Effects of grass–legume mixtures on the production and photosynthetic capacity of constructed grasslands in Inner Mongolia, China

2016 ◽  
Vol 67 (11) ◽  
pp. 1188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Liu ◽  
Ji-Rui Gong ◽  
Yan Pan ◽  
Qin-Pu Luo ◽  
Zhan-Wei Zhai ◽  
...  

Constructed grasslands are primary restoration measures in areas with degraded natural grasslands. Grass–legume mixtures are chosen to obtain high production and forage quality; however, the photosynthetic and other traits of such mixtures are not well understood. In this study, we evaluated the effects of grass–legume mixtures on the growth and photosynthetic capacity of three forage crops over two growing seasons. Bromus inermis and Elymus nutans were grown as monocultures or in mixtures with Medicago sativa. We analysed forage yields, quality, gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters. The grass–legume mixtures improved the forage yield, root : shoot ratio, and contents of crude protein and lignin. Compared with the monoculture, grasses in the mixtures had higher net photosynthesis, water-use efficiency (WUE), and leaf nitrogen (N) content, but lower carbon : N ratio, and distributed more absorbed light to photosynthetic electron transport and thermal dissipation. In the mixture, B. inermis had a higher light-saturation point, indicating high light-use efficiency. Elymus nutans had a lower light-compensation point and dark respiration rate, suggesting good shade tolerance. However, water deficits decreased biomass and photosynthetic capacity in the E. nutans–M. sativa mixture, suggesting that E. nutans was sensitive to soil moisture. The B. inermis–M. sativa mixture had greater and more consistent biomass and WUE.


HortScience ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 865A-865
Author(s):  
Hui-lian Xu ◽  
Laurent Gauthier ◽  
André Gosselin

Tomato plants were grown in peat bags in greenhouse to examine the effects of variation of the nutrient solution electrical conductivity (EC) and substrate water potential (Ψsub) on photosynthesis in leaves, fruits, stem, and petioles. EC of the nutrient solution delivered to peat bags varied between 1 to 4 dS·m–1 with Ψsub of either –5 kPa or –9 kPa as the setpoint for starting the irrigation. The EC variation was adjusted by a computer system according to potential evapotranspiration. Gross photosynthetic capacity (PC) decreased as the leaf age developed. PC in the 10th, 15th and 18th leaves from the top was only 76%, 37%, and 18% of PC in the 5th leaf, respectively. However, low quantum use efficiency (QUE) was only observed in the 18th leaf and low dark respiration (RD) was only in 15th and 18th leaves. Net photosynthesis (PN) was only observed in young fruits (≈10 g FW) or young petioles and no PN was observed in large fruits (50 g or more FW) and stems. Both PC and RD were lower in older fruits and petioles or in the lower part of the stem compared to the younger ones or upper parts. EC variation increased PC, QUE, and RD in most parts. Low Ψsub increased RD in most parts and decreased PC in fruits, stem, and petioles. It is suggested that EC variation increased plant physiological activity of tomato and low Ψsub increased carbon consumption, although it was not severe enough to depress leaf PC.



1975 ◽  
Vol 53 (9) ◽  
pp. 940-951 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Eickmeier ◽  
Michael Adams ◽  
Donald Lester

Population differentiation in Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carr. from Wisconsin was tested by comparing seedlings grown from seed collected within the present range in the northeast and from seed collected in disjunct populations southwest of the present range. The seedlings, established in hydroponic culture, were subjected to two preconditioning temperature regimes and two water stress simulations. Net photosynthesis, dark respiration, and transpiration capacities were measured and internal leaf resistances were calculated.The southwestern Wisconsin population had a more favorable carbon dioxide balance at warmer tissue temperatures, particularly at low irradiance levels, and at higher osmotic potentials, than did the northeastern population, which was better adapted to lower tissue temperatures and lower osmotic potentials. Additional differences between seed sources in seedling morphology, transpiration rate, and water-use efficiency were found. These differences in morphology and physiological responses corresponded to the macroclimates in which these populations were found, southwestern Wisconsin being warmer and drier than the northeastern part of the state.



2005 ◽  
Vol 85 (4) ◽  
pp. 877-888 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul G. Jefferson ◽  
Herb W. Cutforth

Crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum L. Gaertn.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) are introduced forage species used for hay and grazing by cattle across western Canada. These species are well adapted to the semiarid region but their long-term responses to water stress have not been previously compared. Two alfalfa cultivars with contrasting root morphology (tap-rooted vs. creeping-rooted) and two crested wheatgrass (CWG) cultivars with different ploidy level (diploid vs. tetraploid) were compared with continuously cropped spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) for 6 yr at a semiarid location in western Canada. Soil water depletion, forage yield, water use efficiency, leaf water potential, osmotic potential and turgor were compared. There were no consistent differences between cultivars within alfalfa or CWG for variables measured. However, these two species exhibit different water stress response strategies. Leaf water potential of CWG was lower during midday stress period than that of alfalfa or wheat. Alfalfa apparently had greater capacity to osmotically adjust to avoid midday water stress and maintain higher turgor. Soil water use patterns changed as the stands aged. In the initial years of the trial, forage crops used soil water from upper layers of the profile. In later years, soil water was depleted down to 3 m by alfalfa and to 2 m by crested wheatgrass. Alfalfa was able to deplete soil water to lower concentrations than crested wheatgrass or wheat. Soil water depletion by wheat during the non-active growth season (after harvest to fall freeze-up) was much less than for CWG or alfalfa as expected for annual vs. perennial crops. As a result, more soil water was available to wheat during its active growth period. In the last 3 yr, the three species depleted all available soil water. Forage yield responses also changed over time. In the initial 3 yr, crested wheatgrass yielded as much as or more than alfalfa. For the last 3 yr of the experiment, alfalfa yielded more forage than crested wheatgrass. Forage crops deplete much more soil water during periods of aboveground growth dormancy than wheat. Water use efficiency of crested wheatgrass declined with stand age compared with fertilized continuous spring wheat. Alfalfa exhibited deep soil water extraction and apparent osmotic adjustment in response to water stress while CWG exhibited tolerance of low water potential during stress. Key words: forage yield, soil water, water potential, water use, water use efficiency, drought



2004 ◽  
Vol 129 (4) ◽  
pp. 497-502 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason J. Griffin ◽  
Thomas G. Ranney ◽  
D. Mason Pharr

Net photosynthesis (Pn) of two ecotypes of redbud (Cercis canadensis L.) was studied following growth under high temperatures and increasing drought. Although mexican redbud [C. canadensis var. mexicana (Rose) M. Hopkins] exhibited greater Pn than eastern redbud (C. canadensis var. canadensis L.), Pn decreased at a similar rate under water deficit stress for both ecotypes. Mexican redbud also had greater instantaneous water use efficiency [net photosynthesis: transpiration (WUE)] than eastern redbud. Differences in both Pn and WUE might have been due to differences in leaf thickness. The optimum temperature for potential photosynthetic capacity (37 °C) was unaffected by irrigation or ecotype. Tissue osmotic potential at full turgor was more negative in eastern redbud, but was unaffected by drought stress in either ecotype. Soluble carbohydrate content was higher in eastern redbud, and in both ecotypes, d-pinitol was the major soluble carbohydrate and was considerably more abundant in the water-stressed plants. Total polyol content (myo-inositol + ononitol + pinitol) was also greater in the water-stressed plants. Both ecotypes were very tolerant of high temperatures and drought.



1993 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 1150-1155 ◽  
Author(s):  
De Yue ◽  
Hank A. Margolis

Photosynthesis and dark respiration of semihardened black spruce cuttings (Piceamariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) were periodically measured at a range of light intensities at 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 °C over an 8-week period in rooting chambers and for 4 additional weeks after the cuttings were transferred to a greenhouse. Increases in the total dry weight of the cuttings over the experimental period were due exclusively to increases in root biomass. The light-saturated photosynthetic rates at 20 °C decreased from 3.8 to 2.2 μmol CO2•m−2•s−1 during the 8 weeks in the rooting chamber. At 15 °C, the light-saturated photosynthetic rate was about 2 μmol CO2•m−2•s−1 and no significant change was observed during the experimental period. Maximum photosynthetic rates were generally attained at photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFD) of 200–300 μmol•m−2•s−1 At the range of PPFD generally used in rooting chambers (0–50 μmol•m−2•s−1), the light use efficiency of cuttings (net photosynthesis per cutting per PPFD) was greatest at 15 °C. Furthermore, the light compensation point was lowest at 15 °C. The effect of light intensity and temperature on the photosynthesis and dark respiration of cuttings was modelled to predict the carbon balance of cuttings under different conditions of PPFD and temperature. This model should be useful in determining an appropriate set of environmental conditions to use inside rooting chambers and thus improve the overall physiological quality of this type of vegetatively propagated planting stock. The modelling approach described in this study could prove useful for the production of other conifer species by rooted cuttings even when it is conducted using other methods of cultivation (e.g., cold-frames or greenhouses).



HortScience ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 600d-600
Author(s):  
Thomas G. Ranney ◽  
John M. Ruter ◽  
Clifford D. Ruth

Temperature sensitivity of net photosynthesis (PSN), dark respiration, and chlorophyll fluorescence was evaluated among three taxa of hollies including I. aquifolium, I. cornuta, and I. rugosa. Variations in foliar heat tolerance among these species were expressed as differential temperature responses for PSN. Temperature optima for PSN was 22.0, 26.3 and 27.9 umol·m–2·s–1 for I. rugosa, I. cornuta, and I. aquifolium, respectively. Differences in temperature optima for PSN and thermotolerance of PSN appeared to result from a combination of stomatal and nonstomatal limitations. At 40°C, potential photosynthetic capacity, measured under saturating CO2, was 4.1, 9.4, and 14.8 μmol·m–2·s–1 for I. rugosa, I. aquifolium, and I. cornuta, respectively. Based on these results, I. rugosa was identified as the most heat-sensitive species followed by I. aquifolium then I. cornuta. Comparative tolerance to root-zone inundation was evaluated among 14 holly taxa. Following 8 weeks of flooding, four of the taxa: I. cornuta `Burfordii', I. × `Nellie R. Stevens', I. cassine, and I. × attenuata `Foster's #2' performed remarkably well during and after flooding with photosynthetic rates > 40% of the controls, root ratings >75% of the controls, <5% of the foliage showing deterioration, and 100% survival. Conversely, I. crenata `Convexa', Ilex × meserveae `Blue Princess', I. rugosa and I. aquifolium `Sparkler' did not tolerate flooding well as indicated by severely depressed photosynthetic rates, deterioration of foliage and roots, and decreased survival. The remaining taxa were intermediate.0



HortScience ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 322-324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas E. Marler ◽  
Michael V. Mickelbart ◽  
Roland Quitugua

Leaves of container-grown papaya (Carica papaya L.) plants were inoculated with papaya ringspot virus (PRV) to determine its influence on dark respiration and photosynthesis. Photosynthetic capacity, apparent quantum yield, ratio of variable to maximum fluorescence from dark-adapted leaves, and photosynthetic CO2-use efficiency were reduced by PRV infection. Internal CO2 partial pressure at ambient external CO2 was not affected, but leaf dark respiration was increased by PRV infection. These results suggest that reduced growth, yield, and fruit quality common in PRV-infected papaya plants is caused, at least partially, by reduced photosynthesis and increased respiration.



2000 ◽  
Vol 125 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.W. van Iersel ◽  
B. Bugbee

Long-term, whole-crop CO2 exchange measurements can be used to study factors affecting crop growth. These factors include daily carbon gain, cumulative carbon gain, and carbon use efficiency, which cannot be determined from short-term measurements. We describe a system that measures semicontinuously crop CO2 exchange in 10 chambers over a period of weeks or months. Exchange of CO2 in every chamber can be measured at 5 min intervals. The system was designed to be placed inside a growth chamber, with additional environmental control provided by the individual gas exchange chambers. The system was calibrated by generating CO2 from NaHCO3 inside the chambers, which indicated that accuracy of the measurements was good (102% and 98% recovery for two separate photosynthesis systems). Since the systems measure net photosynthesis (Pnet, positive) and dark respiration (Rdark, negative), the data can be used to estimate gross photosynthesis, daily carbon gain, cumulative carbon gain, and carbon use efficiency. Continuous whole-crop measurements are a valuable tool that complements leaf photosynthesis measurements. Multiple chambers allow for replication and comparison among several environmental or cultural treatments that may affect crop growth. Example data from a 2 week study with petunia (Petunia ×hybrida Hort. Vilm.-Andr.) are presented to illustrate some of the capabilities of this system.



2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (07) ◽  
pp. 4694 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viliana Vasileva ◽  
Anna Ilieva

In pot trial the biochemical composition and phosphorus use efficiency of birdsfoot trefoil, sainfoin and subterranean clover grown pure and in mixtures with perennial ryegrass in the next ratios were studied in the Institute of Forage Crops, Pleven, Bulgaria: birdsfoot trefoil + perennial ryegrass (50:50%); sainfoin + perennial ryegrass (50:50%); subterranean clover + perennial ryegrass (50:50%); birdsfoot trefoil + subterranean clover + perennial ryegrass (33:33:33%); sainfoin + subterranean clover + perennial ryegrass (33:33:33%). The highest crude protein content was found in the aboveground mass of birdsfoot trefoil (19.17%) and sainfoin (19.30%). The water soluble sugars contents in mixtures was found higher compared to the pure grown legumes. Birdsfoot trefoil showed the highest phosphorus use efficiency for plant biomass accumulation and nodules formation. In mixtures the phosphorus use efficiency was found be higher as compared to the same in pure grown legumes.



2021 ◽  
Vol 126 ◽  
pp. 126267
Author(s):  
Zhi Wang ◽  
Zhen Wang ◽  
Linjie Ma ◽  
Xiaobing Lv ◽  
Yali Meng ◽  
...  


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