Table of Content

20 January 2015, Volume 24 Issue 1

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Analysis of the problem of food shortage in Southern China based on the study of two grassland ecological-economic regions

LI Ruichao, LIN Huilong

2015, 24(1):  4-11.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20150102

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In order to discover the reasons for food shortages in Southern China, this paper analyses grain supply and demand in the Southwest karst shrub land and Southeast forest-shrubland regions. From 2000 to 2009, Southern China’s grain output remained stable at approximately 220 million tons. Grain ration consumption, on the other hand, declined from 138.50 million tons in 2000 to 106.77 million tons in 2009. This result shows that food shortage is not caused by ration consumption. In 2009, Southern China’s forage grain amounted to 79.9 million tons, accounting for 33.9% of total grain yield. In the same year, industry grain amounted to 62.3 million tons and 26.8% of total production. Grain ration, forage grain and industry grain constitute the three parts of total grain demand in Southern China, while non-food grain accounts for about 57.3% of the total demand for grain and is the main factor affecting food security. The difference between grain supply and demand in 2009 was some 14.2 million tons, which means that at least this amount required transportation from north to south, a situation that involves substantial costs, as well as effectively wasting about 2.8 million m³ of water resources. If successfully applied to Southern China’s grassland agriculture, the concept of “large grain, large resource, intensive agriculture” could make better use of ecological resources, protect the consumption of forage grain and supplementary grain rations, reduce grain demand and increase grain supply at the same time. Furthermore, the sunlight intensity of Southern China is low, giving its grasslands many comparative advantages. The paper thus concludes that developing suitable grassland agriculture models is a reasonable way to solve the problem of food shortages in Southern China.

Soil conservation function and its spatial distribution of grassland ecosystems in Xilin River Basin, Inner Mongolia

ZHANG Xuefeng, NIU Jianming, ZHANG Qing, DONG Jianjun, ZHANG Jing

2015, 24(1):  12-20.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20150103

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Grasslands represent the most extensive ecosystems on earth. Soil conservation is vital for maintaining grassland ecosystem services. Using RS and GIS technologies, the soil conservation function and its spatial distribution characteristics in grassland ecosystems of the Xilin River Basin, Inner Mongolia, China, are assessed using the RUSLE model. The results show that the quantity of soil conserved was 168.18 t/ha, and 1.65×10⁸ t/a across the whole basin. The spatial variation of soil conservation capability reveals a declining trend from upper to lower catchment areas. The meadow steppe had the highest soil conservation capability, followed by farmland and typical steppe; sandy soils had the poorest capability. The soil conservation capability of grassland ecosystems increased non-linearly with increasing vegetation coverage. Sustaining grassland ecosystem services in the Xilin River Basin can be achieved by increasing vegetation coverage, while maintaining the structure and function of the typical steppe.

Response of the maintain performance in alpine grassland to enclosure on the Northern Tibetan Plateau

MAO Shaojuan, WU Qihua, ZHU Jingbin, LI Hongqin, ZHANG Fawei, LI Yingnian

2015, 24(1):  21-30.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20150104

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In order to improve the management of degraded grasslands, the characteristics of the plant communities (structure and biomass) were investigated under three grazing treatments; unrestricted grazing, 3-year enclosure and 7-year enclosure in Shenzha, Northern Tibet. The result showed that, after enclosure, vegetation height gradually increased as the duration of enclosure increased. Above-ground and below-ground biomass, vegetation coverage and community species diversity were highest in the 3-year enclosure treatment, and Pielou evenness index was the largest in the natural-grazing. Biomass and the important value of grass and sedge functional groups increased with extended enclosure time, while values for the forbs functional groups decreased significantly, indicating that enclosure promoted plant community succession. Analyzing the relationship among plant coverage, above-ground biomass, community composition and enclosure time suggested that three-five years of enclosure at a stocking rate of 1.23 sheep/ha is appropriate for the degraded alpine grasslands in this region.

Soil moisture and alfalfa productivity response from different years of growth on the Loess Plateau of central Gansu

LUO Zhuzhu, NIU Yining, LI Lingling, CAI Liqun, ZHANG Renzhi, XIE Junhong

2015, 24(1):  31-38.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20150105

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The productivity and soil moisture of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) grassland with different years of growth (3, 6, 8,10, 12 and 14 years) were investigated in a typical semiarid area on the Western Loess Plateau. There were significant differences in the dry matter yield from alfalfa grasslands with different years of growth. At first the dry matter yield increased, then it declined. The highest hay yield (12128 kg/ha) was found in alfalfa grassland with eight years of growth. Average soil moistures in 0-300 cm soil layers of alfalfa grasslands with different years of growth was significantly lower than local soil stable moisture (SSM). The soil water content in grasslands with alfalfa that had been growing for twelve and fourteen years was 9.20% and 7.14%respectively, which is even lower than the crop lower limit (CLL). Over the years of alfalfa growth, soil desiccation intensity increases and soil desiccation rate decreases. Therefore, according to the soil moisture and productivity results produced by this study, the optimum growth period for alfalfa production is eight years in semi-arid areas of the Loess Plateau.

Effects of different water levels and plant densities on the growth and morphology of Hemarthria altissima

CHEN Jinping, WANG Zhenxia, ZENG Chengcheng, LI Shuai, WEI Hong

2015, 24(1):  39-46.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20150106

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Seasonal fluctuation of water levels is commonly found in natural and constructed wetlands and the tolerance of a plant to such fluctuation is a key factor for the composition of community and distribution of wetland species. Understanding how the growth and morphology of plant species respond to different water levels and plant densities is important to help predict their productive potential under certain environments and better manage the wetlands. In this study, Hemarthria altissima was planted at four densities (1, 2, 4 or 12 plants/pot) and four water levels were imposed (Control, CK; Wet-dry alternation group, FD; Waterlogged group, LF; Flooded group, FL) to study the morphological and growth responses. The growth and morphological characteristics of H. altissima were influenced significantly by different water levels and densities. Growth was inhibited significantly in the FL group, while in the FD and LF groups, the total biomass, aboveground biomass and stem biomass of the plants were high, except in the groups planted at higher densities and there was no significant effect of densities under LF. The length of internodes and the main stems were greatest in the LF treatment, except for the group with 1 plant/pot. With increase in plant density or in the level of water stress, the total root biomass and the number of leaves and shoots decreased gradually. Moreover, with increasing flooding stress, the relative neighbor effect and its value increased gradually, and the intensity of competition decreased, but the intraspecific interaction did not shift to facilitation. H. altissima showed the ability to adopt different strategies under different water conditions, either to escape from partial submergence by further shoot elongation or to adopt a non-elongating quiescent strategy when completely submerged. Hence, H. altissima is a suitable species for planting in the regions with varying soil water availabilities. Based on the results, higher planting densities are recommended in completely flooded areas and medium densities are suitable in the partially flooded areas or in the ecotone between terrestrial and aquatic environments.

Effects of partial substitution of mineral fertilizer by bio-fertilizer on yield, quality, photosynthesis and fertilizer utilization rate in broccoli

LI Jie, JIA Haoyu, XIE Jianming, YU Jihua, YANG Ping

2015, 24(1):  47-55.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20150107

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The over-use of inorganic fertilizer in summer vegetable production leads to diminished vegetable quality, nutrient use inefficiency and groundwater pollution. It is not known whether the combined application of bio-fertilizer with mineral fertilizer can improve quality and yield. A field experiment with broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) has been under taken to investigate the effects of different combinations on quality, yield, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium distribution rates, fertilizer utilization rate and photosynthesis. Three different rates (60%, 80% and 100%) of the conventional doses of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers (CF) were combined with bio-fertilizer (CK) in 6 treatments as follows: 60% CF without bio-fertilizer (60CF), 60% CF with bio-fertilizer (60CFB), 80% CF without bio-fertilizer (80CF), 80% CF with bio-fertilizer (80CFB), 100% CF without bio-fertilizer (100CF) and 100% CF with bio-fertilizer (100CFB). These treatments were applied to the crop in a randomized complete block design with three replicates.The head weight of broccoli with bio-fertilizer treatments significantly increased compared to that of sole mineral fertilizer treatments. The bio-fertilizer treatments’ utilization rates and uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were also higher. Compared with 100CF, the yield under 80CFB increased, whereas the yield under 60CFB decreased. Compared with 100CF treatment, the nitrate content in the broccoli head decreased significantly, while the vitamin C and soluble sugar contents significantly increased under lower CF and bio-fertilizer treatments. Nitrogen uptake was highest in the functional leaf of broccoli with 80CFB and in the head of broccoli with 100CF. Under the treatments with bio-fertilizer, the photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance increased, whereas intercellular CO₂ leaf concentrations reduced. These results demonstrated that the 750 kg/ha bio-fertilizer combined with 80% conventional mineral fertilizer can improve broccoli head quality, fertilizer utilization rate and photosynthesis.

Effects of nitrogen on growth and flowering of test-tube plantlets of Gomphrena globosa

ZHANG Xiaojuan, DENG Guanghua, YU Suqin, KANG Wenjuan, GU Hongmei, ZOU Na

2015, 24(1):  56-63.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20150108

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The effects of nitrogen form and concentration on the growth and flowering induction of test-tube plantlets of Gomphrena globosa were investigated. The results showed: 1) Compared with the ammonium nitrogen (NH₄⁺), nitrate nitrogen (NO₃^-) as the sole nitrogen source was more favorable for the promotion of growth and flowering induction, while the optimum effect was observed with the presence of both NH₄⁺ and NO₃^-.2) In the presence of 20 mmol/L NH₄⁺ (NO₃^-) and 5 mg/L PP333, the growth rate was gradually increased with the increase of NO₃^- (NH₄⁺) level, and the plantlet height reached the maximum of 5.91 cm with 40 mmol/L NO₃^- + 20 mmol/L NH₄⁺ (nitrogen content of MS medium)in the medium; whereas the leaf number and flowering rate increased and then decreased as total nitrogen level was increased, and reached their maximum of 10.7 per seedling and 38.89%, respectively, with 20 mmol/L NO₃^- + 5 mmol/L NH₄⁺ (nitrogen content of MS medium) in the medium. 3) With respect to the effect of nitrogen on plant form, the maximum flowering rate of 39.95% was induced with a total nitrogen concentration of 5 mmol/L in the medium and with the ratio of ammonium to nitrate 4∶1; in contrast, the maximum plantlet height of 8.52 cm and leaf number of 13.38 per seedling was achieved with a total nitrogen concentration of 35 mmol/L in the medium and a 4∶1 ratio of ammonium to nitrate. The flowering rate of test-tube plantlets was significantly positively correlated with the ratio of nitrate nitrogen to ammonium nitrogen, but negatively correlated with the total nitrogen content and plant height. In addition, the nitrogen content and the ratio of nitrate nitrogen to ammonium nitrogen in medium also significantly influenced the root growth of test-tube plantlets.

Drought resistance analysis of regenerated plants from calli of Lolium perenne carried by the Shenzhou No.7 spaceship

PENG Limei, CAO Li, HAN Lei, QIAN Yongqiang, SUN Zhenyuan

2015, 24(1):  64-74.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20150109

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Three mutants with high drought tolerance (SP-64, SP-119, SP-17) have been screened from plants regenerated from the embryogenic calli of the Lolium perenne variety Derby, which were carried aboard by the Shenzhou No.7 spaceship. This paper presents the results of an evaluation of the physiological responses to drought treatment for these 3 mutants. As drought duration increased, the relative water content and chlorophyll content of the mutants decreased, whereas malondialdehyde (MDA) and soluble proline content increased. However, the 3 mutants’ superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities at first decreased and then increased. The variation ranges of indices were different for each mutation. A comprehensive analysis of these indices suggests that drought tolerance decreased in the order of SP-64, SP-119 and SP-17, which is consistent with the results of the apparent permanent wilting index (APWI). These results indicate that space mutation could induce the mutagenesis of drought resistance and so provide new germplasm resources for the breeding of turfgrass varieties.

Physiological responses of seedling roots of the desert plant Reaumuria soongorica to drought stress

CHONG Peifang, LI Hangyi, LI Yi

2015, 24(1):  72-80.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20150110

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The physiological responses of seedling roots to drought stress were investigated in the desert plant Reaumuria soongorica from two provenances: highly drought resistant (Wuwei) and weakly drought resistant (Lanzhou). Under drought stress, root vigor, relative permeability of plasma (RPP), contents of proline (Pro),soluble sugars (SS),soluble protein (SP),malondialdehyde (MAD) and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT)were measured with two-year nursery stocks. Grey correlative analysis was used to analyse drought resistance and its correlation with indexes of roots. Root vigor decreased significantly under drought stress, while RPP and the contents of MDA, Pro, SS and SP, the activities of SOD, POD and CAT of roots increased significantly. Germplasm of highly drought-resistant provenance (Wuwei) was more sensitive to drought stress than germplasm of weakly drought-resistant provenance (Lanzhou). The grey correlative degrees for root vigor, RPP and Pro and drought resistance were greater than 0.9. However, R. soongorica enhanced drought resistance through a wider series of physiological variations, beyond these three.

Effects of Li application on the growth and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of Apocynum venetum

LV Haixiang, TIAN Changyan, ZHANG Ke

2015, 24(1):  81-87.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20150111

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Pot experiments were used to identify the effects of lithium levels on growth, chlorophyll content and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of Apocynum venetum. When A. venetum was exposed to lithium either by foliage spray or root application, variation lithium level had an obvious influence on plant growth and appearance. The concentrations of lithium used were 0, 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg, and growth rate and fluorescence parameters (including F_v/F_m, F_v/F_o, Ψ_o, φ_Eo, PI_ABS, photosynthetic pigments contents, S_m) of A. venetum were measured. All parameters significantly increased in proportion to lithium application rate at lower lithium levels, but growth and fluorescence parameters were generally lower at 20 mg/kg than at 10 mg/kg, at higher levels, indicating toxicity at the higher rate. Similarly, stem diameter, plant height, and the number of leaves on the main and branch of A. venetum were also responsive to lower levels of applied lithium. The margin between beneficial and toxic lithium concentrations was very small. Therefore, the lithium concentration in plant growth media or foliar application should be strictly controlled when cultivating A. venetum.

Phosphorus absorption and acid phosphatase activity in wild barley genotypes with different phosphorus use efficiencies

XU Jing, ZHANG Xizhou, LI Tingxuan, CHEN Guangdeng

2015, 24(1):  88-98.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20150112

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In order to evaluate differences in phosphorus (P) absorption capacity and acid phosphatase activity,two genotypes of wild barley (Hordeum brevisublatum) with high P efficiency (IS-22-30, IS-22-25) and one genotype with low P efficiency (IS-07-07) were grown in pots treated with four different P application rates (0, 30, 60, and 90 mg/kg soil). With increasing P concentrations, the biomass and P accumulations of all tested genotypes increased, however the root/shoot ratios decreased. For all P treatments, both the biomass and P accumulation of high efficiency genotypes were significantly higher than that of the low efficiency genotype. For all tested genotypes,the concentrations of available P and water soluble P in rhizosphere soils were significantly lower than in non-rhizosphere soils. For lower application rates (0, 30, 60 mg/kg soil) in rhizosphere soils, the concentrations of available P and water soluble P were lower in the high efficiency genotypes than in the low efficiency genotype. In rhizosphere soils with application rates of 0 and 30 mg/kg soil, the acid phosphatase activity of the high efficiency genotypes was significantly higher than that of the low efficiency genotype. These results suggest that wild barleys with high P efficiency have the activation capability to adapt to low P soils. With increased levels of P application, acid phosphatase activities in the leaves and roots of all tested genotypes significantly decreased. Furthermore, acid phosphatase activities in the more efficient genotypes were significantly higher than in the low efficiency genotype, indicating that the P recycling capacity of the more efficient plants is higher and that their increased acid phosphatase activities promote absorption in conditions of low P stress.

Cloning of a TPS gene and analysis of its function in stress tolerance in Puccinellia tenuiflora

LI Ying, LIU Shenkui

2015, 24(1):  99-106.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20150113

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In this study, a 6-trehalose phosphate synthase gene (TPS) fragment, 1153 bp in length, was isolated through NaCl and NaHCO₃ screening from Puccinellia tenuiflora yeast cDNA library. A 3'-end cDNA amplification technique was used to clone PutTPS. The full-length cDNA is 3358 bp containing an open reading frame (ORF) of 882 amino acids. Multiple alignment analysis based on amino acids of TPS proteins of rice, Arabidopsis, maize, and other higher plants revealed that the amino acid homologies were about 60% to 90%.The tissue expression patterns of P. tenuiflora PutTPS and the expression under NaCl and NaHCO₃ stress were further investigated by northern blot. Also the recombinant yeast INVScI (pYES₂-PutTPS) and control INVScI (pYES₂) were subjected to salt, drought, osmotic and oxidative stresses. PutTPS was highly expressed in roots and flowers; in roots and leaves, NaCl and NaHCO₃ induced up-regulated expression of PutTPS genes and the recombinant yeast cells showed higher stress resistance than control cells. It was also found that the TPS from alkali grass contributes to salt, drought, osmotic and oxidative resistance.The present study indicated that there was a relationship between PutTPS expression and multiple stresses, and PutTPS may play an important role for P. tenuiflora during adaption to environmental abiotic stress.

Observation of pollen morphology of 16 Vicia accessions using scanning electron microscopy

LIU Peng, MA Lichao, WANG Yu, LIU Zhipeng

2015, 24(1):  107-114.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20150114

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Plants of the genus Vicia are readily cultivated in alpine and high-altitude areas, such as the Tibetan plateau in China, where they are used as a source of protein. There are about 190 species in this genus, and four subgenera: Vicia, Cracca, Ervum and Faba. We studied 16 Vicia accessions sourced from China, USA, Turkey, Syria, and 7 other countries. The pollen morphology of the 16 accessions was observed by scanning electron microscopy. Pollen of Vicia is single-grained, with three lobes and a triangular outline in polar view. The pollen studied ranged in shape from prolate-spheroidal to prolate andoblate in equatorial view with three channel apertures reaching both poles. Polar axis length was (9.60±1.52)-(30.40±2.07) μm, and equatorial axis length was (11.80±0.84)-(38.20±0.84) μm. Three types of pollen surface ornamentation were observed: reticulate, brain-like and warty. Furthermore, depending on the degree of protrusion, the reticulation type can be divided into coarse and fine reticulation sub-types. In this study,the pollen morphologies of 16 Vicia accessions were observed in detail, and their taxonomic characteristics are discussed as a basis for categorising the diversity in the Vicia genus.

Community structure and diversity of soil denitrifying bacteria of the nirK gene type under different vegetation restoration patterns in the Hulunbeier Sandy Land, Inner Mongolia

LI Gang, XIU Weiming, WANG Jie, WU Yuanfeng, ZHAO Jianning, SONG Xiaolong, YANG Dianlin

2015, 24(1):  115-123.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20150115

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We selected five vegetation restoration methods including mono-planting of Caragana korshinskii (UC), Agropyron cristatum (UA), and Hedysarum fruticosum (UH), mixed-planting of Agropyron cristatum and Hedysarum fruticosum (AC) and of Agropyron cristatum, Hedysarum fruticosum, Caragana korshinskii, and Elymus nutans (ACHE) to analyze the community structure and diversity of nirK-type soil denitrifying bacteria and their relationships with the soil physical and chemical factors. Bare land was used as a control (CK). There are significant differences in the composition of the soil nirK-type denitrifying bacteria. The Shannon index of the nirK gene is the highest under UH, followed by under UA, UC, AC and ACHE, and the lowest in CK with significant differences between the five methods. The sequence and phylogenetic analysis showed that the similarity of the nirK fragments to the nirK genes registered in GenBank was between 81% and 99%, and that they were mainly from Ochrobactrum, Rhizobium, and some other unidentified bacteria. These bacterial species accounted for more than 50% of the total fragments. Canonical correspondence and correlation analyses showed that the soil available phosphorus, pH, total nitrogen, total phosphorus and soil moisture had significant effects on the denitrifying bacterial communities, and there were very significant correlations among these five soil physical and chemical factors. It is suggested that interactions between the five soil physical and chemical factors played a decisive role in the population changes of the nirK-type denitrifying bacteria.

Identification and characterisation of Sclerotinia homoeoparpa causing leaf blight in 4 warm-season turfgrass species

ZHANG Wu, LIU Guodao, NAN Zhibiao

2015, 24(1):  124-131.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20150116

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This paper reports on field disease surveys carried out at several golf courses and college lawns in Hainan Province from 2011 to 2013. A serious disease similar to Dollar Spot was observed which affected 4 common warm-season turfgrass species. Based on comprehensive analyses including Koch’s postulates tests, the identification of morphological characteristics and rDNA-ITS sequencing, the pathogen causing Dollar Spot disease in Hainan province was identified as Sclerotinia homoeocarpa. To our knowledge, this is the first report that S. homoeocarpa can cause Dollar Spot in Burmudagrass and Carpetgrass in China. Biological characteristics analysis showed that S. homoeocarpa grew well in conditions where the temperature ranged from 25-30℃ and pH from 5-7. The optimum growth conditions were 28℃ and pH 5. Hyphallost their viability in agar plugs that were incubated at 55℃ for 10 minutes. Light promoted mycelium growth and all the tested carbon and nitrogen sources were utilized by S. homoeocarpa. Soluble starch had higher usage efficiency for mycelium growth than the other carbon sources, whereas D-mannitol and D-arabinose had lower usage efficiency. Ammonium nitrate and ammonium dihydrogen phosphate had higher usage efficiency for mycelium growth than the other nitrogen sources, whereas carbamide had lower usage efficiency.

Effect of Chinese herbal medicine on milk production, antioxidant capacity and immunity of dairy cows

HU Yongling, YE Shili, LUO Jiajie

2015, 24(1):  132-140.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20150117

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The effect of compound Chinese herbal medicine on milk performance, antioxidant capacity and immunity of dairy cows was studied in 20 healthy mid to late lactation Chinese Holstein cows. Based on lactation time and milk yield, cows were divided into four equal size groups (A, B, C and D). Group A (control) was feed the base diet only (no herbal medicine), whereas group B, C and D were feed the basal diet supplemented with 50, 100 and 150 g/d of the Chinese herbal medicine, respectively. The milk yield for each cow was measured daily. Blood samples for each cow under heat stress conditions were collected on the 1st, 20th and 40th day following implementation of treatments to determine apoptosis rate of lymphocytes, GSH-Px, and gene expression of CAT and lymphocyte apoptosis related gene, Bcl-2, p53. Cows in group B, C and D produced 20.26%, 24.20% and 16.98% more milk than those in group A (P<0.05), respectively. The somatic cell counts in milk from group B, C and D were 21.68%, 29.88%and 24.22% (P<0.05) lower than that group A, respectively. The mean level of GSH-Px and CAT gene expression in group B, C and D was greater than that in group A by 5.00% (P>0.05), 13.00% (P<0.05), 6.00% (P>0.05) and 5.00% (P>0.05), 16.00% (P<0.05), 3.00% (P>0.05), respectively. The apoptosis rate of lymphocyte in cows from group B, C and D were 18.20% (P>0.05), 17.86% (P>0.05) and 12.51% (P>0.05) lower than those in group A, respectively. The expression level of Bcl-2 in group B, C and D was 105.00% (P>0.05), 113.00% (P>0.05) and 57.00% (P>0.05) higher than that in group A, respectively. Additionally, the expression level of p53 gene in groups B, C and D were 24.00% (P>0.05), 28.00% (P>0.05) and 20.00% (P>0.05) lower than that in the control group, respectively. The gene expression level of Bcl-2 and p53 was significantly higher in groups (B, C and D) than that in control group after 20 and 40 days. Within the groups receiving Chinese medicine, milk yield, somatic number, antioxidase activity and expression level of lymphocytic apoptosis related genes were higher in group C than other groups, while the apoptosis rate of lymphocyte in group B was highest. This study suggested that compound Chinese herbal medicine can improve milk performance, antioxidant capacity and immunity of dairy cattle under heat stress.

The developmental status and potential of grass-based agriculture in the national economy

GAO Ya, LIN Huilong

2015, 24(1):  141-157.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20150118

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Grassland is one of China’s most significant land resources and as such it directly affects the country’s economic development and ecological sustainability. The appropriate development of grass-based industry is an important way to maintain environmental safety, promote the structural adjustment of agriculture and increase farmers’ income. In this paper, grass-based industry is considered according to its developmental status, with the industry accordingly divided into a series of three linked parts: prenatal, production and postnatal. Grass-based industries have great potential to further develop the linkages between these three developmental stages. Based on the principle of the harmonious development of economic and environmental factors, grass production methods and management models must be changed as soon as possible to realize this potential. Government and enterprises should cooperate with each other to improve the markets for grass-based products. Learning from the experience of more developed countries, China should establish a grass-based industry code in the classification of national economic activities. Furthermore, improved legislation is needed to determine the ownership of grasslands and to regulate the industry they support.

An overview of the prospects for family farms

LI Zhiguo, HAN Guodong, ZHAO Mengli, WANG Zhongwu, WANG Jing

2015, 24(1):  158-167.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20150119

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Family farms are the primary management unit in China. In traditional grassland production systems, it is difficult to ensure ecological protection while improving income because of threats such as the gradual reduction in the grassland resource, grassland degradation and the low socioeconomic status of herders. This study reviewed the development of family farms in grassland regions around the world, identifying different ownership and management models, and suggests a definition of family farms in China. It is proposed that the integration of grassland resources and management are important for achieving economies of scale on family farms.

Research advances on diversity of grass Epichloë endophytes

JIN Wenjin, LI Chunjie, WANG Zhengfeng

2015, 24(1):  168-175.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20150120

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Grass Epichloë endophyte is a microorganism community with abundant biodiversity; it has become one of the most popular research topics, because of its ecological and physiological functions and the great application potentiality in the fields of agriculture and medicine as biocontrol agents and foreign gene carrier at home and abroad. In this review, the diversity of endophytic fungi in grasses have been summarized, mainly cool-season grasses infected with these endophytes mostly belong to Clavicipitaceae genera of Epichloë (anamorph Neotyphodium). It mainly included the diversities of fungal species, symbiotic host, habitat, morphology and genetics. Eco-environmental complex and abundant plant biodiversity lead rich diversity of endophytic fungi, and more and more new endophyte taxa should be discovered. This is more likely that has unique advantages in the collection and preservation of new fungi. Endophyte could improve the stress tolerance of host grass, make grass to be adapted under stressed even extreme environmental conditions. It has great significance to study deeply on interactions between plant and endophyte, and to build novel symbiosis and the micro-ecosystem of plants.

Effect of grazing intensity on the phytosociological character of the Hulunbuir steppe

WUYUNNA, HUO Guangwei, SONG Yantao, ZHANG Fengjie, LUO Wentao

2015, 24(1):  176-182.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20150121

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Phytosociology is the study of the composition, distribution and relationships between different species in plant communities. This study used the Braun-Blanduet and functional grouping methods to clarify the rules governing community structure and species characteristics in the Hulunbuir (Stipa krylovii) steppe under different grazing intensities. Two main associations and two sub-associations were found. Following increased grazing intensity, those species with good resistance to grazing and drought, for example, Allium species were frequently present while the frequency of palatable species reduced, some disappearing. There were significant differences in community structure, species number and diversity index due to different grazing intensities.

Physiological responses and tolerance of four oat varieties to salt stress

LIU Fengqi, LIU Jielin, ZHU Ruifen, ZHANG Yue, GUO Yong, HAN Guiqing, TANG Fenglan

2015, 24(1):  183-189.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20150122

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This paper reports on a study of the adaptability of oats (Avena sativa) to salt stress. In a hydroponic experiment, the physiological responses of four oat varieties (Bayou-1, Baiyan-2, Baiyan-6 and Baiyan-7) were investigated using six concentrations (0, 34.2, 68.4, 102.6, 136.8 and 171.0 mmol/L) of sodium chloride during seed germination and seedling stages. Seed germinating potential, germinating percentage, seedling height and root length were recorded. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and the soluble protein content in the leaves of seedlings were also measured. Salt stress had a significant impact on germinating potential and percentage. It also suppressed seedling height and root length. All four parameters decreased with increases in Na⁺ concentration. The activities of SOD and POD and leaf soluble protein content all increased at lower levels of Na⁺ concentration and then declined, peaking at 102.6 mmol/L NaCl. This study shows that oats have self-protecting mechanisms that adapt to salinity stress. The threshold of salt tolerance was 102.6 mmol/L NaCl. Of the four varieties, Baiyan-6 showed the most tolerance, while Baiyan-2 also revealed good potential. Both varieties could be used as candidates for selecting and breeding better genotypes of salt tolerant oats.

Effect of corn flour on the quality of Urtica cannabinasilage

ZHANG Xiaoqing, JIN Yanmei, LI Fadi, WANG Yuqing, LI Peng

2015, 24(1):  190-195.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20150123

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To investigate the effect of corn flour (CF) on the nutritive value ensiled Urtica cannabina or hempleaf nettle (HN),CF was added to fresh HN using a 1∶5 mixture (CF∶HN) silage. Dry matter (DM) was adjusted to approximately 310 g/kg. Silage without CF was used as a control. Silage was packed in plastic bags; each treatment had 18 replicates. The fermentative quality, nutrient component and in vitro digestibility of silages were assessed after 60 days of ensiling at ambient temperature. The pH, NH₃-N and organic acids of silages were measured after 0, 3, 5, 15, 20, and 60 days. The results revealed that CF treatment significantly (P<0.001) accelerated silage fermentation by reducing pH and increasing lactic acid concentration. In the first 15 days of fermentation, the silages with CF treatment tended to have a faster rate of pH decline and lactic acid accumulation than the silage without CF treatment. This study also showed that the CF treatment silage had significantly lower (P<0.05) pH, NH₃-N, acetic and butyric acids, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) than silages without CF treatment after 60 days of ensiling. In contrast, CF treated silages contained significantly higher (P<0.05) lactic acid, water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) and Flieg point values, as well as higher in vitro digestibility of DM, NDF and ADF. There was no difference in crude fat between the CF treatment and the control treatment. In conclusion, CF improved the nutritive value of HN silage, potentially increasing utilization by livestock.

Screening of lignocellulose degrading microbial communities for their ability to deodorize livestock and poultry wastes

YANG Qiaoli, YAO Tuo, WANG Dewu, GUN Shuangbao

2015, 24(1):  196-203.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20150124

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This study aimed to screen microbial communities that can efficiently decompose lignocellulose, as well as determine their ability to deodorize odor of livestock waste. Composted cattle and chicken feces samples were used to cultivate lignocellulose degrading microbial communities based on a restrictive culture technique. These microbes were mixed with unprocessed straws (wheat, rice and corn). Subsequently, weight loss was used to evaluate the capability of the microbes to decompose lignocellulose and resist microbial contamination. Naturally dried livestock wastes were also used to investigate the ability of these microbes to utilize and deodorize livestock and poultry wastes. Six days after inoculating with lignocellulose microbial communities, weight loss of wheat, rice and corn straw reached 47.00%, 48.62% and 50.21%, respectively. In contrast, the weight loss of these straws was 42.14%, 44.99%, and 53.74% for wheat, rice and corn respectively in the absence of inoculation.Lignocellulose microbial communities cultivated in excrement nutrient solutions (100 mL) (containing 5 g of swine manure, or 3 g of chicken manure, or 0.35% filter paper) were able to reduce odor intensity after 8 days. In conclusion, lignocellulose microbial communities screened in this study efficiently decomposed cellulose in different straws without chemical pretreatment and were able to resist other bacteria. They were also able to deodorize odor from livestock and poultry wastes.