Evaluation of Sorghum Genotypes for Variation in Canopy Temperature and Drought Tolerance

Evaluation of Sorghum Genotypes for Variation in Canopy Temperature and Drought Tolerance
Author: Raymond Ngao Mutava
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 2012
Genre:
ISBN:
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Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) is the fifth most economically important cereal crop grown worldwide and adapted to a wide range of climatic conditions. Drought stress has been ranked as one of the most significant causes of crop yield loss with its effects on yield and yield components. Conservative water use by plants is one of the strategies that can be used as a drought coping mechanism. The slow wilting trait has been associated with conservative water use and has been found in some sorghum genotypes. The purpose of this study was to use canopy temperature to screen for drought tolerance in sorghum, evaluate water use efficiency for slow wilting sorghum genotypes and determine variability in root morphology and response to drought among sorghum genotypes. Canopy temperature studies were conducted under field conditions using infrared (IR) sensors while water use efficiency and root studies were conducted under greenhouse conditions. Our results showed a distinct separation in canopy temperature among genotypes under field conditions at 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Midday canopy temperature depression (CTD) was positively correlated to yield (R2 = 0.19) and harvest index (R2 = 0.11). CTD was also stable for all the genotypes during the period from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm. There was a negative correlation between CTD and crop water stress index (CWSI) (R2 = 0.34) and a positive one between canopy temperature and CWSI (R2 = 0.50). Evaluation of genotypes for water use efficiency revealed significant variability among sorghum genotypes in the amount of water used (10.48 - 13.52 kg) and transpiration efficiency (TE) (2.64 - 7.11 g kg−1) among genotypes. Slow wilting genotypes were high in TE. Rooting depth increased for some genotypes under drought stress with genotype SC1124 recording the largest increase (180%). Total root length for some genotypes increased by 11 - 113% with genotypes SC224 and SC1019 recording the greatest increase. There was a positive correlation between water used and root length (R2 = 0.21). These results show that there is potential for selection of drought tolerance in sorghum and that genotypes with the slow wilting traits are efficient in water use.

Plant Breeding for Abiotic Stress Tolerance

Plant Breeding for Abiotic Stress Tolerance
Author: Roberto Fritsche-Neto
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 178
Release: 2012-06-05
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3642305539
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The rapid population growth and the increase in the per capita income, especially in the group of emerging countries referred to as BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) has created huge pressure for the expansion of the agricultural growing area and the crop yields to meet the rising demand. As a result, many areas that have been considered marginal for growing crops, due to their low fertility, drought, salinity, and many other abiotic stresses, have now been incorporated in the production system. Additionally, climate change has brought new challenges to agriculture to produce food, feed, fiber and biofuels. To cope with these new challenges, many plant breeding programs have reoriented their breeding scope to stress tolerance in the last years. The authors of this book have collected the most recent advances and discoveries applied to breeding for abiotic stresses in this book, starting with new physiological concepts and breeding methods, and moving on to discuss modern molecular biological approaches geared to the development of improved cultivars tolerant to most sorts of abiotic stress. Written in an easy to understand style, this book is an excellent reference work for students, scientists and farmers interested in learning how to breed for abiotic stresses scenarios, presenting the state-of-the-art in plant stresses and allowing the reader to develop a greater understanding of the basic mechanisms of tolerance to abiotic stresses and how to breed for them.

Nutrient Use Efficiency in Plants

Nutrient Use Efficiency in Plants
Author: Malcolm J. Hawkesford
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 287
Release: 2014-11-14
Genre: Science
ISBN: 331910635X
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Nutrient Use Efficiency in Plants: Concepts and Approaches is the ninth volume in the Plant Ecophysiology series. It presents a broad overview of topics related to improvement of nutrient use efficiency of crops. Nutrient use efficiency (NUE) is a measure of how well plants use the available mineral nutrients. It can be defined as yield (biomass) per unit input (fertilizer, nutrient content). NUE is a complex trait: it depends on the ability to take up the nutrients from the soil, but also on transport, storage, mobilization, usage within the plant, and even on the environment. NUE is of particular interest as a major target for crop improvement. Improvement of NUE is an essential pre-requisite for expansion of crop production into marginal lands with low nutrient availability but also a way to reduce use of inorganic fertilizer.

Crop Physiology

Crop Physiology
Author: Victor Sadras
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 566
Release: 2014-09-17
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0124169791
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From climate change to farming systems to genetic modification of organisms, Crop Physiology, Second Edition provides a practical tool for understanding the relationships and challenges of successful cropping. With a focus on genetic improvement and agronomy, this book addresses the challenges of environmentally sound production of bulk and quality food, fodder, fiber, and energy which are of ongoing international concern. The second edition of Crop Physiology continues to provide a unique analysis of these topics while reflecting important changes and advances in the relevant science and implementation systems. Contemporary agriculture confronts the challenge of increasing demand in terms of quantitative and qualitative production targets. These targets have to be achieved against the background of soil and water scarcity, worldwide and regional shifts in the patterns of land use driven by both climate change and the need to develop crop-based sources of energy, and the environmental and social aspects of agricultural sustainability. - Provides a view of crop physiology as an active source of methods, theories, ideas, and tools for application in genetic improvement and agronomy - Written by leading scientists from around the world - Combines environment-specific cropping systems and general principles of crop science to appeal to advanced students, and scientists in agriculture-related disciplines, from molecular sciences to natural resources management

Soil Conditions and Plant Growth

Soil Conditions and Plant Growth
Author: Peter J. Gregory
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 508
Release: 2013-03-04
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1405197706
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Building on the extremely successful and popular Russell’s Soil Conditions and Plant Growth, Wiley-Blackwell is pleased to publish this completely revised and updated edition of the soil science classic. Covering all aspects of the interactions between plant and soil, Peter Gregory and Stephen Nortcliff, along with their team of internationally-known and respected authors, provide essential reading for all students and professionals studying and working in agriculture and soil science. Subject areas covered range from crop science and genetics; soil fertility and organic matter; nitrogen and phosphoros cycles and their management; properties and management of plant nutrients; water and the soil physical environment and its management; plants and change processes in soils; management of the soil/plant system; and new challenges including food, energy and water security in a changing environment. Providing a very timely account on how better to understand and manage the many interactions that occur between soils and plants, Soil Conditions and Plant Growth is sure to become the book of choice - as a recommended text for students and as an invaluable reference for those working or entering into the industry. An essential purchase for all universities and research establishments where agricultural, soil, and environmental sciences are studied and taught.