Drought Tolerance and Water Use of Cereal Crops: A Focus on Sorghum as a Food Security Crop in Sub‐Saharan Africa

Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) faces twin challenges of water stress and food insecurity – challenges that are already pressing and are projected to grow. Sub‐Saharan Africa comprises 43 % arid and semi‐arid area, which is projected to increase due to climate change. Small‐scale, rainfed agriculture is the main livelihood source in arid and semi‐arid areas of SSA. Because rainfed agriculture constitutes more than 95 % of agricultural land use, water scarcity is a major limitation to production. Crop production, specifically staple cereal crop production, will have to adapt to water scarcity and improved water productivity (output per water input) to meet food requirements. We propose inclusion and promotion of drought‐tolerant cereal crops in arid and semi‐arid agro‐ecological zones of SSA where water scarcity is a major limitation to cereal production. Sorghum uniquely fits production in such regions, due to high and stable water‐use efficiency, drought and heat tolerance, high germplasm variability, comparative nutritional value and existing food value chain in SSA. However, sorghum is socio‐economically and geographically underutilized in parts of SSA. Sorghum inclusion and/or promotion in arid and semi‐arid areas of SSA, especially among subsistence farmers, will improve water productivity and food security.     

动态细分饲粮营养供给对肉鸡生产性能、肉品质、氮与磷代谢率及血清生化指标的影响

本试验旨在根据肉鸡生长曲线及动态营养需要,研究动态细分饲粮营养供给对肉鸡生产性能、肉品质、氮、磷代谢率及血清生化指标的影响。选取1日龄爱拔益加(AA)肉鸡240只(公母各占1/2),随机分为3个组,分别为A组:每3.5 d 1个营养标准(1~7日龄1个营养标准);B组:每7 d 1个营养标准;C组:每14 d 1个营养标准。每组8个重复,每个重复10只鸡,试验期42 d。结果表明:1)C组肉鸡的平均日增重(ADG)显著高于A、B组(P0.05),料重比(F/G)显著低于A组(P0.05)。A、B组肉鸡生产性能指标差异均不显著(P0.05)。不同动态细分饲粮营养供给方式对肉鸡肉品质的影响无显著差异(P0.05)。2)不同动态细分饲粮营养供给方式对肉鸡氮、磷代谢率的影响无显著差异(P0.05)。3)肉鸡28日龄时,C组肉鸡血清尿素氮(UREA)含量显著高于A组(P0.05);42日龄时,C组肉鸡血清UREA含量显著高于A、B组(P0.05),但A、B组肉鸡血清UREA含量差异不显著(P0.05)。4)不同动态细分饲粮营养供给方式对肉鸡血清皮质酮(CORT)含量及总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)的影响差异不显著(P0.05)。综上所述,每14 d 1个营养标准可使肉鸡的生产性能达到最佳,从实际操作的复杂性考虑,每7 d 1个营养标准可更好地满足饲粮的氨基酸平衡。     

复盐胁迫下结缕草K~+、Na~+吸收与运输的特点

用2种中性盐(Na Cl和Na2SO4)模拟江苏沿海滩涂土壤盐碱条件,配制不同复盐浓度,对大穗结缕草(Zoysia macrostachya)和中华结缕草(Zoysia sinica)进行30 d复盐胁迫处理,分别测定根和叶中K~+、Na~+含量,探讨复盐胁迫下2种结缕草K~+、Na~+吸收与运输特点。结果表明:随着盐胁迫浓度的增加,2种结缕草根和叶中Na~+的含量逐渐升高,中华结缕草的Na~+含量大于大穗结缕草;2种结缕草根和叶中K~+的含量呈现不同的变化趋势,根中2种结缕草K~+含量先增加后降低,但大穗结缕草K~+含量增加较大,叶中2种结缕草K~+含量总体呈现增加的趋势。2种结缕草根和叶片中K~+/Na~+随盐浓度增加而逐渐降低,但叶片中K~+/Na~+大于根中K~+/Na~+,表明盐胁迫促进了K~+向叶片运输。大穗结缕草的SK,Na逐渐降低,中华结缕草的SK,Na先降低后升高,说明2种结缕草对K~+和Na~+的选择性运输特点不同。     

Improved Cold and Drought Tolerance of Doubled Haploid Maize Plants Selected for Resistance to Prooxidant tert‐Butyl Hydroperoxide

To improve the abiotic stress tolerance of maize (Zea mays L.), doubled haploid (DH) plants were produced by in vitro selection of microspores exposed to tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (t‐BuOOH) as a powerful prooxidant This study investigated the tolerance of the progenies of t‐BuOOH‐selected DH lines to oxidative stress, cold and drought in controlled environment pot experiments by analyses of photosynthetic electron transport and CO₂ assimilation processes, chlorophyll bleaching and lipid peroxidation of leaves. Our results demonstrated that the t‐BuOOH‐selected DH plants exhibited enhanced tolerance not only to oxidative stress‐induced by t‐BuOOH but also to cold and drought stresses. In addition, they showed elevated activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, glutathione reductase and glutathione S‐transferase when compared with the DH lines derived from microspores that were not exposed to t‐BuOOH and to the original hybrid plants. The results suggest that the simultaneous up‐regulation of several antioxidant enzymes may contribute to the oxidative and cold stress tolerance of the t‐BuOOH‐selected DH lines, and that the in vitro microspore selection represents a potential way to improve abiotic stress tolerance in maize.     

超氧化物歧化酶模拟物对氧化应激IPEC-J2细胞抗氧化性能的影响

试验旨在探究在H₂O₂诱导的氧化应激状态下，超氧化物歧化酶模拟物（SODm）对仔猪空肠上皮细胞系（IPEC-J2）的保护作用。利用MTT法筛选出构建氧化应激模型H₂O₂的适宜浓度；将IPEC-J2细胞分别用0、0.05、0.5、5、50、500、2 000 U/mL SODm进行培养，利用MTT法分别在2、4、8、12 h时测定各组细胞存活率，筛选出SODm作用的适宜浓度和时间；根据构建的氧化应激模型和SODm适宜浓度和时间，将IPEC-J2细胞随机分为空白组、模型组、SODm处理组（SODm_0.5、SODm₅、SODm₅₀）和超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）处理组（SOD_0.5、SOD₅、SOD₅₀），分别测定各组细胞存活率、活性氧（ROS）含量及细胞内SOD、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-Px）活性及丙二醛（MDA）含量和总抗氧化能力（T-AOC）。结果表明：①H₂O₂构建细胞氧化应激模型的适宜浓度是1.0 mmol/mL。②当不同浓度SODm分别作用4、8、12 h时，0.5~50 U/mL SODm组细胞存活率显著高于空白组（P<0.05）；且8 h时存活率最高，在12 h时处于下降趋势。③除空白组外，SODm₅和SOD₅预处理的IPEC-J2存活率显著高于其他组（P<0.05）；且SODm和SOD组中细胞ROS含量显著低于模型组（P<0.05）；模型组与空白组相比，均显著降低了SOD、GSH-Px活性和T-AOC水平，提高了MDA含量（P<0.05）；与模型组相比，所有SODm和SOD处理组均显著提高了SOD、GSH-Px活性和T-AOC水平，降低了MDA含量（P<0.05），同时SODm₅₀组T-AOC水平显著低于SOD₅₀组（P<0.05）。综上，SODm对H₂O₂诱导氧化损伤状态下IPEC-J2具有保护作用。     

Influence of salinity and moisture on the threshold shear velocity of saline sand in the Qarhan Desert,Qaidam Basin of China: A wind tunnel experiment

Determination of the threshold shear velocity is essential for predicting sand transport, dust release and desertification. In this study, a wind tunnel experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of salinity and moisture on the threshold shear velocity of saline sand. Saline sand samples (mean particle size of 164.50-186.08 μm and the total silt, clay and salt content of 0.80%-8.25%) were collected from three saline sand dunes (one barchan dune and two linear dunes) in the Qarhan Desert, Qaidam Basin of China. Original saline sand samples were placed in two experimental trays for wet and dry processing to simulate deliquescence and desiccation, respectively. Surface moisture content ranging from 0.30% to 1.90% was generated by the steam method so that the saline sand can absorb water in a saturated water vapor environment. The motion of sand particles was determined by the observers with a solid laser. The laser sheet (0.80 cm thick), which was emitted by the solid laser, horizontally covered the sand surface and was bound to the sand. Results show that the cohesion of saline sand results from a combination of salt and water. The threshold shear velocity increases exponentially with the increase in crust thickness for the linear sand dunes. There is a positive linear correlation between the original moisture content and relative threshold shear velocity. The threshold shear velocity of dewatered sand is greater than that of wet sand with the same original moisture content. Our results will provide valuable information about the sand transport of highly saline soil in the desert.     

基于变分法的FY-3C土壤水分产品适用性分析

FY-3C作为我国风云三号首颗业务卫星,其上搭载的微波成像仪(MWRI)可提供全天候土壤水分数据。【目的】获取高质量土壤水分数据可以对合理利用土壤水资源提供参考,为农田干旱监控和预报提供基础参数。【方法】选取山东省农业气象站土壤水分数据对FY-3C土壤水分产品进行检验,为获取更高质量FY-3C土壤水分产品,选用变分订正方法对FY-3C土壤水分产品进行偏差订正。【结果】FY-3C升降轨土壤水分产品与地面站土壤水分相关系数R分别为0.481 6和0.408 2,RMSE分别为0.099 6和0.091 0 cm~3/cm~3。订正后FY-3C升降轨土壤水分产品与地面站土壤水分R分别为0.701 4和0.892 4,RMSE分别为0.021 7和0.011 cm~3/cm~3。对2016年3—4月山东省干旱过程订正前、后FY-3C土壤水分变化情况进行对比,订正后FY-3C土壤水分更准确地反映出此次干旱过程。【结论】FY-3C土壤水分产品可以准确反映土壤水分随时间的变化趋势,订正后FY-3C土壤水分产品与地面站土壤水分间误差减小、相关性提高。     

Unravelling the relationship between a seasonal environment and the dynamics of forage growth in grazed swards

It is well reported in the scientific literature that pastures can have similar net forage accumulation when managed with contrasting structures. However, we hypothesized that the dynamics of forage accumulation in grazed swards is linked to seasonal-environmental conditions. Marandu palisadegrass (Brachiaria brizantha [Hochst. ex A. Rich.] was used as the forage species model. The experimental treatments were four grazing heights (10, 20, 30 and 40 cm) allocated to experimental units according to a randomized complete block design with four replicates and evaluated throughout four contrasting environmental seasons (summer, autumn, winter–early spring and late spring). Under rainy and warm periods, greater net forage accumulation was observed in pastures maintained taller; on the contrary, during the mild and dry periods, net forage accumulation rate reduced as grazing height increased. Such patterns of responses were related to compensations between tiller population density and tissues flows during summer and late spring and the reduced capacity of taller canopies to compensate lower population with greater growth rates during autumn and winter–early spring. Grazed swards changed their patterns of forage growth as they transitioned from favourable to more abiotic stressful conditions, suggesting that seasonal adjustments in grazing intensities are necessary in order to maximize forage production.     

Azospirillum brasilense mitigates water stress imposed by a vascular disease by increasing xylem vessel area and stem hydraulic conductivity in tomato

Water stress, with its negative consequences on plant growth and survival, can be mitigated by Azospirillum brasilense inoculation. In tomato, A. brasilense delays wilting caused by a vascular pathogen, Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis, by yet unknown mechanisms. We studied morphological, anatomical and physiological changes induced by A. brasilense in tomato that relate to water stress tolerance, which could explain the deferral in symptom expression. For this purpose, tomato seeds were treated or not with A. brasilense BNM65, and 5 weeks later plants were challenged with C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis or mock inoculated with water. There was a large growth promotion associated to Azospirillum: treated plants had higher total biomass and leaf area. In relation to water stress tolerance, Azospirillum treated plants had larger xylem vessel area, higher stem specific hydraulic conductivity, thicker stems, and lower shoot/root dry matter and specific leaf area. These changes were opposite to those induced by C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis. We conclude that A. brasilense favoured a better adjustment of plant-water relations by several mechanisms, and thus, transitorily alleviated symptoms expression of a vascular disease.     

Variations of SOC and MBC observed in an incubated brown loam soil managed under different tillage systems for 12 years

To assess changes in organic carbon pools, an incubation experiment was conducted under different temperatures and field moisture capacity (FMC) on a brown loam soil from three tillage practices used for 12 years: no‐till (NT), subsoiling (ST) and conventional tillage (CT). Total microbial respiration was measured for incubated soil with and without the input of straw. Results indicated that soil organic carbon (SOC) and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) under ST, NT and CT was higher in soil with straw input than that without, while the microbial quotient (MQ or MBC: SOC) and metabolic quotient (qCO₂) content under CT followed the opposite trend. Lower temperature, lower moisture and with straw input contributed to the increases in SOC concentration, especially under NT and ST systems. The SOC concentrations under ST, with temperatures of 30 and 35°C after incubation at 55% FMC, were greater than those under CT by 28.4% and 30.6%, respectively. The increase in MBC was highest at 35°C for 55%, 65% and 75% FMC; in soil under ST, MBC was greater than that under CT by 199.3%, 50.7% and 23.8%, respectively. At 30°C, the lower qCO₂ was obtained in soil incubated under NT and ST. The highest MQ among three tillage practices was measured under ST at 55% FMC, NT at 65% FMC and CT at 75% FMC with straw input. These data indicate the benefits of enhancing the MQ; the low FMC was beneficial to ST treatment. Under higher temperature and drought stress conditions, the adaptive capacity of ST and NT is better than that of CT.