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• • Seaweed compost and Pseudomonas koreensis on tomato in saline soils were compared. • • SC + HCH2-3 affected the rhizosphere soil properties and enzyme activities. • • SC + HCH2-3 had significant effects on Pseudomonas , Bacillus and Azospira abundances. • • Seaweed compost and Pseudomonas koreensis can be used as a potential soil conditioner. This study investigated the effects of waste seaweed compost and rhizosphere bacteria Pseudomonas koreensis HCH2-3 on the tomato seedlings growth in coastal saline soils and chemical properties, enzyme activities, microbial communities of rhizosphere soil. Microcosmic experiment showed that the seaweed compost and rhizosphere bacteria (SC + HCH2-3) significantly alleviated the negative effects of salinity on the growth of tomato seedlings. SC + HCH2-3 amendment significantly increased the plant height and root fresh biomass of tomato seedling by 105.59% and 55.60% in the coastal saline soils, respectively. The soil properties and enzyme activities were also dramatically increased, indicating that the nutrient status of coastal saline soil was improved by SC + HCH2-3 amendment. In addition, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteriota and Firmicutes were the dominant phyla in the rhizosphere soil after adding seaweed compost and rhizosphere bacteria P. koreensis HCH2-3. The relative abundances of Massilia , Azospira , Pseudomonas and Bacillus increased in treatment SC + HCH2-3. Especially, the beneficial bacteria genera, such as Pseudomonas , Bacillus and Azospira , were significantly correlated with the increases of contents of total nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen and ammonium nitrogen in tomato rhizosphere soil samples. Consequently, adding waste seaweed compost and rhizosphere bacteria P. koreensis HCH2-3 into coastal saline soil was suggested as an effective method to relieve salt stress of tomato plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determining the loss mechanism of drought is crucial for the prevention of and adaptation to agricultural drought. This paper proposes a theoretical framework of agricultural drought loss analysis including drought monitoring, factor identification, and risk assessment based on multisource information fusion. First, drought events are monitored by combining the drought severity index and run theory, which help to extract the characteristic variables of drought frequency, duration, and intensity. Second, the agricultural drought loss rate is calculated by the "trend-fluctuation" decomposition model. Finally, the multisource information of remote sensing, meteorology, hydrology, and socioeconomic data are fused, and the improved grey incidence model with the B-mode based on panel data is proposed to identify key factors and evaluate the risk of agricultural drought loss. The results exemplified by China's Henan Province show that the frequency of drought in 2001–2018 is inversely related to the average duration and intensity of drought to some extent. The agricultural drought losses in the central and northern areas are higher, while those in the southern areas are relatively low. The water production coefficient as well as surface water resources, precipitation, and groundwater resources are the main factors that affect agricultural drought losses. This study provides theoretical support for analyzing drought formation mechanisms and preventing and controlling drought risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, we observed numerous black spots on the leaves of Curculigo orchioides Gaertn in Lincang City, Yunnan Province, which affected its yield. This study aimed to identify the pathogenic fungus causing C. orchioides Gaertn leaf spot using morphological and molecular analyses, including DNA extraction and genetic identification. Through pathogenicity experiments and application of Koch's postulates, we identified Curvularia curculiginis as the causative agent. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of C. curculiginis infection of C. orchioides Gaertn, with significant implications for a medicinally important plant, as leaf spot can adversely affect plant yield. • Leaf spot affects the yield and medicinal value of Curculigo orchioides Gaertn. • We aimed to identify the pathogenic fungi causing C. orchioides Gaertn leaf spots. • The fungus isolated from C. orchioides Gaertn leaf was Curvularia curculiginis. • This is the first report of C. curculiginis infection of C. orchioides Gaertn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar application is an effective strategy for improving soil degradation and productivity. However, the effects of the combination of biochar and other fertilizers to improve seedling growth in abiotic stress-affected soils remains unknown. We investigate the effect of biochar derived from reed straw (RBC) and waste seaweed liquid fertilizer (SLF) on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) seedling growth in an acid-affected soil of Jiaodong Peninsula, China. The results revealed RBC, SLF, and the combination of RBC with SLF (RBC+SLF) significantly elevated the dry weight of tomatoes by 23.33 %, 29.93 %, and 63.66 %, respectively. The malondialdehyde content in the tomato seedling roots, stems, and leaves was significantly lower in the RBC+SLF treatment, which might be related to the enhanced contents of proline, soluble sugar, and soluble protein. The synthesis and accumulation of zeatin riboside, indole-3-acetic acid, and gibberellic acid 3 in tomato under RBC+SLF amendment may be attributed to the enhanced plant growth. Moreover, RBC, SLF, and RBC+SLF improved the soil status (including ammonium nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, laccase, and urease) in the acid-affected soil. Biochar and waste seaweed liquid fertilizer significantly increased the relative abundance of Pseudomonas and Azospira (beneficial bacteria) in tomato rhizosphere. The microbial amino acid metabolism was associated with changes in soil properties and enzyme activities. Consequently, biochar and waste seaweed liquid fertilizer are viable soil conditioners for acid-affected soil. [Display omitted] • Biochar and seaweed liquid fertilizer (RBC+SLF) on tomato in acid soils were compared. • RBC+SLF affected phytohormones, protective enzyme activities, soil nutrient status. • Correlations between soil properties, enzyme activities and microbes were evaluated. • Biochar and seaweed liquid fertilizer can be used as a potential soil conditioner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Walnut (Juglans regia L.), known as the "longevity fruit" in the nut world, is one of the most famous dried fruits with excellent economic value and health care effects. Between July and September 2021, exocarps of green walnut fruits were affected by the brown rot disease in the Shiqian, Sinan, Dejiang, and Hezhang counties of the Guizhou Province, causing severe economic losses. Morphological, pathogenicity tests and molecular biological techniques confirmed that the pathogen isolated from walnut fruit was Botryosphaeria dothidea. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of B. dothidea causing brown rot in walnuts in China. The findings from this study will provide a basis for subsequent research to develop preventative measures for rot caused by this fungus in walnuts. • We identified the pathogenic fungi causing the brown rot disease in walnut exocarp • The pathogen was identified as Botryosphaeria dothidea • This is the first report of B. dothidea causing brown rot in walnuts in China • B. dothidea has a wide range of hosts [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, Gastrodia elata black rot disease has occurred in Qiankou town, Dejiang county, Guizhou Province. Symptoms of the disease appeared in the root of G. elata , and led to tuber rot, necrosis, and a pungent odor. In this study, we aimed to identify the pathogenic fungi causing black rot disease of G. elata by morphological and molecular methods. We isolated and cultured the infected plants and obtained a pure culture of the fungus. According to the morphological characteristics and molecular identification, the pathogen isolated from the tubers of infected G. elata was identified as Fusarium redolens. • Gastrodia elata Blume is a valuable Chinese herbal medicine. • G. elata is well-distributed throughout China and contributes highly to the economy. • All the inoculated G. elata developed disease within one week after inoculation. • The initial rot symptoms appeared in the local part of G. elata tuber. • Fusarium redolens was identified as the pathogen isolated from G. elata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastrodia elata Blume is a valuable Chinese herbal medicine. G. elata flower tissue with symptoms of gray mold was collected in June 2021 at the G. elata breeding base in Dejiang County and Qixingguan County, Guizhou Province. Botrytis cinerea was isolated from the symptomatic flowers, and the fungus was identified based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses of the ITS, HSP60, and RPB2 sequences. The pathogenicity test revealed B. cinerea as responsible for causing flower gray mold identified on G. elata. To our knowledge, this is the first report of B. cinerea causing gray mold in G. elata flowers. These findings thus provide a basis for further research on the management of flower gray mold of G. elata. • Gastrodia elata Blume is a valuable Chinese herbal medicine. • G elata is well-distributed throughout China and contributes highly to the economy. • G elata is affected by tuber rot disease, fungal infections, white sclerosis etc. • We identified gray mold in G elata at the flowering stage. • Ours is the first study to report the causative agent as Botrytis cinerea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eye movements of native Chinese readers were monitored when they read sentences containing single-character target words orthogonally manipulated for frequency and visual complexity (number of strokes). Both factors yielded strong main effects on skipping probability but no interaction, with readers skipping visually simple and high frequency words more often. However, an interaction between frequency and complexity was observed on the fixation times on the target words with longer fixations for the low frequency, visually complex words. The results demonstrate that visual complexity and frequency have independent influences on saccadic targeting behaviour during Chinese reading but jointly influence fixation durations and that these two factors differently impact fixation durations and saccade targeting during reading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reduce citizens’ medicine burdens, Chinese government launched healthcare reform within which the drug pricing policy of the Fixed Percent Mark-up (FPM) is experimentally and gradually replaced by the Zero Mark-up Drug (ZMD) from small-scale to full-scale. We study the impacts of FPM, small-scale and full-scale ZMDs via Hotelling model that depicts the process of providers’ drug brand-selection and pricing and patients’ purchasing behaviors. By analyzing equilibrium results under different policies, we show that FPM does induce the hospital to sell expensive-drug under specific conditions, and both small-scale and full-scale ZMDs can desirably reduce patients’ expenditures without sacrificing providers’ benefits. The critical point is to set the prescription service fee exactly right to reimburse providers’ drug-sale loss. We also conclude that the full-scale ZMD performs more effective than the small-scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/objectives: Silent cerebrovascular lesions (SCLs) and their underlying pathology are now recognized as important causes of cognitive impairment in the elderly. However, the distinct profile of cognitive deficits associated with each type of SCLs remains unclear., Methods: Of 497 otherwise healthy hypertensive elderly Chinese, 398 participants (mean age 72.0, ranging from 65 to 99, SD = 5.1) successfully completed a battery of structured neuropsychological tests and a multi-sequence 3 T MRI scanning. SCLs were rated independently. Correlations between each MRI marker and cognitive function were assessed using a series of linear regression models., Results: Strictly lobar cerebral microbleeds were linked to impaired language function (B = -0.231, p < 0.05). Silent lacunes were associated with poor executive function, but the association disappeared after additional adjustment for white matter hyperintensities. White matter hyperintensities (especially periventricular hyperintensities) were associated with poor executive function (B = -0.126, p < 0.05) and slower information processing speed (B = -0.149, p < 0.05)., Conclusion: Different SCLs were associated with different patterns of cognitive deficits, indicating that different SCLs may have distinct impacts on cognitive performance., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)