Positive nitrogen balance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia mangium</Emphasis> woodlots as fallows in the Philippines based on <Superscript>15</Superscript>N natural abundance data of N<Subscript>2</Subscript> fixation

Nitrogen inputs from biological nitrogen fixation contribute to productivity and sustainability of agroforestry systems but they need to be able to offset export of N when trees are harvested. This study assessed magnitudes of biological nitrogen fixation (natural ¹⁵N abundance) and N balance of Acacia mangium woodlots grown in farmer’s fields, and determined if N₂ fixation capacity was affected by tree age. Tree biomass, standing litter, understory vegetation and soil samplings were conducted in 15 farmer’s fields growing A. mangium as a form of sequential agroforestry in Claveria, Misamis Oriental, Philippines. The trees corresponded to ages of 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 years, and were replicated three times. Samples from different plant parts and soils (0–100 cm) were collected and analyzed for δ¹⁵N and nutrients. The B-value, needed as a reference of isotopic discrimination when fully reliant on atmospheric N, was generated by growing A. mangium in an N₂-free sand culture in the glasshouse. Isotopic discrimination occurring during N₂ fixation and metabolic processes indicated variation of δ¹⁵N values in the order of nodules > old leaves > young leaves > stems > litterfall and roots of the trees grown in the field, with values ranging from −0.8 to 3.5‰ except nodules which were enriched and significantly different from other plant parts (P < 0.0001). Isotopic discrimination was not affected by tree age (P > 0.05). Plants grown in N free sand culture exhibited the same pattern of isotopic discrimination as plants grown in the field. The estimated B-value for the whole plant of A. mangium was −0.86‰. Mature tree stands of 12 years accumulated up to 1994 kg N ha⁻¹ in aboveground biomass. Average proportion of N derived from N₂ fixation of A. mangium was 54% (±22) and was not affected by age (P > 0.05). Average yearly quantities of N₂ fixed were 128 kg N ha⁻¹ in above-ground biomass amounting to 1208 kg N fixed ha⁻¹ over 12 years. Harvest of 12-year old trees removed approximately 91% of standing aboveground biomass from the site as timber and fuel wood. The resulting net N balance was +151 kg N ha⁻¹ derived from remaining leaves, twigs, standing litter, and +562 kg N ha⁻¹ when tree roots were included in the calculation. The fast growing A. mangium appears to be a viable fallow option for managing N in these systems. However, other nutrients have to be replaced by using part of the timber and fuel wood sales to compensate for large amounts of nutrient removed in order for the system to be sustainable.     

Achieving food and nutritional security through agroforestry: a case of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Faidherbia albida</Emphasis> in sub-Saharan Africa

Faidherbia albida is an ideal agroforestry tree commonly intercropped with annual crops like millet and groundnuts in the dry and densely populated areas of Africa. With its peculiar reverse phenology, it makes growth demands at a different time from that of crops. In addition, it deposits great amount of organic fertilizer on food crops. Leaves entering soils are comparable to fertilization of almost 50 t·ha 1 ·year 1 of manure in dense stands of 50 large trees per ha. These nutrients help maximize agricultural production and reduce the need for a fallow period on poorer soils. Research has shown that millet grown under F. albida yielded 2.5 and 3.4 fold increases in grain and protein, respectively. Animals eat pods which contain mean amounts of crude protein of 20.63% and carbohydrate of 40.1% in seeds. Moreover, the continued existence of F. albida in agroforestry parklands as in Ethiopia and Mali signifies the success of traditional conservation measures. Modern scientists have also developed much interest in the role of agroforestry in maintaining long-term biological balance between agriculture and livestock production systems. To ensure food security, which still remains a major challenge in sub-Saharan Africa, and concurrently minimize environmental degradation, promotion of agroforestry that specifically involves indigenous trees is crucial. We discuss the prospective role of F. albida in alleviating poverty while simultaneously protecting the environment from factors associated with, for example, deforestation and loss of biodiversity. The overall aim is to promote wide-scale adoption of F. albida as a valuable tree crop in farming systems, particularly in those areas where it remains unexploited.     

Evaluating the durability of wood-based panels using internal bond strength results from accelerated aging treatments

In this study, the durability of wood-based panels was evaluated by comparing the internal bond (IB) strength retention after five different laboratory-based accelerated aging tests with the IB retention after 5 years of outdoor exposure in Shizuoka City. In each accelerated aging test, the IB retention of MDI-bonded panels showed high retention compared to other panels. Outdoor exposure in Shizuoka City resulted in an IB retention value for particleboard (PF) and oriented strandboard (aspen) of less than 10% after the 5-year exposure period. Medium-density fiberboards maintained their initial IB strength over the same period. Calculation of the mean IB retention for all board types allowed comparison of the severity of aging between the accelerated test methods and outdoor exposure. The ASTM six-cycle test method was the most severe among the standard treatment cycles applied.     

基于GIS的老挝-中国边境土地适用性评估

对老挝-中国边境林地使用变更进行了评估,并提出了茶叶的土地适用性。建立一个综合的基于GIS的分析系统（IGAS）,该系统支持老挝-中国边境的林地使用和土地适用性的评估研究。采用多标准分析和系统动态技术评估林地使用和土地适用性,同时预测了潜在的茶叶用地。收集到的土地数据和数据分析表明,整体研究区域为10325.07 km2,当前的森林覆被由1992年的6337.33 km2（占61.38%）减少到2002年的5106.28 km2（占49.46%）。当前的森林主要被转为潜在林地和专门的永久农业用地,甚至国家生物多样性保护区域被转为橡胶种植区。林地使用转变的主要原因是贫穷。为了解决这个问题,根据多标准方法,我们对研究区域中适用茶叶种植土地提出了2种分类方案。     

Effects of different supplements on tetraploid black locust (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Robinia pseudoacacia</Emphasis> L.) silage

Preparation of silage is a common method to preserve green forage. It plays an important role in improving forage utilization,     

Zinc biofortification of maize (Zea mays L.): Status and challenges

Zn deficiency is one of the leading health problems in children and women of developing countries. Different interventions could be used to overcome malnutrition, but biofortification is most impactful, convenient, sustainable and acceptable intervention. Maize is one of the major crops grown and consumed in the regions with prevalent Zn malnutrition; therefore, this is suitable target for Zn biofortification. Zn biofortification of maize could be achieved through agronomic and genetic approaches. Discussion of agronomic approaches with genetic approaches is prerequisite because soils in developing countries are deficit of Zn and availability of Zn in soils is mandatory for estimating the genetic responses of maize genotypes through genetic approaches. Seed priming, foliar and soil applications are agronomic tools for biofortification, but solo and combined applications of these treatments have different effects on Zn enrichment. Genetic approaches include the increase of Zn bioavailability or increase of kernel Zn concentration. Zn bioavailability could be increased by reducing the anti‐nutritional factors or by increasing the bioavailability enhancers. Kernel Zn concentration could be improved through hybridization and selections, whereas genetically engineered attempts for improving Zn uptake from soil, loading in xylem, remobilization in grains and sequestration in endosperm can further improve the kernel Zn concentration. Key challenges associated with dissemination of Zn biofortified maize are also under discussion in this draft. Current review emphasized all of above‐mentioned contents to provide roadmap for the development of Zn biofortified maize genotypes to curb the global Zn malnutrition.     

Male sterility in soybean: Occurrence,molecular basis and utilization

In plants, male sterility (MS) is a specific breeding target trait. With the advancements in agriculture, utilization of heterosis breeding in hybrid production through MS lines has become the main breeding tool of various cross‐pollinated and even self‐pollinated crops. Soybean is an essential source of oil and protein; however, the low yield is a major factor limiting its development. Soybean MS mainly comprises cytoplasmic‐nuclear MS and nuclear/genic MS (NMS/GMS), which can effectively utilize heterosis to improve soybean yield. This review outlines the recent research progress on the development of new genetically MS lines, exploring the underlying molecular mechanism of MS, identification and cloning of MS and fertility restoration genes, and the application of MS lines. We further discussed and prospected the future developmental scenario direction of the soybean MS, based on the previous studies of other crops sterility system. Moreover, this review also provides comprehensive information for better application of MS to soybean breeding programme.     

Performance of Bangladesh indigenous rice in a weed infested field and separation of allelopathy from resource competition

This study aimed to identify the potential allelopathic indigenous rice (Oryza sativa L. ssp. indica) varieties from Bangladesh using a performance study in a weed‐infested field and to assess the extent of allelopathic interference relative to resource competition in a glasshouse experiment. Six varieties – namely, “Boterswar,” “Goria,” “Biron” and “Kartiksail” as the most allelopathic, “Hashikolmi” as weakly allelopathic and “Holoi” as nonallelopathic – were raised following a nonweed control method. The infestation levels of weed species were calculated using Simpson's Diversity Index (SDI), which ranged from 0.2 to 0.56. However, a significant correlation coefficient (0.87, P < 0.001) was obtained from these field data compared with the root inhibition percentage from the laboratory bioassay, and the “Boterswar” variety was the most allelopathic. The interactions between the allelopathic variety “Boterswar,” weakly allelopathic variety “Hashikolmi” and Echinochloa oryzicola via a target (rice)‐adjacent (E. oryzicola) cogrowth culture were determined in a hydroponic arrangement. The relative competitive intensity (RCI) and the relative neighbor effect (RNE) values showed that the crop–weed interaction was facilitation for “Boterswar” and competition for “Hashikolmi” and E. oryzicola in rice/E. oryzicola cogrowth cultures. The allelopathic effects of “Boterswar” were much higher than the resource competition in rice/E. oryzicola cogrowth cultures. The converse was observed for “Hashikolmi.” Moreover, the mineral content of E. oryzicola was severely affected by “Boterswar”/E. oryzicola cogrowth cultures’ exudate solution. Therefore, the allelopathic potential of “Boterswar” variety might be useful for developing the weed‐suppressing capacity of rice, which will likely have a significant influence on paddy weed control.     

Curcumin,a Compound from Natural Sources,a True Scientific Challenge – A Review

Curcumin, a plant-derived polyphenolic compound, naturally present in turmeric (Curcuma longa), has been the subject of intensive investigations on account of its various activities. The implementation of safe, beneficial and highly functional compounds from natural sources in human nutrition/prevention/therapy requires some modifications in order to achieve their multi-functionality, improve their bioavailability and delivery strategies, with the main aim to enhance their effectiveness. The low aqueous solubility of curcumin, its rapid metabolism and elimination from the body, and consequently, poor bioavailability, constitute major obstacles to its application. The main objectives of this review are related to reported strategies to overcome these limitations and, thereby, improve the solubility, stability and bioavailability of curcumin. The effectiveness of curcumin could be greatly improved by using nanoparticle-based carriers. The significance of the quality of a substance delivery system is reflected in the fact that carrying curcumin as a food additive/nutrition also means carrying the active biological product/drug. This review summarizes the state of the art, and highlights some examples and the most significant advances in the field of curcumin research.     

Evaluation of Particle Size Influence on Proximate Composition,Physicochemical, Techno-Functional and Physio-Functional Properties of Flours Obtained from Persimmon (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Diospyros kaki</Emphasis> Trumb.) Coproducts

The aim of the work was to study the influence of particle size in the composition, physicochemical, techno-functional and physio-functional properties of two flours obtained from persimmon (Diospyros kaki Trumb. cvs. ‘Rojo Brillante’ (RBF) and ‘Triump’ (THF) coproducts. The cultivar (RBF and THF) and particle size significantly affected all parameters under study, although depending on the evaluated property, only one of these effects predominated. Carbohydrates (38.07–46.98 g/100 g) and total dietary fiber (32.07–43.57 g/100 g) were the main components in both flours (RBF and THF). Furthermore, insoluble dietary fiber represented more than 68% of total dietary fiber content. All color properties studied were influenced by cultivar and particle size. For both cultivars, the lower particle size, the higher lightness and hue values. RBF flours showed high values for emulsifying activity (69.33–74.00 mL/mL), while THF presented high values for water holding capacity (WHC: 9.47–12.19 g water/g sample). The bile holding capacity (BHC) and fat/oil binding values were, in general, higher in RBF (19.61–12.19 g bile/g sample and 11.98–9.07, respectively) than THF (16.12–12.40 g bile/g sample and 9.78–7.96, respectively). The effect of particle size was really evident in both WHC and BHC. Due to their dietary fiber content, techno-functional and physio-functional properties, persimmon flours seem to have a good profile to be used as potential functional ingredient.