Single-seed sowing increased pod yield at a reduced seeding rate by improving root physiological state of Arachis hypogaea

Double-seed sowing(two seeds per hole)is the dominant pattern of peanut sowing in China,but within-hole plant competition usually limits their growth and yield formation.Besides,the traditional double-seed sowing method does not facilitate mechanization during sowing.The objective of this study was to determine if single-seed sowing at a proper seeding rate yielded better than traditional double-seed sowing pattern and the differences of physiological metabolism of roots.A field experiment was conducted in two consecutive years to compare pod yields of single-seed sowing at 180000(S180),225000(S225),and 270000 seeds ha^-1(S270)with that of double-seed sowing at 270000 seeds ha^-1(D270)using a completely randomized block design with four replications.And the root bleeding sap rate,nutrient content,and the main hormone contents in root bleeding sap were also comparatively investigated.Although the pod yields of single-seed sowing at the three densities were higher than that of traditional double-seed sowing(D270),S225 yielded better than the other two single-seed sowing treatments(S180 and S270).The increased pod yield in single-seed sowing at 225000 seeds ha^-1 was mainly due to the higher pod dry weight per plant and harvest index.The improved pod dry weight and shoot growth had closely relationship with the enhanced root physiological traits such as the increased root bleeding sap rate,content of free amino acids,soluble sugars,K^+,Mg^2+,Zn^2+,and Ca^2+of the individual plant root.The improved activity of root reductive,nitrate reductase(NR)and ATPase and higher zeatin and zeatin riboside(Z+ZR)content of root bleeding sap were alsocrucial to the pod and shoot growth of peanut.Single-seed sowing at a moderate seeding rate(S225)is a potential practice to increase pod yield and to save seed cost.

Simple and Efficient Cultivation Technology for the Peanut under the Standardization Mode of Single-seed Sowing

Single-seed sowing is a new,simple and efficient cultivation mode for peanut that realized from cultivation of healthy individual and construction of high-yielding population. The cultivation mode has the obvious advantages in uniform seedling,strong sprouting,seed saving and cost saving,thus it is considered as one of the effective ways for high-yield and high-efficient peanut cultivation in China in the future.Through integrating with other high-efficiency and simple cultivation measures,the single-seed sowing technology system has made conforming to China's national standardization cultivations of peanut and the technology was already applied in the main producing areas of peanut and gained the significant efficiency and abroad application prospects. Based on many years of researches in single-seed sowing technology,high-efficiency fertilization and scientific chemical control in the research team,by combining with the latest research results in plant protection and machinery,this paper described the key points and matters needing attentions from variety selection,planting mode,rational fertilization,planting specifications and field management.

Effects of paclobutrazol application on plant architecture,lodging resistance,photosynthetic characteristics,and peanut yield at different single-seed precise sowing densities

The key to high-yielding peanut cultivation is the optimization of agricultural production practices.Regulating single-seed precise sowing(SSPS)density and paclobutrazol(Pbz)application concentration are effective practices that increase peanut yield by improving plant architecture,lodging resistance,and photosynthetic characteristics.Therefore,we conducted a two-factor field optimization experiment for the sowing density(D1:1.95×10^(5)plants ha^(-1),D52:2.40×10plants ha^(-1),D3:2.85×10^(5)plants ha^(-1),and D4:3.30×10^(5)plants ha^(-1))and Pbzapplication concentration(P0:0 mg L^(-1)and P1:100 mg L^(-1)).The objective was to optimize agricultural production practices and provide a theoretical basis for highyielding peanut cultivation by evaluating the effects of sowing density and Pbzapplication on plant architecture,lodging resistance,photosynthetic characteristics,and yield.The results showed that at the same Pbzapplication concentration,increasing sowing density increased lodging percentage and reduced leaf photosynthetic capacity.At the same sowing density,Pbzapplication reduced lodging percentage by decreasing plant height(PH),improving lignin biosynthesis-related enzyme activities,and enhancing stem puncture strength(SPS)and breaking strength(SBS).The paclobutrazol-induced alterations in plant architecture and lodging resistance improved light transmission at the middle and bottom leaf strata,resulting in the increase in relative chlorophyll content and net photosynthetic rate(Pn)of leaves.Furthermore,D3P1treatment had the highest peanut yield among all treatments.In summary,the production strategy combining the sowing density of 2.85×10^(5)plants ha^(-1)with the application of100 mg L^(-1)Pbzwas found to be the optimal agricultural production practice for giving full play to production potential and achieving higher peanut yield.

Research progress on the mechanism of improving peanut yield by single-seed precision sowing

The contradiction between the supply and demand of edible vegetable oil in China is prominent,and the self-sufficiency rate is less than 35%.Peanut has a very outstanding status in ensuring the security of edible oil and food.The emphasis of increasing peanut yield should be the improvement of pod yield per unit area,because the total yield of peanut has not increased as required.This is attributed to mainly two factors-low increase in the crop productivity and the competition for land for grain and cotton crops.For traditional double-seed sowing pattern,it is difficult to further increase the peanut yield due to the serious contradiction between populations and individuals and the declining population quality under high-yield conditions.Single-seed precision sowing was proven to be a new way to increase the economic coefficient(economic yield/biological yield)with the basic stability of the total biomass,which could make plants distribute evenly,reduce the competition among individuals and attain the full production potential of single plant.In order to reveal the mechanism of increasing peanut yield by single-seed precision sowing,the effects on the ontogenetic development(plant character,physiological characteristic and nutrient utilization)and population structure(population uniformity and photosynthesis,source-sink relationship and yield composition)were systematically expounded.This study reports establishment of the high-yield cultivation technology system with the key technology of single-seed precision sowing and the supporting technology of fertilizing and management.We anticipate its wider application for the improvement of peanut yield.

Late sowing enhances lodging resistance of wheat plants by improving the biosynthesis and accumulation of lignin and cellulose

Delayed sowing mitigates lodging in wheat. However, the mechanism underlying the enhanced lodging resistance in wheat has yet to be fully elucidated. Field experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of sowing date on lignin and cellulose metabolism, stem morphological characteristics, lodging resistance, and grain yield. Seeds of Tainong 18,a winter wheat variety, were sown on October 8(normal sowing) and October 22(late sowing) during both of the 2015–2016 and 2016–2017 growing seasons. The results showed that late sowing enhanced the lodging resistance of wheat by improving the biosynthesis and accumulation of lignin and cellulose. Under late sowing, the expression levels of key genes(Ta PAL, Ta CCR, Ta COMT, TaCAD, and TaCesA1, 3, 4, 7, and 8) and enzyme activities(TaPAL and TaCAD) related to lignin and cellulose biosynthesis peaked 4–12 days earlier, and except for the TaPAL, TaCCR, and TaCesA1 genes and TaPAL, in most cases they were significantly higher than under normal sowing. As a result, lignin and cellulose accumulated quickly during the stem elongation stage. The mean and maximum accumulation rates of lignin and cellulose increased, the maximum accumulation contents of lignin and cellulose were higher, and the cellulose accumulation duration was prolonged. Consequently, the lignin/cellulose ratio and lignin content were increased from 0 day and the cellulose content was increased from 11 days after jointing onward. Our main finding is that the improved biosynthesis and accumulation of lignin and cellulose were responsible for increasing the stem-filling degree, breaking strength, and lodging resistance. The major functional genes enhancing lodging resistance in wheat that are induced by delayed sowing need to be determined.

Effects of sowing date and ecological points on yield and the temperature and radiation resources of semi-winter wheat

Exploring the effects of sowing date and ecological points on the yield of semi-winter wheat is of great significance.This study aims to reveal the effects of sowing date and ecological points on the climate resources associated with wheat yield in the Rice–Wheat Rotation System.With six sowing dates,the experiments were carried out in Donghai and Jianhu counties,Jiangsu Province,China using two semi-winter wheat varieties as the objects of this study.The basic seedlings of the first sowing date (S1) were planted at 300×10^(4)plants ha^(-1),which was increased by 10%for each of the delayed sowing dates (S2–S6).The results showed that the delay of sowing date decreased the number of days,the effective accumulated temperature and the cumulative solar radiation in the whole growth period.The yields of S1 were higher than those of S2 to S6 by 0.22–0.31,0.5–0.78,0.86–0.98,1.14–1.38,and 1.36–1.59 t ha^(–1),respectively.For a given sowing date,the growth days increased as the ecological point was moved north,while both mean daily temperature and effective accumulative temperature decreased,but the cumulative radiation increased.As a result,the yields at Donghai County were 0.01–0.39 t ha–1lower than those of Jianhu County for the six sowing dates.The effective accumulative temperature and cumulative radiation both had significant positive correlations with yield.The average temperature was significantly negatively correlated with the yield.The decrease in grain yield was mainly due to the declines in grains per spike and 1 000-grain weight caused by the increase in the daily temperature and the decrease in the effective accumulative temperature.

Effect of delayed sowing on grain number, grain weight, and protein concentration of wheat grains at specific positions within spikes

Delays in sowing have significant effects on the grain yield,yield components,and grain protein concentrations of winter wheat.However,little is known about how delayed sowing affects these characteristics at different positions in the wheat spikes.In this study,the effects of sowing date were investigated in a winter wheat cultivar,Shannong 30,which was sown in 2019 and 2020 on October 8(normal sowing)and October 22(late sowing)under field conditions.Delayed sowing increased the partitioning of ^(13)C-assimilates to spikes,particularly to florets at the apical section of a spike and those occupying distal positions on the same spikelet.Consequently,the increase in grain number was the greatest for the apical sections,followed by the basal and central sections.No significant differences were observed between sowing dates in the superior grain number in the basal and central sections,while the number in apical sections was significantly different.The number of inferior grains in each section also increased substantially in response to delayed sowing.The average grain weights in all sections remained unchanged under delayed sowing because there were parallel increases in grain number and ^(13)C-assimilate partitioning to grains at specific positions in the spikes.Increases in grain number m^(–2) resulted in reduced grain protein concentrations as the limited nitrogen supply was diluted into more grains.Delayed sowing caused the greatest reduction in grain protein concentration in the basal sections,followed by the central and apical sections.No significant differences in the reduction of the grain protein concentration were observed between the inferior and superior grains under delayed sowing.In conclusion,a 2-week delay in sowing improved grain yield through increased grain number per spike,which originated principally from an increased grain number in the apical sections of spikes and in distal positions on the same spikelet.However,grain protein concentrations declined in each section because of the increased grain number and reduced N uptake.

Root distribution and influencing factors of dry-sowing and wet-growing cotton plants under different water conditions

To study the effect of soil water and salt environment factors on the root growth of cotton under different moisture control,three different emergence water volumes(60,105,and 150 m^(3)/hm^(2)),two different frequencies(high frequency and low frequency)and one double film cover winter irrigation control treatment(CK:2250 m^(3)/hm^(2))were set up to analyze the spatial distribution patterns of soil water and salt environment and root density in dry sown and wet emerged cotton fields under diffe-rent moisture control conditions.The results show that the soil water content and water infiltration range gradually become larger with the increase of seedling water quantity,and the larger the seedling water quantity,the higher the soil water content.With the same seedling water quantity,the soil water content of the high-frequency(HF)treatment becomes obviously larger.The soil conductivity of each treatment tends to decrease gradually with the increase of seedling water and drip frequency,among which the distribution of soil conductivity of S6 treatment is closest to that of CK.With the increase in soil depth,the soil conductivity tends to increase first and then decrease.Compared with the low-frequency(LF)treatment,the high-frequency treatment shows a significantly deeper soil salt accumulation layer.The root length density(RLD)of cotton gradually increases with the amount of seedling water and the frequency of dripping.The soil layer of root distribution gradually deepens with the amount of seedling water in the vertical direction,and the RLD value in the horizontal direction is significantly greater in the mulched area than that in the bare area between films.This research can serve as a solid scientific foundation for the use of dry sowing and wet emergence techniques in cotton fields in southern Xinjiang.

Dietary supplementation of laminarin improves the reproductive performance of sows and the growth of suckling piglets

Background Maternal nutrition is essential in keeping a highly efficient production system in the pig industry.Laminarin has been shown to improve antioxidant capacity,reduce the inflammatory response,and favor the homeostasis of intestinal microbiota.However,the effect of dietary supplementation of laminarin on the reproductive performance of sows and the growth of suckling offspring remains unknown.Methods A total of 40 Landrace×Yorkshire multiparous sows on d 85 of gestation,similar in age,body weight(BW),parity and reproductive performance,were randomly divided into four dietary treatments with 10 sows per treatment,receiving a control diet(basal pregnancy or lactating diets)and a basal diet supplemented with 0.025%,0.05%and 0.10%laminarin,respectively.The experiment lasted from d 85 of gestation to d 21 of lactation.Results Laminarin supplementation linearly increased number born alive per litter(P=0.03),average daily feed intake(ADFI,P<0.01),and total milk yield of sows during the lactation of 1–21 d(P=0.02).Furthermore,maternal laminarin supplementation increased the average daily gain(ADG)of piglets while tending to reduce the culling and death rate before weaning.In addition,alterations to the composition of colostrum and milk,as well as to serum inflammatory cytokines and immunoglobulins of sows were observed.The fecal microbiota profile of sows supported the improvement of reproductive performance in sows and the growth performance in suckling offspring.Conclusions Dietary supplementation of laminarin during late pregnancy and lactation could significantly improve reproductive performance of sows and growth performance of piglets.

Standardized ileal digestibility of amino acids in soybean meal fed to non-pregnant and pregnant sows

Background Two studies were designed to determine standard ileal crude protein(CP)and amino acid(AA)digestibility of soybean meal(SBM)from different origins fed to non-pregnant and pregnant sows.Seven solvent-extracted SBMs from soybeans produced in the USA,Brazil,and China were selected.In Exp.1,eight different diets were created:a nitrogen(N)-free diet and 7 experimental diets containing SBM from different origins as the only N source.Eight non-pregnant,multiparous sows were arranged in an 8×8 Latin square design(8 periods and 8 diets).In Exp.2,the diet formula was the same as in Exp.1.Eight gestating sows(parity 3)were assigned to 4 different diets in a replicated 4×3 Youden square design(three periods and four diets)in mid-gestation and again in late-gestation stages.Results When fed to non-pregnant and late-gestating sows,the standardized ileal digestibility(SID)of CP and most AAs from different SBM were not significantly different(P>0.05).When fed to mid-gestating sows,the SID values for Arg,His,Lys,Phe,Cys,Gly,Ser,and Tyr in SBM 1 were lower than in SBM 4 and 5(P<0.05),whereas SID for Leu from SBM 5 was higher than in SBM 1 and 4(P<0.05).SID values for Ile,Ala,and Asp from SBM 4 were lower than in SBM 1 and 5(P<0.05).Sows had significantly greater SID values for Lys,Ala,and Asp during mid-gestation when compared with late-gestation stages(P<0.05).Mid-gestating sows had greater SID value for Val and lower SID value for Tyr when compared with non-pregnant and late-gestating sows(P<0.01),whereas non-pregnant sows had significantly greater SID value for Met when compared with gestating sows(P<0.01).Conclusions When fed to mid-gestating sows,the SID values for most AAs varied among SBM samples.The SID values for Lys,Met,Val,Ala,Asp,and Tyr in SBM were affected by sow gestation stages.Our findings provide a cornerstone for accurate SBM use in sow diets.

Gut microbiota affects the estrus return of sows by regulating the metabolism of sex steroid hormones

Background Sex hormones play important roles in the estrus return of post-weaning sows.Previous studies have demonstrated a complex and bi-directional regulation between sex hormones and gut microbiota.However,the extent to which the gut microbiota affects estrus return of post-weaning sows is largely unknown.Results In this study,we first screened 207 fecal samples from well-phenotyped sows by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and identified significant associations between microbes and estrus return of post-weaning sows.Using metagenomic sequencing data from 85 fecal samples,we identified 37 bacterial species that were significantly associated with estrus return.Normally returning sows were characterized by increased abundances of L.reuteri and P.copri and decreased abundances of B.fragilis,S.suis,and B.pseudolongum.The changes in gut microbial composition significantly altered the functional capacity of steroid hormone biosynthesis in the gut microbiome.The results were confirmed in a validation cohort.Significant changes in sex steroid hormones and related compounds were found between normal and non-return sows via metabolome analysis.An integrated analysis of differential bacterial species,metagenome,and fecal metabolome provided evidence that normal return-associated bacterial species L.reuteri and Prevotella spp.participated in the degradation of pregnenolone,progesterone,and testosterone,thereby promoting estrogen biosynthesis.Furthermore,the microbial metabolites related to sow energy and nutrient supply or metabolic disorders also showed relationships with sow estrus return.Conclusions An integrated analysis of differentially abundant bacterial species,metagenome,and fecal metabolome revealed the involvement of L.reuteri and Prevotella spp.in sow estrus return.These findings provide deep insight into the role of gut microbiota in the estrus return of post-weaning sows and the complex cross-talk between gut microbiota and sex hormones,suggesting that the manipulation of the gut microbiota could be an effective strategy to improve sow estrus return after weaning.

Delayed sowing can increase lodging resistance while maintaining grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency in winter wheat

Lodging resistance of winter wheat(Trnticum aestivum L.) can be increased by late sowing.However, whether grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency(NUE) can be maintained with delayed sowing remains unknown. During the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 growing seasons, two winter wheat cultivars were sown on three dates(early sowing on October 1, normal so,wing on October8, and late sowing on October 15) to investigate the responses of lodging resistance, grain yield,and NUE to sowing date. No significant differences in lodging resistance, grain yield, or NUE between early and normal sowing were observed. Averaging over the two cultivars and years,postponing the sowing date significantly increased lodging resistance by 53.6% and 49.6%compared with that following early and normal sowing, respectively. Lodging resistance was improved mainly through a reduction in the culm height at the center of gravity and an increase in the tensile strength of the base internode. Late sowing resulted in similar grain yield as well as kernel weight and number of kernels per square meter, compared to early and normal sowing.Averaging over the two cultivars and years, delayed sowing resulted in a reduction in nitrogen uptake efficiency(UPE) by 11.0% and 9.9% compared to early and normal sowing, respectively,owing to reduced root length density and dry matter accumulation before anthesis. An average increase in nitrogen utilization efficiency(UTE) of 12.9% and 11.2% compared to early and normal sowing, respectively, was observed with late sowing owing to a reduction in the grain nitrogen concentration. The increase in UTE offset the reduction in UPE, resulting in equal NUEs among all sowing dates. Thus, sowing later than normal could increase lodging resistance while maintaining grain yield and NUE.

Optimization of sowing date and seeding rate for high winter wheat yield based on pre-winter plant development and soil water usage in the Loess Plateau,China

Sowing date and seeding rate are critical for productivity of winter wheat(Triticum aestivum L.).A three-year field experiment was conducted with three sowing dates(20 September(SD1),1 October(SD2),and 10 October(SD3)) and three seeding rates(SR67.5,SR90,and SR112.5) to determine suitable sowing date and seeding rate for high wheat yield.A large seasonal variation in accumulated temperature from sowing to winter dormancy was observed among three growing seasons.Suitable sowing dates for strong seedlings before winter varied with the seasons,that was SD2 in 2012–2013,SD3 in 2013–2014,and SD2 as well as SD1 in 2014–2015.Seasonal variation in precipitation during summer fallow also had substantial effects on soil water storage,and consequently influenced grain yield through soil water consumption from winter dormancy to maturity stages.Lower consumption of soil water from winter dormancy to booting stages could make more water available for productive growth from anthesis to maturity stages,leading to higher grain yield.SD2 combined with SR90 had the lowest soil water consumption from winter dormancy to booting stages in 2012–2013 and 2014–2015; while in 2013–2014,it was close to that with SR67.5 or SR112.5.For productive growth from anthesis to maturity stages,SD2 with SR90 had the highest soil water consumption in all three seasons.The highest water consumption in the productive growth period resulted in the best grain yield in both low and high rainfall years.Ear number largely contributed to the seasonal variation in grain yield,while grain number per ear and 1 000-grain weight also contributed to grain yield,especially when soil water storage was high.Our results indicate that sowing date and seeding rate affect grain yield through seedling development before winter and also affect soil water consumption in different growth periods.By selecting the suitable sowing date(1 October) in combination with the proper seeding rate of 90 kg ha–1,the best yield was achieved.Based on these results,we recommend that the current sowing date be delayed from 22 or 23 September to 1 October.

Maize kernel weight responses to sowing dateassociated variation in weather conditions

Variation in weather conditions during grain filling has substantial effects on maize kernel weight(KW). The objective of this work was to characterize variation in KW with sowing date-associated weather conditions and examine the relationship between KW, grain filling parameters, and weather factors. Maize was sown on eight sowing dates(SD) at 15–20-day intervals from mid-March to mid-July during 2012 and 2013 in the North China Plain. With sowing date delay, KW increased initially and later declined, and the greatest KW was obtained at SD6 in both years. The increased KW at SD6 was attributed mainly to kernel growth rate(Gmean), and effective grain-filling period(P). Variations in temperature and radiation were the primary factors that influenced KW and grain-filling parameters. When the effective cumulative temperature(AT) and radiation(Ra)during grain filling were 950 °C and 1005.4 MJ m-2, respectively, P and KW were greatest. High temperatures(daily maximum temperature [Tmax] > 30.2 °C) during grain filling under early sowing conditions, or low temperatures(daily minimum temperature [Tmin] < 20.7 °C) under late sowing conditions combined with high diurnal temperature range(Tmax-min> 7.1 °C) decreased kernel growth rate and ultimately final KW. When sowing was performed from May 25 through June 27, higher KW and yield of maize were obtained. We conclude that variations in environmental conditions(temperature and radiation) during grain filling markedly affect growth rate and duration of grain filling and eventually affect kernel weight and yield of maize.

Effects of tridimensional uniform sowing on water consumption, nitrogen use, and yield in winter wheat

Wheat is a staple crop worldwide, but yields may diminish as climate change causes increasingly unpredictable patterns of precipitation and soil nutrient availability. Farmers are thus challenged to maximize planting efficiency to increase yield, while also improving their resource use efficiency. In this study the effectiveness of tridimensional uniform sowing was tested across a range of planting densities for winter wheat crops on the North China Plain. Tridimensional uniform sowing was tested against conventional drilling at three planting densities (180 × 104, 270 × 104, and 360 × 104 plants ha 1) and assessed for water consumption, biomass, nitrogen uptake and allocation, and aspects of yield. The tridimensional uniform sowing treatment outperformed the conventional drilling treatment in most metrics and at most planting densities, while performing markedly better at higher planting densities. Water consumption decreased and nitrogen efficiency increased. Tiller number and percentage of productive tillers, leaf area index, dry weight, and yield increased without a significant decline in grain protein. Nitrogen allocation was more efficient under tridimensional uniform sowing than with conventional drilling, and also varied according to annual precipitation and planting density. Both yield and grain protein contents were significantly correlated with the amount of pre-anthesis accumu- lated nitrogen translocated from vegetative organs to kernels after anthesis. Overall, a density of 270 × 104 plants ha 1 provided the highest water use efficiency and grain yield. Tridimensional uniform sowing will benefit farmers by forming stronger overall crops, promoting the coordinated improvement of yield, nitrogen uptake and efficiency, and increasing grain protein content at higher planting densities.

A Dynamic Knowledge Model for Design of Suitable Sowing Date and Sowing Rate in Winter Wheat

Based on research concerning dynamic relationships of winter wheat growth to environments and production conditions, a winter wheat model for selecting suitable sowing date, population density and sowing rate under different varieties, spatial and temporal environments was developed. Case studies on sowing date with the data sets of five different eco-sites, three climatic years and soil fertility levels, and on population density and sowing rate with the data sets of two different variety types, three different soil types, soil fertility levels, sowing dates and grain yield levels indicate a good model performance for decision-making.

Response of yield increase for dryland winter wheat to tillage practice during summer fallow and sowing method in the Loess Plateau of China

Soil moisture is the most critical limiting factor impacting yields of dryland winter wheat(Triticum aestivum L.) and it is strongly affected by tillage practice and sowing methods. This study was to assess the link between sowing method and tillage practice during summer fallow and their subsequent effect on soil moisture and grain yield. Furthermore, we sought to identify a more appropriate farming management practice for winter wheat production in Loess Plateau region of China. The experiment was conducted from 2011 to 2013, using a two-factor split plot design, including subsoiling(SS) or no tillage(NT) during summer fallow for main plots, and conventional drill sowing(DS) or plastic film drill sowing(FM) for subplots. Results showed that the maximum soil water storage(SWS) was under SS×FM treatment with values of 649.1 mm(2011–2012) and 499.4 mm(2012–2013). The SWS during the 2011–2012 growing season were 149.7 mm higher than that in the 2012–2013 growing season. And adoption of SS×FM significantly increased precipitation use efficiency(PUE) and water use efficiency(WUE) compared to other treatments for both seasons. Moreover, adoption of SS×FM significantly increased yield by 13.1, 14.4, 47.3% and 25.9, 39.1, 35.7% than other three treatments during the two growing seasons, respectively. In summary, combining subsoiling during summer fallow with plastic film drill sowing(SS×FM) increased SWS at sowing and effectively improved WUE, thus representing a feasible technology to improve grain yield of dryland winter wheat in the Loess Plateau of China.

Effect of Rice Sowing Date on Occurrence of Small Brown Planthopper and Epidemics of Planthopper-Transmitted Rice Stripe Viral Disease

To understand the relationship between rice sowing date and occurrence of the rice small brown planthopper （SBPH） Laodelphax striatellus Fallen and the epidemics of the planthopper-transmitted rice stripe viral （RSV） disease, four sowing dates of rice were evaluated in 2006 and 2007. The results showed that the peak density of SBPH and RSV incidence in the nursery and in the transplanted field decreased with the delay of sowing date in single crop of japonica rice in north Zhejiang Province of China. The relationship between seedling RSV incidence at the end of the nursery trial with sowing date was well described by Weibull equation. The area under the curve of population dynamics （AUCPD or planthopper-day accumulation） or the peak density of the planthopper in the nursery could be summarized by a logistic equation. RSV incidence in the transplanted fields could be characterized quantitatively by a multivariate regression equation, including the variables of sowing date, peak density of the vector, and RSV incidence at the end of the nursery trial. That the descriptive model excluded the AUCPD in transplanted field implies that this variable is not necessary in forecasting disease epidemics in the field. The 2-year experiments sufficiently indicated that suitable sowing of rice could be used as one of the effective measures to control the vector population and therefore the planthopper-transmitted RSV on a larger scale. The optimal sowing date for the single-cropped transplanted japonica rice is recommended from late May to early June in north Zhejiang, China.

Light interception and radiation use efficiency response to tridimensional uniform sowing in winter wheat

Improving radiation use efficiency （RUE） of the canopy is necessary to increase wheat （Triticum aesfivum） production. Tridimensional uniform sowing （U） technology has previously been used to construct a uniformly distributed population structure that increases RUE. In this study, we used tridimensional uniform sowing to create a wheat canopy within which light was spread evenly to increase RUE. This study was done during 2014-2016 in the Shunyi District, Beijing, China. The soil type was sandy loam. Wheat was grown in two sowing patterns： （1） tridimensional uniform sowing （U）; （2） conventional drilling （D）. Four planting densities were used： 1.8, 2.7, 3.6, and 4.5 million plants ha-1. Several indices were measured to compare the wheat canopies： photosynthetic active radiation intercepted by the canopy （IPAR）, leaf area index （LAI）, leaf mass per unit area （LMA）, canopy extinction coefficient （K）, and RUE. In two sowing patterns, the K values decreased with increasing planting density, but the K values of U were lower than that of D. LMA and IPAR were higher for U than for D, whereas LAI was nearly the same for both sowing patterns. IPAR and LAI increased with increasing density under the same sowing pattern. However, the difference in IPAR and LAI between the 3.6 and 4.5 million plants ha-1 treatments was not significant for both sowing patterns. Therefore, LAI within the same planting density was not affected by sowing pattern. RUE was the largest for the U mode with a planting density of 3.6 million plants ha-1 treatment. For the D sowing pattern, the lowest planting density （1.8 million plants ha-1） resulted in the highest yield. Light radiation interception was minimal for the D mode with a planting density of 1.8 million plants ha-1 treatment, but the highest RUE and highest yield were observed under this condition. For the U sowing pattern, IPAR increased with increasing planting density, but yield and RUE were the highest with a planting density of 3.6 million plants ha-1. These results indicated that the optimal planting density for improving the canopy light environment differed between the sowing patterns. The effect of sowing patternxplanting density interaction on grain yield, yield components, RUE, IPAR, and LMA was significant （P〈0.05）. Correlation analysis indicated that there is a positive significant correlation between grain yield and RUE （t=0.880, P〈0.01）, LMA （r=0.613, P〈0.05）, andspike number （t=0.624, P〈0.05）. These results demonstrated that the tridimensional uniform sowing technique, particularly at a planting density of 3.6 million plants ha-0, can effectively increase light interception and utilization and unit leaf area. This leads to the production of more photosynthetic products that in turn lead to significantly increased spike number （P〈0.05）, kernel number, grain weight, and an overall increase in yield.

Effects of Sowing Depth and Sowing Equipment on Growth and Yield of Mechanized Sowing Maize

Taking Zhongyu 3 as the experimental variety,this paper analyzed the effects of different sowing depths(5 cm and 8 cm)and sowing equipment(ZHSB-10 medium-sized sowing machine and 2B-2 small sowing machine)on the growth,yield and components of yield of mechanized sowing maize,to provide references for mechanized maize production in southwest ecological zone.The results showed that the germination rate,plant height uniformity,and most agronomic traits of maize plant were higher at the sowing depth of 5 cm;with the growth of the maize,the effects of the sowing depth on agronomic traits of maize gradually declined;the effects of the sowing depth on the empty stalk rate,double ear rate,lodging rate,and lodging and stem broken rate were smaller;the sowing depth of 5 cm could increase the yield of mechanized sowing maize and most yield traits of maize.Different sowing machines had smaller effects on the germination rate,plant height uniformity,and agronomic traits of all growth stages,empty stalk rate,double ear rate,lodging rate,lodging and stem broken rate,yield,and components of yield of mechanized sowing maize.