中黄35超高产群体的生理参数

为探索新疆绿洲农田生态条件下大豆超高产(≥5 625 kg hm^-2)栽培的产量形成机理,在2006和2007年超高产栽培试验中测定了中黄35的群体生理指标和生态参数,分析了品种群体结构。结果表明,中黄35和新大豆1号(对照)的最大叶面积指数(LAI_max)分别为4.31和3.64,LAI＞3的天数分别持续50 d和36 d;全生育期的总光合势(LAD)分别为2 766 375 m² d和2 385 645 m² d;中黄35生育前期(出苗后第16~58天群体的光合生产率为3.3~5.2 g m^-2 d^-1,而后期(出苗后第72~114天)则为2.52~5.0 g m^-2 d^-1,对照分别为3.8~6.0和0.6~3.5 g m^-2 d^-1;中黄35的生物产量、籽粒产量和经济系数为13 943.2 kg hm^-2、5 521.5 kg hm^-2和39.6%,对照则为13 108.1 kg hm^-2、4 666.5 kg hm^-2和35.63%。和对照相比,中黄35最大叶面积指数持续时间长,全生育期的总光合势高,后期群体的光合生产率大,经济系数高是达到超高产目标的基础。中黄35在新疆绿洲农田栽培,具有良好的适应性。     

南方粳型超级稻物质生产积累及超高产特征的研究

以超级粳稻品种武粳15、淮稻9号、徐稻3号和常优1号为材料,对高产(8.25~9.75 t hm^-2)、更高产(9.75~11.25 t hm^-2)和超高产(＞11.25 t hm^-2) 3个产量等级群体的物质生产与产量的关系、干物质积累、输出与转运等方面进行了系统的比较研究。结果表明,4个超级稻品种成熟期、抽穗至成熟期的干物质重与产量呈极显著正相关,抽穗期干物质重均与产量呈抛物线关系,拔节至抽穗期的干物质重与产量呈极显著正相关(高产—更高产、更高产—超高产以及将3个产量等级综合起来);从高产到更高产再到超高产,4个超级稻品种的生物学产量不断提高(差异显著),而超高产群体的经济系数则与更高产水平相当(0.5000以上),显著高于高产水平;较之更高产、高产群体,超高产群体在生育中期(拔节至抽穗期)干物质积累量大,抽穗期叶面积指数高、株型挺拔、群体质量优[有效叶面积率、高效叶面积率、总颖花量与颖花/叶(cm²)、基部节间粗、单茎茎鞘重均高],在生育后期(抽穗至成熟期),光合能力强(叶面积衰减率小,光合势、群体生长率、净同化率高)、干物质积累量高(占生物学产量的40.0%以上)、茎鞘物质的输出与转运协调[实粒/叶(cm²)、粒重(mg)/叶(cm²)均高]。     

不同栽培模式对杂交粳稻群体质量的影响

以杂交粳稻常优3号和常优5号为材料,设置未施氮处理(0N)、当地高产栽培(对照)、高产高效栽培、超高产栽培、超高产高效栽培和氮肥高效利用栽培等6种不同栽培模式,并观察上述栽培模式对水稻产量和群体质量的影响。结果表明,两品种超高产栽培和超高产高效栽培的产量平均分别达12.0 t hm^-2和10.9 t hm^-2,较当地常规高产栽培分别高出41.6%和29.1%。与当地常规高产栽培相比,超高产栽培和超高产高效栽培等处理的茎蘖成穗率明显提高,抽穗至成熟期的干物质积累增加,有效叶面积和高效叶面积比率增加。上述两处理还提高了水稻粒叶比,改善了源库关系,并提高了剑叶的光合速率和叶绿素含量以及抽穗后的根冠比和根系伤流量。这些结果表明,通过栽培技术的集成与优化,可以改善水稻群体质量,获得更高产量。     

杂交棉标杂A1和石杂2号超高产冠层特性及其与群体光合生产的关系

在田间自然条件下, 以标杂A₁、石杂2号为材料, 研究了超高产(3 500 kg hm^-2以上)杂交棉冠层的叶面积配置、叶倾角和光分布等冠层特性的变化及与群体光合生产的关系。结果表明, 超高产条件下杂交棉叶面积指数高且持续期长, 群体叶面积配置与光分布较均匀, 花铃期冠层中部有较好的透光性, 吐絮期底部漏光损失较小, 整个冠层仍保持较高的光吸收率。超高产杂交棉不仅群体光合速率峰值高, 而且高值持续时间长, 生育后期非叶器官仍维持较高的光合能力, 特别是茎的光合贡献率为常规高产棉花的1.6~4.9倍, 这是杂交棉在生育后期能保证群体光合优势的一个重要原因。超高产杂交棉的棉铃干物质空间分布与叶分布、光分布和冠层光合分布的比例吻合程度较高, 保证了光能的有效利用, 促进同化物及时向棉铃转运, 有利于挖掘杂交棉品种的增产潜力。     

杂交棉标杂A1和石杂2号超高产冠层特性及其与群体光合生产的关系

在田间自然条件下, 以标杂A₁、石杂2号为材料, 研究了超高产(3 500 kg hm^-2以上)杂交棉冠层的叶面积配置、叶倾角和光分布等冠层特性的变化及与群体光合生产的关系。结果表明, 超高产条件下杂交棉叶面积指数高且持续期长, 群体叶面积配置与光分布较均匀, 花铃期冠层中部有较好的透光性, 吐絮期底部漏光损失较小, 整个冠层仍保持较高的光吸收率。超高产杂交棉不仅群体光合速率峰值高, 而且高值持续时间长, 生育后期非叶器官仍维持较高的光合能力, 特别是茎的光合贡献率为常规高产棉花的1.6~4.9倍, 这是杂交棉在生育后期能保证群体光合优势的一个重要原因。超高产杂交棉的棉铃干物质空间分布与叶分布、光分布和冠层光合分布的比例吻合程度较高, 保证了光能的有效利用, 促进同化物及时向棉铃转运, 有利于挖掘杂交棉品种的增产潜力。     

超高产常规粳稻宁粳1号和宁粳3号群体特征及对氮的响应

2007—2008年对宁粳1号和宁粳3号的丰产示范方进行调查,2008年以宁粳3号为材料进行氮肥用量和前后比例试验,研究常规粳型超级稻超高产群体特征及对氮的响应。结果表明,常规粳型超级稻宁粳1号和宁粳3号抽穗后干物质积累占籽粒产量的70%~80%,茎叶等营养器官的表观转运率少,易高产稳产。足够的颖花量是高产稳产的保证,要达到11.0 t hm^-2以上的产量,颖花数要 ≥ 42 000 m^-2;要达到11.7 t hm^-2以上的产量,颖花数要 ≥ 45 000 m^-2,同时结实率 ≥ 90%,粒重 ≥ 26 mg。超高产群体抽穗期适宜叶面积指数(LAI)为7.0~7.5,叶色呈“黑黄”节奏变化,后期生长速率(CGR)高,收获指数(HI)≥ 0.5。氮肥的适量施用和适当后移,不仅可以保证宁粳1号和宁粳3号生育期“黑黄”节奏变化,建立抽穗期适宜LAI的群体,还可以保持超高产株型特征,提高抽穗后LAI、叶面积维持期、CGR和HI,最终实现超高产量。     

冬小麦节水栽培三种灌溉模式的水氮利用与产量形成

为探讨华北平原冬小麦节水栽培适宜灌溉模式及其产量形成与资源利用规律,2004—2008连续4年在同一地块比较春不灌水(I₀)、春灌1水(I₁)和春灌2水(I₂) 3种灌溉模式对冬小麦水氮利用特性与产量形成的影响。在均实行晚播和一次性底施氮量157.5 kg hm^-2条件下,各模式年际间籽粒产量稳定,I₀、I₁和I₂模式的4年平均产量分别为6 134、7 515和8 134 kg hm^-2,平均总耗水量分别为3 334、3 829和4 270 m³ hm^-2,平均总吸氮量分别为162.5、197.9和212.2 kg hm^-2。在耗水构成中,土壤贮水消耗占总耗水量的比例分别为66.7%、49.2%和37.8%。3种灌溉模式的水分利用效率达1.9~2.0 kg m^-3,灌溉模式间无显著差异;氮素利用效率在3个灌溉模式间也无显著差异,平均为38.0 kg kg^-1 N。3种灌溉模式主茎穗占成穗数比例平均为81%,开花期上三叶叶面积指数2.6~3.8,旗叶节以上非叶绿色器官面积指数2.7~3.6。综合以上结果,冬小麦3种灌溉模式及其配套技术形成的群体结构可在不同产量水平上实现水、氮资源高效利用。     

利用ORYZA2000模型分析北京地区旱稻产量潜力及需水特征

在模型验证的基础上，利用ORYZA2000模型分析表明，北京地区旱稻产量潜力30年平均为8 573 kg hm^-2，变化范围为6 747~11 278 kg hm^-2，年际间变异系数为16.3%。而雨养产量的多年平均值为4 084 kg hm^-2，变化范围223~8 018 kg hm^-2，年际间的变异系数高达51.1%。产量潜力与雨养产量之差表明北京地区旱稻尚有一定的增产潜力。旱稻全生育期需水量的多年平均值为713 mm，年际间变异为8.5%。其中，出苗—穗分化阶段由于持续时间长，需水量最大，占全生育期的49.7%。全生育期的平均需水强度为5.3 mm d^-1，需水强度最大的时期为穗分化—开花阶段，平均为5.5 mm d^-1。北京地区生育期内的降水量不能完全满足旱稻的需水要求，50%的年份水分亏缺量在250 mm以上，水分亏缺量多年平均值为226 mm，年际间变异较大，变异系数高达81.4%。     

施氮量对晋南旱地冬小麦光合特性、产量及氮素利用的影响

在自然降水条件下,通过2年大田试验研究了施氮量对晋南旱地冬小麦光合特性、产量、氮素利用效率以及0~200 cm土层NO₃-N残留的影响。结果表明,在0~270 kg hm^-2施氮量范围内,随施氮量的增加,旗叶的净光合速率和叶绿素含量增加,气孔导度增大,胞间二氧化碳浓度降低,旗叶蒸腾速率显著提高; 但施氮量超过180 kg hm^-2时,除蒸腾速率外其他光合指标均无显著变化。N180处理的氮素当季回收率及氮素农学效率均最高,且显著高于N90处理。生物产量以N270处理最高,且与其他处理差异显著; 但施氮量超过180 kg hm^-2时,氮素营养对籽粒产量不再有显著贡献。从产量构成因素来看,提高穗数和穗粒数是增加当地旱作小麦籽粒产量的关键。施氮量90~270 kg hm^-2会造成土壤NO₃-N的残留,残留量占施氮量的35%左右,其中20~40 cm和40~60 cm土层出现NO₃-N积累峰值,NO₃-N残留会导致氮素淋失风险增加及产量对氮肥反应不明显。综合考虑光合特性、产量、氮素利用率和NO₃-N残留量,当地旱作冬小麦施氮量以180 kg hm^-2左右为宜。     

超高产栽培杂交中籼稻的生长发育特性

以5个杂交中籼稻品种(含品系)扬两优6号、P88S/747、珞优8号、珞优234和天两优2号为材料,研究大田条件下超高产水平(产量≥12.0 t hm^-2)的物质生产、产量构成及养分吸收特性。试验结果表明,与高产水稻(产量≥9.0 t hm^-2)相比,超高产水稻具有以下特征,幼穗分化期、齐穗期和灌浆结实期(齐穗后10 d) LAI大,分别为6.5~7.2、8.5~8.9和6.5~7.0;齐穗期的高效叶面积比率高,为60.0%~66.5%;齐穗期、灌浆期和成熟期积累较多的干物质,分别为13.5~15.0、15.0~16.0和25.0~28.0 t hm^-2;分蘖盛期对氮(N)、磷(P)、钾(K)吸收利用优势不明显,而幼穗分化期、齐穗期和成熟期对N、P、K 吸收利用高而且积累速度快。此外,具有穗数多(有效穗数介于250×10⁴ ~290×10⁴ 穗 hm^-2)、结实率高(88.2%~92.3%)、千粒重大(29.0~31.0 g)的特点。     

密植对不同玉米品种产量性能的影响及其耐密性分析

提高种植密度是玉米高产的重要措施之一,并且群体密度对冠层光合特性与产量有重要影响,为阐明不同基因型玉米品种的耐密性,本研究以先玉335、郑单958、吉单209为供试品种,设置60 000株 hm^-2、75 000株 hm^-2、90 000株 hm^-2、105 000株 hm^-2 4种密度处理,测定并计算6个生育期的叶面积指数(LAI)、光合势(LAD)、净同化率(NAR)以及产量性能参数平均叶面积指数(MLAI)、平均净同化率(MNAR)、收获指数(HI)、单位面积穗数(EN)、单穗粒数(GN)、千粒重(GW),并结合产量性能参数的变化对各品种进行耐密性分析。结果表明,不同品种产量性能参数对密度胁迫的反应相同,MLAI、EN与密度呈显著正相关,MNAR、HI、GN、GW与密度呈显著负相关;各品种产量对密度的响应呈一元二次方程关系,并具有良好的相关性;在试验密度范围内,品种耐密性表现以先玉335最好、郑单958次之,吉单209较差,其中,先玉335的适宜密度范围为90 000~105 000株 hm^-2,郑单958与吉单209的适宜密度范围为75 000~90 000株 hm^-2。     

Crop Management Effects on Pre-and Post-Anthesis Changes in Leaf Area Index and Leaf Area Duration and their Contribution to Grain Yield and Yield Components in Spring Cereals

Seasonal changes in leaf area index (LAI) and leaf area duration (LAD, i.e. LAI integrated over cumulated degree days) have a marked effect on crop productivity. Three case experiments were conducted at Suitia (60°11′N) and Viikki (60°13′N) Experimental Farms, University of Helsinki, Finland, to evaluate the possibilities of accelerating pre-an thesis expansion of leaf area and modifying pre- and post-anthesis LAD in spring cereals through crop management. Effects of time of incorporation of a green manure crop residue into the soil [conventional tillage (autumn ploughing and seed bed preparation in the spring), conservation tillage (sole spring tillage) with and without a green manure crop, common vetch (Vicia saliva I.)]and N fertilizer rate (0, 50, 100kg N ha^?1) on LAI and pre- and post-anthesis LAD in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were studied in exp I; green manuring (common vetch) and N fertilizer rate (0,40, 70,110,150kg N ha^?1) in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), oat (Avena sativa L.), and wheat in exp II; and foliar application of chlormequat chloride (CCC) and ethephon in oat lines (dwarf, naked, modern, landrace) differing in canopy structure in exp III. Time of incorporation of the green manure crop residues into the soil (exp I), green manuring (exp II), N fertilizer rate (exps I and II), and selection for crop growth type (exp III), but not CCC and ethephon, modified LAI and LAD in spring cereals by affecting the rate of pre-anthesis expansion and post-anthesis reduction in leaf area rather than by markedly prolonging the growth period. High rates of N fertilizer accelerated expansion of leaf area, especially prior to stem elongation, and resulted in high pre-anthesis LAD due to enhanced tiller growth (exps I and II) and more tillers per main shoot (exp I). Green manuring increased leaf expansion from the tillering stage most when combined with high N rate, and especially in barley (exp II), but no such effects were found in exp I. Use of a high N fertilizer rate (exps I and II) and green manuring (exp II) also resulted in high post-anthesis LAD. Such modifications enabled higher rates of grain- and head-filling, and in exp I contributed to increased head weight and grain yield. Selection for inherent differences in growth type provided an additional possibility for manipulation of canopy structure and yield formation.     

冬小麦-夏玉米“双晚”种植模式的产量形成及资源效率研究

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

Effects of Time and Rate of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Application on the Growth and the Seed and Oil Yields of Canola (Brassica napus L.)

A field study was conducted to investigate the influence of variable rates of application of N and P fertilizers in splits at various times on the growth and the seed and oil yields of canola (Brassica napus L.) during 1995–97. Rates of fertilizer application were 0 and 0 (F0), 60 and 0 (F1), 0 and 30 (F2), 60 and 30 (F3), 90 and 60 (F4) and 120 and 90 (F5) kg N ha^?1 and kg P₂O₅ ha^?1. All the P was applied at sowing while N was applied in splits, i.e. all at sowing, half at sowing and half with first irrigation, or half at sowing and half at flowering. The responses of growth, seed yield and components of yield were consistent in both years. Increasing the rate of fertilizer application from F4 (90/60 kg N/P₂O₅ ha^?1) to F5 (120/90 kg N/P₂O₅ ha^?1) increased the leaf area index (LAI) relative to the control and to lower rates of fertilizer application. For both crops, application of 90/60 kg N/P₂O₅ ha^?1 significantly enhanced total dry matter (TDM) and seed yield. Seed yield increased mainly due to a greater number of pods per plant and seeds per seed‐pod. The time of fertilizer application did not significantly affect seed yield or components of yield in either season. Oil yield generally followed seed yield, increasing with increasing rate of fertilizer application up to 90/60 kg N/P₂O₅ ha^?1. The maximum oil contents were obtained from the control. The results show that seed and oil yields of canola were maximized at the F4 (90/60 kg N/P₂O₅ ha^?1) rate of application under the agro‐ecological conditions of Faisalabad, Pakistan.     

Nutrient Management Effects on Light Interception, Photosynthesis, Growth, Dry-matter Production and Yield of Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea)

A field experiment was conducted on sandy loam acidic soil to study the effect of nutrient managements on light interception, photosynthesis, growth, biomass production and yield of Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss.]. Plant height, number of branches per plant, number of siliqua per plant, number of seeds per siliquae, 1000‐seed weight, seed and oil yield of Indian mustard improved at 100 % recommended rates of NPK (N‐P‐K at 80‐17.2‐33.2 kg ha^?1) + 10 t ha^?1 farmyard manure (FYM) (T₃) compared with 100 % NPK rate (T₂). It was also at par with 100 % NPK + 10 kg ha^?1 borax + 20 kg ha^?1 ZnSO₄ (T₆) and 50 % NPK + 10 t ha^?1 FYM +10 kg ha^?1 borax + 20 kg ha^?1 ZnSO₄ (T₁₀). The rate of photosynthesis increased due to appropriate nutrient management treatments (T₃, T₆ or T₁₀) with concomitant increase in photosynthetically active radiation, internal CO₂ concentration and rate of transpiration and decrease in stomatal resistance. Consequent upon the higher rate of photosynthesis, dry‐matter accumulation increased. The crop receiving nutrient treatment T₃ or T₆ maintained higher light interception ratio (LIR), leaf area index (LAI), biomass production, crop growth rate (CGR) and net assimilation rate (NAR) that resulted in greater rate of photosynthesis, harvest index and seed yield. Similarly, T₁₀ was equally efficient in registering greater LIR, LAI, CGR, NAR and seed yield of mustard. The average seed yields were 1692, 1683 and 1668 kg ha^?1 in T₃, T₆ and T₁₀, respectively, and these three treatments were significantly superior to T₂ (1332 kg ha^?1), control (723 kg ha^?1) and other treatments. Significantly greater seed oil contents of 41.30, 40.60 and 41.07 % were recorded in T₃, T₆ and T₁₀, respectively. Thus, significant improvement due to appropriate combination of NPK, FYM, borax and ZnSO₄ was observed for uptake of nutrients.     

春玉米叶面积系数动态特征的密度效应

为进一步明确春玉米不同密度群体叶面积系数(LAI)特征参数的密度效应,以吉单209和郑单958为材料,于2005年和2006年在东北春玉米区(吉林)分别设置4.5~10.5万株 hm^-2 5个密度和3.0~12.0万株 hm^-2 7个密度处理试验,应用作物高产群体相对LAI动态普适模型方程y= (a+bx)/(1+cx+dx²)模拟分析不同密度对LAI动态特征参数的影响。结果表明,春玉米群体最大LAI在3.0~12.0万株hm^-2范围内随密度增加呈近似直线增大趋势,而最大LAI出现的时间随密度增加而提早;将LAI数据相对化处理后,不同密度群体的LAI差异在最大LAI之后较之前表现明显,高密度群体较低密群体LAI衰减迅速。全生育期平均LAI随密度增加呈显著线性增大趋势,而平均LAI与最大LAI的比率则随密度增加呈显著线性减小趋势。密度对模拟方程各参数均有不同程度的影响,相邻密度差异不明显,间隔3.0万株 hm^-2的差异显著;不同参数变化趋势不同,其中参数a接近“0”,受密度影响不大;b、c均随密度的增加而减小,d随密度的增加而增大。全生育期群体LAI变化速率呈“N”形变化趋势,且与群体LAI变化及生育期对应,高密度群体LAI增加及衰减的速率均大于低密度群体,拔节期和大喇叭口期为密度响应敏感期。由此可见,密度对春玉米全生育群体LAI动态具有调节作用,尤其群体LAI变化速率、最大LAI及其到达的时间、平均LAI及其与最大LAI的比率等重要特征参数对密度响应较为敏感,可作为对春玉米群体密度调控的参考指标。     

Leaf Area Duration of Oat at High Latitudes

Contribution of leaf area duration (LAD) to grain yield during the short growing season characteristic of northern latitudes may differ from the marked impact it has at lower latitudes. Three experiments (exps) were carried out at Viikki Experimental Farm, University of Helsinki, Finland (60° 13′N) to compare associations between main shoot and tiller LAD with grain yield, yield components and morpho-physiological traits characterizing plant stand structure. This was done using correlation analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) for data from trials conducted during 1993–1995. Exp I included three N fertilizer rates (80, 120, 160 kg N ha^?1), three seeding rates (250, 500, and 750 seeds m^?2), and tall, moderate, semi-dwarf, and dwarf oat lines. Exp II incorporated two N fertilizer rates (80 and 120 kg ha^?1), three seeding rates (400, 600, and 800 seeds m^?2), and naked and hulled oat lines, and exp III, foliar applications of plant growth regulators [control, chlormequat chloride (CCC), and ethephon], and dwarf, naked, and conventional oat lines. LAD for main shoots and tillers [calculated as ∫ LAI d T, where T is cumulated degree days from seedling emergence to yellow ripening (dd °C)] and 12 morpho-physiological traits were measured. Oat was not able to benefit from high main shoot LAD if drought occurred at grain-fill, but in the absence of severe drought or if it occurred at pre-anthesis, high LAD favoured yield formation. Tiller LAD had a negative impact, if any, on grain yield in cases of an inverse relationship between tiller LAD and yield components on main shoots was recorded. Use of low seeding rates resulted in improved ability of total LAD to contribute to dry-matter production, but was not associated with grain yield. Low seeding rates enhanced formation of high tiller LAD, which was not able to compensate for grain yield reduction caused by fewer main shoots. Foliar application of CCC and ethephon tended to increase the proportion of LAD production by tillers at the expense of grain yield, which can be attributed to lower post-anthesis precipitation. Oat types differed in main shoot and tiller LAD. Disadvantageous characteristics of naked oat, such as low single groat weight, were not associated with insufficient main shoot LAD. High tiller LAD in naked lines and the Minnesota-adapted dwarf line that was not associated with high tiller grain yield in naked lines, in particular, indicates that tiller growth was enhanced at the expense of grain yield production. Application of N fertilizer at various rates did not have any effect on LAD.     

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.