Recycling of crop residues resources has become an urgent problem to be addressed in agriculture and rural areas of China.Compared to single use patterns of crop residues resources,crop residues circular agriculture c...Recycling of crop residues resources has become an urgent problem to be addressed in agriculture and rural areas of China.Compared to single use patterns of crop residues resources,crop residues circular agriculture characterized by multi-grade utilization and recycling is more important to improve the added value of crop residues,to enhance product market competitiveness,and to promote scale development and industrialization of crop residues recycling.This paper discussed the basic principles of the development of crop residues circular agriculture mode,and summarized five main crop residues circular agriculture mode.展开更多
Synergism between pesticide and fertilizer in controlling root-knot nematode was investigated by field randomized block test. The results showed that the best control efficiency was shared by 0.5% abamectin and 25% mi...Synergism between pesticide and fertilizer in controlling root-knot nematode was investigated by field randomized block test. The results showed that the best control efficiency was shared by 0.5% abamectin and 25% mixed pesticide (abamectin and carbosulfan), 24.1% and 28.0%, respectively. The positive effect was found by synergism between pesticide and fertiUzer in controlling reot-knot nematode. The economic benefit and agricultural benefit were gained by controlling root-knot nematodes. The results suggested that the agricultural and ecological benefit could be gained through the integration of agricultural practice and chemical technology in controlling root-knot nematode.展开更多
An experiment was conducted to understand the growth inhibitory effects of aqueous extracts derived from Lantana camara L. (a globally recognized invasive alien weed) on six popular agricultural crops of Bangladesh....An experiment was conducted to understand the growth inhibitory effects of aqueous extracts derived from Lantana camara L. (a globally recognized invasive alien weed) on six popular agricultural crops of Bangladesh. The test was conducted in sterilized petridishes with a photoperiod of 24 hours and an average temperature of 29℃. The effect of different concentrations ofL. camara leaf extracts were recorded and compared with control (i.e., distil water). Result showed different concentrations of aqueous leaf extracts caused significant inhibitory effect on germination, root and shoot elongation and development of lateral roots of receptor crops. Bioassays also indicated that the inhibitory effect was proportional to the concentrations of the extracts and higher concentration had the stronger inhibitory effect whereas the lower concentration showed stimulatory effect in some cases. The inhibitory effect was much pronounced in root and lateral root development rather than shoot and germination.展开更多
Allelopathic effects of different doses of Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaf litters were investigated through an experiment in the green house of Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, Chittagong, Bangladesh. ...Allelopathic effects of different doses of Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaf litters were investigated through an experiment in the green house of Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, Chittagong, Bangladesh. Three popular agricultural crops: Falen (Vigna unguiculata), Chickpea (Cicer arietinum), Arhor (Cajanus cajan) and two widely used plantation trees: Sada koroi (Albizia procera) and Ipil ipil (Leucaena leucocephala) were selected as bioassay species. Experiment was set on tray at room temperature 27℃. The effects of different doses of leaf litter extracts were compared to the control. Results suggest that leaf litters of E, camaldulesis induced inhibitory effects, It was also found that the effect depend on concentration of extract and litterfall, type of receiver species. Higher concentration of the materials had the higher effect and vice versa. Though all the bioassay species were suppressed some of them showed better performance. Vigna unguiculata, Cicer arietinum are recommended in agroforestry based on this present Experiment output. In mixed plantation, Leucaena leucochephala is a better choice while compared to Albizia procera.展开更多
The objective of this research was to isolate a dichlorvos (2,2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate)-degrading strain of Ochrobactrum sp., and determine its effectiveness in remediation of a dichlorvos-contaminated soil....The objective of this research was to isolate a dichlorvos (2,2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate)-degrading strain of Ochrobactrum sp., and determine its effectiveness in remediation of a dichlorvos-contaminated soil. A dichlorvos-degrading bacterium (strain DDV-1) was successfully isolated and identified as an Ochrobactrumsp. based on its 16S rDNA sequence analysis. Strain DDV-1 was able to utilize dichlorvos as a sole carbon source, and the optimal pH and temperature for its cell growth and degradation were 7.0 and 30 ℃, respectively. Also, the growth and degradation of strain DDV-1 showed the same response to dissolved oxygen. In addition, the soil degradation test indicated that in soil spiked with 100 mg L-1 or 500 mg L-1 dichlorvos and inoculated with 0.5% or 1.0% (v/v) strain DDV-1, complete degradation of dichlorvos could be achieved in 24 h. The present study showed that strain DDV-1 was a fast dichlorvos-degrading bacterium in soil. However, further research will be needed to clarify the degradation pathway and the properties of the key enzymes involved in its biodegradation.展开更多
Cooperative financing, with existing problems involving legal person man-agement and property supervision is highly demanded by farmers in China. It is fea-sible to explore a shareholding system to resolve the managem...Cooperative financing, with existing problems involving legal person man-agement and property supervision is highly demanded by farmers in China. It is fea-sible to explore a shareholding system to resolve the management mode issue of rural credit cooperatives in order to introduce investments, formulate the right struc-ture for rational stock and to establish effective monitoring mechanism for property right. Hence, information issuing would be reinforced and a rural credit cooperative would be established to be a modern financial enterprise with transparent property rights.展开更多
Serious desertification caused by human activity and climate change,in addition to water loss and soil erosion related to arsenic sandstone in the Mu Us Sandy Land,lead to severe scarcity of soil and water resources,w...Serious desertification caused by human activity and climate change,in addition to water loss and soil erosion related to arsenic sandstone in the Mu Us Sandy Land,lead to severe scarcity of soil and water resources,which causes worse local agricultural conditions accordingly.Many physical properties of arsenic sandstone is complementary with that of sand,arsenic sandstone is therefore supposed to be blended to enhance water productivity and arability of sandy land.Container experiments are carried out to study the enhancement of water holding capacity of the mixture,the blending ratio of arsenic sandstone and sand,and the proper size of the arsenic sandstone particles,respectively.The results of the experiments show that particle size of 4 cm with a ratio of 1∶2 between arsenic sandstone and sand are the proper parameters on blending.Both water content and fertility increase after blending.Water use efficiency in the mixture is 2.7 times higher than that in sand by the water release curves from experiments.Therefore,a new sand control and development model,including arsenic sandstone blending with sand,efficient water irrigation management and reasonable farming system,is put forward to control and develop sandy land so that water-saving agriculture could be developed.Demonstration of potato planting about 153.1 ha in area in the Mu Us Sandy Land in China indicates that water consumption is 3018 m3/ha in the whole growth period.It means that about 61%of irrigation water can be saved compared with water use in coarse sand without treatment.Recycle economic mode and positive feedback of sand resource-crop planting-soil resource are constructed,which changes sand into arable soil and make it possible to develop water-saving agriculture on it.The proposed model will be helpful for soil-water resources utilization and management in the Mu Us Sandy Land.展开更多
The mineral fertilizers (NPK) and pesticide, including herbicides, insecticides and fungicides, were applied alone or in combination and the soil sampling was done at different growth stages during the crop cycle to s...The mineral fertilizers (NPK) and pesticide, including herbicides, insecticides and fungicides, were applied alone or in combination and the soil sampling was done at different growth stages during the crop cycle to study the changes in soil organic matter, microbial biomass and their activity parameters in a paddy soil with different nutrient and pest management practices in a hybrid rice double-cropping system. A consistent increase in the electron transport system (ETS) activity was measured during the different crop growth stages of rice. The use of fertilizers (NPK) alone or with pesticides increased ETS activity, while a decline of ETS activity was noticed with pesticides alone as compared with the control. Nearly an increasing trend in soil phenol content was observed with the progression of crop growth stages, while the usage of pesticides alone caused maximum increments in the soil phenol content. The soil protein content was found nearly stable with fertilizers and/or pesticides application at various growth stages in both crops taken. But notable changes were noticed at different growth stages probably because of fluctuations in moisture and temperature at particular stages, which might have their effects on N mineralization. Marked depletions in the phospholipid content were found with the advancement of crop growth stages, while the incorporation of fertilizers and/or pesticides also produced slight changes, in which a higher decline was noticed with pesticide application alone compared with the control.展开更多
Paeonia delavayi is a wild tree peony species endemic to high-altitude regions in southwestern China.Recent agricultural land expansion,however,not only causes its dwindling population size,but also poses a severe thr...Paeonia delavayi is a wild tree peony species endemic to high-altitude regions in southwestern China.Recent agricultural land expansion,however,not only causes its dwindling population size,but also poses a severe threat to its long-term persistence.Since our knowledge of the reproductive biology of P.delavayi is very limited,and some management misconceptions have further exacerbated the already worrisome situation,the aim of the present study is to provide some scientific evidence regarding habitat preference and breeding system of P.delavayi,and to help correct some management misconceptions.Specifically,morphological traits of P.delavayi populations growing in two different habitats(i.e.,the open area versus forest understory),including basal stem diameter,plant height and flower numbers per plant,were measured and compared with each other.A range of floral manipulation experiments was further conducted to study the extent of self-compatibility and pollen limitation.The results showed that P.delavayi preferred the open habitat over forest understory as it generally grew bigger with thickerstems,and produced a higher number of flowers in the former habitat.Therefore,the open habitat should receive immediate priority for conservation action instead of being converted to agricultural land;also,P.delavayi is pollen limited,as evidenced by the fact that experimental flowers receiving supplemental non-self pollen generally displayed elevated seed production than flowers subjected to other treatments(e.g.,non-supplemental self pollen,non-supplemental non-self pollen and supplemental self pollen),which is consistent with reported observations that alpine plants are more likely to be pollen-limited than lowland plants.We suggest that human intervention might be necessary to guarantee the long-term persistence of P.delavayi as harsh alpine environment,intense competition for pollinators and different anthropogenic perturbations co-limit its reproductive success.展开更多
The decreasing of the plant available phosphorus of Romanian soils after 1990 is a major concern in relation with the lowered yields of the major crops. This fact is correlated with a rudimentary technology where the ...The decreasing of the plant available phosphorus of Romanian soils after 1990 is a major concern in relation with the lowered yields of the major crops. This fact is correlated with a rudimentary technology where the fertilization is a secondary issue. Thus, the fertilizer consumption, after 1990, has drastically decreased to 41.3 kg/ha NPK on arable land over 129.9 kg/ha in 1986 and from 86.4 kg/ha to 26.3 kg/ha on agricultural land. As a result, the phosphorus fertilizer quantities applied by small farmers are very small or inexistent. In order to determine the soil available phosphorus content in Romania, it was analyzed the evolution of soil phosphorus supplying degree on a cambic chernozem (one of the most fertile soils in Romania) from Agricultural Research and Development Station (ARDS) Caracal between 1986-1992 and 2000-2005. This analysis has shown the following issues: very well supplied soils by available phosphorus no more exist since 2006, the ones with a good supplying degree have decreased from 616 ha to 107 ha, which means from 24.8% to 4.3% yet the low supplied soils have increased from 526 ha to 1,129 ha (23.1% to 45.5%) and the very low supplied ones have increased from 198 ha to 776 ha (7.9% to 31.2%). As a consequence of low fertilizer quantities and the decreasing of the soil supplying degree by available phosphorus the average yield in this farm has decreased from 5,776 to 3,707 kg/ha.展开更多
The association between the growth and water-use efficiency in three populations of C. odorata in Veracruz Mexico (La Antigua, Misantla and Catemaco) from two agroforestry system sites was studied, one in associatio...The association between the growth and water-use efficiency in three populations of C. odorata in Veracruz Mexico (La Antigua, Misantla and Catemaco) from two agroforestry system sites was studied, one in association with corn and another with pipiain. TRP (transpiration), gs (stomatal conductivity), CO2A (CO2 assimilation), WUE (water use efficiency), height, coverage and stem diameter were measured. The populafon of La Antigua associated with pipian presented the highest WUE (7.13 μmol CO2 m2-sl/mmol H20 m2.sl), while the population of Catemaco reached high values (10 μmol CO2 m2 sl/mmol H20 m2-s1) in the site associated with corn, the populations established with corn presented a great growth in height and stem diameter. Based on the physiological responses and growth of the studied populations, the towns of La Antigua and Catemaco may be recommended for the establishment of commercial plantations.展开更多
Organizations serving rural communities in Kenya have found use for media as a tool of replacement for personal interface in the daily communication with the beneficiaries of their programmes in deprived areas. The in...Organizations serving rural communities in Kenya have found use for media as a tool of replacement for personal interface in the daily communication with the beneficiaries of their programmes in deprived areas. The interactions between two non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and rural beneficiaries in Isinya, Kajiado County, provide case studies of how NGOs modernize their outreach via new media and how beneficiaries respond to the change. The research was not only concerned with the presence of information technology (IT) and online facilities in remote and deprived locations. It also evaluated responses to the replacement of person-to-person contact with technologies, such as social media, the Internet, Compact Disc-Read Only Memory (CD-ROMs), and Digital Versatile Disc (DVDs). Conducted in four focus groups, the research evaluated the uptake of new media technologies by beneficiaries following the transition, asked whether beneficiaries engaged with the materials being communicated, and assessed whether this confluence of technology and culture had eased the flow of communication, or unsettled it. Evidence of discomfort among the older (over 50-year-old) beneficiaries stemmed from fear of failure to master the technologies and a desire for a continuation of regular interpersonal interaction with the NGO field officers (whose field trips were scaled back in preference of computer-mediated communication). However, younger (under 40-year-old) beneficiaries were less insistent on regular interpersonal visits and were appreciative of the use of technology, and of the building of Maarifa Centres to give the beneficiaries free access to internet, DVDs, and hard drive-based information materials. Another demographic, beneficiaries aged between 40 and 50 years old, said they were not comfortable with the change and wanted the interpersonal interaction to continue, but were open to a longer-term transition once the beneficiaries were all conversant with the uses of the new technologies. The study recommends a better managed transition that accommodated the beneficiaries’ fears, misgivings, and cultural preference for verbal, face-to-face consultation.展开更多
Cassava peel has a lot of nutrients which can be utilized as fertilizer in agriculture. However, high cellulose contents may cause difficulty for organic digestion and slow down the nutrient absorption for plants. Thi...Cassava peel has a lot of nutrients which can be utilized as fertilizer in agriculture. However, high cellulose contents may cause difficulty for organic digestion and slow down the nutrient absorption for plants. This study aims to reach the microorganisms or their combination for biodegradating the cassava peel waste. The initial result shows that after 21 days the glucose concentration in all samples was the highest during experiment times. The reducing glucose produced in mg/mL by the selected bacteria was 9.32, higher than the selected fungie of 1.57 mg/mL. The percentage degradation of cassava peel weigh was the highest for fungi which was 52% of weigh, respectively. Meanwhile, bacteria only degradated about 31.6% after 4 weeks. However, the combination between bacteria and fungi provides the highest glucose concentration, 19.29 mg/mL and digests 62% of the mass cassava in experiment. This study suggests that biodegradation of agro-wastes in the environment to reduce biomass waste pollution is very promising.展开更多
Credit union co-operatives are organized for supporting poor people who are difficult to find funding sources for improvement their economic security. Majority of the credit unions co-operatives are made up of members...Credit union co-operatives are organized for supporting poor people who are difficult to find funding sources for improvement their economic security. Majority of the credit unions co-operatives are made up of members who are currently working in the agricultural sectors. However some of credit union co-operatives have members who are working in non-agriculture sectors, they use credit union co-operatives to improve quality as farmer. The main objective in this paper is comparison of technical operation efficiency of the credit unions agriculture and non-agriculture sector with sample size of 170 groups from eight provinces in the upper northern region of Thailand, using the Malmquist Productivity Index Approach.展开更多
Neonicotinoids including IM (Imidacloprid) are widely used as plant systemic insecticides. Several studies have indicated that pesticide toxicity may be associated with the enhanced production of ROS (reactive oxyg...Neonicotinoids including IM (Imidacloprid) are widely used as plant systemic insecticides. Several studies have indicated that pesticide toxicity may be associated with the enhanced production of ROS (reactive oxygen species). Both β-carotene (I3C) and hesperidin (H) have an antioxidant property and quench free radicals. This study aimed to clarify the protective role of β-carotene and hesperidin as natural antioxidants on IM induced toxicity in hematological parameters and markers of cardiac muscle activity in male albino rats. The treatment of rats with IM showed a significant decrease in hemoglobin (Hb %), MCH (mean corpuscular hemoglobin), MCHC (mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration), HCT (hematocrit) values and RBCs count comparing with control group. On the other hand, MCV (mean corpuscular volume), WBCs (white blood cells) and Pits (platelets) count pronounced a significant increase in IM group comparing to control. Also, αFP (plasma alpha fetoprotein), CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen), CK (creatine kinase), CK-MB (creatine phosphokinase myocardial band) and LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) clarify a significant increase in IM group comparing to control. Both β-carotene and hesperidin mitigate the deleterious effects of IM on previous parameters. β-Carotene and hesperidin may protect hematopoietic system and heart muscle against toxicity of IM. These improvements of the results clarify the protective effect of the used antioxidants. Conclusion: β-carotene and hesperidin, natural antioxidants, have a protective effect against IM evoked hematological and biochemical changes.展开更多
Carnivorous plants of Nepenthes species have evolved particular organs named pitchers at the tips of their conspicuous leaves, allowing slippery trapping and effective digesting prey to acquire sufficient growing nutr...Carnivorous plants of Nepenthes species have evolved particular organs named pitchers at the tips of their conspicuous leaves, allowing slippery trapping and effective digesting prey to acquire sufficient growing nutrients. Nepenthes pitchers are generally distinguished by several morphological regions exhibiting distinct functions in prey capturing, and combined effect of the several zones results in great trapping efficiency. Depending on specific micro-structures, slippery zone performs an important role in efficiently preying arthropods, and this prey ability inspires an idea for biomimetic development of slippery trapping plate used in controlling agricultural pests. In this paper, combined with our latest results, the authors introduced the recent studies of the slippery zone, including surface structures and anti-attachment functions. They also highlighted the biomimetic application of slippery zone in developing slippery trapping plate for controlling agricultural pest.展开更多
Open field system is the most important land farming system in the middle part of the Medieval England. It has the property of private property and common property right and exited for very long time. This article ana...Open field system is the most important land farming system in the middle part of the Medieval England. It has the property of private property and common property right and exited for very long time. This article analyzed how the open field system was replaced by the enclosure system from the perspective of institutional t transition. By carrying on the detailed investigation, it can provide certain enlightenments and references to deepen rural reform, especially promoting the reasonable transfer of rural land use rights in China.展开更多
Exod 23:10-12 enjoins Israel to keep both a seventh-year Sabbath and a seventh-day Sabbath. The juxtaposition of these two Sabbaths in the text suggests a connection between the Sabbath and ecology, since rest and no...Exod 23:10-12 enjoins Israel to keep both a seventh-year Sabbath and a seventh-day Sabbath. The juxtaposition of these two Sabbaths in the text suggests a connection between the Sabbath and ecology, since rest and nourishment are required both the land and its inhabitants (i.e., humans and beasts). This article exegetically analyzes Exod 23:10-12 and suggests some possible ecological implications. Accordingly, it is argued that while the biblical sabbatical year seems to have required a rest for the whole land--a practice which may seem impossible today--in modern times heavily cultivated portions of land could be allowed to lie fallow. Instead of overusing particular portions of land with the aid of agro-chemicals, farming systems such as land rotation could fruitfully be practiced. Such a practice may not only allow cultivable lands regain fertility, it may also contribute towards the sustenance of the wild including endangered species. This study may be particularly useful in the African context.展开更多
基金Supported by Agriculture Fund Project for Science and Technology Transformation (2009GB23260446)~~
文摘Recycling of crop residues resources has become an urgent problem to be addressed in agriculture and rural areas of China.Compared to single use patterns of crop residues resources,crop residues circular agriculture characterized by multi-grade utilization and recycling is more important to improve the added value of crop residues,to enhance product market competitiveness,and to promote scale development and industrialization of crop residues recycling.This paper discussed the basic principles of the development of crop residues circular agriculture mode,and summarized five main crop residues circular agriculture mode.
基金Supported by Yunnan Tobacco Company Program(2015YN192014YN25)~~
文摘Synergism between pesticide and fertilizer in controlling root-knot nematode was investigated by field randomized block test. The results showed that the best control efficiency was shared by 0.5% abamectin and 25% mixed pesticide (abamectin and carbosulfan), 24.1% and 28.0%, respectively. The positive effect was found by synergism between pesticide and fertiUzer in controlling reot-knot nematode. The economic benefit and agricultural benefit were gained by controlling root-knot nematodes. The results suggested that the agricultural and ecological benefit could be gained through the integration of agricultural practice and chemical technology in controlling root-knot nematode.
文摘An experiment was conducted to understand the growth inhibitory effects of aqueous extracts derived from Lantana camara L. (a globally recognized invasive alien weed) on six popular agricultural crops of Bangladesh. The test was conducted in sterilized petridishes with a photoperiod of 24 hours and an average temperature of 29℃. The effect of different concentrations ofL. camara leaf extracts were recorded and compared with control (i.e., distil water). Result showed different concentrations of aqueous leaf extracts caused significant inhibitory effect on germination, root and shoot elongation and development of lateral roots of receptor crops. Bioassays also indicated that the inhibitory effect was proportional to the concentrations of the extracts and higher concentration had the stronger inhibitory effect whereas the lower concentration showed stimulatory effect in some cases. The inhibitory effect was much pronounced in root and lateral root development rather than shoot and germination.
基金Intercooperation,Agroforestry Improvement Project and Village and Farm Forestry Project (IC-VFFP, AFIP) Rajshahi (Funded by Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation,SDC)
文摘Allelopathic effects of different doses of Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaf litters were investigated through an experiment in the green house of Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, Chittagong, Bangladesh. Three popular agricultural crops: Falen (Vigna unguiculata), Chickpea (Cicer arietinum), Arhor (Cajanus cajan) and two widely used plantation trees: Sada koroi (Albizia procera) and Ipil ipil (Leucaena leucocephala) were selected as bioassay species. Experiment was set on tray at room temperature 27℃. The effects of different doses of leaf litter extracts were compared to the control. Results suggest that leaf litters of E, camaldulesis induced inhibitory effects, It was also found that the effect depend on concentration of extract and litterfall, type of receiver species. Higher concentration of the materials had the higher effect and vice versa. Though all the bioassay species were suppressed some of them showed better performance. Vigna unguiculata, Cicer arietinum are recommended in agroforestry based on this present Experiment output. In mixed plantation, Leucaena leucochephala is a better choice while compared to Albizia procera.
基金Project supported by the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (863 Program)(Nos.2001AA214121, 2002AA246081 and 2003AA241150)the National Key Technologies Research and Development Program of China during the 9th Five-Year Plan Period (No. 2002BA516A01)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30400013).
文摘The objective of this research was to isolate a dichlorvos (2,2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate)-degrading strain of Ochrobactrum sp., and determine its effectiveness in remediation of a dichlorvos-contaminated soil. A dichlorvos-degrading bacterium (strain DDV-1) was successfully isolated and identified as an Ochrobactrumsp. based on its 16S rDNA sequence analysis. Strain DDV-1 was able to utilize dichlorvos as a sole carbon source, and the optimal pH and temperature for its cell growth and degradation were 7.0 and 30 ℃, respectively. Also, the growth and degradation of strain DDV-1 showed the same response to dissolved oxygen. In addition, the soil degradation test indicated that in soil spiked with 100 mg L-1 or 500 mg L-1 dichlorvos and inoculated with 0.5% or 1.0% (v/v) strain DDV-1, complete degradation of dichlorvos could be achieved in 24 h. The present study showed that strain DDV-1 was a fast dichlorvos-degrading bacterium in soil. However, further research will be needed to clarify the degradation pathway and the properties of the key enzymes involved in its biodegradation.
基金Supported by Key Research Topic by Anhui Administrative College(YJKT0910ZD02)~~
文摘Cooperative financing, with existing problems involving legal person man-agement and property supervision is highly demanded by farmers in China. It is fea-sible to explore a shareholding system to resolve the management mode issue of rural credit cooperatives in order to introduce investments, formulate the right struc-ture for rational stock and to establish effective monitoring mechanism for property right. Hence, information issuing would be reinforced and a rural credit cooperative would be established to be a modern financial enterprise with transparent property rights.
基金Under the auspices of National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.51079120)Education Department Research Program of Shaanxi Province(No.12JK0481)Water Conservancy Science and Technology Plan of Shaanxi Province(No.2012-07)
文摘Serious desertification caused by human activity and climate change,in addition to water loss and soil erosion related to arsenic sandstone in the Mu Us Sandy Land,lead to severe scarcity of soil and water resources,which causes worse local agricultural conditions accordingly.Many physical properties of arsenic sandstone is complementary with that of sand,arsenic sandstone is therefore supposed to be blended to enhance water productivity and arability of sandy land.Container experiments are carried out to study the enhancement of water holding capacity of the mixture,the blending ratio of arsenic sandstone and sand,and the proper size of the arsenic sandstone particles,respectively.The results of the experiments show that particle size of 4 cm with a ratio of 1∶2 between arsenic sandstone and sand are the proper parameters on blending.Both water content and fertility increase after blending.Water use efficiency in the mixture is 2.7 times higher than that in sand by the water release curves from experiments.Therefore,a new sand control and development model,including arsenic sandstone blending with sand,efficient water irrigation management and reasonable farming system,is put forward to control and develop sandy land so that water-saving agriculture could be developed.Demonstration of potato planting about 153.1 ha in area in the Mu Us Sandy Land in China indicates that water consumption is 3018 m3/ha in the whole growth period.It means that about 61%of irrigation water can be saved compared with water use in coarse sand without treatment.Recycle economic mode and positive feedback of sand resource-crop planting-soil resource are constructed,which changes sand into arable soil and make it possible to develop water-saving agriculture on it.The proposed model will be helpful for soil-water resources utilization and management in the Mu Us Sandy Land.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 39970146) the Interna- tional Rice Research Institute (IRRI) under project of Reversing Trends of Declining Productivity (RTDP).
文摘The mineral fertilizers (NPK) and pesticide, including herbicides, insecticides and fungicides, were applied alone or in combination and the soil sampling was done at different growth stages during the crop cycle to study the changes in soil organic matter, microbial biomass and their activity parameters in a paddy soil with different nutrient and pest management practices in a hybrid rice double-cropping system. A consistent increase in the electron transport system (ETS) activity was measured during the different crop growth stages of rice. The use of fertilizers (NPK) alone or with pesticides increased ETS activity, while a decline of ETS activity was noticed with pesticides alone as compared with the control. Nearly an increasing trend in soil phenol content was observed with the progression of crop growth stages, while the usage of pesticides alone caused maximum increments in the soil phenol content. The soil protein content was found nearly stable with fertilizers and/or pesticides application at various growth stages in both crops taken. But notable changes were noticed at different growth stages probably because of fluctuations in moisture and temperature at particular stages, which might have their effects on N mineralization. Marked depletions in the phospholipid content were found with the advancement of crop growth stages, while the incorporation of fertilizers and/or pesticides also produced slight changes, in which a higher decline was noticed with pesticide application alone compared with the control.
基金supported by China Special Fund for Forest Scientific Research in the Public Welfare (201204110)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31460158)the Middle Aged Academic and Technical Leader Project of Yunnan Province (2010CI016)
文摘Paeonia delavayi is a wild tree peony species endemic to high-altitude regions in southwestern China.Recent agricultural land expansion,however,not only causes its dwindling population size,but also poses a severe threat to its long-term persistence.Since our knowledge of the reproductive biology of P.delavayi is very limited,and some management misconceptions have further exacerbated the already worrisome situation,the aim of the present study is to provide some scientific evidence regarding habitat preference and breeding system of P.delavayi,and to help correct some management misconceptions.Specifically,morphological traits of P.delavayi populations growing in two different habitats(i.e.,the open area versus forest understory),including basal stem diameter,plant height and flower numbers per plant,were measured and compared with each other.A range of floral manipulation experiments was further conducted to study the extent of self-compatibility and pollen limitation.The results showed that P.delavayi preferred the open habitat over forest understory as it generally grew bigger with thickerstems,and produced a higher number of flowers in the former habitat.Therefore,the open habitat should receive immediate priority for conservation action instead of being converted to agricultural land;also,P.delavayi is pollen limited,as evidenced by the fact that experimental flowers receiving supplemental non-self pollen generally displayed elevated seed production than flowers subjected to other treatments(e.g.,non-supplemental self pollen,non-supplemental non-self pollen and supplemental self pollen),which is consistent with reported observations that alpine plants are more likely to be pollen-limited than lowland plants.We suggest that human intervention might be necessary to guarantee the long-term persistence of P.delavayi as harsh alpine environment,intense competition for pollinators and different anthropogenic perturbations co-limit its reproductive success.
文摘The decreasing of the plant available phosphorus of Romanian soils after 1990 is a major concern in relation with the lowered yields of the major crops. This fact is correlated with a rudimentary technology where the fertilization is a secondary issue. Thus, the fertilizer consumption, after 1990, has drastically decreased to 41.3 kg/ha NPK on arable land over 129.9 kg/ha in 1986 and from 86.4 kg/ha to 26.3 kg/ha on agricultural land. As a result, the phosphorus fertilizer quantities applied by small farmers are very small or inexistent. In order to determine the soil available phosphorus content in Romania, it was analyzed the evolution of soil phosphorus supplying degree on a cambic chernozem (one of the most fertile soils in Romania) from Agricultural Research and Development Station (ARDS) Caracal between 1986-1992 and 2000-2005. This analysis has shown the following issues: very well supplied soils by available phosphorus no more exist since 2006, the ones with a good supplying degree have decreased from 616 ha to 107 ha, which means from 24.8% to 4.3% yet the low supplied soils have increased from 526 ha to 1,129 ha (23.1% to 45.5%) and the very low supplied ones have increased from 198 ha to 776 ha (7.9% to 31.2%). As a consequence of low fertilizer quantities and the decreasing of the soil supplying degree by available phosphorus the average yield in this farm has decreased from 5,776 to 3,707 kg/ha.
文摘The association between the growth and water-use efficiency in three populations of C. odorata in Veracruz Mexico (La Antigua, Misantla and Catemaco) from two agroforestry system sites was studied, one in association with corn and another with pipiain. TRP (transpiration), gs (stomatal conductivity), CO2A (CO2 assimilation), WUE (water use efficiency), height, coverage and stem diameter were measured. The populafon of La Antigua associated with pipian presented the highest WUE (7.13 μmol CO2 m2-sl/mmol H20 m2.sl), while the population of Catemaco reached high values (10 μmol CO2 m2 sl/mmol H20 m2-s1) in the site associated with corn, the populations established with corn presented a great growth in height and stem diameter. Based on the physiological responses and growth of the studied populations, the towns of La Antigua and Catemaco may be recommended for the establishment of commercial plantations.
文摘Organizations serving rural communities in Kenya have found use for media as a tool of replacement for personal interface in the daily communication with the beneficiaries of their programmes in deprived areas. The interactions between two non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and rural beneficiaries in Isinya, Kajiado County, provide case studies of how NGOs modernize their outreach via new media and how beneficiaries respond to the change. The research was not only concerned with the presence of information technology (IT) and online facilities in remote and deprived locations. It also evaluated responses to the replacement of person-to-person contact with technologies, such as social media, the Internet, Compact Disc-Read Only Memory (CD-ROMs), and Digital Versatile Disc (DVDs). Conducted in four focus groups, the research evaluated the uptake of new media technologies by beneficiaries following the transition, asked whether beneficiaries engaged with the materials being communicated, and assessed whether this confluence of technology and culture had eased the flow of communication, or unsettled it. Evidence of discomfort among the older (over 50-year-old) beneficiaries stemmed from fear of failure to master the technologies and a desire for a continuation of regular interpersonal interaction with the NGO field officers (whose field trips were scaled back in preference of computer-mediated communication). However, younger (under 40-year-old) beneficiaries were less insistent on regular interpersonal visits and were appreciative of the use of technology, and of the building of Maarifa Centres to give the beneficiaries free access to internet, DVDs, and hard drive-based information materials. Another demographic, beneficiaries aged between 40 and 50 years old, said they were not comfortable with the change and wanted the interpersonal interaction to continue, but were open to a longer-term transition once the beneficiaries were all conversant with the uses of the new technologies. The study recommends a better managed transition that accommodated the beneficiaries’ fears, misgivings, and cultural preference for verbal, face-to-face consultation.
文摘Cassava peel has a lot of nutrients which can be utilized as fertilizer in agriculture. However, high cellulose contents may cause difficulty for organic digestion and slow down the nutrient absorption for plants. This study aims to reach the microorganisms or their combination for biodegradating the cassava peel waste. The initial result shows that after 21 days the glucose concentration in all samples was the highest during experiment times. The reducing glucose produced in mg/mL by the selected bacteria was 9.32, higher than the selected fungie of 1.57 mg/mL. The percentage degradation of cassava peel weigh was the highest for fungi which was 52% of weigh, respectively. Meanwhile, bacteria only degradated about 31.6% after 4 weeks. However, the combination between bacteria and fungi provides the highest glucose concentration, 19.29 mg/mL and digests 62% of the mass cassava in experiment. This study suggests that biodegradation of agro-wastes in the environment to reduce biomass waste pollution is very promising.
文摘Credit union co-operatives are organized for supporting poor people who are difficult to find funding sources for improvement their economic security. Majority of the credit unions co-operatives are made up of members who are currently working in the agricultural sectors. However some of credit union co-operatives have members who are working in non-agriculture sectors, they use credit union co-operatives to improve quality as farmer. The main objective in this paper is comparison of technical operation efficiency of the credit unions agriculture and non-agriculture sector with sample size of 170 groups from eight provinces in the upper northern region of Thailand, using the Malmquist Productivity Index Approach.
文摘Neonicotinoids including IM (Imidacloprid) are widely used as plant systemic insecticides. Several studies have indicated that pesticide toxicity may be associated with the enhanced production of ROS (reactive oxygen species). Both β-carotene (I3C) and hesperidin (H) have an antioxidant property and quench free radicals. This study aimed to clarify the protective role of β-carotene and hesperidin as natural antioxidants on IM induced toxicity in hematological parameters and markers of cardiac muscle activity in male albino rats. The treatment of rats with IM showed a significant decrease in hemoglobin (Hb %), MCH (mean corpuscular hemoglobin), MCHC (mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration), HCT (hematocrit) values and RBCs count comparing with control group. On the other hand, MCV (mean corpuscular volume), WBCs (white blood cells) and Pits (platelets) count pronounced a significant increase in IM group comparing to control. Also, αFP (plasma alpha fetoprotein), CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen), CK (creatine kinase), CK-MB (creatine phosphokinase myocardial band) and LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) clarify a significant increase in IM group comparing to control. Both β-carotene and hesperidin mitigate the deleterious effects of IM on previous parameters. β-Carotene and hesperidin may protect hematopoietic system and heart muscle against toxicity of IM. These improvements of the results clarify the protective effect of the used antioxidants. Conclusion: β-carotene and hesperidin, natural antioxidants, have a protective effect against IM evoked hematological and biochemical changes.
文摘Carnivorous plants of Nepenthes species have evolved particular organs named pitchers at the tips of their conspicuous leaves, allowing slippery trapping and effective digesting prey to acquire sufficient growing nutrients. Nepenthes pitchers are generally distinguished by several morphological regions exhibiting distinct functions in prey capturing, and combined effect of the several zones results in great trapping efficiency. Depending on specific micro-structures, slippery zone performs an important role in efficiently preying arthropods, and this prey ability inspires an idea for biomimetic development of slippery trapping plate used in controlling agricultural pests. In this paper, combined with our latest results, the authors introduced the recent studies of the slippery zone, including surface structures and anti-attachment functions. They also highlighted the biomimetic application of slippery zone in developing slippery trapping plate for controlling agricultural pest.
文摘Open field system is the most important land farming system in the middle part of the Medieval England. It has the property of private property and common property right and exited for very long time. This article analyzed how the open field system was replaced by the enclosure system from the perspective of institutional t transition. By carrying on the detailed investigation, it can provide certain enlightenments and references to deepen rural reform, especially promoting the reasonable transfer of rural land use rights in China.
文摘Exod 23:10-12 enjoins Israel to keep both a seventh-year Sabbath and a seventh-day Sabbath. The juxtaposition of these two Sabbaths in the text suggests a connection between the Sabbath and ecology, since rest and nourishment are required both the land and its inhabitants (i.e., humans and beasts). This article exegetically analyzes Exod 23:10-12 and suggests some possible ecological implications. Accordingly, it is argued that while the biblical sabbatical year seems to have required a rest for the whole land--a practice which may seem impossible today--in modern times heavily cultivated portions of land could be allowed to lie fallow. Instead of overusing particular portions of land with the aid of agro-chemicals, farming systems such as land rotation could fruitfully be practiced. Such a practice may not only allow cultivable lands regain fertility, it may also contribute towards the sustenance of the wild including endangered species. This study may be particularly useful in the African context.