Use of advanced recombinant lines to study the impact and potential of mutations affecting starch synthesis in barley

The effects on barley starch and grain properties of four starch synthesis mutations were studied during the introgression of the mutations from diverse backgrounds into an elite variety. The lys5f (ADPglucose transporter), wax (granule-bound starch synthase), isa1 (debranching enzyme isoamylase 1) and sex6 (starch synthase IIa) mutations were introgressed into NFC Tipple to give mutant and wild-type BC₂F₄ families with different genomic contributions of the donor parent. Comparison of starch and grain properties between the donor parents, the BC₂F₄ families and NFC Tipple allowed the effects of the mutations to be distinguished from genetic background effects. The wax and sex6 mutations had marked effects on starch properties regardless of genetic background. The sex6 mutation conditioned low grain weight and starch content, but the wax mutation did not. The lys5 mutation conditioned low grain weight and starch content, but exceptionally high β-glucan contents. The isa1 mutation promotes synthesis of soluble α-glucan (phytoglycogen). Its introgression into NFC Tipple increased grain weight and total α-glucan content relative to the donor parent, but reduced the ratio of phytoglycogen to starch. This study shows that introgression of mutations into a common, commercial background provides new insights that could not be gained from the donor parent.     

Improving cereal grain carbohydrates for diet and health

Starch and cell wall polysaccharides (dietary fibre) of cereal grains contribute to the health benefits associated with the consumption of whole grain cereal products, including reduced risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and colorectal cancer. The physiological bases for these effects are reviewed in relation to the structures and physical properties of the polysaccharides and their behaviour (including digestion and fermentation) in the gastro-intestinal tract. Strategies for modifying the content and composition of grain polysaccharides to increase their health benefits are discussed, including exploiting natural variation and using mutagenesis and transgenesis to generate further variation. These studies will facilitate the development of new types of cereals and cereal products to face the major health challenges of the 21st century.     

桂中、桂北油茶主要产区成林林地土壤及叶片养分含量调查

对桂中、桂北油茶主要产区10个油茶成林林地土壤和叶片养分含量进行分析,结果表明：10个取样点的土壤属于强酸或极酸性土壤,8个取样点土壤的有机质含量及4个取样点土壤的碱解氮含量处于缺乏状态,全部取样点土壤的速效磷含量以及6个取样点土壤速效钾含量处于极缺乏水平;叶片全氮和全钾含量与土壤中pH值、有机质和碱解氮和速效钾的相关性不明显,但叶片中全磷含量与土壤中速效磷含量极显著相关,叶片全磷含量能较好的反映土壤中速效磷含量。     

反射光谱法估计小麦叶片表皮蜡质含量的初步研究

为了探讨利用冠层反射光谱技术估计小麦叶片表皮蜡质含量的可行性,以小麦高叶片表皮蜡质含量材料2912与低叶片表皮蜡质含量品种普冰201和晋麦47及其杂交构建的F2:3株系为材料,通过氯仿提取称重法测定了小麦抽穗期的旗叶表皮蜡质含量,并采用FieldSpec 3测定了冠层反射光谱,分析小麦冠层反射光谱与叶片表皮蜡质含量之间的关系。结果表明,三个亲本以及株系间蜡质含量差异显著。高蜡质材料的可见光波段反射率整体高于低蜡质材料,短波长波段光谱反射率与叶片表皮蜡质含量相关性较高。以550和675nm波长的反射光谱为基础的单波/差值指数[R550/(R550-R675)]能较好地反映小麦叶片蜡质含量,两F2:3群体拟合模型的r2值分别为0.761和0.679,回归方程分别为y=0.07x-0.575和y=0.088x-1.481。     

种植密度对小麦籽粒淀粉含量和晶体特性的影响

为探究种植密度对小麦籽粒淀粉品质的调控效应,以2个小麦品种(轮选987和济麦22)为材料,分析了3个不同种植密度(150、300、450万株·hm-2)下小麦籽粒淀粉含量和晶体特性。结果表明,种植密度影响小麦籽粒淀粉的积累和组成。随种植密度的增大,直链淀粉含量呈先降后升的趋势,而支链淀粉和总淀粉含量表现为先升后降。淀粉晶体呈典型的A型特征,且不受种植密度影响。种植密度明显影响淀粉颗粒内部的结晶程度,表现为随种植密度的增大,相对结晶度先升后降。同时,种植密度改变了淀粉X-衍射图谱中各峰的精细位置和相对强度,说明种植密度对淀粉颗粒内部结晶区的晶胞结构或微晶排列也存在一定影响。淀粉的相对结晶度与直链淀粉含量呈负相关,与支链淀粉含量呈正相关。     

不同硒肥对水稻产量和籽粒中硒含量的影响

以Y两优302为材料,在大田栽培条件下设置3种硒肥试验,研究不同硒肥对水稻产量和籽粒中硒含量的影响。结果表明：施用硒肥对水稻产量没有明显影响,可提高水稻籽粒中的硒含量,不同硒肥作用效果不同。从综合经济效益来看,以齐穗后3d叶面喷施有机富硒肥500倍液50kg/667m^2效果最好,水稻籽粒中硒含量达0.067mg/kg,比对照增加0.043mg/kg,达极显著水平,生产的大米符合富硒米的国家标准。     

Spatial variability of surface peat properties and carbon emissions in a tropical peatland oil palm monoculture during a dry season

The expansion of oil palm monocultures into globally important Southeast Asian tropical peatlands has caused severe environmental damage. Despite much of the current focus of environmental impacts being directed at industrial scale plantations, over half of oil palm land-use cover in Southeast Asia is from smallholder plantations. We differentiated a first generation smallholder oil palm monoculture into 8 different sampling zones, and further divided the 8 sampling zones into oil palm root influenced (Proximal) and reduced root influence (Distal) areas, to assess how peat properties regulate in situ carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄) fluxes. We found that all the physico-chemical properties and nutrient concentrations except sulphur varied significantly among sampling zones. All physico-chemical properties except electrical conductivity, and all nutrient content except nitrogen and potassium varied significantly between Proximal and Distal areas. Mean CO₂ fluxes (ranged between 382 and 1191 mg m⁻² h⁻¹) varied significantly among sampling zones, and between Proximal and Distal areas, with notably high emissions in Dead Wood and Path zones, and consistently higher emissions in Proximal areas compared to Distal areas within almost all the zones. CH₄ fluxes (ranged between −32 and 243 µg m⁻² h⁻¹) did not significantly vary between Proximal and Distal areas, however significantly varied amongst sampling zones. CH₄ flux was notably high in Canal Edge and Understorey Ferns zones, and negative in Dead Wood zone. The results demonstrate the high heterogeneity of peat properties within oil palm monoculture, strengthening the need for intensive sampling to characterize a land use in the tropical peatlands.     

Ash and biochar amendment of coarse sandy soil for growing crops under drought conditions

Appropriate soil amendments may increase plant available water and crop yields on coarse sandy soils under drought conditions. In this study, we applied straw ash or straw biochar from gasification to a Danish coarse sandy subsoil to assess the effects on soil water retention, evapotranspiration and crop yields. Spring barley (2016, 2017) and winter wheat (2018) were grown over three years in columns containing 25cm of organic matter-rich topsoil, 80 cm of amended coarse sandy soil (1.5%, 3%, 6% wt. ash or 1% wt. biochar or control soil) and 45 cm of un-amended subsoil. Precipitation, evaporative demands and soil moisture were recorded across the growth seasons, with 2018 having severe drought conditions. This year evapotranspiration levels increased with increasing ash and biochar content (by 54% and 33% for the 6% ash- and 1% biochar-amended soils, respectively), and plant dry matter increased by 18% in both the 1% biochar- and 6% ash-treated soils compared to the untreated control. A linear relationship was established between in situ field capacity and ash dosage (R² = .96), showing an increase of 2.2% per percentage (wt.) of ash added, while the 1% biochar treatment increased the capacity by 3.5%, indicating a higher efficiency than for ash. However, we did not find significant positive effects on grain yields. The results show that ash and biochar have the potential to significantly increase soil water retention, evapotranspiration and total dry matter yield in drought conditions, but that this may not correspond to an increase in grain yield.     

不同改良措施对第四纪红壤酶活性的影响

红壤是我国重要的土壤类型之一,其耕地地力低下问题亟待解决。探究不同改良措施影响下红壤地力提升效果,对实现中低产田可持续利用具有重要意义。本研究以湖南第四纪红黏土发育的旱地红壤为研究对象,分析了休闲（F）、不施肥（CK）、单施无机肥（NPK）、无机肥配秸秆还田（NPKS）、无机肥配施生石灰（NPKL）、无机肥配施骨粉有机肥（NPKA）和无机肥配施生物有机肥（NPKC）等改良措施下不同土层和改良年限土壤中pH及养分含量的变化,并利用微孔板荧光法比较了土壤中碳氮磷循环相关酶活性的差异。结果表明,不同改良措施显著影响土壤养分及酶活性。与CK相比,2020年NPKC处理0～20 cm土层中有机质（SOM）、全氮（TN）、全磷（TP）和有效磷（AP）含量分别提高了73%、29%、61%和1 847%,同时该处理也显著增加了参与碳循环α-1,4-葡糖苷酶（αG）、β-1,4-葡糖苷酶（βG）、β-1,4-木糖苷酶（βX）、纤维二糖水解酶（CBH）和参与氮循环β-1,4-N-乙酰基氨基葡萄糖酐酶（NAG）活性。相关分析表明,SOM与αG、βG、βX、CBH和NAG酶活性呈显著正相关（P < 0.01）,pH与酸性磷酸酶（ACP）活性呈显著负相关（P < 0.01）。改良措施对0～20 cm土层酶活性的影响大于20～40 cm。2019年,NPKA处理0～20 cm土层中CBH酶活性较CK提高了352%,而在20～40 cm土层中CBH酶活性仅较CK提高了2%。此外,不同改良措施土壤中ACP酶活性也呈现出随改良年限增加而增加的趋势。综上可知,无机肥配施有机物料显著提升红壤养分状况,改善土壤酶活性,可作为贫瘠红壤地力提升的有效改良措施。