Bare Conditions Research Articles

Deriving Narrow Syntax through constraints on information structure: A parallel between linguistic models of displacement and database theory

This paper presents a research program for normalization-driven syntax. It takes the Minimalist research agenda as a starting point (Chomsky, 1995b) and explores the question of how the CI interface determines syntactic operations. The proposal provides specific content to the notion of bare output conditions and the nature of the CI interface. It does so by drawing on the tools provided by Relational Theory, a branch of set-theoretic mathematics, and Database Theory, a branch of computer science. It is demonstrated that core components of Narrow Syntax (phrase structure, selection and AGREE) are all definable in terms of Relational Theory. Then, it is shown that the process of relation optimization, or normalization, can derive chain formation. The article concludes with two speculations on the implementation of phases within a normalization-driven grammar and the implications of such a system for the learnability of the lexicon.

On Reducing Control to Movement

. Hornstein (1999, 2001) proposes a version of the movement theory of control (MTC) in which movement of a DP is driven by the need to “receive” a θ-feature of the verb/predicate it merges with. I argue against the use of θ-features in syntax on the grounds that they are fundamentally semantic, hence properly belong to the bare output conditions of the C-I interface. I propose instead a version of the MTC closer in spirit to Bowers (1973/1986, 1981) in which Merge is driven by interpretable or uninterpretable c-selection features of the standard sort. I then show that, given standard minimalist assumptions, the MTC is not only possible but necessary. I conclude by arguing that the MTC thus formulated supports a purely derivational theory of syntax and interpretation that contains no level of LF.

Sub‐debris melt rates on southern inylchek glacier, central tian shan

.Melt rates of glacier surfaces are strongly influenced by the existence of a debris cover. Dependent on thickness and other physical parameters, the debris layer can enhance or reduce ablation as compared to bare ice conditions. Supraglacial moraines appear very frequently on Central Asian glaciers, greatly affecting water yield from these high mountain regions. In summer 2005, a network of 22 ablation stakes was drilled into locations with varying debris thicknesses on southern Inylchek Glacier in the central Tian Shan. Mean ablation rates varied from 2.8 to 6.7 cm/day, strongly correlated with moraine thickness. Parallel observation of air temperature allowed the application of a simple degree‐day approach and the calculation of ablation rates. Efforts to improve calculations of melt rates by incorporating relative air humidity to account for latent heat fluxes failed. This proves that air temperature is already a very good melt indicator. Ice albedo measurements show that reflectivity might be controlled by the occurrence of evaporation or condensation, but this topic needs further investigation.

Estimation in spin glasses: A first step

The Sherrington–Kirkpatrick model of spin glasses, the Hopfield model of neural networks and the Ising spin glass are all models of binary data belonging to the one-parameter exponential family with quadratic sufficient statistic. Under bare minimal conditions, we establish the $\sqrt{N}$-consistency of the maximum pseudolikelihood estimate of the natural parameter in this family, even at critical temperatures. Since very little is known about the low and critical temperature regimes of these extremely difficult models, the proof requires several new ideas. The author’s version of Stein’s method is a particularly useful tool. We aim to introduce these techniques into the realm of mathematical statistics through an example and present some open questions.

Evaluation of time domain reflectometry (TDR) for estimating furrow infiltration

TDR was used to estimate furrow infiltration, which is a key component in furrow irrigation system design and management. Furrow irrigation experiments were conducted on bare and cropped fields consisting of three 40 m long parabolic shaped furrows spaced at 0.8 m on a slope of 0.5%. The centre furrow was taken as the study furrow and the other two provided a buffer to the centre furrow. Altogether, 22 irrigations were conducted during 2004 and 2005 with inflow rates ranging from 0.1 to 0.7 l s−1. TDR probes were installed vertically around the centre furrow at four locations 0.5 (S1), 13 (S2), 26 (S3) and 39.5 m (S4) from the inlet end. The S1 and S3 locations had four TDR probes installed at 0.15, 0.30, 0.45 and 0.60 m depths whereas the S2 and S4 locations had two probes each at 0.15 and 0.30 m depths. Soil moisture data collected at 5-min intervals were used to determine the average soil moisture content of the field. The change in moisture content was used to estimate the furrow infiltration which was compared with that measured using an inflow–outflow (IO) method. The performance of the TDR method was studied by calculating the absolute prediction error (APE), root mean square error (RMSE) and index of agreement (Ia). It was found that the TDR-method estimated furrow infiltration well for higher inflow rates and during the initial stages of irrigation. APE decreased and Ia increased with increase in flow rate for both bare and cropped conditions. The APE and RMSE were found to be larger for a cropped field than the bare field when irrigated at the same inflow rate. The accuracy of the TDR-method for estimating total infiltration was improved by using the average field moisture content of 30 or 45 min after the recession phase ceased. These results indicate that TDR can be used to estimate in situ infiltration under furrow irrigation.

Mycorrhizal colonisation of three hybrid papayas (Carica papaya) under mulched and bare ground conditions

The use of straw mulching has been demonstrated to decrease soil loss and to improve soil moisture and soil organic matter content in conjunction with papaya (Carica papaya) cultivation. Mulching may also benefit soil biota. In this study, mulching was demonstrated to significantly (P < 0.05) improve arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal colonisation of papaya roots (by a factor of 2.4), but decreased spore density and species diversity (by a factor of 1.5), compared with cultivation in bare ground. The genera Glomus, Acaulospora, Gigaspora and Sclerocystis dominated in both mulched and bare ground systems. The increased mycorrhizal activity in the mulched treatments was matched by an increase in leaf phosphorus in 1995 but not in 1997.

Occurrence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in bromeliad species from the tropical Atlantic forest biome in Brazil

The mycorrhizal status of epiphytic, rupicolous, and terrestrial bromeliad species from the Brazilian Atlantic Rain Forest has been examined. Roots of 13 species of bromeliads were analyzed for the presence of mycorrhizal structures such as arbuscules, hyphae, and vesicles as well as other fungal structures. Rhizosphere soil was sampled to identify arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) species associated only with terrestrial bromeliad species. Most specimens collected were epiphytic bromeliads in the genera Aechmea, Bilbergia, Nidularium, Tillandsia, and Vriesea. Differentiating structures of AMF were found in only three species of bromeliads. The pattern of mycorrhizal colonization was mainly internal, and external mycelium and arbuscules were observed only in the terrestrial Nidularium procerum. Root endophytes with dark brown septate mycelium, thin external hyphae, and Rhizoctonia-like sclerotia were also detected in some root segments. A total of ten spore morphotypes were recovered from the rhizosphere of N. procerum, with Acaulospora mellea, A. foveata, and Glomus sp. being the most common species recovered. Our study demonstrated that most of the epiphytic species are not associated with AMF. We attribute this mainly to the exposed bare root conditions found in epiphytic bromeliads.

A Review of the Contribution of J. Stanley Cobb to the Field of Lobster Research

The interaction between behavior, ecology and fisheries management is complex. It is no less so in lobster fisheries than in any other fishery, and knowledge of the behavior of the American lobster, Homarus americanus, is critical to the successful management of this icon species. Stanley Cobb has spent a lifetime studying the American lobster. In addition to his own research, Stan has been the supervisor of 35 students who have obtained postgraduate qualifications to allow them to carry out further studies in this ever expanding field of research. The first papers published by Stan Cobb were, not surprisingly, all on the American lobster H. americanus (Cobb, 1968). The first study investigated whether there was a difference in time of molt of larval H. americanus to the juvenile stage if the bottom conditions varied between mud, sand, gravel and bare conditions. Larvae on a gravel substrate moulted significantly earlier than on all other substrates, supporting the hypotheses that bottom conditions are important in the time of molt to the epibenthic life of a juvenile lobster. The second study continued that of the first (Cobb, 1970). It was designed to discover what factor of the gravel substrate had affected the duration of the fourth stage larvae. However, the effects of being held singly or in pairs, and with two levels of illumination, were also tested in the experiment. In typical fashion the substrate type had no detectable effect on the larvae, and nor did the light. However, solitude did. This is how science progresses! The third of these studies was on adult lobsters, and investigated some of the relationships between a lobster and its shelter (Cobb, 1971). The method of excavating a shelter, its dimensions related to the size of the lobster, and the preferred level of darkness within the shelter, were all defined by this study. There was a positive relationship between lobster size and shelter size (Cobb, 1971). Larger lobsters choose, or construct, larger shelters by burrowing. They also may maintain a minimum distance between occupied shelters through aggression. These fundamental observations were used to determine the sizes of shelter

Thermal modelling and experimental validation of ground temperature distribution in greenhouse

A periodic analysis for daily and monthly variations of ground temperature with depths is presented both under greenhouse and bare surface conditions of Delhi and for bare surface condition in other climates of India in order to design an efficient earth to air heat exchanger for greenhouse system. Calculations were carried out for a typical winter and summer day of Delhi in year 2000. Predicted values of ground temperature at 1 m depth were in fair agreement with experimental values under both conditions. Ground temperatures at various depths inside greenhouse were found to be on an average 7–9°C and 3–6°C higher than bare surface for daily and monthly variations respectively. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

An assessment of uncalibrated CLIGEN in Australia

Daily weather data are required as climate input to many models that continuously simulate natural resources systems. CLIGEN is a stochastic weather generator to produce 10 daily weather variables to meet this need. CLIGEN has primarily been used to provide climate input for the process-based runoff and soil erosion prediction model WEPP (water erosion prediction project). Runoff and erosion prediction is particularly sensitive to the four precipitation variables generated by CLIGEN. Weather data for 43 sites representing all major climate zones around Australia were used to prepare input parameter files for CLIGEN to generate 100 years climate data for each of these sites. The quality of generated precipitation variables was assessed in terms of (1) simulated runoff and soil loss for each of three soils under bare fallow conditions with WEPP, (2) climate inputs for the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE), and (3) a comparison with published rainfall intensity maps for fixed average recurrence interval and duration. This paper shows that uncalibrated CLIGEN can generate the required climate data for WEPP for these sites. Model efficiency between predicted runoff and soil loss using CLIGEN-generated and observed precipitation data is in excess of 0.95. Generated rainfall erosivity for RUSLE is systematically higher than (about 50% for the R-factor and 25% for the 10-year storm erosivity index) and closely related to the measured erosivity for these sites (r2=0.88–0.94), a trend consistent with what is observed for sites in the United States. CLIGEN can also be used to predict the seasonal distribution of rainfall erosivity quite well for all climate zones in Australia. Detailed analysis of the observed 6 min intensity data for these sites shows that over-prediction of rainfall erosivity and rainfall intensity at short time scales in general is an outcome of the particular storm pattern adopted in CLIGEN for WEPP, not an intrinsic deficiency of CLIGEN per se.

Cover-runoff equations to improve simulation of runoff in pasture growth models

An Australian native pasture growth–water balance model (GRASP) was modified to include the USDA curve number runoff method from PERFECT, with the aim of providing a more general model than the regionally derived Scanlan runoff approach used previously and to improve runoff and water balance prediction. The modified model was calibrated against measured runoff and soil water data for a range of pasture treatments in Central Queensland. Optimised curve numbers were related to cover; curve number reduced from 97 for bare conditions to a minimum of 57 for 53% cover, with no difference between soils (mudstone or sandstone derived, or eroded phases) or types of cover (grass biomass and litter, or tree litter). In the modified model this equation provides feedback of effects of grazing management and tree density on cover to the water balance.Runoff prediction using the Scanlan runoff sub-model (derived for soils in the Burdekin catchment) was satisfactory (r21:1 = 0.70), indicating that soils at the Central Queensland site had similar runoff responses to those in the Burdekin. Addition of the curve number sub-model improved runoff prediction (r21:1 = 0.87). Adjusting curve number each day according to cover improved runoff predictions for low cover situations where cover varied through time, which is important in degraded pastures. Total soil water prediction was very good using the Scanlan runoff sub-model (r21:1 = 0.88) and slightly improved using the modified model (r21:1 = 0.91). Soil water in the surface layer was predicted well, giving confidence in prediction of soil evaporation.This study provides important new runoff parameter values for modelling water balance and degradation of hard setting soils under pasture. The parameters derived from this study can be used with historical climate data to provide a long-term assessment of effects of grazing management on runoff on such soils.

Evaluation of soil‐loss contribution areas on loess soils in SouthEast Poland

AbstractResults of soil‐loss assessments on loess‐derived silt soils are presented. The studies were conducted on plots of different length maintained in continuous bare fallow conditions. Analysing runoff events separately, soil losses per unit area varied with plot length. Description of the soil‐erosion process in terms of (1) maximum soil loss per unit area and (2) the effective distance of soil transport allows us to overcome problems with data interpretation. Smaller values of soil loss per unit area could then be connected with (1) impeded development of erosion process on plots of shorter length and (2) over‐estimation of soil loss contribution area on longer plots. The method of determination of soil‐loss contribution area was the main reason of the differences between soil losses, observed and predicted from the Universal Soil Loss Equation. Studies conducted showed that eroded soil material was transported short distances (from 2 to 13 m). The maximum soil loss per unit area was well correlated with rainfall amount, whilst the effective distance of soil transport was affected by many factors, including rainfall amount and initial state of soil roughness. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Excimer laser micromachining of TiN films from chromium and copper sacrificiallayers

This paper presents results on the laser micromachining of TiN films. Machiningperformance was evaluated in terms of patterning quality and the ability toremove TiN with minimal interference with an underlying sacrificial layer. TiNwas arc-deposited onto (100) silicon substrate with chromium (Cr) and copper(Cu) sacrificial layers. Films were also deposited onto bare silicon substrates underthe same conditions. These films were analysed for their compositionand structure using Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy and x-raydiffraction techniques. Laser micromachining was performed using a KrFexcimer laser at 248 nm. The effect of fluence and number of shots on themachined features has been investigated in detail. The patterned features wereexamined using optical, confocal and scanning electron microscopes. Thecharacteristics observed were analysed and compared in all three sets ofsamples. The results showed selective removal of TiN films from Cr and Cusacrificial layers under different conditions. The machining of TiN from(100) silicon showed relatively poor definition of patterned features. Theanalysis of these results indicated that laser machining of TiN from Cr andCu layers is best explained using the explosion mechanism of removal.

Preparation of Entangled States of Three Particles by AdiabaticPassage

We propose a novel technique for the creation of entangledstates of three particles, based upon an adiabatic passageinduced by a suitably crafted time-dependent external field. We derivethe corresponding adiabatic and bare conditions for the preparation ofentangled states. We obtain the time evolutions of the energy ofthe system and the populations involving the initial state and targetentangled state.

The Syntax-Phonology Interface in Focus and Topic Constructions in Italian (review)

Reviewed by: The syntax-phonology interface in focus and topic constructions in Italian by Mara Frascarelli Asya Pereltsvaig The syntax-phonology interface in focus and topic constructions in Italian. By Mara Frascarelli. Dordrecht: Kluwer, 2000. Pp. ix, 224. Cloth, $96.00. This book makes an important contribution to the ongoing debate on the structure of topic and (narrow) focus constructions. The originality of this work is in its syntax-phonology interface perspective. The discussion is driven by the minimalist assumption that syntax is defined by ‘bare output conditions’; the goal of this book is to determine the nature of PF output conditions that affect topic and focus constructions and to show what syntactic information is visible at PF. The analysis proposed in this book is based on an extensive empirical study of topic and focus constructions in Italian. The three kinds of data are grammaticality judgments, original tape recorded sentences, and data from De Mauro’s (1993) corpus of recorded conversations. This multisourced database allows the author to avoid any theory-centered directionality in the analysis. Even though the research in this book is centered on Italian, data from other languages—including English, Hungarian, Modern Greek, Hausa, Chichewa, Serbo-Croatian, and Somali—are discussed as well. The book opens with a useful introduction to the issues discussed in later chapters. Ch. 1 starts out with a brief discussion of topic and focus constructions in Italian. An overview of the minimalist assumptions underlying the discussion in this book is given as well. The rest of the book is organized as follows: Ch. 2 presents a prosodic analysis of topic and focus constructions, and Ch. 3 presents a syntactic analysis of the same constructions. Ch. 4 is dedicated to the issues of the syntax-phonology interface. Ch. 2 investigates the differences that occur in prosodic organization of Italian sentences in the presence of marked topic and focus elements. Frascarelli examines the tape-recorded data that provide evidence for the influence of focus and topic constructions on the application of phonological rules. She argues that topic and focus in Italian are prosodically grammaticalized. More specifically, she proposes that the interaction of syntactic constituents of topic and focus with prosodic phonology is located at the phonological phrase and the intonational phrase. F argues for a number of restructuring operations of these prosodic categories triggered by either focus of topic constituents. Ch. 3 provides a syntactic analysis of focus and topic constructions. F proposes that focus information is contained in a strong feature, checked in overt syntax by the verbal head, and thus visible at interfaces. The topic construction, on the other hand, is analyzed as generated extrasententially: No feature-checking process is associated with it, and no movement is necessary for its interpretation. Finally, Ch. 4 provides some conclusions about the syntax-phonology interface interpretation of focus and topic. On the basis of the analysis developed in the book, F shows that some syntactic information is made accessible to PF, thus allowing a correct interpretation of these marked constituents. On the whole, this work is a positive contribution to the research on how discourse-related information is expressed in natural language, and it will serve as a useful starting point for further discussion. Asya Pereltsvaig McGill University Copyright © 2002 Linguistic Society of America

Dust and environment in the Southern High Plains of North America

Continuous measurements of dust reveal the intermittent nature of dust events within the Southern High Plains of North America. Dust events appear as sudden peaks that project outward from a much lower background dust concentration. The measured dust record appears to follow a regular annual cycle with most dust events occurring in spring and considerably fewer during other seasons. The annual dust cycle reflects seasonal changes in environmental factors such as wind speed, surface cover, and moisture conditions. Most dust events are associated with a combination of strong winds, negligible surface cover, and dry conditions, all of which occur most frequently during the spring season. Wind speed alone is found to be an imperfect indicator of dust levels in the Southern High Plains because of the moderating effects of other important environmental factors such as humidity and surface cover. However, if one limits consideration to dry and bare conditions, dust concentration exhibits a positive correlation with daily wind speeds above 4 m s−1and a negligible correlation for light winds.

Organic Mulch Decomposition Kinetics in Semiarid Environment at Bare and Crop Field Conditions

Scantly available knowledge of organic mulch decomposition kinetics is important to determine the best choice of mulching materials, and their application rate and frequency for crop production and soil protection in arid area. The kinetics was studied in two field experiments. In Experiment I, it was tested for sugarcane trash mulch (6 Mg ha-1) with and without enriching it with Mussoorie rock phosphate (MRP) at 600 kg ha-1 (obtained from M/s pyrites, Phosphates and Chemicals Ltd., Dehradun, India) and with industrial glue waste (GW) at 4 Mg ha-1, a solid granular waste material of subcutaneous animal origin, rich in N (obtained from Glue Industry, Juglan, Haryana, India) at ratoon sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) on fine loamy soil for two years (1997-1998 and 1998-1999) at Hisar (29°058N, 75°388E, 222 m elevation). The GW and MRP were manually broadcast over the sugarcane trash mulch at the time of mulch application. Experiment II was conducted from December 1998 to April 1999 on sandy soil at Balsamand (29°078N, 75°288E, 225 m elevation), 35 km west of Hisar, at bare field conditions wherein three different types of mulches were tested: farmyard manure (FM), green neem (Azadiracta indica) leaves GM, and wheat straw (Triticum aestivum) (WM), with two mulch thicknesses (20 and 40 mm). Wheat straw mulch (WM) placed at surface was compared with wheat straw mixed into 0.0-0. 10 m soil depth (W-mixed) for decomposition kinetics. The loss in dry weight of mulches was taken as a measure for mulch decomposition as a function of time (t). First-order decomposition kinetics was followed in all the treatments at varying field moisture conditions in Experi ments I and II. T he decomposition percentage in 4 months (d4) was 40 % higher at enriched sugarcane trash (ESM) than that at sugarcane trash mulch (SM). It was higher at 20 mm mulch thickness than at 40 mm for all the types of mulch in Experiment II and followed the order GMg WMg FM. The d4 value of W-Mixed was two times higher than that of wheat straw mulch W M at 20 mm mulch thickness. Mulch decomposition rate constant k was 0.0071 d-1 for SM and 0.0115 d-1 for ESM averaged over the two years. The k values were 0.0021 d-1, 0.0032 d-1, and 0.0037 d-1 for FM, WM, and GM respectively at 20 mm mulch thickness and it was 0.0066 d-1 for W-mixed in Experiment II. The practical implications were: (a) enriched dry mulch should be preferred over dry mulch for annual crops in order to enhance their nutrient recycling and decomposition, and (b) dry mulch should be preferred over green mulch in the perennial fruit trees for their long persistence and durability in order to protect soils against wind erosion in arid areas.

Organic Mulch Decomposition Kinetics in Semiarid Environment at Bare and Crop Field Conditions

Scantly available knowledge of organic mulch decomposition kinetics is important to determine the best choice of mulching materials, and their application rate and frequency for crop production and soil protection in arid area. The kinetics was studied in two field experiments. In Experiment I, it was tested for sugarcane trash mulch (6 Mg ha-1) with and without enriching it with Mussoorie rock phosphate (MRP) at 600 kg ha-1 (obtained from M/s pyrites, Phosphates and Chemicals Ltd., Dehradun, India) and with industrial glue waste (GW) at 4 Mg ha-1, a solid granular waste material of subcutaneous animal origin, rich in N (obtained from Glue Industry, Juglan, Haryana, India) at ratoon sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) on fine loamy soil for two years (1997-1998 and 1998-1999) at Hisar (29°058N, 75°388E, 222 m elevation). The GW and MRP were manually broadcast over the sugarcane trash mulch at the time of mulch application. Experiment II was conducted from December 1998 to April 1999 on sandy soil at Balsamand (29°078N, 75°288E, 225 m elevation), 35 km west of Hisar, at bare field conditions wherein three different types of mulches were tested: farmyard manure (FM), green neem (Azadiracta indica) leaves GM, and wheat straw (Triticum aestivum) (WM), with two mulch thicknesses (20 and 40 mm). Wheat straw mulch (WM) placed at surface was compared with wheat straw mixed into 0.0-0. 10 m soil depth (W-mixed) for decomposition kinetics. The loss in dry weight of mulches was taken as a measure for mulch decomposition as a function of time (t). First-order decomposition kinetics was followed in all the treatments at varying field moisture conditions in Experi ments I and II. T he decomposition percentage in 4 months (d4) was 40 % higher at enriched sugarcane trash (ESM) than that at sugarcane trash mulch (SM). It was higher at 20 mm mulch thickness than at 40 mm for all the types of mulch in Experiment II and followed the order GMg WMg FM. The d4 value of W-Mixed was two times higher than that of wheat straw mulch W M at 20 mm mulch thickness. Mulch decomposition rate constant k was 0.0071 d-1 for SM and 0.0115 d-1 for ESM averaged over the two years. The k values were 0.0021 d-1, 0.0032 d-1, and 0.0037 d-1 for FM, WM, and GM respectively at 20 mm mulch thickness and it was 0.0066 d-1 for W-mixed in Experiment II. The practical implications were: (a) enriched dry mulch should be preferred over dry mulch for annual crops in order to enhance their nutrient recycling and decomposition, and (b) dry mulch should be preferred over green mulch in the perennial fruit trees for their long persistence and durability in order to protect soils against wind erosion in arid areas.

Language acquisition and the minimalist program: a new way out

Our aim in this paper is to show that Chomsky's Minimalist Program brings in a new way to conceive the Language Faculty and, thus, the Universal Grammar as well. Therefore, it opens up a whole range of possibilities for the language acquisition field. Explanations have to be motivated by virtual conceptual necessity: either through bare output conditions imposed by the interfaces, or through economy conditions of the computational system. Our point is that it should work likewise for language acquisition. If economy conditions play a role in the Language Faculty, then they must be important for the language acquisition process. If interface levels are essential for the Language Faculty, then they must play a role in the acquisition process as well. In order to pinpoint such issues we will discuss some evidence from the asymmetry between the child's initial production of subject and object in different languages. Our guiding hypothesis is that the basic syntactic relation that is privileged by the child acquiring a language is c-command.

Growth and yield of 3 hybrid papayas (Carica papaya L.) under mulched and bare ground conditions

At Yarwun (151.3˚E, 23.75˚S), Australia, papaya Hybrid 29 yielded twice as much fruit as Hybrid 11 and 30% more than Hybrid 13. The plots mulched with coarse grass hay yielded 50% more fruit than the plots with bare ground. The highest yielding treatment, Hybrid 29 + mulch, averaged the equivalent of 81 t/ha.year over the 16.5-month harvest period. The yields were achieved in spite of inadequate water supply due to drought and the loss of 877 plants from 1441 plant positions (4 plants per position) due to the 3 phytoplasma diseases; dieback, yellow crinkle and mosaic. Hybrid 29 produced higher yields than the other hybrids by flowering early on shorter plants with thicker stems and setting more fruit that commenced lower down on the stem. Hybrid 13 was intermediate in size and the amount of fruit setting between Hybrid 29 and Hybrid 11 but was the slowest to flower and set fruit. Hybrid 11 had the thinnest and tallest stems, flowered at an intermediate time between the other 2 hybrids and produced fewer flowers and fruit resulting in the lowest yield. Mulching increased stem height and thickness, promoted earlier flowering and increased fruit set, yield and average fruit weight