Influence of Row Spacing and P and N Applications on Seed Yield Components and Seed Yield of Siberian Wildrye (Elymus sibiricusL.)

Abstract

Siberian wildrye (Elymus sibiricus L.) is a globally important cool‐season forage grass for semiarid regions. However, its seed yield is often low or inconsistent. As previous studies examined the effects of row spacing and P and N levels on seed production of Siberian wildrye separately, this study was focused on the combined effects of four row spacings (30, 45, 60, 75 cm), four P application levels (0, 60, 90, 120 kg P ha−1), and four N application levels (0, 30, 60, 90 kg N ha−1). Treatments were established within a split‐split‐plot factorial arrangement, with main plots arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. The field experiment was conducted on a Lithic Haprendoll soil type at the Guyuan farm in Hebei Province, China, during the 2010, 2011, and 2012 growing seasons with no supplemental irrigation. Narrow row spacing improved seed yield by increasing fertile tillers m−2, with 30 cm being the optimal row spacing. Phosphorus application increased seed yield by increasing spikelets per fertile tiller, with 90 kg P ha−1 being the optimal P application level. Nitrogen application had no significant influence on seed yield in any year. Path analysis structural equation modeling revealed that spikelets per fertile tiller and fertile tillers m−2 had significant and direct path coefficients with variances in seed yield. The best management practices for optimal seed yield of Siberian wildrye was 30‐cm row spacing, 90 kg P ha−1, and no additional N beyond 109 g kg−1 available soil N under rain‐fed conditions with annual rainfall <300 mm.

Effects of defoliation and row spacing on intermediate wheatgrass I: Grain production

“…Path coefficients were compared between submodels using the function plspm.groups of the plspm package. Path analysis has previously been used to evaluate the effects of management on yield formation in perennial grasses (e.g., Seker & Serin, 2004; Wang et al., 2017) and to evaluate the physiological effects of selection for grain yield in intermediate wheatgrass (Cattani & Asselin, 2018).…”

Potential Effects of Awn Length Variation on Seed Yield and Components, Seed Dispersal and Germination Performance in Siberian Wildrye (Elymus sibiricus L.)

“…Seed samples were taken from the center of each plot to avoid border effects. Because of serious seed shattering reported in this species [1], seeds were harvested when the seed moisture content was approximately 45% [44]. Seeds of each plant were air-dried, carefully threshed, cleaned, weighed and stored in paper bags at 20 • C and 15% relative humidity before subjected to seed yield evaluation and other seed measurements.…”

Succession of Bacterial Community During the Initial Aerobic, Intense Fermentation, and Stable Phases of Whole-Plant Corn Silages Treated With Lactic Acid Bacteria Suspensions Prepared From Other Silages

“…To the best of our knowledge, no studies have reported the microbial succession of whole-plant corn silages ensiled with LAB prepared from whole-plant corn silages and other silages. Elymus sibiricus is a tall-growing and perennial bunchgrass widely distributed in Europe, Asia, and North America ( Klebesadel, 1969 ), and used as forage because of high yield potential and good quality ( Wang et al, 2017 ). Moreover, E. sibiricus has become a grass for artificial grassland and been ensiled for ruminants in China ( Sun et al, 2009 ; Li et al, 2016 ).…”