Some Effects of Seed Size and Maturity on the Yield of Carrot Crops

Carrot seed was harvested on eight occasions from crops grown at Wellesbourne during 1962–64. Seed from each harvest was separated into four size grades by means of round-holed sieves. In laboratory tests, the percentage germination of the seeds increased with increasing seed size. Late-harvested, mature seed of a given size generally had a higher percentage germination than less mature, but otherwise similar, seed. The numbers of seedlings which emerged per 100 seeds sown in the field were linearly related but not directly proportional to the percentage germination of the seed, regardless of seed size or maturity. At comparable plant densities, large seeds gave bigger seedlings than small seeds, and after 15–18 weeks of growth the yield of roots was 15–20% higher from large than from small seed. However, with older crops (24 weeks) no such yield differences were measurable. Graded seed of all but the smallest size gave crops in which the root size had a lower coefficient of variation than that of crops grown from ungraded seed.

In an experiment carried out in 1966 with small, large and ungraded seed from eight imported samples, the results were similar to those obtained with the seed produced at Wellesbourne.

The results suggested that only with crops intended for harvesting when younger than about 18 weeks would greater yields and more uniform roots be expected if graded seed of larger sizes were used rather than small or ungraded seed.     

Effect of crop plant density on critical period of weed competition in potato

A field study was conducted in Hamedan western Iran in 2006 to establish the critical period of weed competition (CPWC) in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) for commercial and seed production plant densities. A quantitative series of treatments concerned with both increasing duration of interference and length of weed-free period were imposed within each commercial and seed potato production plant density. The beginning and end of the CPWC based on a 10% loss of tuber yield was determined by fitting logistic and Gompertz equations to the relative tuber yield data representing increasing duration of weed interference and weed-free period, respectively. At a 10% tuber yield loss level, the duration of weed interference for 571 and 676 growing degree days (GDDs) from crop emergence, corresponding to 40% and 50% canopy closure, marked out the beginning of the CPWC for commercial and seed production plant densities, respectively. When maintained weed-free for 1163 and 1014 (GDD), corresponding to 100% and 80% canopy closure, weed emerging later caused tuber yield losses of less than 10% for commercial and seed production plant densities, respectively. Practical implications of this study are that post-emergence herbicides or other weed control methods should be used in western Iran to eliminate weeds from 19–24 days post-crop emergence up to 43–51 days. Such an approach would keep yield loss levels below 10%. Interactions between plant density and weed competition durations indicated that weed management in commercial plant density of potato could be less intensive than that of seed production plant density, reducing herbicide use and risk of herbicide carryover to sensitive rotation crops.     

The Effects of Nitrogen,Potassium and Sub-Irrigation on the Yield,Quality and Composition of Single-Truss Tomatoes

The effects of nitrogen and potassium on the growth of single-truss tomatoes and on the yield and quality of the fruit have been examined. Two successive crops of cv. Minicraigella were grown with sub-irrigation in a tiered-trough system, the troughs containing a 7:3:2 mixture of loam, peat and grit. Four concentrations of nitrogen in solution (100, 150, 200 and 250 ppm N) were tested in factorial combination with three concentrations of potassium (200, 300 and 400 ppm K), the treatments being replicated four times.

Plant height and leaf length increased markedly with N concentration, as also did the numbers of flowers and marketable fruits per plant, the mean weight per fruit and the total yield. Low N levels delayed harvesting. The proportion of unevenly ripened fruit decreased with increasing concentrations both of N and K. The percentage of hollow fruits was decreased by high K but increased with N concentration.

The titratable acidity of the expressed fruit juices increased significantly with N concentration (P<0.001) but was little affected by K treatment. The N concentration of the nutrient solution also largely controlled the percentage of K in the leaves and the total uptake of this nutrient. These unexpected results were attributed to stimulation of growth by N, leading to increased water requirement and hence to increased application of both N and K by the automatic sub-irrigation system.

The highest yields and best quality fruit were obtained with 250 ppm N and 400 ppm K in the solution, although lower concentrations of K might be preferable after continued cropping in the same compost.     

The effect of the time of taking side shoots on the regulation of fruit size in glasshouse-grown tomato crops

Summary

Young tomato plants were transferred to heated glasshouse compartments on 9 December at a density of 2.04 plants m-2 and grown as a conventional long-season tomato crop. Beginning in either the third, fifth, seventh or ninth week of the year, every other plant was allowed to retain one side shoot so as to increase the effective plant density to 3.06 plants m-2. Control crops were grown throughout at both the initial and the final densities. Two different patterns of taking the side shoots were tested in two sub-treatments: taking the required number of side shoots in four tranches over a period of six weeks was neither significantly better nor worse than taking them in two equal tranches, four weeks apart. The main effect of adding side shoots was to increase the number of fruit harvested per m-2, as compared with a control crop grown throughout at the initial density of 2.04 plants m-2. However, these additional fruit were not harvested until at least 80.d after the first side shoots had been allowed to grow. When side shoots were taken as early as week 3, a high proportion of the marketable fruit were in the preferred size (viz.47to57.mm in diameter, 50 to 90.g in weight, UK grade D) in all harvest periods. Thus, the additional side shoots enabled the crop to bear extra fruit and when the side shoots were taken early, the production of additional fruit coincided with the time when both the quantity of solar radiation incident per day and the concomitant assimilate production were increasing rapidly. Consequently, the supply of assimilates and the numbers of fruit available per m-2 were better matched for the purpose of continually producing fruit of one size. However, the presence of side shoots tended to reduce the number of marketable fruit carried on each truss. The addition of side shoots increased leaf area index and also significantly increased total fruit yield. The increased area of foliage served to shade more fruit from the heating effects of incident solar radiation and a smaller proportion of marketable fruit was downgraded to Class II in all side-shoot treatments. In general, the means of the four successive side-shoot treatments provided a graded series between those of the fixed low-density and the fixed high-density control treatments.     

Influence of planting geometry on growth,yield and quality of rainfed garlic (Allium sativum L.) cultivated under Mediterranean conditions

Summary

The establishment of the optimum plant population has been shown to be one of the most crucial determinants of the marketable yield of bulbous crops. This study was conducted to determine the best plant arrangements for maximum yields and maximum bulb quality in rainfed garlic (Allium sativum L.) grown under Mediterranean conditions. The effects of row width and plant spacing on the yield and quality of the two cvs. Morado de Pedroneras and Germidour, were investigated on Córdoba, Spain, in Vertisol Chromoxerert soil. In 1987–1988, a wet growing season, higher yields and higher bulb quality were obtained than in 1988–1989; cv. Germidour yielded more per unit of land area of higher quality bulbs during both seasons. Narrow row width and/or narrow plant spacing resulted in higher values of dry matter, LAI, LAD, CGR and yield, whereas wide row spacing and/or wide plant spacing resulted in higher ware-sized bulb yield. LAD was closely related to yield (r² = 0.96**) and total dry matter (r² = 0.90**). Mean leaf surface was affected by plant density and climatic conditions and showed a high positive relationship (r² = 0.90**) with the percentage of Extra grade of bulbs (>50 mm). As a result of this study, a row width of 45–60 cm with plant spacing of 12–16 cm is recommended for cv. Germidour and 45 × 16 cm for cv. Morado, to maximize the proportion of high-quality yield under Mediterranean rainfed cropping systems.     

Yield,blossom-end rot incidence,and fruit quality in pepper plants under moderate salinity are affected by K and Ca fertilization

One of the most important factors limiting agricultural expansion and production is the restricted supply of good quality water. The present study examines the effects of K⁺ and Ca²⁺ fertilization on sweet pepper production, blossom-end rot (BER) incidence and fruit quality of pepper plants (Capsicum annuum L.) grown under moderate saline conditions. Pepper plants were grown in a controlled-environment greenhouse under hydroponic conditions with different nutrient solutions obtained by modifying the Hoagland solution. The experiment consisted on four K⁺ treatments (0.2, 2, 7 and 14 mM) +30 mM NaCl, and four Ca²⁺ treatments (0.2, 2, 4 and 8 mM) +30 mM NaCl, having in common a control without salt with 7 mM K⁺/4 mM Ca²⁺. Salinity decreased total fruit yield and marketable fruit yield by 23% and 37%, respectively. The marketable fruit yield reduction by salt treatment was mainly due to the increase in the number of fruit affected by BER. This typical physiopathy of the pepper fruits occurred between 18 and 25 days after anthesis (DAA), when the highest fruit growth rate was reached. Fruit quality parameters were also affected by salt treatment where the fruit pulp thickness and firmness were decreased, and fructose, glucose and myo-inositol fruit concentrations increased with salinity relative to fruits from control treatment. Under saline conditions an increased supply of K⁺ reduced the fruit fresh weight, the percentage of BER and the marketable yield although promoted the vegetative growth. However, increasing Ca²⁺ concentration in the nutrient solution increased the fruit production, and the marketable yield as consequence of decreasing the percentage of fruit affected with BER. Fruit quality parameters also were affected by the K⁺ and Ca²⁺ treatments.     

The influence of transplant age and nutrient feeding regime on cauliflower growth and maturity

Summary

Similar experiments in 1984 and 1985 examined the effects of cauliflower transplant age and ‘high’ or ‘low’ nutrient feeding regimes during plant.raising on the numbers of leaves formed, the timing of curd initiation, maturity and other maturity characters. ‘High’ nutrient feed contained 104 mgl^?1N and 290 mgl^?1K whereas ‘low’ nutrient feed contained 52 mg l^?1 N and 145 mg l^?1 K. In addition, in 1985 the growth of other ‘low-feed’ plants was boosted by giving them ‘high feed’ during the last four days before transplanting. The raising treatments produced transplants which differed in dry weight, in the numbers of leaves formed and especially in dry-matter percentage. In both years the oldest ‘low-feed’ plants had the highest dry-matter percentage at transplanting (mean 22.2%) whereas the youngest ‘high-feed’ plants had the lowest dry-matter percentage (mean 12.9%). After transplanting, differences between treatments rapidly disappeared and there were few significant effects of treatments on the time of curd initiation, the final number of leaves formed, the time of 50% curd maturity and marketable curd yield. It is concluded that when planning cauliflower continuity schedules the time of transplanting is important but the precise age of plants at transplanting and the feeding regime prior to this need not be taken into account provided plant size is kept within normal limits.     

Response of some horticultural crops to irrigation in the semi-arid region of Tunisia

Response to a limited water supply was determined for 3 horticultural crops, pepper, melon (cantaloup) and tomato, in the Nebhana Valley, Tunisia. Varying fractions of potential evapotranspiration (PET), as calculated by Penman, were used to define 4 irrigation treatments which were replicated 4 times. The study was conducted on a shallow sandy loam soil in the lower Nebhana Valley, near Monastir. For each of the crops the following production parameters were evaluated: marketable yield; average fruit weight; number of fruits per unit land area. For socio-political reasons, the cost price of the irrigation water to the farmers in the Nebhana Valley is of negligible importance, and thus the economic threshold could be drawn from the relationship between yield and total available water. The marketable yield for pepper, melon and tomato crops was not significantly affected by rationing the seasonal water application volumes to 57, 47 and 67%, respectively, of the calculated PET. To increase the water-use efficiency for the crops studied, limited irrigation is advisable.     

黄心乌新品种筛选比较试验

以3个黄心乌杂交新品种和2个商品种为试验材料,开展农艺性状和杂交制种比较试验,以筛选优良新品种。研究表明:WTC-1株型较紧凑,且杂交制种产量最高,具有较好的应用前景。WTC-2株型紧凑,适合高密度栽培,可通过提高种植密度来增加产量,但需进一步优化制种技术,提高其制种产量。     

施钾对春露地马铃薯产量和品质的影响

以洛薯八号马铃薯品种为试材,研究了不同钾肥用量对春露地马铃薯产量及品质的影响。试验结果表明,在一定的土壤条件下,钾肥施用量对马铃薯产量有一定的影响,当钾肥施用量超过25 kg/667 m2时,明显降低了马铃薯的单株质量、单薯质量、商品薯率及产量。适量的钾肥可提高马铃薯淀粉、VC 含量,降低还原糖含量。     

The Effects of Adding Soluble Salts to the Casing Layer on The Yield and Size of Cultivated Mushrooms

The yield results of six field experiments with bulb onions are presented and it is concluded that : (1) The total yield of ripe bulbs increased with increasing number of plants per sq. ft. until an optimum was reached and thereafter the yield declined.

(2) At the optimum plant densities for total yield the bulbs were too small for normal market purposes but were of a suitable size for pickling whole.

(3) Some varieties of onion would not produce large bulbs even when grown at low plant densities; thus the choice of varieties for ware bulb production is of paramount importance.

(4) The fitting of a mathematic model to the density/yield data showed that if varieties were ranked for yield at anyone plant density this ranking would remain the same at all other plant densities. Absolute yield differences between varieties were, however, greatest at low plant densities.

(5) Decreasing the distance between rows at a given plant density increased the total yield of bulbs. At 7 plants per sq. ft., a density suitable for commercial dry bulb production, reducing the row spacing from 18 in. to 9-12 in. increased yield by 10 to 30%.

     

种植模式及密度对不同籽用西葫芦品种病害及产量的影响

选取3个籽用西葫芦品种,分别采用平作和垄作2种种植模式和3个密度处理,研究了不同密度和种植模式对不同籽用西葫芦品种病害发生和产量的影响。结果表明:不同密度处理和种植模式对籽用西葫芦病害的发生有显著影响,在低密度垄作条件下,白粉病发病较轻,绵腐病不发生,高密度平作条件下,病害相对较重;同一品种不同种植模式下,垄作种植较平作种植产量显著增加;同一品种同一种植模式下不同密度处理中,低密度和对照较高密度处理产量高。目前,平作种植条件下,高密度种植不适宜河套灌区的籽用西葫芦生产,若要提高种植密度需要改变种植模式。     

胡萝卜主枝花序及种盘性状的关联分析

对7个亲缘关系较远的胡萝卜常规品种的花序类型、形态特征及相应的种盘类型、种子产量和质量性状进行调查分析。结果表明,7个品种盛花期钟铃型花盘所占比率最多,半铃型稍次之,平盘型最少。钟铃型花盘的面积、总小花数显著高于其他类型花盘。结实后,钟铃型花盘多形成平头型种盘,平盘型花盘多形成闭合型种盘,半铃型花盘则多形成平头型与杯碗型种盘。比较3种种盘类型的种子产量和质量,平头型种盘各指标均优于闭合型和杯碗型种盘,其单种盘产量最高,种子最大,最为饱满,发芽率和发芽势最高,电导率最小。     

The relation between method of propagation,plant density and growth,mineral uptake and yield of dasheen (Colocasia antiquorum, Schott.)

Two field experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of method of propagation (including two proposed new methods) and plant density on the growth, mineral uptake and yield of dasheen (Colocasia antiquorum, Schott.).Planting different pieces of “seed” resulted in a higher percentage germination, higher percentage efficiency of solar energy conversion and better growth characters of the plant, in the order: cormel, apical, half-apical, corm piece and quarter-apical piece, respectively.Increasing the plant density decreased the growth characters of the plant and increased the percentage efficiency of solar energy conversion.The nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium concentrations were not affected by types of dasheen seeds, whereas the absolute amount per plant followed the same pattern of change as the dry matter content.Distance between plants had no statistically significant effect on the concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the plant tissues. However, the absolute amounts of these minerals per plant decreased as the plant population was increased.Planting with the cormel resulted in the highest total yield. However, the difference in total yield between planting with the apical and half-apical pieces was not statistically significant. A similar situation was found when planting with quarter-apical and corm pieces. Therefore, it is recommended that the apical piece is cut into two equal halves in order to use a given amount of apicals to reduce the corm pieces when planting.Increasing the plant population, by reducing the distance between plants from 45 to 30 cm, resulted in an increased yield per hectare. However, reducing the distance between plants to 15 cm resulted in a decrease in yield.     

Effects of deficit irrigation on biomass,yield, water productivity and fruit quality of processing tomato under semi-arid Mediterranean climate conditions

Processing tomato is a high water demanding crop, thus requiring irrigation throughout growing season in arid and semiarid areas. The application of deficit irrigation (DI) strategies to this crop may greatly contribute to save irrigation water. A two-year study was carried out in order to assess the effects of DI upon water productivity, final biomass, fruit yield and some quality traits of open-field processing tomato cv. Brigade in a typical semi-arid Mediterranean environment of South Italy. Four irrigation treatments were studied: no irrigation following plant establishment (V0); 100% (V100) or 50% (V50) evapotranspiration (ETc) restoration up to fruit maturity, 100% ETc restoration up to flowering, then 50% ETc restoration (V100-50). Total dry biomass accumulation was significantly depressed by early soil water deficit in V0; irrigation at a reduced rate (50% ETc) from initial stages (V50) or from flowering onwards (V100-50) did not induce any losses in final dry biomass. The marketable yield did not significantly differ among plots irrigated, but an averaged irrigation water saving of 30.4% in V100-50 and 46.2% in V50 was allowed as compared to V100. Marketable yield was negatively affected by the early water shortage in V0, due to the high fruit losses (>44%). The effects of DI on fruit quality were generally the converse of those on fruit yield. DI improved total soluble solids content, titratable acidity and vitamin C content. Water use efficiency was positively affected by DI, suggesting that the crop does not benefits from the water when this last is supplied to fulfil total crop requirements for the whole season. Yield response factor, which indicates the level of tolerance of a crop to water stress, was 0.49 for total dry biomass (Kss) and 0.76 for marketable yield (Ky), indicating that in both cases the reduction in crop productivity is proportionally less than the relative ET deficit. In conclusion, the adoption of DI strategies where a 50% reduction of ETc restored is applied for the whole growing season or part of it could be suggested in processing tomato, to save water improving its use efficiency, minimizing fruit losses and maintaining high fruit quality levels. This aspect is quite important in semi-arid environments, where water scarcity is an increasing concern and water costs are continuously rising.     

红籽瓜主要产量性状的遗传力及相关性分析

以红籽瓜农家品种及自交系为供试材料,采用随机区组试验设计,用方差分析法估算了单株坐瓜数、单瓜重、单瓜种子数、单瓜种子重、种仁重、千粒重、出仁率、产籽率和种子体积的广义遗传力;并对43个红籽瓜品种9个产量性状的遗传力、遗传变异系数和相关性进行了研究。结果表明,上述9个产量性状的广义遗传力分别为12.86%,80.14%,75.96%,74.39%,48.01%,17.12%,24.97%,18.60%和37.07%。单瓜重、单瓜种子数和单瓜种子重的遗传力较高,对其进行早世代单株选择有较好的效果;遗传变异系数以千粒重和出仁率较高,选择潜力大。性状间相关性的研究表明:通过对单瓜重的选择,可实现对单瓜种子数、单瓜种子重、种仁重和种子体积等性状的间接选择。并对红籽瓜产量性状遗传力分析结果及其在育种中的应用进行了讨论。     

砂生槐种子害虫危害损失率及防治指标研究

采用人工罩笼、定量接虫的方法,分别研究了砂生槐2种种子害虫的虫口密度与砂生槐种子产量损失之间的关系及其防治指标。结果表明:随着接虫量的增加,虫食率和虫荚率也随之增加,产量则随之下降,砂生槐种子产量损失率(Y)与豆荚螟和刺槐种子小蜂虫量(X)的关系分别为Y=6.2864+8.6907X,Y=5.1611+8.4325X,相关系数r分别为0.9792和0.9830,显示了砂生槐种子产量损失率和2种害虫的虫量相关性极显著。同时得到豆荚螟和刺槐小蜂单种种群防治指标分别为0.1140对/株和0.2509对/株。     

Initial Crown Diameter of Transplants Influences Marketable Yield Components of Two Strawberry Cultivars in Annual Hill Production System

Abstract

Influence of initial transplant size on yield components was investigated using two strawberry cultivars over a three-year period. Plants were sorted into three groups according to crown size each fall before transplanting.

Fruits were harvested once a week over a ten-week period each year. There were marked differences between ‘Chandler’ and ‘Camarosa’ cultivars. Transplants of the ‘Chandler’ cultivar with larger crown diameters produced significantly greater early and total marketable yield than transplants with smaller crown diameters. Regression analysis of yield components against initial crown diameter revealed a positive relationship between total fruit numbers produced per plant and initial crown size for both cultivars. Total weight of marketable fruit produced per plant was positively associated with initial crown diameter of transplants. Relationships between initial crown diameter and early yield components were not as consistent among the two cultivars tested. Early yield components of ‘Chandler’ were all correlated to initial crown diameter of transplants. The size of the transplant did not influence early yield components of ‘Camarosa’ except for fruit size. There was a significant relationship between the postharvest dry weight of plants and initial crown diameter of transplants.     

供水吸力对温室盆栽黄瓜产量与品质的影响

采用负水头供水控水盆栽装置,通过设定不同的供水吸力（1、3、5、7、9、11和13 kPa）稳定控制温室盆栽黄瓜的土壤水分值,研究其对黄瓜产量与品质的影响。结果表明：黄瓜单株产量、水分利用效率与商品率都随着供水吸力的增加先增加后减少,单株产量和商品率分别在3 ~ 9 kPa和3 ~ 5 kPa处理内达到最高;但3 ~ 13 kPa处理内水分利用效率无显著差异。不同处理的果实含水量和比质量无显著差异,除1 kPa处理的果实长、单果质量和果皮总色素含量显著较低外,其它各处理差异不显著。3 ~ 5 kPa处理的果实单宁含量显著高于7 ~ 13 kPa处理,但可溶性固形物、维生素C含量显著低于7 ~ 13 kPa处理,3 ~ 7 kPa处理范围的果实硝酸盐含量显著低于9 ~ 13 kPa处理。综合分析,3 ~ 7 kPa供水吸力范围内的黄瓜单株产量与整体品质较高,对应的土壤体积含水量范围为55% ~ 81%。     

Alteration of tomato fruit quality by root inoculation with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR): Bacillus subtilis BEB-13bs

In this study the effect of inoculation of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) roots with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on yield and fruit quality was evaluated. The control treatment was non-inoculated (CTL) and the PGPR treatment was inoculated with Bacillus subtilis BEB-lSbs (BS13). Yield per plant and marketable yield, as well as fruit weight and length were increased by the BS13 treatment when compared to the CTL treatment. Texture of red fruits was also enhanced by the BS13 treatment compared to that in the CTL treatment. These results demonstrated that PGPR have positive effects on tomato fruit quality attributes, particularly on size and texture.