Phenological and physiological evaluation of first and second cropping periods of sorghum and maize crops

Environmental conditions influence phenology and physiological processes of plants. It is common for maize and sorghum to be sown at two different periods: the first cropping (spring/summer) and the second cropping (autumn/winter). The phenological cycle of these crops varies greatly according to the planting season, and it is necessary to characterize the growth and development to facilitate the selection of the species best adapted to the environment. The aim of this study was to characterize phenological phases and physiological parameters in sorghum and maize plants as a function of environmental conditions from the first cropping and second cropping periods. Two parallel experiments were conducted with both crops. The phenological characterization was based on growth analyses (plant height, leaf area and photoassimilate partitioning) and gas exchange evaluations (net assimilation rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration and water-use efficiency). It was found that the vegetative stage (VS) for sorghum and maize plants was 7 and 21 days, respectively, longer when cultivated during the second cropping. In the first cropping, the plants were taller than in the second cropping, regardless of the crop. The stomatal conductance of sorghum plants fluctuated in the second cropping during the development period, while maize plants showed decreasing linear behaviour. Water-use efficiency in sorghum plants was higher during the second cropping compared with the first cropping. In maize plants, in the second cropping, the water-use efficiency showed a slight variation in relation to the first cropping. It was concluded that the environmental conditions as degree-days, temperature, photoperiod and pluvial precipitation influence the phenology and physiology of both crops during the first and the second cropping periods, specifically cycle duration, plant height, leaf area, net assimilation rate, stomatal conductance and water-use efficiency, indicating that both crops respond differentially to environmental changes during the growing season.     

称重式降水传感器与翻斗雨量传感器测雨性能对比分析

为了观测降水数据的准确性,选取了南通市4个台站2018年4月—10月份的DCS1型称重式降水传感器和SL3-1型翻斗雨量传感器观测的降水数据,分析两者观测的日降水量和降水总量等方面的差异。结果显示：在选取的观测样本中,以人工观测的降雨日数为参考,称重传感器的平均一致率为91.2%;以翻斗传感器观测的降雨日为参考,称重传感器的一致率为94.5%。称重传感器观测的累积降水量与翻斗传感器观测的累积降水量相对平均误差为-1.55%,符合中国气象局规定的相对误差不超过±4%的规范要求。在分析日降水量方面,发现称重传感器比翻斗传感器观测量平均偏小0.29 mm;有明显性降水时,两者在日降水量等级判别上基本一致。称重传感器观测的数据小于翻斗传感器观测的数据概率要高,两种传感器观测的差值分布较为一致。称重传感器在捕捉微量降水的能力不比翻斗传感器差,甚至更好。称重传感器观测的日降水量与翻斗传感器观测的日降水量相关系数为0.99826,达到0.01显著相关的水平。     

厚皮甜瓜新品种红宝玉的选育

红宝玉是以10R15 为母本、10R8 为父本选育而成的中熟厚皮甜瓜一代杂种。植株长势稳健，抗病抗逆性强。全生育期95～110 d（天），果实发育期30～35 d（天）。果实短椭圆形，成熟后果面乳白色，单果质量约1.5 kg，果肉橘红色，肉厚3.5～4.0 cm，腔小不发酵，中心可溶性固形物含量17.5%，肉质紧脆，不脱蒂，耐贮耐运。平均每667 m²产量3 600 kg 左右。适宜在山东、河北、陕西、安徽等地春季保护地设施栽培。     

Up-regulation of miR-181a attenuates releases of CSE-induced pro-inflammatory factors and expression of collagen IV,fibronectin and α-SMA in human bronchial epithelial cells

AIM: To investigate the effect and potential mechanism of microRNA-181a (miR-181a) on cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-induced the productions of pro-inflammatory factors and the expression of collagen IV, fibronectin and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs). METHODS: CSE-induced miR-181a expression was detected by RT-qPCR in the HBECs. After tansfected with miR-181a mimic, the releases of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6 and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) were measured by ELISA, the protein expression of collagen IV, fibronectin and α-SMA was determined by Western blot. The activation of NF-κB/TGF-β1/Smad3 pathway was also evaluated by Western blot. RESULTS: CSE increased the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and TGF-β1 and the expression of collagen IV, fibronectin and α-SMA, and decreased the expression of miR-181a in the HBECs (P<0.05). However, transfected with miR-181a mimic partially prevented the releases of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and TGF-β1, and inhibited the expression of collagen IV, fibronectin and α-SMA (P<0.05). Additionally, the activation of NF-κB/TGF-β1/Smad3 evoked by CSE was attenuated after transfected with miR-181a mimic. CONCLUSION: Up-regulation of miR-181a prevents the releases of CSE-induced pro-inflammatory factors and expression of collagen IV, fibronectin and α-SMA in the HBECs, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of NF-κB/TGF-β1/Smad3 pathway.     

Effect of miR-29b-mediated TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway on progression of hepatic fibrosis in rats

AIM: To investigate the role of microRNA-29b (miR-29b)-mediated TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway in the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and its effect on the progression of hepatic fibrosis in rats.METHODS: Hepatic liver fibrosis rat model was established, and its HSC were isolated. Normal rat HSC were also obtained and identified in vitro. RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the alterations of miR-29b, TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway-related proteins and liver fibrosis marker proteins in the acquired cells. Finally, the direct targeting binding of miR-29b to TGF-β1 was identified by dual-luciferase reporter assay system.RESULTS: With the activation of HSC, the expression of miR-29b gradually decreased (P<0.01), while the expression of collagen type I and α-smooth muscle actin gradually increased (P<0.01). At the same time, the expression of Smad2/3/4 was significantly increased, and the expression of Smad7 was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-29b bound directly to "UCUCUCCGU" in the 3'UTR of TGF-β1, indicating that TGF-β1 was a downstream target gene of miR-29b.CONCLUSION: miR-29b may be involved in the inhibition of HSC activation and migration, thereby inhibiting the process of liver fibrosis. The biological function of miR-29b may be through the direct targeting of TGF-β1, thus regulating and inhibiting the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway.     

Associations between morphometric variables and weight and yields carcass in Pirapitinga Piaractus brachypomus

The objective of this work was to evaluate the association between morphometric variables and carcass characteristics in Pirapitinga. We used a thousand specimens of Pirapitinga with an average weight of 1,200 g, which were stunned, slaughtered, weighed, measured, and processed for morphometric and processing yield analysis, to obtain weights, carcass and fillet yields. Initially, the linearity of the variables was verified. Pearson's simple and partial correlation tests were performed between all metrics. Track analysis was performed considering the weights and yields of carcass and filet as dependent variables and the others as independent variables. Ridge regression models were used to eliminate the effects of multicollinearity among the independent variables. Observations showed that the simple correlations between body weights and yields were superior to the partial ones in terms of magnitude. The length and circumference of the specimens were the measures most linearly associated with weight, carcass weight and fillet with rib weight. As for carcass yield and fillet yield, linear correlation coefficients were low and not significant when associated with body weights. With the path analysis, we could observe significant positive correlations between the morphometric measurements for weight, carcass weight and fillet with rib weight. The standard length, body circumference and body circumference/body height ratio are the most correlated. The latter are the most important variables in the evaluation of body weights in Pirapitinga fish. They can serve as criteria for indirect selection in searching for fish with better carcass characteristics. As for fillet and carcass yields, the morphometric variables have not shown to be efficient for indirect selection.     

豫北山区“粮—草—羊”高效平衡养羊模式现状

从粮食作物、经济作物及饲草的种植,饲草料的加工调制与利用,全舍饲肉羊的养殖及杂交繁育,以及羊粪尿的资源化利用等方面介绍了豫北山区“粮—草—羊”高效平衡养羊模式发展现状,以期为促进豫北山区资源可持续利用、山区生态环境良性循环和社会经济可持续发展提供思路。     

Analysis and Assessment on Heavy Metal Contamination in Cotton Seeds of Hunan Province

[Objective] In order to guarantee the quality and safety of cotton products and to explore the feasibility of alternative planting, the contamination condition of the heavy metals in cotton seeds in Hunan province was investigated and evaluated. [Method] Fifty-six cotton seed samples, collected in 6 counties of Hunan province, were collected to determine 6 indicators including cadmium, lead, copper, chromium, mercury and inorganic arsenic contents. This was followed by pollution index calculation, correlation analysis, and cluster analysis. [Results] The range of comprehensive pollution indexes of Junshan district, Anxiang county, Nanxian county, Wangcheng and Dingcheng districts varied between 0.366 5–0.577 0, which belonged to a secure level. However, the single pollution indexes of Hengyang county are relatively high. The comprehensive pollution index of Hengyang county was 0.801 6, meaning a mild pollution level. [Conclusion] The pollution status of cadmium, lead, copper, chromium, mercury and arsenic in Hunan cottonseed samples are generally acceptable. Cotton could be a substitute for rice on contaminated soil.     

Molecular identification of blast resistance genes in rice landraces from northeastern India

Rice blast disease caused by the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae is one of the most devastating diseases causing huge losses worldwide. In the present study, major blast resistance genes were investigated in landraces originating from northeastern India. Based on phenotypic evaluation, 288 landraces were classified into three distinct groups: resistant (75), moderately resistant (127) and susceptible (86). The genetic frequencies of the 18 major blast resistance genes were between 6.2% and 27.4%, with only two genotypes possessing a maximum of nine blast resistance genes. The cluster and population structure analysis grouped the landraces into two groups. Through principal coordinate analysis, the scatter plots partitioned the resistant and moderately resistant landraces into different groups. Analysis of molecular variance showed maximum (96%) diversity within populations and least (4%) diversity between populations. Association analysis identified six markers, CRG4_2, RM72, tk59-2, pi21_79-3, RM1233 and RM6648, that are significantly associated with blast disease and explained a phenotypic variance of 1.1–6.5%. The associated genes could be used in marker-assisted rice breeding programmes for gene pyramiding to develop rice varietal resistance against blast disease. The present study represents a valuable blast resistance genetic resource that could be used for identification of new R genes, donors for blast resistance, and genomic studies.     

基于空间分析的黑龙江稻瘟病重点发生区域识别

黑龙江是北方重要稻作区,稻瘟病是影响水稻产量的主要病害之一。依据稻瘟病测报调查规范,基于近5年黑龙江稻瘟病乡村监测点调查数据,利用空间分析技术的方法,分析黑龙江稻瘟病重点发生区县和核心发生区域,提取稻瘟病重点发生乡村监测点。结果表明,近5年黑龙江稻瘟病发病面积占调查面积的7.3%,发病等级以1级为主,整体发生较轻,稻瘟病重点发生区域主要分布在松花江上游地区哈尔滨市的阿城、尚志、方正、延寿、通河、依兰沿线和松花江下游三江平原地区佳木斯市的富锦、同江一带,以及嫩江流域大庆市的肇源县和齐齐哈尔市的讷河市以及呼兰河流域绥化市北林区,并提取了98个叶瘟和47个穗颈瘟重点监测点。上述结果为黑龙江稻瘟病调查监测区域和监测点的布局优化提供了重要依据,为稻瘟病测报防控工作提供重要的支撑。