Pruning and nutrient supply after pruning are crucial to restore growth and productivity of old, unproductive coffee trees. The effect of pruning type (stumping, heavy pruning and light pruning) and fertilizer rate (100, 140, 180 and 220 g nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur (NPS) mixed fertilizer per tree per year) on coffee yield and yield components and fertilizer agronomic efficiency (AE) was studied in southwest Ethiopia to identify the best pruning type and fertilizer rate combination for high crop productivity and AE. The experiment was conducted in a split-plot design with three replicates, where pruning type was the whole-plot factor and fertilizer rate was the subplot factor. Both main and interaction effects of pruning type and fertilizer rate on response variables were significant. Stumping and heavy pruning showed a much higher number of primary branches and fruiting nodes per tree than did light pruning. The 100 g fertilizer rate showed a significantly higher number of verticals and fruiting nodes per tree, yield and AE than did the other rates. Besides, the combination of heavy pruning and 100 g, stumping and 220 g, and stumping and 100 g provided a much higher number of fruiting nodes per tree, yield and AE; number of fruiting nodes per tree, canopy diameter and yield; and yield and AE, respectively than others. These findings show the importance of stumping and heavy pruning each combined with 100 g NPS fertilizer for renewing coffee productivity and maximizing AE in the study area.

Crop establishment system choice is crucial for growers, with various options differing in tillage type, depth, and intensity. In Ireland, plough-based establishment dominates, but interest in and adoption of non-inversion systems is growing. These systems have proven successful in drier climates, where they evolved, but their performance under wetter Atlantic-influenced conditions is less studied. Limited research indicates challenges such as increased grass weed pressure, inconsistent yields, poorer crop establishment and reduced suitability for spring cropping. Additionally, the suitability of conventional replicated trials for extrapolating performance to farm level is frequently questioned for systems-type research. This research combines two complimentary studies; a replicated field trial and detailed on-farm studies. The performance of wheat grown following a break-crop in plough, min-till and direct drill systems was evaluated using both methods over three seasons. In the replicated trial, where management and input use were consistent across treatments, variation was recorded in plant densities and growth with only minor effects on yield. In contrast, the on-farm study, where management and input use varied between systems, showed no variation in plant densities and growth but did reveal significant yield differences. These were associated with input use and establishment system. The on-farm study provided valuable insight into the range of performance of these systems in commercial settings. However, it was less effective at isolating which specific components were responsible for the observed performance differences between systems.

Canola (Brassica napus L.) is an important oilseed crop with notable economic and nutritional value; however, its productivity in newly reclaimed soils is hindered by nutrient deficiencies and complex soil conditions. This study examined the combined effects of magnesium (Mg) fertilization and zinc (Zn) foliar applications on the growth, yield, and oil quality of canola in newly reclaimed soils in Egypt during the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 growing seasons. A split-plot experimental design was utilized, featuring Mg rates (12, 24, 48, and 72 kg/ha) as main plots and Zn foliar applications (0, 3, 5, and 6 g/L) as sub-plots. The results indicated significant improvements in plant growth characteristics, yield components, and oil parameters with elevated levels of Mg and Zn. The treatment combination of 72 kg Mg/ha and 6 g/L Zn consistently improved plant height, number of primary branches, siliques per plant, and 1000-seed weight in both seasons. Seed yield increased by 71%, achieving 3.50 t/ha, while oil yield exhibited a 134.9% rise, reaching 1,377.43 kg/ha. Principal component analysis revealed that the increased application of Mg and Zn significantly enhanced agronomic performance, with the first two principal components accounting for 90.7% of the total variance. Correlation and path analyses revealed intricate interactions among traits, with the number of siliques per plant and oil content demonstrating the most significant direct effects on seed and oil yields. This study highlights the significance of balanced nutrient management for optimizing canola productivity.

Winter barley is mainly grown in Europe. Before new varieties are recommended for cultivation, they undergo evaluation in breeding and variety trials. Based on the results of these trials, the stability and adaptability of promising new lines or varieties are assessed. In the present study, based on results from post-registration trials, we compared varieties grown in the 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons. We fitted two Bayesian mixed models and assessed the stability of the varieties using the posterior estimates of variance components from the preferred model. We also used Bayesian probabilistic methods to recommend the best varieties. Using the probabilistic methods, we identified the varieties that were the most stable and had the highest tuber yield in the barley post-registration trials. The varieties Melia, Mirabelle and Zenek were shown to be the three most stable and highest yielding. Furthermore, these three varieties had the highest joint probability of superior performance and stability. This study demonstrates that probabilistic methods within a Bayesian framework are a powerful tool for recommending the best winter barley varieties. The R-codes for both models are provided in a Supplement.