An economically based evaluation index for perennial and short‐term ryegrasses in New Zealand dairy farm systems

Grazed pastures based on ryegrass species provide most of the feed for dairy cattle in New Zealand. There are many cultivars of perennial (Lolium perenne), annual and Italian (L. multiflorum), and hybrid (L. boucheanum) ryegrasses available for dairy farmers to use in pasture renewal. This study describes an index which ranks ryegrass cultivars relative to a genetic base according to the estimated economic value (EV) of seasonal dry matter (DM) traits. A farm system model was used to derive EVs (Grazed pastures based on ryegrass species provide most of the feed for dairy cattle in New Zealand. There are many cultivars of perennial (Lolium perenne), annual and Italian (L. multiflorum), and hybrid (L. boucheanum) ryegrasses available for dairy farmers to use in pasture renewal. This study describes an index which ranks ryegrass cultivars relative to a genetic base according to the estimated economic value (EV) of seasonal dry matter (DM) traits. A farm system model was used to derive EVs ($ ha^?1 calculated as change in operating profit divided by unit change of the trait) for additional DM produced in different seasons of the year in four regions. The EV of early spring DM was consistently high across all regions, whereas EV for late spring DM was moderate to low. Genotype × environment analysis revealed significant reranking of DM yield among ryegrass cultivars across regions. Hence, separate performance values (PVs) were calculated for two mega‐environments and then combined with the corresponding season and region EV to calculate the overall EV for twenty‐three perennial ryegrass and fifteen short‐term ryegrass cultivars. The difference in operating profit between the highest ranked and lowest ranked perennial ryegrass cultivar ranged from $556 ha^?1 to $863 ha^?1 year^?1 depending on region. For short‐term ryegrasses used for winter feed, the corresponding range was $394 to $478 ha^?1 year^?1. Using PV for DM yield, it was estimated that plant improvement in perennial ryegrass has added $12–$18 ha^?1 year^?1 (depending on region) operating profit on dairy farms since the mid‐1960s.     

Agronomic performance of an IR64 introgression line with large leaves derived from New Plant Type rice in aerobic culture

Aerobic culture is a promising water-saving technology in irrigated rice ecosystems, but the vulnerability of plants to fluctuations in soil moisture constrains leaf expansion and yield. The objective of this study was to examine whether an aboveground architecture with large leaves and reduced tillering is associated with vigorous leaf growth in aerobic rice culture. In a series of field experiments, we evaluated the agronomic performance of an IR64 introgression line, YTH323 (IR84640-11-27-1-9-3-2-4-2-2-2-B), with fewer tillers and larger leaves than IR64, derived from New Plant Type rice, under various water and nitrogen conditions. In flooded culture, YTH323 yielded the same as IR64 and 38% more than IR65564-44-51 (a New Plant Type rice) (9.0 vs. 6.6 t ha⁻¹). In aerobic culture, in contrast, it yielded 81% more than IR64 in slightly dry soils (5.1 vs. 2.8 t ha⁻¹). YTH323 had a higher leaf area index than IR64 and IR65564-44-51 under slightly dry soil conditions and under a range of nitrogen conditions. The higher and more stable yield of YTH323 in aerobic culture was attributable to greater early vigor, high specific leaf area, a high ratio of leaf weight to total biomass, and larger leaves, along with the characteristics of high-yield cultivars such as high responsiveness to fertilizers and good grain filling. We conclude that genetic modification of the aboveground architecture of IR64, a typical tropical lowland rice cultivar, to reduce tiller and leaf number improves adaptation to aerobic culture.     

Collembola in ecotoxicology—Any news or just boring routine?

Despite the uncontested significance of soils for human nutrition and drinking water quality, the majority of ecotoxicological testing is confined to aquatic test systems. Among the standardised tests for soils, the reproduction test with the springtail Folsomia candida is among the most widely used ones. First steps towards its standardisation were undertaken in the late 1980s. Here we review major advances that have been made since then, with respect to mechanistic, pragmatic and ecological aspects. Specifically we address the ecological relevance of any modifications of the standardised tests. We introduce a miniaturised version of the reproduction test which allows reducing the amount of soil per test unit to one third and the number of synchronised individuals to 40% as compared to the standard test. In addition, we developed an assay using Collembola eggs instead of synchronised adults. First results of a three-species test indicate that the presence of other species may affect choice behaviour. We point out a potential biased view of existing ecotoxicological data with Collembola due to the fact that most results refer to metal contamination. Finally, recommendations for future research are given, with special reference to avoidance and microcosm tests involving Collembola.     

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.     

新式墙面绿化在广州和深圳的应用研究

新式墙面绿化对日益缩减的城市绿化环境至关重要,通过实地调查广州和深圳30个新式墙面绿化场所,分析其种植形式、植物种类、植物配置与景观效果,总结出深圳和广州新式墙面绿化的植物应用现状和景观效果,并讨论其发展前景。     

土壤重金属污染及对生物体影响的研究进展

重金属污染是当今社会世界性的环境生态问题。由于人类社会城市化进程加剧、工业生产中"三废"的不合理排放以及现代农业中各种农药化肥的大量使用,导致土壤中重金属的含量剧增,污染问题严重,其中尤以重金属镉、汞、铅等在生物体内的富集与抗生性的研究日益受到关注。笔者综述了土壤重金属污染及对生物体影响的研究进展,以期为土壤重金属综合治理与污染修复提供科学依据。     

水稻复合农艺性状QTL剖析

为了解水稻复合性状的数量性状基因座(QTL),在利用单片段代换系进行QTL鉴定的基础上,剖析了水稻株高QTL与主茎高和穗长QTL,主茎高与倒一节间长、倒二节间长、倒三节间长和倒四及以下节间长QTL,谷粒长宽比QTL与粒长和粒宽QTL,每穗粒数QTL与一次枝梗数和二次枝梗数QTL的关系。结果表明:鉴定出株高QTL的6个单片段代换系中有4个只检测出了主茎高QTL,其加性效应百分率为86.00%～99.55%,有1个只检测出了穗长QTL,其加性效应百分率为48.31%,有1个同时检测出了主茎高QTL和穗长QTL,其中主茎高QTL的加性效应百分率为81.72%,穗长QTL加性效应百分率为18.28%;在检测出主茎高QTL的7个单片段代换系中,有1个只检测出倒一节间长QTL,有2个只检测出倒二节间长QTL,有2个检测出倒一节间长QTL和倒二节间长QTL,有2个只检测出倒三节间长QTL;不同的单片段代换系中检测出的节间长的QTL加性效应百分率变化范围为-128.62%～172.07%;7个检测出谷粒长宽比QTL的单片段代换系中,有5个只检测出粒长QTL,1个只检测出粒宽QTL,1个同时检测出了粒长QTL和粒宽QTL;检测出每穗粒数QTL的3个单片段代换系中,有2个只检测出二次枝梗数的QTL,有1个同时检测出一次枝梗数QTL和二次枝梗数的QTL。这些结果表明,代换片段中如能检出复合性状QTL,也可以检出其构成性状QTL;复合性状QTL的加性效应的大部分可由其构成性状QTL的综合效应来解析,但相同的复合性状,不同代换片段检出的构成性状QTL不同。     

Effects of germination and kilning on the phenolic compounds and nutritional properties of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) and kiwicha (Amaranthus caudatus)

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) and kiwicha (Amaranthus caudatus) are nutritious pseudocereals that originate from the Andean region. The aim of this research was to study the effect of germination and the subsequent kilning on the phenolic compounds and proximate composition in selected Peruvian varieties of quinoa (“Chullpi”) and kiwicha (“Oscar Blanco”). The germination process was carried out for 24, 48 and 72 h at 22 °C, and the kilning was performed with samples germinated for 72 h by drying the seeds at 90 °C for 5 min. Both processes increased the protein content of the samples. However, lipid content was reduced during germination. On the other hand, germination and kilning clearly increased the concentration of total phenolic compounds in both quinoa and kiwicha. Germination for 72 h either with or without kilning process resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the total content of phenolics compared to untreated materials, which was especially due to coumaric acid and a kaempferol tri-glycoside in quinoa and caffeoylquinic acid in kiwicha. Based on the results, germination and kilning may improve the nutritional quality of the Andean grains, encouraging the usage of the processed grains as ingredients in functional products for people with special gluten-free or vegetarian diets.     

引进甘蔗种质资源杂交后代适应性评价

通过对引进甘蔗种质资源24个杂交后代的的10个农艺性状进行主成分分析、回归分析与通径分析,科学评价引种甘蔗种质资源在广西本地的农艺性状表现,探究各农艺性状间的协同制约关系,为甘蔗种质资源的精准评价和杂交育种材料的科学选配提供理论依据。结果表明:(1)主要农艺性状变异系数为6.79%~29.44%,24个甘蔗种质在分蘖和蔗糖产量上有较大的遗传改良潜力。(2)主成分分析将这10个农艺性状凝聚成4个主成分,分别为产量因子、有效茎因子、糖分因子和出苗因子,贡献率分别是35.2%、16.5%、15.3%、12.1%,累计贡献率达到79.1%;(3)通径分析中各性状对糖产量的直接通径系数大小依次为:蔗茎产量(0.927)>蔗糖分(0.399)>单茎重(0.039)。表明:甘蔗品种(系)GUC23-1、GUC15-2、GUC23、GUC34、GUC25在广西的丰产性最优,在甘蔗引种和选育中,考虑将蔗茎产量、蔗糖分、单茎重作为主要选择性状。