Study on the effect of microbial agent M44 on straw decay promoting in cold soils.

Compound microbial agents are an important means to optimize soil quality and maintain soil microbial activity. When supplemented with microbial agents, straw returned to a field shows improved degradation efficiency and hence better nutrient release. However, due to the low temperature in the northern winter climate and the complex chemical composition of corn straw, the resultant low decomposition efficiency of straw returning to the field hinders the application of this process.

Research on soil bacterial community assembly and function under different straw returning practices in arid and semi-arid agricultural ecosystems over multiple years.

Introduction: Straw return has gained attention for its potential to improve soil quality and crop yields, particularly in semi-arid regions like the Tumu Chuan Plain Irrigation Area. Soil bacteria play a crucial role in regulating soil biological processes, and understanding how straw return affects bacterial populations can guide better agricultural management practices.

Methods: We investigated the impact of continuous straw return on soil bacterial communities using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

Soil fertility differences due to tillage methods modulate maize yield formation at different planting densities.

To address the problems of planting density and low soil nutrient content in maize cultivation and production in western Inner Mongolia. This study aims to elucidate the regulatory mechanism by which soil fertility augmentation affects maize yield formation under a variety of planting densities. In this study, nine soil fertility conditions were established by deep tillage, no-tillage and in situ straw return.

Effects of different straw return methods on soil properties and yield potential of maize.

Long-term continual straw return can enhance soil quality and increase crop yields by perpetually altering the soil environment. However, little is known about how different straw return methods affect soil physicochemical properties, enzymatic processes, and crop yields. The study aims to determine how different straw return practices improve soil structure, nutrients, enzyme activities, and maize yields.

Subsoil tillage improved the maize stalk lodging resistance under high planting density.

Lodging reduces maize yield and quality. The improvement in maize lodging resistance has proven to be instrumental in maximizing the yield potential of maize varieties under high-density planting. Tillage practices accommodate larger groups by enhancing soil conditions.

Effect of Subsoiling on the Nutritional Quality of Grains of Maize Hybrids of Different Eras.

To achieve high maize ( L.) yields and quality grain, it is necessary to develop stress-resistant cultivars and related cultivation practices, aiming to maximize efficiency. Thus, our objectives were (i) to investigate the impact of tillage practices and maize hybrids (which have improved over time) on yield and its components, and (ii) to characterize the response pattern of maize hybrid grain nutrient quality components to subsoiling.

Regulation of tillage on grain matter accumulation in maize.

Introduction: To address issues related to shallow soil tillage, low soil nutrient content, and single tillage method in maize production in the Western Inner Mongolia Region, this study implemented various tillage and straw return techniques, including strip cultivation, subsoiling, deep tillage, no-tillage, straw incorporation with strip cultivation, straw incorporation with subsoiling, straw incorporation with deep tillage, and straw incorporation with no tillage, while using conventional shallow spinning by farmers as the control.

Methods: We employed Xianyu 696 (XY696) and Ximeng 6 (XM6) as experimental materials to assess maize 100-grains weight, grain filling rate parameters, and grain nutrient quality. This investigation aimed to elucidate how tillage and straw return influence the accumulation of grain material in different maize varieties.

Enhanced selectivity for convenient extraction of acidic mycotoxins using a miniaturized centrifugal integrated cold-induced phase separation: Determination of fumonisins and ochratoxins in cereals as a proof-of-concept study.

Starches-rich and protein-rich cereal samples commonly need tedious sample preparation steps before instrumental analysis. This study developed a miniaturized centrifugal integrated cold-induced phase separation (CIPS) method for convenient sample preparation. A small-sized centrifuge tube (2 mL) and a low-temperature centrifuge, both of which are easily accessible, make up the basic components of the system.

FGF9 is required for Purkinje cell development and function in the cerebellum.

Fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9) is a member of the fibroblast growth factor family, which is widely expressed in the central nervous system (CNS). It has been reported that deletion of FGF9 leads to defects in cerebellum development, including Purkinje cell defect. However, it is not clear how FGF9 regulating cerebellar development remains to be determined.

Utilizing transcriptomics and metabolomics to unravel key genes and metabolites of maize seedlings in response to drought stress.

Background: Drought stress can substantially restrict maize growth and productivity, and global warming and an increasing frequency of extreme weather events are likely to result in more yield losses in the future. Therefore, unraveling the molecular mechanism underlying the response to drought stress is essential for breeding drought-resilient crops.

Results: In this study, we subjected the 3-leaf-period plants of two maize inbred lines, a drought-tolerant line (si287) and a drought-sensitive line (X178), to drought stress for seven days while growing in a chamber.

AMMI an GGE biplot analysis of grain yield for drought-tolerant maize hybrid selection in Inner Mongolia.

Due to the ongoing global warming, maize production worldwide is expected to be heavily inflicted by droughts. The grain yield of maize hybrids is an important factor in evaluating their suitability and stability. In this study, we utilized the AMMI model and GGE biplot to analyze grain yield of 20 hybrids from the three tested environments in Inner Mongolia in 2018 and 2019, aiming at selecting drought-tolerant maize hybrids.

Low-temperature corn straw-degrading bacterial agent and moisture effects on indigenous microbes.

While the in situ return of corn straw can improve soil fertility and farmland ecology, additional bacterial agents are required in low-temperature areas of northern China to accelerate straw degradation. Moisture is an important factor affecting microbial activity; however, owing to a lack of bacterial agents adapted to low-temperature complex soil environments, the effects of soil moisture on the interaction between exogenous bacterial agents and indigenous soil microorganisms remain unclear. To this end, we explored the effect of the compound bacterial agent CFF constructed using Pseudomonas putida and Acinetobacter lwoffii, developed to degrade corn straw in low-temperature soils (15 °C), on indigenous bacterial and fungal communities under dry (10% moisture content), slightly wet (20%), and wet (30%) soil-moisture conditions.

Community succession and functional prediction of microbial consortium with straw degradation during subculture at low temperature.

To systematically explore and analyze the microbial composition and function of microbial consortium M44 with straw degradation in the process of subculture at low temperature. In this study, straw degradation characteristics of samples in different culture stages were determined. MiSeq high-throughput sequencing technology was used to analyze the evolution of community structure and its relationship with degradation characteristics of microbial consortium in different culture periods, and the PICRUSt function prediction analysis was performed.

Community succession and straw degradation characteristics using a microbial decomposer at low temperature.

This study explored changes in the microbial community structure during straw degradation by a microbial decomposer, M44. The microbial community succession at different degradation periods was analyzed using MiSeq high-throughput sequencing. The results showed that 14 days after inoculation, the filter paper enzyme and endoglucanase activities increased to 2.

Concurrent Improvement in Maize Grain Yield and Nitrogen Use Efficiency by Enhancing Inherent Soil Productivity.

Quantifying the relationships of maize yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) to inherent soil productivity (ISP) could provide a theoretical basis for implementing strategies that concurrently narrow the yield gap, increase NUE, and improve soil quality. A field study under irrigation conditions was conducted at five locations with large differences in ISP (estimated by maize grain yield without using fertilizers) across various ecological regions in Inner Mongolia, China. Our results showed that the changes in maize yield and nitrogen partial factor productivity (PFP) to ISP followed a linear-plateau model, with a common inflection point.

Metagenomics study to compare the taxonomic composition and metabolism of a lignocellulolytic microbial consortium cultured in different carbon conditions.

A lignocellulolytic microbial consortium holds promise for the in situ biodegradation of crop straw and the comprehensive and effective utilization of agricultural waste. In this study, we applied metagenomics technology to comprehensively explore the metabolic functional potential and taxonomic diversity of the microbial consortia CS (cultured on corn stover) and FP (cultured on filter paper). Analyses of the data on metagenomics taxonomic affiliations revealed considerable differences in the taxonomic composition and carbohydrate-active enzymes profile of the microbial consortia CS and FP.

Potentials of straw return and potassium supply on maize (Zea mays L.) photosynthesis, dry matter accumulation and yield.

Maize (Zea mays L.) is considered one of the most important grains in the world. Straw return has the effect of reducing soil bulk density and increasing soil porosity.

Regulation of subsoiling tillage on the grain filling characteristics of maize varieties from different eras.

Grain filling is the key stage for achieving high grain yield. Subsoiling tillage, as an effective conservation tillage, has been widely used in the maize planting region of China. This study was conducted to explore the effects of subsoiling on the grain filling characteristics of maize varieties of different eras.

Development of a pH-dependent homogeneous liquid-liquid extraction by cold-induced phase separation in acetonitrile/water mixtures for determination of quinolone residues in animal-derived foods.

A simple extraction procedure coupled with liquid chromatography-Q Orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-Q Orbitrap HRMS) for the determination of 19 quinolones in animal-derived foods (pork, fish, egg and milk) has been developed. Sample preparation is based on homogeneous liquid-liquid extraction at pH > 9 using water-miscible acetonitrile with cold-induced phase separation. The procedure allowed one-step enrichment and cleanup of all the 19 quinolones with different logP properties to lower aqueous phase, which eliminated the process of preconcentration and re-dissolution for sample solution.

GN03 Alters the Microbiota, Promotes Cotton Seedling Growth and Disease Resistance, and Increases the Expression of Phytohormone Synthesis and Disease Resistance-Related Genes.

Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) are components of the plant rhizosphere that promote plant growth and/or inhibit pathogen activity. To explore the cotton seedlings response to GN03 with high efficiency of plant growth promotion and disease resistance, a pot experiment was carried out, in which inoculations levels of GN03 were set at 10 and 10 cfumL. The results showed that GN03 inoculation remarkably enhanced growth promotion as well as disease resistance of cotton seedlings.

Plant antimicrobial peptides: structures, functions, and applications.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a class of short, usually positively charged polypeptides that exist in humans, animals, and plants. Considering the increasing number of drug-resistant pathogens, the antimicrobial activity of AMPs has attracted much attention. AMPs with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against many gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria, and fungi are an important defensive barrier against pathogens for many organisms.

Comparison of the abundance of microplastics between rural and urban areas: A case study from East Dongting Lake.

There is a lack of research on microplastic pollution in freshwater areas. In this study, microplastic pollution in lakeshore sediments of East Dongting Lake was investigated. The abundance of microplastics ranged from 180 to 693 items/kg in the lakeshore sediment, which was moderate compared with other areas of the world.

Rapid one-step cleanup method to minimize matrix effects for residue analysis of alkaline pesticides in tea using liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry.

Matrix effects in complex tea matrices remains a great challenge to rapid quantitative analysis of multi-residue pesticides by analysis of mass spectrometry. Herein, a mixed-mode polymer cationic exchange based dispersive solid-phase extraction (DSPE) procedure was established to eliminate matrix effects of tea for a rapid target alkaline multi-residue pesticides analysis. One-step DSPE procedure can eliminate matrix interferences from the tea extract without additional dilution or tedious cleanup operations.