Effect of germination time and temperature on the functionality and protein solubility of sorghum flour

Sorghum was germinated for different time (12, 24, 36 and 48 h) at different temperatures (25, 30 and 35 °C) and the changes in their nutritional and functional properties of germinated sorghum flour were assessed and compared with native sorghum flour. Germination inversely affects the crude protein, fat, fibre and ash content. A decrease in water absorption and swelling power and increase in oil absorption capacity was observed due to enzymatic starch modification as the germination duration progressed. Germination of sorghum increased the gel consistency while paste clarity was decreased as compared to native flour. Proteins were modified by action of enzymes during higher germination time and temperature conditions, which results in significantly higher protein solubility of germinated sorghum flour, which also result in enhancing the foaming and emulsifying properties of the flour. Lowest % synersis value and least gelation concentrations were observed in native sorghum has, which increased during germination and were highest in sorghum germinated for 48 h at 35 °C. Germination in overall can be used as low cost natural bio-processing technique for the preparation of modified flour with enhanced function properties without chemical modification or genetic engineering.     

Soil available potassium affected by rice straw incorporation and potassium fertilizer application under a rice–oilseed rape rotation system

Data from 147 field trials were collected to study the influence of straw incorporation on soil potassium (K) under an intensive rice–oilseed rape rotation system, while pot experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of rice straw incorporation on soil K availability. A significant correlation was observed between the soil available K and the relative yield (RRY) and the relative K uptake (RKU) of oilseed rape, with R² values ranging from 0.07 to 0.08 and from 0.10 to 0.11, respectively, when data were fitted to a logarithmic equation model. In approximately 30% of trials, RRY reached 90%, while soil test available K values were below the critical limit, indicating that soil K values at the time of sampling (within 1 week of rice harvest) underestimated the actual soil K supply capacity. The pot experiment results showed that soil available K was affected by straw incorporation and soil type in the fallow period. The NH₄OAc‐K and NaBPh₄‐K concentrations of soils increased at first, and then, plateaued after 28 days. Straw incorporation significantly influenced the critical soil K concentration, which is important for making accurate K fertilizer recommendation. These results suggested that straw K should be seriously considered in making K fertilizer recommendations. Extending the sampling time from 1 to 3 weeks after the harvesting of rice to stabilize the effects of straw incorporation may help achieve a more accurate evaluation of soil available K.     

供氮方式对冬马铃薯氮肥利用效率及氮素去向的影响

以马铃薯费乌瑞它为试材,采用田间微区~(15)N示踪技术,研究施N量160kg·hm~(-2)全部基施(T1)、55%基施+45%在齐苗期追施(T2)、55%基施+30%在齐苗期追施+15%在现蕾期追施(T3)3种方式,对冬马铃薯氮肥利用效率及去向的影响。结果表明:马铃薯吸收的N约46%~52%来源于当季施用的氮肥,48%~54%来自土壤和种薯;肥料N利用率为35.16%~39.99%,残留率为47.71%~51.78%,损失率为8.23%~15.50%。3种施氮方式下,肥料N主要残留在0~15cm土层。随施氮时间后移,肥料N残留在0~15cm土层呈上升趋势,在15~45cm土层呈下降趋势。施氮方式对马铃薯干物质积累总量和块茎干物质积累量影响不明显,但T3肥料N利用率、肥料N残留率明显大于T1、T2。因此,综合经济效益和环境效益,T3施氮方式的效果较为理想。本研究为马铃薯氮素养分的有效管理提供了指导依据。     

Cross‐linked polyacrylates in post‐mining substrates: persistence and effects on plant growth

Application of hydrophilic polymers composed of cross‐linked polyacrylate can improve soil water‐holding capacity and accelerate the restoration of post‐mining substrates. In this work, we studied the persistence of a polyacrylate polymer incorporated into a soil and its impact on plant nutrients at a reclamation site of former lignite mining in Lusatia (Germany). In contrast to autumn application, the incorporation of the polymer enhanced the sequestration of plant‐derived carbon in the soil, which was reflected by a significant increase in the concentration of a lignin marker. Attenuated total reflexion–Fourier transform infrared spectra (ATR‐FTIR) and total elemental contents in the applied polymer suggested an intensive cation exchange between the polymer framework and the soil‐forming substrate. In addition, there was an enrichment of carbonaceous material, which seems to reduce the swelling and thus the water‐holding capacity of the cross‐linked polyacrylate. Conversely, this process protected the polymer structure from rapid decomposition.     

中、美学校体育课程设置比较分析*

运用比较分析等方法，对宾夕法尼亚州和上海市学校体育课程设置进行比较分析发现，美国学校体育课程设置内容广泛，重视个体全面发展、注重人文关怀、注重各级学校体育课程衔接；提出上海市学校体育课程设置要提高衔接性、体育课程设置应该重视人文关怀，关注残疾人体育、充分利用体制优势，促进学生养成良好体育锻炼习惯、加强学校、家庭和社区的联动，构建完整体育活动圈等建议。以期为学校体育课程改革提供些许有益的参考，从而进一步促进学生身心健康。     

北京小西山山前洪积扇不同土地利用方式下的土壤微形态特征

通过对北京小西山山前代表性洪积扇的观察研究,探索不同土地利用方式对土壤微形态特征的影响。通过对土壤薄片的观察,分析土壤微形态特征;用ENVI及MATLAB软件处理图片,并对孔隙度进行定量分析。结果表明:1)林地(WL1)剖面表层土壤微结构为海绵状结构,而园地(WL2)和菜地(WL3)的表层土壤多呈整块状结构或孔道结构;2)各采样点土壤矿物成分相近,但骨骼颗粒形态特征有较大差异。3)WL1剖面土壤孔隙度较高,以面状孔隙为主,WL2和WL3剖面土壤孔隙度过低,以中小孔隙居多。研究认为:1)林地的土壤微结构较园地和菜地的好,由于人类的不合理利用和管理,园地和菜地使土壤微结构变差,土壤孔隙度下降。2)各采样点土壤成土母质相似,土壤骨骼颗粒形态差异受到不同土地利用方式下人类干扰程度差异的影响。     

不同施肥方式对红壤蔬菜田氨氧化细菌和氨氧化古菌群落的影响

通过构建氨单加氧酶基因(amoA)克隆文库,研究在红壤蔬菜田上只施用磷钾化肥(PK)、只施氮磷钾化肥(NPK)、施用腐熟有机肥(DNPK)和施用新鲜有机肥(FNPK)等4种不同施肥处理的土壤氨氧化细菌(AOB)和氨氧化古菌(AOA)群落多样性及与土壤脲酶活性的相关性。结果表明:施加有机肥处理(DNPK和FNPK)的蔬菜田土壤的AOB文库和AOA文库OTU数量和Shannon指数高于只施用无机肥(NPK和PK)处理的蔬菜田土壤;DNPK和FNPK处理的土壤优势AOB菌群为多形亚硝化叶菌(Nitrosolobus multiformis),比例分别为88.5%和68.5%,NPK和PK处理的土壤优势AOB菌群为亚硝化单胞菌属(Nitrosospirasp.),比例分别为54.8%和65.5%;DNPK、FNPK、NPK和PK处理土壤优势AOA菌群均为阿伯丁土壤亚硝化细杆菌侯选种(CandidatusNitrosotalea devanaterra),比例分别为90.9%、84.4%、77.8%和45.2%;施加有机肥处理(DNPK和FNPK)的土壤脲酶活性和氨氧化微生物的多样性指数都高于只施用无机肥处理(NPK和PK);AOA群落多样性指数与土壤脲酶活性呈显著正相关,而AOB群落多样性与土壤脲酶活性相关性不显著。总体来看,有机肥比无机肥处理提高了AOA和AOB群落多样性,且AOA在红壤蔬菜田土壤氨氧化过程中起着更为重要的作用。     

Nitrous oxide emission from a transplanted rice field in alluvial soil as influenced by management of nitrogen fertiliser

We investigated nitrous oxide (N₂O) emission from an irrigated rice field over two years to evaluate the management of nitrogenous fertiliser and its effect on reducing emissions. Four forms of nitrogenous fertilisers: NPK at the recommended application rate, starch–urea matrix (SUM) + PK, neem‐coated urea + PK and urea alone (urea without coating) were used. Gas samples were collected from the field at weekly intervals with the static chamber technique. N₂O emissions from different treatments ranged from 11.58 to 215.81 N₂O‐N μg/m²/h, and seasonal N₂O emissions from 2.83 to 3.89 kg N₂O‐N/ha. Compared with other fertilisers, N₂O emissions were greatest after the application of the conventional NPK fertiliser. Moreover, SUM + PK reduced total N₂O emissions by 22.33% (P < 0.05) compared with NPK during the rice‐growing period (P < 0.05). The results indicate a strong correlation between N₂O emissions and soil organic carbon, nitrate, ammonium, above‐ and below‐ground plant biomass and photosynthesis (P < 0.05). The application of SUM + PK in rice fields is suitable as a means of reducing N₂O emissions without affecting grain production.     

Thermal and rheological properties of brown flour from Indica rice

The thermal, paste and rheological properties of brown flours from four Indica rice subspecies with different amylose content were examined using Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Brabender Viscometer and rheometer. Peak, final and setback viscosities (p < 0.05) increased with increasing amylose content from Brabender micro Visco-Amylo-Graph (MVA), but the phase transition temperatures of brown rice flour from DSC (p < 0.05) decreased with increasing amylose content. Rheological properties were determined by steady shear, small amplitude oscillatory shear (SAOS) and thixotropic experiments. SAOS results showed a gel-like viscoelastic behavior with G′ higher than G″. Steady-shear results showed that the brown rice flour exhibited a non-Newtonian shear-thinning behavior and the flow curves can be well described by the Herschel-Bulkley model. The upward-downward rheograms showed that brown rice flour gel, except IR-1, had a hysteresis loop, indicating a strong thixotropic behavior.     

Managing soil quality for humanity and the planet

Rather than a human-centric, the basic strategy of achieving Sustainable Development Goals must be focused on restoring and sustaining planetary processes. The urgency of meeting the demands of the humanity must be reconciled with the necessity of enhancing the environment. Increasing and restoring soil organic matter content of the degraded and depleted soils is critical to strengthening planetary processes.