紫色土坡耕地横坡垄作的水土流失特征及作物产量效应

通过在紫色土坡耕地上进行横坡垄作,观测了不同坡度坡耕地的水土流失及作物产量状况.结果表明研究区的降雨集中在4～9月,形成不同坡度的侵蚀降雨量在年际间的分布也不相同.随着坡度的增大,径流量和泥沙量均增大,但径流系数先增大,后减小,再增大.径流量、泥沙量与降雨量在坡度≥15°时均呈极显著正相关关系,而在坡度为20°与降雨强度呈极显著正相关关系;与之相应,随着坡度的增大,除小麦产量是先减小后增大外,其余两种作物(玉米和甘薯)的产量均是先减小后增大,再减小,且三种作物产量变化的过渡坡度均为15°.     

1985～2015年淮北市土地利用变化特征及其预测研究

以1985、1995、2005、2015年4期遥感影像为基础,应用RS、GIS技术和景观生态学方法,分析了淮北市1985～2015年土地利用景观格局变化,并采用ANN-CA模型预测2025年淮北市土地利用数据。结果表明:1)淮北市土地利用类型以耕地为主,耕地面积占60%以上,建设用地次之;近30年,建设用地和林地面积呈增加趋势,耕地、水域和草地呈减小趋势;2005～2015年土地利用结构和景观格局变化显著,各类土地利用面积变化速率加快。2)1985～2015年土地利用类型的转移主要为耕地向建设用地转变、水域向耕地和建设用地转变。3)1985～2015年淮北市土地利用破碎化程度不断升高,景观格局趋向复杂化,景观异质性增强。4)2015～2025年,林地面积将保持不变,耕地、草地、水域面积减少,建设用地面积不断增加。     

基于USLE模型的云南省坡耕地土壤侵蚀和养分流失评价

定量评估区域坡耕地土壤侵蚀分布规律,是科学制定坡耕地水土流失综合治理规划、开展坡耕地质量建设的基础,然而目前针对省域尺度坡耕地土壤侵蚀和养分流失规律的研究较少。该研究基于GIS空间分析技术和通用土壤流失方程（Universal Soil Loss Equation,USLE）,在模型参数率定与计算精度验证基础上,定量评价云南省坡耕地土壤侵蚀和养分流失特征。结果表明：1）云南省坡耕地土壤侵蚀面积为421.38万hm2,侵蚀总量为376.58×106 t/a,占全省侵蚀总量的63.02%,坡耕地是区域侵蚀产沙的主要策源地;坡耕地平均侵蚀模数为7 986.31 t/(km2.a),总体处于强烈侵蚀等级,剧烈侵蚀、极强烈侵蚀和强烈侵蚀是坡耕地侵蚀产沙的主要来源;不同分区坡耕地侵蚀模数和侵蚀量差异显著,滇西南区侵蚀强度最大,滇东南区侵蚀强度最小。2）随着坡度增加,坡耕地侵蚀面积比例、侵蚀强度、侵蚀量均呈较快增加趋势,土壤侵蚀主要来源于15～25°、>25°、>8～15°3个坡度级坡耕地。3）坡耕地流失土层厚度集中分布在0～12 mm/a之间,平均流失土层厚度为7.31 mm/a;耕层更新周期集中分布在20～200 a之间,均值为175.6 a,耕层更新周期-面积分布曲线呈先快速递增,并在某一峰值之后出现快速递减趋势。4）坡耕地养分流失空间分布存在差异性,土壤有机碳、全氮、速效钾、有效磷流失模数分别为223.60、23.94、1.59、0.15 t/（km2·a）,坡耕地养分流失是区域养分流失量的主要来源。研究可为区域坡耕地水土流失治理和坡耕地质量建设提供科学依据。     

基于地理探测器的重庆坡耕地时空格局演变特征及驱动机制

坡耕地是耕地的重要组成部分,分析坡耕地时空格局演变规律及驱动因素,有益于为合理利用坡耕地资源及生态功能修复与保持提供参考。基于2000-2018年坡耕地空间分布信息,利用土地利用转移矩阵、局部空间自相关（Local Spatial Autocorrelation, LISA）、地理探测器（Geodetector）等方法,从坡耕地时空变化特征、坡耕地冷热点格局和坡耕地变化驱动因子等方面开展,揭示重庆坡耕地时空分布特征及驱动因素。结果表明：1）与2000年相比,2018年重庆坡耕地面积减少2.40%,坡耕地2.23 万km2,占耕地59.35%。6个区县（渝中、江北、江津、南岸、大渡口、石柱）年均坡耕地变化动态度大于1%,不同区县坡耕地面积变化趋势差异明显。2）近18年坡耕地与林地、草地、水田、建设用地等地类发生显著转移,转出、转入总体较均衡,其中坡耕地退为林地主要集中位于秦巴和武陵山区的石柱、武隆、丰都、云阳等区县,在土地利用转移过程中坡耕地面积呈小幅度减少趋势。3）坡耕地局部空间自相关异质性较显著,大多数区域坡耕地面积呈高-高和低-低聚集状态,热点区集中在渝东北区,冷点区分布在渝西区和主城区。4）林业产值、农村居民人均纯收入、粮食产量、乡村从业人员、农林水支出等经济、社会及政策因素是主要驱动因子,各因子间的交互作用大部分为非线性增强和双因子增强,其中解释力较大的交互驱动因子为粮食产量/坡度（2005年,0.927）、农村居民人均纯收入/常住人口（2018年,0.910）,海拔、降雨等自然因素对坡耕地变化有一定影响,但经济发展、政策调控、农民收入、城市扩张等社会经济因素是坡耕地变化的主要驱动因子。研究结果可为重庆以及西南山地丘陵区坡耕地资源保护与格局优化提供科学依据。     

基于流域尺度的农业用地景观-水质关联分析

基于Landsat遥感影像进行九龙江流域不同坡度类型的农业用地景观与水质指标（CODMn、NH4+-N、TP）的相关性分析,并分别对丰水期、枯水期、平水期的农业用地类型百分比与各水质指标进行线性回归。结果显示,坡度小于15°和大于25°的农业用地占总农业用地的面积比例与各水质指标呈较强的正相关。景观聚集度指数（CONTAG）与水体中TP浓度呈显著正相关,决定系数为0.565;香农多样性指数（SHDI）与水体中TP浓度呈显著负相关,相关系数为-0.527。丰水期和枯水期是九龙江流域水质变化较大的时期。对河流近岸100 m范围内的农业用地类型组成进行统计发现,坡度小于15°的农业用地面积平均比例为74.3%。河岸缓冲区和陡坡农业用地的数量及分布是影响该地区水质及控制农业非点源污染的关键。     

疏勒河中下游近35年土地利用与景观格局动态

以疏勒河流域中下游为研究区域,利用1975年Landsat MSS、2000年和2010年的Landsat TM 3期遥感影像,运用土地利用变化幅度、动态度、转移矩阵等方法,并结合景观指数,采用主成分分析方法,分析了流域1975—2010年间的土地利用/覆被和景观格局的变化及其驱动力。结果表明:近35年,研究区耕地和城乡建设用地所占比例持续上升,建设用地的动态度最高,达2.11%,耕地次之。土地利用类型间主要转移方向为:戈壁石砾地和草地转化为耕地,戈壁石砾地转为建设用地和草地。整个景观的斑块密度增大,最大斑块指数减小,景观趋于破碎化,景观的多样性增加。人口增长和经济发展因素是研究区土地利用/覆被变化的最直接驱动力。     

北海市银滩土地利用演变特征及其影响因素

[目的]针对北海市银滩海岸近些年土地利用巨变、生态环境退化的现象,分析区域土地利用演变特征及其影响因子,为该区可持续开发与管理提供科学依据。[方法]基于长时间序列Landsat遥感影像,采用土地利用动态度、转移矩阵、强度及多样性指数等指标分析北海银滩滨海区土地利用演变特征,并讨论土地利用变化的主要影响因子。[结果]1979—2013年的35a间,银滩滨海区建设用地、人工湿地面积显著增加,并且主要是由耕地、林地转入而来,从而导致耕地和林地面积显著减少,草地、水域和滩涂面积增减变化幅度相对较小。区域土地利用综合程度先增大后减小,但开发强度却一直在增大;多样性指数在2000年年前较为稳定,之后显著下降。银滩滨海区土地利用演变主要受气温、台风、潮汐等气候因子和城市化、围垦、渔业、旅游业和规划管理等人类活动因子综合影响。[结论]近35a来,银滩海岸土地利用类型趋向单一化,开发速率减小但开发强度增大,空间分布破碎化,区域生态系统脆弱性增强。研究时段内,人类活动因子影响比气候因子更显著,各驱动因子影响物理机制及其定量化贡献亟待进一步研究。     

玛纳斯河流域景观格局变化与地形控制分析

以1990年、2000年、2005年、2010年四个时期的土地利用覆盖数据,玛河流域DEM为基础数据来源,在ArcGIS软件和Fragstats 3.4的支持下,采用景观单元类型转移矩阵、主要景观演化类型的地形梯度分析和空间数据叠加等方法分析了玛纳斯河流域的景观格局现状和演变特征,以及这种变化的影响因素。研究结果表明:玛纳斯河流域1990—2010年土地利用类型变化显著,荒漠、草地、水域以及林地面积都出现了不同程度的减少,耕地面积不断增加;玛纳斯河流域斑块形状总体趋向规则与简单的发展趋势;景观单元演变的地形梯度特征显著,表现为在各高程梯度、坡向梯度以及坡度梯度分布存在明显的地域分异规律,尤其与高程和坡度因子密切相关。说明玛纳斯河流域在经济快速发展的同时土地利用越来越丰富,规模和强度也在增大,但影响了景观稳定性和抗干扰性能。     

黄土丘陵油田开发区景观破碎化分析

利用遥感、GIS和CPS地面详查等手段对黄土丘陵区燕沟流域景观进行研究,对流域内油田开发土地占用及其与景观破碎化之间的关系进行分析。结果表明：油田开发占用土地面积相对较少,但主要以优质农业生产和生态建设用地为主;油田开发前后土地利用变化表现为林草地和耕地面积减少,交通、居民点及工矿用地和水域面积迅速增加;3个研究分区景观总体和景观类型的破碎化程度均为油田开发区（油区）〉全流域〉非油区,2003-2006年3年间,油区各景观类型破碎化指数显著增加,显示出油区景观破碎化程度增大;油田道路建设是油区景观破碎化的主要驱动力。     

模拟降雨条件下坡度对关中地区塿土溅蚀的影响

为掌握关中地区坡耕地上坡度对溅蚀量以及溅蚀距离的影响,深入探究不同坡度对单位面积溅蚀量影响的潜在机理。以陕西关中地区塿土为研究对象,选用5个具有不同坡度（0°,5°,10°,15°,20°）的装土槽进行单位面积土坡的模拟。使用针头式模拟降雨机进行模拟降雨试验,通过溅蚀收集装置对模拟降雨结束后的不同方向和不同距离范围的溅蚀量进行收集。结果表明：在0~20°坡度范围内,溅蚀总分散量,溅蚀净搬运量以及向下坡溅蚀量随着坡度的增大呈现出不同的上升趋势。向上坡溅蚀量在0~15°范围内呈减少趋势,在15~20°范围内呈增加趋势。溅蚀距离随着坡度的增大而增大。研究结果对深入探究溅蚀的潜在机理有着重要作用。     

低氮和干旱胁迫对富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的影响

【目的】以富士（Fuji）、 秦冠（Qinguan）嫁接在平邑甜茶（Malus hupehensis Rehd.）上的当年生盆栽苗为试验材料,采用砂培方法,研究了缺氮胁迫和干旱对富士和秦冠生长情况、 光合参数、 植株各部位氮磷钾含量及氮素利用效率的影响,分析比较了低氮干旱条件下富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的差异,以期为果树生产高效肥水利用提供理论指导。【方法】试验共设四个处理: 正常氮正常水（ZZ）、 低氮正常水（DZ）、 正常氮干旱（ZG）、 低氮干旱（DG）。氮素和水分均设置两个水平,分别为正常氮（6 mmol/L NO-3-N）、 低氮（0.3 mmol/LNO-3-N）、 正常供水（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的80%~85%）、 干旱处理（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的60%~65%）。【结果】富士和秦冠的生物量（茎和叶）、 株高茎粗等生长指标以及光合速率、 气孔导度、 蒸腾速率均为正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）,并且相对应处理下秦冠的以上指标均高于富士;正常供水下,缺氮处理使富士、 秦冠的根冠比比正常氮处理均有所增加,富士提高了2.05%,秦冠提高了22.40%。富士和秦冠的氮、 磷、 钾含量均表现出正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）; 氮、 钾元素含量在植株各部位的分布顺序依次是叶＞根＞茎,磷元素则是根＞叶＞茎;光合氮素利用效率（PNUE）和氮素利用效率表现为秦冠处理之间差异极显著,富士处理之间差异不显著;秦冠的PNUE和NUE明显高于富士,在低氮正常水（DZ）处理下,秦冠氮肥利用率比富士高42.07%,在低氮干旱（DG）处理下高64.14%;低氮胁迫下富士和秦冠的NUE显著提高,并且秦冠提高的幅度高于富士。【结论】施用氮肥能够显著提高富士与秦冠的干物质量,同等水肥条件下,秦冠生长优于富士;水分亏缺会减少叶片对氮的吸收,干旱条件下适度增施氮肥,可提高果树的抗旱能力;低氮干旱胁迫下秦冠的生长指标、 光合指标及氮素利用效率指标均优于富士,表现出较强的抗低氮干旱胁迫的能力。     

Pasture Vegetation Elemental Analysis by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a new technique for the analysis of plant material. This study investigates the application of LIBS to pasture-based plant samples. The LIBS measurements were obtained from pelletized pasture samples (100 samples) that had been also analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) following microwave digestion for calibration and comparison purposes. Comparisons for elements sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), boron (B), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) showed that LIBS could be used for almost all the standard profile total elements with concentrations down to low mg/kg levels (observed error of Na: 0.024 percent, K: 0.18 percent, Mg: 0.016 percent, Ca: 0.073 percent, P: 0.017 percent, Mn: 31 mg/kg, Fe: 150 mg/kg, Zn: 6.6 mg/kg, and B: 1.1 mg/kg). Elemental analysis at less than mg/kg levels was not possible using LIBS. The elements S and Cu were particularly difficult to analyze with reliability using LIBS at the concentration levels found in the plant samples. Replacing microwave digestion and subsequent ICP analysis with a direct analysis of dried plant samples using LIBS has the potential to improve the productivity and reduce the cost of testing.     

Assessing the effectiveness of conservation measures: Resolving the “wicked” problem of the Steller sea lion

“Wicked” problems are those that are complex and that change when solutions are applied. Many conflicts in conservation fall into this category. The study approached the problem of how to constrain the apparent wickedness of a problem in the conservation management of a species by using simple empirical indicators to carry out iterative assessment of the risk to a population and to document how this risk evolves in relation to the addition of new data and the implementation of management actions. Effects of high levels of uncertainty within data and also concerning population structure were examined through stochastic simulation and by exploration of scenarios. Historical trends in the example used, the Steller sea lion, showed rapid declines in abundance in some regions during the 1980s. The current total population is 130,000-150,000 Steller sea lions through Alaska and British Columbia and this number has been stable since about 1990 in spite of regional differences in population dynamics. Regional differences in the sequence of changes in the number of pups and non-pups, suggested that an internal re-distribution of juveniles could have happened between 1980 and 1990. Current productivity also appears close to the long-term mean. Stochastic population projection using various scenarios showed that, based upon this history, the risk of extinction for the population has declined and is below reasonable thresholds for considering the population to be endangered. The trends in risk suggest that management actions taken since 1990 have probably been effective. Consequently, the conservation management objectives for the Steller sea lion are probably being met. The approach provides a mechanism, based upon experience and scenario analysis, for exploring future policy options and may help to constrain the debate amongst stakeholders about the cost-benefit trade-offs associated with different options.     

Soil-profile distribution of primary and secondary plant-available nutrients under conventional and no tillage

Nutrient distributions under no tillage (NT) compared with conventional disk-and-bed tillage (CT) management in the warm, humid region of the southeastern USA need to be assessed so that future placement, quantity, and type of fertilizers can be altered, if necessary, to efficiently match crop demands. We determined soil-profile distributions of pH, N, P, S, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu to a depth of 0.9 m at the end of 8.5 years of continuous CT and NT management on a Weswood silty clay loam (fine, mixed, thermic Fluventic Ustochrept) in southcentral Texas. Most dramatic changes occurred within the 0–0.05 m depth, where soil under NT had lower pH, Fe, and Cu than under CT, but greater P, K, Zn, and Mn. Greater P and K under NT than under CT also occurred below the till-zone (0.15–0.3 m). At a depth of 0–0.3 m, soil under NT contained greater amounts of extractable P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu than under CT. Nitrogen fertilization had little effect on nutrient distributions, except resulting in greater extractable K at 0–0.05 m and greater nitrate at 0–0.15 m. Few changes in soil-profile distributions were observed for extractable S, Ca, Mg, and Na. Long-term continuous use of NT on this fine-textured, high-fertility (except for N) soil had no apparent adverse effects on nutrient distributions relative to CT, but enhanced conservation and availability of P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu near the soil surface where crop roots proliferate.     

Faculty positions:Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Macroinvertebrates in North American tallgrass prairie soils: effects of fire, mowing, and fertilization on density and biomass

The responses of tallgrass prairie plant communities and ecosystem processes to fire and grazing are well characterized. However, responses of invertebrate consumer groups, and particularly soil-dwelling organisms, to these disturbances are not well known. At Konza Prairie Biological Station, we sampled soil macroinvertebrates in 1994 and 1999 as part of a long-term experiment designed to examine the effects and interactions of annual fire, mowing, and fertilization (N and P) on prairie soil communities and processes. For nearly all taxa, in both years, responses were characterized by significant treatment interactions, but some general patterns were evident. Introduced European earthworms (Aporrectodea spp. and Octolasion spp.) were most abundant in plots where fire was excluded, and the proportion of the total earthworm community consisting of introduced earthworms was greater in unburned, unmowed, and fertilized plots. Nymphs of two Cicada genera were collected (Cicadetta spp. and Tibicen spp.). Cicadetta nymphs were more abundant in burned plots, but mowing reduced their abundance. Tibicen nymphs were collected almost exclusively from unburned plots. Treatment effects on herbivorous beetle larvae (Scarabaeidae, Elateridae, and Curculionidae) were variable, but nutrient additions (N or P) usually resulted in greater densities, whereas mowing usually resulted in lower densities. Our results suggest that departures from historical disturbance regimes (i.e. frequent fire and grazing) may render soils more susceptible to increased numbers of European earthworms, and that interactions between fire, aboveground biomass removal, and vegetation responses affect the structure and composition of invertebrate communities in tallgrass prairie soils.     

Variation in quality parameters between and within 14 Nordic tree fruit and berry species

Abstract

A 3-year study was carried out to investigate quality parameters in 14 tree fruit and berry species grown in southern Norway. The species were blueberry, apple, aronia, sour cherry, sweet cherry, red raspberry, strawberry, blackcurrant, gooseberry, red currant and elderberry, harvested along with wild bilberry, cloudberry and lingonberry. Significant differences between species were identified for all quality parameters. The coefficient of variation between species was lowest for pH (12.5%), dry matter (18.9%) and soluble solids (25.3%), followed by titratable acids (59.3%), total phenolics (83.8%), antioxidant capacity FRAP (85.7%) and antiradical power by the DPPH-assay (97.8%), total monomeric anthocyanins (132%) and ascorbic acid (137%). Average coefficient of variation within species were lower and ranged from 4 (pH) to 62% (ascorbic acid). Only the FRAP values were significantly affected by harvesting year with lower levels in 2004 than in 2005 and 2006. There were significant interactions between species and harvesting year for dry matter, soluble solids, pH, ascorbic acid and FRAP. The results indicate generic ranges in composition within species independent upon growing location and climate, and the composition of the tree fruits and berries is not likely to deviate from these ranges. It is concluded that desirable composition of tree fruits and berries and their products should primarily be achieved by selection among species rather than searching fors broadened variation within individual species.     

Enhanced establishment and growth of giant cardon cactus in an eroded field in the Sonoran Desert using native legume trees as nurse plants aided by plant growth-promoting microorganisms and compost

To evaluate the feasibility of long-term desert reforestation technology of mixed vegetation, cardon cactus (Pachycereus pringlei) seedlings from indoor and outdoor nurseries were planted in the field adjacent to one seedling of potential legume nurse trees: mesquite amargo (Prosopis articulata), yellow palo verde (Parkinsonia microphylla), and blue palo verde (Parkinsonia florida). Some of the planting holes were also supplemented with common dairy compost. Additionally, the combinations of legume tree–cactus were inoculated with either a consortium of desert arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB; the diazotroph Azospirillum brasilense Cd, and the phosphate solubilizer Paenibacillus sp.), or a mixture of all. The field experiments were evaluated periodically during 30 months for survival and growth. Cardons reared in an outdoor screen house survived better in the field than those reared in a controlled growth chamber and hardened later outdoors. Association with any legume nurse tree increased survival and enhanced growth of untreated cardons. For cardons growing alone, application of either compost, AM fungi, and all the treatments combined increased survival. For these plants, no treatment affected plant growth during the first 3 months after transplanting. Later, all treatments, except for AM fungi, enhanced plant growth. However, only 2 years after transplanting the enhanced growth effect of AM fungi was also significant. In the presence of the legume nurse trees, transient positive effects on cardon growth were recorded. General evaluation after 30 months of cultivation showed that the treatments positively affected cardon growth when growing alone or in combination only with mesquite amargo but not with the other two legume trees. This study proposes that young legume trees have the capacity to enhance survival and growth of cardon cactus, depending on the legume cactus combination. Additional treatments such as compost or PGPB can either amplify the effect or else attenuate it.     

Karyotypic and genome size variation in Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. (pigeonpea) and some wild relatives

Detailed karyotypes and 4C DNA amounts have been studied in five cultivars of Cajanus cajan and 20 species belonging to Cajanus, Rhynchosia, Dunbaria, Flemingia and Paracalyx. C. cajan shows intraspecific variability and its karyotype is most similar to that of C. cajanifolius (sect. Cajanus) in the morphology and number of satellite chromosomes and the lack of any correlation between chromosome size within the complement and asymmetry. Karyotypes of C. lineatus and C. sericeus belonging to sect. Atylia are similar with respect to maximum r-index and the ratio of longest and shortest chromosomes in their respective complements. C. acutifolius (sect. Frutocosa) is distinct in having a very low ratio (1.44) between the longest and the shortest chromosomes, while in C. albicans, C. goensis, C. scarabaeoides (sect. Cantharospermum) there is no chromosome pair with r-index >2.0. C. mollis and C. volubilis (sect. Volubilis) show similarity with regard to ratio between the longest and the shortest chromosomes and a distinct chromosome pair with an arm ratio of 2.7 and C. platycarpus is distinct (sect. Rhynchosoides) in having the smallest ratio (1.36) between the longest and the shortest chromosomes. 4C DNA amounts in Cajanus and Rhynchosia vary between 3.28 pg to 11.69 pg and 4.92 pg to 11.13 pg respectively, while in Dunbaria, Flemingia and Paracalyx these vary between 4.70 and 7:06 pg. In the genus Cajanus karyotypic features and 4C DNA amounts agree with the sectional classification and bring out a close relationship between C. cajan and C. cajanifolius. This is supported by studies based on seed protein patterns, isozyme analysis, trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitor patterns, RFLP and RAPD data and crossability relationships. A clear relation between DNA amount and abnormalities effecting the extent of pairing and recombination in interspecific hybrids shows the importance of this study in developing future breeding programme involving C. cajan and its wild relatives that are of potential value.     

Potassium Fixation and Release Characteristics in Rhizosphere and Nonrhizosphere Soils for a Rapeseed–Rice Cropping Sequence

Potassium (K) fixation and release in soil are important factors in the long-term sustainability of a cropping system. Changes in K concentration and characteristics of K fixation and release in rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils in the rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)–rice (Oryza sativa L.) rotation were investigated using a rhizobox system. The concentrations of different forms of K in both rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils decreased with plants compared to without plants, regardless of K fertilizer application. Potassium uptake by crops mainly came from the rhizosphere soil. In the treatment without K fertilizer (–K), the main form of K supplied by the soil to the crops was 1.0 mol L^?1 nitric acid (HNO₃) nonextractable K, followed by nonexchangeable K, and then exchangeable K. In the treatment with K fertilizer (+K), the main K forms supplied by the soil to the crops were exchangeable K and nonexchangeable K. The amount and rate of K fixation after one cycle of the rapeseed–rice rotation was greater in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The amount and rate of K fixation of soil in the +K treatment were significantly less than in the –K treatment. The cumulative amounts of K released with 1.0 mol L^?1 ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc) and 1.0 mol L^?1 HNO₃ extraction increased with the increasing numbers of extractions, but the K-releasing power of soil by successive extraction decreased gradually and finally became almost constant. The release of K was less in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The release of K in the +K treatment was similar to that in the –K treatment in rhizosphere soil, but the K release in nonrhizosphere soil was greater with the +K than the –K treatment. Overall, the information obtained in this study will be helpful in formulating more precise K fertilizer recommendations for certain soils.