Evaluation of indices for identification of pearl millet cultivars adapted to stress and non-stress conditions

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) is cultivated across a wide range of environments ranging from extremely stressful to favourable. The objective of this research was to compare methods to identify productive cultivars for stress and non-stress conditions. Thirty pearl millet cultivars were evaluated at 22 locations that were grouped as stress, non-stress, or intermediate environments. Five selection indices viz., arithmetic mean (AM), geometric mean (GM), AM (standard units), stress susceptibility index (S) and drought response index (DRI) were calculated for each genotype to determine correlation between selection indices and yield under stress (Y_S), non-stress (Y_NS), and average conditions (Y_AV). Both cultivars and locations were significant sources of variation. Phenology of cultivars had different influence on yielding ability in contrasting environments. While earliness was advantageous for stress conditions, cultivars with longer duration tended to yield more under non-stress conditions. Y_S was only moderately determined by Y_NS. Both AM and GM were suitable indices for selection of cultivars that would perform well across stress, non-stress, and intermediate environments. Stress susceptibility index (S) was negatively correlated with Y_S (r=−0.62^**) but should only be used as a selection criterion in combination with yield under stress (Y_S) to identify cultivars adapted to stress environments. DRI was positively correlated with Y_S but had no association with Y_NS. Results indicated that DRI might be useful for identifying cultivars with high performance under stress particularly when days to flower differ considerably among test entries.     

Benchmarking sunflower water productivity in semiarid environments

Appropriate benchmarking is essential for evaluating the efficiency with which crops use water and for identifying constraints, other than water, to crop yield. No benchmark exists for sunflower. Boundary and simulation analyses were used to quantify the water productivity of sunflower crops grown in the Western Pampas (semiarid central Argentina). The approach involved the use of a large database (n = 169) collected in farmers’ fields over a period of 4 years, and the application of a crop simulation model in combination with actual weather and soil data. Using field data, an upper bound of 8 kg grain ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹ for water productivity, with an apparent seasonal soil evaporation of 75 mm, was defined. Seasonal water supply exceeded maximum expected seasonal crop requirements (ca. 630 mm) for many crops, and a majority of crops with <630 mm of available water during the season had water productivities considerably lower than the upper bound. The field data-based upper bound was indistinguishable from that obtained using yields for a set of 47 simulations using observed initial values for soil water and nitrogen profiles. Simulation confirmed the main features of the boundary-analysis applied to field data, and many simulated crops had yields that fell below the boundary function, even when simulated yield was plotted against simulated seasonal evapotranspiration or transpiration. Long-term (33-year) simulation analyses for two sites showed that most sunflower crops in the area are subjected to episodes of transient and unavoidable water stress after floral initiation. High levels of available soil water at sowing moderate, but in most years do not eliminate, these exposures to water stress. Yield gaps with respect to the boundary function were associated with deficient or excessive rainfall during grain filling, and other, non-water related, factors such as inadequate crop nutrition, biotic stresses, low photothermal quotients during the interval close to anthesis, and lodging. A grain yield/seasonal evapotranspiration plot for a large (n = 154) data set from experiments conducted by others in five separate environments suggests that the boundary function found for the Western Pampas is broadly applicable. Sunflower water productivity, corrected for oil-synthesis costs and seasonal vapour pressure deficit differences, approximates that of winter cereals grown in Mediterranean environments.     

Changes in the concept of genotype × environment interactions to fit agriculture diversification and decentralized participatory plant breeding: pluridisciplinary point of view

The standardization of environments (E) encouraged by modern society and by the productivist model of agriculture has resulted in the standardization of genotypes (G) thereby reducing G × E interaction. New societal values call for the diversification of agriculture to fit contrasted environments. This process can be depicted by four models defined by two axes, one socio-economic (individual logics versus collective governance), and the other agro-ecological (reductionist versus systemic approaches). These models differ in (i) their objectives (from improvement in yield to the empowerment of farmers), (ii) their specific expectations with respect to genotypes (from inherited genetic resources to varieties that represent genetic, ethical and social progress), (iii) their specific representations of the environment (E) (from a simple interaction between the bio-physical environment (B) and the crop management (C), to a complex interaction including the competences of the actors (A), outlets (O), regulations (R), society (S)), (iv) their particular relations between G and E (from G × E to G × B × C × A under evolving constraints represented by R × O × S). Taking this diversity into account changes the way plant improvement is considered. Thus, depending on the model, the order, interest and status of the five classic stages of plant improvement (setting objectives, creating variability, selecting, evaluating and disseminating) may be called into question. Between the existing analytical model (Model I) and a holistic model (Model IV) which remains to be developed, lies the challenge of ensuring the sustainability, efficiency and acceptability of plant breeding and resulting innovations. From a simple “statistical parameter” that we, as plant breeders, attempt to reduce, the G × E interaction is becoming an “objective” that we try to predict and valorize. Structuring the different components of E, G and G × E, enables us to extend the basic concept of representivity to both the cultivation conditions and the relational socio-economic positions of the actors involved.

Multi-attribute responses of maize inbred lines across managed environments

In maize (Zea mays L.) breeding programs, selection among and within segregating progenies is based mainly on indirect selection criteria. A better understanding of the environment influence on physiological attributes of maize inbred lines is important to the identification and selection of superior inbred lines as well as to successful hybrid seed production. In this study, the size and form of genotype (G) and genotype × environment (G × E) interaction effects for plant grain yield (PGY) and several physiological attributes were examined for 12 maize inbred lines grown in four managed environments, represented by two seasons (Y) and two nitrogen levels. Mixed model analysis revealed that the G effect was relatively high for attributes related to light capture, phenology, early biomass production, and numerical components of PGY. The G × E interaction effect explained most of the variability for PGY, harvest index (HI), and biomass production at maturity. Three-mode principal component analysis allowed us to: (1) describe the associations among multiple attributes across environments, (2) reveal the form of the main patterns of G × E interaction, (3) establish the importance of the genotype × year (G × Y) interaction for kernel number, HI, and biomass at maturity in determining PGY, (4) identify promising genotypes of high-PGY across environments, and (5) detect genotypes of similar response patterns for PGY but with a contrasting relative behavior for other attributes, which may permit the simultaneous selection for grain yield and desired secondary traits. Such selection results would contribute greatly in the identification of superior inbreds than selecting for grain yield alone.

黄土高原地区学林（草）的基本思路

分析了我国黄土高原地区坡耕地存在的主要问题,根据黄土高原生态环境脆弱的具体情况,提出了退耕还林(草)的对策思路。     

Heterosis in landrace-based topcross hybrids of pearl millet across arid environments

This study quantified the magnitude of heterosis in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) topcross hybrids produced by crossing 16 diverse landraces and three high yielding open-pollinating varieties on two homozygous male-sterile lines. Hybrids and pollinators were grown in 12 year ×;location combinations in India that were grouped into three zones. Genetic components of variance quantifying the differences among these hybrids were estimated. The hybrids showed a conspicuous heterosis for grain yield, earliness and biomass yield but not for straw yield. The level and direction of heterosis for time to flowering depended strongly on the earliness of the male-sterile line. In the terminal drought stress zone hybrids made on the early maturing male-sterile line 843A had the highest level of heterosis for grain yield (88%). This was partly due to escape from terminal stress. In the other two zones the heterosis for grain yield was on average 30%. Heterosis for biomass yield and biomass yield per day was on average also positive in all three zones. For all traits, except time to flowering and biomass yield per day, pollinator effects were the only significant source of variation. Differences between hybrids were mostly caused by additive genetic effects. Significant amount of heterosis observed in landrace-based topcross hybrids for grain yield and other productivity-related traits suggested that substantial improvement in pearl millet productivity in and environments can be obtained by topcrossing locally adapted landraces on suitable male-sterile lines. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

纤维板生产线中连续辊压式热压机安装

内介绍了中密度纤维板设备安装过程中连续热压机的施工方法,对同类或近似的设备安装具有一定的参考价值。     

Aesthetic growth of a native tree species with desirable characteristics for urban green areas in arid and semiarid environments

Having an aesthetic form is one of the desirable aspects of trees used to create or reforest urban green areas, which is often achieved by procedures that require a great effort. The understanding of factors affecting the architecture of plants in natural conditions may be useful to promote a desirable shape during the growth process. Under the hypothesis that trees in high luminosity conditions have a more aesthetical growth, in this study we explore the relationship between plant shape and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) in Bursera fagaroides, a characteristic species of the tropical dry forest and xerophytic shrub-lands useful for urban green areas in semiarid environments. To evaluate trees shape we calculate a symmetry index (I_S) by using two diameters of the crown, perpendicular to each other, and the total height. Measurements were made over three periods (before, during and after the growth period); and PAR was also measured for each tree. Linear regressions were used to analyze the relationship between the symmetry of trees and PAR received during the growth period. The post-growth symmetry of trees showed a positive relationship with the PAR received by trees during the growth period, suggesting that PAR effects can be harnessed to develop post-germination strategies for the production of trees with a more aesthetical growth in the studied species. Effect of PAR on the shape of plants may represent a practical option to promote aesthetical growth of trees and shrubs with importance for creation and restoration of urban green areas.     

室内环境下染色单板的光变色过程

研究了在室内自然光辐射下杨木和桦木染色单板的变褪色过程和影响因素.结果表明:光辐射过程中,染色单板发生了显著变褪色.经光辐射100d,各个试件色差值ΔE*均超过16,最大达44.36.染色单板光变色前期主要是由于染料及木材抽提物不饱和基团的劣化,后期主要是木材基质.染料结构及稳定性是影响其变褪色的主要因素,漂白预处理加...     

The role of green spaces and their management in a child-friendly urban village

Environmental child-friendliness is affected by how built environments and green spaces are planned and designed, but also by their ongoing management, including both development and maintenance. This study examined children’s perspectives on their local environments with focus on green spaces and their management in an urban village. Five groups totalling 16 children aged 10–11 were interviewed through child-led walks. Both the qualities of the village as a whole and of specific places within it added to the child-friendliness of the local environment. The children showed planned and managed spaces including playgrounds and parks, and unmanaged places such as abandoned gardens. They found many qualities in multifunctional planned places with a varied, rich content. In unmanaged areas the lack of management was seen as positive for exploration, play possibilities and for the place to be children’s own. The findings suggest that children’s perspectives can play an important role not only in planning and design, but also in the ongoing process of landscape management, including the provision of more variation in local green spaces.