Useful variation in in vitro digestibility within perennial ryegrass

In vitro dry matter digestibility (DMD) and dry matter yield (DMY) of herbage from plots sown with three selected perennial ryegrass varieties with similar heading dates (Ba11778, Talbot and Gator) under a range of harvesting frequencies (2, 3, 4 and 5-weekly harvests) were compared over two harvest years (1994 and 1995). Varieties varied in mean percentage DMD over all harvests and harvesting frequencies by 3.4 and 3.5 units in 1994 and 1995 respectively. Varietal ranking in mean DMD over all harvests was the same under each harvesting frequency in both years: Ba11778 being the highest, Gator the lowest and Talbot intermediate. In 1995, Gator had a higher proportion of unsown species in the herbage than both Ba11778 and Talbot but this was only a minor factor contributing to the differences among the varieties in mean DMD over all harvests. Although varieties consistently ranked in the same order of mean DMD over all harvesting frequencies during 13 5-week periods, the range among varieties varied from less than 1 unit to 8.6 units. This range was greatest in mid-season of each year when mean DMD over all varieties was lowest. The minimum mean DMD over all harvesting frequencies during both years was 75.5%, 70.9% and 66.8% for Ba11778, Talbot and Gator respectively. The most digestible variety Ba11778 also had higher annual DMY than the other two varieties in both harvest years and under all four harvesting frequencies. These results indicate that there is sufficient useful genetic variation for DMD within perennial ryegrass to justify breeding for the trait and its routine assessment in official variety trials.     

限水减氮对豫北冬小麦产量和植株不同层次器官干物质运转的影响

采用节水栽培并减少氮肥用量是实现豫北冬小麦生产的高产、高效和环境友好发展的必然选择,探明限水减氮对冬小麦产量和植株各层次器官干物质运转的影响,可为该地区冬小麦节水栽培和合理施用氮肥提供科学依据。2009—2010和2010—2011年连续2年在河南浚县钜桥进行小麦田间裂区试验,主区设置2个灌溉水平[拔节水(W1)和拔节水+开花水(W2)],副区设置5个氮肥水平[330 kg hm~(–2) (N4,豫北地区小麦生产中常规施氮量)、270 kg hm~(–2) (N3)、210 kg hm~(–2) (N2)、120 kg hm~(–2) (N1)、0 kg hm~(–2) (N0)],测定了籽粒产量和植株各层次器官干物质运转量、运转率和对籽粒贡献率。减量施氮与N4相比,各营养器官向籽粒运转的干物质量均有增加,其中,穗轴+颖壳的干物质运转量增加了323.2%,增幅远高于茎节的24.5%和叶片的4.6%,且穗轴+颖壳的干物质运转率和对籽粒贡献率增幅也远高于茎节和叶片。减量施氮处理的叶片干物质运转量的增加主要源于倒三叶和倒四叶,分别增加28.7%和201.1%,而茎节干物质运转量的增加主要源于除穗位节外的其他茎节,分别增加21.7%(倒二节)、71.8%(倒三节)、44.5%(倒四节)和31.1%(余节)。与W2相比, W1干物质运转量无显著差异,但干物质运转率略高(24.6%vs. 23.8%),对籽粒贡献率较高(35.1%vs. 30.0%),籽粒产量降低11.2%,水分供应量减少750 m3 hm~(–2)。可见,减量施氮促进了营养器官,尤其是穗轴+颖壳和下层器官(倒三叶、倒四叶、倒三节、倒四节和余节)的干物质向籽粒的运转,提高了对籽粒贡献率,有利于提高籽粒产量。     

Wachstumsanalytische Untersuchungen an Knaulgras (Dactylis glomerata L.) unter besonderer Berücksichtigung des phänologischen Entwicklungsstadiums bei der Nutzung im ersten Aufwuchs

Regrowth characteristics of a cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) sward after initial defoliation at different stages of development Over 2 two-year period (1984-1985) the productivity of Dactylis glomerata (cv. Baraula) swards as influenced by variations in time of the initial defoliation was studied. The stages at which the initial cuts were taken were: (a) before stem apices were raised to defoliation level (5 cm), (b) about two weeks later, when the reproductive tillers reached ear emergence, (c) about 4 weeks after (a), when the reproductive tillers reached flowering stages. Subsequent production was measured by weekly harvesting of representative sward samples over a 6-7 weeks lastening growth period. Furtheron patterns of growth in a second regrowth in August and a third regrowth in September/October were studied. The growth behaviour in the investigation was described by calculations of curves concerning mainly the development of dry matter yield (DM), leaf area index (LAI), crop growth rate (C), relative growth rate (R) and net assimilation rate (E) during the growth period. The leaf area ratio (F) and leaf weight ratio (LWR) were derived from fitted curves. The highest dry matter yield and the highest growth rate (more than 20 g m^?2day^?1) was estimated in the spring growth and in the earliest regrowth (a). About 30 % of the tillers in these swards became reproductive. The main difference between regrowths of primary defoliations at successively later dates was between the earliest, after cutting on 8.-13. May, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, the two later regrowths after primary cuts from 31. May to 12. June. The two latter and the second regrowth in August were in most respects very similar: no reproductive development; herbage yield of about 400-500 g m^?2; highest C of about 15-20 g m^?2day^?1; maximum LAI- values from 8-9. In respect to the E there were some differences between the stands. The E was at the time when C was highest somewhat higher in the reproduction stands (spring growth and first regrowth) compared with the vegetative regrowths. The relationship between C and LAI could in all stands be described by an relatively optimum curve, which means that C did not differ much within a wide range of LAI.     

Time Course of Nitrogen in Soil Solution and Nitrogen Uptake in Maize Plants as affected by Form and Application Time of Fertilizer Nitrogen

Field experiments with silage maize were conducted in 1987 and 1988 on a loess-derived Luvisol in southwest Germany. Four nitrogen fertilizer treatments were compared: application of preplanting NH₄ N (plus a nitrification inhibitor, dicyandiamide as Didin) and preplanting NO₃-N, split application of NO₃-N (preplanting and side dressed 45 days after planting) and a control without nitrogen fertilizer in 1987 and with 64 kg N ha^?1 as calcium ammonium nitrate in 1988. The total amounts of soil mineral nitrogen (N_min+ fertilizer N) were 200 kg N ha^?1 in 1987 and 240 kg N ha^?1 in 1988. Suction cups and tensiometer were installed at five depths and samples were taken in regular intervals. Nitrate concentrations in the suction solution steeply increased at 15 cm and 45 cm soil depth 3-4 weeks after fertilizer application (1987 up to 160mgNl^?1; 1988 up to 170mgN l^?1) and steeply decreased up to 75 cm depth with the onset of intensive N uptake at shooting. Ammonium concentrations in the suction solution were very low (0-0.16 mg N l^?1). Compared to preplanting NCyN application, preplanting NH₄-N and split NO₃-N application decreased nitrate concentrations in the suction solution in spring 1987. In 1988, however, nitrate concentrations in the suction solution of preplanting NH₄-N and split NO₃-N application plots did not fall below 50mgNl^?1 at 15 cm depth during the growing season. Nitrate concentrations of split NO₃-N application increased again in autumn 1988 and hence doubled the calculated N losses by leaching during the winter months compared to preplanting N applications. At shooting, plants of the preplanting NH₄-N treatment had lower nitrate concentrations in leaf sheaths compared to plants of preplanting NO₃-N application. Total N uptake of maize between shooting and early grain filling of preplanting NH₄-N and split NO₃ -N application tended to be higher compared to preplanting NO₃-N application, reflecting the higher N availability in the soil later in the season. However, final dry matter yields and N uptake were not significantly affected by N form or time of N application. Since N losses by nitrate leaching between N application and onset of N uptake by plants were negligible on the experimental site, preplanting NH₄-N application and split NO₃-N application showed no agronomic advantages. High amounts of side dressed NO₃-N may increase nitrate leaching during the winter months, especially in years with delayed rainfall after application.     

Effects of partial shading of the potato plant on photosynthesis of treated leaves,leaf area expansion and allocation of nitrogen and dry matter in component plant parts

Literature shows that the distribution of nitrogen (N) over leaf layers tends to follow the distribution of light. Nitrogen is regarded as moving away from poorly illuminated leaves. If operative in plant canopies, such mechanisms affect leaf longevity and the allocation of N and dry matter to plant parts. To examine such mechanisms in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) we conducted pot experiments with spaced plants in which the primary axis of the plant was subjected to shade treatments (50 or 90% shade), while the apical branches of the plant were illuminated as the control plants. N treatments were a limiting rate of N supply (N1) and a high rate of N supply (N2). Changes in leaf area, dry weight, N content (organic N and nitrate) and light saturated photosynthetic rate (P_max) were recorded for particular leaf numbers. Leaf area, dry weights and total N content of all component plant parts were determined. Shaded leaves showed a lower specific leaf weight while leaf area was not affected. Fifty percent shade had little effect on age-related changes of leaf properties, but leaves senesced fast when subjected to 90% shade. Shading the primary axis enhanced apical branching, increased sizes of individual leaves and reduced stem:leaf weight ratio of non-shaded apical branches; partitioning of dry matter and nitrogen to tubers was less than in controls. It was concluded that these changes were not associated with enhanced remobilization of N from shaded plant parts; nor were they related to enhanced senescence of shaded leaves.     

氮素形态及供应时期对马铃薯生长发育与产量的影响

选用马铃薯克新1号和费乌瑞它2个品种,于2013-2014年在沙培条件下,研究了氮素形态及供应时间对马铃薯植株生长、块茎形成及发育的影响。结果表明,在块茎形成前供应NO₃-N与NH₄-N两种条件下,马铃薯植株高度、叶面积、叶片SPAD值、整株干物质积累量以及块茎重量无显著差异,而块茎形成后供应NH₄-N的马铃薯叶片SPAD值、植株生长速度及块茎产量均显著高于NO₃-N处理;块茎形成前供应NO₃-N的植株结薯数显著高于NH₄-N处理,但是氮素形态对干物质在马铃薯块茎中的分配比例无显著影响。因此,马铃薯的氮素养分管理应根据商品薯和种薯生产的不同目标,在块茎形成前后分别供应适宜形态的氮素。     

The inheritance of host plant effect on latency period of wheat leaf rust in spring wheat. II: Number of segregating factors and evidence for trangressive segregation in F3 and F5 generations

Summary The dry matter yields of four varieties of Lolium perenne with similar flowering dates (Ba 10761, cv. Talbot, cv. S.321 and cv. Tove) were compared during two harvest years in an orthogonal plot trial with two contrasting harvesting frequencies, three levels of applied nitrogen (200, 400 and 600 kg N/ha/yr) and two wear treatments (with and without wear). Frequent harvesting, reduction of applied nitrogen from 600 to 200 kg/ha, and wear reduced mean annual yield by 6.49, 5.13 and 0.65 t/ha respectively. Differences between varieties in mean annual dry matter yields over all treatments were 0.52 t/ha in the first harvest year and 1.49 t/ha in the second harvest year. Over both harvest years, Ba 10761 outyielded Talbot by 15% under frequent harvesting but by only 5% under infrequent harvesting. This variety/harvesting frequency interaction was due to relatively poor growth of Ba 10761 during the reproductive phase of growth, reproductive growth accounting for a larger proportion of total annual yield under infrequent harvesting than under frequent harvesting. Talbot gave relatively low yields at the lowest level of nitrogen. Genotype/harvesting management interactions arising from genetic independence of productivity during vegetative and reproductive growth can be predicted from results of single-management trials but such predictions of genotype/nitrogen level interaction are not yet possible.     

CO2浓度升高和施氮对冬小麦花前贮存碳氮转运的影响

为探讨大气CO₂浓度升高对冬小麦花前贮存碳氮转运的影响及氮素营养的调节作用,以小偃22和小偃6号为材料,于2007—2009连续2个生长季,利用开顶式气室进行盆栽试验,对背景CO₂浓度(375 μL L^-1)和高CO₂浓度(2007—2008年度680 μL L^-1, 2008—2009年度750 μL L^-1)条件下不同施氮处理的干物质和氮素在籽粒、花前地上部中的累积以及花后营养器官的转运进行了评价。2007—2008年度设4个施氮水平,分别是0、0.1、0.2和0.3 g kg^-1土; 2008—2009年度设3个施氮水平,分别是0、0.15和0.30 g kg^-1土。结果表明,施氮和CO₂浓度升高促进了干物质和氮素在籽粒和花前营养器官的积累,增加了花前营养器官和地上部贮存干物质和氮素向籽粒的转运量,适量施氮提高了CO₂浓度升高对花前营养器官干物质和氮素累积以及花后向籽粒转运的正向效应。与背景CO₂浓度相比,高CO₂浓度提高了花前营养器官和地上部干物质对籽粒产量的贡献率和转运率,但CO₂浓度升高对花前氮素的贡献率和转运率的影响因年份和品种而异。CO₂浓度升高后,2007—2008年度各营养器官和地上部,以及2008—2009年度茎鞘和穗的氮素贡献率和转运率均增加,但2008—2009年度2个品种叶片和地上部氮素贡献率在施氮时均显著降低,小偃22叶片和地上部氮素转运率在各施氮水平下以及小偃6号地上部氮素转运率在0.13 g kg^-1土施氮水平下均明显增加。适量施氮也在大多数情况下增强了CO₂浓度升高对营养器官干物质和氮素的贡献率和转运率的正向效应。说明CO₂浓度升高后小麦产量和氮素积累增加与其促进花前干物质和氮素积累及花后向籽粒的转运密切相关。     

不同氮素用量对黄瓜幼苗生长及养分吸收的影响

为确定黄瓜幼苗对氮素用量及氮素形态的响应特性以指导育苗期间合理施肥,以硝酸铵磷（NO3--N:NH4+-N为0.9:1.0）为供试肥料,研究同时提供NO3--N和NH4+-N的情况下,不同氮素用量对黄瓜幼苗生长及养分吸收的影响。结果表明：与不施氮对照相比,氮素施用可显著增加植株叶面积和株高,但各施氮处理之间差异不明显（50~200 mg N/株）;植株幼苗茎粗和地上部干物质累积量不同处理间差异不显著;施用氮素黄瓜幼苗根系的根长、根表面积和干物质累积量降低（尤其氮用量100 mg/株）,根系直径在0.5~1.3 mm和1.8~2.6 mm范围内的根长下降明显。氮素用量显著影响了地上部氮、磷、钾的浓度及吸收量,对根系的磷、钾浓度和氮、磷、钾的吸收量影响较小;综合地上部和根系的生长状况,氮素用量在50 mg/株及150 mg/株时,黄瓜幼苗的生长健壮。     

Characterization of novel inbred lines of white clover (Trifolium repens L.). I. Dynamics of plant growth and nodule development in flowing solution culture

Growth, dry matter partitioning between shoots and roots, and extent of nodulation were characterised in four novel self-fertile highly inbred lines (referred to as A, B, C and D) of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) thought to differ fundamentally in their nitrogen relations and therefore regarded as candidate material for genetic mapping. Plants were inoculated with a mixture of three strains of Rhizobium and grown in flowing nutrient solutions without N for 18 d. Half the plants were then supplied with 20 μM NO₃ ^- during a 36 d treatment period, the remaining plants acting as ‘controls’ solely dependent upon N₂ fixation for acquisition of N. Total dry matter production and shoot:root ratios were similar in all lines supplied with NO₃ ^- and in control plants of lines B and C. Growth was severely reduced in control plants of line D and to a lesser extent in control line A. These effects were attributed to a failure to develop effective N₂ fixation capacity after apparently normal infection. Mean nodule size, nodule numbers and nodule d.w. per plant were extremely low in line D compared with the other lines, irrespective of whether NO₃ ^- was supplied. Lines A, B and C differed in the severity with which NO₃ ^- decreased mean d.w. per nodule and total nodule d.w. per plant relative to corresponding control plants, with line C being least sensitive. Nitrate also decreased the total number of nodules per plant relative to control plants after day 14 in all lines except C, and most severely in line B. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effect of Defoliation on Growth and Physiological Developments in Tubers of Purple Nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.)

The starch metabolism and hydrolytic enzyme activities in growing tubers of purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.) in response to defoliation were examined to elucidate the regrowth physiology of the plant. Effects of complete or partial defoliation imposed at 2 or 4 weeks (single defoliation), or 2 and 4 weeks (repeated defoliation) after emergence (WAE) on plant growth were studied.
Leaf area and leaf dry weight per plant in the control plots increased with time. In the mother tuber, dry weight and starch content were reduced by 16 % and 18 %, respectively, during the first 2 WAE, and then increased with time. Endoamylase (EC 3.2.1.1) activity of tubers (3.8 units g⁻¹ dry tuber) increased by 42 % during the first 4 WAE, but decreased rapidly up to 8 WAE.
Repeated defoliation significantly reduced the regrowth ability of nutsedge tubers when compared to single defoliation and the control. Repeated complete defoliation reduced the leaf area and leaf dry weight by 56 % and 69 %, respectively. The dry weights of mother tuber and total tubers 100 cm ⁻² were reduced by 41 % and 63 %, respectively, when compared to the control at 8 WAE. Endoamylase activity and starch content in the mother tuber in this treatment were reduced by 72 % and 56 %, respectively. Defoliation did not have any significant effect on the exoamylase activity.
Endoamylase is the major starch hydrolysing enzyme in tubers and the activity of this enzyme could be a limiting factor in regrowth of nutsedge tubers. Repeated complete defoliation effectively suppressed the regrowth of purple nutsedge.     

小麦/玉米/大豆和小麦/玉米/甘薯套作对土壤氮素含量及氮素转移的影响

为探讨小麦/玉米/大豆套作对氮素营养的种间促进机制, 采用叶片¹⁵N富积标记法研究了小麦/玉米/大豆(A1)和小麦/玉米/甘薯(A2) 2种套作系统中不同施氮水平下的土壤培肥效果和氮素转移规律。结果表明,施氮可以提高小麦、玉米的土壤总氮含量,以施纯氮150~300 kg hm^-2处理最高;大豆较甘薯更有利于保持土壤肥力,施氮0、150、300和450 kg hm^-2水平下种植大豆后的土壤总氮含量比种植大豆前(小麦收获后)高38.6%、20.2%、9.4%和16.7%,而种植甘薯则降低总氮含量3.1%、1.8%、14.0%和3.8%。A1系统中小麦和玉米季土壤中NO₃-N含量低于A2系统,且随施氮量的增加而增加;大豆季土壤中NO₃-N含量高于甘薯季。A1和A2系统均存在¹⁵N的双向转移,¹⁵N转移量随施氮量的增加而降低,且A1的¹⁵N净转移量和转移强度高于A2;A1系统中小麦、玉米和大豆的¹⁵N净转移量比A2系统的¹⁵N净转移量分别高3.3%~12.1%、27.0%~166.2%和26.2%~78.7%。玉米与小麦之间的¹⁵N净转移方向为从玉米向小麦,玉米与大豆之间的¹⁵N净转移方向为从大豆向玉米,玉米与甘薯之间的¹⁵N净转移方向为从玉米向甘薯。     

不同库容量类型籼稻品种源库相关参数的基本特点

在群体水培条件下,以国内、外不同年代育成的常规籼稻代表品种(2001年为88个、2002年为122个)为材料,测定叶面积、干物质重(包括根系)、产量及其构成因素、氮素含量等,采用组内最小平方和的动态聚类方法将供试品种按库容量从低到高依次分为A、B、C、D、E、F 6类,研究各类品种源、库主要性状的基本特点。结果表明：(1)供试品种间库容量的差异很大(426%和817%)。A、B、C、D、E、F类品种的平均库容量,2001年分别为426.37、642.53、770.96、903.73、1 064.32、1 213.90 g m^-2,2002年分别为359.36、574.11、764.98、962.43、1 200.11、1 455.59 g m^-2;(2)大库容量品种全生育期天数、每日形成的库容量较大,库容量显著受到全生育期天数、每日形成库容量的影响,后者对库容量的作用大于前者对库容量的作用;(3)大库容量类型品种抽穗期叶面积、成熟期叶面积、抽穗期绿叶重、成熟期绿叶重、比叶重较大,但结实期叶面积下降比例小;(4)大库容量类型品种结实期净同化率、单位叶面积籽粒产量、单位叶面积库容量、单位干物质库容量、单位氮素库容量大于小库容量类型品种;（5）多元逐步回归分析表明,抽穗期绿叶重、单位叶面积库容量、单位氮素库容量、单位干物质库容量、净同化率、比叶重是影响库容量的主要源库性状(R²= 0.953~0.963)。通径分析表明,抽穗期绿叶重、单位叶面积库容量对库容量的作用要显著大于单位氮素库容量、单位干物质库容量、净同化率、比叶重等对库容量的作用。     

Dry matter and nitrogen accumulation and residues of oil and protein crops

Oil and protein crops are of growing importance in cropping systems. This study was carried out to compare oil crops of linseed, rapeseed, sunflower and protein crops of faba bean and white lupin for grain production, residual plant dry matter and nitrogen. Two field experiments with either oil or protein crops were conducted in 1993 and 1994, respectively. Total dry matter production, grain yield, residues, N concentrations and mineral N in the soil were measured. Dry matter production and distribution as well as N uptake and residues varied greatly among species and between years. In 1993, oil crops gave up to 3 t ha⁻¹ grain and 16 t ha⁻¹ residues with sunflower, while in 1994 up to 5 and 11 t ha⁻¹, respectively, were recorded with winter rape. Protein crops showed an opposite reaction in years. Nitrogen uptake and residual N amounts were correlated with dry matter production. Plant residues of oil crops contained 20–140 kg N ha⁻¹; those of protein crops up to 80 kg N ha⁻¹. Despite the variation of residual plant N the variability of mineral N in the soil at harvest was hardly influenced by crops and amounted to only 20–50 kg NO⁻₃-N ha⁻¹.     

Rice–weed competition in response to nitrogen form under high and low transpirational demand

Implementation of water-saving irrigation practices in lowland rice results in increased availability of nitrate (NO₃⁻) in the soil and favours germination of upland weeds. Since plant species show a specific preference for either ammonium (NH₄⁺) or NO₃⁻ as nitrogen (N) source, changes in both soil NO₃⁻ concentration and weed flora may affect the competition between rice and weeds. Further, the transpirational demand of the atmosphere might affect growth and competitiveness of lowland (wetland) and upland (dryland) weeds differently due to their adaptation to different ecological environments. Therefore, the study aimed to evaluate the effects of N source on growth, N uptake and competition between rice and common upland and lowland weeds under high and low vapour pressure deficit (VPD). Two rice (Oryza sativa) varieties (NU838 and KD18) differing in growth characteristics and two weed species (Echinochloa crus-galli and Solanum nigrum) differing in their natural habitat were selected and grown hydroponically as monoculture or mixed culture at low or high VPD. N was supplied as 75%/25% or 25%/75% NH₄⁺/NO₃⁻. N uptake rates were measured in the first week, whereas dry matter (DM), N concentration in the plant, total N uptake and the activities of nitrate reductase and glutamine synthetase in the fresh leaves were determined two weeks after the onset of treatments. Independent of N source, both rice varieties and E. crus-galli took up a larger share of NH₄⁺, whereas S. nigrum took up a larger share of NO₃⁻. N uptake of rice and E. crus-galli was hardly affected by N source, whereas high NO₃⁻ led to significantly higher N uptake rates and total N uptake of S. nigrum. NU838 showed a higher competitiveness against weeds than KD18. In competition, high NO₃⁻ decreased the competitiveness of E. crus-galli against NU838 but increased the competitiveness of S. nigrum against NU838. High VPD did not affect DM but increased N uptake of S. nigrum, leading to increased competitiveness of the weed at high transpirational demand. Competitiveness for N uptake appears to be an important trait as the relative N concentration in mixed plant communities was correlated with the activity of N-assimilating enzymes and leaf growth, with a stronger response in rice than in weeds. Our results support the hypothesis that increased availability of NO₃⁻ in aerobic rice soils may be advantageous for the competitiveness of upland weeds, especially at high VPD, whereas it may be disadvantageous for common lowland weeds.     

Alternative strategies for nitrogen fertilization of overwinter processing spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) in Southern Italy

To identify the best practice for nitrogen (N) fertilization of overwinter processing spinach, two field experiments were carried out in the Foggia plain (Southern Italy), one of the most vocated area for leafy vegetables production. The field trials were aimed to define and suggest the proper fertilizer dose, typology and the right time of application. Experiment 1 evaluated four N fertilizer doses (0, 150, 225, 300 kg ha⁻¹) in a two-year field trial. Experiment 2 was aimed to assess the effect of the split distribution of prilled urea fertilizer in comparison with the application of nitrification inhibitor (DMPP) containing urea fertilizer, broadcasted at sowing.Spinach yield, yield quality (nitrate – NO₃⁻ – and carotenoids content), N-use efficiency and risk of soil nitrate (NO₃⁻-N) leaching were evaluated. The processing spinach yielded 37.8 and 3.6 t ha⁻¹ of fresh and dry yield, respectively (average of the two experiments). Fresh and dry yield among the fertilizing treatments were similar. Also the β-carotene and the lutein content of spinach leaves (19.5 and 38.1 mg kg⁻¹, respectively) were not affected by the N fertilizer dose. Conversely, the N dose strongly influenced the NO₃⁻ content of the leafy vegetable tissues (1286 mg kg⁻¹ on average, 58% lower than the limits imposed by the EC regulation). As expected, the different rainfall pattern influenced both the leaf NO₃⁻ content and the risk of soil NO₃⁻-N leaching. The results achieved demonstrated that, in order to get a favorable trade-off, among yield, yield quality, N-use efficiency and environmental impact, the processing spinach growers of the Foggia plain area should be encouraged to apply 225 kg N ha⁻¹ as maximum fertilization rate. Also, the split urea fertilizer application appeared as the more effective strategy for N fertilization of overwinter spinach in comparison with the use of the nitrification inhibitor containing urea fertilizer, being the last strategy not able to adequately match the N crop demand.     

Grain yield, and dry matter and nitrogen accumulation and remobilization in durum wheat as affected by variety and seeding rate

The influence of crop density on the remobilization of dry matter and nitrogen from vegetative plant parts to the developing grain, was investigated in the durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) varieties Creso, Simeto and Svevo cultivated in the field at three seeding rates, 200, 250 and 400 seeds m⁻². Variety × seeding rate interaction was unsignificant for all recorded characters. Grain yield declined in the order Svevo > Simeto > Creso. Yield differences mainly depended on the different number of kernels per unit land and, secondly, on mean kernel weight. Spike components differed among varieties: Svevo and Simeto showed more kernels per spikelet and Creso more spikelets per spike. Grain yield was highest with 400 seeds m⁻² primarily due to the higher number of spikes per unit area, and secondly, to the higher mean kernel weight. Post-heading dry matter accumulation was highest in Svevo and lowest in Creso, but varieties showed a reverse order for dry matter remobilization and contribution of dry matter remobilization to grain yield. The increase of seeding rate increased both the post-heading dry matter accumulation and the dry matter remobilization from vegetative plant parts to grain. Nitrogen uptake of the whole crop and N content of grain was higher in Simeto and Svevo than in Creso. The N concentration of grain did not vary among varieties, but Svevo showed a markedly lower N concentration and N content of culms at maturity, which may be consequence of the high N remobilization efficiency performed by this variety. The N uptake by the crop was highest with 400 seeds m⁻², but the N concentration of culms, leaves and even grain was slightly lower than with the lower seed rates. The post-heading N accumulation was by far higher in Simeto and Svevo than in Creso, whereas remobilization was highest in Svevo and lowest in Simeto. The percentage contribution of N remobilization to grain N was by far higher in Creso than in the other two varieties. Post-heading N accumulation and N remobilization were highest with the highest plant density, but the contribution of N remobilization to N grain content did not differ between seeding rates.     

Nitrogen:sulphur ratio alters competition between Trifolium repens and Lolium perenne under cutting: Production and competitive abilities

Grasslands species, like others crops, no longer benefit from high atmospheric sulphur deposition. This may cause sulphur limitation and in turn may induce a shift in plant communities by altering species performance and competitive abilities. To test this hypothesis, a greenhouse pot experiment was designed to investigate the interacting effects of sulphur (S) and nitrogen (N) availability on production, morphology and competitive abilities of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). Plants were grown in monocultures and mixtures during 4 months. They were supplied with combinations of three levels of S and three levels of N and subjected to three defoliation events. Both S and N gradients altered plants performance and modulated competitive interactions. In L. perenne, above- and below-ground dry matter production, leaf and tiller number and contribution to mixture DM production were little affected by S, but highly by N. For T. repens, these traits were significantly increased by S, but only slightly by N. At establishment, T. repens was subjected to a significant interspecific competition at low N–low S and high N–high S. But at regrowth (cuts 2 and 3), T. repens was much more affected by intra- than interspecific competition. L. perenne was only sensitive to competition (intraspecific) when N supply was combined with no or moderate S supply. We conclude that N:S ratio of soil appears to drive species production, morphology and competitive abilities, which in turn affect leguminous–gramineous species ratio and grassland plant community structure. Since the growth of T. repens was significantly reduced in low S treatments, our results suggest that the drastic fall in atmospheric sulphur deposition could restrict leguminous species in high N soil conditions.     

Comparison of shoot dry weight, Na+ content and δ13C values of ari-e and other semi-dwarf barley mutants under salt-stress

Four breviaristatum (short awned and semi-dwarf) barley mutants; ari-e.1, ari-e.119, ari-e.156 and ari-e.228 were compared with other semi-dwarf mutants; Golden Promise, Alf, Pallas and Diamant along with their non-mutant parents; Bonus, Foma, Maythorpe, Bomi and Valticky, for response to salt stress. Plants were exposed to hydroponic salt treatments (NaCl at 25 and 175 mol m^-3) for 4 weeks, after which response was measured in terms of shoot dry weight, sodium content and δ¹³C. In general ari-e mutants and Golden Promise had significantly lower Na⁺ contents than the other mutants. They also had significantly more negative δ¹³C values than the other lines in stressed (175 mol m^-3 NaCl) conditions. There was a positive correlation (r = 0.71, p < 0.01) between shoot Na⁺ and δ¹³C values so that δ¹³C became less negative with increasing Na⁺ content. Shoot dry weights were compared to shoot Na⁺ and δ¹³C values. The ari-e and Golden Promise mutants showed less reduction in dry matter production in salt stress relative to the control treatment than all the other lines. The data suggest that ari-e mutants and Golden Promise are better adapted to salt stressed environments than the other lines examined. Tests for gibberellic acid sensitivity revealed that ari-e mutants and Golden Promise responded weakly to GA₃, while other dwarf mutants Pallas, Diamant and Alf along with their parents Bonus, Foma, Maythorpe, Valticky and Bomi were highly sensitive. Our results support previous findings that ari-e mutants and the GPert mutant are allelic. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

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。