Effects of tree size and organ age on variations in carbon,nitrogen,and phosphorus stoichiometry in Pinus koraiensis

Carbon(C),nitrogen(N),and phosphorus(P)are of fundamental importance for growth and nutrient dynamics within plant organs and deserve more attention at regional to global scales.However,our knowledge of how these nutrients vary with tree size,organ age,or root order at the individual level remains limited.We determined C,N,and P contents and their stoichiometric ratios(i.e.,nutrient traits)in needles,branches,and fine roots at different organ ages(0-3-year-old needles and branches)and root orders(1st-4th order roots)from 64 Pinus koraiensis of varying size(Diameter at breast height ranged from 0.3 to 100 cm)in northeast China.Soil factors were also measured.The results show that nutrient traits were regulated by tree size,organ age,or root order rather than soil factors.At a whole-plant level,nutrient traits decreased in needles and fine roots but increased in branches with tree size.At the organ level,age or root order had a negative effect on C,N,and P and a positive effect on stoichiometric ratios.Our results demonstrate that nutrient variations are closely related to organ-specific functions and ecophysiological processes at an individual level.It is suggested that the nutrient acquisition strategy by younger trees and organ fractions with higher nutrient content is for survival.Conversely,nutrient storage strategy in older trees and organ fractions are mainly for steady growth.Our results clarified the nutrient utilization strategies during tree and organ ontogeny and suggest that tree size and organ age or root order should be simultaneously considered to understand the complexities of nutrient variations.

Atmospheric nitrogen deposition affects forest plant and soil system carbon:nitrogen:phosphorus stoichiometric flexibility:A meta-analysis

Background:Nitrogen(N)deposition affects forest stoichiometric flexibility through changing soil nutrient availability to influence plant uptake.However,the effect of N deposition on the flexibility of carbon(C),N,and phosphorus(P)in forest plant-soil-microbe systems remains unclear.Methods:We conducted a meta-analysis based on 751 pairs of observations to evaluate the responses of plant,soil and microbial biomass C,N and P nutrients and stoichiometry to N addition in different N intensity(050,50–100,>100 kg·ha^(-1)·year^(-1)of N),duration(0–5,>5 year),method(understory,canopy),and matter(ammonium N,nitrate N,organic N,mixed N).Results:N addition significantly increased plant N:P(leaf:14.98%,root:13.29%),plant C:P(leaf:6.8%,root:25.44%),soil N:P(13.94%),soil C:P(10.86%),microbial biomass N:P(23.58%),microbial biomass C:P(12.62%),but reduced plant C:N(leaf:6.49%,root:9.02%).Furthermore,plant C:N:P stoichiometry changed significantly under short-term N inputs,while soil and microorganisms changed drastically under high N addition.Canopy N addition primarily affected plant C:N:P stoichiometry through altering plant N content,while understory N inputs altered more by influencing soil C and P content.Organic N significantly influenced plant and soil C:N and C:P,while ammonia N changed plant N:P.Plant C:P and soil C:N were strongly correlated with mean annual precipitation(MAT),and the C:N:P stoichiometric flexibility in soil and plant under N addition connected with soil depth.Besides,N addition decoupled the correlations between soil microorganisms and the plant.Conclusions:N addition significantly increased the C:P and N:P in soil,plant,and microbial biomass,reducing plant C:N,and aggravated forest P limitations.Significantly,these impacts were contingent on climate types,soil layers,and N input forms.The findings enhance our comprehension of the plant-soil system nutrient cycling mechanisms in forest ecosystems and plant strategy responses to N deposition.

Effects of drought on non-structural carbohydrates and C,N,and P stoichiometric characteristics of Pinus yunnanensis seedlings

To study non-structural carbohydrate character-istics and nutrient utilization strategies of Pinus yunnanen-sis under continuous drought conditions,2-year-old seed-lings were planted in pots with appropriate water,light and moderate and severe drought treatments[(80±5),(65±5),(50±5),and(35±5)%of field water-holding capacity].Non-structural carbohydrates,carbon(C),nitrogen(N),and phosphorus(P)concentrations were measured in each plant component.The results show that:(1)With increasing drought,non-structural carbohydrates gradually increased in leaves,stems,and coarse roots,while gradually decreased in fine roots;(2)C concentrations of all were relatively stable under different stress levels.Phosphorous utilization of each component increased under light and moderate drought conditions,while N and P utilization efficiency of each plant component decreased under severe drought.Growth was mainly restricted by N,first decreasing and then increasing with increased drought;(3)There was a correlation between the levels of non-structural carbohydrates and C,N,and P in each component.Changes in N concentration affected the interconversion between soluble sugar and starch,which play a regulatory role in the fluctuation of the concentration of non-structural carbohydrates;and,(4)Plasticity analysis showed that P.yunnanensis seedlings responded to drought mainly by altering starch concentration,the ratio of soluble sugar to starch in leaves and stems,and further by alter-ing N and P utilization efficiencies.Overall,these results suggest that the physiological activities of all organs of P.yunnanensis seedlings are restricted under drought and that trade-offs exist between different physiological indicators and organs.Our findings are helpful in understanding non-structural carbohydrate and nutrient adaptation mechanisms under drought in P.yunnanensis seedlings.

A new triterpene saponin from Panax japonicus C.A.Meyer var major(Burk.) C.Y.Wu et K.M.Feng

One new Iriterpene saponin was isolated from Panaxjaponicus C. A. Meyer var major （Burk.） C. Y. Wu et K. M. Feng, and established as oleanolic acid 3-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-（1 →2）-β-D-glucuronopyranosyl-6＇-O-n-butyl ester] which showed mod- erate antitumor activities against the A2780 cells and OVCAR-3 cells. Its structure was established by means of spectral data, particularly NMR, including HSQC and HMBC techniques.

Effects of N,P and K Fertilizers on Growth of Clover Nitrogen-fixing Rhizobia and Soil Fertility after Plantation

In order to develop organic rice and increase paddy soil fertility by cloverorganic rice rotation, the effects of N, P and K fertilizers on growth of clover nitrogen-fixing rhizobia and soil fertility after plantation were investigated, thereby providing certain reference for reasonable cultivation of clover and improvement of soil fertility. A two-year experiment was conducted from 2012 to 2013. The clover was cultivated after rice every year, and different levels of N, P and K fertilizers were applied before winter. In the treatment group, no fertilizer was applied. The effects of different fertilizers and different application amounts on clover yield, nitrogen-fixing rhizobia quantity, nitrogen-fixing rhizobia weight and soil fertility after plantation were analyzed. The results showed that the application of N, P and K fertilizers in the early stage had significantly effect on the growth of clover. When the application amount of N fertilizer was 75 kg/hm^2（N 46%）, the clover yield, nitrogen-fixing rhizobia quantity and nitrogen-fixing rhizobia weight were highest. The soil nitrogen content after plantation increased with the increase of the application amount of N fertilizer, while the P and K content decreased and then increased with the increased application amounts. Soil available P content increased with the increased application amounts of N and P fertilizers, but it did not change significantly with the increased application amount of K fertilizer. Soil available K content increased first and then decreased with the increased application amounts of N and P fertilizers.When the application amounts of N and P fertilizers were 150（N 46%） and 300（P_2O_5 12%） kg/hm^2, soil available K content reached the maximum. Soil organic matter content increased with the increased application amounts of N, P and K fertilizers. Therefore, in the cultivation of clover, appropriate application of N, P and K fertilizers in the early stage can improve clover yield and soil fertility.

Effects of Amino Acids Replacing Nitrate on Growth,Nitrate Accumulation,and Macroelement Concentrations in Pak-choi (Brassica chinensis L.)

A hydroponic experiment was carried out to determine the influence of replacing 20% of nitrate-N in nutrient solutions with 20 individual amino acids on growth, nitrate accumulation, and concentrations of nitrogen （N）, phosphorus （P）, and potassium （K） in pak-choi （Brassica chinensis L.） shoots. When 20% of nitrate-N was replaced with arginine （Arg） compared to the full nitrate treatment, pak-choi shoot fresh and dry weights increased significantly （P ≤ 0.05）, but when 20% of nitrate-N was replaced with alanine （Ala）, valine （Val）, leucine （Leu）, isoleucine （Ile）, proline （Pro）, phenylalanine （Phe）, methionine （Met）, aspartic acid （Asp）, glutamic acid （Glu）, lysine （Lys）, glycine （Gly）, serine （Ser）, threonine （Thr）, cysteine （Cys）, and tyrosine （Tyr）, shoot fresh and dry weights decreased significantly （P ≤ 0.05）. After replacing 20% of nitrate-N with asparagine （Asn） and glutamine （Gin）, shoot fresh and dry weights were unaffected. Compared to the full nitrate treatment, amino acid replacement treatments, except for Cys, Gly, histidine （His）, and Arg, significantly reduced （P ≤0.05） nitrate concentrations in plant shoots. Except for Cys, Leu, Pro, and Met, total N concentrations in plant tissues of the other amino acid treatments significantly increased （P ≤ 0.05）. Amino acids also affected total P and K concentrations, but the effects differed depending on individual amino acids. To improve pak-choi shoot quality, Gln and Asn, due to their insignificant effects on pak-choi growth, their significant reduction in nitrate concentrations, and their increase in macroelement content in plants, may be used to partially replace nitrate-N.

Effects of N,P and K Amounts on Yield Traits of Wheat in Wheat-cotton Intercropping System

[Objective] This study was conducted to investigate the demands for N, P and K by wheat in wheat cotton intercropping system in high-fertility field of Hebei Province. [Method] The experiment adopted randomized block arrangement. Five treatments （0, 75, 150, 225 and 300 kg/hm2） were designed for N, P and K. Wheat tillering, ear number, yield and yield components were investigated. [Result] Wheat yield increased significantly with the application of N fertilizer. The number of ears per unit area, number of grains per ear, 1 000-grain weight and yield were im- proved with N increasing. P fertilizer improved wheat yield at a certain degree, but K had no effect on wheat yield. ]Conclusion] The optimum fertilization for wheat-cot- ton intercropping system was N at 225-300 kg/hm2 and P2Os at 150 kg/hm2; and there is no need to apply K.

Effects of Regulation of C/N Ratio Wheat Straw Application on Nitrogen,Phosphorus and Potassium Uptake in Tobacco

[Objective]The aim was to study the effects of regulation of C/N ratio wheat straw application on tobacco nitrogen,phosphorus and potassium uptake. [Method]Effects of regulation C/N ratio wheat straw application on the flue-cured tobacco yield,output value,nitrogen,phosphorus and potassium content and cumulative uptake of the upper,middle and bottom leaf were studied by using the field plot experiments at Banqiao town,Qujing city,Yunnan Province during the 2008-2009 summer growing seasons. [Result]The results showed that the application of wheat straw alone or after C/N regulation,could significantly increase tobacco production,potassium content,the potassium and nitrogen accumulation amount of leaf,and was more conducive to the potassium uptake of tobacco leaf with wheat straw application after C/N regulation. Compared with non-straw application,the yield of tobacco increased by 6.59%,3.58%,5.98%,8.80% with application of wheat straw alone,wheat straw and vetch,wheat straw and oilseed cake,wheat straw and urea nitrogen,the potassium content in tobacco leaf increased by 3.85%,7.76%,8.82%,11.21%,respectively,the total potassium cumulative amount of leaf increased by 10.71%,11.62%,15.32% ,21.01% and the total nitrogen cumulative amount increased by 9.76%,1.22%,8.14%,14.00%. However,the differences of tobacco leaf nitrogen content among the different treatments were not significant,the phosphorus uptake of tobacco leaf decreased. [Conclusion]application of high C/N ratio wheat straw in flue-cured tobacco production,which should be concerned not only to adjust C/N ratio by adding nitrogen,but also considering additional phosphorus application.

Effects of N, P and K on Output and Nutrient Cycle of Vegetables in Greenhouses

ObjectiveThe aim was to increase farmers’ income and reduce the waste of fertilizer by exploring effects of N, P and K fertilizations on vegetable yields and the accumulation of N, P and K in vegetable and soils. MethodThe fertilization tests were conducted on tomato, cauliflower and celery in greenhouses. ResultWhen N, P and K were not applied in tomato, cauliflower or celery, the yields reduced in 6.0%-13.8% and total annual income reduced by 39 220, 36 902 and 22 023 yuan/hm 2 respectively, suggesting that N, P and K are limiting factors of yield. The absorbed N amounts of tomato and cauliflower were higher compared with celery; the absorbed P amount of cauliflower was higher compared with tomato and celery; the absorbed K amount of tomato was the highest, followed by celery and cauliflower. The absorbed N in tomato fruit was lower than that of cauliflower and the absorbed N amount of other parts of tomato was also lower. Furthermore, the absorbed amounts of P and K by tomato and cauliflower fruits were higher than it absorbed by the other parts, especially the absorbed of K was significantly high. Total absorbed amounts of N, P and K from high to low were cauliflower, tomato and celery. After harvesting of tomato, cauliflower and celery, N, P and K in soils were all higher compared with soils before planting. Influenced by fertilizers, residual N content in soils grown with tomato and residual P content in soils grown with celery both doubled compared with base soils. Cauliflower plants were not applied with organic fertilizer, and residual N and K contents in soils were lower compared with tomato and celery. ConclusionResidual P content in soils is higher, which is a kind of waste and would cause pollution on soils. It is necessary to improve the proportion of organic and inorganic fertilizers in fertilization.

The Effects of Legume Crops （Pea and Faba Bean） on Soil Nutrients Availability and Yield Parameters of Subsequent Cabbage Crops under Organic Production Conditions

Three equal field plots were cultivated with respectively wheat, field pea and faba bean. The common conventional production technology, including the use of chemical fertilizers was applied in wheat, but no fertilizers at all were used in faba bean and field pea plots. Atter legume harvesting, forty day old broccoli and cauliflower seedlings were transplanted to each of them according to three replications randomized block design. The transplanting was conducted at equal planting density, and common organic production practices were applied in entire production cycle. The legume crops improved soil fertility by increasing total soil N （Nitrogen） and improving P （Phosphorus） and K （Potassium） availability to the subsequent crops. As a result, an enhanced vegetative growth, improved curd setting and increased average curd weight was found in broccoli and cauliflower. However, there were significant differences between legume crops themselves regarding the proved benefits to the subsequent crops, confirming a clear advantage of faba bean versus field pea. A significantly higher above ground biomass was recorded in cauliflower plants followed faba bean, compared with field pea and wheat, but no difference was found regarding the biomass production in broccoli. The higher percentage of plants set curds （either broccoli or cauliflower） was obtained in the variants followed faba bean and then field pea. The same was true regarding total curd yield and the average curd weight for both： broccoli and cauliflower.

A Threshold Scheme under Peer-to-Peer Network

Resource sharing among peers is one of important application in Peer-to-Peer（P2P） network. Inexistenee of server makes P2P network to be a less trustable tool for property owners to distribute their resource. In order to protect intelligent property, reputation management strategy is adopted in many P2P network. As long as a P2P network reputation strategy is confirmed, application designer can employ a special detailed distribution scheme to fulfill content distribution within the net. Shmir （k, n） threshold scheme, for example, is an encryption scheme to enhance the distribution se curity of this kind of design. （k＊, n） threshold scheme is a new tool similar to Shmir scheme is proposed in this paper. The new scheme based on polynomial expansion and its security is decided by the one way function used in the secret distribution procedure. The scheme efficiency and its features as well as comparison between new and Shmir scheme are also discussed in this paper.

Spatial Distribution of Soil Total Nutrients of Farmland in Liaoning Province

[Objective]The aim was to reveal the spatial distribution characteristics of total nutrients in soil and provide a theoretical basis for farmland management and improvement of crop yield. [Method]GIS technique was used to analyze the spatial distribution characteristics of total C,total N,total P and total K for different soil layers in Liaoning Province. [Result]The results showed that the content of total C,total N,total P decrease from east to west,but the content of total K was high in north district of Liaoning Province. The content of total C,total N,total P and total K was higher in soil surface （0-20 cm） than the lower （20-40 cm）. Total K varied less with soil depth,and its mean content was respectively 17.64 g/kg and 17.08 g/kg for soil surface and soil lower layer. [Conclusion]The results of the distribution of soil total nutrients in different soil layers supplied a theory basis for farmland management.

A Preliminary Study on Dynamics and Models of N,P,K Absorption for High-Yield Cotton

The field experiments were carried out to investigate the dynamics and models of N, P and K absorption for the cotton plants with a lint of 3 000 kg ha-1 in Xinjiang. The main results were as follows: The contents of N, P2O5, K2O in cotton leaves, stems, squares and bolls decreased obviously with the time over the whole growth duration and the falling extent was greater in high-yield cotton than in CK. Contents of N in leaves, squares and bolls, in particular in the leaves of fruit-bearing shoot was higher in high-yield cotton than in CK. Contents of P2O5 in squares and bolls and that of K2O in stems were higher in high-yield cotton than in CK during the whole growing period. The accumulations of N, P2O5 and K2O in the cotton plants could be described with a logistic curve equation. There was the fastest nutrient uptake at about 90 d for N, 92 d for P2O5 and 85 d for K2O after emergence, respectively. Total nutrient accumulation of N, P2O5 and K2O was 385.8, 244. 7 and 340.3 kg ha-1, respectively. Approximately 12. 5 kg N, 8. 0 kg P2O5 and 11.1 kg K2O were needed for producing 100 kg lint with the leaves and stems under the super high yield condition of 3 000 kg ha-1 in Xinjiang.

Effect of N and P addition on soil organic C potential mineralization in forest soils in South China

Atmospheric nitrogen deposition is at a high level in some forests of South China. The effects of addition of exogenous N and P on soil organic carbon mineralization were studied to address: (1) if the atmospheric N deposition promotes soil C storage through decreasing mineralization; (2) if the soil available P is a limitation to organic carbon mineralization. Soils (0–10 cm) was sampled from monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forest (MEBF), coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest (CBMF), and Pinus massoniana...

N,P,and K characteristics of different age groups of temperate coniferous tree species in northwestern China

This study chose dominant tree species including Picea crassifolia,Pinus armandii and Pinus tabuliformis which are distributed in Qilian Mountains,Xiaolongshan Mountains,and Bailongjiang River.According to the different tree species,ages and components,we sampled leaves,branches,stems,and roots,and measured the contents of Nitrogen,Phosphorus,Potassium,along with soil fertility.The changes of N,P,and K contents in the different tree species were studied,and the relationship between nutrient content and environmental factors was analyzed.The results indicated that the content of P in all three species was the lowest(0.039–0.28 g kg),while N content was the highest(0.095–1.72 g kg).As the terminal organ of nutrient transport,the nutrient content of leaves was the highest.P.armandii(0.45 g kg) had a higher nutrient concentration than P.tabulaeformis(0.19 g kg) and P.crassifolia(0.29 g kg).The nutrient content of each species was highest in a young forest,but lowest in a mature forest.The nutrient content of all three tree species was significantly affected by soil nutrient content,and negatively correlated with available soil nutrients.

Effect Models of Nitrogen,Phosphorus and Potassium Fertilizer Formulation in Banana

[Objective] The aim was to modify the application amount of N,P and K fertilizer so as to provide a reference for establishing balanced fertilization index system of banana.[Method]The N,P and K fertilizer ＂3414＂ test was carried out on banana,and then regression analysis was performed on the fertilizer effect.Ternary quadratic,binary quadric and one-variable quadratic regression equations for the fertilizer effect on the banana yield were constructed.[Result]Suitable amount of N,P and K fertilizer had significant yield improving effect,whereas overdose of fertilizer application led to decreasing of utilization rate of fertilizer.Therefore,suitable amount of N,P and K fertilizer should be selected in production.It could be concluded that one-variable quadratic regression equations was the best model to calculate the suitable fertilizer amount.The best yield range of banana in the tested field was 44.193-45.904 t/hm2,while the corresponding optimum application amount of N,P2O5 and K2O was 795.1,262.3 and 1 236.9 kg/hm2 respectively,and the ratio among nitrogen,phosphorus and potassium are 1∶0.33∶1.55.[Conclusion]The result in this study could provide references for the soil types similar to the tested field.

Effects of three coniferous plantation species on plant-soil feedbacks and soil physical and chemical properties in semiarid mountain ecosystems

Background:Large-scale afforestation can significantly change the ground cover and soil physicochemical properties,especially the soil fertility maintenance and water conservation functions of artificial forests,which are very important in semi-arid mountain ecosystems.However,how different tree species affect soil nutrients and soil physicochemical properties after afforestation,and which is the best plantation species for improving soil fertility and water conservation functions remain largely unknown.Methods:This study investigated the soil nutrient contents of three different plantations(Larix principis-rupprechtii,Picea crassifolia,Pinus tabuliformis),soils and plant-soil feedbacks,as well as the interactions between soil physicochemical properties.Results:The results revealed that the leaves and litter layers strongly influenced soil nutrient availability through biogeochemical processes:P.tabuliformis had higher organic carbon,ratio of organic carbon to total nitrogen(C:N)and organic carbon to total phosphorus(C:P)in the leaves and litter layers than L.principis-rupprechtii or P.crassifolia,suggesting that higher C:N and C:P hindered litter decomposition.As a result,the L.principis-rupprechtii and P.crassifolia plantation forests significantly improved soil nutrients and clay components,compared with the P.tabuliformis plantation forest.Furthermore,the L.principis-rupprechtii and P.crassifolia plantation forests significantly improved the soil capacity,soil total porosity,and capillary porosity,decreased soil bulk density,and enhanced water storage capacity,compared with the P.tabuliformis plantation forest.The results of this study showed that,the strong link between plants and soil was tightly coupled to C:N and C:P,and there was a close correlation between soil particle size distribution and soil physicochemical properties.Conclusions:Therefore,our results recommend planting the L.principis-rupprechtii and P.crassifolia as the preferred tree species to enhance the soil fertility and water conservation functions,especially in semi-arid regions mountain forest ecosystems.

Wound Healing Is a First Response in a Cancerous Pathway: Hyperplasia Developments to 4n Cell Cycling in Dysplasia Linked to Rb-Inactivation

In a series of publications, the hypothesis of a special-type of endo-polyploidy, marked by 4-chromatid chromosomes (diplochromosomes), in the initiation of tumorigenesis has been presented from in vitro experiments. This review uses cellular happenings in benign pre-neoplasia to substantiate this idea, which appears to be linked to the wound-healing process of injured tissue. Rarer association between a wound healing process and a cancer occurrence has long been known. The wound healing multi-program-system involved a phase of tetraploidy that showed diplochromosomes. The hypothesis is that the inflammatory phase may not always be sufficient in getting rid of dead and damaged cells (by apoptosis and autophagy), such that cells with genomic damage (DNA breakage) may survive by genomic repair associated with change to diplochromosomal tetraploidy. In vitro data have shown division of these cells to be an orderly, mechanistic two-step, meiotic-like system, resulting in only two types of progeny cells: 4n/4C/G1 and 2n/2C/G1 pseudo-diploid cells with hyperplastic-like growth-morphology. In vivo damage to tissues can be from many sources for example, physical, toxic environment or from a disease as in Barrett’s esophagus (BE) with acid reflux into the esophagus. For this condition, it is acknowledged that damage of the esophagus lining is a pre-condition to hyperplastic lesions of pre-neoplasia. These initial lesions were from “diploid” propagating cells and, 4n cells with G2 genomic content (no mitosis) accumulated in these lesions before a change to dysplasia. Cell cycle kinetics put these 4n cells in G1, which with S-phase entry would lead to asymmetric tetraploid mitoses, characteristic for dysplastic lesions. This change in hyperplasia to dysplasia is the root-essential condition for a potential progression of pre-neoplasia to cancer. In BE the hyperplastic lesion showed increasing gains of cells with inactivated p53 and p16[ink4a] genes, which destroyed the retinoblastoma (Rb) protein-control over S-phase entry from G1. Rb-protein is a key controller of cycling advancement from G1 (also for normal cells), and is frequently inactivated in tumor cells. Thus in BE, 4n/4C/G1 cells with mutated p53 and p16[ink4a] genes gained cycling ability to tetraploid aneuploid cell cycles, which constituted the change from hyperplasia to dysplastic lesions. In general, such lesions have high predictive value for a cancerous change. Proliferation rates of pre-neoplasia and progression have been shown to be increased by a component of the wound healing program.

Activation of Rac1-PI3K/Akt is required for epidermal growth factorinduced PAK1 activation and cell migration in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells

Epidermal growth factor （EGF） may increase cell motility, an event implicated in cancer cell invasion and metastasis. However, the underlying mechanisms for EGF-induced cell motility remain elusive. In this study, we found that EGF treatment could activate Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 （Racl）, PI3K/Akt and p21- actived kinase （PAK1） along with cell migration. Ectopic expression of PAK1 K299R, a dominant negative PAK1 mutant, could largely abolish EGF-induced cell migration. Blocking PI3K/Akt signalling with LY294002 or Akt siRNA remarkably inhibited both EGF-induced PAK1 activation and cell migration. Furthermore, expression of dominant-negative Racl （T17N） could largely block EGF-induced PI3K/Akt-PAK1 activation and cell migration. Interestingly, EGF could induce a significant production of ROS, and N-acetyl-L-cysteine, a scavenger of ROS which abolished the EGF-induced ROS generation, cell migration, as well as activation of PI3K/Akt and PAK, but not Racl. Our study demonstrated that EGF-induced cell migration involves a cascade of signalling events, including activation of Racl, generation of ROS and subsequent activation of PI3K/Akt and PAK1.

Effects of Nitrogen,Phosphorus and Potassium Application on Growth and Dry Matter Accumulation in Mulberry

In this paper, the effect of different fertilizer treatments on the main indexes of growth and development and dry matter accumulation of perennial mulberry, which is cut and pruned in summer, were studied with ‘3414’ field experiment design. The results showed that N, P, and K at proper amounts could promote mulberry growth and development, improve its dry matter content, increase its dry matter accumulation. The effects of N, P, K on leaf yield per plant were respectively expressed as follows： N2 N3 N1 N0 , P2 P1 P3 P0 , K2 K1 K3 K0 . It can be concluded that the recommended fertilizer amounts of dry matter accumulations in mulberry leaf were 694.36 kg/hm2 of N, 198.15 kg/hm2 of P, and 274.26 kg/hm2 of K and the dry matter achieved the maximum at 8 045.04 kg/hm2 . The recommended fertilizer amounts of accumulated dry matter in branch were 1 000.05 kg/hm2 of N, 242.04 kg/hm2 of P, and 218.01 kg/hm 2 of K, and the dry matter achieved the maximum at 5 969.05 kg/hm2 . The recommended fertilizer amount in young shoots were 883.76 kg/hm2 of N, 204.48 kg/hm2 of P and 426.59 kg/hm2 of K and dry matter achieved the maximum at 1 410.24 kg/hm2 . This paper could provide reference for the construction of highly-qualified mulberry field in Sichuan hilly area.