中华猕猴桃在中国潜在分布及其对气候变化响应的研究

中华猕猴桃为中国特有果种,由于其独特的口感和较高的经济价值,近年来种植规模逐年扩大。在引种过程中,由于缺乏合理的布局规划和适生性分析,出现了品种单一化、易感病虫害等问题。近年来四川、陕西、贵州、重庆和湖北等猕猴桃主产省份相继开展了猕猴桃气候适宜性区划的研究,但目前的研究多未考虑未来气候变化对猕猴桃种植分布的影响,且伴随着气候变化的加剧,已有的研究结果已不能完全适应实际生产的需求。本文运用生态位模型软件MaxEnt,模拟和预测气候变化背景下大尺度范围中华猕猴桃适生区分布及其变化的可行性,以利于科学地优化产业结构、促进产业发展。基于当前数据和IPCC AR5提出的3种气候情景以及中华猕猴桃的分布信息,采用MaxEnt生态位模型和ArcGIS预测了中华猕猴桃的适生区及未来的变化趋势,用受试者工作特征曲线(receiver operating characteristic curve,ROC曲线)检测模型精度、刀切法(Jackknife test)筛选主导环境变量。结果表明,基于当前和未来情景构建的中华猕猴桃地理分布模型的AUC(area under curve)值均达到"极好"的标准,说明模型预测结果可用于本研究。当前气候条件下,中华猕猴桃的高适生区主要在四川、陕西、重庆、湖北、贵州、浙江、湖南、安徽、河南、江苏和甘肃等省份,面积达1.01×10~6 km~2。中适生区则以高适生区为中心向外扩散,包括河南、湖北、安徽、江苏和山东等地,面积为6.79×10~5 km~2。RCP2.6和RCP4.5排放情景下,中华猕猴桃高适生区的分布、面积及中心点位置都有所不同,面积均呈增加趋势;RCP8.5排放情景下,高适生区面积呈减少趋势。RCP4.5和RCP8.5排放情景下,中华猕猴桃高适生区中心点均有向北移动趋势。MaxEnt模型对未来气候变化条件下中华猕猴桃适生区的准确模拟与预测具有潜在应用价值,对该果树的气候适宜性区划具有重要指导意义。     

RCP情景下中国一季稻热量资源变化动态

本文基于20个统计降尺度的高分辨率全球气候模式模拟数据,以平均气温、≥10℃积温和温度适宜度作为热量资源指数,分析了未来2种典型浓度路径情景下全国不同产区一季稻热量资源的变化特性,以期掌握未来水稻热量资源动态调整水稻生产。结果表明:一季稻主要生长季平均气温、≥10℃积温和温度适宜度地区间差异明显;RCP4.5和RCP8.5情景下,不同地区平均气温、≥10℃积温呈现不同程度的增加,且RCP8.5情景下的增幅较RCP4.5更为明显。1986—2005年,四川盆地和长江中下游地区一季稻温度适宜度较其他地区高;RCP4.5情景下,东北、宁夏、西南地区南部和东南部温度适宜度呈增大趋势,RCP8.5情景下这种变化趋势更为显著,可见热量资源的变化将利于这些地区一季稻生长;而四川盆地和长江中下游地区温度适宜度呈减小趋势,主要归因于高温日数的显著增加,因而热量资源变化并不利于该两地的一季稻生长。未来不同地区热量资源的变化特征将有助于指导不同地区合理优化水稻生产,趋利避害以应对气候变化。     

华北平原干旱事件特征及农业用地暴露度演变分析

根据1961-2014年华北平原52个气象观测站月降水数据和区域气候模式COSMO-CLM（CCLM）输出的逐月降水预估数据,利用标准化降水指数,结合“强度-面积-持续时间”（Intensity-Area-Duration, IAD）方法,研究了华北平原过去（1961-2014年）和未来（2016-2050年）3种排放情景(RCP2.6、4.5、8.5）下,不同持续时间的区域最强干旱事件的强度-面积特征及其时空分布规律。同时,基于2000年的土地利用数据,分析了2016-2050年华北平原农业用地暴露度的演变。研究表明：（1）1961-2014年,华北平原干旱中心在空间上呈由南向北迁移的趋势。（2）相比基准期（1961-2005年）,过去45a未遇的干旱事件在2016-2050年RCP3种情景下均有可能发生;RCP2.6情景下发生频率最高。（3）2016-2050年,RCP2.6和RCP 4.5情景下,华北平原农业用地干旱暴露度（即暴露面积）呈增大趋势,RCP4.5情景下干旱暴露面积增加的速率更大,RCP8.5情景下则与之相反,呈减小趋势。3种情景下暴露度峰值分别出现在2040s后期,2040s前期及2020s中期。     

典型浓度路径(RCP)情景下长江中下游地区气温变化预估

为探明典型浓度路径下(高端路径RCP8.5和稳定路径RCP4.5)长江中下游地区未来30a平均气温的时空变化趋势和分布特征,运用联合国政府间气候变化委员会(IPCC)AR5提出的模拟能力较强的BCC-CSM1-1(Beijing Climate Center Climate System Model version1-1)气候系统模式,基于典型浓度情景RCP(Representative Concentration Pathway)输出的2021-2050年0.5×0.5格点主要气象要素的逐日模式模拟数据资料,应用双线性内插法降尺度到长江中下游及邻近区域62个基本气象站点。以1961-1990为基准年,根据同期等长模拟数据和观测数据的非线性函数关系建立订正模型,并利用方差订正法对2021-2050年模拟数据进行误差订正。结果表明:RCP情景输出数据的模拟效果良好,方差订正可降低模拟值与观测值的相对误差和方差,更加真实反应未来气候变化趋势。RCP8.5和RCP4.5两种排放情景下,长江中下游地区2021-2050年年平均气温均呈显著上升趋势,增温幅度总体表现为自南向北逐渐减少。就季节而言,四季均呈现升温趋势,夏季增温幅度最高,变化倾向率大,春冬两季RCP8.5情景下增温幅度大于RCP4.5下,夏秋季则相反;RCP8.5情景下,研究区域年平均气温呈现自中部向东西递减,春夏季增温幅度高于秋季,冬季增温幅度最小,且变化倾向率低,大部分地区未通过0.05水平的显著性检验。RCP4.5情景下,研究区年平均气温自北向南逐渐降低,变化倾向率则表现为北部大于南部,夏季变化速率较大,增温幅度达1.2℃·10a~(-1)(P0.01),冬季较小且未通过显著性检验。     

黄淮海地区冬小麦种植北界时空演变及未来趋势分析

为探索黄淮海地区冬小麦种植北界的变化规律,该文基于黄淮海及周边地区94个气象站1961—2017年逐日气象数据和代表性浓度路径(representative concentration pathways,RCPs)RCP4.5、RCP8.5情景下2011—2100年逐日温度数据,采用5个气候指标对黄淮海地区冬小麦种植北界进行分析。主要结论如下:1961—1970年黄淮海地区冬小麦种植北界主要分布于天津—河北霸州—保定—石家庄—邢台—山西临汾一线;1971—1980年,该线在河北境内北移约65 km,在山西境内北移约40 km;与1971—1980年相比,1981—1990年北界变化较小,仅在河北唐山附近略南移,山西运城附近略北移;与1981—1990年相比,1991—2000年北界变化较大,尤以山西地区为最,将原本的正弦线趋势压缩为平滑抛物线趋势,临汾附近南移,阳城附近北移;相较于1991—2000年,2001—2010年北界略北移;相较于2001—2010年,2011—2017年北界呈南移现象。未来RCP4.5情景下,2011—2040年冬小麦种植北界主要分布在河北乐亭—唐山—北京—河北保定—石家庄—邢台—山西榆社—临汾一线;2041—2070年该线在河北境内北移至秦皇岛,山西境内北移至介休;与2041—2070年相比,2071—2100年北界在河北境内趋于稳定,在山西境内北移至太原北部。RCP8.5情景下,冬小麦种植北界变化较大:2011—2040年北界位于河北秦皇岛—唐山—北京—河北保定—石家庄—山西临汾一线;2041—2070年,该线在河北境内北移至遵化、青龙附近,在山西境内北移至兴县、太原附近;2071—2100年,北界北移至河北承德—丰宁—张家口—怀来—保定—山西原平—五寨—河曲一带。此外,与RCP8.5相比,RCP4.5情景下黄淮海地区冬小麦种植北界变化趋势较小。该研究可为黄淮海地区冬小麦种植敏感性地带适应气候变化提供理论依据和技术支撑。     

基于HEC-HMS模型的兰江流域径流预测

[目的] 分析兰江流域径流对气候变化的水文过程响应,为区域水资源可持续发展和防洪抗旱提供科学基础。[方法] 利用2015—2018年日降雨径流过程和6场暴雨洪水过程率定并验证HEC-HMS水文模型在该流域的适用性;基于SDSM统计降尺度模型,对2030—2100年CanESM2模式下RCP2.6,RCP4.5和RCP8.53种情景的气候数据进行降尺度,生成兰江流域6个气象站点未来日降水序列以预测未来气候变化下的径流响应。[结果] HEC-HMS模型对场次洪水和逐日径流模拟的相关系数平均值达到0.89,0.77,平均效率系数达到0.86,0.76;RCP2.6情景下研究区面降水量较于基准期（2015—2018年）减小0.82%,在RCP4.5,RCP8.5情景下分别增大6.18%,18.17%;RCP2.6,RCP4.5,RCP8.53种情景下多年平均径流相较于基准期分别增幅为17.00%,26.22%,41.93%。[结论] HEC-HMS模型在兰江流域有较好的适用性;未来兰江流域径流呈显著上升趋势,增幅程度随辐射强迫度的增加同步增大。当辐射强迫度升高至8.5 W/m²时,流域径流量平均每10 a上升49.49 m³/s。预计21世纪末多年平均径流量达到1 101 m³/s,年径流变化起伏剧烈,汛期径流占全年比例较高,旱涝事件趋于频繁,对人民福祉威胁较大。     

基于CMIP5全球气候模式的21世纪贵州省极端降水事件预估

利用国家气候中心收集和整理的8个CMIP5全球气候模式在RCP8.5、RCP4.5和RCP2.6温室气体排放情景下的逐日降水资料,使用泰勒图对2006-2016年数据进行检验,采用模拟效果最好的CCSM4和IPSL-CM5A-MR模式在等权重系数条件下的平均值,计算并分析贵州省2018-2044年、2045-2071年、2072-2098年3个阶段与降水有关的极端天气气候事件指数,即连续干旱日数(CDD)、大于20mm的降水日数(R20mm)、连续5d最大降水量(Rx5day)和简单日降水强度指数(SDII)相对于参照期(1986-2005年)的变化特征。结果表明:在3种情景下,21世纪各个阶段省东部CDD均多于参照期,且排放情景越高,偏多幅度越大,因此,贵州省东部地区未来可能发展的旱情值得关注。在21世纪不同阶段不同情景下,贵州省R20mm、Rx5day和SDII普遍多于参照期,且越到后期,高排放情景下(RCP8.5)增幅越大,中低排放情景下(RCP4.5和RCP2.6)增幅放缓甚至减小。总的来说,全球变暖背景下尤其是高排放情景下贵州省极端降水事件有增加的趋势。     

未来气候情景内蒙古蒸散和产水量的变化特征

评估预测区域蒸散变化趋势及其影响因素对干旱半干旱区的可持续发展至关重要。基于4种来自CMIP 5的全球气候模式数据和CLM 4.5模型,研究了在RCP 6.0和RCP 8.5情景下内蒙古地区2020—2099年的蒸散和产水量的时空变化特征及其影响因素。结果表明：在RCP 6.0和RCP 8.5情景下,未来内蒙古蒸散分别以0.37,0.69 mm/a速度增加（p<0.05）,呈西低东高分布。2种情景下产水量均无明显变化趋势（p>0.05）,但是存在明显显著的空间差异。空间上看,到21世纪末,在RCP 6.0情景下,全境产水量大部分地区呈增加趋势,在南部温带半干旱和半湿润区增加超过10 mm/a;但是在RCP 8.5情景下产水量减少区域占全境的46.32%,特别是干旱半干旱区和半湿润区产水量显著减少。蒸散影响因子存在较大区域差异,干旱半干旱区蒸散变化的主要影响因素是降水,半湿润区蒸散变化受降水和温度的共同影响,湿润区蒸散变化由温度主导;且在更高的升温情景下,增温影响进一步增加。同时,植被也是蒸散重要的影响因子,但其影响程度小于气候因子。     

未来中高排放情景下松嫩平原农业气候资源变化分析

基于松嫩平原地区基准时段（1961−1990年）的观测数据,应用统计方法对模型模拟的未来30a(2021−2050年)温度、降水、辐射的逐日数据进行偏差订正,同时采用五日滑动平均法计算≥10℃积温,分析研究区域相对于基准时段,未来30a农业气候资源指标的时空变化特征。结果表明：在RCP4.5和RCP8.5两种排放情景下,未来30a松嫩平原大部分地区平均温度在4～8℃,较基准时段升高2.5～2.8℃,且北部地区的增温幅度大于南部地区;此外,大部分地区≥10℃积温介于3000～3700℃·d,两种情景下分别增加500～550℃·d和600～670℃·d,其中南部部分地区增幅超过670℃·d;大部分地区年降水量在460～580mm,增量为50～90mm不等,降水增量在空间分布上表现为南多北少,其中南部地区增量超过90mm,而北部地区年增量则不足50mm,两种情景在相同区域的降水增量表现为RCP4.5多于RCP8.5;相较于基准时段,年辐射量减少85～100MJ·m−2,生长季内辐射量减少10～40MJ·m−2,变化趋势均不明显。综上所述,未来松嫩平原地区农业气候资源表现为整体提升趋势,农作物可种植期相对延长,因此,应适当种植生育期更长的作物,避免因未来气温升高,造成现有作物生育期缩短,导致产量降低的情况发生;同时研究结果对调整种植结构、改变种植措施和选育作物品种等具有指导意义,有利于充分利用气候资源,提高作物产量。     

基于CMIP5模式和SDSM的赣江流域未来气候变化情景预估

赣江流域未来气候变化预估,对于了解该流域未来水资源的变化、指导流域防洪抗旱和水资源的合理开发利用具有重要意义。为预估该流域未来气候变化,利用1961—2005年赣江流域6个气象站数据、NCEP再分析数据并选择了CMIP5中CanESM2模式下3种排放情景RCP2.6,RCP4.5,RCP8.5,采用SDSM模型研究了赣江流域未来气候变化。结果表明:（1）赣江流域未来温度和降水总体均呈上升趋势。（2）在RCP2.6,RCP4.5,RCP8.5这3种排放情景下赣江流域未来最高气温分别增加1.8,2.1,2.8℃;未来最低气温分别增加1,1.2,1.9℃;未来平均气温分别增加1.5,1.6,2.3℃;3种排放情景下未来温度空间分布都是南高北低,西高东低,并在南北方向呈带状和环状分布。（3）在未来3个时期（2020s,2050s,2080s）、3种排放情景下赣江流域气温呈上升趋势,且6月份增幅最大,2月份增幅最小。（4）在未来3个时期、3种排放情景下,赣江流域未来降水均呈增加的趋势;5—10月降水量均呈现下降趋势,1—4月、11—12月降水量呈现增加趋势;3种情景下的未来降水空间分布基本呈南低北高,在南北方向呈递增趋势。对赣江流域气候要素模拟与预估表明,赣江流域未来气候变化存在降水增加及极端天气事件发生的危险,分析结果可为赣江流域气候变化的水文响应及气候变化的适应性研究提供科学依据。     

Agricultural potential of Mediterranean grain and forage legumes: Key differences between and within Vicia species in terms of phenology, yield, and agronomy give insight into plant adaptation to semi-arid environments

In order to identify key adaptive traits which affect productivity in Mediterranean grain and forage legumes and simultaneously determine the agricultural potential of a wide range of Vicia species, germplasm collected from the wild throughout the eastern Mediterranean was grown under semi-arid conditions in Tel Hadya, Syria (313 mm growing season rainfall). These included species currently in use in Mediterranean agriculture, such as V. sativa L., as well as those more widely used in the past-such as V. ervilia L., but also a broad selection from Section Narbonensis (B. Fedtsch. ex Radzhi) Maxted, including V. narbonensis L, V. johannis Tamamsch., V. hyaeniscyamus Mout., V. serratifolia Jacq., and V. kalakhensis Khattab et al. V. faba, a near relative of the taxa in Section Narbonensis, was included as a domesticated control. Where applicable, a representative range of subspecies was used. Accessions were chosen from a wide range of habitats in terms of latitude (31.02–40.72 decimal^o), longitude (27.1–43.17 decimal^o), altitude (20–1510 m), rainfall (180–1700 mm/yr) and soil depth (5–50 cm) in order to maximise diversity within species. Agricultural potential was determined by measuring seed, hay and biological yield, as well as agronomic traits such as harvest index, standing crop height, and seed size. The comparative influence of phenology and key agronomic traits such as plant habit and seed size on productivity varied tremendously between species, depending on their reproductive strategies. In V. sativa and V. ervilia, the smaller seed species which rely on long vegetative phases and growing seasons to accumulate sufficient biomass to set seed, and in which there was comparatively little agronomic variation, phenology had a large impact on yield. In early emerging taxa such as V. ervilia and V. s. subsp. sativa, with built-in long vegetative phases and growing seasons, seed yield was negatively correlated with flower ing (r = –0.86 to –0.88), whereas the opposite was the case for later emerging taxa such as V. s. subsp. nigra (L.) Ehrh. (r = 0.95). Within V. narbonensis and relatives, the larger seeded Vicia species which rely on more conservative reproductive strategies where high seedling vigour associated with large seeds enables the species to enter reproductive phases relatively early, phenology had a much smaller impact on yield than did variation of key traits such as seed weight, plant habit and pod shattering. Among the undomesticated germplasm harvest indices ranged from 0.09–0.31, hay yields from 0.1–3.4 t/ha, seed yield from 0–2.0 t/ha, and dry matter at maturity from 1.6–6.5 t/ha. Sub-specific taxonomy was crucial in determining agronomic potential. V. narbonensis var. aegyptiaca Kornhuber ex Asch. et Schweinf. showed the most potential, combining an upright habit, large seeds (212 mg) and tendency to retain intact pods after maturity, with the highest yield, harvest index and crop height of all the wild Vicia species. V. sativa subsp. sativa, V. ervilia and V. narbonensis var. narbonensis were less productive, but still showed agricultural potential. The smaller seeded V. narbonensis, var. affinis, var. jordanica H. Schäf. and var. salmonea (Mout.) H. Schäf., and their close relatives V. johannis, V. hyaeniscyamus, V. serratifolia and V. kalakhensis have little to offer Mediterranean agriculture on the basis of poor agronomy.     

Changes in trace element speciation in kola north surface waters during snow melt

The powerful mass-flow of melt water during the brief period of spring thaw provides a surge of pollutants and causes extremely toxic short term conditions. Together with the increase in total metal concentrations during this period, a redistribution in metal speciation occurs that increases the proportion of more toxic forms. Concentrations of ion-exchangeable fractions of nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), aluminium (Al), and manganese (Mn) show strong negative correlations with pH. The sum of complex metal species shows a strong positive correlation with total organic carbon (TOC). A data analysis model based on relationships observed between key parameters and metal behaviour together with gidrological data allowed an assessmrnt of the metal impact on waterbodies from accumulated airborne pollution (Ni, Cu) as well as from accelerated leaching from watersheds (Al, Mn).     

On the Taxonomy of the Members of ‘Saccharum Complex’

The difficulty and problems encountered in the study of cultivated plants, in general and sugarcane, in particular has been indicated. In order to understand these problems, a brief review on the taxonomy of Saccharum and closely related taxa, namely, Erianthus, Sclerostachya, Narenga and Miscanthus (generally known as ‘Saccharum complex’) has been given. A short account on the important morphological features that are specific to sugarcane has also been stated as classification is commonly based on such morphological characters. A note has been added on the chromosome number, origin, and distribution of the species of ‘Saccharum complex’ members. Taxonomic keys have been devised for identification of the genera of Saccharinae and for the species of Saccharum and Erianthus occurring in India. A new combination, Sclerostachya fallax (Balansa) Amalraj et Balasundaram, has also been proposed.     

Polymorphism of high molecular weight glutenin subunits in three species of Aegilops

A collection of 136 accessions of Aegilops umbellulata (39), Ae. comosa (75) and Ae. markgrafii (22) was analysed for high-molecular-weight (HMW) glutenin subunits composition. The homogeneity of the accessions was studied and 55.1% of the collection was homogeneous for HMW glutenin subunits (29 Ae. umbellulata, 33 Ae. comosa and 14 Ae. markgrafii). The HMW glutenin subunits of Ae. umbellulata are encoded by the Glu-U1 locus; in Ae. comosa results showed that this proteins are encoded at the 1M chromosome, and the locus was named Glu-M1. In Ae. markgrafii it was assumed that HMW glutenin subunits were encoded by an homoeologous locus and it was named Glu-C1. All the accessions of Ae. umbellulata and Ae. markgrafii expressed both, x-type and y-type subunits. Among the Ae. comosa accessions, only one expressed an x-type subunit alone. All the accessions of Ae. umbellulata and some of Ae. comosa had x-type glutenins of higher molecular weights than those commonly present in bread wheat. A total of 8 alleles were detected at the Glu-U1 locus, 11 at the Glu-M1 and 4 at the Glu-C1. The new HMW glutenin variation found in this work suggests their possible utilisation in breeding for wheat quality.     

The major features of an infestation by the invasive weed legume gorse (Ulex europaeus) on volcanic soils in Hawaii

Gorse (Ulex europaeus) infestation occupies over 4,000 ha of agriculture and conservation lands on the southeastern slope of Mauna Kea on the Island of Hawaii. The aim of this investigation is to identify ecological features associated with this weed invasion by comparing the gorse-infested areas to the surrounding uninfested areas of this landscape. The soils within the gorse infestation are more acidic, resulting in higher levels of KCl-extractable Al and lower levels of Mehlich III-extractable Ca, Mg, Mn, and Zn. Yet, gorse accumulates higher concentrations of Ca, Zn and, Cu than the kikuyu grass (Pennesitum clandestinum), which is ubiquitous throughout the site. The Ca:Al and Mg:Al molar charge ratios of the soils are lowest within the epicenter of the gorse infestation, while the molar ratios are highest in the gorse apical stem tissues. All gorse plants are nodulated and have higher nitrogen contents than the surrounding kikuyu grass. Furthermore, the δ¹⁵N of the gorse stem tissues approaches 0‰, suggesting that nitrogen is being symbiotically fixed from the atmosphere. Characterization of the Bradyrhizobium isolated from gorse nodules shows similarities and distinctions to Bradyrhizobium isolated from the endemic legume koa (Acacia koa) within the same location. Population densities of the indigenous Bradyrhizobium are higher within the gorse rhizosphere than the kikuyu grass. Soil acidification, nutrient depletion, and symbiotic nitrogen fixation distinguish gorse-infested areas from the surrounding uninfested areas. These observations suggest that gorse has a competitive advantage over kikuyu grass under conditions of soil nutrient deficiency.     

Nematofauna associated with exotic and native leguminous plant species in West Africa: effect of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Glomus intraradices</Emphasis> arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis

Ten leguminous trees, four exotic species (Australian Acacia) and six indigenous species (three Sahelian Acacia spp. and three Sesbania spp.), were grown for 4 months in a natural Sahelian soil inoculated with or without the endomycorrhizal fungus, Glomus intraradices. In control trials, the determinant factor structuring the soil nematode fauna was the plant species, related plants having a similar influence on the nematode community in the soil. Soil nematode abundance increased from exotic acacias (3.3 g^-1 dry soil) to native acacias (11.5 g^-1 dry soil) and Sesbania species (17.6 g^-1 dry soil). Plant feeding nematodes (mainly Scutellonema and Tylenchorhynchus) were significantly less abundant under exotic acacias (1.4 g^-1 dry soil) than under native acacias (7.2 g^-1 dry soil) or Sesbania species (7.3 g^-1 dry soil). Bacterial feeding nematode density increased from exotic acacias (1.2 g^-1 dry soil) to native acacias (3.0 g^-1 dry soil) and Sesbania species (7.7 g^-1 dry soil) as total densities. However, the differences in the structure of the nematode communities between plant groups were suppressed in the presence of the mycorrhizal fungus. In fact, no difference in nematode densities remained between plant groups when G. intraradices developed in several dominant taxa belonging to different trophic groups, particularly: Tylenchorhynchus, Apelenchina, Cephalobus and Dorylaimoidea. This study clearly indicated that inoculation with the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus G. intraradices diminished the plant-specific effect on the structure of the soil nematode community.     

Genetic diversity of rhizobia associated with indigenous legumes in different regions of Flanders (Belgium)

We investigated the diversity of rhizobia isolated from different indigenous legumes in Flanders (Belgium). A total of 3810 bacterial strains were analysed originating from 43 plant species. Based on rep-PCR clustering, 16S rRNA gene and recA gene sequence analysis, these isolates belonged to Bradyrhizobium, Ensifer (Sinorhizobium), Mesorhizobium and Rhizobium. Of the genera encountered, Rhizobium was the most abundant (62%) and especially the species Rhizobiumleguminosarum, followed by Ensifer (19%), Bradyrhizobium (14%) and finally Mesorhizobium (5%). For two rep-clusters only low similarity values with other genera were found for both the 16S rRNA and recA genes, suggesting that these may represent a new genus with close relationship to Rhodopseudomonas and Bradyrhizobium. Primers for the symbiotic genes nodC and nifH were optimized and a phylogenetic sequence analysis revealed the presence of different symbiovars including genistearum, glycinearum, loti, meliloti, officinalis, trifolii and viciae. Moreover, three new nodC types were assigned to strains originating from Ononis, Robinia and Wisteria, respectively. Discriminant and MANOVA analysis confirmed the correlation of symbiosis genes with certain bacterial genera and less with the host plant. Multiple symbiovars can be present within the same host plant, suggesting the promiscuity of these plants. Moreover, the ecoregion did not contribute to the separation of the bacterial endosymbionts. Our results reveal a large diversity of rhizobia associated with indigenous legumes in Flanders. Most of the legumes harboured more than one rhizobial endosymbiont in their root nodules indicating the importance of including sufficient isolates per plant in diversity studies.     

Powdery Mildew Resistance in a Collection of Chinese Barley Varieties

One hundred and forty-seven Chinese barley varieties maintained at the Gene Bank of the National Barley Improvement Centre, Zhejiang, and 84 progenies from these varieties were tested at the seedling stage for their reaction to 32 selected pathotypes of Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei. Eighteen resistance spectra were identified comprising single or combined resistances from eight known (Ml(Bw), Ml(Ch), Mla7, Mla8, Mla9, Mla13, MlaRu4 and Mlg) and six unknown resistance genes. The most frequent gene was Ml(Bw), which was found in 69 varieties and previously detected in only a few European winter barley varieties. The genes Mla8 and Ml(Ch) were also often present, but other resistance genes were rare. After inoculation, considerably fewer pathogen colonies were observed in ‘Aiganqi’ and one line of ‘Tong5’. Twenty varieties were composed of lines with different resistance genes. China is likely to be a region of origin of the genes Ml(Bw), Mla7, as well as three unknown genes found in original landraces and perhaps another three unknown genes detected in cultivars bred in China. The resistances of varieties from the Zhejiang province and those originating from 11 other Chinese provinces were quite different. Unfortunately, none of the varieties are promising sources of resistance to powdery mildew and China does not seem to be a region suitable for identifying such sources.