Effects of plant density on the yield and yield components of true potato seed (TPS) hybrids in early and main crop potato production systems

This study was conducted to evaluate true potato seed (TPS) technology for use in ware or seed potato production in two contrasting environments in Turkey during 2002 and 2003. The field experiments were carried out in the Hatay and Nevsehir provinces in Turkey, which represent a Mediterranean early crop potato production area and a temperate main crop potato production area, respectively. The plug seedlings of six TPS hybrids were transplanted to the fields at four densities (15, 20, 25 or 30 plants m⁻²). The seed tubers of the medium early cultivar Marfona were also planted in the experimental plots to compare the performance of the TPS hybrids with traditional seed tubers. Transplanting of the seedlings was significantly delayed in Hatay due to unsuitable weather conditions in both years. The seedlings needed an adaptation period of 2–4 weeks after transplanting depending on the location and the growing conditions. The adaptation period was longer in Hatay due to high air temperatures after transplanting. Although the yield performance of the TPS hybrids differed depending on the location and year, the TPS hybrids produced noticeably higher total tuber yields in Nevsehir location (ranging from 43.1 to 62.5 t ha⁻¹ in 2002 and from 39.5 to 50.6 t ha⁻¹ in 2003) than in Hatay (ranging from 15.3 to 19.6 t ha⁻¹ in 2002 and from 15.1 to 19.1 t ha⁻¹ in 2003). The percentage of marketable tubers (>28 mm) was also considerably higher in Nevsehir. The optimal plant density varied between 25 and 30 plants m⁻² with regard to the total yield, while the optimal density with regard to the marketable yield was 20 or 25 plants m⁻² depending on hybrids in Nevsehir. However, none of the tested plant densities caused competition between plants in Hatay, where the environmental conditions during the growing period considerably restricted the growth of individual TPS seedlings.It was concluded that transplanting of TPS seedlings can be considered a feasible alternative for ware or seed potato production in temperate environments like Nevsehir that have growing periods of at least 4 months. However, there are several obstacles, such as difficulties with the timing of transplanting, long adaptation period that threaten the practicability of TPS technology in Mediterranean-type environments. Further agronomical studies focused on reducing inter- and intra-plant competition are needed for both environments in order to improve the acceptability of TPS technology to farmers.     

Growth, yield and mineral content of Miscanthus × giganteus grown as a biofuel for 14 successive harvests

Miscanthus × giganteus, a perennial rhizomatous grass commercially used as a biofuel crop was grown in a field experiment on a silty clay loam soil for 14 years. There were 3 rates of fertilizer nitrogen (N), none (control), 60 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ and 120 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ as cumulative applications. The crop was harvested in winter and dry matter yield measured. N did not influence yield. Yield, which increased for the first 6 years, decreased in years 7 and 8, but then increased again and was highest in the 10th year averaging 17.7 t ha⁻¹ across all treatments. Differences in total production over the14 years were only 5% between the highest and lowest yielding treatments and averaged 178.9 t ha⁻¹ equivalent to 12.8 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹. In the first 10 harvests, 92% of dry matter was stem. Although the study showed N fertilizer was not required, it is considered that an application of 7 kg P ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ and 100 kg K ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ would avoid soil reserve depletion. Pesticides were not required every year and the crop can be considered as low input with a high level of sustainability for at least 14 years.     

Yield potential and water use efficiency of aerobic rice (Oryza sativa L.) in Japan

Intensive rice farming in aerobic soil, referred to herein as aerobic rice, can greatly reduce the water input compared to that of flooded rice cultivation. The objective of this study was to compare the potential productivity of aerobic rice and flooded rice using high-yielding varieties at two locations in Japan in two successive years. In aerobic fields, the total amount of water supplied (irrigation plus rainfall) was 800–1300 mm. The soil water potential at 20-cm depth averaged between −15 and −30 kPa each growing season, but frequently reached −60 kPa. The average yield under aerobic conditions was similar to or even higher than that achieved with flooded conditions (7.9 t ha⁻¹ in 2007 and 9.4 t ha⁻¹ in 2008 for aerobic versus 8.2 t ha⁻¹ for flooded). The average water productivity under aerobic conditions was 0.8–1.0 kg grain m⁻³ water, slightly higher than common values in the literature. The super-high-yielding cultivar Takanari achieved yields greater than 10 t ha⁻¹ with no yield penalty under aerobic conditions in 3 out of 4 experiments. The favorable agronomic characteristic of Takanari was its ample sink capacity (grain number × grain weight). In conclusion, high-productivity rice cultivation in aerobic soil is a promising technology for water conservation. With continued breeding, future aerobic rice varieties will possess large numbers of spikelets and sufficient adaptation to aerobic conditions such that they will consistently achieve yields comparable to the potential yield of flooded rice.     

Biomass yield and energy balance of three perennial crops for energy use in the semi-arid Mediterranean environment

Three different lignocellulosic energy crops (a local clone of Arundo donax L., Miscanthus x giganteus Greef et Deu. and Cynara cardunculus L. var. altilis D.C. cv. “Cardo gigante inerme”) were compared over 5 years (2002–2007) for crop yield, net energy yield and energy ratio. In a hilly interior area of Sicily (Italy), two different irrigation treatments (75 and 25% of ETm restoration) and two nitrogen fertilization levels (100 and 50 kg ha⁻¹) were evaluated in a split-plot experiment. In the fourth and fifth years of the field experiment (2005–2007) no fertilizer or irrigation was used.From crop establishment to the third year, above ground dry matter yield increased over all studied factors, in A. donax from 6.1 to 38.8 t ha⁻¹ and in M. x giganteus from 2.5 to 26.9 t ha⁻¹. Fifteen months after sowing, C. cardunculus yielded 24.7 t ha⁻¹ of d.m. decreasing to 8.0 t ha⁻¹ in the third year. In the fourth and fifth years, above ground dry matter yields of all crops decreased, but A. donax and M. x giganteus still maintained high productivity levels in both years. By contrast the yield of C. cardunculus yield fell to less than 1 t ha⁻¹ of d.m. by the fourth year.Energy inputs of A. donax and M. x giganteus were higher in the year of establishment than that of C. cardunculus (34 GJ ha⁻¹ for A. donax and M. x giganteus and 12 GJ ha⁻¹ for C. cardunculus), mainly due to irrigation.Net energy yield showed low or negative values in the establishment year in A. donax and M. x giganteus. In the second and third year, net energy yield of A. donax was exceptionally high (487.2 and 611.5 GJ ha⁻¹, respectively), whilst M x giganteus had lower values (232.2 and 425.9 GJ ha⁻¹, respectively). M x giganteus attained its highest net energy yield in the fourth year (447.2 GJ ha⁻¹). Net energy yield of C. cardunculus reflected energy output of the crop, being high in the first compared to subsequent years (364.7, 277.0 and 119.2 GJ ha⁻¹, respectively for the first, second and third years).A significant effect of the different irrigation treatments was noted on all the studied parameters in all species. Conversely, only A. donax was affected by nitrogen fertilization.     

Forage soybean production for seed in mediterranean environments

Despite several experiments on row spacings and seeding rates of grain soybeans, limited information is available on the most suitable row spacing and seeding rate for tall and robust forage type soybeans grown for seed. The objectives of this study were to investigate seed yield, oil and protein content, and several morphological traits as affected by row spacing (20, 40, 60 and 80 cm) and seeding rate (330,000, 660,000, 990,000 and 1,320,000 seeds ha⁻¹) in tall and robust forage type soybeans in three irrigated Mediterranean environments in Turkey in a randomized split plot design with three replications in 2004 and 2005. Row spacings had no significant effect on plant height but tall and profusely branched plants developed in wide row spacing and light seeding conditions. Seed yield responded positively and linearly to row spacing up to 60 cm and then decreased slightly in all locations. Seed yield was the highest at 990,000 seeds ha⁻¹ seeding rate in all three locations (3072.5 kg ha⁻¹ in Bursa LSD = 214.7 kg ha⁻¹, 3295.1 kg ha⁻¹ in Mustafakemalpasa LSD = 298.6 kg ha⁻¹ and 3311.3 kg ha⁻¹ in Samsun LSD = 321.1 kg ha⁻¹). Averaged across years, locations, row spacings, and seeding rates the mean seed yield was an impressive 3013.4 kg ha⁻¹ compare with 3500.0 kg ha⁻¹ average seed yield of grain types. Crude protein and oil content of forage type soybean were not significantly affected by row spacings and seeding rates. It was concluded that forage type soybeans can be grown for multiple purposes at the 990,000 seeds ha⁻¹ seeding rate and 60 cm row spacings in Mediterranean environments.     

Effect of nitrogen application rate on content of glutenin macropolymer and high molecular weight glutenin subunits in grains of two winter wheat cultivars

Two winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars differing in grain protein content were selected to study the effect of N application rate on changes in contents of glutenin macropolymer (GMP) and high molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS) during grain filling. Contents of GMP and HMW-GS were much higher in the high GPC cultivar, Xuzhou 26, than those in low GPC cultivar, Ningmai 9. N increased contents of GMP and HMW-GS in Xuzhou 26 with N rate between 0 and 300 kg ha⁻¹, while at the very high N rate of 300 kg ha⁻¹ the contents of GMP and HMW-GS in Ningmai 9 decreased. The high contents of GMP and HMW-GS at maturity were closely related to the rapid increase in contents of GMP and HMW-GS during the initial period of their synthesis. HMW-GS and GMP content were closely correlated. The total HMW-GS content was important in determining GMP content than the content of any HMW-GS pair or any individual HMW-GS present in the selected cultivars. The pattern of response of GMP content to N application rate was closely related to the regulatory effect of N on HMW-GS synthesis.     

Long-term effects of poultry litter and conservation tillage on crop yields and soil phosphorus in cotton–cotton–corn rotation

Long-term field experiments are needed to fully realize positive and negative impacts of conservation tillage and poultry litter application. A study was initiated on a Decatur silt loam soil at the Tennessee Valley Research and Extension Center, Belle Mina, AL, USA in 1996 to evaluate cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) performance with long-term poultry litter (PL) application under different tillages and to study the build up of phosphorus (P) with application of PL. Treatments include incomplete factorial combinations of three tillage systems [conventional till (CT), mulch till (MT), and no-till (NT)], two cropping systems [cotton-fallow and cotton-winter rye (Secale cereale L.)], and two nitrogen sources and rates [100 kg N ha⁻¹ from ammonium nitrate (AN), and 100 and 200 kg N ha⁻¹ from poultry litter (PL)]. Cotton was rotated with corn (Zea mays L.) every third year. Results from 2003 to 2008 showed that all tillages gave similar cotton lint yields with AN at 100 kg N ha⁻¹. Application of PL at 100 kg N ha⁻¹ in NT plots resulted in 12 and 11% yield reductions compared to that of CT and MT, respectively. However, NT plots with higher quantity of PL (200 kg N ha⁻¹) gave similar yields to CT and MT at 100 kg N ha⁻¹. During corn years, higher residual fertility of PL, in terms of grain yields, was observed in NT plots compared to CT and MT. Long-term PL application (100 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) helped to maintain original soil pH in CT and MT while AN application decreased soil pH. In NT plots, PL at 100 kg N ha⁻¹ was not sufficient to maintain original soil pH, but 200 kg N ha⁻¹ maintained original pH. Although not-significant, elevated P levels were observed in all tillages compared to original P levels which indicates possibility of P build up in future with further application of PL. Application of PL at double rate (200 kg N ha⁻¹) in NT plots resulted in significant build up of P. Results indicate that NT gives similar yields to CT when received AN, but needs higher rate of PL application to achieve similar yields to CT.     

Soil fertility management in irrigated rice systems in the Sahel and Savanna regions of West Africa: Part I. Agronomic analysis

Yield, input use, productivity and profitability of irrigated rice systems were analyzed based on surveys in Senegal (Thiagar and Guédé), Mali (Office du Niger) and Burkina Faso (Kou Valley). The objective was to determine agronomic factors contributing to farmers' fertilizer-use efficiency and productivity, given current farmer practices. (A second paper addresses profitability and risk issues). Grain yields were highly variable, within and across sites. Minimum grain yield was 0.2 t ha⁻¹ (Thiagar), maximum recorded grain yield was 8.7 t ha⁻¹ (Office du Niger). The yield gap between actual farmers' yield and simulated potential or maximum attainable farmers' yield ranged from 0.6 to 5.7 t ha⁻¹ (Kou), 1.8 to 8.2 t ha⁻¹ (Thiagar), 0.3 to 6.3 t ha⁻¹ (Office du Niger), 0.8 to 5.7 t ha⁻¹ (Guédé), indicating considerable scope for improved yield. Physiological nitrogen efficiency (δ grain yield/δ N uptake) was mostly between 40 and 80 kg grain kg⁻¹ plant N. Apparent recovery of fertilizer N was highly variable (average: 30–40% of applied N). Timing of N fertilizer application by farmers was extremely variable and often did not coincide with critical growth stages of the rice plant. Other agronomic constraints included: use of relatively old (>40 days) seedlings at transplanting (Kou, Office du Niger), P and/or K deficiency (Office du Niger), unreliable irrigation water supply (Kou, dry season), delayed start of the wet growing season resulting in yield losses of up to 20% due to cold-induced spikelet sterility (Kou, Guédé, Office du Niger), weed problems (Thiagar), and late harvesting (Thiagar). Discussions during meetings with farmers at the survey sites revealed that farmers lacked knowledge on (i) optimal timing, dosage and mode of fertilizer application, (ii) optimal sowing dates to avoid yield loss due to cold- or heat-induced sterility, and (iii) the importance of N as the main limiting factor to yield. Possibilities to achieve a sustainable increase in rice productivity and profitability in West African irrigation systems are discussed.     

Spring wheat response to timing of water deficit through sink and grain filling capacity

Water and nitrogen (N) availability are the main factors influencing crop growth globally. Poorly distributed or insufficient water for crop growth requirements decreases yields in drought-prone areas such as those with a Mediterranean type environment. Cereal grain yield is a complex trait of interrelated components: plants per unit land area, spikes per plant, spikelets per spike, grains per spikelet, and single grain weight (SGW). The effect of water limitation and timing on development of yield components was studied in detail at the spike level in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar Amaretto. An experiment with three watering treatments (control watering, CONT; drought prior to pollination, DR1 and terminal drought, DR2) was arranged in a large greenhouse (20 m × 30 m), with the use of standard field-trial machinery. Automated blackout curtains were used to control day length, which was set to correspond to that at 40°N. With watering treatments, two N application rates (60 and 120 kg N ha⁻¹) were used to investigate the N effect and potential watering × N interaction on yield formation and realisation. The water deficit effect exceeded the effect of N on fertile floret and grain number and SGW. DR1 strongly reduced the number of fertile florets and grains, whereas terminal drought reduced the number of grains per spike. Resuming the watering at pollination markedly enhanced photosynthesis, and hence grain filling capacity, resulting in the highest SGW in DR1. Enhancement in availability of key resources was associated with reduced rate of fertile floret and grain abortion, which resulted in higher grain to fertile floret ratio in DR1. Spikelets in the mid-section of the spike dominated yield formation in all treatments. In DR1 this was especially emphasised as 53% of the grain yield was produced in spikelets 4–6, whereas in DR2 and CONT this was 45 and 41%, respectively. Grains in proximal position in the spikelets produced about 80% of the spike grain yield, the proportion being slightly higher in stressed plants and plants receiving 60 kg N. No marked N × water deficit treatment interaction occurred for any of the measured parameters.     

Physiological determinants of maize and sunflower grain yield as affected by nitrogen supply

Utilisation of nitrogen (N) has been closely related to increases in crop productivity. However, not all crops respond similarly and the objective of this study is to identify physiological processes that determine responses to N supply for maize and sunflower. Grain yield in maize (range: 210–1255 g m⁻²) was greater and more responsive to N supply than in sunflower (106–555 g m⁻² in carbohydrate equivalents) over a wide range of total N uptake (3–>20 g N m⁻²). In maize, differences in grain yield among levels of N supply were associated more with variation in biomass than in harvest index. In sunflower, differences in grain yield (in carbohydrate equivalents) among levels of N supply were related similarly to variation in both biomass and harvest index. The decrease in biomass production with decreasing N supply was associated with decreases in both radiation interception and radiation use efficiency (RUE). Decreased interception was due to effects of N supply on reducing canopy leaf area, whereas the reduced RUE was associated with decreased SLN. Total biomass production in maize was more responsive to N supply than in sunflower. The major determinants of the differences in response of biomass accumulation to N supply found between maize and sunflower are: (i) sunflower tends to maintain SLN with increase in partitioning of N to leaves under N limitation whereas maize tends to maintain leaf area with increase in partitioning of biomass to leaves and (ii) the ability of maize to maintain N uptake following cessation of leaf production.     

Yield and oil variability in modern varieties of high-erucic winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L. var. oleifera) and Ethiopian mustard (Brassica carinata A. Braun) under reduced agricultural inputs

Increasing interest in vegetable oils for use in green chemistry has stimulated research into high-erucic Brassicaceae species such as winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L. var. oleifera) and Ethiopian mustard (Brassica carinata A. Braun). The objective of this study was to determine the yield response of recently released cultivars of these species under high and low production inputs. The varieties Maplus and Hearty of B. napus, and BRK1 of B. carinata were cultivated with autumn sowing in a large-scale field trial at the experimental farm of the University of Padova in Legnaro (NE Italy, 45°21′N). The genotypes were compared under high and low input management systems: high input was characterised by conventional soil tillage, chemical weed control, and high N–P–K fertilization, and low input by minimum tillage, mechanical weed control, and limited N–P–K fertilization.Oilseed rape varieties had greater seed yield than BRK1, and interactions with input level and cultivation year were significant. Maplus yielded most at high input (3.78 vs. 3.31 t ha⁻¹ DM at low; average of two years), whereas Hearty showed no significant differences between inputs (3.49 t ha⁻¹; average of years and inputs), indicating its better adaptability to extensive agricultural management. Yield performance of BRK1 B. carinata was very stable at varying agricultural managements, but not very high (2.73 t ha⁻¹ on average) – a fact that may limit its competitiveness with oilseed rape in autumn sowing, especially at higher latitudes. B. carinata was also more variable across the years than oilseed rape in terms of seed yield, oil content, and percentage of erucic acid. This was mainly due to the particular climatic conditions of the second year of the experiment (mild winter; hot, dry spring) which led to considerable winter elongation and pre-flowering, and later to incomplete seed filling. In these conditions, BRK1 had both lower oil seed content (36.7% vs. 47.1%) and erucic acid (41.3% vs. 49.1%) than oilseed rapes.In general, with few exceptions, the reduction in inputs did not affect either seed oil content or the amount of erucic acid, regardless of variety and year, but seed crude proteins were reduced mainly because of N shortage.     

Narrow row spacing and high plant population to short height castor genotypes in two cropping seasons

Castor plant (Ricinus communis L.) produces a very important oil for chemical and biofuel industries. However, doubts remain about what the best plant arrangement is to obtain the maximum yield of seeds and oil from short height castor genotypes cultivated in higher plant population. This study evaluated two castor genotypes (FCA-PB and IAC 2028) in 5 plant arrangements (row spacing × in-row spacing): 0.90 m × 0.44 m (traditional), 0.90 m × 0.20 m, 0.75 m × 0.24 m, 0.60 × 0.30 m, and 0.45 m × 0.40 m, in spring-summer and fall-winter cropping seasons in Botucatu, São Paulo State, southeastern Brazil. The traditional plant arrangement comprised an initial plant population of 25,000 plants ha⁻¹, while the others comprised 55,000 plants ha⁻¹. The IAC 2028 genotype presented the greatest plant height, first raceme insertion height, basal stem diameter, number of fruits per raceme and 100 seed weight; however, seed yield and seed oil content were equal between genotypes. Wider stems and higher number of racemes per plant and fruits per raceme were observed with a 0.90 m × 0.44 m plant arrangement, but due to the lowest plant population (25,000 plants ha⁻¹) in this plant arrangement, the higher values of the yield components mentioned above did not result in higher yield. The higher plant population (55,000 plants ha⁻¹) by narrower row spacings (0.45 or 0.60 m) combination produced a higher castor seed yield. The effect of plant arrangement was more intense in the spring-summer cropping season.     

Productivity and resource use of direct-(drum)-seeded and transplanted rice in puddled soils in rice–rice and rice–wheat ecosystems

Conventional tilled transplanting, a widely practiced method of rice (Oryza sativa L.) establishment in puddled soils in rice–rice and rice–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) systems in Asia, requires a large amount of labor and water, which are becoming scarce and expensive. Growing more food with the same production costs or even reduced costs and sustaining the quality of the natural resource base are a major concern. On-farm trials were conducted in Chuadanga District of Bangladesh during the wet season as monsoon rice (aman) and during the dry season as winter rice (boro) in 2006–07 to evaluate the effects of establishment methods with improved crop management on productivity, resource (land, water, and labor) use, and economic return. Rice was established by sowing in line with a drum seeder on conventional tilled puddled soils (CT-DrumR) and by transplanting in line on the day of CT-DrumR (CT-TPR1) and 30 and 35 days after CT-DrumR (CT-TPR2) in aman and boro seasons, respectively. Farmers’ usual transplanting time corresponds to the day of CT-TPR2. Grain yields in CT-DrumR and CT-TPR2 were similar but the crop occupied the main field 22–24 days longer in CT-DrumR than in CT-TPR2, resulting in lower productivity (45 kg grain ha⁻¹ day⁻¹ vs. 55 kg grain ha⁻¹ day⁻¹) in both seasons. Drum-seeded rice matured earlier by 8 and 11 days, received 12% and 6% less irrigation water, saved 19 and 24 person-days ha⁻¹, and gave higher gross margins of 6% and 4% but input costs increased by 20% and 12% than CT-TPR2 in aman and boro seasons, respectively. There is a need to examine these benefits of drum-seeded rice in relation to the feasibility of adoption by farmers.     

Phosphorus accumulation and depletion in soils in wheat–maize cropping systems: Modeling and validation

Long-term (over 15 years) winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–maize (Zea mays L.) crop rotation experiments were conducted to investigate the accumulation of phosphorus (P) at five sites differing geographically and climatically in China. The results showed that, in soils without P added, the concentration of soil P extracted by 0.5 mol L⁻¹ NaHCO₃ at pH 8.5 (Olsen-P) decreased with cultivation time until about 3 mg kg⁻¹, afterwards it remained constant. The trend of decrease in Olsen-P in soils without P added could be described by an exponential function of time. The concentration of Olsen-P in soils with P fertilizers increased with cultivation time and the model of accumulation of Olsen-P in soils could be described using P application rate, crop yield and soil pH. The accumulation rate of Olsen-P in the long-term wheat–maize crop rotation experiments was 1.21 mg kg⁻¹ year⁻¹ on average. If the target yield of wheat and maize is 10 ton ha⁻¹ in the soil with pH 8, the increasing rates of Olsen-P in soils as estimated by the model will be 0.06, 0.36, 0.66, 0.95, 1.25 and 1.55 mg kg⁻¹ year⁻¹ when P application rates are 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 kg P ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, respectively. The models of accumulation of Olsen-P in soils were validated independently and could be used for the accurate prediction of accumulation rate of Olsen-P in soils with wheat–maize rotation systems. Also the application of the model was discussed for best management of soil P in agricultural production and environment protection.     

Sweet sorghum productivity for biofuels under increased soil salinity and reduced irrigation

Sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.) is a drought-tolerant crop with high resistance to saline-alkaline soils, and sweet sorghum may serve as an alternative summer crop for biofuel production in areas where irrigation water is limited. A two-year study was conducted in Northern Greece to assess the productivity (biomass, juice, total sugar and theoretical ethanol yields) of four sweet sorghum cultivars (Sugar graze, M-81E, Urja and Topper-76-6), one grain sorghum cultivar (KN-300) and one grass sorghum cultivar (Susu) grown in intermediate (3.2 dS m⁻¹) or in high (6.9 dS m⁻¹) soil salinity with either low (120 mm) or intermediate (210 mm) irrigation water supply (supplemented with 142–261 mm of rainfall during growth). The soil salinity and irrigation water supply effects on the sorghum chlorophyll content index, photosystem II quantum yield, stomatal conductance and leaf K/Na ratio were also determined. The sorghum emergence averaged 75,083 plants ha⁻¹ and 59,917 plants ha⁻¹ in a soil salinity of 3.2 dS m⁻¹ and 6.9 dS m⁻¹, respectively. The most affected cultivar, as averaged across the two soil salinity levels, was the Susu grass sorghum emerging at 53,250 plants ha⁻¹, followed by the Topper-76-6 sweet sorghum emerging at 61,250 plants ha⁻¹. The leaf K/Na ratio decreased with decreasing irrigation water supply, in most cases, but it was not significantly affected by soil salinity. The dry biomass, juice and total sugar yields of sorghum that received 210 mm of irrigation water was 49–88% greater than the yields of sorghum that received the 120 mm of irrigation water. Sorghum plants grown in a soil salinity of 3.2 dS m⁻¹ produced 42–58% greater dry biomass, juice and total sugar yields than the yields of sorghum plants grown in a soil salinity of 6.9 dS m⁻¹. The greatest theoretical ethanol yield was produced by sweet sorghum plants grown in a soil salinity of 3.2 dS m⁻¹ with 210 mm of irrigation water (6130 L ha⁻¹, as averaged across cultivar), and the Urja and Sugar graze cultivars produced the most ethanol (7620 L ha⁻¹ and 6528 L ha⁻¹, respectively). Conclusively, sweet sorghum provided sufficient juice, total sugar and ethanol yields in fields with a soil salinity of 3.2 dS m⁻¹, even if the plants received 50–75% of the irrigation water typically applied to sorghum.     

Yield formation of CO2-enriched hybrid rice cultivar Shanyou 63 under fully open-air field conditions

Hybrid indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars play an important role in rice production system due to its heterosis, resistance to environmental stress, large panicle and high yield potential. However, no attention has been given to its yield responses to rising atmospheric [CO₂] in conjunction with nitrogen (N) availability. Therefore we conducted a free air CO₂ enrichment (FACE) experiment at Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China (119°42′0′′E, 32°35′5′′N), in 2004–2006. A three-line hybrid indica rice cv. Shanyou 63 was grown at ambient and elevated (ca. 570 μmol mol⁻¹) [CO₂] under two levels of supplemental N (12.5 g Nm⁻² and 25 g Nm⁻²). Elevated [CO₂] had no effect on phenology, but substantially enhanced grain yield (+34%). The magnitude of yield response to [CO₂] was independent of N fertilization, but varied among different years. On average, elevated [CO₂] increased the panicle number per square meter by 10%, due to an increase in maximum tiller number under enrich [CO₂], while productive tiller ratio remained unaffected. Spikelet number per panicle also showed an average increase of 10% due to elevated [CO₂], which was supported by increased plant height and stem dry weight per tiller. Meanwhile, elevated [CO₂] caused a significant enhancement in both filled spikelet percentage (+5%) and individual grain weight (+4%). Compared with the two prior FACE studies on rice, hybrid indica rice cultivar appears to profit much more from elevated [CO₂] than japonica rice cultivar (ca. +13%), not only due to its stronger sink generation, but also enhanced capacity to utilize the carbon sources in a high [CO₂] environment. The above data has significant implication with respect to N strategies and cultivar selection under projected future [CO₂] levels.     

Benchmarking sunflower water productivity in semiarid environments

Appropriate benchmarking is essential for evaluating the efficiency with which crops use water and for identifying constraints, other than water, to crop yield. No benchmark exists for sunflower. Boundary and simulation analyses were used to quantify the water productivity of sunflower crops grown in the Western Pampas (semiarid central Argentina). The approach involved the use of a large database (n = 169) collected in farmers’ fields over a period of 4 years, and the application of a crop simulation model in combination with actual weather and soil data. Using field data, an upper bound of 8 kg grain ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹ for water productivity, with an apparent seasonal soil evaporation of 75 mm, was defined. Seasonal water supply exceeded maximum expected seasonal crop requirements (ca. 630 mm) for many crops, and a majority of crops with <630 mm of available water during the season had water productivities considerably lower than the upper bound. The field data-based upper bound was indistinguishable from that obtained using yields for a set of 47 simulations using observed initial values for soil water and nitrogen profiles. Simulation confirmed the main features of the boundary-analysis applied to field data, and many simulated crops had yields that fell below the boundary function, even when simulated yield was plotted against simulated seasonal evapotranspiration or transpiration. Long-term (33-year) simulation analyses for two sites showed that most sunflower crops in the area are subjected to episodes of transient and unavoidable water stress after floral initiation. High levels of available soil water at sowing moderate, but in most years do not eliminate, these exposures to water stress. Yield gaps with respect to the boundary function were associated with deficient or excessive rainfall during grain filling, and other, non-water related, factors such as inadequate crop nutrition, biotic stresses, low photothermal quotients during the interval close to anthesis, and lodging. A grain yield/seasonal evapotranspiration plot for a large (n = 154) data set from experiments conducted by others in five separate environments suggests that the boundary function found for the Western Pampas is broadly applicable. Sunflower water productivity, corrected for oil-synthesis costs and seasonal vapour pressure deficit differences, approximates that of winter cereals grown in Mediterranean environments.     

Phenotypic plasticity of yield and phenology in wheat, sunflower and grapevine

This paper focuses on the interaction between genotype and environment, a critical aspect of plant breeding, from a physiological perspective. We present a theoretical framework largely based on Bradshaw's principles of phenotypic plasticity (Adv. Gen. 13: 115) updated to account for recent developments in physiology and genetics. Against this framework we discuss associations between plasticity of yield and plasticity of phenological development. Plasticity was quantified using linear models of phenotype vs environment for 169 wheat lines grown in 6 environments in Mexico, 32 sunflower hybrids grown in at least 15 environments in Argentina and 7 grapevine varieties grown in at least 14 environments in Australia.In wheat, yield ranged from 0.6 to 7.8 t ha⁻¹ and the range of plasticity was 0.74–1.27 for yield and 0.85–1.17 for time to anthesis. The duration of the post-anthesis period as a fraction of the season was the trait with the largest range of plasticity, i.e. 0.47–1.80. High yield plasticity was an undesirable trait as it was associated with low yield in low-yielding environments. Low yield plasticity and high yield in low-yielding environments were associated with three phenological traits: early anthesis, long duration and low plasticity of post-anthesis development.In sunflower, yield ranged from 0.5 to 4.9 t ha⁻¹ and the range of plasticity was 0.72–1.29 for yield and 0.72–1.22 for time to anthesis. High yield plasticity was a desirable trait as it was primarily associated with high yield in high-yielding environments. High yield plasticity and high yield in high-yielding environments were associated with two phenological traits: late anthesis and high plasticity of time to anthesis.In grapevine, yield ranged from 1.2 to 18.7 t ha⁻¹ and the range of plasticity was 0.79–1.29 for yield, 0.86–1.30 for time of budburst, 0.84–1.18 for flowering, and 0.78–1.16 for veraison. High plasticity of yield was a desirable trait as it was primarily associated with high yield in high-yielding environments. High yield plasticity was associated with two phenological traits: plasticity of budburst and plasticity of anthesis.We report for the first time positive associations between plasticities of yield and phenology in crop species. It is concluded that in addition to phenology per se (i.e. mean time to a phenostage), plasticity of phenological development merits consideration as a distinct trait influencing crop adaptation and yield.     

Impact of glyphosate-resistant volunteer corn (Zea mays L.) density,control timing,and late-season emergence on yield of glyphosate-resistant soybean (Glycine max L.)

Glyphosate-resistant (GR) volunteer corn is a troublesome weed in soybean fields in a corn-soybean rotation as well as in corn fields in a continuous corn production system. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the impact of (1) different densities of GR volunteer corn on soybean yields, present as individual plants or clumps, controlled at fourth trifoliate (V4), sixth trifoliate (V6), or full flowering (R2) soybean growth stages, and (2) late-season volunteer corn emergence on soybean yields, after being controlled at different soybean growth stages. Field experiments were conducted in 2013 and 2014 under irrigated conditions in Clay County, Nebraska, and under rain-fed conditions in Lancaster County, Nebraska, USA. To maintain the desired number of isolated volunteer corn plants (1250, 2500, 5000, and 10,000 plants ha⁻¹) and clumps (63, 125, 250, and 500 clumps ha⁻¹), individual seeds and/or corn ears were hand-planted in each plot based on their respective target densities. Volunteer corn was controlled with applications of clethodim at V4, V6, or R2 soybean growth stages. Late-season volunteer corn emergence had no effect on soybean yield with volunteer corn densities and control timings at both locations in 2013 and 2014. During the first year of study at Clay County, volunteer corn densities and control timings had no effect on soybean yield. When volunteer corn was left uncontrolled or controlled at the R2 soybean growth stage, yield was the lowest at highest isolated volunteer corn plants (10,000 plants ha⁻¹) plus clump density (500 clumps ha⁻¹) during the second year of study in Clay County (≤5068 kg ha⁻¹) and during both years of study in Lancaster County (≤1968 kg ha⁻¹).     

Effect of N fertilizer top-dressing at various reproductive stages on growth,N2 fixation and yield of three soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) genotypes

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is one of the most important food and cash crops in China and a key protein source for the farmers in northern China. Previous experiments in both the field and greenhouse have shown that N₂ fixation alone cannot meet the N requirement for maximizing soybean yield, and that N top-dressing at the flowering stage was more efficient than N top-dressing at the vegetative stages. However, the effect of N fertilizer application at other reproductive stages of soybean is unknown. Thus, a field experiment was conducted to study the effects of N applications at various reproductive stages on growth, N₂ fixation and yield of three soybean genotypes. The results showed that starter N at 25 kg ha⁻¹ resulted in minimum yield, total N accumulation and total amount of N₂ fixed in all three genotypes. N top-dressing at 50 kg ha⁻¹ at either the V2 or R1 stages, significantly increased N accumulation, yield and total amount of N₂ fixed in all three genotypes. However, N top-dressing at the same rate at either the R3 or R5 stage did not show this positive effect in any of the three genotypes. Thus, the best timing for N top-dressing during reproduction is at the flowering stage, which increased seed yield by 21% for Wuyin 9, 27% for You 91-19, and 26% for Jufeng, respectively, compared to the treatment without N top-dressing.