Asian Journal of Research in Crop Science

Biochar Influence on Zucchini Growth and Flowering in a Coastal Agroecosystem

Md. Touhidul Islam Sourav — 2025-09-19

Biochar, a carbon-rich byproduct of biomass pyrolysis, has emerged as a sustainable soil amendment capable of improving soil health and plant productivity under stress-prone conditions. This study investigates the impact of wood-derived biochar on the growth and reproductive performance of zucchini (Cucurbita pepo). The field experiment was conducted at the research field of the Department of Agriculture, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, Bangladesh (22.82°N latitude and 91.10°E longitude). The site belongs to the Young Meghna Estuarine Floodplain (Agro-ecological Zone 18). Five different biochar treatments (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 tons/ha) were used in a randomized complete block design in Noakhali, Bangladesh. Key growth parameters including leaf number, petiole length, stem length, and biomass, along with reproductive traits such as male and female flower counts, were measured at 35 and 60 days after sowing. Results showed that higher biochar applications, particularly 8 tons/ha (T₅), significantly enhanced all measured traits. Eight tons/ha of biochar application resulted in the highest leaf and stem dimensions, flower production, and leaf dry weight. These improvements are attributed to biochar’s ability to enhance soil structure and nutrient availability, along with its capacity to improve water retention. The study concludes that biochar application is an effective strategy for improving zucchini productivity in saline coastal soils, offering a sustainable solution for vegetable cultivation in stress-prone agroecosystems.

Yield Estimation of Paddy in Bhandara District, Maharashtra, India, Using a Semi-Physical Remote Sensing Approach

Gargi Gaydhane — 2025-10-04

Accurate and early estimation of crop yield is essential for food security planning, market regulation, and sustainable resource management. This study applies a semi-physical remote sensing approach to estimate paddy yield in Bhandara District, Maharashtra, India, for the 2018-2022 kharif seasons. Satellite-derived Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR), Fraction of Absorbed PAR (fAPAR), Radiation Use Efficiency (RUE), temperature stress, and water stress were integrated into a Net Primary Productivity (NPP) model to generate spatially explicit yield maps. A paddy crop mask was prepared from Sentinel-2 data, while MODIS and INSAT-3D products provided biophysical inputs. Grain yield was obtained by applying a harvest index to NPP estimates. Validation against five-year crop-cutting statistics showed an overall mean deviation of -1%, indicating close agreement between remote sensing estimates and official records. The results confirm that combining simplified process-based modeling with satellite data can provide reliable and timely yield forecasts over heterogeneous agricultural landscapes. This methodology supports decision-making for farmers, planners, and policymakers, and offers potential for operational yield monitoring in other rice-growing regions.

Growth Analysis and Yield of Twelve Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Genotypes in Myanmar

Tin Zar Phyu — 2025-10-10

Groundnut productivity in Myanmar is often limited by fluctuations in seasonal conditions. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate and identify genotypes that perform well under variable environments. Two field experiments were conducted at the Oilseed Crops Research Section, Department of Agricultural Research (DAR), Yezin, Myanmar, during the post-monsoon season (October, 2023 to January, 2024) and the monsoon season (May to September, 2024). Twelve groundnut genotypes were evaluated using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. This research aimed to evaluate the growth performance of twelve groundnut genotypes and to study the relationship between yield and some agronomic characters. Results revealed that significant differences in all growth parameters and yield were observed among the tested genotypes in both seasons indicating genetic variation existing among the tested genotypes. ICGV-07406 and ICGV-07286 consistently produced the highest pod yield across both seasons. ICGV-07406 and ICGV-07286 recorded 15–20% higher pod yield than the trial mean. ICGV-07406 was characterized by a greater number of branches per plant, higher number of mature pods, larger 100-seed weight, higher shelling percentage, and superior growth parameters such as total dry matter (TDM), crop growth rate (CGR), leaf area index (LAI) and harvest index. Meanwhile, ICGV-07286 showed higher values for 100-seed weight, shelling percentage, net assimilation rate (NAR), relative growth rate (RGR), and harvest index (HI). Greater yield of Sinpadatha-12 in monsoon season was attributed to its maximum harvest index. Most growth parameters were positively correlated, each contributing to groundnut pod yield with varying degrees. Pod yield of groundnut was strongly correlated with TDM in the post-monsoon season, while it was more closely associated with HI during the monsoon season. It highlights the need for seasonal specific management practices, varietal choice, and breeding strategies to maximize productivity.