Use of the Expolinear Growth Model to Analyse the Growth of Faba bean, Peas and Lentils at Three Densities: Predictive Use of the Model

The expolinear equation for crop growth (Goudriaan and Monteith,Annalsof Botany66: 695–701, 1990; Goudriaan, 1994. In: MonteithJL, Scott RK, Unsworth MH, eds.Resource capture by crops.Nottingham:Nottingham University Press, 99–110) has the potentialto predict growth under specified environmental conditions.The choice of suitable parameters is discussed and tested usingdata from field experiments with faba bean, peas and lentils(Ishag and Dennett,Annals of Botany82: 497–505. 1998).It is suggested that suitable parameters for predicting cropgrowth are the fraction of solar radiation intercepted at emergence,the extinction coefficient for solar radiation, the maximumfraction of radiation intercepted, the maximum relative growthrate and the maximum crop growth rate for a crop interceptingall the incident radiation. In the experiments considered, thedifferences in growth patterns were due mainly to differencesin the maximum relative growth rate associated with differencesin temperature.Copyright 1998 Annals of Botany Company Expolinear equation, grain legumes, crop growth rate, crop density, relative growth rate, growth modelling, faba bean,Vicia fabaL., peas,Pisum sativumL., lentils,Lens culinarsMedic.     

Growth and bioluminescence of Noctiluca scintillans on varying algal diets

The effects of food concentration and food quality on the growthrate and bioluminescence potential of the heterotrophic dinoflagellateNoctiluca scintillans were examined. The growth rate of N. scinullansvaried greatly with the phytoplankton food it was provided,and those foods yielding higher growth rates also produced cellsthat were smaller in diameter, but with a greater bioluminescencepotential per unit volume. Small phytoplankton species, includingIsochrysis galbana and an unidentified chrysophyte responsiblefor the Texas brown tide, supported the lowest growth rates.Other small flagellates (Dunaliella tertiolecta) and dinoflagellates(Gyrodinium dorsum, Prorocentrum minimum) supported moderategrowth rates. The highest growth rates were supported by diatomsand prasinophytes. Maximum growth rates (0.5 day^-1) were obtainedwith the diatom Thalassiosira sp. at concentrations     

The Quantitative Growth of Young Seedlings of the Citrus Rootstocks Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck, Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf. and their hybrid, Carrizo citrange

An 18 months' growth analysis of three citrus rootstocks revealedconsiderable differences in absolute and relative growth-ratesand in the allometric growth of leaf, stem, thorn, and root. Over the whole period the order of the average absolute growth-rateswas citrange > sinensis > trifoliata, and of the relativegrowth-rates citrange > sinensis = trifoliata. Although sinensisachieved the highest R.G.R. this was maintained over a shortperiod only. Sinensis had relatively most leaf, trifoliata moststem, and citrange most root. The deciduousness of trifoliataproduced only an intermittent deviation in the allometric line,the leaf proportion returning to the average course within afew weeks of the start of spring growth. The time course of these changes was not sufficiently regularfor phases of maximum growth to be characterized. During thewinter period of minimum growth there was a loss in weight ofthe roots (in sinensis, and trifoliata) and stem (citrange).     

Proximate developmental mediators of sexual dimorphism in size: case studies from squamate reptiles

Sexual dimorphism in size (sexual size dimorphism; SSD) is nearlyubiquitous, but the relative importance of genetic versus environmentalcontrol of SSD is not known for most species. We investigatedproximate determinants of SSD in several species of squamatereptiles, including three species of Sceloporus lizards andthe diamond-backed rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox). In naturalpopulations of these species, SSD is caused by sexual differencesin age-specific growth. Males and females, however, may oftenshare similar potentials for growth: growth is strongly responsiveto the availability of food, and sexual differences in growthcan be greatly suppressed or completely absent under commonenvironmental conditions in the laboratory. Sexually divergentgrowth is expressed in natural environments because of inherentecological differences between males and females and becauseof potential epigenetic effects of sex-specific growth regulators.In field-active Sceloporus, sexual differences in growth rateare associated with sexual divergence in plasma testosterone.Experiments confirm that testosterone inhibits growth in speciesin which females are larger (for example, S. undulatus and S.virgatus) and stimulates growth in those in which males arelarger (for example, S. jarrovii). Interestingly, however, sexualdivergence in plasma testosterone is not accompanied by divergencein growth in S. jarrovii or in male-larger C. atrox in the laboratory.Furthermore, experimental effects of castration and testosteronereplacement on growth are not evident in captive S. jarrovii,possibly because growth effects of testosterone are supersededby an abundant, high-quality diet. In female-larger S. undulatus,growth may be traded-off against testosterone-induced reproductivecosts of activity. In male-larger species, costs of reproductionin terms of growth are suggested by supplemental feeding ofreproductive female C. atrox in their natural environment andby experimental manipulation of reproductive cost in femaleS. jarrovii. Growth costs of reproduction, however, do not contributesubstantially to the development of SSD in male-larger S. jarrovii.We conclude that the energetic costs of testosterone-induced,male reproductive behavior may contribute substantially to thedevelopment of SSD in some female-larger species. However, despitestrong evidence that reproductive investment exacts a substantialcost in growth, we do not support the reproductive cost hypothesisas a general explanation of SSD in male-larger species.     

Effect of Some Chelating Agents on Growth and Antheridial Production in Male Clones of Three Mosses Grown In Vitro

The present work deals with the effect of the chelating agentsethylenediamine-di(o-hydroxyphenylacetic acid) [EDDHA] ethylenediamine tetra acetic acid [EDTA] and their iron salts, salicylicacid and ferric citrate on growth and antheridial productionin male clones of three dioecious mosses: Barbula gregaria,Bryum coronatum and Philonotis turneriana., Barbula and Bryumdevelop antheridia in ordinary cultural conditions on basalmedium, whereas Philonotis remains sterile. In Barbula and BryumEDDHA and EDTA enhance the percentage of fertile gametophytes.Fe-EDDHA and Fe-EDTA increase antheridial production as wellas vegetative growth and the former effect is more striking.In this respect Fe-EDDHA is better than Fe-EDTA for Barbula,whereas the reverse is true for Bryum. Salicylic acid inhibitsantheridial production and vegetative growth. Ferric citrateenhances vegetative growth in all three mosses. In Barbula andBryum it also stimulates antheridial production, and this effectis more marked than that on vegetative growth. None of the chelatestested induces antheridia in Philonotis. antheridial production, Barbula gregaria (Mitt.) Jaeg., Bryum coronatum Schwaegr., Philonotis turneriana (Schwaegr.) Mitt., mosses, chelating agents, bryophyta     

Effects of the Photoperiod Genes Ppd1 and Ppd2 on Growth and Development of the Shoot Apex in Wheat

Two major genes influencing the photoperiod response in wheat,Ppd1 and Ppd2, have been identified on the group 2 chromosomes.Substitution lines, which had been characterized on the basisof time of ear emergence as carrying either the insensitiveor sensitive alleles of the two Ppd genes, were used to investigatethe effect of these genes on development. They were grown undershort photoperiods, and growth and development of the shootapex was measured. The primary influence of the Ppd genes was on ear growth. Inthe plants carrying the insensitive alleles, Ppd1 and Ppd2,the relative growth rate of the floral apex was faster thanthat of plants with the sensitive alleles, ppd1 and ppd2. Therewere no differences in the rate of spikelet initiation, butthe spikelets of the ppd lines grew and developed more slowly. The Ppd2 material segregated for another gene located on chromosome2B affecting duration of the life cycle. This gene also affectedthe relative growth rate of the ear. It was considered that the major effect of the Ppd1, Ppd2 andthe second genetic factor on chromosome 2B is on floral growthrate. Differences in apex morphology, stem growth and ear emergenceare thought to be due to the differences in floral apex growthand size. Wheat, photoperiod genes, shoot apex development, shoot apex growth     

Use of the Expolinear Growth Model to Analyse the Growth of Faba bean, Peas and Lentils at Three Densities: Fitting the Model

The expolinear equation for crop growth (Goudriaan and MonteithAnnalsof Botany66: 695–701, 1990) was fitted to measurementsof above ground dry weight made on two cultivars of each ofthree species, faba bean (Vicia fabaL.), peas (Pisum sativumL.)and lentils (Lens culinarsMedic.), each grown at three densitiesat the University of Reading, UK in 1992 and 1993. The expolinearequation fitted the data well but required frequent samplingto obtain good estimates of the parameters. The equation hasthree parameters,R_mthe maximum relative growth rate,C_ma maximumcrop growth rate, andt_bthe time at which the crop effectivelyreaches a linear phase of growth.R_mdid not differ between densities,cultivars or species but differed between years.C_mincreasedwith increased density and was lower for lentils than for fababeans or peas.t_bdecreased with increased density for faba beanbut not for the other species. Incorporating an extinction coefficientfor solar radiation and the maximum fraction of radiation interceptedenabled reasonably accurate time courses of leaf area indexto be derived, as suggested by Goudriaan (1994. In: MontiethJL, Scott RK, Unsworth MH, eds.Resource capture by crops. Nottingham:Nottingham University Press, 99–110).Copyright 1998 Annalsof Botany Company Expolinear equation, grain legumes, crop growth rate, crop density, relative growth rate, growth modelling, faba bean,Vicia fabaL., peas,Pisum sativumL., lentils,Lens culinarsMedic.     

A Comparison of Two Approaches for Modelling Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz.) Crop Growth

Two approaches for modelling the growth and development of cassava,Manihot esculenta Crantz, are described and evaluated. The twomodels differ only in the hypotheses accounting for storageroot growth. In model 1, assimilate allocation to storage rootsis governed by the combined Chanter's (1976: Mathematical modelsin mushroom research and production. PhD Thesis, Universityof Sussex, UK) growth equation; and in model 2 the spill-overhypothesis for assimilate allocation to storage root governsstorage root growth. In both models, canopy photosynthesis generatesthe carbon substrate required for all growth processes. Thegrowth rates of leaves, stems and storage roots are definedby growth equations subject to substrate saturation kinetics.A key feature of both models is that the growth demands of thestem, fibrous roots and storage roots are related to leaf demandrates. Allocation to stems and branches was modelled by meansof a modified logistic growth equation which includes all theparameters and variables (number of nodes, internode lengths,stem density, stem modulus of elasticity and branch tensilestrength) that define the limits of the load bearing capacityof the shoot's supportive structures. The correlation coefficientsfor determination of yield prediction for the models werer =0.898,P =0.0385 (model 1) and r =0.954, P =0.0117 (model 2). For agrowth season of 290 d (after which leaf area index equals zeroand crop growth ceases), both models simulate the sigmoidaltransition from the lag to exponential phase of crop growth.Both models are equally well corroborated by observed data;however, model 1 has greater explanatory power. Copyright 2000Annals of Botany Company Allocation, simulation, model, crop growth, cassava, Manihot esculenta Crantz.     

Leaf Growth in Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) 2. The Influence of Temperature, Light, Water Stress and Root Restriction on the Growth and Initiation of Leaves

The rate parameters R₁, R₂, I/LI and I/t_0.5, which characterizethe growth in area of successive main-stem leaves, probablyall have the same temperature response. Temperature thereforeonly operates on the time scale. Water stress reduces both therelative growth rate and the advance of developmental age, thelatter however to a lesser extent than the former. The effectof root restriction is explained as resulting from mineral shortage. Gossypium hirsutum L., cotton, leaf growth, leaf initiation, relative growth rate, temperature, light, water stress, root restriction     

The Relative Growth Rates of Three Plankton Diatoms in Relation to Underwater Radiation and Temperature

Relative growth rates of three freshwater plankton diatoms-Asterionellaformosa, Fragilaria crotonensis, and Tabellaria flocculosa var.asterionelloides-are described from cultures suspended at variousdepths and during several seasons in the lake Windermere. Seasonalvariation in rates recorded near the surface (i m. depth) isinterpreted in terms of seasonal changes in temperature anddaylength. Rates recorded for Asterionella and Fragilaria aregenerally similar, but are approximately twice the rates obtainedwith Tabellaria. Depth profiles of relative growth rates areof similar form in all species, and normally show lightsaturationnear the surface. The shape of profiles for Asterionella isin good agreement with estimates of photosynthesis integratedover the growth periods. The parallelism between photosyntheticand relative growth rates of Asterionella is further illustratedfrom laboratory experiments: an approximate interconversion,under certain conditions, is given.     

Growth and Photosynthesis of Mutant Pea Seedlings

The recessive of gene, producing tendrils in place of leaves,and the recessive st gene, reducing stipule size, produce phenotypesof pea that are termed leafless (afafstst) and semi-leafless(afafStSt). Photosynthesis and growth of these two types werecompared with the conventional phenotype (AfAfStSt) during thefirst 9 days of post-emergent growth. The conventional seedlingshowed faster net photosynthesis per unit dry weight than theleafless phenotype, whilst the semi-leafless seedlings wereintermediate. Differences in dark respiration were small butleafless seedlings had significantly higher rates soon afteremergence. Where the three phenotypes used were isogenic, except for ofand st, the rates of shoot growth were in the same ranking orderas net CO₂ uptake. With three other genotypes, representingthe three phenotypes, more similar shoot growth was found betweenthe conventional and semi-leafless phenotype, possibly becauseof compensating differences in embryonic axis size. The ratesof growth of roots and the rates of dry weight loss from thecotyledons showed no consistent differences between phenotypes. The results are discussed in relation to the potential for thesemi-leafless phenotype as an alternative to the conventionalphenotype for the dried pea crop. Pea seedling, Pisum sativum, leafless pea, photosynthesis, seedling growth     

Regression Smoothers for Estimating Parameters of Growth Analyses

The objective of regression smoothers is to obtain predictedvalues of a dependent variable and its first derivative fromempirical data without having to assume any particular functionalrelationship between the dependent and independent variables.An early variant of this type of analysis, specifically naturalB-splines, was first applied to growth analyses by Parsons andHunt in 1981 (Annals of Botany 48 : 341–352, 1981). Theobject of this paper is to describe and evaluate two recentadvances in this area (cubic spline smoothers and loess smoothers)in the context of plant growth analysis and compare them tonaturalB -splines. The accuracies of these methods are evaluatedusing simulated data of a type that normally causes difficultieswith other methods. A bootstrap procedure is described thatimproves the estimate of the optimal smoother parameter. Itis shown that these smoothers can capture even subtle changesin relative growth rate. The method is then applied to growthdata ofHolcus lanatus. B -splines; cubic spline smoothers; growth analyses; Holcus lanatus ; loess; relative growth rate; RGR     

Control of crops leaf growth by chemical and hydraulic influences

Three species of forage grasses (Festuca arundinacea, Eragrostiscurvula, Sporobolus stapfianus) commonly grown in the Mediterraneanregion were subjected to a soil drying treatment. Leaf growthrate in F. arundinacea was highly sensitive to soil drying andlow growth rates were associated with high laminar turgors.The production of ABA was stimulated by soil drying and therewas a clear relation between increasing ABA accumulation andreduction in leaf growth. Leaf growth of E. cutvula, a C⁴ warmseason grass, was relatively insensitive to soil drying whichwas not accompanied by a substantial increase in leaf ABA content.S. stapfianus, a resurrection plant, was highly sensitive todecreasing soil water availability. In these two latter species,leaf growth was substantially restricted before ABA accumulationoccurred. It is suggested that reductions in laminar turgorof E. curvula and S. stapfianus may be limiting leaf growthas soil dries. The results indicated a different mechanism ofsensing and responding to reduction in soil water availabilityfor the three species studied. The relative importance of thechemical and hydraulic control of leaf growth is discussed. Key words: Leaf growth, water relations, abscisic acid, Festuca arundinacea, Eragrostis curvula, Sporobolus stapfianus     

Variations in the Levels of cis- and trans-Ribosylzeatins and Other Minor Cytokinins during Development and Growth of Cones of the Hop Plant

The endogenous cytokinins in cones of the hop plant (Humuluslupulus L. cv. Shinshuwase) were identified by combined gaschromatography and selected ion current monitoring (GC-SIM)and high performance liquid chromatography as ribosyl-cis-zeatin,ribosyl-trans-zeatin, cis-zeatin, trans-zeatin and ribosyl-trans-zeatin-O-glucoside.The contents of these cytokinins in both fertilized and unfertilizedcones at various growth stages were determined using GC-SIMand/or bioassay. Based on these data, the rapid growth of thefertilized cone is attributed mainly to ribosyl-trans-zeatinwhich accumulates mostly in the seed. Ribosyl-cis-zeatin wasfound in both fertilized and unfertilized cones. In the latter,ribosyl-cis-zeatin was quantitatively a major cytokinin andseemed to cooperate with ribosyl-trans-zeatin and trans-zeatinin promoting the growth. (Received January 12, 1981; Accepted February 10, 1981)     

An Analysis of Seed Development in Pisum sativum XVII. The Effect of the rb Locus Alone and in Combination with r on the Growth and Development of the Seed

Near-isogenic lines have been produced in pea to examine theeffects of genes at the r and rb loci on the growth and developmentof the seed. The rb alleles were found to have an effect onthe growth of the testa as well as on that of the embryo incontrast to those at the r locus which only affect the latter.The relationship between the fresh and dry weights of the embryosof rb isoline and the double mutant differed from that of theround-seeded wild-type line. Furthermore, for this relationship,the double mutant line very closely resembled the rr isoline.Copyright1994, 1999 Academic Press Embryo, growth, pea, Pisum sativum L., rugosus loci, seed development, testa, wrinkled-seeded     

Effects of the fungal endophyte, Neotyphodium lolii, on net photosynthesis and growth rates of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) are independent of In Planta endophyte concentration

• Background and Aims Neotyphodium lolii is a fungal endophyteof perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), improving grass fitnessthrough production of bioactive alkaloids. Neotyphodium speciescan also affect growth and physiology of their host grasses(family Poaceae, sub-family Pooideae), but little is known aboutthe mechanisms. This study examined the effect of N. lolii onnet photosynthesis (P_n) and growth rates in ryegrass genotypesdiffering in endophyte concentration in all leaf tissues. • Methods Plants from two ryegrass genotypes, Nui D andNui UIV, infected with N. lolii (E+) differing approx. 2-foldin endophyte concentration or uninfected clones thereof (E–)were grown in a controlled environment. For each genotype xendophyte treatment, plant growth rates were assessed as tilleringand leaf extension rates, and the light response of P_n, darkrespiration and transpiration measured in leaves of young (30–45d old) and old (>90 d old) plants with a single-chamber openinfrared gas-exchange system. • Key Results Neotyphodium lolii affected CO₂-limited ratesof P_n, which were approx. 17 % lower in E+ than E– plants(P < 0·05) in the young plants. Apparent photon yieldand dark respiration were unaffected by the endophyte (P >0·05). Neotyphodium lolii also decreased transpiration(P < 0·05), but only in complete darkness. There wereno endophyte effects on P_n in the old plants (P > 0·05).E+ plants grew faster immediately after replanting (P < 0·05),but had approx. 10 % lower growth rates during mid-log growth(P < 0·05) than E– plants, but there was noeffect on final plant biomass (P > 0·05). The endophyteeffects on P_n and growth tended to be more pronounced in NuiUIV, despite having a lower endophyte concentration than NuiD. • Conclusions Neotyphodium lolii affects CO₂ fixation,but not light interception and photochemistry of P_n. The impactof N. lolii on plant growth and photosynthesis is independentof endophyte concentration in the plant, suggesting that theendophyte mycelium is not simply an energy drain to the plant.However, the endophyte effects on P_n and plant growth are stronglydependent on the plant growth phase.     

Net CO2 Exchange Rate and Shoot Growth of Young Poplar (Populus) Clones

Eighteen poplar (Populus) clones, varying in growth capacitywere grown in plastic containers under outdoor conditions. Duringthe first year of growth their net CO₂ exchange rate (NCER)was studied by infra-red gas analysis as a function of photosyntheticphoton flux density (PPFD) under controlled environment conditions.Maximal NCER (under saturating PPFD) and the PPFD compensationpoint were significantly correlated with the first year's shootlength and hence with the above ground biomass production ofthe various clones. Key words: Poplar, Shoot growth, CO₂ exchange rate     

Comparative Physiology and Growth of Two Perennial Tussock Grass Species in a Semi-Arid Environment

The physiology and growth ofLygeum spartumandStipa tenacissima,two perennial tussock grasses which dominate wide areas of semi-aridsouth-eastern Spain, were compared at times of high and lowavailability of water, in autumn and summer respectively, tostudy the adaptation of this growth form to arid environments.The two species differed in morphological and physiologicaltraits.Stipatussocks were larger and had opportunistic growth,andStipaleaves had a smaller specific area and lower diffusiveconductance to water vapour. The two grasses were similar inmaximum photosynthetic rate, leaf nitrogen concentration, andin the response to high light conditions but had different tissuewater relations.Stipawas better suited to cope with droughtand erratic rainfall, because of its more effective controlof water loss and its growth patterns.Lygeumseems to be adaptedto less dry conditions and more saline soils. The tussock growthform provides an adaptive advantage in these infertile environmentsby reducing radiation absorbance. leaf extension; Lygeum spartum; perennial grassland; semi-arid environments; Stipa tenacissima; tussock grass; water relations; Adaptation; growth; photosynthesis     

Effect of Plant Growth Promoting Bacillus Strains on Pine and Spruce Seedling Growth and Mycorrhizal Infection

Rifamycin-resistant derivatives of plant growth promotingBacilluspolymyxa strains L6, Pw-2, and S20 were used to evaluate theinteraction of bacterial–mycorrhizal co-inoculation onpine and spruce seedling growth. We were particularly interestedin determining if the mechanism by which bacteria stimulatedseedling growth depended on the presence of ectomycorrhizae.Mycorrhizal inoculum was introduced by adding 2ml of one ofsix forest floor soil types originating from different spruceand pine stands to seedling containers. Mycorrhizal roots developedin 34% of pine and 27% of spruce seedlings treated with forestsoil, but no differences between forest soils were detected.Most mycorrhizae were formed byWilcoxinasp. (E-strain) (98%for spruce and 67% for pine); small numbers ofAmphinema-like,Myceliumradicis atrovirens, Suillus-like,Thelephora-like, andTuber-likemycorrhizae were also found on pine (27% in total).Thelephora-likefungi comprised 2% of spruce mycorrhize. In the absence of bacterialinoculum, spruce seedling biomass was positively correlatedwith the number of mycorrhizal root tips, but this trend wasnot detected in spruce inoculated with bacteria or in pine.Bacterial inoculation did not influence the mycorrhizal statusof seedlings, but all threeBacillusstrains stimulated growthof both conifer species. Root biomass, in particular, was significantlyenhanced by up to 18% compared with uninoculated controls. Mycorrhizalfungi improved the growth of spruce seedlings, but plant growthpromotion byBacilluswas similar for mycorrizal and non-mycorrhizalseedlings of both species. Our results suggest thatBacillusstrainsL6-16R, Pw-2R, and S20-R enhance conifer seedling growth througha mechanism unrelated to mycorrhizal fungi. Hybrid spruce; Picea glaucaxengelmannii ; lodgepole pine; Pinus contortavar.latifoliaEngelm.; inoculation; Bacillus polymyxa; seedling growth promotion; mycorrhizae