Planting Patterns Research Articles

Optimizing daylily (Hemerocallis citrina Baroni) cultivation: integrating physiological modeling and planting patterns for enhanced yield and resource efficiency

IntroductionOptimizing the dynamics of daylily (Hemerocallis citrina Baroni) growth under various planting patterns is critical for enhancing production efficiency. This study presents a comprehensive model to simulate daylily growth and optimize planting patterns to maximize bud yield while minimizing land resource utilization.MethodsThe model incorporates source-sink relationship specific to daylilies into physiological process modeling, considering environmental factors such as micro-light and temperature climate, and CO2 concentration. Spatial factors, including planting pattern, row spacing, plant spacing, and plant density were examined for their impact on light interception, photosynthesis, and resource efficiency. Employing partial least square path modeling (PLS-PM), we analyzed the interrelations and causal relationships between planting configurations and physiological traits of daylily canopy leaves and buds. Through in situ simulations of 36 planting scenarios, we identified an optimal configuration (Scenario ID5) with a density of 83,000 plants·ha−1, row spacing of 0.8 m, and equidistant planting with a plant spacing of 0.15 m.Results and discussionOur research findings indicate that increased Wide+Narrow row spacing can enhance yield to a certain extent. Although planting patterns influence daylily yield, their overall impact is relatively minor, and there is no clear pattern regarding the impact of plant spacing on individual plant yield. This modeling approach provides valuable insights into daylily plant growth dynamics and planting patterns optimization, offering practical guidance for both farmers and policymakers to enhance daylily productivity while minimizing land use.

Optimizing Ridge–Furrow Ratio to Improve Water Resource Utilization for Wheat in the North China Plain

The shortage of water resources seriously limits sustainable production in agriculture, and the ridge–furrow planting pattern is an effective water-saving cultivation pattern. However, the mechanism of the ridge–furrow planting pattern that drives the efficient utilization of field water resources in the North China Plain (NCP) is still unclear. A two-year field experiment was conducted in the NCP from 2021 to 2023. The ridge–furrow planting patterns followed a randomized block design as follows: ridge–furrow ratios of 50 cm:50 cm (M2), 75 cm:50 cm (M3), and 100 cm:50 cm (M4). A traditional planting pattern was used as the control (M1). These were used to investigate the effects of different treatments on water use and roots. The results showed that M3 reduced the amount of irrigation, improved water distribution after irrigation, increased water use efficiency (WUE), and promoted root growth. Compared with other treatments, M3 increased soil water consumption at a 0–100 cm soil depth by 6.76–21.34% (average values over two years), root length density by 8.46–20.77%, and root surface area density by 7.87–22.13%. On average, M3 increased grain yields by 3.96–9.80%, biomass yields by 5.32–10.94%, and WUE by 4.5–9.87%. In conclusion, M3 is an effective planting pattern for improving the yield and WUE of wheat in the NCP.

Changes and driving factors of soil water in mixed-species plantations and different precipitation scenarios on the Loess Plateau of China

The implementation of the “Grain-for-Green” program in China led to the extensive introduction of artificial vegetation, thereby intensifying evapotranspiration and the overuse of water resources. Thus, selecting suitable ecological vegetation and planting patterns to save water is a major challenge in the region. Three typical plants were selected in the Loess Plateau of China. The plants had been growing for 13 years. The soil water dynamics were studied based on measurements and Hydrus-1D modeling simulations under different precipitation scenarios (wet, normal, and dry years) and planting patterns (Stipa monoculture (S), a mixture of Stipa and Medicago (SM), and a mixture of Stipa, Medicago, and Caragana (SMC)). The results indicated that the soil water contents with S and SM were 25 % and 8 % higher than the stable field water capacity (SFC), respectively, whereas the SMC was 33 % lower than the SFC in the 0–100 cm depth in relatively normal precipitation years. The evapotranspiration was lowest under S (296–524 mm), followed by SM (351–628 mm) and SMC (368–669 mm). The soil water storage were 19–91 % and 12–58 % higher under S and SM than SMC. The soil desiccation intensity was more severe under SMC (0.3–0.5) than SM (0.5–1.1) and S (0.6–1.4). The soil water storage increased significantly with the annual precipitation (P<0.05), and increased by 54–85 % in relatively abundant water scenarios compared with scarce water scenarios according to Hydrus-1D model simulations. Partial least squares path modeling demonstrated that the soil saturated hydraulic conductivity (path coefficient = 0.478) and soil porosity (–0.703) had significant effects on soil water storage (P<0.01). The results further suggested that using shallow-rooted grass as the dominant plant would reduce water usage in areas with water scarcity, and mixed-species plantations (i.e., a mixture of shallow-rooted and deep-rooted grass) could reduce the loss of sediment in regions.

The Serine Acetyltransferase (SAT) Gene Family in Tea Plant (Camellia sinensis): Identification, Classification and Expression Analysis under Salt Stress.

Cysteine plays a pivotal role in the sulfur metabolism network of plants, intimately influencing the conversion rate of organic sulfur and the plant's capacity to withstand abiotic stresses. In tea plants, the serine acetyltransferase (SAT) genes emerge as a crucial regulator of cysteine metabolism, albeit with a notable lack of comprehensive research. Utilizing Hidden Markov Models, we identified seven CssSATs genes within the tea plant genome. The results of the bioinformatics analysis indicate that these genes exhibit an average molecular weight of 33.22 kD and cluster into three distinct groups. Regarding gene structure, CssSAT1 stands out with ten exons, significantly more than its family members. In the promoter regions, cis-acting elements associated with environmental responsiveness and hormone induction predominate, accounting for 34.4% and 53.1%, respectively. Transcriptome data revealed intricate expression dynamics of CssSATs under various stress conditions (e.g., PEG, NaCl, Cold, MeJA) and their tissue-specific expression patterns in tea plants. Notably, qRT-PCR analysis indicated that under salt stress, CssSAT1 and CssSAT3 expression levels markedly increased, whereas CssSAT2 displayed a downregulatory trend. Furthermore, we cloned CssSAT1-CssSAT3 genes and constructed corresponding prokaryotic expression vectors. The resultant recombinant proteins, upon induction, significantly enhanced the NaCl tolerance of Escherichia coli BL21, suggesting the potential application of CssSATs in bolstering plant stress resistance. These findings have enriched our comprehension of the multifaceted roles played by CssSATs genes in stress tolerance mechanisms, laying a theoretical groundwork for future scientific endeavors and research pursuits.

Replicating biological 3D root and hyphal networks in transparent glass chips

Replicating the complex 3D microvascular architectures found in biological systems is a critical challenge in tissue engineering and other fields requiring efficient mass transport. Conventional microfabrication techniques often face limitations in creating extensive hierarchical networks, especially within bulk materials. Here, we report a versatile bioinspired approach to generate optimized 3D microvascular networks within transparent glass matrix by transcribing the natural growth patterns of plants and fungi. Plant seeds or fungal spores are first cultivated on nanoparticle-based culture media. Subsequent heat treatment removes the biological species while sintering the surrounding compound into a solidified chip with replica root/hyphal architectures as open microchannels. A diverse range of architectures, including the hierarchical branching of plant roots and the intricate networks formed by fungal hyphae, can be faithfully replicated. The resultant glass microvascular networks exhibit high chemical and thermal stability, enabling applications under harsh conditions. Fluid flow experiments validate the functionalities of the fabricated channels. By co-cultivating plants and fungi, hierarchical multi-scale architectures mimicking natural vascular systems are achieved. This bioinspired manufacturing technique leverages autonomous biological growth for architectural optimization, offering a complementary approach to existing microfabrication methods. The transparent nature of the glass chips allows for direct optical inspection, potentially facilitating integration with imaging components. This versatile platform holds promise for various engineering applications, such as microreactors, heat exchangers, and advanced filtration systems.

双行轮式自走型大白菜收获机设计与试验

Aiming at the problems of low harvesting level of Chinese cabbage, high cost of manual operation and lack of special harvesting machinery, a double-row wheeled self-propelled Chinese cabbage harvester was designed on the basis of measuring the physical parameters of 'Zaofeng 01'Chinese cabbage varieties and combining with the main local planting patterns. It can complete the root cutting, pulling, clamping and conveying, packing and collecting of double-row Chinese cabbage at one time. Through the design and selection of the key working parts of the double-row wheel self-propelled Chinese cabbage harvester prototype, the key working parameters of the profiling device, the root cutting-pulling device and the clamping conveying device were determined. The kinematics analysis of the harvester in the profiling, cutting, pulling, clamping and conveying links was carried out, and the field operation performance test of the prototype was completed. The results showed that: when the rotation speed of the cutter was 280 r/min, the rotation speed of the clamping conveyor belt was 240 r/min, and the forward speed of the machine was 1.44 km/h, the maximum qualified rate of harvesting was 95.08 %, the minimum value was 90.65 %, and the average value was 93.79 %. At this time, the working performance of the working machine is stable, the harvesting effect is good, and all performance indicators meet the relevant design requirements and standards. The research results can provide reference for the development and structural improvement of Chinese cabbage low-loss harvesting equipment.

Planting pattern and nitrogen management strategies: positive effect on yield and quality attributes of Triticum aestivum L. crop

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a staple food crop that plays a crucial role in global food security. A suitable planting pattern and optimum nitrogen (N) split management are efficient practices for improving wheat production. Therefore, an experiment was performed to explore the effect of N split management and sowing patterns on wheat at the Agronomy Research Farm, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, during rabi season 2020-21 and 2021-22. The treatments consisted of different nitrogen rates of 0, 80, 120, and 160 kg ha− 1 and planting patterns of W, M, broadcast and line sowing. The pooled analysis of both cropping seasons showed that application of 120 kg N ha− 1 increased spikelets spike− 1, grains spike− 1, 1000 grains weight, grain yield, grain N content, evapotranspiration and water use efficiency by 21.9, 16.7, 21.8, 70, 13, 19.9 and 40% as compared to control, respectively. In addition, W and M were observed the best management practices among all planting patterns. The M planting pattern enhanced chlorophyll a, b, carotenoids and evapotranspiration while W plating pattern improved yield components and yield of wheat as compared to broadcast planting patterns. The principal component analysis biplot showed a close association of M and W planting patterns with 120 kg N ha− 1 in most of the studied traits. Hence, it is concluded that split application of 120 kg N ha− 1 in W and M sowing patterns enhanced growth, biochemical traits and water use efficiency, reducing N fertilization from 160 to 120 kg ha− 1 while increasing grain yield of wheat. Hence, it is recommended that application of 120 kg N ha⁻¹ in combination with W and M planting patterns offer a sustainable approach to enhancing wheat production in the alkaline soil conditions of the Peshawar valley.

Research on Carbon Dioxide Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulation of Urban Green Spaces under Different Vegetation Spatial Layout Morphologies

Urban green spaces (UGSs) are considered an important natural approach for improving urban climatic conditions, promoting sustainable urban development, and advancing the global “Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutrality” targets. Previous studies have found that different vegetation spatial morphologies significantly impact the capacity to obstruct and absorb CO2, but it is not yet well understood which morphology can retain and absorb more CO2. This study takes Nantong Central Park as an example and conducts a CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) carbon flow simulation for CO2 under different vegetation spatial morphologies to identify their CO2 retention and absorption effects. First, the carbon sink benefits of elements such as “vegetation, soil, and wetlands” within the park were calculated, and the elements with the highest carbon sink benefits were identified. Then, the park was divided into carbon welcoming zones, carbon flow zones, and carbon shadow zones for carbon flow simulation with the highest carbon sink benefits. The results show that in the carbon welcome area, the one-block long fan-shaped plant community with a spatial density of 40 m thickness can best meet the requirements of absorption and induction of a small amount of carbon dioxide, with the smallest air vortex and uniform distribution of carbon dioxide in the surrounding area. In the carbon flow area, combined with the visual effect, the planting pattern of 6 m spacing herringbone combined with natural structure was adopted, which has a good carbon dioxide blocking and absorption capacity. In the carbon-shaded area, a herringbone planting pattern with a total width of 40 m and a base angle of 60° was chosen, which had the strongest hindrance and absorption capacity. Urban park environment optimization can use Fluent simulation to analyze the flow of carbon dioxide between different elements affected by wind dynamics at the same time. Based on the results, the form, layout, and spatial distance are adjusted and optimized. This study can better guide the spatial layout of vegetation and contribute to the realization of the goal of “carbon peak and carbon neutrality”.

Interplanting potato with grapes improved yield and soil nutrients by optimizing the interactions of soil microorganisms and metabolites.

Interplanting crops is the best method to grow crops synergistically for better utilization of land and agro-resources. Grape (Vitis vinifera) and potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) have highly efficient agricultural planting systems in China, however, how soil physicochemical properties and soil microbial communities and metabolites affect the output of grape-potato interplanting remained unknown. In this study, we employed three planting patterns (CK: grape monocropping; YY: grape interplanted with potato (variety 'Favorita'); LS: grape interplanted with potato (variety 'Longshu7')) at two experimental sites i.e., the Huizhou (2022) site and the Qingyuan site (2023). The grape variety for all planting patterns was 'Sunshine Rose'. Soil samples (top 0-20 cm) at both sites were collected to observe the diversity of bacterial communities and soil metabolites. Our findings revealed that, compared with monocropping, the interplanted systems resulted in higher concentrations of total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium and enhanced the activities of acid phosphatase, urease, and protease. The potato root exudates also altered the relative abundance of Bacillus, Kaistobacter, and Streptomyces in the rhizosphere. Among the soil metabolites, lipids and organic acids showed the most significant changes. Notably, 13-L-hydroperoxylinoleic acid is the key differentially abundant metabolite involved in the regulation of linoleic acid metabolism pathways. The association analyses of the metabolome, microbiome, and soil physicochemical properties revealed that the interactions of microbes and metabolites resulted in differences in the soil nutrient content, whereas the interactions of 13-L-hydroperoxylinoleic acid and Firmicutes improved the soil nutrient levels and bacterial composition in the interplanting systems. In summary, our findings demonstrated that intercropping grapes with potato 'Favorita' was better with respect to improving soil nutrients, soil enzyme activity, the diversity of soil bacteria, and soil metabolites without causing adverse impacts on grape yield. Overall, this study explained the physiological mechanisms by which soil microorganisms and metabolites promote potato growth in grape interplanting and provided new perspectives for the utilization of soil resources in vineyards.

Selectivity of Herbicides in Controlling Weeds in Corn (Zea mays L) With A Tegel and Jajar Legowo Planting Pattern in West Aceh Regency

Maize (Zea mays L.) has a strategic role in meeting global food needs. How is the selectivity of herbicides in cultivation patterns 1 (single rows) and 2 (double rows) in Maize plants (Zea Mays L), how is the combination of herbs and plant pattern suitable for the management of weeds in corn crops (Zea mays L), how are the interactions of selectivities of herbicides and cultivation of maize (Zea mays L). This study uses Random Group Design (RGD) factorial patterns where factor 1 (herbicide) and factor 2 (planting pattern). The herbicide is composed of 4 types: H0 (control), H1 (Atrazine 180g/l + Mesotrione 40g/ l + Nicosulfuron 20 g/l, H2 (Atazine 500g/L, Mesotrione 50 g/L) and H3 (Topramezone 10 g/ L + Atrazine 300 g/ l). While the planting pattern consists of 2 types: P1: single row (70 x 20 cm) and P2: double rows (100x20x40 cm). Some conclusions were obtained, among others: The use of the herbicide atrazine in several formulas within the tile and legowo planting patterns does not cause poisoning in corn plants. The combination of herbicides (Topramezon 10 g/l and Atrazine 300 g/l / Tile) is most suitable for corn plants. There is an interaction between the herbicide and the planting pattern on the parameters of ear weight without husk and ear length without husk, which shows significant differences

Computation of drag coefficient for real vegetation in wetlands

The flow characteristics in wetlands and vegetated channels are depend on the physical structure, density, and pattern of vegetation. Estimating average velocity in vegetated wetlands requires an accurate determination of the drag coefficient. The innovation of this research lies in calculating the drag coefficient while considering the pattern shape, plant flexural rigidity, and vegetation structure. Laboratory experiments were conducted in a rectangular flume using a parallel pattern of Eleocharis plants at three densities: low, medium, and high, with discharge rates of 18.2, 23.7, and 28.8 L/s, respectively. Comparative analysis revealed that the equation proposed by Kothyari et al. (2009) [23] is just suitable for determining the drag coefficient on rigid cylinders with a staggered pattern and it should be improved for real vegetation with different pattern. A comprehensive equation was developed for real wetland vegetation, incorporating a new pattern coefficient for pattern shape (ζpp) and correction factor (η) to consider plant flexural rigidity and vegetation structure. The results demonstrate that this equation accurately predicts the drag coefficient (RMSE = 0.127, MAE = 0.107, and R2 = 0.9059) in channels with real vegetation with parallel and staggered patterns.

Linear β-1,2-glucans trigger immune hallmarks and enhance disease resistance in plants.

Immune responses in plants are triggered by molecular patterns or elicitors, recognized by plant pattern recognition receptors. Such molecular patterns are consequence of host-pathogen interactions and the response cascade activated after their perception is known as pattern-triggered immunity (PTI). Glucans have emerged as key players in PTI, but the ability of certain glucans to stimulate defensive responses in plants remains understudied. This work focused on identifying novel glucan oligosaccharides as molecular patterns. The ability of various microorganism-derived glucans to prompt PTI responses was tested, revealing that specific microbial-derived molecules, such as short linear β-1,2-glucans, trigger this response in plants by increasing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), MAP kinase phosphorylation, and differential expression of defence-related genes in Arabidopsis thaliana. Pretreatments with β-1,2-glucan trisaccharide (B2G3) improved Arabidopsis defence against bacterial and fungal infections in a hypersusceptible genotype. The knowledge generated was then transferred to the monocotyledonous model species maize and wheat, confirming that these plants also respond to β-1,2-glucans, with increased ROS production and improved protection against fungal infections following B2G3 pretreatments. In summary, as with other β-glucans, plants perceive β-1,2-glucans as warning signals and stimulate defence responses against phytopathogens.

Application of Jarwo Planting System and Fertiphos Fertilizer on The Growth and Yield of Black Rice Mutant M4

This study aims to examine the interaction between the dose of Fertiphos fertilizer and the JARWO (JARWO) planting pattern on the growth and yield of black rice mutant rice. The experiment was conducted in Jorong Labuah, Agam Regency, and the Seed Science and Technology Laboratory, Andalas University, Padang, from February to June 2024. A Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with two factors was used, namely the JARWO planting system (2:1, 3:1, 4:1) and the dose of Fertiphos fertilizer (0 kg/ha, 100 kg/ha, 200 kg/ha, 300 kg/ha). Data were analyzed using the F test at the 5% level, followed by Duncan's New Multiple Range Test (DNMRT) if significant. The results showed a significant interaction between the dose of Fertiphos fertilizer and the JARWO planting pattern on the growth and yield of black rice mutant rice. Fertiphos fertilizer dose of 200 kg/ha gave the best results on the total number of grains per panicle, the number of filled grains per panicle, the total weight of grains per panicle, and the weight of filled grains per clump. The JARWO 2:1 planting pattern gave the best results on the total number of tillers, the total number of grains per panicle, the number of filled grains per panicle, and the total weight of grains per panicle.

Distribution, species richness, and relative importance of different plant life forms across drylands in China

Studies on plant diversity are usually based on the total number of species in a community. However, few studies have examined species richness (SR) of different plant life forms in a community along large-scale environmental gradients. Particularly, the relative importance (RIV) of different plant life forms in a community and how they vary with environmental variables are still unclear. To fill these gaps, we determined plant diversity of ephemeral plants, annual herbs, perennial herbs, and woody plants from 187 sites across drylands in China. The SR patterns of herbaceous plants, especially perennial herbs, and their RIV in plant communities increased with increasing precipitation and soil nutrient content; however, the RIV of annual herbs was not altered along these gradients. The SR and RIV of ephemeral plants were affected mainly by precipitation seasonality. The SR of woody plants had a unimodal relationship with air temperature and exhibited the highest RIV and SR percentage in plant communities under the harshest environments. An obvious shift emerged in plant community composition, SR and their critical impact factors at 238.5 mm of mean annual precipitation (MAP). In mesic regions (> 238.5 mm), herbs were the dominant species, and the SR displayed a relatively slow decreasing rate with increasing aridity, which was mediated mainly by MAP and soil nutrients. In arid regions (< 238.5 mm), woody plants were the dominant species, and the SR displayed a relatively fast decreasing rate with increasing aridity, which was mediated mainly by climate variables, especially precipitation. Our findings highlight the importance of comparative life form studies in community structure and biodiversity, as their responses to gradients differed substantially on a large scale.

Competition for nutrient niches within the apple blossom microbiota antagonizes the initiation of fire blight infection.

Changes in the plant microbiota composition are intimately associated with the health of the plant, but factors controlling the microbial community in flowers are poorly understood. In this study, we used apple flowers and fire blight as a model system to investigate the effects of floral microbiota and microbial competition on disease development and suppression. To compare changes in microbial flora with the RNA expression patterns of plants, the flower samples were collected in three different flowering stages (Bud, Popcorn, and Full-bloom). Using advanced sequencing technology, we analyzed the data and conducted both in vitro and in vivo experiments to validate our findings. Our results show that the Erwinia amylovora use arabinogalactan, which is secreted on the flowers, for early colonization of apple flowers. Pantoea agglomerans was more competitive for arabinogalactan than E. amylovora. Additionally, P. agglomerans suppressed the expression of virulence factors of E. amylovora by using arabinose, which is a major component of arabinogalactan, which induces virulence gene expression. The present data provide new insights into developing control strategies for diverse plant diseases, including fire blight, by highlighting the importance of nutrients in disease development or suppression.

Ant sharing by plant species bearing extrafloral nectaries has a low impact on plant herbivory in a tropical system

Abstract Plant species bearing extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) may indirectly influence other plant species by sharing protective ants, potentially altering herbivory levels. However, the propagation of indirect effects in this type of mutualism has seldom been investigated. We investigated indirect effects via ant sharing among 21 EFN‐bearing plant species of the tribe Bignonieae distributed on 28 plots in the central Brazilian Amazon. We used an ecological network index to quantify potential indirect effects among plant species through shared dominant and subordinate ant species. Plant species that were more attractive to ants (promoter species) had the highest potential to indirectly influence ant visitation to less attractive plant species (receptor species) in the community, primarily through changes in the attraction of dominant ant species. However, these potential indirect effects did not result in significant differences in herbivory patterns among the studied plants. Ant attendance and herbivory levels were similar among promoter species, neighbouring plants, and non‐neighbouring plants. Unlike other mutualisms involving plants (e.g., pollination), the indirect effects among plant species that share protective ants had limited consequences. The low levels of herbivory and the small foraging areas of shared ant defenders could be responsible for the observed limited impact of indirect interactions among plant species in this system. Synthesis: This study demonstrates that plant species with EFNs can indirectly influence other plant species through ant sharing. The attractiveness of certain plants to ants enables them to affect the ant visitation patterns of less attractive plants in the community. However, these indirect effects did not significantly alter herbivory levels among plants. Overall, this study advances ecological understanding by showing that the sharing of protective ants among plant species can in some cases confer limited costs and benefits, leading indirect interactions to have minimal impact on herbivory patterns.

Diversity patterns of herbaceous community in environmental gradients of dehesa ecosystems

Dehesa is a unique ecosystem associated with high biodiversity, that integrates trees, livestock, and pasture, making agro-pastoral production compatible with sustainability. However, in the last few decades, a manifold of factors have caused a decline in tree vitality, density, and coverage, leading to long-term changes in species composition and ecosystem structure. This study aims to determine changes in the diversity of the herbaceous plant community in relation to environmental characteristics, the phytosanitary state of the holm oak (Quercus ilex L. subsp. ballota (Desf.) Samp.), and possible interactions with biotic agents, including Phytophthora cinnamomi. For this purpose, the floristic composition and alpha diversity of the understory were assessed in two dehesa stands in Southern Spain. Additionally, the spatial heterogeneity (beta diversity) patterns of herbaceous plants were evaluated in relation to a climatic gradient and subplot orientation at the regional, plot, tree, and subplot scales. Our findings show that microsite features and climate substantially impact the herbaceous plant community in dehesa stands. Annual precipitation is a crucial factor affecting the diversity and biomass of herbaceous plants on a broader, regional scale, consistent with its role as a limiting factor in the Mediterranean climate. However, site-level differences, such as soil clay content and plot slope angle, positively correlate with plant biodiversity, growth, and richness, varying with the Biodiversity Index considered. Moreover, microsites resulting from the combined effects of plot and tree are the main drivers of dissimilarities between samples, as expressed by beta diversity. Contrary to our initial hypothesis, our results reveal no significant association between tree health and herbaceous biodiversity decline.

Investigating the impact of dietary guidelines transition on cardiometabolic risk profile: a forensic analysis using diet quality metrics

Evaluating dietary guidelines using diet quality (DQ) offers valuable insights into the healthfulness of a population’s diet. We conducted a forensic analysis using DQ metrics to compare the Malaysian Dietary Guidelines (MDG-2020) with its former version (MDG-2010) in relation to cardiometabolic risk (CMR) for an adult Malaysian population. A DQ analysis of cross-sectional data from the Malaysia Lipid Study (MLS) cohort (n = 577, age: 20-65yrs) was performed using the healthy eating index-2015 (HEI-2015) framework in conformation with MDG-2020 (MHEI2020) and MDG-2010 (MHEI2010). Of 13 dietary components, recommended servings for whole grain, refined grain, beans and legumes, total protein, and dairy differed between MDGs. DQ score associations with CMR, dietary patterns and sociodemographic factors were examined. Out of 100, total DQ scores of MLS participants were ‘poor’ for both MHEI2020 (37.1 ± 10.3) and MHEI2010 (39.1 ± 10.4), especially among young adults, males, Malays, and those frequently ‘eating out’ as well as those with greatest adherence to Sugar-Sweetened Beverages pattern and lowest adherence to Food Plant pattern. Both metrics shared similar correlations with CMR markers, with MHEI2020 exhibiting stronger correlations with WC, BF%, TG, insulin, HOMA2-IR, and smallLDL than MHEI2010, primarily attributed to reduced refined grain serving. Notably, participants with the highest adherence to MHEI2020 scores exhibited significantly reduced odds for elevated TG (AOR 0.44, 95% CI 0.21–0.93, p = 0.030), HOMA2-IR (AOR 0.44, 95% CI 0.21–0.88, p = 0.022), and hsCRP (AOR 0.54, 95% CI 0.31–0.96, p = 0.040, compared to those with the lowest adherence. Each 5-unit increase in MHEI2020 scores reduced odds for elevated BMI (− 14%), WC (− 9%), LDL-C (− 32%), TG (− 15%), HOMA2-IR (− 9%) and hsCRP (− 12%). While MHEI2020 scores demonstrated better calibration with CMR indicators, the overall sub-optimally ‘poor’ DQ scores of this population call for health promotion activities to target the public to achieve adequate intake of healthful fruits, non-starchy vegetables and whole grain, and moderate intake of refinedgrain, added sugar and saturated fat.

A Novel Hierarchical Clustering Sequential Forward Feature Selection Method for Paddy Rice Agriculture Mapping Based on Time-Series Images

Timely and accurate mapping of rice distribution is crucial to estimate yield, optimize agriculture spatial patterns, and ensure global food security. Feature selection (FS) methods have significantly improved computational efficiency by reducing redundancy in spectral and temporal feature sets, playing a vital role in identifying and mapping paddy rice. However, the optimal feature sets selected by existing methods suffer from issues such as information redundancy or local optimality, limiting their accuracy in rice identification. Moreover, the effects of these FS methods on rice recognition in various machine learning classifiers and regions with different climatic conditions and planting structures is still unclear. To overcome these limitations, we conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the potential applications of major FS methods, including the wrapper method, embedded method, and filter method for rice mapping. A novel hierarchical lustering sequential forward selection (HCSFS) method for precisely extracting the optimal feature set for rice identification is proposed. The accuracy of the HCSFS and other FS methods for rice identification was tested with nine common machine learning classifiers. The results indicated that, among the three FS methods, the wrapper method achieved the best rice mapping performance, followed by the embedded method, and lastly, the filter method. The new HCSFS significantly reduced redundant features compared with eleven typical FS methods, demonstrating higher precision and stability, with user accuracy and producer accuracy exceeding 0.9548 and 0.9487, respectively. Additionally, the spatial distribution of rice maps generated using the optimal feature set selected by HCSFS closely aligned with actual planting patterns, markedly outperforming existing rice products. This research confirms the effectiveness and transferability of the HCSFS method for rice mapping across different climates and cultivation structures, suggesting its enormous potential for classifying other crops using time-series remote sensing images.

Transgenerational effects of stress on reproduction strategy in the mixed mating plant Lamium amplexicaule

BackgroundThe theory of Condition Dependent Sex predicts that – everything else being equal – less fit individuals would outcross at higher rates compared with fitter ones. Here we used the mixed mating plant Lamium amplexicaule, capable of producing both self-pollinating closed flowers (CL), alongside open flowers (CH) that allow cross pollination to test it. We investigated the effects of abiotic stress – salt solution irrigation – on the flowering patterns of plants and their offspring. We monitored several flowering and vegetative parameters, including the number and distribution of flowers, CH fraction, and plant size.ResultsWe found that stressed plants show an increased tendency for self-pollination and a deficit in floral and vegetative development. However, when parentally primed, stressed plants show a milder response. Un-stressed offspring of stressed parents show reversed responses and exhibit an increased tendency to outcross, and improve floral and vegetative development.ConclusionsIn summary, we found that stress affects the reproduction strategy in the plants that experienced the stress and in subsequent offspring through F2 generation. Our results provide experimental evidence supporting a transgenerational extension to the theories of fitness associate sex and dispersal, where an individual’s tendency for sex and dispersal may depend on the stress experienced by its parents.