Multi-sensors data fusion approach for site-specific seeding of consumption and seed potato production

Precision Agriculture - This study evaluated the agronomic and economic prospects of Site-Specific Seeding (SSS) for consumption and seed potato production based on Management Zone (MZ) maps...     

Correction to: Automation in Agriculture by Machine and Deep Learning Techniques: A Review of Recent Developments

Precision Agriculture - A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11119-021-09824-9     

QTL mapping of seedling biomass and root traits under different nitrogen conditions in bread wheat(Triticum aestivum L.)

Plant nitrogen assimilation and use efficiency in the seedling's root system are beneficial for adult plants in field condition for yield enhancement. Identification of the genetic basis between root traits and N uptake plays a crucial role in wheat breeding. In the present study, 198 doubled haploid lines from the cross of Yangmai 16/Zhongmai 895 were used to identify quantitative trait loci(QTLs) underpinning four seedling biomass traits and five root system architecture(RSA) related traits. The plants were grown under hydroponic conditions with control, low and high N treatments(Ca(NO_3)_2·4H_2 O at 0, 0.05 and 2.0 mmol L~(-1), respectively). Significant variations among the treatments and genotypes, and positive correlations between seedling biomass and RSA traits(r=0.20 to 0.98) were observed. Inclusive composite interval mapping based on a high-density map from the Wheat 660 K single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNP) array identified 51 QTLs from the three N treatments. Twelve new QTLs detected on chromosomes 1 AL(1) in the control, 1 DS(2) in high N treatment, 4 BL(5) in low and high N treatments, and 7 DS(3) and 7 DL(1) in low N treatments, are first reported in influencing the root and biomass related traits for N uptake. The most stable QTLs(RRS.caas-4 DS) on chromosome 4 DS, which were related to ratio of root to shoot dry weight trait, was in close proximity of the Rht-D1 gene, and it showed high phenotypic effects, explaining 13.1% of the phenotypic variance. Twenty-eight QTLs were clustered in 12 genetic regions. SNP markers tightly linked to two important QTLs clusters C10 and C11 on chromosomes 6 BL and 7 BL were converted to kompetitive allele-specific PCR(KASP) assays that underpin important traits in root development, including root dry weight, root surface area and shoot dry weight. These QTLs, clusters and KASP assays can greatly improve the efficiency of selection for root traits in wheat breeding programmes.     

Fungal endophyte Penicillium janthinellum LK5 can reduce cadmium toxicity in Solanum lycopersicum (Sitiens and Rhe)

We investigated the role of gibberellins-producing endophyte Penicillium janthinellum LK5 associated with Solanum lycopersicum (host), abscisic acid (ABA)-deficient tomato mutant Sitiens and its wild-type Rheinlands Ruhm (Rhe) plants under cadmium (Cd) stress. A 100-μM Cd application to host, Sitiens and Rhe reduced the shoot growth, chlorophyll content and stomatal conductance. However, these parameters were significantly (P?<?0.0011) higher (1.0- to 2.6-folds) in host, Sitiens and Rhe under endophytic association than in non-endophyte infected plants (control) under Cd stress. Furthermore, endophytic association minimized the Cd-induced membrane injury and oxidative stress to host, Sitiens and Rhe plants by reducing electrolytes and lipid peroxidation while increasing the content of reduced glutathione and catalase activities as compared to non-endophyte-infected plants. Stress-responsive ABA content significantly increased (～2-folds) in Sitiens and Rhe under endophyte association, while in host plants it was decreased under Cd stress. Salicylic acid content was ～?1.7-fold higher in host, Sitiens and Rhe plants under Cd stress and endophyte association than in the control. Besides gibberellins production, the endophyte has the potential to solubilize phosphates (12.73?±?0.24 mg/l) since higher P was observed in the roots of Sitiens, Rhe and host plants. Similarly, nutrients like sulfur and calcium were more efficiently assimilated in roots of endophyte-associated plants than control under Cd stress. Conversely, Cd accumulation was significantly decreased (P?<?0.001) in the roots of endophyte-inoculated host, Sitiens and Rhe than control. In conclusion, endophyte symbiosis can counteract heavy metal stress which can exert negative effects on plant growth.     

Population structure and phylogenetic relationship of Peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] and Nectarine [Prunus persica var. nucipersica (L.) C.K. Schneid.] based on retrotransposon markers

For effective varietal improvement of horticultural crops peach (Prunus persica) and nectarine (Prunus persica var. nucipersica), information about their population structure and genetic relatedness plays an important role. In this study we used retrotransposon-based markers (iPBS) to estimate the genetic diversity and population structure of 48 peach and nectarine genotypes from various distinct geographical regions of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A total of 461 alleles were identified from PCR amplicons derived from nine iPBS primer pairs with an average of 8.5 alleles/locus. Among all four groups the genotypes collected from Swat and Hunza had the highest and the lowest expected heterozygosity, unbiased expected heterozygosity and Shannon’s information index, respectively. We constructed a Neighbour-Joining dendrogram and performed principal coordinate analysis based on the distance matrices, and both forms of analysis grouped the 48 genotypes into two distinct clusters. The STRUCTURE software distributed the forty-eight genotypes into two main populations (k?=?2) indicating a low diversity between genotypes collected from Chakwal, Swat, Mansehra and Hunza.

     

On-farm impacts of zero tillage wheat in South Asia's rice–wheat systems

The recent slow down in productivity growth in the irrigated areas of the Indo-Gangetic Plains of South Asia has led to a quest for resource-conserving technologies that can reduce production costs, save water and improve production. Findings from farm surveys are used to evaluate the on-farm impacts of zero tillage (ZT) wheat in the rice–wheat systems of India's Haryana state and Pakistan's Punjab province. ZT-induced effects primarily apply to the establishment and production costs of the wheat crop. Both study sites confirmed significant ZT-induced resource-saving effects in farmers’ fields in terms of diesel, tractor time and cost savings for wheat cultivation. Water savings are, however, less pronounced than expected from on-farm trial data. It was only in Haryana, India that there were significant ZT-induced water savings in addition to significant yield enhancement. The higher yield and water savings in Haryana, India result in significantly higher water productivity indicators for ZT wheat. In both sites, there are limited implications for the overall wheat crop management, the subsequent rice crop and the rice–wheat system as a whole. The combination of a significant “yield effect” and “cost-saving effect” makes adoption worthwhile and provide a much needed boost to the returns to wheat cultivation in Haryana, India. In Punjab, Pakistan, ZT is primarily a cost-saving technology for wheat cultivation. The prime driver for ZT adoption is not water savings or natural resource conservation but monetary gain in both sites. Water savings are only a potential added benefit.     

Variation in Contents of Total Phenolics and Flavonoids and Antioxidant Activities in the Leaves of 11 <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eriobotrya</Emphasis> Species

Eriobotrya plants are known to have significant amounts of phenolics and flavonoids, and exhibit a strong antioxidant activity. Experiments were conducted to examine variation in the contents of total phenolics and flavonoids, and antioxidant activities in the leaves of 11 Eriobotrya species (Tibet loquat, Daduhe loquat, Hengchun loquat, Taiwan loquat, Oak leaf loquat, Bengal loquat, Fragrant loquat, Guangxi loquat, Obovate loquat, Big flower loquat, and common loquat, the last species include two materials, one is a cultivar ‘Zaozhong 6’, another is a wild tree). In these species, ‘Zaozhong 6′ loquat is a cultivar. The leaf extracts of ‘Tibet’, ‘Obovate’, ‘Taiwan’, ‘Bengal’ and ‘Hengchun’ loquats exhibited significantly higher contents of total flavonoids and total phenolics, compared with those of other species. Of these 11 species, the highest contents of total phenolics and total flavonoids were observed in ‘Tibet’ and ‘Obovatae’ loquats, respectively. The significantly stronger antioxidant abilities assessed by the DPPH radical scavenging activity and reducing power were obtained in the leaf extracts of ‘Taiwan’, ‘Tibet’, ‘Bengal’, ‘Oak leaf’, ‘Hengchun’ and ‘Obovate’ loquats, compared with the other species. In addition, significant correlations were found between the contents of total phenolics or flavonoids and DPPH radical scavenging activity/reducing power. This work indicates that the leaf extracts of the wild Eriobotrya species, ‘Tibet’, ‘Obovatae’, ‘Taiwan’, ‘Bengal’, ‘Oak leaf’ and ‘Hengchun’ loquats, exhibited significantly higher levels of total phenolics and flavonoids, and significantly stronger antioxidant activities, compared with the cultivated species, ‘Zaozhong 6′ loquat, which suggests that these wild species have a better utilization value.     

Efficacy of various concentrations of synthetic hormones on the induced breeding of Channa marulius (Sole)

A study was conducted to determine the artificial breeding response, embryonic and larval development of giant snakehead, Channa marulius, with the application of various dosages of stimulatory hormones: Suprefact® (LHRH) agonist and Ovaprim® (GnRH + dopamine inhibitor). First and second hormonal dosages of Suprefact® (diluted) and Ovaprim® (0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 ml for male and 0.8, 0.9, and 1.0 ml for females per kilogram body weight) were used. There were three treatments T₁, T₂, and T₃ and each treatment had three replicates. Male fish were treated with T₁ (0.3), T₂ (0.4), T₃ (0.5) ml kg⁻¹ of body weight while female fish with T₁ (0.8), T₂ (0.9), T₃ (1.0) ml kg⁻¹ of body weight. The results showed that fish stimulated with T₃ (1.0) obtained better fecundity rate (2951.7) followed by T₂ (0.4) (2678.3), while the lowest fecundity (466.7) was recorded in T₁. The numerically higher values of gonado-somatic index (males and females) and fertilization rate appeared in T₂. The highest survival rate (97.1%) was found in T₃ followed by T₂ (97.0%), while the lowest (32.2%) in T₁. In conclusion, the application of Suprefact® and Ovaprim® at 0.4 and 0.5 ml kg⁻¹ body weight for male and 0.9 and 1.0 ml kg⁻¹ for female fish successfully stimulated snakehead fish induced breeding.     

Effect of Water Quality Parameters on the Migration of Vinyl Chloride Monomer from Unplasticized PVC Pipes

The migration of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) from unplasticizedpolyvinyl chloride (uPVC) pipes was investigated using locallymanufactured pipes. Specimens of 33 cm long were used throughoutthe research. The investigation was carried out under differentconditions of water temperature, pH and total dissolved solidsconcentration and at different durations of exposure. The VCMconcentration in the water was evaluated using the gaschromotography (GC)/head-space technique. A VCM concentration ofmore than 2.5 ppb was detected after 30 days of exposure at45 °C. The initial VCM concentration in the uPVC pipewas predicted using equations derived from Fick's first law ofdiffusion. Water tenperature did not affect the migration ofVCM, unless it was raised to high values (i.e. 45 °C).Total dissolved solids (TDS) and pH of water were found toaffect the release of VCM from uPVC pipes. Diffusion rate of VCMwas predicted as a function of pH or TDS values.     

氮肥配施下不同C/N作物残渣还田对红壤温室气体排放的影响

氮肥配施能够促进还田秸秆的分解,为了解其对不同C/N秸秆还田下温室气体排放的影响,采用培养实验方法,研究了油菜饼(C/N为4)、玉米秸秆(C/N为28)、水稻秸秆(C/N为41)和小麦秸秆(C/N为71)等4种不同C/N植物残渣在不同量氮肥(无氮、低氮和高氮)配施下对红壤温室气体(CO2、CH4和N2O)排放的影响。结果显示,氮肥配施增加了不同植物残渣的CO2-C累积排放量,且仅在高C/N的小麦秸秆处理中发现存在显著性差异,在低氮和高氮下CO2-C累积排放量分别达到1 271.44、1 212.83 mg·kg-1,显著高于无氮肥配施的883.40 mg·kg-1。土壤N2O累积排放量最大的为油菜饼处理组,低氮量的配施进一步增强了N2O的产生,其累积排放量达到5 550.42μg·kg-1,显著高于无氮肥配施的4 430.44μg·kg-1,然而当氮肥施用量进一步增加时却抑制了N2O的排放(3752.84μg·kg-1)。氮肥配施并未显著影响玉米秸秆和小麦秸秆处理组的N2O累积排放量。在培养期内,每一个处理均表现为CH4的吸收现象,氮肥施用能够增加土壤对CH4的累积吸收量,但差异显著性仅在对照和油菜饼处理中发现。