Biology of Acacia pulchella R.br. With Special Reference to Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation

1981 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 579 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Monk ◽  
JS Pate ◽  
WA Loneragan

Growth, reproduction and longevity of the fire weed Acacia pulchella var. glaberrima were examined in natural populations of known age in coastal sands in and around Perth, W.A. Dense populations (10000 plantsiha) were established after a summer burn; plant density was 30% of its initial value at 4 years. less than 8% at 13 years. Plants accumulated dry matter, nitrogen and phosphorus throughout a 13-year growth period. Seed production commenced at 2 years, reached a maximum (12000 seeds per plant per year) at 3 or 4 years declining to 2000 seedsiplant in the 13th year. Only a small fraction of the shed seed accumulated in soil under the stands. Changes in total plant N, nodule weightlplant, and C2H2 reduction capacity of detached nodules were followed in populations in their first, second and fourth growing seasons. A new set of nodules formed with the autumn rains, peak nodule mass and C2H2 reduction activity were recorded in July-October, and virtually no nodules survived the summer into a second growing season. A glasshouse study of N accumulation and C2H2 reduction by nodules in minus N sand culture gave acalibration value of 2.26 mol C2H2 : mol N2 fixed. Applying this value to data from nativepopulations, 8% of the N accumulated by first season plants, 45% of the N of second season plants and 68% of the N of fourth season plants were estimated to be derived from symbiosis. Average annual returns of N to the ecosystem were estimated at 3.9 kg/ha, probably more than half of this from N2 fixation. Progressive death of plants in the populations gave the greatest return ( 1.9 kg N per ha per yr), the remainder from litter (1 kg N per ha per yr) and shed seed ( 1 kg N per ha per yr).

1968 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 405-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. T. Jones ◽  
J. D. Hayes

SUMMARYThe effects of low and high seed rates on height, culm and panicle morphology of four oat cultivars grown in field trials in two growing seasons were investigated. Significant differences were detected between cultivars in the number of extended culm internodes, panicle whorls initiated, total height, length of panicle and individual internodes. Differences in seed rate had no effect on the number of culm internodes, but high seed rate significantly reduced the whorl number in the panicle, total plant height, length of panicle and the three upper internodes. The fourth internode remained unaffected, but the lowermost internode showed a relative length increase at high seed rate. The interaction of cultivar x seed rate was significant for total height, and for the length of the central internodes, but the length of the panicle was similarly affected in all cultivars.Panicle conformation was markedly affected by seed rate; high population density caused a reduction in number of grain-bearing whorls, and reduced the number of spikelets and total grain weight per whorl, and 1000 grain weight particularly in the lowermost whorls. The percentage of husk in the grain was increased slightly at high seed rate. The effect of seed rate on culm and panicle morphology is discussed in relation to the development of stiffer-strawed oats.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 4995
Author(s):  
Marco Custódio ◽  
Paulo Cartaxana ◽  
Sebastián Villasante ◽  
Ricardo Calado ◽  
Ana Isabel Lillebø

Halophytes are salt-tolerant plants that can be used to extract dissolved inorganic nutrients from saline aquaculture effluents under a production framework commonly known as Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA). Halimione portulacoides (L.) Aellen (common name: sea purslane) is an edible saltmarsh halophyte traditionally consumed by humans living near coastal wetlands and is considered a promising extractive species for IMTA. To better understand its potential for IMTA applications, the present study investigates how artificial lighting and plant density affect its productivity and capacity to extract nitrogen and phosphorous in hydroponic conditions that mimic aquaculture effluents. Plant growth was unaffected by the type of artificial lighting employed—white fluorescent lights vs. blue-white LEDs—but LED systems were more energy-efficient, with a 17% reduction in light energy costs. Considering planting density, high-density units of 220 plants m−2 produced more biomass per unit of area (54.0–56.6 g m−2 day−1) than did low-density units (110 plants m−2; 34.4–37.1 g m−2 day−1) and extracted more dissolved inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus. Overall, H. portulacoides can be easily cultivated hydroponically using nutrient-rich saline effluents, where LEDs can be employed as an alternative to fluorescent lighting and high-density planting can promote higher yields and extraction efficiencies.


Author(s):  
Tram T.N. Thai ◽  
Danny G. Le Roy ◽  
Manjula S. Bandara ◽  
James E. Thomas ◽  
Francis J Larney

With soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] seed cost increasing in Alberta, understanding economic optimum plant density (EOPD) could help growers save on input expenses. A study was conducted at two irrigated locations in southern Alberta (Bow Island and Lethbridge), in three growing seasons (2014–16), using two maturity group (MG) 00 soybean genotypes, two row spacings (RS; narrow, 17.5 cm; wide, 35 cm), and three seeding densities (SD; 30, 50 and 80 seeds m-2). Exponential plant density-yield relationships were used to estimate EOPD. The earlier MG 00.4 genotype compensated yield at lower plant density (39 vs. 43 plants m-2) and emergence (74 vs. 80%) than the later MG 00.8 genotype. The EOPD gaps between environments, genotypes, and RS were minimal (from 1–3 plants m-2), resulting in only 1.3–2.0% differences in grain yield (37–56 kg ha-1), and gross revenue at EOPD ($16–24 ha-1). The overall EOPD estimate was 46 plants m-2, regardless of environment, genotype or RS. The study highlighted the difference between agronomic production and profit maximization in choosing an optimum plant density, and the need to establish a seeding density calculator for irrigated soybean in southern Alberta.


1977 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 799 ◽  
Author(s):  
I Sofield ◽  
IF Wardlaw ◽  
LT Evans ◽  
SY Zee

Plants of five cultivars of wheat were grown under controlled-environmental conditions in order to analyse the effect of cultivar and of temperature and illuminance after anthesis on the accumulation of nitrogen and phosphorus by grains in relation to dry matter. The water relations of the grain during maturation were also examined, using calcium content as an index of water entry. The nitrogen and phosphorus contents of grains increased linearly throughout the grain growth period. The percentage of nitrogen and phosphorus in grains fell sharply during the first few days after anthesis but rose progressively thereafter. The higher the temperature, and the lower the illuminance, the higher was the percentage of nitrogen in the grain of all cultivars. Such conditions also reduce final grain size, but their effects on nitrogen concentration in the grain were apparent early in grain development. No evidence was found of a flush of nitrogen or phosphorus into the grain late in its development. Water entry into the grain continued at a steady rate until maximum grain dry weight was reached, then ceased suddenly. No evidence was found of an increased rate of water loss by the grain at that stage, and the rapid fall in water content at the cessation of grain growth may have been due to blockage of the chalazal zone of entry into the grain by the deposition of lipids. Accumulation of dry matter, nitrogen and phosphorus and entry of water into the grain all ceased at the time of lipid deposition in the chalazal zone.


Genetics ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 139 (1) ◽  
pp. 397-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
R G Shaw ◽  
G A Platenkamp ◽  
F H Shaw ◽  
R H Podolsky

Abstract Recent investigations of evolution in heterogeneous environments have begun to accommodate genetic and environmental complexity typical of natural populations. Theoretical studies demonstrate that evolution of polygenic characters depends heavily on the genetic interdependence of the expression of traits in the different environments in which selection occurs, but information concerning this issue is scarce. We conducted a field experiment to assess the genetic variability of the annual plant Nemophila menziesii in five biotic regimes differing in plant density and composition. Significant, though modest, additive genetic variance in plant size was expressed in particular treatments. Evidence of additive genetic tradeoffs between interspecific and intraspecific competitive performance was found, but this result was not consistent throughout the experiment. Two aspects of experimental design may tend to obscure genetically based tradeoffs across environments in many previously published experiments: (1) inability to isolate additive genetic from other sources of variation and (2) use of novel (e.g., laboratory) environments.


Weed Science ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A. Wall

Wild, ball, and dog mustard growth and development were investigated by mathematical growth analysis in a greenhouse experiment. Plant height and total plant biomass over the growth period followed the trend wild mustard > ball mustard > dog mustard. Dog mustard plants had lower leaf areas than either wild or ball mustard. In a replacement series experiment, wild mustard was more competitive than either ball or dog mustard, and ball mustard was more competitive than dog mustard.


1992 ◽  
Vol 43 (7) ◽  
pp. 1653 ◽  
Author(s):  
DO Huett ◽  
EB Dettmann

The effect of N application level on uptake and partitioning of nutrients by zucchini squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) cv. Blackjack, head lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) cv. Monte110 and potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cv. Sebago was investigated in sand culture experiments with a stable nutrient supply. Plants were grown during 14 (zucchini squash), 8 (lettuce) and 12 weeks (potato). Five nitrate N levels ranging from 2-36 mol m-3 for lettuce and 2-43 mol m-3 for zucchini squash and potato were applied in a complete nutrient solution. Gamma x quadratic response surface models fitted actual nutrient uptake data (R2> 0 . 9 5 ) . From these models, predicted nutrient uptake, partitioning of nutrients between plant parts and nutrient uptake rates were derived. Nitrogen had a pronounced effect on nutrient uptake of all species. The maximum predicted whole plant (excluding roots) uptake of N and K (parenthesis) was calculated (mol m-3 N) for zucchini squash (19.3, 17.7), lettuce (16.5, 12.1) and potato (12.7, 11.2) respectively. An N deficiency (2 mol m-3)did not result in remobilization of nutrients from vegetative to reproductive growth for zucchini squash and potato. Remobilization of N and K from outer leaves to head occurred for lettuce over the last week of the growth period at all N levels. An N deficiency increased partitioning of N and K by 36 and 54% respectively to reproductive growth for zucchini squash compared with adequate N for fresh yield (14 mol m-3), whereas an N deficiency had a negligible effect on partitioning to reproductive growth for potato. Partitioning, as measured by the ratio of nutrients in fruit, head or tuber to whole plant increased over the growth period, and at final harvest, partitioning was lowest for Ca (0.22-0.24 zucchini squash, 0.21-0.32 lettuce and 0.03-0.09 potato) and highest for K (0.39-0.60 zucchini squash, 0.59-0.68 lettuce and 0.63-0.86 potato). Potato tubers and lettuce head, in contrast to zucchini squash fruit, were dominant sinks for N, K and P.


Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 397 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui Zhang ◽  
Cong Wang ◽  
Wenzhi Teng ◽  
Jing Wang ◽  
Xiaochen Lyu ◽  
...  

The soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) is a crop with a high demand for nitrogen (N). The root nodules that form in soybeans can fix atmospheric N effectively, yet the goal of achieving high yields cannot be met by relying solely on nodule-fixed N. Nonetheless, the application of N fertilizer may inhibit nodule formation and biological N fixation (BNF), but the underpinning mechanisms are still unclear. In this study, we grafted the roots of non-nodulated soybeans onto nodulated soybeans to generate plants with dual root system. The experiment included three treatments conducted under sand culture conditions with NO 3 − and NH 4 + as N sources. Treatment I: The non-nodulated roots on one side received 50 mg·L−1 15 NO 3 − or 15NH4+, and the nodulated roots on the other side were not treated. Treatment II: The non-nodulated roots received 50 mg·L−1 15 NO 3 − or 15 NH 4 + , and the nodulated roots received 50 mg·L−1 14 NO 3 − or 14 NH 4 + . Treatment III: Both non-nodulated and nodulated roots received 50 mg·L−1 15 NO 3 − or 15 NH 4 + . The results showed the following: (1) Up to 81.5%–87.1% of the N absorbed by the soybean roots and fixed by the root nodules was allocated to shoot growth, leaving 12.9%–18.5% for root and nodule growth. Soybeans preferentially used fertilizer N in the presence of a NO 3 − or NH 4 + supply. After the absorbed fertilizer N and nodule-fixed N was transported to the shoots, a portion of it was redistributed to the roots and nodules. The N required for root growth was primarily derived from the NO 3 − or NH 4 + assimilated by the roots and the N fixed by the nodules, with a small portion translocated from the shoots. The N required for nodule growth was primarily contributed by nodule-fixed N with a small portion translocated from the shoots, whereas the NO 3 − or NH 4 + that was assimilated by the roots was not directly supplied to the nodules. (2) Based on observations of the shoots and one side of the roots and nodules in the dual root system as an N translocation system, we proposed a method for calculating the N translocation from soybean shoots to roots and nodules during the R1–R5 stages based on the difference in the 15N abundance. Our calculations showed that when adding N at a concentration of 50 mg·L−1, the N translocated from the shoots during the R1–R5 stages accounts for 29.6%–52.3% of the N accumulation in nodulated roots (Rootn) and 9.4%–16.6% of the N accumulation in Nodulen of soybeans. Through the study of this experiment, the absorption, distribution and redistribution characteristics of fertilizer N and root nodule N fixation in soybean can be clarified, providing a theoretical reference for analyzing the mechanisms of the interaction between fertilizer N and nodule-fixed N.


2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 620-632
Author(s):  
José A. Clavijo Michelangeli ◽  
Jaumer Ricaurte ◽  
Thomas R. Sinclair ◽  
Idupulapati M. Rao ◽  
Stephen E. Beebe

1993 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. C. Reddy ◽  
P. L. Visser

SummaryThe performance of two contrasting pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) genotypes was compared following five planting dates under rainfed conditions in deep sandy soils at Bengou, Niger in 1986 and 1987. The early and partially photo-sensitive cultivar HKB yielded more grain than the late and photo-sensitive cultivar Somno when planted with the first two seasonal rains. But after delayed planting, the crop growth rate and harvest index of cultivar HKB were reduced, leading to smaller grain yields even though the growth period, rainfall, radiation and temperature were similar at all the planting dates. In contrast, cultivar Somno maintained a small but stable harvest index over various planting dates, so that although its growth period and crop growth rate were reduced by delayed planting, the reduction in grain yield was less. Since agronomic manipulation, such as increased plant density and fertilizer application, can be used to increase crop growth rate, photo-sensitive millet genotypes such as cultivar Somno could be used for late July plantings in the Sudano-Sahelian zone.


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