Yield potential and salt tolerance of quinoa on salt‐degraded soils of Pakistan

Quinoa is recently introduced to Pakistan as a salt‐tolerant crop of high nutritional value. Open field trials were conducted to evaluate its performance on normal and salinity/sodicity‐degraded lands at two locations of different salinity/sodicity levels, S₁ (UAF Farm, Normal Soil), S₂ (Paroka Farm UAF, saline sodic), S₃ (SSRI Farm, normal) and S₄ (SSRI Farm, saline sodic) during 2013–2014. Two genotypes (Q‐2 and Q‐7) were grown in lines and were allowed to grow till maturity under RCBD split‐plot arrangement. Maximum seed yield (3,062 kg/ha) was achieved by Q‐7 at normal field (S₁) soil which was statistically similar with yield of same genotype obtained from salt‐affected field S₂ (2,870 kg/ha). Furthermore, low yield was seen from both genotypes from both S₃ and S₄ as compared to S₁ and S₂. Q‐7 was best under all four conditions. Minimum yield was recorded from Q‐2 (1,587 kg/ha) at S₄. Q‐7 had higher SOD, proline, phenolic and K⁺ contents, and lower Na⁺ content in leaves as compared to Q‐2. High levels of antioxidants and K⁺/Na⁺ of Q‐7 helped to withstand salt stress and might be the cause of higher yields under both normal and salt‐affected soils. Seed quality (mineral and protein) did not decrease considerably under salt‐affected soils even improved seed K⁺, Mg²⁺ and Mn²⁺.     

Uncertainty assessment of soya bean yield gaps using DSSAT‐CSM‐CROPGRO‐Soybean calibrated by cultivar maturity groups

Soya bean yield gap can be caused by different factors resulting in uncertainties when the objective is to use such information for farm decision‐making and reference yield determination. Thus, this study aimed to quantify the soya bean yield gap for four sites, located in Southern and Midwestern Brazil, as well as the uncertainties of that related to cultivars, sowing dates, soil types and reference yields. The crop simulation model DSSAT‐CSM‐CROPGRO‐Soybean was calibrated for cultivars with similar maturity groups, based on the data obtained from the best farmers at the county level. The yield gap by water deficit (YG_WD) was obtained through the difference between potential and attainable yields, and that one caused by sub‐optimum crop management (YG_CM) by subtracting actual yield of each county, obtained from official statistics between 1989/90 and 2014/15 growing seasons, from the estimated attainable yield. The yield was simulated using four sowing dates, three soil types and two soya bean maturity groups by county. The reference yield uncertainty was quantified using yield reference from crop model and regional winners of the soya bean yield context, conducted by CESB (Brazilian Soybean Strategic Committee), for the growing seasons from 2013/14 to 2015/16. The crop model showed a good agreement between measured and simulated crop development and growth using calibration by maturity group, with low root mean square error (347 kg/ha). Southern sites had a mean YG_WD of 1,047 kg/ha, while in the Midwest, it was lower than 100 kg/ha. The YG_CM was 1,067, 528, 984 and 848 kg/ha, respectively, for Castro, PR, Mamborê, PR, Montividiu, GO and Primavera do Leste, MT, representing the opportunity for yield gain when having the best farmers as reference. The maturity groups, sowing dates and soil types showed to be an important source of uncertainty for yield gap determination, being recommended to investigate the farms in detail for an appropriate quantification. The reference yield showed expressive uncertainties, with some farmers presenting conditions to increase their soya bean yields by more than 3,000 kg/ha, when considering as reference the yields obtained by the winners’ farmers. These results show that uncertainties must be reduced when assessing farm yield gaps, in order to ensure that expected rate of soya bean yield growth could be reached by adopting the same technologies from CESB winners and best farmers in the county as a reference.     

武威市畜禽粪污土地承载潜力分析

为评估武威市畜禽养殖粪污土地承载潜力,本文按照以地定畜、种养平衡的原则,从畜禽粪污养分供给和土壤粪肥养分需求的角度出发,科学测算了武威市近三年畜禽粪污养分供给量和本区域植物粪肥养分需求量,分析武威市各县区畜禽粪污土地理论承载力和实际承载力差距,推算出潜在承载力,为政府决策、部门制定畜牧业发展规划提供依据。     

Using vibrational molecular spectroscopy to detect moist heating induced carbohydrates structure changes in cool-climate adapted barley grain

There is limited research to study how moist heating affects internal structure of barley grain on a molecular basis. The objectives of this study were to use vibrational molecular spectroscopy: 1) to determine the moist heating induced changes of barley carbohydrate (CHO) structure on a molecular basis, 2) to study the effects of moist heating on CHO chemical profiles, Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) subfractions, in situ rumen degradation, and predicted intestinal carbohydrate supply of barley grain; and 3) to reveal the association between molecular structure spectral features and CHO related metabolic characteristics. Barley samples (CDC cowboy) were collected from Kernen Crop Research Farm (Saskatoon, Canada) during two consecutive years. Half of each sample was kept as raw barley and the other half underwent moist heating (autoclaving at 120 °C for 60 min). The molecular spectroscopy (attenuated total reflectance-fourier transform infrared, ATR-FTIR) was used to detect the barley CHO related molecular structure spectral features. Moist heating did not affect carbohydrate related chemical profiles and CNCPS subfractions but it decreased rumen degradable carbohydrate. Rumen undegradable and intestinal digestion of CHO subfractions were not affected by moist heating. The advanced vibrational molecular spectroscopy can be used to detect carbohydrate molecular spectral features. Nutrient utilization prediction using molecular spectral characteristics is warranted and further investigation is encouraged.     

垄作稻鱼鸡共生对水稻群体生长特性及产量形成的影响

为了探究水稻垄作栽培和稻鱼鸡共生模式的结合对水稻群体生长特性及产量形成的影响，在总结前人垄作栽培、稻鱼和稻鸡共生模式的研究基础上，提出了水稻垄作栽培养鸡养鱼的种养结合技术，通过设计常规水稻垄作栽培(CK)、水稻垄作养鱼(RF)、水稻垄作养鸡(RC)和水稻垄作养鸡养鱼(RFC)的田间对比试验，研究了不同垄作稻鱼鸡共生模式下的水稻群体生长特性和产量形成。结果表明：与CK处理相比，2年中RFC和RC处理的水稻平均产量能够维持稳定，平均有效穗、每穗总粒数、结实率和千粒重虽有差异，但均未达到显著性差异；RF处理水稻产量、有效穗、每穗总粒数、结实率和千粒重平均降幅分别为29.98%、19.70%、484%、3.99%和5.74%，且均达到显著性水平。2年中RFC、RC处理的茎、叶和穗的干物质平均积累量与CK处理整体不存在显著差异，但较RF处理均显著增加。RFC、RC和CK处理水稻茎和叶在齐穗前干物质积累量显著高于RF处理，平均增幅分别为56.23%、50.66%和54.15%，齐穗后干物质积累量的降幅慢于RF处理，并且维持叶面积指数在较高水平，平均增幅为41.38%、38.35%和38.23%。2年中RFC、RC和CK处理较RF处理均具有较高的群体生长速率、净同化率和光合势，其中群体生长速率增幅分别为77.94%、70.29%和7669%，净同化率为40.07%、39.47%和38.87%，光合势为38.39%、35.49%和35.94%，进而为稻穗积累更多的干物质量和产量的形成奠定基础。综上可知，垄作稻鱼鸡共生和垄作稻鸡共生利于水稻的干物质积累及叶面积指数、群体生长速率、净同化率和光合势的提高，进而保证水稻产量稳定。     

基于离散元的柔性作物茎秆振动响应仿真

建立考虑柔性作物茎秆振动响应特性的动力学模型，对探索谷草分离机理、分析谷物分离过程和联合收获机参数优化具有重要意义。本文提出考虑柔性作物茎秆振动响应特性的动力学仿真模型，研究了作物茎秆的动力学响应特性。首先，给出了作物柔性茎秆的动力学模型和动力仿真方法；以成熟期小麦第3节间为例，测量了茎秆的内外径、单位质量密度和弹性模量等参数；对茎秆的横向弯曲振动和纵向拉伸振动进行仿真，研究茎秆的动力学响应特性，并与理论计算结果进行比较。通过仿真获得长度108mm、外径3.7mm、内径1.9mm、弹性模量5.27GPa的小麦茎秆的横向振动频率和纵向振动频率分别为164.28、7633.59Hz，与理论计算结果的相对误差分别为0.28%和0.12%。最后，通过谷草分离仿真实验，验证了柔性作物茎秆模型的实用性。     

Quantitative trait loci for fruit size and flowering time-related traits under domestication and diversifying selection in cucumber (Cucumis sativus)

In cucumber, the genetic basis of traits under domestication and/or diversifying selection is not well understood. Here, we reported QTL mapping for flowering time and fruit size-related traits with segregating populations derived from a cultivated × wild cross. Phenotypic data of flowering time (FT), fruit size (FS), fruit number (FN) and fruit weight per plant (FW) were collected in multiple environments. QTL analysis identified 19 QTL for these traits. We found that the major-effect QTL FT1.1 played an important role in regulating flowering time in cultivated cucumber, whereas the minor-effect QTL FT6.3 contributed to photoperiod sensitive flowering time during domestication. Two novel consensus FS QTL, FS1.4 and FS2.3, seem to be the targets of selection during breeding for the US processing cucumber. All other FS QTL were co-localized with previously detected QTL using populations derived from cultivated cucumbers, suggesting that they were under selection during both initial domestication and subsequent improvement. Results from this study also suggested that the wild cucumber is a useful resource for capturing positive transgressive segregation and novel alleles that could be explored in cucumber breeding.     

Influence of intra-row cruciferous surrogate weed growth on crop yield in organic spring cereals

In Northern Europe, inter-row hoeing has become a popular tactic for controlling weeds in organic cereals. Hoeing is highly effective and can be implemented from crop emergence until stem elongation to maintain a nearly weed-free inter-row zone. However, hoeing has a lesser effect on weeds growing in the intra-row zone, where crop–weed proximity results in heightened competition. In the hoed cereal system, it is investigated whether tall-growing, competitive, cruciferous weeds in the intra-row zone affect crop biomass, yield and thousand kernel weight (TKW). An additive experimental design is employed to enable the fitting of rectangular hyperbolas, describing and quantifying the effects of increasing intra-row surrogate weed density on crop growth parameters. Regressions were studied under the influence of crop (spring barley and spring wheat), row spacing (narrow [12.5 or 15.0 cm] and wide [25.0 cm]) and nitrogen rate (50 and 100 kg NH₄-N/ha). Cruciferous surrogate weeds were found to impact crop yield and quality severely. For example, ten intra-row plants/m² of surrogate weed Sinapis alba reduced grains yields by 7%–14% in spring barley and by 7%–32% in spring wheat with yield losses becoming markedly greater in wheat compared to barley as weed density increases. Compared to wheat, barley limited yield and quality losses and suppressed intra-row weed growth more. Row spacing did not have a consistent effect on crop or weed parameters; in one of six experiments, the 25 cm row spacing reduced yields and increased intra-row weed biomass in wheat. Nitrogen rate did not affect crop or weed parameters. Results warrant the implementation of additional tactics to control intra-row weeds and limit crop losses.     

基于多时相双极化SAR数据的作物种植面积提取

及时准确地获取农作物的空间分布信息和种植面积,在农业生产管理与农业政策的制定等斱面具有非常重要的作用。本文以多时相Sentinel-1A影像(4月17日、5月5日、6月16日、7月22日、8月27日、9月2日)为主要数据源,根据研究区作物的物候特征,提取棉花、玉米和果树在不同生长期的后向散射系数(Sigma)和归一化后向散射系数(Gamma)。通过对作物不同极化、不同时相后向散射系数的统计,建立散射特征时序变化曲线,幵分析其特征。利用人工神经网络(Artificial neural network)、支持向量机(Support vector machine)和随机森林(Random forest) 3种分类斱法对研究区的主要农作物迚行分类识别以及种植面积提取,幵对分类结果对比分析和验证。结果表明, 1)棉花的后向散射系数在6月现蕾期和7月开花期明显上升,8月仹达最高值,变化特征最明显,易与其他作物区分;玉米和果树的后向散射系数在9月仹与其他地物之间表现出显著差异。2)相较于神经网络和支持向量机,随机森林的分类效果最好,总体精度达88.97%。其中,对棉花和果园的分类精度为90.88%和93.17%,对玉米的分类效果最差,仅有71.6%。综上所述,多时相双极化SAR数据在不同类型作物的识别及面积提取斱面具有一定的应用潜力。