Deep neural network algorithm for estimating maize biomass based on simulated Sentinel 2A vegetation indices and leaf area index

Accurate estimation of biomass is necessary for evaluating crop growth and predicting crop yield.Biomass is also a key trait in increasing grain yield by crop breeding.The aims of this study were(i)to identify the best vegetation indices for estimating maize biomass,(ii)to investigate the relationship between biomass and leaf area index(LAI)at several growth stages,and(iii)to evaluate a biomass model using measured vegetation indices or simulated vegetation indices of Sentinel 2A and LAI using a deep neural network(DNN)algorithm.The results showed that biomass was associated with all vegetation indices.The three-band water index(TBWI)was the best vegetation index for estimating biomass and the corresponding R2,RMSE,and RRMSE were 0.76,2.84 t ha−1,and 38.22%respectively.LAI was highly correlated with biomass(R2=0.89,RMSE=2.27 t ha−1,and RRMSE=30.55%).Estimated biomass based on 15 hyperspectral vegetation indices was in a high agreement with measured biomass using the DNN algorithm(R2=0.83,RMSE=1.96 t ha−1,and RRMSE=26.43%).Biomass estimation accuracy was further increased when LAI was combined with the 15 vegetation indices(R2=0.91,RMSE=1.49 t ha−1,and RRMSE=20.05%).Relationships between the hyperspectral vegetation indices and biomass differed from relationships between simulated Sentinel 2A vegetation indices and biomass.Biomass estimation from the hyperspectral vegetation indices was more accurate than that from the simulated Sentinel 2A vegetation indices(R2=0.87,RMSE=1.84 t ha−1,and RRMSE=24.76%).The DNN algorithm was effective in improving the estimation accuracy of biomass.It provides a guideline for estimating biomass of maize using remote sensing technology and the DNN algorithm in this region.     

Essential amino acids supplementation to practical diets affects growth,feed utilization and glucose metabolism‐related signalling molecules of blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala)

Six diets were formulated to investigate the success of fish meal (FM) replacement by plant proteins; diet 1 reflected a commercial feed (8% FM), diet 3 contained 4% FM, and diet 5 was devoid of FM. Whereas, diet 2, diet 4, and diet 6 reflected diet 1, diet 3, diet 5, respectively, and supplemented with essential amino acid (EAA). At the end of 8‐week trial, there was no significant difference in survival rate. Significantly higher final weight, weight gain rate, and specific growth rate were recorded in the group fed diet 2 compared with the other treatments (except diet 4) (p < 0.05). Feed conversion ratio of fish fed diet 2 was significantly lower than those fed diets 1, 3, and 5 (p < 0.05). The lowest feed intake and highest protein efficiency rate were found in fish fed diet 2 (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in whole body compositions between treatments. Plasma aspartate transaminases, alanine aminotransferase, and glucose were significantly affected by dietary treatments (p < 0.05), while plasma protein and albumin contents were not influenced by the treatments. The relative expression of target of rapamycin (TOR) and phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase, regulatory subunit 1 (alpha) (PIK3R1) in fish fed diet 3 (4% FM) were significantly down‐regulated compared with those fed diet 6 for TOR and diets 4 and 6 for PIK3R1 (p < 0.05). Insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS‐1) and janus kinase 3 (JAK3) expressions were fluctuated, with the higher levels in fish fed diets 4 and 6. In conclusion, the findings of this study indicate that plant protein mixture supplemented with EAA could be used to substitute FM in practical diet for Megalobrama amblycephala.     

Comparison of the florfenicol metabolic rate in Portunus trituberculatus individuals with different body weights

We analysed the metabolic rate of large individuals (LIs) and small individuals (SIs) (based on body weight) of 80‐day‐old specimens of Portunus trituberculatus injected with 40 mg/kg florfenicol (FLR). The results showed that FLR contents in the gills and hepatopancreas were higher in the SIs than in the LIs. The activities of erythromycin N‐demethylase and 7‐ethoxyresorufin‐O‐deethylase related to cytochrome oxidase P450 (CYP) were induced after FLR injection and showed a size‐dependent pattern; however, no significant difference in aminopyrine N‐demethylase activity was found between the LIs and SIs. The activity of the phase II enzyme glutathione S‐transferase (GST) increased in the hepatopancreas after FLR injection, and it was higher in the SIs than the LIs. Moreover, induction of CYP2, CYP3, GST, ABCB and ABCG was observed in the first 24 hr after FLR injection. FLR caused more biomolecular damage in the SIs than the LIs, displaying an obvious body weight‐ and time‐dependent pattern. In summary, the SIs exhibited faster FLR uptake and slower depuration in this species, and FLR caused more biomolecular damage to the SIs.     

芦笋种植对冷凉沙化区土壤改良的效果研究

为探索芦笋种植对冷凉沙化区土壤的改良效果,在山西省朔州市右玉县,以未种植芦笋裸沙地为对照（CK）,设置种植芦笋1、2、3和4年共4个处理,通过田间试验测定不同种植年限芦笋田土壤理化特性和芦笋生长发育情况。结果表明,与CK相比,随种植年限增加,土壤黏粒和粉砂粒含量递增,砂粒含量递减,土壤容重递减,土壤田间持水量递增;土壤pH和可溶性盐浓度（EC）递减;土壤有机质、全氮、有效磷和速效钾含量逐年递增。种植芦笋3年的土壤粒级、土壤容重、田间持水量、pH、EC值、土壤肥力发生显著变化;连续种植芦笋4年的土壤黏粒含量较CK增加到29.8%,粉砂粒含量增加到12.6%,砂粒含量降低到57.6%,田间土壤持水量显著提高,土壤容重显著降低,土壤由砂质壤土向砂质黏土转变;土壤pH降低0.75,EC值降低0.08mS/cm;土壤有机质含量增加28.89%,全氮、有效磷和速效钾含量分别增加95.12%、94.92%和45.40%;芦笋产量达6 037.5kg/hm ²。综合分析,连续种植芦笋4年可改善沙化土壤的物理结构,提高土壤养分,降低盐碱程度。芦笋是冷凉沙化区土壤改良的先锋作物之一,可实现生态效益与经济效益并举。     

棉铃虫棉田自然种群变化动态及对天敌观察研究初报

棉铃虫在上世纪80~90年代,在我国多个老棉区严重发生或大暴发,致使棉花生产造成了严重损失。而后棉区迁移至新疆,加上抗虫棉的推广、综合治理措施的落实,有效遏制了棉铃虫的猖獗发生。近几年,在冀南多种作物上又有抬头,并有逐年加重的趋势,为对棉铃虫发生规律研究提出了新课题。     

Biochar addition mitigates nitrogen loss induced by straw incorporation and nitrogen fertilizer application

Biochar has been shown to be potentially beneficial for enhancing yields and soil properties, and diminishing nitrogen (N) losses. However, it remains unclear how biochar regulates soil carbon (C) and N to mitigate N losses induced by straw mixing with N fertilizer in dryland soils. Therefore, we investigated the effects of straw mixing (S₁), S₁ with biochar (SB) and no straw inputs (S₀), and routine urea application rates (N₁) and 70% of routine rates (N_0.7) on yields and N losses, and identify the relationship between N losses and soil C and N compounds. Results showed that N_0.7 and N₁ were suitable for the maize and wheat seasons, respectively, contributing to mitigating N losses without reducing crop yields. Moreover, in the maize season, N_0.7-SB significantly mitigated the straw-induced NH₃-N and N₂O-N emissions by 106% and 81%, respectively. In the wheat season, N₁-SB reduced the straw-induced NH₃-N and N₂O-N emissions by 35% and 66%, respectively. In addition, N_0.7-SB sharply reduced soil inorganic N (SIN) storage in the maize season. Furthermore, the NH₃-N and N₂O-N emission rates were negatively correlated with dissolved organic carbon/SIN content (0–20 cm) (DOC/SIN_0-20). N losses (N₂O-N and NH₃-N emissions and SIN storage) were positively correlated with SIN_0-20, but negatively correlated with soil organic carbon / SIN_0-20 (SOC/ SIN_0-20). This study provides further evidence that biochar with an appropriate N application rate decreased SIN_0-20 and increased DOC/SIN_0-20, thus reducing SIN storage and the straw-induced gaseous N emissions without decreasing crop yields.     

Comparison of immune responses and antioxidant status of different generations of growth‐selected Portunus trituberculatus families

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of inbreeding on the immune responses and antioxidant status of Portunus trituberculatus juveniles. Results showed that inbreeding affected the total haemocyte count, and phagocytic, pro‐phenoloxidase (propo), phenoloxidase and antibacterial activities decreased after the seventh generation. Antioxidant status showed a similar pattern: total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and GSH/GSSG in the cell‐free haemolymph and hepatopancreas decreased, while catalase activity in the cell‐free haemolymph increased (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in α₂‐macroglobulin and bacteriolytic activities in the cell‐free haemolymph and glutathione peroxidase activity in the cell‐free haemolymph and hepatopancreas among nine inbreeding generations. Gene expression levels of proPO and crustin in haemocytes and SOD in haemocytes and hepatopancreas also decreased significantly as the inbreeding generations increased. The results suggest that a high level of inbreeding could severely reduce the physiological health of P. trituberculatus. Our obtained data would be particularly useful for P. trituberculatus breeding programmes.