Effects of different management systems on root distribution of maize

2015 ◽  
Vol 95 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhigang Wang ◽  
Bao-Luo Ma ◽  
Julin Gao ◽  
Jiying Sun
Keyword(s):  
Root Distribution ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Plant Root ◽  
Maize Root ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Root Weight ◽  
Intensive Management ◽  
Root Mass ◽  
High Plant Density

Wang, Z., Ma, B.-L., Gao, J. and Sun, J. 2015. Effects of different management systems on root distribution of maize. Can. J. Plant Sci. 95: 21–28. Characterization of root distribution in maize (Zea mays L.) is important for optimizing agronomic management to match crop requirements, while maximizing grain yield, especially under intensive management. The objectives of this study were to examine the differences in maize root distribution between two management systems and to identify root-related factors that could be adjusted for further yield improvement. A 4-yr field experiment examined maize root distribution under two management systems: farmers’ practices (FP: low plant density, unbalanced fertilization) and high yield strategies (HY: high plant density, sufficient fertilization). Root mass distribution within the soil profile was more restricted horizontally within 10 cm from the stalk base and vertically below 20 cm in HY compared with FP. HY had a greater proportion of fine roots (diameter ≤ 0.5 mm) and more roots per 100 kernels than FP. However, per-plant root weight was not significantly affected by type of management system. Yield was positively correlated with total root number and the ratio of root mass below 20 cm to total root mass. Our data indicate that HY maize overcame the negative effect of crowding stress by producing more roots with smaller root diameters, and maize root systems became narrower and were distributed deeper under intensive management compared with traditional famers’ practices.

The Effects of Plant Density, Spatial Arrangement and Time of Harvest on Yield and Root Size in Carrots

1979 ◽  
Vol 93 (2) ◽  
pp. 431-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. J. Salter ◽  
I. E. Currah ◽  
Jane R. Fellows
Keyword(s):  
Plant Density ◽  
Potential Evapotranspiration ◽  
Seedling Emergence ◽  
Spatial Arrangement ◽  
Root Weight ◽  
Root Yield ◽  
High Plant Density ◽  
Plant Arrangement ◽  
Root Size ◽  
Time Of Harvest

SUMMARYFour experiments were carried out over a 2-year period to investigate the effect of plant density and spatial arrangement and the time of lifting on yield and root size of carrots. Plant arrangement was varied by growing the plants in 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5- and 10-row systems in beds with rows 12–5 and 37–5 cm apart. With each row arrangement crops were grown at target densities of 108, 323 and 537 plants/ma. There were three times of harvest. Total root yield was not significantly affected by plant arrangement or, in three out of the four experiments, by plant density but yields progressively increased with later harvests at all density levels. Yields of canning-size roots (20–30 mm diameter) were influenced by plant density and time of harvest and there were highly significant interactions between these variables on canning root yields. Highest absolute yields were obtained from the latest harvests from the medium and high plant density treatments; with the lowest density treatments the highest yields of canners were obtained from the earliest harvests. Mean root weight was significantly affected by plant density and harvest time. Row system effects on mean root weight were shown to be largely accounted for by differences in percentage seedling emergence and hence the plant density obtained under the different row system treatments and a possible reason for this effect is discussed. The relationship between mean root weight and plant density was not affected by the pattern of plant arrangement in these experiments. Total root yields were shown to be related to cumulative potential evapotranspiration from sowing rather than to chronological time. It is concluded that with the range of row systems used in these experiments, row spacing had little effect on root yield but confirmed previous work that plant density and time of harvest were the most important variables controlling mean root size and hence the yield of roots of any particular size grade.

Controls on dune scarping

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 923-947
Author(s):  
Samuel G Davidson ◽  
Patrick A Hesp ◽  
Graziela Miot da Silva
Keyword(s):  
Water Level ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Plant Root ◽  
Large Change ◽  
High Water ◽  
Rooting Depth ◽  
Root Mass ◽  
Higher Plant ◽  
Dune System

The controls that affect the degree of spatio-temporal change to foredunes following scarping are reviewed herein. As sea-levels rises and climate changes, dune scarping will become more common. Thus, it is critical to understand what factors contribute to the magnitude of scarping, and what effect this has on dune systems to better manage coastal erosion into the future. Scarping occurs when foredunes are partially eroded by waves, generally during periods of high water level. The controls on the degree and magnitude of scarping examined include water level, foredune vegetation cover and species present, plant root mass, height and volume of the foredune, the original foredune morphology, surfzone–beach type, and compaction of sediment. Water-level height and duration of high water is the most significant control as it determines the elevation at which wave action can erode the dune and, therefore, the extent of scarping and dune volumetric loss. Higher plant density, greater rooting depth, high root mass, and greater compaction aid in reducing the degree of scaping. The presence of large woody debris and wrack may also influence the degree of scarping. The effects scarping has on the morphology of a foredune after the initial erosion event can range from small changes (e.g. minor, small scarps and slight slumping), to moderate changes such as the foredune translating landwards, to large change such as the transition of an entire dune system into a new transgressive dunefield phase. A new model summarising the key controls and their relationship/significance to the magnitude and extent of scarping is presented.

scholarly journals Optimizing Planting Density and Impact of Panicle Types on Grain Yield and Microclimatic Response Index of Hybrid Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guotao Yang ◽  
Xuechun Wang ◽  
Farhan Nabi ◽  
Hongni Wang ◽  
Changkun Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Light Intensity ◽  
Grain Yield ◽  
Hybrid Rice ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Oryza Sativa L ◽  
Planting Density ◽  
Response Index ◽  
Lower Position ◽  
High Plant Density

AbstractThe architecture of rice plant represents important and complex agronomic traits, such as panicles morphology, which directly influence the microclimate of rice population and consequently grain yield. To enhance yield, modification of plant architecture to create new hybrid cultivars is considered a sustainable approach. The current study includes an investigation of yield and microclimate response index under low to high plant density of two indica hybrid rice R498 (curved panicles) and R499 (erect panicles), from 2017 to 2018. The split-plot design included planting densities of 11.9–36.2 plant/m2. The results showed that compared with R498, R499 produced a higher grain yield of 8.02–8.83 t/ha at a higher planting density of 26.5–36.2 plant/m2. The response index of light intensity and relative humidity to the planting density of R499 was higher than that of R498 at the lower position of the rice population. However, the response index of temperature to the planting density of R499 was higher at the upper position (0.2–1.4%) than at the lower position. Compared with R498, R499 at a high planting density developed lower relative humidity (78–88%) and higher light intensity (9900–15,916 lx) at the lower position of the rice population. Our finding suggests that erect panicles are highly related to grain yield microclimatic contributors under a highly dense rice population, such as light intensity utilization, humidity, and temperature. The application of erect panicle rice type provides a potential strategy for yield improvement by increasing microclimatic conditions in rice.

scholarly journals Appraisal of cowpea cropping systems and farmers’ perceptions of production constraints and preferences in the dry savannah areas of Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saba Baba Mohammed ◽  
Daniel Kwadjo Dzidzienyo ◽  
Muhammad Lawan Umar ◽  
Mohammad Faguji Ishiyaku ◽  
Pangirayi Bernard Tongoona ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Density ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Pairwise Comparison ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Crop Failure ◽  
Production Constraints ◽  
Cowpea Varieties ◽  
Breeding Programmes ◽  
Sole Cropping

Abstract Background Low plant density and wide intra-plant spacing in traditional cowpea cropping systems are among the factors responsible for low yield on farmers’ fields. Sole cropping and improved intercropping systems have been advocated in the last few years to increase yield in the dry savannah areas of Nigeria. This study investigated the level of adoption of high yielding cowpea cropping systems including factors that influenced their use and farmers’ perceived production constraints and preferences. A total of 420 farmers across 36 villages of northern Nigeria were interviewed, and data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics to appraise farmers predominant cowpea cropping systems and factors that determine the use of sole versus intercropping were identified with the aid of binary logit regression. Furthermore, pairwise comparison ranking was deployed to understand farmers’ view of cowpea production constraints and preferred traits. Results The results revealed that, many of the farmers (42%) still grow cowpeas in the traditional intercropping and a good number (25%) cultivate the crop as a sole crop, while 23% had fields of cowpeas in both sole and intercropping systems. Farmers reported the incidence of high insect pests, limited access to land, desire to have multiple benefits, and assurance in the event of crop failure as reasons for preference for intercropping over sole planting. The pairwise comparison ranking of constraints and preferences revealed insect pests, Striga, drought and poor access to fertilizers as major constraints to increased productivity. Many farmers indicated high yield as the most preferred trait. Conclusions Findings indicate a need for increased education and training of cowpea farmers on the importance of growing cowpeas in sole cropping and or improved intercropping systems. Genetic improvement efforts should focus on developing cowpea varieties that address farmers production constraints and reflect the diversity of consumers’ preferences for the crop. Hence, breeding for resistance to insect pests and high yield is recommended as an important priority of cowpea breeding programmes in the region.

scholarly journals Organic Amendments Influence Soil Water Depletion, Root Distribution, and Water Productivity of Summer Maize in the Guanzhong Plain of Northwest China

Water ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1640 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li-Li Zhao ◽  
Lu-Sheng Li ◽  
Huan-Jie Cai ◽  
Xiao-Hu Shi ◽  
Chao Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Root Distribution ◽  
Water Productivity ◽  
Farmyard Manure ◽  
Organic Amendments ◽  
Mineral Fertilizer ◽  
Northwest China ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Root Weight ◽  
Summer Maize

Organic amendments improve general soil conditions and stabilize crop production, but their effects on the soil hydrothermal regime, root distribution, and their contributions to water productivity (WP) of maize have not been fully studied. A two-year field experiment was conducted to investigate the impacts of organic amendments on soil temperature, water storage depletion (SWSD), root distribution, grain yield, and the WP of summer maize (Zea mays L.) in the Guanzhong Plain of Northwest China. The control treatment (CO) applied mineral fertilizer without amendments, and the three amended treatments applied mineral fertilizer with 20 Mg ha−1 of wheat straw (MWS), farmyard manure (MFM), and bioorganic fertilizer (MBF), respectively. Organic amendments decreased SWSD compared to CO, and the lowest value was obtained in MBF, followed by MWS and MFM. Meanwhile, the lowest mean topsoil (0–10 cm) temperature was registered in MWS. Compared to CO, organic amendments generally improved the root length density (RLD) and root weight density (RWD) of maize. MBF showed the highest RLD across the whole soil profile, while MWS yielded the greatest RWD to 20 cm soil depth. Consequently, organic amendments increased grain yield by 9.9–40.3% and WP by 8.6–47.1% compared to CO, and the best performance was attained in MWS and MBF. We suggest that MWS and MBF can benefit the maize agriculture in semi-arid regions for higher yield, and WP through regulating soil hydrothermal conditions and improving root growth.

Canola seed yield and phenological responses to plant density

2016 ◽  
Vol 96 (1) ◽  
pp. 151-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gan Yantai ◽  
K. Neil Harker ◽  
H. Randy Kutcher ◽  
Robert H. Gulden ◽  
Byron Irvine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seed Yield ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Western Canada ◽  
Flowering Period ◽  
Canola Seed ◽  
Randomized Complete Block Design ◽  
Plant Densities

Optimal plant density is required to improve plant phenological traits and maximize seed yield in field crops. In this study, we determined the effect of plant density on duration of flowering, post-flowering phase, and seed yield of canola in diverse environments. The field study was conducted at 16 site-years across the major canola growing area of western Canada from 2010 to 2012. The cultivar InVigor® 5440, a glufosinate-resistant hybrid, was grown at five plant densities (20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 plants m−2) in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Canola seed yield had a linear relationship with plant density at 8 of the 16 site-years, a quadratic relationship at 4 site-years, and there was no correlation between the two variables in the remaining 4 site-years. At site-years with low to medium productivity, canola seed yield increased by 10.2 to 14.7 kg ha−1 for every additional plant per square metre. Averaged across the 16 diverse environments, canola plants spent an average of 22% of their life cycle flowering and another 27% of the time filling seed post-flowering. Canola seed yield had a negative association with duration of flowering and a positive association with the days post-flowering but was not associated with number of days to maturity. The post-flowering period was 12.7, 14.7, and 12.6 d (or 55, 68, and 58%) longer in high-yield experiments than in low-yield experiments in 2010, 2011, and 2012, respectively. We conclude that optimization of plant density for canola seed yield varies with environment and that a longer post-flowering period is critical for increasing canola yield in western Canada.

scholarly journals Application of Electrical Capacitance Method for Prediction of Plant Root Mass and Activity in Field-Grown Crops

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Imre Cseresnyés ◽  
Katalin Szitár ◽  
Kálmán Rajkai ◽  
Anna Füzy ◽  
Péter Mikó ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Root ◽  
Root Mass ◽  
Electrical Capacitance ◽  
Capacitance Method

Insufficient and excessive N fertilizer input reduces maize root mass across soil types

2021 ◽  
Vol 267 ◽  
pp. 108142
Author(s):  
Raziel A. Ordóñez ◽  
Michael J. Castellano ◽  
Gerasimos N. Danalatos ◽  
Emily E. Wright ◽  
Jerry L. Hatfield ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
N Fertilizer ◽  
Maize Root ◽  
Soil Types ◽  
Root Mass

Nitrogen reduction in high plant density cotton is feasible due to quicker biomass accumulation

2021 ◽  
Vol 172 ◽  
pp. 114070
Author(s):  
Zhao Zhang ◽  
Muhammad Sohaib Chattha ◽  
Shoaib Ahmed ◽  
Jiahao Liu ◽  
Anda Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Density ◽  
Biomass Accumulation ◽  
Nitrogen Reduction ◽  
High Plant Density
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