Effects of Gel-based Controlled Release Fertilizers on Agronomic Characteristics and Physiological Indices of Corn

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the effects of gel-based controlled release fertilizers （CRFs） on agronomic characteristics and physiological indices of corn. [Method] Pot experiment was carried out to investigate the agronomic characteristics and physiological indices of corn fertilized with controlled release fertilizers compared with conventional fertilizer （CF）. [Result] Plant height, stem girth, leaf area and root volume of corn were significantly increased under the CRF treatments; photosynthetic rate and soluble protein content were also improved. Dry matter accumulations under the two CRF treatments were increased by 21.3% and 17.0% compared with CF application at one time （CF1）, and 19.6% and 15.4% with CF application at two times （CF2）, respectively. Accumulation amounts of N, P and K in whole plant under the two CRF treatments were increased by 44.0% -24.7% , 40.0%-25.9% and 20.1% -13.9% ; and the nutrient use efficiencies of N, P and K were improved by 22.9% -13.4% , 11.2% -9.6% and 17.5% -12.1% , respectively. [Conclusion] The results implied that the CRFs could significantly improve nutrient use efficiency and plant yield.

Effects of Low Light on Agronomic and Physiological Characteristics of Rice Including Grain Yield and Quality

Light intensity is one of the most important environmental factors that determine the basic characteristics of rice development. However, continuously cloudy weather or rainfall, especially during the grain-filling stage, induces a significant loss in yield and results in poor grain quality. Stress caused by low light often creates severe meteorological disasters in some rice-growing regions worldwide. This review was based on our previous research and related research regarding the effects of low light on rice growth, yield and quality as well as the formation of grain, and mainly reviewed the physiological metabolism of rice plants, including characteristics of photosynthesis, activities of antioxidant enzymes in rice leaves and key enzymes involved in starch synthesis in grains, as well as the translocations of carbohydrate and nitrogen. These characteristics include various grain yield and rice quality components （milling and appearance as well as cooking, eating and nutritional qualities） under different rates of shading imposed at the vegetative or reproductive stages of rice plants. Furthermore, we discussed why grain yield and quality are reduced under the low light environment. Next, we summarized the need for future research that emphasizes methods can effectively improve rice grain yield and quality under low light stress. These research findings can provide a beneficial reference for rice cultivation management and breeding program in low light environments.

Effects of Different Population Densities on Yield and Agronomic Characteristics of Mung Bean

With the methods of crop population physiology,the effects of different population densities on growth,development and yield of mung bean as well as the relationship between these indexes and density were studied.The results showed that the morphology indexes of mung bean plant changed significantly with planting density increasing：the plant height showed increasing trend,while the stem diameter of the basal intemode were gradually decreased.And these two indexes were sensitive to the density.The effects of planting densities on valid branch number and the height of the first branch had reached significant level.In the yield components,the effects of planting densities on the pod number per plant,the grain weight per plant and the hundred grain weight had achieved significant level.

Plant Hormone Resistance and Agronomic Characteristics of the MT10 Mutant in Rice

The MT10 mutant plants had resistances to auxin.Under light and dark culture,the roots of MT10 seedlings had shown less lateral roots and short lateral roots.In soil,MT10 seedlings had shown not only no changed agronomic characteristics but also no significant difference with WT.

Studies on Immature Embryo Culture In vitro in Wheat:Genetic stability analysis of somatic variation in main agronomic characteristics

The genetic stability of variations of main agronomic characteristics in progenies from the regenerated plants of immature embryo culture in vitro was studied. The results showed that the variations of earliness in maturity, high 1000-grain weight, plant height and grain weight per spike were heritable and tended to be stable in IE3 and completely stable in IE4 The wide variation of main agronomic characteristics induced by embryo culture in vitro provided the probability of selection in wheat improvement. Some somaclonal lines with useful variations could be used directly in wheat production.

Phyto-Toxicity of Chromium in Maize： Oxidative Damage, Osmolyte Accumulation, Anti-Oxidative Defense and Chromium Uptake

Agricultural production systems are immensely exposed to different environmental stresses in which heavy metal stress receives serious concerns. This study was conducted to explore the deleterious effects of different chromium （Cr） stress levels, i.e., O, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 μmol L^-1, on two maize genotypes, Wandan 13 and Runnong 35. Both genotypes were evaluated by measuring their growth and yield characteristics, Cr accumulation in different plant tissues, alterations in osmolyte accumulation, generation of reactive oxygen species （ROS）, and anti-oxidative enzyme activity to scavenge ROS. The results showed that Cr stress decreased the leaf area, cob formation, 100-grain weight, shoot fresh biomass, and yield formation, while Cr accumulation in different maize tissues was found in the order of roots 〉 leaves 〉 stem ~ seeds in both genotypes. The increased Cr toxicity resulted in higher free proline, soluble sugars and total phenolic contents, and lower soluble protein contents. However, enhanced lipid peroxidation was noticed in the forms of malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide （H2O2） and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance accumulation, and electrolyte leakage. The hyperactivity of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, especially glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase indicated that these anti-oxidative enzymes had a central role in protecting maize from Cr toxicity, especially for Wandan 13. Moreover, higher uptake and less translocation of Cr contents into the grains of Wandan 13 implied its importance as a potential candidate against soil Cr pollution.

A comparative study on different multiple cropping patterns of Bupleurum chinense

Bupleurum chinense is a genuine medicinal material in Shanxi Province,and planting B.chinense is one of the main sources for local farmers to increase their income.In B.chinense cultivation,wheat-B.chinense,maize-B.chinense and soybean-B.chinense are commonly used as multiple cropping patterns.In the present study,we studied the effects of three different multiple cropping patterns on N,P and K levels of soil,photosynthetic parameters,agronomic characteristics,saikosaponin A,C and D contents,yield and economic benefits of B.chinense.The results showed that the soybean-B.chinense multiple cropping pattern was beneficial to the enrichment of N in the soil,thus promoting photosynthetic parameters,growth,saikosaponin accumulation,yield and economic benefits of B.chinense.It is suggested that soybean-B.chinense multiple cropping was an appropriate multiple cropping pattern for local cultivation of B.chinense.