Growth and Yield Responses to Plant Density and Stage of Transplanting in Winter Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus L.)

Growth and yield responses to plant density (6.75 × 10⁴, 9.75 × 10⁴ and 12.75 × 10⁴ plants ha^–1) and stage of transplanting (30, 35 and 40 days after sowing) of winter oilseed rape cultivar HO 605 were investigated in two field trials in the 1996/97 and 1997/98 growing seasons at Zhejiang University Farm, Huajiachi Campus, China. Results revealed a progressive decrease in leaf area per plant in response to increasing plant density and delayed transplanting, though leaf area m^–2 and leaf area index were higher in high-density plants. Number of effective branches and pod per branch decreased with increasing plant density and delayed transplanting. There were no significant differences in the mean seed weight among treatments. Although the average number of seeds per pod was significantly lower for high-density plants and delayed transplanting, the economically highest seed yields were realized in relatively high-density plants. Seed oil content was negatively affected by increasing plant density, but no significant differences were observed with delayed transplanting. The highest seed yields of 1730.7 and 1748.1 kg ha^–1 with no significant differences were observed for plant densities of 9.75 × 10⁴ and 12.75 × 10⁴ plants ha^–1, respectively, transplanted at 35 and 30 days after sowing.     

Physiological Effects of Winter Rape (Brassica napus var. oleifera) Prehardening to Frost. I. Frost Resistance and Photosynthesis during Cold Acclimation

The objective of the research was to define the changes in photosynthetic activity induced by prehardening and to determine their involvement in frost tolerance of winter rape.
Prehardening of winter rape, consisting of keeping the plants at + 12°C during the light periods from sprouting until the beginning of the 1st stage of cold hardening, contributed to increasing its effectiveness. After 42 days of hardening at + 2°C the resistance of the prehardened plants equalled that attained by winter rape in the most favourable seasons of vegetation in the field. Prehardening stimulated the efficiency of photosynthesis at chill temperatures (+ 2–5°C). Differences in photosynthetic efficiency, like those in frost resistance, increase with successive weeks of hardening. They also concern the leaves already developed at the hardening temperature. A prehardened photosynthetic apparatus is less susceptible to the progress of photoinactivation taking place when the seedlings are kept at + 2°C. It also demonstrated greater activity even during the first hour of hardening or in the newly expanding leaves, and also at higher temperatures, most probably because of the more efficient progress of the dark, processes. The described changes in the functioning of the photosynthetic apparatus induced by prehardening were thus qualitatively very similar to those observed during long-term growth at + 5°C. already described in the literature.     

Effects of Low Temperature Treatment at Seedling Stage on Soybean Growth, Development and Final Yield

The after effect of continuous and variable chilling temperatures acting periodically for 7 days at seedling stage (day/night: 2/2°C, 5/5°C, 15/2°C, 15/5°C, 15/15°C and control–22/18°C) on growth, development and final yield of soybean cultivar Polan and Progres were investigated. The temperature decrease lengthened the duration of the vegetation period before flowering for both cultivars, which allowed compensation for the reduced–as an effect of chilling–rate of daily increments in the leaf area and the dry weight of the above-ground parts of the plants. The most important symptom of chilling treatment was a considerable increase in the number of axillary branches after flowering, which caused an increase in the dry weight of plants. The subsequent reaction of the growth of leaves to chilling at seedling stage was, after flowering, variety dependent. The area of leaves bigger at Polan or similar to control at Progres ensured good seed filling in an increased number of pods developed on axillary branches. Chill-induced delay in plants development allowed the avoidance of low temperature occurring during flowering in this experiment. This chilling during flowering was one of the reasons of worse-pod setting and reduction of seeds per pod number at control plants.     

株型对棉株14C同化物生产及运转分配的影响

运用 14 C示踪技术 ,研究了简化整枝与早打主茎顶心、少留果枝改变株型对 14 C同化物生产分配的影响。结果表明 ,简化整枝蕾期、花铃期果枝叶的光合作用强度和14 C同化量均低于对照 ,且　14 C同化物向主茎和果枝的分配比例也较对照降低。简化整枝早打主茎顶心 ,可提高花铃期果枝叶、叶枝叶的光合作用强度和 14 C同化物向叶枝的分配比例。反映到产量和产量构成因素上 ,表现为简化整枝主茎结铃减少 ,叶枝结铃可弥补其损失 ,单铃重和衣分略有降低 ;简化整枝早打主茎顶心增加了叶枝结铃数 ,且单铃重和衣分略有提高。但处理间的皮棉产量均无显著差异     

苗期低温胁迫对扬麦16叶片抗氧化酶和渗透调节物质的影响

以扬麦16为试验材料, 利用人工气候箱模拟低温逆境, 研究-4℃、-6℃和-8℃低温胁迫对小麦苗期生长和叶片生理特性的影响。结果表明, 随着处理温度的降低、胁迫时间的延长, 小麦植株由叶尖萎蔫变黄的2、3级冻害加重至叶片全枯的4级冻害, 甚至大部分茎蘖冻死的5级冻害, –4℃和–6℃处理24 h没有发生4级及以上冻害。–8℃处理24 h和48 h后植株5级冻害比例显著增加, 植株死亡率分别为16.7%和39.6%。低温胁迫初期小麦叶片中SOD、POD和CAT活性均呈上升趋势, 随胁迫程度加重, SOD最先表现出下降趋势, POD和CAT变化稍缓, MDA含量增加。苗期低温胁迫使叶片中游离脯氨酸、可溶性蛋白和可溶性糖含量明显高于对照, 且随温度的降低和处理时间的延长呈上升趋势, 表现出对低温逆境的适应性。     

油菜新品种（组合）98P37-21稻田免耕适宜播种量和移栽密度研究初探

为了探索油菜新品种（组合）98P37-21高产、高效栽培技术,在稻板田中开展不同播种量和移栽密度试验,研究其对油菜生长发育、主要经济性状、产量及其构成因素的影响,并对直播和移栽油菜效益进行了比较。结果表明：直播油菜4.5~7.5 kg/hm²播种量范围内（密度27.3万株/hm²~38.7万株/hm²）,产量随着播种量的增加呈先增后减的趋势;移栽油菜9.0万株/hm²~15.0万株/hm²密度范围内,产量随着移栽密度的增加而增加,直播油菜以6.0 kg/hm²产量最高,移栽油菜以15.0万株/hm²产量最高,但高密度增产优势不明显,表明密度过大也不利于高产,甚至可能降低产量。随着播种量或移栽密度的增加,主茎总叶数、绿叶数、根颈粗、叶面积、一次有效分枝数、全株角果数、每角粒数、千粒重、单株地上部干重、单株产量呈现下降的趋势,而株高、分枝高度变高,叶面积指数变大。移栽油菜主要经济性状指标优于直播油菜,直播油菜产量和产值明显要低,但直播油菜节省劳力和减少投入,净收入却比移栽油菜多1735.7元/hm²,效益明显要高。     

Influence of Warm Intervals on the Effects of Vernalization and the Composition of Phospholipid Fatty Acids in Seedlings of Winter Wheat

Excised embryos of winter wheat were submitted to a different number of vernalization (2 °C) and devernalization (20 °C) cycles of different lengths. In all treatments sum of cold and warm intervals was 50 and 10 days, respectively. The influence of different temperature conditions of seedling growth on the effectiveness of vernalization and correlations between effectiveness of vernalization and final content of phospholipid fatty acids were analyzed.
All indexes of generative development of plants (length of vegetative phase, % of generative plants, number of side shoots) showed the most effective was uninterrupted vernalization beginning immediately after excision of embryos. Increasing the number of 2 ° C/20 °C cycles rapidly depressed effectiveness of vernalization, which reached the minimum with the 8.3 days at 2 °C and 2 days at 20 °C cycle and then improved again as cycles became shorter and more numerous.
Correlations between indexes of generative plant growth and indexes describing composition of fatty acids in seedlings showed that from 50 % to 60 % of variability in the composition of phospholipid can be associated with changes in the degree of generative induction. A higher degree of generative induction was associated with a higher share of < 16, 16: 0 and 18:2 acids and a lower share of 18: 3 acid and also with a lower value of the 16: 0/< 16 ratio of phospholipids.
The relation between the generative induction of plants and the composition of phospholipid fatty acids may however be blurred when induction proceeds under conditions of alternate short spells of vernalization and devernalization temperatures.     

Electrolyte Leakage, ATP Content in Leaves and Intensity of Net Photosynthesis in Maize Seedlings at Permanent or Different Daily Exposure to Low Temperatures

Changes were determined in electrolyte leakage (EL), ATP content in leaves and intensity of net photosynthesis (FJ in maize seedlings as a result of continued exposure to low temperatures for several days or, after a cold night (5 °C, 9 h), alternating application of 5 °C and 20 °C temperatures during the lit phase of the day (h of chilling during day/night: 0/9, 5/9, 10/9, 15/9).
At continuous exposure to low temperatures, permanent reduction of ATP content occurred between days 7 and 10, while EL increased significantly between days 4 to 7 (depending on experimental conditions). Of three leaves differing in age, most injuries were found in the oldest leaf. An increased intensity of irradiation from 150 to 500 μE. m⁻².s⁻¹ caused an earlier decrease in the ATP content and a further increase in electrolyte leakage. ATP content showed a 24 h rhythm, it increased at the end of the night and decreased at the end of the day. The rhythm was particularly noticeable in the control plants (20 °C), as well as, however to a lesser extent, in plants exposed to daily fluctuating chilling temperatures. It has also been observed that higher temperatures occurring in day time may diminish electrolyte leakage induced by previous low temperatures
The intensity of F_n determined at 20 °C, 4 h after withdrawal of chilling, decreased with the prolongation of the chilling period during the day.
Thus, it may be assumed that the EL and F_n values as indicators of the plants' sensitivity are in better agreement with the induced chill doses than the ATP content in leaves, which to a greater extent depends on the interaction between chilling and other experimental factors, such as irradiation intensity or the sequence of light and darkness.     

Comparison of Vernalization Requirements and Frost Resistance of Winter Rape Lines Derived from Double Haploids

Vernalization requirements and cold resistance of 13 lines of winter rape derived from doubled haploids obtained by androgenesis were investigated. The degree of vernalization requirements was examined in two parallel experiments. In the first experiment seedlings aged 2 weeks were vernalized during 63 and 35 days under controlled conditions, at 5 °C. In the second experiment the natural conditions of vernalization were differentiated by sowing the plants at four different dates in spring: March 15th, April 15th, May 15th, and at the latest date excluding vernalization, June 5th. The lines examined revealed differentiation of vernalization requirements that were similar in both experiments; all the lines required a period of exposure to cold before flowering. Cold resistance of lines was estimated in two successive series at −15 °C and −17 °C. Before testing the plants were kept in natural field conditions from the beginning of September until the middle of November. Testing of cold resistance was preceded by hardening under controlled conditions. Considerable differences in cold resistance was found in the forms investigated.
The results obtained do not show any relation between frost resistance and the degree of vernalization requirements, as the line characterized by the strongest winter habit of growth showed low cold resistance, whereas the lines which were closer to spring growth habit showed the highest level of cold resistance; the lines with the least vernalization requirements revealed the highest level of cold resistance. This conclusion can be confirmed by the significance of the correlation coefficients between the various indices defining the frost resistance and the indices of vernalization requirements.     

Effects of Exposure to Short Periods of Suboptimal Temperature during Chill (5 °C) on Gas Exchange and Chlorophyll Fluorescence in Maize Seedlings (Zea Mays L.)

The effect of various periods of exposure to suboptimal temperature ('warm breaks'– WB: 14 °C for 4 h, 1 h and 0 h – control in 24 h cycles) during chilling (5 °C) of maize seedlings on the photosynthesis, the photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) and on the injuries of the cell membranes of leaves and water content in plants was compared. The measurements were conducted after 1, 3, 7 and 12 chill cycles. It was found that WB of either length distinctly diminished the chill-induced inhibition of net photosynthesis and the decrease of photochemical efficiency of PSII. The protective effect on WB on these parameters was observed shortly after completion of chilling of the plant as well as an after-effect. Daily warming up of the plants also reduced the leakage of electrolytes and diminished the water deficit of the chilled seedlings. The protective effect of WB on the measured parameters of the plants was greater in the chill-sensitive genotype than in the chill-tolerant one, especially when plants were warmed up for 4 h. The results obtained are an indication that short periods of warm weather during cold spring may diminish the injuries of the photosynthetic apparatus, as well as reduce the disturbance of water status of seedlings, contributing in this way to better condition of maize crops.     

Effect of Soil Temperature on the Carbohydrate Status in the Potato Plant (S. tuberosum L.)

Seed tubers of the variety Ostara were raised in growth chambers of 16°C air temperature continuously. The vessels were placed in a water bath of automatic temperature regulation so that soil temperatures of 16°C and 28°C could be maintained. Four weeks after emergence the plants were treated with ¹⁴CO₂ and 24 hours later the plants were harvested. Three more treatments and time harvests followed in two weeks intervals. C-14 activity was determined in soluble carbohydrates, in insoluble carbohydrates, and in non extractable residues respectively of the various plant parts in order to obtain information about the translocation of assimilates in the plant.
While the plants at 28°C soil temperature reduced the soluble sugar levels to 50% up to 70 days after emergence, the plants at 16° brought it down to 33% much faster. — The C-14 activity in insoluble carbohydrates amounted to only 50 % in the plants at 28°C while at 16°C it was more than 2/3 (Tables 1 and 2). — The C-14 activity in non extractable residues is much less at 28°C than at 16°C (Tables 3 and 4). — The starch weight reaches only 30% of the value obtained at lower temperature 70 days after emergence (Table 5). — At the higher temperature starch is also increasingly transferred to the tubers but to a much lesser extent and not from the stems and stolons (Table 6).
Possible causes, particularly the role of phytohormones, and consequences are discussed.     

The Effect of Short Warm Breaks during Chilling on Water Status, Intensity of Photosynthesis of Maize Seedlings and Final Grain Yield

The effects of short-term exposure of seedlings to suboptimal temperature (14 °C for 1 or 4 h in 24 h cycles) during chilling (5 °C for 12 days) on the water status and intensity of photosynthesis of tolerant (TG) and chilling-sensitive (SG) maize genotypes were studied. Daily warming for 1 or 4 h resulted in a decrease in the hydration of the seedlings to 31.1 % and 61.5 % (SG) and 14.8 % (TG) and 39.1 % (SG), respectively, in comparison with the continuously chilled control. During warming for 4 h, both genotypes absorbed water from soil in amounts that partly compensated for its loss through transpiration, after the plants had been moved to the lower temperature. A protective effect of shorter warming (1 h) on the hydration of the seedlings was a result of a strong, stomatal limitation of transpiration during the initial days of chilling. Warming for 1 or 4 h also increased the ability of TG stomata to close in reaction to water deficit in chilling conditions. The effect of increased temperature delayed the decrease of P_N in leaves and limited RGR inhibition of the seedling mass caused by chilling. Daily warming of plants at the seedling phase (14 and 20 °C for 1 or 4 h) reduced the unfavourable effect of chilling (5 °C for a period of 8 days) on the final yield, the filling of caryopses and their number in a cob after growth in natural conditions.     

香草提取物和植物精油增强茶树抗逆能力的效应

为了解香草提取物及植物精油对茶树抗逆生理的影响,开发环境友好型增强茶树抗逆能力的技术,本研究用香草（迷迭香、紫苏、猫薄荷新鲜组织）乙醇提取物、植物精油（冬青油、二氢茉莉酸酯）分别配成0.1%水溶液作为外源处理剂,于12月初对茶树进行喷雾处理（每个处理剂用液量7500 L/hm²,连续2次）。结果,经处理后的茶树叶片氨基酸含量相对提高27.8%~55.6%,多酚相对提高3.93%~24.2%,除薄荷提取物处理外,茶树叶片二醛相对含量降低9.2%~32.8%;酶活性分析指出,经处理后茶树叶片多酚氧化酶活性升高1.89~4.35倍,脂氧合酶活性升高1.41~2.58倍,超氧化物歧化酶活性升高1.98~15.7倍,但只有迷迭香和紫苏提取物处理苯丙解氨酶(PAL)活性升高,其余处理PAL活性呈下降趋势;检测茉莉酸信号途径关键基因CsOPB3表达情况指出,二氢茉莉酸酯、迷迭香、紫苏提取物处理后茶树叶片CsOPB3表达上调明显,而在薄荷提取物、冬青油处理后茶树叶片CsOPB3表达下调。经植物精油或香草提取物处理后的茶树鲜叶,其水提取物对超氧自由基的清除能力提高了1.3~2.9倍。本研究表明初冬茶园喷施植物精油和香草提取物具有提高茶树抵抗低温的适应能力。本研究所测生理指标在茶树抵抗其他非生物逆境或抵抗病虫害胁迫中的共性指示作用,进一步表明了本研究所用不同香草提取物及植物精油对茶树防御更广泛的逆境胁迫具有一定的应用价值。     

Lint Yield Compensatory Response to Main Stem Node Removal in Upland Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)

Hail storm damage to the cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) plants can destroy vegetative and reproductive structures, modify canopy architecture and impact lint yield. Field studies were conducted at University of Arizona Maricopa Agricultural Center in 2011, 2012 and 2013 to examine cotton plant architecture changes and compensatory growth in response to removal treatments of uppermost nodes on main stem (terminal bud removal, 2 node removal and 4 node removal) as simulation of hail damage at the node 2, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 24 growth stages. Main stem node removal caused significant decrease in leaf area and biomass, especially at early growth stages. However, significant lint yield reduction only occurred by removing 2 nodes at the node 4 stage and removing 4 nodes at the node 8 stage in 2011, removing terminal bud at the node 12 stage in 2012 and removing terminal bud, 2 nodes and 4 nodes at the node 8 stage in 2013. The lint yield reduction did not exceed 13 % in all three growing seasons. Yield loss due to main stem node removal was mainly compensated by increased boll number on the vegetative branches at early growth stages and on fruiting branches at late growth stages. Yield compensation from vegetative branches increased with number of main stem nodes removed. This study suggests that the cotton crop has a strong compensatory ability to plant structure damage due to its indeterminate growth and longer growing season in the region.     

Seedling Development of Maize Genotypes at Constant and at Fluctuating Temperatures

Four maize genotypes from North West Europe, tropical highlands and tropical lowlands were grown at constant temperatures (14°C; 24°C), diurnal temperature variations (18°/10°C; 28°/20°C) and at temperatures alternating every three days (18°+ 10°C; 28°+ 20°C) until the three leaves stage. Fluctuating temperatures were generally favourable for growth with most marked effects at an average of 14°C when 18°/10°C were applied. Temperature situation had pronounced effects on morphological and biochemical traits like area of second leaves and activity of phosphofructokinase but between these traits and growth rates no close relationship existed. For all traits genotype specific reaction patterns to temperature situation existed. One tropical highland variety excelled by fast growth, especially at low fluctuating temperatures. A specific chilling susceptibility of the tropical lowland variety was only marked for growth at constant 14°C.     

Micrometeorological Influences at High Crop Density on Different Genotypes of Silage Maize

In the year 1979, 1981 and 1982 two-factorial experiments with the factors genotypes and crop densities were conducted, connected with the following agrometeorological analyses:
a) outside the canopies: determination of air temperature, air humidity, wind velocity, precipitation, global radiation and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR)
b) in the interior of the canopies: measurements of air temperature at cobheight, of precipitation components, of the penetration of PAR and of the leaf area index.
The following results were obtained:
a) Influence of high crop densities
1. In high crop densities the greatest part of radiation was absorbed, so that at 30 plants/m² 57% and at 70 plants/m² only 28% of the PAR reached cob height.
2. As a consequence of temperature and decrease of radiation the contents in the leaves of biological energy, of water soluble K.H. and rough protein were reduced.
b) Influence of the leaf posture
3. For genotypes with erected leaf posture the leaf temperatures increased by 0.3°C, on the ground even by 1.2°C above the values of the stand with horizontal leaf posture.
4. Higher air temperatures were measured in the stands with erected leaf posture than in those with a horizontal one.
5. In the cool year 1981 on days with temperatures above 27°C outside the stands, those temperatures were exceeded during 7 hours in canopies with erected leaf posture at a higher plant density (30 plants/m²) and only during 2 hours in canopies with a horizontal leaf posture.     

Induction of Generative Development of Winter Rape (Brassica napus L. var. oleifera) in Relation to Vernalization Conditions and Age of Vernalized Plants

Germinating seeds and young winter rape plants were vernalized 56–63 days at 5 or 2°C under nine-hour days or in darkness. The highest percentage of generative plants and the most rapid flowering were obtained following the vernalization of young seedlings and germinating seed under conditions of nine-hour day, at 5°C. The least effective induction of generative development followed the vernalization at 2°C in continuous darkness. The vegetation period from the end of vernalization till the beginning of flowering was the shortest when four-week-old plants were vernalized under conditions of nine-hour day, yet the vegetation period from the beginning of germination to flowering was the shortest when seed germinating under conditions of nine-hour day were vernalized. The period was extending as older plants were being vernalized. Data indicating that the optimal temperature for vernalization of older plants is higher than for germinating seed and young seedlings were obtained.     

Influence of leaf and silique photosynthesis on seeds yield and seeds oil quality of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.)

With the purpose of enhancing oil production, the present work was carried out to elucidate relationships between photosynthesis of leaves, siliques and seeds yield and seeds oil accumulation of oilseed rape. Field trials, in which two repeated experiments was carried out during 2012–2014 growth season, a rape hybrids the “Qin You No.7” (Brassica napus L.) variety was taken into account. The results showed that, on rape plant the photosynthetic capacity and chlorophyll a, b, carotenoid contents of leaf were significantly higher than that of silique shell. Oil content of 94.7% was achieved in young seeds (sampled at 25th day after flowering ending stage of the tested rape plant) versus to mature seeds, saturated fatty acids percent was higher whereas oleic acid percent was lower of oil extracted from young seeds. During flowering period of the rape plants tested, area and dry weight of leaves attained maximum, treatments of removing leaves induced reduction in seeds number per silique, siliques number, seeds yield per plant and seeds oil content, these indexes were respectively decreased by 73.6%, 43.4%, 83.4% and 10.5% in maximum, and seeds oil composition was not significantly influenced; during seeds growing period of the tested plants, surface area and dry weight of siliques attained maximum, under shading siliques treatment, the 1000-seed weight, seeds yield per plant and seeds oil content were respectively reduced by 57.5%, 61.4% and 44.7% in maximum, and seeds oil oleic acid (C18:1) and linolenic acid (C18:3) percent was decreased, linolic acid (C18:2) and erucidic acid (C22:1) percent was increased. So for oilseed rape plant during flowering period, surface area and photosynthesis of leaves dramatically influenced siliques number, seeds number and seeds yield; while in seeds growth period, surface area and photosynthesis of siliques greatly influenced 1000-seed yield, seeds yield, seeds oil content and oil composition; oil accumulation in rape seeds initiated early since seeds commencing growth, seed mature degree influenced oil composition of seeds.     

不同植物对KF的剂量反应及其伤害阈值和致死浓度

为确定不同植物受氟害后的表现症状以及氟污染对不同植物的伤害阈值及致死浓度,从而为氟污染防治提供理论依据,使用不同浓度的氟化钾溶液及氯化钾溶液处理多种植物幼苗和成熟枝叶,观察记录各种植物受氟害后的症状并检测不同浓度氟化钾处理后植物叶片氟含量。结果表明,用氟化钾溶液处理后,不同植物会出现不同的伤害症状。相同处理时段内,氟化钾浓度越高,植物伤害症状越明显,叶片氟含量越高;不同处理时段,氟化钾对植物的伤害阈值及致死浓度不一样,但植物开始出现伤害症状以及死亡时叶片氟含量基本一致。同样条件的氯化钾溶液处理后,植物无明显伤害症状出现,说明氟的存在不利于植物的正常生长。根据氟化钾的处理浓度、时间及对植物的伤害程度,确定了氟化钾对各种植物幼苗及成熟枝叶的伤害阈值及致死浓度。