稻秸还田提高我国南方典型稻田冬绿肥产量和养分积累

  【目的】  提高冬绿肥的产量和养分积累量有利于轮作系统中主作物的高产稳产和光、温、养分资源的高效循环利用。研究稻秸还田对冬季豆科绿肥生长和养分积累及土壤性状的影响,为稻田豆科绿肥的高产栽培及稻秸资源化利用提供指导。  【方法】  在广西、四川和安徽,分别以盐渍水稻土、紫色土和黄棕壤为供试土壤,进行相同处理的豆科绿肥盆栽试验,供试品种均为当地主栽品种。稻秸添加量设 3个水平:0、3000、6000 kg/hm2 (S0、S1、S2),每个稻秸添加水平下设两个施氮水平:0和45 kg/hm2 (N0、N45),共包括6个处理。于豆科绿肥盛花期采集植株和土壤样品,测定鲜草产量和土壤理化性状。  【结果】  与稻秸不还田且不施氮肥处理(RS0N0)相比,盐渍水稻土、紫色土和黄棕壤上稻秸还田与氮肥配施处理的绿肥鲜草产量分别提高了63.0%～66.0%、35.2%～53.8%和103.6%～117.1%,植株氮累积量分别提高了19.1%～41.5%、43.7%～67.2%和65.1%～70.5%,磷累积量分别提高了12.1%～68.9%、31.4%～57.3%和37.9%～45.3%,钾累积量分别提高了22.0%～58.7%、30.7%～35.0%和89.2%～102.9%。在盐渍水稻土、紫色土,稻秸还田(S1、S2)均可提高绿肥鲜草产量和氮磷钾养分积累量,配合施氮没有进一步提高鲜草产量和氮磷钾养分积累量;而在黄棕壤与秸秆半量还田相比,稻秸全量还田降低了绿肥产量,但在一定程度上增加了绿肥地上部养分积累量,稻秸还田配合施用氮肥则显著增加了绿肥的产量和地上部养分积累量。盐渍水稻土稻秸还田与氮肥配施处理(RS1N45和RS2N45)提高了土壤有效磷含量;黄棕壤土壤有效磷含量、土壤速效钾含量随稻秸添加量增加先下降后上升,与不施肥对照相比,3种土壤上稻秸与氮肥配施处理均显著提高了土壤无机氮含量。偏最小二乘法路径模型分析表明,稻秸还田及土壤类型对豆科绿肥鲜草产量和地上部氮、磷、钾的累积量均有极显著正影响(P < 0.01),氮肥处理仅对豆科绿肥鲜草产量有极显著正影响(P < 0.01)。  【结论】  稻秸还田不同程度地促进了豆科绿肥对土壤速效养分的吸收,提高了豆科绿肥鲜草产量和地上部氮磷钾累积量。在肥力较高的盐渍水稻土和紫色土上,稻秸全量还田可显著增加豆科绿肥的鲜草产量,维持土壤有效养分,无需配合施用氮肥。在肥力较低的黄棕壤上,全量还田(6000 kg/hm2)需配施氮肥才可充分发挥稻秸还田的增产效果,缓解土壤中有效养分含量的下降。     

玉米秸秆还田配施氮肥对冬小麦土壤氮素表观盈亏及产量的影响

【目的】以秸秆还田定位试验为平台,探讨玉米秸秆还田配施氮肥对冬小麦产量、土壤硝态氮积累、氮素表观盈余和氮肥利用率的影响规律,明确砂姜黑土玉米秸秆全量还田条件下冬小麦生长季的最佳施氮量。【方法】试验以秸秆处理为主区,设秸秆还田和秸秆移除2个水平;施氮量为副区,设6个水平,分别为0、162.0、202.5、243.0、283.5、324.0 kg/hm2。测定了冬小麦播种前、拔节期、成熟期地上部植株含氮量,土壤0—20、20—40和40—60 cm硝态氮含量,小麦产量以及籽粒氮含量,计算了冬小麦生育期土壤的氮素表观盈余,小麦基施和追施氮肥的利用效率以及不同阶段的氮素盈余。【结果】玉米秸秆还田后小麦增产365 844 kg/hm2,增产率为4.2%9.3%,尤其以配施243.0 kg/hm2的增幅最高,产量达9858 kg/hm2。小麦整个生育期,秸秆还田显著增加了0—60 cm土层的土壤硝态氮累积量,而秸秆移除条件下,土壤硝态氮累积量与氮肥施用量相关,高量氮肥增加了硝态氮累积量,N施用量高于243.0 kg/hm2时,硝态氮累积量较小麦播种前增加19.8%28.6%。施氮均显著增加了植株氮素积累量;小麦播种到拔节期,植株的氮素积累量随基肥比例的增加而增加。小麦生育期不施氮处理表现为氮素亏缺,施氮处理显著增加了0—60 cm土层的土壤氮素盈余量,且随基肥、追肥量的增加而增加,盈余值每增加100.0kg/hm2,秸秆还田配施氮肥和单施氮肥的土壤剖面硝态氮积累量就会分别增加74.2和91.4 kg/hm2。秸秆还田配施氮肥提高了氮肥农学效率、植株地上部氮肥吸收利用率、籽粒氮肥吸收利用率,特别是在高氮肥时,基肥和拔节肥的利用率显著高于单施氮肥。在施氮处理间、相同氮肥施用下秸秆还田和移除处理间氮素收获指数均无显著差异。氮肥表观回收率随施氮量的增加而降低,基肥表观回收率显著高于拔节肥表观回收率。【结论】秸秆还田和施氮水平对小麦植株氮素的吸收转运没有显著影响,但可提高基施和追施氮肥的利用率,可增加土壤0—60 cm土层中硝态氮的含量。综合各项指标,冬小麦生长季玉米秸秆全量还田适宜的氮肥配施量为202.5 243.0 kg/hm2。     

水稻秸秆还田配施肥料对小麦产量和氮素利用的影响

为了解高C/N比秸秆还田与肥料施用对金坛地区小麦产量和氮素利用的影响，通过设置大田试验，研究了稻秸还田与肥料施用对麦季土壤养分、微生物生物量、作物产量和氮肥利用率的影响。结果表明：稻秸还田配施肥料能够提高土壤速效养分含量。单施肥仅显著影响拔节期微生物生物量碳，单施稻秸显著影响拔节期和抽穗期微生物生物量氮，稻秸还田和肥料施用的交互作用在拔节期显著影响土壤微生物生物量和微生物熵。单施肥、稻秸配施肥料处理的氮肥表观利用率分别为31%和37%，稻秸配施肥料后的氮肥农学利用率和偏生产力表明每kg纯氮增产幅度约为6.86 kg籽粒。单施肥和稻秸配施肥料显著增加了小麦每穗粒数及千粒重，并且理论产量分别增加211%和319%，实际产量则分别增加119%和231%，而单施稻秸处理的实产却减产21%。综合分析认为，稻秸还田搭配肥料施用，能够保证当季土壤有效氮供应，促进土壤有机质转化为更易被微生物利用的形态，提高养分有效性，促进小麦对氮素的吸收利用，有利于每穗粒数和千粒重的增加，从而最终提高小麦的产量。     

施氮量对滴灌冬小麦–夏玉米周年产量及氮素利用效率的影响

  【目的】  当前华北平原冬小麦–夏玉米生产中,存在氮肥投入量大、氮肥利用效率低等问题,在滴灌水肥一体化条件下研究施氮量对冬小麦–夏玉米周年产量、氮素利用效率和土壤全氮含量、硝态氮残留的影响,以期为该地区小麦–玉米节肥、高产高效的栽培模式提供理论依据。  【方法】  于2018—2020年在青岛农业大学胶州现代农业示范园开展小麦、玉米滴灌施肥田间试验。设冬小麦/夏玉米生长季不施氮(N0)和施氮 150/150 kg/hm2 (N1)、210/225 kg/hm2 (N2) 和270/300 kg/hm2 (N3) 4个水平,以传统施肥方式和常规施氮量240/240 kg/hm2为对照(CK)。分析冬小麦和夏玉米产量、氮素吸收量和土壤氮素残留量。  【结果】  N2处理冬小麦、夏玉米产量最高,与N3处理无显著差异,但显著高于N0、N1和CK处理;N3处理冬小麦、夏玉米的干物质积累量、氮素吸收量最高,与N2处理差异较小,而显著高于N0、N1和CK处理。冬小麦、夏玉米氮肥偏生产力随着施氮量的提高而降低;冬小麦季氮素利用效率随着施氮量的提高而降低;夏玉米季,N2、N1和N0处理的氮素利用效率显著高于N3和CK处理,且N0、N1和N2处理间无显著差异;冬小麦、夏玉米氮肥农学利用率均随着施氮量的提高而降低,N2施氮水平下,氮素利用效率和氮肥农学利用率均表现较优。随着施氮量的增加,0—100 cm土层土壤全氮含量和硝态氮含量呈增加的趋势,全氮积累主要集中在0—40 cm土层,N3、N2和CK处理0—100 cm土层土壤全氮含量与N0和N1处理之间的差异随着轮作年数的增加而逐渐增大,N2处理较N3和CK处理有效抑制了硝态氮在表层土壤的积累和向深层土壤的迁移,降低了硝态氮淋失风险。  【结论】  冬小麦季施氮210 kg/hm2和夏玉米季施氮225 kg/hm2 (N2)可实现周年作物增产高效,提高氮素利用效率,显著降低硝态氮向深层土壤迁移,降低硝态氮淋失风险,是滴灌水肥一体化下华北平原麦玉周年轮作适宜的施氮量。     

长期施肥下潮土全氮、碱解氮含量与氮素投入水平关系

通过长期肥料定位试验,对不同施肥处理下潮土全氮和碱解氮含量演变特征及其与氮素投入水平的关系进行研究。结果表明,不施氮肥处理,土壤全氮和碱解氮含量基本保持平衡或者缓慢增加;长期施用化学氮肥处理,土壤全氮和碱解氮含量均有所增加;施用有机肥和秸秆还田处理,土壤全氮和碱解氮含量均显著提高。单施化学氮肥处理每投入氮素1 kg/hm2,土壤全氮含量增加0.017 mg/kg;而氮磷钾化肥配施有机肥和氮磷钾化肥并秸秆还田处理每投入氮素1 kg/hm2,土壤全氮含量分别增加0.049和0.035 mg/kg。施氮磷钾处理每投入氮素1 kg/hm2,土壤碱解氮含量增加0.001 mg/kg;而化肥配施有机肥或玉米秸秆处理每投入氮素1 kg/hm2,土壤碱解氮含量均增加0.004和0.004 mg/kg。总的来说,施用化学氮肥、有机肥配施化肥及秸秆还田处理增加氮素投入量均可以提高土壤全氮及碱解氮含量,且有机肥配施化肥及秸秆还田处理优于单施化肥。综上所述,增施有机肥及秸秆还田对于提升土壤肥力及实现农业可持续发展具有深远意义。     

氮肥后移对土壤氮素供应和冬小麦氮素吸收利用的影响

采用田间试验研究了氮肥后移对土壤氮素供应和冬小麦氮素吸收利用的影响。结果表明,与农民习惯施氮（N 300 kg/hm2,基肥和拔节肥各占1/2）比较,氮肥后移处理（N210kg/hm2,基肥、拔节肥和孕穗肥各占1/3）在不降低小麦产量的同时,大大提高了氮肥利用率,且全生育期氮素表观损失极低。过量施用氮肥(N 300 kg/hm2)明显提高了60 cm以下土层硝态氮含量,增加了其向地下水淋溶迁移的风险。氮肥后移可提高小麦成熟期0-20cm土层硝态氮积累量,降低其在20-100cm土层的积累。基于冬小麦不同生育阶段的氮素吸收量而进行氮肥后移是可行的,氮肥后移可节省氮肥30%,是较为理想的施氮方式。     

稻草全量还田下氮肥运筹对双季晚稻产量及其氮素吸收利用的影响

【目的】稻草还田和合理的氮肥运筹不仅可以改良土壤和培肥地力,提高农作物产量和品质,还可以减少因过量施用氮肥带来的环境污染。随着水稻机械化收割的快速发展,稻草全量原位还田面积迅速扩大。因此,研究稻草全量还田后合理施用氮肥十分必要。本文通过早稻机收稻草切碎全量还田后晚稻氮肥运筹试验,探索该条件下晚稻氮肥的合理施用技术。【方法】以超级晚稻品种淦鑫688为试验材料,设计4个施氮（N）水平（0、 120、 180、 240 kg/hm2）基蘖穗肥比例为5∶2∶3,并在180 kg/hm2水平下增设稻草不还田对照处理和稻草全量还田下基蘖穗肥不同施氮比例处理（5∶0∶5、 5∶1∶4、 5∶2∶3、 5∶3∶2、 5∶4∶1、 5∶5∶0）。旨在分析不同处理间水稻产量、 产量构成和氮素吸收利用的差异。【结果】稻草全量还田下,施氮量在180 kg/hm2以下时产量随施氮量的增加而增加,之后则下降,处理间差异极显著。随施氮量的增加,有效穗数显著增加,而结实率则显著下降,施氮处理每穗粒数和千粒重显著高于不施氮处理。在相同施氮水平下,因为有效穗数、 结实率和千粒重显著提高,所以稻草全量还田产量极显著高于不还田处理,增幅8.83%。稻草全量还田同一施氮水平下,施氮比例为 5∶2∶3 处理产量极显著高于其他处理,其每穗粒数和千粒重均为最高,有效穗数随分蘖肥比例的增加而减少,处理间结实率差异不显著。稻草全量还田后,随着施氮量增加,其氮素总积累量、 氮肥表观利用率、 氮素的吸收率和百公斤籽粒的需氮量也显著提高,且与施氮量呈极显著正相关。但氮素收获指数和氮肥生理利用率均随施氮量的增加而降低。同一施氮水平下,全量还田处理水稻氮肥农学利用率和生理利用率均显著高于不还田处理。相关分析表明, 氮素总积累量与产量呈二次抛物线极显著正相关,氮肥表观利用率、 氮素吸收率与产量呈极显著正相关。稻草全量还田相同施氮水平下,随着穗肥施氮比例降低,其氮素总积累量、 中期的积累量和比率下降,其氮肥的表观利用率、 收获指数和氮素的吸收率也随之降低,但前期的氮素积累量和比率则升高。氮素的农学利用率和生理利用率均表现为随着穗肥比例的减少呈先增加后降低趋势,均以施氮比例为5∶2∶3处理处理最高,不施穗肥处理最低。各施氮比例处理中,穗肥的施氮量与氮素的总积累量、 中期积累量、 氮肥的表观利用率、 收获指数和氮素吸收率呈极显著正相关,氮肥的农学利用率和生理利用率与产量显著正相关。【结论】稻草全量还田后配施适量的氮肥可以提高晚稻产量,本试验以配施N 180 kg/hm2产量最高;在施纯N 240 kg/hm2以内,施氮越多,氮素积累量越多,相应的氮肥表观利用率、 氮素的吸收率和百公斤籽粒的需氮量也越大。总施氮量相同条件下,以基肥∶分蘖肥∶穗肥为 5∶2∶3 的施氮比例水稻产量, 氮肥农学、 生理利用率均为最高,此结果可作为双季稻区稻草全量还田后的推荐施氮比例。     

施氮量和底追比例对小麦氮素吸收利用及子粒产量和蛋白质含量的影响

在大田栽培条件下,运用15N示踪技术研究了不同施氮量和底追肥比例对小麦氮素利用和子粒产量及蛋白质含量的影响。结果表明,施用氮肥提高了小麦植株的氮素积累量、子粒产量、蛋白质含量和蛋白质产量。相同施氮量条件下增加追肥氮的比例,提高了氮肥农学利用率和吸收利用率,增加了植株地上部器官(子粒+营养器官)中追肥氮、土壤氮的积累量,提高了营养器官中氮素的转运量和开花后氮素的同化量,增加了子粒蛋白质含量。相同的氮素底追肥比例条件下,将240.kg/hm2施氮量降至168.kg/hm2的处理,氮肥农学利用率、氮肥吸收利用率、氮肥偏生产力提高,子粒中土壤氮的积累量增加,植株地上部器官中土壤氮的积累量亦增加,开花后氮素同化量提高,子粒蛋白质含量增加。各施氮处理间子粒产量无显著差异。在本试验条件下,施氮量为168.kg/hm2且全部于拔节期追施是兼顾产量、品质和效益的优化处理。     

秸秆全量还田与氮肥用量对水稻产量、 氮肥利用率及氮素损失的影响

【目的】在我国水稻生产中探讨秸秆全量还田与氮肥配施的理论与技术,阐明秸秆还田对水稻产量、 氮素利用率及氮素损失的影响,对于提高水稻产量和氮素利用效率、 减少氮污染具有重要意义。【方法】2009~2011年,以水稻南粳46为材料,在江苏常熟农业生态实验站进行原状土柱模拟试验。试验采用裂区设计,主区为秸秆全量还田(S)和无秸秆还田(S0); 副区为氮肥用量(N),设置N 120、 180、 240和300 kg/hm2 4个氮水平,以不施氮肥(N0)为对照。分析了水稻基肥期、 分蘖期、 穗肥期的氨挥发量和土壤80 cm处渗漏水全氮含量,土壤0—15 cm全氮含量,水稻产量,以及水稻籽粒和秸秆氮含量,计算水稻生育期氮肥的氨挥发损失率、 淋溶损失率、 土壤残留率以及水稻的氮肥利用效率。【结果】水稻产量随氮肥适宜用量增加而增加,与单施氮肥相比,秸秆还田下水稻平均增产6.3%,其中N 240 kg/hm2 处理产量最高; 水稻的氮肥利用率随施氮量的增加呈下降趋势,秸秆还田能够提高水稻的氮肥利用率,氮肥农学效率和氮肥表观利用率较单施氮肥分别提高1.4~3.4 kg/kg和1.8%~4.2%; 水稻田氨挥发损失量、 氮肥淋溶损失量和土壤残留氮量均随施氮量的增加而增加,在N 240 kg/hm2水平下,秸秆还田氨挥发损失量增加18.2%、 土壤残留氮量增加10.1 kg/hm2,减少氮素淋溶损失量30.9%,氮肥总损失率降低6.0%。【结论】在秸秆全量还田下,配施适量的氮肥,可以提高水稻对氮肥的利用率,增加产量,同时减少氮肥损失。本试验中,以麦秸全量还田配施N 240 kg/hm2为最优组合。     

缓释氮肥与尿素掺混对玉米生理特性和氮素吸收的影响

【目的】 研究不同施氮量下尿素与缓释氮肥掺混对大田玉米生理特性、氮素吸收和土壤硝态氮残留的影响,以期探索减少土壤硝态氮淋失、提高氮肥利用效率的高效施氮管理模式。 【方法】 试验在西北农林科技大学节水灌溉试验站进行,供试土壤质地为壤土,玉米品种为郑单958。设置了3种氮肥类型为尿素 (U)、缓释氮肥 (S)、尿素和缓释氮肥以 3∶7比例掺混 (SU); 4 个施氮 (N)水平为 90 kg/hm2 (N1)、120 kg/hm2 (N2)、180 kg/hm2 (N3)、240 kg/hm2 (N4),以不施氮肥 (N0) 为对照,共13个处理。在生育期内对玉米的产量和生理指标进行观测,并测定玉米主要生育期植株养分和土壤硝态氮含量。 【结果】 尿素掺混缓释氮肥 (SU) 处理的玉米生长后期叶绿素总量最大值分别比尿素 (U) 处理和缓释氮肥 (S) 处理最大值提高7.7%和1.3%。各生育期尿素掺混缓释氮肥 (SU) N3处理的净光合速率和蒸腾速率最高,分别高于其他处理6.9%～88.6%和3.4%～90.3%。尿素掺混缓释氮肥 (SU) 处理能够更好地促进玉米对氮素的吸收利用,其中尿素掺混缓释氮肥 (SU) N3处理氮素吸收量和籽粒的氮素分配量达最大,分别为156.0 kg/hm2和79.7 kg/hm2,高于其他处理8.1%～67.3%和6.2%～54.1%。尿素 (U) N3处理与缓释氮肥 (S) N2处理的氮素吸收量和籽粒的氮素分配量无显著差异;尿素掺混缓释氮肥 (SU) 在N3施氮量下,产量达到最高为 6200.4 kg/hm2,比尿素 (U) N3处理和缓释氮肥 (S) N2处理的产量分别增加了20.7%和19.8%。与单施尿素 (U) 和缓释氮肥 (S) 处理相比,尿素掺混缓释氮肥 (SU) 处理能充分利用0—40 cm土层养分,减少土壤氮素向更深土层淋失,提高氮肥利用率,降低土壤环境污染的风险。 【结论】 尿素与缓释氮肥掺混条件下,施氮量180 kg/hm2是提高试验区玉米叶绿素含量和光合作用,促进氮素吸收,减少硝态氮向土壤深层淋失的最佳施肥管理模式。      

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。     

Biodiversity and ecogeography of wild Lactuca spp. in some European countries

Staff members of the Department of Botany of Palacký University in Olomouc and Gene Bank Department – Workplace Olomouc, Research Institute of Crop Production in Prague, Czech Republic, conducted an expedition in seven European countries (Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland) in August/September 1999 to collect wild Lactuca spp. germplasm and study its geographic distribution, ecology and biodiversity. During the mission, more than 600 locations were visited resulting in the collection of 602 seed samples (accessions) of wild Lactuca species and 13 seed samples of related genera (Chondrilla and Mycelis). Lactuca serriola f. serriola, L. serriola f. integrifolia, L. saligna and L. viminea subsp. chondrilliflora were prevalent in southern Europe (Italy, France), however, only L. serriola was common in central and western Europe (Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland). The greatest diversity of Lactuca species was found in France, where also the most seed samples (165) were collected. The most characteristic habitats with a high density of Lactuca spp. populations were observed along roads and highways, grassy ditches, ruderal communities, and dust-heaps. Natural infections by powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) and downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) on some wild Lactuca spp. were observed. Recent observations concerning the geographic distribution, population structure, habitats, and natural occurrence of diseases of Lactuca spp. are discussed. This assemblage of genetic resources of Lactuca spp. can serve as the basis of future studies of species diversification, spatial population structure, plant microevolution, domestication processes, and genetic variability of host-parasite interactions.     

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.     

Properties of anaerobically digested and composted municipal solid waste assessed by linking soil mesofauna dynamics and nitrogen modelling

We have studied the effect of anaerobically digested (ADMSW) and composted municipal solid waste (CMSW) on mineralization and foodweb dynamics to verify the hypothesis that ADMSW would immobilize N right after addition to soil in contrast to addition with CMSW. Another hypothesis was that the mesofauna (enchytraeids and microarthropods) would stimulate N release from the decomposer community. We measured excretion of -N and urea-N from the mesofauna and hypothesized that enchytraeids would release urea. ADMSW and CMSW were amended to pots with sandy loam and barley. The pots were divided into treatments with or without mesofauna. Mesofauna, plant N and biomass, soil N and ergosterol (fungal biomass) were measured over a 113-day period of four equidistant samplings. Soil respiration, N mineralization and N release by the mesofauna were modelled from concurrent studies. ADMSW- and CMSW-treated soils initially (<20 days) immobilized N. The amendments did not increase plant growth substantially, and this was probably due to N-limitation in the early stages of plant growth. Enchytraeid abundance was about three times higher in ADMSW- than CMSW-treated soils, indicating that ADMSW contained more labile compounds, bacteria, and microfauna. The mesofauna did not affect N-content, but the cumulated -N excreted by the mesofauna was estimated to be substantial and about one-fifth of total plant N in ADMSW. An explanation for this discrepancy might be that in the absence of the mesofauna, other members of the detrivore and microbivore community performed the mesofauna’s function. Neither enchytraeids nor microarthropods excreted urea.     

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,     

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,     

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.     

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.