Changes in Organic Carbon and Nutrient Contents of Highly Productive Paddy Soils in Yujiang County of Jiangxi Province, China and Their Environmental Application

Paddy field is an important land use in subtropical China. Development of high soil fertility and productivity is the management goal of paddy field. Fertilization and management practices have not only influenced the status of organic matter and nutrients in the soil but also affected the environmental quality. This article investigates the contents of organic carbon and the nutrients, and the change over the last 20 years in highly productive paddy soils and their environmental application. Field soils were sampled and the analytical results were compared with the corresponding values in the Second Soil Survey in Yujiang County of Jiangxi Province, China. The results showed that surface soils at a depth of 0-10 cm in highly productive paddy fields in Yujiang County of Jiangxi Province had contents of organic carbon (20.2±3.88) g kg⁻¹, total nitrogen (2.09±0.55) g kg⁻¹, and available phosphorus (42.7±32.7) mg kg⁻¹, respectively, which were all at very rich levels. Over the last 20 years, the organic carbon pool of the highly productive paddy soils reached a steady state. Total N and available P significantly increased, whereas available K changed a little. The amount and percentage of P immobilization in the surface soil (0-10 cm) of highly productive paddy fields were (142.7±41.1) mg kg⁻¹ and (36.2±10.4)% of added P, and CEC (7.93±1.32) cmol kg⁻¹. These two parameters were not higher than the mean values of paddy soils and upland red soils in the areas. Results also showed that fertilizer P in highly productive paddy soils had a high mobility and was prone to move toward a water body, which is the main source of nutrients causing eutrophication. Because of a weak K-fixing capacity, the available K content was not high in highly productive paddy soils. This suggests that attention should be paid to the K balance and the increase of soil K pool.     

The Effect of Yucca schidigera Extract on Ruminal Fermentation and Parameters Traits in Sheep

In a completely randomized block design experiment, 16 ruminally cannulated sheep (40 ± 2.1 kg)fed a 50% concentrate 50% forage diet (DM basis) were given intraruminal doses of powdered Yucca schidigera extract (YSE). Doses of 0 (control), 100, 200, or 300 mg kg-1 diet were given at 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. On 15, 16, and 17 d of the experimental period, ruminal contents were sampled 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 h after dosing, and blood samples were collected at the end of the experiment (18th and 19th d). Acidity was not affected (P＞0.05) by the addition of YSE. Compared with the control, ruminal propionate concentration was increased by 29.4 and 29.8% (P＞0.05) and the acetic acid concentration was decreased by 15.1 and 19.8% (P＞0.05) at 4 and 6 h after YSE (300 mg kg-1) dosing, respectively. Ruminal ammonia concentration in the first 2 h after feeding was higher (P＜0.05) in the sheep that did not receive YSE (increased by 17.57 mg 100 mL-1) than in those that received 200 mg kg-1 (increased by 6.77 mg 100 mL-1) or 300 mg kg-1 (increased by 6.50 mg 100 mL-1) YSE. Protozoan populations in the rumen were lower (P ＜ 0.05) in the animals that received 300 mg kg-1 of YSE compared with the control. All serum parameters of the four groups were in the normal range and were similar among the treatment groups (P＞0.05), after being fed for 19 d with different doses of YSE. The effect of YSE on ruminal ammonia concentration likely resulted from a decreased concentration of protozoan populations and, presumably, from ammonia binding by YSE.     

Fixed Ammonium Content and Maximum Capacity of Ammonium Fixation in Major Types of Tillage Soils in Hunan Province, China

In order to understand the status of fixed ammonium, fixed ammonium content, maximum capacity of ammonium fixation, and their influencing factors in major types of tillage soils of Hunan Province, China, were studied with sampling on fields, and laboratory incubation and determination. The main results are summarized as follows: (1) Content of fixed ammonium in the tested soils varies greatly with soil use pattern and the nature of parent material. For the paddy soils, it ranges from 135.4 ± 57.4 to 412.8 ± 32.4 mg kg⁻¹, with 304.7 ± 96.7 mg kg⁻¹ in average; while it ranges from 59.4 to 435.7 mg kg⁻¹, with 230.1 ± 89.2 mg kg⁻¹ in average for the upland soils. The soils developed from limnic material and slate had higher fixed ammonium content than the soils developed from granite. The percentage of fixed ammonium to total N in the upland soils is always higher than that in the paddy soils. It ranges from 6.1 ± 3.6% to 16.6 ± 4.6%, with 14.0% ± 5.1% in average for the paddy soils and it amounted to 5.8 ± 2.0% to 40.1 ± 17.8%, with 23.5 ± 14.2% in average for upland soils. (2) The maximum capacity of ammonium fixation has the same trend with the fixed ammonium content in the tested soils. For all the tested soils, the percentage of recently fixed ammonium to maximum capacity of ammonium fixation is always bellow 20% and it may be due to the fact that the soils have high fertility and high saturation of ammonium-fixing site. (3) The clay content and clay composition in the tested soils are the two important factors influencing their fixed ammonium content and maximum capacity of ammonium fixation. The results showed that hydrous mica is the main 2:1 type clay mineral in <0.02 mm clay of the paddy soils, and its content in 0.02–0.002 mm clay is much higher than that in <0.002 mm clay of the soils. The statistical analysis showed that both the fixed ammonium content and the maximum capacity of ammonium fixation of the paddy soils were positively correlated with the total 2:1 type clay mineral content and hydrous mica content in <0.02 mm clay and 0.02–0.002 mm clay at the significant level of P_0.01 or P_0.05, respectively, but not correlated with the total 2:1 type clay mineral content and hydrous mica content in <0.002 mm clay significantly. It demonstrated that the ammonium-fixing matrix of the tested soils mainly exists in the 0.02-0.002 mm clay. The above-mentioned results showed that fixed ammonium is a major form of N in the tillage soils in Hunan Province, China. It would play an important role in N nutrition of crops, especially for upland crops, and deserve to be further researched.     

Studies on Wool-Eating Ailment in Guizhou Semi-Fine Wool Sheep

The clinical symptoms of a disorder which is known locally as “wool-eating ailment” in Guizhou semi-fine wool sheep in the Weining County of Guizhou Province,China,are poor weight gain,lost appetite,pica,emaciation,and wool-eating.The mineral composition of forage,and samples of blood,liver and wool from Guizhou semi-fine wool sheep in affected ranches were compared with those from the unaffected areas.The mean concentration of iron in forage from affected pasture was significantly higher than that from the unaffected pasture.The mean concentration of sulfur in forage from the affected and unaffected pasture was similar and within normal ranges.The mean concentration of sulfur in blood,liver and wool from the affected Guizhou semi-fine wool sheep was significantly lower than that from the unaffected sheep while the content of iron in blood,liver and wool from the affected sheep was significantly higher than that from the unaffected sheep.Oral administration of calcium sulfate prevented and cured the disease.We concluded that the disease of Guizhou semi-fine wool sheep in the Weining County is due to S deficiency caused by the high Fe in forages.     

Verification of color vegetation indices for automated crop imaging applications

An accurate vegetation index is required to identify plant biomass versus soil and residue backgrounds for automated remote sensing and machine vision applications, plant ecological assessments, precision crop management, and weed control. An improved vegetation index, Excess Green minus Excess Red (ExG − ExR) was compared to the commonly used Excess Green (ExG), and the normalized difference (NDI) indices. The latter two indices used an Otsu threshold value to convert the index near-binary to a full-binary image. The indices were tested with digital color image sets of single plants grown and taken in a greenhouse and field images of young soybean plants. Vegetative index accuracies using a separation quality factor algorithm were compared to hand-extracted plant regions of interest. A quality factor of one represented a near perfect binary match of the computer extracted plant target compared to the hand-extracted plant region. The ExG − ExR index had the highest quality factor of 0.88 ± 0.12 for all three weeks and soil-residue backgrounds for the greenhouse set. The ExG + Otsu and NDI − Otsu indices had similar but lower quality factors of 0.53 ± 0.39 and 0.54 ± 0.33 for the same sets, respectively. Field images of young soybeans against bare soil gave quality factors for both ExG − ExR and ExG + Otsu around 0.88 ± 0.07. The quality factor of NDI + Otsu using the same field images was 0.25 ± 0.08. The ExG − ExR index has a fixed, built-in zero threshold, so it does not need Otsu or any user selected threshold value. The ExG − ExR index worked especially well for fresh wheat straw backgrounds, where it was generally 55% more accurate than the ExG + Otsu and NDI + Otsu indices. Once a binary plant region of interest is identified with a vegetation index, other advanced image processing operations may be applied, such as identification of plant species for strategic weed control.     

Emission and Fixation of CO2 from Soil System as Influenced by Long-Term Application of Organic Manure in Paddy Soils

The observations of 25-yr long-term experiment in Zhejiang paddy soils showed that the soil organic matter could increase continuously with applying organic manure, and the increase in rate enhanced along with the application rates of organic manure. By mathematical modeling, the soil organic matter increased by 22 kg when 1 t of fresh FYM was applied. The CO2 emission resulting from the mineralization of soil organic matter increased with the increase in the application rate of the organic manure as well as the increase in the root residues. It is expected that the CO2 emission will be at 10.04-21.61 t ha^-1 yr^-1 when 16.5-49.5 t ha ^-1 yr^-1 of fresh FYM is applied. The soil organic carbon from mineralization and release of applied organic carbon （fresh FYM and root residues） will affect the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere. So, the higher the application rate of organic manure, the more is the fixed organic carbon. The CO2 fixation will be at 1.885-3.463 t ha^-1 yr^-1 when 16.5-49.5 t ha^-1 yr^-1 of fresh FYM is applied. Thus, the CO2 fixation will increase by 46.7 kg by applying 1 t fresh FYM. To apply organic manure continuously in rice fields may reduce the contribution to the increase of CO2 concentration in the atmosphere.     

Effects of Chlorine Dioxide Gas on Postharvest Physiology and Storage Quality of Green Bell Pepper （Capsicum frutescens L. var. Longrum）

The effects of treatment of chlorine dioxide (ClO2) gas on postharvest physiology and preservation quality of green bell peppers were studied. Green bell peppers were collected in bags and treated with 0, 5, 10, 20, and 50 mg L-1 ClO2 gas at 10 ± 0.5℃ for over 40 d, and the changes in postharvest physiology and preservation quality of the peppers were evaluated during the storage. The inhibition of rot of the peppers was observed for all the tested ClO2 gas treatments. The rot rates of the treated samples were 50% lesser than those of the control after day 40 of storage. The highest inhibitory effect was obtained after 50 mg L-1 ClO2 gas treatment, where the peppers did not decay until day 30 and showed only one-fourth of the rot rate of the control at day 40 of storage. The respiratory activity of the peppers was significantly (P ＜ 0.05) inhibited by 20 and 50 mg L-1 ClO2 treatments, whereas no significant effects on respiratory activity were observed with 5 and 10 mg L-1ClO2 treatments (P＞ 0.05). Except for 50 mg L-1 ClO2, malondialdenyde (MDA) contents in the peppers treated with 5,10, or 20 mg L-1 ClO2 were not significantly (P＞0.05) different from those in the control. Degradation of chlorophyll in the peppers was delayed by 5 mg L-1 ClO2, but promoted by 10, 20, or 50 mg L-1 ClO2. The vitamin C content, titratable acidity,and total soluble solids of the peppers treated by all the tested ClO2 gas did not significantly change during the storage.The results suggested that ClO2 gas treatment effectively delayed the postharvest physiological transformation of green peppers, inhibited decay and respiration, maintained some nutritional and sensory quality, and retarded MDA accumulation.     

Effect of Nitrogenous Fertilizer Treatment on Mineral Metabolism in Grazing Yaks

To assess the impact of N fertilization on contents of mineral elements in herbage and the effect of increased forage S on the copper metabolism of grazing yaks, study was conducted during the summer grazing season （2005, 2006, and 2007）. Pasture replicates （20 ha; n=3 per treatment） received the same fertilizer treatment in each growing season, consisting of i） 90 kg N ha^-1 from quickly available nitrogen, ii） 90 kg N ha^-1 from ammonium nitrate, iii） 90 kg N ha^-1 from ammonium sulfate, and iv） control （no fertilizer）. Forage sampling was collected at 60 days intervals following fertilization （10 samples per pasture） for Cu, Mo, Mn, Se, Fe, Zn, Ca, and P. To determine the effect of fertilizer treatment on mineral metabolism in grazing yaks, liver and blood samples were collected at the start and end of the study period in 2005, 2006, and 2007. Ammonium sulfate fertilization increased （P 〈 0.01） forage S concentration. Plant tissue N concentrations were increased by N fertilization, regardless of source in 2005, 2006, and 2007. Yaks grazing S fertilization pastures had lower （P〈0.05） liver and blood Cu concentrations at the end of the study period in 2005, 2006, and 2007, compared with urea, ammonium nitrate, and control. Nominal increases in forage in vitro organic matter digestibility were realized by fertilization, regardless of N source in each year.     

The Effects of the Chemical Components of Soil Salinity on Electrical Conductivity in the Region of the Delta Oasis of Weigan and Kuqa Rivers, China

In order to assess the effects of chemical properties of soil salinity on electrical conductivity of 1：5 soil/water extract （EC1：5）, the study focused on revealing the main chemical factors contributing to EC of soil extracts and their relative importance. The relationship between EC1：5 and the chemical properties of soil salinity in the delta oasis of Weigan and Kuqa rivers, China, were studied using path coefficient analysis, a path analysis method. We studied each key element affecting EC1：5 either directly or indirectly. The results obtained show that the salt content, total dissolved solids （TDS）, and the sum of the sodium ion concentration and the kalium ion concentration are the most influential factors on 1：5 soil/ water extract （EC1：5） in the 0-10 cm and the 30-50 cm soil layer. The results show that the sequence of direct path coefficients in the 0-10 cm and the 30-50 cm soil layers on soil conductivity is TDS→Na^＋ ＋ K^＋→Salt content→Ca^2＋→Cl-→the sodium dianion ratio （SDR）→pH→ SO4^2-→HCO3^-→Mg^2＋→the soluble sodium percentage （SSP） sodium absorption ratio （SAR） and TDS→Salt content→Na^＋ ＋ K^＋→Ca^2＋→SDR→Mg^2＋→HCO3^-→SSP→pH→SO4^2-→SAR→Cl^-. The salt content, chlorine ion, and SAR are the main factors affecting 1：5 soil/water extract （EC1：5） in the 10-30 centimeter soil layer. The order of direct path coefficients result is as follows： Salt content→Cl^-→SAR→SSP→TDS→Ca^2＋→Mg^2＋= SO4^2-→HCO3^-→pH→SDR→Na^- ＋ K^＋. Moreover, the effects of HCO3^-, pH were very weak. Though the direct path coefficients between EC1：5 and SAR, SO4^2- and Ca^2＋ were not high, influence of other chemical factors caused the coefficients to increase, making the summation of their direct and indirect path coefficients relatively high. The models of the different soil layers were structured separately. Evidences showed that multiple regression relations between EC1：5 and most of the primary factors had sound reliability and very good accuracy. The research results can serve as a reference to the scientific management amelioration and utilization of saline in the Delta Oasis of Weigan and Kuqa rivers.     

Effect of Long-Term Fertilization on Soil Productivity and Nitrate Accumulation in Gansu Oasis

A long-term （1982-2001） field experiment was conducted in a calcareous soil under wheat （Triticum aestivum L.）-wheat （Triticum aestivum L.）-maize （Zea mays L.） rotation system at Zhangye, Gansu Province, China to determine the effects of long-term fertilization on crop yield, nutrients interactions, content and accumulation of nitrate-N in soil profiles. Twenty- four plots in a split-plot factorial with a combination of eight treatments （from nitrogen （N）, phosphorus （P）, potassium （K） and farmyard manure （M） applications） and 3 replications were selected. Main treatments were M and without M, and the sub-treatments were no-fertilizer （CK）, N, NP and NPK. When P and K fertilizers were part of treatments, their ratio to N was 1N：0.22P：0.42K. All M, P and K fertilizers were applied as the basal dressing. The grain yield was harvested each experimental period and straw yield for the period from 1988 to 1997. After crop harvest in 2000, the soil was sampled from the 0-20, 20-60, 60-100, 100-140 and 140-180 cm depths to determine NO3^--N content. Maize yield of CK in 2000 was only 28.2% of that in 1984, and wheat in 2001 was 25.7% of that observed in 1982. Average impact of fertilizers on grain yield decreased in the order of N 〉 M 〉 P 〉 K. Yield response to N and P fertilizers increased with progress of the experiment. The impact of K fertilizer showed no increase in grain yield during the initial 6 years （1982-1987）, moderate increase in the next 5 years （1988-1992）, and considerable increase in the last 9 years （1993-2001）. The straw yield trend was similar to grain yield. Accumulation and distribution of NO3^--N in soil was significantly affected by annual fertilizations. Mineral fertilizers （NP and NPK） led to NO3^- -N accumulation in most subsoil layers, with major impact in the 20-140 cm depth. The combination of mineral fertilizers and farmyard manure （MNP and MNPK） reduced soil NO3^--N accumulation in comparison to mineral fertilizers, It can be argued that long-term fertilization significantly enhanced grain and straw yield in this rotation scheme. The findings of this research suggest that it is important to balance application of mineral fertilizers and farmyard manure in order to protect soil and underground water from potential NO3^--N pollution while sustaining high productivity in the oasis agro-ecosystem.     

Sensitivities of Phytophthora infestans to Metalaxyl, Cymoxanil, and Dimethomorph

The isolates of Phytophthora infestans on tomato in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, were determined for the sensitivities to metalaxyl, cymoxanil and dimethomorph to give the basic information for integrating disease management. Sensitivities were tested by measuring the radial growth on agar medium amended with fungicide, compared with the floating-leaf-disk method. 239 isolates were collected from eight tomato growing areas during 2000-2006. The testing results indicated that the frequencies of sensitive, intermediate, and resistant isolates to metalaxyl were 42.26, 35.98, and 23.53%, respectively. Variations in sensitivities amongst isolates from different areas or different years were very high for metalaxyl. All isolates from Tianlin and Wuxuan were sensitive to metalaxyl, but the metalaxyl-resistant isolates predominated in Tianyang, with the frequency of 51.35%. The EC50 values of certain isolates from Tianyang were higher than 500 μg·mL^-1 and their resistance levels were over 100 000 folds. Cymoxanil has been used for nearly 10 years in Guangxi, and dimethomorph has been used for 5-6 years. However, there was no decrease in sensitivity of P. infestans populations and the sensitivities of the pathogen were nearly normally distributed. Hence, their mean ECs0 value [cymoxanil （0.1647 ±0.0255） μg·mL^-1, dimethomorph （0.0970 ± 0.0052） μg·mL^-1 could be used as the baseline sensitivities for monitoring the field resistance development. The comparison with the floating-leaf-disk method indicates that both the techniques provided equivalent results. These studies suggested that metalaxyl can be continuously applied in Tianlin, Wuxuan, and Nanning due to the resistant isolates that have not been found, while for those areas with resistant isolate, the use of metalaxyl should be reduced or alternated, and cymoxanil or dimethomorph was recommended for controlling late blight disease of tomato.     

Root Function in Nutrient Uptake and Soil Water Effect on NO3- -N and NH4＋-N Migration

Root function in uptake of nutrients and the effect of soil water on the transfer and distribution of NO3^--N in arable soil were studied using summer maize （Zea mays L. var. Shandan 9） as a testing crop. Results showed that root growth and water supply had a significant effect on NO3^--N transfer and made NO3^--N distributed evenly from bulk soil to rhizosphere soil. Under a natural condition with irrigation, the difference of NO3^--N concentration at different distance points from a maize plant was smaller, while obvious difference of NO3^--N concentration was observed under conditions of limited root growth space without irrigation. Whether root growth space was restricted or not, the content of soil NO3^--N decreased gradually from 10 to 0 cm from the plant, being opposite to the root absorbing area in soils. When root-grown space was limited, changes of NO3^--N concentration at different distances from a plant were similar to that of water content in tendency. Results showed that NO3^--N could be transferred as solute to plant root systems with water uptake by plants. However, the transfer and distribution of NH4^--N were not influenced by root growth and soil water supply, being different to NO3^--N.     

Effects of Copper on the Photosynthesis and Oxidative Metabolism of Amaranthus tricolor Seedlings

The objective of the present study was to gain better insight into the physiological mechanisms on the effects of copper (Cu) on photosynthesis and active oxygen metabolism in three-colored amaranth plant (Amaranthus tricolor). Three-colored amaranth seedlings were subjected to different Cu levels in soils during the entire experimental period. The parameters of growth, photosynthesis, mineral elements contents, and active oxygen metabolism were investigated using plant physiological methods. The results showed that 2.0 and 4.0 mmol Cu kg⁻¹ treatments decreased the whole plant biomass to 91 and 73% of the control, respectively. The net photosynthetic rate (P_n) and the stomatal conductance (g_s) were similarly reduced in the third leaves of three-colored amaranth seedlings treated with 2.0 and 4.0 mmol Cu kg-¹ soil, respectively. None of the investigated Cu levels decreased the internal CO₂ concentration (C_i). The effect of Cu on the potential efficiency of photosystem II (F_vIF_m) was negligible, whereas the effect of Cu on the PS II quantum efficiency (Φ_PS II) after plant adaptation in actinic irradiation was more noticeable. On the other hand, decreases in water percentage, contents of photosynthetic pigments and mineral elements including Fe, K, and Mg, and significant increase in the Cu content were observed in the third leaves of Cu-treated plants. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities as well as the proline (Pro) content significantly increased in the third leaves of the three-colored amaranth seedlings treated with 2.0 and 4.0 mmol Cu kg⁻¹ soil, while catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities as well as the contents of carotenoid (Car), glutathione (GSH), and ascorbic acid (AsA) decreased, and accompanied by the increases in the contents of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), superoxide anion (O₂.-), and malondialdehyde (MDA), and electrolyte leakage. As a result of the imbalance of active oxygen metabolism, P_n and Φ_{PS II} decreased, and peroxidization enhanced under levels of 2.0 and 4.0 mmol Cu kg⁻¹ soil. Finally, the growth of three-colored amaranth plant was significantly inhibited.     

The Evolution of Organic Carbon in Chinese Mollisol Under Different Farming Systems: Validation and Prediction by Using Century Model

Soil organic carbon （SOC） is an important indicator of soil degradation process. In this study, the long-term SOC evolution in Chinese mollisol farmland was simulated and predicted by validating, analyzing, processing and assorting concerning data, based on clarifying parameters of Century model need, combined with best use of recorded data of field management, observed data of long-term experiments, climate, soil, and biology, and achieved results from Hailun Agro-Ecological Experimental Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences. The results were showed as follows： Before reclamation, SOC content was around 58.00 g kg^-1, SOC content dropped quickly in early years, and then decreased slowly after reclamation. SOC content was around 34.00 g kg^-1 with a yearly average rate of 8.91‰ decrease before long-term experiments was established. After a long-term experiment, SOC would change under different farming systems. Shift farming system changed as follows： By 20-year model simulation, SOC content decreased from 34.03 to 30.19 g kg^-1, with a yearly average rate of 5.97‰; by 100-year model simulation, SOC content decreased to 24.31 g kg^-1, with a yearly average rate of 3.36‰. Organic farming system changed as follows： By 20-year model simulation, SOC content decreased slowly from 34.03 to 33.39 g kg^-1, with a yearly average rate of 0.95‰, 5‰ less than that of shift farming system; by 100-year model simulation, SOC content decreased to 32.21 g kg^-1, with a yearly average rate of 0.55‰. ＂Petroleum＂ farming system changed as follows： By 20-year model simulation, SOC content decreased from 34.03 to 32.88 g kg^-1, with a yearly average rate of 1.72‰, much more than that of organic farming system; by 100-year model simulation, SOC content decreased to 30.89 g kg^-1, with a yearly average rate of 0.96‰. Combined ＂petroleum＂-organic farming system changed as follows： By 20-year model simulation, SOC content was increased slightly; by 100-year model simulation, SOC content increased from 3     

Study on Agrobacterium-Mediated Transformation of Pepper with Barnase and Cre Gene

This study was designed to control plant fertility by cell lethal gene Barnase expressing at specific developmental stage and in specific tissue of male organ under the control of Cre/lox system, for heterosis breeding of chili pepper （Capsicum annuum L.）. Chili pepper inbred lines （A, D, E, and I） were transformed with Cre gene and Barnase gene situated between loxp, separately, by means of Agrobacterium co-culture. In this study, we had established a high transformation system by extensive study of affecting factors including genotype, selection of marker, and lethal dose. Cotyledon with petiole from 9-11-day-old seeding was pre-cultured on media MR[MB（MS mineral＋vitamine B5）＋BA（6-Benzyladenine） 5.0 mg·L^-1 ＋IAA（indoleacetic acid） 1.0 mg·L^-1＋GA3（gibberellic acid） 1.0mg·L^-1＋sucrose 3%＋agar 6.5g·L^-1] for 2d. The explants were infected by Agrobacterium tumefaciens when their OD600（optical density at 600 nm）reached 0.6-0.9. After co-cultured for 4-5 d on media MC [MB＋BA5.0 mg·L^-1＋IAA 1.0 mg·L^-1 ＋GA3 1.0 mg·L^-1＋sucrose 3% ＋agar 6.5 g·L^-1＋AS （acetosyringone） 200μmol·L^-1, these cotyledons with petiole were cultured on selective differentiation medium in the media MT[MB medium supplemented with BA [5.0 mg·L^-1＋ IAA 1.0 mg·L^-1＋ GA3 1.0 mg·L^-1＋ AgNO3 5.0 mg·L^-1＋ CW （coconut water） 5% ＋ Km （kanamycin） 65 mg·L^-1＋ Cb （carbenicillin） 500 mg·L^-1＋ 3% sucrose ＋ agar 6.5 g·L^-1].The Kmr （kanamycin resistant） bud rosettes were elongated on selective elongation medium and rooted on rooting medium. PCR and Southern blotting analysis of Kmr plantlet indicated that the foreign genes had been integrated into the genome of pepper. The transgenic plants with Cre gene developed well, blossomed out, and set fruit normally. The transgenic plants with Barnase gene grew well with normal appearance of flower, but they showed different fertility from complete sterility, partial sterility to complete fertility, and similar results were obtained from in vitro pollen germination experiments.     

Somatic Embryogenesis and Plant Regeneration from Two Recalcitrant Genotypes of Gossypium hirsutum L.

An improved protocol has been developed for somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration of recalcitrant cotton cultivars. High callus frequencies and embryogenic tissue were developed in MSB medium supplemented with gradient concentrations of KT and 2,4-D, their concentration decreasing from 0.1 to 0.01 mg L⁻¹. Somatic embryos were successfully incubated in 1/2 macronutrient MSB suspension supplemented with 0.5 g L⁻¹ glutamine and 0.5 g L⁻¹ asparagine. Decrease in macronutrient concentration of MSB significantly alleviated browning and was beneficial to suspension cells. Transformation of somatic embryos into plants was induced in MSB medium supplemented with 3% sucrose, 0.5 g L⁻¹ glutamine, 0.5 g L⁻¹ asparagine, and 6.0 g L⁻¹ agar. The effect of sucrose as carbohydrate was better than that of glucose for plant germination. Using this protocol, regenerated plantlets from the CCRI521 and Zhongzhi86-6 reached to as much as 19.6 and 18.5% somatic embryos, respectively.     

Analysis of laser light propagation in kiwifruit using backscattering imaging and Monte Carlo simulation

The propagation of laser light in kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) tissue was measured by backscattering imaging and modelled with the Monte Carlo (MC) method. The parameters of the vision system (8 bit/channel camera, 27.42 μm/pixel resolution) and the laser module (785 nm, 45 mW, Ø1 mm) were utilized in simulation. The required number of the photons was optimized with time-resolved MC model. The injected photon pulse travelled further than the beam radius and the calculated intensity fell below the noise level of the camera within 1 ns time. This short pulse contains 2.49 × 10⁸ photons and its application reduced computation load compared to the amount emitted within the integration time of 0.5–8.3 ms. The statistical effects of the optical properties of the tissue, scattering coefficient (μ_s) absorption coefficient (μ_a) and anisotropy factor (g), on photon flux was evaluated within ±20% range relative to expected mean values of μ_a = 0.9 cm⁻¹ and μ_s = 40 cm⁻¹. The anisotropy factor was taken into account using the Heyney–Greenstein phase function and was adjusted to g = 0.8 ± 20%. Because individual significance of each optical property was also analysed, scattering (μ_s) and transport corrected reduced scattering coefficients (μ^′_s=[1−g]μ_s) must be distinguished. The multi-factor ANOVA test pointed out the highest importance (p < 0.001) of the anisotropy factor amongst scattering and absorption coefficients.In the kiwi backscattering images, rotation of the intensity profiles was observed as a result of changing anisotropy. The measured and calculated profiles were compared to estimate the anisotropy factor of kiwifruits. Significant difference (p < 0.01) was found between anisotropy of premium quality and overripe pieces with respect to the fruit texture properties.     

Study on Active Oxygen Quantum Yield, Insecticidal Activities and Stability of Diphenylthiophene

Active oxygen quantum yield, insecticidal activities and stability of diphenylthiophene were studied for the first time. The results showed that maximum diphenylthiophene absorbency variety was 0.438 after irradiation for 280 min and that of α-terthienyl (α-T) was 0.480 after irradiation for 200 min with UV. LC50 values ofdiphenylthiophene and α-T against 3rd instar larvae of Aedes albopictus were 9.18 × 10-3 and 9.69 × 10-4 μg mL-1 when treated for 24 h, respectively. LC50 values of the two chemicals against the 3rd instar larvae of Plutella xylostella were 267.87 and 222.22 μg mL-1 when treated for 24 h, respectively. The half lives of diphenylthiophene and α-T in methanol were 113.62 and 10.65 h. Difference between quantum yield of diphenylthiophene and α-T was not significant and they all possessed high toxicity to Aedes albopictus and Plutella xylostella, but diphenylthiophene was more stable than α-T. It could be concluded that diphenylthiophene has overcome the deficiency of photoactivated insecticides which degraded quickly in the environment and could not be applied on the field. Diphenylthiophene could kill the insects and accelerate the degradation rate of triazophos. The benefits of diphenylthiophene can be further exploited and applied on the field.     

Release Characteristics of Different N Forms in an Uncoated Slow/Controlled Release Compound Fertilizer

This study examined the release characteristics of different N forms in an uncoated slow/controlled-release compound fertilizer （UCRF） and the N uptake and N-use efficiency by rice plants. Water dissolution, soil leaching, and pot experiments were employed. The dynamics of N release from the UCRF could be quantitatively described by three equations： the first-order kinetics equation [N1=N0 （1-e^-kt）], Elovich equation （N1=a ＋ blnt）, and parabola equation （N1=a ＋ bt^0.5）, with the best fitting by the first-order kinetics equation for different N （r= 0.9569^＊＊-0.9999^＊＊）. The release potentials （No values estimated by the first-order kinetics equation） of different N in the UCRF decreased in the order of total N 〉 DON 〉 urea-N 〉 NH4^＋-N 〉 NO3^-N in water, and total N 〉 NH4^＋-N 〉 DON 〉 urea-N 〉 NO3^--N in soil, respectively, being in accordance with cumulative amounts of N release. The constants of N release rate （k values and b values） for different N forms were in decreasing order of total N 〉 DON 〉 NH4^＋-N 〉 NO3^--N in water, whereas the k values were urea- N 〉DON 〉 NH4^＋-N 〉 total N 〉 NO3^--N, and the b values were total N 〉 NH4^＋-N 〉 DON 〉 NO3^--N 〉 urea-N in soil. Compared with a common compound fertilizer, the N-use efficiency, N-agronomy efficiency, and N-physiological efficiency of the UCRF were increased by 11.4%, 8.32 kg kg^-1, and 5.17 kg kg^-1, respectively. The ratios of different N to total N in the UCRF showed significant correlation with N uptake by rice plants. The findings showed that the first-order kinetics equation [Nt=N0 （l-e^kt）] could be used to describe the release characteristics of different N forms in the fertilizer. The UCRF containing different N forms was more effective in facilitating N uptake by rice compared with the common compound fertilizer containing single urea-N form.     

Characteristics of Soil Fertility of Buried Ancient Paddy at Chuodun Site in Yangtze River Delta, China

Field investigation and laboratory analysis of 22 ancient paddy soils excavated at Chuodun site, Kunshan City, Jiangsu Province, China were carried out in 2003 to （1） understand the basic characteristics of ancient paddy soils, （2） compare the difference of soil fertility between ancient paddy soils and recent paddy soils, and （3） inquire into mechanisms of the sustainability of paddy soil. The oldest paddy soils at Chuodun site can be dated back to Neolithic age, around 6000 aBP. These ancient fields were buried in about 1-m deep from the soil surface and their areas ranged from 0.32 to 12.9 m^2 with an average of 5.2 m^2. The paddy soils with 〉 5 000 pellets phytolith g^-1 soil were termed intensively cultivated paddy soils （ICPS） and those with 〈5000 pellets phytolith g^-1 soil were called weakly cultivated soils （WCPS）. The contents of organic carbon （OC）, and total N in the former were significantly higher than that in the latter. Ancient paddy soils had higher soil pH and C/N, total and available P, and lower contents of OC, DOC, total N, S, Cu, Fe, and available K, S, Fe, Mn, and Cu compared with recent paddy soils, which were attributed to application of chemical and manure fertilizers, pollution and acidification in recent paddy soils. The variation coefficients of OC and other nutrients in ancient paddy soils with higher PI were greater than that in ancient paddy soils with low PI, which indicated that human activities had a great impact on the spatial variability of soil nutrients. The contents of OC, total N, P and S in ancient paddy soils were higher than that in ancient moss of the same age, which indicated that planting rice during Majiabang culture period was beneficial to the accumulation of those life elements.