Use of coupled canopy structure dynamic and radiative transfer models to estimate biophysical canopy characteristics

Leaf area index (LAI) is a key variable for the understanding of several eco-physiological processes within a vegetation canopy. The LAI could thus provide vital information for the management of the environment and agricultural practices when estimated continuously over time and space thanks to remote sensing sensors.This study proposed a method to estimate LAI spatial and temporal variation based on multi-temporal remote sensing observations processed using a simple semi-mechanistic canopy structure dynamic model (CSDM) coupled with a radiative transfer model (RTM). The CSDM described the temporal evolution of the LAI as function of the accumulated daily air temperature as measured from classical ground meteorological stations.The retrieval performances were evaluated for two different data sets: first, a data set simulated by the RTM but taking into account realistic measurement conditions and uncertainties resulting from different error sources; second, an experimental data set acquired over maize crops the Blue Earth City area (USA) in 1998. Results showed that the proposed approach improved significantly the retrieval performances for LAI mainly by smoothing the residual errors associated to each individual observation. In addition it provides a way to describe in a continuous manner the LAI time course from a limited number of observations during the growth cycle.     

玉米细胞悬浮系的建立与单细胞培养效果

以330、辽7352和丹340共3个玉米自交系的雄幼穗为外植体获取愈伤组织,建立悬浮细胞系,在改良MS、改良B5、改良1/2B5 培养基中进行细胞悬浮培养。试验中发现 ,基因型和培养基对细胞悬浮系有很大影响,其中供试材料330表现最好,圆形细胞率平均达16.5%,改良1/2B5 培养基有利于细胞悬浮培养,500mg·L-1的水解酪蛋白对悬浮细胞生长有促进作用。2,4 -D的浓度影响悬浮细胞的生长和细胞成活率,浓度为1.0～2.0mg·L-1时比较适宜。细胞悬浮培养5～7d继代1次。在悬浮培养1个月后 ,经400目镍网过滤筛选,获得单细胞。单细胞培养中,激素水平和培养方式影响单细胞的分裂率,其中2,4-D的浓度为0.5～1.0mg·L-1时比较适宜。浅层培养和看护培养有利于单细胞的生长。在单细胞培养过程中试验获得了愈伤组织。     

The influence of storage practices on aflatoxin contamination in maize in four agroecological zones of Benin, west Africa

Aflatoxin level in 300 farmers’ stores in four agro-ecological zones in Benin, a west African coastal country, were determined over a period of 2 years. At sampling a questionnaire was used to evaluate maize storage practices. Farmers were asked what storage structure they used, their storage form, storage period, pest problems in storage and what was done against them. Beninese farmers often changed their storage structures during the storage period, transfering the maize from a drying or temporary store to a more durable one. Most of the farmers complained about insects damaging stored maize. Often, storage or cotton insecticides were utilized against these pests. Regression analysis identified those factors that were associated with increased or reduced aflatoxin.

Maize samples in the southern Guinea and Sudan savannas were associated with higher aflatoxin levels and the forest/savanna mosaic was related to lower toxin levels. Factors associated with higher aflatoxin were: storage for 3–5 months, insect damage and use of Khaya senegalensis-bark or other local plants as storage protectants. Depending on the agroecological zone, storage structures that had a higher risk of aflatoxin development were the “Ago”, the “Secco”, the “Zingo” or storing under or on top of the roof of the house. Lower aflatoxin levels were related to the use of storage or cotton insecticides, mechanical means or smoke to protect against pests or cleaning of stores before loading them with the new harvest. Fewer aflatoxins were found when maize was stored in the “Ago” made from bamboo or when bags were used as secondary storage containers.     

Characterisation of traditional Albanian breads derived from different cereals

The long isolation of Albania and the scarcity of raw materials has traditionally led to the production of bread from crops other than wheat, like maize, which is the basic ingredient for maize bread (bukë misri), rye, which is used to prepare rye bread (bukë thekre), and chick-pea, used in chick-pea bread (bukë me qiqre). Today, these traditional breads are accompanied by other types, such as brown bread from soft wheat (bukë zize). In the present work, the traditional Albanian breads were characterised in order to assess their quality. The results obtained indicated that the protein content reflected the characteristics of the raw material used, being higher in the chick-pea bread and in bread made from high extraction rate wheat flour, while both fat and yellow pigment levels were higher in maize bread. A high humidity value was found in many of the breads examined, especially in maize bread, with consequent risks of moulds and a shortened shelf-life.     

不同氮、磷、钾肥用量对玉米源、库干物质积累动态变化的影响

本研究采用田间小区的试验方法研究了不同氮、磷、钾用量下玉米各组分的干物质积累及其随时间的动态变化规律。结果表明,不同氮、磷、钾肥用量下玉米的各组分干物质积累随生育期的延续呈现有规律的动态变化:叶片、茎秆、营养体干物质积累自拔节期后呈直线上升,至灌浆期干物质积累达到最大值,之后便呈缓慢下降趋势;籽粒的干物质积累在灌浆期之前缓慢增加,之后呈直线上升;总生物产量在苗期缓慢增长,中期呈直线上升,到了后期由于营养体干物质的下降以及籽粒干物质的显著上升,也稳定增长。营养体、籽粒干物质和总生物产量的积累随时间的动态变化,均可用Logistic方程Y=a/(1 bexp(ct))来描述;在各个氮、磷、钾处理中,以N240、P225、K240处理各组分干物质积累最大速率较大,出现日期较早。籽粒和总生物产量之间的关系可用回归方程Y=exp(a bx)描述。在氮、磷、钾各用量下,氮以N240、磷以P225、钾以K240处理籽粒产量最高,收获系数最大,因此比较适宜的N、P2O5、K2O用量分别为240、150、240 kg hm-2。     

Insecticidal effect of three diatomaceous earth formulations, applied alone or in combination, against three stored-product beetle species on wheat and maize

Laboratory tests were carried out to examine the insecticidal effect of three commercially available diatomaceous earth (DE) formulations on wheat and maize against three major stored-grain beetle species: Rhyzopertha dominica, Sitophilus oryzae, and Tribolium confusum. The three DEs tested were Insecto^®, PyriSec^®, and Protect-It^®. These DEs were applied alone or in all possible combinations (Insecto^®+PyriSec^®, Insecto^®+Protect-It^®, PyriSec^®+Protect-It^®, and all three DEs together), at three (total) dose rates: 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75 g/kg of each commodity. Adults of the above species were exposed to the treated commodities for 7 d at 26 °C, and 65% r.h., and after this interval the mortality was measured. For each species, adult mortality was significantly affected by the type of DE, the commodity, and the dose rate. All DEs were less effective against T. confusum, where mortality did not exceed 67%, in comparison with the other two species, where 100% mortality was achieved in some combinations. For all species tested, all DEs were more effective on wheat than on maize. Generally, the mix of two or three DEs was more effective than the application of one DE, for all species and commodities. The results of the present work clearly indicate that a blending of several DEs together may produce a new DE formulation that is highly effective at low dose rates.     

In vitro starch bioavailability of corn tortillas with hydrocolloids

Tortillas were prepared using commercial hydrocolloids, stored for 7 and 14 days and their available, resistant and retrograded resistant starches, were evaluated alongside their in vitro starch digestibility. Available starch (AS) decreased with storage time and tortillas with hydrocolloids had lower values than the control sample. Tortillas elaborated with TC-20 gum did not present substantial differences in AS. Control tortilla had resistant starch (RS) content that increased with storage time but, in general, tortillas with hydrocolloids did not show any change in RS values with storage time, except tortillas with TC-1 gum that presented a slight increase after 7 storage days. Approximately 50% of RS is due to the retrogradation phenomenon as it was shown by the amount of retrograded resistant starch (RRS). Tortillas with added hydrocolloids had lower hydrolysis percentage and the hydrolysis was slower than in the control. In general, tortillas prepared with hydrocolloids had a lower tendency for retrogradation than control tortillas; it is important to consider this to obtain tortillas with better texture and lower RS content.     

Aerobic deterioration in maize silage stored in a bunker silo under farm conditions in a subtropical climate

Whole maize plants at the milk and dough maturation stages were ensiled in August and October 1984, for periods of 45 and 40 days, respectively. Thirteen net bags containing herbage samples were buried at different locations within the silo to determine changes and losses during the conservation period. Thermocouple wires and small-diameter plastic pipes were connected to every bag for temperature and gas measurements. Air penetration in the upper layer was much faster than in the inner parts. Losses in dry matter of 3.9-7.4% were found in well sealed sites in the bunkers, and of up to 36% at locations where air penetrated. The rate of air penetration into the silage and temperature at various sites in the bunker were recorded. Correlation between CO₂, and N₂, contents in the silage was very high (r² = 0.995) whereas oxygen levels were close to zero.     

Response of storage molds to different initial moisture contents of maize (corn) stored at 25 °C, and effect on respiration rate and nutrient composition

Maize was stored for 2 months in chambers maintained at 25 °C to simulate conditions observed in the central part of the “Corn Belt” of the United States when the grain warms because of high summertime temperatures after a period of winter storage. Maize was brought to three moisture contents (m.c.) within the range typically observed in farm and commercial storage, and was inoculated to simulate the amount of storage mold contamination typical of this situation. Certain of the experimental units were packed in insulation so that heat could accumulate within the grain masses to simulate hot spots. The wettest grain heated rapidly and became semi-anaerobic. The hot grain then dried rapidly, with the amount of moisture loss influenced by the ratio of water vapor pressures inside and outside the grain. The hot grain cooled and became more aerobic over time. New infections by storage molds, disappearance of viable field molds, development of kernel damage, and changes in atmospheric gases within the grain masses were correlated with the grain moisture or temperature and the rate at which the moisture and temperature changed. The rate of increase in new kernel damage was as high as 3.3% per week. Both the rate of respiration and the estimated ratio of starch to fat consumed were associated with the mean grain m.c. during the trial, and the estimated ratio of starch to fat consumed was in the range of 2.2/1–2.6/1 in the grain containing 16.6–18.2% m.c. That both fat and starch were consumed calls into question loss estimates based on starch metabolism alone. The fat content of the grain decreased more than 10% in some experimental units, but increased less than 5% in others. The protein content generally increased as other grain constituents were consumed.