Relative addition rate and external concentration; Driving variables used in plant nutrition research

Abstract An increasing literature accounting for various types of experiments indicates that far lower external nutrient concentrations are required by plants than is usually thought to be the case. It is concluded that the ion uptake capacity of the roots, as described by the carrier concept, is high compared to that required for maintenance of the internal concentration. Serious errors in experimental conclusions are associated with insufficient and constant nutrient addition rates. The main errors are caused by non-steady states of the plants both with regard to the internal nutrient concentrations and the relative growth rate. A dynamic concept has been proposed for direct use as the treatment variable within the range of sub-optimum nutrition. The nutritional factor is expressed as a flow, the relative nutrient addition rate in laboratory studies and the nutrient flux density in the field. The experimental use of the relative addition rate has led to steady-state nutrient status and relative growth rate and the interpretation of plant responses which differ fundamentally from accepted views. Thus, for instance, deficiency symptoms disappear, as in natural conditions, when the internal nitrogen concentration is stable, independent of level. The nutrition/growth relationships are very different from those observed when external concentration is varied. The regression line of relative growth rate on relative addition rate passes near to the origin at an angle close to 45 to the axes, which implies that the obtained relative growth rate approximates closely the treatment variable. A striking example of observed differences is the positive effect on nitrogen fixation exerted by high relative nitrogen addition rates compared to the well-known negative effect of increasing external nitrogen concentration. The application of fertilizer on the basis of the nutrient flux density concept provides the possibility of supplying fertilizers corresponding to the consumption potential of the vegetation and to the natural flux density resulting from mineralization in the soil. Nitrogen utilization is high under such conditions and the resulting feedback of nutrition on the mineralization rate suggests that there will be a long-term increase in fertility.     

Change in apparent and true absorption and retention of dietary zinc with age in rats

Two groups of 16 rats each were fed the same diet with 12.9 ppm Zn. Nine days after each animal was injected with⁶⁵Zn for assessing fecal zinc of endogenous origin, zinc intake and excretion were determined for a six-day period at the age of about five (group I) and nine (II) weeks. At mean growth rates of 5.1 and 5.2 g/day, food consumption per gram of gain was 2.01 g in group I vs 2.86 g in II. Overall, zinc retention amounted to 21 vs 25 μg Zn/g of gain. Apparent absorption averaged 92 vs 74% of Zn intake (132 vs 189 μg/day), while true absorption averaged 98 vs 92%. It was concluded that endogenous fecal zinc excretion was limited to the indispensable loss (F _em) in group I (7 μg/day), while it exceeded this minimum loss in group II (33 μg/day). True retention, which reflected total zinc utilization (true absorption times metabolic efficiency), was derived from apparent absorption plusF _em (11 μg/day for group II according to the greater metabolic body size of the rats). It averaged 98% of Zn intake in group I vs 80% in group II. The mean metabolic efficiency was 100% vs 87%. The conclusion was that these marked differences between age groups in utilizing the dietary zinc reflected the efficient homeostatic adjustments in absorption and endogenous excretion of zinc to the respective zinc supply status.     

2004—2016年贵州省石漠化状况及动态演变特征

石漠化是制约我国西南地区社会、经济、生态发展的重要因素之一,及时监测评估其演变状况,对区域石漠化防治及生态环境建设具有重要科学意义。选取2004—2016年间4期TM影像,研究贵州省域尺度上、石漠化时空演变特征和未来发展趋势。结果显示:1) 2004—2016年间,贵州省78.3%的区域植被覆盖度上升,平均增加了19.1%,达到63.4%,有55.4%的区域岩石裸露率下降; 2)贵州省石漠化空间分布呈现从东北到西南渐次加重的特征,西部毕节市中、重度石漠化面积占该区域面积仍达62.0%—86.4%,而东部黔东南州约为18.4%—33.0%; 3) 2004—2016年间,贵州省石漠化状况呈现总体持续好转态势,以轻、中度石漠化转入为主体的无石漠化面积增加了1.1倍,轻度石漠化增加了20.0%左右,中度和重度石漠化面积分别减少了40.0%左右; 4)截止到2016年,贵州省无石漠化、轻、中、重度石漠化区域分别占比约42.0%、24.1%、23.5%、10.4%; 5)未来2020年及2024年,贵州省石漠化仍将持续改善,石漠化面积占比将分别减少8.9%和12.2%。过去十多年间,贵州省石漠化...     

全球啄木鸟濒危格局及研究现状

啄木鸟科物种作为初级洞巢者与蛀干害虫控制者,对森林高度依赖,是森林生态系统重要的伞护种和环境指示物种。自20世纪以来,由于全球范围的栖息地丧失和片段化,啄木鸟科物种的森林生境急剧萎缩,威胁着该类群物种的生存和繁衍。为探究啄木鸟科动物濒危情况和研究现状,本研究利用世界自然保护联盟濒危物种红色名录(IUCN Red List)和国际鸟盟(BirdLife International)在线数据库,检索并整理出1988年到2023年以下内容：(1)全球啄木鸟的物种数、濒危等级及其变化情况;(2)各大洲的啄木鸟物种数及其受威胁物种的比例;(3)啄木鸟的主要威胁因素;(4)通过Google学术搜索等方式检索并统计啄木鸟相关文章的研究内容。结果显示：(1)目前现存254种啄木鸟,33年间全球受威胁啄木鸟由7种增加至18种,受威胁物种数占当年已命名啄木鸟物种数的比例由3.4%上升至7.0%。(2)亚洲、南美洲和北美洲各分布了83种、93种和56种啄木鸟,受威胁物种占比分别为12.0%、6.4%、5.3%。非洲和欧洲分别分布了36种和11种啄木鸟,当前没有受威胁物种。(3)农业和生物资源利用以及放牧是啄木鸟的主要威胁因素。(4)共检索到研究啄木鸟的有关文章1 024篇,研究覆盖了140种啄木鸟,其中,文章数最多的物种是红顶啄木鸟(Leuconotopicus borealis)(162篇)。研究主要集中在巢相关特征(129篇)、生境选择特征(122篇)、取食行为(112篇)、繁殖行为(99篇)和种群状况(66篇)等基础生态学内容。这些研究为啄木鸟生物学、生态学积累了一定的基础,但物种覆盖程度还远远不够。在生物多样性急剧丧失的大背景下,亟需开展更为广泛和深入的研究。本研究对全球啄木鸟的濒危格局与研究现状进行了全面的分析,以期为后续啄木鸟的研究与保护工作提供参考。     

«Salivaomics» of Different Molecular Biological Subtypes of Breast Cancer

The aim of the study was to determine the metabolic characteristics of saliva depending on the molecular biological subtype of breast cancer, as well as depending on the expression levels of HER2, estrogen receptors (ER), and progesterone receptors (PR). The study included 487 patients with morphologically verified breast cancer and 298 volunteers without breast pathologies. Saliva samples were obtained from all patients strictly before the start of treatment and the values of 42 biochemical indicators were determined. It has been established that the saliva of healthy volunteers and patients with various molecular biological subtypes of breast cancer differs in 12 biochemical indicators: concentrations of protein, urea, nitric oxide, malondialdehyde, total amino acid content, and activity of lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, catalase, amylase, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidases. The saliva composition of patients with basal-like breast cancer differs from other subtypes in terms of the maximum number of indicators. Changes in biochemical indicators indicated an increase in the processes of lipid peroxidation and endogenous intoxication and a weakening of antioxidant protection, which correlates with the severity of the disease and the least favorable prognosis for this subtype of breast cancer. An analysis was made of the individual contribution of the expression level of HER2, estrogen, and progesterone receptors to changes in the biochemical composition of saliva. The HER2 (−)/HER2 (+) group, which should be considered as a single group, as well as ER-positive breast cancer, differ statistically significantly from the control group. For ER/PR-positive breast cancer, a more favorable ratio of saliva biochemical indicators was also noted compared to ER/PR-negative breast cancer.     

西北黄土高原半干旱区全膜覆土穴播对土壤水热环境和小麦产量的影响

全膜覆土穴播是西北黄土高原旱作区大面积应用于密植作物栽培的关键增产技术,可显著提高降水利用率和作物生产力,但目前对其增产机制和环境效应缺乏系统研究分析。在2011—2013年以春小麦陇春27号为试验材料,设全膜覆土穴播(FMS)、地膜覆盖穴播(FM)和露地穴播(CK)3个处理,研究半干旱旱作区全膜覆土穴播的土壤水热效应及其对小麦产量的影响。结果表明,小麦苗期FMS在0—25 cm土层的平均地温比CK提高1.4—3.5℃,但孕穗到灌浆期正午地表地温比FM和CK分别降低5.3—6.4℃和3.1—4.3℃。FMS和FM使小麦拔节前0—200 cm土层土壤贮水量分别增加33.1和29.3 mm,且可促进小麦对深层水分(100—200 cm)的利用,FMS成熟期100—200 cm土层土壤贮水量比播前下降44.4—69.6 mm,较CK高8.4—145.5%,但FMS在休闲期补充土壤水分77—127 mm,分别较FM和CK增加4.5%—40.9%和12.8%—109.5%;FMS的休闲效率为30.5%—52.6%,比CK高12.8%—109.5%,比FM高4.5%—40.9%。基于对土壤水热环境和作物耗水的影响,FMS的产量达1750—3180 kg/hm2,水分利用效率为5.5—11.5 kg hm-2mm-1,分别比CK增加40%—220%和27%—239%,而且干旱年份的增加幅度更高。因此,FMS改善了小麦生长前期的土壤水热条件,调节作物不同生育期的耗水强度,显著提高作物水分利用效率和产量,并提高降水休闲效率,使小麦生育期耗散的土壤水分在休闲期得到有效补充。     

Nitric oxide and changes of iron metabolism in exercise

Accumulated data imply that exercise itself might not lead to a true iron deficiency or 'sport anaemia' in a healthy athlete who has adequate iron intake. The higher prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia in younger female athletes might be not due to exercise itself, but probably results from dietary choices, inadequate iron intake and menstruation. These factors can also induce iron deficiency or anaemia in the general population. However, exercise does affect iron metabolism, leading to low or sub-optimal iron status. The underlying mechanism is unknown. In this review, recent advances in the study of the effect of exercise on iron metabolism and nitric oxide, and the relationship between nitric oxide and iron status in exercise are discussed. A hypothesis that increased production of nitric oxide might contribute to sub-optimal iron status in exercise is proposed.     

The status of dwarf carnivores on Cozumel Island, Mexico

Cozumel Island in the Mexican Caribbean is inhabited by four carnivores, of which two, the Cozumel coati Nasua nelsoni and pygmy raccoon Procyon pygmaeus, are endemic species. The taxonomic status of a third carnivore, a dwarf gray fox Urocyon cinereoargenteus, is undetermined, but may deserve subspecific or species-level recognition. The fourth species, the kinkajou (Potos flavus), may be a recent introduction. We review the status of these carnivores, report our field observations and results of line transect and trapping efforts, discuss current threats to these taxa, and make recommendations for their conservation. A population density of 0.43 ± 0.27 coatis/km², and a total island population size of 150 ± 95 individuals, was estimated from 386 km of line transects in 1994–1995. Intensive trapping efforts (1479 trap-nights) in 2001 at multiple localities were unsuccessful. Pygmy raccoons were observed in the mangrove and coastal wetland areas of the island and in 2001 we captured 11 individuals with the same sampling efforts as for coatis (8.8 raccoons/1000 trap-nights). The gray fox is also apparently very rare on the island. While a few observations of the animals have been made (1984, 1994 and 2001), no animals were seen along transects and none were trapped. The primary threats to the persistence of these taxa include introduced congeners, introduced predators, parasite and disease spill-over from exotic animals, habitat fragmentation, hunting and collection as pets, and hurricanes. We suggest that the Cozumel coati, pygmy raccoon, and the Cozumel population of the gray fox be considered as Critically Endangered according to the IUCN classification system. Current conservation actions focusing on Cozumel carnivores are extremely limited. We recommend eradication of introduced species, maintenance of habitat connectivity, ex situ conservation programs, explicit public policies on land-use and sustainable development, public awareness campaigns, and continuous scientific research and monitoring.     

不同生长阶段遮荫对番茄光合作用、干物质分配与叶N、P、K的影响

对番茄植株做了两种不同程度的遮荫处理,观测了夏季午间遮荫对光合速率,干物质积累量及其在根,茎,叶之间的分配,和叶N,P,K的含量以及经济产量的影响,发现不同时期遮荫影响不同。（1）遮荫增加三个阶段（开花早期,盛花期和开花后期）的气孔导度和胞间CO2浓度,显著降低开花早期中午的净化合速率,但盛花期中度遮荫（40%遮荫）使净光合速率随着时间的增加逐渐上升,在开花后期表现更加明显,平均净光合速率比对照高20%以上,蒸腾速率也增加较多。（2）开花早期和盛花期重度遮荫（如本实验中的75%遮荫）显著降低根,茎的干重,而开花后期中度遮荫的根,茎干重高于对照,但遮荫对叶干重的影响不明显。（3）开花早期和盛花期遮荫不明显影响叶片中N,P,K的含量,但开花后期中度遮荫使N,P,K含量增加,（4）开花早期两种遮荫对果实产量影响较小,但盛花期重度遮荫使产量降低,全部产量中无效部分所占的比例上升,开花后期中度遮荫的总产量和有效产量增加,单果重也增加,这些结果表明,在某些时期中度遮荫可以克服夏天辐射过强,气温过高对番茄的不良影响,对番茄生长,干物质积累和提高产量等有利,在生产上有意义。     

黄斑巨鳖分布的历史变迁

通过考古、文史和动物学文献的考证,对黄斑巨鳖Rafetus swinhoei分布的历史变迁进行了研究,该种历史上曾广泛分布于黄河、长江、太湖、钱塘江、红河、马江流域和台湾澎湖水道,这些区域历史上记录的"鼋"都应为黄斑巨鳖而非亚洲圆鳖Pelochelys cantorii。黄斑巨鳖在台湾澎湖水道仅记录于1万年前,主要是由于人为影响,黄河种群自11世纪后未再有记载,近代其分布区更是急剧缩小,长江中游种群于19世纪末即已绝灭,长江下游和钱塘江种群在20世纪中叶绝灭,太湖流域目前已野生绝灭,红河和马江流域分布区虽未有明显变化,但在最近30年中密度急剧下降,野生种群濒临灭绝。建议重点在红河流域开展研究和保护工作。红河与钱塘江之间是否有分布仍存疑问,需要进一步研究。