Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Agronomy / P.V. Vara Prasad / Productivity of grain crops is highly sensitive to changing climates and crop management practices. Response of finger millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.] to high temperature stress, and intensive management practices such as increased seeding rates and fertilizer application are not clearly understood. The objectives of this research were to determine the effects of (a) season-long, and short episodes of high temperature stress on growth and yield traits of finger millet, (b) seeding rates and nitrogen fertilizer application rates on grain and biomass yield, and (c) to evaluate the finger millet minicore collection for high grain and biomass yield. Controlled environment studies were conducted to determine the effects of high temperature stress on physiological, growth and yield traits. Field studies were conducted in Manhattan and Hays (Kansas) and Alupe (Kenya) to determine the effects of seeding and nitrogen fertilizer rates on growth and yield traits. Finger millet minicore collection was evaluated under field conditions in India, for phenology, growth and yield traits. Season long high temperature stress of 36/26 or 38/28°C compared to 32/22°C decreased panicle emergence, number of seeds per panicle, grain yield and harvest index. Finger millet was most sensitive to short episodes (10 d) of high temperature (40/30°C) during booting, panicle emergence and flowering stages, resulting in lower number of seeds, and grain yield. Finger millet responded to the interaction between environmental (locations) and temporal (years) factors. In general, locations with higher rainfall had greater grain and biomass yield than those with low rainfall. There was no influence of seeding rates (3.2 or 6.0 kg ha[superscript]-1) at Hays and Alupe. However, in one of the two years in Manhattan, higher seeding rate of 6.0 kg ha[superscript]-1 increased grain yield compared to 3.2 kg ha[superscript]-1. There was no influence of nitrogen rates (0, 30, 60 or 90 kg ha[superscript]-1) on grain or biomass yield at all three locations. However, higher fertilizer rates had greater percentage lodging. The finger millet minicore collection displayed large ranges for most quantitative traits including days to flowering, plant height, number of fingers panicle[superscript]-1, grain yield, biomass yield, and lodging; and had >60% heritability. Some of the genotypes from the minicore collection have the potential to increase grain and biomass yield and abiotic stress tolerance of finger millet.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Agronomy / Tesfaye Tesso / Sweet Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is a type of cultivated sorghum grown primarily for its sugar-rich stalks. Because of its high fermentable sugar content, the crop is widely recognized as an alternative feedstock source for bio-fuel production. The extent to which stalk sugar accumulation occurs may be determined by several factors including the sink size. Grain is the most important sink in sorghum and other grain crops. Three experiments were conducted in this study to determine the extent to which the grain sink can reduce sugar accumulation in the stalks, to test and validate a genetic system that allows development of sterile sweet sorghum hybrids, and to assess the potential of sugar-rich hybrids to overcome stalk rot diseases. The first experiment, based on 22 sweet sorghum genotypes, was undertaken to study the effect of eliminating the grain sink (removing the head prior to anthesis) on stalk juice yield, sugar accumulation, and biomass. The data showed that the grain sink had a significant effect on all traits measured. Elimination of the grain sink significantly increased oBrix % (17.8%), dry biomass (27.8%), juice yield (23.9%), and total sugar yield (43.5%). The second experiment was aimed at validating the role of A3 genetic male sterility system for producing sterile sweet sorghum hybrids. Ten sweet sorghum pollinator lines of variable sugar content were selected among the entries included in the previous experiment. The lines were crossed to four A1 and A3 cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) lines using a Design II mating scheme. The A3 females did not have effective restorers so that the hybrids were expected to be sterile. The parental lines and corresponding hybrids were evaluated for biomass production, oBrix, juice and sugar yield using a randomized complete block design. All A3 hybrids were sterile and did not produce seed when heads were covered prior to pollination. The effect of grain sink represented by the A1 vs. A3 CMS were highly significant for Brix%, biomass, juice, and sugar yield. Comparison of parents vs. crosses component was highly significant, indicating marked heterosis effect for the traits. Both general (GCA) and specific (SCA) combining ability effects were also significant for all traits, indicating the role of both additive and dominance genetic effects in the inheritance of the characters. Earlier studies have shown positive relationships between stalk sugar concentration and stalk rot disease resistance in sorghum. Thus, the objective of the third experiment was to study the effects of the CMS mediated differential accumulation of stalk sugar on severity of charcoal rot disease caused by Macrophomina phaseolina. The experiment provided an opportunity to test the effect of variable stalk sugar in the same genetic backgrounds. The data indicated that hybrids produced from A3 cytoplasm were more resistant to charcoal rot (7.1cm lesion length) compared to those produced from the A1 hybrids (9.5 cm lesion length). The enhanced resistance of hybrids with higher sugar yield could have significant agronomic advantage in sugar based bio-fuel feedstock production.

Thesis (M. Sc. Agric.(Plant Production)) -- University of Limpopo, 2019 / Nightshade (Solanum retroflexum Dun.) is among the most important indigenous leafy vegetables in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa, due to its high values of beta-carotene, vitamin E, folic acid, ascorbic acid, calcium, iron and protein. Vhembe District occurs in the tropical regions of Limpopo Province and the production of vegetables is dependent upon the availability of irrigation water. An Integrated Drip Irrigation System (IDIS) and a 3S planter were developed to save water by planting several plants/hole of drip irrigation system. The subsystems in IDIS allow for the production of different crops with different water requirements, whereas the 3S planter can be used for planting from one to nine plants/hole of drip irrigation system. Also, the subsystems could be used in assessing irrigation interval for crops under various planting densities. The interaction of irrigation interval and planting density of S. retroflexum had not been documented. The objective of this study, therefore, was to determine the interactive effects of irrigation interval and planting density on biomass yield and chemical nutrient elements (summer harvest only) of S. retroflexum under field conditions. The irrigation interval and planting density/hole were arranged in a split-plot experimental design, with eight replications. The main plot was irrigation interval and the subplot was the planting densities. Harvesting was done twice for both summer and winter experiments. The first harvest (H1) was done at 6 weeks after transplanting, with the second harvest (H2) being done at six weeks after the first harvest. Fresh shoots were oven-dried at 60°C for 72 h for the determination of dry matter. Mature leaves were powdered and analysed for mineral content (Ca, P, K, Mg, Na, Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu) using the ICPE-9000. Data were subjected to analysis of variance using SAS software. In the summer experiment, the interaction was significant (P ≤ 0.05) for dry shoot mass at H1 and H2. However, the contribution of xv the interaction in the total treatment variation (TTV) of the variable was negligent and therefore, only single factors were reported. Irrigation interval and planting density had highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) effects on plant variables during H1 and H2 in summer and winter. However, irrigation interval effects for dry shoot mass were not significant for summer H2. Interaction effects were significant for Ca, P, K, Mg, Mn and Cu in leaf tissues during summer H1, but were not significant for Na, Fe and Zn. Also, irrigation interval was significant for Ca, Mg, P, K, Na, Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu during summer H1, whereas planting density had no significant effects for all chemical nutrients except for Ca, P and K during summer H1. Dry shoot mass of S. retroflexum increased linearly with increasing irrigation interval and planting density. Results suggested that most nutrient elements increased with deficit irrigation water and higher planting density, whilst P decreased under high planting density. The study showed that there is a high potential for saving water through longer irrigation intervals and produce good high yields at a higher planting density. In conclusion, the use of IDIS and 3S planter to promote growth and accumulation of essential nutrient elements on S. retroflexum demonstrated that longer irrigation interval and higher plant density per drip irrigation hole could be suitable for cultivation of this indigenous vegetable. The recommendation of this study is that higher planting density and longer irrigation intervals are key determinants of higher biomass yield and water saving strategies for large-scale production of the crop. Further, the mineral composition of the crop was under the influence of higher planting density and irrigation intervals.

The operation of biogas plants solves environmental aspects (energy management, reduction of negative impacts on the environment, use of renewable energy sources) and their influence in connection with the production of acidogenic (solid) as well as methanogenic (liquid) digestate. This requires establishing mandatory solution procedures in terms of the current legislation (air protection, use of fertilizers). The research for the thesis was carried out in the Agricultural and Commercial Cooperative in Kámen (in the region of Havlíčkův Brod), which lies 527 metres above the sea level. A biogas station has been operated by the cooperative since 2011. In addition to biogas, the cooperative also utilizes the fermentation remnants separated methanogenic digestate as a fertilizer and acidogenic digestate as a raw material for the production of compost. The thesis examined the use of methanogenic digestate when growing silage maize. During the one-year research, two maize hybrids and their response to fertilization by methanogenic digestate were assessed. Both hybrids achieved a higher yield of biomass and a higher yield of the dry matter.

Plicatula is a taxonomic group within of the genus Paspalum that contains interesting species considering their phenotypic diversity for forage traits, and some of these species have been improved through artificial interspecific hybridization. Nitrogen (N) is an important limiting factor to produce biomass. Forage legumes contribute with symbiotic N2 fixation and can increase biomass yield and the nutritive value of the pastures. The objectives of this thesis were: (i) evaluate dry matter yield (DMY), N use efficiency (NUE), nutritive value, cold tolerance and plant persistence in hybrids of Paspalum plicatulum x P. guenoarum subjected to N application rates, (ii) compare biomass yield and nutritive value of the grass–legume system to a grass–N fertilizer system, and (iii) select the best hybrids for new steps within the breeding program. The study was conducted from September 2015 to May 2017. The experimental design was a randomized complete block in split-plot arrangement with three replicates. Treatments were five N rates (0, 60, 120, 240, and 480 kg N ha-1 N), and one grass-legumes mixture (Trifolium repens + Lotus corniculatus) as whole plots, and six genotypes (1020133, 102069, 103084, 103061, P. guenoarum ecotype Azulão and Megathyrsus maximus cv. Aruana used as a control) as subplots. Nitrogen rates of 240 and 480 kg N ha-1 increased Total-DMY, Leaf-DMY, cold tolerance and persistence but decreased NUE. Higher NUE was obtained with N rates between 60 and 120 kg N ha-1. Total-DMY for grass-legume mixture was similar to the N rates of 60 and 120 kg N ha-1. Hybrid 1020133 had Total-DMY similar to Azulão and Aruana, as well as Leaf-DMY greater than Aruana. Hybrid 1020133 showed greater cold tolerance and exhibited greater NUE at 60 kg N ha-1 than the other genotypes. At the N rate of 480 kg N ha-1 increased crude protein (27%) and digestibility (4%) and decreased neutral (6%) and acid (7%) detergent fiber compared to the 0 kg N ha-1. Grass-legume mixture showed greater nutritive value compared to N-fertilized grass. Hybrid 103061 had greater crude protein and digestibility and lower neutral and acid detergent fiber than Azulão and Aruana. Therefore, there is opportunity to increase DMY, NUE, cold tolerance and plant persistence, and improve the nutritive value through genotype selection and N management. In addition, grass-legume mixture showed greater nutritive value than N-fertilized grass and can be an alternative practice to replace to the application of N fertilizer up to the rate of 120 kg N ha-1. Hybrids 1020133 and 103061 should be indicated for new studies, such as seed production and animal performance.

Plicatula is a taxonomic group within of the genus Paspalum that contains interesting species considering their phenotypic diversity for forage traits, and some of these species have been improved through artificial interspecific hybridization. Nitrogen (N) is an important limiting factor to produce biomass. Forage legumes contribute with symbiotic N2 fixation and can increase biomass yield and the nutritive value of the pastures. The objectives of this thesis were: (i) evaluate dry matter yield (DMY), N use efficiency (NUE), nutritive value, cold tolerance and plant persistence in hybrids of Paspalum plicatulum x P. guenoarum subjected to N application rates, (ii) compare biomass yield and nutritive value of the grass–legume system to a grass–N fertilizer system, and (iii) select the best hybrids for new steps within the breeding program. The study was conducted from September 2015 to May 2017. The experimental design was a randomized complete block in split-plot arrangement with three replicates. Treatments were five N rates (0, 60, 120, 240, and 480 kg N ha-1 N), and one grass-legumes mixture (Trifolium repens + Lotus corniculatus) as whole plots, and six genotypes (1020133, 102069, 103084, 103061, P. guenoarum ecotype Azulão and Megathyrsus maximus cv. Aruana used as a control) as subplots. Nitrogen rates of 240 and 480 kg N ha-1 increased Total-DMY, Leaf-DMY, cold tolerance and persistence but decreased NUE. Higher NUE was obtained with N rates between 60 and 120 kg N ha-1. Total-DMY for grass-legume mixture was similar to the N rates of 60 and 120 kg N ha-1. Hybrid 1020133 had Total-DMY similar to Azulão and Aruana, as well as Leaf-DMY greater than Aruana. Hybrid 1020133 showed greater cold tolerance and exhibited greater NUE at 60 kg N ha-1 than the other genotypes. At the N rate of 480 kg N ha-1 increased crude protein (27%) and digestibility (4%) and decreased neutral (6%) and acid (7%) detergent fiber compared to the 0 kg N ha-1. Grass-legume mixture showed greater nutritive value compared to N-fertilized grass. Hybrid 103061 had greater crude protein and digestibility and lower neutral and acid detergent fiber than Azulão and Aruana. Therefore, there is opportunity to increase DMY, NUE, cold tolerance and plant persistence, and improve the nutritive value through genotype selection and N management. In addition, grass-legume mixture showed greater nutritive value than N-fertilized grass and can be an alternative practice to replace to the application of N fertilizer up to the rate of 120 kg N ha-1. Hybrids 1020133 and 103061 should be indicated for new studies, such as seed production and animal performance.

Plicatula is a taxonomic group within of the genus Paspalum that contains interesting species considering their phenotypic diversity for forage traits, and some of these species have been improved through artificial interspecific hybridization. Nitrogen (N) is an important limiting factor to produce biomass. Forage legumes contribute with symbiotic N2 fixation and can increase biomass yield and the nutritive value of the pastures. The objectives of this thesis were: (i) evaluate dry matter yield (DMY), N use efficiency (NUE), nutritive value, cold tolerance and plant persistence in hybrids of Paspalum plicatulum x P. guenoarum subjected to N application rates, (ii) compare biomass yield and nutritive value of the grass–legume system to a grass–N fertilizer system, and (iii) select the best hybrids for new steps within the breeding program. The study was conducted from September 2015 to May 2017. The experimental design was a randomized complete block in split-plot arrangement with three replicates. Treatments were five N rates (0, 60, 120, 240, and 480 kg N ha-1 N), and one grass-legumes mixture (Trifolium repens + Lotus corniculatus) as whole plots, and six genotypes (1020133, 102069, 103084, 103061, P. guenoarum ecotype Azulão and Megathyrsus maximus cv. Aruana used as a control) as subplots. Nitrogen rates of 240 and 480 kg N ha-1 increased Total-DMY, Leaf-DMY, cold tolerance and persistence but decreased NUE. Higher NUE was obtained with N rates between 60 and 120 kg N ha-1. Total-DMY for grass-legume mixture was similar to the N rates of 60 and 120 kg N ha-1. Hybrid 1020133 had Total-DMY similar to Azulão and Aruana, as well as Leaf-DMY greater than Aruana. Hybrid 1020133 showed greater cold tolerance and exhibited greater NUE at 60 kg N ha-1 than the other genotypes. At the N rate of 480 kg N ha-1 increased crude protein (27%) and digestibility (4%) and decreased neutral (6%) and acid (7%) detergent fiber compared to the 0 kg N ha-1. Grass-legume mixture showed greater nutritive value compared to N-fertilized grass. Hybrid 103061 had greater crude protein and digestibility and lower neutral and acid detergent fiber than Azulão and Aruana. Therefore, there is opportunity to increase DMY, NUE, cold tolerance and plant persistence, and improve the nutritive value through genotype selection and N management. In addition, grass-legume mixture showed greater nutritive value than N-fertilized grass and can be an alternative practice to replace to the application of N fertilizer up to the rate of 120 kg N ha-1. Hybrids 1020133 and 103061 should be indicated for new studies, such as seed production and animal performance.

In the dominantly small-scale subsistence agricultural system of Ethiopia, where most of the organic inputs are not returned to soil and land is not used based on its best suitability, the contribution of agriculture to climate change mitigation/adaptation through reduction of greenhouse gases emission is undermined. When this low-input agricultural practice is coupled with rugged topography, high population pressure, generally low soil fertility, and looming climate change, ensuring food and nutrition security of society as well as sustainable use of land resources is practically impossible. Under such circumstances, finding alternative land uses, through scientific investigation, that meet the triple mandates of climate-smart agriculture under current and future climate is imperative. In view of this, a study was conducted in Hades Sub-watershed, eastern Ethiopia, to evaluate the carbon stock of major land uses, evaluate suitability of land for rainfed production of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.), Maize (Zea mays L.), coffee (Coffea arabica), upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) and finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.), and project biomass production of late-maturing sorghum and maize varieties under changing climate and its contribution to carbon sequestration and reduction of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emission. Soil and vegetation samples were collected following recommended procedures. Secondary data on required crop parameters were collected for model calibration and validation in the biomass projection study made using the AquaCrop v6.0 model. Climate data of the study area was obtained from the National Meteorology Agency of Ethiopia and analyzed following standard procedures. Near-century (NC) (2017-2039) and Mid-century (MC) (2040-2069) climate was projected under two emission scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) using four models (CNRM-CERFACS-CNRM-CM5, ICHEC-EC-Earth, MOHC-HadGEM2-ES, and MPI-M-MPI-ESM-LR) and a Multi-model Ensemble. Biomass production projection, for the climate projected under the two emission scenarios using the four models and the ensemble, was made for late-maturing sorghum (Muyira-1) and maize (BH661) varieties. From the projected biomass, organic carbon and its equivalent CO2 were estimated. Furthermore, adaptation measures, involving adjusting planting dates and irrigation, under the changing climate were evaluated for their influence on biomass production under the time slices, RCPs, and models mentioned above. The carbon stock assessment study was conducted on four major land uses (cultivated, grazing, coffee agroforestry, and forest lands) identified in the study area. The land suitability assessment, using the maximum limitation method, study was conducted on four soil mapping units identified in the sub-watershed. Results indicate that total organic carbon stock (soil, litter plus live vegetation) in the sub-watershed ranged from 138.95 ton ha-1 in the crop land to 496.26 ton ha-1 in the natural forest. The soil organic carbon stock was found to be relatively higher than that of the vegetation carbon stock in the natural forest and coffee agroforestry land uses. The results of suitability evaluation revealed that the maximum current and potential (after corrective xix measures are taken) land suitability class for production of late-maturing sorghum (180-240 days cycle), maize (180-210 days crop cycle), finger millet (120 – 150 days cycle) and coffee in the sub-watershed is marginally suitable (S3c). The maximum current and potential land suitability for upland rice (120 days) is not suitable (N2c). The major permanent limiting factor is low mean temperature (14.6 C) of the growing period in the study area as compared to the optimum temperature required for optimum growth of the selected crops. The major soil and landscape limitations include steep slope, poor drainage of low-lying areas, shallow effective root zone in the upper slopes, low organic matter and available P for sorghum and maize, high pH for maize and wetness for coffee. In all the climate models and emission scenarios, minimum and maximum temperature increment is high during June-July-August-September (JJAS) compared with the other seasons. The modest rise in minimum temperature and the slight increment of maximum temperature during the crop growing seasons (February-March-April-May (FMAM) and JJAS will benefit late-maturing sorghum and maize production in the study area. For the same model, the projected biomass yield and organic carbon sequestration of the two crop varieties varied with time slice and the type of emission scenario used. Generally, increasing biomass production and carbon sequestration were projected for Mid-century (MC) than Near-century (NC) for most of the models used. Late planting would increase sorghum biomass yield and the corresponding organic carbon as compared to early planting as projected by most of the models under both RCPs. Most models predicted an increase in maize biomass yield and organic carbon sequestration if supplementary irrigation is used. The results of this study indicate that the current land uses are not enhancing carbon sequestration because of their exploitative nature and the soil/landscape and climate are not optimum for production of the crops studied. The rise in temperature in the coming 50 years is expected to create a more favorable condition for production of late-maturing sorghum and maize varieties. In order to enhance carbon sequestration, soil productivity and crop yield, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the current land uses and their management require re-visiting. / College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences / Ph. D. (Environmental Sciences)