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Prediction of leaf area indices and yields of wheat
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 27 March 2009
Summary
Changes in leaf area index (LAI) of wheat are predicted by using information on daily heat units, atmospheric evaporative demand, water supply and nitrogen. The results of experiments on two different soils at Punjab Agricultural University Farm, Ludhiana, India from 1987 to 1990 showed that the rate and extent of leaf area development and its decline were dependent on the amount and pattern of water supply. Maximum leaf area index (LAImax) during the three years was found to depend on a combined effect of NO3-N in the 180 cm soil profile at sowing plus fertilizer N added. A relative growth factor (RGF) to scale cumulative water supply commensurate with crop growth was computed, which takes into account the combined effect of crop demand and supply of water and nitrogen from the soil. For adequately irrigated wheat, leaf area senescence could be predicted from cumulative potential evapotranspiration (PET). However, under droughted conditions, water supply, along with PET, also affected leaf area senescence. The dependence of wheat grain yield on LAImax in conjunction with water supply subsequent to attainment of LAImax was almost linear. It is concluded that, for adequately irrigated wheat, N availability at sowing and cumulative PET determines LAImax and the pattern of leaf development. Wheat grain yield is determined by LAImax and cumulative water supply from LAImax to maturity.
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- Crops and Soils
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- Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1994
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