The use of infrared spectroscopy and machine learning tools for detection of Meloidogyne infestations

Plant parasitic nematodes are generally soilborne pathogens that attack plants and cause economic losses in many crops. The infested plants show nonspecific symptoms or, often, are symptomless; therefore, diagnosis is performed by taking soil and root tissue samples. Here, we show that a combination of different infrared spectra analysis and machine learning algorithms can be used to detect plant parasitic nematode infestations before symptoms become visible, using leaves instead of roots and soil as samples. We found that tomato and guava plants infested with Meloidogyne enterorlobii produced different spectral patterns compared to uninfested plants. Using partial spectra from 1,450 to 900/cm as the "fingerprint region", principal component analyses indicated that after 5 (tomatoes) or 8 weeks (guava), plants with no visible symptoms of infestations were positively diagnosed. To improve the early detection response, we used machine learning modelling. A support vector machine (SVM) was used to obtain more robust, accurate models. The SVM model contained 34 support vectors, 17 for each level. The overall performance of the model was >97% and the total accuracy was significantly higher, demonstrating the absence of chance prediction. The best prediction of infestation was obtained at the second and fourth weeks for tomatoes and guavas, respectively, reducing the diagnostic time by half. The combined application of these techniques reduces the processing time from field to laboratory and shows enormous advantages by avoiding root and soil sampling.     

Diversity,plant growth-promoting traits,and biocontrol potential of fungal endophytes of Sorghum bicolor

The diversity of fungal endophytes in Sorghum bicolor was investigated in samples collected from 10 different geographical regions of Karnataka state, India. A total of 360 endophytes were isolated from leaf, stem, and root tissues and were assigned to 26 fungal species based on morphology and molecular characterization using ITS sequences. All the endophytes belonged to the phylum Ascomycota. The diversity (Shannon H, 2.57; Simpson_1-D, 0.92) and species richness (Margalef's, 4.68; Menhinick, 3.61) were found to be higher for the endophytes isolated from leaf tissues. The species evenness of the endophytic assemblage was strongly influenced by tissue type, followed by geographical location. The biocontrol potential of isolated endophytes was evaluated against economically destructive sorghum grain mould pathogens such as Fusarium thapsinum, Epicoccum sorghinum, Alternaria alternata, and Curvularia lunata using the dual culture method. Biocontrol potential was exhibited by 26 endophytic isolates, of which Trichoderma asperellum recorded broad-spectrum activity against target pathogens, followed by E. nigrum and A. longipes. Most (82%) endophytes showed plant growth-promoting traits. Biosynthesis of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) was observed in 84% of isolates, and phosphate solubilization, siderophore production, and cellulase activity was observed in 69%, 23%, and 27% of isolates, respectively. Seeds treated with T. asperellum exhibited a significantly higher seed vigour index (2096), germination percentage (94%), and yield under greenhouse and field conditions. The results were substantiated by the confocal microscopy analysis, which clearly demonstrated the colonization of treated endophyte in root tissues. The present study reveals an ecofriendly approach to explore T. asperellum in sorghum disease management.     

达里诺尔湖湿地生态系统服务价值评价

生态系统服务功能是生态系统与生态过程所形成及所维持的人类赖以生存的自然环境条件与效用,对其服务价值进行货币化评价,可以推动自然资源可持续利用,促进区域生态环境保护。以达里诺尔湖湿地为研究对象,结合达里诺尔湖湿地生态系统的结构、特征及其生态过程特点,通过资料搜集与实地调研,运用资源经济学理论和方法,对达里诺尔湖湿地生态系统服务价值进行了划分。构建了达里诺尔湖湿地生态系统服务价值评价指标体系,并对其进行了价值评价。评价结果显示达里诺尔湖湿地的服务价值为93.70×10⁴万元,其中直接使用价值为2.19×10⁴万元,占比为2.36%,间接使用价值为91.51×10⁴万元,占比为97.66%。各项生态系统服务功能中以调节空气湿度价值最大,为82.76×10⁴万元,占总服务价值的88.32%。     

5种农药低空喷雾防治黄脊竹蝗成虫效果分析

为确定低空喷雾无公害药剂防治黄脊竹蝗成虫的林间最佳浓度水平和用药量，掌握低空喷雾施药技术，在福建省三明市三元区的毛竹林建立试验区，应用无人机开展低空喷雾防治试验。结果表明：药后7 d，5种农药的防治效果均超过90%，其林间最佳浓度水平（药剂与纯净水的体积比）为：1.5%苦参碱可溶液和1.2%烟碱·苦参碱乳油均为1：1 000；25%阿维·灭幼脲悬浮剂为1：700，1%苦参·藜芦碱可溶液和4%鱼藤酮乳油均为1：600，原药量用为900 mL/hm²。5种农药防治效果良好，可推广应用于防治黄脊竹蝗成虫。     

常见蜜源植物花卉开发利用研究进展

蜜源花卉是指供蜜蜂采集花蜜和花粉的花,其生物资源非常丰富。因其含有多种营养物质及生物活性物质,而具有药食两用性。目前我国对于蜜源花卉的开发利用并不广泛,以致多数蜜源花卉在农副产业中被当作废弃物,随着绿色科学的发展,人们逐渐意识到蜜源花卉具有广阔的开发价值。本文就常见的蜜源花卉研究进行综述,分析其主要成分、以及常用的分离纯化技术,旨在为蜜源花卉高效利用提供依据。     

植物生长调节剂、基质对三个品种费约果扦插生根的影响

选取五年生健壮费约果树为母株，采用L9(33)正交设计法研究植物生长调节剂、基质对三个品种费约果半木质化枝条扦插生根的影响。本试验结果表明：不同品种、植物生长调节剂和基质处理的生根的影响呈显著性水平。影响费约果扦插枝条生根率因素的主次顺序为品种>植物生长调节剂>基质；影响根长因素的主次顺序为基质>植物生长调节剂>品种；影响插穗根数的因素主次顺序品种>基质>植物生长调节剂。Gemini品种经1000 mg/L ABT浸泡两分钟，以腐叶土+珍珠岩为基质，生根效果最好，生根率为70.00%，平均根长为8.85 cm，平均根数为10.22条/穗；Unique品种经1000 mg/L ABT浸泡两分钟，以腐叶土+蛭石为基质，生根效果较好，生根率为56.67%，平均根长为9.32 cm，平均根数为12.33条/穗；Coolidge品种生根率低，均≤20 %。     

硅钙钾镁肥配施黄腐酸钾对土壤酶活性及桃幼树生长的影响

为探究硅钙钾镁肥配施黄腐酸钾对桃树生长的效应,以盆栽一年生瑞蟠21号毛桃(Amygdalus persica Linn.)为试验材料,设置3种不同施肥方式(T1:硅钙钾镁;T2:硅钙钾镁+黄腐酸钾;CK:空白对照),在桃幼树生长季进行追肥处理,研究硅钙钾镁肥及硅钙钾镁肥配施黄腐酸钾对土壤酶活性、土壤养分状况及桃幼树根系构型和植株生长的影响。结果表明,与CK相比,T1、T2均显著提高了桃幼树生长季各时期土壤酸性磷酸酶、脲酶和过氧化氢酶活性,以及土壤中碱解氮、有效磷、速效钾和有效硅等含量,且配施黄腐酸钾后作用更明显。与CK相比,T1、T2细根比重分别提高了11.2%和26.2%,根系活力分别提高了12.2%和18.1%,根系总长度分别增加了28.1%和61.9%,且有效延缓了根系衰老;T1、T2植株总干重分别提高了1.2倍和2.0倍,根冠比分别提高了9.4%和17.0%,且差异显著。与CK相比,T1、T2各器官中全氮、全磷、全钾含量均显著增加,地上部硅含量分别提高了61.3%和91.9%,地下部硅含量分别提高了62.3%和102.5%,且差异显著。同时,T1、T2桃幼树叶片叶绿素含量和净光合速率均显著提高。综上所述,硅钙钾镁肥可有效提高土壤酶活,促进桃幼树细根的生长,延缓根系衰老进程,增加氮、磷、钾、硅等营养元素积累量,提高叶片光合速率,促进植株生长;硅钙钾镁肥配施黄腐酸钾后,提高了土壤有效硅及植株硅含量,比单施硅钙钾镁肥效果更加显著。本研究结果为桃树合理施用硅钙钾镁肥提供了理论依据。     

Autochthonous halotolerant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria promote bacoside A yield of Bacopa monnieri (L.) Nash and phytoextraction of salt-affected soil

Phytoremediation is a promising approach for reclamation of salt-affected soil. Phytoextraction is the most commonly used process, which exploits plants to absorb, immobilize, and accumulate salt in their shoots. In this study, halotolerant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) were isolated from the rhizosphere of wild grasses growing naturally in salt-affected areas of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (India) and were tested for their efficacies of salt-tolerance and plant growth-promoting (PGP) abilities. Based on 16S rRNA sequences, the most efficient halotolerant isolates possessing PGP traits were identified as Pseudomonas plecoglossicida (KM233646), Acinetobacter calcoaceticus (KM233647), Bacillus flexus (KM233648), and Bacillus safensis (KM233652). Application of these isolates as bio-inoculants significantly (P < 0.05) increased the growth and bacoside A yield of a medicinal plant, Bacopa monnieri (L.) Nash, grown on natural salt-affected soil. The phytoremediation of salt-affected soil was evident by the substantial increase in shoot Na⁺:K⁺ ratio of bio-inoculant-treated plants. When compared to un-inoculated control plants, the soil physico-chemical properties of bio-inoculant-treated plants were improved. The shoot and root biomass (fresh and dry weights), soil enzymes, and soil nutrient parameters showed significant positive correlations with the shoot Na⁺:K⁺ ratio. Consequently, the halotolerant PGPR screened in this study could be useful for the reclamation of saline soils concomitant with improved plant growth and bacoside A yield.