近50年华东地区热量资源变化特征分析

利用1961-2010年华东地区87个气象站日平均气温资料,运用线性倾向估计等方法,对华东地区近50a来≥0℃和≥10℃积温及其持续天数和起止日期的时空分布特征进行分析,以了解气候变暖对该地区热量资源分布的影响。结果表明,1961-2010年华东地区气温持续增高,回归系数达0.24℃/10a,趋势系数为0.68(P<0.01),各项热量资源指标与气温呈显著正相关(P<0.05)。随着气候变暖,≥0℃和≥10℃的积温及持续天数普遍显著增加;≥0℃积温为5000、6000℃.d和≥10℃积温为4500、5500℃.d,以及≥0℃持续天数为300、340d和≥10℃持续天数为220、240d的等值线从华北平原南部和长江下游地区向北大幅推进,长江下游地区北移幅度较大,≥0℃和≥10℃积温及持续天数明显北移的起始年代分别为20世纪90年代和21世纪前10a。≥0℃和≥10℃积温及持续天数普遍增加是受起始日期提前和终止日期延后的共同影响,而前者的影响更明显。     

1961-2014年华北平原二十四节气热量资源的时空分布变化分析

通过推算历年二十四节气的划分时间,利用华北地区63个气象站点1961-2014年逐日地面观测资料,分析每个节气期间平均气温、最高/低气温、≥0℃积温的线性变化趋势;基于春分、秋分日计算分析研究区各站点无霜期的终/始日与春分/秋分日差值和无霜期≥0℃积温的时空分布变化特征.结果表明,华北平原气温(平均、最高、最低)最高为大、小暑节气,最低为小、大寒节气.无霜期由北向南递增,终霜日平均发生在春分节气,沿纬度方向由南向北推迟,初霜日平均发生在霜降节气,沿纬度方向由南向北提前.1961-2014年华北地区二十四节气内热量资源(气温、≥0℃积温)均呈现上升趋势,冬春季的节气升温幅度大于夏秋季.雨水节气平均气温、最高、最低气温增幅在二十四节气中最大,分别为0.63、0.74和0.53℃·10a-1.最低气温增幅大于平均气温和最高气温,对气候增暖的贡献较大.近54a来研究区无霜期内≥0℃积温平均增加442.8℃·d.气候变暖同时延长了华北地区的无霜期,研究区无霜期气候倾向率平均为3.9d·10a-1,该变化由初/终霜日的变化共同作用引起,且春季终霜日提前(气候倾向率为2.1d·10a-1)比秋季初霜日推迟(气候倾向率为1.9d·10a-1)更明显.     

黄土高原中部冬小麦生长对气候变暖和春季晚霜冻变化的响应

利用位于黄土高原中部的甘肃西峰试验田资料和当地平行气象观测资料,分析了春季气温、终霜冻和冬小麦生长发育对气候变暖的响应特征。结果表明：1981年以来,春季平均气温和平均最低气温分别以1.2℃/10a和1.1℃/10a的速率升高,5月的极端最低气温以1.2℃/10a的速率升高;1997年以来4月极端最低气温波动幅度增大,在气候变暖大背景下2001年和2006年出现了最小值,属于反常年份,冻害严重;终霜日期提前的气候趋势比较明显,速率为3.2d/10a,终霜日地面最低温度表现为波动变化,个别年份出现反常的重霜冻灾害;终霜冻过程的持续日数表现出阶段性增加规律,地面最低温度负积温在反常年份2005-2006年有增强变化;1981年以来冬小麦拔节期以4.5d/10a的速率极显著提前（P〈0.01）,1997年以来提前趋势更加明显,1997-2008年平均拔节期比1981-1996年提前9d。气候持续变暖,冬小麦拔节期提前的速率大于终霜日提前的速率,表明冬小麦春季拔节-孕穗期遭受终霜冻危害的气候风险在增大。     

1960-2015年淮河流域初终霜日时空变化分析

基于淮河流域1960-2015年61个气象站点地面0cm日最低气温资料,采用线性倾向估计、反距离加权、Mann-Kendall突变检验、滑动T检验方法,分析近56a淮河流域初霜日、终霜日和无霜期的时空变化特征及突变年份。结果显示：（1）研究期内,淮河流域平均初霜日期 、终霜日期和无霜期分别以2.15、2.49、4.38d·10a-1的速率呈推迟、提前、延长的趋势（P＜0.01）,其中,在20世纪90年代的变化最为显著（P＜0.01）,速率分别为16.38、5.34、20.6d·10a-1。（2）平均初霜日期在空间上呈北早、南迟,山区早、平原迟的分布;86.9%的站点初霜日期呈显著推迟趋势（P＜0.05）。终霜日期呈西南早、东北迟,平原早、山区迟的分布;83.6%的站点通过0.05水平的显著性检验,以3.44～5.92d·10a-1的速率呈提早趋势。无霜期随纬度和海拔升高而缩短;93.4%的站点通过0.05水平的显著性检验,变化率为3.56～7.59d·10a-1,无霜期整体延长。（3）11月8日线、4月1日线、220d等值线位置较其它各气候基准期和各年代分别偏北约1个和2个纬距,在32°N和34°N附近的偏北趋势最为明显,佐证了该区初霜日期整体推迟、终霜日期整体提前、无霜期整体延长的趋势。（4）初霜日期、终霜日期和无霜期分别在2002年、1995年和1998年发生突变。     

黑龙江省热量资源变化及其对作物生产的影响

气候变暖背景下,热量资源变化势必对寒地农作物生产环境、生长发育及种植制度产生重要影响。本文利用黑龙江省1971—2014年67个观测站逐日气象资料,计算了≥10℃活动积温和≥0℃活动积温(以下简称积温)及无霜期等农业热量指标,采用线性倾向率、累计距平、M-K检验和经验正交函数(EOF)方法等统计方法,分析了热量资源变化特征及突变特征,以及对农业生产的可能影响。结果表明:≥10℃积温和≥0℃积温分别以86.7℃?d?(10a)-1和80.5℃?d?(10a)-1的速率显著增加,无霜期呈延长趋势[倾向率为3.8 d·(10a)-1];≥10℃积温和无霜期在1993年发生突变,突变后二者初日提前,终日延后。≥10℃积温和≥0℃积温的增加幅度西部大于东部,无霜期延长幅度中西部大于东北部,农业热量资源变化幅度大的地区亦是热量敏感区域。热量资源增加对农业的影响,表现在农作物适宜生育期延长;适宜水稻和玉米种植的区域向北、向西扩张,大豆种植重心北移;原适宜种植极早熟、早熟品种的区域逐步被中熟、中晚熟品种替换。热量增加使水稻、玉米和大豆三大作物产量的进一步提高成为可能。     

1961-2008年山东省农耕期的动态变化

应用山东省86个气象观测站48a的气象资料和山东省1∶25万数字高程,采用回归分析法对山东省农耕期的初、终日及农耕期进行计算,用GIS工具对其进行栅格化,得到15幅栅格面层,并分别对各栅格层进行空间分析和统计计算。结果表明:①在空间上,山东省的各个年代农耕期初日首先从鲁西南开始,然后逐步向东北方向展开,最迟进入农耕期的是山东半岛和鲁中山区;而农耕期终止日期首先从鲁中山区开始,由鲁西北北部逐步向鲁东南展开,终止日期最晚的是鲁南南部和鲁东南沿海;各个年代平均农耕期天数由北向南逐渐增加。②在时间上,20世纪70年代农耕期初日最迟,2001-2008年最早;农耕期终日也是70年代最早,2001-2008年最迟;农耕期天数最少的是70年代,2001-2008年最多。1961-2008年山东省的农耕期变化倾向率为4.2d/10a,有明显增加的趋势。③≥0℃和≥10℃的积温,70年代最少,2001-2008年最多,≥0℃和≥10℃积温的变化倾向率分别为46.3℃.d/10a和23.13℃.d/10a,都有明显增加的趋势。     

辽宁西部地区光热水资源变化对农业生产的影响

利用辽西地区1960-2009年的气象资料,应用常规数理统计方法,重点分析了近50a来在全球变暖背景下辽宁西部地区光热水资源的变化趋势,以及对当地农业生产的影响。结果表明:近50a来,辽宁西部光照资源下降幅度较大,年日照时数趋势减少406h;年平均气温和年≥0℃积温呈现明显的升高趋势,年平均气温趋势升高1.7℃,年≥0℃活动积温增加307℃.d;降水呈现出减少趋势,年降水量趋势减少62mm,在年代际尺度上波动显著。对于光照资源丰富的辽西地区来说,日照时数减少还未表现出不利影响;而气温升高、降水减少使该地区气候呈现暖干化趋势,这将对辽西农业的发展产生巨大影响。本文通过对光温水资源变化趋势的研究,旨在提高气候变暖对农业生产影响的认识,增强应对气候变化的能力,为农业结构调整提供依据。     

陕西省不同农业种植区热量资源的变化特征

利用陕西96个气象站1971-2013年气象观测资料,将陕西省分为4个农业种植区,采用线性倾向估计法、累积距平、t-检验和GIS技术等方法对各区及全省范围近43a来热量指标包括平均气温、极端气温、≥0℃和≥10℃界限温度有关指标的变化及分布特征进行分析。结果表明：近43a,陕西全省范围内年、季平均气温均呈显著上升趋势（P＜0.05）,春季增温最快(0.4℃-10a-1),且各热量资源要素与气温极显著正相关 (P＜0.01)。关中平原春季平均气温增幅最大,且各区突变时间一致;榆林北部风沙区夏、秋、冬和年平均气温增幅最大,且夏季平均气温突变时间最晚。陕南浅山丘陵区年、季平均气温增幅均最小,且秋、冬季平均气温突变时间最晚。陕西≥0℃和≥10℃初日普遍显著提前,终日变化不显著。≥0℃和≥10℃初日提前幅度最大地区分别为关中平原和榆林北部风沙区。受初日提前和终日推后的共同影响,陕西≥0℃和≥10℃持续日数和积温分别以3.5d-10a-1、2.4d-10a-1、90.3℃-d-10a-1和74.9℃-d-10a-1的倾向率显著增加,其中关中平原区增幅最大。冬季平均气温突变时间最早,为1987年,其它热量资源要素均在20世纪90年代中后期发生突变,突变后≥0℃和≥10℃积温等值线明显西移,关中平原热量资源增加最多且最快,陕北黄土高原变化较小。     

21 世纪贵州省≥10℃ 热量资源对气候变化的响应

利用区域气候模式PRECIS(Providing Regional Climates for Impacts Studies)输出的SRES A1B情景的日平均气温资料,预估2011-2100年贵州省稳定通过10℃的农业热量资源变化趋势。结果表明:A1B情景下,2011-2100年贵州省≥10℃初始日期明显提前,终止日期明显延后,持续天数和积温显著增加,热量资源的增加趋势东部高于西部;相对气候基准时段,未来90a的初始日期在毕节、六盘水和黔西南地区提前幅度最大(16~18d),终止日期在大部地区延后14~19d,持续日数在西部增加31~38d,东部增加23~30d,而积温在整个贵州预计升高878~1162℃·d;至2080s时段,4000℃·d等值线预计将从气候基准时段的仁怀—开阳—龙里—普定—晋安—兴义一线向东位移至高海拔地区威宁、赫章境内,而6000℃·d等值线预计将从南、北两方向逐步向贵州中部推进,2080s时段北部等值线将位移至仁怀—遵义—凤岗—沿河一线,而南部将位移至安龙—六枝—惠水—瓮安—雷山—三穗—铜仁一线。     

气候变化背景下西藏高原地区界限温度时空变化特征

受全球气候变化影响,农牧业生产面临较大风险,研究界限温度时空变化对调整农业种植结构,实现农业可持续发展具有重要意义。利用近40a(1981-2020年)西藏38个气象站点逐日平均气温观测数据,采用线性倾向估计、Person系数、Mann-Kendall、优势分析等方法,分析了气候变暖背景下近40a西藏≥0℃、≥5℃和≥10℃界限温度(初日、终日、持续日数和活动积温)的时空变化特征。结果表明：(1)西藏≥0℃、≥5℃和≥10℃界限温度分布总体上表现为自东南向西北初日推迟、终日提早、持续日数缩短和积温减少的特征,并具有明显的海拔垂直地带性特征。1991-2020年与1981-2010年平均值比较,西藏各站三种积温均增加,以≥10℃积温增幅较大;绝大部分站点初日偏早、终日偏晚、持续日数偏多。(2)近40a西藏≥0℃、≥5℃和≥10℃初日、终日和持续日数的变幅以≥0℃最大,平均每10a初日提早3.2d、终日推迟3.5d、持续日数延长5.4d;积温增幅以≥10℃最大,为86.1℃·d·10a^-1。≥0℃、≥5℃持续日数增加是由于初日明显提早造成的,而≥10℃持续日数的增加因...     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Effect of some fungicide seed treatments on the survival of Bradyrhizobium japonicum and on the nodulation and yield of soybean [Glycine max. (L) Merr.]

Several commercial fungicide seed treatments were evaluated for their possible effect on the survival of Bradyrhizobium japonicum on seeds and on the nodulation and yield of soybeans in a greenhouse and a field experiment. quinolate Pro (carbendazim and oxine copper), Vitavax 200FF (carboxin and thiram), and Monceren (pencycuron) had a small effect or no effect on the survival of B. japonicum and on the nodulation and yield of soybeans. They can thus be considered compatible with soybean seed inoculation. Germipro UFB (carbendazim and iprodione), Apron 35J (metalaxyl), and Tachigaren (hymexazol) decreased B. japonicum survival and the nodulation and yield of soybeans and thus cannot be considered compatible with soybean seed inoculation.