Quantifying the agreement and accuracy characteristics of four satellite-based LULC products for cropland classification in China

Various land use and land cover(LULC)products have been produced over the past decade with the development of remote sensing technology.Despite the differences in LULC classification schemes,there is a lack of research on assessing the accuracy of their application to croplands in a unified framework.Thus,this study evaluated the spatial and area accuracies of cropland classification for four commonly used global LULC products(i.e.,MCD12Q1V6,GlobCover2009,FROM-GLC and GlobeLand30)based on the harmonised FAO criterion,and quantified the relationships between four factors(i.e.,slope,elevation,field size and crop system)and cropland classification agreement.The validation results indicated that MCD12Q1 and GlobeLand30 performed well in cropland classification regarding spatial consistency,with overall accuracies of 94.90 and 93.52%,respectively.The FROMGLC showed the worst performance,with an overall accuracy of 83.17%.Overlaying the cropland generated by the four global LULC products,we found the proportions of complete agreement and disagreement were 15.51 and 44.72% for the cropland classification,respectively.High consistency was mainly observed in the Northeast China Plain,the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain and the northern part of the Middle-lower Yangtze Plain,China.In contrast,low consistency was detected primarily on the eastern edge of the northern and semiarid region,the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and southern China.Field size was the most important factor for mapping cropland.For area accuracy,compared with China Statistical Yearbook data at the provincial scale,the accuracies of different products in descending order were:GlobeLand30,FROM-GLC,MCD12Q1,and GlobCover2009.The cropland classification schemes mainly caused large area deviations among the four products,and they also resulted in the different ranks of spatial accuracy and area accuracy among the four products.Our results can provide valuable suggestions for selecting cropland products at the national or provincial scale and help cropland mapping and reconstruction,which is essential for food security and crop management,so they can also contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals issued by the United Nations.

Genome-wide identification of NAC gene family and expression analysis under abiotic stresses in Salvia miltiorrhiza

NAC(NAM,ATAF,CUC)is a class of transcription factors involved in plant growth regulation,abiotic stress responses,morphogenesis and metabolism.Salvia miltiorrhiza is an important Chinese medicinal herb,but the characterization of NAC genes in this species is limited.In this study,based on the Salvia miltiorrhiza genomic databases,82 NAC transcription factors were identified,which were divided into 14 groups.Meanwhile,phylogenetic analysis,gene structure,chromosomal localization and potential role of SmNACs in abiotic stress conditions were also studied.The results revealed that some SmNACs had different structures than others,which advised that these genes may have multiple/distinct functions.Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)analysis showed that SmNACs exhibited differential expression patterns under salt and drought stress.The NaCl induced salinity treatments modulated the expression of several SmNAC genes more in roots compared with leaves.Conversely,under drought stress conditions,more genes were upregulated in leaves compared with roots.These results will be useful for the further study involved in the functional characteristics of SmNAC genes,especially in response to salt and drought stresses,thereby may facilitate genetic breeding in Salvia miltiorrhiza.

Valorization of a Good Bioceramic from Moroccan Waste Fish Bone by a Heat Treatment Method

A tricalcium phosphate(TCP)material was produced from sardine and mackerel waste using a heat treatment method after a Soxhlet extraction to obtain the non-soluble portion of fish waste.The bones were annealed at temperatures between 400℃ and 1200℃.The thermal analysis(TG-DTA)was carried out to investigate the thermal stability of TCP and to confirm the removal of organic matter from the raw fish.The calcined bones were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR),X-ray diffraction(XRD),and field emission scanning electron microscopy(FESEM).The calcium to phosphorous weight ratio was determined by ICP-AES.FT-IR and XRD confirmed the similarities to syntheticβ-TCP(JCPDS-09-169),FE-SEM results revealed the formation of nanostructured TCP.These results suggest that varying the isolation temperature between 600-1200℃ has tremendous impact on the production of TCP from fish bone waste with the required properties.

Exploration of Genetic Pattern of Phenological Traits in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under Drought Stress

Drought is the major detrimental environmental factor for wheat(Triticum aestivum L.)production.The exploration of genetic patterns underlying drought tolerance is of great significance.Here we report the gene actions controlling the phenological traits using the line×tester model studying 27 crosses and 12 parents under normal irrigation and drought conditions.The results interpreted via multiple analysis(mean performance,correlations,principal component,genetic analysis,heterotic and heterobeltiotic potential)disclosed highly significant differences among germplasm.The phenological waxiness traits(glume,boom,and sheath)were strongly interlinked.Flag leaf area exhibits a positive association with peduncle and spike length under drought.The growing degree days(heat-units)greatly influence spikelets and grains per spike,however,the grain yield/plant was significantly reduced(17.44 g to 13.25 g)under drought.The principal components based on eigenvalue indicated significant PCs(first-seven)accounted for 79.9%and 73.9%of total variability under normal irrigation and drought,respectively.The investigated yield traits showed complex genetic behaviour.The genetic advance confronted a moderate to high heritability for spikelets/spike and grain yield/plant.The traits conditioned by dominant genetic effects in normal irrigation were inversely controlled by additive genetic effects under drought and vice versa.The magnitude of dominance effects for phenological and yield traits,i.e.,leaf twist,auricle hairiness,grain yield/plant,spikelets,and grains/spike suggests that selection by the pedigree method is appropriate for improving these traits under normal irrigation conditions and could serve as an indirect selection index for improving yield-oriented traits in wheat populations for drought tolerance.However,the phenotypic selection could be more than effective for traits conditioned by additive genetic effects under drought.We suggest five significant cross combinations based on heterotic and heterobeltiotic potential of wheat genotypes for improved yield and enhanced biological production of wheat in advanced generations under drought.

Using proximal sensor data for soil salinity management and mapping

Over the past five decades, increased pressure caused by the rapidly growing population has resulted in a reclamation of agricultural and urban buffer zones along China's coastline. However, information about the spatio–temporal variation of soil salinity in these reclaimed regions is limited. As such, obtaining this information is crucial for mapping the variation in saline areas and to identify suitable salinity management strategies. In this study, we employed EM38 data to conduct digital soil mapping of spatio–temporal variation and map these variations of different site-specific zones. The results indicated that the distribution of soil salinity was heterogeneous in the middle of, and that the leaching of salts was significant at the edges of, the study field. Afterwards, fuzzy-k means algorithm was used to divide the site-specific management zones within the time series apparent soil electrical conductivity(ECa) data and the spatial correlations of variation. We concluded that two management zones are optimal to guide precision management. Zone A had an average salinity level of about 165 mS m–1, in which salt-tolerant crops, such as cotton and barley can grow normally, while crops such as soybean and cowpeas may be planted using leaching and increasing the mulching film methods to reduce the accumulation of salt in surface soil. In Zone B, there was a low salinity level with a mean of 89 mS m–1 for ECa, which allows for rice, wheat, and a wide range of vegetables to be grown normally. In such situations, measures such as an optimized combination of irrigation and drainage, as well as soil amendment can be taken to adjust and control the salt content. Particularly, flattening the land with a large-scale machine was used to improve the ability of micro-topography to influence salt migration; rice and other dry, land crops were planted in rotation in combination with utilizing salt-leaching multiple times to speed up desalinization.

Review of theoretical methods and research aspects for detecting leaf water content using terahertz spectroscopy and imaging

The water content in vegetative leaves is an important indicator to plant science.It reveals the physiological status of plants and provides valuable information in irrigation management.Terahertz(THz)as a state-of-the-art technology shows great potential in measuring and monitoring the water status in plant leaves.This paper reviewed the theoretical models for calculating water content in the plant leaves,the methods for eliminating the scattering loss caused by the surface roughness of leaf,the applications of THz spectroscopy and THz imaging for monitoring leaf water content and describing leaf water distribution.The survey of the researches presents the considerable advantages of this emerging and promising THz technology in agriculture.

Effects of temperature and particle size on the thermophysical properties of six plant-origin protein supplements

Reasonable design of the parameters of thermal processing such as conditioning and cooling according to formula changes of pelleted feeds has always been a serious challenge for Chinese feed mills and feed equipment manufacturers. Studying the thermophysical properties of different protein feeds under different temperatures and particle sizes will facilitate the equipment design, parameter optimization, and simulation for the thermal processing of pelleted feeds. In this study, the specific heat (Cp), thermal conductivity (kb), and thermal diffusivity (α) of six plant protein supplements with three particle sizes were determined over a temperature range of 25℃-100℃. The differences in Cp, kb, and α among different feedstuffs and particle sizes were analyzed and the influences of temperature and particle size on these properties were evaluated. Results showed that the Cp, kb, and α of all the feedstuffs increased with increasing temperature and varied from 1.622 to 2.417 kJ/(kg∙℃), 0.080 to 0.362 W/(m∙℃), 6.379×10^(-8) to 21.984×10^(-8) m^(2)/s, respectively. To rise to the same temperature, the distiller’s dried grain with solubles (DDGS) needed to absorb 3% more heat than that required for soybean meal (SBM), while the rest four feedstuffs just needed to absorb 93%-98% heat for SBM. Particle size had no significant effect on Cp for all the feedstuffs (p>0.05). However, descending trends in kb and α were observed with increasing particle size for a certain feedstuff at the same bulk density. In addition, regression equations with only statistically significant terms were developed to describe Cp, kb, and α as a function of temperature and particle size for six feedstuffs. The results can provide basic theory and data for the optimization of thermal processing parameters required for the plant-protein ingredient change in compound feed formulations.

Implication of sewage sludge increased application rates on soil fertility and heavy metals contamination risk

This paper aims to assess soil fertility and risk contamination parameters in response to increased amendment rates of sewage sludge application,under semi-arid climatic conditions of Morocco,using two soil textures:soil A(clay-silty)and soil B(sandy-clay)over two years.To this end,sewage sludge and soils treatments physicochemical parameters,heavy metals content,degree of pollution and associated risks were evaluated and compared to controlled soils.The results showed that all studied parameters changed significantly(p<0.05)in a dose-dependent manner for both soils compared to the untreated control soils.Indeed,there were significant increase in organic matter(OM),total organic carbon(TOC)and nutrients content(N,P and K)of both sols as a response to increased sewage sludge amendment rates.Overall,sewage sludge application showed a positive agronomic potential for both soil and plant.However,there were concern about some heavy metals contamination risks,the results showed a gradual increase of heavy metals concentration in this order:Cu>Pb>Zn>Ni>Cd>Cr.Nevertheless,their concentrations were below the critical values established by the European Union for the agronomic use of soil.The obtained results of assessed parameters indicating SS degree of pollution and associated risks showed a low to a moderate contamination risks of heavy metals.Accordingly,environmental risks of sewage sludge application will be related to increase of heavy metals mainly in a long-term agricultural reuse.Thus,optimal management of sewage sludge application is recommended to ensure sustainability and benefits at the same time to master the contamination risks.

New Enhanced Authentication Protocol for Internet of Things

Internet of Things(IoT)refers to a new extended network that enables to any object to be linked to the Internet in order to exchange data and to be controlled remotely.Nowadays,due to its multiple advantages,the IoT is useful in many areas like environment,water monitoring,industry,public security,medicine,and so on.For covering all spaces and operating correctly,the IoT benefits from advantages of other recent technologies,like radio frequency identification,wireless sensor networks,big data,and mobile network.However,despite of the integration of various things in one network and the exchange of data among heterogeneous sources,the security of user’s data is a central question.For this reason,the authentication of interconnected objects is received as an interested importance.In 2012,Ye et al.suggested a new authentication and key exchanging protocol for Internet of things devices.However,we have proved that their protocol cannot resist to various attacks.In this paper,we propose an enhanced authentication protocol for IoT.Furthermore,we present the comparative results between our proposed scheme and other related ones.

Intelligent Monitoring System for Biogas Detection Based on the Internet of Things: Mohammedia, Morocco City Landfill Case

Mechanization is a depollution activity,because it provides an energetic and ecological response to the problem of organic waste treatment.Through burning,biogas from mechanization reduces gas pollution from fermentation by a factor of 20.This study aims to better understand the influence of the seasons on the emitted biogas in the landfill of the city Mohammedia.The composition of the biogas that naturally emanates from the landfill has been continuously analyzed by our intelligent system,from different wells drilled in recent and old waste repositories.During the rainy season,the average production of methane,carbon dioxide,and oxygen and nitrogen are currently 56%,32%,and 1%,respectively,compared to 51%,31%,and 0.8%,respectively,for old waste.Hazards levels,potential fire,and explosion risks associated with biogas are lower than those of natural gases in most cases.For this reason a system is proposed to measure and monitor the biogas production of the landfill site remotely.Measurement results carried out at various sites of the landfill in the city of Mohammedia by the system show that the biogas contents present dangers and sanitary risks which are of another order.

End-to-End Fusion of Hyperspectral and Chlorophyll Fluorescence Imaging to Identify Rice Stresses

Herbicides and heavy metals are hazardous substances of environmental pollution,resulting in plant stress and harming humans and animals.Identification of stress types can help trace stress sources,manage plant growth,and improve stress-resistant breeding.In this research,hyperspectral imaging(HSI)and chlorophyll fluorescence imaging(Chl-FI)were adopted to identify the rice plants under two types of herbicide stresses(butachlor(DCA)and quinclorac(ELK))and two types of heavy metal stresses(cadmium(Cd)and copper(Cu)).

Stability evaluation of the PROSPECT model for leaf chlorophyll content retrieval

The radiative transfer model,PROSPECT,has been widely applied for retrieving leaf biochemical traits.However,little work has been conducted to evaluate the stability of the PROSPECT model with consideration of multiple factors(i.e.,spectral resolution,signal-to-noise ratio,plant growth stages,and treatments).This study aims to investigate the stability of the PROSPECT model for retrieving leaf chlorophyll(Chl)content(Cab).Leaf hemispherical reflectance and transmittance of oilseed rape were acquired at different spectral resolutions,noise levels,growth stages,and nitrogen treatments.The Chl content was also measured destructively by using a microplate spectrophotometer.The performance of the PROSPECT model was compared with a commonly used random forest(RF)model.The results showed that the prediction accuracy of PROSPECT and RF models for Cab did not produce significant differences under varied spectral resolutions ranging from 1 to 20 nm.The ranges of the relative root mean square errors(rRMSE)of the PROSPECT and RF models were 12%-13%and 11.70%-12.86%,respectively.However,the performance of both models for leaf Chl retrieval was strongly influenced by the noise level with the rRMSE of 13-15.37%and 12.04%-15.80%for PROSPECT and RF,respectively.For different growth stages,the PROSPECT model had similar prediction accuracies(rRMSE=9.26%-12.41%)to the RF model(rRMSE=9.17%-12.70%).Furthermore,the superiority of the PROSPECT model(rRMSE=10.10%-12.82%)over the RF model(rRMSE=11.81%-15.47%)was prominently observed when tested with plants growth at different nitrogen treatment levels.The results demonstrated that the PROSPECT model has a more stable performance than the RF model for all datasets in this study.

Chemically induced dynamic electron polarization investigation of the triplet-radical system in the solution of the triplet quencher

The chemically induced dynamic electron polarization (CIDEP) of the triplet molecule/triplet quencher/2, 2, 6, 6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxyl (TEMPO) systems were measured using the high time-resolved ESR spectrometer. The competition between the radical-triplet pair mechanism (RTPM) and triplet mechanism (TM) or radical pair mechanism (KIM) polarization in the solution of the triplet quencher was investigated, and the relationships between reaction rate of the radical-triplet pair and quenching rate of triplet was deduced.

Seawater Intrusion and Nitrate Contamination in the Fum Al Wad Coastal Plain,South Morocco

The coastal plain aquifer down gradient of Wad Essaquia Elhamra(WEE),is the main source of groundwater in the arid region of Laayoune Essaquia El Hamra located in south of Morocco.The over-exploitation of this aquifer over the last decade for water supply,agriculture and industry led to deterioration of groundwater quality,including seawater intrusion.The objective of this study is to investigate the spatial variation of groundwater quality,and to assess the influence of sea water intrusion on the groundwater quality using hydro-chemical tools.Several measurement campaigns of physico-chemical parameters of the groundwater were performed,which shows a very high mineralization ratios versus chloride,confirming the double influence of mixing mechanisms of fresh and saline waters and the water-rock interactions.Computed seawater fraction for sampled water shows that the average mixing rate of seawater intrusion reached 10.5%,confirming the marine intrusion in the aquifer.The highest values were registered in coastal wells.In the upstream around Laayoune and the spreading area,nitrate concentrations exceed 50 mg/L which is the threshold set by the World Health Organization,revealing a high level of contamination by domestic sewage.The combination of ionic ratios and seawater fraction is a useful tool to assess marine intrusion.This study reveals that the phenomenon of marine intrusion is not the only process that dominates hydrochemistry of ground water.The high groundwater mineralization is also due to rockwater interaction associated with reverse ion exchange with clay material and anthropogenic pollutants.

Spectral Preprocessing Combined with Deep Transfer Learning to Evaluate Chlorophyll Content in Cotton Leaves

Rapid determination of chlorophyll content is significant for evaluating cotton’s nutritional and physiological status.Hyperspectral technology equipped with multivariate analysis methods has been widely used for chlorophyll content detection.However,the model developed on one batch or variety cannot produce the same effect for another due to variations,such as samples and measurement conditions.

IoT-Based Data Logger for Weather Monitoring Using Arduino-Based Wireless Sensor Networks with Remote Graphical Application and Alerts

In recent years,the monitoring systems play significant roles in our life.So,in this paper,we propose an automatic weather monitoring system that allows having dynamic and real-time climate data of a given area.The proposed system is based on the internet of things technology and embedded system.The system also includes electronic devices,sensors,and wireless technology.The main objective of this system is sensing the climate parameters,such as temperature,humidity,and existence of some gases,based on the sensors.The captured values can then be sent to remote applications or databases.Afterwards,the stored data can be visualized in graphics and tables form.