Effect of CO2 enrichment on carbon and nitrogen interaction in wheat and soybean

Effect of CO₂ enrichment on the carbon-nitrogen balance in whole plant and the acclimation of photosynthesis was studied in wheat (spring wheat) and soybean (A62-1 [nodulated] and A62-2 [non-nodulated]) with a combination of two nitrogen application rates (0 g N land area m^-2 and 30 g N land area m^-2) and two temperature treatments (30/20°C (day/night) and 26/16°C). Results were as follows.

1. Carbon (dry matter)-nitrogen balance of whole plant throughout growth was remarkably different between wheat and soybean, as follows: 1) in wheat, the relationship between the amount of dry matter (DMt) and amount of nitrogen absorbed (Nt) in whole plant was expressed by an exponential regression, in which the regression coefficient was affected by only the nitrogen application rate, and not by CO₂ and temperature treatments, and 2) in soybean the DMt-Nt relationship was basically expressed by a linear regression, in which the regression coefficient was only slightly affected by the nitrogen treatment (at 0N, DMt-Nt balance finally converged to a linear regression). Thus, carbon-nitrogen interaction in wheat was strongly affected by the underground environment (nitrogen nutrition), but not by the above ground environment (CO₂ enrichment and temperature), while that in soybean was less affected by both under and above ground environments.

2. The photosynthetic response curve to CO₂ concentration in wheat and soybean was less affected by the CO₂ enrichment treatment, while that in wheat and soybean (A62-2) was affected by the nitrogen treatment, indicating that nitrogen nutrition is a more important factor for the regulation of photosynthesis regardless of the CO₂ enrichment.

3. Carbon isotope discrimination (..:1) in soybean was similar to that in wheat under ambient CO₂, while lower than that in wheat under CO₂ enrichment, suggesting that the carbon metabolism is considerably different between wheat and soybean under the CO₂ enrichment conditions.     

Habitat utilization,feeding, and growth of wild spotted halibut <Emphasis Type="Italic">Verasper variegatus</Emphasis> in a shallow brackish lagoon: Matsukawa-ura,northeastern Japan

Habitat utilization, feeding, and growth of a rare pleuronectid flatfish, spotted halibut Verasper variegatus, were examined in a brackish lagoon in northeastern Japan: Matsukawa-ura. The distribution and date–length data of spotted halibut collected mainly from beam-trawl samplings during 1983–2008 indicated that age-0 juveniles [n = 25, 6.0–18.0 cm total length (TL)] and older spotted halibut (n = 71, 13.8–43.0 cm TL) inhabited almost the entire northern part of Matsukawa-ura. Comparative distribution surveys of spotted halibut, stone flounder, and marbled flounder during 1985–1989 revealed similar distribution patterns of these flatfishes; the highest densities were found around the central part of Matsukawa-ura, although significantly lower abundance was detected for spotted halibut. Linear growth equations of age-0 juveniles demonstrated that spotted halibut were able to achieve high growth after June, probably because abundant prey (e.g., mysids and gammarids) and suitable physical conditions (warmer water temperature and lower salinity) were present. The main prey items shifted from various crustaceans including mysids, caridean shrimps, and anomurans to brachyura Hemigrapsus spp. (≥20 cm TL). Our study shows that spotted halibut use the shallow brackish lagoon as an important nursery for juveniles, and also as a feeding ground for young and adults.     

Effects of deep placement of controlled-release nitrogen fertilizer on soybean growth and yield under sulfur deficiency

Sulfur (S) and Nitrogen (N) metabolisms in plants are interacted and it is known that S deficiency decrease N absorption and metabolism. In leguminous plants S deficiency also decreases N₂ fixation by rhizobia in the nodules. Deep placement of a controlled-release N fertilizer is a good method to provide nitrogen to soybean without inhibiting N₂ fixation; thus, it was hypothesized that this method is able to provide nitrogen effectively to sulfur-deficient soybean plants. In this study effects of deep placement of coated urea on S-N physicological interaction, growth and productivity in soybean plants were examined using pot experiments. Soybean plants were grown with sulfate concentrations of 30, 100, or 1000 μM, with or without deep placement of coated urea. Shoot weights at the developing stage were not affected by S deficiency. SPAD values of leaves during the flowering stage decreased with S deficiency and increased with the deep placement of coated urea. S deficiency decreased seed weight per plant at the harvesting stage, but this decrease was attenuated by the deep placement of coated urea. N and S content in shoots at the developing stage increased with the deep placement of coated urea, whereas in seeds, only the N content increased. N₂ fixation activity based on the relative ureide-N content in xylem sap indicated that the deep placement of coated urea did not inhibit N₂ fixation activity at the early flowering stage. Without deep placement of coated urea, the relative ureide-N content decreased under S deficiency at the seed filling stage. These results suggest that the deep placement of coated urea is an efficient method to supply N to support soybean yield under S deficiency.

Abbreviations: Deep+: with deep placement of coated urea; Deep–: without deep placement of coated urea     

Effects of heat exposure on nutrient digestibility, rumen contraction and hormone secretion in goats

The present study investigated changes in nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation, behavior and hormone (growth hormone (GH), insulin and insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1)) secretion among goats (three male goats) in a hot environment (H, 35 ± 1.2°C; relative humidity (RH), 80 ± 7.2%; 13 days), in a thermoneutral environment (T, 20 ± 0.6°C; RH, 80 ± 3.4%; 20 days), and in a thermoneutral environment accompanied by the same restricted diet as provided in the hot environment (TR, 20 ± 0.6°C; RH, 80 ± 3.4%; 20 days). The following results were obtained: rectal temperature and water intake were higher in the H treatment than in the T treatment or TR treatment, while hay consumption was lower. Crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber digestibility was highest in H treatment. The concentrations of acetic acid and butyric acid in the rumen was also highest in the H treatment. Time spent eating in the H treatment was also the highest, followed in order by T treatment and TR treatment. Ruminating time was lower in H treatment than in T treatment or TR treatment, and reposing time was highest in the TR treatment. When eating and ruminating, the amplitude values of the rumen contraction were lowest in the H treatment, as was the frequency of rumen contraction. Excretion of plastic particles was faster in T treatment and TR treatment than H treatment. Heat exposure was associated with world lowered concentrations of total volatile fatty acids and acetic acid in plasma. The plasma glucose concentration was highest in the T treatment, followed in order by TR treatment and H treatment. The plasma GH concentration was lowest in the H treatment, while the plasma insulin was highest in the H treatment. The IGF‐1 concentration was highest in the H treatment, followed in order by T treatment and TR treatment. In conclusion, heat exposure in goats decreased feed intake and rumen contraction, but increased digestibility. However, when goats in a thermoneutral environment received the same restricted feeding as they received in the hot environment, digestibility increased without a change in rumen contraction. Between the H treatment and TR treatment, the changes in digestibility were accomplished by coordinate changes in hormone secretion in order to maintain body homeostasis.     

Medium without ammonium accumulation supports the developmental competence of human embryos

L-Glutamine has been shown to play an important role during in vitro culture of mammalian embryos. However, it is easily decomposed into ammonium, which is believed to have deleterious effects on preimplantation embryos. In this study, we assessed prospectively the developmental competence of human embryos cultured in medium containing L-glutamine or a novel stable glutamine derivative and vitamins. The subjects of this study were 41 women who underwent IVF/ET treatment from September to November 2006 and from whom 6 or more oocytes were retrieved. Sibling oocytes were randomly divided into EA/BA (EmbryoAssyst and BlastAssyst containing a novel stable glutamine derivative and vitamins), and BAS groups (BlastAssyst system containing L-glutamine). There was no difference in pronuclear formation rate between EA/BA and BAS (74 vs. 69%). The blastulation rates of embryos based on the number of zygotes cultured in EA/BA on Days 5 (Day 0=insemination, 54%) and 6 (63%) were significantly higher (P<0.05) than those cultured in BAS (Day 5: 33% and Day 6: 45%, respectively). The present data indicate that a medium containing a novel stable glutamine derivative and vitamins supports the developmental competence of human embryos.     

The dynamic state of the ionome in roots,nodules, and shoots of soybean under different nitrogen status and at different growth stages

The relative distribution of 22 mineral elements in the roots, nodules and shoots of the soybean (Glycine max L. Merr. cv. Tsurumusume) at R1 (beginning of the flowering stage) and R7 (beginning of the mature stage) was investigated in response to ammonium and manure N treatment. Plants receiving only atmospheric nitrogen served as the negative control. The addition of ammonium sulfate to the soil caused soil acidification, induced Al and Mn toxicities, and significantly reduced the biomass production in roots and nodules. Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn concentrations were significantly higher in shoots, and those of Mo and Co higher in nodules. The addition of manure to the soil significantly enhanced the levels of Sr, Ba, Cr, and Cd in shoots, whereas the concentration of Cs was decreased at R7. Moreover, when the soybean developed from R1 to R7, the levels of essential elements in nodules decreased, whereas those of nonessential elements increased, irrespective of the nitrogen source. Furthermore, the variation in the concentrations of many elements was not consistent for nodules and roots when soybean developed from R1 to R7. The variation of Mn, Zn, B, and Al concentrations was independent of N treatments. However, Ca, Fe, Cu, Mo, and Se levels were affected strongly by N treatments. This study is the first to document the dynamic variation of the soybean ionome in nodules, roots, and shoots from vegetative to reproductive stage of soybean.     

Comparative Analysis of Rice Genome Sequence to Understand the Molecular Basis of Genome Evolution

Accurate sequencing of the rice genome has ignited a passion for elucidating mechanism for sequence diversity among rice varieties and species, both in protein-coding regions and in genomic regions that are important for chromosome functions. Here, we have shown examples of sequence diversity in genic and non-genic regions. Sequence analysis of chromosome ends has revealed that there is diversity in both sequences and distribution in the region of telomere repeat arrays, from chromosome to chromosome, within a plant. Detailed study has allowed us to speculate the mechanism of generation of these arrays. Sequence analysis using various cultivated and wild rice of the sd1 gene, which contributed to the “Green Revolution” in rice varieties and their wild progenitors, has also demonstrated sequence diversity, which is correlated with taxonomic classification. These results indicate that detailed analysis of sequence diversity and comparison might give us a clue in elucidating mechanism of the evolution of rice genome.     

Seasonal and Annual Fluxes of Inorganic Constituents in a Small Catchment of a Japanese Cedar Forest near the Sea of Japan

Fluxes of major ions in rainfall (RF), throughfall plus stemflow (TF + SF), and stream water (SW) were measured for five water years in a small catchment of a Japanese cedar forest near the Sea of Japan. The fluxes of most ions in RF and in TF + SF, including the non-sea-salt constituents, increased from late autumn to midwinter owing to the seasonal westerly wind. The concentrations of most ions in SW showed no obvious seasonal trend during the study period, whereas ${\text{NO}}_3 ^ - $ concentrations were lowest in summer, with a small seasonality. The Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ outputs in SW were approximately 3.7 and 1.8 times the TF + SF inputs of these cations, respectively. The large net outputs of base cations in the catchment may indicate a decrease in the soil's acid-neutralizing capacity. Annual dissolved inorganic nitrogen inputs in RF and in TF + SF were 17.7 and 17.9 kg N ha^?1 year^?1, respectively, which exceeded previously published thresholds in Europe and the U.S. (i.e., the values at which these inputs increased ${\text{NO}}_3 ^ - $ levels in SW) and equaled the highest level of nitrogen deposition previously reported in Japan. The ${\text{NO}}_{\text{3}} ^{\text{ - }} $ concentrations in SW were relatively high even in summer. During high-precipitation events, ${\text{NO}}_{\text{3}} ^{\text{ - }} $ concentrations in SW increased with increasing water discharge, and the pH decreased simultaneously during several events. Nitrogen deposition may contribute to the high ${\text{NO}}_{\text{3}} ^{\text{ - }} $ concentrations in SW and the temporary acidification that occurred during the rain events.