Influence of root restriction on two cultivars of summer squash (Cucurbita pepo L.)

Variable root restricting conditions were imposed on summer squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) cultivars ‘Senator’ and Dixie’ using container sizes of 0.35, 2.00, and 7.60 liters. Nondestructive and destructive plant sampling were conducted to evaluate leaf area production, dry weight accumulation and partitioning, crop growth rate and net assimilation rate, and flower and fruit development. Within 10 days after transplanting (DAT), ‘Senator’ exhibited declining leaf area production under increased root restriction, and within 17 DAT leaf area was diminished for both cultivars under increased root restricting conditions. Dry weight accumulation in leaves, stems, roots, and fruit was reduced for both cultivars over time and level of root restriction severity. There was a tendency for greater vegetative growth reductions with ‘Senator’ than with ‘Dixie’ at comparable levels of root restriction. Root‐to‐shoot ratio, timing and duration of flowering, and sex of flowers were not significantly impacted by root restriction level or cultivar. Fruit dry weight was greatest for Dixie’ early on, but by 28 DAT, total fruit dry weight produced did not differ for the cultivars except under the most severe root restricting conditions. Fruit dry weight production was limited for both cultivars as container volume became smaller.     

Analysis of amino acid uptake and translocation in Arabidopsis with a low‐cost hydroponic system

In soils, amino acids may be an important source of nitrogen for plants, at least in those where organic matter is not quickly degraded. The physiology of uptake of amino acids by roots was mainly studied in the 70's and 80's, before genes encoding amino acid importers were cloned in the 90's. While two families of amino acid transporters have been identified, yielding a total of about 100 genes, the role of each member is yet to be elucidated. As a tool for studying the role of amino acid transporters from Arabidopsis we set up a new hydroponic system suitable for radioisotope use. This system enables reproducible amino acid uptake by roots and estimation of the transport to the shoots of the amino acid taken up. We show that the rates of glutamine (Gln) uptake by wild‐type roots and transfer to the shoots were linear, and that other tested amino acids were translocated to the shoots with lower efficiency than Gln. A T‐DNA insertion mutant for a Gln exporter was compared to the wild‐type plants. Gln uptake and transfer were similar in both genotypes, showing that the suppression of the exporter did not affect uptake or transfer of amino acids to the shoots. The main advantage of the hydroponic system presented here is that all the materials used to grow Arabidopsis are virtually free and can therefore be discarded, a useful feature when working with radioactivity.     

A morphological approach to understanding preferential flow using image analysis with dye tracers and X-ray Computed Tomography

A key problem facing soil physics and hydropedology at present is some of the standard theories of water flow in soils do not fully reflect the processes at the pore scale, and thus, cannot be adequately used for prediction. As such, examination of soil structure is vital for hydropedologists. Realisation that solutes move preferentially through soil into groundwaters has meant research in this area has increased in importance. This paper describes a multi-scale approach to analyse transport mechanisms using visualisation techniques. Chloride and Brilliant Blue tracers were applied to undisturbed soil cores to examine the physical and morphological properties associated with preferential flow in a range of soil types. Following collection of serial digital images, it was possible to examine and quantify the nature of active water flow mechanisms in terms of both dye-stained pathways and spatial distribution of dye concentration, using image analysis. Preferential flow linked to water potential and soil structural discontinuity was observed in all but the coarsest textured soil which conformed to uniform flow theory. A high level of variability in flow patterns was noted between the soil types. Such information as to how a soil dynamically re-wets is key for hydropedologists involved in applications such as pollution modelling. This is especially significant when considering a wetting mechanism, such as preferential flow, that cannot be adequately described by conventional soil physics.     

Spatial and temporal variability of sediment and dissolved loads from two alpine watersheds of the Lesser Himalayas

Estimation of sediment load from Himalayan basins is of considerable importance for the planning, designing, installation and operation of hydro-power projects, including management of reservoirs. In the present study, an assessment of physical and chemical load, sediment yield and erosion rate has been undertaken at eight different locations in the Sainj and Tirthan watersheds. The analysis revealed that the maximum load was transferred during the monsoon season. Moreover, the estimated average chemical erosion rate of the Sainj (83 t km^− 2 yr^− 1) and Tirthan (80 t km^− 2 yr^− 1) watersheds were higher than that of the Indian average (69 t km^− 2 yr^− 1) representing all the rivers. Both watersheds were eroding physically and chemically at a faster rate than that of the world global average erosion rate (185 t km^− 2 yr^− 1). The flattish nature of the channels in some segments of these watersheds showed a lower transport of sediments, where as the constricted segments having steep bed slopes increased the velocity of flow and the sediment transport rate. These findings have important implications for water resource management in the context of sediments mobilization, erosion, channel management, ecological functions and operation of the hydro-power projects in the Lesser Himalayan region.     

民勤绿洲不同耕作方式农田表层土壤风蚀规律的风洞模拟研究

[目的]比较分析不同耕作方式下农田表层土壤防风蚀机理和效果,为区域社会经济和生态环境建设提供科学依据。[方法]利用室内风洞及相关配套设备对甘肃民勤绿洲区的免耕、少耕、秋翻和深松农田表层土壤进行风蚀测试,计算风蚀速率及输沙率,研究其风沙运动规律,分析各种耕作农田表层土壤防风蚀情况。[结果]耕作措施对土壤风蚀速率的影响与风速大小相关,风速较小时,不同耕作方式对风速的影响差异不显著,而当风速大于14 m/s后不同耕作农田表层土壤风蚀速率开始出现较明显差异;少耕、秋翻、深松等耕作方式对农田表层土壤风蚀速率和输沙率的影响差异不明显;免耕耕作方式下农田表层土壤风蚀速率和输沙率最低,风速越高,差距越大;风速、耕作以及两者交互作用对农田表层土壤风蚀速率和输沙率有极显著影响。[结论]免耕耕作能有效抵抗农田表层土壤的风蚀,大幅度减少输沙率,表现出极佳的抗风蚀效果。     

富贵竹切口保鲜及贮运研究

通过大量实验筛选出适合富贵竹切口的保鲜液,冬季宜采用配方12,夏季宜采用配方5进行处理。处理液B对防治脚部黄化及促根效果极显著。加工后的富贵竹成品货柜运输的最佳温度为15￣16℃,配合含1.0mg/L6-BA 1‰托布津的保水剂包根处理,可极显著降低贮运中的损失率。研究成果在生产中成功应用。     

无源蓄冷控温运输箱设计与试验

针对蓄冷运输箱信息化程度低、控温时间短、控温困难等问题,设计了一款集控温、远程监控、定位、故障诊断等功能于一体的蓄冷运输箱。以脐橙为试验对象,结合能耗模型,对蓄冷控温箱控温性能进行了研究。结果表明,箱内各截面温度不均匀系数分别为0.38、0.47、0.78,温度极差最大值为2.8℃,均匀性较好;当蓄冷剂用量为180 kg,预冷脐橙660 kg,在外部环境平均温度26.39℃的条件下,总控温时长为122 h,风机共执行控温21次,且随着蓄冷量减少,风机开启控温所用时间呈指数上升趋势,决定系数不小于0.928 0;结合能耗模型分析得出,该箱体在广州夏季高温环境下可控温5 d以上,能够满足远距离运输要求。     

水稻苗期根系铵钾离子吸收的交互作用研究

【目的】为探讨水稻幼苗根系NH_4~+、K~+吸收的交互作用,深化水稻养分吸收理论,【方法】采用溶液培养的方法,对低钾及高钾浓度下水稻在有铵和无铵时的K~+吸收动力学特征进行了研究,对不同钾浓度下水稻根系NH_4~+的吸收速率进行了比较。【结果】1)当K~+0.2 mmol/L时,水稻根系通过高亲和转运系统吸收K~+服从Michaelich-Menten动力学方程;NH_4~+的存在显著降低K~+的最大吸收速率(Vmax),且降幅随着NH_4~+浓度的增加而增大;NH_4~+对水稻根表载体与K~+的亲和力(Km)影响较小,在1.62 mmol/L NH_4~+浓度下,水稻品种齐粒丝苗和沪科3号的Km分别下降了12.33%和16.46%,远低于Vmax 47.30%和39.21%的降幅。2)当K~+0.5 mmol/L时,水稻根系K~+低亲和转运系统发挥作用,K~+吸收速率随浓度的增加而不断增加,呈不饱和特征;但在相同K~+浓度下,水稻根系的K~+吸收速率随NH_4~+浓度的增加而下降。3)水稻根系对NH_4~+的吸收速率随着NH_4~+浓度的增加而增加;在相同NH_4~+浓度下,水稻根系对NH_4~+的吸收速率受K~+浓度的影响很小。【结论】NH_4~+抑制水稻苗期根系K~+的高亲和转运和低亲和转运,NH_4~+对K~+高亲和吸收的影响主要是由于铵竞争细胞膜上的钾载体所致;外界K~+浓度的变化对水稻幼苗的NH_4~+吸收速率影响很小。水稻铵钾的交互作用主要表现在NH_4~+对K~+吸收的抑制作用。     

Exogenous CaCl2 reduces salt stress in sour jujube by reducing Na+ and increasing K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ in different plant organs

In this study, we investigated the effects of 10 mM CaCl₂ on membrane permeability, malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ concentrations in different organs of sour jujube grown under 150 mM NaCl stress. Our results showed 73% leaf wilting in the Na treatment. The Na treatment significantly increased leaf superoxide (O₂^.?) production rates, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) concentrations, cell membrane permeability, MDA concentrations, and Na⁺ concentrations in roots, stems, and leaves. The Na treatment significantly reduced K⁺, Ca²⁺,and Mg²⁺ concentrations in roots, but increased K⁺ concentrations in stems. Compared with the Na treatment, 39% of the leaves showed wilting symptoms in the Na+Ca treatment. The Na+Ca treatment significantly decreased leaf O₂^.? production rates, H₂O₂ concentrations, cell membrane permeability, and MDA concentrations. Moreover, the Na+Ca treatment (1) significantly reduced Na⁺ concentrations in roots, stems, and leaves; (2) significantly increased root K⁺ concentrations; (3) significantly increased K⁺/Na⁺ ratios in roots; (4) significantly increased Ca²⁺ concentrations in stems and leaves, and Mg²⁺ concentrations in roots. In conclusion, exogenous CaCl₂ reduces NaCl stress in sour jujube by reducing Na+ concentrations and increasing K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ concentrations in various plant organs.     

棉花花铃期低温对叶片PSI和PSII光抑制的影响

选用陆地棉(Gossypium hirsutum L.)品种新陆早45号,在室外盆栽至开花结铃期后,移至人工气候室,模拟新疆棉花花铃期易出现的低温逆境条件,设置处理T(16℃/10℃,昼/夜),以常温(30℃/18℃,昼/夜)处理作为对照,采用叶绿素荧光和P700同步测定技术,研究低温对棉花花铃期叶片光合机构PSII能量分配、PSI氧化还原状态及环式电子传递流的影响。结果表明,与对照相比,低温处理显著降低了棉花叶片PSII光适应状态下最大光化学量子产量(F_v'/F_m')、光化学猝灭系数(qP)和PSII有效光化学量子产量[Y(II)],并使PSII非调节性能量耗散[Y(NO)]和调节性能量耗散[Y(NPQ)]量子产量显著升高,诱导PSII发生光抑制。低温引起棉花叶片光合机构PSI受体侧限制[Y(NA)]显著下降和供体侧限制[Y(ND)]显著升高,但未引起有效的PSI复合体含量(P_m)显著降低,表明与PSII相比,棉花叶片PSI对低温不敏感。此外,低温引起环式电子传递量子产量[Y(CEF)]以及与PSII实际量子产量比率的[Y(CEF)/Y(II)]显著升高,进一步表明在低温下,光破坏防御机制中环式电子传递流对棉花PSI、PSII起着重要的保护作用,是主要的光破坏防御机制。非光化学热耗散(NPQ)和调节性非光化学热耗散[Y(NPQ)]与[Y(CEF)]具有显著的正相关关系,表明低温引起棉花花铃期叶片PSII反应中心过度关闭产生过剩的激发能,造成了PSII可逆的光抑制,环式电子传递流的响应及较高的调节性能量耗散共同保护了棉花叶片PSI和PSII免受光抑制的损伤,这可能是棉花叶片PSI对低温不敏感的重要原因。