Optimal regimes of selection for grain yield and harvest index in spring wheat

Summary Alternative strategies of multi-site testing of advanced lines in the northern wheat belt of New South Wales have been evaluated, using genetic parameters for large plot grain yield and hill plot harvest index estimated from dryland and irrigated trials at regional sites during 1975–1981. The average pairwise genetic correlation of large plot grain yields recorded at different sites within years was 0.45±.03, with a mean repeatability within trials of 0.56±.05. Harvest index measured in 20-grain hill plots in 1978 showe genetic correlations of 0.98±.08 with plot yield at the same site, and 0.39±0.06 with plot yield assessed at other sites in the same year.The genetic correlation between harvest index in hill plots and total biological yield in large plots at the same site was 0.84±.13, the relationship showing no evidence of curvilinearity. Selection for harvest index in hill plots is therefore expected to lead to an increase in biological yield as well as grain yield in the breeding populations studied. Quantitative genetic theory suggests that the response to selection for grain yield can be increased by approximately 40% with an initial screening using hill plot harvest index at three sites instead of one, and reallocation of resources in the first stage of large plot yield assessment to include 6–8 sites, rather than dryland and irrigated trials at a single location.     

The Influence of Row Spacing and Seeding Rate on Seed Yield and Yield Components of Forage Turnip (Brassica rapa L.)

The effects of four row spacings (17.5, 35.0, 52.5 and 70.0 cm) and five seeding rates (50, 100, 200, 400 and 800 viable seeds m^?2) on seed yield and some yield components of forage turnip (Brassica rapa L.) were evaluated under rainfed conditions in Bursa, Turkey in the 1998–1999 and 1999–2000 growing seasons. Plant height, stem diameter, pods/terminal raceme, total pods/plant, seeds/pod and primary branches/plant were measured individually. The number of plants per unit area was counted and the lodging rate of the plots was scored. The seed yield and 1000‐seed weight were also determined. Row spacing and seeding rate significantly affected most yield components measured. The number of plants per unit area increased with increasing seeding rate and decreasing row spacing. Plant height was not greatly influenced by row spacing and seeding rate, but higher seeding rates reduced the number of primary branches and the stem diameter. The number of pods/main stem was affected by row spacing and but not by the seeding rate. Also, the number of seeds per pod was not affected by either the row spacing or the seeding rate. In contrast, the number of pods per plant clearly increased with increasing row spacing, but decreased with increasing seeding rate. The plots seeded at narrow row spacings and at high seeding rates were more sensitive to lodging. Seeding rate had no significant effect on seed yield in both years. Seed yield was similar at all seeding rates, averaging 1151 kg ha^?1. However, row spacing was associated with seed yield. The highest seed yield (1409 kg ha^?1) was obtained for the 35.0‐cm row spacing and 200 seeds m^?2 seeding rate combination without serious lodging problems.     

Growth and Yield Response of Facultative Wheat to Winter Sowing, Freezing Sowing and Spring Sowing at Different Seeding Rates

Growth and yield of wheat are affected by environmental conditions and can be regulated by sowing time and seeding rate. In this study, three sowing times [winter sowing (first week of September), freezing sowing (last week of October) and spring sowing (last week of April)] at seven seeding rates (325, 375, 425, 475, 525, 575 and 625 seeds m^?2) were investigated during the 2002–03 and 2003–04 seasons, in Erzurum (Turkey) dryland conditions, using Kirik facultative wheat. A split‐plot design was used, with sowing times as main plots and seeding rates randomized as subplots. There was a significant year × sowing time interaction for grain yield and kernels per spike. Winter‐sown wheat produced a significantly higher leaf area index, leaf area duration, spikes per square metre, kernel weight and grain yield than freezing‐ and spring‐sown wheat. The optimum time of sowing was winter for the facultative cv. Kirik. Grain yields at freezing and spring sowing were low, which was largely the result of hastened crop development and high temperatures during and after anthesis. Increasing seeding rate up to 525 seeds m^?2 increased the spikes per square metre at harvest, resulting in increased grain yield. Seeding rate, however, was not as important as sowing time in maximizing grain yield. Changes in spikes per square metre were the major contributors to the grain‐yield differences observed among sowing times and seeding rates. Yield increases from higher seeding rates were greater at freezing and spring sowing. We recommended that a seeding rate of 525 seeds m^?2 be chosen for winter sowing, and 575 seeds m^?2 for freezing and spring sowing.     

Durum Wheat under Mediterranean Conditions as Affected by Seed Size

This study was carried out in order to determine the effect of seed size on the growth and yield of durum wheat. Four field experiments, composed of six durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum) varieties and three seeding sizes were conducted in north‐east Spain in 2000 and 2001 in randomized complete block designs. The growth of seedlings was dramatically affected by seed size. Large seeds produced greater plot stands, but the plants had fewer tillers, leaves and spikes and less green area and dry weight than plots from small seeds. Grain yield was 16 % greater in plots from large seeds, which resulted in greater biomass, green area index, spikes per m² and heavier kernels than in plots from small seeds. Kernel weight was the yield component most related to grain yield in the three seed sizes. The percentage of yield variation explained by kernel weight increased as the weight of kernels increased. This was a consequence of the use of larger seeds, the same effect being observed when the comparison was made between varieties with different kernel weights. Selection for heavy kernel varieties may help to improve the yield of durum wheat in Mediterranean environments similar to that prevailing in north‐east Spain.     

Intergenotypic competition and border effect in bread wheat and barley

Summary A coordinated series of experiments aimed to estimate border effect and intergenotypic competition was carried out on bread wheat and barley in Italy and Germany. The performance of the varieties grown in alternate rows 14–17 cm apart proved to be strictly dependent on the bordering variety. The varieties grown in adjacent plots consisting of eight rows showed significant border effects: the two external rows yielded up to 40% more than the two innermost, and the two 30 cm end hills facing the alleys yielded 29% more than the central part of the plot. Is has been suggested that in variety trials the first 30–40 cm at both ends of each plot should be removed mechanically. In spite of the border effect detected in the outer rows of the plots, the varieties similarly exploited the extra space available at the borders, and the space of 30 cm left between adjacent plots seems to be sufficient to dilute the intergenotypic competition at plot level to an extent only marginally affecting variety performance.In conclusion, grain yield based on whole plot (8 rows, 6–10 m²) appears to provide a good estimate of true yield, providing that it is based on the actual area of the plot, including the uncropped strip between adjacent plots. By contrast, the reduction of plot size to 1–3 rows is not feasible without introducing considerable bias into the estimation of the yield potential of the varieties.Abbreviations WW winter wheat - WB winter barley - SB spring barley     

Effects of plot type on detection of quantitative-trait-locus effects in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Hill plots offer advantages in testing large germplasm arrays with limited area and seed. However, the relationship of trait expression between hill vs. row plots remains in question. The development of quantitative-trait-locus (QTL) analysis offers alternative methods of testing hypotheses regarding levels of coincident gene effects in divergent plots. The objective of this study was to compare hill and row plots in terms of QTL detection, number of common QTLs and plot-type-specific QTLs for various characters in barley. Assessments were based on sets of 100 F₁-derived doubled haploid progeny from two environments of hill-plot data and two sets of multiple-environment row-plot data. Common large-effect QTLs for height, heading date, and 1000-kernel weight were detected in both plot types. Fewer QTLs were detected in the hill-plot data, with only one QTL detected for grain yield. There were no hill-plot-specific QTL effects. Hill plots appear to be best suited to highly heritable characters such as height, heading date, and 1000-kernel weight. Evaluation of grain yield is best deferred until larger experimental units can be employed.     

直播条件下行距对不同穗型粳稻产量及倒伏性状的影响

为探索直播条件下行距对不同类型粳稻产量的影响,以3种穗型粳稻品种通禾833、铁粳7号、沈稻506为试材,研究了直播粳稻在5个不同行距水平下的产量以及乳熟期(齐穗期后25 d)、蜡熟期(齐穗期后40 d)2个倒伏敏感时期水稻茎秆及穗部的物理性状和形态特征。结果表明:行距通过影响直播稻生长发育过程中行内、行间竞争关系,从而影响植株的物理性状和形态特征,改变群体结构,最终决定直播稻的产量和倒伏性状。通禾833在22.5 cm行距下产量最高,但随着行距减小,有效穗数、结实率降低,产量降低,且在低行距下弯穗型品种行间竞争激烈,造成群体郁闭、长势差、节间抗折力降低,从而易发生倒伏;铁粳7号17.5 cm行距下产量最高,且抗倒伏能力较强;沈稻506在行距20.0 cm时,协调了行内、行间的竞争,个体长势优良,群体结构合理,使其高产、抗倒。总之,过宽、过窄的行距分别加大了行间、行内竞争,从而影响植株个体长势及物理性状、群体结构,进而影响直播稻的产量及抗倒伏能力。因此,弯穗型品种应选用稍大行距(22.5 cm)、直立穗型品种选用稍小行距(17.5 cm)、半直立穗型品种选用中等行距(20.0 cm),通过协调行内和行间竞争,保证足够的单位面积有效穗数和较高的结实率,提高植株抗折力和基部节间弯曲力矩,构建合理植株个体形态和群体结构,以达到高产、抗倒的目标。     

播期和行距互作对小麦籽粒产量和品质的调控

为探明播期和行距对小麦籽粒产量和品质的影响,于2019-2020年在连云港市稻麦综合示范基地以小麦品种连麦7号和淮麦45为供试材料,设置不同播期和行距处理,研究不同处理下小麦产量及其构成因素、籽粒蛋白质组分含量、加工品质和粉质参数的变化规律。结果表明,随着播期推迟,连麦7号和淮麦45的穗粒数、千粒重和籽粒产量均先增加后减少。在10月15日和10月30日播期下,2个小麦品种籽粒产量在行距25cm时最高。2个小麦品种籽粒蛋白质及其组分含量、加工品质和粉质参数等指标在10月15日和10月30日播期下表现较好,而11月15日播期下各行距处理的小麦品质均明显下降。随着行距增大,2个小麦品种湿面筋含量、吸水率、稳定时间和粉质质量指数不断提高,但3个行距处理间差异未达到显著水平。由以上可知,播期对小麦籽粒产量和品质的影响大于行距。综合分析可知,兼顾连麦7号和淮麦45高产优质的最佳播期和行距配置分别为10月30日、25cm和10月15日、25cm。     

Biometrical analysis of alternative plot types for selection in rye

Summary Maximizing the efficiency of selection for yield and baking quality of winter rye (Secale cereale L.) requires reliable knowledge on the pertinent population parameters. This study reports estimates of variances, heritabilities and genetic correlations from a) large (5 m²) drilled (LD) plots, b) micro drilled (MD) plots, and c) one-row plots of 4 spaced plants (SP). Thirty eight single crosses of rye were grown at two locations for two years in LD, MD and SP plots replicated 2, 4, and 6 times, respectively. Genotypic differences were significant in all plot types for all agronomic and quality traits, although estimates of genetic variances were smaller in LD than MD or SP plots for grain yield, 32-spike weight, and kernels per spike. Heritabilities on an entry mean basis (0.62 to 0.95) were similar among plot types, but on a single plot basis estimates were lower for SP than for MD or LD plots. Genetic correlations were high between all three plot types, with correlations between LD and SP plots being approximately 1.0 for falling number, thousand-kernel weight, and bloom date, 0.90 for grain yield, kernels per spike, test weight and height, and 0.70 for tiller number. Based on the high heritabilities achieved in small plots and the close agreement between MD- or SP- with LD-plot performance we conclude that greater use should be made of small plot types when selecting for yield and quality in winter rye.     

Interaction of border and center rows of multiple row plots in watermelon yield trials

Researchers interested in evaluating watermelon (Citrullus lanatus(Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai) cultivars for yield often use multiple-row plots to simulate the monoculture system growers use or ingle-row plots to save on land, labor, and seeds. An important question is whether there is significant interaction of border rows with center rows when diverse cultivars are planted in adjacent rows. Based on recommendations from watermelon researchers in the U.S., ‘Charleston Gray’, ‘Crimson Sweet’, and ‘Sugar Baby’ were chosen to represent long, medium, and short-vined cultivars, respectively. Cultivars were planted in three-row plots with all nine combinations of the three represented in border and center rows. The experiment was a randomized complete block with the nine border by center plot combinations, two locations (Kinston, Clinton), and three replications at each location. Vine length was measured during the season, and fruit from four harvests were graded (marketable and cull), counted and weighed. Results showed that ‘Charleston Gray’ had the longest vines, followed by ‘Crimson Sweet’ and ‘SugarBaby’. In the analysis of variance, the largest effects (F ratio) on yield were from cultivar, location, and the interaction of the two. The smallest effects were border row and the interaction of center with border row. Center by border interactions were significant (5%level) in some cases, but were usually small and did not involve change in rank. Therefore, researchers interested in running trials with many cultivars and small seed quantities can obtain good data using single-row plots. However, there is a small (but significant) interaction of center with border rows in some cases, so testing at the final stage should be with trials having multiple-row plots or with cultivars grouped by vine length. Additional research is needed to determine the effect of cultivars having extreme plant types, for example dwarf cultivars in bordering rows with long-vined cultivars. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The utility of hill plots in oat research

From 1955 through 1963, approximately 300,000 hill plots have been used in various experiments in the Iowa small grain research program. When grain yield, plant height, and heading date were measured on the same varieties, the genetic correlations between rod rows and hills were 0.98, 0.96 and 0.96, respectively.The coefficients of variation for plant height, weight per volume, spikelets per panicle, panicles per plant, weight per 100 seeds were similar for rod rows and hills. However, the coefficients of variability for grain yield ranged from 2 to 5 times larger for hills than for rod rows. Competition between varieties in adjacent hills had little effect on the performance of varieties.The best method for planting hill plots is the conventional method opening a hole in the soil about 2 inches deep with a hoe, pouring the seed in the hole, and covering it with soil. Rates of planting influenced the expression of grain yield, panicles per plant, and spikelets per panicle, but not weight per 100 seeds and plant height. Approximately 30 seeds per hill appeared the most desirable planting rate.Journal Paper No. J-5064 of the Iowa Agricultural and Home Economics Experiment Station, Ames, Iowa. Project No. 1176. Received for publication Febr. 23, 1965. In cooperation with the Crops Research Division, Agricultural Research Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture.Professor of farm crops.     

不同播种粒数对水稻生育及其产量的影响

选用龙粳9号品种,设计水稻三超栽培352孔大钵盘育苗1、2、3粒三个不同播种密度（粒数）及相应1、2、3个穴内不同苗数的宽行超稀植栽培处理,进行水稻超高产生育特点和产量构成因素的试验研究。结果表明：秧苗素质、成穗率、比叶重、剑叶叶绿素含量、灌浆速度等指标均呈随播种量的增加而减少的趋势,茎鞘叶干物质积累和分蘖态势都表现为1粒播种最佳;产量构成因素中每平方米穗数3粒＞2粒＞1粒,穗粒数1粒＞2粒＞3粒,结实率、千粒重随粒数增加呈下降趋势。表明定位定粒播种减少粒数是培育多蘖壮秧进行宽行超稀植栽培而大幅度提高水稻产量一个有效途径。     

三江地区主栽水稻品种高产群体优化研究

采用裂区设计,于2009 ～2010年对三江地区主栽的4个品种进行高产群体结构优化研究,以明确各品种高产栽培的株行距和穴苗数配置.结果表明,在此地区采用5～8苗/穴、株距10 cm、行距24 cm的配置可以获得高产.建三江科研所的龙粳20号和垦粳3号较生产中常规配置为4苗/穴、株距13.3 cm、行距30 cm的理论产量分别增产43.1％和29.4％,且差异均达到极显著水平;七星研发中心的空育131和龙粳26号的理论产量较常规配置分别增产57.3％和47.9％,差异也达到极显著水平;株、行距与产量均呈负相关,其中株距与产量的负相关多达到显著或极显著水平,株距是3个因子中获得高产的最重要限制因子.因此,对于三江地区从农机上加以改造,这是充分利用当地的自然资源,实现水稻更高产的最为快捷、经济有效的的技术措施.     

Is somaclonal variation a reliable tool for spring wheat improvement?

Summary Seed progeny of tissue culture regenerants of a spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. HY320) was evaluated for key agronomic traits for three years under field conditions. Initially, 27 regenerant families were tested in hill plots. Among-family and within-family variation was generally highly significant (p < 0.01) and nonsignificant, respectively. The variation observed among regenerants on the basis of hill plot testing was not duplicated in subsequent four-row plot experiments. On average, regenerant families yielded 28 and 5% less than the control in dryland and irrigated tests, respectively. Low yielding regenerants tended to produce fewer, lighter kernels per spike. Higher grain protein levels among regenerants were associated with low yields (r=0.85). This study demonstrated that putative somaclonal variation arising from tissue culture failed to produce genotypes agronomically superior to the parental cultivar, HY 320.NRCC Publication No. 33533     

Effectiveness of selection for plant characters of barley in simulated segregating rows

Summary Single plants of 12 barley (Hordeum vulgare L. and H. distichum L.) cultivars were randomized to form simulated segregating (mixed) rows. There were 16 mixed rows 15 cm apart, each row containing 24 plants 5 cm apart. In addition, every third row was a control row of one of the cultivars, Bonanza. Each plant was harvested separately.The cultivars differed significantly for all seven characters measured. These seven characters fell into 3 performance groups. Group I characters, seeds/head, 1000 kernel weight, days to ripe and height, showed a higher variance in the mixed rows than in the control rows, had high average heritabilities, and were consistent in performance from one row to another when measured by correlation amongst the cultivars. In Group II, yield/plant and seeds/plant, variance, heritabilities and performance consistency were all low or non-significant. Group III, heads/plant, fell between Groups I and II. These results suggested that single plants with the desired genotype could be successfully selected for characters in Group I only.The frequency with which the most desirable genotype would actually have been chosen with 12.5% selection intensity generally confirmed the above conclusions but indicated that the degree of differences among genotypes was also important in selecting the most desirable genotypes.Contribution No. NRG 77–9 from the Beaverlodge Research Station.     

行距和穴内插秧密度对寒地粳稻产量和品质性状的影响

为了明确寒地粳稻优质高产栽培的最佳行距和穴内插秧密度,以优质粳稻品系‘东农09-51’为试验材料,采用随机区组试验设计,研究行距和穴内插秧密度及其互作效应对寒地粳稻产量和品质的影响。结果表明,行距对产量及其构成因素、加工品质和蒸煮食味品质性状及RVA特性（除了回冷恢复值）都有显著或极显著的影响,穴内插秧密度对产量及其构成因素、加工品质和蒸煮食味品质性状及RVA特性（除了最低粘度和最终粘度）有显著或极显著的影响,二者互作效应对产量及其构成因素、加工品质和蒸煮食味品质性状及RVA特性都有显著或极显著的影响。其中处理A2B2的产量为最高,为9775 kg/hm2,但其蒸煮食味品质并不是最佳的,较A3B2和A2B3处理稍差,这一点与RVA谱特性分析结果是一致的。从高产和优质的协调以及高效角度考虑,首先要充分利用行距和穴内插秧密度的互作效应,行株距30 cm×10 cm、穴内插秧4棵/穴更有利于提高寒地粳稻产量和改善品质。     

夏玉米行距与株距交互作用对产量及产量构成的影响

为寻求华北平原粮食高产区夏玉米合理的种植密度,实现夏玉米高产和稳产。在大田条件下,进行了以玉米行距为主处理,不同株距为副处理的裂区试验对夏玉米产量及产量结构的影响。结果表明,60 cm行距的玉米产量低于50 cm的产量。在行距为50 cm时,以25 cm和28 cm株距的玉米产量较高,且差异不显著,33 cm株距的玉米产量居中,22 cm株距的玉米产量最低。在行距为60 cm时,以22 cm和25 cm株距的产量较高。不同行距和株距对玉米穗粒数的影响较大,各处理间的差异显著,宽行距和宽株距都有利于穗粒数的增加。而玉米的千粒重则受行距和株距的影响较小,60 cm和50 cm行距下的玉米千粒重差异不显著,25 cm和28 cm株距的千粒重较大。因此,华北平原冬小麦/夏玉米一年两熟种植模式中,冬小麦收获后机械播种夏玉米,行株距为50 cm×28 cm组合有利于夏玉米产量的发挥。     

不同种植模式对高粱晋糯3号产量和养分吸收的影响

为了明确高粱新品种晋糯3号的最佳种植模式,研究了不同行距及密度对晋糯3号产量和养分吸收的影响。试验共设3个行距：30、50和60cm,每个行距处理设4个密度：4.5万、7.5万、10.5万和13.5万株/hm ²。结果表明,行距50cm时,晋糯3号单株叶面积、叶面积指数（LAI）、单穗粒数及产量最高,其次为行距60cm,行距30cm处理最低;相同行距时,密度为13.5万株/hm ²时产量较高,但与密度10.5万株/hm ²的产量没有显著差异。密度为4.5万株/hm ²时晋糯3号单穗粒数是密度为10.5万和13.5万株/hm ²时的1.8~2.0倍,产量为同一行距最高产量的72%~88%,这表明晋糯3号具有较强的群体调节能力。行距50cm结合密度4.5万株/hm ²促进了开花后植物对氮的吸收,开花后植株较强的氮素吸收能力是低密度产量提高的主要因素之一。行距50和60cm密度为10.5万和13.5万株/hm ²时产量较高且没有显著差异,但行距50cm有利于氮磷钾养分的吸收,为此晋糯3号的最佳种植模式为行距50cm结合密度10.5万~13.5万株/hm ²。     

QTL analysis for panicle characteristics in temperate japonica rice

To understand the genetic background of panicle characteristics in temperate japonica rice (Oryza sativa L.), we genetically analyzed DH lines derived from a cross between two temperate japonica rice cultivars, ‘Akihikari’ and ‘Koshihikari’,in 1996 and 1997. Four traits of panicle characteristics, number of primary branches per panicle (NPB), number of secondary branches per panicle (NSB), average number of spikelets on one primary branch (NSP)and average number of spikelets on one secondary branch (NSS), in 212 DH lines were measured, and the interval mapping of QTLs for these traits was carried out using169 DNA markers with an LOD threshold of2.5. Five, three and one putative QTLs for NPB, NSB and NSS were identified,respectively, and no QTLs relating to NSP appeared. The percentages in total phenotypic variation explained by all putative QTLs for NPB were 35.5%: and43.8% in 1996 and 1997, respectively. All putative QTLs for NSB accounted for 35.5%and 27.5% of total phenotypic variation in1996 and 1997, respectively. The QTLs identified in this study will be useful intemperate japonica rice breeding for improved spikelet yield. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The Effect of Late-terminal Drought Stress on Yield Components of Four Barley Cultivars

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is an important winter cereal crop grown in the semiarid Mediterranean, where late‐terminal drought stress during grain filling has recently become more common. The objectives of this study were to investigate the growth performance and grain yield of four barley cultivars under late‐terminal drought stress under both glasshouse and field conditions. At grain filling, four barley cultivars (Rum, ACSAD176, Athroh and Yarmouk) were exposed to three watering treatments: (1) well‐watered [soil maintained at 75 % field capacity (FC)], (2) mild drought stress at 50 % FC, (3) severe drought stress at 25 % FC in the glasshouse experiment and (1) well‐watered (irrigated once a week), (2) mild drought (irrigated once every 2 weeks), (3) severe drought (non‐irrigated; rainfed) in the field. As drought stress severity increased, gross photosynthetic rate, water potential, plant height, grain filling duration, spike number per plant, grain number per spike, 1000‐grain weight, straw yield, grain yield and harvest index decreased. In the glasshouse experiment, the six‐row barley cultivars (Rum, ACSAD176, and Athroh) had higher grain yield than the two‐row barley cultivar (Yarmouk), but the difference was not significant among the six‐row cultivars under all treatments. In the field experiment, Rum had the highest grain yield among all cultivars under the mild drought stress treatment. The two‐row cultivar (Yarmouk) had the lowest grain yield. In general, the traditional cultivar Rum had either similar or higher grain yield than the other three cultivars under all treatments. However, the yield response to drought differed between the cultivars. Those, Rum and ACSAD176, that were capable of maintaining a higher proportion of their spikes and grains per spike during drought also maintained a higher proportion of their yield compared with those in well‐watered treatment. In conclusion, cultivar differences in grain yield were related to spike number per plant and grain number per spike, but not days to heading or grain filling duration.