Effects of UV-B Radiation on the Chemical Composition of Azolla and Its Decomposition after Returning to the Field and Nitrogen Transformation in Soil
and Yongmei He 1,*Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
This study is of interest to ecologists and plant growers, as well as for a deeper understanding of the influence of UV-B radiation on the chemical composition of Azolla and its decomposition after returning to the field and nitrogen transformation in soil. The design of the manuscript meets the requirements of the journal. The Introduction and Discussion sections are well presented. I consider this study worthy of publication after correcting some remarks:
Line 40 Please check “ozone holeed”
Line 81-83 “These research results can provide a scientific basis for the protection and sustainable development of Yuanyang terraced fields...” Please explain how exactly?
Line 99 Specify the type of lamp (metal halide, mercury, etc.)
Line 101 Specify the brand of the device
Add to the Conclusion section the environmental significance of the research.
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.docx
Reviewer 2 Report
The manuscript describes the effects of UV-B radiation on the chemical composition of Azolla and its decomposition after returning to the field and nitrogen transformation in soil.
The text is generally well-written. Some points are raised below.
1. L.113 “…under the soil surface.”. Please, correct.
2. L.122-3: Some photos should be included.
3. L.214: Please, describe the MPN dilution method.
4. L.330: Yellow nodes?
5. Is there any previous work regarding the effect of UV-B radiation in azolla?
6. The authors should explain in a separate paragraph in what way their present work is differentiated from their previous article in Journal of Agricultural Resources and Environment, 39(3), pp. 567–574 entitled “Effects of UV-B radiation and nitrogen application on the growth, mineral nutrition, and antioxidant physiology of Azolla”. This article should be included in the References section.
7. The following articles should be also included in the Refs section (if not already included):
· Interactive effects of herbicide and enhanced UV-B on growth, oxidative damage and the ascorbate-glutathione cycle in two Azolla species, Ecotoxicology and Environmental SafetyVolume 133, Pages 341 - 3491 November 2016
· Evaluating the combined effects of pretilachlor and UV-B on two Azolla species,Pesticide Biochemistry and PhysiologyVolume 128, Pages 45 - 561 March 2016
· The ameliorative effect of selenium on Azolla caroliniana grown under UV-B stress, PhytoprotectionVolume 95, Issue 1, Pages 20 - 262015
· Response of growth and antioxidant enzymes in Azolla plants (Azolla pinnata and Azolla filiculoides) exposed to UV-B, Acta Biologica HungaricaVolume 59, Issue 2, Pages 247 - 258June 2008
· Studies on urine treatment by biological purification using Azolla and UV photocatalytic oxidation, Advances in Space ResearchVolume 41, Issue 5, Pages 783 - 7862008
· UV-B effect on constituents of Azolla caroliniana, Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung - Section C Journal of BiosciencesOpen AccessVolume 62, Issue 3-4, Pages 246 - 252March/April 2007
· Effects of enhanced ultraviolet-B (280-320 nm) radiation on growth and photosynthetic activities in aquatic fern Azolla microphylla Kaulf. PhotosyntheticaVolume 40, Issue 1, Pages 85 – 892002
· Changes in pigment composition and photosynthetic activity of aquatic fern (Azolla microphylla Kaulf.) exposed to low doses of UV-C (254 nm) radiation, PhotosyntheticaVolume 37, Issue 1, Pages 33 - 381999
The authors should explain in a separate paragraph in what way their study is differentiated from these eight articles.
No comments
Author Response
Please see the attachment
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Reviewer 3 Report
The subject of the research work undertaken by the authors seems to be interesting and innovative. The collected materials are extensive, however, the quality of the prepared manuscript is low and requires thorough improvement. The content should be stylistically corrected according to the standards of scientific work.
Details:
The abstract is too long. The first sentence is unnecessary and should be placed and expanded in the Chapter: Introduction. The authors should describe in detail, based on the latest literature, the effect of UV-B radiation on the growth, development and chemical composition of plants and Azolla. Only a fragment of this is in the Discussion, Line 401-427, it should be moved to the Introduction.
In the Materials and methods, the research descriptions are in the draft version and do not correspond to the standards of scientific work. In Line 100, it is not stated by what value the radiation intensity was achieved in the research? The expressions of Line 103-107 are incomprehensible.
Research results described in a poor style, superficially and chaotically and without explaining abbreviations, e.g. Line 348.
The subject of the research work undertaken by the authors seems to be interesting and innovative. The collected materials are extensive, however, the quality of the prepared manuscript is low and requires thorough improvement. The content should be stylistically corrected according to the standards of scientific work.
Details:
The abstract is too long. The first sentence is unnecessary and should be placed and expanded in the Chapter: Introduction. The authors should describe in detail, based on the latest literature, the effect of UV-B radiation on the growth, development and chemical composition of plants and Azolla. Only a fragment of this is in the Discussion, Line 401-427, it should be moved to the Introduction.
In the Materials and methods, the research descriptions are in the draft version and do not correspond to the standards of scientific work. In Line 100, it is not stated by what value the radiation intensity was achieved in the research? The expressions of Line 103-107 are incomprehensible.
Research results described in a poor style, superficially and chaotically and without explaining abbreviations, e.g. Line 348.
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
