Evaluation of Trace Elements in the Soil of Typical Peach Orchards in Zunyi City

[Objectives]This study was conducted to clarify the enrichment and paucity of trace elements in the soil environment of peach orchards in Zunyi City,and to provide reference for supplementary application of microelement fertilizers and high-quality peach production in peach orchards.[Methods]Taking the soil of three typical peach orchards(Taoli Renjia peach orchard,Pengrui peach orchard and Taohuadao peach orchard)in Shenxi Town,Honghuagang District,Zunyi City as the research object,the contents of trace elements in soil were analyzed through field sampling and indoor determination of trace elements.[Results]The effective contents of trace elements in the soil of peach orchard bases in the study area were at a medium level,and the soil of the peach orchards was rich in available Fe and Se.The contents of available Cu,Mo and Mn were relatively rich.The contents of available B were not high overall.The contents of available Zn were at a moderate to low level overall.The soil of Taoli Renjia peach orchard was relatively rich in trace elements.[Conclusions]The research results can provide a scientific basis for the production of high-quality crispy peaches in peach orchards.

Visual navigation in orchard based on multiple images at different shooting angles

The orchards usually have rough terrain,dense tree canopy and weeds.It is hard to use GNSS for autonomous navigation in orchard due to signal occlusion,multipath effect,and radio frequency interference.To achieve autonomous navigation in orchard,a visual navigation method based on multiple images at different shooting angles is proposed in this paper.A dynamic image capturing device is designed for camera installation and multiple images can be shot at different angles.Firstly,the obtained orchard images are classified into sky and soil detection stage.Each image is transformed to HSV space and initially segmented into sky,canopy and soil regions by median filtering and morphological processing.Secondly,the sky and soil regions are extracted by the maximum connected region algorithm,and the region edges are detected and filtered by the Canny operator.Thirdly,the navigation line in the current frame is extracted by fitting the region coordinate points.Then the dynamic weighted filtering algorithm is used to extract the navigation line for the soil and sky detection stage,respectively,and the navigation line for the sky detection stage is mirrored to the soil region.Finally,the Kalman filter algorithm is used to fuse and extract the final navigation path.The test results on 200 images show that the accuracy of visual navigation path fitting is 95.5%,and single frame image processing costs 60 ms,which meets the real-time and robustness requirements of navigation.The visual navigation experiments in Camellia oleifera orchard show that when the driving speed is 0.6 m/s,the maximum tracking offset of visual navigation in weed-free and weedy environments is 0.14 m and 0.24 m,respectively,and the RMSE is 30 mm and 55 mm,respectively.

Bioremediation of Soil Pollution in Orchard

[ Objective ] The aim was to study the bioremediation mechanism of soil pollution. [ Method ] The effects of applying biological organic fertilizers on the bioremediation of soil pollution in orchard were studid by experiment in orchard field and soil simulative experiment. [ Result] The biological organic fertilizers improved the activities of enzymes like polyphenol oxidase, urease, phosphatase, etc. in root-zone soil, promoted the passivation of heavy metals like Cd^2＋ , Pb^2＋ , Cr^3＋ , As^8＋ , etc. in root-zone soil, increased the quantities of useful active bacterium like beneficial fungi, actinomycetes, bacterium, etc. and decreased the quantities of harmful biology （like Fusarium oxysporum, Moniliophthora roreri, Ruselliniu necutrix/Helicobasidium mompa, nematode, etc. [ Conclusion] The study results provide some references for the popularization and application of biological organic fertilizers on fruit trees.

Analysis of Soil Degradation Causes in Orchards with Different Planting Years

The aim was to analyze effects of jujube planting years on changes of soil nutrient elements and explore the causes of orchard degradation by researching variation characteristics of soil nutrient contents in orchards with different planting years, providing theoretical support for the soil degradation of jujube or-chards. [Method] Soil samples were col ected in depth at 0-20 and 20-40 cm from the sites in or out of tree canopy scope in jujube orchards with 3, 5 and 7 plan-ning-years, to analyze contents of available N, P and K, organic matter, total N, salts, and trace elements, as wel as changes of nutritional elements. [Result] Avail-able boron, copper, iron, manganese, zinc and available potassium in soils of jujube orchards with 3, 5 and 7 years planting history reduced as planting year increased, which coincided with that in the soil of 20-40 cm. [Conclusion] Because trace ele-ments are never applied in southern Xinjiang, available B, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn and available K would be consumed by tree root growth. Due to root distribution differ-ences and ploughing effects in fields, the contents of nutrients tend to be volatile in or out of tree canopy scope. Tree root in deeper soils absorbs more nutrients, and soil nutrients would decrease dramatical y if additional chemical fertilizers are not provided, leading to soil degradation.

Effects of Nitrogen Treatments on Organic Carbon Mineralization of Citrus Orchard Soil

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the effect of soil organic carbon mineralization at different temperature on the amount of nitrogen application, in order to provide references for the establishment of carbon circulation model for orchard eco-system. [Method] The effects of nitrogen treatments on soil organic carbon mineralization of citrus orchard soil were investigated under 10, 20, 30 ℃ by laboratory simulated experiment. [Result] The mineralization rate decreased quickly at the be- ginning of the experiment but remained stable at the late period under three temper- ature treatments. The amounts of CO2 ranged from 1 328.25-2 219.42 mg/kg under three temperature condition, and the amount of soil organic carbon mineralization of 100 mg/kg （N4） treatment was the greatest, while that of CK was the lowest. High level nitrogen treatment （N4 and N3） were significant higher than the lower level nitro- gen treatment （N2 and N1）. The soil organic carbon mineralization rate increased with the temperature from 10 to 30℃. The dependence of soil carbon mineralization to temperature （Q10） was different under different nitrogen treatments that the Qlo value of N2 treatment was the lowest while that of the N4 treatment was the greatest. The soil organic carbon mineralization in Citrus orange orchard soil was affected significantly by high level nitrogen treatment, but with no significance under lower nitrogen treatment. [Conclusion] The dependence of soil carbon mineralization to temperature （Q10） increased with the increasing nitrogen input. The combination of nitrogen with temperature may increase the CO2 emission from Citrus orchard soil.

Branching and growth of plantings in fifth year of a seedling seed orchard of Masson pine (Pinus massoniana Lamb.)

The features of branching and growth studied included height, diameter at breast height (DBH), total number of branches, annual height growth, annual branch elongation in the year of elongating, annual branch number for four consecutive years, diameter of branches of different ages, and diameter of stem where branch-whorl originates. For features of total growth and overall branching, no significant differences were found between families, except for DBH. For annual features, no significant differences were found in annual stem height growth, annual branch elongation in the year of elongation and diameter of branches. In the last four years, differences in number of branches were not significant in the first two years but were significant in the last two year; differences in stem diameter where branch-whorls grow were significant for the four consecutive years. Trend of annual growth and branching features of families can be divided into three types as increasing type, stable type and fluctuating type. Most of families have an increasing type with respect of annual height growth and annual branch elongation, while most families belong to a fluctuating type with annual branch number. The results indicated that in the fifth year after planted in seedling seed orchard, differences between families were mostly insignificant. This result may have two main explanations: one is the growth rhyme in early ages of Masson pine, the other one is the complex paternal components to form the open-pollinated families. Family selection seemed to be not useful based on the result. It is suggested to select some of families in the nursery instead of to use all the families when establishing seedling seed orchards with open-pollinated families from plus-trees.

Phenological observations on Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr. in primary seed orchard

Through 5 years of phenological observations on Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr. in primary seed orchard and studies on population and individuals of clones, the annual periodic phenological laws were revealed and the annual phe-nological periodic table was drawn up. The correlation between various phenophases, the air temperature and active accumu-lated temperature were analyzed and expounded. The authors also analyzed the similarities and differences of phenophases among clonal individuals as well as the blooming properties of male and female flowers at the same time. This study could pro-vide theoretical reference for working out the production plan of improved varieties and other management measures in seed orchard of Larix principis-rupprechtii.

Research Advance on Sod Culture in Peach Orchard

Sod culture in peach orchards is an advanced soil management. The significances of sod culture in peach orchard are introduced, as well as the sod ways. The effects of sod culture in a peach orchard on soil, microclimate and growth and development of peach tree, and disease, pest and weed are reviewed. The problems in sod culture in peach orchard in China are summarized. Sod culture could increase soil fertility, improve soil physical properties, relieve soil temperature change, increase soil microbial growth and soil enzyme activity, improve microclimate and fruit quality, reduce physiological disease, insect pests and weeds.

Structure Parameters and Physiological Indices Research of High-quality and High-yield Apple Orchards

In order to research environment parameters and physiological indices of high-quality and high-yield apple trees, two orchards with young and mature apples trees were investigated to explore structural parameter of apple tree and community, and some physiological indices in fields and by room measurements. The results showed that tree height of high-quality orchard was in the range of 260 to 290 cm, branch angle in 70°-75°, and orchard coverage rate in 75%-94%, and the connec-tion rates between rows and trees were lower. Furthermore, the total branches of mature orchard reached 1.04 ×106 per hm2, while the young orchard was 8.79 ×105 per hm2; the leaves were thick and chlorophyl content was high, with SPAD value at 58.22. Additional y, the photosynthesis of the orchard was strong, and net photo-synthetic rate was 17.48-21.8 μmolCO2/（m2·s）. The proportions of lateral shoot of bearing part were 81% and 75% respectively.

基于点云语义分割的猕猴桃冠层叶密度测量方法

提出了一种基于LiDAR的猕猴桃果园叶密度测量方法,旨在为猕猴桃果园冠层喷药提供更精确的指导。首先,使用激光雷达扫描10个密度不同的猕猴桃冠层建立点云数据集,利用RandLA-Net神经网络模型并通过6折交叉验证的方法对猕猴桃冠层的树叶、树枝和T型架点云进行语义分割;然后,计算仅包含树叶信息的冠层点云表面积,通过与人工落叶后的实测冠层叶属性(叶面积、叶片数)进行回归分析比较,得到冠层叶点云表面积与真实冠层叶属性的关系;最后,将3 m×3 m的猕猴桃冠层区域划分为400个225 cm^(2)的小网格区域,用以生成冠层叶密度图。结果表明:RandLA-Net网络模型能够有效地对猕猴桃冠层的树枝、树叶与T型架点云进行分割,模型平均总体精度OA达到92%以上,平均交并比mIoU为81.4%,冠层实测叶面积与冠层叶点云表面积的回归分析中获得了较高的相关性R=0.78,回归方程为y=1.491x+8315。对于每个猕猴桃冠层点云数据,通过Alpha-shape算法计算网格区域的冠层体积和预测网格真实叶面积的方法生成冠层叶密度图。所开发的基于点云语义分割的猕猴桃冠层叶密度测量方法,各项指标均符合预期要求,可以为果园冠层喷药提供更精准的指导。

Control Effects of Several Technical Measures on Overwintering Generation of Oriental Fruit Moth in Peach Orchard

Peeling trunk,binding insect-attracting belt,cleaning orchard and soil-covering under the crown were the control methods on overwintering generation of oriental fruit moth.However,they had not been applied widely on the production because of the lack of systematic quantitative evaluation.Aiming at this fact,the control effects of these technical measures were studied in peach with different ripening period.The results showed that peeling trunk was the best with the control effect of88.64%.The control effect of binding insect-attracting belt of grass bundle was74.13%,which was the most economical and efficient.Covering with soil layer of 3cm under the crown during the middle ten days of March could holdback the adult getting out from soil.Cleaning deadwood could clean out the overwintering larvae on the ground.

Nitrification and Denitrification Activities and N_2O Emission of Orchard Soils Cultivated for Different Periods of Time

[Objective] The aim was to investigate the differences in nitrification and denitrification activities and the N20 emission of orchard soils cultivated for different periods of time. [Method] Incubation experiment was conducted to determine the ni- trification and denitrification activities and N20 emission of three types of orchard soil samples that had been cultivated for 5, 12 and 20 years, respectively, by using the virgin soil sample as control. [Result] After 26 d of incubation, the nitrification rates of nitrogen fertilizer in the virgin soil sample and the orchard soil samples cultivated for 5, 12 and 20 years were 6.85%, 10.26%, 13.29% and 12.90%, respectively, which were positively correlated with content of soil organic matter, ammonium nitro- gen and total nitrogen （P〈0.05）, and negatively correlated with soil carbon-nitrogen ratio and pH value （P〈0.05）. The denitrification activities of these soil samples in- creased with the increase of cultivation years. The amount of nitrogen loss by deni- trification accounted for 0.01%-3.11% of the amount of fertilizer nitrogen, and had a positive correlation with the content of soil organic matter （P〈0.05）. The N20 emis- sions of orchard soil samples were higher than that of the virgin soil samples （P〈 0.05）. [Conclusion] In South China, the nitrification activity of orchard soil is relatively low, but it has a tendency to increase as the cultivation years increases; the denitri- fication activity is relatively high, and increases significantly with the increase of culti- vation years.

基于LoRa的果园管道自动顺序喷雾系统研究

我国南方果园多处于山地,大型喷雾器械无法进入,为实现山地果园自动顺序喷药,设计了一种基于LoRa无线通信技术的管道自动顺序喷雾系统。系统以Stm32单片机为核心,在管网上部署了6个电磁阀控制节点,采用LoRa无线收发模块进行节点之间的通信,设计程序控制6个电磁阀依次按顺序打开,并可以通过手机APP远程开启系统。试验结果表明:当节点之间距离为250 m时,数据接收率为95%;系统通信距离远,数据接收率高,具有较高的可靠性,适合于山地果园中使用。

Tree-Temperature Monitoring for Frost Protection of Orchards in Semi-Arid Regions Using Sprinkler Irrigation

Automated over-tree sprinkler irrigation systems were developed and tested in two orchards located in two separate locations in southern Iran （a 0.17 ha peach orchard and a 0.24 ha orange orchard） to protect peach blossoms and orange trees leaves and fruits from low temperature damage. The experiment used a system that monitored the trees and air temperatures using two thermistors. The water application rate by the irrigation system was determined by an energy balance as implemented by the software FROSTPRO, In the peach orchard, the system was tested during three frost events during the spring of 2003 and three other events during the spring of 2004. The system successfully kept peach flowers above the critical temperature, i.e., -4.0℃ in spring 2004 （control block -4.12℃, and sprinkled block ＋0.5℃） during all events. Similar results were obtained in the orange orchard during three frost events in the winter of 2004, during which the tree temperatures were at least 2.5℃ above the critical temperature. Results from field tests show that the system can effectively protect the peach blossoms from damage. Determination done after the frost events showed a 12% blossom kill in the sprinkled blocks while in the unsprinkled control block a 41.5% blossom kill. Calculations indicated that when using variable application rates, the amount of water used can be reduced by 54.3%. Spatial distribution of minimum temperatures during the three frosts was also studied in Jahrom, Iran. Results showed a significant temperature control in the experimental block, especially in the central part of the orchard, but the block margins （about 3.6% of the total area） were at the risk of low temperature due to the wind drift effects.

Nitrification potentials of Chinese tea orchard soils and their adjacent wasteland and forest soils

To investigate the nitrifying activities of different soil types, soil samples collected from 8-, 50- and 90-year old tea orchards, the adjacent wasteland, and 90-year old forest were measured for their nitrification potentials using the conventional soil incubation and the liquid incubation method. Among different soil types, the nitrification potential of soil in tea orchards was higher than that of wasteland and forest soils. The slurry shaken liquid incubation method was confirmed to be more accurate and have reliable results than the soil incubation. Interestingly, experimental result revealed that the generally applied pH value of 7.2 for the liquid media was not the optimal pH for these acid soils with a strong buffer capacity. This suggested that tea orchard soils may have nitrifiers requiring pHneutral condition for the best activity. Our data also showed that treatment with the commonly used nitrogen fertilizer urea significantly improved nitrification potential of the soils; such enhancement effect was stronger on all of three tea orchard soils than on wasteland and forest soils, and also stronger on the younger （8- and 50-year old） tea orchard soils than on the older one （90-year old）.

Scheme of Weather-Based Indemnity Indices for Insuring Against Freeze Damage to Citrus Orchards in Zhejiang,China

We design a weather-based indemnity index for the insurance against freeze damage to citrus orchards so as to provide technological support for the development of policy-based agriculture. The indices are prepared by separating a relative meteorological yield from the yield that is dependent on tree age, high-yield and low-yield years, and environmental factors, and then using a risk assessment scheme to determine the percentage yield reduction due to the meteorological hazard. We thus develop a set of indices associated with cold temperature damage with which to construct more severe weather indices in conjunction with the yield percentage decrease. We then combine the insured regional citrus yield index with the insured meteorological counterpart to obtain a weather-based indemnity index for the varying degree of freeze damage to crops. When the freeze damage index （FDI） is greater than -7.0℃ for the coastal belt of Zhejiang Province, China, or greater than -9.0℃ for other regions of Zhejiang, weather-based indemnity index （WBII） is zero, meaning there is no compensation; when the FDI is from -7.0 to -7.9℃ for the coastal belt or from -9.0 to -9.9℃ for other regions, the WBII is 1 with 50% compensation; when the FDI is from -8.0 to -8.9℃ for the coastal belt or from -10.0 to -10.9℃ for other regions, the WBII is 2 with 70% compensation; and when the FDI is less than -9.0℃ for the coastal belt or less than -11.0℃ for other regions, the WBII is 3 with 90% compensation. The weather indemnity indices of insured orchards are developed in the interest of owners, thereby eliminating adverse selection and moral hazard issues and providing timely recompense from the insurer, and resolving the problem of high indemnity cost in agricultural insurance.

Spatial Distribution of Soil Organic Matter and Nutrients in the Pear Orchard Under Clean and Sod Cultivation Models

The soil organic matter and nutrients are fundamental for the sustainability of pear production, but little is known about the spatial distribution of soil organic matter and nutrients in a pear orchard. With the soil of the pear （cv. Dangshansu on P.betulifolia Bunge. rootstock） orchard under clean and sod cultivation models as test materials, the experiment was conducted to evaluate spatial variability of soil organic matter （SOM）, total nitrogen （STN）, total phosphorus （STP）, total potassium （STK）, available nitrogen （SAN）, and available potassium （SAK） in and between rows at different soil depths （0-60 cm）. The SOM, STN, STP, STK, SAN and SAK of the different soil layers under the two tillage models were different in the vertical direction. The SOM, STN, STP and SAN in the 0-20 cm soil layer were higher than those in the 20-40 and 40- 60 cm soil layers. The STK of 40-60 cm soil layer was higher than that in the 0-20 and 20-40 cm soil layers. The STK increased with the depth of soil in the vertical direction in the clean cultivated pear orchard. Variability of the SOM, STN, STP, STK, SAN and SAK of sample sites in between rows of the same soil layer was found in the pear orchard soil in the horizontal direction under clean and sod cultivation management systems, except that STK of all sites did not show the difference in identical soil layers in the pear orchard under clean cultivation. The sod cultivation model improved the SOM, STN, and STK in the 0-20 cm soil layer in the pear orchard, and the three components increased by 12.8, 12.7 and 7.3% compared to clean cultivation, respectively. The results can be applicable to plan collection of orchard soil samples, assess orchard soil quality, and improve orchard soil management practices.

Reducing nitrogen fertilization of intensive kiwifruit orchards decreases nitrate accumulation in soil without compromising crop production

Excessive nitrogen （N） fertilization of high value horticultural crops is a common problem that not only increases the cost to farmers, but also negatively affects crop growth and the environment. A three-year field experiment was conducted in an intensive kiwifruit orchard in Shaanxi Province, China to compare the effects of reduced N fertilization applied as urea （U）, and controlled release urea （CRU） on the N nutrition of kiwi vines, fruit yield and quality, and nitrate-N accumulation in the soil profile. The three treatments included a conventional N application rate （CF-U, 900 kg N ha-1 yr-1 as urea）, two reduced N fertilization treatments where the amount of N fertilizer applied as U and CRU was reduced by 25％ in 2013 and 2014, and by 45％ in 2015. The 25 and 45％ reduced N treatments had no adverse effects on the N concentrations in leaves and pruning branches and the fruit yield and quality of kiwi vines. However, they significantly enhanced the partial factor productivity of applied N （PFPN） and the economic benefits, and reduced nitrate accumulation in the 0-200 cm soil profile. The same benefits of reduced N fertilization were observed for both the U and CRU treatments, but the CRU treatment had the added benefit of decreasing the loss of nitrate through leaching. We concluded that the current level of N fertilization in kiwi orchards is very excessive, and reducing the N fertilizer rate by 25-45％ could not only guarantee fruit yield, but also reduce N accumulation and loss.

Evaluation of seed production in a first-generation seed orchard of Chinese pine (Pinus tabuliformis)

We evaluated seed production in a first-gener- ation orchard of Chinese pine （Pinus tabuliformis） during the crucial transition period from first generation to advanced generations. Clones varied significantly in all traits related to seed production. Repeatability of these traits ranged from 0 to 0.96. Seed production per ramet （SPPR）, seed producing index （SPI）, the number of relative female strobili （RFS）, the number of scales, and the num- ber of ineffective scales had comparatively high repeata- bility at 0.86, 0.87, 0.89, 0.96, and 0.91, respectively. Correlation analysis showed that SPPR was greatly influenced by RFS and by the number of full seeds per cone. Finally, we showed that SPI was the best predictor of the seed-producing ability of clones. Our findings will assist seed orchard managers in effectively predicting and improving seed production of Chinese pine seed orchards.

Characteristics of Soil Organic Carbon, Total Nitrogen, and C/N Ratio in Chinese Apple Orchards

Soil organic carbon and nitrogen are used as indexes of soil quality assessment and sustainable land use management. At the same time, soil C/N ratio is a sensitive indicator of soil quality and for assessing the carbon and nitrogen nutrition balance of soils. We studied the characteristics of soil organic carbon and total nitrogen by investigating a large number of apple orchards in major apple production areas in China. High apple orchard soil organic carbon content was observed in the provinces of Heilongjiang, Xinjiang, and Yunnan, whereas low content was found in the provinces of Shandong, Henan, Hebei, and Shaanxi, with the values ranging between 6.44 and 7.76 g·kg-1. Similar to soil organic carbon, soil total nitrogen content also exhibited obvious differences in the 12 major apple producing provinces. Shandong apple orchard soil had the highest total nitrogen content (1.26 g·kg-1), followed by Beijing (1.23 g·kg-1). No significant difference was noted between these two regions, but their total nitrogen content was significantly higher than the other nine provinces, excluding Yunnan. The soil total nitrogen content for Xinjiang, Heilongjiang, Hebei, Henan, and Gansu was between 0.87 and 1.03 g·kg-1, which was significantly lower than that in Shandong and Beijing, but significantly higher than that in Liaoning, Shanxi, and Shaanxi. Six provinces exhibited apple orchard soil C/N ratio higher than 10, including Heilongjiang (15.42), Xinjiang (13.38), Ningxia (14.45), Liaoning (12.24), Yunnan (11.03), and Gansu (10.63). The soil C/N ratio was below 10 in the remaining six provinces, in which the highest was found in Shaanxi (9.47), followed by Beijing (8.98), Henan (7.99), and Shanxi (7.62), and the lowest was found in Hebei (6.80) and Shandong (6.05). Therefore, the improvement of soil organic carbon should be given more attention to increase the steady growth of soil C/N ratio.