Temperature Effects on the Duration of the Spikelet Growth Phase and Spikelet Abortion in Barley

Above optimal temperatures in cereals, when measured in thermal time units (°Cd) can lead to underprediction of developmental events by models, particularly when cereals are sown late in Mediterranean-type environments or grown under subtropical conditions. Our objective was to assess the effects of high temperatures on the length of the spikelet growth phase, the number of spikelet nodes per spike and level of spikelet abortion in spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). The spikelet growth phase (from the end of the spikelet initiation phase to anthesis) of three cultivars, 'Bandulla', 'Schooner' and 'Weeah' was subjected to two temperature regimes. In the first of two sowings, the mean daily maximum temperature for one regime was 24 °C (maintained for 6 h daily) and the mean daily minimum was 8 °C (24/8 °C). The second temperature regime was 27/17 °C. Corresponding temperatures for the second sowing, which was subjected to slightly longer photoperiods, were 26/8 °C and 26/17°C, respectively. The duration of the spikelet growth phase was longer for 27/17 °C than for 24/8 °C in the first sowing when measured in calendar time (d). In the second sowing, the duration of the spikelet growth phase was slightly shorter under the higher temperature regime (d). The duration of the spikelet growth phase (in°Cd) was greatly increased by the higher temperature treatment in both sowings. In the first sowing, the percentage of aborted spikelets was greater at HT than at LT for Bandulla and Weeah at both sowing times and the duration of the spikelet growth phase increased with higher night temperatures, suggesting that length of the spikelet growth phase was not the sole factor responsible for the proportion of aborted spikelets.     

Combined impacts of climate and nutrient fertilization on yields of pearl millet in Niger

Effects of climate variability and change on yields of pearl millet have frequently been evaluated but yield responses to combined changes in crop management and climate are not well understood. The objectives of this study were to determine the combined effects of nutrient fertilization management and climatic variability on yield of pearl millet in the Republic of Niger. Considered fertilization treatments refer to (i) no fertilization and the use of (ii) crop residues, (iii) mineral fertilizer and (iv) a combination of both. A crop simulation model (DSSAT 4.5) was evaluated by using data from field experiments reported in the literature and applied to estimate pearl millet yields for two historical periods and under projected climate change. Combination of crop residues and mineral fertilizer resulted in higher pearl millet yields compared to sole application of crop residues or fertilizer. Pearl millet yields showed a strong response to mean temperature under all fertilization practices except the combined treatment in which yields showed higher correlation to precipitation. The crop model reproduced reported yields well including the detected sensitivity of crop yields to mean temperature, but underestimated the response of yields to precipitation for the treatments in which crop residues were applied. The crop model simulated yield declines due to projected climate change by −11 to −62% depending on the scenario and time period. Future crop yields in the combined crop residues + fertilizer treatment were still larger than crop yields in the control treatment with baseline climate, underlining the importance of crop management for climate change adaptation. We conclude that nutrient fertilization and other crop yield limiting factors need to be considered when analyzing and assessing the impact of climate variability and change on crop yields.     

Effects of moisture stress on leaf appearance,tillering and other aspects of development in Triticum tauschii

Summary A glasshouse study was conducted to describe the dynamics of leaf and tiller appearance of four accessions of T. tauschii (Tt 04, Tt 17, Tt 65 and Tt 74) and to determine the influence of moisture stress (treatments were high and low moisture, imposed seven days after transplanting) on these and other aspects of development in this wild wheat.Under high moisture conditions, accessions differed greatly in flag leaf dimensions, culm length and seed number per spike, the values being lower in Tt 04 than in the other accessions. Low moisture strongly reduced values for these traits, with Tt 04 being least affected, but overall, there was no apparent association between the values obtained for these variables in the high moisture conditions and the effects of moisture stress. For three of the four accessions, final leaf number on the main culm was significantly lower in the low moisture treatment than in the respective control (P<0.05), but the differences between treatments (ca. 0.5 leaves or less) were very small. Maximum tiller number, on the other hand, was strongly reduced by low moisture, and initiation of tillering was inhibited until water was reapplied. There were no apparent after-effects of the moisture regime on the rate of subsequent tiller appearance.The four accessions differed in their leaf appearance rates, giving phyllochron values (117–142° Cd leaf^-1) within the range reported for hexaploid wheat. Low moisture tended to increase phyllochron, but in only one accession was this effect significant. Thus, depending on the accession, low moisture did not affect, or slightly decreased (by ca. 15–20%) the rate of leaf appearance. These effects were similar to those reported for cultivated wheat suggesting that there would be little scope for using these accessions of T. tauschii in breeding for stress tolerance.     

Contribution of Pre- and Post-anthesis Photosynthates to Grains in Pearl Millet under Water Deficit

When rains end early, grain yield productivity of pearl millet ( Pennisetum glaucum [L.] R. Br.), a rainfed cereal crop of arid and semi-arid regions is limited by water deficits during flowering and grainfilling. Reserves of assimilates present at flowering and available for later remobilization to the grains, could act has buffer under water deficit conditions during flowering and grainfilling. The contribution of pre- and post-anthesis assimilates to grain yield under water-deficit conditions during flowering and grainfilling was investigated by ¹⁴C labeling of leaves at boot and 10 days after anthesis of field-grown plants. Water deficit resulted in 20 percent reduction to grain yield in the main tiller. The distribution pattern of labeled carbon at harvest in various plant parts in water deficit and irrigated control treatments was similar. About 25 percent of the pre-anthesis assimilates was translocated to the grain at harvest, while 95 percent of the post-anthesis (current) assimilates was translocated to the grain. At grain maturity, about 60 percent of the pre-anthesis assimilate was distributed in inflorescence structures, and in upper three inter-nodes which were the active sinks at boot stage. Post-anthesis assimilates were directed towards the grain development which was the active sink after flowering. In conclusion, about 25 percent of the pre-anthesis assimilates are translocated to the grain at harvest and there was no additional contribution under water deficit and post-anthesis assimilates were primarily translocated to the developing grain.     

Waterlogging Affects Leaf and Tillering Dynamics in Wheat and Barley

The aim of this study was to analyse (i) the crop attributes that determine flowering time (i.e. final leaf number, FLN; and phyllochron, Phy), (ii) the dynamics of tiller appearance and (iii) the synchrony between leaf and tiller appearance in wheat and barley plants exposed to waterlogging. Two experiments were carried out in pots, in which wheat and barley cultivars were exposed to five waterlogging treatments, during different periods throughout the crop cycle, from emergence to maturity. The appearance of leaves and tillers on the main stem was measured twice a week in labelled plants. Waterlogging from emergence to flag leaf appearance significantly delayed time to flowering. The delay was greater when waterlogging occurred at the beginning of tillering, lengthening the period from emergence to flowering 24 % (13–15 days) in barley and 10–15 % (6–10 days) in wheat, as compared to control. Phy was the main attribute explaining the delay in flowering, as FLN was not altered. Waterlogging during the early stages of development reduced tiller appearance rate (TAR) in both species, but this effect was partially counterbalanced by a lengthening of the tillering phase, so the effect on final tiller number at maturity was limited. In conclusion, the exposure of wheat and barley to waterlogging during early stages of development delayed time to flowering and reduce TAR in both species. Waterlogging during more advanced crop stages produced slight effects on tillering dynamics, which would indicate that waterlogging affected structure generation more than mortality.     

Leaf and green area development of durum wheat genotypes grown under Mediterranean conditions

Future increases in the potential yield of wheat will require an improvement in the photosynthetic area in early growth stages. Our aim was to investigate the genotypic and environmental effects on the pattern of leaf and green area development of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. cv. durum). Twenty-five genotypes were grown during 2 years under irrigated and rainfed conditions in Lleida (northeastern Spain). Leaf area index (LAI) and green area index (GAI) were determined on eight occasions from seedling to maturity and data were fitted to an asymmetric logistic peak curve. Multivariate analysis of variance was used to assess the curve characteristics responsible for differences between years, sites and genotypes. Genotypic differences in the pattern of changes in LAI and GAI from sowing to maturity were not statistically significant, indicating a lack of genetic diversity for these traits in the germplasm used in this study. A decrease in the peak of the curves of 27% for LAI and 35% for GAI was observed under rainfed conditions compared to the irrigated site. Drought caused a lengthening of crop development until anthesis of about 2% (3–4 days). Contrarily, the time from sowing to the maximum LAI and GAI values were reduced by drought in around 10%, causing an acceleration of the onset of plant senescence. Once started, the senescence of the green organs of the plant was more rapid at the irrigated than at the rainfed site. It is concluded that LAI and GAI patterns were more influenced by the environment (mainly water availability) than by the genotype. The results suggest a certain degree of independent regulation for phenological development and the swiftness of green area accumulation in the plant.     

Coleoptile tiller development is associated with fast early vigour in wheat

Summary Faster canopy development in temperate cereals can result in more efficient utilization of wate, light and nutrients if these are in limited supply. It can also result in more competitive plants and less use of herbicides. The possible importance of the coleoptile tiller for increasing early vigour in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was determined for twelve F4 lines in two experiments. Each F4 line was chosen for variation in the presence and absence of a coleoptile tiller in plants in the previous generation; each F4 line was traced to a single F2 plant from a multiple convergent cross of sixteen parents. Eight plants of each of the F4 lines were grown in a single row in both experiments. Just after the coleoptile tiller appeared, plants within each line were classified into one of two groups; one group contained plants with large coleoptile tillers whereas the other group had either small coleoptile tillers or none at all. Leaf expansion rates were determined non-destructively at regular intervals, and plants were harvested to determine leaf and tiller characteristics when there were about five mainstem leaves. There was substantial variation in the leaf area of the coleoptile tiller both between groups and among lines. In both experiments plants with a large coleoptile tiller had 24–30% more leaf area and dry weight than plants selected with a small or absent coleoptile tiller up to the final harvest. Leaf expansion rates (increase in leaf area per day) were 25 to 35% greater in the large coleoptile tiller selections from the time tillers first appeared to the time of harvest, whereas the relative leaf expansion rate (increase in leaf area per unit of leaf area present per day) of the large selections was significantly greater than the small selections only at the time of appearance of the coleoptile tiller and just after. There was no evidence that the early appearance of a coleoptile tiller was associated with the largest seedlings or that it inhibited the growth of later tillers. It is concluded that selection for the appearance of a large coleoptile tiller should improve the early vigour of temperate cereals.Abbreviations DAS days after sowing - LA leaf area - LAR leaf area ratio - LER leaf expansion rate - RLER relative leaf expansion rate - SLA specific leaf area - VPD vapor pressure deficit - +COL large coleoptile tiller group - –COL small or absent coleoptile tiller group     

Field evaluation of mixed-seedlings with rice to alleviate flood stress for semi-arid cereals

Flash floods, erratically striking semi-arid regions, often cause field flooding and soil anoxia, resulting in crop losses on food staples, typically pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench). Recent glasshouse studies have indicated that rice (Oryza spp.) can enhance flood stress tolerance of co-growing dryland cereals by modifying their rhizosphere microenvironments via the oxygen released from its roots into the aqueous rhizosphere. We tested whether this phenomenon would be expressed under field flood conditions. The effects of mix-planting of pearl millet and sorghum with rice on their survival, growth and grain yields were evaluated under controlled field flooding in semi-arid Namibia during 2014/2015–2015/2016. Single-stand and mixed plant treatments were subjected to 11–22 day flood stress at the vegetative growth stage. Mixed planting increased plant survival rates in both pearl millet and sorghum. Grain yields of pearl millet and sorghum were reduced by flooding, in both the single-stand and mixed plant treatments, relative to the non-flooded upland yields, but the reduction was lower in the mixed plant treatments. In contrast, flooding increased rice yields. Both pearl millet–rice and sorghum–rice mixtures demonstrated higher land equivalent ratios, indicating a mixed planting advantage under flood conditions. These results indicate that mix-planting pearl millet and sorghum with rice could alleviate flood stress on dryland cereals. The results also suggest that with this cropping technique, rice could compensate for the dryland cereal yield losses due to field flooding.     

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

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

Yield Formation in Mediterranean durum wheats under two contrasting water regimes based on path-coefficient analysis

The components of grain yield are altered by adverse growing conditions as the effects of certain environmental factors on crop growth and yield differ depending upon the developmental stages when these conditions occur. Path-coefficient analysis was used to investigate the main processes influencing grain yield and its formation under Mediterranean conditions. Twenty-five durum wheat genotypes, consisting of four Spanish commercial varieties and 21 inbred lines from the ICARDA durum wheat breeding program, were grown during 1997 and 1998 under both rainfed and irrigated conditions in southern Spain. {P}ath-coefficient analysis revealed that under favourable conditions grain yield depended in equal proportion on the three primary yield components (i.e. spikes m⁻², grains spike⁻¹, and mean grain weight), whereas in the rainfed experiments, variations in grain yield were due mainly to spikes m⁻² and to a lesser extent to grains spike⁻¹. Compensatory effects were almost absent under irrigated treatments; however, under water shortage, spikes m⁻² exerted a negative influence on grain spike⁻¹ due mainly to a negative interrelationship between tiller production and apical development. These compensatory effects could partially explain the restricted success in durum wheat breeding observed in water-limited environments of the Mediterranean region. Under rainfed conditions the number of spikes m⁻² depended mainly on the ability for tiller production, whereas in the irrigated experiments the final number of spikes was determined mostly by tiller survival.     

Grain Yield of Intercropped Sorghum and Pearl Millet as Influenced by Sorghum Genotype and Cropping Pattern

Intercropping of sorghum and pearl millet with different growth cycles is used widely in third-world countries to ensure and increase yields. However, it is questionable whether yield increases because of intercropping can be maintained under more developed systems, since temporal differences are necessary to allow mechanized planting and harvesting.
Three sorghum hybrids with expected growth cycles from 90 to 110 days were planted in sole stands and in alternate rows and mixed within the rows with a pearl millet hybrid having a growth cycle similar to that of the early sorghum. Sole stands of millet also were included. The plots were planted at three locations in Kansas, two dryland and one including dryland and irrigated. Results show that yields were consistently highest in sole stands of sorghum, owing to the higher yield level of sorghum. No yield increase could be found on a land equivalent ratio basis, indicating no intercropping advantages. However, under good moisture conditions, a tendency toward yield increase was observed with the later maturing sorghums, which had 1–2 weeks of grain filling after the millet was mature. When moisture supply was insufficient, millet showed higher competitiveness for water than sorghum, and sorghum was adversely affected more than pearl millet was favored. It was concluded that moisture conditions have to be good and that temporal differences between sorghum and millet have to be greater than those used in this experiment to achieve intercropping yield advantages.     

播期对小麦冬前幼苗生长和积温的调控效应

为了研究播期对小麦冬前幼苗生长和积温的调控效应,以‘光明麦1号’为试验材料,设计不同播期试验,旨在探讨播期对春性小麦冬前幼苗生长发育和积温的影响。结果表明,随播期推迟,出苗率下降,且冬前积温降低,显著影响小麦冬前生育进程,植株叶龄减小,分蘖发生数下降,LAI和干物质积累降低。播种至出苗阶段日均温与出苗天数呈指数相关关系,出苗至越冬始期≥0℃积温与此期天数、叶龄、茎蘖数、LAI和干物质积累呈显著线性正相关。本试验条件下,播期每推迟6天左右,播种至出苗日均温下降1.0~2.5℃,≥0℃积温上升5~15℃,播种至出苗所需天数延长2~5天,出苗至分蘖所需天数延长1~10天,出苗至越冬始期的天数缩短6~11天,出苗率下降1.5~3.5个百分点,越冬始期叶龄减少0.4~1.0,茎蘖数、叶面积指数和干物质积累分别下降100~150万/hm²、0.04~0.51和30~200 kg/hm²。实现春性小麦壮苗的冬前≥0℃积温为500~670℃,适宜播期10月23日—11月4日,最适播期是10月27日—10月29日。     

Effects of Tillage and Cropping Systems on Soil Moisture Balance and Pearl Millet Yield

A 2-year study was conducted to determine the effects of tillage and cropping systems on soil moisture balance, growth and yield of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.). Three tillage treatments, viz. minimum tillage (one harrowing), conventional tillage (two harrowing, cross) and deep tillage (ploughing followed by two har-rowings), and four cropping systems, viz. monoculture of pearl millet, pearl miliet-clusterbean (Cyamopsis tetra-gonoloba (L.) Taub.) rotation, monoculture of pearl millet with 5 t ha⁻¹ farm yard manure (FYM), and intercropping of pearl millet and clusterbean, were compared. Deep tillage improved the soil moisture storage, water use efficiency and grain yield of pearl millet while consumptive use of water was higher with minimum tillage. Total dry matter yield with deep tillage and conventional tillage was 23.2 and 10.2% higher than minimum tillage in the season 1, and the corresponding values for season 2 were 30.7 and 13.3%. The Pearl millct-clusterbean rotation and monoculture of pearl millet with the application of 5 t ha⁻¹ FYM gave 17.2 and 6.1% higher yield than monoculture of pearl millet, respectively. Maximum water use efficiency was observed in rotation followed by FYM application.     

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.     

Impact of natural and human selection on the frequency of the F1 hybrid between cultivated and wild pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.)

In the Sahel, pearl millet yields are affected by the proportion of hybrid phenotype plants resulting from genetic mixing between domesticated and wild forms. Man counteracts this mixing by applying a production method, the efficiency of which is quantified in this study. Under experimental conditions, cultivated and wild pearl millet were hybridised in order to obtain cultivated pearl millet seeds including a known proportion of F1 hybrids tagged by two different allozymes. These seeds were sown in the field and the cultivation was conducted following practices common in the Sahel. The evolution of the survival rate of plants and the frequency of hybrids were followed over several stages during the season: sowing, germinating, emergence, thinning, flowering and maturing of the seeds. Owing to plant mortality in the experiment, the average tendency was a hybrid frequency that decreased steadily in the first part of the growing season from 42% during germination, to 37% at emergence. It then fell to 17% after the thinning of the plantlets by the farmer. At the end of the cycle, after thinning, only 11% of mature plants were hybrids. Thus, under the combined pressures of natural and human selection, the frequency of hybrids in the field declined drastically. In interaction with natural pressure, the farmer's practices of selection of seeds, sowing in pockets and thinning have the combined effect of heavily selecting the cultivated genotype and limiting without completely preventing the introgression of wild pearl millet genes into the cultivated genome. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Recurrent Selection for Increased Grain Yield and Resistance to Downy Mildew in Pearl Millet*

Six pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum [L.] R. Br.) composites were subjected to three or more cycles of selection in multilocational yield trials and downy mildew disease nurseries in India. The base and selected populations were tested (a) over four years at three locations in India (11° to 29°N), (b) under terminal-drought and optimal moisture conditions for two years, and (c) under induced downy mildew infections to determine the impacts of selection on grain yield, agronomic traits, and resistance to downy mildew (Sclerospora graminicola Sacc. Schroet.). Mean grain yield increases for four composites undergoing three to six cycles of selection ranged between 23 to 94 kg ha^-1 cycle^-1 (0.9 to 4.9 % cycle^-1) which, averaged over composites, amounted to 3.3 % cycle^-1. Yield gains were generally expressed at all test locations and under both terminal-drought and optimal moisture environments. The gains in grain yield were associated with increases of both biomass and harvest index without extending the growth duration except in the earliest composite. Susceptibility to downy mildew remained below 10 % in all selected populations. Thus, the effectiveness of recurrent selection for increasing yield and yield stability of pearl millet is clearly demonstrated.     

Effect of Drought and Nitrogen Availability on Osmotic Adjustment of Five Pearl Millet Cultivars in the Vegetative Growth Stage

Growth of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) is affected in areas with limited and erratic rainfall, often combined with nitrogen deficiency. Therefore, effects of severe drought and nitrogen availability on mechanisms of dehydration avoidance were investigated. Five pearl millet genotypes were cultivated in soil differing in nitrogen availability, low (N1), medium (N2) or high (N3) in a climate chamber. Thirty‐five days after sowing, the plants were exposed to drought for 12 days. Drought decreased leaf area and stomatal conductance strongly and caused leaf rolling. In the youngest fully expanded leaves, drought led to an osmotic adjustment from around ?0.5 to ?0.9 MPa, in N1 and N2 substantially achieved by potassium accumulation. Nitrate contributed to the osmotic adjustment in N2 and N3, proline only slightly, increasingly from N1 to N2, whereas the sum of glucose, fructose and sucrose did not play a role. The dehydration independent osmotic force for water uptake (osmotic potential at full turgor) was under drought strongest at N2 and in the landrace Dembi Yellow stronger than in the cultivars Ashana and Ugandi. This contributed to the higher relative water content (RWC) of ‘Dembi Yellow’, whereas due to other factors nitrogen had no effect on the RWC.     

Impact of Water Stress on Maize Grown Off-Season in a Subtropical Environment

During the last decade, the production of off‐season maize has increased in several regions of Brazil. Growing maize during this season, with sowing from January through April, imposes several climatic risks that can impact crop yield. This is mainly caused by the high variability of precipitation and the probability of frost during the reproduction phases. High production risks are also partially due to the use of cultivars that are not adapted to the local environmental conditions. The goal of this study was to evaluate crop growth and development and associated yield, yield components and water use efficiency (WUE) for maize hybrids with different maturity ratings grown off‐season in a subtropical environment under both rainfed and irrigated conditions. Three experiments were conducted in 2001 and 2002 in Piracicaba, state of São Paulo, Brazil with four hybrids of different maturity duration, AG9010 (very short season), DAS CO32 and Exceler (short season) and DKB 333B (normal season). Leaf area index (LAI), plant height and dry matter were measured approximately every 18 days. Under rainfed conditions, the soil water content in the deeper layers was reduced, suggesting that the extension of the roots into these layers was a response to soil water limitations. On average, WUE varied from 1.45 kg m⁻³ under rainfed conditions to 1.69 kg m⁻³ under irrigated conditions during 2001. The average yield varied from 4209 kg ha⁻¹ for the hybrids grown under rainfed conditions to 5594 kg ha⁻¹ under irrigated conditions during 2001. Yield reductions under rainfed conditions were affected by the genotype. For the hybrid DKB 333B with a normal maturity, yield was reduced by 25.6 % while the short maturity hybrid Exceler was the least impacted by soil water limitations with a yield reduction of only 8.4 %. To decrease the risk of yield loss, the application of supplemental irrigation should be considered by local farmers, provided that this practice is not restricted by either economic considerations or the availability of sufficient water resources.     

多分蘖玉米分蘖发生规律及密度和播期的影响

本论文以不同类型玉米品种为试验材料,设置不同种植密度和播期,旨在研究多分蘖玉米的分蘖发生规律及其调控。结果表明,玉米各级分蘖与主茎叶片有同伸关系,一级分蘖数(n)与主茎叶龄(N)呈n=N-3对应关系,二级分蘖与一级分蘖也符合上述对应关系。不同类型玉米品种分蘖能力差异显著,墨西哥玉米(MXG)分蘖能力最强,最大分蘖数可达25~40个,科多4号(KD4)达2~4个,五岳97-1 (WY97-1)为1~2个,郑单958 (ZD958)一般无分蘖。玉米分蘖能力受播期、密度影响,高光热、低密度有利于分蘖发生,随播期推迟,从出苗到出现分蘖的时间缩短,分蘖出叶速度加快,最大分蘖数增加;在45 000株 hm^-2种植密度下,4月25日和6月25日播种的KD4最大分蘖数分别为3.50和4.00个,最终分蘖数分别为2.33和2.00个,分蘖消亡率(消亡分蘖数/最大分蘖数)分别为33.4%和50.0%,在30 000株 hm^-2和60 000株 hm^-2种植密度下具有同样变化趋势。随密度增加,分蘖出现时间推迟,出苗后相同天数对应分蘖叶龄减小,相同主茎叶龄对应分蘖数减少,最大分蘖数和最终分蘖数降低,分蘖消亡率增加;4月25日播种,密度为30 000、45 000和60 000株 hm^-2下,KD4的最大分蘖数分别为3.80、3.50和3.22个,最终分蘖数分别为3.00、2.33和1.67个,分蘖消亡率分别为21.05%、33.43%和48.14%,6月25日播种处理具有相同变化趋势。     

Differential Competitive Ability and Growth Habit of Pearl Millet and Clusterbean Cultivars in a Mixed Cropping System in the Arid Zone of India

Dryland sustainable agriculture in the arid zone of India depends upon the choice of suitable cultivars for pure and mixed crop stands. Field experiments were conducted for two years to examine the response of two contrasting cultivars each of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) and clusterbean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) in pure stands and in mixed pearl millet‐clusterbean stands. The differential response of cultivars of both crops to pure and mixed stands resulted in a significant genotype × cropping system interaction. Reduction in seed yield of both clusterbean cultivars was greater in mixed stands with tall and long duration pearl millet MH 179 than with medium statured and early maturing HHB 67. The degree of reduction was greater in Naveen, the branched clusterbean cultivar, than in RGC 197, the single stemmed cultivar. Mixing of pearl millet HHB 67 with medium duration clusterbean cultivar Naveen produced maximum pearl millet equivalent total yield. Higher land equivalent ratios (LERs) were also observed when clusterbean cultivars were mixed with early maturing and short statured pearl millet HHB 67.