Zinc efficiency of oilseed rape (t Brassica napus and t B. juncea) genotypes

Twenty five genotypes of oilseed rape (canola and mustard) were tested under varied supply of Zn (+Zn: 2 mg kg^–1 soil, -Zn: no Zn added) in two pot experiments in soil culture to determine the genotypic variation in tolerance to the Zn-deficient conditions, that is, to identify the Zn-efficient genotypes. On the basis of performance of genotypes in pot experiments, ten genotypes were tested in 1995 for their performance under varied supply of Zn (+Zn: 3.5 kg ha^–1, -Zn: no Zn added) on a Zn-deficient field in South Australia.Zn efficiency (ratio of shoot dry matter in -Zn to shoot dry matter in +Zn treatment and expressed in percentage) in pot Experiment 1 varied from 35% for 92-13 to 74% for Siren. Narendra, Dunkeld, Barossa, Oscar and Xinza 2 performed well under -Zn treatment. Zn efficiency in Experiment 2 varied from 32% for Wuyou 1 to 62% for Pusa Bold. Pusa Bold and CSIRO-1(mustard genotypes) were the most efficient in terms of dry matter production among all the oilseed rape genotypes tested. Root dry matter accumulation was significantly higher in Zn-efficient genotypes. Zn efficiency (ratio of seed yield in -Zn to seed yield in +Zn and expressed in percentage) in field experiment varied from 62% for Huashang 2 to 76% for Dunkeld. With few exceptions, the ranking of genotypes in pot and field experiments indicates similarity in their response to Zn deficiency. There looks to be genetic control over Zn concentration in tissues. Zn-efficient genotypes had lower Zn concentration in roots and higher Zn concentration in youngest fully opened leaf blades, indicating a better transport of Zn. This, together with a higher Zn uptake, appears to be the basis of expression of Zn efficiency.     

Seed zinc content influences early vegetative growth and zinc uptake in oilseed rape (Brassica napus and Brassica juncea) genotypes on zinc-deficient soil

Low-Zn seed (around 80 ng Zn per seed) and high-Zn seed (around 160 ng Zn per seed) of Zhongyou 821 (a traditional Brassica napus genotype from China found to be Zn-inefficient in our previous experiments), Narendra (Zn-efficient B. napus genotype from Australia) and CSIRO-1 (a Zn-efficient B. juncea genotype from Australia) oilseed rape genotypes were sown in pots containing Zn-deficient siliceous sand fertilized with low Zn supply (0.05 mg Zn kg^–1 soil) or high Zn supply (2.0 mg Zn kg^–1 soil) in a controlled environment. After six weeks, plants derived from the high-Zn seed had better seedling vigour, increased root and shoot growth, more leaf area and chlorophyll concentration in fresh leaf, and higher Zn uptake in shoot compared to those from low-Zn seed at low Zn supply; the impact of high-Zn seed was more marked in Zhongyou 821 compared with CSIRO-1 and Narendra. The influence of high-Zn seed was dissipated at high Zn supply. CSIRO-1 was superior in terms of shoot dry matter production and Zn uptake in shoots at low Zn supply. The results demonstrate that although oilseed rape has very small seeds (about 3 mg per seed weight) compared with wheat (30 mg per seed weight), Zn reserves present in this very small seed still have a strong impact on early vegetative growth as well as on Zn uptake of plants in Zn-deficient soils. The results suggest that sowing high-Zn seed coupled with growing Zn-efficient genotypes may help in sustaining the production of oilseed rape in Zn-deficient soils, and this has implications for improved seed technology.     

Dry matter production and distribution of zinc in bread and durum wheat genotypes differing in zinc efficiency

Six bread wheat (Triticum aestivum cvs. Kiraç-66, Gerek-79, Aroona, ES 91-12, ES-14 and Kirkpinar) and four durum wheat (Triticum durum cvs. BDMM-19, Kunduru-1149, Kiziltan-91 and Durati) genotypes were grown under controlled environmental conditions in nutrient solution for 20 days to study the effect of varied supply of Zn (0 to 1 µM) on Zn deficiency symptoms in shoots, root and shoot dry matter production, and distribution of Zn in roots and shoots.Visual Zn deficiency symptoms, such as whitish-brown lesions on leaves, appeared rapidly and severly in durum wheats, particularly in Kiziltan-91 and Durati. Among the durum wheats, BDMM-19 was less affected by Zn deficiency, and among the bread wheats Kiraç-66, ES 91-12, Aroona and Gerek-79 were less affected than ES-14 and Kirkpinar.Under Zn deficiency, shoot dry matter production was decreased in all genotypes, but more distinctly in durum wheat genotypes. Despite severe decreases in shoot growth, root growth of all genotypes was either not affected or even increased by Zn deficiency. Correspondingly, shoot/root dry weight ratios were lower in Zn-deficient than in Zn-sufficient plants, especially in durum wheat genotypes.The distinct differences among the genotypes in sensitivity to Zn deficiency were closely related with the Zn content (Zn accumulation) per shoot but not with the Zn concentration in the shoot dry matter. On average, genotypes with lesser deficiency symptoms contained about 42% more Zn per shoot than genotypes with severe deficiency symptoms. In contrast to shoots, the Zn content in roots did not differ between genotypes. Shoot/root ratios of total Zn content were therefore greater for genotypes with lesser deficiency symptoms than for genotypes with severe deficiency symptoms (i.e. all durum wheat genotypes).The results suggest that the enhanced capacity of genotypes for Zn uptake and translocation from roots to shoot meristems under deficient Zn supply might be the most important factor contributing to Zn efficiency in wheat genotypes. The results also demonstrate that under severe Zn deficiency, Zn concentration in the shoot dry matter is not a suitable parameter for distinguishing wheat genotypes in their sensitivity to Zn deficiency.     

接种蚯蚓对油菜籽粒产量和含油率的影响

通过田间接种试验,研究了威廉腔环蚓(Metaphire guillelmi)活动对冬油菜(Brassica napus)中双9号产量构成因素、籽粒产量和含油率的影响.结果表明:接种蚯蚓后,中双9号的一次有效分枝数、主花序角果数、每角粒数和千粒重均较未接种对照有增加趋势,但差异不显著;而单株角果数、单株产量和小区产量较对照显著提高,分别比对照增加了36.7%、46.5%和29.7%,这可能与蚯蚓促进油菜营养生长阶段植株生长及对氮素的吸收、累积有关.接种蚯蚓后,油菜籽粒含油率较对照有所降低,但由于蚯蚓活动显著提高了油菜籽粒产量,因此单株产油量和小区产油量仍比对照提高了37.4%和21.0%.     

Boron efficiency in oilseed rape: II. Development of a rapid lab-based screening technique

The level of genotypic variation in tolerance to low boron (B) supply was investigated in solution culture grown, 10 day old (D10) oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) plants, by using a rapid screening technique whereby root length, root elongation rate and total root dry weight were used to indicate plant response to B. Root length proved more reliable in determining genotype responses, and was used to characterise a total of 61 genotypes, of which Huashuang 2, Nangchang rape, Huashuang 1 and Zhongyou 821, and to a lesser extent, Zheyou 2, Dunkeld, Xinza 2, Nangjin 2051, 92-58, 92-13, and Awassa 115 exhibited some form of tolerance to low B supply. The genotypic rankings based on this early vegetative response corroborated with field based B-efficiency. The results demonstrate the expression of the B-efficiency mechanism in the early vegetative stages of plant growth, and establish the value of root length as a selection criterion for B-efficiency in oilseed rape. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

基于高通量测序分析大豆和油菜根际微生物群落结构的差异

根肿病是由芸薹根肿菌侵染引起的专性寄生性土传病害,严重制约着油菜等十字花科作物的可持续生产.前期研究发现,大豆作为前茬作物可以显著降低后茬油菜根肿病的发生和危害,"豆-油轮作"模式是一种值得探索和应用的根肿病防治新途径.为了解开大豆作为前茬防治根肿病发生的机理,本研究基于扩增子测序技术探究大豆与油菜根际土壤微生物的群落结构差异.结果表明:大豆和油菜根际土壤微生物类群在门水平的优势类群相同,包括变形菌门、拟杆菌门、酸杆菌门、放线菌门、子囊菌门、接合菌门、担子菌门和壶菌门等丰度都较高.但相比于油菜根际土壤,大豆根际土壤富含具有生防作用和促进植物生长的微生物,如黄杆菌属、鞘脂单胞菌属、芽孢杆菌属、链霉菌属、假单胞菌属、木霉属和盾壳霉属等;而一些植物病原细菌(如肠杆菌、黄单胞菌)和真菌(炭疽菌和尾孢菌)含量则低于油菜根际土壤;另外,大豆根际土壤中还富含具有固氮功能的根瘤菌属、慢生根瘤菌属和丛枝菌根真菌(如球囊霉属).可见,大豆根际土壤利于有益微生物生长并可抑制病原菌繁殖.大豆和油菜根际微生物组差异为大豆-油菜轮作防治根肿病提供了理论依据,并为根肿病的防治提供了一些潜在的生物防治资源.     

Nitrogen efficiency and leaf nitrogen remobilisation of oilseed rape lines and hybrids

Improved nitrogen (N) efficiency of oilseed rape is crucial for reducing environmental N surpluses. In this study, a 2‐year field experiment as well as a hydroponic experiment were performed with four hybrids and their corresponding lines. Seed yield and N efficiency parameters of oilseed rape cultivars grown at low N (0 kg N ha^?1) and high N (150 kg N ha^?1) supply were investigated in the field experiments. Hybrids showed higher seed yield than lines, especially at low N supply, because of a superior N uptake. Moreover, hybrids showed higher N harvest index (NHI) across N rates, which also contributed to higher seed yields. Results from the hydroponic experiment showed significant genotypic variation in leaf N remobilisation efficiency (NRE), but no hybrid‐versus‐line difference was found. Cultivars differed significantly in specific N content in senescent leaves, and leaf NRE was negatively correlated with specific N content in senescent leaves. When linking the hydroponic results with the field results, no relationship was found between leaf NRE and NHI. In conclusion, hybrids were superior to their corresponding lines in N efficiency because of higher N uptake and NHI. The higher NHI was, however, not related to genotypic variation in leaf NRE.     

Root growth,macro-nutrient uptake dynamics and soil fertility requirements of a high-yielding winter oilseed rape crop

Shoot growth, root growth and macro-nutrient uptake by a high-yielding (5t/ha grain) winter oilseed rape crop have been measured. Maximum rooting density in the top 20cm of soil was 9.4 cm cm⁻³ and roots reached a depth of at least 1.8 m. Maximum nutrient uptakes were 364 kg ha⁻¹ for N, 43 kg ha⁻¹ for P, 308 kg ha⁻¹ for K, 287 kg ha⁻¹ for Ca and 16 kg ha⁻¹ for Mg. A 30-day drought coincided with the flowering period and root and shoot growth, as well as nutrient uptake rates, were reduced. Nutrient concentrations in the soil solution necessary to sustain the nutrient fluxes into the root system by diffusive supply have been calculated. Peak values were in the range 10 μM for P to 87 μM for N, lower than the observed concentrations, and it was concluded that nutrient transport to roots was not a limitation to uptake by this rape crop.     

播种期和种植密度对冬油菜籽粒产量和含油率的影响

通过田间试验研究了播种期和种植密度对冬油菜籽粒产量和含油率的影响.结果表明： 播种期主要影响分枝花序籽粒产量,而种植密度不仅影响分枝花序籽粒产量,还对主花序籽粒产量产生一定影响;籽粒含油率不受播种期的影响.主花序籽粒产量占单株籽粒产量的比例随种植密度的增加而升高,主花序籽粒含油率比分枝花序高约1%,因此小区籽粒含油率随种植密度的增加显著升高.研究区冬油菜播种期不能晚于10月中旬,10月下旬播种会显著降低籽粒产量;种植密度在每平方米36～48株可以提高冬油菜籽粒产量和含油率.     

Sulphur uptake and distribution in double and single low varieties of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.)

Sulphur (S) uptake and distribution in double low (Cobra) and single low (Bienvenu) winter oilseed rape were studied in field experiments at Cockle Park, Northumberland, at a site where the S supply was adequate. Total S uptake at maturity of between 80–100 kg ha^-1 was similar in both varieties. Applications of S at a rate of 100 kg ha^-1 increased S uptake by 10–15 kg ha^-1. while applications of nitrogen (N) at a rate of 300 kg ha^-1 increased S uptake by 29–34 kg ha^-1. Sulphur distribution in the vegetative tissues varied little between the two varieties but the distribution within the pods differed significantly between the two varieties. In Bienvenu 65.8% of pod S was located in the seeds, while in Cobra 57.4 and 68.8% in the 1988–89 and 1989–90 seasons, respectively, was retained in the pod walls. The high S content of the seeds of Bienvenu was due to their high glucosinolate content, whereas the high content of S in the pod walls of Cobra was associated with the presence of free SO₄ ^2-, which accounted for 70.6 to 89.4% of total S in the pod walls. The percentages of total plant S present in the pods were significantly increased by N applications and slightly decreased by S applications.     

Comparative response of wheat and oilseed rape to nitrogen supply: absorption and utilisation efficiency of radiation and nitrogen during the reproductive stages determining yield

We investigated the response of spring wheat and oilseed rape to nitrogen (N) supply, focusing on the critical period for grain number definition and grain filling. Crops were grown in containers under a shelter and treated with five combinations of applied N. Wheat and oilseed rape produced comparable amounts of biomass and yield when corrected for the costs of biomass synthesis (SC). From the responses of biomass and yield to late N applications and the apparent contribution of mobilised biomass to yield, it seems that the yield of oilseed rape was more source-limited during grain filling than that of wheat, particularly at the medium and high N levels. Both species recovered equal amounts of N from the total available N in the soil and had similar N use efficiencies, expressed as yield per unit of N absorbed. However, oilseed rape had higher efficiency to convert absorbed N in biomass, but lower harvest index of N than wheat. Oilseed rape had similar or lower root biomass than wheat, depending on N level, but higher root length per unit soil volume and specific root length. The specific uptake rate of N per unit root dry weight during the critical period for grain number determination was higher in oilseed rape than in wheat. In wheat, N limitation affected growth through a similar or lower reduction in radiation use efficiency corrected for synthesis costs (RUE_SC) than in the cumulative amount of intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (IPARc). In oilseed rape, lower growth due to N shortage was associated more with RUE_SC than IPARc, during flowering while during grain filling both components contributed similarly to decreased growth. RUE_SC and the concentration of N in leaves and inflorescence (LIN%) decreased from flowering to maturity and were curvilinearly related. Oilseed rape tended to have higher RUE_SC than wheat at high N supply during the critical period for grain number determination, and generally lower during grain filling. The reasons for these differences and possibilities to increase yield potential are discussed in terms of the photosynthetic efficiency of the different organs and changes in source–sink ratio during reproductive stages. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Zinc phytotoxicity to oilseed rape grown on zinc-loaded substrates consisting of Fe oxide-coated and calcite sand

The risk of zinc (Zn) phytotoxicity in soils has increased in various regions following application of different anthropogenic materials. In order to assess the relative efficiency of Fe oxide and calcite in sorbing Zn and hence alleviating Zn phytotoxicity, we grew oilseed rape for 28 days in pots containing Zn-loaded model substrates consisting of Fe oxide (ferrihydrite)-coated sand (FOCS, 0.2–0.5 mm, 0.3 m² ferrihydrite g^–1 sand) and calcium carbonate (calcite) sand (CCS, 0.2–0.5 mm, 0.3 m² calcite g^–1 sand). Five substrates containing 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80% FOCS and supplied with ZnSO₄ at a rate of 30, 100, 300, and 1000 mg Zn kg^–1 were used in the cropping experiment and in an in vitro study of Zn desorption for 62 days. Plants exhibited good growth and a similar dry matter yield (DMY) at the 30 and 100 mg Zn kg^–1 rates. On the other hand, DMY was markedly reduced at the 300 and, especially, at the 1000 mg Zn kg^–1 rate, particularly for the substrates with the higher FOCS proportions. Symptoms of phytotoxicity (viz. chlorosis, purple colouration due to P deficiency) were apparent at such rates and were accompanied by high Zn concentrations in both shoot (average values >1000 and >1500 mg Zn kg^–1 dry matter for the 300 and 1000 mg Zn kg^–1 rate, respectively) and root (average values >2500 and >6000 mg Zn kg^–1 dry matter for the 300 and 1000 mg Zn kg^–1 rate, respectively). Total Zn uptake was maximal at 300 mg Zn kg^–1. The results of water extractable Zn in the substrate after cropping and the dissolved Zn concentrations measured in substrate–water systems (desorption experiment) suggest that, on a surface area basis, calcite is more effective than Fe oxide to retain Zn and thus alleviate phytotoxicity at high Zn loadings. However, the Zn-sorption capacity of the Fe oxide cannot be neglected, particularly at low Zn loadings, where Fe oxide seems to exhibit a higher affinity for Zn – but not a higher Zn-sorption capacity – than does calcite.     

镉诱导油菜叶片氧化胁迫及硫化物的络合作用

研究了不同浓度Cd(0、10、20、30、40μmol／L)对油菜(Brassica napus L．)“油研—8号”叶片H2O2积累、膜脂过氧化作用以及与硫代谢有关的抗镉机制。结果表明,随着Cd处理浓度的增加,叶片中H2O2及MDA的积累量均较对照显著增加,但对缺硫处理组( Cd—S)与未缺硫处理组( Cd S)无显著差异。10～30μmol／L Cd诱导过氧化氢酶(Catalase,CdT)、过氧化物酶(Guaiacol peroxidase,POD)的活力提高,40μmol／L Cd对CdT活力有抑制作用。 Cd—S组的POD活力显著高于 Cd S组。在Cd的诱导下,根部非蛋白巯基及酸不稳定性硫的含量大幅度增加。缺硫处理可明显阻碍上述含硫化合物的合成,从而加重Cd对叶片的伤害。上述结果表明,Cd对活性氧清除酶活性的诱导提高并非是抗镉关键途径,而与硫代谢有关的对Cd的络合作用才是油菜抗镉的重要机制。     

Boron efficiency in oilseed rape: I. Genotypic variation demonstrated in field and pot grown Brassica napus L. and Brassica juncea L.

Boron (B) efficiency of oilseed rape (Brassica napus) and mustard (B. juncea) genotypes was determined on a low B soil at Mt. Compass, South Australia. B efficiency was observed in oilseed rape genotypes, Zhongyou 821, Dunkeld and Zheyou 2, and in mustard genotypes Pusa Bold and CSIRO 6. Genotypes grown in the field were also grown under glass-house conditions, in pots filled with pre-washed sand extracted from the Mt. Compass field site. Two B treatments, one B adequate (0.25 mg B kg⁻¹ soil) and one B deficient (imposed by omission) were used to indicate whether vegetative response to B could predict final yield response and provide a more convenient selection criterion for identifying B-efficient germplasm. Vegetative response of 35 d old (D35) genotypes grown in pot culture closely reflected field response, indicating the expression of B efficiency traits in early growth, and its potential use in selection. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

土壤水分和供硼状况对不同硼效率油菜苗期生长、水分含量和硼形态的影响

通过土培试验,研究了土壤水分和供硼状况对不同硼效率油菜苗期生长、叶片水分含量和硼形态的影响.结果表明:低水分胁迫条件下,硼高效甘蓝品种和硼低效甘蓝品种在高供硼水平下的单株鲜质量比低供硼水平分别增加了43.1%和31.7%,但品种间没有显著差异;硼高效品种在两种供硼水平下的束缚态水分含量分别比低效品种高11.4%和1.7%,半束缚态硼分配比例分别比低效品种高6.9%和23.8%.正常水分条件下,硼高效甘蓝品种和硼低效甘蓝品种在高供硼水平下的单株鲜质量比低供硼水平分别增加了11.1%和27.4%;硼高效品种在两种供硼水平下的自由态水分含量较硼低效品种多,自由态硼累积量为低效品种的2倍多,这有利于硼在高效植物体内的移动运输.     

Suppression of the SUGAR‐DEPENDENT1 triacylglycerol lipase family during seed development enhances oil yield in oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.)

Increasing the productivity of oilseed crops is an important challenge for plant breeders and biotechnologists. To date, attempts to increase oil production in seeds via metabolic pathway engineering have focused on boosting synthetic capacity. However, in the tissues of many organisms, it is well established that oil levels are determined by both anabolism and catabolism. Indeed, the oil content of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) has been reported to decline by approximately 10% in the final stage of development, as the seeds desiccate. Here, we show that RNAi suppression of the SUGAR‐DEPENDENT1 triacylglycerol lipase gene family during seed development results in up to an 8% gain in oil yield on either a seed, plant or unit area basis in the greenhouse, with very little adverse impact on seed vigour. Suppression of lipolysis could therefore constitute a new method for enhancing oil yield in oilseed crops.     

Effects of the triazole plant growth retardant BAS 111¨W on gibberellin levels in oilseed rape, Brassica napus

Three-week-old shoots of the spring oilseed rape cv. Petranova ( Brassica napus L. ssp. napus ) were found by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to contain GA₁, GA₈, GA₁₅, GA₁₇, GA₁₉, GA₂₀, GA₂₄, GA₂₉, 3-epi-GA₁ and a previously uncharacterised C₁₉ dicarboxylic acid that is probably structurally related to GA₂₄. Shoots of the winter cultivar Belinda, harvested at the early flowering stage, contained the same GAs with the exception of the C₁₉ dicarboxylic acid and, in addition, GA₃₄ and GA₅₁ were identified. All material contained higher levels of GA₂₀ than of GA₁; the ratio of GA₁ to GA₂₀ was highest in shoots containing the largest proportion of young immature tissues. Soil treatment of cv. Petranova seedlings with the growth retardant BAS 111¨W [1-phenoxy-5,5-dimethyl-3-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-hexan-4-ol] caused 80% reduction in height 18 days after treatment and the levels of all GAs were 20% or less that of control plants. Foliar treatment at the same dosage reduced height by 50% and caused an 85% or greater reduction in the concentrations of the GA₁ precursors GA₂₀, GA₁₉ and GA₄₄. However, the levels of GA₁, GA₈ and GA₂₉ were affected to a much smaller extent. Foliar application of BAS 111¨W to cv. Belinda 1 month after sowing resulted in only a 20% height reduction at flowering, but no uniform decrease in the concentrations of endogenous GAs at this stage.     

Comparative studies of light leafspot (Pyrenopeziza brassicae) epidemics on the growth and yield of winter oilseed rape

Comparisons of epidemics of light leafspot of differing duration and time of initiation were made in two experiments using a single cultivar of Brassica napus. Fungicide was applied before introduction of disease to prevent infection or some time after inoculation to stop further disease development. In the first experiment, substantial reductions in green leaf area and total plant dry-matter were found at flowering when disease was introduced in the autumn or in January. Plant dry weight at maturity was also greatly reduced in these treatments. The detrimental effect of an epidemic initiated in the autumn was avoided to a large extent if fungicide application began in February. Epidemics initiated in March had only small effects on final dry-matter yield. Seed yield was negatively correlated with the length of the epidemic. In a second experiment, early epidemics initiated in the autumn were halted after different time intervals. Commencing fungicide application even as early as December failed to prevent some loss of dry weight at flowering. At maturity, however, dry weight and seed yield were reduced significantly when fungicide application was delayed until February. Failure to control the disease resulted in a 46% loss of seed yield.     

含硫、硒化合物在油菜中的积累及其对硫甙水平的影响

温室条件下,对硫胁迫与供硫充足的油菜植株,分别用Ｌ－甲硫氨酸和硒酸盐（ＳｅＯ＾２－４）代替营养液中的硫酸协以及增加ＳＯ＾２－４供应浓度的方法,探讨了不同处理对油菜植株硫甙合成积累的影响,结果说明,增加供硫浓度可明显促进硫甙的合成速率,且在４８ｈ内以两个供硫水平的植株皆呈密切的二次回归递增趋势,ＳｅＯ＾２－４对植株甙的合成积累具有强烈的阻抑效应,并对供硫充足的植株影响更大,４８ｈ内呈直线下降,Ｌ－甲     

The influence of pre-floral growth and development on the pathway of floral development, dry matter distribution and seed yield in oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.)

Patterns of floral development, dry matter distribution and seed yield were examined in winter oilseed rape plants subjected to different pre-floral growth environments. The duration of pre-floral growth and plant size at flower initiation, measured in terms of total mainstem leaf number, were manipulated by varying the temperature between seedling emergence and flower initiation. Exposure of seedlings to low temperatures from cotyledon expansion onwards markedly reduced the duration of pre-floral growth and the number of leaves on the mainstem. The subsequent development pattern of plants was largely dependent on the date of flower initiation and therefore vernalisation requirement. Indeed, the period of growth from flower initiation to maturity, considered on the basis of thermal time, was directly related to the duration of pre-floral growth and mainstem leaf number. The thermal durations of the bud development phase and flowering period in plants exposed to different pre-floral cold treatments but with a common date of flower initiation were similarly linked to these two parameters. Plants exposed to prolonged periods of low temperature treatment from cotyledon expansion onwards initiated fewer mainstem leaves during a relatively short pre-floral growth phase and their yield potential was limited by a reduction in branch and flower numbers. Plants maintained at higher temperatures produced more mainstem leaves during an extended period of pre-floral growth and supported a greater number of branches and flowers. However, this additional yield potential was not realised due to a reduction in seed numbers and mean seed weight. It appeared that seed yield of these plants was limited by increased competition between an excessive number of lower branches and flowers, a problem apparently created by excessive pre-floral growth. Minimal competition for available assimilates between the limited number of branches of plants with a shorter pre-floral growth phase and fewer mainstem leaves, resulted in lower levels of pod abortion, greater seed production and ultimately increased seed yields.