Crop Improvement and the Accumulation and Partitioning of Biomass and Nitrogen in Lentil

Abstract

Domestication and subsequent genetic enhancement in lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) have involved changes in plant structure and DM distribution. These changes were examined using a “genetic gradient” comprising three representatives each of Lens orientalis (Boiss.) progenitors, landraces, pre‐1980 cultivars, and modern germplasm. All 12 genotypes were sown at Pullman, WA, in 1996 and 1997, and at Reading, UK, in 1997. The biomass (all genotypes) and N concentration (four genotypes) of above‐ground tissues were measured at 50% flowering (leaf and stem) and at reproductive maturity (leaf, stem, pod wall and seed). The progenitors produced meager biomass (averaging 0.72 Mg ha−1) and poor HI (0.19), and consequently small seed yields (0.11 Mg ha−1). Productive landraces had substantially higher biomass (3.52 Mg ha−1), improved HI (0.34), and larger seed yields (1.13 Mg ha−1). Biomass and seed yield were increased further by the selection of cultivars (5.11 and 1.32 Mg ha−1, respectively). The development of modern germplasm by hybridization further increased seed yields (1.95 Mg ha−1). Consistent seed yield improvements have not been associated with consistent increases in HI. Instead a strong, positive correlation between seed yield and biomass has persisted. NHI increased more rapidly than HI and is unlikely to increase further in the future. Future seed yield improvement will therefore depend on increased N accumulation. Reliance on N2 fixation must be supported by increased photosynthetic capacity and therefore by vegetative biomass. An advantageous correlation between seed yield and residue production seems likely to persist as crop improvement continues.

Drought Resistance in Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) in Relation to Morphological, Physiological Parameters and Phenological Developments

“…It was also evident that the pod walls and seed accumulated nitrogen fallowed a bi-phasic developmental pattern because the pod walls develops first and until pod walls formation is not completed seeds will not formed and not getting nitrogen allocation. Results of nitrogen allocation suggested that as compare to dry matter allocation the remobilization of nitrogenous substances were more efficiently moves to seeds from all plant parts and this gives higher nitrogen allocation to seeds (Whitehead et al, 2000). Similar results are also reported in lentil (van Kassel, 1994;Kurdali et al, 1997;Mishra et al, 2014) and chickpea (Davies et al, 2000) under drought stress.…”

Breeding for a more energy efficient greenhouse tomato: past and future perspectives

“…For example, in barley increased yields in cultivars introduced between 1900 and 1980 were mainly the result of an increase in harvest index from 0.36 to 0.48 (Hay 1995). However, in maize (Hay 1995) and lentil (Whitehead et al 2000) increased yield could be ascribed to increased biomass production. To what extent and in which way breeding has contributed to increased yield in tomato is so far not known.…”

Crops that feed the world 3. Investing in lentil improvement toward a food secure world

“…Therefore, there is always competition between source and sinks for optimum productivity in lentil which needs to be optimized through better nitrogen fixing ability, determinate plant type and synchronous maturity. A strong and positive correlation between seed yield and biomass has been reported in lentil (Erskine 1983;Whitehead et al 2000).…”