title: Ideotype population exploration: growth, photosynthesis, and yield components at different planting densities in winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.).
abstract: Rapeseed is one of the most important edible oil crops in the world and the seed yield has lagged behind the increasing demand driven by population growth. Winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) is widely cultivated with relatively low yield in China, so it is necessary to find the strategies to improve the expression of yield potential. Planting density has great effects on seed yield of crops. Hence, field experiments were conducted in Wuhan in the Yangtze River basin with one conventional variety (Zhongshuang 11, ZS11) and one hybrid variety (Huayouza 9, HYZ9) at five planting densities (27.0×10(4), 37.5×10(4), 48.0×10(4), 58.5×10(4), 69.0×10(4) plants ha(-1)) during 2010-2012 to investigate the yield components. The physiological traits for high-yield and normal-yield populations were measured during 2011-2013. Our results indicated that planting densities of 58.5×10(4) plants ha(-1) in ZS11 and 48.0×10(4) plants ha(-1) in HYZ9 have significantly higher yield compared with the density of 27.0×10(4) plants ha(-1) for both varieties. The ideal silique numbers for ZS11 and HYZ9 were ∼0.9×10(4) (n m(-2)) and ∼1×10(4) (n m(-2)), respectively, and ideal primary branches for ZS11 and HYZ9 were ∼250 (n m(-2)) and ∼300 (n m(-2)), respectively. The highest leaf area index (LAI) and silique wall area index (SAI) was ∼5.0 and 7.0, respectively. Moreover, higher leaf net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and water use efficiency (WUE) were observed in the high-yield populations. A significantly higher level of silique wall photosynthesis and rapid dry matter accumulation were supposed to result in the maximum seed yield. Our results suggest that increasing the planting density within certain range is a feasible approach for higher seed yield in winter rapeseed in China.
authors.affiliation: Oil Crops Research Institute Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Key Laboratory of Oil Crop Biology of the Ministry of Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Physiology, Ministry of Agriculture, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Ni
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Oil Crops Research Institute Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Key Laboratory of Oil Crop Biology of the Ministry of Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Physiology, Ministry of Agriculture, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Jinzhan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.affiliation: Oil Crops Research Institute Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Key Laboratory of Oil Crop Biology of the Ministry of Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Physiology, Ministry of Agriculture, Wuhan, China; Key Laboratory of Crop Ecophysiology and Farming System in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, Ministry of Agriculture, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Oil Crops Research Institute Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Key Laboratory of Oil Crop Biology of the Ministry of Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Physiology, Ministry of Agriculture, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Oil Crops Research Institute Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Key Laboratory of Oil Crop Biology of the Ministry of Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Physiology, Ministry of Agriculture, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Liyan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Oil Crops Research Institute Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Key Laboratory of Oil Crop Biology of the Ministry of Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Physiology, Ministry of Agriculture, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Lixin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Oil Crops Research Institute Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Key Laboratory of Oil Crop Biology of the Ministry of Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Physiology, Ministry of Agriculture, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Muhammad Shahbaz
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Naeem
authors.affiliation: Oil Crops Research Institute Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Key Laboratory of Oil Crop Biology of the Ministry of Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Physiology, Ministry of Agriculture, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Chunlei
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D029688:Brassica napus / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005638:Fruit / Q000254:growth & development; D056626:Inflorescence / Q000254:growth & development; D010788:Photosynthesis; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000254:growth & development; D045483:Rivers; D012621:Seasons