieties (Giza 127, Giza131, Giza 2000), Tunisian varieties (Kebili-3 and Tozeur-2), Algerian varieties (Techedrett, Naïlia) and Morocco varieties (Laanaceur, Amira) registered the lowest reduction percentage in nutrient content indicating their tolerance to sustain its productivity under water stress condition.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Mungbean (Vigna radiata) is an important nutrient-rich crop with an increasing significance as food in Asia and other parts of the world. The conditions under which mungbean grows on the field might vary significantly and therefore understanding the behavior of plants on different soil types is crucial for obtaining optimal nutrient yields. In particular, iron availability in the soil might significantly influence plant growth and the loading of this element in the seed. The consumption of iron is one of the major problems of human nutrition worldwide. Lack of iron causes iron deficiency anemia, the most common nutrient disorder, leading to major developmental penalties or even death. Here, we aimed at understanding how iron is taken up in mungbean and how increasing its availability in the soil changes the iron distribution within three popular mungbean varieties, NM-94, CN9-5 and Harsha. APPROACH AND RESULTS: We could show that mungbean secretes phenolic compounds to support its iron acquisition and observed significant quantitative variations in the phenolic release, and root-surface ferric reductase activity among the three varieties. We found that in terms of iron distribution between organs, plants react differently when grown on soils with significantly different Fe content. In standard soils, the CN9-5 and Harsha varieties tended to achieve better iron distribution towards the seed, and higher iron content than NM-94. On the contrary, on iron-rich soil iron distribution towards the seed in NM-94 was strongly enhanced and led to the highest content among the three varieties. The data provide important insights into the choice of mungbean varieties depending on the soil conditions.

Hazelnuts are rarely cultivated in Germany, although they are a valuable source for macro- and micronutrients and can thus contribute to a healthy diet. Near the present, 15 varieties were cultivated in Thuringia, Germany, as a pilot study for further research. The aim of our study was to evaluate the micro- and macronutrient composition of representative, randomly mixed samples of the 15 different hazelnut cultivars. Protein, fat, and fiber contents were determined using established methods. Fatty acids, tocopherols, minerals, trace elements, and ultra-trace elements were analyzed using gas chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, and inductively coupled plasma triple quadrupole mass-spectrometry, respectively. We found that the different hazelnut varieties contained valuable amounts of fat, protein, dietary fiber, minerals, trace elements, and α-tocopherol, however, in different quantities. The variations in nutrient composition were independent of growth conditions, which were identical for all hazelnut varieties. Therefore, each hazelnut cultivar has its specific nutrient profile.

This study explores the potential for genetic biofortification of sweetcorn (Zea mays L.) by quantifying immature kernel zinc (Zn) concentrations across a broad range of Zea mays L. germplasm. Varieties examined included commercial sweetcorn cultivars, high zeaxanthin sweetcorns, purple sweetcorns, blue maize, quality protein maize and popcorns. Though all kernel samples were harvested at a physiologically immature stage typical of sweetcorn harvest and consumption (21 days after pollination, DAP), the varieties accumulated distinctly different kernel dry matter concentrations depending on whether they were classified as sugary or starchy varieties. The difference in dry matter concentration between types confounded comparisons of kernel Zn concentration when assessed on a fresh mass basis, which is typically used to quantify dietary intake. Kernel mass (indicative of kernel size) and the ratio of embryo-to-kernel mass also contributed to variation in kernel Zn concentration. Analysis of a broader range of nutrient concentrations suggested that variation in kernel Zn concentration was more closely associated with variations in S concentration than P concentration in the sugary varieties. This suggested the possibility of biofortifying sweetcorn kernel Zn without necessarily increasing kernel P and associated anti-nutrient compounds like phytate.

This study explores the potential for genetic biofortification of sweetcorn (Zea mays L.) by quantifying immature kernel zinc (Zn) concentrations across a broad range of Zea mays L. germplasm. Varieties examined included commercial sweetcorn cultivars, high zeaxanthin sweetcorns, purple sweetcorns, blue maize, quality protein maize and popcorns. Though all kernel samples were harvested at a physiologically immature stage typical of sweetcorn harvest and consumption (21 days after pollination, DAP), the varieties accumulated distinctly different kernel dry matter concentrations depending on whether they were classified as sugary or starchy varieties. The difference in dry matter concentration between types confounded comparisons of kernel Zn concentration when assessed on a fresh mass basis, which is typically used to quantify dietary intake. Kernel mass (indicative of kernel size) and the ratio of embryo-to-kernel mass also contributed to variation in kernel Zn concentration. Analysis of a broader range of nutrient concentrations suggested that variation in kernel Zn concentration was more closely associated with variations in S concentration than P concentration in the sugary varieties. This suggested the possibility of biofortifying sweetcorn kernel Zn without necessarily increasing kernel P and associated anti-nutrient compounds like phytate.

Background: In flooded rice fields, root zone temperatures (RZT) are buffered by the ponded water layer. With global warming, a higher frequency of hot days and hot nights, and the introduction of water‐saving irrigation technologies, RZT are likely to vary more widely, particularly between night and day. Aim: It is not known how this will affect nutrient uptake of rice, particularly if the climate‐driven transpirational demand increases simultaneously, since nutrient uptake at least partly depends on water uptake. Methods: We investigated the effects of day and night RZT on water and nutrient uptake and nitrogen (N) metabolism under low and high vapor pressure deficit (VPD). Plants of two rice varieties (IR64 and NU838) were grown hydroponically at three root temperature levels (19, 24, and 29°C). For a period of seven days, fresh weight of the plants, nutrient contents of the nutrient solution (NH4+, NO3-, PO43-, K⁺), and water uptake were measured both at the end of the light period and at the end of the dark period. Nitrate reductase (NR), glutamine synthetase (GS), and amino acid (AA) concentrations in the youngest fully developed leaves were examined on the last day and night of the experiment. Results: The share of day and night uptake of NH4+ and NO3- depended on RZT, whereas K⁺ uptake was higher during the day independent of RZT. Under low VPD, PO43- uptake rate did not differ between day and night, however, under high VPD, the uptake of PO43- varied between varieties and RZTs. Water uptake of the plants was strongly influenced by VPD, but not by RZT. In contrast, nutrient uptake was hardly influenced by VPD and did not correlate with water uptake, but linearly increased with RZT with an optimum temperature for nutrient uptake above 29°C. This increase was larger for NH4+ and NO3- than for PO43- and K⁺ shifting the nutrient requirements of rice. While the increase of nutrient uptake per °C did not differ between varieties under low VPD, IR64 showed a greater increase in nutrient uptake to RZT at day‐time, whereas NU838 showed a greater increase at night‐time under high VPD. The activities of NR and GS seemed to respond to the total daily N uptake rather than to different uptake rates during day or night, while AA concentration was strongly correlated to N uptake during the day. Conclusions: With an optimum RZT for nutrient uptake above 29°C, rice plants could benefit from temperature increase caused by either different water management strategies or climate change if fertilizer management was adapted to the new, shifted requirements.

Nutrient requirements for single-season rice using the quantitative evaluation of the fertility of tropical soils (QUEFTS) model in China have been estimated in a previous study, which involved all the rice varieties; however, it is unclear whether a similar result can be obtained for different rice varieties. In this study, data were collected from field experiments conducted from 2016 to 2019 in Zhejiang Province, China. The dataset was separated into two parts: japonica/indica hybrid rice and japonica rice. To produce 1000 kg of grain, 13.5 kg N, 3.6 kg P, and 20.4 kg K were required in the above-ground plant dry matter for japonica/indica hybrid rice, and the corresponding internal efficiencies (IEs) were 74.0 kg grain per kg N, 279.1 kg grain per kg P, and 49.1 kg grain per kg K. For japonica rice, 17.6 kg N, 4.1 kg P, and 23.0 kg K were required to produce 1000 kg of grain, and the corresponding IEs were 56.8 kg grain per kg N, 244.6 kg grain per kg P, and 43.5 kg grain per kg K. Field validation experiments indicated that the QUEFTS model could be used to estimate nutrient uptake of different rice varieties. We suggest that variety should be taken into consideration when estimating nutrient uptake for rice using the QUEFTS model, which would improve this model.

Nutrient requirements for single-season rice using the quantitative evaluation of the fertility of tropical soils (QUEFTS) model in China have been estimated in a previous study, which involved all the rice varieties; however, it is unclear whether a similar result can be obtained for different rice varieties. In this study, data were collected from field experiments conducted from 2016 to 2019 in Zhejiang Province, China. The dataset was separated into two parts: japonica/indica hybrid rice and japonica rice. To produce 1000 kg of grain, 13.5 kg N, 3.6 kg P, and 20.4 kg K were required in the above-ground plant dry matter for japonica/indica hybrid rice, and the corresponding internal efficiencies (IEs) were 74.0 kg grain per kg N, 279.1 kg grain per kg P, and 49.1 kg grain per kg K. For japonica rice, 17.6 kg N, 4.1 kg P, and 23.0 kg K were required to produce 1000 kg of grain, and the corresponding IEs were 56.8 kg grain per kg N, 244.6 kg grain per kg P, and 43.5 kg grain per kg K. Field validation experiments indicated that the QUEFTS model could be used to estimate nutrient uptake of different rice varieties. We suggest that variety should be taken into consideration when estimating nutrient uptake for rice using the QUEFTS model, which would improve this model.