Influence of genotype on phosphate uptake and utilization efficiencies in spring barley

To investigate the genetic variation of phosphate (P) uptake and P utilization efficiency, 24 high-yielding spring barley cultivars were grown in two pot experiments on a loess loam-sand mixture. In the first experiment, the plants grew until maturity under P stress (50% of the maximum yield), and in the second experiment, the plants grew until the stage of tillering (DC 25) at a low or at a high P supply.

At maturity, the range between cultivars with the highest and the lowest values were 30% for total dm yield (grain and straw), 28% for grain yield, 24% for P uptake efficiency (P in grain and straw), 26% for P concentration in grains and 24% for P utilization efficiency quotient PEQ (g dm grain per mg P in shoots) (mean of all cultivars = 100%). Grain yield was correlated with P uptake per plant, r = 0.71^***, and with PEQ, r = 0.60^**. Between P uptake and PEQ, there was only a weak relationship (r = −0.14). Therefore, a combination of high uptake efficiency and high PEQ in a cultivar may be possible.

At growth stage DC 25, the cultivars showed a significant variability in shoot biomass, P concentration, P removal, P influx, acitvity of acid phophatases (P_ase) and root length. The ranking of the cultivars, however, was very different at the two P levels, but the root-length and the P_ase activity were more influenced by genotype than by the P supply.

As the relationships between grain yield, P removal, PEQ and the characters of the young plants cultivated under P stress were very weak (r < 0.43), selection for P efficiency at the stage of tillering cannot be recommended.     

Tillage, cover crops, and nitrogen fertilization effects on soil nitrogen and cotton and sorghum yields

Sustainable soil and crop management practices that reduce soil erosion and nitrogen (N) leaching, conserve soil organic matter, and optimize cotton and sorghum yields still remain a challenge. We examined the influence of three tillage practices (no-till, strip till and chisel till), four cover crops {legume [hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth)], nonlegume [rye (Secaele cereale L.)], vetch/rye biculture and winter weeds or no cover crop}, and three N fertilization rates (0, 60–65 and 120–130 kg N ha⁻¹) on soil inorganic N content at the 0–30 cm depth and yields and N uptake of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. A field experiment was conducted on Dothan sandy loam (fine-loamy, siliceous, thermic, Plinthic Paleudults) from 1999 to 2002 in Georgia, USA. Nitrogen supplied by cover crops was greater with vetch and vetch/rye biculture than with rye and weeds. Soil inorganic N at the 0–10 and 10–30 cm depths increased with increasing N rate and were greater with vetch than with rye and weeds in April 2000 and 2002. Inorganic N at 0–10 cm was also greater with vetch than with rye in no-till, greater with vetch/rye than with rye and weeds in strip till, and greater with vetch than with rye and weeds in chisel till. In 2000, cotton lint yield and N uptake were greater in no-till with rye or 60 kg N ha⁻¹ than in other treatments, but biomass (stems + leaves) yield and N uptake were greater with vetch and vetch/rye than with rye or weeds, and greater with 60 and 120 than with 0 kg N ha⁻¹. In 2001, sorghum grain yield, biomass yield, and N uptake were greater in strip till and chisel till than in no-till, and greater in vetch and vetch/rye with or without N than in rye and weeds with 0 or 65 kg N ha⁻¹. In 2002, cotton lint yield and N uptake were greater in chisel till, rye and weeds with 0 or 60 kg N ha⁻¹ than in other treatments, but biomass N uptake was greater in vetch/rye with 60 kg N ha⁻¹ than in rye and weeds with 0 or 60 kg N ha⁻¹. Increased N supplied by hairy vetch or 120–130 kg N ha⁻¹ increased soil N availability, sorghum grain yield, cotton and sorghum biomass yields, and N uptake but decreased cotton lint yield and lint N uptake compared with rye, weeds or 0 kg N ha⁻¹. Cotton and sorghum yields and N uptake can be optimized and potentials for soil erosion and N leaching can be reduced by using conservation tillage, such as no-till or strip till, with vetch/rye biculture cover crop and 60–65 kg N ha⁻¹. The results can be applied in regions where cover crops can be grown in the winter to reduce soil erosion and N leaching and where tillage intensity and N fertilization rates can be minimized to reduce the costs of energy requirement for tillage and N fertilization while optimizing crop production.     

Water use and water use efficiency of cool season grain legumes in low rainfall Mediterranean-type environments

The water use (E_t) and water use efficiency (WUE) of a range of cool season grain legume species (field pea [Pisum sativum L.], faba bean [Vicia faba L.], chickpea [Cicer arietinum L.], lentil [Lens culinaris Med.], albus lupin [Lupinus albus L.], dwarf chickling [Lathyrus cicera L.], ochrus chickling [Lathyrus ochrus L.], grass pea [Lathyrus sativus L.], narbon bean [Vicia narbonensis L.], common vetch [Vicia sativa L.], and purple vetch [Vicia benghalensis L.]) were examined on fine textured neutral to alkaline soils in the low to medium rainfall Mediterranean-type environments in south-western Australia at Merredin and Mullewa in two seasons. There was no difference in the total E_t between grain legumes at either site in either year. There was also no variation in soil water extraction between species on the shallow sandy loam soil at Merredin. However, C. arietinum, L. sativus and L. cicera had greater water extraction and P. sativum the least water extraction at Mullewa where soil conditions were less hostile and root penetration was not restricted. The pattern of water use varied markedly between the grain legume species examined. Grain yield was positively correlated with post-flowering water use (E_tpa) in both erect (r=0.59) and prostrate (r=0.54) grain legume species. Water use efficiencies for dry matter production (WUE_dm) of up to 30 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹ for V. faba and V. narbonensis at Merredin, and water use efficiencies for grain yield (WUE_gr) of up to 16 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹ for P. sativum and 13 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹ for V. faba at Mullewa, were comparable to those reported for cereals and other grain legumes in previous studies in this and other environments. Potential transpiration efficiencies (TE) of 15 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹ together with soil evaporation (E_s) values of 100–125 mm were estimated in this and associated studies, and can be used as benchmark values to assess the yield potential of cool season grain legume crops in low rainfall Mediterranean-type environments. The major traits of adaptation for grain legume species producing large yields in this short season environment are early flowering, and pod and seed set before the onset of terminal drought. Early phenology together with rapid ground cover and dry matter production allows greater water use in the post flowering period. This leads to greater partitioning of dry matter into seed, which is reflected in greater harvest index (HI) and WUE_gr, as was observed for V. faba and P. sativum. Improvement in the adaptation of other grain legume species to short season Mediterranean-type environments requires increased early growth for rapid ground cover and improved tolerance to low temperatures (especially for C. arietinum) during flowering and podding.     

Spatial and temporal distribution of the root system and root nutrient content of an established Miscanthus crop

Although a high biomass yield is obtained from established Miscanthus crops, previous studies have shown that fertilizer requirements are relatively low. As little information on the role of the Miscanthus roots in nutrient acquisition is available, a study was conducted to gather data on the Miscanthus root system and root nutrient content. Therefore in 1992, the root distribution pattern of an established Miscanthus crop was measured in field trials using the trench profile and the auger methods. Also, in 1994/1995, seasonal changes in root length density (RLD) and root nutrient content were monitored three times during the vegetation period.

The trench profile method showed that roots were present to the maximum depth measured of 250 cm. The top soil (0–30 cm) contained 28% of root biomass, while nearly half of the total roots were present in soil layers deeper than 90 cm. Using the auger method, we found that RLD values in the topsoil decreased with increasing distance from the centre of the plants. Below 30 cm, RLD decreased markedly, and differences in root length in the soil between plants were less pronounced. The total root dry weight down to 180 cm tended to increase from May 1994 (10.6 t ha⁻¹) to November 1994 (13.9 t ha⁻¹) and then decreased again until March 1995 (11.5 t ha⁻¹). Nutrient concentrations in the roots decreased with increasing depth. The concentrations of N (0.7–1.4%) and K (0.6–1.2%) were clearly higher than those of P (0.06–0.17%). The mean values for N, P and K contents of the roots of all three sampling dates in 1994/1995 were 109.2 kg N ha⁻¹, 10.6 kg P ha⁻¹ and 92.5 kg K ha⁻¹.

Although our results showed that RLD values for Miscanthus in the topsoil are lower than for annual crops, the greater rooting depth and the higher RLD of Miscanthus in the subsoil mean that nutrient uptake from the subsoil is potentially greater. This enables Miscanthus crops to overcome periods of low nutrient (and water) availability especially during periods of rapid above-ground biomass growth.     

Monitoring nitrogen forms in soil/plant systems under different fertilizer managements. A preliminary investigation

A field experiment was carried out on maize (Zea mays, L.) to study the effects of different fertilizer management on nitrogen status in soil and plant response. Three different fertilizers, mineral (MN), mineral plus buffalo manure (MN + BM) and organo-mineral with peat (OMP), were added at the usual (140, 61 and 116 kg ha⁻¹) and the reduced (70, 31 and 58 kg ha⁻¹) rates of N, P and K. respectively. Soil samples were analyzed for N by both the Kjeldahl method and the electro-ultrafiltration technique (EUF). The soil Kjeldahl-N concentrations were scarcely affected by the different fertilizer treatments, while the EUF-N concentrations were closely correlated with the amounts of N added. The EUF also discriminated between the NO₃-N and the sum of the ammonium and the easily extractable organic N forms (EUF-N_org + NH₄). The largest proportions of EUF-Norg + NH₄ were found in the untreated plots and in the plots treated with buffalo manure. The different fertilizer treatments significantly affected grain yield, which ranged from a minimum of 6.3 t ha⁻¹ from the untreated plots, to a maximum of 11.9 t ha⁻¹ from those supplied with 140 kg N, 61 kg P and 116 kg K ha⁻¹ by OMP fertilizer. The highest agronomic efficiency index for N was exhibited in the OMP treatment at the reduced rate. The grain yield was closely correlated with the total extractable EUF-N, but different relationships were found between the rate of N added, the level of EUF-NO,-N in soil and grain yield for the different fertilizer treatments.     

The effect of lupins as compared with peas and oats on the yield of the subsequent winter barley crop

New high yielding early maturing cultivars of lupins have been introduced in north-west Europe as grain protein crops in crop rotations. This paper reports on a comparative study of lupins with peas and oats, and of their effect on yield of subsequent winter barley crops. These crops were given five levels of N under irrigated and non-irrigated conditions on sand and loam. Under rain fed conditions the grain yield of pea, oat and lupin varied between 24–36, 34–53 and 18–37 hkg DM ha⁻¹, respectively. Supplemental irrigation raised grain yield of oat to 50–60 hkg DM ha⁻¹, while grain yield in pea was not affected and grain yield in lupin in most cases decreased due to gray mould attack and excessive vegetative growth in the indeterminate lupin variety. Under rain fed conditions, the grain nitrogen content of pea, oat and lupin varied between 137–172, 61–80 and 189–226 kg N ha⁻¹, respectively, and was significantly higher in lupin as compared with pea. On sandy soil, similar low-root densities were found for pea, oat and lupin below 30 cm depth. On sand, at final harvest the residual soil-N of lupin and pea, as measured in a subsequent winter barley crop not supplied with N fertilizer, was 15 and 8–10 kg N ha⁻¹ higher than in winter barley following oat, respectively. The nature of the probably more N-root residues of lupin is discussed. On loam, the residual N of lupin and pea was similar, 18–27 kg N ha⁻¹. On sand, under rain fed conditions preceding lupin and pea as compared with oat, increased the barley grain yield at zero N-application 77 and 49%, respectively; the effect of lupin was significantly higher than that of pea until the highest N-level 120 kg N-application ha⁻¹. On loam under rain fed conditions preceding lupin and pea increased the barley grain yield at zero N-application by 36 and 62%, respectively, as compared with oat; at N-application>60 kg N ha⁻¹ the grain yield was similar after all three crops. For both soil types the same level of effect was found under irrigated conditions. Conclusions: Supplemental irrigation might result in lower grain yield in lupin due to gray mould attack and excessive growth if indeterminate lupin varieties are used. Grain nitrogen yield of lupin is significantly higher than that of pea. On sand, the effect of lupin on the subsequent winter barley grain yield is significantly higher than that of pea, probably due to greater N-root nitrogen residues. On loam, lupin and pea have similar effects on the subsequent winter barley crop.     

Genetic differences for nitrogen uptake and nitrogen utilisation efficiencies in winter wheat

Due to economic and ecological factors, European agricultural practices are likely to go towards extensive systems with lower inputs of nitrogen (N) fertilisers. The objective of this study was to assess varietal differences for N use at two nitrogen levels. A set of 20 winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes was studied over 2 years in northern France on a deep loam soil without (N0) and with 170 kg ha⁻¹ N fertiliser (N+) as ammonium nitrate. Results were consistent on both years as the genotype×year or genotype×year×N level interactions were not significant. The genotype×N level interaction was highly significant except for total N utilisation efficiency (total above-ground dry weight/total above-ground N) and grain N concentration. The genotype×N level interaction for grain yield was mainly due to three contrasting genotypes: Cappelle, a cultivar from the 1940s, had the same yield at N0 and N+; Arche had a high yield at both N levels; and Récital had a high yield with added N and a very low one without N. The number of kernels/ear explained most of the variations of grain yield at N0 (48%) and N+ (80%), and of the interaction (67%). N uptake efficiency (total above-ground N/soil N supply) accounted for 64% of the variation in N use efficiency (grain yield/soil N supply), while at N0 and at N+ it accounted for only 30%. N utilisation efficiency (grain yield/total above-ground N) was then more important at N+ than at N0. Grain N explained most of total plant N variation at both N levels. The interaction for N use efficiency was best explained by the interaction of N uptake (63%). The applications of these results to a breeding programme to create varieties adapted to low-input management systems are discussed.     

小麦成熟期N、P养分利用效率鉴定初探

旨在筛选氮素和磷素高效利用的小麦品种（种质）,为高效小麦育种和肥高效栽培技术提供参考;试验共设3个处理：对照处理(CK)、低氮处理(LN)、低磷处理(LP),根据小麦成熟期籽粒产量,参考小麦良种攻关养分利用效率鉴定公式,计算养分利用效率。结果表明：氮素利用效率鉴定指标(NUI)≥1.300,磷素利用效率鉴定指标(PUI)≥1.100,认定为氮素和磷素养分高效材料。共筛选出20份氮素利用高效材料,分别为‘淄麦28’、‘临麦4号’、‘泰山27’、‘良星66’、‘烟农999’、‘山农23’、‘山农29’、‘山农30’、‘鑫麦296’、‘烟农21’、‘良星517’、‘AN01’、‘烟农173’、‘烟1212’、‘师栾02-1’、‘泰科麦34’、‘泰山28’、‘泰田麦118’、‘烟181’和‘山农25’;共筛选出15份磷素利用高效材料,分别为‘淄麦28’、‘山农23’、‘山农29’、‘山农30’、‘山农20’、‘裕田麦119’、‘良星517’、‘山农111’、‘AN01’、‘烟农19’、‘烟1212’、‘泰科麦34’、‘良星66’、‘山农25’、‘裕田麦118’;共筛选出9份氮磷均高效利用材料,分别为‘淄麦28’、‘山农23’、‘山农29’、‘山农30’、‘良星517’、‘AN01’、‘烟1212’、‘泰科麦34’和‘泰田麦118’。通过计算养分利用效率筛选出的资源高效型品种（系）和种质,为小麦资源高效型品种选育提供理论参考。     

Genetic variation for dry matter and nitrogen accumulation and translocation in two-rowed spring barley II. Nitrogen translocation

An understanding of the partition between pre-anthesis and post-anthesis N uptake and their contribution to total grain N and protein content in spring two-rowed barley (Hordeum vulgare spp. distichum L.) is important to achieve additional breeding progress for both fodder and malting barley. N translocation from the vegetative tissues at anthesis to the kernel, N translocation efficiency, and N harvest index (NHI) were studied in field experiments during 4 years (1995–1998). Plants were harvested at anthesis and maturity and divided into leaf+culm, chaff and grain. Significant cultivar differences in N translocation, N translocation efficiency and NHI were determined. Across cultivars, the highest N translocation was in a favorable year (93 kg ha⁻¹) and the lowest in a year with poor growing conditions (40 kg ha⁻¹). Cultivar differences in N translocation were related to dry matter and pre-anthesis N accumulation (R²>0.70). N translocation efficiency varied more among the cultivars (0.27–0.66) than years (0.47–0.52). Post-anthesis N uptake was negatively correlated (P<0.01) with N translocation. NHI ranged among the cultivars from 0.49 to 0.73 and among the years from 0.57 to 0.74. The cultivars Arapiles, Schooner, Cantala, Kaskade and Pek stored in the grain more than 70% and Hiproly less than 50% of above-ground N at maturity. Translocated N participated with 85, 56, 42, and 61% in grain N in 1995, 1996, 1997, and 1998, respectively. The ratio of translocated N to grain N could be an indicator of growing conditions; a higher ratio indicates good growing conditions over the entire growth period, a lower ratio indicates poor conditions during pre-anthesis, and a medium ratio indicates some temperature and water deviations from the long-term average. Straw N concentration was in significant positive (P<0.01) correlation with N translocation and translocation efficiency. Straw N concentration adequately represents N efficiency utilization for synthesis of grain protein, and because it saves time and money compared to N harvest index determination, it can be used for the testing of breeding materials for the development of new barley cultivars.     

Effect of preceding crop combination and N fertilization on yield of six oil-seed rape cultivars (Brassica napus L.)

Information about the effect of the cropping history on the seed yield of oil-seed rape is extremely scarce. In 1992/93 and 1994/95, the effects of different preceding crop combinations (winter barley and winter wheat as preceding crops, oil-seed rape and wheat as pre-preceding crops) on the yield of six double low oil-seed rape cultivars were examined in a field trial at Hohenschulen Experimental Farm, north-west Germany. In addition, eight nitrogen treatments (different amounts and distribution patterns) were tested for their potential to reduce negative effects of the preceding crops. Following the cropping sequence of oil-seed rape then wheat, oil-seed rape yielded only 3.12 t ha⁻¹; after oil-seed rape then barley, the yield was 3.43 t ha⁻¹ compared with 3.77 t ha⁻¹ following wheat then barley and 3.71 t ha⁻¹ following wheat then wheat. The number of seeds per m² showed a similar pattern, whereas the thousand-seed weight partly compensated for the reduced seed number. It was highest if oil-seed rape was grown 2 years previously. The cultivars differed significantly in their yield potential. Express (3.79 t ha⁻¹) yielded 0.6 t ha⁻¹ more than Falcon (3.18 t ha⁻¹). Increasing amounts of fertilizer-N (80–200 kg N ha⁻¹) increased the seed yield from 3.21 t ha⁻¹ to 3.84 t ha⁻¹. Changes in the distribution pattern within one fertilizer amount had no effect on seed yield. In addition, no interactions between preceding crop combination and the different cultivars or N treatments occurred. It is concluded that crop management cannot totally eliminate the negative effects of an unfavourable cropping history on the seed yield of oil-seed rape.     

Residual nitrogen effect of clover-ryegrass swards on yield and N uptake of a subsequent winter wheat crop as studied by use of N methodology and mathematical modelling

The residual effect of 2-year-old swards of clover-ryegrass mixture and ryegrass in monoculture on yield and N uptake in a subsequent winter wheat crop was investigated by use of the ¹⁵N dilution method and by mathematical modelling. The amount of N in the wheat crop, derived from clover-ryegrass residues was 25–43% greater than that derived from residues of ryegrass which had been growing in monoculture. Expressed in absolute values, the N uptake in the subsequent winter wheat crop was 23–28 kg N ha ⁻¹ greater after clover-ryegrass mixture than after ryegrass in monoculture. Up to about 54 kg N ha⁻¹ of the N mineralised from the clover-ryegrass crop was calculated to be leached, whereas only 11 kg N ha⁻¹ was leached following ryegrass in monoculture.     

Delaying senescence of wheat with fungicides has interacting effects with cultivar on grain sulphur concentration but not with sulphur yield or nitrogen:sulphur ratios

Winter wheat was grown in three field experiments, each repeated over two or three seasons, to investigate effects of extending flag leaf life by fungicide application on the concentration, kg ha⁻¹ and mg grain⁻¹ of nitrogen (N) and sulphur (S) as well as N:S ratio and sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) sedimentation volume. The experiments involved up to six cultivars and different application rates, timings and frequencies of azoxystrobin and epoxiconazole. For every day the duration to 37% green flag leaf area (m) was extended, N yield was increased by 2.58 kg ha⁻¹, N per grain by 0.00957 mg, S yield by 0.186 kg ha⁻¹ and S per grain by 0.000718 mg. The N:S ratio decreased by 0.0135 per day. There was no evidence that these responses varied with cultivar. In contrast, the relationship between flag leaf life and N or S concentration interacted with cultivar. The N and S concentrations of Shamrock, the cultivar that suffered most from brown rust (Puccinia recondita), increased with the extension of flag leaf life whereas the concentrations of N and S in Malacca, a cultivar more susceptible to Septoria tritici, decreased as flag leaf senescence was delayed. This was because the relationships between m and N and S yields were much better conserved over cultivars than those between m and thousand grain weight (TGW) and grain yield ha⁻¹.     

Yield and water-use efficiency of water- and nitrogen-stressed wheat crops increase with degree of co-limitation

Availability of water and nitrogen are key constraints to primary productivity in arid and semiarid ecosystems. Theoretically, plant growth is maximised when all resources are equally limiting. This paper tested the hypothesis that for a given amount of available water, the gap between actual and attainable yield of dryland crops in semiarid southern Australia is inversely proportional to the degree of nitrogen and water co-limitation.

Field and simulation experiments were combined in an analysis involving three steps. Step 1 assessed the capacity of a crop simulation model to estimate yield and its responses to water and nitrogen inputs in the semiarid Mallee region. Step 2 derived a boundary function relating grain yield and water availability using simulations with long-term weather records. Step 3 explored the link between degree of co-limitation and deviations between actual yield and the boundary function. Degree of co-limitation (C_WN) was calculated as a function of model-derived nitrogen (NSI) and water stress indices (WSI), i.e. C_WN = 1 − |NSI − WSI|. Stress indices range from zero (no stress) to 1 (maximum stress), and C_WN tends to 1 when both resources impose constraints of similar magnitude to crop growth.

The field experiment combining locations, seasons and management practices generated a range of grain yield from 0.6 to 3.8 t ha⁻¹. Water availability, i.e. seasonal rainfall plus change in soil water content from sowing to harvest, ranged from 127 to 370 mm. Nitrogen fertiliser varied from nil to 36 kg N ha⁻¹ and inorganic nitrogen in the soil profile at sowing ranged from 29 to 497 kg ha⁻¹. For these ranges of conditions, the relationship between simulated and measured yield was statistically undistinguishable from the y = x function.

A factorial modelling experiment combining sites, seasons, initial soil water content and dose of nitrogen fertiliser was used to derive a boundary function which provided an objective and independent upper limit for the field data. Actual yield was below the boundary function in most cases. The difference between actual and attainable yield was inversely proportional to C_WN. This study thus supported the hypothesis that yield and water-use efficiency of water- and nitrogen-stressed crops increase with increasing degree of co-limitation.     

Beet vinasse applied to wheat under dryland conditions affects soil properties and yield

The effect of six doses of beet vinasse (0, 3, 6, 10, 20 and 40 t ha⁻¹, respectively) on wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. Cajeme) yield in dryland conditions (Guadalquivir Valley, Andalusia, Spain) for 3 years on a Typic Xerofluvent was studied. The results showed that at low doses, beet vinasse is of agricultural interest due mainly to its organic matter concentration. The application of this byproduct to the soil increased soil microbial biomass and mineralization of its organic matter increased NO₃⁻–N concentrations in soil. This caused an increase in grain yield in the three seasons. When the vinasse was applied with high doses, NO₃⁻–N concentrations in soil, soil microbial biomass, soil structure, bulk density, electric conductivity, nutrient uptake, crop yield and grain quality were negatively affected. We assume that the high amounts of monovalent cations, particularly Na⁺, and of fulvic acids, which had been transported into the soil by the vinasse, destabilized the soil structure. This may have led to anaerobic soil conditions being presumably responsible for restricted N mineralization or even for denitrification. This explains the lower N supply to the crops reflected by the low N concentrations in the leaves of treatments A4 and A5.     

Fertilisation of irrigated maize with pig slurry combined with mineral nitrogen

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a very important crop in many of the irrigated areas of the Ebro Valley (NE Spain). Intensive pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) production is also an important economic activity in these areas, and the use of pig slurry (PS) as a fertiliser for maize is a common practise. From 2002 to 2005, we conducted a field trial with maize in which we compared the application of 0, 30 and 60 m³ ha⁻¹ of PS combined with 0, 100 and 200 kg ha⁻¹ of mineral N at sidedress. Yield, biomass and other related yield parameters differed from year to year and all of them were greatly influenced by soil NO₃⁻-N content before planting and by N (organic and/or mineral) fertilisation. All years average grain yield and biomass at maturity ranged from 9.3 and 18.9 Mg ha⁻¹ (0 PS, 0 mineral N) to 14.4 and 29.6 Mg ha⁻¹ (60 m³ ha⁻¹ of PS, 200 kg ha⁻¹of mineral N), respectively. Grain and total N biomass uptake average of the studied period ranged from 101 and 155 kg ha⁻¹ (0 PS, 0 mineral N) to 180 and 308 kg ha⁻¹ (60 m³ ha⁻¹ of PS, 200 kg ha⁻¹of mineral N), respectively. All years average soil NO₃⁻-N content before planting and after harvest were very high, and ranged from 138 and 75 kg ha⁻¹ (0 PS, 0 mineral N) to 367 and 457 kg ha⁻¹ (60 m³ ha⁻¹ of PS, 200 kg ha⁻¹of mineral N), respectively. The optimal N (organic and/or mineral) rate varied depending on the year and was influenced by the soil NO₃⁻-N content before planting. For this reason, soil NO₃⁻-N content before planting should be taken into account in order to improve N fertilisation recommendations. Moreover, the annual optimal N rates also gave the lowest soil NO₃⁻-N contents after harvest and the lowest N losses, as a consequence they also could be considered as the most environmentally friendly N rates.     

Effects of row spacing and liquid manure on directly drilled winter wheat in organic farming

In the optimisation of grain yield and quality of wheat, plant distribution is a key factor. In contrast to high yield levels, at moderate levels, widening the row space did not decrease grain yield. To gain information about changes in the quality and yield with changing in row spacings in organic farming systems, experiments were conducted at two locations in the Swiss midlands in 2001/2002. Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv. Titlis) was directly drilled in rows 0.1875 and 0.3750 m apart at the same seeding rate per area. An unfertilised treatment and the usual application of 60 m³ ha⁻¹ liquid farmyard manure were compared. While the grain yield was not decreased by the wider row spacing, the thousand kernel weight (TKW), and grain protein content were increased from 42.6 to 43.5 g and from 11.7 to 12.7%, respectively, compared to the narrow row spacing. Liquid manure, on average of both experimental sites, increased the yield (from 3.725 to 4.765 Mg ha⁻¹) and the grain protein content (from 12.0 to 12.5%). Doubling the space between the rows from 0.1875 to 0.3750 m seemed to be a suitable strategy for managing directly drilled winter wheat in organic farming systems.     

Patterns of osmotic adjustment in pigeonpea — its importance as a mechanism of drought resistance

Osmotic adjustment (OA) is considered as an important physiological mechanism of drought adaptation in many crop plants. The present investigation was aimed at assessing the importance of OA in improving productivity under drought. Using two automated rain-out shelters, 26 extra-short-duration pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] genotypes were grown with irrigation during the growth period or with water deficit imposed from flowering until maturity. Mean leaf Ψs₁₀₀ (60–92 DAS) under drought correlated significantly (r²=0.72**; n=26) to the mean OA (60–92 DAS) and contributed 72% of the genotypic variation in OA. Significant genotypic variation was observed in the initiation of OA, the duration of OA and the degree of OA. Based on the measured OA at 72, 82, and 92 days after sowing (DAS), genotypes were grouped into five different clusters. Genotypic differences in total dry matter production under drought were positively associated with OA at 72 DAS (r²=0.36**, n=26). Significant positive relationship between OA at 72 DAS and grain yield under drought was found (r²=0.16*; n=26). However, OA towards the end of pod filling phase, i.e. at 92 DAS, had a significant negative relationship with grain yield under drought (r²=0.21*; n=26). Genotypic differences in grain yield under drought was best explained using stepwise multiple regression to account for differences in OA at 72, 82, and 92 DAS (r²=0.41**; n=78). The degree of OA at 72 and 82 DAS contributed positively to the grain yield, whereas OA at 92 DAS contributed negatively to this relationship.     

Simulating winter wheat yields under temperate conditions: exploring different management scenarios

This paper describes a methodology for analysing management strategies to find best agronomic practices using a crop simulation model (CERES-Wheat). The study area is the estate of Imperial College at Wye, in the Stour Catchment, Kent, UK, an area highly suited to winter wheat production. The model is validated using historic crop performance data. Yield responses to differing sowing rates (range 200–450 seeds m⁻²), sowing dates and rates of nitrogen application (between 100 and 220 kg ha⁻¹) with soil types of medium to heavy texture were simulated under water-limited conditions using historical daily weather data. In model validation, observed yields ranged between 6.9 and 7.4 t ha⁻¹, while simulated ranges were between 6.9 and 7.8 ha⁻¹. The RSMD of the difference was small (0.24 t ha⁻¹) and non-significant. Optimum management practices (in terms of planting date, seed density and nitrogen application) were thereby defined. Also, simulations of potential yield (i.e. yield with no water and nutrient stress) were run for comparison. Results of this study reveal that the calibrated and validated CERES-Wheat model can be successfully used for the prediction of wheat growth and yield under conditions appropriate to Western Europe.     

Grain yield, and dry matter and nitrogen accumulation and remobilization in durum wheat as affected by variety and seeding rate

The influence of crop density on the remobilization of dry matter and nitrogen from vegetative plant parts to the developing grain, was investigated in the durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) varieties Creso, Simeto and Svevo cultivated in the field at three seeding rates, 200, 250 and 400 seeds m⁻². Variety × seeding rate interaction was unsignificant for all recorded characters. Grain yield declined in the order Svevo > Simeto > Creso. Yield differences mainly depended on the different number of kernels per unit land and, secondly, on mean kernel weight. Spike components differed among varieties: Svevo and Simeto showed more kernels per spikelet and Creso more spikelets per spike. Grain yield was highest with 400 seeds m⁻² primarily due to the higher number of spikes per unit area, and secondly, to the higher mean kernel weight. Post-heading dry matter accumulation was highest in Svevo and lowest in Creso, but varieties showed a reverse order for dry matter remobilization and contribution of dry matter remobilization to grain yield. The increase of seeding rate increased both the post-heading dry matter accumulation and the dry matter remobilization from vegetative plant parts to grain. Nitrogen uptake of the whole crop and N content of grain was higher in Simeto and Svevo than in Creso. The N concentration of grain did not vary among varieties, but Svevo showed a markedly lower N concentration and N content of culms at maturity, which may be consequence of the high N remobilization efficiency performed by this variety. The N uptake by the crop was highest with 400 seeds m⁻², but the N concentration of culms, leaves and even grain was slightly lower than with the lower seed rates. The post-heading N accumulation was by far higher in Simeto and Svevo than in Creso, whereas remobilization was highest in Svevo and lowest in Simeto. The percentage contribution of N remobilization to grain N was by far higher in Creso than in the other two varieties. Post-heading N accumulation and N remobilization were highest with the highest plant density, but the contribution of N remobilization to N grain content did not differ between seeding rates.     

旗叶期缺磷及去蘖对小麦光合特性和磷分配的影响

采用石英砂培养方法并去除或保留分蘖，研究了旗叶期缺磷对大穗型小麦CA9325和多穗型晋麦2号（JM2）生长后期旗叶光合和蒸腾速率、干物质和磷在体内分配以及最终产量的影响。结果表明: ⑴旗叶期缺磷一段时间后降低小麦旗叶的光合和蒸腾速率。不同供磷水平下，去蘖使小麦旗叶光合和蒸腾速率大都高于同期未去蘖的；⑵旗叶期缺磷几乎导致两品种所有器官和整株干物质和磷的积累降低，去蘖的小麦籽粒干物质和磷总量占整株的比例均高于未去蘖的，说明缺磷促进小麦各营养器官的磷向籽粒转移；⑶主茎干物质和磷的积累以CA9325高于JM2，而JM2则以分蘖占优势，这与JM2分蘖数较多有关；⑷ 不论供磷还是缺磷，未去蘖的CA9325籽粒产量低于JM2，而去蘖后则相反。不同库容量的CA9325千粒重和籽粒磷含量均高于JM2。全生育期供磷条件下的磷吸收效率，以未去蘖的CA9325显著高于JM2，去蘖后两品种间无明显差异。