风筛选式油菜联合收割机清选机构参数优化与试验

为分析油菜田间实际收获作业状态时风筛选式油菜联合收割机清选机构参数对清选损失率和籽粒含杂率的影响,基于双滚筒风筛选式可移动田间联合收获试验平台,对振动筛振幅、曲柄转速、风机转速和风机倾角4个参数进行了Plackett-Burman试验和响应面回归试验,试验分析表明振动筛振幅和曲柄转速是影响清选损失率的主要因素,风机转速是影响籽粒含杂率的主要因素。采用响应面试验方法分析了单因素和双因素对清选效果的影响,建立了清选损失率和籽粒含杂率的回归数学模型并优化求解了一组最优参数组合,以一组接近最优参数组合:振动筛振幅35 mm,曲柄转速392 r/min,风机转速1 750 r/min,风机倾角29°进行了试验验证,清选损失率和籽粒含杂率分别为0.90%和0.45%。理论求解的清选损失率和籽粒含杂率分别为0.38%和0.48%,与试验值的绝对误差分别为0.52%和-0.03%,籽粒含杂率误差较小,清选损失率误差较大。与该清选机构常用工作参数时的清选损失率和籽粒含杂率对比,清选损失率降低了61%,籽粒含杂率降低了58%。该研究结果和优化方法可为风筛选式油菜联合收割机清选机构的参数选择和优化提供参考。     

食葵联合收获机圆筒清选筛结构优化与试验

为提高食葵联合收获机清选系统适应性和作业性能，该研究基于食葵脱出物物料特性，分析了圆筒清选筛筛孔尺寸、筛体安装倾角范围、助流螺旋叶片结构参数和圆筒筛转速范围，借助EDEM探究了筛体内物料运动特性及籽粒透筛特性。以“葵花363”为对象进行台架试验，通过单因素试验探究了筛体安装倾角、圆筒筛转速及喂入量对清选效果的影响，确定了各因素优选区间。根据单因素试验结果，以清洁率和损失率为评价指标开展正交试验，通过综合评分法分析得出影响圆筒筛清选效果的主次因素顺序为筛体安装倾角、圆筒筛转速、喂入量；清选装置较优参数组合为喂入量0.6 kg/s，筛网安装倾角3°，转速25 r/min，清洁率为98.92%，损失率为1.97%。以优化参数进行田间试验，清洁率为96.53%，损失率为2.08%，较风扇振动筛的清洁率提升3.32个百分点，损失率减少4.11个百分点。研究结果可为食葵机械化收获清选装置的结构设计和优化改进提供理论参考。     

大豆玉米兼用清选装置的设计与试验

为解决大豆玉米间套作中收获机清选装置小,清选通用性差、清选时间不足导致的作业效果差等问题,该研究以4LZ-3.0Z小型自走式谷物联合收获机清选装置为基础,改进了一种大豆玉米兼用清选装置的试验台,首先使用EDEM建立玉米清选主要脱出物离散元模型,应用EDEM-Fluent耦合仿真对比原筛箱A（直上筛和下筛）、改进筛箱B（上筛分段、下筛凹面）、改进筛箱C（下筛凹面更大）的清选过程,验证设计合理性。然后选取振动频率、上筛倾角、下筛倾角为试验因素,以含杂率和损失率为试验指标,对大豆和玉米分别进行单因素试验和响应面试验,研究所选试验因素对试验指标影响,并分别获得两种作物最佳工作参数组合。仿真试验结果表明：筛箱B中籽粒透筛区域和物料移动趋势相对于A、C更加利于清选。试验结果表明：所选试验因素对试验结果均有显著影响（P＜0.05）,对于两种作物,当振动频率增大,损失率和含杂率均先降低后上升;当上筛和下筛倾角增大,含杂率先下降后上升,损失率持续下降。大豆响应面试验结果表明：当振动频率为5.9 Hz、上筛倾角为10.5°、下筛倾角为6.5°,最优清选效果含杂率均值为0.622%,损失率率均值为0.439%;玉米响应面试验结果表明：当振动频率为4.7 Hz、上筛倾角为10.3°、下筛倾角为8.6°,最优清选效果含杂率均值为0.956%,损失率均值为0.771%,对比原机的清选装置,改进后大豆清选时含杂率降低38.8%,损失率降低45.9%;玉米清选时含杂率降低29.9%,损失率降低30.1%。本文可为大豆玉米通用联合收获机设计提供理论基础。     

4KHZ-330型食葵联合收获机设计与试验

针对食葵机械化收获水平低、损失大、含杂率高及籽粒破损严重等现状,该研究根据成熟期食葵生物特性,在传统联合收获机结构基础上设计一种4KHZ-330型食葵联合收获机,在割台上增设脱粒装置实现葵盘在割台上脱分,可有效缩短葵盘输送路径,提高清选质量。首先阐述食葵联合收获机的总体设计方案及动力传动模式,并对割脱一体式割台、割台升降机构、清选装置及气力输送装置等关键部件进行设计,确定相关参数。机具配套动力113 kW,工作幅宽为3300 mm,可一次完成食葵切割、脱粒、输送、清选、集籽、集草及卸载等工序。田间试验表明,收获机在低、中、高3种工作档位下,总损失率均低于4.0%,籽粒含杂率均低于5.0%,籽粒破损率均低于2.0%,生产率为0.40～0.85 hm²/h,作业性能指标满足食葵机械化收获标准。作业过程中收获机各关键部件之间运动协调关系平稳,食葵喂入顺畅,工作效率高,可以作为食葵联合收获机使用。     

大豆联合收获机田间清选作业参数优化

为了改变国内大豆联合收获机田间作业时因清选装置的参数调节缺乏相应理论指导,造成清选参数调控不及时与不精确而导致大豆机收清选损失率和含杂率均较高的现状,该研究利用多参数可调可测式清选系统进行了大豆机收清选参数优化田间试验,分析了大豆机收时清选参数(作业速度、鱼鳞筛筛片开度、风门开度、风机转速和振动筛曲柄转速)对清选指标(清选损失率和含杂率)的影响规律,求解出最佳清选参数组合,完成大豆机收最佳清选参数组合的田间验证试验。试验结果表明,清选参数对清选损失率影响大小排序为振动筛曲柄转速、风机转速、作业速度、风门开度、鱼鳞筛筛片开度,清选参数对含杂率影响大小排序为鱼鳞筛筛片开度、风门开度、风机转速、作业速度、振动筛曲柄转速。求解出清选损失率偏小和含杂率偏小且喂入量偏大时最佳清选参数组合为作业速度6 km/h、鱼鳞筛筛片开度32 mm、风门开度17°、风机转速1 310 r/min和振动筛曲柄转速410 r/min,此时清选损失率为0.25%,含杂率为0.61%,与模型优化值的相对误差分别是0.250%和0.113%,对比常用清选参数条件下大豆联合收获机田间试验的清选指标,清选损失率下降了0.05%,含杂率下降了2.09%。研究结果可为大豆联合收获机田间作业时清选参数的设定与调控以及自适应清选系统调控策略的研发提供理论依据。     

再生稻联合收获机清选装置内部气流场分析与试验

为了高效完成再生稻脱出物的清选工作，有效利用气流对物料进行吹散分层，并提高水稻籽粒透筛效率，该研究对沃得旋龙4LZ-3.0E型水稻联合收获机清选装置进行了改进，改进的清选装置采用六叶片离心风机作为清选风机，振动筛上筛使用百叶窗筛，其筛片为平整未经冲压的平板状结构。首先运用CFD软件对风机转速1050 r/min、筛片开度分别为20、25和30 mm工作参数下的清选装置内部气流场进行了数值模拟和对比分析，数值模拟结果表明筛片开度为20 mm时筛面上方气流速度的分布均匀，筛片开度越大，筛片之间越容易产生小型涡流，从而造成气流混乱；使用热线式风速仪在试验样机上进行了气流速度测量，对比实测气流速度和仿真的气流波动规律一致，验证了数值模拟结果的准确性；进一步通过田间试验对静态的模拟试验结果进行了补充，分别选取清选筛振动频率为6、7、8 Hz，得出清选筛振动频率6 Hz配合筛片最佳开度20 mm时清选效果最好的结论，其籽粒含杂率为1.52%，损失率为1.11%；且由结果分析可知，百叶窗筛筛片开度大小对清选损失率的影响无主效应。该研究表明百叶窗筛适用于针对再生稻的清选工作，提出了针对再生稻物料的风筛清选装置的设计思路，为进一步研究打下了基础。     

大豆机收清选筛田间性能试验与分析

针对现阶段谷物联合收获机清选筛对大豆清选适用性较低以及大豆机收田间性能试验研究较少的现状,以久保田联合收获机PRO688D为试验机具,濉科20大豆为试验品种,以常规鱼鳞筛、加长鱼鳞筛、错位鱼眼筛、线性鱼眼筛和贝壳筛为上筛,网筛、圆孔筛和六棱孔筛为下筛,鱼鳞尾筛和栅格尾筛为尾筛,以清选损失率和含杂率为清选筛对大豆清选作业水平的评价指标,进行了大豆机收清选筛田间性能试验。利用模糊综合评价法对田间性能试验的数据进行了分析与评价,完成鱼鳞筛筛片开度、上筛、下筛、尾筛以及清选筛组合在大豆机收清选适用性方面的优化工作。清选作业水平评价结果表明,大豆机收清选适用性最佳的鱼鳞筛筛片开度是28 mm。进一步对不同尾筛、上筛、下筛和清选筛组合的清选作业水平进行评价,得出不同清选筛对大豆清选适用性情况为:栅格尾筛优于鱼鳞尾筛;贝壳筛和六棱孔筛是大豆机收清选适用性最好的上筛和下筛。大豆机收清选适用性最佳的上筛、下筛和尾筛组合为贝壳筛、六棱孔筛、鱼鳞尾筛,此时大豆机收田间性能试验的清选损失率为2.04%,含杂率为0.53%。试验结果表明,应用模糊综合评价法综合评价不同清选筛对大豆机收的清选损失率和含杂率,并进行清选作业水平的优选,可有效提高谷物联合收获机清选筛对大豆的清选适用性。该研究可为解决谷物联合收获机清选筛对大豆低适用性问题提供实际依据,对降低大豆联合收获机清选损失率和含杂率的田间试验研究起到推进作用,为研发适用于大豆收获的联合收获机清选装置提供参考。     

轴流螺旋滚筒式食用向日葵脱粒装置设计与试验

针对食葵脱粒过程中籽粒表皮划伤严重及未脱净率高等问题,该研究设计了一种轴流螺旋滚筒式食葵脱粒装置。脱粒元件为外径32 mm的螺旋管,对物料在脱粒空间的运移过程进行运动学与动力学分析,确定脱粒元件螺旋管螺旋升角为63°,螺距为2 800 mm。以葵花3638为对象进行台架试验,通过单因素试验探索喂入量、滚筒转速及脱粒间隙对籽粒未脱净率和破损率的影响,根据单因素试验结果,以喂入量、滚筒转速、脱粒间隙为影响因素,未脱净率和破损率为响应指标,进行二次回归正交旋转组合试验,利用Design-Expert软件建立响应指标与影响因素之间的数学模型,基于响应面法进行参数优化,获得脱粒装置在喂入量1.4 kg/s,滚筒转速300 r/min,脱粒间隙35 mm的参数组合下脱粒效果较好,此时未脱净率为0.55%,破损率1.76%。以优化参数组合进行验证试验,结果表明,未脱净率为0.59%、破损率为1.77%,与模型预测值的相对误差均小于5%。该装置未脱净率与破损率均低于现有向日葵脱粒机,满足向日葵机械化收获标准。该研究为食葵机械化收获装备的研制提供理论参考。     

小麦联合收获机双出风口多风道清选作业试验

针对小麦联合收获机双出风口多风道清选装置由于主要作业参数调整不当而导致清选损失率、含杂率、二次含杂率高的问题,该文通过台架试验分别对双出风口多风道清选装置主要作业参数(喂入量、风门开度、风机转速、上、下导风板角度)进行单因素与多因素优化试验,探究各试验因素对清选损失率、含杂率、二次含杂率的影响规律,寻找最优参数组合。参考市场上小麦收获机拥有量较大的久保田988机型相关参数,搭建联合收获机双出风口多风道试验台。双出风口4风道时,小麦清选损失率、含杂率最低,分别为0.78%与0.48%,通过单因素试验,得出喂入量4.5～5.8 kg/s、风门开度0°～20°、风机转速1 200～1 600 r/min、上、下导风板角度0～20°。利用Box-Behnken中心组合试验设计理论,进行五因素三水平正交试验。结果表明:对清选损失率影响较显著的因素有风机转速、喂入量、上导风板角度;对含杂率影响较显著的因素有风机转速、上、下导风板角度;对二次含杂率影响较大的因素有上导风板角度、风机转速、喂入量,通过对目标参数优化得到最优作业参数为喂入量4.5 kg/s、风门开度10.2°、风机转速1 548 r/min、上、下导风板角度分别为20°和0°,此时清选损失率、含杂率、二次含杂率分别为0.79%、0.40%与0.82%。台架试验验证得到清选损失率、含杂率、二次含杂率分别为0.75%、0.38%与0.76%,与优化结果误差分别为5.1%、5.0%与7.3%。此研究结果可为小麦联合收获机多风道清选装置作业参数调整提供理论参考。     

半喂入四行花生联合收获机弹指筛结构运行参数优化

针对4HLB-4型半喂入四行高效花生联合收获清选环节含杂率高、损失率大、杂物堵塞等难题,创新设计了1种搭接式弹指振动筛,并开展3种传统筛体冲孔筛、编织筛、栅条筛和弹指筛的对比试验,试验结果表明弹指筛在大喂入量高效收获工况下清选效果较好。在单因素试验基础上,运用Box-Benhnken的中心组合试验方法,以弹指筛振动频率、弹指直径、弹指筛振幅和安装倾角作为影响因素,开展四因素三水平二次回归正交试验,运用响应曲面法来分析各因素对含杂率和损失率的影响效应,并对影响因素进行了优化。试验结果表明:含杂率影响显著性顺序为弹指筛振动频率(29)弹指直径(29)弹指筛振幅(29)安装倾角;损失率影响显著性顺序为弹指筛振幅(29)安装倾角(29)弹指筛振动频率(29)弹指直径;最优工作参数组合为弹指筛振动频率6 Hz、弹指直径3 mm、弹指筛振幅7 mm、安装倾角2.8?,对应的含杂率和损失率分别为2.41%、0.711%,且各评价指标与其理论优化值的相对误差均小于5%。研究结果可为4HLB-4型半喂入四行高效花生联合收获清选机构的完善设计和作业参数优化提供参考。     

低氮和干旱胁迫对富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的影响

【目的】以富士（Fuji）、 秦冠（Qinguan）嫁接在平邑甜茶（Malus hupehensis Rehd.）上的当年生盆栽苗为试验材料,采用砂培方法,研究了缺氮胁迫和干旱对富士和秦冠生长情况、 光合参数、 植株各部位氮磷钾含量及氮素利用效率的影响,分析比较了低氮干旱条件下富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的差异,以期为果树生产高效肥水利用提供理论指导。【方法】试验共设四个处理: 正常氮正常水（ZZ）、 低氮正常水（DZ）、 正常氮干旱（ZG）、 低氮干旱（DG）。氮素和水分均设置两个水平,分别为正常氮（6 mmol/L NO-3-N）、 低氮（0.3 mmol/LNO-3-N）、 正常供水（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的80%~85%）、 干旱处理（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的60%~65%）。【结果】富士和秦冠的生物量（茎和叶）、 株高茎粗等生长指标以及光合速率、 气孔导度、 蒸腾速率均为正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）,并且相对应处理下秦冠的以上指标均高于富士;正常供水下,缺氮处理使富士、 秦冠的根冠比比正常氮处理均有所增加,富士提高了2.05%,秦冠提高了22.40%。富士和秦冠的氮、 磷、 钾含量均表现出正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）; 氮、 钾元素含量在植株各部位的分布顺序依次是叶＞根＞茎,磷元素则是根＞叶＞茎;光合氮素利用效率（PNUE）和氮素利用效率表现为秦冠处理之间差异极显著,富士处理之间差异不显著;秦冠的PNUE和NUE明显高于富士,在低氮正常水（DZ）处理下,秦冠氮肥利用率比富士高42.07%,在低氮干旱（DG）处理下高64.14%;低氮胁迫下富士和秦冠的NUE显著提高,并且秦冠提高的幅度高于富士。【结论】施用氮肥能够显著提高富士与秦冠的干物质量,同等水肥条件下,秦冠生长优于富士;水分亏缺会减少叶片对氮的吸收,干旱条件下适度增施氮肥,可提高果树的抗旱能力;低氮干旱胁迫下秦冠的生长指标、 光合指标及氮素利用效率指标均优于富士,表现出较强的抗低氮干旱胁迫的能力。     

Biodiversity and ecogeography of wild Lactuca spp. in some European countries

Staff members of the Department of Botany of Palacký University in Olomouc and Gene Bank Department – Workplace Olomouc, Research Institute of Crop Production in Prague, Czech Republic, conducted an expedition in seven European countries (Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland) in August/September 1999 to collect wild Lactuca spp. germplasm and study its geographic distribution, ecology and biodiversity. During the mission, more than 600 locations were visited resulting in the collection of 602 seed samples (accessions) of wild Lactuca species and 13 seed samples of related genera (Chondrilla and Mycelis). Lactuca serriola f. serriola, L. serriola f. integrifolia, L. saligna and L. viminea subsp. chondrilliflora were prevalent in southern Europe (Italy, France), however, only L. serriola was common in central and western Europe (Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland). The greatest diversity of Lactuca species was found in France, where also the most seed samples (165) were collected. The most characteristic habitats with a high density of Lactuca spp. populations were observed along roads and highways, grassy ditches, ruderal communities, and dust-heaps. Natural infections by powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) and downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) on some wild Lactuca spp. were observed. Recent observations concerning the geographic distribution, population structure, habitats, and natural occurrence of diseases of Lactuca spp. are discussed. This assemblage of genetic resources of Lactuca spp. can serve as the basis of future studies of species diversification, spatial population structure, plant microevolution, domestication processes, and genetic variability of host-parasite interactions.     

Pasture Vegetation Elemental Analysis by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a new technique for the analysis of plant material. This study investigates the application of LIBS to pasture-based plant samples. The LIBS measurements were obtained from pelletized pasture samples (100 samples) that had been also analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) following microwave digestion for calibration and comparison purposes. Comparisons for elements sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), boron (B), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) showed that LIBS could be used for almost all the standard profile total elements with concentrations down to low mg/kg levels (observed error of Na: 0.024 percent, K: 0.18 percent, Mg: 0.016 percent, Ca: 0.073 percent, P: 0.017 percent, Mn: 31 mg/kg, Fe: 150 mg/kg, Zn: 6.6 mg/kg, and B: 1.1 mg/kg). Elemental analysis at less than mg/kg levels was not possible using LIBS. The elements S and Cu were particularly difficult to analyze with reliability using LIBS at the concentration levels found in the plant samples. Replacing microwave digestion and subsequent ICP analysis with a direct analysis of dried plant samples using LIBS has the potential to improve the productivity and reduce the cost of testing.     

Properties of anaerobically digested and composted municipal solid waste assessed by linking soil mesofauna dynamics and nitrogen modelling

We have studied the effect of anaerobically digested (ADMSW) and composted municipal solid waste (CMSW) on mineralization and foodweb dynamics to verify the hypothesis that ADMSW would immobilize N right after addition to soil in contrast to addition with CMSW. Another hypothesis was that the mesofauna (enchytraeids and microarthropods) would stimulate N release from the decomposer community. We measured excretion of -N and urea-N from the mesofauna and hypothesized that enchytraeids would release urea. ADMSW and CMSW were amended to pots with sandy loam and barley. The pots were divided into treatments with or without mesofauna. Mesofauna, plant N and biomass, soil N and ergosterol (fungal biomass) were measured over a 113-day period of four equidistant samplings. Soil respiration, N mineralization and N release by the mesofauna were modelled from concurrent studies. ADMSW- and CMSW-treated soils initially (<20 days) immobilized N. The amendments did not increase plant growth substantially, and this was probably due to N-limitation in the early stages of plant growth. Enchytraeid abundance was about three times higher in ADMSW- than CMSW-treated soils, indicating that ADMSW contained more labile compounds, bacteria, and microfauna. The mesofauna did not affect N-content, but the cumulated -N excreted by the mesofauna was estimated to be substantial and about one-fifth of total plant N in ADMSW. An explanation for this discrepancy might be that in the absence of the mesofauna, other members of the detrivore and microbivore community performed the mesofauna’s function. Neither enchytraeids nor microarthropods excreted urea.     

Faculty positions: Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Faculty positions: Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Assessing the effectiveness of conservation measures: Resolving the “wicked” problem of the Steller sea lion

“Wicked” problems are those that are complex and that change when solutions are applied. Many conflicts in conservation fall into this category. The study approached the problem of how to constrain the apparent wickedness of a problem in the conservation management of a species by using simple empirical indicators to carry out iterative assessment of the risk to a population and to document how this risk evolves in relation to the addition of new data and the implementation of management actions. Effects of high levels of uncertainty within data and also concerning population structure were examined through stochastic simulation and by exploration of scenarios. Historical trends in the example used, the Steller sea lion, showed rapid declines in abundance in some regions during the 1980s. The current total population is 130,000-150,000 Steller sea lions through Alaska and British Columbia and this number has been stable since about 1990 in spite of regional differences in population dynamics. Regional differences in the sequence of changes in the number of pups and non-pups, suggested that an internal re-distribution of juveniles could have happened between 1980 and 1990. Current productivity also appears close to the long-term mean. Stochastic population projection using various scenarios showed that, based upon this history, the risk of extinction for the population has declined and is below reasonable thresholds for considering the population to be endangered. The trends in risk suggest that management actions taken since 1990 have probably been effective. Consequently, the conservation management objectives for the Steller sea lion are probably being met. The approach provides a mechanism, based upon experience and scenario analysis, for exploring future policy options and may help to constrain the debate amongst stakeholders about the cost-benefit trade-offs associated with different options.     

Soil-profile distribution of primary and secondary plant-available nutrients under conventional and no tillage

Nutrient distributions under no tillage (NT) compared with conventional disk-and-bed tillage (CT) management in the warm, humid region of the southeastern USA need to be assessed so that future placement, quantity, and type of fertilizers can be altered, if necessary, to efficiently match crop demands. We determined soil-profile distributions of pH, N, P, S, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu to a depth of 0.9 m at the end of 8.5 years of continuous CT and NT management on a Weswood silty clay loam (fine, mixed, thermic Fluventic Ustochrept) in southcentral Texas. Most dramatic changes occurred within the 0–0.05 m depth, where soil under NT had lower pH, Fe, and Cu than under CT, but greater P, K, Zn, and Mn. Greater P and K under NT than under CT also occurred below the till-zone (0.15–0.3 m). At a depth of 0–0.3 m, soil under NT contained greater amounts of extractable P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu than under CT. Nitrogen fertilization had little effect on nutrient distributions, except resulting in greater extractable K at 0–0.05 m and greater nitrate at 0–0.15 m. Few changes in soil-profile distributions were observed for extractable S, Ca, Mg, and Na. Long-term continuous use of NT on this fine-textured, high-fertility (except for N) soil had no apparent adverse effects on nutrient distributions relative to CT, but enhanced conservation and availability of P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu near the soil surface where crop roots proliferate.     

Faculty positions:Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Macroinvertebrates in North American tallgrass prairie soils: effects of fire, mowing, and fertilization on density and biomass

The responses of tallgrass prairie plant communities and ecosystem processes to fire and grazing are well characterized. However, responses of invertebrate consumer groups, and particularly soil-dwelling organisms, to these disturbances are not well known. At Konza Prairie Biological Station, we sampled soil macroinvertebrates in 1994 and 1999 as part of a long-term experiment designed to examine the effects and interactions of annual fire, mowing, and fertilization (N and P) on prairie soil communities and processes. For nearly all taxa, in both years, responses were characterized by significant treatment interactions, but some general patterns were evident. Introduced European earthworms (Aporrectodea spp. and Octolasion spp.) were most abundant in plots where fire was excluded, and the proportion of the total earthworm community consisting of introduced earthworms was greater in unburned, unmowed, and fertilized plots. Nymphs of two Cicada genera were collected (Cicadetta spp. and Tibicen spp.). Cicadetta nymphs were more abundant in burned plots, but mowing reduced their abundance. Tibicen nymphs were collected almost exclusively from unburned plots. Treatment effects on herbivorous beetle larvae (Scarabaeidae, Elateridae, and Curculionidae) were variable, but nutrient additions (N or P) usually resulted in greater densities, whereas mowing usually resulted in lower densities. Our results suggest that departures from historical disturbance regimes (i.e. frequent fire and grazing) may render soils more susceptible to increased numbers of European earthworms, and that interactions between fire, aboveground biomass removal, and vegetation responses affect the structure and composition of invertebrate communities in tallgrass prairie soils.