玉米品种更替过程中品种群体整齐度的变化

选用1950~2010年具有代表性的11个品种,设置4个种植密度,测定株高、穗位高、果穗长、穗粗、穗行数、行粒数指标的整齐度。结果表明,随着品种的更替,株高、穗位高、穗长、穗粗、穗行数、行粒数的整齐度明显提高,株高整齐度的提升最为突出。随着种植密度的提高,玉米的群体整齐度下降,现代品种对增密响应更加明显;同等密度条件下,现代品种的群体整齐度均高于早期品种。相关分析表明,玉米产量与株高、穗位高、穗长、穗粗、穗行数、行粒数性状的整齐度具有明显正相关关系。玉米产量提升过程与品种的群体整齐度同步,株高、穗位高整齐度是最为直观的评价指标,通过品种改良和种植技术的改进提高群体的整齐度是进一步提升产量的技术途径之一。     

玉米田间整齐度、单株生产力和群体产量的相关分析

通过8112×关17-1、晋单27两个玉米品种六种密度试验的各生育期株高及成株期穗部性状调查,用量化指标对玉米田间整齐度、单株生产力和群体产量之间的关系进行了分析。结果表明:玉米田间整齐度在玉米生育进程中有逐渐提高的趋势;株高整齐度与单株生产力呈极显著正相关,8112×关17-1的相关系数r为0.9274,晋单27的相关系数r为0.9214,二者均随密度的提高而降低;群体产量首先服从于密度的压力,不同的品种,其密度极限值不同,8112×关17-1的适宜密度为6.75万株hm²,晋单27的适宜密度为6万株hm²;在相同密度条件下,整齐度与群体产量呈极显著正相关,相关系数r=0.9665^**。     

不同纯度玉米群体株高、光分布和产量的比较研究

研究了不同纯度条件下沈农87品种玉米群体的田间性状及产量。结果表明:纯度与群体株高呈极显著正相关,处理间差异显著;随着纯度降低,株高整齐度下降,同一冠层高度透光率增加。产量与纯度为极显著正相关关系,纯度每降低1%,产量下降0.6%～0.7%。     

密度及施氮量对短季直播棉花产量和纤维品质的影响

在油后短季直播条件下,研究了种植密度、株行距配置、施氮量对于棉花群体产量性状和纤维品质各指标的影响。试验结果表明:施氮量对于提高棉花群体成铃数具有重要意义。密度对于提高籽棉产量和皮棉产量具有至关重要的作用。三种因素分别对籽棉产量和皮棉产量有极显著影响,交互作用对产量的提高也有极显著影响。施氮量180 kg/hm2处理的群体具有较高的上半部纤维长度、伸长率和断裂比强度。高密度比低密度群体具有相对高的整齐度指数;等行距处理比宽窄行处理整齐度指数高。     

植株田间分布均匀度对夏玉米植株性状、田间光照和杂草的影响

采用双因素裂区试验对夏玉米生长期的田间光照、田间杂草、产量及构成、LAI、根系等特性进行了研究,明确植株田间分布均匀度对夏玉米的生态效应影响。结果表明:随着植株田间分布均匀度的提高,玉米产量、收获穗数、穗粒数、最大LAI提高,冠层内的光截获增加,光透射减少;同时,杂草的种类、数量和鲜重均有减少趋势。随种植密度的增加,杂草减少效应更明显。低均匀度处理的穗位整齐度和株高整齐度较小,空株率较大,提高密度可使株高整齐度得到改善;低密度高均匀度处理的茎较粗;根数对密度和均匀度反应不明显。因此,适当提高种植均匀度和密度有利于提高玉米群体质量,有效利用自然资源,抑制杂草生长,改善玉米生长的生态环境,从而提高产量。     

玉米株高整齐度与穗部性状关系的研究

本文通过对玉米株高整齐度与穗部性状的相关分析，明确了玉米株高整齐度与单株产量、穗长及每行粒数呈极显著的正相关关系，而与秃尖长度存在着极显著的负相关关系．因而，栽培上必须把株高整齐度作为衡量玉米群体生育均衡性的指标给以足够的重视．     

提高玉米群体整齐度的研究

本文通过对种子子粒大小、株间组合、栽后返青期三个因素的研究,探讨了不同因素对玉米个体的影响,明确了群体整齐度与单株产量的关系。因而,在栽培措施上提出了一套玉米群体均衡生长的技术指标。     

湘杂棉8号不同密度下性状及产量品质表现

对不同密度下湘杂拂8号农艺性状、产量构成和纤维品质进行研究。结果表明：果枝数、果节数、单株成铃数、成铃率均随着密度的增加而逐渐降低;12000株,hm^2处理的籽棉、皮棉产量,成铃数／hm^2最低。30000株/hm^2产量最高,39000株/hm^2次之,适宜密度为301300—39000株/hm^2;各处理间棉圩维平均长度、比强度、伸长率差异不显著,21000株／hm^2处理的整齐度最高,为85．19％。12000株/hm^2处理整齐度最低,为84．38％。     

大豆整齐度与产量的关系

试验证明，在同一密度同一配置方式下，大豆株高整齐度与产量呈正相关。大豆株高整齐度对产量的影响服从配置方式和对产量的影响。无限结英习性大豆株高整齐度最高，亚有限次之，有限最低。     

种植密度对先玉335群体子粒灌浆特征的影响

2008年在高产田内较大密度处理范围(22500、45000、67500、90000、112500株/hm2)分析玉米品种先玉335群体子粒灌浆特征及其与产量的关系。结果表明:高产密度群体(90 000株/hm2)产量显著高于低密度(22500株/hm2)和超高密度(112500株/hm2)群体。各密度下群体子粒灌浆过程均可用Logistic方程模拟。高产密度的群体子粒平均灌浆速率、最大灌浆速率显著高于低密度、超高密度。不同密度群体子粒活跃灌浆期差异不显著。相关分析表明,群体子粒灌浆速率是影响产量的主要因素。进一步分析表明,对产量影响最大的是粒重渐增期的群体子粒灌浆速率,其次为线性灌浆期的群体子粒灌浆速率,后者与前者呈显著正相关关系。因此,提高粒重渐增期的群体子粒灌浆速率对提高群体产量尤为重要。     

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.