Responses of maize germination,root morphology and leaf trait to characteristics of lead pollution:a case study

On base of the content of Pb in the soil under different land use patterns in Lanping Lead-zinc mining area,Yunnan in southwest China,the root morphology and leaf traits of maize in different concentration Pb(20,40,60,80,100,150,200,500,1000,2000,3000 mg/L)were analyzed.The results showed that maize germination rate,germination vigor and growth index decreased with the increase of Pb concentration.The root length,surface area of maize increased by 0.21%-81.58%,8.99%-73.43%,1.50%-77.37%,respectively,under 20-500 mg/L Pb concentration.However,these parameters under 1000-3000 mg/L Pb concentration decreased by 37.86%-553.54%,44.99%-766.16%,55.99%-92.81%,respectively,and these lowest value appeared in 3000 mg/L Pb treatment.The root volume of maize increased by 4.57%-89.25%in 20-80 mg/L Pb concentration,and it decreased with the increase of Pb concentration when the Pb concentration was higher than 80 mg/L and decreased by 94.13%in 3000 mg/L Pb.The root surface area and length of 0.50-1.00 diameter class were higher than those of other diameter classes,and these value of maize under 500 mg/L Pb were higher than those of other concentrations.The length and perimeter of maize leaves with the highest value of 220.36 and 962.68 mm,respectively appeared in 60 mg/L Pb treatment.The leaf width and area of maize with the highest value of 15.68 mm and 2448.31 mm^(2),respectively,appeared in 40 mg/L Pb treatment,which indicated that the leaf traits of maize were promoted by low concentration Pb and inhibited by high concentration Pb.

Analysis of the Lignin Contents and Related Enzymes Activities in Seed Coat Between Black-Seeded and Yellow-Seeded Rapes (Brassica napus L.)

One pair of near isonegic yellow/black seeded rape （Brassica napus L） were used as experimental materials to study the changes of lignin contents and enzymes activities of 4-coumarate： CoA ligase （4CL）, Cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase （CAD） and ferulate 5-hydroxylase （F5H） in seedcoats during the stage of seed development. The variation analysis showed that the changes of lignin contents and enzyme activities of 4CL, CAD and F5H in seed coat had significant differences between black- and yellow-seeded rapes, and also between different development stages. The correlation analysis demonstrated that the lignin contents were positively correlative to the activities of all three enzymes investigated in the study, and the interactions between them in the seed coat of the two lines. For yellow-seeded rape, the correlation coefficient （0.7262018） of lignin content and the interaction between 4CL and F5H was significant, the lignin contents were highly positively correlative to the activities of CAD and F5H, the interaction between 4CL and CAD, and the interaction between CAD and F5H. For the black-seeded rape, only the lignin content was highly positively correlative to the activity of F5H （the correlation coefficient was 0.772949）, the other correlation coefficients, i. e. lignin contents to 4CL, CAD activities, the interactions between the three enzymes were not significant although all the correlation coefficients were above 0.5000. The results suggested that 4CL, CAD and F5H regulated the biosynthesis of lignin in seedcoat of rapes, leading to the lignin contents in the seedcoats of the yellow-seeded rape much lower than that of the black-seeded line, and affecting the thickness of the developing seedcoats in rapes. Therefore, it was likely to change the seedcoat ratio by overexpressing or suppressing the activities of one of the enzymes, both of them or all of them.

Characteristics of heavy metals in soil of lead-zinc mining areas and changes of antioxidant enzyme systems in maize leaf under Pb stress

Pb,Cu,Cd,Zn content of soil in mining areas and abandoned land,flats of the Pijiang River and farmlands were inves-tigated.On this basis of soil heavy metal pollution,the changes of antioxidant enzyme system in maize(Qiandan 88)under different Pb concentrations(0,20,40,60,80,100,150,200,500,1000,2000,3000 mg/L)stress were studied.The results show that the content of Pb,Cu,Cd,and Zn in soil is the highest in mining areas and abandoned land,followed by flats of the Pijiang River>farmlands,and that the variation range of Pb,Cu,Cd in mining areas and abandoned land are 106.40-2564.72,14.83-490.88,22.57-712.77 mg/kg,respectively,which are higher than that of the other land use types.When maize is under stress of 20-500 mg/L Pb concentration,T-SOD activity of maize leaves increase with the increase of Pb concentration and the highest value is 50.21 U/mg prot,but under Pb concentration>1000 mg/L stress,T-SOD activity of maize leaves decrease gradually.The activity of POD decreases with the increases of Pb concentra-tion,and the lowest POD activity of leaves in maize with the value of 93.24 U/mg prot is appeared in Pb 1000 mg/L concentration treatment group.MDA content in leaves of maize increases with the increase of the Pb concentration and the highest value is 101.98 nmol/mg prot,then the content of MDA decreases gradually when the Pb concentration is more than 500 mg/L,which indicates that the membrane lipid peroxidation of maize leaves under high concentration of Pb stress is serious and leads to the cell damage.

Different Fresh-keeping Effects of Sugar, Aspirin and Vc on Cut Rose Flowers

[Objectives] This study was conducted to develop environmentally-friendly effective vase solutions for cut rose flowers convenient for ordinary household use. [Methods] The vase life, flowering stage, flower diameter variation, petal water content, and soluble protein and malondialdehyde contents were determined on cut rose flowers regularly during the vase period, to study the fresh-keeping effects of the vase solutions prepared from such three components as sugar, aspirin and Vc according to L9(33) orthogonal table design on cut rose flowers during the vase period. [Results] 20 g/L white granulated sugar+460 mg/L aspirin+50 mg/L Vc was the best combination in this study. [Conclusions] This study provides a reference for the research on the fresh-keeping vase solutions of household cut rose flowers.

New Evidence for the Hypothesis of Reducing Natural Enemy Pressure of Eupatorium adenophorum: Solenopsis invicta Competing with Doxrylus orientalis to Feed on E. adenophorum

Natural enemy insects are important factors in regulating plant invasion. The interactions between multiple insect species resulting from invasive plants remain poorly understood despite their potential. We observed notorious invasive plants Eupatorium adenophorum Sprengel were competedly fed by Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and Dorylus orientalis Westwood (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) beside the scientific research base of Kunming University. It was first observed that D. orientalis was eating the epidermis, cortex, phloem and other root and stem tissues of E. adenophorum in soil. Two months later, it was observed that S. invicta ate the epidermis, cortex, phloem and other aboveground stem tissues of E. adenophorum. S. invicta attacked D. orientalis and displaced their living space by causing the later dead, injured, or even disabled. This phenomenon suggested that local herbivorous insects have adapted to E. adenophorum well, which will intensify the naturalization process of E. adenophorum in local habitats. In a homogeneous garden planting experiment of E. adenophorum conducted at the experimental base of Kunming University, the biomass of the introduced (China) populations of E. adenophorum was lower than that of the native (Mexico) populations, although there was no statistically significant difference. These results indicate a possible positive correlation between the increase in natural enemy pressure and the decrease in fitness of E. adenophorum.

Effects of Nine Kinds of Household Vase Solutions on Fresh-keeping Effect of Lilium Cut Flowers

[Objective]The paper was to study the effects of nine kinds of household vase solutions on fresh-keeping effect of Lilium cut flowers.[Method]Using Lilium"Sorbonne"as the material,nine kinds of household vase solutions were prepared by edible white granulated sugar,white vinegar,akafen powder and vitamin C tablets,respectively.The morphological and physiological indexes of Lilium cut flowers,including vase life,ornamental grade,flower diameter,fresh weight of flower branches,water balance value,soluble protein content and MDA content of petals,were observed,and the effects of nine kinds of household vase solutions on fresh-keeping effect of Lilium cut flowers were studied.[Result]The household vase solution F8(20 g/L white granated sugar+1 packet/L acafen powder+2 tablets/L vitamin C tablets)had the best fresh-keeping effect on Lilium cut flowers,which was beneficial to prolong the vase life and improve the ornamental value of Lilium cut flowers.[Conclusion]The household vase solution of Lilium cut flowers is optimized,which is not only environmentally friendly but also convenient for ordinary families.

Improved Nucleic Acid Spot Hybridization Technique for Detection of Potato Spindle Tuber Viroid(PSTVd)

Potato spindle tuber viroid(PSTVd)disease is one of the major diseases that threatens potato production.Therefore,an advanced,rapid and sensitive detection technology is needed to detect the disease for better control.In order to establish an easier nucleic acid spot hybridization(NASH)method,some studies were tried as the followings:(1)the pre-hybridization step of nucleic acid spot hybridization(NASH)was omitted compared with ordinary way;(2)RNA extraction(phenol extraction and Ames buffer extraction)methods were compared;(3)fixed RNA by UV lamp and oven compared with UV cross-linker;(4)hybridized the RNA in shaking incubator and so on.The results showed that RNA extracted by Ames buffer was more effective than by the phenol extraction method.Besides,the result of hybridization without pre-hybridization step was better than that with 1.5 h of pre-hybridization.The more important discovery was that the shaking incubator could replace the hybridization oven and the ordinary UV lamp could replace the UV cross-linker.After a long term repeated research and testing,a new hybridization system that could rapidly detect the PSTVd by improved NASH technique merely using common instruments and equipment was established.

Preliminary Breeding of Superior Maize Combinations in Zhaotong,Yunnan

[Objectives]This study was conducted to select superior maize combinations.[Methods]With the control maize variety Haihe 2 in the middle altitude area of Yunnan Province as the control,adopting a single-factor randomized block three-replicate experiment design,a one-year field cultivation experiment was carried out in Luyin Village,Yongfeng Town,Zhaoyang District,Zhaotong City.[Results]A total of 11 new superior maize combinations including ZT-1 and ZT-2 were obtained.Through comprehensive comparison analysis with Haihe 2(CK),we selected six superior combinations of ZT-1,ZT-3,ZT-4,ZT-6,ZT-7 and ZT-9,which showed overall performance better than the control Haihe 2(CK)in terms of resistance,yield,and ear traits.[Conclusions]The selected 6 superior combinations have promotion value,and are recommended for higher-level trials and demonstrations.

Research on the Types of Cigarette Products Preferred by Consumers

Cigarette design and improvement according to consumer needs is an important basis for market-oriented management.The preferences of cigarette consumption such as cigarette product types,packaging styles,packaging colors and packaging materials were investigated and the real needs of cigarette consumers were figured out,in order to provide specific work guidance for the development of new cigarette products.

Integrated analysis of changes in soil microbiota and metabolites following long-term fertilization in a subtropical maize-wheat agroecosystem

Although the application of inorganic fertilizer is a widespread agronomic practice used to boost soil productivity and crop yields,the effects on soil microbiome and the metabolic mechanisms involved in the high-yield response of crops to long-term fertilization remain poorly described.In this study,combined metagenomic and metabolomic analyses were used to explore the mechanism of crop yield response to the 20-year application of nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilizers in a subtropical agroecosystem in Southwest China.Soil bacterial and fungal communities were monitored using16S r RNA(bacteria)and internal transcribed spacer 1(ITS1)full-length gene(fungi)amplicon sequencing technologies,and metabolites were detected using a liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer.The results revealed that,in addition to providing nutrients,long-term fertilization shaped the compositions of bacteria and fungi to increase crop yields.Long-term fertilization significantly increased the relative abundances of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and promoted the secretion of soil metabolites such as carbohydrates,organic acids,and organic nitrogen compounds,which were primarily enriched in amino acid metabolism pathways.The increases in carbon and nitrogen sources and bioactive substances in soil promoted the increases in plant biomass and thereby maintained soil quality and production capacity.The findings highlighted the importance of soil metabolites in maintaining soil productivity as well as crop yields,and suggested that regulating key metabolites could increase crop yields in agroecosystems.

Effects of sowing methods on nitrogen compounds and protease activities of whole‐crop wheat silage

Background:Whole‐crop wheat(Triticum aestivum)has high nutritive value,and it has become one of the main sources of roughage for ruminants in some countries or regions.This study investigates the effects of no tillage on nitrogen compounds and protease activities of whole‐crop wheat silage.Methods:Wheat was planted on the 9th day(NB9)and 5th day(NB5)before rice harvest and on the first day after rice harvest.Sowing before harvest involved no tillage and sowing after rice harvest involved either no tillage(NA1)or conventional tillage(CK).Results:Compared to CK,the crude protein content of NB9 and NB5 decreased by 16.4%and 9.58%,respectively.With the delay of the sowing date,the contents of non‐protein nitrogen,rapidly degraded protein,and slowly degraded protein in whole‐plant wheat tended to increase.Compared to NA1 wheat silage,the NH_(3)‐N content of NB9 and NB5 silages decreased by 52.7%and 34.4%,respectively.The acid protease activity of NA1 was significantly higher than that of other treatments(p<0.05).Conclusions:There was no significant difference in the degree of protein degradation between NA1 and CK silages.Although the degree of protein degradation in early sowing was low,the degree of fermentation was also weak.

Potential of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi for soil health:A review

Soil health is an important component of“One Health”.Soils provide habitat to diverse and abundant organisms.Understanding microbial diversity and functions is essential for building healthy soils towards sustainable agriculture.Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi(AMF)form potentially symbiotic associations with approximately 80%of land plant species that are well recognized for carbon flux and nutrient cycling.In addition to disentangling the signaling pathways and regulatory mechanisms between the two partners,recent advances in hyphosphere research highlight some emerging roles of AMF and associated microbes in the delivery of soil functions.This paper reviews the contribution of AMF to soil health in agroecosystems,with a major focus on recent progress in the contribution of hyphosphere microbiome to nutrient cycling,carbon sequestration,and soil aggregation.The hyphosphere microbiome and fungal stimulants open avenues for developing new fertilizer formulas to promote AMF benefits.In practice,developing AMF-friendly management strategies will have long-term positive effects on sustainable agriculture aiming at simultaneously providing food security,increasing resource use efficiency,and maintaining environment integrity.

Ongoing green peafowl protection in China

DEAR EDITOR,The green peafowl (Pavo muticus) is one of the most threatened pheasants in the world. In China, it is widely appreciated for its beauty as well as historical and cultural value, but current populations number less than 500 individuals. Recently, Tang and colleagues reported in Science that the green peafowl is likely to become extinct due to the construction of the Jiasajiang Level 1 Hydropower Station within the Red River Upstream District (RRUD) and thus called for a stop to this project (Tang et al., 2019). According to our recent surveys, however, this species is still extant in 22 counties of Yunnan Province, China, among which, only two within the RRUD have been predicted to be affected by floods from the hydropower station. Therefore, the conclusion that the species will likely go extinct in China upon completion of the dam is unwarranted. In fact, construction of the Jiasajiang Level 1 Hydropower Station was stopped in August 2017. The main challenge for green peafowl conservation is that over 65% of the population occurs outside of protected reserves in China. Fortunately, the Chinese government has adopted an Ecological Redline (ERL) strategy to achieve ecological civilization plans, thus bringing new hope to the conservation of green peafowls both inside and outside of protected reserves. As a top conservation priority for China, the government is fully committed to conserving this peafowl.