Asian Journal of Research in Crop Science

Beyond Soil: Plant Intelligence, Bio-Digital Farming Systems, and the Architecture of a Post-Soil Civilisation

2026-06-15T11:43:00+00:00

Hydroponic cultivation uses up to 90 percent less water than conventional soil-based agriculture, can produce substantially higher yields per unit of land area, and can operate in environments entirely unsuitable for traditional farming, from arid desert facilities to orbital space stations. This paper presents a conceptual and technical framework for the next generation of soilless agriculture: the Bio-Digital Hydroponic Ecosystem (BDHE), a four-layer architecture in which farms continuously monitor, interpret, and respond to the biological signals of their plants. Eight paradigm shifts follow from this framework. Continuous bioelectric sensing will guide robotic repositioning of crops toward their optimal light environment (Kinetic Phytometric Farming). Multimodal electrical signal monitoring will detect disease and nutritional stress days before any visible symptom appears (Bioelectric Crop Interfaces). Chemical messages that roots release into the nutrient solution will be read and answered in real time (Hydrolingual Nutrient Networks). Electrical, acoustic, optical, and volatile chemical signals will combine into a continuous well-being index for every individual plant (Phyto-Sentiment Analysis). Engineered microbial consortia will adjust nutrient chemistry dynamically in response to real-time plant demand (Adaptive Living Solutions). All cultivation operations will synchronise with the plant's circadian biology for measurably superior outcomes (Phyto-Chronobiological Farming). A predictive computational model will be updated continuously from sensor data for every plant (Digital Plant Twins). And knowledge gained at the individual plant and module level will propagate across facilities and globally (Distributed Phyto-Intelligence Networks). Each paradigm is grounded in published science, with limitations acknowledged throughout. The paper addresses economic feasibility, energy demands, regulatory pathways, equity of access, and workforce requirements. A phased commercialisation roadmap spans 2028 to 2065. The paper concludes that advanced hydroponics is not merely an agricultural technology but the foundation of a food system capable of sustaining human civilisation without dependence on soil or predictable rainfall.

Vermicomposting as a Sustainable Detoxification Strategy for Pesticide-Contaminated Agricultural Wastes: Mechanisms and Earthworm Physiological Responses

2026-06-20T11:46:04+00:00

Pesticide-contaminated agricultural residues represent an important waste-management concern because residues may persist in crop biomass after harvest and enter soil, water, or atmospheric pathways through unsuitable disposal practices. This review examines vermicomposting as a biological approach for reducing pesticide loads in agricultural wastes and discusses the mechanisms by which earthworms and associated microorganisms may contribute to detoxification. The manuscript synthesises literature on pesticide-contaminated crop residues, pesticide fate during vermicomposting, earthworm physiological responses, process-control factors, and safety evaluation of vermicompost outputs. Particular attention is given to enzymatic hydrolysis, oxidative transformation, microbial co-metabolism, sorption, humification, and bound-residue formation within the vermicomposting matrix. Earthworm responses, including acetylcholinesterase inhibition, oxidative stress, coelomocyte activity, heat-shock protein expression, reproduction, and survival, are considered potential indicators of pesticide stress and process performance. The review also discusses operational variables, including feedstock pre-treatment, carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, moisture, temperature, aeration, and worm species selection. Available evidence suggests that vermicomposting can contribute to the reduction of several pesticide classes in organic residues under controlled conditions, although degradation efficiency varies with pesticide chemistry, initial concentration, substrate composition, earthworm species, and processing duration. The review further highlights the need for standardised analytical methods, mixture-toxicity studies, field-scale validation, and clearer regulatory benchmarks for vermicompost derived from contaminated feedstocks. Overall, vermicomposting appears to be a promising component of sustainable agricultural waste management, but its application to pesticide-contaminated residues requires careful feedstock characterisation, process monitoring, and ecotoxicological verification before routine agronomic use.

Abiotic Stress, Crop Resilience and Food Security: A Comprehensive Review

2026-07-14T12:10:20+00:00

Abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, extreme temperatures, flooding, nutrient imbalances, and heavy-metal toxicity are among the most important environmental factors limiting agricultural productivity across the globe. With the ongoing impacts of climate change, these stresses are becoming more frequent, intense, and prolonged, posing a serious challenge to sustainable crop production and global food security. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms that plants employ to cope with abiotic stress and discusses how these stresses affect the four pillars of food security: availability, access, utilisation, and stability. Particular emphasis is placed on key adaptive responses, including stress perception and signalling, hormonal regulation, osmotic adjustment, antioxidant defence mechanisms, and gene-regulatory networks that contribute to stress tolerance. Evidence from major cereal crops reveals that plant sensitivity to stress varies across developmental stages and that the combined effects of multiple stresses are often more damaging than individual stress factors. The review also highlights current and emerging approaches to enhance crop resilience, including conventional and molecular breeding, genome editing, improved agronomic practices, efficient water and nutrient management, soil health restoration, protected cultivation, digital agriculture, and climate-smart farming strategies. Ensuring food security under increasingly unpredictable climatic conditions will require an integrated approach that combines advances in genetics, sustainable crop management, natural resource conservation, socioeconomic support, and equitable access to innovative technologies. Future research should focus on understanding plant responses to multiple simultaneous stresses, improving genotype-by-environment predictions, developing adaptation strategies suitable for smallholder farming systems, and evaluating the effects of stress on crop nutritional quality.

Assessment of Drought Tolerance Indices of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) under Different Water Regimes

2026-06-27T12:28:33+00:00

Drought stress is one of the major environmental factors limiting sorghum productivity, particularly in semi-arid and drought-prone regions where water availability is often inadequate for optimum crop growth and yield. Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench), an important cereal crop cultivated for food, feed and industrial purposes, exhibits varying levels of tolerance to moisture stress among genotypes.

This study was therefore conducted in two trials to evaluate the drought tolerance of six sorghum varieties using yield-based drought tolerance indices under differential watering regimes.

The experiment was conducted in a screenhouse at the Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria, using a 6 × 3 factorial arrangement laid out in a completely randomised design (CRD) with three replications. The treatments consisted of six sorghum varieties (CSR-01, Bida local, SK5912, SAMSORG 14, SAMSORG 17 and SAMSORG 44) and three watering regimes corresponding to 40%, 60% and 100% field capacity. Data collected included grain yield under stress (Ys) and non-stress (Yp) conditions, from which drought tolerance indices, including tolerance index (TOL), mean productivity (MP), geometric mean productivity (GMP), stress susceptibility index (SSI) and stress tolerance index (STI), were computed.

The results from both trials revealed significant variation among the sorghum varieties under different watering regimes. Grain yield generally increased with increasing water availability. In Trial 1, Bida local recorded the highest grain yield under stress and non-stress conditions, with Ys and Yp values of 5.62 and 10.02 g plant⁻¹, respectively, whereas CSR-01 recorded the lowest yield values. Similarly, in Trial 2, Bida local maintained the highest Ys value (2.87 g plant⁻¹), while its Yp value was 3.39 g plant⁻¹. Bida local consistently recorded the highest MP, GMP and STI values across both trials, indicating superior drought tolerance and yield stability. SK5912 also demonstrated relatively high drought tolerance and stable yield performance under moisture stress conditions. Correlation analysis revealed strong positive associations between grain yield under stress and MP (r = 0.96), GMP (r = 0.97) and STI (r = 0.94), while grain yield under non-stress conditions showed highly significant positive correlations with MP (r = 0.97), GMP (r = 0.95) and STI (r = 0.99). In contrast, stress susceptibility index (SSI) exhibited negative associations with grain yield and other drought tolerance indices.

The study concluded that MP, GMP and STI are reliable indices for identifying drought-tolerant sorghum genotypes. Bida local and SK5912 were identified as the most drought-tolerant and stable varieties across the two trials and are therefore recommended for cultivation in drought-prone environments and for use in sorghum breeding programmes aimed at improving drought tolerance and yield stability.

Protective Effects of Humic Acid on Growth and Photosynthetic Pigment Content of Tomato Plants (Solanum lycopersicum L.) under Salt Stress

2026-07-02T06:44:10+00:00

Salinity is an important abiotic stress factor that restricts tomato growth and productivity, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. This study evaluated the effects of foliar humic acid application on the growth and photosynthetic pigment responses of tomato plants exposed to salt stress. Tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Falcon) were grown under greenhouse conditions in a randomised complete block design with four replications. Four treatments were applied: control, 100 mM NaCl, 200 ppm humic acid, and 100 mM NaCl combined with 200 ppm humic acid. Treatments were applied once weekly for eight weeks. Plant height, plant fresh and dry weight, root fresh and dry weight, root length, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoid contents were determined. Salt stress reduced plant fresh weight by 17.4%, plant dry weight by 11.7%, root length by 10.0%, and total chlorophyll content by 49.4% compared with the control. Humic acid application under salt stress improved several growth parameters compared with salt stress alone. In the combined salt and humic acid treatment, plant fresh weight increased by 13.2%, plant dry weight by 23.3%, root fresh weight by 29.4%, and root length by 14.0% compared with the salt-stressed group. Total chlorophyll content was also numerically higher under the combined treatment than under salt stress alone, although this difference was not statistically significant. Correlation analysis showed a strong positive relationship between chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b. Multivariate analyses indicated that salt-stressed plants differed from control and humic-acid-treated plants, while humic acid partially moderated the salt-stress response. These findings suggest that 200 ppm foliar humic acid may help reduce some adverse effects of salt stress in tomato plants under greenhouse conditions.

Comparative Effects of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Growth and Yield of Maize (Zea mays L.) in Ogbomosho, Oyo State, Nigeria

2026-07-10T11:14:05+00:00

Aim: This study evaluated the comparative effects of organic fertilizer (poultry manure) and inorganic fertilizer (NPK 15-15-15) on the growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) in Ogbomosho, Oyo State, Nigeria.

Methodology: The experiment was conducted using a Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three treatments: poultry manure, NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer, and a control with no fertilizer application, each replicated five times. The growth parameters measured included plant height and number of leaves, while yield per plant was assessed at harvest. The data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) at the 5% probability level.

Results: Fertilizer application significantly (P < 0.05) improved maize growth and yield compared with the control. Inorganic fertilizer recorded the highest mean plant height (93.0 cm), number of leaves (17.0), and yield per plant (1.91 kg), followed by organic fertilizer (86.2 cm, 15.2 leaves, and 1.36 kg), while the control recorded the lowest values. The ANOVA results indicated significant differences among treatments for all measured parameters.

Conclusion: Both organic and inorganic fertilizers significantly improved maize growth and yield under the conditions of this study. Although NPK 15-15-15 produced higher growth and yield values, poultry manure remains an important nutrient source for improving soil quality and supporting sustainable crop production. An integrated nutrient management approach that combines organic and inorganic fertilizers is recommended to enhance maize productivity while maintaining long-term soil fertility in the study area.

Genotypic Variation in Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) for Resistance to Pulse Beetle (Callosobruchus maculatus F.) and the Protective Effects of Botanical Powders

2026-07-14T12:05:35+00:00

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) is a significant grain legume commonly grown in tropical and subtropical regions and is an important source of protein, vitamins, and minerals for humans and livestock. Nevertheless, storage losses caused by the pulse beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.), continue to constrain cowpea production and storage, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. This study assessed varietal resistance and botanical powders as alternative protectants against C. maculatus infestation under in vitro conditions at the Savannah Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI), Nyankpala, Ghana. The experiment used a split-plot factorial arrangement in a randomised complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The main plots comprised four cowpea varieties (Padituya, Songotra, Apagbaala, and Zaayura), while the subplots comprised five protectant treatments (untreated control, neem seed powder, basilicum powder, hyptis powder, and Phostoxin). Data were collected on oviposition, developmental period, adult mortality, progeny emergence, grain damage, and grain weight loss. Significant interaction effects between variety and protectant were observed for oviposition, adult emergence, and mortality of C. maculatus. Songotra and Zaayura recorded lower oviposition, adult emergence, grain damage, and grain weight loss than Apagbaala and Padituya. Phostoxin produced the lowest adult emergence and highest mortality, while neem seed and basilicum powders similarly reduced oviposition, progeny emergence, and grain damage. Hyptis powder provided comparatively lower protection. These findings indicate that combining resistant varieties, particularly Songotra and Zaayura, with neem seed or basilicum powder may improve the protection of stored cowpea grains and provide a more environmentally favourable alternative to synthetic insecticides.

Development of F1 Seeds and Comparative Evaluation of Seed-Set Performance in Normal and Reciprocal Crosses of BR11 × Kalijira Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Using Hot-Water Emasculation

2026-07-18T12:52:07+00:00

An experiment was conducted in the laboratory of the Department of Agriculture, Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU), from August to November 2024. The study aimed to develop F₁ seeds from crosses between the BR11 and Kalijira rice varieties using hot-water emasculation and to compare seed-set performance between the normal and reciprocal crosses. The experiment used a completely randomised design (CRD) with four replications, each represented by one emasculated panicle. Across both cross combinations, 579 spikelets were emasculated; 451 (77.89%) were fertilised and produced putative F₁ seeds, whereas 128 (22.11%) remained non-fertilised. The normal cross, BR11 (♀) × Kalijira (♂), had a mean seed-set percentage of 84.46 ± 2.85% (fertilisation success, 83.89%; sterility, 16.11%), whereas the reciprocal cross, Kalijira (♀) × BR11 (♂), had a mean of 68.98 ± 8.03% (fertilisation success, 70.00%; sterility, 30.00%). Although the effect size was large (Cohen's d = 1.28), the 15.48-percentage-point difference between the means was not statistically significant (F = 3.30 versus F₀.₀₅,₁,₆ = 5.99; LSD₀.₀₅ = 20.85%; independent t = 1.82, df = 6, p > 0.05). The number of emasculated spikelets was strongly and positively correlated with the number of putative F₁ seeds produced per panicle (r = 0.88, R² = 0.77), irrespective of cross direction. Both crossing directions produced seed; however, under the conditions of this experiment, the normal cross was more consistent and less variable (CV = 6.7% versus 23.3%).

Enhancing Growth, Yield, and Marketable Tuber Quality of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. BARI Alu-88) through Supplementary Vermicompost Application under Coastal Conditions of Bangladesh

2026-07-24T09:48:37+00:00

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is an important food and cash crop in Bangladesh; however, production in coastal regions is constrained by poor soil fertility and salinity stress. Vermicompost has emerged as a sustainable soil amendment capable of improving soil health and crop productivity. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different rates of supplementary vermicompost under a recommended inorganic fertilizer regime on the growth and yield of the potato cultivar BARI Alu-88 under coastal conditions. The experiment was carried out during the 2021–2022 growing season at the field of Noakhali Science and Technology University using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four treatments: T₀ = control (recommended inorganic fertilizer only), T₁ = recommended inorganic fertilizer + vermicompost @ 3.5 t ha⁻¹, T₂ = recommended inorganic fertilizer + vermicompost @ 5.5 t ha⁻¹, and T₃ = recommended inorganic fertilizer + vermicompost @ 7.5 t ha⁻¹, with three replications each. Supplementary vermicompost application significantly (P ≤ .01) improved all growth and yield attributes compared with the recommended inorganic fertilizer alone. The highest vermicompost rate (T₃) produced the tallest plants (56.73 cm), the greatest numbers of leaves (495.03 hill⁻¹), stems (7.60 hill⁻¹), and tubers (21.55 plant⁻¹), and the highest gross tuber yield (40.44 t ha⁻¹) and marketable yield (36.79 t ha⁻¹). Moreover, T₃ reduced the proportion of small-sized tubers (19.32%) while increasing the proportion of large-sized tubers (50.05%). The findings indicate that supplementary vermicompost application under the recommended inorganic fertilizer regime markedly enhanced vegetative growth, tuber development, and yield performance of BARI Alu-88 under coastal conditions. Although vermicompost is recognized as an environmentally friendly soil amendment, its adoption in the coastal saline areas of Bangladesh remains limited. The findings of the present study indicate that applying vermicompost at 7.5 t ha⁻¹ significantly improves the growth and yield of BARI Alu-88 under saline conditions. Therefore, supplementing the recommended inorganic fertilizer with vermicompost at 7.5 t ha⁻¹ can be recommended as an environmentally sustainable nutrient-management strategy for improving potato productivity in the coastal regions of Bangladesh.

Evaluation of Traditional Grain Storage Methods and Pest Infestation Levels among Smallholder Farmers in Gujba District, Yobe State, Nigeria

2026-08-03T09:27:26+00:00

This study evaluates traditional grain storage methods and pest infestation levels among smallholder farmers in Gujba District, Yobe State, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 200 randomly selected smallholder farmers across fifteen villages in Gujba District during the 2025 post-harvest season. Data were collected using a pre-tested, structured questionnaire and direct field observations of storage structures. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies and percentages, were used to analyse the study objectives. The results revealed that the majority of respondents were male (88.5%), 39.5% were aged 26–35 years, and 55.0% had no formal education. The results also showed that polypropylene/jute ('poly bacco') bag storage (58.5%), thatched rhombus structures (18.0%), warehouse storage (10.5%), earthen rhombus silos (8.0%), and underground pits and other methods (5.0%) were the traditional storage systems adopted by smallholder farmers in the study area. Oxytetracycline-based fumigants and phosphine were the most widely reported chemical interventions. Moreover, 69.5% applied chemicals during storage, and 76.0% stored grain in de-husked, threshed form. Overall, 57.5% reported low infestation, 31.5% reported medium infestation, and 11.0% reported high infestation; however, high infestation was disproportionately concentrated among users of thatched rhombus structures. A significant positive relationship was observed between education and the adoption of structurally improved storage methods. The study concludes that traditional storage systems, particularly thatched rhombus structures, remain inadequate for the reliable preservation of grain quality in Gujba District. Targeted investment in low-cost improved storage infrastructure, strengthened extension education, and regulated chemical use are recommended to reduce post-harvest losses and strengthen household food security in the study area.

Biogenic Co2O3/ZnO Nanocomposites for Sustainable Agriculture: Mechanistic Insights into Black Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) Seed Germination and Seedling Growth

2026-08-06T12:58:45+00:00

Sustainable nanotechnology offers an environmentally responsible approach to improving crop establishment. This study synthesised Co₂O₃/ZnO nanocomposites using Citrus limon leaf extract and evaluated their effects on the germination and early seedling growth of black chickpea (Cicer arietinum). The nanocomposites were characterised using X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, UV–visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Seed-germination experiments were conducted under controlled laboratory conditions using nanocomposite amounts of 0, 1, 2, and 3 mg. The 3 mg treatment produced the highest response, with 18 of 20 seeds germinating, equivalent to 90% germination. This treatment also produced the highest reported seedling vigor index and the greatest root and shoot growth within the tested range. During the 20-day assessment, seedlings treated with 3 mg reached root and shoot lengths of 11.3 and 6.2 cm, respectively, compared with 8.2 and 3.5 cm in the control. The characterisation findings supported the formation of the Co₂O₃/ZnO nanocomposite, while the germination experiment demonstrated concentration-dependent improvements in early seedling performance within the tested range. These findings indicate that lemon-leaf-mediated Co₂O₃/ZnO nanocomposites merit further evaluation as nanopriming materials. Greenhouse and field investigations are required to assess their longer-term agronomic performance, optimum application levels, and environmental safety.

Assessment and Multivariate Analysis of Maize Response to Basal Nitrogen Phosphorus Potassium (NPK) Application at Vegetative Phase

2026-08-08T12:31:01+00:00

Maize is an economically important crop in sub-Saharan Africa. Its production is greatly affected by biotic and abiotic stresses. Among the abiotic stresses, low soil fertility and drought have been reported to cause economic yield losses. Therefore, this study aimed to: (i) investigate the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) (10:20:10) application rate that produced the most favourable root architecture; (ii) identify the parameters that best discriminated among the genotypes; and (iii) identify the maize genotype(s) that developed the most favourable root architecture during the vegetative phase across NPK (10:20:10) application rates. Two cropping trials were conducted, and daily mean temperatures were recorded. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomised design (CRD) as a 6 (maize genotypes) × 4 (NPK application rates) factorial with three replicates under potted screen-house conditions. The results showed that the optimal NPK rate was 219 kg/ha, which produced the highest mean root length, root biomass and shoot biomass of 48.9 cm, 22.8 g and 46.7 g, respectively, across genotypes (P < 0.001). Furthermore, root biomass, plant height, shoot biomass and plant biomass were identified as important parameters for discriminating genotypic performance. Genotype C657 exhibited strong vegetative performance, suggesting potential for drought resilience. It had mean root and shoot biomass values of 22.46 g and 39.8 g, respectively.

Investigation of Genetic Variability, Phenotypic Correlation and Heritability in Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.) Genotypes for Growth and Grain Yield Parameters

2026-08-12T07:00:34+00:00

Twenty-three pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.) genotypes were evaluated at the Agricultural Research Corporation (ARC), AlFasher Station, North Darfur State, Sudan, during the 2021\2022 summer season. The objectives of this investigation were to study genetic variability, heritability, and phenotypic and genotypic correlations among pearl millet genotypes and to identify promising, high-yielding genotypes with heritable traits. The field experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among the pearl millet genotypes for most of the traits studied. The highest grain yield in ton/ha was obtained by the variety Sosat-C88 (6.0 g), whereas a 1000-grain weight of 12.0 g was recorded for genotype FSN-3. Moreover, genotype FSN-3 performed well for plant height, panicle length, number of grains per panicle, days to maturity, number of panicles, number of tillers, and root length under normal irrigation. Phenotypic correlation analysis revealed that grain yield had positive and highly significant associations with most of the characters studied. The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was higher than the genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all traits studied. These results indicate greater genetic variability among the pearl millet genotypes, offering the possibility of selection for crop improvement. It was concluded that the wide range of genetic variability among the pearl millet genotypes could be used in promising breeding programmes for the improvement of pearl millet genotypes in Sudan.

Mechanistic Insights into Green-Synthesized Polymer-Stabilized Cobalt Oxide Nanocomposites for Enhancing Germination and Seedling Vigor of Vigna aconitifolia Aconitifolia

2026-08-13T12:04:29+00:00

Green synthesis provides a potentially sustainable route for producing nanomaterials for agricultural applications. The present study describes an environmentally sustainable approach to the eco-friendly synthesis of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-stabilised cobalt oxide (Co₂O₃) nanoparticles using Cannabis sativa (bhang) leaf extract as a natural reducing and capping material. This green synthesis technique minimises the use of harmful chemicals, making the process eco-friendly, economical, and sustainable. The synthesised PVP/Co₂O₃ nanocomposites were characterised using UV-Visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to confirm their optical, structural, morphological, elemental, and thermal properties. Their biological activity was evaluated by investigating their effects on seed germination and early seedling growth in moth bean (Vigna aconitifolia). Various concentrations of PVP/Co₂O₃ nanocomposites were applied to assess their effects on germination percentage, root length, shoot length, seedling vigour, and biomass. The observations showed that an optimum nanoparticle concentration improved seed germination and seedling growth compared with the untreated control, whereas higher concentrations exhibited inhibitory effects associated with nanoparticle-induced stress. Overall, bhang-extract-mediated PVP/Co₂O₃ nanocomposites show potential as environmentally friendly nanomaterials for improving crop establishment and supporting sustainable agricultural applications.

Plant Density Effects on Variety Specific of Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.)

2026-08-14T13:47:19+00:00

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is a multipurpose oilseed crop with considerable potential for diversification of oilseed production in semi-arid environments. However, productivity depends strongly on genotype and plant population, which influence canopy architecture, biomass accumulation, yield formation, and assimilate partitioning. This study evaluated the effects of three plant densities (128,571, 257,142, and 385,714 plants ha⁻¹) on the growth, yield components, biomass production, harvest index, and seed quality of two safflower varieties, Dongla and Giza, during two winter growing seasons (2014/15 and 2015/16) in Sudan. Field experiments were conducted at Shambat, Khartoum North, Sudan, using a randomised complete block design with three replications based on split-plot arrangements. Analysis of variance was performed separately for each growing season, and combined means were used to assess overall treatment responses. The varieties exhibited contrasting growth architectures. Giza was consistently taller and developed a greater leaf area, whereas Dongla produced substantially more branches and heads per plant. Relative growth rate, plant height, branch number, and leaf area showed considerable numerical variation among treatments, although treatment effects were not statistically significant. Thousand-seed weight was significantly affected by treatment combinations in the first season and in the combined analysis, with the highest overall value recorded for Giza at 257,142 plants ha⁻¹ (27.7 g). Giza generally produced greater biomass, reaching 10.3 t ha⁻¹ at 385,714 plants ha⁻¹, whereas Dongla achieved the highest combined harvest index (15.5%) at 257,142 plants ha⁻¹. Seed yield ranged from 0.9 to 1.4 t ha⁻¹, with the highest combined mean yield (1.2 t ha⁻¹) recorded for Dongla at 257,142 plants ha⁻¹ and Giza at 385,714 plants ha⁻¹. Seed fat, protein, and crude fibre contents remained stable across treatments. Overall, the results demonstrate the importance of variety-specific plant-density management for optimizing safflower growth, biomass production, and assimilate partitioning under varying Sudanese environmental conditions.