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The paper aimed to study the effectiveness of corn cultivation under different irrigation methods on the experimental field of the Askanian State Agricultural Research Station, which is located in the semi-arid, steppe, arid climate zone of the Southern Steppe of Ukraine, in the Kakhovsky irrigated massif. The investigation pointed out the effectiveness and provided an economic assessment of the use of different irrigation methods in corn cultivation. Two methods of irrigation (sprinkling and subsoil drip irrigation) were studied, with the maintenance of the humidity of the soil layer 0-50 cm at the level of 80% LMC and corn hybrids of different maturity groups. Under subsoil drip irrigation, the irrigation rate was lower on average by 24% than when sprinkled, on the other hand, the yield was higher on average by 40.9%, which significantly affected the cost price of the obtained corn grain. Subsoil drip irrigation yielded a net profit of 62% higher than sprinkler irrigation. and the profitability accordingly increased by 78.8%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper purpose was to assess the impact of climate change on wheat, maize and sunflower yield in the period 2017-2021, using statistical data from National Institute of Statistics (NIS) and National Administration of Meteorology (NAM) and other sources. Comparison method was used to evaluate the deviations between the registered air temperatures and precipitations and the 1981-2010 climatological norm. Graphic method reflected the dynamics of monthly air temperatures and rainfalls in each year. Descriptive statistics for mean, standard deviation and coefficient of variation reflected an more comprehensive image upon air temperature, precipitations and yield. Correlations and regression equations were used to establish the intensity of the kinks between climate factors and yield. The highest average air temperature In Romania was 12.130C in 2019. In the period 2017-2020, the average annual temperatures exceeded the climatological norm 1981-2010 accounting for 9.10C. The lowest rainfalls, 614.2 mm, were recorded in 2019, being below of 633.1 mm the norm for the period 1981-2010. The high temperatures associated with drought and low precipitations have deeply affected yield of many agricultural crops, including maize, wheat and sunflower. The highest wheat yield 4,888 kg/ha was achieved in 2017, and the lowest one, 2,966 kg/ha in 2020. Maize registered the highest performance of 7,644 kg/ha in 2018, and the lowest one, 3,977 kg/ha in 2020. Sunflower carried out the high performance 3,041 kg/ha in 2018, and the lowest one, 1,858 kg/ha in 2020. The worst agricultural years for these three crops was 2020, but 2017 favored wheat, while 2018 favored maize and sunflower. The correlation coefficient had in general small values between average temperature and yield, but a higher link with precipitations level. The multiple correlation between yield, air temperatures and precipitations was: r= 0.817 for wheat, r = 0.116 for maize and r = 0.504 for sunflower. In the South Eastern Dobrogea, the driest area in Romania, the rainfalls declined by 65% in the period 2018-2020 having a deep negative impact on sunflower seeds yield, which decreased from 4,282 kg/ha in 2018, to 1,503 kg/ha in 2020. The correlation between precipitations and sunflower yield positive and very strong (r = 0.737). As a conclusion, the climate conditions should be analyzed in each farm and farmers have to take measure to adapt the technologies for sustaining production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main concern of today's scientists is the sustainable development of agriculture to achieve global food and nutrition security. Genome editing technology is recognized worldwide for its potential for sustainable agricultural intensification. In this paper, applications of genome editing in maize were analyzed and exemplified, based on statistical data collected from the EU-SAGE Database from January 1996 to July 2023. In addition, the existing regulations for this new technology were also discussed. The results showed that, so far, 51 applications of maize genome editing have been reported in the EU-SAGE database, and the CRISPR/Cas system was the most used genome editing tool with the potential to rapidly generate new genotypes with high yield, improved quality, and stresses resistance. Most applications were developed in China and the USA. Due to current GMO legislation and political indecision regarding the authorization of genome-edited products, the European Union is not yet able to use and cultivate these new improved genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many factors influence the performance of the agricultural activity within a farm. From this multitude of factors, one of the most important and taken into consideration are the climatic condition and the fertilization plan projected and implemented by the managerial team of the farm. In this matter, this paper presents the experimental results of these factors on the performance of the agricultural output on a specific geographic area in Boureni-Bailesti area in Southern Romania. The experiment has researched the influence of the climatic condition and the fertilizers on the level and the quality of the yields. In this manner, the grain yields have ranged between 8,040 and 10,260 kg/ha, the grain output for 1 kg of fertilizer being between 10.7 and 16.8 kg and the protein content in function of the fertilization was 12.4-12.7%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The content of this paper aims to analyze the main technical indicators of three of the most important crops in the European Union, namely corn, wheat and sunflower. By interpreting the statistical data provided by Eurostat on the cultivated area, the total production and the average production of the three crops mentioned above using the trend, the standard deviation and the coefficient of variation, an analysis of the Member States of the European Union will be carried out in order to determine which of them dominates the crop sector of corn, wheat and sunflower, in the end to figure out that not one of the analised Member States can be called the leader regarding the agricultural sector, because the results are so different beeing influenced by so many external factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant health (in this case winter wheat, corn and sunflower crops) is fundamental to the sustainability and competitiveness of agriculture, food safety and environmental protection. Currently, modern winter wheat, corn and sunflower crop protection strategies are focused on combating harmful organisms (diseases, weeds and pests) that cause quantitative and qualitative losses to these crops. The research in this paper focused on the presentation of all plant protection products applied to wheat, corn and sunflower crops by 50 farmers from Ilfov county in the 2019 agricultural year. The assortment of fungicides, insecticides and herbicides used is extremely varied. We also made observations in the field to identify which diseases and pests were present in the crops and consulted the farmers on the extent of their control. The degree of attack of powdery mildew, two weeks after the application of the treatments, was calculated based on the incidence and severity of the diseases. The diagnosis of diseases was made by visual observation of the typical symptoms of their manifestations. Information from farmers was obtained on the basis of questionnaires. Total control of weeds in farmers' crops was provided by an assortment represented by 8 wheat herbicides, 2 sunflower herbicides and 10 maize herbicides. Due to environmental concerns and concern for human health, the application of products for the protection of wheat, corn and sunflower crops was done taking into account good practices in the context of promoting integrated management of diseases, weeds and pests according to European directive 2009/128/EC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the prospects of Ukraine on the world grain market and ways to increase the efficiency of maize cultivation using environmentally safe technologies in the conditions of the negative impact of climate change and other stress factors. The methodological approach takes into account the peculiarities of agrarian production based on the use of data of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, United States Department of Agriculture, United Nations, Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine and State Statistics Service of Ukraine. The dynamics of world production and export of maize grain, sown areas, production and yield of maize in Ukraine are demonstrated, which directly focuses attention on the competitiveness of Ukrainian maize on the world grain market. These arguments are confirmed by analytical results, which show that in 2022, among the world leaders of maize grain producers, Ukraine took fifth place, and among exporters - fourth. In order to mitigate the impact of climate change and other stress factors on the effective production and export of Ukrainian maize, adaptation measures are proposed, which consist in the application of modern technologies, which include: optimization of the structure of sown areas and scientifically based crop rotations with the effective use of competitive varieties and hybrids of agricultural crops, the introduction of organic and mineral fertilizers and plant protection products, the use of soil protective tillage, sideration and mulching, irrigation systems, and also the productive use of plant residues with the application of modern biodestructors. Their comprehensive implementation will contribute to the development of maize yield, grain quality, preservation of biodiversity and the solution of the grain-food problem in the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the variation of the quality indices of the seeds obtained in the period 2021-2022 at an agricultural company is tracked and the factors responsible for the defects found were analyzed. The company under study is based in Mânăstirea commune, Călărași county and has an area of 183.55 ha. From the crops practiced by the society, we analyzed the quality parameters of wheat, corn and barley, the main crops practiced. We carried out an analysis of the quality of the cereals sold within the company, following the values of the most important selection criteria, based on the analysis bulletins owned by the analyzed company. Almost all the qualitative parameters were included within the norms stipulated by STAS, there being small excesses in the case of some, which led to the inclusion of the barley obtained by the company in the grade 2 category. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large-scale application in Romania of work systems that aim to preserve soil fertility is of primary importance given that increasing arable areas are cultivated without consulting a specialist and without a system in which to take account of the short-, medium- or long-term consequences on the soil. The purpose of soil preparation works performed after the ploughing consist of breaking and crushing the structural soil clods and soil structural macroaggregates in order to sow. For the execution of mechanized soil scarification, the preparation of the germination bed and of the sowing of maize is important for the choice of the types of tractors according to the technological work process and the biological properties of crops depending on the following indicators: gauge, size, plot size, energy consumption of agricultural machinery, land condition, humidity, and manoeuvrability. This paper aims to highlight the usefulness and economic efficiency of conservative (unconventional) works because this cultivation technology contributes to: reducing soil works to a minimum by reducing the number of machines; reducing soil setting by reducing the number of passes and work operations; reducing water and wind erosion by leaving plant remains on the soil surface; maintaining soil humidity by reducing evaporative water losses because the layer of plant remains are left on the ground; increasing the soil water capacity due to the layer of plant remains that slows water drain on the soil surface thus increasing the infiltration time; improving the physical structure of the soil; increasing the content of humus; and developing biological activity in the soil. From an economic point of view, the method is less costly because it reduces fuel consumption and working time with machines. The use of modern mechanization technologies has a great economic efficiency due to the following: works are carried out in a short period of time, so that the optimal time of technological work is respected; the number of aggregates is reduced; the number of passes on the ground is reduced; the setting of soil is reduced; wage costs are reduced; fuel consumption is reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture is the economic sector that benefited most from Romania's entry into the European Union, especially through the National Rural Development Program - PNDR 2014-2020 program, which was based on providing non-reimbursable funds to Romanian farmers in order to modernize and expand agricultural holdings. In total, since Romania's accession to the EU, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, has developed European and national funds for agriculture of over 26 billion euros, the average annual absorption rate being 96%. The paper presents the dynamics of cultivated areas, in a crop formed by wheat, barley, corn and sunflower crops, in the period 2015-2020, cultivated in an organic system compared to the conventional one. Because crop rotations play a key role in ensuring the sustainability of modern farming systems, they remain crucial in the practice of organic farming systems, as they combat diseases, pests, weeds, water shortages and soil nutrients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of research on the impact of sowing dates on economic efficiency, yield, and harvest moisture of corn hybrids of different FAO groups in the conditions of the Southern Steppe of Ukraine are presented. The genotypic response of corn hybrids of different FAO groups to sowing dates was established. From an economic and agrotechnical point of view, each group of FAO corn hybrids in the irrigation conditions of southern Ukraine has its optimal sowing period. Cultivation of corn hybrids of the FAO group 400-500 in the early (April 15) and late (May 15) sowing periods is associated with a certain risk for production with the possibility of a loss of net income in the range of 21-46% (350-790 EUR/ha). These hybrids are the most productive (13.61-15.13 t/ha of grain) under optimal sowing dates (25.04-05.05) and the most profitable (1,473-1,714 EUR/ha) under irrigation conditions. Corn hybrids with FAO 190-290 have the prospect of being used in organic production without the use of herbicides during the late sowing period (May 15). Corn hybrids FAO 300-390 can be used with high efficiency at optimal sowing times, however, their sowing in early and late periods can be risky due to low cold resistance and high harvest humidity in some wet years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the role of maize in both animal feed and human consumption, improving the quality of maize grain should be investigated with the same perseverance as the grain yield. The main objectives proposed in this research were to evaluate the influence of the hybrid, weather conditions and their interaction on the yield, protein and oil contents in grain maize, and to investigate the relationships between these traits. Field experiments were performed for two consecutive years at ARDS Șimnic. The results obtained showed that the weather conditions during the study years were the determinant factor of variability in grain yield (88%), and the hybrid was the determinant factor of variability in protein and oil contents (84% and 83%, respectively). In average, in 2018, a significantly higher grain yield (9.05 t/ha) and a significantly lower oil content (4.2%) were registered compared to 2019 (6.08 t/ha and 4.5%, respectively), while the protein content was almost similar in both years (12.5% and 12.3%, respectively). The hybrids P 9903 (7.88 t/ha) and DK 5068 (7.79 t/ha) obtained the highest average grain yields. The hybrid F 376 had the lowest average grain yield (7.03 t/ha) but the highest average protein content (13.4%) and oil content (5.3%). Negative correlations between traits suggested that an increase in the grain yield meant a decrease in the grain quality traits (protein and oil contents). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The geographical area between the Danube and the Black Sea, Dobrogea, represents a region with the highest aridity indices. The average precipitation in the period 1961-2016 was 464 mm. Climate changes in recent years have accentuated this phenomenon and, due to this, low production levels of 1-2 tons/ha were achieved on large areas of corn. In the year 2022/2023, over 40,000 ha cultivated with corn in Constanta county were deeply affected by the lack of rainfalls, high temperatures and long and severe drought. In these particularly dry conditions, sorghum becomes an essential alternative. This study aimed to continue the experiments with sorghum hybrids which have been carried out during the last 15 years at SPORT AGRA Ltd from Amzacea Village, Constanta County, in order to adapt the technologies to climate changes. The novelty of this research is that the adapted technologies include, among other things, the following elements: changing the planting period by approximately 25-30 days compared to the recommendations of classical technologies (planting starting from the first decade of May in order to use the moisture in the soil layer at the depth of seed incorporation 4-5 cm.), the use of early hybrids in order to overcome the periods of heat that in this area start from mid-June, the use of technological means of crop protection that include pre- and post-emergent herbicides, seed treatment prior to planting. In these conditions of development of non-irrigated sorghum technology, we propose planting this crop earlier (25-30 days compared to classic technology). In this way, the sorghum will benefit from the water reserve accumulated during the fall of the previous year. The productions of the sorghum hybrids used in the observation research fields were over 10 to/ha in most of the tested hybrids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 2007, the GM maize event MON 810 (resistant to insects Lepidopteran) is authorized for cultivation in Romania, but since 2016 the farmers have given up cultivating it for various reasons. In this study, the main agronomic parameters of genetically modified (GM) maize hybrid (MON 810 - trade name: DKC 5784 YG) and of two conventional maize hybrids (Deliciul verii and F 376) were compared under drought and heat conditions during two years at Agricultural Research and Development Station (ARDS) Șimnic. The hybrid affected statistically significant (P≤0.05) all evaluated parameters. Similarly, climatic conditions (year) significant influenced all evaluated parameters with the exception of the days to tasseling. The GM hybrid confirmed ability to protect itself against the Ostrinia nubilalis (ECB) and the drought, and its average grain yield was higher by 1.33 - 1.69 t/ha in comparison with conventional maize hybrids. The results showed a higher level of attack on conventional maize hybrids in extremely dry year 2012 compared to 2013. Thus, adopting GM maize crops can effectively address the drought stress and its consequences for sustainable maize crop production in the dry Oltenia region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The attack of "Spodoptera frugiperda" on maize has the potential to disrupt the availability of maize production in Indonesia, particularly in North Sulawesi, where it spread to additional districts of corn planting centers. Observations were made on nine maize varieties (Manado Kuning, Bissi 2, Pertiwi 3, JH 37, Bissi 18, Pioner P 37, Twinn 20, Bissi 228, and Nasa 29) and on the types and populations of pests and natural enemies on farms, which were sprayed with biopesticides, to determine the resistance, the number of eggs laid and the egg laying period; and logs the types of "S. frugiperda" egg parasitoid. The results showed that the Manado Kuning, Pioner P 37 and Nasa 29 corn varieties were the three most abundant varieties in terms of the number of egg groups laid by "S. frugiperda", where each had five. The Bissi 2 and Pertiwi 3 maize varieties had the least with only one egg group each. The earliest time for oviposition occurred at five days of age on the Pioner P 37, Bissi 228, and Nasa 29 varieties, while the latest time occurred on the Bissi 2 variety at 17 days of age. It was determined that the Bissi 2 variety may become the main plant choice, while the Pioner P 37 and Nasa 29 can be used as bait plants. The type of parasitoids obtained were "Telenomus sp." and "Trichogramma sp.", where "Telenomus sp." was obtained more than "Trichogramma sp." Both can be used as a natural insecticide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of climate change, there is a growing need to study the impact of environmental factors on plant life. This, in turn, will allow the reasonable use of agricultural techniques, to form high-yielding crops, and increase crop productivity. The following variants of tillage and irrigation technologies were included in the research scheme (i) conventional tillage without irrigation; (ii) no-till without irrigation; (iii) no-till with drip irrigation system; (iv) no-till with system of subsoil drip irrigation. Corn yield varied significantly from the studied factors of cultivation technology. The highest productivity of 12.1 t/ha was obtained under no-till with a system of subsurface drip irrigation and 12.0 t/ha under no-till with drip irrigation system. During the statistical processing of the obtained experimental data, no significant difference between the studied variants was found. Carrying out an economic analysis of corn growing in the arid climate of the Southern Steppe of Ukraine testifies to the high efficiency of application of the new tillage and irrigation systems in the cultivation technology. The application of no-till with drip irrigation system allowed to obtain grain with a cost of 3.72 UAH/t, to obtain a profit of 50.13 UAH/ha with a level of production profitability of 112.2%. It should be noted that the use of no-till with system of subsoil drip irrigation led to slightly lower indicators of economic efficiency of corn cultivation, under which the level of production profitability was 109.0%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents field research results on studying the effect of treating maize plants with growth regulating biological products on the formation of productivity of lines - parental components for optimizing the elements of cultivation technology. The experimental scheme included the effect of Bio-gel and Helafit®-combi biological products on the productivity of parental components of different FAO groups and genetic plasms of maize hybrids at different densities of 70,000, 80,000, 90,000 plants ha-1. Studies have shown that for the maximum manifestation of the "weight of 1,000 grains" indicator the optimal density is 70,000 plants ha-1. The increase in yield is positively influenced by the increase in the weight of 1,000 seeds, which is due to the line genotype and the use of the Bio-gel, Helafit®-combi biologically active products. Pre-sowing treatment of maize seeds with Bio-gel and Helafit®-combi increased laboratory seed germination. With the Bio-gel product applied, the laboratory germination increased by an average of 1.5%, with Helafit®-combi used seed germination increased by 2.4%. In our studies, the maximum seed yield in the early-ripening line of the DK 281 parental component was recorded at a density of 90,000 plants ha-1and the treatment with Helafit®-combi and amounted to 3.65 t ha-1. The maximum yield of the DK 247 parental component was observed at a density of 80,000 plants ha-1 and the treatment with Helafit®-combi and amounted to 4.89 t ha-1. Mid-late lines DK 411 and DK 445 parental components showed the highest yields at densities of 70,000 plants ha-1 and after the treatment with Helafit®-combi which amounted to 4.65 and 6.30 t ha-1, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resource allocation and productivity are important aspect of increased food production which is also associated with the management of the farmers who employ these resources in production. Furthermore, efficiency in the use of available resources is a major pivot for profitable farm enterprise and sustainability. Therefore, inefficiency in the use of resources, wrong choice of enterprise combination and cropping system constitute the major constraints to increased food production in Nigeria. Adamawa State has favourable ecology for both rainfed and irrigated maize production, but the increasing demand for maize lags behind supplies. This study was therefore conducted to examine Productivity and Efficiency of Maize (Zea mays) Farmers in Adamawa State. Socio-economic characteristics of respondents; allocative, technical and economic efficiencies of maize production and factors of inefficiencies of production among respondents were specifically examined. Data were collected from 337 maize farmers and subjected to descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Results showed that respondents had a mean age of 44 years, attained one form of formal education or the other with mean of nine years of schooling, mean household size of eight people, well experienced with mean experience of 21 years and mostly small scale farmers cultivating an average of 1.89 hectares. The stochastic production frontier analysis indicated that 84.01% of the variations in the technical efficiencies were jointly explained by the production variables in the model. Seeds, fertilizers and farm size were statistically significant (p=0.01) and positively related with maize output. Education and extension contact were statistically significant (p=0.05) and increase technical efficiency among respondents. Furthermore, the stochastic cost function analysis indicated that 80.24% variations in allocative efficiencies were as a result of the variables included in the model. Cost of fertilizers, seeds and herbicides were statistically significantly (p=0.01) whereas labour was statistically significant (p=0.10). Extension contacts increase allocative efficiency significantly. The mean values obtained were 0.79, 0.88 and 0.69 for Technical Efficiency (TE), Allocative Efficiency (AE) and Economic Efficiency (EE) respectively. High cost of inputs, inadequate credit facilities, Striga infestation and drought were the major constraints of maize production. It is concluded that farmers are not fully efficient in the allocation of resources for production. Formation of cooperative association by farmers and training of farmers by both government and non governmental agencies were some of the recommendations made in the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maize (Zea mays L.) is an essential crop worldwide, and the application of fertilizers is a vital management strategy that significantly enhances its yield. The objective of this investigation was to assess the impact of green manure and mineral fertilization on the yield of maize. The experiments were conducted in an experimental field at Agricultural Research and Development Station Braila during the first decade of September 2021 to the second decade of October 2022. A bifactorial experiment was carried out based on the formula A × B, where A represents the green manure crops (a1- control - without green manure crop; a2- winter pea (Pisum sativum L. var. arvense); a3- white mustard (Sinapis alba L.); a4- winter rye (Secale cereale L.); a5- white mustard (Sinapis alba L) + rapeseed (Brassica napus L.); a6- rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) and B represents the mineral fertilization (b1- N0 unfertilized; b2- N60 (60 kg/ha of N); b3- N90 (90 kg/ha of N); b4- N120 (120 kg/ha of N)). The results of this study show the benefits of integrated fertilization with green manure and mineral fertilizer. Maize grain yield was found to be enhanced by using green manure crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the study, the price volatility relationship between wheat, cotton and corn markets was investigated and daily data for the period 02.04.2005-11.03.2020 were used. The VAR-Asymmetric BEKK-GARCH model, which analyzes the markets simultaneously in a single system, was chosen. Persistent long-term uncertainty in the wheat market affects the market positively. Long-term uncertainty in the cotton market creates uncertainty both in its own market and in the corn market. Persistent long-term uncertainty in the corn market creates permanent uncertainties both in its own market and in other markets, and these effects are statistically significant. Markets were more affected by long-term shocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research to determine of color properties of seed related to help in safe passage for seed through cleaning and separation processes. Also investigate some seed properties can be used in design and development of multi-seed planting machine. Soya bean, wheat, corn, cotton faba bean and sunflowers were tested at department of agriculture engineering, faculty of agriculture, Tanta University, Egypt. Through 2022. The design of feed mechanism system required easy movement for seeds this is a critically moving during the filling of the feed disk, so must detriments of the small differences in the surface area and topography of the grains and determine some image analyses. There are clear differences between faba bean and soybean in Hue value was 0. 626. the intensity, and the browning index was 91.75 and 16.25 in faba bean while in soybean were 0. 565,85.33, and 21.79 respectively. While the differences between corn and wheat in Hue value was 0. 699.Also the intensity, and the browning index was 100.08, 17.30 in corn while in wheat were 0. 708. 97.94, and 13.38 respectively. Also, clear differences between cotton and sunflowers in Hue value was 0. 634. Also the intensity, and the Black & White band was 87.40, and 87.40 in cotton while in sunflowers were 0. 480, 96.75 and 96.75 respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change has become the biggest global challenge to agriculture and food production. In the context of current environmental changes, the aim of this study is to identify the optimal sowing season that leads to obtaining high and constant yields. The study followed the reaction of 7 native maize hybrids to cultivation in 3 different sowing seasons, over a period of 3 years. The data obtained show us that the best yield results are obtained on mid-early hybrids (9327-9843 kg/ha). Sowing maize too early, are obtained lower yields than for maize sown at 10°C in the soil, with a very significant difference of 1337 kg/ha. Favorable climatic conditions in 2020 and 2021 emerge from the average yields obtained in the two years, 10343 kg/ha (2020) respectively 9424 kg/ha (2021). The climatic conditions of 2022 were less favorable, summer drought having a negative effect on average maize yield, which was 6924 kg/ha. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corn crops in Romania shelter a large number of insects and spiders, some of them harm the plants (pests) while others are useful (natural enemies). Bearing in mind the wide variety of species present and the high numerical quantity of recent years, we set out to find and exploit those capable of keeping pests under control in the context of the current focus on biological solutions to the detriment of chemical ones. Thus, in 2021-2022 we analyzed the set of pests and natural enemies from 2 lots of corn grown organically, from 2 agricultural companies in the western region. The results showed a great diversity and positive interactions, analyzed both in the open field and in cages. The effectiveness rate of ladybugs in preying on aphids was high (81%) and that of spiders in preying on leaf beetles (Diabrotica, Oulema, Phyllotreta and Chaetocnema) was still high (76.25%). The activity of the parasitoid wasps was reflected in a lower effectiveness rate (parasitized aphids) (14.84%), as was the case of the oophagous wasps that parasitized 10.71% of Ostrinia and Helicoverpa eggs. The future approach to pest management in organic corn crops should include exploitation of existing natural enemies, an affordable solution at low cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paucity of information on the efficiency of organic food crops deters relevant interventions to enhance their production in order to address the health risks associated with inorganic food items. This study, therefore, investigated the technical efficiency, identified the factors influencing the productivity of organic maize farming, and measured the factor efficiency or resource productivityof organic maize farming in Nigeria. This study used data obtained from 480 organic maize farmers and analysed it using descriptive statistics, a stochastic frontier production function, and return to scale. The results revealed that organic maize farms had an average technical efficiency of 0.76, showing there is room for improvement. Organic manure, labour, seeds, education, extension contacts, and farm size significantly contributed to the technical efficiency of organic maize farming production. To improve and maintain the continuity of organic maize farming practices, farmers need to form and belong to farmbased organisations, where government and non-government organisations can support them, to facilitate the promotion of organic-based farming knowledge and obtain financial assistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this research to determine of physical properties of seed related to help in safe passage for seed through cleaning and separation processes. Also investigate some seed properties can be used in design and development of multi-seed planting machine. Soya Bean, Wheat, Corn, Cotton Faba Bean and Sunflowers were tested at department of agriculture engineering, faculty of agriculture, Tanta university, Egypt. through 2022. From the results, it is clear that the little differences in the maximum of Length dimensions between Soya Bean and Wheat were 7.62 and 8.72 mm., it increased between Corn and Cotton to 15 and 10.12 mm. and Faba Bean and Sunflowers were 11 and 19 mm. the maximum of Geometric mean diameter recorded little differences between Soya Bean and Wheat were 2.76 and 2.81 mm., it increased between Corn and Cotton to 4.83 and 5.13 mm. and Faba Bean and Sunflowers were 8.47 and 6.86 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]