Utilization of Fungi for the Biological Control of Insect Pests and Ganoderma Disease in the Indonesian Oil Palm Industry

Biological control is usually the first choice of control and prevention method for integrated pest management （IPM） strategies and has now been widely implemented by Indonesian oil palm plantations. Entomopathogenic fungus, i.e., Metarhizium anisopliae, Cordyceps militaris and Beauveria bassiana have been demonstrated to control renowned pests of oil palm. Metarhizium has been used to control Oryctes larvae and the mortality has ranged from 91.67% to 100% in laboratory and 7.4% to 88.75% in the field. Metarhizium has been applied in combination with a termite baiting system （TBS） to control termites in the field for preventive and curative action as well. In many oil palm plantations in Indonesia, Cordyceps has been used to reduce the field moth population ofSetothosea asigna. Application of Cordyceps within the oil palm circle was able to infect S. asigna pupae up to 80%. Meanwhile, Beauveria in an effervescent formulation was demonstrated to have better efficacy on Darna trima larvae. A significant finding on the biological control of basal stem rot disease （Ganoderma） was the isolation of Trichoderma sp. and Gliocladium sp.. The efficacy was conducted with promising result and techniques on the application of Triehoderma have been developed, i.e., hole-in-hole system, surgery and a mounding method. However, as the roots developed, Trichoderma was no longer able to protect the palm from Ganoderma. In spite of that, the use of Trichoderma still prolonged the life ofoil palms by up to 2-3 years. Another fungi belonging to vesicular arbuscular mychorrhiza （VAM） has been developed to control Ganoderma. The efficacy in the nursery showed promising results and the Ganoderma incidence remained low compared to the untreated control. Large scale field trials are ongoing. Challenges on the implementation of biological control in oil palm plantations are because of application and availability of biopesticides/natural enemies. Therefore, advances in research on the formulation of biological control agents are still needed.     

Recent Achievements in the Bio-control of Orobanche Infesting Important Crops in the Mediterranean Basin

Orobanche spp. （broomrapes） are holoparasitic plants distributed predominantly in the Northern Hemisphere parasitizing the roots of a range of plant species mainly in wild ecosystems. Orobanche species cause severe yield reduction of many important crops. There are only very few herbicides which are able to selectively control broomrapes and different approaches have been put forward to develop natural product based pesticides to control Orobanche. Several phytopathogenic fungi were evaluated for their use as potential mycoherbicide and for ability to produce toxic metabolites which could be applied as herbicides. Using the alternative approach ＂suicidal germination＂, interesting results were obtained by testing two microbial metabolites （fusicoccins and ophiobolin A） especially with Orobanche species whose germination is not induced by the synthetic strigolactone GR24. From pea root exudates, peagol and peagoldione, close related to strigolactones, and three polyphenols, named peapolyphenols A-C, together with already well known polyphenol and a chalcone, were isolated. They showed a selective stimulation of Orobanche seed germination with the last two and peapolyphenol A showing a specific stimulatory activity on O. foetida. This review describes the most recent results achieved on Orobanche bio-control, mainly focusing on those regarding O. ramosa, O. crenata and O. foetida.     

Pre-seed Treatment Effects on Avocado （Persea americana L.） Seedlings Health and Growth before Side-Grafting in Ghana

Studies were conducted to detennine the effects of hot water （50 ℃） and fungicide （contizeb ‘5＇） treatments on avocado seeds in terms of seed health, germination and seedling growth before side-grafting. The leathery coverings or seed coat were removed and either 1 cm or 1.5 cm of the narrow top of the seeds was removed before sowing. There were six treatments arranged in a randomized complete block and rephcated three times. In a six week period after germination when side grafting could be done, it was found out that the earliest germination came from the ＇no hot water or fungicide-treated＂ seeds cut at 1 cm but most seeds germinated from the fungicide-treated seeds at 1 cm cut. Most fungi including Fusarium andAspergillus spp found to either delay germination or reduce seedling vigour were minimized in number through the fungicide treatment compared to the hot water-treated seeds. Seedlings performance in terms of shoot extension and canopy development was significantly better in the fungicide-treated seeds than from either the hot water or the non-treated seeds. The study concluded that avocado seed treatment prior to sowing enhanced germination.     

Carbon and Nitrogen Contents in Typical Plants and Soil Profiles in Yanqi Basin of Northwest China

Carbon and nitrogen are the most important elements in the terrestrial ecosystem. Studying carbon and nitrogen distributions in plant and soil is important for our understanding of the ecosystem dynamics and carbon cycle on arid lands. A study was conducted in a typical arid area, the Yanqi Basin, Northwest China. Carbon and nitrogen distributions in plant tissues and soil profiles were determined at 21 sites with typical native plants and crops. Our results indicated that carbon content was similar between crops and native plants, and the average carbon contents in aboveground （42.4%） and belowground （42.8%） tissues were almost the same. Average nitrogen contents in crops were nearly the same （~0.7%） in aboveground and belowground tissues whereas mean nitrogen content was approximately 100% higher in aboveground （2.2%） than in belowground （1.2%） tissues for native species. Soil organic carbon （SOC） and total nitrogen （TN） in cropland （9.4 and 0.9 g kg^-1） were significantly higher than those in native land （6.2 and 0.7 g kg^-1）. Multiple regression analyses indicated that carbon content in belowground tissue and nitrogen content in aboveground tissue were key factors connecting plant and soil in native land. However, there was no significant relationship for carbon or nitrogen between soil and crop, which might reflect human disturbance, such as plowing and applications of various organic materials.     

Effects of Elemental Sulphur and Farmyard Manure on pH and Salinity of Calcareous Sandy Loam Soil and Some Nutrient Elements in Tomato Plant

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of elemental sulphur （S） and farmyard manure on soil pH, EC and N, S, P concentrations of tomato grown in a calcareous sandy loam soil. For this purpose, a pot experiment was conducted in greenhouse conditions. Sulphur was applied at 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 400 mg kg~ and farmyard manure at 0, 3 ton da^-1 to the soil. Three weeks after applications, tomato seedlings were planted and 8 weeks later, the plants were harvested to determine N, S, P concentrations and dry matter yield. Soil pH and EC were determined in the soil samples taken at 3 different periods. Effects of sulphur and farmyard manure applications were not significant on N, P concentrations and dry matter yield of tomato plant. S concentration of tomato plant was increased by sulphur alone. Soil pH was decreased and soil EC was increased in both 2^nd and 3^rd soil sampling period by the sulphur applications. As a result of farmyard manure application, soil pH decreased in the 2^nd soil sampling period but increased in the 3^rd soil sampling period. Also, soil EC was significantly increased in 1^st and 3^rd soil sampling period. Farmyard manure had no significant effect on S supply to tomato plant. The N：S ratio of tomato plant was decreased by sulphur alone. However, the sulphur with farmyard manure applications decreased N：S ratio in lesser extend compared to the S applications.     

Economics of Nitrogen Use in Cereal Systems in South and East Asia

A literature survey and focused interviews with experienced agronomists and socio-economists from south, east, and southeast Asian countries were conducted to determine physical and economic relationships of cereal yields and N use, using partial factor productivity （PFP） and nitrogen （N） response functions, while considering the impacts of （N） and crop grain prices. The data were drawn from FAOSTAT, World Bank, and survey results from those countries. Rice has the greatest PFP-N （70 kg grain kg^-1 N）, wheat a moderate （57 kg grain kg^-1 N）, and maize the lowest PFP-N （52 kg grain kg^-1 N） at current application levels. At potential optimal N use rates, estimates for PFP-N were 26 kg grain kg^-1 N for maize, 25 kg for rice and 16 kg for wheat. Assuming a constant average PFP-N （30 kg grain kg^-1 N） for these cereals, it is estimated that 13 Mt N would be needed to meet a projected food demand by 2020 assuming no use of other additional inputs. Assuming a 20% increase in nitrogen use efficiency （NUE） to 36 kg grain kgl N, 10.6 Mt would be needed to meet the food demand, implying an annual growth rate in N use of 1.25%. It is concluded that economically optimal N rates are relatively insensitive to changes in prices of N and cereal grain. Key interventions to improve sustainable food security include increasing N fertilizer use, improving NUE, and reducing environmental impacts.     

Responses of Lowland NERICA and Improved Oryza sativa Rice to Phosphorus and Nitrogen in Sudan Savanna Agroecosystem

The responses of five inter-specific lowland rice cultivars （NERICA-L-19, NERICA-L-20, NERICA-L-41, NERICA-L-42, and NERICA-L-60） and four improved Oryza sativa cultivars （FKR 19, BW 348-1, WITA 4, and SIPI 6923033） to levels of phosphorus and nitrogen fertilization were compared on a Typic Natrustalfat Kadawa in the Nigerian Sudan Savanna in 2006 and 2007 The responses of the NERICA-L eultivars to N and P fertilization were similar to the O. sativa cultivars. In a dry year （2007）, the NERICA-L cultivars gave higher yields than O. sativa cultivars. Phosphorus level did not significantly affect crop physiology, yield, and yield components of all the cultivars. Pooled across cultivars, N and P levels, days to panicle initiation, mid-flowering and maturity were, respectively delayed by 17.0, 15.6 and 6.4 days in 2007 compared to 2006. NERICA-L-42 and NERICA-L-41 were the most stable, exhibiting the least difference in duration to maturity between the two years （3.5 and 4.4 days, respectively）, and could therefore be more adapted to rain-fed environments prone to frequent droughts. Increasing N levels from 0 to 120 kg hal produced yield increments of 62.9 and 37.2% in 2006 and 2007, respectively. Cultivars FKR 19 and WITA 4 gave higher yields in 2006 （3940 and 3542 kg ha^-1, respectively）, while in 2007, NERICA-L-42, NERICA-L^-19 and NERICA-L-20 ranked among the highest in grain yield （3935, 3807 and 3726 kg hal, respectively） and could be recommended to resource-poor farmers. a     

Comparison of Antioxidant Activity and Antioxidant Components in Lettuce,Onion and Tomato Obtained with Different Levels and Forms of Nitrogen Fertilization

The effect of N levels and sources on the antioxidant components in vegetable is not completely understood. Therefore, greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine the changes in antioxidant capacity diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl （DPPH） and ferric reducing antioxidant power （FRAP）, total phenolics, ascorbic acid, total carotene and lycopene contents in edible portions of lettuce, onion and tomato due to different nitrogen levels and sources. The experiment included three N levels （20, 40 and 60 kg/ha for lettuce trial and 60, 120 and 180 kg/ha for either onion or tomato） and four nitrogen sources （calcium nitrate, ammonium sulphate, ammonium nitrate and urea）. The antioxidant capacity and phenolic contents in lettuce was enhanced under low nitrogen level, while the antioxidant capacities, phenolics, carotenoids and lycopene in tomato fruits were not significantly affected by the nitrogen dose applied. Application of calcium nitrate caused 50% increase in DPPH and 20% in FRAP of lettuce compared to other nitrogen forms. Tomato treated with calcium nitrate or ammonium sulphate had higher phenolic and ascorbic acid contents than treated plants with ammonium nitrate or urea. Antioxidant tested parameters of onion were not significantly affected by the nitrogen treatments. Nitrogen concentration in tomato fruits significantly correlated with FRAP antioxidant capacity, phenolics, ascorbic acid, carotene and lycopene contents.     

Distribution and Identification of Ixodid Tick Species on Livestock in Northern Pakistan

Identification of lxodid tick species on livestock in two districts, viz., D.I. Khan and Lakki Marwat of Northern Pakistan were made during the period from March to November 2009 through animals＇ survey and questionnaire. The main tick species were Amblyomma （14.3%）, Boophilus microplus （l 8.5%） and Hyalomma anatolicum and H. dromedarii （67.2%）. Out of 3009 collected ticks, the highest number of female （88.7%） and the lowest of males （ l 1.3%） belong to Boophilus; the lowest number of female （92.4%） and the highest of males （77.5%） belong to Amblyomma. However, cows were more susceptible than buffaloes and camels ranked third to ticks infestation. Moreover, cows, buffalos, goats and sheep harbored mixed infestation （had more than one type of ticks）, however, camels and donkey harbored single infestation （had only one type of tick）. An emerging ethno-veterinary or traditional remedy is poultry keeping for ticks＇ elimination in Lakki Marwat. The results of this research will be helped in taking appropriate measures to reduce tick infestation and to improve management practices. Hence, it will help to increase farm productivity and farmers income.     

Genetic and Association Mapping Study of English Grain Aphid Resistance and Tolerance in Bread Wheat Germplasm

English grain aphid （EGA） is a destructive insect pest of wheat. To identify the loci associated with EGA resistance and tolerance, 70 bread wheat accessions mainly from central Asia were evaluated for EGA resistance and tolerance traits at two locations, and genotyped with 51 SSR markers. Totally, three accessions showed high or moderate levels resistance and 17 genotypes displayed highly or moderately tolerate to EGA. Genetic diversity of these lines was investigated also. After 97 SSR loci which evenly covered all wheat chromosomes were scanned for association, four SSR loci were significantly associated with EGA resistance and four with EGA tolerance. After association analysis was conducted with dynamic aphid densities, we found four loci Xgwm192b, Xgwm391, Xbarc98, and Xgwm613b were detected continuously at different growing stages of wheat. In addition, the loci of EGA resistance/tolerance and Russian wheat aphid resistance were compared. The results generated in this study would be helpful for utilization of the EGA resistance/tolerance germplasm, and for development of mapping populations in EGA resistance breeding programs.     

Assessment of Conflicts between Forestry and Agricultural Land Uses in Nigeria and Ghana

The study was conducted in four states of the Southwest geo-political zone in Nigeria and four regions in Ghana.. The results showed that the existing forest, agricultural and land use decree/policies in Nigeria and Ghana indicated lack of integration between Forestry and Agricultural land uses. The main conflicting areas were obsolete land use decree in Nigeria and lack of national land use policy in Ghana. The causes and effects of the conflicts had policy enunciation, stakeholders, and institutional and managerial dimensions. Some of the causes of the conflicts were lack of national land use policies for coherent and integrated forest and agricultural sectors; high population growth, de-reservation of forest reserves, unsustainable agricultural practices and technologies, land hunger, encroachment of forest reserves with cash crops and stakeholders＇ litany of demands and other diverse interests. Consequences of conflicts in the study locations included disharmony between forestry officials and farmers, antagonism between timber concenssionnaires and communities, wanton destruction of economic trees and seedlings, extinction of tree species, expansion of illegal farm lands and an attendant poverty. The logistic regression model for conflicts between forestry and agricultural land uses in Nigeria and Ghana indicated significant fit to the data judging from chi square value （df, 9） = 3174.1 that is significant at P 〈 0.05. The final loss of the model indicated a value of 92.47.     

Impediments to New Improved Maize Variety Testing and Release in Selected Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa

Before farmers can benefit from new improved maize varieties with novel genetic information, new maize varieties have to undergo performance testing, registration and approval. The registration procedures require that new maize varieties must pass the tests for value for cultivation and use （VCU） and standardized tests for distinctness, uniformity and stability （DUS）. To meet the minimum requirements for variety release, public and private sector maize breeding programs routinely assemble breeding nurseries and evaluate variety performance in National and Regional Performance Trials （NRPT） with the objective of generating important agronomic data to identify the best maize varieties for release. In spite of intensive variety evaluation in regional and national trials, only few maize varieties have been registered and released annually in sub-Saharan Africa （SSA） denying farmers access to new improved varieties. The purpose of this study was to identify constraints hampering the registration and release of elite maize gennplasm and make recommends on how to quicken the deployment of elite germplasm to smallholders＇ farmers. A survey was conducted on the varietal testing and release systems in 14 selected countries （Angola, Benin, Ethiopia, Malawi, Ghana, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe） in SSA. The results from the study show that regulations on variety testing and release procedures in the various countries are overlapping and rigid hindering the deployment and commercialization of new improved maize germplasm. The study also showed that varietal release rates fluctuated between countries with South Africa having the highest number of varietal release rates per year and some countries failing to release a single variety per year.     

Effect of Season,Location, Cultivar and Spacing on Yield and Quality of Sugarcane in Western Kenya

In Kenya almost all sugarcane grown is under rainfall conditions that are planted in different locations during both long and short rainy seasons. Effect of season, location, cultivar and spacing on yield and quality of sugarcane is not clearly understood. The research was conducted at Kibos and Mumias to determine if the yields and quality of three sugarcane cultivars were affected by season, location and row spacing. Cultivars CO 945, EAK 73-335 and KEN 83-737 were manually planted during June and September in 2011. The trial was laid out as split-split plot arranged in a randomized complete block design （RCBD） replicated three times. Data collected at harvest, 17 months after planting （MAP） including cane yields, cane yield components and cane quality. The results revealed that cane length differed significantly between June and September. Stalk population and cane yields were significantly more at Mumias compared to Kibos. Cultivar EAK 73-335 showed significantly more cane yield （t/ha） than KEN 83-737 and CO 945. Both row spacing 1.2 m and 1.5 m did not affect cane yields. Brix%, Sucrose% and Purity% differed significantly between cultivars. The relationship between cane yield and stalk population was positive and significant, which indicated stalk population is a strong determinant of cane yield. The results showed that cane yield was significantly affected by location and cane quality by cultivars. Therefore Mumias is a better zone for sugarcane cultivation for both June and September seasons compared to Kibos.     

Mineralization and Availability of Azolla and Cyanobacteria Biomass Nutrients in Rice Soil

Two sets of experiments were conducted to study the chemical composition, mineralization and availability of nutrients （particularly N） of Azolla biomass and cyanohacteria blooms in submerged rice soil. One set of experiment was conducted with Azolla without soil and the other with both Azolla and cyaobacteria with soil, in laboratory condition. Large samples were collected from the rice fields. The study shows that Azolla and cyanobacterial biomass contain good amounts of C, N, P and Ca. The chemical analysis of oxidizable C, total N, P and Ca showed that Azolla biomass contain 20.7% oxidizable C, which is higher than the cyanobacterial biomass （9.18%）. The N content in Azolla biomass was found to be 4.32%, than that of cyanobacterial biomass, i.e., 2.57%, however, P and Ca contents were also found to be higher in Azolla averaging to 124.83 ppm and 345.3 mg/100 g, respectively than cyanobacteria. The leachate analysis revealed that Azolla biomass release about 39.18% to 64.48% oxidizable C and about 19.23% to 33% N after 45 days of incorporation of soil dilution. Incorporation of Azolla and cyanobacterial biomass N@ 100 kg/ha significantly improved the oxidizable organic C, total as well as available N content in soil up to 75 days of incubation. Due to the incorporation of Azolla in soil, oxidizable organic C increased 25.51%, total N 4.10% and available N 47.65%. Almost similar trend of increase was also observed with the incorporation of cyanobacterial blooms.     

Determination of Competitive Adsorption and Desorption of Heavy Metals by Isotherm and Sequential Extraction Methods in Different Soil Orders in Erzurum Plain

The objective of this study was to DTPA （complexion agent） and a sequential extraction procedure, and adsorption-desorption isotherm （competitive） evaluate the mobility and distribution of Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Cd, Ni, and Pb using the in surface samples of five soil great groups differing in their physicochemical properties. For determining heavy metal adsorption and desorption capacities of soil samples, six different concentrations （0, 2.5, 5, 10, 15 and 20 mg Lt） were used in a laboratory experiment with tree replications. An analytical procedure involving sequential chemical extractions has been used for partitioning of heavy metals into five fractions. Sorption isotherms were characterized using linear, Frendlich and Langmuir equations. The results indicated that the selective sequences of the metal adsorption based on the distribution coefficient was Pb〉Cu〉Ni〉Cd〉Zn〉Mn〉Fe and Pb, Cu, and Ni are the most strongly sorbed metals by these soils, whereas Cd, Zn and Mn are the least sorbed ones. The total adsorbed amount of these metals on the studied soils was well described by Langmuir equation. Calciorthid had the highset Pb, Cu, Ni, Cd, Zn, Mn, and Fe adsorption, and the sequences followed order Fluvaquent〉Argiustoll〉Pellustert〉Haplustept of the studied soil.     

Diversity of Antioxidant Content and Its Relationship to Grain Color and Morphological Characteristics in Winter Wheat Grains

The current interest in the health beneifts of whole wheat grain has prompted breeders to further increase the concentration of antioxidants in wheat. The objective of this study was to investigate the variation in antioxidant content among Chinese wheat grains and the relationship between antioxidants and grain color and morphological characteristics. A wide variation was observed in the total phenolic, carotenoid and lfavonoid contents, as well as the antioxidant activity （AOA）, of Chinese wheat varieties. Black wheat had the highest mean total phenolic, carotenoid and lfavonoid contents and the highest AOA, followed by red and white wheats. The grain color parameters were signiifcantly negatively correlated with total phenolic, carotenoid and lfavonoid contents and AOA among all of the wheat varieties examined, and grain weight was also signiifcantly negatively correlated with these traits. The same correlation between grain weight and antioxidant traits was also observed within individual groups of wheat, which indicates that grain weight may be used as an index for selecting wheat varieties with high AOA. Landraces had signiifcantly higher lfavonoid content than commercial wheat varieties. The results of this study may be useful for breeding nutrient-rich wheat varieties.     

Low Root Zone Temperature Exacerbates the Ion Imbalance and Photosynthesis Inhibition and Induces Antioxidant Responses in Tomato Plants Under Salinity

The combined effects of salinity with low root zone temperature （RZT） on plant growth and photosynthesis were studied in tomato （Solanum lycopersicum） plants. The plants were exposed to two different root zone temperatures （28/20℃, 12/8℃, day/night temperature） in combination with two NaC1 levels （0 and 100 mmol L-l）. After 2 wk of treatment, K＋ and Na~ concentration, leaf photosynthetic gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence and leaf antioxidant enzyme activities were measured. Salinity significantly decreased plant biomass, net photosynthesis rate, actual quantum yield of photosynthesis and concentration of K＋, but remarkably increased the concentration of Na＋. These effects were more pronounced when the salinity treatments were combined with the treatment of low RZT conditions. Either salinity or low RZT individually did not affect maximal efficiency of PSII photochemistry （Fv/Fm）, while a combination of these two stresses decreased Fv/Fm considerably, indicating that the photo-damage occurred under such conditions. Non-photochemical quenching was increased by salt stress in accompany with the enhancement of the de-epoxidation state of the xanthophyll cycle, in contrast, this was not the case with low RZT applied individually. Salinity stress individually increased the activities of SOD, APX, GPOD and GR, and decreased the activities of DHAR. Due to the interactive effects of salinity with low RZT, these five enzyme activities increased sharply in the combined stressed plants. These results indicate that low RZT exacerbates the ion imbalance, PSII damage and photosynthesis inhibition in tomato plants under salinity. In response to the oxidative stress under salinity in combination with low RZT, the activities of antioxidant enzymes SOD, APX, GPOD, DHAR and GR were clearly enhanced in tomato plants.     

Biomass and Carbon Sequestration Potential of Poplar-Wheat Inter-cropping System in Irrigated Agro-ecosystem in India

An attempt has been made to assess the productivity as well as the carbon sequestration potential of this mixture. The grain as well as straw yields were significantly lower in poplar block plantations than in the open （14 to 64% and 13 to 66% grain and straw yield, respectively under one to six year plantation）. The annual productivity of poplars was recorded maximum after fourth year and later the annual wood increment decreased （42.4, 39.8 and 35.6 m^3/ha/yr after 4^th, 5^th and 6^th year, respectively）. The enrichment of soil through litter and roots enhanced the organic carbon in the surface layer of soil （0-15 cm） under poplar blocks as compared to open fields with wheat crop only. The carbon storage potential in agroforestry system was recorded very high in comparison to sole crop. The carbon storage in agroforestry system increased with the age of the plantation and the major contribution came from the timber, roots and litter （37.30 mg/ha after six years）. However, wheat crop yield decreased under poplar but this may be compensated by the poplar trees in terms of biomass, economic returns and the carbon sequestration potential.     

The Absorption and Transportation of Glutamine Containing Small Peptides-Arg-Gly-GIn and Gly-GIn in Jejunum of Weaned Piglets

In order to research the absorption and transportation differences ofglutamine containing small peptides and free glutamine in intestine of weaned piglets, 28-day-old weaned piglets were selected to get the sample for jejunum culture in vitro in this study. Trial 1 was conducted to study the stability of tripeptide （Arg-Gly-Gln） in the jejunum to determine the ideal culture time. It was designed into 2 treatments： control group （Kreb＇s solution, GC） and tripeptide group （by adding 556μmol/L of Arg-Gly-Gln to Kreb＇s solution, GP）. They were cultured for 60 min. The absorption and transportation differences ofglutamine existing as Arg-Gly-Gln, Gly-Gln and free Gin were studied in trial 2. It was designed into 4 treatments： group 1 （G1, control group）, Kreb＇s solution; Group 2 （G2）, Kreb＇s solution＋556 μmol/L Arg-Gly-Gln; group 3 （G3）, Kreb＇s solution＋556 μmol/L Gly-Gln and Arg; group 4 （G4）, Kreb＇s solution＋556 μmol/L arginine, glycine and glutamine. They were cultured for 40 minutes. The results indicated that the absorption and transportation of glutamine existing as Arg-Gly-Gln was more efficient than those of Gly-Gln while Gly-Gln was more efficient than free glutamine. Arg-Gly-Gln may be more excellent than Gly-Gln in physiological functions and nutrition potential.     

Nitrogen Use Efficiency as Affected by Phosphorus and Potassium in Long-Term Rice and Wheat Experiments

Improving nitrogen use efficiency （NUE） and decreasing N loss are critical to sustainable agriculture. The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of various fertilization regimes on yield, NUE, N agronomic efficiency （NAE） and N loss in long-term （16- or 24-yr） experiments carried out at three rice-wheat rotation sites （Chongqing, Suining and Wuchang） in subtropical China. Three treatments were examined： sole chemical N, N＋phosphorus （NP）, and NP＋potassium （NPK） fertilizations. Grain yields at three sites were significantly increased by 9.3-81.6% （rice） and 54.5-93.8% （wheat） under NP compared with N alone, 1.7-9.8% （rice） and 0-17.6% （wheat） with NPK compared with NP. Compared to NP, NUE significantly increased for wheat at Chongqing （9.3%） and Wuchang （11.8%）, but not at Suining, China. No changes in NUE were observed in rice between NP and NPK at all three sites. The rice-wheat rotation＇s NAE was 3.3 kg kg1 higher under NPK than under NP at Chongqing, while NAE was similar for NP and NPK at Suining and Wuchang. We estimated that an uptake increase of 1.0 kg N hal would increase 40 kg rice and 30 kg wheat ha-1. Nitrogen loss/input ratios were -60, -40 or -30% under N, NP or NPK at three sites, indicating significant decrease of N loss by P or PK additions. We attribute part of the increase in NUE soil N accumulation which significantly increased by 25-55 kg ha-1 yr1 under NPK at three sites, whereas by 35 kg ha-1 yr-1 under NP at Chongqing only. This paper illustrates that apply P and K to wheat, and reduce K application to rice is an effective nutrient management strategy for both the NUE improvement and N losses reduction in China.