Precision drilling combining peas (Pisum sativum L.) of contrasting leaf types at varying densities

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Abstract
Summary: Field experiments were conducted in 1983–4 to investigate the effect of precision drilling and plant density on establishment, growth, radiation interception and yield of combining peas of varying leaf phenotype (Varieties ‘Birte’, leafed; ‘Filby’, leafless; and ‘BS3’, semi-leafless). Precision drilling established a more uniform plant distribution than øyjord drilling; visual differences observed soon after emergence were not observed at flowering. Precision drilling resulted in more radiation interception early in the season for semi-leafless but not leafed peas; dry-matter production and photosynthetic area index (PAI) were not increased. Yield data indicated that precision drilling produced similar yields to øyjord drilling at similar densities. Increasing plant density increased radiation interception, dry-matter production and PAI during vegetative growth; density treatment effects were less marked post-flowering. Pea leaf phenotypes differed in their yield response to increasing density. Radiation interception was related to dry-matter production and PAI to obtain an estimate of photosynthetic efficiency (ε) and the attenuation coefficient (k), respectively, ε and k were constant irrespective of spatial arrangement, leaf phenotype and plant density. The relative importance of spatial arrangement and plant density in increasing radiation interception and PAI and influence on yield is discussed; other potential agronomic advantages of precision drilling are described.

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