Effects of Different Intercropping Patterns on Population Yield and Benefit of Fresh Maize and Mung Bean

In order to find the best intercropping pattern of fresh maize and mung bean, five planting patterns, namely fresh maize monocropping, mung bean monocropping, fresh maize and mung bean intercropping at row ratios of 2∶4, 3∶3 and 4∶2 were set up, and the yields and economic benefits of these planting patterns were analyzed. The results showed that the LERs of the three intercropping patterns were all above 1, and the economic benefits of 2∶4, 3∶3 and 4∶2 fresh maize and mung bean intercropping patterns were seen an increase of 2.85%, 17.64% and 14.26% respectively compared with fresh maize monocropping and an increase of 52.06%, 73.92% and 68.93% respectively compared with mung bean monocropping.Among the three intercropping patterns, the intercropping pattern with row ratio 3∶3showed the best effect, which also derived the highest LER with greatest economic benefit.

High-efficiency Planting Techniques of Five Crops a Year for Fresh Edible "Faba Bean/Spring Mazie+Soybean-Autumn Maize/Autumn Soybean"

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.

Application of moderate nitrogen levels alleviates yield loss and grain quality deterioration caused by post-silking heat stress in fresh waxy maize

High temperature(HT)during grain filling is one of the most important environmental factors limiting maize yield and grain quality.Nitrogen(N)fertilizer is essential for maintaining normal plant growth and defense against environmental stresses.The effects of three N rates and two temperature regimes on the grain yield and quality of fresh waxy maize were studied using the hybrids Suyunuo 5(SYN5)and Yunuo 7(YN7)as materials.N application rates were 1.5,4.5,and 7.5 g plant-1,representing low,moderate,and high N levels(LN,MN,and HN,respectively).Mean day/night temperatures during the grain filling of spring-and summer-sown plants were 27.6/21.0°C and 28.6/20.0°C for ambient temperature(AT)and 35/21.0°C and 35/20.0°C for HT,respectively.On average,HT reduced kernel number,weight,yield,and moisture content by 29.8%,17.9%,38.7%,and 3.3%,respectively.Kernel number,weight,yield,moisture,and starch contents were highest under MN among the three N rates under both temperature regimes.HT reduced grain starch content at all N levels.HT increased grain protein content,which gradually increased with N rate.Mean starch granule size under MN was larger(10.9μm)than that under LN and HN(both 10.4μm)at AT.However,the mean size of starch granules was higher under LN(11.7μm)and lower under MN(11.2μm)at HT.Iodine binding capacity(IBC)was lowest under MN and highest under HN among the three N levels under both temperature regimes.In general,IBC at all N rates was increased by HT.Peak viscosity(PV)was gradually reduced with increasing N rate at AT.In comparison with LN,PV was increased by MN and decreased by HN at HT.Retrogradation percentage gradually increased with N rate at AT,but was lowest under MN among the three N rates at HT.LN+AT and MN+HT produced grain with high pasting viscosity and low retrogradation tendency.MN application could alleviate the negative effects of HT on the grain yield and quality of fresh waxy maize.

Effect of Shading During Grain Filling on the Physicochemical Properties of Fresh Waxy Maize

Grain physicochemical properties determine the table quality of fresh waxy maize. Two waxy maize varieties, Suyunuo 5 （shading tolerant） and FHN003 （shading sensitive）, were used to estimate the effect of shading （plants received 30% less radiation than control） during grain filling （from 0 d to 23 d after pollination） on physicochemical properties of fresh waxy maize grain. Shading decreased the grain fresh weight of Suyunuo 5 and FHN003 by 8.4 and 19.1%, respectively. Shading increased the grain water content of FHN003, whereas that of Suyunuo 5 was not affected. In both varieties for shading treatment, soluble sugar, starch and protein contents were decreased, whereas zein content was increased. The changes in globulin, albumin and glutenin contents under shading were variety dependent. In both varieties, shading decreased λmax, iodine binding capacity and the percentage of large starch granules （diameter 〉17 μm） but increased crystallinity. The results of rapid visco analysis showed that the viscosity characteristics （except for pasting temperature） of both varieties were decreased by shading; however, FHN003 was more severely affected than Suyunuo 5. Under shading, Antet and %R were decreased in both varieties, whereas the changes in △Hgol and transition temperatures were variety dependent. Hardness, cohesiveness and chewiness were decreased in both varieties. Significant differences in physicochemical characteristics were observed between the two varieties.