Plant Growth Response of Eight Andean Dry Bean (<i>Phaseolus vulgaris </i>L.) Genotypes to Phosphorus Fertilizer in the Greenhouse

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an important legume in the tropics, with production limited by low availability of soil phosphorus (P). An experiment was conducted in the glasshouse to evaluate P use efficiency of eight dry bean genotypes (G122, Montcalm, Taylor Horticulture, Cardinal, Bukoba, Kijivu, Rojo and CAL 143) of Andean origin. The treatments included: no P (0 kg P ha-1), normal P (50 kg P ha-1), and high P (100 kg P ha-1). There was variation for the measured traits shoot biomass (g), shoot P (mg kg-1), root P (mg kg-1), seed P (mg kg-1) and seed yield (g) among genotypes and P treatments. Biomass and all P concentrations increased with increasing P level and the genotypes Kijivu, Bukoba, Montcalm and Taylor Horticulture had higher P concentrations than Rojo, G122, Cardinal and CAL 143 across treatments. Genotype × treatment interactions were observed for shoot biomass. For the no P treatment, shoot and root biomass were positively correlated with PUE (phosphorus use efficiency). PUE had higher values and varied more among genotypes in the no P treatment compared to the normal P and high P treatments. The results suggest that seed yield in dry bean can be improved by selecting for genotypes with higher PUE under limiting P. The genotypes Bukoba, Kijivu and Montcalm with the highest values for PUE under no P treatment may be exhibiting some level of tolerance to low soil phosphorus. Higher shoot weight may provide simple criteria for selecting genotypes with greater yield and PUE (phosphorus use efficiency) under limiting P conditions. Therefore, a genotype is desired that can efficiently uptake and utilize available P under limited availability of this nutrient.

Effects of Site-Specific Nitrogen Management on Yield and Dry Matter Accumulation of Rice from Cold Areas of Northeastern China

The effects of yield increase and mechanism of site-specific nitrogen management （SSNM） in five rice varieties from cold areas of northeastern China were studied. Plot experiment for critical SPAD value and experiments of two fertilization methods, SSNM and farmer＇s fertilization practice （FFP） were conducted to study their effects on the quality and dry matter accumulation of rice population, as well as N uptake. Compared with FFP, SSNM significantly decreased the average N rate by 33.8%, significantly increased average ear-bearing tiller rate and LAI for grain-filling stage by 12.3% and 14.1-27.6%, correspondingly, improved dry matter weight and N uptake after heading period by 4.3-29.1% and 11.8-55.1% （P 〈 0.05）, and heightened recovery efficiency and agronomic efficiency by 38.5-133.4% （P 〈 0.05） and 39.8-194.3% （P 〈 0.05）, respectively, as well as increased the average yield by 9.8% in 2004 and 2005. The results indicated that the accumulation rate of dry matter and N increased the rice yield and N use efficiency, because of improving rice population quality and increasing LAI after heading period.

Radiation Use Efficiency of Cotton in Contrasting Environments

Crop growth and yield varies among locations due to differences in environmental parameters, such as temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation and vapor pressure deficit. Previous research has shown that increasing vapor pressure deficit has a negative effect on radiation use efficiency of many crops. In this study, the radiation use efficiency of cot-ton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) grown in two contrasting production environments, Arkansas and California, was evaluated for two years, in 2006 and 2007. Temperature, relative humidity, vapor pressure deficit and photosyntheti-cally active radiation were recorded at both locations. Although the crop in California accumulated more dry matter during the period of the study, the radiation use efficiency was found to be lower compared to Arkansas. Radiation use efficiency for the Arkansas and California locations was estimated at 2.060 and 1.518 g?MJ–1 of intercepted photosynthetically active radiation, respectively. The higher productivity observed in California can be attributed to larger amounts of incident and intercepted radiation in this location. Radiation use efficiency of cotton was estimated to decrease with increasing vapor pressure deficit by a slope of –0.47 g?MJ–1?kPa–1.

Effect of Growth Stage-Based Irrigation Schedules on Biomass Accumulation and Resource Use Efficiency of Wheat Cultivars

Climate and weather conditions greatly affect the performance of new wheat cultivars for yield and resource use efficiency. In order to know the effect of irrigation schedules based on growth stage (the most vital criterion in the region) on growth, yield and radiation use efficiency of wheat cultivars in Faisalabad conditions, a study was planned at Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad during 2009-2010. Split plot design with irrigation levels in main plots and cultivars in sub-plots was implied. Irrigation levels were: IT = irrigation at tillering stage, ITS = irrigation at tillering and stem elongation stage, ISB = irrigation at stem elongation and booting stage and ITSBG = irrigation at tillering, stem elongation, booting and grain filling stage. Cultivars selected were: Faisalabad-2008, Lasani-2008, Miraj-2008, Shafaq-2006 and Chakwal-97. Irrigation treatment ITSBG gave higher grain yield (4.23 t·ha-1) followed by ISB (3.60 t·ha-1), however ITSBG was statistically similar to ISB in radiation use efficiency (RUE) for grain yield (RUEGY). Similarly the two treatments were statistically at par in maximum leaf area index, total dry matter (TDM) accumulation, cumulative photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), and RUETDM. Hence where less numbers of irrigations are available, irrigation at stem elongation and booting stage is suitable for achieving economic yield. Lasani-2008 produced maximum grain yield (4.37 t·ha-1) compared to other cultivars but it was statistically at par with Shafaq-2006 in plant height, TDM production and RUETDM. Depending on the availability, the two cultivars may be chosen under irrigated conditions of Faisalabad.

Seed filling dynamic traits of oil flax in response to nitrogen and phosphorus

Crop yield is primarily seed-filling-limited in production system under field conditions.This study was aimed to determine whether seed filling traits of oil flax(Linum usitatissimum L.)could be controlled by phosphorus(P),nitrogen(N),and phosphorus and nitrogen(NP)supply.Effects on seed filling traits were investigated in 2 years including capsule diameter,capsule height,capsule dry matter(DM),seed DM per capsule,pericarp DM per capsule,protein content and oil content.DM translocation from pericarps to seed,translocation efficiency,and contribution of photoassimilates during seed filling period were also detected.In a randomized complete block design,cultivar'Longyaza 1'was grown under P(33 kg P/ha),N(75 kg N/ha),and NP(33 kg P/ha and 75 kg N/ha)along with a zerofertilizer(CK)treatment in 2013 and 2014.Results suggested that DM translocation efficiency and contribution efficiency increased to different extent due to P,N or NP application.At 42 DAA(days after anthesis),seed DM per capsule reached the greatest,while protein content and pericarp DM obtained the least level.However,the highest oil content was detected at 35 DAA.A significant positive linear relationship was observed between seed DM,capsule DM and DM translocation in both years.Protein content showed inconsistent relation with oil content.The results indicated that appropriate N and P management could be an effective approach to increase oil flax production.