Genome-wide association study of seedling nitrogen-use efficiency-associated traits in common wheat(Triticum aestivum L.)

Nitrogen(N)fertilizer application is essential for crop-plant growth and development.Identifying genetic loci associated with N-use efficiency(NUE)could increase wheat yields and reduce environmental pollution caused by overfertilization.We subjected a panel of 389 wheat accessions to N and chlorate(a nitrate analog)treatments to identify quantitative trait loci(QTL)controlling NUE-associated traits at the wheat seedling stage.Genotyping the panel with a 660K single-nucleotide polymorphism(SNP)array,we identified 397 SNPs associated with N-sensitivity index and chlorate inhibition rate.These SNPs were merged into 49 QTL,of which eight were multi-environment stable QTL and 27 were located near previously reported QTL.A set of 135 candidate genes near the 49 QTL included TaBOX(F-box family protein)and TaERF(ethylene-responsive transcription factor).A Tabox mutant was more sensitive to low-N stress than the wild-type plant.We developed two functional markers for Hap 1,the favorable allele of TaBOX.

Effects of Nitrogen Application on Osmotic Adjustmentof Ramie (Boehmeria nivea L.) with Different NitrogenEfficiency

Ramie (Boehmeria nivea L.) is one of the most important fiber crops and biomass materials. However, previous studies showed that ramie presented a very low nitrogen agronomy efficiency (NAE, 23.2%~27.8%) in traditional farming, and the nitrogen fertilizer was applied excessively in ramie field. Plant osmotic adjustment (OA) responses to environmental stresses positively and exhibits improvements in plant tolerance. Whereas results varied due to the complexity of plant-environment interactions and lack of insights of specific species. In order to improve ramie production through osmoregulation, our current study investigated the role of nitrogen application and osmotic adjustment in improving the growth and yield in two varieties of ramie (H2000-03 and Ceheng Jiama) with contrasting nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) grown at 5 different N rates including N0, N6, N9, N12 and N15;0, 6, 9, 12 and 15 mmol/L N, respectively. The results showed that ramie adapted to different nitrogen rates through OA and significant differences of osmolyte content between varieties only presented at the particular growth stage. Obvious inflexion of yield, osmolyte content involving proline, soluble protein (SP), soluble sugar (SS) and malonaldehyde (MDA);nitrogen sensitive index (NSI) and comprehensive evaluation (D) in both varieties were observed. Our results recommended that the overall lifting of OA at a lower N level and at the proper growth stage would be a reasonable approach for improving ramie NUE.

Synthesis of ZnO Nanoparticles onto Sepiolite Needles and Determination of Their Sensitivity toward Humidity, NO_2 and H_2

This work investigated the sensitivity toward humidity, NO2 and H2 of ZnO modified sepiolite （Si12Mg8O30（OH）4.（H2O）4.8H2O）. To this aim, sepiolite powder was first modified by leaching magnesium ions in HCI then by precipitating nano-sized Zn-based compounds under basic conditions. A subse- quent thermal treatment at 550 ℃ for 1 h was performed. The powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction （XRD）, specific surface area measurements, thermogravimetric and differential thermal anal- ysis and field emission scanning electron microscopy, as well as high resolution transmission electron microscopy. The XRD patterns showed that all leached heat treated samples were made of anhydrous sepiolite and of ZnO. Sensors were then obtained by screen printing these materials onto commercial alumina substrates with Pt electrodes. All the investigated compositions were capable of detecting NO2 down to ppm level and 20 ppm H2, at an optimal working temperature of 300°C. These detection limits are in line with the current best results reported in literature.