The influence of temperature on the oil content and composition of sunflower was studied on plants grown under field conditions and in a range of controlled environments. Traces of oil were detectable in cypsela (seed) almost immediately after pollination. Much of this appeared to be present in the hull (pericarp), which is well developed at this stage. Significant production of oil commenced with the development of the embryo about 150 day-degrees after pollination, and the oil content reached a maximum value just prior to physiological maturity of the seed. Linoleic acid constituted the major component of the oil at all stages of seed development, and under favourable temperature conditions increased from c. 50% soon after pollination to over 70% at physiological maturity. High temperature during the development of the seed was associated with a reduction in total oil yield. However, under field conditions this effect was variable owing to confounding with other environmental factors such as moisture stress, which also influence the yield of oil through their effects on growth and development of seed. Elevated temperatures, and in particularly high night temperatures, caused a marked reduction in the percentage of linoleic acid, apparently due to the effect of temperature on the activity of the desaturase enzymes which are responsible for the conversion of oleic to linoleic acid.These results support the hypothesis that reduced yields and altered composition of sunflower oil from crops matured under high temperature conditions in midsummer are due to the effects of heat stress on the biosynthesis of fatty acids.

SUMMARY Intrinsic permeability to air of macropore space (ka) is related to macroporosity (ɛ) and organization of macropore space (O). Organization is defined as ka/ɛ. The use of ka for estimating saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ka) is also considered. The relationship between Log (O) and ɛ (Oɛ characteristic) can be used to describe changes to the macropore space of clay soils by amelioration and compaction. The effects of dominant macropore shape can also be identified and calculated as an empirical index of the efficiency of the pore organization E (E=log (O)/ɛ). Intrinsic permeability can then be related to E in a E:ka characteristic. Intrinsic permeability is the parameter most sensitive to structural change and E is mainly influenced by the dominant shapes of the macropores. Thus, the E:ka characteristic is suggested as a basis for studying differences in macropore space as may occur in response to external and internal stresses upon the soil and different systems of soil management, for example increases of packing pores by cultivation or of fissures by gypsum application and loss of packing pores by compaction. Empirical data indicate that Ks of the B horizons of Australian red‐brown earths can be estimated from ka of macropore space at a standard potential.

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The channels created in soil by roots and soil animals (biopores) play an important role in the subsequent movement of water, air, and new roots through irrigated clay soils in southeastern Australia. The maintenance of these biopores is critical for both crop productivity and erosion control. If these biopores are to remain open, they must be able to withstand the vertical stresses associated with vehicle and animal traffic. This study had three aims: (i) to examine the influence on porosity and permeability of naturally occurring channels, (ii) to determine the magnitude of vertical stresses that artificially created channels could withstand, (iii) to test the effect of channel angle to the direction of the stress. Air‐filled porosity of soil cores at −10 J/kg was decreased in a linear fashion as the applied stress was increased from 50 to 400 kPa. The reduction in air‐filled porosity was relatively independent of the size or the presence of biopores. However, the intrinsic permeability of the soil cores to air was positively correlated with the diameter of the biopores, and the permeability was little affected by applied stresses up to 200 kPa if the initial diameter of the biopores was >3.5 mm. The resistance of the channels to stresses was greatest if the vertical stress was parallel to the axis of the channels. Agricultural practices on these soils should not only encourage formation of biopores, but should also minimize stresses >200 kPa to the subsoil so that these biopores can remain open.