The field pea crop in s. w. [southwestern] Australia, 1. Patterns of growth, biomass production and photosynthetic performance in genotypes of contrasting morphology
1994
Armstrong, E.L. (New South Wales Agriculture, Wagga Wagga (Australia). Agricultural Research Inst.) | Pate, J.S. (Western Australia Univ., Nedlands. Dept. of Botany and Cooperative Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture)
Six field pea (Pisum sativum) genotypes of contrasting foliar morphology and growth habitat were studied in a water-limited field environment at Wongan Hills, Western Australia. Green area index, green area duration, crop growth rate during early spring, net photosynthetic rate and net assimilation rate all influenced crop productivity. Shoot and root biomass was highest in genotype Wirrega, due mainly to superior green area index, extended green area duration and maintenance of high growth rate during pod fill. Inverse relationships amongst genotypes were evident between green area index and net assimilation rate, and between green area index and carbon dioxide exchange rate of green area. Total net photosynthesis of the tendrils of semi-leafless types was similar to that of leaflets of conventional types, due mainly to larger biomass of tendrils compensating for poor photosynthetic rates. The poor growth of semi-leafless and tare-leaved types was attributed to lower vigour, green area, ground cover and photosynthate production. Future selection of such types for water-limited environments should concentrate on increasing shoot height, node number per plant, stipule and tendril size and photosynthetic efficiency of green area.
Show more [+] Less [-]AGROVOC Keywords
Bibliographic information
This bibliographic record has been provided by Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation