Biological Activity and Quantification of Suspected Allelochemicals from Alfalfa Plant Parts

Autotoxicity restricts reseeding of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) after alfalfa until autotoxic chemical(s) breaks down or is dispersed into external environments. A series of aqueous extracts from leaves, stems, roots and seeds of alfalfa ‘Vernal’ were bioassayed against alfalfa seedlings of the same cultivar to determine their autotoxicity. The highest inhibition was found in the extracts from the leaves. Extracts at 40 g dry tissue l^?1 from alfalfa leaves were 15.4, 17.5 and 28.7 times more toxic to alfalfa root growth than were those from roots, stems and seeds, respectively. A high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis with nine standard compounds showed that the concentrations and compositions of allelopathic compounds depended on the plant parts. In leaf extracts that showed the most inhibitory effect on root growth, the highest amounts of allelochemicals were detected. Among nine phenolic compounds assayed for their phytotoxicity on root growth of alfalfa, coumarin, trans‐cinnamic acid and o‐coumaric acid at 10^?3 m were most inhibitory. The type and amount of causative allelochemicals found in alfalfa plant parts were highly correlated with the results of the bioassay, indicating that the autotoxic effects of alfalfa plant parts significantly differed.     

Herbicidal Potential and Quantification of Suspected Allelochemicals from Four Grass Crop Extracts

Unknown compounds in crop plants are inhibitory to seed germination and early seedling growth of weed plants. A Petri dish assay showed that barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), oats (Avena sativa L.), rice (Oryza sativa L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) extracts significantly reduced root growth of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus‐galli, Beauv. var. oryzicola Ohwi.) and eclipta (Eclipta prostrata L.). As the concentration of crop extracts increased, root growth of the test plants were significantly reduced. A high‐performance liquid chromatography analysis with nine standard phenolic compounds showed that the concentrations and compositions of allelopathic compounds depend on the extracted plant extracts. Caffeic acid, hydro‐cinnamic acid, ferulic acid, m‐coumaric acid, p‐coumaric acid and coumarin were present in all the crop plant species, and hydro‐cinnamic acid were detected as the highest amount. Coumarin at 10^?3 m significantly inhibited root growth of alfalfa and barnyard grass more than that of eclipta. The research suggests that extracts of barley, oats, rice and wheat have an allelopathic effect on alfalfa, barnyard grass and eclipta and that the findings of bioassay were considerably correlated with the type and amount of causative allelochemicals, indicating that the allelopathic effects on three test plants were ranked in order of wheat (highest), barley, rice and oats (lowest). The results may have value in enabling weed control based on natural plant extracts or crop residues in the fields.     

不同施钾量条件下甘薯块根形成的内源激素变化及其与块根数量的关系

In order to explore the changes of endogenous hormones on storage root formation and its relationship with storage root number under different potassium application rates of sweet potato root, sweet potato varieties ‘Yanshu 25’ and ‘Beijing 553’ with significant differences in storage root number were used as experimental materials, potassium oxide (K₂O) was used as fertilizer, and four potassium fertilizer gradients of 0 (K0), 120 (K2), 240 (K3), and 360 kg hm^-2 (K4) were set. The effects of different potassium application rates on the contents of endogenous hormones, the activity of related metabolic enzymes, the number of storage root and root evenness in swelling roots of sweet potato during root formation and harvest stage were studied. Compared with the treatment without potassium fertilizer (K0), the application of potassium fertilizer decreased the enzyme activities of indoleacetic acid oxidase (IAAO) and peroxidase (POD), increased the content of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), increased the content of zeatin riboside (ZR) and decreased the content of gibberellins (GA₃). Potassium application enhanced the activity of primary cambium and promoted the differentiation from adventitious root to storage root by regulating the content of endogenous hormones in swelling roots of sweet potato. Compared with the control, the application of potash fertilizer significantly increased the number and weight of storage roots per plant and root yield of ‘Yanshu 25’ and ‘Beijing 553’. The number of storage roots per plant of ‘Yanshu 25’ and ‘Beijing 553’ increased by 3.16%-25.40% and 3.85%-33.11%, respectively, and the yield increased by 4.22%-17.31% and 3.94%-18.45%, respectively. Compared with the potassium application treatments of the two varieties, the K2 treatment had the highest storage roots number per plant, the highest weight and yield of storage roots, with the best root evenness.     

Combined Effect of Zinc and Cadmium Levels on Root Antioxidative Responses in Three Different Zinc‐Efficient Wheat Genotypes

This work was undertaken to investigate the effect of zinc (Zn) nutrition on root antioxidative responses to cadmium (Cd) toxicity of three wheat genotypes differing in Zn efficiency. A hydroponic experiment was carried out in which two bread wheat genotypes (Triticum aestivum L. cvs. ‘Rushan’ and ‘Cross’) and one durum wheat genotype (Triticum durum L. cv. Durum) were exposed to three Zn²⁺ (10^?11.11, 10^?9.11 and 10^?8.81 μm ) and two Cd²⁺ (10^?11.21 and 10^?10.2 μm ) activity levels. ‘Durum’ showed the highest root sulfhydryl (‐SH) groups content and activity of catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the lowest root membrane permeability among the studied wheat genotypes. In ‘Durum’, Zn nutrition increased root ‐SH groups concentration of seedlings in Cd‐free nutrient solution. In ‘Cross’, as Zn²⁺ activity increased from 10^?11.11 to 10^?9.11 μm , root ‐SH groups concentration was increased while decreased with increasing Zn²⁺ to 10^?8.81 μm . Cadmium increased root membrane permeability at both 10^?11.11 and 10^?9.11 μm Zn²⁺ levels. Activity of CAT and APX increased in roots of ‘Durum’ plants exposed to Cd at Zn²⁺ = 10^?9.11 μm and thereafter decreased with increasing Zn²⁺ activity. In contrast, CAT and APX activity in roots of ‘Cross’ and ‘Rushan’ genotypes exposed to Cd decreased by increasing Zn activity to 10^?9.11 μm and then increased at Zn²⁺ = 10^?8.81μm . The results showed an increase in activities of antioxidative enzymes in Cd‐treated plants, although this increase was dependent on the crop genotype and Zn levels in the media.     

The Physiology and Stability of Leaf Carbon Isotope Discrimination as a Measure of Water‐Use Efficiency in Barley on the Canadian Prairies

Temporal and seasonal water deficit is one of the major factors limiting crop yield on the Canadian prairie. Selection for low carbon isotope discrimination (Δ¹³C) or high water‐use efficiency (WUE) can lead to improved yield in some environments. To understand better the physiology and WUE of barley under drought conditions on the Canadian prairie, 12 barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) genotypes with contrasting levels of leaf Δ¹³C were investigated for performance stability across locations and years in Alberta, Canada. Four of those genotypes (‘CDC Cowboy’, ‘Niobe’, ‘170011’ and ‘Kasota’) were also grown in the greenhouse under well‐watered and water‐deficit conditions to examine genotypic variations in leaf Δ¹³C, WUE, gas exchange parameters and specific leaf area (SLA). The water‐deficit treatment was imposed at the jointing stage for 10 days followed by re‐watering to pre‐deficit level. Genotypic ranking in leaf Δ¹³C was highly consistent, with ‘170011’, ‘CDC Cowboy’ and ‘W89001002003’ being the lowest and ‘Kasota’‘160049’ and ‘H93174006’ being the highest leaf Δ¹³C. Under field and greenhouse (well‐watered) conditions, leaf Δ¹³C was significantly correlated with stomatal conductance (g_s). Water deficit significantly increased WUE, with ‘CDC Cowboy’– a low leaf Δ¹³C genotype with significantly higher WUE and lower percentage decline in assimilation rate (A) and g_s than the other three genotypes (‘Niobe’, ‘170011’ and ‘Kasota’). We conclude that leaf Δ¹³C is a stable trait in the genotypes evaluated. Low leaf Δ¹³C of ‘CDC Cowboy’ was achieved by maintaining a high A and a low g_s, with comparable biomass and grain yield to genotypes showing a high g_s under field conditions; hence, selection for a low leaf Δ¹³C genotype such as ‘CDC Cowboy’ maybe important for maintaining productivity and yield stability under water‐limited conditions on the Canadian prairie.     

Alfalfa Phytoestrogen Content: Impact of Plant Maturity and Herbage Components

Legumes contain a range of non‐nutritional phytochemicals that may have health‐promoting effects in humans. In this study, we determined the concentrations of four phytoestrogens (coumestrol, apigenin, luteolin and quercetin) in field‐grown alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Differences between plants of different stages of maturity, between plant parts, and different canopy segments were assessed. The concentration of individual phytoestrogen in whole herbage varied between 15 and 225 μg g^?1 dry matter (DM) and was strongly affected by stage of maturity. Coumestrol and apigenin concentrations were highest at early vegetative stages, luteolin and quercetin at early vegetative and late flowering stages. All phytoestrogens were found in lowest concentrations at the early flowering stage (average 68 μg g^?1 DM); stage at which alfalfa is usually harvested when used as a forage source for animals. At vegetative stages, apigenin was the predominant phytoestrogen in herbage followed by coumestrol, the reverse being observed upon initiation of flowering; luteolin and quercetin were found at all stages in similarly lower concentrations. Concentrations of luteolin, quercetin and apigenin were 225, 410 and 690 % greater, respectively, in flowers than in leaves or stems; coumestrol concentration was similar between plant parts. In flowers and stems the predominant phytoestrogens were apigenin and quercetin, followed by coumestrol and luteolin. Similar concentrations (average 26 μg g^?1 DM) of each of the four phytoestrogens were found in leaves. Concentrations through the herbage canopy varied and were greatest at >60 cm from the soil surface for apigenin and coumestrol, but greatest at >60 and 0–20 cm for quercetin and at 0–20 cm for luteolin. The results suggest that if alfalfa is to be used as a source of phytoestrogens and is harvested for the production of herbal supplements or nutraceuticals, management will need to be adapted.     

不同甘薯品种对镉的积累与转运特性研究

[目的]旨在为甘薯在中轻度稻田镉污染地区种植结构调整提供技术支撑。[方法]以20个甘薯品种作试验材料，采用旱地小区试验，研究中轻度稻田镉污染区甘薯的生长发育及其积累和转运Cd的差异。[结果]供试甘薯品种的蔓长、茎粗、生物量、产量以及茎叶、块根积累和转运镉的能力存在品种差异。有3个品种的茎叶镉含量超过无公害蔬菜质量标准(<0．05 mg.kg-1),所有品种茎叶和块根的Cd含量均符合国家食品中污染物限值标准 ( <0．1 mg.kg-1 )。茎叶和块根富集系数范围分别为0．225～1.222、0．022～0.160,转运系数范围为0.067～0.511,说明甘薯对土壤Cd仍有一定的吸收能力,但由茎叶向块根的转运能力较弱。[结论]‘QS816’、‘湘薯20’、‘湘108’、‘广87’可作为中轻度稻田镉污染区种植甘薯的优先选择品种，在种植结构调整方面具有潜在的应用价值。     

Effects of Salinity on Growth, Ionic Relations and Physiological Traits of Wheat, Disomic Addition Lines from Thinopyrum bessarabicum, and Two Amphiploids

The effects of NaCl on the growth, ion relations and physiological characteristics at early stages of growth of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) varieties ‘Chinese Spring’ and ‘Glennson 81’, ‘Chinese Spring’ lines tetrasomic for chromosomes 5A, 2B and 5B, ‘Chinese Spring’ disomic addition lines for chromosomes 2E^b and 5E^b from Thinopyrum bessarabicum (formerly Agropyron junceum), and amphiploids between ‘Chinese Spring’ and Thinopyrum bessarabicum and ‘Chinese Spring’ and Lophopyrum elongatum (formerly Agropyron elongatum) were examined. Plants were grown in a controlled environment cabinet, in nutrient solution with or without addition of 200 mol m^?3 NaCl. Growth in terms of leaf area, shoot and root weights was reduced by salt treatment. Salinity conditions gradually reduced the osmotic potential, though there was little effect on water potential. Turgor pressure was not much affected by salt. There was variation between genotypes for all the characteristics studied, especially in the extent of Na accumulation by leaves and roots. The amphiploids and 5E^b addition line accumulated the least Na in comparison with other genotypes. Generally roots accumulated lower quantities of Na than leaves. Genotype K contents were not affected by salt treatment. Stomatal conductance also declined whilst the ABA content increased in the salt treated seedlings. With respect to growth, the amphiploids and 5Eb addition line were most tolerant to salt while ‘Glennson 81’, tetrasomic 2B and tetrasomic 5B lines were most susceptible. The addition of homoeologous group 2 and 5 chromosomes reduced the tolerance to salt relative to ‘Chinese Spring’ euploid. It is concluded that chromosome 5E^b of Thinopyrum bessarabicum carries gene(s) for tolerance to salt and this tolerance may be due to the ability to exclude Na ions from the leaves and roots.     

套作条件下种植密度对紫色甘薯干物质生产的影响

为了研究川中丘陵区旱地套作条件下种植密度对紫色甘薯干物质生产的影响,在与玉米套作条件下,以鲜食型紫色甘薯品种‘南紫薯008’为材料,设置5个种植密度,测定紫色甘薯叶面积指数、群体生长率、群体光合势、干物质积累、产量等指标。结果表明：在套作条件下,随着种植密度的增加,‘南紫薯008’群体叶面积指数有升高的趋势,群体生长率、群体光合势、商品薯率、干物质率、鲜薯产量、淀粉产量均呈先升后降的趋势,而单株结薯数、单株薯鲜重则下降,群体干物质积累量和T/R则随生育期的推进不同密度间表现有所差异。公顷种植密度在3.5×10⁴~4.0×10⁴株时,群体干物质积累量、鲜薯产量、淀粉产量和商品薯率均较高。套作条件下‘南紫薯008’最高鲜薯产量为11816.9 kg/hm²,约为其净作产量的42.6%~53.1%。川中丘陵区旱地套作条件下紫色甘薯适宜的种植密度为3.5×10⁴~4.0×10⁴株/hm²。     

Genetic Variation in the Ability of Detached and Partially Dehydrated Leaves of Rice to Accumulate Abscisic Acid, Measured by Radioimmunoassay

Variation in the ability o) 60 rice (Oryza saliva L.) varieties and three wild species to accumulate abscisic acid (ABA) in response to drought stress, drought-induced ABA accumulation (DIAA), was assessed using a standard detached-leaf lest. The range in DIAA amongst these genotypes was compared with the range amongst F₂ plants and F₆, lines derived from the O. saliva cross ‘IR20’ב63–83’ which were selected through several generations solely on the basis of differences in DIAA. ABA was measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) or by gas chromatography (GC). DIAA in the 60 varieties was normally distributed with a six-fold range, from 245 to 1580 ng g^?1 FW. Wild species varied two-fold in DIAA, from 375 to 889 ng g^?1 FW. DIAA in F₂ plants from the ‘1R20’ב63–83’ cross was also normally distributed. The extremes of DIAA for the low-ABA and higb-ABA F₆ lines (330 and 1435ng g^?1 FW) were similar to those for the varieties. Measurements by RIA and GC gave similar results. These findings are discussed in the context of producing further sets of closely-related genotypes with similar leaf areas to study the association between DIAA and water-use efficiency.     

Compensative Effects of Chemical Regulation with Uniconazole on Physiological Damages Caused by Water Deficiency during the Grain Filling Stage of Wheat

Chemical regulation using plant growth regulators has proved to be potentially beneficial in water‐saving agriculture. This experiment was conducted with winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. ‘Jingdong 6’) to study the effect of chemical regulation on alleviation of water deficit stress during the grain filling stage. Uniconazole, a plant growth regulator, was foliar sprayed at 85 % (adequate irrigation) and 60 % (deficit irrigation) field capacity. Results showed that the distribution of ³H‐H₂O in roots and flag leaf, characteristics of vascular bundle in primary roots and internode below spike, roots activity, transpiration rate and stomatal conductance of flag leaf were negatively affected by deficit irrigation after flowering. Foliar spraying at the early jointing stage with 13.5 gha^?1 uniconazole was able to relieve and compensate for the harmful effects of deficit irrigation. Both the area of vascular bundle in primary roots and internode below the ear were increased by uniconazole, while root viability and their ability to absorb and transport water were increased. In the flag leaf, stomatal conductance was reduced to maintain the transpiration rate and water use efficiency (WUE) measured for a single wheat plant was higher. Uniconazole increased WUE by 25.0 % under adequate and 22 % under deficit irrigations. Under adequate irrigations, the ¹⁴C‐assimilates export rate from flag leaf in 12 h (E_12h) was increased by 65 % and 36 % in early and late filling stages, while under deficit irrigations, the E_12h of uniconazole‐treated plants exceeded that of control plants by 5 % and 34 % respectively. Physiological damages caused by water deficiency during the grain filling stage of wheat was alleviated by foliar spraying with uniconazole.     

几种多花黑麦草与紫花苜蓿品种的化感作用研究

本文对三个多花黑麦草与两个紫花苜蓿品种的茎、叶和根的水浸提液化感作用进行了研究分析。结果表明：三种花黑麦草与两种紫花苜蓿品种对受体赛迪7有一定的化感影响,对赛迪7的种子发芽都有抑制作用;多花黑麦草 Barextra和Barmega两个品种的根、茎、叶水浸提液对赛迪7的苗高、根长及生物量的积累都存在低促高抑的化感作用;供体不同部位化感作用不同;紫花苜蓿两个品种茎的水浸提液在三种浓度下均对赛迪7的根长有促进作用,对苗高有抑制作用。     

Salt‐Induced Regulation of Some Key Antioxidant Enzymes and Physio‐Biochemical Phenomena in Five Diverse Cultivars of Turnip (Brassica rapa L.)

A greenhouse experiment was carried out to examine the differential morpho‐physiological responses of five cultivars of turnip (Brassica rapa L.) to salt stress. Five diverse cultivars of turnip (shaljum desi surakh, shaljum purple top, shaljum golden bal, neela shaljum, and peela shaljum) were subjected for 6 weeks to varying levels of NaCl, i.e. 0, 80 and 160 mm in Hoagland’s nutrient solution in sand culture. Imposition of varying levels of salt substantially decreased shoot and root fresh and dry weights, chlorophyll contents, leaf osmotic potential, relative water contents, different gas exchange attributes, total phenolics, malondialdehyde, activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase catalase, and leaf and root K⁺ levels while enhanced the proline contents, membrane permeability, level of H₂O₂, leaf and root Na⁺ and Cl^? and leaf Ca²⁺ in all turnip cultivars under study. Of all cultivars, peela shaljum and neela shaljum were consistently higher in their growth than the other turnip cultivars at all salt concentrations of the growth medium. Photosynthetic capacity (A) and stomatal conductance (g_s) were higher in high biomass‐producing cultivars, i.e. peela shaljum and neela shaljum, which provide to be potential selection criteria of salt tolerance in turnip. However, the regulation of antioxidant system was cultivar‐specific under saline conditions.     

入侵植物马缨丹不同部位的化感作用研究

马缨丹是马鞭草科中一种入侵性极强的外来植物,现正在我国中南部尤其是华南地区迅速蔓延扩散。本文采用室内生物监测法研究了马缨丹不同部位水浸液的化感效应。结果表明,马缨丹果实、茎干和叶片的水浸液均对一串红种子萌发和生长产生显著的抑制作用,种子的发芽势、萌发率下降,幼芽、幼根生长的长度缩短,芽长、根长抑制指数上升,并且随着浸提液浓度的增加其抑制效应不断增强。马缨丹不同部位水浸液对发芽势的抑制作用大小为叶片＞果实＞茎干,对萌发率、芽长、根长的抑制作用大小为果实＞叶片＞茎干。说明马缨丹具有较强的化感作用,这将有利于提高其种间竞争能力,促进入侵。     

Effect of Salinity on Growth Parameters,Soil Water Potential and Ion Composition in Cucumis melo cv. Huanghemi in North‐Western China

A field trial conducted on the melon cultivar Huanghemi irrigated with saline water was carried out in Minqin County in the 2‐year period, 2007 and 2008. In three irrigation treatments, different saline water concentrations were applied, that is 0.8 g l^?1 (Control C), 2 g l^?1 (Treatment S₁) and 5 g l^?1 (Treatment S₂), reproducing the natural groundwater concentration in the county. The electrical conductivity of the saline water was as follows: 1.00, 2.66 and 7.03 dS m^?1, respectively. The aims of the study were (i) to monitor water consumption and water potential, (ii) assess, during the whole crop cycle, some growth parameters and their relations for estimating the morpho‐functional plant response irrigated with saline water and (iii) determine the ion concentration in different plant tissues to evaluate which mechanism the plant activates in the presence of high salt concentrations. Under salinity stress, the plants sustained the concentration of Ca, Mg and K, but at a level not sufficient to limit the Na adsorption. Therefore, the melon yield decreased and it was determined by a displacement of the ratio K/Na and by a lower (total potential MPa). Consequently with increasing salinity, a significant reduction was observed in: water consumption (ET c, mm), leaf area duration (LAD, m² d), on shoot dry weight aboveground (W , g plant^?1), on specific leaf area (SLA, cm² g^?1) and on leaf area ratio (LAR, cm² g^?1). In treatment S₂, in addition to these changes which mainly affected the plant morphology with effects on the biomass produced, a moderate reduction was also observed in net assimilation rate (NAR, g m^?2 d^?1), water use efficiency (WUE), a significant reduction in the energy conversion efficiency (ECE, %) and, in short, in a reduction in the relative growth rate (RGR, g g^?1 d^?1).     

短蔓型甘薯品种‘赣薯2号’茎蔓穴盘育苗技术研究

研究不同茎蔓节段育苗的效果,探索优质、高效的甘薯育苗新方法,为甘薯种苗快速繁育提供科学依据。以短蔓型‘赣薯2号’茎蔓为试验材料,设置单节、双节和顶芽带三节3个苗段,分别通过红壤土、腐叶土和塘泥3种土壤基质进行穴盘育苗,观察各处理育苗方式下薯苗生长、发苗天数等相关性状,并考察其叶数、苗长、根数及根长情况。结果表明,以双节苗段+腐叶土处理的茎蔓发苗时间最快（3d）,成活率最高(86.6%),发根数最多（9.2根）,根长最长(5.9 cm)。因此,采用甘薯茎蔓双节苗段+腐叶土穴盘育苗具有发苗时间短、成活率高、成本低等特点,短期内（20d）可达成苗标准,提高了甘薯扩繁系数和育苗速度,值得推广应用。     

膜荚黄芪根水浸液对4种作物种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响

通过室内生物测定法,研究了黄芪根水浸液对4种作物种子萌发及幼苗生长的化感影响。结果表明,黄芪根水浸液对4种作物种子萌发及幼苗生长均有明显的化感作用,其中根受到的化感抑制大于地上部分,种子萌发阶段受到的化感抑制大于幼苗生长阶段。不同受体的发芽势、最长根长和根冠比受到的化感抑制最强。4种作物的化感敏感性为小麦>板蓝根>大麦>大豆。因此,选择与黄芪轮作、套作的作物时,优先选择大豆和大麦,其次为板蓝根。     

Effects of Temperature and Photoperiod on Days to Flowering, Yield and Yield Components of Lupinus albus (L.) under Field Conditions

A better understanding of the agronomic importance of planting date and the influence of cold temperatures and photoperiod during germination and plant growth may lead to better management strategies for cultivation of the sweet white lupin (Lupinus albus). The effects of planting date (temperature and photoperiod) were determined on the number of days to flowering, yield and yield components of four early to medium and one late sweet white lupin genotype in a field trial at Potchefstroom, South Africa, planted during February 1996 to January 1997. Moisture stress was avoided through regular irrigation. Duration of the developmental phases planting date to emergence, emergence to floral initiation, initiation to first flower, duration of flower and days to physiological and harvest maturity was related to field measurements of temperature and photoperiod. Differences in the main determinants of yield, i.e. seeds per pod, pods per plant, single seed mass (SSM), plant and pod height and yield, were measured. Results showed that both temperature and photoperiod influence the growth and development of the Lupinus albus genotypes ‘Esta’, ‘Hantie’, ‘Tifwhite’, ‘Kiev’ and ‘LAL 186’. Temperature influences include the effect of vernalization at seedling emergence. Minimum grass temperatures under 5 °C at emergence are effective for vernalization. However, after grass temperatures at emergence increased again from June to December, to gether with an increase in the photoperiod length, ‘Tifwhite’ as well as the other genotypes still flowered earlier, confirming that these cultivars are long‐day plants, which is in accordance with controlled‐environment data. Cool vernalizing temperatures thus not only influence obligate vernalization requiring genotypes such as ‘Tifwhite’, but also influence the non‐obligate genotypes studied. Plan‐ting date had a significant influence on pods per plant, single seed mass (SSM) and seed yield. In all trials laterplanting, from June to November, decreased SSM and seed yield. The highest seed yield of 1.5 t ha^?1 was obtained for the 10 June planting date and the lowest average yield of 0.450 t ha^?1 for the 5 November planting date.     

Varietal Differences in Allelopathic Potential of Alfalfa

Alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.) plants were found to contain water-soluble substances that inhibited the germination and seedling growth of alfalfa ( Chung and Miller 1990, Agron. J. 87, 762—767 ). Tsuzuki et al. (1999, Rep. Kyushu Branch Crop Sci. Soc. Japan 65, 39—40 ) discovered allelochemicals in alfalfa plants that could have adverse effects on the growth of some lowland weeds. This study was conducted to investigate varietal differences in allelopathic potential in alfalfa plants. Eight common varieties of Japanese alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.), namely Batasu, Hisawakaba, Kitawakaba, Makiwakaba, Natsuwakaba, Lucerne, Tachiwakaba and Yuba, were grown by conventional methods in the Experimental Field of the Crop Science Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Miyazaki University. Aqueous extracts of both fresh and dried material of alfalfa plants of all varieties significantly inhibited both germination and growth of lettuce ( Lactuca sativa L.). Leachates from germinating seeds of almost all alfalfa varieties inhibited elongation of the radicle but produced a negligible increase in germination and only slightly inhibited elongation of the hypocotyl of lettuce plants. Results demonstrated that the degree of inhibition of germination and growth of lettuce varied with the variety of alfalfa. In particular, Lucerne was identified as having the strongest allelopathic potential of the varieties studied. The results suggested that the allelopathic potential of alfalfa might be relating to a gene.     

不同类型甘薯茎和叶中碳、氮、磷化学计量学特征研究

选取3个鲜食型、3个淀粉型和3个紫甘薯品种,于不同生育期采集地上部茎、叶样品,测定其碳（C）、氮（N）、磷（P）含量,研究不同类型甘薯C、N、P生态化学计量学特征及其随生育期的变化规律。结果表明,甘薯叶中C、N、P含量范围分别为391~399、26.3~29.1、2.90~3.10mg/g,茎中分别为421~428、11.6~15.2、4.99~5.77mg/g,其在茎、叶中的差异大于甘薯类型间的差异;茎中C含量随生育期延长略有增加,但茎、叶中N和P含量则随生育期延长而降低,茎、叶中C、N、P含量随生育时期的变化大于甘薯类型间的变化。不同类型甘薯叶中C/N、C/P分别以紫甘薯和淀粉型甘薯最大,说明紫甘薯和淀粉型甘薯有较高的碳同化能力;3种类型甘薯叶中N/P为8.57~9.97,表明N元素是甘薯茎叶生长的主要限制因子。