绵羊皮肤源EST-SSR标记与羊毛性状的关联性分析

为了筛选与绵羊(Ovis aries)毛性状基因座连锁更强的分子标记,本研究选择9个多态性丰富的绵羊皮肤源EST-SSR位点,检测了德国美利奴羊与中国美利奴羊级进杂交F2代群体的遗传多态性,并分析了标记与毛性状间的关联性.分析结果显示,所选的9个EST-SSR位点在供试群体中共检测到39个等位基因,多态性丰富,其中的6个位点基因型间存在显著差异;其中,与自然长度关联的位点有5个,与伸直长度关联的位点有4个,与纤维直径关联的位点有3个.6个EST-SSR位点基因型间存在显著差异;关联性标记对羊毛性状相关效应的F检验结果表明:33176918位点和33176988位点分别对羊毛自然长度、纤维平均直径具有显著的遗传效应(P＜0.05).研究结果提示,与羊毛性状相关的6个位点中,33176918号位点对羊毛的自然长度有较大的标记效应,该位点的CD基因型是羊毛自然长度的有利基因型;33176988号位点对羊毛的纤维直径有显著地标记效应,该位点的BC基因型是纤维直径的有利基因型.这两个位点可能与控制毛形状的基因座紧密连锁.     

玉米自交系产量和品质相关性状与简单重复序列(SSR)的关联分析

为寻找并确定控制玉米产量、品质的基因组区域,本研究利用64对核心SSR(simple sequence repeats)标记对257份玉米(Zea maysL.)自交系构成的群体进行基因分型,分析群体连锁不平衡位点、群体结构,在此基础上,采用TASSEL软件的GLM(general linear mode)程序对株高、穗位、生育期、穗长、穗行数、百粒重、脂肪含量、蛋白质含量和淀粉含量共9个性状的表型数据与标记进行回归分析,确定标记对表型的解释率。结果表明:(1)在公共图谱上的SSR位点组合都有一定程度连锁不平衡(linkage disequilibrium,LD),P<0.01时,LD成对位点占总位点组合20.29%,D’>0.5成对位点比例为12.65%。(2)SSR数据遗传结构分析表明,群体可分为5个亚群。(3)共鉴定出26个标记位点与9个性状相关联,大多集中在4、6、7和10染色体上,其中第7染色体上标记最多,为5个。8个位点的变异分别与株高、穗位、生育期、穗长、穗行数和蛋白质含量等6个表型性状极显著相关(P<0.01),分别为umc1294作用于株高,对表型的解释率为7.2%;umc1741及phi116作用于穗位,对表型的解释率为11.37%和8.57%;phi328175及phi260485作用于生育期,对表型的解释率为4.74%和5.6%;umc1741作用于穗长,对表型的解释率为5.77%;umc1309作用于穗行数,对表型的解释率为6.68%;bnlg1450及bnlg1185作用于蛋白质含量,对表型的解释率为9.41%和9.81%;其他18个标记与9个性状显著相关(P<0.05)。与单个性状关联的标记数目为1～7个,解释率为4.74%～14.31%。与产量相关性状关联的位点(次)累计为30个,与品质相关性状关联的位点(次)累计为7个,位点数目上品质性状远少于产量性状。部分标记与多个性状关联,可能是性状相关或一因多效的遗传基础,一些标记同时与某性状关联,多数标记与定位于遗传图谱的QTL(quantitative trait loci)一致,也有互补性。研究结果表明,这些位点及其区域内存在很多与产量、品质等性状相关的QTL,对提高玉米产量、改善玉米品质可能起到重要作用。     

金针菇种质资源5个农艺性状与SSR标记的关联分析

金针菇(Flammulina velutipes)是一种重要的商业化栽培食用菌,为挖掘控制金针菇重要农艺性状的基因组区段,本研究以90份金针菇种质资源为实验材料,测定其原基期、菌柄直径、菌柄长度、菌盖直径和单瓶产量5个农艺性状,利用全基因组序列开发的95份多态简单重复序列(simple sequence repeat,SSR)标记对供试材料进行基因组扫描,在分析实验材料的群体结构和连锁不平衡基础上,采用一般线性模型方法对5个农艺性状进行关联分析。结果表明,各供试材料的5个农艺性状均有极显著差异。95份多态SSR标记共检测到582个等位变异,平均每个位点的等位变异数为6.13个。标记多态信息含量(polymorphism information content,PIC)变化范围为0.204~0.818,平均为0.542。群体遗传结构分析将供试材料分为8个亚群体,群体内SSR位点间存在较高的连锁不平衡(linkage disequilibrium,LD),不平衡程度D’值大于0.5的组合数占总组合数的33.01%。关联分析检测出28个标记与5个性状显著相关,其中原基期的关联标记有2个,菌柄直径的关联标记有12个,菌柄长度的关联标记有3个,菌盖直径的关联标记有9个,单瓶产量的关联标记有5个。关联SSR标记对表型变异解释率的变幅为5.11%~23.55%。研究表明,所选金针菇种质资源群体的遗传多样性以及连锁不平衡程度较高,适用于关联分析研究。本研究结果对金针菇核心种质资源库构建以及分子标记辅助育种具有参考价值。     

大麦遗传多样性及SSR标记与大麦条纹病抗性关联分析

为了解大麦(Horeumvulgare)亲本材料遗传多样性,筛选与大麦条纹病性状相关联的SSR标记,利用100对多态性SSR引物对86个大麦品种进行分析,共检测出269个等位变异,平均每对引物为2.69个,变幅为2～5;等位基因频率为0.012～0.988; Shannon指数为0.064～1.385;遗传相似系数为0.547～0.955;多态性信息含量(polymorphic information content,PIC)为0.023～0.737,平均为0.357.群体遗传结构分析表明,供试大麦亲本材料可分为5个亚群.根据一般线性模型(general linear model,GLM)分析,共5个标记与大麦条纹病抗性性状关联,解释率在6.20％～11.15％之间,其中TACMD和MGB317达到极显著水平(P＜0.01),解释率分别为9.24％和9.45％;根据混合线性模型(mixed linear model,MLM)分析,发现3个与大麦条纹病抗性相关的标记,解释率在4.57％～17.63％之间,标记HVM54达到极显著水平(P＜0.01),解释率为17.63％.本研究为大麦条纹病抗病育种提供了一定理论依据.     

基于连锁不平衡水稻源库相关性状的关联分析

为挖掘水稻源库相关性状优异等位基因,利用分布于12条染色体的6 704个SNP标记与来自31个国家和地区的261份籼稻核心种质资源的剑叶长、剑叶宽、剑叶叶面积、倒2叶长、倒2叶宽、倒2叶叶面积、每穗粒数、千粒重、单株产量共9个源库相关性状进行群体结构、连锁不平衡状况和全基因组关联分析.结果表明,261份籼稻核心种质资源的9个源库相关性状的变异系数介于12.46％ ～26.21％,表型变异丰富.群体结构显示261份籼稻核心种质资源的最适亚群数为3.LD分析表明,SNP位点之间存在着一定程度的连锁不平衡,在显著水平-logP ＞3(P＜ 10-3)下,共检测到68个与9个水稻源库相关性状显著相关的QTL位点,其中与源性状相关的QTL位点55个,与库性状相关的QTL位点13个.在第2、第5和第11染色体上检测到同时影响源库性状的关联位点4个,可能对通过分子标记辅助育种改良品种的源库性状具有重要参考价值.     

茶树施用控释氮肥的产量和品质效应

采用盆栽和大田试验,研究了控释氮肥对茶树生长发育、茶叶产量和品质的影响。结果表明,控释氮肥能明显促进茶树的生长发育,茶树新梢数、百芽重、成熟叶片数量及叶绿素含量、树高和主杆直径等均有明显提高,从而使盆栽茶树根、茎和叶各部位的生物产量比施普通尿素分别提高了58.3%、36.9%和17.2%。10个大田试验的茶叶产量增加了4.2%￣24.1%,平均9.6%。茶叶品质成分氨基酸、咖啡碱和水浸出物含量有不同程度提高,其中氨基酸增幅明显,但对茶多酚含量的影响不大,茶叶酚氨比明显降低。可见,控释氮肥具有明显的增产提质效果。     

玉米主要营养品质性状的QTL定位

淀粉、蛋白质和油分是普通玉米籽粒的主要营养成分.本研究通过SSR分子标记,以玉米(Zeamays L.)杂交种黄C×178的F2群体构建的遗传连锁图,结合2007年重庆(F口2)、2007年海南(F2.3)和2008年重庆(F2:4)三个环境品质检测结果,运用区间作图法,对品质性状进行全基因组QTL扫描,共检测到16个品质性状QTL.其中,油分含量检测到6个位点,解释性状表型变异6.2％～17.8％;蛋白质含量检测到5个位点,解释性状表型变异6.3％～ 12.0％;淀粉含量检测到2个位点,解释性状表型变异6.3％～10.0％.16个QTL多数以超显性和部分显性为主.这16个与品质性状相关的QTL可作为利用分子标记辅助育种途径进行玉米遗传改良的依据.     

关联分析及其在植物中的应用

关联分析是新近开始在植物数量性状研究和植物育种中应用的一种分析方法。它以连锁不平衡为基础鉴定某一群体内性状与遗传标记或候选基因间的关系,是对分子育种中QTL分析的补充和提高。本文在介绍连锁不平衡的定义和度量方法的基础上,讨论连锁不平衡程度和群体结构对关联分析的影响,综述了关联分析在植物方面的研究进展,并最后讨论了关联分析在植物数量性状和分子育种研究中可能的应用。     

东北春大豆花荚脱落性状与SSR标记的关联分析

花荚脱落是大豆生殖生长过程中的一种自我调节现象,同时也是限制大豆产量提高的主要因素之一。为了筛选与大豆花荚脱落相关的SSR标记位点,研究分别以2011年种植的104个和2012年种植的314个东北春大豆种品种组成的两个自然群体为材料,选用分布于20个连锁群的205对SSR引物对供试材料进行基因分型。利用TASSEL软件包中的GLM程序,以Q值作为协变量,进行花荚脱落性状与SSR标记的关联分析。结果显示,在供试材料中共检测到763个等位变异,每个标记有2~12个等位变异,每个标记多态性信息量为0.054~0.771。花荚脱落性状与SSR标记的关联分析表明,共有33个SSR标记位点与东北春大豆花荚脱落性状显著相关,在2011年和2012年均检测到的位点有4个,分别为B2连锁群上的Satt534、E连锁群上的Satt452、J连锁群上的Satt244以及O连锁群上的Satt478。本研究结果为选育出花荚脱落率低的东北春大豆的标记辅助育种提供了理论依据。图3,表5,参30。     

89份大麦遗传多样性分析及其网斑病抗性位点相关SSR标记筛选

大麦网斑病是大麦(Hordeum vulgare)主要病害之一,由网斑病菌(Pyrenophora teres)引起.近年来网斑病在我国大麦产区发生并流行,网斑病之所以在我国各大麦产区发生并流行,主要是由于生产中缺乏抗网斑病品种.为分析大麦种质材料遗传多样性,筛选与大麦抗网斑病性状相关联的SSR标记,本研究利用70对品种间表现多态性的SSR标记对89个大麦品种(系)进行分析.结果显示,70个SSR标记共检测出302个等位变异,平均4.31个,变幅为2～8个;等位基因频率为0.141 2～0.916 7;基因多样性和遗传相似系数的变化范围分别是0.103 9～0.894 4和0.520～0.873;多态性信息含量(polymorphic informationcontent,PIC)为0.098 5～0.884 6,平均为0.537.群体遗传结构分析表明,供试大麦亲本材料可分为2个亚群,群体遗传相似系数变幅为0.635～0.895.品种美41/I和美43/I的遗传相似系数最高,为0.895.根据一般线性模型(general linear model,GLM)分析,发现5个与大麦抗网斑病相关的标记,解释率在7.2％～22.4％之间,标记Bmac29和Bmag0613关联达到极显著水平(P＜0.01),对表型变异的解释率为分别为10.7％和22.4％.本研究为大麦网斑病抗病育种提供了一定理论依据.     

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.