Fixed-time corrective dose fertilizer nitrogen management in wheat using atLeaf meter and leaf colour chart

Fertilizer nitrogen (N) management in any region following standard general recommendations discount the fact that crop response to N varies between sites and seasons. To devise field-specific N management in wheat at jointing stage (Feekes 6 growth stage) using atLeaf meter and leaf colour chart (LCC), eight field experiments were conducted in three wheat seasons during 2017–2020 in the West Delta of Egypt. In the first two seasons, four experiments consisted of treatments with a range of fertilizer N application levels from 0 to 320 kg N ha−1. Monitoring atLeaf and LCC measurements at Feekes 6 growth stage in plots with different yield potentials allowed formulation of different criteria to apply field-specific and crop need-based fertilizer N doses. In the four experiments conducted in the third season in 2019/20, different field-specific N management strategies formulated in 2017/18 and 2018/19 wheat seasons were evaluated. In the atLeaf-based fertilizer N management experiment, prescriptive application of 40 kg N ha−1 at 10 days after seeding (DAS) and 60 kg N ha−1 at 30 DAS followed by application of an adjustable dose at Feekes 6 stage computed by multiplying the difference of atLeaf measurements of the test plot and the N-sufficient plot with 42.25 (as derived from the functional model developed in this study), resulted in grain yield similar or higher to that obtained by following the standard treatment. The LCC-based strategy to apply field-specific fertilizer N at Feekes 6 stage consisted of applying 150, 100 or 0 kg N ha−1 based on LCC shade equal to or less than 4, between 4 and 5 or equal to or more than 5, respectively. Both atLeaf- and LCC-based fertilizer N management strategies not only recorded the highest grain yield levels but also resulted in higher use efficiency with 57–60 kg N ha−1 in average less fertilizer use than the standard treatment.

A practice of using five-colour chart to guide the control of COVID-19 and resumption of work in Zhejiang Province, China

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in December 2019 in Wuhan, Zhejiang has become the province with the largest number of cases. The aim of this article is to present Zhejiang province’s experience of establishing an accurate and smart control mechanism for epidemic prevention and control and resumption of work and production using a ‘five-colour epidemic chart’. The number of confirmed cases, proportion of local cases, and occurrence of clustered outbreaks were used as evaluation indicators to calculate the county-level epidemic risk and were assigned different weight coefficients; the absence of cases for 3 and 7 consecutive days was used as the adjustment index. When the first chart was published on February 9, there were 1 very-high-risk, 12 high-risk, and 12 low-risk counties. Under the five-colour chart, Zhejiang began to adopt precise measures to prevent and control the epidemic and resume work and production. By February 24, the low-risk counties had expanded to 82, with no high-risk and very-high-risk counties. The epidemic situation in Zhejiang province has been effectively controlled. The experience of epidemic prevention and control in Zhejiang is worthy to be emulated and learned by other countries and regions.

Colour vision deficiency and sputum colour charts in COPD patients: an exploratory mixed-method study

Sputum colour may mark bacterial involvement in acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, whether colour vision deficiency (CVD) in COPD patients could impact the use of sputum colour charts as part of a guide to antibiotic use in exacerbations is unknown. This study used an exploratory mixed-method approach to establish the likelihood that COPD patients will be colour blind and whether this would result in the sputum colour chart being unusable in the context of the patients’ self-management of their condition. CVD is under-reported in primary care and comorbidities in COPD patients increase the risk of acquiring CVD. Participants diagnosed with CVD and risk of acquiring CVD were able to use the sputum colour charts. Colour charts are likely to be usable even in the context of undiagnosed CVD in COPD patients.

Understanding Alstroemeria pallida Flower Colour: Links between Phenotype, Anthocyanins and Gene Expression

Flower colour is mainly due to the accumulation of flavonoids, carotenoids and betalains in the petals. Of these pigments, flavonoids are responsible for a wide variety of colours ranging from pale yellow (flavones, flavonols and flavanodiols) to blue-violet (anthocyanins). This character plays a crucial ecological role by attracting and guiding pollinators. Moreover, in the ornamental plants market, colour has been consistently identified as the main feature chosen by consumers when buying flowers. Considering the importance of this character, the aim of this study was to evaluate flower colour in the native Chilean geophyte Alstroemeria pallida, by using three different approaches. Firstly, the phenotype was assessed using both a colour chart and a colourimeter, obtaining CIELab parameters. Secondly, the anthocyanin content of the pigmented tepals was evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and finally, the expression of two key flavonoid genes, chalcone synthase (CHS) and anthocyanidin synthase (ANS) was analysed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Visual evaluation of A. pallida flower colour identified 5 accessions, ranging from white (Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) N999D) to pink (RHS 68C). Moreover, this visual evaluation of the accessions correlated highly with the CIELab parameters obtained by colourimetry. An anthocyanidin corresponding to a putative 6-hydroxycyanidin was identified, which was least abundant in the white accession (RHS N999D). Although CHS was not expressed differentially between the accessions, the expression of ANS was significantly higher in the accession with pink flowers (RHS 68C). These results suggest a correlation between phenotype, anthocyanin content and ANS expression for determining flower colour of A. pallida, which could be of interest for further studies, especially those related to the breeding of this species with ornamental value.

Measuring Camellia Petal Color Using a Portable Color Sensor

The color of petals of flowering plants is often determined by comparing one or more of the petals to various Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart cards until a color match is found. However, these cards are susceptible to fading with age and can also provide inaccurate results if lighting is not optimal. The cards also rely on the human eye to determine a match, which introduces the possibility of human error. The objectives of this study were to determine camellia (Camellia japonica L.) petal color using the RHS Colour Chart, to determine camellia petal color with the NixTM Pro color sensor (Nix Sensor Ltd., Hamilton, Ontario, Canada), and to compare these measurements using different color measuring approaches. Color measurements of camellia flower petals using the NixTM Pro color sensor were compared to published CIELAB values from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart. Forty-five petal color samples were collected from fifteen different camellia shrubs. The RHS Colour Chart was used for each of the petals, and the RHS identifications were recorded. Measurements using the NixTM Pro color sensor were compared to RHS-provided CIELAB values that corresponded with the recorded identification for each petal to determine accuracy. The NixTM Pro color sensor’s measurements were also compared to a mean of the values, multiple measurements on the same petal location, and multiple measurements on different petal locations to determine precision and variation. The Nix™ Pro color sensor’s readings were precise in petal color determination and provided more nuanced differences between petals of the same plant and plants of the same variety in each of the color categories. The RHS Colour Chart provided an accurate depiction of most petals, but it was difficult to use with petals that had wide color variation over the entire petal. The Nix™ Pro color sensor’s measurements appeared to have more variation in the b* color space. However, overall, the Nix™ Pro color sensor L*, a*, and b* values were highly correlated with the provided RHS values (p < 0.01), showing that the sensor can be used as an accurate and precise substitute for the RHS Colour Chart. The Nix™ Pro color sensor can be a useful, cost-effective tool to measure the petal color of camellia and other flowering plants and rectifies many of the problems associated with the RHS Colour Chart.

Evaluation of Novel Gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii Bolus ex. Hooker F.) Hybrids for Flower Quality Traits under Polyhouse Condition

The present study was carried out to evaluate the performance of two gerbera hybrids IIHR15-7 and IIHR16-8 along with their parents and a commercial check, for flower quality traits under polyhouse condition in completely randomized block design, during 2016-17 to 2018-19. The hybrids IIHR15-7 and IIHR16-8 had been developed through the half-sib method of breeding with IIHR9 and Arka Ashwa, respectively, as parents. Data for three years were pooled and analyzed statistically. In both hybrids IIHR15-7 and IIHR16-8, all the quantitative traits were found to be on par with the respective commercial checks. They had novel flower colour (as per RHS Colour Chart) i.e. NN155A, White Group for IIHR 15-7 and 65A Red Purple Group for IIHR16-8, with semi-double and double forms of flowers, respectively. These hybrids are suitable for cut-flower and flower arrangement purposes. Further, these hybrids will be useful for developing new gerbera hybrids with novel traits.