甜菜种植密度试验

通过试验和调查研究，明确了内蒙古达拉特旗原料区甜菜纸筒育苗移栽的适宜种植密度为64442-67340株／hm^2，产量达到67t／hm^2以上，产糖量达10．876-12．51t／hm^2；比密植和稀植分别提高含糖率0．5度和1．04度；产糖量分别提高13．5％和8．4％。     

甜菜新品种中甜205的选育

中甜205(原代号9017)是以2个二倍体多粒型有粉系按2：1比例配制的杂交组合，该品种1997-2000年参加全国甜菜品种区域试验和生产试验，平均根产量分别为39365kg／hm^2和51782kg／hm^2，分剐比当地对照品种提高6．8％和12．2％；平均含糖率为15．7％和16．5％，比当地对照品种提高1.2度和0．3度；平均产糖量为6227．9kg／hm^2和8371．2kg／hm^2，比当地对照品种提高17．6％和14．3％。抗褐斑病性强，平均褐斑病病情为1．0级，在病区一般比当地对照品种低1．5级左右；较耐根腐病。适宜在黑龙江的哈尔滨、嫩江、佳木斯地区，吉林西部，内蒙古的中部，山西大同地区，新疆的石河子、和静等地区种植。     

甘蔗新品种云蔗92-19的选育

甘蔗新品种云蔗92—19为中大茎、早熟高糖、丰产性强；萌芽势强、萌芽率高，出苗整齐，蔗苗健壮，分蘖中等；长势强。拔节早。蔗茎均匀粗壮直立，单茎重实，成茎率高，脱叶性较好，有效茎75000株／hm^2左右。平均产量100．2t／hm^2，比CK，（ROC10）和CK2（桂糖11号）分别增产9.3％和4．4％；平均蔗糖分15．24％，比CK1和CK2分别高0．98和1．01个百分点。其中，11月份蔗糖分14．13％，较二对照高1.7-1．98个百分点；平均含糖量15．6t／hm^2，分别比CK，和CK：高18．2％和13．0％。该品种适应性广，高抗黑穗病和嵌纹病。适宜于中等肥力的旱坡地、水肥条件较好的水浇地及水田种植。该品种于2004年10月通过了云南省作物品种审定委员会审定。     

甜菜新品种甜研206的选育

甜研206(原代号95802)是以7个二倍体多粒型有粉系按5：5：4：2：2：2：1比例配制的多系杂交组合，该品种1999—2001年参加黑龙江省甜菜品种区域试验和生产试验，平均根产量分别为37622．2kg/hm^2和39430．2kg/hm^2，分别比统一对照品种甜研303提高13．7％和10．9％，平均含糖率为17．30％和17．47％，比统一对照品种甜研303提高0．57度和0．52度，平均产核量为6527．0kg/hm2和6897．6kg／hm^2，比统一对照品种甜研303提高17．4％和14．4％。抗褐斑病性强，平均褐斑病病情为0．62级，比对照品种低0．75级，较耐根腐病和丛根病。适宜在黑龙江省的哈尔滨市郊、讷河、依安、拜泉、友谊、宁安等地区种植。     

杂交油菜新品种——亚科28

亚科28是湖南亚华种业科学研究院利用甘蓝型油菜细胞质雄性不育系亚36A与恢复系H7-1配制而成的半冬性甘蓝型杂交油菜中熟组合。2001～2004年参加湖南省区试，平均产量2296．5kg／hm^2，比对照湘油13号增产9．2％。2003～2004年度在安乡点生产试验中平均产量2805kg／hm^2，比对照增产15．4％；在津市点2580kg／hm^2，比对照增产25．1％；     

杂交水稻高效栽培技术初步研究

通过播种期、密度、施肥方法等辅助试验，初步摸索出杂交稻以直播、适当稀植、一次性施肥为核心内容的高效栽培技术。不同栽培技术对比试验表明，高效栽培比SRI产量高0．9t/hm^2，增产10．14％，成本相当，利润高1078．5元/hm^2；比双季稻常规栽培产量低1．78t/hm^2，低15．40％，但节省成本4965元/hm^2，利润高3541．5元／hm^2、投资效率高效栽培为104．3％，比SRI高21．9个百分点，比双季稻高85．2个百分点。     

甜菜品种瑞马(RIMA)引种鉴定

2000年包头华资实业股份有限公司由荷兰引进单粒二倍体甜菜杂交种瑞马(RIMA)，在2002～2003年的内蒙古自治区甜菜品种区域试验(抗丛组)中，平均根产量、含糖率和产糖量分别为58182．0kg／hm^2、14．77％和8575．8kg／hm^2，分别比对照提高216．5％、0．44度和238．2％；在2003年的生产试验中，根产量为71329．5kg／hm^2．含糖率为14．53％，病情指数为16。2004年通过内蒙古自治区农作物品种审定委员会审定。     

双低三系杂交油菜秦优8号选育

秦优8号为甘蓝型油菜细胞质雄性不育三系中早熟杂交种。陕西省区试平均产量为3036．5kg／hm^2,生产试验平均产量为2845．7kg／hm^2,比对照秦油2号增产4．20％。2002年参加黄淮区油菜区试平均产量2542．0kg／hm^2,比对照秦油2号增产3．02％。品质优良,芥酸含量0．27％～0．44％,硫甙含量21．41～24．64μmol／g,含油率39．9％～40．9％。     

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。     

低脂肪高产出口型花生新品种花育17号选育

花育17号系山东省花生研究所以鲁花9号作母本，79266作父本，杂交育成的低脂肪出口型花生新品种。经检测，脂肪含量44．6％，比一般大花生低5个百分点，内在和外观品质符合普通型传统出口大花生标准。在山东省区试中平均荚果产量3961．5kg／hm^2，比对照鲁花11号增产12．5％；全国北方区区试中平均荚果产量3766．9kg／hm^2，比对照鲁花9号增产14．8％。1999年和2001年分别通过山东省和全国农作物品种审定委员会审定。2000年获国家科技攻关农作物新品种后补助。     

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.     

Mineral composition of some traditional Mexican teas

Teas of plant origin traditionally consumed by the Mountain Pima of Chihuahua, Mexico, were analyzed for mineral nutritional content. Fe, Cu, Zn, Ca, and Mg composition was determined for native teas made from shoots ofTagetes lucida, T. filifolia, Elytraria imbricata, andHolodiscus dumosus, and from root xylem ofCeanothus depressus andPhaseolus ritensis. Native uses of these teas are also described.     

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.