Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-dh8gc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-19T22:04:25.790Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Variation between years in growth and nutrient uptake after anthesis of winter wheat on Broadbalk field at Rothamsted, 1969–84

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

G. N. Thorne ,
R. J. Darby ,
W. Day ,
P. W. Lane ,
P. J. Welbank  and
F. V. Widdowson
G. N. Thorne
Affiliation:
AFRC Institute of Arable Crops Research, Rothamsted Experimental Station, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ
R. J. Darby
Affiliation:
AFRC Institute of Arable Crops Research, Rothamsted Experimental Station, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ
W. Day
Affiliation:
AFRC Institute of Arable Crops Research, Rothamsted Experimental Station, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ
P. W. Lane
Affiliation:
AFRC Institute of Arable Crops Research, Rothamsted Experimental Station, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ
P. J. Welbank
Affiliation:
AFRC Institute of Arable Crops Research, Rothamsted Experimental Station, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ
F. V. Widdowson
Affiliation:
AFRC Institute of Arable Crops Research, Rothamsted Experimental Station, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

Dry weight, nutrient content and other properties of winter wheat were measured from anthesis to maturity between 1969 and 1984. From 1969 to 1978 the cultivar Capelle- Desprez was grown either as a first wheat, in the rotation potatoes, beans, wheat, or as a second wheat, in the rotation fallow, wheat, wheat. From 1979 to 1984 the cv. Flanders was grown in the rotation fallow, potatoes, wheat and in this period the wheat was given fungicide sprays. Grain yield of Cappelle-Desprez grown as a first wheat was greater with 96 than with 144 kg N/ha in spring. First wheats yielded much more than second wheats with 96, but not with 144 kg N/ha. Second wheats had more eyespot and take-all, but less mildew, than first wheats. Mildew was more severe with the larger amount of N. Grain yield of Flanders as a first wheat was greater than that of Cappelle-Desprez. Yield of Flanders was greater with 144 than with 96 kg N/ha and it was greater still on plots given 96 kg Nha plus 35 t/ha farmyard manure. Other properties in addition to grain yield were changed by cultivar, rotation and manuring.

Examination of the variation between years showed relationships among properties and between some of them and grain yield. Many of the relationships were independent of cultivar or husbandry. Relationships between weather factors and some properties, but not grain yield, were detected. Grain yield of first wheats was closely related to number of grains/m2, but the relative importance of number of ears/m2 and number of grains per ear varied from year to year. Yield was positively related to dry weight per grain in Flanders, but negatively in Cappelle-Desprez. The weight of straw was usually less than that of the total above-ground crop at anthesis, but varied between years in a similar manner. The amount of N in grain plus straw was generally well related to the amount of N in the wheat at anthesis, although the changes in N content after anthesis ranged from a loss of 9 kg/ha to a gain of 51 kg/ha. The uptake of N, P and K was more closely related to dry weight than to nutrient concentration.

Variation between years in the proportion in the ear of 14C supplied to the flag leaf was similar to that of 14C supplied to the next lower leaf, but was different for 14C supplied before and after anthesis, and did not relate to other properties.

Date of anthesis ranged from 7 June to 5 July. A model incorporating responses to photoperiod, vernalization and temperature accounted for 78% of the variance in date of anthesis. The duration of the period from anthesis to leaf senescence ranged from 33 to 60 days and was linearly related to mean temperature above a base of 7·5 °C. Dry weight per grain was negatively correlated with mean temperature between anthesis and leaf senescence; a relationship including an adjustment for number of grains/m2 fitted both cultivars.

The amount of N in grain plus straw and percentage of N in grain dry matter were decreased by increased rainfall during the 3-week period following the application of N fertilizer in spring. An additional 10 mm of rain decreased N uptake by 2–8 kg/ha and N percentage by 0·055. N uptake in grain plus straw decreased with progressively later sowing. Grain N% was positively correlated with temperature and with radiation during parts of the period of grain growth, but only 10% of the variance was accounted for by the combined effects.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 110 , Issue 3 , June 1988 , pp. 543 - 559
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1988

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Austin, R. B., Bingham, J., Blackwell, R. D., Evans, L. T., Ford, M. A., Morgan, C. L. & Taylor, M. (1980). Genetic improvements in winter wheat yields since 1900 and associated physiological changes. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 94, 675–689.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Austin, R. B., Edrich, J. A., Ford, M. A. & Blackwell, R. D. (1977). The fate of the dry matter, carbohydrates and 14C lost from the leaves and stems of wheat during grain filling. Annals of Botany 41, 1309–1321.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Benzian, B. & Lane, P. W. (1986). Protein concentration of grain in relation to some weather and soil factors during 17 years of English winter-wheat experiments. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 37, 435–444.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Brooking, I. R. & Kirby, E. J. M. (1981). Interrelationships between stem and ear development in winter wheat: the effects of a Norin 10 dwarfing gene, Gai/ Rht2. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 97, 373–381.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Buck, S. F. (1961). The use of rainfall, temperature and actual transpiration in some crop-weather investigations. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 57, 355–365.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dyke, G. V., George, B. J., Johnston, A. E., Poulton, P. R. & Todd, A. D. (1983). The Broadbalk wheat experiment 1968–78: yields and plant nutrients in crops grown continuously and in rotation. Rothamsted Experimental Station Report for 1982, Part 2, pp. 5–44.Google Scholar
Dyke, G. V. & Slope, D. B. (1978). Effects of previous legume and oat crops on grain yield and take-all in spring barley. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 91, 443–451.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Evans, L. T. & Wardlaw, I. (1976). Aspects of the comparative physiology of grain yield in cereals. Advances in Agronomy 28, 301–359.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fischer, R. A. (1985). Number of kernels in wheat crops and the influence of solar radiation and temperature. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 105, 447–461.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fisher, R. A. (1924). The influence of rainfall on the yield of wheat at Rothamsted. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, London B 213, 89–142.Google Scholar
Jenkyn, J. F. (1984). Effects of powdery mildew on grain filling in spring barley in contrasting environments. Annals of Applied Biology 105, 195–212.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Johnston, A. E. (1986). Soil organic matter, effects on soils and crops. Soil Use and Management 2, 97–105.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Last, F. T. (1953). Some effects of temperature and nitrogen supply on wheat powdery mildew. Annals of Applied Biology 40, 313–322.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Makunoa, O. H. D., Pearman, I., Thomas, S. M. & Thorne, G. N. (1978). Distribution of photosynthate produced before and after anthesis in tall and semi-dwarf winter wheat, as affected by nitrogen fertilizer. Annals of Applied Biology 88, 429–437.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pearman, I., Thomas, S. M. & Thorne, G. N. (1978a). Effects of nitrogen fertilizer on the distribution of photosynthate during grain growth of spring wheat.Annals of Botany 42, 91–99.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pearman, I., Thomas, S. M.. & Thorne, G. N. (1978b). Effects of nitrogen fertilizer on growth and yield of semidwarf and tall varieties of winter wheat. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 91, 31–45.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Porter, J. R., Kibby, E. J. M., Day, W., Adam, J. S., Appleyard, M., Aylinq, S., Baker, C. K., Beale, P., Belpord, R. K., Biscoe, P. V., Chapman, A., Fuller, M. P., Hampson, J., Hay, R. K. M., Hough, M. N., Matthews, S., Thompson, W. J., Welr, A. H., Willinoton, V. B. A. & Wood, D. W. (1987). An analysis of morphological development stages in Avalon winter wheat crops with different sowing dates and at ten sites in England and Scotland. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 109, 107–121.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Powlson, D. S., Pkuden, G., Johnston, A. E. & Jenkinson, D. S. (1986). The nitrogen cycle in the Broadbalk Wheat Experiment: recovery and losses of 16N-labelled fertilizer applied in spring and inputs of nitrogen from the atmosphere. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 107, 591–609.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Prew, R. D., Beane, J., Carter, N., Church, B. M., Dewar, A. M., Lacey, J., Penny, A., Plumb, R. T., Thorne, G. N. & Todd, A. D. (1986). Some factors affecting the growth and yield of winter wheat grown as a third cereal with much or negligible take-all. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 107, 639–671.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Prew, R. D., Church, B. M., Dewar, A. M., Lacey, J., Maoan, N., Penny, A., Plumb, R. T., Thorne, G. N., Todd, A. D. & Wlliams, T. D. (1985). Some factors limiting the growth and yield of winter wheat and their variation in two seasons. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 104, 135–162.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Prew, R. D., Church, B. M., Dewar, A. M., Lacey, J., Penny, A., Plumb, R. T., Thorne, G. N., Todd, A. D. & Williams, T. D. (1983). Effects of eight factors on the growth and nutrient uptake of winter wheat and on the incidence of pests and diseases. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 100, 363–382.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rothamsted Experimental Station (1969). The Broadbalk Wheat Experiment. Rothamsted Experimental Station Report for 1968, Part 2.Google Scholar
Rothamsted Experimental Station (1970–1985). Yields of the Field Experiments 1969–1984.Google Scholar
Rothamsted Experimental Station (1984). Guide to the Classical Field Experiments. Harpenden: Lawes Agricultural Trust.Google Scholar
Thorne, G. N. (1982). Distribution between parts of the main shoot and the tillers of photosynthate produced before and after anthesis in the top three leaves of main shoots of Hobbit and Maris Huntsman winter wheat. Annals of Applied Biology 101, 553–559.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Thorne, G. N. & Wood, D. W. (1987). Effects of radiation and temperature on tiller survival, grain number and grain yield of winter wheat. Annals of Botany 59, 413–426.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tottman, D. R. (1987). The decimal code for the growth stages of cereals, with illustrations. Annals of Applied Biology 110, 441–454.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Weir, A. H., Bragg, P. L., Porter, J. R. & Rayner, J. H. (1984). A winter wheat crop simulation model without water or nutrient limitations. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 102, 371–382.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Welbank, P. J., Witts, K. J. & Thorne, G. N. (1968). Effect of radiation and temperature on efficiency of cereal leaves during grain growth. Annals of Botany 32, 79–95.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Widdowson, F. V., Johnston, A. E. & Penny, A. (1980). Multifactorial experimentation on continuous winter wheat grown in sandy clay soil at Saxmundham, Suffolk. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 94, 115–170.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Widdowson, F. V., Penny, A., Gutteridge, R. J., Dabby, R. J. & Hewitt, M. V. (1985). Tests of amounts and times of application of nitrogen and of sequential sprays of aphicide and fungicides on winter wheat, following either beans or wheat, and the effects of takeall (Oaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici), on two varieties at Saxmundham, Suffolk 1980–3. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 105, 97–122.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Widdowson, F. V., Penny, A., Darby, R. J., Bird, E. & Hewitt, M. V. (1987). Amounts of N03-N in soil, from autumn to spring, under winter wheat and their relationship to soil type, sowing date, previous crop and N uptake at Rothamsted, Woburn and Saxmundham, 1979–85. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 108, 73–95.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Yates, F. (1969). Investigations into the effects of weather on yield. Rothamsted Experimental Station Report for 1968, Part 2, 46–49.Google Scholar