Information regarding the germination and seedling growth behavior of a potential weed species is an important tool to manage weeds without the use of agricultural chemicals that cause harmful effects on human health and the environment. A series of experiments were directed to investigate the influence of different environmental factors (temperature, pH, NaCl, moisture stress, and seed burial depth) on germination and seedling emergence of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) under controlled conditions. Results suggested that 25 °C is the optimum temperature for maximum germination (95%) and seedling growth of perennial ryegrass, however, a quick decline was observed at 35 °C. Seed germination was unaffected by pH levels ranging from 5 to 10. The 92% seed germination was recorded where no salt stress was applied and germination was reduced by 87% at 250 mMNaCl concentration. Seed germination was unaffected by osmotic potential ranges from 0 to − 0.4 MPa thereafter declined and completely inhibited at − 0.8 or − 1.0 MPa. No seed emerged at the soil surface or a soil depth of 6 or 7 cm and 90% emergence occurred at 1 cmsoil depth. The germination and seedlings parameters like time to initial germination, mean germination time, time taken to 50% germination and germination index, root and shoot length, and fresh and dry weight of root and shoot are significantly affected with the environmental factors. The information obtained in this study will be helpful to develop better management strategies for germination and the emergence of perennial ryegrass in areas where it has the ability to rapidly colonize.
Among various weed management strategies, chemical weed control is considered the most effective method. However, optimum dose and suitable combination of herbicide with adjuvants play a vital role in controlling weeds at an acceptable level and produce maximum crop yield. A field study was conducted to investigate the effect of post-emergence herbicide isoproturon alone or with combination of adjuvants on winter wheat and its associated weeds. The treatments were isoproturon at 175 g a.i. ha-1, 140 g a.i. ha-1 and 105 g a.i. ha-1 applied alone or with adjuvants Ad-500 or Bio-enhancer at 400 mL ha-1 each and weedy check as a control treatment. Isoproturon at 175 g a.i. ha-1 + Bio-enhancer at 400 mL ha-1 was most effective treatment for control of Melilotus indica, Anagallis arvensis, Phalaris minor and Fumaria indica as it decreased the photosynthetic activity, fresh and dry biomass of these weeds. In case of wheat, highest productive tillers, plant height, 1000-grain weight, biological and grain yield were achieved with isoproturon at 175 g a.i. ha-1 + Bio-enhancer at 400 mL ha-1. However, highest values of gas exchange parameters of wheat were observed where no herbicide was sprayed. It can be concluded that isoproturon at 175 g a.i. ha-1 + Bio-enhancer at 400 mL ha-1 might be a profitable approach to achieve optimal yield of wheat by causing the maximum suppression of these tested weeds. Moreover, the herbicide at reduced dose with adjuvants was not much effective in terms of weed control or increased yield.
Agronomic bio-fortification is one of the main approaches for mitigation of micronutrient shortage in human populations and endorses sustainable production of food and feed. Studies related to agronomic bio-fortification of crops are mainly focused on single or rarely two micronutrients application, and no attempt has made to study the combined effect of zinc (Zn), iron (Fe) and selenium (Se) on forage sorghum. Therefore, this research was accomplished to evaluate the effect of Zn, Fe and Se bio-fortification on diverse sorghum accessions. The field experiments were conducted in a randomised complete block design with a split-plot arrangement. The treatments comprised of Zn (10 mg/L as ZnSO<sub>4</sub>∙5H<sub>2</sub>O), Fe (7 mg/L as FeSO<sub>4</sub>∙7H<sub>2</sub>O), Se (3 mg/L as SeSO<sub>4</sub>) and CK (control) were applied to five sorghum accessions: G<sub>1</sub> (Y-16), G<sub>2</sub> (YSH-166), G<sub>3</sub> (YSH-134), G<sub>4</sub> (YSS-98) and G<sub>5</sub> (YSH-132). According to our results, the sorghum accession G<sub>5</sub> showed superiority over all other accessions and produced maximum values of all growth and quality traits except grains number per panicle and 1 000-grain weight. All applied micronutrients (Zn, Fe and Se) enhanced the growth, quality and uptake of nutrients in sorghum accessions. However, Se recorded the highest plant height, stem diameter, 1 000-grain weight and Zn produced the maximum protein, oil and starch contents. Conclusively, it can be concluded that G<sub>5</sub> with Se must be used to achieve the optimum values of agronomic traits, while G<sub>5</sub> with Zn found more effective to improve the quality traits of sorghum.
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