A novel nonlinear model for estimating ideal packing density of mixtures.

Packing density models could predict the bulk density and void ratio of particulate materials. The original linear packing density model (LPDM) is linearly related to each grain size fraction. However, when using the LPDM model, the predicted packing density and void ratio have large deviation compared with the experimentally measured values.

Natural variation in ZmNRT2.5 modulates husk leaf width and promotes seed protein content in maize.

The husk leaf of maize (Zea mays) encases the ear as a modified leaf and plays pivotal roles in protecting the ear from pathogen infection, translocating nutrition for grains and warranting grain yield. However, the natural genetic basis for variation in husk leaf width remains largely unexplored. Here, we performed a genome-wide association study for maize husk leaf width and identified a 3-bp InDel (insertion/deletion) in the coding region of the nitrate transporter gene ZmNRT2.