Assessing yield losses caused by the harvester ant Messor barbarus (L.) in winter cereals

Harvester ants from the species Messor barbarus (L.) are important seed predators in semi-arid cereal fields of NE Spain, and can contribute substantially to weed control. However, occasionally they harvest newly sown crop seeds at sowing in autumn, or ripe cereal grains close to harvest in summer, causing yield losses.A preliminary study was conducted in 34 commercial winter cereal fields to measure yield loss, and to identify factors that influence it. The area affected by ants was measured ten days prior to the anticipated harvest date. Ant colony size, nest density, crop height, weed densities and temperatures at sowing were assessed.At sowing, harvester ants did not cause yield losses (0.2% of potential yield on average). At harvest, yield losses were generally low as well (0.6%) although occasionally higher losses were recorded (max. 9.2%). Yield losses significantly increased with increasing nest density, nest size and with number of years of no-till. The results of this study show that in 2009 yield losses caused by M. barbarus were insignificant and more than offset by the benefits provided by the destruction of weed seeds.     

播期和种植密度对旱地玉米生长发育及产量的影响

采用裂区试验设计,研究不同播期和5.25万、6.00万、6.75万和7.50万株/hm2不同种植密度对玉米品种先玉335和强盛388生长发育及产量的影响。结果表明,随种植密度增加,植株株高和穗位高升高,茎粗和单株干物质重降低,播期推迟使这种升高和降低效应进一步加强。玉米产量在密度间的变化根据玉米品种不同而异,整体均表现为晚播处理产量较低,中播处理较高。随着播期提前,玉米生育期也相应延长,生育期延长的影响主要表现在播种至拔节期。先玉335在早播和中播条件下适宜密度为6.75万株/hm2,晚播条件下适宜低密度种植;强盛388在3个播期下均适宜低密度种植。本地区旱地玉米最佳播期在4月27日左右,适宜播种密度为6.75万株/hm2左右,玉米茎秆性状及产量指标较优。     

播期、密度与施肥水平对渝麦12号产量和品质的影响

为了探讨重庆小麦高产优质高效综合栽培管理措施,以渝麦12号为材料,研究了播期、密度及施肥水平对小麦产量和品质的影响。结果表明,播期和密度对产量有极显著的影响,施肥量效应表现显著差异,并且播期效应大于密度和施肥效应。4个播期中,早播(10月29日播种)产量显著高于其他播期;密度以180万.hm-2的产量最高;施肥量以基施40%复合肥450kg.hm-2+追施纯N 60kg.hm-2处理的产量最高。蛋白质含量与施肥水平呈二次曲线关系,适当追肥可提高蛋白质含量。渝麦12号在11月7日播种、播种密度135万.hm-2、基施40%复合肥(含N 20%、P2O512%、K2O 8%)450kg.hm-2+追施30kg.hm-2纯氮的处理条件下蛋白质含量最高。     

播期和密氮组合对镇麦10号干物质积累及产量的调控效应

为确定江苏淮南麦区红皮强筋小麦高产栽培的适宜播期、种植密度和氮肥施用量,选用红皮强筋小麦新品种镇麦10号作为试验材料,在基施45%复合肥375 kg·hm^-2和尿素150 kg·hm^-2条件下,分析了播期和密氮组合对小麦群体干物质积累和产量的影响。结果表明,播期和密氮组合对镇麦10号产量及干物质积累量有极显著的影响。随着播期的延迟,镇麦10号产量先升后降,穗数和千粒重下降,穗粒数略有增加。11月5日播种较10月20日和11月20日播种分别增产2.26%和10.59%;种植密度对籽粒产量的影响因播期不同而有所差异;种植密度增加有利于提高有效穗数,但降低穗粒数和千粒重。10月20日播种时,提高种植密度不利于产量的增加,在基本苗225×10⁴ 株·hm^-2下平均产量最高,较基本苗300×10⁴ 和375×10⁴ 株·hm^-2分别增产3.52%和9.21%;11月5日和11月20日播种时,籽粒产量随着密度的提高而增加,以基本苗375×10⁴ 株·hm^-2的产量最高,较基本苗225×10⁴ 和300×104株·hm^-2分别增产6.32%、4.89%和4.58%、3.25%。增加追氮量有利于穗数、穗粒数和千粒重的增加,但过量追氮时,穗数、穗粒数和千粒重降低;追施纯氮120 kg·hm^-2可显著提高籽粒产量,追氮量过多过少均不利于产量的增加。早播、增加种植密度、增施氮肥均能促进镇麦10号干物质积累,但不利于产量的提高。在本试验条件下,镇麦10号高产最适播期为11月5日,最优密度为375×10⁴ 株·hm^-2,适宜追氮量为120 kg·hm^-2。     

Pests and diseases contribute to sugar beet yield difference between top and averagely managed farms

Crop yield has to increase to meet the expanding demand for food, feed and bio-energy, caused by world population growth and increasing wealth. Raising sugar yield is also the key to sustaining the profitability of the sugar beet crop. This paper describes the factors that impacted on yield differences between 26 ‘top’ and 26 ‘average’ growers based on four years yield data (2000-2004). In 2006 and 2007, the top growers had 20% higher sugar yields compared to their neighbouring average growers. Heterodera schachtii and Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) were mainly found on clay soils. Top growers on clay soil had significantly lower infestation levels of H. schachtii (4.4x lower, P = 0.008), BNYVV (2.7x lower, P = 0.016) and other foliar symptoms (Pseudomonas, Phoma betae and Verticillium spp. combined) (1.5x lower, P < 0.001), than the average growers, respectively. On sandy soils, infestation levels of Meloidogyne spp. (P = 0.016), Cercospora beticola (P = 0.005) and Erysiphe betae (P = 0.027) were significantly lower (5x, 1.4x and 1.8x, respectively) for the top growers. The top growers on clay or sand sowed 5 and 6 days earlier respectively, and made more fungicide applications and thus used more fungicides than the average growers. Insect pests were not observed at levels damaging for sugar yield: Insecticidal seed treatments provided sufficient control of insect pests. In multiple regression, 35% of the variance in sugar yield on clay soils was explained by H. schachtii and BNYVV infestation levels and by sowing date. On sandy soils, the infestation levels of Heterodera betae and Aphanomyces cochlioides, number of fungicide applications and sowing date explained 71% of the variance in sugar yield. Despite crop protection measures, the calculated yield losses due to pests and diseases for the top growers were 30.2 and 13.1% and for average growers were 37.1 and 16.7% on sandy and clay soils, respectively. Therefore, pest and disease infestation levels partly explained the differences in sugar yield between top and average growers analysed. The skills and knowledge of the grower are important to reducing damage by pests and diseases. Communication of knowledge, obtained by research, towards growers is vital for the long-term raising of yield and increasing of productivity in sugar beet, as well as in other crops.     

Effects of harvest and sowing time on the performance of the rotation of winter wheat–summer maize in the North China Plain

Rotation of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and summer maize (Zea mays L.) is the prevailing double-cropping system in the North China Plain. Typically, winter wheat is planted at the beginning of October and harvested during early June. Maize is planted immediately after wheat and harvested around 25th of September. The growing season of maize is limited to about 100–110 days. How to rectify the sowing date of winter wheat and the harvest time of summer maize are two factors to achieve higher grain yield of the two crops. Three-year field experiments were carried out to compare the grain yield, evapotranspiration (ET), water use efficiency (WUE) and economic return under six combinations of the harvest time of summer maize and sowing date of winter wheat from 2002 to 2005. Yield of winter wheat was similar for treatments of sowing before 10th of October. Afterwards, yield of winter wheat was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) by 0.5% each day delayed in sowing. The kernel weight of maize was significantly increased (P < 0.05) by about 0.6% each day delayed from harvest before 5th of October. After 10th of October, kernel weight of maize was not significantly increased with the delay in harvest because of the lower temperature. The kernel weight of maize with thermal time was in a quadratic relationship. Total seasonal ET of winter wheat was reduced by 2.5 mm/day delayed in sowing and ET of maize was averagely increased by 2.0 mm/day delayed in harvest. The net income, benefit–cost and net profit per millimetre of water used of harvest maize at the beginning of October and sowing winter wheat around 10th of October were greater compared with other treatments. Then the common practice of harvest maize and sowing winter wheat in the region could be delayed by 5 days correspondingly.     

High-yield irrigated maize in the Western U.S. Corn Belt: I. On-farm yield,yield potential,and impact of agronomic practices

Quantifying the exploitable gap between average farmer yields and yield potential (Y_P) is essential to prioritize research and formulate policies for food security at national and international levels. While irrigated maize accounts for 58% of total annual maize production in the Western U.S. Corn Belt, current yield gap in these systems has not been quantified. Our objectives were to quantify Y_P, yield gaps, and the impact of agronomic practices on both parameters in irrigated maize systems of central Nebraska. The analysis was based on a 3-y database with field-specific values for yield, applied irrigation, and N fertilizer rate (n = 777). Y_P was estimated using a maize simulation model in combination with actual and interpolated weather records and detailed data on crop management collected from a subset of fields (n = 123). Yield gaps were estimated as the difference between actual yields and simulated Y_P for each field-year observation. Long-term simulation analysis was performed to evaluate the sensitivity of Y_P to changes in selected management practices. Results showed that current irrigated maize systems are operating near the Y_P ceiling. Average actual yield ranged from 12.5 to 13.6 Mg ha⁻¹ across years. Mean N fertilizer efficiency (kg grain per kg applied N) was 23% greater than average efficiency in the USA. Rotation, tillage system, sowing date, and plant population density were the most sensitive factors affecting actual yields. Average yield gap was 11% of simulated Y_P (14.9 Mg ha⁻¹). Time trends in average farm yields from 1970 to 2008 show that yields have not increased during the past 8 years. Average yield during this period represented ∼80% of Y_P ceiling estimated for this region based on current crop management practices. Simulation analysis showed that Y_P can be increased by higher plant population densities and by hybrids with longer maturity. Adoption of these practices, however, may be constrained by other factors such as difficulty in planting and harvest operations due to wet weather and snow, additional seed and grain drying costs, and greater risk of frost and lodging. Two key points can be made: (i) irrigated maize producers in this region are operating close to the Y_P ceiling and achieve high levels of N use efficiency and (ii) small increases in yield (<13%) can be achieved through fine tuning current management practices that require increased production costs and higher risk.     

Genotypic increases in coleoptile length improves stand establishment,vigour and grain yield of deep-sown wheat

Timely sowing is critical for achieving high grain yields in winter cereals. However, inadequate seed-zone moisture for germination commonly delays sowing to reduce biomass and subsequent yield in semi-arid environments. Sowing deep to reach soil moisture is often avoided by growers of Rht-B1b and Rht-D1b semi-dwarf wheat as these wheat show poor emergence when sown deep. Their reduced cell elongation associated with insensitivity to endogenous gibberellins, results in shorter coleoptiles and smaller early leaf area. Alternative dwarfing genes responsive to endogenous gibberellins (e.g. Rht8) are available for use in wheat breeding. These reduce plant height without affecting coleoptile length and offer potential to select longer coleoptile wheat for deep sowing. Nine semidwarf (Rht8, Rht-B1b, and Rht-D1b) and seven tall (rht) wheat genotypes were sown at depths of 50, 80 and 110 mm at three locations in 2 or 3 years. Coleoptile lengths measured in a growth cabinet at four temperatures (11, 15, 19 and 23 °C) were strongly correlated with coleoptile length (r_p = 0.77–0.79^**) and plant number (r_p = 0.49^*–0.79^**) in deep-sown plots in the field. Furthermore, differences in coleoptile length were genetically correlated with greater numbers of emerged seedlings (r_g = 0.97^**), shallower crown depth (−0.58^**), greater seedling leaf area (0.59^**) and seedling biomass (0.44^*). Wheat containing the Rht-B1b or Rht-D1b dwarfing genes produced significantly (P < 0.01) shorter coleoptiles (97 mm) than both Rht8 (118 mm) and tall (117 mm) wheat. In turn, compared with emergence from 50 mm depth, the Rht-B1b and Rht-D1b wheat produced significantly fewer seedlings at 110 mm sowing depth (−62%) than either Rht8 (−41%) or tall (−37%) wheat. Effects of deep sowing early in the season were maintained with reductions in spike number and biomass at both anthesis and maturity. Kernel number was also reduced with deep sowing leading to reductions in grain yield. Over all entries, genotypic increases in plant number were associated with increases in fertile spike (r_g = 0.61^**) and kernel number (0.21^*), total biomass (0.26^*) and grain yield (0.28^*). Reduction in spike number and grain yield with deep sowing was smallest for the Rht8 (−18 and −10%) and rht (−15 and −7%) wheat, and largest for the Rht-B1b/D1b (−39 and −16%) wheat. Plant height and coleoptile length were independent among Rht8 and tall wheat genotypes. This study demonstrates the importance of good seedling emergence in achieving high wheat yields, and the potential use of alternative dwarfing genes such as Rht8 in development of long coleoptile, reduced height wheat suitable for deep sowing.     

播期和密度对镇麦168农艺和品质性状的影响

为探寻小麦新品种镇麦168高产优质栽培的适宜播期与密度,通过二因素随机区组试验,分析了播期和密度对该品种农艺和品质性状的影响。结果表明,播期和密度对镇麦168的产量、部分农艺和品质性状均有影响。随着播期的推迟,产量、面团形成时间和稳定时间、湿面筋含量均呈现先升后降趋势;适当控制密度可协调有效穗数、穗粒数、千粒重,进而提高产量,同时可增加面团稳定时间、籽粒蛋白质和湿面筋含量。在本试验条件下,该品种优质高产适宜播期和种植密度分别为10月31日和270万株·hm^-2。     

Establishment and yield of wheat (Triticum turgidum L.) after early sowing at various depths in a semi-arid Mediterranean environment

Shallow sowing and in ridges are common practices in the west-Asia north-Africa (WANA) region in rain-fed cereal farming. Soil water is often limited in the top soil layer at the optimum sowing time, and stands of wheat may be established poorly and have low yields unless sowing is delayed until later rainfall. Sowing more deeply may enhance establishment due to higher soil water content in the seed zone, leading to better germination and emergence of seedling. Otherwise, a grain yield reduction will occur due to the delay in sowing after the optimum time. In a 2-year field experiment at Tel Hadya, Syria, the optimum time of sowing for rainfed cereals was between early November and early December. The establishment of plants sown 3, 9, and 12 cm deep and in ridges was poorer than that of plants sown at 6 cm, causing reductions in tiller numbers, leaf area index (LAI) and yield. Grain yield from ridge planting was 40% lower on average than from sowing at 6 cm. At this depth, yields declined by 5% per week with delay in sowing after the optimum time at 6 cm depth, but by lesser amounts for other depths, and varied little for the ridge method of planting. To maximize yield in this environment, i.e., 2.5 t ha⁻¹, it is important that crops are sown early at the appropriate depth, even when pre-sowing rainfall is less than enough to wet the profile fully.     

Drought,pod yield,pre-harvest Aspergillus infection and aflatoxin contamination on peanut in Niger

Soil moisture and soil temperature affect pre-harvest infection with Aspergillus flavus and production of aflatoxin. The objectives of our field research in Niger, West Africa, were to: (i) examine the effects of sowing date and irrigation treatments on pod yield, infection with A. flavus and aflatoxin concentration; and (ii) to quantify relations between infection, aflatoxin concentration and soil moisture stress. Seed of an aflatoxin susceptible peanut cv. JL24 was sown at two to four different sowing dates under four irrigation treatments (rainfed and irrigation at 7, 14 and 21 days intervals) between 1991 and 1994, giving 40 different ‘environments’. Average air and soil temperatures of 28–34 °C were favourable for aflatoxin contamination. CROPGRO-peanut model was used to simulate the occurrence of moisture stress. The model was able to simulate yields of peanut well over the 40 environments (r² = 0.67). In general, early sowing produced greater pod yields, as well as less infection and lower aflatoxin concentration. There were negative linear relations between infection (r² = 0.62) and the average simulated fraction of extractable soil water (FESW) between flowering and harvest, and between aflatoxin concentration (r² = 0.54) and FESW in the last 25 days of pod-filling. This field study confirms that infection and aflatoxin concentration in peanut can be related to the occurrence of soil moisture stress during pod-filling when soil temperatures are near optimal for A. flavus. These relations could form the basis of a decision-support system to predict the risk of aflatoxin contamination in peanuts in similar environments.     

Narrow row planting increases yield and suppresses weeds in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in a semi-arid agro-ecology of Nyagatare,Rwanda

Narrow row planting has potential to increase crop growth and yield by increasing radiation interception (RI) and minimizing intra-specific competition in the crop. It reduces weed growth and competitiveness, making resources that are normally taken up by weeds available for crop uptake. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of row spacing on weed biomass, bean growth and yield in a semi arid agro-ecology at Nyagatare, Rwanda. The study was set up as a randomized complete block design in October–December 2009 and repeated in 2011. Planting patterns at a constant bean population density of 111 000 plants ha⁻¹ random planting (normal practice), narrow row planting (30 cm × 30 cm), medium row planting (45 cm × 20 cm) and wide row planting (60 cm × 15 cm) were treatments tested in this study. The narrow row square planting pattern significantly (P < 0.01) out-yielded the wide and random planting patterns by 22–31% in the wet 2009 season and by 27–70% in the dry 2011 season. Bean plant dry weight (P < 0.01) and number of pods per plant (P < 0.01) was highest in the narrow row and lowest in the random planting pattern in the dry 2011 season. Bean plant dry weight was not significantly affected (P > 0.05) in the wet 2009 season but number of pods plant⁻¹ (P < 0.001) was highest in the narrow row and lowest in the random planting pattern. Weed biomass was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the narrow row and the random than in the medium and wide row planting patterns at 3, 6 and 9 weeks after emergence in 2009, but the random planting had the highest weed biomass in 2011. The results suggest that the effects narrow row planting in alleviating the negative impact of inter- and intra-specific competition were more strongly expressed in the dry 2011 season than the wet 2009 season when water was probably not a limiting factor to crop growth and yield. The results also indicate that narrow and equidistant planting has potential to increase bean yield by 30%–70%, when compared to random planting (normal practice) while at the same time suppressing weed growth and is recommended for smallholder farmers in Rwanda and other semi-arid areas in sub-Saharan Africa.     

Influence, optimization, energy budgeting and monetary considerations of different time intervals between fungicidal seed treatment and sowing on Sclerotium blight of soybean

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) is susceptible to the fungal pathogen, Sclerotium rolfsii from seedling emergence to pod fill. A few systemic and non-systemic fungicides have been recommended as pre-sowing seed treatment (ST) for the management of Sclerotium blight of soybean worldwide. But farmers, especially in developing countries do not utilize ST mainly on account of preoccupation in other practices considered by them essential for sowing. The possibility of ST applied well in advance of sowing was therefore investigated. Results indicated that ST on average increased field emergence by 26.19%, reduced post-emergence mortality (POM) by 49.03% and enhanced seed yield by 23.00%. Seed treatment with carboxin 37.5% + thiram 37.5% @ 0.2% was the best. Seed treatment 50 days prior to sowing was superior by increasing emergence, reducing POM and enhancing seed yield with high monetary returns and energy output.     

Plant population,planting date,and germplasm effects on guayule latex,rubber, and resin yields

Guayule (Parthenium argentatum Gray) is a perennial shrub native to the Chihuahuan Desert. While guayule traditionally has been cultivated for rubber, more recently it is being cultivated for its hypoallergenic latex. Other uses including termite resistant wood products and an energy source have also been identified. However, the effects of various agronomic practices, such as planting and harvesting dates, plant spacing, cutting height and frequency, irrigation frequency, and herbicide application, on latex concentration and yield of newly developed germplasm have not been reported. The objectives of this study were to determine the yield and concentration of latex, rubber, and resin of four guayule lines planted at two populations and two planting dates. Four guayule lines (AZ-1, AZ-3, AZ-5, and 11591) were transplanted at two dates (28 November 2000 and 7 June 2001) and two plant populations (27,000 and 54,000 plants ha^?1). Treatments were replicated four times. Each treatment plot was subdivided into six subplots for harvesting at 6-month intervals beginning 1 year after transplanting. Results showed that transplanting date did not affect plant size or latex concentration or yield consistently. Instead, it appeared that the time of harvest (fall vs. spring) was more important. The sixth (last harvest) in the fall planting date and the fifth harvest date in the spring planting date were the optimum for plant biomass and latex, rubber, and resin concentrations and yields. The lines AZ-1 and AZ-3 were larger, whereas AZ-5 had higher latex and rubber concentrations than the control, 11591. The greater plant population (54,000 plants ha^?1) had higher biomass, rubber, and resin yields than the lower population (27,000 plants ha^?1) at the early harvest dates, but not at the later harvest dates (5 and 6). More studies must to be conducted to determine the optimum plant population and transplanting date for other newly developed guayule germplasm lines.     

播期和密度对春小麦品种新春26号生长及产量的影响

为确定新疆主栽春小麦品种新春26号的最佳播种时期和种植密度,采用两因素裂区试验,设4月5日、4月18日和5月2日3个播种时间,以及350万、400万、450万、500万和550万株·hm-2 5个种植密度,分析了播期和种植密度对小麦群体性状、产量及其构成因素的影响。结果表明,在相同种植密度下,随着播期的推后,小麦各生育时期群体茎数、干物质积累量、叶面积指数均显著降低;播期对千粒重的影响不显著,而早播(4月5日)小麦的穗数、穗粒数和产量显著高于晚播(5月2日)小麦。种植密度对小麦各生育时期群体性状也均有显著影响,种植密度过高或过低均不利于小麦群体发育及产量形成,适宜的种植密度可以改善小麦群体结构,进而提高产量。播期和密度互作对小麦整个生育期生长发育的影响均显著。总体来看,在本试验条件下,春小麦品种新春26号应适当早播,最佳播种时间和种植密度分别为4月5日和450万株·hm-2。     

Growth,PAR use efficiency,and yield components of field-grown Vicia faba L. under different temperature and photoperiod regimes

N-fixing legume crops may be a good component of a general plan to improve cropping system efficiency. For this purpose, crop suitability to specific environments must be established. To estimate the yield potential we examined the growth and yield response of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) crops to different thermal and photoperiod regimes. Irrigated field experiments were conducted in northwest Spain for 3 years (2004–2007) with cv. ‘Alameda’ sown on five different dates in each year from mid-autumn to mid-spring. Environmental conditions experienced by plants across sowing dates were largely different. Sowing date had a great influence on biomass, grain yield and its components. This effect was associated with changes in PAR captured, PAR use efficiency (PUE) and biomass allocation to the different organs. Critical leaf area index (LAI_cr) tended to increase and the extinction coefficient, k, to decrease as the sowing date was delayed. Earlier sowing dates intercepted more radiation over the whole season than the spring sowing dates. Greatest crop growth treatments (2nd and 3rd sowing dates) had the highest values of PAR use efficiency probably due to more adequate temperatures for photosynthesis and a large number of reproductive sinks. The highest grain yield (7733 kg ha⁻¹) was obtained with the mid-February sowing date, which produced the most pods and seeds per m², the largest harvest index (62.0%), and large maximum leaf area index (5.41). Low yields of mid-autumn (1st) and mid-spring (5th) sowing dates were associated with reduced pods and seeds per m². Temperature and photoperiod had a large impact on faba bean growth, development, and yield. Best yields were obtained when abundant assimilate supply and moderate temperatures were available during pod set.     

Water availability at sowing and nitrogen management of durum wheat: a seasonal analysis with the CERES-Wheat model

In water-limited environments soil water content at sowing is important in determining durum wheat germination, emergence and plant establishment. Soil water content interacts greatly with soil nitrogen content, affecting nitrogen uptake and crop productivity. Simulation models can be used to confirm the optimal strategy by testing several crop management scenarios.The CERES-Wheat model, previously calibrated and validated in southern Italy, has been used in a seasonal analysis to optimise nitrogen fertilisation of durum wheat at different levels of crop available water (CAW) at planting date in southern Italy. The simulation was carried out for a 48-year period with measured daily climatic data. The 99 simulated scenarios derived from the combinations of different CAW levels at sowing, nitrogen fertiliser rates and application times.The results obtained from the simulation indicated that the effect of CAW at sowing was relevant for durum wheat production at lowest and highest values, while the optimal sowing time to maximise yield and profit can be considered when CAW is 40–60%. In the case study optimal N fertiliser amount was estimated to be 100±20 kg ha⁻¹, from a productive, environmental and economic point of view. The nitrogen split application—half at sowing and half at stem extension stage—resulted in the best management practice.This application of the CERES-Wheat model confirmed the capability of the model to compare several crop management strategies in a typical durum wheat cropping area.     

播期和密度对玉米子粒机收主要性状的影响

以京农科728为试验材料,设置5个播期、5个密度处理,研究播期和密度对玉米子粒机收主要性状影响。结果表明,不同播期条件下,京农科728产量6 723.0~7 972.5 kg/hm~2,6月10日、6月15日、6月20日3个播期产量达7 500 kg/hm~2以上,子粒机收主要质量指标(子粒含水率、杂质率)达到国家玉米机收子粒标准。不同密度条件下,以75 000株/hm~2密度处理子粒产量最高,达到国家玉米机收子粒标准。京农科728在5个播期处理条件下均能正常成熟,生育期随播期推迟呈缩短趋势;随种植密度增加,其生育期呈延长趋势。株高和穗位高随播期推迟及种植密度增加呈升高趋势;倒伏率随播期推迟呈降低趋势,随种植密度增加呈升高趋势。播期和密度与玉米子粒机收性状密切相关,京农科728在北京夏播以6月10~20日为最佳播期,75 000株/hm~2为最佳密度,可实现子粒直接机械收获。     

播期和密度对襄麦D31籽粒产量及品质的影响

为探明小麦新品种襄麦D31对播期和密度的反应规律,于2015-2016年度在湖北省襄阳市农科院进行了不同播种期和不同播种密度的二因素裂区试验。结果表明,在2015年10月14日至11月8日间,播期对襄麦D31的穗粒数影响不显著,播期因为对有效穗数和千粒重作用显著而对籽粒产量产生显著影响,以10月29日播种的平均产量最高,达7 329.5kg·hm~(-2)。在180万~315万·hm~(-2)范围内,播种密度对千粒重的影响不显著,有效穗数和穗粒数随播种密度的增加分别呈现显著提高和显著下降的趋势;播种密度对籽粒产量影响不显著,以180万·hm~(-2)密度时的产量最大。容重、蛋白质含量、湿面筋含量等品质指标对播期和密度反应趋势不同。综合各项试验结果,为争取产量和品质的协同提高,襄麦D31(2015年)适宜播期为10月24日至11月3日,适宜密度为180万·hm~(-2)左右,以10月29日播种产量和品质最佳。     

不同播期对南繁玉米农艺性状和产量的影响

选取辽宁省5个主栽玉米杂交种丹玉405、丹科2151、丹玉801、丹玉508和先玉335及5个骨干自交系丹299、丹717、丹TX-2、丹D15和PH6WC为试验材料,研究不同播期对玉米主要农艺性状和产量的影响。结果表明,播期延后玉米各生育时期和生育期有不同程度延长,株高、穗位高和空秆率有所增加,病虫害发生程度加重,果穗性状不断劣化,产量逐渐降低。根据试验结果,南繁玉米播种的最佳时间在每年的10月末至11月初,如遇特殊的台风天气影响播期可适当推延,在最佳播期播种可以降低田间管理难度,获得较高产量,方便晾晒储运,也为北方春季试材准备赢得充足时间。