Quantitative response of wheat to sowing dates and irrigation regimes using CERES-Wheat model

An experiment was conducted at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during 2014–15 and 2015–16, keeping four sowing dates {25th Oct (D₁), 10th Nov (D₂), 25th Nov (D₃) and 10th Dec (D₄)} in main plots and five irrigation schedules {irrigation at 15 (FC₁₅), 25 (FC₂₅), 35 (FC₃₅) and 45 (FC₄₅) % depletion of soil moisture from field capacity (FC) and a conventional practice} in sub plots. The objective of the study was to evaluate the performance of CERES-Wheat model for simulating yield and water use under varying planting and soil moisture regimes. The simulated and observed grain yield was higher in D₁, with irrigation applied at FC₁₅ as compared to all other sowing date and irrigation regime combinations. Simulated grain yield decreased by 19% with delay in sowing from 25th October to 10th December because of 8% reduction in simulated crop evapotranspiration. Simulated evapotranspiration decreased by 16%, wheat grain yield by 23% and water productivity by 15% in drip irrigation at 45% depletion from field capacity as compared to drip irrigation at 15% of field capacity. It was further revealed that the model performed well in simulating the phenology, water use and yield of wheat.     

Grafting improves cucumber water stress tolerance in Saudi Arabia

Water scarcity is a major limiting factor for crop productivity in arid and semi-arid areas. Grafting elite commercial cultivars onto selected vigorous rootstocks is considered as a useful strategy to alleviate the impact of environmental stresses. This study aims to investigate the feasibility of using grafting to improve fruit yield and quality of cucumber under water stress conditions. Alosama F₁ cucumber cultivar (Cucumis sativus L.) was grafted onto Affyne (Cucumis sativus L.) and Shintoza A90 (Cucurbitamaxima × C. moschata) rootstocks. Non-grafted plants were used as control. All genotypes were grown under three surface drip irrigation regimes: 50%, 75% and 100% of the crop evapotranspiration (ETc), which represent high-water stress, moderate-water stress and non-water stress conditions, respectively. Yield and fruit quality traits were analyzed and assessed. In comparison to the non-grafted plants, the best grafting treatment under water stress was Alosama F₁ grafted onto Shintoza A90 rootstock. It had an overall improved yield and fruit quality under water stress owing to an increase in the total fruit yield by 27%, from 4.815 kg plant^?1 in non-grafted treatment to 6.149 kg plant^?1 in grafted treatment under moderate -water stress, total soluble solid contents (13%), titratable acidity (39%) and vitamin C (33%). The soil water contents were low in soil surface and increase gradually with soil depth, while salt distribution showed an adverse trend. The positive effects of grafting on plant growth, productivity, and water use efficiency support this strategy as an useful tool for improving water stress tolerance in greenhouse grown cucumber in Saudi Arabia.     

Reduction of shoot fly damage in irrigated post-rainy season sorghum by manipulating irrigation

Soil moisture was manipulated in an attempt to control shoot fly (Atherigona soccata Rondani) incidence in irrigated post-rainy season sorghum grown under a rainout shelter (ROS) and in field conditions. After uniform irrigation at sowing, the plants were subjected to water stress at young seedling stage (7–28 days after emergence, DAE) for different lengths of time. Soil water had profound effects on the production of water droplets on the surface of the central whorl leaf of seedlings (leaf surface wetness, LSW) of sorghum genotypes. LSW, which facilitates movement of the larvae, was more drastically affected in susceptible (CSH 5) than in moderately resistant (IS 1054) sorghum genotypes. Shoot fly oviposition (infestation) and deadhearts (crop damage) were much higher in treatments with full irrigation (control) than in treatments to which less water was applied during the first 3 wk after seedling emergence. This resulted in higher plant biomass and overall grain yield in the latter treatments than in the control. Using insecticides to control shoot fly infestation, it was shown that a simple cultural practice of inducing plant stress by reduced soil moisture content during early plant growth gave the same or better control of shoot fly damage and the same or higher grain yield than insecticide-protected plots with full irrigation. Thus the costs associated with irrigation requirement and insecticide can be greatly reduced in the former management option compared with the latter. It is suggested that manipulation of soil water content during the vulnerable early stages of crop growth can reduce shoot fly damage in irrigated post-rainy season sorghum.     

土壤深松和补灌对小麦干物质生产及水分利用率的影响

研究一次深松耕作后土壤水分对冬小麦籽粒产量和水分利用率的影响,为小麦节水高产栽培提供理论依据.于2008-2009和2009-2010两个小麦生长季,选用高产小麦品种济麦22,采取测墒补灌的方法,研究了深松+旋耕和旋耕2种耕作方式下土壤水分对小麦0-200 cm土层土壤含水量、干物质积累与分配、籽粒产量及水分利用率的影响.结果表明,(1)深松+旋耕40-180 cm土层土壤含水量低于旋耕处理;旗叶光合速率和水分利用率,开花后干物质积累量及其对籽粒的贡献率显著高于旋耕处理.(2)W3(补灌至0-140 cm土层土壤相对含水量播种期为85％,越冬期80％,拔节和开花期75％)成熟期0-200cm土层土壤含水量与W1(播种期80％,越冬期80％,拔节和开花期75％)和W2处理(播种期80％,越冬期85％,拔节和开花期75％)无显著差异;W3和W'3(播种期85％,越冬期85％,拔节和开花期75％)60-140 cm土层土壤含水量分别低于W4(播种期85％,越冬期85％,拔节和开花期75％)和W'4(播种期90％,越冬期85％,拔节和开花期75％)处理;W3和W'3灌浆中后期旗叶光合速率较高,开花后干物质积累量及其对籽粒的贡献率显著高于其他处理,获得高的籽粒产量和水分利用率.综合考虑籽粒产量、水分利用率和灌溉效益,在深松+旋耕条件下,两年度分别以W3和W'3为节水高产的最佳处理.     

Effects of different irrigation modes on winter wheat grain yield and water- and nitrogen use efficiency

Taking the widely planted winter wheat cultivar Tainong 18 as test material, a field experiment was conducted to study the effects of different irrigation modes on the winter wheat grain yield and water- and nitrogen use efficiency in drier year (2009-2010) in Tai' an City of Shandong Province, China. Five treatments were installed, i. e., irrigation before sowing (CK), irrigation before sowing and at jointing stage (W1), irrigation before sowing and at jointing stages and at over-wintering stage with alternative irrigation at milking stage (W2), irrigation before sowing and at jointing and flowering stages (optimized traditional irrigation mode, W3), and irrigation before sowing and at over-wintering, jointing, and milking stages (traditional irrigation mode, W4). The irrigation amount was 600 m3 hm(-2) one time. Under the condition of 119.7 mm precipitation in the winter wheat growth season, no significant difference was observed in the grain yield between treatments W2 and W4, but the water use efficiency was significantly higher in W2 than in W4. Comparing with treatment W3, treatments W2 and W4 had obviously higher grain yield, but the water use efficiency had no significant difference. The partial factor productivity from N fertilization was the highest in W2 and W4, and the NO3(-)-N accumulation amount in 0-100 cm soil layer at harvest was significantly higher in W2 than in W3 and W4, suggesting that W2 could reduce NO3(-)-N leaching loss. Under the conditions of our experiment, irrigation before sowing and jointing stages and at over-wintering stage with alternative irrigation at milking stage was the optimal irrigation mode in considering both the grain yield and the water- and nitrogen use efficiency.     

不同施氮水平下灌水量对小麦水分利用特征和产量的影响

在田间高产条件下,研究了不同施氮水平［180 kg·hm^-2（N₁₈₀）和240 kg·hm^-2（N₂₄₀）］下灌水量对小麦耗水特征和旗叶水分生理特性及产量的影响.结果表明：不灌水的W₀处理100 cm以下土层的土壤贮水消耗量低于各灌水处理,W₁（灌底墒水60 mm）和W₂（灌底墒水和拔节水各60 mm）处理100～200 cm土层和0~200 cm土层土壤贮水消耗量高于W₃（灌底墒水、拔节水和开花水各60 mm）处理;N₂₄₀处理0～80 cm土层土壤贮水消耗量、开花至成熟阶段耗水模系数和农田耗水量高于N_180. W₂和W₃处理灌浆中后期旗叶相对含水量和水势高于W₀和W₁处理;灌浆后期旗叶相对含水量和水势为N₂₄₀W₀和N₂₄₀W₁处理分别高于N₁₈₀W₀和N₁₈₀W₁处理,N₂₄₀W₂和N₂₄₀W₃处理与N₁₈₀W₂和N₁₈₀W₃处理之间无显著差异.施氮180 kg·hm^-2,底墒水和拔节水分别灌60 mm的W₂处理籽粒产量、水分和氮素利用效率高,农田耗水量较低;增加灌水量,籽粒产量无显著变化,农田耗水量增高,土壤贮水消耗量、水分利用效率、灌溉水利用效率和灌溉效益降低.     

测墒补灌对冬小麦氮素积累与转运及籽粒产量的影响

2007-2009年,在田间条件下,以冬小麦品种济麦22为材料,以0-140 cm土层平均土壤相对含水量为指标设计4个测墒补灌试验处理:W0(土壤相对含水量为播种期80%+拔节期65%+开花期65%)、W1(土壤相对含水量为播种期80%+拔节期70%+开花期70%)、W2(土壤相对含水量为播种期80%+拔节期80%+开花期80%)和W3(土壤相对含水量为播种期90%+拔节期80%+开花期80%),研究不同水分处理对冬小麦氮素积累与转运、籽粒产量、水分利用效率及土壤硝态氮含量的影响。结果表明:(1)成熟期小麦植株氮素积累量为W1处理最高,W3处理次之,W0和W2处理最低,W0和W2处理间无显著差异;氮素向籽粒的分配比例为W2处理显著低于W1处理,W0、W1、W3处理间无显著差异。开花期和成熟期营养器官氮素积累量、营养器官氮素向籽粒中的转移量、成熟期籽粒氮素积累量均为W1>W3>W2>W0,各处理间差异显著。(2)随着小麦生育进程的推进,0-200 cm土层土壤硝态氮含量先降低后回升再降低,在拔节期最低。成熟期W0和W1处理0-200 cm土层土壤硝态氮含量较低,W2和W3处理120-200 cm土层土壤硝态氮含量较高。(3)W0处理小麦氮素吸收效率、利用效率和氮肥偏生产力最低;随灌水量的增加,氮素利用效率呈先升高后降低趋势;W1处理小麦对氮素的吸收效率和利用效率较高,氮肥偏生产力最高。W0处理水分利用效率较高,但籽粒产量最低;灌水处理籽粒产量、灌溉水利用效率和灌溉效益两年度均随测墒补灌量的增加而显著降低。在本试验条件下,综合氮素利用、籽粒产量、灌溉水利用效率及土壤中硝态氮的淋溶,W1是高产节水的最佳灌溉处理,在2007-2008年和2008-2009年度补灌量分别为43.83 mm和13.77 mm。     

高产条件下不同小麦品种耗水特性和水分利用效率的差异

设置不灌水(W0)、底墒水+拔节水(W1)、底墒水+拔节水+开花水(W2)3个灌水处理,采用6个冬小麦(Triticum aestivum.L.)品种,研究了不同品种耗水特性和水分利用效率的差异.结果表明:(1)依据籽粒产量和水分利用效率2个因子,采用聚类分析的方法,将供试品种分为高水分利用效率组(Ⅰ组)、中水分利用效率组(Ⅱ组)和低水分利用效率组(Ⅲ组).同一灌水条件下的籽粒产量,Ⅰ组显著高于Ⅱ组和Ⅲ组;Ⅱ组和Ⅲ组在W0条件下无显著差异,在W1和W2条件下Ⅱ组显著高于Ⅲ组.(2)从Ⅰ组、Ⅱ组、Ⅲ组中分别取1个品种,泰山23、潍麦8号、山农12进一步分析表明,在W0 和W1条件下,泰山23和潍麦8号的阶段耗水量和耗水模系数为开花至成熟>播种至拔节>拔节至开花,山农12为播种至拔节>开花至成熟>拔节至开花.W2条件下,3个品种的阶段耗水量和耗水模系数为开花至成熟>播种至拔节>拔节至开花;播种至拔节和拔节至开花的耗水模系数为泰山23>山农12>潍麦8号,此阶段的耗水量和耗水强度为泰山23品种最高;开花至成熟的耗水模系数为潍麦8号>山农12 >泰山23,此阶段的耗水量和耗水强度为泰山23品种最低.(3) 在W0 和W1条件下,总耗水量和灌水量、降水量及土壤耗水量占总耗水量的百分率为泰山23品种居中;W2条件下,灌水量和降水量占总耗水量的百分率为泰山23>潍麦8号>山农12,土壤耗水量及其占总耗水量的百分率反之,但泰山23的总耗水量最低.(4) 同一灌水条件下,泰山23品种100～200cm土层的土壤耗水量高于潍麦8号,表明该品种能充分利用深层土壤水;山农12品种在W0和W2条件下,100～200 cm土层的土壤耗水量高于泰山23和潍麦8号,但其籽粒产量和水分利用效率显著低于上述两品种.     

Vegetative and reproductive responses,oil yield and composition from olive trees (Olea europaea) under contrasting water availability during the dry winter‐spring period in central Argentina

In Argentina, the climatic pattern of the olive production areas is characterised by a marked water deficit during winter and spring months. A field experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of water availability during the pre‐flowering–flowering period on vegetative, reproductive and yield responses of olive trees grown in central Argentina. From the end of autumn to mid‐spring, four irrigation treatments were imposed to olive trees (Olea europaea, cv. Arbequina and Manzanilla) at 0, 25, 50 and 75% estimated crop evapotranspiration (ETc). Also, a control treatment was kept at 100% ETc for the entire year. For the first crop year evaluated, water deficit applied at early June, approximately 4 months prior to bloom, reduced the vegetative shoot growth and delayed the flowering time, resulting in shortening of the fruit maturation period and, ultimately, decreased fructification. Trees irrigated with high (75% of ETc) and full (100% of ETc) winter‐spring water supply presented significantly higher values of flower density, fruit density and final fruit yield which resulted in water productivity (kg fruits mm^?1 of irrigation/ha) enhancements of about 500% (cv. Arbequina) and 330% (cv. Manzanilla) with respect to those obtained from the corresponding unirrigated treatments. Differences between treatments in oil content and composition were primarily attributed to variations in fruit maturity. Differences in fatty acid composition were stronger in cv. Arbequina where a gradual increase in oleic acid content was registered in parallel to the increase in irrigation water supply. From a practical stand point, results obtained from most of the analysed parameters were quite similar for both T75 and T100 treatments. Thus, the possible convenience of irrigation at T75% ETc should be considered since it may warrant profitable olive production while saving a considerably quantity of irrigation water in the olive production area in central Argentina.     

Relationship between Carbon Isotope Discrimination and Grain Yield in Spring Wheat Cultivated under Different Water Regimes

In C₃ plants, carbon isotope discrimination (Δ) has been proposed as an indirect selection criterion for grain yield. Reported correlations between Δ and grain yield however, differ highly according to the analyzed organ or tissue, the stage of sampling, and the environment and water regime. In a first experiment carried out in spring wheat during two consecutive seasons in the dry conditions of northwest Mexico (Ciudad Obregon, Sonora), different water treatments were applied, corresponding to the main water regimes available to spring wheat worldwide, and the relationships between Δ values of different organs and grain yield were examined. Under terminal (post‐anthesis) water stress, grain yield was positively associated with Δ in grain at maturity and in leaf at anthesis, confirming results previously obtained under Mediterranean environments. Under early (pre‐anthesis) water stress and residual moisture stress, the association between grain Δ and yield was weaker and highly depended on the quantity of water stored in the soil at sowing. No correlation was found between Δ and grain yield under optimal irrigation. The relationship between Δ and grain yield was also studied during two consecutive seasons in 20 bread wheat cultivars in the Ningxia region (Northern China), characterized by winter drought (pre‐anthesis water stress). Wheat was grown under rainfed conditions in two locations (Guyuan and Pengyang) and under irrigated conditions in another two (Yinchuan and Huinong). In Huinong, the crop was also exposed to salt stress. Highly significant positive associations were found between leaf and grain Δ and grain yields across the environments. The relationship between Δ and yield within environments highly depended on the quantity of water stored in the soil at sowing, the quantity and distribution of rainfall during the growth cycle, the presence of salt in the soil, and the occurrence of irrigation before anthesis. These two experiments confirmed the value of Δ as an indirect selection criterion for yield and a phenotyping tool under post‐anthesis water stress (including limited irrigation).     

Water-Saving and High-Yielding Irrigation for Lowland Rice by Controlling Limiting Values of Soil Water Potential

The present study investigated whether an irrigation system could be established to save water and increase grain yield to enhance water productivity by proper water management at the field level in irrigated lowland rice （Oryza sativa L.）. Using two field-grown rice cultivars, two irrigation systems; conventional irrigation and water-saving irrigation, were conducted. In the water-saving irrigation system, limiting values of soil water potential related to specific growth stages were proposed as irrigation indices. Compared with conventional irrigation where drainage was in mid-season and flooded at other times, the water-saving irrigation increased grain yield by 7.4% to 11.3%, reduced irrigation water by 24.5% to 29.2%, and increased water productivity （grain yield per cubic meter of irrigation water） by 43.1% to 50.3%. The water-saving irrigation significantly increased harvest index, improved milling and appearance qualities, elevated zeatin-I-zeaUn riboside concentrations in root bleedings and enhanced activities of sucrose synthase, adenosine diphosphate glucose pyrophosphorylase, starch synthase and starch branching enzyme in grains. Our results indicate that water-saving irrigation by controlling limiting values of soil water potential related to specific growth stages can enhance physiological activities of roots and grains, reduce water input, and increase grain yield.     

播期播量对旱地小麦土壤水分消耗和植株氮素运转的影响

为解决旱地小麦等雨播种的生产现状,明确播量对土壤水分利用和产量形成的调控机制,于2015—2017年在山西闻喜试验基地开展大田试验,以早播(9月20日,EB)、晚播(10月10日,LB)两个播期为主区,以低密度(67.5 kg·hm^-2,LD)、中密度 (90 kg·hm^-2,MD)、高密度(112.5 kg·hm^-2,HD)3个播量为副区,研究播期播量对旱地小麦土壤水分消耗和植株氮素运转的影响.结果表明: 早播较晚播生育期土壤总耗水量增加11～22 mm;随播种密度的增加,生育期土壤总耗水量增加2～20 mm,且早播条件下,花前土壤耗水量增加,晚播条件下,花后土壤耗水量显著增加.早播较晚播在低、中密度条件下花前氮素运转量、花后氮素积累量增加,高密度条件下降低.早播条件下,花前氮素运转量,茎秆+叶鞘、穗轴+颖壳花前氮素运转量对籽粒的贡献率以及花后氮素积累量均以低密度条件下最高;晚播条件下,花前氮素运转量和花后氮素积累量随播种密度增加而增加.早播较晚播产量显著提高163～996 kg·hm^-2,提高幅度达5%～26%,水分利用效率提高幅度达2%～21%,氮素吸收效率提高幅度达3%～36%,氮素收获指数提高幅度最高达11%.早播条件下产量、水分利用效率、氮素吸收效率、氮素收获指数以低密度条件下最高;晚播条件下以高密度条件下最高.此外,花前氮素运转量与花前100～200 cm土壤耗水量显著相关,尤其是茎秆+叶鞘、穗轴+颖壳;花后植株氮素积累量与花后100～300 cm土壤耗水量呈显著相关.总之,旱地小麦9月20日配套播量67.5 kg·hm^-2、10月10日配套播量112.5 kg·hm^-2有利于增产增效.     

Relationship between Carbon Isotope Discrimination and Grain Yield in Spring Wheat Cultivated under Different Water Regimes

In C3 plants, carbon isotope discrimination (△) has been proposed as an indirect selection criterion for grain yield. Reported correlations between △ and grain yield however, differ highly according to the analyzed organ or tissue, the stage of sampling, and the environment and water regime. In a first experiment carried out in spring wheat during two consecutive seasons in the dry conditions of northwest Mexico (Ciudad Obregon, Sonora), different water treatments were applied,corresponding to the main water regimes available to spring wheat worldwide, and the relationships between △ values of different organs and grain yield were examined. Under terminal (post-anthesis) water stress, grain yield was positively associated with △ in grain at maturity and in leaf at anthesis, confirming results previously obtained under Mediterranean environments. Under early (pre-anthesis) water stress and residual moisture stress, the association between grain △ and yield was weaker and highly depended on the quantity of water stored in the soil at sowing. No correlation was found between △ and grain yield under optimal irrigation. The relationship between △ and grain yield was also studied during two consecutive seasons in 20 bread wheat cultivars in the Ningxia region (Northern China), characterized by winter drought(pre-anthesis water stress). Wheat was grown under rainfed conditions in two locations (Guyuan and Pengyang) and under irrigated conditions in another two (Yinchuan and Huinong). In Huinong, the crop was also exposed to salt stress.Highly significant positive associations were found between leaf and grain △ and grain yields across the environments.The relationship between △ and yield within environments highly depended on the quantity of water stored in the soil at sowing, the quantity and distribution of rainfall during the growth cycle, the presence of salt in the soil, and the occurrence of irrigation before anthesis. These two experiments confirmed the value of △ as an indirect selection criterion for yield and a phenotyping tool under post-anthesis water stress (including limited irrigation).     

Effects of irrigation frequencies on soil salinity and crop water productivity of fodder maize

This study was carried out at the experimental station of Department of Irrigation and Drainage, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam to investigate the effect of different irrigation frequencies on soil salinity and crop productivity. Four irrigation frequencies i.e. Irrigation after 7 days (T1)_, Irrigation after 14 days (T2), Irrigation after 21 days (T3), and Irrigation after 28 days (T4) were applied to fodder maize. The results showed significant effect of treatments on soil salinity. The EC of soil slightly increased under all treatments for all depths as compared to pre-treatments. At treatment T1, the salt amount was most noticeable and the highest EC (1.85) was observed at top surface of soil while the lowest (1.65) EC was observed under T4 at the comparable depth however, EC decreased at deeper depths under all treatments. The pH, SAR and ESP of soil decreased at all treatments however this decrease was more pronounced under T1 as compared to other treatments. The highest SAR was observed under T4 (9.40) while the lowest (8.00) under T1 for the matching depths. Similarly, the highest ESP was observed under T4 (11.40) while the lowest (10.15) under T1 for the similar depths. The results on the analysis of variance were non-significant between soil salinity parameters observed for pre-experiment. However, the results of analysis of variance on pH, EC, SAR and ESP showed significant differences between treatments in the post experiment. The maximum plant height, stem girth, number of leaves per plant and fodder yield were observed when the maize fodder was irrigated with a 7 day frequency and it was followed by other irrigation frequencies. Similarly, crop water productivity was 4.5, 4.2, 3.9 and 3.0 kg m⁻³ under T1, T2, T3, and T4 treatments, respectively. These results revealed that T1 produced the maximum crop water productivity as compared to rest of the treatments. The farming community is thus recommended to apply irrigation, to maize fodder crop, with 7 day frequency in order to get maximum fodder yield.     

Water-Saving and High-Yielding Irrigation for Lowland Rice by Controlling Limiting Values of Soil Water Potential

The present study investigated whether an irrigation system could be established to save water and increase grain yield to enhance water productivity by proper water management at the field level in irrigated lowland rice (Oryza sativa L.). Using two field-grown rice cultivars, two irrigation systems; conventional irrigation and water-saving irrigation, were conducted.In the water-saving irrigation system, limiting values of soil water potential related to specific growth stages were proposed as irrigation indices. Compared with conventional irrigation where drainage was in mid-season and flooded at other times,the water-saving irrigation increased grain yield by 7.4% to 11.3%, reduced irrigation water by 24.5% to 29.2%, and increased water productivity (grain yield per cubic meter of irrigation water) by 43.1% to 50.3%. The water-saving irrigation significantly increased harvest index, improved milling and appearance qualities, elevated zeatin +zeatin riboside concentrations in root bleedings and enhanced activities of sucrose synthase, adenosine diphosphate glucose pyrophosphorylase, starch synthase and starch branching enzyme in grains. Our results indicate that water-saving irrigation by controlling limiting values of soil water potential related to specific growth stages can enhance physiological activities of roots and grains,reduce water input, and increase grain yield.     

Enhancing water use efficiency and grain yield of wheat by optimizing irrigation supply in arid and semi-arid regions of Pakistan

The lack of good irrigation practices and policy reforms in Pakistan triggers major threats to the water and food security of the country. In the future, irrigation will happen under the scarcity of water, as inadequate irrigation water becomes the requirement rather than the exception. The precise application of water with irrigation management is therefore needed. This research evaluated the wheat grain yield and water use efficiency (WUE) under limited irrigation practices in arid and semi-arid regions of Pakistan. DSSAT was used to simulate yield and assess alternative irrigation scheduling based on different levels of irrigation starting from the actual irrigation level up to 65% less irrigation. The findings demonstrated that different levels of irrigation had substantial effects on wheat grain yield and total water consumption. After comparing the different irrigation levels, the high amount of actual irrigation level in semi-arid sites decreased the WUE and wheat grain yield. However, the arid site (Site-1) showed the highest wheat grain yield 2394 kg ha^?1 and WUE 5.9 kg^?3 on actual irrigation (T₁), and with the reduction of water, wheat grain yield decreased continuously. The optimal irrigation level was attained on semi-arid (site-2) with 50% (T₁₁) less water where the wheat grain yield and WUE were 1925 kg ha^?1 and 4.47 kg^?3 respectively. The best irrigation level was acquired with 40% less water (T₉) on semi-arid (site-3), where wheat grain yield and WUE were 1925 kg ha^?1 and 4.57 kg^?3, respectively. The results demonstrated that reducing the irrigation levels could promote the growth of wheat, resulting in an improved WUE. In crux, significant potential for further improving the efficiency of agricultural water usage in the region relies on effective soil moisture management and efficient use of water.     

推迟拔节水对小麦氮素积累与分配和硝态氮运移的影响

摘要：2007—2008年度以高产冬小麦品种济麦22为材料,设置2个拔节水灌溉时期,为拔节期和拔节后10 d;3个目标相对含水量,灌水后0~140 cm土层土壤相对含水量分别达到65%、75%、80%,以W1、W2、W3表示拔节期灌水处理,DW1、DW2、DW3表示拔节后10 d灌水处理;开花期均灌水至0~140 cm土层土壤相对含水量为70%,研究推迟拔节水对小麦氮素积累与分配和硝态氮运移的影响。结果表明：（1）W2和DW2处理有利于提高0~60 cm土层土壤硝态氮含量,促进籽粒氮素积累;营养器官贮藏氮素向籽粒的转运量、籽粒产量和氮肥偏生产力分别高于W1和DW1,与W3和DW3处理无显著差异;开花后植株氮素积累量、籽粒蛋白质含量和水分利用效率分别高于W3和DW3,是拔节期和拔节后10 d灌水的最优处理。（2）W2和DW2处理比较,DW2成熟期100~140 cm土层硝态氮残留量低于W2,籽粒产量、籽粒蛋白质含量、氮素吸收效率、氮肥偏生产力和水分利用效率均显著高于W2,是本试验条件下的最佳灌水方案。2008—2009生长季试验各处理变化趋势同2007—2008年度。     

Soil Texture and Cultivar Effects on Rice (Oryza sativa,L.) Grain Yield,Yield Components and Water Productivity in Three Water Regimes

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of water regime/soil condition (continuous flooding, saturated, and aerobic), cultivar (‘Cocodrie’ and ‘Rondo’), and soil texture (clay and sandy loam) on rice grain yield, yield components and water productivity using a greenhouse trial. Rice grain yield was significantly affected by soil texture and the interaction between water regime and cultivar. Significantly higher yield was obtained in continuous flooding than in aerobic and saturated soil conditions but the latter treatments were comparable to each other. For Rondo, its grain yield has decreased with soil water regimes in the order of continuous flooding, saturated and aerobic treatments. The rice grain yield in clay soil was 46% higher than in sandy loam soil averaged across cultivar and water regime. Compared to aerobic condition, saturated and continuous flooding treatments had greater panicle numbers. In addition, panicle number in clay soil was 25% higher than in sandy loam soil. The spikelet number of Cocodrie was 29% greater than that of Rondo, indicating that rice cultivar had greater effect on spikelet number than soil type and water management. Water productivity was significantly affected by the interaction of water regime and cultivar. Compared to sandy loam soil, clay soil was 25% higher in water productivity. Our results indicated that cultivar selection and soil texture are important factors in deciding what water management option to practice.     

底墒与磷肥互作对春小麦产量形成的影响

研究了浇底墒水和施磷肥对春小麦产量形成的影响.实验设4个处理对照(CK);耕作层施磷(P);浇30 nm底墒水(W);施磷加浇30mm底墒水(PW).测定土壤含水量、根系生物量、地上生物量和测产等.结果表明,WP处理根重和中下层分配比例均较高.与W处理相比,WP处理利用底墒并没有增加,但水分利用效率和产量均增加.决定产量的主要因素是小麦早期小穗和小花形成的数量和质量.W和WP两个浇底墒水的处理,其土壤水分利用量平均为34.6 mm,略高于所浇的底墒水的量(30 mm).CK、P、W、WP等4个处理的籽粒产量分别为91 7.7,1191.1,2516.5,2734.1 kg/hrm2,水分利用效率分别为0.186,0.192,0.172,0.207 g/(mm.m2).     

Monovalent cation transporters; establishing a link between bioinformatics and physiology

Toxic aluminum (Al) ion is a major constraint to plant growth in acid soils. Aluminum tolerance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is strongly related to the Al-triggered efflux of malate from root apices. A role of the secreted malate has been postulated to be in chelating Al and thus excluding it from root apices (malate hypothesis), but the actual process has yet to be fully elucidated. We measured Al content and root growth during and after Al exposure using seedlings of near-isogenic lines [ET8 (Al tolerant) and ES8 (Al sensitive)] differing in the capacity to induce Al-triggered malate efflux. Aluminum doses that caused 50% root growth inhibition during 24-h exposure to Al in calcium (Ca) solution (0.5 mM CaCl₂, pH 4.5) were 50 μM in ET8 and 5 μM in ES8. Under such conditions, the amount of Al accumulated in root apices was approximately 2-fold higher in ET8 than ES8. Al-treated seedlings were then transferred to the Al-free Ca solution for 24 h. Compared to control roots (no Al pretreatment), root regrowth of Al-treated roots was about 100% in ET8 and about 25% in ES8. The impaired regrowth in ES8 was observed even after 24-h exposure to 2.5 μM Al which had caused only 20% root growth inhibition. The addition of malate (100 μM) during exposure to 50 μM Al in ES8 enhanced root growth 1.6 times and regrowth in Al-free solution 7 times, resulting in similar root growth and regrowth as in ET8. Short-term Al treatments of ES8 for up to 5 h indicated that the Al-caused inhibition of root regrowth started after 1-h exposure to Al. The stimulating effect of malate on root regrowth was observed when malate was present during Al exposure, but not when roots previously exposed to Al were rinsed with malate, although Al accumulation in root apices was similar under these malate treatments. We conclude that the malate secreted from root apices under Al exposure is essential for the apices to commence regrowth in Al-free medium, the trait that is not related to the exclusion of Al from the apices.