Spatial and Temporal Variability of Sorghum Grain Yield: Influence of Soil,Water, Pests,and Diseases Relationships

This study was conducted to determine relationships between biotic and abiotic factors and to generate information needed to improve the management of site-specific farming (SSF). The effects of water (80% evapotranspiration (ET) and 50% ET), hybrid (drought-tolerant and -susceptible), elevation, soil texture, soil NO₃--N, soil pH, and greenbugs (Schizaphis graminum) (Gb) on sorghum grain yield were investigated at Halfway, TX on geo-referenced locations on a 30-m grid in 1997, 1998, and 1999. Grain yields were influenced by interrelationships among many factors. Grain yields were consistently high under 80% ET treatment and in the upper slopes where the clay and silt fractions of the soil were high. Soil NO₃--N, rainfall, hybrid, and Gb effects on grain yields were seasonally unstable. Soil NO₃--N increased grain yield when water was abundant and depressed grain yields when water was limiting. Plant density effects on grain yield were confounded with hybrid responses to drought and Gb infestation. Managing seasonally unstable factors is a major challenge for farmers and better ways to monitor crop growth and diagnose causes of poor plant growth are needed. To improve the management of SSF, effects of the relationships between biotic and abiotic factors on crop yield must be integrated and evaluated as a system. Based on our study, information on seasonally stable factors like elevation and soil texture is useful in identifying management zones for water and fertilizer application. Water and fertilizers management should be complemented by in-season management of seasonally unstable factors like soil NO₃--N, rainfall, hybrid, and Gb effects on grain yield.     

生物技术对环境微生物的构建及行为控制

微生物代谢方式的多样性使其具有降解环境污染物的能力,生物技术则为优化这一能力提供了强有力的工具。运用生物技术可以进化出微生物新的代谢能力,甚至可以将不同微生物的代谢片段组装起来,建立全新的代谢途径。生物技术还为加强生物防护提供了有效保障。本文回顾了近年来生物技术在改造环境微生物及对环境微生物行为控制方面的进展及应用。     

猪瘟病毒E2基因在百脉根叶绿体基因组中定点整合载体的构建

 【目的】构建猪瘟病毒主要抗原E2基因在百脉根叶绿体基因组中定点转化载体，为百脉根叶绿体的转化及用叶绿体生产动物可直接食用疫苗奠定基础。【方法】通过用BLAST、DNAMAN等分子生物学分析软件对百脉根叶绿体基因组序列进行分析选定同源重组片段，采用PCR、分子克隆技术进行载体构建和鉴定。【结果】在百脉根叶绿体基因组中选择合适的外源基因整合位点，设计引物用PCR扩增叶绿体同源片段，将同源片段克隆后，构建百脉根特异的叶绿体转化载体；构建的百脉根叶绿体定点转化载体pAKE2以扩增的1.35 kb psbA 和1.5 kb trnK两段相邻叶绿体 DNA为定点整合外源基因的同源重组片段，包含以叶绿体基因特异强启动子Prrn和终止子TpsbA为调控序列的E2基因表达盒和aadA壮观霉素抗性基因表达盒。【结论】经PCR和酶切验证，所构建的转化载体符合预期设计。叶绿体转化及后续工作目前正在进行之中。     

Soil Test,Aerial Image and Yield Data as Inputs for Site-specific Fertility and Hybrid Management Under Maize

Several potential sources of information exist to support precision management of crop inputs. This study evaluated soil test data, bare-soil remote sensing imagery and yield monitor information for their potential contributions to precision management of maize (Zea mays L.). Data were collected from five farmer-managed fields in Central New York in 1999, 2000, and 2001. Geostatistical techniques were used to analyze the spatial structure of soil fertility (pH, P, K, NO₃ and organic matter content) and yield variables (yield, hybrid response and N fertilization response), while remote sensing imagery was processed using principal component analysis. Geographic information system (GIS) spatial data processing and correlation analyses were used to evaluate relationships in the data. Organic matter content, pH, P, and K were highly consistent over time and showed high to moderate levels of spatial autocorrelation, suggesting that grid soil sampling at 2.5–5.5ha scale may be used as a basis for defining fertility management zones. Soil nitrate levels were strongly influenced by seasonal weather conditions and showed low potential for site-specific N management. Aerial image data were correlated to soil organic matter content and in some cases to yield, mainly through the effect of drainage patterns. Aerial image data were not well correlated with soil fertility indicators, and therefore were not useful for defining fertility management zones. Yield response to hybrid selection and nitrogen fertilization rates were highly variable among years, and showed little justification for site-specific management. In conclusion, we recommend grid-based management of lime, P, and K, but no justification existed within our limited study area for site-specific N or hybrid management.     

The Economic Impact of Site-Specific Weed Control

In order to evaluate economic and ecological benefits, site-specific weed control was realised in a 4-year experiment on five fields with a GPS-guided sprayer. An average of 54% of the herbicides could be saved. Savings were strongly dependent on crop and year. For grass weed herbicides, the savings were 90% in winter cereals, 78% in maize, and 36% in sugar beet. For herbicides against broadleaf weeds, 60% were saved in winter cereals, 11% in maize, and 41% in sugar beet. The monetary savings resulting from the reduction in herbicide use varied between the crops, depending on the amount of herbicides saved and the price of the herbicides. In maize, savings of 42euro/ha were realised, in winter wheat of 32euro/ha, in winter barley of 27euro/ha and in sugar beet of 20euro/ha. Large sections of the fields needed herbicide treatment significantly less frequently. In those areas where weed density remained below the weed control threshold, flora and fauna were allowed to establish largely without disturbance.     

Variable-timing,fixed-rate application of cattle biogas effluent to rice using a leaf color chart: microcosm experiments in Vietnam

ABSTRACT

Livestock production plays a leading role in agricultural land-use change. Producing biogas from livestock waste and subsequently using the biogas effluent as fertilizer for crops is a promising option to solve environmental problems resulting from expanding livestock production. However, it is difficult to promptly and accurately measure the nitrogen (N) concentration of effluent for farmers in developing countries, making precise N management difficult. The objectives of the current study were (1) to evaluate the feasibility of variable-timing, fixed-rate application of cattle biogas effluent using a leaf color chart (LCC) for rice (Oryza sativa L.) and (2) to determine the optimum LCC threshold for grain yield. We conducted two microcosm experiments in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam in 2018 using eight treatments of N-fertilizer application. In the Zero treatment, we applied no N. In the Estd treatment, we split-applied N as effluent (E) at fixed rate and timing as the standard method. In E2.75, E3.00, E3.25, E3.50, and E3.75, we applied effluent whenever the LCC value went below 2.75, 3.00, 3.25, 3.50, and 3.75, respectively. In U3.25, we applied N as urea (U) whenever the LCC value fell below 3.25. The total effluent-N application rate ranged from 90 to 210 kg N ha^?1 season^?1. Rice growth was normal but there was a substantial yield gap between the two microcosm experiments due to the seasonal difference in solar radiation. Rice yield tended to increase with increasing LCC threshold. There was a positive linear relationship between LCC and chlorophyll content (SPAD) values (R ² = 0.73–0.79). Grain yield was well explained (R ² = 0.70–0.89) by the seasonal mean LCC or SPAD value. Plant total N uptake increased with increasing LCC threshold, but the three calculated indices of N use efficiency (NUE) – apparent N recovery, agronomic NUE, and internal NUE – were not always improved with a higher LCC threshold. Our results showed that the tested variable-timing, fixed-rate strategy for the application of cattle biogas effluent was feasible and the optimum LCC threshold for grain production was 3.75 under the current microcosm conditions.     

感染性犬2型腺病毒全基因组克隆及鉴定

以犬 2型腺病毒 (canine adenovirus type- 2 ,CAV- 2 )自然弱毒株 YCA18基因组 DNA为模板 ,经 PCR扩增分别获得其双链两末端 10 13bp(U)和 972 bp(D)的 DNA序列 ,以首尾相接方式克隆入载体 p Poly2 ,获得重组质粒p Poly2 - UD。以 Hind 和 Bst B 双酶切 p Poly2 - UD,回收含载体和部分 U、D的大片段并与 CAV- 2 DNA共转化感受态 E.coli Sure TM,经菌体内同源重组 ,获得含有 CAV- 2全基因组序列的重组质粒 p Poly2 - CAV- 2。后者以 Cla 和 Asc 双酶切 ,释放 CAV- 2全基因组 ,通过脂质体介导转染 MDCK细胞 ,盲传 3代后重复转染 1次 ,4d后 ,出现腺病毒典型病变。细胞上清血凝效价为 1∶ 6 40 ,并可被 CAV- 2抗血清有效抑制。以上结果表明 ,本研究获得了具有感染性的CAV- 2全基因组重组质粒 ,为以 CAV- 2作为重组疫苗载体的系列研究奠定了重要基础。     

动物基因打靶技术的原理与应用

基因打靶是利用同源重组的原理 ,定点修饰目的基因组上特定位点的基因 ,定向地改变生物遗传特性的方法 ,作为新兴的遗传工具 ,它有着广泛的应用前景。     

Spatial distribution of weeds in arable crops: are current sampling and analytical methods appropriate?

This paper reviews the literature concerning the spatial distribution of weeds; highlighting the limitations of our current sampling and analytical methodologies, and suggesting how these inadequacies can be addressed. Most research studies have used discrete sampling, i.e. weeds are counted within a quadrat, on a grid basis. Few have mapped weeds at a whole-field scale, either with a resolution appropriate to spraying operations or key ecological processes. Statistical analyses used to describe the data can be divided into two main types, spatially implicit (also at the scale of the sampling unit) or spatially explicit, in which the location of individuals is included in the analyses. Spatially implicit methods can be strongly affected by quadrat size and mean density and are of doubtful benefit. More attention is required to address sampling resolution issues for spatially explicit methods. Our understanding of the formation and dynamics of spatial pattern, as well as predicting the consequences of site-specific management, can be improved with models. Unfortunately, most models consider only newly expanding patches and appear incapable of predicting spatial distributions when an area has been fully invaded. More detailed biological information is required if models are to become more realistic and informative. We also need to ensure that we understand the spatial processes in the context of the whole field environment, to optimize the success of site-specific weed management in the longer term.     

Genome Characterization of a Recombinant Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) mutates continuously, and it is increasingly difficult to control it. To monitor the genetic evolution characteristics of PRRSV timely under the condition of natural infection, a novel PRRSV variant named SHpd1/2018 was isolated from PRRSV positive clinical samples. The results showed that the SHpd1/2018, with a total genome length of 15 018 bp (excluding poly A), showed similar proliferation characteristics to HP-PRRSV strain HuN4. However, it could not be recognized by the monoclonal antibody against HuN4-Nsp2. The sequence analysis indicated that SHpd1/2018 had the greatest homology with HP-PRRSV-like strains, reaching 94.3% with HuN4 strain. The results of recombination analysis showed that SHpd1/2018 was recombined from HP-PRRSV-like strain (main parent strain) and NADC30 strain (secondary parent strain), and both the two recombination breakpoints nt2002 and nt3205 are located in the hypervariable regions of the Nsp2 gene. In short, we confirmed that the isolated strain SHpd1/2018 is a recombinant PRRSV, which may be the main cause of the disease in the pig farm in Shanghai.