利用单目视觉获取钵苗移栽适合度信息的方法

钵苗在穴盘中的生长状态各异,钵苗移栽是育苗过程的关键环节。为提高移栽后钵苗成活率,解决出苗不齐和断苗等问题,需对被移栽钵苗的直立度和高度等适合度信息进行综合评价,筛选出符合移栽要求的钵苗。图像采集系统中的顶杆能够顶起穴盘中的钵苗旋转90°,相机采集钵苗转动90°前后2幅图像,图像RGB各通道灰度值概率直方图存在灰度集中区域。首先,采用24位RGB源图像转8位灰度图、中值滤波和灰度拉伸算法对图像进行预处理;然后,使用细化、水平膨胀和垂直腐蚀等图像处理算法,获取钵苗主茎秆的特征;最后,采用标准差为0.65的3×3高斯模板Harris角点检测算法提取每株钵苗主茎秆上的关键点信息,对其加权最小方差直线拟合获取拟合直线,直线的斜率换算后作为钵苗直立度的判定值,以每一株钵苗的全部角点y坐标最大差值的110%作为钵苗高度的判定值。只有钵苗的直立度和高度都满足各自评价指标要求才被认为适合移栽。试验获取了12幅图像共计30株辣椒钵苗在0和90°位置的直立度和高度,每幅图像处理算法平均耗时0.35 s。按直立度(45°α135°)和高度(H105 mm)评价指标判定,5株钵苗不适合移栽;2株钵苗的视觉检测结果与人工测量结果相反,视觉检测结果与人工测量结果之间的偏差率为6.67%。出现检测偏差的原因主要是钵苗叶对茎秆的遮挡和移栽机的振动使得钵苗在转动90°的前后与顶杆的相对位置发生了变化影响了人工和视觉测量的精度。该方法能够满足钵苗移栽机实时筛选工作的需求。     

基于苗钵力学特性的自动移栽机执行机构参数优化试验

为有效减少加工番茄机械化移栽过程钵苗基质的损伤，提高移栽机取苗、植苗成功率，该文构建了移栽过程中取苗、植苗阶段加工番茄钵体的力学模型，结合钵体的抗压力学特性试验，研究移栽过程中造成钵苗基质破损、影响取苗、植苗成功率的因素，通过试验分析适合机械化移栽的钵体和移栽机执行机构的相关参数。参数组合重复性验证试验表明：钵体基质配比（珍珠岩：砾石：泥炭）为1∶1∶2，钵体绝对含水率为72%，取苗夹片插入穴孔深度为35 mm，取苗夹片对钵体的夹持角度为14°，投苗点与接苗碰撞点高度为90 mm，鸭嘴锥度为38°时，移栽成功率满足加工番茄穴盘苗机械移栽要求。该研究为机械化移栽的加工番茄钵苗培育农艺及移栽机参数优化设计提供了参考。     

B样条非圆齿轮行星轮系水稻钵苗移栽机构的设计与优化

钵苗移栽可以提高产量,对中国粮食安全具有重要意义。在分析水稻钵苗移栽机构最新研究进展的基础上,该文作者发明了基于三次非均匀有理B样条曲线的非圆齿轮行星轮系钵苗移栽机构。选取非圆齿轮节曲线上的13个型值点来控制和表达非圆齿轮的节曲线形状,通过该移栽机构的运动学分析,在确定优化目标的基础上,建立了夹秧片姿态和尖点轨迹的目标函数,将目标函数转化为优化数学模型。利用MATLAB GU平台,开发出该移栽机构的计算机辅助分析与优化软件,通过人机对话调整型值点,优化夹秧片姿态和尖点轨迹,从而获得了一组满足水稻钵苗移栽要求的结构参数。建立三维模型,并利用Admas进行虚拟样机仿真,验证了该移栽机构数学模型的正确性。     

基于钵苗运动动力学模型的鸭嘴式移栽机结构优化

为了探究鸭嘴式移栽机因栽植速度提升,导致钵苗倒伏率和漏栽率升高的根本原因,该文试制了纯透明有机玻璃质的鸭嘴式栽植器,并采用高速摄像对钵苗从导苗筒下落至栽植器底部的运动过程进行了试验研究。根据研究结果将钵苗在鸭嘴栽植器内的运动过程分为6个运动阶段,并建立了各运动阶段的动力学模型,得到了钵苗下落过程中与鸭嘴栽植器间的运动受力方程。选取苗龄为40 d,基质成分为草炭:蛭石:珍珠岩=3∶1∶2,钵苗土钵含水率为55%的辣椒钵苗为研究分析及试验对象,以钵苗栽植运动时间为优化目标,对钵苗运动过程动力学模型进行优化,得出了栽植器最佳初始位置及结构参数为:钵苗下落初始位置为(40 mm,350 mm),鸭嘴栽植器上苗杯壁面与竖直面间的夹角为40°,栽植器鸭嘴部分倾角为82°;栽植机构最高转速不超过80 r/min,栽植器初始相位角为25°。通过高速摄像试验对钵苗在改进后栽植器中的运动时间进行了分析,得出钵苗从开始下落至离开栽植器的时间与理论时间基本吻合,且在栽植器运动至栽植位置前钵苗已落至栽植器底部,验证了理论模型的正确性以及参数优化的合理性。该研究可为鸭嘴式移栽机高速栽植转速和结构设计提供参考。     

玉米钵苗移栽机圆盘式栽植机构参数优化及试验

通过育苗移栽技术可大幅度提高单产,为进一步改善钵苗移栽机的栽植质量。该文以玉米纸钵苗移栽机圆盘式栽植机构为研究对象,利用土槽试验,分析了圆盘式栽植机构的工作参数,研究了栽植机构工作参数对移栽质量的影响规律。采用正交旋转组合试验,以开沟器位置、开沟器入土深度、回土铲夹角为影响因子,以直立度合格率和株距变异系数为响应函数,利用Design-expert软件平台的回归分析法及响应面分析法,对3个因子进行单因素和多因素正交试验。试验表明:当开沟器位置在50 mm、回土铲夹角在40°、开沟器入土深度在115 mm条件下,钵苗直立度合格率能达到93%以上,株距变异系数小于12%。优化后的参数可满足玉米移栽的性能要求,为进一步研究提供依据。     

活动苗盘脱苗力学分析及粘附力影响因素试验研究

为解决钵苗移栽过程中,因苗钵与苗盘间粘附力导致取苗过程中苗钵破损,进而影响取苗成功率及栽后幼苗长势的问题,对活动苗盘开启脱苗时苗钵和苗盘侧板进行受力分析并对苗钵与侧板间粘附力影响因素进行研究。发现苗钵粘附力与苗盘开启峰值力之间存在正相关关系,苗盘侧板倾角与苗钵粘附力呈负相关关系,苗盘开启部件速度和基质含水率与苗钵粘附力呈正相关关系。为进一步研究各因素对苗钵粘附力的影响规律,以苗盘开启峰值力表征苗钵粘附力作为优化指标,以苗盘侧板倾角、苗盘开启部件速度和基质含水率为试验因素,利用响应曲面方法进行优化试验设计,同时测算各试验组合中苗钵基质损失率。当苗盘侧板倾角为9.24°、基质含水率为55%、苗盘开启部件速度为7.98 mm/s时,苗盘开启峰值力可以达到最小值6.97N,即苗钵与侧板间粘附力达到最小值;应用优化后调整的参数进行的验证试验表明:苗盘脱苗开启峰值力最小值为7.12 N,相对预测值误差为2.1%,苗钵基质损失率为3.14%,相较于优化前最低4.39%的基质损失率,基质损失率明显降低,证明了粘附力变化影响苗钵基质损失率。该研究结果可为进一步研究钵苗移栽过程中基质损失机理提供理论支撑。     

钵苗自动移栽机器人抓取指针夹持苗坨参数优化试验

设施农业里末端执行器实现钵苗夹持作业是自动移栽机的关键技术之一。为提高抓取指针夹持苗坨可靠性,进行相关取苗参数优化试验。该文设计了一种以万能试验机为基础可调节指针夹持压缩苗坨的测力平台,建立力学传递模型获取指针对苗坨的夹紧力。以黄瓜钵苗为研究对象,以指针夹持角度(指针与垂直方向成4°、7°、10°和13°)、夹持指针数(三指和四指)、苗坨含水率(65%、75%、85%和88%)、3组钵苗长势(小苗、中苗和大苗)及2种苗坨基质体积配比(泥炭∶蛭石∶珍珠岩体积比分别为6∶3∶1和7∶2∶1)为影响因素,以指针对苗坨的夹紧力为优化目标,进行单影响因素的分析试验。试验结果表明,5个因素均对夹紧力变化有影响;其中各因素的较优项为:指针夹持角7°、四指、苗坨84%含水率水平、长势中等以上(主茎杆或根系长分别大于30和87 mm)和基质体积配比(泥炭∶蛭石∶珍珠岩)为6∶3∶1;末端执行器在以上较优状况夹持作业时,指针向苗坨中心压缩可获得稳定上升的夹紧力,从而提高抓苗移栽可靠性。该研究为指针式末端执行器设计和适合机械移栽的钵苗农艺提出提供参考。     

行星轮系滑道式钵苗栽植机构设计与参数优化

直立度是钵苗移栽作业质量的重要评价指标,目前存在栽植机构容易造成钵苗倾斜影响栽植直立度下降,导致钵苗成活率降低的问题,针对这一问题,该文结合钵苗种植的农艺要求,以番茄钵苗物理特性为依据,提出了栽植机构的设计要求,设计了一种行星轮系滑道式栽植机构。该机构通过行星轮系和滑道的配合,以打穴放苗的方式完成钵苗栽植,并对该机构的作业过程进行分析,建立了机构的运动学模型。基于Matlab编写了栽植机构辅助分析优化软件,对机构的栽植轨迹和结构参数进行优化,得到了一组满足钵苗栽植农艺要求的最优结构参数组合:太阳轮半径R0=20 mm、中间轮半径R1=15 mm、行星轮半径R2=10 mm、连杆BC的长度L1=100 mm、栽植臂上DC杆的长度L2=150 mm、栽植臂上CF杆的长度L3=80 mm、栽植器FG的长度L4=140 mm、滑道DE上E点到坐标原点O的距离L5=100 mm、行星架OB的初始安装角α0=45°、连杆BC与X轴方向上的夹角α1=148°、栽植臂上杆DC与杆CF的夹角β=176°、滑道DE与X轴方向上的夹角θ=108°。在此组合下,完成了对栽植机构的结构设计和虚拟装配,并导入ADAMS中进行机构的虚拟运动和仿真分析,验证了机构设计的合理性和准确性。依据优化所得参数生产了物理样机,并以钵苗直立度为主要检测指标进行了田间试验。试验结果表明:在机组前进速度450 mm/s,栽植频率74株/min时,钵苗移栽直立度较高,优良率为94%,满足栽植性能要求。研究结果可为蔬菜钵苗移栽机栽植机构的设计提供参考。     

斜入式穴盘苗移栽手爪工作参数优化及试验验证

为实现低伤苗率下的盘间移栽作业,该文设计了一套斜入式穴盘苗移栽手爪,并对其关键参数进行了试验研究,以期提高移栽成功率。该手爪采用单驱动源下的联动机构实现斜入式取苗方式,可降低对穴苗钵坨的损伤,保证其在提取后有较好的完整性。通过对取苗过程进行分析,得到了影响移栽成功率的关键性因素。以红掌穴苗为试验对象,选取钢针插入点距离、钢针插入深度以及钢针插入角度为影响因素,以穴苗极限破坏力为优化指标,利用响应曲面方法进行优化试验设计。试验结果表明,当钢针插入点距离为11.5 mm,钢针插入深度43 mm,钢针插入角度为14°时,可以达到最大极限破坏力3.89 N。应用此参数组合进行斜入式移栽手爪性能测试验证,试验结果表明优化后的移栽手爪的移栽周期为4 s,移栽成功率可达98%,能够应用到实际生产当中。该研究结果可为盘间移栽领域自动化移栽机的研制与开发提供参考。     

用于机械化栽植的西兰花钵苗力学特性试验

为了降低西兰花钵苗机械化栽植过程中的破损率,避免栽植嘴已经运行到栽植位置而钵苗还未滑到栽植嘴的底部而造成移栽失败,该文采用正交试验的方法,以土钵体积(表示穴盘规格)、苗龄和含水率为试验因素,针对栽植过程农艺要求,进行了不同方案下土钵的抗压强度试验和钵苗沿栽植嘴壁面下滑的运动阻力系数测试。通过建立西兰花土钵与栽植嘴壁面碰撞过程接触力学模型,分析得到为避免土钵破损钵苗和栽植嘴碰撞时不同组合允许的最大相对速度。以栽植作业中避免钵苗破损,同时运动阻力不能过大为目标,采用综合评分法,得到适宜机械化栽植的4个土钵体积、苗龄和含水率组合,进而对这4个组合进行模拟田间栽植试验,得到最优的组合:土钵体积为中(穴盘规格为128),苗龄为2~3片真叶,含水率约为63%。该研究为栽植机构的设计提供依据。     

Potential of wild species for genetic enhancement of some semi-arid food crops

Discovery and incorporation of genes from wild species provide means to sustain crop improvement, particularly when levels of resistance in the cultigens are low and virulent strains of pests and pathogens overcome the host plant resistance. The extent of utilization and the potential of the wild genepool for genetic enhancement were reviewed in five important food crops viz. sorghum, pearl millet, chickpea, pigeonpea and groundnut grown in the semi-arid tropics. Introgression from compatible wild germplasm in the primary gene pool resulted in transfer of new cytoplasmic male sterility systems in pearl millet and pigeonpea, development of high protein, cleistogamous flower and dwarf pigeonpea lines and foliar disease resistant groundnut cultivars. Utilization of wild species in secondary and tertiary gene pools has been generally limited due to sterility, restricted recombination or cross incompatibility. Nevertheless, these species are extremely important as they contain high levels of resistance to several important biotic and abiotic stresses. Several of them, like those belonging to the Parasorghum section and the rhizomatous Arachis species are sources of multiple resistances and hold great promise to sustain crop productivity.     

“绿色革命”以来大气CO2浓度升高对C3作物营养品质的影响

自20世纪60年代"绿色革命"以来,育种技术和农耕技术的发展促进了农作物产量的大幅提升,然而作物的营养品质出现下降趋势。在相似的遗传背景下,大气CO_2浓度升高会使单位体积农作物产品的营养元素含量下降,因此"绿色革命"至今,农作物产品的营养元素下降可能受大气CO_2浓度升高影响。通过植物生长箱模拟"绿色革命"初期和目前的大气CO_2浓度水平(310μmol/mol和400μmol/mol),针对主要C_3作物水稻、小麦和大豆,研究"绿色革命"以来大气CO_2浓度升高对其籽粒的C、N、Fe、Zn元素含量的影响,结果表明:CO_2浓度升高对3种作物籽粒的C元素含量几乎没有影响,变化幅度在±1.5%之间;籽粒的N、Fe、Zn元素含量普遍呈现下降趋势,但均未达到显著水平。     

Faculty positions:Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications     

Collection and preliminary evaluation of native turfgrass accessions in Italy

Despite a raising interest on turfs in Italy, all theavailable varieties of this kind in the Country are of foreign origin, and areoften poorly adapted to the prevailing climatic conditions. This prompted tobegin a collection activity of indigenous turfgrass species, with the ultimategoal of identifying promising materials for future breeding based on localgenetic resources. The collection was carried out in three areas of Italy, viz.the northern Po Plain, the coastal region of Liguria, and the island of Sardiniathat are characterised, respectively, by subcontinental, warm temperate, andtypical Mediterranean climate. Altogether, 141 sites were visited, yielding 226accessions belonging to eight species of potential interest for turfs:Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis,Festuca rubra, Festuca arundinacea,Lolium perenne, Agrostis stolonifera,Agrostis tenuis, and Cynodon dactylon,this last being a warm-season grass. Poa pratensis andCynodon dactylon were mostly collected in northern Italyand Sardinia, respectively, whereas Festuca arundinacea andLolium perenne were rather ubiquitous. The collection sitesranged from 0 to 1040 m asl, but sites over 750 m wereonly visited in the inner part of Sardinia. All the accessions, collected aswhole plants, were transplanted at Lodi, northern Italy, where they are beingevaluated. Their preliminary evaluation for traits of importance for turf use,such as sward colour and overall quality, highlighted the great variation andthe occurrence of interesting accessions in all species. Other characters wererecorded, bearing specific importance in individual species, and in all casespromising accessions were identified. The germplasm of Festucarubra, Festuca arundinacea, and Loliumperenne proved highly infected by endophytic (symbiotic) fungi of thegenus Neotyphodium.     

Leaf position and genotype differences for mineral element concentrations in sorghum grown on tropical acid soil 1

Mineral element deficiencies and toxicities are common problems associated with sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] production on acid soils. To better understand some of the mineral element problems and the analysis of plant tissue of sorghum plants grown on acid soils, four sorghum genotypes were grown on an acid Oxisol at Carimagua, Colombia limed with dolomite at 2 and 6 Mg ha^‐1.

Samples for mineral element analyses were obtained from leaves at different positions on the four genotypes. Concentrations of P and Mg were highest in the flag leaf (Leaf No. 1) and decreased as the position on the plant declined from the top of the plant for plants grown at 2 Mg lime ha^‐1. Similar decreases in P, Mg, K, and Zn concentrations occurred in plants grown with 6 Mg lime ha^‐1. Concentrations of Ca, S, Si, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Al increased as leaf position declined from the flag leaf for plants grown at 2 and 6 Mg lime ha^‐1. The higher lime supply enhanced Ca and reduced Mn and Fe concentrations in leaves. Differences in mineral element concentrations for the four genotypes used were fairly extensive. The elements to show the greatest range among genotypes were Al and Si and the elements to show the least range among genotypes were P, K, and S. Care should be used in collecting leaf samples for plant analysis and genotypic differences for accumulation of mineral elements should be considered in interpretation of results.     

Short-term variation in the concentration of selected ions within individual tropical rainstorms

Rainwater was collected at the campus of the University of Brunei Darussalam in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, using a funnel-in-bottle sampler. Polypropylene bottles were changed at intervals during rainstorm events. The pH and conductivity were determined immediately after collection on aliquots of the sample. Samples were refrigerated at 5°C for subsequent chemical analysis. Analyses for Na, Mg, Ca, Zn and Fe were carried out by means of inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES); Cu and Mn were analysed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAAS); K was analysed using flame atomic emission spectroscopy (FAES); and Cl^–, NO₃ ^– and SO₄ ^2– were analysed by ion chromatography (IC). Concentration versus time profiles are reported for three rainstorm events. All ions exhibited a decrease in concentration during the rainstorm. The first sample contained the highest concentration of ions, consistent with a first-flush effect. The contribution of the initial stages of the shower to the total quantity of ion deposited during the entire rainstorm is quite overwhelming; in many cases 20 to 30% of the mass was deposited in less than 5% of rainstorm duration. On the other hand, the pH and conductivity variation during rainstorms did not exhibit a consistent pattern.     

Leaf litter selection by detritivore and geophagous earthworms

Summary Litterbag experiments with 10 different kinds of leaf litter showed that detritivore (Lumbricus species) and geophagous (Aporrectodea species) earthworms prefer certain litter types over others, since different numbers of worms were found below the litter after 50–52 days of exposure in a pasture. The detritivores preferred Fraxinus, Tilia, and predecomposed Ulmus and Fagus litter to Fagus litter and paper, while geophages preferred Tilia litter to Alnus and Ulmus litter, so that the two groups of earthworms showed different preferences. The detritivores seemed to be more selective than the geophages. The palatability of the litter was examined in relation to the C: N ratio, the lignin concentration and the initial and final polyphenol concentration. The numbers of detritivores were significantly correlated with the C: N ratio and the final polyphenol concentration, so that selection of litter seems to be related to palatability. The numbers of geophages were not significantly correlated with any of the parameters for palatability. The disappearance of litter after 50–52 days appeared to be due to detritivore activity, since the numbers found below the litter were positively and significantly correlated with the litter disappearance. There was no significant correlation with geophage activity. This indicates that detritivores use litter as food, and therefore influence the composition of the litter layer.     

The 5S rRNA gene diversity in the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Secale</Emphasis> and determination of its closest haplomes

We analyzed 127 rDNA sequences (5S DNA units) obtained from 23 seed accession samples from more or less 10 taxa in wild and cultivated rye, genus Secale L. The sequences fell into two known groups, here assigned to two unit classes, viz. long R1 and short R1 (designations to reflect on R haplome of rye). The different taxa could not be fully differentiated based on the 5S DNA units. We searched for 5S DNA sequences from known unit classes most closely similar to the long R1 and the short R1. One set with the long R1 unit class contained sequences of the long P1 unit class from Agropyron (P haplome) and from Kengyilia (StYP haplome), long J1 from Thinopyrum (J haplome), whereas the set with the short R1 included the long S1 from Pseudoroegneria (St haplome) and Kengyilia (StYP haplome), the short J1 from Thinopyrum (J haplome) and the short V1 from Dasypyrum (V haplome). Each of the two sets was analyzed separately by maximum likelihood (ML) phylogenetic analysis from which we were able to infer that the 5S DNA units of Secale differentiated in a non-clock fashion and followed the HKY substitution model in the gene tree with the long R1 unit class and the HKY + G in the gene tree with the short R1 unit class. A complementary Bayesian analysis yielded identical tree topologies to the ML ones for each of the two sequence sets. In the tree with the long R1 units the long P1 and long J1 unit classes were closest to the long R1 unit class, whereas in the tree with the short R1 units the long S1 and short J1 unit classes were closest to the short R1 unit class, indicating possibly a close relationship between the St, J and R haplomes.     

Nematode succession and microfauna-microorganism interactions during root residue decomposition

The quality of plant material affects the vigor of the decomposition process and composition of the decomposer biota. Root residues from hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth), rye (Secale cereale L.) and vetch+rye, packed in litterbags were placed in pots of soil at 15 C and the content of the bags was analyzed after 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Bacterial biomass did not differ between residues with contrasting composition. Among bacterivores groups of nematodes that require high bacterial production dominated in fast decomposing resources whereas flagellates with smaller requirements prevail in slower decomposing resources. Biomass of bacterial feeding nematodes correlated positively with early phase (0-2 wk) decomposition that increased in the order: rye< vetch+rye<vetch. Bacterial biomass therefore seems to be under top-down (predation) control during early decomposition. In contrast, the fungal biomass differed between resources with highest values for rye. Moreover, this increase in fungal biomass occurred later during succession and was correlated with decomposition activity for rye in that period. Fungal biomass therefore seems to be under bottom-up (resource) control. The composition of the nematode assemblages (composed of 25 taxa) showed a clear relationship to initial plant resource quality as well as decomposition phase. Early successional microbivorous nematodes vary according to resource quality with demanding bacterivores+predators (Neodiplogasteridae) dominating in vetch and less demanding bacterivores (Rhabditidae) and fungivores (Aphelenchus) being equally common in vetch and rye. Later in the succession (2-4 wk) bacterivorous Cephalobidae and fungivorous Aphelenchoides prevailed similarly on the different root materials whereas bacterivorous protozoa and the amoebal fraction thereof dominated in rye. At week 12 no species dominated the nematode assemblages that were similar between the resources. The differences between nematode assemblages among plant resources at 2 week were similar to the results of a field study sampled after 6 weeks with the same soil and plant resources. This lends support to the relevance of the successional patterns observed in this incubation study.     

Cycling of extracellular DNA in the soil environment

Upon entering the soil environment, extracellular DNA is subjected to dynamic biological, physical, and chemical factors that determine its fate. This review concerns the fate of both recombinant and non-recombinant sources of DNA. A schematic of DNA cycling coupled with genetic transformation is presented to understand its behavior in soil. Extracellular DNA may persist through cation bridging onto soil minerals and humic substances, be enzymatically degraded and restricted by DNases of microbial origin, and/or enter the microbial DNA cycle through natural transformation of competent bacteria. Lateral gene transfer may disseminate DNA through the microbial community. An understanding of DNA cycling is fundamental to elucidating the fate of extracellular DNA in the soil environment.