Pod and seed numbers as a function of photothermal quotient during the seed set period of field pea (Pisum sativum) crops

The effects of radiation and temperature during the seed set period (SSP) on pod number per square metre (PN m⁻²) and seed number per square metre (SN m⁻²) and those of temperature during grain filling on unit seed weight (USW, milligram per seed) of field pea (Pisum sativum L.) were examined in experiments involving irrigated crops of three or more cultivars of contrasting maturity sown on two or more dates per year from 1996 to 1998 at Buenos Aires, Argentina. The duration of the seed-setting phase was estimated from records of the progress of flowering on the main stem and an estimate (obtained using an optimisation procedure) of the thermal time from flowering at which the uppermost reproductive node reached the final stage of seed abortion (FSSA). The FSSA at a particular node was assumed to be achieved 200 °C day (T_b=4 °C) after flowering at the same node. The grain-filling phase was assumed to run from the achievement of FSSA at the first reproductive node through to 200 °C day (T_b=0 °C) after the date of achievement of the FSSA by the second flowering node.The treatments (cultivar, sowing date, year) produced important ranges of above-ground biomass (AGB) at maturity (271–782 g m⁻²), seed yield (SY, 119–331 g m⁻²), SN (1062–3698 seeds m⁻²) and USW (67–150 mg seed⁻¹). Seed yield was strongly correlated with SN, and there was full compensation between SN and USW in large-seeded cultivars in the high SN range, but not at lower values of SN or in small-seeded cultivars. Both PN (r=0.83) and SN (r=0.87, P<0.0005) were strongly correlated with the mean daily value of the photothermal quotient (PQ=incident radiation/(mean temperature − base temperature)) for the seed-setting phase. Large- and small-seeded cultivars had PN/PQ and SN/PQ relationships with slopes which did not differ among categories but with significantly different intercepts. When the effects of low temperatures during flowering and early grain growth were allowed for, outliers on the PN/PQ and SN/PQ relationships for unstressed crops fell within the confidence limits of the respective linear regressions. Unit seed weight showed a negative response to mean temperature during the grain-filling phase in large- and small-seeded cultivars. We conclude that the relationships established in these experiments, taken together with previous work by other authors, constitute a robust basis for modelling the yield of unstressed field pea crops.     

Environmental factors affecting yield variability in spring and winter rapeseed genotypes cultivated in the southeastern Argentine Pampas

Rapeseed yields in Argentina are low (averaging 1400 kg/ha nationwide) with a high inter-annual variability. One of the limiting factors for improving yields is the lack of information on the adaptability of the cultivars, especially in the main rapeseed-producing area, the southeastern Pampas. The objectives of this study were to (i) quantify and analyze the yield variability of winter and spring rapeseed hybrids introduced in Argentina, (ii) identify the main environmental factors that affect the yields of the spring and winter genotypes in the southeastern Pampas, and (iii) model and validate rapeseed yields from environmental variables in the pre- and post-flowering periods. Principal component analysis (PCA) and linear regression methods were used to analyze 129 data points from 16 comparative yield trials in eight sites of southeastern Pampas. The rainfed crops were sown between April and July and from 2007 to 2009. Pre- and post-flowering phases were recorded in each experiment; temperature, frost occurrences, rainfall and radiation were measured during each phase. Yield variability (600–3700 kg ha⁻¹) was slightly lower in spring than in winter genotypes (CV 0.25 versus 0.38). Sixty percent of the winter genotype variability was explained by the first axis which was associated to the pre- and post-flowering durations, while 25% of the variability was explained by the second axis associated to yield. Almost 50% of the spring genotype variability was explained by the first axis associated to pre-flowering and total durations, while 27% of the variability was explained by the second axis in which post-flowering duration was associated to yield. Winter genotypes evidenced vernalization requirements that were either partially or not fulfilled, so, the longer the photoperiod, the longer the pre-flowering phase duration. In the critical period of 30 d post-flowering, yield was not associated to the photothermal quotient. In winter genotypes, yield was associated to a linear model which included rainfall during the crop cycle, radiation and pre-flowering temperatures (R² = 0.50). The model was adequately validated with independent data (n = 116) from official trials. For spring genotypes, only the frost occurrences during the critical period were relevant (R² = 0.26) and placing the flowering time after October decreased the risk of late frost damage. Water use efficiency (WUE) values ranged from 1.6 to 6.7 kg ha⁻¹ per mm of rain without a clear trend between spring and winter genotypes for this trait. In conclusion, winter genotypes did not necessarily yield more than the spring materials. In addition, rainfall during the crop cycle and frost occurrences during flowering were the main limiting factors of the winter and spring genotype yields, respectively, in the southeastern Pampas.     

Increased utilization of lengthening growing season and warming temperatures by adjusting sowing dates and cultivar selection for spring maize in Northeast China

Global warming has lengthened the theoretical growing season of spring maize in Northeast China (NEC), and the temperatures during the growing season have increased. In practise, crop producers adjust sowing dates and alternate crop cultivars to take advantage of the lengthening growing season and increasing temperatures. In this study, we used crop data and daily weather data for 1981–2007 at five locations in NEC to quantify the utilization of the lengthening growing season and increasing temperatures by adjusting sowing dates and cultivar selection for spring maize production. If these two positive factors are not fully utilized, then it is important to know the potential impacts of these climatic trends on spring maize grain yields. The results show that in NEC, both the actual and theoretical growing seasons are lengthening, i.e., the sowing dates have been advanced and the maturity dates have been delayed. The actual sowing dates are 1–8 days later and the actual maturity dates are 6–22 days earlier than the theoretical perspective. Advancing sowing dates and changing cultivars led to 0–5 days and 6–26 days extension of the growing season. For the potential thermal time (TT), adjusting the sowing dates decreased the unutilized TT before sowing, while the cultivar selection increased the utilized TT and decreased the unutilized TT after maturity. On average, the unutilized heating resource before sowing is less than that after the maturity date (0.3–1.9% vs. 2.1–7.8%). During 1981–2007, for per day extension of the growing season, the spring maize grain yield increased by 75.2 kg ha⁻¹. The spring maize grain yields have increased by 7.1–57.2% when both early sowing and changing cultivars during 1981–2007. In particular, adjusting the sowing dates increased the grain yield by 1.1–7.3%, which was far less than the increase effect (6.5–43.7%) from switching to late maturing cultivars. Therefore, selecting late maturing cultivars is an important technique to improve maize grain yields in NEC under the global warming context. Nevertheless, if the currently unutilized TT were fully explored, the local spring maize grain yield would have increased by 12.0–38.4%.     

The relationship of stem and seed yields to flowering phenology and sex expression in monoecious hemp (Cannabis sativa L.)

Flowering phenology and sexual dimorphism are two major features that affect stem and seed production in hemp (Cannabis sativa L.), a short-day naturally dioecious plant. The sowing time is of primary importance because it affects flowering time and thereby influences stem yield. In spite of their unstable sexual phenotype, monoecious cultivars facilitate the harvest of both stems and seeds by reducing crop heterogeneity. The main objective of this paper was to determine the stem and seed yields for five monoecious hemp cultivars in relation to their flowering phenology and sex expression. Sowing was carried out on five distinct dates during 2007 and 2008 at two sites in Belgium. The duration from sowing to flowering in days, both stem and seed yields and the seed harvest index decreased when sowing was postponed from mid-April to the end of June. The stem and seed yields from the mid-April sowing (approximately 12.5 and 1.9 t ha⁻¹, respectively) were within the ranges that were reported for fibre and both fibre and seeds production, respectively, in monoecious hemp. No interaction was observed between the sowing date and cultivar for both yields. Sex expression varied among cultivars, indicating that it might be selected, and was partly linked to earliness. Stem yields were lowest in the earliest cultivar (Uso 31) and highest in the latest one (Epsilon 68) while seed yields were lowest in the most masculinized and earliest cultivar (Uso 31) and highest in the most feminized and early (Fedora 17) or mid-early (Felina 32) ones. Both stem and seed yields correlated best with the duration from sowing to full female flowering or from sowing to the end of male flowering.According to our results, harvesting the seeds in addition to the stems in monoecious hemp requires early sowing and the selection of feminized early or mid-early cultivars, earliness depending on the climatic conditions in the cultivation area. Therefore, it might be agriculturally valuable to take sex expression into account in addition to earliness during the selection of cultivars that are adapted to a dual purpose.     

Mapping of QTLs underlying flowering time in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]

Due to its critical importance in crop yield, the photoperiodic regulation of flowering time is considered an important trait in sorghum breeding programs. In this study, quantitative trait loci for flowering time were detected using an F₂ population derived from a cross between Kikuchi Zairai, a late-flowering cultivar originating from Japan and SC112, an early-flowering cultivar originating from Ethiopia. F₂ plants were grown with their parents under a natural day length and a 12 h day length. Two linkage maps were constructed using 213 simple sequence repeats markers. Nine quantitative trait loci controlling flowering time were identified in F₂ plants grown under a natural day length, whereas 7 QTLs were identified under a 12 h day length. Five QTLs controlling flowering time were shared under both of the day length conditions.     

Old tall durum wheat cultivars are suited for dual-purpose utilization

The lateness, tallness and high vigour of old tall durum wheat cultivars could be advantageous for dual-purpose use and their high propensity for lodging should be reduced by grazing. A 3-year field trial was performed in Sardinia, Italy, in a typical Mediterranean environment. Crops of the durum wheat cultivar Senatore Cappelli were sown in October, and grazing was simulated by clipping half of the plots at the terminal spikelet stage of development. The forage biomass derived from clipping varied greatly between seasons (from 0.8 to 3.3 t ha⁻¹ dry matter) in response to the notable inter-seasonal variability in weather conditions. Cultivar Senatore Cappelli showed good recovery following clipping, with the ability to attain almost complete radiation interception well before anthesis. The high number of leaves that emerged after clipping might have contributed to this good recovery. Nevertheless, clipping reduced the dry matter produced by anthesis (16 t ha⁻¹ in clipped compared to 21 t ha⁻¹ in unclipped crops) as well as the final dry matter (DM_MAT) (19 t ha⁻¹ in clipped compared to 23 t ha⁻¹ in unclipped crops), although these differences disappeared when the clipped biomass was included. The lower lodging observed at anthesis in the clipped (21%) compared with unclipped crops (63%) likely reduced the difference between treatments. The lower DM_MAT of clipped treatments was reflected in a lower grain yield (GY) (3.4 t ha⁻¹ vs 4.2 t ha⁻¹ in the unclipped treatment). Clipping did not affect the amount of nitrogen present in the biomass, nitrogen uptake efficiency or radiation use efficiency. GY reduction after clipping was mediated by the reduction in spikes m⁻² and kernels m⁻² (KNO). Spike fertility was not affected by clipping, because the same amount of radiation was available for each spike (about 1 MJ). The period with reduced ground cover after clipping was reflected in an increased evaporation and reduced transpiration, which did not alter the total water used and increased the transpiration efficiency in terms of DM_MAT.Old tall durum wheat cultivars manifested good suitability for dual-purpose use in environments with low attainable yields because their low grain yield potential contributed to reducing the negative effects of clipping on GY. Their high straw yield and kernel protein percentage represented an advantage with respect to semi-dwarf cultivars.     

Wheat yield response to spatially variable nitrogen fertilizer in Mediterranean environment

Farmers obtain high yield when proper crop management is matched with favourable weather. Nitrogen (N) fertilization is an important agronomic management practice because it affects profitability and the environment. In rainfed environments, farmers generally apply uniform rates of N without taking into account the spatial variability of soil available water or nutrient availability. Uniform application of fertilizer can lead to over or under-fertilization, decreasing the efficiency of the fertilizer use. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of variable rate nitrogen fertilizer application on spatial and temporal patterns of wheat grain yield. The study was conducted during the 2008/2009 and 2009/10 growing seasons in a 12 ha field near Foggia, Italy. The crop planted each year was durum wheat (Triticum durum, Desf.) cultivar Duilio. The field was subdivided into two management zones High (H), and Average (A). Three N rates were identified using a crop model tested on the same field during a previous growing season. The N rates were: low N (T1: 30 kg N ha⁻¹), average N (T2: 70 kg N ha⁻¹), and high N (T3: 90 kg N ha⁻¹). The ANOVA test showed that there were no effects of the N levels for the first growing season for the H and A zone. For the 2009/10 growing season with higher rainfall there was a significant difference in grain yield for the A zone (2955 kg ha⁻¹), but not in the H zone (3970 kg ha⁻¹). This study demonstrates the optimal amount of N for a given management zone is not fixed but varies with the rainfall amount and distribution during the fallow and growing season.     

Repeatable genotype × location interaction and its exploitation by conventional and GIS-based cultivar recommendation for durum wheat in Algeria

Repeatable genotype × location (GL) interaction revealed by multi-locational trials may be exploited by site-specific cultivar recommendations. There is uncertainty, however, on methods for defining recommendations and extending results to non-test locations. With reference to durum wheat in Algeria, our main objective was the comparison of methods for defining the best pair of cultivars for local recommendation based on: (i) observed data; (ii) joint regression-modeled data; (iii) additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI)-modeled data; (iv) factorial regression-modeled data; (v) AMMI modeling interfaced with a geographic information system (GIS); (vi) factorial regression modeling interfaced with a GIS. The last two methods extended the recommendations to all sites in a GIS as a function of long-term climatic data. Concurrently, we aimed at assessing: (i) the repeatability over time of joint regression and AMMI parameters of adaptation; (ii) the consistency between predicted and actual yield gains derived from growing recommended cultivars in place of locally most-grown cultivars; (iii) the effect of different numbers of recommended cultivars. Modeling was based on grain yield of 24 genotypes evaluated across 2 years in a total of 31 environments. Cultivar responses at 16 sites in a third year were used for comparing methods according to average yields of recommended materials at individual sites and across sites, and for assessing repeatabilities. The selected AMMI model included one GL interaction principal component (PC 1). Winter mean temperature and rainfall over the cropping season were selected as covariates for factorial regression and as variables in a multiple regression for predicting the PC 1 score of sites in the GIS. Genotypic parameters, especially mean yield and PC 1 score, were highly repeatable (r > 0.90). Site parameters (PC 1 score, mean yield) showed moderate to fairly low repeatability mainly due to within-site variation in annual rainfall. Recommendations based on modeled data implied less subregions (i.e. sets of locations with same top-yielding material) and provided, on the average, 4–5% higher yields and much better predictions of actual yield gains from recommendation compared with those based on observed data. GIS-based recommendations implied a slight yield decrease relative to those based on conventional modeling. However, they allowed for about 9% higher yields than those of most-grown cultivars, while enlarging the scope for site-specific recommendations and assisting national seed production and distribution systems. Factorial regression showed a slight advantage over the other models. On the average, recommending two top-yielding cultivars (reference criterion) or the top-yielding cultivar provided similar yields, somewhat higher yields than three top-yielding cultivars, and 8–10% higher yields than larger sets of statistically (P < 0.20) not different cultivars.     

Trade-offs between water-use related traits,yield components and mineral nutrition of wheat under Free-Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE)

This study investigated trade-offs between parameters determining water use efficiency of wheat under elevated CO₂ in contrasting growing seasons and a semi-arid environment. We also evaluated whether previously reported negative relationships between nutrient content and transpiration efficiency among wheat genotypes will be maintained under elevated CO₂ conditions. Two cultivars of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), Scout and Yitpi, purportedly differing in water use efficiency related traits (e.g. transpiration efficiency) but with common genetic backgrounds were studied in a high yielding, high rainfall (2013), and in a low yielding, very dry growing season (2014) under Free-Air CO₂ Enrichment (FACE, CO₂ concentration of approximately 550 μmol mol⁻¹) and ambient (approximately 390 μmol mol⁻¹) CO₂. Gas exchange measurements were collected diurnally between stem elongation and anthesis. Aboveground biomass and nutrient content (sum of Ca, K, S, P, Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn and Mg) were determined at anthesis. Yield, yield components and harvest index were measured at physiological maturity. Cultivar Scout showed transiently greater transpiration efficiency (measured by gas exchange) over cultivar Yitpi under both ambient and elevated CO₂ conditions, mainly expressed in the high yielding but not in the low yielding season. Nutrient content was on average 13% greater for the lower transpiration efficiency cultivar Yitpi than the cultivar with higher transpiration efficiency (Scout) in the high yielding season across both CO₂ concentrations. Elevated CO₂ stimulated grain yield to a greater extent in the high yielding season than in the low yielding season where increased aboveground biomass earlier in the season did not translate into fertile tillers in cultivar Yitpi. Yield increased 27 and 33% in the high yielding and 0 and 19% in the low yielding season for cultivars Yitpi and Scout, respectively. Intraspecific variation in CO₂ responsiveness related mechanisms of grain yield were observed. These results suggest CO₂-driven trade-offs between traits governing water use efficiency are related to both growing season and intraspecific variations, and under very dry finishes, the trade-offs may even reverse. The negative relationship between nutrient content and transpiration efficiency among wheat genotypes will be maintained under elevated CO₂ conditions.     

Productivity and profitability of cotton–wheat system as influenced by relay intercropping of insect resistant transgenic cotton in bed planted wheat

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is the leading cash crop being grown across the globe including Pakistan. By the inclusion of insect resistant transgenic cotton (BT cotton), the cotton production has mounted many folds in Pakistan. BT cotton is mostly grown in Southern Punjab in cotton–wheat cropping system of Pakistan; however there exists a time conflict among wheat harvest and BT cotton sowing in this system. Wheat is harvested during late April but the ideal sowing time of BT cotton is early-mid March indicating a time conflict of 4–6 weeks which is becoming the main concern leading to wheat exclusion from this system. Intercropping of BT cotton in standing wheat is one of the possible options to manage this overlapping period. This two year field study was, therefore, conducted at two locations (Multan, Vehari) to evaluate the economic feasibility of relay intercropping of BT cotton through different sowing methods in BT cotton–wheat cropping system. BT cotton–wheat cropping systems included in the study were: conventionally tilled cotton (CTC) on fallow land during early and late March, CTC during late April after harvest of flat sown wheat (FSW), bed sown wheat (BSW) + intercropped cotton during early and late March, and ridge sown wheat (RSW) + intercropped cotton during early and late March. Planting cotton in fallow land with conventional tillage during early March had more seed cotton yield; whereas planting in the same way during April after wheat harvest had minimum seed cotton yield. Likewise, FSW had more yield than ridge and bed sown wheat with intercropped BT cotton during early or late March. However, the system productivity in terms of net income, benefit: cost ratio and marginal rate of return of BSW + intercropped BT cotton during early March was the highest during both years at both locations. However, the system with sole crop of BT cotton sown on fallow land during late or early March was the least economical even than the system with CTC during late April after harvest of FSW. In conclusion, BSW + intercropped cotton during early March may be opted to manage the time conflict and improve the economic productivity of BT cotton–wheat cropping system without wheat exclusion from the system.     

Effect of tire rubber ash and zinc sulfate on yield and grain zinc and cadmium concentrations of different zinc-deficiency tolerance wheat cultivars under field conditions

The aims of these field experiments were to investigate the effectiveness of soil application of rubber tire ash in comparison with soil and foliar applications of zinc (Zn) sulfate to increase Zn and decrease cadmium (Cd) concentrations in wheat grain. A two-year field experiment was conducted during the 2007–2008 and 2007–2008 growing seasons at Isfahan research field, Iran. Ten different Zn-efficiency bread wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.) commonly cultivated in different parts of Iran were subjected to no Zn fertilizer addition (control), soil application of 40 kg ha⁻¹ ZnSO₄, soil application of 100 (for the first year) and 250 (for the second year) kg ha⁻¹ waste rubber tire ash, foliar application of Zn at the mid tillering stage, and foliar application of Zn at the early anthesis stage. In the foliar application, ZnSO₄ was sprayed at a rate of 0.66 kg Zn/ha. Foliar spray of zinc sulfate at early anthesis, in general, had no significant effect on the yield and grain Cd while significantly increased grain Zn concentrations of most cultivars. On average, the foliar Zn treatment at the mid tillering stage (0.66 kg Zn/ha), decreased the mean grain Cd concentration from 0.032 mg kg⁻¹ in the control treatment to 0.024 mg kg⁻¹. While the grain Zn concentrations of some cultivars increased with soil application of Zn sulfate, they were not affected or even decreased in other cultivars. For most studied wheat cultivars, pre-planting application of rubber tire ash in soil resulted in a significant decrease of grain Cd concentrations. The results show that the effectiveness of soil and foliar application of Zn on yield and grain Zn and Cd concentrations greatly depends on the cultivar. The currently recommended rates of soil applications of Zn to ameliorate Zn deficiency are sufficient to increase grain Zn and decrease grain Cd concentrations in some wheat cultivars, while they do not in the others. In this study, soil application of 250 kg rubber tire ash/ha and foliar spray of 0.66 kg Zn/ha at tillering stage were the most effective treatments to ameliorate Zn deficiency and to increase Zn and decrease Cd concentration in grains of most wheat cultivars.     

Intercropping soybean and palisade grass for enhanced land use efficiency and revenue in a no till system

Integrated no-till crop and livestock production systems may help rejuvenate degraded pastures, increase land use efficiency (LUE), and increase enterprise revenue. Our objectives were to evaluate: (1) planting date effects on seed yield and nutrient concentration of an early-maturing, no-till system (NTS) soybean (Glycine max) when intercropped with palisade grass (Brachiaria brizantha); (2) dry matter production and protein concentration of the grass pasture after soybean harvest; and (3) overall revenue and LUE for the intercrop system. Experiments were performed during two growing seasons in Botucatu, Brazil using a randomized complete block experimental design. When palisade grass and soybean were sown simultaneously, soybean yield averaged 3.28 Mg ha⁻¹. Similar seed yields were observed when palisade grass was planted either 30 d after soybean emergence (DAE) (3.29 Mg ha⁻¹) or at the soybean reproductive stage R6 (full seed) (3.50 Mg ha⁻¹). Monocrop soybean yield averaged 3.50 Mg ha⁻¹. First cut dry matter forage production was greater when palisade grass was sown at the same time as soybean or 30 DAE of soybean. This indicates that interseeding palisade grass with soybean does not significantly affect soybean nutrition or yield. Intercropping did increase LUE and resulted in 1.6 times more revenue than soybean alone. However, sowing palisade grass at the soybean reproductive stage R6 (full seed) significantly reduced the forage yield compared to early planting.     

Screening chickpea for adaptation to water stress: Associations between yield and crop growth rate

Robust associations between yield and crop growth rate in a species-specific critical developmental window have been demonstrated in many crops. In this study we focus on genotype-driven variation in crop growth rate and its association with chickpea yield under drought. We measured crop growth rate using Normalised Difference Vegetative Index (NDVI) in 20 diverse chickpea lines, after calibration of NDVI against biomass accounting for morphological differences between Kabuli and Desi types. Crops were grown in eight environments resulting from the combination of seasons, sowing dates and water supply, returning a yield range from 152 to 366 g m⁻². For both sources of variation – environment and genotype – yield correlated with crop growth rate in the window 300 °Cd before flowering to 200 °Cd after flowering. In the range of crop growth rate from 0.07 to 0.91 g m⁻² °Cd⁻¹, the relationship was linear with zero intercept, as with other indeterminate grain legumes. Genotype-driven associations between yield and crop growth rate were stronger under water stress than under favourable conditions. Despite this general trend, lines were identified with high crop growth rate in both favourable and stress conditions. We demonstrate that calibrated NDVI is a rapid, inexpensive screening tool to capture a physiologically meaningful link between yield and crop growth rate in chickpea.     

An evaluation of the combined usage of separated liquid pig manure and inorganic fertiliser in nutrient programmes for winter wheat production

The effect of spring application of separated liquid pig manure (LPM) in combination with medium to high levels of inorganic nitrogen (N) to winter wheat was investigated in a field trial study at two sites in two successive growing seasons (2007–2008). The key crop parameters examined were crop N uptake (CNU), N use efficiency and grain yield. The LPM product (3.5–4.0 g/kg total N) was applied at three application rates: 15, 30 and 45 m³/ha using a band spread application technique. The LPM was used in combination with reduced and recommended inorganic N levels; a zero N control was also included. Weather conditions in both seasons were similar with below average rainfall levels in spring followed by above average summer rainfall levels. The zero N control gave lowest CNU levels in both growing seasons (70–88 kg N/ha). Inorganic N application at the reduced and recommended N rates increased CNU levels by approximately 100 kgN/ha and 112 kgN/ha, respectively compared to the untreated control. Liquid pig manure application resulted in an additional crop uptake of 58 kgN/ha. Nitrogen use efficiencies for LPM ranged from 23 to 56% while inorganic N use efficiency levels were higher ranging from 58 to 73%. Lowest grain yield levels were measured from the zero N control (range 3.95–5.01 t/ha). The application of inorganic N increased grain yield levels by a minimum of 4.05 t/ha with LPM usage increasing grain yield levels by an additional 0.2–1.09 t/ha. This study showed that LPM could be successfully used in combination with inorganic fertilisers for the improved N nutrition of winter wheat in spring as part of an integrated nutrient programme.     

Effect of rainfall concentration with different ridge widths on winter wheat production under semiarid climate

Ridge and furrow rainfall concentration (RC) system has gradually been popularized to increase water availability to crops for improving and stabilizing agricultural production in the semiarid area of northwest China. The system is comprised of two elements: the plastic-covered ridge serves as rainfall harvesting zones and the furrow serves as planting zones. To make this system more perfect for alleviating drought stress in semiarid region, it is necessary to test optimum planting systems. A field experiment was conducted from 2007 to 2010 to evaluate the effects of RC planting on soil moisture, wheat yield and water use efficiency (WUE) under different ridge widths. Four planting systems were designed (RC₄₀: 40 cm ridge with 60 cm furrow width, RC₆₀: 60 cm ridge with 60 cm furrow width, RC₈₀: 80 cm ridge with 60 cm furrow width, and CF: conventional flat without ridging). The results showed that RC planting can significantly increase soil moisture in 0–200 cm during the growing seasons of winter wheat. The rainfall-harvesting effect increased with ridge width increasing. Winter wheat yield and WUE was significantly higher under RC₆₀ than under CF by 405.1 kg ha⁻¹ and 2.39 kg mm⁻¹ ha⁻¹, respectively, on average across the three experimental years (P < 0.05). The above findings indicate that RC₆₀ can benefit winter wheat cropping for higher yield through improving soil moisture. It could be concluded that the RC planting system with 60 cm ridge and furrow width will offer a sound opportunity for sustainable farming in semiarid dryland agricultural area.     

Toward yield improvement of early-season rice: Other options under double rice-cropping system in central China

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) grain yields vary considerably between seasons under subtropical irrigated conditions. Reports on comparisons of grain yield between early- and late-season rice in subtropical environments are lacking. In order to evaluate the role of climatic and physiological factors under double rice-cropping system in determining rice grain yield in farmers’ fields, six field experiments were conducted in both early and late seasons from 2008 to 2010 in Wuxue County, Hubei province, China. For early season crop, the attainable yield was highest under dense planting (38.5 hills m⁻²) when N was applied at a rate of 120–180 kg ha⁻¹. However, the effect of hill density on grain yield was relatively smaller for late season crop, while moderate hill density (28.1 hills m⁻²) and nitrogen rate (120 kg ha⁻¹) were advantageous in terms of grain yield and lodging resistance. Remarkably higher grain yields were achieved in late season crops compared with early season crops, as the former had superiority over the latter in sink size (sink capacity, such as spikelets per m²) and biomass production. The comparatively lower yield under early season mainly resulted from slower growth during the vegetative phase, which can be attributed to the lower temperature rather than reduced mean daily radiation. Summary statistics suggested that there was ample opportunity to improve rice yield in early season crops, compared with late season crops. Correlation analysis further showed that spikelets per m², panicles per m², leaf area index at panicle initiation and flowering, biomass at physiological maturity and biomass accumulation after flowering should be emphasized for increasing grain yield, especially in early season crops under the double rice-cropping system in central China. Current breeding programs need to target strong tillering ability, large panicle size and greater grain filling (%) for early season crops, and high yield potential and lodging-resistance for late season crops as primary objectives.     

An approach to understanding persistent yield variation—A case study in North China Plain

Large gaps between maize yields on average farmers’ fields and the highest yields achieved by either experiment or farmers are typical throughout the developing world, including in the North China Plain (NCP). Understanding the underlying causes to this yield gap is important for prioritizing strategies for shrinking this gap and improving food security. Quzhou county in Hebei province is typical of the winter-wheat summer-maize system in NCP where the average plot size is only 0.25 ha. To analyze this cropping system amidst the challenge of substantial heterogeneity, we identified fields that were either persistently higher or lower yielding according to remote sensing yield estimates, and then conducted detailed field surveys. We found irrigation facility to be a major constraint to yield both in terms of irrigation water quality and farmers’ access to wells. In total, improving the access to unsalty water would be associated with a 0.32 t/ha (4.2%) increase in multi-year average yield. In addition, farmers’ method of choosing cultivar, which likely relates to their overall knowledge level, significantly explained yield variation. In particular, those choosing cultivars according to technician advice, personal experiences and high yielding neighbors’ advice had on average higher yield than farmers that either followed seed sellers’ advice or collectively purchased seeds.     

Field experiments and simulation to evaluate rice cultivar adaptation to elevated carbon dioxide and temperature in sub-tropical India

Location specific adaptation option is required to minimize adverse impact of climate change on rice production. In the present investigation, we calibrated genotype coefficients of four cultivars in the CERES-Rice model for simulation of rice yield under elevated CO₂ environment and evaluation of the cultivar adaptation in subtropical India. The four cultivars (IR 36, Swarna, Swarn sub1, and Badshabhog) were grown in open field and in Open Top Chamber (OTC) of ambient CO₂ (≈390 ppm) and elevated CO₂ environment (25% higher than the ambient) during wet season (June–November) of the years 2011 and 2012 at Kharagpur, India. The genotype coefficients; P1 (basic vegetative phase), P2R (photoperiod sensitivity) and P5 (grain filling phase) were higher, but G1 (potential spikelet number) was lower under the elevated CO₂ environment as compared to their open field value in all the four cultivars. Use of the calibrated model of elevated CO₂ environment simulated the changes in grain yield of −13%, −17%, −4%, and +7% for the cultivars IR 36, Swarna, Swarna sub1, and Badshabhog, respectively, with increasing CO₂ level of 100 ppm and rising temperature of 1 °C as compared to the ambient CO₂ level and temperature and they were comparable with observed yield changes from the OTC experiment. Potential impacts of climate change were simulated for climate change scenarios developed from HadCM3 global climate model under the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Special Report on Emission Scenarios (A2 and B2) for the years 2020, 2050, and 2080. Use of the future climate data simulated a continuous decline in rice grain yield from present years to the years 2020, 2050 and 2080 for the cultivars IR 36 and Swarna in A2 as well as B2 scenario with rising temperature of ≥0.8 °C. Whereas, the cultivar Swarna sub1 was least affected and Badshabhog was favoured under elevated CO₂ with rising temperature up to 2 °C in the sub-tropical climate of India.     

Water relations and use-efficiency,plant survival and productivity of nine alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivars in dryland Mediterranean conditions

The potential for alfalfa to be a valuable rainfed pasture option that can be used to increase livestock and crop production in central-south Chile is demonstrated for the first time. The persistence, productivity and water use efficiency of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) cultivars was evaluated at four sites in dryland Mediterranean environments of Chile between 2012 and 2015. Nine alfalfa cultivars were evaluated for plant persistence, winter growth, forage yield, shoot water potential (Ψ), stomatal conductance (gs), and carbon (δ¹³C) and oxygen (δ¹⁸O) compositions. The percentage of plant survival after four years varied between 69 and 97% of the established plants. Alfalfa forage yield was >9 t ha⁻¹yr⁻¹ at Yungay (Andes foothills) in year two, and at Cauquenes (interior dryland site) in years three and four. The highest forage yield was obtained in cultivars SARDI Ten and Aquarius and the lowest in WL326HQ. In 2015, the forage yield during late spring and early summer (November 2015–January 2016) ranged from 3170 to 3570 kg ha⁻¹ (average of the nine cultivars), which represented between 29% and 38% of the total production. The response of gs to Ψ was different among cultivars but all cultivars exhibited a strong decline when Ψ was <−1.0 MP. Shoot water potential evaluated in October–November was negatively correlated with δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O in shoot biomass. The apparent water use efficiency (kg DM/ha/mm of rainfall) across the nine cultivars was highest in Cauquenes in the three years evaluated (>16 kg mm⁻¹). It is concluded that alfalfa is a high yielding forage that can extend the growing season into early summer and autumn in dryland Mediterranean environments.     

Postharvest quality of apple predicted by NIR-spectroscopy: Study of the effect of biological variability on spectra and model performance

The effect of cultivar, season, shelf-life and origin on the accuracy of near infrared (NIR) calibration models for the soluble solids content (SSC) and firmness of apple was studied based on a large spectral data set based on approximately 6000 apple fruit from different cultivars, origins, shelf-life exposure time and seasons. To interpret the variance in the spectra with respect to biological variability, functional analysis of variance (FANOVA) was used. From the FANOVA analysis it was concluded that the effects of cultivar, origin and shelf-life exposure time on the NIR spectra were all significant. The largest differences in the spectra were found around the water absorption peaks (970, 1170 and 1450 nm). External validations using independent data sets showed that the accuracy of the models increased considerably when more variability was included in the calibration data set. In general the RMSEP for predictions of the SSC were in the range 0.6–0.8 °Brix, while for Magness Taylor firmness it was 5.9–8.8 N, depending on the cultivar. It was shown that atypical data can lead to large validation errors. It is, therefore, important to collect a calibration data set which is sufficiently representative for future samples to be analyzed with the developed calibration models and to develop simple procedures for model adaptation during practical use.