Temperature modeling of a land-based aquaculture system for the production of Gracilaria pacifica: Possible system modifications to conserve heat and extend the growing season

Temperature control is a major cost for numerous aquaculture systems. Solar thermal engineering techniques can be used to identify inexpensive methods for conserving and capturing heat. Gracilaria pacifica, also known as the culinary ingredient ogo, is currently grown in land-based tanks at a site in Goleta, CA where influent sea water temperatures infrequently reach the 21–28 °C range that provides for optimal growth. The major objective of this study was to explore various designs of a G. pacifica tank culture system that maintain optimal water temperature year round to maximize growth. A model was constructed and calibrated by comparing results to a one-third scale pilot system operated in Davis, CA. For model calibration the most sensitive parameter such as cover optical properties were adjusted first and less sensitive parameters were adjusted later. The pilot system consisted of six tanks, three insulated with foam and a clear polyethylene cover (experimental), and three uninsulated and uncovered (controls). The model had weather data inputs including air temperature, humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation. The model was then compared to a full-scale system operated in Santa Barbara during the winter. The experimental pilot system was 4.93 °C warmer than the control pilot system under optimal weather conditions. The full-scale experimental system was 2.80 °C warmer than the control system under non-ideal conditions. The model demonstrated predictive accuracy under most weather conditions. Furthermore the model is robust enough to accept estimated values for many inputs and still produce accurate results, this suggests a simpler model may be feasible. A polyethylene cover and insulation are not sufficient in general for raising the water temperature to the optimum range during the winter; they may be during other times of the year when more solar energy is available, thereby extending the growing season.     

基于氮梯度加载下的温室核桃砧木苗生长生理特性变化

【目的】探究新疆核桃砧木苗生长特征及生理特性对氮梯度的响应,为核桃砧木苗施氮标准化的探究奠定基础。【方法】以阿克苏厚皮农家种质核桃砧木苗为研究对象,进行不同梯度的氮素诱导,测定核桃砧木苗生长及生理指标。【结果】基于氮梯度加载下的核桃砧木苗株高、地径、叶片数、叶长、光合色素含量、可溶性蛋白质含量、可溶性糖含量、硝酸还原酶活性、谷氨酰胺合成酶活性均呈上升趋势,并在15 g.a^-1.m^-2处理下达到最高值。【结论】适量地增施氮肥有利于核桃砧木苗的生长、提高砧木苗体内营养物质含量以及促进氮代谢能力。     

Dense planting with less basal nitrogen fertilization might benefit rice cropping for high yield with less environmental impacts

Dense planting and less basal nitrogen (N) fertilization have been recommended to further increase rice (Oryza sativa L.) grain yield and N use efficiency (NUE), respectively. The objective of this study was to evaluate the integrative impacts of dense planting with reduced basal N application (DR) on rice yield, NUE and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Field experiments with one conventional sparse planting (CK) and four treatments of dense planting (increased seedlings per hill) with less basal N application were conducted in northeast China from 2012 to 2013. In addition, a two-factor experiment was conducted to isolate the effect of planting density and basal N rate on CH₄ emission in 2013. Our results show that an increase in planting density by about 50% with a correspondingly reduction in basal N rate by about 30% (DR1 and DR2) enhanced NUE by 14.3–50.6% and rice grain yield by 0.5–7.4% over CK. Meanwhile, DR1 and DR2 reduced GWP by 6.4–12.6% and yield-scaled GWP by 7.0–17.0% over CK. According to the two-factor experiment, soil CH₄ production and oxidation and CH₄ emission were not affected by planting density. However, reduced basal N rate decreased CH₄ emission due to it significantly reduced soil CH₄ production with a smaller reduction in soil CH₄ oxidation. The above results indicate that moderate dense planting with less basal N application might be an environment friendly mode for rice cropping for high yield and NUE with less GHG emissions.     

Environmental performances of giant reed (Arundo donax L.) cultivated in fertile and marginal lands: A case study in the Mediterranean

Perennial rhizomatous grasses (PRGs) tend to have a high yield combined with a low environmental impact. Cultivation in marginal or poorly cultivated land is recommended in order not to compromise food security and to overcome land use controversies. However, the environmental impacts of using different types of soil are still unclear. We thus assessed the environmental impact of two giant reed (GR) systems cultivated in a fertile soil (FS) and in a marginal soil (MS) through a cradle-to-plant gate LCA. We analyzed energy balance, GHG emissions (including LUC, not including iLUC), and the main impacts on air, water and soil quality. In both systems the annualized soil carbon sequestration was more than twofold the total GHG emitted, equal to −6464 kg CO₂eq ha⁻¹ in FS and −5757 kg CO₂eq ha⁻¹ in MS. Overall, soil characteristics affected not only GR yield level, but also its environmental impact, which seems to be higher in the MS system both on a hectare and tonne basis. The production of GR biomass in marginal soil could thus lead to higher environmental impacts and a more extensive land requirement.     

Effects of Oyster Shell Soil Amendmenton Fruit Auality and Soil Chemical Properties in Greenhouse Tomato Acidic Soils

[Objective]The aim was to explore the feasibility of applying oyster shell soil amendment for tomato production in order to determine proper quantity of the soil conditional.[Method]Field tests were performed to research effects of the soil conditioner on tomato yield,quality and soil p H.[Result]The results showed that tomato yield increased in the treatment groups with oyster shell soil amendment.The group SC50 increased the most by 16.5%than the control group.Based on normal fertilization,tomato growth was promoted by the soil amendment,and per tomato weight and lycopene content both improved during peak-fruiting period.Besides,soil p H value was enhanced by the soil amendment also.[Conclusion]It can be concluded that the effect was the best when soil conditioner was applied at 750 kg/hm2.     

高温闷棚技术在大棚辣椒连作生产上的应用

为研究大棚辣椒土传病害绿色防控技术,选择不同的高温闷棚杀菌方法,以本地传统的高温炕地杀菌方法为对照,调查不同处理对地温和土壤pH值的影响,调查不同处理大棚辣椒的根结线虫、疫病、枯萎病、青枯病和根腐病的发生为害情况,测量大棚辣椒产量。结果表明,应用石灰氮、覆盖地膜和大棚膜进行高温闷棚对大棚辣椒土传病害有较好的防治效果。     

温室一茄多果快速育成技术

随着嫁接技术在蔬菜育苗中的广泛应用,根据近年来兴起的一茄多果嫁接技术与园艺景观造型相结合的趋势,介绍了一种改进的一茄多果嫁接技术,技术的流程更简洁,也更易于操作,可使经济效益与人文景观效果得到共同提升。     

地源热泵技术在中国温室设施中的应用探讨

当前在中国温室设施中应用和推广地源热泵技术尚存在诸多不利因素,大大限制了该项技术在设施农业领域中的发展。为探寻合理的解决途径,对地源热泵空调系统的关键技术和其在中国的发展概况进行了相关的阐述和分析,并以中国农业大学上庄实验站已经建成使用的地下水式温室地源热泵空调系统为实例,介绍该系统的组成、工作流程、性能参数和使用情况,探讨温室地源热泵空调系统在推广和使用中可能出现的投资较高,长时间运行性能不稳定等问题,分析其原因并提出相应的对策建议。     

温室移动机器人避障功能研究

为了实现移动机器人在温室内的避障，应用虚拟力场法建市了避障模型，描述了目标点的虚拟引力和障碍物的虚拟斥力之间的关系及其功能设计，实现了从机器人运动班杯值到控制量的转变。结果证明，机器人在多变的周边环境中能够实现避障的功能。     

数据融合技术在温室温度检测中的应用

根据温室环境中空间大,温度场分布受到各种参数影响大等特点,提出了采用数据融合方法来处理温室中采集到的传感器数据,采用分布图法剔除疏失误差,采用基于均值的分批估计的融合方法对采集的数据进行处理,提高了温度采集的精度,同时有效地消除了由于传感器失效引起的误差。