Journal ArticleDOI
The role of the chemical industry in improving the effectiveness of agriculture
TLDR
In this paper, the development and marketing of novel technology by the chemical industry has been a fundamental ingredient in the improvement of crop yields, and the need for substantially increased investment in basic plant research, a requirement already recognized within the Chemical industry.Abstract:
The development and marketing of novel technology by the chemical industry has been a fundamental ingredient in the improvement of crop yields. Further advances will result from the continuing development of more effective pesticides. Improved application technology and better diagnosis of precise crop requirements will also lead to the more efficient usage of existing and future products. New approaches to crop improvement based on chemical plant-growth regulators and genetic engineering of plants represent major technological opportunities for the future. Realization of these opportunities demands a substantially increased investment in basic plant research, a requirement already recognized within the chemical industry.read more
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Integrating use of beneficial organisms with chemical crop protection
TL;DR: Preliminary studies on the use of semiochemicals to improve the efficiency of entomophagous pathogens in controlling pest infestations, and for monitoring and manipulating populations of beneficial insects, are described.
References
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Journal ArticleDOI
Climate and the efficiency of crop production in Britain
TL;DR: The efficiency of crop production is defined in thermodynamic terms as the ratio of energy output (carbohydrate) to energy input (solar radiation). Temperature and water supply are the main climatic constraints on efficiency as mentioned in this paper.
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Genetic improvements in winter wheat yields since 1900 and associated physiological changes
TL;DR: It is argued that by a continuation of the trend towards reduced stem length, with no change in above-ground biomass, breeders may be able to increase harvest index, from the present value of about 50% to about 60%, achieving a genetic gain in yield of some 25%.
Journal ArticleDOI
The Respiratory Costs of Nitrogen Fixation in Soyabean, Cowpea, and White Clover II. COMPARISONS OF THE COST OF NITROGEN FIXATION AND THE UTILIZATION OF COMBINED NITROGEN
TL;DR: Ryle et al. as discussed by the authors compared the performance of three legumes in terms of three important physiological attributes: (i) photosynthesis of the whole plant, (ii) respiration of the shoot, and (iii) root respiration, and found that plants fixing their own nitrogen respire 11-13% more of their fixed carbon each day than equivalent plants lacking nodules and utilizing nitrogen nitrogen.