Silicon Accumulation and 13C Composition as Indices of Water-Use Efficiency in Barley Cultivars

1991 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 427 ◽  
Author(s):  
CD Walker ◽  
RCM Lance
Keyword(s):  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Atmospheric Co2 ◽  
Evaporative Demand ◽  
Normal Field ◽  
Barley Cultivars ◽  
13C Discrimination ◽  
Silicon Accumulation ◽  
Use Efficiency

Barley cultivars were examined for silicon accumulation in dry matter as a possible indicator of water-use efficiency (W), and for their organic 13C composition, whose discrimination from the 13C composition of atmospheric CO2 (Δ) is an accepted indicator of W. Silicon concentration was found to correlate with 13C discrimination more strongly in the field than in the glasshouse experiments. We suggest that, under mild glasshouse conditions, plants actively accumulate Si whereas, under higher evaporative demand in the field, Si accumulates passively on the transpiration stream. We find that Si may be used as a corroborative indicator of water-use efficiency in normal field circumstances.

scholarly journals Reducing the Excessive Evaporative Demand Improved the Water-use Efficiency of Greenhouse Cucumber by Regulating the Trade-off between Irrigation Demand and Plant Productivity

HortScience ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (12) ◽  
pp. 1784-1790 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dalong Zhang ◽  
Yuping Liu ◽  
Yang Li ◽  
Lijie Qin ◽  
Jun Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Stress ◽  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Flow ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Plant Productivity ◽  
Plant Water ◽  
Evaporative Demand ◽  
Plant Water Stress ◽  
Irrigation Demand ◽  
Use Efficiency

Although atmospheric evaporative demand mediates water flow and constrains water-use efficiency (WUE) to a large extent, the potential to reduce irrigation demand and improve water productivity by regulating the atmospheric water driving force is highly uncertain. To bridge this gap, water transport in combination with plant productivity was examined in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) grown at contrasting evaporative demand gradients. Reducing the excessive vapor pressure deficit (VPD) decreased the water flow rate, which reduced irrigation consumption significantly by 16.4%. Reducing excessive evaporative demand moderated plant water stress, as leaf dehydration, hydraulic limitation, and excessive negative water potential were prevented by maintaining water balance in the low-VPD treatment. The moderation of plant water stress by reducing evaporative demand sustained stomatal function for photosynthesis and plant growth, which increased substantially fruit yield and shoot biomass by 20.1% and 18.4%, respectively. From a physiological perspective, a reduction in irrigation demand and an improvement in plant productivity were achieved concomitantly by reducing the excessive VPD. Consequently, WUE based on the criteria of plant biomass and fruit yield was increased significantly by 43.1% and 40.5%, respectively.

scholarly journals High-throughput phenotyping reveals a link between transpiration efficiency and transpiration restriction under high evaporative demand and new loci controlling water use-related traits in African rice, Oryza glaberrima Steud.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo Affortit ◽  
Branly Effa Effa ◽  
Mame Sokhatil Ndoye ◽  
Daniel Moukouanga ◽  
Nathalie Luchaire ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Association Studies ◽  
Crop Improvement ◽  
Oryza Glaberrima ◽  
Genome Wide Association Studies ◽  
Transpiration Efficiency ◽  
Evaporative Demand ◽  
African Rice ◽  
Use Efficiency

Because water availability is the most important environmental factor limiting crop production, improving water use efficiency, the amount of carbon fixed per water used, is a major target for crop improvement. In rice, the genetic bases of transpiration efficiency, the derivation of water use efficiency at the whole-plant scale, and its putative component trait transpiration restriction under high evaporative demand, remain unknown. These traits were measured in a panel of 147 African rice Oryza glaberrima genotypes, known as potential sources of tolerance genes to biotic and abiotic stresses. Our results reveal that higher transpiration efficiency is associated with transpiration restriction in African rice. Detailed measurements in a subset of highly differentiated genotypes confirmed these associations and suggested that the root to shoot ratio played an important role in transpiration restriction. Genome wide association studies identified marker-trait associations for transpiration response to evaporative demand, transpiration efficiency and its residuals, that links to genes involved in water transport and cell wall patterning. Our data suggest that root shoot partitioning is an important component of transpiration restriction that has a positive effect on transpiration efficiency in African rice. Both traits are heritable and define targets for breeding rice with improved water use strategies.

Effect of seedbed cultivation techniques, variety, soil type and sowing time, on brassica dry matter yields, water use efficiency and crop nutritive characteristics in western Victoria

2002 ◽  
Vol 42 (7) ◽  
pp. 945 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Jacobs ◽  
G. N. Ward ◽  
A. M. McDowell ◽  
G. Kearney
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Soil Type ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Soluble Carbohydrates ◽  
Sowing Time ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Cultivation Techniques

Effect of cultivation practice and sowing time on soil moisture retention at sowing, growth rates, dry matter yield, water use efficiency and nutritive characteristics (metabolisable energy, crude protein, neutral detergent fibre, water-soluble carbohydrates and starch) of turnip, pasja and rape was determined on 2 soil types (site A and B) over 2 years. Cultivation treatments were: optimum full inversion, an optimum non-inversion cultivation and over cultivated. At each site, cultivation treatments were imposed at 2 different times (early and late).Results showed few differences in soil moisture at sowing between the 3 cultivation systems. Where seedbeds were prepared earlier rather than later, soil moisture at sowing was higher. Given that there was relatively little difference in soil moisture between cultivation treatments within a sowing time, it is likely that rainfall events may have confounded cultivation effects.Apart from year 2 at site A, the water use efficiency of turnip was higher than for pasja and rape. It is proposed that the lower value in year 2 may be due to root development being retarded by low moisture availability, particularly at the later sowing date, thus leading to a lower dry matter yield.Despite no cultivation effects on soil moisture at sowing, there appeared to be clear advantages for the full inversion technique in terms of subsequent weed germination. Generally, weed numbers post germination were lower for this cultivation method compared with both non-inversion techniques. In conclusion, the cultivation techniques used had little effect on soil moisture at sowing and subsequent dry matter yields, provided the resultant seedbed was well-prepared, fine, firm and weed free. Full inversion cultivation techniques in areas where broad-leaved weeds are a problem may substantially reduce subsequent weed burdens. Early sowing where possible may reduce the likelihood of crop failure through the provision of adequate soil moisture at sowing and increase the incidence of rain during the growing period. Timing of sowing will vary according to paddock requirements during early spring (e.g. grazing or forage conservation), soil type, and trafficability for cultivation.

Sustaining productivity of a Vertisol at Warra, Queensland, with fertilisers, no-tillage or legumes 4. Nitrogen fixation, water use and yield of chickpea

1997 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 667 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. M. Strong ◽  
R. C. Dalal ◽  
J. E. Cooper ◽  
J. A. Doughton ◽  
E. J. Weston ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Soil Nitrogen ◽  
N2 Fixation ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Zero Tillage ◽  
Tillage Practice ◽  
Sowing Time ◽  
Grain Yields ◽  
Use Efficiency

Summary. Continuous cereal cropping in southern Queensland and northern New South Wales has depleted native soil nitrogen fertility to a level where corrective strategies are required to sustain grain yields and high protein content. The objective of this study was to examine the performance of chickpea in chickpea–wheat rotations in terms of yields, water use and N2 fixation. The effects of sowing time and tillage practice have been studied. Chickpea grain yields varied from 356 kg/ha in 1995 to 2361 kg/ha in 1988; these were significantly correlated with the total rainfall received during the preceding fallow period and crop growth. Almost 48% of total plant production and 30% of total plant nitrogen were below-ground as root biomass. Mean values of water-use efficiency for grain, above-ground dry matter, and total dry matter were 5.9, 14.2 and 29.2 kg/ha.mm, respectively. The water-use efficiency for grain was positively correlated with the total rainfall for the preceding fallow and crop growth period although cultural practices modified water-use efficiency. The potential N2 fixation was estimated to be 0.6 kg nitrogen/ha.mm from 1992 total dry matter nitrogen yields assuming all of the nitrogen contained in chickpea was derived from the atmosphere. Sowing time had a much larger effect on grain yield and N2 fixation by chickpea than tillage practice (conventional tillage and zero tillage) although zero tillage generally increased grain yields. The late May–early June sowing time was found to be the best for chickpea grain yield and N2 fixation since it optimised solar energy use and water use, and minimised frost damage. Nitrogen fixation by chickpea was low, less than 40% nitrogen was derived from atmosphere, representing less than 20 kg nitrogen/ha.year. The potential for N2 fixation was not attained during this period due to below-average rainfall and high soil NO3-N accumulation because of poor utilisation by the preceding wheat crop. Increased soil NO3-N due to residual from fertiliser N applied to the preceding wheat crop further reduced N2 fixation. A simple soil nitrogen balance indicated that at least 60% of crop nitrogen must be obtained from N2 fixation to avoid continued soil nitrogen loss. This did not occur in most years. The generally negative soil nitrogen balance needs to be reversed if chickpea is to be useful in sustainable cropping systems although it is an attractive cash crop. Sowing time and zero tillage practice, possibly combined with more appropriate cultivars, to enhance chickpea biomass, along with low initial soil NO3-N levels, would provide maximum N2 fixation.

Persistence and water use efficiency of a tropical grass and lucerne on a solodic soil on the Far North-West Slopes of New South Wales

1993 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 245 ◽  
Author(s):  
PG Tow
Keyword(s):  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
North West ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Summer Temperatures ◽  
Spring Temperatures ◽  
Use Efficiency

The persistence and water use efficiency of Digitaria eriantha spp. eriantha and Hunter river lucerne were compared on red solodic soil with a hardsetting surface and poor internal drainage, on the North- West Slopes of New South Wales. After prolonged watering, the profile was wet to a depth of 48 � 1.5 cm, with an available moisture store of 90 mm. Over 3 years, persistence of digitaria was excellent. The population of lucerne was reduced following flooding at summer temperatures, Dry matter production of nitrogen (N) fertilised digitaria per mm warm season rainfall was similar to that of tropical grasses adapted to comparable rainfall environments in subtropical Queensland. Lucerne dry matter per mm rainfall was only about half that of digitaria (3.2 v. 6.3 kg). Lucerne grew well in mixture with digitaria except under prolonged wet soil conditions in summer. Artificial solodic profiles were constructed in the glasshouse to compare digitaria and lucerne in monoculture and mixture under varying temperature, moisture, and N regimes. Lucerne showed sensitivity to both high and low moisture levels at summer temperatures but performed very well at spring temperatures and moderate moisture levels where the mean evapotranspiration ratio was 400 g water per g dry matter. Water use efficiency was higher in digitaria than in lucerne, except at spring temperatures without added N. Water use efficiency of the mixture was always similar to that of the most efficient monoculture of the particular treatment.

Discrimination in Carbon Isotopes of Leaves Correlates With Water-Use Efficiency of Field-Grown Peanut Cultivars

1988 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 815 ◽  
Author(s):  
GC Wright ◽  
KT Hubick ◽  
GD Farquhar
Keyword(s):  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Dry Matter Production ◽  
Dry Matter Yield ◽  
Strong Negative Correlation ◽  
Matter Production ◽  
Whole Plant ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
The Relationship

Variation in water-use efficiency (W, g of total dry matter produced/kg water used), and its correlation with cultivar isotope discrimination in leaves (Δ) was assessed in peanut plants grown in small canopies in the field. Plants were grown in separate minilysimeters that were both embedded in the ground and positioned above the crop. Differences among cultivars were found in W and � and the relationship between W and Δ was compared for plants grown in open and closed canopies. Genetic variability in W in plants grown in the field under non-limiting water conditions was demonstrated, with Tifton-8, of Virginia habit, having the highest W (3.71 g/kg) and Rangkasbitung, an Indonesian cultivar of Spanish habit, the lowest (2.46 g/ kg). Variability in W was due to variation in total dry matter production more than that of water use. A strong negative correlation was found between Δ and W, and also between Δ and total dry matter. The relationship between whole plant W, including roots, and Δ was stronger than that between shoot W, without roots and Δ. The improvement occurred because of variation among cultivars in the root to shoot ratio. This highlights the importance of taking account of root dry matter in studies concerning W. There were significant differences in W and Δ between plants in pots above-ground compared to pots in the ground, with above-ground plants having significantly lower values of both W and Δ. The ranking of W and Δ among cultivars was not affected by the contrast in environment, which suggests these parameters are under strong genetic control. Total above-ground dry matter yield at maturity was negatively correlated with Δ, while pod yield was not. It appears a negative association between harvest index and Δ may exist; however not all cultivars used in this and other studies follow this response. Both water-use efficiency, Wand total dry matter production are negatively correlated with Δ in leaves of peanut plants grown in small canopies in the field. Measurement of Δ may prove a useful trait for selecting cultivars with improved W and total dry matter yield under field conditions.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document