Analysis of genetic effects and correlations for nutrient quality traits of indica rice in different environments

Understanding the variation for the expressionof genes in different environments is one of themajor goals in qualitative genetics. In this pa-per, the genetic models for quantitative traitsof endosperm in cereal crops were used to eval-uate the seed, cytoplasm and maternal geneticeffects as well as the genotype × environment(GE) interaction effects, and to predict thebreeding value of parents and genotypic corre-lation for nutrient quality traits of indica rice (Oryza sativa L.).

Effect of Plant Ash on Nutrient Quality and Antioxidant Activity of African Yam Bean Seed Porridge in Relation to Cooking Time

The present study aimed to investigate the nutrient quality, antioxidant activity and sensory acceptability of hard-to-cook African yam bean (AYB) seeds cooked for 5 h (control) and for 2 h with plant ash. The plant ash were unripe plantain peel ash (UPA), corn cob ash (CCA) and UPA and CCA mixture. Standard methods of Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) were used for the proximate and mineral analysis, DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assays were used to investigate the antioxidant activity. A completely randomized design with one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for data analysis. The results showed that cooking of AYB seeds for 2 h with 8 g/100mL plant ash solution improved the nutrient contents, antioxidant activity and sensory scores of the porridge. Higher values of proteins, ash and energy were obtained in 8 g/100mL UPA/CCA and in 8 g/100mL CCA additives. However, moisture, fat and fibre contents were not affected by plant ash additives and were higher in 5 h cooked porridge. Cooking with 8 g/100mL plant ash solution for 2 h significantly increased mineral elements in the porridge. Phenolic compounds (total polyphenols and flavonoids), and antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS and FRAP) showed higher values with plant ash additives. This study reveals that addition of plant ash did not only reduce the cooking time of AYB seed by 60%, but also improved the nutrient quality, antioxidant activity and sensory acceptability.

Insights into the changes of amino acids,microbial community,and enzymatic activities related with the nutrient quality of product during the composting of food waste

This study systematically investigated the changes of amino acids as the composting process of food waste proceeded.It is found that the addition of 0.3 g/g total solids of food waste achieved the highest seed germination index of the product(268%).The microbial community results indicated that the abundance of amino acid metabolism sequences remained at high levels during the whole composting process.Proline was identified as the key amino acid related with the nutrient quality of product during the composting of food waste.Further plant germination and hydroponic experiments found,that compared with those without the addition of proline,the addition of 50 mg/L proline increased seed germination rate by 20%,increased shoot length by 3%,increased root biomass of seedlings by 82%,and increased leaf biomass of seedlings by 76%,respectively.Firmicutes,γ-Pseudomonadota,Chloroflexi and Planctomycetes were the key identified bacteria related with the increase of proline during the composting of food waste.Meanwhile,the enzymatic tests of the activities of superoxide dismutase,peroxidase and malondialdehyde indicated that proline did not cause oxidative damage on the growth of plants.This study provided novel insights into the changes of amino acids,microbial community,and enzymatic activities related with the nutrient quality of product during the composting of food waste.

Effects of mixed rare earth fertilizer on yield and nutrient quality of leafy vegetables during different seasons

Using Chinese cabbage and rape as test material and examining the same soil conditions at different seasons（spring and autumn）, the effects of mixed rare earth fertilizer on the yield and nutrient quality of leafy vegetables were studied to provide a theoretical basis for the application of mixed rare earth fertilizer in agriculture. Results showed a seasonal difference in the nutrient quality of Chinese cabbage and rape. For crops planted in autumn, the soluble sugar and vitamin C content were higher, the titratable acid and nitrate content were lower, and the sugar acid ratio was higher relative to crops planted in spring. Mixed rare earth treatments promoted growth of both crops during both seasons. The plot yield, stem and leaf fresh and dry matter weight, and dry and fresh ratio increased. These increases for Chinese cabbage were greater in autumn than in spring while for rape, the increases were greater in spring than autumn. The soluble sugar content, titratable acid content and sugar acid ratio were increased and the nitrate content decreased, in autumn the effects were more obvious than in spring. In spring, the vitamin C content was increased, and the increase was greater for Chinese cabbage than rape. In autumn, the vitamin C content decreased, and the decrease was greater for rape than Chinese cabbage. At the same time, the content of heavy metals such as Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb and Ni in stems and leaves decreased. This decrease was greater in spring for Chinese cabbage and in autumn for rape.