Genetic dissection and origin of pleiotropic loci underlying multilevel fiber quality traits in upland cotton(Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Cotton fiber quality is a persistent concern that determines planting benefits and the quality of finished textile products.However,the limitations of measurement instruments have hindered the accurate evaluation of some important fiber characteristics such as fiber maturity,fineness,and neps,which in turn has impeded the genetic improvement and industrial utilization of cotton fiber.Here,12 single fiber quality traits were measured using Advanced Fiber Information System(AFIS)equipment among 383 accessions of upland cotton(Gossypium hirsutum L.).In addition,eight conventional fiber quality traits were assessed by the High Volume Instrument(HVI)System.Genome-wide association study(GWAS),linkage disequilibrium(LD)block genotyping and functional identification were conducted sequentially to uncover the associated elite loci and candidate genes of fiber quality traits.As a result,the previously reported pleiotropic locus FL_D11 regulating fiber length-related traits was identified in this study.More importantly,three novel pleiotropic loci(FM_A03,FF_A05,and FN_A07)regulating fiber maturity,fineness and neps,respectively,were detected based on AFIS traits.Numerous highly promising candidate genes were screened out by integrating RNA-seq and qRT-PCR analyses,including the reported GhKRP6 for fiber length,the newly identified GhMAP8 for maturity and GhDFR for fineness.The origin and evolutionary analysis of pleiotropic loci indicated that the selection pressure on FL_D11,FM_A03 and FF_A05 increased as the breeding period approached the present and the origins of FM_A03 and FF_A05 were traced back to cotton landraces.These findings reveal the genetic basis underlying fiber quality and provide insight into the genetic improvement and textile utilization of fiber in G.hirsutum.

The ABA synthesis enzyme allele OsNCED2^(T)promotes dryland adaptation in upland rice

Upland rice shows dryland adaptation in the form of a deeper and denser root system and greater drought resistance than its counterpart,irrigated rice.Our previous study revealed a difference in the frequency of the OsNCED2 gene between upland and irrigated populations.A nonsynonymous mutation(C to T,from irrigated to upland rice)may have led to functional variation fixed by artificial selection,but the exact biological function in dryland adaptation is unclear.In this study,transgenic and association analysis indicated that the domesticated fixed mutation caused functional variation in OsNCED2,increasing ABA levels,root development,and drought tolerance in upland rice under dryland conditions.OsNCED2-overexpressing rice showed increased reactive oxygen species-scavenging abilities and transcription levels of many genes functioning in stress response and development that may regulate root development and drought tolerance.OsNCED2^(T)-NILs showed a denser root system and drought resistance,promoting the yield of rice under dryland conditions.OsNCED2^(T)may confer dryland adaptation in upland rice and may find use in breeding dryland-adapted,water-saving rice.

Artificial selection of the Green Revolution gene Semidwarf 1 is implicated in upland rice breeding

Semidwarf breeding has boosted crop production and is a well-known outcome from the first Green Revolution. The Green Revolution gene Semidwarf 1(SD1), which modulates gibberellic acid(GA) biosynthesis, plays a principal role in determining rice plant height. Mutations in SD1 reduce rice plant height and promote lodging resistance and fertilizer tolerance to increase grain production. The plant height mediated by SD1 also favors grain yield under certain conditions. However, it is not yet known whether the function of SD1 in upland rice promotes adaptation and grain production. In this study, the plant height and grain yield of irrigated and upland rice were comparatively analyzed under paddy and dryland conditions. In response to dryland environments, rice requires a reduction in plant height to cope with water deficits. Upland rice accessions had greater plant heights than their irrigated counterparts under both paddy and dryland conditions, and appropriately reducing plant height could improve adaptability to dryland environments and maintain high grain yield formation. Moreover, upland rice cultivars with thicker stem diameters had stronger lodging resistance, which addresses the lodging problem. Knockout of SD1 in the upland rice cultivar IRAT104 reduced the plant height and grain yield, demonstrating that the adjustment of plant height mediated by SD1 could increase grain production in dryland fields. In addition, an SD1 genetic diversity analysis verified that haplotype variation causes phenotypic variation in plant height. During the breeding history of rice, SD1 allelic mutations were selected from landraces to improve the grain yield of irrigated rice cultivars, and this selection was accompanied by a reduction in plant height. Thus, five known mutant alleles were analyzed to verify that functional SD1 is required for upland rice production. All these results suggest that SD1 might have undergone artificial positive selection in upland rice, which provides further insights concerning greater plant height in upland rice breeding.

Refining the Factors Affecting N_(2)O Emissions from Upland Soils with and without Nitrogen Fertilizer Application at a Global Scale

Nitrous oxide(N_(2)O)is a long-lived greenhouse gas that mainly originates from agricultural soils.More and more studies have explored the sources,influencing factors and effective mitigation measures of N_(2)O in recent decades.However,the hierarchy of factors influencing N_(2)O emissions from agricultural soils at the global scale remains unclear.In this study,we carry out correlation and structural equation modeling analysis on a global N_(2)O emission dataset to explore the hierarchy of influencing factors affecting N_(2)O emissions from the nitrogen(N)and non-N fertilized upland farming systems,in terms of climatic factors,soil properties,and agricultural practices.Our results show that the average N_(2)O emission intensity in the N fertilized soils(17.83 g N ha^(-1)d^(-1))was significantly greater than that in the non-N fertilized soils(5.34 g N ha^(−1) d^(−1))(p<0.001).Climate factors and agricultural practices are the most important influencing factors on N_(2)O emission in non-N and N fertilized upland soils,respectively.For different climatic zones,without fertilizer,the primary influence factors on soil N_(2)O emissions are soil physical properties in subtropical monsoon zone,whereas climatic factors are key in the temperate zones.With fertilizer,the primary influence factors for subtropical monsoon and temperate continental zones are soil physical properties,while agricultural measures are the main factors in the temperate monsoon zone.Deploying enhanced agricultural practices,such as reduced N fertilizer rate combined with the addition of nitrification and urease inhibitors can potentially mitigate N_(2)O emissions by more than 60%in upland farming systems.

GhWDL3 is involved in the formation and development of fiber cell morphology in upland cotton(Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Background Cotton fiber is a model tissue for studying microtubule-associated proteins(MAPs).The Xklp2(TPX2)proteins that belong to the novel MAPs member mainly participate in the formation and development of microtubule(MT).However,there is a lack of studies concerning the systematic characterization of the TPX2 genes family in cotton.Therefore,the identification and portrayal of G.hirsutum TPX2 genes can provide key targets for molecular manipula-tion in the breeding of cotton fiber improvement.Result In this study,TPX2 family genes were classified into two distinct subclasses TPXLs and MAP genes WAVE DAMP-ENED2-LIKE(WDLs)and quite conservative in quantity.GhWDL3 was significantly up-regulated in 15 days post anthe-sis fibers of ZRI-015(an upland cotton with longer and stronger fiber).GhWDL3 promotes all stem hairs to become straight when overexpressed in Arabidopsis,which may indirectly regulate cotton fiber cell morphology during fiber development.Virus induced gene silencing(VIGS)results showed that GhWDL3 inhibited fiber cell elongation at fiber development periods through regulating the expression of cell wall related genes.Conclusion These results reveal that GhWDL3 regulated cotton fiber cell elongation and provide crucial information for the further investigation in the regulatory mechanisms/networks of cotton fiber length.

Genetic variability predicting breeding potential of upland cotton(Gossypium hirsutum L.)for high temperature tolerance

Background High temperature stress at peak flowering stage of cotton is a major hindrance for crop potential.This study aimed to increase genetic divergence regarding heat tolerance in newly developed cultivars and hybrids.Fifty cotton genotypes and 40 F1(hybrids)were tested under field conditions following the treatments,viz.,high temperature stress and control at peak flowering stage in August and October under April and June sowing,respectively.Results The mean squares revealed significant differences among genotypes,treatments,genotype×treatment for relative cell injury,chlorophyll contents,canopy temperature,boll retention and seed cotton yield per plant.The genetic diversity among 50 genotypes was analyzed through cluster analysis and heat susceptibility index(HSI).The heat tolerant genotypes including FH-Noor,NIAB-545,FH-466,FH-Lalazar,FH-458,NIAB-878,IR-NIBGE-8,Weal-AGShahkar,and heat sensitive,i.e.,CIM-602,Silky-3,FH-326,SLH-12 and FH-442 were hybridized in line×tester fashion to produce F1 populations.The breeding materials’populations(40 F1)revealed higher specific combining ability variances along with dominance variances,decided the non-additive type gene action for all the traits.The best general combining ability effects for most of the traits were displayed by the lines,i.e.,FH-Lalazar,NIAB-878 along with testers FH-326 and Silky-3.Specific combining ability effects and better-parent heterosis were showed by the crosses,viz.,FH-Lalazar×Silky-3,FH-Lalazar×FH-326,NIAB-878×Silky-3,and NIAB-878×FH-326 for seed cotton yield and yield contributing traits under high temperature stress.Conclusion Heterosis breeding should be carried out in the presence of non-additive type gene action for all the studied traits.The best combiner parents with better-parent heterosis may be used in crossing program to develop high yielding cultivars,and hybrids for high temperature stress tolerance.

Association mapping of lignin response to Verticillium wilt through an eight-way MAGIC population in Upland cotton

Lignin metabolism plays a pivotal role in plant defense against pathogens and is always positively correlated as a response to pathogen infection. Thus, understanding resistance genes against plant pathogens depends on a genetic analysis of the lignin response. This study used eight Upland cotton lines to construct a multi-parent advanced generation intercross(MAGIC) population(n=280), which exhibited peculiar characteristics from the convergence of various alleles coding for advantageous traits. In order to measure the lignin response to Verticillium wilt(LRVW), the artificial disease nursery(ADN) and rotation nursery(RN) were prepared for MAGIC population planting in four environments. The stem lignin contents were collected, and the LRVW was measured with the lignin value of ADN/RN in each environment, which showed significant variations. We employed 9 323 high-quality single-nucleotide polymorphism(SNP) markers obtained from the Cotton-SNP63K array for genotyping the MAGIC population. The SNPs were distributed through the whole genome with 4.78 SNP/Mb density, ranging from 1.14(ChrA06) to 10.08(ChrD08). In addition, a genome-wide association study was performed using a Mixed Linear Model(MLM) for LRVW. Three stable quantitative trait loci(QTLs), qLRVW-A04, qLRVW-A10, and qLRVW-D05, were identified in more than two environments. Two key candidate genes, Ghi_D05G01046 and Ghi_D05G01221, were selected within the QTLs through the combination of variations in the coding sequence, induced expression patterns, and function annotations. Both genes presented nonsynonymous mutations in coding regions and were strongly induced by Verticillium dahliae. Ghi_D05G01046 encodes a leucine-rich extensin(LRx) protein involved in Arabidopsis cell wall biosynthesis and organization. Ghi_D05G01221 encodes a transcriptional co-repressor novel interactor of novel interactor of jasmonic acid ZIM-domain(JAZ–NINJA), which functions in the jasmonic acid(JA) signaling pathway. In summary, the study creates valuable genetic resources for breeding and QTL mapping and opens up a new perspective to uncover the genetic basis of VW resistance in Upland cotton.

Bioinformatics Analysis of PHYB Gene in Upland Cotton(Gossypium hirsutum)

[Objective] This study was conducted to clarify the biological information of PHYB genes in upland cotton （Gossypium hirsutum）. [Method] Two PHYB genes were identified from the genome database of allotetraploid cotton （G. hirsutum L. acc. TM-1）, and were found to be distributed on subgenomes A10 and D10. And then bioinformatic analysis on these two genes were performed. [Result] The PHYB genes of upland cotton had the same motifs and domains with the PHYB genes in other plant species, and even the number and location of the motifs and domains of these PHYB genes were consistent. The PHYB amino acid sequence alignment and the phylogenetic tree constructed based on PHYB amino acid sequence of these plant species indicated that the two PHYB genes in upland cotton had higher homology and closer evolutionary relationships with cocoa （Theobroma cacao）, but lower similarity to PHYB genes in monocotyledonous plants, such as rice （Oryza saitva） and corn （Zea mays）. The comparison of PHYB gene structure also revealed that plant PHYB gene was more conserved during evolution. The autophosphorylation of dozens of phosphorylation sites in upland cotton PHYB gene may be essential for the functions of phytochromes and plays a significant role in regulating phytochrome-mediated signal transduction pathways. [Conclusion] The results of this paper will provide a theoretical basis for the cloning and functional research of PHYB genes.

Relation Analysis of Several Agronomic Traits and Single Plant Lint Yield in Upland Cotton with High Quality

[ Objective] The purpose was to study the correlation between main agronomic traits and single plant lint yield in upland cotton with high quality. [ Method] Twenty-four upland cotton lines with high quality were analyzed for single plant lint yield and 10 agronomic traits in a randomized, complete block at the agriculture experimental station of JXAU, Nanchang, China in 2007. They were divided into three types （ high, medium, low yield） based on single plant lint yield by Ward＇s method. A total of 11 traits of three types were compared. Correlation a- nalysis and stepwise regression analysis of 10 agronomic traits to single plant lint yield were carried out. [ Result] There existed statistically sig- nificant difference in bolls per plant, ~int percentage, lint index, fruit node numbers, growth period for three yield types. The high yield type ex- hibited the highest bolls per plant, lint percentage and lint index, the lowest fruit node numbers and the shortest growth period. Bolls per plant, boll weight and single plant lint yield were significantly and positively correlated. Fruit node numbers and single plant lint yield were significantly and negatively correlated. Bolls per plant, boll weight, and fruiting position number were the most important factors influencing single plant lint yield of upland cotton lines with high quality. [ Conclusion ] The results will have certain significance for the development of upland cotton variety with high quality.

QTL Mapping and Q×E Interactions of Grain Cooking and Nutrient Qualities in Rice Under Upland and Lowland Environments

Grain cooking and nutrient qualities are the most important components of rice （Oryza sativa L.） quality. A doubled haploid （DH） population from a cross between two japonica cultivars was used to examine the phenotypic values and potential QTLs for the quality traits. The cooking and nutrient quality traits, including the amylose content （AC）, the gel consistency （CJC）, the gelatinization temperature （GT）, and the protein content （PC）, in rice grown under upland and lowland environments were evaluated. Significant differences for AC, GC, GT, and PC between upland and lowland environments were detected. The phenotypic values of all four traits were higher under upland environment than lowland environment. The value of PC under upland environment was significantly higher （by 37.9%） than that under lowland environment. This suggests that upland cultivation had large effect on both cooking and nutrient qualifies. A total of seven QTLs and twelve pairs of QTLs were detected to have significant additive and epistatic effects for the four traits. Significant Q x E interaction effects of two QTLs and two pairs of QTLs were also discovered. The general contribution of additive QTLs ranged from 1.91% to 19.77%. The Q × E interactions of QTLs QGt3 and QAc6 accounted for 8.99% and 47.86% of the phenotypic variation, respectively, whereas those of the 2 pairs of epistatic QTLs, QAc6-QAcllb and QAc8-QAc9, accounted for 32.54% and 11.82%, respectively. Five QTLs QGt6b, QGt8, QGt11, QGcl, and QPc2, which had relatively high general contribution and no Q x E interactions, were selected to facilitate the upland rice grain quality breeding.

Obtaining High Pest_resistant Transgenic Upland Cotton Cultivars Carrying cry1Ac3 Gene Driven by Chimeric OM Promoter

Hypocotyl segments from aseptic seedlings of two important cultivars of upland cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.) in Northwest China, 'Xinluzao_1', 'Jinmian_7', 'Jinmian_12' and 'Jihe_321' were transformed respectively by two efficient plant expression plasmids pBinMoBc and pBinoBc via Agrobacterium tumefaciens . In pBinMoBc, cry 1Ac3 gene, which encodes the Bt toxin, is under the control of chimeric OM promoter. In pBinoBc, it is under control of CaMV 35S promoter. After co_cultivation with Agrobacterium tumefimpfaciens LBA4404 (containing pBinMoBc or pBinoBc), kanamycin_resistant selection, somatic embryos were induced and regenerated plants were obtained. Then the regenerated plantlets were grafted to untransformed stocks in greenhouse to produce descendants. The integration of cry 1Ac3 gene and its expression in T 2 generation of transgenic cotton plants were confirmed by Southern hybridization and Western blotting. The analyses of insect bioassay indicated that the transgenic plants of both constructions have significant resistance to the larvae of cotton bollworm ( Heliothis armigera ) and that cry 1Ac3 gene driven by chimeric OM promoter could endue T 2 generation cotton with high pest_resistant ability, implicating that it has a profound application in genetic engineering to breed new pest_resistant cotton varieties.

Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi(AMF) on Growth of Upland Rice under Soil Pb Contamination

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the effects of arbuscular mycor-rhizal fungi （AMF） on growth of upland rice under soil Pb contamination. [Method] Using potting method, the effects of Glomus mosseae on the growth of Oryzal sati-va L. under different soil Pb concentrations （0, 300, 600 mg/kg） were investigated. [Result] According to the results, the mycorrhizal colonization rate of upland rice in-oculated with Glomus mosseae was significantly reduced （P〈0.05） with the increase of Pb concentration in soil. Compared with non-inoculation treatment, inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi significantly improved the biomass of upland rice and Pb concentration of upland rice roots with addition of 300 mg/kg Pb but significantly reduced Pb concentration of upland rice shoots, which was consistent with the re-duced R/S （P〈0.05）; with addition of 600 mg/kg Pb, inoculation of arbuscular mycor-rhizal fungi significantly improved the biomass of upland rice roots （P〈0.05） but sig-nificantly reduced Pb concentration of upland rice shoots and roots （P〈0.05）; there was no significant difference in R/S between inoculation treatment and non-inocula-tion treatment. [Conclusion] This study indicated that inoculating Glomus mosseae under certain Pb concentrations could to some extent al eviate the toxic effects of Pb on Oryzal sativa L.

Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Upland Rice Oxidative Stress Induced by Cu and Pb Contamination in Soil

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the effect of arbuscular mycor-rhizal fungi on upland rice oxidative stress induced by Cu and Pb contamination in soil. [Method] The upland rice seeds were sowed in pots, in which the soil was previously mixed with a certain amount of Glomus mosseae and 0, 100 and 200 mg/kg Cu, or 0, 300 and 600 mg/kg Pb. In the control treatment, Glomus mosseae was inactivated before mixed into the soil. Then, the physiological and chemical properties of the aboveground parts of rice plants were measured at mature stage. [Result] Compared with the control treatment （NM）, Glomus mosseae （GM） treat-ment inhibited the POD, CAT and SOD activity while increased the soluble protein content under 100 mg/kg Cu and 300 mg/kg Pb treatment, improved the POD and CAT activity and soluble protein content while decreased SOD activity under 200 mg/kg Cu. SOD and POD activity showed no significant difference between NM and GM treatment under 600 mg/kg Pb, but the CAT activity was enhanced and soluble protein content was decreased. [Conclusion] This study wil provide theoretical refer-ence for bioremediation of soil heavy metal pol ution.

Effects on Agronomic Traits of M_1 by Pollen of Upland Cotton Irradiated by ^(60)Co-γ Ray

[Objective] The aim was to provide reference for research on radiation and breeding of cotton pollen through irradiating common ripe pollen grain of upland cotton by 60Co-γ Ray of varied doses. [Method] Ripe pollen grains of upland cotton were irradiated by 60Co-γ Ray with doses of 5, 10, 15, and 20 Gy, respectively, to learn radiation effect and select appropriate dose. [Result] Most properties of M1 obviously showed variation when dose was over 10 Gy; vitality, growth, and fertility were greatly inhibited when dose was 15 Gy which was almost semi-lethal concentration, and variation species were richest at the same time, which provided materi- als for practical breeding. [Conclusion] 60Co-γ Ray of 15 Gy is more suitable for mutagenesis research on ripe pollen grains of upland cotton.

Food Resource Partitioning in Alpine Weasel,Steppe Polecat and Upland Buzzard:Evidence from Stable Isotope Ratios

Based on mass balance theory and IsoSource program,stable carbon and nitrogen isotopic ratios revealed that small mammals (plateau pika,root vole and plateau zokor) contributed 26.8% and 27.0% and 29.2% to alpine weasel,steppe polecat and upland buzzard of carnivores as food respectively;adult passerine birds contributed 22.3%,47.7% and 69.1%,with hatchlings contributing 50.9%,25.6% and 1.70% to each respectively.δ 13 C values plotted against δ 15 N indicated significant partitioning in two-dimensional space among the three carnivores.It was reasonable to propose a food resource partitioning among alpine weasel,steppe polecat and upland buzzard,which partially revealed their co-existence mechanisms.

Comparison of the Activity Differences in Two Terminal Oxidases between Upland Cotton and Sea-island Cotton

[Objective] This study was to reveal the differences in two terminal oxdiases,so as to provide theoretical basis for the selection of upland and sea-land hybrid materials. [Methods] Using 7 shares of upland cotton cultivars and 4 shares of sea-land cultivars as experimental materials,the change differences in AAO and PPO activities during whole growth period of the materials tested were studied. [Results] Two terminal oxdiases both in upland and sea-land cotton cultivars assumed similar change laws during whole growth period. AAO activity assumed a low-high trend,and there is a peak at the early stage. PPO activity presented two peaks,and that at the early stage was higher than at the late stage; the first peak is obviously higher than the second for sea-land cultivars,and two peaks are not remarkably different for upland cultivars. [Conclusion] The differences in AAO and PPO activities of sea-land and upland cotton cultivars observed on Jul.4th and Aug.6th,may provide guidance for the selection of upland and sea-land hybrids.

Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) on Distribution of Pb Forms in Rhizosphere of Upland Rice

[Objective] The aim was to study the effects of AMF on distribution of Pb in different chemical forms in rhizosphere soil of upland rice. [Method] A pot experiment was conducted to explore effects of AMF inoculation on distribution of Pb in different forms in rhizosphere of rice (Oryzal sativa L.) with Pb in different concentrations (0, 300 and 600 mg/kg). [Result] With inoculation adopted, mycorrzhial colonization rate of upland rice under Pb pdlution root declined substantially with Pb increasing in soils (P<0.05). Compared with non-inoculation, rhizosphere pH significantly enhanced by inoculation; when Pb was at 300 mg/kg, glomalin content in soils improved significantly by inoculation; when Pb was at 600 mg/kg, glomalin content in soils declined substantially (P<0.05). In addition, inoculation significantly improved contents of Pb in exchangeable and organic forms, but lowered Pb in carbonate bound and Fe-Mn oxides bound forms (P<0.05). [Conclusion] The research indicated that AMF inoculation would change distribution of Pb in different forms in rhizosphere soils of upland rice.

Effects of Different Upland Seedling Nurturing Modes on Shed Temperature and Rice Seedling Quality

In order to compare the advantages and disadvantages of large-shed,middle-shed and small-shed upland seedling nurturing modes in japonica rice planting regions of North China, in this study, Tongyin 58, Tonghe 836 and Tonghe 835 were used as experimental materials and cultivated with large-shed, middle-shed and small-shed upland seedling nurturing modes to investigate active and effective accumulated temperature and rice seedling quality. According to the results, active and effective accumulated temperature in three different upland seedling nurturing treatments during seedling nurturing period were generally in a descending order of large shed 〉 middle shed 〉 small shed. The occurrence frequency of temperature exceeding the biological upper limit for rice growth in different upland seedling nurturing treatments demonstrated a descending order of large shed 〉 small shed 〉middle shed; the occurrence frequency of temperature below the biological lower limit demonstrated a descending order of small shed 〉 middle shed 〉 large shed.Plant height, root number, aboveground dry weight, underground dry weight and emergence rate varied significantly among different upland seedling nurturing modes,which showed a descending order of large shed 〉 middle shed 〉 small shed; leaf age and stem number in large shed was significantly higher than that in middle and small sheds, but there was no significant difference in leaf age and stem number between middle and small sheds; underground dry weight varied slightly between large and middle shed, but underground dry weight in large and middle shed was remarkably higher than that in small shed. In production, large-shed upland seedling nurturing is most appropriate technique, followed by middle-shed upland seedling nurturing. In large-shed upland seedling nurturing, ventilation and seedling hardening should be strengthened. Small-shed upland seedling nurturing technique is not recommended to be used in regions with low accumulated temperature at night. In small-shed upland seedling nurturing, the minimum temperature at night should be concerned, and heat preservation measures should be taken immediately when there is a sudden drop in temperature.

Preview of the No.1148 Ramsar Site on the Ordos upland of western Inner Mongolia

The Taolimiao-Alashan Nur (T-A Nur), of about 10 km2 a brackish lake located on the Ordos upland of western Inner Mongolia, northern China, used to

Nitrogen cycling and environmental impacts in upland agricultural soils in North China： A review

The upland agricultural soils in North China are distributed north of a line between the Kunlun Mountains, the Qinling Mountains and the Huaihe River. They occur in arid, semi-arid and semi-humid regions and crop production often depends on rain-fed or irrigation to supplement rainfall. This paper summarizes the characteristics of gross nitrogen（N） transformation, the fate of N fertilizer and soil N as well as the N loss pathway, and makes suggestions for proper N management in the region. The soils of the region are characterized by strong N mineralization and nitrification, and weak immobilization and denitrification ability, which lead to the production and accumulation of nitrate in the soil profile. Large amounts of accumulated nitrate have been observed in the vadose-zone in soils due to excess N fertilization in the past three decades, and this nitrate is subject to occasional leaching which leads to groundwater nitrate contamination. Under farmer＇s conventional high N fertilization practice in the winter wheat-summer maize rotation system（N application rate was approximately 600 kg ha–1 yr–1）, crop N uptake, soil residual N, NH_3 volatilization, NO_3~– leaching, and denitrification loss accounted for around 27, 30, 23, 18 and 2% of the applied fertilizer N, respectively. NH_3 volatilization and NO_3~– leaching were the most important N loss pathways while soil residual N was an important fate of N fertilizer for replenishing soil N depletion from crop production. The upland agricultural soils in North China are a large source of N_2O and total emissions in this region make up a large proportion（approximately 54%） of Chinese cropland N_2O emissions. The “non-coupled strong ammonia oxidation” process is an important mechanism of N_2O production. Slowing down ammonia oxidation after ammonium-N fertilizer or urea application and avoiding transient high soil NH4＋ concentrations are key measures for reducing N_2O emissions in this region. Further N management should aim to minimize N losses from crop and livestock production, and increase the recycling of manure and straw back to cropland. We also recommend adoption of the 4 R（Right soure, Right rate, Right time, Right place） fertilization techniques to realize proper N fertilizer management, and improving application methods or modifying fertilizer types to reduce NH_3 volatilization, improving water management to reduce NO_3~– leaching, and controlling the strong ammonia oxidation process to abate N_2O emission. Future research should focus on the study of the trade-off effects among different N loss pathways under different N application methods or fertilizer products.