Evaluating maize growth models “CERES-Maize” and “IXIM-Maize” under elevated temperature conditions

It would be preferable to use a reliable crop growth model for studies on climate change impact assessment. The objectives of this study was to evaluate simulation performance for two maize models, including CERES-Maize and IXIM models, included in the DSSAT model (version 4.6) in terms of phenology and yield. Two early maturing cultivars, Chalok#1 and Junda# 6, were grown under controlled environment in plastic houses at Suwon, Korea. Each cultivar, which was sown at four different date in 2013 and 2014, was subjected to four sets of temperature conditions including ambient (AT), AT+1.5°C, AT+3°C, and AT+5°C. In simulations of phenology under given conditions, the anthesis date and grain filling ratio were underestimated, especially when temperature was unusually high, e.g., in 2013. The maize models also had poor accuracy in grain yield, which resulted from the fact that these models had relatively large errors in simulation of kernel number and kernel weight under elevated temperature conditions. In addition, both models were not able to simulate the drastic decrease of kernel number due to heat stress around flowering periods. These results indicated that two maize models would need improvements in simulation of crop response to supra-optimal temperature before they would be used to assess the impact of the climate change on maize yield. This studies merits further study to improve algorithms in phenology simulation at supraoptimal temperature.     

Evaluation of resistance to Fusarium head blight in indigenous Japanese species of Agropyron (Elymus)

General (GSI) and specific (SSI) selection indices were constructed for three open-mating populations of sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) seedlings and their ratoon stages. Though specific indices were found to be the most effective in improving mean brix yield in their own source populations, but the GSI was better to SSI in other populations as indicated by higher mean values and more number of superior clones at selection and evaluation stages. This indicated the wider applicability of the GSI over SSI. Inspite of better expected genetic advance through GSI in ratoon crop, the actual gain in brix yield attained, through GSI, was better in seedlings. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Phosphorus-use efficiency of kale genotypes from coastal Croatia

Understanding the mechanisms of phosphorus (P)-use efficiency (PUE) may contribute to enhancing crop P nutrition because species growth variability at low-P is well known. The experiment was carried out to evaluate the response of kale genotypes to different P supply in randomized block design in three replications. Low-P supply led to a decrease in most parameters, whereas an increase was recorded in root growth parameters. Genotypes differed in shoot dry weight (DW), leaf area, root length and area, and shoot and root P content and concentration. Root traits significantly positively correlated with PUE. Genotypes Red Russian (RR) and IJK 17 were superior in terms of shoot DW production at low P supply, and had the highest uptake efficiency. Genotypes IJK 17 and 81 had the highest P utilization efficiency, while Vates blue curled (VBC) showed the lowest PUE. Genotypes had similar shoot P content and concentration at low P supply, but large PUE differences, implying the importance of P utilization efficiency.     

滴灌条件下冬小麦施氮增产的光合生理响应

小麦籽粒产量与抽穗期之后的旗叶光合能力密切相关。为明确冬小麦施氮增产的光合生理响应,该文以充分滴灌不同N追肥量处理的冬小麦田为研究对象,抽穗期后进行3次旗叶光合-光响应曲线测定,量化并比较了旗叶光合能力(Amax)和表观光量子羧化效率(α)等参数及产量(Y)和水分利用效率(WUEa),并确定了旗叶比叶重(SLA)、N含量(N-mass和N-area)和13C同位素甄别率(Δ)对光合参数及产量的影响。分析表明:充分滴灌条件下,增施N肥能延长旗叶光合功能持续期,提高Amax和α,以高N处理(N3,207kg/hm2)处理最为显著(P=0.046),在生育中后期仍能保持较高的Amax,这也是N3处理Y较高的主要原因。而N肥对农田耗水影响不显著,高N处理的WUEa也较高。Amax的提高和维持与旗叶SLA、N-mass、N-area和Δ的变化有关,N肥处理也显著影响了Amax与SLA、N-mass、N-area和Δ之间的线性相关关系。该结果从光合生理角度阐明了冬小麦施氮增产的生理因素,可为该地区冬小麦滴灌施肥管理提供参考。     

拖拉机发动机瞬时转速微机测量的研究

为定量分析拖拉机发动机动力性能,介绍了一种带微电脑瞬时转速测量仪,对其转速传感器的原理及测试数据进行了分析;给出单片计算机80C31及其扩展接口芯片实现瞬时转速测量的结构和设计全过程以及程序框图和部分软件。     

The crystal structure of a mammalian fatty acid synthase

Mammalian fatty acid synthase is a large multienzyme that catalyzes all steps of fatty acid synthesis. We have determined its crystal structure at 3.2 angstrom resolution covering five catalytic domains, whereas the flexibly tethered terminal acyl carrier protein and thioesterase domains remain unresolved. The structure reveals a complex architecture of alternating linkers and enzymatic domains. Substrate shuttling is facilitated by flexible tethering of the acyl carrier protein domain and by the limited contact between the condensing and modifying portions of the multienzyme, which are mainly connected by linkers rather than direct interaction. The structure identifies two additional nonenzymatic domains: (i) a pseudo-ketoreductase and (ii) a peripheral pseudo-methyltransferase that is probably a remnant of an ancestral methyltransferase domain maintained in some related polyketide synthases. The structural comparison of mammalian fatty acid synthase with modular polyketide synthases shows how their segmental construction allows the variation of domain composition to achieve diverse product synthesis.     

The crystal structure of the signal recognition particle in complex with its receptor

Cotranslational targeting of membrane and secretory proteins is mediated by the universally conserved signal recognition particle (SRP). Together with its receptor (SR), SRP mediates the guanine triphosphate (GTP)-dependent delivery of translating ribosomes bearing signal sequences to translocons on the target membrane. Here, we present the crystal structure of the SRP:SR complex at 3.9 angstrom resolution and biochemical data revealing that the activated SRP:SR guanine triphosphatase (GTPase) complex binds the distal end of the SRP hairpin RNA where GTP hydrolysis is stimulated. Combined with previous findings, these results suggest that the SRP:SR GTPase complex initially assembles at the tetraloop end of the SRP RNA and then relocalizes to the opposite end of the RNA. This rearrangement provides a mechanism for coupling GTP hydrolysis to the handover of cargo to the translocon.     

Crystal structure of the eukaryotic 40S ribosomal subunit in complex with initiation factor 1

Eukaryotic ribosomes are substantially larger and more complex than their bacterial counterparts. Although their core function is conserved, bacterial and eukaryotic protein synthesis differ considerably at the level of initiation. The eukaryotic small ribosomal subunit (40S) plays a central role in this process; it binds initiation factors that facilitate scanning of messenger RNAs and initiation of protein synthesis. We have determined the crystal structure of the Tetrahymena thermophila 40S ribosomal subunit in complex with eukaryotic initiation factor 1 (eIF1) at a resolution of 3.9 angstroms. The structure reveals the fold of the entire 18S ribosomal RNA and of all ribosomal proteins of the 40S subunit, and defines the interactions with eIF1. It provides insights into the eukaryotic-specific aspects of protein synthesis, including the function of eIF1 as well as signaling and regulation mediated by the ribosomal proteins RACK1 and rpS6e.     

辽宁地区玉米作物系数的确定

玉米作物系数是计算玉米耗水量的重要参数之一。为了准确客观地估算玉米群体的蒸散量,利用1980~2002年20个代表站点的日常农业气象土壤湿度观测资料,确定了辽宁5个农业气候区的玉米作物系数,分析作物系数在生育期内的变化规律,并分区建立了玉米作物系数与时间(旬)关系6次多项式函数。结果表明,辽宁各农业气候区的玉米作物系数值存在明显差异,但其变化规律一致。     

面向高校重点学科加强文献资源建设

笔者就高校图书馆文献资源建设的现状进行了分析，并对搞好文献资源建设工作提出建议。