Middle Grain Research Articles

Effect of Limited Irrigation on Water Consumption and Grain Yield of Spring Maize (<i>Zea Mays)</i>

The soil water contents in spring maize field were monitored continuously using soil neutron probe combined with drying-weighing method. Meanwhile, the effect of limited irrigation on crop periodic water consumption and its percentage in total water use, leaf area index, and grain yield of spring maize were explored. The results indicated that both the periodic water consumption and its percentage in total water use varied from low to high then to low within maize growing season, with the maximum valued both at silking to middle grain filling. In addition, leaf area indexes were greatly improved by full irrigation before maize filling, and grain yield was not reduced by efficient limited irrigation management, contrarily, yield increase and 31.1% of significant irrigation water saving were achieved, which was beneficial to the optimization of soil water ecological processing and limited irrigation management.

Effect of Limited Water Supply on Photosynthetic Characteristics of Spring Maize (<i>Zea Mays)</i>

A trial was carried out to investigate the effect of limited water supply on leaf area duration (LAD), relative growth rate (RGR), crop growth rate (CGR), and above-ground biomass (AB) of spring maize. The results indicated that the LAD was significantly (p<0.05) increased by 10.6%, 15.4%, 16.9%, 19.3%, 13.4% and 17.0%,12.2%, 19.7%, 18.4%, 20.9% in MI1, MI3, MI4, MI5, CK than MI2 during both 12-leaf stage to heading and heading to silking. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in RGR among all the treatments and check during 6-leaf to 12-leaf stage and silking to middle grain filling, but significant difference occurred during other measured stages. Also, significant difference was found in CGR among some treatments and check during all the measured growth stages. The maximum AB of maize was maintained in CK with 23.0 t ha-1, significantly improved by 16.2%, 16.2%, 22.3% and 41.1%, 35.3% respectively than in MI1, MI4, MI5 and MI2, MI3, and the minimum AB was recorded in MI2 with 16.3 t ha-1.

Differences of Starch Granules in Grains from Different Spikelet Positions and Their Correlation with Grain Weight in Winter Wheat

The purpose of this study was to reveal the differences in development and size-distribution of starch granules in endosperm of wheat grains in different grain positions and spikelet positions. The endosperm cell size, and the number, volume and surface area distribution of starch granules in mature caryopsis, as well as the changes of starch granule number during endosperm development, were studied using wheat cultivar Jimai 20 grown in the field. The results showed that the development of starch granule was closely related with grain position and spikelet position. In the same spikelet position, starch grains formed 4–5 d earlier in superior grains (the first and the second grains) than in inferior grains (the third and the fourth grains).At the same grain position, starch granules developed first in the grains of the middle spikelets, and then in grains of upper and lower spikelets. The amount of starch granules was the highest in the middle spikelet grains all the time. The lower spikelet grains had the least starch granules at the beginning of grain filling, however, the number of starch granules increased gradually and surpassed that of the upper spikelet grains as caryopsis matured. Correlation coefficients between grain weight and starch granule amount became more significant with grain filling, which reached 0.88 ** (large starch granule) and 0.78 ** (small starch granule) at mature stage. Correlation coefficients between grain weight and large starch granule amount were higher than 0.96 ** , and had no difference among different spikelet positions. Correlation coefficients between grain weight and small starch granule amount were higher than 0.93 ** , and had a trend of upperlowermiddle in different spikelet positions. The trend of size distribution was BL-typeBS-typeA-type. There were more BS-type granules in superior grains than in inferior grains. The number of BS-type granules increased with the spikelet position rising, whereas the number of BL-type granules showed a reverse trend. The size distribution of starch granules had similar changes to volume and surface area. The formation and size distribution of starch granules were affectedsignificantly by grain position and spikelet position, and inferior grains had the potential of increasing grain weight through increasing the quantity of starch granules.

Expression profiles of genes involved in starch synthesis in non-waxy and waxy wheat

Non-waxy and waxy types of wheat were used to study the expression profiles of genes involved in starch synthesis. During grain development, expression profiles and levels of AGPL and AGPS genes were similar to each other. SSI expression remained constant during the late grain development, while expression of SSII and SSIII was higher over the early to middle and middle grain development, and the GBSSI was actively expressed during the entire grain development. SBEIIa was higher expressed during early to middle stage, SBEIIb was active in middle and SBEI during middle to late grain development. During the entire grain development, expression levels of GBSSI and SSIII genes were higher in non-waxy type of wheat, while those of SBEI and SBEIIb were lower in the non-waxy type of wheat. Expression of all genes involved in starch synthesis was stage-specific and tissue-specific. In addition, the expression profiles of genes encoding starch synthase were in agreement with the activity changes of starch synthase during grain development.

Quartz OSL dating of last glacial sand dunes near Lanzhou on the western Chinese Loess Plateau: A comparison between different granulometric fractions

Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating technique is a reliable method to determine the ages of sand dune sediments. While it seems logical to assume that for these windblown materials (such as sand dune sediments) grains from different sized fractions are suitable for optical dating and would yield identical ages, this was not previously explicitly demonstrated yet. In this study, six samples were selected from the sand dunes intercalated in loess strata near Lanzhou, western Chinese Loess Plateau, and different grain-size quartz fractions (e.g. 38–63 μm, 90–150 μm, 150–200 μm, 200–250 μm and 250–300 μm) were extracted to compare the OSL ages of different grain-size quartz. The results show that: (1) quartz OSL ages derived from different grain-size fractions produce identical ages within errors, confirming that the ages resulting from both coarse silt-sized (or middle grain of 38–63 μm) and sand-sized (90–300 μm) quartz can represent the periods of sand dune accumulation; (2) the OSL ages of the selected sand dune samples fall into ca. 28–18 ka, suggesting that the sand dune accumulation occurred during the marine isotope stage 2 (MIS 2) in current study area, which might imply regional increased aridity on the western Chinese Loess Plateau.

Molecular cloning, functional characterization and expression analysis of a novel monosaccharide transporter gene OsMST6 from rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Monosaccharides transporters play important roles in assimilate supply for sink tissue development. In this study, a new monosaccharide transporter gene OsMST6 was identified from rice (Oryza sativa L.). The predicted OsMST6 protein shows typical features of sugar transporters and shares 79.6% identity with the rice monosaccharide transporter OsMST3. Heterologous expression in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) demonstrated that OsMST6 is a broad-spectrum monosaccharide transporter, with a K (m) of 266.1 muMu for glucose. OsMST6-green fluorescent protein fusion protein is localized to the plasma membrane in plant. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis exhibited that OsMST6 is expressed in all tested organs/tissues. In developing seeds, OsMST6 expression level is high at the early and middle grain filling stages and gradually declines later. Further analysis detected its expression in both maternal and filial tissues. RNA in situ hybridization analysis indicated that OsMST6 is predominantly expressed in the vascular parenchyma of the chalazal vein, cross-cells, nucellar tissue and endosperm of young seeds, in mesophyll cells of source leaf blades, and in pollens and the connective vein of anthers. In addition, OsMST6 expression is up-regulated by salt stress and sugars. The physiological role of OsMST6 for seed development and its roles in other sink and source tissues are discussed.

Cell‐wall Invertases from Rice are Differentially Expressed in Caryopsis during the Grain Filling Stage

Cell-wall invertase plays an important role in sucrose partitioning between source and sink organs in higher plants. To investigate the role of cell-wall invertases for seed development in rice (Oryza sativa L.), cDNAs of three putative cell-wall invertase genes OsCIN1, OsCIN2 and OsCIN3 were isolated. Semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed different expression patterns of the three genes in various rice tissues/organs. In developing caryopses, they exhibited similar temporal expression patterns, expressed highly at the early and middle grain filling stages and gradually declined to low levels afterward. However, the spatial expression patterns of them were very different, with OsCIN1 primarily expressed in the caryopsis coat, OsCIN2 in embryo and endosperm, and OsCIN3 in embryo. Further RNA in situ hybridization analysis revealed that a strong signal of OsCIN2 mRNA was detected in the vascular parenchyma surrounding the xylem of the chalazal vein and the aleurone layer, whereas OsCIN3 transcript was strongly detected in the vascular parenchyma surrounding the phloem of the chalazal vein, cross-cells, the aleurone layer and the nucellar tissue. These data indicate that the three cell-wall invertase genes play complementary/synergetic roles in assimilate unloading during the grain filling stage. In addition, the cell type-specific expression patterns of OsCIN3 in source leaf blades and anthers were also investigated, and its corresponding physiological roles were discussed.

７８０ＭＰａ級Ｄｕａｌ Ｐｈａｓｅ鋼の静的，動的強度特性に及ぼす炭素と珪素の影響

Various types of high strength steel have been developed to improve the impact safety and reduce the weight of cars. For the steels used in anti-crash equipments, mechanical properties, especially, at high strain rates such as 103/s is of importance. In this study, 0.110%C–1.44%Si–1.29Mn–0.65%Cr–0.29%Mo containing hot rolled dual phase steel with 780 MPa grade in tensile strength was employed as a base steel and the effects of carbon and silicon on static (strain rate: 10−3/s)/ dynamic (strain rate: 103/s) mechanical properties of the dual phase steel were investigated. Carbon and silicon contents were changed in a range of 0.076–0.190% and 1.44–2.39%, respectively. Grain size of the steels was varied by hot rolling reduction: 53% (named coarse grain process), 73% (middle grain process) and 88% (fine grain process). Dynamic absorbed energy up to 10% tensile strain had a linear relationship with tensile strength, regardless of microstructures, i.e., neglecting carbon and silicon contents, and hot rolling conditions. All absorbed energy to fracture had a close relationship with tensile strength–ductile balance parameter (tensile strength×total elongation), reflecting microstructural change through chemical and rolling conditions. All the processed 0.190% C steels, and the fine grain processed 1.93% Si and 2.39% Si steels showed the highest all absorbed energy of all the steels tested. The 0.190% C steel was characterized by almost 100% martensite with some content of retained austenite, and the 1.93% Si and 2.39% Si steels were fine grained ferrite+martensite. It was found that carbon improves all absorbed energy through increase in volume fraction of martensite and silicon raises it through solid solution hardening of ferrite matrix.

Genetic correlation and path analysis of transpiration efficiency for wheat flag leaves

A 4 × 4 complete diallel cross was set up with four different types of drought-resistant winter wheat varieties to define mutual relations among main quantitative traits and the contribution of each trait to the flag leaf transpiration efficiency (TE) in the grain filling phase. Through genetic correlative and path analysis, the influence of five physiological traits, net photosynthesis rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), intercellular CO 2 concentration (Ci), transpiration rate (Tr), and leaf temperature (Tl), on flag leaf TE was observed. The results of variance analysis showed that there were very significant differences between TE and the related five traits, as well as between these five traits. The results of genetic correlation analysis showed also that the absolute values of the correlation coefficients of corresponding traits to TE should be ordered as Pn > Gs > Tl > Tr > Ci in the early grain filling stage, Ci > Tr > Pn > Gs > Tl in the middle grain filling stage, and Pn > Ci > Tl > Tr > Gs in the late grain filling stage, respectively. The results of the combined analysis of genetic correlation and path analysis showed that at the early filling stage, there existed a strong positive genetic correlation between Pn and TE, and at the same time Pn had a direct positive contribution to TE. With the progression of grain filling, the stress of high temperature and drought strengthened and the function of flag leaves weakened, so that at the late grain filling phase Ci, Tr and Tl were strongly negatively correlated with TE and all these traits conferred direct negative contributions to TE. The results of this research showed that the selection of wheat genetic materials with slow-ageing, high-photosynthesis, low-transpiration and low leaf temperature should assist breeding of wheat with more efficient use of water in north western China.

Molecular cloning and expression analysis of a monosaccharide transporter gene OsMST4 from rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Monosaccharide transporters mediate the membrane transport of a variable range of monosaccharides, which plays a crucial role in sugar distribution throughout the plant. To investigate the significance of monosaccharide transporters for rice (Oryza sativa L.) seed development, cDNA of a new putative monosaccharide transporter gene OsMST4 was isolated. The deduced OsMST4 protein shows typical features of monosaccharide transporters, and shares high homology with other plant homologues. Heterologous expression in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) showed that OsMST4 is a functional monosaccharide transporter capable of transporting glucose, fructose, mannose and galactose. Transcriptional analysis revealed that OsMST4 is expressed in all tested organs/tissues. In developing caryopses, its expression is high at the early and middle grain filling stages, and declines gradually to low levels after that. Further analysis revealed that it is expressed in both the maternal tissue and the filial tissue, with its highest expression in embryo. Cellular location in young caryopses through RNA in situ hybridization showed that OsMST4 mRNA mainly accumulates in the vascular parenchyma of the chalazal vein, cross-cells, nucellar tissue and endosperm. The expression pattern of OsMST4 was further confirmed by histochemical analysis of the OsMST4-promoter-beta-glucuronidase (GUS) transgenic rice plants. These data indicate that OsMST4 is actively involved in monosaccharides supply for seed development during the course of grain filling. In addition, the cell type-specific expression patterns of OsMST4 in other sink and source tissues were also investigated, and its corresponding physiological roles were discussed.

Hormonal changes are related to the poor grain filling in the inferior spikelets of rice cultivated under non-flooded and mulched condition

Non-flooded plastic mulching cultivation (PM) of rice can save much irrigation but usually exhibits a poor grain filling and low grain weight when compared to traditional flooding cultivation (TF). This study measured the variations of plant hormones during grain filling and investigated whether they were related to the grain-filling problem under mulching in a field experiment. Hormonal levels in the grains and the grain development of both superior (early flowered) and inferior spikelets (later flowered) were monitored continuously during the grain filling period. The contents of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), zeatin riboside (ZR) and abscisic acid (ABA) were higher in superior grains than in inferior ones at early grain-filling stage. For individual spikelets, the peaks of IAA and ZR contents appeared just before the peak grain-filling rate but the peak ABA content matched it. The earlier flowered superior spikelets did not show much difference in grain filling characteristics and hormonal changes under the two cultivation treatments. Distinctively with the inferior spikelets in a panicle, PM led to lower grain weight, higher grain-filling rate at early stage and shorter active grain-filling period than the TF. PM also resulted in less IAA and ZR but more ABA contents in the grains than TF at early and middle grain filling stages in these inferior spikelets. Peaks of these hormone contents in the PM inferior grains usually appeared earlier and also disappeared more quickly than those in TF inferior grains. When exogenous IAA was applied to plants at the initial grain-filling stage, IAA and ZR were increased and ABA was reduced in the inferior grains. The treatment prolonged the active grain-filing period and reduced the peak grain-filling rate of inferior grains, similarly as the case with TF. As a result, IAA spraying enhanced the weight of PM inferior grains but reduced that of TF ones. Exogenous ABA spraying led to the opposite effects to those of IAA. The results suggest that the shortened grain-filling period in the inferior grains under PM is related to the increased ABA and reduced IAA and ZR in the grains. Regulation of the ratio of ABA to IAA in grains could potentially increase the weight of inferior grains under the water-saving cultivation with film mulching.

Changes in the surface properties of wood due to sanding

Abstract Spruce and beech wood specimens were sanded with four different grain sizes. Surface morphological and chemical changes were determined by roughness measurement, surface free energy determination according to acid-base theory and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. An analysis model was proposed to describe chemical changes due to sanding and the data were analysed according to it. It could be shown that spruce and beech behave similarly over a wide range and that chemical changes are non-linear functions of grain size and thus surface roughness. A maximum of surface free energy and a maximum of carbon C1s sub-peak ratio (ratio of carbon bonded to a single non-carbonyl oxygen to carbon bonded only to hydrogen or other carbon atoms) was found for middle grain size.

Root growth and water uptake in winter wheat under deficit irrigation

Root growth is critical for crops to use soil water under water-limited conditions. A field study was conducted to investigate the effect of available soil water on root and shoot growth, and root water uptake in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under deficit irrigation in a semi-arid environment. Treatments consisted of rainfed, deficit irrigation at different developmental stages, and adequate irrigation. The rainfed plots had the lowest shoot dry weight because available soil water decreased rapidly from booting to late grain filling. For the deficit-irrigation treatments, crops that received irrigation at jointing and booting had higher shoot dry weight than those that received irrigation at anthesis and middle grain filling. Rapid root growth occurred in both rainfed and irrigated crops from floral initiation to anthesis, and maximum rooting depth occurred by booting. Root length density and dry weight decreased after anthesis. From floral initiation to booting, root length density and growth rate were higher in rainfed than in irrigated crops. However, root length density and growth rate were lower in rainfed than in irrigated crops from booting to anthesis. As a result, the difference in root length density between rainfed and irrigated treatments was small during grain filling. The root growth and water use below 1.4 m were limited by a caliche (45% CaCO3) layer at about 1.4 m profile. The mean water uptake rate decreased as available soil water decreased. During grain filling, root water uptake was higher from the irrigated crops than from the rainfed. Irrigation from jointing to anthesis increased seasonal evapotranspiration, grain yield, harvest index and water-use efficiency based on yield (WUE), but did not affect water-use efficiency based on aboveground biomass. There was no significant difference in WUE among irrigation treatments except one-irrigation at middle grain filling. Due to a relatively deep root system in rainfed crops, the higher grain yield and WUE in irrigated crops compared to rainfed crops was not a result of rooting depth or root length density, but increased harvest index, and higher water uptake rate during grain filling.

THE TEMPLATE PROGRAMMING OF PARALLEL ALGORITHMS

The parallel programming tools and packages are evolving rapidly. However the complexity of parallel thinking does not allow to implement many algorithms for the end user. In most cases only expert programmers risk to involve in parallel programming and program debugging. In this paper we extend the ideas from [3] of template programming for a certain class of problems which could be solved by using general master‐slave paradigm. The template is suitable for solution of the coarse grain and middle grain granularity problem set. Actually, it could be applied to solve any problem P, which is decomposable into a set of tasks P = U i N=0ti. The most effective application cases are obtained for the problems where all ti are independent. The template programming sets some requirements for the sequential version of the user program: The main program must comprise of several code blocks: data initialization, computation of one task ti and the processing of the result. The user has to define the data structures: initial data, one task data, the result data. These requirements do not require to rewrite the existing sequential code but to organize it into some logical parts. After these requirements (and naming conventions) are fulfilled, the parallel version of the code is obtained automatically by compiling and linking the code with the Master‐Slave Template library. In this paper we introduce the idea of the template programming and describe the layer structure of the Master‐Slave Template library. We show how the user has to adjust the sequential code to obtain a valid parallel version of the initial program. We also give examples of the prime number search problem and the Mandelbrot set calculation problem.

The role of H+/- ATPase and alternative oxidase in the regulation of intracellular pH at the different stages of development of the tobacco male gametophyte

In order to determine the role of the plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase and alternative oxidase (alternative pathway of respiration) in the regulation of intracellular pH during development of the tobacco male gametophyte, we studied the changes in pH due to the inhibition of these enzymes by orthovadanate and benzhydroxamic acid, respectively. The inhibition of these enzymes decreased the intracellular pH at all three studied stages of the male gametophyte development: middle and late binuclear pollen grains and activated mature pollen grain. The data obtained suggest that H(+)-ATPase and alternative oxidase are involved in the regulation of intracellular pH of the pollen grain during its differentiation and activation that precede germination. At the same time, during the recovery of intracellular pH after its acidification by propionic acid, it was found that other mechanisms, not related to the above mentioned, greatly contribute to the regulation of pH.

Investigations on the use of chemical modifiers for the direct determination of trace impurities in Al2O3 ceramic powders by slurry electrothermal evaporation coupled with inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ETV-ICP-MS).

The direct determination of trace impurities in Al2O3 ceramic basic powders by ICP-MS using electrothermal evaporation (ETV) with slurry sampling has been investigated. To increase interference-free analyte volatilization, the use of the palladium-group modifiers (PGM) IrCl3, Pd(NO3)2, and PdCl2 for the determination of Ca, Fe, Ga, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, and V in Al2O3 powders was studied. Their role, which in ETV-ICP-MS and ETV-ICP-OES is to stabilize the investigated analyte during the ashing phase, to increase vaporization of the matrix, and to reduce transport losses was investigated. Optimum analysis results were obtained with PdCl2 modifier when 500 ng Pd was used for a sample weight of 100 microg Al2O3 injected into the ETV. Calibration was performed by standard addition with aqueous solutions of the analytes. The RSDs calculated from triplicate analysis ranged form 5 to 10%. Detection limits between 0.07 microg g(-1) (Ga) and 1.1 microg g(-1) (Na) were achieved. The accuracy was proven for the elements Ca, Fe, Ga, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, and V by analyzing an NIST standard reference Al2O3 material (SRM 699) with a middle grain size of 16.4 microm. The analytical method was used for the analysis of Al2O3 powder (AKP 30, Sumitomo, Japan) with impurities in the low microg g(-1) range and a middle grain size of 1.1 microm. The results obtained for the elements Ca, Fe, Ga, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, and V were comparable with those obtained by ICP-MS subsequent to conventional decomposition with hydrochloric acid at high pressure.

Grain filling pattern and cytokinin content in the grains and roots of rice plants

Grain filling patterns and their relationships withzeatin (Z), zeatin riboside (ZR), indole-3-acetic acid(IAA) and gibberellin (GA) contents in the grains androots during grain development were examined in sixrice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes grown in thefield and in water culture. Three grain fillingpatterns based on the filling rate of superior andinferior spikelets were observed, i.e., fastsynchronous: all spikelets started filling early andfast at the early filling stage; slowsynchronous: all spikelets filled slowly at the earlyfilling stage and reached the maximum filling ratelate; and asynchronous: superior spikeletsstarted filling and reached the maximum filling ratemuch earlier than the inferior ones. The order ofgrain filling percentage in the three types of grainfilling patterns was: fast synchronous >asynchronous > slow synchronous. Changes in Z + ZRcontents in the superior and inferior spikelets wereassociated with the grain filling patterns. Grainfilling percentage was significantly correlated withZ + ZR contents in the grains and roots at the earlyand middle grain filling stages. IAA and GA(GA1 + GA3 + GA4)contents in the grains and roots were notsignificantly correlated with grain fillingpercentage. The results suggest that cytokinins in thegrains and roots during the early phase of graindevelopment play an important role in regulating grainfilling pattern and consequently influence grainfilling percentage.

Study on Grain Growth of Fine Grained WC-Co Hardmetal By Numerical Calculation.

This paper reviews our simulation study by numerical calculation based on two-, three- and multi-grain-size models on WC grain growth in fine grained WC-Co hardmetal doped with VC. The study aimed to presume or predict the following: (1) the cause and conditions for the abnormal grain growth which occurs in some cases in the fine grained hardmetal prepared from fine WC powders with mean grain size below about 0.2μm, and (2) how the mean grain size of the hardmetal varies with decreasing mean grain size of the WC starting powder to 0.1 μm or nano-meter size. The calculation results by these three kinds of models suggested the following, respectively: (1) the occurrence of the abnormal grain growth is generally substantial for WC starting powder with bimodal size-distribution and mean grain size below 0.1-0.2μm, and not due to the non-uniform distribution of the grain growth inhibitor, (2) the introduction of middle grains caused the disappearance of small (fine) grains during sintering, leading to abruptly increase of the mean grain size of alloy, and (3) the mean grain size of alloy becomes so large as about 0.3-0.4μm, even when the WC starting powders with nano-size as well as 0.1μm are used.

PROSPECTS OF SLOW SAND FILTRATION TO ELIMINATE PATHOGENS FROM RECIRCULATING NUTRIENT SOLUTIONS

In closed soilless growing systems there is a risk of spreading root pathogens over the nursery. Existing disinfection methods, such as heat or ozone treatment are rather expensive. Therefore, application is hardly feasible on nurseries smaller than 1 ha. Slow sand filtration may be an alternative to eliminate root pathogens. Aim of the experiments was to investigate the requirements at which slow sand filters have to meet for practical application in horticulture. Six treatments, namely three sand types (coarse, 0.5–1.6 mm; middle 0.2–0.8 mm; fine 0.15–0.35 mm, with an effective size of 0.71 mm, 0.51 mm and 0.23 mm, respectively) and two filtration rates (0.1 and 0.3 m3.m-2.h-1) were compared in two replicas in separated closed systems growing tomatoes in rockwool. Effectiveness was tested by inoculating Phytophthora cinnamomi, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. Lycopersici and tomato mosaic virus. In addition, physical (EC, temperature) and chemical (COD, BOD5, NH4 , NO3-, pH and oxygen concentration) parameters were measured. P. cinnamomi was filtered out completely at the filters with the fine and middle grain size at a filtration rate of 0.1 m3.m-2.h-1 while it passed through all other filters. Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.Lycopersici and tomato mosaic virus could be detected in the effluent during a long period. Both pathogens were only retarded. Neither physical nor chemical parameters were influenced by the flow rate or the grain size. Only small differences between influent and effluent could be measured for NH4 and oxygen concentration.

Effects of Grit on Chick Growth with Morphological Study of Alimentary Canal

Trials were conducted with White Leghorn chicken which are day to 6 weeks old in the first age group and 6 weeks to 10 or 11 weeks old in the second age group in order to determine the effects of 3 kinds of insoluble grits that small grain (0.59-1.19mm), middle grain (1.68-2.38mm) and large grain (2.38-4.76mm) on chick growth and morphological changes of alimentary canal.Experimental designs were showed in Figure 1.The results obtained were summarized as follows (Table 1).I. 1st age group (Day to 6 weeks old)1) No significant difference was observed in the chick growth between the control, fed without any grit, and the experimental groups, but the additional feeding of middle grain seemed to have more depression than small grain upon body weight gain and feed efficiency.2) Longer and heavier alimentary canals were appeared in chicks which received grit as compared with those not receiving grit. Its tendency was especially remarkable in the small intestine.3) No significant difference was observed in the tissue of alimentary canal between the control and the experimental groups.II. 2nd age group (6-10 or 11 weeks old)1) The feeding of grits significantly increased the chick growth and the feed efficiency. The body weight gain and the feed efficiency appeared to be more increased in the group of chicks receiving large grit than those receiving middle grit.2) Length and weight of alimentary canal appeared to be slightly small by mean of the feeding of grit. Similar tendency was noted in the small intestine. The weight and size of the experimental groups gizzard were heavier and larger than of the control but the difference of relative weight of gizzard per 100g body weight was not observed between the control and the experimental groups.3) The tissue thick of alimentary canal was slightly increased by mean of the feeding of grit. Especially, the highest formation of horny layer and tunica propria of gizzard were observed on chick fed large grit.