黄河流域棉区北部机采棉田恶性杂草的化学防除研究

影响黄河流域棉区北部棉花机械采收的恶性杂草主要有藜、反枝苋、铁苋菜、龙葵、苘麻、田旋花、打碗花和裂叶牵牛等。于2013、2014、2016年研究了这些杂草的化学防除方法。苗蕾期用嘧硫草醚和三氟啶磺隆对藜、反枝苋、龙葵、苘麻、田旋花、打碗花的防效较好,药后30～40 d的株防效超过95%;对铁苋菜和鹅绒藤的防效较差,同期株防效不足85%;对裂叶牵牛的防效居中,同期株防效为84%～94%。花铃期用嘧硫草醚和三氟啶磺隆对上述恶性杂草的防效下降;而乙氧氟草醚的杀草活性较强,药后25～40 d株防效可达100%（裂叶牵牛除外）。草甘膦在苗蕾期、花铃期和吐絮期对各种恶性杂草的株防效均在95%～100%（花铃期的裂叶牵牛除外）。上述处理对棉花均未产生明显药害,对产量也无显著影响。针对黄河流域棉区机采棉田,苗蕾期应用嘧硫草醚或/和三氟啶磺隆,花铃期应用乙氧氟草醚或草甘膦,吐絮期应用草甘膦,可较好地防除恶性杂草。     

Segmentation of 3D images of plant tissues at multiple scales using the level set method

Background

Developmental biology has made great strides in recent years towards the quantification of cellular properties during development. This requires tissues to be imaged and segmented to generate computerised versions that can be easily analysed. In this context, one of the principal technical challenges remains the faithful detection of cellular contours, principally due to variations in image intensity throughout the tissue. Watershed segmentation methods are especially vulnerable to these variations, generating multiple errors due notably to the incorrect detection of the outer surface of the tissue.

Results

We use the level set method (LSM) to improve the accuracy of the watershed segmentation in different ways. First, we detect the outer surface of the tissue, reducing the impact of low and variable contrast at the surface during imaging. Second, we demonstrate a new edge function for a level set, based on second order derivatives of the image, to segment individual cells. Finally, we also show that the LSM can be used to segment nuclei within the tissue.

Conclusion

The watershed segmentation of the outer cell layer is demonstrably improved when coupled with the LSM-based surface detection step. The tool can also be used to improve watershed segmentation at cell-scale, as well as to segment nuclei within a tissue. The improved segmentation increases the quality of analysis, and the surface detected by our algorithm may be used to calculate local curvature or adapted for other uses, such as mathematical simulations.

     

Effects of Different Soil Treatments on the Development of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spongospora subterranea</Emphasis> f. sp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">subterranea</Emphasis> in Potato Roots and Tubers in the Greenhouse

Powdery scab caused by Spongospora subterranea f. sp. subterranea (Sss) causes extensive losses in potato production systems globally. Two pot experiments were established in the greenhouse in summer 2013 and winter 2014 to evaluate the effectiveness of different soil chemicals, fumigant, amendments and biological control agents (BCAs) against Sss in the rhizospheric soil, potato roots and tubers. The study used visual assessment methods to assess the effect of treatments on root galling and zoosporangia production, and qPCR to measure Sss concentration in the soil and in the potato roots and tubers. All six soil treatments, namely metam sodium, fluazinam, ZincMax, calcium cyanamide, Biocult and a combination of Bacillus subtilis and Trichoderma asperellum recorded significantly (P < 0.05) lower numbers of zoosporangia in the roots compared to the untreated control. The same effect was observed on the concentration of Sss DNA in the roots at tuber initiation. A more diverse picture was obtained when root gall scores at tuber initiation and Sss DNA in the rhizospheric soil at tuber initiation and harvesting were compared. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were also noted in disease severity, disease incidence, and tuber yield between metam sodium, fluazinam, ZincMax, calcium cyanamide and the untreated control. Calcium cyanamide gave the highest tuber yield. The study demonstrated the potential of soil treatments such as metam sodium, fluazinam, ZincMax and calcium cyanamide in managing Sss in potatoes by reducing the pathogen both in the rhizospheric soil and the roots of the potato plant.     

Wireworm and Flea Beetle IPM in Potatoes in Canada: Implications for Managing Emergent Problems in Europe

Three species of wireworms (Coleoptera: Elateridae) known to cause severe damage to potatoes in Europe and Asia have been introduced to Canada and are now well established as pests in the westernmost province of British Columbia (BC) (Agriotes obscurus and A. lineatus) and the eastern provinces of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island (A. obscurus, A. lineatus and A. sputator). Conventional insecticide-based efforts to control these invasive pests have had serious environmental impacts, or are failing to prevent severe economic damage from occurring to potatoes in some key potato production areas. Research toward developing an IPM programme for these exotic species has been completed or is underway in Canada, including the following: biological and ecological studies, development of monitoring and risk assessment programmes, and development of insecticidal and alternative control strategies. This research is summarized and implications for wireworm management in Europe are discussed. In addition to wireworms, one of the primary economic insect pests of potatoes in BC is the tuber flea beetle, Epitrix tuberis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). The larvae of this beetle feed on developing or mature daughter tubers, producing surface channels or tracks and holes directly into the tuber. In the past, growers would apply 7–10 foliar sprays of broad-spectrum insecticides per growing season, which was not always successful in controlling this pest. In the EU, a newly identified flea beetle, Epitrix papa sp. n., as well as the North American species, E. cucumeris, have been identified as attacking potatoes initially in Portugal (2004) and later also in Spain. The potential spread of these emergent pests to various EU and non-EU countries is of concern, and if established would require the development of management strategies. The former development of a highly effective IPM programme developed in BC for E. tuberis is discussed, as is its potential for E. papa and E. cucumeris management in Europe.     

Advances in Variable Rate Technology Application in Potato in The Netherlands

Precision agriculture is a farming management concept based on observing, measuring and responding to inter- and intra-field variability in crops. In this paper, we focus on responding to intra-field variability in potato crops and analyse variable rate applications (VRAs). We made an overview of potential VRAs in potato crop management in The Netherlands. We identified 13 potential VRAs in potato, ranging from soil tillage to planting to crop care to selective harvest. We ranked them on availability of ‘proof of concept’ and on-farm test results. For five VRAs, we found test results allowing to make a cost-benefit assessment. These five VRAs were as follows: planting, soil herbicide weed control, N side dress, late blight control and haulm killing. They use one of two types of spatial data: soil maps or biomass index maps. Data on costs and savings of the VRAs showed that the investments in VRAs will pay off under practical conditions in The Netherlands. Savings on pesticide use and N-fertilizer use with the VRAs were on average about 25%, which benefits the environment too. We foresee a slow but gradual adoption of VRAs in potato production. More VRAs will become available given ongoing R&D. The perspectives of VRAs in potatoes are discussed.     

Potato Facing Global Challenges: How,How Much,How Well?

This paper surveys issues and developments emerging from the keynotes and participants’ presentations during the 20th EAPR Triennial Conference, held in Versailles, France, in July 2017, and puts them into the perspective of the general theme of the meeting: potato facing global challenges. It reveals important and far-reaching innovations in many areas of potato research, including breeding (genomic selection, high-throughput phenotyping, genome editing), plant protection (biocontrol) and seed production, but also a general innovation approach that follows an incremental pathway (and maintains many existing lock-in situations), and favours substitution strategies over system re-conceptualisation and testing, however urgently needed these might be to achieve or improve the sustainability of potato production in the medium to long run. While the assets and importance of potato as both a wholesome food and an essential part of future worldwide food systems were once more evidenced and highlighted, the contributions also revealed (i) a growing dichotomy between research activities carried out in high-income vs in low- or moderate-income countries, respectively; (ii) some gaps in the assessment of the sustainability of potato production in the medium to long run (external inputs such as fertilisers or pesticides, land and energy use efficiency); and (iii) persistent weaknesses in the integration of individual solutions into complete, operational potato production systems. Some areas for future investigations are identified.     

CRISPR-Cas Technology in Plant Science

CRISPR-Cas technology has raised considerable interest among plant scientists, both in basic science and in plant breeding. Presently, the generation of random mutations at a predetermined site of the genome is well mastered, just like the targeted insertion of transgenes, although both remain restricted to species or genotypes amenable for plant transformation. On the other hand, true genome editing, i.e. the deliberate replacement of one or several nucleotides of the genome in a predetermined fashion, is limited to some rather particular examples that generally concern genes allowing positive selection, for example tolerance to herbicides. Therefore, further technological developments are necessary to fully exploit the potential of genome editing in enlarging the gene pool beyond the natural variability available in a given species. In principle, the technology can be applied to any quality related, agronomical or ecological trait, under the condition of upstream knowledge on the genes to be targeted and the precise modifications necessary to improve alleles. Published proof of concepts concern a wide range of agronomical traits, the most frequent being disease resistance, herbicide tolerance and the biochemical composition of harvested products. The regulatory status of the plants obtained by CRISPR-Cas technology raises numerous questions, in particular with regard to the plants that carry in their genomes the punctual modifications caused by the presence of the Cas9 nuclease but not the nuclease itself. Without clarification by the competent authorities, CRISPR-Cas technology would continue to be a powerful tool in functional genomics, but its potential in plant breeding would remain untapped.     

Breeding Differently: Participatory Selection and Scaling Up Innovations in Colombia

Global challenges like sustainable development, climate change, malnutrition and gender inequality can be tackled from an agricultural perspective. Micronutrient deficiency is a major problem for the health and food security of the population. In Colombia, iron deficiencies affect 32% of the children under the age of five; and 43% of the Colombian population have zinc and vitamin A deficiencies. We designed and implemented a research-for-development programme that links agriculture and nutrition through a two-stage project. In the first stage, we selected three new yellow potato cultivars with better nutritional contents, higher yield and better resistance to late blight than the traditional yellow cultivars. We characterized the Colombian germplasm, Solanum tuberosum Group Phureja, for its nutritional attributes. During this stage, studies of the social and nutritional status of the communities were also conducted. In the second stage, we focused on scaling up new potato cultivars to reach potato producers and consumers by promoting the production and marketing of good quality seed potatoes, by establishing four Rural Entrepreneurs Nuclei. The programme promotes gender equity, good dietary habits, the consumption of more nutritious potatoes and empowers local leadership to strengthen governance. Field work was conducted in southern and central regions of Colombia by employing social strategies such as the Family Farming Community Schools. In 50% of the cultivated area, we are replacing the originally used traditional yellow potatoes by the new, more nutritious, potatoes to reach 6 million consumers. A good quality seed system for small-scale potato growers has been implemented. These achievements have been reached through a comprehensive approach in a period of two years.     

粮食污染物残留免疫分析技术研究与示范

随着人们对粮食安全问题的重视,政府部门不断加强对粮食安全的监测工作。针对粮食生产、加工、储运过程中的化学污染物安全性问题,研究粮食污染物快速监测技术,研究污染物免疫分析方法通过利用抗原、抗体的特异性反应来检测农药含量,设计并筛选吡虫啉、多溴联苯醚、功夫菊酯、氰戊菊酯4种半抗原,制备相关高特异性的抗体,分析吡虫啉、多溴联苯醚、功夫菊酯与气相色谱法(GC)相比,稻谷、大米、玉米样品通过相关性分析均高度相关,操作简便、快速。