Nutrient and assimilate partitioning in two tropical maize cultivars in relation to their tolerance to soil acidity

The use of Al-tolerant and P-efficient maize cultivars is an important component of a successful production system on tropical acid soils with limited lime and P inputs. Grain yield and secondary plant traits, including root and aboveground biomass, nutrient content and leaf development, were evaluated from 1996 to 2002 in field experiments on an Oxisol in order to identify maize characteristics useful in genetic improvement. Here we present the results of the 2002 trial and compare them with previous results. The aim of this experiment was to assess the effect of assimilate and nutrient partitioning on the growth and grain yield of two tropical cultivars having different Al tolerance (CMS36, tolerant, Spectral, moderately tolerant). The soil had an Al saturation of 36% in topsoil (pH 4.5) and >45% below 0.3 m depth (pH 4.2). Measurements made from emergence to grain filling included: root, stem and leaf biomass, P and N content, leaf area index (LAI), radiation use efficiency (RUE), soil available N and root profiles at anthesis. The experiments consisted of two P treatments, zero applied or 45 kg P ha⁻¹ (−P and +P). All the treatments received N and K fertilizers. In −P, root biomass and LAI at anthesis were twice as great in CMS36 as in Spectral. In +P the differences between cultivars were negligible. Roots were deeper in CMS36 due to its higher Al tolerance. Total biomass and grain yield were not strongly related to root biomass and LAI. Other factors such as the leaf biomass and the amount of nutrients per unit leaf area were highly correlated with RUE and biomass. In −P, Spectral had the same total biomass but a higher grain yield than CMS36 (2.1 Mg ha⁻¹ versus 1.5 Mg ha⁻¹). This was due to a higher leaf P content (+40%), a greater RUE (+74%), and a lower number of sterile plants. In +P, CMS36 had higher total biomass and grain yield (4.1 Mg ha⁻¹ versus 3.1 Mg ha⁻¹). This was due to its higher leaf P (+25%) and leaf N (+43%) contents, and an increased RUE (+130%) that were associated with higher P and N uptake. Our results indicated that although root tolerance to Al toxicity is necessary for good crop performance on acid soils, assimilate and nutrient partitioning in the aboveground organs play a major role in plant adaptation and may partially compensate for a lower root tolerance.     

Pig slurry applications to alfalfa: Productivity,solar radiation utilization,N and P removal

A field study was carried out over 4 years at one site in the Low Po Valley, Northern Italy, to examine the effect of various levels of pig slurry applications on alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) productivity, solar radiation utilization, and nutrient removal. Treatments consisted of three liquid pig manure rates, estimated to provide in total 300, 450 and 600 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ (PS300, PS450, PS600, respectively), and one unfertilized control (named as Control). Treatments were applied on the second and third year of crop stand (1994 and 1995), whilst during the subsequent fourth and fifth years of crop stand (1996 and 1997) the residual effects of previous treatments were investigated. Regardless of crop age and year-to-year variability, pig slurry tended to increase annual forage production during the 2 years of fertilization and the subsequent biennium of stand duration. Overall, the forage dry matter production, accumulated over four growing seasons and 17 cuts, was 39 000 kg ha⁻¹ for the Control, 44 500 kg ha⁻¹ (+14%) for PS300, to 49 800 kg ha⁻¹ (+28%) for PS450 and 45 800 kg ha⁻¹ (+17%) for PS600. Nitrogen concentration in shoot dry matter was not influenced by the treatment applied. P concentration, on the other hand, was substantially increased by all three rates of pig slurry application, with an evident residual effect observed during the last 2 years of crop stand. However, the evident increase of P availability, assured by pig slurry fertilization, resulted in most of cases in luxury consumption of P by the crop plant. A strong linear relationship was found between cumulative forage dry matter and accumulated incident global solar radiation. Pig slurry fertilization increased significantly the slope of the regressions with respect to the Control. Since enhanced N and P availability may reduce the carbon costs for sustaining root nodules and symbiotic organisms, it seems likely that the crop plant must gain advantage in terms of dry matter produced per unit of radiation intercepted. However, further research is needed to clarify whether the effect of manure is attributable to improved alfalfa efficiency in converting intercepted solar energy into forage dry matter, to enhanced canopy cover thus higher radiation capture per unit of soil area, or to a combination of both mechanisms.     

Genetic gains in grain yield and related physiological attributes in Argentine maize hybrids

Genetic gains in grain yield and related phenotypic attributes have been extensively documented in maize (Zea mays L.), but the effect of breeding on the physiological determinants of grain yield is yet poorly understood. We determined genetic gains in grain yield and related physiological traits for seven maize hybrids developed for the central region of Argentina between 1965 and 1997. Gains were expressed as a function of the year of release (YOR). Hybrids were cropped in the field at five stand densities (from almost isolated plants to supra-optimal levels) during two contrasting growing seasons (E₁ and E₂). Water and nutrient stress were prevented and pests controlled. Genetic gains in grain yield (≥13.2 g m⁻² YOR⁻¹) were mainly associated with improved kernel number, enhanced postsilking biomass production, and enhanced biomass allocation to reproductive sinks, but computed gains were affected by the environment. Differences among hybrids arose at the start of the critical period, and were evident as improved mean radiation use efficiency (≥0.026 g MJ⁻¹ YOR⁻¹), enhanced plant growth rate at near optimum stand density (≥0.04 g pl⁻¹ YOR⁻¹), and improved biomass partitioning to the ear around silking (0.0034 YOR⁻¹, only for E₁). Improved biomass production after silking was related to an increased light interception (≥4.7 MJ m⁻² YOR⁻¹), and allowed for an almost constant source–sink ratio during grain filling. This trend determined no trade-off between kernel number and kernel weight. In contrast to previous studies, genetic gains were detected for potential productivity (e.g., maximum grain yield) on a per plant basis (i.e., under no resource competition), a promising aspect for the improvement of crop grain yield potential.     

Maximizing yields in rice–groundnut cropping sequence through integrated nutrient management

Integrated use of organic and inorganic fertilizers can improve crop productivity and sustain soil health and fertility. The present research was conducted to study the effects of application of green manures [sesbania (Sesbania aculeate Poiret) and crotalaria (Crotalaria juncea L.)] and farmyard manure on productivity of rice (Oryza sativa L.) and its residual effects on subsequent groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) crop. Rice and groundnut crops were grown in sequence during rainy and post-rainy seasons with and without green manure in combination with different fertilizer and spacing treatments under irrigated conditions. The results showed that application of green manures sesbania and crotalaria at 10 t ha⁻¹ to rice compared to no green manure application significantly increased grain yield of rice by 1.6 and 1.1 t ha⁻¹, and pod yields of groundnut crop succeeding rice by 0.25 and 0.16 t ha⁻¹, respectively. There was no significant difference between the application of crotalaria or farmyard manure at 10 t ha⁻¹ on grain yields of rice, but pod yields of subsequent groundnut crop were greater with application of green manure. There was no significant effect of different spacing 20×15,15×15,15×10 cm² (333 000; 444 000; 666 000 plant ha⁻¹, respectively) on grain yield of rice. Pod yields of groundnut were significantly greater with closer spacing 15×15 cm² (444 000 plants ha⁻¹) as compared to spacing of 30×10 cm² (333 000 plants ha⁻¹). Maximum grain of rice was obtained by application of 120:26:37 kg NPK ha⁻¹ in combination with green manures, whereas maximum pod yield of groundnut was obtained by residual effect of green manure applied to rice and application of 30:26:33 kg NPK ha⁻¹ in combination with gypsum applied to groundnut crop.     

Effects of varying nitrogen doses on yield,yield components and artemisinin content of Artemisia annua L.

Artemisia annua L. is an aromatic-antibacterial herb that destroys malarial parasites, lowers fevers and checks bleeding, and of which the secondary compound of interest is artemisinin. The objective of the present study was to determine yield, yield components and artemisinin content of A. annua L. grown under four nitrogen applications (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg ha⁻¹) in the Çukurova region of Turkey in 2004 and 2005. Field trials were conducted at Çukurova University, Agricultural Faculty Field Crops Department. In the study, plant height, number of branches, fresh herbage yield, dry herbage yield, fresh leaf yield, dry leaf yield, essential oil content and artemisinin content (by high performance liquid chromatography, HPLC) were examined. By analysis of variance, nitrogen doses had no any statistical effect on the traits investigated except for artemisinin content. Artemisinin content of the dried leaves were significantly affected by nitrogen applications, which varied from 6.32 to 27.50 mg 100 g⁻¹. Contents were from 120 and 80 kg ha⁻¹ nitrogen for the years of 2004 and 2005, respectively.     

Plant population density,row spacing and hybrid effects on maize canopy architecture and light attenuation

Light attenuation within a row crop such as maize is influenced by canopy architecture, which has to be defined in terms of the size, shape and orientation of shoot components. Cultural practices that improve the efficiency of light interception affect canopy architecture by modifying such components. Our objectives were to: (i) determine the nature and timing of leaf growth responses to plant population and row spacing; (ii) analyze light attenuation within fully developed maize canopies. Field experiments were conducted at Pergamino (33°56′S, 60°34′W) and Salto (34°33′S, 60°33′W), Argentina, during 1996/1997 and 1997/1998 on silty clay loam soils (Typic Argiudoll) that were well watered and fertilized. Four maize hybrids of contrasting plant type were grown at three plant populations (3, 9 and 12 plants m⁻²) and two row spacings (0.35 and 0.70 m). Plant population promoted larger changes in shoot organs than did row spacing. As from early stages of crop growth, leaf growth (V₆–V₈) and azimuthal orientation (V₁₀–V₁₁) were markedly affected by treatments. Modifications in shoot size and leaf orientation suggest shade avoidance reactions, probably triggered by a reduction in the red:far-red ratio of light within the canopy. An interaction between hybrid and plant rectangularity on leaf azimuthal distribution was determined, with one hybrid displaying a random azimuthal leaf distribution under most conditions. This type of hybrid was defined as rigid. The other hybrids showed modified azimuthal distribution of leaves in response to plant rectangularity, even at very low plant populations. These hybrids were defined as plastic. Once maximum leaf area index (LAI) was attained light attenuation did not vary among hybrids and row spacing for plant populations ≥9 plants m⁻² (k coefficient: 0.55 and 0.65 for 9 and 12 plants m⁻², respectively). A more uniform plant distribution increased light attenuation (k coefficient: 0.37–0.49) only when crop canopies did not reach the critical LAI.     

Yield traits of six clones of Miscanthus in the first 3 years following planting in Poland

Miscanthus species are highly productive with low inputs and are excellent candidates for bioenergy feedstock production. A field experiment was conducted to characterize phenotypic differences in selected clones generated from interspecific hybrids of Miscanthus sinensis × Miscanthus sacchariflorus and intraspecific hybrids within M. sinensis. The field experiment was planted in plots of 20 m² at a density of 1 plant m⁻² in three randomized blocks. The trial was monitored for 3 years for traits important to biomass production including plant height, tiller density, tuft diameter and shoot diameter. ANOVA showed significant genotypic variation in these traits once the stand was 2 years old. This study shows that tillering and tuft diameter in years 1 and 2 are the most important traits influencing biomass yield, but over 3 years when the highest yielding potential is reached, tillering and tuft diameter have the highest correlation with biomass yield. These results identifying high-yielding Miscanthus clones will be utilized in our plant improvement program.     

Rice root morphological traits are related to isozyme group and adaptation

Rice accessions from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) germplasm bank were evaluated for root traits of 40-day-old plants grown in soil in the greenhouse. The 136 accessions represented six groups defined on the basis of isozyme classification, with isozyme group six further subdivided on the basis of origin and morphology. An additional 28 rice cultivars were evaluated for seminal root xylem vessel diameter when grown in pots in a growth chamber. Rice groups differed in root thickness, root xylem vessel diameter, root:shoot ratio, and patterns of root distribution. Isozyme group 1, which corresponds generally to the indica subspecies, had thin, superficial roots with narrow vessels and a low root:shoot ratio. The other major isozyme group, group 6, comprising japonica types, was characterized by thick roots with wider vessels, a greater proportion of the root weight below 15 cm, and a larger root:shoot ratio. On an average, the bulu and temperate group 6 accessions were similar to the non-bulu types except that their root:shoot ratios and proportion of root weight above 15 cm were more similar to group 1. Group 2, with aus types from South Asia, was characterized by intermediate root thickness, but vertical root distribution and root:shoot ratio were more similar to group 6. The minor isozyme groups 3–5 were represented by few accessions, and in general, they had root thickness and root distribution profiles more similar to group 1 than to group 6. While significant differences were observed among isozyme groups for all the traits under study, there was significant variation within groups and groups overlapped for all traits measured. This study highlights the wide range of variability for constitutive root traits in rice. For example, root thickness ranged from 0.68 to 1.04 mm, seminal root xylem vessel diameters from 30 to 58 μm, root:shoot ratios from 0.05 to 0.21, and accessions had from 44 to 73% of the total root weight concentrated in the surface 15 cm of soil. For the 28 cultivars evaluated, root xylem vessel diameter was highly correlated with reported values of leaf epicuticular wax content (r=0.89). These values indicate the range of genetic variation within the rice genome for root morphological traits.     

Effect of growth regulators on yield and fiber quality in ramie (Boemheria nivea (L.) Gaud.), China grass

The effects of two mixtures of four plant growth regulators (choline chloride, gibberellin (GA₃), benzyladenine (6-BA) and NaHSO₃) at 20:9:5:800 mg kg⁻¹ (H1) and 20:42:43:2350 mg kg⁻¹ (H3) (active ingredients), respectively, were investigated on yield and fiber quality in ramie (Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaud.). The mixtures were sprayed over the canopy at two growth stages (10 and 20 days after the previous cut) of field-grown ramie. The treatments increased raw fiber yield by 13–18%, and improved fiber fineness by 57–349 m g⁻¹, increased number of leaves per plant, and also improved all yield components. Treatment H1 resulted in a denser distribution, smaller diameters and greater quantity of fiber cells in stem cross-section. Physiological responses included improving leaf water status, increasing net photosynthetic rate, and decreasing electrolyte exosmosis rate.     

Radiation interception and the accumulation of biomass and nitrogen by soybean and three tropical annual forage legumes

Field experiments were conducted at Gatton and Dalby in southeastern Queensland to determine parameters associated with radiation interception and biomass and nitrogen (N) accumulation for the ley legume species, phasey bean (Macroptilum lathyroides (L.) Urban) and vigna, (Vigna trilobata (L.) Verdc.). Sesbania (Sesbania cannabina Retz.), a native legume species, and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill)) were included in the study for comparison. The most important differences between species related to differences in radiation interception, radiation-use efficiency (RUE), N-accumulation efficiency and the partitioning of N to plant parts. During early growth, soybean intercepted more radiation than the other species, primarily because of its greater leaf area index (LAI). Sesbania had the highest RUE (1.08 g MJ⁻¹) followed by phasey bean (0.94 g MJ⁻¹), soybean (0.89 g MJ⁻¹) and vigna (0.77 g MJ⁻¹). The efficiency of N-accumulation was greater in soybean (0.028 g N g⁻¹) and phasey bean (0.030 g N g⁻¹) than in vigna (0.022 g N g⁻¹) and sesbania (0.021 g N g⁻¹). In all species, the proportion of N allocated to leaves declined throughout the experimental period, being more rapid in soybean than in sesbania and phasey bean. Despite this decline in total N partitioned to the leaves, both soybean and phasey bean maintained a relatively stable specific leaf nitrogen (SPLN) throughout the experimental periods although sesbania and vigna displayed rapid decreases in SPLN. The large variation between species in RUE and N-accumulation efficiency indicates that the development of ley legume cultivars with a combination of traits for more efficient legume production, water use and soil N-accumulation in the water-limited environments of the grain belt of eastern Australia may be possible. The sensitivity of forage production, water use and soil N-accumulation to variation in RUE and N-accumulation efficiency needs to be quantified using modeling techniques prior to embarking on screening programs to select appropriate germplasm for evaluation studies.     

Effect of sulphur fertilisation on the growth and metabolism of sugar beet grown on soils of differing sulphur status

Field experiments were conducted at high- and low-S status sites in the 1998 and 1999 seasons to investigate the effect of sulphur application on the growth and metabolism of sugar beet. Application of sulphur (25 kg ha⁻¹) resulted in a 25% increase in root yield together with significant increases in root and shoot dry matter accumulation at the low-S site only in the 1998 season. Beet quality was also increased through a reduction in α-amino N concentration. Crop S uptake was shown to be as much as 35 kg S ha⁻¹ per year but with most S being returned to the soil removal of S is likely to be <15 kg ha⁻¹ per year. The use of diagnostic plant indicators to predict sulphur deficiency in this crop was limited by the potential of the crop to access subsoil S through an extensive rooting depth. Application of sulphur to high-S status sites had no effect on the growth or metabolism of sugar beet.     

The importance of the anthesis-silking interval in breeding for drought tolerance in tropical maize

Selection for improved performance under drought based on grain yield alone has often been considered inefficient, but the use of secondary traits of adaptive value whose genetic variability increases under drought can increase selection efficiency. In the course of recurrent selection for drought tolerance in six tropical maize (Zea mays L.) populations, a total of 3509 inbred progenies (S₁ to S₃ level) were evaluated in 50 separate yield trials under two or three water regimes during the dry winter seasons of 1986–1990 at Tlaltizapán, México. In over 90% of the trials, ears plant⁻¹, kernels plant⁻¹, weight kernel⁻¹, anthesis-silking interval (ASI), tassel branch number and visual scores for leaf angle, leaf rolling and leaf senescence were determined. Low scores indicated erect, unrolled or green leaves. Canopy temperature, leaf chlorophyll concentration and stem-leaf extension rate were measured in 20–50% of the trials. Across all trials, linear phenotypic correlations (P < 0.01) between grain yield under drought and these traits, in order listed, were 0.77, 0.90, 0.46, −0.53, −0.16, 0.06^NS, −0.18, −0.11, −0.27, 0.17 and 0.10. Genetic correlations were generally similar in size and sign. None of physiological or morphological traits indicative of improved water status correlated with grain yield under drought, although some had relatively high heritabilities. Genetic variances for grain yield, kernels ear⁻¹, kernels plant⁻¹ and weight kernel⁻¹ decreased with increasing drought, but those for ASI and ears plant⁻¹ increased. Broad-sense heritability for grain yield averaged around 0.6, but fell to values near 0.4 at very low grain yield levels. Genetic correlations between grain yield and ASI or ears plant⁻¹ were weak under well-watered conditions, but approached −0.6 and 0.9, respectively, under severe moisture stress. These results show that secondary traits are not lacking genetic variability within elite maize populations. Their low correlation with grain yield may indicate that variation in grain yield under moisture stress is dominated by variation in ear-setting processes related to biomass partitioning at flowering, and much less by factors putatively linked to crop water status. Field-based selection programs for drought tolerance should consider these results.     

Site-specific nutrient management for intensive rice cropping systems in Asia

Irrigated rice (Oryza sativa L.) yield increases in Asia have slowed down in recent years. Further, yield increases are likely to occur in smaller increments through fine-tuning of crop management. On-farm experiments at 179 sites in eight key irrigated rice domains of Asia were conducted from 1997 to 1999 to evaluate a new approach for site-specific nutrient management (SSNM). Large variation in initial soil fertility characteristics and indigenous supply of N, P, and K was observed among the eight intensive rice domains as well as among farms within each domain. Field- and season-specific NPK applications were calculated by accounting for the indigenous nutrient supply, yield targets, and nutrient demand as a function of the interactions between N, P, and K. Nitrogen applications were fine-tuned based on season-specific rules and field-specific monitoring of crop N status. The performance of SSNM was tested for four successive rice crops. Average grain yield in the SSNM increased by 0.36 Mg ha⁻¹ (7%) compared to the current farmers’ fertilizer practice (FFP) measured in the same cropping seasons or 0.54 Mg ha⁻¹ (11%) compared to the baseline FFP yield before intervention. Average nutrient uptake under SSNM increased by about 10% in the same seasons or by 13% (N) and 21% (P, K) compared to the baseline data. Yield increases were associated with a 4% decrease in the average N rate, but larger amounts of fertilizer-K at sites where the previous K use was low. Average N use efficiencies increased by 30–40%, mainly through the use of improved in-season N management schemes. Across all sites and four successive rice crops, profitability increased by US$ 46 ha⁻¹ per crop or 12% of the total average net return. The performance of SSNM did not differ significantly between high-yielding and low-yielding climatic seasons, but improved over time with larger benefits observed in the second year. Average profitability increased from US$ 32 ha⁻¹ pre crop in the first year to US$ 61 ha⁻¹ pre crop in the second year due to improvements in the SSNM approach and re-capitalization of P and K applied in the first year. SSNM required little extra credit for financing, and remained profitable even if rice prices are somewhat lower than current levels. Further, scope for improvement exists at many sites by alleviating other crop management constraints to nutrient use efficiency. Profit increases ranged from US$ 4 to 82 ha⁻¹ per crop among eight rice domains. However, profit decreases occurred in about 25% of all cases, indicating that a certain minimum level of crop care is required for SSNM to be profitable. Yields at sites with labor-saving direct-seeding of larger fields were about 1 Mg ha⁻¹ lower than those achieved at sites with labor-intensive transplanting and good management, raising concern about future trends in rice production. SSNM has potential for improving yields and nutrient efficiency in irrigated rice to close existing yield gaps. The major challenge for SSNM will be to retain the success of the approach while reducing the complexity of the technology as it is disseminated to farmers. The nature of the approach will need to be tailored to specific circumstances in different countries. In some areas, SSNM may be field or farm specific, but in many areas it is likely to be just region and season-specific.     

Effect of nitrogen supply on crop conductance,water- and radiation-use efficiency of wheat

Water-use efficiency (WUE_DM) is directly related to radiation-use efficiency (RUE) and inversely related to crop conductance (g_c). We propose that reduced WUE_DM caused by shortage of nitrogen results from a reduction in RUE proportionally greater than the fall in conductance. This hypothesis was tested in irrigated wheat crops grown with contrasting nitrogen supply; treatments were 0, 80 and 120 kg N ha⁻¹ in 1998 and 0, 80, 120 and 160 kg N ha⁻¹ in 1999. We measured shoot dry matter, yield, intercepted solar radiation and soil water balance components. From these measurements, we derived actual evapotranspiration (ET), soil evaporation and transpiration, WUE_DM (slope of the regression between dry matter and ET), WUE_Y (ratio between grain yield and ET), RUE (slope of the regression between dry matter and intercepted radiation), and g_c (slope of the regression between transpiration and intercepted radiation). Yield increased from 2.3 in unfertilised to an average 4.7 t ha⁻¹ in fertilised crops, seasonal ET from 311 to 387 mm, WUE_DM from 23 to 37 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹, WUE_Y from 7.6 to 12.4 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹, RUE from 0.85 to 1.07 g MJ⁻¹, while the fraction of ET accounted for soil evaporation decreased from 0.20 to 0.11. In agreement with our hypothesis, RUE accounted for 60% of the variation in WUE_DM, whereas crop conductance was largely unaffected by nitrogen supply. A greater fraction of evapotranspiration lost as soil evaporation also contributed to the lower WUE_DM of unfertilised crops.     

Long-term effects of inorganic and organic fertilizer sources on yield and nutrient accumulation of lowland rice

Deceleration in rice (Oryza sativa L.) yield over time under fixed management conditions is a concern for countries like Bangladesh, where rice is the primary source of calories for the human population. Field experiments were conducted from 1990 to 1999 on a Chhiata clay loam soil (Hyperthermic Vertic Endoaquept) in Bangladesh, to determine the effect of different doses of chemical fertilizers alone or in combination with cow dung (CD) and rice husk ash (ash) on yield of lowland rice. Two rice crops—dry season rice (December–May) and wet season rice (July–November) were grown in each year. Six treatments—absolute control (T₁), one-third of recommended fertilizer doses (T₂), two-thirds of recommended fertilizer doses (T₃), full doses of recommended fertilizers (T₄), T₂+5 t CD and 2.5 t ash ha⁻¹ (T₅) and T₃+5 t CD and 2.5 t ash ha⁻¹ (T₆) were compared. The CD and ash were applied on dry season rice only. The 10-year mean grain yield of rice with T₁ was 5.33 t ha⁻¹ per year, while the yield with T₂ was 6.86 t ha⁻¹ per year. Increased fertilizer doses with T₃ increased the grain yield to 8.07 t ha⁻¹ per year, while the application of recommended chemical fertilizer doses (T₄) gave 8.87 t ha⁻¹ per year. The application of CD and ash (T₅ and T₆) increased rice yield by about 1 t ha⁻¹ per year over that obtained with chemical fertilizer alone (T₂ and T₃, respectively). Over 10 years, the grain yield trend with the control plots was negative, but not significantly, both in the dry and wet seasons. Under T₃ through T₆, the yield trend was significantly positive in the dry season, but no significant trend was observed in the wet season. The treatments, which showed positive yield trend, also showed positive total P uptake trend. Positive yield trends were attributed to the increasing P supplying power of the soil.     

Effect of chloride in irrigation water and form of nitrogen fertilizer on Virginia (flue-cured) tobacco

One of the main sources of considerable amounts of chloride to soils is irrigation water. The responses of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) to chloride are varied and inconsistent depending on the tobacco type, variety and methods of fertilization, cultivation and harvesting used. In this work, the impact of the interaction between four chloride levels (10, 20, 40, 80 mg L⁻¹) in irrigation water and three nitrogen fertilizer forms (NO₃–N 100%, NH₄–N 100% and NO₃–N 50%:NH₄–N 50%) on growth, agronomic and chemical characteristics of Virginia tobacco was evaluated over 2 years (1999, 2000) in an outdoor pot experiment. The results showed that the adverse influence of chloride in irrigation water on plant height and number of leaves per plant was already substantial above 40 mg L⁻¹, within 30 days after transplanting. In this period, visual toxicity symptoms of chloride appeared on the lower leaves of plants treated with ammonium nitrogen. In addition, the effect of chloride on flowering time, chlorophyll content of leaves, aboveground fresh weight of plant, total cured product yield and chemical characteristics, depended on the form of nitrogen, with nitrate nitrogen restricting the detrimental effects of chloride in irrigation water up to 40 mg L⁻¹. The reduced yield of cured product at 80 mg L⁻¹ was the result of the adverse effects of chloride on the leaves of the middle and upper stalk position. Leaf chloride concentration was highest in the upper leaves and increased linearly with the increase of chloride level in irrigation water at each leaf position on the stalk and this increase was more rapid as ammonium nitrogen percentage was increased. Chloride increased the concentration of reducing sugars in cured leaves at each leaf position, in all nitrogen forms and nicotine mainly in plants treated with nitrate nitrogen. The changes in total nitrogen and ash content are considered as minimal. We conclude that the optimum chloride level in irrigation water is below 20 mg L⁻¹, whereas the level of 40 mg L⁻¹ in combination with nitrate nitrogen fertilizers can be considered as the upper threshold to avoid adverse effects on Virginia tobacco.     

Interannual variation in soybean yield: interaction among rainfall,soil depth and crop management

Using data from large, grower-managed fields we investigated the variation in yield of dryland soybean in an area with low and variable summer rainfall, and soils that are variable in depth and poor in phosphorus (P). First, using data from unfertilised, wide-row (0.7 m) crops grown under standard management between 1989 and 1992 (Series 1), we quantified the relationship between yield and W, a rainfall-based estimate of water availability during the period of pod and grain set. Separate functions were established for deep (depth ≥ 1 m) and shallow soils (0.75 m ≥ depth ≥ 0.5 m). Second, we partially tested these functions using two independent data sets (Series 2 and 3). Third, we evaluated the effects on yield of large (18 kg P ha⁻¹, Series 4) or moderate doses of P fertiliser (8–12 kg P ha⁻¹) in narrow-row crops (0.35 m, Series 5). To investigate water × management interaction we (i) calculated ΔY, the difference between actual yield in Series 4 and 5 and yield calculated with the functions derived from Series 1, and (ii) tested the association between ΔY and actual W. In a set of 24 crops (Series 1), yield varied between 2.1 and 3.1 t ha⁻¹ in deep soils and between 1.3 and 2.6 t ha⁻¹ in shallow soils; non-linear functions described fairly well, the response of yield to W. Fertilisation with 18 kg P ha⁻¹ increased yield by 0.6 t ha⁻¹ irrespective of water availability. The combination of narrow rows and a moderate dose of fertiliser increased yield in 73% of crops in deep soil but only in 53% of crops in shallow soil. There was a positive association between ΔY and W in deep soil but no relationship between these variables in shallow soil. Yield responses to management were thus differentially affected by rainfall in deep and shallow soils.     

Foliar sprays of concentrated urea at maturity of pigeonpea to induce defoliation and increase its residual benefit to wheat

The pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) crop retains appreciable amounts of green foliage even after reaching physiological maturity, which if allowed to defoliate, could augment the residual benefit of pigeonpea to the following wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in a pigeonpea–wheat rotation. The effect of addition of leaves present on mature pigeonpea crop to the soil was examined on the following wheat during the 1999/2000 growing season at Patancheru (17°4′N, 78°2′E) and during the 2001–2003 growing seasons at Modipuram (29°4′N, 77°8′E). At Patancheru, an extra-short-duration pigeonpea cultivar ICPL 88039 was defoliated manually and using foliar sprays of 10% urea (30 kg/ha) and compared with a millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.) crop, naturally senesced leaf residue and no-leaf residue controls. At Modipuram, the effect of 10% urea spray treatment on mature ICPL 88039 was compared with the unsprayed control. At both locations, the rainy season crops were followed by a wheat cultivar UP 2338 at four nitrogen levels applied in a split plot design, which at Patancheru were 0, 30, 90 and 120 kg N ha⁻¹ and at Modipuram 0, 60, 120 and 180 kg N ha⁻¹. At Patancheru, urea spray added 0.5 t ha⁻¹ of extra leaf litter to the soil within a week without significantly affecting pigeonpea yield. This treatment, however, increased mean wheat yield by 29% from 2.4 t ha⁻¹ in the no-leaf residue pigeonpea or pearl millet plots to 3.1 t ha⁻¹. At Modipuram, the foliar sprays of urea added more leaf litter to the soil than at Patancheru. Here, increase in subsequent wheat yield due to additional pigeonpea leaf litter was 7–8% and net profit 21% more than in the unsprayed control. The addition of pigeonpea leaf litter to the soil resulted in a saving of 40–60 kg N for the following wheat crops in both the environments. The results demonstrated that pigeonpea leaf litter could play an important role in the fertilizer N economy in wheat. The urea spray at maturity of the standing pigeonpea crop significantly improved this contribution in increasing wheat yield, the effect of which was additional to the amount of urea used for inducing defoliation. The practice, if adopted by farmers, may enhance sustainability of wheat production system in an environmentally friendly way, as it could reduce the amount of fertilizer N application to soil and enhance wheat yield.     

Grain weight response to increases in number of grains in wheat in a Mediterranean area

This study explored whether the average grain weight of wheat tends to be reduced when grain number is increased due to either competition or, to a consistent increase in the relative proportion of grains of smaller weight potential. Three field experiments considering environmental, genetic and environmental × genetic effects on yield and its main components were analysed during the 2003/2004 growing season in two different locations within the Mediterranean area of Catalonia, Spain. The relationship between grain weight and number of grains per unit land area was analysed for both the average of all grains (AGW) and for grains in specific positions of the main-shoot spikes: proximal (CPg) and distal (CDg) grains of central spikelets, and proximal grains of the near apical (APg) and near basal (BPg) spikelets. The proportional contribution of grains per spike for the different grain positions and the relative contribution of spikes per m² made by the main shoot or tillers were also examined.In the three experiments, AGW was reduced when grain number was increased due to genetic and/or environmental factors. However, the slopes of the straight-lines that represented the negative relationship between grain number and grain weight were lower (less negative) and less significant for CPg (b = −0.20, P > 0.20), CDg (b = 0.06, P > 0.20) and BPg (b = −0.21, P > 0.20) than for AGW (b = −0.40, P < 0.05). The proportional contribution of distal grains and tiller spikes (both with relatively light grains) were directly related to grain number increases. Therefore, as grain number increased there was a higher proportion of grains of low potential weight. Thus, the average grain weight was concomitantly reduced when grain number increased by increasing the proportion of “small grains” in the canopy independently of any competitive relationship between growing grains.     

Ultrahigh CO2 levels enhances cuphea growth and morphogenesis

Applications of ultrahigh CO₂ treatments accelerated cuphea (Cuphea viscosissima × C. lanceolata ‘PSR23’) growth and development and aided in seedling establishment. The growth (fresh weight) and morphogenesis (number of leaves and roots and seedling length) were determined in cuphea seedlings exposed to 350, 1500, 3000, 10,000, or 30,000 μmol mol⁻¹ CO₂ for 30 days under greenhouse conditions. Greater CO₂ levels, especially the ultrahigh levels (i.e. ≥3000 μmol mol⁻¹ CO₂) resulted in significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) fresh weights, leaf numbers, root numbers, and seedling lengths compared to seedlings grown under ambient air (350 μmol mol⁻¹ CO₂). For example, cuphea ‘PSR23’ Morris heavy seedlings showed the greatest seedling fresh weight, leaf number, root number, and seedling length when supplemented with 10,000 μmol mol⁻¹ CO₂ increasing 607%, 184%, 784%, and 175%, respectively, when compared to seedlings grown without CO₂ enrichment.