Early Growth Period Research Articles

Effects of straw mulch and buried straw on soil moisture and salinity in relation to sunflower growth and yield

Salt accumulation in the root zone can be controlled by reducing the upward movement of salts and evaporation in arid areas of China. This paper aimed to examine the effects of the combined application of straw mulch and buried straw layer on soil moisture, soil salinity and growth of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) plants. A three-year field experiment was conducted in the Hetao Irrigation District, Inner Mongolia, China. Three field management practices were studied: deep tillage with no mulch (CK), deep tillage with straw mulch (SM) and combined application of straw mulch and burying of a maize straw layer (12tha−1) at a depth of 40cm (SM+SL). Except in the second half of the first growing season, soil moisture at the 0–40cm depth was higher with SM+SL and SM than CK. Also the topsoil (0–20cm) moisture during the early growth period under SM+SL was higher than that under SM by 1.6–9.9% in 2011 and 1.6–3.4% in 2013, but the value for SM+SL was 2.1–10.4% higher than that for SM during the whole growth period of 2012. Compared with SM, the topsoil salinity under SM+SL decreased by 5.4–23.0% in 2011, 0.7–19.8% in 2012 and 4.5–31.6% in 2013 but these two mulch treatments moderately increased the soil salinity in the subsoil (20–40cm) layer compared with CK. Furthermore, SM+SL promoted sunflower growth, as indicated by taller plants and greater leaf area index. The highest sunflower shoot biomass was always obtained from the SM+SL treatment. Averaged across the three years, SM+SL increased the shoot biomass by 4.8% compared to SM and 20.8% compared to CK. The SM+SL may be an effective saline soil management practice in the Hetao Irrigation District and other similar ecological areas.

Urban ecology in China: Historical developments and future directions

China has the largest population and the longest urban development history in the world, with primitive cities first occurring along the Yellow River in northern China more than 4000 years ago. After a long period of stagnation during recent centuries, urbanization has revived again in China since the economic reform in 1978. Strongly influenced by national land use policy and the history of urbanization after 1949, China's urban ecology has gone through three development periods: the emergent period (1983–1989), the early growth period (1990–1999), and the rapid development period (2000–present). In this paper, we first provide a historical review of urbanization and urban ecology in China; based on this retrospective analysis, we further identify the main characteristics of, and missing links in, China's urban ecological research; and finally we suggest future research directions. The amount and scope of research in urban ecology and environment conducted in China since the 1980s are impressive. Not only did Chinese scholars import Western ideas to develop urban ecological science, but also they have promoted a holistic, use-inspired, transdisciplinary philosophy for studying and managing urban systems – which has unique Chinese characteristics. After more than 5000 years of being predominantly agrarian, China is now urban, and will become only more urban in the future. This continued fast urbanization makes China a living laboratory for studying urbanization, and China's urban ecology seems poised to make strides in the coming decades.

Rice Biomass Estimation Using Radar Backscattering Data at S-band

This paper presents an inversion method based on neural networks (NN) to estimate rice biomass in a paddy rice field with fully polarimetric (HH, HV, VH, VV) measurements at S-band. The backscattering coefficients are measured by a ground-based scatterometer system during the rice growth period from May to September 2010. The rice growth parameters including biomass, leaf-area index (LAI) and canopy structure are collected by random sampling at the same time. Data analyses show that the multi-temporal backscattering coefficients are very sensitive to the changes of biomass, LAI, canopy height and stem density. We also find that multi-temporal observations are suitable for paddy detection in the early growth period, and co-polarimetric observations perform well for monitoring rice status in the late growth period. According to the field measurements, a rice growth model was established as the function of rice age. The model made the parameters more representative and universal than limited random measurements over a given rice field. The scatter model of rice fields was simulated based on Monte Carlo simulations. The input parameters in the scatter model were generated by the rice growth model. The simulation results of the scatter model were composed as the NN training dataset, which was used for training and accessing the NN inversion algorithm. Two NN models, a simple training model (STM) and a related training model (RTM), were applied to estimate rice biomass. The obtained results show that the root mean square error (RMSE = 0.816 Kg/m <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sup> ) of the RTM is better than that of the STM (RMSE = 1.226 kg/m <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sup> ). The results suggest that the inversion model is able to estimate rice biomass with radar backscattering coefficients at S-band.

Exogenous Treatment with Salicylic Acid Alleviating Copper Toxicity in Bean Seedlings

The present study was carried out to examine the effects of salicylic acid (SA) on growth and some physiobiochemical attributes in bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) plants exposed to copper stress. Exposure to copper significantly decreased root and shoot growth, chlorophyll and protein but increased malondialdehyde (MDA), carotenoid and proline. Exogenous application of SA acid was found to alleviate negative effects generated by heavy metals like copper in plant. Salicylic acid significantly increased root and shoot growth, chlorophyll and protein. In addition SA reduced the proline, MDA and carotenoid in copper stressed plants. The data suggest that the useful effect of SA during an earlier growth period could be related to avoidance of damage caused by exposure to copper. In addition, exogenous SA may improve the tolerance of the plant to the copper toxicity.

Selenium alleviates cadmium toxicity by preventing oxidative stress in sunflower (Helianthus annuus) seedlings

The present study investigated the possible mediatory role of selenium (Se) in protecting plants from cadmium (Cd) toxicity. The exposure of sunflower seedlings to 20μM Cd inhibited biomass production, decreased chlorophyll and carotenoid concentrations and strongly increased accumulation of Cd in both roots and shoots. Similarly, Cd enhanced hydrogen peroxides content and lipid peroxidation as indicated by malondialdehyde accumulation. Pre-soaking seeds with Se (5, 10 and 20μM) alleviated the negative effect of Cd on growth and led to a decrease in oxidative injuries caused by Cd. Furthermore, Se enhanced the activities of catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase, but lowered that of superoxide dismutase and guaiacol peroxidase. As important antioxidants, ascorbate and glutathione contents in sunflower leaves exposed to Cd were significantly decreased by Se treatment. The data suggest that the beneficial effect of Se during an earlier growth period could be related to avoidance of cumulative damage upon exposure to Cd, thus reducing the negative consequences of oxidative stress caused by heavy metal toxicity.

Comparative Analysis of Histological Changes in Ussurian Bullhead, Leiocassis ussuriensis, and Korean Bullhead, Pseudobagrus fulvidevrepaco, in the Early Period of Growth.

The histological changes in the Ussurian bullhead, Leiocassis ussuriensis, and the Korean bullhead, Pseudobagrus fulvidevrepaco, were observed during the early period of growth. The retinas size of both species increased in the 9 days post-hatching (DPH) (p<0.05). In the just-hatched Ussurian bullhead, the retina already consisted of six layers: the epithelial layer, ganglion cell layer, inner nuclear layer, inner plexiform layer, outer limiting membrane layer, and rod and cone layer. The Korean bullhead had the same components. At 50 DPH, the thickness of the retina was 538.0±7.19 μm in the Ussurian bullhead and 558.9±9.44 μm in the Korean bullhead. The relative thickness of each layer of the retina did not differ significantly in the two species. Although the growth of the Korean bullhead’s retina was faster, the relative thickness of each layer in the retina did not change during early development. After hatching, some parts of the tissue gradually became denser. Immediately after hatching, the kidney and midgut epithelium of the Ussurian bullhead and Korean bullhead were already formed and grew gradually thereafter. From 0 DPH to 30 DPH, the nuclear height in the midgut epithelium did not differ significantly between the two species, but at 50 DPH, it was 11.4±2.45 μm in the Korean bullhead and 9.9± 2.13 μm in the Ussurian bullhead. During the experimental period, the major axes, minor axes, surface areas, and volumes of the proximal tubule cells in the kidney did not differ significantly between the two species. Thus, the early histological development of the Ussurian bullhead is similar to that of the Korean bullhead.

Childhood Height and Birth Weight in Relation to Future Prostate Cancer Risk: A Cohort Study Based on the Copenhagen School Health Records Register

Adult height has been positively associated with prostate cancer risk. However, the exposure window of importance is currently unknown and assessments of height during earlier growth periods are scarce. In addition, the association between birth weight and prostate cancer remains undetermined. We assessed these relationships in a cohort of the Copenhagen School Health Records Register (CSHRR). The CSHRR comprises 372,636 school children. For boys born between the 1930s and 1969, birth weight and annual childhood heights-measured between ages 7 and 13 years-were analyzed in relation to prostate cancer risk. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). There were 125,211 males for analysis, 2,987 of who were subsequently diagnosed with prostate cancer during 2.57 million person-years of follow-up. Height z-score was significantly associated with prostate cancer risk at all ages (HRs, 1.13 to 1.14). Height at age 13 years was more important than height change (P = 0.024) and height at age 7 years (P = 0.024), when estimates from mutually adjusted models were compared. Adjustment of birth weight did not alter the estimates. Birth weight was not associated with prostate cancer risk. The association between childhood height and prostate cancer risk was driven by height at age 13 years. Our findings implicate late childhood, adolescence, and adulthood growth periods as containing the exposure window(s) of interest that underlies the association between height and prostate cancer. The causal factor may not be singular given the complexity of both human growth and carcinogenesis.

Comparative Analysis of the Morphometric Changes in Ussurian bullhead, Leiocassis ussuriensis, and Korean bullhead, Pseudobagrus fulvidraco, in the Early Period of Growth.

Morphometric changes in the Ussurian bullhead, Leiocassis ussuriensis, and the Korean bullhead, Pseudobagrus fulvidraco, were observed during the early period of growth. Yolk length, yolk height, and yolk volume in the two species decreased within 9 days post-hatching (DPH) (p<0.05). The body lengths and body heights of both species increased gradually to 150 and 130 DPH, respectively (p<0.05). The horizontal distance between the anteriormost extension of the head and the anterior insertion of the pectoral fin, the anteriormost extension of the head × the verticality position of the anterior insertion of the primary dorsal fin rays, and the anterior insertion of the primary dorsal fin × the anterior insertion of the pectoral fin were greater in the Korean bullhead than in the Ussurian bullhead (p<0.05). However, the relative sizes of the head region, pectoral fin, ventral fin, and anal fin were greater in the Ussurian bullhead than in the Korean bullhead (p<0.05), and relative body depth and the size of the outer-mandible barbel were greater in the Korean bullhead than in the Ussurian bullhead (p<0.05). The growth curves of the morphometric characteristics of both species were divided into three types.

Morphometric and Histological Changes in Cyprinid Loach, Misgurnus anguillicaudatus, in the Early Growth Period.

In this study, we measured the morphometric and histological changes in the cyprinid loach, Misgurnus anguillicaudatus, during the early period of growth. Eyes, yolk length, yolk height, and yolk volume of the larva decreased for 16 days post hatching (DPH) (P<0.05). During 60 DPH (P>0.05), the most anterior extension of the head × the posterior end of the supraoccipital, the most anterior extension of the head × the origin of the dorsal fin, the most anterior extension of the head × the origin of the pectoral fin, the posterior end of the supraoccipital × the origin of the pelvic fin, and the origin of the dorsal fin × the ventral origin of the caudal fin gradually decreased, whereas the most anterior extension of the head × the dorsal origin of the caudal fin, the origin of the dorsal fin × the origin of the anal fin, the origin of the dorsal fin × the origin of the pectoral fin, and the insertion of the dorsal fin × the origin of the pelvic fin gradually increased (P<0.05). In the cyprinid loach, the retina is composed of six layers: the epithelial layer, ganglion cell layer, inner nuclear layer, inner plexiform layer, outer limiting membrane, and rod and cone layer (RCL). After hatching, part of the RCL gradually increased in density. The kidney and midgut epithelium were already formed in the cyprinid loach just after hatching and grew gradually in subsequent days.

Effects of the introduction of rice on evapotranspiration in seasonal wetlands

AbstractLand use changes in wetland areas can alter evapotranspiration, a major component of the water balance, which eventually affects the water cycle and ecosystem. This study assessed the effect of introduced rice‐cropping on evapotranspiration in seasonal wetlands of northern Namibia. By using the Bowen ratio–energy balance method, measurements of evapotranspiration were performed over a period of 2.5 years at two wetland sites—a rice field (RF) and a natural vegetation field (NVF)—and at one upland field (UF) devoid of surface water. The mean evapotranspiration rates of RF (1.9 mm daytime−1) and NVF (1.8 mm daytime−1) were greater than that in UF (1.0 mm daytime−1). RF and NVF showed a slight difference in seasonal variations in evapotranspiration rates. During the dry season, RF evapotranspiration was less than the NVF evapotranspiration. The net radiation in RF was less in this period because of the higher albedo of the non‐vegetated surface after rice harvesting. In the early growth period of rice during the wet season, evapotranspiration in RF was higher than that in NVF, which was attributed to a difference in the evaporation efficiency and the transfer coefficient for latent heat that were both affected by leaf area index (LAI). Evapotranspiration sharply negatively responded to an increase in LAI when surface water is present according to sensitivity analysis, probably because a higher LAI over a surface suppresses evaporation. The control of LAI is therefore a key for reducing evaporation and conserving water. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Sex-specific environmental sensitivity is transient in nestling Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor)

Studies investigating how male and female offspring respond to poor environmental conditions have often focused on species in which members of one sex are considerably larger than the other. We studied the impact of reduced maternal provisioning on post-natal development in nestling Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor), a species displaying slight-to-moderate sexual size dimorphism. We reduced maternal provisioning via maternal feather clipping, and studied the effects on growth rate, immune function, and corticosterone (CORT) levels of male and female nestlings. Nestlings of clipped mothers were lighter at hatch than nestlings of control mothers. There was also a trend for male nestlings of clipped mothers to be lighter at hatch than female nestlings, a pattern not detected in control nests, suggesting possible sex-specific embryonic sensitivity. Although female nestlings grew more slowly than male nestlings when faced with poor environmental conditions, this was only detected for the first few days post-hatch. Maternal feather clipping had no sex-specific effect on nestling CORT levels, or immune function. Interestingly, nestlings raised by feather-clipped mothers had a stronger immune response to a phytohaemagglutinin challenge than nestlings raised by control mothers. We conclude that Tree Swallows show sex-specific sensitivity to reduced environmental quality, but only during the early post-natal growth period.

Effects of Different Micro-Catchment Mulching Methods on Growth and Water Use Efficiency of Corn

The study on the effects of three unary and binary micro-catchment mulching methods including film mulching ridge and ditch plantation, film-mulching ridge and ditch film-mulching plantation and film-mulching ridge and ditch film-mulching straw plantation on growth of corn and different precipitation years was conducted in allusion to the low and unstable yield of corn in the western Liaoning province of China and in comparison with the traditional plantation model. Under the condition of this experiment, through film-mulching ridge and ditch film-mulching plantation and film-mulching ridge and ditch plantation, the time for seedling emergence of corn was shortened and the emergence rate of corn was increased. Through film-mulching ridge and ditch film-mulching straw plantation, the time for seedling emergence of corn was prolonged and the emergence rate of corn was increased in median water or dry years, but the emergence rate of corn was reduced in the high flow year. By contrast to traditional plantation model, film-mulching ridge and ditch film-mulching plantation and film-mulching ridge and ditch plantation boosted the increase in plant height and leaf area of corn and promoted dry matter accumulation in the early period of growth while the growth was slow, the plant height, leaf area and dry matter accumulation was always at he minimum value through film-mulching ridge and ditch straw mulching plantation in the early period of growth, but the growth rate was expedited in the late period during growth. Through film-mulching ridge and ditch straw mulching plantation, due to many reasons such as the growth process ahead of schedule and high temperature, the signs of precocity or premature senility come into being and leaf area and chlorophyll content decreases swiftly; through film-mulching ridge and ditch straw mulching plantation, the descent velocity of leaf area and chlorophyll content were reduced and the leaf senescence was postponed. In different precipitation years, the increases in water use efficiency of micro-catchment plantation were different, smaller in high flow year while larger in dry or median water year.

Impacts of planting systems on soil moisture, soil temperature and corn yield in rainfed area of Northeast China

The effects of different planting systems on soil conditions and crop growth are not well documented in cool high-latitude rainfed regions. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted from 2009 to 2011 to evaluate the impacts of planting systems on soil moisture, soil temperature and corn yield in the center of Northeast China. The experimental design was randomized complete block with three replications. Three planting systems (RP: ridge planting, FRP: flat planting with ridging at early jointing stage, and FP: flat planting without ridging) were tested in this study. Corn yield was significantly higher under FRP than under RP and FP by 302.2 and 552.3kgha−1, respectively, on average across the three experimental years (P<0.05). Significant differences in soil moisture were found in the early stage of the growing season. Soil water storages in 0–40cm depth under FRP and FP were higher than under RP during the period from sowing to seedling stages (VE to V1 stages). Meanwhile, significant differences in topsoil temperatures occurred among planting systems during early growth period. The FRP and FP significantly increased the daily minimum temperature in the soil layer of 5cm on average by 1.2 and 1.1°C compared to RP during the period from VE to V1 stage, despite the fact that the daily maximum temperatures were correspondingly 2.4 and 2.6°C lower, respectively. Compared to FP, RP and FRP could reduce waterlogging by draining extra rainwater through furrows during the later growth period. The above findings indicate that FRP can benefit corn cropping for higher yield through mitigating soil temperature and moisture limitations to corn growth in cool high-latitude rainfed areas.

カドミウム汚染土壌で栽培したダイコン２品種の生育初期における地上部と根部のカドミウム，亜鉛，マンガンおよび銅の濃度

カドミウム汚染土壌で栽培したダイコン２品種の生育初期における地上部と根部のカドミウム，亜鉛，マンガンおよび銅の濃度

Microstructural Brain and Multivoxel Spectroscopy in Very Low Birth Weight Infants Related to Insulin-Like Growth Factor Concentration and Early Growth

Background: Very low birth weight (VLBW) children have higher risk of neurologic disabilities and growth factors are essential for brain maturation. Aim: To assess whether there are differences in neurologic findings, psychometric parameters and microstructural brain morphology in 1-year-old VLBW infants versus term healthy controls and whether these differences are related to hormonal/growth changes. Methods: Prospective anthropometry, prefeed venous blood sample [insulin, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II), leptin, glucose], neurologic and imaging assessment, at age 1 year in 34 VLBW infants (12 SGA; 10 M) and 10 healthy term controls (5 M). Results: IGF-I concentrations at 1 month of corrected age were 20% lower in SGA versus appropriate for gestational age VLBW (p < 0.02). Gray and white matter volume and fractional anisotropy in 15/27 regions were decreased (p < 0.001). Abnormal spectroscopy was observed in 4 zones in VLBW versus term controls (p < 0.001). Some of these changes were associated with different periods of first-year growth and IGF-I/IGF-II, leptin and HOMA-IR. Conclusions: VLBW infants show differences in brain volumes and microstructural brain morphology as compared to term controls, changes related to circulating growth factor and anthropometry changes in the first year. This apparent reorganization of the developing brain offers a unique opportunity to investigate the relationship between changes in cortical anatomy, cognitive and social impairments and periods of early growth.

Functional reversibility of temporomandibular joint mechanoreceptors

ObjectivePrevious studies have reported that the maturation of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) mechanoreceptors occurs during the early stages of mastication, and indicated that TMJ mechanoreceptors lose their function when masticatory loading is decreased. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether the resumption of proper TMJ loading during the early growth period could restore TMJ mechanoreceptor function. DesignsNinety-nine 2-week-old male Wistar rats were divided into two groups and fed either pellets [control group (n=33)] or a liquid diet [experimental group (n=66)]. At 5 weeks of age, the experimental group was split into changing-diet (n=33) and liquid-diet (n=33) groups; the former was fed pellets instead of a liquid diet. TMJ mechanoreceptor activities were recorded from the trigeminal ganglion at 5, 7 and 9 weeks. The firing threshold and maximum instantaneous firing frequency of single TMJ units were measured in each group. ResultsIn the changing-diet group, the firing properties of TMJ units were recovered at 7 weeks. ConclusionsProper TMJ loading during the early growth period can lead to the restoration of TMJ mechanoreceptor function.

Morphological development of the small intestine in white Roman goslings

The objective of this study was to investigate the morphological development of small intestinal segments in white Roman goslings from hatching to 28 days of age. Forty day-old male goslings were used in this experiment. Eight goslings were selected randomly at hatching, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days of age, respectively. The small intestinal segments were sampled from six goslings for intestinal structure observation by light microscopy and from two male goslings for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The villus height, width, perimeter, area, crypt depth, muscle thickness and height/width ratio significantly (P < 0.05) increased during the first four weeks post-hatching. The villus width of duodenum continued to increase (P < 0.05) until 28 days of age, whereas the jejunum and ileum villus width reached a peak at 21 days of age. The development of villus height, area and crypt depth increased two to three times in the small intestine of goslings from hatching to 28 days of age. The area of villi in the duodenum and jejunum were significantly larger (P < 0.05) than that in the ileum. The villus muscle depth of the ileum was greatest (P < 0.05) and villus height and perimeter of jejunum were greatest (P < 0.05) among the intestinal segments at 28 days of age. Duodenal villus width increased faster but crypt and muscle thickness became thinner than other intestinal segments (P < 0.05). The variables regressing the size and shape of villi in the smal intestine increased linearly (P < 0.05 to 0.001) in the small intestine. The surface of each segment villi of the small intestine exhibited different types. At hatching, the villi of duodenum and jejunum had a small and dense finger-like shape, followed by a more developed plate or tongue-like at four weeks of age. Ileal villi developed to finger-like with a round tip during the early growth period. Key words: Geese, small intestine, villi, morphological development.

ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF DRIP‐IRRIGATED KINNOW MANDARIN ORCHARD UNDER DEFICIT IRRIGATION AND PARTIAL ROOT ZONE DRYING

ABSTRACTThe profitability of regulated deficit irrigation (RDI), sustained deficit irrigation (SDI), and SDI with partial root zone drying (PRD) strategies was compared to that with full irrigation (FI: 100% crop evapotranspiration) in drip‐irrigated Kinnow mandarin in northern India. RDI was scheduled with two irrigation levels: no irrigation and 50% crop evapotranspiration (ETc.) imposed in the early fruit growth period (EFGP) and final fruit growth period (FFGP) singly and in combination, whereas SDI was scheduled at 50% ETc and 75% ETc with and without the PRD technique. The highest fruit yield was recorded with FI, which was statistically on a par (p &gt; 0.05) with that with SDI at 50% ETc with PRD (PRD50). Economic‐based comparison shows that all the treatments were economically viable since their profitability (net return, INR 137 000–1 300 000 ha‐1 and benefit–cost ratio, 2.1–14.3) were viable. The net return generated with PRD50 was statistically (p &gt; 0.05) at par with that generated with FI. However, the benefit–cost ratio and economic water productivity calculated with PRD50 were found to be significantly (p &lt; 0.05) higher (36 and 87%, respectively) than that with FI. These results lead us to conclude that the PRD50 strategy could be used to improve irrigation water productivity substantially in commercial Kinnow mandarin orchards in sandy loam soil. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Role of Canopy Coverage in Water Use Efficiency of Lowland Rice in Early Growth Period in Semi-Arid Region

An appropriate combination of rice cultivar and cropping system that maximizes water use efficiency (WUE) may improve yield of rainfed lowland rice. In the paddy field, a large amount of water is consumed by evaporation during the early growth period, and it can be reduced by canopy coverage especially in semi-arid regions. Therefore, we evaluated the role of canopy coverage in WUE of rice in the early growth period in semi-arid region. A pot experiment was conducted in Namibia to investigate the genotypic and species difference in WUE, and another pot and a field experiment were conducted to investigate the effects of planting density on WUE. Although no significant difference was observed among species, the mean WUE was in the decreasing order of Oryza sativa, and Oryza glaberrima followed by the interspecific progenies including NERICA. In contrast, there was a significant difference in WUE at the genotypic level. Highly tillering genotypes such as WAB1159-2-12-11-5-1 and WITA 2 showed a high WUE. Furthermore, WUE was significantly correlated with the number of tillers (R2 = 0.453), and higher planting density resulted in a higher WUE. In contrast, stomatal conductance had no significant correlation with WUE (R2 = 0.081). Thus, the physical conditions affected by number of tillers and planting density had greater impacts on WUE than physiological characteristics such as stomatal conductance. The suppression of surface water evaporation by coverage was significant, probably contributing to WUE improvement. To increase WUE in semi-arid regions, we recommend the increase of canopy coverage and higher planting density.

Interdisciplinary Aspects of Childhood Obesity and Physical Fitness

Interdisciplinary Aspects of Childhood Obesity and Physical Fitness