Rice Performance and Water Use Efficiency under Plastic Mulching with Drip Irrigation

Plastic mulching with drip irrigation is a new water-saving rice cultivation technology, but little is known on its productivity and water-saving capacity. This study aimed to assess the production potential, performance, and water use efficiency (WUE) of rice under plastic mulching with drip irrigation. Field experiments were conducted over 2 years with two rice cultivars under different cultivation systems: conventional flooding (CF), non-flooded irrigation incorporating plastic mulching with furrow irrigation (FIM), non-mulching with furrow irrigation (FIN), and plastic mulching with drip irrigation (DI). Compared with the CF treatment, grain yields were reduced by 31.76–52.19% under the DI treatment, by 57.16–61.02% under the FIM treatment, by 74.40–75.73% under the FIN treatment, which were mainly from source limitation, especially a low dry matter accumulation during post-anthesis, in non-flooded irrigation. WUE was the highest in the DI treatment, being 1.52–2.12 times higher than with the CF treatment, 1.35–1.89 times higher than with the FIM treatment, and 2.37–3.78 times higher than with the FIN treatment. The yield contribution from tillers (YCFTs) was 50.65–62.47% for the CF treatment and 12.07–20.62% for the non-flooded irrigation treatments. These low YCFTs values were attributed to the poor performance in tiller panicles rather than the total tiller number. Under non-flooded irrigation, root length was significantly reduced with more roots distributed in deep soil layers compared with the CF treatment; the DI treatment had more roots in the topsoil layer than the FIM and FIN treatments. The experiment demonstrates that the DI treatment has greater water saving capacity and lower yield and economic benefit gaps than the FIM and FIN treatments compared with the CF treatment, and would therefore be a better water-saving technology in areas of water scarcity.     

The Effects of Plastic Film Mulching on Maize Growth and Water Use in Dry and Rainy Years in Northeast China

Plastic film mulching (PM) has been widely used to improve maize (Zea mays L.) yields and water use efficiency (WUE) in Northeast China, but the effects of PM in a changing climate characterized by highly variable precipitation are not well understood. Six site-year field experiments were conducted in the dry and rainy years to investigate the effects of PM on maize growth, grain yield, and WUE in Northeast China. Compared to crops grown without PM treatment (control, CK), PM significantly increased the grain yield by 15-26% in the dry years, but no significant yield increase was observed in the rainy years. Yield increase in the dry years was mainly due to a large increase in dry matter accumulation pre-silking compared to the CK, which resulted from a greater dry matter accumulation rate due to the higher topsoil temperature and water content. As a result, the WUE of the crops that underwent PM (3.27 kg m^-3) treatment was also increased by around 16% compared to the CK, although the overall evapotranspiration was similar between the two treatments. In the rainy years, due to frequent precipitation and scant sunshine, the topsoil temperature and water content in the field that received PM treatment was improved only at some stages and failed to cause higher dry matter accumulation, except at the 8^th leaf stage. Consequently, the grain yield and WUE were not improved by PM in the rainy years. In addition, we found that PM caused leaf senescence at the late growth stage in both dry and rainy years. Therefore, in practice, PM should be applied cautiously, especially when in-season precipitation is taken into account.     

温度对不同类型早籼稻灌浆期间直链淀粉、蛋白质积累的影响

高温条件下早籼稻籽粒直链淀粉积累速率快,持续时间短;蛋白质含量高;灌浆前期谷草转氨酶和谷丙转氨酶活性高,开花11d后迅速下降．适温条件下籽粒直链淀粉积累速率慢,持续时间长;蛋白质含量低;谷草转氨酶和谷丙转氨酶活性变化缓慢,3个不同类型品种中适合作米粉的湘早籼33号直链淀粉含量最高,饲料稻湘早籼24号蛋白质含量最高．高温有助于湘早籼33号直链淀粉含量和湘早籼24号蛋白质含量的提高。     

水肥异区交替灌溉对夏玉米生理指标的影响

以夏玉米品种‘户单4号'为材料,通过防雨棚内微区试验研究了两种灌水量(450 m~3/hm~2和900 m~3/hm~2)条件下水肥异区交替灌溉和均匀灌溉对夏玉米生长以及某些生理指标的影响.结果显示:(1)在节水50%的条件下,水肥异区交替灌溉与高灌水量均匀灌溉的夏玉米生物量、产量均无显著差异.(2)低灌水量时,水肥异区交替灌溉下的玉米根系伤流液、叶片可溶性蛋白含量、硝酸还原酶活性、光合速率、蒸腾速率等均高于均匀灌溉施肥处理,而植株全氮含量及叶片水分利用效率与均匀灌溉施肥的差异不显著.(3)高灌水量时,水肥异区交替灌溉处理除根系活力、光合速率以及蒸腾速率高于均匀灌溉处理外,其他指标均低于后者.研究表明,在低灌水量条件下,水肥异区交替灌溉能使夏玉米保持较高的根系活力和正常生理代谢,提高其叶片水分利用效率,从而达到了节水增产的目的.     

Changes in the Spoilage-Related Microbiota of Beef during Refrigerated Storage under Different Packaging Conditions

The microbial spoilage of beef was monitored during storage at 5°C under three different conditions of modified-atmosphere packaging (MAP): (i) air (MAP1), (ii) 60% O₂ and 40% CO₂ (MAP2), and (iii) 20% O₂ and 40% CO₂ (MAP3). Pseudomonas, Enterobacteriaceae, Brochothrix thermosphacta, and lactic acid bacteria were monitored by viable counts and PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis during 14 days of storage. Moreover, headspace gas composition, weight loss, and beef color change were also determined at each sampling time. Overall, MAP2 was shown to have the best protective effect, keeping the microbial loads and color change to acceptable levels in the first 7 days of refrigerated storage. The microbial colonies from the plate counts of each microbial group were identified by PCR-DGGE of the variable V6-V8 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Thirteen different genera and at least 17 different species were identified after sequencing of DGGE fragments that showed a wide diversity of spoilage-related bacteria taking turns during beef storage in the function of the packaging conditions. The countable species for each spoilage-related microbial group were different according to packaging conditions and times of storage. In fact, the DGGE profiles displayed significant changes during time and depending on the initial atmosphere used. The spoilage occurred between 7 and 14 days of storage, and the microbial species found in the spoiled meat varied according to the packaging conditions. Rahnella aquatilis, Rahnella spp., Pseudomonas spp., and Carnobacterium divergens were identified as acting during beef storage in air (MAP1). Pseudomonas spp. and Lactobacillus sakei were found in beef stored under MAP conditions with high oxygen content (MAP2), while Rahnella spp. and L. sakei were the main species found during storage using MAP3. The identification of the spoilage-related microbiota by molecular methods can help in the effective establishment of storage conditions for fresh meat.     

Influence of Different Storage Conditions on the Mycotoxin Production and Quality of Fusarium-Infected Wheat Grain

Wheat seed samples with different initial infection levels of Fusarium culmorum were kept under different storage conditions for 36 weeks. Samples for analysis were drawn before storage and at intervals of 6‐8 weeks to determine the mycotoxin contents, seed health and seed quality. Zearalcnone (ZEA) accumulated to higher kernel contents towards the end of storage, when the seed was stored under warm and humid conditions [25°C/90% relative humidity (RH)], whereas the deoxynivalenol (DON) content of severely infected kernel samples (> 50%) remained unchanged under any of the conditions. On the other hand, DON contents increased in samples with a slight (4%) or moderate (15%) Fusarium infection level. when the seed was stored under Warm and humid conditions. Nivalenol (NIV) was not found in any samples immediately after harvest but later on in storage, and only under cool or warm but very humid conditions (15°C/84% RH and 25°C/90% RH). During storage, the mycotoxin contents of the samples did not reflect the percentage of Fusarium infected kernels. Under warm but dry conditions (25°C/62% RH) the seed germination rate showed a slight increase or remained nearly constant; at the same time the Fusarium infection level of the kernels decreased fairly fast. Cool and dry conditions (15°C/56% RH) maintained good seed quality but the Fusarium infection level of the kernels remained largely the same. Warm and humid conditions are not appropriate to maintaining quality of both seed and grain product.     

Effects of Favorable Alleles for Water-Soluble Carbohydrates at Grain Filling on Grain Weight under Drought and Heat Stresses in Wheat

Drought, heat and other abiotic stresses during grain filling can result in reductions in grain weight. Conserved water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) at early grain filling play an important role in partial compensation of reduced carbon supply. A diverse population of 262 historical winter wheat accessions was used in the present study. There were significant correlations between 1000-grain weight (TGW) and four types of WSC, viz. (1) total WSC at the mid-grain filling stage (14 days after flowering) produced by leaves and non-leaf organs; (2) WSC contributed by current leaf assimilation during the mid-grain filling; (3) WSC in non-leaf organs at the mid-grain filling, excluding the current leaf assimilation; and (4) WSC used for respiration and remobilization during the mid-grain filling. Association and favorable allele analyses of 209 genome-wide SSR markers and the four types of WSC were conducted using a mixed linear model. Seven novel favorable WSC alleles exhibited positive individual contributions to TGW, which were verified under 16 environments. Dosage effects of pyramided favorable WSC alleles and significantly linear correlations between the number of favorable WSC alleles and TGW were observed. Our results suggested that pyramiding more favorable WSC alleles was effective for improving both WSC and grain weight in future wheat breeding programs.     

Impacts of Boron Application on Maize Plants Growing under Flooded and Unflooded Conditions

Plants of maize (Zea mays L.) were waterlogged for 7 d and irrigated (root application) or sprayed (foliar application) with 0, 1, 3 and 6 mg dm-3 of boron. The stability of leaf membranes was assessed by determining leakage of electrolytes from leaf discs exposed to heat (51 °C) and dehydration (40 % PEG). Leaf membranes were more stable to heat than to dehydration. The membranes of waterlogged plants were more injured than those of control plants. Waterlogging reduced contents of dry mass, chlorophyll, soluble proteins, total free amino acids and soluble sugars and leaf relative water content (RWC). Application of boron increased the stability of leaf membranes, chlorophyll, soluble sugars, soluble proteins, amino acids contents, leaf RWC and dry mass accumulation. Foliar boron application was more effective. Application of boron alleviated the deleterious effect of waterlogging. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Recalcitrant Grain Legume Vigna radiata, Mung Bean, Made to Regenerate on Change of Hormonal and Cultural Conditions

Induction of shoots is possible from cotyledonary node of Vigna radiata seedlings by culturing them on a low concentration of thidiazuron (TDZ 1.0 μM). Interestingly, flooding the seedlings with the same concentration of TDZ considerably enhanced this effect and also led to the induction of shoots from the epicotyl – an unexpected and significant finding. Even plain mineral medium evoked this response on flooding. But seedlings raised on TDZ and flooding with mineral medium was not so effective. Instead seedlings raised on TDZ (1.0 μM) medium as well as flooding with it had synergistic effect. In a comparative study TDZ (1.0 μM) was found to be more effective than BAP (10 μM). Marked repression of root formation and expansion of shoot–apex were noted in seedlings raised on TDZ or BAP, particularly in cultures that were flooded.     

玉米地膜制种促熟增产的生理学机理

系统地探讨了玉米地膜制种促熟增产的作物生理学机理．结果表明,玉米池膜制种可以改善土壤水温条件、增强植株根系活力和群体光合作用性能、促进植株生长发育和光合产物的积累与分配．为该技术应用提供了科学依据．     

Effect of Growing Conditions on Wheat Hormonal Status and Productivity in Experimental Ecological System

The levels of free and bound forms of IAA, ABA, cytokinins (CK), and gibberellins, as well as growth characteristics and productivity were investigated in two wheat lines. The plants were grown under controlled conditions in an artificial ecosystem that allowed the irradiance, CO₂ concentration, and rhizosphere temperature to be changed. The main difference in the hormonal status of leaves of tall spring wheat, line 232, and dwarf wheat, line 95-3, was the absence of GA₉ gibberellins in the latter. It was found that the light intensity and temperature of rhizosphere insignificantly affected the balance of endogenous phytohormones and HI in wheat. The elevation of CO₂ concentration resulted in a considerable increase in the content of free IAA, an appearance of free GA₉, and a rise in the productivity of wheat, line 232. The concentration of CO₂ was shown to be a major parameter that determined HI in the experimental ecological system.     

Changes in the Number and Size of Chloroplasts during Senescence of Primary Leaves of Wheat Grown under Different Conditions

Changes in the number and size of chloroplasts in mesophyllcells were investigated in primary leaves of wheat from fullexpansion to yellowing under different growth conditions. Thenumber of chloroplasts per cell decreased slowly, although thedecrease was steady and statistically significant, until thelast stage of leaf senescence, when rapid degradation of chloroplaststook place. Rates of leaf senescence, or the decline in thenumber of chloroplasts, varied greatly among plants grown atdifferent seasons of the year, but about 20% of chloroplastsalways disappeared during the phase when steady loss of chloroplastsoccurred. The area of chloroplast disks also decreased graduallybut significantly, with a rapid decrease late in senescence.Thus, the total quantity of chloroplasts per mesophyll celldecreased substantially during leaf senescence. Yellowed leavescontained numerous structures that resemble oil drops but nochloroplasts. Decreases in rates of photosynthesis that occurduring senescence may, therefore, be largely due to decreasesin the quantity of chloroplasts. However, a better correlationwas found between the decrease in the maximum capacity for photosynthesisand the degradation of RuBP carboxylase. When plants had beengrown with a sufficient supply of nutrients, the number of chloroplastsdecreased steadily but at a reduced rate and the reduction inthe area of chloroplast disks was strongly suppressed. Thus,the quantitative decrease in chloroplasts in senescing leavesappears to be regulated by the requirements for nutrients (nitrogen)of other part of the plant. ³Present address: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science,Toho University, Miyama, Funabashi, Chiba, 274 Japan     

脱臭工艺对玉米油中反式脂肪酸含量的影响

目的：研究脱臭工艺对玉米油中反式脂肪酸含量的影响。方法：在实验室内对玉米油进行不同温度和时间的脱臭处理,利用气相色谱法分析处理后玉米油中的反式脂肪酸含量。结果：脱臭温度和脱臭时间均对玉米油中反式油酸的产生影响不显著。脱臭温度对玉米油中反式亚油酸含量影响显著,脱臭时间对玉米油中反式亚油酸含量影响不显著。在一定的脱臭时间,不同脱臭温度下,玉米油中总反式脂肪酸最多含量为最少含量的80倍以上;在一定的脱臭温度,而不同脱臭时间下,玉米油中总反式脂肪酸最多含量约为最少含量的1．5倍,且在255℃以下时,随脱臭时间延长,玉米油中总反式脂肪酸的形成速度缓慢、相对含量低。结论：玉米油精炼脱臭时,对脱臭工艺装备和工艺条件中的脱臭温度进行优化选择可有效减少玉米油反式脂肪酸的产生。     

Age-Related Changes in the Functions of the Photopic and Scotopic Systems of the Human Organ of Vision under Different Illumination Conditions

Age-related changes in the amplitude and time characteristics of the electroretinogram (ERG) have been studied in subjects from different regions of the world (226 and 287 indigenous inhabitants of European and Arabic countries, respectively) in order to obtain additional information on the interaction between the human organ of vision and illumination conditions characteristic of different environments. The age-related changes in the amplitude of the photopic ERG in regions with intense or moderate solar radiation suggest hereditary mechanisms of protection of the central retinal area from photodamage. The results of comparison of scotopic ERGs of humans living at different geographic latitudes indicate that mechanisms of photoprotection of the peripheral retinal area are acquired and gradually develop during life.     

不同冠温特征冬小麦籽粒灌浆过程中内源激素含量的变化

"豫麦50"在灌浆后期冠层温度明显降低,表现为冷尾型;而"豫麦34"和"豫麦70"则在灌浆后期冠层温度有上升趋势,表现为暖尾型,在灌浆末期冷尾型与暖尾型小麦冠层温度相差超过2.5℃.冷尾型"豫麦50"强势粒中ZR、IAA、GA3含量峰值均高于其它两个品种,其ZR/ABA、GA3/ABA、IAA/ABA峰值亦高于暖尾型"豫麦70"和"豫麦34",ABA含量在灌浆中期上升快,高峰值大于"豫麦70"和"豫麦34",达到高峰后下降较快;"豫麦50"弱势粒中的各种激素含量仍较高.     

玉米幼苗根不同发育区细胞中高尔基体的变化

玉米根细胞的三个发育区——分裂区、延伸区和成熟区高尔基体的变化:分裂区先由部分内质网碎片转化为潴泡,再由潴泡叠加构成具六个潴泡结构的高尔基器;延伸区高尔基器进行大量合成分泌物质,使大部分潴泡变成分泌泡而排出细胞外,导致高尔基器大量减少;成熟区高尔基器相当少,分泌能力一般。     

灌浆期间不同穗型冬小麦品种源库端的碳氮化合物含量及与其相关的酶活性变化

灌浆期间冬小麦多穗型品种豫麦49和大穗型品种豫麦66旗叶中蔗糖磷酸合成酶活性和可溶性糖含量变化均呈单峰曲线,后者的峰值出现较晚,灌浆中后期叶片中相关的酶活性下降缓慢。两品种旗叶中硝酸还原酶活性变化趋势基本相同,开花后5～20d问,豫麦49旗叶中NR活性高于豫麦66,20～35d间情况相反。在整个灌浆期间豫麦49籽粒淀粉积累速率呈双峰曲线,峰值分别出现在花后15～20d和25～30d问;豫麦66则为单峰曲线,峰值出现较晚但持续时间较长。     

Accumulation and Conversion of Sugars by Developing Wheat Grains : VII. Effect of Changes in Sieve Tube and Endosperm Cavity Sap Concentrations on the Grain Filling Rate

The extent to which wheat grain growth is dependent on transport pool solute concentration was investigated by the use of illumination and partial grain removal to vary solute concentrations in the sieve tube and endosperm cavity saps of the wheat ear (Triticum aestivum L.). Short-term grain growth rates were estimated indirectly from the product of phloem area, sieve tube sap concentration, and ³²P translocation velocity. On a per grain basis, calculated rates of mass transport through the peduncle were fairly constant over a substantial range in other transport parameters (i.e. velocity, concentration, phloem area, and grain number). The rates were about 40% higher than expected; this probably reflects some unavoidable bias on faster-moving tracer in the velocity estimates. Sieve tube sap concentration increased in all experiments (by 20 to 64%), with a concomitant decline in velocity (to as low as 8% of the initial value). Endosperm cavity sucrose concentration also increased in all experiments, but cavity sap osmolality and total amino acid concentration remained nearly constant. No evidence was found for an increase in the rate of mass transport per grain through the peduncle in response to the treatments. This apparent unresponsiveness of grain growth rate to increased cavity sap sucrose concentration conflicts with earlier in vitro endosperm studies showing that sucrose uptake increased with increasing external sucrose concentration up to 150 to 200 millimolar.