title: The yield of mechanically harvested rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) can be increased by optimum plant density and row spacing.
abstract: To determine the effects of plant density and row spacing on the mechanical harvesting of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.), field experiments were conducted. Higher plant density produced fewer pods and reduced the yield per plant. Wider row spacing at higher plant densities increased seeds per pod and the 1000-seed weight, resulting in a higher yield per plant. The highest yields were achieved at a density of 45 × 10(4) plants ha(-1) (D45) in combination with 15 cm row spacing (R15) because mortality associated with competition increased as both the plant density and row spacing increased. The leaf area index (LAI) and pod area index (PAI) showed similar relations to the yield per hectare, and they were positively correlated with the percentage of intercepted light, whereas the radiation use efficiency (RUE) was positively correlated with population biomass. Reduced plant height and increased root/shoot ratios led to a decreased culm lodging index. Improved resistance to pod shattering was also observed as plant density and row spacing increased. The angle of the lowest 5 branches decreased as row spacing increased under D30 and D45. All of these structural changes influenced the mechanical harvesting operations, resulting in the highest yield of mechanically harvesting rapeseed under D45R15.
authors.affiliation: College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei Province, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kuai
authors.affiliation: College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei Province, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Yingying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology of Jiangsu Province, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu Province, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Qingsong
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zuo
authors.affiliation: College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei Province, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Haidong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei Province, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Qingxi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.affiliation: Institute of agricultural mechanization ministry of agriculture, Nanjing 210014, Jiangsu Province, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Chongyou
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei Province, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Jianwei
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei Province, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Jiangsheng
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei Province, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Guangsheng
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zhou
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture / Q000379:methods*; D018533:Biomass; D029741:Brassica rapa / Q000254:growth & development*; D018556:Crops, Agricultural; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000502:physiology; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000502:physiology; D012639:Seeds / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology