Biochar addition and reduced irrigation modulates leaf morpho-physiology and biological nitrogen fixation in faba bean-ryegrass intercropping.

Intercropping legume with grass has potential to increase biomass and protein yield via biological N2-fixation (BNF) benefits, whereas the joint effects of biochar (BC) coupled with deficit irrigation on intercropping systems remain elusive. A 15N isotope-labelled experiment was implemented to investigate morpho-physiological responses of faba bean-ryegrass intercrops on low- (550 °C, LTBC) or high-temperature BC (800 °C, HTBC) amended sandy-loam soil under full (FI), deficit (DI) and partial root-zone drying irrigation (PRD). LTBC and HTBC significantly reduced intrinsic water-use efficiency (WUE) by 12 and 14 %, and instantaneous WUE by 8 and 16 %, respectively, in faba bean leaves, despite improved photosynthetic (An) and transpiration rate (Tr), and stomatal conductance (gs). Compared to FI, DI and PRD lowered faba bean An, gs and Tr, but enhanced leaf-scale and time-integrated WUE as proxied by the diminished shoots Δ13C. PRD enhanced WUE as lower gs, Tr and guard cell length than DI-plants. Despite higher carbon ([C]) and N concentration ([N]) in faba bean shoots amended by BC, the aboveground C- and N-pool of faba bean were reduced, while these pools increased for ryegrass. The N-use efficiency (NUE) in faba bean shoots was reduced by 9 and 14 % for LTBC and HTBC, respectively, but not for ryegrass. Interestingly, ryegrass shoots had 52 % higher NUE than faba bean shoots. The N derived from atmosphere (% Ndfa) was increased by 2 and 9 % under LTBC and HTBC, respectively, while it decreased slightly by reduced irrigation. Quantity of BNF in faba bean aboveground biomass decreased with HTBC coupled with reduced irrigation, mainly towards decreased biomass and soil N uptake by faba bean. Therefore, HTBC might not be a feasible option to improve WUE and BNF in faba bean-ryegrass intercropping, but PRD is permissible as the clear trade-off between BC and PRD.

Particle size composition characteristics of weathered debris from grey-green slate under the action of freeze-thaw and dry-wet cycles.

The material basis for soil formation is rock weathering debris. Understanding the particle size composition characteristics of rock weathering debris and its impacts is important for improving the soil structure of dry farmland in the central dry zone of Ningxia,China. In this study, the particle sizes of weathered debris collected from grey-green slate after indoor simulations of freeze-thaw and dry-wet cycles tests were examined. The results were as follows: (1) Under 16 treatments, the weathering debris of grey-green slate contained about 10% or less very fine sand and coarse silt, while clay, fine silt, and fine sand were the most abundant sizes (at least 60% of the total). (2) Under each treatment, the average particle size of the grey-green slate weathered debris was 5.52Ф (silt grade). The overall skewness was high, but the symmetry was poor. The particle size frequency distribution curve had many broad peaks or multiple peaks. (3) The fractal dimension was associated with very fine silt but had a strong negative correlation with fine sand and medium-coarse sand. The results indicate that fractal dimension can reflect the grain size characteristics of weathered debris. The mineral element content of the grey-green slate somewhat affected the fractal dimension, and it positively correlated with environmental electrical conductivity (EC) and element-leaching amount; it negatively correlated with particle size, temperature, and pH. According to the findings, the fractal dimension can accurately represent the particle size distribution of weathered debris. The generation of grey-green slate weathering debris should be considered in the formation and development of local soil.

A case report of unusual cavity presentation of pulmonary extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue.

RATIONALE: The common CT scan findings of pulmonary MZBL of MALT type include airspace consolidation, nodules and ground-glass opacity. But, to our knowledge, the present case is the first report of a cavity presentation of pulmonary MZBL of MALT type. PATIENT CONCERNS: The patient gives his consent and authorizes the photographs featuring his likeness to be published. DIAGNOSES: This patient was diagnosed as pulmonary MZBL of MALT type by pathology, immunohistochemistry, and gene rearrangement. INTERVENTIONS: The patient was treated with CHOP (cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, vincristine and prednisone) chemotherapy for twice and antibiotics. OUTCOMES: He is being followed up for one year, with slight progress in pulmonary MZBL of MALT. LESSONS: This case highlights the need to be suspicious of MZBL of MALT type, when a radiographic image shows cavity lesion. We should consider whether the diagnosis is correct, when the patient's treatment is not effective.

LlSR28 is involved in pollen germination by affecting filamentous actin dynamics.

Alternative splicing plays important roles in gene regulation and contributes to protein complexity. Previous studies suggest that alternative splicing exists in members of the villin/gelsolin/fragmin superfamily. In this study, a serine/argine-rich (SR) protein cDNA with 28 kDa protein (LlSR28) was isolated from a lily (Lilium longiflorum) expression library. Protein domain analysis showed that LlSR28 had similar structures to Arabidopsis SR45 (AtSR45), and LlSR28 could complement the phenotype of loss of AtSR45 function. Therefore, overexpression of LlSR28 and AtSR45 mutant (atsr45-1) were used in the following experiments. Overexpression of LlSR28 in Arabidopsis completely inhibited pollen germination. In contrast, the pollen germination of atsr45-1 was earlier than that of wild-type. In addition, pollen of atsr45-1 contained less F-actin at the corresponding hydration stage during pollen germination compared to that of wild-type. Alternative splicing analysis showed that Arabidopsis villin1 (AtVLN1) transcript encoding the full-length protein was increased, and that encoding the truncated protein was decreased in atst45-1. Moreover, the mRNA expression level of other actin-binding proteins (ABPs) abundant in Arabidopsis pollen was also changed in atsr45-1. In conclusion, we hypothesize that LlSR28 alters F-actin dynamics probably through its alternative splicing activities to affect directly or indirectly the alternative splicing of AtVLN1 and the expression of different ABPs, which then affects the pollen germination.