Seed Yield and Yield Contributing Characters as Influenced by N Supply in Rapeseed-mustard

Brasisca Juncea , cv. Pusa Bold, and B. campestris , cv. Pusa Kalyani, were raised under field conditions with varying levels of N supply from 0–120 kg ha^-1. The production profile of branches and pods thereon was measured, per unit area basis, throughout the crop ontogeny. At maturity, data on the yield contributing characters, viz. pod dry weight, pod number, seed number per pod, 1000 seed weight, seed wall ratio and seed yield in different order branches, was recorded.
The branching pattern and the number of pods produced on different order branches, in the two species, was favourably modified by the increasing levels of N supply. Primary and secondary branches contributed to the seed yield to an extent of 80 % of the total yield. Nitrogen treatment had no significant effect on 1000 seed weight. B. juncea exhibited significantly higher yield over B. campestris. N supply up to 120 kg ha ^-1 linearly increased seed yield in both the species. However, it exerted a negative effect too partitioning of assimilates from pod wall to seed. The study indicated that rapeseed-mustard, grown under short winter-season environment with adequate soil moisture, has the potential for higher N-fertilizer optima exceeding 120 kg ha ^-1.     

Analysis of Growth and Productivity of Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea) in Relation to FYM, Nitrogen and Source of Fertilizer

A field experiment was conducted during the winter seasons of 1992–93 and 1993–94 at Anand to study the effect of FYM, nitrogen and source of fertilizer on growth and yield of mustard [ Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj & Cosson]. The results showed significant variation in leaf area index (LAI), crop growth rate (CGR), dry matter production and seed yield. The direct effect of farmyard manure (FYM) was conspicuous in improving the growth of mustard. FYM application at 10 tonnes ha⁻¹ significantly increased the LAI, CGR and dry matter accumulation per plant at almost all the stages during first year study (1992–93) and in pooled analysis. Similarly, nitrogen application registered maximum LAI, CGR at 75 kg level and RGR and NAR at 50 kg level at almost all the during both years. Sulphur carrying source (Ammonium sulphate plus single super phosphate) increased all stages growth characters. Maximum dry matter accumulation per plant and seed yield were recorded with highest levels of FYM (20 tonnes ha⁻¹), N (75 kg ha⁻¹) and source having S. Seed yield was strongly associated with LAI and dry matter accumulation per plant at all the stages.     

Physiological Analysis of Growth and Yield of Watermelon (Citrullus ianatus Thunb Musf) in Relation to Irrigation and Nitrogen Fertilization

Analysis of growth and yield of watermelon in relation to irrigation and N fertilization carried out at the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore, during 1983–84 and 1984–85 indicated that frequent irrigations when the soil matric potential at 15 cm depth reached -25 kPa resulted in maximum dry matter accumulation and distribution, leaf area index (LAI), leaf area duration (LAD), net assimilation rate (NAR) and crop growth rate (CGR) leading to higher fruit yield as compared to irrigations at -50 and -75 kPa. Imposing a stress of -75 kPa either during pre-flowering or flowering or fruit development phase adversely affected various growth parameters resulting in reduced yield as compared to that irrigated uniformly at -25 kPa. Increasing levels of N fertilization increased the dry matter accumulation and distribution through higher LAI, LAD and CGR and contributed larger proportion of the dry matter to fruits resulting in higher fruit yield.     

Relationship Between Leaf Nitrogen and Photosynthetic Characteristics in Brassica juncea and B. campestris

The relationship between leaf nitrogen content (N) versus photosynthetic rate (PN) and other associated parameters was examined in Brassica juncea , cv. Pusa Bold and B campestris , cv. Pusa Kalyani. Leaf N, specific leaf weight (SLW), leaf area and PN were significantly higher in B. juncea , while the chlorophyll content was significantly lower compared to Brassica campestris. A significant positive correlation was obtained between leaf N content and photosynthetic rate in both species. Similarly, SLW was also positively related with leaf N content, Brassica juncea showed higher photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency (PNUE) than B campestris. Leaf N and PNUE were negatively associated. This was attributed to a low investment of N in photosynthesis related reactions and/or partitioning of N towards compounds functionally unrelated to photosynthesis. This attribution is further supported by the negative relationship obtained between SLW and PNUE.     

Response of Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) to Applied Nitrogen with or without Ethrel Spray under Non-irrigated Conditions

Field studies were conducted during the winter seasons of 1995–96 and 1996–97 at the Agricultural Farm of Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India on mustard ( Brassica juncea L. Czern & Coss., var. Alankar) under non-irrigated conditions, to evaluate the effect of foliar spray of 200 p.p.m. ethrel (2-chloroethyl phosphonic acid) at flowering growth stage along with basal 0, 40, 80 or 120 kg N ha⁻¹ on net photosynthetic rate (P_N), stomatal conductance (C_S), stomatal resistance (R_S), leaf K content, relative water content (RWC), leaf area index (LAI) and total dry matter (TDM) production monitored at 20 days after spray application, and plant N content, seed N content, nitrogen harvest index (NHI), nitrogen yield merit (NYM), pods plant⁻¹, 1000 seed weight, seed yield, biological yield, harvest index (HI), seed yield merit (SYM) and merit of genotype (MOG) at harvest. Results indicated that, at 0 or 40 kg N ha⁻¹, ethrel did not produce any significance effect, but at basal 80 kg N ha⁻¹, ethrel affected the parameters favourably with the exception of 1000 seed weight, HI, seed N and NHI. Ethrel-sprayed plants utilized N from the soil more effectively and showed increased NYM. Yield attributes, seed yield and merit of genotype (in terms of NYM and SYM) were also enhanced. Ethrel spray enhanced seed yield under water stress conditions mainly by increasing K uptake and retaining higher RWC, thereby decreasing R_S and increasing LAI, P_N and TDM production.     

Light Interception, Leaf Area Index and Dry Matter Yield in Fodder Sorghum at Different Plant Populations

Fodder sorghum (M. P. Chari) was grown at varying populations to examine its influence on light interception, leaf area index and biomass production. DMY, CGR and IPAR depending on LAI reached maximum at LAI 5 of 150 000 plants ha⁻¹ stand and thus yielded higher biomass. Therefore, physiological potential of fodder sorghum crop was found to be maximum at a population density of 150 000 plants ha⁻¹. Further increases in population developed mutual shading and adversely affected the crop growth rate and dry matter accumulation. Significant linear relationships of dry matter yield with IPAR, plant population densities, LAI and CGR clearly indicate the interdependence of these characters.     

Nitrogen Nutrition of Potato Cultivars Differing in Maturity

In potato, dry matter (DM) production and partitioning between plant organs and N accumulation are affected by N application; however, since cultivars differ in these processes, N fertilization must be adjusted to each cultivar. This paper studies the response of potato cultivars differing in maturity to N fertilization in the south-east of the Buenos Aires Province (37°45'S, 58°18'W) in two growing seasons. Treatments combined four N doses (0–180 kg ha⁻¹) and four cultivars: Jaerla (early), Spunta (mid-early), Mailén INTA (medium late) and Huinkul MAG (late). DM and N content were measured in leaves, stems and tubers throughout the growing season and intercepted photosynthetically active radiation was regularly assessed. There was an increase in tuber yield up to intermediate N doses (60 kg ha⁻¹ in 1990 and 120 kg ha⁻¹ in 1991). Tuber yield was similar for Spunta and Huinkul MAG. There was no interaction between cultivar and N fertilization for tuber dry matter yield. DM partitioning to leaves and tubers during the growing season differed among cultivars, but N availability affected partitioning similarly for all cultivars. Jaerla had a high and Huinkul MAG had a low radiation use efficiency between plant emergence and the beginning of tuber formation. Jaerla, Spunta and Mailén INTA reached maximum N content in foliage at ≈60 days after emergence and Huinkul MAG 20 days later. Total N content at maturity varied between 120 and 250 kg ha⁻¹ and was affected by cultivar and N dose. The results will help to improve N fertilization recommendations and management practices as related to each cultivar under the environmental conditions of this region.     

Performance of Rapeseed-mustard Cultivars under Various Moisture Regimes on the Gangetic Alluvial Plain of West Bengal

A Field trial was conducted during 1988–89 and 1989–90 at Water Management Research Station, Memari. Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Burdwan, to study the effect of three different irrigation regimes, namely rainfed (I₁) (No irrigation), one irrigation (I₂) at flowering and two irrigations (I₃ at flowering and at sihqua formation stages) on the grain yield and water expenses on four different rapeseed-mustard cultivars, namely Pusa Bold, Pusa Baroni, Varuna and DIR 247. The variety DIR 247 recorded maximum grain yield (12.1 qha') followed by Pusa Baroni (11.8 q ha⁻¹). The variety Varuna showed the lowest water use efficiency (48.1 kg ha⁻¹ cm⁻¹) while DIR 247 showed the maximum value of 57.0 kg ha⁻¹ cm⁻¹. The number of irrigations significantly increased the grain yield. Two irrigations, one at flowering and at siliqua formation stage increased grain yield by 28 % over the rainfed plots. During the crop growth period the actual water expenses among the cultivars in any moisture regime were more or less similar. The interaction between varieties and irrigation levels were, however, not significant.     

Growth Analysis in Relation to Pigeonpea Improvement

An attempt was made to assess possible constraints to higher production, with respect to partitioning of total dry matter to reproductive sinks in early pigeonpea. Growth, dry matter accumulation and yield components were determined in four diverse genotypes under four dates of sowing and different plant densities. Data on growth characteristics, dry matter accumulation (vegetative and reproductive) were obtained for three sowings, while the data on yield components were obtained for two dates of sowing. Growth analysis showed that the total dry matter was low upto 30 days after sowing and increased linearly upto 120 days. Coversely, LAD was high for the first 30 days and reduced at later stages of growth. The mean LAI of genotypes did not very much at initial stage of growth. However, it has given interesting picture during 70 to 90 days of growth. The higher biological yield and seed yield were attributable to high LAI and LAD coupled with thick stem, more effective branches, more pods per plant and larger raceme length. Harvest index was the maximum with increased plant populations in all sowings. Indeterminate varieties under high plant density and narrow row spacing (50 cm) developed a large leaf area and were presumably able to make better use of light. Growth and branching of individual plants were reduced at the higher plant population, but on per unit basis more dry matter was produced. It is suggested that breeding should be concentrated to improve an inability to accumulate adequate vegetative dry matter for the maintenance and filling of pods, may force the plant to continue vegetative production into the reproductive dry matter to support production of ultimate seed yield.     

Growth Analysis of Onion (Allium cepa L.) in Relation to Irrigation and Nitrogen Fertilization

Studies were carried out at the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore during winter seasons of 1982—83 and 1983—84 to analyse the growth rhythm of onion in relation to irrigation and N fertilization. It was observed that irrigation at 0.45 to 0.65 bar soil water potential recorded higher dry matter accumulation and distribution, leaf area index (LAI), leaf area duration (LAD), leaf area ratio (LAR) and crop growth rate (CGR) during most of the stages, while net assimilation rate (NAR) and relative growth rate (RGR) were not markedly affected. Highest harvest index was noticed with irrigation at 0.65 bar.
Nitrogen fertilization significantly increased dry matter accumulation and distribution into different parts, LAI, LAD, LAR, CGR and harvest index. Although NAR and RGR showed an increasing trend with N fertilization, the effect was not significant during most of the stages. There was no significant interaction between soil water potential and N fertilization on any of the growth parameters.     

Response of Mustard to Ethrel Spray and Basal and Foliar Application of Nitrogen

In a field trial conducted during 1992–93 and 1993–94, the effect of basal (B) nitrogen (N) (45 and 60 kg N ha⁻¹) and foliar application (F) of water (W) or 10 kg N ha⁻¹ and 400 or 600 ppm ethrel (E) (2-Chloro ethyl phosphonic acid) at 70 days after sowing was studied on leaf area index and dry mass at 90 days and pod number per plant, seeds per pod, 1000 seed weight, seed yield, oil content and oil vield at harvest of mustard ( Brassica juncea L. Czern & Coss.) cv. T-59. Recommended basal (B) application of 90 kg N ha (BN₉₀) was used as control. On the basis of 2 year data it was found that basal application of 60 kg N and foliar spray of 10 kg N ha ⁻¹ and 600 ppm ethrel gave higher values for growth and yield characteristics and enhanced seed yield and oil yield by 12.5 and 14.8%, respectively over control BN_90.     

超高产常规粳稻宁粳1号和宁粳3号群体特征及对氮的响应

2007-2008年对宁粳1号和宁粳3号的丰产示范方进行调查,2008年以宁粳3号为材料进行氮肥用量和前后比例试验,研究常规粳型超级稻超高产群体特征及对氮的响应。结果表明,常规粳型超级稻宁粳1号和宁粳3号抽穗后干物质积累占籽粒产量的70%~80%,茎叶等营养器官的表观转运率少,易高产稳产。足够的颖花量是高产稳产的保证,要达到11.0 t hm^-2以上的产量,颖花数要 ≥ 42 000 m^-2;要达到11.7 t hm^-2以上的产量,颖花数要 ≥ 45 000 m^-2,同时结实率 ≥ 90%,粒重 ≥ 26 mg。超高产群体抽穗期适宜叶面积指数(LAI)为7.0~7.5,叶色呈“黑黄”节奏变化,后期生长速率(CGR)高,收获指数(HI)≥ 0.5。氮肥的适量施用和适当后移,不仅可以保证宁粳1号和宁粳3号生育期“黑黄”节奏变化,建立抽穗期适宜LAI的群体,还可以保持超高产株型特征,提高抽穗后LAI、叶面积维持期、CGR和HI,最终实现超高产量。     

籼、粳超级稻光合物质生产与转运特征的差异研究

为阐明籼、粳超级稻干物质积累及光合生产特征的差异,以江苏地区大面积推广种植的5个超级杂交籼稻组合和5个常规粳型超级稻品种为试验材料,对稻麦两熟制条件下籼、粳超级稻干物质积累、分配、运转及叶面积、光合势、群体生长率、净同化率、秧苗素质、叶型等方面进行了系统的比较研究。结果表明,粳稻生育前期(移栽至拔节期)干物质积累量、光合势、群体生长率、净同化率及上三叶叶长、叶基角、叶开角、披垂度和叶面积衰减率、收获指数均小于籼稻,而生育中后期(拔节至成熟期)干物质积累量、光合势、群体生长率、净同化率及有效叶面积率、高效叶面积率、粒叶比(颖花/叶、实粒/叶、粒重/叶)、最大叶面积指数、总充实量、实收产量、生物产量、茎鞘最大输出量和表观输出量及比率均大于籼稻,差异显著或极显著。虽然粳稻主要生育期单茎干物重均不及籼稻,但群体数量优势保证粳稻具有较高的群体干物质积累量和叶面积,且随着生长发育的持续,群体光合物质生产优势不断加大,群体干物质积累量于抽穗后25 d前后超过籼稻。粳稻灌浆后期(乳熟至成熟期)仍保持强劲生长优势,而灌浆初期(抽穗至乳熟期)茎鞘贮存物质合理输出,有效保障了高效光合层的安全支撑及高积累产量库的流畅充实。高生物学产量的稳定形成和叶面积“稳升缓降”态势以及拔节至成熟期较强的高效光合物质生产,是粳稻光合系统高效持续产出、灌浆充实多及高产形成的重要特征和原因。     

甘蓝型油菜对华北坝上冷凉环境的适应性

针对华北坝上冷凉区短季类经济作物缺乏,芥菜型油菜品质差、产量低等问题,于2017-2018年在农业农村部张北农业资源与生态环境重点野外观测试验站,引种了甘蓝型双低油菜品种华油杂62,以当地传统芥菜型油菜品种大黄为对照,监测了两品种的叶面积指数、角果净光合速率日变化、地上部干物质积累量、养分积累量和油菜农艺性状、产量等。结果表明,华油杂62较大黄生育期长约10d,平均叶面积指数高23.36%~36.73%;角果净光合速率不及大黄,N、P、K积累量高于大黄;干物质快速增长期延长21d,干物质积累潜值高46.86%;菜子产量较大黄高22.8%~54.0%。甘蓝型油菜华油杂62对华北坝上冷凉区的地理气候环境有较好的生态适应性,具有替代区域传统芥菜型油菜的优势。     

玉米‘洛玉863’群体动态指标研究

‘洛玉863’是洛阳农林科学院选育而成的高淀粉型玉米新品种,为了对该品种的高产栽培和示范推广提供理论依据,通过采用田间定点定株取样和公式法,研究了品种的群体动态指标,以明晰其适宜群体产量结构和群体动态指标,为品种的高产栽培和示范推广提供理论依据。结果表明：‘洛玉863’适宜种植密度为60000株/hm2,产量结构为60000穗/hm2、穗行数15.0行、行粒数37.5粒、千粒重381.5 g,群体生产力得到了充分的发挥,产量达12599.4 kg/hm2。适宜密度下,群体各项动态指标发展协调,叶面积指数(LAI)在吐丝期最大值达到5.41,且稳定期长,成熟时仍达2.94,使‘洛玉863’活秆成熟的优点得到充分体现;叶面积持续期(LAD)总量达到335.46×104 m2?d/hm2,在各生育时期的分配合理;净同化率(NAR)与叶面积持续期(LAD)协调较好;干物质积累总量24702.3 kg/hm2,其中吐丝期以后的干物质积累量占全部积累量的60%;群体生长率(CGR)达247.0 kg/(hm2?d);灌浆速率始终保持在合理的较高水平。吐丝期以后的叶面积指数(LAI)、叶面积持续期(LAD)、干物质积累量和群体生长率(CGR)与最终的籽粒产量呈密切的正相关,可以作为适宜群体的标志。     

Effects of Irrigation at Different Growth Stages and Source-Sink Manipulations on Yield and Yield Components of Mung Bean, Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek, in Dry and Intermediate Zones of Sri Lanka

Irrigation is a management option available to farmers in the subhumid zones of Sri Lanka to increase mung bean yields during the dry Yala season. The objective of this study was to quantify the yield gain in response to irrigation at different stages of the crop and thereby determine the most suitable stage/s of irrigation. Four field experiments were conducted during Yala in 1995 and 1996 at two sites, Maha-Illuppallama (MI) and Kundasale (KS). Eight irrigation regimes consisting of all possible combinations of irrigation at three growth stages of the crop were defined. The respective growth stages were vegetative (from germination to appearance of first flower), flowering (from appearance of first flower to 75 % pod initiation) and pod-filling (from 75 % pod initiation to maturity). The treatments which received irrigation during two or more stages had significantly higher yields (793–1396 kg ha⁻¹) than those which received irrigation during only one stage (401–756 kg ha⁻¹) with the lowest yield being shown by the rain-fed treatment (227–396 kg ha⁻¹). When at least two stages can be irrigated, irrigation during the flowering and pod-filling stages was most effective. Irrigation during flowering produced the highest yield gain when only one stage could be irrigated. Seed yield showed a strong positive correlation with number of pods m^−2. Fifity per cent de-podding caused yield reductions at both sites, indicating sink limitation. In contrast, 50 % defoliation reduced the yields only at MI where the number of pods m⁻² was greater than at KS. Hence, source limitation was present only when the number of pods was higher.     

Effect of Gibberellic Acid Spray and Basal Nitrogen and Phosphorus on Productivity and Fatty Acid Composition of Rapeseed-Mustard

Two field experiments were conducted during] 994-95 to study the effect of spray of 10⁻⁵ M GA3 at 40 days after sowing on mustard ( Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss.) cv. Varuna grown with basally applied 0, 40, 80 and 120 kg N ha⁻¹ (Expt. 1) and 0,15, 30 and 45 kg P ha⁻¹ (Expt. 2) on pod number per plant, seeds per pod, 1000 seed weight, seed yield, biological yield, harvest index and fatty acid composition of oil. No significant difference between water and GA3 spray was found when basally applied nitrogen was 0 or 40 kg N ha⁻¹. N₈₀ proved to be the best for yield characteristics. In another experiment on phosphorus, GA₃ and 30 kg P ha⁻¹ individually enhanced the yield, but interaction of GA₃ and P remained non-significant. The fatty acid composition of oil in both experiments was significantly affected only by nitrogen and phosphorus treatments for oleic acid and erucic acid. It was found that return in the form of yield was more for every kg applied fertilizer under GA, spray treatment. The response was more for N fertilizer in comparison to P. GA₃ at a low level of fertilization significantly increased the return from fertilization.     

Growth Analysis Using Classical and Functional Techniques in Relation to Soil Moisture in Mustard

A Reid experiment was conducted to study the effect of soil moisture on growth of two mustard cultivars using classical and functional techniques of growth analysis. Two soil moisture levels were irrigated at 10-day intervals and a rainfed control was included. Total dry matter (TDM), leaf area index (LAI) and leaf area duration (LAD) were significantly increased by irrigation at most of stages of growth. Starting from a lower value, LAI and LAD reached a peak and then gradually declined. Among the growth attributes, crop growth rate (CGR), leaf area ratio (LAR) and leaf weight ratio (LWR) increased significantly under irrigation. Net assimilation rate (NAR) decreased more in the irrigated plants than the rainfed plants at the later stages of growth. LAR and LWR declined throughout with increasing time and plant weight. Seed yield of the irrigated plants was positively correlated with the pre-flowering LAI and the post-flowering CGR and NAR. In the rainfed plants, seed yield was positively correlated with LAI and CGR at the post-flowering stage and negatively with the post-flowering NAR and pre-flowering LAR.     

不同水稻氮利用效率基因型的物质生产与积累特性

选用氮素利用高效型和低效型具有代表性的12个粳稻品种，研究225 kg hm^-2施氮条件下各基因型水稻物质生产与积累特性及其与氮利用效率的相互关系。结果表明，不同氮效率类型水稻群体茎蘖数没有鲜明的特征差异，但氮高效类型水稻的茎蘖成穗率极显著高于氮低效类型。氮高效类型水稻物质生产与积累具有“前稳、中小、后高”的特性，即在有效分蘖临界叶龄期前具有适宜的叶面积、光合势和群体生长速率，物质积累具一定优势，但其占全生育期总积累量的比例较少；有效分蘖临界叶龄至拔节阶段，无效分蘖发生少，叶面积指数、光合势、群体生长速率低，物质积累也不具优势；拔节以后，具有良好的群体质量，叶面积增长较快，群体光合势和生长速率加大，物质积累优势较为明显。不同氮效率类型水稻物质生产与积累的特性不仅可以解释水稻氮素利用的品种间差异，同时也为生产上提高水稻氮利用效率提供了可行的调控途径。     

Effect of Foliar Applications of Glycinebetaine on Stress Tolerance, Growth, and Yield of Spring Cereals and Summer Turnip Rape in Finland

Crop losses caused by environmental stresses might be reduced by applying osmoprotectans to crop canopies. Glycinebetaine is endogenously accumulated by some halophytes under stress conditions and represents such a compound. Glycinebetaine was applied exogenously to barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.), oat ( Avena sativa L.), spring wheat ( Triticum aestwum L.), and summer turnip rape ( Brassica rapa ssp. oleifera DC.) canopies and its optimal concentration was monitored in the greenhouse. In field experiments the response of crop plants to betaine applications was assessed by measuring accumulation of above ground biomass, leaf area index (LAI), leaf chlorophyll, and yield. The optimum betaine concentration producing advantageous effects on growth and crop physiology in turnip rape was close to 0.1 M and for wheat 0.3 M. Such concentrations promoted accumulation of betaine similar to that of halophytes under stress conditions [ca. 200 μmol (g DM)⁻¹]. In the 1993 field experiment peak LAIs were recorded in irrigated wheat and barley treated with 17.5 kg ha⁻¹ betaine applied at 300 1 ha⁻¹. Green leaf area was slightly more persistent in wheat treated twice with 1 kg ha⁻¹ betaine applied at 200 1 ha⁻¹ in 1994, although it was not associated with increased grain yield. Our results indicated that betaine has no actual potential in Finland for the principal grain crops but further studies are needed in stress prone environments to assess the potential of betaine treatments for preventing crop failures.