Assessing the impact of climate change(CC)on agricultural production systems is mainly done using crop models associated with climate model outputs.This review is one of the few,with the main objective of providing a ...Assessing the impact of climate change(CC)on agricultural production systems is mainly done using crop models associated with climate model outputs.This review is one of the few,with the main objective of providing a recent compendium of CC impact studies on irrigation needs and rice yields for a better understanding and use of climate and crop models.We discuss the strengths and weaknesses of climate impact studies on agricultural production systems,with a particular focus on uncertainty and sensitivity analyses of crop models.Although the new generation global climate models(GCMs)are more robust than previous ones,there is still a need to consider the effect of climate uncertainty on estimates when using them.Current GCMs cannot directly simulate the agro-climatic variables of interest for future irrigation assessment,hence the use of intelligent climate tools.Therefore,sensitivity and uncertainty analyses must be applied to crop models,especially for their calibration under different conditions.The impacts of CC on irrigation needs and rice yields vary across regions,seasons,varieties and crop models.Finally,integrated assessments,the use of remote sensing data,climate smart tools,CO_(2)enrichment experiments,consideration of changing crop management practices and multi-scale crop modeling,seem to be the approaches to be pursued for future climate impact assessments for agricultural systems。展开更多
ISFM (integrated soil fertility management) involving annual sequencing of dual-purpose early-maturing first crop of cowpeas with biomass incorporation before seeding second crop of early-maturing NERICA (New Rice ...ISFM (integrated soil fertility management) involving annual sequencing of dual-purpose early-maturing first crop of cowpeas with biomass incorporation before seeding second crop of early-maturing NERICA (New Rice for Africa) was evaluated to enhance rice productivity and soil-nitrogen. Five dual-purpose early-maturing cowpea cultivars and local cultivar (Katche) were seeded early in the wet season in five farmers' fields at Ouake (9046' N, 1°35′ E, highly degraded-savanna), Benin. After pod harvest, cowpea residues were minimally worked into the soil using minimum tillage with hand-hoe and seeded with early-maturing, resilient NERICA8 rice that received either 20 kg N/ha or zero-N. Cowpea grain yield averaged 0.1-0.3 Mg/ha, and mean aboveground cowpea biomass produced and recycled was 0.54-0.64 Mg/ha among best cultivars (IT97-568-11 and IT89KD-288). NERICA8 seeded after cowpea cv. IT97-568-11 and supplied with 20N gave the greatest grain yield of about 2.0 Mg/ha, accounting for 500% heavier grains than fallow-rice rotation with zero-N. Mineral-N dynamics monitored under NERICA8 in year 2 showed that previous IT97-568-11 plots had the highest mineral-N at tillering which persisted till panicle initiation stage. The adoption of an ISFM comprising annual cowpea-NERICA sequence by smallholder rice farmers could enhance productivity and improve N-supply in fragile savannas.展开更多
In recent years, electrochemical precipitation has gained interest as an alternative method for the synthesis of various minerals, including struvite, from waste streams that can serve as an alternative fertilizer. St...In recent years, electrochemical precipitation has gained interest as an alternative method for the synthesis of various minerals, including struvite, from waste streams that can serve as an alternative fertilizer. Studies in lowland cultivations, specifically rice (Oryza sativa) under flood-irrigated conditions, evaluating struvite as a possible alternative phosphorus (P) fertilizer source have been limited. The objective of this study was to evaluate rice response to electrochemically precipitated struvite (ECST) compared to triple superphosphate (TSP), diammonium phosphate (DAP), a chemically precipitated struvite (CPST), and an unamended control (UC), grown under flooded-soil conditions in the greenhouse. Aboveground vegetative dry matter (DM) P concentration was greatest from the UC (0.18%) and was lowest from DAP (0.08%). Root DM Mg concentration was greatest from ECST (0.13%) and was lowest from TSP (0.10%). Grain yield was greatest from DAP (11.2 Mg•ha<sup>−1</sup>) and was lowest from the UC (4.0 Mg•ha<sup>−1</sup>). Grain N, P, K, and Mg uptake were consistently greatest from DAP and consistently lowest from the UC. Grain N concentration was 1.1 times greater from CPST than from ECST, while all other measured rice properties did not differ between the struvite-P sources. The many similar rice responses between struvite materials (ECST and CPST) and TSP and DAP demonstrate that struvite, particularly ECST, is a valid alternative fertilizer-P source for rice-production systems. Further studies should evaluate potential environmental implications (i.e., runoff water quality and greenhouse gas emissions) from struvite use that could affect agricultural sustainability.展开更多
High-quality rice flour is the foundation for the production of various rice-based products.Milling is an essential step in obtaining rice flour,during which significant changes occur in the physicochemical and qualit...High-quality rice flour is the foundation for the production of various rice-based products.Milling is an essential step in obtaining rice flour,during which significant changes occur in the physicochemical and quality characteristics of the flour.Although rice flour obtained through mainstream wet milling methods exhibits superior quality,low production efficiency and wastewater discharge limit the development of the industry.Dry milling,on the other hand,conserves water resources,but adversely affects flour performance due to excessive heat generation.As an emerging powder-making technique,semi-dry milling offers a promising solution by enhancing flour quality and reducing environmental impact.This is achieved by minimizing soaking time through hot air treatment while reducing mechanical energy consumption to reach saturated water absorption levels.However,continuous production remains a challenge.This comprehensive review summarizes the effects of various milling technologies on rice flour properties and product qualities.It also discusses key control indicators and technical considerations for rice flour processing equipment and processes.展开更多
Rice production is crucial for food security in China,and its relationship with rural labor migration has been studied extensively.Labor migration in rural China has taken new forms in recent years.There has been a di...Rice production is crucial for food security in China,and its relationship with rural labor migration has been studied extensively.Labor migration in rural China has taken new forms in recent years.There has been a discernible trend wherein adult children have started migrating to cities while their elderly parents return to villages to re-engage in on-farm work.The phenomenon has notably shaped the intergenerational division of labor(IDL)within households.However,it remains to be seen how farmers adjust their rice production systems in response to the IDL.The age of 60 years for employment injury insurance is the eligibility threshold for off-farm employment and is used to obtain a source of exogenous variation in the IDL.Based on a representative household survey of 1,752 rice farmers in the Hubei Province of Central China,our fuzzy regression discontinuity analysis reveals that farmers in IDL households are more likely to adopt ratoon rice(RR)than single cropping rice(SR)or double cropping rice(DR).The effect of the IDL varies under different levels of operational scales and specialized agricultural service availability.Further analysis suggests that farmers’arrangements are associated with two potential mechanisms of downward intergenerational transfer.Monetary transfer for urban housing purchases increases RR in IDL households,and time transfer for intergenerational childcare significantly promotes SR in IDL households.This study enhances the understanding of the relationship between rural labor migration and rice production in China,providing a reference for adjusting rice production systems to ensure food security.展开更多
Rice has a huge impact on socio-economic growth,and ensuring its sustainability and optimal utilization is vital.This review provides an insight into the role of smart farming in enhancing rice productivity.The applic...Rice has a huge impact on socio-economic growth,and ensuring its sustainability and optimal utilization is vital.This review provides an insight into the role of smart farming in enhancing rice productivity.The applications of smart farming in rice production including yield estimation,smart irrigation systems,monitoring disease and growth,and predicting rice quality and classifications are highlighted.The challenges of smart farming in sustainable rice production to enhance the understanding of researchers,policymakers,and stakeholders are discussed.Numerous efforts have been exerted to combat the issues in rice production in order to promote rice sector development.The effective implementation of smart farming in rice production has been facilitated by various technical advancements,particularly the integration of the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence.The future prospects of smart farming in transforming existing rice production practices are also elucidated.Through the utilization of smart farming,the rice industry can attain sustainable and resilient production systems that could mitigate environmental impact and safeguard food security.Thus,the rice industry holds a bright future in transforming current rice production practices into a new outlook in rice smart farming development.展开更多
[Objective] The aim was to research relationship between SPAD decline index after full-heading stage (SDIFHS) and productivity of rice. fertilized with nitro- gen in order to provide theoretical and practical refere...[Objective] The aim was to research relationship between SPAD decline index after full-heading stage (SDIFHS) and productivity of rice. fertilized with nitro- gen in order to provide theoretical and practical references for selection and breed- ing of rice varieties. [Method] From 2008 to 2010, 18 mid-season hybrid rice vari- eties were researched every year to explore relationship' between SDIFHS and pro- ductivity of rice fertilized with nitrogen. [Result] The productivity of rice fertilized with nitrogen was of extremely significant positive corretation with SDIFHS, because the higher SPAD decline index is, the higher LAI decline index and the transformation ratio of dry matter to spikes in overground plant would be. [Conclusion] The re- search established a new method to predict productivity of rice fertilized with nitro- gen based on SPAD decline index.展开更多
Irrigation in lowland rice production systems in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is mainly based on traditional surface irrigation methods with continuous flooding practices. This irrigation method ends up using a lot more w...Irrigation in lowland rice production systems in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is mainly based on traditional surface irrigation methods with continuous flooding practices. This irrigation method ends up using a lot more water that would have otherwise been used to open more land and be used in other water-requiring sectors. Various studies suggest Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) as an alternative practice for water management that reduces water use without significantly affecting yield. However, this practice has not been well adopted by the farmers despite its significant benefits of reduced total water use. Improving the adoption of AWD using irrigation Decision Support Systems (DSSs) helps the farmer on two fronts;to know “how much water to apply” and “when to irrigate”, which is very critical in maximizing productivity. This paper reviews the applicability of DSSs using AWD in lowland rice production systems in Sub-Saharan Africa.展开更多
Well-aggregated soil has been shown to improve soil infiltration and reduce runoff and soil erosion, making well-aggregated soil important for productive, sustainable agriculture. One factor that may influence near-su...Well-aggregated soil has been shown to improve soil infiltration and reduce runoff and soil erosion, making well-aggregated soil important for productive, sustainable agriculture. One factor that may influence near-surface soil aggregate stability is fertilizer application. Rapid dissolution of fertilizers, which are mostly salts, can potentially disperse clays and destabilize aggregates. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential effect of various fertilizer-phosphorus (P) and -nitrogen (N) sources [i.e., triple superphosphate (TSP), monoammonium phosphate (MAP), chemically precipitated struvite (CPST), electrochemically precipitated struvite (ECST), environmentally smart nitrogen (ESN)] and soil depth on water-stable aggregates (WSA) in furrow-irrigated rice on a silt-loam soil (Typic Albaqualf). Total WSA (TWSA) concentration was unaffected (P > 0.05) by fertilizer treatment or soil depth, while WSA concentration was numerically largest (P ∙g<sup>-1</sup>), which did not differ from CPST, ECST, and ESN in the 0 - 5 cm depth or the unamended control in the 0 - 5 and 5 - 10 cm depths, and was at least 1.7 times larger than ESN in the 5 - 10 cm depth (0.03 g∙g<sup>-1</sup>). Results indicated that WSA concentration among non-struvite fertilizer-P sources was generally similar to that from the struvite fertilizer materials. Principal component analysis determined that 32% of the variation of TWSA was mainly explained by changes in soil bulk density, pH, and electrical conductivity. Long-term, continual annual application of fertilizer-P and N could negatively impact soil aggregate stability, soil structure, and potentially erosion.展开更多
High photosynthetic productivity and widephotosynthetic adaptability are two importantphysiological characteristics for the sustained highyield and wider growing range of rice.Preliminaryexperiments indicated that the...High photosynthetic productivity and widephotosynthetic adaptability are two importantphysiological characteristics for the sustained highyield and wider growing range of rice.Preliminaryexperiments indicated that the utilization ofbeterosis between two different ecotype rices,US展开更多
Rice is a staple food crop in China.Since the 1950’s,many new varieties havebeen used and resulted in great increase ofyield.However there were still some barriersin the nationwide extension of new varietiesdue to th...Rice is a staple food crop in China.Since the 1950’s,many new varieties havebeen used and resulted in great increase ofyield.However there were still some barriersin the nationwide extension of new varietiesdue to the insufficient information about thecharacteristics of varieties.So,it is impor-tant to find ways of determining the potential展开更多
In the light of an increasing demand for staple food, especially rice, in southeast China, investigations on the specific site potential expressed as the relationship between soil and crop yield parameters gain increa...In the light of an increasing demand for staple food, especially rice, in southeast China, investigations on the specific site potential expressed as the relationship between soil and crop yield parameters gain increasing importance. Soil texture and several soil chemical parameters as well as plant properties such as crop height, biomass and grain yield were investigated along two terraced catenas with contrasting soil textures cropped with wet rice. We were aiming at identifying correlative relationships between soil and crop properties. Data were analyzed both statistically and geostatistically on the basis of semivariograms. Statistical analysis indicated a significant influence of the relief position on the spatial distribution of soil texture, total carbon and total nitrogen contents. Significant correlations were found for the catena located in a sandstone area (Catena A) between rice yield and silt as well as total nitrogen content. Corresponding relationships were not detectable for paddy fields that developed from Quaternary clays (Catena B). As suggested by the nugget to sill ratio, spatial variability of soil texture, total carbon and nitrogen was mainly controlled by intrinsic factors, which might be attributed to the erosional transport of fine soil constituents, indicating the importance of the relief position and slope in soil development even in landscapes that are terraced. The crop parameters exhibited short ranges of influence and about one third of their variability was unexplained. Comparable ranges of selected crop and soil parameters, found only for Catena A, are indicative of close spatial interactions between rice yield and soil features. Our findings show that especially in sandstone-dominated areas, a site-specific management can contribute to an environmentally safe rice production increase.展开更多
Azospirillum brasilense and Pseudomonas fluorescens are well-known plant growth promoting rhizobacteria.However,the effects of A.brasilense and P.fluorescens on the N cycles in the paddy field and rice plant growth ar...Azospirillum brasilense and Pseudomonas fluorescens are well-known plant growth promoting rhizobacteria.However,the effects of A.brasilense and P.fluorescens on the N cycles in the paddy field and rice plant growth are little known.This study investigated whether and how A.brasilense and P.fluorescens contribute to the N transformations and N supply capacities in the rhizosphere,and clarified the effects of A.brasilense and P.fluorescens on the N application rate in rice cultivation.Inoculations with A.brasilense and P.fluorescens coupled with N application rate trials were conducted in the paddy field in 2016 and 2017.The inoculations of rice seedlings included four treatments:sterile saline solution(M_(0)),A.brasilense(M_(b)),P.fluorescens(M_(p)),and co-inoculation with a mixture of A.brasilense and P.fluorescens(M_(bp)).The N application rate included four levels:0 kg N ha^(–1)(N_(0)),90 kg N ha^(–1)(N_(90)),180 kg N ha^(–1)(N_(180)),and 270 kg N ha^(–1)(N_(270)).The results indicated that the M_(bp) and M_(p) treatments significantly enhanced the ammonification activities in the rhizosphere compared with the M_(0) treatment,especially for higher N applications,while the Mbp and M_(b) treatments greatly enhanced the nitrogenase activities in the rhizosphere compared with the M_(0) treatments,especially for lower N applications.Azospirillum brasilense and P.fluorescens did not participate in the nitrification processes or the denitrification processes in the soil.The soil respiration rate and microbial biomass N were greatly affected by the interactions between the rhizobacteria inoculations and the N fertilizer applications.In the M_(bp) treatment,N supply capacities and rice grain yields showed no significant differences among the N_(90),N_(180),and N_(270) applications.The N application rate in the study region can be reduced to 90 kg N ha^(–1) for rice seedlings co-inoculated with a mixture of A.brasilense and P.fluorescens.展开更多
To reduce the impact of rainfall variability on lowland rice yields, Burkina Faso state develops lowlands for small rice farmers. However, the high cost of these infrastructures makes impossible to duplicate them to s...To reduce the impact of rainfall variability on lowland rice yields, Burkina Faso state develops lowlands for small rice farmers. However, the high cost of these infrastructures makes impossible to duplicate them to satisfy the needs which are enormous. The Smart-Valley technology which is actually popularized in certain coastal countries of West Africa would therefore be a boon to increase the productivity of the Sudanese lowlands if it well regulates runoff. The object of this study was therefore to know if smart valley technology could increase soil moisture in order to mitigate the impact of drought’s pockets on rice cultivation in the Sudanese lowlands. The experiment takes place in three lowlands during the rainy seasons 2018 and 2019. The climatic data comes from the meteorological stations in the study areas as well as those installed on the sites. The infiltration measurements were carried out using the double Muntz ring. The soil moisture measurement device consisted of a smart valley area of 5 ha and an undeveloped area of 5 ha per site. Sixteen tubes were installed per lowland allowing the humidity to be measured at a depth of 10, 20, 30, 40 cm using a probe. Four rice varieties, Orylux6, FKR62N, FKR19 and FKR64 were tested on plots of 0.25 ha per variety in the smart valley and undeveloped parts. The results showed that the humidity level was 12% higher in the smart-valley plots throughout the cycle compared to the unmanaged area. In addition, humidity decreases rapidly in unmanaged plots as rain becomes increasingly scarce. Finally, the smart-valley development allowed an average increase in rice yields of 21% compared to the average yield of undeveloped plots.展开更多
With inevitable growth of demand for human and industrial needs,water available for agriculture will become scarcer in the future.India is a highly water-stressed country.Hence,India needs to invest in improving its w...With inevitable growth of demand for human and industrial needs,water available for agriculture will become scarcer in the future.India is a highly water-stressed country.Hence,India needs to invest in improving its water productivity,and any capacity to produce more rice with less water.System of Rice Intensification(SRI)has attracted much attention in increasing rice yield per unit area.For this study,fifteen farmers were selected those were practicing SRI technology by themselves during the Boro-cultivation season(January-April).The study was continued for three consecutive years 2012 to 14 on the same fields.In addition to the SRI plots,a similar size of non-SRI plot was maintained in conventional cultivation for comparison purpose.On an average,the non-SR I ight increased by 12%,number of tillers per square meter by 85%,number of reproductive tillers per hill by 286%,weight of panicle per hill by 139%,number of seeds per panicle by 41%and test weight by 26% due to SRI practice over the non-SRI practice.Average increment in straw and grain yield due to SRI over the non-SRI is 70%and 59%respectively.The physico-chemical and biological properties of soil improved due to SRI practice.展开更多
A pot experiment was performed to learn the differences in plant productivity and OH4 emission between two rice cultivars, super rice variety Ningjing 1 and traditional variety Zhendao 11, which were currently commerc...A pot experiment was performed to learn the differences in plant productivity and OH4 emission between two rice cultivars, super rice variety Ningjing 1 and traditional variety Zhendao 11, which were currently commercially appUed in Nanjing, China. Similar seasonal changes of CH4 emission fluxes and soil solution CH4 contents were found between the tested cultivars. Although there was no significant difference in plant biomass production between the cultivars, the grain yield of Ningjing 1 was significantly higher by 35.0% (P 〈 0.05) than that of Zhendao 11, whereas the total CH4 emission from Ningjing 1 was 35.2% lower (P 〈 0.05). The main difference in the amounts of CH4 emission between the cultivars occurred in the period from the tillering stage to the heading stage. The biomass-scaled and yield-scaled CH4 emissions were respectively 3.8 and 5.2 mg/g for Ningjing 1, significantly lower than those for Zhendao 11 (7.4 and 12.8 mg/g, respectively). According to the relationships between the plant growth characteristics and the CH4 emission, a stronger root system contributed mainly to the lower CH4 emission of Ningjing 1, as compared with Zhendao 11. Our results demonstrated that super rice has advantages not only in grain productivity but also in CH4 emission mitigation. Further expansion of super rice cropping will enhance rice yield and reduce greenhouse gas emission in China.展开更多
This paper aims to demonstrate the relationships between ENSO and rice production of Jiangxi province in order to identify the reason that ENSO might have little effect on Chinese rice production. Using a data set wit...This paper aims to demonstrate the relationships between ENSO and rice production of Jiangxi province in order to identify the reason that ENSO might have little effect on Chinese rice production. Using a data set with measures of Jiangxi's climate and rice production, we find the reason that during 1985 and 2004 ENSO's well correlated with rainfall did not promote Chinese rice production. First, the largest effects of ENSO mostly occur in the months when there is no rice in the field. Second, there is almost no temperature effect. Finally, the monthly distribution of rainfall is almost the same in ENSO and neutral years because the largest effects are during months when there is the least rain. In addition, due to the high irrigation share and reliable and effective irrigation facilities of cultivated land, China's rice production is less climate-sensitive.展开更多
The great progress in super rice breeding both in China and other countries has been made in recent years. However, there were three main problems in super rice breeding: 1) the super rice varieties were still rare...The great progress in super rice breeding both in China and other countries has been made in recent years. However, there were three main problems in super rice breeding: 1) the super rice varieties were still rare; 2) most super rice varieties exhibited narrow adaptability; and 3) current breeding theories emphasized too much on the rice growth model, but they were unpractical in guidance for rice breeding. According to the authors' experience on the rice breeding, the breeding strategies including three steps (super parent breeding, super hybrid rice breeding and super hybrid rice seed production) were proposed, and the objectives of each step and the key technologies to achieve the goals were elucidated in detail. The super parent of hybrid rice should exhibit excellent performance in all agronomic traits, with the yield or sink capacity reached the level of the hybrid rice control in regional trials. The super hybrid rice combination should meet the following criteria: good rice quality, wide adaptation, lodging resistance, resistance to main insects and diseases, and the yield exceeded above 8% over the control varieties in the national and provincial regional trials. To achieve the goal, the technical strategies, such as selecting optimal combination of the parents, increasing selection pressure, paying more attention to harmony of ideal plant type, excellent physiological traits and all the agronomic traits, should be emphasized. The yield of seed production should reach 3.75 t/ha and 5.25 t/ha for the super hybrid rice combinations derived from early-season and middle-season types of male sterile lines, respectively. The main technologies for raising seed production yield included selecting optimum seed production site, using the male sterile line with large sink capacity and good outcrossing characteristics, and improving the amount of the pollen by intensive cultivation of the male parent. According to the technologies of the three-step breeding on super hybrid rice, two super rice parents, including a male parent 996 and a thermo(photo)-genic male sterile [T(P)GMS] line C815S, were bred. Furthermore, a super early hybrid rice combination, Luliangyou 996, which could be used as a double-season early rice variety in middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, China, was bred by using the super rice varlet3, 996 as the male parent, and several hybrid rice combinations with higher yield than control variety in regional trials both of Hunan Province and state were bred with the T(P)GMS line C815S as the female parent.展开更多
In the study, an improved approach was proposed to identify the contribution shares of three group factors that are climate, technology and input, social economic factors by which the grain production is shaped. In or...In the study, an improved approach was proposed to identify the contribution shares of three group factors that are climate, technology and input, social economic factors by which the grain production is shaped. In order to calibrate the method, Jiangxi Province, one of the main paddy rice producers in China was taken as an example. Based on 50 years (1961-2010) meteorological and statistic data, using GIS and statistical analysis tools, the three group factors that in certain extent impact China's paddy rice production have been analyzed quantitatively. The individual and interactive contribution shares of each factor group have been identiifed via eta square (η2). In the paper, two group ordinary leasr square (OLS) models, paddy models and climate models, have been constructed for further analysis. Each model group consists of seven models, one full model and six partial models. The results of paddy models show that climate factors individually and interactively contribute 11.42-15.25%explanatory power to the variation of paddy rice production in the studied province. Technology and input factors contribute 16.17%individually and another 8.46%interactively together with climate factors, totally contributing about 25%. Social economic factors contribute about 7%of which 4.65%is individual contribution and 2.49%is interactive contribution together with climate factors. The three factor groups individually contribute about 23%and interactively contribute additional 41%to paddy rice production. In addition every two of the three factor groups also function interactively and contribute about 22%. Among the three factor groups, technology and input are the most important factors to paddy rice production. The results of climate models support the results of paddy models, and display that solar radiation (indicated by sunshine hour variable) is the dominate climate factor for paddy rice production.展开更多
Field measurements of methane emission from rice paddies were made in Nanjing, China and in Texas, USA, respectively. Soil temperature at approximately 10 cm depth of the flooded soils was automatically recorded. Abov...Field measurements of methane emission from rice paddies were made in Nanjing, China and in Texas, USA, respectively. Soil temperature at approximately 10 cm depth of the flooded soils was automatically recorded. Aboveground biomass of rice crop was measured approximately every 10 days in Nanjing and every other week in Texas. Seasonal variation of soil temperature in Nanjing was quite wide with a magnitude of 15.3°C and that in Texas was narrow with a magnitude of 2.9°C. Analysis of methane emission fluxes against soil temperature and rice biomass production demonstrated that the seasonal course of methane emission in Nanjing was mostly attributed to soil temperature changes, while that in Texas was mainly related to rice biomass production. We concluded that under the permanent flooding condition, the seasonal trend of methane emission would be determined by the soil temperature where there was a wide variation of soil temperature, and the seasonal trend would be mainly determined by rice biomass production if there are no additional organic matter inputs and the variation of soil temperature over the rice growing season is small. Key words CH4 emission - Rice paddies - Rice biomass production - Soil temperature This work was supported by grants from TECO/NASA, the United States, the Hundred Talents Program, Chinese Academy of Sciences and the National Key Basic Research Development Foundation (approved # G1999011805), China.展开更多
基金financially supported by the Strategic Support Program for Scientific Research (PASRES), C?te d’Ivoire, Project N202, 2nd session 2018
文摘Assessing the impact of climate change(CC)on agricultural production systems is mainly done using crop models associated with climate model outputs.This review is one of the few,with the main objective of providing a recent compendium of CC impact studies on irrigation needs and rice yields for a better understanding and use of climate and crop models.We discuss the strengths and weaknesses of climate impact studies on agricultural production systems,with a particular focus on uncertainty and sensitivity analyses of crop models.Although the new generation global climate models(GCMs)are more robust than previous ones,there is still a need to consider the effect of climate uncertainty on estimates when using them.Current GCMs cannot directly simulate the agro-climatic variables of interest for future irrigation assessment,hence the use of intelligent climate tools.Therefore,sensitivity and uncertainty analyses must be applied to crop models,especially for their calibration under different conditions.The impacts of CC on irrigation needs and rice yields vary across regions,seasons,varieties and crop models.Finally,integrated assessments,the use of remote sensing data,climate smart tools,CO_(2)enrichment experiments,consideration of changing crop management practices and multi-scale crop modeling,seem to be the approaches to be pursued for future climate impact assessments for agricultural systems。
文摘ISFM (integrated soil fertility management) involving annual sequencing of dual-purpose early-maturing first crop of cowpeas with biomass incorporation before seeding second crop of early-maturing NERICA (New Rice for Africa) was evaluated to enhance rice productivity and soil-nitrogen. Five dual-purpose early-maturing cowpea cultivars and local cultivar (Katche) were seeded early in the wet season in five farmers' fields at Ouake (9046' N, 1°35′ E, highly degraded-savanna), Benin. After pod harvest, cowpea residues were minimally worked into the soil using minimum tillage with hand-hoe and seeded with early-maturing, resilient NERICA8 rice that received either 20 kg N/ha or zero-N. Cowpea grain yield averaged 0.1-0.3 Mg/ha, and mean aboveground cowpea biomass produced and recycled was 0.54-0.64 Mg/ha among best cultivars (IT97-568-11 and IT89KD-288). NERICA8 seeded after cowpea cv. IT97-568-11 and supplied with 20N gave the greatest grain yield of about 2.0 Mg/ha, accounting for 500% heavier grains than fallow-rice rotation with zero-N. Mineral-N dynamics monitored under NERICA8 in year 2 showed that previous IT97-568-11 plots had the highest mineral-N at tillering which persisted till panicle initiation stage. The adoption of an ISFM comprising annual cowpea-NERICA sequence by smallholder rice farmers could enhance productivity and improve N-supply in fragile savannas.
文摘In recent years, electrochemical precipitation has gained interest as an alternative method for the synthesis of various minerals, including struvite, from waste streams that can serve as an alternative fertilizer. Studies in lowland cultivations, specifically rice (Oryza sativa) under flood-irrigated conditions, evaluating struvite as a possible alternative phosphorus (P) fertilizer source have been limited. The objective of this study was to evaluate rice response to electrochemically precipitated struvite (ECST) compared to triple superphosphate (TSP), diammonium phosphate (DAP), a chemically precipitated struvite (CPST), and an unamended control (UC), grown under flooded-soil conditions in the greenhouse. Aboveground vegetative dry matter (DM) P concentration was greatest from the UC (0.18%) and was lowest from DAP (0.08%). Root DM Mg concentration was greatest from ECST (0.13%) and was lowest from TSP (0.10%). Grain yield was greatest from DAP (11.2 Mg•ha<sup>−1</sup>) and was lowest from the UC (4.0 Mg•ha<sup>−1</sup>). Grain N, P, K, and Mg uptake were consistently greatest from DAP and consistently lowest from the UC. Grain N concentration was 1.1 times greater from CPST than from ECST, while all other measured rice properties did not differ between the struvite-P sources. The many similar rice responses between struvite materials (ECST and CPST) and TSP and DAP demonstrate that struvite, particularly ECST, is a valid alternative fertilizer-P source for rice-production systems. Further studies should evaluate potential environmental implications (i.e., runoff water quality and greenhouse gas emissions) from struvite use that could affect agricultural sustainability.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.31972005)Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region‘Tianshan Talent’Training Plan Project,China(Grant No.2022TSYCCX0063).
文摘High-quality rice flour is the foundation for the production of various rice-based products.Milling is an essential step in obtaining rice flour,during which significant changes occur in the physicochemical and quality characteristics of the flour.Although rice flour obtained through mainstream wet milling methods exhibits superior quality,low production efficiency and wastewater discharge limit the development of the industry.Dry milling,on the other hand,conserves water resources,but adversely affects flour performance due to excessive heat generation.As an emerging powder-making technique,semi-dry milling offers a promising solution by enhancing flour quality and reducing environmental impact.This is achieved by minimizing soaking time through hot air treatment while reducing mechanical energy consumption to reach saturated water absorption levels.However,continuous production remains a challenge.This comprehensive review summarizes the effects of various milling technologies on rice flour properties and product qualities.It also discusses key control indicators and technical considerations for rice flour processing equipment and processes.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(42207529)the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2022M721289).
文摘Rice production is crucial for food security in China,and its relationship with rural labor migration has been studied extensively.Labor migration in rural China has taken new forms in recent years.There has been a discernible trend wherein adult children have started migrating to cities while their elderly parents return to villages to re-engage in on-farm work.The phenomenon has notably shaped the intergenerational division of labor(IDL)within households.However,it remains to be seen how farmers adjust their rice production systems in response to the IDL.The age of 60 years for employment injury insurance is the eligibility threshold for off-farm employment and is used to obtain a source of exogenous variation in the IDL.Based on a representative household survey of 1,752 rice farmers in the Hubei Province of Central China,our fuzzy regression discontinuity analysis reveals that farmers in IDL households are more likely to adopt ratoon rice(RR)than single cropping rice(SR)or double cropping rice(DR).The effect of the IDL varies under different levels of operational scales and specialized agricultural service availability.Further analysis suggests that farmers’arrangements are associated with two potential mechanisms of downward intergenerational transfer.Monetary transfer for urban housing purchases increases RR in IDL households,and time transfer for intergenerational childcare significantly promotes SR in IDL households.This study enhances the understanding of the relationship between rural labor migration and rice production in China,providing a reference for adjusting rice production systems to ensure food security.
基金The authors wish to acknowledge the Ministry of Higher Education,Malaysia for financial support via the Transdisciplinary Research Grant Scheme Project(Grant No.TRGS/1/2020/UPM/02/7).
文摘Rice has a huge impact on socio-economic growth,and ensuring its sustainability and optimal utilization is vital.This review provides an insight into the role of smart farming in enhancing rice productivity.The applications of smart farming in rice production including yield estimation,smart irrigation systems,monitoring disease and growth,and predicting rice quality and classifications are highlighted.The challenges of smart farming in sustainable rice production to enhance the understanding of researchers,policymakers,and stakeholders are discussed.Numerous efforts have been exerted to combat the issues in rice production in order to promote rice sector development.The effective implementation of smart farming in rice production has been facilitated by various technical advancements,particularly the integration of the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence.The future prospects of smart farming in transforming existing rice production practices are also elucidated.Through the utilization of smart farming,the rice industry can attain sustainable and resilient production systems that could mitigate environmental impact and safeguard food security.Thus,the rice industry holds a bright future in transforming current rice production practices into a new outlook in rice smart farming development.
基金Supported by Southuest China Rice Innovation System and Crop High-yielding Project by Science and Technology (2011BAD02A05) Transformation Project of Agricultural Fruits into Capitals (2006GB2F000256)+2 种基金Sichuan Academic Leaders Training FundSichuan Rice Cultivation Key ProjectSichuan Financial Distribution Project~~
文摘[Objective] The aim was to research relationship between SPAD decline index after full-heading stage (SDIFHS) and productivity of rice. fertilized with nitro- gen in order to provide theoretical and practical references for selection and breed- ing of rice varieties. [Method] From 2008 to 2010, 18 mid-season hybrid rice vari- eties were researched every year to explore relationship' between SDIFHS and pro- ductivity of rice fertilized with nitrogen. [Result] The productivity of rice fertilized with nitrogen was of extremely significant positive corretation with SDIFHS, because the higher SPAD decline index is, the higher LAI decline index and the transformation ratio of dry matter to spikes in overground plant would be. [Conclusion] The re- search established a new method to predict productivity of rice fertilized with nitro- gen based on SPAD decline index.
文摘Irrigation in lowland rice production systems in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is mainly based on traditional surface irrigation methods with continuous flooding practices. This irrigation method ends up using a lot more water that would have otherwise been used to open more land and be used in other water-requiring sectors. Various studies suggest Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) as an alternative practice for water management that reduces water use without significantly affecting yield. However, this practice has not been well adopted by the farmers despite its significant benefits of reduced total water use. Improving the adoption of AWD using irrigation Decision Support Systems (DSSs) helps the farmer on two fronts;to know “how much water to apply” and “when to irrigate”, which is very critical in maximizing productivity. This paper reviews the applicability of DSSs using AWD in lowland rice production systems in Sub-Saharan Africa.
文摘Well-aggregated soil has been shown to improve soil infiltration and reduce runoff and soil erosion, making well-aggregated soil important for productive, sustainable agriculture. One factor that may influence near-surface soil aggregate stability is fertilizer application. Rapid dissolution of fertilizers, which are mostly salts, can potentially disperse clays and destabilize aggregates. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential effect of various fertilizer-phosphorus (P) and -nitrogen (N) sources [i.e., triple superphosphate (TSP), monoammonium phosphate (MAP), chemically precipitated struvite (CPST), electrochemically precipitated struvite (ECST), environmentally smart nitrogen (ESN)] and soil depth on water-stable aggregates (WSA) in furrow-irrigated rice on a silt-loam soil (Typic Albaqualf). Total WSA (TWSA) concentration was unaffected (P > 0.05) by fertilizer treatment or soil depth, while WSA concentration was numerically largest (P ∙g<sup>-1</sup>), which did not differ from CPST, ECST, and ESN in the 0 - 5 cm depth or the unamended control in the 0 - 5 and 5 - 10 cm depths, and was at least 1.7 times larger than ESN in the 5 - 10 cm depth (0.03 g∙g<sup>-1</sup>). Results indicated that WSA concentration among non-struvite fertilizer-P sources was generally similar to that from the struvite fertilizer materials. Principal component analysis determined that 32% of the variation of TWSA was mainly explained by changes in soil bulk density, pH, and electrical conductivity. Long-term, continual annual application of fertilizer-P and N could negatively impact soil aggregate stability, soil structure, and potentially erosion.
文摘High photosynthetic productivity and widephotosynthetic adaptability are two importantphysiological characteristics for the sustained highyield and wider growing range of rice.Preliminaryexperiments indicated that the utilization ofbeterosis between two different ecotype rices,US
文摘Rice is a staple food crop in China.Since the 1950’s,many new varieties havebeen used and resulted in great increase ofyield.However there were still some barriersin the nationwide extension of new varietiesdue to the insufficient information about thecharacteristics of varieties.So,it is impor-tant to find ways of determining the potential
基金the German Research Foundation (DFG) (No.LE 945/10-1).
文摘In the light of an increasing demand for staple food, especially rice, in southeast China, investigations on the specific site potential expressed as the relationship between soil and crop yield parameters gain increasing importance. Soil texture and several soil chemical parameters as well as plant properties such as crop height, biomass and grain yield were investigated along two terraced catenas with contrasting soil textures cropped with wet rice. We were aiming at identifying correlative relationships between soil and crop properties. Data were analyzed both statistically and geostatistically on the basis of semivariograms. Statistical analysis indicated a significant influence of the relief position on the spatial distribution of soil texture, total carbon and total nitrogen contents. Significant correlations were found for the catena located in a sandstone area (Catena A) between rice yield and silt as well as total nitrogen content. Corresponding relationships were not detectable for paddy fields that developed from Quaternary clays (Catena B). As suggested by the nugget to sill ratio, spatial variability of soil texture, total carbon and nitrogen was mainly controlled by intrinsic factors, which might be attributed to the erosional transport of fine soil constituents, indicating the importance of the relief position and slope in soil development even in landscapes that are terraced. The crop parameters exhibited short ranges of influence and about one third of their variability was unexplained. Comparable ranges of selected crop and soil parameters, found only for Catena A, are indicative of close spatial interactions between rice yield and soil features. Our findings show that especially in sandstone-dominated areas, a site-specific management can contribute to an environmentally safe rice production increase.
基金This study was financially supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2016YFD0200801,2016YFD0200805)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31872857)+1 种基金the Foundation of State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology,China National Rice Research Institute(2017ZZKT10404)the Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China(LY16C130007).
文摘Azospirillum brasilense and Pseudomonas fluorescens are well-known plant growth promoting rhizobacteria.However,the effects of A.brasilense and P.fluorescens on the N cycles in the paddy field and rice plant growth are little known.This study investigated whether and how A.brasilense and P.fluorescens contribute to the N transformations and N supply capacities in the rhizosphere,and clarified the effects of A.brasilense and P.fluorescens on the N application rate in rice cultivation.Inoculations with A.brasilense and P.fluorescens coupled with N application rate trials were conducted in the paddy field in 2016 and 2017.The inoculations of rice seedlings included four treatments:sterile saline solution(M_(0)),A.brasilense(M_(b)),P.fluorescens(M_(p)),and co-inoculation with a mixture of A.brasilense and P.fluorescens(M_(bp)).The N application rate included four levels:0 kg N ha^(–1)(N_(0)),90 kg N ha^(–1)(N_(90)),180 kg N ha^(–1)(N_(180)),and 270 kg N ha^(–1)(N_(270)).The results indicated that the M_(bp) and M_(p) treatments significantly enhanced the ammonification activities in the rhizosphere compared with the M_(0) treatment,especially for higher N applications,while the Mbp and M_(b) treatments greatly enhanced the nitrogenase activities in the rhizosphere compared with the M_(0) treatments,especially for lower N applications.Azospirillum brasilense and P.fluorescens did not participate in the nitrification processes or the denitrification processes in the soil.The soil respiration rate and microbial biomass N were greatly affected by the interactions between the rhizobacteria inoculations and the N fertilizer applications.In the M_(bp) treatment,N supply capacities and rice grain yields showed no significant differences among the N_(90),N_(180),and N_(270) applications.The N application rate in the study region can be reduced to 90 kg N ha^(–1) for rice seedlings co-inoculated with a mixture of A.brasilense and P.fluorescens.
文摘To reduce the impact of rainfall variability on lowland rice yields, Burkina Faso state develops lowlands for small rice farmers. However, the high cost of these infrastructures makes impossible to duplicate them to satisfy the needs which are enormous. The Smart-Valley technology which is actually popularized in certain coastal countries of West Africa would therefore be a boon to increase the productivity of the Sudanese lowlands if it well regulates runoff. The object of this study was therefore to know if smart valley technology could increase soil moisture in order to mitigate the impact of drought’s pockets on rice cultivation in the Sudanese lowlands. The experiment takes place in three lowlands during the rainy seasons 2018 and 2019. The climatic data comes from the meteorological stations in the study areas as well as those installed on the sites. The infiltration measurements were carried out using the double Muntz ring. The soil moisture measurement device consisted of a smart valley area of 5 ha and an undeveloped area of 5 ha per site. Sixteen tubes were installed per lowland allowing the humidity to be measured at a depth of 10, 20, 30, 40 cm using a probe. Four rice varieties, Orylux6, FKR62N, FKR19 and FKR64 were tested on plots of 0.25 ha per variety in the smart valley and undeveloped parts. The results showed that the humidity level was 12% higher in the smart-valley plots throughout the cycle compared to the unmanaged area. In addition, humidity decreases rapidly in unmanaged plots as rain becomes increasingly scarce. Finally, the smart-valley development allowed an average increase in rice yields of 21% compared to the average yield of undeveloped plots.
文摘With inevitable growth of demand for human and industrial needs,water available for agriculture will become scarcer in the future.India is a highly water-stressed country.Hence,India needs to invest in improving its water productivity,and any capacity to produce more rice with less water.System of Rice Intensification(SRI)has attracted much attention in increasing rice yield per unit area.For this study,fifteen farmers were selected those were practicing SRI technology by themselves during the Boro-cultivation season(January-April).The study was continued for three consecutive years 2012 to 14 on the same fields.In addition to the SRI plots,a similar size of non-SRI plot was maintained in conventional cultivation for comparison purpose.On an average,the non-SR I ight increased by 12%,number of tillers per square meter by 85%,number of reproductive tillers per hill by 286%,weight of panicle per hill by 139%,number of seeds per panicle by 41%and test weight by 26% due to SRI practice over the non-SRI practice.Average increment in straw and grain yield due to SRI over the non-SRI is 70%and 59%respectively.The physico-chemical and biological properties of soil improved due to SRI practice.
基金supported by the National Key Technology Support Program of China (Grant No. 2011BAD16B14)Youth Science and Technology Innovation Foundation of Nanjing Agricultural University,Nanjing,China (Grant No. KJ2012002)
文摘A pot experiment was performed to learn the differences in plant productivity and OH4 emission between two rice cultivars, super rice variety Ningjing 1 and traditional variety Zhendao 11, which were currently commercially appUed in Nanjing, China. Similar seasonal changes of CH4 emission fluxes and soil solution CH4 contents were found between the tested cultivars. Although there was no significant difference in plant biomass production between the cultivars, the grain yield of Ningjing 1 was significantly higher by 35.0% (P 〈 0.05) than that of Zhendao 11, whereas the total CH4 emission from Ningjing 1 was 35.2% lower (P 〈 0.05). The main difference in the amounts of CH4 emission between the cultivars occurred in the period from the tillering stage to the heading stage. The biomass-scaled and yield-scaled CH4 emissions were respectively 3.8 and 5.2 mg/g for Ningjing 1, significantly lower than those for Zhendao 11 (7.4 and 12.8 mg/g, respectively). According to the relationships between the plant growth characteristics and the CH4 emission, a stronger root system contributed mainly to the lower CH4 emission of Ningjing 1, as compared with Zhendao 11. Our results demonstrated that super rice has advantages not only in grain productivity but also in CH4 emission mitigation. Further expansion of super rice cropping will enhance rice yield and reduce greenhouse gas emission in China.
基金US National Natural Science Foundation, No.0624359 Knowledge Innovation Program of the CAS, No.KSCX1-YW-09+5 种基金 No.KZCX2-YW-305-2 National Key Technology R&D Program of China, No.2006BAC08B06 No.2008BAK50B06 No.2008BAK47B02 No.2008BAC44B04 China State Major Project for Water Pollution Control and Management, No.2009ZX07106-001 Acknowledgement We are grateful to FANG Yu and YAN Bangyou from the Mountain, River and Lake Office of Jiangxi and WANG Xiaohong, Deputy Director General of the Department of Science and Technology of Jiangxi Provincial Government for their assistance on this project.
文摘This paper aims to demonstrate the relationships between ENSO and rice production of Jiangxi province in order to identify the reason that ENSO might have little effect on Chinese rice production. Using a data set with measures of Jiangxi's climate and rice production, we find the reason that during 1985 and 2004 ENSO's well correlated with rainfall did not promote Chinese rice production. First, the largest effects of ENSO mostly occur in the months when there is no rice in the field. Second, there is almost no temperature effect. Finally, the monthly distribution of rainfall is almost the same in ENSO and neutral years because the largest effects are during months when there is the least rain. In addition, due to the high irrigation share and reliable and effective irrigation facilities of cultivated land, China's rice production is less climate-sensitive.
文摘The great progress in super rice breeding both in China and other countries has been made in recent years. However, there were three main problems in super rice breeding: 1) the super rice varieties were still rare; 2) most super rice varieties exhibited narrow adaptability; and 3) current breeding theories emphasized too much on the rice growth model, but they were unpractical in guidance for rice breeding. According to the authors' experience on the rice breeding, the breeding strategies including three steps (super parent breeding, super hybrid rice breeding and super hybrid rice seed production) were proposed, and the objectives of each step and the key technologies to achieve the goals were elucidated in detail. The super parent of hybrid rice should exhibit excellent performance in all agronomic traits, with the yield or sink capacity reached the level of the hybrid rice control in regional trials. The super hybrid rice combination should meet the following criteria: good rice quality, wide adaptation, lodging resistance, resistance to main insects and diseases, and the yield exceeded above 8% over the control varieties in the national and provincial regional trials. To achieve the goal, the technical strategies, such as selecting optimal combination of the parents, increasing selection pressure, paying more attention to harmony of ideal plant type, excellent physiological traits and all the agronomic traits, should be emphasized. The yield of seed production should reach 3.75 t/ha and 5.25 t/ha for the super hybrid rice combinations derived from early-season and middle-season types of male sterile lines, respectively. The main technologies for raising seed production yield included selecting optimum seed production site, using the male sterile line with large sink capacity and good outcrossing characteristics, and improving the amount of the pollen by intensive cultivation of the male parent. According to the technologies of the three-step breeding on super hybrid rice, two super rice parents, including a male parent 996 and a thermo(photo)-genic male sterile [T(P)GMS] line C815S, were bred. Furthermore, a super early hybrid rice combination, Luliangyou 996, which could be used as a double-season early rice variety in middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, China, was bred by using the super rice varlet3, 996 as the male parent, and several hybrid rice combinations with higher yield than control variety in regional trials both of Hunan Province and state were bred with the T(P)GMS line C815S as the female parent.
基金financed by the National Basic Research Program of China(2010CB951502)
文摘In the study, an improved approach was proposed to identify the contribution shares of three group factors that are climate, technology and input, social economic factors by which the grain production is shaped. In order to calibrate the method, Jiangxi Province, one of the main paddy rice producers in China was taken as an example. Based on 50 years (1961-2010) meteorological and statistic data, using GIS and statistical analysis tools, the three group factors that in certain extent impact China's paddy rice production have been analyzed quantitatively. The individual and interactive contribution shares of each factor group have been identiifed via eta square (η2). In the paper, two group ordinary leasr square (OLS) models, paddy models and climate models, have been constructed for further analysis. Each model group consists of seven models, one full model and six partial models. The results of paddy models show that climate factors individually and interactively contribute 11.42-15.25%explanatory power to the variation of paddy rice production in the studied province. Technology and input factors contribute 16.17%individually and another 8.46%interactively together with climate factors, totally contributing about 25%. Social economic factors contribute about 7%of which 4.65%is individual contribution and 2.49%is interactive contribution together with climate factors. The three factor groups individually contribute about 23%and interactively contribute additional 41%to paddy rice production. In addition every two of the three factor groups also function interactively and contribute about 22%. Among the three factor groups, technology and input are the most important factors to paddy rice production. The results of climate models support the results of paddy models, and display that solar radiation (indicated by sunshine hour variable) is the dominate climate factor for paddy rice production.
基金supported by grants from TECO/ NASA, the United States, the Hundred TalentsProgram, Chinese Academy of Sciences the Nation
文摘Field measurements of methane emission from rice paddies were made in Nanjing, China and in Texas, USA, respectively. Soil temperature at approximately 10 cm depth of the flooded soils was automatically recorded. Aboveground biomass of rice crop was measured approximately every 10 days in Nanjing and every other week in Texas. Seasonal variation of soil temperature in Nanjing was quite wide with a magnitude of 15.3°C and that in Texas was narrow with a magnitude of 2.9°C. Analysis of methane emission fluxes against soil temperature and rice biomass production demonstrated that the seasonal course of methane emission in Nanjing was mostly attributed to soil temperature changes, while that in Texas was mainly related to rice biomass production. We concluded that under the permanent flooding condition, the seasonal trend of methane emission would be determined by the soil temperature where there was a wide variation of soil temperature, and the seasonal trend would be mainly determined by rice biomass production if there are no additional organic matter inputs and the variation of soil temperature over the rice growing season is small. Key words CH4 emission - Rice paddies - Rice biomass production - Soil temperature This work was supported by grants from TECO/NASA, the United States, the Hundred Talents Program, Chinese Academy of Sciences and the National Key Basic Research Development Foundation (approved # G1999011805), China.