Effect of Microclimatic Parameters at Different Sowing Dates on Capsule Production of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) in a Tropical Humid Region

An experiment was conducted during the summer seasons of 1993 and 1994 on sesame ( Sesamum indicum L.) to study the effect of certain meteorological parameters on the capsule production efficiency of the main stem and branches of sesame cultivars at different sowing dates in alluvial (Entisol) soil of the tropical humid region in West Bengal, India. The highest capsule production by the main stem and the first, second and third primary branches in accrocentric order was observed for the crop sown on 19 February. The number of capsules on the main stem was reduced by 70.51 and 34.98 % when the crop was sown on 21 March and 28 April, respectively. The humidity profile at 50 days after emergence (DAE) and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) at 70 DAE had direct positive effects on main stem capsule production. The variations of 38, 21 and 56 % in main stem contribution to capsule production might be explained by the temperature profile, relative humidity and PAR, respectively. Thecultivar Rama produced higher numbers of capsules in branches than Kanke-1 and B-67 at all times of sowing.     

光温因子对不同播期芝麻主要性状的影响研究

研究不同播期芝麻主要性状受光温因子影响的变化规律,以确定芝麻的适宜播期。试验选用3 个芝麻品种,11 个播种时期。结果表明：光温因子对不同播期芝麻主要性状具有显著的影响;6 月份前和8月份后播种的芝麻生育期较长;芝麻株高、始蒴高度和单株产量表现为先升后降趋势,其中第3播期单株产量最高;蒴节数、每蒴粒数和千粒重呈不断下降趋势;出苗至现蕾期积温与单株蒴数呈负相关;现蕾至初花期积温与单株蒴数呈显著正相关;初花至盛花期积温与蒴节数、每蒴粒数、小区产量和单株产量呈负相关;盛花至终花期积温与芝麻主要性状均呈极显著正相关;终花至成熟期积温与株高、始蒴高度、千粒重呈显著负相关,与单株蒴数呈极显著负相关。芝麻适时播种其相关性状才能达到最佳值。南昌地区芝麻适时播种期为5月下旬至7 月中旬。     

Uniformity, Performance and Seed Quality of Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) Seed Crops Grown from Sub-samples of One Seed Lot Obtained after Selection for Physical Seed Attributes

In a glasshouse experiment it was examined whether narrow grading and selection from a commercial soybean seed lot cultivar 'IAS-5', could improve the uniformity of the seed crop grown from it and thereby enhance yield, quality and uniformity of seeds produced. The classes created were: Control (original seed lot); Size-graded seeds (projected area measured by image analysis 37–46 mm²); Non-cracked seeds; Yellow seeds; Size-graded sound seeds (size-graded, non-cracked, yellow, non-wrinkled, non-etched). Compared to the control, percentage of emergence, survival and number of yielding plants were enhanced in crops from non-cracked, yellow or size-graded sound seeds. Differences in plant numbers did not result in differences in crop yield. The different seed lots also did not differ in crop uniformity: time interval between stages of plant development, plant height 20 days after sowing, yield components, physical or physiological quality attributes of seeds produced, and respective coefficients of variation were similar. Fewer plants survived in crops showing a larger variation in plant height 20 days after sowing, thus reducing differences in initial plant-to-plant variation. Creating more uniform crops by additional grading or selection of commercial seed lots may therefore not be promising.     

Influence of Sowing Dates on Yield and Oil Quality in Sunflower

Effect of sowing dates (temperature regimes) on growth, yield oil content and quality in sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L. ) was studied. Plants of early sowings which had received low temperature during 0–45 days of growth grew very poorly in height. Plant height significantly correlated with temperature at all the three growth stages. Plants sown in March produced highest yield and January sown plants recorded lowest yield. Protein content of seeds decreased where as the oil content increased with delay in sowing dates. Oil content in the seeds collected from different sowing dates showed significant differences. However, oil content was not significantly correlated with temperatures at any growth stages. Incorporation of ¹⁴C-acetate into lipids of developing seeds was increased as the sowing was delayed. Early sown plants had higher percentage of oleic acid and late sown plants had higher percentage of linoleic acid. Effect sowing dates on oil content and oil quality were discussed on the basis of temperature variation during different growth stages.     

Relationship Between Cold Severity and Yield Loss in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)*

Seed yield in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is substantially increased by advancing sowing date from the traditional spring to early winter at low to medium elevation areas around the Mediterranean Sea. This shift, however, increases the probability of the exposure to subzero temperatures as low as -10 °C for up to 60 days in a year. These low temperatures often reduce seed yield of cold-susceptible cultivars. Yield losses from cold were estimated in two experiments conducted at Tel Hadya, Syria. In experiment 1, of 96 genotypes sown on nine dates ranging from autumn to spring during the 1981–82 season, those lacking tolerance to cold were killed and produced no yield in autumn sowing, whereas lines with cold tolerance produced nearly 4 t/ha which corresponds to a four-fold increase over spring sowing. Moderately cold-tolerant genotypes sown during early winter produced substantially more seed yield than the normal spring-sown crop. Seedlings were more cold tolerant than the plants in early or late vegetative stages. In experiment 2, in which yield loss due to cold in the field was estimated in 12 yield trials comprising 288 newly bred lines in the 1989–90 season, the regression of cold susceptibility on seed yield in each of the trials was highly significant and negative. On average, winter-sown trials produced 67 % more seed yield than spring-sown trials, but 125 out of 288 genotypes produced yield more than double in winter sowing. Early maturing lines suffered severe cold damage and many lines produced no seed.     

Studies on Sowing Depth for Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), Faba Bean(Vicia faba L.) and Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik) in a Mediterranean-type Environment of South-western Australia

Pulses such as chickpea, faba bean and lentil have hypogeal emergence and their cotyledons remain where the seed is sown, while only the shoot emerges from the soil surface. The effect of three sowing depths (2.5, 5 and 10 cm) on the growth and yield of these pulses was studied at three locations across three seasons in the cropping regions of south-western Australia, with a Mediterranean-type environment. There was no effect of sowing depth on crop phenology, nodulation or dry matter production for any species. Mean seed yields across sites ranged from 810 to 2073 kg ha⁻¹ for chickpea, 817–3381 kg ha⁻¹ for faba bean, and 1173–2024 kg ha⁻¹ for lentil. In general, deep sowing did not reduce seed yields, and in some instances, seed yield was greater at the deeper sowings for chickpea and faba bean. We conclude that the optimum sowing depth for chickpea and faba bean is 5–8 cm, and for lentil 4–6 cm. Sowing at depth may also improve crop establishment where moisture from summer and autumn rainfall is stored in the subsoil below 5 cm, by reducing damage from herbicides applied immediately before or after sowing, and by improving the survival of Rhizobium inoculated on the seed due to more favourable soil conditions at depth.     

Light absorption and water loss in overwintered and spring–sown evening primrose (Oenothera spp.) crops

Evening primrose (Oenothera spp.) is a high-value oilseed crop for temperate areas which may be either overwintered or spring–sown. Light absorption, light use efficiency, water loss and biomass water ratio were compared between overwintered and spring–sown crops of cv. Merlin in two years of field trials. An overwintered crop of cv. Peter was also studied in year two. The energy content of evening primrose plant material was shown to be similar to other crops. Both overwintered and spring–sown crops can achieve full canopy closure and maintain high fractional photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) interception for long periods but canopy closure occurred much later than in other temperate seed crops. In spring–sown evening primrose, maximum PAR interception did not occur until August, by which time incident light levels were declining and consequently the proportion of incident light energy captured during the main growing season was low. Most light was intercepted by green leaves and very little shading by senescent tissue and flowers occurred. Light conversion efficiencies for the main growing period were comparable with other temperate C₃ crops, but in year two a steep decline in light conversion efficiency was observed as the crops matured and the soil water deficit exceeded 60 mm. In year one, water loss from both the overwintered and spring–sown crops were low and the soil water deficit increased relatively slowly. By contrast, in the year two crop water loss was high and the soil water deficit built up very rapidly between the end of June and crop maturity. No significant differences in biomass water ratio (water use efficiency) were recorded between overwintered and spring–sown crops but ratios were 50% higher in year one than in year two. Although no relationship was detected between biomass water ratio corrected for vapour pressure deficit (“normalised”) and soil water deficit, after canopy closure normalised daily water loss declined with increasing soil water deficit. Earlier canopy closure, particularly in the spring crop, and the avoidance of soil water deficits through irrigation, would lead to substantial improvements in the size and consistency of seed yields of evening primrose crops.     

Effect of Sowing Technique on Growth of Undersown Crop and Yield of Spring Barley

Undersowing a main crop enables establishment of a catch crop in areas characterized by a short post-harvest period before the onset of winter. Techniques with lower costs than conventional undersowing by separate drilling are often regarded as unreliable. Undersowing by drilling after sowing spring barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) was compared with broadcast sowing simultaneously with drilling barley. Various implements were coupled behind the combined drill in cases where seed was broadcast: a press-wheel attachment, a long-tined harrow and a cage roller. A fourth treatment did not include an implement coupled behind the drill. The undersown crop was sown as a seed mixture of 3 kg ha^–1 red clover ( Trifolium pratense L.) and 6 kg ha^–1 meadow fescue ( Festuca pratensis Hudson). The numbers of plants and weeds and the plant height were measured five times during the growing season. Above-ground biomass of the undersown species was determined at barley harvest and in late autumn. Grain yield of spring barley was recorded. Drilling resulted in the highest yield of undersown crop when an early summer drought occurred, but broadcasting in combination with use of seed covering equipment led to the least variation in biomass production over the 4 years the experiment was conducted. The relative proportion of meadow fescue in the crop was low in three years, and lower when broadcast than when drilled. Barley grain yield was highest when the seed was broadcast and seed covering equipment was used. Use of a cage roller increased weed biomass, but press-wheels and a long-tined harrow did not. Separate rolling after undersowing increased undersown crop yield in one year, but decreased grain yield in some cases.     

棉花冠层不同尺度光能空间分布特征研究

【目的】棉花冠层光能空间分布是光能利用率高低的直接影响因素之一。为科学量化光能在棉花冠层的空间分布,本研究旨在分析冠层内光合有效辐射(Photosynthetically active radiation,PAR)各分量的空间变化特征。【方法】用空间统计学方法分析了冠层不同空间点、线、面位置PAR的分布特征。【结果】盛花期棉花行间冠层PAR截获率整体变化呈"V"形,即棉行间PAR截获率低于棉行附近位置;高密度的群体冠层中下部PAR截获率纵向变化速率较缓,同时在距地面60 cm处PAR截获率横向变化幅度也较小;不同冠层区域的PAR截获率与密度呈正相关关系,且随播种后时间均呈现先增后减的变化趋势。【结论】适当增大种植密度可以提高群体PAR截获率。运用空间统计学原理精确定位定量分析冠层内PAR的分布,对合理配置棉花种植模式、研究群体株型结构、培育高光效品种具有指导意义。     

Effect of Different Methods and Timings of Stand Establishment on Performance of Rainfed Lowland Rice Under 0–50 cm Water Depth

About one-third of the total rice is grown under rainfed lowland conditions, mostly m south and south-east Asia. Crop productivity in this ecosystem can be improved by adopting suitable management practices as drainage of excess water is not feasible in the catchment and coastal areas. Field experiments were conducted using a long-duration (165 days), photosensitive, semi-tall (150 cm) rice cultivar Utkalprabha established through direct sowing or transplanting on different dates under 0–50 cm water depth at Cuttack, India, during 1989–91. Direct sowing was done in lines in dry soil from 10 May onward using 400 seeds/m² and continued at 10 day intervals until June. Transplanting was done after accumulation of water in the field from July until 15 August with seedlings raised in nursery seed-beds with or without fertilizer application (100 kg N and 8.7 kg P and 16.7 kg K/ha) and tillers removed from the direct-sown crop. Seedling emergence varied significantly from 127–212/m, irrespective of sowing date and was dependent on rains received after sowing. However, the early sown crops in spite of poor germination, performed well due to better establishment and tiller production before water rose to higher depths in the field. There was a decreasing trend in grain yield, particularly when the sowing was delayed beyond end of May. The loss in yield with delayed sowing in June was due to poor crop stand which could not be compensated for by applying 50 % more seed (600/m²) and N fertilizer (60 kg N/ha). Removal of some of the tillers (100–130/m²) from crops sown on 30 May with 600 seeds/m² for planting on an equivalent plot area did not cause any adverse effect on the performance of mother crop. The anticipated shortfall in yield due to lower panicles/m² with clonal tiller separation was compensated for by the resulting increase in panicle weight. The performance of transplanted crops depended greatly on the water depth at or soon after planting. In 1990, planting on 15 July in 30 cm water depth helped in relatively better establishment and grain yield at par with sowing on 10 May. However, in 1991, when there was a sudden and rapid increase in water level to higher depths (50 cm) immediately after planting, the early planted crops produced only a negligible yield (0–1.2 t/ha). Highest yield was obtained from the crop planted with clonal tillers followed by that raised with fertilized and unfertilized nursery seedlings. Clonal tillers were taller (90 cm) and had more dry weight (1.78 g) compared with nursery seedlings (50–80 cm and 0.25–0.91 g). Therefore, the clonally propagated crop established well and acclimatized faster in the similar flooded environment, resulting in significantly higher grain yield particularly under late planted conditions. The results suggested early sowing by the end of May and transplanting with clonal tillers uprooted from the direct-sown crops for higher productivity of rice under uncontrolled excess water conditions.     

Grain yield and quality: does there have to be a trade-off?

The effect of agronomic practices and cultivars on grain yield, grain protein and small grain sievings was examined in field experiments over four years in the winter rainfall wheatbelt of Western Australia. Rotation with legume crops and pastures was the main factor responsible for increasing grain protein percent. Grain proteins were increased by 4-5% for crops grown in good legume pasture rotations compared to continuous wheat rotations, but only by 1-2% by factors such as delayed sowing time, applied nitrogen, cultivar or grass weed control. In legume based rotations, wheat crops sown at their highest yielding times produced proteins in the appropriate ranges for premium paying grades. Applying N fertilisers up to the optimum rates for yield did not result in proteins below the levels required for premium paying grades, except for hard wheats at >11.5% grain protein. Legume rotations and appropriate soil types were required for hard wheats to exceed 11.5% at economic N rates. The yield penalty often associated with high quality cultivars has been reduced or eliminated in the modern cultivars used in the experiments. Some longer season cultivars only produced grain proteins >10% if sown after their optimum time for yield, but sowing at optimum time reduced the probability of producing small grain sievings. Some cultivars were more susceptible than others to producing excessive sievings, especially those with inherently smaller than average seed size. Seed rates up to the optimum for grain yield did not result in excessive small grain sievings except where the site was highly fertile, where the crop was sown too late for optimum yield or where too much N fertiliser was used. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Modelling phenological and agronomic adaptation options for narrow-leafed lupins in the southern grainbelt of Western Australia

Australian modern narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) cultivars tend to flower early and are vernalisation-unresponsive (VU). Cultivars have generally been selected for the warmer climates zones and sandy soils of the northern grain belt of Western Australia (NWA), where lupins are predominantly grown. In areas where climates are cooler and growing seasons are longer and wetter, such as the southern grain belt of Western Australia (SWA), it is probable that lupin would have a higher yield potential. Given that VU cultivars would have a longer vegetative phase (i.e. late flowering) we hypothesise that they may be more productive than those that are early flowering. Here we used a modelling approach to: 1) test the hypothesis that cool-climate SWA would have higher lupin yield than warm-climate NWA; 2) explore lupin phenological adaptation and yield potential in SWA over a range of proposed VU cultivars; and 3) further evaluate the combined effects of cultivar phenology, sowing time and seasonal type on lupin yields.Simulations from the Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM) showed that, on average, lupin yield in SWA was higher than that in NWA, with 23% greater yield for the early-flowering cultivar Mandelup. Proposed cultivars flowering 22 days (late-flowering) and 15 days (medium flowering) later than Mandelup would have their phenology better adapted in the high and medium rainfall zones of SWA, producing 16 and 7% more grain in the two rainfall zones, respectively. The proposed late-flowering cultivar sown before the end of April achieved higher yields for all seasons in the high rainfall zone and for above average and average rainfall seasons in the medium rainfall zone. In more water-limited situations early sowing was preferable with no obvious difference in yield among cultivars. Despite this, the early-flowering cultivar yielded more when sown in late April. The results indicate that lupin production would benefit from breeding VU varieties with a long vegetative phase for the SWA that should be sown in mid to late April.     

华北低平原不同播种期春玉米的产量表现及其与气象因子的通径分析

针对华北地区种植春玉米面临的灌浆期高温胁迫问题,2011-2012年在河北省吴桥县开展了2个春玉米品种(郑单958播种于2011年,金海5号播种于2012年)的播期试验,以探讨气象因子与玉米产量间的关系,为通过调整播种期减轻春玉米灌浆期的高温胁迫提供理论依据。结果初步表明,不同播种期使春玉米灌浆时期发生变化,因而灌浆期气象因子特征表现出差异。4月上旬播种与其他播种期处理相比,春玉米灌浆期光水资源丰富,降雨量增加5.0~47.4 mm,日照时数增多41.0~70.0 h、气温日较差大0.2~0.6℃,但是,高温胁迫严重(≥33℃天数多达15 d,日均温高达28.4℃);5月中旬播种的玉米灌浆期高温胁迫轻（≥33℃天数仅有8 d,日均温平均26.0℃）,而光水资源相对充足;4月中旬、4月下旬和5月上旬播种的玉米灌浆期高温胁迫相对严重;5月下旬播种的玉米灌浆期高温胁迫相对较轻,但阴雨寡照严重。两年的籽粒产量由高到低的播种期依次是,4月上旬、5月中旬、5月上旬、4月下旬、4月中旬、5月下旬;郑单958和金海5号在4月上旬播种的产量分别达9912 kg hm^-2和11 046 kg hm^-2,在5月中旬播种的产量分别达9906 kg hm^-2和10 852.5 kg hm^-2,其他4个播种期的产量比前两个播种期低6.0%~28.2%。通径分析表明,4月上旬播种的玉米灌浆期气温日较差大、光照时数长,对千粒重和穗粒数的直接正效应大,从而缓解了高温胁迫负效应;5月中旬播种的玉米产量较高是因为躲避了灌浆期高温胁迫,但气温日较差和日照时数的正效应比4月上旬播种期的低,因此比4月上旬播种的产量低;4月中旬、4月下旬、5月上旬、5月下旬各播种处理的千粒重和穗粒数受高温胁迫或阴雨寡照影响较大,且气温日较差和光照时数正效应较小,产量下降明显。针对华北地区种植春玉米面临的灌浆期高温胁迫问题,2011-2012年在河北省吴桥县开展了2个春玉米品种(郑单958播种于2011年,金海5号播种于2012年)的播期试验,以探讨气象因子与玉米产量间的关系,为通过调整播种期减轻春玉米灌浆期的高温胁迫提供理论依据。结果初步表明,不同播种期使春玉米灌浆时期发生变化,因而灌浆期气象因子特征表现出差异。4月上旬播种与其他播种期处理相比,春玉米灌浆期光水资源丰富,降雨量增加5.0~47.4 mm,日照时数增多41.0~70.0 h、气温日较差大0.2~0.6℃,但是,高温胁迫严重(≥33℃天数多达15 d,日均温高达28.4℃);5月中旬播种的玉米灌浆期高温胁迫轻（≥33℃天数仅有8 d,日均温平均26.0℃）,而光水资源相对充足;4月中旬、4月下旬和5月上旬播种的玉米灌浆期高温胁迫相对严重;5月下旬播种的玉米灌浆期高温胁迫相对较轻,但阴雨寡照严重。两年的籽粒产量由高到低的播种期依次是,4月上旬、5月中旬、5月上旬、4月下旬、4月中旬、5月下旬;郑单958和金海5号在4月上旬播种的产量分别达9912 kg hm^-2和11 046 kg hm^-2,在5月中旬播种的产量分别达9906 kg hm^-2和10 852.5 kg hm^-2,其他4个播种期的产量比前两个播种期低6.0%~28.2%。通径分析表明,4月上旬播种的玉米灌浆期气温日较差大、光照时数长,对千粒重和穗粒数的直接正效应大,从而缓解了高温胁迫负效应;5月中旬播种的玉米产量较高是因为躲避了灌浆期高温胁迫,但气温日较差和日照时数的正效应比4月上旬播种期的低,因此比4月上旬播种的产量低;4月中旬、4月下旬、5月上旬、5月下旬各播种处理的千粒重和穗粒数受高温胁迫或阴雨寡照影响较大,且气温日较差和光照时数正效应较小,产量下降明显。     

Soil Temperature Effects on the Nitrogen Availability in Soils and Growth of Sorghum (Co. 25)

Two field experiments were carried out one after the other to study the effect of date of sowing and soil temperature on the soil nitrogen availability and yield of sorghum (Co. 25). Crops sown at weekly intervals were the treatments. Mean soil temperature at different depths, available soil N at different stages, leaf area index were assessed and correlation among different parameters established. The results indicated that time of sowing sorghum crop influenced the soil available N due to variations in soil temperature and the eanopv development at different levels as measured by leaf area indices.
Mean soil temperature increased with depths upto 30 cm. Also available N varied at different stages of crop growth but invariably higher in early sown crops Qanuary sown). Soil temperature at 15 cm depth influenced the available soil N most and consequently the leaf area index. This was reflected in the yield also.     

黄淮南部玉米产量对气候生态条件的响应

针对近年来黄淮南部气候条件和耕作制度变化, 2015—2016年在河南农业大学科教园区以该区主推品种郑单958为材料, 采用分期播种方法, 研究玉米产量对气候生态条件的响应, 探讨气候因子与玉米产量的关系。结果表明, 由于年际间、播期间气候因子的差异, 玉米产量差异显著, 大体表现为春播产量高于夏播, 且夏播产量随播种时间的推迟而显著降低。随着播期的推迟, 玉米苗期日均温逐渐升高, 粒期日均温逐渐降低, 有效积温减少, 生育期缩短。试验设定密度下, 百粒重对产量的贡献大于穗粒数, 而影响百粒重和穗粒数的主要气候因子是全生育期有效积温和粒期有效积温。影响玉米产量的主要气候因子是苗期气温日较差(r = 0.696^*)和日均温(r = -0.638^*)、粒期有效积温(r = 0.822^**)和日均温(r = 0.723^**)、生育期有效积温(r = 0.843^**)。因此, 生产上, 春播玉米播期由传统的4月15日左右推迟至5月1日左右, 可减少花期阴雨和高温热害影响, 表现出较好的丰产稳产性。夏播玉米在麦收后抢时早播, 不仅可争取更多积温, 还可使玉米苗期处于较低日均温、粒期处于较高日均温的有利温度条件下, 同时为推迟收获期和机械粒收创造条件。     

Growth and Yield Response of Facultative Wheat to Winter Sowing, Freezing Sowing and Spring Sowing at Different Seeding Rates

Growth and yield of wheat are affected by environmental conditions and can be regulated by sowing time and seeding rate. In this study, three sowing times [winter sowing (first week of September), freezing sowing (last week of October) and spring sowing (last week of April)] at seven seeding rates (325, 375, 425, 475, 525, 575 and 625 seeds m^?2) were investigated during the 2002–03 and 2003–04 seasons, in Erzurum (Turkey) dryland conditions, using Kirik facultative wheat. A split‐plot design was used, with sowing times as main plots and seeding rates randomized as subplots. There was a significant year × sowing time interaction for grain yield and kernels per spike. Winter‐sown wheat produced a significantly higher leaf area index, leaf area duration, spikes per square metre, kernel weight and grain yield than freezing‐ and spring‐sown wheat. The optimum time of sowing was winter for the facultative cv. Kirik. Grain yields at freezing and spring sowing were low, which was largely the result of hastened crop development and high temperatures during and after anthesis. Increasing seeding rate up to 525 seeds m^?2 increased the spikes per square metre at harvest, resulting in increased grain yield. Seeding rate, however, was not as important as sowing time in maximizing grain yield. Changes in spikes per square metre were the major contributors to the grain‐yield differences observed among sowing times and seeding rates. Yield increases from higher seeding rates were greater at freezing and spring sowing. We recommended that a seeding rate of 525 seeds m^?2 be chosen for winter sowing, and 575 seeds m^?2 for freezing and spring sowing.     

The Effect of Sowing Date on the Yield and Quality Formation of Different Cultivars of Cotton under Machine-Picked Conditions in the Coastal Saline-alkali Area of Eastern Hebei Province,China

[Objective] The effects of sowing date on the yield and quality formation of two different cotton cultivars were studied under machine-picked conditions in the coastal saline-alkali area of Eastern Hebei Province, China to identify the optimal sowing date and harvest method to improve cotton yield and quality consistency. [Method] The experiments were conducted in the state-run Haixing farm in Hebei Province during 2017 with a cotton crop seeded in 2016. The hybrid cotton Jiza 2 and conventional cotton Shikang 126 were used in this experiment. Varieties were tested using three sowing dates: April 15 (B1), April 25 (B2), and May 5 (B3) as the main plot. Six harvest dates were also used as subplots in this experiment: September 10, September 20, September 30, October 10, October 20, and October 30. [Results] The lint yield of Jiza 2 was nearly 1 400 kg·hm^－2 when the sowing date was May 5. Conversely, the highest lint yield for Shikang 126 was obtained when the cotton was sown on April 25. The yield associated with different sowing times was mainly formed in September, with this month accounting for more than 75% of yield. The fiber quality was better in September than October. The fiber quality of Jiza 2 was improved with a delay inthe sowing date. The best fiber quality for Shikang 126 was obtained with the April 25 sowing date. There was a small difference between the micronaire, fiber length, and length uniformity with different September harvest times. The fiber quality index was optimized and the consistency of the micronaire, upper half mean length, and length uniformity were higher with Shikang 126 before September 20 when sown on April 25. [Conclusion] Comprehensive consideration of yield and quality index indicated that hybrid cotton Jiza 2 performed best when sown on May 5 and harvested for the first time at the end of September. The conventional cotton Shikang 126 should be sown around April 25 and harvested for the first time on the last ten-day of September.     

土壤水分对冬小麦生长后期光能利用及水分利用效率的影响

通过控制不同土壤水分条件形成不同的小麦（Triticum aestivum L.）群体结构,测定了抽穗到成熟期间小麦冠层光合有效辐射（PAR）截获及垂直分布、干物质积累和产量。研究表明,不同处理小麦冠层对PAR的截获量差异较小（小于15.7%）,但冠层上部（60~80 cm）的PAR截获量和生长后期PAR转化效率差异明显（100.7%和63.7%）,与产量和光能利用效率变化一致,可见土壤水分是通过改变小麦群体内PAR垂直分布及PAR转化效率对作物产量和光能利用效率产生影响。抽穗到成熟期间维持小麦冠层上部PAR截获率在50%左右是实现高产的重要保证。随着土壤水分改善,冬小麦光能利用率和产量持续增加,但水分利用效率却先于二者提前降低,说明改善水分利用效率是提高华北地区农业气候资源利用效率的关键。在底墒充足的条件下,分别在拔节和挑旗期灌水60 mm可获得较高的光能和水分利用效率及经济产量     

Effect of sowing time on buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) growth and yield in central Korea

Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum MOENCH) is a traditional Korean crop that gaining global attention as a health food due to its rich nutrition. Climate change effects such as high temperature, cold weather, flooding, and drought induce plant stress, reduced production yield of upland crops. In general, buckwheat is grown during the fall season in Korea. Flooding is a severe environmental stress factor, and flooding during the early growth stage of buckwheat causes large reductions in yield. Therefore, we established optimum growth parameters to maximize buckwheat yield. The optimum temperature for harvesting of buckwheat was approximately 1,083 ~ 1,515°C. The number of growing degree days (G.D.D.) from flowering to harvest was 509 ~ 673°C. Plant hight, stem diameter, and dry matter weight were reduced as planting date was delayed (p < 0.05). We investigated buckwheat sowing time during fall, and established an optimum cropping system according to the local climate conditions in central Korea. The growth period of buckwheat cultivar ‘Yangjueol’ was approximately 56 ~ 60 days during fall, and yield was higher than that of cultivar ‘Daesan’. The results indicated that buckwheat yield in central Korea was maximized by sowing cultivar on 25th August and cultivar ‘Daesan’ on 15th August. The yield of Yangjeol sown in spring was 119 kg 10a^-1, whereas the yield of Daesan sown in summer was 158kg 10a^-1. The results of this study established the effects of sowing time on growth and yield in central Korea. We propose an optimum cropping system for improving quality.     

棉花冠层光合有效辐射空间分布插值方法

获取冠层光合有效辐射PAR(Photosynthetically active radiation)信息对于作物估产、长势监测以及优化种植有重要意义。运用地统计学空间网格法原理测定了鲁棉研28号的棉花冠层PAR值,综合应用等值线图、残差和交叉验证比较分析了12种插值方法,发现克里金插值法最优;进一步利用克里金插值法分析了冀958、中棉所60、零式果枝品系L0三个品种PAR透射光的空间分布特征,等值线图显示PAR透射光空间分布与株型对光的影响一致,即验证了克里金插值法为模拟研究棉花冠层PAR值的最佳方法。