Wheat and faba bean intercropping changes phenolic acids from roots to rhizosphere

The changed phenolic acids (PAs) allelochemicals exuded by the roots induced by interspecific interactions is related to intercropping alleviates soil-borne disease. However, the presence of PAs in roots and root exudations and their rhizodeposition under intercropping are still unclear. Hydroponic and soil experiments of wheat, faba bean, and wheat intercropped with faba bean were conducted, and the major compositions and contents of PAs in roots, root exudations, and rhizospheric soil were determined. The results showed that ρ-hydroxybenzoic, vanillic, and syringic acids were the major components of PAs in roots, root exudations, and rhizospheric soil in a wheat and faba bean intercropping system. The compositions and percentages of PAs in roots of faba bean were altered when faba bean intercropped with wheat. The total exudation rate of PAs in root exudations was decreased by 30%–60% under the wheat and faba bean intercropping (W//F) system as compared to mono-cropped faba bean (MF). ρ-hydroxybenzoic acid was identified in the root exudation of both MF and mono-cropped wheat (MW), but not detected in the intercropping on 60 days after transplanting. Vanillic acid was only detected in the root exudation of MF on 30 days after transplanting. The rhizodepostion of vanillic and cumaric acid were decreased at both branching and pod setting stages in W//F as compared to MF. In conclusion, interspecific interaction changed the compositions and contents of PAs in faba bean roots and root exudations. W//F constrained vanillic acid exuded by roots and decreased vanillic and coumaric acid rhizodeposition by faba bean, which provides insight into root-soil interactions in the intercropping systems.     

不同磷水平下小麦-蚕豆间作根系形态的变化及其与内源激素的关系

采用水培方法,研究了不同磷水平下小麦-蚕豆间作体系根系形态变化及其与内源激素的相关关系。结果表明: 与单作小麦相比,在低磷(1/2P)水平下,小麦-蚕豆间作能显著增加小麦的根长,显著减少小麦根系的平均直径,显著增加根系的表面积;在常规磷(P)水平下,间作能显著降低小麦根系的平均直径,有增加小麦根长和根表面积的趋势;与单作蚕豆相比,间作能明显促进蚕豆根系的增长,同时增加蚕豆根表面积。在1/2P水平下,间作能显著提高小麦和蚕豆根系中的生长素(IAA)、脱落酸(ABA)、水杨酸(SA)和茉莉酸(JA)含量;在P水平下,间作能显著提高小麦根系中的IAA、ABA和JA含量,单、间作小麦根系中的SA含量没有显著差异,间作显著增加了蚕豆根系中ABA和SA含量,单、间作蚕豆根系中的IAA和JA含量无显著差异。单作条件下,小麦和蚕豆根系中的内源激素(IAA、ABA、SA和JA)含量与其根系形态(根长、根平均直径和根表面积)无显著相关性;间作条件下,小麦和蚕豆根系中的IAA含量与根长和根表面积之间存在明显的正相关关系。由此可见,小麦-蚕豆间作能够诱导小麦和蚕豆根系IAA的增加。这种变化可能是驱动间作系统根系形态变化的重要因子。     

Nitrogen Fixation of Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) Interacting with a Non-legume in Two Contrasting Intercropping Systems

A field experiment was carried out to quantify biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) using the ¹⁵N isotope natural abundance method in maize (Zea mays L.)/faba bean (Vicia faba L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)/faba bean intercropping systems. Faba bean was yielding more in the maize/faba bean intercropping, but not in the wheat/faba bean intercropping. Biomass, grain yield and N acquisition of faba bean were significantly increased when intercropped with maize, and decreased significantly with wheat, irrespective of N-fertilizer application, indicating that the legume could gain or lose productivity in an intercropping situation. There was yield advantage of maize/faba bean intercropping, but no in wheat/faba bean intercropping. The grain yield of the faba bean intercropped with maize was greater than that of faba bean monoculture due to increases of the stems per plant and the pods per stem of faba bean. N fertilization inhibited N fixation of faba bean in maize/faba bean and wheat/faba bean intercropping and faba bean monoculture. The responses of different cropping systems to N-fertilizer application, however, were not identical, with competitive intercropping (wheat/faba bean) being more sensitive than facilitative intercropping (maize/faba bean). Intercropping increased the percentage of N derived from air (%Ndfa) of the wheat/faba bean system, but not that of the maize/faba bean system when no N fertilizer was applied. When receiving 120 kg N/ha, however, intercropping did not significantly increase %Ndfa either in the wheat/faba bean system or in the maize/faba bean system in comparison with faba bean in monoculture. The amount of shoot N derived from air (Ndfa), however, increased significantly when intercropped with maize, irrespective of N-fertilizer application. Ndfa decreased when intercropped with wheat, albeit not significantly at 120 kg N/ha. Ndfa was correlated more closely with dry matter yield, grain yield and competitive ratio, than with %Ndfa. This indicates that that total dry matter yield (sink strength), not %Ndfa, was more critical for the legume to increase Ndfa. The results suggested that N fixation could be improved by yield maximization in an intercropping system.     

利用DGGE法研究不同种植体系中根际微生物群落结构

利用DGGE技术研究不同间作和轮作种植体系对作物根际细菌和真菌群落结构的影响.运用16SrDNA和18SrDNA特异引物对,将土壤中提取的总DNA进行PCR扩增后,通过DGGE技术对PCR产物进行分析,结果表明:玉米-蚕豆轮作对蚕豆根际细菌和真菌群落结构影响明显,二者都与单作蚕豆有较大差异;小麦/蚕豆间作明显改变两种作物根际细菌群落结构和蚕豆根际真菌群落结构;玉米/蚕豆间作明显改变玉米根际细菌、真菌群落结构和蚕豆根际真菌群落结构.     

不同品种小麦与蚕豆间作对蚕豆枯萎病的防治及其机理

通过田间小区试验和水培试验,研究了3个品种小麦（云麦42、云麦47和绵阳29）与蚕豆间作对蚕豆地上部生物量、枯萎病发生、根际微生物代谢功能多样性和枯萎病病原菌尖孢镰刀菌数量的影响,分析了3个不同小麦品种低分子量根系分泌物组分（糖、氨基酸和有机酸）的差异.结果表明： 云麦42与蚕豆间作（YM42/B）和云麦47与蚕豆间作（YM47/B）使蚕豆地上部生物量分别增加16.6%和13.4%,使蚕豆枯萎病病情指数分别降低47.6%和23.3%,绵阳29与蚕豆间作（MY29/B）对蚕豆地上部生物量和枯萎病病情指数均无显著影响.与单作蚕豆相比,YM42/B和YM47/B处理均显著提高了蚕豆根际微生物的平均颜色变化率（AWCD)及对碳源的总利用强度和Biolog ECO板中各种碳源的利用,明显改变了蚕豆根际微生物群落结构,并显著降低了蚕豆根际的尖孢镰刀菌数量;MY29/B处理对AWCD值、碳源总利用强度和Biolog ECO板中各种碳源的利用及蚕豆根际尖孢镰刀菌数量均无显著影响,也未明显改变蚕豆根际的微生物群落结构.3个小麦品种根系分泌物中可溶性糖、游离氨基酸总量和有机酸总量均表现为MY29＞YM47＞YM42.MY29根系分泌物中丝氨酸、谷氨酸、甘氨酸、缬氨酸、蛋氨酸、苯丙氨酸、赖氨酸的含量均显著高于YM42和YM47;精氨酸为YM42、YM47所特有,而亮氨酸为MY29所特有.MY29和YM47根系分泌物中检出酒石酸、苹果酸、柠檬酸、琥珀酸、延胡索酸和顺乌头酸6种有机酸,而YM42根系分泌物中检出洒石酸、苹果酸、柠檬酸和延胡索酸4种有机酸,且MY29和YM47根系分泌物中苹果酸含量显著高于YM42.小麦与蚕豆间作提高了蚕豆根际微生物的活性和碳源利用强度,改变了根际微生物的群落结构,降低了蚕豆根际尖孢镰刀菌的数量,促进了蚕豆生长,抑制了蚕豆枯萎病的发生,但小麦与蚕豆间作控病效果受小麦品种的影响,表明间作系统中非寄主作物根系分泌物的差异是影响间作对土传病害控制的重要因素.     

玉米、小麦和大麦与蚕豆间作体系不同根系分隔方式对蚕豆结瘤的影响

本实验选取3种对土壤氮素竞争能力不同的禾本科作物大麦(Hordeum vulgare)、小麦(Triticum aestivum)和玉米(Zea mays)分别与蚕豆(Vicia faba)间作, 建立对土壤氮素竞争能力不同的作物组合; 并采用3种分隔方式(塑料膜分隔、尼龙网分隔和无分隔)建立同一作物组合条件下作物种间根系相互作用的不同强度, 来研究不同作物组合及种间根系相互作用强度对蚕豆结瘤的影响。结果如下: (1)蚕豆的结瘤并未随3种禾本科作物氮素竞争能力的增强而增加, 但是3种间作体系蚕豆的结瘤却均表现出无分隔处理多于塑料膜分隔处理, 即同一间作体系种间根系相互作用越强, 越有利于蚕豆结瘤的产生, 存在种间互利作用; (2)在玉米/蚕豆间作体系中, 无分隔处理的蚕豆根瘤数目和根瘤重显著高于塑料膜分隔处理, 分别高出67.5%和70.1%; 在大麦/蚕豆间作体系中也表现出无分隔处理的根瘤重显著高于塑料膜分隔处理(高出46.3%); (3)玉米/蚕豆间作体系与小麦/蚕豆和大麦/蚕豆间作体系相比, 无分隔处理时土壤氮素含量显著高于后2个间作体系, 但是玉米/蚕豆间作体系对蚕豆结瘤的促进作用更强。上述结果表明, 在蚕豆/玉米间作体系中, 玉米促进蚕豆生物固氮除了氮素竞争机制外, 还可能存在其它机制。     

Root colonization of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) and pea (Pisum sativum L.) by Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae in the presence of nitrate-nitrogen

There is a lack of knowledge concerning the effect of nitrate-nitrogen (NO3(-)-N) at levels known to inhibit nodule formation and functioning on root colonization of dinitrogen-fixing legumes. Firstly, this study investigated potential differences between Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae 175F9 and its bioluminescent-labeled strain 175F9.lux on root colonization of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) and pea (Pisum sativum L.). These two strains similarly colonized the roots of both hosts. Secondly, this study evaluated the effects of 0 and 10 mol x m(-3) NO3(-)-N on root colonization of faba bean and pea by strain 175F9.lux, over time. Averaged over both hosts and harvest dates, the presence of NO3(-)-N increased the rhizobial population and the root length colonized. In addition, our results showed that bioluminescence activity increased from 7 to 14 days after sowing and was not correlated to rhizobial population. Finally, to demonstrate that an increase in bioluminescence activity was not an indirect effect of nitrate on R. leguminosarum bv. viciae 175F9.lux, this study investigated the effects of increasing carbon (mannitol) and nitrogen (NO3(-)-N) concentrations on the rhizobial population and bioluminescence activity. The carbon source was more important than the nitrogen source to increase the rhizobial population and bioluminescence activity, which increased with increasing mannitol concentration, but not with increasing nitrate concentration. Results from this study demonstrated that NO3(-)-N increased rhizobial population, especially for faba bean, and the length of root colonized.     

小麦蚕豆间作对蚕豆根际微生物群落功能多样性的影响及其与蚕豆枯萎病发生的关系

通过田间小区试验,研究了小麦与蚕豆间作对蚕豆枯萎病发生和根际微生物代谢功能多样性的影响。结果表明,小麦与蚕豆间作使蚕豆枯萎病的发病率和病情指数分别比单作显著降低20%和30.4%。与单作处理相比,间作显著增加了蚕豆和小麦根际微生物对31种碳源的平均利用率（AWCD）,其中间作蚕豆的AWCD值最高,比单作增加82.7%,单作蚕豆最低。间作蚕豆和间作小麦根际微生物的Shannon多样性指数与丰富度指数均显著高于单作,间作使蚕豆和小麦的丰富度指数分别增加29.2%和30.3%。根际微生物对六类碳源的利用强度百分比以糖类、羧酸类和氨基酸最高,分别为41.96%,19.80%和18.13%。主成分分析表明,小麦与蚕豆间作改变了根际微生物的群落组成;相关分析表明,糖类、羧酸类和氨基酸类碳源是区分单间作处理差异的主要碳源,其中氨基酸类碳源是最敏感的碳源。小麦与蚕豆间作增加了根际微生物活性,提高了Shannon多样性指数和丰富度指数,改变了微生物群落功能多样性,是抑制蚕豆枯萎病的有效措施。该研究为阐明根际微生物功能多样性变化在间作体系病害控制中的作用与机制奠定了理论基础。     

Genetic approaches for breeding heat stress tolerance in faba bean (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vicia faba</Emphasis> L.)

Vicia faba L. (faba bean) is an important legume and is cultivated essentially as a cool-season crop. Changes in sowing dates and lack of precipitation expose faba bean crop to drought and heat stresses. The gradual rise in global temperatures owing to climate change is likely to exacerbate the detrimental effects of hot and dry climatic conditions on faba bean cultivation. High temperature stress is particularly damaging to faba bean during the flowering period, when the viability of pollen is critical for successful reproduction. Recent studies have shown that maintenance of protein homeostasis through synthesis of heat shock proteins plays a key role in the heat response of plants. To date, there has been no significant work linking the heat response of faba bean to the repertoire of its heat shock proteins. While quantitative trait loci have been identified for resistance against biotic stresses in faba bean, there is no parallel success with abiotic stresses in this species. Programs aiming at genetic improvement of the heat/drought resistance of this crop by both conventional breeding and molecular breeding methods are hampered because of the large and majorly ill-analyzed genome of faba bean plants. Likewise, molecular and biotechnology-related tools are poorly developed for faba bean; as a result, the fruits of transgenic research developed with model plant species are not reaching this crop. While specifically discussing the prospects for the genetic improvement of faba bean against heat and drought stresses, we highlight the areas of research which need to be strengthened on faba bean.     

施氮对间作蚕豆根际微生物区系和枯萎病发生的影响

通过田间小区试验,研究了小麦、蚕豆间作条件下4个施氮水平(0,56.25,112.5kg.hm-2和168.75kg.hm-2)对蚕豆根际微生物区系和蚕豆枯萎病发生的影响。结果表明,单作和间作条件下,施氮显著增加了蚕豆根际的微生物数量,在N2(112.5kg.hm-2)水平下达到最高值;施氮对土壤微生物多样性无显著影响,但减轻了单、间作蚕豆枯萎病的发生,且在N2水平下发病最轻。与单作相比,间作显著增加了蚕豆根际的细菌、真菌、放线菌数量、微生物总数和微生物多样性,尤其在N0、N1(56.25kg.hm-2)和N2(112.5kg.hm-2)水平下间作对蚕豆根际微生物的促进效应明显,且以真菌和放线菌的增幅较大.N0、N1和N2水平下间作显著降低了蚕豆枯萎病的发病率和病情指数。小麦蚕豆间作下适量施氮能有效调节蚕豆根际微生物区系,是抑制蚕豆枯萎病发生的有效措施。     

Interspecific complementary and competitive interactions between intercropped maize and faba bean

Interspecific complementary and competitive interactions between maize (Zea mays L. cv. Zhongdan No. 2) and faba bean (Vicia faba L. cv. Linxia Dacaidou) in maize/faba bean intercropping systems were assessed in two field experiments in Gansu province, northwestern China, plus a microplot experiment in one treatment of one of the field experiments in which root system partitions were used to determine interspecific root interactions. Intercropping effects were detected, with land equivalent ratio values of 1.21–1.23 based on total (grain+straw) yield and 1.13–1.34 based on grain yield. When two rows of maize were intercropped with two rows of faba bean, both total yield and grain yield of both crop species were significantly higher than those of sole maize and faba bean on an equivalent area basis. When two rows of pea (Pisum sativum L. cv. Beijing No. 5) were intercropped with two rows of faba bean, neither total yield nor grain yield of faba bean was higher than of sole faba bean on an equivalent area basis. Interspecific competition between maize and faba bean was relatively weak, with mean relative crowding coefficients of 0.99–1.02 for maize and 1.55–1.59 for faba bean. The microplot experiment in which partitions were placed between root systems showed a significant positive yield effect on maize when the root systems intermingled freely (no partition) or partly (400 mesh nylon net partition) compared with no interspecific root interaction (plastic sheet partition). This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

间作减轻蚕豆枯萎病的微生物和生理机制

通过田间小区试验,研究了小麦与蚕豆间作对蚕豆枯萎病发病率、病情指数、根际镰刀菌数量、蚕豆根系抗氧化酶活性和膜质过氧化的影响.采用Biolog ECO板分析了根际土壤微生物的代谢功能多样性,通过高效液相色谱(HPLC)测定了蚕豆根际土壤中酚酸含量.结果表明: 与单作蚕豆相比,小麦与蚕豆间作有降低蚕豆枯萎病发病率的趋势;发病盛期和发病末期,间作使蚕豆枯萎病的病情指数比单作显著降低15.8%和22.8%,明显提高了蚕豆根际微生物活性(AWCD值),根际微生物的Shannon多样性指数显著提高4.4%和5.3%,丰富度指数显著提高19.4%和37.1%.主成分分析表明,发病盛期和发病末期,间作明显改变了蚕豆根际微生物的群落结构,蚕豆根际镰刀菌数量分别降低53.8%和33.1%;并显著降低了蚕豆根际土壤中对羟基苯甲酸、香草酸、丁香酸、阿魏酸、苯甲酸和肉桂酸的含量.发病盛期和发病末期,间作蚕豆根系的过氧化物酶(POD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性分别显著提高了20.0%、31.3%和38.5%、66.7%,丙二醛(MDA)含量显著降低36.3%和46.3%;发病初期间作对蚕豆根系的POD、CAT酶活性和MDA含量无显著影响.小麦与蚕豆间作显著提高了蚕豆根际微生物的活性、多样性和根系抗氧化酶活性,降低了蚕豆根际土壤中酚酸含量和膜质过氧化程度,减少了土壤镰刀菌的数量,从而提高了蚕豆对枯萎病的抗性,降低了枯萎病的危害程度.     

施氮水平对蚕豆枯萎病和根际微生物代谢功能多样性的影响

研究不同氮肥用量对蚕豆根际微生物功能多样性的影响及其与蚕豆枯萎病发生的关系.通过田间小区试验,采用Biolog微平板分析法研究了4个施氮水平N₀(0 kg·hm-2)、N₁(56.25 kg·hm^-2)、N₂(112.5 kg·hm^-2)和N₃(168.75 kg·hm^-2)对蚕豆枯萎病危害和根际微生物代谢功能多样性的影响.结果表明： 施氮(N₁、N₂、N₃)处理显著降低了蚕豆枯萎病的病情指数和根际镰刀菌的数量,显著增加了蚕豆根际的细菌、放线菌数量、细菌/真菌和放线菌/真菌.其中N₂处理蚕豆枯萎病病情指数和镰刀菌数量最低,而细菌、放线菌数量、细菌/真菌和放线菌/真菌最高.与N₀处理相比,N₁、N₂、N₃处理均提高了根际微生物群落碳源利用率(AWCD),但对6类碳源的利用存在一定的差异.不同施氮水平下根际微生物群落对糖类、羧酸类和氨基酸类碳源利用程度较高.主成分分析表明,施氮明显改变了蚕豆根际微生物群落结构,糖类、羧酸类和氨基酸类碳源是区分施氮导致土壤微生物群落变化的敏感碳源.施氮抑制了根际微生物对部分糖类和羧酸类碳源的利用,而提高了对氨基酸和酚酸类碳源的利用,这可能是施氮减轻蚕豆枯萎病危害的重要原因之一.适量施氮能增加根际细菌、放线菌数量,改变微生物代谢功能,降低病原菌数量,是抑制蚕豆枯萎病发生的有效措施.     

Intercropping influences component and content change of flavonoids in root exudates and nodulation of Faba bean

Flavonoids produced by legume roots are signal molecules acting as nod gene inducers for the symbiotic rhizobium partner. Nevertheless, the changes of flavonoids in root exudates in intercropping system are still unknown. Based on pot experiment of faba bean and wheat intercropping, here we showed that faba bean and wheat intercropping increased the nodules number and dry weight, dry weight per nodule of faba bean compared with those found in monocropping, and the increase of faba bean nodulation was likely caused by the enhancement with flavonol, isoflavone, chalcone and hesperetin in its root exudates. It also promoted exudation of five types of flavonoids by wheat compared with monocropping. Our findings suggest that the flavonoids in root exudates have a positive effect on the nodulation and nitrogen fixation of faba bean in faba bean and wheat intercropping.     

小麦/蚕豆间作作物生长曲线的模拟及种间互作分析

物种间的相互作用与间作产量优势的形成密切相关,但很少有人注意到种间互作动态.本研究通过2年田间定位试验,运用Logistic分析模拟了不同种植模式(小麦单作、蚕豆单作和小麦/蚕豆间作)和不同磷水平下[P₀,施磷量(P₂O₅)为0 kg·hm^-2(对照);P₁,施磷量(P₂O₅)为45 kg·hm^-2;P₂,施磷量(P₂O₅)为90 kg·hm^-2]单间作小麦、蚕豆的生长模型,分析了作物种间互作的动态变化.结果表明: 小麦/蚕豆间作使小麦产量提高了10.5%~18.6%,蚕豆产量却降低了4.8%~12.3%,但间作系统仍具有产量优势,土地当量比(LER)和相对拥挤系数(K)分别为1.01~1.15 和1.12~3.20.小麦和蚕豆的产量及关键生长参数均受磷水平调控,但LER和K并不受磷水平影响.与单作相比,间作小麦的最大生长速率(R_max)和最初生长速率(r)分别提高21.8%~38.7%和20.7%~38.9%,但间作对蚕豆的关键生长参数无影响.在小麦、蚕豆的生长初期,不同磷水平下,单间作作物的生长曲线无差异;间作群体以种间竞争为主,无间作生物量优势(LER<1,K<1).当蚕豆达到最大生长速率(T_max)后,间作显著提高了小麦的生长速率,降低了小麦的种内竞争压力,表现出间作生物量和产量优势(LER>1,K>1).总之,在不同的生长发育阶段,小麦、蚕豆的相互作用不同,间作提高了中后期小麦的生长速率,为间作优势的形成奠定了基础.     

小麦与蚕豆间作体系根系形态与磷吸收的定量解析

豆科与禾本科作物间作能够改变作物根系生长,但不同施磷水平下间作-根系形态-磷吸收之间的关系尚未明确.本研究通过田间定位试验和根箱模拟试验,研究不同种植模式(小麦单作、蚕豆单作和小麦-蚕豆间作)和不同磷水平下小麦和蚕豆的产量、生物量、磷吸收及根系形态特征,分析探讨不同施磷条件下小麦-蚕豆间作对根系形态和磷吸收的影响.结果...     

大豆和蚕豆苗期根系生长特征的比较

大豆和蚕豆是西北地区间套作生产中广泛种植的豆科作物,但二者在与禾本科作物间作时差异十分明显,蚕豆相对于大豆具有更强的竞争能力.从大豆和蚕豆的根系入手,研究了大豆和蚕豆在苗期根系生长发育和形态的差异.采用PVC管砂培装置,通过扫描仪扫描根系,用图像分析软件WinRHIZO进行了研究.结果表明,出苗42 d时,蚕豆根表面积是大豆根表面积的2.61倍;出苗14 d时,大豆根系在整个砂层中均有分布,而蚕豆根系只分布在表层;大豆根较细,大部分根的直径为0.2～1.0 mm,相对于大豆而言,蚕豆根较粗,大部分根直径为0.5～1.5 mm.蚕豆根较粗,所以有更大的表面积,而且它的根系分布在上层的比例大于大豆,这些因素决定了它的吸收能力强于大豆,能更好地利用上层土壤养分.这是蚕豆竞争能力强于大豆的原因之一.     

The effect of faba bean extrusion on the growth performance,nutrient utilization,metabolizable energy,excretion of sialic acids and meat quality of broiler chickens

Soybean meal in broiler chicken diets can partly be replaced by faba bean seeds. Unfortunately, high levels of antinutritional factors and resistant starch found in these seeds can have a detrimental impact on both broiler chickens’ performance and nutrient digestibility. It is, however, possible to increase the usefulness of faba bean for broiler nutrition by a technological process known as extrusion. In this study, the authors made and attempt to investigate the effect of different forms of faba bean seeds (raw or extruded) on broiler chicken performance, nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy values (AME_N), nutrient utilization and meat quality, as well as on the excretion of total and free sialic acids. In the trial, the total of 160 1-day-old male broiler chicks of the Ross 308 strain were used. Experimental birds were randomly assigned to two dietary treatments, each containing 10 replication (floor pens); one replication included nine birds. The first group contained 300 g/kg diet of raw faba bean seeds, whereas the second group – 300 g/kg diet of extruded faba bean seeds. The applied extrusion process was found to exert a positive impact and led to a decrease in phytic phosphorus, H, NDF, ADF and resistant starch content in studied faba bean seeds. Experimental birds fed diets containing extruded faba bean seeds were characterized by a lower feed intake (2299 g) and feed conversion ratios (FCRs) (1.52 g/g) in comparison with the other group (feed intake 2466 g; FCR 1.61 g/g). Extrusion of faba bean seeds improved dry matter retention, dietary AME_N value, apparent ileal digestibility of dry matter and starch, as well as most amino acids. In addition, the above-mentioned process resulted in a decrease in the excretion of total and free sialic acids. Extruded faba bean seeds failed to have a significant impact on broiler meat quality. It was concluded that application of extrusion can increase the use of faba bean seeds in broiler chicken nutrition.     

Landscape composition modifies pollinator densities,foraging behavior and yield formation in faba beans

Wildlife-friendly management practices promote pollinators and pollination services in agricultural landscapes. Wild bee densities are driven by landscape composition, as they benefit from an increased availability of nesting and foraging resources at landscape scale. However, effects of landscape composition on bee foraging decisions and consequences for crop pollination have rarely been studied. We investigated, how landscape composition affects bee densities and foraging behavior in faba bean (Vicia faba L.) fields and how this impacts faba bean yield. We recorded densities and nectar robbing behavior of honeybees, long- tongued and short-tongued bumblebees in faba bean fields in eleven landscapes with varying landscape composition (e.g. land cover of oilseed rape, faba bean and semi-natural habitats). Moreover, we assessed yield components of faba beans via pollinator exclusion experiments. Increasing covers of faba bean and semi-natural habitats positively influenced bumblebee densities, while high oilseed rape covers negatively affected short-tongued bumblebee densities in bean fields. Increased faba bean covers enhanced the proportion of nectar-robbing short-tongued bumblebees. The number of beans per pod was increased by insect pollination, while the number of pods was decreased; these effects however depended on variety. Landscape composition interacted with bee densities in shaping yield components in V. faba. Our study emphasizes the importance of considering landscape management to maximize crop yields, as shown for the case of faba beans. The composition of agricultural landscape can modulate bee densities in crop fields, bees foraging behavior and pollination services.     

Crop nitrogen use and soil mineral nitrogen accumulation under different crop combinations and patterns of strip intercropping in northwest China

Increasing crop nitrogen use efficiency while also simultaneously decreasing nitrogen accumulation in the soil would be key steps in controlling nitrogen pollution from agricultural systems. Long-term field experiments were started in 2003 to study the effects of intercropping on crop N use and soil mineral N accumulation in wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv 2014)/maize (Zea mays L. cv Shendan16), wheat/faba bean (Vicia faba L. cv Lincan No. 5) and maize/faba bean intercropping and monocropping systems. Monocropping was compared with two types of strip intercropping: continuous intercropping (two crops intercropped continuously on the same strips of land every year) and rotational intercropping (two crops grown adjacently and rotated to the other crop??s strip every year). Maize/faba bean intercropping had greater crop N uptake than did wheat/faba bean or wheat/maize. Wheat/maize accumulated more mineral N in the top 140 cm of the soil profile during the co-growth stage from maize emergence to maturity of wheat or faba bean. Continuously intercropped maize substantially decreased soil mineral N accumulation under wheat and faba bean rows (60?C100 cm soil depth) at maize harvest. Soil mineral N accumulation under wheat rows increased with rotational intercropping with faba bean. Rotational intercropping may potentially alleviate the adverse effects of wheat on N use by other crops and increase the nitrogen harvest index of wheat, maize and faba bean. Intercropping using species with different maturity dates may be more effective in increasing crop N use efficiency and decreasing soil mineral N accumulation.