基于夏玉米冠层内辐射分布的不同层叶面积指数模拟

为了模拟夏玉米冠层内各层叶面积指数垂直分布,光合有效辐射（photosynthetically active radiation, PAR）是研究作物群体光合作用和长势的重要特征参数,阐明冠层内PAR的垂直分布规律与冠层结构等参数之间的相关关系,可为遥感定量反演冠层结构参数提供模型基础。该文基于PAR在冠层内的辐射传输规律结合冠层结构模拟不同太阳高度角的PAR透过率垂直分布模型,并用地面冠层分析仪测量值进行验证,结果表明模型对封垄前玉米抽雄期冠层内PAR透过率垂直分布模拟精度较高。通过不同太阳高度角PAR透过率的垂直分布模型结合消光系数运用不同算法分别反演层叶面积指数（leaf area index, LAI）,并与不同高度层LAI实测值进行比较。结果显示：Bonhomme& Chartier算法反演不同高度层LAI精度较高,上层均方根误差（root mean square error,RMSE）为0.18,中层RMSE为0.55,下层RMSE为0.09。不同太阳高度角反演结果存在差异,30°和45°高度角均能较好地反演下层LAI,RMSE分别为0.11与0.09;30°高度角反演中层LAI精度较高,RMSE为0.30;45°高度角反演上层LAI精度较高,RMSE为0.18。结果表明基于不同太阳高度角构建的层LAI反演模型更适于实现夏玉米不同高度层LAI的遥感估算。该研究可为模拟垄行结构冠层内LAI垂直分布提供参考。     

数学形态学辅助下基于光谱指数的作物冠层组分分类

近地遥感常被用于获取作物冠层组分信息,但在提取叶片反射率时常受到土壤背景、穗和阴影效应的影响。为准确分类并提取作物冠层组分信息,该研究通过分析小麦冠层各组分（光照/阴影叶片、土壤、穗）的光谱及纹理差异,提出了一种光谱指数与数学形态学结合的作物冠层组分分类方法,探讨不同生育时期的最佳冠层组分分类方法,并定量分析不同组分的归一化光谱指数与小麦叶片氮含量的关系。结果表明：光谱指数法能较好地区分小麦抽穗前的不同冠层组分,而抽穗期的分类效果易受麦穗影响;光谱指数与数学形态学结合的分类方法能较好地消除麦穗对光照/阴影叶片提取的干扰（总体分类精度为97.80%,Kappa系数为0.97,运行时间3.87 min）,该方法的分类精度及运行效率均优于传统分类方法（迭代自组织数据分析算法（Iterative Selforganizing Data Analysis Techniques Algorithm, ISODATA）和最大似然估计（Maximum Likelihood Estimation, MLE））;而且,基于光照和阴影叶片的归一化光谱指数对叶片氮含量最敏感。研究结果可为其他作物冠层组分分类和精准农业中农学参数的定量反演提供技术参考。     

夏玉米冠层叶片表观自由空间的差异研究

叶片自由空间在环境与冠层养分交换间具有重要作用,是目前植物营养学研究的重要领域之一。通过盆栽试验,以不同株型夏玉米为试材,研究了不同施氮水平（N 0、0.15和0.30 g /kg）下玉米冠层叶片表观自由空间（AFS）的差异。结果表明,不同生育期叶片AFS差异极显著（P0.01）,表现为随生育期推进,叶片AFS、生物量和全氮含量均逐渐降低;除成熟期,其它各生育期品种与施氮水平对叶片AFS的影响均存在显著的交互作用。施氮对叶片生物量的影响不显著,但施氮后叶片全氮含量显著增加。不同施氮水平下,植株冠层叶片AFS也存在显著差异,中量施氮处理（即N 0.15 g /kg）植株叶片AFS值（9.49 %）明显高于与不施氮处理（9.03 %）,但随施氮量进一步增加,叶片AFS下降,施氮量为N 0.30 g /kg时,叶片AFS为8.62 %;不同施氮水平各生育期不同叶层间叶片AFS、生物量和全氮含量差异显著（P0.05）。不同品种间叶片全氮含量和AFS存在显著差异（P0.05）,以紧凑型品种陕单902叶片AFS最大,平均为9.24 %,显著高于其它品种;中间型品种农大108与平展型品种陕单9号间差异不显著,二者平均分别为9.06 %和8.85 %;不同株型品种各生育期不同叶层间叶片全氮含量和AFS缺乏规律性。相关分析表明,叶片全氮与叶片AFS存在极显著正相关（R=0.9481）,说明植物冠层叶片AFS大小除受遗传特性影响外,植物体和介质氮素营养水平不同,AFS也存在差异,且这些差异随生育期变化而不同。     

施氮对半湿润农田夏玉米冠层氮素及叶绿素相对值(SPAD值)垂直分布的影响

以半湿润地区土垫旱耕人为土为供试土壤,采用田问试验,研究了不同施氮水平下夏玉米(Zea maysL.)拔节期、灌浆期和成熟期3个生育期冠层叶片氮素、叶绿素相对值(SPAt)值)的垂直分布规律及其差异;同时对各层叶片含氮量、SPAR值与施氮量进行相关分析.结果表明,在各生育期不同叶层叶片含氮量按上、中、下层顺序呈明显递减规律,从全生育期不同施氮处理看,上层比中层增加6.64%,中层比下层增加5.18%.随施氮量增加,中上层叶片含氮量差异增大,中下层叶片含氮量差异减小.冠层内叶片SPAD值垂直分布规律与叶片含氮量分布规律相类似.相关分析表明,全生育期各层叶片SPAD值与叶片含氮量呈极显著线性正相关关系(R=0.503**).进一步分析发现,各层叶片SPAD值,叶片含氮量与施氮量的相关性以上层叶关系最为密切,揭示了夏玉米氮素营养诊断的较好叶片是上层叶位.     

基于Greenseeker光谱法的棉花氮素营养诊断研究

利用主动遥感光谱仪(Greenseeker)对新疆2个主栽棉花品种4个施氮量条件下2年生育期间的冠层归一化植被指数(NDVI)值进行测试,研究不同施氮量对棉花冠层NDVI值、植株氮素积累速率和叶片全氮含量的影响以及田间条件下简便、快速、非接触性的作物氮素营养状况诊断方法。结果表明:在棉花生育期内,冠层NDVI值呈单峰曲线变化,峰值出现在出苗后90d左右,以后逐渐降低;NDVI值和棉株氮素积累速率呈正相关关系,决定系数R~2在盛花期达到最大,为0.844.7;NDVI值变化趋势与叶片全氮含量呈正相关,决定系数R~2在盛花期达到0.7980。棉花冠层NDVI值随着施氮量增加而提高,不同氮素处理间NDVI值在盛花期和花铃期达极显著差异;主动遥感光谱仪在棉花生长的盛花期和花铃期可以预测棉花氮素养分状况。     

玉米冠层叶片光谱反射率与玉米长势空间变异的关系

为了寻找一种快捷获取玉米叶绿素空间分布信息的方法,研究了玉米苗期冠层叶片光谱反射率的变化特征,分析了不同生长阶段冠层叶片光谱反射率的空间分布和叶绿素质量浓度的空间分布.研究结果表明:玉米苗期冠层叶片叶绿素的质量浓度空间分布不均匀.冠层叶片的叶绿素质量浓度与光谱指数RVI的相关性较低,与归一化差异植被指数NDV1值和550 nm波段的反射率均有较高的相关性.分析550nm波段的反射率值与冠层叶片叶绿素质量浓度值的相关关系,显示二者成负相关变化趋势,相关系数绝对值在0.69～0.88范围随着生长期的变化而逐渐增大,五叶期前期的相关性系数绝对值达到苗期最大值,表明550 nm波段反射率值能够较好的反映玉米苗期叶绿素质量浓度的水平,分析和掌握550 nm波段反射率值的变化及其空间分布特性对快速监测玉米苗期生长状况,对指导田间施肥具有重要意义.     

用多角度光谱信息反演冬小麦叶绿素含量垂直分布

由于作物叶片具有一定的叶位空间垂直结构(倒一叶、倒二叶、倒三叶、倒四叶、倒五叶等)，且存在不同叶位叶绿素等生化组分垂直分布的特性，该研究提出利用遥感数据反演作物养分垂直分布，尤其是作物中、下层信息的方法。运用多角度光谱信息，通过不同角度条件下，反映的作物上层、中层、下层信息的差异等通过构建基于不同观测天顶角条件下的冠层叶绿素反演指数的组合值，形成上层叶绿素反演光谱指数、中层叶绿素反演光谱指数和下层叶绿素反演光谱指数来反演作物叶绿素的垂直分布，达到了极显著的水平。表明运用基于多角度光谱信息的光谱指数组合能够较好的反演作物叶绿素含量的垂直分布。对于生产上迫切需要对作物中、下层叶片氮素或叶绿素状况的监测来指导适时和适量施肥，保证获得既定的作物产量和品质目标，提高肥料利用率有重要意义。     

基于三维冠层模型的玉米光合作用和光能利用模拟

光线分布和叶片光合特征在冠层内部具有极强的时空异质性,基于三维冠层模型的玉米光合模型是精确评估品种高光效的重要手段。该研究将作物三维冠层模型、光线分布模型、光合模型与光能利用模型相耦合,建立了玉米冠层光合生产模型3DMaizeCaP,设置3个不同株型的玉米品种（矮单268、京科968和郑单958）,2种不同光照条件（晴天和阴天）,通过大田试验与模型模拟研究揭示了玉米冠层光合速率和光能利用效率对品种和环境的响应。结果表明,矮单268、京科968和郑单958的叶片最大光合速率和暗呼吸速率均随节位下降呈线性降低的垂直分布规律,各品种中矮单268的最大光合速率最大,而暗呼吸速率最小;冠层净光合速率日变化趋势明显,矮单268在阴天和晴天下的冠层最大净光合速率（以CO2计）为21.6和26.2 μmol/(m2·s),均显著（P<0.05）高于京科968（20.8和24.9 μmol/(m2·s)）和郑单958（19.6和24.4 μmol/(m2·s)）;矮单268的日CO2净同化量在阴天和晴天下均显著（P<0.05）高于郑单958,增幅分别高达14.8%和12.4%,各品种间株型虽有显著差异（P<0.05）,但冠层日累积光截获并无显著差异（P>0.05）;单叶尺度上,各叶片中第16节位的单叶日净同化量达到最大;矮单268的光能利用效率最大,在阴天和晴天下分别为3.22和3.03 g/MJ,比京科968分别高4.5%和5.6%,比郑单958分别高7.7%和7.8%;初始光量子效率对玉米冠层光能利用效率的敏感性显著高于最大光合速率（P<0.05）。从提高玉米冠层光能利用效率考虑,建议设计株型紧凑、叶片光合性能强的玉米品种。研究可为定量研究玉米冠层光合速率提供估算方法,也可为高光效品种选育提供评价依据和鉴定技术。     

典型干旱指数在黄河源区的适宜性评估

光线分布和叶片光合特征在冠层内部具有极强的时空异质性,基于三维冠层模型的玉米光合模型是精确评估品种高光效的重要手段。该研究将作物三维冠层模型、光线分布模型、光合模型与光能利用模型相耦合,建立了玉米冠层光合生产模型3DMaizeCaP,设置3个不同株型的玉米品种（矮单268、京科968和郑单958）,2种不同光照条件（晴天和阴天）,通过大田试验与模型模拟研究揭示了玉米冠层光合速率和光能利用效率对品种和环境的响应。结果表明,矮单268、京科968和郑单958的叶片最大光合速率和暗呼吸速率均随节位下降呈线性降低的垂直分布规律,各品种中矮单268的最大光合速率最大,而暗呼吸速率最小;冠层净光合速率日变化趋势明显,矮单268在阴天和晴天下的冠层最大净光合速率（以CO2计）为21.6和26.2 μmol/(m2·s),均显著（P<0.05）高于京科968（20.8和24.9 μmol/(m2·s)）和郑单958（19.6和24.4 μmol/(m2·s)）;矮单268的日CO2净同化量在阴天和晴天下均显著（P<0.05）高于郑单958,增幅分别高达14.8%和12.4%,各品种间株型虽有显著差异（P<0.05）,但冠层日累积光截获并无显著差异（P>0.05）;单叶尺度上,各叶片中第16节位的单叶日净同化量达到最大;矮单268的光能利用效率最大,在阴天和晴天下分别为3.22和3.03 g/MJ,比京科968分别高4.5%和5.6%,比郑单958分别高7.7%和7.8%;初始光量子效率对玉米冠层光能利用效率的敏感性显著高于最大光合速率（P<0.05）。从提高玉米冠层光能利用效率考虑,建议设计株型紧凑、叶片光合性能强的玉米品种。研究可为定量研究玉米冠层光合速率提供估算方法,也可为高光效品种选育提供评价依据和鉴定技术。     

不同沟灌方式下玉米叶片气孔阻力差异

气孔调节在作物适应不同水分环境中起着重要作用,为了阐明作物在不同沟灌措施下的气孔活动规律,在大田分区试验中研究了交替非充分供水与常规沟灌下玉米叶片气孔阻力差异及气孔对水汽传导的贡献。结果表明,在叶片尺度上,玉米叶片气孔阻力自叶基至叶尖处梯度递减;在群体上,叶片气孔阻力自冠层上层向下层呈垂直递增趋势;群体上层叶片气孔阻力相对较小。玉米叶片正面气孔对CO2和水汽的传导贡献大于反面;除玉米苗期外,气孔对CO2和水汽传导贡献的80%以上来自于冠层上、中部叶片。在玉米营养生长阶段,不同叶序的叶片气孔阻力随叶龄的增大而增大,交替非充分供水加大了不同叶龄叶片之间的气孔阻力差异。在玉米生殖生长阶段,较为成熟的玉米叶片气孔阻力受叶龄的影响不明显。与常规沟灌比较,交替非充分供水增大了叶片反面气孔收缩程度,对水分亏缺反应更为敏感,冠层由顶叶至底叶的叶片气孔阻力呈垂直梯度递增,引起气孔导度快速衰减,从而提高了群体上层气孔对水汽的传导贡献。因此,玉米气孔阻力大小受到沟灌方式和土壤水分状况的调控,还与叶龄、叶面积指数等环境因素及气孔自身特性有关,其研究对控制灌溉及土壤—植物—大气连续体(Soil—plant—atmosphere continuum,SPAC)水汽循环研究具有理论意义。     

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.