bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Interaction of Sowing Date and Water Availability in Determining Plant Architecture, Fruiting Pattern and Yield Components of Soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.)
Authors: Ceccon P. , Costa L. Dalla , Giovanardi R. , Rogger C.
Published: April 2008

A 2‐year trial has been carried out in northern Italy on soybean (cv. Hodgson) grown in lysimeters, comparing three soil water regimes (well‐watered conditions and water stress during vegetative and reproductive stages) at two sowing dates. Plant evapotranspiration and water uptake depth were calculated from volumes of water independently supplied to eight lysimeter layers; at harvest, plant architecture, yield components and fruit distribution along the main stem and lateral branches were evaluated.

Although water stress intensity was not severe, crop evapotranspiration and water uptake depth were severely restricted by water shortage. Both low water‐availability and late sowing significantly modified the architecture of plants, decreasing total height, number and length of internodes and lateral branches. Seed allocation along the stem was shifted downwards both by delaying the sowing date and by reducing the water supply; the component most responsible for yield decrease was the number of pods per plant, while unit seed weight was only slightly affected by water stress. Grain yield reduction was higher when water availability was inadequate during the reproductive phase in the early‐sown crop and during the vegetative stage in the late‐sown crop. This suggests that the intensity of the water shortage, plant phenological stage of stress application, as well as the date of stress application within the growing season determine the yield response of soybean.
Intra‐specific Variation for Salt Tolerance in Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.)
Authors: Ashraf M. , Fatima H.
Published: April 2008

Thirty‐six accessions of linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) were screened for salt tolerance at the seedling stage after 2 weeks growth in solution culture salinized with 150mol m−3 NaCL Considerable variation in salt tolerance was observed in this set of germplasm. Two salt‐tolerant accessions, T‐5(69‐S9)B and LS‐2 and two salt‐sensitive accessions P‐70 and Aver‐Rer‐Seic, selected at the seedling stage, were grown to maturity in sand culture salinized with 0 (control), 70, 140, and 210 mol m−3 NaCl. Both the salt‐tolerant accessions exceeded the two salt‐sensitive accessions in biomass production, seed yield, and yield components, but the accessions did not differ significantly in seed oil content in the salt treatments. The tolerant accessions accumulated greater amounts of Na+ in the shoots and less in the roots compared with the salt‐sensitive accessions. The shoot K+, K: Na ratios, and K+ versus Na+ selectivity were lower in the salt‐tolerant accessions compared with the salt‐sensitive accessions; the reverse was true for their roots. Contributions of Na+ and Ca2+ to osmotic adjustment were much higher in the two salt‐tolerant accessions than in the salt‐sensitive ones.

It has been established that there is a great deal of variation for salt tolerance in linseed. The degree of salt tolerance of this crop does not vary during ontogeny. The physiological basis of salt tolerance of this species appears to be associated with the inclusion of Na+ in the shoots.
Growth Responses of Twelve Wheat Cultivars and their Phosphorus Utilization from Rock Phosphate
Authors: Gill Maqsood A. , Rahmatullah  , Salim M.
Published: April 2008

Growth responses of 12 wheat cultivars and their phosphorus utilization were studied in a greenhouse. They were grown for 18 days in a solution containing rock phosphate as the phosphorus (p) source. Biomass of 26 day old plants of all the cultivars varied significantly whereas their shoot to root ratio stayed constant. The dry matter yield of all the 12 cultivars was significantly correlated with the p uptake (r = 0.74). Whereas the higher p uptake by all the cultivars was significantly (P < 0.01) related to the drop in the root medium pH, which was presumably owing to the H+ efflux from their roots. The wheat cultivar Blue Silver proved to be the most efficient p user and therefore seems to have the highest potential of making best growth in soils with poor p availability among the 12 wheat cultivars under investigation.
Estimation of Lipid Concentration in Aerial Maize Tissues at Different Growth Stages by Near Infrared Reflectance
Authors: Zhang Feng , Smith D. L.
Published: April 2008

Near infrared reflectance (NIR) spectroscopy is a rapid, inexpensive, and simple technique used to make quantitative analyses of the concentration of nutrients in plant tissue. In this field experiment, the potential usefulness of NIR analysis for the study of lipid concentrations in the aerial plant tissues of maize (Zea mays L.) was evaluated using a fairly simple and inexpensive NIR unit (Inframatic 8100, Per Con Prügeräte GmbH, Germany). Lipid concentration values were measured by standard Soxhlet techniques, which were used to calibrate the instrument for plant samples taken at tasselhng, 3 weeks after pollmation, and plant maturity. Reflectance readings, obtained using seven filters, were fitted to Soxhlet values using multiple linear regression, and regression constants were obtained. The results showed that correlation coefficients between Soxhlet lipid concentration and NIR value obtained were 0.999 and 0.995 for grain lipid and stover lipid, respectively. Standard errors of the estimated values were 0.5929and 0.5562for maize grain and maize stover when the six wavelengths were used, indicating a level of accuracy sufficient for analytical purposes.
Photosynthesis and Dry Matter Production in T. monococcum and T. aestivum Wheat in Response to Ear Removal
Authors: Sharma‐Natu Poonam , Ghildiyal M. C.
Published: April 2008

The photosynthesis, shoot formation, leaf area development and dry matter production were examined in control and de‐eared plants of T. monococcum var. G 1372and T. aestivum var. Sonalika. The removal of ears decreased the diurnal maintenance of photosynthesis and consequently, the dry matter production in Sonalika but not in G 1372. There was a considerable growth of alternative sinks such as shoots and roots when ear sinks were removed. This alternative sink capacity of de‐eared plants seemed to have compensated for limited sink demand of ears in G 1372but could not entirely compensate for the more efficient grain sink in Sonalika. The diploid wheat produced more dry matter than the hexaploid wheat in the pre‐ear emergence period and less in the post‐ear emergence period. In the preear emergence period, the difference in dry matter appeared to be mostly because of the difference in duration to ear emergence. During the post‐ear emergence period, the lower dry matter in G 1372seemed to be owing to a rapid decrease in photosynthesis rate after anthesis because of the lower sink capacity of its grains.
Cultivar Maturity and Reproductive Growth Duration in Soybean
Authors: Egli D. B.
Published: April 2008

Twenty‐seven soybean (Glycine max L. (Merrill)) cultivars from maturity groups (MG) 00 through V were grown in a field at Lexington, Kentucky (38° N latitude), for 2 years, to evaluate the relationship between the duration of reproductive growth and total growth duration. Reproductive growth stages were measured at weekly intervals and dates of R1 (initial bloom) and R5 (beginning seed fill) were estimated by linear interpolation. The date of physiological maturity (growth stage R7) was based on measurements made at two day intervals. The total growth duration increased from 84 days (averaged across years) for MG 00 to 134 days for MG V. Vegetative growth (planting to R5) increased in direct proportion to the total growth cycle. The flowering and pod set period (Rl to R5) was similar for MG 00 and 0, but increased from MG I to IV. The seed filling period, estimated from R5 to R7 and by the effective filling period, increased from MG 00 to I, but there was no change from MG I through V. These data indicate that the duration of seed fill does not always increase as the total growth cycle increases.
Irrigation Method and Water Quantity Effects on Sweet corn1
Authors: ABU‐Awwad A. M.
Published: April 2008

Soil evaporation, water use, yield of sweet corn (Zea mays L.) and water use efficiency as affected by two irrigation methods (trickle and sprinkler) and four values of irrigation water were studied in field plot experiments during 1991 and 1992 in the Jordan Valley. Irrigation regimes were imposed on a clay soil via line source sprinkler irrigation and trickle irrigation in three replicates. Four increasing amounts of water (W1, W2, W3, and W4) were applied twice a week with W3 adjusted to compensate for evaporation measured by class A pan on the site. Soil water content was measured just before each irrigation event at 150 mm increments starting at a depth of 75 mm using a neutron meter.

With deficit irrigation and during incomplete canopy cover, the trickle irrigation method resulted in a substantial water saving owing to the small area of wetted ground surface compared with complete wetting of the ground surface with sprinkler irrigation method. Soil evaporation (E) under sprinkler Irrigation was significantly higher than Es under trickle irrigation method, whilst water use (WU) with sprinkler irrigation was slightly higher than WU with trickle irrigation at the same water level. With the lower irrigation water amounts (less than W3), trickle irrigated sweet corn yielded better than sprinkle irrigated sweet corn. However, sweet corn yields became comparable at excess irrigation for both trickle and sprinkler irrigation methods, because excess water compensated for the adverse effect of soil evaporation. Also, water use efficiency (WUE) with trickle irrigation was higher than WUE with sprinkler irrigation, and the maximum WUE occurred at 366 and 410 mm water use for both trickle and sprinkler irrigation, respectively.
A Comparison of the Ecovalence and the Variance of Relative Yield as Measures of Stability
Authors: Piepho H. P.
Published: April 2008

Yield stability is an important trait of crop cultivars. There are different concepts and measures of stability, and new ones are constantly being proposed, leaving the practitioner with an ever growing collection of measures to chose from.

In order to facilitate the choice it is useful to study the relationship between stability measures. This paper compares the well known ecovalence to a new measure, the variance of relative yields. It is argued that under rather restrictive conditions the new measure is essentially equivalent to the ecovalence, while in most cases it displays an undesirable dependence on genotypic mean yield. It is concluded that the ecovalence is generally preferable.
Effect of Homobrassinolide Application on Metabolic Activity and Grain Yield of Wheat under Normal and Water‐Stress Condition
Authors: Sairam R. K.
Published: April 2008

Activities of nitrate reductase, glutamine synthetase along with rate of photosynthesis, chlorophyll content, soluble protein, relative water content, transpiration and diffusion resistance were estimated in wheat cv. C306 at anthesis stage under irrigated and moisture‐stress condition and two levels (0.1 and 1.0 ppm) of homobrassinolide application. Yield and yield attributing parameters were recorded at harvest. Moisturestress adversely affected relative water content, transpiration, net photosynthesis, nitrate reductase and glutamine synthetase activity, chlorophyll and soluble protein content.

Homobrassinolide application increased leaf relative water content and transpiration and decreased diffusion resistance in water‐stressed and recovered plants. Homobrassinolide application also had positive effect on nitrate reductase and glutamine synthetase activities, photosynthesis, chlorophyll and total soluble protein content in stressed, irrigated and revived plants. The beneficial effect was also observed on grain yield and yield attributing parameters such as grain number per ear, 1000 grain weight, ear number per plant and harvest index. It was concluded that homobrassinolide induced promotion in metabolic activity was mediated through increased enzyme protein synthesis as well as uptake of water resulting in enhanced relative water content under moisture‐stress.
Ein archaologischer Rapsfund des 16. Jahrhunderts, entdeckt in Heide in Holstein, Norddeutschland
Authors: Kroll H.
Published: April 2008

An archaeological find of oil‐seed rape from the 16th century discovered in Heide in Holstein, Northern Germany

During archaeological excavations in the cellar of a 16th‐century house in Heide, Northern Germany, four stocks of crops were found. Two of them consisted of barley, one of rye and the last one of Brassica seeds. The circumstances of the finds, as well as the morphological criteria of the Brassica seeds, which also occur as a weed in the barley stocks, make it virtually certain that the Brassica seeds are oil‐seed rape Brassica napus.
Effect of Low Temperature of Irrigation Water on Rice Growth and Nutrient Uptake
Authors: Zia M. Sharif , Salim M. , Aslam M. , Gill M. A. , Rahmatullah
Published: April 2008

The study was designed to investigate the effect of cold irrigation water on rice growth and on uptake of N, P, K and Zn applied ca. 50, 20, 35 and 5 mg kg−1 soil, respectively. Cold temperature of irrigation water reduced rice shoot and root dry weight and plant height, significantly compared to hot temperature treatment. Under low temperature stress N was a major rice growth determinant. Increased shoot concentrations of both P and Zn allevated the low temperature stress. The uptake of N, P, K and Zn reduced significantly at low temperature (16.5–20 °C soil and 20–24 °C flood water) compared to high temperature (24.5–27 °C soil and 26.5–29.0 °C), with the strongest effect being noticed for N, followed by P, K and Zn. Application of N, P, K and Zn increased their uptake in rice shoots. Nitrogen and K had synergistic effect on their uptake. Responses to N and K application and their uptake behavior were well marked at higher than at low temperature whereas reverse was true for P and Zn.
Effects of Temporary Water Stress After Anthesis on Grain Yield and Yield Components in Different Tiller Categories of Two Spring Wheat Varieties
Authors: Sieling K. , Christen O. , Richter‐Harder H. , Hanus H.
Published: April 2008

Water stress might limit grain yields of cereals under humid conditions. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a temporary water shortage at three different stages after anthesis on the grain yield and yield components of different tiller categories in two spring wheat varieties. A pot experiment with controlled water supply and rain shelters was conducted in 1984 and 1985 in Kiel, N. W. Germany. The water stress (pF 2.9 to 3.4) was imposed either between anthesis to early milk development of the caryopsis (WS1) (EC 65 to EC 72 according to Zadoks scale), early milk development to late milk development of the caryopsis (WS2) (EC 72 to EC 77) and late milk development to maturity (WS3) (EC 77 to EC 92). The control had a constant water supply throughout the growing season of between pF 2.2 to 2.5.

The water stress treatment WS1 significantly reduced the single plant yield by 10 % (1984) and 15 % (1985) in one variety (Selpek), whereas the other variety was unaffected. The response of both varieties to the two later treatments was smaller and insignificant.

In the first year the yield decrease in the variety Selpek after the WS1 treatment was mainly caused by a lower number of ears per plant compared with the untreated control (WS0). In the second year (1985) additionally a lower grain weight of the second category shoots caused by a reduction of the number of kernels per ear contributed to the decrease of the single plant yield. The yield component thousand grain weight could not compensate for the reduction in the number of kernels per ear.
Phosphorus Deficiency Affects the Early Development of Wheat Plants
Authors: Rodriguez D. , Maria G. E. Santa , Pomar M. C.
Published: April 2008

The effect of phosphorus nutrition on the development of wheat plants, was studied. Phosphorus deficiency increased the duration of the phyllochron when the concentration in shoots was less than 0.8 %. Phosphorus concentration in shoots appeared to be a good indicator of the effect of plant phosphorus status on wheat development.
Competition Between Meadow Fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds.) and Timothy (Phleum pratense L.) at Three Levels of Nitrogen Fertilization, During Three Growing Seasons
Authors: Jösrgensen M. , Junttila O.
Published: April 2008

Competition between timothy (Phleum pratense L.) and meadow fescue (Festucapratensis Huds.) under three levels of nitrogen was studied during three growing seasons under northern climatic conditions, 69° N latitude. Timothy initially had higher competitive abilities, particularly when nitrogen was added, but due to a higher regrowth capacity, meadow fescue was able to compete with timothy increasingly over time. The species differed in their growth patterns. Timothy had a higher proportion of reproductive tillers and a larger leaf area in the upper parts of the canopy at the first harvest, especially at high nitrogen‐fertilization. Consequently, timothy shaded meadow fescue during the reproductive stage of growth. After defoliation, regrowth of timothy halted for one to two weeks. Meadow fescue, by contrast, had higher tiller numbers than timothy, a higher number of intact growing points, and resumed shoot‐growth rapidly after defoliation. Due to these traits, the competitive abilities of meadow fescue increased each year relative to timothy.
On Increasing Mustard Productivity with an Inexpensive Source of Leaf—applied Phosphorus
Authors: Mohammad Firoz
Published: April 2008

A simple randomized field experiment was conducted for two years to test the comparative efficacy of three sources of leaf‐applied phosphorus (sodium dihydrogen orthophosphate, diammonium phosphate and monocalcium superphosphate) on the yield performance of mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern. and Coss.) var. Varuna. The quantity of P was 3.5 kg ha−1. In addition, 20 kg N and 2 (or 6) kg S ha−1 were included in the spray applied in two equal splits at 70 and 90 days as supplement to the basal application of 60 kg N, 17.5 kg P and 33.2 kg K ha−1. The two‐year data revealed that spray treatments were significantly efficacious in augmenting most of the yield attributing parameters as well as seed and oil yield by about 20% over the water‐sprayed control. However, as the three sources of phosphorus proved equally effective, commercial grade monocalcium superphosphate could be preferred over others due to its cost effectiveness and easy availability.
Partitioning of Biomass, N and S in Sunflower (Helianthus Annuus L.) by Nitrogen and Sulphur Nutrition
Authors: Nabi G. , Rahmatullah  , Salim M. , Gill M. A.
Published: April 2008

Response of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) to sulphur applied ca. 0, 30, 90 and 150 mg kg‐1 and nitrogen applied ca. 0, 100 and 200 mg kg‐1 soil were studied on a Typic Camborthids in greenhouse. Nitrogen and S application had a significant (P < 0.01) main and interactive effect on seed yield and dry weight of leaves and stem. Cumulative N and S contents of sunflower seeds, stem and leaves were significantly (P < 0.01) affected by N and S application. Sulphur transport and accumulation in sunflower seeds was increased with S application. There were significant (P < 0.01) correlations between seed yield and N and S content of sunflower plants. Critical S concentration (%) in 60 days old plants was 0.36 for 95 % relative yield of the maximum. Application of 90 mg S kg‐1 with 200 mg N kg‐1 resulted in the highest seed yield and maximum total S and N contents in sunflower leaves, stem and seeds. Relative increase in sunflower seeds yield at higher levels of N and S was more than that of dry weight of stem and leaves.
Das Zusammenwirken der mineralischen Düngung mit verschiedenen Formen der organischen Düngung
Authors: VON Boguslawski E.
Published: April 2008

The combined effect of fertilizing with different forms of organic fertilizer

The' IOSDV field experiment, testing mineral‐nitrogen fertilizer in combination with different forms of organic manure over a period of 6 years (two crop‐rotation cycles) has provided specific results concerning the interaction of the components of fertilizers. Stable manure had an intensive effect on sugar beet but only a weak effect on winter wheat. Sugar‐beet leaves had a strong effect on winter wheat but little effect on winter barley. Straw ‐green manure showed a growing effect on winter barley. As expected, the effect of fertilizing is influenced by climatic factors. Yield curves with the specific parameters ‘M’, ‘m’ and ‘i’ show – as would be expected – that the effect of the organic manure on yield is chiefly expressed at lower levels of mineral‐nitrogen manure. In this way, the curves indicate the optimal level of N‐fertilization. The balance of nutrients show that organic variances have different effects on the N‐balance. The interval evaluation shows the importance of long‐term experiments.
Physiological Basis of Yield in Moth Bean [Vigna aconitifolia (Jacq.) Marechal] Under Rainfed Conditions
Authors: SRIVASTAVA J. P. , SONI C. P.
Published: April 2008

Physiological analysis of yielding ability in moth bean varieties under rainfed condition revealed that in spite of sufficient amount of dry matter production, the crop is a poor seed yielder. Late varieties produced higher amounts of dry matter and seed. The low yield in this crop is owing to low net assimilation rate (NAR) during the reproductive phase and poor migration coefficient of assimilates towards seeds. Leaf area expansion was maximum during reproductive phase. Stomatal components were not evident to limit the NAR under rainfed condition. Varietal differences were observed with respect to transpiration. Temporal variations in leaf water potential, osmotic potential and pressure potential were recorded. It is concluded that in moth bean the improvement in seed yield is possible by increasing current photosynthetic rate during the reproductive phase and can be achieved by changing the crop canopy structure for better utilization of light. Effort should also be made to improve harvest index in this crop.
Gaswechselmessungen an Fababohnen‐Blättern (Vicia faba L.)
Authors: Barton K. , Pommer G. , Knoppik D.
Published: April 2008

Measurement of gas exchange in faba‐bean leaves (Vida faba L.)

By means of gas‐exchange measurements (minicuvette system and porometer), photosynthesis and its light dependence was investigated on attached leaves of different varieties of faba beans. The results showed no relevant difference in photosynthetic capacity for the varieties. This is true also for parameters calculated from light dependence, i.e. light compensation point, light saturation, and quantum yield. Generally, the light compensation point lay under 50 μE PAR/m2/s and light saturation was reached at about 1400 μE PAR/m2/ s. Photosynthesis was strongly dependent on leaf age and difference in photosynthetic capacity due to different varieties could be excluded as an essential reason for different rates of flowers dropping and pod dropping in faba beans.
Effect of Soil Hydrothermal Regimes on the Performance of Safflower Planted on Different Dates
Authors: TOMAR S. S.
Published: April 2008

Soil hydrothermal regimes which can enhance seed germination, seedling emergence and development so that the late planted safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) can be competitive in comparison to normally planted crop need to be studied and suitabily modified. Therefore, a split‐plot held experiment was conducted in Vertisols during 1984–85 and 1985–86 post‐rainy season to determine the influence of planting date (PD1: Oct. 20; PD2: Oct. 30; PD3: Nov. 10; PD4: Nov. 20; PDs: Nov. 30; PD6: Dec. 10; and PD7: Dec. 20), irrigation (I1: come‐up irrigation and I2: I1+ branching stage) and straw‐mulch (M0: No mulch and M1: paddy straw mulch at 10 t ha‐1) and the interaction on the growth and development of safflower (Cultivar, JSF‐7).

Germination of safflower commenced earlier in October planting, but it was significantly higher in November and December plantings. Initiation of emergence and completion of germination required 153 and 307 cumulative degree days (CDD soil), respectively. Days to maturity decreased from 163 to 140 in 1984–85 and from 156 to 137 in 1985–86 with delay in planting from October to December. Height, number of branches, number of capsules, seed yield per plant and 1000 seed weight were significantly affected by the different treatments. Planting of safflower on October 30 and November 10 in both the seasons produced significantly higher seed yield than the other plantings. Branching stage irrigation (I2) and straw mulching significantly improved all the yield attributes and seed yield of safflower in both the seasons. The water use efficiency (WUE) was higher in early plantings than in the later plantings. Higher WUE was obtained under come‐up irrigation. Straw mulching increased the WUE, moderated the diurnal variations in soil temperature and provided a better thermostable regime more congenial for plant roots which resulted in increased safflower seed yield.
Einfluß von Form und Plazierung der N‐ und P‐Düngung auf Wurzelentwicklung, Phosphat‐Aufnahme und Wachstum von Sonnenblumen (Helianthus annuus) und Zuckerhirsen (Sorghum bicolor)
Authors: Strasser B. , Werner W.
Published: April 2008

Influence of form and placement of N‐ and P‐fertilisation on the root development, the P‐uptake, and the growth of sunflower (Helianthus annum) and sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor).

In pot‐ and rhizotrone‐experiments with Sorghum bicolor and Helianthus annuus, a higher P‐uptake was achieved by placement of diammonphosphate (DAP) than by either placement of triplesuperphosphate (TSP) or by broadcasting DAP or TSP, respectively. Dual placement of TSP and ammonia increased the P uptake but it was less effective than placement of DAP for sunflowers, but not for sweet sorghum. Placement of nitrogen resulted in a local root accumulation, where ammonia had a greater effect than nitrate for both of the species. Single placement of TSP had no effect on either P uptake or root development.

Thus, the higher P uptake at DAP placement could be attributed to three main factors: the local root accumulation caused by the placement of nitrogen, a specific physiological ammonia‐effect, and the lower binding intensity of the phosphate in the DAP‐band compared with placed TSP (Werner and Strasser 1993). The improvement in spatial availability caused by the NH4+ ‐induced root accumulation was of a greater importance for the P‐uptake than was the improvement of chemical availability in the DAP‐band. The better response of sunflowers in comparison with sweet sorghum was attributed to better acquisition ability in sweet sorghum.
The Relationships between the Nutritive Value, Yield and Resistance of Alfalfa Cultivars to Diseases
Authors: Babnik D.
Published: April 2008

The relationships between the digestibility of organic matter, the net energy value, the gas production from in vitro incubation of tissue with rumen liquid, the quantity of yield and the resistance of a variety to disease were investigated in nine alfalfa (Medicago sativa) cultivars. The digestibility of organic matter and the net energy value of particular varieties were evaluated on the basis of chemical composition and the quantity of gas produced, while the resistance of cultivars to disease was evaluated visually by counting diseased plants. Negative correlations (r = ‐ 0.85; P < 0.01) were recorded between the resistance of a variety to disease and in vitro production of gas and between the resistance of a variety to disease and net energy value of a cultivar (r = ‐0.78; P < 0.05) while a positive correlation (r = 0.74; P < 0.05) was established between DM yield and the disease resistance of cultivars.
Wheat Development as Affected by Radiation at Two Temperatures
Authors: Slafer G. A.
Published: April 2008

A wheat cultivar (Condor) was grown in two experiments (thermal regimes 18/13 and 21/16°C) under low (298 μE m‐2: s‐1) radiation regimes during either an early phase from seedling emergence to terminal spikelet initiation (S2), a late phase from terminal spikelet initiation to anthesis (S2), or for the full period from seedling emergence to anthesis (S12), or high (560 μE m‐2s‐1) radiation throughout the growing period (S12) to determine whether developmental events are affected by radiation. The main developmental events considered in this study were the timing of terminal spikelet initiation and anthesis, the final number of leaf and spikelet primordia initiated in the apex and the rate of leaf appearance. Number of grains per spike and culm height were also measured.

The duration of each phenophase was not affected by radiation intensity. Temperature affected the rate of wheat development, but the acceleration of development due to temperature during the seedling emergence ‐ terminal spikelet initiation phase only slightly reduced (from 24.8 to 23.2 days). Differences in time from terminal spikelet initiation to anthesis were greater than in the earlier phases, having been the duration reduced from 24.6 to 20.0 days due to high temperature.

Associated with the lack of effect of radiation on phasic development and the negligible effect of temperature on the duration of the early phases of development, final Leaf number was practically unchanged in this study by either the radiation level or the growing temperature. Thus, radiation did not affect the rate of leaf initiation. The number of spikelets was affected by neither the treatments nor the thermal environment. The rates of leaf appearance were accelerated by temperature. Radiation, on the other hand, did not significantly alter the rates of leaf appearance in any of the treatments.

As expected from many sources in the literature, the number of grains per spike was significantly affected by radiation during the phase from terminal spikelet initiation to anthesis. Due to the lack of significant effects of radiation on the developmental patterns of wheat, the changes in number of grains per spike were due to changes in the number of grains born in each spikelet.

The results of the present study were compared with others available in the literature on the effects (or lack of them) of radiation and CO2 concentration on phasic development, plastochron and phyllochron in wheat to reach the general conclusion that the rate of developmental events in wheat, in contrast to other plants, is almost completely independent of the availability of assimilates, with a possible exception for the Equatorial latitudes.
Untersuchungen zur Assimilatakkumulation im Weizenblatt nach Schwarzrostinfektion
Authors: Keutgen N. , Roeb G. W. , Führ F. , Reisener H. J.
Published: April 2008

Accumulation of assimilates in stem‐rust‐infected wheat leaves

Using wheat plants (cv. ‘Prelude’), the effects of stem‐rust infection on photosynthesis and assimilate partitioning were studied with the aid of the short‐lived carbon isotope 11C. Photosynthesis of strongly infected leaf parts declined by about 30 % within 1 day. This rapid inhibition was caused by the formation of appressoria and the growth of infection tubes into the stomata, leading to a reduction in gas exchange. Further decline of photosynthesis to 5–10 % was accompanied by the degradation of chlorophyll. Nevertheless, during sporulation, the dry weight of the infected leaf area increased by about 50 %. With the use of 11C, the reduced export of photosynthate from the infected leaf part and the capture of labelled compounds from the apical leaf section were quantified. The enhanced storage of assimilates in stem‐rust‐infected leaves can be attributed to the increase in invertase activity.
Influence of Biopost and Organo upon Flue‐cured Tobacco Grown on Semigley. II. Chemical Composition of Tobacco Leaf and Changes in the Chemical Soil Complex
Authors: BUTORAC A. , MESIĆ M. , BUTORAC J. , TURŠIĆ I. , BAŠIĆ F. , VULETIĆ N. , BERDIN M.
Published: April 2008

The paper deals with the results achieved in investigating the effects of biopost and organo, in comparison with stable manure and mineral fertilization as well as one with the other, on the chemical composition of flue‐cured tobacco leaf and on the changes in the chemical soil complex. Investigations were carried out on semigley in the central Drava Valley in Northern Croatia. While biopost is an organic fertilizer, organo is defined as an organic‐mineral fertilizer since, in addition to an organic component, it also contains a mineral component. Both fertilizers affected the chemical composition of tobacco leaf, though they were applied in relatively small quantities. This was primarily reflected in a reduction of nicotine content and an increase in the content of reducing sugars in comparison with mineral fertilizing, though not always proportional to the rate applied. Here, biopost showed a certain advantage over organo.

The calcium content in tobacco leaf does not indicate any marked influence of the fertilizing treatments tested in the trial. Existence of such a relation seems more likely in the case of magnesium, while in the case of potassium, fertilizing with this bioelement had the crucial role with regard to its content in tobacco leaf.

As regards the changes in the chemical soil complex, the effect of the tested fertilizers, depending on the parameters studied, was either non‐existent or very slight.
Physiological Basis of Yield Variation in Short‐duration Pigeonpea Grown in Different Environments of the Semi‐Arid Tropics1
Authors: Chauhan Y. S. , Johansen C. , Saxena K. B.
Published: April 2008

Five short‐duration pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) genotypes were grown at three plant populations in three locations during the 1986 and 1988 rainy seasons, to determine the physiological basis of observed variations in yield. Significant differences were found in seed yield (Y), crop growth rate (C), and the durations of vegetative (Dv) and reproductive (Dr) growth, and partitioning (P). These were attributable to genotypes and their interactions with environments (except for C). Variation in C, Dr, and P together explained 78 % of the observed variation in Y due to different genotypes and environments. Crop growth rate alone contributed about 71 % of the variation in Y, and reached an optimum value of around 6.5 kg ha−1°Cd−1. Crop growth rates increased with the duration of the vegetative period and with plant population. However, a negative relationship between C and P resulted in plant population having little effect on seed yield. The maximum‐yielding genotype, ICPH 8 had the highest C and an intermediate P.
Effect of Seeding Rate on Seed and Hay Yield in Common Vetch (Vicia sativa L.)
Authors: Aydoǧdu L. , Açikgöz E.
Published: April 2008

The effects of six seeding rates (50‐300 seeds m−2:) on some morphological traits with hay and seed yield were evaluated in common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) under fall and spring sowing conditions. The mutual correlations among yield and yield components were also determined.

The sowing seasons and seeding rates significantly affected hay and seed yield, and most of the yield components. Fall sowings resulted in significantly higher hay and seed yield than spring sowings at all seeding rates, and the highest seed and hay yield was achieved in densities of 250 and 300 seeds m−2. In spring sowings there was a positive response in hay yield up to 250 seeds m−2 while no further increase in seed yield at the seeding rates higher than 150 seeds m−2. Average protein content of hay and seed was found to be higher in spring sown crops than fall. The highest protein yields of hay and seed were obtained at 250 seeds m−2 in fall sowings, and 150 seeds m−2 in spring sowings.

Most of the correlations between both hay and seed yields with the yield components were not consistent and differed with the sowing time. Only the correlations between number of the plants per unit area with hay yield, and number of the pods and seeds per unit area with seed yield were statistically significant in both sowing seasons. Close positive associations were obtained between hay and seed yield.
Growth dynamics of winter wheat in the field with daily fertilization and irrigation
Authors: Flink M. , Pettersson R. , Andrén O.
Published: April 2008

In a field experiment with fertilized and irrigated winter wheat the above‐ground crop was sampled once a week. Phenological development, plant density and canopy height were recorded and the green surface areas of leaves, stems and ears were measured. Soil mineral nitrogen was sampled and the field climate monitored. There were four treatments. The daily irrigated/fertilized (IF) and daily irrigated (I) treatments were both irrigated by a drip‐tube system. Liquid fertilizer was applied to IF following a logistic function according to calculated plant uptake. A total of 200 kg N ha−1 was applied. Treatment I, control (C) and drought (D) were all fertilized once in spring with 200 kg N ha−1. In treatment D transparent screens were used to divert rainwater. Dry matter production ranged between 1400 in D and 2352 g m−2 in IF. The corresponding amount of nitrogen uptake ranged between 15.8 and 24.6 g m−2. After harvest, soil mineral nitrogen was lowest in IF.

An increase in the availability of nitrogen and water enhanced total biomass production as well as grain yield and leaf area. The daily supply of nitrogen according to crop demand delayed nitrogen uptake and increased total uptake. The results suggest that when the nitrogen is supplied in accordance with crop demand, the efficiency with which the applied fertilizer is utilized increases and the risk for nitrogen leaching decreases.
Light Interception, Leaf Area Index and Dry Matter Yield in Fodder Sorghum at Different Plant Populations
Authors: Bhatt R. K.
Published: April 2008

Fodder sorghum (M. P. Chari) was grown at varying populations to examine its influence on light interception, leaf area index and biomass production. DMY, CGR and IPAR depending on LAI reached maximum at LAI 5 of 150 000 plants ha−1 stand and thus yielded higher biomass. Therefore, physiological potential of fodder sorghum crop was found to be maximum at a population density of 150 000 plants ha−1. Further increases in population developed mutual shading and adversely affected the crop growth rate and dry matter accumulation. Significant linear relationships of dry matter yield with IPAR, plant population densities, LAI and CGR clearly indicate the interdependence of these characters.
Correlation and Path Coefficient Analysis for Ear Characters in Triticale Under Mediterranean Climatic Conditions
Authors: Yaǧbasanlar T. , ÖZkan H.
Published: April 2008

In this study, the correlation and path coefficients between ear characters and grain yield per plant were determined in triticale under Mediterranean climatic conditions.

Weight of grains per ear and number of ears per plant were the most important direct components of yield. Characters like ear length and the number of spikelets per ear were not found to be the important component characters of grain yield. It could be concluded that among ear characters in triticale, the number of ears per plant and the weight of grains per ear are the most important yield contributing characters and these characters should get due consideration in future triticale breeding programmes.
Interference Effects in Grass Varieties Grown as Pure Stand, Complex Mixture and Binary Mixture with White Clover
Authors: Piano E. , Annicchiarico P.
Published: April 2008

The study aimed at: i) assessing the agronomic value of the pure stand (PS), of the complex mixture (CM) and of the binary mixture with each of six white clover genotypes (MWC) of eight grass varieties belonging to four species and contrasting for earliness of flowering; and ii) investigating the relationships of competitive abilities in CM and MWC with some morpho‐physiological traits of the grass varieties. CM showed a 24 % dry matter yield (DMY) advantage over mean value of PS but did not outyield the pure stand of the best yielding component. For grass‐white clover associations, the DMY advantage as Relative Yield Total over PS of the components averaged 43 %. DMY of the grass varieties averaged across MWC conditions was related positively to total DMY (r = 0.99) and negatively to associated clover DMY (r = ‐ 0.96). Competitive abilities as Relative Yield of the grass varieties in CM and in MWC correlated (r = 0.84) and were both positively associated to DMY, canopy height and inclination of leaves in PS. The results suggested that association of white clover with a grass of moderately high vigour, intermediate earliness and relatively erect leaves may provide the best option for rotational meadows in the experiment environment.
Using a Chlorophyll Meter to Optimize Nitrogen Fertilizer Application for Intensively‐Managed Small‐Grain Cereals
Authors: Peltonen J. , Virtanen A. , Haggrèn E.
Published: April 2008

Most methods used to estimate N status require collection, processing and analysis of soil and/or plant tissue samples. In this study, leaf chlorophyll content of cereals, determined in the field with a portable chlorophyll meter (Minolta SPAD‐502), was used to predict N availability of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), oats (Avena sativa L.) and rye (Secale cereale L.). The results indicated that accurate nitrogen (N) fertilizer recommendations based on chlorophyll content have both environmental and economic advantages. Determination of leaf chlorophyll content with a chlorophyll meter accurately indicated plant N status allowing N fertilizer requirement to be accurately determined and resulting in increased N uptake efficiency. Applying N fertilizer on this basis improved production economics and improved physical input‐output ratio during grain yield formation. Using a chlorophyll meter, responsive and non‐responsive categories can be determined at the stage of maximum number of florets per ear primordium (Zadoks' GS 37‐41) and at pollination (i.e. pollen grains on well‐developed stigmatic hairs, GS 52‐58).
Nitrogen Fertilizer Rate and Timing Effect on Bread Wheat Protein in Eastern Canada
Authors: Ayoub Micheline , Guertin S. , Smith D. L.
Published: April 2008

Nitrogen management for production of bread quality wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in eastern Canada has received little research attention. An experiment was conducted for 2 years at each of two sites in Québec to study the effect of level and timing of nitrogen (N) fertilizer application on grain protein concentration, protein content per seed, non‐protein seed dry matter, grain protein yield and nitrogen harvest index (portion of plant N in the grain) of four hard red spring wheat cultivars known to have potential as bread wheats in eastern Canada. The soil types were Bearbroock clay (fine, mixed, non‐acid, frigid, Humaquept) and Ste‐Rosalie clay (typic, non‐acid, frigid, Humaquept). The experiment was a 4 × 4 × 2 factorial. Four cultivars were used: Columbus, Katepwa, Max and Hege 155–85. In both years 0, 60, 120 and 180 kg Nha−1 were applied either all at seeding or 60 % at seeding and 40 % at heading. Grain protein concentration and grain protein yield increased consistently with increasing N fertilizer and with split N application. Nitrogen harvest index was not increased by increasing applications of N fertilizer. Protein content per seed was more critical in determining grain protein concentration than non‐protein seed dry matter content. The western Canadian cultivars Columbus and Katepwa generally had greater grain protein concentration than the European cultivars Max and Hege 155–85, With reasonable N fertility the grain protein concentration of spring wheats grown in eastern Canada are sufficient for bread production.
Nitrogen Requirements at Different Growth Stages of Short‐duration Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajanL. Millsp)1
Authors: Kumar Rao J. V. D. K. , Johansen C. , Usha Kiran M.
Published: April 2008

The response to N fertilization of a short‐duration pigeonpea genotype, ICPL 87, was studied in the field to assess the scope for genetically improving symbiotic N2fixation by pigeonpea. The field study was undertaken during 1985, 1986 and 1987 growing seasons on Vertisol and Alfisol at ICRISAT Center (peninsular India), Inceptisol at Gwalior (central India) and Entisol at Hisar (northern India) in as non‐limiting environmental conditions as possible. Nitrogen fertilizer was applied to the soil at various growth stages to determine when N becomes most limiting. There was a significant response in grain yield to fertilizer N applied at flowering in Vertisol but not in Alfisol, Inceptisol or Entisol. This suggests that biological N2fixation by short‐duration pigeonpea was not adequate to meet N requirements of the crop grown in Vertisol but that it was probably adequate in the other three soil types. These results are discussed in relation to the nodulation and acetylene reductase activity of pigeonpea and also N mineralization potential of different soils. It can be concluded that there is a need for genetic improvement of N2fixing ability of short‐duration pigeonpea grown on heavy textured soils such as Vertisols.
The Effect of Different Shade Levels on Growth and Tuber Yield of Sweet Potato: II. Tuber Yield
Authors: Oswald A. , Alkämper J. , Midmore D. J.
Published: April 2008

Eight sweet potato cultivars (Ipomoea batatas Lam.) were grown under four different light regimes (0, 26, 42 and 60 % light reduction (LR)) at two experimental sites of the International Potato Center (CIP) in Peru during the 1990 and 1991 growing season. Increasing shade diminished the tuber yield of five cultivars, two showed a tolerance for slight (26 % LR) and moderate (42 % LR) shade and one had the same yield in full sunshine and slight shade. Shade mainly reduced the sink‐size (tubers m −2) of sweet potato and to a lesser extent the sink‐strength. The growth of the plant top was hardly affected by shade; slight shade even favoured shoot development of some cultivars. The plant top was the stronger sink under shade conditions and tuber yield was not only reduced by lesser assimilate production as a whole but also by an altered assimilate partitioning.
Pod, Seed and Germination Characteristics of Selected Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum (Linn.) Maton) Varieties
Authors: Sangakkara U. R.
Published: April 2008

Cardamom is a popular and important tropical spice, traditionally propagated by rhizomes, although seeds which are considered recalcitrant are being increasingly used in planting programmes. Thus a study evaluated the effects of pod maturity on pod, seed and germination characteristics of three popular varieties, along with the influence of drying on seed germinability.

Green and yellow mature pods and seeds of all varieties had a high moisture content. The variety Mysore, which is considered high yielding, had larger pods with a greater number of heavy seeds. Although the pods of Vazukka were heavier than the Malabar variety due to greater seed weights, seed numbers were similar in both varieties. Seed moisture contents declined with increasing pod maturity, while seed weights and germinability increased.

The germinability of Mysore seeds were greater, while that of the other varieties were lower. The larger seeds of all varieties germinated 15–20 days earlier, giving rise to a greater percentage (20–25 %) of seedlings. Desiccation at 20 °C maintained germinability for a longer period (5–9 days) in all varieties, than when dried at 30 °C. The seeds of the variety Mysore was more tolerant to desiccation than other varieties. The study illustrated the importance of selecting large seeds from yellow mature pods of cardamom for propagation and the value of establishment immediately after harvest to obtain a greater number of seedlings.