“中国农业系统模型”在长江流域的适应性检验及其模拟应用

利用水稻生长观测资料和气象资料,对＂中国农业系统模型（ChinaAgrosys）＂在整个长江流域水稻发育期、叶面积指数和生物量方面的模拟能力进行了综合评价。模型检验结果显示：发育期、叶面积指数和生物量的模拟值与观测值的均方根误差（RMSE）分别为4.4d、2.4、2010 kg·hm^-2,相对误差分别在-10%-11%、-30%-30%、-23%-24%,表明该模型可以用于长江流域历史和未来时期水稻的生育期、叶面积指数和生物量的模拟研究。利用此模型模拟了1955-2005年流域30个站点历年一季稻生物产量,并计算了各点的逐年变化趋势。结果表明：过去51a长江流域一季稻生物产量总体呈下降趋势,这可能与近年来流域夏季降水增多、日照时数减少有关。     

改进CERES-Rice模型模拟覆膜旱作水稻生长

覆膜旱作是节水稻作生产体系的重要措施之一,采用CERES-Rice模型模拟覆膜旱作水稻生长需另外考虑覆膜的增温效应和根系层土壤水分布差异及由此所带来的影响。该文借鉴部分旱地作物的相关研究成果,对原CERES-Rice模型中的积温和土壤温度、蒸发和土壤水分胁迫等模拟计算过程进行了改进,并进一步通过2个水稻生长季的田间试验予以验证。试验于2013、2014年在湖北房县进行,共涉及淹水(对照)、覆膜湿润栽培和覆膜旱作共3个水分处理,采用原模型和改进模型分别对2个生长季、2个覆膜处理的生育期、叶面积指数与地上部干物质质量的变化过程及产量进行模拟。结果表明:原CERES-Rice模型难以准确刻画覆膜旱作水稻的生长发育过程,经改进后,模拟效果大大改善,可有效反映环境变化(水分、温度)对覆膜水稻生育进程的影响和产量形成,维持生育期与产量模拟的相对误差在15%以内;覆膜水稻叶面积指数的动态模拟基本满足要求,其均方根差≤1.54 m~2/m~2、相对均方根差≤27%、建模效率≥0.85;对覆膜水稻地上部干物质质量变化过程的模拟也呈现出较好的效果,均方根差和相对均方根差分别小于1 490 kg/hm~2、16%,建模效率则高于0.95。总体而言,经改进后的CERES-Rice模型基本可满足要求,较好地用于模拟覆膜旱作水稻的生长发育规律。     

宁夏河套灌区主栽水稻品种遗传参数调试

利用CERESRice模型开展宁夏河套灌区水稻低温冷害影响定量化评估,需要确定河套灌区主栽水稻品种的遗传参数。采用1996-2013年中卫、永宁国家一级农业气象试验站水稻试验观测资料,结合同期气象和稻田土壤属性数据,对河套灌区宁粳28号（晚稻）、富源4号（中稻）、宁粳16号（晚稻）3个主栽水稻品种进行遗传参数调试,并以水稻开花期、成熟期、籽粒产量、地上部生物量和最大叶面积指数进行误差验证。结果表明：中稻富源4号遗传参数调试效果最好,开花期、成熟期和产量一致性指标分别为0.86、0.77和0.84;晚稻宁粳16号遗传参数调试效果较好,开花期、成熟期和产量一致性指标分别为0.86、0.64和0.91;晚稻宁粳28号开花期、成熟期和产量的一致性指标分别0.58、0.77和0.92;对成熟期、地上部生物量和最大叶面积指数模拟效果一般,对开花期和产量模拟效果较好。表明主栽水稻品种遗传参数调试总体效果较好,3个主栽品种遗传参数适于河套灌区水稻生长发育,可用于低温冷害对水稻影响的定量化评估模拟研究。     

ORYZA2000模型模拟安徽地区不同播期水稻的适应性分析

以2010-2011年安徽宣城两个水稻品种(两优6326,南粳44)3个播期(5月5日、15日、25日)水稻生长发育观测数据为基础,结合当地气象、土壤等数据,将2010年数据作为校准数据对ORYZA2000模型进行参数校正,调试决定作物基本参数,以2011年数据作为检验数据,对水稻生育期、叶面积指数、生物量及产量等指标进行模拟并将结果进行统计验证与评价.结果表明,对水稻生育期发育速率的模拟显示,两优6326的大部分生育期发育速率稍高于南粳44,第三播期两优6326基本营养阶段及生殖生长阶段的发育速率最大,第三播期南粳44穗分化阶段的发育速率最小;水稻生育期模拟值均比实测值小,其差异为2 ～7d.生育期长度的归一化均方根误差(NRMSE)为3.4％ ～7.5％;两组数据所得地上总生物量的NRMSE为16％ ～22％、绿叶生物量的NRMSE为20％ ～25％、茎生物量的NRMSE为17％ ～21％、穗生物量的NRMSE为19％ ～ 25％、叶面积指数的NRMSE为24％～26％,其总生物量及产量的NRMSE分别为6％ ～ 13％和5％ ～ 14％.模拟结果表明ORYZA2000模型可以通过校准作物参数,较准确地模拟水稻发育期、发育速率及其生物量的动态积累过程.     

四川单季稻区主栽水稻品种的生长模拟

利用四川单季稻区7个农业气象观测站5个主栽品种的田间观测数据,结合当地栽培管理措施、土壤条件及逐日气象资料对ORYZA2000模型进行参数调试,并确定四川单季稻区5个主栽品种的作物参数值;利用4～5a各主栽品种的观测数据对单季稻生育期、叶面积指数、生物量和产量等指标的模拟结果进行验证和评价。结果表明,合系39营养生长期发育速率最大,而生殖生长期发育速率最小,Ⅱ优838营养生长期发育速率最小,而D优63和汕优2生殖生长期发育速率最大;模型对5个单季稻主栽品种的生育期模拟效果较好,各品种开花期与成熟期的相对模拟误差均在1～2d,归一化均方根误差（NRMSE）均小于1%;各品种产量的NRMSE在5.26%～10.01%,叶面积指数的NRMSE为10.37%～19.19%,地上部总生物量、茎生物量、绿叶生物量及穗生物量的NRMSE分别为13.17%～18.69%、14.31%～20.41%、18.95%～24.74%和20.85%～25.39%。由此可见,ORYZA2000模型能够较为准确地模拟四川单季稻区5个主栽品种的发育及产量形成过程,适应能力较强,可以应用于四川单季稻生产。     

四川单季稻区主栽水稻品种的生长模拟*4

利用四川单季稻区7个农业气象观测站5个主栽品种的田间观测数据,结合当地栽培管理措施、土壤条件及逐日气象资料对ORYZA2000模型进行参数调试,并确定四川单季稻区5个主栽品种的作物参数值;利用4～5a各主栽品种的观测数据对单季稻生育期、叶面积指数、生物量和产量等指标的模拟结果进行验证和评价。结果表明,合系39营养生长期发育速率最大,而生殖生长期发育速率最小,Ⅱ优838营养生长期发育速率最小,而D优63和汕优2生殖生长期发育速率最大;模型对5个单季稻主栽品种的生育期模拟效果较好,各品种开花期与成熟期的相对模拟误差均在1～2d,归一化均方根误差（NRMSE）均小于1%;各品种产量的NRMSE在5.26%～10.01%,叶面积指数的NRMSE为10.37%～19.19%,地上部总生物量、茎生物量、绿叶生物量及穗生物量的 NRMSE 分别为13.17%～18.69%、14.31%～20.41%、18.95%～24.74%和20.85%～25.39%。由此可见,ORYZA2000模型能够较为准确地模拟四川单季稻区5个主栽品种的发育及产量形成过程,适应能力较强,可以应用于四川单季稻生产。     

用ORYZA_V3水稻模型模拟江西直播早稻的适宜性分析

以江西省2个主栽常规早籼稻品种中早35和中早39为试验材料，于2017年在南昌县进行8个播种期的早稻分期直播试验，各播期分别为3月11、16、21、26和31日，以及4月5、10和15日，其中定义3月11−26日为早播播种期（a），3月31日−4月15日为正常播种期（b），利用田间试验观测的生育期、叶面积指数、生物量等数据和气象资料，对ORYZA_V3水稻模型进行本地化调参验证，以分析ORYZA_V3水稻模型对江西直播早稻的适宜性。结果表明，ORYZA_V3水稻模型对直播早稻生育期模拟效果较好，其（决定系数）R2＞0.99，NRMSE（归一化均方根误差）在0.61%～3.12%范围波动。模型对早稻播种期叶面积指数、总生物量、穗生物量等模拟结果表现为播种期越早，模拟效果越差；越接近正常播种期，模拟效果越好。不同直播早稻品种对ORYZA_V3水稻模型适宜性存在差异，其中生育期模拟值与实测值中早35相差−1～1d，中早39相差−1～4d。说明用ORYZA_V3水稻模型进行双季直播早稻模拟时，需根据多年观测数据，对相应水稻播种期和品种进行模型参数的校准，以提高ORYZA_V3水稻模型适宜性。     

基于敏感光谱波段图像特征的冬小麦LAI和地上部生物量监测

叶面积指数(LAI,leaf area index)和地上部生物量是评价冬小麦长势的重要农学参数,其实时动态监测对冬小麦的长势诊断、产量预测和管理调控等具有重要意义。该研究通过分析叶面积指数、地上部生物量与冬小麦冠层光谱参数的相关性,筛选出冬小麦长势指标敏感波段及最佳带宽范围;基于敏感光谱波段下图像的彩色因子,构建冬小麦叶面积指数和地上部生物量监测模型。结果表明,叶面积指数、地上部生物量长势指标的敏感波段及最佳带宽范围为(560±6)和(810±10)nm。敏感波段560、810 nm波段下获得的图像特征因子中,RGB颜色空间R810、G560、B810对叶面积指数的拟合效果最好,决定系数高达0.989;HSI颜色空间H810、S810、I560对地上部生物量的拟合效果最好,决定系数为0.937。试验数据检验表明,叶面积指数、地上部生物量监测模型的均方根误差RMSE分别为0.4515、3.3556,相对误差分别为15.7%、15.9%,所构建监测模型的精确度较高。因此,基于敏感光谱波段及相应图像特征构建的监测模型可有效对冬小麦叶面积指数、地上部生物量进行实时、快速、准确监测与诊断。     

引入水稻“移栽时间效应”和光敏感性算法改进ORYZA模型并验证

  【目的】  水稻生长模型是实现水稻管理自动化的重要工具。现有水稻模型未充分体现水稻生长的“移栽时间效应”，模型参数较多，使用较复杂。基于这些问题改进和完善水稻生长模型，以提高模型的准确性和实用性。  【方法】  在ORYZA与RCSODS模型的基础上，结合已有水稻生育期时间节点计算方法及其对干物质积累与分配的影响权重，在模型中增加移栽时间效应和水稻动态消光系数方程。利用2003—2012年黑龙江省绥化市庆安县农业气象站的发育期、产量和气象数据，验证了改进后的水稻生长模型的模拟效果，对比分析改进前后的效果差异。  【结果】  改进后模拟的返青期、分蘖期、孕穗期、抽穗期与成熟期和实际发育期时间节点的残差均方根 (RMSE) 分别为1.17、1.41、1.00、2.23和2.12天，整个发育期模拟RMSE与RE (相对误差) 平均为1.6天与1.3%。试验点位多年产量范围在6495～8715 kg/hm2，模拟值为7230～8207 kg/hm2，其中产量模拟最小误差为210 kg/hm2，平均RMSE与RE分别为714 kg/hm2与9.2%，模型相对误差率保持在10%以内。移栽前有效积温与水稻完成基本营养生长期所需的有效积温呈显著正相关 (R2 = 0.7837，P = 0.003)，根据移栽时有效积温调整发育期模型第一阶段 (基本营养阶段)生长速率参数，使发育期的模拟误差缩小3倍，产量模拟误差缩小34%。  【结论】  引入移栽前有效积温与基本营养生长期发育速率之间关系的响应方程，极大地提升了发育期模型的模拟效果；引入动态水稻消光系数方程，小幅度地提升了产量的模拟效果。改进后的模型可以促进水稻模型的发展，并更加准确地指导水稻生产。     

基于全局敏感性分析和贝叶斯方法的WOFOST作物模型参数优化

作物模型参数的敏感性分析、标定和验证可以提高模型的效率和精准度,进而为模型应用做好准备工作。该研究结合参数全局敏感性分析方法以及贝叶斯后验估计理论的马尔科夫蒙特卡洛(Markov Chain Monte Carlo,MCMC)方法,以华北栾城站三年的冬小麦观测数据(叶面积和地上生物量)为参照,对WOFOST模型的55个品种参数进行了敏感性分析、筛选和优化。发现:1)对叶面积影响较大的参数为:生育期为0、0.5、0.6和0.75时的比叶面积、生育期为1.5时的最大光合速率、叶面积指数最大增长率;对地上干物质影响较大的参数为:生育期为1.5时的最大光合速率、生育期为0时的比叶面积、35℃时叶面积的生命周期、生育期为0时的散射消光系数、生育期为1.8时的最大光合速率、储存器官的同化物转换效率。2)潜在和雨养产量水平下,最大叶面积和地上生物量对参数的敏感性差异不大。3)马尔科夫蒙特卡洛方法(MCMC)可以对WOFOST模型品种参数较好地优化;设计的3种校正-验证方案中,第1种方案(用1998-1999年作为校正年份,1999-2000年,2000-2001年作为验证年份)模拟效果最好。4)优化后的参数,模型对潜在产量水平模拟较好,一致性指数均大于0.9,相对均方根误差小于20%;而对有水分胁迫的雨养情况下比潜在产量水平的模拟结果差,表明模型对水分胁迫的模拟不足。该研究为WOFOST模型区域应用和模型调整优化提供科学理论依据。     

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.     

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,     

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.     

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.