Yields,growth and water use under chemical topping in relations to row configuration and plant density in drip-irrigated cotton

Background Water deficit is an important problem in agricultural production in arid regions.With the advent of wholly mechanized technology for cotton planting in Xinjiang,it is important to determine which planting mode could achieve high yield,fiber quality and water use efficiency(WUE).This study aimed to explore if chemical topping affected cotton yield,quality and water use in relation to row configuration and plant densities.Results Experiments were carried out in Xinjiang China,in 2020 and 2021 with two topping method,manual topping and chemical topping,two plant densities,low and high,and two row configurations,i.e.,76 cm equal rows and 10+66 cm narrow-wide rows,which were commonly applied in matching harvest machine.Chemical topping increased seed cotton yield,but did not affect cotton fiber quality comparing to traditional manual topping.Under equal row spacing,the WUE in higher density was 62.4%higher than in the lower one.However,under narrow-wide row spacing,the WUE in lower density was 53.3%higher than in higher one(farmers’practice).For machine-harvest cotton in Xinjiang,the optimal row configuration and plant density for chemical topping was narrow-wide rows with 15 plants m-2 or equal rows with 18 plants m-2.Conclusion The plant density recommended in narrow-wide rows was less than farmers’practice and the density in equal rows was moderate with local practice.Our results provide new knowledge on optimizing agronomic managements of machine-harvested cotton for both high yield and water efficient.

A polygalacturonase gene OsPG1 modulates water homeostasis in rice

A dynamic plant architecture is the basis of plant adaptation to changing environments.Although many genes regulating leaf rolling have been identified,genes directly associated with water homeostasis are largely unknown.Here,we isolated a rice mutant,dynamic leaf rolling 1(dlr1),characterized by‘leaf unfolding in the morning-leaf rolling at noon-leaf unfolding in the evening’during a sunny day.Water content was decreased in rolled leaves and water sprayed on leaves caused reopening,indicating that in vivo water deficiency induced the leaf rolling.Map-based cloning and expression tests demonstrated that an A1400G single base mutation in Oryza sativa Polygalacturonase 1(OsPG1)/PHOTO-SENSITIVE LEAF ROLLING 1(PSL1)was responsible for the dynamic leaf rolling phenotype in the dlr1 mutant.OsPG1 encodes a polygalacturonase,one of the main enzymes that degrade demethylesterified homogalacturonans in plant cell walls.OsPG1 was constitutively expressed in various tissues and was enriched in stomata.Mutants of the OsPG1 gene exhibited defects in stomatal closure and decreased stomatal density,leading to reduced transpiration and excessive water loss under specific conditions,but had normal root development.Further analysis revealed that mutation of OsPG1 led to reduced pectinase activity in the leaves and increased demethylesterified homogalacturonans in guard cells.Our findings reveal a mechanism by which OsPG1 modulates water homeostasis to control dynamic leaf rolling,providing insights for plants to adapt to environmental variation.

Development of a novel critical nitrogen concentration-cumulative transpiration curve for optimizing nitrogen management under varying irrigation conditions in winter wheat

Accurate nitrogen(N)nutrition diagnosis is essential for improving N use efficiency in crop production.The widely used critical N(Nc)dilution curve traditionally depends solely on agronomic variables,neglecting crop water status.With three-year field experiments with winter wheat,encompassing two irrigation levels(rainfed and irrigation at jointing and anthesis)and three N levels(0,180,and 270 kg ha1),this study aims to establish a novel approach for determining the Nc dilution curve based on crop cumulative transpiration(T),providing a comprehensive analysis of the interaction between N and water availability.The Nc curves derived from both crop dry matter(DM)and T demonstrated N concentration dilution under different conditions with different parameters.The equation Nc=6.43T0.24 established a consistent relationship across varying irrigation regimes.Independent test results indicated that the nitrogen nutrition index(NNI),calculated from this curve,effectively identifies and quantifies the two sources of N deficiency:insufficient N supply in the soil and insufficient soil water concentration leading to decreased N availability for root absorption.Additionally,the NNI calculated from the Nc-DM and Nc-T curves exhibited a strong negative correlation with accumulated N deficit(Nand)and a positive correlation with relative grain yield(RGY).The NNI derived from the Nc-T curve outperformed the NNI derived from the Nc-DM curve concerning its relationship with Nand and RGY,as indicated by larger R2 values and smaller AIC.The novel Nc curve based on T serves as an effective diagnostic tool for assessing winter wheat N status,predicting grain yield,and optimizing N fertilizer management across varying irrigation conditions.These findings would provide new insights and methods to improve the simulations of water-N interaction relationship in crop growth models.

Drought Tolerance and Recovery of the Sedge Carex planostachys (Cyperaceae) from Central Texas Woodlands

Carex planostachys Kunze (Cyperaceae, Cedar sedge) is an herbaceous species in a genus commonly inhabiting mesic or hydric habitats. Carex planostachys is found in arid and semi-arid Juniperus woodlands. Arid conditions impose survival challenges to plants in dry areas. Some plants have plasticity responses to soil water content and continued normal though reduced functions through droughts, but most herbaceous plants do not survive. Limited previous studies have suggested C. planostachys is tolerant of drought. Physiological responses of C. planostachys from Juniperus woodlands was examined is this study to determine how long plants could survive without water and if they are capable of recovery from very negative water potentials beyond what is considered the permanent wilting point for most herbaceous plants. Plants were placed in pots in partial shade in this experiment. Water loss from the soil with plants was an inverse 2nd order polynomial function with soil water decreasing from 32% to 8% by day 28 of the study. Leaf water potential was also an inverse 2nd order polynomial function but did not decline significantly until 14 days without watering. Leaf water potential was −10.0 MPa after 35 days without watering. Non-watered plants Anet, (photosynthetic rate) was significantly lower compared to the water treatment by day 21 as was stomatal conductance and transpiration. When non-watered plants were watered after 21, 28 or 35 days, full recovery of physiological responses occurred within 7 days. The length of time that C. planostachys was able to withstand drought was greater than the annual trends in lack of precipitation during springtime in this area. Carex planostachys can photosynthesize at water stress between −8 and −10 MPa. Carex planostachys drought and shade tolerance enables it to occupy an understory niche devoid of other herbaceous plants.

Analysis of a Stagnation Point Flow with Hybrid Nanoparticles over a Porous Medium

The unsteady stagnation-point flow of a hybrid nanofluid over a stretching/shrinking sheet embedded in a porous medium with mass transpiration and chemical reactions is considered.The momentum and mass transfer problems are combined to form a system of partial differential equations,which is converted into a set of ordinary differential equations via similarity transformation.These ordinary differential equations are solved analytically to obtain the solution for velocity and concentration profiles in exponential and hypergeometric forms,respectively.The concentration profile is obtained for four different cases namely constant wall concentration,uniform mass flux,general power law wall con-centration and general power law mass flux.The effect of different physical parameters such as Darcy number Da^(1-1),mass transpiration parameter V_(C),stretching/shrinking parameter (d),chemical reaction parameter(β)and Schmidt number (Sc)on velocity and concentration profile is examined.Results show that,the axial velocity will decreases as the shrinking sheet parameter increases,regardless of whether the suction or injection case is examined.The concentration decreases with an increase in the shrinking sheet parameter and the chemical reaction rate parameter.

Gas Exchange, Xylem Ions and Abscisic Acid Response to Na^+-Salts and Cl^--Salts in Populus euphratica

We investigated the osmotic stress and ion-specific effects on xylem abscisic acid (ABA), ion uptake and transport and gas exchange in one-year-old seedlings of Populus euphratica Oliv. Net photosynthetic rates (P-n) and unit transpiration rates (TRN) were both significantly decreased upon an osmotic shock caused by PEG 6000 solution (osmotic potential = -0.24 MPa) or a saline, which was applied by 50 mmol/L Na+-salts (NaNO3 : NaHCO3 : NaH2PO4 = 5 : 4 : 1, pH 6.8, osmotic potential = -0.24 MPa) or by 50 mmol/L Cl--salts (KCl : NH4Cl = 1:1, osmotic potential = -0.24 MPa). However, salt-treated P. euphratica plants maintained typically higher TRN than those exposed to PEG. Xylem ABA concentrations increased rapidly following the PEG treatment, exhibiting peaking values at 1 h, then returning to pre-stress levels, followed by a gradual increase. Similarly, both Na+-treated and Cl--treated trees exhibited a rapid rise of ABA after salt stress was initiated. Notably, salt-treated plants maintained a relatively higher ABA than PEG-treated plants in a longer term. Collectively, results suggest that osmotic stress and ion-specific effects were both responsible for salt-induced ABA in P. euphratica : the initial rapid increase of xylem ABA appears to be a consequence of an osmotic shock, whereas specific salt effects seem to be responsible for ABA accumulation later on. Compared with Cl--treated trees, a higher inhibitory effect on gas exchange (P-n and TRN) was observed in Na+-salt plants, resulting from its long-sustained ABA and higher salt concentrations in the xylem. Displacement of membrane-associated Ca2+ by Na+ and the lesser capacity in Na+ compartmentation in root vacuoles likely contribute to the high influx of Na+ and Cl- in Na+-treated plants. Xylem K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ concentrations were elevated by external Na+ -salts and Cl--salts, suggesting that P. euphratica maintained a higher capacity in nutrient uptake under saline conditions, which makes a contribution to its salinity tolerance.

Species- and Habitat-variability of Photosynthesis, Transpiration and Water Use Efficiency of Different Plant Species in Maowusu Sand Area

Photosynthesis ( P n ), transpiration ( E ) and water use efficiency ( WUE ) of more than 66 arid sand species from different environmental habitats, shifting sand dune, fixed sand dune, lowland and wetland in the Maowusu Sand Area were analyzed and the relation among these characteristics and the resource utilization efficiency, taxonomic categories and growth forms of the species were assessed. The results showed that species from Chenopodiaceae, Gramineae, Leguminosae which possessed the C 4 photosynthesis pathway, or C 3 pathway and also with nitrogen_fixation capacities had higher or the highest P n values, i.e., 20～30 μmol CO 2·m -2 ·s -1 , while that of evergreen shrub of Pinaceae had the lowest P n values, i.e., 0～5 μmol CO 2·m -2 ·s -1 . Those species from Compositae, Scrophulariaceae, and Gramineae with C 3 pathway but no N_fixation capacity had the highest E rates, i.e., 20～30 mmol H 2O·m -2 ·s -1 and again the evergreen shrub together with some species from Salicaceae and Compositae had the lowest E rates, i.e., 0～5 mmol H 2O·m -2 ·s -1 . Species from Leguminosae, Gramineae and Chenopodiaceae with C 4 pathway or C 3 pathway with N_fixation capacity, both shrubs and grasses, generally had higher WUE . However, even the physiological traits of the same species were habitat_ and season_specific. The values of both P n and E in late summer were much higher than those in early summer, with average increases of 26%, 40% respectively in the four habitats. WUE in late summer was, however, 12% lower. Generally, when the environments became drier as a result of habitats changed, i.e., in the order of wetland, lowland, fixed sand dune and shifting sand dune, P n and E decreased but WUE increased.

SIMULATION OF THE PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF C 3 PLANT LEAVES TO ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS BY A MODEL WHICH COMBINES STOMATAL CONDUCTANCE, PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND TRANSPIRATION

Transpiration element is included in the integrated stomatal conductance photosynthesis model by considering gaseous transfer processes, so the present model is capable to simulate the influence of boundary layer conductance. Leuning in his revised Ball's model replaced relative humidity with VPD s (the vapor pressure deficit from stomatal pore to leaf surface) and thereby made the relation with transpiration more straightforward, and made it possible for the regulation of transpiration and the influence of boundary layer conductance to be integrated into the combined model. If the differences in water vapor and CO 2 concentration between leaf and ambient air are considered, VPD s , the evaporative demand, is influenced by stomatal and boundary layer conductance. The physiological responses of photosynthesis, transpiration, and stomatal function, and the changes of intercellular CO 2 and water use efficiency to environmental factors, such as wind speed, photon flux density, leaf temperature and ambient CO 2, are analyzed. It is shown that if the boundary layer conductance drops to a level comparable with stomatal conductance, the results of simulation by the model presented here differ significantly from those by the previous model, and, in some cases, are more realistic than the latter.

Water Use of Leymus chinensis Community

Soil moisture of Leymus chinensis (Trin.) Tzvel. community has obviously stratified phenomena: the layer (0-40 cm) in which roots are concentrically distributed is directly influenced by precipitation and evapotranspiration. It can be called interaction layer of precipitation and evapotranspiration. The layer (40-120 cm), where water-storage capacity exchange lagged exchange of the root-layer water-storage capacity and the community evapotranspiration, can be called major water-storage layer. The layer (under 120 cm) can be called water relatively stable/balanced layer. The year 1996 was a normal flow year, and soil water had a surplus of 18 mm at the end of the growing season. The year 1998 was a high flow year, because leakage took place under continuous heavy rainfall, soil water had a deficit of 15 mm at the end of the growing season. Transpiration to evapotranspiration ( T/ET) value reflected not only the luxuriance degree of the community, but also the water use regime of the environmental resources. T/ET value was low (0.5) in May 1998, reaching 0.7 in June, then decreasing to 0.6 in July, due to the impact of rainfall inclining, while August reached the maximum (0.9), and September decreased to 0.6. Water use efficiency (WUE) was mainly restricted by the growing rate of plants under sufficient water condition (1998). Its seasonal changes were coincident with the grand period of growth of the plants. When both meanings of WUE and T/ET were analyzed profoundly, the concept of evapotranspiration efficiency (ETE) which can all-side reflect utilization regime of the environmental water resources was advanced.

Responses of the seedlings of five dominant tree species in Changbai Mountain to soil water stress

Soil water stress was studied on the potted seedlings of five dominant tree species (Pinus koraienes Sieb.et Zucc., Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr., Juglans mandshurica Maxim, Tilia amurensis Rupr. and Quercus mongolica Fisch.ex Turcz) from the broadleaved/Korean pine forest in Changbai Mountain. Leaf growth, water transpiration and photosynthesis were compared for each species under three soil moisture conditions: 85%-100% (high water, CK), 65%-85% (Medium water, MW) and 45%-65% (low water, LW) of 37.4% water-holding capacity in field. The results showed that the characteristic of typical drought-resistance of the leaves is significantly developed. The net photosynthetic rate and water use efficiency of Fraxinus mandshurica were higher in MW than those in CK. But for the other four species, the net photosynthetic rate and water use efficiency in CK were lower than those in MW and LW. The transpiration rate responding to soil moistures varied from species to species.

Effects of Different Vibration Intensities Harvesting on Photosynthesis System Parameters of Lycium barbarum L. Trees with Harvest Machine

The effects of different vibration intensities harvesting on photosynthesis system parameters of Lycium barbarum L. tree with harvest machine were researched. The result showed that the photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomata conductance and intercellular CO2 concentration of L. barbarum tree＇s leaves under different treatment during different periods have no significant difference compared with contrast. It indicates that there is no significant effect on photosynthesis system parameters of L. barbarum tree＇s leaves with harvest machine.

The Dynamic Study on Transpiration Consumption of Black Locust Forest

To know the annual water consumption of forest, it is necessary to acquire the annual transpiration value of stands. This paper is based on the data measured in the typical weather of the growth season, from 1998 to 2000, with the LI 1600 Steady Porometer and the general weather information. The daily variation of transpiration in black locust forest ( Robinia pesudoacacia L.) is modeled by Penman Monteith equation. As a result of the model, a continuous daily transpiration in the growth season was calculated. The net radiation, intercepted by black locust forest canopy, was acquired from a semi empirical equation of measuring net radiation R n with the extinction coefficient k and leaf area index LAI . The canopy integral stomatic resistance is a mimesis with an empirical equation of measuring data. Compared with measuring data, the relative error of the modeled ones is less than 12% averagely. At last, the total transpiration of black locust forest during the period of 1998 and 2000 in the growth season of May to October, as an average transpiration of the different density stands, were 192 46, 187 07 and 195 59?mm respectively.

Studies on Photosynthetic Characteristics of Tomato Leaves after Inoculation with Tomato Powdery Mildew (Oidium neolycopersici)

[ Objective ] The paper was to explore the pathogenic mechanism of tomato powdery mildew, and to study the effects of the disease on photosynthetic characteristics of tomato. [ Method ] With four tomato varieties as materials, the pathogen of tomato powdery mildew was artificially inoculated. After the varieties were infected, the parameters including net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate of tomato leaf were measured by Li-6400 portable photo- synthesis detector under natural lighting conditions. [ Result] The net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate of four tomato varieties all decreased after infection. However, the decrease extent of these parameters of four varieties was different. The parameters of seriously damaged Jinyangdajuxdng （ No. 4） and Xinsheng No. 1 （ No. 5 ） decreased greatly, while the parameters of slightly damaged Lujia （ No. 13 ） and improved 98-6 decreased lightly. [ Condu- sion] The results could provide theoretical basis for the study on pathogenic mechanism, new prevention way and resistance breeding of tomato powdery mildew.

The Response of Transpiration Rate of Malus pumila cv.Goldspur to Illumination and Soil Moisture

We tested the transpiration rate ( Tr ) of seven\|year\|old field and two\|year\|old potted Malus pumila cv.Goldspur under different conditions of illumination and soil water. The results showed that the interrelationship between Tr of Malus pumila cv.Goldspur and illumination and soil water content ( SWC ) was quite remarkable. Tr increased with the increase of light intensity and SWC . However, when one of the environmental stresses of illumination and water existed, the improvement of the other condition couldn't make Tr rise greatly. Only when SWC was higher than 11%, which arrived at over 55% of the field content ( FC ), or the photosynthetic active radiation ( PAR ) higher than 400?μmol·s -1 m -2 , Tr could rise greatly with the increase of PAR or SWC . But when SWC was higher than 15%, which reached over 75% of FC or PAR higher than 1?000?μmol·s -1 ·m -2 , Tr would not change a lot with the change of PAR or SWC . That PAR and SWC influenced the magnitude of stomatic resistance( RS ) and leaf water potential ( Ψ l) was the basic reason for the Tr responded to them. Light stress reduced the open degree of stomas, so when severe light stress existed ( PAR <100?μmol·s -1 ·m -2 ), RS was larger ( RS >2 0?s·cm -1 ), which led to the decrease of Tr(Tr <5?μgH 2O·s -1 ·cm -2 ). When severe water stress existed( SWC <11% and<55% of FC and soil water potential Ψ ws <-1 15?MPa), RS was higher than 4 00?s·cm -1 and Ψ l lower than -2 10?MPa, which led to Tr lower than 11?μgH 2O·s -1 ·cm -2 . When soil water was adequate( SWC >15% amd over 75% of FC , and Ψ ws >-0 50?MPa), RS was lower than 2 00?s·cm -1 , Ψ l higher than -1 65?MPa and Tr would be higher than 15?μgH 2O·s -1 ·m -2 . The range of SWC , 11%～15%, which accounted for 55% to 75% of FC , and correspond RS (2 00～4 00?s·cm -1 ) were the turning area, where the variable curve of Tr transited from a variable trend to another variable one. It could be considered as the range to control soil water.

Comparison of Gas Exchange Characteristic in Leaves of Soybean Varieties with Different Yield Levels

[Objective] The aim was to explore the gases exchange characteristic in leaves of soybean cultivars at different yield levels to provide a certain theories basis for high yield breeding and cultivation of soybean cultivars. [Method] Nine soybean cultivars divided into three yield levels were planted under the same environmental condition. At V4（seedling）,R2（blooming）,R4（pod-bearing）,R6（pod-filling） and R7（maturing） growth stages,the net photosynthetic rate （Pn）,stomatal conductance （Gs） and transpiration rate （Tr） in soybean leaves were measured with Li-6400 portable photosynthesis system. [Result] At all growth stages,the net photosynthetic rate,stomatal conductance in leaves of high yield soybean cultivars were significantly higher than low yield soybean cultivars. At V4,R2 and R4 stages,transpiration rate in leaves of high yield soybean cultivars was significantly higher than low yield soybean cultivars; there was no significant difference on transpiration rate in leaves of soybean cultivars at different yield levels at R6 and R7 stage. At V4 and R2 stage,water use efficiency （WUE） in leaves of soybean cultivars at different yield showed a trend of low yield cultivarsmiddle yield cultivarshigh yield cultivars,while it appeared high yield cultivarsmiddle yield cultivarslow yield cultivars at R4,R6 and R7 stage. [Conclusion] The gases exchange capacity in leaves of high yield soybean cultivars was significantly higher than low yield soybean cultivars,which had provided physiological basis of high yield. The net photosynthetic rate could be used as an selection index of high yield soybean.

Photosynthesis and Transpiration Characters of Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and Their Relationship with Relevant Factors during Branching Stage

[ Objective] The paper presents the diumal changes of photosynthesis and transpiration of different alfalfa varieties and their relationship with the associated physiological and ecological factors during branching stage, so as to provide a basis for the development, utilization, and breed- ing of alfalfa. [ Method] Under natural conditions, the diurnal changes of net photosynthetic rate （Pn）, transpiration rate （Tr）, the relevant physio- logical factors including leaf temperature （TI）, stomatal conductance （Gs） and intemal COn concentration （Ci）, as well as the relevant physiologi- cal factors including photosynthetic available radiation （PAR）, CO2 concentration in field （Ca） and air temperature （Ta） were measured in four al- falfa varieties （Algonguin, WL323 HQ, WL414, and Millionaire）. The water use efficiency （WUE） and light use efficiency （LUE） were calculated, and the correlation among them was also analyzed. [Result] The Pn, Tr, PAR and Ta of the four varieties appeared to vary in a single-peak curve; the sequence of WUE was WL323 HQ ~ Algonguin ~ WL414 ~ Millionaire; there was no significant difference in LUE of the four alfalfa varieties; coef- ficient analysis showed that Pn was mainly affected by PAR, Gs, and Ci, while Tr by PAR and Ta. [ Conclusion] WL323 HQ is the variety with high Pn, high WUE and low Tr, and it has strong adaptability to drought. In four alfalfa varieties, PAR, Ta, Gs, and TI are the primary determining fac- tors while Ca and Ci the limiting factors of Tr; Gs is the primary determining factor while Ci the limiting factor of Pn.

Transpiration surface reduction of Kousa Dogwood trees during serious water imbalance

The response of Kousa dogwood （Cornus kousa Buerg.） to extreme stresses was investigated by RGB image analysis in the hot, dry and windy summer in 2007 in Yamaguch, Japan. Results show that tip and margin leaf scorch was observed on many Kousa dogwood trees and clearly dark brown defense barrier appeared on scorched leaves. The defense barrier withdrew back from distal to proximal gradually until successful control of scorching, and left a series of unsuccessful defense traces. By responsive analysis of leaf color homogeneity with RGB image analysis method, a sharp logistic equation was obtained for the relative green/luminance （RGL） value of scorched leaves. By the meteorological analysis, the occurrence of dogwood leaf scorch-back was almost synchronous with the aridity peak period. It sug- gested that during the sudden aridity increment the extreme water stresses induce the defense response of Kousa dogwood tree to shear the excessive transpiration leaf area, and prevent the rest of the trees from further water loss. Image pixet analysis showed that 40.2% leaf area of sampled dogwood trees was reduced through the partial leaf scorch-back by the end of August in 2007. In contrast, only 13.2% leaf area was reduced from the same trees in 2008, for the reason of sufficient precipitation during first half year. In any case, the Kousa dogwood trees indeed reduced their transpiration surface area and appeared a surface reduction pattern differing from those shedding leaves or withering all the aboveground. Based on desiccation process analysis, it is considered that the interaction of the leaf dried back and the self-defense response was the key of the transpiration surface reduction （TSR） of Kousa dogwood during sudden hot and droughty stresses.

Changes of Gas Exchanges in Leaves of Different Cultivars of Winter Wheat Released in Different Years

Three winter wheat cultivars ( Triticum aestivum L.), representatives of those widely cultivated in Beijing over the past six decades, were grown in the same environmental condition, and their physiological features were investigated. Daily changes of net photosynthetic rate (P-n), transpiration (T-r) in different growth stages were measured in order to find the relationship between leaf photosynthesis and yield. Instantaneous water use efficiency (WUE) of leaf was calculated from P-n/T-r. It is suggested that relationship between photosynthetic rate and yield changed with the developing stages of wheat. High yield wheat cultivar Jingdong 8 (released in the 1990s) had a higher photosynthetic rate ( the maximal P-n increased by 77%) and transpiration rate (the maximal T-r increased by 69%), but a lower WUE than the low yield cultivar Yanda 1817 (released in the 1940s) during the day time at stem elongation stage. However; difference of P-n among the three cultivars changed with wheat growth process. Before 10 o'clock P-n in leaves of Jingdong 8 usually was the highest of the three cultivars, but P-n of Yanda 1817 was the highest after 10 o'clock. At dough ripe stage, P-n in leaves of Yanda. 1817 was the highest among the three cultivars during the whole day. The difference of changing trend of transpiration in three wheat cultivars was similar to P,, but WUE of Yanda 1817 was the highest in those three cultivars, indicating that the higher yield of Jingdong 8 was achieved via a greater consumption of water. Contrary to the cultivars released in the later period, midday depression of photosynthesis was small in Yanda 1817, which might suggest that Yanda 1817 was resistant to photoinhibition. It is possible that photosynthetic potential in leaves of wheat increased as wheat cultivars was improved over the past six decades. However, it became less resistant to photoinhibition.

Effect of Shading on Gas Exchange of Cotton Leaves Under Conditions of Different Soil Water Contents

Effect of different shading levels (no-shading, 80% shading, and 40% shading) on photosynthetic and stomatal responses in cotton leaves were investigated under conditions of different soil water contents in summer midday. All cotton leaves exhibited similar basic responses to shading, including decreased net photosynthetic rates, a tendency to decrease in transpiration rates, and increased stomatal conductance and intercellular CO2 concentration. The leaf conductance of 80% shaded and 40% shaded plants increased by 28% and 16.7% compared with no-shaded plants at high water, respectively, but the net photosynthetic rates of 80% shaded and 40% shaded plants declined by 50% and 14.73%, respectively. Results showed that combined effect of soil moisture and shading on photosynthetic and stomatal responses in cotton leaves was very remarkable.