Effects of Different Harvesting Dates on Yield and Quality of Silage Maize

Using silage maize cuttivar Yuqingyu 3 as the experimental material, the effects of five different harvesting dates on yield and quality of silage maize were in- vestigated. The results showed that the harvesting date posed various effects on quality and yield of silage maize. With the postponement of harvesting date, silage maize exhibited continuously increasing dry weight and gradually declining fresh weight; in maize straws, ADF and NDF contents increased constantly, crude protein content and IVODM decreased gradually, crude fat content increased first and then declined; in maize kernels, crude protein and lysine contents decreased continuously, crude starch content increased gradually, crude fat content increased first and then reduced. In conclusion, silage maize should be harvested at 27-34 d after pollination.

The Optimal Time for Harvesting the Seeds of Gui 39722, the Female Parent of a Maize Hybrid Guidan 0810

To determine the optimal time for harvesting the seeds of Gui 39722, which is the female parent of a newly-developed maize hybrid Guidan 0810, the cobs of Gui 39722 were harvested 31 （the first stage）, 34 （the second stage）, 37 （the third stage）, 40 （the fourth stage）, 43 （the fifth stage） and 46 （the sixth stage） d after pollination and oven dried at 38 ~C to constant weight. Then, the 1 000-ker- nel weight, germination rate and the agronomic traits of three-leaf seedlings were measured and compared. The results showed that the seeds of Gui 39722 harvest- ed 43 d after pollination （the fifth stage） had the greatest germination rate, seedling height, vigor index, root dry weight, shoot dry weight and germination potential, and high 1 000-kernel weight （very close to the highest level）, root length, number of roots per seedling and root-shoot ratio. Therefore, 43 d after pollination was the op- timal time for harvesting the seeds of Gui 39722, when the effective accumulated temperature after pollination reached 780.7 ℃ and the ear leaf dried. The seeds harvested at this stage had the highest yield and the best quality. Field sampling revealed that 89.00% to 95.00% （with an average of 91.15%） of the seedlings of six stages of seeds grew well.

Effects of Seed Maturity of Turf-Type Tall Fescue on the Seed Vigor and the Optimal Harvesting Time

By assay of accelerated aging germination, germination index, vigor index, seedling length, seedling weight, electric conductivity, dehydrogenase activity, ATP content and acid phosphoesterase activity during seed development of turf-type tall fescue, the seed vigor of tall fescue were studied. Combining with seed moisture content and yield, the optimal harvesting time of tall fescue was determined. The results indicated that the seed vigor increased continuously along with seed maturity, and the higher seed vigor was achieved at 19th day after perk anthesis and maintained continuously until 31st day after peak anthesis. At 25th day after peak anthesis, the highest yield of 3 533 kg ha-1 and the good quality of seeds of tall fescue were harvested with 32.19% moisture content. From 22nd to 31st day after peak anthesis, the seed yield of 3 300 kg ha-1 and the good quality seeds of tall fescue were harvested with 40 - 12. 43% moisture content, and the span was the optimal harvesting time.

Exploring Factors Influencing Species Natural Regeneration Response Following Harvesting in the Acadian Forests of New Brunswick

In the Acadian Forest Region of northeastern North America, forest managers are under increasing public pressure to restore the forest to a more historic, natural condition by reducing in clearcutting and promoting partial-cut treatments that more closely emulate historic, local natural disturbance regimes. However, although numerous studies on the effects of partial-cutting on forest regeneration response have been conducted in surrounding temperate and boreal forest ecosystems, there are few studies that directly explore responses to various forms of harvesting within the Acadian Forest ecosystem, with its unique mixture of northern hardwoods and boreal forest species. Here, we conducted one of the first retrospective studies on forest regeneration following a variety of harvesting methods in the Acadian Forest using univariate and multivariate regression trees to assess regeneration response in 50 naturally-regenerating, harvested forest sites in New Brunswick, Canada. Our study shows that regeneration was highly influenced by harvest type, overstory composition, and environmental conditions as reflected by ecoregion classification. Canopy opening size (as controlled by harvest method) significantly influenced the dominance of regenerating species. The presence of conspecific overstory trees increased the likelihood of their regeneration following disturbance, supporting the direct-regeneration hypothesis, especially for species with limited seed dispersal (e.g., sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) and American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.). Despite reported problems elsewhere in eastern North America, neither American beech nor balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) constituted significant competition for the desired species on a broad scale, but the presence of beech was a significant deterrent for yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britt.).

Relationship between Storage Environment and Fruit Quality of a Pear Cultivar Xinli No.7 at Different Picking Time

[Objective] This study aimed to study the effects of different picking time and storage environment on fruit quality of a pear cultivar Xinlin No.7 and the relationship between storage environment and fruit quality, so as to provide a theoretical basis for storage and preservation of Xinli No.7. [Method] The fruits of Xinli NO.7 were picked up in August （optimal） and September respectively and then stored in room, cellar and freezer, respectively. The dynamics in temperature, humidity, CO2 concentration, fruit weight loss rate, pericarp chlorophyll content and fruit interior quality were determined. [Result] The environment differed significantly among different storage methods. In room and cellar, the temperature showed a downward trend, and the humidity decreased after early-mid October. The CO2 concentration changed steadily, and increased rapidly in cellar after December. In freezer, the temperature and humidity changed steadily, and the CO2 concentration increased after October. The changes in quality of the fruits harvested in August and September were similar. There was a certain correlation between storage environment and fruit quality of Xinli No.7. In room and cellar, the variation trends of tem- perature and humidity were consistent with those of chlorophyll content, fruit hardness and titratable acid content with positive correlations, but were opposite from those of fruit weight loss rate, soluble solids content and soluble sugar content with negative correlations. In freezer, the CO2 concentration was closely related to the changes in fruit quality. Its variation trend was consistent with those of fruit weight loss rate and soluble solids content, but was opposite from those of pericarp chlorophyll content, fruit firmness, soluble sugar content and titratable acid content. The differences in some of the traits reached significant levels （P〈0.05, P〈0.01）. [Conclusion] With the extension of storage time, the temperature, humidity and CO2 concentration changed according to different patterns among different storage methods. The changes in fruit quality of Xinli NO.7 were related to the storage environment, especially to the temperature, to a certain extent.

Quantitative Analysis of Flavonoids in Scutellariae Radix of Different Sources and Seasonal Variation by HPLC

The seasonal and source variations of flavonoid contents in Scutellariae Radix were investigated by using the materials collected at the same place in Liaoning Province, China, during three years, 1990～1992, and in seven other provinces in China. Four principal flavonoids in the plant roots, i.e., baicalin, baicalein, wogonin 7 O glucuronide and wogonin were analyzed by using a reversed phase chromatographic system with a chemically bonded ODS silica gel column and phosphate buffer methanol (68:32 and 1:1) as mobile phase. The contents of the four compounds combined in the herb collected at Chengde, Hebei Province are the highest. The results show that the best time for harvesting the roots in Liaoning Province is the end of August.

GC-MS analysis of volatile compounds of Perilla frutescens Britton var. Japonica accessions: morphological and seasonal variability

Objective: To investigate the composition of volatile compounds in the different accessions of Perilla frutescens(P. frutescens) collected from various habitats of China and Japan. Methods: In the present study, the essential oil from the leaves of P. frutescens cultivars from China and Japan was extracted by hydro-distillation and the chemical composition and concentration of the volatile components present in the oils were determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry(GC–MS) analysis. Results: Among the volatile components, the major proportion was of perilla ketone, which was followed by elemicin and beta-caryophyllene in the Chinese Perilla cultivars. The main component in the oil extracted from the Japanese accessions was myristicin, which was followed by perilla ketone and beta-caryophyllene. We could distinguish seven chemotypes, namely the perilla ketone(PK) type, perilla ketone, myristicin(PM) type, perilla ketone, unknown(PU) type, perilla ketone, beta-caryophyllene, myristicine(PB) type, perilla ketone, myristicin, unknown(PMU) type, perilla ketone, elemicine, myristicin, beta-caryophyllene(PEMB) type, and the perilla ketone, limonene, betacryophyllene, myristicin(L) type. Most of the accessions possessed higher essential oil content before the flowering time than at the flowering stage. The average plant height, leaf length, leaf width of the Chinese accessions was higher than those of the Japanese accessions. Conclusion:The results revealed that the harvest time and geographical origin caused polymorphisms in the essential oil composition and morphological traits in the Perilla accessions originating from China and Japan. Therefore, these chemotypes with desirable characters might be useful for industrial exploitation and for determining the harvest time.

Effect of harvest time on the chemical composition and antioxidant capacity of Gannan navel orange(Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck 'Newhall')juice

The present study investigates the chemical composition and antioxidant capacity of juice from the Gannan navel orange, which is harvested at one-to two-week intervals during the ripening period. The total soluble solid(TSS), total polyphenol content(TPC), total flavonoid content(TFC), sucrose and hesperidin contents gradually increase with the ripening of the fruit, followed by slight declines at the late maturity stage. Contrary to these observations, the contents of titratable acid(TA), vitamin C(Vc), and limonin trend downward throughout the ripening period. However, the contents of fructose, glucose, and narirutin fluctuate throughout the harvest time. Three in vitro antioxidant assays consistently indicate that the harvest time exerts no significant influence(P>0.01) on the antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, principal component analysis(PCA) and Pearson’s correlation test are performed to provide an overview of the complete dataset.This study provides valuable information for evaluating the fruit quality and determining when to harvest the fruit in order to meet the preferences of consumers. Meanwhile, our observations suggest that the fruits subjected to juice processing should be harvested at the late maturity stage to alleviate the "delayed bitterness" problem without compromising the antioxidant capacity and the flavonoid content in the juice.

Harvest Time and Fertility Effects on Yield and Quality of Forage from Alfalfa, Hybrid Bromegrass and Their Mixture

A field experiment with 24 treatments consisting of three perennial forage crops [alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. cv. AC Longview), hybrid bromegrass (Bromus riparius Rehm & Bromus inermis Leyss. cv. AC Success) and their mixture], four Cut 1 dates (approximately June 20, July 10, July 30 or August 20), and two fertilizer levels (unfertilized and fertilized) was established in late May 2014, on a Black Chernozem [Udic Boroll] silty clay soil. Forage dry matter yield [DMY], and concentration (g·kg−1 DM) of crude protein [CP], total digestible nutrients [TDN] and acid detergent fiber [ADF] data were collected over 3 years from 2015 to 2017. The fertilizer treatments were imposed in 2016 and 2017. Forage crops were initially cut at four Cut 1 dates, and again cut [Cut 2] in autumn (September 2 in 2015, November 7 in 2016 and October 5 in 2017). For all three forage crops, forage DMY usually increased when Cut 1 was delayed. Delaying Cut 1 reduced forage DMY for Cut 2. Total DMY (Cut 1 + Cut 2) for all three forage crops was highest from the combination of July 10 and late Autumn cuts. Alfalfa-bromegrass mixture produced higher DMY than bromegrass or alfalfa alone. Fertilizer application resulted in a significant increase in Cut 1 and total DMY for bromegrass. The CP concentration in Cut 1 forage usually declined as the forage crops matured. The CP concentration was highest for alfalfa, followed by alfalfa-bromegrass mixture, and much lower for bromegrass. There was little or no effect of forage crop maturity on the TDN and ADF concentrations in forage. The TDN concentration was higher and ADF concentration was lower in forage from alfalfa or alfalfa-bromegrass mixture than bromegrass. Fertilizer application significantly increased CP concentration for alfalfa-bromegrass mixture. Delaying harvesting for Cut 1 increased ADF yield and TDN yield until Late July, but CP yield generally decreased with crop maturity. The ADF yield and TDN yield were higher for alfalfa-bromegrass mixture than bromegrass or alfalfa alone, and CP yield was similar for alfalfa and alfalfa-bromegrass mixture but considerably higher than bromegrass. Fertilizer application increased CP yield and ADF yield for bromegrass and alfalfa-bromegrass mixture, and TDN yield only for bromegrass. In conclusion, total DMY (Cut 1 + Cut 2) was highest for a combination of Early July and Autumn cuts. Forage yield was highest for alfalfa-bromegrass mixture, followed by alfalfa and lowest for bromegrass. The CP and TDN concentrations were higher, and ADF concentrations were lower in forage from alfalfa or alfalfa-bromegrass mixture than bromegrass.

Studies of the Ripe Characteristics of Pear

The picked pear is often ripened naturally or artificially in ethylene solution to put the pear into market earlier.When Qiuxiang pear are ripened,a great deal of ethylene is produced,the content of soluble solid,total sugar and titrable acidity are increased.The flesh is softened,the skin of fruit turns yellow,and the fruits are of aromatic favor.At different harvest time,respiration intensity appears different changing trends;the fruit qualities and the storage period are influenced too.Artificial ripening promotes fruit ripe and has a better effect than natural ripening.And Qiuxiang pear ripened artificially in earlier the middle or late of August can achieve better fruit qualities and higher economic value.

Comparison of Agrimophol Content in Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb. from Luzhou at Different Harvest Time

[ Objectives] This study was conducted to compare agrimophol contentsin Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb. at different harvest time, so as to select its best harvest time. [Methods] High performance liquid chromatography was used for the determination of agfmophol in A. pilosa Ledeb. at different harvest time in Luzhou. [ Results ] The content of agrimophol could be detected by HPLC. Agrimophol had good linearity in 0.01 - 0.1 mg/ml （ r = 0.999 9 ）, the average recov- ery was 101.5%, and RSD was 1.10%. The content of agrimophol in A. pilosa Ledeb. in Luzhou was 0.010 8% in June, and 0.013 1% in July, much higher than any other months. [ Conclusions] This experiment established a method for detecting the content of agrimophol by HPLC, which is simple, with high precision, high accuracy, good repeatability and recovery. The reasonable harvest time of A. pilosa Ledeb. in Luzhou is June and July.

The Ingestive Behaviour of Cattle in Large-scale and Its Application to Pasture Management in Heterogeneous Pastoral Environments

Cattle may improve their feeding efficiency by altering their ingestive behaviour in response to changes in the quality of their pastoral environments. To test this hypothesis, an experiment was conducted in a native pasture that has been managed in continuous stocking at different daily forage allowances （4%, 8%, 12%, and 16% of live weight） for twenty two years thus creating different pastoral environments. For the current experiment, the animals were allocated to their respective experimental units on April 27, 2007. Two experiments were conducted; one was performed at the end of winter （experiment 1）, and the other was undertaken at the end of spring （experiment 2）. Four tester animals were observed per experimental unit （3-5 ha each）. The animals increased their daily grazing time when forage allowance decreased. Most of this increased time was devoted to harvesting, whereas searching was reduced to a few minutes per day. Under conditions of ideal range of forage allowance （between 12% and 14%）, the grazing time was reduced, and the search activity increased. These results suggest that the monitoring of indicators of ingestive behaviour can be used to determine the attributes of forage resources.

Mycoflora and Mycotoxicological Quality of Four Freshly Harvested Paddy Rice Cultivars and Relation with Harvest to Industry Reception Timing

Grain quality and safety of four freshly harvested paddy rice （Oryza sativa L.） cultivars （Epagri 109, SCS 114 Andosan, Tio Taka 113 and Epagri 115 CL） grown under irrigation system in the north of Santa Catarina State, Brazil were studied. The quality parameters evaluated were mycoflora, mycotoxins （aflatoxins, ochratoxin A and zearalenone）, water distribution （moisture content and water activity） apart from environmental conditions （relative humidity and temperature） and the relation between harvest and the industry reception timing. All cultivars presented an average waiting time of 8.6 h （ranged from 0.3 to 24.9 h）, a total fungi load of 8.6x104 cfu/mL （ranged from 1.8x103 to 9.4x105 cfu/mL） with a rather high humidity condition of 19.0% moisture content （varied from 14.9% to 24.5%） and 0.92 water activity （varied from 0.78 to 0.99） under the average environmental conditions of 87.3% relative humidity （varied from 80.0% to 96.8%） and 25.4 ~C （varied from 22.5 to 27.5 ~C）, respectively. The conditions to which the samples were submitted allowed fungal growth, but no mycotoxins were detected. Regarding the rice cultivars fungal genera isolated, Aspergillus and Penicillium were the most often isolated among all the cultivars and variation on fungi distribution among them was not observed. Moreover, it was not found a correlation of the grain loading ＆ unloading time with the humidity conditions and the total fungi load. Furthermore, all results and the importance of monitoring the rice mycotoxicological quality and safety were discussed.

Multiplication of the Recombinant Strain Re-7 of Avian Influenza Virus Subtype H5 in MDCK Cells

This study was conducted to explore the multiplication pattern of the recombinant strain Re-7 of avian influenza virus subtype H5 in Madin Darby Canine Kidney （MDCK） cells and to determine the optimal multiplicity of infection （MOI） and the optimal time for virus harvest. The recombinant strain Re-7 was inoculated at different MOIs into MDCK cells grown in serum-free medium in 100 L bioreactors for replication. Then, the hemagglutination（HA） titer, 50% tissue culture infectious dose （TCID50） and 50% embryo infectious dose （EID50） of culture medium were measured once every 12 h from 24 h after virus inoculation to determine the optimal MOI. After that, virus was inoculated at the optimal MOI determined above into MDCK cells for large-scale virus replication to determine the optimal time for virus harvest. The results showed that the optimal MOI was 10 2, and the optimal time for virus harvest was 60 h after inoculation. Under these conditions, the HA titer, TCIDso per 1 mL and EIDso per 0.1 mL were increased to 1：102 4, 10^7.33 and 10^6.83, respectively. This study provides relatively stable parameters for large-scale production of the recombinant strain Re-7 of avian influenza virus subtype H5.

Variation of Calcium Oxalate (CaOx) Crystals in Porang Corms (Amorphophallus muelleri Blume) at Different Harvest Time

Harvest time is assumed to potentially influence shape and size variation of calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals;therefore it needs to be observed microscopically. This research used porang corms from the second growing period which were planted to produce the vegetative phase of third growing period. These corms were obtained based on the harvest time had determined. The harvest time was determined, i.e. 1) at two weeks before the plants shed (R0 - 1);2) when the plants shed (R0) and 3) at two weeks after the plants shed (R0 + 1). Slides for microscopic observation were obtained from slices on the edge and center of porang corms. Organ slices were cleared using modified clearing method. Parameters observed were the shape and the size of CaOx crystal. The variations of styloid, prism, druse and raphide crystals found in porang corms at the three harvest time were 1, 2, 3 and 37 variations respectively. The variation of CaOx crystals tended to be same in porang corms at three harvest times. The variation of these crystals tended to be static. It is also known that raphide crystal has the greatest variation amount. On the contrary, styloid crystal has the fewest variation amounts. This abundance of a number of raphide crystal variations is possibly due to its role as a defense mechanism in porang corms.

Effects of Short-cut Flowering Branches on Harvest Time,Yield and Quality of Guire No.82 Mango

[Objectives]To further study the technology of short-cut flowering branches for Guire No.82 Mango,adjust its harvest time,increase yield and improve fruit quality,and increase the economic benefits of mango production.[Methods]The experiment of short-cut flowering branches was carried out for Guire No.82 Mango.[Results]At the initial flowering stage and full flowering stage of the primary inflorescence,with short-cut flowering branches and corresponding cultivation techniques,Guire No.82 Mango was easy to extract regenerated inflorescences.Compared with the control group,the flowering period of the regenerated inflorescences was delayed by 30-35 d and 40-50 d,respectively;the harvest time was delayed by 30 and 40 d,respectively;the yield significantly increased by 1.63 times and 2.25 times,respectively;compared with the control group,the number of fruits with embryo increased significantly,which were 1.39 and 2.25 times of the control,respectively;there was no significant difference in the fruit quality at the harvest time.[Conclusions]Short-cut flowering branches at the initial flowering stage and full flowering stage of the primary inflorescence is an effective measure to delay the marketing time of Guire No.82 Mango.

Camellia oil trait and DIA quantitative proteomics analyses reveal the impact of harvesting time on the oil content and quality of the late-maturing cultivar C.oleifera‘Huaxin’

Objectives:Harvesting fruits prematurely is a serious problem in many Camellia oleifera‘Huaxin’orchards.Systematic views of dynamic alterations in central metabolism associated with the oil content and oil quality of this cultivar at different harvesting dates were investigated.Materials and Methods:Oil trait analysis was performed in conjunction with data-independent acquisition proteomics analysis using kernels harvested at three time points.Samples were taken from different years and locations to verify oil trait changes,and parallel reaction monitoring(PRM)was performed for some pivotal proteins to validate changes in their abundance.Results:Samples harvested at 6 d after the recommended harvesting date had the highest contents and best fatty acid composition of Camellia oil.A total of 614 differentially accumulated proteins were detected in three pairwise comparisons.Six days prior to the recommended harvesting date,the maximum expression of ribonucloprotein,helicase ATP-binding domain-containing protein,and glycerol kinase and the highest seed moisture content were observed.The highest mitogen-activated protein kinase 6,very-long-chain 3-oxoacyl-CoA reductase and stearoyl-CoA desaturase expression appeared on the recommended harvesting date.A delayed effect was observed for proteomic and oil trait data.Oil trait and PRM validations indicated that the results were highly reliable.Conclusions:The current data strongly suggest that in Guizhou Province,‘Huaxin’cannot be harvested earlier than the recommended harvesting date;appropriately delaying the harvesting time can improve the ultimate production and quality of Camellia oil.

Assessing the product quality and biological activities of barley(Hordeum vulgare L.)grasses at different harvest times

Barley(Hordeum vulgare L.)grasses(BG)have attracted considerable interest due to their multiple physiological activities and health benefits.In this paper,eight BG at four different growth stages were collected:seedling,tillering,stem elongation,and heading,and their product qualities and biological activities were examined and studied.Results demonstrated that harvest time obviously influenced proximate composition,surface color,and amino acid profile.Z21 and Z23 harvested at the seedling and early tillering stages,respectively,had higher total phenolic content(TPC)and total flavonoid content(TFC)than the other BG.Moreover,Z21 and Z23 possessed better DPPH radical-scavenging ability,antioxidant capacity,andα-glucosidase inhibitory activity,which were positively correlated with TPC,TFC,and protein and total amino acid contents.Our findings suggested that the early tillering stages were the preferable harvest times for BG with good product quality and biological properties.

Seasonal Variation,Microscopic and Chromatographic Analysis of Leaves in Malus hupehensis:A Protocol for Its Quality Control

Objective To establish a quality control protocol based on microscopic, TLC, and HPLC methods, and to verify the optimal harvesting time for the leaves of Malus hupehensis(LMH). Methods The LMH were pulverized into powder for microscopic identification or TLC and HPLC analysis after ultrasonic extraction with methanol. Seasonal variations of the phlorizin content and average leaf weight were determined by HPLC analysis and weighing up the leaves collected from May to October. Results Microscopic and macromorphologic characteristics have been described for the leaf identification. A qualitative TLC assay and a quantitative HPLC method have been established for the quality control of LMH. Phlorizin was selected as a reference marker, which resolved at Rf 0.53 in TLC assay and at 14.0 min in HPLC assay. The content of phlorizin decreased gradually from 17.0% in leaves collected in May to 7.5% in October. The average leaf weight reached the level of 0.6 g in August and maintained until its falling.Conclusion These methods are simple, selective, accurate, and reliable for the quality control of LMH. The period from late August to early September is suggested as the optimal harvesting time of the LMH.