Genetic diversity and differentiation of cultivated ginseng (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Panax ginseng</Emphasis> C. A. Meyer) populations in North-east China revealed by inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers

Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer is a medicinally important herb with a long history of cultivation, and includes three cultivated types, viz. garden ginseng (GGS), forest ginseng (FGS) and transplanted wild ginseng (TGS). In the present study, inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers were employed to investigate the genetic variability in 282 individuals, which corresponded to 16 cultivated ginseng populations. Genetic diversity was high at the species level (h = 0.2886; I = 0.4382; PPB = 98.96%), but relatively lower at the cultivated-type level (GGS: h = 0.2294, I = 0.3590, PPB = 85.42%; FGS: h = 0.1702, I = 0.2559, PPB = 57.29%; TGS: h = 0.2021, I = 0.3125, PPB = 76.04%). The hierarchical analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed pronounced genetic differentiation among populations (Φ _ST = 53.94%), which was confirmed by the gene differentiation coefficient (G _ST = 0.4910) and low gene flow (N _m = 0.5184). Both Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCoA) and UPGMA cluster analysis supported the clustering of all 16 populations into three groups, corresponding to the three cultivated types, among which there occurred remarkable genetic differentiation (Φ _ST = 37.43%). Pronounced genetic differentiation was also detected among populations within the three cultivated types (GGS: Φ _ST = 40.83%, G _ST = 0.3187, N _m = 1.0691; FGS: Φ _ST = 22.85%, G _ST = 0.2328, N _m = 1.6480; TGS: Φ _ST = 30.68%, G _ST = 0.2540, N _m = 1.4686). Mantel test indicated no significant correlation between geographic and genetic distances at both species and cultivated-type levels (P > 0.05). These findings have profound implications for the sustainable utilization of this precious medicinal herb.     

Spatio-temporal variation of anisotropy of saturated hydraulic conductivity in a tilled sandy loam soil

Knowledge on anisotropy of saturated hydraulic conductivity can improve the understanding of transport phenomena in soil. We hypothesized that saturated hydraulic conductivity (K_s) in the upper part of the root zone of an agricultural sandy loam soil was anisotropic at different soil depths and times after tillage. K_s was measured on undisturbed 100 cm³ core samples taken in the horizontal and vertical directions in up to four soil layers (Surf: surface layer (0–5 cm); Top: topsoil (10–15 cm); Trans: transition layer between topsoil and subsoil; Sub: subsoil (40–60 cm)) 1, 8 and 32 months, respectively, after mouldboard ploughing and drilling. The ratio between estimated geometric mean values for K_s in the vertical and the horizontal directions (K_ms,v/K_ms,h) was used to test the hypotheses. A total of 669 soil samples were analysed.K_ms,v/K_ms,h varied with time after tillage and between soil layers. One month after ploughing, K_ms,v/K_ms,h was <0.23 (P = 0.975) in the Trans layer with an average value of 0.084, i.e. K_ms,h was 12 times larger than K_ms,v. Anisotropy could not be documented in this layer 8 or 32 months after ploughing, i.e. K_ms,v/K_ms,h was not significantly different from 1.0. For the Surf and Top layers 32 months after ploughing, K_ms,v/K_ms,h was in the intervals 1.4–50 and 3.1–77, respectively, (P = 0.95) with average values of 8.4 and 15, respectively. Thus, K_ms,v was 8.4 respectively 15 times larger than K_ms,h in the two layers. Anisotropy was not found in these layers 1 or 8 months after tillage. Strong anisotropy was found in the Sub layer with K_ms,v/K_ms,h averaging to 14 and 32, respectively, 8 and 32 months after tillage. K_ms,v and K_ms,h generally decreased with time in the Surf, Top and Trans layers, except in the vertical direction in the Top layer between 8 and 32 months after ploughing, and in the Trans layer between 1 and 8 months after ploughing. Overall, the geometric means of K_s varied between 10^−4.0 and 10^−7.1 m s⁻¹.The results may reflect systematic effects of soil settlement and drying/wetting phenomena coupled with biological activity and the existence of stable, vertically oriented biopores in the subsoil. It appears to be necessary to consider anisotropy of K_s and its variation in the analysis and modelling of water flow and chemical transport in agricultural soils, particularly to explain heterogeneous flow phenomena at the plot and field scales.     

Phosphorus and iron erosion from non-vegetated sites in a post-mining landscape,Lusatia, Germany: Impact on aborning mining lakes

Particulate phosphorus (P) can be transported via soil erosion in overland flow to waters, where it provides a long-term source of P for aquatic biota, and can accelerate freshwater eutrophication. Hence, knowledge of P sources is important for good environmental management. However, data on P, and related Fe, losses from various structures of a post-mining landscape are lacking. A year-long monitoring, and ten short rainfall simulations on plot scale, at ridges and rills and a combination of them, revealed high erosion from bare lignite mining dumps at Schlabendorf-North, Lusatia, Germany. The mean annual soil erosion rate from the year-long monitoring site was 18 × 10⁶ kg km^− 2 yr^− 1, corresponding to 0.034 g m^− 2 min^− 1. The erosion rates were lowest at rill plots (1.9–4.4 g m^− 2 min^− 1), intermediate at ridge plots (14.3–37.1 g m^− 2 min^− 1), and highest at a combined rill and ridge plot (48.7–63.4 g m^− 2 min^− 1). These differences in extent were due to small scale differences in morphology and extreme water repellency. The hydrophobicity leads to very low infiltration, thus generating surface runoff even at low rainfall intensities. Loss rates of P and Fe, as deduced from the year-long erosion rate, were 470–650 kg km^− 2 yr^− 1, and 37.9 × 10³–71 × 10³ kg km^− 2 yr^− 1 respectively. However, these P inputs from lignite mining dump erosion, consisting of P-poor (17–90 μg g^− 1) tertiary spoil materials, into aborning mining lakes, are negligible since they are accompanied by high Fe inputs, which favour an efficient P co-precipitation in the water column.     

Tillage and cropping sequence impacts on nitrogen cycling in dryland farming in eastern Montana, USA

Information on N cycling in dryland crops and soils as influenced by long-term tillage and cropping sequence is needed to quantify soil N sequestration, mineralization, and N balance to reduce N fertilization rate and N losses through soil processes. The 21-yr effects of the combinations of tillage and cropping sequences was evaluated on dryland crop grain and biomass (stems + leaves) N, soil surface residue N, soil N fractions, and N balance at the 0–20 cm depth in Dooley sandy loam (fine-loamy, mixed, frigid, Typic Argiboroll) in eastern Montana, USA. Treatments were no-tilled continuous spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (NTCW), spring-tilled continuous spring wheat (STCW), fall- and spring-tilled continuous spring wheat (FSTCW), fall- and spring-tilled spring wheat–barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) (1984–1999) followed by spring wheat–pea (Pisum sativum L.) (2000–2004) (FSTW-B/P), and spring-tilled spring wheat–fallow (STW-F). Nitrogen fractions were soil total N (STN), particulate organic N (PON), microbial biomass N (MBN), potential N mineralization (PNM), NH₄-N, and NO₃-N. Annualized crop grain and biomass N varied with treatments and years and mean grain and biomass N from 1984 to 2004 were 14.3–21.2 kg N ha⁻¹ greater in NTCW, STCW, FSTCW, and FSTW-B/P than in STW-F. Soil surface residue N was 9.1–15.2 kg N ha⁻¹ greater in other treatments than in STW-F in 2004. The STN at 0–20 cm was 0.39–0.96 Mg N ha⁻¹, PON 0.10–0.30 Mg N ha⁻¹, and PNM 4.6–9.4 kg N ha⁻¹ greater in other treatments than in STW-F. At 0–5 cm, STN, PON, and MBN were greater in STCW than in FSTW-B/P and STW-F. At 5–20 cm, STN and PON were greater in NTCW and STCW than in STW-F, PNM and MBN were greater in STCW than in NTCW and STW-F, and NO₃-N was greater in FSTW-B/P than in NTCW and FSTCW. Estimated N loss through leaching, volatilization, or denitrification at 0–20 cm depth increased with increasing tillage frequency or greater with fallow than with continuous cropping and ranged from 9 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ in NTCW to 46 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ in STW-F. Long-term no-till or spring till with continuous cropping increased dryland crop grain and biomass N, soil surface residue N, N storage, and potential N mineralization, and reduced N loss compared with the conventional system, such as STW-F, at the surface 20 cm layer. Greater tillage frequency, followed by pea inclusion in the last 5 out of 21 yr in FSTW-B/P, however, increased N availability at the subsurface layer in 2004.     

硫酸根自由基高级氧化技术对污染场地多环芳烃的修复效果研究

硫酸根自由基高级氧化技术(sulfate radical(SO_4~(·–))based advanced oxidation processes,SR-AOPs)是一种被广泛应用于降解土壤有机污染物的原位氧化修复技术。然而,关于SR-AOPs降解土壤多环芳烃(polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons,PAHs)的报道相对较少。本研究以南京某炼钢厂附近土壤作为试验样本,通过设置不同比例混合体系的过硫酸钠(Na_2S_2O_8)和亚铁离子(Fe~(2+))以及反应不同时间,探究SR-AOPs对土壤中16种PAHs的修复效果以及最佳技术方案。结果表明:Na_2S_2O_8和Fe~(2+)的配比会显著影响土壤PAHs的降解效果,当两者比例达到10︰1时,即Na_2S_2O_8用量为5 mmol/g,Fe~(2+)用量为0.5 mmol/g,反应时间为24 h时,PAHs总降解率最高,可达到29.32%;不同环数的PAHs决定了SR-AOPs的降解效果,其中SR-AOPs对四环PAHs降解效率最高,总降解率达到37.32%;此外,降解效率随反应时间增加而增加,在24 h达到效果最佳。因此,本研究结果可为SR-AOPs修复土壤PAHs提供理论依据。     

Ciliates in a waste stabilization pond system in Mexico

A protozoological survey was performed on a waste-stabilization pond to isolate, identify, and determine the incidence of ciliates present in these waters. The correlation between the species found and the physicochemical parameters was investigated. One hundred and eighty samples were analyzed from February 1983 to February 1984. Free-living ciliates isolated include:Carchesium polypinum Linnaeus,Vorticella microstoma Ehrenberg,Vorticella convallaria Linnaeus,Didinium balbiani Fabré-Domergue,Amphileptus claparedei Stein,Spathidium spathula Müller,Litonotus fasciola Ehrenberg,Paramecium caudatum Müller,Paramecium aurelia Ehrenberg,Tetrahymena vorax Kidder,Tetrahymena pyriformis Ehrenberg,Cyclidium glaucoma Müller,Aspidisca costata Ehrenberg, andStylonychia putrina Stokes. The performance of the pond was predominantly anaerobic. The temperature, total alkalinity, and nitrate concentration were the most variable parameters in the system studied.     

Carbon and oxygen controls on N2O and N2 production during nitrate reduction

Here we provide evidence that the form of carbon compound and O₂ concentration exert an inter-related regulation on the production and reduction of N₂O in soil. 6.7 mM d-glucose, 6.7 mM D-mannitol, 8 mM L-glutamic acid or 10 mM butyrate (all equivalent to 0.48 g C l⁻¹) were applied to slurries of a sandy loam soil. At the start of the experiment headspace O₂ concentrations were established at ∼2%, 10% and 21% O₂ v/v for each C treatment, and 2 mM K¹⁵NO₃ (25 atom % excess ¹⁵N) was applied, enabling quantification of ¹⁵N-N₂ production, ¹⁵N-(N₂O-to-N₂) ratios and DNRA. The form of C compound was most important in the initially oxic (21% O₂ v/v) soils, where addition of butyrate and glutamic acid resulted in greater N₂O production (0.61 and 0.3 μg N₂O-N g⁻¹ soil for butyrate and glutamic acid, respectively) than the addition of carbohydrates (glucose and mannitol). Although, there was no significant effect of C compound at low initial O₂ concentrations (∼2% O₂ v/v), production of ¹⁵N-N₂ was greatest where headspace O₂ concentrations were initially, or fallen to, ∼2% O₂ v/v, with greatest reduction of N₂O and lowering ¹⁵N-(N₂O-to-N₂) ratios (∼0-0.27). This may reflect that the effect of C is indirect through stimulation of heterotrophic respiration, lowering O₂ concentrations, providing sub-oxic conditions for dissimilatory nitrate reduction pathways. Addition of carbohydrates (glucose and mannitol) also resulted in greatest recovery of ¹⁵N in NH₄⁺ from applied ¹⁵N-NO₃⁻, indicative of the occurrence of DNRA, even in the slurries with initial 10% and 21% O₂ v/v concentrations. Our ¹⁵N approach has provided the first direct evidence for enhancement of N₂O reduction in the presence of carbohydrates and the dual regulation of C compound and O₂ concentration on N₂O production and reduction, which has implications for management of N₂O emissions through changing C inputs (exudates, rhizodeposition, residues) with plant species of differing C traits, or through plant breeding.     

农田改为农林(草)复合系统对红壤CO2和N2O排放的影响

以鄂南玉米地、紫穗槐/玉米地、香根草/玉米地、紫穗槐林地、香根草草地与撂荒地6种土地利用类型为研究对象,利用静态箱法,对夏玉米生长期间土壤CO2和N2O通量及影响因子进行了测定,研究我国北亚热带丘陵红壤区农田改变为林(草)地和农林(草)复合系统后土壤CO2和N2O排放特征。研究结果表明:(1)土地利用方式改变后,撂荒地土壤CO2排放量明显低于其他5种土地利用类型,但紫穗槐/玉米地、单作玉米地、香根草/玉米地、紫穗槐林地、香根草草地5种土地利用类型之间土壤CO2排放量差异不显著。(2)玉米生长期间,6种不同土地利用方式下,土壤N2O排放总量从高到低依次为紫穗槐/玉米地(508 g·hm-2·a-1)、紫穗槐林地(470 g·hm-2·a-1)、撂荒地(390 g·hm-2·a-1)、香根草/玉米地(373 g·hm-2·a-1)、香根草草地(372 g·hm-2·a-1)、单作玉米地(285 g·hm-2·a-1)。(3)土壤CO2通量与土壤有机碳、土壤微生物生物量碳和土壤含水量无显著相关关系;土壤N2O通量与土壤氮素净矿化率呈显著线性相关,但与土壤无机氮和土壤含水量无显著相关关系。农田改变为农林(草)复合系统可能潜在地增加土壤CO2和N2O排放;农田改变为林(草)地可能潜在地减少土壤CO2排放,增加土壤N2O排放。     

Soybean preference for Bradyrhizobium japonicum for nodulation

For examining the probability of increase in the occupation ratio of inoculated rhizobium in nodules, various Rj-soybean cultivars including the Rj ₂ Rj ₃ Rj ₄-lines of soybean were grown in a field of the Kyushu University Farm. Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA110 that carries uptake hydrogenase (Hup⁺) was used as an inoculum. The relative efficiency of nitrogen fixation generally increased by the inoculation. However, there were no significant differences in the effects among the genotypes of the host plants. The occupation ratio of serogroup USDA110 in the nodules on the taproot of the inoculated plants was in the range of 77–100%, suggesting that the B. japonicum strain USDA110 infected taproots immediately after inoculation. The occupation ratios in the nodules on the lateral roots were 53–67, 40–86, 63–83, and 62–77% in inoculated plants of the non-Rj-, Rj ₂ Rj ₃-, Rj ₄-, and Rj ₂ Rj ₃ Rj ₄-genotypes, respectively, and they decreased in all the genotypes with the progression of growth. At the time of the first sampling, the occupation ratios on the lateral roots of these Rj ₂ Rj ₃ Rj ₄-genotypes showed values intermediate between those of IAC-2 (Rj ₂ Rj ₃) and Hill (Rj ₄) , which were the parent cultivars of the Rj ₂ Rj ₃ Rj ₄-lines, B340, B349, and C242. The reduction in the occupation ratio of the serogroup USDA110 for about 1 month after the first sampling was the lowest (0.13–0.16) in the Rj ₂ Rj ₃ Rj ₄-genotypes, excluding B349, followed by the non-Rj- and Rj ₂ Rj ₃-genotypes and highest (0.52–0.69) in the Rj ₄-genotypes, excluding Hill. Therefore, it was considered that the population of compatible rhizobia with host soybean plants increased in the rhizosphere with the progression of the development and growth. The results showed that with the expansion of the root area of host plants, the occupation ratio of type A rhizobia including the serogroup USDA110 was high. Therefore, the Rj ₂ Rj ₃ Rj ₄-genotypes were superior to other Rj-genotypes in terms of the inoculation effects of nodulation type A rhizobium, B. japonicum USDA110. However, the preference of the Rj ₂ Rj ₃ Rj ₄-genotype for serogroup USDA110 is not sufficient to rule out the competition with the other serogroups in this study. Therefore, the study should be centered on the isolation of more efficient (Hup⁺) and highly compatible rhizobial strains with the Rj ₂ Rj ₃ Rj ₄- genotypes.     

Influence of selenium on oxidoreductive enzymes activity in soil and in plants

The aim of this greenhouse experiment was the assessment of the influence of H₂SeO₃ at soil concentrations of 0.05, 0.15 and 0.45 mmol kg⁻¹, on the activity of selected oxidoreductive enzymes in wheat (Triticum aestivum). The wheat plants were grown in 2 dm³ pots filled with dust-silt black soil of pH 7.7. Applied H₂SeO₃ caused activation of plant nitrate reductase at all concentrations, but activation of plant polyphenol oxidase at only two lower concentrations. The highest concentration caused inhibition of polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase. Plant catalase activity decreased under the influence of 0.15 and 0.45 mmol kg⁻¹ concentration. After the final analysis Se was quantified in plants and soil. The amounts in plants were: control (unamended soil) 1.95 mg kg⁻¹; I dose (0.05 mmol kg⁻¹) 18.27 mg kg⁻¹; II dose (0.15 mmol kg⁻¹) 33.20 mg kg⁻¹ and III dose (0.45 mmol kg⁻¹) 38.37 mg kg⁻¹, in soil: 0.265 mg kg⁻¹; 3.61 mg kg⁻¹; 10.53 mg kg⁻¹; 30.53 mg kg⁻¹; respectively. Simultaneously, a laboratory experiment was performed, where the activity of soil catalase and peroxidase were tested after 1, 3, 7, 14, 28, 56, and 112 days after Se treatment. Peroxidase activity in soil decreased with increasing Se content, over the whole experiment. The lowest dose of Se caused activation a significant 10% increase in catalase activity, but the influence of others doses was unclear.     

Gaseous and leaching nitrogen losses from no-tillage and conventional tillage systems following surface application of cattle manure

Previous studies have demonstrated inconsistent results on the impact of tillage systems on nitrogen (N) losses from field-applied manure. This study assessed the impact of no-tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT) systems on gaseous N losses, N₂O:N₂O + N₂ ratios and NO₃⁻-N leaching following surface application of cattle manure. The study was undertaken during the 2003/2004 and 2004/2005 seasons at two field sites in Nova Scotia namely, Streets Ridge (SR) in Cumberland County and the Bio-environmental Engineering Centre (BEEC) in Truro. Results showed that the NT system had higher (p < 0.05) NH₃ losses than CT. Over the two seasons, manure incorporation in CT reduced NH₃ losses on average by 86% at SR and 78% at BEEC relative to NT. At both sites and during both seasons, denitrification rates and N₂O fluxes in NT were generally higher than in CT plots, presumably due to higher soil water and organic matter content in NT. Over the two seasons, mean denitrification rates at SR were 239 and 119 g N ha⁻¹ d⁻¹, while N₂O fluxes were 120 and 64 g N ha⁻¹ d⁻¹ under NT and CT, respectively. At BEEC mean denitrification rates were 114 and 71 g N ha⁻¹ d⁻¹, while N₂O fluxes were 52 and 27 g N ha⁻¹ d⁻¹ under NT and CT, respectively. Conversely, N₂O:N₂O + N₂ ratios were lower in NT than CT suggesting more complete reduction of N₂O to N₂ under NT. When averaged across all soil depths, NO₃⁻-N was higher (p < 0.05) in CT than NT. Nitrate-N decreased with depth at both sites regardless of tillage. In most cases, NO₃⁻-N was higher under CT than NT at all soil depths. Similarly, flow-weighted average NO₃⁻-N concentrations in drainage water were generally higher under CT. This may be partly attributed to higher denitrification rates under NT. Therefore, NT may be a viable strategy to remove NO₃⁻-N from the soil, and thus, reduce NO₃⁻-N contamination of groundwater. However, it should be noted that while the use of NT reduces NO₃⁻-N leaching it may come with unintended environmental tradeoffs, including increased NH₃ and N₂O emissions.     

Near infrared spectroscopy for determination of various physical,chemical and biochemical properties in Mediterranean soils

The potential of near infrared (NIR) reflectance spectroscopy to predict various physical, chemical and biochemical properties in Mediterranean soils from SE Spain was evaluated. Soil samples (n = 393) were obtained by sampling 13 locations during three years (2003–2005 period). These samples had a wide range of soil characteristics due to variations in land use, vegetation cover and specific climatic conditions. Biochemical properties also included microbial biomarkers based on phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA). Partial least squares (PLS) regression with cross validation was used to establish relationships between the NIR spectra and the reference data from physical, chemical and biochemical analyses. Based on the values of coefficient of determination (r²) and the ratio of standard deviation of validation set to root mean square error of cross validation (RPD), predicted results were evaluated as excellent (r² > 0.90 and RPD > 3) for soil organic carbon, Kjeldahl nitrogen, soil moisture, cation exchange capacity, microbial biomass carbon, basal soil respiration, acid phosphatase activity, β-glucosidase activity and PLFA biomarkers for total bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria, actinomycetes, vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and total PLFA biomass. Good predictions (0.81 < r² < 0.90 and 2.5 < RPD < 3) were obtained for exchangeable calcium and magnesium, water soluble carbon, water holding capacity and urease activity. Resultant models for protozoa and fungi were not accurate enough to satisfactorily estimate these variables, only permitting approximate predictions (0.66 < r² < 0.80 and 2.0 < RPD < 2.5). Electrical conductivity, pH, exchangeable phosphorus and sodium, metabolic quotient and Gram-negative bacteria were poorly predicted (r² < 0.66 and RPD < 2). Thus, the results obtained in this study reflect that NIR reflectance spectroscopy could be used as a rapid, inexpensive and non-destructive technique to predict some physical, chemical and biochemical soil properties for Mediterranean soils, including variables related to the composition of the soil microbial community composition.     

光辐射强度对侧柏油松幼苗光合特性与水分利用效率的影响

 探讨不同土壤水分条件下光辐射强度对侧柏和油松苗木光合特性与水分利用效率的影响规律,可为林木栽培和管理提供科学依据。在黄土半干旱区,采用人工控制土壤水分的方法,利用模拟光源研究了侧柏和油松苗木的净光合速率、蒸腾速率、水分利用效率和胞间CO2浓度随模拟光辐射增强的变化规律。结果表明:在模拟光辐射为0～2200μmol/（m2.s）的范围内,侧柏和油松叶片的净光合速率、蒸腾速率和水分利用效率均随光辐射强度的增强而增大,但光辐射强度进一步增强,侧柏和油松净光合速率和水分利用效率呈下降趋势;在同样土壤水分条件下,侧柏净光合速率、蒸腾速率和水分利用效率高于油松,侧柏光饱和点高于油松,而侧柏光补偿点低于油松,侧柏光能利用率高于油松;随着土壤水分的增加,侧柏与油松净光合速率、蒸腾速率和胞间CO2浓度升高,而水分利用效率降低。在土壤含水量为7.90%、13.00%和19.99%条件下,侧柏光饱和点分别为1275、1 450和1 675μmol/（m2.s）,光补偿点分别为4225和13μmol/（m2.s）,由光饱和点对应最大净光合速率分别为3.04、4.06和5.53μmol/（m2.s）;在土壤含水量为7.83%1、3.04%与20.15%条件下,油松光饱和点分别为11001、325和1500μmol/（m2.s）,光补偿点分别为60.30和23μmol/（m2.s）,由光饱和点对应最大净光合速率分别为1.08、3.35和4.36μmol/（m2.s）。     

The magnitude and variability of soil-surface CO2 efflux increase with mean annual temperature in Hawaiian tropical montane wet forests

Soil-surface CO₂ efflux (F_S; ‘soil respiration’) accounts for ≥50% of the CO₂ released annually by the terrestrial biosphere to the atmosphere, and the magnitude and variability of this flux are likely to be sensitive to climate change. We measured F_S in nine permanent plots along a 5.2 °C mean annual temperature (MAT) gradient (13-18.2 °C) in Hawaiian tropical montane wet forests where substrate type and age, soil type, soil water balance, disturbance history, and canopy vegetation are constant. The objectives of this study were to quantify how the (i) magnitude, (ii) plot-level spatial variability, and (iii) plot-level diel variability of F_S vary with MAT. To address the first objective, annual F_S budgets were constructed by measuring instantaneous F_S monthly in all plots for one year. For the second objective, we compared plot-level mean instantaneous F_S in six plots derived from 8 versus 16 measurements, and conducted a power analysis to determine adequate sample sizes. For the third objective, we measured instantaneous F_S hourly for 24 h in three plots (cool, intermediate and warm MATs). The magnitude of annual F_S and the spatial variability of plot-level instantaneous F_S increased linearly with MAT, likely due to concomitant increases in stand productivity. Mean plot-level instantaneous F_S from 8 versus 16 measurements per plot yielded statistically similar patterns. The number of samples required to estimate plot-level instantaneous F_S within 10% and 20% of the actual mean increased with MAT. In two of three plots examined, diel variability in instantaneous F_S was significantly correlated with soil temperature but minimal diel fluctuations in soil temperature (<0.6 °C) resulted in minimal diel variability in F_S. Our results suggest that as MAT increases in tropical montane wet forests, F_S will increase and become more spatially variable if ecosystem characteristics and functioning undergo concurrent changes as measured along this gradient. However, diel variation in F_S will remain a minor component of overall plot-level variation.     

Spatial patterns of adenylate kinase,catalase, endopeptidase and fructose-1,6-diphosphatase encoding genes allelic variation in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aegilops tauschii</Emphasis> Coss.

Investigation of spatial patterns of adenylate kinase, catalase, endopeptidase and fructose-1,6-diphosphatase encoding genes (Ak, Cat1, Cat2, Ep, Fdp) allelic variation in Aegilops tauschii was carried out. About 300 accessions, representing all the species range were taken for the study. Cat2 and Fdp loci are completely monomorphic in ssp. strangulata and in the western part of ssp. tauschii range, as well. Both Cat2 and Fdp are highly polymorphic in the eastern part of ssp. tauschii range, with the patterns of this polymorphism being discordant in these two loci. Ak ¹⁰⁸, a rare allele with sporadical spatial occurrence, was found in ssp. tauschii only. On the contrary, Ak ⁹² is absent in ssp. tauschii: it is the most common Ak allele in ssp. strangulata in Precaspian Iran, the most moist part of the area, and is very rare in other parts of ssp. strangulata area. Ep is a highly polymorphic locus with the highest level of variation in the west of Ae. tauschii area, where this species had originated. Ep allele variation patterns are rather similar in ssp. tauschii and ssp. strangulata. The data reveal the adaptive nature of Ak, Cat2, and Fdp allele variation, while Ep polymorphism seems to be mostly neutral.     

Above- and belowground ecosystem biomass and carbon pools in an age-sequence of temperate pine plantation forests

We assessed the successional development of above- and belowground ecosystem biomass and carbon (C) pools in an age-sequence of four White pine (Pinus strobus L.) plantation stands (2-, 15-, 30-, and 65-years-old) in Southern Ontario, Canada. Biomass and C stocks of above- and belowground live and dead tree biomass, understorey and forest ground vegetation, forest floor C (LFH-layer), and woody debris were determined from plot-level inventories and destructive tree sampling. Small root biomass (<5 mm) and mineral soil C stocks were estimated from soil cores. Aboveground tree biomass became the major ecosystem C pool with increasing age, reaching 0.5, 66, 92, and 176 t ha⁻¹ in the 2-, 15-, 30-, and 65-year-old stands, respectively. Tree root biomass increased from 0.1 to 10, 18, 38 t ha⁻¹ in the 2-, 15-, 30-, and 65-year-old stands, respectively, contributing considerably to the total ecosystem C in the three older stands. Forest floor C was 0.8, 7.5, 5.4, and 12.1 t C ha⁻¹ in the 2-, 15-, 30-, and 65-year-old stands, respectively, indicating an increase during the first two decades, but no further age-effect during the later growth phase. Mineral soil C was age-independent with 37.2, 33.9, 39.1, and 36.7 t C ha⁻¹ in the 2-, 15-, 30-, and 65-year-old stands, respectively. Aboveground ecosystem C increased with age from 3 to 40, 52, and 100 t C ha⁻¹ in the 2-, 15-, 30-, and 65-year-old stands, respectively, due to an increase in aboveground tree biomass. Belowground ecosystem C remained similiar in the early decades after establishment with 37, 39, and 39 t C ha⁻¹ in the 2-, 15-, and 30-year-old stands, but increased to 56 t C ha⁻¹ in the 65-year-old stand due to an increase in root biomass. The difference in total ecosystem C between the 2- and 65-year-old stand was 116 t C ha⁻¹. Our results highlight the importance of considering the successional development of forest ecosystem C pools, when estimating C sink potentials over their complete life cycle.     

氮磷钾配比对木薯养分吸收动态及产量影响

【目的】木薯是重要的粮食作物,也是优质的淀粉工业原材料,被认为是非粮生物质能源的最合适原料。氮、 磷、 钾含量水平显著影响木薯产量,但有关木薯养分阶段性累积特征及其对生物量和产量形成影响的相关研究仍较少。本文比较了不同肥料配比情况下,木薯生物量, 氮、 磷、 钾累积量变化趋势,探讨了不同生育期氮、 磷、 钾含量及累积量的重要性及施肥对其影响。【方法】以我国主栽木薯品种华南205为材料,2009年在广东省郁南县丘陵坡地开展田间施肥试验,共设CK、 NP、 NK、 PK、 NPK 5个施肥处理。于苗期、 块根形成期、 块根生长早期、 块根快速膨大期和成熟期调查生物量和氮、 磷、 钾含量,得出氮、 磷、 钾累积动态。以各时期氮、 磷、 钾含量及累积量作为原始变量进行主成分分析,判断各时期氮、 磷、 钾含量及累积量的重要性,并分析不同肥料配比对各时期氮、 磷、 钾含量及累积量的影响。【结果】华南205的生物量累积动态呈S型曲线, 生物量在苗期较小,进入块根形成期后快速提高,当进入成熟期后增长逐渐减缓。氮肥对生物量影响最大,其次是钾肥,磷肥的影响最小。木薯氮含量的变幅为3.99%~0.93%, 磷含量为0.82%~0.26%, 钾含量为1.39%~0.89%。氮、 磷、 钾含量均在苗期最高,且随着生育期的推进不断降低,尤以氮含量降幅最大。不同氮、 磷、 钾肥料配比显著影响木薯的氮、 磷、 钾含量。PK处理的氮含量较NPK处理降低了32.96%,NK处理的磷含量较NPK处理降低了16.21%,NP处理的钾含量较NPK处理降低了50.37%。氮、 磷、 钾累积量与产量显著相关。主成分分析表明木薯整个生育期的营养状况与块根形成期的氮含量、 苗期的钾含量及块根生长阶段的磷含量相关性最大。氮、 磷、 钾的吸收累积量随着木薯生长不断提高,其中块根形成期、 块根生长早期、 块根快速膨大期的氮累积量较大,块根形成期、 块根快速膨大期的磷累积量较大,块根生长早期、 块根快速膨大期、 成熟期的钾累积量较大。主成分分析表明块根快速膨大期的氮、 磷、 钾累积量对整个生育期养分累积影响显著,同时,苗期及块根生长早期的氮、 钾累积量对养分累积总量影响也较大。【结论】木薯氮、 磷、 钾含量随着植株生长不断下降,而累积量却不断提高。不同氮、 磷、 钾肥料配比显著影响木薯的氮磷钾含量及累积量、 物质累积及产量形成,其中氮肥的影响最大,其次是钾肥,磷肥的影响最小。综合分析表明,苗期、 块根形成期、 块根生长早期为氮、 磷肥的最佳施用时期,块根形成期、 块根生长早期及块根快速膨大期为钾肥的补充阶段。     

Sulphur immobilization and arylsulphatase activity in two calcareous arable and fallow soils as affected by glucose additions

In this study we examined the effects of glucose-C on the activities of fungi and bacteria determined by the method of substrate-induced respiration (SIR) in combination with the selective inhibition technique, the immobilized-S and the arylsulphatase (ARS) activity in two calcareous arable and fallow soils. The amounts of glucose-C were added at six doses: 0, 125, 250, 500, 750 and 1000 mg kg^− 1 soil to the soils and then incubated for one week with a Na₂³⁵SO₄ solution (518.9 kBq kg^− 1 dry soil and 20 mg S kg^− 1 dry soil) prior to analysis. At the highest dose of 1000 mg kg^− 1 soil, fungal activity increased by 59.1% (of the dose 0) versus 45.5% for bacterial activity in the arable soil, while in the fallow soil the increases were more marked and corresponded to 69.9% and 71.1%, respectively. Largest increase in immobilized-S was observed in the arable soil (300.7%) compared with the fallow soil (153.1%). In contrast, the ARS activity increased by 16.4% in the arable soil versus 32.1% in the fallow soil. These results indicate that glucose proportionately affected more the intensities of immobilized-S than those of ARS. Strong positive correlation coefficients were found between fungal activities and immobilized-S in the arable soil (r = 0.96, P < 0.01) and in the fallow soil (r = 0.98, P < 0.001). However, non-significant correlations were observed between fungal activities and ARS in both studied soils. As to bacterial activities, positive significant correlation coefficients were found with immobilized-S in the arable soil (r = 0.95, P < 0.01) and in the fallow soil (r = 0.90, P < 0.05) as well as with ARS activities in the arable soil (r = 0.83, P < 0.05) and in the fallow soil (r = 0.97, P < 0.01). Overall, we also found positive and significant correlation coefficients of immobilized-S with ARS activities in the arable soil (r = 0.86, P < 0.05) and in the fallow soil (r = 0.83, P < 0.05). Accordingly, the results showed a presence of extracellular arylsulphatase activity of 38.7 mg p-nitrophenol kg^− 1 soil h^− 1 in the arable soil and of 63.5 mg p-nitrophenol kg^− 1 soil h^− 1 in the fallow soil. It was concluded that fallowing maintained larger activities of fungi, bacteria and arylsulphatase compared with the arable soil.     

Soil Respiration Characteristics in Three Shrublands along an Elevation Gradient in a Semiarid Loess Plateau Mountain Area

Shrub is one of the major vegetation types distributed mostly in the mountainous area in China, and its vegetation carbon storage is approximately one-third of both forests and grasslands. It is essential to investigate how soil temperature (T_s) and soil water content (W_s) affect soil respiration (R_s) in this ecosystem. The purpose of this study was to understand the correlations of R_s with T_s, W_s, and other factors in the shrubs. In the current study, R_s was characterized in three shrublands (hereafter, shrub 1, shrub 2, and shrub 3, respectively) located in different elevations over a 4-year period at a biweekly interval in the eastern Loess Plateau (Shanxi province) of China. Our results showed that the trend of seasonal change of R_s was controlled mainly by T_s and W_s. The measured mean R_s over 4 years was 3.64 ± 2.83 (mean ± S.D.), 2.69 ± 2.05, and 4.41 ± 3.28 μmol carbon dioxide (CO₂) m^?2 s^?1 for shrubs 1, 2, and 3, respectively, exhibiting an increase trend with elevation increment. Over the season, R_s illustrated a significant change depending on the variation of T_s and W_s, with larger values appearing in summer when both T_s and W_s were high, and smaller values in winter or in summer whenever W_s was low. An exponential model (R_s = a e ^bTs) fitted well the relation between R_s and T_s for shrub 3, whereas linear (R_s = a W_s + b) and power (R_s = a W_s ^b) models of R_s to W_s fitted well for shrub 1. This indicated that at a lower elevation, W_s had a greater effect on R_s than that at a higher elevation. The reverse trend was true between R_s and T_s, i.e., at a higher elevation T_s had a greater effect on R_s than that at a lower elevation. The calculated Q₁₀ values of 1.61, 3.03, and 3.73 for shrubs 1, 2, and 3 increased to 2.25, 3.63, and 4.07, respectively (when the data in low W_s conditions were excluded from the analysis), showing that Q₁₀ increased with elevation increment. Furthermore, three two-variable models, one linear (R_s = a (T_s W_s) + b), and two nonlinear (R_s = a T_s ^b W_s ^c and R_s = a e^bTs W_s ^c), were also well developed to predict the dependency of R_s on both T_s and W_s. Our research results might have important implications for the estimation of soil carbon emissions of the shrublands in this region.     

Denitrification and fermentation in plant-residue-amended soil

Summary Nitrous oxide production (denitrification) during anaerobic incubation of ground-alfalfa-, red-clover-, wheat-straw-, and cornstover-amended soil was positively related to the initial water-soluble C content of the residue- amended soil. The water-soluble C concentration decreased in all treatments during the first 2 days, then increased in the alfalfa-, red-clover-, and wheat-straw-amended soil until the end of the experiment at 15 days. An accumulation of acetate, propionate, and butyrate was partly responsible for the increased water-soluble C concentration. Denitrification rates were much higher in the alfalfa-and red-clover-amended soil, but NO ₃ ^– was not fully recovered as N₂O in these treatments. Supported by earlier experiments in our laboratory, we conclude that some of the NO ₃ ^– was reduced to NH ₄ ⁺ through fermentative NO ₃ ^– reduction, otherwise known as dissimilatory NO ₃ ^– reduction to NH ₄ ⁺ . Acetate, the primary product of anaerobic fermentation, accumulated in the alfalfa- and red-clover-amended soil in the presence of NO ₃ ^– , supporting previous observations that the processes of denitrification and fermentation occur simultaneously in C-amended soil. The partitioning of NO ₃ ^– between denitrification and fermentative NO ₃ ^– reduction to NH ₄ ⁺ depends on the activity of the denitrifying and fermentative bacterial populations. NO₂ concentration may be a key in the partitioning of NO ₃ ^– between these two processes.