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Carbon sequestration rate, nitrogen use efficiency and rice yield responses to long-term substitution of chemical fertilizer by organic manure in a rice–rice cropping system

Nafiu Garba HAYATU, LIU Yi-ren, HAN Tian-fu, Nano Alemu DABA, ZHANG Lu, SHEN Zhe, LI Ji-wen, Haliru MUAZU, Sobhi Faid LAMLOM, ZHANG Hui-min

2023, 22 (9): 2848-2864. DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2022.12.006

Abstract （151） PDF in ScienceDirect

Combined application of chemical fertilizers with organic amendments was recommended as a strategy for improving yield, soil carbon storage, and nutrient use efficiency. However, how the long-term substitution of chemical fertilizer with organic manure affects rice yield, carbon sequestration rate (CSR), and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) while ensuring environmental safety remains unclear. This study assessed the long-term effect of substituting chemical fertilizer with organic manure on rice yield, CSR, and NUE. It also determined the optimum substitution ratio in the acidic soil of southern China. The treatments were: (i) NPK₀, unfertilized control; (ii) NPK₁, 100% chemical nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizer; (iii) NPKM₁, 70% chemical NPK fertilizer and 30% organic manure; (iv) NPKM₂, 50% chemical NPK fertilizer and 50% organic manure; and (v) NPKM₃, 30% chemical NPK fertilizer and 70% organic manure. Milk vetch and pig manure were sources of manure for early and late rice seasons, respectively. The result showed that SOC content was higher in NPKM₁, NPKM₂, and NPKM₃ treatments than in NPK₀ and NPK₁ treatments. The carbon sequestration rate increased by 140, 160, and 280% under NPKM₁, NPKM₂, and NPKM₃ treatments, respectively, compared to NPK₁ treatment. Grain yield was 86.1, 93.1, 93.6, and 96.5% higher under NPK₁, NPKM₁, NPKM₂, and NPKM₃ treatments, respectively, compared to NPK₀ treatment. The NUE in NPKM₁, NPKM₂, and NPKM₃ treatments was higher as compared to NPK₁ treatment for both rice seasons. Redundancy analysis revealed close positive relationships of CSR with C input, total N, soil C:N ratio, catalase, and humic acids, whereas NUE was closely related to grain yield, grain N content, and phenol oxidase. Furthermore, CSR and NUE negatively correlated with humin acid and soil C:P and N:P ratios. The technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) showed that NPKM₃ treatment was the optimum strategy for improving CSR and NUE. Therefore, substituting 70% of chemical fertilizer with organic manure could be the best management option for increasing CSR and NUE in the paddy fields of southern China

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Improvement of soil fertility and rice yield after long-term application of cow manure combined with inorganic fertilizers

GAO Peng, ZHANG Tuo, LEI Xing-yu, CUI Xin-wei, LU Yao-xiong, FAN Peng-fei, LONG Shi-ping, HUANG Jing, GAO Ju-sheng, ZHANG Zhen-hua, ZHANG Hui-min

2023, 22 (7): 2221-2232. DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2023.02.037

Abstract （249） PDF in ScienceDirect

Fertilization is an effective technique to improve soil fertility and increase crop yield. The long-term effects of different fertilizers on soil considerably vary. Over 38 consecutive years of different fertilization positioning experiments in a double cropping rice field of Qiyang Red Soil Experimental Station, seven different fertilization treatments including CK (no fertilization), NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizer), M (cow manure), NPKM (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium with cow manure), NPM (nitrogen and phosphorus with cow manure), NKM (nitrogen and potassium with cow manure), and PKM (phosphorus and potassium with cow manure) were applied to study the effects on rice yield, soil fertility, and nutrient apparent balance in a paddy field. The results showed that the annual average yields of rice in NPKM, NPM, NKM, PKM, M, NPK and CK treatments ranged from 6 214 to 11 562 kg ha^–1. Yields under longterm organic and inorganic treatments (NPKM, NPM, NKM and PKM) were 22.58, 15.35, 10.53 and 4.41%, respectively, greater than under the NPK treatment. Soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), available nitrogen (AN) and available potassium (AK) concentration with long-term organic and inorganic treatment (NPKM, NPM, NKM and PKM) were significantly higher than in inorganic fertilizer (NPK) treatments. Soil total phosphorus (TP) and available phosphorus (AP) contentration with organic fertilizer combined with inorganic N and P fertilizer treatment (NPKM, NPM and PKM) were significantly higher than with inorganic fertilizer alone (NPK treatments). The average annual rice yield (11 562 kg ha^–1), SOC (20.88 g kg^–1), TN (2.30 g kg^–1), TP (0.95 g kg^–1), TK (22.50 g kg^–1) and AP (38.94 mg kg^–1) concentrations were the highest in the NPKM treatment. The soil AN concentration (152.40 mg kg^–1) and AK contentration (151.00 mg kg^–1) were the highest in the NKM treatment. N and P application led to a surplus of nitrogen and phosphorus in the soil, but NPKM treatment effectively reduced the surplus compared with other treatments. Soils under all treatments were deficient in potassium. Correlation analysis showed that SOC, TN, AN, TP, and AP contentration was significantly correlated with rice yield; the correlation coefficients were 0.428, 0.496, 0.518, 0.501, and 0.438, respectively. This study showed that the combined application of N, P, and K with cow manure had important effects on rice yield and soil fertility, but balanced application of N, P, and K with cow manure was required.

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An optimized protocol using Steedman’s wax for high-sensitivity RNA in situ hybridization in shoot apical meristems and flower buds of cucumber

WANG Cui, SUN Jin-jing, YANG Xue-yong, WAN Li, ZHANG Zhong-hua, ZHANG Hui-min

2023, 22 (2): 464-470. DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2022.08.038

Abstract （176） PDF in ScienceDirect

In situ mRNA hybridization (ISH) is a powerful tool for examining the spatiotemporal expression of genes in shoot apical meristems and flower buds of cucumber. The most common ISH protocol uses paraffin wax; however, embedding tissue in paraffin wax can take a long time and might result in RNA degradation and decreased signals. Here, we developed an optimized protocol to simplify the process and improve RNA sensitivity. We combined embedding tissue in low melting-point Steedman’s wax with processing tissue sections in solution, as in the whole-mount ISH method in the optimized protocol. Using the optimized protocol, we examined the expression patterns of the CLAVATA3 (CLV3) and WUSCHEL (WUS) genes in shoot apical meristems and floral meristems of Cucumis sativus (cucumber) and Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis). The optimized protocol saved 4–5 days of experimental period compared with the standard ISH protocol using paraffin wax. Moreover, the optimized protocol achieved high signal sensitivity. The optimized protocol was successful for both cucumber and Arabidopsis, which indicates it might have general applicability to most plants

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A novel mutation in ACS11 leads to androecy in cucumber

WANG Jie, LI Shuai, CHEN Chen, ZHANG Qi-qi, ZHANG Hui-min, CUI Qing-zhi, CAI Guang-hua, ZHANG Xiao-peng, CHAI Sen, WAN Li, YANG Xue-yong, ZHANG Zhong-hua, HUANG San-wen, CHEN Hui-ming, SUN Jin-jing

2023, 22 (11): 3312-3320. DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2023.03.003

Abstract （199） PDF in ScienceDirect

Sex determination in plants gives rise to unisexual flowers. A better understanding of the regulatory mechanism underlying the production of unisexual flowers will help to clarify the process of sex determination in plants and allow researchers and farmers to harness heterosis. Androecious cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) plants can be used as the male parent when planted alongside a gynoecious line to produce heterozygous seeds, thus reducing the cost of seed production. The isolation and characterization of additional androecious genotypes in varied backgrounds will increase the pool of available germplasm for breeding. Here, we discovered an androecious mutant in a previously generated ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS)-mutagenized library of the cucumber inbred line ‘406’. Genetic analysis, whole-genome resequencing, and molecular marker-assisted verification demonstrated that a nonsynonymous mutation in the ethylene biosynthetic gene 1-AMINOCYCLOPROPANE-1-CARBOXYLATE SYNTHASE 11 (ACS11) conferred androecy. The mutation caused an amino acid change from serine (Ser) to phenylalanine (Phe) at position 301 (S301F). In vitro enzyme activity assays revealed that this S301F mutation leads to a complete loss of enzymatic activity. This study provides a new germplasm for use in cucumber breeding as the androecious male parent, and it offers new insights into the catalytic mechanism of ACS enzymes.

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Interaction of soil microbial communities and phosphorus fractions under long-term fertilization in paddy soil

Muhammad QASWAR, Waqas AHMED, HUANG Jing, LIU Kai-lou, ZHANG Lu, HAN Tian-fu, DU Jiang-xue, Sehrish ALI, Hafeez UR-RAHIM, HUANG Qing-hai, ZHANG Hui-min

2022, 21 (7): 2134-2144. DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(21)63733-4

Abstract （132） PDF in ScienceDirect

Understanding the impact of biological activities on the soil phosphorus (P) distribution under long-term fertilizer application can facilitate better soil P fertility management. Therefore, the primary objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of long-term (since 1981) fertilizer application on the soil P fractions and microbial community and to evaluate correlations between the microbial community structure and P distribution. The following treatments were implemented in a long-term field trial: no fertilization (CK), inorganic N and K (NK), inorganic P and K (PK), inorganic N, P and K (NPK) and manure+NPK (MNPK) fertilization. The study showed that the soil pH, soil organic carbon and total and available N and P concentrations were considerably higher in the MNPK treatment than in the CK treatment. The soil microbial biomass C, N and P concentrations were also significantly higher in the MNPK treatment than in the CK treatment. Among fertilization treatments, the β-1,4-glucosidase, α-1,4-glucosidase, urease, acid phosphatase and phosphodiesterase activities were the highest in the MNPK treatment. Compared to inorganic fertilization, the MNPK treatment increased the labile soil P fractions and decreased the residual soil P concentration. Continuous fertilization significantly affected the soil microbial composition. The total phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) concentrations in the NK, PK, NPK and MNPK treatments were 23.3, 43.1, 48.7 and 87.7% higher, respectively, than in the CK treatment. A significant correlation was observed between the microbial community and soil P fractions. Moreover, the aggregated boosted tree (ABT) model showed that among the various soil biochemical properties, the total PLFA concentration was the factor that most influenced the active P pool, accounting for 35.4% of the relative influence of all soil biochemical properties examined. These findings reveal that combined manure and inorganic fertilizer application is a better approach than applying inorganic fertilizer alone for sustaining long-term P fertility by mediating soil biological activity.

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The GhMAX2 gene regulates plant growth and fiber development in cotton

HE Peng, ZHANG Hui-zhi, ZHANG Li, JIANG Bin, XIAO Guang-hui, YU Jia-ning

2022, 21 (6): 1563-1575. DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(21)63603-1

Abstract （284） PDF in ScienceDirect

Strigolactones (SLs) are a new type of plant endogenous hormones that have been found to regulate plant growth and architecture. At present, some genes related to the biosynthesis and signaling pathway of SLs have been isolated in plants such as Arabidopsis thaliana, Pisum sativum and Oryza sativa. However, the signaling pathway and specific mechanism of SLs in cotton remain unclear. In this study, we identified the SLs signaling gene GhMAX2 and demonstrated its function in plant growth and architecture in Gossypium hirsutum. Bioinformatics analysis showed that GhMAX2 mainly consists of an α-helix and a random coil and includes a large number of leucine-rich repeats. GhMAX2 was highly expressed in root, stem, flower, and fibers at 20 days post-anthesis (DPA). GhMAX2 promoter-driven β-glucuronidase expression was present exclusively in the root, main inflorescence, flower, and silique. Subcellular localization showed that GhMAX2 is targeted to the nucleus. Heterologously expressed GhMAX2 can rescue the phenotype of Arabidopsis max2-1 mutant, indicating that the function of MAX2 is highly conserved between G. hirsutum and A. thaliana species. In addition, the knockdown expression of GhMAX2 in cotton resulted in significantly reduced plant height, slow growth, short internodes, and reduced ﬁber length. These findings indicate that GhMAX2 probably contributes to plant growth, architecture and fiber elongation in cotton. The study reveals insights into the roles of GhMAX2-mediated SL/KAR signaling in cotton and provides a valuable foundation for the cultivation of cotton plants in the future.

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Dynamics of organic carbon and nitrogen in deep soil profile and crop yields under long-term fertilization in wheat-maize cropping system

Muhammad QASWAR, LI Dong-chu, HUANG Jing, HAN Tian-fu, Waqas AHMED, Sehrish ALI, Muhammad Numan KHAN, Zulqarnain Haider KHAN, XU Yong-mei, LI Qian, ZHANG Hui-min, WANG Bo-ren, Ahmad TAUQEER

2022, 21 (3): 826-839. DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(20)63501-8

Abstract （127） PDF in ScienceDirect

Soil organic carbon (SOC) and nitrogen (N) are two of the most important indicators for agricultural productivity. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the changes in SOC and N in the deep soil profile (up to 100 cm) and their relationships with crop productivity under the influence of long-term (since 1990) fertilization in the wheat-maize cropping system. Treatments included CK (control), NP (inorganic N and phosphorus (P) fertilizers), NPK (inorganic N, P and potassium fertilizers), NPKM (NPK plus manure), and M (manure). Crop yield and the properties of topsoil were measured yearly from 2001 to 2009. C and N contents were measured at five different depths in 2001 and 2009. The results showed that wheat and maize yields decreased between 2001 and 2009 under the inorganic fertilizer (NP and NPK) treatments. The average yield between 2001 and 2009 under the NP, NPK, NPKM, and M treatments (compared with the CK treatment) increased by 38, 115, 383, and 381%, respectively, for wheat and 348, 891, 2 738, and 1 845%, respectively, for maize. Different long-term fertilization treatments significantly changed coarse free particulate (cfPOC), fine free particulate (ffPOC), intramicroaggregate particulate (iPOC), and mineral-associated (mSOC) organic carbon fractions. In the experimental years of 2001 and 2009, soil fractions occurred in the following order for all treatments: mSOC>cfPOC>iPOC>ffPOC. All fractions were higher under the manure application treatments than under the inorganic fertilization treatments. Compared to the inorganic fertilization treatments, manure input enhanced the stocks of SOC and total N in the surface layer (0–20 cm) but decreased SOC and N in the deep soil layer (80–100 cm). This reveals the efficiency of manure in increasing yield productivity and decreasing risk of vertical loss of nutrients, especially N, compared to inorganic fertilization treatments. The findings provide opportunities for understanding deep soil C and N dynamics, which could help mitigate climate change impact on agricultural production and maintain soil health.

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Commercial cash crop production and households’ economic welfare: Evidence from the pulse farmers in rural China

MA Ji-liang, LI Fan, ZHANG Hui-jie, Khan NAWAB

2022, 21 (11): 3395-3407. DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2022.09.006

Abstract （300） PDF in ScienceDirect

Whether promoting cash crop production can increase household welfare has long been the focus of the food policy debate. This study first investigated the determinants of household behavior in commercial pulse farming. It then examined how households’ commercial pulse production improves their economic welfare. We used a dataset of 848 households collected from 2018 to 2019 to estimate the determinants of household behavior in commercial pulse farming by the Heckman two-step model. The endogenous treatment regression (ETR) method was employed to examine the impact of commercial pulse farming on household economic welfare. The results showed that factors such as market purchase prices, agricultural technology services, farmers’ access to loans, and government subsidies promoted smallholders’ commercial pulse farming; production costs and perceptions of climate change risks constrained smallholders’ commercial pulse production. Overall, commercial pulse production has increased household farm income but there was a limited impact on household off-farm income. Our findings suggest that policies aiming to increase households’ cash crop production and market access could significantly improve the economic welfare of pulse farmers.Whether promoting cash crop production can increase household welfare has long been the focus of the food policy debate. This study first investigated the determinants of household behavior in commercial pulse farming. It then examined how households’ commercial pulse production improves their economic welfare. We used a dataset of 848 households collected from 2018 to 2019 to estimate the determinants of household behavior in commercial pulse farming by the Heckman two-step model. The endogenous treatment regression (ETR) method was employed to examine the impact of commercial pulse farming on household economic welfare. The results showed that factors such as market purchase prices, agricultural technology services, farmers’ access to loans, and government subsidies promoted smallholders’ commercial pulse farming; production costs and perceptions of climate change risks constrained smallholders’ commercial pulse production. Overall, commercial pulse production has increased household farm income but there was a limited impact on household off-farm income. Our findings suggest that policies aiming to increase households’ cash crop production and market access could significantly improve the economic welfare of pulse farmers.

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iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomics analysis of defense responses triggered by the pathogen Rhizoctonia solani infection in rice

FENG Zhi-ming, GAO Peng, ZHAO Jian-hua, WANG Guang-da, ZHANG Hui-min, CAO Wen-lei, XUE Xiang, ZHANG Ya-fang, Ma Yu-yin, Hua Rong, CHEN Zong-xiang, CHEN Xi-jun, HU Ke-ming, ZUO Shi-min

2022, 21 (1): 139-152. DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(20)63499-2

Abstract （180） PDF in ScienceDirect

The soil-borne necrotrophic fungus Rhizoctonia solani is one of destructive fungi causing severe yield losses in various important crops. However, the host defense mechanisms against the invasion of this pathogen are poorly understood. In this study, we employed an iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomic approach to investigate host proteins responsive to R. solani using the resistant rice cultivar YSBR1. As a whole, we identified 319 differentially accumulated proteins (DAPs) after inoculation of rice plants with R. solani. Functional categorization analysis indicates that these DAPs cover a broad range of functions. Notably, a substantial portion of the DAPs are involved in cell redox homeostasis, carbohydrate metabolism, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, or belong to pathogenesis-related proteins, indicating that these processes/proteins play important roles in host defense against R. solani. Interestingly, all of the DAPs involved in photosynthesis and chlorophyll biosynthetic processes, and part of the DAPs involved in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, show reduced accumulation after R. solani infection, suggesting that R. solani probably inhibits host photosynthetic system and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis to facilitate infection and colonization. In conclusion, our results provide both valuable resources and new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying rice and R. solani interaction.

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Susceptibility breakpoint for cefquinome against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus from pigs

ZHANG Hui-lin, ZHAO Yi-yang, ZHOU Zi-chong, DING Huan-zhong

2021, 20 (7): 1921-1932. DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(20)63572-9

Abstract （100） PDF in ScienceDirect

Cefquinome is the only fourth-generation cephalosporin used solely for veterinary applications. In this study, we established the wild-type cut-off (CO_WT) and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic cut-off (CO_PD) of cefquinome against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. A total of 210 E. coli and 160 S. aureus isolates were collected from pigs in Guangdong Province between 2014 and 2018. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined using a microdilution broth method. MIC₅₀ and MIC₉₀ were 0.06 and 0.25 μg mL^–1 for E. coli and 0.5 and 1 μg mL^–1 for S. aureus, respectively. Statistical analysis and the ECOFFinder Program showed that the COWT for cefquinome against E. coli and S. aureus were 0.125 and 2 µg mL^–1, respectively. The resistance rates were 11.9% for E. coli and 6.25% for S. aureus. Based on a 5 000-subject Monte Carlo simulation, the CO_PD value for cefquinome against E. coil and S. aureus was 0.25 µg mL–¹ under the recommended dose (2 mg kg^–1, twice a day for 3 days), confirming that infections caused by strains with MIC≤0.25 μg mL^–1 could be effectively treated. Following adjustment of the dosing regimen to 4.5 mg kg^–1, effective treatment (>90) was achieved for S. aureus infections with MIC₉₀ 1 μg mL^–1. This susceptibility breakpoint determination is significant for resistant surveillance and cefquinome dosage guidance against E. coli and S. aureus in pigs.

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Do cooperatives participation and technology adoption improve farmers’ welfare in China? A joint analysis accounting for selection bias

YANG Dan, ZHANG Hui-wei, LIU Zi-min, ZENG Qiao

2021, 20 (6): 1716-1726. DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(20)63325-1

Abstract （233） PDF in ScienceDirect

This study examines the impact of farmers’ cooperatives participation and technology adoption on their economic welfare in China. A double selectivity model (DSM) is applied to correct for sample selection bias stemming from both observed and unobserved factors, and a propensity score matching (PSM) method is applied to calculate the agricultural income difference with counter factual analysis using survey data from 396 farmers in 15 provinces in China. The findings indicate that farmers who join farmer cooperatives and adopt agricultural technology can increase agricultural income by 2.77 and 2.35%, respectively, compared with those non-participants and non-adopters. Interestingly, the effect on agricultural income is found to be more significant for the low-income farmers than the high-income ones, with income increasing 5.45 and 4.51% when participating in farmer cooperatives and adopting agricultural technology, respectively. Our findings highlight the positive role of farmer cooperatives and agricultural technology in promoting farmers’ economic welfare. Based on the findings, government policy implications are also discussed.

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Evaluation of a povidone-iodine and chitosan-based barrier teat dip in the prevention of mastitis in dairy cows

ZHANG Hui-min, JIANG Hong-rui, CHEN Dai-jie, SHEN Zi-liang, MAO Yong-jiang, LIANG Yu-sheng, Juan J. LOOR, YANG Zhang-ping

2021, 20 (6): 1615-1625. DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(20)63418-9

Abstract （139） PDF in ScienceDirect

Postmilking teat dip is an important tool used to prevent mastitis in the modern dairy industry. In this study, we evaluated the in vitro and in vivo efficacies of a barrier teat dip containing povidone-iodine and chitosan for the prevention of mastitis. In experiment 1, we evaluated the antibacterial effects of chitosans with different molecular weights against six mastitis-causing bacteria based on the minimal inhibitory concentration test. The results showed that 50 kDa chitosan had the maximum antibacterial activity compared with 5, 150 and 350 kDa chitosans. In experiment 2, the inhibition zone test indicated that the barrier teat dip with 4.0% povidone-iodine and 1.0% chitosan had higher (P<0.05) in vitro antibacterial efficacy against most tested mastitis-causing bacteria than the barrier teat dip with 4.0% povidone-iodine and no chitosan. In experiments 3 and 4, we evaluated the efficacies of two postmilking teat dips, 1) a barrier teat dip containing 1.0% chitosan and 4.0% povidone-iodine and 2) a conventional nonbarrier product containing 10% povidone-iodine in a field trial at two commercial dairy herds (1 and 2). A 56-d split-udder experiment (experiment 3) was conducted using 47 lactating Chinese Holstein cows in herd 1. Both left teats were immersed in barrier postmilking dip, and both right teats were dipped with nonbarrier postmilking dip. During a 56-d split-herd experiment (experiment 4), a total of 139 lactating Chinese Holstein cows from herd 2 were allocated to two groups: 1) all teats of 67 cows were dipped in the nonbarrier teat dip, and 2) all teats of 72 cows were dipped in the barrier teat dip. Milk samples were collected and analyzed for somatic cell count (SCC), fat content, protein content, and fat-to-protein ratio prior to the start of sampling (0 d), and at 28 and 56 d after initiation. Bacteriological analysis was only performed on milk samples with SCC≥200?000 cells mL^–1. In experiment 3, no differences (P>0.05) in SCC, somatic cell score (SCS) or other milk quality indicators were observed between nonbarrier and barrier teat dip treatment teats throughout the experiment. At the end of experiment 4, compared with nonbarrier teat dip group, a reduction (P<0.05) of 29% was observed for subclinical mastitis infection prevalence in the barrier teat dip group. In the barrier teat dip group, the subclinical mastitis infection prevalence on 56 d was lower (P<0.05) than 0 d. No differences (P>0.05) in milk qualities or clinical mastitis incidence were detected between groups. Bacteriological analysis demonstrated that the barrier product containing povidone-iodine and chitosan reduced the subclinical mastitis infection prevalence induced by mastitis pathogens. This effect was mainly due to the reductions in Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia fergusonii infections. Overall, the data indicated that a barrier teat dip containing 4% povidone-iodine and 1% chitosan was more effective than 10% povidone-iodine in preventing subclinical mastitis.

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Increased ammonification, nitrogenase, soil respiration and microbial biomass N in the rhizosphere of rice plants inoculated with rhizobacteria

ZHANG Jun-hua, HUANG Jing, Sajid HUSSAIN, ZHU Lian-feng, CAO Xiao-chuang, ZHU Chun-quan, JIN Qian-yu, ZHANG Hui

2021, 20 (10): 2781-2796. DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(20)63454-2

Abstract （151） PDF in ScienceDirect

Azospirillum brasilense and Pseudomonas fluorescens are well-known plant growth promoting rhizobacteria. However, the effects of A. brasilense and P. fluorescens on the N cycles in the paddy field and rice plant growth are little known. This study investigated whether and how A. brasilense and P. fluorescens contribute to the N transformations and N supply capacities in the rhizosphere, and clarified the effects of A. brasilense and P. fluorescens on the N application rate in rice cultivation. Inoculations with A. brasilense and P. fluorescens coupled with N application rate trials were conducted in the paddy field in 2016 and 2017. The inoculations of rice seedlings included four treatments: sterile saline solution (M₀), A. brasilense (M_b), P. fluorescens (M_p), and co-inoculation with a mixture of A. brasilense and P. fluorescens (M_bp). The N application rate included four levels: 0 kg N ha^–1 (N₀), 90 kg N ha^–1 (N₉₀), 180 kg N ha^–1 (N₁₈₀), and 270 kg N ha^–1 (N₂₇₀). The results indicated that the M_bp and M_p treatments significantly enhanced the ammonification activities in the rhizosphere compared with the M₀ treatment, especially for higher N applications, while the M_bp and M_b treatments greatly enhanced the nitrogenase activities in the rhizosphere compared with the M₀ treatments, especially for lower N applications. Azospirillum brasilense and P. fluorescens did not participate in the nitrification processes or the denitrification processes in the soil. The soil respiration rate and microbial biomass N were greatly affected by the interactions between the rhizobacteria inoculations and the N fertilizer applications. In the M_bp treatment, N supply capacities and rice grain yields showed no significant differences among the N₉₀, N₁₈₀, and N₂₇₀ applications. The N application rate in the study region can be reduced to 90 kg N ha^–1 for rice seedlings co-inoculated with a mixture of A. brasilense and P. fluorescens.

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Evaluation of sugar and organic acid composition and their levels in highbush blueberries from two regions of China

ZHANG Jia, NIE Ji-yun, LI Jing, ZHANG Hui, LI Ye, Saqib FAROOQ, Syed Asim Shah BACHA, WANG Jie

2020, 19 (9): 2352-2361. DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(20)63236-1

Abstract （117） PDF in ScienceDirect

Sweet and sour are the most important taste of blueberries, and they are produced by sugar and acid, respectively. Their contributions to the taste depend not only on the levels of sugar and acid, but also on the types and relative proportions of sugar and acid. Therefore, it is very important to evaluate the composition and levels of sugar and acid in blueberries. Regional differences and variety diversity also affect the sugar and acid characteristics of fruits. Therefore, this study selected two main producing regions in northern China (Weihai and Yingkou) to examine the sugar and acid characteristics of 11 common blueberry cultivars. The indexes measured included soluble sugars, organic acids, soluble solid content and titratable acidity. The results showed that glucose and fructose were the major sugars, and citric acid and quinic acid were the major organic acids. Correlation analysis showed that glucose, fructose, and sucrose were positively correlated with total sugar content; the citric acid content was positively correlated with the titratable acidity and total organic acids. Titratable acidity, glucose, fructose, sucrose, total sugar content, citric acid, shikimic acid and total acid content of the blueberries varied significantly between regions (P<0.05). In general, compared with Weihai blueberries, Yingkou blueberries had higher sugar content and lower acid content. The results of this study may provide useful references for the evaluation of sweet and sour flavors and cultivar selection of blueberries.

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Endogenous phytohormones and the expression of flowering genes synergistically induce flowering in loquat

CHI Zhuo-heng, WANG Yong-qing, DENG Qun-xian, ZHANG Hui, PAN Cui-ping, YANG Zhi-wu

2020, 19 (9): 2247-2256. DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(20)63246-4

Abstract （119） PDF in ScienceDirect

Flowering is an important process for the reproduction of higher plants. Up to this point, the studies on flowering have mostly focused on the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, and the flowering mechanism of fruit trees remains mostly unknown. The diversity of the flowering time of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) makes it an ideal material to study the regulation of flowering. In this study, we first observed the inflorescence bud differentiation in two varieties of loquat that had different blooming times (cv. Dawuxing (E. japonica), that blooms in the fall and cv. Chunhua (E. japonica×Eriobotrya bengalensis Hook. f.) that blooms in the spring) and found that the starting time of inflorescence bud differentiation and the speed of inflorescence development were responsible for the difference in blooming times. The determination of endogenous phytohormones by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) indicated that abscisic acid (ABA), zeatin (ZT), and gibberellin (GA₃) promoted flowering in loquat, while indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) was mainly involved in inflorescence bud differentiation in Chunhua. A transcription level analysis illustrated that multiple flowering-related genes could respond to different signals, integrate to the TFL1, AP1 and FT genes, and then synergistically regulate flowering in loquat. Thus, this study provides a new insight into flowering regulation mechanisms in loquat.

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Change of soil productivity in three different soils after long-term field fertilization treatments

LIU Kai-lou, HAN Tian-fu, HUANG Jing, ZHANG Shui-qing, GAO Hong-jun, ZHANG Lu, Asad SHAH, HUANG Shao-min, ZHU Ping, GAO Su-duan, MA Chang-bao, XUE Yan-dong, ZHANG Hui-min

2020, 19 (3): 848-858. DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(19)62742-5

Abstract （116） PDF in ScienceDirect

Soil productivity (SP) without external fertilization influence is an important indicator for the capacity of a soil to support crop yield. However, there have been difficulties in estimating values of SPs for soils after various long-term field treatments because the treatment without external fertilization is used but is depleted in soil nutrients, leading to erroneous estimation. The objectives of this study were to estimate the change of SP across different cropping seasons using pot experiments, and to evaluate the steady SP value (which is defined by the basal contribution of soil itself to crop yield) after various longterm fertilization treatments in soils at different geographical locations. The pot experiments were conducted in Jinxian of Jiangxi Province with paddy soil, Zhengzhou of Henan Province with fluvo-aquic soil, and Gongzhuling of Jilin Province with black soils, China. Soils were collected after long-term field fertilization treatments of no fertilizer (control; CK-F), chemical fertilizer (NPK-F), and combined chemical fertilizer with manure (NPKM-F). The soils received either no fertilizer (F0) or chemical fertilizer (F1) for 3–6 cropping seasons in pots, which include CK-P (control; no fertilizer from long-term field experiments for pot experiments), NPK-P (chemical fertilizer from long-term field experiments for pot experiments), and NPKM-P (combined chemical and organic fertilizers from long-term field experiments for pot experiments). The yield data were used to calculate SP values. The initial SP values were high, but decreased rapidly until a relatively steady SP was achieved at or after about three cropping seasons for paddy and fluvo-aquic soils. The steady SP values in the third cropping season from CK-P, NPK-P, and NPKM-P treatments were 37.7, 44.1, and 50.0% in the paddy soil, 34.2, 38.1, and 50.0% in the fluvo-aquic soil, with the highest value observed in the NPKM-P treatment for all soils. However, further research is required in the black soils to incorporate more than three cropping seasons. The partial least squares path mode (PLS-PM) showed that total N (nitrogen) and C/N ratio (the ratio of soil organic carbon and total N) had positive effects on the steady SP for all three soils. These findings confirm the significance of the incorporation of manure for attaining high soil productivity. Regulation of the soil C/N ratio was the other main factor for steady SP through fertilization management.

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Comparison of carbon sequestration efficiency in soil aggregates between upland and paddy soils in a red soil region of China

LIU Kai-lou, HUANG Jing, LI Da-ming, YU Xi-chu, YE Hui-cai, HU Hui-wen, HU Zhi-hua, HUANG Qing-hai, ZHANG Hui-min

2019, 18 (6): 1348-1359. DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(18)62076-3

Abstract （221） PDF in ScienceDirect

There is limited information on carbon sequestration efficiency (CSE) of soil aggregates in upland and paddy soils under long-term fertilization regimes. In a red soil region of southern China, an upland soil experiment started in 1986 and a paddy soil experiment commenced in 1981. These experiments were conducted using different fertilization treatments. After 30 years, soil organic carbon (SOC) content and stock of different aggregate components were analyzed. The results showed that the SOC contents and stocks in upland soil were lower than in paddy soil. In both upland and paddy soils, the SOC contents and stocks of all aggregate components in NPKM (combined treatment with chemical nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) fertilizers and manure) were the highest among all treatments. Compared with CK (no fertilizer), SOC content of all aggregate components in NPKM was increased by 13.21–63.11% and 19.13–73.33% in upland and paddy soils, respectively. Meanwhile, the change rates in SOC stock of all aggregate components in upland soil were lower than in paddy soil, although the change rate of SOC stock of all aggregate components in NPKM was higher than in other treatments. Furthermore, a linear equation could fit the relationships between carbon (C) input and change rate of SOC stock (P<0.05). Results indicated that the sum of CSE from all aggregate components in upland soil (16.02%) was higher than that of paddy soil (15.12%) in the same climatic condition and from the same parent material. However, the CSEs from all aggregates were higher than that of bulk soil, although the result from bulk soil also showed that the CSE of upland soil was higher than that of paddy soil.

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TaSAUR78 enhances multiple plant abiotic stress responses by regulating the interacting gene TaVDAC1

GUO Yuan, XU Chang-bing, SUN Xian-jun, HU Zheng, FAN Shou-jin, JIANG Qi-yan, ZHANG Hui

2019, 18 (12): 2682-2690. DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(19)62651-1

Abstract （124） PDF in ScienceDirect

SMALL AUXIN-UP RNAs (SAURs) regulated by abiotic stress play multiple functions in plants. However, the functions of SAURs in abiotic stress are largely unknown. In this study, we cloned a novel SAUR gene, TaSAUR78, from wheat, and we found that TaSAUR78 interacted with TaVDAC1 (voltage-dependent anion channel). Salt stress decreased expression of TaSAUR78 and increased expression of TaVDAC1. Overexpression of TaSAUR78 enhanced tolerance to salt, drought, and freezing stresses in transgenic Arabidopsis and reduced the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) under salt stress. Overexpression of TaVDAC1 enhanced tolerance to salt stress, while decreased tolerance to drought and low temperature stresses in transgenic Arabidopsis. TaVDAC1 overexpression increased the accumulation of ROS in plants. These results suggested that TaSAUR78 improved plant tolerance to abiotic stresses by regulating TaVDAC1. This study generated valuable information on the functions of TaSAUR78 and TaVDAC1 in multiple abiotic stresses, which may facilitate the deployment of these genes to enhance crop tolerance to abiotic stresses in the future.

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Effect of biochar on grain yield and leaf photosynthetic physiology of soybean cultivars with different phosphorus efficiencies

ZHU Qian, KONG Ling-jian, SHAN Yu-zi, YAO Xing-dong, ZHANG Hui-jun, XIE Fu-ti, AO Xue

2019, 18 (10): 2242-2254. DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(19)62563-3

Abstract （142） PDF in ScienceDirect

This study was conducted with two soybean cultivars, Liaodou 13 (L13, phosphorus (P)-efficient) and Tiefeng 3 (T3, P-inefficient), to investigate the effects of biochar on soybean yield and photosynthetic physiological parameters, at four biochar application rates (0, 1, 5, and 10%, w/w), and two fertilization treatments (0 and 150 kg ha^–1). Grain yield, plant biomass, P accumulation, leaf net photosynthetic rate (P_n), chlorophyll index (Chl), nitrogen balance index (NBI), sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), and sucrose synthase (SS) activities, soluble sugar, sucrose and starch contents, and leaf area duration (LAD) were measured. Biochar had positive effects on P_n, Chl, NBI, SPS, and SS activities, and leaf soluble sugar, sucrose, and starch contents of both genotypes, these effects increased with biochar application rate. L13 benefited more efficiently from biochar than T3 did, as the grain yield of L13 significantly increased by 31.0 and 51.0%, at 5 and 10% biochar, respectively, while that of T3 increased by 40.4 at 10% biochar application rate, as compared with controls. The combined application of biochar and fertilizer boosted the positive effects described, but no difference was found for grain yield in L13 among biochar application rates, while grain yield of T3 continually increased with biochar rate, among which, 1% biochar combined with 150 kg ha^–1 fertilizer resulted in T3 yield increment of more than 23%, compared with the application of 150 kg ha^–1 fertilizer alone. Altogether, our results indicated that the application of biochar enhanced carbon assimilation in soybean, resulting in increased biomass accumulation and yield. Differences in genotypic responses to biochar highlight the need to consider specific cultivars and biochar rate, when evaluating the potential responses of crops to biochar.

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GmNAC15 overexpression in hairy roots enhances salt tolerance in soybean

LI Ming, HU Zheng, JIANG Qi-yan, SUN Xian-jun, GUO Yuan, QI Jun-cang, ZHANG Hui

2018, 17 (03): 530-538. DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(17)61721-0

Abstract （1099） PDF in ScienceDirect

The NAC (NAM, ATAF1/2 and CUC2) transcription factor family plays a key role in plant development and responses to abiotic stress. GmNAC15 (Glyma15g40510.1), a member of the NAC transcription factor family in soybean, was functionally characterized, especially with regard to its role in salt tolerance. In the present study, qRT-PCR (quantitative reverse transcription PCR) analysis indicated that GmNAC15 was induced by salt, drought, low temperature stress, and ABA treatment in roots and leaves. GmNAC15 overexpression in soybean (Glycine max) hairy roots enhanced salt tolerance. Transgenic hairy roots improved the survival of wild leaves; however, overexpression of GmNAC15 in hairy root couldn’t influnce the expression level of GmNAC15 in leaf. GmNAC15 regulates the expression levels of genes responsive to salt stress. Altogether, these results provide experimental evidence of the positive effect of GmNAC15 on salt tolerance in soybean and the potential application of genetic manipulation to enhance the salt tolerance of important crops.

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Newcastle disease virus-based MERS-CoV candidate vaccine elicits high-level and lasting neutralizing antibodies in Bactrian camels

Liu Ren-qiang, Ge Jin-ying, Wang Jin-ling, Shao Yu, Zhang Hui-lei, Wang Jin-liang, Wen Zhi-yuan, Bu Zhi-gao

2017, 16 (10): 2264-2273. DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(17)61660-5

Abstract （578） PDF in ScienceDirect

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), a member of the Coronaviridae family, is the causative pathogen for MERS that is characterized by high fever, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), as well as extrapulmonary manifestations. Currently, there are no approved treatment regimens or vaccines for MERS. Here, we generated recombinant nonvirulent Newcastle disease virus (NDV) LaSota strain expressing MERS-CoV S protein (designated as rLa-MERS-S), and evaluated its immunogenicity in mice and Bactrian camels. The results revealed that rLa-MERS-S showed similar growth properties to those of LaSota in embryonated chicken eggs, while animal immunization studies showed that rLa-MERS-S induced MERS-CoV neutralizing antibodies in mice and camels. Our findings suggest that recombinant rLa-MERS-S may be a potential MERS-CoV veterinary vaccine candidate for camels and other animals affected by MERS.

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Grain yield and water use of winter wheat as affected by water and sulfur supply in the North China Plain

XIE Ying-xin, ZHANG Hui, ZHU Yun-ji, ZHAO Li, YANG Jia-heng, CHA Fei-na, LIU Cao, WANG Chen-yang, GUO Tian-cai

2017, 16 (03): 614-625. DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(16)61481-8

Abstract （814） PDF in ScienceDirect

Water shortage has threatened sustainable development of agriculture globally as well as in the North China Plain (NCP). Irrigation, as the most effective way to increase food production in dry land, may not be readily available in the situation of drought. One of the alternatives is to supply plants with enough nutrients so that they can be more sustainable to the water stress. The objective of this study was to explore effects of irrigation and sulphur (S) application on water consumption, dry matter accumulation (DMA), and grain yield of winter wheat in NCP. Three irrigation regimes including no irrigation (rainfed, I₀) during the whole growth period, once irrigation only at jointing stage (90 mm, I₁), and twice respective irrigation at jointing and anthesis stages (90 mm plus 90 mm, I₂), and two levels of S application including 0 (S₀) and 60 kg ha^–1(S₆₀) were designed in the field experiment in NCP. Results showed that increasing irrigation times significantly increased mean grain yield of wheat by 12.5–23.7% and nitrogen partial factor productivity (NPFP) by 21.2–45.0% in two wheat seasons, but markedly decreased crop water use efficiency (YWUE). Furthermore, S supply 60 kg ha^–1 significantly increased mean grain yield, YWUE, IWUE and NPFP by 5.6, 6.1, 23.2, and 5.6% (across two wheat seasons), respectively. However, we also found that role of soil moisture prior to S application was one of important greater factors on improving the absorption and utilization of storage water and nutrients of soil. Thus, water supply is still the most important factor to restrict the growth of wheat in the present case of NCP, supplying 60 kg ha^–1 S with once irrigation 90 mm at the jointing stage is a relatively appropriate recommended combination to improve grain yield and WUE of wheat when saving water resources is be considered in irrigated wheat farmlands of NCP.

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Long-term organic and inorganic fertilizations enhanced basic soil productivity in a fluvo-aquic soil

ZHA Yan, WU Xue-ping, GONG Fu-fei, XU Ming-gang, ZHANG Hui-min, CHEN Li-ming, HUANG Shao-min, CAI Dian-xiong

2015, 14 (12): 2477-2489. DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(15)61191-1

Abstract （1563） PDF in ScienceDirect

The improvement of soil productivity depends on a rational input of water and nutrients, optimal field management, and the increase of basic soil productivity (BSP). In this study, BSP is defined as the productive capacity of a farmland soil with its own physical and chemical properties for a specific crop season under local field management. Based on 19-yr data of the long-term agronomic experiments (1989–2008) on a fluvo-aquic soil in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China, the decision support system for agrotechnology transfer (DSSAT ver. 4.0) crop growth model was used to simulate yields by BSP of winter wheat (Triticum aestivium L.) and summer maize (Zea mays L.) to examine the relationship between BSP and soil organic carbon (SOC) under long-term fertilization. Five treatments were included: (1) no fertilization (control), (2) nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers (NPK), (3) NPK plus manure (NPKM), (4) 1.5 times of NPKM (1.5NPKM), and (5) NPK plus straw (NPKS). After 19 yr of treatments, the SOC stock increased 16.7, 44.2, 69.9, and 25.2% under the NPK, NPKM, 1.5NPKM, and NPKS, respectively, compared to the initial value. Among various nutrient factors affecting contribution percentage of BSP to winter wheat and summer maize, SOC was a major affecting factor for BSP in the fluvo-aquic soil. There were significant positive correlations between SOC stock and yields by BSP of winter wheat and summer maize (P<0.01), and yields by BSP of winter wheat and summer maize increased 154 and 132 kg ha–1 when SOC stock increased 1 t C ha–1. Thus, increased SOC accumulation is a crucial way for increasing BSP in fluvo-aquic soil. The manure or straw combined application with chemical fertilizers significantly enhanced BSP compared to the application of chemical fertilizers alone.

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Soil Organic Carbon Accumulation Increases Percentage of Soil Olsen-P to Total P at Two 15-Year Mono-Cropping Systems in Northern China

SHEN Pu, HE Xin-hua, XU Ming-gang, ZHANG Hui-min, PENG Chang, GAO Hong-jun, LIU

2014, 13 (3): 597-603. DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(13)60717-0

Abstract （1599） PDF in ScienceDirect

Soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil Olsen-P are key soil fertility indexes but information on their relationships is limited particularly under long-term fertilization. We investigated the relationships between SOC and the percentage of soil Olsen-P to total P (PSOPTP) under six different 15-yr (1990-2004) long-term fertilizations at two cropping systems in northern China. These fertilization treatments were (1) unfertilized control (control); (2) chemical nitrogen (N); (3) N plus chemical P (NP); (4) NP plus chemical potassium (NPK); (5) NPK plus animal manure (NPKM) and (6) high NPKM (hNPKM). Compared with their initial values in 1989 at both sites, during the 11th to 15th fertilization years annual mean SOC contents were significantly increased by 39.4-47.0% and 58.9-93.9% at Gongzhuling, Jilin Province, and Urumqi, Xinjiang, China, under the two NPKM fertilizations, respectively, while no significant changes under the no-P or chemical P fertilization. During the 11th to 15th fertilization years, annual mean PSOPTP was respectively increased by 2.6-4.2 and 5.8-14.1 times over the initial values under the two chemical P fertilizations and the two NPKM fertilizations, but was unchanged in their initial levels under the two no-P fertilizations at both sites. Over the 15-yr long-term fertilization SOC significantly positively correlated with PSOPTP (r2=0.55-0.79, P<0.01). We concluded that the combination of chemical P plus manure is an effective way to promote SOC accumulation and the percentage of soil Olsen-P to total P at the two mono-cropping system sites in northern China.

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Basic Soil Productivity of Spring Maize in Black Soil Under Long-Term Fertilization Based on DSSAT Model

ZHA Yan, WU Xue-ping , HE Xin-hua, ZHANG Hui-min, GONG Fu-fei, CAI Dian-xiong, ZHU

2014, 13 (3): 577-587. DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(13)60715-7

Abstract （1865） PDF in ScienceDirect

Increasing basic farmland soil productivity has significance in reducing fertilizer application and maintaining high yield of crops. In this study, we defined that the basic soil productivity (BSP) is the production capacity of a farmland soil with its own physical and chemical properties for a specific crop season under local environment and field management. Based on 22-yr (1990-2011) long-term experimental data on black soil (Typic hapludoll) in Gongzhuling, Jilin Province, Northeast China, the decision support system for an agro-technology transfer (DSSAT)-CERES-Maize model was applied to simulate the yield by BSP of spring maize (Zea mays L.) to examine the effects of long-term fertilization on changes of BSP and explore the mechanisms of BSP increasing. Five treatments were examined: (1) no-fertilization control (control); (2) chemical nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK); (3) NPK plus farmyard manure (NPKM); (4) 1.5 time of NPKM (1.5NPKM) and (5) NPK plus straw (NPKS). Results showed that after 22-yr fertilization, the yield by BSP of spring maize significantly increased 78.0, 101.2, and 69.4% under the NPKM, 1.5NPKM and NPKS, respectively, compared to the initial value (in 1992), but not significant under NPK (26.9% increase) and the control (8.9% decrease). The contribution percentage of BSP showed a significant rising trend (P<0.05) under 1.5NPKM. The average contribution percentage of BSP among fertilizations ranged from 74.4 to 84.7%, and ranked as 1.5NPKM>NPKM>NPK≈NPKS, indicating that organic manure combined with chemical fertilizers (1.5NPKM and NPKM) could more effectively increase BSP compared with the inorganic fertilizer application alone (NPK) in the black soil. This study showed that soil organic matter (SOM) was the key factor among various fertility factors that could affect BSP in the black soil, and total N, total P and/or available P also played important role in BSP increasing. Compared with the chemical fertilization, a balanced chemical plus manure or straw fertilization (NPKM or NPKS) not only increased the concentrations of soil nutrient, but also improved the soil physical properties, and structure and diversity of soil microbial population, resulting in an iincrease of BSP. We recommend that a balanced chemical plus manure or straw fertilization (NPKM or NPKS) should be the fertilization practices to enhance spring maize yield and improve BSP in the black soil of Northeast China.

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Effect of Phosphorus Fertilization to P Uptake and Dry Matter Accumulation in Soybean with Different P Efficiencies

AO Xue, GUO Xiao-hong, ZHU Qian, ZHANG Hui-jun, WANG Hai-ying, MA Zhao-hui, HAN , Xiao-ri , ZHAO Ming-hui , XIE Fu-ti

2014, 13 (2): 326-334. DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(13)60390-1

Abstract （2376） PDF in ScienceDirect

Phosphorus (P) is an essential element for plant growth and yield. Improving phosphorus use efficiency of crops could potentially reduce the application of chemical fertilizer and alleviate environmental damage. Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is sensitive to phosphorus (P) in the whole life history. Soybean cultivars with different P efficiencies were used to study P uptake and dry matter accumulation under different P levels. Under low P conditions, the P contents of leaf in high P efficiency cultivars were greater than those in low P efficiency cultivars at the branching stage. The P accumulation in stems of high P efficiency cultivars and in leaves of low P efficiency cultivars increased with increasing P concentration at the branching stage. At the late podding stage, the P accumulation of seeds in high and low P efficiency cultivars were 22.5 and 26.0%, respectively; and at the mature stage were 69.8 and 74.2%, respectively. In average, the P accumulation in whole plants and each organ was improved by 24.4% in high P efficiency cultivars compared to low P efficiency cultivars. The biomass between high and low P efficiency cultivars were the same under extended P condition, while a significant difference was observed at late pod filling stage. At the pod setting stage, the biomass of high P efficiency cultivars were significant greater (17.4%) than those of low P efficiency cultivars under high P condition. Meanwhile, under optimum growth conditions, there was little difference of biomass between the two types of cultivars, however, the P agronomic efficiency and P harvest index were significant higher in high P efficiency cultivars than those in low P efficiency cultivars.

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Study on Plant Morphological Traits and Production Characteristics of Super High-Yielding Soybean

AO Xue, ZHAO Ming-hui, ZHU Qian, LI Jie, ZHANG Hui-jun, WANG Hai-ying, YU Cui-mei, LI Chunhong, YAO Xing-dong, XIE Fu-ti , HAN Xiao-ri

2013, 12 (7): 1173-1182. DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(13)60444-X

Abstract （1486） PDF in ScienceDirect

Super high-yielding soybean cultivar Liaodou 14, soybean cultivars from Ohio in the United States, and the common soybean cultivars from Liaoning Province, China, with similar geographic latitudes and identical pod-bearing habits were used as the study materials for a comparison of morphological traits and production characteristics to provide a theoretical basis for the breeding of improved super high-yielding soybean cultivars. Using a randomized block design, different soybean cultivars from the same latitude were compared under conventional and unconventional treatments for their production characteristics, including morphological traits, leaf area index (LAI), net photosynthesis rate, and dry matter accumulation. The specific characteristics of the super high-yielding soybean cultivar Liaodou 14 were analyzed. The results showed that the plant height of Liaodou 14 was significantly lower than that of the common cultivars from Liaoning, whereas the number of its main-stem nodes was higher than that of the cultivars from Ohio or Liaoning. A high pod density was observed in Liaodou 14 under conventional treatments. Under both conventional and unconventional treatments, the branch number of Liaodou 14 was markedly higher than that of the common cultivars from Liaoning, and its branch length and leaf inclination angle were significantly higher than those of common cultivars from Liaoning or Ohio. Only small changes in the leaf inclination angle were observed in Liaodou 14 treated with conventional or unconventional methods. Under each treatment, Liaodou 14 exhibited the lowest amplitude of reduction in SPAD values and net photosynthesis rates from the grain-filling to ripening stages; the cultivars from Ohio and the common cultivars from Liaoning exhibited more significant reductions. Liaodou 14 reached its peak LAI later than the other cultivars but maintained its LAI at a higher level for a longer duration. Under both conventional and unconventional treatments, Liaodou 14 produced a higher yield than the other two cultivars, with significant differences from the Ohio cultivars. In summary, super high-yielding soybean cultivars have several main features: suitable plant height, high pod density, good leaf structure with strong functionality, and slow leaf senescence at the late reproductive stage, which is conducive to the accumulation of dry matter and improved yield.

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Statistic Analysis on Quantitative Characteristics for Developing the DUS Test Guideline of Ranunculus asiaticus L.

LIU Yan-fang, ZHANG Jian-hua, Lü Bo, YANG Xiao-hong, LI Yan-gang, WANG Ye, WANGJiang-min , ZHANG Hui, , GUAN Jun-jiao

2013, 12 (6): 971-978. DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(13)60317-2

Abstract （1815） PDF in ScienceDirect

Selection of quantitative characteristics, division of their expression ranges, and selection of example varieties are key issues on developing DUS Test Guidelines, which are more crucial for quantitative characteristics since their expressions vary in different degrees. Taking the development of DUS Test Guideline of Ranunculus asiaticus L. as an example, this paper applied statistic-based approaches for the analyses of quantitative characteristics. We selected 9 quantitative characteristics from 18 pre-selected characteristics, based on within-variety uniformity, stability between different growing cycles, and correlation among characteristics, by the analyses of coefficient of variation, paired-samples t-test and partial correlation. The expression ranges of the 9 selected quantitative characteristics were divided into different states using descriptive statistics and distribution frequency of varieties. Eight of the 9 selected quantitative characteristics were categorized as standard characteristics as they showed one peak in distribution frequency of 120 varieties in various expressions of the characteristics, whereas, plant height can be categorized as grouping characteristic since it gave two peaks, and can group the varieties into pot and cut varieties. Finally, box-plot was applied to visually select the example varieties, and varieties 7, 12, and 28 were determined as the example varieties for plant height. The methods described in this paper are effective for the selection of quantitative characteristics, division of expression ranges, and selection of example varieties in Ranunculus asiaticus L. for DUS test, and may also be interest for other plant genera.

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Conophylline Promotes the Proliferation of Immortalized Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Fetal Porcine Pancreas (iPMSCs)

ZHANG Hui-ru, LI Dan, CAO Hui, Lü Xiao, CHU Yuan-kui, BAI Yao-fu, JIN Ya-ping, PENG

2013, 12 (4): 678-686. DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(13)60286-5

Abstract （1319） PDF in ScienceDirect

Conophylline, is a bis (indole) alkaloid consisting of two pentacyclic aspidosperma skeletons, isolated from Tabernaemontana divaricata, which has been found to induce b-cell differentiation in rat pancreatic acinar carcinoma cells and in cultured rat pancreatic tissue. However, the precise role of conophylline in the growth and survival of immortalized pancreatic mesenchymal stem cells (iPMSCs) derived from fetal porcine pancreas were not understood at present. To determine whether this molecule is involved in controlling the proliferation of iPMSCs, we examined the effects of conophylline on iPMSCs. We found that conophylline can robustly stimulate iPMSCs proliferation, even promote their potential differentiation into islet-like clusters analyzed by cell counting, morphology, RT-PCR and real-time PCR, Western blotting, glucose-stimulated insulin release and insulin content analysis. The effects of conophylline were inhibited by LY294002, which is the inhibitor of the PI3K pathway. These results suggest that conophylline plays a key role in the regulation of cell mass proliferation, maintenance of the undifferentiated state of iPMSCs and also promotes iPMSCs differentiated into insulin-producing cells.

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Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Hybrid Necrosis

JIANG Qi-yan, HU Zheng, PAN Xing-lai , ZHANG Hui

2013, 12 (3): 387-397. DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(13)60238-5

Abstract （1357） PDF in ScienceDirect

Hybrid necrosis is the gradual premature death of leaves or plants in certain F1 hybrids of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Comparison of protein expression in necrotic and normal wheat leaves showed that the abundance of 33 proteins was changed significantly, and 24 of these proteins were identified. These proteins were involved in plant growth and development, antioxidation, photosynthesis and carbon assimilation, amino acid and protein biosynthesis, cytological signal transduction, DNA and RNA modification, protein transport, folding and assembly according to their functions. The down-regulation of uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase and the up-regulation of lipoxygenases in necrotic leaves may be related to the oxidative stress in the necrotic cells. The heat shock proteins may play the cytoprotective role. The differential expression of photosynthesis and carbon assimilation related proteins indicated chlorophyll biosynthesis and chloroplast development were inhibited and might finally cause the gradual chlorosis and cell death in necrotic leaves. The results of this study give a comprehensive picture of the post-transcriptional response to necrosis in hybrid wheat leaves and serve as a platform for further characterization of gene function and regulation in wheat hybrid necrosis.

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