The microbial community,nutrient supply and crop yields differ along a potassium fertilizer gradient under wheat-maize double-cropping systems

Soil microorganisms play critical roles in ecosystem function.However,the relative impact of the potassium(K)fertilizer gradient on the microbial community in wheat-maize double-cropping systems remains unclear.In this long-term field experiment(2008-2019),we researched bacterial and fungal diversity,composition,and community assemblage in the soil along a K fertilizer gradient in the wheat season(K0,no K fertilizer;K1,45 kg ha^(-1) K_(2)O;K_(2),90 kg ha^(-1)K_(2)O;K3,135 kg ha^(-1)K_(2)O)and in the maize season(K0,no K fertilizer;K_(1),150 kg ha^(-1) K_(2)O;K_(2),300 kg ha^(-1)K_(2)O;K_(3),450 kg ha^(-1)K_(2)O)using bacterial 16S rRNA and fungal internally transcribed spacer(ITS)data.We observed that environmental variables,such as mean annual soil temperature(MAT)and precipitation,available K,ammonium,nitrate,and organic matter,impacted the soil bacterial and fungal communities,and their impacts varied with fertilizer treatments and crop species.Furthermore,the relative abundance of bacteria involved in soil nutrient transformation(phylum Actinobacteria and class Alphaproteobacteria)in the wheat season was significantly increased compared to the maize season,and the optimal K fertilizer dosage(K2 treatment)boosted the relative bacterial abundance of soil nutrient transformation(genus Lactobacillus)and soil denitrification(phylum Proteobacteria)bacteria in the wheat season.The abundance of the soil bacterial community promoting root growth and nutrient absorption(genus Herbaspirillum)in the maize season was improved compared to the wheat season,and the K2 treatment enhanced the bacterial abundance of soil nutrient transformation(genus MND1)and soil nitrogen cycling(genus Nitrospira)genera in the maize season.The results indicated that the bacterial and fungal communities in the double-cropping system exhibited variable sensitivities and assembly mechanisms along a K fertilizer gradient,and microhabitats explained the largest amount of the variation in crop yields,and improved wheat?maize yields by 11.2-22.6 and 9.2-23.8%with K addition,respectively.These modes are shaped contemporaneously by the different meteorological factors and soil nutrient changes in the K fertilizer gradients.

An optimization model for conductivity of hydraulic fracture networks in the Longmaxi shale,Sichuan basin,Southwest China

Shale gas is an important unconventional resource.The economic recovery of shale gas is only possible when a fracture network with sufficient conductivity is created by hydraulic fracturing,that,if effectively propped,connects fracturing fractures and natural fractures.Focusing on the Longmaxi shale in the Sichuan Basin,Southwest China,we built an optimization model for conductivity of multi-grade fractures based on equivalent seepage theory.We then experimentally analyzed the conductivity of self-propped and sand-propped fractures,and optimized the propping patterns of multi-grade hydraulic fractures in shale gas reservoirs.We concluded that the propping effectiveness of fracture networks could be improved by using low concentrations of small-sized sands and by focusing on creating a large number of self-propped fractures.By applying this understanding to the optimization of fracturing designs for the Longmaxi shale,we successfully created networks of well-propped fractures.

Urchin-like Na-doped zinc oxide nanoneedles for low-concentration and exclusive VOC detections

In the early-stage diagnosis of lung cancer,the low-concentration(<5 ppm)volatile organic compounds(VOCs)are extensively identified to be the biomarkers for breath analysis.Herein,the urchin-like sodium(Na)-doped zinc oxide(ZnO)nanoneedles were synthesized through a hydrothermal strategy with the addition of different contents of citric acid.The Na-doped ZnO gas sensor with a 3:1 molar ratio of Na^(+)and citric acid showed outstanding sensing properties with an optimal selectivity to various VOCs(formaldehyde(HCOH),isopropanol,acetone,and ammonia)based on working temperature regulation.Specifically,significantly enhanced sensitivity(21.3@5 ppm)compared with pristine ZnO(~7-fold),low limit of detection(LOD)(298 ppb),robust humidity resistance,and long-term stability of formaldehyde sensing performances were obtained,which can be attributed to the formation of a higher concentration of oxygen vacancies(20.98%)and the active electron transitions.Furthermore,the improved sensing mechanism was demonstrated by the exquisite band structure and introduction of the additional acceptor level,which resulted in the narrowed bandgap of ZnO.

Micro-nano structured functional coatings deposited by liquid plasma spraying

Inspired by the micro-nano structure on the surface of biological materials or living organisms,micro-nano structure has been widely investigated in the field of functional coatings.Due to its large specific surface area,porosity,and dual-scale structure,it has recently attracted special attention.The typical fabrication processes of micro-nano structured coatings include sol-gel,hydrothermal synthesis,chemical vapor deposition,etc.This paper presents the main features of a recent deposition and synthesis technique,liquid plasma spraying(LPS).LPS is an important technical improvement of atmospheric plasma spraying.Compared with atmospheric plasma spraying,LPS is more suitable for preparing functional coatings with micro-nano structure.Micro-nano structured coatings are mainly classified into hierarchical-structure and binary-structure.The present study reviews the preparation technology,structural characteristics,functional properties,and potential applications of LPS coatings with a micro-nano structure.The micro-nano structured coatings obtained through tailoring the structure will present excellent performances.