Responses of field-grown irrigated rice cultivars to varying levels of floodwater salinity in a semi-arid environment

Shallow saline water tables, naturally saline soils and variations in climatic conditions over the two growing seasons, create a harsh environment for irrigated rice production in the Senegal River Delta. At the onset of the growing season, salts accumulated by capillary rise in the topsoil are released into the soil solution and floodwater. Rice fields often lack drainage facilities, or drain from one field to the other, thus building up salt levels during the season. Salt stress may, therefore, occur throughout the growing season and may coincide with susceptible growth stages of the rice crop. The objectives of the present study were to (i) determine varietal responses to seasonal salinity in both the hot dry season (HDS) and the wet season (WS) and (ii) derive guidelines for surface water drainage at critical growth stages. We evaluated responses of three rice cultivars grown in the region to floodwater salinity (0–2, 4, 6, 8 mS cm⁻¹), applied either at germination, during 2 weeks at crop establishment, during 2 weeks around panicle initiation (PI), or during 2 weeks around flowering. Floodwater electrical conductivity (EC) reduced germination rate for the most susceptible cultivar by as much as 50% and yield by 80% for the highest salinity level imposed. Salinity strongly reduced spikelet number per panicle, 1000 grain weight and increased sterility, regardless of season and development stage. The strongest salinity effects on yield were observed around PI, whereas plants recovered best from stress at seedling stage. Floodwater EC <2 mS cm⁻¹ hardly affected rice yield. For floodwater EC levels >2 mS cm⁻¹, a yield loss of up to 1 t ha⁻¹ per unit EC (mS cm⁻¹) was observed for salinity stress around PI (at fresh water yields of about 8 t ha⁻¹). Use of a salinity tolerant cultivar reduced maximum yield losses to about 0.6 t ha⁻¹ per unit EC. It is concluded that use of salinity tolerant cultivars, drainage if floodwater EC >2 mS cm⁻¹ at critical growth stages, and early sowing in the WS to avoid periods of low air humidity during the crop cycle, are ways to increase rice productivity in the Senegal River Delta.     

Growth and development in tall and dwarf isogenic lines of spring wheat

The objective of the experiments reported here was to analyse the nature of the effects of the Rht dwarfing genes on yield potential in spring wheats, using near-isogenic lines of Yaqui 50 and Ciano 67 grown controlled environments. Although tall and dwarf lines had similar relative growth rates at all stages, the taller plants were consistently larger throughout due to faster and more uniform germination. Stem weight at anthesis-whether total or residual-was reduced by the Rht genes in proportion to height. Leaf length and area were much less affected by the Rht genes than was stem length, and later-formed leaves of dwarf plants could even be larger than in their tall counterparts at cool temperatures. Peak photosynthetic rates were similar in talls and dwarfs, the small differences usually reflecting differences in leaf size or specific leaf weight. Root weight was initially heavier in the taller lines, but after the stage of rapid stem elongation it tended to be heavier in the dwarfs. Tillering could be greater or less in the dwarfs depending on environmental conditions, stage, and genotype.Inflorescence initiation was somewhat earlier in the dwarf lines and their inflorescences were therefore initially heavier, and remained so up to anthesis under low irradiance and warm temperatures. But under high irradiance and/or cool temperatures, after an initially slower start the inflorescences of the taller lines eventually became the heavier. Ear weight at anthesis was closely correlated with grain number per ear at maturity and with grain yield per ear in Yaqui 50, but less closely in Ciano 67 lines, in which grain set was reduced at lower temperature when additional Rht genes were present. No evidence was found for a specific effect of the Rht genes in raising grain number. Ear weight at anthesis was relatively less affected than stem weight by adverse conditions, especially in the shorter lines. Nevertheless, across all conditions there was a close relation between stem and ear weights at anthesis, which differed between lines of different height but which closely fitted one regression when ear weight was related to the weight per unit length of stem. Under low irradiance and high temperature the greater stem growth of the taller lines was associated with smaller ears, but at high irradiance and cool temperatures both ears and stems were heavier in the taller lines.Treatments with GA₃ or CCC, to which only the tall lines responded, showed that ear weight at anthesis did not vary with large increase or decreases in stem weight, but grain set and kernel weight could be changed substantially.The yield-determining effects of the Rht genes thus varied with stage of development and environmental conditions, and with genetic background, which may have to be adjusted in order to optimise the effects of the Rht genes on yield potential, suggesting that comparisons of isogenic lines may not always provide a satisfactory indication of the potential value of major genes in breeding programs.     

Genetic gains in wheat in Turkey: Winter wheat for irrigated conditions

The study estimated genetic gain for yield and other traits in winter wheat released for irrigated environments in Turkey from 1963 to 2004. Yield trials including 14 varieties were grown in 16 environments from 2008 to 2012 in provinces of Konya, Eski?ehir, Ankara, and Edirne. The highest yields were achieved by recent varieties Kinaci-97(5.48 t ha~(-1)),Cetinel-2000(5.39 t ha~(-1)), Alpu-2001(5.44 t ha~(-1)), Ahmetaga(5.35 t ha~(-1)), and Ekiz-2004(5.42 t ha~(-1)) compared to older varieties Yektay-406(4.17 t ha~(-1)) and Bezostaya-1(4.27 t ha~(-1))released in the 1960 s. The progress reached in grain yield in 20 years was 1.16 t ha~(-1)or58 kg ha~(-1)(1.37%) per year. This gain was mainly achieved through shorter plant height and increased harvest index. There was no clear tendency of changes in specific yield components demonstrating that new high-yielding varieties may have different ways to reach their yield potentials. The yield gains were accompanied by improved stripe rust and leaf rust resistances primarily based on adult plant resistance genes. The grain quality of the new varieties did not deteriorate over time although most of them were inferior to the bread-making quality check Bezostaya-1, a feature that may require attention in future breeding.     

The influence of abiotic stress conditions on dough mixing characteristics of two hard red spring wheat cultivars

Two commercial hard red spring wheat cultivars were exposed to high and low temperatures, as well as drought stress when the main tiller kernels were at the soft dough stage. The trial was done in the greenhouse for two consecutive seasons to determine the effects of these stress conditions on protein content, SDS sedimentation and selected Mixsmart characteristics. Heat stress had the largest effect on mixing characteristics. Heat and drought stress caused a significant increase in flour protein content of both cultivars and had similar effects on mixing characteristics. The Mixsmart characteristics associated with dough strength were increased by heat and drought stress. Cold stress caused a slight increase in protein content of the cultivars, but in general caused a reduction in dough strength as measured with Mixsmart characteristics. The reaction of Mixsmart characteristics to heat and drought stress was much larger in Duzi than in Kariega, confirming that there is a large genotype effect in rheological characteristics.     

吉林省大豆品种遗传改良过程中叶片性状的演变

以吉林省1923-2005年育成的30个大豆（Glycine max）品种为材料,通过2005和2006两年田间试验在R2﹑R4和R6期对叶部性状演化及其与产量的关系进行研究。结果表明,产量随育成年代呈线性增加,根据回归方程计算,产量从1923年的1197.80kg&;#8226;hm-2增加到2005年的2305.545 kg&;#8226;hm-2,82年来增加了1107.73kg&;#8226;hm-2,平均每年增加14.60kg&;#8226;hm-2;单株叶面积﹑单株叶片数目﹑长宽比和叶面积指数（LAI）随着育成年代的增加而增加,小叶面积随着育成年代的增加而降低;新品种的单株叶面积在生殖生长期均大于老品种,尤其在后期有较长的绿叶期;通过相关分析表明,产量与单株叶面积﹑叶面积指数均达到显著水平（P≤0.05）,在R2和R4期与单株叶片数目到显著水平（P≤0.05）,说明在遗传改良过程中叶部性状与产量关系密切,在品种选育和高产栽培过程中可以考虑作为选择的依据。     

Effect of heading date of perennial ryegrass cultivars on tillering and tiller development in spring and summer

Three cultivars (two diploid and one tetraploid) in each of three maturity groups (early, intermediate and late) of perennial ryegrass were sown in 10 m² plots, replicated four times, in Northern Ireland in June 1997 in a study of the effect of heading date on tiller development (including initiation to flower) and turnover of tillers produced at specific times in spring in 1998 and 1999. The plots were harvested seven times in each year. Annual dry‐matter production was similar for all groups in each year. In spring and early summer of both years, tiller density of the diploid cultivars was 1·5 times greater than that of the tetraploid cultivars and the mean tiller density over all swards in June was about 0·40 times greater than that in April. Maximum proportions of reproductive tillers in the early, intermediate and late maturity groups, determined from apical dissections, were found in early April, mid‐May and early June, respectively. Although a high proportion of tillers, which were present when annual observations commenced in spring, was decapitated at the first harvest in the early group, the previous population density was maintained by rapid production of new tillers during May, including those from suppressed tiller buds during reproduction. It is concluded that the relationship between heading date and rate of tiller turnover (including flowering) at specified times in spring is important in sward management throughout the early part of the growing season and should be taken into account in tiller‐based grass growth models.     

Three-year field evaluation of early and late 20th century spring wheat cultivars to projected increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide

Carbon dioxide (CO₂), along with light, water and nutrients, represents an essential resource needed for plant growth and reproduction. Projected and recent increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide may allow breeders and agronomists to begin intra-specific selection for yield traits associated with CO₂ sensitivity. However, selection for maximum yield, particularly for cereals, is continuous, and it is possible that modern cereal cultivars are, in fact, the most CO₂ sensitive. To test CO₂ responsiveness, we examined two contrasting spring wheat cultivars, Marquis and Oxen, over a 3-year period under field conditions at two different planting densities. Marquis was introduced into North America in 1903, and is taller, with greater tiller plasticity (i.e. greater variation in tiller production), smaller seed and lower harvest index relative to modern wheat cultivars. Oxen, a modern cultivar released in 1996, produces fewer tillers, and has larger seed with a higher harvest index relative to Marquis. As would be expected, under ambient CO₂ conditions, Oxen produced more seed than Marquis for all 3 years. However, at a CO₂ concentration 250 μmol mol⁻¹ above ambient (a concentration anticipated in the next 50–100 years), no differences were observed in seed yield between the two cultivars, and vegetative above ground biomass (e.g. tillers), was significantly higher for Marquis relative to Oxen in 2006 and 2007. Significant CO₂ by cultivar interaction was observed as a result of greater tiller production and an increased percentage of tillers bearing panicles for the Marquis relative to the Oxen cultivar at elevated carbon dioxide. This greater increase in tiller bearing panicles also resulted in a significant increase in harvest index for the Marquis cultivar as CO₂ increased. While preliminary, these results intimate that newer cultivars are not intrinsically more CO₂ responsive; rather, that yield sensitivity may be dependent on the availability of reproductive sinks to assimilate additional carbon. Overall, understanding and characterizing vegetative vs. reproductive sink capacity between cultivars may offer new opportunities for breeders to exploit and adapt varieties of wheat to projected increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration.     

Intercropping in a temperate environment for irrigated fodder production

Fodder crops such as maize and oats are very productive under irrigation in a temperature environment; however, their protein content is too low for rapidly growing or lactating animals. Intercropping with legumes could help overcome this protein limitation.Dry matter (DM) production, protein content and total protein yield were measured in a range of intercropping combinations. For summer fodder production, maize (Zea mays L.) was intercropped with lablab bean (Lablab purpureus L.) or soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. For winter production, oat (Avena sativa) was intercropped with field pea (Pisum sativum).Alternative-row maize-plus-soybean was the most promising intercrop combination. Averaged over two years, the intercrop yield was 14.1 t¹/ha compared with a sole maize yield of 17.5 t/ha, while protein contents were 93 and 71 g/kg. In one of the two years protein production per unit area of the intercrop was significantly greater than that of sole maize.Intercropping with lablab bean planted in the same rows as maize increased protein content by approximately 10 g/kg. Reducing the maize population to one third of normal (2.4 vs 7.2 plants/m²) decreased maize yield and increased lablab bean production in one year but had no effect in the next year. Intercropping with soybeans in the same row as maize was less effective than with lablab bean.The oat-with-pea intercrops were similar to maize-with-lablab bean in raising the protein content about 10 g/kg. None of the planting patterns used reduced the dominance of the oats to a level where the peas contributed more than 10% of the total DM.     

Phenolic acid profiles of Chinese wheat cultivars

Phenolic acid concentrations were determined in 37 Chinese commercial winter wheat cultivars grown at a single site over two seasons, and fractions comprising free and bound types were analyzed using HPLC with measurements of individual phenolic acids in each fraction. Most of the parameters were significantly influenced by cultivar, season, and their interaction effects, with cultivar variance being predominant. Wide ranges of concentration among the 37 cultivars were observed. The average concentration of bound type was 661 μg g⁻¹ of dm, making up 97.5% of the phenolic acid determined with ferulic accounting for 70.7% of it, while free type made up only 2.5% of the phenolic acid determined with syringic accounting for 44.7% of it. Bound type was the predominant source to the grain phenolic acid concentrations determined. There were highly significant and positive correlations between bound ferulic concentration and total bound phenolic acid concentration, and between free syringic concentration and total free phenolic acid concentration. Cultivars Liangxing 66 and Zhongmai 895 were stable in concentration of components of phenolic acids across seasons, with high values of free and bound phenolic acids indicating they could be selected as parents in wheat breeding for health beneficial phenolic acid.     

Influence of low soil nitrogen and phosphorus on gluten polymeric and monomeric protein distribution in two high quality spring wheat cultivars

The effect of low levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and a combination of the two on the distribution of polymeric and monomeric proteins in two high quality spring bread wheat cultivars was investigated for two consecutive seasons. Size exclusion-high performance liquid chromatography (SE-HPLC) was used to determine the quantity and relationships of monomeric and polymeric proteins, and their relationship with flour protein content (FPC) and SDS sedimentation volume (SDSS). The low nitrogen and combined low nitrogen and low phosphorus treatments had a much larger effect on the protein fractions than the low phosphorus treatment alone. The SDS-soluble large monomeric protein fraction and the percentage SDS-insoluble monomeric proteins, were significantly increased under low nitrogen and a combination of low nitrogen and low phosphorus treatments. The percentage SDS-insoluble large and total polymeric proteins was significantly reduced under low nitrogen and a combination of low nitrogen and phosphorus treatments. The SDS-soluble and -insoluble small polymeric proteins were significantly increased under both low nitrogen and a combination of low nitrogen and low phosphorus treatments. The low nitrogen treatment consistently caused the lowest FPC and SDSS values. Under low nitrogen conditions, there was a significant positive correlation between the SDS-soluble gliadins and SDSS, and FPC.     

Phenolic acid profiles of Chinese wheat cultivars

Phenolic acid concentrations were determined in 37 Chinese commercial winter wheat cultivars grown at a single site over two seasons, and fractions comprising free and bound types were analyzed using HPLC with measurements of individual phenolic acids in each fraction. Most of the parameters were significantly influenced by cultivar, season, and their interaction effects, with cultivar variance being predominant. Wide ranges of concentration among the 37 cultivars were observed. The average concentration of bound type was 661 μg g⁻¹ of dm, making up 97.5% of the phenolic acid determined with ferulic accounting for 70.7% of it, while free type made up only 2.5% of the phenolic acid determined with syringic accounting for 44.7% of it. Bound type was the predominant source to the grain phenolic acid concentrations determined. There were highly significant and positive correlations between bound ferulic concentration and total bound phenolic acid concentration, and between free syringic concentration and total free phenolic acid concentration. Cultivars Liangxing 66 and Zhongmai 895 were stable in concentration of components of phenolic acids across seasons, with high values of free and bound phenolic acids indicating they could be selected as parents in wheat breeding for health beneficial phenolic acid.     

Adaptability of irrigated spring canola oil production to the US High Plains

Canola oil is high in oleic acid which is commonly used for food and industrial purposes. To determine adaptability of spring canola (Brassica napus L.) to the High Plains for industrial oil production, 26 irrigated trials were conducted from 2005 to 2008. Trials were divided into five regions—1: 36-37°N 108°W; 2: 39-40°N 101-103°W; 3: 41-42°N 102-103°W; 4: 41-42°N 104°W; 5: 43-44°N 106-108°W. Cultural practices were based on site-specific protocols. Four cultivars, Hyola 401, Hyola 357 Magnum, SW Marksman, and SW Patriot, were planted in replicated plots in April or May under standard irrigation and harvested in July to October depending on region. Seed yield Hyola 401 and Hyola 357 Magnum were higher than SW Marksman and SW Patriot across the five regions and within Regions 1, 2, 3, and 5. Regions 1, 2 and 3 yielded significantly greater than did Regions 4 and 5. Samples from 18 trials were examined for their oil content and fatty acid distribution. The four cultivars had greater than 38% oil content; SW Marksman and SW Patriot had higher oil content than Hyola 401 and Hyola 357 Mag. Higher oil content was achieved in Regions 1, 4 and 5. Across and within regions, the percent of oleic acid did not differ for the four cultivars. The mean content of oleic acid decreased going north from Region 2 to Region 5, as did seed yield in the High Plains. Linoleic acid increased going north from Region 1. Linolenic acids showed little variation across regions. Considering yield and total oil content together, growing spring canola would be excellent in the High Plains.     

Fungal diseases of spring wheat in central Saudi Arabia

Fungal diseases of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Central Saudi Arabia (AlGassim region) were surveyed in 1984 and 1985. Over 95% of the wheat fields were planted to the Yecora Rojo cultivar. Root and crown rots (Fusarium spp. and Helminthosporium spp.); brown root rot (Pythium spp.); leaf and head blotches (Helminthosporium spp.) and take-all (Gaeumannomyces sp.) were the most serious fungal diseases observed in the fields. Several H. sativum isolates were pathogenic to seedling leaves of most or all local and imported wheat cultivars (22 cultivars). Numerous soil-borne fungi were isolated from wheat roots and tested for pathogenicity to Yecora Rojo seedlings in the greenhouse. Alternaria sp., Helminthosporium spp. (two isolates), Fusarium spp. (three isolates), Pythium spp., Stemphylium spp. (two isolates) and Gaeumannomyces sp. were pathogenic to the inoculated wheat plants in the greenhouse.     

我国主要麦区101个小麦生产和区试品种（系）及高代品系抗白粉基因推导

为了明确我国小麦品种（系）中抗白粉基因的组成,利用基因推导法对来自我国主要麦区的101个小麦品种（系）进行了抗白粉病基因推导。结果表明,近一半的供试生产品种对所有供试菌株表现感病;供试的大多数区试品种具有有效地抗白粉基因,应加快这些抗病品种的大面积推广;近1/3的高代品系含有有效地抗白粉基因。供试小麦生产品种和区试品种（系）及高代品系中具有已知的抗白粉基因主要有Pm4b、Pm8、Pm2 Mld、Pm4a、Pm2、Pm2 6、Pm30等。此结果对于我国小麦白粉病的抗病育种和品种布局有重要的参考价值。     

Plant development and yield components under a tropical environment in soybean cultivars with temperate and tropical origins

Cultivar tests under tropical environments could be an approach to explore soybean productivity under high temperature. Twenty-nine soybean cultivars divided into five groups with temperate origin (Japanese and US) and tropical origin (Indonesian-old, Indonesian-modern and other tropical) were grown for two years in a tropical environment at Banten, Indonesia, with minimal season-to-season variation in air temperature and day-length. Temperate cultivars were earlier in flowering and shorter in duration from R1 to R5. Temperate cultivars had a seed yield of 157 g m^?2 (mean temperate cultivars) compared to 249 g m^?2 (tropical cultivars), which was due to having lower values of pods, seed number and TDW. In addition, the occurrence of shriveling and smaller seed size compared to plants grown in their region of origin was considerably evident in Japanese cultivars. To account for the difference of growth duration, a maturity-corrected index for yield and relevant variables was calculated to consider the amount of incident solar radiation. The yield index for all tested cultivars ranged from .49 to 1.48, and Japanese cultivars showed the lowest yield index (.67), followed by US cultivars (.87), whereas tropical cultivars had index means from 1.05 to 1.20. Although they were both of temperate origin, Japanese cultivars tended to show a lower index than US cultivars. The tendency was similar for TDW and node number. The poor performance of temperate cultivars even after correction suggests that there is a genetic variation of adaptation to a tropical environment independent of growth duration. Additionally, there was considerable performance variation within temperate cultivars.     

Tuber initiation and development in irrigated and non-irrigated potatoes

Tuber initiation and development are processes basic to potato production and are particularly critical in areas with short growing seasons. It is important to know how and to what extent management decisions affect these processes in order to maximize the yield of marketable tubers. A two-year field study, conducted in southcentral Alaska, examined top growth, tuber initiation, and tuber development in eight potato cultivars grown with and without irrigation. Plants of the cultivars Allagash Russet, Bake-King, Green Mountain, Kennebec, Lemhi Russet, Russet Burbank, Shepody, and Superior were harvested weekly throughout the growing season, and top dry weight, numbers of tubers, and individual tuber fresh weights were recorded. Top dry weight was reduced by moisture stress shortly after emergence in 1993, and about one month following emergence in 1994, when early-season soil moisture was greater. The weight of tubers was similarly affected within approximately 5 wk of emergence in 1993 and 6 weeks in 1994. Tuber weight at harvest was increased two-to three-fold by irrigation in all cultivars. The number of tubers each plant set was affected by irrigation in most, but not all, cultivars. Some varieties (Lemhi Russet in 1994, Allagash Russet both years) set more tubers than were maintained through the growing season. Tuber remnants found during sample collection indicated that tuber reabsorption had occurred. Irrigated Green Mountain had more than one tuber initiation period during the season, whereas other varieties such as Shepody maintained a relatively constant number of tubers following initial tuber set. Tuber size distribution at the end of the growing season showed that larger tubers were favored by irrigation.     

De-hardening in contrasting cultivars of timothy and perennial ryegrass during winter and spring

Scenarios of climate changes indicate longer and more frequent spells of mild weather during winter in northern latitudes. De-hardening in perennial grasses could increase the risk of frost kill. In this study, the resistance to de-hardening of different grass species and cultivars was examined, and whether the resistance changes during winter or between years, was tested. In Experiment 1, two cultivars of timothy ( Phleum pratense L.) and perennial ryegrass ( Lolium perenne L.) of contrasting winter hardiness were grown under ambient winter conditions, transferred from the field in January and April 2006 to the laboratory for 9 d with controlled de-hardening conditions of 3°C, 9°C and 15°C. The timothy cultivars were tested at 3°C, 6°C and 9°C in a similar experiment (Experiment 2) in January 2007. De-hardening, measured as decrease in frost tolerance (LT₅₀), was less in timothy than in perennial ryegrass and increased with increasing temperatures. The northern winter-hardy cultivar Engmo of timothy de-hardened more rapidly than the less-hardy cultivar Grindstad, but had higher initial frost tolerance in both experiments, whereas there was less difference between cultivars of perennial ryegrass in Experiment 1. Cultivar Grindstad of timothy lost all hardiness in early spring at all temperatures, whereas cultivar Engmo maintained some hardiness at 3°C. Cultivar Engmo de-hardened at a lower rate in 2007 than in 2006, in spite of similar frost tolerance at the start of de-hardening treatment in both years. This indicates that the rate of de-hardening was controlled by factors additional to the initial frost tolerance and that autumn weather conditions might be important for the resistance to de-hardening.     

Diverse no-till irrigated crop rotations instead of burning and plowing continuous wheat

Field burning of residue is a traditional management tool for irrigated wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production in the Inland Pacific Northwest of the United States (PNW) that can result in reduced air quality. A 6-year no-till field experiment to evaluate two complete cycles of a 3-year irrigated crop rotation of winter wheat–spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)–winter canola (Brassica napus L.) was sown (i) directly into standing residue of the previous crop, (ii) after mechanical removal of residue and, (iii) after burning of residue. The traditional practice of continuous annual winter wheat sown after burning residue and inverting the topsoil with a moldboard plow was included as a check treatment. Over-winter precipitation storage efficiency (PSE) was markedly improved when residue was not burned or burned and plowed after grain harvest. Grain yield of winter wheat trended higher in all no-till residue management treatments compared to the check treatment. Average grain yields of spring barley and canola were not significantly different among the no-till residue management treatments. Winter canola failed in 5 of 6 years due to a combination of a newly identified Rhizoctonia damping-off disease caused by Rhizoctonia solani AG-2-1 and cold temperatures that necessitated replanting to spring canola. Six-year average net returns over total costs were statistically equal over all four systems. All systems lost from $358 to $396 ha^?1. Soil organic carbon (SOC) increased linearly each year with no-till at the 0–5 cm depth and accumulated at a slower rate at the 5–10 cm depth. Take-all of wheat caused by Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici was most severe in continuous annual winter wheat. The incidence and severity of Rhizoctonia on roots of wheat and inoculum of R. solani AG-8, was highest in the no-till treatments, but there was no grain yield loss due to this disease in any treatment. Residue management method had no consistent effect on Rhizoctonia root rot on barley. The annual winter grass downy brome (Bromus tectorum L.) was problematic for winter wheat in the standing and mechanically removed residue treatments, but was controlled in the no-till residue burned and the burn and plow check. Another winter annual grass weed, rattail fescue (Vulpia myuros L.), infested all no-till treatments. This was the first comprehensive and multidisciplinary no-till irrigated crop rotation study conducted in the Pacific Northwest.     

The influence of daylength on final leaf number in spring wheat

The influence of daylength on final leaf number was determined in four field-sown wheat cultivars with no vernalisation requirement. Leaf and primordium appearance was monitored in plots sown at two-month intervals during an annual cycle. The timing of the response to daylength varied substantially among cultivars. In one, final commitment of the last leaf primordium occurred close to the time of initiation of that primordium while, in another cultivar, commitment did not occur until terminal spikelet or later. In the other two cultivars, commitment occurred midway through spikelet initiation. Late timing of response to daylength is a useful adaptation that allows cultivars with no vernalisation response sown autumn to set more leaves than when sown in spring, and hence to delay flowering. Based on the analysis, a simple iterative procedure was developed that successfully predicted final leaf number, the dates of appearance of the flag ligule and anthesis for one of the cultivars grown in an independent experiment.     

Genetic analysis of field resistance to tan spot in spring wheat

Tan spot, caused by Pyrenophora tritici-repentis (Died.) Drechs., is an important constraint to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield in many countries. Since the inheritance of field resistance to tan spot is poorly understood, this study was conducted to determine the genetic control of resistance in the field. Resistance was measured as disease severity caused by P. tritici-repentis race 1 in four crosses involving five wheat parents: parent 1 (P₁) = catbird; parent 2 (P₂) = Milan/Shanghai-7; parent 3 (P₃) = Alondra/Coc//Ures; parent 4 (P₄) = Bcb//Dundee/Gul/3/Gul); parent 5 (P₅) = ND/VG9144//Kal/BB/3/Yaco/4/Chil. P₁, P₂ and P₃ were resistant and P₄ was moderately resistant, whereas P₅ was susceptible to tan spot. The F₂-derived F₃ families and the parents were field evaluated at El Batán, Mexico, in 1996. When all the plants within a F₃ family expressed low levels of disease severity similar to that of the resistant parent it was classified resistant (R), otherwise the progeny was classified as susceptible (S). The progeny of the three crosses of the susceptible parent with the resistant and moderately resistant parents P₂, P₃, and P₄ segregated as 3R:13S whereas the progeny in the cross with P₁ showed a segregation ratio of 1R:15S. This suggests that each resistant parent possessed two genes conditioning resistance to tan spot severity caused by P. tritici-repentis race 1. Information on the inheritance of resistance measured as disease severity on adult plants under field conditions is of practical importance for wheat breeding programs seeking improvement in tan spot resistance.