Calibration and validation of optical chlorophyll‐measuring devices for use in predicting crude protein concentration in tropical grass herbage

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the Fieldscout CM 1000 NDVI and Yara N‐Tester as easy‐to‐use and cost‐effective tools for predicting foliar chlorophylls (a, b and total) and crude protein (CP) concentrations in herbage from three tropical grass species. Optical chlorophyll measurements were taken at three stages (4, 8 and 12 weeks) of regrowth maturity in Guinea grass (Panicum maximum) and Mulato II (Brachiaria hybrid) and at 6 and 12 weeks maturity in Paspalum spp (Paspalum atratum). Grass samples were harvested subsequent to optical measurements for laboratory analysis to determine CP and solvent‐extractable chlorophylls (a, b and total) concentrations. Optical chlorophyll measurements and CP concentrations were highly correlated (Yara N‐Tester: r² = 0·77–0·89; Fieldscout CM 1000 NDVI: r² = 0·52–0·84). Crude protein prediction models from the Yara N‐Tester and Fieldscout CM 1000 NDVI accounted for 70–89% and 44–73% CP variability, respectively, in Mulato II and Guinea grass. The Yara N‐tester produced more accurate and reliable CP estimates based on very high concordance correlation coefficient [CCC (0·73–0·91)] and low rMSPE, mean and regression bias. It is concluded that the Yara N‐Tester produces more accurate and reliable CP estimates of tropical pastures.     

Determination of critical nitrogen dilution curve based on leaf area index for winter wheat in the Guanzhong Plain,Northwest China

Excessive use of nitrogen(N) fertilizers in agricultural systems increases the cost of production and risk of environmental pollution. Therefore, determination of optimum N requirements for plant growth is necessary. Previous studies mostly established critical N dilution curves based on aboveground dry matter(DM) or leaf dry matter(LDM) and stem dry matter(SDM), to diagnose the N nutrition status of the whole plant. As these methods are time consuming, we investigated the more rapidly determined leaf area index(LAI) method to establish the critical nitrogen(N_c) dilution curve, and the curve was used to diagnose plant N status for winter wheat in Guanzhong Plain in Northwest China. Field experiments were conducted using four N fertilization levels(0, 105, 210 and 315 kg ha-1) applied to six wheat cultivars in the 2013–2014 and 2014–2015 growing seasons. LAI, DM, plant N concentration(PNC) and grain yield were determined. Data points from four cultivars were used for establishing the N_c curve and data points from the remaining two cultivars were used for validating the curve. The N_c dilution curve was validated for N-limiting and non-N-limiting growth conditions and there was good agreement between estimated and observed values. The N nutrition index(NNI) ranged from 0.41 to 1.25 and the accumulated plant N deficit(N_(and)) ranged from 60.38 to –17.92 kg ha~(-1) during the growing season. The relative grain yield was significantly affected by NNI and was adequately described with a parabolic function. The N_c curve based on LAI can be adopted as an alternative and more rapid approach to diagnose plant N status to support N fertilization decisions during the vegetative growth of winter wheat in Guanzhong Plain in Northwest China.     

Radioisotope and stable isotope ratios (Δ14C, δ15N) suggest larval lamprey growth is dependent on both fresh and aged organic matter in streams

Lampreys have a complex life cycle which includes a multi‐year infaunal larval stage (ammocoete). Gut content analysis has generally identified detritus (i.e., unidentifiable organic matter) as the major dietary component to ammocoetes, though algae can also be important. However, gut content preserves only a snapshot of the animal's diet and does not reflect assimilated material. In order to better characterise the nutritional sources supporting ammocoete growth, we analysed ammocoete body tissue and potential dietary sources at two streams using natural Δ¹⁴C and δ¹⁵N to estimate time‐integrated nutritional support. Bayesian isotope mixing models revealed differences in the importance of sources supporting ammocoetes between sites. Ammocoetes from a stream in a mixed land usage area (~50% agriculture, ~40% forest and ~10% developed) were primarily supported (mean: ~50%) by fresh terrestrial organic matter but were also supported by substantial contributions (mean: ~30%) by aged organic matter (AOM) and autochthonous material (algae; mean ~20%). In a predominantly forested (~90%) headwater stream, different modelling scenarios (uninformed or informed priors) suggested that algal support of ammocoete nutrition ranged from 7% to 45%. However, the model relying on informed priors developed from gut content analysis produced the low estimates, suggesting these were more reliable. When algae were a minor component of the nutrition at the forested site, ammocoetes were highly dependent on AOM (83 ± 26%; mean ± SD). Based on these findings, ammocoete growth and development are predicted to be strongly influenced by both land use and the availability of allochthonous and autochthonous materials of varying ages within streams.     

农药自动混药装置的研究现状与展望

目前,我国农作物病虫害防治主要依靠施用农药,现有的大多数农药剂型需要加水稀释,配制成一定浓度后再施用。近年,我国农业航空迅速发展,对农业航空的智能化农业机械装备的需求变得非常迫切。系统总结了农药自动混药装置类型以及农药自动混药装置特点,通过对农药自动混药装置研究发展概况分析,阐明了国内农药自动混药装置所存在的问题,展望未来农药混药装置的发展趋势,为后续的研究方向奠定基础。     

Introduction to the International Symposium on Lipid Science and Health and research progress in lipid science and health

The International Symposium on Lipid Science and Health (ISLSH), which was organized annually by Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (OCRI-CAAS) since 2016, has gained a strong reputation and attracted hundreds of delegates from around the world for discussion of lipid research trends and advances every year, to promote research and academic exchanges in the fields of lipid science and health. The 5th International Symposium on lipid Science and Health was successfully held in Wuhan, China, from October 23rd to 25th, 2020, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of OCRI-CAAS. The two-day symposium gathered well-known experts specialized in lipid science to share the current state of lipid research with emphasis on aspects covering: (1) lipid profiling and characterization, (2) lipid preparation and modification, (3) lipid improvement and regulation, and (4) lipid nutrition and health. The symposium was conducted by a combination of on-site and network meeting. More than 250 distinguished delegates from academia and industry participated in the on-site multidisciplinary meeting, and thousands of scholars attended the virtual event. This paper is as a record of the symposium proceedings and a brief summary of the advances and trends in 4 aspects of lipid science and health.     

基于RGB颜色空间的早稻氮素营养监测研究

针对双季稻区水稻过量施肥带来环境污染和成本提高问题,设计不同品种氮肥梯度大田试验,应用数码相机获取早稻冠层数字图像,研究不同色彩参数及早稻氮素营养指标的时空变化特征,以期确立双季早稻氮素营养预测模型。结果表明:不同品种同一氮肥处理下图像色彩参数差异不大;拔节期数字图像参数对氮素营养指标敏感;模型构建结果显示,图像参数INT与水稻氮素营养指标构建的模型决定系数(R2)最大,模型预测效果最佳,R2分别为0.895 7和0.924 7;进一步采用多元回归分析和BP神经网络分析法进行预测,预测效果均较好。对预测结果进行检验,发现品种对于模型的构建影响不大,以BP神经网络分析法构建的叶片氮浓度(LNC)模型和以INT为敏感色彩参数构建的叶片氮积累量(LNA)回归模型效果最优,而多元回归分析方法则效果不佳。早稻冠层RGB颜色空间敏感参数与氮素营养指标间相关性较好,可以实现氮素营养的无损监测诊断。     

不同类型水稻品种产量和氮素吸收利用对大气CO2浓度升高响应的差异

目的 探明不同类型水稻品种产量和氮素吸收利用对FACE(大气CO₂浓度增高)响应的差异。方法 以常规粳稻、杂交籼稻、常规籼稻共6个品种为供试材料,研究FACE对不同类型水稻产量、氮素吸收利用的影响。结果 1）FACE处理极显著提高了水稻产量,平均增加24.17%, 常规籼稻增幅最大,FACE和对照均以杂交籼稻最高;2）FACE处理显著增加了单位面积穗数,常规粳稻增幅最大,并显著增加了杂交籼稻和常规籼稻每穗粒数;3）FACE处理显著提高了成熟期吸氮量和氮素籽粒生产效率,成熟期吸氮量平均增加21.23%,杂交籼稻增幅最大, FACE和对照均以常规籼稻最高;氮素籽粒生产效率平均增加7.33%,杂交籼稻增幅最大,FACE和对照均以杂交籼稻最高。成熟期吸氮量对产量促进作用略大于成熟期氮素籽粒生产效率;4）FACE处理降低了植株含氮率,成熟期平均下降0.105个百分点,常规粳稻降幅最大。FACE处理极显著提高植株干物质量,成熟期平均增加23.95%,常规籼稻增幅最大;FACE处理显著提高常规籼稻和杂交籼稻成熟期单穗吸氮量,分别增加10.79%、13.93%,但常规粳稻下降了9.60%;FACE处理显著提高了成熟期群体吸氮强度,平均增加22.29%,杂交籼稻增幅最大。FACE处理对水稻全生育期天数无显著影响;FACE处理显著提高茎鞘、叶片、穗各器官吸氮量,叶片增幅最大,平均增加51.86%,杂交籼稻增幅最大;FACE处理显著提高了不同生育阶段吸氮量,抽穗-成熟阶段增幅最大,平均增加108.90%,杂交籼稻增幅最大;5）植株干物质量、单穗吸氮量、吸氮强度、穗吸氮量、抽穗-成熟阶段吸氮量对成熟期总吸氮量的促进作用分别大于植株含氮率、单位面积穗数、生育天数、茎鞘叶吸氮量、移栽-分蘖和分蘖-抽穗阶段吸氮量;6）FACE处理显著提高了氮肥偏生产力,降低了每百千克籽粒需氮量,前者平均增加24.16%,常规籼稻增加最多;后者平均降低4.7%,常规籼稻降幅最大。结论 FACE处理可显著提高水稻产量和氮素吸收利用效率,但品种间差异较大。     

1-MCP对猕猴桃后熟质地品质的临界浓度研究

为探究1-甲基环丙烯(1-MCP)对猕猴桃后熟质地品质作用效果的差异,寻找适宜的1-MCP临界使用浓度,研究通过应用质地多面分析(TPA)测试法,以"贵长"猕猴桃为试材,比较不同处理果肉质地品质差异和好果率,分析各质地参数之间相关性,并且用主成分分析法进行综合评价。结果表明:0.75μL/L和0.50μL/L 1-MCP处理均能够更好地保持猕猴桃货架期的好果率;果实的咀嚼性、弹性、硬度、回复性和凝聚性相互之间都有较好的相关性,但黏着性与其他指标相关性较差,所以用咀嚼性、弹性、硬度、回复性和凝聚性作为评价猕猴桃果实质购性能的主要参数。与对照比较,6种浓度1-MCP处理中,0.75μL/L 1-MCP的处理对维持猕猴桃后熟质地品质效果最好,其次是0.50μL/L1-MCP处理,两组处理均能够延缓果实硬度并且使果实正常后熟。而高浓度(1.50μL/L和1.25μL/L)的1-MCP对猕猴桃果实后熟质地的保持效果较差,出现"僵尸果"现象。另外综合主成分分析显示,货架末期(9 d)时,不同处理猕猴桃质地品质从高到低的排列顺序为:0.75μL/L0.50μL/L1.00μL/L0.25μL/L1.25μL/L1.50μL/L0μL/L。因此,从经济和后熟质地品质考虑,采后用0.50～0.75μL/L1-MCP来处理猕猴桃对保持果实质地品质的效果最好。     

水稻均衡营养肥对杂交稻生长发育的影响及养分吸收特性

研究了水稻均衡营养肥对杂交稻生长发育的影响及养分吸收特性,以为精准施肥及秸秆还田养分循环利用提供必要的科学参数。结果表明,水稻均衡营养肥处理的株高、总粒数、实粒数、结实率、穗质量和产量均高于常规施肥处理,稻谷中的总钾、S~(6+)和Fe~(2+)含量均高于常规施肥处理,但总磷、Ca~(2+)和Mg~(2+)的含量低于常规施肥处理,总氮含量则基本相同;常规施肥处理的秸秆中总氮、总钾、Mg~(2+)和S~(6+)含量均高于水稻均衡营养肥处理,总磷、Ca~(2+)和Fe~(2+)含量基本相同。均衡营养肥处理氮、磷、钾利用率分别为67.8%、60.0%和95.5%,农民常规施肥处理分别为32.3%、86.0%和100%。可见,水稻均衡营养肥能均衡的为杂交稻生长提供必需的养分,大幅度提高肥料利用率。     

Zinc biofortification of maize (Zea mays L.): Status and challenges

Zn deficiency is one of the leading health problems in children and women of developing countries. Different interventions could be used to overcome malnutrition, but biofortification is most impactful, convenient, sustainable and acceptable intervention. Maize is one of the major crops grown and consumed in the regions with prevalent Zn malnutrition; therefore, this is suitable target for Zn biofortification. Zn biofortification of maize could be achieved through agronomic and genetic approaches. Discussion of agronomic approaches with genetic approaches is prerequisite because soils in developing countries are deficit of Zn and availability of Zn in soils is mandatory for estimating the genetic responses of maize genotypes through genetic approaches. Seed priming, foliar and soil applications are agronomic tools for biofortification, but solo and combined applications of these treatments have different effects on Zn enrichment. Genetic approaches include the increase of Zn bioavailability or increase of kernel Zn concentration. Zn bioavailability could be increased by reducing the anti‐nutritional factors or by increasing the bioavailability enhancers. Kernel Zn concentration could be improved through hybridization and selections, whereas genetically engineered attempts for improving Zn uptake from soil, loading in xylem, remobilization in grains and sequestration in endosperm can further improve the kernel Zn concentration. Key challenges associated with dissemination of Zn biofortified maize are also under discussion in this draft. Current review emphasized all of above‐mentioned contents to provide roadmap for the development of Zn biofortified maize genotypes to curb the global Zn malnutrition.