Density-Tolerant Rapeseed Increased Population Yield by Enhancing Post-Anthesis Nonstructural Carbohydrate...

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Plant Physiology
• Crop Science

Background:

• Stem nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) translocation efficiency influences crop yield and lodging.
• The interplay between yield, lodging, and NSC transport under high-density planting in rapeseed is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate the effects of planting density on rapeseed yield.
• Identify limiting factors for yield enhancement in high-density planting.
• Analyze photosynthetic carbon metabolism in dense-tolerant rapeseed varieties.

Main Methods:

• Field experiments with six rapeseed varieties under two densities (2020-2022).
• Assessed yield, lodging index, chloroplast characteristics, photosynthetic rates, enzyme activities, starch content, and NSC transport.
• Correlated NSC transport with yield and lodging.

Main Results:

• Increased density boosted yield in tall variety C31 but decreased it in short variety N91, while increasing lodging.
• High-density planting reduced photosynthetic efficiency and NSC translocation (amount and rate) in stems.
• NSC transport positively correlated with yield and negatively with lodging index.

Conclusions:

• Rapeseed variety C31 demonstrated superior individual yield and lodging resistance under high density.
• C31's advantages stem from greater dry matter accumulation, enhanced photosynthesis, and more efficient NSC translocation.
• Optimizing NSC translocation is crucial for improving rapeseed yield and lodging resistance in dense plantings.