Effect of decapitation on absorption,translocation, and phytotoxicity of imazamethabenz in wild oat (Avena fatua L.)

The release of apical dominance by the physical destruction in situ of the apical meristem and associated leaf primordia (decapitation) promoted the growth of tillers in non-herbicide-treated wild oat plants, as indicated by increased tiller lengths and fresh weights. At 96 h after [¹⁴C] herbicide treatment following decapitation, the absorption of [¹⁴C]imazamethabenz and total translocation of radioactivity were respectively increased by 28% and 49%. By 96 h after [¹⁴C]imazamethabenz application, the radioactivity detected in the roots of decapitated plants was 45% higher than that in the roots of nondecapitated plants while the radioactivity in tillers of decapitated plants was 2.6-fold that in tillers of intact plants. Decapitation together with foliar spraying of imazamethabenz at 200 g ha^–1 further reduced tiller fresh weight, greatly decreased the total tiller number, and thereafter significantly increased overall phytotoxicity by 32% as measured by total shoot fresh weight. The results of this study support the hypothesis that main shoot apical dominance limits translocation of applied imazamethabenz to lateral shoots, rendering tillers less susceptible to growth inhibition by the herbicide.     

Tillers Do Not Influence Phytotoxicity of Imazamethabenz in Wild Oat (Avena fatua)

The response of wild oat to imazamethabenz varies with the growth stage, but the role of tillers in this regard is unclear. Removal of tillers at the three-leaf stage before spraying with imazamethabenz did not significantly affect the total shoot fresh weight measured 3 weeks later. The leaf area and dry weight of intact plants at the three-leaf stage were 17–21% greater than for plants with coleoptilar and first leaf main shoot tillers (T0 and T1) removed. The greater leaf area may have increased herbicide interception per plant. Similar fresh weight reductions in main shoot, total tillers, and total shoots were found whether imazamethabenz was applied to the plant at the two-leaf without tillers or the three-leaf with two tillers stage. Imazamethabenz applied only to the main shoot reduced total shoot dry weight more than an equivalent amount of imazamethabenz applied only to tiller T1 or applied over the whole shoot. Imazamethabenz had the least inhibitory effect on whole plant growth when applied only to T1. When ¹⁴C-herbicide was applied to the first main shoot leaf of plants at the three-leaf stage with two tillers, the ¹⁴C translocated 38% to roots, 33% to the main shoot, and nearly 30% to all tillers. When ¹⁴C-herbicide was applied to the first leaf of T1 then the ¹⁴C translocated 50% to T1, 25% to the main shoot, 20% to roots, and 5% to all other tillers. The translocation pattern and fresh weight values suggested that the presence of early tillers during herbicide application neither increased nor decreased imazamethabenz efficacy in wild oat. Received June 4, 1997; accepted June 5, 1997     

Influence of nutrient supply and plant growth regulators on phytotoxicity of imazamethabenz in wild oat (Avena fatua L.)

The influences of nutrient supply and plant growth regulators on the phytotoxicity of imazamethabenz in wild oat (Avena fatua L.) were evaluated in the greenhouse. Wild oat plants supplied with half-strength rather than one-eighth-strength Hoagland solution were more susceptible to imazamethabenz, showing greater growth reduction in main shoot and tillers. The improved herbicide efficacy at higher nutrient levels appeared related to increased herbicide interception by the greater leaf surface available. Leaves developing at either nutrient level did not differ significantly in epicuticular wax, so differential absorption appeared unlikely. Wild oat plants supplemented with nutrient, switching from low to high levels at the time of herbicide application, were as susceptible to imazamethabenz or even more so than plants growing with a constant high level of nutrition. The wild oat pure-line Montana 73, a strongly tillering line, was more susceptible to imazamethabenz than the limited-tillering line, Crop Science 40. Both 2,4-D and GA₃ reduced imazamethabenz-induced tillering. Imazamethabenz efficacy was increased by GA₃ but not by 2,4-D. These results support the hypothesis that lowering apical dominance of wild oat increases imazamethabenz activity in tillers, and that increased tillering following sublethal doses of imazamethabenz treatment is associated with the release of apical dominance.     

The effect of tiller removal and tiller defoliation on competition between the main shoot and tillers of spring barley

In glasshouse and field experiments the source-sink relations of the main shoot of plants of spring barley were modified by tiller removal and tiller defoliation. Decreasing competition by tiller removal promoted the growth of the residual main shoot and its component parts, and the earlier tillers were removed the greater was the effect. Stem dry weight was increased four-fold in the glasshouse by early tiller removal and was doubled in the field experiment. The grain yield of the main shoot ear was increased by 26 – 30% by tiller removal compared with tillering control plants and this was due to larger grains in all spikelet positions. On the other hand increasing competition by regular tiller defoliation had relatively little effect on the growth and development of the main shoot in the glasshouse study, but in the field the main shoot grain yield was reduced by 10% compared with the control. The main effect of tiller defoliation was on the development of tillers. In the glasshouse tillers survived repeated defoliation, continued to be produced, and the majority produced grain but with fewer and smaller grains per ear than in control plants. Tiller growth was supported by the import of assimilate from the main shoot and this was accompanied by an increase in the photosynthetic rate of the main shoot leaves. In the field all defoliated tillers died within 4 wk. These responses are discussed in terms of the physiological interrelations between the main shoot and tillers.     

Effects of plant growth regulators on tiller bud outgrowth in uniculm cereals

Plant growth regulators were applied either to seeds or to leaves of uniculm selections of barley and wheat. None of the treatments stimulated the growth and development of tiller buds in the barley selection. In contrast, in wheat the development of tiller buds was readily stimulated and tillers were produced following treatment with Terpal, Cerone, TIBA or nitrate. In Terpal and Cerone treated plants, the stimulation of tiller bud outgrowth and tillering was accompanied by a marked retardation of growth in the main shoot. The growth of the tillers was however not sustained in any of the treatments, and so at maturity all plants were virtually uniculm. The results are discussed in relation to the different overall response of the two species, the death of tillers, and the hormonal regulation of tiller bud development.     

Modulation of leaf elongation, tiller appearance and tiller senescence in spring barley by far-red light

Supplemental far-red (FR) illumination of light-grown grass seedlings inhibits tiller production while enhancing leaf elongation. Although much is known about FR enhancement of internode elongation in dicots, relatively little research has been conducted to determine the effects of FR on monocot development. In growth chamber experiments, fibre optics were used to direct supplemental FR to elongating leaf blades, main stem bases and mature leaf blades of light-grown barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seedlings. Our objective was to identify specific sites of perception for FR enhancement of leaf elongation and inhibition of tiller production, and to assess potential FR effects on tiller senescence. Far-red illumination of elongating leaves or of the main stem base reduced the total number of tillers per plant, primarily by reducing secondary and tertiary tiller production, and enhanced leaf elongation. However, leaf elongation was less sensitive to stem base treatments than to illumination of the elongating blade. Increased leaf length resulted from increased leaf elongation rate, while the duration of leaf elongation was unaffected. Exposure of mature leaf blades to FR had no effect on tillering or leaf elongation. None of the FR treatments led to tiller senescence. Localization of FR perception in vertically oriented tissues such as elongating blades and stem bases permits early detection of reflected light from neighbouring plants, allowing rapid response to impending competition.     

Inhibition of Tiller Bud Outgrowth in the tin Mutant of Wheat Is Associated with Precocious Internode Development

Tillering (branching) is a major yield component and, therefore, a target for improving the yield of crops. However, tillering is regulated by complex interactions of endogenous and environmental signals, and the knowledge required to achieve optimal tiller number through genetic and agronomic means is still lacking. Regulatory mechanisms may be revealed through physiological and molecular characterization of naturally occurring and induced tillering mutants in the major crops. Here we characterize a reduced tillering (tin, for tiller inhibition) mutant of wheat (Triticum aestivum). The reduced tillering in tin is due to early cessation of tiller bud outgrowth during the transition of the shoot apex from the vegetative to the reproductive stage. There was no observed difference in the development of the main stem shoot apex between tin and the wild type. However, tin initiated internode development earlier and, unlike the wild type, the basal internodes in tin were solid rather than hollow. We hypothesize that tin represents a novel type of reduced tillering mutant associated with precocious internode elongation that diverts sucrose (Suc) away from developing tillers. Consistent with this hypothesis, we have observed upregulation of a gene induced by Suc starvation, downregulation of a Suc-inducible gene, and a reduced Suc content in dormant tin buds. The increased expression of the wheat Dormancy-associated (DRM1-like) and Teosinte Branched1 (TB1-like) genes and the reduced expression of cell cycle genes also indicate bud dormancy in tin. These results highlight the significance of Suc in shoot branching and the possibility of optimizing tillering by manipulating the timing of internode elongation.     

Uptake and distribution of nitrogen in wheat plants supplied with different amounts of nitrogen after stem elongation

The uptake of nitrogen and its distribution between shoots and between organs within shoots in wheat (Triticum aestivum) was studied from the start of stem elongation to 28 days after anthesis in a glasshouse experiment with eight nitrogen levels between 0·1 and 12·8 mequiv./litre. There was no net uptake of nitrogen in plants supplied with 0·8 mequiv./litre or less; with more nitrogen the absorption increased linearly. Twenty to 44% of the total plant nitrogen was absorbed after anthesis, this fraction increasing with nutrient supply. The nitrogen allotted to the main shoot decreased until the onset of anthesis and increased thereafter at the expense of the tillers, except with 12·8 mequiv./litre, where nitrogen percentage in the main shoot decreased also after anthesis. Raising nitrogen supply increased the proportion of plant nitrogen recovered in the tillers. Nitrogen accumulated in the ear after emergence and by the 28th day after anthesis it contained between 52% and 73% of the total plant nitrogen. The ear of the main shoot had a higher proportion of shoot nitrogen than that of the tillers. The fraction of ear nitrogen supplied by retranslocation decreased from almost 100% with 0·8 mequiv. N/litre or less to nil with 12·8 mequiv./litre. Increasing nitrogen application decreased the fraction of total nitrogen allocated to the ear.     

Tillering in grain sorghum over a wiide range of population densities: modelling dynamics of tiller fertility

The prediction of tillering is poor or absent in existing sorghum crop models even though fertile tillers contribute significantly to grain yield. The objective of this study was to identify general quantitative relationships underpinning tiller dynamics of sorghum for a broad range of assimilate availabilities. Emergence, phenology, leaf area development and fertility of individual main culms and tillers were quantified weekly in plants grown at one of four plant densities ranging from two to 16 plants m(-2). On any given day, a tiller was considered potentially fertile (a posteriori) if its number of leaves continued to increase thereafter. The dynamics of potentially fertile tiller number per plant varied greatly with plant density, but could generally be described by three determinants, stable across plant densities: tiller emergence rate aligned with leaf ligule appearance rate; cessation of tiller emergence occurred at a stable leaf area index; and rate of decrease in potentially fertile tillers was linearly related to the ratio of realized to potential leaf area growth. Realized leaf area growth is the measured increase in leaf area, whereas potential leaf area growth is the estimated increase in leaf area if all potentially fertile tillers were to continue to develop. Procedures to predict this ratio, by estimating realized leaf area per plant from intercepted radiation and potential leaf area per plant from the number and type of developing axes, are presented. While it is suitable for modelling tiller dynamics in grain sorghum, this general framework needs to be validated by testing it in different environments and for other cultivars.     

Effects of seed treatment with a plant growth regulator on growth and tillering in spring barley (Hordeum distichum) cv. Triumph

Doses of the growth retardant, Terpal, were applied to seeds of spring barley. Germination was delayed as the concentration and duration of exposure to Terpal increased. Tiller bud outgrowth was promoted in treated seedlings and at maturity the total tiller production and number of ear-bearing tillers per plant was increased by the Terpal treatment. The yield of the main shoot was similar in both control and treated plants but the mean ear weight of the tillers was reduced in the latter, and thus there was no overall effect of the treatment on yield. Observations on vegetative plants showed that Terpal also reduced the growth of successive main shoot leaves and the elongation and dry weight of the seminal root system. The results are discussed in terms of an early modification in the distribution of resources during establishment that favour the outgrowth of tiller buds at the expense of the initial development of the main shoot and root system. It is proposed that seed treatment is a viable alternative to foliar spraying particularly in arid regions.     

Tiller dynamics and assimilate partitioning in Lolium perenne with particular reference to flowering

The fate of 100 seedling plants of Lolium perenne L. was studied over a period of 2 years in a field plot. The birth and death of tillers and the production of inflorescences was followed, and the components of seed yield were recorded in detail in the first year. The pattern of distribution of ¹⁴CO₂ assimilated by the main shoot was examined at monthly intervals and during the first flowering season the distribution of ¹⁴C-assimilate from individual leaves and from the inflorescence was also studied. The capacity of individual tillers to assimilate ¹⁴CO₂ prior to flowering and the re-distribution of previously accumulated assimilate during seed growth were also assessed. Plants died at a more or less constant rate with time and only 54 survived to the end of the 2–yr period. First year mortality was associated with severe grazing or cutting but in the second year the death of ungrazed plants was observed. There was great variability in the production of tillers by surviving plants. In both years the number of live tillers per plant increased from July to the end of April with particularly rapid tillering in March and April establishing the maximum value for each year. There was a similar phase of rapid tillering after flowering in July. The number of live tillers per plant declined by 50% during stem elongation and inflorescence emergence and the majority of dead tillers were young secondary (in the first year) and tertiary (in the second year) tillers with a mean age of 40 days. Such tillers had poor assimilatory capacity prior to the onset of death and were not supplied with assimilate from the main shoot. Most of the plants surviving at the end of the experiment flowered in both years and one quarter of the maximum number of live tillers per plant recorded in April of each year produced inflorescences. The earlier a tiller was produced the greater was its chance of flowering and the greater its production of seed. The greater weight of seed produced was associated with the development of more seed-bearing florets per spikelet. There was relatively little export of “C-assimilate from the flowering main shoot, and the lower internodes formed the major sink for post-anthesis assimilate. The growth of seeds appeared to be relatively independent of the leaves for current assimilate. There was some evidence that assimilate accumulated in lower internodes was remobilised and utilised in the growth of seeds and new tillers. Overall, the results confirm the view that the grass plant is a dynamic population of short-lived tillers and indicate that increasing competition for assimilate at flowering exerts a major influence on the production and survival of tillers.     

Effect of the timing of water deficit on growth, phenology and yield of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) grown in Sahelian conditions

Several studies conducted under high input conditions have indicatedlittle susceptibility of pearl millet to water deficit untillearly grain filling, because the losses in main shoot productionwere fully compensated by increased tiller fertility. The presentstudy assessed the impact of water deficits at three developmentstages: prior to flowering (S30), at the beginning of flowering(S45), and at the end of flowering (S60) in pearl millet grownin experimental conditions similar to Sahelian farming conditions.It included a control irrigation treatment simulating the naturaldistribution of rainfall throughout the cropping season. Bothbiomass production and grain yield were severely reduced byS30 and S45, while S60 had no effect. In S30 and S45, the floweringof tillers was delayed or totally inhibited. In both of thesetreatments, the low number of productive tillers did not compensatefor damage to panicle initiation and flowering of the main shoot.All treatments maintained green leaves on the main shoot duringthe grain filling period, and in S30 leaf growth recovered frommid-season drought. These results illustrate how pearl milletmostly escapes drought by matching its phenology to the meanrainfall distribution in the Sahel. In the case of mid-seasondrought, some late productive tillers and the maintenance ofgreen leaf biomass of the main shoots limited, but did not overcome,the yield losses. This study stresses the importance of agro-ecologicalconditions in control treatments, particularly the water regimeand crop density, when assessing crop drought resistance. Key words: Drought resistance strategy, experimental conditions, main shoots, tillers, Pennisetum glaucum     

Effects of Plant Growth Regulators and Nutrient Supply on Tiller Bud Outgrowth in Barley (Hordeum distichum L.)

Seedlings of spring barley were raised in 100 and 20% nutrientsolution and treated with a foliar application of Terpal, Cerone,TIBA, GA₃ or BAP. The growth of individual tiller buds and tillers,the main shoot and the root system was recorded over the following15 d. Terpal and Cerone stimulated tiller bud elongation within5 d at both nutrient levels and after 15 d the number of emergedtillers was increased at the higher nutrient level. Terpal characteristicallypromoted the growth of secondary tiller buds whereas Ceronepromoted the emergence of the coleoptile tiller; both thesePGRs also retarded the development of the main shoot. TIBA increasedthe number of elongating tiller buds but this did not resultin greater tillering. GA₃ reduced the number of elongating tillerbuds and restricted their growth, especially in the high nutrientregime; this was accompanied by an increase in main shoot elongation.The growth and development of tiller buds was reduced by BAPand the number of emerged tillers was reduced at 15 d in bothnutrient levels; main shoot dry weight and root elongation werealso reduced. The results are considered in relation to theoverall influence of hormonal factors and mineral supply ontiller bud outgrowth. Hordeum distichum, spring barley, tiller bud outgrowth, plant growth regulators, Terpal, Cerone, GA₃, BAP, nutrient supply, apical dominance, TIBA     

The Export and Distribution of 14C-labelled Assimilates from each Leaf on the Shoot of Lolium temulentum during Reproductive and Vegetative Growth

In both reproductive and vegetative plants of Lolium temulentumL., the export of ¹⁴C-labelled assimilates from each healthyleaf on the main shoot to terminal meristem, stem, tillers,and roots was measured each time a new leaf was expanded, fora period of 5 to 6 weeks. Some labelled assimilates moved fromeach leaf on the main shoot to every meristem in the same shoot,as well as to the tops and roots of adjacent organically attachedtillers. The terminal meristem of the reproductive shoot, which includedthe developing inflorescence, received 70–80 per centof the carbon assimilated by the emerged portion of the growingleaf, 15–25 per cent of the carbon assimilated by thetwo youngest expanded leaves, and 5–10 per cent of thatfrom each of the older leaves. A similar pattern of carbon supplyto the terminal meristem was found in vegetative shoots, exceptthat older leaves on young vegetative shoots supplied even lessof their carbon to the terminal meristem. The general conclusionis that developing leaves at the tip of the shoot receive aboutthe same proportion of carbon from each leaf as does a developinginflorescence. Young expanded leaves provided most labelled assimilates forstem growth; during both reproductive and vegetative growth,expanded leaves increased their export of labelled carbon tostem, and exported less of their ¹⁴C to roots and sometimesto tillers. In these reproductive and vegetative shoots, grown in a constantexternal environment, the major changes in the pattern of distributionof labelled assimilates appeared to be the result of increasedmeristematic activity in stem internodes; the development ofan inflorescence had no obvious direct effect on the carboneconomy of shoots.     

The development of waterlogging damage in wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivum L.)

Summary Decreases in the concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium, in the shoots of wheat seedlings soon after the start of waterlogging were mainly attributed to an inhibition of ion uptake and transport by roots in the oxygen deficient soil. There was a small net accumulation of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium by the aerial tissues, principally the tillers rather than the main shoot. By contrast, calcium and magnesium accumulated in both tillers and main shoot. With waterlogging, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were translocated from the older leaves to the younger growing leaves, and in the case of nitrogen this was associated with the onset of premature senescence. Calcium and magnesium were not translocated from the older leaves, the younger leaves acquiring these cations from the waterlogged soil. The promotion of leaf senescence by waterlogging was counteracted by applications of nitrate or ammonium to the soil surface, or by spraying the shoots with solutions of urea, but the beneficial effects on shoot growth were small.The role of mineral nutrition in relation to waterlogging damage to young cereal plants is discussed.     

冬小麦(Triticum aestivum)分蘖冗余生态学意义以及减少冗余对水分利用效率的影响

通过盆栽试验,以旱作冬小麦(Triticum aestivum)为材料,分别在拔节和抽穗期对分蘖进行人工干扰,来模拟不可预测的自然干扰,对冬小麦分蘖冗余的生态学意义以及减少这些冗余对水分利用效率影响进行研究.设置3个处理:从拔节期开始剪去所有小的分蘖,仅保留主茎和一个大的分蘖(A);在拔节期剪去主茎和两个大的分蘖,保留所有小的分蘖(B);在孕穗期剪去主茎和有效分蘖,保留无效分蘖(C).没有被干扰的植物作为对照(CK).通过花期测定叶片的叶绿素含量、叶绿素荧光参数、气孔导度和蒸腾速率等生理指标来评价植物的生理与生化活性.结果显示,在拔节期和抽穗期去除主茎和大蘖后,无效分蘖的生理活性被激活,开始执行有效分蘖的功能.到花期时,这些无效分蘖已经在生理活性上满足了补充和替代有效茎的要求.虽然株高和穗的整齐度、穗数和产量显著下降,但并没有防碍小麦的繁衍子代,因此,正是这些由早期"无效分蘖"补充而来的有效茎,避免了小麦绝种的风险.而在拔节期去除无效分蘖后,对小麦产量没有显著影响,但提高了水分利用效率,和对照相比水分利用效率提高了10%.因此,可以认为小麦在分蘖上存在着对水分利用不利的生长冗余,减少这些冗余有望节约用水、提高作物的水分利用效率.     

Variations in Tiller Dynamics and Morphology in Lolium multiflorum Lam.Vegetative and Reproductive Plants as affected by Differences in Red/Far-Red Irradiation

Lolium multiflorum Lam, plants were grown in a growth room undertwo light sources with red/far-red ratios of 1·62 and0·84 but similar photosynthetically active radiation.In both situations the capacity to produce new tillers and thelight available per tiller decreased with canopy growth. Tilleringwas further reduced by the low red/far-red ratio while lightinterception and plant dry weight were unaffected by this treatment.In both reproductive and vegetative plants under the lower red/far-redratio the time between leaf expansion and the appearance ofa tiller in its axil was increased and the proportion of ‘maturebuds’ that developed was reduced. Irradiation with lowred/far-red advanced the reproductive development and increasedthe number of fertile tillers per plant. It also caused longerleaf sheaths, blades and reproductive shoots. The results suggestthat as canopy density increases the lower light interceptionper tiller and the photomorphogenic effect of low red/far-redratios may reduce the capacity to produce new tillers. Lolium multiflorum, Lam., annual ryegrass, tillering, tiller growth, leaf growth, flowering, light quality.     

调亏灌水和分蘖干扰对冬小麦生长的补偿效应

为探索抑制个体功能的生长冗余以实现群体性能优化并挖掘作物高产潜力的途径,通过桶栽试验,选择分蘖能力中等的小偃22号和分蘖能力较强的郑麦7698,对比研究2种灌水模式（全生育期充分灌水和分生育期调亏灌水）和3种分蘖干扰（从拔节期开始去除所有小分蘖,仅保留主茎和1个大分蘖;抽穗期去除所有无效分蘖;以不作任何干扰为对照）,来模拟不同水分供应和不可预测干扰对冬小麦生理生长、产量和水分利用效率的补偿机制.结果表明： 2个冬小麦品种均存在生长冗余.与小偃22号相比,郑麦7698有效分蘖数较高,但穗部性状较差.调亏灌水和抽穗期去除无效分蘖均可减少生长冗余,弱化竞争能力,改变源 库关系,提高资源分配.但冗余消除过度（拔节期干扰）则会破坏植株固有的根冠平衡和功能结构,导致生长的不足补偿.与对照相比,调亏灌水联合抽穗期去除无效分蘖可在时空尺度上充分开发和利用作物自身调控潜力实现补偿生长,在不显著影响籽粒产量的同时可提高水分利用效率20.4%～25.4%,是适宜的减冗增效措施.     

Accelerated Early Growth of Rice at Elevated CO2 (Is It Related to Developmental Changes in the Shoot Apex?)

The influence of elevated CO2 on the development of the shoot apex and on subsequent vegetative growth and grain yield was investigated using rice (Oryza sativa L. cv Jarrah) grown in flooded soil at either 350 or 700 [mu]L CO2 L-1. At 8 d after planting (DAP), elevated CO2 increased the height and diameter of the apical dome and lengths of leaf primordia and tiller buds but had no effect on their numbers. By 16 DAP, there were five tiller buds in the apex at 700 [mu]L CO2 L-1 compared with only three tiller buds at 350 [mu]L CO2 L-1. These changes in development of the shoot apex at high CO2 were forerunners to faster development of the vegetative shoot at elevated CO2 between 11 and 26 DAP as evidenced by increases in the relative growth rates of the shoot and tillers. Accelerated development at high CO2 was responsible for the 42% increase in tiller number at the maximum tillering stage and the 57% enhancement of grain yield at the final harvest. The link between high CO2 effects on development during the first 15 DAP and final tiller number and grain yield was demonstrated by delaying exposure of plants to high CO2 for 15 d. The delay totally inhibited the tillering response to high CO2, and the increase in grain yield of 20% arose from a greater number of grains per panicle. Consequently, it can be concluded that accelerated development in the shoot apex early in development is crucial for obtaining maximum increases in grain yield at elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations.     

Effects of phosphorus nutrition on tiller emergence in wheat

Phosphorus (P) deficiency limits the yield of wheat, particularly by reducing the number of ears per unit of area because of a poor tiller emergence. The objectives of this work were to (i) determine whether tiller emergence under low phosphorus availability is a function of the availability of assimilates for growth or a direct result of low P availability, (ii) attempt to establish a quantitative relation between an index of the availability of P in the plant and the effects of P deficiency on tiller emergence, and (iii) to provide a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in tiller emergence in field-grown wheat. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv. INTA Oasis), was grown in the field under drip irrigation on a typic Argiudol, low in P (5.5 μg P g^-1 soil Bray & Kurtz I) in Balcarce, Argentina. Treatments consisted of the combination of three levels of P fertilization 0, 60 and 200 kg P₂O₅ ha^-1, and two levels of assimilate availability, a control (non-shaded) and 65% of reduction in incident irradiance from seedling emergence until the end of tillering (shaded). Phosphorus treatments significantly modified the pattern of growth and development of the plants. Shading reduced the growth and concentration of water-soluble carbohydrates in leaves and stems. Leaf photosynthetic rate at saturating irradiance was reduced by P deficiency, but was not affected by shading. At shoot P concentrations less than 4.2 g P kg^-1 the heterogeneity in the plant population increased with respect to the number of plants bearing a certain tiller. At a shoot P concentration of 1.7 g P kg^-1 tillering ceased completely. Phosphorus deficiency directly altered the normal pattern of tiller emergence by slowing the emergence of leaves on the main stem (i.e. increasing the phyllochron), and by reducing the maximum rate of tiller emergence for each tiller. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.