Stomatal resistance of three potato cultivars as influenced by soil water status, humidity and irradiance

Summary Leaf stomatal resistance varies considerably in response to changes in environmental conditions. Understanding cultivar differences in the response of stomata to these conditions is important for effectively simulating water-use and growth. In this study the stomatal resistance of three field grown potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars Atlantic. Monona and Norchip was observed in response to photosynthetic photon flux density, leaf to air vapour pressure difference and root zone available soil water. Substantial variation in stomatal resistance was accounted for by functions of the environmental variables for both Monona and Norchip. The explained variation for Atlantic was considerably less. Light saturation occurred near 500 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹. Increasing stomatal resistance above 1000 μmol m⁻²s⁻¹ was also observed but is likely an artifact of stomatal closure on days in which mid-day leaf water potentials dropped below critical levels. Although the leaf presumably insufficient to obtain substantial effects. The soil water status was partially linked to the average 1000 h to 1500 h stomatal resistance on clear, sunny days. Significant differences were observed among the cultivars in the response of stomata to changes in the available soil water.     

Verification of sap flow by heat balance method on three potato cultivars

Summary A heat balance method for measuring sap flow in actively growing plants was tested on three potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars Monona, Norchip and Atlantic. The method is based on applying a known heat source to the stem of an intact plant: by measuring the axial and radial heat dissipation the magnitude of sap flow can be quantified. The technique shows promise as 24 h accumulated sap flow measurements were highly correlated (r²=0.935, n=36) with gravimetric measurements of transpiration and produced an average root mean square error (RMSE) of 20 g d⁻¹. The accuracy of the method improved as daily accumulated flow increased. Under low daily flow rates overall RMSE increased, supporting the need for a heat storage term in the heat balance equation. Short term flow rates were less significantly correlated (r²=0.764, n=1572) and produced an average RMSE of 2.89 g h⁻¹. Identification of these short term flow rates during high flow periods may be difficult. The presence of water potential gradients and the likelihood of re-hydration during high flow events may have also affected the short term performance of the method. At low flow rates, many different errors may be introduced.     

Effect and interaction of crop management factors on the glycoalkaloid concentration of potato tubers

Summary Potato tuber glycoalkaloid content was measured in response to nitrogen fertilizer rate, storage temperature, length of storage period and cultivar. Cvs Gemchip, Norchip and Russet Burbank were grown with applied nitrogen fertilizer rates of 0, 168 or 336 kg/ha and then stored at either 4.4 or 10°C. Total glycoalkaloid content was determined one month before harvest, at harvest, after three months of storage and after nine months of storage. Higher rates of nitrogen, higher storage temperature and a period of storage all resulted in significantly (P<0.05) higher concentration of glycoalkaloids. The cv Norchip had higher glycoalkaloids than cvs Gemchip or Russet Burbank. Only the storage period had more influence than the environment (difference between years). Significant (P<0.05) two-way interactions were detected for year x cultivar, year x nitrogen, storage period x cultivar and nitrogen x cultivar. Most interactions were due to the unique responses of cultivars.     

The relationship of chip color with structural parameters of starch

Seven potato cultivars (Norchip, Monona, Onaway, Snowden, Atlantic, Saginaw Gold, Novachip) and the seedling ND860-2 differing in their susceptibility to low temperature sweetening were analyzed to determine if starch structural stability parameters could be used to consistently predict and/or monitor chip color (Agtron score) of potatoes during storage at 4 and 12 C. Fresh tissue gelatinization temperature (Tp) was significantly correlated (P≤0.05) with chip color for all cultivars except Onaway, Snowden and Atlantic for tubers harvested in 1993 when stored at 12 C. No correlations existed between Tp of isolated starch and chip color (P>0.05). In 1994 no correlations existed between Tp of fresh tissue, Tp of starch and chip color at either 4 or 12 C (P>0.05). Prediction of chip color based on starch stability parameters was not possible. Starch crystallinity, amylose content and starch granule size distribution could not be used to predict or monitor chip color in stored tubers.     

Contribution of main stem and tillers to durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum) grain yield and its components grown in Mediterranean environments

Under terminal drought conditions, cereal varieties with limited tillering have been suggested to be advantageous, because they have fewer nonproductive tillers, thereby limiting water consumption prior to anthesis. In this study, four field trials were conducted over two growing seasons in southern Spain, under rainfed and irrigated conditions. Twenty-five genotypes were studied to evaluate the contribution of the main stem (MS) and tillers to grain yield and its components. Significant differences were found among genotypes for these contributions under non-stressed environments, but these differences were not significant under water-stress conditions. The contribution of the MS to plant grain yield was higher than that of tillers (68% vs. 32%) and was stable between years in irrigated trials. However, in the rainfed trials, MS contributed differently depending on year-to-year climate variations. Thus, under favorable weather conditions the contribution of MS to grain yield was higher than in the unfavorable year (85% vs. 59%). In irrigated environments, MS and tiller grain yield depended on the number of grains per spike, spikelets per spike, and thousand kernel weight (TKW). Under water-limited conditions, MS yield depended on the number of grains per spike and grains per spikelet, whereas the number of spikelets and TKW had less influence on MS grain yield. Furthermore, under water-stress conditions, high tillering genotypes showed yield levels similar to the genotypes with restricted tillering. Additionally, there was no significant evidence of a positive or negative effect of maximum tiller number on grain yield under rainfed conditions.     

Ring rot symptom development on potato cultivars and lines in southern Alberta

Summary Plants were grown in the field from seed pieces of potato cultivars injected with ring rot bacteria (Corynebacterium sepedonicum). Symptoms were produced with both 18 and 180 colony forming units (cfu) on cvs Norchip and Red Pontiac and with 180 cfu on cv. Belrus plants. Tuber symptoms were detected in all cultivars except Belrus and Teton. Tuber progeny produced plants that developed top symptoms on all cultivars except those of cv. Nooksack, Russet Burbank, and Teton. Tuber progeny of the second crop produced both plants and tubers with symptoms developing only in the cv. Nooksack. In another 3-year experiment, variability in the disease response of selected cultivars and lines was examined following knife-inoculation of tuber seed with a high level of ring rot bacteria. Significant correlations between top and tuber symptoms were detected, but they were not high enough to make unnecessary the examination of both top and tuber symptoms in ring rot disease selection studies. Contribution no. 3879111     

The concept and development of management profiles for potato cultivars and selections

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) growers in Ontario, Canada have funded research specifically to develop management profiles for potato cultivars. Such profiles have been developed for Atlantic, Conestoga, Jemseg, Monona, Norchip, Shepody, Superior and Yukon Gold grown under Ontario conditions. The development of management profiles to facilitate the optimum production and storage of different potato cultivars and selections is recognized as a valuable tool in aiding in the technology transfer of potato research and information to growers and processors. Unique differences among cultivars such as herbicide tolerance, time and duration of bulking, fertility requirements, processing quality and other variables may have significant impact on management of a particular cultivar. Some cultivar traits can be modified via management techniques while others cannot. A clarification of such information is critical to the industry.     

Nitrogen and water management can limit premature ripening of sunflower induced by Phoma macdonaldii

Premature ripening (PR) is one of the most important diseases of sunflower in France since the 90s. Previous results indicated that girdling canker of the stem base, caused by Phoma macdonaldii was its primary cause but elucidation of critical environmental factors involved is crucial for better control of the disease. A field study was conducted in three contrasting cropping seasons (2006–2008) and investigated the effect of N fertilization (0, 75 and 150 kg N ha^?1) and water regime (rainfed, irrigated) on two cultivars with artificial inoculation (AI) and natural infection (NI). Disease assessment was recorded weekly to calculate the area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) and the final percentage of PR plants. Data showed that high levels of N fertilization led to significantly (P < 0.05) more PR than non-fertilization. Water deficit conditions were significantly (P < 0.05) involved in disease severity, and AUDPC and PR were increased when dry conditions were associated with high N supply. This was true for two cultivars which differed in their susceptibility to the disease but cv. Heliasol RM was significantly (P < 0.05) more affected than cv. Melody, partially resistant to PR. Despite contrasting weather patterns, these results demonstrated a clear role of crop management and environmental conditions on the incidence and severity of stem base attacks responsible for the PR syndrome. These findings suggest that sunflower crop husbandry should be adapted to minimize premature ripening induced by P. macdonaldii.     

Effect of haulm treatment and harvest time on incidence of tuber rots of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) after standard wounding and on frequency of stem lesions caused byPhoma foveata Foister

Summary Various haulm treatments and harvest times differentially influenced the incidence of storage rots in potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum L.) in field experiments in Sweden performed over 4 years. The incidence of gangrene caused byPhoma foveata Foister (Phoma exigua var.foveata (Foister) Boerema) increased in cv. Bellona after spraying haulms with diquat as did the amount of infection caused byFusarium avenaceum (Corda ex. Fr.) Sacc. in all three cultivars (Bintje, Bellona, and Magnum Bonum). The lowestP. foveata infection levels occurred after pulling haulms. Late harvesting increased the frequency ofP. foveata in cvs Bintje and Bellona both at 2 and 4 wks interval between haulm treatment and harvest. Tuber and visible stem infection caused byP. foveata were correlated for cvs Bintje and Bellona, but not for cv. Magnum Bonum. The possible relation between tuber and stem infection is discussed.     

Fertilizer management impacts on stand establishment, disease, and yield of Irish potato

Summary Excessive fertilizer application in North Carolina, USA results in high residual soil levels of P, K and total soluble salts in potato fields. Our objectives were to determine the salt sensitivity of three common cultivars (Atlantic. Snowden and Superior), and the effects of planting density and fertilization on stand establishment, soilborne disease, and yield. Greenhouse results suggest that potato growth and emergence, but not shoot initation, are reduced by high salinity. On a Portsmouth fine sandy loam, high fertilizer rates did not reduce stands of cv. Atlantic in the field in 1996 or 1997. Excess N resulted in moreRhizoctonia stem canker in 1996, and lower yields at the lower planting density in 1997. Yield compensation for reduced plant density occurred in 1997 at the lower N rates (56 and 112 kg N ha⁻¹) and at the high PK rate (49 kg P and 139 kg K ha⁻¹).     

The influence of tuber position on periderm calcium content and its relationship to soft rot susceptibility

Summary Calcium levels in the periderm of tubers (cv. Sebago) growing in irrigated sands were influenced by the stem position at which the tuber grew, but the effect was not consistent over two seasons. Calcium levels were increased at all tuber positions by addition of calcium to soil; combined treatments of gypsum (1400 kg Ca²⁺/ha) pre-plant and calcium nitrate (37 kg Ca²⁺/ha) side dressings gave the greatest response. Percentage incidence of soft rot lesions caused byErwinia chrysanthemi pv.zeae was not influenced by periderm calcium content. The severity of infection (weight of tissue macerated within 48 h at 30°C) was significantly reduced only by the pre-plant gypsum treatment, but there was no correlation with calcium content of the periderm. Calcium levels in periderm tissue (60–208 mg Ca²⁺/100g) are within the range of published data for other cultivars and results support previous reports that the correlation between tuber susceptibility toErwinia spp. and periderm calcium content is inconsistent.     

Adaptation of landrace and variety germplasm and selection strategies for lucerne in the Mediterranean basin

Lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) can enhance the economic and environmental sustainability of crop-livestock systems in the western Mediterranean basin, but requires improved adaptation to stressful environments because of a predicted shortage of irrigation water and climate change. This study reports on three-year dry matter yields of five landraces from Morocco, Italy and Tunisia and seven varieties from France, Italy, Australia and USA assessed across 10 agricultural environments of Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco and Italy of which four were rainfed, one was continuously irrigated (oasis management), and five were irrigated but adopted a nine-week suspension of irrigation during summer. Our objectives were targeting cultivars to specific environments, and assisting regional breeding programmes in defining adaptation strategies, genetic resources and opportunities for international co-operation. The crop persisted well in all environments, but environment mean yield was strictly associated (P < 0.01) with annual and spring-summer (April–September) water available. Rainfed cropping implied 42% lower yield with 61% less spring-summer water available relative to irrigation with withheld summer water across three sites hosting both managements. All of these sites showed genotype × management interaction (at least P < 0.10). Cross-over genotype × environment (GE) interaction between top-yielding cultivars occurred across the 10 environments. Total number of harvests (range: 9–23), soil salinity as measured by electrical conductivity (range: 0.20–6.0 dS m⁻¹), and average spring-summer water available (range: 102–932 mm) were selected as significant (P < 0.05) environmental covariates in a factorial regression model explaining 53% of GE interaction variation. This model was exploited for targeting cultivars as a function of site-specific levels of these factors. Its indications agreed largely with those of an additive main effects and multiplicative interaction model with two GE interaction principal components. An Italian landrace exhibited specific adaptation to severely drought-prone environments, whereas landraces from north Africa were not adapted to such environments. One Moroccan landrace was specifically adapted to high number of harvests (partly reflecting frequent mowing). One variety selected for salt tolerance, and one Moroccan landrace, were specifically adapted to salt-stress environments. Environment classification as a function of GE interaction effects indicated three groups which may be object of specific breeding: (i) rainfed or irrigated environments featuring limited spring-summer water available (<350 mm), nil or low soil salinity, and moderate to low number of harvests; (ii) salt-stress environments; and (iii) environments characterized by high number of harvests.     

The effect of moisture stress at three growth stages on the yield,components of yield and processing quality of eight potato varieties

A study was conducted over a three year period in southern Alberta to establish the yield and quality responses of eight potato varieties-Atlantic, Conestoga, Norchip, Niska, Shepody, Ranger Russet (Idaho clone), Ranger Russet (Amisk clone) and Russet Burbank to a single transient moisture stress (-80 kPa) at three growth stages in crop development (early, midseason and late). Early and midseason moisture stress had the greatest negative impact (P<0.05) on tuber yield. Of the eight varieties, Atlantic and Conestoga appear to be particularly sensitive to stress at these two growth stages. Midseason stress also appeared to reduce specific gravity. A year x stress interaction (P<0.05) for fry color suggests that the influence of moisture stress on fry color can be modified by other environmental factors. The results of the study demonstrate the importance of maintaining adequate soil moisture at all stages during crop development.     

雨养和灌溉条件下施氮量对小麦干物质积累和产量的影响

为给冀东地区小麦高产栽培提供技术参考,以高蛋白质品种京冬8号和低蛋白质品种宝麦38为材料,设置0、120、240和360kg·hm-2三个施氮水平,研究了在灌溉和雨养条件下氮素营养对冬小麦干物质积累和产量形成的调控效应。结果表明,适量施氮提高了小麦干物质积累量、结实小穗数和穗粒数,促进了叶片、茎和鞘的花前贮存干物质在花后向籽粒中的转移,但过量施氮则抑制灌溉条件下营养器官花前贮存干物质在花后向籽粒的转移。施氮量对千粒重的影响因基因型和土壤水分状况不同而差异。随施氮量的增加,在雨养和灌溉条件下京冬8号千粒重分别呈降低和增加趋势,宝麦38千粒重均呈下降趋势。适当施氮可促进分蘖和分蘖成穗。与雨养栽培相比,灌溉可促进小麦干物质积累,增加穗数和延长灌浆时间,提高籽粒产量。随着施氮量的增加,两品种的氮肥生产效率和氮肥农学效率均降低。宝麦38和京冬8号籽粒产量达到最高的施氮量在雨养条件下均为120kg·hm-2,在灌溉条件下分别为120和240kg·hm-2。从产量和氮肥利用效率综合来看,宝麦38的适宜施氮量为120kg·hm-2,京冬8号的适宜施氮量为120~240kg·hm-2。     

Production of above-ground seed tubers on stem cuttings from eight potato cultivars

Summary The formation of above-ground tubers on stem cuttings of eight potato cultivars was studied over three seasons. To promote tuber formation in the leaf axils, stems grown from single node cuttings were exposed to short day conditions. Tuber formation underground was reduced by covering the soil with a plastic sheet and by using single node cuttings planted with the leaf axils several centimetres above the soil surface. With all cultivars except Alpha, which produced mis-shapen tubers in all experiments, an average of 11 (maximum 40) tubers per cutting were harvested. Significant cultivar × year interactions were observed.     

The relationship between yield, mainstem number, and tuber number in five maincrop and two early-maturing cultivars

Using data from an 11-year period, total and marketable yield were related, using regression analysis, to mainstem and tuber number for five maincrop varieties (Russet Burbank, Shepody, Atlantic, Norchip, and Norland) and two early-maturing varieties (Conestoga and Carlton), at irrigated and dryland sites in western Canada. Mainstem number by itself was a poor predictor of total and marketable yield. Highly significant regressions of yield on the derived variable tuber number per mainstem were evident for all cultivars grown at the dryland sites. In general, the proportion of the total variation in yield accounted for by the regression models was much higher at the dryland than at the irrigated sites, indicating that the relationship between yield and its predictor variables was more complex for irrigated sites. While the study suggests that the use of tuber number per mainstem may be useful as an early-season predictor of tuber yield for cultivars, particularly under dryland conditions, a model using the predictor variables mainstem and tuber number will generally be superior due to the additional information it provides when competitive effects are present for light energy within the canopy or for assimilates among developing tubers. Contour plots provide a useful way to study the yield response to changes in tuber number at specific stem density levels.     

The susceptibility of potato cultivars to gangrene in laboratory tests in relation to origin of tubers,damage, method of inoculation and test centre

Summary Undamaged and damaged tubers of 10 cultivars were inoculated withPhoma foveata by two methods at five test centres over three years. Damaging tubers before inoculation increased the discrimination between cultivars. While this increase was small with tubers rolled in cornmealsand cultures, it was often substantial with those dipped in a suspension of comminuted agar cultures. Correlations between centres for the four tests were significant (P<0.05) and were highest for tubers inoculated with cornmeal-sand with or without damage. The gangrene scores of the cultivars in the four tests were correlated (P<0.05) with their field susceptibility ratings but there was a strong interaction between cultivar reaction and year of test. When tubers grown in Cumbria and Midlothian were tested at one centre over two years, the gangrene scores were also correlated (P<0.05).     

Differential resistance to tuber late blight in potato cultivars without R-genes

Summary In 1983 and 1984 there were reports in Norway of more severe late blight infection than usual on tubers of cv. Pimpernel, a cultivar without R-genes known to be somewhat resistant to both haulm and tuber infection. Results from routine tests confirmed earlier experience that cv. Pimpernel shows stable resistance to tuber late blight, although the ranking of cultivars may vary between years. In experiments during three harvest seasons tubers of different cultivars were inoculated with isolates ofP. infestans obtained from stocks of cv. Pimpernel with severe tuber late blight and with other isolates. In these experiments the isolates from cv. Pimpernel caused more rot on tubers of Pimpernel than did other isolates.     

The role of stem inoculum in the transmission ofFusarium sulphureum to potato tubers

Summary Over 2 years, seed tubers or stems were inoculated withFusarium sulphureum Schlecht. (F. sambucinum Fuckel f. 6 Wollenw.) and the incidence of dry rot on daughter tubers assessed by standardised wound tests. The amount of stem and soil inoculum was also measured in one year. Inoculating stem bases resulted in greater concentrations of spores on the stem bases, greater soil populations at harvest and more dry rot on tubers than inoculating the seed tuber. Overall, the incidence of dry rot and the amount of stem and soil inoculum was similar for the three methods of haulm destruction: cutting and removing the stems, applying sulphuric acid or applying diquat dibromide to the growing plants.     

Heat-Induced Floret Sterility of Hybrid Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Cultivars under Humid and Low Wind Conditionsin the Field of Jianghan Basin,China

Abstract

Projected global warming is expected to increase the occurrence of heat-induced floret sterility (HIFS) in rice. However, there are few field-scale studies that could aid in predicting the potential risks to rice yield and developing countermeasures against yield losses. The aim of this study was to elucidate the factors that induce floret sterility under high temperature conditions during the flowering season in the field condition in China. Studies were conducted in irrigated paddy fields with the regional hybrid-rice cultivars grown in Jianghan Basin where air temperature is not so high during the flowering season but HIFS frequently occurs. The microclimate, panicle temperature, floret sterility, pollination, and size of dehiscence formed at the base of anthers were investigated. Significant losses in seed set were observed under the high temperature condition. Although the maximum atmospheric temperature was approximately 35ºC, the relative humidity was very high (around 70% at the time of maximum temperature), with low wind speeds, occasionally below 1 m s¹. Under such conditions sunlit panicle temperature exceeded atmospheric temperature by as much as 4ºC. Moreover, the anthers of some cultivars exhibited short basal dehiscence, and the dehiscence length was positively correlated with the percentage of sufficiently pollinated florets (r=0.859, P<0.05, n=7) and with seed set (r=0.827, P<0.05, n=7) across the cultivars. The results suggest that the combination of hot, humid, and windless climatic conditions with short basal dehiscence of anthers induces HIFS in hybrid rice grown in this region.