Fertigation control system based on the mariotte siphon.

This paper adopts the Mariotte siphon to simplify the nutrient solution preparation structure while improving the liquid mixing accuracy for nutrient solution. A liquid mixing model suitable for EC and pH regulation was constructed by combining fuzzy control algorithms, and a set of fertigation nutrient solution control equipment was designed and developed. During the experiment, comparison was made between the Fuzzy-PID algorithm and the traditional PID algorithm in terms of nutrient solution configuration.

Phenotypic and transcriptome profiling of spikes reveals the regulation of light regimens on spike growth and fertile floret number in wheat.

The spike growth phase is critical for the establishment of fertile floret (grain) numbers in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Then, how to shorten the spike growth phase and increase grain number synergistically? Here, we showed high-resolution analyses of floret primordia (FP) number, morphology and spike transcriptomes during the spike growth phase under three light regimens.

Ultrasensitive molecular imprinted electrochemical sensor for in vivo determination of glycine betaine in plants.

Glycine betaine (GB) is a bioactive molecule protecting plants from abiotic stress. This study fabricated an ultrasensitive molecular imprinted polymer (MIP) electrochemical sensor to perform in vivo measurements of GB. Polydopamine (PDA) was formed on the carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (COOH-MWCNTs) by spontaneous polymerisation of dopamine (DA).

Effects of light-emitting diode spectral combinations on growth and quality of pea sprouts under long photoperiod.

Pea sprouts have rich nutrition and are considered good for heart health. In this study, the kaspa peas and black-eyed peas were chosen to clarify the effect of different LED spectral combinations on the growth, yield, and nutritional quality of pea sprouts under long photoperiod (22 h light/2 h dark). The results showed that the two pea varieties responded differently to light spectral combinations.

Effects of light quality on growth, nutritional characteristics, and antioxidant properties of winter wheat seedlings ( L.).

Wheat seedlings are becoming popular for its high nutritional value. Effects of White (W), White + Red (WR), and White + Blue (WB) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) treatments on growth, nutritional characteristics and antioxidant properties of wheat seedlings were studied in a plant factory. The results showed that height, leaf area, shoot fresh, and shoot dry weight per wheat seedling were the highest under WR at 13 and 22 days after planting.

Research on soil moisture prediction model based on deep learning.

Soil moisture is one of the main factors in agricultural production and hydrological cycles, and its precise prediction is important for the rational use and management of water resources. However, soil moisture involves complex structural characteristics and meteorological factors, and it is difficult to establish an ideal mathematical model for soil moisture prediction. Existing prediction models have problems such as prediction accuracy, generalization, and multi-feature processing capability, and prediction performance must improve.

Soil moisture and nitrate-nitrogen dynamics and economic yield in the greenhouse cultivation of tomato and cucumber under negative pressure irrigation in the North China Plain.

A field experiment was carried out for two years to investigate the benefits of negative pressure water supply on surface soil water content, nitrate-nitrogen (NO-N) distribution in the soil profile, economic yield and water and fertilizer use efficiency of tomato and cucumber under greenhouse cultivation in the North China Plain. The experiment included two irrigation treatments: drip irrigation with nutrient solution (DIN) and negative pressure irrigation with nutrient solution (NIN). The results showed that the NIN treatment had a relatively stable soil moisture (about 87% of field capacity), and the fluctuation of soil water content in the 0-20 cm soil layer was 20.

[Analysis of inorganic elements in hydroponic Taraxacum mongolicum grown under different spectrum combinations by ICP-AES].

Dandelion (Taraxacum mongolicum) was hydroponically cultured in a completely enclosed plant factory, in which fluorescence and LED emitting spectra of different bands were used as the sole light source for plant growth. Effects of spectral component on the growth of dandelion were studied and the contents of ten inorganic elements such as K, P, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu and B in dandelion were analyzed by ICP-AES technology. The results showed that: (1) Under the condition of similar photosynthetic active radiation (PAR), single R or combined spectrums of FLRB were beneficial for biomass accumulation, while single B was the contrary; (2) Macroelements content ratio in Taraxacum mongolicum grown under FLwas K:Ca:P:Mg : Na=79.

An improved sensor for precision detection of in situ stem water content using a frequency domain fringing capacitor.

One role of stems is that of water storage. The water content of stems increases and decreases as xylem water potential increases and decreases, respectively. Hence, a nondestructive method to measure stem water content (StWC) = (volume of water) : (volume of stem), could be useful in monitoring the drought stress status of plants.

[Effects of LED spectrum combinations on the absorption of mineral elements of hydroponic lettuce].

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) was hydroponically cultured in a completely enclosed plant factory, in which spectrum proportion-adjustable LED panels were used as sole light source for plant growth. Absorption and content of eleven mineral elements such as K, P, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B and Mo in Lactuca sativa under different spectral component conditions were studied by ICP -AES technology. The results showed that: (1) Single or combined spectrums corresponding to the absorbing peaks of chlorophyll a and b (450, 660 nm) could enhance the absorbing ability of roots especially for mineral elements Na, Fe, Mn, Cu and Mo, the single red spectrum had the most significant promoting effect under which contents of those four elements were respectively 7.

[Analysis of the mineral elements of Lactuca sativa under the condition of different spectral components].

Mineral elements absorption and content of Lactuca sativa under different spectral component conditions were studied by ICP-AES technology. The results showed that: (1) For Lactuca sativa, the average proportion for Ca : Mg : K : Na : P was 5.5 : 2.

Effectiveness of a water-saving super-absorbent polymer in soil water conservation for corn (Zea mays L.) based on eco-physiological parameters.

Background: The objective was to study soil water conservation and physiological growth of corn (Zea mays L.) using water-saving super-absorbent polymer (SAP) at 30 kg ha(-1). The effectiveness of SAP was studied under three irrigation levels (adequate, moderate and deficit) using a new type of negative hydraulic pressure controlled auto-irrigator in the years 2009 and 2010 in a greenhouse at Beijing, P.

A lysimeter study of nitrate leaching, optimum fertilisation rate and growth responses of corn (Zea mays L.) following soil amendment with water-saving super-absorbent polymer.

Background: Nitrate leaching and the resulting groundwater contamination from intensive cereal production has become a major concern for long-term farmland efficiency and environmental sustainability in northern China. The aim of this study was to evaluate a water-saving super-absorbent polymer (SAP) for minimising NO(3)(-) leaching from soil and optimising corn growth and yield. Thirty-six undisturbed soil lysimeters were installed in a field lysimeter facility in drought-affected northern China to study the growth and yield characteristics of summer corn (Zea mays L.

Effects of water-saving superabsorbent polymer on antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation in corn (Zea mays L.) under drought stress.

Background: Drought is the most important abiotic stress factor limiting corn (Zea mays L.) growth and productivity. Therefore efficient management of soil moisture and study of metabolic changes in response to drought are important for improved production of corn.

Effects of water-saving superabsorbent polymer on antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation in oat (Avena sativa L.) under drought stress.

Background: Drought stress significantly limits oat (Avena sativa L.) growth and productivity. Thus an efficient management of soil moisture and study of metabolic changes in response to drought are important for improved production of oat.

[Effects of water supply tension on photosynthetic characteristics and root activity of greenhouse cucumber].

To study the effects of soil water content on the photosynthesis, fluorescence parameters, and root growth of greenhouse cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), a pot experiment was conducted, using a negative pressure water supplying and controlling device to control soil moisture regime. Seven levels of water supply tension (WST), i.