Conversion of SO2−4-S and Changes in Glucosinolate Content in Leaves of Rape Seedlings Transplanted

The conversion of SO^2-₄ -S and changes in content of S in various constituents in leaves of rape seedlings transplanted were investigated by using (NH₄)₂³⁵SO₄ as a tracer to exploit formation and accumulation of glucosinolates in oilseed rape. Seedlings grown under sandy culture absorbed ³⁵SO^2-₄ which was added to the cultural solution and incorporated into amino acids, glucosinolates and proteins rapidly. Distribution of extractable ³⁵S with 70 % methanol in glucosinolates in leaves declined with time from labelling, while those in amino acids rised correspondingly. Per cents of ³⁵S incorporated into bound form in total ³⁵S increased linearly and those of ³⁵S into glucosinolates and amino acids decreased with time within five days from labelling. After that the relative amounts of ^3SS in three constituents was basically constant. Content on dry weight basis of labelled glucosinolates and amino acids expressed as μmol S/g.d.w. increased linearly with time from labelling with absorption of ³⁵SO^2-₄from soil by the seedlings under soil culture. Compared with seedlings grown under sandy culture, more ³⁵S was incorporated into glucosinolates in leaves of seedlings grown under soil culture.     

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

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

Nitrogen Transportation in Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus L.) Plant during Flowering and Early Siliqua Developing

Nitrogen transportation from different organs was investigated by labelling pods, leaves and internodes of upper stem with ¹⁵N-urea during flowering. Labelled plants were harvested one month after flowering and determined the amount of ¹⁵N in relative parts. The results of the experiment show the directions of ¹⁵N applied in different organs during flowering. Transportation of ¹⁵N applied in pods of lower terminal of the main stem and first branch was mainly directed to seeds inside the labelled pods, about 17 % of ¹⁵N entered into seeds 7 days after last labelling, a little transportation each other between the branch and terminal was found, more than 80 % of ¹⁵N applied on leaves during flowering was transported out of the leaves after flowering, 35 % and 67.93 % on average was translocated in pods for early and late flowering, respectively, while 55.97 % of ¹⁵N applied on surface of internodes of upper stem below terminal was found in pods. It was corroborated that nitrogen transportation also occurs within pods by labelling different parts of pods, much greater amount of nitrogen was transported from lower part to upper part of pods than those in opposite direction.     

14CO2 Assimilation and Translocation of 14C-Photosynthates by Different Parts of Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea L.)

The role of leaves, stem and reproductive parts in ¹⁴CO₂ fixation and subsequent photosynthate translocation was studied in Indian mustard ( Brassica juncea L.) at three growth stages. The data indicated that leaves, stem and pods are important sources of photosynthates for seed filling. At bud emergence stage leaves are the principle site of ¹⁴CO₂, fixation. The contribution of leaves declines at subsequent stages, where as the contribution of pod walls increased from bud emergence stage to ripening stage. The contribution of the stem remains more or less constant at all three growth stages studied. Although stem can fix ¹⁴CO², at bud emergence and flowering stages it imported ¹⁴C-photosynthates from leaves. However, stem exported photosynthates during subsequent growth stages.     

Influence of Soil Drought on Plant Growth, Assimilation and Dissimilation of CO2 and Accumulation of Photosynthates in Field Bean (Vicia faba L. minor) During Pod Formation and Rapid Pod Growth

Field bean planes cultivar Nadwiślański were submitted to soil drought (30 % of field soil water capacity) for 5 days at the stage of pod formation (A) and of rapid pod growth (B) and then exposed for 20 minutes to ¹⁴CO₂. Radioactivity of leaves, stems, roots, and pods or pod shells and seeds was measured 1, 5, 24 and 48 hours after exposition.
In both stages soil drought reduced by about five times total CO₂ assimilation, mainly owing to lower activity of the photosynthetic apparatus and also, though less so, to reduced leaf growth. Photosynthetic activity referred to the dry weight of the leaves dropped to 22-35% of controls. Accumulation of photosynthetates in generative organs was much less depressed than ¹⁴CO₂ assimilation. 48 hours after exposition to ¹⁴CO₂ of drought treated plants, the contents of ¹⁴C of pods in phase A, and seeds in phase B, amounted to respectively 24% and 36% of assimilated ¹⁴C and equalled 91.5% and 74% of the corresponding values for controls.
The progressive decline of radioactivity in leaves and stems after ¹⁴CO₂ exposition was distinctly correlated to the rise of radioactivity of generative organs both in soil drought treated plants and in controls. Slightly lower values of correlation coefficients in drought treated plants may indicate impairment under drought conditions of synchronization in processes of unloading and accumulation of assimilates.
In plants drought treated in phase A the ability to dissimilate ¹⁴C was reduced to about 59% of that in controls, but when drought was applied in phase B, dissimilation rate was about three times as high.     

Effect of Inoculant Rate on Nodulation and Various Agronomic Traits of Soybean

In a soil lacking indigenous Bradyrhizobium japonicum , soybean ( Glycine max [L.] Merr.) nodulation depends upon the number of rhizobia applied with the inoculum. This field study reports the effect of different rates of applied rhizobia on nodulation, dry matter and nitrogen content in soybean in a Mediterranean soil lacking B. japonicum.
Treatments included six rates of B. japonicum , ranging from 2.5 × 10⁴ to 6.075 × 10⁶ rhizobia cells per seed applied to the seed as peat inoculant at planting, 100 kg N ha⁻¹ and an uninoculated control. The experiment was conducted in an Entisol soil. Regression analysis showed linear relationship between the rate of applied rhizobia and the number of the nodules per plant or the dry weight per nodule. In early stages of development (32 and 68 days after planting) plant dry weight was not affected by inoculation rate. At harvest a rate of 7.5 × 10⁴ rhizobia cells per seed was necessary for maximum total and stover dry weight. A higher rate, 6.75 × 10⁵ rhizobia cells per seed, was required to obtain maximum grain yield, total N content in plant tops and grain N content. Grain percentage N was increased up to 2.025 × 10⁶ rhizobia cells per seed. Nitrogen application increased grain yield, total N content and grain N content at the same level as the lower inoculation rate.     

Effects during Period of Siliqua Developing of KH2PO4 and MgSO4 Application on Nitrogen Transportation in Pods of Oilseed Rape(Brassica napus L.)

An experiment was conducted in field experiment plot to investigate nitrogen transportation from hulls of pods in different periods at early stage of siliqua developing and effect of KH₂PO₄ and MgSO₄ application on it using ¹⁵N-urea.
More than 80 % of ¹⁵N applied on the surface of pods at lower terminal during flowering was recovered from all pods one month after flowering, most of them were still in the hulls of labelled pods, 17-27 % of ^l5N applied was transported into seeds, a small amount was transported to pods at upper terminal, a little amount was found in pods at branch. More ^l5N applied in middle period of flowering was transported to pods at upper terminal and branch than those applied in early period of flowering. It should be further investigated to conclude how will be going on transportation of nitrogen from hulls as preceding of siliqua developing towards maturity of seeds and its difference between ¹⁵N applied in more different periods.
Application of KH₂PO₄ and MgSO₄ with ¹⁵N-urea of surface of pods promoted transportation of ¹⁵N into seeds from hulls, effect of MgSO₄ was more notable.     

Plant Growth Regulators Influence 14CO2 Assimilation and Translocation of Assimilates in Indian Mustard

Effect of plant growth regulators Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), Gibberellic acid (GA₃) and Kinetin on ¹⁴CO₂ assimilation, partitioning of ¹⁴C into major biochemical fractions and translocation of assimilates was studied in different parts of Indian Mustard ( Brassica juncea ) at late ripening stage. Leaves, stem and pod walls are photosynthetically active and are important sources for seed filling. NAA and kinetin increased the ¹⁴CO₂ assimilation rate in all the three photosynthetically active parts. All the three growth regulators increased the export of ¹⁴assimilates out of source organs and increased the movement of assimilates into the reproductive parts (pods). The increased movement of photoassimilates into the developing pods may be due to the stimulation of sink activity by the growth regulators which resulted in the higher demand for photoassimilates. It was suggested that growth regulators may increase yield by altering distribution of assimilates in the mustard plants.     

Untersuchungen zur Assimilatverteilung in Ackerbohnen (Vicia faba L.) während der Blühphase

Investigations about the distribution of assimilates during flowering in broad beans ( Vicia faba L.)
The distribution of assimilates during flowering was studied on single plants exposed to ¹⁴CO₂ in the field. The plants were harvested 1, 3, 15 days after exposition and at ripening. Results:
1. At the begin of flowering the nodes with flowers assimilated much ¹⁴C with a tendency of higher contents in the more above situated nodes. The concentration of ¹⁴C was similar in blades, stalks and flowers.
2. The assimilates incorporated after 24 hours were only to a small amount translocated afterwards. Only 3 % went to the apical region. An intensive restorement out of the blades took place at the time of ripening.
3. In the midst of flowering the concentration of ¹⁴C was lower in the nodes with open flowers than in those with shut or with pods. At that time pods are already strong sinks that withdraw assimilates from blades and stalks.
4. At the time when large and small pods are growing on the lower and middle nodes, the nodes in the apical region will be deprived of assimilates (effects of dominance).
5. Roots and nodules had low but stable contents and concentrations of ¹⁴C during flowering. These descended distinctly at ripening.     

Carbon and Nitrogen Transport during Grain Filling in Rice Under High-temperature Conditions

Rice ( Oryza sativa cv. Koshihikari) seedlings were grown in a sandy dune soil in pots with a basal dressing of N (0.5 g N), P and K. Two N treatments were applied, a +N treatment in which a top dressing of ¹⁵N-labeled 0.5 g N was supplied on July 20 and a −N treatment in which no additional fertilizer was supplied. During the grain-filling stage from August 6 to 13, plants were subjected to one of three temperature treatments; controlled low temperature, LT (day/night 28/23 °C), controlled high temperature, HT (35/30 °C) and uncontrolled glasshouse temperature, UT (day/night averages, 38/26 °C). All plants were then exposed to ¹³CO₂ for 1 h on August 11 in a growth chamber at 25 °C. On August 13, all plants were harvested and the ¹³C and ¹⁵N abundances and starch and sugar concentrations in the ears, shoots and roots were determined. The ¹³C content of the ear was lower in UT than in LT irrespective of the +N or −N treatment. The translocation of ¹⁵N to the ears was also slightly depressed in UT compared with LT. Under high-temperature conditions (HT and UT), the starch content per plant was reduced for −N, but for +N, it was not significantly different among the temperature treatments. A high accumulation of sucrose was observed in all plant parts under UT conditions. It is suggested that extreme high day temperatures during the grain-filling period may reduce starch synthesis in the grains and, especially so under N-deficient conditions. High temperatures also induce an accumulation of sucrose and a decrease in carbon and nitrogen transport from the shoots to the ears via the phloem.     

Translocation of N in Pods of Oilseed Rape during Siliqua Developing

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the translocation of N in pods during siliqua developing of oilseed rape using ¹⁵N-urea. The ¹⁵N was applied on the surface of pods at lower stem in three periods after flowering. At maturity the hulls and seeds of pods at different parts of plants were subjected to analyse N content and ¹⁵N abundance and calculate recoveries of N applied.
79.1–84.3 % of labelled N applied were recovered from the total pods including 75.3–80.4 % in labelled pods. A great part of the N was translocated in seeds, the later the labelled N application, the more proportion of N in seeds was. Application of MgSO₄ combined with urea promoted the uptake and translocation of N, but not at a significant level.     

The Translocation of 14C-Sucrose and 14C-Benzyl Adenine in Winter Wheat (Tritkum aestivum L.) in the Period of Kernel Formation

The transport and distribution of ^14C-sucrose and ^14C-BA were studied in internode segments with ear of two winter wheat cultivars with a different mass of kernels in the period of kernel formation. While ^MC-sucrose was transported and accumulated intensively in the developing ear, ^14C-BA was transported much less and only a small part of it was found in the ear. With the ear development the accumulation of both ¹⁴C-sucrose and ¹⁴C-BA in the ear increased but the ¹⁴C-BA distribution pattern (ratio of the internode/kernel and the rest of the ear) did not change significantly. In the period of one to two weeks after anthesis the accumulation of ¹⁴C-sucrose and ¹⁴C-BA was higher in the kernels of the Slavia cv., i.e. in the cultivar with a higher mass of kernels.     

Translocation of 14C-sucrose within the Ear in Durum and Aestivum Wheat Varieties

Excised ears of Triticum durum (HD 4502 and B 449) and T. aestivum (Kalyansona and Kundan) varieties were cultured in ¹⁴C-sucrose, and the uptake and distribution of ¹⁴C within the ear was examined. Species-level differences in the distribution of ¹⁴C to spikelets at basal, middle and apical positions in the wheat ear (vertical distribution) were observed. T. aestivum var. Kalyansona and Kundan showed no limitation in vertical translocation of ¹⁴C-sucrose, whereas in T. durum there was a decrease in the distribution of ¹⁴C to apical spikelets. Within a spikelet, the distribution of ¹⁴C-sucrose to distal grains was significantly less than that to proximal grains in all the genotypes.     

Seed Yield and Yield Contributing Characters as Influenced by N Supply in Rapeseed-mustard

Brasisca Juncea , cv. Pusa Bold, and B. campestris , cv. Pusa Kalyani, were raised under field conditions with varying levels of N supply from 0–120 kg ha^-1. The production profile of branches and pods thereon was measured, per unit area basis, throughout the crop ontogeny. At maturity, data on the yield contributing characters, viz. pod dry weight, pod number, seed number per pod, 1000 seed weight, seed wall ratio and seed yield in different order branches, was recorded.
The branching pattern and the number of pods produced on different order branches, in the two species, was favourably modified by the increasing levels of N supply. Primary and secondary branches contributed to the seed yield to an extent of 80 % of the total yield. Nitrogen treatment had no significant effect on 1000 seed weight. B. juncea exhibited significantly higher yield over B. campestris. N supply up to 120 kg ha ^-1 linearly increased seed yield in both the species. However, it exerted a negative effect too partitioning of assimilates from pod wall to seed. The study indicated that rapeseed-mustard, grown under short winter-season environment with adequate soil moisture, has the potential for higher N-fertilizer optima exceeding 120 kg ha ^-1.     

Effect of Okra Planting Density and Spatial Arrangement in Intercrop with Maize on the Growth and Yield of the Component Species

The effects of three okra planting densities (28 000; 56 000 and 111 000 plants ha¹) intercropped within or between maize rows were investigated in two field trials during the 1990 and 1991 wet seasons at Nsukka. The plant height and the leaf area index (LAI) increased as the planting density increased in sole or intercropped okra while the number of branches per plant decreased with increasing okra planting density. The height of maize plants also increased as okra planting density increased but the LAI decreased. Intercropping reduced the yield and yield components (number and weight of pods per plant) of okra and maize (number of cobs, cob length and 100-grain weight). Increasing okra planting density reduced the sole and the intercropped okra and also the maize intercrop yield by reducing the number of pods and grains as well as the pod and grain size, respectively. Assessment of the productivity ofthe mixtures showed that the highest yield advantage (35%) of growing okra and maize together was obtained at 28000 okra plants ha¹ while the highest monetary return was realized at the highest okra planting density of 111000 plants ha¹ intercropped between maize rows. The patterns of row arrangement did not have effect on the growth, yield and yield components of the mixtures.     

The Effect of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilization on the Nitrogen Absorption by Sunflowers

Little is known about the effect of fertilization on the N uptake of sunflowers. A 4² factorial trial with 0, 60, 120 and 180 kg N ha⁻¹ and 0, 15, 30 and 45 kg P ha⁻¹ was conducted over three years. The N content and concentration of leaves, stems and capitula were determined at three growth stages. High N levels increased the N content and concentration of all plant parts at all growth stages sharply. High P levels increased the N content of all plant components through better growth. P has an inconsistent effect on N concentration but tended to decrease it. After flowering the crop assimilated 20 to 25 % of the total N. This implies that N applied can still be applied and utilized by the crop at a late stage. This should be substantiated by further research.     

Effect of Gibberellic Acid Spray during Ontogeny of Mustard on Growth, Nutrient Uptake and Yield Characteristics

In a field trial conducted during 1993–1994, mustard ( Brassica juncea L. Czern & Coss.) cv. Varuna was sprayed with either deionised water or 10⁻⁵ M GA₃ at 40 (vegetative stage), 60 (flowering stage) or 80 (pod fill stage) days after sowing (DAS) to select the suitable growth stage for spray for augmenting productivity of the crop. Shoot length per plant, leaf number per plant, leaf area per plant, dry weight per plant and leaf area index and accumulation of N, P and K were recorded at 100 DAS. Pods per plant, seeds per pod, 1000 seed weight, seed yield, biological yield, harvest index and seed yield merit were computed at harvest. Growth, NPK accumulation and yield were maximal when spraying was done at 40 DAS. However, spraying at 40 and 60 DAS gave at par values for most of the growth and yield parameters. It was also noted that there was a significant difference in spray treatment at different growth stages only when G A, was sprayed and not when water was sprayed.     

Assimilation, Dissimilation and Accumulation of 14C in Two Maize (Zea mays L.) Hybrids of Different Drought Tolerance

The effects of exposure in the vegetative phase of growth to 5- or 10-day spells of soil drought (30% field water capacity) on assimilation, dissimilation and accumulation of ¹⁴C and on dry matter growth were studied in two maize hybrids, nos. 8344 and 8388 (Garst Seed Co.) of high and low drought tolerance. Under control water regime in soil there was no difference in ¹⁴CO₂ uptake and dry matter growth between hybrids. After five days of drought ¹⁴CO₂ assimilation dropped by about 75% referred to unit weight of dry matter in hybrid 8344 and by 56% in hybrid 8388. After 10 days of drought ¹⁴CO₂ assimilation rate was reduced by 75% in both hybrids. Soil drought increased the ¹⁴C dissimilation. There were no significant differences between hybrids in all treatments, with the exception of 5 days drought; after this treatment the dissimilation rate of hybrid 8344 was higher than that of 8388. Changes of translocation of ¹⁴C and its accumulation in particular organs occurred in drought treated plants; the amount of ¹⁴C accumulated in roots of plants of hybrid 8344 increased, while that of hybrid 8388 decreased. Changes of ¹⁴C accumulation in roots were positively correlated to changes of dry matter of those organs. One day after 10 days of drought assimilation and dissimilation rates in both hybrids were about 60% of controls.     

Variability and Correlations in Grain Sorghum Genotypes (Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench) Under Drought Conditions at Different Stages of Growth

Twenty-two genotypes of grain sorghum were grown under drought conditions by omitting one irrigation during stages of before flowering period, kernel filling period, and physiological maturity period at Assiut Univ. Farm in 1987 and 1988 seasons. The results obtained revealed that considerable variation existed among genotypes for all the studied traits. The most effective moisture stress treatment in reducing grain yield, panicle weight and plant height was during flowering stage. While 1000-kernel weight was much affected by moisture stress during grain filling period. The genotype x year interaction (σ²_gy) was large compared to genotype x irrigation treatment (σ²_gl) indicated that genotypes responded differently when they were grown from year to year. The genotypic variance (σ²_g) for all traits were large reflecting the importance of genetic variability. Both phenotypic and genotypic correlations among traits showed that plant height and 1000-kernel weight were highly correlated with grain yield, while leaf area index was low associated with plant height.     

Nachweis des Strohabbaues über die Stickstoffreisetzung aus 15N-markiertem Stroh

Ten charges of ¹⁵N-labelled straw with different C/N ratios were incubated with lightly loamed sand at 25 °C and 50 % of the maximum water capacity. At the start of the 18-week incubation, mineral nitrogen was added and the ¹⁵N_min (NH₄ and NO₃-N) content was determined six times during the course of the experiment. A slow release of ¹⁵N was observed. After 111 days, between 2.5 and 13.0% of the total applied ¹⁵N was mineralized. The addition of ammonium sulphate caused an increasing degradation of organic N compounds of the straw material even during the first weeks. Finally, between 6.4 and 33.3 %¹⁵N was released. The ¹⁵N release only partially shows the straw degradation.