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Estimation of radiation interception by winter wheat from measurements of leaf area

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

G. N. Thorne ,
I. Pearman ,
W. Day  and
A. D. Todd
G. N. Thorne
Affiliation:
AFRG Institute of Arable Crops Research, Rolhamsted Experimental Station, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, ALb 2JQ
I. Pearman
Affiliation:
AFRG Institute of Arable Crops Research, Rolhamsted Experimental Station, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, ALb 2JQ
W. Day
Affiliation:
AFRG Institute of Arable Crops Research, Rolhamsted Experimental Station, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, ALb 2JQ
A. D. Todd
Affiliation:
AFRG Institute of Arable Crops Research, Rolhamsted Experimental Station, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, ALb 2JQ
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Summary

The percentage (P) of incident photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) reaching the ground was measured in winter wheat crops throughout the season, and related to projected area index (L) of leaves, plus sheaths and stems when present. Between unfolding of the first leaf and appearance of the flag leaf the mean value for the exponential extinction coefficient (K) was 0·46±0·007. The value did not vary with the growth stage of the wheat and was scarcely affected by experimental treatments, apart from effects resulting from the presence of senescent tissues that intercepted light but whose area was not included in L. After anthesis, in crops having between 340 and 540 ears/m2, between 68 and 89% of incident PAR penetrated to below the ears. Relation between the further penetration to the base of the crop canopy and the area of green plus senescent leaf and stem tissue gave K = 0·50. The relation did not change significantly between anthesis and complete senescence.

The relation between P and L was similar whether P was obtained from instantaneous measurements made near midday, 24 h integrals of PAR or percentage ground cover measured photographically.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 110 , Issue 1 , February 1988 , pp. 101 - 108
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1988

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