渭河源区坡耕地时空变化及其土壤保持效应

[目的] 分析渭河源区不同等级坡耕地的时空变化,揭示不同坡耕地类型的土壤保持效应,探讨退耕还林还草工程对渭河源区坡耕地及土壤保持的影响,为完善不同坡耕地资源合理规划利用提供科学依据。[方法] 利用1990,2000,2010和2020年4期渭河源区土地利用和地形数据,通过叠加分析、耕地动态度、土地利用转移矩阵和中国土壤流失方程等方法进行分析。[结果] ①1990—2020年耕地呈先缓慢增加后急剧减少再缓慢减少的趋势,面积净减少321.03 km²,其中陡坡耕地和缓坡耕地是耕地变化主要类型。②近30 a来,耕地的时空变化主要表现为1990—2000年耕地少量转入,主要分布在漳县和岷县;随着退耕还林还草工程的实施,有279.80 km²的坡耕地转变为林草地,其中耕地转换为草地主要分布在通渭和陇西县,而耕地转换为林地主要分布在陇西和岷县。③1990—2000年渭河源区林草地开垦导致土壤保持量减少5.52×10⁴ t,而2000—2020年退耕还林还草导致土壤保持量增加2.21×10⁶ t,其中大于15°的坡耕地的转变对土壤保持量变化影响更大。[结论] 渭河源区退耕还林还草工程成效显著,其中2000—2010年陡坡耕地的退耕面积最大,陡坡耕地退耕地土壤保持总体效应最大,但峭坡耕地退耕地单位效应最大。峭坡耕地仍有较大退耕空间,依旧是新一轮退耕任务的主要目标。     

晋西黄土区极端降雨后浅层滑坡调查及影响因素分析

极端降雨引发的浅层滑坡,造成了严重的环境破坏与社会经济损失。为探究极端降雨条件下土地利用、植被类型和地形因素对浅层滑坡的影响,通过对山西省吉县蔡家川流域2021年10月3—6日极端降雨引发的浅层滑坡进行实地调查,分析了极端降雨的特征与过程,不同土地利用和植被状况条件下、不同地形条件下浅层滑坡的数量与破损面积。结果表明:(1)极端降雨降雨量为年平均降雨量的31.2%,达到了161.3 mm,降雨历时84 h,峰值降雨强度7 mm/h,平均降雨强度2.1 mm/h,发生该种程度降雨的频率为0.16%,为625年一遇的极端降雨。(2)蔡家川流域内的农地小流域、人工林小流域和次生林小流域共计发生浅层滑坡479处,破损面积达183 881 m²,90%的浅层滑坡面积小于885 m²。(3)单位面积上浅层滑坡的数量与破损面积均表现为农地小流域(214个/km²,109 241 m²/km²)>人工林小流域(163个/km²,48 779 m²/km²)>次生林小流域(42个/km²,17 176 m²/km²),在小流域尺度上森林植被对浅层滑坡的防治作用显著高于农地,且次生林地预防浅层滑坡的作用优于人工林地。(4)浅层滑坡发生的坡面坡度为10°~80°,浅层滑坡数量与破损面积均随着坡度的增大而增大,在40°~50°达到峰值,坡度>50°后,浅层滑坡数量与破损面积随坡度增大而减少,坡度是影响浅层滑坡的主导因素。(5)浅层滑坡发生在坡向为22.5°~337.5°的坡面上,浅层滑坡数量和破损面积随坡向变化并未表现出明显的规律性,坡向对浅层滑坡的影响不大。     

中国东北漫川漫岗典型黑土区沟道侵蚀特征

[目的] 通过对450 km²黑土区进行实测调查，旨在评估研究区沟道侵蚀现状。[方法] 选取沟道侵蚀严重的450 km²的漫川漫岗黑土区为调查区域，首先在谷歌卫星影像上进行侵蚀沟识别和定位，再对侵蚀沟立体形态进行实地测量。[结果] ①研究区土地利用以耕地为主，耕地、建设用地、林地、草地分别占研究区总面积的85%，8%，6%，1%。②研究区坡耕地占86%，坡度0.25°~3.0°占64%，大于5°的占12%。③共有侵蚀沟1 049条，其中耕地中侵蚀沟577条，占总侵蚀沟条数的55%；沟壑密度1.2 km/km²，按沟壑密度衡量沟蚀强度为中度；沟壑面积比例为2.89%，以此界定沟蚀强度为剧烈。④研究区侵蚀沟平均长度、宽度、深度和面积分别为996，13.1，2.7 m和2.4 hm²。[结论] 漫川漫岗黑土区沟道侵蚀严重，主要危害坡耕地，但侵蚀沟相对较小，易于治理。     

基于InVEST模型的祁连山国家公园碳储量时空分布研究

[目的] 研究祁连山国家公园碳储量及其时空分布,分析土地利用变化对陆地生态系统碳储量的影响,为提升国家公园生态价值、调整生态工程及土地管理政策提供科学依据。[方法] 结合土地利用变化动态指数和土地转移矩阵分析国家公园生态破坏和生态恢复前后的土地利用变化,然后基于InVEST模型Carbon模块,以土地利用遥感影像和碳密度为模型运行数据,计算土地利用变化导致的碳储量变化。[结果] ①祁连山国家公园1980,1990,2000,2010,2018年的碳储量分别为9.07×10⁸,9.07×10⁸,9.07×10⁸,9.16×10⁸,9.17×10⁸ t,呈现“先减后增”的趋势,累计增加9.86×10⁶ t。②碳储量空间分布与土地利用类型有一定联系。碳储量较高的地区主要集中在公园东段和中段东侧,以林地为主;碳储量较低的地区主要集中公园西段和中段西侧,以未利用地为主。③1980—2018年生态正向演变下的土地利用变化（耕地、草地和未利用地转为林地,耕地和未利用地转为草地,未利用地转为水域）是国家公园碳储量增加的主要原因。[结论] 巩固实施生态工程,着重保护草地资源、调整土地管理政策等方式能够有效促进生态系统正向演变,优化土地利用结构,有利于祁连山国家公园陆地生态碳储量的增加。     

晋陕蒙接壤区1990-2020年水土流失动态变化

[目的] 分析晋陕蒙接壤区1990—2020年水土流失年际动态变化情况及其原因,为该区水土保持工作的有效开展提供科学支撑。[方法] 利用1999,2018,2019和2020年水土流失监测数据,获得4 a晋陕蒙接壤区水土流失动态监测成果,分析研究区水土流失年际间动态变化情况。并通过2020与1999年监测成果对比,进行动态变化及其原因分析。[结果] 得力于国家和地方政府层面水土保持方针、政策、措施以及相关监管部门工作的有效落实,1999—2020年晋陕蒙接壤地区水土流失面积由4.71×10⁴ km²减少至2.45×10⁴ km²,减幅达47.98%。[结论] 研究区1990—2020年水土流失强度明显减弱,由以强烈及以上侵蚀强度为主转变为以轻中度为主,生态环境显著改善。今后应根据区域水土流失特点,进一步加大投入和实施更有效的水土保持措施。     

辽宁省抚顺市2000-2020年土地利用格局变化与生态环境效应

[目的] 探讨辽宁省抚顺市退耕还林以来土地利用格局时空变化特征及生态环境效应,揭示土地利用格局变化对环境的影响,为该区土地利用结构优化提供科学依据。[方法] 以2000,2010和2020年3期遥感影像为基础数据,通过土地利用动态度、土地利用程度综合指数、土地利用转移矩阵、NDVI差值分析、区域生态环境质量指数等方法定量分析抚顺市土地利用格局时空变化特征及生态环境效应。[结果] ①2000—2020年研究区各种土地类型存在相互转化的关系,其中林地和耕地变化较为明显。20 a间,耕地面积减少825.59 km²,增长率-7.32%;林地面积增加591.14 km²,增长率5.24%;城镇用地面积增加182.36 km²,增长率1.62%; ②2000,2010和2020年研究区土地利用程度综合指数分别为224.48,225.57和226.12,同比增长0.49%和0.24%,研究区土地开发利用强度缓慢上升; ③研究区20 a间植被覆盖整体呈上升趋势,NDVI减少的区域与城镇用地的扩张区域基本重合; ④3个时期土地利用类型转化的生态环境质量指数分别为0.744 8,0.775 4和0.782 6,10 a间环境质量生态指数分别上升4.11%和0.93%,环境质量整体呈上升趋势。[结论] 20 a间研究区快速推进城镇化进程的同时环境质量整体向好,局部范围内生态环境质量改善与恶化并存。城镇用地、耕地、林地之间的转化为主要原因,退耕还林等环境保护政策使研究区环境质量不断上升,但随着时间的推移,上升趋势趋于平缓。     

滇中城市群2000-2020年土地利用变化对生态系统服务价值的影响

[目的] 以高原喀斯特地貌区滇中城市群为例,引入地形梯度,探究快速城镇化过程中滇中城市群的土地利用/覆被变化（LUCC）对生态系统服务价值（ESV）的影响,为其他相似地区的生态系统服务价值提升和土地利用规划提供理论指导。[方法] 基于2000,2010和2020年3期土地利用数据,结合地形位指数、修正的ESV当量和热点分析等技术手段定量探讨滇中城市群2000—2020年的土地利用和ESV在地形梯度上的时空变化特征,并通过ESV损益流向表分析滇中城市群LUCC对ESV的影响。[结果] ①2000—2020年,滇中城市群耕地和林地分别减少了1.21×10⁵ hm²,1.19×10⁵ hm²,而建设用地面积增加了2.16×10⁵ hm²。耕地、水域和建设用地主要集中分布在低地形梯度上,林地主要集中分布在高地形梯度上。②ESV总体呈下降趋势,价值量从2000年的1 196.41亿元减少到2020年的1 137.50亿元,共减少58.91亿元。ESV在地形梯度上的空间分异特征显著,ESV高值区主要分布在海拔高且坡度大的西部和北部区域,ESV低值区则与之相反。③林地和水域的流失以及建设用地对耕地的侵占导致ESV损失惨重,损失区主要分布于昆明市中部和红河州北部的城镇区。2010—2020年,由于退耕还林、还草、还湖等政策的实施使红河州北部和曲靖市北部区域的林地和水域面积增加并出现ESV增值区。[结论] 研究期内LUCC对ESV产生了较大影响,并在地形梯度上表现出了较明显的空间差异。可以通过对现有林草地和湖滨湿地进行改善和保护,并严格控制ESV损失冷点区等措施来提升滇中城市群生态系统服务价值和促进区域土地可持续利用。     

基于USLE的广东省山区土壤侵蚀量估算及特征分析

基于通用土壤流失方程(universal soil loss equation,USLE)、遥感和ArcGIS空间分析技术,通过合理选择USLE模型中各土壤侵蚀因子的计算方法,对广东省山区土壤侵蚀量进行了估算,并对山区土壤侵蚀随土地利用类型、土壤类型、坡度及海拔高度的分布特征进行了分析。结果表明,广东省山区2000年土壤侵蚀总量为1.23×10⁸ t,年均侵蚀模数为1 080t/(km²·a),侵蚀强度为轻度。不同土地利用类型中,旱地的侵蚀强度最高,达2 055t/(km²·a),林地和草地的侵蚀模数较小,分别为908和932t/(km²·a)。不同坡度等级的土壤侵蚀特征表现为坡度越陡,侵蚀强度越大。不同海拔高度的侵蚀特征表现为在0~1 600m高度,侵蚀强度随海拔高度的升高而增大;海拔高于1 600m时,侵蚀强度随海拔高度的升高而下降。     

生态工程对科尔沁沙地主要生态服务功能的影响

[目的] 研究生态工程实施下科尔沁沙地主要生态服务功能的变化特征,为该区今后生态保护建设提供科学依据。[方法] 运用已有的生态服务评估方法定量评估了2001—2018年科尔沁沙地固碳量、水源涵养及水土保持服务功能的时空变化情况。[结果] ①科尔沁沙地土地利用类型主要以耕地、林地和草地为主,生态工程实施期间,林地、耕地面积分别增加8 448 km²,3 280 km²,草地面积减少12 639 km²; ②科尔沁沙地固碳量稳步增长,林地和耕地的固碳量均增加,草地的固碳量减小,但草地固碳量依然最高; ③科尔沁沙地水源涵养量呈先增加后略微减少的趋势,所有土地类型中林地水源涵养量持续升高; ④科尔沁沙地水土保持量持续上升,约增加1.38×10⁷ t,林地水土保持量增加最显著。受地势的影响,区域水土保持总量呈西高东低的分布特征。[结论] 科尔沁沙地生态工程建设效果良好,创造了显著的生态效益。     

基于RUSLE的蔗区小流域土壤侵蚀特征研究

[目的] 探讨广西壮族自治区典型赤红壤集约化蔗区小流域的土壤侵蚀状况,以及土壤侵蚀强度与不同坡度、土地利用类型的关系,为广西集约化蔗区小流域防治土壤侵蚀提供科学参考。[方法] 在GIS空间分析技术支持下,利用修正的通用土壤流失方程（revised universal soil loss equation,RUSLE）对其进行定量估算。[结果] ①那辣小流域坡度在0°~35°之间,坡耕地（甘蔗）、林地（桉树）分别占土地利用总面积的82.85%,10.99%,道路和沟渠共占6.16%。2020年流域平均土壤侵蚀速率为22.97 t/（hm²·a）,属轻度侵蚀水平,是水利部规定的南方红壤丘陵区土壤允许流失量5 t/（hm²·a）的4.6倍;②流域土壤侵蚀主要发生在5°~25°的坡度范围内,是预防和治理水土流失的重点区域;③不同土地利用类型中,平均侵蚀速率最大的是林地（桉树）,为53.59 t/（hm²·a）,分别是坡耕地（甘蔗）、道路、沟渠的2.84,2.12,27.91倍。[结论] 应用RUSLE模型通过借助软件输入相关参数和处理数据,即可估算出蔗区土壤侵蚀及不同坡度、土地利用类型的土壤侵蚀强度分布特征,应合理规划并利用管理好流域的坡耕地（甘蔗）、林地（桉树）、道路等土地利用类型,采取具有针对性的、有效的水土保持措施。     

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.