Cornstarch and tannin in phenol–formaldehyde resins for plywood production

The aim of this work is to demonstrate the performances of cornstarch–quebracho tannin-based resins designed as adhesive in the plywood production. In this way, the cornstarch and quebracho tannin was introduced in the classic adhesive formulation in order to supply a part of phenol–formaldehyde (PF). The physical properties (rheological characterization, thermogravimetric analysis and solid phase ¹³C NMR analysis) of the formulated resins were measured. In order to evaluate the mechanical performances of optimal cornstarch–quebracho tannin-based resins, plywood panels were produced and mechanical properties were investigated. These mechanical properties included tensile strength, wood failure and 3-point bending strength. The performance of these panels is comparable to those of plywood panels commercial PF made.The results showed that plywood panels bonded with cornstarch–quebracho tannin–PF resins (15:5:80, w/w/w) exhibited better mechanical properties than plywood panels commercial PF made. The introduction of small proportions of cornstarch and quebracho tannin in PF resins contributes to the improvement of the boiling water performance of these adhesives. The formaldehyde emission levels obtained from panels bonded with cornstarch–quebracho tannin–PF were lower to those obtained from panels bonded with control PF. Solid state CPMAS NMR spectra indicates that no reaction at all between PF resins and cornstarch and quebracho tannin. Even when reaction does evidently not occur, the addition of cornstarch and quebracho tannin improves markedly the water resistance of PF resins.     

Studies on Ipomea carnea and Cannabis sativa as an alternative pulp blend for softwood: An optimization of kraft delignification process

Ipomea carnea Jacq, a common weed known as ‘Beshram’ was introduced in India, as an ornamental plant. Surprisingly, except fiber length, other morphological characteristics like, cell wall thickness, lumen diameter, flexibility coefficient and wall fraction of I. carnea resemble with softwoods like, Pinus kesiya, and Picca abies. Cannabis sativa L., a common weed known as soft hemp consists of both bast fiber as well as core fiber. The unique morphological characteristics of I. carnea like, cell wall thickness and flexibility coefficient, which resembles with softwoods along with long fibers of C. sativa, in which I. carnea deficits in a proper blend ratio, can be used in a better way for the development of high quality value added paper. The optimum kraft cooking conditions for I. carnea and C. sativa were: active alkali 16%, sulfidity 20%, temperature 165 °C, time (at temperature) 120 min and wood to liquor ratio of 1:4 for I. carnea and 1:3.5 for C. sativa. The screened pulp yield of I. carnea and C. sativa were found to be 49.3 and 54.3% at Kappa number of 29, respectively. An anthraquinone (AQ) dose of 0.1% increases the pulp yield to the tune of around 0.6% as well reduce the Kappa number to the tune of 22%. CEHH bleaching of C. sativa produces pulp brightness of 82% (Elrepho) at total chlorine demand of 5.07%. On contrary to this the I. carnea kraft pulp at same chlorine demand produce a pulp with improved brightness of 85.4% (Elrepho).     

Growth, yield and mineral content of Miscanthus × giganteus grown as a biofuel for 14 successive harvests

Miscanthus × giganteus, a perennial rhizomatous grass commercially used as a biofuel crop was grown in a field experiment on a silty clay loam soil for 14 years. There were 3 rates of fertilizer nitrogen (N), none (control), 60 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ and 120 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ as cumulative applications. The crop was harvested in winter and dry matter yield measured. N did not influence yield. Yield, which increased for the first 6 years, decreased in years 7 and 8, but then increased again and was highest in the 10th year averaging 17.7 t ha⁻¹ across all treatments. Differences in total production over the14 years were only 5% between the highest and lowest yielding treatments and averaged 178.9 t ha⁻¹ equivalent to 12.8 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹. In the first 10 harvests, 92% of dry matter was stem. Although the study showed N fertilizer was not required, it is considered that an application of 7 kg P ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ and 100 kg K ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ would avoid soil reserve depletion. Pesticides were not required every year and the crop can be considered as low input with a high level of sustainability for at least 14 years.     

中国黄淮麦区菲利普孢囊线虫淮阳和博爱致病型群体特异性SCAR标记的建立

菲利普孢囊线虫(Heterodera filipjevi)是在我国黄淮麦区新发现的小麦病原线虫,其致病力更强,危害更严重,对小麦产量和质量造成潜在威胁。病原致病型鉴定对抗病品种的筛选和培育十分重要。为了建立一套简便、快速、准确的SCAR标记检测体系,以黄淮麦区5个重要禾谷孢囊线虫致病型共9个群体为材料,首先对其进行RAPD分析,然后在RAPD分析的基础上对其进行SCAR分析。结果表明,通过筛选97条随机引物,获得2个菲利普孢囊线虫淮阳和博爱致病型群体特异的RAPD标记,其中,引物S232扩增出的多态性条带大小为550bp,引物S278扩增出的多态性条带大小为1 700bp。其后将引物S232扩增的条带进行回收、克隆及测序,根据测序结果设计的特异性引物F232-8-1/R232-8-1仅在菲利普孢囊线虫淮阳和博爱致病型群体中扩增出大小为517bp的特异性条带,而在小麦孢囊线虫其他致病型群体中没有扩增出该条带,说明菲利普孢囊线虫淮阳和博爱致病型群体SCAR标记成功建立,并将其命名为SC-S232。     

Screening of essential oils from wild-growing plants in Tunisia for their yield and toxicity to the poultry red mite, Dermanyssus gallinae

A laboratory experiment was conducted with the poultry red mite Dermanysuss gallinae (De Geer) to assess the toxicity of a range of essential oils obtained from wild-growing plants in Tunisia to this pest. Details of the percentage essential oil yield from these plants were also recorded. For comparison, commercially sourced essential oil from Thymus vulgaris (L.) was also tested against D. gallinae after work elsewhere found this product to be acaricidal. Recently fed adult female D. gallinae were exposed to the essential oils at 0.1 mg oil/cm² in Petri-dishes at 22 °C over a period of 24 h.Results showed that the yield of essential oil varied considerably depending upon the source plant. Whilst maximum yields of 0.5% were achieved, three of the seven wild plants selected provided yields of less than 0.1%. Similar variability was recorded with respect to the toxicity of the essential oils to D. gallinae. Three of the essential oils tested did not cause significant D. gallinae mortality (in comparison to the control). However, all other selected oils provided mortality levels statistically similar to the 90% mortality achieved with commercial T. vulgaris essential oil, with the oil from Pelargonium graveolens (L’Hér.) killing 100% of D. gallinae exposed to it. Essential oil from P. graveolens in particular may be suitable for further development as a D. gallinae acaricide alongside or in place of commercial thyme essential oil.     

168份小麦不同病害抗性材料白粉病抗性鉴定及其Lr34/Yr18/Pm38位点的分子检测

为了发掘更多的小麦白粉病抗性种质资源,对收集到的168份小麦不同病害抗性材料进行了白粉病苗期和成株期抗性鉴定,并利用STS标记csLV34以及功能标记cssfr3、cssfr4、cssfr5和Yr18E11a对其Lr34/Yr18/Pm38位点的等位变异类型进行检测。结果表明,在168份小麦种质中,共鉴定出41份白粉病苗期抗性品种(系)以及96份慢白粉病品种(系)。功能标记cssfr3和cssfr4可准确鉴定Lr34/Yr18/Pm38位点第11外显子中的等位变异,而功能标记cssfr5和Yr18E11a在检测时存在小频率的错判。在96份慢白粉病材料中,有24份材料携带Lr34/Yr18/Pm38的等位变异类型,这些材料在2个年份下的白粉病田间MDS均低于不携带Lr34/Yr18/Pm38的等位变异类型的材料。     

小麦干旱胁迫对黏虫取食及食物利用效率的影响

为了解小麦干旱对食叶害虫黏虫食物利用效率的影响,采用PEG-6000模拟干旱处理小麦植株,设置对照(0g·mL-1)、低(0.05g·mL-1)、中(0.1g·mL-1)和强(0.2g·mL-1)4个干旱胁迫水平,以盆栽小麦饲喂黏虫幼虫,观察黏虫取食及食物利用效率。协方差分析表明,干旱胁迫对黏虫幼虫的体质量、取食量有显著影响,但对食物利用量没有显著影响。与对照相比,强干旱胁迫下黏虫取食量减少10.4%,幼虫体质量增加量减少10.6%。经食物利用指数方法分析,干旱胁迫显著影响黏虫的近似消化率和食物转化率,强干旱胁迫下食物转化率较对照减小了8.0%,近似消化率增加10.5%;干旱胁迫对其他食物利用指数均无显著影响。以上结果说明,小麦中度和强度干旱胁迫可对黏虫营养利用效率造成不良影响。