Sugar beet yield and industrial sugar contents improved by potassium fertilization under scarce and adequate moisture conditions

Sugar beet（Beta vulgaris L.） is an industrial crop, grown worldwide for sugar production. In Pakistan, sugar is mostly extracted from sugarcane, soil and environmental conditions are equally favorable for sugar beet cultivation. Beet sugar contents are higher than sugarcane sugar contents, which can be further increased by potassium（K） fertilization. Total K concentration is higher in Pakistani soils developed from mica minerals, but it does not represent plant available K for sustainable plant growth. A pot experiment was conducted in the wire-house of Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences at University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan. K treatments were the following： no K（K_0）, K application at 148 kg ha^（–1）（K_1） and 296 kg ha^（–1）（K_2）. Irrigation levels were used as water sufficient at 60% water holding capacity and water deficient at 40% water holding capacity. The growth, yield and beet quality data were analyzed statistically using LSD. The results revealed that increase in the level of K fertilization at water sufficient level significantly increased plant growth, beet yield and industrial beet sugar content. The response of K fertilization under water deficient condition was also similar, however overall sugar production was less than that in water sufficient conditions. It is concluded from this study that K application could be used not only to enhance plant growth and beet yield but also enhance beet sugar content both under water-deficient as well as water-sufficient conditions.

Identification of candidate genes related to soluble sugar contents in soybean seeds using multiple genetic analyses

Soluble sugar content in seeds is an important quality trait of soybean. In this study, 57 quantitative trait loci(QTLs) related to soluble sugar contents in soybean seeds were collected from databases and published papers. After meta-overview-collinearity integrated analysis to refine QTL intervals, eight consensus QTLs were identified. To further verify the consensus QTLs, a population of chromosome segment substitution lines(CSSLs) was analyzed. Two lines containing fragments covering the regions of consensus QTLs and the recurrent parent were selected: one line showed high soluble sugar contents associated with a consensus QTL fragment, and the other line showed low soluble sugar contents. Transcriptome sequencing was conducted for these two lines at the early, middle, and late stages of seed development, which identified 158, 109 and 329 differentially expressed genes, respectively. Based on the analyses of re-sequencing data of the CSSLs and the consensus QTL region, three candidate genes(Glyma.19 G146800, Glyma.19 G122500, and Glyma.19 G128500) were identified in the genetic fragments introduced from wild soybean. Sequence comparisons between the two CSSL parents SN14 and ZYD00006 revealed a single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP) mutation in the coding sequence of Glyma.19 G122500, causing a nonsynonymous mutation in the amino acid sequence that affected the predicted protein structure. A Kompetitive allele-specific PCR(KASP) marker was developed based on this SNP and used to evaluate the CSSLs. These results lay the foundation for further research to identify genes related to soluble sugar contents in soybean seeds and for future soybean breeding.

Type 2 Diabetes—Hard to Select a Healthy Choice

Introduction: The use of foods containing high levels of sugar is increasing all the time. This is a risk factor for increased incidence of type 2 diabetes. There are few studies that have investigated the availability of low-sugar müsli products in grocery stores. Purpose: The study aims to identify which types of müsli contain high respectively low levels of sugar, and which brands are involved. Methods: The material consists of both qualitative interviews and observations from five grocery stores: City Gross, Hemköp, Ica Maxi, Stora Coop and Willy’s in Helsingborg, Sweden. The qualitative interviews had a semi-structured character and were recorded. The interviews took approx. 20 minutes and a textual analysis was conducted of the results. Data from observation was analyzed based on brand, nutritional composition and flavors, and also, where low sugar products were placed on store shelves. Results: The grocery stores provided together brands from AXA, Coop, Finax, Frebaco, Garant, ICA, Risenta, Saltå Kvarn och Urtekram, in total 24 müsli products. Of these products, 19 were high in sugar. The observation reveals that müsli products with high sugar content (17 - 29 g per 100 g müsli) are more prominently displayed than those with low sugar content. From the interviews with the store managers, it became clear that it would be valuable to highlight healthy müsli products on the shelves. However, central bureaucracy puts obstacles to such measures. Discussion: The study emphasizes the need for increased visibility of low-sugar products and proposes solutions such as negotiating with responsible person at the head office in Stockholm. Several reviews have shown that if the grocery store raises the prices of unhealthy food, the consumer is willing to purchase healthier müsli and other products. Conclusion: This study shows the need for grocery stores to upgrade healthy müsli products along with advertising to be able to influence customer’s shopping habits. Also, further research is needed how type 2 diabetes is affected by high intakes of food products with high sugar content.

QTLs for Sugar Content of Stalk in Sweet Sorghum(Sorghum bicolor L.Moench)

High sugar content of sorghum stalk is an important factor in the sorghum silage production. To identify the genomic regions controlling sugar content and to develop molecular markers linked to sugar content in sweet sorghum, we used an F2：3 segregating population consisting of 207 individuals derived from a cross between a high sugar content inbred line, Early Folger, and a normal inbred line, N32B, for genetic linkage mapping and quantitative trait locus （QTL） analysis. We constructed a genetic linkage map spanning 983.5 cM based on a total of 327 markers comprising 31 restriction fragment length polymorphism （RFLP） markers, 254 amplified fragment length polymorphism （AFLP） markers, and 42 simple sequence repeat （SSR） markers. In the 20 linkage groups detected, 98.2% of markers aligned to the 10 linkage groups of sorghum. Variations in sugar content at different growth stages and among internodes suggested that the sugar content of middle internodes is stable and suitable for measuring at early dough stage. The broad sense heritability （hB0 of sugar content was 0.64 and 0.62 estimated from the data of F3 families and each parent in 2003 and 2004. We identified one and two QTLs accounting for 22.2 to 25.0% of phenotypic variance using simple interval mapping method in 2003 and 2004, respectively. These two QTLs showed a negative additive effect, and over-dominance effect. A QTL on LG-D was detected in both two years. Above results will be help us to understand the genetic mechanism of sugar content in sorghum and the QTL detected in this study might be useful in the improvement of sugar content by marker-assisted selection.

Manual thinning increases fruit size and sugar content of Citrus reticulata Blanco and affects hormone synthesis and sugar transporter activity

Manual fruit thinning(MFT)in fruit trees has been previously shown to increase fruit size and enhance fruit quality,but the effect of MFT on Ponkan(Citrus reticulata Blanco)and the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood.In this study,efforts were made to elucidate how MFT influences the fruit quality of Ponkan.The results showed that MFT substantially increased fruit size and elevated fruit total soluble solids in comparison with the fruit from the unthinned trees(used as control).Expression analyses demonstrated that m RNA abundance of three important sugar transporter genes,including CrSUT1,CrSTP1 and CrTMT1,was evidently elevated in the flesh of thinned fruit when compared with those of the control.In addition,MFT prominently up-regulated the transcript levels of various auxin and gibberellin(GA)biosynthesis and signaling genes,including CrYUC6,CrAUX/IAA,CrGA20ox1 and CrGA3ox1.Concurrently,the contents of endogenous IAA and GA3,measured at 90 d after fruit thinning,were notably elevated in the fruit from trees with the thinning treatment relative to the control,although no difference was detected in the two groups before the thinning manipulation.Taken together,these results indicate that manual fruit thinning could greatly improve fruit quality,which may be attributed to promoting fruit expansion due to the increased auxin levels and expediting sugar accumulation through the up-regulation of sugar transporter genes.

Measurement of sugar content in Fuji apples by FT-NIR spectroscopy

To evaluate the potential of FT-NIR spectroscopy and the influence of the distance between the light source/detection probe and the fruit for measuring the sugar content (SC) of Fuji apples, diffuse reflectance spectra were measured in the spectral range from 12500 to 4000 cm^-1 at 0 mm, 2 mm, 4 mm and 6 mm distances. Four calibration models at four distances were established between diffused reflectance spectra and sugar content by partial least squares (PLS) analysis. The correlation coefficients (R) of calibrations ranged from 0.982 to 0.997 with SEC values from 0.138 to 0.453 and the SECV values from 0.74 to 1.58. The best model of original spectra at 0 mm distance yielded high correlation determination of 0.918, a SEC of 0.092, and a SEP of 0.773. The results showed that different light/detection probe-fruit distances influence the apple reflective spectra and SC predictions.

NIR Hyperspectral Imaging Measurement of Sugar Content in Peach Using PLS Regression

Near infrared （NIR） hyperspectral imaging measurement of sugar content in peach was introauced. NIR spectral images （650～1 000 nm, resolution： 2 nm） of peach samples were captured with developed hyperspectral imaging setup. Partial least square （PLS） regression prediction model was developed to estimate the sugar content in peach; step-wise backward method was utilized to determine optimal wavelength subsets. Experimental results show that the calibration model with optimal wavelength subsets has a correlation coefficient of prediction of 0.97 and a standard error of prediction of 0.19, the prediction accuracy is higher than the calibration model applied over the whole wavelength, which proves that variable selection plays an important role in improving the prediction accuracy of PLS regression model.

Effect of 30%Xiange Oceanic Bioactive Peptide Pesticide-Fertilizer on Sugarcane Pests,Sugarcane Yield and Sugar

[Objective]The paper was to study the effect of 30%Xiange oceanic bioactive peptide pesticide-fertilizer on sugarcane pests,sugarcane yield and sugar.[Method]With conventional compound fertilizer mixed with 3%carbofuran granulated insecticide as the control,the field effect of30%Xiange pesticide-fertilizer on sugarcane was compared.[Result]After the application of 30%Xiange pesticide-fertilizer for 90 d,the control effects on sugarcane borers in the two test points were 93.66%and 93.09%,respectively,which were significantly higher than those of conventional control(21.86%and 24.19%).Before harvest,the reduction effects of sugarcane internodes in the two test points treated by pesticide-fertilizer were6.21%and 5.10%,respectively,which were significantly lower than those of conventional control(36.25%and 34.55%).The control effects of Xiange pesticide-fertilizer on sugarcane chafer in the two test points were 91.34%and 100.00%respectively,which were significantly higher than those of conventional control(68.00%and 64.29%).The yields of sugarcane treated by Xiange pesticide-fertilizer in the two test points were107700 and 108000 kg/hm2,and the sugar contents were 15.62%and 15.55%,respectively.The yield and sugar content of sugarcane treated by Xiange pesticide-fertilizer were increased by 28.63%and 1.33%compared with those of conventional control.[Conclusion]30%Xiange oceanic bioactive peptide pesticide-fertilizer has good control effect on sugarcane pests,which could obviously increase yield and sugar of sugarcane.The product is worth being promoted and applied in sugarcane planting area.

Whole-genome resequencing identifies candidate genes and allelic variation in the MdNADP-ME promoter that regulate fruit malate and fructose contents in apple

Soluble sugar and organic acids are key determinants of fruit organoleptic quality and directly affect the commodity value and economic returns of fruit crops.We performed whole-genome sequencing of the apple varieties Gala and Xiahongrou,along with their F1 hybrids,to construct a high-density bin map.Our quantitative genetic analysis pinpointed 53 quantitative trait loci(QTLs)related to 11 sugar and acid traits.We identified a candidate gene,MdNADP-ME,responsible for malate degradation,in a stable QTL on linkage group 15.Sequence analysis revealed an A/C SNP in the promoter region(MEp-799)that influences binding of the MdMYB2 transcription factor,thereby affecting MdNADP-ME expression.In our study of various apple genotypes,this SNP has been demonstrated to be linked to malate and fructose levels.We also developed a dCAPS marker associated with fruit fructose content.These results substantiate the role of MdNADP-ME in maintaining the equilibrium between sugar and acid contents in apple fruits.

Selection of Rice Genotypes for Salinity Tolerance Through Morpho-Biochemical Assessment

The present study reported the morpho-biochemical evaluation of 15 selected rice genotypes for salt tolerance at the seedling stage. Growth parameters including shoot length, root length, plant biomass, plant turgid weight, plant dry weight along with relative water content were measured after exposure to saline solution （with electrical conductivity value of 12 dS/m）. Genotypes, showing significant differential responses towards salinity in the fields, were assessed through 14 salinity-linked morpho-biochemical attributes, measured at 14 d after exposure of seedling in saline nutrient solution. Relative water content, chlorophyll a/b, peroxidase activity and plant biomass were identified as potential indicators of salt tolerance. Principal component analysis and successive Hierarchical clustering using Euclidean distance revealed that Talmugur, Gheus, Ghunsi, Langalmura, Sabitapalui, and Sholerpona were promising genotypes for further breeding programmes in rice. The maximum Euclidean distance was plotted between Thavallakanan and Talmugur （7.49）, followed by Thavallakanan and Langalmura （6.82）, indicating these combinations may be exploited as parental lines in hybridization programmes to develop salinity tolerant variety.

Development of a Compound Photorespiration Inhibitor and Its Application on Sweet Cherry

[Objectives]This study was conducted to investigate the effects of compound photorespiration inhibitors on related indexes of sweet cherry.[Methods]With the main sweet cherry variety‘Meizao’as a test material,relevant research work was carried out.[Results]Several compound photorespiration inhibitors had a better promotion effect on the photosynthetic capacity,yield and quality of sweet cherry variety‘Meizao’,and especially,the combination of 300 mg/L sodium bicarbonate,300 mg/L sodium bisulfite,300 mg/L 2,3-epoxypropionic acid and 1.5%tween-80 had the best effect.[Conclusions]The combined use of the three photorespiration inhibitors is better than the single use,and produces a good synergistic effect.

Effects of Aluminum Toxicity on Physiological Indices of Jatropha curcas L.Seedling

Jatropha curcas was taken as the test material,6 concentrations including 0,25,50,100,200 and 400μmol/L AlCl3,plus 3 time gradients including 7,14 and 21 d,were set to study the effects of Al^(3+)stress on the antioxidant system of Jatropha curcas L.seedling.The results showed that with the Al^(3+)treatment being applied,protein content increased first,then decreased and finally increased with the increase of Al^(3+)concentration;the soluble sugar content increased first and then decreased with the increase of Al^(3+)concentration.Under low concentration of Al^(3+)treatment,Pro content,MDA content and POD activity of Jatropha curcas L.seedling leaves changed a little,while under high concentration of Al^(3+)treatment,Pro and MDA content of Jatropha curcas L.seedling leaves rapidly accumulated,POD activity increased and they showed a trend of increase with the increase of Al^(3+)concentration;From the perspective of Al^(3+)stress time,protein content,soluble sugar content,MDA content and POD activity increased with stress time being prolonged,while Pro content decreased with stress time being prolonged.These results indicated that the leaves of Jatropha curcas L.seedlings had certain self-protection and remediation abilities under Al^(3+)stress.

Effect and Analysis of Mechanized Production on Ratooning Ability of Guitang 47

[Objectives] This study was conducted to explore the effect of machine harvesting on ratooning ability of Guitang 47, and to provide basis for mechanized production of Guitang 47. [Methods] On the basis of mechanized planting and management of newly planted sugarcane Guitang 47, a comparative test of machine harvesting and manual harvesting was conducted, during which the plant generation rate, sugarcane yield, sucrose content and related agronomic traits of ratoon cane were continuously investigated in two years after machine harvesting of the newly planted sugarcane. [Results] There were no significant differences in the plant generation rate, plant height, stalk diameter, millable cane, sugarcane yield and sucrose content from manual harvesting of Guitang 47 in the first and second years after machine harvesting. In the second year after machine harvesting, the yields of ratoon cane and the sugar content reached 101.70 and 15.32 t/hm^2, respectively, which were equivalent to those of manual harvesting. [Conclusions] Guitang 47 has strong ratooning ability and lodging resistance and strong resistance to rolling and crushing, and is adaptive to full mechanized production. It should be promoted and accelerated in sugarcane areas lacking labor to reduce costs and increase benefits.