Variations in structural,biochemical, and physiological traits of photosynthesis and resource use efficiency in Amaranthus species (NAD-ME-type C4)

C₄ plants show higher photosynthetic capacity and productivity than C₃ plants owing to a CO₂-concentrating mechanism in leaves, which reduces photorespiration. However, which traits regulate the photosynthetic capacity of C₄ plants remains unclear. We investigated structural, biochemical, and physiological traits associated with photosynthesis and resource use efficiency in 20 accessions of 12 species of Amaranthus, NAD-malic enzyme-type C₄ dicots. Net photosynthetic rate (P_N) ranged from 19.7 to 40.5 μmol m^?2 s^?1. P_N was positively correlated with stomatal conductance and nitrogen and chlorophyll contents of leaves and was weakly positively correlated with specific leaf weight. P_N was also positively correlated with the activity of the C₃ enzyme ribulose-1,5-bisphoshate carboxylase/oxygenase, but not with the activities of the C₄ enzymes phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase and NAD-malic enzyme. Structural traits of leaves (stomatal density, guard cell length, leaf thickness, interveinal distance, sizes of mesophyll and bundle sheath cells and the area ratio between these cells) were not significantly correlated with P_N. These data suggest that some of the biochemical and physiological traits are involved in interspecific P_N variation, whereas structural traits are not directly involved. Photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency ranged between 260 and 458 μmol mol^?1 N s^?1. Photosynthetic water use efficiency ranged between 5.6 and 10.4 mmol mol^?1. When these data were compared with previously published data of C₄ grasses, it is suggested that common mechanisms may determine the variations in resource use efficiency in grasses and this dicot group.     

Variations in physiological,biochemical, and structural traits of photosynthesis and resource use efficiency in maize and teosintes (NADP-ME-type C4)

C₄ plants show higher photosynthetic capacity and resource use efficiency than C₃ plants. However, the genetic variations of these traits and their regulatory factors in C₄ plants still remain to be resolved. We investigated physiological, biochemical, and structural traits involved in photosynthesis and photosynthetic water and nitrogen use efficiencies (PWUE and PNUE) in 22 maize lines and four teosinte lines from various regions of the world. Net photosynthetic rate (P_N) ranged from 32.1 to 46.5 μmol m^?2 s^?1. P_N was positively correlated with stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and chlorophyll, nitrogen and soluble protein contents of leaves, but not with specific leaf weight. P_N was positively correlated with the activities of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase and the C₄-acid decarboxylases, NADP-malic enzyme and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, but not with the activity of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase. Leaf structural traits (stomatal parameters, leaf thickness, and interveinal distance) were not correlated with P_N. These data suggest that physiological and biochemical traits are involved in the genetic variation of P_N, but structural traits are not directly involved. PWUE is in the lower class of values reported for C₄ plants, whereas PNUE is in the highest class of values reported for C₄ plants. PNUE was negatively correlated with leaf nitrogen content but not significantly correlated with P_N. PWUE was not correlated with δ¹³C values of leaves, indicating difficulty in using δ¹³C values as an indicator of PWUE of maize. In general, teosinte lines showed lower P_N but higher PWUE than maize lines.     

A canopy photosynthesis model to predict the dry matter production of cocksfoot pastures under varying temperature, nitrogen and water regimes

Daily net canopy photosynthesis (P_n) of cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) was predicted for combinations of temperature, herbage nitrogen (N) concentration and water status from the integration of models of leaf photosynthesis of the light‐saturated photosynthetic rate (P_max), photosynthetic efficiency (α) and the degree of curvature (θ) of leaf light‐response curves. The effect on P_n, maximum P_n (P_{n max}) and the optimum leaf area index (LAI at P_{n max}) was examined when any one of these factors was limiting. The ranges that gave the optimum values of P_n (P_{n max} = 30·8–33·5 g CO₂m^?2 d^?1) for temperature (19–22°C) and N concentration (40–50 g N kg^?1 DM) were smaller than those for net leaf photosynthesis. Also, P_n fell to 0 at a lower level of water stress (pre‐dawn leaf water potential, ψ_lp = ?12·5 bar) than for P_max. The canopy photosynthesis model was then used to compare predicted and measured dry matter (DM) production for cocksfoot pastures grown under a diverse range of environmental conditions with field data from New Zealand and Argentina. To predict DM production leaf area index and leaf canopy angle were included from field measurements. The model explained about 0·85 of the variation in cocksfoot DM production for the range of 6·5–134 kg DM ha^?1 d^?1. The canopy model overestimated the DM production by 0·10 which indicates that a further P_max function for leaves of different ages and a partitioning sub‐model may be needed to improve predictions of DM production.     

Influence of different nitrogen forms application on rice photosynthesis: fluorescence with water-saving irrigation in black soil region of Songnen Plain,Northeast China

In order to study the response of the rice photosynthetic-fluorescence characteristics to the application of different nitrogen forms with water-saving irrigation, by using LI-6400XT-type photosynthetic apparatus and other equipment, the fluorescence parameters, stomatal resistance and photosynthetic-CO₂ response curves of rice were measured at the critical stages under water-saving irrigation methods. Results showed that the change trend of ETR and photochemical fluorescence quenching coefficient (Q_p) with different nitrogen forms were declining–rising–declining. Compared with CK (control treatment), ETR and Q_p with NO₃^? treatment were better than the others, which indicated that this treatment was most advantageous to increasing ETR. The electron flow from PSII oxidation-lateral to PSII was enhanced. The potential quantum efficiency (F_v/F_m) was the lowest at tillering stage and the highest at heading stage. Compared with CK, at heading stage, F_v/F_m with NO₃^?, NH₄⁺ NO₃^? and NH₄⁺ treatments was increased by 1.68, 0.61 and 1.81%, respectively, while NO₃^? and NH₄⁺ played a more important role in promoting the ability to capture light. The change trend of non-photochemical fluorescence quenching coefficient with different treatments was not obvious. During the growth period, the stomatal resistance (R_s) was changed dynamically, reaching the second peak at the jointing stage and the highest peak at the milk-ripe stage, and both were higher than CK. The R_s of different nitrogen forms was as NH ₄ ^+? >?NH₄⁺NO ₃ ^?? >?NO₃^?, which showed that with different nitrogen forms, R_s of NO₃^? treatment was low, stomatal opening was correspondingly greater than the other nitrogen forms, and under the same moisture conditions, this treatment of stomatal opening was more beneficial for gas exchange and external CO₂ flowing into the leaf cells, which could increase photosynthetic physiological response. By fitting the parameters of photosynthetic-CO₂ response curve, it was concluded that the photorespiration rate (R_P) was greater than CK, but it was different for three nitrogen treatments during different periods. Rice light saturation point and apparent carboxylation efficiency (α) of NO₃^? treatment during three growth periods were more uniform, indicating that this treatment had a higher utilization rate for low concentration of CO₂. Maximum photosynthetic rate (P_max) with NO₃^? and NH₄⁺ treatments of the three growth periods was 29.396–31.208 and 28.969–31.371, respectively. The CO₂ compensation point and curve angle (θ) had no stable trend during the whole growth period. Therefore, the nitrogen forms could influence the photosynthetic characteristics of the rice leaves, and the result can provide theoretical guidance and scientific basis for increasing the efficiency of nitrogen utilization.     

Response of the leaf photosynthetic rate to available nitrogen in erect panicle-type rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivar,Shennong265

Increasing the yield of rice per unit area is important because of the demand from the growing human population in Asia. A group of varieties called erect panicle-type rice (EP) achieves very high yields under conditions of high nitrogen availability. Little is known, however, regarding the leaf photosynthetic capacity of EP, which may be one of the physiological causes of high yield. We analyzed the factors contributing to leaf photosynthetic rate (P_n) and leaf mesophyll anatomy of Nipponbare, Takanari, and Shennong265 (a EP type rice cultivar) varieties subjected to different nitrogen treatments. In the field experiment, P_n of Shennong265 was 33.8 μmol m^?2 s^?1 in the high-N treatment, and was higher than that of the other two cultivars because of its high leaf nitrogen content (LNC) and a large number of mesophyll cells between the small vascular bundles per unit length. In Takanari, the relatively high value of P_n (31.5 μmol m^?2 s^?1) was caused by the high stomatal conductance (g_s; .72 mol m^?2 s^?1) in the high-N treatment. In the pot experiment, the ratio of P_n/C_i to LNC, which may reflect mesophyll conductance (g_m), was 20–30% higher in Nipponbare than in Takanari or Shennong265 in the high N availability treatment. The photosynthetic performance of Shennong265 might be improved by introducing the greater ratio of P_n/C_i to LNC found in Nipponbare and greater stomatal conductance found in Takanari.     

Exogenous ascorbic acid scarcely ameliorates inhibition of photosynthesis in rice leaves by O3

The role of ascorbic acid on acute O₃-induced inhibition of photosynthesis in solution-cultured paddy rice was evaluated. As pre-treatment, ascorbic acid (0, 5, and 10 mM) was added to the culture solution for 5 d before 5 h of O₃ exposure (0, .1, and .3 cm³ m^?3 O₃) during daytime. O₃ decreased photosynthesis-related parameters, total ascorbic acid content, and the redox state (RDS) of ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid treatment enhanced the total ascorbic acid contents and its RDS level of rice leaves, but scarcely ameliorated O₃-induced inhibition of photosynthesis-related parameters. Inhibition of net photosynthetic rate (P_N) by O₃ was slightly ameliorated by exogenous ascorbic acid only at 1 d after O₃ exposure. These results indicate that ascorbic acid is a component of protection from O₃ injury but has a marginal role in the acute inhibition of P_N by O₃ in rice leaves.     

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.     

Effect of a Microbial Inoculant on Stomatal Response of Maize Leaves

Summary

Laboratory tests were conducted to determine the effect of a microbial inoculant on the stomatal response of maize leaves (Zea mays L.). The microbial inoculant investigated is known as Effective Microorganisms or EM and consists of a mixed culture of naturally occurring, beneficial microorganisms. Research has shown that EM applied to soils and plants can improve soil properties and enhance the growth, yield and quality of crops. The exact mechanisms or modes-of-action of how EM cultures elicit beneficial effects on plant growth and metabolism is not known. However, it is likely that some of these cultures can synthesize phytohormones (i.e., auxins and others) or growth regulators that stimulate plant growth. Consequently, the effects of EM and partial illumination on stomatal response of intact and excised maize leaves were evaluated. Potted plants were dried to the wilting point and rehydrated with either a 1:100 dilution of EM and water or water alone applied to the soil. Sudden illumination of plants maintained in the dark showed that the leaf stomata of the EM-treated plants opened more rapidly than water-treated control plants. When leaves were excised and subjected to dehydration, the stomata closed more slowly (i.e., remained open longer) for the EM-treated plants compared with the water-treated control plants. There was no effect of EM on cuticular conductance in any of the experiments. The results of this study indicate that EM cultures contains bioactive substances that can significantly affect leaf stomatal response.     

高产水平下水肥耦合对小麦旗叶光合特性及产量的影响

为了探讨黄淮麦区冬小麦的高产机理,在大田条件下设置不同梯度的水肥耦合模式,分析了高产水平下旗叶光合特性与籽粒产量的效应.结果表明,不同模式的水肥耦合对旗叶光合特性和籽粒产量的影响不同,总体表现为土壤水分的处理效应大于施氮量的效应.旗叶光合速率(Pn)和气孔导度(G5)均随着土壤水分的增加而升高,表现为W3(充足水分)＞W2(适宜水分)＞W1(自然降水),差异达显著水平.胞间CO2浓度(Ci)随着土壤水分的增加而降低;不同的氮肥处理,旗叶Pn和Gs随着施氮量的增加而升高,表现为N3(270 kg·hm-2)＞N2(195 kg·hm-2)＞N1(CK),Ci在不同水分条件下与施氮量的关系不尽相同.不同水肥耦合模式对水分利用效率的影响表现为W2＞W3＞W1,并以W2N2为最高,不同处理组合的籽粒产量亦以W2N2为最高.表明高产条件下W2N2水肥组合应是高产高效的运筹模式.     

Effect of nitrogen supply on leaf growth,leaf nitrogen economy and photosynthetic capacity in potato

Literature reports show little effect of nitrogen supply on radiation use efficiency in potato and in other dicotyledonous C₃ species. This paper tests the hypothesis that potato reduces leaf size rather than leaf nitrogen concentration and photosynthetic capacity when nitrogen is in short supply. Four pot experiments with different rates of nitrogen supply were conducted in glasshouses. For two leaf numbers measurements were made of leaf area, P_max (rate of photosynthesis for saturating irradiance), specific leaf weight, and concentrations of total nitrogen and nitrate, all as a function of leaf age.Area per leaf was sensitive to nitrogen supply (about a factor 3 between extreme N treatments). P_max declined with leaf age. There were no systematic effects of nitrogen supply on P_max and on its change with leaf age, except that in some cases P_max of leaves of high N treatments was lower than P_max of low N treatments during part of the life span (leaf age of ca. 20–50 days). The dominant effect of nitrogen supply was on leaf size and not on P_max or leaf N content. P_max versus areal organic nitrogen concentration (g N m⁻² leaf area) showed considerable scatter and, for a given nitrogen concentration, a slightly lower P_max for high N treatments than for low N treatments. Comparison with other species showed a comparatively low value of P_max in potato.     

Net photosynthetic rate of cocksfoot leaves under continuous and fluctuating shade conditions in the field

Maximum light‐saturated photosynthetic rate (Pmax) and stomatal conductance (gs) of field‐grown cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) leaves in a silvopastoral system were measured at different times under moderate (850–950 µmol m^?2 s^?1 photosynthetic photon flux density, PPFD) and severe shade (85–95 µmol m^?2 s^?1 PPFD). Also Pmax and gs were measured after 30, 60 and 180 min of severe shade to determine the lag in the rise of photosynthesis rate from low to high irradiance levels (induction state). The highest Pmax and gs values obtained were 26·5 µmol CO₂ m^?2 s^?1 and 0·41 mol H₂O m^?2 s^?1 in non‐limiting conditions with full sunlight (1900 µmol m^?2 s^?1 PPFD). These values were defined as standardized dimensionless Pmax_s=1 and gs_s=1 for comparison of treatment effects. The Pmax_s under severe shade decreased by 0·004 units per minute from 1 to 180 min and reached a steady‐state of 0·37 units after 140 min. Under moderate shade, Pmax_s decreased by 0·002 units per minute from 1 to 120 min and reached a steady‐state of 0·76 units. The time required to reach full induction on return to full sun (Pmax_s=1) was 15 min after 30 min of severe shade and 37 min after 180 min of shade. Mathematical equations were derived to describe the changes in Pmax_s and gs_s under severe and moderate shade and during induction. The rate of change of gs_s was slower than for Pmax_s on entering shade and also slower during the subsequent induction process. This indicated other factors in addition to gs were operating in the reduction and increment of Pmax and a two‐step model to explain this is proposed. The defined photosynthetic responses of cocksfoot leaves to fluctuating light regimes could be used to develop quantitative predictions of Pmax for inclusion in a canopy photosynthesis model of silvopastoral systems.     

叶面喷肥对先玉335叶片光合特性及产量的影响

以紧凑型玉米品种先玉335为试验材料,叶面喷施混合肥(NPK)、磷钾肥(PK)、氮肥(N),以喷施清水(CK)为对照,研究不同生育时期叶面肥对其光合特性及产量的影响。结果表明:不同叶面肥处理对玉米叶面积、叶绿素含量(Chl)、光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)、胞间CO2浓度(Ci)、蒸腾强度(Tr)均有不同程度的影响,因生育时期而不同;叶面肥处理后产量均高于对照,以混合肥处理产量增加最多,磷钾肥处理次之,氮肥处理增幅最小。     

Photosynthesis, symbiotic N and C accumulation in leaves of 30 nodulated cowpea genotypes grown in the field at Wa in the Guinea savanna of Ghana

Cowpea is a major food legume in Africa with relatively little information on N and C nutrition under field conditions in the continent. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between leaf symbiotic N nutrition and photosynthetic carbon assimilation in cowpea genotypes grown under field conditions in the Guinea savanna of Ghana. The experiments were conducted in a randomized complete block design in Ghana, using 30 nodulated cowpea genotypes. Data collected from gas-exchange studies showed that genotypes with high photosynthetic rates expectedly exhibited greater stomatal conductance, high transpiration rates and increased water-use efficiency, leading to greater dry matter yield. In contrast, those with low photosynthetic rates revealed low stomatal conductance, low transpiration rates and low water-use efficiency. Quantification of symbiotic N in photosynthetic leaves indicated greater N₂ fixation in genotypes with higher photosynthetic rates, leaf transpiration and better water-use efficiency. Furthermore, measurement of C in leaves also indicated greater accumulation in genotypes with higher symbiotic N yield and total N, clearly indicating a link between C and N metabolism in photosynthetic leaves. Additionally, measures of photosynthetic N-use efficiency showed that genotypes with high levels of C-fixed per unit leaf total N also exhibited greater C-fixed per unit leaf N-fixed. Data suggest that where symbiotic legumes derive a large proportion of their N from N₂ fixation, photosynthetic C yield is much enhanced.     

Modelling net photosynthetic rate of field-grown cocksfoot leaves under different nitrogen, water and temperature regimes

A simple multiplicative model using temperature, foliage nitrogen (N) concentration and water status was developed to predict the maximum photosynthetic rate (Pmax) of field‐grown cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) leaves when none, one, two or all the factors were limiting. The highest Pmax was 27·4 μmol CO₂ m^–2 s^?1 in non‐limited conditions, which was defined as the standardized Pmax value dimensionless (Pmax_s=1). Pmax_s increased 0·058 units per °C from 10°C to the optimum range (19–23°C) (Pmax_s=1) and then declined 0·077 units of Pmax_s per °C from 23 to 31°C. Pmax_s=1 was also measured from 59 to 52 g N kg^?1 dry matter (DM) foliage N. Pmax_s then decreased at the rate of 0·115 units per 10 g N kg^?1 DM from 52 to 26 g N kg^?1 DM, and 0·409 units of Pmax_s per 10 g N kg^?1 DM from 26 to 15 g N kg^?1 DM. For predawn leaf water potential (ψ_lp), Pmax_s=1 was measured from ?0·1 to ?1·2 bar but declined linearly at a rate of 0·078 units per bar of ψ_lp from ?1·2 to ?14·0 bar because of a linear decrease in stomatal conductance. An interaction between low N content (≤20 g N kg^?1 DM) and high temperature (>23°C) was also detected. Together, this multiplicative model accounted for 0·82 of the variation in Pmax_s.     

施氮量对高产小麦光合特性、干物质积累分配与产量的影响

为明确山东省高产麦区高产节肥高效的施氮量,以高产小麦品种济麦22和烟农1212为材料,在大田试验测墒补灌条件下,设置0(N0)、180(N1)、210(N2)、240 kg·hm~(-2)(N3)四个施氮量水平,研究施氮量对小麦旗叶光合特性、干物质积累分配和籽粒产量的影响。结果表明,适量施氮可显著提高灌浆中后期旗叶的叶绿素相对含量、净光合速率、蒸腾效率和气孔导度,增加拔节期至成熟期小麦的干物质积累量,提高干物质在籽粒中的分配量及其对籽粒产量的贡献率;与不施氮肥处理相比,施氮180～240 kg·hm~(-2)时,济麦22增产10.1%～28.2%,烟农1212增产27.1%～42.8%。在同一施氮处理下,开花期至成熟期,烟农1212的干物质积累量比济麦22高12.77%～19.92%;花后14～28 d,烟农1212的旗叶净光合速率比济麦22高8.61%～24.11%;灌浆期间,烟农1212花前营养器官贮藏干物质向籽粒的转运量比济麦22高6.10%～11.68%,花后光合同化物积累量比济麦22高12.63%～22.00%,籽粒产量增加12.73%～19.46%。说明适量施氮有利于灌浆中后期小麦旗叶保持较高的光合性能,促进花后光合同化物的积累和向籽粒的分配,发挥品种的高产潜力。当施氮量为210 kg·hm~(-2)时,济麦22和烟农1212的籽粒产量、氮肥农学效率和氮肥偏生产力均最高,是该试验条件下的最优施氮量。     

The implications of controlling grazed sward height for the operation and productivity of upland sheep systems in the UK. 3. The effect of choice of genotype, level of nitrogen fertilizer and lamb:ewe ratio

Grazed sward surface height was controlled within the range 3·25–4·75 cm during spring and summer in two experiments. In Experiment 1, the effects of stocking two breeds of ewe of similar size but different potential levels of reproductive performance [Brecknock Cheviot (C) and Beulah Speckled Face (B)] at different annual stocking rates of twelve (SR₁₂) and twenty (SR₂₀) per hectare, rates of nitrogen fertilizer of 100 (N₁₀₀) and 200 (N₂₀₀) kg N ha^?1 annum^?1 and different lamb:ewe ratios (C_1·2, B_1·2 and B_1·5) were measured in four treatments (SR₂₀N₂₀₀C_1·2; SR₂₀N₂₀₀B_1·2; SR₂₀N₂₀₀B_1·5; SR₁₂N₁₀₀C_1·2) replicated three times. In each of three years animal performance and yield of silage from areas of pasture surplus to grazing requirements were measured. In Experiment 2, breed B was compared with the Welsh Mule (W) breed, a larger with a higher potential reproductive performance, at two stocking rates, two rates of nitrogen fertilizer and two lamb:ewe ratios set on the basis of results from Experiment 1 (SR₁₈N₂₀₀B_1·5; SR₁₂N₁₀₀B_1·5; SR₁₈N₂₀₀W_1·5; SR₁₈N₂₀₀W_1·7). The treatments were replicated three times. The same terminal sire (Suffolk) was used in both experiments. A primary aim of the experiments was to test the validity of the experimental procedures used for comparing breeds of sheep where nutrition is provided predominately from grazed pastures. In Experiment 1, there was no difference between breeds C and B in the live weights of individual lambs at weaning at the same SR (20), N rate (200) and lamb:ewe ratio (1·2). Breeds C and B produced similar total yields of lamb (633 kg lamb ha^?1± 10·5) and silage (193 kg DM ewe^?1± 37·7), but breed B had a higher level of potential reproductive performance (1·59 vs. 1·37 lambs ewe^?1: P < 0·001). The treatments SR₂₀N₂₀₀B_1·5 and SR₁₂N₁₀₀C_1·2 produced, respectively, greater and lesser yields of lamb (725 vs. 384 kg lamb ha^?1, P < 0·001) and lesser and greater yields of silage (123 vs. 327 kg DM ewe^?1, P < 0·001). In Experiment 2, the live weight of lambs at weaning from breed W were heavier than from breed B (29·1 vs. 26·2 kg lamb^?1, P < 0·01) but there was no significant difference in total yield of lamb weaned between breeds W and B at the same SR (18), N rate (200) and lamb:ewe ratio (1·5) (747 kg lamb ha^?1± 19·2), or in the yield of silage (66 kg DM ewe^?1± 16·4), but breed W had a higher potential reproductive performance (1·85 vs. 1·58 lambs ewe^?1, P < 0·05). The treatments SR₁₈N₂₀₀W_1·7 and SR₁₂N₁₀₀B_1·5 produced, respectively, greater and lesser yields of lamb (840 vs. 473 kg lamb ha^?1, P < 0·001) and similar and greater yields of silage (60 vs. 141 kg DM ewe^?1, P < 0·05). The experimental approach adopted and the management protocols used provided a basis for ranking the performance of the breeds of ewes examined at appropriate levels of annual stocking rate, N-fertilizer input and lamb:ewe ratio.     

玉米棒三叶光合性状对茎秆糖含量的影响

以YXD053和98A-04两个茎秆高糖自交系及Y6-1茎秆低糖自交系为材料,分析玉米棒三叶光合性状对玉米茎秆糖含量的影响。结果表明,3个自交系茎秆糖含量在雄穗始花期基本一致,雄穗始花后21 d茎秆糖含量差异最大。不同茎秆糖含量玉米自交系光合参数特征明显,与茎秆低糖自交系Y6-1相比,茎秆高糖自交系YXD053和98A-04光合速率有较长的高光合功能持续期,且在子粒发育后期有较高的光合速率。茎秆低糖自交系Y6-1胞间CO_2浓度及蒸腾速率高于茎秆高糖自交系YXD053和98A-04,气孔导度及叶面积对茎秆糖含量的影响在2个茎秆高糖自交系之间表现不一致。乳熟期棒三叶光合速率可作为茎秆糖含量的选择指标。     

Structural and physiological responses of the C4 grass Sorghum bicolor to nitrogen limitation

Nitrogen (N) is one of the major nutrients influencing photosynthesis and productivity of C₄ plants as well as C₃ plants. C₄ photosynthesis operates through close coordination between mesophyll (M) and bundle sheath (BS) cells. However, how the development of structural and physiological traits in leaves of C₄ plants is regulated under N limitation remains uncertain. We investigated structural and physiological responses of leaves of the NADP-ME-type C₄ grass Sorghum bicolor to N limitation. Plants were grown under four levels of N supply (.05 to .6 g N per 5-L pot). Decreasing N supply resulted in decreases in net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, leaf N and chlorophyll contents, and the activity ratio of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase to ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase and increases in δ¹³C values and photosynthetic N use efficiency. Low-N leaves were thinner and had smaller photosynthetic cells, especially in M, resulting in lower M/BS tissue area ratio, and contained smaller and fewer chloroplasts. The BS chloroplasts in the low-N leaves accumulated abundant starch grains. The number of thylakoids per granal stack was reduced in M chloroplasts but not in BS chloroplasts. The low-N leaves had thicker cell walls, especially in the BS cells, which might be associated with less negative δ¹³C values, and fewer plasmodesmata in the BS cells. These data reveal structural and physiological responses of C₄ plants to N limitation, most of which would be related to cellular N allocation, light use, CO₂ diffusion and leakiness, and metabolite transport under N limitation.     

不同耐密性玉米品种光合特性对弱光响应的差异

以郑单958、东单90为试材,研究不同耐密性玉米品种光合特性对弱光胁迫响应的差异。结果表明,正常光照条件下郑单958光合性能优于东单90。郑单958在弱光胁迫后与其正常光照(对照)相比表观量子效率(AQY)增大,光合速率(Pn)、最大净光合速率(P max)、光补偿点(LCP)、光饱和点(LSP)均降低,表现出对弱光的光能利用效率明显高于对照,对强光利用效率较低。东单90在弱光胁迫后与其正常光照(对照)相比AQY降低,P max、LCP、LSP均升高,表现为对强光利用效率高,对弱光利用效率与对照基本相同。叶绿素荧光参数表明,郑单958弱光胁迫后PSⅡ光化学反应中心活性降低、高光强下光能利用效率降低主要是由于叶片光合活性下降;东单90弱光胁迫后对高光强的光利用效率升高的原因是叶片经弱光胁迫后减少了光合过程中的热耗散。     

不同覆盖模式对玉米叶片水分利用效率的影响

采用常规耕作（T1）、秸秆覆盖（T2）、起垄覆膜膜侧种植（T3）、起垄无膜（T4）、无垄覆膜（T5）对玉米叶片光合作用和叶片水平上的水分利用效率以及产量和产量构成因素方面进行分析研究。结果表明,玉米叶片的净光合速率（P_n）、蒸腾速率（T_r）、气孔导度（Cond）、胞间二氧化碳浓度（C_i）和水分利用效率（WUE）在不同覆盖模式下均存在显著差异,且起垄覆膜膜侧种植模式下的P_n、Cond和WUE为最大,T_r和 C_i较低。叶片水分利用效率与净光合速率和气孔导度呈极显著正相关,相关系数分别为0.94、0.98;与蒸腾速率和胞间二氧化碳浓度呈显著负相关,相关系数分别为0.92、0.96。 2018 年 T3 处理产量最高,达 10 095 kg/hm²,较 T1、T2、T4、T5 处理分别高 23.18%、0.55%、19.32 %、3.71%;2019年T3处理产量最高,达10 248 kg/hm²,较T1、T2、T4、T5处理分别高21.84 %、12.47%、15.69%、6.03%。