Gravity Reduced Nitrogen Uptake via the Regulation of Brace Unilateral Root Growth in Maize Intercropping

Water, nutrient, light, and interspecific facilitation regulation of soil physicochemical properties and root morphology modulate nitrogen (N) uptake in cereal and legume intercropping systems. However, maize root morphological plasticity and N uptake capability response to gravity in the intercropping system remains to be determined. In this study, maize was grown under 20 cm (I20), 40 cm (I40), and 60 cm (I60) of narrow row spacing in an intercropping system (maize–soybean strip relay intercropping) and equal row spacing of monoculture (M) in a 2-year field experiment. As a supplementary for the field experiment, maize root barrier and plant inclination experiments were conducted. Plant inclination, brace root morphology, N uptake, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) level, IAA synthesis genes, and grain yield were assessed. The result showed that the plant inclination increased with decreasing narrow row spacing in intercropping system. Also, the brace unilateral root growth ratio (BURR) increased with increasing plant inclination in intercropping treatments. The plant inclination experiment showed the BURR achieved 94% after inclination at 45°. BURR tended to be positively correlated (p = 0.00) with plant inclination. Thus, gravity (plant inclination) causes brace unilateral root growth. The IAA concentration of stem nodes in the wide row increased with increasing plant inclination, while the IAA accumulation decreased in the narrow row. The Zmvt2 and ZM2G141383 genes (associated with IAA biosynthesis) were highly expressed in a wide row. There was a strong correlation (p = 0.03) between the IAA concentration of wide row and the BURR. Therefore, gravity regulates the IAA level, which affects BURR. In addition, the brace root number, volume, and surface area were decreased when BURR was increased. Subsequently, the leaf N, cob N, and kernel N accumulation were reduced. These organs N and grain yield in I60 were not significantly different as compared to the control treatment. The excessive brace unilateral root growth was not conducive to N uptake and increased yield. Our results suggest that gravity is essential in regulating root morphology plasticity by regulating IAA levels and decreasing N uptake capacity. Furthermore, these results indicate that plant inclination can regulate root phenotype and N uptake of maize and by adjusting the spacing of narrow maize row, we can improve the N uptake and yield of the maize–soybean strip relay-intercropping system.

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Influence of row spacing and cultivar selection on annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) control and grain yield in chickpea (Cicer arietinum)

Crop and Pasture Science ◽

10.1071/cp18436 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 70 (2) ◽

pp. 140 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Gulshan Mahajan ◽

Kerry McKenzie ◽

Bhagirath S. Chauhan

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Cicer Arietinum ◽

Weed Management ◽

Integrated Management ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Integrated Weed Management ◽

Row Spacing ◽

Annual Ryegrass ◽

Lolium Rigidum ◽

Narrow Row

Annual ryegrass (ARG) (Lolium rigidum Gaudin) is a problematic weed for chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) production in Australia. Understanding the critical period of control of ARG in chickpea is important for developing effective integrated management strategies to prevent unacceptable yield loss. Experiments were conducted over 2 years at the research farm of the University of Queensland, Gatton, to evaluate the effect of chickpea row spacing (25 and 75cm) and cultivar (PBA Seamer and PBA HatTrick) and ARG infestation period (from 0, 3 and 6 weeks after planting (WAP), and weed-free) on ARG suppression and grain yield of chickpea. Year×treatment interactions were not significant for any parameter, and none of the treatment combinations showed any interaction for grain yield. Average grain yield was greater (20%) with 25-cm than 75-cm rows. On average, PBA Seamer had 9% higher yield than PBA HatTrick. Average grain yield was lowest in season-long weedy plots (562kg ha–1) and highest in weed-free plots (1849kg ha–1). Grain yield losses were lower when ARG emerged at 3 WAP (1679kg ha–1). Late-emerged ARG (3 and 6 WAP) had lower biomass (4.7–22.2g m–2) and number of spikes (5–24m–2) than ARG that emerged early; at 0 WAP, weed biomass was 282–337g m–2 and number of spikes 89–120m–2. Compared with wide row spacing, narrow row spacing suppressed ARG biomass by 16% and 52% and reduced number of spikes of ARG by 26% and 48% at 0 WAP and 3 WAP, respectively. PBA Seamer suppressed ARG growth more effectively than PBA HatTrick, but only in the season-long weedy plots. Our results imply that in ARG-infested fields, grain yield of chickpea can be increased by exploring narrow row spacing and weed-competitive cultivars. These cultural tools could be useful for developing integrated weed management tactics in chickpea in combination with pre-emergent herbicides.

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Effects on Soybean Growth and Yield of Wheat-Soybean Intercropping System

JOURNAL OF ADVANCES IN AGRICULTURE ◽

10.24297/jaa.v9i0.7906 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

pp. 1498-1510

Author(s):

Fernando Ross ◽

Pablo Eduardo Abbate

Keyword(s):

Total Yield ◽

Stress Factors ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Row Spacing ◽

Planting Pattern ◽

Crop Growth Rate ◽

Stress Effects ◽

Sole Crop ◽

Relay Intercropping ◽

Narrow Row

It has been demonstrated that soybean (Glycine max) produces lower yields at relay intercropping with wheat (Triticum aestivum) than if it is sown as a sole crop. However, most studies considered wider or irregular soybean row spacing, compromising its capacity to recover after wheat harvest. This work studied the stress effects in relay soybean intercropping and suggests narrowing row spacing to improve soybean performance. The aims were (i) to compare growth and yield of two planting patterns and (ii) to separate the effect of water stress (WS) from the effects of other stress factors (OSF) induced by wheat on intercropping soybean. WS was evaluated comparing above-ground dry and grain yield of irrigated and non irrigated intercropping soybean, and OSF was evaluated comparing intercropping soybean with another treatment in which wheat straw (aerial biomass) was eliminated at soybean emergence, both irrigated treatments. In wheat, similar yields were obtained in treatments with an intercropping planting pattern with two rows for wheat and one for soybean (2:1) compared to three rows for wheat and one row for soybean (3:1). However, intercropping soybean at narrow row spacing (52 cm; 2:1) improve yielded 23% more than intercropping at 70 cm (3:1). During wheat-soybean coexistence, OSF prevailed on soybean and this effect persisted in later stages. After wheat harvest, OSF reduced the amount of light interception from R1 to R5 and depressed the crop growth rate (CGR) in 34%. However, in this period, WS also affected the radiation use efficiencies (RUE) which explained the greater fraction (66%) of the total stress induced by wheat in soybean CGR. Intercrop soybean yielded 182 g m-2 less compared to the unstressed sole crop control. Considering the wheat effects on soybean growth, 63% (116.5 g m-2) of the total yield lost were due to WS. Therefore, most of the performance of relay intercropping soybean was linked with water disponibility since early stages. However, at optimum water condition wheat competition by light and resources also affected soybean yield (OSF: 37%).

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Managing yield reductions from wide row spacing in wheat

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1071/ea04182 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 46 (10) ◽

pp. 1313 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

M. Amjad ◽

W. K. Anderson

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Grain Quality ◽

Wheat Yield ◽

Application Rate ◽

Row Spacing ◽

Spacing Effects ◽

Weed Growth ◽

Wide Row Spacing ◽

Average Plant ◽

Narrow Row

Experiments were conducted to investigate row spacing effects on wheat yield and grain quality and the interactions between row spacing and cultivars, plant population density, nitrogen application rate, time of sowing, fertiliser placement and row spread from 2000 to 2002 in the south coast region of Western Australia. In the experiments that were conducted following pasture or lupins, wider row spacings of 240 and 360 mm consistently reduced wheat yield and increased grain protein and small grain screenings compared with a narrow row spacing of 180 mm. Average plant numbers were reduced in the wider rows in all experiments. This result, possibly related to increased competition for water as the seeds were placed closer together in the wide rows, may also have been related to reductions in wheat grain yield. The yield decline in wider rows was lowest for the long season cultivar Camm with a May sowing in 1 experiment and at the higher N rate in another experiment. The response of Camm at wider row spacings can be partially explained by its higher dry matter production as measured in 2000 and may also help to explain the observed advantage of Camm in suppressing weed growth at all row spacings. In 2002, the row spread (seed width within the row) was varied from normal 25 mm widths to 50 and 75 mm widths. Yield was increased at the widest row spacing (360 mm) by using the wider row spreads of 50 or 75 mm. Fertiliser placement methods significantly affected plant establishment but not grain yield. Grain quality (protein percentage, small grain screenings and hectolitre weight) was reduced in wider rows in some cases or unaffected in others. This research has demonstrated that yield reductions due to wide row spacing can be minimised by using a long season cultivar when sown in May, by using adequate N fertiliser and by increasing the spread of seed across the row.

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Maize root morphology responses to soil penetration resistance related to tillage and drought in a clayey soil

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859617000302 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 155 (7) ◽

pp. 1137-1149 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Y. B. HE ◽

L. R. LIN ◽

J. Z. CHEN

Keyword(s):

Drought Stress ◽

Grain Yield ◽

Root Morphology ◽

Root Length ◽

Cortical Cell ◽

Penetration Resistance ◽

Red Soil ◽

Maize Root ◽

Severe Drought ◽

Soil Penetration Resistance

SUMMARYCrops often experience combined soil stresses. Root responses to soil penetration resistance (PR) and drought stress can be an important basis for crop management. In 2013/14, a 2-year experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of tillage treatment and drought stress (no irrigation for 4, 12 and 20 days during the V10–V16 growth stage) on the root length, diameter, cortex and cortical cell, and grain yield of maize (Zea mays L.) in a clayey red soil in southern China. Total root length and average root diameter were significantly correlated with soil PR and moisture. The cortical cell file number increased with soil PR and drought stress, while cortical cell size increased only with soil PR. Soil PR and moisture played different roles in maize root morphology modifications, but were both affected by tillage practices. Deep ploughing and conventional tillage increased soil moisture under severe drought stress conditions, whereas soil compaction and no-till significantly increased soil PR. The results indicate that high PR in clayey red soil was responsible for a decrease in maize root size and grain yield under drought conditions.

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Energy potential of residual maize biomass at different spacings and nitrogen doses

Ciência e Agrotecnologia ◽

10.1590/1413-70542017416009017 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 41 (6) ◽

pp. 626-633 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Rodrigo Ambrosio ◽

Volnei Pauletti ◽

Gabriel Barth ◽

Fabrício Pinheiro Povh ◽

Dimas Agostinho da Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Nitrogen Fertilization ◽

Calorific Value ◽

Biomass Productivity ◽

Fertilization Rate ◽

Plant Distribution ◽

Row Spacing ◽

Energy Potential ◽

Residual Biomass ◽

Narrow Row

ABSTRACT Agricultural residual biomass is an important source of energy, and its production and quality vary according to the crop management. This study aimed to assess the effects of plant distribution and nitrogen fertilization on the energy production potential of the biomass of maize cultivated under no tillage. The field experiment was installed in southeast Brazil using five nitrogen rates (0, 60, 120, 180, and 240 kg ha-1) and two inter-row spacings (0.4 and 0.8 m). Grain yield, residual biomass productivity, and bioenergy potential in different parts of the plant (grain, stalk+leaf, husk, and cob) were assessed. No change in grain yield was observed using narrow row spacing. Stalk+leaf and husk productivity was higher using 0.8 m than using 0.4 m of inter-row spacing. Nitrogen application resulted in increased grain yield and biomass productivity. Nitrogen influences the bioenergy potential by increasing the biomass and calorific value. Application of the maximum nitrogen fertilization rate is recommended for grain yield considering the use of only the husk and cob can generate 2712 kWh ha-1 of bioenergy.

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Row Spacing, Landscape Position, and Maize Grain Yield

International Journal of Agronomy ◽

10.1155/2014/195012 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-12 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Gustavo Ángel Maddonni ◽

Joaquín Martínez-Bercovich

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Plant Density ◽

Landscape Position ◽

Slope Position ◽

Row Spacing ◽

Kernel Number ◽

Maize Grain Yield ◽

Maize Grain ◽

Narrow Row ◽

Light Capture

The use of narrow row spacing for the different landscape positions of a field could punish maize (Zea maysL.) grain yield. Two experiments were conducted (2006/07 and 2007/08) at different landscape positions in the Inland Pampas of Argentina. Hybrid DK190MG was grown at the commonest plant density used at each landscape position (approximately 5.1 plants/m2at the summit, 6.5 plants/m2at shoulder-slope position, and 7.6 plants/m2at foot-slope position) with three row spacings (0.38 m, 0.52 m, and 0.38 m in a2×1skip-row pattern). At the silking stage of maize crops, soil water content (0–200 cm depth) and maximum light capture differed (0.05<P<0.001) among landscape positions but were similar among row spacings. Differences in grain yield among landscape positions (mean 806, 893, and 1104 g/m2at the summit, shoulder-slope position, and foot-slope position, resp.) were related to kernel number/m2(r=0.94), which was closely related (r=0.90) to light capture around silking. Grain yield reductions (6 to 20%) were recorded when crops were cultivated in rows 0.38 m apart. The skip-row pattern did not improve grain yield. Maize grain yield was optimized in rows 0.52 m apart along the sandy landscape positions of the fields.

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EFFECTS OF ROW SPACING AND POPULATION DENSITY ON GRAIN SORGHUM PRODUCTION IN SOUTHERN ALBERTA

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/cjps76-006 ◽

1976 ◽

Vol 56 (1) ◽

pp. 31-37 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

B. R. HEGDE ◽

D. J. MAJOR ◽

D. B. WILSON ◽

K. K. KROGMAN

Keyword(s):

Population Density ◽

Grain Yield ◽

Yield Components ◽

Growing Season ◽

Grain Sorghum ◽

Row Spacing ◽

Population Densities ◽

Southern Alberta ◽

Sorghum Production ◽

Narrow Row

Row spacings of 18–72 cm and population densities of 75,000 to 346,000 plants/ha had no consistent effect on grain yield of two sorghum hybrids (Pride X4004 and Pride X4053) because of compensating variations within yield components. Grain yield per panicle increased as row spacing increased but this was offset by a decrease in panicles per plant and panicles per square meter. Grain yield per panicle, panicles per plant, and panicles per square meter decreased as population density increased. The choice of row spacing and population density in field production will, therefore, depend on convenience factors related to crop management. Evapotranspiration for the growing season was 179 mm in 1973 and 204 mm in 1974. Highest water use efficiencies occurred at the low population densities and narrow row spacings. There were differences between the two hybrids. Grain yield of Pride X4004 was greater than that of Pride X4053 because the former produced a greater number of seed-bearing tillers. Grain yield differences in Pride X4004 among the three experiments were due to differences in grain yield per panicle.

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Crop management systems and maize grain yield under narrow row spacing

Scientia Agricola ◽

10.1590/s0103-90162008000400004 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 65 (4) ◽

pp. 346-353 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Mércio Luiz Strieder ◽

Paulo Regis Ferreira da Silva ◽

Lisandro Rambo ◽

Luís Sangoi ◽

Adriano Alves da Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Management System ◽

Plant Density ◽

Crop Management ◽

Management Systems ◽

Row Spacing ◽

Maize Grain Yield ◽

Maize Grain ◽

Crop Management Systems ◽

Narrow Row

Reduction in row spacing provides a more uniform distribution among plants that can increase grain yield. The benefits of narrow row spacing can depend on the plant architecture and on the kind of crop management system. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of narrow row spacing on the grain yield of maize hybrids growing under different management systems. Six experiments were carried out in Eldorado do Sul, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, during the 2003/04 and 2004/05 growing seasons. Each experiment corresponded to a crop management system. Treatments consisted of two row spacings (0.8 and 0.4 m), two hybrids (Penta and Flash) and two plant densities, which varied with the crop management system and growing season. Besides plant density, the crop management systems differed in the quantities of fertilizers applied at sowing, side-dress and use of irrigation. A complete randomized block design was used in each experiment, in a 2 × 2 × 2 treatment factorial scheme with four replications. The increases in grain yield with narrow row spacing were small, ranging from zero to 14%. They depended on the growing season and were manifested only with yields higher than 10 t ha-1, regardless of the hybrid. The number of grains per area was the component that best explained the response of grain to narrow row spacing, regardless of plant density, hybrid and crop management system. Narrow row spacing is a worth management strategy to enhance maize grain yield when high input cropping systems are used.

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Crushed bark as a novel soil conditioner for organic plant production

Italian Journal of Agronomy ◽

10.4081/ija.2021.1781 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Päivi Kurki ◽

Elina Nurmi ◽

Iina Haikarainen ◽

Riitta Savikurki ◽

Janne Kaseva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soil Fertility ◽

Field Experiment ◽

Grain Yield ◽

N Uptake ◽

Residual Effects ◽

First Year ◽

Soil Conditioner ◽

Wheat Production ◽

Yield Quality ◽

One Year

Due to the reduction of cattle farming, the Finnish agricultural sector currently needs solutions to replace animal manure with new sustainable alternatives. This problem is especially acute for organic farms, which need livestock manure to improve soil fertility and soil organic carbon (SOC) to sustain yield. On the other side, plywood manufacturers aim to find ways to reuse waste fractions such as sandy, wet spruce bark waste. To address both issues, a new soil conditioner was developed from crushed bark (CB) and approved for organic farming by the Finnish Food Authority. To test the advantages of CB in organic wheat production, we conducted a two-year field experiment on a farmer’s field in Mikkeli (Finland) on loamy sand with moderate soil fertility (C 3.5%, C/N ratio 17, pH 6.2). CB (organic matter 80%, C/N ratio 78, pH 5.7-6.0) at 40 t ha–1 was applied either in the first year of the experiment or in both years. In addition to CB, half the plots received base ash (4 t ha–1) obtained from a power plant using wood to maintain the optimal soil pH. All plots were fertilised annually with commercial organic fertilisers. The control plots received no CB or base ash. A one-year application of CB with base ash statistically significantly increased the grain yield by 800 kg ha–1 and grain N uptake by about 10 kg ha–1 in the following growing season compared with the control. In terms of grain yield quality, a one-year application of CB with or without base ash already showed an improvement of 1000 seed weight by 2 g in the first year, and the effect was even more pronounced in the second year of the experiment. Hectolitre weight was increased in the following year after application of CB with base ash. In contrast, a two-year application of CB either alone or with base ash caused no changes in grain yield, N uptake, or yield quality compared with the control. The results indicate that the use of spruce CB with a high C/N ratio as soil conditioner in a large amount may be beneficial in terms of yield and quality when it is applied only once, but not twice in successive years. Future studies need to focus on the long-term residual effects of CB on productivity, as well as soil parameters such as SOC, cation exchange capacity, and soil microbial activity. Highlights - Crushed bark (C/N ratio 78) - a side stream of plywood manufacture - was tested in a two-year organic field experiment. - A one-year (40 t ha–1) application of crushed bark with base ash increased yield and the quality of organic wheat. - Residual effects of a one-year application were pronounced. - Crushed bark application in two successive years provided no benefits for organic wheat production.

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Effects of Row Spacing and Nitrogen Rate on Wheat Grain Yield and Profitability as Influenced by Diseases

Plant Disease ◽

10.1094/pdis-03-17-0414-re ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 101 (12) ◽

pp. 1998-2011 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Jorge David Salgado ◽

Laura E. Lindsey ◽

Pierce A. Paul

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Leaf Rust ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Test Weight ◽

Row Spacing ◽

Cash Income ◽

Price Discounts ◽

Narrow Row ◽

N Rates ◽

Grain Prices

In Ohio, changes in nitrogen (N) fertilizer application rates and row spacing in combination with fungicide applications have been proposed as possible strategies for increasing wheat productivity and profitability. Field experiments were conducted in 2013, 2014, and 2015 to evaluate the benefits of increasing row spacing and N rates in soft red winter wheat as influenced by diseases. Combinations of narrow (19 cm) and wide (38 cm) row spacings, N rates ranging from 34 to 180 kg ha−1, and the fungicide prothioconazole + tebuconazole applied at flag leaf emergence, boot, or early anthesis represented different management programs. Linear mixed model analyses were performed to evaluate the effects of N, row spacing, and fungicide timing on leaf rust, Fusarium head blight (FHB), and deoxynivalenol (DON), and to quantify relationships among leaf rust, N, grain yield (YLD), and test weight (TW). YLD, TW, grain prices and price discounts, as well as input costs were used to estimate net cash income (NCI) for each management program. Wide row wheat had statistically higher mean FHB and DON, and lower mean yield and test weight than narrow row wheat in 2014 and 2015 but not in 2013. There were significant positive linear relationships between leaf rust and N as well as YLD and TW with N. Differences in FHB and DON among N rates were not statistically significant. Leaf rust severity was consistently lower in treated plots, with efficacy influenced by N rate and application timing. Programs with narrow row spacing and treated with the fungicide generally resulted in the highest mean YLD and TW across N rates. Price discounts due to high FDK and DON, and low TW were higher, and consequently, NCIs were lower in 2014 and 2015 than in 2013. The highest NCIs were obtained for programs with the highest YLD and lowest price discounts, consequently programs with wide row spacing, a fungicide treatment, and high N rates were only economically beneficial when FHB levels were low and grain prices were high.

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