A high seed yield and associated attributes of dry matter production achieved by recent Japanese soybean cultivars

Field experiments were carried out in 2014 and 2015 to characterize the associated attributes responsible for dry matter accumulation in high-yielding soybean. We attempted to create a high-yielding environment by introducing narrow-row planting at two planting densities, using a new cultivar ‘Hatsusayaka’ and a current leading cultivar ‘Sachiyutaka’ in an upland experimental field. Dry matter accumulation was assessed in terms of light interception and radiation use efficiency (RUE). Growth analysis was performed to evaluate the crop growth rate (CGR) and the contribution of the net assimilation rate (NAR) and mean leaf area index to CGR. Maximum soybean yields of 590 and 658 g m^?2 were obtained for Hatsusayaka and Sachiyutaka, respectively, in 2015 at the high planting density, with the corresponding maximum aboveground dry matter equaling 1463 and 1331 g m^?2 and maximum LAI equaling 8.5 and 7.6. Although cumulative intercepted solar radiation was lower than in previous studies, early canopy closure at around the beginning of the flowering stage and very high RUE (1.54 and 1.68 g MJ^?2 for Hatsusayaka and Sachiyutaka, respectively) contributed to the high dry matter accumulation. In contrast to the high yield in 2015, continuous excess soil moisture in early August 2014 may have inhibited nodule nitrogen fixation and decreased the nitrogen content, resulting in an extremely high specific leaf area and low leaf greenness, which agrees well with the low NAR during the corresponding period.     

Effect of polyphenols extracted from Tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) seed coat on physiological changes,heterophil/lymphocyte ratio,oxidative stress and body weight of broilers (Gallus domesticus) under chronic heat stress

The aim of this experiment was to determine the effect of polyphenols extracted from tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) seed coat on physiological changes, oxidative stress and production of male broilers maintained at high environmental temperatures. The results found that body temperature and respiratory rate of broilers maintained at 38 ± 2°C was higher than broilers maintained at 26 ± 2°C (P < 0.05). On day 1, the heterophil/ lymphocyte ratio of broilers maintained at 38 ± 2°C and received polyphenols at 300 and 400 mg/kg in diets was lower than broilers that received polyphenols at 0 and 200 mg/kg in diets (P < 0.05). At week 1, the malondialdehyde of the broilers maintained at 38 ± 2°C who received polyphenols at 400 mg/ kg in their diet was lower than broilers that received polyphenols at 100 and 200 mg/kg in diets (P < 0.05). At week 1, the body weights of broilers that were maintained at 38 ± 2°C who received polyphenols at 100–500 mg/ kg in diets, and broilers maintained at 26 ± 2°C were higher than that of the control group which had not been treated with a polyphenol diet (P < 0.05). This study indicated that polyphenols could reduce heat stress, oxidative stress and improve the growth rate of heat‐stressed broilers.     

Partial Purification of Thai Isolate of Citrus Huanglongbing (Greening) Bacterium and Antiserum Production for Serological Diagnosis

We aimed to improve the purification of citrus Huanglongbing (greening) bacterium (HB), Candidatus Liberobacter asiaticum and to produce an antiserum against HB. Periwinkle plants Catharantus roseum L. graft-inoculated with HB were used to produce an antiserum. All young leaves of new shoots incubated at 20–25°C and 25–30°C, a few mature leaves incubated at 20–25°C, and all mature leaves incubated first at 25–30°C and later transferred to 20–25°C developed yellowing symptoms and were then used to prepare immunogen. The HB was partially purified from these leaves by an improved method that included a macerating enzyme treatment of the midribs of infected leaves and homogenization of infected phloem sieve tissues. An antiserum raised against partially purified HB reacted clearly at a dilution of 1/16 with HB-infected citrus extract prepared at a concentration of 40 times, but did not react with healthy or tristeza virus-infected citrus extract in microprecipitin tests. Received 23 August 2002/ Accepted in revised form 4 December 2002     

Changes in radiation interception and R:FR over time and with canopy depth of two soybean cultivars with different branching characteristics

Because an outgrowth of auxiliary bud in plant is regulated by light quality detected by phytochrome, branching differences in various environment or cultivars in soybean would be the results of the responses to light environment. Therefore, we analyzed differences in the number of branches of two determinate soybean cultivars, ‘Hatsusayaka’ and ‘Sachiyutaka’, between low and high planting densities in relation to light quality within the canopy. We compared changes in the ratio of red to far red (R:FR) irradiance at the ground level over time and with canopy height with those in the fraction of intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (FIPAR) and leaf area index (LAI). Regardless of time or distance from the top of the canopy, the changes in R:FR were sigmoidal, and were symmetrical with those of FIPAR and LAI. The effects of density and cultivar on FIPAR, LAI, and R:FR could be modeled with a logistic function. The number of branches was greater at low density than at high density, and in Hatsusayaka than in Sachiyutaka. However, there were no notable differences in the dynamics of R:FR between planting densities or between cultivars. Close relationships between parameters of the dynamics of the changes in R:FR and of those in FIPAR and LAI suggest that FIPAR and LAI are major factors that regulate R:FR, regardless of time or canopy depth. We found no evidence of a causal relationship between the dynamics of R:FR within the canopy over time or with canopy depth and number of branches of either cultivar.