Maize harvest index and water use efficiency can be improved by inhibition of gibberellin biosynthesis

Possibilities to improve maize harvest index and nutrient utilization efficiency by application of plant growth regulators were investigated. In container experiments, the effects of different growth regulators on the development of the maize (Zea mays L.) cultivars Pioneer 3906 and Fabregas were tested. Paclobutrazol (PAC) and chlorocholine chloride (CCC), two inhibitors of gibberellin biosynthesis, as well as gibberellic acid (GA₃) were applied at growth stage V5. Three weeks after application of PAC, shoot growth of both maize cultivars was strongly affected with a significant decrease in plant height in the PAC treatment by 44% and 36% for Pioneer 3906 and Fabregas, respectively. The growth‐retarded plants had higher leaf areas and reduced transpiration rates. The higher shoot growth after GA₃ application was accompanied by a reduction in leaf area and an increase in transpiration rate during 1 week before anthesis. CCC treatment showed no significant effects on plant height, leaf area and transpiration rate. The PAC‐treated cultivar Pioneer 3906 produced several cobs per plant, which were mainly barren at maturity. However, PAC application to Fabregas resulted in just one cob per plant with good kernel development and a grain yield, which was not significantly reduced in comparison with the control. With this similar grain yield in combination with a straw yield decrease of 32%, the harvest index was significantly improved by 12%. In addition, with PAC‐treated Fabregas plants, a 19% increased water use efficiency of the grain (WUE_grain) during the critical period of kernel setting was achieved. In this maize cultivar, CCC application also improved harvest index by 5%, but no effect on WUE_grain occurred. GA₃ treatment decreased harvest index of both maize cultivars, and it either reduced WUE_grain (Pioneer 3906) or showed no effect (Fabregas). Utilization efficiencies of N, P and K were not increased with growth regulator application, even in the PAC‐treated Fabregas plants with a significantly improved allocation of assimilates to the grain, mirrored by the higher harvest index. The results indicate that fertilizer applications must be adjusted to the reduced demand of growth‐retarded plants, most likely leading to higher nutrient utilization efficiencies.     

Controlling sprouting in potato tubers using ultraviolet-C irradiance

Legislation limiting the use of chlorpropham (CIPC), the major potato sprout suppressant, has led to a need for new technologies to extend storage life of tubers. Ultra violet C (UV-C) has been used postharvest to reduce disease incidence on many crops, yet its use and efficacy as a sprout suppressant has not been investigated. The aim of this project was to identify the optimum dose and treatment timing of UV-C treatment on potato tubers as an alternative method of sprout suppression to reduce the dependence on chemical sprout suppressants. Up to six potato cultivars over two seasons were treated with varying doses of UV-C ranging from 0 to 30 kJ m⁻² either at harvest or at first indication of dormancy break. The tubers were stored at 9 °C and sprout growth and incidence assessed. Treatment with moderate UV-C doses (5–20 kJ m⁻²) suppressed sprout length and sprout incidence in a range of cultivars. Periderm DNA damage and programmed cell death were not detected in response to any of the UV-C doses. The inactive ABA metabolite, ABA-GE, increased in response to 10 or 20 kJ m⁻² within 72 h of treatment. Multivariate analysis showed a negative relationship between ABA metabolites and sprout growth/incidence during storage. This study found that UV-C reduced sprout growth in potato with no deleterious effects on tuber quality. This suggests potential for further development as an alternative or supplement to conventional sprout suppressant technologies.     

鸡脚重性状的全基因组关联分析

鸡(Gallus gallus)脚重性状为鸡产业中的重要经济性状.为了揭示鸡脚重性状的遗传基础,寻找可用于鸡脚改良的分子标记,本研究以核心群京海黄鸡为实验动物,测定其脚重,利用简化基因组测序技术在整个基因组范围内检测与脚重相关的SNPs.共检测到16个与脚重相关的SNPs位点,其中13个集中分布在4号染色体上72.8～77.9 Mb区域;2个SNP位点rs475641139和rs475548810达到5％ Bonferroni全基因组显著水平(P＜5.5E-07),其余位点达到全基因组潜在显著水平(P＜1.1E-05).筛选每个SNP周围1 Mb区域内的基因,共找到9个可能的候选基因,并使用基因本体论(Gene Ontology,GO)数据库对9个候选基因的细胞组分、分子功能和参与的生物学进程进行了分析.结果表明二氢蝶啶还原酶(dihydropteridine deductase,QDPR)基因、LIM域结合蛋白2(LIM domain-binding protein 2,LDB2)基因、类184B家族(family with sequence similarity 184 memberB,FAM184B)基因、复合信号免疫球蛋白J结合蛋白(recombination signal binding protein for immunoglobulin kappa J region,RBPJ)基因、纤维母细胞生长因子结合蛋白2(fibroblast growth factor-binding protein 2,FGFBP2)基因、富亮氨酸重复蛋白5(F-box and leucine-rich repeat protein 5,FBXL5)基因、胆囊收缩素受体A(cholecystokinin receptor type A,CCK1R)基因、肌动蛋白互作蛋白1 (WD repeat containing protein 1,WDR1)基因和类桶状蛋白4(tubby like protein 4,TULP4)9个基因和4号染色体72.8～77.9 Mb区域可能为影响鸡脚重性状的重要候选基因和潜在功能区域.本研究为鸡脚重性状的标记辅助选择提供了理论依据.     

3,5-二硝基水杨酸法与酶法测定甜玉米还原糖和蔗糖含量的比较

针对目前测定甜玉米还原糖和蔗糖含量的3,5-二硝基水杨酸法和酶法进行比较研究,分析两者在育种中的应用。结果显示:酶法的测量准确度比3,5-二硝基水杨酸法高,且其稳定性和重现性都优于3,5-二硝基水杨酸法。通过两种方法对10个甜玉米杂交种种子的还原糖和蔗糖含量的测定,证实了两种方法在甜玉米还原糖和蔗糖含量的检测上是一致的。从育种实践考虑,酶法适于样品数较小的检测,3,5-二硝基水杨酸法更适合于大批量样品的检测。     

不同生态环境下甘蔗组合的生长表现和适应性

以2017—2018年组配的119个甘蔗组合为材料,分别在广西的南宁、崇左、来宾同时开展组合评价试验,基于锤重性状进行联合方差分析和遗传参数估计,并采用回归分析和AMMI模型对组合进行稳定性分析。结果表明:不同的组合、环境及组合与环境互作在锤重间的差异均达到了极显著水平(P0.01);3个试验点锤重的广义遗传率均属于中等偏低水平;崇左、来宾试验点的锤重变异系数较大,南宁试验点的锤重变异系数较小;643、404、575、972、636、144、YC95、1470、755、409、701、832、YC37、579等组合表现出高产、稳产和适应性广的特性;结合锤重和组合入选率综合分析,组合449、YC127、796、YC44、533、570、YC123、391、546、403、YC90、252在南宁试验点的表现为锤重和组合入选率较高;组合643、212、YC61、432、903、YC95、YC44、368、YC83、YC127、YC112、701、411、YC90、YC123在崇左试验点的表现为锤重和组合入选率较高;组合643、404、449、144、403、YC48在来宾试验点的表现为锤重和组合入选率较高。     

产蛋期蛋鸡不同类型玉米净能研究

本试验利用禽用开放式呼吸测热装置进行能量代谢试验,通过间接测热法结合替代法测定不同类型玉米在产蛋期蛋鸡饲粮中的表观代谢能和净能。选用34周龄产蛋期海兰褐蛋鸡180只,随机分为6组,每组30只。试验选用1种玉米-豆粕型基础饲粮和5种待测饲粮。待测饲粮由5种待测玉米(3种2018年10月收获的正常玉米和2种2016年收获储存3年的陈化玉米),分别以50%比例替代基础饲粮构成。试验鸡在舍内笼养,预试期7 d,正试期27 d,其中正试期分为3期,每期9 d(适应3 d、呼吸测热3 d、绝食测热3 d)。每期试验中,从每组中选择4只试验鸡,称重后分别放入呼吸测热装置的12个代谢室(每个代谢室2只),每2个代谢室对应1种饲粮,测定气体交换和排泄物总量,呼吸测热的同时进行消化代谢试验。结果表明:与基础饲粮相比,5种玉米待测饲粮的表观代谢能显著提高(P<0.05),3种正常玉米待测饲粮的净能显著高于基础饲粮和2种陈化玉米待测饲粮(P<0.05);2种陈化玉米的表观代谢能和净能显著低于3种正常玉米(P<0.05)。本试验中,3种正常玉米的表观代谢能分别为16.19、15.85、16.17 MJ/kg,2种陈化玉米的表观代谢能分别为15.12和15.06 MJ/kg;3种正常玉米的净能分别为12.39、12.57、12.25 MJ/kg,2种陈化玉米的净能分别为11.29和12.05 MJ/kg。     

东北棕壤长期不同施肥处理轮作大豆氮素吸收和土壤硝态氮特征

【目的】在玉米–玉米–大豆轮作体系下,基于棕壤肥料长期定位试验,研究不同施肥处理对东北地区大豆生物量、产量、各部位吸氮量及收获期土壤0―100 cm硝态氮累积的影响,为该地区合理施肥提供理论依据和科学指导。【方法】棕壤肥料长期定位田间试验始于1979年,包括不施肥(CK)、单施氮肥(N)、氮磷钾肥配施(NPK)、低量厩肥(M1)及其与化肥配施(M1N和M1NPK)、高量厩肥(M2)及其与化肥配施(M2N和M2NPK)9个处理。厩肥为猪厩肥,1992年后大豆季不施猪厩肥,仅在玉米季相关处理中施用。39年后,调查分析了大豆生物量、产量、氮素吸收利用及大豆收获期0―100 cm土壤硝态氮累积特征。【结果】高量、低量厩肥配施化肥处理大豆生物量、产量、总吸氮量及各部位吸氮量均显著高于单施氮肥和不施肥处理,其中,M1NPK处理大豆生物量、产量和总吸氮量最高,分别为9107、2979和314.2 k g/h m^2,较其他处理分别提高了6.1%~133.6%、23.9%~232.5%和11.7%~359.4%。施肥提高了大豆氮收获指数,但氮素生理效率降低。NPK和M1NPK处理的氮素收获指数最高,均为63.5%,而氮素生理效率较CK分别降低了30.6%和28.1%。大豆收获期各处理土壤硝态氮累积量随土层深度的增加而降低。与播前相比,大豆收获期单施氮肥处理的0―100 cm土层硝态氮积累量显著增加,NPK处理变化不显著,M1、M1N和M1NPK处理显著降低。低量厩肥配施化肥处理收获期0―100 cm土壤硝态氮积累量远低于高量厩肥配施化肥处理,较播前平均降低了79.2%。所有处理中,土壤硝态氮积累量以M1NPK处理最低,比其他处理平均降低了58.2%。【结论】在东北棕壤地区玉米–玉米–大豆轮作体系下,玉米季低量厩肥(13.5 t/hm^2)与氮磷钾化肥配合施用时,大豆季仅施氮磷钾化肥既可提高大豆生物量、产量,促进氮素吸收,同时还可降低大豆收获期土壤硝态氮累积量,降低环境风险,是该轮作体系较为合理的施肥方式。     

不同外源激素对糜子成穗及产量的影响

研究不同种类外源激素对糜子成穗及产量的影响。用5种外源激素在糜子3~4叶期喷施,连续处理2次,喷清水为对照。记录糜子苗期基本苗数、拔节期总茎数、成熟期穗数等性状,用统计软件SPSS 17.0进行统计分析。结果表明,施用脱落酸（ABA）能够显著降低糜子的分蘖数,施用赤霉素（GA₃）、吲哚乙酸（IAA）、矮壮素（CCC）也能减少糜子分蘖数,但是与对照差异不显著,施用多效唑（PP₃₃₃）对糜子分蘖数没有明显影响;施用GA₃、IAA、CCC能够增加分蘖穗数,而ABA、PP₃₃₃降低分蘖穗数;各处理分蘖成穗率都较对照高,ABA处理分蘖成穗率为最高达到25.20%;ABA处理主茎穗占比较对照增加,分蘖穗占比降低;GA₃、IAA、CCC处理主茎穗占比相对于对照降低,分蘖穗占比增加,PP₃₃₃处理与对照相近;5种外源激素对糜子产量的影响差异显著,施用ABA产量最高,可能与主茎穗占比高和分蘖成穗率高有关系。在糜子3~4叶期喷施5种外源激素,对糜子有显著作用的是ABA,主要表现在ABA能够降低糜子分蘖数,保证了主茎的成穗数量,增加了分蘖成穗率,从而提高了糜子产量。     

大豆玉米持续轮作免耕对土壤养分及作物产量的影响

为了解决免耕减产、秸秆焚烧污染环境、种植结构不合理等问题,试验通过设置免耕和传统垄作田间对比试验,研究了2013年到2016年连续4年大豆玉米轮作免耕对土壤养分及作物产量的影响,研究结果可为免耕技术推广及黑龙江省农业持续发展提供理论参考和技术保障。试验结果表明,大豆玉米持续轮作免耕条件下0-7.5 cm、7.5-15 cm、15-22.5 cm、22.5-30 cm土壤养分指标全氮、全磷、全钾、碱解氮、速效磷、速效钾、有机质含量均高于垄作处理,且耕作对全氮、全磷、碱解氮、速效磷、速效钾、有机质含量影响显著；耕作对土壤容重影响显著,免耕处理各层土壤容重高于垄作处理,免耕处理15-22.5 cm与22.5-30 cm土层之间容重差异不显著,而垄作处理各层土壤容重差异显著；与垄作相比,2013年和2015年免耕大豆增产率分别为16.37%和25.33%,2014年和2016年免耕玉米产量增产率分别为0.88%和9.50%。大豆玉米轮作免耕较垄作平均节约成本640元/hm2,平均增收2220元/hm2。     

Effect of feeding different sources of selenium on growth performance and antioxidant status of broilers

ABSTRACT

1. This study was conducted to determine the effect of different sources of selenium (Se) on breast and liver tissue deposition, apparent metabolisable energy (AME), growth performance and antioxidant status of broilers, measured as Se content in liver and breast tissues and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in blood, when used in 0–35 d broiler chicken diets.

2. A total of 200 male Ross 308 broilers were used in the feeding trial, which comprised two dietary phases, a starter from 0 to 21 d and finisher from 21 to 35 d of age. Four treatments with 10 replications each were used. A control diet (C) was formulated that was sufficient in protein and energy (230 and 215 g/kg of crude protein and 12.67 and 13.11 MJ/kg of metabolisable energy, respectively), for both phases, but contained background Se only from the feed ingredients. Diet 2 (IS) was supplemented with 10.35 g/t inorganic, elemental source of Se. Diet 3 (SY) was supplemented with 136.36 g/t selenised yeast, an organic source derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Diet 4 (SS) was supplemented with 0.666 g/t sodium selenite, an inorganic source.

3. Birds fed the SY diet consumed less and weighed less than those fed IS or C (P < 0.05; 0–35 d of age), but there was no difference compared to birds fed SS diets. There were no differences in FCR or dietary AME between broilers fed different Se sources. All diets containing supplementary Se increased concentrations in the liver and breast muscle, and for GSH-Px levels in blood compared to birds fed the C diet (P < 0.001). Birds fed SY diets had greater Se levels in liver and breast tissues compared to birds fed any of the other diets (P < 0.001).

4. Diets supplemented with Se had variable effects on broiler growth performances and antioxidant status. Feeding Se from a yeast source has higher transfer into breast tissues. Feeding different sources and levels of Se to birds in a more challenging situation to induce oxidative stress may bring more conclusive results.