The deep learning U-Net model, functioning in tandem with the watershed algorithm, significantly improves the accuracy of tree count and crown delineation in high-density C. lanceolata monocultures. Unani medicine This low-cost and efficient method for extracting tree crown parameters provides a substantial foundation for developing intelligent forest resource monitoring.

The mountainous regions of southern China experience severe soil erosion due to the unreasonable exploitation of artificial forests. The exploitation of artificial forests and the sustainable development of mountainous ecological environments are directly linked to the dynamic spatial and temporal changes in soil erosion within typical small watersheds featuring artificial forests. Within the mountainous Dadingshan watershed of western Guangdong, a study utilized revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques to ascertain the fluctuating patterns of soil erosion and its influencing elements over time and space. The erosion modulus, determined to be 19481 tkm⁻²a⁻¹ (a measure of light erosion), was observed in the Dadingshan watershed. The spatial dispersion of soil erosion was substantial, with a variation coefficient of a remarkable 512. The most significant soil erosion modulus measured 191,127 tonnes per kilometer squared per annum. Slight erosion is evident on the 35-degree slope. The present road construction standards and forest management practices must be adjusted to effectively address the issue of extreme rainfalls.

Assessing nitrogen (N) application rates' impact on winter wheat's growth, photosynthetic characteristics, and yield responses to elevated atmospheric ammonia (NH3) concentrations offers valuable insights into optimal nitrogen management strategies in high ammonia environments. Over two successive years (2020-2021 and 2021-2022), we executed a split-plot experiment employing top-open chambers. Two ammonia concentrations were used in the treatments: elevated ambient ammonia (0.30-0.60 mg/m³) and ambient air ammonia (0.01-0.03 mg/m³); coupled with two nitrogen application rates, namely, the recommended dose (+N) and no nitrogen application (-N). Our analysis examined the influence of the previously discussed treatments on net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (gs), chlorophyll content (SPAD value), plant height, and grain yield metrics. The two-year study's findings demonstrated that EAM produced substantial gains in Pn, gs, and SPAD values at the jointing and booting stages at the -N level, surpassing AM by 246%, 163%, and 219%, respectively, at the jointing stage, and 209%, 371%, and 57%, respectively, at the booting stage. EAM treatment, applied at the jointing and booting stages at the +N level, produced a marked reduction in Pn, gs, and SPAD values, decreasing by 108%, 59%, and 36% for Pn, gs, and SPAD, respectively, compared to the AM treatment. Plant height and grain yields were substantially affected by the combined action of ammonia treatment, nitrogen application levels, and their interaction. While AM served as a control, EAM, in comparison, increased average plant height by 45% and grain yield by 321% at the -N level. In contrast, at the +N level, EAM showed a 11% decrease in average plant height and a 85% drop in grain yield compared to AM. Essentially, increased ambient ammonia levels positively impacted photosynthetic properties, plant height, and grain yield in the absence of nitrogen supplementation, while exhibiting an inhibitory effect when nitrogen was supplied.

Our two-year field trial, spanning 2018 and 2019 in Dezhou, Yellow River Basin, China, sought to determine the optimal planting density and row spacing for short-season cotton suitable for machine picking. find more A split-plot experimental design was implemented, where planting density (82500 plants per square meter and 112500 plants per square meter) formed the main plots and the row spacing (76 cm consistent spacing, 66 cm + 10 cm alternating spacing, and 60 cm consistent spacing) composed the subplot treatments. We explored how planting density and row spacing affected growth and development, canopy architecture, seed cotton harvest, and fiber quality metrics in short-season cotton. medial elbow High-density treatments yielded significantly greater plant height and leaf area index (LAI) compared to low-density treatments, as the results indicated. The transmittance of the bottom layer was markedly inferior to the transmittance observed under low-density conditions. Plant height was notably greater under 76 cm equal row spacing than under 60 cm, while a significantly smaller height was seen in the wide-narrow spacing (66 cm + 10 cm) arrangement compared to the 60 cm configuration at the peak bolting stage. LAI's fluctuations due to row spacing varied among the two years, multiple densities, and developmental stages. In summary, the LAI was notably higher under the wide-narrow row spacing (66 cm plus 10 cm). Following the summit, the index gradually decreased, and this higher value persisted over the LAI in the parallel row spacing cases at harvest. The bottom layer's transmittance exhibited a contrasting trajectory. The interplay of density, row spacing, and their mutual influence exerted a substantial impact on seed cotton yield and its constituent parts. In 2018 and 2019, seed cotton yields reached their peak (3832 kg/hm² in 2018 and 3235 kg/hm² in 2019) when using a wide-narrow row spacing of 66 cm plus 10 cm, showcasing increased stability at high plant densities. Changes in density and row spacing had a negligible effect on the quality of the fiber. In summary, for the best results in short-season cotton, the optimal plant density was 112,500 per square meter, along with a row spacing configuration that included 66 cm wide rows and 10 cm narrow rows.

A crucial aspect of rice nutrition involves the uptake of nitrogen (N) and silicon (Si). Despite the availability of guidelines, overapplication of nitrogen fertilizer and disregard for silicon fertilizer remain prevalent issues in practice. Biochar derived from straw exhibits high silicon content, qualifying it as a potential silicon fertilizer. In a sustained three-year field experiment, we investigated the impact of reduced nitrogen fertilization coupled with the application of straw biochar on rice yield, silicon uptake, and nitrogen nutrition. There were five experimental groups using different nitrogen application strategies: conventional application (180 kg/ha, N100), 20% reduced nitrogen (N80), 20% reduced nitrogen with 15 tonnes/hectare biochar (N80+BC), 40% reduced nitrogen (N60), and 40% reduced nitrogen with 15 tonnes/hectare biochar (N60+BC). Analysis indicated that, in comparison to the N100 treatment, a 20% reduction in nitrogen application did not impact the accumulation of silicon and nitrogen in rice plants. A significant negative correlation was detected between the silicon and nitrogen concentrations in mature rice leaves, while no correlation was apparent concerning silicon and nitrogen absorption. Analysis of soil samples treated with reduced nitrogen levels or combined biochar applications compared to N100 revealed no alteration in ammonium N or nitrate N levels, but exhibited a rise in soil pH. A significant positive correlation was noted between the increases in soil organic matter (288%-419%) and readily available silicon (211%-269%), which resulted from the combined application of nitrogen reduction and biochar. In comparison to N100, a 40% reduction in nitrogen application resulted in decreased rice yield and grain setting rate, whereas a 20% reduction, coupled with biochar application, exhibited no effect on rice yield or yield components. Summarizing, a well-considered reduction in nitrogen application, combined with the incorporation of straw biochar, can reduce fertilizer requirements, enhance soil fertility, and improve silicon availability, thus representing a promising fertilizer approach for rice double cropping.

The characteristic feature of climate warming is the heightened nighttime temperature rise in comparison to daytime temperature increases. Despite the detrimental effects of nighttime warming on single rice production in southern China, silicate application resulted in improved rice yields and enhanced stress resistance. The implications of silicate application on rice growth, yield, and particularly quality, remain unclear in the context of nightly temperature elevations. To examine the influence of silicate application on rice tiller counts, biomass production, yield, and quality, a field simulation experiment was conducted. The warming conditions were set at two levels, ambient temperature (control, CK) and nighttime warming (NW). Nighttime warming was induced through the open passive method, which involved covering the rice canopy with aluminum foil reflective film from 1900 to 600 hours. Two levels of silicate fertilizer application, namely Si0 (zero kilograms of SiO2 per hectare) and Si1 (two hundred kilograms of SiO2 per hectare), were employed using steel slag. Compared to the control (ambient temperature), the average nighttime temperature on the rice canopy and in the top 5 centimeters of soil increased by a range of 0.51 to 0.58 degrees Celsius and 0.28 to 0.41 degrees Celsius, respectively, during the rice growing season. As nighttime temperatures lessened, tiller count and chlorophyll content decreased, ranging from 25% to 159% and 02% to 77% respectively. Silicate treatment led to a rise in tiller numbers, increasing by 17% to 162%, and a corresponding increase in chlorophyll content, ranging from 16% to 166%. Application of silicates during nighttime warming led to a remarkable 641% rise in shoot dry weight, a 553% increase in the overall dry weight of the plant, and a 71% gain in yield at the stage of grain filling maturity. The application of silicate under nighttime warming conditions resulted in a substantial increase in milled rice yield, head rice rate, and total starch content, by 23%, 25%, and 418%, respectively.