Whole Plant Research Articles

Management of Seeding Rate and Nitrogen Fertilization for Lodging Risk Reduction and High Grain Yield of Mechanically Direct-Seeded Rice under a Double-Cropping Regime in South China

Precision hill-drop direct seeding using mechanical drilling is a unique direct seeding technique employed in south China that offers advantages such as excellent grain yield and high lodging resistance. Improving yield and lodging-related traits is essential for efforts to improve mechanically direct-seeded rice (MDSR) production. Seeding rates (SR) and nitrogen (N) fertilization rate are two of the main factors affecting grain yield and lodging resistance under MDSR production. However, little information about double-season MDSR production in south China is available. Here, we evaluated yield and lodging risk for two rice cultivars Huanghuazhan, HHZ, lodging-resistant; Xiangyaxiangzhan, XYXZ, lodging-susceptible across two consecutive growing seasons under two under two seeding rates (LSR, 30 cm × 18 cm; HSR, 30 cm × 12 cm) and three N fertilization rates (N1 = 100 kg ha−1, reduced N; N2 = 150 kg ha−1, normal N; and N3 = 200 kg ha−1, enhanced N). We found that increased SR and N fertilization rate improved grain yield and increased lodging risk. SR and N were consistently and positively related to plant height (PH), gravity center height (GCH), the length from the broken basal internode to the panicle tip (SL), the fresh plant weight of the plant part above the broken point (FW), and the length of the two basal internodes. SR and N decreased breaking force (F) and breaking strength (BM), driving increased lodging risk as reflected by increases in lodging index (LI) values. Culm diameter (CD) and culm wall thickness (CWT) did not respond consistently to SR and N treatments. Correlation analysis revealed that PH, GCH, the length of first and second basal internodes, FW, and bending moment for the whole plant (WP) were positively correlated with LI, while F and BM were negatively associated with LI. These findings suggest that the increased lodging risk resulting from high SR could be mitigated by applying appropriate rates of N; that is, this work suggests that grain yield can be maximized and lodging risk minimized by increasing SR while decreasing N fertilization rate. Seasonal differences in the effects of SR and N fertilization should be considered to achieve a high grain yield and maintain high lodging resistance. Our study suggests that increasing SR and decreasing N fertilization can enhance rice grain yield while improving lodging resistance for both varieties. Optimizing grain yield by increasing SR while reducing lodging risk by lowering N application rates may maintain lodging resistance and improve grain yield.

Effects of semi-deep water irrigation on hybrid indica rice lodging resistance.

Recently, rice-aquatic animal integrated farming (RAAIF) has grown rapidly in China due to its favorable benefits and the lower application of pesticides and fertilizers. However, rice lodging occurs frequently under RAAIF, which restricts rice yield. We assumed that semi-deep water irrigation may cause weaker rice-lodging resistance since it is the most significant environmental factor for RAAIF that distinguishes it from rice monoculture. To investigate the response of rice stem lodging resistance to semi-deep water irrigation and its mechanism, three irrigation management modes, namely the typical high-yield irrigation model that is mainly based on swallow and wetting (CK), semi-deep water irrigation from the late tillering stage to the jointing stage (SDI1), and semi-deep water irrigation from the jointing stage to the middle grain-filling stage (SDI2), were conducted using three hybrid indica rice varieties: Shenliangyou136 (SLY136), Huiliangyousimiao (HLYSM), and Wanxiangyou982 (WXY982). Mechanics analysis indicated that the bending moment by the whole plant (WP) and the breaking strength (M) were both decreased by semi-deep water irrigation when compared with CK, while M presented a larger decreasing amplitude than WP, which induced the increased lodging index (LI) of rice, for all the tested varieties. SLY136 and HLYSM were affected more strongly by SDI1, whereas WXY982 was affected more strongly by SDI2. Significant weaker breaking force under two semi-deep water irrigation modes contributed to the decreased M relative to CK. Morphology results showed that semi-deep water irrigation reduced the thickness of mechanical tissues, sclerenchyma cells, and parenchyma cells; reduced the number of vascular bundles; and caused a looser arrangement, inducing the lower fullness of the rice basal internode. Decreased accumulation of lignin and cellulose was also linked to the weaker breaking force of the basal internode under semi-deep water irrigation, which was verified by correlation analysis. WXY982 had obvious lower structural carbohydrates content under semi-deep water irrigation than the other two varieties and thus showed worse breaking force and LI. In conclusion, the worse mechanical strength of the rice basal internode under semi-deep water irrigation was closely associated with weaker vascular bundle development and suppressed structural carbohydrate accumulation, and the decreasing degree of lodging resistance varied between rice varieties and semi-deep water irrigation periods.

Technical advances for measurement of gas exchange at the whole plant level: Design solutions and prototype tests to carry out shoot and rootzone analyses in plants of different sizes

To measure gas exchange at the whole plant (WP) level, design solutions were provided and prototypes of gas-exchange systems (GESs) were tested to carry out shoot and rootzone analyses in plants of different sizes. A WP-GES for small herbaceous plants was tested on the ability to maximize the net assimilation rate of CO2 in lettuce plants grown either under blue-red light or upon full spectrum artificial light. A WP-GES for large woody plants was tested during an experiment describing the drought stress inhibition of grapevine transpiration and photosynthesis. Technical advances pointed to optimize: i) the choice of cuvette material and its technical configuration to allow hermetic isolation of the interface shoot-rootzone, to avoid contamination between the two compartments, and to allow climate control of both shoot and rootzone cuvettes, ii) accurate measurements of the mass air-flow entering both cuvettes, and iii) an adequate homogenization of the cuvette air volume for stable and accurate detection of CO2 and H2O concentration in cuvettes before and after CO2 and H2O contamination of the air volumes exerted by plant organs.

Assessment of the Potential of a Native Non-Aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus Isolate to Reduce Aflatoxin Contamination in Dairy Feed.

Aspergillus species can produce aflatoxins (AFs), which can severely affect human and animal health. The objective was to evaluate the efficacy of reducing AF contamination of a non-aflatoxigenic isolate of A. flavus experimentally coinoculated with different aflatoxigenic strains in whole plant (WP), corn silage (CS), immature grains (IG) and in culture media (CM). An L-morphotype of A. flavus (CS1) was obtained from CS in a dairy farm located in the Mexican Highland Plateau; The CS1 failed to amplify the AFs biosynthetic pathway regulatory gene (aflR). Monosporic CS1 isolates were coinoculated in WP, CS, IG and CM, together with A. flavus strains with known aflatoxigenic capacity (originating from Cuautitlán and Tamaulipas, Mexico), and native isolates from concentrate feed (CF1, CF2 and CF3) and CS (CS2, CS3). AF production was evaluated by HPLC and fungal growth rate was measured on culture media. The positive control strains and those isolated from CF produced a large average amount of AFs (15,622 ± 3952 and 12,189 ± 3311 µg/kg), whereas A. flavus strains obtained from CS produced a lower AF concentration (126 ± 25.9 µg/kg). CS1 was efficient (p < 0.01) in decreasing AF concentrations when coinoculated together with CF, CS and aflatoxigenic positive control strains (71.6–88.7, 51.0–51.1 and 63.1–71.5%) on WP, CS, IG and CM substrates (73.9–78.2, 65.1–73.7, 63.8–68.4 and 57.4–67.6%). The results suggest that the non-aflatoxigenic isolate can be an effective tool to reduce AF contamination in feed and to minimize the presence of its metabolites in raw milk and dairy products intended for human nutrition.

Influence of Mechanical Transplanting Methods and Planting Geometry on Grain Yield and Lodging Resistance of Indica Rice Taoyouxiangzhan under Rice–Crayfish Rotation System

Rice–crayfish rotation expanded rapidly in China, as it provides considerable profit and reduces pesticide application. This study investigated the impact of different mechanical transplanting methods and planting geometry on the yield and lodging resistance of an indica rice variety under a rice–crayfish rotation system in 2018 and 2019 in Hongze Lake district, using an excellent-quality variety Taoyouxiangzhan. Seedlings were mechanically transplanted using two mechanically transplanted carpet seedling (MTCS) with equal spacing (30 cm) at five spacings and mechanically transplanted pot seedling (MTPS) with wide and narrow rows (23 cm + 33 cm) at five spacings. The yield of MTPS was 8.3% higher across 2 years under the most optimum density than MTCS using the same density, mainly due to a significantly increased number of spikelets per panicle. Accompanied by the decrease in planting density, rice yield first increased and then decreased under each mechanically transplanting method, and reached the maximum in the A4 and B4 treatments (63.9 × 104 seedlings ha−1), respectively. Compared with MTCS, MTPS significantly increased the fresh weight of single stem, plant height, gravity center height, ear weight, length and area of the upper three leaves, so as to increase the bending moment at basal internodes by whole plant (WP), while it also increased the stem diameter, wall thickness and stem and leaf sheath dry weight per unit length of the second internode at the base, resulting in a significant increase in the force applied to break the base segment (F) and the bending moment of whole plant (M). The higher increase percentage in M than WP led to a decreased lodging index. The lodging index of both mechanically transplanting methods reduced with declined planting density in virtue of the improved breaking load of the basal internode, and it was primarily a result of increased stem diameter, wall thickness and plumpness of basal internode. The balance between the high yield and lodging resistance of Taoyouxiangzhan under a rice–crayfish rotation system can be realized at 63.9 × 104 seedlings ha−1, with MTCS at 15.7 cm plant spacing and MTPS at 16.8 cm. Generally, MTPS showed obvious advantages in yield and lodging resistance than MTCS.

Down-regulatory effect of essential oils on fungal growth and Tri4 gene expression for some Fusarium oxysporum strains: GC-MS analysis of essential oils

The objectives of this work were to evaluate the efficacy of Eucalyptus camaldulensis green branches (GB) and Origanum majorana whole plant (WP) essential oils (EOs) on Tri4 gene expression and Fusarium oxysporum strains growth In vitro. Five strains of Fusarium oxysporum were identified molecularly through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the internal transcript spacer (ITS) region. The efficacy of the EOs from Eucalyptus camaldulensis GB and Origanum majorana WP on Tri4 gene expression and F. oxysporum strains growth were evaluated In vitro. GC-MS analysis of the EOs referred that 1,8-cineole, and spathulenol were presented in E. camaldulensis GB, while in O. majorana WP were tricyclene, and p-cymene as abundant compounds. E. camaldulensis and O. majorana EOs showed MIC of 32–64 µg/mL and 32 µg/mL, respectively. E. camaldulensis EO was more suppressive against all the F. oxysporum strains. Both EOs reduced Tri4 gene expression significantly compared with control. qRT-PCR results revealed a down-regulation in Tri4 gene expression of all of F. oxysporum strains exposed to both EOs at the MIC values. The results suggest that both EOs can be used as safe and green bio-pesticide.

Foliar application uniconazole enhanced lodging resistance of high-quality indica rice (Oryza sativa L. ) by altering anatomical traits, cell structure and endogenous hormones

Lodging is an important limiting factor for increasing yield and quality in high-quality indica rice production. The objectives of this study were to explore the mechanism of lodging resistance in high-quality indica rice as affected by anatomical and cellular structure, especially its related endogenous hormone changes in culm tissue and response to foliar application uniconazole. Field experiments were conducted in Shanggao County, Jiangxi Province, China, by using two indica rice varieties Meixiangzhan2 (MXZ2) and Taiyou871 (TY871) with two foliar application uniconazole rates (0 mg L −1 , U 0 ; 80 mg L −1 , U 1 ) in 2019 and 2020. The results showed that the foliar application uniconazole affected the grain yield quite low, but decreased lodging index (LI) value with significant difference in both two varieties and years. Compared with U 0 treatments, U 1 treatments rapidly shortened length of basal internodes, especially for IN 4 , but affected length of upper internodes slightly, which resulted in reduction of length from breaking basal internode to top (SL) and bending moment by the whole plant (WP) value. The shorter cell length and denser cell arrangement under U 1 treatments, which were induced by lower endogenous indole acetic acid (IAA) and gibberellin A 3 (GA 3 ) content in culm tissue, declined the length of IN 4 internodes, plant height and center of gravity height. The higher breaking strength (M) was resulted from larger section- modulus (SM) of TY871 and higher bending stress (BS) of MXZ2, respectively. The elevated endogenous 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) and zeatin (Z) content increased cell division in culm tissue and thus, raised the culm wall thickness, culm and leaf sheath cross sectional area and SM in basal internodes. Compared with U 0 treatments, U 1 treatments increased cell wall components including cellulose and lignin, starch, as well as higher BS in both TY871 and MXZ2. These results suggested that reduction of plant height and center gravity height were induced by shorter cell length and denser cell arrangement, which resulted from lower endogenous IAA and GA 3 in culm tissue. The foliar application uniconazole could enlarged culm wall thickness and SM by elevate endogenous ACC and Z content, and increase stem strength by higher carbohydrates including cellulose, lignin and starch and thereby, enhanced lodging resistance of high-quality indica rice. • Lodging resistance of high-quality indica rice was enhanced by shorter basal internodes with optimization cell structure. • Uniconazole shortened plant height and cell lengths due to decrease of endogenous GA 3 and IAA contents. • Uniconazole increased culm wall thickness and section-modulus owing to elevated endogenous ACC and Z content. • The uniconazole increased carbohydrates, e.g. cellulose, lignin and starch, and induced stronger stem strength.

Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum Inoculation on Chemical Composition, Fermentation, and Bacterial Community Composition of Ensiled Sweet Corn Whole Plant or Stover

Sweet corn is a feed resource with a high content of water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) available for ruminant production. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of inoculation with Lactobacillus plantarum on fermentation and nutritional quality of sweet corn silage. Sweet corn whole plant (WP) and sweet corn stover (CS) were ensiled in mini silos with or without inoculation of L. plantarum. Proximate composition and fermentation variables, and composition of the bacterial community, were evaluated before ensiling and at the end of the first, second, and third month after ensiling. There was fiber degradation in CS silage after three months of ensilage, but not in WP silage. Inoculation of WP silage, but not of CS silage, with L. plantarum, increased starch content. The relative abundance of genus Lactobacillus was increased by inoculation with L. plantarum by 14.2% and 82.2% in WP and CS silage, respectively. Inoculation with L. plantarum was not necessary to achieve adequate fermentation of either WP or CS silage, as the abundance of native lactic acid bacteria in both materials seemed suitable for adequate fermentation. That said, increased starch content in WP resulting from inoculation with L. plantarum can increase the nutritive value of WP for ruminants.

Foliar application uniconazole enhanced lodging resistance of hybrid indica rice by altering basal stem quality under poor light stress

AbstractPoor light stress causes lodging risks in hybrid indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) in Sichuan Basin, China. However, the effective way of improving lodging resistance of hybrid indica rice by plant regulation strategy under poor light stress has not yet been investigated. A 2‐yr field study, comparing the three foliar application uniconazole rates under normal light and shading condition, was conducted to determine the lodging resistance and its physiological mechanism by using two hybrid rice varieties (Yuxiang203 [YX203] and Cliangyouhuazhan [CLYHZ]). The results showed that shading significantly decreased grain yield, but, increased lodging index (LI) due to poor stem breaking strength (M). Also, shading increased the non‐structural carbohydrates (NSC), but reduced structural carbohydrate (SC), especially for lignin in basal culm and thus, weakened the stem stiffness. Grain yield was first increased, and then declined with increasing foliar uniconazole rates. And, LI decreased sharply owing to improvement of M while reduction of bending moment by whole plant (WP). Larger section modulus (SM) of YX203 and higher bending stress (BS) of CLYHZ were contributed to higher M. Correlation analysis showed that M was significantly correlated with culm diameter, culm wall thickness and SC content for YX203, and that with SC content for CLYHZ, respectively. The results indicated that foliar application of uniconazole increased lodging resistance of hybrid indica rice for larger M and SC accumulation in basal stem. Uniconazole foliar application at 40 mg L–1 can increase lodging resistance while maintaining grain yield of hybrid indica rice in the Sichuan Basin, China.

COMPOSICIÓN QUÍMICA-NUTRICIONAL DE REBROTES DE Cenchrus purpureus (Schumach.) Morrone DURANTE LA ESTACIÓN LLUVIOSA

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background:&lt;/strong&gt; The rainfall regime and its distribution define the productivity and quality of the pastures for use as forage. &lt;strong&gt;Objective:&lt;/strong&gt; Evaluate changes in the chemical-mineral composition and nutritional value of &lt;em&gt;Cenchrus purpureus&lt;/em&gt; sprouts in the rainy season. &lt;strong&gt;Methodology:&lt;/strong&gt; A study was developed in a completely randomized design in factorial arrangement, with varieties of &lt;em&gt;C. purpureus&lt;/em&gt; (CT-601; 603 and 115 as control) at different regrowth ages (60, 80, 100 and 120 days) and their interaction 4 x 3, for a total of twelve treatments with four repetitions. &lt;strong&gt;Results:&lt;/strong&gt; The second degree interaction affected the structural composition of the cell wall in leaves, increasing (P≤0.001) the fiber concentration in acid detergent (FAD) as the age of the plant advanced, while lignin (LAD), cellulose (Cel) and hemicellulose (Hcel) showed erratic behaviors at different ages in the three varieties (P≤0.001). In the whole plant (WP), the FAD and FND decreased (P≤0.001) as a function of the increase in age, LAD, Cel and Hcel showed the same pattern as in leaves, differing (P≤0.001) between varieties with respect to the control in the different ages. The highest &lt;em&gt;in vitro&lt;/em&gt; degradability’s of dry matter (IDDM) and organic (IDOM) in leaves were centered at the age of 60 days in the varieties CT-603 and 115, respectively, in WP at 100 days in CT-601 and 603 (P≤0.001) compared to CT-115. &lt;strong&gt;Implications:&lt;/strong&gt; The varieties CT-601 and CT-603 do not show affectations in the structure of the cell wall that affect the nutritional value with respect to the control treatment (variety CT-115). &lt;strong&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/strong&gt; Varieties, depending on DR, modify the structure of the cell wall, without affecting their nutritional value.&lt;/p&gt;

Shading of mature leaves systemically regulates photosynthesis and leaf area of new developing leaves via hormones

In order to explore whether leaf area of developing leaves was regulated by systemic irradiance signal from mature leaves, we investigated the leaf area, leaf anatomy, photosynthesis, auxin, gibberellin, and cytokinin contents of new developing leaves in soybean growing under conditions of shaded mature leaves (MS), shaded whole plants (WS), and under full sunlight (NS). The results showed that developing leaves under MS exhibited the higher leaf area and leaf mass than that of WS. Blade thickness, palisade tissue thickness, sponge tissue thickness, cell size, cell numbers, net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and cytokinin content of developing leaves under MS were lower, while auxin and gibberellin contents were higher than that of NS. These results indicate that the leaf area, leaf anatomy, and photosynthesis of developing leaves were regulated by the shading environment of mature leaves. Growth hormones may possibly act as candidate signal substances to systemic regulation of leaf area development.

Using R‐Based Image Analysis to Quantify Rusts on Perennial Ryegrass

Core Ideas An automated open‐source analysis system was developed to rate crown and stem rust. The system was validated against manual measurements and visual rater ability. Consistency in rater (n = 9) ability was excellent for crown rust and fair to good for stem rust. Agreement in rater scores for individual images was low and showed high levels of variation. The automated system can replace visual rating of crown rust in the field but not stem rust. Crown and stem rust are major diseases of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). Plant breeders and pathologists often rate rust severity in the field using the modified Cobb scale, but this method is subjective and labor intensive. A novel, open‐source system using ImageJ and R was developed to quantify pustule number and area using digital images collected from spaced plants in the field. The computer‐processing pipeline included development of training data for prediction of pixel identity using random forest and noise reduction spatial processing. Raters and the computer scored rust severity on plant images of varying complexity including whole‐plant (WP), five‐leaf (FL), and single‐leaf (SL) image series. Computer accuracy was determined using the SL, while the FL series gave insight into the true value of WP severity. Rater ability was assessed using a panel of nine scientists with varying levels of disease rating experience. Results showed rater perceptions of crown rust severity were very consistent across images, but agreement on severity values for a given image were low. Rater consistency for stem rust severity was low and FL scores were not strongly correlated with WP scores (r = 0.36, P = 0.03), indicating low rater accuracy. The computer‐processing pipeline was able to accurately discriminate, count, and quantify crown and stem rust pustules on leaf samples. Correlations between computer and the median rater score for crown rust were excellent (r &gt; 0.90, P &lt; 0.001) for all image series. Similar to raters, there was a lack of correlation between WP and FL series (r = 0.20, not significant) indicating that this technique is limited to leaf or stem samples for stem rust and not applicable to WP. However, the computer‐processing pipeline shows promise in replacing visual rating of WP for crown rust.

Exploring the potential use of whole plant therapies, &lt;i&gt;Cymbopogon citratus&lt;/i&gt;, as alternatives/complements to antimalarial pharmaceuticals: A preliminary report

Parasite resistance, toxicity/adverse reactions, adulteration as well as limited affordability and accessibity to common antimalarial drugs necessitate continuous search for better options. We evaluated the antimalarial potential of Whole Plant (WP) Cymbopo gencitratus (Lemon grass)as well as its combination with the old antimalarial chloroquine in a rodent malaria model, Plamodium chabaudi CR. WP C. citratus exhibited delayed but significant (p<0.001) and sustained activity against established infection compared with controls and chloroquine respectively. Significant increase in heamoglobin concentration (p<0.01) and maintenance of normal body temperature (p<0.01) in the WP treatment group coincided with the period of antimalarial activity of the Whole Plant. Contrary to our expectations but interestingly, the WP C. citratus and chloroquine combination did not yield significantanti malarial activity. These preliminary results suggest that WP C. citrates may be more effective as a prophylactic agent with useful implications for intermittent preventive treatments and requires further investigation. The outcome of the WP/Chloroquine combination on the other hand suggests the induction of a redox environment that may have reduced the potency of both treatments when combined. This however requires further investigation as it may have some implications for antimalarial treatment protocols, origins of antimalarial resistance and future antimalarial options in endemic areas.Keywords: Cymbopo gencitratus; prophylactic agent; safe herb.

Electrical Penetration Graph monitored feeding behavior of cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch. (Hemiptera:Aphididae), on faba bean, Vicia faba L. (Fabaceae), cultivars

Feeding behavior of cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch. (Hemiptera: Aphididae), was evaluated on five faba bean, Vicia faba L. (Fabaceae), cultivars, including the resistant cultivar Gazira2, by using the Electrical Penetration Graph (EPG) technique. Experiments were conducted on whole plants (WP) and detached leaves (DL). Fifteen parameters of EPG recording were selected for statistical analysis. Two-way factorial ANOVA showed that the EPG parameter values in WP and DL were significantly different, while the cultivars difference occurred mostly in the WP tissue, as indicated through one-way ANOVA Kruskal-Wallis analysis. Cowpea aphid feeding behavior on WP Gazira2 resistant cultivar had the longest duration of stylet derailment (waveform F) and total probing, but lowest in total duration of pathway (waveform C), xylem ingestion (waveform G),and number of probes. Speculatively, longest duration of waveform F, which had a relation with the mechanical disturbance during feeding, probably is one of the possible resistant factors in Gazira2 cultivar, however this remains intriguing and needs further study.

Dried whole-plant Artemisia annua slows evolution of malaria drug resistance and overcomes resistance to artemisinin

Pharmaceutical monotherapies against human malaria have proven effective, although ephemeral, owing to the inevitable evolution of resistant parasites. Resistance to two or more drugs delivered in combination will evolve more slowly; hence combination therapies have become the preferred norm in the fight against malaria. At the forefront of these efforts has been the promotion of Artemisinin Combination Therapy, but despite these efforts, resistance to artemisinin has begun to emerge. In 2012, we demonstrated the efficacy of the whole plant (WP)--not a tea, not an infusion--as a malaria therapy and found it to be more effective than a comparable dose of pure artemisinin in a rodent malaria model. Here we show that WP overcomes existing resistance to pure artemisinin in the rodent malaria Plasmodium yoelii. Moreover, in a long-term artificial selection for resistance in Plasmodium chabaudi, we tested resilience of WP against drug resistance in comparison with pure artemisinin (AN). Stable resistance to WP was achieved three times more slowly than stable resistance to AN. WP treatment proved even more resilient than the double dose of AN. The resilience of WP may be attributable to the evolutionary refinement of the plant's secondary metabolic products into a redundant, multicomponent defense system. Efficacy and resilience of WP treatment against rodent malaria provides compelling reasons to further explore the role of nonpharmaceutical forms of AN to treat human malaria.

Influence of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis and dry matter accumulation in Oriental hybrid lily ‘Siberia’ at different developmental stages

SummaryWe investigated the effects of light intensity on various photosynthetic characteristics on a whole-plant (WP) basis, focussing on three developmental stages from leafing (when young leaves unfolded) to flowering in the Oriental hybrid lily ‘Siberia’. On a WP basis, the net photosynthetic rate (Pr) was low at the leafing stage, but increased rapidly at the visible flower bud and flowering stages. However, on a leaf area (LA) basis, plants at the leafing stage exhibited a high Pr, peaking at the visible flower bud stage and diminishing slightly at the flowering stage.The rapid increase in total LA due to plant growth and development had a strong influence on Pr on a WP basis. ‘Siberia’ plants were grown under various reduced levels of natural light (0%, 40%, or 60%), achieved by shading, to evaluate the contribution of photosynthetic assimilates at various developmental stages and to compare the consistency of these results with the photosynthetic characteristics of the plants. The final dry matter (DM) content on a WP basis was determined by the light intensity applied after the visible flower bud stage, but not before. These experiments indicated that, during the growth of ‘Siberia’ lily, photosynthesis determined DM accumulation after the visible flower bud stage. Low or high light intensities before or after this stage promoted stem elongation and leaf thickening, respectively. Therefore, shading during the early developmental stages and high sunlight during the later developmental stages were beneficial for the quality of Oriental hybrid lily cut flowers.

Economic Feasibility of Mesquite Biomass for Electricity Production: Projections of the Long-Term Sustainability of Two Harvest Options

Mesquite and similar woody plant species occupy over 28 million hectares in the southwestern USA and often negatively affect the rural economic sector by reducing livestock forage production, increasing bare ground, and interfering with livestock handling. Current control methods that temporarily suppress the growth of these woody plants include herbicide sprays, mechanical treatments, and prescribed fire. One alternative to current control practices is to utilize mesquite biomass for electricity generation. This study examined the economic feasibility of mesquite biomass as a potential bioenergy feedstock for electricity production using a Faustmann-type model with five mesquite biomass accumulation scenarios, which take into account variations in rates of standing biomass accumulation and tree density reestablishment after harvest with the aboveground-only (AG) harvest option or the whole-plant (WP) harvest option. The estimated regrowth functions were then incorporated into a modified version of the Faustmann model to determine the optimal harvesting length of mesquite that maximizes the net present value of a power plant using mesquite biomass. Results indicated that mesquite biomass has economic potential to be a source for electricity generation. A long-term bioenergy harvest system with regrowth following AG harvest was much more cost-effective than reestablishment from germination of new seedlings after WP harvest, even though harvest cost is higher in the AG than that in the WP harvest option. In addition, the utilization of mesquite for bioenergy would enhance other more traditional income streams from these lands including livestock grazing and wildlife hunting leases (with patterned harvesting of mesquite) and would reduce herbicide or mechanical costs that ordinarily are necessary for woody plant control. Compared to conventional coal, a lower economic return was found when the mesquite biomass was used for electricity production, but a possible carbon emission tax would make mesquite biomass competitive with conventional coal.

Effects of Nitrogen Application Rate and Ratio on Lodging Resistance of Super Rice with Different Genotypes

The objective of this study was to determine the morphology mechanism of nitrogen (N) fertilizer rates and ratio on lodging resistance through analying its effects among lodging index (LI), lodging-related morphological traits and physical strength in basal internodes by comparing japonica and indica super rice cultivars. Field experiments, with three nitrogen levels (0, 150 and 300 kg ha−1) and two ratios of basal to topdressing (8:2 and 5:5) with two super rice cultivars (Yliangyou 2 and Wuyunjing 23), were conducted in the Baolin Farm, Danyang Country, Jiangsu Province, China, in 2011 and 2012. Effects of N fertilizer rates and ratios on morphology of whole plant, morphology traits in basal internodes and culm's physical strength parameters were investigated at 20 d after full heading stage. LI of Yliangyou 2 was significant greater than that of Wuyunjing 23 due to larger bending moment by whole plant (WP) with higher plant height and gravity center height. With higher volume of N fertilizer, LI of two super rice cultivars was increased conspicuously. However, no significant effect was detected with increase of panicle fertilizer ratio. The size of breaking strength (M) in basal internodes was the key factor determining LI among N fertilizer treatments. Correlation analysis revealed that M value was positively related bending stress (BS) of Wuyunjing 23 and section modulus (Z) of Yliangyou 2, respectively. The higher N fertilizer levels induced reduction of BS of Wuyunjing 23 due to weak culm and leaf sheath plumpness status and reduced Z of Yliangyou 2 owning to small diameter and culm wall thickness, consequently, influencing their M indirectly. These results suggested that breaking strength was the key factor influencing LI with increase of N fertilizer levels. However, the lodging-related morphology mechanism was different with genotypes. Culm wall thickness and diameter in basal internodes of indica super rice and culm and leaf sheath plumpness status of japonica super rice influenced breaking strength, as well as lodging index, respectively.

Record of Traditional Medicinal Practice of Herbalists of Muslim Community in Manipur

Many countries and cultures inherited knowledge of plant medicines to cure diseases and health problems from time immemorial. Field survey work and the registration of patients on a daily basis for a number of 129 randomly selected days, mainly in Thoubal district from January 2006 to October 2006 were conducted, alongside the collection of plants up to April, 2008. Recorded patients belonging to these communities included communities 514 Muslims: 390 Meeteis: 159 Tribals. Male and female were in a proportion of 614:548. The present study deals with 13 plant species, under 14 genera belonging to 13 families closely associated with 12 categories of treatment of diseases and human health problems. The plant parts/plants employed are categorised as leaves (L), 7 times; whole plant (WP), 2 times and Fruits (F), Whole plant without root (WPWR), Seeds (S), Bulbs (B), Roots (R); 1 time each. Category of illnesses and health problems and number of patients recorded were - Bone dislocation, fracture &amp; other bone related problems (BDFOP 402); Ligament (LG 86); Kidney stone and kidney related problem (KSAP 47); Joint, body ache &amp;associated problems( JBAP 37); Gastric problems (GST 35); Diabetes(DBT 35); Leiman or Bad Womb (BW 30); Dhatu or Piles &amp; Constipation (PC 27); Phunba and Lengba or Congestion of chest (CC); Asthma (AST 16); Stomach and associated problems (SAP 14); Heart weakness (9); Liver problems (LP)(9); Lack of blood &amp; Blood problem (LBBP 8); Chakmangba or post-birth lack of appetite female case (PBLAFC 8); Paralysis (P6); Female white discharge (FWD 4); Irregular Men’s Cycle (IMC 4); possessiveness due to black earth (PBE 4); Gall bladder stone (GBS 4); Fever (2) and others (OTS 366). The investigation of the traditional medicinal practices of Muslim herbalists in Manipur vis a vis finding along potentiality of the practical know how of indigenous medicinal knowledge. Comparative study of some plants for their useful aspects in solving health problems had been discussed in the paper.

Comparison of photosynthetic characteristics of the seagrass congeners Zostera marina L. and Zostera japonica Ascher. & Graeb.

On the Pacific coast of North America two seagrass species in the genus Zostera co-exist; the native species Zostera marina, and an introduced species, Zostera japonica. These two species typically occupy separate tidal elevations, with Z. marina occupying the lower intertidal and shallow subtidal zones, and Z. japonica occupying the mid- to upper intertidal zone. This study was designed to compare the photosynthetic characteristics of Z. japonica and Z. marina after exposure to high and low light. Nursery pots containing Z. japonica and Z. marina were grown intermixed in replicate mesocosm tanks at two different light levels (50 and 150μmol photons m−2 s−1). We measured photosynthetic parameters for Z. japonica and Z. marina leaf segments and whole plants (WP). Z. japonica leaf segment photosynthetic efficiency (α) was greater than that of Z. marina and based on the high photosynthetic rate, α and saturating irradiance, we suggest that Z. japonica is high light adapted. Whole plant (WP) photosynthetic rates were similar 123±11 vs. 155±21μmol O2 gDW−1h−1 for Z. marina and Z. japonica respectively. However, the WP respiration rate of Z. japonica was 2 fold greater than Z. marina. Consequently, Z. marina would be expected to acquire and store more carbon than Z. japonica. We suggest that light limitation does not explain the observed disjunct vertical distribution of these two species and that other factors (e.g. rhizome growth, branching frequency and seed germination, etc.) likely play a large role in controlling Z. japonica colonization.