Influence of Soil Moisture and Fertilizer Potassium on the Vegetative Growth of Mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) and Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp)

Tropical food legumes are grown in a wide range of environments, and water stress is considered the principal environmental factor limiting growth and yield. Potassium fertilizer mitigates the impact of water stress in plants. However, the benefits of potassium in overcoming stress in tropical food legumes have not been investigated in comparative studies. The purpose of this study was to determine the benefits of potassium in overcoming water stress in mungbean and cowpea, two important tropical food legumes with different adaptabilities to soil moisture regimes. The experiment carried out under controlled conditions placed emphasis on vegetative growth and selected physiological parameters. The impact of potassium was different in the two legumes grown at optimal and suboptimal soil moisture. Potassium increased shoot growth of mungbean to a greater extent than in cowpea under suboptimal moisture conditions. The roots of cowpea showed a greater response to potassium fertilizer than in mungbean under suboptimal soil moisture. The plant water relations and photosynthetic rates of mungbean were improved to a greater extent by potassium under suboptimal soil moisture than those of cowpea. Although differences were observed in the responses of the vegetative growth of these species to moisture and potassium, in overall terms potassium promoted growth of both species when subject to suboptimal soil moisture. While field studies are required to validate the results, the application of potassium fertilizer can be considered a significant factor in overcoming soil moisture stress in these legumes commonly grown in tropical cropping systems.     

Root and Shoot Development of Phaseolus vulgaris L. (French Beans) as Affected by Soil Moisture and Fertilizer Potassium

The development of an extensive root system enables plants to overcome water stress. However, there is little information on the response of food legumes to soil moisture, especially during early growth, which determines crop establishment. Thus, an experiment was conducted under controlled conditions to identify the effect of soil moisture and fertilizer potassium on root and shoot growth of french beans ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seedlings. The seedlings were grown in a sand medium under a high and low soil moisture regime and with 0.1, 0.8 or 3.0 mM potassium.
Root lengths, dry weights and numbers of root hairs were greater under low soil moisture conditions. Potassium increased root growth irrespective of soil moisture regimes. The impact of potassium on root length was more pronounced under a high soil moisture regime. In contrast, potassium increased root dry weights and root hairs to a greater extent when plants were grown under dry conditions. The lack of adequate soil moisture increased specific leaf weights, and this phenomenon was reduced by the application of potassium. Shoot:root ratios also showed a similar phenomenon. The development of an extensive root system by french bean seedlings under dry conditions to extract a greater quantity of available soil moisture fur establishment and plant growth and the ability of potassium to promote this phenomenon is presented in this study.     

Yield and Seed Quality of Mungbean as Affected by Irrigation in a Dry Season

A field study was conducted with the objective of determining the effects of soil moisture on seed yield and quality of mungbean ( Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) when grown under rainfed and irrigated conditions in a dry season. Seed quality was determined in terms of germination and production of normal seedlings after controlled deterioration. The presence of adequate soil moisture increased growth and yields of mungbean significantly. The seeds from irrigated plots had a greater weight, owing to heavier cotyledons. Although germination of seeds from the irrigated plots was higher before and after controlled deterioration for 72 h, the number of abnormal seedlings was also greater. Controlled deterioration reduced germination of both categories of seed in the same manner. These factors indicate the low potential of using seeds produced under irrigation in dry seasons as planting material, especially after storage.     

Root distribution patterns of peanut genotypes with different drought resistance levels under early‐season drought stress

Drought severely limits crop yield of peanut. Yet cultivars with enhanced root development enable the exploration of a greater volume of soil for water and nutrients, helping the plant survive. Root distribution patterns of three genotypes (ICGV 98305, ICGV 98324 and Tifton‐8) were compared when grown in well‐watered rhizoboxes and when grown in rhizoboxes where an early‐season drought was imposed using rain‐exclusion shelters. The treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design with three replications, and the experiment was conducted during two seasons at the Field Crop Research Station of Khon Kaen University, in Khon Kaen, Thailand. The root system of ICGV 98305, when grown under drought, had a significantly higher root length in the 30–110 cm deep soil layers and less roots in the 0–30 cm soil layers when under drought than when grown under well‐watered conditions. Roots of Tifton‐8 had the largest reductions in root length in upper soil layer and reduced in most soil layers. Tifton‐8 grown under drought was smaller than under well‐watered control for all root traits, showing negative response to drought. The peanut genotypes with high root traits in deeper soil layer under early‐season drought might contribute to drought avoidance mechanism.     

辽西雨养玉米农田土壤水分变化特征及其模拟

土壤含水量是作物生长发育的关键影响因子之一,确定土壤含水量变化及预测土壤含水量变化趋势,对于雨养农业更加有效地保墒、提高作物水分利用效率和增强抗旱防灾能力有着重要的现实意义。利用2008-2011年锦州玉米生长季逢三逢八土壤湿度观测数据,日气温降水数据和2008年玉米生长发育期数据资料,结合CERES-MAIZE土壤水分模块,分析了雨养玉米农田土壤水分时空变化特征和模拟了土壤水分时空变化特征。结果表明：生长季降水并不能反映土壤水分条件的好坏,生长季中雨以下的降水量和降水频次与土壤水分条件的好坏较好的一致性;土壤水分随土层深度而增加,0-40cm土壤含水量平均值和最低值分别是田间持水量的69%-82%和49%-64%;玉米根系生物量与生长时间呈二次曲线关系,所建根系生物量模型解释率达89.7%;耦合根系生物量模型和叶面积指数模型的CERES-MAIZE中的土壤水分模块能够较好的模拟雨养玉米生态系统土壤水分的时空变化特征。     

Establishment of a crop evapotranspiration calculation model and its validation

In order to contribute knowledge on the method used to calculate the actual crop evapotranspiration, soil, crop, atmosphere, and water spatial structure were integrated into a complete system. Based on the energy balance equation and aerodynamic equation, the meteorological data was reduced and the crop physiological parameter was increased, then the crop evapotranspiration calculation model under natural conditions was derived. The crop evapotranspiration calculation model was verified by the water balance formula using data generated from corn, potato, and flue-cured tobacco grown under field conditions for three consecutive years from 2017 to 2019. The results showed that: from 2017 to 2019, the average root mean square error for measured and calculated evapotranspiration of corn, potato, and flue-cured tobacco at different growth times were 0.5948, 0.4753, and 0.3326, respectively, the mean deviation, mean absolute error, and mean relative error were small, and the coefficient of determination and consistency index were both greater than 0.9100. The measured and calculated crop evapotranspiration of the selected crops increased at first and then decreased gradually as the crops matured, and finally decreased to harvest evapotranspiration, showing a parabolic trend. The crop evapotranspiration calculation model not only reflects the actual evapotranspiration of crops at different growth time but also reflects the change law of actual crop evapotranspiration. The model does not need the correction of soil moisture content, irrigation method, and crop coefficient and can directly calculate the actual crop evapotranspiration. It has the characteristics of consistency between the calculated value and the measured value, strong applicability, simple calculation process, and high accuracy and has the best effect on monitoring soil moisture and crop water shortage sensitivity. The model is significance in that it guides for monitoring soil moisture, determining actual crop evapotranspiration, crop water shortage index, and high yield and efficiency under water-saving conditions.     

Integrated breeding approaches for improving drought and heat adaptation in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a dry season food legume largely grown on residual soil moisture after the rainy season. The crop often experiences moisture stress towards end of the crop season (terminal drought). The crop may also face heat stress at the reproductive stage if sowing is delayed. The breeding approaches for improving adaptation to these stresses include the development of varieties with early maturity and enhanced abiotic stress tolerance. Several varieties with improved drought tolerance have been developed by selecting for grain yield under moisture stress conditions. Similarly, selection for pod set in the crop subjected to heat stress during reproductive stage has helped in the development of heat‐tolerant varieties. A genomic region, called QTL‐hotspot, controlling several drought tolerance‐related traits has been introgressed into several popular cultivars using marker‐assisted backcrossing (MABC), and introgression lines giving significantly higher yield than the popular cultivars have been identified. Multiparent advanced generation intercross (MAGIC) approach has been found promising in enhancing genetic recombination and developing lines with enhanced tolerance to terminal drought and heat stresses.     

Agronomic Performance of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as Influenced by Moisture Stress at Various Growth Stages and Seeding Rate

A field experiment was conducted at Samaru, Nigeria during the 1981–82 dry season to determine the yield and growth responses of wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) to moisture stress imposed at various growth stages and to seeding rate. It was also to identify wheat growth stages that are most sensitive to soil moisture stress. Treatments tested include three seeding rates, namely, 75, 100 and 150 kg per ha, and seven drought treatments, effected by missing one or two consecutive irrigations at different growth stages.
Withholding irrigation at any growth stage prior to anthesis had detrimental effects on most of the growth characters and stress during crown root initiation (CRI) and jointing reduced most of the yield characters. Missing two consecutive irrigations at any given growth stage reduced grain yield more than did missing one irrigation; the greatest reductions in grain yield were 13 and 65% when one irrigation was missed at CRI and two consecutive irrigations were missed at jointing (the most sensitive growth stage) respectively. Moisture stress was also detrimental to number of grains, spike number, spike length, leaf area and number of tillers. A seeding rate of 100 kg per ha produced the best wheat performance in the present study.     

Simulation of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) root system development under Mediterranean conditions

Root growth of faba bean genotype ILB 1814 grown under both limited and sufficient moisture supply was studied in 1993–1994 and 1994–1995 at ICARDA's Tel Hadya research station. Crops were sown on two dates in both growing seasons. Root-length density (RLD) and root dry weight were measured at four depths in three locations relative to the crop row. In general, RLD decreased considerably with depth, and by the start of pod-filling, around 60% of the roots were found in the top 15 cm of soil. In the upper 30 cm soil profile, the RLDs of drought-stressed faba beans were significantly lower than those measured beneath well-watered crops. In the deeper soil layers, the RLDs were similar in both moisture supply treatments. An existing root model was employed for the simulation of faba bean root growth. The model estimates the depth of rooting and RLD in each soil layer based on dry matter allocation to the root system, soil layer water contents, genotype-specific rooting characteristics, and soil physical properties. A faba bean growth model provided daily allocation of dry matter to roots as well as soil layer water contents. Overall, with a few modifications, the root model was capable of predicting the RLD of faba bean grown both under limited and sufficient water supply realistically. Limitations of the model and some aspects that need further improvement are discussed.     

Seed Size and Water Potential Effects on Water Uptake, Germination and Growth of Lentil

Seed size is an important parameter for plant growth and yield. The effects of seed size and water potential on seed water uptake, germination and early growth of lentil ( Lens culinaris Medik. cvs. Jor-1 and Jor-2) were investigated. Rate of water uptake by seed size (small, medium and large) from solutions containing different water potentials (0, –0.5 and –1.0 MPa, as polyethylene gly-col-8000) was higher in large than in medium or small seeds of both cultivars, regardless of water potential. Rate of water taken into seeds was higher in Jor-2 than in Jor-1. Decreasing water potential (more stress) had adverse effects on rate of water uptake by seeds in both cultivars. In another experiment, with lentils grown in a greenhouse at different soil metric potentials (–0.03, –0.15 and –0.30 MPa), seed size or cultivar had no effects on germination percentage (GP), but GP was reduced as soil water potential decreased (more stress), in greenhouse soil, shoot dry matter (SDM), root dry matter (RDM), plant height, total root length (TRL) and number of primary branches per plant of 35-day-old plants from large seeds were larger than those of plants from medium and small seeds of both cultivars. Increasing soil water deficit progressively decreased each of these traits. Plants from large seeds had higher SDM, RDM and TRL than those from small seeds at intermediate soil water potential (–0.15 MPa) in comparison with the control (–0.03 MPa) or severe (–0.30 MPa) soil water potentials. Larger seeds produced larger plants than smaller seeds, and this appeared to be more pronounced under intermediate than well-watered or more severe water-stressed conditions. Faster early growth of plants from larger seeds may be advantageous in establishing plants under semiarid conditions.     

Response of Root Branching and Shoot Water Potentials of French Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to Soil Moisture and Fertilizer Potassium

Extensive branching patterns of roots and the maintenance of adequate water within shoots enables plants to overcome water stress. However, information on the relationship between fertilizer potassium, root branching patterns and shoot water potentials of food legumes grown under different soil moisture regimes is scarce. Thus, an experiment was conducted in a phytotron to ascertain the effect of fertilizer potassium on root branching patterns and shoot water potentials of a popular tropical food legumes (Frenchbeans Phaseolus vulgaris L). The plants were grown in a sand medium with 0.1, 0.8 or 3.0 mM of potassium under a suboptimal and optima) soil moisture regime.
Root lengths and dry weights were enhanced by potassium, especially under a suboptimal soil moisture regime. The branching patterns changed due to potassium, where the numbers of second and third order roots increased under both soil moisture regimes, although the impact was greater in plants grown with low soil moisture. Plant water contents measured in terms of shoot water potential, relative water contents, rurgid weight: dry weight ratio and water uptake capacity were also increased by potassium. A positive relationship was observed between root branching patterns and water potentials with increasing potassium levels especially in plants grown under suboptimal soil moisture conditions. Shoot growth and nodulation was also promoted by potassium. The ability of plants to develop a more extensive branching pattern of roots by inducing a greater number of second and third order roots and changing the root branching habit from a herringbone to a dichotomous type to maintain a greater shoot water potential especially under low soil moisture regimes is presented.     

Influence of Soil Moisture on Growth, Water Use and Yield of Mustard

A field experiment was conducted to study the influence of soil moisture on growth, water use and yield of mustard ( Brassica juncea L. cv. Rai 5 ). Two soil moisture regimes were rainfed and irrigated at 10 days interval throughout the growing season. The total amount of water received as irrigation was 110 mm and as rainfall was 15 mm. Total dry matter per unit ground area, leaf area index (LAI), crop growth rate (CGR) and net assimilation rate (NAR) were increased and leaf area ratio (LAR) and specific leaf area (SLA) were decreased by irrigation. Chlorophyll content and relative leaf water content (RLWC) were increased by irrigation, but proline content was greater in the rainfed crop at both the flowering and pod-filling stages. Time taken to first flowering, duration of flowering, number of seeds/pod and harvest index were unaffected by irrigation. Plant height at harvest, number of pods/plant, seed yield and oil content of seeds were increased and 1000-seed weight was decreased by irrigation. The consumptive use of water increased with an increase in water supply, but the water use efficiency (WUE) was decreased.     

水分胁迫条件下有机肥对小麦根苗生长的影响

水分胁迫条件下施用有机肥对小麦根苗生长的影响研究表明：随着水分胁迫程度的加剧,无论施肥与否,小麦根系均表现出根重下降、根长缩短、根活力降低、次生根数与根系吸收面积减小、根系SOD、POD活性明显降低、MDA含量和根冠比明显增高的趋势。但施有机肥促进小麦根系的生长,改善根系生理特性,增加根系吸收面积和活力,具以肥促根、以肥调水、延缓根系衰老的作用。有机肥和土壤水分对小麦产量的增加具有明显的正交互作用,特别是在小麦生长中心发生转换的关键时期,即拔节期,水肥的显著互作促进根系的生长,在一定程度上缓解干旱胁迫的影响,最终导致土壤水分利用率的提高和产量的增加。     

Identifying plant architectural traits associated with yield under intercropping: Implications of genotype-cropping system interactions

Increased yields of some crops have resulted from indirect selection of plant architectural traits related to yield. This study examines the potential relationship between plant architecture and yield for a legume grown under intercropping, Field experiments were conducted in 1991 to examine the response of two cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) genotypes with contrasting plant habits to sole crop and intercrop with pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke), and to identify cowpea traits associated with yield under intercropping. The cultivur with a bush-type habit was higher-yielding in sole crop, whereas the cultivar with a spreading habit was higher-yielding in intercrop. For F₂ cowpea populations, pod number was most highly correlated with seed yield in intercrop. The number of branches and nodes, particularly in areas with increased access to light, and increased internode length were also important in intercrop. Selection for improved yield in sole crop may not necessarily lead to improved yield in intercrop, and different plant traits may be more appropriate for cultivars intended for use in inter-crop than for those intended for use in sole crop.     

玉米根、茎、叶中脱落酸含量和产量形成对土壤干旱的响应

对不同程度土壤干旱胁迫下玉米根、茎、叶中脱落酸含量与产量形成进行了试验研究。充足底墒播种后采用5个土壤水分处理（分别占土壤田间持水量>80%、70%～80%、60%～70%、50%～60%、40%～50%,代号为WT1～WT5）,并遮去自然降水。试验结果表明,拔节期从中等干旱胁迫开始,玉米根、茎、叶中ABA含量大幅度增加,干旱加剧会使根     

Water Use and Seed Yield of Horsegram Under Different Moisture Regimes and Mulches in Semi-Arid Region of Eastern India

In a two years field study on effect of irrigation at vegetative and flowering stages occurring at 40 and 60 days after sowing, respectively alongwith straw mulch ca. 5 t/ha were found to have beneficial effect on growth, yield attributes and seed yield of horsegram ( Dolichos biflorus Roxb.). Application of mulches significantly increased pods/plants, seeds/pod, test weight and seed yield and maintained better soil moisture during crop growth in semi-arid lateritic region of Indian sub-tropics. Mulches proved useful to conserve more moisture in soil profile and thereby increased the water use efficiency of the crop; straw mulch was found superior to leaf mulch.     

辽西地区垄作和平作保护性耕作方式比较研究

比较了平作和垄作下不同保护性耕作方式对土壤水分、温度和作物生长发育和产量的影响。结果表明,几种耕作方式中平作的平均产量都要高于垄作,其增产率在11.38%￣15.20%之间。在相同的垄作或平作方式下,不同的保护性耕作方式的增产幅度不同,其中秸秆还田增产幅度最大。平作方式的出苗率、叶面积指数、根干重和干物重都高于垄作,但不同的保护性耕作方式其各项指标变化有所不同。平作下保护性耕作方式的土壤含水量高于垄作;垄作方式有一定的增温效应,尤其在苗期的土壤表层。     

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) Growth Indices, Root Yield and its Components in Upland and Inland Valley Ecologies of Sierra Leone

Cassava is predominantly an upland crop that is also cultivated in inland valley swamps (IVS). Identifying physiological traits that can withstand excess moisture stress can aid in the selection and use of stable cassava cultivars in IVS. Three cassava cultivars were evaluated for growth and yield in the upland and IVS ecologies in the 1993–94 crop seasons using a randomized complete block design. In the upland, 80/40 outyielded 87/29 and 'coco', while in the IVS, 87/29 had the highest yield. Highest yielding cultivars in each ecology also had the highest tuberous root bulking rate (TBR), dry matter (DM) production, crop growth rate (CGR), relative growth rate, net assimilation rate (NAR), leaf area index, leaf production rate and leaf life. Positive correlations between these parameters and tuberous root yield were noted. High yield of 87/29 in IVS was partly due to its low tuberous root rotting. High root rotting in 80/40 was partly as a result of the greater depth of tuberous roots in the soil (0.3–0.6 m) as compared to the other cultivars (0.15–0.3 m) where roots were in contact with stressful water levels earlier than others. The yield and yield components, growth and leaf characters were all drastically reduced when the cultivars were grown in IVS as compared to upland. For example, root yields of 'coco', 87/29 and 80/40 were reduced by 53 %, 60 % and 92 %, respectively, in IVS. Selection of cassava cultivars with longer leaf life and leaf area maintenance leading to high CGR, TBR, NAR and harvest index (in IVS and upland), coupled with a shallow tuberous root formation zone (in IVS) can give higher root and leaf yields in the two ecologies.     

Factors affecting root and seed yield in ahipa (Pachyrhizus ahipa (Wedd.) Parodi), a multipurpose legume crop

Ahipa (Pachyrhizus ahipa) is a legume crop, which produces carbohydrate-rich tuberous roots and seeds rich in protein and oil. In the present work, we studied the effect of different agronomic practices and climatic conditions on root and seed yield in order to make a preliminary assessment of the yield potential under different managements for the ahipa crop in south-western Europe. Sowing date affected productivity when delayed, because of growth season shortening. Reproductive pruning greatly increased root yield. Increasing planting density affected root and fruit growth per plant but increased yield to a certain extent. Seed inoculation with effective rhizobia greatly increased root and seed production. Low temperature is a main factor to be considered as it reduced productivity in areas of cool nights. Ahipa has a low environmental impact and low input requirement (fertilizer, pesticides), providing an attractive alternative to traditional sources of carbohydrates for conserving non-renewable resources and maintaining farmer profitability. Competitive yields for the simultaneous production of starch, feed protein and industrial oil may be obtained with low investment using available landraces.     

轮耕对小麦–玉米两熟农田耕层构造及作物产量与品质的影响

为了解不同轮耕模式对小麦-玉米两熟制耕层构造、作物产量和品质的影响,从2009年小麦季开始至2012年玉米生长季结束连续3个种植周期设置小麦季免耕、深松或翻耕+玉米季免耕或深松的6种耕作模式组合,研究其对农田土壤孔隙度和水分含量、作物产量、以及籽粒蛋白质含量、油分含量和容重的影响。结果表明,与免耕相比,玉米季深松大幅度提高0~40 cm土壤的周年总孔隙度,小麦季深松或翻耕改善了土壤孔隙状况。小麦季耕作和玉米季耕作的交互效应是各层次土壤毛管孔隙度的决定因素,而玉米季耕作的独立效应是土壤各层次非毛管孔隙度的决定因素。小麦季深松和翻耕促进小麦生育后期对土壤水分的吸收,深松较翻耕和免耕处理的小麦产量显著升高。玉米季深松比免耕提高了玉米在灌浆阶段对水分的吸收,有利于提高玉米产量,同时对后茬小麦有积极作用。从全年产量与品质看,6种耕作模式组合中,全年两季深松效果最佳,其次是小麦季深松+玉米季免耕,这两种轮耕模式均适合在华北平原推广应用。