to obtain detailed information of sowing density and defoliation intensity under more controlled conditions on herbage production and seed yield, paraggio medic was grown on raised-beds located outdoors at the waite agricultural research institute. a split split randomised block design was used. treatments comprised three sowing rates (densities): low (3 kg/ha), medium (15 kg/ha) and high (...

three stocking densities (20, 40, and 60 sheep/ha) were applied in four stocking periods (0, 2, 4, and 6 weeks) on a medicago truncatula cv. paraggio pasture. treatments were arranged in a split plot system and compared through a completely randomised block design with four replications.grazing period had a significant effect (p

Eastern deciduous forests are populated with a variety of hardwood species, with composition at large scales determined by a complex interplay of temperature, moisture, and disturbance. An understanding of seed production is important in the context of forest regeneration and wildlife management. We analyzed time series data obtained from the literature to investigate (1) the effects of life-hi...

Plant species composition and diversity is often influenced by early life history stages; thus, global change could dramatically affect plant community structure by altering seed production. Unfortunately, plant reproductive responses to global change are rarely studied in field settings, making it difficult to assess this possibility. To address this issue, we quantified the effects of elevate...

Frequent and intense defoliation of grasses has been associated with the evolution of “grazing morphotypes” that exhibit a variety of vegetative traits correlated with improved grazing resistance. While recovery from a seed bank is not considered an important grazing resistance mechanism, relatively little is actually known regarding seed (caryopsis) production in grazing morphotypes of caespit...

Insect herbivores and fungal pathogens can independently affect plant fitness, and may have interactive effects. However, few studies have experimentally quantified the joint effects of insects and fungal pathogens on seed production in non-agricultural populations. We examined the factorial effects of insect herbivore exclusion (via insecticide) and fungal pathogen exclusion (via fungicide) on...

Detasseling is used in hybrid corn (Zea mays L.) seed production to ensure harvested seeds have the desired genetic complement. Both mechanical and hand detasseling result in loss of some leaf tissue and plant N. The objective of this study was to determine if seed yield and quality and N content of grain and stover were affected by leaf removal during detasseling. The treatments evaluated were...

The varieties of Solanum melongena L. display a wide range of fruit shapes and colors, ranging from oval or egg-shaped to long club-shaped; and from white, yellow, green through degrees of purple pigmentation to almost black. Most of the commercially important varieties have been selected from the long established types of the tropical India and China. In the past, farmers maintained and suppli...

Seed is the basic input in agriculture. The quality of seed used by farmers determines the status of agriculture they practice. However, for maximum gain in productivity the use of both improved varieties and improved integrated crop management practices are required. Not only do they contribute to increasing productivity individually, but they also act synergistically. Seed of improved varieti...