Drought represents one of the major constraints limiting maize productivity in southeastern Europe, particularly under non-irrigated conditions. This study evaluated the effectiveness of foliar biostimulants derived from animal collagen and keratin hydrolysates in mitigating drought stress and improving maize performance in southern Romania during a six-year field experiment (2020–2025). During the screening phase (2020–2022), four formulations (FM1, FM2, KC, and K2) were applied at two rates (5 and 10 L ha−1) and compared with an untreated control. Significant effects of biostimulant formulation and dose were identified for plant height and grain yield (p < 0.001). Duncan’s multiple range test showed that K2 applied at 10 L ha−1 achieved the highest mean grain yield (87.71 q ha−1), significantly exceeding the untreated control (70.94 q ha−1). Based on these results, K2 was selected for long-term validation during 2023–2025 and subsequently evaluated across the entire six-year experimental period. Mean grain yield increased from 52.06 q ha−1 in the untreated control to 58.74 and 64.91 q ha−1 following K2 application at 5 and 10 L ha−1, respectively. Yield improvements were particularly pronounced during years characterized by severe precipitation deficits, when relative yield increases reached up to 41.9%. Economic analysis demonstrated positive net returns in all experimental years, with average profits of 108.6 EUR ha−1 and 206.9 EUR ha−1 for the 5 and 10 L ha−1 application rates, respectively. The results demonstrate that keratin-based biostimulants derived from industrial by-products can improve maize productivity, enhance drought resilience, and contribute to circular-economy approaches in sustainable agriculture.
Emmer wheat, as a cereal and food crop, has wide economic significance. Grain quality is determined by numerous factors, including key agronomic practices, variety genetics, regional soil and climatic conditions. This article discusses the use of various doses of mineral fertilizers in conjunction with pre-sowing seed inoculation with biological preparations Azotovit (1 l/t), Rizoagrin (1 l/t) and complex organomineral preparation Biostim Start (1 l/t). The research is consistent with modern resource-saving adaptive technologies with elements of biologization. Experiments were conducted in Sabinskiy municipal district of the Republic of Tatarstan on gray forest soils with a heavy loamy texture from 2020 to 2023. pHKCl was close to neutral – 6.2 (GOST 26483-85), humus content according to Tyurin was 3.4%, mobile phosphorus and mobile potassium contents according to Kirsanov were 127 and 138 mg/kg, respectively. Regardless of the mineral nutrition background, seed inoculation with Azotovit increased protein yield by 9%, with Rizoagrin by 17% and with Biostim Start by 25%. The maximum gross harvest of protein and crude fat on average over 4 years was achieved in variant N71P36K58 (3.0 t/ha of grain) + Biostim Start – 1 l/t. The maximum protein content (17.3%) and crude fat (3.53%) in spelt grain was achieved in variant N59P30K48 (3.0 t/ha of grain) + Biostim Start – 1 l/t. The developed spelt cultivation technology ensures the formation of agrocenoses with a stable productivity of at least 2.85 t/ha of high-quality emmer wheat grain with a protein content of 16.5% and increased nutritional value.
Anna Pogodina, A. Lukmanov, Aleksandr Ivoylov· Agrobiotechnologies and digi...· 0 citations
A field experiment was conducted during the rabi season of 2024-25 at the College of Agriculture, Agriculture University, Jodhpur (Rajasthan), to evaluate the effect of water stress and foliar application of agrochemicals on productivity and profitability of chia (Salvia hispanica L.). The experiment was carried out in a split plot design with three irrigation levels, recommended irrigation (I0), one irrigation skip (I1) and two irrigation skips (I2), as main-plot treatments and four foliar-applied agrochemicals, control (C0), thiourea @ 2% (C1), potassium nitrate @ 100 ppm (C2) and salicylic acid @ 100 ppm (C3), as sub-plot treatments, replicated thrice. Results revealed that deficit irrigation significantly reduced growth and yield of chia. Recommended irrigation recorded the highest plant height, dry matter accumulation, yield attributes and seed yield (540.02 kg ha–1). Among agrochemicals, foliar application of potassium nitrate proved most effective, producing maximum spikes per plant (13.28), spike length (11.28 cm), spike weight (12.28 g) and seed yield (507.25 kg ha–1). Economic analysis showed the highest gross return (₹81,575 ha–1), net return (₹48,302 ha–1) and B:C ratio (2.45) under recommended irrigation, while potassium nitrate recorded maximum profitability among agrochemicals (B:C ratio 2.45). The study concludes that integration of adequate irrigation with foliar application of potassium nitrate is an effective strategy for enhancing productivity and profitability of chia under arid conditions.
Nikita Kumari Meel, N. Ramawat, Rakesh Kumar et al.· Environment and Ecology· 0 citations
Mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) is an important pulse crop with considerable potential to enhance food and nutritional security, improve soil fertility, and increase farmers’ incomes in Afghanistan. However, its productivity remains constrained by the widespread use of low-yielding varieties and the challenges associated with semi-arid climatic conditions. This study evaluated the Agronomic performance and yield potential of four mung bean varieties under the Agro climatic conditions of Kabul, Afghanistan, where low annual precipitation, high summer temperatures, and climatic variability limit crop production. The experiment was conducted using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) consisting of four treatments: Helmandi (T1), Local (T2), 08 Certified (T3), and 07 Certified (T4), with six replications. Data were analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), and treatment means were compared using an appropriate mean separation test.
The results demonstrated significant differences (P < 0.05) among the evaluated varieties. The 07 Certified variety (T4) produced the highest mean grain yield (1,833.77 kg ha⁻¹), followed by 08 Certified (T3) (1,720.72 kg ha⁻¹), Local (T2) (1,378.87 kg ha⁻¹), and Helmandi (T1) (643.56 kg ha⁻¹). Mean comparison analysis confirmed significant differences among all varieties, with the performance ranking as T4 > T3 > T2 > T1. The superior yield performance of the 07 Certified variety indicates its greater adaptability and productivity under the semi-arid conditions of Kabul. These findings highlight the importance of promoting improved certified mung bean varieties to enhance crop productivity, support climate resilient agricultural systems, and contribute to improved food security and rural livelihoods in Afghanistan. Further multi location and multi-season evaluations are recommended to assess the stability, adaptability, and potential for wider adoption of the 07 certified variety.
Fazalellahi Hamdard, Dalila Saidi, Safiullah Jawhar· International Journal of Cur...· 0 citations
Drought is one of the most common problems that can induce stress on crop production. Due to the rising temperatures caused by climate change, drought has become more frequent in many areas. It is crucial for the agricultural sector to look for more solutions on how to protect and increase plant productivity while using fewer chemical fertilisers. Studies show that biostimulants can act as anti-stress solutions, helping plants to mitigate drought stress while being an environmentally friendly option. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different biostimulants on the morphological, physiological and biochemical parameters of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) during stress and recovery periods. In this study, the biostimulants Terra-Sorb, Millerplex, and their mixture were used. Parameters were measured on the last day of the stress period and the last day of the recovery period. The results showed that drought significantly reduced the morphological parameters of winter wheat. Fresh biomass during drought decreased by approximately 39–53% compared with control (p < 0.05). Winter wheat sprayed with the mixture of biostimulants showed the smallest losses, with fresh biomass reduced by 38.85% and the net photosynthetic rate by 75.72% compared with control, indicating the highest tolerance to drought among all treatments. The mixture also maintained higher transpiration than the other treatments. During plant recovery period, biostimulants did not improve plant performance, and the biochemical parameters were not affected (p > 0.05). This study showed the effect of drought on morphological, physiological and biochemical parameters of winter wheat as well as the efficiency of different biostimulants during drought stress period, especially when biostimulants with two different active components were are used in combination.
Ugnė Diliūnaitė, I. Januškaitienė· Biologija· 0 citations
Seaweed-derived biostimulants may complement conventional nutrient management in rice, but their performance requires evaluation under specific soil and agroclimatic conditions. A field experiment was conducted during the kharif season of 2022–2023 at the Agricultural Research Farm, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, to assess Sagarika seaweed extract in an Inceptisol. The experiment followed a randomised block design with 11 treatments and three replications. Treatments included an absolute control, the recommended dose of fertilisers (RDF), reduced soil-applied urea, an NPK biofertiliser consortium, Sagarika granules, Sagarika liquid sprays, nano urea, and selected combinations of these inputs. Plant growth was recorded at 30, 60, and 90 days after transplanting, and yield attributes, grain yield, straw yield, biological yield, and harvest index were measured. Treatment T7, comprising 100% RDF, Sagarika granules at 10 kg acre⁻¹, and two Sagarika liquid sprays at 5 mL L⁻¹, recorded the highest numerical grain yield (61.63 q ha⁻¹), straw yield (77.02 q ha⁻¹), and biological yield (138.66 q ha⁻¹). Several fertilised treatments were statistically comparable with T7 based on the reported critical difference. The highest harvest index was recorded under T10 (44.95%). The findings indicate that integrated Sagarika treatments were associated with favourable rice growth and yield under the conditions evaluated. Multi-season and multi-location studies incorporating economic, soil-health, nutrient-use-efficiency, and environmental measurements are required before wider recommendations are made.
R. Meena, R. Meena, A. Meena et al.· Archives of Current Research...· 0 citations
Although nutrient management plays a crucial role in determining the productivity of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), comparative information on the effectiveness of organic and inorganic nutrient sources under local conditions is still scarce. A field experiment was conducted during the 2024, Rabi season at Khairahani, Chitwan, to evaluate the effects of different nutrient sources on growth, yield, and profitability of barley var. Mustangey Jau. Using a randomized complete block design with five treatments-controls, chemical fertilizer NPK, poultry manure, farmyard manure, and vermicompost-each replicated four times, significant differences were observed in plant height, leaf area index, effective tillers, and grain yield. NPK fertilizer produced the highest plant height (94.80 cm), leaf area index (0.18), effective tillers (6.52), and grain yield (1.69 t/ha), followed by poultry manure and vermicompost. Organic sources improved growth over the control but yielded less than NPK. Economic analysis showed NPK achieved the highest net return and benefit-cost ratio (2.19), followed by poultry manure (1.34). Therefore, the application of recommended NPK fertilizer is suggested for maximizing barley yield and profitability, while poultry manure can be considered as a suitable organic alternative for improving productivity compared with other organic sources.
A. Gaire, Anugya Dawadi, Sulochana Aryal· Journal of Plant Resources· 0 citations
We use cookies to run the site and, with your consent, for analytics and to show ads.
See our Cookie Policy.
