Effects of cattle grazing on herbage quality in a herbaceous Mediterranean rangeland

The main objective of this study was to determine to what extent grazing pressure and timing modulate the seasonal progression of herbage quality in hilly Mediterranean grassland systems. The study was conducted during six consecutive years between 2003 and 2008 at the Karei Deshe experimental farm, in eastern Galilee, Israel, dominated by rich hemicryptophytic grassland. Treatments included two different grazing intensities, heavy and moderate, with 1·1 and 0·55 cows ha^?1, respectively, and management that included a continuous and a seasonal stocking system that was divided at both intensities into early and late grazing. Herbage samples were analysed for digestibility, crude protein, neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre contents. Significant differences in herbage quality were found between seasons and years. Herbage quality was significantly higher in paddocks grazed continuously or early in the season. Herbage quality increased with increasing grazing intensity as younger herbage and continued re‐growth were maintained during the green season. The greater difference between herbage qualities was found at the peak of the growing season. The significant differences found in herbage quality emphasize the importance of the decision‐making process aimed at improving cattle grazing management in Mediterranean rangelands and its consequences for the sustainability of the system.     

Responses of wheat and barley to liming on a sandy soil with subsoil acidity

A 3 years field trial examined the effect of newly and previously applied lime on the growth and yield of two near-isogenic wheat genotypes differing only in aluminium (Al) tolerance (Triticum aestivum L. Al-sensitive line ES8 and Al-tolerant line ET8), and barley (Hordeum vulgare cv. Mundak) on an acid soil (pH_CaCl2 4.6 in 0–10 cm and pH 4.1–4.3 in 10–40 cm) in the medium rainfall region of Western Australia. The trial consisted of four lime treatments: (i) no lime control; (ii) surface liming at 1.5 t ha⁻¹ in 1999; (iii) surface liming at 2.5 t ha⁻¹ in 1984; (iv) liming in 1984 and re-liming in 1999. Wheat crops were grown in 1999 and 2001, and barley was grown in 2000.

Liming in 1984 increased the pH in both topsoil and subsoil and decreased toxic Al in the subsoil. Liming in 1999 largely increased soil pH in the 0–10 cm in previously unlimed and limed plots, but only slightly increased the pH in 10–20 cm 2 years after application. In 1999, there was an overall 14% grain yield increase by growing ET8, mostly due to much better performance (41%) of ET8 over ES8 in the treatment with surface liming in 1999. In 2001, ET8 had yield 24% higher in the no lime control and 14% higher in the treatment with liming in 1999 compared with ES8. While both genotypes had similar root length density in the topsoil, root length density in acid subsoil was 22–160% higher for ET8 than for ES8. Wheat genotypes produced 23–24% higher yield due to the liming in 1984 compared to the no lime control. In 2000 season, shoot biomass of barley increased by 45–70% in the limed treatments compared with the no lime control. Liming at 2.5 t ha⁻¹ in 1984 or liming at 1.5 t ha⁻¹ in 1999 increased yield by 25%. Liming in 1984 and re-liming in 1999 increased the yield by over 50%. The results suggest that surface liming can ameliorate subsoil acidity as measured 15–17 years after application, and that growing an Al-tolerant crop in combination with surface liming provides a good strategy to combat subsoil acidity. The genotypic variation in response to liming appears to result from the difference in the sensitivity of root proliferation to low pH and high Al.     

Effects of livestock breed and grazing intensity on biodiversity and production in grazing systems. 4. Effects on animal diversity

Finding an optimal balance between livestock production and grazing impact on animal diversity is important for the development of sustainable grazing systems. This paper tests the hypothesis that extensification of grazing management enhances animal diversity. Similar treatments were applied over a period of three years to sites in the UK, France, Germany and Italy. There were three treatments at each site: moderate grazing intensity with a commercial breed (MC), lenient grazing intensity with a commercial breed (LC) and lenient grazing intensity with a traditional breed (LT). Animal diversity was studied at the species level for birds, hares, butterflies and grasshoppers, and at higher taxonomic level for ground-dwelling arthropods. Bird and hare numbers were low and showed no overall treatment effects. Species richness and abundance of butterflies and grasshoppers were higher for treatment LC than for treatment MC, both for species preferring short open grasslands and those preferring tall grasslands. There was no difference in the impact of commercial or traditional breeds. Most ground-dwelling arthropod groups did not show consistent treatment effects but some taxa showed site-specific responses, generally indicating a greater abundance at lenient grazing intensity. Overall, the study showed that lenient grazing intensity enhanced animal diversity on grasslands at a small scale within 3 years. By comparison, the effect of livestock breed differences was negligible. Follow-up research is needed to elucidate the processes leading to increased biodiversity in patch mosaics and to establish the generality of these findings at larger spatial scales and longer time scales.     

Effects of livestock breed and grazing intensity on biodiversity and production in grazing systems. 2. Diet selection

Reduction in grazing intensity and the use of traditional instead of commercial breeds have frequently been recommended to meet biodiversity and production goals in sustainable grazing systems. The impact of such practices within a range of contrasting grassland vegetation types was studied. This paper describes the effects on foraging behaviour in a study conducted over three years on mesotrophic or semi-natural grasslands in UK (steers), Germany (steers), France (heifers) and Italy (sheep). Three treatments were performed: (i) a moderate grazing intensity using a commercial breed, (ii) a more lenient grazing intensity with a commercial breed and (iii) a more lenient intensity with a traditional breed. Livestock at all sites preferentially selected bites containing legumes and forbs, and also short rather than tall vegetative patches. Grazing intensity affected not only diet consumed, largely reflecting the different availabilities of dietary components, but also some differences in diet selection. Livestock grazing the more productive mesotrophic grasslands more frequently exploited short patches of higher nutritive value, which is expected to reinforce the spatial heterogeneity of the pastures. Studies in the UK and Germany also revealed that steers showed a more pronounced selection for short patches at the lenient grazing intensity. More homogeneous grazing by livestock on the semi-natural grasslands with fine-scale heterogeneity is likely to decrease their spatial heterogeneity. There were few differences in the choices made by commercial and traditional breed livestock. North Devon steers in the UK expressed a greater selection for tall grass-forb bites than Charolais × Holstein crossbreds, whereas traditional breeds appeared slightly less selective than commercial breeds at the other three sites.     

Effects of a mixture of NAA+BA on numbers and growth rates of tubers ofSolanum tuberosum L.

Summary A mixture of NAA at 10 mg 1¹+BA at 1 mg 1¹ caused increases in growth rates of treated tubers of potato. Sub-irrigation and foliage sprays with the same mixture caused tuber initiation and increased the growth rates of some of the tubers. In a field study substantial increases in tuber number and final tuber volume per plant were recorded.

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Zusammenfassung Die Faktoren, die die Knollenbildung und Wachstumsrate bestimmen, sind wenig bekannt. Die ?usserliche Anwendung verschiedener Wachstumsregulatoren, die getrennt auf Einzelknollen von Pflanzen, die in Spezialbeh?ltern wuchsen (Abb. 1), aufgetragen wurden, brachte wenig Ergebnisse, die kommerziell nützlich sein konnten. Eine Mischung aus NAA (10 mg/l) und BA (1 mg/l), in der selben Weise angewendet, schien jedoch das Wachstum der meisten behandelten Knollen zu f?rdern (Abb. 2). In einem 2. Versuch wurde die gleiche Mischung direkt auf ausgesuchte Knollen gegeben und es zeigte sich wieder eine Wachstumssteigerung bei einigen (Abb. 3d-f). Wurden die Wurzeln mit dieser Mischung behandelt, so beschleunigte sich das Wachstum einiger Knollen und in zwei von drei Pflanzen wurde das Wachstum des Knollenansatzes gef?rdert (Abb. 3g-j). Blattspritzungen führten zu einer starken Knollenbildung (Abb. 3k-m). In einem dritten Versuch wurden pro Woche 3 oder 7 Mal die Stengel gespritzt und das führte zu einem signifikanten Anstieg in der Knollenzahl und im Gesamtknollenvolumen/Pflanze (Tab. 2). Abweichungen von den genannten Konzentrationen oder im Verh?ltnis der beiden Wachstumsregulatoren ergaben einen Wirkungsverlust. Der Wirkungsmechanismus ist noch nicht gekl?rt.

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Résumé Les facteurs qui contr?lent la tubérisation et la croissance des tubercules ne sont pas très bien compris. Plusieurs substances régulatrices de la croissance ont été appliquées seules sur des tubercules de plantes cultivées dans des unités spéciales (fig. 1), mais peu d'information commercialement utilisable n'a p? en être tiré. Toutefois, un mélange de NAA (10 mg 1¹) plus BA (1 mg 1¹) appliqué de la même fa?on semble stimuler la croissance de la plupart des tubercules traités (fig. 2). Dans une seconde expérimentation, des applications du même mélange, faites encore directement sur les tubercules sélectionnés, favorisent la croissance de certains d'entre eux. Appliqué sur les racines, le mélange favorise la croissance de quelques tubercules ainsi que le début de tubérisation sur deux ou trois plantes (fig. 3g-j). Pulvérisé sur le feuillage, le mélange provoque une importante tubérisation (fig. 3k-m). Dans une troisième expérimentation en plein champ, la pulvérisation sur le feuillage trois à des accroissements significatifs du nombre de tubercules (tableau 2). Lorsqu'on s'écarte des concentrations établies ou du rapport des deux substances de croissance, ces effets disparaissent. Les mécanismes impliqués ne sont pas compris.

     

环境及栽培措施对作物根系发育的影响

综述了环境（土壤、光、温度和重金属）及栽培措施（耕作方式、施肥、调节剂和水分）对作物根系生长发育、形态结构、生理生化的影响,并提出“根一苗”关系、“根一冠”关系以及环境和农艺措施对根系的调节效应为该研究领域的主要研究方向和关键问题。     

2010年南平市异常气候对烤烟生长发育和产量的影响

通过分析2010年南平市烤烟生长发育期间气温、降水、日照3个主要气候因子对烤烟生产的影响,结果表明：3月平均气温、光照和降雨正常,但出现的冰雹对部分烤烟造成灾害;4月低温多雨,不利于烟株早生快发;5月多剧烈天气,冰雹、大风、强雷电等强对流天气多发,灾情较严重,对烤烟造成重大不利影响;6-7月光照不足,低温多雨不利于干物质累积,影响品质;6月中、下旬南平市出现持续性暴雨、大暴雨、局部特大暴雨,各县市均出现严重的洪涝灾害,给烤烟生产造成了严重损失。总体来说,2010年南平市烤烟生产的农业气候条件较差,烟叶产量和质量都下降。     

Effects of pre-treatment, renovation procedure and cultivar on the growth of white clover sown into a permanent pasture under both grazing and mowing regimes

White clover ( Trifolium repens ) is a valuable pasture component that is frequently present in insufficient quantity for optimal animal nutrition. Several methods of reintroducing white clover into a permanent pasture without conventional tillage were investigated. Three seeders (Hunter, Vredo and a conventional seed drill), two white clover cultivars (Sacramento, and Sonja), two pasture pre-treatments (a hard spring grazing or grazing plus light harrowing) and two defoliation regimes (grazing or mowing) were used to determine optimal seedling establishment conditions. Defoliation treatments were used as a method of investigating pasture improvement experiments. Measurements were taken to determine proportion of white clover present and total herbage mass.
Plots renovated using a Hunter drill had the highest white clover content in the months immediately after renovation. Subsequently pre-treatment method appeared to have no significant effect on herbage mass or species composition. The proportion of white clover in plots sown with the cultivar Sacramento was frequently higher than that in plots sown with the cultivar Sonja, but, overall, herbage production of cultivars was not different.
Mowed plots had higher herbage production and tended towards a greater white clover content than grazed plots. Compaction of the surface to a depth of 10 cm in the grazed plots may have been a factor in the observed difference in herbage production. Regardless of management, within two years white clover content was similar among all treatments, including controls.     

Effects of livestock breed and grazing intensity on biodiversity and production in grazing systems. 1. Nutritive value of herbage and livestock performance

Reduction of grazing intensity and the use of traditional instead of commercial breeds has frequently been recommended to meet biodiversity and production goals in sustainable grazing systems in Europe. To test the impact of such practices across a range of contrasting grassland types, integrated measurements of foraging behaviour, agronomic production and botanical, structural and invertebrate biodiversity were made over three years on four sites in the UK, Germany, France and Italy. The sites in the UK and Germany were mesotrophic grassland with high productivity and low to moderate initial levels of plant diversity, and were grazed by cattle. The French site was a semi‐natural, species‐rich grassland grazed by cattle. The Italian site contained a wider range in plant diversity, from species‐rich to mesotrophic grassland, and was grazed by sheep. The treatments were: MC, moderate grazing intensity with a commercial breed – this was designed to utilize herbage growth for optimum livestock production; LC, lenient grazing intensity with a commercial breed – this was designed to increase biodiversity by not fully utilizing herbage growth; and LT, lenient grazing intensity with a traditional breed – this was also designed to increase biodiversity. Neither fertilizers nor pesticides were applied. The nutritive value of the herbage and the performance of the livestock were measured. Mean stocking rates were proportionately 0·30–0·40 lower and mean sward heights and herbage mass on offer were 0·30–0·50 higher on the LC and LT treatments compared with the MC treatment. The proportion of live and dead material, and leaves and stems in the herbage, its chemical composition and nutritive value were little affected by the treatments. Individual livestock performance, measured as liveweight gain, showed no consistent response to treatment. In Germany, performance on the MC treatment was slightly lower than on the LC and LT treatments but no such difference was found on the sites in the other countries. Livestock breed did not have a strong effect on livestock performance. In the UK and France the traditional breeds had a lower performance but this was not the case in Germany or Italy. Livestock performance per ha of the LC and LT treatments was up to 0·40 lower than of the MC treatment. It is concluded that biodiversity‐targeted extensive grazing systems have potential to be integrated into intensive livestock production systems because the individual livestock performance reaches a similar level compared to a moderate grazing intensity. Traditional breeds did not have a production advantage over commercial breeds on extensively managed pastures.     

乙烯利浸种对甘蔗苗期生长及生理生化特性的影响

本试验采用3种不同浓度乙烯利溶液（0mg/L、100mg/L,400mg/L)分别对中熟品种桂糖15号（G15）和早熟品种新台糖20号（ROC20）在下种前进行24h浸种处理后进行砂培试验，结果表明：用乙烯利溶液浸种处理后的一个月内，内蔗糖幼苗 1叶中的生长素（IAA）、赤霉素（GA3）、玉米素（Zeatin)含量显著降低，应激内源乙烯含量上升，光合速率下降，并且提高了叶片含水量，细胞膜透性，过氧化物酶和中性转化酶的活性，降低了水溶性蛋白质含量和酸性转化酶的活性，从而使甘蔗苗期生长受到抑制，假茎高，叶面积、地上部干重和根系活力下降，且浓度越高，抑制越明显。     

盐胁迫对杂交稻隆两优华占及其亲本种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响

以杂交稻组合隆两优华占及其2个亲本隆科638S和华占为试验材料,萌发期设置6个NaCl质量分数梯度(0.2％、0.4％、0.6％、0.8％、1.0％和1.2％)和苗期设置3个NaCl质量分数梯度(0.4％、0.8％和1.2％)来模拟盐胁迫试验,以清水为对照,分析盐胁迫对杂交稻及其亲本种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响.结果表明,...     

武平县2个桉树品种前期生长及抗冻性

对武平县尾叶桉U6、巨尾桉DH3229 2个桉树品种前期（1、2和3年）生长及抗冻害能力进行了对比分析。结果表明：1年生尾叶桉U6的胸径、树高均极显著地大于巨尾桉DH3229;2年生巨尾桉DH3229抗冻害能力极显著地大于尾叶桉U6;3年生巨尾桉DH3229的胸径、树高均极显著地大于尾叶桉U6。综合2个桉树品种前期生长及抗冻害情况,武平县发展桉树速丰林宜选择巨尾桉DH3229。     

Effects of free air carbon dioxide enrichment and nitrogen supply on growth and yield of winter barley cultivated in a crop rotation

The increase in atmospheric CO₂ concentration [CO₂] has been demonstrated to stimulate growth of C₃ crops. Although barley is one of the important cereals of the world, little information exists about the effect of elevated [CO₂] on grain yield of this crop, and realistic data from field experiments are lacking. Therefore, winter barley was grown within a crop rotation over two rotation cycles (2000 and 2003) at present and elevated [CO₂](375 ppm and 550 ppm) and at two levels of nitrogen supply (adequate (N2): 262 kg ha⁻¹ in 1st year and 179 kg ha⁻¹ in 2nd year) and 50% of adequate (N1)). The experiments were carried out in a free air CO₂ enrichment (FACE) system in Braunschweig, Germany. The reduction in nitrogen supply decreased seasonal radiation absorption of the green canopy under ambient [CO₂] by 23%, while CO₂ enrichment had a positive effect under low nitrogen (+8%). Radiation use efficiency was increased by CO₂ elevation under both N levels (+12%). The CO₂ effect on final above ground biomass was similar for both nitrogen treatments (N1: +16%; N2: +13%). CO₂ enrichment did not affect leaf biomass, but increased ear and stem biomass. In addition, final stem dry weight was higher under low (+27%) than under high nitrogen (+13%). Similar findings were obtained for the amount of stem reserves available during grain filling. Relative CO₂ response of grain yield was independent of nitrogen supply (N1: +13%; N2: +12%). The positive CO₂ effect on grain yield was primarily due to a higher grain number, while changes of individual grain weight were small. This corresponds to the findings that under low nitrogen grain growth was unaffected by CO₂ and that under adequate nitrogen the positive effect on grain filling rate was counterbalanced by shortening of grain filling duration.     

Effect of high protein rice on nitrogen retention and growth of preschool children on a rice-based diet

The effect of high protein milled rices (IR480-5-9 and IR2153-338-3, 10% protein) on the nitrogen retention and growth of preschool Indian children was assessed in two feeding trials in a residential home. The children were offered, ad libitum, a rice-based diet in four meals daily without vitamin and mineral supplement. The children in the experimental group were given the high protein rice; those in the control group were given a local rice (7% protein). The groups had similar percent apparent digestibility and retention of dietary nitrogen. Statistically significant differences in increase in height and weight between the two groups were not consistently observed at the end of 4.5 to 5 months or 1 year. Possible factors contributing to these results are discussed.     

繁殖方法对滇I型粳稻不育系群体中可育株类型和频率的影响

连续4a调查了以袋繁和自繁方式生产的4个滇I型不育系的11个群体,发现可育株的出现频率为0.087 1%.其表型与相应保持系一致.采用测交和分子标记技术分析了这些可育株的基因型,发现袋繁不育系群体存在核恢复基因位点基因型为r矿的保持株和Rf/rf的回复株2种类型,而自繁不育系群体还新出现基因型为RfRf的纯合株类型.与袋繁群体比,自繁群体出现可育株的频率提高了74.7%.其中保持株频率提高了42.6%,回复株频率提高了149.3%.基于不育系繁殖方法不同,不育系中出现可育株混杂的几率不同,为获得高纯度的不育系种子,滇I型不育系繁殖应在袋繁基础上,扩大自繁群体,减少自繁次数.     

Investigations on sprout growth in cv. Maris Piper: tuber wounding effects and growth from tuber cores of different dimensions

Summary Sprout dry weight accumulation was stimulated by an increase in the amount of tuber substrate available. Wounding had an additional promotory effect on both dry weight accumulation and extension growth. Sprout dry weight accumulation from tuber cores of the same fresh weight was enhanced by an increase in the diameter of the core when samples were planted either in perlite or UC compost. In compost, elongation rates of both main and branch sprouts were inversely related to core fresh weight but positively related to core diameter when fresh weight was kept constant. The number of branch sprouts per eye was positively related to core fresh weight.

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Zusammenfassung Der Verlauf des Keimwachstums wurde mit Knollen, die in verschiedenen Abst?nden vom keimenden Auge verletzt waren. untersucht. Die Inkubation erfolgte bei 12°C im Dunkeln in feuchtem ‘University of California’ Kompost. Obwohl die Steigerung des Keimtrockengewichtes mit der Zunahme an verfügbarem Knollensubstrat erh?ht wurde, hatte die Verletzung noch einen zus?tzlichen steigernden Einfluss, sowohl auf das Keimtrockengewicht als auch auf das L?ngenwachstum, das noch st?rker gef?rdert wurde (Abb. 1). Wahrscheinlich sind sowohl das Ausmass der Verletzung als auch der Abstand der Verletzung vom Keim wichtig in bezug auf den Wachstumseinfluss. Der Einfluss der Gr?sse der Knollenstücke auf das Keimwachstum wurde ebenfalls untersucht. Zus?tzlich zu der positiven Wirkung des steigenden Knollenstückgewichtes auf die Erh?hung des Keimtrockengewichtes zeigte sich noch ein weiterer Einfluss durch eine Vergr?sserung des Knollenstückdurchmessers (Abb. 2). Wurden die Knollenstücke in Kompost gepflanzt, zeigte sich in bezug auf das L?ngenwachstum sowohl der Haupt-als auch der Seitentriebe ein umgekehrtes Verh?ltnis zum Frischgewicht der Knollenstücke, aber ein positives zum Durchmesser der Knollenstücke bei konstantem Frischgewicht (Abb. 3). Die Zahl der Seitentriebe pro Auge war mit dem Frischgewicht der Knollenstücke positiv korreliert.

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Résumé La cinétique de la croissance du germe a été étudiée à l'aide de tubercules blessés à différentes distances des yeux, en maintenant des explantats à 12°C et à l'obscurité, dans un compost humide mis au point à l'Université de Californie. Bien que l'accumulation de matière sèche dans le germe ait été stimulée par l'augmentation du substrat assimilable provenant des gros explantats, la blessure a provoqué un effet cumulatif sur la teneur en matière sèche du germe et, de fa?on plus conséquente, sur son élongation (fig. 1). Il semble que l'importance de la blessure ainsi que sa distance par rapport à l'oeil jouent un r?le déterminant sur le dégré de réponse du germe. Des expériences ont également été réalisées sur des fragments de tubercules pour déterminer l'effet de la dimension de l'explantat sur la croissance du germe. En plus de l'effet positif sur la teneur en matière sèche, d? à l'augmentation du poids de l'explantat, on a observé un effet favorable lorsque le diamètre de ce dernier était plus élevé (fig. 2). Après plantation dans le compost, le taux d'élongation du germe principal et des germes ramifiés tendait à être inversé par rapport au poids frais de l'expplantat mais restait positif par rapport à son diamètre, à poids frais égal (fig. 3). Le nombre de ramifications par oeil était en relation directe avec le poinds frais de l'explantat.

     

不同光质和光照度对寒地水稻秧苗素质的影响

以适合寒地种植不同生育期的水稻品种(系)为试验材料,在苗期设置不同光质和光照度的LED灯光照射处理,研究光对寒地水稻秧苗生长的影响,以期为寒地在冬季实现室内培育水稻提供参考。结果表明,两种光质处理对水稻秧苗的影响相似;不同水稻品种对光的反应有所差异,但提高光照度后水稻秧苗有叶龄进程加快、根数增多、茎基变宽、地上部干质量和根干质量增加、壮苗指数提高的趋势,适当增加光照度有利于培育水稻壮苗。与对照相比,光照度1 700 lx左右时水稻秧苗素质较差,光照度3 500 lx左右时水稻秧苗素质相近,光照度5 300 lx左右时水稻秧苗素质显著提高。     

The effects of nitrogen and iron fertilization on growth,yield and fertilizer use efficiency of soybean in a Mediterranean-type soil

Poor seed yield of soybean in Mediterranean-type environments may result from insufficient iron (Fe) uptake and poor biological nitrogen (N) fixation due to high bicarbonate and pH in soils. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of N and Fe fertilization on growth and yield of double cropped soybean (cv. SA 88, MG III) in a Mediterranean-type environment in Turkey during 2003 and 2004. The soil of the experimental plots was a Vertisol with 176 g CaCO₃ kg⁻¹ and pH 7.7 and 17 g organic matter kg⁻¹ soil. Soybean seeds were inoculated prior to planting with commercial peat inoculants. N fertilizer rates were 0, 40, 80, and 120 kg N ha⁻¹ of which half was applied before planting and the other half at full blooming stage (R2). Fe fertilizer rates were 0, 200 and 400 g Fe EDTA (5.5% Fe and 2% EDTA) ha⁻¹. It was sprayed as two equal portions at two trifoliate (V2) and at five trifoliate stages (V5). Plants were sampled at flower initiation (R1), at full pod (R4) and at full seed (R6) stages. Application of starter N increased biomass and leaf area index at R1 stage whereas Fe fertilization did not affect early growth parameters. N application continued to have a positive effect on growth parameters at later stages and on seed yield. Fe fertilization increased growth parameters at R4 and R6 stages, and final seed yield in both years. This study demonstrated an interactive effect of N and Fe fertilization on growth and yield of soybean in the soil having high bicarbonate and pH. There was a positive interaction between N and Fe at the N rates up to 80 kg N ha⁻¹. However, further increase in N rate produced a negative interaction. Fertilization of soybean with 80 kg N ha⁻¹ and 400 g Fe ha⁻¹ resulted in the highest seed yield in both years. We concluded that application of starter and top dressed N in combination with two split FeEDTA fertilization can be beneficial to improve early growth and final yield of inoculated soybean in Mediterranean-type soils.     

Growth and yield studies of potato development in a semi-arid region. 2. Effect of water stress and amounts of nitrogen top dressing on growth of several cultivars

Summary Five potato cultivars were subjected to water deficits as well as to excess water and to corresponding amounts of nitrogen top dressing (N.t.) applied in the irrigation water. The rates of growth in response to water-N. t. were highest for all cultivars whenK _p=1.06 (pan evaporation coefficient) and N.t=173 kg/ha. In the drier treatments (0.87>K _p>0.14 and 127>N.t.>12 kg/ha) and in the wetter treatment (K _p=1.27; N.t.=201 kg/ha), the growth rates decreased. The cultivars differed in their haulm size, especially atK _p=1.0, N.t.=173 kg/ha. At 70 days after planting cv. Cardinal had about half the haulm weight of cv. Désirée. Nevertheless, both cultivars exhibited similar bulking rates. On the other hand, cv. Spunta, which had high bulking rates at the earlier stage of growth, had a marked advantage in yield production in the drier treatments (K _p=0.29−0.14; N.t.=44−12 kg/ha). The maximum leaf area indices (LAI) were obtained atK _p=1.06, N.t.=173 kg/ha and were similar for all cultivars. LAI and leaf area duration (LAD) decreased with increasing water stress. In Cardinal, Désirée, Spunta and cv. Up-to-Date there was a common linear function relating to tuber weigth and to LAD; in cv. Alpha, this function had lower values of tuber weight. Contribution from the Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel. No. 840-E, 1983 Series.     

Effects of pigment glands and gossypol on growth,development and insecticide-resistance of cotton bollworm (Heliothis armigera (Hübner))

Cotton bollworm (Heliothis armigera) is a major pest of cotton and other crops. It is important to understand the mechanisms of insecticide tolerance of cotton bollworm on cotton cultivars with host plant resistance to this insect pest. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of cotton pigment glands and their gossypol on the growth, development and insecticide tolerance of cotton bollworm. Three pairs of cotton isogenic lines with glanded versus glandless leaves, as well as artificial diets with 5 levels of gossypol, were used to raise cotton bollworm larvae for five generations. The growth, development and insecticide tolerance of larvae were studied. The results indicated that the cotton pigment glands and higher levels of gossypol resulted in a significant decrease in larval weights and moth eclosion rates and delayed the development of larvae and pupae. Larvae that fed on glanded cotton leaves were significantly more tolerant to two insecticides, cyhalothin and monocrotophos, than those fed on glandless cotton leaves. LD₅₀ values were only increased where they were in amount per unit body weight, and not where were calculated in amount per individual. Also the insecticide tolerance of cotton bollworm larvae increased as the gossypol content was raised from 0 to 0.225% in artificial diets. Meanwhile, the activities of two detoxifying enzymes, carboxylesterase and glutathione s-transferase, were significantly higher in the larvae fed on glanded cotton leaves than those fed on glandless cotton leaves. The activities of two enzymes also increased greatly with the increase of gossypol content from 0 to 0.225% in artificial diets. Across 5 generations of feeding and investigation, the significant inhibition effect on larval growth and larval tolerance to two pesticides were found to be only associated with the feeding by current generation, but were not related to previous diets. The activities of two detoxifying enzymes in larvae were also not enhanced significantly when they were fed continuously on glanded cotton leaves or artificial diet with high gossypol. These results indicated that pigment glands and higher levels of gossypol not only inhibited the growth of cotton bollworm larvae but also enhanced their insecticide tolerance. However, the inhibition effect and enhanced insecticide tolerance were inducible but could not be accumulated or inherited. These results will help us better understand the interaction and co-evolution of insecticide tolerance in larvae of cotton bollworm and host chemical components, and also has provided useful information on cotton bollworm management in cotton production, especially in glandless cotton.