民国时期西北地区苜蓿栽培利用刍考

自汉代苜蓿引入我国以来,受到历朝历代的重视,民国时期亦不例外,苜蓿种植利用也得到了发展。在收集近现代有关苜蓿研究文献的基础上,对民国时期西北地区苜蓿种植利用情形进行了梳理与归纳,结果表明,在民国时期西北地区乃为我国苜蓿种植集中区,在陕西、甘肃、新疆、绥远(西部)、宁夏和青海等都有种植,据不完全考查,种植苜蓿的县有52个,其中以陕西最多,达22个县,甘肃次之为14个县,新疆为8个县,绥远(西部)为3个县,宁夏2县(道)和青海1个县。特别是陕甘宁边区发展苜蓿的势头高涨,如1942年边区政府在延安、安塞、甘泉、志丹、定边、靖边等县种植苜蓿达3万亩,陇东种植苜蓿2.3万亩;1944年延川县紫花苜蓿保留面积2.0万亩,到1949年,陕西全省种植苜蓿约98.49万亩。1949年新疆苜蓿保留面积达29300 hm²。绥远河套地区还进行了苜蓿粮草轮作,并建立了苜蓿种植基地。为了鼓励苜蓿种植,边区政府出台了不少政策,例如,1941年边区政府公布了《陕甘宁边区政府建设厅关于种牧草的指示信》,1942年边区政府颁布了《陕甘宁边区卅一年推广苜蓿实施办法》等,李仪祉在治理黄河的方略中,从大农业、生态环境和经济效益出发,提倡广种苜蓿,肥田养畜,并提出了4条种植苜蓿的措施。李烛尘提出,苜蓿根入土深,且能耐旱,适宜西北地区种植和培植草原。苜蓿除用于饲喂家畜外,幼嫩时可当蔬菜食用,在灾荒年也是百姓很好的救荒食物,苜蓿作为农产品常出现在兰州的市场上,试验表明苜蓿保存水土流失的作用要大于作物。     

我国明代苜蓿栽培利用刍考

苜蓿被《救荒本草》《本草纲目》《群芳谱》和《农政全书》以及明皇帝实录与方志等经典要籍所记载,充分体现了苜蓿在明代的重要性、研究的普遍性和种植的广泛性。本研究以记载明代苜蓿的相关典籍为基础,应用植物考据学原理和方法,结合现代研究成果,对明代苜蓿种植分布与状况、植物生态生物学特性、栽培管理和利用方式等进行尝试性研究考查。结果表明,明代在山西、陕西、河北、河南、山东、安徽、江苏、北京、甘肃和宁夏等省均有苜蓿种植,其中以“三晋为盛,秦、鲁次之,燕、赵又次之”。在苜蓿植物学、生态生物学研究方面成绩显著,对苜蓿植株形态、花色及其着生部位、荚果种子形状的精准描述已达到现代植物学的水准。同时,对苜蓿的轴根性也有一定的认识,记载其根的形态与黄芪的根相类似。在明代出现了紫花和黄花2种苜蓿的记载;主张苜蓿与荞麦混作,并利用苜蓿的肥田能力,将苜蓿纳入了轮作制度中;提倡7、8月种苜蓿,一年三刈,种子田一刈;苜蓿3年后生长进入旺盛期,7、8年后衰退垦去。在苜蓿饲用方面明代王象晋提出了最佳利用时期,即“苜蓿花时,刈取喂马牛,易肥健食”。同时,在苜蓿的食用、药用等方面人们利用得更加具体有效。此外,苜蓿还可做贡品。     

耕作方式和秸秆覆盖对旱地麦豆轮作下小麦籽粒产量、蛋白质含量和土壤硝态氮残留的影响

为明确耕作方式和秸秆覆盖对旱地麦豆轮作下小麦籽粒产量、蛋白质含量和土壤硝态氮残留的影响,2014年10月-2016年6月,利用设置在豫西典型旱作区的麦豆轮作栽培模式长期定位试验,选取传统翻耕、翻耕覆盖、旋耕和旋耕覆盖4个处理,比较了小麦氮素吸收利用、籽粒产量、蛋白质含量以及土壤硝态氮残留量。结果表明,与翻耕相比,旋耕不影响小麦产量,但花后氮素积累量、籽粒蛋白质含量和蛋白质产量分别降低60.0%、8.6%和13.0%,而成熟期0~200 cm土层硝态氮残留量显著提高28.6%。同一耕作方式下,秸秆覆盖较无覆盖不仅显著提高了穗数、穗粒数、千粒重和收获指数,还提高了拔节前和开花后的氮素积累量,促进了营养器官氮素向籽粒中转运,从而使翻耕覆盖的籽粒产量、氮素吸收效率、籽粒蛋白质含量和蛋白质产量较翻耕分别提高11.5%、13.5%、7.4%和21.3%,旋耕覆盖较旋耕也分别提高23.0%、39.5%、12.8%和38.5%。在试验进行7年后的小麦成熟期,翻耕覆盖0~200 cm土层硝态氮残留量较翻耕降低31.3%,旋耕覆盖较旋耕也降低51.4%。因此,秸秆覆盖不仅可提高旱地麦豆轮作下小麦产量、蛋白质含量和氮素吸收效率,还能降低土壤硝态氮的残留量,是兼顾旱地小麦高产优质和环境友好生产的有效途径,尤其以旋耕覆盖效果突出。     

高寒区轮作模式对当归田土壤特性及药材产量的影响

连作重茬造成当归产量逐年下降。采用药用植物秦艽(QJ)、羌活(QH)轮作当归(DG),以当归连作为对照,通过测定土壤和药材产量指标,利用主成分分析确定各指标权重,并结合隶属综合因子分析和聚类分析,旨在揭示不同药用作物轮作当归对土壤环境与药材产量的影响,为筛选适宜当归栽培的轮作模式提供科学依据。结果表明,不同作物轮作对当归田土壤特性和药材产量均具有显著影响,秦艽轮作当归可有效改善土壤特性,使当归成药期土壤磷和钾含量处于较低水平,而有机质维持在较高水平,对土壤水分的季节调控作用更为显著,与当归连作相比较,当归成药率提高94.10%,药材单根鲜重和药材鲜产量分别提高53.46%和125.56%,而羌活轮作当归土壤pH最高,有机质含量最低,当归连作土壤有机质含量虽高,但土壤富集磷和钾,对土壤水分季节性调控作用最小,当归成药率和药材产量均低。不同轮作模式当归成药率和药材产量依次为秦艽-当归>当归-当归>羌活-当归,综合指数大小依次为秦艽-当归(0.8132)>羌活-当归(0.3315)>当归连作(0.2051)。聚类分析将3种轮作模式分为三大类,重复小区亚类间距离均小,说明不同作物轮作对土壤的调控作用不同,高寒产区秦艽轮作当归是优化调控土壤环境,提高当归产出性能的有效轮作模式。     

海河平原区棉花饲用黑麦复种方式及水肥利用效率分析

2011年10月-2014年10月连续3年在河北省任县安排了定位试验,通过饲用黑麦不同播期与棉花构建几种棉草复种茬口搭配方式,从产量、经济效益、水分利用效率和养分利用效率以及对土壤肥力影响等方面综合分析棉花饲用黑麦复种的可行性及复种方式。结果表明,棉花可与饲用黑麦复种,为降低饲用黑麦对棉花的影响,饲用黑麦可适当推迟到10月20日播种,次年4月底收获,效益可提高5470.1元·hm^-2。棉花饲用黑麦复种与棉花单作相比,平均水分利用率提高16.49%;水分经济利用效率提高56.54%;并且土壤有机质平均增长幅度提高5.71%,土壤含盐量平均降低幅度达到23.72%,土壤改良效果明显;是适用于该区域的高效复种模式。     

Improved milk production through PG–PL system by provision of in‐house shelter management in lactating Murrah buffaloes during winter season

Comprehensive information on the role of β‐casein and plasminogen–plasmin (PG–PL) system in milk secretion of Murrah buffaloes during winter season is lacking, although effects of cold stress can be ameliorated to an extent by altering microclimate at farm level. Hence, this study was aimed to determine the changes in productivity along with PG–PL system of milk, plasma hormones and metabolites of buffaloes during winter (December–January) season under two different management systems. Average minimum temperature and wind chill index during this season were 7.02 and 12.74 °C respectively. Buffaloes were divided in two groups of six animals each: control and treatment, where treatment group animals were placed in‐house with floor bedding of paddy straw and the control group animals in loose housing system without straw bedding. Physiological responses were recorded, and milk and blood samples were collected at weekly intervals for six‐week experimental period. Under in‐house management system, buffaloes experienced better comfort by alleviating environmental stress as their physiological responses such as respiration rate and pulse rate were significantly reduced (p < 0.01) as compared to the control, which subsequently resulted higher milk yield by 9.92% (p < 0.05). Analysis of milk samples revealed higher concentration of plasminogen (10.6 vs. 8.05 μg/ml; p < 0.01) and β‐casein (p < 0.05), and lower plasmin level (0.299 vs. 0.321 μg/ml; p < 0.05) in buffaloes under treatment group. It was also found that plasma cortisol, glucose and non‐esterified fatty acids levels were higher (p < 0.01) in control group as compared to the treatment animals by 13.6%, 8.14% and 12.6% respectively. However, milk composition, growth hormone, epinephrine and norepinephrine level in plasma were similar in both the groups. Hence, it may be concluded that provision of in‐house shelter management with floor bedding of paddy straw during winter was effective to minimize environmental stress and improved milk production through manipulation of PG–PL system in buffaloes.     

Effects of continuous low dose infusion of lipopolysaccharide on inflammatory responses,milk production and milk quality in dairy cows

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of continuous low dose infusion of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on inflammatory responses and milk production and quality in lactating dairy cows. Eight Holstein cows were assigned to two treatments in a cross‐over experimental design. Cows were infused intravenously either with saline solution or with saline solution containing LPS from Escherichia coli O111:B4 at a dose of 0.01 μg LPS/kg body weight for approximately 6 hr each day during a seven‐day trial. The clinical symptoms and milk production performance were observed. Milk samples were analysed for conventional components, fatty acids and amino acids. And jugular vein and mammary vein plasma samples were analysed for concentrations of cytokines and acute phase proteins. LPS infusion decreased feed intake and milk yield. An increase in body temperature was observed after LPS infusion. LPS infusion also increased plasma concentrations of interleukin‐1β, serum amyloid A, LPS‐binding protein, C‐reactive protein and haptoglobin. LPS infusion decreased the contents of some fatty acids, such as C17:1, C18:0, C18:1n9 (trans) and C18:2n6 (trans), and most amino acids except for methionine, threonine, histidine, cysteine, tyrosine and proline in the milk. The results indicated that a continued low dose infusion of LPS can induce an inflammatory response, decrease milk production and reduce milk quality.     

Effect of water restriction on milk yield and quality in Lacaune breed ewes

The effect of water restriction on body weight, body condition score, milk yield, and milk composition and rheological characteristics in intensively reared Lacaune ewes was evaluated. After 7 days of adaptation, the trial lasted 28 days. Thirty lactating ewes (48 ± 5 months of age; mean value ± standard deviation) at the beginning of third lactation month were divided into three groups (n = 10), corresponding to the following water restriction treatment: a group control received no drinking water restriction (W100), and two groups received water to the extent of 80% and 60% of W100 daily consumption (W80 and W60 group respectively). The effects of water restriction were assessed at the beginning of experiment (D0), at D14 and D28. The W60 group resulted in a significant decrease in body weight, body condition score, milk yield and feed consumption of hay due to the experimental treatment; whereas a marked increase in both W60 and W80 groups of milk lactose, urea, sodium, sodium chloride content and titratable acidity was observed. Rheological parameters of milk, rennet coagulation time and curd‐firming time were positively affected by water restriction treatments, with a decrease in both experimental groups of the time required for the formation of a stable and firm curd. Results highlight the importance of water consumption in dairy sheep. The scarce availability of water, significantly affecting ewes milk production, is worthy of particular attention in arid area where water stress‐resistant breeds should be considered. This study underlines that milk yield, being closely linked to the availability of water of the breeding habitat due to its high water content (about 81%), could be reached in area where water is not a limiting factor without reducing the genetic expression of the animals. Less severe water restrictions, such as 20% of daily voluntary water intake, produce no detrimental effect on milk yield.     

Yield Performance of Wheat Isolines with Different Dosages of the Short Arm of Rye Chromosome 1

Translocations of the short arm of rye (Secale cereale L.) chromosome 1 (1RS) in wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Pavon 76) are known to increase root biomass. Such an increase enhances water and nutrient uptake and may improve grain yield. Two greenhouse experiments and a field experiment were carried out at the University of California, Riverside, in 2012 and 2013 under well‐watered and terminal drought treatments to evaluate phenotypic characters associated with varying dosages of 1RS, including grain yield. The genotypes used were cultivar Pavon 76 (R₀), Pavon 76/Pavon1RS.1AL (F₁ hybrid) with a single dosage of 1RS (R₁A), Pavon 1RS.1AL with two dosages of 1RS (R₂A), Pavon 1RS.1DL (R₂D) also with two dosages of 1RS and Pavon 1RS.1AL‐1RS.1DL (R₄AD) with four dosages of 1RS. There was a significant positive correlation between number of dosages of 1RS and root biomass. However, no correlation was found between root biomass and grain yield per plant. Drought in the field experiment reduced grain yield significantly. Under well‐watered field conditions, grain yield of R₂A (215.9 g plant^?1) was significantly greater than those of R₂D (191.8 g plant^?1) and R₄AD (161.7 g plant^?1). Also, grain yield of R₄AD was significantly less than those of F₁, Pavon 76 and R₂D under well‐watered conditions. Under drought field conditions, no significant differences were found among the genotypes for grain yield was found between F₁ (14.7 g plant^?1) and R₄AD (12.4 g plant^?1). Harvest index was significantly greater in well‐watered (44.2 %) than in drought (34.6 %) field conditions. On average, genotypes F₁ (42.3 %) and R₂A (40.6 %) had higher harvest index than R₂D (38.3 %) and R₄AD (35.5 %) in the field. Also, Pavon 76 (40.2) and R₂D (38.3) had higher harvest index than R₄AD. Drought tolerance was lowest for R₄AD due to its relatively lower grain yield potential. In general, Pavon 1RS.1AL carrying two dosages of 1RS showed higher grain yield under wet treatments. Pavon 1RS.1AL‐1RS.1DL carrying four dosages of 1RS produced the largest shoot and root biomasses, but the least grain yield.     

Biochar Mitigates Salinity Stress in Potato

A pot experiment was conducted in a climate‐controlled greenhouse to investigate the growth, physiology and yield of potato in response to salinity stress under biochar amendment. It was hypothesized that addition of biochar may improve plant growth and yield by mitigating the negative effect of salinity through its high sorption ability. From tuber bulking to harvesting, the plants were exposed to three saline irrigations, that is 0, 25 and 50 mm NaCl solutions, respectively, and two levels of biochar (0 % and 5 % W/W) treatments. An adsorption study was also conducted to study the Na⁺ adsorption capability of biochar. Results indicated that biochar was capable to ameliorate salinity stress by adsorbing Na⁺. Increasing salinity level resulted in significant reductions of shoot biomass, root length and volume, tuber yield, photosynthetic rate (A_n), stomatal conductance (g_s), midday leaf water potential, but increased abscisic acid (ABA) concentration in both leaf and xylem sap. At each salinity level, incorporation of biochar increased shoot biomass, root length and volume, tuber yield, A_n, g_s, midday leaf water potential, and decreased ABA concentration in the leaf and xylem sap as compared with the respective non‐biochar control. Decreased Na⁺, Na⁺/K⁺ ratio and increased K⁺ content in xylem with biochar amendment also indicated its ameliorative effects on potato plants in response to salinity stress. The results suggested that incorporation of biochar might be a promising approach for enhancing crop productivity in salt‐affected soils.