Changes in photosynthesis,growth, and sugar content of commercial sugarcane cultivars and Erianthus under flood conditions

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is an economical crop in the tropical and subtropical countries. However, because of global climate change, flooding has become problematic, particularly during the rainy season, in Thailand. We investigated the effects of floods on three commercial sugarcane cultivars, namely NiF8, U-thong 6 (UT6), and U-thong 9 (UT9), as well as Erianthus spp. Growth was assessed using a pot experiment in a glasshouse with two treatments: (1) control and (2) 60 d of flooding followed by 30 d of normal conditions. In comparison with control, during prolonged flooding, Erianthus showed greatly decreased CO₂ assimilation, whereas NiF8, UT6, and UT9 showed slightly declined CO₂ assimilation. Growth in plants subjected to 60 d of flooding was less influenced by floods while sucrose content was not affected except in UT6. During flooding, some roots died, resulting in plants compensating adventitious roots to offset the negative effects of root death and to assist them in maintaining their growth, which appeared from the submerged nodes, with different characteristics for each cultivar. However, 30 d after draining, roots remained damaged, while adventitious roots died, resulting in lesser growth as compared with the control, but it did not significantly affect sucrose content and sugar yield. This study suggests that sugarcane plants need to produce the adventitious roots to compensate their roots’ death during flooding and require time to recover their root system after flooding for obtaining the optimum yield and quality at harvest.     

Response of Yield Traits of Rice (Ⅱ-You 898) to Abrupt Drought-flood Alternation

【Objective】Abnormal global climate change leads to the reoccurrence of abrupt drought-flood alternation (ADFA). In order to national food security and disaster prevention and reduction in crops, we analyzed yield response characteristics of rice to ADFA. 【Method】The experiment was conducted at the Xin-maqiao irrigation experimental station at the Anhui and Huaihe River Institute of Hydraulic Research in China (117°22′E, 33°09′N) between 2017 and 2018. Three drought-flood alternation treatments were designed and compared with normal irrigation conditions. Based on the experimental data, the effects of drought, flood, and ADFA on rice yield and yield components were analyzed, the quantitative indicator R for the compensation or reduction of the early drought and later floods was proposed, and the interaction effects between late flooding stress and early drought stress on yield was revealed.【Result】Compared with the normal group, ADFA stress reduced the rice yield. The yield reduction ranged from 12.38% to 56.15%. Among them, the combination of heavy drought and heavy flood was the most unfavorable for yield. The reduction in the grain number and the grain weight was the main reason for yield reduction under ADFA stress. The drought stress of the ADFA groups compensated the yield under flood conditions, mainly because the grain number per panicle, total grain number and seed setting rate increased during the drought period. The flood stress of the ADFA groups reduced the yield under drought conditions, and the decrease in the grain number per panicle, total grain number, thousand-seed weight and seed setting rate during the flooding period was the main reason. 【Conclusion】The results show that in the case of light and moderate drought stress occurring at the early stage, the damage caused by late-stage flood stress on rice should be avoided as possible; if flooding is predicted to occur in the later period and the drainage facilities can not eliminate its adverse effects, drought treatment can be carried out in advance at the medium-late period of the jointing stage to reduce the loss of rice yield.     

Genotypic Variation in Responses of Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) to Drought and Rewatering: Root System Development

Abstract

Soil moisture condition is a major factor that affects root system development and thus, crop production. This study aimed to evaluate genotypic variations of cassava in root system structures and their responses to different soil moisture conditions by examining various root traits including production and elongation of adventitious roots and their laterals. Four pot experiments were conducted and different genotypes of various backgrounds were grown under well-watered, droughted, droughted to rewatered conditions. One field experiment was also conducted with selected genotypes till maturity. Results showed that substantial genotypic variations exist in root system structure, and the effects of the soil moistures were significant for most of the root traits. The principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the lateral root development mainly accounted for the variations in root system structure regardless of soil moisture conditions. The PCA on the differences between droughted and well-watered control, and droughted-rewatered and the control further indicated that the branching ability of adventitious roots was mainly responsible for the root system responses to drought as well as rewatering. Genotypic ranking in root system responses to drought was almost consistent among the pots and field experiments. Genotypicvariations in rooting depth were relatively small while those in horizontal spread were apparent in the field experiment.The ability to maintain adventitious root elongation under drought, resulting in relatively large horizontal spread of root system and to recover sharply from drought by lateral root branching may be related to good growth and yield performance under field.     

Ⅱ优898产量对旱涝急转的响应规律研究

【目的】全球气候变化异常导致旱涝急转事件频发,为保障国家粮食安全,做好农作物的防灾减灾工作,研究了旱涝急转条件下水稻的减产特征。【方法】以淮北平原区水稻为试验对象,在淮委水利科学研究院新马桥农水试验站(117°22′E,33°09′N)开展了为期两年(2017–2018年)的水稻旱涝急转胁迫试验,分析了不同旱涝胁迫程度、不同胁迫持续时间的单一干旱、单一淹涝、旱涝急转胁迫对水稻产量及产量构成的影响,提出先期旱与后期涝的补偿、削减作用量化指标R,揭示了旱涝急转后期淹涝胁迫与前期干旱胁迫对水稻产量影响的交互作用新规律。【结果】拔节期发生旱涝急转产量普遍减少,减产范围12.38%~56.15%。其中,重旱重涝组合对产量最为不利,粒数与粒重减少是旱涝急转胁迫条件下水稻减产主要原因;旱涝急转处理下前期适度干旱可减轻后期淹涝导致的减产,即旱涝急转旱胁迫对涝胁迫具有产量上的补偿效应,主要是提高了每穗粒数、总粒数和结实率;而后期淹涝对前期干旱具有协同作用,表现出产量上的削减效应,主要是每穗粒数、总粒数、千粒质量、结实率的减少。【结论】前期已经发生了轻、中旱胁迫,应尽量避免后期淹涝对水稻的二次损伤;若预测到后期将出现洪涝,并且短时间内田间排水设施无法消除其不利影响,则可提前在水稻拔节中、后期进行旱锻炼以减轻水稻产量损失。     

干旱和洪涝灾害对亚洲玉米螟种群动态的影响

2009～ 2011年对辽宁省受旱灾影响的北票市和受洪涝影响的铁岭市亚洲玉米螟发生危害情况进行调研,分析干旱和洪涝灾害对亚洲玉米螟种群动态的影响.结果表明,2009年6～9月持续干旱影响,受灾当年亚洲玉米螟种群数量大幅下降,第2年亚洲玉米螟心叶期危害较轻,但穗期危害较重,第3年种群数量恢复至较高水平;2010年7月下旬洪涝灾害发生条件下,亚洲玉米螟发生危害维持在较高水平,受灾年份越冬种群数量较大,但不能直接影响第2年亚洲玉米螟的发生.     

滴灌春小麦根系形态特征及内源激素含量对花期干旱及复水的响应

为探明北疆地区不同抗旱性滴灌春小麦品种根系形态及内源激素在开花期干旱后复水过程中的变化特征及其与生物量的关系,以春小麦耐旱性强品种新春6号和耐旱性弱品种新春22号为材料,在土柱栽培下设置常规灌溉（CK）、开花期轻度干旱和中度干旱3种水分条件,分析了干旱胁迫后复水条件下不同耐旱性小麦品种根系形态特征、渗透调节物质及内源激素和生物量的差异。结果表明,两个品种的根长密度（RLD）、根体积密度（RVD）、根表面积密度（RSAD）、可溶性糖（SS）含量、脯氨酸（Pro）含量、生长素（IAA）含量、赤霉素（GA₃）含量、玉米素（ZT）含量、地上部干物质积累量（SDM）以及产量均在干旱复水后随时间呈先增后降趋势,以轻度干旱后复水条件下表现最佳。两个品种比较,在轻度干旱后复水条件下新春6号的RLD、RVD、RSAD、SS含量、Pro含量、IAA含量、GA₃含量、ZT含量、ABA含量、SDM及产量较新春22号平均高出3.38%、4.30%、4.29%、21.84%、10.81%、5.99%、10.02%、16.05%、3.13%、6.86%和3.47%。经相关分析,两个品种于各处理下的RLD、RVD、RSAD、SS含量、Pro含量与IAA含量、GA₃含量和ZT含量间均呈显著正相关,与ABA含量呈显著负相关。综上所述,较优的根系生长及生理代谢是春小麦具有较高抗旱性的原因;轻度干旱后复水可调节滴灌春小麦根系渗透调节物质和内源激素含量变化,进而优化根系形态,促进干物质向穗部转运及产量形成,可作为新疆滴灌春小麦灌溉模式。     

土壤干旱对小麦生理性状和产量的影响

为探讨土壤干旱对小麦产量的影响及其生理基础,以高产小麦品种扬麦16和宁麦13为材料进行盆栽,自分蘖末期至成熟设置正常供水(WW)、土壤轻度干旱(MD)和土壤重度干旱(SD)3种处理,研究其对小麦根系和地上部分生理性状的影响。结果表明,与WW相比,MD处理显著提高了各生育期的根系氧化力、根系及籽粒中玉米素+玉米素核苷(Z+ZR)的含量、花后干物质积累量及茎鞘中非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)的运转量;根冠比、叶片光合速率及叶片中Z+ZR的含量在WW和MD处理间无显著差异;SD处理则降低了产量和植株生理活性。MD处理显著提高了穗粒数、粒重和产量,SD处理的结果则相反;穗数随土壤干旱程度的加重而降低。两个品种的结果趋势相同。相关分析表明,根系氧化力、根系和籽粒中Z+ZR含量、花后干物质积累量及NSC运转量与籽粒灌浆速率、千粒重和产量呈极显著正相关。表明土壤轻度干旱可提高小麦根系生理活性并促进光合同化物向籽粒的转运,进而增加产量。     

Effect of fertilization treatments on yield parameters and mucilage and fat contents in roots of moghat (Glossostemon bruguiri Desf.)

Moghat plants,Glossostemon bruguieri, Desf., received three levels of both N and K fertilizers, either alone or in combination, with a basic dose of P for all the treatments. The results with one and two year old plants revealed the importance of potassium for higher yield of roots, reflected in greater length and diameter. The lower level K₁ was enough to attain that goal and the N₁K₁ treatment was the best in this regard. On the other hand, N fertilization rather favoured the vegetative growth and seed yield. Both N and K fertilization decreased the mucilage content of the roots, but increased their fat content. The root yield after two years increased by 72% compared with one year old plants. That increment was rather dependent on the root diameter than its elongation. The mucilage content was doubled, while the fat content decreased.     

8份强筋小麦品种抗旱性评价

为给强筋冬小麦品种的抗旱性评价和抗旱指标筛选提供理论依据,以黄淮麦区种植的8个强筋小麦品种为材料,在水培条件下设置正常供水(对照)和20%聚乙二醇(PEG-6000)模拟干旱胁迫两个处理,测定了萌发期11个抗旱相关指标、幼苗期20个抗旱相关指标,计算各指标的抗旱系数,采用主成分分析法和隶属函数法求得综合抗旱能力评价值(D值),基于D值评价萌发期和幼苗期抗旱性;在旱棚池栽条件下,测定了2种水分处理下(适时一次灌溉、雨养)籽粒产量,基于产量抗旱系数评价全生育期抗旱性。结果表明：(1)干旱处理下,8个小麦品种萌发期发芽势、发芽率等10个抗旱指标显著低于对照,根冠比显著高于对照;幼苗期叶片净光合速率、气孔导度等13个抗旱指标不同程度地低于对照,胞间CO₂浓度、SOD活性等7个抗旱指标显著高于对照。(2)与适时一次灌溉相比,雨养条件下小麦籽粒产量显著降低,降幅18.70%～28.66%,产量抗旱系数为0.713～0.813。(3)8个强筋小麦品种在萌发期和幼苗期抗旱等级不尽相同。藁8901在2个生育时期均表现出抗旱性;科大1026、郑麦7698和丰德存麦5号在幼苗期表现出抗...     

Effect of drought stress on growth and accumulation of active constituents in Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge

The roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of drought stress on growth and active constituents composition in S. miltiorrhiza. Three water-stress treatments, including control, medium drought stress and severe drought stress, were applied on the whole growth cycle. The results showed that drought stress significantly decreased both shoot and root dry weight in S. miltiorrhiza, but increased the root to shoot ratio at later growth cycle. Except rosmarinic acid the other active constituents content increased under water-stress conditions. Water stress significantly increased salvianolic acid B yield, and decreased that of tanshinone IIA. Our study suggests that it might be feasible to improve or develop S. miltiorrhiza cultivation methods under semi-arid and arid regions.     

Photosynthetic Recovery of a Perennial Grass Leymus chinensis after Different Periods of Soil Drought

Abstract

The effects of rewatering after different periods of soil drought stress on the photosynthetic capacity of Leymus chinensis in pots were investigated. The plants were subjected to short-term (10-d), moderate-term (20-day) and long-term (30-d) drought each followed by rewatering. Control plants were well watered during the experimental periods. The long-term water stress without rewatering decreased the chlorophyll content, Chl a/b ratio, carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity, net photosynthetic rate (A), and leaf area compared with the control. Rewatering increased the ratio of Chl a/b, CA activity and A, but decreased the leaf area and ion leakage from the cut leaf pieces. The long-term water stress without rewatering reduced the maximal efficiency of PSII (F_v/F_m), the actual quantum yield (Φ_p), and photochemical quenching (q_p), but these values were increased by rewatering to more than the control level, though non-photochemical quenching (q_N) was decreased as compared with the control. This implied that long-term drought aggravated PSII, but rewatering improved it. The net CO₂-exchange rate showed similar diurnal changes in all treatments, but the rate in the morning was lower in long-term drought (before rewatering) than in the other treatments. These results suggest the photosynthesis of Leymus chinensis may be well adapted to episodical soil drought.     

Growth and yield of bell pepper as influenced by growing environment,mulch, and planting date

Bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L. var. grossum Sendt.) production is often constrained by prevailing sub-optimal temperature conditions. The treatments that enhance earliness and extend availability period may substantially increase value of the crop. This two-year study (2010–11 and 2011–12) was conducted to investigate the comparative effect of two growing environments (open field vs. polyhouse), three planting dates (15 October, 30 October, and 15 November), and four mulch treatments (black polythene, clear polythene, paddy straw, and no-mulch) on growth and yield of bell pepper. The highest fruit number, fruit weight, early yield, marketable yield, and total yield were obtained when the crop was planted in the polyhouse on 30 October under black polythene mulch. Thus, the use of polyhouse and black plastic mulch, when combined with appropriate planting date, improves early and total yields of bell pepper in areas where the production is constrained by sub-optimal temperature conditions.     

Water supply from pearl millet by hydraulic lift can mitigate drought stress and improve productivity of rice by the close mixed planting

The authors have proposed the close mixed planting technique using mixed seedlings of two different crop species that results in close tangling of their root systems. Especially, the combination of drought-adaptive upland crops (e.g. pearl millet or sorghum) and flood-adaptive lowland crop of rice would be beneficial to overcome the drought and flood conditions and to reduce the risks of crop failure. In our previous studies, we found that upland crop yield losses by flood stress was mitigated by mix-cropped rice, owing to the oxygen gas released from the rice roots into the aqueous rhizosphere. In the present study, we conducted two experiments to assess whether mixed cropping a drought-resistant cereal, pearl millet, would improve the performance of co-growing drought-susceptible crop, rice under drought conditions. In the field experiment, some grains were obtained from the rice plants mix-cropped with pearl millet under drought condition. However, no rice matured in the single cropping system. In the model experiment using deuterium analysis, it was confirmed that water absorbed by pearl millet roots from deep soil layer was utilized by rice, suggesting that mix-cropped rice could withstand drought stress and complete grain filling using water released into the upper soil layer by hydraulic lift.     

应用飞机大面积喷施抗旱型甘蔗増糖增产剂的效果研究

研究应用飞机大规模喷施抗旱型增糖增产剂的实际效果,为在生产上提高甘蔗的抗旱性,实现增产增糖提供依据。本研究在2008/2009和2009/2010两个年度于广西蔗区甘蔗生长后期应用飞机大面积喷施抗旱型甘蔗增糖增产剂共2 400 hm2,以后分别调查其对甘蔗品质及产量构成因素的影响。结果表明:喷施抗旱型甘蔗增糖增产剂后甘蔗绿叶数和叶绿素都有所增加,并提高了蔗汁锤度和重力纯度、甘蔗纤维分和蔗糖分,降低了蔗汁还原糖分,其中以2009～2010年度喷施50 d时表现最为明显,新植和宿根蔗平均甘蔗蔗糖分比对照提高2.23%(绝对值,下同),新植蔗增糖效果优于宿根蔗;不同时期总平均甘蔗蔗糖分比对照提高1.33%。甘蔗株高、茎径、单茎重有一定的提高,平均甘蔗产量比对照增加14.3%,以宿根蔗增产效果优于新植蔗。应用抗旱型甘蔗增糖增产剂可以防止甘蔗叶片早衰,实现增糖增产,节本增效。     

The Effect of Elevated Levels of Carbon Dioxide on Potato Crops

SUMMARY

Experiments, which have investigated the effect of elevated concentrations of atmospheric CO₂ on the physiology, growth and yield of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), are reviewed. These studies were conducted in controlled environment chambers, in glasshouses, in open top field chambers as well as using free air carbon dioxide (FACE) exposure systems. In general, photosynthesis is stimulated by elevated CO₂ initially although long-term exposure leads to acclimation. The stomata of potato leaves partially close in response to elevated CO₂ and starch granules build up in the chloroplasts. Although above- and below-ground biomass production is stimulated, accelerated senescence limits growth towards the end of the growing season exposure to elevated CO₂ stimulates tuber yield, the magnitude of which depends on agronomic practise, cultivar choice and growing conditions. The beneficial effects of elevated CO₂ may be reduced by interaction with other components of climate change, such as drought stress. Modelling of the effects of climate change on potato yield has predicted an increase in yields in northern Europe with little change in central and southern Europe. It is suggested that further research is needed to understand the reasons for photosynthetic acclimation, field trials are also needed to understand and quantify the interaction between elevated CO₂ and drought stress.     

Utilizing Chromosome Segment Substitution Lines (CSSLs) for Evaluation of Root Responses to Transient Moisture Stresses in Rice

Abstract

Drought and waterlogging that occur sequentially under field conditions are important abiotic stresses affecting plant growth and development. The ability to maintain the root system development during the contrasting moisture stresses may be one of the key traits for plant adaptation. This study aimed to identify the key root traits that contributed to the above ability by comparatively examining the effects of the two moisture stresses in succession on root system development. The chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs) from the crosses between the japonica rice cultivar Nipponbare and indica rice cultivar Kasalath were used for precise comparison of root system development. The rice seedlings were grown by hydroponics under a continuously well-aerated condition for 14 days (non-stressed), a drought condition for 7 days followed by an oxygen (O₂)-deficient (stagnant) condition for 7 days (drought-to-stagnant, D-S), or a stagnant condition for 7 days followed by drought condition for 7 days (stagnant-to-drought, S-D). CSSL43 and 47 did not show any significant differences in growth from Nipponbare under the non-stressed condition, but exhibited greater lateral root production under the stresses. Lateral root production was most closely related to faster seminal root elongation mediated by higher aerenchyma formation in the D-S condition, and to more branching of lateral roots on the seminal root axis in the S-D condition. The D-S condition severely affected lateral root production due to reduced seminal root elongation and aerenchyma formation. These results confirmed the fact that those root traits previously identified using different cultivars greatly contribute to plant adaptation. Oxygen deficiency preceded by drought (D-S) was more stressful to roots than drought preceded by O₂ deficiency (S-D), because drought reduced root aerenchyma formation during the subsequent stagnant condition.     

Root textural quality in ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) as influenced by crop growth periods and morphotypes

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a commercially important medicinal crop and roots are the main portion of the plant used therapeutically. The root textural quality determined by high starch-fiber ratio fetches premium price for the produce. Influence of morphological variants and crop growth intervals on accumulation of starch and crude fiber in roots was studied to assess morphotypical differences and to determine the right harvest stage for high root yield with better physical quality. The morphotypes showed similar trend for dry root yield, whereas differences were observed for starch and crude fiber accumulation. The pattern of starch and fiber accumulation varied with different crop growth periods. In general, crude fiber content increased with the crop duration, whereas starch content and starch-fiber ratio followed a trend of decrease-increase-decrease as influenced by different phenophases. Discussions on suitable harvest stage based on dry root yield and starch-fiber ratio are made.     

不同土壤水分条件下吲哚丁酸钾对大豆根系形态建成及生理代谢的影响

为了研究吲哚丁酸钾（IBA-K）在减轻干旱对大豆根系的伤害中的作用,以垦丰16（干旱敏感型）和合丰50（耐旱型）为材料,采用盆栽法研究IBA-K拌种对两个品种大豆在正常供水、干旱和复水条件下根系形态建成及生理代谢的影响。结果表明,与正常供水相比,干旱胁迫抑制了大豆根系的生长发育,而IBA-K处理后,大豆根系干物质积累量、形态建成、抗氧化酶活性和渗透调节物质含量在不同土壤水分条件下均高于其干旱对照,膜受损程度减轻。IBA-K处理下,大豆根系SOD活性、POD活性、可溶性糖和脯氨酸含量在干旱条件下均显著高于其干旱对照;MDA含量、相对电导率显著低于其干旱对照。IBA-K处理下的两个品种大豆根表面积、根平均直径、根体积、POD活性和CAT活性在复水条件下分别高于其干旱对照,均未达到显著性差异。复水后,IBA-K处理下的垦丰16根干重和总根长分别较其干旱对照显著增加了3.13%和24.51%,合丰50根干重和总根长较其干旱对照未达到显著性差异。IBA-K处理下的合丰50相对电导率和MDA含量分别较其干旱对照显著降低11.80%和15.09%,SOD活性和可溶性糖含量分别较其干旱对照显著增加14.90%和3.94%,垦丰16相对电导率、MDA含量、SOD活性和可溶性糖含量较其干旱对照未达到显著性差异。IBA-K处理下的两个品种大豆根系脯氨酸含量分别较其干旱对照显著增加了10.62%和10.70%。IBA-K处理和不同土壤水分处理对两个品种大豆根系形态和生理指标存在显著或极显著影响,二者间的交互作用无明显调控作用。综上,IBA-K通过提高根系干物质积累量、抗氧化酶活性和渗透调节物质含量,降低MDA含量和相对电导率,减轻干旱胁迫对苗期大豆根系的伤害。     

野生二粒小麦根中干旱响应蛋白的分离与鉴定

为了解野生二粒小麦响应干旱胁迫的调控机制,分析了干旱胁迫下小麦根的相对含水量、丙二醛、脯氨酸和过氧化氢含量,采用双向电泳(2-DE)结合MALDI-TOF-TOF-MS方法分离和鉴定了野生二粒小麦根中干旱响应蛋白的变化。结果表明,随着干旱处理时间的延长,野生二粒小麦根的相对含水量下降,脯氨酸含量先上升后降低,过氧化氢含量和丙二醛含量上升;复水后的野生二粒小麦根的相对含水量、脯氨酸含量有所升高,但未达到对照的水平。通过对干旱处理6d后根系的总蛋白进行双向电泳分离和MALDI-TOFTOF生物质谱鉴定,成功鉴定出26个差异表达蛋白,13个上调表达,13个下调表达。26个差异表达蛋白的功能主要涉及信号传导、氧化解毒、碳代谢、能量代谢、蛋白质生物合成及细胞骨架稳定。推测野生二粒小麦为适应干旱胁迫,通过根部感应胁迫信号,并传导至细胞内,影响小麦根中蛋白质的生物合成、氨基酸代谢、碳水化合物代谢、细胞骨架形成;通过抗氧化酶系统和抗氧化物质的作用,将过多活性氧加以清除;通过增加胞内脯氨酸含量,降低根中水分损失。     

Effects of Restricted Water Availability and Increased Temperature on the Grain Filling, Drying and Quality of Winter Wheat

Experiments in controlled environments examined the effects of the timing and severity of drought, and increased temperature, on grain development of Hereward winter wheat. Environmental effects on grain specific weight, protein content, Hagberg Falling Number, SDS-sedimentation volume, and sulphur content were also studied. Drought and increased temperature applied before the end of grain filling shortened the grain filling period and reduced grain yield, mean grain weight and specific weight. Grain filling was most severely affected by drought between days 1–14 after anthesis. Protein content was increased by stresses before the end of grain growth, because nitrogen harvest index was less severely affected than was dry matter harvest index. Hagberg Falling Number was increased to the greatest extent by stresses applied 15–28 days after anthesis. Treatment effects on grain sulphur content were similar to those on protein content, such that N:S ratio was not significantly affected by drought nor temperature stresses. The effects of restricted water on grain yield and quality were linearly related to soil moisture between 44 and about 73% field capacity (FC) from days 15–28. Drought stress (but not temperature stress) before the end of grain filling decreased SDS-sedimentation volume relative to drought applied later.