施氮量对弱筋小麦籽粒品质形成的影响

为明确施氮量对弱筋小麦籽粒产量与品质形成的影响,以弱筋小麦品种扬麦13和宁麦13为材料,设置不同施氮量（纯氮0、105、210和315 kg·hm^-2）处理,分析了施氮量对弱筋小麦籽粒蛋白质及其组分含量、淀粉粒度分布与黏度参数的影响。结果表明,两个弱筋小麦品种的籽粒蛋白质及其组分含量均随施氮量增加而增加;与醇溶蛋白相比,氮肥对谷蛋白含量的影响较大。当施氮量为105 kg·hm^-2时,小麦籽粒蛋白质含量分别为10.59%（扬麦13）、11.37%（宁麦13）,达到弱筋小麦标准要求;施氮量为210 kg·hm^-2时,两个小麦品种的蛋白质含量均超过12.5%。增施氮肥能有效提高弱筋小麦籽粒灌浆中后期谷氨酰胺合成酶（GS）活性。在施氮0~210 kg·hm^-2时,增施氮肥可提高B型（<10 μm）淀粉粒体积、表面积百分比,降低A型（>10 μm）淀粉粒体积、表面积百分比。施氮量对弱筋小麦B型、A型淀粉粒数目百分比无显著影响。淀粉峰值黏度、最终黏度在施氮0~210 kg·hm^-2范围内均随施氮量增加而增高。本试验条件下,要保证弱筋小麦籽粒品质和相对较高的产量,更为适宜的施氮量应在105~210 kg·hm^-2之间。     

施氮量对小麦籽粒灌浆的影响及其生理机制

为探明施氮量对小麦籽粒灌浆的影响及其生理机制,以当地高产小麦品种扬麦16和宁麦13为材料,设置120 kg·hm^-2(LN)、180 kg·hm^-2(MN)和240 kg·hm^-2(HN) 3个施氮量处理,分析了在不同施氮量下,强、弱势籽粒灌浆特征与籽粒中蔗糖-淀粉代谢途径中关键酶活性的变化。结果表明,两个小麦品种的籽粒产量随着施氮量的增加而增加,但在MN与HN处理间差异不显著。氮肥偏生产力随着氮肥用量的增加而显著降低。与LN处理相比,MN处理提高了扬麦16弱势粒中腺苷二磷酸葡萄糖焦磷酸化酶(AGPase)、可溶性淀粉合成酶(SSS)和淀粉分支酶(SBE)的活性、弱势粒灌浆速率和粒重;HN则降低了扬麦16弱势粒中被测酶的活性和粒重。宁麦13弱势粒中AGPase、SSS和SBE活性、弱势粒灌浆速率和粒重则随施氮量的增加而降低。施氮量对两个小麦品种强势粒中被测酶活性、籽粒灌浆速率和粒重无显著影响。以上结果说明施氮量主要是影响小麦弱势粒的灌浆,且在品种间存在差异;施用氮肥后弱势粒灌浆速率和粒重的增加或降低与籽粒中蔗糖-淀粉代谢途径中关键酶活性的增强或降低密切相关;在地力较好条件下,施氮量为180 kg·hm^-2时就可以获得高产与氮肥高效利用的效果。     

稻茬晚播小麦公顷产8000 kg高产群体特征及产量构成分析

为挖掘稻茬晚播小麦产量潜力,以春性中强筋小麦品种扬麦23为试验材料,设置不同密度、氮肥施用量及比例的处理,按实收产量高低划分为不同产量水平群体,研究了较适宜播期推迟10 d左右播种的晚播小麦8 000 kg·hm^-2高产群体的产量及其结构、品质和群体质量形成特征。结果表明,晚播条件下,扬麦23实现产量8 000 kg·hm^-2以上,要求穗数、穗粒数和千粒重分别为560×10·hm^-2以上、39.0~40.0 粒和38.0 g左右,总结实粒数在22 000×10 粒左右。群体特征主要表现：分蘖期和拔节期的茎蘖数分别为穗数的1.1~1.3倍和2.3~2.5倍,茎蘖成穗率40.0%左右;开花期干物质积累量为15 000 kg·hm^-2,成熟期为21 000 kg·hm^-2左右,花后干物质积累量>6 200 kg·hm^-2;孕穗期、开花期和乳熟期群体LAI分别在7.0、5.6和3.2左右,粒数叶比和粒重叶比分别为0.31~0.33 粒·cm^-2和11.5~11.8 mg·cm^-2;各时期具有较高的旗叶SPAD值,花后21 d旗叶SPAD值控制在43.0~47.0。8 000 kg·hm^-2高产群体具有较高的籽粒蛋白质含量以及湿面筋含量,使品质得到改善。本试验条件下,扬麦23晚播10 d适宜的栽培措施组合为种植密度270× 10株·hm^-2、施氮量225 kg·hm^-2、氮肥运筹5∶1∶2∶2或4∶2∶1∶3。     

小麦淀粉合成关键酶基因和相关蛋白表达对不同施磷量的响应

为深入研究磷素在小麦淀粉产量和品质形成过程中的作用,以新疆冬小麦主栽品种新冬20号为试验材料,研究0 kg·hm^-2（CK）、105 kg·hm^-2（LP）和210 kg·hm^-2（HP）3种施磷（P₂O₅）量对小麦籽粒灌浆特性、淀粉合成关键酶(AGPase和GBSS)活性和基因表达、胚乳可溶性蛋白和淀粉粒结合蛋白含量及谱带特征、胚乳微观特性等的影响。结果表明,籽粒灌浆后期磷肥对粒重的促进作用逐渐增强;低磷（LP）条件下, agp1、 agp2、 gbss1、 gbss2基因表达量显著提高;3个处理下AGPase活性的变化趋势基本一致;籽粒灌浆中期（14～21 d）,低磷处理的GBSS活性显著高于CK;不同磷处理对淀粉粒结合蛋白和胚乳可溶性蛋白含量的影响显著,但对蛋白谱带特征的影响较弱。扫描电镜结果显示,不同磷处理的胚乳淀粉粒形态未发生明显变化;与CK和高磷（HP）处理相比,低磷处理下籽粒胚乳横断面蛋白基质较少,淀粉粒与蛋白质结合较疏松。说明常规施磷（低磷）条件下,淀粉合成关键酶基因（agp和gbss）相对表达量提高或酶活性变化可影响籽粒淀粉合成及胚乳中蛋白与淀粉粒的嵌合度,并最终造成粒重的增加和淀粉特性的变化。     

氮肥运筹对稻茬小麦氮素转运、干物质积累、产量及品质的影响

为明确氮肥运筹对江淮地区稻茬小麦氮素转运、干物质积累、产量及品质的影响,选用当地主栽小麦品种扬麦20,在3种施氮量（180、225、270 kg·hm^-2 ）和3个氮素基追比例（6∶4、5∶5、4∶6）组合的氮肥运筹模式下,分析了施氮量和基追比例对氮素转运、干物质积累及其贡献率、产量和品质的影响。结果表明,施氮量和基追比例显著影响了小麦氮素在不同器官的分配比率、氮素利用率、氮收获指数、氮素转运效率、转运氮素对籽粒氮素的贡献率、干物质分配量和产量。在相同基追比例下,在施氮量180~270 kg·hm^-2范围内增施氮肥,成熟期籽粒干物质分配量、花后干物质积累量及其对籽粒产量的贡献率、产量呈现先升高后下降趋势,以施氮量225 kg·hm^-2处理最高,270 kg·hm^-2处理次之,180 kg·hm^-2处理最低;小麦蛋白质和湿面筋含量呈上升趋势。在相同施氮量下,小麦氮素利用率、成熟期籽粒干物质分配量、花后干物质积累量及产量以基追比例6∶4处理最高。在施氮量225 kg·hm^-2、基追比例6∶4时,氮素在成熟期籽粒中的分配比率、氮素利用率和氮收获指数高于其他组合,氮素转运效率、籽粒干物质分配量、花后干物质积累及其对籽粒产量贡献率和产量显著高于其他组合,且籽粒蛋白质含量、湿面筋含量和沉降值符合弱筋小麦标准。从提高产量和氮素利用效率两方面综合考虑,施氮量225 kg·hm^-2、基追比例6∶4可作为江淮稻麦轮作区域实现小麦高产优质的最佳氮肥运筹模式。     

施氮量对川西平原酿酒小麦原粮及其酿酒品质的影响

为明确施氮量对酿酒小麦原粮品质和酿酒品质的影响,以绵麦902和中科紫糯麦168（糯性）两个小麦品种为材料,设置6个施氮量（0、45、90、135、180、225 kg·hm^-2）,对小麦产量、原粮品质和酿酒品质进行了分析。结果表明：（1）两供试小麦品种的产量和有效穗数无显著差异;随施氮量增加,两品种的有效穗数、穗粒数及产量增加,均在施氮225 kg·hm^-2达最大值。（2）随施氮量增加,两个小麦品种的籽粒蛋白质、脂肪和灰分含量增加,均在135 kg·hm^-2处理下较高;淀粉含量和粉质率降低,绵麦902直链淀粉含量和直支比均以180 kg·hm^-2处理最高,分别为22.6%和0.641,支链淀粉含量以45 kg·hm^-2处理最高,为 42.6%;中科紫糯麦168直链淀粉含量和直支比均以45 kg·hm^-2处理最高,分别为3.9% 和0.058,支链淀粉含量以90 kg·hm^-2处理最高,为69.3%。（3）与中科紫糯麦168相比,绵麦902出酒率较高,总酸、总酯含量较低,增施氮肥显著降低总酸含量,显著增加总酯含量;施氮90~135 kg·hm^-2范围内两品种出酒率较高,总酸和总酯含量较协调;（4）相关分析表明,出酒率与直链淀粉含量和粉质率呈显著和极显著正相关,与脂肪含量呈极显著负相关;总酸含量与总淀粉、支链淀粉和脂肪含量呈显著正相关,与粉质率呈显著负相关;总酯含量与灰分含量呈显著负相关。本研究认为,绵麦902和中科紫糯麦168酿酒品质各具优势,绵麦902出酒率高,中科紫糯麦168具有更好的产酯特性;在90 ~135 kg·hm^-2施氮范围内,两品种蛋白质含量较适宜,总淀粉和支链淀粉含量较高,灰分含量高,脂肪含量适宜,出酒率和总酸含量也较高,是川西平原酿酒小麦较佳施氮量范围。     

磷素对小麦籽粒支链淀粉合成及其链长分布的影响

为探究不同磷水平对小麦籽粒支链淀粉合成与支链淀粉精细结构的影响。以新冬20号（南疆主栽）和新冬23号（北疆强筋面包小麦）为材料,研究了3种施磷(P₂O₅)量 0 kg·hm^-2（CK ）、105 kg·hm^-2（CP ）和210 kg·hm^-2（HP）对小麦籽粒支链淀粉合成相关酶基因表达、相关酶活性、籽粒支链淀粉含量、支链淀粉链长分布以及籽粒全磷含量的影响。结果表明,施磷显著提高了支链淀粉合成相关酶基因（ sbe1、 sbe2a、 sbe2b、 iso1）的表达量和籽粒支链淀粉含量。CP处理提高了支链淀粉B链段的比例,但降低了A链段的比例。两个参试小麦品种籽粒中支链淀粉合成关键酶的活性对磷素的敏感性不同,新冬 20号受磷水平影响较大。施磷提高了新冬20号胚乳中蔗糖合成酶（SS）活性和酶活高峰期的淀粉分支酶（SBE）活性,提前了新冬20号胚乳中淀粉去分支酶（DBE）活性峰值的出现时间。     

长期定位施氮条件下种植密度对冬小麦石4366品质和氮肥利用的影响

为探究长期施氮条件下种植密度对冬小麦品质特性和氮肥利用的调控作用,在长期定位试验的基础上,2020-2021年度采用裂区试验设计,主区为施氮量,设75 kg·hm^-2（N75）、150 kg·hm^-2（N150）、225 kg·hm^-2（N225）和300 kg·hm^-2（N300） 4个水平;副区为种植密度,设225×10⁴ 株·hm^-2（D225）、300×10⁴株·hm^-2（D300）、375×10⁴株·hm^-2（D375）、450×10⁴株·hm^-2（D450）和525×10⁴株·hm^-2（D525）5个水平;分析了不同施氮条件下种植密度对石4366产量、粉质特性、RVA特性、拉伸特性及氮肥利用率的影响。结果表明,不同施氮量和密度组合下籽粒产量和品质相关指标有较大差异,施氮量对氮肥农学效率和氮肥偏生产力有显著影响。小麦产量随着施氮量的升高而增加,施氮量225 kg·hm^-2、密度范围375×10⁴~525×10⁴株·hm^-2和施氮量300 kg·hm^-2、密度范围225×10⁴~450×10⁴株·hm^-2组合下均能获得较高产量。蛋白质含量、容重和湿面筋含量随着施氮量增加呈升高趋势;稳定时间和粉质质量指数随着施氮量增加呈先升高后降低的趋势,N225下粉质参数最高。小麦籽粒品质和面粉粉质指标均随种植密度的增加而增加。施氮量225 kg·hm^-2、密度525×10⁴株·hm^-2组合是小麦粉质指标最优组合。淀粉RVA参数在施氮量225 kg·hm^-2、密度225×10⁴株·hm^-2处理下最好。拉伸特性在施氮量225 kg·hm^-2、密度450×10⁴~525×10⁴株·hm^-2组合和施氮量300 kg·hm^-2、密度225×10⁴株·hm^-2组合下较好。氮肥农学效率和氮肥偏生产力在施氮量225 kg·hm^-2、密度375×10⁴~525×10⁴株·hm^-2组合下较高。综合籽粒产量、品质相关指标和氮肥利用效率的结果,本试验条件下,施氮量225 kg·hm^-2、种植密度450×10⁴~525×10⁴株·hm^-2可作为石4366高产、优质的较佳肥密组合。     

黄土高原旱地小麦长期施氮的效应

为了解黄土高原旱地小麦的长期施氮效应,以1984年以来开展的长期定位肥料试验为基础,在一定施磷量（39.3 kg·hm^-2）下,分析了长期不同施氮水平（0、45、90、135和180 kg·hm^-2）间小麦产量、氮素利用、养分累积和土壤氮素含量的差异。结果表明,长期施用氮肥对提高小麦产量仍有显著作用。氮肥利用率和利用效率均随着施氮量增加呈现显著降低的趋势,但施氮135 kg·hm^-2高于90 kg·hm^-2或二者差异不显著;施氮显著提高了小麦籽粒、秸秆和植株对氮、磷、钾的累积量,同时有利于养分在籽粒中的分配;土壤氮素累积量随施氮量增加呈现先升高后降低趋势,全氮和碱解氮含量均在施氮135 kg·hm^-2达到最高值或较高值。黄土高原地区小麦施氮135 kg·hm^-2时,可以获得较高产量,同时氮肥利用效率、籽粒中养分累积量及土壤残留氮量也较高,是该地区小麦氮素最适施用量。     

氮、硫肥配施对稻茬麦氮素利用及籽粒产量和品质的影响

为探讨稻茬小麦的氮硫肥施用技术,在水稻秸秆全量还田条件下设置0、195和270 kg·hm^-2 3个施氮水平和0、30和60 kg·hm^-23个施硫水平,研究氮、硫肥配施对小麦氮素吸收利用、籽粒产量和品质的影响。结果表明,随施氮量的增加,小麦穗数、穗粒数和产量均显著增加,面团形成时间和稳定时间延长,但施氮量达270 kg·hm^-2时氮肥农学效率和表观利用率显著下降,籽粒支链淀粉、清蛋白、醇溶蛋白和谷蛋白含量降低。增施硫肥可使籽粒产量显著增加,延长面团形成时间和稳定时间,并提高籽粒支链淀粉、谷蛋白和总蛋白含量。相比其他氮、硫肥组合处理,施氮195 kg·hm^-2配合施硫60 kg·hm^-2提高了总氮素积累量、氮肥农学效率和氮肥利用效率;该组合处理下籽粒产量比仅施氮270 kg·hm^-2处理提高了5.7%。此外,195 kg·hm^-2施氮量配施硫60 kg·hm^-2还提高了面团形成时间、稳定时间和蛋白各组分含量。这说明氮硫合理配施可提升小麦对氮素的吸收利用,起到提高籽粒产量、改善籽粒蛋白品质和粉质质量的作用;减氮条件下通过适量配施硫肥可作为小麦优质高效生产的栽培途径。     

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).