Effect of tire rubber ash and zinc sulfate on yield and grain zinc and cadmium concentrations of different zinc-deficiency tolerance wheat cultivars under field conditions

The aims of these field experiments were to investigate the effectiveness of soil application of rubber tire ash in comparison with soil and foliar applications of zinc (Zn) sulfate to increase Zn and decrease cadmium (Cd) concentrations in wheat grain. A two-year field experiment was conducted during the 2007–2008 and 2007–2008 growing seasons at Isfahan research field, Iran. Ten different Zn-efficiency bread wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.) commonly cultivated in different parts of Iran were subjected to no Zn fertilizer addition (control), soil application of 40 kg ha⁻¹ ZnSO₄, soil application of 100 (for the first year) and 250 (for the second year) kg ha⁻¹ waste rubber tire ash, foliar application of Zn at the mid tillering stage, and foliar application of Zn at the early anthesis stage. In the foliar application, ZnSO₄ was sprayed at a rate of 0.66 kg Zn/ha. Foliar spray of zinc sulfate at early anthesis, in general, had no significant effect on the yield and grain Cd while significantly increased grain Zn concentrations of most cultivars. On average, the foliar Zn treatment at the mid tillering stage (0.66 kg Zn/ha), decreased the mean grain Cd concentration from 0.032 mg kg⁻¹ in the control treatment to 0.024 mg kg⁻¹. While the grain Zn concentrations of some cultivars increased with soil application of Zn sulfate, they were not affected or even decreased in other cultivars. For most studied wheat cultivars, pre-planting application of rubber tire ash in soil resulted in a significant decrease of grain Cd concentrations. The results show that the effectiveness of soil and foliar application of Zn on yield and grain Zn and Cd concentrations greatly depends on the cultivar. The currently recommended rates of soil applications of Zn to ameliorate Zn deficiency are sufficient to increase grain Zn and decrease grain Cd concentrations in some wheat cultivars, while they do not in the others. In this study, soil application of 250 kg rubber tire ash/ha and foliar spray of 0.66 kg Zn/ha at tillering stage were the most effective treatments to ameliorate Zn deficiency and to increase Zn and decrease Cd concentration in grains of most wheat cultivars.     

Yams (Dioscorea spp.) plant size hierarchy and yield variability: Emergence time is critical

Yam crops (Dioscorea spp.) present a very high and unexplained interplant variability which hinders attempts at intensification. This paper aims to characterize the plant-to-plant variability in yield and to identify its underlying causes for the two major yam species (Dioscorea alata and Dioscorea rotundata). Four field experiments were carried out between 2006 and 2009 in Benin. Yams were grown using a traditional cropping method (i.e. in mounds at 0.7 plants m⁻²) without biotic or abiotic stresses. In order to test interplant competition, a low density treatment (0.08 plants m⁻²) was included for D. alata in the 2006 experiment. Throughout four years of experimentation, yields varied from 12 Mg ha⁻¹ to 21 Mg ha⁻¹. Both yam species presented a high interplant coefficient of variation (CV) for tuber yield (42–71%). The unbiased Gini coefficient (G′) was used to measure how steep a hierarchy is in an absolute sense. CV and G′ of individual plant biomass both confirm clear plant size hierarchies from early growth. However, no difference in the CV of plant size and plant tuber yield was observed between high and low plant density. This implies that, despite early interaction between neighbouring plants, competition was not the driving factor controlling plant variability. In fact uneven emergence proved to be the primary cause. Yam emergence takes place over a long period (e.g. it took 51 and 47 days for the 90% central range to emerge for D. alata and D. rotundata, respectively), creating an early inter-plant size hierarchy which later affected tuber production. For both species, plants which emerged early initiated their tuberization earlier in the growing season and reached higher maximum yield regardless of weather conditions (e.g. 1200 and 764 g plant⁻¹ for early-emerging D. alata and D. rotundata plants respectively, and 539 and 281 g plant⁻¹ for late-emerging plants). Plant size hierarchization together with its observed left-skewed distribution, led to reduce total and marketable yield by increasing the proportion of small tubers. These results highlight the need to better understand the underlying mechanisms controlling the yams’ uneven emergence before attempting to improve traditional cropping systems.     

Growth and yield of winter wheat in the first 3 years of a monoculture under varying N fertilization in NW Germany

Different preceding crops interact with almost all husbandry and have a major effect on crop yields. In order to quantify the yield response of winter wheat, a field trial with different preceding crop combinations (oilseed rape (OSR)–OSR–OSR–wheat–wheat–wheat), two sowing dates (mid/end of September, mid/end of October) and 16 mineral nitrogen (N) treatments (80–320 kg N ha⁻¹) during 1993/1994–1998/1999, was carried out at Hohenschulen Experimental Station near Kiel in NW Germany. Single plant biomass, tiller numbers m⁻², biomass m⁻², grain yield and yield components at harvest were investigated. During the growing season, the incidence of root rot (Gaeumannomyces graminis) was observed. Additionally, a bioassay with Lemna minor was used to identify the presence of allelochemicals in the soil after different preceding crops.Averaged over all years and all other treatments, wheat following OSR achieved nearly 9.5 t ha⁻¹, whereas the second wheat crop following wheat yielded about 0.9 t ha⁻¹ and the third wheat crop following 2 years of wheat about 1.9 t ha⁻¹ less compared with wheat after OSR. A delay of the sowing date only marginally decreased grain yield by 0.2 t ha⁻¹. Nitrogen fertilization increased grain yield after all preceding crop combinations, but at different levels. Wheat grown after OSR reached its maximum yield of 9.7 t ha⁻¹ with 210 kg N ha⁻¹. The third wheat crop required a N amount of 270 kg N ha⁻¹ to achieve its yield maximum of 8.0 t ha⁻¹.Yield losses were mainly caused by a lower ear density and a reduced thousand grain weight. About 4 weeks after plant establishment, single wheat plants following OSR accumulated more biomass compared to plants grown after wheat. Plants from the third wheat crop were smallest. This range of the preceding crop combinations was similar at all sampling dates throughout the growing season.Root rot occurred only at a low level and was excluded to cause the yield losses. The Lemna bioassay suggested the presence of allelochemicals, which might have been one reason for the poor single plant development in autumn.An increased N fertilization compensated for the lower number of ears m⁻² and partly reduced the yield losses due to the unfavorable preceding crop combination. However, it was not possible to completely compensate for the detrimental influences of an unfavorable preceding crop on the grain yield of the subsequent wheat crop.     

Screening chickpea for adaptation to water stress: Associations between yield and crop growth rate

Robust associations between yield and crop growth rate in a species-specific critical developmental window have been demonstrated in many crops. In this study we focus on genotype-driven variation in crop growth rate and its association with chickpea yield under drought. We measured crop growth rate using Normalised Difference Vegetative Index (NDVI) in 20 diverse chickpea lines, after calibration of NDVI against biomass accounting for morphological differences between Kabuli and Desi types. Crops were grown in eight environments resulting from the combination of seasons, sowing dates and water supply, returning a yield range from 152 to 366 g m⁻². For both sources of variation – environment and genotype – yield correlated with crop growth rate in the window 300 °Cd before flowering to 200 °Cd after flowering. In the range of crop growth rate from 0.07 to 0.91 g m⁻² °Cd⁻¹, the relationship was linear with zero intercept, as with other indeterminate grain legumes. Genotype-driven associations between yield and crop growth rate were stronger under water stress than under favourable conditions. Despite this general trend, lines were identified with high crop growth rate in both favourable and stress conditions. We demonstrate that calibrated NDVI is a rapid, inexpensive screening tool to capture a physiologically meaningful link between yield and crop growth rate in chickpea.     

Use of biofertilizers obtained from sewage sludges on maize yield

Maize production plays an essential role in global food security. In order to maintain both high quality and maize production, there is a great demand for fertilizers. The main objective of this work was to study, over two experimental seasons, the effect of a biofertilizer obtained from sewage sludge (SS) on the yield and on the quality of maize crops (Zea mays L.). The biofertilizer was applied in two ways: (i) to soil, at rates of 0, 10 and 20 Mg ha⁻¹ before sowing, and (ii) via foliar fertilization, applying 0, 3.6 and 7.2 l ha⁻¹ three times during each growing season accounting for a total rate of 0, 10.8 l ha⁻¹ and 21.6 l ha⁻¹. This study is novel because there are no previous studies of the effect of this biofertilizer on any agricultural crops. The results obtained show that, when the SS was applied directly to the soil, the macro- and micronutrients analyzed in both soil and leaves showed no significant differences between either of the fertilizer treatments. Foliar application of SS, however, increased the leaf concentrations of macro- and micronutrients. When the SS rate was 7.2 l ha⁻¹, grain protein concentration increased significantly by about 30% and the yield increased significantly by about 17% compared with the control treatment (SS not applied). These results suggested that, in order to improve agricultural maize yields, quality and nutritional, this SS should be applied as a foliar fertilizer instead of applying it to soil.     

Preharvest application of abscisic acid promotes anthocyanins accumulation in pericarp of litchi fruit without adversely affecting postharvest quality

Pericarp colour of litchi fruit is an important quality attribute that determines its market value and consumer acceptance. Plant growth regulators (PGR) such as abscisic acid (ABA) and ethephon are known to play important roles in peel colour development during maturation and ripening of non-climacteric fruits (e.g. grape and litchi). Our aim was to investigate the effects of preharvest application of ABA, ethephon and their combination on pericarp colour and fruit quality of litchi (cv. Calcuttia) and also to assess the potential effects on postharvest performance of fruit. Exogenous application of ABA (150 or 300 mg L⁻¹) at the colour-break stage significantly increased the concentration of total anthocyanins and cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside, the major anthocyanin contributing ∼71–96% of the total anthocyanins, in litchi pericarp compared to ethephon (500 μL L⁻¹). Among different anthocyanins quantified, the relative contribution of cyanidin-3,5-diglucoside to the total anthocyanins was significantly higher in all PGR-treated fruit compared to the control, but the concentration of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside was specifically enhanced by ABA. No significant effect on the concentrations of epicatechin, and quercetin-3-O-rutinoside was observed in response to PGR treatments. Ethephon (500 μL L⁻¹) treatment did not significantly increase the anthocyanin levels in pericarp, but it caused more degradation of chlorophyll pigments than control. Aril quality with regard to firmness, soluble solids and acidity was not significantly affected by PGR treatments, except that ethephon-treated fruit showed significant softening and lower acidity. Postharvest changes in fruit quality attributes including pericarp browning during cold storage at 5 °C for 14 d were mainly related to the storage duration effect, rather than PGR treatment. In conclusion, ABA treatment (150 or 300 mg L⁻¹) at the colour-break stage enhanced anthocyanins accumulation in litchi pericarp without adversely affecting postharvest quality and storage stability for 14 d.     

Hay yield and nitrogen harvest in smooth bromegrass mixtures with alfalfa and red clover in relation to nitrogen application

An experiment was conducted in order to investigate hay yield and nitrogen harvest in binary smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss cv. Tohum Islah) mixtures with alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. cv. Kayseri) and red clover (Trifolium pratense L. cv. Tohum Islah) in Erzurum, Turkey for 5 years between 1991 and 1995. The Hay yield, nitrogen harvest, protein concentration and land equivalent ratio (LER) in the mixtures with alternating rows of 1:1, 2:1 and 1:2 of smooth bromegrass with alfalfa and red clover were compared to those in pure legume stands without any N-fertilizer application or pure smooth bromegrass stands that received 0, 50, 100 and 150 kg ha⁻¹ N. The mixtures had no N fertilization apart from 40 kg N ha⁻¹ in the establishment year. The dry matter production in all the mixtures receiving no N fertilizer application was higher than in pure legume stands. Pure grass stands were sustained only with the application of 150 kg ha⁻¹ N. The highest hay yields were obtained from the mixtures of smooth bromegrass (Sb) with red clover (Rc) (2Rc 1Sb) (14.65 t ha⁻¹) and with alfalfa (A) (1A 1 Sb) (14.49 t ha⁻¹). Although N application increased Sb yields in pure stands, the highest yields obtained with N fertilization were still lower than the yields in the mixtures without N application. The superiority of the mixtures was also reflected by their large N harvests (e.g. 355.9 kg N ha⁻¹ in 2Rc 1Sb plots) compared to pure Rc (317.8 kg N ha⁻¹), pure A (294.3 kg N ha⁻¹) and pure Sb stands that received 150 kg N ha⁻¹. The nitrogen harvest increased in pure Sb plots as the N doses applied increased. Furthermore, the protein concentration of the hay from the mixtures (158.2–165.7 mg g⁻¹) was equal to that of the pure A stands (165.7 mg g⁻¹) and higher than that of pure Sb stands (122.9 mg g⁻¹ at 150 kg N ha⁻¹ application) although the hay from pure Rc plots had the highest protein concentration (179.3 mg g⁻¹). The LER values were also higher in the mixtures (e.g. 1.28 in 1A 1Sb and 1.28 in 2Rc 1Sb plots) compared with the pure stands. The mixture plots also had a more balanced temporal distribution of hay. The grass component was more productive in early spring, whereas the legume fractions grew better in the summer. In conclusion, for a sustainable production of high-quality hay and greater N harvests without using N fertilizers, binary mixtures of Sb with A in alternating rows (1A 1Sb) were recommended for long-purpose stands and in alternation with double red clover rows (2Rc 1Sb) for short purpose stands under similar conditions. N application could be eliminated in the grass–legume mixtures without any yield depression.     

Appropriate seeding rate for einkorn,emmer, and spelt grown under rainfed condition in southern Italy

Einkorn (Triticum monococcum L.), emmer (Triticum dicoccum Schübler) and spelt (T. spelta L.) are still cultivated in Italy. These three hulled wheat species are more commonly known as “Farro”. Little is known about agronomic practices that optimise the grain yield of these species.This study has been carried out to establish the appropriate seeding rate for einkorn, emmer and spelt which is grown in southern Italy (Apulia region), a typical Mediterranean environment, where durum wheat is principally cultivated. Two years of experimental field trials were conducted with three seeding rates (100, 150 and 200 viable seeds per square meter).Emmer had the highest hulled grain yield (3.54 t ha⁻¹) followed by spelt (2.80 t ha⁻¹) and einkorn (1.42 t ha⁻¹). Emmer also had a higher kernel weight and was heading earlier than the other species. The bad performance of einkorn can be accountable to the excessive time to reach heading and the natural inclination of plants to lodge, factors that reduce the ability of plant to complete grain ripening, resulting in light and shrivelled kernels. The lower grain yield of spelt in comparison to emmer may be due to later heading.Emmer and spelt performed the best when they were sown at 200 seeds m⁻² (3.85 and 3.09 t ha⁻¹, respectively). In contrast, einkorn showed the highest grain yield (1.69 t ha⁻¹) at the lowest seeding rate (100 seeds m⁻²). Further, additional experimentation is required to confirm this.These results indicate that emmer is the most appropriate hulled wheat species for cropping under southern Italy’s growing conditions, and provide further information about the use of these species in the marginal area preservation or when the cultivation of economically profitable crops is precludes by water deficiency and soil poorness.     

Improved persistence of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) increases the protein supplied by red clover/grass swards grown over four harvest years

UK livestock agriculture can significantly reduce its protein imports by increasing the amount of forage based protein grown on-farm. Forage legumes such as red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) produce high dry matter yields of quality forage but currently available varieties lack persistence, particularly under grazing. To assess the impact of red clover persistence on protein yield, diploid red clover populations selected for improved persistence were compared with a range of commercially available varieties. All populations were grown over four harvest years in mixed swards with either perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) or perennial plus hybrid ryegrass (L. boucheanum Kunth). Red clover and total sward dry matter (DM) herbage yields were measured in Years 1–4, red clover plant survival in Years 3 and 4 and herbage protein (CP) yield and concentration in Years 2 and 4. In general, red clover DM yield in year 4 (3.4 t ha⁻¹) was lower than in year 1 (13.9 t ha⁻¹) but the red clover populations differed in the extent of this decline. Differences in the persistence of the red clover populations in terms of plant survival and yield were reflected in the contribution of red clover to the total sward yield in Year 4, which ranged from 61% for the highest yielding population, AberClaret, to 11% in the lowest yielding, Vivi. Increased red clover DM yield was reflected in a greater CP yield (protein weight per unit area), which ranged from 1.6 t ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ to 2.9 t ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ in Year 2 and from 1.1 t ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ to 1.9 t ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ in Year 4. CP concentration (protein weight per unit herbage weight) of all of the red clover populations was within a range considered suitable for ruminant production. The implication of these results for the future use of red clover in sustainable grassland systems is discussed.     

Application of abscisic acid (ABA) at veraison advanced red color development and maintained postharvest quality of ‘Crimson Seedless’ grapes

‘Crimson Seedless’ is a popular table grape cultivar, but in warm-climates, its fruits often fail to develop adequate red color, even after they have been treated with ethephon. Application of abscisic acid (ABA) may improve color more effectively than ethephon, but its potential effects on postharvest quality must be considered before recommending its use on table grapes. Therefore, we compared the postharvest quality attributes of grapes treated preharvest with 250 μL L⁻¹ ethephon, the current industry standard, to that of grapes treated with 150 or 300 μL L⁻¹ ABA, or nontreated. Treatment with either ethephon or 150 μL L⁻¹ ABA allowed grapes to be harvested 10 d before nontreated fruit, and fruits treated with 300 μL L⁻¹ ABA attained marketable quality 30 d before nontreated fruit. Early harvest was possible because the treatments induced more rapid coloring of the grapes, and though total yield was not affected by any plant growth regulator (PGR), all PGRs doubled packable yields by improving the color of the grapes. ABA-treated grapes were characterized by superior appearance both in berries and clusters’ rachises compared to ethephon-treated and control grapes. Other quality attributes such as firmness, berry weight, decay incidence, and shatter remained unaffected among treatments. Therefore, ABA is an effective alternative to ethephon for enhancing the color and maintaining postharvest quality of ‘Crimson Seedless’ grapes.     

Optimized single irrigation can achieve high corn yield and water use efficiency in the Corn Belt of Northeast China

Decreasing the corn (Zea mays L.) gap between the potential yield and farm yield and reducing the risk of grain yield of drought are very important for corn production in the Corn Belt of Northeast China (CBNC). To achieve a high and stable corn yield, the effects of supplementary irrigation on yield, water use efficiency (WUE) and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) were studied using a modelling approach. The Root Zone Water Quality Model 2 was parameterized and evaluated using two years of experimental data in aeolian sandy soil and black soil. The evaluated model was then used to investigate responses to various irrigation strategies (rainfed, full irrigation and 12 single irrigation scenarios) using long-term weather data from 1980 to 2012. Full irrigation guarantees a high and stable corn grain yield (12.92 Mg ha⁻¹ and has a coefficient of variation (CV) of 14.8% in aeolian sandy soil; 12.30 kg Ma⁻¹ and CV of 11.1% in black soil), but has a low water use efficiency (19.92 and 21.81 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹) and a low irrigation water use efficiency (10.01 and 11.03 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹). A single irrigation can increase corn yields by 3–35% for aeolian sandy soil and 5–35% for black soil over different irrigation dates compared with no irrigation. The most suitable single irrigation date was during late June to early July for aeolian sandy soil (yield = 10.73 Mg ha⁻¹ and WUE = 27.94 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹) and early to mid-July for black soil (yield = 11.20 Mg ha⁻¹ and WUE = 27.70 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹). The lowest yield risk of falling short of the yield goal of 8, 9, and 10 Mg ha⁻¹ were 9.1%, 18.2%, and 33.33% in aeolian sandy soil and 3.0%, 15.25, and 21.2% in black soil when an optimized single irrigation was applied in late June or early July, respectively. Therefore, an optimized single irrigation should be applied in late June to early July with the irrigation amount to refill soil water storage of root zone to field capacity in CBNC.     

Can arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi improve competitive ability of dill + common bean intercrops against weeds?

Competition for soil resources plays a key role in the crop yield of intercropping systems. There is a lack of knowledge on the main factors involved in competitive interactions between crops and weeds for nutrients uptake. Hence, the purpose of this work was to compare the effects of arbuscular mycorrhial fungi (Funneliformis mosseae) colonization in interspecific competitive relations and its effect on nutrients uptake and weed control in dill and common bean intercropping. Two field experiments were carried out with factorial arrangements based on randomized complete block design with three replications during 2013–2014. The factors were cropping systems including a) common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) sole cropping (40 plants m⁻²), b) dill (Anethum graveolens L.) sole cropping at different densities (25, 50 and 75 plants m⁻²) and c) the additive intercropping of dill + common bean (25 + 40, 50 + 40 and 75 + 40 plants m⁻²). All these treatments were applied with (+AM) or without (-AM) arbuscular mycorrhiza colonization. In both cropping systems, inoculation with F. mosseae increased the P, K, Fe and Zn concentrations of dill plants by 40, 524, 57 and 1.0 μg kg⁻¹ DW, respectively. Intercropping increased Mn concentration in common bean (4.0 μg kg⁻¹ DW) and dill (3.0 μg kg⁻¹ DW), and also seed yields of both crops (198 g m⁻² and161 g m⁻², respectively). AM colonization improved seed yields of dill and common bean by 169 and 177 g m⁻² in 2013 and 2014, respectively. Moreover, AM application enhanced competitive ability of dill + common bean intercrops against weeds at different intercropping systems. Intercropping significantly changed weed density compared to sole cropping, as weed density was decreased in the dill + common bean intercropping. Diversity (H), Evenness (E) and richness of weed species of weeds for intercrops were higher than those for sole crops.     

Effect of irrigation and nitrogen fertilization on the production of biogas from maize and sorghum in a water limited environment

The expansion of biogas production from anaerobic digestion in the Po Valley (Northern Italy) has stimulated the cultivation of dedicated biomass crops, and maize in particular. A mid-term experiment was carried out from 2006 to 2010 on a silt loamy soil in Northern Italy to compare water use and energy efficiency of maize and sorghum cultivation under rain fed and well-watered treatments and at two rates of nitrogen fertilization. The present work hypothesis were: (i) biomass sorghum, for its efficient use of water and nitrogen, could be a valuable alternative to maize for biogas production; (ii) reduction of irrigation level and (iii) application of low nitrogen fertilizer rate increase the efficiency of bioenergy production. Water treatments, a rain fed control (I0) and two irrigation levels (I1 and I2; only one in 2006 and 2009), were compared in a split–split plot design with four replicates. Two fertilizer rates were also tested: low (N1, 60 kg ha⁻¹ of nitrogen; 0 kg ha⁻¹ of nitrogen in 2010) and high (N2, 120 kg ha⁻¹ of nitrogen; 100 kg ha⁻¹ of nitrogen in 2010). Across treatments, sorghum produced more aboveground biomass than maize, respectively 21.6 Mg ha⁻¹ and 16.8 Mg ha⁻¹ (p < 0.01). In both species, biomass yield was lower in I0 than in I1 and I2 (p < 0.01), while I1 and I2 did differ significantly. Nitrogen level never affected biomass yield. Water use efficiency was generally higher in sorghum (52 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹) than in maize (38 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹); the significant interaction between crop and irrigation revealed that water use efficiency did not differ across water levels in sorghum, whereas it significantly increased from I0 and I1 to I2 in maize (p < 0.01). The potential methane production was similar in maize and sorghum, while it was significantly lower in I0 (16505 MJ ha⁻¹) than in I1 and I2 (21700 MJ ha⁻¹). The only significant effect of nitrogen fertilization was found in the calculation of energy efficiency (ratio of energy output and input) that was higher in N1 than in N2 (p < 0.01). These results support the hypothesis that (i) sorghum should be cultivated rather than maize to increase energy efficiency, (ii) irrigation level should replace up to 36% of ETr and (iii) nitrogen fertilizer rate should be minimized to maximize the efficiency in biomass production for anaerobic digestion in the Po Valley.     

Pod and seed numbers as a function of photothermal quotient during the seed set period of field pea (Pisum sativum) crops

The effects of radiation and temperature during the seed set period (SSP) on pod number per square metre (PN m⁻²) and seed number per square metre (SN m⁻²) and those of temperature during grain filling on unit seed weight (USW, milligram per seed) of field pea (Pisum sativum L.) were examined in experiments involving irrigated crops of three or more cultivars of contrasting maturity sown on two or more dates per year from 1996 to 1998 at Buenos Aires, Argentina. The duration of the seed-setting phase was estimated from records of the progress of flowering on the main stem and an estimate (obtained using an optimisation procedure) of the thermal time from flowering at which the uppermost reproductive node reached the final stage of seed abortion (FSSA). The FSSA at a particular node was assumed to be achieved 200 °C day (T_b=4 °C) after flowering at the same node. The grain-filling phase was assumed to run from the achievement of FSSA at the first reproductive node through to 200 °C day (T_b=0 °C) after the date of achievement of the FSSA by the second flowering node.The treatments (cultivar, sowing date, year) produced important ranges of above-ground biomass (AGB) at maturity (271–782 g m⁻²), seed yield (SY, 119–331 g m⁻²), SN (1062–3698 seeds m⁻²) and USW (67–150 mg seed⁻¹). Seed yield was strongly correlated with SN, and there was full compensation between SN and USW in large-seeded cultivars in the high SN range, but not at lower values of SN or in small-seeded cultivars. Both PN (r=0.83) and SN (r=0.87, P<0.0005) were strongly correlated with the mean daily value of the photothermal quotient (PQ=incident radiation/(mean temperature − base temperature)) for the seed-setting phase. Large- and small-seeded cultivars had PN/PQ and SN/PQ relationships with slopes which did not differ among categories but with significantly different intercepts. When the effects of low temperatures during flowering and early grain growth were allowed for, outliers on the PN/PQ and SN/PQ relationships for unstressed crops fell within the confidence limits of the respective linear regressions. Unit seed weight showed a negative response to mean temperature during the grain-filling phase in large- and small-seeded cultivars. We conclude that the relationships established in these experiments, taken together with previous work by other authors, constitute a robust basis for modelling the yield of unstressed field pea crops.     

Effects of ozone on sugar beet grown in open-top chambers

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris cv. Patriot) plants were grown on field plots and in open-top chambers (OTCs) in two successive years. In the OTC treatments, plants were exposed to charcoal filtered air, unfiltered air or unfiltered air enriched with additional ozone (O₃). Ozone exposure continued for almost 5 months and the 8-h average concentration was raised from 34 to 39 nL L⁻¹ in the ambient air chambers to 62 nL L⁻¹ in the ozone enriched chambers. In both years, the AOT40 exposure index in the ozone enriched chambers exceeded 30 μL L⁻¹ h during the 5-month exposure period compared to 6.5 and 2.9 μL L⁻¹ h in ambient air in 2003 and 2004, respectively. Visible symptoms in the form of small white necrotic flecks appeared in both seasons in the ozone enriched chambers. When the data for both years were analysed statistically, a significant reduction of root yield of 6% and a slight reduction of sugar content were detected. These changes resulted in an overall reduced sugar yield ha⁻¹ of about 9%. Although the sensitivity of sugar beet to ozone is highly variety-dependent, in general this biennial crop appears less sensitive than annual crops such as wheat and potato. Ozone has limited effects on quality parameters in sugar beet, although an increase in α-amino-N content was observed, in agreement with the increased nitrogen content resulting from ozone exposure of wheat and potato.Enclosure within the OTCs increased aboveground biomass but decreased root yield (fresh biomass) and sugar content. These effects were most likely caused by a reduction of radiation by the chamber walls and annulus. The increased temperature in the chambers reduced yield quality by increasing mineral content.     

White lupine as a beneficial crop in Southern Europe. II. Nitrogen recovery in a legume–oat rotation and a continuous oat–oat

One experiment lasting for two years was carried out at Pegões (central Portugal) to estimate the impact of mature white lupine residue (Lupinus albus L.) on yield of fodder oat (Avena sativa L. cv. Sta. Eulalia) as the next crop in rotation, comparing with the continuous cultivation of cereal, under two tillage practices (conventional tillage and no-till) and fertilized with five mineral nitrogen (N) rates, with three replicates. Oat as a first crop in the rotation provided more N to the agro-ecosystem (63 kg N ha⁻¹) than did lupine (30–59 kg N ha⁻¹). This was at a cost of 100 kg of mineral N ha⁻¹, whereas lupine was grown without addition of N. A positive response of oat as a second crop was obtained per kg of lupine-N added to the system when compared with the continuous oat–oat. The cereal also responded positively to mineral N in the legume amended soil in contrast with the oat–oat sequence where no response was observed, partly due to the fast mineralization rate of lupine residue and a greater soil N immobilization in the continuous oat system. Each kg N ha⁻¹ added to the soil through the application of 73 kg DM ha⁻¹ mature lupine residue (above- and belowground material) increased by 72 kg DM ha⁻¹ the oat biomass produced as the second crop in rotation when 150 kg mineral N ha⁻¹ were split in the season, independent of tillage practice. Mature legume residue conserved in the no-tilled soil depressed the yield of succeeding cereal but less than the continuous oat–oat for both tillage practices, where the application of mineral N did not improve the crop response.     

Wheat yield response to spatially variable nitrogen fertilizer in Mediterranean environment

Farmers obtain high yield when proper crop management is matched with favourable weather. Nitrogen (N) fertilization is an important agronomic management practice because it affects profitability and the environment. In rainfed environments, farmers generally apply uniform rates of N without taking into account the spatial variability of soil available water or nutrient availability. Uniform application of fertilizer can lead to over or under-fertilization, decreasing the efficiency of the fertilizer use. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of variable rate nitrogen fertilizer application on spatial and temporal patterns of wheat grain yield. The study was conducted during the 2008/2009 and 2009/10 growing seasons in a 12 ha field near Foggia, Italy. The crop planted each year was durum wheat (Triticum durum, Desf.) cultivar Duilio. The field was subdivided into two management zones High (H), and Average (A). Three N rates were identified using a crop model tested on the same field during a previous growing season. The N rates were: low N (T1: 30 kg N ha⁻¹), average N (T2: 70 kg N ha⁻¹), and high N (T3: 90 kg N ha⁻¹). The ANOVA test showed that there were no effects of the N levels for the first growing season for the H and A zone. For the 2009/10 growing season with higher rainfall there was a significant difference in grain yield for the A zone (2955 kg ha⁻¹), but not in the H zone (3970 kg ha⁻¹). This study demonstrates the optimal amount of N for a given management zone is not fixed but varies with the rainfall amount and distribution during the fallow and growing season.     

Effects of soybean variety and Bradyrhizobium strains on yield,protein content and biological nitrogen fixation under cool growing conditions in Germany

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is able to fix atmospheric nitrogen in symbiosis with the bacteria Bradyrhizobium japonicum. Because these bacteria are not native in European soils, soybean seeds must be inoculated with Bradyrhizobium strains before sowing to fix nitrogen and meet their yield potential. In Central Europe soybean cultivation is still quite new and breeding of early maturing soybean varieties adapted to cool growing conditions has just started.Under these low temperature conditions in Central Europe the inoculation with different, commercially available Bradyrhizobium inoculants has resulted in unsatisfactory nodulation. The aim of this study was: (i) to test the ability of commercially available inoculants to maximize soybean grain yield, protein content and protein yield, (ii) to study the interaction of different inoculants with different soybean varieties for two different sites in Germany under cool growing conditions over three years and (iii) to determine the variability of biological nitrogen fixation. Field trials were set up on an organically managed site at the Hessische Staatsdomäne Frankenhausen (DFH) and on a conventionally managed site in Quedlinburg (QLB) for three consecutive seasons from 2011 to 2013. Three early maturing soybean varieties—Merlin, Bohemians, Protina—were tested in combination with four different Bradyrhizobium inoculants—Radicin No.7, NPPL-Hi Stick, Force 48, Biodoz Rhizofilm—and compared with a non-inoculated control. Effective inoculation with Bradyrhizobium strains increased grain yield, protein content and protein yield by up to 57%, 26% and 99%, respectively. Grain yield, protein content and protein yield were generally higher in DFH. Average grain yield was 1634 kg ha⁻¹ in QLB (2012–2013) and 2455 kg ha⁻¹ in DFH (2011–2013), average protein content was 386 g kg⁻¹ in QLB and 389 g kg⁻¹ in DFH and average protein yield was 650 kg ha⁻¹ in QLB and 965 kg ha⁻¹ in DFH. The percentage of nitrogen derived from air (Ndfa) ranged between 40% and 57%. Soybeans inoculated with Radicin No. 7 failed to form nodules, and crop performance was identical to the non-inoculated control. Biodoz Rhizofilm, NPPL Hi-Stick and Force 48 are suitable for soybean cultivation under cool growing conditions in Germany. Interactions between soybean variety and inoculant were significant for protein content and protein yield at both sites, but not for nodulation, grain yield, thousand kernel weight and Ndfa. The variety Protina in combination with the inoculant Biodoz Rhizofilm can be recommended for tofu for both tested sites, while Merlin and Protina in combination with Biodoz Rhizofilm are recommended for animal fodder production in DFH. Animal fodder production was not profitable in QLB due to low protein yields.     

Yield and nitrogen utilization efficiency of the pseudocereals amaranth,quinoa, and buckwheat under differing nitrogen fertilization

In recent years, the cultivation of the pseudocereal species amaranth, quinoa, and buckwheat has gained rising attention. This study was undertaken to explore nitrogen (N) fertility requirements and nitrogen use efficiency of these species. For this purpose, a 2-year field experiment with N rates of 0, 80, and 120 kg N ha⁻¹ for amaranth and quinoa and 0, 30, and 60 kg N ha⁻¹ for buckwheat and two cultivars of each species was conducted.Grain yield of amaranth responded to N and ranged between 1986 and 2767 kg ha⁻¹. Nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUtE) ranged from 13.9 to 15.4 kg grain yield per kg above-ground plant N and decreased with increasing N rate. Higher grain yields and NUtEs seemed to be mainly inhibited by the low harvest index (0.22–0.23) of the investigated amaranth cultivars.Quinoa yielded between 1790 and 3495 kg grain ha⁻¹ and responded strongly to N fertilization. NUtE averaged 22.2 kg kg⁻¹ and did not decrease with increasing N rates.The grain yield of buckwheat did not respond to N fertilization and averaged 1425 kg ha⁻¹. N uptake increased only slightly with N fertilization. NUtE ranged from 16.1 to 20.0 kg kg⁻¹. Main problems occurring with the application of N to buckwheat were grain scattering and lodging.     

Effects of plant density on grain yield,protein size distribution,and breadmaking quality of winter wheat grown under two nitrogen fertilisation rates

Nitrogen (N) and plant density are two crucial factors that affect winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield and quality, but little is known regarding the effects of interactions between these two factors on the amount and size distribution of protein fractions and quality traits. We grew the bread wheat cultivar Jinan17 in two successive seasons (2012–2013 and 2013–2014) at three densities of 120 plants m⁻² (low), 180 plants m⁻² [the usual rate for a multiple-spike cultivar with high tillering ability in the North China Plain (NCP)], and 240 plants m⁻² (high) and two levels of N fertilisation of 0 (low N availability treatment without N fertilisation) and 240 kg ha⁻¹ (the usual N rate for winter wheat production in the NCP) to evaluate the effect of N level × plant density interaction on grain yield, grain protein concentration, the amount and composition of protein fractions, dough development time, dough stability time, and loaf volume. The effect of plant density on Jinan 17 grain yield and quality differed between the two N levels. As plant density increased, all the parameters listed above decreased under 0 kg ha⁻¹ N fertilisation, but increased under 240 kg ha⁻¹ N fertilisation. Stepwise regression analysis showed that the dough rheological properties and breadmaking quality of Jinan 17 were affected by plant density under both N levels, primarily through changes in the polymerisation degree of glutenins in the flour.