Compressive strength of Super Soft wheat endosperm

Wheat endosperm texture (hardness) largely determines end-product suitability. Since its development 25 years ago, the single kernel classification system (SKCS, a mechanical instrument that measures, among other properties, the force imparted on a kernel during crushing) has been used in breeding programs to differentiate soft wheats from hard wheats. Nominally, these have a soft to hard SKCS hardness index (HI) range of 25–75 (dimensionless units). However, in recent years, breeders have developed extremely soft (‘Super Soft’) lines having SKCS HI < 0. Until now, these very low SKCS HIs have not been corroborated with traditional methodologies that characterize mechanical strength. Herein, we report on the relationships between SKCS HI and three compressive strength properties (maximum stress, Young's modulus, and work) in Super Soft wheat. With respective correlation coefficients of 0.76, 0.66, and 0.75, we have found that the relationships between SKCS HI and compressive strength agree with prior research involving ordinary soft and hard wheats.     

我国部分省份秸秆利用情况调查

为了解我国秸秆资源利用情况,通过实地考察、问卷、走访等形式,对我国部分省份的秸秆品种、产量及其利用情况进行了调查。结果表明:在调查的省份内,农民因为受到时间、经济等因素的影响,焚烧和废弃是处理秸秆的首选方法。农民愿意接受新能源,促进秸秆再利用。我国秸秆利用途径不多,方法陈旧。受调查人员中有96.6%对秸秆新能源利用持支持态度,80%受调查人员希望能综合利用秸秆,减少环境污染。最后综合调查结果提出合理利用秸秆的建议。     

Energy Productivity Potential Assessment of Saccharum spontaneum L.Germplasm Resources

[Objective]The energy productivity potential of Saccharum spontaneum L.germplasm resources as energy plants was discussed in this paper.[Method]The energy productivity potential of Saccharum spontaneum L.germplasm resources collected from the wild was assessed from the aspects of cellulose,semicellulose,lignin and crude ash contents and caloric value.[Result]The total content of cellulose and semicellulose ranged from 41.75%to 69.13%,the lignin content ranged from 2.16%to 11.75%,the crude ash content ranged from 4.79%to 9.34%and the caloric value ranged from 16.00 to 17.69 MJ/kg among the 30 Saccharum spontaneum L.germplasms.Compared to other plants,Saccharum spontaneum L.had higher contents of cellulose and semicellulose,a higher caloric value but lower contents of lignin and crude ash.[Conclusion]From the perspective of producing fuel ethanol with lignocellulose,Saccharum spontaneum L.has a great potential for development as an energy plant.     

Optimisation of fertiliser rates in crop production against energy use indicators

Optimising mineral nitrogen (N) use in crop production is inevitable target as mineral fertilisers reflect one of the highest inputs both in terms of economy and energy. The aim of the study was to compare the relationship between the rate of N fertiliser application and different measures of energy parameters exemplary data for spring-wheat in boreal climate condition in Estonia in 2006–2010. The effect of mineral N with rates 0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 kg N ha⁻¹ was studied on the background of composted cow manure and without organic fertilisers. Univalent parameters, energy gain (EG) (energy output − energy input) and energy ratio (ER) (energy output/energy input) were calculated. To aggregate parameters with different units (ER and EG) we proposed two standardisation approaches for combined indices. ER maximisation gave both organic fertilisation background optimum N norms significantly lower than EG (p < 0.05) optimisation. Both the new combined indices gave optimum N norms in between the rate of ER an EG. Composted cow manure background did not affect mineral N optimisation significantly. We suggest optimisation of mineral N according to bi-dimensional parameters as they capture important features of production efficiency and are more objective using as advisory tool for sustainable production systems.     

甘蔗抗虫机制的研究进展

甘蔗是重要的糖料作物也是潜在的能源作物,而甘蔗的生长过程中长期受到各种虫害威胁。目前用于防治甘蔗害虫主要是通过化学防治和生物防治,带来的害虫耐药性和环境安全问题不容忽视。选育和利用抗虫品种,挖掘甘蔗自身抗虫特性是目前公认的最根本、经济有效和对环境影响最少的办法。笔者首先介绍了不同甘蔗品种对甘蔗螟虫的抗性等级,再从甘蔗的物理抗性和生理生化抗性2个方面阐述甘蔗的抗虫原理,并重点介绍了甘蔗的诱导型生理生化防御体系。全文还就目前甘蔗抗虫研究现状提出建议和展望,以期为培育甘蔗抗性品种以及蔗田害虫综合治理提供参考。     

Effect of Partial Replacement of Steam Rolled Corn With Soybean Hulls or Prickly Pear Cactus in the Horse's Diet in the Presence of Live Saccharomyces cerevisiae on In Vitro Fecal Gas Production

The aim of the study was to evaluate the fecal fermentation of partial replacing steam rolled corn with soybean hulls (SH) or prickly pear cactus (PC) as energy source in horse diets, in the presence of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Steam rolled corn was replaced with SH at 0% (control), 7.5% (SH75), and 15% (SH150) in the first trial, whereas it was replaced with PC at 0% (control; the same of the first trial), 7.5% (PC75), and 15% (PC150) in the second trial. Yeast of S. cerevisiae was added at 0, 2, and 4 mg/g dry matter (DM) of incubated substrates. Fecal inoculum was obtained from four adult English Thoroughbred horses fed on an amount of commercial concentrate and oat hay ad libitum. Interactions observed between PC rations and yeast doses for the asymptotic gas production (GP), the rate of GP and carbon dioxide (CO₂) production during some incubation hours. Moreover, with no effect due to SH rations (P > .05), increased (P < .05) rate of GP was observed with the ration PC75 compared with other rations. Besides, PC75 and PC150 rations with 0 mg yeast/g DM linearly decreased (P < .05) CO₂ production at some incubation hours. However, SH75 and SH150 ration had increased (P = .005) DM degradability (DMD). Yeast addition at 2 mg/g DM increased the asymptotic GP (P = .048) with the SH75 and PC150 rations. The level of 4 mg yeast/g DM increased the asymptotic GP (P = .048) from the SH150 ration. Yeast addition at 2 and 4 mg/g DM increased (P < .05) ​the asymptotic GP from PC75 and PC150 rations, respectively, with increasing DMD with the both doses. Yeast addition increased (P < .05) CO₂ production from SH75, SH150, PC75, and PC150 rations. It could be concluded that SH and PC can replace steam rolled corn at levels of 7.5% to 15% without negative effect of fermentation kinetics and with better fermentation performance in the presence of yeast at 2 mg/g DM of substrates.     

Detection and Pharmacokinetics of Etoricoxib in Thoroughbred Horses

Etoricoxib, a selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2, is used in the treatment of many inflammatory diseases and dental pain in humans. The aim of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics and metabolism of etoricoxib in horses. Six horses weighing an average of 475 ± 25 kg were administered a single oral dose of etoricoxib at 1 mg/kg body weight. The results show that the drug reached a maximum concentration of 505.2 ± 67.8 ng/mL in 48 minutes after administration. The elimination half-life was calculated to be 10.20 ± 1.30 hours. Mass spectrometric analysis confirmed that etoricoxib is metabolized in horses via the oxidation of its 6′-methyl group to form a hydroxyl methyl etoricoxib which can further be oxidized to form either an acid or be glucuronidated. In addition, the 1′-N terminal of 6′-hydroxymethyl metabolite is oxidized to form the corresponding 1′-N oxide metabolite. The present results have clearly demonstrated that etoricoxib is mainly excreted in urine as metabolites. From these data, it is also possible to postulate a detection time for the metabolites which in turn can assist in the control of illegal use of the drug in horse racing.     

日光温室冬季基质加温效果及对番茄生长和品质的影响

采用控温电伴热加热系统对根系直接进行加温，设置基质加热温度分别为22、28、34 ℃，研究不同加热温度下根系温度场的分布以及对无土栽培番茄生长和品质的影响。结果表明，当使用椰糠作基质时，22、28、34 ℃的加热温度可在夜间使基质内中心位置平均温度分别提高到22.4、29.8、35.2 ℃； 与不加温对照相比，22 ℃和28 ℃加温处理能显著提高番茄单株产量，株高、茎粗、叶片数、根系干质量和鲜质量以及可溶性糖、可溶性固形物、可溶性蛋白、可滴定酸等品质指标显著提高；22 ℃加温处理中番茄植株的单株能耗为11.33 kWh，明显低于28 ℃处理的14.86 kWh，节能效果最优。