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.

Construction of a high-density SSR genetic linkage map and identification of QTL for storage-root yield and dry-matter content in sweetpotato

Sweetpotato(Ipomoea batatas(L.)Lam.)is a widely grown food crop especially in developing countries.Increasing storage-root yield and dry-matter content has been the main breeding objective of the crop,and DNA marker-assisted breeding is needed for this purpose.In this study,using a mapping population of 500 F1 individuals from a cross between Xushu 18(female)and Xu 781(male),we constructed a highdensity genetic linkage map of sweetpotato using 601 simple-sequence repeat(SSR)primer pairs.The Xushu 18 map contained 90 linkage groups with 5547 SSR markers and spanned 18,263.5 cM,and the Xu 781 map contained 90 linkage groups with 4599 SSR markers and spanned 18,043.7 cM,representing the highest genome coverage yet reported for sweetpotato.We identified 33 QTL for storage-root yield and 16 QTL for dry-matter content,explaining respectively 6.5%–47.5%and 3.2%–18.9%of variation.These results provide a foundation for fine-mapping and cloning of QTL and for marker-assisted breeding in sweetpotato.

Effectiveness of biofertilizers foliar application on yield and quality traits of flax(Linum usitatissimum L.)

Flax is considered to be one of the most significant dual-purpose crops for oil and fiber production in Egypt and worldwide.Biofertilizers have a substantial impact on various metabolic processes,including increased photo-synthesis,endogenous hormone levels,ion absorption,nucleic acid synthesis,and protein synthesis.These factors collectively contribute to the growth and development of plants.Therefore,this study aims to investigate how three biofertilizers(Algae extract,CMS as a by-product of yeast,and Metalosate multi minerals as amino acids)can enhance both the quantity and quality of flax seed yield under sandy soil conditions.Two field experiments were conducted at the Experimental Station of National Research Centre in Nubaria District,Behira Governorate,Egypt during two seasons(2021/2022)using a randomized complete block design(RCBD).The results revealed significant differences among all tested biofertilizers in terms of various characteristics studied in flax.Foliar application of algae extract at a rate of 1.50 mL/L resulted in an increase in seed yield(ton/ha)by 26.69%&19.89%,straw yield(ton/ha)by 8.08%&17.12%,and oil yield(kg/ha)by 47.72%&33.69%compared to the control group during both seasons respectively.Foliar applications of algae extract at a rate of 1.50 mL/L along with CMS at a rate of 5 m L/L and amino acids at a rate of 1.50 mL/L demonstrated significantly higher macronutrient contents(N,P,K),micronutrient contents(Fe,Zn,Mn),seed oil content,and protein content in flax seeds during both seasons.The highest values for seed oil content and protein content%were obtained through foliar application of amino acids at a rate of 1.50 mL/L.It can be concluded that foliar sprays with these bio-fertilizers effectively improved flax performance by increasing seed straw and oil yields,nutrients oil,protein and fatty acids seeds contents.

Correlation Analysis of SPAD Value with Chlorophyll Content and Economic Yield Traits of Brassica napus L.

[Objective] The aim was to compare differences of SPAD value, chloro- phyll content, agronomic characters, economic characters and yield traits to analyze correlation of SPAD value with other indices and establish regression functions. [Method] Based on 34 Brassica napus L. varieties, SPAD value, chlorophyll content, agronomic characters, economic characters and yield traits were measured and re- gression functions were established according to correlations. [Result] SPAD value, chlorophyll content, agronomic and economic characters and yield traits all achieved significant level in differences among 34 varieties. Specifically, SPAD value was of extremely significant correlation with chlorophyll a and b, total chlorophyll and carotenoid, and the correlation from high to low was chl-b〉chl-z〉chl-a〉chl-x. SPAD value was of significantly positive correlation with total pod number per plant, plant height, seed number per pod, yield per plant and harvest yield, and of insignificant correlation with branch point height, effective branch number, pod density of main stem, and pod length. [Conclusion] It is simple and rapid to predict chlorophyll con- tent, economic characters and yields of Brassica napus L. with SPAD value and re- gression functions.

Effect of Reducing Chemical Fertilizer on Rice Yield,Output Value,Content of Soil Carbon and Nitrogen after Utilizing the Milk Vetch

A located field experiment was carried out to study the effects of different amount of chemical fertilizer usage on rice yield,economic benefits of rice,soil carbon（C） and total nitrogen（TN） under ploughing back of Chinese milk vetch for 5consecutive years.Six treatments were included in the experiment,they are CK（unfertilized）,CF（100% chemical fertilizer with the amount of N,P2O5,K2 O being150,75,120 kg/hm^2respectively）,A1（22 500 kg/hm^2 Chinese milk vetch and 100%chemical fertilizer）,A2（Chinese milk vetch and 80% nitrogen and potassium fertilizer and 100% phosphate fertilizer）,A3（Chinese milk vetch and 60% nitrogen and potassium fertilizer and 100% phosphate fertilizer）,A4（Chinese milk vetch and 40% nitrogen and potassium fertilizer and 100% phosphate fertilizer）.The results were as follows：application of fertilizer could increase the yield of rice,while Chinese milk vetch combined with fertilizer application had a much more increase effect in rice yield.Under the condition of milk vetch application with 22 500 kg/hm^2,the early rice yield of the treatment A1 was significantly increased by 7.7% compared with that of CF.And the yield of treatment A3 was basically identical to or slight increase in comparison with that of CF.Decreasing amount of fertilizers cloud improve output value of rice in the case of the utilization of Chinese milk vetch.The treatment A1 increased output value of rice by 5.92% in comparison of CF,and treatment A2 was by 4.08% in the next.Treatment A4 showed much better effect in increasing soil organic carbon and total nitrogen in the paddy soil than those of treatments applying mineral fertilizer only.There was a significant reduction on soil organic carbon and TN in treatment A2 in comparison with that of CF.In general,amount of application of milk vetch with 22 500 kg/hm^2 could replace chemical fertilizer partially,it also could improve rice yield,decrease the production cost,and raise the utilization efficiency of nutrients.

Effect of Alkali Stress on Soluble Sugar, Antioxidant Enzymes and Yield of Oat

Alkali stress can cause severe crop damage and reduce production. However, physiological processes involved in alkali stress in oat seedlings are not well understood. In this study, physiological responses and yield of oat to alkali stress were studied using the alkali-tolerant oat genotype Vao-9 and the alkali-sensitive oat genotype Baiyan 5. The results were： （i） low concentrations of alkali stress （25 and 50 mmol L^-1） significantly reduced the yield and grain weight while increased the oat grain number per spike. A negative correlation between yield and malondialdehyde （MDA） content at the jointing and grain filling stages and positive correlations between yield on one hand and superoxide dismutase （SOD）, and peroxidase （POD） activities on the other at the jointing stage were observed. There was a positive correlation between MDA and soluble sugar at the grain filling stage; （ii） soluble sugar content was increased at the jointing and grain filling stages and decreased at the heading stage by alkali stress; （iii） alkali stress increased the SOD activity during the heading and grain filling stages, and increased the POD activity at the heading stage. As compared to the control, the increase of MDA contents in alkali-treated oat was observed, during the jointing, heading and grain filling stages; （iv） under alkali stress, the oat genotype Vao-9 showed higher antioxidant enzyme activity and lower soluble sugar contents during the heading stage, and lower MDA contents than those in the oat genotype Baiyan 5 under alkali stress. The result suggested that the high ROS scavenging capacity and soluble sugar levels might play roles in oat response to alkali stress,

Relationship Between Canopy Temperature at Flowering Stage and Soil Water Content,Yield Components in Rice

The canopy temperature of rice at the flowering stage and the soil water content were investigated under different soil water treatments （the soil water contents were 24%, 55%, 90% and 175% at the flowering stage）. The canopy temperature was lower than air temperature, and the soil water content significantly influenced the canopy temperature. The lower the soil water content, the higher the canopy temperature, the less the accumulative absolute value of canopy-air temperature difference. Moreover, the maximum difference between treatments and CK in the accumulative absolute value of canopy-air temperature difference appeared at 13：00 μm. in a day, thus, it could be considered as a suitable measuring time. Under the lowest water content treatment, the peak flowering occurred in the first three days （about 70% of panicles flowered）, resulting in shortened and lightened panicle of rice. As to the CK and the high water content treatments, the peak flowering appeared in the middle of flowering duration, with longer panicle length and higher panicle weight. Results indicated the lower the soil water content, the less the filled grain number and grain yield.

Yield and Nicotine Content of Flue-Cured Tobacco as Affected by Soil Nitrogen Mineralization

Nitrogen(N)supply is the most important factor affecting yield and quality of flue-cured tobacco(FCT).A field experiment and an in situ incubation method were used to study the effects of soil N mineralization in the later stages of growth on yield and nicotine content of FCT in Fenggang and Jinsha,Guizhou Province.The yield and market value of FCT at Fenggang were much lower than those at Jinsha.However,the nicotine content of middle and upper leaves was much higher at Fenggang than at Jinsha when the same rate of fertilizer N was applied,which might be due to a higher N supply capacity at the Fenggang site.At later stages of growth(7-16 weeks after transplanting),the soil net N mineralization at Fenggang(56 kg N ha^(-1))was almost double that at Jinsha(30 kg N ha^(-1)).While soil NH_4-N and NO_3-N were almost exhausted by the plants or leached 5 weeks after transplanting,the N taken up at the later growth stages at Fenggang were mainly derived from soil N mineralization,which contributed to a high nicotine content in the upper leaves.The order of soil N contribution to N buildup in different leaves was:upper leaves>middle leaves>lower leaves.Thus,soil N mineralization at late growth stages was an important factor affecting N accumulation and therefore the nicotine content in the upper leaves.

Predicting Grain Yield and Protein Content in Winter Wheat at Different N Supply Levels Using Canopy Reflectance Spectra

A field experiment using a split-plot randomized complete block design with three replications was carried out to determine relationships between spectral indices and wheat grain yield （GY）, to compare the performance of four vegetation indices （VIs） for GY prediction, and to study the feasibility of VI to estimate grain protein content （GPC） in winter wheat. Two typical winter wheat （Triticum aestivum L.） cultivars ＇Xuzhou 26＇ （high protein content） and ＇Huaimai 18＇ （low protein content） were used as the main plot treatments and four N rates, i.e., 0, 120, 210, and 300 kg N ha^-1, as the sub-plot treatments. Increasing soil N supply significantly increased GY and GPC （P ≤ 0.05）. For the two cultivars combined, significant and positive correlations were found between four VIs and GY, with the strongest relationship observed when using the green ratio vegetation index （GRVI） at mid-filling. Cumulative VI estimates improved yield predictions substantially, with the best interval being heading to maturity stage. Similar results were found between VI and grain protein yield. However, when using cumulative VI, GPC showed no significant improvement. The strong relationship between leaf N status and GPC （R2 =0.9144 for ＇Xuzhou 26＇ and R2 = 0.8285 for ＇Huaimai 18＇） indicated that canopy spectra could be used to predict GPC. The strong fit between estimated and observed GPC （R2 = 0.7939） indicated that remote sensing techniques were potentially useful predictors of grain protein content and quality in wheat.

Effects of Powdery Mildew on 1 000-Kernel Weight, Crude Protein Content and Yield of Winter Wheat in Three Consecutive Growing Seasons

In order to clarify the impact posed by wheat powdery mildew （Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici） on the yield and yield components in different epidemic seasons, field trials were conducted in three growing seasons, 2009-2010, 2010-2011 and 2011-2012, in Langfang City, Hebei Province, China. The relationships between 1000-kernel weight, crude protein content of grain and yield and disease index （DI）, as well as area under disease progress curve （AUDPC） were studied. The models of the percentage of loss of 1000-kernel weight, crude protein content and yield were constructed using DI at critical point （CP） of growth stages （GS） and AUDPC in the three growing seasons, respectively. The CPs for estimating 1 000-kernel weight, crude protein content of grain and yield of wheat caused by powdery mildew were GS 11.1, GS 10.5.3 and GS l 0.5.3, respectively. Models based on DI at CP to estimate the percentage of loss of 1000-kernel weight, crude protein content of grain and yield were better than models based on AUDPC. And models of the percentage of loss of 1000-kernel weight, crude protein content and yield for 2011-2012 season were significant different from these for 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 seasons. These results indicated that besides powdery mildew, weather conditions also had influence on 1 000-kernel weight, crude protein content of grain and yield loss of wheat when powdery mildew occurred.

Heterosis for Seed Yield, Oil Content and Other Characters in Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)

Nine inbred lines of rapeseed （Brassica napus L.） used as male were crossed to five recessive genetic male sterile （RGMS） lines used as female to produce 45 single crosses. The crosses, their parents and a check hybrid were tested at two locations during 2007 to 2008 for testing the performance and heterosis of hybrids for seed yield and other characters. Results showed that variations for seed yield, oil content, days to flowering and days to maturity were significant. Mean squares for hybrids were significant for all characters. High heterosis （-4.5%-88.3%）, heterobeltiosis （-15.6%-81.1%） and standard heterosis G34.8%-33.1%） were found for the seed yield. The highest heterosis and heterobeltiosis were found in the cross QH303-4A× 1190. The highest standard heterosis was found in the cross Qianyou8A×Q034. Both positive and negative heterosis of single crosses were detected for the oil content. Small heterosis was found for days to flowering and days to maturity. Among parents, Ⅲ 188, Ⅲ224, and Q034 were proved to be the superior for seed yield when used as parents in most of the hybrid combinations. 2365, Ⅲ224, and QH303-4AB were good for high oil content breeding, Ⅲ 176, 2313 and Qianyou3AB were good for the early hybrid breeding. Total 11 hybrids yielded higher than 2 500 kg·hm^-2 and also gave significantly positive heterosis, heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis. Among them, 10 crosses gave higher oil content than that of check. These crosses can be used in the future breeding program for the seed yield and the oil content. Two crosses including Qianyou3A × Ⅲ224 and Qianyou3A×2313 can be used for the early breeding program.

Effects and Mechanisms of P and K Nutrients on Yield and Protein Content of Fodder Rice

Effects and mechanisms of P and K nutrients on yield and protein content of Weiyou 56, a fodder hybrid rice combination,were studied through pot experiment and biochemical analysis. The results showed that the increase of P and K nutrients enhanced the activities of PEP carboxylase (PEPC), glutamine synthase (GS) and sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) in leaves, sucrose synthase (SS), ADP glucose pyrophosphorylase (ADPGP) and GS in grains, and the chlorophyll content in leaves, soluble sugar and starch content in grains, protein N and total N content in leaves and grains. Howerer, they decreased soluble sugar content in leaves and led to an increase of protein content in brown rice, biomass, grain yield and harvest index. Excessive P nutrients slightly reduced SPS and ADPG activity in leaves and grains respectively.

Effects of Waterlogging in Different Growth Stages on the Photosynthesis,Growth,Yield,and Protein Content of Three Wheat Cultivars in Jianghan Plain

To maintain high wheat grain yield in areas where frequent and periodic waterlogging occurs,the effects of waterlogging on the photosynthesis,growth,yield,and protein content of three wheat cultivars,namely Xiangmai55(X55),Jingmai102(J102),and Zhengmai9023(Z9023),in four different growth stages were investigated.Experiments were conducted in specially designed experimental tanks in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River during the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 wheat growing seasons in China.Results showed that X55 was the most susceptible to waterlogging,followed by J102 and Z9023.Chlorophyll content reduction and leaf senescence,which resulted in decreased green-to-total leaf number ratio,were induced to the greatest extents by waterlogging in booting and flowering stages,followed by milky stage.Meanwhile,chlorophyll content in flag leaf,plant height were significantly decreased by waterlogging in jointing stage but effectively recovered after waterlogging withdrawal,and recovery ability varied among the cultivars.Plant biomass and grain yield were most significantly decreased by waterlogging in booting and flowering stages,followed by milky and jointing stages.Grain protein content was also considerably affected by waterlogging depending on growth stage and cultivars.The decreased grain yield caused by waterlogging was mostly due to the sharp decline in 1 000-grain mass.Waterlogging led to reduced protein yield in all growth stages in three wheat cultivars.Above all,in this experiment,waterlogging decreased grain yield significantly,and waterlogging at booting stage and flowering stage was most serious.Comparing the three cultivars,X55 was most sensitive to waterlogging.

Effects of Bacterial Manure from Cassava Alcohol Fermentation Mash on Yield and Starch Content of Cassava

In order to provide a scientific basis for the utilization of cassava alcohol fermentation mash and the high-yield and high-efficiency cultivation of cassava,compound microbial inoculum was inoculated into the cassava alcohol fermentation mash to prepare bacterial manure,which was then applied to two cassava varieties,Nanzhi 199 and SC 205 to explore the optimum application amount,application method and application concentration. The results showed that when the inoculation amount of the compound microbial inoculum was 2‰ of the mass of the mash,the requirements of industrial production of liquid bacterial manure and agricultural application can be met,saving costs. After the emergence of cassava seedlings,if they were drenched with the bacterial manure of cassava alcohol fermentation mash through roots once according to the amount of 67. 5 t/ha and irrigated with the bacterial manure once every 15 d under drought conditions,both the yield and quality of cassava can be improved significantly. The yield and starch content of Nanzhi 199 reached 26 196. 23 kg/ha and 30. 32%,36. 57% and4. 75 percentage points higher than those of CK. The yield and starch content of SC 205 reached 41 126. 06 kg/ha and 23. 74%,99. 25% and3. 19 percentage points higher than those of CK. Under the application modes of foliar spray,root irrigation and foliar spray + root irrigation,the fertilization effect was more obvious. When undiluted bacterial manure of cassava alcohol fermentation mash was applied according to the amount of 52. 5 t/( ha·time),the fertilization effect of the application mode of foliar spray + root irrigation was the best. The bacterial manure from cassava alcohol fermentation mash can be directly applied without dilution,and the fertilizer efficiency will be reduced significantly after dilution.

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.

Use of Fluorescence and Reflectance Spectra for Predicting Okra (<i>Abelmoschus esculentus</i>) Yield and Macronutrient Contents of Leaves

In-field proximal sensing of most major crops nutrients still remains an economical and technical challenge. For this purpose, the use of effective multi-excitation fluorescence and reflectance wavelengths is explored in this work on Okra plant. Visible-near infrared (400 - 1000 nm) reflectance and multi-fluorescence data were collected at leaf scale in a chemically fertilized field by using an USB spectrometer mounted with an Arduino-based LED driver clip. N, P, K and Ca content of samples leaves were measured using reference methods. Average pods yield and leaves macronutrients content were calibrated using IRIV-PLS regression after spectra pretreatments. Single informative wavelengths bands in reflectance, red and far-red fluorescences were selected for building yield and macronutrient content models. We showed that flowering stage was more suitable for yield prediction. Moderately useful macronutrient models were found in Ca content (RPDval = 1.93, rP = 0.818) and potassium content with RPDval = 1.8, rP = 0.88. P and N yielding prediction performance of RPDval = 1.61 (rP = 0.718 ) and RPDval = 1.46 (rP = 0.56) respectively were less accurate. This study demonstrates potentiality of fluorescence and reflectance spectroscopy for accurate estimation of leaf macronutrient content and crop yield. High selectivity obtained from resulted spectral bands could lead to the development of reliable, rapid and cost-effective devices for nutrient diagnosis.

Analysis of the Major Factors Causing Outbreak of Sugarcane Pokahh Boeng and Determination of Yield and Sugar Loss

The paper was to understand the major factors causing outbreak of sugarcane pokahh boeng and the losses of yield and sugar content.The occurrence dynamics and influencing factors of pokahh boeng were analyzed.Under natural field condition,the diseased plant rate of main cultivated varieties was investigated in the damaged area and undamaged area established in the same field,and sugarcane yield and sugar content were measured and their losses were calculated at harvest period.The results showed that the prevalence of pokkah boeng mainly attributed to cultivation of susceptible varieties,high temperature and high humidity climate,accumulation of the pathogen and improper cultivation and management measures.Survey data showed the diseased plant rates were 63.3%-95%,with an average of 81.1%; the yield loss rates were 30.2%-48.5%,with an average of 38.42%; the sugar content were reduced by 2.63%-5.21%,with an average of3.61%; the sugarcane juice brix were dropped by 2.4-4.69 ° BX,3.61° BX on average; the gravity purities of sugarcane juice were decreased by 1.99%-8.14%,4.83% on average; the reducing sugars of sugarcane juice were increased by 0.05%-0.6%,0.16% on average.It is confirmed that the occurrence and damage of sugarcane pokkah boeng is severe at present stage,leading to huge loss of sugarcane yields and sugar content.Sugarcane pokkah boeng has become one of the main barriers of sugarcane production,and scientific and effective prevention and control of sugarcane pokkah boeng is very important for sustainable development of sugar industry.

Plastic-film-side seeding,as an alternative to traditional film mulching,improves yield stability and income in maize production in semi-arid regions

Planting under plastic-film mulches is widely used in spring maize production in arid-cold regions for water conservation and warming the soil.To ameliorate the associated issues such as plastic-film residues and additional labor during the“seedling release”in spring maize production,we have developed a plastic-film-side seeding(PSS)technology with the supporting machinery.In the semi-arid regions of Northwest China,a 7-year trial demonstrated that PSS increased plant number per hectare by 6547 and maize yield by 1686 kg ha–1compared with the traditional method of seeding under plastic-film mulch(PM).Two-year experiments were conducted in two semi-arid regions to further understand the effects of PSS on three important aspects of production:(i)the moisture and temperature of soil,(ii)maize development,yield output,and water use efficiency(WUE),and(iii)the revenue and plastic-film residuals in comparison with that of flat planting(CK)and PM.Continuous monitoring of the soil status demonstrated that,compared with CK,the PSS treatment significantly increased the temperature and moisture of the 0–20 cm soil in the seeding row at the early stage of maize development,and it also promoted grain yield(at 884–1089 kg ha^(–1))and WUE,achieving a similar effect as the PM treatment.Economically,the labor inputs of PSS were equal to CK,whereas the PM cost an additional 960 CNY ha–1in labor for releasing the seedlings from below the film.Overall,the PSS system increased profits by 5.83%(547 CNY ha^(–1)yr^(–1))and 8.16%(748 CNY ha^(–1)yr^(–1))compared with CK and PM,respectively.Environmentally,PSS achieved a residual film recovery rate of nearly 100%and eliminated 96 to 130 kg ha^(–1)of residual plastic-film in PM in 3–5 years of maize production.Collectively,these results show that PSS is an eco-friendly technique for improving yield stability and incomes for the sustainable production of maize in semi-arid regions.

Wheat Grain Yield and Protein Content as Influenced by Sodium Bisulfite

Two wheat varieties with similar yield and significantly different protein content were chosen to study the effect of foliage spraying sodium bisulfite (NaHSO3) at low concentration to wheat plants receiving different levels of nitrogen on nitrate reduction along with yield and protein content of grain, so as to discuss the relationship between carbon metabolism and nitrogen metabolism, and find out the intrinsic mechanism of grain yield and protein content formation. The results showed that spraying NaHSO3 at grain-filing stage increased the yield of grain, but declined the capacity of nitrate reduction, which might result in decrease of protein content in the end. Whether receiving NaHSO, or not, the variety with high protein content had higher final protein level and nitrate reduction capacity than that with low protein content.

Comparative Study on Grain Cadmium Content and Yield in Different Rice Varieties

[Objectives] The rice varieties with a low cadmium (Cd) content and a high yield were screened to provide reference for further experiments on moderate and high Cd-contaminated soils and local promotion.[Methods] Under the soil condition of a Cd content of 0.58mg/kg,differences in agronomic traits such as grain Cd content,yield,number of effective panicles,number of grains per panicle and 1 000-grain weight of 26 different rice varieties such as Huanghuazhan,Y Liangyou 9918 and T You 109,were studied by pot experiment.[Results] Such six varieties as Xiangyou 109,Tianfengyou 316,C Liangyou 651,Y Liangyou 3218,Y Liangyou 9918 and T You 109 had a relatively higher yield and relatively lower Cd content,which was because that their traits including panicle length,number of effective panicles and 1 000-grain weight were superior to other varieties.The correlation analysis between plant Cd content and yield showed that there was a negative correlation between Cd content and yield in rice.[Conclusions] This study provides a theoretical basis for cultivating suitable varieties in this area.