Growth Analysis Using Classical and Functional Techniques in Relation to Soil Moisture in Mustard

A Reid experiment was conducted to study the effect of soil moisture on growth of two mustard cultivars using classical and functional techniques of growth analysis. Two soil moisture levels were irrigated at 10-day intervals and a rainfed control was included. Total dry matter (TDM), leaf area index (LAI) and leaf area duration (LAD) were significantly increased by irrigation at most of stages of growth. Starting from a lower value, LAI and LAD reached a peak and then gradually declined. Among the growth attributes, crop growth rate (CGR), leaf area ratio (LAR) and leaf weight ratio (LWR) increased significantly under irrigation. Net assimilation rate (NAR) decreased more in the irrigated plants than the rainfed plants at the later stages of growth. LAR and LWR declined throughout with increasing time and plant weight. Seed yield of the irrigated plants was positively correlated with the pre-flowering LAI and the post-flowering CGR and NAR. In the rainfed plants, seed yield was positively correlated with LAI and CGR at the post-flowering stage and negatively with the post-flowering NAR and pre-flowering LAR.     

干旱区滴灌模式和种植密度对棉花生长和产量性能的影响

以高产棉花品种新陆早45为材料,自初花至吐絮设置常规滴灌(I500)和有限滴灌(I425) 2种处理,每种滴灌模式下设低(D12)、中(D24)和高(D36)3个种植密度,分析棉花不同生育时期叶面积指数(LAI)、群体生长率(CGR)、棉铃生长率(BGR)、净同化率(NAR)以及产量、灌溉水分利用效率(IWUE)等变化。结果表明,与I500相比,I425将LAI到达顶峰的时间推迟至盛铃期并延缓了盛铃期以后的叶片衰老,显著提高了盛花期至吐絮期NAR,在不显著降低籽棉产量的前提下,提高了IWUE。在I500条件下,LAI、CGR、BGR、NAR、总生物量(TDW)、铃生物量(BDW)、总铃数(BN)、生殖器官与营养器官质量的比例(RVR)均以D24较高,D12最低;I425条件下,上述参数均以D36最高。籽棉产量以I500D24、I425D36较高,IWUE则以I425D36较高。相关分析表明,籽棉产量和IWUE与BN、RVR呈显著正相关,IWUE与NAR呈显著正相关。表明盛花期至盛铃期较快的群体生长速率、较强的物质生产能力以及较多的干物质持续向棉铃的供应,是I425D36提高产量的重要原因。     

Participatory plant breeding approach for host plant resistance to bean fly in common bean under semi-arid Kenya conditions

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is the most important legume crop in Kenya. It is cultivated across a wide range of agro-ecologies which include high potential and marginal areas. Eastern Kenya alone, largely semi-arid, accounts for 35% of the country’s total bean production. Bean farmers mainly small-scale have limited access to quality seed, chemical pesticides and fertilizer. Therefore, bean yield under on-farm conditions still remains below 500 kg ha⁻¹ while the potential is about 1,200 kg ha⁻¹ under semi-arid conditions. To asses the farmers’ views on bean varieties and a key insect pest and associated constraints contributing to yield loss, research was undertaken. The research included survey to quantify the yield loss and Participatory Rural Appraisal to determine the level of adoption and criteria for variety choice in semi-arid eastern Kenya (SAEK). The results show that farmers consider drought and insect pest problems as main causes for low yields. The adoption rate for improved varieties is high but self sufficiency in beans stands at 23% in the dry transitional (DT) agro-ecology and at 18% in the dry mid-altitude (DM) agro-ecology, respectively. This could be attributed to low adaptability since most of the improved varieties grown were selected for high potential areas but now found in marginal areas. Drought, earliness, yield stability, and insect pest resistance are the main reasons for choice of varieties by farmers. Bean fly (Ophiomyia sp.) was identified as one of the key crop pests of beans limiting yield. Besides, African bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) and bean aphid (Aphis fabae) were ranked higher. Due to limitations of the conventional breeding approach, a participatory plant breeding approach is suggested so as to provide an opportunity to develop insect pest resistant varieties adapted to the SAEK region.     

Nitrogen and Carbofuran Effects on the Growth and Yield Performance of Mungbean (Vigna radiata [L.] Wilczek)

Studies were carried out both in the semi-controlled environment and in the field to evaluate the influence of nitrogen and carbofuran in the growth, dry matter partitioning and yield of mungbean. Both nitrogen and carbofuran increased leaf area, leaf N content, NAR, dry matter, most of the yield attributes, and grain yield. Dry matter accumulation during the reproductive phase was significantly influenced by nitrogen and carbofuran, and method of N application. Plants treated with nitrogen fertilizer and carbofuran produced higher amount of dry matter after flowering; but gave low harvest index values compared to control. The results suggest that mungbean yield can be substantially increased through efficient dry matter partitioning employing agronomic manipulations.     

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.     

Physiological Analysis of Growth and Yield of Watermelon (Citrullus ianatus Thunb Musf) in Relation to Irrigation and Nitrogen Fertilization

Analysis of growth and yield of watermelon in relation to irrigation and N fertilization carried out at the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore, during 1983–84 and 1984–85 indicated that frequent irrigations when the soil matric potential at 15 cm depth reached -25 kPa resulted in maximum dry matter accumulation and distribution, leaf area index (LAI), leaf area duration (LAD), net assimilation rate (NAR) and crop growth rate (CGR) leading to higher fruit yield as compared to irrigations at -50 and -75 kPa. Imposing a stress of -75 kPa either during pre-flowering or flowering or fruit development phase adversely affected various growth parameters resulting in reduced yield as compared to that irrigated uniformly at -25 kPa. Increasing levels of N fertilization increased the dry matter accumulation and distribution through higher LAI, LAD and CGR and contributed larger proportion of the dry matter to fruits resulting in higher fruit yield.     

Variation in traits affecting nodulation of common bean under intercropping with maize and sole cropping

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), an important food crop in Europe, America, Africa and Asia, is thought to fix only small amounts of atmospheric nitrogen. It contributes significantly to the sustainability of traditional cropping systems because of the predominance of small-scale farmers who cultivate beans in those areas. The objectives of this work were to evaluate bush bean varieties under common agronomic cropping systems and to evaluate breeding lines under low N-fertility sole cropping and intercropping systems. The purpose of the study was to characterize the genotype and cropping system's variability in symbiotic and plant characters and to identify the most suitable genotypes to establish an effective symbiosis with indigenous strains of Rhizobium. No significant differences among the bush bean varieties evaluated under typical fertilization practices were observed for N₂-fixation and plant traits except for seed nitrogen. Significant differences among the bean lines studied under low N-fertilization conditions were detected for plant growth,plant component and N₂-fixation traits. A significant interaction of bean genotype x cropping system was found for number of nodules per plant and nodule moisture on the bush bean varieties studied, and for days to emergence, days to flowering, end of flowering, shoot length, root dry weight and shoot nitrogen on the bean lines evaluated. Nodulation parameters were correlated positively with the yield components, shoot and root parts and duration of flowering, and correlated negatively with seed crude protein, pod and seed dimensions and seed dry weight. These observations indicate that it may be possible to increase both the symbiotic N₂-fixation and seed yield through plant breeding. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Growth Analysis in Relation to Pigeonpea Improvement

An attempt was made to assess possible constraints to higher production, with respect to partitioning of total dry matter to reproductive sinks in early pigeonpea. Growth, dry matter accumulation and yield components were determined in four diverse genotypes under four dates of sowing and different plant densities. Data on growth characteristics, dry matter accumulation (vegetative and reproductive) were obtained for three sowings, while the data on yield components were obtained for two dates of sowing. Growth analysis showed that the total dry matter was low upto 30 days after sowing and increased linearly upto 120 days. Coversely, LAD was high for the first 30 days and reduced at later stages of growth. The mean LAI of genotypes did not very much at initial stage of growth. However, it has given interesting picture during 70 to 90 days of growth. The higher biological yield and seed yield were attributable to high LAI and LAD coupled with thick stem, more effective branches, more pods per plant and larger raceme length. Harvest index was the maximum with increased plant populations in all sowings. Indeterminate varieties under high plant density and narrow row spacing (50 cm) developed a large leaf area and were presumably able to make better use of light. Growth and branching of individual plants were reduced at the higher plant population, but on per unit basis more dry matter was produced. It is suggested that breeding should be concentrated to improve an inability to accumulate adequate vegetative dry matter for the maintenance and filling of pods, may force the plant to continue vegetative production into the reproductive dry matter to support production of ultimate seed yield.     

高产高油花生品种的光合与物质生产特征

以冀花2号、冀花4号和鲁花12号为材料,连续测定干物质、荚果产量、含油量及叶片光合指标,定量分析高产高油花生品种冀花4号物质生产指标的动态特征和叶片光合性能,为解析花生高产高油形成机制和优质高效栽培提供依据。结果表明,荚果产量和籽仁含油量均以冀花4号最高。干物质平均积累速率和最大积累速率均以冀花4号冀花2号鲁花12号,且冀花4号干物质积累潜力适中;籽仁油分最大积累速率和平均积累速率均以冀花4号鲁花12号冀花2号,籽仁油分积累活跃期以冀花4号最短。冀花4号全生育期的光合势显著高于冀花2号和鲁花12号,分别高20%以上,产量形成期的光合势占全生育期的80%,冀花4号结荚期光合速率比冀花2号和鲁花12号均高24%以上;光饱和点和CO_2饱和点均为冀花4号最高。荚果产量与干物质平均积累速率、叶片光合速率和总光合势呈极显著正相关;籽仁含油量与单株干物质积累速率、籽仁油分平均积累速率、光饱和点、CO_2饱和点、经济系数、出仁率等显著或极显著相关;荚果产量与含油量极显著正相关。冀花4号具有较高的经济系数、总光合势及结荚期后分配比例、光合速率、光饱和点和CO_2饱和点,以及相对较高的干物质和油分积累平均速率,是其较冀花2号和鲁花12号高产高油的重要原因。     

棉花花铃期土壤持续干旱胁迫对产量形成的调节效应

 通过花铃期不同持续时间土壤干旱处理,研究干旱胁迫对棉花产量形成的影响。表明持续干旱对子棉产量影响以单株成铃数＞成铃率＞单铃重。短期干旱胁迫W1处理增加成铃数显示子棉增产,同步抑制下部内围铃棉纤维和棉子的物质积累量,解除胁迫后形成盛花结铃阶段产量潜载优势,极显著提高下、中部外围和上部内围铃子棉产量,实现增产;花后持续20 d以上干旱胁迫效应会延续至花后50 d,整体降低各部位棉铃的积累物质供应量,产量器官虽具干物质积累相对优势,但子棉产量潜载势降低,单株成铃数、单铃重趋降显示子棉减产;干旱胁迫对子棉产量的调控显示区位效应,降产效应随干旱延长显示由下而上、由内而外区位拓展态势,解除胁迫可获得一定产量补偿。     

Analysis of Growth and Productivity of Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea) in Relation to FYM, Nitrogen and Source of Fertilizer

A field experiment was conducted during the winter seasons of 1992–93 and 1993–94 at Anand to study the effect of FYM, nitrogen and source of fertilizer on growth and yield of mustard [ Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj & Cosson]. The results showed significant variation in leaf area index (LAI), crop growth rate (CGR), dry matter production and seed yield. The direct effect of farmyard manure (FYM) was conspicuous in improving the growth of mustard. FYM application at 10 tonnes ha⁻¹ significantly increased the LAI, CGR and dry matter accumulation per plant at almost all the stages during first year study (1992–93) and in pooled analysis. Similarly, nitrogen application registered maximum LAI, CGR at 75 kg level and RGR and NAR at 50 kg level at almost all the during both years. Sulphur carrying source (Ammonium sulphate plus single super phosphate) increased all stages growth characters. Maximum dry matter accumulation per plant and seed yield were recorded with highest levels of FYM (20 tonnes ha⁻¹), N (75 kg ha⁻¹) and source having S. Seed yield was strongly associated with LAI and dry matter accumulation per plant at all the stages.     

The inheritance of host plant effect on latency period of wheat leaf rust in spring wheat. II: Number of segregating factors and evidence for trangressive segregation in F3 and F5 generations

Summary The dry matter yields of four varieties of Lolium perenne with similar flowering dates (Ba 10761, cv. Talbot, cv. S.321 and cv. Tove) were compared during two harvest years in an orthogonal plot trial with two contrasting harvesting frequencies, three levels of applied nitrogen (200, 400 and 600 kg N/ha/yr) and two wear treatments (with and without wear). Frequent harvesting, reduction of applied nitrogen from 600 to 200 kg/ha, and wear reduced mean annual yield by 6.49, 5.13 and 0.65 t/ha respectively. Differences between varieties in mean annual dry matter yields over all treatments were 0.52 t/ha in the first harvest year and 1.49 t/ha in the second harvest year. Over both harvest years, Ba 10761 outyielded Talbot by 15% under frequent harvesting but by only 5% under infrequent harvesting. This variety/harvesting frequency interaction was due to relatively poor growth of Ba 10761 during the reproductive phase of growth, reproductive growth accounting for a larger proportion of total annual yield under infrequent harvesting than under frequent harvesting. Talbot gave relatively low yields at the lowest level of nitrogen. Genotype/harvesting management interactions arising from genetic independence of productivity during vegetative and reproductive growth can be predicted from results of single-management trials but such predictions of genotype/nitrogen level interaction are not yet possible.     

Effects of Population on Physiological Growth Parameters of Pigeonpea Genotypes in Sole and Intercropped Stand with Sorghum CO 22

A field experiment was conducted during khariff 1984 in sandy clay loam soil under irrigated condition at the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, with a view (i) to find out the possibility of introducing short duration dwarf variety of sorghum CO 22 as an intercrop with pigeonpea genotypes, (ii) to study the effect of different plant population levels and intercropping of sorghum CO 22 on pigeonpea genotypes, and (iii) to find out compatible pigeonpea genotypes and plant population level for pigeonpea based intercropping system with sorghum CO 22.
It was observed that increased plant density significantly increased the dry matter production, leaf area index (LAI) and crop growth rate (CGR) during early stages and reduced the net assimilation rate (NAR), relative growth rate (RGR) and CCR during later part of the growth. Intercropping of sorghum CO 22 significantly reduced the dry matter production LAI, CGR, NAR and RGR. Plants in the intercropped stands recorded higher CGR, NAR and RGR during later part of the growth. Among pigeonpea genotypes CO 5 was much affected due to intercropping with sorghum CO 22.     

Effect of Phosphorus Fertilizer on Soya Bean Residue Turnover in the Tropical Moist Savanna

The contributions of soya bean (Glycine max) to the maintenance of soil N, organic matter and physical properties in any cropping system is dependent on the amount of the crop residue returned after grain harvest. This amount of residue is a function of the dry matter accumulated during growth. In the topical moist savanna (MS) of West Africa where soya bean production has increased especially due to the cultivation of more hectarage of land, increase in soya bean dry matter with the resulting residue is limited by P deficiencies. In this study, the effect of P application on residue turnover by soya bean varieties of different maturity classes was evaluated across the MS. The amount of root residue in the late varieties was double that of the early and medium varieties. The effect of P application on root residue was also greater in the late varieties. Although root residue was 0.35–0.72 Mg ha^?1, this was about 17–21 % of total dry matter at harvest. Among the varieties, litter residue averaged less than 1 Mg ha^?1 in the early and medium varieties, and was 32 % higher in the late varieties. Litter residue increased by 42–46 % with P application. The total amount of soya bean residue that is a potential source of organic material in a cropping system after the export of grain is small and averaged 2.88 Mg ha^?1 . Of this, root residue constituted 18 %, litter residue 41 % and stover residue 40 %. In this study C/N ratio averaged 17.1, 34.8 and 32.2 for root, litter and stover, respectively. The amount of total residue obtained in this study shows that the benefit of the effect of soya beans on soil organic matter and physical properties derivable from a single soya bean crop is small.     

稻虾共作模式下不同优良食味粳稻物质生产及产量特征研究

为筛选稻虾共作模式下优质高产且多抗的水稻品种,提高稻、虾综合效益,以11个优良食味粳稻品种为试验对象,研究不同品种在稻虾共作模式下物质生产及产量形成特性。结果表明,稻虾共作模式下,不同品种干物质积累均符合Logistic曲线。干物质快增期在拔节后10d至抽穗后10d,最大增长速率和干物质积累量最多时期出现在拔节至齐穗期之间,泗稻301、南粳5718和南粳9108干物质平均增速较高,干物质积累多。泗稻301、南粳9108和南粳5718后期茎叶物质转运量较多,丰粳1606、金香玉1号和南粳9108茎鞘物质转运率和贡献率较高,武香粳5245、宁香粳11和泗稻301叶片物质转运率和贡献率较高。干物质生产主要与产量和千粒重有显著线性正相关关系,结实率主要受后期干物质转运影响。稻虾共作模式下可以选用生长势强、干物质积累快且多、穗大粒多、产量高的泗稻301和南粳5718。     

播期对直播水稻产量、花后各器官干物质和氮素积累及转运的影响

为探究播期对直播水稻产量、花后干物质和氮素积累与转运的影响,以水稻品种白粳1号、长白9号和龙粳31号为供试材料,设置3个播期（SD1、SD2和SD3）,比较不同播期条件下3个品种的产量、抽穗期和成熟期各器官干物质及氮素积累与转运特点。3个品种抽穗期和成熟期各器官干物质及氮素积累量、抽穗至成熟期各器官干物质及氮素转运量和产量均表现为SD2>SD3>SD1。相关分析表明,产量与成熟期穗干物质及氮素积累量呈显著正相关,与叶片干物质和氮素转运量呈显著正相关。在本试验条件下,播期的推迟提高了3个品种有效穗数及结实率,进而提高了产量,同时促进了各器官物质转运量与转运率的提高。各品种SD2处理的产量及花后干物质、氮素积累量最高,SD2为适宜播期。     

Sugarcane Breeding Institute,Coimbatore, India Effect of Different Levels of Drought during the Formative Phase on Growth Parameters and its Relationship with Dry Matter Accumulation in Sugarcane

A field experiment was conducted at Coimbatore (11° N, 77° E), India during the 1996 and 1997 crop seasons, using four commercial sugarcane varieties (Co 8021, Co 419, Co 8208 and Co 6304), to study the effect of three levels of drought (severe, moderate and control) during the formative phase (60–150 days after planting) on growth determinants and their relationship with dry matter accumulation. The reduction in dry matter content was 60.8, 52.4 and 25.9 % in severe drought and 46.3, 36.3 and 15.1 % in moderate drought at the ends of the formative, grand growth and maturity phases, respectively. High net assimilation rate, optimum leaf area index, high crop growth rate and an early shift in dry matter allocation to the stem were found to be desirable for higher biomass production, especially under water‐limited drought conditions. Measurement of growth parameters such as net assimilation rate, relative growth rate, leaf area index and leaf area duration under drought and crop growth rate and stalk elongation rate under normal irrigated conditions, particularly during the formative phase, might help to predict total dry matter at harvest. Leaf area ratio was not found to correlate with total dry matter at harvest in either drought or normal irrigated conditions.     

低钙胁迫对不同品种花生钙素吸收分配特性的影响

为了明确不同品种花生的钙营养需求特性,以10个花生品种为试材,通过砂培盆栽试验研究了低钙胁迫对不同品种花生产量、生物量、农艺性状及钙素吸收分配、利用特性的影响。结果表明,低钙胁迫对绝大部分品种的花生分枝数无明显影响,但明显提高单仁果数和植株生物量,显著降低荚果及籽粒产量。不同花生品种植株茎叶、根系和果壳钙含量均表现为正常供钙处理显著高于低钙胁迫,但不同钙浓度处理间籽粒的钙含量无显著差异;低钙胁迫可提高茎叶和根系等营养体的钙分配率,降低钙素在果壳和籽粒等生殖体的分配率,且与果壳相比籽粒钙分配率降低幅度较大。不同品种的钙生产效率和钙干物质生产效率差异较大,钙素利用效率差异则相对较小;低钙胁迫显著降低不同花生品种钙素利用效率,但对各品种钙生产效率和钙干物质生产效率的影响因品种不同而异。     

Significance of Seed Source on Grain Yield in Faba Beans (Vida faba L.) and Dry Peas (Pisum sativum L.)

In order to investigate the significance of seed source on yield and related characters 47 seed lots of seven faba bean varieties and 24 seed lots of five dry pea varieties were tested in three series of field trials. The grain yield of the faba bean varieties tested was considerably modified by seed source, whereas only small and nonsignificant effects of seed source were found in dry peas. In general, seed sources with a high thousand grain weight, a high protein content, high portions of undamaged and healthy seeds, and in faba beans a high degree of cross-fertilization exhibited superior grain yields. Production of high-performance seed proved to be the most difficult for the large-seeded and white-flowered faba bean varieties. Based on a tabular summary on factors affecting effects of seed source problems of seed production in both grain legumes and their impact on yield are discussed.