Modeling chickpea growth and development: Leaf production and senescence

Quantitative information regarding leaf area development in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is scarce. Data from four field experiments with a range of treatments including genotype, sowing date and plant density across four location-season combinations were analyzed to quantify main effects of temperature, photoperiod and plant population density on plant leaf area in chickpea. All experiments were conducted under well-watered conditions. Maximum rate of main stem node development was 0.72 nodes/d. Cardinal temperatures for node appearance were found as 6.0, 22.2 and 31.0 °C for base, optimum and ceiling temperatures, respectively. Plant density had no effect on cardinal temperatures for leaf appearance and phyllochron. Leaf senescence on the main stem started when the main stem had about 12 nodes and proceeded at a rate of 1.67% per each day increase in physiological day (a day with non-limiting temperature and photoperiod). Leaf production per plant versus main stem node number occurred in two phases; phase 1 when plant leaf number increased with a slower and density-independent rate (three leaves per node), and phase 2 with a higher and density-dependent rate of leaf production (8–15 leaves per node). A close relationship was found between the fraction of senesced leaves per plant and the same fraction on the main stem. The average leaf size per plant increased from 4 cm² when there were 10 nodes on the main stem and stabilized at 10.8 cm² when there were 21 nodes on the main stem. Plant density and sowing date did not affect leaf size. Plant leaf area was also predictable directly from main stem node number. The relationships found in this study can be used in simulation models of chickpea.     

Effect of nitrogen supply on leaf appearance,leaf growth,leaf nitrogen economy and photosynthetic capacity in maize (Zea mays L.)

Leaf area growth and nitrogen concentration per unit leaf area, N_a (g m⁻² N) are two options plants can use to adapt to nitrogen limitation. Previous work indicated that potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) adapts the size of leaves to maintain N_a and photosynthetic capacity per unit leaf area. This paper reports on the effect of N limitation on leaf area production and photosynthetic capacity in maize, a C4 cereal. Maize was grown in two experiments in pots in glasshouses with three (0.84–6.0 g N pot⁻¹) and five rates (0.5–6.0 g pot⁻¹) of N. Leaf tip and ligule appearance were monitored and final individual leaf area was determined. Changes with leaf age in leaf area, leaf N content and light-saturated photosynthetic capacity, P_max, were measured on two leaves per plant in each experiment. The final area of the largest leaf and total plant leaf area differed by 16 and 29% from the lowest to highest N supply, but leaf appearance rate and the duration of leaf expansion were unaffected. The N concentration of expanding leaves (N_a or %N in dry matter) differed by at least a factor 2 from the lowest to highest N supply. A hyperbolic function described the relation between P_max and N_a. The results confirm the ‘maize strategy’: leaf N content, photosynthetic capacity, and ultimately radiation use efficiency is more sensitive to nitrogen limitation than are leaf area expansion and light interception. The generality of the findings is discussed and it is suggested that at canopy level species showing the ‘potato strategy’ can be recognized from little effect of nitrogen supply on radiation use efficiency, while the reverse is true for species showing the ‘maize strategy’ for adaptation to N limitation.     

Duration of the grain-filling period in maize is not affected by photoperiod and incident PPFD during the vegetative phase

Total number of initiated leaves and duration from sowing to silking increases when photoperiod is increased during the photoperiod-sensitive phase in maize (Zea mays L.). Little is known, however, about possible other effects of photoperiod and incident photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) on rate of development and duration of life cycle. A study was undertaken to quantify effects of photoperiod and incident PPFD from sowing to the 15-leaf stage on rate of leaf appearance and duration of the grain-filling period. The short-season maize hybrid Pioneer 3902 was grown in growth cabinets from sowing to the 15-leaf stage with either (i) a 10 h photoperiod at high PPFD (650 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹), (ii) a 20 h photoperiod consisting of 10 h of high PPFD followed by 10 h of low PPFD (5–50 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹), or (iii) a 20 h photoperiod of high PPFD. From the 15-leaf stage to maturity the plants were placed under a 16 h photoperiod in a growth room. Increasing photoperiod from 10 to 20 h increased final number of initiated leaves and delayed silking but did not affect rate of leaf appearance. Doubling incident PPFD to a value similar to that under Ontario field conditions during the summer resulted in a 16% increase in rate of leaf appearance and in a significant increase in total number of initiated leaves. Differences in final number of initiated leaves and in rate of leaf appearance from sowing to the 15-leaf stage among treatments resulted in a 4-day difference in silking date between the 10 h photoperiod treatment and the two 20 h photoperiod treatments. Duration of the grain-filling period did not differ among the three treatments.     

Herb and oil composition of dill (Anethum graveolens L.): Effects of crop maturity and plant density

Steam-distilled dill (Anethum graveolens L.) oil yield and composition varies with the relative amount of vegetative and reproductive tissue and the maturity of the plant material distilled. The characteristics of the dill plant at harvest may be manipulated through production practices. A study was conducted in western Montana to determine the effects of crop maturity and plant density on dill plant growth and on oil production and quality. The crop was harvested at intervals from early fruit formation through fruit pigmentation. Oil yield declined with fruit maturity over the sampling period, particularly after the completion of fruit ripening and “seed” shatter. The carvone content of the oil increased and α-phellandrene decreased as the plant progressed from flowering to fruit ripeness. The highest oil yields with maximum carvone levels were obtained when most of the fruits on primary umbels were pigmented but had not become dry and fully mature. The balance between carvone and phellandrene in the oil was a function of the proportion of mature umbel tissue to vegetative and immature umbel tissue. Seeding rates of 2.2–17.9 kg ha⁻¹ resulted in average plant densities of 100–474 plants m⁻². Total biomass production and oil yield were generally unaffected by plant density, but plant population influenced plant architecture and oil composition. Plants grown at low density had a more extensive development of umbellate fruiting structures and a lower proportion of leaf and stem tissue than did plants at high density. Carvone was higher in oil from widely spaced plants, while phellandrene, α-pinene, and dill ether (3,9-epoxy-1-p-menthene) were lower. Harvest date and plant density affected oil composition in a complementary manner. An early harvest or high plant density is preferable if herbaceous oil characteristics are desired, while a late harvest or low plant density is suitable when growing dill for seed or for a high-carvone oil.     

Salinity reduces radiation absorption and use efficiency in soybean

The potential rate of plant development and biomass accumulation under conditions free of environmental stress depends on the amount of radiation absorption and the efficiency of utilizing the absorbed solar energy to drive photosynthetic processes that produce biomass materials. Salinity, as a form of soil and water stress, generally has a detrimental effect on plant growth, and crops such as soybean are usually sensitive to salinity. Field and greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine soybean growth characteristics and the relative impact of salinity on radiation absorption and radiation-use efficiency (RUE) at a whole plant level. Cumulative absorption of photosynthetically active radiation (∑APAR) was estimated using hourly inputs of predicted canopy extinction coefficients and measured leaf area indices (LAI) and global solar radiation. On 110 days after planting, soybean plants grown under non-saline conditions in the field accumulated 583 MJ ∑APAR m⁻². A 20% reduction in ∑APAR resulted from growing the plants in soil with a solution electrical conductivity (EC) of about 10 dS m⁻¹. Soybeans grown under non-saline conditions in the field achieved a RUE of 1.89 g MJ⁻¹ ∑APAR for above-ground biomass dry materials. The RUE reached only 1.08 g MJ⁻¹ ∑APAR in the saline soil, about a 40% reduction from the non-saline control. Salinity also significantly reduced ∑APAR and RUE for soybeans in the greenhouse. The observed smaller plant and leaf sizes and darker green leaves under salinity stress were attributed to reductions in LAI and increases in unit leaf chlorophyll, respectively. Reductions in LAI exceeded small gains in leaf chlorophyll, which resulted in less total canopy chlorophyll per unit ground area. Analyzing salinity effect on plant growth and biomass production using the relative importance of ∑APAR and RUE is potentially useful because APAR and total canopy chlorophyll can be estimated with remote sensing techniques.     

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

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

Modeling chickpea growth and development: Nitrogen accumulation and use

Quantitative information regarding nitrogen (N) accumulation and its distribution to leaves, stems and grains under varying environmental and growth conditions are limited for chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). The information is required for the development of crop growth models and also for assessment of the contribution of chickpea to N balances in cropping systems. Accordingly, these processes were quantified in chickpea under different environmental and growth conditions (still without water or N deficit) using four field experiments and 1325 N measurements. N concentration ([N]) in green leaves was 50 mg g⁻¹ up to beginning of seed growth, and then it declined linearly to 30 mg g⁻¹ at the end of seed growth phase. [N] in senesced leaves was 12 mg g⁻¹. Stem [N] decreased from 30 mg g⁻¹ early in the season to 8 mg g⁻¹ in senesced stems at maturity. Pod [N] was constant (35 mg g⁻¹), but grain [N] decreased from 60 mg g⁻¹ early in seed growth to 43 mg g⁻¹ at maturity. Total N accumulation ranged between 9 and 30 g m⁻². N accumulation was closely linked to biomass accumulation until maturity. N accumulation efficiency (N accumulation relative to biomass accumulation) was 0.033 g g⁻¹ where total biomass was <218 g m⁻² and during early growth period, but it decreased to 0.0176 g g⁻¹ during the later growth period when total biomass was >218 g m⁻². During vegetative growth (up to first-pod), 58% of N was partitioned to leaves and 42% to stems. Depending on growth conditions, 37–72% of leaf N and 12–56% of stem N was remobilized to the grains. The parameter estimates and functions obtained in this study can be used in chickpea simulation models to simulate N accumulation and distribution.     

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

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

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

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

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

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

Effect of SWD irrigation on photosynthesis and grain yield of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

A study was conducted with the objective to determine the influence of (shallow water depth with wetting and drying) SWD on leaf photosynthesis of rice plants under field conditions. Experiments using SWD and traditional irrigations (TRI) were carried out at three transplanting densities, namely D1 (7.5 plants/m²), D2 (13.5 plants/m²) and D3 (19.5 plants/m²) with or without the addition of organic manure (0 and 15 t/ha). A significant increase in leaf net photosynthetic rate by SWD was observed with portable photosynthesis systems in two independent experiments. At both flowering and 20 DAF stages, photosynthetic rate was increased by 14.8% and 33.2% with D2 compared to control. SWD significantly increased specific leaf weight by 17.0% and 11.8% over the control at flowering and 20 DAF stages, respectively. LAI of D2 under SWD was significantly increased by 57.4% at 20 DAF. In addition, SWD with D2 significantly increased the leaf dry weight (DW) at both growing stages. At all the three densities, SWD increased the leaf N content and the increase was 18.9% at D2 density compared with the conventional control. In SWD irrigation, the leaf net photosynthetic rate was positively correlated with the leaf N content (R² = 0.9413), and the stomatal conductance was also positively correlated with leaf N content (R² = 0.7359). SWD enhanced sink size by increasing both panicle number and spikelet number per panicle. The increase in spikelet number per panicle was more pronounced in the 15 t ha⁻¹ manure treatment than in the zero-manure treatment. Grain yield was also significantly increased by SWD, with an average increase of 10% across all treatments. SWD with D2 had the highest grain yield under the both cultivars with or without 15 t ha⁻¹ manure treatment, which was 14.7% or 13.9% increase for Liangyoupeijiu and 11.3% or 11.2% for Zhongyou 6 over the control, respectively.     

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

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

Source–sink relations and kernel weight differences in maize temperate hybrids

Maize (Zea mays L.) kernel weight (KW) response to changes in assimilate availability per kernel during grain filling suggests that plants establish an early kernel sink potential that place them to grow close to a saturating assimilate availability condition during late grain-filling, meaning source limitations are common only early in kernel development. As maize reproductive efficiency in kernel set is not constant across different plant growth rates (PGR) around flowering, we used PGR per kernel during this period as an indicator of source availability per kernel. We tested whether PGR per kernel during flowering or during the effective grain-filling period were correlated to genotypic and environmental differences in final KW. Plant growth rate during both periods, KW, kernel growth rate during the effective grain-filling period, total duration of grain filling and kernel number per plant were measured in 12 commercial genotypes differing in KW sown at two sites under full irrigation. As expected from the curvilinear response relating kernel number per plant and PGR around flowering, increased PGRs resulted in higher PGR per kernel around this period (r² = 0.86; p < 0.001). Differences in final KW due to genotypes or environments were significantly explained by the PGR per kernel around flowering (r² = 0.40; p < 0.001), and not by the PGR per kernel during the effective grain-filling period. Genotypes differed in kernel growth rate (p < 0.001) and grain-filling duration (p < 0.001). The former was well explained by PGR per kernel around flowering (r² = 0.66; p < 0.001), but showed no relationship with the PGR per kernel during the effective grain-filling period. Grain-filling duration was partially explained (r² = 0.27; p < 0.01) by the ratio between PGR per kernel during the effective grain-filling period and kernel growth rate, but differences in duration were negligible compared to those observed in the ratio (∼41% versus ∼130%, respectively). Together, these results support the importance of source availability per kernel during early grain filling on the determination of maize potential sink capacity and final KW. Early resource availability per kernel was accurately estimated as PGR per kernel around the period of kernel number determination, which helped explain genotypic and environmental differences in maize final KW as well as in kernel growth rate.     

Leaf photosynthesis is enhanced in normal oil maize pollinated by high oil maize hybrids

The grain yield of normal oil maize (Zea mays L.) might increase when pollinated by high oil maize (HOM) hybrids because of heterosis. To testify that the grain yield increase might be a result of improved photosynthetic rate and related traits, the normal oil maize (NOM) hybrid, Nongda108, was cross-pollinated by three HOM hybrids, HOM202, HOM115 and HOM4515 (for short as ND108pHOM202, ND108pHOM115 and ND108pHOM4515). We found that the ND108pHOM202 and ND108pHOM115 exhibited higher net photosynthetic rate (P_n), accompanied by larger stomatal conductance (g_s) and transpiration rate (E). Moreover, delayed leaf senescence was observed in their leaves, including larger leaf area index (LAI) and higher Chl content and Chl a/b ratio. Apart from higher phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPCase) activity, the soluble proteins were also higher in the two cross-pollinations. The higher leaf photosynthesis could explain the grain increase in ND108pHOM202 and ND108pHOM115. However, ND108pHOM4515 exhibited a decreased photosynthetic characteristic and yield performance. Significantly positive relation between grain yield and biomass (r² = 0.96, P < 0.05), P_n and biomass (r² = 0.74, P < 0.05) also suggested that the yield increase in the two cross-pollination treatments was generally owing to the higher photosynthetic rate and related photosynthetic traits.     

The effect of irrigation regime on biomass and resin production in Grindelia chiloensis

Grindelia chiloensis (Corn.) Cabr. is a shrub native to Patagonia, Argentina and can accumulate as much as 25% resin in its leaves, with net primary productivity between 90 and 170 g per year per plant when growing in native stands. Under cultivation, 67.4 g of resin per plant have been produced (about 2.24 Mg ha⁻¹). The objective of this study was to assess the effect of irrigation regime on biomass and resin production on G. chiloensis. In order to achieve this objective, four irrigation treatments were performed during 1996–1997 and 1997–1998: (i) weekly irrigation (7d), (ii) irrigation at 20-day intervals (20d), (iii) irrigation at 40-day intervals (40d), (iv) non-irrigated (N-I). It was found that the intermittent water supply at 40d was sufficient to promote canopy development, and increase water use efficiency (WUE) and resin production per plant (RP) with highest resin production (approximately 5.12 Mg ha⁻¹ in 1997). In order to achieve high levels of RP, above ground biomass was maximized at the expense of a reduction in WUE. A concomitant increase in WUE (at the leaf level; WUE_L) and leaf resin content with water stress and time was found. This result supports the hypothesis that epicuticular resin could influence water transpiration (E), as it represents an additional barrier to gas diffusion from the epidermis and through the stomatal pores.     

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

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

Intra-specific competition in maize: early establishment of hierarchies among plants affects final kernel set

Reduced plant biomass and increased plant-to-plant variability are expected responses to crowding in monocultures, but the underlying processes that control the onset of interplant interference and the establishment of hierarchies among plants within a stand are poorly understood. We tested the hypothesis that early determined plant types (i.e. dominant and dominated individuals) are the cause of the large variability in final kernel number per plant (KNP) usually observed at low values of plant growth rate (PGR) around silking in maize (Zea mays L.). Two hybrids (DK696 and Exp980) of contrasting response to crowding were cropped at different stand densities (6, 9 and 12 plants m⁻²), row spacings (0.35 and 0.70 m), and water regimes (rainfed and irrigated) during 1999/2000 and 2001/2002 in Argentina. The onset of interplant competition started very early during the cycle, and significant differences (P<0.05) in estimated plant biomass between stand densities were detected as soon as V_4–6 (DK696) and V_6–7 (Exp980). Plant population and row spacing treatments did not modify the onset of the hierarchical growth among plants, but did affect (P<0.02–0.08) the dynamic of the process. For both hybrids, the rate of change in relative growth between plant types was larger at 9 and 12 plants m⁻² (ca. 0.12 g/g per 100 °C day) than at 6 plants m⁻² (ca. 0.07 g/g per 100 °C day). For all treatments, the largest difference in estimated shoot biomass between plant types took place between 350 (V₇) and 750 °C day (V₁₃) from sowing, and remained constant from V₁₃ onwards. Dominant plants always had more kernels per plant (P<0.05) than the dominated ones, but differences between plant types in PGR around silking were significant (P<0.05) only at 12 plants m⁻². Our research confirmed the significant (P<0.01) curvilinear response of KNP to PGR around silking, but also determined a differential response between plant types: the mean of residual values were significantly (P<0.01) larger for dominant than for dominated individuals. Estimated ear biomass at the onset of active kernel growth (R₃) reflected the variation in KNP (r²≥0.62), and was significantly (P<0.01) related to estimated plant biomass at the start of active ear growth (ca. V₁₃). This response suggested that the physiological state of each plant at the beginning of the critical period had conditioned its reproductive fate. This early effect of plant type on final KNP seemed to be exerted through current assimilate partitioning during the critical period.     

Interspecific competition,N use and interference with weeds in pea–barley intercropping

Field pea (Pisum sativum L.) and spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) were intercropped and sole cropped to compare the effects of crop diversity on productivity and use of N sources on a soil with a high weed pressure. ¹⁵N enrichment techniques were used to determine the pea–barley–weed-N dynamics. The pea–barley intercrop yielded 4.6 t grain ha⁻¹, which was significantly greater than the yields of pea and barley in sole cropping. Calculation of land equivalent ratios showed that plant growth factors were used from 25 to 38% more efficiently by the intercrop than by the sole crops. Barley sole crops accumulated 65 kg soil N ha⁻¹ in aboveground plant parts, which was similar to 73 kg soil N ha⁻¹ in the pea–barley intercrop and significantly greater than 15 kg soil N ha⁻¹ in the pea sole crop. The weeds accumulated 57 kg soil N ha⁻¹ in aboveground plant parts during the growing season in the pea sole crops. Intercropped barley accumulated 71 kg N ha⁻¹. Pea relied on N₂ fixation with 90–95% of aboveground N accumulation derived from N₂ fixation independent of cropping system. Pea grown in intercrop with barley instead of sole crop had greater competitive ability towards weeds and soil inorganic N was consequently used for barley grain production instead of weed biomass. There was no indication of a greater inorganic N content after pea compared to barley or pea–barley. However, 46 days after emergence there was about 30 kg N ha⁻¹ inorganic N more under the pea sole crop than under the other two crops. Such greater inorganic N levels during early growth phases was assumed to induce aggressive weed populations and interspecific competition. Pea–barley intercropping seems to be a promising practice of protein production in cropping systems with high weed pressures and low levels of available N.     

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

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

Seasonal changes in the effects of free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE) on dry matter production and distribution of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

It is reported that stimulating effect of elevated atmospheric [CO₂] on photosynthesis of rice (Oryza sativa L.) is likely to be reduced during the plant growth period. However, there is little information on seasonal changes in dry matter (DM) production and distribution of rice under elevated atmospheric [CO₂]. A free-air CO₂ enrichment (FACE) experiment was conducted at Wuxi, Jiangsu, China, in 2001–2003, using Wuxiangging 14, a japonica cultivar. The rice was grown at ambient or elevated (ca. 200 μmol mol⁻¹ above ambient) [CO₂] and supplied with 25 g N m², which is the normal N application rate for local farmers. DM accumulation of rice in FACE plots was significantly increased by 40, 30, 22, 26 and 16% on average at tillering, panicle initiation (PI), heading, mid-ripening and grain maturity, respectively. Rice DM production under FACE was significantly enhanced by 41, 27, 15 and 38% on average during the growth periods from transplanting to tillering (Period 1), tillering to PI (Period 2), PI to heading (Period 3) and heading to mid-ripening (Period 4), respectively, but significantly decreased by 25% in the period from mid-ripening to grain maturity (Period 5). In general, seasonal changes in crop response to FACE in both green leaf area index (GLAI) and net assimilation rate (NAR) followed a similar pattern to that of the DM production. Under FACE the leaves decreased significantly in proportion to the total above-ground DM over the season, the stems showed an opposite trend, while the spikes depended on crop development stage: showing no change at heading, significant increase (+4%) at mid-ripening and significant decrease (−3%) at grain maturity. Grain yield was stimulated by an average of 13% by FACE, due to increased total DM production rather than any changes in partitioning to the grain. We conclude that the gradual acclimation of rice growth to elevated [CO₂] do not occur inevitably, and it could also be altered by environmental conditions (e.g., cultivation technique).