Time‐lapse monitoring of soil water content using electromagnetic conductivity imaging

The volumetric soil water content (θ) is fundamental to agriculture because its spatiotemporal variation in soil affects the growth of plants. Unfortunately, the universally accepted thermogravimetric method for estimating volumetric soil water content is very labour intensive and time‐consuming for use in field‐scale monitoring. Electromagnetic (EM) induction instruments have proven to be useful in mapping the spatiotemporal variation of θ. However, depth‐specific variation in θ, which is important for irrigation management, has been little explored. The objective of this study was to develop a relationship between θ and estimates of true electrical conductivity (σ) and to use this relationship to develop time‐lapse images of soil θ beneath a centre‐pivot irrigated alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) crop in San Jacinto, California, USA. We first measured the bulk apparent electrical conductivity (EC_a – mS/m) using a DUALEM‐421 over a period of 12 days after an irrigation event (i.e. days 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 12). We used EM4Soil to generate EM conductivity images (EMCIs). We used a physical model to estimate θ from σ, accounting for soil tortuosity and pore water salinity, with a cross‐validation RMSE of 0.04 cm³/cm³. Testing the scenario where no soil information is available, we used a three‐parameter exponential model to relate θ to σ and then to map θ along the transect on different days. The results allowed us to monitor the spatiotemporal variations of θ across the surveyed area, over the 12‐day period. In this regard, we were able to map the soil close to field capacity (0.27 cm³/cm³) and approaching permanent wilting point (0.03 cm³/cm³). The time‐lapse θ monitoring approach, developed using EMCI, has implications for soil and water use and management and will potentially allow farmers and consultants to identify inefficiencies in water application rates and use. It can also be used as a research tool to potentially assist precision irrigation practices and to test the efficacy of different methods of irrigation in terms of water delivery and efficiency in water use in near real time.     

Utilizing a DUALEM‐421 and inversion modelling to map baseline soil salinity along toposequences in the Hunter Valley Wine district

In the oldest commercial wine district of Australia, the Hunter Valley, there is the threat of soil salinization because marine sediments underlie the area. To understand the risk requires information about the spatial distribution of soil properties. Electromagnetic (EM) induction instruments have been used to identify and map the spatial variation of average soil salinity to a certain depth. However, soils vary with depth dependent on soil forming factors. We collected data from a single‐frequency and multiple‐coil DUALEM‐421 along a toposequence. We inverted this data using EM4Soil software and evaluated the resultant 2‐dimensional model of true electrical conductivity (σ – mS/m) with depth against electrical conductivity of saturated soil pastes (EC_p – dS/m). Using a fitted linear regression (LR) model calibration approach and by varying the forward model (cumulative function‐CF and full solution‐FS), inversion algorithm (S1 and S2), damping factor (λ) and number of arrays, we determined a suitable electromagnetic conductivity image (EMCI), which was optimal (R² = 0.82) when using the full solution, S2, λ = 3.6 and all six coil arrays. We conducted an uncertainty analysis of the LR model used to estimate the electrical conductivity of the saturated soil‐paste extract (EC_e – dS/m). Our interpretation based on estimates of EC_e suggests the approach can identify differences in salinity, how these vary with parent material and how topography influences salt distribution. The results provide information leading to insights into how soil forming factors and agricultural practices influence salinity down a toposequence and how this can guide soil management practices.     

A novel combined recirculating treatment system for intensive marine aquaculture

This study established a pilot‐scale recirculating treatment system that coupled an ecological process with a biological process to achieve adequate water quality and to minimize the water consumption for intensive marine culture. The recirculating treatment system consisted of a settling cell, a biofilter tank, a bivalve tank and gravel beds. The toxic pollutants, threatening the growth of bivalves, were reduced by the settling cell and the biofilter tank, so that the polyculture of shrimp and bivalves could be achieved. The living bivalve tank could function well as a remover of remaining small suspended solids (SS), and other pollutants. As the SS was reduced to a very low level by bivalve tank before the water flowing into the gravel beds, the risk of clogging was prevented. The studies suggested that the system maintained high removal efficiencies of SS, ammonium nitrogen () and nitrite nitrogen () and could contribute to the increase in shrimp yield.     

Structural and optical properties of cellulose nanocrystals isolated from the fruit shell of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Camellia oleifera</Emphasis> Abel

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) with high aspect ratio of 80 have been readily prepared from the inexpensive fruit shell of Camellia oleifera Abel (SCOA) for the first time. In this study, SOCA was consecutively subjected to alkali extraction, hydrogen peroxide bleaching and acid hydrolysis to remove non-cellulosic components and release CNC. The derived CNC possesses a needle-shaped structure that in average diameter and length of 6±2 nm and 500±100 nm, respectively. The crystallinity index of CNC increased to 72 % and the initial decomposition temperature raised to 230 oC. The obtained CNC was formed to nanopaper by vacuum filtration showing high visible light transmittance over 90 %. Thus SOCA derived CNC is of great practical potential to apply in the field of biomedicine, energy, packing, etc. Overall, this study is anticipated to offer new possibility for the CNC production from the inexpensive but abundant agricultural wastes.     

Growth performance and whole‐body composition of yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco Richardson) under feeding restriction

Fish growth is an important index in aquaculture practice. However, the effect of growth under restricted feeding on quality of fish grown to the same size remains poorly unknown. In this study, yellow catfish were reared by feeding them at three different feeding rates such as low (FR‐L group), medium (FR‐M group) and high (apparent satiation) ration levels for 82, 58 and 34 days to reach the same size, respectively. After this period, the growth performance, whole‐body amino acid composition and fatty acid profile of the fish were evaluated. Feeding restriction led to significant decreases in specific growth rate and feed conversion efficiency. Significant increases in dry matter, protein and energy contents were observed in fish under both restricted feeding treatments. FR‐L‐treated fish had significantly lower whole‐body essential amino acid contents, and significantly higher Ala and non‐essential amino acid contents compared to fish fed to satiation. Fish in restricted feeding treatments had significantly higher n‐3 PUFA and n‐3/n‐6 ratio compared to the fish fed to satiation. The present results indicate that from a quality perspective, there are certain advantages in improvement of whole‐body composition and enrichment of n‐3 PUFA associated with the restricted feeding of yellow catfish at slow growth rate.     

种植方式对水稻产量及根系性状的影响

2011—2012年在湖南长沙以超级杂交稻Y两优1号、杂交稻汕优63和常规稻黄华占为材料的大田定位试验,比较了垄作梯式栽培技术(两种垄规格)和垄厢栽培技术(3种厢规格)对水稻产量和根系性状的影响。与平作栽培(T0)相比,窄垄作梯式栽培(T1)和垄厢栽培(T3)均可提高水稻产量,其中以T1的产量最高,比T0平均增产22.2%(17.1%～27.2%),其次T3平均增产10.4%(5.8%～15.0%),但随着垄宽或厢宽的增加,产量增幅逐渐下降。较高的穗数和每穗粒数、良好的根系特性(根系氧化力、根表面吸收面积、根系孔隙度)以及齐穗后干物质积累量大是上述两种栽培技术增产的重要原因。同时,根解剖结构表明垄作梯式栽培的根皮层减小、中柱和导管面积增大,增强了水分吸收能力。     

煮熟和干燥处理对黄藤笋抗氧化活性的影响

通过测定黄藤熟笋、生笋(鲜切笋)、熟笋干和生笋干的水和4种不同浓度乙醇提取物中的自由基清除能力、总还原能力、总多酚含量和总黄酮含量,研究了煮熟、干燥加工方法对黄藤笋提取物抗氧化活性的影响。结果表明,煮熟处理能保持或提高提取物的抗氧化活性,干燥处理则相反。乙醇提取物比水提取物具有更高的抗氧化活性,以50%~75%的乙醇提取溶剂效果最好。熟笋在所有溶剂中的自由基清除能力、总还原能力、总多酚含量和总黄酮含量均表现出最高水平,表明煮熟是黄藤笋适宜的加工利用方式。     

terraGIS – a web GIS for delivery of digital soil maps in cotton‐growing areas of Australia

Effective management of soil requires the spatial distribution of its various physical, chemical and hydrological properties. This is because properties, for example clay content, determine the ability of soil to hold cations and retain water. However, data acquisition is labour intensive and time‐consuming. To add value to the limited soil data, remote sensing (e.g. airborne gamma‐ray spectrometry) and proximal sensing, such as electromagnetic (EM) induction, are being used as ancillary data. Here, we provide examples of developing Digital Soil Maps (DSM) of soil physical, chemical and hydrological properties, for seven cotton‐growing areas of southeastern Australia, by coupling soil data with remote and proximal sensed ancillary data. A greater challenge is how to get these DSM to a stakeholder in a way that is useful for practical soil use and management. This study describes how we facilitate access to the DSMs, using a simple‐to‐use web GIS platform, called terraGIS. The platform is underpinned by Google Maps API, which is an open‐source development environment for building spatially enabled Internet applications. In conclusion, we consider that terraGIS and the supporting information, available on the sister web page ( http://www.terragis.bees.unsw.edu.au/ ), allow easy access to explanation of DSM of soil properties, which are relevant to cotton growers, farm managers, consultants, extension staff, researchers, state and federal government agency personnel and policy analysts. Future work should be aimed at developing error budget maps to identify where additional soil and/or ancillary data is required to improve the accuracy of the DSMs.     

Stability analysis of seven agronomic traits for soybean [(Glycine max (L.) Merr.] Tokachi nagaha and its derived cultivars using the AMMI model

The stabilities of seven agronomic traits were analyzed and the general stabilities of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] accessions were evaluated based on the additive main effects and multiplicative interactions (AMMI) model using the founder parent Tokachi nagaha and 137 of its derived cultivars as materials. The objective was to provide a theoretical basis for effectively using germplasm in soybean breeding and production. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that genotype, environment, and genotype by environment interactions were significantly different for each trait. The first three interaction principal components axes (IPCA) were highly significant, accounting for 61.28–70.00% of the total variation. The stability differed for the different traits. 50 cultivars with high general stabilities were identified. The general stability of Tokachi nagaha was moderate, as the stability coefficients (D_i) of its seven traits were relatively high; this must be considered by breeders using this cultivar as a breeding parent. There were significant positive correlations between the phenotypic values and their own D_i values for number of branches per plant, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per plant, and seed weight per plant. This would lead to the expectation that the phenotypic stability would be lower when a cultivar had more branches, pods, seeds, and high per plant yields. Thus, it appears difficult to breed cultivars that simultaneously have high yields and high stability.