甘蔗新品种巴西45号试验结果初报

巴西45号于1993年从巴西引进，经广西甘蔗研究所2年室内外检疫，未发现检疫性病害。广西甘蔗研究所于1995－2000年大田新植5次、宿根3次试验结果表明：巴西45号平均蔗茎产量（93660kg/hm^2)较对照品种桂糖11号（79650kg/hm^2)增产14010kg/hm^2，增幅19．59％；10月至次年1月平均蔗糖分（14．18％）较桂糖11号（13．66％）高0．52％（绝对值）。3年区域品比试验结果表明，巴西45号平均蔗茎产量（89955kg/hm^2)较桂糖11号（76410kg/hm^2)高13545kg/hm^2，增幅17．70％，平均蔗糖分（14．08％）较桂糖11号（13．93％）高0．15％（绝对值）。2001年12月该品种经广西农作物品种委员会审定通过，命名为桂引4号。     

江苏棉花形成"小、壮、高"栽培新体系

“九五”以来，江苏棉花生产随着科技进步有了较大的发展。虽然年度间受市场供求关系的影响，棉花种植面积变化较大，但单产却有了大幅度的提高。全省“九五”棉花平均单产为1090.5kg/hm^2，比“八五”平均888．0kg/hm^2提高了22．8％，单产稳定在1050kg/hm^2的水平上。“十五”前两年棉花单产又分别取得1200kg/hm^2和1165．5kg/hm^2好成缋，其中植棉大市盐城133．3kg/hm^2棉花单产在这两年分别达到了1431kg/hm^2和1447kg/hm^2。从趋势可以预测，随着新技术的应用和“小、壮、高”栽培体系的发展完善，江苏棉花单产将稳步踏上1200kg/hm^2的台阶。     

青稞新品系87—9—5的选育

青稞新品系87－9－5是甘南农科所1987年用83A－19－1为母本，肚里黄为父本组配合杂交、南繁北育、系统选育而成。1992年参加品种（系）比较试验，平均产量5500.5kg/hm^2，较对照品种肚里黄和长芒青稞平均增产48．4％；1993－1995年参加甘南州青稞联合区试，平均产量3727．5kg/hm^2，较对照甘青一号增产13．9％，居第2位。差异极显著；1996－1999年多点生产示范中平均产量4294kg/hm^2，较对照品种增产25．38％。该品系生育期110－115d，株高84－116cm，穗长 6．9－9．4cm，穗粒数44－52粒，千粒重42．1－48．8g。籽粒粗蛋白含量11．2％，赖氨酸0．49％，淀偻6．26％。表现早熟，抗倒伏，穗大、粒多，穗脖坚韧，落黄好，较抗大麦条纹病。     

高产高油抗病油葵杂交种晋葵5号的选育

晋葵5号是以雄性不育系76202－3A为母本，恢复系902－11R为父本组配选育而成，该杂交种抗旱、耐盐碱、耐瘠薄、耐菌核病能力强，含油率达51．44％，品种鉴定平均产量3823．5kg/hm^2，比对照品种汾葵杂3号增产13．9％，生产示范平均产量2056．5kg/hm^2，比对照品种晋葵2号增产17．0％，适宜高寒山区春播及麦茬复播。     

黑龙江省高产红麻品种筛选与配套栽培技术研究

本文以国内最新品种在黑龙江双城进行品比试验和配套栽培试验。结果表明：H305杂种麻干茎16222．5kg/hm^2最高，中红麻11号14550．0kg／hm^2居二，7804为14347．5kg／hm^2第三。H305较7804等其他品种增产显著或极显著。播期表明：共同趋势是随播期提早而增产，7804和H305杂种麻于4月底播种比5月初播种，分别增产19．0％、9．0％。肥料与密度试验以每hm^2施N150kg、K2O150kg，产量较高，比高肥区施N225kg、K2O225kg、P2O575kg，增产干茎1410kg／hm^2。     

水稻强化栽培适宜密度探讨

进行水稻强化栽培不同栽植密度试验，结果表明：稀植有利于水稻个体生长优势的发挥。随着栽植密度的减少，单株分蘖数、成穗率提高，单穗总粒数增加，纹枯病减轻。不同栽植密度对强化栽培水稻的单产有明显的影响，密度过低或过高，均不利于实现高产。单产以每公顷栽植12万丛（穴）为最高，达10050kg／hm^2，分别比7．5万丛／11m^2、21万丛／hm^2．25．5万丛／hm^2增产11％、11％和19．4％，达到极显著差异水平。     

水稻土施用不同氮、硫水平对油菜产量的影响

浙东平原水稻土油菜田间试验施用不同氮、硫水平的结果显示：（1）油菜籽产量随氮肥用量的增大而增加，施N（50－200kg/hm^)不施硫肥条件下，增产幅度为2．0％－11．8％，施N和施S（30kg/hm^2)条件下，增产幅度为2．4％－12．7％。（2）不同施氮水平下，施硫增产油菜籽5．4％－6．9％。（3）油菜氮吸收量随施氮量的增加而呈增加趋势，低氮水平下施用硫肥促进油菜氮吸收量加大。（4）不同施氮水平的产投比为1．5－4．3，施用硫肥的产投比达5．2－6．7，氮硫配施可提高施用氮肥的产投比。     

钾肥和专用肥对马铃薯产量及品质的影响

采用催芽覆膜栽植早熟品种马铃薯，施钾肥有明显的增产增收效果，增产21．3％，增收18．5％。马铃薯6月上中旬收获后，可复种水稻，这是一种高产高效栽培模式。马铃薯施KCl对其品质无不良影响，比施K2SO4节省成本240元／hm^2。研制的马铃薯专用肥，在施750kg／hm^2情况下，比普通型复合肥增产增收。     

低芥酸杂交油菜渝杂18的选育

低芥酸杂交油菜渝杂18由西南农业大学采用化学杀雄方法育成，品比试验产量1950－2715kg/hm^2；重庆市区域试验平均产量1946kg/hm^2，比对照品种中油821增产2．21％，生产试验平均产量2139kg/hm^2；比对照中油821增产22．3％。渝杂18商品种子含油量39．97％，芥酸含量0．62％。1998年通过重庆市农作物品种审定委员会审定。     

甘蓝型双低杂交油菜新品种苏优3号的选育

苏优3号为甘蓝型油菜细胞质雄性不育（CMS）杂交新品种，不育系为宁A3（MI CMS)，恢复系为3075R。苏优3号综合性状好，抗（耐）病性强，成熟期早，品质优良，在1996－1998年度江苏省油菜新品种区域试验中，平均产量2553．30kg/hm^2,比对照秦油2号增产16．81％，在1999－2001年度国家油菜品种区域试验中，平均产量2686．80kg/hm^2，比对照中油821增产11．6％，苏优3号芥酸含量0．42％，硫甙含量25．87umol/g，种子含油率43．46％。     

Comparative Assessment of the Efficacy of Various Nitrogen Fertilizers

Summary

The efficiency of N fertilizers is usually poor; often less than 50% of the applied N is taken up by the crop. This review focuses on various N fertilizers with respect to the significance of different N loss pathways, namely (i) ammonia volatilization, (ii) dinitrogen and nitrogen oxide emissions, and (iii) nitrate leaching. Further, the significance of biological N immobilization, ammonium fixation and, finally, the impact of nitrate vs. ammonium uptake on crop yield are also discussed. The reviewed literature shows that N fertilizers may differ markedly in their susceptibility to losses. There is, however, considerable scope to improve N efficiency of each N source by proper N management practices.     

Studies on natural repellents against potato tuber moth (Phthorimaea operculella Zeller) in country stores

Summary The effects of the leaves of five plant species, one from each of the generaAmbrosia, Anemone, Eupatorium, Eucalyptus andLantana, on potato tuber moth were investigated under indigenous storage conditions at the Central Potato Research Station, Shillong (1800 m above sea level). Their action was compared with that of a biological insecticide (spores ofBacillus thuringiensis), a chemical insecticide (carbaryl), and an untreated control. The data collected after six months storage on tuber damage, sprout damage and the rotting indicated that the leaves ofLantana aculeata provided most protection to the tubers, reducing damage from over 70% in the check to below 5%, and sprout damage from over 45% to below 3%. Next best wasEucalyptus globulus followed byB. thuringiensis. They may be used on tubers stored for table use or for seed as they had no adverse effect on germination or on the yield of a subsequent crop.     

Novel food and non-food uses for sorghum and millets

Sorghum and millets have considerable potential in foods and beverages. As they are gluten-free they are suitable for coeliacs. Sorghum is also a potentially important source of nutraceuticals such antioxidant phenolics and cholesterol-lowering waxes. Cakes, cookies, pasta, a parboiled rice-like product and snack foods have been successfully produced from sorghum and, in some cases, millets. Wheat-free sorghum or millet bread remains the main challenge. Additives such as native and pre-gelatinised starches, hydrocolloids, fat, egg and rye pentosans improve bread quality. However, specific volumes are lower than those for wheat bread or gluten-free breads based on pure starches, and in many cases, breads tend to stale faster. Lager and stout beers with sorghum are brewed commercially. Sorghum's high-starch gelatinisation temperature and low beta-amylase activity remain problems with regard to complete substitution of barley malt with sorghum malt . The role of the sorghum endosperm matrix protein and cell wall components in limiting extract is a research focus. Brewing with millets is still at an experimental stage. Sorghum could be important for bioethanol and other bio-industrial products. Bioethanol research has focused on improving the economics of the process through cultivar selection, method development for low-quality grain and pre-processing to recover valuable by-products. Potential by-products such as the kafirin prolamin proteins and the pericarp wax have potential as bioplastic films and coatings for foods, primarily due to their hydrophobicity.     

In vitro antimicrobial activity of different accessions ofSolanum commersonii Dun. from Uruguay

Summary The in vitro antimicrobial activity of extracts from accessions ofSolanum commersonii Dun. collected in the south of Uruguay was investigated against five microorganisms including the pathogenRalstonia solanacearum. A total of 30 extracts corresponding to organic and aqueous extracts were studied. Interestingly, most of the positive results for growth inhibition were againstR. solanacearum. The extracts were also analyzed for the presence of glycoalkaloids and lectins. Six of the ten aqueous extracts showed lectin presence and a wide variation in the type and amounts of glycoalkaloids, was found. Results indicate that there is no clear relationship between the antimicrobial activity against the five microorganisms screened and the presence or amounts of lectins and glycoalkaloids, traditionally regarded as possible antimicrobial metabolites in theSolanum genus, which indicates the presence of as yet unidentified antimicrobial compounds.     

Extreme resistance to infection by potato virus X in genotypes of wild tuber-bearingSolanum species

Summary Clones derived from thirty-one different accessions (nineteen of Argentine origin) belonging to eightSolanum species were screened for resistance to infection by potato virus X strain cp (PVX cp) by mechanical inoculation of plantlets that had been micropropagated in vitro. Estimates of PVX multiplication obtained by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and slot blot nucleic acid hybridization allowed the identification of resistant clones derived from five accessions belonging toS. commersonii S. oplocense, S. sparsipilum andS. tuberosum andigena. Resistant genotypes supported PVX concentrations 5 to 15 times smaller than did the susceptible control cultivar Spunta. Graft inoculation test confirmed the presence of extreme resistance similar to that conferred by the ‘immunity’ gene X¹ (also called RX_act).     

Cyanobacteria Secondary Metabolites as Biotechnological Ingredients in Natural Anti-Aging Cosmetics: Potential to Overcome Hyperpigmentation,Loss of Skin Density and UV Radiation-Deleterious Effects

The loss of density and elasticity, the appearance of wrinkles and hyperpigmentation are among the first noticeable signs of skin aging. Beyond UV radiation and oxidative stress, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) assume a preponderant role in the process, since their deregulation results in the degradation of most extracellular matrix components. In this survey, four cyanobacteria strains were explored for their capacity to produce secondary metabolites with biotechnological potential for use in anti-aging formulations. Leptolyngbya boryana LEGE 15486 and Cephalothrix lacustris LEGE 15493 from freshwater ecosystems, and Leptolyngbya cf. ectocarpi LEGE 11479 and Nodosilinea nodulosa LEGE 06104 from marine habitats were sequentially extracted with acetone and water, and extracts were analyzed for their toxicity in cell lines with key roles in the skin context (HaCAT, 3T3L1, and hCMEC). The non-toxic extracts were chemically characterized in terms of proteins, carotenoids, phenols, and chlorophyll a, and their anti-aging potential was explored through their ability to scavenge the physiological free radical superoxide anion radical (O₂^•−), to reduce the activity of the MMPs elastase and hyaluronidase, to inhibit tyrosinase and thus avoid melanin production, and to block UV-B radiation (sun protection factor, SPF). Leptolyngbya species stood out for anti-aging purposes: L. boryana LEGE 15486 presented a remarkable SPF of 19 (at 200 µg/mL), being among the best species regarding O₂^•− scavenging, (IC₅₀ = 99.50 µg/mL) and also being able to inhibit tyrosinase (IC₂₅ = 784 µg/mL), proving to be promising against UV-induced skin-aging; L. ectocarpi LEGE 11479 was more efficient in inhibiting MMPs (hyaluronidase, IC₅₀ = 863 µg/mL; elastase, IC₅₀ = 391 µg/mL), thus being the choice to retard dermal density loss. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the data allowed the grouping of extracts into three groups, according to their chemical composition; the correlation of carotenoids and chlorophyll a with MMPs activity (p < 0.01), O₂^•− scavenging with phenolic compounds (p < 0.01), and phycocyanin and allophycocyanin with SPF, pointing to these compounds in particular as responsible for UV-B blockage. This original survey explores, for the first time, the biotechnological potential of these cyanobacteria strains in the field of skin aging, demonstrating the promising, innovative, and multifactorial nature of these microorganisms.     

Marine Pharmacology in 2009–2011: Marine Compounds with Antibacterial,Antidiabetic, Antifungal,Anti-Inflammatory,Antiprotozoal, Antituberculosis,and Antiviral Activities; Affecting the Immune and Nervous Systems,and other Miscellaneous Mechanisms of Action ?

The peer-reviewed marine pharmacology literature from 2009 to 2011 is presented in this review, following the format used in the 1998–2008 reviews of this series. The pharmacology of structurally-characterized compounds isolated from marine animals, algae, fungi and bacteria is discussed in a comprehensive manner. Antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antituberculosis, and antiviral pharmacological activities were reported for 102 marine natural products. Additionally, 60 marine compounds were observed to affect the immune and nervous system as well as possess antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory effects. Finally, 68 marine metabolites were shown to interact with a variety of receptors and molecular targets, and thus will probably contribute to multiple pharmacological classes upon further mechanism of action studies. Marine pharmacology during 2009–2011 remained a global enterprise, with researchers from 35 countries, and the United States, contributing to the preclinical pharmacology of 262 marine compounds which are part of the preclinical pharmaceutical pipeline. Continued pharmacological research with marine natural products will contribute to enhance the marine pharmaceutical clinical pipeline, which in 2013 consisted of 17 marine natural products, analogs or derivatives targeting a limited number of disease categories.     

Recent Modifications of Chitosan for Adsorption Applications: A Critical and Systematic Review

Chitosan is considered to be one of the most promising and applicable materials in adsorption applications. The existence of amino and hydroxyl groups in its molecules contributes to many possible adsorption interactions between chitosan and pollutants (dyes, metals, ions, phenols, pharmaceuticals/drugs, pesticides, herbicides, etc.). These functional groups can help in establishing positions for modification. Based on the learning from previously published works in literature, researchers have achieved a modification of chitosan with a number of different functional groups. This work summarizes the published works of the last three years (2012–2014) regarding the modification reactions of chitosans (grafting, cross-linking, etc.) and their application to adsorption of different environmental pollutants (in liquid-phase).