Photosynthesis of Ears and Flag Leaves of Wheat and Barley

Immediately after anthesis ears of spring wheat absorbed lessthan 0.5 mg CO₂, per hour in daylight and later evolved CO₂,in the light and in the dark. The rate of apparent photosynthesisof the combined flag-leaf lamina and sheath and peduncle (collectivelycalled flag leaf) of two spring wheat varieties, Atle and JufyI, was 3–4 mg per hour; the rates of the flag leaf andthe ear of two spring barleys, Plumage Archer and Proctor, wereeach about 1 mg per hour. The gas exchange of ears and flag leaves between ear emergenceand maturity accounted for most of the final grain dry weight.The CO₂, fixed by the wheat ear was equivalent to between 17and 30 per cent of the grain weight, but more than this waslost by respiration, so assimilation in the flag leaf was equivalentto 110–20 per cent of the final grain weight. In barley,photosynthesis in the flag leaf and the net CO₂ uptake by theear each provided about half of the carbohydrate in the grain. Barley ears photosynthesized more than wheat ears because oftheir greater surface, and flag leaves of wheat photosynthesizedmore than those of barley because they had more surface anda slightly greater rate of photosynthesis per dm².     

Grain Yield in Two Contrasting Varieties of Spring Wheat

To investigate factors determining grain yield in spring wheattwo contrasting varieties of high (Jufy I) and low (Peko) yieldingcapacity were grown in field and glasshouse experiments. In a field trial Jufy I yielded approximately 14 per cent moregrain than Peko on both control and nitrogen-treated plots.In another field trial employing small plots, although for bothvarieties doubling the seed-rate did not affect grain yield,the two varieties differed in their response to the increasein density. In Peko the yield level remained unaffected becausedoubling the seed-rate halved the number of fertile tillersper plant, whereas for Jufy I in addition to a shift in tillernumber per plant there were changes in the number of grainsper ear. In both varieties the weight per seed remained constant. When the two varieties were grown alone or as a 1: 1 mixtureat the same seed-rate the grain yields were similar. In themixture, Peko, compared with Jufy I, produced a greater numberof fertile tillers and consequently a greater contribution tothe total grain yield. In glasshouse experiments the grain yield per tiller and theorder of leaf area duration per tiller for the period from earemergence to grain ripening were both higher for Jufy I. Onthe other hand, there was no varietal difference for the netassimilation rate estimated during the vegetative phase, butexcluding the roots. Additional nitrogen primarily stimulated tiller production inboth varieties. Shading either the upper or lower parts of the plant demonstratedthat the ear and flag leaf and its sheath are important sourcesof assimilates for grain formation, whereas the lower partsare relatively unimportant in this respect. There were indicationsthat the response between varieties differed.     

Effects of Temperature Variation at Different Times on Growth and Yield of Sugar Beet and Barley

Sugar-beet and barley were grown in pots outdoors (environmentN) and, for five successive 4-week periods starting at sowing,batches of plants were transferred to three growth rooms whosetemperatures were either similar to the outdoor mean (environment^M), or 3° C hotter (environment H) or 3° C colder (environmentC). Some plants were harvested immediately after treatment;others were returned to environment N and harvested when mature. At the end of period 1, sugar-beet plants from environment Mhad more dry weight and leaf area than those outdoors. Immediatelyafter spending later periods in environment M, plants had smallerleaves and similar dry weight to those continuously outdoors.These differences disappeared by maturity. Warmth in the growthrooms (i.e. the difference H—C) during periods 1, 2, and3, while leaf area was increasing, increased the number andsize of leaves and usually also dry weight; in later periodsit had no effect. The effects induced during periods 2 and 3,but not period 1, persisted to maturity to give greater totaland root dry weight and yield of sugar. The final effects ondry weight were much larger than those immediately after treatment,and were the result of differences in growth outdoors aftertreatment which depended on differences in leaf area; the efficiencyof the leaves was not affected by previous treatment. Transferring barley to environment M from N had inconsistentimmediate effects on leaf area and dry weight which disappearedby the final harvest. Transfer during periods 2 and 3, beforethe ears had started emerging, increased shoot number and delayeddevelopment. The proportion of the ears that ripened and theyield of grain were usually less for plants that had spent aperiod in environment M than for plants permanently outdoors,which also had some green ears. Warmth in the growth rooms duringperiods 1 and 2 increased dry weight and leaf area immediately,but had negligible effects at maturity because the increasesin leaf area did not persist after ear emergence. Warmth laterhastened death of leaves, decreased total dry weight immediatelyand also at maturity, but increased the proportion of ears thatripened and hence usually grain weight. Variation in leaf areaduration after ear emergence (D), determined by effects on thetime the ears emerged and the rate the leaves died, accountedfor most of the variation in grain yield, but warmth after theears emerged decreased grain yield less than proportionallyto the decrease in D. Net assimilation rate (E) of sugar-beet was greater than ofbarley, and decreased less with age. E of both species was usuallygreater in environment M than outdoors in spite of less radiation.It was only slightly affected by temperature. Nitrogen and potassium uptake were increased by treatments thatincreased dry weight. The percentage contents suggest that extrauptake was a consequence and not a cause of the increase indry weight.     

Expression of Vernalization Requirement and Spikelet Number in Synthetic Hexaploid Wheats and their Triticum tauschii and Tetraploid Wheat Parents

Vernalization requirement, as measured by days from sowing toear emergence (plants grown under an 18-h photoperiod), andspikelet number per ear were recorded for 17 synthetic hexaploidwheats and the six tetraploid (Triticum durum) and the ninediploid T. tauschii parents used to synthesize them. The tetraploid parents and the synthetic hexaploids had springphenotypes (little or no vernalization requirement) whereasthe T. tauschii parents were all winter types (strong vernalizationrequirement). The tetraploid wheats and the synthetic hexaploidsreached ear emergence 50·3 to 63·8 d and 58·2to 75·3 d after sowing, respectively, while the T. tauschiilines reached ear emergence 114·3 to 179·5 d aftersowing. The spring habit of the synthetic hexaploids demonstrates theepistasis of spring over winter habit. It is considered thatwith a presumed single vrn locus in the diploid species T. tauschiithe range of ear emergence in these lines is consistent withthe action of multiple alleles at that locus. Although there was no general epistasis for spikelet number,the tetraploid parents appear to be exerting more influenceover spikelet number in the synthetic hexaploids than T. tauschii.The well established association between the duration from sowingto ear emergence and spikelet number was not evident eitherwithin each ploidy group or when the 32 lines were consideredtogether. Triticum tauschii, Triticum durum, hexaploid wheat, spikelet number, vernalization requirement     

Influence of Tops and Roots on Net Assimilation Rate of Sugar-beet and Spinach Beet and Grafts between them

Sugar-beet has a larger storage root and greater net assimilationrate (E) than spinach beet. To determine whether the greaterroot was a result or cause of the greater E, grafts were madebetween tops and roots of sugar-beet and spinach-beet in allfour possible combinations. Grafted plants with sugar-beet roots had greater E and rootdry weight, less leaf area and top dry weight and lower concentrationof sugar in the leaf lamina, than those with spinach-beet roots,irrespective of the type of top. Grafted plants with sugar-beettops had greater E, total and root dry weight, but less leafarea, than those with spinach-beet tops, irrespective of thetype of root. The difference in E between grafted plants withsugar-beet tops and spinach-beet tops was similar to that betweengrafted plants with sugar-beet roots and spinach-beet roots.It increased with time to 60 per cent. Increases in E probably represent increases in rate of photosynthesis.Sugar-beet roots probably increased photosynthesis by providinga better sink for assimilates than spinach-beet roots.     

Growth and yield of six short varieties of spring wheat derived from Norin 10 and of two European varieties

Five short varieties of spring wheat derived from Norin 10: Lerma Rojo 64A (R), Penjamo 62 (P), Sonora 64 (S), Mexico 120 (M), and an unnamed selection obtained from Mexico (X), had grain yields equal to, or only slightly less than those of the taller European spring varieties Kloka (K) and Jufy I (J). Yields ranged from 500 to 580 g/m² of dry matter. The short variety NBJ115 (N) was severely infected with yellow rust and yielded only 290 g/m². Total dry weight (excluding roots) of the short varieties was less than of J and K; hence grain accounted for 49 % of the total for the short varieties and 42 % for J and K. Most of the short varieties had fewer ears than the tall ones because sowing difficulties and poor germination produced fewer plants. The relative yields of X, P, R and S seemed to be correlated with their plant and ear densities. Leaf area duration after flowering (D), based either on total green area or on green area above the flag-leaf node only, was less for the short varieties than for J and K. The apparent mean efficiency of this area in grain production (grain yield divided by D) was 50% greater for the short than for the tall varieties. The height of the short varieties ranged from 43 cm (M) to 79 cm (N). K was 92 cm and J 97 cm tall. Differences in height depended on the lengths of the top four internodes and not on number of internodes. Main shoots of all varieties produced seven or eight leaves. All varieties initiated spikelets 45–48 days after sowing. The short varieties flowered 103 days and matured 155 days after sowing; J and K flowered and matured about 1 week earlier.     

Dependence of Yields of Wheat Varieties on their Leaf Area Durations

In a field experiment three wheat varieties: autumn-sown CappelleDesprez, Prestige, both autumn-sown and spring-sown, and spring-sownJufy I, each supplied with 0.5 or 1.0 cwt nitrogen/acre (6₃or 126 kg/ha), had grain yields nearly proportional to theirLeaf Area Durations (D) during grain development. Squarehead'sMaster had a smaller grain yield relative to its total D, butwith 0.5 cwt N/acre the ratio of its grain yield to D of partsabove the flag leaf node (D_F) was similar to the other varieties.The difference in this ratio between varieties was less whenD_Fwas calculated from anthesis than from ear emergence to ripening.Squarehead’s Master with 1.0 cwt N/acre had a smallerratio of grain yield to D_F than other treatments, implying lessgrain per ear relative to D_Y per shoot, perhaps because of lodging,or because factors limiting size of ears restricted their abilityto accept all the assimilate the shoots could produce with thisamount of N.     

Effects of CO2 Enrichment at Different Irradiances on Growth and Yield of Wheat: I. EFFECTS OF CULTIVAR AND OF DURATION OF CO2 ENRICHMENT

Wheat, Triticwn aestivum L., the winter cultivars Hobbit andCappelle-Desprez, and the spring cultivars Sicco and KJeiber,were grown in normal air or air enriched with CO₂ either outdoorsin a glass-roofed cage or in controlled environment rooms. Inneither the winter nor the spring wheat was growth increaseddue to enrichment with CO₂ before anthesis. Enrichment of thetwo winter wheat cultivars increased shoot dry weight significantlyat 15 d after anthesis but produced no significant increasein grain yield. With the spring cultivars there was a significantincrease in shoot dry weight by 18 d after anthesis and thegrain yield was also larger due to an increase in grain size.Shoot weight increased because the stems were larger, and therewas a diversion of assimilate from grain growth to late tillerproduction. Root tissue comprised less than 20% of the totaldry matter at anthesis (for all cultivars); effects of CO₂ enrichmenton root growth appeared to be less important than effects onshoot and ear growth. Growth and yield responses to CO₂ enrichmentwere observed (for the spring cultivars) at irradiances of both250 and 635 µE m^–2 s^–1, but the effects weregreater at the lower irradiance. Key words: CO₂ enrichment, Wheat, Cultivar     

Regulation of Grain Weight by Supply of Assimilates and Starch Granule Development in Three Winter Wheat Varieties

On removing the top half of the ear (halving) on several datesafter anthesis, dry weight per grain increased in three winterwheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties, in two pot experiments;the increase was greater with early than with late halving.The variety Splendeur had a lower dry weight and water percentagein grains than either Hobbit or Maris Huntsman. The ratio ofthe green area integrated over the post-anthesis period to thenumber of grains per ear (green area per grain) was highestin Splendeur and lowest in Hobbit in the first experiment; inthe second, Splendeur gave a lower ratio than the other twovarieties, which showed similar values. The green area per grainwas greater the earlier the ear was halved. The number of A-typestarch granules per endosperm, but not the volume per A granule(modal volume) and the modal volume of B starch granules, butnot their number, increased to a greater extent with early thanwith late halving. In Splendeur the grains had fewer A starchgranules, although these were of greater modal volume than inHobbit and Maris Huntsman and a number of B starch granulessimilar to the other two varieties, but of smaller modal volume.Maris Huntsman had more A granules than Hobbit, but with smallermodal volume. Dry weight per grain increased linearly with thenumber of A starch granules per endosperm, which in turn increasedasymptotically with green area per grain. The regressions forthe three varieties differed significantly. The influence ofthe supply of assimilates and the capacity for starch granuleformation in the regulation of grain weight is discussed. Key words: Grain weight, starch granules, assimilate supply, variety, wheat     

Physiological Growth Attributes of Saccharum Clones and their Progenies

Characters obtained by growth analysis techniques were studiedin seven sugar-cane clones and their seedling progenies froma ratton crop 139 days after virgin harvest. Significant differences in progeny means for R_wand E_Awere mainlyaccounted for by differences in L. Four select clones had amean R_w and mean E_A which, when adjusted to allow for theirsuperior L, were significantly greater than average (P< 0.05).This illustrated that for selection to be effective from theprogenies, segregants with improved L and better leaf-area dependencemust be isolated. The estimates obtained of both L and E_A wereeffective in predicting final weight of cane. Variance componentsindicated especially large ‘male X female’ interactionin progeny means. Some evidence was obtained to suggest thatleaf-area ration is a character which could be used in selectingsmall plots for weight.     

Physiological Causes of Differences in Grain Yield between Varieties of Barley

In a field experiment on barley at Rothamsted with the highmean yield of 49 cwt. of grain per acre, the varieties Proctorand Herta produced 10—15 per cent, more grain than Plumage-Archeron plots that received no nitrogenous fertilizer. When nitrogenwas applied the difference was increased to about 30 per cent.,because the higher nitrogen supply caused the Plumage-Archercrop to lodge and did not increase its yield, while Proctorand Herta remained standing. The three varieties did not differ in leaf-area index nor innet assimilation rate before ear emergence, so that all hadthe same total dry weight. After ear emergence, the leaf-areaindices of Proctor and Plumage-Archer were nearly equal, butthat of Herta was smaller. Assuming that the photosyntheticefficiency of the leaves continued to be the same in all varieties,the higher grain yields of Proctor and Herta cannot be attributedto greater production of dry matter by the leaves, either beforeor after ear emergence. A pot experiment on plants with shadedears confirmed that the dry matter contributed to grain yieldby unit leaf area was nearly equal in all the varieties. The higher grain yield of Proctor and Herta than of Plumage-Archermust therefore have come from additional photosynthesis in partsof the plant other than the leaves, i.e. in the ears themselves.An attempt to demonstrate this directly in a pot experiment,by comparing the grain yields of plants with shaded or withunshaded ears, was unsuccessful because the varieties behaveddifferently in pots; Proctor and Herta produced only about 6per cent, more grain yield than Plumage-Archer, and though thedecrease in grain yield by shading the ears was slightly greaterfor Proctor and Herta, the differences were not significant. The sum of ear sizes (estimated from length and breadth measurements)per m.1 in the field experiment was greater for Proctor andHerta than for Plumage-Archer. Also the distribution of drymatter between developing ears and shoots apparently differedwith variety, so that at ear emergence the dry weight of earsper m.² was greater in the two higher yielding varieties. Theincreased amount of photosynthetic tissue in the ears of Proctorand Herta, as measured by size or weight, may not wholly explaintheir greater dry-matter production; ears of Herta may alsohave a higher photosynthetic efficiency. No differences in nutrient uptake that could account for thevarietal differences in grain yield were found. Plumage-Archerabsorbed more potassium, and Herta less phosphorus than theother varieties. About a quarter of the final content of nitrogen,and a third of the phosphorus, was absorbed after ear emergence,but the potassium content was nearly maximal at ear emergenceand later decreased. The pot experiment showed that, on the average of all varieties,26 per cent. of the dry matter in the grain at harvest originatedfrom photosynthesis in the ears, including 10 per cent, fromthe awns; 59 per cent, came from photosynthesis in the flag-leaflamina and sheath and peduncle, and 15 per cent, from partsof the shoot below the flag leaf.     

Nutrient Dilution by Starch in CO2-enriched Chrysanthemum

Increasing growth irradiance and CO₂ generally decreases foliarnutrient concentration on a dry weight basis and increases foliarstarch concentration. However, the extent to which starch concentrations‘dilute’ foliar nutrient concentrations when thelatter are expressed on a dry weight basis is not known. Todetermine the importance of differential starch accumulationin calculating nutrient concentrations on a dry weight basis,leaf nutrient and starch concentrations were measured in Chrysanthemum? morifolium ‘Fiesta’ (Ramat.) cuttings grown atthree irradiance levels and two CO₂ levels for eight weeks inboth winter and spring. On a dry weight basis, foliar concentrationsof most nutrients were lower in both seasons as a result ofthe elevated CO₂ and irradiance levels, and total dry weightswere higher. Per cent starch was greater at the high CO₂ levelin both seasons but was only greater at higher irradiances inthe winter experiment. When starch was subtracted from the leafdry weights, the differences between CO₂ and irradiance treatmentsdisappeared with respect to N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, and B but notfor Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu. Key words: CO₂ enrichment, starch, nutrients, irradiance     

The Net Assimilation Rates of Wild and Cultivated Beets

The net assimilation rate (E) of Kleinwanzleben sugar-beet wasthe same as that of three types of wild sea-beet (Beta vulgarissubsp. maritima) when the leaf-area index (L) was near to I.In a subsequent period, when mean L of sugar-beet and of theleafiest wild beet type was 2.5, there was an inverse relationbetween E and L of the three wild types, and E of sugar-beetwas then much greater than that of the wild type with equalL but was little different from that of the wild type with smallestL (about 1.5). It is concluded that the development of sugar-beetfrom its wild ancestors by selection and breeding has not affectedthe intrinsic photosynthetic efficiency of the leaves, but hasdiminished the effect of mutual-interference between leaves,so that E falls less rapidly as L increases, i.e. it has decreasedthe leaf-density dependence of E. This change may be relatedto the difference in form between sugar-beet and wild beet plants.     

Photosynthesis and Transpiration in Leaves and Ears of Wheat and Barley Varieties

Carbon exchange rate (CER) and transpiration were measured inflag leaves, whole ears, glumes (referring to the total areaof glumes and lemmas) and awns, in six hexaploid spring wheats(Triticum aestivum L.), three cultivated tetraploid spring wheats(T. turgidum L.), four wild tetraploid wheats (T. dicoccoides),eight six-rowed barleys (Hordeum vulgare L.) and five two-rowedbarleys (H. vulgare L.). Differences between varieties and between species in total earCER and transpiration were associated largely with differencesin ear surface area rather than with rates per unit area. Ratesof CER and transpiration per unit area of ears were 40–80%of those of flag leaves, depending on the species. However, since ear surface area was greater than flag leaf areaby a factor of 1.1, 3.9, 5.5 and 4.4, in hexaploid wheat, tetraploidwheat, six-rowed barley, and two-rowed barley, respectively,total ear CER reached up to 90% of that of the flag leaf. The contribution of awns to total ear CER depended largely ontotal awn surface area per ear, rather than on CER per unitawn area. Awns contributed about 40–80% of total spikeCER, depending on the species, but only 10–20% of spiketranspiration. The disproportionately small contribution ofawns to ear transpiration was caused by the very low rate oftranspiration per unit area of awns. Thus, while transpirationratio (CER/transpiration) was about the same in flag leavesand glumes, it was higher by several orders of magnitude inthe awns. A large amount of awns in the ear is therefore a drought adaptiveattribute in these cereals, for which tetraploid wheat exceededhexaploid wheat and six-rowed barley exceeded two-rowed barley. Key words: Carbon exchange rate, Transpiration, Barley, Wheat     

The Influence of the Rht1 and Rht2 Alleles on the Growth of Wheat Stems and Ears

A field experiment was carried out with a set of near-isogenicspring wheat lines (cv. Triple Dirk) to determine the influenceof the Rht₁ and Rht₂ alleles on the partitioning of dry matterbetween the developing stem and the ear. Each line was sampledtwice weekly and dissected into its component above-ground parts.The rate of change of the dry mass of the individual plant organswas expressed as a proportion of the rate of change of the totalplant dry mass. This ratio was used to assess the relative sinkstrengths of the stem and ear during crop growth. The Rht₁ andRht₂ alleles reduced plant height, but increased grain yield.The greater yield was achieved through a greater grain numberper ear in the Rhtl line, a greater ear number per plant inthe Rht₂ line, and a greater allocation of assimilate to thedeveloping ear than to the developing stem in both Rht lines,particularly at the time of maximum stem growth (17 d beforeanthesis). From the earliest stages of detectable ear growthuntil anthesis, the ear masses per unit area of the Rht₁ andRht₂ lines exceeded that of Triple Dirk (Rht). It was not possibleto determine whether the Rht₁ and Rht₂ alleles were directlyresponsible for increasing grain number per ear and ear numberper plant, respectively, since the increase in these componentsof yield could equally be explained by a greater partitioningof assimilate to developing ears and tillers caused simply bya reduction in plant height. Triticum aestivum L., wheat Rht genes, stem and ear development, dry matter partitioning, allocation ratio     

Effect of Water Deficit on Accumulation of Dry Matter, Carbon and Nitrogen in the Kernel of Wheat Genotypes Differing in Yield Stability

Water stress effects on accumulation of dry matter, carbon andnitrogen in grains were analysed in varieties and species ofwheat differing in yield stability. Variable water environmentswere generated using a line source sprinkler system. Althoughlarge fluctuations occurred in the water potentials of the flagleaf and ear, grain growth remained relatively buffered undermoisture stress. Developing grains were at a lower moisturelevel throughout grain growth in plants subjected to moisturestress relative to the unstressed plants. Carbon content decreasedmore than the nitrogen content in the stressed grains of thespecies and varieties. Reduction in the duration of grain growthand the rate of dry weight accumulation induced by water stresswas more prominent in T. aestivum var. C306 and T. sphaerococcum.Grain yield was reduced significantly under water stress, themaximum being in the high yielding cultivar HD2329. Both grainnumber and grain weight were reduced in response to stress,the extent of reduction being different in different genotypes.Copyright1994, 1999 Academic Press Water deficit, yield stability, C and N accumulation, heat degree days     

Photosynthate partitioning in diploid and autotetraploid barley (Hordeum vulgare)

Net rates of carbon assimilation per unit leaf area by fully expanded, vegetative leaves of diploid (2x) and autotetraploid (4x) barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cultivars OAC-21 and Brant) were not significantly different (90% level) when measured under controlled environment conditions with air levels of CO₂ and either 2 or 20% O₂. Leaf thickness increased with ploidy so that net photosynthetic rates measured on single leaves were lower for 4x than 2x barley varieties when compared on a dry or fresh weight basis. Rates of ¹⁴CO₂ fixation by isolated mesophyll protoplasts prepared from seedlings were also lower for 4x than 2x varieties [about 108 and 125 μmol (mg ChI)^?1 h^?1, respectively]. Carbohydrate accumulation in leaves of 5-weekold plants averaged 28% (2x) and 47% (4x) of the total photosynthetic weight gain during the first 9 h of the light period. Estimated photoassimilate export from leaves was 15% (OAC-21) and 38% (Brant) lower for 4x compared to 2x isolines. The sucrose and oligofructan content of 4x compared to 2x leaves increased as a result of decreased photosynthate transport. Total tiller dry weight of plants raised in a glasshouse was greater for 4x than 2x barley varieties at ear emergence, but tiller height decreased with increasing ploidy. The nonstructural carbohydrate content of the inflorescence, leaves and lower stem organs was significantly (P≤ 0.01) higher in 4x than in 2x lines at this sampling. During the first 15 days of grain development total tiller dry weight increased by 46% (2x) compared to 8% (4x) when the results of both varieties were averaged together. The dry weight gain of the ear during this period was about 60 to 80% lower for 4x compared to 2x isolines. The nonstructural carbohydrate content of the inflorescence was also about 24% (Brant) and 51% (OAC-21) lower for 4x as compared to 2x plants 15 days post ear emergence. The above results suggested that photosynthate partitioning in autotetraploid barley was sink-limited.     

Mature Tissue and Crop Canopy Respiratory Characteristics of Rye, Triticale and Wheat

Crop dry matter and its chemical composition, together withcanopy and mature tissue respiration rates were measure at equivalentgrowth stages and temperatures for spring and winter rye, triticaleand wheat crops grown under irrigated field conditions. Canopyrespiration was partitioned into growth and maintenance respirationusing information from the chemical composition analysis ofthe crop biomass. Rates of dry matter accumulation early inthe growing season were significantly greater for rye cropsin comparison to triticale and wheat. However, when dry matterwas measured at similar ontogenetic stages, the productivityadvantage of the rye crop was no longer evident. Nevertheless,canopy respiration rates per unit ground area were significantlylower for rye than wheat over all temperatures and growth stages.Intergeneric differences in the respiration rates of matureleaf and stem tissues were consistent with those measured atcanopy scales. Differences in the chemical composition of thebiomass among genera were minimal, and insufficient to accountfor differences in canopy respiration due to synthesis respirationrequirement. Estimates of biomass maintenance requirements appearto be significantly lower for rye than wheat when calculatedat similar temperatures and ontogenetic stages. The maintenancecoefficient (m) depended on stage of development, suggestingthat m will decline earlier chronologically for rye than wheat,which implies that greater carbon retention is another aspectcontributing to the higher early-season crop growth rates ofspring and winter rye. Considering the lower respiration ratesof mature stems relative to leaves, the dependence of m on stem:leafratio was suggested as a useful approach to modelling ontogeneticeffects on maintenance respiration.Copyright 1993, 1999 AcademicPress Rye, triticale, wheat, dry matter, growth and maintenance respiration     

An investigation into the relations between some growth parameters and yield of barley

Twenty-five field experiments on barley were done at four sites from 1970 to 1975, with an additional site in 1975, comparing five rates of nitrogen application. The crops were sampled at c. 14-day intervals from about the four-leaf stage to maturity to follow changes with time in the dry weights of the constituent plant parts and to measure fertile tiller number, grain number per ear and grain weight. Some data have been selected from this body of information and regression analysis has been used to assess the possible importance of pre- and post-anthesis growth in determining the yield of barley. Ear emergence was taken as an approximate indicator of anthesis. Yield was closely related (r=+0–96) and almost equal to the amount of dry matter accumulated before ear emergence for twenty-one of the experiments, with a regression coefficient of 0–95. In two of the remaining experiments the regression coefficient was greater, 1–14; and smaller in the other two, o-8i. Plant population is also shown to affect the regression coefficient. Despite these anomalies grain yield was more closely related to plant dry weight at ear emergence than to the increase in weight after ear emergence (r =+0–79). The increase in plant dry weight after ear emergence was frequently less than the yield of grain, suggesting that the plant can compensate for inadequate photosynthesis during grain filling. The result of this compensation is a reduction in straw dry weight. This implies that previously assimilated dry matter is transported to the grain, or that respiratory losses from the straw are not replaced by current photosynthesis. These observations suggest that yield may be limited by sink capacity rather than by photosynthesis after ear emergence. The main component of sink capacity, grain number per m² was closely related to yield (r =+0–95) and is known to be determined at or before anthesis. Grain size was shown to be related to grain number per ear (r= 4- 0–99), suggesting that grain size is also, at least partially, determined at ear emergence. Therefore, all the yield components are determined, wholly or partly before ear emergence.     

Effects on dry weight and nitrogen content of grains of semi-dwarf and tall varieties of winter wheat caused by decreasing the number of grains per ear

The number of grains in ears of six varieties of winter wheat growing in the field was decreased by removing the top half of the ear 6 days after anthesis (halving). In the semi-dwarf varieties Hustler, Sentry and Hobbit, and in the taller varieties Armada and Flanders, the mean dry weight per grain in the lower six spikelets of halved ears was about 23% greater than the dry weight of grains in the comparable part of intact ears. In Maris Huntsman the increase in grain size amounted to only 13%. Halving increased the number of grains in the semi-dwarf varieties but not in the others. Consequently, the increases caused by halving in the total weight of grain in the lower six spikelets ranged from 41% in Hustler and Hobbit to 7% in Maris Huntsman. Halving increased the amount of nitrogen in the grain of the lower half of the ear similarly in all varieties, and relatively more than it increased dry weight. So nitrogen per cent dry weight of grain was increased, especially in Armada, Flanders and Maris Huntsman which responded least in dry weight. The uptake of nitrogen into the stem plus ear after anthesis was unaffected by halving. Most of the nitrogen that normally moved to the upper grains accumulated in the lower grains of halved ears. More nitrogen moved into the grain of intact ears of tall than of semi-dwarf varieties after anthesis, because there was greater uptake of nitrogen into the shoot from the roots.