Optimized nitrogen(N)management can increase N-use efficiency in intercropping systems.Legume-nonlegume intercropping systems can reduce N input by exploiting biological N fixation by legumes.Measurement of N utilizat...Optimized nitrogen(N)management can increase N-use efficiency in intercropping systems.Legume-nonlegume intercropping systems can reduce N input by exploiting biological N fixation by legumes.Measurement of N utilization can help in dissecting the mechanisms underlying N uptake and utilization in legume-nonlegume intercropping systems.An experiment was performed with three planting patterns:monoculture maize(MM),monoculture soybean(SS),and maize-soybean relay intercropping(IMS),and three N application levels:zero N(NN),reduced N(RN),and conventional N(CN)to investigate crop N uptake and utilization characteristics.N recovery efficiency and 15N recovery rate of crops were higher under RN than under CN,and those under RN were higher under intercropping than under the corresponding monocultures.Compared with MM,IMS showed a lower soil N-dependent rate(SNDR)in 2012.However,the SNDR of MM rapidly declined from 86.8%in 2012 to 49.4%in 2014,whereas that of IMS declined slowly from 75.4%in 2012 to 69.4%in 2014.The interspecific N competition rate(NCRms)was higher under RN than under CN,and increased yearly.Soybean nodule dry weight and nitrogenase activities were respectively 34.2%and 12.5%higher under intercropping than in monoculture at the beginning seed stage.The amount(Ndfa)and ratio(%Ndfa)of soybean N2 fixation were significantly greater under IS than under SS.In conclusion,N fertilizer was more efficiently used under RN than under CN;in particular,the relay intercropping system promoted N fertilizer utilization in comparison with the corresponding monocultures.An intercropping system helps to maintain soil fertility because interspecific N competition promotes biological N fixation by soybean by reducing N input.Thus,a maize-soybean relay intercropping system with reduced N application is sustainable and environmentally friendly.展开更多
The practice of intercropping leguminous and gramineous crops is used for promoting sustainable agriculture,optimizing resource utilization,enhancing biodiversity,and reducing reliance on petroleum products.However,pr...The practice of intercropping leguminous and gramineous crops is used for promoting sustainable agriculture,optimizing resource utilization,enhancing biodiversity,and reducing reliance on petroleum products.However,promoting conventional intercropping strategies in modern agriculture can prove challenging.The innovative technology of soybean maize strip intercropping(SMSI)has been proposed as a solution.This system has produced remarkable results in improving domestic soybean and maize production for both food security and sustainable agriculture.In this article,we provide an overview of SMSI and explain how it differs from traditional intercropping.We also discuss the core principles that foster higher yields and the prospects for its future development.展开更多
The study of Nitrogen fixation, uptake, and leaching at different soil depths in the co-cultivation of maize and soybean under phosphorus fertilization is important for sustainable agriculture. This study was conducte...The study of Nitrogen fixation, uptake, and leaching at different soil depths in the co-cultivation of maize and soybean under phosphorus fertilization is important for sustainable agriculture. This study was conducted in Quzhou, Hebei Province, China, with MC812 maize and Jidou12 soybean varieties. Soil samples were taken from each plot to create a composite sample. The results show that nitrogen concentration varies at different depths and is higher in all treatments between 40 and 100 cm. Incorporating intercropping of maize and soybeans into farming practices can lead to more sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture in China.展开更多
Intercropping, particularly the combination of maize and soybeans, has been widely recognized for its potential to improve nitrogen uptake and promote sustainable agriculture. This study examines the patterns of nitro...Intercropping, particularly the combination of maize and soybeans, has been widely recognized for its potential to improve nitrogen uptake and promote sustainable agriculture. This study examines the patterns of nitrogen uptake in maize and soybean intercropping systems under different growth stages and phosphorus fertilization levels and investigates the influence of nitrogen uptake on growth parameters such as plant height, leaf area, and biomass accumulation in the maize/soybean intercrop under different phosphorus fertilization regimes. The study also collected chlorophyll samples at different growth stages of maize in monoculture and intercropping with maize or soybean. The results showed that plant height was greater in V10 in both fertilized and unfertilized treatments for intercropped maize and soybean, and chlorophyll concentration was higher in VT intercropped maize. The results also showed a higher accumulation of biomass. Understanding the growth dynamics of these plants in monoculture and intercropping systems and the impact of fertilization practices is crucial for optimizing crop productivity and sustainability in agricultural systems.展开更多
[Objective] The experiment was aimed to explore character variation between different families after DNA introduction and select variant plants with good stability. [Method] The method of pollen-tube-pathway was used ...[Objective] The experiment was aimed to explore character variation between different families after DNA introduction and select variant plants with good stability. [Method] The method of pollen-tube-pathway was used to introduce total DNA of soybean into normal maize inbred line 7313 for selecting generation by generation. When field characters of maize, grain colors, grain traits and panicle axis colors were stable, the crude protein, gliadin, glutelin and oil content of grains which were selected from variant strains were detected and compared. [Result] The grain crude protein, gliadin, glutelin and oil content of line 26h-4-3 were significantly different from these of control treatment. The increments of D3 and D4 generation were 10.34% and 26.70%, 6.58% and 6.28%, 15.09% and 70.34%, 55.82% and 51.52% respectively. All indexes of line 26h-3-1 were also higher than these of control treatment and the increments of D3 and D4 generation were 5.67% and 21.63%,1.91% and 2.31%, 10.85% and 62.27%,22.49% and 9.67%. [Conclusion] The crude protein, gliadin, glutelin and oil content of variant line 26h-4-3 and 26h-3-1 were stable, so variant line 26h-4-3 and 26h-3-1 were excellent variant strains which satisfied the requirement of high protein breeding.展开更多
The effects of different maize sowing dates and densities on stem and leaf morphological characters and yield of soybean in wheat/maize/soybean relaycropping system were studied. The results showed that with early sow...The effects of different maize sowing dates and densities on stem and leaf morphological characters and yield of soybean in wheat/maize/soybean relaycropping system were studied. The results showed that with early sowing of maize, the maize yield was promoted, and maize was harvested in advance, which reduced the intergrowth period with soybean and guaranteed soybean's proper plant height, larger stem diameter and optimal values of LAI and SLW, so that soybean yield was also increased. The effects of different maize densities on the stem and leaf of soybean mainly were significant before the maize harvest, but soybean yield under high maize density was significantly lower than that under middle and low maize density, and the highest maize yield was under middle density. Based on soybean and maize comprehensive values, the optimum combination of this experiment was sowed on March 21 and planting density was 5.25×10^4 plant/hm^2.展开更多
The high-efficiency planting mode for five crops a year of fresh edible "faba bean/spring maize+soybean-autumn maize/autumn soybean" was introduced, and its yield and economic benefits were compared with the planti...The high-efficiency planting mode for five crops a year of fresh edible "faba bean/spring maize+soybean-autumn maize/autumn soybean" was introduced, and its yield and economic benefits were compared with the planting mode of three crops a year of "faba bean-spring maize/red bean". The results showed that the planting method for fresh edible "faba bean/spring maize+soybean-autumn maize/autumn soybean" was much easier to operate with the input-output ratio of about185.6%, and its yield and economic benefits were 2.09 and 1.83 times of that of the planting mode for three crops a year, significantly improving the agricultural yield and income of farmers. In addition, the cropping index of the planting mode for fresh edible fresh edible "faba bean/spring maize +soybean-autumn maize/autumn soybean" reached up to 350%, and planting faba bean once a year and soybean twice a year could make the biological fixation amount of nitrogen increase 350-450kg/m^2, which equaled to up to 700 kg/m^2 of urea, showing significant ecological and social benefits. Based on the comparison results, the high-yield culture techniques of the planting mode of fresh edible "faba bean/spring maize+soybean-autumn maize/autumn soybean" were summarized.展开更多
[Objective] The aim was to discuss the group dry matter accumulation and economic benefits under the patterns of intercropping maize (Zea mays L.) with soy-bean [Glycine max (L.) Merril ]. [Methods] Zhengdan-958 a...[Objective] The aim was to discuss the group dry matter accumulation and economic benefits under the patterns of intercropping maize (Zea mays L.) with soy-bean [Glycine max (L.) Merril ]. [Methods] Zhengdan-958 and Luhuang-1 were used as the testing breeds to study the effects of intercropping patterns on dry matter accumulation and transportation of maize and soybean in Huang-huai-hai. [Results] For maize, the dry matter accumulation amounts per hectare of intercropping was significant higher than that of the monoculture patterns, especial y after silking, when it reached extremely level; while for soybean, the dry matter accumulation amounts before flowering and after flowering of monocropping were al significantly higher than that of the intercropping patterns. For both maize and soybean, the transfer amounts of monocropping were al significantly or extremely significantly higher than that of intercropping; and the transfer ratio of maize intercropping was 0.59% higher than that of maize monocropping, while for soybean, it was 4.74% higher. Fitted dry matter accumulation with Logistic equation, it showed that the difference in maximum dry matter accumulation rate between maize monocropping and intercropping reached significant level, while for soybean, the maximum dry matter accumulation rate and its appearance time as wel as duration time between intercropping and monocropping were al reached significant level. The total land equivalent ratio of intercropping was 1.30. From yield and output value, the total yield of intercropping were 10.97 t/hm2, 0.64% and 326.85% higher than monocropping of maize and soy-bean, respectively. The total output value of intercropping was 25 796.23 yuan/hm2, respectively 12.67% and 104.68% higher than of maize and soybean monocropping. [Conclusion] The study lays a basis for improving grain yield and economic benefits.展开更多
Intercropping is one of the most vital practice to improve land utilization rate in China that has limited arable land resource. However, the traditional intercropping systems have many disadvantages including illogic...Intercropping is one of the most vital practice to improve land utilization rate in China that has limited arable land resource. However, the traditional intercropping systems have many disadvantages including illogical field lay-out of crops, low economic value, and labor deficiency, which cannot balance the crop production and agricultural sustainability. In view of this, we developed a novel soybean strip intercropping model using maize as the partner, the regular maize-soybean strip intercropping mainly popularized in northern China and maize-soybean relay-strip intercropping principally extended in southwestern China. Compared to the traditional maize-soybean intercropping systems, the main innovation of field lay-out style in our present intercropping systems is that the distance of two adjacent maize rows are shrunk as a narrow strip, and a strip called wide strip between two adjacent narrow strips is expanded reserving for the growth of two or three rows of soybean plants. The distance between outer rows of maize and soybean strips are expanded enough for light use efficiency improvement and tractors working in the soybean strips. Importantly, optimal cultivar screening and increase of plant density achieved a high yield of both the two crops in the intercropping systems and increased land equivalent ratio as high as 2.2. Annually alternative rotation of the adjacent maize-and soybean-strips increased the grain yield of next seasonal maize, improved the absorption of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potasium of maize, while prevented the continuous cropping obstacles. Extra soybean production was obtained without affecting maize yield in our strip intercropping systems, which balanced the high crop production and agricultural sustainability.展开更多
Intercropping is an important agronomic practice. However, assessment of intercropping systems using field experiments is often limited by time and cost. In this study, the suitability of using the DeNitrification DeC...Intercropping is an important agronomic practice. However, assessment of intercropping systems using field experiments is often limited by time and cost. In this study, the suitability of using the DeNitrification DeComposition(DNDC) model to simulate intercropping of maize(Zea mays L.) and soybean(Glycine max L.) and its aftereffect on the succeeding wheat(Triticum aestivum L.) crop was tested in the North China Plain. First, the model was calibrated and corroborated to simulate crop yield and nitrogen(N) uptake based on a field experiment with a typical double cropping system. With a wheat crop in winter, the experiment included five treatments in summer: maize monoculture, soybean monoculture, intercropping of maize and soybean with no N topdressing to maize(N0), intercropping of maize and soybean with 75 kg N ha–1topdressing to maize(N75), and intercropping of maize and soybean with 180 kg N ha–1topdressing to maize(N180). All treatments had 45 kg N ha–1as basal fertilizer. After calibration and corroboration, DNDC was used to simulate long-term(1955 to 2012) treatment effects on yield. Results showed that DNDC could stringently capture the yield and N uptake of the intercropping system under all N management scenarios, though it tended to underestimate wheat yield and N uptake under N0 and N75. Long-term simulation results showed that N75 led to the highest maize and soybean yields per unit planting area among all treatments, increasing maize yield by 59% and soybean yield by 24%, resulting in a land utilization rate 42% higher than monoculture. The results suggest a high potential to promote soybean production by intercropping soybean with maize in the North China Plain, which will help to meet the large national demand for soybean.展开更多
Ecotoxicity and bioavailability of cadmium (Cd) to the maize (Zea mays L.) and the soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) were investigated by acute toxicity experiment in the laboratory with black soil. Ecotoxicity...Ecotoxicity and bioavailability of cadmium (Cd) to the maize (Zea mays L.) and the soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) were investigated by acute toxicity experiment in the laboratory with black soil. Ecotoxicity and bioavailability of Cd were quantified by calculating the median effective concentration (ECs0) and bioaccumulation factor (BAF). The measurement endpoints used were seed germination and seedling growth (shoot and root). The results showed that concentrations of Cd in the soil had adverse effect on the growth of roots and shoots. Seed germination was not the sensitive indicator for the ecotoxicity of Cd in the soil, while the growth of roots was the most sensitive measurement endpoint. Absorbability and transport of Cd in plants depended on the test crop species and Cd concentrations in the soil. The maize retains more Cd in its roots, while the soybean transports more Cd to the shoots from roots.展开更多
Maize-soybean relay intercropping is an effective approach to improve the crop yield and nutrient use efficiency,which is widely practiced by farmers in southwest of China.To elucidate the characteristics of different...Maize-soybean relay intercropping is an effective approach to improve the crop yield and nutrient use efficiency,which is widely practiced by farmers in southwest of China.To elucidate the characteristics of different planting patterns on crop nutrient uptake,soil chemical properties,and soil bacteria community in maize-soybean relay intercropping systems,we conducted a field experiment in 2015–2016 with single factor treatments,including monoculture maize(MM),monoculture soybean(MS),maize-soybean relay intercropping(IMS),and fallow(CK).The results showed that the N uptake of maize grain increased in IMS compared with MM.Compared with MS,the yield and uptake of N,P,and K of soybean grain were increased by 25.5,24.4,9.6,and 22.4%in IMS,respectively,while the N and K uptakes in soybean straw were decreased in IMS.The soil total nitrogen,available phosphorus,and soil organic matter contents were significantly higher in IMS than those of the corresponding monocultures and CK.Moreover,the soil protease,soil urease,and soil nitrate reductase activities in IMS were higher than those of the corresponding monocultures and CK.The phyla Proteobacteria,Acidobacteria,Chloroflexi,and Actinobacteria dominated in all treatments.Shannon’s index in IMS was higher than that of the corresponding monocultures and CK.The phylum Proteobacteria proportion was positively correlated with maize soil organic matter and soybean soil total nitrogen content,respectively.These results indicated that the belowground interactions increased the crop nutrient(N and P)uptake and soil bacterial community diversity,both of which contributed to improved soil nutrient management for legume-cereal relay intercropping systems.展开更多
Twenty-two field experiments (six maize (Zea mays L.) and five soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] using low glyphosate doses to assess weed control and six maize and five soybean using high glyphosate doses to assess to...Twenty-two field experiments (six maize (Zea mays L.) and five soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] using low glyphosate doses to assess weed control and six maize and five soybean using high glyphosate doses to assess tolerance) were conducted from 2010 to 2012 at two locations in southern Ontario, Canada to compare the commercially available glyphosate formulations of Roundup Weather MAX?, Clearout?41 Plus, and Wise Up? (WeatherMAX, Clearout, and WiseUp, respectively). Inmaize and soybean, control of velvetleaf, pigweed species, common lambs quarters, and green foxtail 4 weeks after treatment (WAT) using 900 g·ae·ha-1 ranged from at least 85% to 99%, regardless of formulation. By 8 WAT with 900 g·ae·ha-1, control of these weeds generally declined, but still ranged from 82% to 97% across all formulations. At harvest, maize yields were similar to the weed-free control for 900 g·ae·ha-1 of glyphosate as WeatherMAX and Clearout;however, reduced weed control with WiseUp resulted in an 8.8% yield loss. For soybean, yields were similar to the weed-free control, regardless of formulation or dose. In the tolerance experiments, 2.1% and 2.8% injury was observed 4 WAT for maize treated with 3600 g·ae·ha-1 of glyphosate as WeatherMAX and WiseUp, respectively. However, maize yields were unaffected by glyphosate formulation or dose. In soybean, visible injury of 8.5%, 4.5%, and 3.7% was observed 1 WAT with 5400 g·ae·ha-1 of glyphosate as WeatherMAX, WiseUp, and Clearout, respectively;by 8 WAT, visible injury was similar to the untreated control, regardless of formulation or dose. The early injury from 5400 g·ae·ha-1 of glyphosate resulted in 8.5%, 4.6%, and 5.5% yield loss for the WeatherMAX, WiseUp, and Clearout formulations, respectively.展开更多
An experiment was carried out at the field units of the north campus experimental areas in Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, Shaanxi Province, P. R. China. The experiment was conducted on summer...An experiment was carried out at the field units of the north campus experimental areas in Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, Shaanxi Province, P. R. China. The experiment was conducted on summer season (June to September) to determine the effects of different planting patterns of maize and soybean intercropping in resource consumption on fodder yield and silage quality. The main treatments were one sole crop of maize (SM) and four maize-soybean intercropping patterns (1 row maize to 1 row soybean (1M1S), 1 row maize to 2 rows soybean (1M2S), 1 rows maize to 3 rows soybean (1M3S) and 2 rows maize to 1 row soybean (2M1S), respectively. The experiment was a randomized complete block design with three replications, and plot size of 12 m by 5 m. The crops were harvested when the maize reached at milk stage and soybean at R7 stage. The result indicated significant increase in fresh biomass and dry matter production of maize fodder alone as compared to maize intercropped with soybean fodder. It was correlated with a higher consumption of environmental resources, such as photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and soil moisture by intercropping. After 45 days of ensiling period, silage samples were analyzed for pH, organic acids (Lactic, acetic, and butyric), dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), and potassium (K). It was concluded that in all intercropped silages, crude protein (CP) values were higher (1M1S, 12.1%;1M2S, 12.2%;1M3S, 12.4%;2M1S, 12.1%) than the monocrop maize (SM, 8.7%) silage. Higher organic acids (p < 0.05) were produced in the 1M3S silages as compared to others silages. The study indicated that among all intercropped silages, the 1M3S (1 row maize to 3 rows soybean) was preferable according to nutrient composition than other intercropped silages.展开更多
The increasing demand for fresh sweet maize (Zea mays L. saccharata) in southern China has prioritized the need to find solutions to the environmental pollution caused by its continuous production and high inputs of...The increasing demand for fresh sweet maize (Zea mays L. saccharata) in southern China has prioritized the need to find solutions to the environmental pollution caused by its continuous production and high inputs of chemical nitrogen fertilizers. A promising method for improving crop production and environmental conditions is to intercrop sweet maize with legumes. Here, a three-year field experiment was conducted to assess the influence of four different cropping systems (sole sweet maize (SS), sole soybean (SB), two rows sweet maize-three rows soybean (S2B3) intercropping, and two rows sweet maize-four rows soybean (S2B4) intercropping), together with two rates of N fertilizer application (300 and 360 kg N ha-1) on grain yield, residual soil mineral N, and soil N2O emissions in southern China. Results showed that in most case, inter- cropping achieved yield advantages (total land equivalent ratio (TLER=0.87-1.25) was above one). Moreover, intercropping resulted in 39.8% less soil mineral N than SS at the time of crop harvest, averaged over six seasons (spring and autumn in each of the three years of the field experiment). Generally, intercropping and reduced-N application (300 kg N ha-1) produced lower cumulative soil N20 and yield-scaled soil N20 emissions than SS and conventionaI-N application (360 kg N ha-l), respectively. $2B4 intercropping with reduced-N rate (300 kg N ha-~) showed the lowest cumulative soil N20 (mean value=0.61 kg ha-1) and yield-scaled soil N20 (mean value=0.04 kg t-1) emissions. Overall, intercropping with reduced-N rate maintained sweet maize production, while also reducing environmental impacts. The system of S2B4 intercropping with reduced-N rate may be the most sustainable and environmentally friendly cropping system.展开更多
Nowadays more than 70% of the fresh water available worldwide is used for agriculture. In Argentina, extensive crops are not usually irrigated, so the cropping production depends mostly on rainfall water. In order to ...Nowadays more than 70% of the fresh water available worldwide is used for agriculture. In Argentina, extensive crops are not usually irrigated, so the cropping production depends mostly on rainfall water. In order to know how many liters of water are needed to produce a ton of soybeans, wheat and maize in the Pergamino district, Province of Buenos Aires, its Water Footprint was estimated by the Hoekstra method. Evaporation and rainfall data was obtained from SIGA INTA platform and production data was obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture. The results indicated that the average annual total water footprint values for soybean, corn and wheat crops for the period 2013-2018 in the Pergamino district, province of Buenos Aires, are 1,388 l<span style="white-space:nowrap;">∙</span>kg<sup><span style="white-space:nowrap;">−</span>1</sup>, 693 l<span style="white-space:nowrap;">∙</span>kg<sup><span style="white-space:nowrap;">−</span>1</sup> and 1,249 l<span style="white-space:nowrap;">∙</span>kg<sup><span style="white-space:nowrap;">−</span>1</sup> respectively. These were lower than the global average reference values. The obtained results allowed future analysis advancing in the knowledge of the use of water productivity in grain production.展开更多
Root architecture,which determines the water and nutrient uptake ability of crops,is highly plastic in response to soil environmental changes and different cultivation patterns.Root phenotyping for field-grown crops,e...Root architecture,which determines the water and nutrient uptake ability of crops,is highly plastic in response to soil environmental changes and different cultivation patterns.Root phenotyping for field-grown crops,especially topological trait extraction,is rarely performed.In this study,an image-based semi-automatic root phenotyping method for field-grown crops was developed.The method consisted of image acquisition,image denoising and segmentation,trait extraction and data analysis.Five global traits and 40 local traits were extracted with this method.A good consistency in 1st-order lateral root branching was observed between the visually counted values and the values extracted using the developed method,with R^(2)=0.97.Using the method,we found that the interspecific advantages for maize mainly occurred within 5 cm from the root base in the nodal roots of the 5th-7th nodes,and that the obvious inhibition of soybean was mostly reflected within 20 cm from the root base.Our study provides a novel approach with high-throughput and high-accuracy for field research on root morphology and branching features.It could be applied to the 3D reconstruction of field-grown root system architecture to improve the inputs to data-driven models(e.g.,OpenSimRoot)that simulate root growth,solute transport and water uptake.展开更多
Four complementary foods were prepared from local foodstuffs which are maize (Zea mays), soyabean (Glycine max) and banana (Musa acuminate colla). Four complementary samples were produced from the proportion of ...Four complementary foods were prepared from local foodstuffs which are maize (Zea mays), soyabean (Glycine max) and banana (Musa acuminate colla). Four complementary samples were produced from the proportion of maize/soyabean/banana composite flours as 60%: 30%: 10% (B), 60%: 25%: 15% (C), 60%: 20%: 20% (D), 50%: 30%: 20% (E) and Nestle Cerelac was the control sample (A). The formulated diets were subjected to nutritional analysis-along with a commonly used proprietary infant cereal (Nestle Cerelac) as control. Standard chemical methods were used to determine the proximate nutrient composition, some micronutrients and anti-nutritional factors. The samples produced have increased nutrients of fibre that enhances digestibility (2.07%-3.11%), protein and ash contents. The supplementation of up to 20% soybean flour and banana flour recorded the best results in terms of proximate and mineral compositions and compared favourably with the control sample, in terms of sensory evaluation using hedonic method, sample A was most accepted but did not differ significantly from sample D. Therefore, nutritious and acceptable complementary food can be produced from fermented maize, soybean and banana flours. Results of molar ratios of some minerals and anti-nutritional factors in the compounded diets suggest that the anti-nutrients will not pose any serious problem in the usage of the complementary diets. The cost of producing the formulated diets is about N50-N100 (50 cents) per gram cheaper than cerelac. The study has therefore, revealed that with proper selection of local foodstuff, it is possible to prepare nutritious complementary diets that would be acceptable, readily available, affordable and nutritionally adequate.展开更多
Irrigation with reclaimed water is an important way to deal with water shortage of agricultural production and solve the problem of sewage pollution. The response of crop antioxidant enzyme system is an early-warning ...Irrigation with reclaimed water is an important way to deal with water shortage of agricultural production and solve the problem of sewage pollution. The response of crop antioxidant enzyme system is an early-warning indicator of environmental factors changes. Compared with raw wastewater and used fresh water as controls, this research studied peroxides (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in leaves from maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) with pot culture under irrigating with reclaimed water which with secondary and third treatment. The results showed that secondary reclaimed water had some adverse effects on antioxidant system of maize in seedling stage, and the influence decreased in later stage of maize; effect of the third reclaimed water on antioxidant system of maize was not significant. Irrigation with reclaimed water has little influence on antioxidant system of soybean in seedling and reaping stage, but it could bring some oxidative stress in blossom stage. As a result, irrigating maize with second or third reclaimed water is safe to the growth of maize and soybean, but it is suggested that second reclaimed water should not be used in seedling stage of maize and reclaimed water should not be used in the second stage of soybean.展开更多
Brazil is responsible for 27% of the world production of soybeans and 7% of maize. Mato Grosso and Para states in Brazil are among the largest producer. The viability to the cultivation of maize (Zea mays) and soybean...Brazil is responsible for 27% of the world production of soybeans and 7% of maize. Mato Grosso and Para states in Brazil are among the largest producer. The viability to the cultivation of maize (Zea mays) and soybeans (Glycine max), for future climate scenarios (2070-2100, GHG) is evaluated based on crop modeling (DSSAT) forced by observational data and regional climate simulations (HadRM3). The results demonstrated that a substantial reduction in the yield in particular for maize may be expected for the end of the 21st century. Distinct results are found for soybeans. By applying the A2 climate changes scenario, soybean yield rises by up top 60% assuming optimum soil treatment and no water stress. However, by analyzing the inter-annual variability of crop yields for both maize and soybean, could be demonstrated larger year-to-year fluctuations under greenhouse warming conditions as compared to current conditions, leading to very low productivity by the end of the 21st century. Therefore, these Brazilian states do not appear to be economically suitable for a future cultivation of maize and soybeans. Improved adaptation measures and soil management may however partially alleviate the negative climate change effect.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31671625,31271669)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2016YFD0300202)
文摘Optimized nitrogen(N)management can increase N-use efficiency in intercropping systems.Legume-nonlegume intercropping systems can reduce N input by exploiting biological N fixation by legumes.Measurement of N utilization can help in dissecting the mechanisms underlying N uptake and utilization in legume-nonlegume intercropping systems.An experiment was performed with three planting patterns:monoculture maize(MM),monoculture soybean(SS),and maize-soybean relay intercropping(IMS),and three N application levels:zero N(NN),reduced N(RN),and conventional N(CN)to investigate crop N uptake and utilization characteristics.N recovery efficiency and 15N recovery rate of crops were higher under RN than under CN,and those under RN were higher under intercropping than under the corresponding monocultures.Compared with MM,IMS showed a lower soil N-dependent rate(SNDR)in 2012.However,the SNDR of MM rapidly declined from 86.8%in 2012 to 49.4%in 2014,whereas that of IMS declined slowly from 75.4%in 2012 to 69.4%in 2014.The interspecific N competition rate(NCRms)was higher under RN than under CN,and increased yearly.Soybean nodule dry weight and nitrogenase activities were respectively 34.2%and 12.5%higher under intercropping than in monoculture at the beginning seed stage.The amount(Ndfa)and ratio(%Ndfa)of soybean N2 fixation were significantly greater under IS than under SS.In conclusion,N fertilizer was more efficiently used under RN than under CN;in particular,the relay intercropping system promoted N fertilizer utilization in comparison with the corresponding monocultures.An intercropping system helps to maintain soil fertility because interspecific N competition promotes biological N fixation by soybean by reducing N input.Thus,a maize-soybean relay intercropping system with reduced N application is sustainable and environmentally friendly.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31971853)。
文摘The practice of intercropping leguminous and gramineous crops is used for promoting sustainable agriculture,optimizing resource utilization,enhancing biodiversity,and reducing reliance on petroleum products.However,promoting conventional intercropping strategies in modern agriculture can prove challenging.The innovative technology of soybean maize strip intercropping(SMSI)has been proposed as a solution.This system has produced remarkable results in improving domestic soybean and maize production for both food security and sustainable agriculture.In this article,we provide an overview of SMSI and explain how it differs from traditional intercropping.We also discuss the core principles that foster higher yields and the prospects for its future development.
文摘The study of Nitrogen fixation, uptake, and leaching at different soil depths in the co-cultivation of maize and soybean under phosphorus fertilization is important for sustainable agriculture. This study was conducted in Quzhou, Hebei Province, China, with MC812 maize and Jidou12 soybean varieties. Soil samples were taken from each plot to create a composite sample. The results show that nitrogen concentration varies at different depths and is higher in all treatments between 40 and 100 cm. Incorporating intercropping of maize and soybeans into farming practices can lead to more sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture in China.
文摘Intercropping, particularly the combination of maize and soybeans, has been widely recognized for its potential to improve nitrogen uptake and promote sustainable agriculture. This study examines the patterns of nitrogen uptake in maize and soybean intercropping systems under different growth stages and phosphorus fertilization levels and investigates the influence of nitrogen uptake on growth parameters such as plant height, leaf area, and biomass accumulation in the maize/soybean intercrop under different phosphorus fertilization regimes. The study also collected chlorophyll samples at different growth stages of maize in monoculture and intercropping with maize or soybean. The results showed that plant height was greater in V10 in both fertilized and unfertilized treatments for intercropped maize and soybean, and chlorophyll concentration was higher in VT intercropped maize. The results also showed a higher accumulation of biomass. Understanding the growth dynamics of these plants in monoculture and intercropping systems and the impact of fertilization practices is crucial for optimizing crop productivity and sustainability in agricultural systems.
基金Supported by Natural Science Foundation of Guangxi Province(0236005)Educational Commission of Guangxi Province[(2002)316]~~
文摘[Objective] The experiment was aimed to explore character variation between different families after DNA introduction and select variant plants with good stability. [Method] The method of pollen-tube-pathway was used to introduce total DNA of soybean into normal maize inbred line 7313 for selecting generation by generation. When field characters of maize, grain colors, grain traits and panicle axis colors were stable, the crude protein, gliadin, glutelin and oil content of grains which were selected from variant strains were detected and compared. [Result] The grain crude protein, gliadin, glutelin and oil content of line 26h-4-3 were significantly different from these of control treatment. The increments of D3 and D4 generation were 10.34% and 26.70%, 6.58% and 6.28%, 15.09% and 70.34%, 55.82% and 51.52% respectively. All indexes of line 26h-3-1 were also higher than these of control treatment and the increments of D3 and D4 generation were 5.67% and 21.63%,1.91% and 2.31%, 10.85% and 62.27%,22.49% and 9.67%. [Conclusion] The crude protein, gliadin, glutelin and oil content of variant line 26h-4-3 and 26h-3-1 were stable, so variant line 26h-4-3 and 26h-3-1 were excellent variant strains which satisfied the requirement of high protein breeding.
基金Supported by Special Fund for Agro-scientific Research in the Public Interest(nyhyzx07004-10)Major Science&Technology Program of Sichuan Province(01NG016-01)~~
文摘The effects of different maize sowing dates and densities on stem and leaf morphological characters and yield of soybean in wheat/maize/soybean relaycropping system were studied. The results showed that with early sowing of maize, the maize yield was promoted, and maize was harvested in advance, which reduced the intergrowth period with soybean and guaranteed soybean's proper plant height, larger stem diameter and optimal values of LAI and SLW, so that soybean yield was also increased. The effects of different maize densities on the stem and leaf of soybean mainly were significant before the maize harvest, but soybean yield under high maize density was significantly lower than that under middle and low maize density, and the highest maize yield was under middle density. Based on soybean and maize comprehensive values, the optimum combination of this experiment was sowed on March 21 and planting density was 5.25×10^4 plant/hm^2.
基金Supported by the China Agriculture Research System(CARS-09)the Technological Innovation and Industrialization Project for the Rural Area of Nantong City,Jiangsu Province(H12014012)~~
文摘The high-efficiency planting mode for five crops a year of fresh edible "faba bean/spring maize+soybean-autumn maize/autumn soybean" was introduced, and its yield and economic benefits were compared with the planting mode of three crops a year of "faba bean-spring maize/red bean". The results showed that the planting method for fresh edible "faba bean/spring maize+soybean-autumn maize/autumn soybean" was much easier to operate with the input-output ratio of about185.6%, and its yield and economic benefits were 2.09 and 1.83 times of that of the planting mode for three crops a year, significantly improving the agricultural yield and income of farmers. In addition, the cropping index of the planting mode for fresh edible fresh edible "faba bean/spring maize +soybean-autumn maize/autumn soybean" reached up to 350%, and planting faba bean once a year and soybean twice a year could make the biological fixation amount of nitrogen increase 350-450kg/m^2, which equaled to up to 700 kg/m^2 of urea, showing significant ecological and social benefits. Based on the comparison results, the high-yield culture techniques of the planting mode of fresh edible "faba bean/spring maize+soybean-autumn maize/autumn soybean" were summarized.
基金Supported by the National Transformation Project for Agriculture Science and Technology Achievements(2011GB2C300011)the National Science and Technology Funds for Agriculture during the Twelfth Five-year Plan(2011BAD35B06-4)~~
文摘[Objective] The aim was to discuss the group dry matter accumulation and economic benefits under the patterns of intercropping maize (Zea mays L.) with soy-bean [Glycine max (L.) Merril ]. [Methods] Zhengdan-958 and Luhuang-1 were used as the testing breeds to study the effects of intercropping patterns on dry matter accumulation and transportation of maize and soybean in Huang-huai-hai. [Results] For maize, the dry matter accumulation amounts per hectare of intercropping was significant higher than that of the monoculture patterns, especial y after silking, when it reached extremely level; while for soybean, the dry matter accumulation amounts before flowering and after flowering of monocropping were al significantly higher than that of the intercropping patterns. For both maize and soybean, the transfer amounts of monocropping were al significantly or extremely significantly higher than that of intercropping; and the transfer ratio of maize intercropping was 0.59% higher than that of maize monocropping, while for soybean, it was 4.74% higher. Fitted dry matter accumulation with Logistic equation, it showed that the difference in maximum dry matter accumulation rate between maize monocropping and intercropping reached significant level, while for soybean, the maximum dry matter accumulation rate and its appearance time as wel as duration time between intercropping and monocropping were al reached significant level. The total land equivalent ratio of intercropping was 1.30. From yield and output value, the total yield of intercropping were 10.97 t/hm2, 0.64% and 326.85% higher than monocropping of maize and soy-bean, respectively. The total output value of intercropping was 25 796.23 yuan/hm2, respectively 12.67% and 104.68% higher than of maize and soybean monocropping. [Conclusion] The study lays a basis for improving grain yield and economic benefits.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31401308, 31371555 and 31671445)
文摘Intercropping is one of the most vital practice to improve land utilization rate in China that has limited arable land resource. However, the traditional intercropping systems have many disadvantages including illogical field lay-out of crops, low economic value, and labor deficiency, which cannot balance the crop production and agricultural sustainability. In view of this, we developed a novel soybean strip intercropping model using maize as the partner, the regular maize-soybean strip intercropping mainly popularized in northern China and maize-soybean relay-strip intercropping principally extended in southwestern China. Compared to the traditional maize-soybean intercropping systems, the main innovation of field lay-out style in our present intercropping systems is that the distance of two adjacent maize rows are shrunk as a narrow strip, and a strip called wide strip between two adjacent narrow strips is expanded reserving for the growth of two or three rows of soybean plants. The distance between outer rows of maize and soybean strips are expanded enough for light use efficiency improvement and tractors working in the soybean strips. Importantly, optimal cultivar screening and increase of plant density achieved a high yield of both the two crops in the intercropping systems and increased land equivalent ratio as high as 2.2. Annually alternative rotation of the adjacent maize-and soybean-strips increased the grain yield of next seasonal maize, improved the absorption of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potasium of maize, while prevented the continuous cropping obstacles. Extra soybean production was obtained without affecting maize yield in our strip intercropping systems, which balanced the high crop production and agricultural sustainability.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31701995 and 31572208)the National Key Research & Development Program of China (2016YFD0800101)+1 种基金the Newton Fund of UK-China (BB/N013484/1)supported by China Scholarship Council (2015-7169)
文摘Intercropping is an important agronomic practice. However, assessment of intercropping systems using field experiments is often limited by time and cost. In this study, the suitability of using the DeNitrification DeComposition(DNDC) model to simulate intercropping of maize(Zea mays L.) and soybean(Glycine max L.) and its aftereffect on the succeeding wheat(Triticum aestivum L.) crop was tested in the North China Plain. First, the model was calibrated and corroborated to simulate crop yield and nitrogen(N) uptake based on a field experiment with a typical double cropping system. With a wheat crop in winter, the experiment included five treatments in summer: maize monoculture, soybean monoculture, intercropping of maize and soybean with no N topdressing to maize(N0), intercropping of maize and soybean with 75 kg N ha–1topdressing to maize(N75), and intercropping of maize and soybean with 180 kg N ha–1topdressing to maize(N180). All treatments had 45 kg N ha–1as basal fertilizer. After calibration and corroboration, DNDC was used to simulate long-term(1955 to 2012) treatment effects on yield. Results showed that DNDC could stringently capture the yield and N uptake of the intercropping system under all N management scenarios, though it tended to underestimate wheat yield and N uptake under N0 and N75. Long-term simulation results showed that N75 led to the highest maize and soybean yields per unit planting area among all treatments, increasing maize yield by 59% and soybean yield by 24%, resulting in a land utilization rate 42% higher than monoculture. The results suggest a high potential to promote soybean production by intercropping soybean with maize in the North China Plain, which will help to meet the large national demand for soybean.
基金Under the auspices of the Key Innovation Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.KZCX1-SW-19-4-01)the National Key Basic Research and Development Program of China(No.2004CB41850407)
文摘Ecotoxicity and bioavailability of cadmium (Cd) to the maize (Zea mays L.) and the soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) were investigated by acute toxicity experiment in the laboratory with black soil. Ecotoxicity and bioavailability of Cd were quantified by calculating the median effective concentration (ECs0) and bioaccumulation factor (BAF). The measurement endpoints used were seed germination and seedling growth (shoot and root). The results showed that concentrations of Cd in the soil had adverse effect on the growth of roots and shoots. Seed germination was not the sensitive indicator for the ecotoxicity of Cd in the soil, while the growth of roots was the most sensitive measurement endpoint. Absorbability and transport of Cd in plants depended on the test crop species and Cd concentrations in the soil. The maize retains more Cd in its roots, while the soybean transports more Cd to the shoots from roots.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31671625, 31271669)the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2016YFD0300202)
文摘Maize-soybean relay intercropping is an effective approach to improve the crop yield and nutrient use efficiency,which is widely practiced by farmers in southwest of China.To elucidate the characteristics of different planting patterns on crop nutrient uptake,soil chemical properties,and soil bacteria community in maize-soybean relay intercropping systems,we conducted a field experiment in 2015–2016 with single factor treatments,including monoculture maize(MM),monoculture soybean(MS),maize-soybean relay intercropping(IMS),and fallow(CK).The results showed that the N uptake of maize grain increased in IMS compared with MM.Compared with MS,the yield and uptake of N,P,and K of soybean grain were increased by 25.5,24.4,9.6,and 22.4%in IMS,respectively,while the N and K uptakes in soybean straw were decreased in IMS.The soil total nitrogen,available phosphorus,and soil organic matter contents were significantly higher in IMS than those of the corresponding monocultures and CK.Moreover,the soil protease,soil urease,and soil nitrate reductase activities in IMS were higher than those of the corresponding monocultures and CK.The phyla Proteobacteria,Acidobacteria,Chloroflexi,and Actinobacteria dominated in all treatments.Shannon’s index in IMS was higher than that of the corresponding monocultures and CK.The phylum Proteobacteria proportion was positively correlated with maize soil organic matter and soybean soil total nitrogen content,respectively.These results indicated that the belowground interactions increased the crop nutrient(N and P)uptake and soil bacterial community diversity,both of which contributed to improved soil nutrient management for legume-cereal relay intercropping systems.
文摘Twenty-two field experiments (six maize (Zea mays L.) and five soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] using low glyphosate doses to assess weed control and six maize and five soybean using high glyphosate doses to assess tolerance) were conducted from 2010 to 2012 at two locations in southern Ontario, Canada to compare the commercially available glyphosate formulations of Roundup Weather MAX?, Clearout?41 Plus, and Wise Up? (WeatherMAX, Clearout, and WiseUp, respectively). Inmaize and soybean, control of velvetleaf, pigweed species, common lambs quarters, and green foxtail 4 weeks after treatment (WAT) using 900 g·ae·ha-1 ranged from at least 85% to 99%, regardless of formulation. By 8 WAT with 900 g·ae·ha-1, control of these weeds generally declined, but still ranged from 82% to 97% across all formulations. At harvest, maize yields were similar to the weed-free control for 900 g·ae·ha-1 of glyphosate as WeatherMAX and Clearout;however, reduced weed control with WiseUp resulted in an 8.8% yield loss. For soybean, yields were similar to the weed-free control, regardless of formulation or dose. In the tolerance experiments, 2.1% and 2.8% injury was observed 4 WAT for maize treated with 3600 g·ae·ha-1 of glyphosate as WeatherMAX and WiseUp, respectively. However, maize yields were unaffected by glyphosate formulation or dose. In soybean, visible injury of 8.5%, 4.5%, and 3.7% was observed 1 WAT with 5400 g·ae·ha-1 of glyphosate as WeatherMAX, WiseUp, and Clearout, respectively;by 8 WAT, visible injury was similar to the untreated control, regardless of formulation or dose. The early injury from 5400 g·ae·ha-1 of glyphosate resulted in 8.5%, 4.6%, and 5.5% yield loss for the WeatherMAX, WiseUp, and Clearout formulations, respectively.
文摘An experiment was carried out at the field units of the north campus experimental areas in Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, Shaanxi Province, P. R. China. The experiment was conducted on summer season (June to September) to determine the effects of different planting patterns of maize and soybean intercropping in resource consumption on fodder yield and silage quality. The main treatments were one sole crop of maize (SM) and four maize-soybean intercropping patterns (1 row maize to 1 row soybean (1M1S), 1 row maize to 2 rows soybean (1M2S), 1 rows maize to 3 rows soybean (1M3S) and 2 rows maize to 1 row soybean (2M1S), respectively. The experiment was a randomized complete block design with three replications, and plot size of 12 m by 5 m. The crops were harvested when the maize reached at milk stage and soybean at R7 stage. The result indicated significant increase in fresh biomass and dry matter production of maize fodder alone as compared to maize intercropped with soybean fodder. It was correlated with a higher consumption of environmental resources, such as photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and soil moisture by intercropping. After 45 days of ensiling period, silage samples were analyzed for pH, organic acids (Lactic, acetic, and butyric), dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), and potassium (K). It was concluded that in all intercropped silages, crude protein (CP) values were higher (1M1S, 12.1%;1M2S, 12.2%;1M3S, 12.4%;2M1S, 12.1%) than the monocrop maize (SM, 8.7%) silage. Higher organic acids (p < 0.05) were produced in the 1M3S silages as compared to others silages. The study indicated that among all intercropped silages, the 1M3S (1 row maize to 3 rows soybean) was preferable according to nutrient composition than other intercropped silages.
基金supported by the Key Technologies R&D Program of China during the 12th Five-year Plan period(2012BAD14B16-04)the Science and Technology Development Program of Guangdong,China(2012A020100003 and 2015B090903077)
文摘The increasing demand for fresh sweet maize (Zea mays L. saccharata) in southern China has prioritized the need to find solutions to the environmental pollution caused by its continuous production and high inputs of chemical nitrogen fertilizers. A promising method for improving crop production and environmental conditions is to intercrop sweet maize with legumes. Here, a three-year field experiment was conducted to assess the influence of four different cropping systems (sole sweet maize (SS), sole soybean (SB), two rows sweet maize-three rows soybean (S2B3) intercropping, and two rows sweet maize-four rows soybean (S2B4) intercropping), together with two rates of N fertilizer application (300 and 360 kg N ha-1) on grain yield, residual soil mineral N, and soil N2O emissions in southern China. Results showed that in most case, inter- cropping achieved yield advantages (total land equivalent ratio (TLER=0.87-1.25) was above one). Moreover, intercropping resulted in 39.8% less soil mineral N than SS at the time of crop harvest, averaged over six seasons (spring and autumn in each of the three years of the field experiment). Generally, intercropping and reduced-N application (300 kg N ha-1) produced lower cumulative soil N20 and yield-scaled soil N20 emissions than SS and conventionaI-N application (360 kg N ha-l), respectively. $2B4 intercropping with reduced-N rate (300 kg N ha-~) showed the lowest cumulative soil N20 (mean value=0.61 kg ha-1) and yield-scaled soil N20 (mean value=0.04 kg t-1) emissions. Overall, intercropping with reduced-N rate maintained sweet maize production, while also reducing environmental impacts. The system of S2B4 intercropping with reduced-N rate may be the most sustainable and environmentally friendly cropping system.
文摘Nowadays more than 70% of the fresh water available worldwide is used for agriculture. In Argentina, extensive crops are not usually irrigated, so the cropping production depends mostly on rainfall water. In order to know how many liters of water are needed to produce a ton of soybeans, wheat and maize in the Pergamino district, Province of Buenos Aires, its Water Footprint was estimated by the Hoekstra method. Evaporation and rainfall data was obtained from SIGA INTA platform and production data was obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture. The results indicated that the average annual total water footprint values for soybean, corn and wheat crops for the period 2013-2018 in the Pergamino district, province of Buenos Aires, are 1,388 l<span style="white-space:nowrap;">∙</span>kg<sup><span style="white-space:nowrap;">−</span>1</sup>, 693 l<span style="white-space:nowrap;">∙</span>kg<sup><span style="white-space:nowrap;">−</span>1</sup> and 1,249 l<span style="white-space:nowrap;">∙</span>kg<sup><span style="white-space:nowrap;">−</span>1</sup> respectively. These were lower than the global average reference values. The obtained results allowed future analysis advancing in the knowledge of the use of water productivity in grain production.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2016YFD0300202)the Science and Technology Project of Yunna, China (2017YN07)the Science and Technology Major Project of Inner Mongolia, China (2019ZD024 and 2020GG0038)
文摘Root architecture,which determines the water and nutrient uptake ability of crops,is highly plastic in response to soil environmental changes and different cultivation patterns.Root phenotyping for field-grown crops,especially topological trait extraction,is rarely performed.In this study,an image-based semi-automatic root phenotyping method for field-grown crops was developed.The method consisted of image acquisition,image denoising and segmentation,trait extraction and data analysis.Five global traits and 40 local traits were extracted with this method.A good consistency in 1st-order lateral root branching was observed between the visually counted values and the values extracted using the developed method,with R^(2)=0.97.Using the method,we found that the interspecific advantages for maize mainly occurred within 5 cm from the root base in the nodal roots of the 5th-7th nodes,and that the obvious inhibition of soybean was mostly reflected within 20 cm from the root base.Our study provides a novel approach with high-throughput and high-accuracy for field research on root morphology and branching features.It could be applied to the 3D reconstruction of field-grown root system architecture to improve the inputs to data-driven models(e.g.,OpenSimRoot)that simulate root growth,solute transport and water uptake.
文摘Four complementary foods were prepared from local foodstuffs which are maize (Zea mays), soyabean (Glycine max) and banana (Musa acuminate colla). Four complementary samples were produced from the proportion of maize/soyabean/banana composite flours as 60%: 30%: 10% (B), 60%: 25%: 15% (C), 60%: 20%: 20% (D), 50%: 30%: 20% (E) and Nestle Cerelac was the control sample (A). The formulated diets were subjected to nutritional analysis-along with a commonly used proprietary infant cereal (Nestle Cerelac) as control. Standard chemical methods were used to determine the proximate nutrient composition, some micronutrients and anti-nutritional factors. The samples produced have increased nutrients of fibre that enhances digestibility (2.07%-3.11%), protein and ash contents. The supplementation of up to 20% soybean flour and banana flour recorded the best results in terms of proximate and mineral compositions and compared favourably with the control sample, in terms of sensory evaluation using hedonic method, sample A was most accepted but did not differ significantly from sample D. Therefore, nutritious and acceptable complementary food can be produced from fermented maize, soybean and banana flours. Results of molar ratios of some minerals and anti-nutritional factors in the compounded diets suggest that the anti-nutrients will not pose any serious problem in the usage of the complementary diets. The cost of producing the formulated diets is about N50-N100 (50 cents) per gram cheaper than cerelac. The study has therefore, revealed that with proper selection of local foodstuff, it is possible to prepare nutritious complementary diets that would be acceptable, readily available, affordable and nutritionally adequate.
基金This paper was supported by the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (863 Program, No. 2006AA100205) and National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 50679080)
文摘Irrigation with reclaimed water is an important way to deal with water shortage of agricultural production and solve the problem of sewage pollution. The response of crop antioxidant enzyme system is an early-warning indicator of environmental factors changes. Compared with raw wastewater and used fresh water as controls, this research studied peroxides (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in leaves from maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) with pot culture under irrigating with reclaimed water which with secondary and third treatment. The results showed that secondary reclaimed water had some adverse effects on antioxidant system of maize in seedling stage, and the influence decreased in later stage of maize; effect of the third reclaimed water on antioxidant system of maize was not significant. Irrigation with reclaimed water has little influence on antioxidant system of soybean in seedling and reaping stage, but it could bring some oxidative stress in blossom stage. As a result, irrigating maize with second or third reclaimed water is safe to the growth of maize and soybean, but it is suggested that second reclaimed water should not be used in seedling stage of maize and reclaimed water should not be used in the second stage of soybean.
基金This study has been sponsored by the National Institute of Science and Technology Climate Change and by the SoCoCA project funded by the Research Council of Norway(contract 190159)Moreover support has been provided by the sub-rede Agricultura do MCTI and by the INCT-Mudanças Climáticas.
文摘Brazil is responsible for 27% of the world production of soybeans and 7% of maize. Mato Grosso and Para states in Brazil are among the largest producer. The viability to the cultivation of maize (Zea mays) and soybeans (Glycine max), for future climate scenarios (2070-2100, GHG) is evaluated based on crop modeling (DSSAT) forced by observational data and regional climate simulations (HadRM3). The results demonstrated that a substantial reduction in the yield in particular for maize may be expected for the end of the 21st century. Distinct results are found for soybeans. By applying the A2 climate changes scenario, soybean yield rises by up top 60% assuming optimum soil treatment and no water stress. However, by analyzing the inter-annual variability of crop yields for both maize and soybean, could be demonstrated larger year-to-year fluctuations under greenhouse warming conditions as compared to current conditions, leading to very low productivity by the end of the 21st century. Therefore, these Brazilian states do not appear to be economically suitable for a future cultivation of maize and soybeans. Improved adaptation measures and soil management may however partially alleviate the negative climate change effect.