A soil-based method to screen for zinc efficiency in seedlings and its ability to predict yield responses to zinc deficiency in mature plants

2002 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Genc ◽  
G. K. McDonald ◽  
R. D. Graham

Nutrient efficiency measures the ability of a plant to grow and produce grain when the availability of a nutrient is low. Seedling tests for nutrient efficiency will be most useful if the results correlate well with grain yield responses. In two experiments, a diverse range of barley genotypes was screened for zinc (Zn) efficiency at the seedling stage and the relationship between vegetative and grain measures of Zn efficiency was examined. In Expt 1, 54 barley and 4 wheat genotypes were grown at 2 levels of Zn (0.02 and 0.8 mg/kg soil) for 21 days. Zinc efficiency ranged from 18% to 52%. The visual symptoms of Zn deficiency varied considerably between genotypes and was significantly correlated with Zn efficiency. Root:shoot ratio was increased by Zn deficiency and varied between genotypes, but these differences were not related to Zn efficiency. Zinc concentration and especially Zn content at 0.02 mg Zn/kg were significantly related to Zn efficiency. In Expt 2, 15 genotypes, selected on the basis of their response in Expt 1, were grown to maturity at either 0.1 mg Zn/kg or 2.4 mg Zn/kg. Zn efficiency, based on relative grain yield, ranged from 5% to 54%. High efficiency was associated with a large number of grains per plant and high kernel weight. Rankings of Zn efficiency in the experiment were significantly correlated with the rankings for visual scores in Expt 1. The 2 experiments suggested that deficiency symptoms at the seedling stage can identify efficient genotypes and could be useful for routine screening for Zn efficiency. Independent data from multisite comparisons over 8 years were used to examine the long-term performance of efficient and inefficient genotypes in the field. Hierarchical cluster was used to define efficient and inefficient groupings within the 56 genotypes examined in Expt 1, based on their responses to Zn. The Zn-efficient genotypes tended to yield more than the Zn-inefficient genotypes. The data provide prima facae evidence that high Zn efficiency may contribute to improved adaptation of barley in South Australia.

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 259
Author(s):  
Ernane M Lemes ◽  
Breno N R Azevedo ◽  
Matheus F I Domiciano ◽  
Samuel L Andrade

In modern agriculture, there is a growing need for increasing crop efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts. The use of high-efficiency light supplementation to enhance plant development is limited for high-productive crops at field conditions (outdoor). This study evaluated the soybean plant’s yield responses in an open commercial area (field scale) cultivated under conditions of artificial light supplementation. A commercial irrigated (pivot) area received an illumination system for light supplementation (LS) in its inner pivot spans. About 40 hours of LS were applied to the plants during the soybean crop cycle. The area’s outer pivot spans did not receive light supplementation (nLS). The internode number, the plant height, the pods per plant were evaluated weekly to compute the area under the progress curve (AUPC). The grain yield at harvest was also assessed. The AUPC of the internode number, plant height and pods per plant were positively affected by the LS treatment. The regular soybean cycle (nLS) is about 17 weeks; however, the LS harvest occurred three weeks later. Light supplementation increased soybean grain yield by 57.3% and profitability by 180% when compared to nLS. Although light supplementation at field scale poses a challenge, it is now affordable since sustainable field resistant technologies are now available. The present study is the first known report of light supplementation used to improve soybean crop production at field scale.


2014 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohsin S. Al-Fahdawi ◽  
Jason A. Able ◽  
Margaret Evans ◽  
Amanda J. Able

Durum wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. durum) is susceptible to Fusarium pseudograminearum and sensitive to zinc (Zn) deficiency in Australian soils. However, little is known about the interaction between these two potentially yield-limiting factors, especially for Australian durum varieties. The critical Zn concentration (concentration of Zn in the plant when there is a 10% reduction in yield) and degree of susceptibility to F. pseudograminearum was therefore determined for five Australian durum varieties (Yawa, Hyperno, Tjilkuri, WID802, UAD1153303). Critical Zn concentration averaged 24.6 mg kg–1 for all durum varieties but differed for the individual varieties (mg kg–1: Yawa, 21.7; Hyperno, 22.7; Tjilkuri, 24.1; WID802, 24.8; UAD1153303, 28.7). Zinc efficiency also varied amongst genotypes (39–52%). However, Zn utilisation was similar amongst genotypes under Zn-deficient or Zn-sufficient conditions (0.51–0.59 and 0.017–0.022 g DM μg–1 Zn, respectively). All varieties were susceptible to F. pseudograminearum but the development of symptoms and detrimental effect on shoot biomass and grain yield were significantly greater in Tjilkuri. Even though crown rot symptoms may still be present, the supply of adequate Zn in the soil helped to maintain biomass and grain yield in all durum varieties. However, the extent to which durum varieties were protected from plant growth penalties due to crown rot by Zn treatment was genotype-dependent.


2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 318-324
Author(s):  
VP Ramani ◽  
Dileep Kumar ◽  
AK Shukla ◽  
RA Patel

Soil zinc (Zn) deficiency limits crop growth and yield besides its low concentration in grain and straw. Growing of Zn efficient cultivars with high crop yield at low Zn supply would represent a sustainable approach to crop production. Therefore, to evaluate Zn efficiency of rice genotypes, twenty eight different rice genotypes were evaluated under various treatments like three levels of Zn viz. low (without Zn), medium (10 kg Zn ha-1 soil) and high (20 kg Zn ha-1 soil + three foliar sprays of 0.5% Zn). Zinc efficiency index of all genotypes ranged from 65.5 to 102.6 % and Zn uptake efficiency ranged from 53.8 to 107 % with a mean value of 87.1 and 76.5 %. Cultivar GR-101 was having the highest Zn efficiency index as well as Zn efficiency compared to other genotype. Based on grain yield and Zn efficiency, the genotypes Ashoka-20, Narmad, GR-12, GR-3, GR-1 and GR-2 were classified as efficient and responsive, genotypes GR- 11, SLR -51214. GAUR-10 and GR-13 as efficient and non responsive, whereas, genotypes GR-101, GR-104, GR-102 and Lalkad as inefficient and responsive. The Gurjari, AAUDR-1, K-Kamod, GR-9, GR-5, P-2003 SK-20 and GR-7 genotype were classified as inefficient and non responsive. The efficient and responsive genotypes are most desirable as they would produce higher yield under low Zn concentration in soil and responded well under external application of Zn sources.


2007 ◽  
Vol 47 (7) ◽  
pp. 815 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. M. Kelman ◽  
H. Dove

We evaluated the integration of a spring forage brassica crop (Brassica campestris cv. Hunter) into a cereal–pasture rotation, as a means of assessing the effects of this practice on the subsequent establishment and grain yield of wheat and oat crops. A brassica crop was grown for lamb production on 0.2 ha plots prepared for dual-purpose cereals, in spring 2003 near Canberra, ACT, Australia. Mackellar winter wheat and Blackbutt oats were sown in the following autumn on the previously sown brassica plots and on plots left fallow over the spring–summer period. A factorial experiment was used to determine the effects of (i) cultivar, (ii) brassica v. fallow, and (iii) grazing on cereal establishment and grain yield. Lamb liveweight gains on brassica over 33 days were rapid (294 g/day) and provided 2141 grazing days/ha and 637 kg lamb weight gain/ha. Average grain yield of Mackellar on plots following brassica (2.8 t/ha) was reduced by 29% compared with plots following fallow. Average grain yield on grazed plots (2.6 t/ha) was reduced by 38% compared with ungrazed plots. In both Mackellar and Blackbutt, reduced numbers of kernels per spike and reduced kernel weight accounted for the reduction in grain yield under grazing. Two other experiments were conducted at a separate site to obtain data on the nutritive value of the cereal forages and to record phenological development of the two cereals and compare grain yield responses to cutting before and after stem elongation stages. In vitro and in vivo measurements of digestibility in the vegetative phase were similar in the two cereals (91–94%). Grain yield was significantly reduced following cutting at the post stem elongation stage in Mackellar and Blackbutt and, in Mackellar, was attributable to reduced kernel number per spike and kernel weight. The overall economic return, combining actual returns from lamb production on the forage brassica, and estimated returns from grazing and grain production, after variable costs of each phase were accounted for, were $1117/ha for Mackellar wheat and $1081/ha for Blackbutt oats. These returns were $583/ha and $910/ha more than the estimated return from the fallow, ungrazed treatments for wheat and oats, respectively.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 259
Author(s):  
Ernane M Lemes ◽  
Breno N R Azevedo ◽  
Matheus F I Domiciano ◽  
Samuel L Andrade

In modern agriculture, there is a growing need for increasing crop efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts. The use of high-efficiency light supplementation to enhance plant development is limited for high-productive crops at field conditions (outdoor). This study evaluated the soybean plant’s yield responses in an open commercial area (field scale) cultivated under conditions of artificial light supplementation. A commercial irrigated (pivot) area received an illumination system for light supplementation (LS) in its inner pivot spans. About 40 hours of LS were applied to the plants during the soybean crop cycle. The area’s outer pivot spans did not receive light supplementation (nLS). The internode number, the plant height, the pods per plant were evaluated weekly to compute the area under the progress curve (AUPC). The grain yield at harvest was also assessed. The AUPC of the internode number, plant height and pods per plant were positively affected by the LS treatment. The regular soybean cycle (nLS) is about 17 weeks; however, the LS harvest occurred three weeks later. Light supplementation increased soybean grain yield by 57.3% and profitability by 180% when compared to nLS. Although light supplementation at field scale poses a challenge, it is now affordable since sustainable field resistant technologies are now available. The present study is the first known report of light supplementation used to improve soybean crop production at field scale.


1970 ◽  
pp. 33-36
Author(s):  
Faizan Mahmood, Hidayat- Ur-Rahman, Nazir Ahmad ◽  
Fahim-ul- Haq ◽  
Samrin Gul, Quaid Hussain ◽  
Ammara Khalid ◽  
Touheed Iqbal ◽  
...  

This study evaluated the performance of 64 half sib families (HSF) derived from “Azam” variety of maize using partially balanced lattice square design with two replications. Data were recorded on grain yield and other agronomic traits. Observations showed difference in half-sib families for studied traits. Among the 64 half-sib families, minimum days to 50% tasseling (51 days) were observed for HS-49 while maximum (57 days) for HS-63. Minimum days to 50% silking (56 days) were counted for HS-6 while maximum (63 days) for HS-23. Minimum days to 50% anthesis (55 days) were counted for HS-1 and HS-6 while maximum (62 days) for HS-23. Similarly, minimum ASI (-2 days) were observed in HS-1, HS-15, HS-16, HS-28 and HS-63 while maximum (2 days) in HS-48. Minimum (60 cm) ear height was recorded for HS-11 and maximum (93.5 cm) for HS-28. Minimum fresh ear weight (1.3 kg) was weighted for HS-17 while maximum (3.2 kg) for HS-21. Grain moisture was recorded minimum (19.35 %) for HS-19 and maximum (31.25%) for HS-2. HS-42 showed minimum (28 g) 100 kernel weight while HS-5 showed maximum (47 g). Grain yield was minimum (2323 kg ha-1) for HS-17 and maximum (5742 kg ha-1) for HS-21. Maximum heritability estimate (0.92) was recorded for fresh ear weight, while minimum (0.41) was observed for ear height.


Human zinc (Zn) deficiency is a worldwide problem, especially in developing countries due to the prevalence of cereals in the diet. Among different alleviation strategies, genetic Zn biofortification is considered a sustainable approach. However, it may depend on Zn availability from soils. We grew Zincol-16 (genetically-Zn-biofortified wheat) and Faisalabad-08 (widely grown standard wheat) in pots with (8 mg kg−1) or without Zn application. The cultivars were grown in a low-Zn calcareous soil. The grain yield of both cultivars was significantly (P≤0.05) increased with that without Zn application. As compared to Faisalabad-08, Zincol-16 had 23 and 41% more grain Zn concentration respectively at control and applied rate of Zn. Faisalabad-08 accumulated about 18% more grain Zn concentration with Zn than Zincol-16 without Zn application. A near target level of grain Zn concentration (36 mg kg−1) was achieved in Zincol-16 only with Zn fertilisation. Over all, the findings clearly signify the importance of agronomic Zn biofortification of genetically Zn-biofortified wheat grown on a low-Zn calcareous soil.


Genetics ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 145 (2) ◽  
pp. 453-465 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhikang Li ◽  
Shannon R M Pinson ◽  
William D Park ◽  
Andrew H Paterson ◽  
James W Stansel

The genetic basis for three grain yield components of rice, 1000 kernel weight (KW), grain number per panicle (GN), and grain weight per panicle (GWP), was investigated using restriction fragment length polymorphism markers and F4 progeny testing from a cross between rice subspecies japonica (cultivar Lemont from USA) and indica (cv. Teqing from China). Following identification of 19 QTL affecting these traits, we investigated the role of epistasis in genetic control of these phenotypes. Among 63 markers distributed throughout the genome that appeared to be involved in 79 highly significant (P < 0.001) interactions, most (46 or 73%) did not appear to have “main” effects on the relevant traits, but influenced the trait(s) predominantly through interactions. These results indicate that epistasis is an important genetic basis for complex traits such as yield components, especially traits of low heritability such as GN and GWP. The identification of epistatic loci is an important step toward resolution of discrepancies between quantitative trait loci mapping and classical genetic dogma, contributes to better understanding of the persistence of quantitative genetic variation in populations, and impels reconsideration of optimal mapping methodology and marker-assisted breeding strategies for improvement of complex traits.


2002 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 507-512 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Wang ◽  
M. R. Fernandez ◽  
F. R. Clarke ◽  
R. M. DePauw ◽  
J. M. Clarke

Although leaf spotting diseases have been reported to have a negative effect on grain yield and seed characteristics of wheat (Triticum spp.), the magnitude of such effects on wheat grown on dryland in southern Saskatchewan is not known. A fungicide experiment was conducted at Swift Current (Brown soil) and Indian Head (Black soil) from 1997 to 1999 to determine the effect of leaf spotting diseases on yield and seed traits of wheat. Two fungicides, Folicur 3.6F and Bravo 500, were applied at different growth stages on three common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and three durum wheat (T. turgidum L. var durum) genotypes. Fungicide treatments generally did not affect yield, kernel weight, test weight or grain protein concentration, and these effects were relatively consistent among genotypes. Folicur applied at head emergence in 1997 and at flag leaf emergence and/or head emergence in 1998 increased yield at Indian Head (P < 0.05). Fungicides applied at and before flag leaf emergence tended to increase kernel weight. Grain protein concentration increased only in treatments of Bravo applications at Indian Head in 1998. These results suggested that under the dryland environment and management in southern Saskatchewan leaf spotting diseases generally have a small effect on yield, kernel weight, test weight and protein concentration. Key words: Wheat, leaf spotting diseases, fungicide, yield


1950 ◽  
Vol 28c (5) ◽  
pp. 493-512 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. E. Sackston

The pasmo pathogen sporulated freely on potato dextrose agar containing yeast extract. Spores suspended in water with gelatin as a spreader–sticker were sprayed onto flax plants at different stages of growth in field plots. Heaviest infections of pasmo resulted from inoculations at the flowering stage, lighter infections from inoculations on seedlings, and lightest infections from inoculations on ripening plants. Diluting the concentration of spores in the inoculum reduced disease intensity. The four flax varieties in the tests differed in reaction to pasmo. In decreasing order of susceptibility they were: Viking, Redwing, Royal, and Crystal. Heavy infections of pasmo caused premature ripening and reduced the seed yield and weight per thousand kernels of all four varieties. The effects of pasmo infection on seed yield and kernel weight were similar to those caused by a hot, dry climate, and by flax rust. Seed yield and kernel weight were reduced most markedly by inoculation at the flowering stage, less severely by inoculation at the seedling stage, and least of all by inoculation at the time of ripening. Seed yield and kernel weight from plots inoculated when the plants were ripening did not differ significantly from the uninoculated checks. Highly significant positive correlations between the data for seed yield and kernel weight indicated that much of the loss in yield resulted from a reduction in the size of individual seeds.


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