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Seed yield can be explained by altered yield components in field-grown western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii Rydb.).

ABSTRACT: Western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii Rydb.) is an important cool-season forage and turfgrass. However, due to seed dormancy and poor seedling vigor, it is difficult to develop high seed yield production systems, and assessing these components in response to seed yield. Based on multifactor orthogonally designed field experimental plots under various field management regimes, the effects of numbers of fertile tillers m^-2 (Y₁), spikelets/fertile tiller (Y₂), florets/spikelet (Y₃), seed numbers/spikelet (Y₄), and seed weight (Y₅) on seed yield (Z) were determined over three successive years. Correlation analysis indicated that fertile tillers (Y₁) was the most important seed yield component. And the biggest contribution of those five yield component is fertile tillers (Y₁), followed by seed numbers/spikelet (Y₄), spikelets/fertile tiller (Y₂), florets/spikelet (Y₃) and seed weight (Y₅), respectively. By using ridge regression analysis, we have developed an accurate model of seed yield with its five components. Finally, the results of synergism and antagonism among these yield components on seed yield showed that fertile tillers and seed numbers/spikelet had an antagonistic effect on seed yield. Therefore, selection for high seed yield by direct selection for large values of fertile tillers and seed numbers/spikelet would be the most effective breeding strategy for western wheatgrass.

SUBMITTER: Chen Z

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6884509 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Seed yield can be explained by altered yield components in field-grown western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii Rydb.).

Chen Zhao Z Niu Junpeng J Cao Xinlong X Jiang Wenbo W Cui Jian J Wang Quanzhen Q Zhang Quan Q

Scientific reports 20191129 1

Western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii Rydb.) is an important cool-season forage and turfgrass. However, due to seed dormancy and poor seedling vigor, it is difficult to develop high seed yield production systems, and assessing these components in response to seed yield. Based on multifactor orthogonally designed field experimental plots under various field management regimes, the effects of numbers of fertile tillers m-2 (Y1), spikelets/fertile tiller (Y2), flor ...[more]

PMID: 31784680

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Project description:It is crucial for agricultural production to identify the trigger that switches plants from vegetative to reproductive growth. Agricultural sustainability in semiarid regions is challenged by nitrogen (N) fertilizer overuse, inadequate soil water, and heavy carbon emissions. Previous studies focused on the short-term effects of a single application of N and water but have not investigated the long-term effects of different irrigation and N fertilizer regimens on crop yields and yield components. N application is routinely coupled with water availability, and crop yields can be maximized by optimizing both. We examined the growth of western wheatgrass [Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.) Á. Löve], a temperate-region forage and turf grass, using multiple different combinations of N fertilizer [(NH4)2·CO3] and irrigation levels over 3 years to determine optimal field management. We conducted multifactorial, orthogonally designed field experiments with large sample sizes, and measured fertile tillers m-2 (Y1), spikelets/fertile tillers (Y2), florets/spikelet (Y3), seed numbers/spikelet (Y4), seed weight (Y5), and seed yield (Z) to study factors associated with the switch between vegetative and reproductive growth. Fertilization had a greater effect on seed yield and yield components than irrigation. Y1 had the strongest positive effect on Z, whereas Y5 had a negative effect on Z. Irrigation and fertilization affected Z, Y1, and Y5. Fertilizer concentrations were positively correlated with Z, Y1, and Y5, whereas irrigation levels were negatively correlated. The ridge regression linear model results suggested N application rate and irrigation had antagonistic effects on Y1 (X3 = 867.6-4.23×X2; R2 = 0.988, F = Infinity, P<0.0001). We conclude that the optimal amount of N fertilizer and irrigation was 156 kg ha-1 + 115 mm for seed yield, 120 kg ha-1 + 146 mm for spikelets/fertile tillers, and 108 kg ha-1 + 119 mm for seed numbers/spikelets. These results will improve yield and reduce agricultural inputs for P. smithii in semiarid and arid regions, thereby reducing fertilizer pollution and conserving water.

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Dataset Information

Seed yield can be explained by altered yield components in field-grown western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii Rydb.).

Publications

Seed yield can be explained by altered yield components in field-grown western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii Rydb.).

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