Carbon assimilation,leaf area dynamics,and grain yield in contemporary earlier- and later-senescing maize hybrids

Maize breeding during the past 50 years has been associated with a delay of leaf senescence, but it is not clear whether this trait is likewise associated with higher grain yield in modern hybrids. Post-silking growth, leaf area dynamics, photosynthetic parameters and yield were compared in modern maize hybrids differing in canopy senescence rate. In the first two experiments, four hybrids were grown in the field at Balcarce, Argentina (37°45′ S, 58°18 W). In spite of differences in chlorophyll retention and photosynthesis of the ear leaf, post-silking growth and grain yield were very similar in all four hybrids while kernel N concentration was lower in the later-senescing hybrids. In a third experiment, a later-senescing (NK870) and an earlier-senescing (DK682) hybrid were grown to analyze the potential photosynthetic contribution of delayed leaf senescence. Leaf area and chlorophyll content were larger in NK870, especially at the lower canopy level (0.75 m above the ground). However, hybrids did not differ for canopy light interception. Because photosynthetic photon flux density below 1 m above the ground was less than 10% of incident radiation and photosynthesis quantum yield did not change during senescence, the potential photosynthetic output of lower leaves below 1 m was very low. Lower leaves of NK870 had N concentrations higher than those needed to sustain photosynthesis at the light conditions below 1 m. Therefore, we show that delayed senescence does not necessarily improve post-silking C accumulation because: (i) canopy light interception is not reduced by senescence except at very late stages of grain filling; (ii) contrasting hybrids show more pronounced senescence differences at canopy levels receiving less than 10% of incident radiation; (iii) delayed senescing hybrids present lower kernel N concentrations while extra N is retained in leaves exposed to a light limiting micro-environment. Delayed senescence at lower canopy levels may be unproductive, at least under non-stressing conditions.     

Cytokinins: A key player in determining differences in patterns of canopy senescence in Stay-Green and Fast Dry-Down sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) hybrids

Leaf senescence during grain filling can reduce crop yield. We studied, under field conditions and during grain-filling, the association between leaf cytokinin levels and the onset of leaf senescence in sunflower hybrids of contrasting canopy senescence patterns (Paraiso75, stay-green [SG] and Paraiso65, fast dry down [FDD]). At crop level, dynamics of live root length density (LRLD) and green leaf area index (GLAI) were followed, while at leaf level dynamics of total chlorophyll content, trans-Zeatin content, net photosynthesis and PSII quantum yield, were followed in leaf positions 17, 20, 22 and 24. Responses of these leaf variables to exogenous cytokinin applications to leaves at position 17 were also followed. SG exhibited greater (p < 0.05) LRLD and GLAI values at anthesis. In both hybrids, LRLD began to fall before GLAI. All variables decreased earlier (p < 0.05) in FDD. Initial leaf levels of trans-Zeatin were three times higher (p < 0.05) in SG. Exogenous cytokinin applications maintained leaf-level variables. These are the first results showing associations between LRLD dynamics with the dynamics of leaf cytokinin levels and changes in indicators of leaf functionality. Also, this is the first study in which estimates are made of cytokinin thresholds below which leaf senescence begins in two hybrids of contrasting canopy senescence patterns. These advances in the understanding, at both crop and leaf levels, of the controls and consequences of SG during grain filling, a trait known to improve crop water uptake under drought and increase biomass accumulation during grain filling, provide support for breeding efforts aimed at profiting from this trait to increase crop yields.     

Grain yield,harvest index,water-use efficiency and nitrogen partitioning to grain can be improved by application of the plant growth regulator paclobutrazol to maize plants with reduced N supply

Applications of plant growth regulators such as paclobutrazol (PAC) to grain maize frequently caused depressions in grain yield. This negative impact probably originated from treatments at an early growth stage during plant ontogenesis when the determination of potential kernel number coincided with time of regulator application. However, stability of grain yield itself is of high relevance, and it is also the key determinant for harvest index (HI) and the use efficiencies of water (WUE) and nutrients (NUE). Therefore, in a container experiment, the effect of delayed PAC application at growth stage V8 was tested with the maize ( Zea mays L.) cultivars Galactus and Fabregas. Immediately after PAC treatment, differential N fertilization was introduced in order to meet the demand of the control plants (100% N), and with a supply of 75% N. With late PAC application (V8), grain yield depressions could not only successfully be avoided; moreover, in Galactus-75%N, a significant increase in grain yield was achieved combined with an extended duration of pollen shed by 28%. Straw yield decreased less strongly after late compared with early PAC application, leading to small, but significant increases in HI for the maize plants with 75% N supply. An increase in PAC dosage combined with later application will certainly lead to stronger decreases in straw yield, but it will also enhance the risk for grain yield depressions, and thus, an overall stronger improvement of HI is uncertain. For the time around silking, remarkable improvements of WUE_grain by 18% were achieved after delayed PAC application to Galactus-75%N. After PAC treatment, significant increases in nitrogen-harvest index (NHI) and thus N partitioning to grain were achieved for Fabregas and for Galactus-75%N. Although luxurious N consumption did not occur, late PAC application showed neither an effect on N-utilization efficiency (NUtE_grain) nor on N-uptake efficiency (NUpE). It can be concluded that it is a very complex task to achieve the right balance between PAC dosage, stability of grain yield and optimal N supply in order to avoid both, luxurious N consumption and N deficiency, and to achieve an improvement of NUtE_grain of maize plants.     

玉米持绿与早衰品种叶片衰老过程中光化学活性的变化

为了探讨不同衰老型玉米叶片在衰老过程中光化学反应及其对光合能力维持的贡献, 本研究使用持绿玉米品种“齐319”和早衰玉米品种“黄早四”, 在控制的条件下, 用乙烯利诱导离体叶片衰老, 通过快速叶绿素荧光诱导动力学曲线(OJIP曲线)和820 nm光吸收等技术, 研究了衰老过程中叶片叶绿素含量、光合速率、光系统I (PSI)、光系统II (PSII)以及光合电子传递体活性的变化。结果表明, 在衰老过程中, 齐319叶片叶绿素含量和光合速率的下降速度明显慢于黄早四, 是功能型持绿品种。玉米叶片的衰老伴随着OJIP曲线的J、I、K、L点荧光的增加, 以及远红光诱导820 nm光信号落差的下降。与齐319相比, 黄早四叶片的OJIP曲线和820 nm光吸收曲线的变化更剧烈。我们认为, 在衰老过程中PSI和PSII光化学活性的快速下降和光合电子传递功能的衰退是玉米叶片光合能力迅速下降的重要原因之一。在此基础上, 讨论了衰老过程中玉米叶片中与光合作用有关蛋白与光合能力下降的可能关系。     

Radiation‐Use Efficiency,Biomass Production,and Grain Yield in Two Maize Hybrids Differing in Drought Tolerance

Drought‐tolerant (DT) maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids have potential to increase yield under drought conditions. However, little information is known about the physiological determinations of yield in DT hybrids. Our objective was to assess radiation‐use efficiency (RUE), biomass production, and yield in two hybrids differing in drought tolerance. Field experiments were conducted in 2013 and 2014 with two hybrids, P1151HR (DT hybrid) and 33D49 (conventional hybrid) under well‐watered (I₁₀₀) and drought (I₅₀) conditions. I₁₀₀ and I₅₀ refer to 100 % and 50 % evapotranspiration requirement, respectively. On average, P1151HR yielded 11–27 % greater than 33D49 at I₁₀₀ and about 40 % greater at I₅₀, At I₁₀₀, greater yield in P1151HR was due to greater biomass at physiological maturity (BM_pm) resulting from greater post‐silking biomass accumulation (BM_post). At I₅₀, both hybrids had similar BM_pm but P1151HR showed a higher harvest index and greater BM_post. RUE differed significantly (P < 0.05) between the hybrids at I₁₀₀, but not at I₅₀. At I₁₀₀, the RUE values for P1151HR and 33D49 were 4.87 and 4.28 g MJ^?1 in 2013, and 3.71 and 3.48 g MJ^?1 in 2014. At I₅₀, the mean RUE was 3.89 g MJ^?1 in 2013 and 3.16 g MJ^?1 in 2014. Results indicate that BM_post is important for maintaining high yield in DT maize.     

不同玉米杂交品种吐丝持续期特性及其对播期的响应

吐丝期是决定玉米产量的关键时期,研究其相关特性,对玉米生产意义重大。为准确分析不同玉米品种吐丝特性的差异及其对播期的响应,于2014年和2015年设置了3个玉米主推品种(郑单958、先玉335和京科968)的3个播期处理(早播:4月10日,中播:5月10日,晚播:6月10日),分析了各个处理间吐丝持续期的差异以及吐丝持续期与雌穗穗长变异及产量构成因素的关系。结果表明:(1)群体吐丝持续期在品种间存在显著差异,表现为先玉335 (9.12 d)郑单958 (8.94 d)京科968 (7.68 d)。随时间推进,玉米每天吐丝的比例与天数为先升高后降低的二次函数关系,每天最大吐丝比例为先玉335 (16.51%)郑单958 (17.07%)京科968 (19.98%)。京科968较郑单958和先玉335呈现吐丝集中,每天吐丝比例较高、吐丝持续期短的特点;(2)吐丝持续期在不同播期间差异显著,郑单958、先玉335和京科968不同播期间的吐丝持续期变幅分别为8.10～9.55 d、7.54～10.53 d和6.65～8.66 d,郑单958的吐丝持续期在不同播期间最稳定(CV=6.57%),其次为京科968 (CV=9.40%),先玉335的吐丝持续期在不同播期间的变化最不稳定(CV=11.68%);(3)吐丝持续期与雌穗穗长的变异系数呈显著正相关,与产量和穗粒数呈显著负相关,与千粒重不相关。播期对玉米吐丝持续期具有显著的调控作用。随吐丝持续期增加,玉米雌穗穗长的变异系数显著增大,群体果穗的整齐度降低,穗粒数显著减少,是玉米产量显著降低的主要原因。     

Mapping and validation of the quantitative trait loci for leaf stay‐green‐associated parameters in maize

Functional stay‐green is generally regarded as a desirable trait of varieties in major crops including maize. In this study, we used an F_3:4 recombinant inbred line population with 165 lines from a cross between a stay‐green inbred line (Zheng58) and a model inbred line (B73) using 211 polymorphic simple sequence repeat markers to map quantitative trait loci for three stay‐green‐associated parameters, chlorophyll content, photosystem II photochemical efficiency and stay‐green area, at maturity stage, detected a total of 23 quantitative trait loci (QTL) on nine chromosomes. Single QTL explained 3.7–13.5% of the phenotypic variance. Additionally, we validated some important stay‐green QTL using a heterogeneous inbred family approach and found that the stay‐green‐associated parameters were significantly correlated with the plant yield. This study may contribute to a better insight into the regulatory mechanism behind leaf stay‐green in maize and a novel development of elite maize varieties with delayed leaf senescence through molecular marker‐assisted selection.     

Stay green trait in grain sorghum: relationship between visual rating and leaf chlorophyll concentration

Post‐flowering drought tolerance is referred to as the stay green trait in sorghum. Plants with stay green resist drought‐induced premature plant senescence. In breeding programmes, stay green is evaluated under limited irrigation, post‐flowering moisture‐stress field conditions and visually scored at or soon after physiological grain maturity. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between the stay green rating and total leaf chlorophyll content. The parents B35 and Tx7000, and their 98 F, recombinant inbred lines were evaluated in replicated field trials under limited (post‐flowering stress) and full‐irrigation (non‐stress) conditions. After scoring the stay green trait of stressed plants, total leaf chlorophyll contents were measured with a chlorophyll meter (SPAD values) and a spectrophotometer method. The SPAD value had a significant linear relationship with total leaf chlorophyll (R²= 0.91) and with visual stay green rating (with R²= 0.82). Relative water content in top leaves of the stay green lines was about 81%, much higher than non‐stay green lines (38%), indicating that the stay green lines kept the stalk transporting system functioning under severe drought conditions, The results indicate that visual stay green ratings were a reliable indicator of leaf senescence an should be useful to sorghum breeders in evaluating progeny when breeding for drought tolerance.     

黑龙港流域玉米不同生育阶段气象因子对产量性状的影响

明确玉米生长发育不同阶段气象因子与产量的关系,有助于确定区域最适播期。通过调整播期来改变玉米生育期内气候条件,对于抵御阶段性不良气象因子的胁迫并最终实现高产目标有重要意义。本研究以郑单958为试验材料,于2009年至2010年在黑龙港地区中国农业大学吴桥试验站进行分期播种试验,分析产量及产量构成因素与不同阶段气象因子的关系。结果显示: (1)由于年际间气象条件的差异,产量及其构成因素并非简单地随播期变化而变化。(2)在试验设定的高密度条件下,产量提升主要受千粒重的制约,穗粒数次之。(3)产量性状与不同生育阶段的多个气象因子显著相关。穗期、抽雄吐丝阶段的光照条件对穗粒数以及产量有影响;苗期、营养生长阶段气温日较差与产量显著正相关;抽雄吐丝前后的温度条件影响穗粒数;生育期总降水量影响穗粒数和千粒重的提升。该地区在调整播种时间、改进栽培措施时,上述关系应是考虑的重点。生产中可适当早播晚收,选用适宜的中晚熟品种,既可避开生育前期及籽粒形成阶段不利气象因子的影响,又可延长籽粒灌浆时间,充分利用该地区生育后期丰富的光热资源。     

不同种植密度下的夏玉米冠层结构及光合特性

研究了种植密度对夏播玉米(CF008、郑单958和金海5号）冠层结构及光合特性的影响,目的是通过密度调控,构建高效冠层,发挥品种潜力,同时确立不同夏玉米品种高产高效冠层的定量化技术指标。结果表明,3个夏玉米品种均在中或低密度下（CF008为9.75和11.25万株 hm-2,郑单958为8.25和9.75万株 hm^-2,金海5号为6.75和8.25万株 hm^-2）构建的冠层较合理,冠层光合性能较高。冠层内透光率、叶夹角、茎粗、叶绿素相对含量（SPAD值）和净光合速率（Pn）均随着密度的增加而降低,说明高密度易造成群体内光分布不合理,导致光合性能的降低。灌浆中期前群体光合势（LAD）和叶面积指数（LAI）均表现为中或高密度条件下较高,而后为中或低密度下较高,并且吐丝后LAD所占比率为中或低密度处理显著高于高密度处理,说明高密度条件下冠层结构不合理,造成生育后期叶片提早衰老。在中或低密度下,群体穗位层透光率较大,吐丝期和灌浆中期分别为13.4%~19.45%和16.19%~21.48%;叶面积发展动态较为合理,吐丝期LAI达5.59~6.75,成熟期仍然保持在2.24~3.68,尤其中上层叶片LAI高值持续期较长;吐丝期中上层叶片Pn达到33.6~43.8 μmol CO2 m^-2 s^-1;吐丝后的群体LAD较高,特别是中密度下LAD达172.01~235.91 m2 d m-2,后期光合面积持续时间较长,更有利于玉米产量的提高。     

Stay green trait: variation, inheritance and its association with spot blotch resistance in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

One thousand four hundred and seven spring wheat germplasm lines belonging to Indian and CIMMYT wheat programs were evaluated for stay green (SG) trait and resistance to spot blotch caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana during three consecutive crop seasons, 1999–2000, 2000–2001 and 2001–2002. Disease severity was recorded at six different growth stages beginning from tillering to late milk stage. SG trait was measured by following two approaches: difference for 0–9 scoring of green coloration (chlorophyll) of flag leaf and spike at the late dough stage (GS 87) and a new approach of leaf area under greenness (LAUG). Germplasm lines showed a wide range (7–89) for LAUG and were grouped into four viz., SG, moderately stay green, moderately non-stay green and non-stay green (NSG). However, very few (2.2%) lines showed high expression of SG trait, i.e., LAUG >60. LAUG appeared to be a better measure of SG trait than a 0–9 scale. Mean spot blotch ratings of SG genotypes were significantly lower than those of NSG genotypes at all growth stages. Two spot blotch resistant genotypes (Chirya 3 and Chirya 7) having strong expressions of SG trait were crossed with NSG, spot blotch susceptible cv. Sonalika. Individually threshed F₂ plants were used to advance the generations. SG trait and spot blotch severity were recorded in the parents and F₁, F₃, F₄, F₅, F₆ and F_6–7 generations under disease-protected and inoculated conditions. SG trait in the F₁ generation was intermediate and showed absence of dominance. Evaluation of progenies (202–207) in the segregating generations revealed that SG trait was under the control of around four additive genes. Lines homozygous for SG trait in F₄, F₅, F₆ and F_6–7 generations showed significantly lower mean area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) for spot blotch than those with NSG expression. A positive correlation (0.73) between SG trait and AUDPC further indicated a positive influence of SG on severity of spot blotch. The study established that variation for SG trait exists in spring wheat; around four additive genes control its inheritance in the crosses studied and there is positive association between SG trait and resistance to spot blotch.     

玉米密植群体下部叶片衰老对植株碳氮分配与产量形成的影响

玉米密植会造成花后下部叶片早衰, 为探明其对植株根系性能、碳氮积累分配及产量形成的影响, 采用大田与土柱栽培相结合的方式, 以登海661和郑单958为试材, 分析了密植条件下两品种花后碳氮分配、根系性能和植株干物质积累量的变化。两年结果表明, 玉米密植群体下部叶片早衰导致两品种花后穗位叶叶绿素含量和净光合速率显著降低, 向根系转运的光合产物数量显著减少, 成熟期(R6)的根系生物量、根长密度和根系表面积较CK显著减少。根系性能的下降导致花后氮素吸收量显著降低, 叶片光合速率降低、整株叶片衰老进程加快, 单株籽粒产量显著下降, 登海661较CK低7.61%, 郑单958较CK低8.35%。郑单958的花后叶片衰老要早于登海661, 且叶面积和净光合速率比登海661低, 导致花后干物质积累量和产量较登海661显著降低。可见玉米密植群体花后下部叶片衰老加速了根系衰老, 降低了氮素吸收量, 影响整株绿叶面积和光合持续期, 最终导致花后干物质积累量和籽粒产量降低。     

氮肥用量对两种不同类型玉米杂交种物质生产及氮素利用的影响

旨在探明东北春玉米不同类型杂交种物质生产及氮素利用特征及其与产量的关系。本文以不同类型杂交种代表性品种郑单958(ZD958,Reid×唐四平头模式)和先玉335(XY335,Reid×Lancaster模式)为试验材料,2014年和2015年设置5个氮肥水平[0 kg hm–2(N0)、100 kg hm–2(N1)、200 kg hm–2(N2)、300 kg hm–2(N3)和400 kg hm–2(N4)]和2个种植密度(67 500株hm–2和90 000株hm–2)试验,比较研究了不同类型玉米杂交种干物质与氮素积累、运转及氮素利用的差异规律。结果表明,两年XY335品种的最高籽粒产量均高于ZD958,最优氮肥施用量明显降低4.8%~10.6%;相比ZD958,不施氮处理,两种种植密度下XY335品种干物质积累能力及物质运转效率都明显降低,而施氮条件下XY335品种的干物质积累量、花后干物质量及干物质运转效率均增加,同时增幅随着施氮量增加逐步提高,且在高密度条件下优势更为明显。开花期XY335叶片与茎鞘氮素含量显著高于ZD958(P0.05),而成熟期由于其较高物质的运转效率表现出明显较低的数值,籽粒氮素含量在高密度下差异较小,而低密度条件下相对ZD958显著提高(P0.05)。施氮条件下XY335品种花前、花后氮素积累量和氮素积累总量均高于ZD958,其中叶片中氮素的转运对籽粒的贡献率显著较高(P0.05)。两种种植密度处理最优施氮条件下XY335氮素利用效率和氮素吸收效率均显著高于ZD958(P0.05),而氮农学利用率和氮肥偏生产力差异不显著。可见,高密度条件下XY335类型品种表现出明显较高的物质积累能力以及花后物质运转对籽粒的贡献率,获得较高的氮素利用效率,表现出明显高氮高效的品种特征,因此生产上建议,东北春玉米区高密度种植条件下该类型品种在较高氮肥施用量时易获得高产高效。     

种植密度对不同株型玉米冠层光能截获和产量的影响

为了明确密植栽培中不同株型玉米的冠层光能截获、物质生产与产量的关系,以不同株型玉米陕单609 (紧凑型)、秦龙14 (中间型)和陕单8806 (平展型)为试验材料,设置4个种植密度(4.5×104、6.0×104、7.5×104和9.0×104株hm–2),于2016—2017年开展大田试验,研究密度对形态特性、冠层光分布、灌浆参数以及干物质积累等的影响。结果表明,陕单609、秦龙14和陕单8806两年平均产量依次为12,176、9624和8533 kg hm–2,分别在9.0×104、7.5×104和6.0×104株hm–2达到高产,产量较低密度分别提高了26.9%、20.4%和19.7%;随着种植密度的增加,叶面积降低,LAI和叶向值增加,在高密度下陕单609中间层由于较大的叶片和叶向值能截获更多的光能,秦龙14次之;灌浆速率达到最大时的天数(Dmax)、粒重(Wmax)、籽粒最大灌浆速率(Gmax)、平均灌浆速率(Gave)、籽粒活跃灌浆期(P)均随密度的增加而降低,高密度下陕单609的Dmax分别较秦龙14和陕单8806早1.4 d和3.0 d, Wmax和P分别高于秦龙14 (0.3g和3.3 d)和陕单8806 (1.1 g和5.4 d);吐丝后干物质积累量、干物质转运量及其对籽粒的贡献率随密度的增加呈先升高后降低的趋势。在高密度下,陕单609花后干物质积累量、花后干物质转运量和干物质转移对籽粒的贡献高于秦龙14 (5.1%、36.0%、33.5%)和陕单8806 (26.6%、46.7%、59.1%)。穗位层光能截获与产量(r=0.631)显著正相关(P0.05),与花后干物质积累量(r=0.661)和平均灌浆速率(r=0.859)极显著相关(P0.01)。可见,与秦龙14和陕单8806相比,紧凑型品种陕单609密植下调控穗上部叶片直立,改善冠层中下部光分布,维持较高的光合绿叶面积,延缓冠层叶片衰老,增加花后营养器官光合产物的积累以及籽粒灌浆速率,实现了增产。     

玉米雌穗分化与籽粒发育及败育的关系

以郑单958 (ZD958)和登海661 (DH661)为试材,比较研究了4.5、7.5、10.5万株hm^-2三个种植密度下,雌穗分化与籽粒发育及败育的关系。结果表明,密度对玉米雌穗原基开始分化的时间无影响(不同密度下,穗原基均在播后28~29 d左右开始分化),对吐丝期分化的小花总数影响很小。但是高密度推迟了雌穗的分化进程,增加了败育花和未受精花的数目,导致正常成熟小花数目的降低。与低密度相比,高密度下DH661正常小花数减少了100.0个,ZD958减少了76.4个。高密度加大了雌雄穗吐丝开花间隔,降低了吐丝植株的比例(DH661吐丝植株占93.64%;ZD958的占81.80%),推迟了吐丝时间,使单株吐丝量减少,散粉持续时间缩短,导致败育增加。正常受精的小花在灌浆期也会发生籽粒败育,尤其是在花后10 d左右败育严重。相关分析表明,玉米最终的穗粒数与开花期以及花后10 d、20 d的冠层底部透光率相关性显著,花败育率与开花前冠层底部透光率显著负相关。     

弱光胁迫对不同基因型玉米雌雄花发育和授粉结实能力的影响

以不耐阴型玉米豫玉22和耐阴型玉米郑单958为试验材料,设置自然光照和弱光胁迫两个处理,研究弱光胁迫对不同基因型玉米雌雄花发育的影响。研究结果表明,弱光胁迫延缓了雌雄穗的生长发育,表现为抽雄、吐丝和盛花期延迟,花期和雌雄间隔期延长。弱光胁迫下,在吐丝期不耐阴型玉米花粉量比对照显著增加,耐阴型玉米花粉量与对照差异较小;不耐阴型玉米花粉表面网纹在弱光胁迫下变粗且间隙增大,花粉萌发孔及其附近严重畸形,有的明显内陷,花粉内淀粉粒数目显著减少,营养供应能力减弱,耐阴型玉米在弱光胁迫下花粉表面网纹略有加粗或没有变化,萌发孔略微凹陷且程度远低于不耐阴型玉米,花粉中淀粉粒密度略有降低。遮光处理后,不耐阴型玉米的花粉活力、花粉萌发率和萌发速率表现为下降,而耐阴型玉米表现为上升。花丝的生长速率及伸出苞叶数量在弱光胁迫下显著下降,果穗上部花丝受到的影响最大,向下逐渐减弱。弱光胁迫下两个基因型玉米穗长和穗粒数减少,不耐阴型玉米受弱光胁迫影响的程度高于耐阴型玉米。雌雄间隔期延长、营养供应能力减弱导致的花粉畸形、花丝生长速率和可授粉花丝数目的减少以及籽粒IAA含量的下降和ABA含量的增加是弱光条件下玉米穗粒数显著减少的主要原因。     

Infrared Thermal Imaging as a Rapid Tool for Identifying Water‐Stress Tolerant Maize Genotypes of Different Phenology

The main task of this research was to evaluate canopy temperature and Crop Water Stress Index (CWSI) by assessing genotype variability of maize performance for different water regimes. To that end, three hundred tropical and subtropical maize hybrids with different phenology in terms of date of anthesis were evaluated. The influence of phenology on the change in canopy temperatures and CWSI was not equal during the three dates of measurement. At the end of vegetative growth (82 days after sowing, DAS) and at the blister stage (DAS 97), a high significant difference in temperatures and CWSI (P < 0.001) were obtained between the early‐ and late‐maturity genotypes. During anthesis (DAS 89), phenology had a significant effect (P < 0.01) only for the well‐watered genotypes, while under water‐stress conditions, no differences were found between early and late genotypes in terms of canopy temperature and CWSI. High significant differences (P < 0.001) in stomatal conductance (g_s) between early and late genotypes for different treatments were observed. A relationship (R² = 0.62) between g_s and canopy temperature was obtained. Under a water‐stress canopy, temperature was measured at anthesis, which was negatively correlated with grain yield of the early (r = ?0.55)‐ and late (r = ?0.46)‐maturity genotypes in the water‐stressed condition.     

陕西省不同年代玉米品种产量和氮效率性状的变化

明确陕西省不同年代玉米产量和氮效率性状响应氮肥的变化趋势,对西北旱区玉米高产氮高效品种选育具有重要的实践意义。本文以1981—2010年间陕西省12个玉米主栽品种为材料,于2011年和2012年在典型旱区陕西长武进行3个氮水平(0、120和240 kg hm–2)的田间试验,分析了不同年代玉米品种农艺和氮效率性状变化趋势。结果显示,不同年代玉米品种籽粒产量随氮水平增加而提高,在施氮0、120和240 kg hm–2处理下籽粒产量增益分别为每年46、65和83 kg hm–2。所有氮水平下2000—2010年间品种产量和生物量显著高于1980—1989年间品种,而秸秆产量变化不明显;现代玉米品种(2000—2010年)产量的增加归因于穗粒数、千粒重和生物量的提高。不同年代玉米品种消光系数随氮水平增加而降低,说明现代玉米品种(2000—2010年)较老品种(1980—1989年)叶片直立,截获更多的光能,致使产量和生物量高。随着年代的递进,玉米品种氮肥农学利用率呈递增趋势,在低氮水平下现代品种氮肥利用效率最高,且显著高于老品种。氮肥农学利用率与氮吸收效率(NUpE)和花后氮素积累量呈显著相关(r=0.75;r=0.72),而与氮生理效率(NUtE)和花前氮素积累量相关性不显著(r=0.42;r=0.39)。说明现代玉米品种氮肥农学利用率提高主要来自氮肥吸收效率和花后氮素积累量的增加。上述结果表明,陕西玉米育种应注重穗粒数、千粒重、氮吸收效率性状和株型结构改良,低氮环境压力选择将有助于旱区玉米高产氮高效新品种培育。     

Osmotic Adjustment in Maize (Zea mays L.): Changes with Ontogeny and its Relationship with Phenotypic Stability

Genetic variation for osmotic adjustment was examined in a group of maize hybrids during vegetative and silking stages. Estimates of osmotic adjustment were derived from measurements of leaf relative water content (RWC) and osmotic potential (Ψ o ) before day-break. The degree of adjustment was estimated from the In RWC/In Ψ o relationship. All cultivars examined showed some degree of osmotic adjustment and significant differences (P < 0.05) were found among them. The utility of measurements in early vegetative stages as a mean of selection for osmotic adjustment in silking stage was established. A positive tendency was observed between osmotic adjustment and phenotypic stability.     

夏玉米各器官氮素积累与分配动态及其对氮肥的响应

为探明夏玉米各器官氮素积累与分配动态及其对氮肥的响应,以郑单958为材料,设置5个施氮水平进行了连续2年的大田定位研究。结果表明,除籽粒外各器官的氮素积累进程都呈单峰曲线,茎鞘在吐丝期达到峰值,而叶片、苞叶和穗轴则到吐丝后12 d左右达到峰值,之后逐渐下降;籽粒和整株的氮素积累随生育进程持续增加,成熟期最高。与其他器官相比,叶片对氮素供给更敏感,氮胁迫使叶片氮素积累高峰提前,促进氮素提前向外转运,导致其率先衰老。施氮能提高各器官在各生育时期的氮素积累量和积累速率,但不改变氮素积累变化趋势。总体上,施氮量180 kg N hm^-2可满足夏玉米对氮素的需求,获得较高的产量。以各器官氮素积累最大值与成熟期的差值计算,各处理再转运氮素对籽粒的贡献率均表现为叶片>茎鞘>穗轴>苞叶,各器官再转运氮素对籽粒贡献率之和平均为53.3%,其中苞叶和穗轴占12.3%,也是籽粒中氮素来源的重要组成部分。