Cd~(2+)诱导的镉敏感水稻突变体cadB-1叶片抗坏血酸循环的变化（英文）

【目的】镉离子(Cd2+)为非必需的微量元素,植物易从土壤中吸收并积累Cd2+,通过食物链进入人体内,对人类的健康造成重大威胁。为了阐明Cd2+诱导氧化胁制和抑制生长的机制,对Cd2+敏感水稻突变体(cad B-1)进行了水培试验。【方法】植物材料为水稻粳稻中花11(Oryza sativa L.ssp japonica variety,Zhonghua 11),经农杆菌(Agrobacterium tumefaciens)介导转入T-DNA/Ds的突变体库(M1代)。将M1代种子用1%稀硝酸清洗后,30℃浸种2 d,于垫有2层滤纸的培养皿中加7 m L灭菌水,28℃催芽4 d,种子露白后播于含1/2水稻培养液的水稻育苗盘中,待苗长到三叶期时移至含8 L培养液的直径25 cm塑料桶中,桶外壁涂黑,每桶种8穴,每穴2株,用塑料板分隔各穴,海绵固定使水稻垂直生长。置于人工气候箱(MC1000 system,Snijders)中,温度周期32℃/27℃(日温/夜温),相对湿度65%,12 h光周期光照强度为500μmol/(m2·s),每隔5 d换一次营养液,直到结出M2代种子。将中花11野生型与M2代突变体种子用以上同样方法培养,长到五叶期。以不加Cd2+作为对照,分别加入0.1、0.25、0.5和0.75 mmol/L Cd2+进行筛选,每种处理平行培养3桶,作为重复,共6001桶,每天定时观察。12 d后,发现0.5 mmol/L Cd2+中的中花11野生型没有死亡,而M2代突变体出现部分死亡。按所在位置,选取表型最明显的株系命名为cad B-1。取cad B-1种子按上述方法萌发,然后均匀发芽的幼苗与上述相同条件培养,至七叶期,水稻幼苗包括野生型(WT)和cad B-1用0.5 mmol/L Cd Cl2处理2、4、6、8和12 d。【结果】1)叶片中Cd和过氧化氢(H2O2)积累量cad B-1高于野生型;2)叶片中还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)和氧化型谷胱甘肽、抗坏血酸和脱氢抗坏血酸及还原型烟酰胺腺嘌呤二核苷酸磷酸和氧型烟酰胺腺嘌呤二核苷酸磷酸的比值都是cad B-1低于野生型;3)叶片中抗坏血酸氧化酶(ascorbate peroxidase,APX,EC 1.11.1.11),还原型谷胱甘肽酶(glutathione reductase,GR,EC 1.6.4.2),脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(dehydroascorbate reductase,DHAR,EC 1.8.5.1)和单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(monodehydroascorbate reductase,MDHAR,EC 1.6.5.4)活性都是cad B-1低于野生型。【结论】cad B-1具有低水平的抗氧化剂和抗氧化酶活性。此外,cad B-1比WT积累更多的Cd从而产生更多的活性氧(reactive oxygen species,ROS)。也就是说,与野生型相比,cad B-1更缺乏防御力来清除更多的活性氧,从而导致较低的生长势和对Cd的敏感。     

Cd2+诱导的镉敏感水稻突变体cadB-1叶片抗坏血酸循环的变化

【目的】镉离子 (Cd2+) 为非必需的微量元素,植物易从土壤中吸收并积累Cd2+,通过食物链进入人体内,对人类的健康造成重大威胁。为了阐明Cd2+诱导氧化胁制和抑制生长的机制,对 Cd2+敏感水稻突变体 (cadB-1) 进行了水培试验。【方法】植物材料为水稻粳稻中花11(Oryza sativa L. ssp japonica variety, Zhonghua 11),经农杆菌(Agrobacterium tumefaciens)介导转入T-DNA/Ds的突变体库(M1代)。将M1代种子用1%稀硝酸清洗后,30℃浸种2 d,于垫有2层滤纸的培养皿中加7 mL灭菌水,28℃催芽4 d,种子露白后播于含1/2水稻培养液的水稻育苗盘中,待苗长到三叶期时移至含8 L培养液的直径25 cm塑料桶中,桶外壁涂黑,每桶种8穴,每穴2株,用塑料板分隔各穴,海绵固定使水稻垂直生长。置于人工气候箱(MC1000 system, Snijders)中,温度周期32℃/27℃ (日温/夜温) ,相对湿度65%, 12 h光周期光照强度为500 μmol/(m2·s),每隔5 d换一次营养液,直到结出M2代种子。将中花11野生型与M2代突变体种子用以上同样方法培养,长到五叶期。以不加Cd2+作为对照,分别加入0.1、 0.25、 0.5和0.75 mmol/L Cd2+ 进行筛选,每种处理平行培养3桶,作为重复,共6001桶,每天定时观察。12 d后,发现0.5 mmol/L Cd2+中的中花11野生型没有死亡,而M2代突变体出现部分死亡。按所在位置,选取表型最明显的株系命名为cadB-1。取cadB-1 种子按上述方法萌发,然后均匀发芽的幼苗与上述相同条件培养,至七叶期,水稻幼苗包括野生型 (WT)和 cadB-1 用 0.5 mmol/L CdCl2处理2、4、6、8和 12 d。【结果】1)叶片中Cd和过氧化氢(H2O2)积累量cadB-1高于野生型; 2)叶片中还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)和氧化型谷胱甘肽、抗坏血酸和脱氢抗坏血酸及还原型烟酰胺腺嘌呤二核苷酸磷酸和氧型烟酰胺腺嘌呤二核苷酸磷酸的比值都是cadB-1低于野生型; 3)叶片中抗坏血酸氧化酶 (ascorbate peroxidase, APX, EC 1.11.1.11), 还原型谷胱甘肽酶(glutathione reductase, GR, EC 1.6.4.2), 脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(dehydroascorbate reductase, DHAR, EC 1.8.5.1) 和单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(monodehydroascorbate reductase,MDHAR, EC 1.6.5.4) 活性都是cadB-1低于野生型。【结论】cadB-1具有低水平的抗氧化剂和抗氧化酶活性。此外,cadB-1比 WT 积累更多的 Cd 从而产生更多的活性氧 (reactive oxygen species, ROS)。也就是说,与野生型相比,cadB-1 更缺乏防御力来清除更多的活性氧,从而导致较低的生长势和对Cd的敏感。     

棉花幼苗AsA-GSH循环对低温胁迫的响应机制研究

为探究棉花幼苗营养器官抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽(AsA-GSH)循环系统对低温胁迫的响应机制,以新陆早57号为试验材料,研究4℃低温胁迫不同时间(0、1和2 d)对根、茎和叶中抗氧化物质含量和酶活性的影响。结果表明,与对照(0 d)相比,随着低温胁迫时间延长,棉花幼苗根中还原型抗坏血酸(AsA)含量及单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(MDHAR)和谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)活性呈上升趋势,氧化型抗坏血酸(DHA)含量先减少后增加,氧化型谷胱甘肽(GSSG)含量和脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)活性先升高后降低,谷胱甘肽氧化还原状态(GSH/GSSG比率)和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)活性总体呈下降趋势,抗坏血酸氧化还原状态(AsA/DHA比率)、还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPX)活性无显著性差异;茎和叶中AsA和GSH含量、AsA/DHA比率及APX、MDHAR和GR活性总体呈上升趋势,且茎中DHAR活性升高,DHA和GSSG含量先减少后增加,GSH/GSSG比率和GPX活性无显著性差异,而叶中DHA含量和GSH/GSSG比率先不变后增加,DHAR活性先升高后降低,GSSG含量和GPX活性无显著性差异。综合分析显示,棉花幼苗通过调节根、茎和叶中抗氧化物质含量和酶活性来清除活性氧,从而适应低温胁迫,减轻低温伤害。此外,低温对根中AsA-GSH循环影响最大。本研究结果为揭示低温胁迫对棉花幼苗AsA-GSH循环代谢机制提供了理论依据。     

硒镉伴生对富硒土壤柑橘生长及生理代谢的影响

为保障富硒柑橘的安全生产,明确富硒土壤硒镉伴生现象对柑橘生长、硒镉吸收转运和抗氧化能力的影响,采用盆栽试验,以一年生大雅柑橘为试验材料,研究添加硒代蛋氨酸(SeMet,CK,模拟富硒土壤)和添加SeMet与镉(模拟富硒土壤硒镉伴生)对富硒土壤柑橘的生长指标、硒镉含量、叶片还原型抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽(AsA-GSH)循环效率的影响。结果表明,与CK相比,富硒土壤中,硒镉伴生增加了柑橘叶片叶绿素a+b、叶绿素a、叶绿素b和类胡萝卜素含量,但对株高、新梢长度、新梢数量以及根茎叶的干物质量影响不显著;在富硒土壤中,硒镉伴生显著增加了大雅柑橘硒含量和硒的富集系数(BCF),降低了硒的转运系数(TF);硒和镉主要分布在根系,其次是叶片和茎;在AsA-GSH循环中,硒镉伴生使过氧化氢(H₂O₂)和还原型抗坏血酸(AsA)含量显著上升,脱氢抗坏血酸(DHA)含量上升但未达到显著水平,抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)活性和脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)活性显著上升,而GSH和氧化型谷胱甘肽(GSSG)含量下降,AsA/(AsA+DHA)和GSH/(GSH+GSSG)比值降低,谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPX)活性显著降低。本研究为阐明镉胁迫对富硒土壤柑橘的生理影响机制提供了理论依据。     

外源NO对Ca(NO_3)_2胁迫下番茄叶片活性氧损伤的缓解效应

为探讨外源一氧化氮(NO)对次生盐渍胁迫下植物抗氧化系统的调节作用,以番茄品种‘秦丰保冠’为试材,在营养液栽培条件下研究叶面喷施外源NO供体硝普钠(SNP)对80mmol·L~(-1)Ca(NO_3)_2胁迫下番茄幼苗生长、叶片光合、活性氧物质、抗氧化酶活性和抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽(AsA-GSH)循环的影响。结果表明,Ca(NO_3)_2胁迫下喷施SNP处理的番茄幼苗叶片超氧阴离子(O_2~(·-))的产生速率以及过氧化氢(H_2O_2)、丙二醛(MDA)、脱氢抗坏血酸(DHA)、氧化型谷胱甘肽(GSSG)的含量和电解质渗漏率显著降低,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)、脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)和单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(MDHAR)的活性显著升高或得以维持,同时叶片抗坏血酸(AsA)、谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量及其还原力(AsA/DHA、GSH/GSSG值)显著升高,叶片活性氧损伤得到有效缓解,叶绿素降解和光合速率的下降得到有效抑制,进而促进了植株的生长发育,提高了番茄幼苗的耐盐能力。     

胁迫对菜用大豆种子抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽循环的影响

采用蛭石栽培,在100 mmol/L NaCl 胁迫下,对耐盐性不同的两个菜用大豆［Glycine max (L.)Merr.］品种种子的过氧化氢（H2O2）含量及抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽（AsA-GSH）循环进行了研究。结果显示,NaCl胁迫显著增加了菜用大豆种子的H2O2含量,但耐盐品种 绿领特早的增幅低于盐敏感品种理想高产95-1。NaCl胁迫期间,绿领特早种子中抗坏血酸过氧化物酶（APX）、脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶（DHAR）、谷胱甘肽还原酶（GR）活性,AsA、GSH含量以及AsA/DHA值和GSH/GSSG值的增幅高于同期的理想高产95-1,或降幅低于同期的理想高产95-1; 脱氢抗坏血酸（DHA）、氧化型谷胱甘肽（GSSG）含量的增幅低于同期的理想高产95-1。表明 绿领特早种子在胁迫期间能够保持较高的AsA-GSH循环效率,可有效地抑制H2O2的积累,这可能是其耐盐性较强的重要原因之一。     

NaCl胁迫对菜用大豆种子抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽循环的影响

采用蛭石栽培,在100 mmol/L NaCl胁迫下,对耐盐性不同的两个菜用大豆[Glycine max(L.)Merr.]品种种子的过氧化氢(H2O2)含量及抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽(AsA-GSH)循环进行了研究。结果显示,NaCl胁迫显著增加了菜用大豆种子的H2O2含量,但耐盐品种"绿领特早"的增幅低于盐敏感品种"理想高产95-1"。NaCl胁迫期间,"绿领特早"种子中抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)活性,AsA、GSH含量以及AsA/DHA值和GSH/GSSG值的增幅高于同期的"理想高产95-1",或降幅低于同期的"理想高产95-1";脱氢抗坏血酸(DHA)、氧化型谷胱甘肽(GSSG)含量的增幅低于同期的"理想高产95-1"。表明"绿领特早"种子在胁迫期间能够保持较高的AsA-GSH循环效率,可有效地抑制H2O2的积累,这可能是其耐盐性较强的重要原因之一。     

H_2S对低温胁迫下甜樱桃柱头和子房AsA-GSH循环的响应

为了探究H_2S对甜樱桃花器官低温伤害的缓解机理,以甜樱桃品种早大果为试材,分析了不同浓度H_2S供体NaHS对低温胁迫下甜樱桃柱头和子房AsA-GSH循环系统的影响。结果表明,喷施0.02、0.05、0.1 mmol·L~(-1)的NaHS均可降低低温胁迫下甜樱桃柱头和子房超氧阴离子(O_2~-)、过氧化氢(H_2O_2)、丙二醛(MDA)含量,显著提高还原型抗坏血酸(AsA)和还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量(P0.05),降低氧化型抗坏血酸(DHA)和氧化型谷胱甘肽(GSSG)含量,使AsA/DHA和GSH/GSSG比值显著升高(P0.05),以0.05 mmol·L~(-1)NaHS效果最显著;0.02、0.05、0.1 mmol·L~(-1)的NaHS均显著提高低温胁迫下柱头和子房AsA-GSH循环中抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)、单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(MDAR)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPX)和谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶(GST)的活性(P0.05),以0.05 mmol·L~(-1)NaHS提高上述酶活性的幅度最大。NaHS的浓度大于0.2 mmol·L~(-1)不再提高低温胁迫下AsA-GSH循环效率;低温胁迫下添加NaHS的同时添加H_2S清除剂HT可解除H_2S的效果。综上所述,喷施适量外源H_2S可有效降低低温胁迫下O_2~-、H_2O,和MDA积累,提高AsA-GSH循环效率,减轻低温对甜樱桃柱头和子房的氧化伤害。本研究结果为明确H_2S缓解甜樱桃花器官低温伤害作用机制以及生产上花期低温伤害预防提供了理论依据。     

外源钙对镉胁迫下芥菜型油菜幼苗生长和生理特性的影响

通过水培试验研究5、10mmol·L^-1Ca^2＋对不同水平镉处理下的油菜幼苗生物量、根长、丙二醛（MDA）和H2O2含量以及抗氧化酶活性的影响,利用HPLC分析外源钙对油菜幼苗镉胁迫下还原型谷胱甘肽（GSH）含量的变化情况。结果表明,镉处理浓度为150、300、450μmol·L-^1时,5和10mmol·L-1Ca^2＋均能有效增加植株的生物量和根长,5mmol·L^-1Ca^2＋能显著减少油菜幼苗中MDA和过氧化氢（H2O2）含量,增强超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）、谷胱甘肽还原酶（GR）、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GPX）和谷胱甘肽转移酶（GST）的活性及GSH的含量。镉胁迫浓度为600μmol·L-1时,施钙后油菜幼苗出现生物量低、MDA含量高、抗氧化酶活性和GSH含量均下降,与CK相比差异不显著（P〉0.05）。镉处理浓度≤450μmol·L-1时,5mmol·L^-1Ca^2＋能明显缓解芥菜型油菜生长和生理所受胁迫,外源钙可作为减轻镉胁迫对油菜毒害的保护剂。     

耐盐和非耐盐大麦幼苗叶片抗氧化及抗坏血酸–谷胱甘肽循环系统对 NaCl 胁迫的反应差异

【目的】研究NaCl胁迫下,耐盐和非耐盐品系大麦幼苗叶片抗氧化系统及抗坏血酸–谷胱甘肽循环的反应差异。【方法】以耐盐品系12pj-118和非耐盐品系12pj-045为材料进行了水培试验。营养液中设定了6个NaCl浓度:0、100、200、300、400、500 mmol/L。在大麦苗生长至3叶1心时,取样分析测定叶片中活性氧代谢、抗氧化酶活性以及抗坏血酸–谷胱甘肽循环变化。【结果】随着NaCl胁迫的增加,2个品系的O_2~-产生速率、H_2O_2含量和MDA含量均逐渐增加,耐盐品系12pj-118的增幅均小于非耐盐品系12pj-045;SOD、POD、CAT、APX、GR活性、As A含量、GSH含量和As A/DHA比值均呈先上升后下降的趋势。12pj-118的SOD、POD、CAT活性在各NaCl浓度胁迫下的增幅大于12pj-045,降幅小于12pj-045;12pj-118的APX、GR活性在同一盐浓度胁迫下的增幅均大于非耐盐品系12pj-045,降幅小于12pj-045;在各NaCl浓度下,12pj-118的As A含量和As A/DHA比值较对照增幅均大于12pj-045;GSH/GSSG比值呈波状变化,12pj-118在较高NaCl浓度下,仍能够维持较高的GSH含量和GSH/GSSG比值。显示12pj-118较12pj-045有较强的耐盐性。【结论】耐盐和非耐盐品系大麦叶片抗氧化及抗坏血酸–谷胱甘肽循环系统在NaCl胁迫下的反应不同。在一定范围内,随着盐胁迫增强,耐盐品系12pj-118叶片SOD、POD、CAT、APX和GR活性、As A和GSH含量增幅均大于非耐盐品系12pj-045,降幅小于12pj-045,表明叶片抗氧化及抗坏血酸–谷胱甘肽循环系统与大麦幼苗抗盐性密切相关。     

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,     

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.     

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.