Excess and deficient water stress effects on 30 years of Aroostook County potato yields

Potato production can be adversely affected by both deficient and excess water. A plant water excess (PWE) index is defined as the difference between actual evapotranspiration (AET), which is equal to the difference between rainfall and runoff, and potential evapotranspiration (PET), as computed by the Thornthwaite method, for those 5-day periods when AET exceeds PET. A growing season PWE index was equal to the accumulation of 5-day average PWE values and was calculated for each of 30 years of data. Similarly a plant water deficit (PWD) index was defined as the PET-AET for those 5-day periods when PET exceeds AET. Potato yields during the 30-year period were related to the combined effect of yearly water excess (PWE) and deficit (PWD) and can be described by the multiple regression relationship of Y = 43.558-0.74527 (PWD + PWE)+ 0.031883 (PWD × PWE). This model has a multiple r² value that indicates 46% of the yield variation can be accounted for by the combined yearly influence of deficient and excess water. The results suggest that maximizing potato production in the humid Northeast requires a water management system that includes both supplemental irrigation and drainage.     

Testing for mild leafroll in Maine

Field and greenhouse readings in Maine together with test plot readings in Florida showed the incidence of potato leafroll virus infection in 10 Kennebec seed lots from south, central and northern Aroostook County to be about 1.2%. When the seed lots were indexed by aphid transmission of the virus toPhysalis floridana Rydb. in January and July the incidence of leafroll was found to be 2% and 10% respectively. SinceP. floridana detects mild strains as well as those capable of causing visible symptoms on potato, these results indicate that mild strains are present in the Kennebec variety being grown for seed in Aroostook County. The authors indicate, however, that leafroll symptom expression inP. floridana, in many instances, was not definitive and they suggest that their data may reflect an inaccurate estimate of the prevalence of mild strains of leafroll in Maine.     

Assessment of field responses of potato cultivars and breeder seedlings to potato late blight epidemics

The response to potato late blight of 116 potato cultivars and breeding lines was determined in replicated trials conducted between 1980 and 1988. The index of area under the standardized disease progress curve (ASDPC), based on the cultivar Sebago, was used to rank the cultivars and to identify cultivars that had inconsistent disease responses over years. Most of the cultivars were susceptible to late blight; only 10 cultivars out of 66 currently available (including breeding lines) were judged more resistant than Sebago. Nine cultivars were identified as having inconsistent resistance over years. The index ASDPC was less variable than the relative area under the disease progress curve when the yearly disease conditions differed from the normal.     

Projecting Future Crop Evapotranspiration and Irrigation Requirement of Potato in Lower Gangetic Plains of India using the CROPWAT 8.0 Model

A study on evapotranspiration from potato fields was conducted in the Lower Gangetic Plains of India. The input data required for the CROPWAT irrigation management model was collected, and evapotranspiration (ET) and irrigation water requirement (IWR) for potato crops were calculated using the model. Firstly, the CROPWAT model was validated by comparing simulated crop evapotranspiration (SET) with actual ET calculated through the field water balance method. Thereafter, SET and IWR for nine locations in the lower Gangetic plains of India were calculated for the period from 1996–1997 to 2008–2009, for the current situation (using 20-year-average weather data of the stations), and for elevated thermal conditions, i.e. considering 2 and 3 °C increases over the current temperature. The future change in IWR for potato up to 2050 was also calculated considering the projected climatic scenario generated by the PRECIS model. The CROPWAT calculated IWR values showed an increasing, though not statistically significant, trend in requirement of irrigation water for potato across the nine locations during the period from 1996–1997 to 2008–2009. At a temperature increase of 2 °C over normal, the mean SET of potato would increase by 0.06 mm per day and the average IWR would be 6.0 mm per season more. If the mean temperature would be 3 °C more than normal, the SET would be 0.16 mm day^?1 higher and the IWR 16.6 mm. Also based on the projected climatic scenario generated by the PRECIS model, the future SET up to 2050 showed an increasing trend. The present study indicates increasing demand for irrigation water, which may significantly affect the agricultural scenario in the region.     

Root distribution under seepage-irrigated potatoes in Northeast Florida

Much of commercial potato production in Florida is irrigated using sub-surface seepage irrigation. A perched water table is maintained during the season within 50 cm below the top of the potato ridge. Fertilizer placement is critical in this system to maximize plant uptake and to minimize leaching potential. Optimal placement of fertilizers is dependent on root distribution. The objectives of this study were to develop and test a new methodology to spatially describe potato root distribution as affected by nitrogen rate and irrigation system. Soil slices containing representative samples of the potato root system at full flowering were taken from plots fertilized with ammonium nitrate at 168, 224, and 280 kg N ha^?1. The proposed sampling methodology performed satisfactorily. Root length density (cm root cm^?3 soil) and specific root length (cm root mg^?1 root dry weight) were not affected by nitrogen rate, but were affected by spatial position in the soil profile. The highest root length density value (0.72 average) was observed within 12 to 15 cm of the seedpiece. Low root length density values averaging 0.036 were observed between 24 and 36 cm from the top of the ridge. Specific root length values indicated a relatively homogeneous root system in terms of the quantity of invested biomass by unit of root length except in the two central units below 24 cm from the top of the ridge where thickened roots caused significant lower values averaging 6.47 as compared with the average of 15.87 from the surrounding Units in the slice. Root thickening in deep apical roots suggested aerenchyma formation promoted by a combination of saturated soil conditions in the root zone caused by inappropriate irrigation management and soil compaction. Fertilizer placement under the seedpiece should be a good alternative to increase potato nitrogen uptake under seepage irrigation.     

In vitro digestibility and calculated PER as rapid methods for the nutritional evaluation of potato protein

Protein Efficiency Ratios (PER) have been determined for hybrid potato selections by feeding flake diets to rats; more rapid and inexpensive tests are required by breeding programs which select for improved potato protein. Two more recent methods, in vitro digestibility (IVD) and calculated PER utilizing discriminant computed PER (DC-PER) and computed PER (C-PER), were studied for their potential in evaluation of the nutritional quality of potato. Albumin (A) and two subfractions, acid soluble and insoluble (ASA and AIA), were studied, as well as flakes. The average IVD for albumin was 68.9%, for ASA was 67.5% and for AIA was 77.5%. Digested proteins were identified by electrophoresis before and after enzyme treatment. The higher IVD values for AIA were probably due to the presence of protease inhibitors among the ASA proteins. IVD differences among groups of hybrids were found and a reasonable correlation (r=0.71*) of these values with flake PER values was observed. The DC-PER values ranged from 2.64 to 2.79, these values were larger than those observed in feeding trials; additional genotypes need to be studied before this method can be proposed for potato evaluation. The presence of protease inhibitors in the albumin samples is indicated, because the average IVD value of 68 increased to about 84 after the albumins were heated prior to IVD determinations.Scientific Journal Article 12,095 of the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station. This research was supported by a USDA/SEA Grant.     

Impacts of baseflow contribution on the streamflow variability of major river systems in Korea

High streamflow variability is a potential risk factor in river management in Korea because the use of water resources in Korea depends primarily on surface water. In this regard, analysis of streamflow variability is critical for efficient water resources management. Because streamflow variability is mainly influenced by the contributions of direct runoff and baseflow, the relationship between baseflow and streamflow is an important hydrological indicator that reflects river characteristics. Accordingly, this study was conducted to estimate the effect of baseflow on streamflow variability. For this purpose, a number of streamflow variability indices (SVIs), such as the Richard–Baker flashiness index, the coefficient of variation, the ratio of high flow to low flow (Q5:Q95), and the coefficient of flow regime, were calculated for Korea’s major river systems to determine which SVI best reflects the characteristics of Korean rivers. In addition, baseflow separation was performed to calculate the relationship between SVIs and the baseflow index. The results of this study show that the baseflow index is inversely proportional to streamflow variability. In particular, the impact of baseflow on streamflow variability was highest in the Yeongsan–Sumjin River system. These results are valuable information expected to be used in river management to better secure water resources.     

Comparison of light- and temperature-based index models for potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) growth and development

Robust and simple methods of normalizing for the weather of particular growing seasons enable improved in-season decisions, such as supplemental fertilizer timing. Common methods involve expressing the progress of the season in terms of degree-days or cumulative incident solar radiation, in contrast to days after planting or emergence. This study compared a newly introduced temperature-derived variable, “relative thermal index” (RTI) based on a modified beta distribution model, with growing degree day (GDD), physiological day (Pday), and cumulative photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), for their ability in normalizing for seasonal differences in growth and development of well-managed commercial potato fields of cvs Russet Burbank and Russet Norkotah in humid, temperate central Wisconsin. The proposed RTI was superior to all other investigated variables in reducing the standard deviation of crop mass among field-years through full canopy development, after which PAR became the more powerful normalization. Values of 15, 27, and 30 RTI corresponded to tuber initiation onset, canopy full interception of light, and tuber-bulking onset, respectively, for both varieties; RTI values were more consistent across the two varieties for these stages than were other variables. Presumably RTI was superior to other thermal time indices because it more appropriately reflected the dependence of potato growth rate on relatively cool temperatures.     

Temporal variation in nitrogen concentration of above ground perennial ryegrass applied different nitrogen fertiliser rates

Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) was grown for seed in field trials in order to investigate the temporal variation in plant nitrogen (N) concentration during ontogeny. Crops were sown in three successive years and grown with five N fertiliser rates applied in the autumn and in the spring (autumn–spring): 0–0, 0–50, 0–100, 30–120 or 60–140 kg N ha⁻¹. Within each N fertiliser rate, N concentration in the plants increased from the initiation of spring growth and reached a maximum of 4.8% at 450–500 growing degree-days (GDD) after which it decreased to 0.8% at 1150–1200 GDD. This pattern of plant N concentration was consistently low at each N fertiliser rate and between years whereas the variation in plant N concentration within each year was high as a result of the different N fertiliser rates. Nitrogen fertiliser rate up to 150 kg N ha⁻¹ increased the seed yields.During spring growth 89% of the variation in plant N concentration could be explained by a non-linear function of GDD. Maximum variation occurred at 480 GDD, with a 95% confidence interval between 428 GDD and 540 GDD. Plant N concentrations measured at 424 GDD in 1998, 447 GDD in 1997, and 497 GDD in 1996, and the resulting correlation coefficients (r²) between N concentration and seed yield were 0.81, 0.71 and 0.92, respectively.It is concluded that the variation in plant N concentration during ontogeny in perennial ryegrass is related to different N fertiliser rates and that the greatest variation in plant N concentration was in the period from 428 GDD to 540 GDD.     

水稻叶龄与叶面积指数动态的模拟研究

 依据不同类型品种的播期试验和氮肥试验结果,建立了水稻叶龄与叶面积指数(LAI)的模拟模型。叶龄模型采用幂函数描述叶片出生与播后累积热时间(TTS)的关系,TTS的计算定量了温度与出叶速率之间的非线性关系。叶面积指数模拟包括两个阶段:在指数生长阶段,LAI随播后累积生长度日(GDD)呈指数式增长,同时受到氮素营养水平调节;当LAI≥1.6时进入非指数生长阶段,采用比叶面积法模拟,LAI是比叶面积与绿叶干物质量的乘积。绿叶干物质量是绿叶分配指数与地上部干物质量的乘积,比叶面积(SLA)为GDD的函数,同时考虑植株氮素营养因子对SLA的影响。利用生态条件和栽培条件差异较大的试验资料对模型进行了验证。结果表明,模型能较好地模拟不同条件下叶片的出生动态和LAI变化动态,表现出较强的适用性,具有参数少、易确定、简便实用的特点。     

Chloris gayana Kunth under different defoliation regimes. Morphogenesis,sward structure and leaf area index

Subtropical pastures are an important alternative to increase forage yields to fulfil cattle nutritional requirements. Despite the increasing expansion of these pastures in the semiarid subtropical region of Argentina, there is very little information about their responses to grazing management. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different defoliation regimes on morphogenesis, sward structure and leaf area index of one of the most expanded forage species in this region, Chloris gayana Kunth. A combination of two defoliation frequencies (300 and 500 GDD) and two defoliation intensities (1 and 3 green stubble leaves) was compared by a controlled experiment that comprised 1,500 GDD. Defoliation frequency significantly affected leaf elongation rate (LER) and leaf area index (LAI). Under the high defoliation frequency, LER and LAI resulted almost half than under low defoliation frequency (0.34 ± 0.08 vs. 0.67 ± 0.08 mm·tiller^?1·GDD^?1; 8.31 ± 2.27 m²/m² vs. 13.27 ± 1.59 m²/m², at 300 or 500 GDD respectively), regardless of the intensity. Defoliation frequency or intensity did not affect leaf appearance rate, leaf lifespan, leaf size, number of green leaves per tiller nor tiller density at the end of the experiment. We conclude that to maintain high LER and LAI in Chloris gayana Kunth cv. Épica INTA‐Pemán pastures, defoliation frequency could be of 500 GDD. Since leaf lifespan was 415 ± 110 GDD, under this defoliation frequency, a maximum accumulation of green leaf tissues with very little dead tissues may be achieved.     

播期、芽长和覆土厚度对马铃薯黑痣病的规避效应及产量的影响

为了研究芽长、播期和覆土厚度对土传病害黑痣病的规避效应及对马铃薯产量的影响,本试验对栽培技术中的芽长、播期和覆土厚度3个重要因素,采用3因素5水平二次通用旋转组合设计,建立数学模型,优选适合马铃薯的高产防病栽培措施。芽长、播期和覆土厚度3因素对马铃薯产量效应依次为覆土厚度〉芽长〉播期,对马铃薯黑痣病病情指数影响效应依次为覆土厚度〉播期〉芽长。获得马铃薯产量大于3000 kg/667 m2、黑痣病病情指数低于45%的优化施肥方案为：播期5月2-4日,芽长0.54-0.68 cm,覆土厚度15-17 cm。本研究为建立马铃薯可行性栽培技术体系提供了科学依据。     

马铃薯种薯生产技术标准参数研究──Ⅰ．不同种植密度对种薯产量和块茎大小的影响

本研究以马铃薯极早熟品种“东农３０３”脱毒种薯为试验材料，将种薯分成（２０±５）ｇ和（３０±５）ｇ两组，分别按５个密度进行种植（行距均为７０ｃｍ，株距分别为１２．５、１５．０、１７．５、２０，０和２２．５ｃｍ）．试验结果表明，在哈尔滨的自然条件下，马铃薯块茎产量和单位面积块茎数目随着种植密度的增大而增加，单个块茎重量则随着密度的增加而减少．大种薯（３０±５）ｇ播种可以获得较高的块茎产量．在本试验中，种薯重量为（３０±５）ｇ、株１２．５和１５．０ｃｍ时，获得了较高的块茎产量和较多的块茎数．通过对植株地上部鲜重和叶面积指数变化的分析，表明高密度群体具有发育快、生长旺盛的特点。     

A comparative study on the estimation of evapotranspiration using backpropagation neural network: Penman�CMonteith method versus pan evaporation method

The study compares the prediction performances of evapotranspiration by the FAO56 Penman–Monteith method and the pan evaporation method using the artificial neural network. A backpropagation neural network was adopted to determine the relationship between meteorological factors and evapotranspiration or evaporation. The evapotranspiration in the ChiaNan irrigated area of Tainan was considered. Weather data compiled by Irrigation Experiment Station of ChiaNan Irrigation Association were the input layer variables, including (1) the highest temperature, (2) the lowest temperature, (3) the average temperature, (4) the relative humidity, (5) the wind speed, (6) hours of sunlight, (7) amount of solar radiation, (8) the dew point, (9) morning ground temperature and (10) afternoon ground temperature. The importance of the ten weather factors was ranked by the general influence (GI) factor. Results show that the correlation coefficient between the evapotranspiration in 2004 calculated by FAO56 Penman–Monteith method and the one predicted by the neural network model with a hidden layer of ten nodes is 0.993. The actual evapotranspiration is 911.6 cm, and value prediction by the neural network is 896.4 cm, between which two values the error is 1.67%. The results reveal that the backpropagation neural network based on the FAO56 Penman–Monteith method can accurately predict evapotranspiration. However, the correlation coefficient between the actual evaporation in 2004 and the value prediction by the neural network with a hidden layer of ten nodes and an output layer with the pan evaporation as its target output is 0.708. The pan evaporation is 1,673.1 cm, while the value predicted by the backpropagation neural network is 1,451.7 cm, between which values the error is 13.23%. The backpropagation neural networks with pan evaporation as target outputs predict the evaporation with large errors. Moreover, the use of four agricultural weather factors (determined by the GI) including wind speed, average temperature, dew point and maximum temperature as input variables, and a hidden layer of three nodes in the backpropagation neural network model can successfully predict evapotranspiration based on the FAO56 Penman–Monteith method (R = 0.98, error = 1.35%).     

A non-destructive method for rapid evaluation of boiling quality of potato tubers

A non-destructive method for rapid evaluation of boiling quality of potatoes has been developed. The method is based on the degree of sloughing, after-cooking darkening and colour of tuber fractions (cores of 1.3 cm in diameter) cooked in test tubes at 118°C for 25 min. Using sixteen potato cultivars, with 20–30% dry matter content, boiling quality results obtained by the new method were compared to sloughing and after-cooking darkening values obtained by boiling quartered tubers in aluminum sauce pans on a standard electric stove. The correlation coefficient between sloughing data obtained by the two methods was 0.912 (P< -0.001). The new method has proven to be simple, reproducible and highly suitable for evaluating a large number of potato samples. This should make it attractive for routine use by potato breeders.     

Climate Change and Potato Production in Contrasting South African Agro-ecosystems 1. Effects on Land and Water Use Efficiencies

Explorations of the impact of climate change on potential potato yields were obtained by downscaling the projections of six different coupled climate models to high spatial resolution over southern Africa. The simulations of daily maximum and minimum temperatures, precipitation, wind speed, and solar radiation were used as input to run the crop growth model LINTUL-Potato. Pixels representative for potato growing areas were selected for four globally occurring agro-ecosystems: rainy and dry winter and summer crops. The simulated inter-annual variability is much greater for rainfall than for temperature. Reference evapotranspiration and radiation are projected to hardly decline over the 90-year period, whilst temperatures are projected to rise significantly by about 1.9 °C. From literature, it was found that radiation use efficiency of potato increased with elevated CO₂ concentrations by almost 0.002 g?MJ^?1?ppm^?1. This ratio was used to calculate the CO₂ effect on yields between 1960 and 2050, when CO₂ concentration increases from 315 to 550 ppm. Within this range, evapotranspiration by the potato crop was reduced by about 13% according to literature. Simulated yield increase was strongest in the Mediterranean-type winter crop (+37%) and least under Mediterranean summer (+12%) and relatively warm winter conditions (+14%) closer to the equator. Water use efficiency also increased most in the cool rainy Mediterranean winter (+45%) and least so in the winter crop closer to the equator (+14%). It is concluded from the simulations that for all four agro-ecosystems possible negative effects of rising temperatures and reduced availability of water for potato are more than compensated for by the positive effect of increased CO₂ levels on water use efficiency and crop productivity.     

Physiological changes during seed development of cuphea

Cuphea (Cuphea viscosissima Jacq. x C. lanceolata W.T. Aiton, PSR23) is a new oilseed being developed in the north-central USA. Cuphea oil is high in medium-chain fatty acids suitable for detergent/cleaner applications and has potential for use in cosmetics. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of seed development on seed moisture, weight, oil content, fatty acid composition, germination, and vigor. Two thousand cuphea flowers were tagged at anthesis in the field each year at Prosper, ND, in 2004, 2005, and 2006. Each flower that developed into a seed capsule was tagged and labeled with the date of anthesis. Two hundred developed capsules from the labeled flowers were harvested at 3 to 4-day intervals from 5- to 35 days post anthesis corresponding with 37 to 295 growing degree days (GDD). The GDD were calculated using a base temperature of 10 °C. Seed development required approximately 253 GDD or 30 days post anthesis to reach physiological maturity. Maximum seed germination was reached at 33 days post anthesis. Seed oil content increased and oil composition changed as seed matured. Seed oil was high in linoleic and palmitic acids from 0 to 10 days post anthesis and declined thereafter while capric acid began to accumulate at 10 days post anthesis and reached above 70% at physiological maturity.     

US-8 and US-11 genotypes ofPhytophthora infestans from potato and tomato respond differently to commercial fungicides

Isolates ofPhytophthora infestans collected in Canada in 1997 from both potatoes and tomatoes, were tested on potato leaf discs for their response to an equal active ingredient concentration (10 μg a.i./mL) of the following commercial fungicides: Acrobat MZ (Dimethomorph and Mancozeb), Ridomil Gold (metalaxyl-m), Dithane (Mancozeb), Curzate (Cymoxanil), Bravo (Chlorothalonil), and Tattoo C (Propamocarb and Chlorothalonil). Relative percent leaf infection values, estimated on fungicide-treated vs fungicide-free leaf discs, were compared among isolates from the US-8 and US-11 genotypes isolated from the two host plants. Based on an equal concentration of each fungicide’s active ingredients, variations in relative percent leaf infection were recorded between US-8 and US-11 genotypes, and between potato and tomato isolates within each genotype. Bravo and Tattoo C used with similar active ingredients concentrations were the most inhibitory to all groups of isolates. Dithane and Ridomil Gold provided uniform low inhibition againstP. infestans when tested on potato leaf discs. The different behavior ofP. infestans isolates from potato vs tomato suggests that management of late blight in these two important crops must take such differences into consideration. In particular, the nature and concentration of the fungicides to be applied must take into account any information available about genotypes present on each crop.     

Estimating Crop Coefficient in Intermittent Irrigation Paddy Fields Using Excel Solver

The current study proposes a novel method using Excel Solver to estimate,from limited data,crop coefficient(Kc) in paddy fields under intermittent irrigation(II).The proposed method was examined in a field experiment conducted at Karang Sari Village,Bekasi,West Java,Indonesia during the first rice season of 2007/2008(December 2007 to April 2008) in the rainy season.As the control,continuous flooding irrigation(CF) was applied to the conventional rice cultivation fields.Based on the observed water storage,Excel Solver was used to estimate crop evapotranspiration.Estimated crop evapotranspiration was used to compute Kc value,then the average Kc values at each growth stage were compared with that for the CF treatment.The estimation method was evaluated by comparing estimated crop evapotranspiration and the crop evapotranspiration derived by the well established FAO procedure.Excel Solver estimated crop evapotranspiration accurately with R2 values higher than 0.81.Accordingly,more than 81% of the FAO crop evapotranspiration was described by the proposed method.Thus,Kc value could be well determined from those estimated crop evapotranspiration.Under the II treatment,the average Kc values were 0.70,1.06,1.24 and 1.22 for the initial,crop development,reproductive and late stages,respectively.These values were lower than those under the CF treatment for initial and crop development stages because of a minimal soil evaporation and intense dryness during these stages.However,average Kc values under the II treatment were higher than those under the CF treatment at the reproductive and late stages,indicating that the II treatment promoted more plant activity particularly for dry biomass production as indicated by a greater number of tillers per hill.     

灌溉策略对冬小麦水分利用和生长的影响

为探究不同灌溉策略下冬小麦水分利用和生长的情况,在总灌溉量相同的前提下设置拔节水+开花水单次参比蒸散30%灌溉(W1)、拔节水+开花水单次参比蒸散60%灌溉(W2)和拔节水+开花水大水漫灌(W3)3种灌溉策略,利用称重式蒸渗仪和diviner 2000研究了不同灌溉策略下冬小麦的耗水动态、蒸散特征和水分利用效率。结果表明,大水漫灌处理(W3)下冬小麦主要利用上层(0～50 cm)土壤水分,而低速率灌溉(W2和W1)处理增强了植株根系对深层(70～100 cm)土壤水分的吸收;同时,低速率灌溉可以降低蒸散速率,W3、W2和W1的日蒸散速率最大值在拔节水灌溉期间分别为13.20、10.82和10.58 mm·d^-1,在开花水灌溉期间分别为15.10、10.57和9.10 mm·d^-1,其中低速率灌溉主要降低了单日蒸散的午间高峰值,减少了无效耗水。大水漫灌处理不利于生长后期株高的增加,而低速率灌溉不仅有利于株高的形成,也有利于叶片维持较高水平且稳定的SPAD值,保证了籽粒灌浆,使得W2处理的穗粒数和千粒重较W3处理分别提高7.25%和3.93%。综合来看,低速率灌溉策略通过低量持续的供水改变了冬小麦植株根系对土壤水利用的层次,减少无效水蒸散,维持叶片稳定的光合能力,提高了产量和水分利用效率。