不同木薯品种抗衰老生理与淀粉积累特性研究

以新选056、南洋红、GR891、辐选01、华南124和新选048共6个木薯品为材料,于生育后期分析其叶片过氧化物酶活性、丙二醛、可溶性糖、自由水、束缚水含量以及块根淀粉积累等,以探讨木薯衰老生理与块根淀粉积累的关系。研究结果表明,不同木薯品种生育后期抗衰老生理与淀粉积累特性有明显差异,生育后期茎叶生长和生理机能最旺盛的是华南124,最弱的是南洋红,居中的是辐选01、GR891、新选048和新选056。木薯后期茎叶生长状况对块根淀粉积累有明显影响,过早衰老,降低块根淀粉含量及块根产量;过旺使光合产物大量用于地上部分茎叶生长,而运到地下部的相对减少,从而降低块根淀粉积累和块根产量。因此,木薯生育后期茎叶生长的调控,使其保持在适当水平,是提高木薯块根淀粉积累和块根产量的一项重要措施。同时,生育后期抗衰老生理指标也可作为高产和高淀粉含量品种选育的参考。     

不同刈割茬次与刈割时期对大麦饲草产量与品质的影响

大麦(Hordeum valgue L.)是一优质能量饲料作物,刈割是牧草管理的一种常规方式。为了研究刈割对大麦作为青（贮）饲的影响,以4份不同生态区具代表性的大麦新品种（系）为对象,分析了不同刈割茬次与刈割时期对大麦饲草产量与品质的影响。结果表明,所有品种第1茬饲草产量与品质均高于第2茬,重复刈割导致产草量不同程度下降,其中‘盐丰1号’降幅最小(13.0%),表现出较强的耐刈性。再次刈割,所有品种干鲜比、粗灰分含量增加,粗蛋白、粗脂肪含量下降,粗纤维、钙、磷含量变化因品种而异。分蘖期刈割大麦,营养物质含量高于灌浆期刈割,适口性好,可直接用作青饲料,且有利于植株再生。因此,2次刈割可于分蘖期开始,选用耐刈性好的大麦品种,分蘖期刈割大麦可直接用作青饲,灌浆期刈割可作为青贮饲料。     

烯效唑（S3307）和胺鲜酯（DTA-6）对马铃薯叶与块茎糖代谢及产量的影响

在大田栽培条件下,以马铃薯克新1号为试验材料,在苗期叶面喷施调节剂烯效唑（S₃₃₀₇）和胺鲜酯（DTA-6）进行处理,以清水作为对照（CK）,研究不同植物生长调节剂对马铃薯叶和块茎间光合产物变化和产量的影响。结果表明:S₃₃₀₇和DTA-6处理可以显著提高马铃薯产量,增加前期叶片内蔗糖和淀粉含量;喷施调节剂第34天（块茎膨大期）,S₃₃₀₇和DTA-6处理促进叶片中淀粉含量向块茎中转运降低叶片内淀粉含量,利于源器官的物质输出;S₃₃₀₇和DTA-6显著增加各取样时期马铃薯块茎中淀粉含量;S₃₃₀₇和DTA-6在喷施后第18和34天显著增加块茎可溶性糖含量;马铃薯块茎内淀粉含量的变化与叶片内蔗糖和淀粉含量均呈极显著正相关,与转化酶和淀粉酶活性呈极显著负相关。S₃₃₀₇和DTA-6处理均显著促进单薯重,同时DTA-6处理的单株薯数也显著高于CK。     

木薯叶片可溶性糖含量与块根淀粉积累的关系

试验以辐选01，华南5号(SC5)，新选048，新选056，南洋红（SC201），华南205(SC205)，GR891，华南124（SC124）为材料，分别在块根形成期、块根膨大期和工艺成熟期测定叶片可溶性糖含量和块根淀粉含量，探讨木薯叶片可溶性含量与块根淀粉积累的关系。结果表明，从块根形成期到工艺成熟期，叶片可溶性总糖含量与块根淀粉积累都逐渐增加，叶片可溶性总糖含量与块根淀粉积累呈正相关，从块根膨大期到工艺成熟期，叶片还原糖含量逐浙增加，与块根淀粉积累呈正相关，而叶片蔗糖含量逐浙降低。与块根淀粉积累呈负相关。8个品种都有同样的趋势。     

不同氮水平下多效唑对食用型甘薯光合和淀粉积累的影响

在大田条件下,以北京553为试验材料,设置施低氮(N 120 kg hm^–2)和施高氮(N 240 kg hm^–2) 2个处理,每个处理下设置3个多效唑喷施浓度,研究不同施氮水平下喷施多效唑对食用甘薯光合特性和块根淀粉积累的影响。结果表明, 增施氮肥能够提高叶片叶绿素含量和光合速率,但减少干物质在块根中的分配率,降低块根淀粉积累速率,显著降低了单薯重、淀粉产量和鲜薯产量,降幅分别为8.0%、30.7%和20.5%;喷施多效唑可以提高叶片叶绿素含量和光合速率,促进碳水化合物向块根的运转,提高干物质在块根中的分配,提高淀粉积累速率,显著增加单薯重、淀粉产量和鲜薯产量,平均增幅分别为18.6%、32.5%和46.1%。说明在高氮条件下喷施多效唑对甘薯块根淀粉积累和产量的提高具有明显的调节作用。     

Growth and Distribution of Dry Matter in a Drought Tolerant and a Susceptible Potato Cultivar under Normal and Water Deficit Condition

The growth behaviour of Dekama (drought tolerant) and Kufri Jyoti (drought susceptible) was studied using potted plants maintained at well watered condition and water deficit condition respectively. Periodic harvestings were done starting from 50 days after planting till maturity. Recordings of plant height, leaf area, dry weights of different plant parts, the proportion of thinner and thicker roots, stomatal conductance and water saturation deficit were obtained. The plant height, leaf area and dry weight of shoot decreased to nearly the same extent in both the cultivars under stress. The stomatal conductance decreased by 61.7 % in Dekama and by 64 % in Kufri Jyoti due to water stress. Water saturation deficit increased by about 80 % in both the cultivars. The ratios of root to shoot and that of thinner to thicker root increased due to stress in both cultivars and this increase was 85 % and 71 % in Dekama and 64 % and 19 % in Kufri Jyoti respectively. The distribution of dry matter to leaf, stem, root were more at the expense of tuber under stress conditions in both cultivars. However, the tolerant cultivar Dekama got adjusted to the stress condition, with more dry matter partitioned to tubers in the last two samplings. The study points out the factors responsible for better drought tolerance of Dekama compared to Kufri Jyoti and the possible physiological traits useful for selecting drought tolerant cultivars.     

紫色甘薯新品种引进鉴定及利用

为筛选适宜龙岩市种植的紫色甘薯新品种,采取一年多点完全随机区组试验设计,以“金山57”为对照,2014年夏季引进6个紫色甘薯新品种进行品种比较试验,从农艺性状、经济性状、鲜产、干产、淀粉产量、品质和花青素含量等方面进行筛选鉴定。结果表明：6个紫色甘薯新品种中,2个品种表现较好。其中,‘龙津薯1号’鲜薯产量最高,为39.11t/hm2,薯干产量9.22 t/hm2,淀粉产量5.53 t/hm2,干物率23.57%,淀粉率14.15%,食味评分80.0分,花青素含量17.66mg/100g。‘福薯24号’鲜薯产量其次,为36.30 t/hm2,薯干产量10.82 t/hm2,比对照增产3.32%,淀粉产量7.11 t/hm2,比对照增产6.77%。干物率29.81%,淀粉率19.57%,食味评分84.7分,花青素含量11.95mg/100g。‘龙津薯1号’鲜薯产量高,干物率和花青素含量指标适宜,可以推荐作为紫色地瓜干加工品种在龙岩市推广种植。‘福薯24号’鲜薯产量较高,食味品质好,干物率和淀粉产量高,可以推荐作为鲜食型和紫色淀粉加工型品种在龙岩市推广。‘广紫薯8号’将进一步观测。‘福宁紫3号’、‘宁紫薯1号’和‘徐紫薯2号’等品种均不适宜在龙岩市推广种植。     

Regulation of Correlative Senescence in Arachis hypogaea L. by Source-Sink Alteration through Physical and Hormonal Means

Amongst the plants ( Arachis hypogaea ) subjected to differential reproductive manipulations, the leaf levels of chlorophyll and sugar and the dry weight of the aerial plants increased more (except sugar level in defruited plant) in the deflorated plants than either in the defruited or control plants, and the order of senescence was: control > defruited > deflorated. Seed yield per plant increased in deflorated plants as a result of increase in the number of pods (sink size) and reduction in the sink strength (seed wt per pod). While 75 % defoliation caused a decrease in all the parameters relating to senescence (chlorophyll, protein, reduced nitrogen, sugar and dry wt), 25% defoliation caused a slight decrease of chlorophyll level of leaf and aerial plant weight. However, the level of protein and reduced nitrogen in the leaf and sugar in the stem increased by the latter (through 25% defoliation). Defoliation up to 25% reduced seed yield by only 2%. Whereas the level of chlorophyll and aerial plant dry weight were not significantly changed by either kinetin or ABA, the level of protein and reduced nitrogen in the leaf and sugar level in both leaf and stem increased by kinetin. GA₃ increased almost all the parameters studied. All the three phytohormones increased the yield, mainly by increasing the sink size rather than the sink strength. It is concluded that the aerial flowers are more lethal than the underground fruits in inducing whole plant senescence where the leaf senescence is uncoupled from fruit maturation in normal condition possibly due to sink limitation.     

套作条件下种植密度对紫色甘薯干物质生产的影响

为了研究川中丘陵区旱地套作条件下种植密度对紫色甘薯干物质生产的影响,在与玉米套作条件下,以鲜食型紫色甘薯品种‘南紫薯008’为材料,设置5个种植密度,测定紫色甘薯叶面积指数、群体生长率、群体光合势、干物质积累、产量等指标。结果表明：在套作条件下,随着种植密度的增加,‘南紫薯008’群体叶面积指数有升高的趋势,群体生长率、群体光合势、商品薯率、干物质率、鲜薯产量、淀粉产量均呈先升后降的趋势,而单株结薯数、单株薯鲜重则下降,群体干物质积累量和T/R则随生育期的推进不同密度间表现有所差异。公顷种植密度在3.5×10⁴~4.0×10⁴株时,群体干物质积累量、鲜薯产量、淀粉产量和商品薯率均较高。套作条件下‘南紫薯008’最高鲜薯产量为11816.9 kg/hm²,约为其净作产量的42.6%~53.1%。川中丘陵区旱地套作条件下紫色甘薯适宜的种植密度为3.5×10⁴~4.0×10⁴株/hm²。     

密度和施肥对旱地马铃薯干物质积累、产量和水肥利用的影响

协同提高产量和资源利用效率,是旱作马铃薯高产高效的基础。本研究以陇薯10号为材料,于2017-2019年进行大田试验,设置当地农民习惯栽培(CK)、高产高效栽培(YE)和超高产栽培(HY)3种栽培模式,测定旱地马铃薯叶面积指数(LAI)、叶片SPAD值、冠层光合能力、干物质积累转运、块茎产量、水肥利用效率等指标。结果表明,与CK相比,YE和HY均提高了马铃薯LAI和叶片SPAD值,YE在降雨较少的2017年增幅更明显;二者均减慢了马铃薯块茎膨大后的LAI和叶片SPAD降低幅度,使其冠层光合能力在块茎膨大期和淀粉积累期2年平均提高29.9%、34.7%和40.2%、50.5%。基于较高的LAI和冠层光合能力,YE和HY的地上干物质在块茎膨大期较CK 3年平均增加123.05%和118.53%;同时块茎膨大后同化物对块茎的贡献率增加22.56%和19.29%,使马铃薯产量在2017-2019年平均增加47.93%和47.78%,水分利用效率平均增加77.59%和75.85%,均达到显著差异水平。YE和HY使马铃薯商品薯产量显著增加,收益显著提高,在2017-2019年分别较CK新增纯收益7330.3元hm^-2和6024.6元hm^-2。较大的群体冠层和较高的物质生产促进了植株对N、P、K的积累,YE的N、P利用效率较CK分别提高15.21%和17.20%,N、K收获指数分别提高3.85%和7.79%;HY的N利用效率提高12.37%。YE的WUE、N和P利用效率较HY提高2.05%、2.53%和23.41%,新增纯收益1305.7元hm-2。因此,YE减施缓释尿素40%并有机替代、密度60,000株hm^-2,能够提高水分和养分利用效率,维持马铃薯花后较高的冠层光合能力,促进茎叶干物质向块茎转运,实现作物增产和资源高效利用协同发展,是半干旱区黑膜覆盖马铃薯种植推荐的高产高效模式。     

Isolation and characterisation of cDNAs encoding the large and small subunits of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase from cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz)

Screening of a tuber specific cassava cDNA library resulted in the isolation of full length cDNA clones with homology to the genes encoding the small and large subunits of ADP glucose pyrophosphoryalse. Sequence analysis revealed that AGPase B the clone with homology to the small subunit shared 54% homology at amino acid level with the AGPase S clone that is more closely related to the large subunit. Segregation analysis of a cross between the cassava cultivars TMS 30572 and CM 2177-2 revealed that AGPase S is a single copy gene that is localised on the female derived linkage group E of the cassava genetic map. AGPase B is a low copy gene of which one member is localised on the female derived linkage group P. The two genes are expressed in all cassava tissues but AGPase B exhibits a higher steady state mRNA level than AGPase S and is highly expressed in leaf and tuber tissue. The AGPase enzyme activity was much higher in young cassava leaves as compared to older leaves and tubers. Cassava AGPase was activated by 3-PGA and inhibited by up to 90% in the presence of inorganic phosphate (Pi). The tuber enzyme was relatively unaffected by 3PGA but was highly inhibited by Pi. Transformation of potato (Solanum tuberosum) plants with an antisense AGPase B construct resulted in 10 out of 134 antisense AGPase B plants having on average 3.5 times more tubers than the control non transgenic plants. Analysis of these transgenic plants revealed they had greatly reduced levels of AGPase B mRNA, 1.5 to 3 times less starch, and five times higher levels of soluble sugars, sucrose, glucose and fructose, to those found in control plants. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Auswirkungen unterschiedlicher physiologischer Alter und Pflanzknollengrößen auf die oberirdischen Pflanzenorgane von Kartoffeln (Sorte Granola)

In a two-year field trial, the influence of the physiological age and the size of seed tubers on various growth parameters was determined
Emergence and senescence occurred earlier in plants of older physiological age. On the other hand the physiological age did not influence the number of stems, the stem dry weight, the leaf number, the leaf dry weight, the leaf area, and the specific leaf area. There was a positive correlation between seed tuber size and number of stems but a negative correlation to the stem dry weight. Bigger seed tubers and consequently a higher number of stems had initially a positive effect on the number of leaves, leaf area and leaf dry weight per plant but this was reversed in the course of the vegetation period. The specific leaf area was only influenced by the weather conditions. There was a strong, highly significant negative correlation between number of stems and branching. The correlation between number of stems and leaf area as well as leaf area duration was positive.     

Varietal differences in perennial ryegrass for nitrogen use efficiency in leaf growth following defoliation: performance in flowing solution culture and its relationship to yield under simulated grazing in the field

Varietal differences in rates of NO₃ uptake and remobilization of nitrogen (N) during a cycle of severe defoliation and regrowth were assessed in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) varieties Ba11778, Aberelan, Talbot and Gator. Plants were grown in flowing solution culture for 34 days, prior to a 30 d treatment period, including 21 d of regrowth. Net uptake of NO₃ was measured continuously from solutions maintained automatically at 10 mmol m^-3NO₃.¹⁵ N-labelled NO_{3 3} was supplied to the plants in situ for either 21 h immediately prior to defoliation, or for 7-11 days afterwards, to measure remobilization of N from roots and stubble into the regrowing leaves. The four varieties differed only slightly in total dry matter production over 30 d, but varied substantially in post-defoliation specific growth rate by the leaf fraction. Gator was the lowest ( 0.11 g g^-1 d^-1), Ba11778 the highest ( 0.15 g g^-1 d^-1) and Aberelan and Talbot intermediate in leaf regrowth rate. Varieties did not vary significantly in shoot: root dry weight ratio, but the rate of NO₃ uptake per unit of leaf fresh weight during regrowth was 27% lower in Ba11778 than in Gator. Leaves of Ba11778 and Aberelan had a lower organic N concentration in the dry matter at the end of the regrowth period than Talbot, which, in turn, had a lower concentration than Gator. Varieties differed in amount of leaf dry matter produced per unit of N absorbed by the plants after defoliation, the values (g g^-1 N) being Ba11778 (22.6 ), Aberelan (20.7), Talbot (18.3) and Gator (16.7). More N was remobilized from the roots than from the stubble after defoliation. There were no significant differences among varieties in the amount and rate of N remobilization following defoliation. In earlier field experiments employing frequent cutting to simulate grazing, Ba11778 and Aberelan yielded at least 10% more dry matter annually than Talbot which, in turn, outyielded the amenity variety Gator by a similar amount. Thus the present results are consistent with the hypothesis that the efficiency of N use in leaf growth is an important factor determining genetic variation in productivity under frequent defoliation in the field when the herbage produced consists primarily of leaf. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

马铃薯硼素吸收分配规律及施肥的影响

为掌握马铃薯栽培的养分吸收与生理调控,以马铃薯品种紫花白为材料,对内蒙古土默川平原地区马铃薯钼吸收规律及施肥的影响进行了研究。试验设置对照(CK)、有机肥(M)、氮磷肥(NP)、有机肥与氮磷肥配合(M+NP)4个处理。结果表明:随着生育期向成熟期的推进,叶片中硼的含量大幅度上升,茎和块茎硼含量均缓慢下降。全生育期平均叶、茎、块茎硼含量分别为40.8,27.5,12.9 mg/kg;全株和块茎硼素吸收量动态变化可分别用一元三次方程和Logistic方程理想模拟。硼的最大吸收量出现在出苗后86 d(淀粉积累期),最快吸收速率出现在出苗后55 d左右(块茎增长初期)。有机肥、氮磷肥均可显著促进硼的吸收,有机肥与氮磷肥配合对硼的吸收有正交互效应,大幅度提高了硼的吸收量;随着生长中心由茎向块茎的转移,硼在茎叶中的分布逐渐下降,块茎中分布逐渐上升。淀粉积累期茎和叶中硼的分布为60%,块茎为40%,即块茎硼的运转率为40%。有机肥和氮磷肥配合,提高了硼的运转率。马铃薯硼的消耗系数平均0.002,生产效率平均173,每生产1 000 kg块茎(鲜)需吸收硼素5.5~6.1 g,平均5.8 g。     

钾肥对高淀粉马铃薯块茎淀粉合成相关酶活性的影响

以东北地区选育的2个高淀粉马铃薯品种东农310和克新22号为试验材料,研究不同施钾量对高淀粉马铃薯品种块茎形成过程中淀粉合成相关酶活性的影响。结果表明,随着生育期的推进,不同施钾量处理马铃薯品种东农310和克新22号块茎中的腺苷二磷酸葡萄糖焦磷酸化酶(AGPase)、颗粒凝结性淀粉合成酶(GBSS)、可溶性淀粉合成酶(SSS)、淀粉分支酶(SBE)都呈现先增加、达到峰值后又开始下降的单峰曲线变化。增施钾肥对东农310和克新22号块茎淀粉合成中AGPase和GBSS活性影响比较大,而对SSS和SBE的活性影响较小。     

施锌肥对旱作马铃薯植株锌含量及块茎品质的影响

为了研究施锌肥对旱作马铃薯全生育期植株锌素的吸收、积累与分配规律,及块茎形成期主要营养品质的影响,进行了施锌(Zn)与不施锌(CK,对照)2个处理的盆栽试验。结果表明,施用锌肥能增加马铃薯不同器官的锌浓度,在生育期进行2次喷施锌肥后,叶片中锌浓度Zn处理比CK处理分别高出27.94,43.89 mg/kg,收获后块茎中的锌浓度Zn处理比CK处理高出28.70%;全生育期马铃薯各器官中锌积累量Zn处理CK处理,出苗后66 d时叶片中锌素积累达最大值,Zn处理为1.469 mg/株,CK处理为0.328 mg/株,Zn处理比CK处理多3倍。全株和块茎的锌素积累量和最大积累速率Zn处理比CK处理分别高63.62%,48.43%,51.58%,55.26%;在整个生育期马铃薯茎和根的锌素积累比例Zn处理CK处理,施锌肥增加了锌素在茎和根中的分配比例,降低了在块茎中的分配比例;随块茎生长期的推进马铃薯块茎的VC、游离氨基酸及淀粉含量均呈抛物线型变化,在块茎膨大后期和淀粉积累期达到最大值,而还原糖含量则出现持续下降的趋势。成熟期末期测定结果表明,Zn处理块茎中VC、游离氨基酸、淀粉含量分别比CK处理高16.19%,22.11%,16.28%,而Zn处理块茎中还原糖含量比CK处理低22.72%。     

密度和施肥对旱地马铃薯干物质积累、产量和水肥利用的影响

It is important to increase potato production and the natural resource utilization efficiency in dryland farming system. A field experiment was conducted using Longshu 10 with three planting modes from 2017 to 2019, including farmer mode (CK), the mode with high yield and efficiency (YE), and higher yield mode (HY). The leaf area index (LAI), SPAD, photosynthetic rate, accumulation and remobilization of dry matter, water use efficiency (WUE) and fertilizer use efficiency (FUE) was investigated. The results showed that LAI and SPAD were increased in YE and HY compared to CK, and it was more significant in 2017 when there was less rainfall. Meanwhile, less reduction in LAI and SPAD after tubers enlargement resulted in an increase of canopy photosynthetic rate by 29.9%, 34.7% (in 2018 and 2019), and 40.2%, 50.5% (in 2018 and 2019) during the expanding stage and starch accumulation stage, respectively. Average aboveground dry matter in YE and HY was higher than CK by 123.1% and 118.5% in the enlargement stage due to higher LAI and photosynthetic rate. The contribution rate of assimilation after potato tuber enlargement in YE and HE was higher than CK by 22.56% and 19.29%, resulting in an average potato production increase of 47.93% and 47.78%, and average water use efficiency increased by 77.59% and 75.85%, respectively. YE and HY advantaged in tuber production and income improvement. Compared with CK, the net income increased by 7330.3 Yuan hm^-2 and 6024.6 Yuan hm^-2 in 2017 to 2019, respectively. The accumulation of N, P, and K was significantly enhanced due to large population canopy and high plant biomass accumulation. Compared to CK, N and P use efficiency, and the harvest index of N and P was increased under YE mode by 15.21%, 17.20% and 3.85%, 7.79%, respectively, and the N use efficiency was increased by 12.37% under HY mode. WUE, N, and P use efficiency of YE mode was higher than HY by 2.05%, 2.53%, and 23.41%, respectively, and the net income increased by 1305.7 Yuan hm^-2. Therefore, replacement of slow-release urea with organic manure by 40% and improvement of planting density with 60,000 plants hm^-2 in YE mode potentially increased in water use efficiency, nutrient use efficiency, high canopy photosynthetic rate maintenances, and remobilization of dry matter from stem and leaf to tubers. In conclusion, YE as a high tuber production and resource use efficiency planting mode, is recommended in semi-arid areas with black-film mulched potato cultivation regime.     

木薯单株产量与主要农艺性状的相关性研究

探讨木薯单株产量与主要农艺性状的相关性,以提高木薯育种效率,为木薯品种选育奠定基础。采用13 份木薯种质资源为试验材料,通过相关与通径分析等方法,探讨了11 个主要农艺性状与单株产量之间的相关性以及不同种质资源单株产量之间的差异性。结果表明：NK-2、NK-6、NK-7、NK-10、NK-11、‘新选048’与‘华南205’之间的单株产量呈显著差异;单株产量与块根数呈极显著正相关,与收获指数、生物产量、最长薯长、主茎高度呈显著正相关,与干物质含量呈显著负相关;通径分析结果表明,各农艺性状对单株产量的直接通径系数和决定系数的大小顺序一致,依次为：块根数、最长薯长、生物产量、主茎高度、叶保留高度、干物质含量、收获指数、地上部鲜重、淀粉含量、主茎粗、株高。由此表明,选育高产木薯需要关注的主要农艺性状有：块根数、最长薯长、生物产量、主茎高度、叶保留高度、干物质含量、收获指数等。     

Effects of moderate drought conditions on green leaf number,stem height,leaf length and tuber yield of potato cultivars

Our objective was to define sensitive morphological indicators that could be used to discriminate between drought sensitive and drought tolerant potato cultivars before final tuber yield is reached. A total of six potato cultivars contrasting for drought tolerance and earliness were subjected to three levels of water supply in two field trials in 1995 and 1996. We examined which parameter among stem height, number of green leaves and leaf length (the two latter parameters were only measured on two cultivars) was most sensitive to moderate drought conditions and responded similarly to water shortage regarding tuber yield, tuber number and average tuber dry weight. Drought reduced the number of green leaves in cultivars Krostar and Désirée, respectively, up to 22 and 25% 124 days after planting during the season but this effect levelled off towards the end of the season. Drought also induced significant length reductions (29, 43 and 53%, respectively, for the leaf numbers 17, 18 and 19) but there were no differences among the two cultivars examined. Stem height was sensitive to drought and the effect was stronger on later cultivars especially when water shortage started early as in 1996. In 1996, stem height ratios were negatively related (R²=0.80) to TDWS (tuber yield ratio indicative of drought tolerance) whereas they were positively related in 1995 (R²=0.21). However, care is needed as the negative relationship of 1996 was associated to earliness of cultivars. Indeed, stem height was less reduced in early cultivars (13 and 14% for Eersteling and Jaerla, respectively) than in mid-late cultivars (25 and 29% for Désirée and Nicola, respectively). In the drought treatment, no supernumerary tuber was observed across the season contrary to the irrigated treatment. According to the year, final tuber number or average tuber dry weight was reduced by the drought treatment. Reduction in tuber number (17%) in the drought treatment was not associated to lower tuber yields due to compensation by average tuber dry weight (6%). Different growth strategies can be followed by the potato plant to adapt to different drought conditions without tuber yield being significantly affected.     

Allelopathic Effect of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. on Cyperus rotundus L. and Cynodon dactylon L. Pers.

The allelopathic potential of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. (gum tree) fresh and dried leaf leachates was studied using two perennial weeds, viz. purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.) and bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon L. Pers) as test weeds. Aqueous leachate of fresh leaves of eucalyptus significantly suppressed the establishment of vegetative propagules and early seedling growth of the weeds. Leachate of fresh leaf cuttings had growth inhibitory effect on bermuda grass but showed growth promotion effect on purple nutsedge. Similarly the leachate of dried leaves of eucalyptus had differential influence on the growth of the two weeds. There is a possibility to harness the allelochemicals of eucalyptus leaves as herbicides for the management of these perennial weeds.