Increase In Relative Yield Research Articles

Interactions of nitrogen and phosphorus in plant nutrition - Analysis of a 60-years old field experiment

Abstract Background and aims The aims are to determine to which extent different plant species increase nitrogen (N) acquisition in response to phosphorus (P) addition and P acquisition in response to N addition as well as to analyze resulting nutrient limitations. Methods The field experiment is replicated at ten sites in Sweden and comprises three fertilization regimes (low, medium, and high) each consisting of a control and a N, P, and NP treatment. Yields as well as N and P contents of the yields of four species (winter wheat, spring barley, oat, and sugar beet) were analyzed over 60 years. Results The relative increase in yield P in response to N fertilization was larger than the relative increase in yield N in response to P fertilization for three species. Synergistic NP co-limitation was observed for all species at some sites. The synergistic growth effect in response to NP addition occurred at more sites at high than at low fertilization. At one nutrient-poor site, all species in all fertilization regimes were (synergistically) NP co-limited. Sugar beet was (synergistically) NP co-limited at all sites in all fertilization regimes. Conclusion Species differed in nutrient acquisition, but most species used added N more effectively to acquire P than they used added P to acquire N. Synergistic NP co-limitation was observed for all plant species at some sites, and it increased with fertilization rate, which is likely due to the limits to which plants can use N to acquire P and P to acquire N.

Predictive value of abnormal blood tests for detecting cancer in primary care patients with nonspecific abdominal symptoms: A population-based cohort study of 477,870 patients in England.

Identifying patients presenting with nonspecific abdominal symptoms who have underlying cancer is a challenge. Common blood tests are widely used to investigate these symptoms in primary care, but their predictive value for detecting cancer in this context is unknown. We quantify the predictive value of 19 abnormal blood test results for detecting underlying cancer in patients presenting with 2 nonspecific abdominal symptoms. Using data from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) linked to the National Cancer Registry, Hospital Episode Statistics and Index of Multiple Deprivation, we conducted a population-based cohort study of patients aged ≥30 presenting to English general practice with abdominal pain or bloating between January 2007 and October 2016. Positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV), sensitivity, and specificity for cancer diagnosis (overall and by cancer site) were calculated for 19 abnormal blood test results co-occurring in primary care within 3 months of abdominal pain or bloating presentations. A total of 9,427/425,549 (2.2%) patients with abdominal pain and 1,148/52,321 (2.2%) with abdominal bloating were diagnosed with cancer within 12 months post-presentation. For both symptoms, in both males and females aged ≥60, the PPV for cancer exceeded the 3% risk threshold used by the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence for recommending urgent specialist cancer referral. Concurrent blood tests were performed in two thirds of all patients (64% with abdominal pain and 70% with bloating). In patients aged 30 to 59, several blood abnormalities updated a patient's cancer risk to above the 3% threshold: For example, in females aged 50 to 59 with abdominal bloating, pre-blood test cancer risk of 1.6% increased to: 10% with raised ferritin, 9% with low albumin, 8% with raised platelets, 6% with raised inflammatory markers, and 4% with anaemia. Compared to risk assessment solely based on presenting symptom, age and sex, for every 1,000 patients with abdominal bloating, assessment incorporating information from blood test results would result in 63 additional urgent suspected cancer referrals and would identify 3 extra cancer patients through this route (a 16% relative increase in cancer diagnosis yield). Study limitations include reliance on completeness of coding of symptoms in primary care records and possible variation in PPVs if extrapolated to healthcare settings with higher or lower rates of blood test use. In patients consulting with nonspecific abdominal symptoms, the assessment of cancer risk based on symptoms, age and sex alone can be substantially enhanced by considering additional information from common blood test results. Male and female patients aged ≥60 presenting to primary care with abdominal pain or bloating warrant consideration for urgent cancer referral or investigation. Further cancer assessment should also be considered in patients aged 30 to 59 with concurrent blood test abnormalities. This approach can detect additional patients with underlying cancer through expedited referral routes and can guide decisions on specialist referrals and investigation strategies for different cancer sites.

Effect of Pulsed Electric Field Pretreatment on the Concentration of Lipophilic and Hydrophilic Compounds in Cold-Pressed Grape Seed Oil Produced from Wine Waste.

Pretreatment of grape pomace seeds with a pulsed electric field (PEF) was applied to improve the extraction yield of cold-pressed grape seed oil. The effects of different PEF conditions, electric field intensities (12.5, 14.0 and 15.6 kV/cm), and durations (15 and 30 min) on the oil chemical composition were also studied. All PEF pretreatments significantly increased the oil yield, flow rate and concentration of total sterols (p < 0.05). In addition, similar trends were observed for total tocochromanols and phenolic compounds, except for PEF pretreatment under the mildest conditions (12.5 kV/cm, 15 min) (p < 0.05). Notably, the application of 15.6 kV/cm for 30 min resulted in the highest relative increase in oil yield and flow rate (29.6% and 56.5%, respectively) and in the concentrations of total tocochromanols, nonflavonoids, and flavonoids (22.1%, 60.2% and 81.5%, respectively). In addition, the highest relative increase in the concentration of total sterols (25.4%) was achieved by applying 12.5 kV/cm for 30 min. The fatty acid composition of the grape seed oil remained largely unaffected by the PEF pretreatments. These results show that PEF pretreatment effectively improves both the yield and the bioactive properties of cold-pressed grape seed oil.

Simulation of climate-adaptation responses to rainfall variability on rainfed yield anomalies

Climate adaptation offers promising approaches to cope with the detrimental impacts of climate change on rainfed agriculture, intending to mitigate yield losses and safeguard food security worldwide. This is especially critical in the semi-arid tropics, characterized by highly variable and often intensified rainfall regimes. The current study explored the potential contribution of climate adaptation measures, specifically sowing windows and supplemental irrigation (SI), to offset the impacts of rainfall variability on rainfed crop yield in the Thondamuthur block, India. Under the proposed adaptation measures, this study analyzed the relationship between historical rainfall variability (1951–2019) and rice, maize, and sorghum yield anomalies. A seamlessly integrated framework was developed to link rainfall variability analysis with yield response simulations using the AquaCrop model. Rainfall classification analysis indicated an increase in rainfall availability during the Kharif season and a decrease during the Rabi season in Period III compared with the baseline. The late-sown Kharif and early-sown Rabi crops demonstrated effective climate adaptation, with the 27th and 38th SMWs identified as optimal climate-adapted sowing weeks, respectively. Significant decreases of 10% and 12% in SI requirements were observed in early-sown Rabi maize and sorghum, respectively. The results showed that substituting Rabi rice and maize with Rabi sorghum led to reductions of 90% and 75% in seasonal SI requirements, respectively. The early-sown Rabi rice and maize contributed to 88% and 12% relative yield increases, respectively, compared with the normal-sown. This study highlights the effectiveness of climate adaptation measures in enabling farmers to withstand climate-induced anomalies.

Irrigation as an Effective Way to Increase Potato Yields in Northern China: A Meta-Analysis

A meta-analysis was conducted with the aim of exploring the influence of irrigation on potato yield, evapotranspiration (ET), and water-use efficiency (WUE) in northern China, considering factors such as irrigation methods, growing region, irrigation water-use efficiency (IWUE), irrigation frequency, soil types, and nitrogen (N) fertilizer rate. Overall, irrigation significantly increased potato yield and ET by an average of 45 and 54% compared to non-irrigation, respectively, but did not significantly increase the WUE. The increase in potato yield under irrigation is the most evident in aeolian sandy soil in northeast China and northwest China. Drip irrigation demonstrated the highest positive impact on both yield and WUE. Optimal yields were achieved with an irrigation amount ranging from 100 to 200 mm, while the highest WUE was observed with an irrigation amount of 30–50 mm. When the amount of irrigation exceeded 100 mm, the irrigation significantly resulted in decreased WUE compared to non-irrigation. The relative increase in yield per unit of irrigation amount and IWUE gradually decreased and eventually stabilized when the irrigation amount exceeded 100 mm. Therefore, the yield and WUE perform best when the irrigation amount is below 100 mm and the irrigation frequency is less than three times for sprinkling and flood irrigation methods. The greatest increases in yield and WUE under irrigation were found under a moderate N rate (150–250 kg N ha−1). Additionally, the relative increase in yield per unit of irrigation amount decreases gradually as the organic matter content increases. These findings suggest that the optimal benefits from irrigation might be realized when the irrigation amount is below 100 mm, with a moderate nitrogen fertilizer application and an irrigation frequency of three times. However, it is essential to consider local environmental factors such as the growing region, soil types, and organic carbon content.

Genetic improvement of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain yield in the Northern Great Plains of North America, 1959–2021

AbstractPlant breeding progress is often based on assessments of genetic gain, a measure of year‐on‐year improvement of newly developed varieties for important traits of interest. Herein, we present data from the USDA‐coordinated hard winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Northern Regional Performance Nursery (NRPN) collected from 1959 to 2021 for grain yield, grain volume weight, days‐to‐heading, and plant height and use it to estimate absolute and relative rates of genetic gain (loss) of the control cultivar "Kharkof" for winter wheats adapted to the Northern Great Plains of North America. Regression analyses revealed significant relative grain yield increases of 0.67% Kharkof year−1 or 39.2 kg ha−1 year−1 for the NRPN over the 63‐year period. From 2008 to 2021, however, negative linear relationships were observed for relative grain yield for all NRPN entries and the five highest yielding NRPN lines each year, with genetic grain yield losses estimated at −0.95 and −0.79% Kharkof year−1, respectively. Surprisingly, genetic progress for grain yield in the NRPN was limited to just 8.9 kg ha−1 year−1 over the past 13 years. Moreover, linear‐plateau models significantly (p &lt; 0.0001) fit all relative and absolute yield datasets from 1959 to 2021, with yield plateaus beginning by 2008 for all groups. These results support that winter wheats adapted to the Northern Great Plains have reached an upper yield plateau and could be nearing a yield potential ceiling due to global warming or other combined abiotic and biotic environmental stressors that are straining the biophysical limits of the crop.

CO2 Methanation on Ni Catalysts Supported over Activated Carbons Derived from Cork Waste

Activated carbons (ACs) derived from cork wastes were for the first time used as supports for CO2 methanation catalysts. Cork wastes (natural-N and processed-P) were physically activated under N2/H2O(v) atmosphere at 800 °C to obtain the corresponding AC supports (ACN and ACP, respectively). Ni and Ni-CeO2 catalysts were prepared by loading the ACs with 15 wt % Ni (Ni/AC) or 15 wt % Ni and 15 wt % Ce (NiCe/AC) by incipient wetness impregnation or co-impregnation, respectively, using 2-propanol as the solvent. For comparison purposes, a commercial activated carbon (ACC) was impregnated with the same metals and loadings. The catalysts were characterized by N2 and CO2 sorption, XRD, TGA, SEM, and TEM, and finally tested at atmospheric pressure under CO2 methanation conditions (86 100 mL·h–1·gcat–1, H2/CO2 = 4:1). Microporous activated carbons with high surface areas (757–903 m2·g–1) were obtained from natural and processed cork wastes. While nickel was incorporated as Ni0 over the materials, CeO2 phases were detected on Ni-CeO2 catalysts. The incorporation of these metal species over the activated carbons induced a decrease of the textural properties, while the affinity toward CO2 was promoted by CeO2. In terms of average Ni0 particle sizes, while the smallest ones were detected on Ni/ACC (8 nm) for Ni/AC samples, the addition of CeO2 led to a remarkable decrease of this parameter on cork-derived materials (from 20 to 7 nm and from 33 to 16 nm on ACN and ACP, respectively). Higher CH4 yields were exhibited by CeO2-containing catalysts, with relative CH4 yield increases of 210–670% using Ni samples as the basis being observed. This was ascribed to CeO2’s ability to activate CO2 and promote Ni0 dispersion. The best results (CH4 yield of 73% at 400 °C) were obtained for the NiCe/ACN catalyst, its performance being similar to or higher than that reported in the literature for similar systems, thus motivating further development and optimization of these materials for CO2 methanation.

THE COMBINED EFFECT OF THE TILLAGE DEPTH AND COMPOST APPLICATION ON CALCAREOUS SOIL AGGREGATES AND THE YIELD OF INTERCROPPED FABA BEAN WITH WHEAT

Calcareous soils crusting and low organic matter (OM) content are key problems restrict their management and productivity. The aim of this study is to assess the role of tillage at different depths along with the compost application for improving some characteristics of the calcareous soil as well as the yield, and its components of the intercropped faba bean with wheat (1:1 ratio). A field experiment was carried out at the Nubaryia Agricultural Experimental Station through the two successive winter seasons (2019/2020) and (2020/2021) in a split-plot design with three replicates. The main factor (F1) was the plough depth treatments: Chisel plough (20 cm depth) and subsoiler (40 cm depth) one time and twice. The sub-factor (F2) was the applied compost (C1= 5.95 and C2= 11.9 tons ha-1). A control without additions was involved. The wheat and fababean were sown in a 1:1 intercropping ratio mixed with the surface layers by hatchat under a surface irrigation system and the recommended agronomic practices were followed. The tillage treatments combined with increasing the rate of the applied compost have increased the total stable aggregates (TSA), the aggregation index and aggregation degree in the surface and subsurface soil layers (0 – 20 cm, 20 – 40 cm) as well as the saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) for both seasons. The water stable aggregates (WSA) distribution revealed that the 8-2 cm aggregates are the abundant size especially in the surface soil layers. The 40 cm depth subsoiler twice treatment combined with the compost rate C2 resulted in the maximum OM for both seasons. The relative maximum OM increase (%) compared to the corresponding control was by 32.3 and 26.7% in the 0 – 20 cm soil layer and by 64.9 snd 60.0% in the 20 – 40 cm soil layer. For the compost rate C2, the most significant relative increase in the wheat grains yield (kg ha-1) was by 74.8% with the plowing two times at 40 cm depth, while for the faba bean seeds yield (kg ha-1) it increased by 145.5% with the 20 cm depth plowing. The studied treatments were effective for improving the calcareous soil properties and productivity.

Search for additional variability in the herd of Holstein cows

Relevance. When breeding a large herd of the Holstein breed, the improvement of traits in the selection system is reflected, the integral basis (part of the basis) of which was belonging to the line. Against the background of a reduction in the number of lines, the selection of a limited number of sires related to each other into the herd, and the breeding of daughters from them by various types of rebounds, an increase in milk yield and mass fraction of protein (MPF) over three generations is reflected.Methods. The indices of the genetic value of sires in the population were evaluated according to the author's method, while taking into account the indicators of mothers and peers of the same herd. Comparison of the levels of variability of milk productivity traits in terms of standard deviations (±s) in breeding groups.Results. The relative increase in milk yield per generation for the highest lactations was 8.9–15.4% (P &lt; 0.001), and MDL – 1.3–3.2% (P &lt; 0.01). A comparison was made of groups of peer-daughters obtained by targeted selection of homo- and heterozygous fathers according to genetic markers of controlled EAB loci. Another aspect was the high standard deviation of milk yields in the group of daughters of homozygous fathers by 19% against the group of heterozygous, and among the crossed offspring – by 8.6% against intraline. It is assumed that this happened due to the introduction of new and rare alleles with sires into the herd.

Single-stage chromatographic clarification of Chinese Hamster Ovary cell harvest reduces cost of protein production.

A single-stage clarification was developed using a single-use chromatographic clarification device (CCD) to recover a recombinant protein from Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) harvest cell culture fluid (HCCF). Clarification of a CHO HCCF is a complex and costly process, involving multiple stages of centrifugation and/or depth filtration to remove cells and debris and to reduce process-related impurities such as host cell protein (HCP), nucleic acids, and lipids. When using depth filtration, the filter train consists of multiple filters of varying ratios, layers, pore sizes, and adsorptive properties. The depth filters, in combination with a 0.2-micron membrane filter, clarify the HCCF based on size-exclusion, adsorptive, and charge-based mechanisms, and provide robust bioburden control. Each stage of the clarification process requires time, labor, and utilities, with product loss at each step. Here, use of the 3M™ Harvest RC Chromatographic Clarifier, a single-stage CCD, is identified as an alternative strategy to a three-stage filtration train. The CCD results in less overall filter area, less volume for flushing, and higher yield. Using bioprocess cost modeling, the single-stage clarification process was compared to a three-stage filtration process. By compressing the CHO HCCF clarification to a single chromatographic stage, the overall cost of the clarification process was reduced by 17%-30%, depending on bioreactor scale. The main drivers for the cost reduction were reduced total filtration area, labor, time, and utilities. The benefits of the single-stage harvest process extended throughout the downstream process, resulting in a 25% relative increase in cumulative yield with comparable impurity clearance.

DYNAMICS OF MILK PRODUCTIVITY AND BODY WEIGHT OF COWS BY AGE AND PERIODS OF LACTATION

The research was conducted on the farms of the Stepne State Enterprise and the Agroprogres Private Enterprise (stall housing) and on the dairy complex of the Kutuzivka State Enterprise (free housing). It was established that the shape of the lactation curve of first-borns significantly differed from the classical one during untethered confinement. The average daily milk yield reached a maximum at 3-4 months and almost did not decrease until the 7th month of lactation. In older cows, fertility increased and reached a maximum at 2-3 months of lactation, and then gradually decreased. The relative increase in milk yield in comparison with the first month of lactation was 31% in first-born cows, 17% in second-calving cows, 7% in third-calving cows, and 18% in older animals, and in stall housing – 33%, 17%, 10 % and 2 %, respectively. The power of influence (η2) of the month of lactation on the fat content in milk during untethered confinement was 8.5% in first-born cows, 14.5% in the second lactation, 13.1% in the third lactation, 12.2% in older cows, and for tethered confinement 14.8%, 36.9%, 33.6%, and 11.6%, respectively (р&lt;0.001). Similar to the fat content in milk, the protein content of cows also changed during lactation. At the same time, the influence of the month of lactation on this indicator was much smaller than on the fat content, and in some cases it was improbable for stall housing. The influence strength of the month of lactation on the daily yield of cows that were culled from the herd was 23.8% for free housing, 1.9% for body weight, and 8.0% for stall housing and 11.6 % (p&lt;0.001). Correlation coefficients are 0.181, +0.411, and –0.223, +0.335, respectively (p&lt;0.01). Age-related changes in the body weight of animals depended on the technology of their husbandry. In free housing, it was higher both in the sample as a whole (6%) and in animals of different lactations (3-14%). The increase in body weight of cows with age in free housing was: 31 kg in the second lactation, 71 kg in the third lactation, and 100 kg in adult cows, while in stall housing these differences were only 6, 11, 35 kg, respectively. Keywords: husbandry technology, dairy cattle, age, month of lactation, daily yield, fat content, protein content, body weight

Impact of green revolution in India

Ever since from classical times, the Indian economy is totally dependent on agriculture. During the1950s, India experience a terrible food crisis that is identified as the Bengal Famine. Agricultural planning has also resulted in a relative increase in crop yield. This advancement is known as the “Green Revolution,” a modern phase of agricultural growth. The green revolution denotes an increase in agricultural output through the use of high-yielding seed varieties (HYVS), water management, chemical fertilisers, insecticides and pesticides, and high technological assistance, among other things. The Green Revolution had a significant positive influence on the state’s agricultural industry. Despite a huge positive impacts, the majority of people in India suffer from over usage of fertilisers, malnutrition and poor health. This study attempts to analyse the positive and negative impacts of Green Revolution.

English

A field experiment was carried out during 2019 and 2020 summer seasons to evaluate the effect of foliar applied proline as osmoprotectant on yield and quality response of maize in calcareous saline soils. Proline was applied to maize as foliar application 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg/L including no spray as control (with only water). These treatments were applied three times in a season with one month interval. The results showed that foliar application of proline increased growth, biochemical parameters, nutrient content, yield and its component including oil percent in maize under saline condition. Foliar application of proline at 400 mg/L gave the highest values of most studied parameters, but there was no significant differences were found for foliar applied 300 mg/L. Yield and its components and oil percent recorded the highest values with treatments 400 mg/L proline foliar application. The foliar applied proline (400 mg/L) showed relative increase in grain yield and oil percent of 157.2 and 79% respectively compared with control. Foliar applied proline at 400 mg/L produced the highest increase in growth, biochemical parameters, and nutrient contents which finally resulted in improved grain yield and oil percent. © 2022 Friends Science Publishers

Pressurized ex-situ catalytic co-pyrolysis of polyethylene and lignin: Efficient BTEX production and process mechanism analysis

Ex-situ catalytic co-pyrolysis of plastic and biomass to aromatics has been extensively investigated, simultaneously, aromatization have been reported to be promoted under pressure, but available research did not discuss the combined effect of catalytic co-pyrolysis and pressure on aromatics production. In this work, ex-situ catalytic co-pyrolysis of polyethylene and lignin over HZSM-5 under a series of pressure (0.1–0.8 MPa) in a Py-GC/MS system was investigated. We show that pressurized operation during co-pyrolysis of polyethylene and lignin leads to a large increase in BTEX relative yield while maintaining catalyst stability. A very high BTEX relative yield of 70.94% can be achieved at temperature of 650 °C, pressure of 0.5 MPa, polyethylene to lignin ratio of 1:1, and catalyst to raw material ratio of 4:1. Ratio of two raw materials significantly affects efficiency of hydrogen radicals-mass transfer by regulation of hydrogen radical emission and reception. A peak value of BTEX relative yield of 70.27% was obtained at a polyethylene to lignin ratio of 4:3. Among BTEX, benzene and toluene are more prone to alkylate and polycondensate into highly branched and polycyclic aromatics, due to a lower steric hindrance. Hydrogen radicals-mass transfer has a significant effect on BTEX production, and mass transfer efficiency can be regulated by appropriate pressure and raw materials ratios. Meanwhile, pressurized operation has a dual positive effect on coke inhibition via promoting hydrogen radicals-mass transfer and water release, such that catalyst stability and BTEX production are promoted. This study offers new insight into efficient production of BTEX.

Retrospective, observational, cross-sectional study of detection of recurrent Barrett's esophagus and dysplasia in post-ablation patients with adjunctive use of wide-area transepithelial sample (WATS-3D).

BackgroundBarrett’s esophagus (BE) and dysplasia are often missed by Seattle protocol biopsies (SPB). Wide-area transepithelial sampling with 3-dimensional computer-assisted analysis (WATS-3D) with SPB improves detection in treatment-naïve patients. We aimed to determine to what extent WATS-3D adds to SPB in the detection of non-dysplastic BE (NDBE) and dysplasia in patients undergoing post-endoscopic eradication therapy (EET).MethodsThis retrospective, observational, cross-sectional study included patients who presented for post-EET surveillance with SPB and WATS-3D sampling from April 2019 to February 2020. BE patients with no previous EET were excluded. For the outcomes of NDBE and any dysplastic/neoplastic finding, we calculated both relative and absolute increases in yield by WATS-3D over SBP.ResultsIn 78 patients [mean age 68±10.4 years, 66 (84.6%) male], the prevalence of NDBE, any dysplastic/neoplastic finding, and any abnormality (NDBE or dysplasia/neoplasia) were 53.85%, 10.26%, and 55.13%. The absolute increase in yield of NDBE with WATS-3D over SPB was 26.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] 17.95-37.18%), with the number needed to treat (NNT) 3.71 (95%CI 2.69-5.57) and a relative increase in yield of 100% (95%CI 53.33-188.25%). For dysplasia/neoplasia, the absolute increase in yield was 6.4% (95%CI 1.28-12.82%), NNT 15.6 (95%CI 7.8-78.0), and relative increase of 167% (95%CI 33.33%-infinity). For any abnormal finding, the absolute increase in yield was 26.9% (95%CI 16.67-37.18%), NNT 3.71 (95%CI 2.69-6.00), and relative increase in yield 95% (95%CI 50-176.92%).ConclusionsWATS-3D with SPB improves the detection of residual/recurrent BE and dysplasia in post-ablation BE. However, randomized controlled trials are needed to validate these findings.

Growth characteristics and grain yield of machine-transplanted medium indica hybrid rice with high daily yield

High-yield rice varieties with a suitable growth duration are required for mechanical transplanting in multiple cropping systems. Daily yield is an appropriate criterion for the selection of machine-transplanted rice varieties. The aim of this study was to investigate the growth characteristics and grain production in machine-transplanted medium indica hybrid rice with a high daily yield. We conducted a field experiment on 20 medium indica hybrid rice varieties in 2017 and 2018. Grain yield decreased significantly with growth duration between jointing and heading, but it increased with dry matter accumulation, growth rate between jointing and heading, dry matter partitioning to the stem plus sheath at heading, daily yield, and number of spikelets per panicle. Compared with the medium and low daily yield variety types, the high daily yield variety type increased shoot biomass by improving crop growth rate and dry matter accumulation amount between jointing and heading and after heading. The high daily yield variety type decreased the growth duration pre-heading and the proportions of dry matter partitioned to the leaf lamina at heading and maturity, but it also increased the post-heading accumulated dry matter in the grain and the remobilization of dry matter stored in the vegetative organs. Furthermore, the high daily yield variety type significantly increased the occurrence rate of tillers, which is beneficial for the formation of a larger panicle size and an increase in the grain-filling rate. These changes contributed to a 6.51–23.16% relative increase in grain yield of the high daily yield variety type. In conclusion, the selection of high daily yield indica hybrid rice varieties with shorter pre-heading growth duration, greater tiller occurrence rate and spikelet numbers per panicle, higher post-jointing growth rates and stem plus sheath dry matter accumulation at heading is suitable for machine-transplanted rice.

Эффективность применения комбинированного гербицида Акрис, СЭ на основе диметенамида-Р и тербутилазина в посевах подсолнечника

Trials with a herbicide Acris, SE (280 g/l of dimethenamid-P + 250 g/l of terbuthylazine) were carried out in the Astrakhan, Krasnodar and Altai regions. The aim of this work is studying biological and economic efficiency of pre-emergence treatment with the combined herbicide Acris, SE on sunflower. The treatment with the herbicide Acris, SE (2.0–3.0 l/ha) made it possible to prevent many annual dicotyledonous weeds: Chenopodium album, Amaranthus retroflexus, Fagopyrum tataricum, Abutilon theophrastii and Solanum nigrum. Ambrosia artemisiifolia, found in the Krasnodar region, is less sensitive to this herbicide. The herbicide Acris, SE was highly effective in suppressing annual monocotyledonous weeds: Echinochloa crusgalli and Panicum miliaceum. Efficiency of the herbicide ACRIS was at the level of the standard Gardo Gold, and at the maximum application rate (3.0 l/ha) exceeded the standard one. Pre-emergence soil treatment with the herbicide Acris, SE did not have a negative effect on the germination of sunflower. Significant increase of sunflower yield was noted in all regions of trials. The most significant values were observed on varieties Flagman and R 453 in the Krasnodar region (8.7–9.2 and 7.0–7.5 quintal/ha, respectively). The lowest yields of sunflower in untreated control (10.2 and 11.0 quintal/ha) were observed in the Altai region, but the relative increase in yield in variants with the herbicide Acris, SE application was maximum (from 29.1 to 67.6% in relation to yields in untreated control). In the Astrakhan region, application rates of the herbicide Acris, SE of 2.5 and 3.0 l/ha were characterized by statistical significance (increases up to 2.5 and 3.2 quintal/ha, respectively).

Effects of Wheat Cultivar Mixtures on Population Genetic Structure of Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici

Wheat stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), is one of the most destructive wheat diseases worldwide. Understanding the effects of cultivar mixture on disease control and population genetic structure of Pst could promote the effective application of cultivar mixtures. This study designed nine cultivar mixtures composed of different component cultivars with field experiments in Zitong County, Sichuan Province in two seasons from 2016 to 2018. Diseased leaves were collected in each plot of treatment in the spring and, in total, 835 and 568 isolates were obtained and genotyped with 10 pairs of simple sequence repeat markers in the 2 years, respectively. The observed and theoretical values of the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC), wheat yield, Pst genotypic diversity, and the frequency of Pst dominant genetic groups were compared among cultivar mixtures. With the 2 years’ experiments, there were three and two cultivar mixtures, respectively, showing significant effect on the relative reduction of AUDPC; there were no significant effects on the relative yield increase in all mixtures in the 2 years. There were four and five cultivar mixtures showing positive effects on the relative increase of Pst genotypic diversity in the 2 years, respectively. Moreover, all cultivar mixtures could decrease the frequencies of Pst dominant genetic groups on highly susceptible component cultivar compared with their theoretical frequencies. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .

Next generation luminol derivative as powerful benchmark probe for chemiluminescence assays

Chemiluminescence (CL) provides outstanding analytical performance due to its independence from external light sources, background-free nature and exceptional sensitivity and selectivity. Yet, ultra-sensitive (bio)analysis is impeded by low hydrophilicity, poor quantum yields, fast kinetics or instability of most CL reagents such as luminol, acridinium esters, dioxetanes or peroxyoxalic derivatives. Photophysical studies show that m-carboxy luminol overcomes these limitations as its hydrophilic design provides a 5-fold increase in relative quantum yield resulting in superior performance in H2O2-dependent bioassays with 18-fold higher sensitivity for the quantification of its co-reactant H2O2, and 5-times lower detection limits for the luminophore. Studies with CL enhancers suggest its significance for mechanistic investigations in tandem with peroxidases. Finally, its integration into enzymatic and immunoassay applications demonstrates that m-carboxy luminol will provide signal enhancement, lower detection limits, and increased dynamic ranges for any other luminol-based CL assay, thus comprising the potential to replace luminol as benchmark probe.

Ontogenetic Variation in the Mineral, Phytochemical and Yield Attributes of Brassicaceous Microgreens

Microgreens constitute novel gastronomic ingredients that combine visual, kinesthetic and bioactive qualities. The definition of the optimal developmental stage for harvesting microgreens remains fluid. Their superior phytochemical content against mature leaves underpins the current hypothesis of significant changes in compositional profile during the brief interval of ontogeny from the appearance of the first (S1) to the second true leaf (S2). Microgreens of four brassicaceous genotypes (Komatsuna, Mibuna, Mizuna and Pak Choi) grown under controlled conditions and harvested at S1 and S2 were appraised for fresh and dry yield traits. They were further analyzed for macro- and micromineral content using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), carotenoid content using high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode-array detector (HPLC-DAD), volatile organic compounds using solid-phase microextraction followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC/MS), anthocyanins and polyphenols using liquid chromatography-high resolution-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with Orbitrap technology and for chlorophyll and ascorbate concentrations, well as antioxidant capacity by spectrophotometry. Analysis of compositional profiles revealed genotype as the principal source of variation for all constituents. The response of mineral and phytochemical composition and of antioxidant capacity to the growth stage was limited and largely genotype-dependent. It is, therefore, questionable whether delaying harvest from S1 to S2 would significantly improve the bioactive value of microgreens while the cost-benefit analysis for this decision must be genotype-specific. Finally, the lower-yielding genotypes (Mizuna and Pak Choi) registered higher relative increase in fresh yield between S1 and S2, compared to the faster-growing and higher-yielding genotypes. Although the optimal harvest stage for specific genotypes must be determined considering the increase in yield against reduction in crop turnover, harvesting at S2 seems advisable for the lower-yielding genotypes.