Table of Content

12 October 2022, Volume 48 Issue 10

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REVIEW

Insights on developing modern corn ecological breeding in southwest China

PAN Guang-Tang, YANG Ke-Cheng, GAO Shi-Bin

Acta Agronomica Sinica. 2022, 48(10):  2427-2434.  doi:10.3724/SP.J.1006.2022.13065

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Based on the principle of interaction between genotype and environment (G × E), we analyze the ecological zoning characteristics of maize breeding in southwest China, the development demand of national economy, the development trend of maize industry, the change of breeding target demand, the innovation of breeding technology system and so on. We focus on the systematic summary and explanation of the connotation of maize ecological breeding in southwest China in the new period. Further condensed with “full attention and utilization of (G × E) interaction” as the core, “industrialization of breeding objectives, diversification of variety types, special identification of variety selection, regionalization of variety layout, and collectivization of variety promotion.” the development concept of “modern ecological breeding” in Southwest corn region with the main content of “model of variety cultivation” systematically put forward the breeding goal of “low risk and high efficiency new hybrid” in the new period, which is characterized by “stable yield, high efficiency, environment-friendly, high quality and safety, easy seed production and harvest by machine ”. In order to promote the sustainable and healthy development of maize production and industry in southwest China, we proposed the following aspects should be emphasized in breeding technology system: 1) the path is to improve disease resistance and stress resistance of new varieties based on the premise of fine exploration and accurate identification of excellent and specific breeding resources; 2) the key is to utilize different heterotic groups, especially the cultivation of excellent inbred lines of tropical germplasm groups urgently needed in different ecological regions, and the identification of new hybrid combinations in specific ecological regions under multi-point biotic and abiotic strong stress for multi-year; 3) the guarantee is to popularize new varieties with stable yield, high yield and high efficiency guaranteed by efficient utilization of resources in specific ecological regions, environment-friendly and sustainable development of maize production.

CROP GENETICS & BREEDING·GERMPLASM RESOURCES·MOLECULAR GENETICS

Regulation of adventitious root development by HvLBD19 gene in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

GUO Bao-Jian, WANG Shuang, LYU Chao, WANG Fei-Fei, XU Ru-Gen

Acta Agronomica Sinica. 2022, 48(10):  2435-2442.  doi:10.3724/SP.J.1006.2022.11088

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LBD gene family is a plant specific transcription factor family, which plays an important role in regulating plant development and nitrogen metabolism. Micro-synteny analysis showed that barley HvLBD19 was an orthologous of maize RTCS and rice ARL1 gene. Temporal and spatial expression analysis revealed that this gene was most abundant in adventitious roots and was induced by exogenous auxin treatment, which encoded a protein located in the nucleus. Transgenic results indicated that the adventitious root length increased by nearly one time, and the number of adventitious roots increased by 40%. It was preliminarily confirmed that HvLBD19 gene controlled adventitious root development in barley and provided a foundation for further research on the molecular mechanism of HvLBD19 gene in regulating adventitious root development in barley.

Identification highly virulent population of soybean cyst nematode using China germplasms

LIAN Yun, WEI He, WANG Jin-She, ZHANG Hui, LEI Chen-Fang, LI Jin-Ying, LU Wei-Guo

Acta Agronomica Sinica. 2022, 48(10):  2443-2450.  doi:10.3724/SP.J.1006.2022.14188

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The disease caused by soybean cyst nematode (soybean cyst nematode, Heterodera glycines, SCN) is a worldwide soybean disease. The internationally used race identification models including Riggs model and Hg type for differentiate soybean cyst nematode population could not effectively distinguish the highly virulent race such as race 4, X12 population, and synthesized nematode population LY1. This study provides a simple identification method for distinguishing the three highly virulent population of the soybean cyst nematode, which would be greatly contribute to SCN research. This method included the following steps: First, we used the susceptible varieties and raised enough cysts in the soil infected highly virulent population of SCN for inoculation. Then, soybean varieties Xingxianhuipizhi (ZDD2315) and PI567516C were selected as differential hosts, and Lee was used as susceptible control for inoculation. Both ZDD2315 and PI567516C was sensitive in the inoculating reaction, indicating that the soil was infected by X12 population. If ZDD2315 was resistance while PI567516C were susceptible to the disease, indicating the soil was infected by race 4. If PI567516C was resistance to disease, it revealed that the soil was infected by LY1 population. These results indicated that the three highly virulent population including race 4, X12 population, and synthesized LY1 population could be effectively distinguished depending on the reaction of SCN on germplasms of ZDD2315 and PI567516C from China. In conclusion, these results of this study are of great significance for screening resistance germplasms, investigating the race distribution of SCN, and studying the pathogenic genes of SCN.

Dissecting the genetic basis of kernel size related traits and their combining ability based on a hybrid population in maize

LI Ting, WANG Ya-Peng, DONG Yuan, GUO Rui-Shi, LI Dong-Mei, TANG Ya-Ling, ZHANG Xing-Hua, XUE Ji-Quan, XU Shu-Tu

Acta Agronomica Sinica. 2022, 48(10):  2451-2462.  doi:10.3724/SP.J.1006.2022.13052

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Combining ability is a crucial index for evaluating elite inbred lines and selecting superior hybrids during maize breeding processes. Kernel size related traits are important components of grain yield. Therefore, dissecting the genetic basis of kernel size related traits and their combining ability is beneficial for improving maize yield. In this study, we performed genome-wide association study (GWAS) of kernel size related traits and their combining ability using 246 hybrids breed by designed as NCII mating. The broad-sense heritability of kernel length (KL), kernel width (KW), and kernel thickness (KT) was 76.20%, 86.52%, and 81.14%, respectively. The correlation coefficient between each trait and their combining ability was more than 0.58, indicating there was significant positive correlation. Based on the efficient mixed-model association expedited (EMMAX) algorithm, we identified 31, 21, and 5 significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with the best linear unbiased estimation (BLUE), general combining ability (GCA), and special combining ability (SCA) of kernel size related traits, respectively. Among these significant SNPs, 10 SNPs were co-located both kernel size related traits and their combining ability. The effect analysis of co-located significant SNPs showed that three SNPs were additive, four were partial dominance and one was overdominance. Further, 17 candidate genes were predicted from candidate regions of co-located SNPs or SNPs with large effect, such as shrunken 1, emp6 and so on. The results further dissect the genetic architecture of maize kernel size related traits and their combining ability and provide useful information for improving grain yield in maize breeding.

Genetic mapping and candidate gene analysis of the major QTL cqHD2H-2 for early heading in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

YU Xin-Lian, LI Xin, YAO Xiao-Hua, YAO You-Hua, BAI Yi-Xiong, AN Li-Kun, WU Kun-Lun

Acta Agronomica Sinica. 2022, 48(10):  2463-2474.  doi:10.3724/SP.J.1006.2022.11071

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Heading date is closely linked with agronomic performance, which is responsible for the regional and seasonal adaptation of barley varieties, and it is also a key indicator of the early or later maturity in barley. Previous studies indicated that the major QTL cqHD2H-2 for early heading was located in an 84 Mb interval on chromosome 2H of barley. To further verify the effective stability of the cqHD2H-2, in this study, we validated this locus and analyzed candidate genes. New InDel markers were developed based on the primary mapping region of cqHD2H-2 through an F₅ population constructed from the cross of DZZ (early heading) and KL10 (late heading). A total of three markers tightly linked to the target gene were obtained, and one flank marker was confirmed as co-dominant marker by scanning 25 extreme early heading and 25 extreme late heading individuals of F₅ population, which mapped the locus cqHD2H-2 located in a 40 Mb region between PA22 and Va07 on the chromosome 2H. The homologous gene HORVU2Hr1G087460 (HvNF-YB3) of rice heading date gene DTH8 in barley was acquired by homologous collinearity comparison of the region between barley and rice. Compared with the full length of HvNF-YB3 gene, the encoding region of Hv2H.NF-YB3 (DZZ) and Hv2H.nf-yb3 (KL10) was composed of an exon. The encoding region was 750 bp, and the promoter region was 2116 bp. There were three SNPs detected between the promoter region of Hv2H.NF-YB3 and Hv2H.nf-yb3. The relative expression levels of Hv2H.NF-YB3 and Hv2H.nf-yb3 showed that there were significant differences in the transcriptional level. Hv2H.NF-YB3 and Hv2H.nf-yb3 expressed in stem, awn, and glume, compared with Hv2H.NF-YB3, the relative expression levels of Hv2H.nf-yb3 significantly decreased in the three tissues. The relative expression levels gradually decreased with the development of the plants. In conclusion, Hv2H.NF-YB3 may play a role in the regulation of heading time in barley. The results were useful for developing early heading lines by marker-assisted selection (MAS) and laid a foundation for fine mapping and subsequent map-based cloning of cqHD2H-2.

Construction of SNP high-density genetic map and QTL analysis of agronomic traits in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.)

LI Jian-Ling, GONG Dan, WANG Su-Hua, CHEN Hong-Lin, CHENG Xu-Zhen, XIONG Tao, WANG Li-Xia

Acta Agronomica Sinica. 2022, 48(10):  2475-2482.  doi:10.3724/SP.J.1006.2022.14187

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To promote efficient utilization of cowpea germplasm resources and new gene discovery, a genetic linkage map containing 2984 Bin markers (142,146 SNPs) was constructed based on cowpea F₂ population using re-sequencing technology. The map consisted of 11 linkage groups with a total length of 1333.48 cM and an average map spacing of 0.45 cM. The length of different linkage groups ranged from 84.63 cM to 183.15 cM, and the average plot distance ranged from 0.27 cM to 0.89 cM. A total of 15 QTLs were detected to be associated with 14 traits, including 100-grain weight, flower color, pod length, pod shape, pod shape and grain color, respectively. One major QTL region was detected for pod type, pod length, and number of branches per main stem, and multiple QTLs regions were detected for other traits. Candidate genes related to pod length, number of pods per plant, and single/double color of grains were further identified by gene annotation analysis in the interval. The results of QTL analysis in this study will lay a foundation for marker-assisted selection of important traits of cowpea, and candidate gene screening will help to further analyze the genetic mechanism of these traits and improve the level of molecular genetics research of cowpea.

Genetic structure and evolutionary relationship for cultivated rice resources from Guangdong province based on SLAF tag sequencing

SUN Bing-Rui, PAN Da-Jian, LI Chen, JIANG Li-Qun, ZHANG Jing, LYU Shu-Wei, LIU Qing, MAO Xing-Xue, CHEN Wen-Feng, FAN Zhi-Lan

Acta Agronomica Sinica. 2022, 48(10):  2483-2493.  doi:10.3724/SP.J.1006.2022.12067

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Since the success of rice dwarfism breeding, Guangdong rice varieties have played an important role in domestic rice breeding. According to the national “14th Five-Year Plan”, the independent innovation of seed industry in China will aim at enhancing the competitiveness of core seed resources, and focus on the protection and utilization of germplasm resources. In this study, we carried out the analysis of genetic evolution, population genetic structure, and principal component analysis for 98 representative varieties including bred varieties in different periods and local varieties in Guangdong Province, and found that 43 old rice varieties and 5 local rice varieties had broader genetic basis, while 50 newly bred varieties had a relatively narrow genetic basis. Genetic evolution and pedigree analysis indicated that most of the old varieties originated from Guangchang 13, Nantehao, Aizizhan, Tangpuai and Zhuyin 2, while most of the new rice varieties were mainly derived from IR varieties, Jingxian 677, Guangchangai and Zhongxian 3588. These results indicated that the usage of foreign varieties had been strengthened in rice breeding and the utilization of the elite local germplasms was weakened, which may be related to the rising of three-line hybrid rice since 1980s. In conclusion, to establish the competitive position of core seed sources, the evaluation and utilization of local elite germplasms should be emphasized.

Cloning and functional study of lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase gene in Perilla frutescens

XU Hua-Xiang, LU Geng, GUO Xi, LI Yuan-Yuan, ZHANG Tao

Acta Agronomica Sinica. 2022, 48(10):  2494-2504.  doi:10.3724/SP.J.1006.2022.14150

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Lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase (LPAAT) is a key enzyme in plant triacylglycerol biosynthesis. Investigating the function of Perilla frutescens LPAAT gene (PfLPAAT) in oil biosynthesis can help to reveal the molecular mechanism of plant oil accumulation. In this study, RT-PCR was used to obtain PfLPAAT, and the basic physical and chemical properties, transmembrane domain, and subcellular localization of the putative protein of PfLPAAT was analyzed by bioinformatics methods, and phylogenetic analysis of homologous proteins was conducted. The qRT-PCR was used to analyze the relative expression level of PfLPAAT in different tissues and developmental stages of seeds in Perilla. The expression vector pCAMBIA1303-PfLPAAT was constructed and transformed into Arabidopsis thaliana by floral dip method, and the oil content and fatty acid composition of transgenic Arabidopsis seeds were analyzed. The results showed that the PfLPAAT sequence was 1149 bp in length and encoded 382 amino acids. The theoretical isoelectric point of the putative protein was 9.60, and the molecular mass was 43.02 kD. Bioinformatics indicated that PfLPAAT functioned in endoplasmic reticulum and belonged to the PLN02380 superfamily. The qRT-PCR revealed that PfLPAAT expressed in all tissues of Perilla, and the highest level was observed in leaves and seeds of 15 days after flowering. Compared with wild-type Arabidopsis, the overexpression of PfLPAAT in Arabidopsis improved seed oil content significantly, with a range of 2.04% to 13.40%. Fatty acid composition analysis demonstrated that the content of oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, and arachidic acid increased significantly, while the content of palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, arachidonic acid, and docosaenoic acid decreased. In short, the overexpression of the PfLPAAT in Arabidopsis could not only increase the oil content of transgenic Arabidopsis seeds, but also increase the content of unsaturated fatty acids with varying degrees. The results provide novel candidate genes for the mining and innovative utilization of germplasm resources of the oil crop Perilla.

Content diversity of phenolic compounds of waxy sorghum grains in different provinces, cities, and autonomous regions of China

WANG Qian, LIU Shao-Xiong, CHAI Xiao-Jiao, LI Hai, ZHANG Fen, LU Ping, WANG Rui-Yun, LIU Min-Xuan

Acta Agronomica Sinica. 2022, 48(10):  2505-2516.  doi:10.3724/SP.J.1006.2022.14161

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To comprehensively evaluate the relationship between the contents of phenolic compounds in waxy sorghum grains, the color of grains, and the source of origin in the main sorghum producing areas in China, in this study, the contents of polyphenols, flavonoids, tannin and condensed tannin in 92 waxy sorghum varieties from 15 provinces (municipalities and autonomous regions) in China were determined by Folin-Ciocalteu method, NaNO₂-Al(NO₃)₃-NaOH method, GB/T 15686 method, and vanillin-hydrochloric acid method. The results showed that there were significant differences in the contents of polyphenols, flavonoids, tannin, and condensed tannin in different waxy sorghum varieties. The coefficient of variation ranged from 44.68% (tannin) to 79.37% (condensed tannin) and the average values were 1.25%, 1.61%, 1.41%, and 0.50%, respectively. The contents of the four phenols were consistent with the intensity of the grain color (orange-yellow > yellow > brown > red > white). There were significant differences in the contents of four phenols in waxy sorghum grains from different provinces at P < 0.05. Among them, the contents of four phenols in waxy sorghum grains in Guangxi, Guizhou, Jiangxi, and Sichuan located in southern and southwestern China were high, and the four phenols in the waxy sorghum varieties from the four areas of Liaoning, Inner Mongolia, Beijing, and Shandong located in northeastern China were low. The cumulative variance contribution of the first 3 principal components of principal component analysis reached 91.60%, among which Guangxi waxy sorghum (00013082) performed well in comprehensive traits. The contents of phenolic compounds in the core collection of waxy sorghum in China were relatively rich and there were obvious regional differences.

Genome-wide identification of the Class III PRX gene family in foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.) and expression analysis under drought stress

MA Xin-Lei, XU Rui-Qi, SUO Xiao-Man, LI Jing-Shi, GU Peng-Peng, YAO Rui, LIN Xiao-Hu, GAO Hui

Acta Agronomica Sinica. 2022, 48(10):  2517-2532.  doi:10.3724/SP.J.1006.2022.14185

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Class III peroxidases (PRX) are a family of plant-specific peroxidases that play an important role in plant growth and development as well as in abiotic stresses. Foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.), as a C₄ plant, is a model plant for stress resistance. However, the function of class III peroxidases family genes is rarely reported in foxtail millet. A genome-wide expression analysis was conducted to investigate the expression pattern of class III peroxidase gene family (SitPRXs) under drought stress and ABA induction. In this study, 132 members of the Class III PRX gene family were identified in the whole genome in foxtail millet by bioinformatics and named SitPRX1-SitPRX132 according to their chromosomal position. 132 members were classified into Mα, Mβ, Mγ, MIKC^C, and MIKC^* subfamilies by phylogenetic analysis of foxtail millet, Arabidopsis, and rice. Gene structure and conserved motif analysis indicated a high level of conservation in the same subfamily. Gene duplication analysis revealed fragmental duplication in 17 SitPRX genes (13%) and tandem duplication in 78 SitPRX genes (59%), thus tandem duplication events playing an important role in SitPRX gene amplification. Interspecies homology analysis with Arabidopsis, rice and maize revealed that most SitPRXs were formed after dicotyledonous and monocotyledonous plants diverged. Transcriptome analysis implied that members of the SitPRX gene family were differentially expressed in seedlings, roots, stems, and leaves, as well as in panicles in foxtail millet. Analysis of promoter cis-acting elements showed that 79 SitPRXs contained cis-acting elements associated with drought stress response, and further qRT-PCR analysis showed that SitPRX12, SitPRX41, SitPRX81, SitPRX110, and SitPRX126 were induced to be expressed by PEG and ABA, suggesting that these genes may be regulated through an ABA-dependent signalling pathway in response to drought stress and could be used as these genes may be candidates for further studies on the drought resistance function of the class III PRX gene family. These results of this study provide new information for the comprehensive analysis of the structure and biological functions of SitPRX genes, the molecular mechanism of drought resistance, and molecular breeding in foxtail millet, with a view of providing ideas for the breeding of new varieties of highly efficient stress-resistant crops in the future.

Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of potato PYL gene family

JIA Xiao-Xia, QI En-Fang, MA Sheng, HUANG Wei, ZHENG Yong-Wei, BAI Yong-Jie, WEN Guo-Hong

Acta Agronomica Sinica. 2022, 48(10):  2533-2545.  doi:10.3724/SP.J.1006.2022.14183

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As a key signalling molecule, abscisic acid (ABA) extensively regulates plant growth and development, and stress response processes through its core signalling pathway PYLs-PP2Cs-SnRK2s. As a core component of ABA signalling transduction, PYLs protein plays an irreplaceable role. In order to explore the evolution and expression pattern of PYL (PYR/PYL/RCARs) genes in potato, 17 PYL genes were identified from the whole potato genome ‘DM-v 6.1’, and their distribution, protein physical and chemical properties, system evolution, structural characteristics, and the relative expression patterns were analysed. The results showed that the 17 StPYL genes were unevenly distributed on 8 chromosomes, with amino acids of 163-231 aa, isoelectric points of 4.5-8.6, and relative molecular weights of 18.71-25.29 kD. According to the gene structure and protein phylogenetic characteristics, the members of the StPYL family were divided into three subgroups. Motif 1 existed in all genes in this family, indicating that it was relatively conserved in the evolution of StPYLs. Gene expression patterns showed that the members of the StPYL family had obvious tissue expression specificity, and except for the up-regulation of StPYL1 under exogenous hormones (BAP, ABA, and IAA) and abiotic stress (high temperature, salt and drought), the rest of the StPYL genes were functionally differentiated and their relative expression patterns were different under different stresses. The results of this study lay a theoretical foundation for further elucidating the function of StPYLs gene in potato.

Biochemical characteristics and expression differences of three members of CCRs in ramie (Boehmeria nivea)

TANG Ying-Hong, LIU Fang, CHEN Jian-Rong, MAO Kai-Quan, LI Hui, WAN Hai-Qing

Acta Agronomica Sinica. 2022, 48(10):  2546-2559.  doi:10.3724/SP.J.1006.2022.14148

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Cinnamoyl-CoA reductases (CCR) is a key enzyme in lignin biosynthesis. CCR mostly exists in the form of gene family in plants. In this study, four family members of CCR (BnCCR, BnCCR-1, BnCCR-2, and BnCCR-3) were screened and cloned by ramie transcriptome information. Sequence analysis revealed that the four BnCCRs can be divided into three categories. BnCCR belonged to bona fide CCR group, BnCCR-1 was a CCR like protein, while BnCCR-2 and BnCCR-3 sequences were different from bona fide CCR in NADPH binding domain, catalytic triad, and CCR substrate binding site, and formed a new group in ramie. Transmembrane structure analysis showed that BnCCR contained two transmembrane regions, and the other three BnCCRs didn’t contain transmembrane regions. Structural analysis indicated that the secondary and tertiary structure of the four BnCCRs were different, and the BnCCR-2 homologous modeling template was different from the other three BnCCRs. The qRT-PCR analysis demonstrated that BnCCR had higher expression levels in xylem at rapid growth stage, BnCCR-2 had the highest expression levels in phloem at rapid growth stage. In vitro enzyme activity analysis further found that BnCCR had typical bona fide CCR catalytic activity and substrate adaptability, while BnCCR-2 was different from the substrate adaptability of typical CCR, and had substrate specificity for cinnamoyl CoA and sinapoyl CoA. Therefore, BnCCR was involved in lignin biosynthesis, while BnCCR-2 was a new group with structure, tissue expression and in vitro biochemical function different from typical CCR. BnCCR-2 may not participate or not only participate in lignin biosynthesis, which provides a new reference for studying the evolution of CCR protein family.

TILLAGE & CULTIVATION·PHYSIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY

Milk line changes of maize grain and the relationship with grain filling and drying process

LI Hong-Yan, ZHOU Lin-Li, GAO Shang, XUE Jun, MING Bo, ZHAO Ru-Lang, WANG Ke-Ru, XIE Rui-Zhi, HOU Peng, WANG Yong-Hong, LI Shao-Kun

Acta Agronomica Sinica. 2022, 48(10):  2560-2566.  doi:10.3724/SP.J.1006.2022.13054

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In order to clarify the relationship between milk line proportion and grain moisture content and grain filling process and provide references for the decision-making of maize harvest period, a field observational experiment was conducted with 9 spring-sown maize varieties in 2017 and 2018 at Yongning County, Yinchuan City, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. In this study, the cross-sectional images, grain moisture content, and 100-grain dry weight were measured continuously on the central part of the ear within 20 to 80 days after silking. An image-assisted software tool was designed to measure the milk line proportion of maize grains, accurately obtaining the information of milk line proportion in different varieties or different growth stages. Regression analysis showed that there were slight differences in the variation of milk line proportion, grain moisture content, and filling process between varieties and inter-years, which generally conformed to the same variation regulations. There was a significant linear relationship between milk line proportion and grain moisture content, and the regression equation was y= -0.2572x+ 52.482. The relationship between milk line proportion and grain filling process was fitted to Richards curve significantly, and the regression equation was y = 99.65/[1+exp(2.45-0.07x)]^(1?3.70). The changes of milk line proportion were closely related to grain moisture content and grain filling process within a certain range, which can be used as one of the field evaluation indicators for different kinds of maize harvest.

Effects of increased nitrogen fertilizer on square Bt protein expression and nitrogen metabolism in cotton

LI Han-Jia, LI Yuan, LIU Zhen-Yu, ZHANG Chen-Xia, XU Ze, WU Tian-Fan, CHEN Yuan, ZHANG Xiang, CHEN Yuan, CHEN De-Hua

Acta Agronomica Sinica. 2022, 48(10):  2567-2574.  doi:10.3724/SP.J.1006.2022.14205

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To investigate the effects of increased nitrogen application on square Bt protein concentration in cotton, the experiments were conducted at Key Laboratory of Genetics and Physiology of Yangzhou University in 2017 and 2018. The conventional cultivar Sikang 1 and hybrid cultivar Sikang 3 were used as the experimental materials. Enhanced nitrogen fertilizer rates of increased 25% to 100% nitrogen (300 (CK), 375, 450, 525, and 600 kg hm^-2 as pure nitrogen) were designed to study the effect on square Bt protein content and nitrogen metabolic physiological in cotton. Compared with the control (300 kg hm^-2), the squares Bt protein content increased first, but bolstered extent was reduced when increased nitrogen was at 1.50-1.75 times of conventional nitrogen rates (450-525 kg hm^-2). Bt protein content in square increased by 4.5%-132.7% with the increase of 25%-100% nitrogen application. The maximum value of square Bt protein content was observed at nitrogen rate of 450-525 kg hm^-2. The physiological mechanism of nitrogen metabolism showed that the trend of soluble protein (SP), free amino acid (AA), and key enzymes of protein synthesis (glutamic oxalacetic Transaminase, GOT and glutamine synthetase, GS) in squares were consistent with those of Bt protein. The activities of key enzymes of protein decomposition (protease and peptidase) decreased with the increase of nitrogen application. In conclusion, the increasing nitrogen application at optimum level in soil would promote Bt protein synthesis and benefit the insect resistance.

Responses of soil diazotrophic diversity and community composition of nodulating and non-nodulating peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) to nitrogen fertilization

SUN Qi-Qi, ZHENG Yong-Mei, YU Tian-Yi, WU Yue, YANG Ji-Shun, WU Zheng-Feng, WU Ju-Xiang, LI Shang-Xia

Acta Agronomica Sinica. 2022, 48(10):  2575-2587.  doi:10.3724/SP.J.1006.2022.14174

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Influencing mechanism of nitrogen (N) fertilization on soil diazotrophs of legumes remains unclear. Further study on the effect of different nitrogen application rates on soil nitrogen-fixing is of critical importance for high-efficiency nitrogen application of peanut field and agricultural sustainability development. We used the non-nodulating (BL) and nodulating (Huayu 22, HY22) peanuts as experimental materials, with four N application rates arranged, including N0 (without N application, 0 kg hm^-2), N60 (N reduced-application, 60 kg hm^-2), N120 (N common-fertilization, 120 kg hm^-2), and N180 (N over-application, 180 kg hm^-2). The qRT-PCR and Illumina high-throughput sequencing of nifH gene were used to analyze soil diazotrophic abundance, diversity, and community composition. Results showed that: (1) N fertilization significantly increased the contents of soil N fraction. Especially at N120, the soil microbial biomass carbon and dissolved organic carbon of nodulating peanut were significantly higher than that of non-nodulating peanut. The podding yields of non-nodulating peanut increased positively and linearly with the increasing N rates, while those of nodulating peanut was unaffected by N fertilization. (2) Under N fertilization, soil nifH copies of non-nodulating peanut were inhibited, while that of nodulating peanut decreased firstly and then increased with N rates increased. (3) N fertilization reduced firstly and then enhanced the soil diazotrophic diversity from non-nodulating peanut with N rates, while N fertilization increased firstly and then decreased that from nodulating peanut, with peak value at N120. (4) Nonrank_Bacteria and Proteobacteria were the predominated phyla. N fertilization altered the soil diazotrophic community composition of non-nodulating peanut, with dominant genera being nonrank_Bacteria (N0), unclassified_Cyanoabcteria (N60), nonrank_Bacteria (N120), and Skermanella (N180), respectively, and NO₃-N being the overriding determinative factor, while exerted no effect on that of nodulating peanut (being dominated by unclassified_Proteobacteria and Skermanella except N120). The different responses of soil nitrogen-fixing bacteria to nitrogen application level between non-nodulating peanut and nodulating peanut may be due to the influence of different nitrogen sources (nitrogen fixed by nodules vs. N fertilizer). In conclusion, 120 kg hm^-2 was the best for nitrogen-fixation of peanut field and thus agricultural production among the studied N rates.

Role of complementarity and select effect for yield advantage of maize/legumes intercropping systems

ZHAO Jian-Hua, SUN Jian-Hao, CHEN Liang-Zhi, LI Wei-Qi

Acta Agronomica Sinica. 2022, 48(10):  2588-2596.  doi:10.3724/SP.J.1006.2022.13063

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Competition and complementarity is one of main ecological principle for productivity advantage of intercropping system. To determine the effect of time niche differentiation on yield of intercropped species and the advantage of intercropping systems, a four-year field experiment was conducted during 2017-2020 in Zhangye city, Gansu province, China. The object of this study is to determine the role of complementarity effect and selection effect for yield advantage of maize/legumes intercropping systems. The experiment included 3 maize/legume intercropping systems of maize/pea (M/P), maize/faba bean (M/F), and maize/soybean (M/S), and 4 sole crops systems of sole pea (SP), sole faba bean (SF), sole soybean (SS), and sole maize (SM). The yield intercropped crops in different plant patterns were investigated, the overyielding of intercropped crops, aggressivity of legume relative to maize, land equivalent ratio (LER), net effect (NE), complementarity effect (CE), and selection effect (SE) were analyzed. The results showed that on average four years, the LER value of M/P, M/F, and M/S were 1.30, 1.31, and 1.13, respectively. The partial land equivalent ratio value of soybean was blow 0.5, the partial land equivalent ratio value of pea and faba bean were above 0.5, and also the partial land equivalent ratio value of maize was above 0.5. The overyielding of pea, faba bean, and soybean were 53.3%, 81.4%, and -14.9%, respectively. The overyielding of maize intercropped with pea, faba bean, and soybean were 13.0%, -5.8%, and 32.3%, respectively. The aggressivity of pea and faba bean relative to maize were above 0, the aggressivity of soybean relative to maize were below 0. The complementarity effect of M/P and M/F were significantly higher than that of M/S, whereas, the selection effect of M/S was greater than those of M/P and M/F. A positive correlation was observed between LER and CE, and a negative correlation was observed between LER and SE. A positive correlation was observed between the overyielding of legumes and SE. In conclusion, yield advantage of M/P and M/F was mainly result from the CE, yield advantage of M/S was mainly result from the SE.

Effects of sowing date on the yield of different late rice variety types and its relationship with the allocation of temperature and light resources during the whole growth period of rice in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River

FENG Xiang-Qian, YIN Min, WANG Meng-Jia, MA Heng-Yu, LIU Yuan-Hui, CHU Guang, XU Chun-Mei, ZHANG Xiu-Fu, WANG Dan-Ying, ZHANG Yun-Bo, CHEN Song

Acta Agronomica Sinica. 2022, 48(10):  2597-2613.  doi:10.3724/SP.J.1006.2022.12072

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The yield, physiological characteristics, temperature, and light configurations of different late season rice varieties under different sowing treatments were studied to explore the suitable variety types of late japonica rice and their suitable sowing periods in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Two indica rice (CK), seven inbred japonica rice and three indica-japonica hybrid rice were used, and the sowing date adjustment experiment was carried out in the local suitable sowing period. The sowing treatments were set evenly within the locally available sowing period (mid-June to early July), with sowing periods set at 0 days (I), +T days (II), +2T days (III), +3T days (IV), and +4T days (V), respectively. The result showed that the total growing period of indica rice was slightly extended with delayed sowing, mainly due to the extension of the grain filling period. The grain filling period of japonica rice was also extended, but the total growing period was slightly shortened due to the greater shortening of the vegetative growth period. The yield of hybrid indica-japonica rice and inbred japonica rice fluctuated slightly with delayed sowing. The yield of inbred japonica rice [8.0±0.5 (t hm^-2)] was basically stable under five sowing dates. The yield of hybrid indica-japonica rice increased with delayed sowing dates, and peaked at sowing stage IV and sowing stage III in 2019 and 2020, respectively, with the highest yields of 11.0 t hm^-2 and 9.1 t hm^-2. The yield of indica rice varieties decreased significantly with the delay of sowing period. At the same time, yield differences among different variety types gradually increased with sowing delay, with yield differences increasing from 0.5 t hm^-2 to 5.1 t hm^-2. The effects of sowing changes on yield components varied. The number of effective panicles increased with sowing delay, the number of grains per panicle, and the grain filling rate decreased to different degrees, while the 1000-grain weight did not change significantly. The principal component analysis at different sowing dates revealed that with sowing delay the differences in variety characteristics evolved from differences in sink-source synergism to differences in sink-source synergism superimposed on temperature and light resource allocation, and then to differences in low temperature tolerance at later stages. As a result, indica rice should be sown appropriately early to make full use of the early temperature and light resources to achieve high yield by producing adequate panicles. Japonica rice possessed strong sowing adaptability, and indica-japonica hybrid rice had advantages in yield under all sowing periods. In the case of late harvest of the previous crop, the selection of indica-japonica hybrid rice varieties was more yield guarantee, while the selection of the best sowing period could maximize the yield of indica-japonica hybrids.

Effects of different amount of drip irrigation on carbon metabolism and photosynthetic nitrogen utilization efficiency of maize after anthesis under shallow buried drip irrigation

YANG Heng-Shan, ZHANG Yu-Shan, GE Xuan-Liang, LI Wei-Min, GUO Zi-He, GUO Nuan

Acta Agronomica Sinica. 2022, 48(10):  2614-2624.  doi:10.3724/SP.J.1006.2022.13061

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The objective of this study is to explore the effects of different amount of drip irrigation on carbon metabolism and photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency of maize after anthesis under shallow buried drip irrigation. Three treatments of irrigation amount 40% (W1: 1600 m³ hm^-2), 50% (W2: 2000 m³ hm^-2), and 60% (W3: 2400 m³ hm^-2) of traditional border irrigation (4000 m³ hm^-2) were set to study dynamic characteristics of leaf source, photosynthesis, activities of photosynthetic carbon metabolism enzyme, photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency, content of non-structural carbohydrate after anthesis, and yield of different amount drip irrigation under shallow buried drip irrigation. The results showed that there was no significant difference on mean yield between CK and W3, while W2 and W1 were both significantly lower than CK and the annual average yield of W2 and W1 respectively decreased by 3.91% and 11.18% compared with that of CK from 2018 to 2020. There was also no significant difference on yield W3 and W2, while W3 was significantly higher than W1. Compared with W1, the annual yield of W3 increased by 17.56%, 9.06%, and 9.56%, respectively. The instantaneous photosynthetic efficiency, instantaneous water use efficiency, and instantaneous carboxylation rate of W3 and CK were both higher at flowering stage and was the lowest in W1, while the performance of stomatal limit was the opposite. The leaf source characteristics and activities of photosynthetic carbon metabolism enzyme of W2 and W1 were both lower than W3 from 30 days after anthesis to maturity, in which the leaf area, specific leaf quality, content of chlorophyll, and LAD of W3 increased by 20.29%, 3.03%, 14.80%, and 21.37%, respectively. Compared with CK, the activities of 1,5-diphosphate ribulose carboxylase, pyruvate phosphate double kinase, malase, malate dehydrogenase, and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase of W3 increased by 19.66%, 12.53%, 10.67%, 21.17%, and 11.72%, respectively. There was no significant difference between the photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency of CK and W3, which were both higher than W1 from 20 to 50 days after anthesis. Compared with W2, W1, and CK from 50th day after anthesis to maturity, the photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency of W3 increased by 3.24%, 3.29%, and 7.40%, respectively. Compared with W2, CK, and W1, the sucrose content of W3 were the highest from the 50th day after anthesis to maturity of which increased by 11.31%, 14.02%, and 43.48% respectively. Compared with W2, CK and W1 from the 30th day after anthesis to maturity, the soluble sugar content of W3 was the highest from the 30th day after anthesis to maturity and W3 increased by 14.06%, 17.78%, and 34.20%, respectively. Compared with CK, W2, and W1, the starch content of CK had no significant difference with W3, which was the highest from the 50th day after anthesis to maturity, increased by 3.35%, 7.58%, and 24.93%, respectively. Consequently, when irrigation amount reached to 60% of normal irrigation amount of traditional border irrigation, maize under the shallow buried drip irrigation had better leaf source characteristics, strong activities of photosynthetic carbon metabolism enzyme, photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency, non-structural carbohydrate content and yield, which could provide theoretical guide for rational irrigation, water saving and yield stability of maize.

Response of grain yield formation to planting density of maize varieties in different eras

WANG Li-Qing, YU Xiao-Fang, GAO Ju-Lin, MA Da-Ling, HU Shu-Ping, GUO Huai-Huai, LIU Ai-Ye

Acta Agronomica Sinica. 2022, 48(10):  2625-2637.  doi:10.3724/SP.J.1006.2022.13057

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To clarify the difference of photosynthetic and grain-filling characteristics of maize varieties in different ages in response to increasing planting density, and to provide a theoretical basis for the reasonable density and production of maize, in this study, five maize varieties planted in large areas during production from 1970s to 2010s in China were used as materials, two planting densities of 45,000 plants hm^-2 and 105,000 plants hm^-2 were set for three-year field experiment. The yield and its components, leaf photosynthetic performance, and grain filling characteristics of maize varieties in different years were compared and analyzed under different planting densities. The results showed that under low planting density, compared with varieties of 1970s-2000s, the SPAD value of ear-leaf after anthesis, P_n of ear-leaf at 50 d after anthesis, and the average grain filling rate of 2010s varieties (DH618) were significantly increased by 2.18-12.05, 0.57-4.88 μmol CO₂ m^-2 s^-1, and 0.02-0.09 g kernel^-1 d^-1. The active grain-filling period was significantly prolonged by 2.62-4.74 d, which significantly increasing grain weight and yield at P<0.05. After densification, the yield of varieties in 1970s and 1980s decreased, the yield of varieties in the 1990s did not change significantly, but the yield of varieties in 2000s and 2010s increased significantly and the largest increased in 2010s was 2.11 t hm^-2. Further correlation analysis to the indicators of photosynthetic performance, filling characteristics, 100-grain weight, and yield, the results showed that 100-grain weight of 2010s varieties under high planting density was more dependent during active grain filling period (r = 0.70). Compared with 1970s to 2000s, the 2010s varieties kept relatively high SPAD at silking stage, milking stage, and maturity stage (increased by 6.42%-41.92%), delayed leaf senescence and maintained high LAD in maize leaves after anthesis and P_n in 30-50 d after anthesis (increased by 1.09%-88.95%). Therefore, more photosynthates were accumulated, which prolonged the active grain filling period by 8.73% to 15.80% and the average filling rate increased by 3.39% to 24.33%, and then maintained a relatively stable 100-grain weight.

Effects of planting methods and nitrogen application on forage crop yield, quality and water use in arid area of northwest China

WEI Zheng-Ye, ZHANG Hai-Xing, SHI Wei, CHANG Sheng-Hua, ZHANG Cheng, JIA Qian-Min, HOU Fu-Jiang

Acta Agronomica Sinica. 2022, 48(10):  2638-2653.  doi:10.3724/SP.J.1006.2022.13053

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Intercropping and nitrogen application are important measures to improve the yield and quality of forage crops. However, the suitable nitrogen application rate of silage corn/legume intercropping system in the arid area of Northwest China is not clear. Three planting methods of silage corn/Dolichos lablab intercropping (SL), silage corn/fodder soybean intercropping (SF), and silage corn monoculture (S) were conducted in this experiment. Four nitrogen application levels of 0 kg hm^-2 (N1), 120 kg hm^-2 (N2), 240 kg hm^-2 (N3), and 360 kg hm^-2 (N4) were set under each planting mode. To explore the suitable jade bean intercropping combination and nitrogen application rate in the arid area of Northwest China, the effects of planting methods and nitrogen application levels on forage crop yield, quality and water use were analyzed. The results showed that compared with S treatment, the hay yield of SL treatment increased significantly by 8.94% and 8.68% in 2019 and 2020, and the water use efficiency increased significantly by 12.28% and 8.90%, respectively. Compared with monoculture, intercropping significantly increased the contents of crude protein and crude ash, and significantly reduced the contents of starch and neutral detergent fiber. Compared with no nitrogen application, nitrogen application significantly increased hay yield, crude protein, starch, and crude fat content, significantly reduced neutral and acid detergent fiber content, but there was no significant effect on crude ash content. Compared with N1, the hay yields of N2, N3, and N4 increased significantly by 30.30%, 56.19%, and 53.95% in 2019 and 22.02%, 60.54%, and 51.83% in 2020, respectively. WUE of N3 and N4 was significantly higher than that of N1 and N2, but there was no significant difference between N3 and N4. Among all treatments, SL-N3 obtained the highest two-year average hay yield (33.10 t hm^-2), crude protein content (10.01%), and WUE (62.50 kg hm^-2 mm^-1). To sum up, SL-N3 is a management model suitable for silage corn production in arid areas of northwest China.

RESEARCH NOTES

QTL mapping for salt tolerance in wheat line CH7034

ZHANG Xiao-Wen, LI Shi-Jiao, ZHANG Xiao-Jun, LI Xin, YANG Zu-Jun, ZHANG Shu-Wei, CHEN Fang, CHANG Li-Fang, GUO Hui-Juan, CHANG Zhi-Jian, QIAO Lin-Yi

Acta Agronomica Sinica. 2022, 48(10):  2654-2662.  doi:10.3724/SP.J.1006.2022.11074

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The identification of wheat salt-tolerant germplasm is of great significance for making full use of saline land and ensuring food security. CH7034 is a wheat salt-tolerant line bred by our laboratory. In order to clarify the genetic rules and control loci for salt tolerance, QTL analysis was conducted using a recombinant inbred lines population crossed by CH7034 and salt-sensitive variety SY95-71. Based on the SNP microarray data and salt injury index, six QTL were detected on chromosomes 2A, 2D, 4B, and 5A, including QSI.sxau_2A, QSI.sxau_2D, QSI.sxau_4B.1, QSI.sxau_4B.2, QSI.sxau_5A.1, and QSI.sxau_5A.2. Among them, QSI.sxau_5A.1 was detected in all three salt stress experiments and had the highest phenotypic variance explained (15.73%-20.18%), which was different from other salt-tolerance loci reported on chromosome 5AL. Seven SSR markers were developed and integrated in the QSI.sxau_5A.1 interval, and the peak of LOD was further determined at SSR-D1. Based on the transcriptome database, 12 high-confidence genes in response to salt stress were screened from the QSI.sxau_5A.1 section. These results lay the foundation for the fine mapping and even cloning of the salt tolerance loci of CH7034, and provide new germplasm and molecular markers for the selection and breeding of wheat salt-tolerant varieties.

Synergistic effect of moisture and foliar-applied humic acid on oat grain yield and β-glucan content

LI Ying-Hao, WANG Qi, ZHAO Bao-Ping, LIU Yan-Di, MI Jun-Zhen, WU Jun-Ying, LIU Jing-Hui

Acta Agronomica Sinica. 2022, 48(10):  2663-2670.  doi:10.3724/SP.J.1006.2022.11084

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In order to clarify the synergistic effect of water and humic acid on the yield and quality improvement of oats, we set two water treatments of dry farming and limited irrigation, respectively, and analyzed the effects of humic acid spraying on photosynthetic characteristics of oat leaves, grain yield, and β-glucan content using the oat varieties Mengnong Dayan 1 and Neiyan 5 as the research materials. The results showed that the application of humic acid at the booting and flowering stages could significantly improve the photosynthetic characteristics of oat leaves. Compared with irrigation, the photosynthetic rate of Mengnong Dayan 1 leaves increased by 31.78%-123.72% in dry farming, while the increased rate of Neiyan 5 leaves was basically the same as that in dry farming and irrigation. The grain yield and β-glucan content of the two varieties were significantly increased by spraying humic acid in dry farming, especially Neiyan 5, which increased by 5.60%-74.68% and 11.24%-19.56%, respectively. Compared with dry treatment, the content of β-glucan increased by 11.30%-33.29% and 7.76%-43.81%, respectively, when HA was sprayed under irrigation. Through the analysis of the correlation between the indexes, the photosynthetic rate, β-glucan content, spike height, spikelet number per spike, grain weight per plant, thousand-grain weight, and grain yield were significantly positive correlation of Mengnong Dayan 1, the grain yield, spike height, spikelet number per spike, grain weight per plant, and thousand-grain weight were significantly positive correlation, and there was a significant positive correlation between β-glucan content, spikelet number per spike, thousand-grain weight, and grain yield (P < 0.05). While there was a positive correlation between β-glucan content and grain yield components of Neiyan 5, but it did not reach a significant level. In conclusion, the synergistic effect of water and humic acid can effectively improve the photosynthetic performance of oat leaves, and synergistically increase grain yield and β-glucan content.

Effects of wheat straw returning and tillage practices on corn yield in oasis irrigation area

WANG Yu-Long, YU Ai-Zhong, LYU Han-Qiang, WANG Qi-Ming, SU Xiang-Xiang, CHAI Qiang

Acta Agronomica Sinica. 2022, 48(10):  2671-2679.  doi:10.3724/SP.J.1006.2022.13058

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The traditional continuous maize cropping poses challenge in increasing maize yield in the arid oasis irrigation area of northwest China. In this study, in order to determine the effects of wheat residue management and tillage practices on maize yield, a field experiment was carried out in a typical oasis irrigation region. The results indicated that different wheat straw returning methods and tillage practices had significant effects on corn dry matter accumulation and leaf area index, and there was significant in the interaction between them. During the whole growth period of maize, compared with no straw returning, straw returning treatment increased the dry matter accumulation and leaf area index of maize by 4.2%-8.2% and 7.1%-13.0%, respectively. Compared with no-tillage treatment, the conventional plow-tillage significantly increased the dry matter accumulation and leaf area index of maize by 20.2%-24.1% and 11.0%-16.0%, respectively. Straw returning methods and tillage practices had significant effects on maize grain yield and yield components (no interactions). Compared with no straw returning, the straw returning treatment significantly increased maize grain yield by 21.9%. The conventional plow-tillage significantly increased maize grain yield by 20.0% compared with no-tillage, due to an increase in spike numbers. In conclusion, conventional plow-tillage with straw returning management can be recommend as a feasible cultural method to increase the leaf area index, dry matter accumulation and yield formation of maize in the oasis irrigation areas.