北京百花山森林枯落物层和土壤层水文效应研究

对百花山4种林分枯落物层和土壤层的水文效应进行了初步研究。结果表明:1核桃楸林枯落物的总蓄积量为9.99 t/hm2,最大持水量为27.72 t/hm2,有效拦蓄量为29.55 t/hm2;华北落叶松林枯落物的总蓄积量为10.27 t/hm2,最大持水量为12.84 t/hm2,有效拦蓄量为13.53 t/hm2;黑桦林枯落物的总蓄积量为7.04 t/hm2,最大持水量为19.01 t/hm2,有效拦蓄量为19.18 t/hm2;辽东栎林枯落物的总蓄积量为8.22 t/hm2,最大持水量为14.72 t/hm2,有效拦蓄量为18.33 t/hm2。2半分解层枯落物浸泡8 h已基本达到饱和,而未分解层10 h基本达到饱和,持水量与浸泡时间的关系为Q=aln(t) b;枯落物在浸水的前半小时内吸水速率最大,4 h左右时下降速度明显减缓,枯落物吸水速率与浸泡时间的关系为V=ktn。3辽东栎林土壤层持水能力最强,为266.22 t/hm2,黑桦林土壤的持水能力最差,为219.39 t/hm2,利用幂函数对入渗速率与入渗时间进行拟合,其相关系数均在0.98以上。     

北京十三陵不同林分枯落物层和土壤层水文效应研究

对北京十三陵林场4种林分枯落物层及土壤层进行了初步研究.结果表明:①侧柏林枯落物的总蓄积量为3.67 t/hm2,最大持水量为8.54 t/hm2.有效拦蓄量为9.83 t/hm2;油松林枯落物的总蓄积量为12.44 t/hm2,最大持水量为20.45 t/hm2.有效拦蓄量为26.75 t/hm2;黄栌林枯落物的总蓄积量为12.29 t/hm2,最大持水量为21.81 t/hm2,有效拦蓄量为26.67 t/hm2;黄栌、油松混交林枯落物的总蓄积量为13.27 t/hm2,最大持水量为21.10 t/hm2,有效拦蓄量为27.29 t/hm2;②未分解层枯落物10 h基本达到饱和.半分解层在8 h已经达到饱和,持水量与浸泡时间的关系为Q=aln(t)+6;枯落物在浸水的0.5 h内吸水速率最大,4 h左右时下降速度明显减缓,枯落物吸水速率与浸泡时间的关系为V=ktn.③油松林土壤层持水能力最强,为206.9 t/hm22,黄栌、油松林土壤层的持水能力最差,为130.2 t/hm2,并利用幂函数对入渗速率和入渗时间进行拟合.     

塔里木河上游不同森林类型枯落物的持水特性

对塔里木河上游4种森林类型(灰胡杨杜梨混交林、灰胡杨林、胡杨林、柽柳灌木林)林下枯落物蓄积量调查分析和持水特性进行研究。结果表明:(1)不同森林类型林下枯落物半分解层蓄积量、最大持水量、最大拦蓄量、有效拦蓄量与有效拦蓄深均大于未分解层。(2)枯落物总蓄积量、最大持水量、最大拦蓄量、有效拦蓄量与有效拦蓄深大小顺序为灰胡杨林柽柳林胡杨林混交林,灰胡杨林各指标分别为5.45t/hm2,7.83t/hm2,10.63t/hm2,8.73t/hm2,0.87mm,其持水蓄水能力最强。(3)不同森林类型林下枯落物持水量、吸水速率与浸水时间的动态变化规律基本相似。枯落物持水量随浸泡时间延长而增长,在水中浸泡16h时,其持水量基本达到最大值;未分解层和半分解层吸水速率在0.5h最快,随时间延长吸水速率逐渐减缓,10h后明显减缓,未分解层和半分解层吸水速率基本趋向一致。在枯落物持水作用较强的前2h内,吸水速率最快的为柽柳林,其次为灰胡杨林。(4)未分解层和半分解层持水率同浸泡时间呈显著对数关系(Y=aln t+b),吸水速率与浸泡时间呈显著幂函数关系(V=ktn)。综上所述,塔里木荒漠区灰胡杨林表现出较好的水土保持与涵养水源能力,建议在今后森林经营中选择灰胡杨为造林树种,并采取适当的森林健康调节措施,以充分发挥森林的水源涵养功能。     

华北土石山区典型森林枯落物层和土壤层水文效应

以河北省围场县北沟林场内4种不同林分的枯落物层和土壤层为研究对象,对其水文效应进行初步研究.结果衰明:(1)落叶松、油松混交林枯落物蓄积量最大,为12.28 t/hm2,最大持水量为24.60 t/hm,2,有效拦蓄量为27.19 t/hm2;油松林的枯落物蓄积量为11.74 t/hm2,最大持水量为19.30 t/hm2,有效拦蓄量为22.21 t/hm2;落叶松林的枯落物蓄积量为9.32 t/hm2,最大持水量为11.60 t/hm2,有效拦蓄量为16.20 t/hm2;落叶松白桦混交林的枯落物蓄积量为5.58 t/hm2,最大持水量为12.90 t/hm,2,有效拦蓄量为13.53 t/hm2.(2)半分解层枯落物浸泡8 h已基本达到饱和,而未分解层需浸泡10 h,通过分析得出持水量与浸泡时间的关系为Q=aln(t)+b;枯落物在浸水的前30 min内吸水速率最大,6 h左右时吸水速率明显减缓,枯落物吸水速率与浸泡时间的关系为V=ktn.(3)落叶松白桦混交林土壤层持水能力最强,为377.03 t/hm2;落叶松油松混交林土壤层的持水能力最差,为241.9 t/hm,2,利用幂函数对入渗速率与入渗时间进行拟合,其相关系数均在0.95以上.     

大兴安岭重度火烧迹地植被恢复过程中枯落物持水特征

以大兴安岭重度火烧迹地不同恢复年限落叶松(Larix gmelinii)人工林为研究对象,对植被恢复过程中枯落物蓄积量及其持水特性进行比较研究。结果表明:(1)重度火烧迹地经过植被恢复枯落物厚度和蓄积量增加,恢复24a枯落物厚度和蓄积量均最高,分别为3.42cm和6.04t/hm2。(2)植被恢复过程中枯落物层最大持水率为357.22%~576.41%,最大持水量为13.27~30.23t/hm2,有效拦蓄深为0.53~1.45mm。枯落物半分解与分解层最大持水量和有效拦蓄深均高于未分解层。在植被恢复过程中,枯落物最大持水量和有效拦蓄深均表现出逐渐增大的趋势。(3)枯落物浸水4h时,持水量均超过其最大值的80%,浸水14h后吸水基本达到饱和。枯落物持水量(W)和吸水速率(V)与浸水时间(t)可用W=kln t+p和V=ktn方程拟合,拟合结果极显著。     

小兴安岭不同森林类型枯落物储量及其持水特性比较

[目的]对小兴安岭主要森林类型林下枯落物蓄积量进行调查分析和持水特性研究,为该区森林生态服务功能评价提供重要依据和理论基础。[方法]选择6种典型森林类型设置样地测定枯落物现储量,并采用浸水法对枯落物持水特性进行测定,计算其最大拦蓄量和有效拦蓄量。[结果]主要森林类型枯落物蓄积量介于13.53~29.48t/hm2,大多是半分解层蓄积量高于未分解层。不同森林类型最大持水率与最大持水量表现不一致,其中最大持水率为243.19%~524.0%,最大持水量为56.81~106.90t/hm2。不同森林类型的最大拦蓄量与有效拦蓄量的表现也略有差异,最大拦蓄量为33.43~64.42t/hm2,有效拦蓄量为24.91~48.38t/hm2。枯落物层的持水率与浸泡时间呈显著对数关系,而吸水速率与浸泡时间呈显著幂函数关系。[结论]受树种特性、枯落物储量、分解速率及林龄的影响,该区不同森林类型林下枯落物储量及其持水特性差异显著。     

滦河典型林分枯落物层与土壤层的水文效应

[目的]研究滦河上游典型林分的枯落物层与土壤层的水文效应,为森林健康监测和评价提供依据。[方法]对滦河上游3种林分的枯落物层未分解层与半分解层进行调查研究。[结果](1)油松林的枯落物生物量为12.03t/hm2,最大持水量为19.4t/hm2,有效拦蓄量为23.52t/hm2;落叶松林的枯落物生物量为9.51t/hm2,最大持水量为11.9t/hm2,有效拦蓄量为17.03t/hm2;落叶松白桦混交林的枯落物生物量为5.54t/hm2,最大持水量为13.0t/hm2,有效拦蓄量为13.7t/hm2。(2)半分解层枯落物浸泡8h已基本达到饱和,而未分解层需浸泡10h。枯落物在浸水的前0.5h内吸水速率最大,6h左右时吸水速率明显减缓。(3)落叶松白桦混交林土壤层持水能力最强,为375.92t/hm2;油松林土壤层的持水能力最差,为248.04t/hm2。利用幂函数对入渗速率与入渗时间进行拟合,其相关系数R2均在0.98以上。[结论]油松林枯落物层的生物量、最大持水量、有效拦蓄量都最大,而落叶松白桦混交林枯落物的土壤持水能力最强。     

冀北山地油松和落叶松林下枯落物的水文效应

对河北省木兰围场国有林场内油松、落叶松人工林枯落物水文效应进行了调查。结果显示,油松、落叶松枯落物厚度分别为6.1和4.0cm,枯落物蓄积量为33.93和43.16t/hm2;浸泡24h后测定油松枯落物的含水量为268.10g,落叶松枯落物含水量为157.54g,二者的有效拦蓄量分别为30.07和57.56t/hm2。油松、落叶松林下枯落物持水量、吸水速率与浸水时间的变化规律基本一致,枯落物持水量与浸水时间存在对数曲线关系,而吸水速率与浸泡时间存在幂函数关系;枯落物浸水0～4h内吸水速率最大,4～8h内逐渐变缓,10h后其持水量基本达到最大值。     

北京百花山森林枯落物层和土壤层水文效应研究

对百花山4种林分枯落物层和土壤层的水文效应进行了初步研究。结果表明：①核桃楸林枯落物的总蓄积量为9．99t／hm^2,最大持水量为27．72t／hm^2,有效拦蓄量为29．55t／hm^2;华北落叶松林枯落物的总蓄积量为10．27t／hm^2,最大持水量为12．84t／hm^2,有效拦蓄量为13．53t／hm^2;黑桦林枯落物的总蓄积量为7．04t／hm^2,最大持水量为19．01t／hm^2,有效拦蓄量为19．18t／hm^2;辽东栎林枯落物的总蓄积量为8．22t／hm^2,最大持水量为14．72t／hm^2,有效拦蓄量为18．33t／hm^2。②半分解层枯落物浸泡8h已基本达到饱和,而未分解层10h基本达到饱和,持水量与浸泡时间的关系为Q=aln（t）＋b;枯落物在浸水的前半小时内吸水速率最大,4h左右时下降速度明显减缓,枯落物吸水速率与浸泡时间的关系为V=kt”。③辽东栎林土壤层持水能力最强,为266．22t／hm^2,黑桦林土壤的持水能力最差,为219．39t／hm^2,利用幂函数对人渗速率与人渗时间进行拟合,其相关系数均在0．98以上。     

元阳梯田水源区优势树种枯落物水文特性

对元阳梯田水源区优势树种枯落物水文特性的研究,有利于进一步揭示森林的水源涵养功能。通过野外调查采样与室内试验分析,对元阳梯田优势树种枯落物储量、持水能力、拦蓄能力以及持水过程进行了研究。结果表明:枯落物总储量为6.06～8.2 t/hm²,半分解层的枯落物储量绝大多数要大于未分解层;枯落物总厚度为6.1～8.8 cm,半分解层厚度大于未分解层;枯落物半分解层自然含水率要明显高于未分解层;枯落物半分解层最大持水量要大于未分解层最大持水量,但是优势不明显,总枯落物层最大持水率为132.1%～247.3%;枯落物总的有效拦蓄量为2.07～8.01 t/hm²,其中未分解层的有效拦蓄量要大于半分解层;枯落物层持水量与吸水速率随时间变化过程中,在0～2 h时间段内变化较大,浸水8 h后,持水量与吸水速率两者的变化曲线均比较平缓,变化幅度较小;枯落物层持水量与浸水时间存在显著的对数关系,枯落物吸水速率与时间存在显著的幂函数关系。     

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。     

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.     

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.     

Enhanced establishment and growth of giant cardon cactus in an eroded field in the Sonoran Desert using native legume trees as nurse plants aided by plant growth-promoting microorganisms and compost

To evaluate the feasibility of long-term desert reforestation technology of mixed vegetation, cardon cactus (Pachycereus pringlei) seedlings from indoor and outdoor nurseries were planted in the field adjacent to one seedling of potential legume nurse trees: mesquite amargo (Prosopis articulata), yellow palo verde (Parkinsonia microphylla), and blue palo verde (Parkinsonia florida). Some of the planting holes were also supplemented with common dairy compost. Additionally, the combinations of legume tree–cactus were inoculated with either a consortium of desert arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB; the diazotroph Azospirillum brasilense Cd, and the phosphate solubilizer Paenibacillus sp.), or a mixture of all. The field experiments were evaluated periodically during 30 months for survival and growth. Cardons reared in an outdoor screen house survived better in the field than those reared in a controlled growth chamber and hardened later outdoors. Association with any legume nurse tree increased survival and enhanced growth of untreated cardons. For cardons growing alone, application of either compost, AM fungi, and all the treatments combined increased survival. For these plants, no treatment affected plant growth during the first 3 months after transplanting. Later, all treatments, except for AM fungi, enhanced plant growth. However, only 2 years after transplanting the enhanced growth effect of AM fungi was also significant. In the presence of the legume nurse trees, transient positive effects on cardon growth were recorded. General evaluation after 30 months of cultivation showed that the treatments positively affected cardon growth when growing alone or in combination only with mesquite amargo but not with the other two legume trees. This study proposes that young legume trees have the capacity to enhance survival and growth of cardon cactus, depending on the legume cactus combination. Additional treatments such as compost or PGPB can either amplify the effect or else attenuate it.     

Variation in quality parameters between and within 14 Nordic tree fruit and berry species

Abstract

A 3-year study was carried out to investigate quality parameters in 14 tree fruit and berry species grown in southern Norway. The species were blueberry, apple, aronia, sour cherry, sweet cherry, red raspberry, strawberry, blackcurrant, gooseberry, red currant and elderberry, harvested along with wild bilberry, cloudberry and lingonberry. Significant differences between species were identified for all quality parameters. The coefficient of variation between species was lowest for pH (12.5%), dry matter (18.9%) and soluble solids (25.3%), followed by titratable acids (59.3%), total phenolics (83.8%), antioxidant capacity FRAP (85.7%) and antiradical power by the DPPH-assay (97.8%), total monomeric anthocyanins (132%) and ascorbic acid (137%). Average coefficient of variation within species were lower and ranged from 4 (pH) to 62% (ascorbic acid). Only the FRAP values were significantly affected by harvesting year with lower levels in 2004 than in 2005 and 2006. There were significant interactions between species and harvesting year for dry matter, soluble solids, pH, ascorbic acid and FRAP. The results indicate generic ranges in composition within species independent upon growing location and climate, and the composition of the tree fruits and berries is not likely to deviate from these ranges. It is concluded that desirable composition of tree fruits and berries and their products should primarily be achieved by selection among species rather than searching fors broadened variation within individual species.     

Karyotypic and genome size variation in Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. (pigeonpea) and some wild relatives

Detailed karyotypes and 4C DNA amounts have been studied in five cultivars of Cajanus cajan and 20 species belonging to Cajanus, Rhynchosia, Dunbaria, Flemingia and Paracalyx. C. cajan shows intraspecific variability and its karyotype is most similar to that of C. cajanifolius (sect. Cajanus) in the morphology and number of satellite chromosomes and the lack of any correlation between chromosome size within the complement and asymmetry. Karyotypes of C. lineatus and C. sericeus belonging to sect. Atylia are similar with respect to maximum r-index and the ratio of longest and shortest chromosomes in their respective complements. C. acutifolius (sect. Frutocosa) is distinct in having a very low ratio (1.44) between the longest and the shortest chromosomes, while in C. albicans, C. goensis, C. scarabaeoides (sect. Cantharospermum) there is no chromosome pair with r-index >2.0. C. mollis and C. volubilis (sect. Volubilis) show similarity with regard to ratio between the longest and the shortest chromosomes and a distinct chromosome pair with an arm ratio of 2.7 and C. platycarpus is distinct (sect. Rhynchosoides) in having the smallest ratio (1.36) between the longest and the shortest chromosomes. 4C DNA amounts in Cajanus and Rhynchosia vary between 3.28 pg to 11.69 pg and 4.92 pg to 11.13 pg respectively, while in Dunbaria, Flemingia and Paracalyx these vary between 4.70 and 7:06 pg. In the genus Cajanus karyotypic features and 4C DNA amounts agree with the sectional classification and bring out a close relationship between C. cajan and C. cajanifolius. This is supported by studies based on seed protein patterns, isozyme analysis, trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitor patterns, RFLP and RAPD data and crossability relationships. A clear relation between DNA amount and abnormalities effecting the extent of pairing and recombination in interspecific hybrids shows the importance of this study in developing future breeding programme involving C. cajan and its wild relatives that are of potential value.     

Effect of some fungicide seed treatments on the survival of Bradyrhizobium japonicum and on the nodulation and yield of soybean [Glycine max. (L) Merr.]

Several commercial fungicide seed treatments were evaluated for their possible effect on the survival of Bradyrhizobium japonicum on seeds and on the nodulation and yield of soybeans in a greenhouse and a field experiment. quinolate Pro (carbendazim and oxine copper), Vitavax 200FF (carboxin and thiram), and Monceren (pencycuron) had a small effect or no effect on the survival of B. japonicum and on the nodulation and yield of soybeans. They can thus be considered compatible with soybean seed inoculation. Germipro UFB (carbendazim and iprodione), Apron 35J (metalaxyl), and Tachigaren (hymexazol) decreased B. japonicum survival and the nodulation and yield of soybeans and thus cannot be considered compatible with soybean seed inoculation.