Differential seed removal,germination and seedling growth as determinants of species suitability for forest restoration by direct seeding–A case study from northern Thailand

Background Direct seeding is potentially a more cost-effective alternative to conventional tree planting for restoring tropical forest ecosystems.However,seed loss,due to removal and damage by animals,can substantially reduce seedling establishment.Therefore,this study examined the impact of seed predation on seedling establishment of five tree species,native to upland evergreen forests of northern Thailand:Hovenia dulcis,Alangium kurzii,Prunus cerasoides,Choerospondias axillaris and Horsfieldia amygdalina.We tested the hypothesis that excluding animals would significantly reduce seed removal,and increase both germination and seedling survival.The objective was to calculate a composite index of the relative suitability of the species studied for direct seeding.Methods Seeds were placed on the ground in a deforested site and subjected to five predator-exclusion treatments:wire cage,insecticide,cage+insecticide,open cage and no exclusion(control).Results Seed loss was highest for H.amygdalina(the largest seed tested).Across species,wire cages significantly reduced seed loss by 12.4%compared with controls(P<0.001)suggesting that vertebrates were the major seed predators.Seed germination ranged from 0 to 77%among the species tested.Based on relative species-performance scores(combining measures of survival and seedling growth),P.cerasoides was the most suitable species for direct seeding,followed by A.kurzii and C.axillaris,whilst H.dulcis and H.amygdalina were unsuitable.H.dulcis had small seeds with low seed germination,whereas H.amygdalina was subjected to high seed removal.Conclusion Exclusion of seed predators and the selection of suitable species may substantially increase the success of direct seeding,as a technique for restoring upland evergreen forest ecosystems.Testing more species for their suitability is needed,to provide more diverse options for forest restoration.

Performance of Five Early Indica Rice Varieties under Direct Seeding in Jiangbei District

Comparative experiments were conducted on five conventional indica rice varieties,including Yongxian 15,Zhongzao 39,Shunda 135,Zhongzu 143,and Zhongzu 18.Under direct seeding conditions,their growth period and yield performance were investigated.The results showed that the yield of Zhonggang 143 and Shunda 135 was higher than that of Yongxian 15(CK),and Zhonggang 143 had the highest yield of 7.494 t/hm 2,followed by Shunda 135(7.467 t/hm 2);Yongxian 18(CK)has a yield of 7.326 t/hm 2.Taking into account factors such as field growth,yield,and growth period,Zhongzu 143 and Shunda 135 can be further promoted to optimize the early rice variety structure in Jiangbei District.

Effect of Fulvic Acid on Growth and Yield Components of Direct Seeding Rice

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the effect of fulvic acid on the growth and yield components of direct seeding rice （Nanjing 44）. MethodThe rice seeds were soaked in 0 （water as a control）, 1, 2, 4 and 6 g/L fulvic acid （FA） before sowed. Then, the rice morphological indices, leaf chlorophyll content, photosynthesis parameters, root activity and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were measured in the following field studies. ResultCompared with the control, the leaf area index, chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and dry matter weight and some fluorescence parameters such as the maximum photochemical efficiency of photosystem II （PSII） （Fv/Fm）, excitation energy capture efficiency of opened PSII reaction center （Fv’/Fm’） and efficiency of the open reaction centre （ΦPS II） increased by different levels at both jointing stage and heading stage of direct seeding rice, whose seeds were soaked by FA with different concentrations. High FA concentration （4-6 g/L） significantly increased the cultivated rice leaf area index, chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate and dry matter weight by 10.32% -22.88% , 5.88% -13.11% , 12.16% -26.84% , 11.43% -88.46% , 10.63% -21.63% , 18.49% -19.68% , respectively, thereby improving the physiological function and light energy transform efficiency of rice at the growth stage. With FA concentration increasing, the yield, effective panicles, grain number per panicle and seed setting rate were increased significantly compared with the control by 17.52%-18.71%, 3.46%-3.85%, 6.30%- 6.51% and 7.82%-8.69% respectively. ConclusionSoaking rice seed with FA could be considered as an effective way to improve the rice competitiveness at early growth stage.

Application of Special Controlled Release Fertilizer in Direct-seeding of Rapeseeds

In the east of Hunan Province, the research introduced new-type special controI ed-reIease fertiIizer for rapeseed, ＂Yishizhuang＂, and expIored its appIications in direct-seeding of rapeseed production. The resuIts showed that the appIication of special controI ed reIease fertiIizer for rapeseeds avoids earIy decIine of rapeseed resuIting from fertiIizer Ioss by one-off appIication, improves the number of green Ieaf before winter, and extends photosynthetic Iifespan of pods, which significantIy increases yields. What＆#39; more, with higher output-input ratio, the fertiIizer takes ad-vantages in saving cost, Iabor and increasing yield.

Genotypic Differences in Growth and Physiological Responses to Transplanting and Direct Seeding Cultivation in Rice

The field experiments were conducted to investigate the growth and physiological responses of six super hybrid rice combinations to two planting methods, transplanting （TP） and direct seeding （DS） during 2006-2007 and 2007-2008. The 1000-grain weight and number of tillers per plant at the early growth stage, the maximum quantum yield of PSII （Fv/Fm） and transpiration rate （Tr） were higher in DS plants than in TP ones, whereas the grain yield, number of panicles per square meter, seed setting rate, net photosynthetic rate （Po） and stomatal conductance were lower in DS plants. However, little difference was detected in number of grains per panicle, stem （shoot） and leaf weight between the combinations in the two planting methods. The responses of plant growth and physiological traits to planting method differed greatly among the six combinations. In both planting methods, Chouyou 58 and Yongyou 6 had the highest and lowest panicle biomass and Pn, respectively. The higher yield of Chunyou 58 was associated with more numbers of panicles per square meter and grains per panicle in both planting methods. The results indicate that lower grain yield in DS relative to TP is attributed to more excessive tillers at the early stage, lower leaf biomass and photosynthetic rate at the late stage.

Use of Controlled Release Fertilizer for Increasing N Efficiency of Direct Seeding Rice

Field trials on a silt-loamy paddy soil derived from shallow-sea deposit in direct seeding rice fields were conducted in Zhejiang, China, in 1996 to compare N efficiency of controlled release fertilizers (LP fertilizers) with the conventional urea. Six treatments including CK (no N fertilizer), conventional urea and different types of LP fertilizers at different rates were designed for two succeeding crops of early and late rice. A blend of different types of LP fertilizers as a single preplant "co-situs" application released N in a rate and amount synchronizing with uptake pattern of direct seeding rice. A single preplant application of the LP fertilizers could meet the N requirement of rice for the whole growth period without need of topdressing. Using LP fertilizer blends, equivalent grain yields could be maintained even if the N fertilization rates were reduced by 25%～50% compared with the conventional urea. Agronomic efficiency of the LP fertilizers was 13.6%～ 86.4% higher than that of the conventional urea in early rice and 100%～164.1% in late rice, depending on the amounts of the LP fertilizers applied. N fertilizer recovery rate increased from 27.4% for the conventional application of urea to 41.7%～54.l% for the single preplant "co-situs" application of the LP fertilizers. Use of the LP fertilizers was promising if the increase in production costs due to the high LP fertilizer prices could be compensated by increase in yield and N efficiency, reduction in labor costs and improvement in environment.

Effects of different mechanical direct seeding methods on grain yield and lodging resistance of early indica rice in South China

Direct seeding of rice has become a main planting method due to the low labor input and high economic benefit in South China.Dry direct seeding(DDS)has been widely used for single-season rice planting establishment.However,few studies have examined the performance of early-season indica rice under mechanical dry direct seeding.A two-year field experiment was conducted with two indica rice cultivars(i.e.,Zhongjiazao 17 and Zhuliangyou 819)to study lodging characteristics and grain yield formation under DDS,flooded direct seeding(FDS)and wet direct seeding(WDS)patterns.The results showed that the annual grain yield in DDS was higher by 14.42–26.34%for cultivar ZLY819 and 6.64–24.58%for cultivar ZJZ17 than in WDS and FDS,respectively,and these increases were mainly attributed to the improvement of the panicles.The DDS pattern significantly increased the seedling emergence rate of early indica rice cultivars,and increased total dry weight and crop growth rate.Meanwhile,shorter basal internodes,better stem diameter and stem wall thickness and lower lodging index were found in DDS in contrast to FDS and WDS.In particular,DDS improved the stem lodging resistance.Our results suggested that the appropriate direct seeding method was beneficial for improving the grain yield and lodging resistance of early indica rice.

Long-Term No-Tillage Direct Seeding Mode for Water-Saving and Drought-Resistance Rice Production in Rice-Rapeseed Rotation System

To study the effects of long-term no-tillage direct seeding mode on rice yield and the soil physiochemical property in a rice-rapeseed rotation system, a comparative experiment with a water-saving and drought-resistance rice （WDR） variety and a double low rapeseed variety as materials was conducted under no-tillage direct seeding （NTDS） mode and conventional tillage direct seeding （CTDS） mode for four years, using the CTDS mode as the control. Compared with the CTDS mode, the actual rice yield of WDR decreased by 8.10% at the first year, whereas the plant height, spikelet number per panicle, spikelet fertility, 1000-grain weight, grain yield, actual yield, and harvest index increased with no-tillage years, which led to the actual yield increase by 6.49% at the fourth year. Correlation analysis showed that the panicle length was significantly related to the actual yield of WDR. Compared with the CTDS mode in terms of the soil properties, the pH value of the NTDS mode decreased every year, whereas the contents of soil organic matter and total N of the NTDS mode increased. In the 0-5 cm layer of the NTDS mode, the soil bulk decreased, whereas the contents of soil organic matter, total N, and available N increased. In the 5-20 cm layer of the NTDS mode, the available N and K decreased, whereas the soil bulk, contents of soil organic matter, and total N increased. In summary, the NTDS mode increased the rice yield, and could improve the paddy soil fertility of the top layer.

Study on Direct Seeding Density of Brassica napus

The statistical analysis of 97 literatures shows that there is a quadratic parabolic relationship between direct seeding density and yield of rape： Y = 2 213,058 9 ＋ 14,556 9 X- 0.145 5 X2. The optimum density is 3.413 × 10^5 - 5,001 × 10 ^5 plants/hm2. Compared with conventional rape, hybrid rape has higher yield （by 3.71%） and lower density （by 4,97%）, To obtain a high yield, conventional rape （or lines） needs to be planted more densely compared with hybrid rape,

Occurrence,Damage and Control Index of Rape Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in Mechanical Direct Seeding Fields

Real-time monitoring and investigation in fields showed that the disease starting period of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in mechanical direct seeding fields was earlier. Disease conditions rose with the advancing growth stage, which grew more quickly during the early stage of anthesis, flower withering period and early si- lique mature period. Yield less rate increased with the increasing stem disease rate and disease index. Yield loss rate（ Y1 ） had extremely significant correlation with stem disease rate（X1 ）and disease index（X2 ）, and the related models were Y1 = 0. 544 330 2X1 -2. 316 1 （n = 14, r --0. 986 0 ＊ ＊ ）and YI = 0. 673 408 X2 - 1. 016 4 （ n = 14 ,r = 0.977 2 ~ ＊ ）, respectively. Disease control indexes for one time control against S. sclerotlorum in mechanical direct seeding fields were stem disease rate as 11.8% and disease index as 7.6, respectively. The control indexes for twice control against the disease were stem disease rate as 16.8% and disease index as 11.7. This paper provided a new scientific basis for preventing S. sclerotiorum in mechanical direct seeding fields.

Effects of Different Soil Preparation and Fertilizer Application Methods on the Growth and Yield of the Rice-Crayfish Rotation Direct Seeding Rice Nongxiang 32

In order to improve the yield and fertilizer utilization of the ricecrayfish rotation and direct seeding rice Nongxiang 32,the effects of different soil preparation and fertilizer application methods on the growth,yield and fertilizer utilization of the variety were studied.The results showed that,under the rice-crayfish rotation and direct seeding farming mode,the contributions of seed setting rate,1000-grain weight,yield,and fertilizer contribution rate to yield of Nongxiang 32 in the treatments with rotary tillage with base fertilizer,rotary tillage without base fertilizer and no-tillage with base fertilizer were relatively higher than those in the treatments with rotary tillage without fertilizer,no-tillage without fertilizer and no-tillage without base fertilizer,and there were no significant differences between the three treatments.Rotary tillage with base fertilizer and rotary tillage without base fertilizer significantly increased the total number of stems and tillers,total number of ears,and number of effective ears.Rotary tillage and application of base fertilizer also significantly increased the number of tillers,plant weight and weed suppression ability in the early stage of rice growth.Therefore,in the different soil preparation and fertilizer application methods,the application of base fertilizer with rotary tillage was the best,followed by rotary tillage without base fertilizer and no-tillage with base fertilizer.

Experimental Study on Working Performance of Rice Rope Direct Seeding Machine

Structure and sowing principles of rice rope direct seeding machine are introduced. In order to test the machine＇ s working performance, such as compacting effect, sowing depth, influence of sowing device to rice rope, etc., field experiments were conducted. It is concluded that mean slip ratio of compacting wheel 1 is 4.44%, wheel 2 is 5.58%, wheel 3 is 7.81%, and wheel 4 is 6.96%; mean depth of planting is 29.72 mm, and mean variability coefficient of planting depth is 6.39%. Maximum variability coefficient of planting depth is 8.40%. Rice rope＇s snapping is closely related with the machine＇s speed and guide thread wheel by sowing device orthogonal experiments. Test results show that the machine has a rational design, safe work and meets to the requirements of planting. This study has laid the foundation for further studying the project.

Effects of Organic Fertilizer Application Amount on Seedling Quality under No-tillage Semi-Solid State Direct Seeding

With early rice variety Zhongzao 39 as test material,this paper investigated the effects of organic fertilizer application rate on seedling quality under no-tillage semi-solid state direct seeding.The results showed that the seedling quality of no-tillage semi-solid direct seeding was better than that of traditional direct seeding,and different application rates of organic fertilizer under no-tillage semi-solid direct seeding also had signi ficant effects on seedling emergence rate,dry matter weight in ground and underground,stem base width,root activity,chlorophyll content and seedling growth index of rice seedlings.When the organic fertilizer dosage was A4(0.10∶1),it was most beneficial to the growth and development of rice seedlings under no-tillage semi-solid state direct seeding,it could effectively improve the quality of rice seedlings and enhance their resistances,the cultivated seedlings could lay a good foundation for high yield of rice in late stage.

Chemical Weeding in Dry Direct Seeding Fields of Single Cropping Middlelate Rice

Chemical weeding in dry direct seeding fields of single cropping middle-late rice was studied in Huida vegetable farm of Huizhou City in 2012. The main treatment was herbicide（ pretilachlor ＋ bensulfuron-methyl,Yangguo and butachlor）,and the sub-treatment was application method（ soil treatments,seedling treatment and integrated treatment）. The results showed that 80 g pretilachlor ＋ bensulfuron-methyl（ 36% pretilachlor ＋ 4% bensulfuron-methyl） diluted with 50 kg water could be sprayed or 200 g Yangguo（ 23. 9% butachlor ＋ 1. 1% bensulfuron-methyl） mixed with 15 kg sandy soil could be broadcasted per 667 m2 on the sowing day or the second day under moist condition of soil,which could effectively control weeds in dry direct seeding fields of single cropping middle-late rice.

An orchestrated ethylene-gibberellin signaling cascade contributes to mesocotyl elongation and emergence of rice direct seeding

A mechanized direct seeding of rice with less labor and water usage,has been widely adopted.However,this approach requires varieties that exhibit uniform seedling emergence.Mesocotyl elongation(ME)offers the main drive of fast emergence of rice seedlings from soils;nevertheless,its genetic basis remains unknown.Here,we identify a major rice quantitative trait locus Mesocotyl Elongation1(qME1),an allele of the Green Revolution gene Semi-Dwarf1(SD1),encoding GA20-oxidase for gibberellin(GA)biosynthesis.ME1 expression is strongly induced by soil depth and ethylene.When rice grains are direct-seeded in soils,the ethylene core signaling factor OsEIL1 directly promotes ME1 transcription,accelerating bioactive GA biosynthesis.The GAs further degrade the DELLA protein SLENDER RICE 1(SLR1),alleviating its inhibition of rice PHYTOCHROME-INTERACTING FACTOR-LIKE13(OsPIL13)to activate the downstream expansion gene OsEXPA4 and ultimately promote rice seedling ME and emergence.The ancient traits of long mesocotyl and strong emergence ability in wild rice and landrace were gradually lost in company with the Green Revolution dwarf breeding process,and an elite ME1-R allele(D349H)is found in some modern Geng varieties(long mesocotyl lengths)in northern China,which can be used in the direct seeding and dwarf breeding of Geng varieties.Furthermore,the ectopic and high expression of ME1 driven by mesocotyl-specific promoters resulted in rice plants that could be direct-seeded without obvious plant architecture or yield penalties.Collectively,we reveal the molecular mechanism of rice ME,and provide useful information for breeding new Green Revolution varieties with long mesocotyl suitable for direct-seeding practice.

Development and Transition of Rice Planting in China

[Objective] This paper aimed to clarify the rice planting methods and its supporting technology to be developed in rice producing areas in China. [Method] Evolvement of rice planting methods in rice producing areas in China and in representative rice-growth countries abroad, its characteristics, adaptability and key issues were analyzed. [Result] The analysis of development of rice planting method in China and abroad indicated that rice planting method was adapted to rice-based cropping system and ecological environment, and its transition accompanied with social and economic development. With agricultural labor transfer from agriculture to other industries since 1990’s, rice seedling throwing was gradually applied and in recent decades, while direct seeding and machine transplanting were practiced. Now, hand transplanting is still the main rice planting method, adopted in 50% of national rice planting area; seedling throwing, direct seeding and machine transplanting are conducted in 25% , 12% and 13% of the national rice planting area. [Conclusion] Machine transplanting should be a leading rice planting method. Though area covered with machine direct seeding is still small up to now, it can be practiced in some rice growing area due to labor saving and low cost. Leading planting methods and its supporting key technologies are proposed in various rice producing areas in the future.

Different Understory Cultivation Techniques of Paris polyphylla Smith

This study was conducted for the purposes of reducing consumption of wild resources of Paris polyphylla Smith, satisfying the market demand, saving the production cost, improving utilization rate of forest land, increasing income of foresters and protecting ecological environment. Three types of fores{ land, i.e., the evergreen forest land （China fir forest）, deciduous forest land （walnut forest） and shrub land （honey suckle forest.） were selected, and seeds and cut rhizomes of Paris polyphylla Smith produced in Bamian Mountain, Hunan, were used in the study on understory seedling raising and cultivation techniques. The results showed that： when using different propagation materials, seed propagation could be adopted to reduce the consumption of wild resources and provide a large number of seedlings, and was beneficial to large-scale planting; and when conducing seedling and plantlet raising followed by transplanting and direct seeding and planting using different propagation materials in large-scale understory cultivation, direct seeding/ planting was appropriate for saving save production cost with the advantage of early production. Among the 3 different types of forest land, the best choice was broad- leaved forest land, which could achieve better economic benefit because of con- forming with the ecological habit and growth and development law of Paris poly- phylla Smith.

Prevention Effects of Pyrazosulfuron-ethyl·Quinclorac 50% WP on Stem and Leaf of Dry Direct Seeded Rice

[Objective] The aim was to explore the prevention effects of pyrazosul-furon-ethyl·quinclorac 50% WP on stem and leaf of dry direct seeded rice. [Method] Totaling 7 drug doses were set in the test and the effects were observed 5, 10, 15 and 30 d after drug application, with the remained weeds surveyed 15 and 30 d after drug application. [Result] The test showed pyrazosulfuron-ethyl·quinclorac 50%WP was safe to rice as treatment agent of stem and leaf, and rice yield increased dramatical y, with the growth rate in 2.1%-49.3%. After the drug application, the prevention effects on Echinochloa crusgal i, Ludwimlia prostrata, Monochoria vamli-nalis, and Zong grass were 92.2%, 96.6%, 93.5%, and 94.8%, and the effects on fresh weight were 94.8%, 97.1%, 93.3% and 94.9%, respectively. [Conclusion] Pyra-zosulfuron-ethyl·quinclorac 50% WP can be taken as treatment agents of stem and leaf of dry direct seeded rice.

Effects of Nitrogen Fertilizer Management on Biological Traits and Physiological Indexes at Seedling Stage and Yield of Directly-sown Rapeseed(Brassica napus L.)

Field experiments were carried out to study the effects of different nitroge- napplication rates and application times on biological traits and physiological indexes of directly-sown rapeseed （Brassica napus L.） at the seedling stage and investigate the relationship between these biological traits or physiological indexes at the seedling stage and yield, so as to provide scientific theoretical support for high yield and efficient fertilization management in production of winter rapeseed. Field trials were conducted in Chengdu plain of Sichuan Province under rice-rapeseed rotation system during the period of 2011-2012. The nitrogen application rate trial consisted of five nitrogen levels （0, 90, 180, 270 and 360 kg/hm2） and the nitrogen application time trial included NTl（single application as base fertilized）, NT2 （bottom application ＋one time of topdressing at seedling stage） and NT3 （bottom application＋two times of topdressing at seedling stage） under the same nitrogen rate （225 kg/hm2）. The results indicated that compared with no nitrogen application （NO） treatment, the in- crease of nitrogen fertilizer is beneficial to the increase of biological traits including plant height, green leaf number, leaf area index and dry weight of rapeseed at the seedling stage, the improvement of physiological indexes including total nitrogen content, chlorophyll content and soluble protein content of functional leaves, and the reduction of soluble sugar content. Nitrogen rate was linearly correlated with various biological traits at the seedling stage and physiological indexes including total nitro- gen content, chlorophyll content and soluble sugar content in functional leaves over- a/I, but in parabolic correlation with soluble protein content. Under the same nitrogen rate, NT2 treatment exhibited biological traits remarkably or significantly higher than NT1 treatment and NT3 treatment. The nitrogen application times were linearly cor- related with the physiological indexes of functional leaves at the seedling stage. The various biological traits and physiological index of functional leaves at the seedlings stage were in quadratic function parabolic correlation with seed yield, and the corre- lation was significant （P〈0.05）. Therefore, under the rice-rapeseed rotation system in Chengdu plain, the economic rational nitrogen rate is 180-225 kg/hm2, and the mode of bottom application ＋ one time of topdressing （NT2） is suitable.

The Development and Application of 2BDQ-8 Rice Direct Sowing Machine

[Objective] The aim was to introduce the development and application of 2BDQ-8 rice direct sowing machine and provide a theoretical basis for rice mechanization production. [Method] 2BDQ-8 rice direct sowing machine was used for the promotion test in field of several cities and counties in Jiangsu Province,and artificial rice planting and mechanization rice planting were compared to explore the production and economic situation. [Result] 2BDQ-8 rice direct sowing machine had advantages such as high efficiency and low cost,the rice direct sowing machine saved about 30% compared to the artificial rice planting and mechanization rice planting,and the overall efficiency was significant. [Conclusion] 2BDQ-8 rice sowing machine was a production technology that had low cost and high efficiency,which should be widely applied.