scholarly journals The Effect of Soil Moisture on the Motherstalk Method of Asparagus Production

1999 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-47
Author(s):  
Stephen Reiners ◽  
Stephen A. Garrison

The effect of soil moisture levels on the yield and dry matter accumulation of asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L) using the motherstalk method was examined in a greenhouse study. This technique allows for a spear to develop a mature fern while permitting harvest of later-developing spears. The motherstalk treatment resulted in significantly heavier spears as compared to the conventional practice without a motherstalk and harvesting all spears. In addition, crown weights between the motherstalk and the nonharvested treatment were similar at the end of the 12-week harvest period, but significantly lower when spears were harvested without the benefit of a motherstalk. Optimizing soil moisture significantly increased yield in the motherstalk treatment and increased the fern dry weight but had no effect on crown dry weight. Our results indicate that the motherstalk system may allow for extended asparagus harvest in temperate areas but soil moisture may need to be carefully monitored to use this technique.

1988 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 935-940 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. TOLLENAAR ◽  
T. W. BRUULSEMA

The response of rate and duration of kernel dry matter accumulation to temperatures in the range 10–25 °C was studied for two maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids grown under controlled-environment conditions. Kernel growth rates during the period of linear kernel growth increased linearly with temperature (b = 0.3 mg kernel−1 d−1 °C−1). Kernel dry weight at physiological maturity varied little among temperature treatments because the increase in kernel growth rate with increase in temperature was associated with a decline in the duration of kernel growth proportional to the increase in kernel growth rate.Key words: Zea mays L, period of linear kernel dry matter accumulation, controlled-environment conditions, kernel growth rate


1991 ◽  
Vol 116 (6) ◽  
pp. 981-986 ◽  
Author(s):  
F.J.A. Niederholzer ◽  
R.M. Carlson ◽  
K. Uriu ◽  
N.H. Willits ◽  
J.P. Pearson

A study was undertaken to determine the seasonal dynamics of leaf and fruit K content and the influence of tree K status and fruit growth on leaf and fruit K accumulation rates in French prune (Prunus domestics L. cv. d'Agen). Mature trees in a commercial orchard were treated with various rates of K2 SO4. (O to ≈20 kg/tree) in the fall. Fruit dry weight yield per tree at harvest and fruit K content were higher for high-K trees, but fruit percent K (by dry weight) was ≈1.0% for all trees. Leaf scorch and subsequent abscission severely reduced the canopy of K-deficient trees. Significant positive linear relationships between leaf and fruit K accumulation rates existed for the periods of 28 Apr.-28 May (May) and 28 May-7 July (June). A significant negative linear relationship existed between these two criteria from 7 July-3 Aug. (July). May (0.237 mg K per fruit-day) and July (0.267 mg K per fruit-day) mean fruit K accumulation rates were similar, but both were significantly higher (P = 0.001) than those for June (0.140 mg K per fruit-day). Mean leaf K accumulation rates for May (- 0.007 mg K per leaf-day) and July (-0.010 mg K per leaf-day) were similar, but both were significantly (P = 0.001) less than for June (0.005 mg K per leaf-day). Potassium per fruit accumulation was highest in trees with highest K status. Periods of net leaf K efflux and influx did not precisely correlate with fruit growth stages measured by fruit dry weight. The period of lowest fruit K accumulation (28 May-7 July) coincided with the period of maximum dry matter accumulation by the kernel. After 7 July, all increases in fruit dry weight and K content were due to mesocarp growth.


1989 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 349-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. S. Parihar ◽  
R. S. Tripathi

SUMMARYThe response of chickpea to irrigation and phosphorus was studied at Kharagpur in Eastern India. Irrigation scheduling was based on the ratio between irrigation water applied and cumulative pan evaporation (ID/CPE), and had little effect on dry matter accumulation. Increasing the frequency and amount of irrigation reduced the number and dry weight of nodules per plant, which increased to a maximum 70 days after sowing and then declined. Irrigation significantly reduced grain yield as a result of excessive vegetative growth at the expense of pod formation. Application of phosphorus promoted nodulation and increased both nodule dry weight and the concentration of N, P and K in grain and stover. Uptake of N, P and K by the crop was also increased.


1969 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 203-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maurice Eddowes

SUMMARYCompetition among maize plants in the vegetative stage of growth was postponed by application of nitrogen to the seed bed and by maintaining soil moisture near field capacity. The amount of available nitrogen was a critical factor in determining the effect of the competitive balance between nitrogen and light on maize yield. The supply of either affected the capacity of the crop to utilize the other, but ultimately light became the dominant factor.Soil moisture deficits of up to 1.0 in from field capacity, in the early stages of vegetative growth, did not reduce dry-matter accumulation and uptake of nitrogen, but in the absence of weed competition and post-planting cultivation soil moisture losses in the early stages of crop growth may be small.In 1966, maize responded quicker to surface applied than to deep-placed nitrogen and utilized the surface applied nitrogen for dry-matter accumulation more effectively.Provided that there was initially an adequate supply of nitrogen in the seed bed, there appeared to be no advantage to total yield from application of nitrogen top dressings to maize. In the West Midlands, under conditions of adequate nutrient and soil moisture supply, the optimum plant population for commercial production of forage maize was about 40000 per acre.


2001 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 273-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Long ◽  
H. Eiszner

HALLE-WITTENBERG, HALLE(SAALE), GERMANY Received: 13 June, 2001; accepted: 6 August, 2001 Field experiments were conducted at a high latitude site for sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) production in central Germany (51 o 24' N, 11 o 53' E) in 1996, 1997 and 1998. The responses of sunflower development to various planting patterns differed in the duration from emergence to the middle of the linear growth period as calculated via a tangent hyperbolic model F(t)=(. +ß)×tanh[. ×(t–.)]. Final dry matter accumulation showed few differences among the planting patterns: 12 plants m –2 at 50 cm row spacing at 75 cm row spacing (RS2PD2) and 4 plants m –2 at 100 cm row spacing (RS3PD1). The actual and simulated values for final dry matter were close to 1200 g m –2 . The responses of soil moisture and temperature to planting patterns changed from the upper to the deep soil layers. In a normal year, e.g. 1997, the soil water to 150 cm depth was sufficient for sunflower growth. In a drought year, e.g. 1998, soil water deeper than 150 cm was used by sunflower crops. The soil temperature was mostly lower in RS1PD3 and RS2PD2 than in RS3PD1, particularly in the upper soil, at depths of 5 and 20 cm. The most important factor defining the responses of soil moisture and temperature to planting patterns seems to be the amount of radiation penetrating the ground, which may depend on latitude, wind and row orientation.


1985 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 867-877 ◽  
Author(s):  
LEONARD SAARI ◽  
SEPPO O. SALMINEN ◽  
ROBERT D. HILL

Developing triticale, wheat and rye grains were studied from 6 to 42 days postanthesis with respect to levels of sucrose and sucrose synthase activity. These were compared with levels of glucose and hexokinase activity as well as changes in dry weight and water content. Dry matter accumulation was linear in all cultivars and ceased at 26–34 days postanthesis, depending on the cultivar. Sucrose synthase activity was low in all tested cultivars at 3 days postanthesis and increased to near maximum levels by 15 days postanthesis. With the exception of triticale 6A190, maximum sucrose synthase activities were approximately 12 m units per seed and did not vary between cultivars. Triticale 6A190 had a maximum sucrose synthase activity of 16.5 m units per seed which occurred at about 21 days postanthesis. Sucrose synthase activity declined at maturity. Sucrose levels varied throughout kernel development. The extent of the variation differed amongst the tested cultivars. Triticale 6A190 had large fluctuations in sucrose level. Sucrose content changed from 1 mg per seed at day 12 to less than 0.1 mg/seed at day 18 to greater than 1 mg per seed at day 28. Hexokinase activity increased throughout kernel development with no substantial decline of activity at maturity. Glucose levels were highest during early kernel development and declined toward maturity. The variations in sucrose and sucrose synthase in triticale 6A190 suggest a malfunction in the metabolism of the line during kernel development. No direct relationship could be established, however, between these abnormalities and kernel shrivelling in 6A190.Key words: Sucrose, sucrose synthase, kernel development, triticale, wheat, rye, hexokinase


1991 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 595-599 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Cattani ◽  
M. H. Entz ◽  
K. C. Bamford

Tiller production and dry matter accumulation were monitored in six creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris Hud.) genotypes maintained as a putting green. Core samples for tiller density and aboveground biomass determinations were collected at intervals between October 1987 and October 1989. Two experimental lines, UM84-01 and UM86-01, produced more (P < 0.05) tillers and higher (P < 0.05) aboveground biomass than the commercial cultivars Penneagle, National, Emerald and Seaside. Both tiller density and aboveground biomass rankings among genotypes were consistent over the study period. Although lower tillering genotypes had a significantly higher aboveground biomass per tiller, total aboveground biomass was influenced more by tiller density than by biomass per tiller. The relationship between tiller density and tiller dry weight was expressed mathematically to determine potential wear stress resistance among genotypes. Key words: Creeping bentgrass, tillering, biomass accumulation


1978 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 199-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. TOLLENAAR ◽  
T. B. DAYNARD

Kernel development was studied in the maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids United-H106 and Funk’s G-4444, grown in a controlled-environment growth room. A method was employed in which husks were excised, and kernels were removed from the same set of ears at several subsequent sampling dates. This method did not affect the dry matter accumulation of the remaining kernels. Basal kernels (kernel numbers 6–15 in the row) and tip kernels (kernel numbers 31–40) were removed at 2-day intervals during the period from 10 to 20 days postsilking. Dry weight, ethanol-soluble sugar content, and starch content were determined for each sample. Accumulation of dry matter in the tip kernels ceased in a fraction of the United-H106 ears at the onset of the period of linear tip-kernel dry matter accumulation. Only small differences were observed in sugar content between growing and non-growing tip kernels of ears of United-H106. Starch appeared to continue to accumulate in kernels in which dry matter had ceased to accumulate. Except for a delay of approximately 2 days, the pattern of development of tip kernels in Funk’s G-4444 was similar to that of kernels at the base.


HortScience ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 498b-498
Author(s):  
Paige Hanning ◽  
Dyremple B. Marsh ◽  
Mohsen Dkhili

Chemically fixed nitrogen is a costly import for Caribbean Basin Countries. Increased cost of fertilizer only serves to reduce crop yields in these areas. This greenhouse research was undertaken to evaluate the N2 fixing capabilities and yield potential of several Phaseolus vulgaris lines developed for use in Caribbean Basin countries. Ten common bean lines from breeding programs at the Universities of Puerto Rico and Wisconsin and two efficient Rhizobium phaseoli strains were used for the study. Plants treated with Rhizobium UMR 1899 and UMR 1632 had significantly higher stem and leaf dry weight than the control plants. Bean lines WBR 22-34, WBR 22-50, WBR 22-55, PR9056-98B and the cultivar Coxstone showed increased dry matter accumulation over that of the control plants. Plants treated with the Rhizobium strain UMR 1899 had the highest stem and leaf dry matter accumulation. Nodulation was significantly higher when plants were treated with UMR 1632. The lines WBR 22-34 and PR 9056-98B produced more nodules than the other lines used. Pod yield as measured by number of immature pods was highest for PR 9056-98B when inoculated with Rhizobium UMR 1899.


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