Although the quantification and valuation of ecosystem services have been studied for a long time, few studies have specifi- cally focused on the quantification of tradeoffs between ecosystem services and tradeoff hot...Although the quantification and valuation of ecosystem services have been studied for a long time, few studies have specifi- cally focused on the quantification of tradeoffs between ecosystem services and tradeoff hotspots, Based on previous studies of ecosys- tem service assessment, we proposed a feasible method to analyze the tradeoffs between ecosystem services, including determination of their relationship, quantification of tradeoffs, and identification of tradeoff hotspots. Potential influencing factors were then further ana- lyzed. The Yanhe Basin in the Loess Plateau was selected as an example to demonstrate the application process. Firstly, the amounts of net primary production （NPP） and water yield （WY） in 2000 and 2008 were estimated by using biophysical models, Secondly, correla- tion analysis was used to indicate the tradeoffs between NPP and WY. Thirdly, tradeoff index （TINpp/wy） was established to quantify the extent of tradeoffs between NPP and WY, and the average value of TINpp/wy is 24.4 g/（mm·m2） for the Yanhe Basin between 2000 and 2008. Finally, the tradeoff hotspots were identified. The results indicated that the area of lowest tradeoff index concentrated in the mid- dle part of the Yanhe Basin and marginal areas of the southern basin. Map overlapping was used for preliminary analysis to seek poten- tial influencing factors, and the results showed that shrub was the best suited for growing in the Yanhe Basin, but also was a potential irtfluencing factor for formulatiort of the tradeoff hotspots. The concept of tradeoff index could also be used to quantify the degree of synergy between different ecosystem services. The method to identify the tradeoff hotspots could help us to narrow the scope of study area for further research on the relationship among ecosystem services and concentrate on the potential factors for formation of tradeoff between ecosystem services, enhance the capacity to maintain the sustainability of ecosystem.展开更多
We conducted a two-year study of deficit irrigation impact on peach yield and quality in semi-arid northwest China. Over two years, four-year-old peach trees were irrigated at 100, 75, 50 and 25% of peach evapotranspi...We conducted a two-year study of deficit irrigation impact on peach yield and quality in semi-arid northwest China. Over two years, four-year-old peach trees were irrigated at 100, 75, 50 and 25% of peach evapotranspiration （ETc）, here, ETc= Coefficient （Kc）×Local reference evapotranspiration （ET0）. During the April-July fruit production season we measured root zone soil water depletion, sap flow velocity, net photosynthetic rate （Pn）, transpiration rate （Tr）, stomatal conductance （Gs）, water use efficiency （WUE=Pn/Tr）, fruit quality, and yield under a mobile rain-out shelter. Increased soil water depletion reasonably mirrored decreasing irrigation rates both years, causing progressively greater water stress. Progressive water stress lowered Gs, which in turn translated into lower T as measured by sap flow. However, mild deficit irrigation （75% ETc） constricted T more than Pn. Pn was not different between 100 and 75% ETc treatments in both years, and it decreased only 5-8% in June with higher temperature than that in May with cooler temperature. Concurrently under 75% ETc treatment, was reduced, and WUE was up to 13% higher than that under 100% ETc treatment. While total fruit yield was not different under the two treatments, because 75% ETc treatment had fewer but larger fruit than 100% ETc trees, suggesting mild water stress thinned fruit load. By contrast, sharply decreased T and Pn of the driest treatments （50 and 25% ETo） increased WUE, but less carbon uptake impacted total fruit yield, resulting 13 and 33% lower yield compared to that of 100% ETc treatment. Irrigation rates affected fruit quality, particularly between the 100 and 75% ETc trees. Fewer but larger fruit in the mildly water stressed trees （75% ETc） resulted in more soluble solids and vitamin C, firmer fruit, and improved sugar：acid ratio and fruit color compared to the 100% ETo treatment. Overall, trees deficit irrigated at 75% ETc maintained yield while improving fruit quality and using less water.展开更多
A total of nine soybean （Glycine max （L.） Merr.） cultivars were divided into three yield levels which were planted under the same environmental condition. The net photosynthetic rate was measured by LI-6400 portab...A total of nine soybean （Glycine max （L.） Merr.） cultivars were divided into three yield levels which were planted under the same environmental condition. The net photosynthetic rate was measured by LI-6400 portable photosynthesis system. The chlorophyll content and specific leaf weight were measured with regular methods. The results showed that the specific leaf weight, chlorophyll content and net photosynthetic rate of high yield varieties were higher than those of low yield varieties. The yield had a significantly positive correlation with the net photosynthetic rate. With the improvement of modem technology, the net photosynthetic rate could be measured quickly and exactly. Hence, net photosynthetic rate could be used as an effective index in the selection of high yield soybean.展开更多
Nature reserves play a significant role in providing ecosystem services and are key sites for biodiversity conservation.The Tianchi Bogda Peak Natural Reserve(TBPNR),located in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,China,i...Nature reserves play a significant role in providing ecosystem services and are key sites for biodiversity conservation.The Tianchi Bogda Peak Natural Reserve(TBPNR),located in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,China,is an important ecological barrier area in the temperate arid zone.The evaluation of its important ecosystem services is of great significance to improve the management level and ecological protection efficiency of the reserve.In the present study,we assessed the spatiotemporal variations of four ecosystem services(including net primary productivity(NPP),water yield,soil conservation,and habitat quality)in the TBPNR from 2000 to 2020 based on the environmental and social data using the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs(InVEST)model.In addition,the coldspot and hotspot areas of ecosystem services were identified by hotspot analysis,and the trade-off and synergistic relationships between ecosystem services were analyzed using factor analysis in a geographic detector.During the study period,NPP and soil conservation values in the reserve increased by 48.20%and 25.56%,respectively;conversely,water yield decreased by 16.56%,and there was no significant change in habitat quality.Spatially,both NPP and habitat quality values were higher in the northern part and lower in the southern part,whereas water yield showed an opposite trend.Correlation analysis revealed that NPP showed a synergistic relationship with habitat quality and soil conservation,and exhibited a trade-off relationship with water yield.Water yield and habitat quality also had a trade-off relationship.NPP and habitat quality were affected by annual average temperature and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index(NDVI),respectively,while water yield and soil conservation were more affected by digital elevation model(DEM).Therefore,attention should be paid to the spatial distribution and dynamics of trade-off and synergistic relationships between ecosystem services in future ecological management.The findings of the present 展开更多
Land use/land cover(LULC)change and climate change are two major factors affecting the provision of ecosystem services which are closely related to human well-being.However,a clear understanding of the relationships b...Land use/land cover(LULC)change and climate change are two major factors affecting the provision of ecosystem services which are closely related to human well-being.However,a clear understanding of the relationships between these two factors and ecosystem services in Central Asia is still lacking.This study aimed to comprehensively assess ecosystem services in Central Asia and analyze how they are impacted by changes in LULC and climate.The spatiotemporal patterns of three ecosystem services during the period of 2000-2015,namely the net primary productivity(NPP),water yield,and soil retention,were quantified and mapped by the Carnegie-Ames-Stanford Approach(CASA)model,Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs(InVEST)model,and Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation(RUSLE).Scenarios were used to determine the relative importance and combined effect of LULC change and climate change on ecosystem services.Then,the relationships between climate factors(precipitation and temperature)and ecosystem services,as well as between LULC change and ecosystem services,were further discussed.The results showed that the high values of ecosystem services appeared in the southeast of Central Asia.Among the six biomes(alpine forest region(AFR),alpine meadow region(AMR),typical steppe region(TSR),desert steppe region(DSR),desert region(DR),and lake region(LR)),the values of ecosystem services followed the order of AFR>AMR>TSR>DSR>DR>LR.In addition,the values of ecosystem services fluctuated during the period of 2000-2015,with the most significant decreases observed in the southeast mountainous area and northwest of Central Asia.LULC change had a greater impact on the NPP,while climate change had a stronger influence on the water yield and soil retention.The combined LULC change and climate change exhibited a significant synergistic effect on ecosystem services in most of Central Asia.Moreover,ecosystem services were more strongly and positively correlated with precipitation than with temperature.The greening of desert are展开更多
Excessive use of N fertilizer in intensive agriculture can increase crop yield and at the same time cause high carbon（C） emissions.This study was conducted to determine optimized N fertilizer application for high gr...Excessive use of N fertilizer in intensive agriculture can increase crop yield and at the same time cause high carbon（C） emissions.This study was conducted to determine optimized N fertilizer application for high grain yield and lower C emissions in summer corn（Zea mays L.）.A field experiment, including 0（N0）, 75（N75）, 150（N150）, 225（N225）, and 300（N300） kg N ha–1 treatments, was carried out during 2010–2012 in the North China Plain（NCP）.The results showed that grain yield, input energy, greenhouse gas（GHG） emissions, and carbon footprint（CF） were all increased with the increase of N rate, except net energy yield（NEY）.The treatment of N225 had the highest grain yield（10 364.7 kg ha–1） and NEY（6.8%）, but the CF（0.25） was lower than that of N300, which indicates that a rate of 225 kg N ha–1 can be optimal for summer corn in NCP.Comparing GHG emision compontents, N fertilizer（0–51.1%） was the highest and followed by electricity for irrigation（19.73–49.35%）.We conclude that optimazing N fertilizer application rate and reducing electricity for irrigation are the two key measures to increase crop yield, improve energy efficiency and decrease GHG emissions in corn production.展开更多
Building a more resilient response system to climate change for sustainable development and reducing uncertainty in China’s food markets,requires access to historical research gaps and mapping future research progres...Building a more resilient response system to climate change for sustainable development and reducing uncertainty in China’s food markets,requires access to historical research gaps and mapping future research progress for decision making.However,the lack of quantitative and objective analyses to ensure the stability and development of agroecosystems increases the complexity of agro-climatic mechanisms,which leads to uncertainty and undesirable consequences.In this paper,we review the characteristics of climate change in China(1951–2020),reveal the mechanisms of agroecosystem structure in response to climate,and identify challenges and opportunities for future efforts in the context of research progress.The aim is to improve the scientific validity and relevance of future research by clarifying agro-climatic response mechanisms.The results show that surface temperature,precipitation,and frequency of extreme weather events have increased to varying degrees in major agricultural regions of China in 1951–2020.And they have strong geographic variation,which has resulted in droughts in the north and floods in the south.Moreover,climate change has complicated the mechanisms of soil moisture,Net Primary Productivity(NPP),soil carbon pool,and crop pest structure in agroecosystems.This lends to a reduction in soil water holding capacity,NPP,soil carbon content,and the number of natural enemies of diseases and insects,which in turn affects crop yields.However,human interventions can mitigate the deterioration of these factors.We have also realized that the methodology and theory of historical research poses a great challenge to future agroecosystem.Historical and projected climate trends identified current gaps in interdisciplinary integration and multidisciplinary research required to manage diverse spatio-temporal climate change impacts on agroecosystems.Future efforts should highlight integrated management and decision making,multidisciplinary big data coupling,and numerical simulations to ensure sustainable agricu展开更多
Effect of intermittent irrigation on the production of paddy rice was studied in a well-puddled paddy field with four treatments and 2 replicates: continuous flooding irrigation (CFI), and intermittent irrigation Ⅱ-...Effect of intermittent irrigation on the production of paddy rice was studied in a well-puddled paddy field with four treatments and 2 replicates: continuous flooding irrigation (CFI), and intermittent irrigation Ⅱ-O, Ⅱ-1 and Ⅱ-2, in which plants were re-irrigated when the soil water potential fell below 0, -10, and -20 kPa, respectively, at soil depth of about 5 cm. Results showed that the reduction in soil water potential to about -10 or -20 kPa did not significantly affect the number of grains and the percentage of ripened grains. While, a lower crop growth rate (CGR) resulted from a decrease in the net assimilation rate (NAR) during intermittent irrigation Ⅱ-1 and Ⅱ-2, and there was also a reduction in the leaf area index (LAI) during intermittent irrigation Ⅱ-2. Senescence of lower leaves on stems was promoted in treatments Ⅱ-1 and Ⅱ-2 at the ripening stage. Early senescence at ripening stage and water stress around midday decreased the rate of photosynthesis in leaves, causing the lower NAR. These physiological responses of the plants were responsible for the reduction in the dry matter production and grain yield in the intermittent irrigation treatments.展开更多
基金Under the auspices of National Natural Sciences Foundation of China(No.41230745)Major Program of High Resolution Earth Observation System(No.30-Y30B13-9003-14/16-02)
文摘Although the quantification and valuation of ecosystem services have been studied for a long time, few studies have specifi- cally focused on the quantification of tradeoffs between ecosystem services and tradeoff hotspots, Based on previous studies of ecosys- tem service assessment, we proposed a feasible method to analyze the tradeoffs between ecosystem services, including determination of their relationship, quantification of tradeoffs, and identification of tradeoff hotspots. Potential influencing factors were then further ana- lyzed. The Yanhe Basin in the Loess Plateau was selected as an example to demonstrate the application process. Firstly, the amounts of net primary production （NPP） and water yield （WY） in 2000 and 2008 were estimated by using biophysical models, Secondly, correla- tion analysis was used to indicate the tradeoffs between NPP and WY. Thirdly, tradeoff index （TINpp/wy） was established to quantify the extent of tradeoffs between NPP and WY, and the average value of TINpp/wy is 24.4 g/（mm·m2） for the Yanhe Basin between 2000 and 2008. Finally, the tradeoff hotspots were identified. The results indicated that the area of lowest tradeoff index concentrated in the mid- dle part of the Yanhe Basin and marginal areas of the southern basin. Map overlapping was used for preliminary analysis to seek poten- tial influencing factors, and the results showed that shrub was the best suited for growing in the Yanhe Basin, but also was a potential irtfluencing factor for formulatiort of the tradeoff hotspots. The concept of tradeoff index could also be used to quantify the degree of synergy between different ecosystem services. The method to identify the tradeoff hotspots could help us to narrow the scope of study area for further research on the relationship among ecosystem services and concentrate on the potential factors for formation of tradeoff between ecosystem services, enhance the capacity to maintain the sustainability of ecosystem.
基金the financial support from the National High-Tech R&D Program,China(863 Program,2011AA100504)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(51579211)+3 种基金the Key Research Project of Universities in Henan Province,China(16A416005)the 111 Project of the Chinese Education Ministry(B12007)the Initial Fund for Doctoral Reserch of Henan University of Science and Technology,China(13480016)the China Scholarship Council and USDA Agricultural Experiment Station CRIS Project(01129)
文摘We conducted a two-year study of deficit irrigation impact on peach yield and quality in semi-arid northwest China. Over two years, four-year-old peach trees were irrigated at 100, 75, 50 and 25% of peach evapotranspiration （ETc）, here, ETc= Coefficient （Kc）×Local reference evapotranspiration （ET0）. During the April-July fruit production season we measured root zone soil water depletion, sap flow velocity, net photosynthetic rate （Pn）, transpiration rate （Tr）, stomatal conductance （Gs）, water use efficiency （WUE=Pn/Tr）, fruit quality, and yield under a mobile rain-out shelter. Increased soil water depletion reasonably mirrored decreasing irrigation rates both years, causing progressively greater water stress. Progressive water stress lowered Gs, which in turn translated into lower T as measured by sap flow. However, mild deficit irrigation （75% ETc） constricted T more than Pn. Pn was not different between 100 and 75% ETc treatments in both years, and it decreased only 5-8% in June with higher temperature than that in May with cooler temperature. Concurrently under 75% ETc treatment, was reduced, and WUE was up to 13% higher than that under 100% ETc treatment. While total fruit yield was not different under the two treatments, because 75% ETc treatment had fewer but larger fruit than 100% ETc trees, suggesting mild water stress thinned fruit load. By contrast, sharply decreased T and Pn of the driest treatments （50 and 25% ETo） increased WUE, but less carbon uptake impacted total fruit yield, resulting 13 and 33% lower yield compared to that of 100% ETc treatment. Irrigation rates affected fruit quality, particularly between the 100 and 75% ETc trees. Fewer but larger fruit in the mildly water stressed trees （75% ETc） resulted in more soluble solids and vitamin C, firmer fruit, and improved sugar：acid ratio and fruit color compared to the 100% ETo treatment. Overall, trees deficit irrigated at 75% ETc maintained yield while improving fruit quality and using less water.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (30871547)Foundation of Department of Education of Jilin Province (2006041)Scientific Research Foundation of Jilin Agricultural University (2009028)
文摘A total of nine soybean （Glycine max （L.） Merr.） cultivars were divided into three yield levels which were planted under the same environmental condition. The net photosynthetic rate was measured by LI-6400 portable photosynthesis system. The chlorophyll content and specific leaf weight were measured with regular methods. The results showed that the specific leaf weight, chlorophyll content and net photosynthetic rate of high yield varieties were higher than those of low yield varieties. The yield had a significantly positive correlation with the net photosynthetic rate. With the improvement of modem technology, the net photosynthetic rate could be measured quickly and exactly. Hence, net photosynthetic rate could be used as an effective index in the selection of high yield soybean.
基金This research was funded by the Key Laboratory for Sustainable Development of Xinjiang's Historical and Cultural Tourism,Xinjiang University,China(LY2022-06)the Tianchi Talent Project.
文摘Nature reserves play a significant role in providing ecosystem services and are key sites for biodiversity conservation.The Tianchi Bogda Peak Natural Reserve(TBPNR),located in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,China,is an important ecological barrier area in the temperate arid zone.The evaluation of its important ecosystem services is of great significance to improve the management level and ecological protection efficiency of the reserve.In the present study,we assessed the spatiotemporal variations of four ecosystem services(including net primary productivity(NPP),water yield,soil conservation,and habitat quality)in the TBPNR from 2000 to 2020 based on the environmental and social data using the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs(InVEST)model.In addition,the coldspot and hotspot areas of ecosystem services were identified by hotspot analysis,and the trade-off and synergistic relationships between ecosystem services were analyzed using factor analysis in a geographic detector.During the study period,NPP and soil conservation values in the reserve increased by 48.20%and 25.56%,respectively;conversely,water yield decreased by 16.56%,and there was no significant change in habitat quality.Spatially,both NPP and habitat quality values were higher in the northern part and lower in the southern part,whereas water yield showed an opposite trend.Correlation analysis revealed that NPP showed a synergistic relationship with habitat quality and soil conservation,and exhibited a trade-off relationship with water yield.Water yield and habitat quality also had a trade-off relationship.NPP and habitat quality were affected by annual average temperature and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index(NDVI),respectively,while water yield and soil conservation were more affected by digital elevation model(DEM).Therefore,attention should be paid to the spatial distribution and dynamics of trade-off and synergistic relationships between ecosystem services in future ecological management.The findings of the present
基金This study was supported by the Strategic Priority Research Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences,the Pan-Third Pole Environment Study for a Green Silk Road(Pan-TPE)(XDA2004030202).
文摘Land use/land cover(LULC)change and climate change are two major factors affecting the provision of ecosystem services which are closely related to human well-being.However,a clear understanding of the relationships between these two factors and ecosystem services in Central Asia is still lacking.This study aimed to comprehensively assess ecosystem services in Central Asia and analyze how they are impacted by changes in LULC and climate.The spatiotemporal patterns of three ecosystem services during the period of 2000-2015,namely the net primary productivity(NPP),water yield,and soil retention,were quantified and mapped by the Carnegie-Ames-Stanford Approach(CASA)model,Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs(InVEST)model,and Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation(RUSLE).Scenarios were used to determine the relative importance and combined effect of LULC change and climate change on ecosystem services.Then,the relationships between climate factors(precipitation and temperature)and ecosystem services,as well as between LULC change and ecosystem services,were further discussed.The results showed that the high values of ecosystem services appeared in the southeast of Central Asia.Among the six biomes(alpine forest region(AFR),alpine meadow region(AMR),typical steppe region(TSR),desert steppe region(DSR),desert region(DR),and lake region(LR)),the values of ecosystem services followed the order of AFR>AMR>TSR>DSR>DR>LR.In addition,the values of ecosystem services fluctuated during the period of 2000-2015,with the most significant decreases observed in the southeast mountainous area and northwest of Central Asia.LULC change had a greater impact on the NPP,while climate change had a stronger influence on the water yield and soil retention.The combined LULC change and climate change exhibited a significant synergistic effect on ecosystem services in most of Central Asia.Moreover,ecosystem services were more strongly and positively correlated with precipitation than with temperature.The greening of desert are
基金supported by the National Basic Research Program of China(973 Program,2010CB951502)the Special Fund for Agro-Scientific Research in the Public Interest in China(201103001)
文摘Excessive use of N fertilizer in intensive agriculture can increase crop yield and at the same time cause high carbon（C） emissions.This study was conducted to determine optimized N fertilizer application for high grain yield and lower C emissions in summer corn（Zea mays L.）.A field experiment, including 0（N0）, 75（N75）, 150（N150）, 225（N225）, and 300（N300） kg N ha–1 treatments, was carried out during 2010–2012 in the North China Plain（NCP）.The results showed that grain yield, input energy, greenhouse gas（GHG） emissions, and carbon footprint（CF） were all increased with the increase of N rate, except net energy yield（NEY）.The treatment of N225 had the highest grain yield（10 364.7 kg ha–1） and NEY（6.8%）, but the CF（0.25） was lower than that of N300, which indicates that a rate of 225 kg N ha–1 can be optimal for summer corn in NCP.Comparing GHG emision compontents, N fertilizer（0–51.1%） was the highest and followed by electricity for irrigation（19.73–49.35%）.We conclude that optimazing N fertilizer application rate and reducing electricity for irrigation are the two key measures to increase crop yield, improve energy efficiency and decrease GHG emissions in corn production.
基金Under the auspices of Scientific and Technological Development Program of Jilin Province(No.20220101154JC)Strategic Pioneering Science and Technology Special Project of Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.XDA28080503)+1 种基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.42071025)Youth Innovation Promotion Association of Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.2023240)。
文摘Building a more resilient response system to climate change for sustainable development and reducing uncertainty in China’s food markets,requires access to historical research gaps and mapping future research progress for decision making.However,the lack of quantitative and objective analyses to ensure the stability and development of agroecosystems increases the complexity of agro-climatic mechanisms,which leads to uncertainty and undesirable consequences.In this paper,we review the characteristics of climate change in China(1951–2020),reveal the mechanisms of agroecosystem structure in response to climate,and identify challenges and opportunities for future efforts in the context of research progress.The aim is to improve the scientific validity and relevance of future research by clarifying agro-climatic response mechanisms.The results show that surface temperature,precipitation,and frequency of extreme weather events have increased to varying degrees in major agricultural regions of China in 1951–2020.And they have strong geographic variation,which has resulted in droughts in the north and floods in the south.Moreover,climate change has complicated the mechanisms of soil moisture,Net Primary Productivity(NPP),soil carbon pool,and crop pest structure in agroecosystems.This lends to a reduction in soil water holding capacity,NPP,soil carbon content,and the number of natural enemies of diseases and insects,which in turn affects crop yields.However,human interventions can mitigate the deterioration of these factors.We have also realized that the methodology and theory of historical research poses a great challenge to future agroecosystem.Historical and projected climate trends identified current gaps in interdisciplinary integration and multidisciplinary research required to manage diverse spatio-temporal climate change impacts on agroecosystems.Future efforts should highlight integrated management and decision making,multidisciplinary big data coupling,and numerical simulations to ensure sustainable agricu
基金Project (No. 49971043) supported partly by the National Natural Science Foundation of China.
文摘Effect of intermittent irrigation on the production of paddy rice was studied in a well-puddled paddy field with four treatments and 2 replicates: continuous flooding irrigation (CFI), and intermittent irrigation Ⅱ-O, Ⅱ-1 and Ⅱ-2, in which plants were re-irrigated when the soil water potential fell below 0, -10, and -20 kPa, respectively, at soil depth of about 5 cm. Results showed that the reduction in soil water potential to about -10 or -20 kPa did not significantly affect the number of grains and the percentage of ripened grains. While, a lower crop growth rate (CGR) resulted from a decrease in the net assimilation rate (NAR) during intermittent irrigation Ⅱ-1 and Ⅱ-2, and there was also a reduction in the leaf area index (LAI) during intermittent irrigation Ⅱ-2. Senescence of lower leaves on stems was promoted in treatments Ⅱ-1 and Ⅱ-2 at the ripening stage. Early senescence at ripening stage and water stress around midday decreased the rate of photosynthesis in leaves, causing the lower NAR. These physiological responses of the plants were responsible for the reduction in the dry matter production and grain yield in the intermittent irrigation treatments.
