Grain yield,harvest index,water-use efficiency and nitrogen partitioning to grain can be improved by application of the plant growth regulator paclobutrazol to maize plants with reduced N supply

Applications of plant growth regulators such as paclobutrazol (PAC) to grain maize frequently caused depressions in grain yield. This negative impact probably originated from treatments at an early growth stage during plant ontogenesis when the determination of potential kernel number coincided with time of regulator application. However, stability of grain yield itself is of high relevance, and it is also the key determinant for harvest index (HI) and the use efficiencies of water (WUE) and nutrients (NUE). Therefore, in a container experiment, the effect of delayed PAC application at growth stage V8 was tested with the maize ( Zea mays L.) cultivars Galactus and Fabregas. Immediately after PAC treatment, differential N fertilization was introduced in order to meet the demand of the control plants (100% N), and with a supply of 75% N. With late PAC application (V8), grain yield depressions could not only successfully be avoided; moreover, in Galactus-75%N, a significant increase in grain yield was achieved combined with an extended duration of pollen shed by 28%. Straw yield decreased less strongly after late compared with early PAC application, leading to small, but significant increases in HI for the maize plants with 75% N supply. An increase in PAC dosage combined with later application will certainly lead to stronger decreases in straw yield, but it will also enhance the risk for grain yield depressions, and thus, an overall stronger improvement of HI is uncertain. For the time around silking, remarkable improvements of WUE_grain by 18% were achieved after delayed PAC application to Galactus-75%N. After PAC treatment, significant increases in nitrogen-harvest index (NHI) and thus N partitioning to grain were achieved for Fabregas and for Galactus-75%N. Although luxurious N consumption did not occur, late PAC application showed neither an effect on N-utilization efficiency (NUtE_grain) nor on N-uptake efficiency (NUpE). It can be concluded that it is a very complex task to achieve the right balance between PAC dosage, stability of grain yield and optimal N supply in order to avoid both, luxurious N consumption and N deficiency, and to achieve an improvement of NUtE_grain of maize plants.     

Comparison of Salt and Drought‐Stress Effects on Maize Growth and Yield Formation with Regard to Acid Invertase Activity in the Kernels

The long‐term effects of salt stress (11 dS m^?1) and drought stress (35 % WHC) were investigated for two maize genotypes, focusing on the relation between metabolic changes around the time of pollination and the impact on yield determinants at maturity. The relatively salt‐resistant hybrid Pioneer 3906 and the relatively drought‐resistant hybrid Fabregas were compared. The experiments were conducted in large plastic containers in a vegetation hall in two consecutive years (2011 and 2012). Plant height and leaf area were significantly reduced under both stress conditions. The transpiration rate was only slightly reduced under drought stress; but under salt stress, a significant reduction occurred 40–53 days after sowing. As a significant increase in sucrose concentrations was observed in the salt‐treated maize kernels 2 days after pollination, the availability of assimilates was not limiting and the plants could afford to save water by reduced stomatal opening. Although under both stress conditions the soluble acid invertase activity was reduced 2 days after pollination, concomitantly, an increase in hexose concentrations was observed. Thus, in these experiments, the delivery of hexoses by acid invertase activity did not limit kernel development. Differences in grain yield at maturity between salt and drought stress were most likely caused by salt‐specific effects (Na⁺ toxicity), Fabregas being more affected than Pioneer 3906.     

Effect of Prohexadione Calcium on Growth Components and Endogenous Gibberellins Contents of Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Prohexadione calcium (Pro‐Ca) is a novel plant growth regulator that inhibits the late stages of gibberellins (GAs) biosynthesis in plants, thus reducing the vegetative growth of the plant. Pro‐Ca was applied to field‐grown rice cultivar Ilpumbyeo to evaluate its effect on growth and yield components and endogenous GAs, when applied at different rates and timings. This study illustrated that Pro‐Ca application decreased the internode length, stem length, panicle length, shoots fresh weight and stem lodging index, while stem breaking force was increased in all treatments. The effect of Pro‐Ca was more pronounced in 20 ppm concentration than 10 ppm. The number of panicles m⁻², ripened grain ratio and 1000 grain weight and milled rice yield parameters, increased with the application of Pro‐Ca, though the number of grains per panicle decreased insignificantly. The endogenous bioactive GA₁ contents significantly decreased with the application of Pro‐Ca, as the GA biosynthesis was interrupted at later stages, when GA₂₀ conversion to GA₁ was blocked, thus drastically reducing GA₁ and GA₈ levels, but only insignificant changes were observed for intermediates from GA₁₂ to GA₂₀. The levels of the endogenous GAs in rice shoots were measured by GC‐MS‐SIM using ²H₂‐labelled GAs as internal standards. Present results also illustrated that early application of Pro‐Ca was more effective than its late application for effective control of different growth parameters and thus reducing lodging in rice plants.     

NDVI-based estimates of evapotranspiration of winter wheat indicate positive effects of N fertilizer application on agronomic water-use efficiency

Yield increases by fertilizer application impose higher crop water use, as biomass production is positively correlated with transpiration. To quantify effects of N fertilizer supply on evapotranspiration (ET) of winter wheat, a field experiment with three nitrogen rates (N0, N120 and N230) under non-water-limited conditions was performed during 2014 and 2015. Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was used to derive crop coefficients which were used to calculate N effects on bare soil evaporation (E), transpiration, evapotranspiration (ET), grain yield and harvest index (HI). E during the early post-winter growth period was measured with micro-lysimeters and compared with model estimates. N fertilizer supply resulted in lower cumulative E, and increases in grain yield were higher than increases in ET, resulting in a higher agronomic water-use efficiency (WUE_Y). HI of treatment N120 was higher than that of treatment N230 indicating that HI was not the main reason of higher WUE_Y of treatment N230. It is concluded that estimates of ET under variable N supply require consideration of N-induced effects on canopy development which could be successfully monitored by NDVI measurements. N supply increases ET and WUE_Y potentially imposing a trade-off between water conservation and efficiency of water use for crop production.     

Alleviation of drought stress in maize by exogenous application of gibberellic acid and cytokinin

The study was conducted to investigate the ameliorative roles of GA₃ and CK on adverse effects of drought in maize. Drought stressed maize plants were applied with GA₃ and CK at 50, 100, and 150 mg L^?l as foliar spray at the vegetative and the reproductive stages. Plant height, internode length, stem diameter, leaf chlorophyll index, and dry matter production were significantly affected by drought. In most cases, GA₃ and CK significantly improved the depressed plant traits, but in varying degrees depending on the growth stage encountering hormones, and their types and concentrations. Both GA₃ and CK were found to be very effective in alleviating drought-imposed adverse effects on maize at the vegetative phase. Such alleviating effects varied depending on the concentration of the hormones. Application of CK at 150 mg L^?l was excellent resulting in a 106% yield advantage compared to drought stress and 79.9% increase relative to well-watered controls. Conversely, GA₃ at 50 mg L^?l performed well showing 78.8% increase in grain yield. However, both GA₃ and CK had very little effect on improving the depressed growth and yield attributes in maize at the reproductive phase. The relative yield advantages for the hormones were mainly attributed to improving the cob and seed-bearing capacity of drought-stressed maize plants.     

Grain yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under long‐term heat stress is sink‐limited with stronger inhibition of kernel setting than grain filling

The aim of the study was to investigate source‐sink relations of wheat under continuous heat stress and to identify bottle necks of yield formation. A pot experiment was conducted in two climatic chambers exposing wheat plants (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Thasos) either to day/night temperatures of 20/20°C (control conditions) or of 30/25°C (heat stress) during the whole vegetation period in the absence of plant water deficit. Plants were harvested at four phenological stages: three‐node stage (DC 33), start of flowering (DC 61), grain filling (DC 75) and maturity (DC 94). Heat stress shortened the development phases of the plants and caused a significant decrease in total above‐ground biomass between 19% and 41%. At grain filling and at maturity, the reductions in total shoot biomass mainly resulted from grain yield depressions by 77% and 58%, respectively. The ear number per plant was significantly higher under heat stress in comparison with the control, at maturity it was more than doubled. On the contrary, under heat stress, the kernel number per ear was strongly decreased by 83% and 75% during grain filling and at maturity, respectively. The decrease in individual kernel weight was 23% at maturity. Thus, the heat‐stressed plants were able to strongly increase the number of ear‐bearing tillers which were able to set only a small number of kernels, yet these kernels showed good grain filling. The harvest index (HI) of heat‐stressed plants was significantly reduced by 36% (control: HI = 50.1% ± 0.4, heat: HI = 32.2% ± 0.9***). The plants in the stress treatment adapted to the adverse conditions by less biomass production which presumably allowed a higher transpiration without an increase in total water consumption. Nevertheless, under heat stress, the water use efficiency (WUE_grain) was strongly decreased by 62% as a result of a small grain yield. In ears and grains, the sucrose, glucose and fructose concentrations were not significantly different between control and heat stress at start of flowering and during grain filling. Thus, the supply of assimilates was not restricted (no source limitation). Sink capacity was reduced by heat stress, as lesser and smaller kernels were produced than in the control. Concerning sink activity, the sink‐limiting step during kernel set is probably the active transport of hexoses across the plasma membrane into the developing kernels, which could also affect grain filling. This needs to be investigated in more detail in further studies.     

Effects of Population Density and Planting Pattern on the Yield and Yield Components of Leafy Reduced-Stature Maize in a Short-Season Area

Maize hybrids that yield well, mature earlier with low grain moisture contents, tolerate higher population densities and take advantage of narrow row spacings better than the currently available hybrids would be more suitable for production in short-season areas. Leafy reduced-stature maize hybrids, which have only recently been developed, have traits which address these criteria. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different population densities (65 000 and 130000 plants ha^?1) and planting patterns (single rows 76 cm apart and paired rows with 20 cm between rows within a pair of 56 cm between rows of adjacent pairs) on the yield and yield components of two leafy reduced-stature (LRS1 and LRS2), one non-leafy reduced-stature (NLRS), and two conventional corn hybrids (Pioneer 3979, < 2500 CHU; and Pioneer 3902, 2600-2700 CHU) at two locations. All hybrids had higher kernel numbers per row and single plant grain yields at the lower population densities when in paired rows. However, as plant density increased, these variables decreased more in the conventional hybrids than the LRS and NLRS hybrids, which demonstrates the greater tolerance of the latter to the stresses associated with higher plant densities. Grain yield was higher for the two LRS hybrids and the NLRS hybrid at 130000 plants ha^?1 than 65 000 plants ha^?1 Grain yield of conventional hybrids was reduced at the higher population density. The LRS hybrids matured before both conventional hybrids and out yielded Pioneer 3979 at the higher plant population density in both row spacings at both sites. Harvest index was not affected by population density and this value was not different among the NLRS and conventional hybrids. However, the harvest index of the LRS hybrids was greater than the others. LRS and NLRS hybrids had lower moisture contents and earlier maturities than conventional hybrids. Rapid growth of the first ear and higher harvest index values might are indications that LRS hybrids are more tolerant of higher population densities than the conventional hybrids.     

Leaf Cell‐Wall Components as Influenced in the First Phase of Salt Stress in Three Maize (Zea mays L.) Hybrids Differing in Salt Resistance

The leaf cell wall (CW) chemical composition of three maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids (salt‐resistant SR 03 and SR 12, salt‐sensitive Pioneer 3906) was investigated in the first phase of salt stress (100 mm NaCl) compared with the control (1 mm NaCl) treatment to investigate whether changes in CW composition were responsible for shoot growth reduction. Salt treatment caused a strong inhibition in shoot growth with a concomitant increase in the ratio between CW dry mass (DM) and shoot fresh mass (FM) and a decrease in CW cellulose concentrations in all hybrids. NaCl caused a large increase in the concentrations of total and non‐methylated uronic acid (UA) in salt‐sensitive Pioneer 3906 and salt‐resistant SR 12. The onset of the accumulation of non‐methylated UA was delayed in SR 12, which indicates that this may be one reason for the better growth performance of this hybrid under salt stress compared with Pioneer 3906. It is concluded that a low accumulation of non‐methylated UA in leaf CW may, among other mechanisms, contribute to salt resistance in the first phase of salt stress.     

Effects of Population Density on the Yield and Yield Components of Leafy Reduced-stature Maize in Short-season Areas

Maize hybrids which yield well, mature earlier and tolerate higher population densities better than the currently available hybrids would be more suitable for production in short-season areas. Leafy reduced-stature maize hybrids, which have only recently become available, have traits which address these criteria. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different population densities (50000, 100000, 150000, and 200000 plants ha⁻¹) on the yield and yield components of one leafy reduced-stature (LRS), one non-leafy reduced-stature (NLRS), and two conventional control hybrids (Pioneer 3979, <2500 CHU; and Pioneer 3902, 2600–2700 CHU) at two locations. All hybrids had the highest kernel number per row and single plant grain yields at the lowest population densities, however, as plant density increased these variables decreased more in the conventional hybrids than the LRS and NLRS hybrids, which demonstrates the greater tolerance of the latter to the stresses associated with higher plant densities. Grain yield was highest for all hybrids, except for NLRS, at 100 000 plants ha⁻¹ with the LRS hybrid and Pioneer 3902 having the highest yields (11.4 vs. 9.8; 12.0 vs. 10.4) at locations 1 and 2 respectively. The LRS hybrid matured before either of the conventional hybrids and out yielded Pioneer 3979 at both sites. Harvest index was not affected by population density and this value was not different among the NLRS and conventional hybrids. However, the harvest index of the LRS hybrid was greater than the others. LRS and NLRS hybrids had lower moisture contents and earlier maturities than conventional hybrids. Rapid growth of the first ear, a higher yield per unit leaf area, and a higher harvest index are indications that LRS hybrids should be more tolerant of higher population densities than the conventional hybrids.     

不同品种组合下春夏玉米套作的氮素利用特征研究

选用玉米早熟品种鲁原单14、中熟品种掖单22和晚熟品种掖单13,以单作为对照,研究了品种对套作和单作条件下春、夏玉米氮素利用特征以及产量的影响。结果表明,单作和套作条件下,春玉米生长期的延长有利于其吸氮量的增加,但不利于夏玉米的氮素利用。套作处理的氮素吸收效率、氮肥生产效率和氮收获指数均高于单作,但氮素利用效率介于单作春玉米和单作夏玉米之间。当春玉米对氮素的竞争能力适中,夏玉米竞争能力强时,更利于套作体系氮素优势的充分发挥。与早熟、中熟、晚熟春玉米套作组合的氮吸收土地当量比平均分别为2.46、1.63和2.04;生物产量的土地当量比平均分别为1.91、1.603和1.78。但从全年氮素利用和生物产量看,较好的套作组合是掖单13/掖单22、掖单13/掖单13和鲁原单14/掖单13。与单作相比,春夏玉米套作显著提高了全年氮素生产力和生物产量,合理的品种选择有利于套作条件下玉米高产优质潜力的充分发挥。     

Effect of Homobrassinolide Application on Metabolic Activity and Grain Yield of Wheat under Normal and Water-Stress Condition

Activities of nitrate reductase, glutamine synthetase along with rate of photosynthesis, chlorophyll content, soluble protein, relative water content, transpiration and diffusion resistance were estimated in wheat cv. C306 at anthesis stage under irrigated and moisture-stress condition and two levels (0.1 and 1.0 ppm) of homobrassinolide application. Yield and yield attributing parameters were recorded at harvest. Moisturestress adversely affected relative water content, transpiration, net photosynthesis, nitrate reductase and glutamine synthetase activity, chlorophyll and soluble protein content.
Homobrassinolide application increased leaf relative water content and transpiration and decreased diffusion resistance in water-stressed and recovered plants. Homobrassinolide application also had positive effect on nitrate reductase and glutamine synthetase activities, photosynthesis, chlorophyll and total soluble protein content in stressed, irrigated and revived plants. The beneficial effect was also observed on grain yield and yield attributing parameters such as grain number per ear, 1000 grain weight, ear number per plant and harvest index. It was concluded that homobrassinolide induced promotion in metabolic activity was mediated through increased enzyme protein synthesis as well as uptake of water resulting in enhanced relative water content under moisture-stress.     

黑龙江省不同年代玉米杂交种氮肥利用效率对种植密度和施氮水平的响应

以黑龙江省近50年来第I积温带大面积种植的8个典型春玉米品种为材料,于2009-2010年进行密度和施肥的田间试验,比较不同年代主栽品种氮肥偏生产力(PFP)、氮肥农学效率(NAE)、氮肥吸收利用率(NRE)及主要器官氮含量对密度和氮素的响应差异。结果显示,1970s-2000s品种更替过程中,PFP和NRE呈递增趋势,增幅分别为3.41 kg kg^-1 10年^-1和2.26个百分点10年^-1。NAE在1970s-1990s呈显著递增趋势,之后呈下降趋势。氮收获指数随年代递增呈显著下降趋势,平均每10年下降1.51个百分点;茎、叶和籽粒氮积累量随年代推进呈显著递增趋势,平均每10年分别递增0.09、0.07和0.12 g株^-1;上述各主要指标在年代、密度和氮肥水平之间存在显著的互作效应。各年代品种的氮肥利用效率均随氮肥水平的提高而显著下降,随密度的增加呈抛物线形变化趋势,最高效率值出现在50 000-70 000株 hm^-2范围内,现代品种的最高氮效率的种植密度高于老品种。各年代品种籽粒、叶片、茎氮素积累量和氮收获指数随密度增加呈显著递减趋势。各年代品种籽粒、茎和叶片氮素积累量随施氮量增加呈增加趋势,施氮量对氮收获指数影响各年代品种表现不同。上述结果表明,品种改良的氮肥增效潜力较大。在现有的品种状况下,增密不仅可以增产,而且可以显著提高肥料效率。     

Efficiency of secondary traits in selecting for improved grain yield in extra‐early maize under Striga‐infested and Striga‐free environments

A base index involving Striga damage, number of emerged Striga plants and ears per plant is used for selecting for maize (Zea mays L.) grain yield under Striga infestation. There are contradictory reports on the reliability of number of emerged Striga plants for selecting for Striga resistance. The objective of this study was to confirm reliability of the secondary traits for selecting for improved grain yield under Striga infestation. Ten Striga‐resistant extra‐early cultivars were evaluated for 3 years under artificial Striga‐infested and Striga‐free environments in Nigeria. Analysis of variance combined across years and locations showed significant mean squares for genotype, year, location and their interactions for most traits. Sequential path analysis identified ear aspect as the only trait with significant direct effect on yield under artificial Striga infestation, while GGE biplot confirmed ear aspect, ears per plant and Striga damage as the most reliable traits. Ear aspect should be included in the base index for selecting for improved grain yield of extra‐early maize under Striga infestation, while the number of emerged Striga plants should be excluded.     

冬小麦-夏玉米“双晚”种植模式的产量形成及资源效率研究

为了进一步明确黄淮平原冬小麦晚播、夏玉米晚收的“双晚”增产及资源高效的效应,选用2个中熟冬小麦品种和2个中晚熟夏玉米品种,于2006—2008年先后在河南温县和焦作进行大田试验,研究作物群体物质生产、产量形成参数定量指标及光温资源的分配利用。结果表明,冬小麦晚播产量降低不明显,夏玉米晚收产量显著提高747~2 700 kg hm^-2,“双晚”周年产量21 891~22 507 kg hm^-2,比对照提高442~2 575 kg hm^-2。冬小麦晚播平均叶面积指数、每平方米穗数和穗粒数降低,但平均净同化率、收获指数和粒重提高达5%显著水平;夏玉米晚收平均叶面积指数、收获指数、生育期天数和粒重均显著提高。“双晚”栽培优化了周年资源分配,提高生育期与光、温资源变化的吻合度,其生产效率分别提高2.22%~10.86%和0.47%~11.56%。小麦和玉米品种的遗传类型是影响“双晚”栽培技术的关键。因此,选用小麦晚播早熟高产和玉米长生育期晚熟品种,通过有效调节资源配置,将小麦冗余的光温资源分配给C₄高光效作物玉米,是提高周年高产高效的重要途径。     

Nitrogen Partitioning in Entire Plants of Different Spring Wheat Cultivars

The aim of this study was to investigate nitrogen partitioning in entire plants, including roots, of spring wheat in two temperature regimes during grain filling. Six cultivars, genetically different and with varying grain protein concentration, were grown in solution culture to full maturity. After anthesis, half the plants were grown in high temperature (23/17 °C, day/night) and half in low temperature (18/12 °C). Root nitrogen concentration was genetically influenced. The roots had ability to redistribute nitrogen to aboveground plant parts. At maturity the roots contained 10–20 % of the total nitrogen amount in the plants. Harvest index (HI) and harvest index for the entire plant (HI_tot) for cv. Heta were significantly higher at low temperature than at high. Cv. Heta had a rapid development rate from planting to maturity. Due to slow senescence at low temperature, cv. Kärn II showed lower HI and nitrogen harvest index (NHI) at low, compared with high, temperature. Cvs Kärn II and Sport showed higher nitrogen amount in the roots and shoots at low, compared with high, temperature. A negative correlation was found between NHI and NHI_tot vs. root weight, total shoot weight and root N amount. Because of the latter correlation, breeding for low root N concentration is suggested.     

Interactive Effects of Sudden and Gradual Drought Stress and Foliar‐applied Glycinebetaine on Growth,Water Relations,Osmolyte Accumulation and Antioxidant Defence System in Two Maize Cultivars Differing in Drought Tolerance

Influence of sudden and gradual drought stress (DS) and foliar‐applied glycinebetaine (GB) on growth, water relations, osmolyte accumulation and antioxidant defence system were investigated in the plants of two maize (Zea mays L.) cultivars, that is, drought‐tolerant Shaandan 9 (S₉) and drought‐sensitive Shaandan 911 (S₉₁₁). Sudden DS caused less accumulation of GB and free proline, but a more accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA), which resulted in a greater reduction in leaf relative water content (RWC) and dry matter (DM) in both cultivars compared with the gradual DS. Exogenous GB application caused a rise in DM, RWC, contents of GB and free proline as well as the activities of SOD, CAT and POD along with a decline in MDA content to various extent in both cultivars under both types of DS. A more pronounced effectiveness of GB application was observed in S₉₁₁ than that in S₉ under the same type of DS. It seemed that the more serious damage of DS was on maize plants, and the better positive role of GB was observed in terms of mitigating the adverse effects of DS. From this study, it was possible to propose that hardening for drought resistance by gradual DS treatment and GB application are effective to make plants robust to thrive under water‐deficit conditions.     

探讨品种间差异改良作物水分利用效率

提高水分利用效率是缓解水资源危机实现作物可持续生产的重要策略。本文对叶片尺度的瞬时WUE和单株尺度WUE的品种间差异,瞬时WUE到田间尺度WUE的尺度转换,以及瞬时WUE与产量之间的关系进行了讨论。瞬时WUE具有较大的遗传变异性,在亏水条件下品种间差异更显著。在禾谷类作物上,气孔导度与瞬时WUE密切相关。单株尺度WUE在亏水条件下品种间差异显著,足水条件下差异相对较小。气孔导度是影响单株尺度WUE的重要性状,品种之间气孔对水分亏缺的敏感性差异较大。瞬时WUE向田间尺度WUE的尺度转换不仅受到冠层阻力和边界层阻力的制约,还受土壤蒸发与作物蒸腾比率以及同化物分配模式的影响。瞬时WUE与产量的关系决定于环境的水分条件,在作物生长发育主要依靠土壤中储存水分的干旱条件下,瞬时WUE高对获得高产有利。相反,在水分条件较适宜的地区,高瞬时WUE性状不利于高产。     

Role of Nitrogen and Gibberellin (GA3) in the Regulation of Enzyme Activities and in Osmoprotectant Accumulation in Brassica juncea L. under Salt Stress

Salt stress alters a wide array of plant metabolic mechanisms. Different strategies of the application of nutrients and phytohormones are required to overcome the adverse effects of salt stress. The main objective of the present study was to determine if added nitrogen (N) and gibberellin (GA₃) in growth medium could alleviate the adverse effects of salt stress on plant metabolism. Two‐week‐old plants were fed with: (i) 0 mm NaCl + 0 mg N kg^?1 sand + 0 m GA₃ (control), (ii) 100 mm NaCl + 0 mg N kg^?1 sand + 0 m GA₃, (iii) 0 mm NaCl + 40 mg N kg^?1 sand + 0 m GA₃, (iv) 0 mm NaCl + 0 mg N kg^?1 sand + 10^?5 m GA₃, (v) 100 mm NaCl + 40 mg N kg^?1 sand + 0 m GA₃, (vi) 100 mm NaCl + 0 mg N kg^?1 sand + 10^?5 m GA₃, (vii) 100 mm NaCl + 40 mg N kg^?1 sand + 10^?5 m GA₃. Growth and physio‐biochemical attributes i.e. shoot length, leaf area, fresh weight, dry weight, net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, malondialdehyde concentration, electrolyte leakage, total chlorophyll concentration, nitrate reductase and carbonic anhydrase activities, proline and glycinebetaine concentration, leaf – N, potassium (K) and sodium (Na) concentration and K/Na ratio were affected by NaCl treatment. But application of N or GA₃ alone as well as in combination proved beneficial in alleviating the adverse effects of salt stress on these growth and physio‐biochemical parameters. However, N applied with GA₃ proved more effective than N and GA₃ applied alone. The results revealed that combined application of N and GA₃ may ameliorate most of the attributes and prove to be a physiological remedy to increase the tolerance against the ill effects of salt stress in Brassica.     

Growth and Yield Response of Lentil Cultivars to Phosphorus, Zinc and Biofertilizers

A field experiment was conducted to study the growth and yield responses of lentil cultivars to phosphorus, zinc and biofertilizer application on a sandy loam soil during the winter seasons of 1989–90 and 1990–91 at the farm of Division of Agronomy, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India. The two lentil cultivars used in the study were Microsperma (JL 1) and Macrosperma (Lens 4076) and the biofertilizers were Rhizobium and VAM fungi. Results showed that higher values of LAI, root nodulation, yield attributes (number of pods plant⁻¹, number of grains pod⁻¹ and grain yield plant⁻¹), grain yield and harvest index were obtained from JL 1 whereas plant height and 1000 grain weight were higher in Lens 4076. Application of 17.2 kg Pha⁻¹ as single superphosphate (SSP) along with 5 kg Znha⁻¹ as zinc sulphate resulted in marked improvement in growth and yield attributes, grain yield and harvest index when compared with the 17.2 kg P as rock phosphate (with and without Zn) and the control treatments. Combined inoculation of Rhizobium and VAM fungi resulted in improved growth and yield attributes, grain yield and harvest index when compared with inoculation of either of the inocula at a time.     

Brassinolide Application Improves the Drought Tolerance in Maize Through Modulation of Enzymatic Antioxidants and Leaf Gas Exchange

Brassinolides (BRs) are naturally occurring substances, which modulate plant growth and development events and have been known to improve the crop tolerance to abiotic stresses. In this study, possible role of exogenously applied brassinolide (BR) in alleviating the detrimental effects of drought in maize was evaluated in a rain‐protected wire‐house. Maize was subjected to drought at the start of tasseling for 6 days by withholding water application followed by foliar spray of BR (0.1 mg l^?1) to assess the changes in growth, gas exchange, chlorophyll contents, protein, relative leaf water contents (RLWC), proline, malonialdehyde (MDA) and enzymatic antioxidants. Drought substantially reduced the maize growth in terms of plant height, leaf area and plant biomass. Moreover, substantial decrease in gas exchange attributes (net photosynthetic rate (A), transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (g_s), water use efficiency (WUE), instantaneous water use efficiency (WUEi) and intercellular CO₂ (C_i) was also recorded. However, exogenous application of BR remarkably improved the gas exchange attributes, plant height, leaf area, cobs per plant, seedling dry weight both under drought and well‐watered conditions. BR‐induced promotion in growth and physiological and metabolic activities were mediated through increased protein synthesis enabling maintenance of tissue water potential and activities of antioxidant enzymes lowering the lipid peroxidation under drought.