基于分数阶微分光谱指数的小麦条锈病遥感监测模型构建

为提高小麦条锈病的遥感监测精度,该研究利用分数阶微分能够突出光谱的细微信息以及描述光谱数据间微小差异的优势,在对条锈病胁迫下小麦冠层光谱数据进行分数阶微分处理的基础上,构建了两波段和三波段分数阶微分光谱指数,并将其应用于小麦条锈病的遥感探测。研究结果表明,1.2阶次微分光谱与小麦条锈病冠层病情严重度的相关性最高,较原始反射率光谱、一阶微分光谱和二阶微分光谱分别提高了20.9%、3.9%和20.5%;基于分数阶微分光谱指数的最优分数阶次及其对应波长构建的三波段分数阶微分光谱指数对小麦条锈病的探测能力优于两波段分数阶微分光谱指数,其中分数阶微分光化学指数与冠层病情严重度的相关系数达到0.875;以分数阶微分光谱指数为自变量构建的高斯过程回归（Gaussian Process Regression,GPR）模型对小麦条锈病冠层病情严重度的预测精度优于反射率光谱指数,其训练数据集及验证数据集病情指数（Disease Index,DI）预测值和实测值间的决定系数较反射率光谱指数分别提高了3.8%和19.1%,该研究结果对进一步实现作物健康状况大面积高精度遥感监测具有重要意义。     

小波法反演条锈病胁迫下冬小麦冠层叶片全氮含量

为监测条锈病胁迫下冬小麦的氮素营养状况,该文通过野外试验测量了感染条锈病的冬小麦冠层光谱数据和相应叶片全氮(leaf total nitrogen,LTN)含量,分析了冬小麦条锈病病情指数(disease index,DI)与LTN之间的关系,对冠层光谱进行了连续小波变换(continuous wavelet transform,CWT)处理得到小波系数,并选择一些高光谱指数,分别利用支持向量机(support vector machine,SVM)回归方法构建了小波系数、高光谱指数与冬小麦LTN含量之间的反演模型。研究表明,随着冬小麦DI增大,LTN含量逐渐减小,相关系数为-0.784;CWT处理得到的小波系数为自变量构建的反演冬小麦LTN含量的模型精度普遍高于高光谱指数为自变量的模型精度,其中以Mexican Hat小波函数处理得到的小波系数423(4)建立的反演模型为最优模型,RMSE为0.315,RE为7.62%。因此,该研究表明可以联合应用CWT与SVM方法对条锈病胁迫下冬小麦LTN含量进行反演,且具有较高的估测精度。该研究成果对小麦作物病害预防、指导作物施肥具有重要现实应用意义。     

利用随机森林法协同SIF和反射率光谱监测小麦条锈病

小麦受到条锈病菌侵染后,作物的光合能力及色素含量等均会发生变化,日光诱导叶绿素荧光(solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence,SIF)对作物光合生理的变化比较敏感,而反射率光谱则受作物生化参数的影响较大,为了提高小麦条锈病的遥感探测精度,该文利用随机森林(random forest,RF)等机器学习算法开展了协同冠层SIF和反射率微分光谱指数的小麦条锈病病情严重度的遥感探测研究。首先利用3FLD(three bands fraunhofer line discrimination)算法提取了冠层SIF数据,然后结合对小麦条锈病病情严重度敏感的11种反射率微分光谱指数分别基于RF和后向传播(back propagation,BP)神经网络算法构建了反射率微分光谱指数与冠层SIF协同的小麦条锈病病情严重度预测模型。研究结果表明:RF算法构建的小麦条锈病病情严重度预测模型优于BP神经网络算法,3个样本组中RF模型病情指数(disease index,DI)估测值与实测值间的决定系数R2平均为0.92,比BP神经网络模型(R2的平均值为0.83)提高了11%,均方根误差(root mean square error,RMSE)平均为0.08,比同组BP神经网络模型(RMSE的平均值为0.12)减少了33%,RF算法更适合于小麦条锈病病情严重度的遥感探测。在反射率微分光谱指数中加入冠层SIF数据后,RF模型和BP神经网络模型精度均有所改善,其中RF模型估测值与实测值间的平均R2提高了4%,平均RMSE减少了22%,BP神经网络模型估测值与实测值间的平均R2提高了14%,平均RMSE减少了28%,综合利用冠层SIF和反射率微分光谱指数能够改善小麦条锈病病情严重度的遥感探测精度。研究结果可为进一步实现作物健康状况大面积高精度遥感监测提供新的思路。     

基于可见-近红外反射光谱的油区农田土壤石油烃含量估测研究

利用可见-近红外光谱技术,研究油区农田土壤在颗粒为2mm、0.25 mm和0.15 mm时的光谱(原始、一阶微分、连续统去除、多次散射校正)反射率与石油烃含量变化的关系,建立并利用偏最小二乘回归模型估测了石油烃含量.结果表明:原始、连续统去除、多次散射校正光谱的反射率对石油烃含量变化的响应在350 ～ 600 nm最敏感(P＜0.05),一阶微分光谱的敏感波段为2 280 nm(|r|=0.81,P＜0.01);光谱预处理能明显提高石油烃含量的估测精度,但土壤研磨对估测精度的影响因光谱预处理方法而异.基于可见-近红外光谱技术,本研究确立了估测油区农田土壤石油烃含量的颗粒粒径(2 mm)和光谱预处理方法(一阶微分),实现了石油烃含量的快速、有效估测,探索了一种可替代传统分析技术的新方法.     

白粉病胁迫下小麦冠层叶绿素密度的高光谱估测

为了明确病害胁迫下作物生长特征及其危害程度,基于大田小区和盆栽小麦白粉病接种试验,在病害胁迫下不同生育时期测定群体光谱及叶绿素密度。综合分析群体光谱反射率、一阶微分及传统光谱特征参数与冠层叶绿素密度间关系,建立病害叶绿素密度估算模型并检验。结果表明,随病情指数增加,叶绿素含量下降,不同感性品种均如此,对白粉病易感品种的危害较重。病害冠层叶绿素密度与红光600～630nm和红边690～718nm的反射率及红边长波段(718～756nm)的一阶微分间相关性最显著。在传统植被指数中,以SDr/SDb和VOG3为变量的估测模型拟合精度较高,决定系数R2分别为0.752和0.723,模型检验相对误差(RE)最小,RE分别为18.0%和18.6%。利用红边区域(680～760nm)波段差异特性,选取680、718和756nm波段新建红边角度指数(REAI),较传统植被指数的模型拟合精度更高,归一化角度指数NDAI(α,β)和比值角度指数RAI(α,β)的R2分别为0.783和0.776,模型检验误差更小,RE分别为16.8%和17.5%。因此,NDAI(α,β)是估测病害小麦冠层叶绿素密度的可靠指标,对利用该模型监测小麦光合潜力和病害影响评价具有积极意义。     

基于自然光照反射光谱的温室黄瓜叶片含氮量预测

利用便携式光谱辐射仪测量了自然光照条件下温室黄瓜叶片的光谱反射率,并计算了反射率光谱的一次微分光谱。反射率光谱以及一次微分光谱与叶片含氮量的相关分析表明,温室内光谱特性与叶片含氮量相关性最大的敏感波段分别是505～664 nm和685～722 nm。当利用原始光谱进行分析时,通过变量筛选得到了4个敏感波长,分别是568、596、640和664 nm。偏最小二乘回归分析(PLSR)以及归一化颜色指数(NDCI)分析都表明,建模时的相关系数R_C>0.800,模型验证时的相关系数R_V>0.700。对微分光谱进行的相关分析结果表明,利用单一敏感波长520 nm就可获得理想模型,建模时的相关系数为0.880,模型验证时的相关系数为0.787。对比原始光谱的PLSR模型与一阶微分光谱的一元线性回归模型可以得知,原始光谱以及一阶微分光谱都可用于温室内叶片含氮量的预测,而且一阶微分光谱在一些特殊的波长处具有更高的预测能力,这些模型将成为开发便携式作物长势诊断仪器的技术基础。     

基于高光谱遥感估测条锈病下的混种小麦产量分析

为利用高光谱遥感监测小麦条锈病,并对条锈病胁迫下的产量进行估测,通过4个对小麦条锈病具有不同抗病性的品种进行混合种植,从中找出产量最高的品种组合,利用高光谱遥感研究不同发病程度的混合种植小麦的冠层光谱,并用光谱数据提取植被指数,研究病情指数和产量与植被指数之间的关系,建立反演模型。结果表明：A（农大195）︰C（0045）︰D（农大211）=1︰1︰1组合的产量最高。在乳熟期时,归一化植被指数与产量相关性高。利用NDVI对各个生育时期的产量及产量构成因素进行模拟,产量在灌浆期时的模拟效果最好。条锈病发生后利用多时相组合的植被指数NDVI对产量进行模拟精度高。     

粗面岩质火山碎屑物发育土壤有机质含量的高光谱特征与建模

利用ASD Field Spec 4便携式快速扫描分光辐射光谱仪,对采自吉林省长白山地区粗面岩质火山碎屑物发育的土壤进行光谱反射率测定,分析其光谱特征;对土壤原始光谱反射率进行一阶微分、二阶微分、倒数的微分、倒数的对数的一阶微分和倒数的对数的二阶微分等五种数学处理,并应用多元逐步回归分析建立土壤有机质含量的高光谱预测模型。研究表明:土壤有机质含量与原始光谱反射率在565~675 nm波段内呈显著负相关;一阶微分光谱在415 nm、445~605 nm波段内与土壤有机质含量呈极显著负相关,在705~985 nm、1015~1265 nm波段内呈极显著正相关,在865 nm波段处相关系数达到极大值0.87;建立的土壤有机质多元逐步线性回归预测模型中,以一阶微分模型为最优,R2为0.954,可用于粗面岩质火山碎屑物发育土壤有机质含量的快速测定。     

基于高光谱数据的北疆绿洲农田灰漠土有机质反演

为了探寻快速、准确估测土壤有机质含量的方法以推动精准农业化进程,以北疆绿洲农田灰漠土为研究对象,通过野外实地调查收集土壤样品,室内化学分析测得土壤样品有机质含量,暗室内利用SVC HR-768高光谱仪测定土壤样品光谱反射率。通过对土壤光谱反射率进行倒数、对数、一阶微分、倒数的一阶微分、对数的一阶微分变换,运用单相关分析法提取土壤光谱特征波段,采用多元逐步方法对土壤有机质含量定量反演,分析研究土壤有机质含量和室内土壤光谱的特征关系。结果表明,在波长567、1 697 nm和2 221 nm处,采用反射率对数的一阶微分建立的土壤有机质含量反演模型预测精度最高,模型决定系数达到0.82。北疆绿洲农田灰漠土土壤有机质含量高光谱反演模型的建立为土壤有机质的快速测定提供了新的途径。     

星载高分五号高光谱耕地主要土壤类型土壤有机质含量 估测——以黑龙江省建三江农垦区为例

为了评价国产星载高分五号(GF-5)高光谱影像估测土壤有机质(SOM)含量的潜力,以及不同土壤类型对SOM含量光谱估测精度的影响,本研究以黑龙江省建三江农垦区为研究对象,获取了覆盖研究区域的GF-5高光谱影像和188个土壤样本。对提取的样点GF-5光谱反射率数据进行了反射率倒数、对数、一阶微分等9种光谱数学变换,并采用相关系数法确定了SOM含量的光谱敏感波段。采用偏最小二乘回归(PLSR)线性统计建模方法,对研究区域全部土壤类型以及草甸土、沼泽土、黑土等主要土壤类型,分别构建了光谱全波段和敏感波段的SOM含量估测模型,并进行了精度评价。结果表明,基于GF-5光谱数据的研究区域全部土壤类型的SOM含量估测精度不理想,最优模型精度决定系数(R2)为0.265,均方根误差(RMSE)为4.647%,相对分析误差(RPD)为1.135;不同类型土壤在SOM含量光谱估测精度差异较大,草甸土和沼泽土的SOM含量估测精度不高,但黑土的SOM含量估测精度较高,其中全波段光谱反射率对数一阶微分(LnR)′的SOM含量估测精度最高,R~2=0.729,RMSE=1.065%,RPD=1.850,SOM含量估测模型可用。按照不同土壤类型构建SOM含量估测模型可以进一步挖掘GF-5高光谱遥感估测SOM含量的潜力。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Potassium Fixation and Release Characteristics in Rhizosphere and Nonrhizosphere Soils for a Rapeseed–Rice Cropping Sequence

Potassium (K) fixation and release in soil are important factors in the long-term sustainability of a cropping system. Changes in K concentration and characteristics of K fixation and release in rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils in the rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)–rice (Oryza sativa L.) rotation were investigated using a rhizobox system. The concentrations of different forms of K in both rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils decreased with plants compared to without plants, regardless of K fertilizer application. Potassium uptake by crops mainly came from the rhizosphere soil. In the treatment without K fertilizer (–K), the main form of K supplied by the soil to the crops was 1.0 mol L^?1 nitric acid (HNO₃) nonextractable K, followed by nonexchangeable K, and then exchangeable K. In the treatment with K fertilizer (+K), the main K forms supplied by the soil to the crops were exchangeable K and nonexchangeable K. The amount and rate of K fixation after one cycle of the rapeseed–rice rotation was greater in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The amount and rate of K fixation of soil in the +K treatment were significantly less than in the –K treatment. The cumulative amounts of K released with 1.0 mol L^?1 ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc) and 1.0 mol L^?1 HNO₃ extraction increased with the increasing numbers of extractions, but the K-releasing power of soil by successive extraction decreased gradually and finally became almost constant. The release of K was less in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The release of K in the +K treatment was similar to that in the –K treatment in rhizosphere soil, but the K release in nonrhizosphere soil was greater with the +K than the –K treatment. Overall, the information obtained in this study will be helpful in formulating more precise K fertilizer recommendations for certain soils.