Breeding Potential of Root Chicory (Cichorium intybus L. var. sativum)

The objective of this study was to investigate the breeding potential of the inulin-containing root chicory which has potential as a new industrial crop. Polycross families and reference varieties were grown in field experiments at 3 locations to assess their performance and the amount of variation available for breeding. Significant variation between polycross families for all characters except for glucose content and the ratio total sugar/dry matter content was observed. Compared to ‘Fredonia’, 12 out of 72 polycross families gave between 15 % and 24 % more total sugar yield. Preliminary estimates for the heritability of two yield components were calculated by means of the parent-offspring regression analysis. Additive genetic variance seems to determine the inheritance of fructose and total sugar content. All findings suggest that the total sugar yield of root chicory can be considerably increased by breeding.     

Assessment of breeding progress in sugar beet by testing old and new varieties under greenhouse and field conditions

Breeding has led to a continuous increase of the performance of sugar beet varieties and thereby contributes to meet the global needs for food and biomass. This study aimed to analyze the extent of the breeding progress in sugar beet and to determine which parameters and traits were modified by breeding. In 2007 and 2008 sugar beet varieties registered between 1964 and 2003 were cultivated in field trials and in greenhouse experiments to exclude effects from changes in agronomic operations and climatic conditions. Differences in white sugar yield related to the reference variety registered in 1964 were regarded as breeding progress. The results showed an increase in the white sugar yield of 0.6–0.9% a⁻¹ from 1964 to 2003 due to breeding. This was achieved by an improved biomass partitioning (higher root to leaf ratio and higher sugar to marc ratio), better technical quality (decreased concentration of K, Na, and amino N combined as standard molasses loss) and enhanced assimilation (higher chlorophyll content, higher assimilation rates). No changes were observed in leaf development and cambium ring formation. A principle component analysis pointed out that breeding targets have shifted with time from “yield” to “biomass quality”. To continue the breeding progress in future it is essential to integrate multiple resistances and tolerances against biotic and abiotic stress.     

A maximin–minimax approach for classifying soybean genotypes for drought tolerance based on yield potential and loss

Screening for drought in soybean is often a bottleneck in plant breeding programmes. Sixteen genotypes were evaluated for drought tolerance during 2012, 2013 and 2014. The experiment was conducted in a split‐plot design, and the main plots consisted of irrigated and water stress treatments, and subplots consisted of 16 genotypes. The average seed yield was highest in 2012 (1708 kg/ha), followed by 2014 (1364 kg/ha) while very low yields (958 kg/ha) were observed during 2013. The per cent reduction in average soybean yield under water stress conditions was maximum (43%) during 2014 followed by 2012 (40%) and 2013 (31%), respectively. The average yields of soybean genotypes also differed significantly, which ranged from 892 (NRC 12) to 2008 kg/ha (JS 97‐52). The maximin–minimax approach was used to classify these genotypes, and only, one genotype was identified as drought resistant and high yielding (EC 538828), three as tolerant and high yielding (JS 97‐52, EC 456548 and EC 602288) and none as low yielding and resistant, while the remaining 12 genotypes were found to be low yielding and susceptible to drought.     

施钾量对膜下滴灌甜菜光合性能以及对产量和品质的影响

膜下滴灌技术被广泛应用于内蒙古冷凉干旱地区的甜菜生产中。为探明施钾量对膜下滴灌甜菜光合生理特性和产质量的影响及其适宜钾肥用量, 于2014?2015年在内蒙古凉城县设K₂O 0、90、180、270和360 kg hm ^-25个施肥处理进行了研究。结果表明, 钾素能够提高甜菜的光合性能, 如促进株高、叶面积指数、净光合速率的增加; 施钾肥180、270和360 kg hm ^-2显著提高了叶丛快速生长期甜菜的净光合速率, 影响净光合速率的最主要因素是RuBPCase活性, 其次是气孔导度, 净光合速率与甜菜产量呈极显著正相关。适宜的钾肥用量有利于块根、叶柄和叶片干重的增加及产量增加, 但施钾过量, 块根干物质分配比例下降, 含糖率下降, 块根干物质分配比例与甜菜含糖率呈显著正相关。施钾量270 kg hm ^-2时产量最高, 90 kg hm ^-2时含糖率最高, 当施钾量大于180 kg hm ^-2时, 块根中K ⁺、Na ⁺含量增加, 大于270 kg hm ^-2时, 块根中α-氨基酸含量增加, 施钾量180 kg hm ^-2时产糖量最高。综合考虑施钾量对膜下滴灌甜菜产量和品质的影响, 内蒙古甜菜种植优势区域的钾肥推荐施用量为180 kg hm ^-2。     

施氮量对双季稻产量及其群体光合特性的影响

以早稻株两优4024、金优402和晚稻H优159、金优207为试材分析了不同施氮水平对双季稻(早稻、晚稻)产量及群体特性的影响。施氮水平设置为120,150,180,225 kg/hm2(分别记作N1、N2、N3、N4),考察各处理的产量及其形成和分蘖动态、剑叶SPAD值、剑叶光合速率以及干物质积累等变化指标。结果表明:早稻株两优4024、金优402和晚稻H优159、金优207各处理产量均呈N1、N4、N2、N3依次增加的变化趋势;4个供试组合在分蘖盛期的总生物量呈N1、N2、N3、N4依次增大的变化趋势,在齐穗后13 d、成熟期4个组合的总生物量均呈N1、N4、N2、N3依次增大的变化趋势;相关分析发现,齐穗后13 d、成熟期的叶干质量、茎鞘干质量、穗干质量、根系干质量、地上部干质量、生物总量和剑叶光合速率与产量之间均呈显著或极显著正相关。试验结果说明,在120~180 kg/hm2,增加施氮量有利于双季稻取得高产;增加施氮量可促进分蘖盛期干物质的积累,但过量施氮会影响生长后期干物质的积累;齐穗后较大的生物总量和较高的剑叶光合速率有利于双季稻取得高产。     

啤酒厂污泥对土壤性质及甜菜生长的影响

研究了啤酒厂污泥(以下简称BFS)在甜菜(Beta vulgaris saccharifera L.)上利用的可能性,BFS与土壤的混合比例分别是0,10,20,40,80和160t/hm2,研究表明：BFS对甜菜叶和根的产量都有影响,对叶的影响比根要大,最高的含糖量、矫正含糖量及产量的处理是BFS10 t/hm2处理,10 t/hm2啤酒厂污泥处理对块根的品质和质量来说是最佳处理;甜菜根的质量参数随BFS添加量的增加而降低,这表明矿物态氮与甜菜根的质量参数负相关,过量的氮刺激了甜菜的顶端生长而减少了糖的积累,光合能量被用来植物的生长而不是以糖的形式储存;另外,由于BFS中含有大量的有机氮需要矿化分解,应孵化6—7个月后再施用。     

磷酸二铵施用量及方式对甜菜光合性能和产量的影响

光合作用是产量形成的物质基础,为筛选出最适宜甜菜产量形成的施磷方式及施磷量,优化甜菜施肥管理,设置3种不同施磷方式（播种前全部基施;播种前基施2/3,叶丛快速生长期追施1/3;播种前基施2/3,块根糖分增长期追施1/3）,每种施磷方式下设置5个施磷量（60、90、120、150和180kg/hm²）,研究不同施磷方式及施磷量对甜菜光合生理性能及产量的影响。研究结果表明,相同施磷方式下,随施磷量递增,甜菜的叶面积指数（LAI）、相对叶绿素含量（SPAD值）、净光合速率（P_n）、单株干物质积累量及产量均呈先升高后稳定或降低的变化趋势,当施磷量为150kg/hm²时,各光合指标和产量均达到最大值。相同施磷量条件下,基施2/3、叶丛快速生长期追施1/3磷肥的施磷方式对促进甜菜光合性能和产量形成效果最好。故推荐高产甜菜施磷量为150kg/hm²,分2次施入,播前基施2/3,叶丛快速生长期追施1/3。     

Increase in grain protein percentage in high-yielding common wheat breeding lines by genes from wild tetraploid wheat

Summary Forty-one breeding lines of common wheat, derived from crosses between the Israeli cultivars Miriam and Lakhish and high-protein lines of wild tetraploid wheat, Triticum turgidum var. dicoccoides, were tested for various protein and yield parameters in field trials, under typical agronomic conditions. All lines had a higher grain protein percentage (GPP) than the leading Israeli cultivar Deganit, which was grown as a control. Grain yield (GY) ranged in the breeding lines from a low of 2.44 t/ha to as high as that of Deganit (6.95 t/ha). Despite the weak negative correlation between GPP and GY, several lines excelled both in GPP and in GY. The grain protein yield (GPY) of some of these selected breeding lines was higher than that of Deganit; e.g., 1.19 t/ha in the best line vs. 1.02 t/ha in Deganit. The 16.7% increase in GPY in this line reflected a more efficient utilization of nitrogen.     

玉米穗三叶与产量的相关和通径分析

通过对168份玉米杂交组合的穗三叶长、宽、面积与产量的相关性分析,探究各性状与玉米产量的相关性,为优良玉米品种的选育提供理论基础。结果表明,小区产量的变异系数较大,达到19.27%,穗三叶各性状的变异系数范围为6.34%~9.59%,变异程度相似。相关分析表明,小区产量与穗三叶各性状为正相关关系。通径分析中各性状对玉米产量的正向直接通径系数大小依次为穗上叶宽、穗上叶长、穗位叶面积、穗位叶长、穗下叶面积、穗下叶宽、穗下叶长、穗位叶宽、穗上叶面积,负向直接通径系数大小依次为穗下叶长、穗位叶宽、穗上叶面积。因此,增加穗三叶叶面积可以有效提高玉米产量,尤其是通过增加穗下叶宽和穗位叶长提高叶面积的玉米杂交种,更有利于产量的增加。     

Adaptive Responses of Beta Vulgaris L. and Cichorium Intybus L. Root and Leaf Forms to Drought Stress

Plants respond to drought with a restriction of leaf and root growth. The study aimed at analysing the morphological and functional adaptation mechanisms of Beta and Cichorium storage root and leaf forms to limited water supply. Two pot experiments were conducted: (i) with sugar beet, swiss chard, root and leaf chicory at 100 %, 50 % and 30 % water supply, (ii) with sugar beet, fodder beet and swiss chard at 100 % and 30 % water supply. The results indicate that there is no general response mechanism of root and leaf forms to better sustain drought stress. Sugar beet adapted to limited water supply with a marked decrease in the storage root to leaf ratio, indicating in particular a restriction of the predominant sink, while maintaining a very low transpiration coefficient. In contrast, swiss chard, root and leaf chicory kept their storage root to leaf ratio almost constant while adapting the transpiration coefficient. Sucrose storage was inversely related to the accumulation of solutes in the storage root of sugar beet and fodder beet. There is some evidence that the formation of a storage root in sugar beet and root chicory is inhibited by the inability of the plants to establish new sink capacities under drought conditions.     

The Relationship Between Sugar-Nitrogen Ratio and Reproductive Organs Abscission in Faba Bean (Vicia Faba L.)

The changes of soluble sugar and total nitrogen content of vegetative organs in faba bean, sugar-nitrogen ratio, abscission of reproductive organs and the relationship between sugar-nitrogen ratio and abscission probability were studied using the faba bean cultivar Xichang Dabai . Plants were field grown in 1986, 1988 and 1990. The lands were separated into high yield land, middling yield land and low yield land according to grain yield at maturing stage. The soluble sugar content in vegetative organs (leaf + stem) was greatest from branching to floral initiation stages and pod-set to filling grain stages, and distinctly decreased at the onset of bloom and maturing stages. The total N content was greatest at branching stage, and gradually decreased with growth. In general, the sugar and total N contents in high yield lands were greatest, followed by that in middling yield and low yield lands. The sugar-nitrogen ratio varied depending on the soluble sugar content.
Average yield on high yield lands, middling yield land and low yield land across 3 years were 5048.77 kg/ha, 3744.01 kg/ha and 2378.22 kg/ha, respectively. The total reproductive organs abscission exceeded 90 % of total flower buds. Abscission probability averaged across 3 yield lands and 3 years were 21.6 %, 84.0 % and 32.8 % in flower buds, flowers, and pods, respectively. Node 7–12 of canopy produced more flowers, and fewer flowers and pods were produced in the upper and lower regions. Photosynthate supply has been implicated in control of abscission. Faba bean reproductive organs abscission probability increased with the sugar-nitrogen ratio of vegetative organs decreasing. It seemed that the soluble sugar content influenced significantly the shedding rate during flowering and pod-growing stages.     

Einfluß der Bestandesdichte auf Ertrags- und Qualitätskriterien sowie über mögliche Ursachen der Konkurrenz in Zuckerrübenbeständen

Influence of Plant Density on Yield and Quality and Possible Causes of Competition in Sugar Beet Crops
In trials conducted over 9 years at 1 location plant densities ranged from 35,000 to 110,000 plants/ha. Root yield, sugar yield and white sugar yield reached maximum values at 92,700, 94,700 and 96,000 plants/ha, respectively. The decrease in yield per 1,000 plants/ha was greater as the plant density fell. The quality criteria (sugar concentration, white sugar concentration and sugar gain) were at their maxima at 107,000, 104,600 and 100,000 plants/ha, respectively, and they decreased at an almost constant rate as plant density declined. The concentrations of potassium, sodium and amino-N, the main factors which determine quality in Germany, as well as the sugar loss were all minimized at about 110,000 plants/ha and they increased at a progressively-greater rate per 1,000 plants/ha as plant density declined. The maximum differences between large and small plant densities were: root yield 13.6%, sugar yield 16.7%, white sugar yield 18.6%, sugar concentration 3.7%, white sugar concentration 5.3%, sugar gain 1.7%, sugar loss 9.3%, potassium concentration 8.4%, sodium concentration 30.5% and amino-N concentration 25.4%. As well as a comparison of the yield and quality criteria, the paper considers competition within the foliage, particularly when different amounts of nitrogen are available, as the main cause for yield differences between sugar beet crops.     

Effect of drought stress on root yield and some morpho-physiological traits in different genotypes of sugar beet (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Beta vulgaris</Emphasis> L.)

To study the effects of different levels of drought stress on root yield and some morpho-physiological traits of sugar beet genotypes, a study was conducted in the research farm of Islamic Azad University of Birjand, Iran in 2013 as strip-split plot experiments based on randomized complete block design. Different levels of drought stress were considered as vertical factor in three levels including normal irrigation, moderate stress, and severe stress. Horizontal factor was assigned to five varieties of sugar beet. Drought stress had a significant effect on root dry weight, total dry weight, root yield, and leaf temperature at 1% probability level and on leaf dry weight, crown dry weight, and harvest index at 5% probability level. Drought stress had an adverse effect on root yield of investigated genotypes of sugar beet. Under normal conditions, the mean of root yield was higher than middle and severe drought stress. Different investigated genotypes of sugar beet responded to drought stress based on their yield potential. The highest positive correlation of root yield was observed with root dry weight (r=0.977**). Stepwise regression analysis and path coefficient analysis showed that root dry weight and petiole dry weight are the most important traits that can affect root yield of sugar beet under drought stress and can used as selection criteria in investigated cultivars of sugar beet. Finally, 7221 genotypes can be considered as tolerant genotypes in the next studies. In comparison, Jolgeh cultivar (as susceptible control) yielded well in areas with normal irrigation, but under moderate and severely stresses its root yield was reduced.     

磷钾配合施肥对紫花苜蓿产量的影响

在京郊地区于2003-2005年进行了紫花苜蓿配合施肥试验。采用两因素裂区设计,以鲜草产量、干草产量、茎叶比为形状指标,测定并分析了不同磷钾肥处理对紫花苜蓿产量的影响。试验结果表明:配合施肥可显著提高苜蓿的产量(p<0.05),其中施肥处理6(45.8 kg/hm2P2O5和12.5 kg/hm2K2O)中对提高苜蓿产量的效果最为明显。2004年和2005年的鲜草产量分别为67900.5 kg/hm2和97320 kg/hm2,比对照增产19.3%和10.7%;干草产量分别为18870 kg/hm2和22999.5 kg/hm2,比对照增产22.9%和23%。方差分析表明,不同施肥处理之间鲜草产量、干草产量、茎叶比呈显著性差异(P<0.05)。     

云南红萝卜色素产量与主要农艺性状关系的分析

【目的】研究旨在通过相关分析、偏相关分析、通径分析和主成分分析对自主创制的10份云南红萝卜杂交组合进行分析,以期明确主要农艺性状对萝卜肉质根色素产量的影响。【方法】将杂交组合按三次重复随机排列分别种植,于萝卜收获期调查根长、根粗、株高、开展度、叶重、叶长、叶宽、外露长、单根重、肉质根色素含量、肉质根色素产量11个性状。应用 DPS软件进行云南红萝卜色素产量与主要农艺性状间的相关性、偏相关性、通径分析和主成分分析。【结果】所测的11个主要农艺性状变异系数幅度在0.09%～10.42%,其中,开展度变异系数最大,其次是叶重;根重,色素含量和根粗是影响云南红萝卜杂交组合色素产量的重要经济性状,决定了色素产量变异的99.67%。【结论】在适宜的开展度、叶片大小和外露长的基础上,应注重选择根粗,根长,单根重较大的组合,更易实现云南红萝卜高色素含量育种的目的。     

甜菜幼苗光合生理对干旱胁迫的响应

干旱胁迫是抑制甜菜生长发育和影响产量的重要非生物因素。以耐旱型甜菜种质依安一号（V1）和干旱敏感型种质92011/1-6/1（V2）为试验材料,探讨不同耐旱品种甜菜幼苗光合生理对干旱胁迫的响应。研究了干旱胁迫对甜菜幼苗生长发育、总叶绿素含量和表观光合指标的影响。结果表明,干旱胁迫下2种甜菜幼苗的茎粗、根长、株高、叶鲜重、根鲜重、叶干重和根干重均呈下降趋势,V1下降幅度不明显且各指标降低幅度均小于V2;干旱胁迫降低了2种甜菜幼苗的叶绿素含量,叶绿素含量在第7天降到最低,且V1的含量明显高于V2;干旱胁迫使甜菜幼苗的净光合速率、蒸腾速率、叶片气孔导度和胞间CO₂浓度显著下降,V1受到的影响比V2要小。不同耐旱性甜菜品种对干旱胁迫的响应机制存在一定差异,可以进一步分析其抗旱能力,为甜菜的育种、抗逆栽培和稳产提供理论依据。     

优化滴灌制度下不同品种糖用甜菜产质量及光合特性响应研究

为了研究不同灌溉定额下不同品种（标准型、丰产型和高糖型）糖用甜菜的产量、质量和光合特性的响应,在东北地区甜菜4个生长时期进行了7个滴灌处理水平的试验研究,测定不同处理对标准型、丰产型和高糖型甜菜品种的生长情况、光合特征、产量质量及灌溉效率的响应。结果表明,不同灌溉量对不同类型甜菜生长指标、光合参数及产质量影响不同。标准型和高糖型甜菜品种对其生长性状各指标有利的灌溉定额为320~360 m3/ha,3个品种甜菜叶绿素含量对灌溉定额的最佳响应为300~320 m3/ha。标准甜菜品种随着灌溉量的增加并不利于其进行光合作用,而高糖型与丰产型甜菜品种随灌溉量的增加在叶丛快速生长期对叶片蒸腾速率的影响显著,在320 m3/ha灌溉量处理下光合效率较好。随着灌溉量的增加,标准型甜菜品种根产量增加;当灌溉量达320 m3/ha时,丰产型甜菜品种根产量不再升高而保持平稳、高糖型甜菜品种糖度下降。叶片水分利用效率在生育期前期总体上要高于生育后期,增加灌溉量并不能提高不同类型甜菜品种的灌溉水生产效率。在本研究特定区域内优化不同品种甜菜的灌溉制度可改善甜菜生长和产质量,并为建立甜菜灌溉模型提供理论基础。     

Effect of Planting Geometry on the Growth and Yield Performance of Maize Intercropped with Rice

A field experiment with maize and rice planted under four planting configurations in an intercropping system was conducted to evaluate the plant competition effects on the performance of component crops. Intercropping substantially reduced grain yields of both rice and maize. Rice yield was generally low giving monocrop yield of 1,084 kg/ha. Intercropped rice ranged between 179 kg/ha and 615 kg/ha depending on maize planting arrangement. Monocrop maize yielded highest in square planting (3,617 kg/ha) and lowest in skip-row (2,600 kg/ha) planting, but planting geometry did not influence intercropped maize yield. Monocrop maize outyielded the combined yield of component crops suggesting no yield advantage through rice-maize intercropping.     

Genotypic variability in vegetable amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor L for foliage yield and its contributing traits over successive cuttings and years

Summary Twenty nine strains of vegetable amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor were grown for two successive seasons to study different selection parameters for foliage yield and its nine contributing morphological and quality traits. The strains AV-38 (5.06 kg/plot) and AV-31 (5.04 kg/plot) recorded highest foliage yield, followed by AV-30 (4.78 kg/plot) and AV-23 (4.70 kg/plot). The protein and carotenoid content averaged 1.24 ± 0.03 mg/100 mg and 0.83 ± 0.02 mg/g respectively. The leaves of A. tricolor also have considerable quantities of ascorbic acid (112.33 ± 5.00 mg/100 g) and fibre (8.39 ± 0.10%). The mean of individual cuttings for plant height, leaf size, stem diameter, foliage yield, protein, ascorbic acid and fibre content increased with successive cuttings till third cutting and thereafter showed a decline. Genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) values ranged from 6.80 to 28.25%. However, the fibre content, branches/plant, leaves/plant, plant height and stem diameter showed lowest values of GCV. The values of heritability estimates were high for all the traits in all the cuttings as well as on pooled basis and ranged from 0.89 for branches/plant to 0.98 for foliage yield. Highest expected genetic advance was noticed for ascorbic acid (57.48%), followed by foliage yield (48.30%) and leaf size (29.51%).     

Combining abilities of sugar beet genotypes for root- and sugar-related traits under multi-environment trials

The improvement of sugar-related factors is associated with root traits in sugar beet. The objectives of the present study were to assess variations of sugar- and root yield (RY)-related traits and to estimate general (GCA) and specific (SCA) combining abilities of several lines, testers and hybrids under various environmental conditions. A line × tester mating design was used to develop 28 hybrids from seven lines × four testers. Presently, root- and sugar-related traits were recorded in parental lines, hybrids and five local ('Pars', 'Torbat' and 'Ekbatan') and international ('Kermit' and 'Tous') check varieties in the eight combinations of location and growing season. Mean RY and sugar yield (SY) were 44.81 t/ha and 7.57 t/ha, respectively. Genotypes tested had 16.91% sugar content (SC) and 13.64% white sugar content (WSC) across trials. No one genotype was found to have high levels for all traits, but several had above mean sugar-related or RY traits. L7T2 as the best hybrid for RY and SY yielded 37.0% and 34.4% more than the checks’ mean, whereas ratios for the best hybrid (L7T4) for SC and WSC were 8.2% and 4.3%, respectively. Additive variance was significant for all traits, whereas dominance component was only significant for RY. Several parental lines had stable GCA effects with respect to direction and magnitude for WSC, RY and SC in environments. L7 and T2 for RY and SY and L3 and T4 for SC and WSC were identified as the best combiners with high GCA effects, and their use might increase favourable alleles in further breeding programmes for traits tested. Estimated heritability for the combined environments was lower for sugar-related traits (54.01%–59.39%) compared with those for RY traits (73.68%–74.21%). Overall, given heritability and additive variances estimated the identification of environmentally stable GCA and SCA effects and might help to increase efficiency of selection of superior cultivars with respect to sugar traits.