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Acta Prataculturae Sinica ›› 2023, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (2): 84-96.DOI: 10.11686/cyxb2022061

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Effects of stubble height on nitrogen metabolism, yield and quality of Cyperus esculentus

Bian-bian LI(), Feng-hua ZHANG(), Ya-guang ZHAO   

  1. Xinjiang Production and Construction Group Key Laboratory of Oasis Eco-agriculture,Shihezi University,Shihezi 832003,China
  • Received:2022-02-14 Revised:2022-03-14 Online:2023-02-20 Published:2022-12-01
  • Contact: Feng-hua ZHANG

Abstract:

This study investigated the effects of varying stubble heights on the growth of Cyperus esculentus. We evaluated differences in height, chlorophyll content, nitrogen metabolism and related indicators, tuber yield and quality of C. esculentus for different cutting regimes (stubble 50 cm, R50; stubble 40 cm, R40; stubble 30 cm, R30; stubble 20 cm, R20; stubble 10 cm, R10; and uncut, CK) to clarify the effects of different stubble heights on the nitrogen metabolism, yield and quality of C. esculentus, to elucidate the relationship between nitrogen metabolism and yield and quality and to identify the optimal cutting height. It was found that severe clipping (R10 and R20) had an inhibitory effect on the accumulation of plant matter, while moderate clipping (R30 and R40) promoted the growth and development of plants. The chlorophyll content of R10 and R20 treatments was severely reduced, while the R40 treatment (7, 14 and 21 d) promoted increased chlorophyll content. Nitrate reductase (7, 14, 21 and 28 d), glutamate synthase (five periods), and glutamine synthetase (7, 21 and 28 d) activities in the R30 treatment were higher than those in other treatments. The content of soluble protein (21 and 28 d) and the activity of glutamine synthetase (1 and 14 d) in the R40 treatment were higher than those in the other treatments. Appropriate clipping height was not only conducive to the regeneration of aboveground organs, but also promoted the growth and development of belowground organs through source-sink regulation. Tuber yield in the R30 (12366.09 kg·ha-1) and R40 (11506.62 kg·ha-1) treatments was significantly higher than in the other treatments, but there was no significant difference between R30 and R40. Thousand seed weight (597.53 g) and the content of crude fat (27.85%) in the R40 treatment were significantly higher than those in the other treatments. Total grain number (26.99 million grains·ha-1), grains per hole (169 grains·hole-1), and the contents of crude protein (8.01%) and total sugar (18.78%) in the R30 treatment were significantly higher than those in the other treatments. A correlation analysis showed that the activity of glutamate synthase in the leaves of C. esculentus was significantly positively correlated with the yield of belowground tubers, and the contents of crude protein and starch in C. esculentus tubers in all five periods after clipping. In summary, R30 and R40 treatments promoted C. esculentus leaf nitrogen metabolism, compared with other treatments, and thus improved the yield and quality of belowground tubers. Based on these results, a stubble height of 30-40 cm is recommended.

Key words: clipping, Cyperus esculentus, nitrogen metabolism, yield, quality