Ecological Remediation Measures for Non-point Source Pollution Based on Source-Sink Landscape Theory: A Case Study of Huanghou Basin

The growth of society and population has led to a range of water pollution issues.Among these,non-point source pollution assessment and treatment pose a particular challenge due to its formation mechanism.This has become a focal point and challenge in water pollution treatment research.The study area for this research was the Huanghou basin in Guizhou Province,southwest China.The land use type of the basin was analyzed using remote sensing technology,and water quality data was collected by distributing points throughout the basin,based on source-sink landscape theory.The distribution map of the basin’s source-sink landscape and the results of water quality data accurately and efficiently identified the areas with high risk of non-point source pollution in the western and southwestern residential and agricultural areas of the upper basin.Hence,a strategy of“increasing sinks and decreasing sources”was proposed.The strategy was implemented at both macro and micro levels to address non-point source pollution in the basin using ecological remediation techniques.The work to control karst rocky desertification should continue at a macro level.The rocky desertification area in the basin should gradually transform into grassland and forested land,while increasing the overall area of the sink landscape.Ecological restoration techniques,such as slope planting,riparian zone vegetation restoration,increasing plant abundance,and restoring aquatic plants,can effectively control non-point source pollution at the micro level.Compared to traditional control methods,this remediation strategy focuses on source and process control.It is more effective and does not require large-scale water pollution control projects,which can save a lot of environmental control funds and management costs.Therefore,it has greater research significance and application value.

Source-sink relations and responses to sink-source manipulations during grain filling in wheat

The source-sink ratio during grain filling is a critical factor that affects crop yield in wheat,and the main objective of this study was to determine the source-sink relations at both the canopy scale and the individual culm level under two nitrogen(N)levels at the post-jointing stage.Nine widely-used cultivars were chosen for analyzing source-sink relations in southwestern China;and three typical cultivars of different plant types were subjected to artificial manipulation of the grain-filling source-sink ratio to supplement crop growth measurements.A field experiment was conducted over two consecutive seasons under two N rates(N+,150 kg ha^(-1);N-,60 kg ha^(-1)),and three manipulations were imposed after anthesis:control(Ct),removal of flag and penultimate leaves(Lr)and removal of spikelets on one side of each spike(Sr).The results showed that the single grain weights in the three cultivars were significantly decreased by Lr and increased by Sr,which demonstrated that wheat grain yield potential seems more source-limited than sink-limited during grain filling,but the source-sink balance was obviously changed by climatic variations and N deficient environments.Grain yield was highly associated with sink capacity(SICA),grain number,biomass,SPAD values,and leaf area index during grain filling,indicating a higher degree of source limitation with an increase in sink capacity.Therefore,source limitation should be taken into account by breeders when SICA is increased,especially under non-limiting conditions.Chuanmai 104,a half-compact type with a mid-sized spike and a long narrow upper leaf,showed relatively better performance in source-sink relations.Since this cultivar showed the characteristics of a lower reduction in grain weight after Lr,a larger increase after Sr,and a lower reduction in post-anthesis dry matter accumulation,then the greater current photosynthesis during grain filling contributed to the grain after source and sink manipulation.

Source-sink System and Sedimentary Model of Progradational Fan Delta Controlled by Restricted Ancient Gully:An Example in the Enping Formation in the Southern Baiyun Sag,Pearl River Mouth Basin,Northern South China Sea

Tectonic activity occurred during the depositional period of the Enping Formation in the southern Baiyun Sag in the Pearl River Mouth Basin,with a series of synsedimentary faults and a set of large fan delta reservoir bodies developing.There is no data from drilling,cores,etc.for this area,so this paper applies three-dimensional seismic data to study the structural style of the steep slope zone,the seismic facies characteristics of fan deltas,and the source-sink system and sedimentary model of the Enping Formation.The control action of tectonic activity on fan deltaic sedimentary systems is studied by combining interpretation of fault systems,dissection of structural styles,seismic reflection structure,seismic facies geometry,and seismic attribute analysis,together with theoretical analysis of the source-sink deposition process.The Baiyun Sag has experienced tectonic activity since the Eocene,and a series of synsedimentary faults are developed in the southern steep slope zone.Under the common control of multiple large synsedimentary faults,a large ancient gully formed in the steep slope zone in the south,which gradually widened from south to north.The uplift area in the southern part of the sag was exposed for a long time during the deposition of the Enping Formation and consequently suffered weathering and erosion.The resulting sediments were transported through a system of provenance channels composed of slopes and an ancient gully to the depression area,where they were deposited and eventually converged to form a large fan delta.The fan delta presents the overall characteristics of NS strong wedge reflection and EW strong domal reflection—thick in the middle part and thin in the wings.It displays a lobe-shaped distribution on the plane,with the fan root pointing to the south slope.According to differences in reflection intensity from bottom to top,it can be subdivided into three stages of progradational sedimentary bodies—the southern uplift and denudation zone,the large ancient gully,and the fan delta—which together constitute a complete source-sink system.This represents a sedimentary model of progradational fan delta under the overall joint control of the re stricted ancient gully and syndepositional faults.

Source-Sink and Grain-Filling Characteristics of Two-Line Hybrid Rice Yangliangyou 6

With two-line hybrid rice Yangliangyou 6 （YLY6） and Liangyoupeijiu （LYPJ） and three-line hybrid rice Shanyou 63 （SY63） as materials, the source, sink and flow characteristics in association with grain filling were investigated. The seed-setting rate, grain filling degree and grain yield of YLY6 and SY63 were significantly higher than those of LYPJ. The export and transformation percentages of the matter in culms and sheaths of YLY6 and SY63 were significantly higher than those of LYPJ. Activities of sucrose synthase, adenosine diphosphoglucose pyrophosphorylase, starch synthase and starch branching enzyme in grains were higher for YLY6 and SY63 than for LYPJ, and were very significantly correlated with maximum grain filling rate, mean grain filling rate, grain filling degree and grain weight. The spikelet number, grain yield and total sink load per area of vascular bundle and phloem of YLY6 and SY63 were significantly smaller than those of LYPJ, and the greater the load, the lower seed-setting rate and the poorer grain filling. The transportation rate per area phloem of YLY6 was greater than that of LYPJ or SY63. The results suggest that YLY6 possesses strong source, great sink activity and efficient flow, which lay a physiological base for its high seed-setting rate and good grain filling.

Source-sink Characteristics and the Translocation of Assi- milates in New Plant Type and Intersubspecific Hybrid Rice

Both new plant type (NPT) and intersubspecific hybrid rice (IHR) had large sink size (total number of spikelets per m2), however, poor grain filling limited their potential in the grain yield. Compared to the three-line indica hybrid of Shanyou 63 (CK), NPT and IHR showed higher photosynthetic potential, higher dry matter accumulation and higher ratio of dry weight to spikelets (total dry wt./total number of spikelets) from heading to harvest. But both exhibited a low export percentage and transfer ratio of assimilates, low partitioning of 14C to grains from labeled flag leaves, low harvest indices and low physiological activities (IAA content and activities of ATPase and starch synthase) of grains at early grain-filling stage. The physiological activities of grains at early filling stage were significantly correlated with the export percentage and transfer ratio of assimilates, ripened-grain percentage and grain plumpness (r = 0.85 - 0.95). The source-sink ratio (dry matter wt./spikelet and nonstructural carbohydrate/spikelet) at heading was positively correlated with physiological activities of grains (r = 0. 84 - 0. 97 ). It is suggested that low physiological activities of grains at early filling stage is attributed to low source-sink ratio at heading, and the low sink activity weakens the ability to remobilize assimilates into grains, and leads to poor grain filling in NPT and IHR.

Discussion on Role of Forest to Control Agricultural Non-Point Source Pollution in Taihu Lake Basin-Based on Source-Sink Analysis

Taihu Lake is located at the center of Changjiang delta region, the Lake and its effluent rivers are important water sources for 40 million around inhabitants and rapidly increasing industrial factories in Shanghai, Ji-angsu and Zhejiang. The pollutants originate mainly from acidy rain, home sewage of the vast number of inhabitants, livestock manure, agricultural fertilizers & pesticides applied over fields in the drainage basin, and the industrial sewage. Due to the kinds of pollutants, the Lake water is getting highly eutrophic, with frequent blooms of blue-green algae. Compared with point-source pollutants, diffuse pollution is much com-plicated and difficult to control. Thus combating non-point pollution (NPP) is paid much great attention. Based on analysis on source-sink of NPP in Taihu Lake basin, it is concluded that the function of forests on NPP control is multiple and important by both source reduction and sink expansion. The primary objective of planting trees through constructing forested wetlands and establishing riparian forest buffers is to control soil & water erosion, decrease agrochemicals application, and improve farming conditions in the region of Taihu Lake basin. Moreover forests help to intercept acidy rain, protect streambanks, uptake nutrients, hold up pollutants and provide habitat for wildlife.

Effect of Source-Sink Manipulation on Photosynthetic Characteristics of Flag Leaf and the Remobilization of Dry Mass and Nitrogen in Vegetative Organs of Wheat

The photosynthetic characteristics of flag leaf and the accumulation and remobilization of pre-anthesis dry mass（DM） and nitrogen（N） in vegetable organs in nine wheat cultivars under different source-sink manipulation treatments including defoliation（DF）, spike shading（SS） and half spikelets removal（SR） were investigated. Results showed that the SS treatment increased the photosynthetic rate（Pn） of flag leaf in source limited cultivar, but had no significant effect on sink limited cultivar. The SR treatment decreased the Pn of flag leaf. Grain DM accumulation was limited by source in some cultivars, in other cultivars, it was limited by sink. Grain N accumulation was mainly limited by source supply. The contribution of pre-anthesis dry mass to grain yield from high to low was stem, leaf and chaff, while the contribution of pre-anthesis N to grain N from high to low was leaf, stem and chaff. Cultivars S7221 and TA9818 can increase the contribution of remobilization of DM and N to grain at the maximum ratio under reducing source treatments, which may be the major reason for these cultivars having lower decrease in grain yield and N content under reducing source treatments.

Understanding source-sink interactions: Progress in model plants and translational research to crops

Agriculture is facing a massive increase in demand per hectare as a result of an ever-expanding population and environmental deterioration.While we have learned much about how environmental conditions and diseases impact crop yield,until recently considerably less was known concerning endogenous factors,including within-plant nutrient allocation.In this review,we discuss studies of source-sink interactions covering both fundamental research in model systems under controlled growth conditions and how the findings are being translated to crop plants in the field.In this respect we detail efforts aimed at improving and/or combining C3,C4,and CAM modes of photosynthesis,altering the chloroplastic electron transport chain,modulating photorespiration,adopting bacterial/algal carbon-concentrating mechanisms,and enhancing nitrogen-and water-use efficiencies.Moreover,we discuss how modulating TCA cycle activities and primary metabolism can result in increased rates of photosynthesis and outline the opportunities that evaluating natural variation in photosynthesis may afford.Although source,transport,and sink functions are all covered in this review,we focus on discussing source functions because the majority of research has been conducted in this field.Nevertheless,considerable recent evidence,alongside the evidence from classical studies,demonstrates that both transport and sink functions are also incredibly important determinants of yield.We thus describe recent evidence supporting this notion and suggest that future strategies for yield improvement should focus on combining improvements in each of these steps to approach yield optimization.

Spatiotemporal variation of land surface temperature and its driving factors in Xinjiang,China

Land surface temperature(LST) directly affects the energy balance of terrestrial surface systems and impacts regional resources, ecosystem evolution, and ecosystem structures. Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is located at the arid Northwest China and is extremely sensitive to climate change. There is an urgent need to understand the distribution patterns of LST in this area and quantitatively measure the nature and intensity of the impacts of the major driving factors from a spatial perspective, as well as elucidate the formation mechanisms. In this study, we used the MOD11C3 LST product developed on the basis of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer(MODIS) to conduct regression analysis and determine the spatiotemporal variation and differentiation pattern of LST in Xinjiang from 2000 to 2020. We analyzed the driving mechanisms of spatial heterogeneity of LST in Xinjiang and the six geomorphic zones(the Altay Mountains, Junggar Basin, Tianshan Mountains, Tarim Basin, Turpan-Hami(Tuha) Basin, and Pakakuna Mountain Group) using geographical detector(Geodetector) and geographically weighted regression(GWR) models. The warming rate of LST in Xinjiang during the study period was 0.24℃/10a, and the spatial distribution pattern of LST had obvious topographic imprints, with 87.20% of the warming zone located in the Gobi desert and areas with frequent human activities, and the cooling zone mainly located in the mountainous areas. The seasonal LST in Xinjiang was at a cooling rate of 0.09℃/10a in autumn, and showed a warming trend in other seasons. Digital elevation model(DEM), latitude, wind speed, precipitation, normalized difference vegetation index(NDVI), and sunshine duration in the single-factor and interactive detections were the key factors driving the LST changes. The direction and intensity of each major driving factor on the spatial variations of LST in the study area were heterogeneous. The negative feedback effect of DEM on the spatial differentiation of LST was the strongest. Lower latitudes, lower vegetation coverage, lower levels of precipitation, and longer sunshine duration increased LST. Unused land was the main heat source landscape, water body was the most important heat sink landscape, grassland and forest land were the land use and land cover(LULC) types with the most prominent heat sink effect, and there were significant differences in different geomorphic zones due to the influences of their vegetation types, climatic conditions, soil types, and human activities. The findings will help to facilitate sustainable climate change management, analyze local climate and environmental patterns, and improve land management strategies in Xinjiang and other arid areas.

Source-sink landscape theory and its ecological significance

Exploring the relationships between landscape pattern and ecological processes is the key topic of landscape ecology,for which,a large number of indices as well as landscape pattern analysis model were developed.However,one problem faced by landscape ecologists is that it is hard to link the landscape indices with a specific ecological process.Linking landscape pattern and ecological processes has become a challenge for landscape ecologists.“Source”and“sink”are common concepts used in air pollution research,by which the movement direction and pattern of different pollutants in air can be clearly identified.In fact,for any ecological process,the research can be considered as a balance between the source and the sink in space.Thus,the concepts of“source”and“sink”could be implemented to the research of landscape pattern and ecological processes.In this paper,a theory of sourcesink landscape was proposed,which include:(1)In the research of landscape pattern and ecological process,all landscape types can be divided into two groups,“source”landscape and“sink”landscape.“Source”landscape contributes positively to the ecological process,while“sink”landscape is unhelpful to the ecological process.(2)Both landscapes are recognized with regard to the specific ecological process.“Source”landscape in a target ecological process may change into a“sink”landscape as in another ecological process.Therefore,the ecological process should be determined before“source”or“sink”landscape were defined.(3)The key point to distinguish“source”landscape from“sink”landscape is to quantify the effect of landscape on ecological process.The positive effect is made by“source”landscape,and the negative effect by“sink”landscape.(4)For the same ecological process,the contribution of“source”landscapes may vary,and it is the same to the“sink”landscapes.It is required to determine the weight of each landscape type on ecological processes.(5)The sourcesink principle can be applied to non-point source pollution control,biologic diversity protection,urban heat island effect mitigation,etc.However,the landscape evaluation models need to be calibrated respectively,because different ecological processes correspond with different source-sink landscapes and evaluation models for the different study areas.This theory is helpful to further study landscape pattern and ecological process,and offers a basis for new landscape index design.

Geo-cognitive computing method for identifying“source-sink”landscape patterns of river basin non-point source pollution

The aim of this study was to quantitatively evaluate the influences of landscape composition and spatial structure on the transmission process of non-point source pollutants in different regions.The location-weighted landscape contrast index,using the hydrological response unit(HRULCI)as the minimum research unit,was proposed in this paper.Through the description of the endemic landscape types and various geographical factors in the basin,the index calculation can reflect the impact of the“source-sink”landscape structure on the non-point source pollution in different regions and quantitatively evaluate the contribution of different landscape types and geographical factors to non-point source pollution.This study constructed a method of geo-cognitive computing for identifying“source-sink”landscape patterns of river basin non-point source pollution at two levels.1)The basin level:the spatial distribution and landscape combination of the entire basin are identified,and the crucial“source”and“sink”landscape types are obtained to measure the differences in the non-point source pollutant transmission processes between the“source”and“sink”landscapes in the different watersheds.2)The landscape level:HRULCI is calculated based on multiple geographical correction weighting factors.By using the idea of intersecting geographic information system(GIS)and landscape ecology,the landscape spatial pattern and ecological processes are linked.Compared with the traditional method for studying landscape patterns,the calculation of HRULCI makes the proposed method more ecologically significant.Lastly,a case study was evaluated to verify the significance of the proposed research method by taking the Yanshi River basin,a sub-basin belonging to the Jiulong River basin located in Fujian Province,China,as the experimental study zone.The results showed that this method can reflect the spatial distribution characteristics of the“source-sink”types and their relationship with non-point source pollution.By comparing the resulting calculation based on HRULCI,the risk of nutrient loss and the influence of landscape patterns and ecological processes on non-point pollution in different catchments can be obtained.

Source-Sink理论与传导阻滞

传导阻滞是常见的心脏病理生理现象,了解传导阻滞的发生机制,有助于阻滞的风险评估以及采取针对性的治疗措施。"不应期"和"兴奋性"的概念常用于解释传导阻滞,然而此概念并不能解释所有的传导阻滞的现象,如左侧旁路绝大多数无法前传,而逆传功能正常,这用"不应期"和"兴奋性"理论无法解释,因此目前解释传导阻滞理论存在一定的局限性。现代电生理观念认为心脏的电传导可以用Source-Sink理论加以解释,作为经典的电生理理论,国内的教材和文献极少涉及。

Advances,challenges,and perspectives for CCUS source-sink matching models under carbon neutrality target

With the widespread popularity of carbon neutrality,the decarbonization approach using carbon capture,utilization,and storage(CCUS)has grown from a low-carbon utilization technology to an indispensable technology for the entire global carbon-neutral technology system.As a primary method to support CCUS research,source-sink matching models face several new demand-oriented challenges.Comprehensive research and in-depth insights are needed to guide targeted capability upgrades.This review evaluates the advances,challenges,and perspectives of various CCUS source-sink matching models developed in the past 10 years.We provide an integrated conceptual framework from six key attributes relating to mitigation targets,carbon sources,carbon sinks,transportation networks,utilization,and integration(synergy).The results indicate that previous models have effectively deepened our understanding of the matching process by targeting various CCUS-related issues and provided a solid foundation for more robust models to be developed.Six perspectives are put forward to outline research and development prospects for future models,which may have meaningful effects for advancement under emerging carbon neutrality targets.

New understanding and exploration direction of hydrocarbon accumulation in Termit Basin, Niger

Based on the seismic and drilling data, casting thin sections, geochemical analysis of oil and rock samples, and hydrocarbon generation history simulation, the hydrocarbon accumulation characteristics and exploration direction of Termit superimposed marine–continental rift basin are discussed. The Termit basin is superimposed with two-phase rifts(Early Cretaceous and Paleogene). The subsidence curves from two wells on the Trakes slope in the east of the basin show high subsidence rate in the Late Cretaceous, which is believed to be high deposition rate influenced by transgression. However, a weak rift may also be developed. The depositional sequences in the Termit basin were controlled by the Late Cretaceous marine transgression cycle and the Paleogene lacustrine transgression cycle, giving rise to two types of superimposed marine–continental “source-sink” deposits. The marine and continental mixed source rocks developed universally in the whole basinduring the marine transgression period, and are overlaid by the Paleogene Sokor 1 reservoir rocks and Sokor 2 caprocks developed during the lacustrine transgression period, forming the unique superimposed marine–continental basin in WCARS. The early low geothermal gradient in the Termit basin resulted in the late hydrocarbon generated by the source rock of Upper Cretaceous Yogou in Paleogene. Mature source rock of Upper Cretaceous Donga developed in the Trakes slope, so that the double-source-supply hydrocarbon and accumulation models are proposed for the Trakes slope in which formed the oil fields. Due to virtue of the newly proposed hydrocarbon accumulation model and the exploration activities in recent years in the Termit superimposed marine–continental rift basin, an additional effective exploration area of about 2500 km2has been confirmed in the east of the basin. It is believed that potential domains such as Sokor 1, Donga and Upper Cretaceous lithologic traps in the southeast of the basin are key expected targets for exploration and frontier evaluation in future.

Increasing grain weight and yield stability by increasing pre-heading non-structural carbohydrate reserves per spikelet in short-growth duration rice

Rice yield stability is a breeding goal,particularly for short-growth duration rice,but its underlying mechanisms remain unclear.In an attempt to identify the relationship between yield stability and source–sink characteristics in short-growth duration rice,a field experiment was conducted at three sites(Yueyang,Liuyang,and Hengyang)in 2021 and 2022.This study compared yield,yield components,source–sink characteristics,and their stability between two stable-yielding short-growth duration rice cultivars,Zhongzao 39(Z-39)and Lingliangyou 268(L-268),and two unstable-yielding short-growth duration rice cultivars,Zhongjiazao 17(Z-17)and Zhuliangyou 819(Z-819).The stability of agronomic parameters was represented by the coefficient of variation(CV).The respective CVs of yield in Z-17,Z-819,Z-39,and L-268 were 10.2%,10.1%,4.5%,and 5.7%in 2021 and 19.7%,15.0%,5.4%,and 6.5%in 2022.The respective CVs of grain weight were 6.3%,5.7%,3.4%,and 4.5%in Z-17,Z-819,Z-39,and L-268 in 2021,and 8.1%,6.3%,1.5%,and 0.8%in 2022.The mean source capacity per spikelet and pre-heading non-structural carbohydrate reserves per spikelet(NSC_(pre))were 7%–43%and7%–72%lower in Z-819 and Z-17than in L-268 and Z-39 in 2021 and 2022.The mean quantum yield of photosystem II photochemistry of leaf,leaf area index,and specific leaf weight of L-268 and Z-39 were higher than those of Z-819 and Z-17 at the heading stage.This study suggests that high NSC_(pre),caused by great leaf traits before heading,increases source capacity per spikelet and its stability,thereby increasing the stability of grain weight and yield.Increasing NSC_(pre)is critical for achieving grain weight and yield stability in short-growth duration rice.

The Impacts of Moisture Transport of East Asian Monsoon on Summer Precipitation in Northeast China

By using the ECMWF reanalysis daily data and daily precipitation data of 80 stations in Northeast China from 1961 to 2002, the impacts of moisture transport of East Asian summer monsoon on the summer precipitation anomaly in Northeast China, and the relationship between the variation of moisture budget and the establishment of East Asian summer monsoon in this region are studied. The results demonstrate that the moisture of summer precipitation in Northeast China mainly originates from subtropical, South China Sea, and South Asia monsoon areas. East China and its near coastal area are the convergent region of the monsoonal moisture currents and the transfer station for the currents continually moving northward. The monsoonal moisture transport, as an important link or bridge, connects the interaction between middle and low latitude systems. In summer half year, there is a moisture sink in Northeast China where the moisture influx is greater than outflux. The advance transport and accumulation of moisture are of special importance to pentad time scale summer precipitation. The onset, retreat, and intensity change of the monsoonal rainy season over Northeast China are mainly signified by the moisture input condition along the southern border of this area. The establishment of East Asian summer monsoon in this area ranges from about 10 July to 20 August and the onset in the west is earlier than that in the east. The latitude that the monsoon can reach is gradually northward from west to east, reaching 50°N within longitude 120°-135°E. In summer, the difference of air mass transport between summers with high and low rainfall mainly lies in whether more air masses originating from lower latitudes move northward through East China and its coastal areas, consequently transporting large amounts of hot and humid air into Northeast China.

Characterization of the Engineering Flow in a Miniaturised Bioreactor by Computational Fluid Dynamics

Three approaches based on computational fluid dynamics(CFD) techniques have been assessed for their ability to describe the engineering flow environment in a miniaturized mechanically agitated bioreactor. The three approaches tested were the source-sink(SS), the multiple reference frames(MRF) and the sliding grids(SG). In all the cases, the predictions of the velocity components agree with reported experimental data. However, the analysis of the results of the turbulent intensities predicted by the three approaches indicates the MRF and the SG techniques under predicted turbulent intensities are comparable to both experimental measurements and the SS method. The predicted power number and pumping number based on the SS approach are closer to typical reported experimental values compared to those obtained from the MRF and SG methods.

What are the differences in yield formation among two cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) cultivars and their F1 hybrid?

To elucidate the mechanisms underlying the differences in yield formation among two parents(P1 and P2) and their F1 hybrid of cucumber, biomass production and whole source–sink dynamics were analyzed using a functional–structural plant model(FSPM) that simulates both the number and size of individual organs. Observations of plant development and organ biomass were recorded throughout the growth periods of the plants. The GreenLab Model was used to analyze the differences in fruit setting, organ expansion, biomass production and biomass allocation. The source–sink parameters were estimated from the experimental measurements. Moreover, a particle swarm optimization algorithm(PSO) was applied to analyze whether the fruit setting is related to the source–sink ratio. The results showed that the internal source–sink ratio increased in the vegetative stage and reached a peak until the first fruit setting. The high yield of hybrid F1 is the compound result of both fruit setting and the internal source–sink ratio. The optimization results also revealed that the incremental changes in fruit weight result from the increases in sink strength and proportion of plant biomass allocation for fruits. The model-aided analysis revealed that heterosis is a result of a delicate compromise between fruit setting and fruit sink strength. The organlevel model may provide a computational approach to define the target of breeding by combination with a genetic model.

Does nitrogen fertilization impact nonstructural carbohydrate storage in evergreen Podocarpus macrophyllus saplings?

Nonstructural carbon(NSC),which represents the relationship between the carbon source and carbon sink,is an important factor that reflects the functions and performance of a tree.However,little is known regarding the timeseries responses of NSC storage in evergreen species to different nitrogen(N)fertilization regimes.This study,which was based on a pot experiment,examined the response of the NSC(soluble sugars and starch storage to different N addition intensities[light N addition(LN):6.5 g N m^(-2)a^(-1);moderate N addition(MN):13.0 g N m^(-2)a^(-1);and heavy N addition(HN):26.0 g N m^(-2)a^(-1))]in saplings of the evergreen species Podocarpus macrophyllus.Our results showed that the net photosynthetic rate(P_(n))under MN was significantly higher than that under LN,but was comparable to that under HN.Moreover,saplings subject to MN had a significant higher leaf biomass than that to LN and HN.These results indicated that the C supply via photosynthesis under MN was greater than that under LN and HN.The NSCs reserve under MN was considerable with that under LN,which suggested that saplings in MN group consumed higher and stored lower properties of NSCs than those in LN group.However,saplings under HN stored higher properties of NSCs than those under MN considering that no difference in NSCs pools was found between the two treatments.The leaf N concentrations were found in the increasing sequence of LN<MN<HN,whilst the leaf chlorophyll concentration under HN was obviously lower than that under MN.The growth rate under MN was higher than that under LN and HN.We concluded that the NSCs allocation between con-sumption and reserve in P.macrophyllus saplings depended on soil N availability,and an excessive N addition to soil favors the storage rather than the consumption of NSCs by plants.

Foliar applications of various nitrogen(N)forms to winter wheat affect grain protein accumulation and quality via N metabolism and remobilization

Foliar nitrogen(N)application is an effective strategy to improve protein content and quality in wheat kernels,but the specific effects of N forms remain unclear.In a two-year field study,foliar application of various N forms(NO_(3)^(-),urea,NH_(4)^(+))at anthesis was performed to measure their effects on wheat grain protein accumulation,quality formation,and the underlying mechanisms.Foliar application of three N forms showed varying effects in improving grain gluten proteins and quality traits.Under NH_(4)^(+) application,there was more post-anthesis N uptake for grain filling,with relatively strong increase in enzyme activities and gene expression associated with N metabolism in flag leaves at 8–20 days after anthesis(DAA),whereas its promotion of grain N metabolism became weaker after 20 DAA than those under NO_(3)^(-) and urea treatments.More N was remobilized from source organs to grain under treatment with foliar NO_(3)^(-) and urea.Genes controlling the synthesis of gluten protein and disulfide bonds were upregulated by NO_(3)^(-) and urea at 20–28 DAA,contributing to increased grain protein content and quality.Overall,foliar applications of NO_(3)^(-) and urea were more effective than those of NH_(4)^(+) in increasing grain N filling.These findings show that manipulating the source–sink relationship by reinforcing grain N metabolism and N remobilization is critical for optimizing grain protein accumulation and quality formation.