The growth of vining peas: I. The effect of time of sowing

Abstract

Yield and growth analysis have been applied to the results of an experiment comparing early and late sown peas. Yield analysis showed that in this experiment late sown peas had:(i) fewer podding nodes per main stem, (ii) fewer pods per podding node, and (iii) a slower rate of increase in pod weight. The physiological origins of these differences are discussed.The first component is determined by the stage at which node production is terminated by the death of the apical bud.The second is determined by morphogenetic factors at the apical meristem early in in the life of the plant, when (in the variety DSP) either a single or a double flowered raceme is initiated, and also during the harvesting period when some pods are lost from the lower-most flowering nodes.The differences in the third component, the rate of increase in pod weight, could not be explained by conventional growth analysis. Pod growth rate was not a simple function of leaf area index.It is suggested that the relationship between leaf area and pod growth rate is complicated by the existence of other sources of materials for pod growth such as stored products in the roots and stems, and photosynthesis by the fruit itself.

Comparison of the effects of autumn and spring sowing date on growth and yield of combining peas (Pisum sativutnL.)

“…The present study also indicated that delaying sowing in spring until mid-April resulted in large yield reductions compared with March sowings, which is in agreement with the findings of many workers (Boswell, 1926;Kruger, 1973;Milbourn & Hardwick, 1968;Proctor, 1963;Salter & Williams, 1967). These workers attributed the reduction in yield from delayed sowings to one or more of the following: water stress, high temperature, or a shortened growing season.…”

“…Con-N. America are spring sown. Most sowing-date field sequently, there is a growing interest in autumn trials have, therefore, concentrated on spring sow-sowing of combining peas in the U.K. ings and excluded autumn sowings (Boswell, 1926; Winter-hardy pea varieties are autumn sown in Fletcher et al 1966;Milbourn & Hardwick, 1968; S. Europe. Autumn-sown crops already established Proctor, 1963;Vulstekeg, 1974).…”

Irrigation and water use in leafless peas (Pisum sativum)

“…Yield reductions from the later sowing date occurred even under the HM treatment, where water cannot have been limiting, as has also been shown for leafed green peas by Salter & Williams (1967). It has been suggested that high temperatures may be a cause of yield reductions in (Milbourn & Hardwick 1968) and temperatures greater than 25 or 26 C C at the time of flowering or pod filling have been shown to reduce seed yields (Lambert & Linck 1958;Pumphrey et al 1979). However, this does not appear to have been a cause in this investigation, when such high temperatures were rare.…”

“…1984). Moisture stress has also been suggested as a factor which may contribute to yield reductions in late-sown crops, greater soil moisture deficits being developed by the time the critical growth stages are achieved (Milbourn & Hardwick 1968). However, Salter & Williams (1967) indicated that this is not the only factor, as yield reductions with successive sowing dates were found even in peas irrigated at flowering and at pod filling.…”

Effect of timing and intensity of drought on the growth and yield of field peas (Pisum sativumL.)

“…The low yields were associated with low numbers of podding nodes/stem and pods/node and a slower increase in pod weight (Milbourn & Hardwick 1968). Whether these changes would affect the balance between sources and sinks is uncertain.…”