Smooth bromegrass seed yield and yield component responses to seeding rates and row spacings in two climates. (2nd July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Han, Yunhua; Hu, Tianming; Mao, Peisheng; Wang, Yanrong; Shen, Zhongbao; Zhang, Yongliang; Pan, Duofeng; Wang, Xianguo
• Is Part Of: Plant production science. Volume 19:Number 3(2016)
• Page Start: 381
• Page End: 388
• Publication Date: 2016-07-02
• Subjects: Bromus inermis Leyss -- row spacing -- seed production -- seeding rate -- the Hexi Corridor; Average SY: average seed yield -- FS: florets per spikelet -- FTD: fertile tillers density -- RH: relative humidity -- SFT: spikelets per fertile tiller -- SS: seeds per spikelet -- SY: seed yield -- TSW: thousand seed weight; Agronomy & Crop Ecology; Plant products -- Periodicals; Field crops -- Periodicals; 571.2
• DOI: 10.1080/1343943X.2016.1169152
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1343-943X

Abstract

Abstract: Successful grass seed production depends on identifying a suitable environment for the species and proper agronomic practices. Previous research on many species has addressed identifying appropriate agronomic practices for grass seed production, but these studies have not evaluated the effects of environment. By conducting the same experiments in Jiuquan, China (a desert climate) and Tongliao, China (a semiarid continental monsoon climate), the effects of environment, seeding rate, row spacing and their interactions were determined for smooth bromegrass ( Bromus inermis Leyss) seed production. Three seeding rates (.3, .5, and .7 g m −1 pure live seed) and four row spacings (30, 50, 70, and 90 cm) were evaluated over three years. Jiuquan had comparable seed yield (SY) and greater thousand-seed weight (TSW) than Tongliao. Three-year average SY decreased with increased row spacings at both sites. Results suggest that in both climates, successful smooth bromegrass seed production was possible, but greater TSW is predicted for desert climates with good irrigation conditions than in semiarid continental monsoon climates due to greater sunshine duration (574 h compared with 527 h) and low relative humidity during seed development (48% vs. 66%). A seeding rate of .3 g m −1 and a row spacing of no wider than 30 cm appears to be adequate for smooth bromegrass seed production in these research locations and in similar ecological regions around the world.