Comparison of water stress effects on growth,leaf water status,and nitrogen fixation activity in tropical pasture legumes siratro and desmodium with soybean

Siratro (Macroptilium atropurpureum), desmodium (Desmodium intortum), and soybean (Glycine max) were grown in pots with or without irrigation for 20 d at the vegetative growth stage in order to examine the effects of water stress on the leaf water potential, stomatal conductance, biomass production, biological nitrogen fixation, and nitrogen accumulation. Whole plant weight decreased under water stress conditions and the decrease was less pronounced in siratro than in desmodium and soybean. Decrease in total leaf area was the largest and dry matter partition to stem and petioles was the highest in siratro. Decrease in leaf water potential was lower in desmodium and soybean than in siratro. Although water stress decreased biological nitrogen fixation in all the species, the decrease was relatively less pronounced in siratro than in desmodium and soybean. Whole plant nitrogen concentration was higher in siratro than in soybean and desmodium. The results indicated that siratro is more tolerant to water stress than soybean and desmodium. This could be partially attributed to the maintenance of a higher water potential and higher biological nitrogen fixation by siratro under water stress conditions.     

Effect of salinity on growth,photosynthesis and mineral composition in leguminous plant Alhagi pseudoalhagi (Bieb.)

Leguminous plant Alhagi pseudoalhagi was subjected to 0 (control), 50, 100, and 200 mM NaCI treatments during a 30 d period to examine the mechanism of tolerance to salinity. Plant dry weight, net CO₂ assimilation rate, leaf stomatal conductance, intercellular CO₂ concentration, and solute concentration in leaves, stems, and roots were determined. Total plant weight in the 50 mM treatment was 170% of that of the control after 10 d of treatment. Total plant weight was lower in the 100 and 200 mM treatments than in the control. The leaf CO₂ assimilation rate was approximately 150% of that of the control in the 50 mM treatment, but was not affected significantly by 100 mM of NaCI, while it was reduced to about 60% of that the control in the 200 mM treatment. Similarly stomatal conductance was consistent with the CO₂ assimilation rate regardless of the treatments. Intercellular CO₂ concentration was lower in the NaCI-treated plants than in the control. Changes in CO₂ assimilation rate due to salinity stress could be mainly associated with stomatal conductance and the carboxylation activity. Although the leaf Na⁺ concentration increased to 900 mmol kg^-1 dry weight in the 200 mM treatment compared to 20 mmol kg^-1 in the control, the plants did not die and continued to grow at such a high leaf Na⁺ concentration. Uptake and transportation rates of Na+, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and K⁺, and the accumulation of N were promoted by 50 mM NaCI. Na⁺ uptake rate continued to increase in response to external NaCI concentration. However, the uptake and transportation rates of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and K⁺ behaved differently under 100 and 200 mM salt stress. The results suggest that A. pseudoalhagi is markedly tolerant to salinity due mainly to its photosynthetic activity rather than to other physiological characteristics.     

WATER STRESS AND NITROGEN MANAGEMENT EFFECTS ON GAS EXCHANGE,WATER RELATIONS,AND WATER USE EFFICIENCY IN WHEAT

A field experiment was conducted over two years to evaluate the gas exchange, water relations, and water use efficiency (WUE) of wheat under different water stress and nitrogen management practices at Crop Physiology Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan. Four irrigation regimes and four nitrogen levels, i.e., 0, 50, 100, and 150 kg N ha^?1 were applied in this study. The photosynthetic gas exchange parameters [net carbon dioxide (CO₂) assimilation rate, transpiration rate and stomatal conductance] are remarkably improved by water application and nitrogen (N) nutrition. Plants grown under four irrigation treatments as compared with those grown under one irrigation treatment average stomatal conductance increased from 0.15 to 0.46 μ mol m^?2s^?1mol during 2002–2003 and 0.18 to 0.33 μ mol m^?2s^?1mol during the year 2003–2004 and photosynthetic rate from 9.33 to 13.03 μmol CO₂ m^?2 s^?1 and 3.99 to 7.75 μmol CO₂ m^?2 s^?1 during the year 2002–2003 and 2003–2004, respectively. The exposure of plants to water and nitrogen stress lead to noticeable decrease in leaf water potential, osmotic potential and relative water content. Relative water content (RWC) of stressed plants dropped from 98 to 75% with the decrease in number of irrigation and nitrogen nutrition. The higher leaf water potential, and relative water contents were associated with higher photosynthetic rate. Water use efficiency (WUE) reduced with increasing number of irrigations and increased with increasing applied nitrogen at all irrigation levels.     

Sodium‐calcium interactions with growth,water, and photosynthetic parameters in salt‐treated beans

Calcium (Ca²⁺) amelioration of the plant's growth response to salinity depends on genetic factors. In this work, supplemental Ca²⁺ did not improve growth in Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Contender under high‐saline conditions and negatively affected several physiological parameters in nonsalinized plants. The response to supplemental Ca²⁺ was examined using plants grown in 25% modified Hoagland solution at different Na⁺ : Ca²⁺ ratios. In control plants (1 mM Ca²⁺; 1 mM Na⁺) surplus Ca²⁺ (4 or 10 mM) was associated with stomatal closure, decrease of hydraulic conductivity, sap flow, leaf specific dry weight, leaf K⁺ and leaf Mg²⁺ concentrations, and inhibition of CO₂ assimilation. Leaf water content was enhanced, while water‐use efficiency and dry matter were unaffected during the 15 d experimental period. The Ca²⁺ effect was not cation‐specific since similar results were found in plants supplied with high external Mg²⁺ or with a combination of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺. Relative to control plants, salinization (50 and 100 mM NaCl) caused a decrease in dry matter, hydraulic conductivity, sap flow, leaf Mg²⁺ activity, and inhibition of stomatal opening and CO₂ assimilation. However, NaCl (50 and 100 mM NaCl) enhanced leaf K⁺ concentration and water‐use efficiency. At 100 mM NaCl, leaf water content also significantly increased. Supplemental Ca²⁺ had no amelioration effect on the salt‐stress response of this bean cultivar. In contrast, the 50 mM–NaCl treatment improved stomatal conductance and CO₂‐assimilation rate in plants exposed to the highest Ca²⁺ concentration (10 mM). Phaseolus vulgaris is classified as a very NaCl‐sensitive species. The similarities in the effects caused by supplemental Ca²⁺, supplemental Mg²⁺, and NaCl salinity suggest that P. vulgaris cv. Contender has a high non‐ion‐specific salt sensitivity. On the other hand, the improvement in gas‐exchange parameters in Ca²⁺‐supplemented plants by high NaCl could be the result of specific Na⁺‐triggered responses, such as an increase in the concentration of K⁺ in the leaves.     

Growth Irradiance Effects on Productivity,Photosynthesis, Nitrate Accumulation and Assimilation of Aeroponically Grown Brassica alboglabra

Brassica alboglabra plants were first grown aeroponically with full nutrients under full sunlight with average midday photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of 1200 μmol m^?2 s^?1. Thirty days after transplanting, plants were respectively, subjected to 10 days of average midday PPFD of 1200 (control, L1), 600 (L2) and 300 μmol m^?2 s^?1 (L3). Productivity, photosynthetic CO₂ assimilation and stomatal conductance were significantly lower in low-light (L2 and L3) plants than in high-light (L1) plants. Low light plants had the highest nitrate (NO₃^?) accumulation in the petioles. Low light also had an inverse effect total reduced N content. After different light treatments, all plants were re-exposed to another 10 days of full sunlight. Low-light plants demonstrated their ability to recover their photosynthetic rate, enhance productivity and reduce the NO₃^? concentration. These results have led to the recommendation of not harvesting this popular vegetable during or immediately after cloudy weather conditions.     

Translocation and distribution of assimilated carbon in peanut plant

An attempt was made to monitor ¹³C that had been photosynthetically assimilated in the foliage of the main stem and branches of peanut plant, as well as in a single leaf at different positions on a branch.

When the foliage of the main stem or branch was supplied with ¹³CO₂ for 8 h at the vegetative stage, ¹³C assimilated in the branches was detected in the roots and nodules in addition to the foliage immediately after the exposure, whereas when the main stem was supplied with ¹³CO₂, ¹³C was not detected in the roots and nodules immediately after ¹³CO₂ feeding. At the reproductive stage, ¹³C assimilated in the main stem or branch was found in the leaves, stems, fruit (shell, seed coat, and seed), roots, and nodules immediately after assimilation.

Photoassimilates from each leaf of the branch at the reproductive stage were exported to the fruit and leaves that were attached to the same branch. Namely, photoassimilates in the leaves of odd nodes were mainly translocated to the fruits attached to the first node, whereas such photoassimilates from the leaf of even nodes were mainly translocated to the fruit attached to the second node.

When the foliage of a branch had been fed ¹³CO₂ at the vegetative stage, the loss of the assimilated ¹³C by respiration was about 40% of the total assimilated ¹³C within 23 d and about 65% within 93 d after the exposure, and a small amount of photoassimilates was detected in the fruit. On the other hand, at the seed-filling stage, about 35% of the photoassimilates were utilized for seed growth within 10 d after the end of exposure.

These results suggest that in the peanut plant, the carbon source of nodules mainly depends on the branch, and the main stem plays an important role as carbon source for the fruit, that a sink organ for carbon is connected with a specific sources leaf by the vascular bundles, and that most of the carbon sources for the growth of peanut fruit depend on the photoassimilates at the reproductive stage.     

GAS EXCHANGE AND GROWTH OF TRITICALE SEEDLINGS UNDER DIFFERENT NITROGEN SUPPLY AND WATER STRESS

The effect of nitrogen (30 and 120 mg N per cuvette) on photosynthetic rate of four cultivars of triticale (‘Bolero’, ‘Grado’, ‘Largo’, and ‘Lasko’) grown 14 days in phytotron was strongly modified by water content (75, 45 and 35% of full water capacity). For plants grown under 35% of full water capacity, it was higher when they were grown under 30 than under 120 mg N/cuvette (9.88 and 8.76 μmol CO₂ m^?2 s^?1, respectively) but for plants grown under 45 and 75% of full water capacity there were not significant differences. Transpiration, stomatal conductance, photosynthetic water use efficiency, and internal water use efficiency were not influenced by nitrogen doses independently of water content. Photosynthetic rate, transpiration, stomatal conductance, photosynthetic water use efficiency, and dry matter of studied cultivars of triticale grown under 45 and 35% of full water capacity and both nitrogen doses were lower than for plants grown under 75% of full water capacity. With lowering of water content stomatal conductance was decreasing similarly as photosynthetic rate e.g. for plants grown under 35% of full water capacity as compared with those grown under 75% of full water capacity average stomatal conductance decreased from 0.209 to 0.138 mol H₂O m^?2 s^?1 and photosynthetic rate from 13.69 to 9.32 μmol CO₂ m^?2 s^?1 and as a result there were not significant differences in internal water use efficiency for all studied combinations (67.09 μmol CO₂ mol^?1 H₂O) which shows that stomatal factors were mainly responsible for changes of photosynthetic rate. With lowering of water content from 75 to 35% of full water capacity the decrease of photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance was much higher than the decreases of transpiration (from 3.57 to 3.02 mmol H₂O m^?2 s^?1) what shows not direct dependence of transpiration on stomatal conductance (water use efficiency decreased from 3.87 to 3.10 μmol CO₂ mmol^?1 H₂O). The effect of nitrogen on dry matter production was strongly modified by water availability e.g. for plants grown under 35% of full water capacity, dry matter was similarly independent of nitrogen dose but for plants grown under 45 and 75% of full water capacity dry matter was significantly higher than when they were grown under 120 (79.05 and 86.75 mg, respectively) or with 30 mg N/cuvette (74.03 and 80.30 mg, respectively).     

水土保持耕作及施肥对盛花期大豆光合生理的影响

依据陕西安塞田间试验,采用LI-6400便携式光合仪,在自然条件下对黄土丘陵区旱作农田传统翻耕化肥(CF)、翻耕有机肥(CM)、翻耕无肥(CN)、免耕化肥(NF)、免耕有机肥(NM)、免耕无肥(NN)等处理下盛花期大豆叶片的净光合速率、气孔导度、水分利用效率及影响因子日变化进行了研究.结果表明:6种不同处理的大豆叶片净光合速率日变化均为双峰曲线,峰值分别在11:30、16:00出现.NM、NF处理对提高大豆净光合速率有明显的促进作用,其中以有机肥(NM)最为显著.气孔导度与蒸腾速率之间达极显著正相关(P<0.01,r=0.999 4).气孔导度日变化也为双峰,峰值分别出现在11:30、16:00.不同处理下,大豆的水分利用效率呈单峰曲线,峰值出现在10:00,低谷出现在13:00以后.其中,NF、NM处理能显著提高大豆盛花期的水分利用效率.相关分析表明:气孔导度、蒸腾速率、叶温、光合有效辐射及基于叶温的蒸汽压亏缺是大豆光合作用的促进因子,而胞间CO2浓度、空气CO2浓度、空气相对湿度则为主要的限制因子.CF、NF处理在8:30～10:20和13:00,CM、NN处理在8:30、11:30～13:00、17:30,CN、NM处理则在8:30、13:30各影响因子与净光合速率相关程度较高,相关系数一般在±0.9以上.在黄土丘陵区旱作农田大豆最适宜的管理方式为NM、NF.     

Photosynthetic Responses of Nitrate-Fed and Nitrogen-Fixing Soybeans to Progressive Water Stress

The effect of nitrogen (N) source (nitrogen fixation or nitrate assimilation) and progressive water stress on pigment content, carbon assimilation and changes in the activity of certain photosynthetic (Rubisco and phosphoenol pyruvate carboxilase) and photorespiratory enzymes (glutamate synthetase and glycolate oxidase) during vegetative development of soybean plants was studied. Glycolate oxidase declined by 13% in nitrogen-fixing plants under water deficit, and increased in nitrate-fed ones. Nodulated plants were less sensitive to drought than nitrate-fed individuals; although as general growth was inhibited under drought stress in both experimental models. Results support the importance of nitrogen source in soybean responses to water stress. Difference in sensitivity of nitrate-fed and nitrogen-fixing plants towards water stress seems to be related not to nitrogen assimilation process itself, but to complex interactions with photorespiratory flux and stomatal conductance.     

SILICON MITIGATES ULTRAVIOLET-B RADIATION STRESS ON SOYBEAN BY ENHANCING CHLOROPHYLL AND PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND REDUCING TRANSPIRATION

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of silicon (Si) for alleviating Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation stress based on changes in biomass, physiological attributes and photosynthetic characteristics of two soybean (Glycine max L.) cultivars, Kenjiandou 43 (‘K 43’) and Zhonghuang 35 (‘ZH 35’). The cultivars were raised with and without Si in the greenhouse, and then subjected to ambient, ambient + 2.7 kJ m^?2d^?1and ambient + 5.4 kJ m^?2d^?1of UV-B radiation. Depending on cultivar, plants suffered severe growth limitations under UV-B radiation, but the application of Si alleviated the adverse effects on growth and development by increasing the stem length, net photosynthetic rate (P_N) and leaf chlorophyll content. Concurrently, it decreased the stomatal conductance (Sc) and intercellular carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentration (Ci). In response to the UV-B radiation stress, the antioxidant enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) increased by 41.2–72.7%, peroxidases (POD) by 49.5–85.7%, malodialdehyde (MDA) by 6.7–20.4% and soluble protein by 4.2–7.6%. The overall results indicated that media treatment with Si might improve soybean growth under elevated UV-B radiation through positive changes in biomass and some physiological attributes that were dependent on cultivar.     

施用保水剂对干旱胁迫下大麦幼苗生长及光合特性的影响

为了探讨施用保水剂对干旱胁迫下大麦幼苗生长及光合特性的影响,给保水剂在大麦抗旱栽培中的应用提供理论依据。采用盆栽法通过测定在不同干旱胁迫下大麦幼苗根长、茎长、叶片相对含水量、叶片光合参数、叶绿素含量等指标,结果表明,在同等水分条件下,施用保水剂可增加大麦幼苗根长、茎长及叶片相对含水量,显著增加大麦幼苗叶片的净光合速率、气孔导度、胞间CO₂浓度、蒸腾速率,说明保水剂可以通过保持大麦叶片较高的光合特性来增强其碳同化能力,进而促进大麦幼苗的生长。且施用保水剂后大麦幼苗叶绿素含量得到显著提高,从而减小了干旱胁迫对植株带来的损害,延缓植株衰老。施用保水剂可以较好地促进干旱胁迫下大麦幼苗的生长发育。     

GROWTH AND PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSE OF HYDROPONICALLY-GROWN SUNFLOWER AS AFFECTED BY SALINITY AND MAGNESIUM LEVELS

The effects of NaCl and magnesium levels (Mg²⁺) on the physiological response of sunflower were investigated. Plants were grown for 54 days in hydroponic culture with NaCl (100 mM) or without NaCl and four concentrations of Mg²⁺: 0, 0.4, 1.0 and 5.0 mM. At the end of the vegetative growing cycle of sunflower, salt stress reduced leaf area development by 51% and dry matter accumulation by 37% as compared to non saline-treated plants; at this stage, considering the percent reduction of partitioned plant dry matter, roots (42%) and leaves (35%) showed to be more salt-sensitive than stem. Growth reduction was related to the drop in net CO₂ assimilation rate and stomatal conductance, which started declining later during the vegetative growth period when leaf ion concentration started increasing. The investigated genotype was unable to exclude ions and significant amounts of Cl^? (about 1700 μmol g^?1 DW) and lesser Na⁺ (700 μmol g^?1 DW) accumulated in the leaves. The decline in net CO₂ assimilation was well correlated to the increase in leaf Cl^? concentration (r² = 0.71) and not to leaf Na⁺ concentration (r² = 0.33). The results suggest that, though sunflower develops an endogenous protection system by which it redistributes this ions in the whole plant, with more ions accumulating in roots and older leaves, growth reduction may be attributed to specific toxic effects of Cl^? on photosynthetic functionality. In both saline and non saline conditions, little or no significant differences in growth parameters of plants exposed to a range from 0.4 to 5 mM of Mg²⁺ were observed. Whereas, its deficiency caused a drastic reduction of dry matter accumulation up to 90%, due to progressive decline in CO₂ assimilation rate and chlorophyll content, with imbalances in Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and K⁺.     

Potassium concentration effect on growth,gas exchange and mineral accumulation in potatoes

This study was conducted to evaluate the responses of potatoes to six K solution concentrations maintained with a flow‐through nutrient film system. Potato plants were grown for 42 days in sloping shallow trays containing a 1 cm layer of quartz gravel with a continuous flow of 4 ml min^‐1 of nutrient solutions having K concentrations of 0.10, 0.55, 1.59, 3.16, 6.44, 9.77 meq L^‐1. Plant leaf area, total and tuber dry weights were reduced over 25% at 0.10 meq L^‐1 of K and over 17% at 9.77 meq L^‐l of K compared to concentrations of 0.55, 1.59, 3.16 and 6.44 meq L^‐1 of K. Gas exchange measurements on leaflets in situ after 39 days of growth demonstrated no significant differences among different K treatments in CO₂ assimilation rate, stomatal conductance, intercellular CO₂ concentration, and transpiration. Further measurements made only on plants grown at 0.10, 1.59, 6.44 meq L^‐1 of K showed similar responses of CO₂ assimilation rate to different intercellular CO₂ concentrations. This suggested that the photosynthetic systems were not affected by different K nutrition. The leaves of plants accumulated about 60% less K at 0.10 meq L^‐1 of K than at higher K concentrations. However, Ca and Mg levels in the leaves were higher at 0.10 meq L^‐1 of K than at higher K concentrations. This indicates that low K nutrition not only reduced plant growth, but also affected nutrient balance between major cations.     

Boron fertilization enhances photosynthesis and water use efficiency in soybean at vegetative growth stage

Abstract

Influence of boron (B) on photosynthesis and water use has not sufficiently been evaluated in soybean despite its worldwide importance as a crop. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of B application on photosynthesis and water use in soybean at vegetative growth stage. A pot experiment was carried out in a greenhouse. Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill cv. M8644 IPRO] was grown in a clayey Oxisol previously fertilized with 4 B rates (0, 1.5, 3.0, and 6.0?mg dm^?3). Net photosynthesis rate (P_n), intercellular CO₂ concentration (C_i), transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (g_s) were measured in the second trifoliate leaf of plants at the V4 growth stage. Instantaneous water use efficiency (WUEis = P_n/E) and intrinsic water use efficiency (WUEic = P_n/g_s) were calculated. B application to soil increased all these variables. The most consistent increases were in P_n, WUEis, and WUEic. The critical level of hot water extractable B in soil that maximized photosynthesis and optimized water use by soybean at vegetative growth stage was calculated to be 0.38?mg dm^?3.     

中国沙棘、俄罗斯沙棘和俄罗斯沙棘×中国沙棘光合特性及影响因子

在陕北黄土丘陵沟壑区用LI-6400光合仪对中国沙棘、俄罗斯沙棘和俄罗斯沙棘&#215;中国沙棘光合特性及影响因子进行了测定。测定结果表明三者的光合速率、气孔导度、胞间CO2浓度、蒸腾速率日变化均为“双峰”曲线。中国沙棘光合“午休”现象较轻,日光合速率和午后光合速率、气孔导度、胞间CO2浓度、蒸腾速率极显著（P〈0．01）高于俄罗斯沙棘和俄罗斯沙棘&#215;中国沙棘。中国沙棘光合作用最适气孔导度、大气CO2浓度、空气相对湿度比俄罗斯沙棘小,最适胞间CO2浓度、蒸腾速率、气温、光合有效辐射比俄罗斯沙棘高。中国沙棘在最适气孔导度、胞间CO2浓度、蒸腾速率和大气CO2浓度下的光合速率比俄罗斯沙棘高;在最适气温、空气相对湿度、光合有效辐射下的光合速率比俄罗斯沙棘低。俄罗斯沙棘&#215;中国沙棘光合“午休”现象比中国沙棘强,比俄罗斯沙棘弱,午后光合速率与俄罗斯沙棘相近;俄罗斯沙棘&#215;中国沙棘最适气孔导度、大气CO2浓度高于中国沙棘和俄罗斯沙棘,最适胞间CO2浓度低于中国沙棘和俄罗斯沙棘,最适蒸腾速率、气温、空气相对湿度、光合有效辐射居于中国沙棘和俄罗斯沙棘之间。俄罗斯沙棘&#215;中国沙棘在最适气孔导度下的光合速率高于中国沙棘和俄罗斯沙棘;在最适胞间CO2浓度、蒸腾速率、气温、大气CO2浓度、空气相对湿度、光合有效辐射下的光合速率低于中国沙棘和俄罗斯沙棘。中国沙棘、俄罗斯沙棘和俄罗斯沙棘&#215;中国沙棘的光合速率均与上午的气孔导度、胞间CO2浓度、蒸腾速率、气温、大气CO2浓度、空气相对湿度、光合有效辐射显著相关,均为“抛物线”关系。     

Amelioration of copper toxicity by iron on Spinach physiology

The effect of excess copper (Cu) on young spinach (Spinacia oleraced) as well as the role of iron (Fe) for amelioration of toxicity on growth and photosynthesis in Cu‐treated plants was evaluated. Plants treated with 160 μM Cu showed symptoms of heavy metal toxicity, while addition of Fe (40 μM) ameliorates to a certain extent toxic effects of Cu, due to antagonistic action between Cu and Fe. Root length and biomass revealed a lower decrease under Cu+Fe than under Cu treatment. Copper accumulation in plant tissues increased, while Fe, sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) declined under Cu treatment. The significant increase in chlorophyll fluorescence (F_o) under 160 μM Cu, possibly reflects the more severe damages suffered at the membrane level with respect to Cu+Fe treatment. Copper decreased the efficiency of excitation energy capture by PSH reaction centers and negatively affected the effective antenna size of PSH. Changes in the rate of carbon dioxide (CO₂) assimilation were associated with changes in both stomatal conductance (gs) and mesophyll capacity for photochemistry as well as with lower pigment content. Net CO₂ assimilation, transpiration rate, and stomatal conductance were reduced. These changes at PSII are characteristic of a saturation of photosynthetic metabolic activity. The results suggest a tight linkage between PSII activity and CO₂ fixation under Cu treatment. Amelioration of Cu toxicity was obvious under Fe application.     

Relationship between wheat yield and foliage temperature: theory and its application to infrared measurements

A theoretical basis is presented for the relationship between crop yield and one time-of-day measurements of the foliage-ambient temperature differential (T_f — T_a). The theory was used to analyse two contrasting relationships between wheat yield and T_f — T_a. The relationships resulted from a range of irrigation treatments and two times of sowing imposed on 26 plots. This caused yields to vary from 8.3 to 1.7 t ha^?1 when the crop was sown in June and from 5.5 to 2.2 t ha^?1 when sown in August. To explain these variations T_f — T_a and associated micrometeorological data were collected around solar noon during the period from jointing to maturity. From these data transpiration and the associated aerodynamic and canopy stomatal resistances to water vapour transport were predicted. The associated canopy conductances for diffusion of CO₂ were derived and used to predict the corresponding CO₂ assimilation rates.The predicted transpiration and CO₂ assimilation rates were closely related to yield within each year but not between years. However if the rates were normalised for the shorter growing season of the late sown crop the yields from the 26 plots formed a common relationship. The transpiration vs. yield relationship was further improved by normalising for differences in foliage vapour pressure deficit. The good agreement between field data and theory was probably due to the dominating effect of stomatal control on both T_f — T_a and CO₂ assimilation rate. If CO₂ assimilation rate is strongly influenced by factors other than soil water stress then the theory may not hold and a different relationship may exist. It was concluded that infrared thermometry is a useful technique for studying yield variations in agronomic experiments where these variations are due to stomatal control.     

银中杨光合作用和蒸腾作用对土壤干旱的响应

 以银中杨3年生苗木为试验材料,通过盆栽试验,研究土壤干旱程度、干旱持续时间和逐渐干旱对银中杨叶片气体交换参数的日变化和光响应过程的影响。结果表明:银中杨具有较强的抗旱性;适度干旱有利于银中杨光合作用;逐渐干旱过程中,土壤含水量在40.1%～20.2%范围内,光合速率随着含水量的减少而降低,但降低幅度较小,表观量子效率基本不变;土壤含水量为15.5%时的光合能力则大幅度下降;银中杨的光饱和点在750～1300μmol.m-2.s-1之间,随着土壤含水量的下降,光饱和点降低;光合速率和腾速率与气孔导度的正相关性较强,与胞间CO2则有负相关的趋势;在逐渐干旱过程中,水分利用率随着含水量的下降而上升,但长时间的严重干旱胁迫导致水分利用率降低;在相同含水量条件下,逐渐干旱对各光合参数的影响均小于梯度干旱,这说明银中杨光合作用能忍受暂时的干旱,重度水分胁迫持续时间较长时,光合速率和蒸腾速率大幅度降低,这是银中杨对干旱的一种适应方式。     

Quantifying effects of atmospheric CO2 enrichment on stomatal conductance and evapotranspiration of water hyacinth via infrared thermometry

Measurements of stomatal conductance and evaporative water loss from two tanks of water hyacinths growing at Phoenix, AZ, one under ambient conditions and one considerably enriched in atmospheric CO₂, are reported. Stomatal conductances of plants in the CO₂-enriched treatment were reduced to values half as great as those of plants in the ambient treatment at a mean mid-day CO₂ concentration of 550 ppm, which resulted in a 22% decrease in total evaporative water loss; while in going from an ambient CO₂ concentration of 310 ppm to a doubled concentration of 620 ppm there was a 27% decrease in evaporative water loss. Both of these physiological responses were well characterized by the Idso—Jackson plant water stress index. Additionally, it was found that the stomatal response to increasing atmospheric CO₂ was identical to that induced by removing water from the plant roots, and that the reduction in evaporative water loss with increasing atmospheric CO₂ was an inverse linear function of the plant water stress index — both of which phenomena had previously been theorized but never before experimentally verified.     

Evaluating the effectiveness of biofertilizer on salt tolerance of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

In the present study, the effectiveness of biofertilizer containing plant growth promoting rhizobacteria was evaluated on growth and physiology of cotton under saline conditions. Cotton plants were exposed to different levels of NPK (50%, 75%, and 100% of recommended levels) along with coating with biofertilizer under saline (15 dS m^?1) and non-saline conditions. It was observed that the biofertilizer seed coating improved growth, physiological (relative water content and chlorophyll content index), and ionic (K⁺/Na⁺) characteristics under saline and non-saline conditions. However, shoot growth (shoot fresh and dry weight) and leaf gas exchange characteristics (CO₂ assimilation rate, A; intercellular CO₂ concentration, C_i; transpiration rate, E; stomatal conductance, g_s) were decreased by biofertilizer coating under saline condition. Increasing levels of NPK fertilizer increased shoot growth, whereas root growth was maximum at 75% NPK level under saline conditions. The results of the study indicate that the biofertilizer application was very effective for cotton plant in non-saline conditions but not very effective in saline conditions.