Morphology and yield response to weed pressure by corn hybrids differing in canopy architecture

Recently, corn (Zea mays L.) hybrids accumulating more leaf area above the ear, maturing earlier, yielding better in narrower row spacings and tolerating higher population densities than conventional hybrids have been developed. However, no research has been conducted to assess their ability to compete with weeds. The objective of this study was to quantify morphological and grain yield responses of hybrids with differing canopy architectures to the presence and absence of weeds. Field experiments were conducted in 1996, 1997, and 1998 at Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec and in 1996 at Ottawa, Ontario. Three hybrids, leafy reduced-stature (LRS), late maturing big leaf (LMBL), and conventional Pioneer 3979 (P3979), were evaluated at two population densities (normal and high), row spacings (38 and 76 cm) and weed pressure levels (weed-free and weedy). Weed pressure reduced the plant height of LRS less (only 4 cm) than the tall hybrids (average reduction of 26 cm). The overall grain yield of the LMBL hybrid was much greater (12.7 mg ha⁻¹) than the LRS (9.6 mg ha⁻¹) and P3979 (11.0 mg ha⁻¹) hybrids in the absence, but not in the presence (LRS, 6.5; LMBL, 6.7; and P3979, 6.8 mg ha⁻¹), of weeds. The yield of early-maturing LRS and P3979 (especially LRS) hybrids, were least affected by weed pressure, suggesting better tolerance of, and competition with, weeds. However, further research with more LRS hybrids is needed, as is the development of better yielding LRS hybrids, before they can be recommended over conventional hybrids.     

Weed Competition in Soybeans (Glycine max L.)

The present investigation was conducted to determine the critical period of weed competition in soybeans at Giza, Egypt. Weed flora in the experimental site at Giza contained a wide range of species during both seasons of study (1990 and 1991). Total weed dry weight increased progressively with time up to 12 WAE (182.0 g/m²). Weed-free and weedy periods exhibited significant effects on soybeans height, number of pods per plant, stand at harvest, biological and seed yields. Optimum seed yields were produced by weed-free durations for 6 WAF up to all season (3.229–3.545 t/ha). Whereas, weedy periods for 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 WAF reduced seed yield by 14.9, 28.0, 35.3, 45.1, 48.1 and 51.1 %, respectively. Weed competition for the entire season caused 56.1 % reduction in soybean seed yield. The obtained results indicate that weed competition during the early stages of growth, adversely affected soybeans. At least 6 WAE of weed-free period was required to insure optimum soybean growth and yield. However, oil and protein contents were not affected by weed competition.     

宽幅精播中行距与幅宽对小麦干物质积累与分配的影响

为探究小麦宽幅精播增产机理,设置了行距20、25和30cm,幅宽3、6、9、12和15cm,研究其对小麦花后干物质积累与分配的影响。结果表明,适宜的行距与幅宽可促进产量的提高,幅宽小于9cm时,产量随幅宽的增加而增加,幅宽大于9cm时,籽粒产量随幅宽增加而减少,以行距25cm且幅宽9cm产量最高;花后21~28d是籽粒干物质积累最快的时期,花后14~28d是小麦地上部干物质转化最快的时期;行距与幅宽的增大增加了各营养器官群体干物质积累量,但行距大于25cm、幅宽大于9cm时抑制了营养器官中干物质向籽粒的转运。     

Effect of Weed Removal on Productivity of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and Lentil (Lens culinaris Med.) in a Mediterranean Environment

Three field experiments were conducted on chickpea ( Cicer arietinum L.) and four on lentil ( Lens culinaris Med.) at different winter-sown rainfed locations in Jordan from 1988/89 to 1990/91 to study the effect of the duration of weed-free and weed-infested conditions on yields and yield components of the crops. Chickpea seed yields were reduced on average by 81 % and straw yields by 63 % when fields remained weed infested until harvest compared with weed-free conditions throughout the growing season. The corresponding lentil seed and straw yield decreases were 63 % and 55 %. As the duration of weed-free period increased and the duration of weed-infested period decreased, yields increased. However, the critical period of weed interference was between 35 and 49 days after emergence in chickpea and between 49 and 56 days after emergence in lentil, when these crops were at an advanced stage of vegetative growth. There were significant negative correlations between the weed dry weight and the seed or straw yields. The reduction in seed yields in both crops because of weed interference occurred mainly through the reduced number of pods /plant, which in turn was partly the result of reduced number of secondary branches. In chickpea, some reduction also occurred through reduced 100-seed weight.     

Alternate Row Spacing and Plant Density Effects on Forage and Dry Matter Yield of Corn Hybrids (Zea mays L.)

Irrigated field experiments were conducted in the Marmara region of Turkey in 2002 and 2003 to compare alternate 40 : 25 cm row spacings and conventional 65 cm with four different plant densities (65 000, 85 000, 105 000 and 125 000 plants ha⁻¹) of three corn hybrids (DK-585, ADA 95–10 and C-955) in some morphological traits and forage and dry matter yield. Morphological traits such as plant height, leaf per plant, stem diameter, ear per plant and ear percentage were measured, forage and dry matter yield was also determined in this study. Hybrids, row spacings and plant densities significantly affected some morphological traits, forage and dry matter yield at 0.01 level. Later maturing hybrids tended to produce taller and thicker stemmed plants. Row spacings and plant densities did not affect plant height. Average stem diameter increased significantly with population density. Row spacings did not influence leaf number, whereas leaf number increased slightly with plant density. On average, all corn plants had slightly more than 1.0 ear per plant in our experiment. Row spacings and plant densities did not affect significantly number of ear per plant. Early maturing DK-585 had the highest ear percentage whilst late maturing C-955 lowest. Yields usually increased with hybrid maturity. When averaged across years, row spacings and plant densities, late maturing C-955 performed significantly better in forage and dry matter yield in all experimental years and combined years. The studies showed favourable advantage for alternate 40 : 25 cm rows over conventional 65 cm row spacings at all plant densities. Average forage and dry matter yields were greater for alternate 40 : 25 cm row spacings than for 65 cm row spacings. However, strong hybrid × row spacing interactions for both forage and dry matter yield were detected.     

Selective Postemergence Herbicides for Grass Control in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

Selective postemergence herbicides to control grass weeds in broadleaf crops have become available in recent years. However, the efficacy of these new herbicides in controlling grasses in sunflower has not been extensively evaluated. Field experiments were conducted to evaluate five selective herbicides for their efficacy on crabgrass ( Digitaria sanguinalis L. Scop) and barnyard grass ( Echinochloa crusgalli L. Beav.) control in sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L.) in 1983 and 1984. Commercial sunflower varieties, Interstate 7775 and Stauffer 3101 were planted on Calloway silt loam and Portland clay in 1983 and 1984, respectively. Herbicides were applied when sunflower was 10 cm tall, at 4- to 5-leaf stage, and target grass weeds at the 3- to 4-leaf stage. All herbicides, sethoxydim, xylofop-ethyl, haloxyfop, fluazifop butyl, and CGA 82725, gave good to excellent control of the target weeds. Herbicide injury to sunflower ranged from very minor to none. None of the herbicides greatly affected yield, test weight, seed weight, head diameter or plant height of sunflower. Difference in soil types tended to influence the effectiveness of herbicides.     

Yield Response of Soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) to Planting Density and Row Spacing in a Semi-arid Tropical Environment

Soybean is little grown in the semi-arid zone of the northern fringes of the Sudan savannah belt of Nigeria despite a seemingly good potential for the early maturing varieties. To explore the potential of the crop in this region a determinate soybean line was sown at 2 sites in 1986 at four planting densities of 7.5, 10.0, 12.5 and 15.0 plants/m² in three row spacings of 40, 60 and 75 cm. Both the above-ground biological and grain yields increased with planting density. Row spacing had significant effect on yield only at the early planted Site 1, where 40 cm row spacing outyielded other rows. The increase in yield at high densities and narrow row was mainly due to increased pod and grain numbers/m²
Onset of competition began to manifest as from flowering and intensified thereafter. However, the post anthesis competition did not affect grain filling and so mean grain weight and harvest index were similar in all treatments. Late planting at Site 2 reduced yield by between 20 and 30 % particularly at high densities and in narrow rows. The results indicate a fairly good potential for soybean in this region, and yield advantage due to moderately high planting densities and narrow spacing.     

种植密度和行距配置对超高产夏玉米群体光合特性的影响

在67 500株 hm^-2、90 000株hm^-2和112 500株hm^-2等3个种植密度条件下,研究了密度和行距配置对超高产夏玉米品种登海701产量和群体光合特性的影响。结果表明,随密度增加,籽粒产量、叶面积指数(LAI)、光合有效辐射(PAR)上层截获率、群体光合(CAP)和群体呼吸(CR)、干物质积累量均提高;而叶绿素含量、穗位叶层和下层PAR截获率则降低。在67 500株 hm^-2下,宽窄行与等行距处理相比无显著优势。但在90 000株 hm^-2和112 500株 hm^-2密度下,80 cm+40 cm行距处理的产量、叶面积指数(LAI)、叶绿素含量、穗位叶层的PAR截获率、花后群体光合速率(CAP)平均值均显著高于其他行距处理(等行距、70 cm+50 cm和90 cm+30 cm);而群体呼吸速率与光合速率的比值(CR/TCAP)则显著低于其他行距处理。说明在较高密度条件下,80 cm+40 cm的宽窄行配置有助于扩大光合面积、增加穗位叶层的光合有效辐射、提高群体光合速率、减少群体呼吸消耗,从而提高籽粒产量。     

不同行距对陆地棉品种纤维品质性状的影响(英文)

本研究于2006―2007年度在费萨拉巴德农业大学农业研究试验场进行,试验目的是为了比较三个不同品种陆地棉在不同的行距下的性状质量。试验处理包含三种行间距(60cm、75cm和90cm)和三种不同陆地棉品种(NIAB-111,CIM-496与FH-901)。所有的实验数据均进行变异系数的统计学分析。试验结果显示,行距显著影响GOT值,但是对纤维长度、纤维比强度、纤维整齐度和纤维细度没有影响。三种陆地棉品种之间在纤维长度、纤维比强度和纤维细度上存在显著差异,而在纤维整齐度和GOT上没有显著差异。     

Genotypic variation for competitive ability in spring wheat

Herbicides are the primary method of weed control for crop production in developed countries. For economic and environmental reasons alternative control strategies are being devised. One of these strategies is the development of competitive crop cultivars. The objectives of this research were to establish whether spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes differed in competitive ability and if those differences were related to specific growth characteristics. Sixteen genotypes of spring wheat were grown under simulated weed competition conditions at Saskatoon, Canada over a 3–year period. Four high and four low tillering genotypes from each of two crosses (Neepawa/M1417 and Ingal/M1417) were studied. Weeds consisted of cultivated oat (Avena saliva cv. ‘Waldern’) and oriental mustard (Brassicajuncea cv. ‘Cutlass’) sown at two densities (48 and 96 seeds/m² per weed species). Seedling establishment, ground cover, and seed yield for the three species were determined, as was wheat tiller number, spike number, maximum height, leaf area index, leaf orientation, and flag leaf length and size. Significant (P = 0.001) weed rate by genotype interactions involving changes in genotype rank were detected for wheat grain yield, indicating that the 16 wheat genotypes differed in competitive ability. Wheat grain yield reductions averaged over the two weed densities ranged from 45% to 59%. The highest-yielding genotypes under weed-free conditions were not necessarily the highest yielding under weedy conditions. Genotypes which suffered smaller yield reductions were more effective in suppressing weed growth. Although competitive genotypes were generally taller than non-competitive genotypes, other traits such as large seedling ground cover and flag leaf length were associated with wheat yield under competitive conditions.     

行距对棉花生长发育、产量及早熟性指数的影响的研究(英文)

棉花窄行密植生产是缩短棉花生长季节实现棉花早熟的主要举措,并且窄行密植对棉花的产量无显著影响。田间试验于2006年6月到2007年1月在巴基斯坦费萨拉巴德农业大学试验田进行,以确定行距对不同品系棉花的生长、生产和早熟性指数的影响。试验选取NIAB-111,CIM-496和FH-901 3个棉花品种,设置了60、75和90 cm 3种行距进行试验研究。结果表明:行距对棉花生长发育、产量和早熟性指数具有极显著影响;行距75 cm的处理产量最高达到2603 kg·hm-2,其次是行距60 cm的处理,产量为2541 kg·hm-2,但二者间差异不显著;行距60 cm的处理早熟性指数达到50.92%,显著大于其它处理;行距75 cm的处理次之。子棉产量最高的品种是FH-901,同时其早熟性指数也最高,达到54.34%。     

密度与行距配置对向日葵冠层结构及光合特性的影响

以食葵中熟品种LD5009为材料,在石羊河中游绿洲设3个种植密度（D1：39 990株/hm²,D2：49 990株/hm²,D3：66 660株/hm²）和3个行距（R1：0.7m,R2：0.6m,R3：0.5m）,研究不同密度与行距配置对向日葵盛花期冠层结构、光合特性以及产量构成的调控作用。结果表明,D3R2处理下茎粗降低至2.50cm,株高和冠层下部叶向值分别增加至187cm和50.50。高密度能显著增大冠层中部叶面积指数（LAI）,而中等密度有助于平衡冠层中、下部光环境,保证冠层底部较高的LAI,D2R2处理下LAI可达5.20,其中冠层下部为1.97。叶绿素含量、净光合速率（P_n）和蒸腾速率（T_r）均随密度的增加而降低,且差异集中体现在冠层下部,D3R2处理冠层下部叶绿素含量、P_n和T_r分别降至1.09mg/g、-1.87μmol/(m²·s)和1.33mmol/(m²·s)。产量、盘粒数、千粒重与株高、冠层中、下部叶向值、冠层中、下部LAI呈负相关,与茎粗、冠层中及下部透光率、冠层下部叶绿素含量、P_n和T_r呈正相关。本试验条件下,种植密度为49 990株/hm²且0.6m行距配置可确保适宜的冠层结构与光合特性,为高产提供保障。     

Improving the Productivity of Bread Wheat by Good Management Practices under Terminal Drought

Drought‐induced damages in crop plants are ranked at top amid all losses instigated by diverse abiotic stresses. Terminal drought (drought at reproductive phase) has emerged as a severe threat to the productivity of wheat crop. Different seed enhancement techniques, genotypes and distribution of crop plants in different spacings have been explored individually to mitigate these losses; however, their interaction has rarely been tested in improving drought resistance in wheat. This study was conducted to evaluate the potential role of different seed enhancement techniques and row spacings in mitigating the adversities of terminal drought in two wheat cultivars during two consecutive growing seasons of 2010–2011 and 2011–2012. Seeds of wheat cultivars Lasani‐2008 (medium statured) and Triple Dwarf‐1 (dwarf height) soaked in water (hydropriming) or CaCl₂ (osmopriming) were sown in 20‐, 25‐ and 30‐cm spaced rows; just before heading, the soil moisture was maintained at 100 % field capacity (well watered) or 50 % field capacity (terminal drought) till maturity. Terminal drought significantly reduced the yield and related traits compared with well‐watered crop; however, osmopriming improved the crop performance under terminal drought. Among different row spacings, wheat sown in 20‐cm spaced rows performed better during both years of study. Wheat cultivar Lasani‐2008 performed better than cultivar Triple Dwarf‐1 under both well‐watered and stress conditions. Maximum net returns and benefit–cost ratio were recorded from osmoprimed seeds of cultivar Lasani‐2008 sown in 20‐cm spaced rows under well‐watered condition. Nonetheless, osmoprimed seeds of cultivar Lasani‐2008 sown in 20‐cm spaced rows were better able to produce good yield under terminal drought.     

机械化栽培条件下株距对油葵生长发育及产量的影响

为了确定适宜河北低平原区油葵高产高效机械化生产的株行距配置,以当前生产中种植面积较大的中早熟品种新葵20和晚熟品种SD567为试验材料,在适宜机械化和轻简化栽培的宽窄行（70cm+50cm）种植的前提条件下,设置24、26、28、30、32、35cm等6个株距,研究不同品种不同株距配置条件下油葵的生长发育特点及产量。结果表明：不同品种在同一株距配置条件下油葵各生育阶段的干物质积累量、单株叶面积及产量多数处理间差异不显著,但同一品种在不同株距配置条件下油葵各生育阶段的干物质积累量、单株叶面积及产量都是以宽窄行（70cm+50cm）、株距30cm的处理为最高。说明油葵在宽窄行（70cm+50cm）、株距30cm的行株距配置条件下,水肥效应和光合效应得到了最大发挥,能够获得最大产量,适宜于河北低平原区当前的油葵生产。     

Legume cover crops as living mulches for winter wheat: Components of biomass and the control of weeds

To gain information about the possible use of legume cover crops as an alternative and sustainable weed-control strategy for winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), an experiment was conducted at two sites in the Swiss Midlands in 2001/2002. Under organic farming conditions winter wheat was direct-drilled into living mulches established with four different legume genotypes or into control plots without cover crops. Compared to NAT (control plots without cover crops but with a naturally establishing weed community), white clover (Trifolium repens L.), subclover (Trifolium subterraneum L.), and birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) reduced the density of monocotyledonous, dicotyledonous, spring-germinating, and annual weeds by the time of wheat anthesis. Strong-spined medick (Medicago truncatula Gaertner) was less efficient in this regard. While the grain yield was reduced by 60% or more for all legumes when compared to NOWEED (control plots kept weed-free), a significant negative correlation between the dry matter of the cover crop and weeds as well as between the cover crop and the winter wheat was observed by the time of wheat anthesis. The effect of manuring (60 m³ ha⁻¹ liquid farmyard manure) was marginal for weeds and cover crops but the additional nutrients significantly increased total winter wheat dry matter and grain yields. The suppression achieved by some legumes clearly demonstrates their potential for the control of weeds in such cropping systems. However, before living legume cover crops can be considered a viable alternative for integrated weed management under organic farming conditions, management strategies need to be identified which maximise the positive effect in terms of weed control at the same time as they minimise the negative impact on growth and yield of winter wheat.     

Effect of Soil Applied Herbicids on Weed Flora, Yield Attributes, Oil Content and Constituents in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

Field experiments showed that superior control of the existing weed flora was obtained by applying: alachlor + linuron, alachlor + chloramben and cyanazine. Herbicidal treatments of alachlor, trifluralin, prometryn and oxadiazon were highly effective in controlling dominant weed species. Some herbicidal treatments produced sunflowers with larger head diameter as compared to unweeded check. As a result of suppressed weed interference, alachlor in combination with linuron or chloramben and cyanazine accounted for the highest seed yield values in 1985 and 1986.
Chemical analyses exhibited that sunflower oil content was not affected by weed control applications. Furthermore, oil constituents (oleic, linoleic, steric and palmitic fatty acids) expressed insignificant responses to applied treatments.     

Intercropping corn with soybean, lupin and forages: weed control by intercrops combined with interrow cultivation

Intercropping corn with legumes is an alternative to corn monocropping and is a possible way to reduce the use of inputs, such as herbicides, while maintaining current weed control levels. Two experiments were carried out at each of two sites in both 1993 and 1994. The first experiment investigated the effects of seeding soybean or lupin alone or in combination with one of three forages (annual ryegrass, Lolium multiflorum Lam.; perennial ryegrass, Lolium perenne L.; and red clover, Trifolium pratense L.) on weed control. The second experiment examined the effects of seeding date (simultaneous with corn or 3 weeks later) and number of rows of large-seeded legumes (one or two) seeded between the corn rows, on weed control. Whenever seeding of legumes/forages was delayed, weekly interrow tillage operations were used to control weeds until legume/forage seeding. The density and biomasses of monocot weeds, either on or between the corn rows, were not affected by cultivation or intercropping. The density and biomass of dicot weeds on corn rows were reduced by some intercrop systems. For the various cropping systems tested, the dicot weed biomass and density between corn rows were most affected (in some cases reduced by 73-100% of the weedy control). A more effective dicot weed control was observed in delay seeded treatments, which allowed extra interrow cultivations. Intercrops that included soybean were also more successful at reducing weed populations than those containing lupin. Underseeded forages did not reduce weed biomass or density.     

行距配置对大穗型小麦灌浆期干物质转移及籽粒灌浆特性的影响

在大田试验条件下,研究了不同行距配置对大穗型小麦品种兰考矮早八灌浆期干物质转运及灌浆特性的影响。结果表明,兰考矮早八干物质生产及物质转移效率受行距的影响。干物质生产以15 cm行距为最大,30 cm行距为最小;干物质转移量对籽粒的贡献率以穗轴 颖壳部位最低,以茎鞘为最大,叶片居中;地上部总干物质转移量对籽粒的贡献率以20 cm行距为最高,其次为15 cm行距,以30 cm行距为最低。通过Logistic方程拟合其籽粒灌浆过程并计算有关籽粒灌浆参数表明,行距配置对籽粒灌浆特征也有一定影响,就总的效果而言,以20 cm行距最优,有利于提高千粒重。     

Respiration and Growth of Sorghum and Sunflower under Predicted Increased Night Temperatures1

Little information exists concerning how crops will respond to the predicted increased night temperatures. The objective of this work was to determine if respiration and growth of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], a C, plant, and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), a C₃ plant, are affected when the night temperature is increased by 5°C compared to the long-term (19 year) average night temperature in June in Kansas. Sorghum and sunflower were grown in two walk-in growth chambers with either the ambient night temperature (21C) or a high night temperature (26C). Day temperature was the same for all plants (27C). Both sunflower and sorghum had higher respiration rates under the elevated night temperature than under the ambient temperature. The average respiration rate of sunflower grown under elevated night temperature increased by 19% (0.89 vs. 0.75 μmol m^?2 s^?1) and that of sorghum by 44 % (0.52 vs. 0.36μmol m^?2s^?1). After 74 days, sunflower plants grown under the ambient night temperature were 30.2 cm taller than sunflower plants grown under the elevated night temperature; sorghum plants under the ambient temperature were 24.8 cm taller. Sunflower plants grown under the elevated night temperature formed flowers one week earlier than those grown under the ambient temperature. Sorghum formed no flowers by 74 days. Results suggest that, if climate change does increase night temperature, respiration will be increased more in C₄, than C₃ plants.     

Intercropping Studies in Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

With a view to study the effect of intercropping and plant geometries in peanut cv. VRI-1 , a held experiment was conducted at Area Agronomic Centre, Tamil Nadu Co-operative Oilseeds Growers' Federation Limited, Neyveli, India during winter season 1989, (November 89–April 90) under irrigated condition. Three intercrops viz., pigeonpea, sunflower and finger millet were tested at two plant geometries viz., paired rows of 40/20 cm and 45/15 cm. The study indicated that pigeonpea was compatible with peanut and their combination resulted in higher peanut kernel equivalent yield and higher profit. Sunflower and finger millet depressed the base crop yield and found to be unsuitable for intercropping in peanut. Base crop yield was not influenced by the plant geometries.