Limiting transpiration rate in high evaporative demand conditions to improve Australian wheat productivity

Abstract Limited-transpiration rate at high evaporative demand (‘LTR’ trait) has potential to improve drought adaptation, crop water productivity and food security. The quantification of the implications of LTR for water consumption, biomass accumulation and yield formation requires the use of dynamic crop modelling to simulate physiological and environmental processes and interactions in target environments. Here, a new transpiration module was developed for the Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator (APSIM NextGen) and used to simulate atmospheric and edaphic water stress on wheat crops. This module was parameterised with (i) data from a lysimeter experiment assessing genotypic variability in the LTR trait for four genotypes contrasting in transpiration efficiency, and with (ii) a more pronounced response to high evaporative demand. The potential of the LTR trait for improving crop productivity was investigated across the Australian wheatbelt over 1989-2018. The LTR trait was simulated to allow an increase in national yield by up to 2.6%, mostly due to shift in water use pattern, alleviation of water deficit during grain filling period and a higher harvest index. Greatest productivity gains were found in the northeast (4.9%, on average) where heavy soils allow the conserved water with the LTR trait to be available later at more critical stages. The effect of the LTR trait on yield was enhanced under the future climate scenario, particularly in the northeast. Limiting transpiration at high evaporative demands appears to be a promising trait for selection by breeders, especially in drought-prone environments where crops heavily rely on stored soil moisture.

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Genetic Improvement of Post-Heading Root Morphology and Physiology Facilitating Yield Increase of japonica Inbred Rice

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11122457 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (12) ◽

pp. 2457

Author(s):

Tianyao Meng ◽

Xi Chen ◽

Xubin Zhang ◽

Jialin Ge ◽

Guisheng Zhou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Improvement ◽

Biomass Accumulation ◽

Grain Filling ◽

Shoot Biomass ◽

Oxidation Activity ◽

Bleeding Rate ◽

Yield Increase ◽

Genetic Process ◽

Grain Filling Period ◽

Leaf Photosynthetic Rate

Since genetic improvement greatly promoted an increased yield japonica inbred rice in east China after the 1990s, better root characteristics were certainly expected. In 2018 and 2019, nine japonica inbred rice released in the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s were investigated to evaluate the changes in root morpho-physiology and identify root traits that contributed to the positive yield trends during the genetic process. The 2010’s rice had 8.0 and 4.3% higher grain yield than the 1990’s and the 2000’s rice, respectively (p < 0.05). Genetic yield gain was mainly attributed to the increased spikelets per panicle. Compared with the 1990’s and the 2000’s rice, the 2010’s rice had higher shoot biomass at heading and maturity (p < 0.05), as well as root biomass (p < 0.05), especially for root biomass of 15–30 cm soil depth. Leaf area index (LAI), soil-plant analysis development (SPAD) values, and leaf photosynthetic rate at middle grain-filling period (MGP) and late grain-filling period (LGP) were all increased. The 2010’s rice had consistently higher root length and volume, root oxidation activity, and root bleeding rate at MGP and LGP than the 1990’s and the 2000’s rice (p < 0.05). Positive correlations were detected between root length and volume, root oxidation activity, and root bleeding rate at MGP, LGP, and SPAD values, leaf photosynthetic rate at MGP and LGP, and higher shoot biomass accumulation after heading and grain yield (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). The present study implied that genetic improvement optimized post-heading root morphology and physiology, which maintained shoot stay-green and facilitated biomass accumulation and yield increase in japonica inbred rice during the genetic process since the 1990s.

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Contrasting response of biomass and grain yield to severe drought in Cappelle Desprez and Plainsman V wheat cultivars

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.1708 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 4 ◽

pp. e1708 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Kenny Paul ◽

János Pauk ◽

Zsuzsanna Deák ◽

László Sass ◽

Imre Vass

Keyword(s):

Drought Stress ◽

Grain Yield ◽

Electron Transport Rate ◽

Biomass Accumulation ◽

Grain Filling ◽

Photosynthetic Parameters ◽

Wheat Cultivars ◽

Flag Leaves ◽

Use Efficiency ◽

Grain Filling Period

We report a case study of natural variations and correlations of some photosynthetic parameters, green biomass and grain yield in Cappelle Desprez and Plainsman V winter wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) cultivars, which are classified as being drought sensitive and tolerant, respectively. We monitored biomass accumulation from secondary leaves in the vegetative phase and grain yield from flag leaves in the grain filling period. Interestingly, we observed higher biomass production, but lower grain yield stability in the sensitive Cappelle cultivar, as compared to the tolerant Plainsman cv. Higher biomass production in the sensitive variety was correlated with enhanced water-use efficiency. Increased cyclic electron flow around PSI was also observed in the Cappelle cv. under drought stress as shown by light intensity dependence of the ratio of maximal quantum yields of Photosystem I and Photosystem II, as well by the plot of the Photosystem I electron transport rate as a function of Photosystem II electron transport rate. Higher CO2uptake rate in flag leaves of the drought-stressed Plainsman cv. during grain filling period correlates well with its higher grain yield and prolonged transpiration rate through spikes. The increase in drought factor (DFI) and performance (PI) indices calculated from variable chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of secondary leaves also showed correlation with higher biomass in the Cappelle cultivar during the biomass accumulation period. However, during the grain filling period, DFI and PI parameters of the flag leaves were higher in the tolerant Plainsman V cultivar and showed correlation with grain yield stability. Our results suggest that overall biomass and grain yield may respond differentially to drought stress in different wheat cultivars and therefore phenotyping for green biomass cannot be used as a general approach to predict grain yield. We also conclude that photosynthetic efficiency of flag and secondary leaves is correlated with grain yield and green biomass, respectively. In addition, secondary trait associated mechanisms like delayed senescence and higher water-use efficiency also contribute to biomass stability. Our studies further prove that photosynthetic parameters could be used to characterize environmental stress responses.

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Effects of Light Quality Treatments during the Grain Filling Period on Yield, Quality, and Fragrance in Fragrant Rice

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11030531 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 531

Author(s):

Huijia Xie ◽

Wenjun Xie ◽

Shenggang Pan ◽

Xuwei Liu ◽

Hua Tian ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Light Quality ◽

Red Light ◽

Biomass Accumulation ◽

Grain Filling ◽

Width Ratio ◽

Rice Varieties ◽

Fragrant Rice ◽

Yield Quality ◽

Grain Filling Period

The effect of the light quality on 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2AP) during the grain filling period in fragrant rice has rarely been investigated. A pot experiment was carried out with two fragrant rice varieties, Xiangyaxiangzhan and Yuxiangyouzhan, grown under three light treatments, 100% red light (L1), 100% blue light (L2), and compound light (L3), during the grain filling period, and natural light was taken as the control (CK). The yield, quality, and fragrance were investigated. The results showed that light quality treatments significantly decreased the 2AP content in mature grains by 16.67–32.82% but improved the grain yield by 2.70–21.41% compared to CK. The regulation effects of light quality treatments on grain yield and 2AP are linked to yield-related traits, biomass accumulation, antioxidant physiology, and 2AP formation-related physiology. Additionally, light quality treatments decreased the chalky rice percentage and chalkiness, and increased the length-to-width ratio. Overall, light quality treatments during the grain filling period had a positive effect on the grain yield but not on fragrance in fragrant rice.

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Influence of Canopy Temperature (CT) During Grain-Filling Period on Yield and Effects of Several CT-Associated SSR Loci

ACTA AGRONOMICA SINICA ◽

10.3724/sp.j.1006.2015.00548 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 41 (4) ◽

pp. 548 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dong-Ling ZHANG ◽

Hong-Na ZHANG ◽

Chen-Yang HAO ◽

Lan-Fen WANG ◽

Tian LI ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Canopy Temperature ◽

Grain Filling ◽

Ssr Loci ◽

Grain Filling Period

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Effect of PASP-KT-NAA on Leaf Senescence and Grain Filling Rate during the Grain-Filling Period in Different Temperature Zones

ACTA AGRONOMICA SINICA ◽

10.3724/sp.j.1006.2012.01698 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 38 (9) ◽

pp. 1698-1709

Author(s):

Tian-Jun XU ◽

Zhi-Qiang DONG ◽

Jiao GAO ◽

Chuan-Xiao CHEN ◽

Liu JIAO ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Leaf Senescence ◽

Grain Filling ◽

Filling Rate ◽

Grain Filling Rate ◽

Grain Filling Period

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Grain Filling Period of Sorghum Parents and Hybrids 1

Crop Science ◽

10.2135/cropsci1972.0011183x001200050041x ◽

1972 ◽

Vol 12 (5) ◽

pp. 690-691 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

J. R. Quinby

Keyword(s):

Grain Filling ◽

Grain Filling Period

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Rising Atmospheric Temperature Impact on Wheat and Thermotolerance Strategies

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants10010043 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 43

Author(s):

Adeel Khan ◽

Munir Ahmad ◽

Mukhtar Ahmed ◽

M. Iftikhar Hussain

Keyword(s):

High Temperature ◽

Industrial Revolution ◽

Foliar Application ◽

Pollen Viability ◽

Grain Filling ◽

Crop Productivity ◽

Potassium Nitrate ◽

Agricultural Crop ◽

Stay Green ◽

Seed Formation

Temperature across the globe is increasing continuously at the rate of 0.15–0.17 °C per decade since the industrial revolution. It is influencing agricultural crop productivity. Therefore, thermotolerance strategies are needed to have sustainability in crop yield under higher temperature. However, improving thermotolerance in the crop is a challenging task for crop scientists. Therefore, this review work was conducted with the aim of providing information on the wheat response in three research areas, i.e., physiology, breeding, and advances in genetics, which could assist the researchers in improving thermotolerance. The optimum temperature for wheat growth at the heading, anthesis, and grain filling duration is 16 ± 2.3 °C, 23 ± 1.75 °C, and 26 ± 1.53 °C, respectively. The high temperature adversely influences the crop phenology, growth, and development. The pre-anthesis high temperature retards the pollen viability, seed formation, and embryo development. The post-anthesis high temperature declines the starch granules accumulation, stem reserve carbohydrates, and translocation of photosynthates into grains. A high temperature above 40 °C inhibits the photosynthesis by damaging the photosystem-II, electron transport chain, and photosystem-I. Our review work highlighted that genotypes which can maintain a higher accumulation of proline, glycine betaine, expression of heat shock proteins, stay green and antioxidant enzymes activity viz., catalase, peroxidase, super oxide dismutase, and glutathione reductase can tolerate high temperature efficiently through sustaining cellular physiology. Similarly, the pre-anthesis acclimation with heat treatment, inorganic fertilizer such as nitrogen, potassium nitrate and potassium chloride, mulches with rice husk, early sowing, presoaking of a 6.6 mM solution of thiourea, foliar application of 50 ppm dithiothreitol, 10 mg per kg of silicon at heading and zinc ameliorate the crop against the high temperature. Finally, it has been suggested that modern genomics and omics techniques should be used to develop thermotolerance in wheat.

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Revisiting Sulphur—The Once Neglected Nutrient: It’s Roles in Plant Growth, Metabolism, Stress Tolerance and Crop Production

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture11070626 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. 626

Author(s):

Tinashe Zenda ◽

Songtao Liu ◽

Anyi Dong ◽

Huijun Duan

Keyword(s):

Plant Growth ◽

Abiotic Stresses ◽

Crop Production ◽

Production Systems ◽

Crop Productivity ◽

Plant Phenotyping ◽

Special Importance ◽

Nutrient Deficiencies ◽

Sulphur Nutrition ◽

Physiological Processes

Sulphur plays crucial roles in plant growth and development, with its functions ranging from being a structural constituent of macro-biomolecules to modulating several physiological processes and tolerance to abiotic stresses. In spite of these numerous sulphur roles being well acknowledged, agriculture has paid scant regard for sulphur nutrition, until only recently. Serious problems related to soil sulphur deficiencies have emerged and the intensification of food, fiber, and animal production is escalating to feed the ever-increasing human population. In the wake of huge demand for high quality cereal and vegetable diets, sulphur can play a key role in augmenting the production, productivity, and quality of crops. Additionally, in light of the emerging problems of soil fertility exhaustion and climate change-exacerbated environmental stresses, sulphur assumes special importance in crop production, particularly under intensively cropped areas. Here, citing several relevant examples, we highlight, in addition to its plant biological and metabolism functions, how sulphur can significantly enhance crop productivity and quality, as well as acclimation to abiotic stresses. By this appraisal, we also aim to stimulate readers interests in crop sulphur research by providing priorities for future pursuance, including bettering our understanding of the molecular processes and dynamics of sulphur availability and utilization in plants, dissecting the role of soil rhizospherical microbes in plant sulphur transformations, enhancing plant phenotyping and diagnosis for nutrient deficiencies, and matching site-specific crop sulphur demands with fertilizer amendments in order to reduce nutrient use inefficiencies in both crop and livestock production systems. This will facilitate the proper utilization of sulphur in crop production and eventually enhance sustainable and environmentally friend food production.

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