Boehmeria nivea var. strigosa (Urticaceae), a new variety from Southwest China

Boehmeria nivea var.strigosa Zeng Y.Wu&Y.Zhao,a new variety of B.nivea(Urticaceae)from Southwest China,is here described based on evidence from morphology and molecular phylogeny.This new variety is mainly characterized by its green abaxial leaf blade,partly connate stipules,and densely patent strigose hairs on stems and potioles.The phylogenetic analysis based on rbc L,nrDNA and rbc L+nrDNA datasets,revealed that all individuals of B.nivea var.strigosa formed a monophyletic group.The conservation status of B.nivea var.strigosa is assessed as“Near Threatened”(NT)according to IUCN evaluation criteria.The discovery of this new variety is not only crucial for the taxonomy of ramie,but also provides reference for the exploration and utilization of ramie.

LociScan,a tool for screening genetic marker combinations for plant variety discrimination

To reduce the cost and increase the efficiency of plant genetic marker fingerprinting for variety discrimination,it is desirable to identify the optimal marker combinations.We describe a marker combination screening model based on the genetic algorithm(GA)and implemented in a software tool,Loci Scan.Ratio-based variety discrimination power provided the largest optimization space among multiple fitness functions.Among GA parameters,an increase in population size and generation number enlarged optimization depth but also calculation workload.Exhaustive algorithm afforded the same optimization depth as GA but vastly increased calculation time.In comparison with two other software tools,Loci Scan accommodated missing data,reduced calculation time,and offered more fitness functions.In large datasets,the sample size of training data exerted the strongest influence on calculation time,whereas the marker size of training data showed no effect,and target marker number had limited effect on analysis speed.

Determination and Quantification of Proximate and Mineral Composition for 20 Improved Sorghum Varieties Grown in Machache, Lesotho

Twenty varieties of improved sorghum were grown in Machache at the Department of Agricultural Research station, located (29˚22'60"S and 27˚52'0"E) in the central foothills of Lesotho in Maseru district. The varieties were planted in a randomized complete block design. At maturity, they were harvested, dried, threshed, milled and analyzed in the crop science laboratory at the National University of Lesotho. The proximate and mineral contents were analyzed from samples in a completely randomized design with three replicates. The proximate composition parameters measured were crude proteins, crude fiber, crude fat, moisture content, and carbohydrates. The minerals analyzed were, phosphorus, sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, copper, zinc, iron, and magnesium. The results showed the nutritional contents ranging from (4.7% - 16.16%), (0.35% - 2.10%), (1.25% - 4.00%), (71.60% - 84.06%), (5.53% - 10.18%), for protein, fat, fiber and carbohydrate, and moisture content, respectively. Mineral content ranged from (1342.96 - 3500.34 mg/kg), (25.97 - 185.25 mg/kg), (50.71 - 511.71 mg/kg), (29.35 - 4542.13 mg/kg), (577.19 - 3041.52 mg/kg), (0.25 - 4.07 mg/kg), (1.96 - 18.61 mg/kg), (67.14 - 122.96 mg/kg), (4.73 - 11.39 mg/kg) for phosphorus, sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, copper, zinc, iron, and manganese respectively. The following varieties were found to have the highest and appreciable amounts of nutrients and minerals that are crucial in the country diet;protein content was KARI Mtama 1, zinc, IESX 16 2533-SB-SSI-19, and iron IESX 16 2535-SB-SSI-34.

Technological Properties of Improved Pigeon Pea Varieties in Machakos County, Kenya

Pigeon peas, a type of pulse, have immense nutritional potential to improve health in arid and semi-arid regions. However, unlocking this potential relies heavily on understanding their technological properties, such as hydration rate, volumetric expansion, and cooking time. These properties directly influence processing, accessibility, and acceptability as a food source. However, there is limited information on technological properties of improved varieties. The study aimed to determine technological properties of improved pigeon pea varieties grown in Machakos County. Seven improved pigeon peas varieties namely: KARI Mbaazi 1, KARI Mbaazi 2, ICEAP 00850, KAT 60/8, Mituki, Egerton Mbaazi 1, Egerton Mbaazi 2 and ICEAP 00554 (control variety) were used in this study. These varieties were tested for water absorption capacity (WAC), volumetric expansion, density, cooking time (CT) and total soluble solids (TSS) in the broth. The experiment was arranged in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) replicated three times. Data analysis was conducted using SAS software version 9.1.3 (SAS, 2006). Means separation was done using Tukey’s honestly significant difference (HSD) at 95% Confidence Level. There were significant differences in water absorption capacity (WAC), volumetric expansion, density, TSS, and CT among the improved varieties (p p < 0.05). KARI Mbaazi 2 exhibited the greatest volumetric expansion after cooking (VEAC) at 11%. Additionally, control variety recorded the highest water absorption capacity (125.48%), which was significantly greater compared to the improved pigeon pea varieties. Cooking time in minutes was shortest for Mituki (46.0) and KAT 60/8 (55.7) and longest for both KARI Mbaazi 1 and ICEAP00850 at 160 minutes. All the varieties showed high TSS ranging from 10.5 to 26.7% indicating the potential to select varieties with desired flavour profiles. Improved pigeon pea varieties (Mituki and KAT60/8) displayed desired technological properties alongside the control variety. These findings inform the specific culinary applications and nutritional needs which enhance utilisation of pigeon peas as food. Further research is needed to determine the impact of the technological properties on the digestibility and glycaemic index of pigeon peas.

Effect of Variety and Plant Spacing on Growth and Yield of Groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea L.)

A field experiment was carried out to determine the effect of variety and plant spacing on yield and growth of groundnuts. The field experiment was laid in a 3 × 3 factorial experiment in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three (3) replications. The factor A included three (3) groundnut varieties (Nkatie Sari, Sum Nutt 22 and Yenyawoso) and Factor B was the three (3) spacing of 30 cm × 15 cm, 30 cm × 30 cm and 30 cm × 40 cm. All recommended agronomic practices were followed. Data was collected from eight (8) tagged plants. Growth data were recorded on plant height, number of branches, number of leaves, and the number of flowers while yield data were collected on the number of flowers, number of pods per plant, 100 seeds weight and the pod yield (kg/ha). The plant spacing significantly influenced (P < 0.05) the growth and yield parameters. Groundnut grown at a spacing of 30 cm × 15 cm produced the maximum plant height, whereas the maximum number of leaves, number of branches and number of flowers were produced from 30 cm × 40 cm. Yenyawoso variety with a wider plant spacing performed better vegetatively among all the varieties. The Yenyawoso variety produced the highest number of pods, 100 seeds weight and pod yield as compared to the other varieties. Also, Yenyawoso at 30 cm × 40 cm spacing and Nkatie Sari at 30 cm × 15 cm spacing produced the maximum pod yield.

The Influence of Gratering, Fermentation and Variety on the Physio-Chemical Quality of Cassava Starch

The study was conducted to determine the influence of gratering and fermentation parameters on the physicochemical quality of starch obtained from two cassava varieties in Sierra Leone (i.e., SLICASS 11 and SLICASS 6). Fresh cassava roots harvested from the Department of Agricultural Engineering were peeled, washed and grated before fermentation and starch extraction. Fermentation was carried out under separate aerobic and anaerobic conditions for a period of Seven days. Physicochemical analyses were conducted at the Postharvest Food and Bioprocess Engineering Laboratory of the Department of Agricultural and Bio-System Engineering, Njala University to determine the solubility, water absorption capacity and swelling power of starch extracts obtained from various experimental treatments. Fermentation method and duration had significant effects on the solubility, water absorption capacity (WAC) and swelling power (SP) of starch extracts. Maximum solubility and WAC were recorded on the fifth day, for both cassava varieties tested, with apparent significant difference resulting from the two gratering bands (i.e., with 1.5-inch nail hole and 4-inch nail hole sizes, respectively). While swelling power increased consistently with temperature for starch obtained from SLICASS-11 variety, an irregular pattern was observed for SLICASS-6 variety. A multiple correlation analysis proposes a significant and weak correlation between temperature, WAC (+0.150) and swelling power (+0.048). Also multiple correlation analyses suggest a significant correlation between fermentation period, the functional properties of starch extracts obtained from both fermentation methods and cassava varieties (i.e., solubility (−0.226), water absorption capacity (+0.301) and swelling power (+0.329)).

Subplanes of PG(2,qr), Ruled Varieties V2r-12 in PG( 2r,q), and Related Codes

In this note we consider ruled varieties V22r−1of PG(2r,q), generalizing some results shown for r=2,3in previous papers. By choosing appropriately two directrix curves, a V22r−1represents a non-affine subplane of order qof the projective plane PG(2,qr)represented in PG(2r,q)by a spread of a hyperplane. That proves the conjecture assumed in [1]. Finally, a large family of linear codes dependent on r≥2is associated with projective systems defined both by V22r−1and by a maximal bundle of such varieties with only an r-directrix in common, then are shown their basic parameters.

Subplanes of PG( 2, q 3 ) and the Ruled Varieties V 2 5 of PG( 6,q )

In this note we study subplanes of order q of the projective plane Π=PG( 2, q 3 ) and the ruled varieties V 2 5 of Σ=PG( 6,q ) using the spatial representation of Π in Σ, by fixing a hyperplane Σ ′ with a regular spread of planes. First are shown some configurations of the affine q-subplanes. Then to prove that a variety V 2 5 of Σ represents a non-affine subplane of order q of Π, after having shown basic incidence properties of it, such a variety V 2 5 is constructed by choosing appropriately the two directrix curves in two complementary subspaces of Σ. The result can be translated into further incidence properties of the affine points of V 2 5 . Then a maximal bundle of varieties V 2 5 having in common one directrix cubic curve is constructed.

Construction of apricot variety search engine based on deep learning

Apricot has a long history of cultivation and has many varieties and types. The traditional variety identification methods are timeconsuming and labor-consuming, posing grand challenges to apricot resource management. Tool development in this regard will help researchers quickly identify variety information. This study photographed apricot fruits outdoors and indoors and constructed a dataset that can precisely classify the fruits using a U-net model (F-score:99%), which helps to obtain the fruit's size, shape, and color features. Meanwhile, a variety search engine was constructed, which can search and identify variety from the database according to the above features. Besides, a mobile and web application (ApricotView) was developed, and the construction mode can be also applied to other varieties of fruit trees.Additionally, we have collected four difficult-to-identify seed datasets and used the VGG16 model for training, with an accuracy of 97%, which provided an important basis for ApricotView. To address the difficulties in data collection bottlenecking apricot phenomics research, we developed the first apricot database platform of its kind (ApricotDIAP, http://apricotdiap.com/) to accumulate, manage, and publicize scientific data of apricot.

Screening and identification of salt tolerance soybean varieties and germplasms

Soil salinization is a globally prevalent abiotic environmental stress.The imbalance of ions caused by high concentrations of sodium chloride results in a 40%reduction in soybean yield.Soybean,as an important crop for soil quality improvement,necessitates the identification of salt-tolerant varieties and germplasms to effectively utilize and enhance saline-alkali land.In this study,we assessed the salt tolerance of 435 soybean varieties and germplasms during the seedling stage.Among them,Qihuang34,You2104,Hongzhudou,Pamanheidou,and Osage exhibited grade 1 salt tolerance rates surpassing other tested materials.Furthermore,Hongzhudou and Qihuang34 demonstrated higher salt tolerance during germination and emergence stages based on their elevated rates of emergence,salt tolerance index,chlorophyll content,and shoot fresh weights.Overall findings provide valuable resources for molecular breeding efforts aimed at developing salt-tolerant soybean varieties suitable for cultivation in saline-alkali soils.

Screening of Long Cowpea[Vigna unguiculata(L.)Walp.ssp.sesquipedialis]Varieties in Autumn in Hunan and Comparison of Various Comprehensive Evaluation Methods

[Objectives]The paper was to screen new varieties of long cowpea that are suitable for autumn cultivation in Hunan,as well as to develop a comprehensive evaluation method to assess their adaptability and performance.[Methods]A total of 48 long cowpea varieties were introduced,and a range of comprehensive evaluation methods was employed to assess these varieties through the collection and analysis of field data.[Results]The square Euclidean distance of 14 allowed for the classification of all varieties into eight distinct groups.Groups II,III,and V belong to the autumn dominant group within this region,while groups I and VIII belong to the intermediate group.Additionally,groups IV,VI,and VII belong to the autumn inferior group in this area.Through a comparative analysis of various comprehensive evaluation methods,it was determined that the common factor comprehensive evaluation,grey correlation method,and fuzzy evaluation method were appropriate for application in the selection of long cowpea varieties.Furthermore,the evaluation outcomes were largely consistent with the cluster pedigree diagram.[Conclusions]Through comprehensive index method,ten varieties demonstrating superior performance in autumn cultivation have been identified,including C20,C42,C29,C40,C3,C14,C18,C25,C15,and C47.The selected varieties exhibit several advantageous traits,such as a reduced growth duration,a lower position of initial flower nodes,a decreased number of branches,predominantly green young pods,elongated pod strips,thicker pod structures,an increased number of pods per plant,and higher overall yields.These characteristics render them particularly valuable for extensive cultivation.

Variety Selection and Green Cultivation Technology of Courtyard Ornamental and Edible Peppers

In order to comply with the development trend of the multifunctional use of peppers,we conducted an investigation into the characteristics and features of varieties,potting management techniques,and the methods of extending the fruit ornamental period and other aspects of courtyard ornamental and edible peppers.A set of cultivation techniques suitable for courtyard ornamental and edible peppers has been developed,including timely sowing and seedling,nutrient soil preparation,water and fertilizer management,trimming and pruning,preservation of flowers and fruits,green prevention and control of diseases and pests,harvesting,and so on.

An Application of Machine Learning Methods to Detect Mango Varieties

The mango, a fruit of immense economic and dietary significance in numerous tropical and subtropical regions, plays a pivotal role in our agricultural landscape. Accurate identification is not just a necessity, but a crucial step for effective classification, sorting, and marketing. This study delves into the potential of machine learning for this task, comparing the performance of four models: MobileNetV2, Xception, VGG16, and ResNet50V2. These models were trained on a dataset of annotated mango images, and their performance was evaluated using precision, accuracy, F1 score, and recall, which are standard metrics for image classification. The Xception model, with its exceptional performance, outshone the other models on all performance indicators. It achieved a staggering accuracy of 99.47%, an F1 score of 99.43%, and a recall of 99.43%, showcasing its remarkable ability to accurately identify mango varieties. MobileNetV2 followed closely with performances of 98.95% accuracy, 98.85% F1 score, and 98.86% recall. ResNet50V2 also delivered satisfactory results with 97.39% accuracy, 97.08% F1 score, and 97.17% recall. VGG16, however, was the least effective, with a precision rate of 83.25%, an F1 score of 83.25%, and a recall of 85.47%. These results confirm the superiority of the Xception model in detecting mango varieties. Its advanced architecture allows it to capture more distinguishing features of mango images, leading to greater precision and reliability. Xception’s robustness in identifying true positives is another advantage, minimizing false positives and contributing to more accurate classification. This study highlights the promising potential of machine learning, particularly the Xception model, for accurately identifying mango varieties.

小果型西瓜新品种“炫美1号”的选育

“炫美1号”是以‘HM101’为母本、‘FN104’为父本杂交选育而成的F_(1)代小型西瓜新品种。华北地区春季大棚种植,果实发育期28~30 d,全生育期88~90 d。植株生长势中等,坐果性好。果实近圆形,果皮底色绿,上覆墨绿色条纹,果皮厚度0.5 cm。平均单果质量1.9 kg,果皮韧,肉质脆,果肉红黄双色,中心可溶性固形物含量13.1%,边缘可溶性固形物含量10.8%。667 m^(2)产量达3100 kg以上,适合华北地区设施栽培,2023年9月通过农业农村部非主要农作物品种登记。

干旱胁迫对旱地冬小麦产量及其抗旱相关基因表达的影响

为研究陇东旱地育成冬小麦品系的抗旱性与抗旱功能基因的关系,以6个旱地冬小麦新品系为试验材料,于2021—2022年、2022—2023年2个生长季在陇东学院西峰旱作农业试验站设置雨养无灌溉(CK)、旱棚防雨(干旱胁迫)和调控灌溉3个水分处理,测定各品系冬小麦产量,评价其抗旱性,并分析了抗旱相关功能基因的相对表达量。结果表明,在水分胁迫和供水充足(含水量为70%田间持水量)情况下,6个小麦品系产量差值变化不一致,品系C(‘1576-2-0-2’)和品系D(‘15119-1-0-2’)两年试验结果的差值均最小,其余4个品系差值均超过平均差值。由雨养无灌溉试验结果可知,2022年为大旱年份,品系C、D的产量在6个供试品系中分别位居第1和第3,抗旱系数分别为0.89和1.02;2023年为相对丰水年,品系C、D的抗旱系数分别为0.77和1.12,说明这两个品系对气候异常不敏感,抗旱性良好。通过荧光定量PCR技术分析6个小麦品系在灌浆期干旱胁迫下旗叶中的相对表达量,结果显示TaCRT-D基因在6个品系中的表达水平最高,Wdreb2、XTH-7A、WIip19、TaCRT-D在品系C、D中的表达量高于其他品系。田间试验结果与PEG-6000高渗溶液模拟发芽期和苗期干旱胁迫的鉴定结果相一致,表明6个品系中‘1576-2-0-2’和‘15119-1-0-2’品系抗旱性强,且干旱胁迫下灌浆期旗叶中抗旱功能基因TaCRT-D的表达量可以作为冬小麦早期世代抗旱选择参考指标。

桃品种陇金5号栽培技术规程

甘肃省农业科学院林果花卉研究所针对甘肃省桃产业发展过程中对新品种的需求,通过多年的培育,选育出了品质优异的晚熟桃新品种陇金5号。从范围、规范性引用文件、术语和定义、品种来源、植物学特征、生物学特性、品质性状指标及栽培技术要点等方面对其规范,使其更好地服务于甘肃省桃产业发展。

诸城烟区烤烟品种(系)筛选试验

为筛选出适宜山东诸城烟区种植的烤烟新品种,以NC89作为常规对照,以当地主栽品种中烟100作为副对照,对QY2329、YY021和HB0901等9个品种(系)进行比较试验,测定其生育期、植物学性状、农艺性状、抗病性和经济性状。结果表明,11个品种(系)的生育期在130~140 d;植物学性状方面,HB0901田间生长不齐,其余品种(系)田间生长均为较齐或整齐,YY021、LY2804、CF241、HB056、龙江0110和LY716-2整个生育期长势强;农艺性状方面,各品种(系)株高118.5~162.8 cm,叶数20.0~29.3片,节距2.9~4.8 cm,茎围9.9~11.4 cm,腰叶长61.6~72.8 cm,腰叶宽30.1~39.8 cm;抗病性方面,各品种(系)主要发生病害为黑胫病、角斑/野火病和病毒病;经济性状方面,各品种(系)产量在2141.70~2795.10 kg/hm^(2),均高于对照NC89,其中HB0901、CF241、YM2020、龙江0110和LY716-2的产量高于副对照中烟100,CF241经济性状表现最好,均价31.32元,产值85672.73元/hm^(2),上中等烟比例达96.45%。综合田间生长状况及产值情况来看,CF241株型中等,生育期适中,分层落黄明显,田间长势及抗病性强,经济性状表现突出,综合表现最好;另外HB0901和龙江0110株型中等,分层落黄明显,抗病性强,经济性状表现优良;LY716-2株型高大,抗病性强且经济性状表现优良。综上,CF241、HB0901、龙江0110和LY716-2品种(系)适宜在诸城烟区进一步试种。

川乡黑猪新品种培育

为培育适宜我国生猪生产发展的父本品种,四川省畜牧科学研究院利用我国特有的珍贵遗传资源——藏猪和引进猪种杜洛克猪作为育种素材,采用BLUP或GBLUP法与分子标记辅助选择相结合的现代育种技术,历经12年攻关研究培育出我国第一个父本品种——川乡黑猪。在培育过程中,通过Snapshot技术对不同世代测定群进行毛色SNP位点基因型检测,严格按照川乡黑猪选育方案,逐步剔除群体中黑色杂合基因型个体,实现黑色基因型纯合。其培育经历了育种素材筛选、杂交制种和品种选育三个阶段,同时委托农业农村部种猪质量监督检验测试中心(重庆)进行川乡黑猪质量检测。川乡黑猪达100 kg体重时平均日龄为156.60 d,饲料转化率为2.54,活体背膘厚为10.25 mm,屠宰率为73.78%,瘦肉率为63.78%,眼肌面积为45.74 cm^(2),肌内脂肪含量为3.65%,生产性能和肉质性能优良。

吕梁地区玫瑰栽培品种的农艺性状比较研究

以吕梁地区栽培的“保加利亚”“大马士革”“平阴”“紫枝”“苦水”5个玫瑰品种为试材,对其生长性状进行调查分析,利用CIE L^(*)a^(*)b^(*)表色系法及分光光度法测定花色和叶绿素,研究了其不同品种间农艺性状差异及生理变化,以期为吕梁地区的玫瑰产业发展提供参考依据。结果表明:“紫枝”玫瑰以较好的叶形和花形特征展现出独特的观赏价值,其展叶程度较好,复叶较长(113.87 mm)、平均花冠直径较大(88.66 mm)、花托直径较宽(9.94 mm),在花蕾完全开放期颜色最红且饱和度最高,可以作为吕梁地区园林景观栽植的优良品种之一;“苦水”玫瑰有较好的生长适应性,其一级分枝数最多(9.08个),单株花蕾数(103.25个)产量较为可观;“平阴”玫瑰叶片叶绿素含量最高,为2.11 mg·g^(-1)FW。

黑龙江省中晚熟地区旱直播水稻适宜品种筛选

为促进旱直播水稻新品种选育及推广应用,以黑龙江省第二、第三、第四积温带26个主栽水稻品种为试验材料,采用小区对比法研究供试品种生长发育特性、出苗情况、生育期、抗倒伏相关性状、产量及产量构成因素及品质差异情况,筛选适合黑龙江省中晚熟地区的旱直播品种。结果表明,绥粳25、绥粳306、龙庆稻8号、龙庆稻5号、龙粳66、龙粳31、绥粳27、绥粳103、绥粳18、龙粳1624和绥粳309出苗率高、出苗整齐。其中绥粳18、龙粳31、龙粳1624、绥粳27和龙庆稻5号,表现为抗倒伏性强、产量高、品质优良,另外还筛选出实际产量在7400 kg·hm^(-2)以上的品种包括绥粳106、三江6号、绥粳18、龙粳31、绥粳27、龙粳1624、龙庆稻8号、龙庆稻5号和绥粳309。综上,绥粳18、龙粳31、龙粳1624、绥粳27和龙庆稻5号可作为中晚熟地区的旱直播品种。