Dalibor TOMIĆ, Vladeta STEVOVIĆ, Dragan ĐUROVIĆ
et al.
The work aimed to analyze the effects of soil liming on the productivity of the mixture of tall oat grass and red clover during the entire period of exploitation in order to develop sustainable management systems in agriculture. The trial was conducted from 2014 to 2020 on the experimental field in Čačak on an alluvial soil with an acid reaction. The trial was set up as a completely randomized block system with four replicates and a plot size of 5x1 m. Levels of liming included: A1 – control (without CaO); A2 – 3 t ha-1 CaO; A3 – 6 t ha-1 CaO. Crop response to soil liming was determined by the amount of lime applied, the amount of rainfall and the developmental stage of the species during the life cycle. In concrete conditions, the greatest positive effect of soil liming was observed in the second and third years of production. And if it was expected that the proportion of clover and the intensity of nitrogen fixation generally increase with the application of soil liming, this study showed that in some cases the crop responded differently and non-linearly to the application of lime. By growing red clover in a mixture with tall oat grass and applying soil liming on acidic soils, satisfactory yields can be achieved while recovering the soil from intensive exploitation, which can be good practice for developing a sustainable management system in agriculture.
Zanthoxylum armatum DC. (Z. armatum), known as the prickly ash or toothache tree, shows higher productivity and interesting agronomic features for spices, oilseeds and medicinal values. Waterlogging is one of the major stresses restricting the growth, development and production of Z. armatum in Southwest China due to flash rainfall and floods. However, the effects of waterlogging stress on the growth and antioxidant responses in Z. armatum seedlings have not been reported. In this study, the physiological responses in Z. armatum seedlings were investigated under waterlogging with different depths (2.7, 5.5, 11 cm above the ground level) and durations (2, 4 and 6 days). No significant differences in the averages of height, stem diameter and number of leaves were observed. However, the apical leaflets of seedlings that were submerged to a depth of 11 cm above the ground become soft on day 6. Chlorophyll and malondialdehyde (MDA) content rose significantly with the waterlogging levels on different treatment days compared to the control. There were no significant differences in the relative electrical conductivity between the control and treatments on day 2, but the values of the treatment groups were higher than those of in the control on days 4 and 6. The generally increased content of soluble sugar and soluble proteins within a small range with prolonged duration of the stress showed little differences between waterlogging stress and the controls. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activity showed different changes in different tested groups at different treatment times, as compared with controls. The morphological and physiological characteristics had different responses to stress duration and waterlogging degree as well as their interactions. These findings were strong evidence that these plants may develop strategies and have a certain tolerance to short-term waterlogging, especially mild waterlogging.
Abstract Flower color serves as a pivotal ornamental trait in plants, significantly impacting their aesthetic value. H macrophylla is particularly esteemed for its large, vibrant flowers and the remarkable variability in color it exhibits. In this study, the MYB gene family within H. macrophylla was comprehensively examined, resulting in the identification of 72 MYB genes through genomic screening utilizing the Hidden Markov Model (HMM) method. A physicochemical analysis revealed a diverse range of properties among these proteins, with sizes varying from 65 to 770 amino acids; notably, six of these proteins were classified as stable. Predominantly, MYB proteins were localized within the nucleus, although some were also detected in other organelles, indicating a multifaceted role in cellular function. Phylogenetic analysis established that 13 MYB genes from H. macrophylla can be categorized into five distinct subfamilies based on the classifications observed in Arabidopsis thaliana, suggesting their involvement in the biosynthetic pathways of anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins. Expression analysis indicated a significant correlation between specific R2R3-MYB transcription factors, particularly HmMYB54, and the accumulation of anthocyanins during various flowering stages. qPCR results showed that the expression of HmMYB54 was consistent with the accumulation trend of ‘Forever Summer’ colors in hydrangea, while HmMYB61 was just the opposite, which was consistent with RNAseq, suggesting that they regulated the formation of ‘Foever Summer’ blue flowers positively and negatively, respectively. A proposed regulatory model has been articulated to elucidate the mechanisms by which these MYB genes affect flower color, particularly through their interactions with essential structural genes in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway. Thus, this study not only enhances the understanding of the genetic basis of flower coloration in H. macrophylla but also highlights the adaptive significance of MYB transcription factors in response to environmental challenges.
Following the establishment of China's first national parks in October 2021, the national park system has evolved as part of a broader global commitment to ecological conservation. The Giant Panda National Park (GPNP), as a flagship park, faces pressing challenges related to biodiversity protection and land use conflicts. This study integrates the InVEST and PLUS models to assess spatiotemporal changes in habitat quality (HQ) from 2000 to 2020 and simulate future HQ trends under three land-use scenarios—natural development, ecological protection, and cultivated land protection—for the year 2030. Land use data from 2000, 2010, and 2020 were used to quantify HQ changes, and four landscape pattern metrics (Patch Density, LPI, Cohesion Index, and LSI) were incorporated to analyze spatial ecological processes. Results show that: (1) Forestland expanded while grassland declined over the 20-year period, with a concurrent increase in construction and unused land. (2) HQ exhibited a shift toward lower-quality zones, particularly in the Minshan and Qionglai–Daxiangling regions. (3) Predicted HQ indices in 2030 under the three scenarios are 0.5305 (NDS), 0.5317 (EPS), and 0.5297 (CLPS), with the ecological protection scenario yielding the most improvement due to increased vegetation cover. (4) Landscape metrics revealed increased fragmentation, edge complexity, and reduced connectivity of forest patches, suggesting structural habitat degradation despite forest area growth (5) Land use change and natural factors (e.g., precipitation, elevation). were identified as dominant drivers of HQ variation. This study highlights the importance of combining HQ modeling with spatial landscape analysis to better capture habitat dynamics. The findings provide a scientific basis for habitat management and policy formulation in the context of national park conservation.
Objective: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of facile combinations of biochar and N, P, and K fertilisers on the growth and physiological characteristics of Lithocarpus litseifolius seedlings, and to optimise the biochar/NPK ratio of Lithocarpus litseifolius. Method: A four-factor three-level orthogonal method was used to conduct a field experiment using 2-year-old Lithocarpus litseifolius. Nine fertiliser treatments and one control treatment (CK, i.e., no fertiliser) were established in a completely randomised block group with six replications of ten treatments. The plants were planted in October 2020 and harvested in November 2021, and fertiliser was applied once in April 2021 and once in July 2021. Results: Rational application could effectively promote the growth of Lithocarpus litseifolius, and T4(C2N1P2K3) produced the highest increase in plant height growth (17.03 cm), diameter growth (5.47 mm), soluble sugar (94.60 mg/g), soluble protein (4.59 mg/g), and phlorizin (old leaf: 16.00%; tender leaf: 15.13%); T8(C3N2P1K3) resulted in the highest chlorophyll a content (1.46 mg/g), chlorophyll b content (0.62 mg/g), and total chlorophyll content (2.08 mg/g), and T1(C1N1P1K1) resulted in the highest contents of starch (11.60 mg/g) and trilobatin (old leaf: 0.29%; tender leaf: 2.28%). The indicators corresponding to the above three treatments were significantly higher than those under the other treatments (p < 0.05). The results as analysed by the affiliation function method show that the highest mean value of the affiliation function was 0.645 after T4(C2N1P2K3) treatment. Conclusions: The combination of biochar and nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilisers can effectively increase the biomass and active components of Lithocarpus litseifolius while reducing the amount of chemical fertiliser applied. A comprehensive analysis of the results showed that the T4 treatment (biochar: 20 g/plant; urea: 10 g/plant; superphosphate: 9 g/plant; potassium chloride: 12 g/plant) resulted in the highest comprehensive score, with the highest increase in plant height growth, ground diameter growth, root–crown ratio, soluble sugar, soluble protein, and phlorizin, as well as other indicators.
Ronaldo GONZÁLEZ-VENCES, Lenom CAJUSTE-BONTEMPS, Julio SÁNCHEZ-ESCUDERO
et al.
Mexico is the main producer of avocado (Persea americana Mill.), contributing 31% of the world supply, which provides the country with an annual income of more than 2 billion dollars. The increase in national production is the result of a larger cultivated area, and not an increase in yields. In the State of Mexico, Mexico around 10 thousand hectares are cultivated with avocado trees, although 77% of the producers do not have specialized technical advice that offers reliable information on crop nutrition. This lack of advice and technical support detracts from volume and quality of production. The objective of this research was to carry out the nutritional diagnosis of an avocado orchard in Tejupilco, State of Mexico, Mexico, through the Compositional Nutrient Diagnosis (CND), and to generate specific fertilization recommendations for the study area, for which leaf and soil analyses were carried out. Each nutrient determined in the leaf analysis (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, and B) was compared with its optimal concentration according to literature. The CND yielded relative deficiency or excess indices that determined the order of nutritional limitation. Zn, B, S, and K deficiencies were detected in all sampled areas, while P, Mn, and Cu were deficient only in some areas. N, Ca, Mg, and Fe did not show nutritional limitation. Recommendations were formulated to address each of the nutritional deficiencies and the problem of sodicity revealed by the soil analysis. This is the first work in which the CND is used to assess the nutritional situation of avocado orchards in the world.
Daniel Kurjak, Peter Petrík, Alena Sliacka Konôpková
et al.
Abstract Key message Seven European beech provenances differing largely in growth performance were grown at two common garden sites in Germany and Slovakia. The intra-specific variability of most traits was explained more by phenotypic plasticity than inter-provenance variability, and efficiency-related traits showed a higher phenotypic plasticity than safety-related traits. Context To maintain climate-resilient future forests, replicated common-garden experiments are suited for developing assisted migration strategies for key tree species. Aims We analysed the magnitude of inter-provenance variability and phenotypic plasticity for 12 functional traits of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and analysed whether the climate at the place of origin left an imprint. Moreover, we asked whether growth is unrelated to xylem safety and to what extent the foliar, xylem and growth-related traits are coordinated. Methods Terminal branches were collected from 19-year-old and 22-year-old trees of seven European beech provenances planted at two common garden sites in Germany and Slovakia, respectively. Three hydraulic, three wood anatomical and four foliar traits were measured and related to two growth-related variables. Results At the two sites, the same pair of provenances showed the highest and lowest growth. Nevertheless, a high degree of phenotypic plasticity was observed, as all traits differed significantly between sites after accounting for provenance effects, with hydraulic safety-related traits showing the lowest and efficiency-related traits the highest plasticity. There was no evidence for inter-provenance variability in xylem embolism resistance (P 50) or the foliar carbon isotope signature (δ13C), a proxy for intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE), and both were unrelated to growth. P 50 was positively correlated with the lumen-to-sapwood area ratio and vessel density. Conclusions Because of the lacking trade-off between embolism resistance and growth, highly productive provenances can be selected without reducing the drought tolerance of the branch xylem. However, as xylem safety is only one element of a trees’ drought response, it may be beneficial to select provenances with other more conservative drought adaptations such as smaller vessel lumen areas for increasing xylem safety and small supported total leaf areas for reduction of total transpiration.
The digital economy plays a pivotal role in assisting the world in tackling climate change. This paper explores the intrinsic mechanism of the digital economy on carbon emissions intensity. Initially, it scrutinizes the suppressive effect of the digital economy on carbon emissions intensity, as well as the mediating mechanism of industrial structure upgrading, on a theoretical level. Subsequently, it utilizes provincial panel data from China between 2010 and 2019 to investigate the quantitative relationship between the digital economy and carbon emissions intensity empirically. The results revealed that, firstly, the digital economy significantly diminishes carbon emissions intensity; secondly, it confirms the significant mediating role of industrial structure upgrading; thirdly, increased levels of economic development, market openness, human capital, technological advancement, and urbanization all have constructive moderating effects on the carbon emission reduction facilitated by the digital economy; fourthly, the influence of the digital economy on carbon emission intensity has spatial spill-overs. This paper contributes an integrated analytical framework and method for studying the digital economy, industrial structure upgrading, and carbon emissions intensity. Furthermore, it offers valuable insight and suggestions for policy-making concerning the digital economy's contribution to carbon emissions reduction.
In this paper, we construct and analyze a class of high-order and dissipation-preserving schemes for the nonlinear space fractional generalized wave equations by the newly introduced scalar auxiliary variable (SAV) technique. The system is discretized by a fourth-order Riesz fractional difference operator in spatial discretization and the collocation methods in the temporal direction. Not only can the present method achieve fourth-order accuracy in the spatial direction and arbitrarily high-order accuracy in the temporal direction, but it also has long-time computing stability. Then, the unconditional discrete energy dissipation law of the present numerical schemes is proved. Finally, some numerical experiments are provided to certify the efficiency and the structure-preserving properties of the proposed schemes.
Studying the structure of polycentric cities can promote a better understanding of urban development and contribute to urban planning. In this study, we identified polycentric cities in China and evaluated the urban centre development level of polycentric cities from new data and method. We used Luojia-1A night-time light (NTL) data, combined with the concept of natural cities (NCs), to identify urban centres and thus identify polycentric cities in China. In addition, we used the urban centre development index (UCDI) to quantify the urban centre development level (UCDL) that represents the overall urban centre development level within a polycentric city. The polycentric cities in China are characterized by the spatial distribution pattern of a larger number in the east and fewer in the west. There are a large number of polycentric cities in eastern China, and the closer to the coastal areas, the more polycentric cities there are. The distribution of UCDL in China’s polycentric cities is characterized by significant spatial heterogeneity. UCDLs are generally smaller in polycentric cities in western China. In addition, polycentric cities in northeastern China have smaller UCDL. Polycentric cities with high UCDL are concentrated in the central and coastal regions of China.
Integrating a forage crop into the fallow (F) of the peanut (<i>Arachis hypogaea</i> L.) (P) mono-cropping system is a practical approach to provide forage yield and increase the resource use efficiency. However, little information about the comprehensive assessment of water utilization and economic benefits in the crop–livestock system exists for the North China Plain (NCP). This study aims to identify the crop rotation for optimizing water management and enhance economic benefit. The field experiment was performed over three years (2011–2014) to assess production, water utilization, and economic benefits when inserting forage triticale (<i>X Triticosecale</i> Wittmack) (T) into the peanut mono-cropping system. Results showed that replacing the fallow F-P cropping system with forage triticale provided a substantial amount of forage (the average of 9.8 t ha<sup>−1</sup> per year) and enhanced the average system productivity by 85.1%. Cultivation of forage triticale during the fallow period decreased the subsequent peanut pod yield by 8.3% due to a 19.3% decline in soil water storage capacity during the sowing stage of peanut. Replacing fallow with forage triticale increased the system net income by 1016.2 US$ ha<sup>−1</sup> and the water use efficiency (WUE) by 30.0%, while not affecting the economic efficiency of water use (EEWU), and thus can be recommended as a better option for maintaining relatively high system production, economic benefit, and WUE in NCP.
Rice straw hydrotropic lignin was extracted from <i>p</i>-Toluene sulfonic acid (<i>p</i>-TsOH) fractionation with a different combined delignification factor (CDF). Hydrotropic lignin characterization was systematically investigated, and alkaline lignin was also studied for the contrast. Results showed that the hydrotropic rice straw lignin particle was in nanometer scopes. Compared with alkaline lignin, the hydrotropic lignin had greater molecular weight. NMR analysis showed that β-aryl ether linkage was well preserved at low severities, and the unsaturation in the side chain of hydrotropic lignin was high. H units and G units were preferentially degraded and subsequently condensed at high severity. High severity also resulted in the cleavage of part β-aryl ether linkage. <sup>31</sup>P-NMR showed the decrease in aliphatic hydroxyl groups and the increasing carboxyl group content at high severity. The maximum weight loss temperature of the hydrotropic lignin was in the range of 330–350 °C, higher than the alkaline lignin, and the glass conversion temperature (T<sub>g</sub>) of the hydrotropic lignin was in the range of 107–125 °C, lower than that of the alkaline lignin. The hydrotropic lignin has high β-aryl ether linkage content, high activity, nanoscale particle size, and low T<sub>g</sub>, which is beneficial for its further valorization.
The pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins constitute one of the largest nuclear-encoded protein families in higher plants, with over 400 members in most sequenced plant species. The molecular functions of these proteins and their physiological roles during plant growth and development have been widely studied. Generally, there is mounting evidence that PPR proteins are involved in the post-transcriptional regulation of chloroplast and/or mitochondrial genes, including RNA maturation, editing, intron splicing, transcripts’ stabilization, and translation initiation. The cooperative action of RNA metabolism has profound effects on the biogenesis and functioning of both chloroplasts and mitochondria and, consequently, on the photosynthesis, respiration, and development of plants and their environmental responses. In this review, we summarize the latest research on PPR proteins, specifically how they might function in the chloroplast, by documenting their mechanism of molecular function, their corresponding RNA targets, and their specific effects upon chloroplast biogenesis and host organisms.
Aim of study : The paper is a scientific commented discussion with the aim of defining a framework which allows both a comprehensive vision of forest dynamics, as well as an adaptive management approach and policy procedures more suited to a changing and inherently unpredictable world. Main results : We identify the main challenges facing forestry in relation to recent developments in forestry thinking, i.e. the paradox of aiming at sustainability in a changing environment, a shifting perception of the relationship between ecological and social systems, the recognition of forest ecosystems as complex adaptive systems, the need for integrating the social and ecological dimensions of forestry into a single framework, and the growing awareness of the importance of the ethical approach to the forest. We propose the concept of “systemic forestry” as a paradigm for better understanding forest dynamics and for guiding management and public actions at various levels. We compare the systemic approach with different silvicultural and forest management approaches which have been proposed in the last decades. Research highlights: Our analysis shows that a systemic approach to forestry has five main consequences: 1. forestry is viewed as a part of landscape dynamics through a multi-sectoral coordination, 2. the logic of action changes from norm to process, 3. conservation is a dynamic search for resilience, 4. multi-functionality is achieved through a multi-entries approach integrating ecological, social and economic components of sustainability, 5. forestry institutions are reframed to address the issue of changing interactions among actors, 6. a change in the ethical approach to the forest is needed.
In Nepal, community forestry is part of a national strategy for livelihoods improvement and environmental protection. However, analysis of the social, economic and environmental impacts of community forestry is often limited, restricted to a narrow set of benefits (e.g. non-timber forest products) and rarely makes comparisons with alternative land-use options (e.g. agriculture). This study, conducted at Phulchoki Mountain Forest Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) in the Kathmandu Valley, used methods from the Toolkit for Ecosystem Service Site-based Assessment (TESSA) to compare multiple ecosystem service values (including carbon storage, greenhouse gas sequestration, water provision, water quality, harvested wild goods, cultivated goods and nature-based recreation) provided by the site in its current state and a plausible alternative state in which community forestry had not been implemented. We found that outcomes from community forestry have been favourable for most stakeholders, at most scales, for most services and for important biodiversity at the site. However, not all ecosystem services can be maximised simultaneously, and impacts of land-use decisions on service beneficiaries appear to differ according to socio-economic factors. The policy implications of our findings are discussed in the context of proposals to designate Phulchoki Mountain Forest IBA as part of a Conservation Area.