Light interception and radiation use efficiency of okra and normal leaf cotton isolines

Okra-leaf cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) types have been reputed to produce equal or higher amounts of lint yield than normal-leaf types, while intercepting less or similar amounts of radiation. In this field study, okra- and normal-leaf cotton isolines were compared for their efficiency to produce dry matter utilizing intercepted radiation. At three weeks after first flower, the two leaf-shape isolines produced similar amounts of dry matter, with the okra-leaf type partitioning a larger fraction to fruiting organs. However, at the end of the season no differences in lint yield, yield components and fiber-quality properties were recorded between the two isolines. Fractional light interception throughout the period of the study was greater for the normal-leaf type compared to the okra-leaf type. The okra-leaf isoline utilized intercepted radiation more efficiently to produce dry matter. Values of radiation use efficiency were estimated at 1.897 and 2.636 g MJ⁻¹ of intercepted photosynthetically active radiation for the normal- and okra-leaf types, respectively. Growth chamber studies revealed similar single leaf carbon exchange rates, therefore radiation use efficiency differences between the leaf shape isolines could be attributed to light interception characteristics.     

Influence of spectral quality on the growth response of intact bean plants to brassinosteroid, a growth-promoting steroidal lactone. II. Chlorophyll content and partitioning of assimilate

The chlorophyll content and partitioning of assimilate of bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L. 'Pinto') plants were determined 6 days after treatment of the second internode (I₂ with 5 μg of brassinosteroid (BR), a growth-promoting steroidal lactone. Plants were grown for 6 days under equal levels (90 μmol s^-1 m^-2) of photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) provided by cool white fluorescent (CWF) or incandescent (INC) lamps and equal levels of far-red (28 W m^-2, 700–800 nm) radiation provided by the same INC or far-red (FR) fluorescent lamps. Brassinosteroid treatment had no appreciable effect on total biomass production but caused a decrease of 15–20% dry matter distribution in the upper portion of the shoot, a small (4%) but constant increase in dry matter in l₂ and a large (11–16%) increase in dry matter in the lower portion of the shoot (especially I₁). Treatment with BR increased assimilate accumulation in the primary leaves, especially under INC and FR lamps, and reduced dry matter in the trifoliate leaves. BR also caused a 16–21% reduction in total leaf area and even a greater reduction in area of the trifoliate leaves, but significantly increased specific leaf weight of the primary leaves and the first trifoliate leaf and the amount of dry matter in the lateral shoots under all radiation sources. In comparison to controls, BR treatment increased dry matter accumulation in the treated internode 3.3x under CWF and 1.6x under INC or FR. BR treatment also increased chlorophyll content in the primary leaves under all radiation sources and in the trifoliate leaves under CWF and INC lamps. These findings suggest a possible mobilization role of BR and establish the importance of adequate PPFD (and photosynthate) for maximum swelling and splitting response to brassinosteroid.     

冬小麦高产高效群体的年际间稳产性能

以冬小麦品种‘泰农18’为试验材料,设置传统农民管理习惯的农户模式(T₁)、不计肥水和人工等投入以获得高产的高产模式(T₂)和优化种植密度、播期、肥水管理运筹的高产高效模式(T₃)3种种植模式,于2012年10月—2016年7月连续4个小麦生育季,研究了不同种植模式小麦主茎与分蘖成穗特性、不同年份的光合有效辐射截获、利用、光合产物分配等光能利用特性和产量差异,结合年际间的光、温、水等生态因子分布差异,分析了高产高效群体的稳产性能.结果表明: 冬小麦不同生育时期内的光、温、降雨等生态因子的总量和各生育时期分布存在较大变异.T₁、T₂、T₃模式主茎穗的比例分别为38.9%、58.7%、66.9%,表明T₁、T₂、T₃模式在群体结构构建上分别是以分蘖穗为主、主茎穗和分蘖穗并重、主茎穗为主.T₂模式的生物量和产量最高,T₁最低,T₃模式自孕穗期之后,尤其是在开花14 d后仍能维持较高的叶面积指数、光能截获率和截获量、群体光合速率,并具有较高的干物质分配能力,使其在干物质积累相对偏低的情况下仍可获得高产.T₃模式花后的叶面积指数、光能截获率和截获量以及光合速率等的年际间极差、标准差、变异系数均小于T₁和T₂模式,由此也保证了T₃模式生物产量的稳定.相关分析表明,以主茎成穗为主的T₃种植模式能够有效应对年际间气候变化并实现稳产,关键是具有年际间稳定的生物产量.     

油菜地上部干物质分配与产量形成模拟模型

利用油菜器官生长与发育进程及环境因子之间的定量关系,构建了基于分配指数的油菜地上部器官干物质分配动态模拟模型.各器官干物质分配指数随着生理发育时间而变化,基因型、播期、氮素及水分水平影响各器官干物质在地上部分配的大小.其中,氮素营养水平对绿色叶片干物质分配影响最大,氮素营养水平越高,绿色叶片分配指数越大;播期影响角果分配指数,晚播的角果分配指数高于早播.模型引入氮素营养指数、水分及播期影响因子来定量油菜各器官在实际生产条件下的分配强度,同时考虑了品种遗传特性的影响.通过不同品种氮肥处理试验建立模型,利用不同品种播期试验资料对模型进行了初步检验,表明模型具有较好的预测性和适用性.     

Seasonal radiation interception, dry matter production and yield determination for a semi-leafless pea (Pisum sativum) breeding selection under contrasting field conditions

Radiation interception, dry matter accumulation, flower and pod production and yield were measured for a semi-leafless pea (Pisum sativum) breeding selection (BS3) on three contrasting sites. Differences in soil moisture availability were largely responsible for a three-fold difference in yield between sites. Radiation interception was related to dry matter production by calculating photosynthetic efficiencies. In the absence of lodging, crop canopies converted intercepted radiation into dry matter with constant efficiency (?) throughout the season; under conditions of moisture stress ? was reduced. Serious lodging during the post-flowering period on one site resulted in a mean seasonal photosynthetic efficiency (?) 17% lower than ?. The ability of the pea crop canopy to intercept radiation was related also to yield components.     

Disease assessment methods and their use in simulating growth and yield of peanut crops affected by leafspot disease

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) crops in Benin often experience late leafspot (Cercosporidium personatum), which causes severe yield losses associated with leaf defoliation and necrosis. The objective of this research was to determine the best method of disease assessment and to test its utility in the CROPGRO‐peanut model to simulate growth and yield as affected by late leafspot in early and late maturing peanut cultivars grown at different sowing dates under rain‐fed conditions (without irrigation) in northern Benin. Two peanut cultivars TS 32‐1 and 69–101 were sown on three dates between May and August during 1998 and 1999. In both years there was severe occurrence of late leafspot and the progression of disease was earlier and faster with later sowing dates. Overall, the long duration cultivar 69–101 produced greater yield than the short duration cultivar TS 32‐1. The CROPGRO‐peanut model was able to predict and simulate the observed crop and pod dry matter over time when input on percent diseased leaf area and percent defoliation were provided. Of several disease assessments, the best approach was to input measured percent main‐stem defoliation above the fourth node and percent diseased leaf area estimated from visual leafspot score.     

Production ecology of agroforestry systems: a minimal mechanistic model and analytical derivation of the land equivalent ratio

In this paper, the yield and the land equivalent ratio (LER) of a silvo-arable agroforestry (SAF) system, containing one tree and one crop species, is analyzed analytically using a minimal mechanistic model describing the system dynamics. Light competition between tree and crop is considered using light extinction functions. The tree leaf area is driven by annual increase in the number of leaf-bearing shoots with a seasonal cycle of bud burst, leaf expansion and senescence. The crop leaf area dynamics is driven by the solar radiation, heat sum and the dry matter allocation to the leaves. As a consequence of this, the model consists of six state equations expressing the temporal dynamics of: (1) tree biomass; (2) tree leaf area; (3) number of shoots per tree; (4) crop biomass; (5) crop leaf area index, and (6) heat sum. The main outputs of the model are the growth dynamics and final yields of trees and crops. Daily inputs are temperature and radiation. Planting densities, initial biomass of tree and crop species and growth parameters must be specified. The main parameters are those describing light interception, conversion to dry matter and leaf area. Given the crop cover and the tree parameters, it is shown that under potential growing conditions the land equivalent ratio can be explicitly expressed in terms of these parameters.     

Growth of Lettuce, Onion, and Red Beet. 1. Growth Analysis, Light Interception, and Radiation Use Efficiency

A field experiment was carried out to analyse the growth oflettuce, onion and red beet in terms of: (a) canopy architecture,radiation interception and absorption; (b) efficiency of conversionof absorbed radiation into biomass; and (c) dry matter partitioning.Growth analysis, total solar radiation interception, PAR interceptionand absorption by the crop canopy, ground cover, maintenancerespiration of onion bulbs and red beet storage roots were measured.Models for different leaf angle distribution and ground coverwere used to simulate light transmission by the crop canopy. The three crops are shown to have contrasting growth patternsfrom both a morphological and a physiological point of view.Lettuce showed very high light interception and growth afterthe early growth stages but, throughout the growth cycle, thisleafy crop showed the lowest radiation use efficiency due tothe respirational cost of the high leaf area. Onion showed alower early relative growth rate than lettuce and red beet.This was due partly to the low light interception per unit leafarea in the later stages of growth and partly to the low initialradiation use efficiency compared with the other two crops.On the other hand, thanks to more uniform distribution of theradiation inside the canopy, to the earlier termination of leafdevelopment and to the very low level of bulb respiration, onionshowed high radiation use efficiency and was able to producea large amount of dry matter. Red beet leaf posture and canopystructure resulted in high light interception and absorption.Its radiation use efficiency was lower than that of onion, partlyperhaps because of the more adverse distribution of the interceptedradiation fluxes within the canopy and partly because of thehigh respiration cost of a continuous dry-matter allocationto the leaves. However, this crop can accumulate a very largeamount of dry matter as leaf blade development and storage rootgrowth can both continue almost indefinitely, providing continuouslyavailable sinks. Ground cover gave a good estimate of the PAR interception onlyat low values of light interception but, in general, it underestimatedPAR interception in all three crops. Ratios between attenuationcoefficients established by considering PAR or total solar radiationand LAI or ground cover were calculated. Lettuce,Lactuca sativa L. var.crispa ; onion,Allium cepa L.; red beet; Beta vulgaris L. var.conditiva ; growth analysis; light interception and absorption; canopy architecture; ground cover; radiation use efficiency; maintenance respiration rate; dry matter distribution     

不同播期冬小麦株型构建及其生育特征

针对黄淮平原中部冬小麦区秋季旱涝频发导致小麦播种推迟的现状,设计冬小麦10月15日(适期播种)、10月30日(中晚期播种)、11月15日(晚期播种)、11月30日(超晚期播种)、2月15日(早春播种)和3月1日(春播)6个播期,研究不同播期冬小麦株型构建及生长发育特征.结果表明： 随着冬小麦播期的推迟,其生长发育进程加快,早春播种和春播与适期播种相比生育期缩短115~130 d;10月30日(中晚期播种)之后的5个播期与适期播种相比株高降低,成穗数和有效小穗数减少;迟播小麦的叶位下移,冠层空间降低,叶面积减少;收获指数随播种期推迟由0.46(适期播种)提高到0.53(春播);冬小麦产量随播种期推迟显著下降,减产幅度最高达43.6%;冬小麦春季播种未经过冬季和早春阶段的自然低温处理,无春化过程依然可形成产量.     

Changes in agronomic characteristics and galactomannan content in twenty cluster bean genotypes of different origins affected by sowing dates

Cluster bean guar or (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) a valuable and multipurpose legume, due to its galactomannan and the seeds high in protein, is widely used in different industries. A field study was carried out using factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design with three replications to evaluate the influence of different sowing times (May 15, June 22, and July 27) on performance (seed yield, harvest index, biological yield, etc.), qualitative attributes (galactomannan, protein, carbohydrate, etc.), metabolic traits (lipid, pHenol, fiber, etc.) and yield components (branch/plant, pod/plant and plant height) of 20 guar genotypes (RGC-1066, BR-99, Sarbaz, HG-867, RGC-936, S-5488, S-5490, Dalgan, Iranshahr, Pishen, RGC-1038, RGC-1017, S-5498, RGC-1031, Saravan, S-5499, RGC-986, RGC-1003, HG-884 and HG-563) from three different origins (India, Iran and Pakistan). According to the ANOVA results, plant height, harvest index, the number of pod/plant, total chlorophyll, carbohydrate rate, gum content, and gum yield were significantly changed (p < 0.01) by sowing dates. Guar traits such as plant height, the length of crop cycle, number of pod/plant, harvest index, and protein yield were significantly (p < 0.01) impacted by a two-factor interaction (planting time × genotypes). Based on the results, RGC-1066 and Dalgan showed the maximum and minimum amount of seed yield, respectively. However, the maximum and minimum amount of protein was obtained from RGC-1003 and RGC-1038, respectively. July × HG-884 and July × HG-563 interactions showed the maximum amount of protein yield. The number of branch/plant, pod/plant, harvest index, gum content, and gum yield showed a positive significant correlation with seed yield. Regarding galactomannan and protein contents, HG-884 and RGC-1066 are suitable for gum extraction and guar meal, whereas HG-563 and RGC-1003 due to the high protein content are suitable for meal. RGC-1066 and Iranshahr exhibited the maximum amount of carbohydrate content. In addition, RGC-1066 and RGC-1038 exhibited the maximum amount of galactomannan and can be used for industrial applications.     

The development and yield of autumn- and spring-sown barley in south east Scotland

As part of a study of the relationship between plant development and grain yield, winter and spring barleys were sown in the autumn and spring. Apical development and leaf area development were monitored and the final yield was partitioned into grain weight and grain number. The photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) absorbed was calculated.
The main differences found were between sowings rather than between genotypes within sowings. The autumn sowing outyielded the spring sowing because the grains were heavier, although the autumn sowing tended to have fewer grains m^-2. In the autumn sowing the rate of initiation of spikelet primordia was slower, due to the lower temperatures encountered, but the initiation phase lasted longer and a larger proportion of primordia survived. However, the increased proportions of tillers to mainstem reduced the mean number of grains/ear.
The numbers of grains m^-2 and the yield were related to the PAR absorbed. In this analysis the earlier anthesis of the autumn-sown plants could be seen to be reducing the PAR absorbed and consequently the grains m^-2.     

Effects of water table depth and calcium perioxide application on cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and soybean (Glycine max)

Summary The effects of three water table (WT) depths (0, 15 and 40 cm) and calcium peroxide (Calper) on the growth and yield of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata, L.) and soybean (Glycine max) were investigated in field lysimeters for a sandy loam soil. Cowpea growth was the best at 40 cm WT depth. Leaf area, plant height, dry matter production, number of leaves and pods, grain yield and consumptive water use of cowpea increases with deeper (lower) WT depth. Application of calcium peroxide improved per cent emergence, leaf area, dry matter, number of leaves and pods, weight of 100 seeds, grain yield and water use in cowpea. The optimum WT depth for vegetative growth of soybean was 15 cm, although the highest grain yield was obtained at 40 cm WT depth. Number of pods, grain yield and water use efficiency of soybean increased with deeper water table depth. Application of calcium peroxide to soybean increased number of leaves and pods per plant, and grain yield for the 15 cm WT depth treatment.     

Effect of partial defoliation during the vegetative phase on subsequent growth and grain yield of maize

Maize was grown in two densities, 2–47 or 4–94 plants m^-2, and the following treatments imposed: untreated, plants partly defoliated 51 days after sowing, and alternate plants in a row partly defoliated 44 days after sowing. Plants flowered about 82 days after sowing. Leaf area was decreased by 60–64% by defoliation on day 51. Defoliation resulted in decreases in grain yield and grain number of 6–17%, though when alternate plants were defoliated in the higher density there was a substantial decrease in yield and number of grains in defoliated plants, which was largely offset by an increase in adjacent intact plants. When plants were defoliated on day 51 subsequent growth in leaf area was similar to, and that in leaf weight nearly as large as that in untreated plants, while increase in stem weight was substantially less than in untreated plants. By the time of flowering untreated and defoliated plots differed by c. 30% in leaf area. Increments of dry matter after flowering differed by c. 15% between untreated and defoliated plots. The fraction of these increments which entered the grain was c. 90% in both untreated and defoliated plots. When alternate plants in the row were partly defoliated on day 44 their subsequent increase in leaf area was probably 5–16% less than that of the adjacent intact plants. Increments of dry matter after flowering of plots with alternate plants defoliated were 93–95 % of those of untreated plots; leaf efficiency after flowering was slightly greater than in untreated plots. The fraction of the dry matter increment after flowering which entered the grain was c. 88 % in both intact and defoliated plants of the small density, but was 94% in intact plants and 86% in defoliated plants of the large density.     

Shoot growth, radiation interception and dry matter production and partitioning during the establishment phase of Miscanthus sinensis'Giganteus' grown at two densities in the UK

Photosynthetic area index (PAI), radiation interception (I) and dry matter partitioning between shoots and roots were measured for Miscanthus sinensis‘Giganteus' grown from micro-propagated transplants on a fertile peaty loam soil in eastern England. In the establishment year, Miscanthus plants produced 35 and 70 shoots plant^-1 at densities of 4.0 and 1.8 plants m^-2 respectively. At the higher density, there were 140 shoots m^-2 with the largest reaching a height of 1.8 m; these canopies attained a maximum PAI of 5.45, intercepting 94% of incident radiation. Leaf lamina contributed c. 90% of total photosynthetic area with stems contributing the remainder. At the lower density, maximum PAI and I values were 2.88 and 86% respectively. PAI was related to I by calculating attenuation coefficients (k); these indicated that Miscanthus canopies were more effective at intercepting radiation per unit PAI at the lower density (k= -0.31) compared with the higher density (k= -0.20). Radiation interception was related to dry matter accumulated by calculating conversion efficiencies (e). At 4 plants m^-2, × for shoot dry matter production was 1.17g MJ^-1. Miscanthus partitioned a relatively large amount of total dry matter into below-ground biomass. By plant senescence, c. 30% of total dry matter had been partitioned into root and rhizome; rhizome biomass contributed 80% of below-ground dry matter, × increased to 1.62 g MJ^-1 when calculated on a total dry matter basis (shoot + root + rhizome). Total dry matter production was increased 68% by a 2.2-fold increase in plant density.     

Effect of gibberellic acid on carbonic anhydrase,photosynthesis, growth and yield of mustard

The plants of mustard (Brassica juncea L.) were treated with 0, 25 and 50 ΜM gibberellic acid (GA₃) at three fully developed leaf stage (30 d after sowing). Effect of GA₃ on carbonic anhydrase activity, photosynthetic rate, leaf area index and dry mass was studied at 50, 70 and 90 d after sowing. At harvest 1000 seed mass, pod number and seed yield were recorded. GA₃ treatment (50 ΜM) enhanced all the characteristics studied.     

Solar radiation interception by leafless, semi-leafless and leafed peas (Pisum sativum) under contrasting field conditions

Foliage composition, photosynthetic area index (PAI) and radiation interception were measured for crop canopies of leafless (var. Filby), semi-leafless (var. BS3) and leafed (var. Birte) peas (Pisum sativum). Tendrils and petioles contributed more than 60% of total leaf area for leafless peas but less than 30% for semileafless and leafed pea canopies. PAI was related to radiation interception by calculating attenuation coefficients which indicated that leafless peas intercepted more radiation per unit PAI than either semi-leafless or leafed peas. Data interpretation, however, was complicated because of difficulties in estimating the tendril and petiole surface area contribution to PAI. Radiation interception was related to dry matter accumulation by calculating photosynthetic efficiencies. Leafless and semi-leafless peas converted intercepted radiation into dry matter as efficiently as leafed peas. Under conditions of moisture stress, leafed and leafless peas both intercepted radiation more effectively but converted it into dry matter with reduced photosynthetic efficiency.     

Effect of sodium fertiliser on water status and yield of sugar beet

Effects of sodium fertiliser on growth, water status and yield of sugar beet crops were measured in 1974 and 1975. Sodium increased leaf area index early in the growing period, the water content of the leaves and the final yields of root dry matter and sugar in both years. In 1974, it increased leaf relative water content and diffusive conductance under conditions of moderate soil moisture deficit in August but had no effect in June or September when soil moisture deficits were low. There was also no effect in June 1975 but later, when there was a severe drought, sodium decreased leaf water potential. Further evidence of an interaction between sodium and soil moisture on leaf water status was obtained from a reappraisal of results of field experiments made between 1965 and 1976. Sodium increased sugar yield through at least two different physiological mechanisms; it improved interception of radiation by the crop by increasing leaf area early in the season and it improved the efficiency of leaves under conditions of moderate water stress.     

Leaf area index, canopy structure and photosynthesis of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.)

Abstract. The influence of leaf age, total leaf area and its dispersion in space on canopy photosynthesis were studied using microswards of red clover ( Trifolium pratense L.) which were established in the greenhouse. Two varieties, Renova (flowering) and Molstad (non-flowering), were sown in separate plastic boxes at densities of 225, 400 and 625 plants per m².
Vertical distribution of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), leaf area, leaf age and ¹⁴CO₂-fixation were determined periodically. Net photosynthesis and dark respiration of canopies were measured. Maximum photosynthetic capacity of individual leaves was measured on plants taken from the intact canopy or from plants where shading of the growing leaves had been prevented.
Net photosynthetic rate of canopies increased linearly with leaf area index (LAI) up to an LAI of 3.5 and then declined at higher LAI, independent of variety and sowing density. Below the optimum LAI, net photosynthesis depended mainly on interception of PAR. Decrease in canopy photosynthesis above the optimum LAI was due to a higher proportion of old leaves with decreased photosynthetic capacity, and not to an increase in respiring plant parts. It is concluded that LAI and position of leaf age categories in the canopy are more important than vertical distribution of leaf area in determining canopy photosynthesis of red clover.     

Growth analysis of maize field crops under phosphorus deficiency. II. Radiation-use efficiency,biomass accumulation and yield components

Biomass accumulation by crops depends on both light interception by leaves and on the efficiency with which the intercepted light is used to produce dry matter. Our aim was to identify which of these processes were affected for maize (Zea mays L., cv Volga) field crops grown under phosphorus (P) deficiency. In the preceding paper (Plénet et al., 2000), it was shown that P deficiency severely reduced leaf growth. In this paper, the effect of P deficiency on the radiation-use efficiency (RUE) was investigated. The experimental work was carried out in 1995, 1996 and 1997 on a long-term P fertilisation trial located on a sandy soil in the south-west of France. Three P fertilisation regimes have been applied since 1972: no- P (P0 treatment) and different rates of P fertiliser (P1.5: 1.5 times the grain P export and P3: 3 times the grain P export). These fertilisation regimes have led to contrasted levels of soil P supply. Only slight differences were observed between the P1.5 and P3 treatment for above-ground biomass accumulation and grain yield. Conversely the grain yield was significantly reduced in P0 (–11%). Above-ground biomass production was severely reduced, with the maximum difference between treatment (–60% in P0) occurring between 400 and 600 °C days after sowing. The lower biomass production in P0 was accounted for by the reduced amount of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) absorbed by the canopy, which was itself the consequence of the reduced leaf area index (see Plénet et al., 2000). The calculated RUE were found to depend on the plant stage, especially during the pre-flowering period, and on the average air temperature. No effect of P deficiency was observed on the calculated RUE, even during the period when above-ground biomass accumulation was the most severely reduced. These results obtained in field crop conditions strengthen the idea that P deficiency affects plant growth, especially leaf growth, earlier and to a greater extent than photosynthesis per unit leaf area.     

油菜绿色面积指数动态模拟模型

准确模拟绿色面积指数是作物生长模拟模型可靠预测作物生长和产量的关键。该研究的目的是以生理生态过程为基础,构建油菜(Brassica napus)叶面积指数和角果面积指数变化动态的模拟模型。油菜叶面积指数模型综合考虑了库或源限制下的叶面积增长模式,其中库限制下叶面积指数的增长呈指数方程,且受到温度、水分和氮素因子的影响;源限制下叶面积指数增长用比叶面积法来模拟。油菜角果面积指数由比角果面积和角果干物重来决定。比叶面积和比角果面积均为生理发育时间的函数。利用不同类型品种的播期试验及氮肥试验资料分别对模型进行了校正和检验,结果表明模型能较好地模拟不同条件下油菜叶面积指数和角果面积指数。