Performance evaluation of venturi aeration system

The venturi aeration is an effective practice to increase the dissolved oxygen accessibility in the water bodies. This study aims to optimize the various geometrical parameters of the venturi aeration system. A non-dimensional technique was applied to find the optimum performance of various geometric parameters i.e. throat lengths (t_l), number of air holes (N), and converging and diverging angles (α and β). These experiments have been carried out using 1124 L capacity of tank having dimensions of 105 cm long, 105 cm wide and 102 cm deep. The experiments were conducted at a constant flow velocity of water (1.096 m/s) with varying throat length (t_l = 20–100 mm keeping 20 mm as interval between two consecutive length), number of air holes (N = 1–17 at an equal hole to hole distance of 5 mm between them), and converging and diverging angles (α and β = 10°, 15°, 20° and 25°). Multiple non-linear regression equations were also developed from the linear relation with the dependent variable (Non-dimensional form of standard aeration efficiency, NDSAE) and independent variables (t_l and N). With the geometrically optimized venturi aerator the optimum performance was found for t_l =100 mm, N = 17, and α and β = 15°. The maximum value of standard oxygen transfer rate (SOTR) and standard aeration efficiency (SAE) obtained was 0.0216 kgO₂/h and 0.611 kgO₂/kWh respectively. From the non-dimensional study, it was found that the NDSAE is the function Reynolds number (Re) and Froude number (Fr). The simulation equations were developed on the basis of Re and Fr for NDSAE, and subjected to 7.378 × 10⁻⁶ < Re < 3.689 × 10^-5 and 0.163 < Fr < 0.817, respectively.     

水肥调控对滴灌马铃薯生长、品质及水肥利用的影响

研究生育期土壤水分下限调控和施肥对陕北榆林地区滴灌马铃薯生长、品质和水肥利用的影响,以期探寻马铃薯优质高产的水肥调控模式。以马铃薯紫花白为材料,分别在苗期、块茎形成期、块茎膨大期、淀粉积累期、成熟期设置3个土壤水分调控下限水平:W1(55%、60%、65%、55%、55%)、W2(65%、70%、75%、65%、65%)、W3(75%、80%、85%、75%、75%),4个施肥水平N-P_2O_5-K_2O (kg·hm~(-2))分别为F1(100-40-150 kg·hm~(-2))、F2(150-60-225 kg·hm~(-2))、F3(200-80-300 kg·hm~(-2))、F4(250-100-375 kg·hm~(-2)),共12个处理,在生育期内对马铃薯生长、产量及品质等指标进行观测,分析马铃薯各指标对水肥的响应机制。结果表明:(1)在同一施肥水平下,W2灌水处理的马铃薯生长、产量、品质、水肥利用效率(WUE)均显著高于W1和W3处理。W2处理的平均产量为43 187.15 kg·hm~(-2),比W1和W3分别增加了24.59%和5.26%,淀粉和维生素C含量分别增加了15.32%和6.37%,8.04%和4.66%,WUE分别增加了15.53%和7.54%,肥料偏生产力(PFP)分别增加了21.65%和4.41%。(2)在同一灌水水平下,F3施肥处理的马铃薯生长、产量、WUE均显著高于F1、F2和F4处理,淀粉含量和维生素C含量在F2处理最高。F3处理的平均产量为44 691.32 kg·hm~(-2),比F1、F2和F4处理分别增加了41.79%、10.98%和6.34%。WUE随施肥量的增加均呈抛物线变化趋势,PFP随施肥量增加呈减小趋势,F1处理的PFP平均为108.69 kg·kg~(-1),比F2、F3和F4处理分别显著增加了17.41%、41.06%和87.50%。(3)运用主成分分析法评价马铃薯品质表明,F3W2处理排名第一,是榆林地区马铃薯优质高产的最优水肥组合。     

施氮时期对葡萄叶片光合生理及内源激素水平的影响

以10 a生酿酒葡萄‘蛇龙珠’为试验材料，运用水肥一体化滴灌的方式分别在萌芽期（S1）、新梢旺长期（S2）、开花期（S3）、果实第一次膨大期（S4）和副梢生长旺期（S5）一次性施入300 kg·hm^-2尿素，对照为整个生育期均不施氮肥（CK），分别于花后50 d（DAF50）、花后85 d（DAF85）和花后120 d（DAF120）进行光合特性指标的测定，并采样分析氮肥施用时期对葡萄叶片光合生理及内源激素水平的影响。结果表明：各生育期施氮均能增加叶片净光合速率（Pn）及PSⅡ最大光化学效率（Fv/Fm），在花前施氮肥叶片Pn和Fv/Fm增加最为显著，最高分别达到18.22 μmol·m^-2·s^-1和0.854。S1、S2和S3处理显著增大了不同生育期叶片气孔导度（Gs）和蒸腾速率（Tr），且S2处理在DAF85时最显著，Gs和Tr分别比CK高18.5%和10.8%；S3、S4和S5处理显著降低了叶片的胞间CO₂浓度（Ci）和非光化学淬灭系数（NPQ），S1处理叶片Ci与CK之间无显著差异。果实第一次膨大期之前施入氮肥能够显著增大各生育期叶片的PSⅡ电子传递量子效率（ФPSⅡ）和光化学淬灭系数（qP），最高分别达到0.889和0.959。可见，不同时期施氮肥，通过改变光合荧光相关参数影响叶片光能的吸收、传递、耗散和分配，从而改善叶片光能利用效率。氮肥的施用时期影响各生育期叶片内源激素的含量，施氮肥均显著提高了DAF85后叶片玉米素（ZT）含量，与CK相比至少提高21.9%；花后施入氮肥叶片中IAA含量在果实采收时保持在34.9 μg·g^-1以上，S4和S2处理GA₃含量最高，分别为7.11 μg·g^-1和6.49 μg·g^-1。因此，氮肥施用时期影响葡萄各生育期不同内源激素的积累。     

不同氮效率型苜蓿氮素吸收差异与根系形态的关系及其对氮的响应

以高效型苜蓿（‘龙牧806’‘肇东苜蓿’）和低效型苜蓿（‘公农1号’‘陇东苜蓿’）为试验材料，采用营养液砂培法，在4个供氮量下（2.1，21，210和420 mg·L^-1），研究紫花苜蓿苗期氮素吸收、分配的氮效率型差异及其与根系形态之间的关系。结果表明高效型苜蓿品种的株高、地上生物量、根重、总根长和根体积均显著高于低效型品种（P<0.05）；供氮量较低时（2.1和21 mg·L^-1），高效型向根系分配了较大比例的氮素，而低效型则向地上部分配了较大比例的氮素，根系形态参数与总氮量呈显著正相关（P<0.05），且根重对氮素吸收的直接作用较大，直接通径系数是1.230和1.102。因此，在氮胁迫下，根系形态对氮吸收效率起重要作用，尤其是根系形态中的根重对其影响较大。     

Screening and identification of soybean varieties with high phosphorus efficiency at seedling stage

In order to simplify the workload and find a reliable method for screening soybeans with different phosphorus(P)efficiencies,47 soybean varieties were screened from 90 varieties according to yield under normal phosphorus,and 10 indicators including root phenotype,phosphorus utilization efficiency at the seedling stage and yield were measured.Through single-index cluster analysis,the performance value and relative value of the abovementioned indexes under low-phosphorus conditions were analyzed,and then,the combined indexes were analyzed by principal components method.The membership function method and the cluster analysis method was used to calculate and analyze the comprehensive score value.Three indexes of root P utilization efficiency(X₁),relative value of root P utilization efficiency(X₂),and root volume(X₃)under low P at the seedling stage were selected as the most consistent with the yield screening results under low P condition,and the mathematical model of the comprehensive score value was obtained:D=1.218X₁t 0.320X₂t 0.007X₃-0.664(P=0.000,R²=1.000).The comprehensive score can screen and identify the P efficiency of soybeans with fewer indexes in the early growth stages,which provides a more rapid and reliable mathematical model for screening and identifying a larger number of germplasm resources for P efficiency.     

农艺措施对谷子产量及抗倒伏力学性能的影响

【目的】明晰栽培条件互作对谷子叶片光合特性、茎秆生物力学性质指标的耦合影响,为运用谷子茎秆生物力学性质进行抗倒伏特性评价,为优化谷子种植栽培条件及抗倒伏优种筛选提供合理农艺措施和理论支持。【方法】采用裂区试验设计方法,主区选取4个在生产中具有代表性的谷子品种,副区为基于不同的播种密度与施肥量、播种密度与水分、水分与施肥量互作处理栽培条件,系统研究了栽培措施对谷子生长发育以及茎秆抗倒伏生物力学性质的影响。【结果】（1）除水分对谷子茎秆节平均直径影响不显著外,谷子品种、施肥量、播种密度及水分4个因素对谷子的产量、光合生理特性及茎秆形态特性均有极显著影响（P＜0.001）;（2）谷子的千粒重、产量均随施肥量和水分的增加而增加;随播种密度的增加,千粒重呈下降趋势,产量呈现先上升后下降趋势;谷子旗叶SPAD值及最大荧光值（Fm）开花期显著高于灌浆期,开花期旗叶SPAD值、灌浆期旗叶Fm可作为谷子育种的目标性状;（3）播种密度对谷子田间倒伏率的影响最大,其次是水分、品种,施肥量的影响最小;（4）谷子茎秆倒数第二节的抗拉倒力与株高、节平均长度及茎秆节含水率显著负相关,与节平均直径显著正相关。【结论】不同农艺措施互作栽培条件下,单因子对谷子的产量、植株光合生理特性及茎秆力学性能影响最大;选择优良品种、合理密植（≤70万株/hm²）、适当水肥是提升谷子籽粒品质、增加产量、减少田间倒伏率的有效措施。     

不同氮效率油菜种质苗期氮吸收转运与利用差异研究

氮效率研究是油菜营养性状遗传改良的前提,为探究不同氮效率油菜种质苗期氮吸收、转运和利用的异同,以2个氮效率差异油菜种质H6（氮高效）和L18（氮低效）为供试材料,利用水培营养液设置正常氮（CK）和低氮（LN）2个氮浓度处理,培养14d后检测植株氮含量,计算氮累积量、氮转运系数和氮利用效率。结果显示,不同氮浓度处理对油菜苗期氮的吸收、转运和利用效率影响的差异达到极显著水平（P＜0.01）。与CK相比,LN处理的油菜生物量、氮含量和氮累积量均显著降低,而氮利用效率和根冠比显著提高;氮高效油菜种质H6的生物量、氮累积量、氮转运系数和氮生理利用效率均显著大于氮低效种质L18,分别为L18的2.07、1.42、3.23和1.56倍。从氮的吸收、转运和利用3个方面探讨了低氮胁迫处理下油菜种质苗期氮效率差异的原因,对深入开展油菜氮高效机理研究及油菜品种氮效率改良具有一定的指导意义。     

Maize harvest index and water use efficiency can be improved by inhibition of gibberellin biosynthesis

Possibilities to improve maize harvest index and nutrient utilization efficiency by application of plant growth regulators were investigated. In container experiments, the effects of different growth regulators on the development of the maize (Zea mays L.) cultivars Pioneer 3906 and Fabregas were tested. Paclobutrazol (PAC) and chlorocholine chloride (CCC), two inhibitors of gibberellin biosynthesis, as well as gibberellic acid (GA₃) were applied at growth stage V5. Three weeks after application of PAC, shoot growth of both maize cultivars was strongly affected with a significant decrease in plant height in the PAC treatment by 44% and 36% for Pioneer 3906 and Fabregas, respectively. The growth‐retarded plants had higher leaf areas and reduced transpiration rates. The higher shoot growth after GA₃ application was accompanied by a reduction in leaf area and an increase in transpiration rate during 1 week before anthesis. CCC treatment showed no significant effects on plant height, leaf area and transpiration rate. The PAC‐treated cultivar Pioneer 3906 produced several cobs per plant, which were mainly barren at maturity. However, PAC application to Fabregas resulted in just one cob per plant with good kernel development and a grain yield, which was not significantly reduced in comparison with the control. With this similar grain yield in combination with a straw yield decrease of 32%, the harvest index was significantly improved by 12%. In addition, with PAC‐treated Fabregas plants, a 19% increased water use efficiency of the grain (WUE_grain) during the critical period of kernel setting was achieved. In this maize cultivar, CCC application also improved harvest index by 5%, but no effect on WUE_grain occurred. GA₃ treatment decreased harvest index of both maize cultivars, and it either reduced WUE_grain (Pioneer 3906) or showed no effect (Fabregas). Utilization efficiencies of N, P and K were not increased with growth regulator application, even in the PAC‐treated Fabregas plants with a significantly improved allocation of assimilates to the grain, mirrored by the higher harvest index. The results indicate that fertilizer applications must be adjusted to the reduced demand of growth‐retarded plants, most likely leading to higher nutrient utilization efficiencies.     

Straw mulching with fertilizer nitrogen: An approach for improving crop yield,soil nutrients and enzyme activities

Field experiments were conducted to study soil properties, soil enzymes activities, water use efficiency (WUE) and crop productivity after six years of soya bean straw mulching in the semi‐arid conditions of China. The experiment included four treatments: CK (Control), N (240 kg N ha^‐1), H (soya bean straw mulching at half rate 700 kg ha^‐1 with 240 kg N ha^‐1) and F (soya bean straw mulching at full rate 1,400 kg ha^‐1 with 240 kg N ha^‐1). Soil organic carbon (SOC), soil labile organic carbon (LOC), soil available N (AN), available P (AP) and enzyme activities were analysed after wheat harvesting in 2016 and 2017. Results show that straw amounts had positive effects on the soil fertility indices being higher for treatment F. The SOC, LOC, AN, AP and enzyme activities (i.e. saccharase, urease and alkaline phosphatase) were in the order of F > H > N > CK. High wheat grain yield and WUE were observed for F treatment. A total of six years mulching along with 240 kg ha^‐1 nitrogen fertilizer application is sufficient for wheat yield stability and improving soil properties except urease activities in the semi‐arid condition of China. However, the straw mulching amount should be further studied with minimum nitrogen fertilizer for an environment‐friendly and effective approach for improving the soil biological properties with adequate crop production on a sustainable basis in the semi‐arid region of China.     

Phenotypic plasticity of two invasive alien plant species inside a deciduous forest in a strict nature reserve in Italy

ABSTRACT

Invasive alien plant species (IAPs) represent one of the main biological threats to biodiversity worldwide. Information about their phenotypic plasticity are needed to increase awareness about their future invasive potential. A study about phenotypic plasticity in response to contrasting light regimes and its quantification by a plasticity index (PI) of two IAPs (Ailanthus altissima and Robinia pseudoacacia) inside a Strict Nature Reserve was conducted. R. pseudoacacia showed a 70% higher PI, with a strongly greater value at morphological leaf level, associated with a greater ability to survive and grow in forest understory, explaining its greater widespread. Otherwise, A. altissima showed its highest PI at physiological level, which was associated with the ability to colonize and grow in environments with high-light regimes. Based on these results, the conservative management has limited the presence of A. altissima by its lower ability to grow in forest understory. In fact, the small-scale gaps in the forest infrastructure, that could allow its recruitment, are originated only from the death of a single tree or small group of trees. Regarding R. pseudoacacia, it is critical to maintain this type of management because any disturbances resulting in large openings could further promote its presence inside the Reserve.