Effects of Incorporating Mango (Mangifera indica), Avocado (Persea americana) and Guava (Psidium guajava) Leaves Powder in the Ration on Growth Characteristics in Rabbits

A study conducted on burgundy rabbits evaluated the effects of rations containing mango (Mangifera indica), avocado (Persea americana) and guava (Psidium guajava) powder. For this purpose, 36 rabbits (20 males and 16 females) aged 60 to 70 days with an average weight of 1012 ± 133 g were divided randomly into 4 equal groups (T0, T1, T2 and T3) of 9 animals each according to body weight (bw). The rabbits were divided throughout the trial, the animals were fed, those of group T0 (control) with a standard feed without any type of leaf powder, while those of groups 1, 2 and 3 received the standard feed supplemented with Mangifera indica, Persea americana and Psidium guajava leaves powder at the rate of 0.5% respectively. After two months of treatment, the animals were fasted for 12 hours (20 h - 8 h) and sacrificed to evaluate carcass and digestive organ weights. The results revealed that the values of feed intake, live weight and weight gain were non-significantly (p > 0.05) increased in all animals regardless of the ration in reference to the control. The different leaves powder induced an increase in carcass yield in rabbits but this increase was only significant (p M. indica leaf powder (51.03 ± 0.24) as compared to the control (48.63 ± 0.74). Gut length was significantly increased in animals fed rations containing Psidium guajava and Persea americana leaves powder compared to the control. A significant increase in gut weight was observed in animals fed the Persea americana leaf supplemented ration. In general, mango leaf powder performed better than other types of powders.

Effects of Water-Fertilizer Coupling on Growth Characteristics and Water Use Efficiency of Camellia petelotii Seedlings

Camellia petelotii(Merr.)Sealy is an endangered Chinese native species that originates from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region,China.Previous research demonstrated that proper water and fertilizer treatments could improve the growth and quality of Camellia species.This study uses a three-factor,five-level quadratic rotational combination experimental design to investigate the impact of water-fertilizer coupling on plant growth character-istics and the most suitable treatment for 24-month-old grafted C.petelotii seedlings.The experimental design includes irrigation levels[30%,40%,55%,70%,80%offield capacity(FC)],nitrogen application(0,2.17,5.43,8.70,10.87 g·plant^(-1)),and phosphorus application(0,0.96,2.40,3.85,4.81 g·plant^(-1)).The results indicated that:(1)Water-nitrogen and water-phosphorus interactions significantly affected ground diameter,chlorophyll content and specific leaf weight(SLW),while water-nitrogen interactions significantly affected plant height and photo-synthesis;(2)Application of nitrogen(8.70 g·plant^(-1))and phosphorus(3.85 g·plant^(-1))fertilizers under appropri-ate irrigation conditions(40%FC and 70%FC)improved growth.Applying fertilizers containing either nitrogen(10.87 g·plant^(-1))or phosphorus(4.81 g·plant^(-1))under adequate irrigation(55%FC)increased the Chl content.However,high nitrogen levels(10.87 g·plant^(-1))reduced photosynthesis.Conversely,it was enhanced under appropriate phosphorus(4.81 g·plant^(-1))when the irrigation level was 55%FC,indicating the sensitivity of C.pete-lotii seedlings to nitrogen fertilizer.(3)Under specific conditions of 40%FC or 70%FC irrigation and 8.70 g·plant^(-1) or 2.17 g·plant^(-1) nitrogen fertilizer application,3.85 g·plant^(-1) phosphorus addition boosted the SLW whereas,0.96 g·plant^(-1) phosphorus addition inhibited it.Under W=55%FC,deficiencies in either nitrogen(N=0 g·plant^(-1))or phosphorus(P=0 g·plant^(-1))significantly decreased leaf growth,affecting SLW.In summary,C.petelotii was more sensitive to nitrogen fertilizer at W=55%FC,and nitrogen deficiency inhibited C.petelotii growth in terms of ground diameter more than phosphorus deficiency.The C.petelotii seedlings performed best when treated with 55%FC,5.43 g·plant^(-1) nitrogen,2.40 g·plant^(-1) phosphorus per plant.These parameter esti-mates could optimize water and fertilizer application for C.petelotii seedlings.

Effect of Various Citrus Rootstock-scion Combinations on Tree Growth,Fruit Quality,and Photosynthetic Characteristics under Red Loam Soil Conditions

[Objectives]To investigate the effects of 15 distinct citrus rootstock-scion combinations on tree growth,fruit quality,and photosynthetic characteristics under red loam soil conditions and provide a theoretical foundation for the selection of appropriate citrus rootstock-scion combinations in the Zhaoqing region.[Methods]A total of 15 citrus rootstock-scion combinations were utilized as test materials for a comprehensive analysis of their phenological periods(budding,flowering,and fruiting),tree growth indicators(tree height,crown diameter,and growth),and fruit quality(appearance quality and intrinsic quality).The photosynthetic characteristics of the test materials,including the net photosynthetic rate(Pn),transpiration rate(Tr),water use efficiency(WUE),apparent quantum yield(AQY),and carboxylation efficiency(CE),were analyzed to determine their significance.Additionally,the leaf photosynthetic physiological indicators,such as soluble protein,specific leaf weight,chlorophyll,and carotenoids,were evaluated.[Results]There were notable differences observed in the phenological period,growth potential of trees,fruit quality,and photosynthetic characteristics among various citrus rootstock-scion combinations.The phenological periods exhibited variation contingent on the grafting varieties.In terms of tree growth potential,the Citrus tangerina Tanaka‘Hongju’and C.haniana Hort.‘Suanju’rootstocks demonstrated greater tree height,crown growth,and overall tree strength;however,they were also prone to excessive growth.Conversely,the C.limonia Osbeck‘Hongningmeng’and C.sinensis×P.trifoliata‘Zhicheng’rootstocks displayed medium growth potential,while the Poncirus trifoliate(L)Raf.‘Zhike’rootstock resulted in shorter trees.In terms of fruit quality,the single fruit weight of C.flamea Hort.‘Shatangju’ranged from 33 to 50 g,exhibiting a flat and round shape.The total soluble solids and titratable acid content of‘Shatangju’grafted onto the‘Zhike’rootstock were notably high.In contrast,the single fruit weight of C.haniana Hort.‘Chuntianju’varied between 65 and 81 g,characterized by a high flat round shape.The‘Suanju’rootstock demonstrated a higher sugar and acid content compared to other rootstocks.Additionally,the single fruit weight of C.nobilis Lour.‘Gonggan’ranged from 62 to 145 g,with the fruit shape being either round or oval.The soluble sugar and total soluble solids content associated with the‘Zhike’rootstock was also elevated.In relation to photosynthetic characteristics,the photosynthetic performance of the‘Shatangju’variety was superior when grafted onto the‘Zhike’and‘Hongju’rootstocks.Similarly,the‘Chuntianju’variety exhibited enhanced photosynthetic performance on the‘Zhike’,‘Zhicheng’,and‘Hongju’rootstocks.Furthermore,the‘Gonggan’variety demonstrated improved photosynthetic performance when grafted onto the‘Zhike’and‘Suanju’rootstocks.[Conclusions]Based on the characteristics of the red loam soil in the Zhaoqing region,the rootstocks‘Zhike’and‘Hongju’are conducive to the cultivation of the‘Shatangju’variety.Additionally,the rootstocks‘Zhike’,‘Zhicheng’,and‘Hongju’are optimal for the growth of the‘Chuntianju’variety,while the rootstocks‘Zhike’and‘Suanju’are appropriate for the growth of the‘Gonggan’variety.

Effects of Light Quality on Growth and Physiological Characteristics of Neopyropia yezoensis Free Living Conchocelis

[Objectives]To study the differences of growth rate,morphology,ultrastructure,pigment content and antioxidant enzyme activity of free-living conchocelis of cultivated type of Neopyropia yezoensis under different light qualities(white,red,blue,and green light).[Methods]The study was carried out through light quality design and culture,growth rate determination,microstructure and ultrastructure observation,chlorophyll a content and carotenoid content determination,phycobiliprotein content determination,malondialdehyde(MDA)content determination,superoxide dismutase(SOD)activity determination.[Results]After 21 d of culture,the specific growth rate(SGR)and chlorophyll a content of free-living conchocelis of N.yezoensis were significantly increased by white light(WL),followed by red light(RL)and green light(GL),and they were the lowest under blue light(BL).Compared with the WL group,the BL group had the highest content of phycoerythrin(PE),and the RL and GL groups had the highest content of phycocyanin(PC).The algal body of WL group was normal black brown,and the cell wall was the thickest.In RL and GL groups,the algal bodies were green,and their diameters and cell wall thicknesses were similar to those in WL group.In BL group,the algal body was bright red,the diameter was the smallest,the cell wall was the thinnest,and the ultrastructure showed that the number of plastoglobulus on the thylakoid was the largest.After BL irradiation,the highest MDA content and the lowest SOD activity were observed.The results revealed that WL is the most beneficial to the growth of free-living conchocelis,followed by RL and GL,while BL has adverse effects.[Conclusions]This study explored the most suitable light quality conditions for the propagation of free-living conchocelis.It is expected to provide germplasm guarantee for the production and seedling of N.yezoensis.

Growth Characteristics of Compound Leaf with Different Quantities of Leaflet of the Juglans cathayensis in Xinjiang

[Objective] The aim was to explore the growth characteristics of different quantity leaflet compound leaves of Juglans cathayensis in Xinjiang so as to provide basic data for the study of J.cathayensis.[Method] The length,width and biomass of compound leaves growth characteristics of three types of different quantity leaflet compound leaves of J.cathayensis were measured in large samples.[Result] The length,width,rachis biomass and total biomass of compound leaves increased with the number of leaflets increase;leaflets biomass of the same phyllotaxy decreased with the number of leaflets increase.The leaflet length,width and biomass of the same compound leaves increased with the number of phyllotaxy increase.The differences on petiole length and top leaflets length were not significant;there were significant differences on compound leaves width;the differences on the total biomass of compound leaves were extremely significant.[Conclusion] There was rather large ecology plasticity of the compound leaves of J.cathayensis in Xinjiang.

Effects of Nitrogen Application Amount on Growth Characteristics,Boll Development and Lint Yield of High Quality Cotton

[Objective] This study aimed to explore an optimum application amount of nitrogen for cotton cultivation. [Method] In this study, a field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of nitrogen application amount on the growth characteristics, boll development and lint yield of high quality cotton line FZ-1. [Result] Compared with the nitrogen level of 225 kg/hm2, the lint yield had increased by 28.46% and 18.73%, respectively, with the nitrogen application amount of 300 and 375 kg/hm2. When the nitrogen application amount had increased from 225 to 300 kg/hm2, boll number per plant, boll weight and lint yield had significantly increased. At the nitrogen level of 375 kg/hm2, however, the effects of increasing lint yield were significantly less than that at the nitrogen level of 300 kg/hm2. Compared with the nitrogen levels of 225 and 375, 300 kg/hm2 of nitrogen was the optimum application amount to improve the plant height, daily increment of plant height, number of fruit branches, number ratio of nodes to fruit branches, boll volume and seed cotton weight per boll. [Conclusion] The rational management of nitrogen is the most effective way to promote the growth and development of cotton plants, ensure high yielding ability and minimize the environmental pollution caused by the overuse of nitrogen. This study had provided a sound nitrogen application strategy for the cultivation of this high-quality cotton line in the field plantation.

On the Growth and Physiological Characteristics of Rice under Smashing Ridge Tillage

Two-line super hybrid rice （Oryza sativa L.） Guiliangyou 2 was taken as the experimental variety, the growth and physiological characteristics of rice under conventional tillage and smashing ridge tillage were compared based on field re- search. The results showed that smashing ridge tillage was beneficial to the tillering growth of rice plants in the the middle and later periods of tillering; under the tillage mode, the white root was more, the vigour was strong during the whole growing period, the SPAD was extremely significantly higher than that of conventional tillage, the net photosynthetic rate of the leaves was high and held green long, which were beneficial to the production and accumulation of photoassimilates; during mature pe- riod, the dry matter accumulation of the overground part under smashing ridge tillage was significantly higher than that of conventional tillage, and the number of productive ears under smashing ridge tillage was more than that of conventional tillage by 27.6×10^4/hm2, thus, the yield-increasing effect was significant and in- creased by 20.36%.

Temporal and Spatial Characteristics of Rainstorm during the Crops Growth Period in North China Region

By using the daily precipitation data from 1961 to 2005 in North China region,the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of rainstorm process occurrence and the rainstorm intensity during the crops growth period were studied.The results showed that the rainstorm intensity and the rainstorm process during the crops growth period in North China region both had the obvious annual fluctuations and era variation characteristics.Although the rainstorm and heavy rainstorm occurred in North China region every year,the annual variations were great,and the variation coefficients respectively reached 36.9% and 53.1%.The torrential rain occurred once in every 4-5 years,and the rainstorm process occurred once in every 11 years.Although the torrential rain and rainstorm process occurred in fewer years,their annual fluctuations were more obvious.The peak value zones of rainstorm intensity which was greater and the rainstorm process which occurred frequently were in the 1960s.After 1999,the rainstorm intensity and the rainstorm process were in low value zone of historical stage from 1961 to 2005.Moreover,the 1970s-1990s was between high value and low value,and the rainstorms in different intensities which weren't synchronous happened in the period.In addition,the spatial distribution of annual average rainstorm days presented the tendency which increased obviously from northwest to southeast in Northern China,and the variation coefficient of rainstorm days presented the tendency which increased gradually from southeast to northwest.Generally,the more the annual average rainstorm days are,the smaller the variation coefficient is,and vice versa.The statistics results also showed that precipitation in North China had obvious positive correlation relationship with the rainstorm days.

Study on Growth and Photosynthetic Characteristics of Pepper under Different Fertilization Modes

With the new pepper cultivar Guanlong as a test material, effects of differ-ent fertilizer application modes on growth and development, yield and photosynthetic characteristics of pepper were studied. The results showed that the plant height and plant expansion of pepper in T4 were the largest, of 104.3 and 90.6 cm, respec-tively. T1 showed the largest weight of single fruit, fruit length and fruit diameter, re-spectively of 101.6 g, 25.49 cm and 4.86 cm. The content of total chlorophyl in the leaves of T1 was the highest, of 66.7 mg/g, and the root activity of T1 was also the highest, of 100.6 g/（g·FW·h）. The net photosynthetic rate of pepper leaves in T5 was the highest, of 6.6 μmol/（m^2·s）, while the net photosynthetic rates of T1 and T2 were the lowest, fluctuating in the range of 1.3-2.5 μmol/（m^2·s）. T3 showed the highest decrease amplitude of stomatal conductance in pepper leaves, of 2 658.1 mol/（m^2·s）, while the decrease amplitudes of stomatal conductance of pepper leaves in treatments T2 and T5 were the lowest, fluctuating in the range of 386.7-428.7 mol/（m^2·s）. T1 showed the highest decrease amplitude of transpiration rate of pepper leaves, of 4.7 mmol/（m^2·s）, while treatment T5 showed the lowest decrease ampli-tude of transpiration rate of pepper leaves, of 1.1 mmol/（m^2·s）. The intercel ular CO2 concentration was the highest in the leaves of T5, of 436.8 μmol/mol. T1 showed the highest plot output, yield per hectare and benefit, of 340.1 kg, 96 448.5 kg/hm^2 and 162 865.6 Yuan/hm^2, respectively, while T3 exhibited the lowest plot output, yield per hectare and benefit, of 260.8 kg, 74 338.5 kg/hm^2 and 124 888.5 Yuan/hm^2, respec-tively.

Study on Nutritional Characteristics of Dianjiang Peony at Different Growth Stages

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the nutritional characteristics of Dianjiang peony at different growth stages.[Method] The yield,nutrient content and nutrient uptake of Dianjiang peony at different growth stages and available nutrient content in soil were investigated by field survey and indoor chemical analysis.[Resuit] The results showed that biomass,leaf weight,tender stem weight and cortex moutan weight （yield） of 1-4 years old peony exhibited a significant quadratic regression relationship with the cultivation duration.The average content and uptake of 12 nutrients in leaves exhibited an overall order of Ca＞N＞K＞Mg＞S＞P＞Fe＞Mn＞ Zn＞Cu,which was consistent to that in tender stems.However,the average content and uptake of various nutrient elements in cortex moutan exhibited an overall order of N＞Ca＞K＞Mg＞P＞S＞Fe＞Zn＞Cu＞Mn,which was different from that in leaves and tender stems.In addition,the average content and uptake of various nutrient elements in petioles exhibited an overall order of Ca＞K＞N＞Mg＞S＞P＞Fe＞Mn＞Zn＞Cu.The content of organic matter in soil of Dianjiang peony at different growth stages varied greatly; to be specific,contents of N,S,Mn and Zn were higher.[Conclusion] This study provided theoretical basis for the production of high-quality and high-yield peony.

Effect of Lead Stress on Growth Characteristics and Physiological Indexes of Alternanthera philoxeroides

[Objective] The paper aimed to discuss effects of different concentrations of lead stress on Alternanthera philoxeroides growth and physiological indices,to explore phytoremediation methods for removal of lead pollution. [Method] A. philoxeroides in water culture was treated with different concentration of lead,and then,its external injury was observed,its growth and physiological indexes were measured. [Result] A. philoxeroides biomass and chlorophyll content decreased; conductivity and malonaldehyde （MDA ） content were increased; the SOD,POD and CAT activities showed a trend of first increase and then decrease with increase in concentration of lead stress. [Conclusion] With increase in lead concentration,the cell membrane permeability increased and MDA had a higher accumulation,antioxidant enzymes activity decreased,the normal oxidative metabolism of A. philoxeroides was severely affected,leading it to wilt.

Salt Stress Effect on the Growth and Physiological Characteristics of Three New Varieties of Lagerstroemia indica

The effects of different concentrations of NaCI （0, 0.10%, 0.25%, 0.40%, 0.55%, 0.70%） on the growth and physiological characteristics of three new varieties of Lagerstroemia indica were studied by pot experiment in the plastic greenhouses. The results showed that under different NaCI concentrations, the relative height in- crement and the relative diameter increment of L. indica were restrained obviously; the contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoid and GSH decreased with in- crease of NaCI concentration; and the content of MDA increased with increase of NaCI concentration. Through the determination and comparison of physiological in- dexes, and analysis of correlativity, NaCI tolerance of the three new L. indica vari- eties ranked as L. indica ＇Pink Velour＇〉L. indica ＇Dynamite＇〉L. indica ＇Red Rock- et＇. This is consistent with the results of the morphological characteristics after Na- CI stress.

Correlation of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 expression with clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis in gastric cancer

AIM:To investigate human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2) gene amplification and protein expression in Chinese patients with resectable gastric cancer and the association with clinicopathological characteristics and survival.METHODS:One hundred and ninety-seven gastric cancer patients who underwent curative surgery procedures were enrolled into this study.HER2 gene amplification and protein expression were examined using fluorescence in-situ hybridization(FISH) and immunohistochemistry(IHC) analysis on formalin-fixed paraffinembedded gastric cancer samples from all patients.For scoring,Hofmann's HER2 gastric cancer scoring system was adopted.All cases showing IHC3+ or FISH positiv-ity were defined as HER2 positive.Patient clinicopathological data and survival information were collected.Finally,χ 2 statistical analysis was performed to analyze the HER2 positivity rate amongst the subgroups with different clinicopathological characteristics including;gender,age,tumor location,Lauren classification,differentiation,TNM staging,depth of invasion,lymph node metastases and distant metastasis.The probability of survival for different subgroups with different clinicopathological characteristics was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and survival curves plotted using log rank inspection.RESULTS:According to Hofmann's HER2 gastric cancer scoring criteria,31 cases(15.74%) were identified as HER2 gene amplified and 19 cases(9.64%) were scored as strongly positive for HER2 membrane staining(3+),25 cases(12.69%) were moderately positive(2+) and 153 cases(77.66%) were HER2 negative(0/1+).The concordance rate between IHC and FISH analyses was 88.83%(175/197).Thirty-six cases were defined as positive for HER2 gene amplification and/or protein expression,with 24 of these cases being eligible for Herceptin treatment according to United States recommendations,and 29 of these cases eligible according to EU recommendations.Highly consistent results were detected between IHC3+,IHC0/1 and FISH(73.68% and 95.42%),but low consistency was observed between IHC2+ and FISH(40.00%).The positivity rates in intestinal type and well-differentiated gastric cancer were higher than those in diffuse/mixed type and poorly-differentiated gastric cancer respectively(28.57% vs 13.43%,P = 0.0103;37.25% vs 11.64%,P < 0.0001),but were not correlated with gender,age,tumor location or TNM stage,depth of invasion,lymph node metastases and distant metastasis.In poorly-differentiated gastric cancer patients,those without lymph node metastasis showed a higher HER2 positivity rate than those with lymph node metastasis(26.47% vs 7.14%,P = 0.0021).This association was not present in thosepatients with well-differentiated gastric cancer(28.57% vs 43.33%,P = 0.2832).Within our patient cohort,26 cases were lost to follow-up.The median survival time for the remaining 171 patients was 18 mo.The median survival times of the HER2 positive and negative groups were 17 and 18.5 mo respectively.Overall survival was not significantly different between HER2-positive and negative groups(χ 2 = 0.9157,P = 0.3386),but in patients presenting well-differentiated tumors,the overall survival of the HER2-positive group was significantly worse than that of the HER2-negative group(P = 0.0123).In contrast,patients with poorly differentiated and diffuse/mixed subtype gastric cancers showed no significant differences in overall survival associated with HER2.Furthermore,the median survival time of the HER2 positive group did not show any statistically significant differences when compared to the subgroups of gender,age,tumor location,TNM classification,lymph node metastases and distant metastasis.CONCLUSION:Patients with intestinal type gastric cancer(GC),well-differentiated GC and poorly-differentiated GC without lymph node metastasis,may all represent suitable candidates for targeted therapy using Herceptin.

Effects of melatonin implantation on cashmere yield,fibre characteristics,duration of cashmere growth as well as growth and reproductive performance of Inner Mongolian cashmere goats

Background： Exogenous melatonin could induce cashmere growth. However, induced growth of cashmere fleece by melatonin implants cannot be combined with the typical growth, resulting in earlier shedding followed by another cycle of cashmere growth. To address this issue, we examine the effects on the cashmere yield, fibre characteristics, and the growth and reproductive performance of cashmere goats of planned administration of melatonin. Methods： Eighteen half-sib, female goats were assigned to two treatments （n = 9） including a control and a treatment where melatonin （2 mg/kg BW） was implanted at the end of April and end of June. Cashmere growth and shedding were observed for approximately ] year following implantation. Fibre samples were collected monthly to determine cumulative cashmere length. Initiation and cessation dates for cashmere growth as well as the rate of cashmere growth were calculated. Cashmere yield, weight gain of dam, kidding date, litter size, and birth weight were also recorded. Results： Melatonin implantation increased cashmere yield by 34.5 % （control 553.7 g vs. melatonin 745.0 g; P〈 0.01）, cashmere length by 21.3 % （control 95.2 mm vs. melatonin 115.4 mm; P 〈 0.01）, and decreased fibre diameter by 4.4 % （control 14.6 pm vs. melatonin 14.0 IJm; P 〈 0.03）. In melatonin-treated goats, the average initiation date was earlier than in control goats （May 18, 2013 vs. July 2, 20]3; P〈 0.01） but there was a similar cessation date （March 22, 2014 vs. March 27, 2014）. Consequently, the duration of cashmere growth was longer in melatonin-treated goats than in control goats （307 vs.270 days; P 〈 0.01）. The final BW, average daily gain, kidding date, litter size, and birth weight were not influenced by melatonin implantation. Conclusions： These data indicate that melatonin implantation （2 mg/kg BW） on two occasions （late April and June） increased cashmere yield by combining the induced growth of cashmere fleece with the typical growth and decreased the fibre diameter without changing dam growth rate or reproductive performance.

Characteristics of Growth and Yield Formation of Rice in Rice-Fish Farming System

By using single rice cultivation as a control, the effect of rice-fish culture on growth dynamic, plant type and yield formation of rice was studied. The results showed as follows： rice-fish culture improved the physical-chemical properties of arable layer soil of paddy field, extended growth period of rice, increased dry matter and LAI of different growth stages, improved three top leaves area, deterred the degeneration of leaves function, increased the diameter of stem, promoted the growth of roots and the formation of roots in the extended stem. At the same time, rice-fish culture extended the length of basal internodes, increased the number of internodes, uplifted the gravity of plant, and depressed the root vigor. For the grain yield and yield structure office, rice-fish culture decreased ear/tillering ratio, spikelet/panicle and seed set percentage, increased grain weight. If variety choice and cultivation technology were controlled appropriately, rice-fish culture could increase the effective panicles and improve grain yield of rice.

Growth Characteristics and Yield of Late-Season Rice under No-tillage and Non-flooded Cultivation with Straw Mulching

A long-term field experiment （started at 2003） was conducted to determine the effects of different dce cultivation methods on growth characteristics and grain yield of late-season rice under double-rice cropping system in seasonal drought region of southeast China （Yujiang County, Jiangxi Province）. The rice cultivation methods included no-tillage and flooded rice cultivation （N-F）, no-tillage and non-flooded rice cultivation with straw mulching （N-SM）, and no-tillage and non-flooded rice cultivation without straw mulching （N-ZM）. There was no significant difference in rice grain yield between the N-SM and N-F treatments. However, the rice grain yields in the N-SM and N-F treatments were significantly higher than that in the N-ZM treatment. The late-season rice plants in the N-SM treatment had significantly higher numbers of effective panicles and total grains per hill compared with those in the N-ZM treatment. The above-ground dry matter of late-season rice was similar between the N-SM and N-F treatments. Compared with the N-F treatment, the N-ZM and N-SM treatments significantly decreased the leaf area at the heading stage. Moreover, the N-SM treatment could significantly increase total root length and root tip number at the grain-filling stage compared with the N-ZM treatment.

In vitro growth, differentiation and biological characteristics of neural stem cells

OBJECTIVE： To summarize the biological characteristics of neural stem cells, and the separation, purification. differentiation and source of neural stem cells. DATA SOURCES ： An online search of Pubmed database was undertaken to identify English articles about the growth of neural stem cells in vitro published from January 2000 to October 2006 by using the keywords of ＂neural stem cells, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells （BMSCs）, umbilical cord blood stem cells, embryonic stem cells （ESC）, separation methods, neural growth factor＂. And relevant articles published in IEEE/IEE Electronic Library （IEL） database, Springer Link database and Kluwer Online Journals were also searched, Chinese relevant articles published between January 2000 to October 2006 were searched with the same keywords in Chinese in Chinese journal full-text database. STUDY SELECTION ： The articles were primarily screened, and then the full-texts were searched. Inclusive criteria： （1） Articles relevant to the biological characteristics and classification of neural stem cells; （2） Articles about the source, separation and differentiation of the ESCs, BMSCs and umbilical cord blood stem cells. The repetitive studies and reviews were excluded. DATA EXTRACTION ： Thirty articles were selected from 203 relevant articles according to the inclusive criteria Articles were excluded because of repetition and reviews. DATA SYNTHESES ： Neural stem cells have the ability of self-renewing and high differentiation, and they are obtained from ESCs, nerve tissue, nerve system, BMSCs and umbilical cord blood stem cells. ESCs can be separated by means of mechanical dissociation is better than that of the trypsin digestion, BMSCs by density gradient centrifuge separation, hemolysis, whole-blood culture, etc., and umbilical cord blood stem ceils by Ficoil density gradient centrifugation, hydroxyethyl starch （HES） centrifugation sedimentation, etc. Neural growth factor （NGF） and other factors play an important role in the growth of NSCs, such as transforming growth factor （TGF） is an important player in repairing organs, NGF accelerates the process of growth, insulin-like growth factor serves importantly in the differentiation of stem cells into neuron-like cells. CONCLUSION ： As unipotent stem cells, NSCs have the abilities of self-renewal and potential of high differentiation. The method of mechanical dissociation is better than trypsin digestion in e separating ESCs. However, density gradient centrifuge separation is better than other methods in the separation of the BMSCs. NGF and other factors play an important role in the growth of NSCs.

Variation in Gelatinization Characteristics of Storage Root Starch During Sweetpotato Growth and Development

The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and rapid visco-analyzer (RVA) were used to determine the starch gelatinizationcharacteristics during the growth of three sweetpotato cultivars. The results showed that the starch contents of threesweetpotato cultivars all decreased as growth progressed. Changes of the amylose contents differing in harvesting datesshould be discriminated according to the cultivars. At the early harvests amylose contents of Xushu18 and Zheda9201were relatively high, but those of Zhe3449 were low. As the growth duration of sweetpotatoes prolonged, the peaks ofDSC thermograms tended to occur at a low temperature and not to be so obstrusive with the increased width of the peak.Obvious decreases were observed, values of onset, peak and conclusion temperatures, as well as enthalpy of phasetransitions, as growth time lengthened. The peak viscosities, as determined through RVA, showed a rising tendency asgrowth progressed. In addition, statistical analysis revealed that there were correlations between the amylose content andgelatinization characteristics to some extent, which were affected by genotypes evidently.

Three-Dimensional and Cross-sectional Characteristics of Normal Grain Growth Based on Monte Carlo Simulation

An appropriate Monte Carlo method was developed to simulate the three-dimensional normal grain growth more completely. Comparative investigation on the three-dimensional and the cross-sectional characteristics of normal grain growth was done. It was found that the time exponent of grain growth determined from cross-section exhibits the same rule of increasing slowly with time and approaching the theoretical value n = 0.5 of steadygrain growth as the three-dimensional (3-D) system. From change of the number of grains per unit area with timemeasured in cross-section, the state of 3-D normal grain growth may be predicted. The gtain size distribution incross-section is different from that in 3-D system and can not express the evolution characteristic of the 3-D distribution. Furthermore, there exists statistical connection between the topological parameters in cross-section and thosein three-dimensions.

Effects of Drought Stress Simulated by Polyethylene Glycol on Seed Germination, Root and Seedling Growth, and Seedling Antioxidant Characteristics in Job’s Tears

Two Job’s tears cultivars, yy18-1 (high resistance to drought stress) and yy12-7 (susceptible to drought stress) were used to investigate the responses of seed germination, root and seedling growth, and seedling antioxidant characteristics to drought stress simulated by polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 solutions with 0, -0.05, -0.1, -0.15, and -0.2 MPa osmotic potentials. The results showed that the germination energy, germination rate, germination index, root and seedling lengths, root and seedling diameters, root and seedling fresh masses, root and seedling dry masses, and seedling relative water content (RWC) decreased with the decrease of the osmotic potential of PEG 6000 solution. The contents of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA), and proline in seedling increased with the decrease of the osmotic potential of PEG 6000 solution. The activities of peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and glutathione reductase (GR) in seedling increased and then decreased with the decrease of osmotic potential of PEG 6000 solution. -0.1 MPa was the optimal osmotic potential of PEG 6000 solution simulated drought stress at germination stage for Job’s tears. The proline content and activities of POD and CAT were important mechanisms for the maintenance of drought resistance in Job’s tears seedling.