不同结皮类型对植被混凝土基材团聚体及有机碳的影响

[目的] 分析土壤团聚体分布和有机碳含量特征,揭示生物结皮对边坡稳定和养分固持的影响,为生物结皮在修复工程中的运用提供参考和指导意见。[方法] 以植被混凝土基材修复边坡为例,运用土壤干筛法、土壤湿筛法分别对结皮覆盖和无结皮覆盖坡面土壤的结皮层(0—2 cm)和结皮下层(2—7 cm)团聚体和有机碳特征进行研究。[结果] ①生物结皮的存在明显影响了土壤团聚体分布、机械稳定性及R_0.25含量。结皮覆盖层较CK(无结皮覆盖坡面)稳定性指标分别增加27.42%~33.51%(MWD),21.66%~28.88%(GMD),大团聚体含量(R_0.25)增加10.68%,且苔藓类结皮影响最为显著。②湿筛法测定的不同结皮类型土壤团聚体均以＞0.25 mm粒径为主,其中结皮覆盖边坡的团聚体水稳性参数MWD,GMD,R_0.25分别介于1.93~5.33 mm,0.85~3.16 mm,70.97%~87.50%,以苔藓覆盖边坡最大,D_d值介于2.48~2.74间,以苔藓类值最小。团聚体水稳定性表现为苔藓覆盖边坡最好,裸坡最差。③结皮的存在促进了土壤有机碳累积,有机碳含量是CK组的两倍以上。其中对表层土壤有机碳水平提升作用明显,对下层土壤作用较低。④土壤有机碳含量与土壤水稳性参数MWD,GMD,R_0.25呈显著正相关性(p＜0.05),有机碳水平和团聚体稳定性联系密切,相互影响,有机碳水平的提高对增加团聚体稳定性具有重要作用。[结论] 生物结皮的存在对修复边坡团聚体稳定和有机碳累积具有促进作用,结皮对生态修复边坡稳定和养分固持有一定的作用,且不同结皮类型作用强度不一,其中苔藓类和混生结皮固土和固碳效果最优。     

生物质炭和秸秆长期还田对红壤团聚体和有机碳的影响

要 ：秸秆还田和施用生物炭是提高土壤有机碳含量和改良土壤团聚体结构的有效方法,但长期施用生物炭与秸秆还田改良土壤的效率研究仍然缺乏比较。本研究针对中亚热带典型的旱地红壤,基于等碳量不同碳源投入的5年野外定位试验,研究秸秆还田、秸秆-猪粪配施和生物炭还田对红壤团聚体组成、稳定性和有机碳分布的影响,为建立红壤地力快速提升的有机培肥措施提供科学依据。本试验共设置对照、单施化肥、秸秆还田、秸秆-猪粪配施和生物炭还田五个处理,采用干筛和湿筛法分析了连续施用不同碳源5年后对土壤团聚体组成、稳定性和有机碳分布的影响。研究表明,施用等碳量的不同有机碳源5年后显著增加了土壤有机碳含量,其增幅顺序为：生物炭还田>秸秆-猪粪配施>秸秆还田。干筛法分析结果表明：与单施化肥处理相比,秸秆-猪粪配施和生物炭还田处理显著增加>0.25 mm机械稳定性团聚体含量(R_0.25)、平均重量直径(mean weight diameter, MWD)和几何平均直径(geometric mean diameter, GMD);秸秆还田和生物炭还田处理显著增加了0.25-2 mm团聚体对土壤有机碳的贡献率。湿筛法分析结果表明：与单施化肥处理相比,秸秆还田和秸秆-猪粪配施处理显著增加R_0.25、MWD和GMD,但生物炭还田处理和单施化肥处理相比差异不显著;秸秆还田和秸秆-猪粪配施处理显著降低团聚体破坏率(PAD),生物炭还田处理显著增加了PAD;秸秆配施猪粪处理和秸秆还田处理显著增加了>2mm团聚体对土壤有机碳的贡献率。总体上,秸秆配施猪粪协同提高团聚体有机质含量和团聚体稳定性的作用比秸秆还田和生物炭还田要强。     

向家坝水电站生态修复边坡土壤团聚体及有机碳含量特征

[目的] 分析生态工程修复技术对土壤团聚体稳定性及有机碳分布的影响,为向家坝水电站不同生态修复边坡土壤结构稳定及碳汇功能的提升提供科学依据。[方法] 以向家坝水电站4种不同生态修复边坡：植被混凝土(CBS)、厚层基材喷播(TB)、框格梁覆土(FB)、客土喷播(SS)表层土壤为研究对象,并以天然林(NF)和弃渣地(AS)两种自然恢复边坡为对照,采用湿筛法研究土壤团聚体分布和稳定性及其有机碳含量特征。[结果] ①各边坡土壤均以＞0.25 mm的大团聚体粒径为主;其中天然林大团聚体含量最高,为81.83%;植被混凝土和厚层基材边坡次之,弃渣地含量最低,仅占55.19%。4个人工生态修复边坡的MWD和GMD均低于天然林高于弃渣地,其中厚层基材边坡的值最高,分别为2.96 mm和1.47 mm。客土喷播和弃渣地的分形维数(D)显著高于(p＜0.05)其余4个边坡。②各生态修复边坡措施均以＞0.25 mm粒径的大团聚体有机碳含量最高;除客土喷播和弃渣地外,其他修复措施和天然林均以＞2 mm粒级土壤团聚体贡献率最大。③相关性分析表明土壤SOC与MWD,GMD和R_0.25呈极显著正相关(p＜0.01),＞5 mm和5～2 mm粒级团聚体数量与土壤MWD,GMD,R_0.25和土壤SOC均呈极显著正相关(p＜0.01),与D呈极显著负相关(p＜0.01)。[结论] 向家坝水电站研究区内厚层基材喷播技术和植被混凝土生态修复技术对土壤结构和有机碳库的改善效果比较接近天然林,客土喷播技术改善效果较差。     

生物质炭和秸秆长期还田对红壤团聚体和有机碳的影响

生物质炭和秸秆还田是提高土壤有机碳含量和改良土壤团聚体结构的有效方法,但在长期尺度上生物质炭与秸秆还田改良土壤的效率仍不清楚。本研究针对中亚热带第四纪红黏土发育的红壤,基于等碳量不同碳源投入的5 a田间定位试验,包括对照、单施化肥、秸秆还田、秸秆–猪粪配施和生物质炭还田5个处理,采用干筛和湿筛法分析了不同施肥处理对土壤团聚体组成、稳定性和有机碳分布的影响。研究表明:施用等碳量的不同有机碳源5 a后显著增加了土壤有机碳含量,其增幅顺序为:生物质炭还田秸秆–猪粪配施秸秆还田。干筛法分析结果表明:与单施化肥处理相比,秸秆–猪粪配施和生物质炭还田处理显著增加0.25 mm机械稳定性团聚体含量(R0.25)和平均重量直径(mean weight diameter,MWD);秸秆还田和生物质炭还田处理显著增加了0.25~2 mm团聚体对土壤有机碳的贡献率。湿筛法分析结果表明:与单施化肥处理相比,秸秆还田和秸秆–猪粪配施处理显著增加R_(0.25)和MWD,但生物质炭还田处理和单施化肥处理相比差异不显著;秸秆还田和秸秆–猪粪配施处理显著降低团聚体破坏率(PAD),生物质炭还田处理显著增加了PAD;秸秆配施猪粪处理和秸秆还田处理显著增加了2 mm团聚体对土壤有机碳的贡献率。总体上,秸秆配施猪粪协同提高团聚体有机碳含量和团聚体稳定性的作用比秸秆还田和生物质炭还田要强。     

施用有机肥对咸水灌溉农田耕层土壤有机质及水稳性团聚体的影响

为探索施用有机肥对咸水灌溉农田耕层土壤水稳性团聚体的调控效应,在麦玉两熟制农田咸水灌溉(1,2,4,6 g/L)配施有机肥(OF)和未施有机肥(NOF)长期定位试验的基础上,研究了2018-2019年不同处理对农田耕层0-20 cm土壤盐度(EC_1:5)、土壤有机质(SOM)含量和水稳性团聚体稳定性的影响。结果表明:咸水灌溉有增加耕层土壤盐度,降低SOM含量和水稳性团聚体稳定性的趋势,随灌溉水矿化度的升高,SOM含量、>0.25 mm水稳性大团聚体质量分数(WR_0.25)、团聚体平均重量直径(MWD)和几何平均直径(GMD)逐渐减小,土壤EC_1:5和分形维数(D_m)逐渐增大,其中4,6 g/L与1 g/L灌水处理间的差异达显著水平。增施有机肥可降低咸水灌溉农田0-20 cm土壤EC_1:5,当灌溉水矿化度 ≥ 2 g/L时,OF处理的耕层土壤EC_1:5较NOF处理降低4.64%~48.29%;施用有机肥显著提高农田SOM含量、WR_0.25、MWD和GMD,各灌水处理的提高幅度分别为80.75%~127.32%,10.36%~90.44%,12.90%~129.11%和11.88%~81.57%。在该研究条件下, ≥ 4 g/L咸水灌溉会显著增加土壤盐度,降低有机质含量,破坏土壤团粒结构,应谨慎使用;施用有机肥能促进耕层土壤盐分淋洗,降低盐分对土壤环境的负面影响,有助于实现咸水资源安全高效利用。     

黄土高原丘陵沟壑区土地利用方式对土壤团聚体特征的影响

为研究黄土高原丘陵沟壑区复垦土地在不同利用方式下对土壤团聚体的影响,以陕西延安南泥湾沟壑区退化耕地整治复垦后,5种不同的土地利用方式,分别为林地(F处理),水稻(R处理),玉米(M处理)、蔬菜(V处理)及荒地(CK处理)。测定分析干筛法和湿筛法0—40cm土层土壤0.25mm团聚体分布、平均重量直径(MWD)、几何平均直径(GMD)、团聚体破坏率(PAD)和分形维数(D)。结果表明:(1)各处理在0—40cm各土层土壤团聚体数量及大小均显著优于CK处理,各处理干筛下0—40cm土层0.25mm团聚体含量(DR0.25)和湿筛下该团聚体含量(WR0.25)随着土壤土层深度的增加呈现相反的趋势;(2)干筛法和湿筛法0—40cm土层各处理土壤平均重量直径(MWD)和几何平均直径(GMD)的平均值大小顺序均呈现F处理R处理M处理V处理CK处理,F处理和R处理对增加土壤团聚体较其它处理效果显著;(3)湿筛法分析表明,各处理土壤团聚体破坏率(PAD)在0—40cm土层内均表现出近似"Z"字形趋势,各处理显著低于CK;(4)各处理的分形维数(D)在0—40cm土层平均值大小顺序为F处理R处理M处理V处理CK处理。土壤分形维数(D)与干筛法和湿筛法下0—40cm土层0.25mm团聚体含量之间存在良好的线性关系,分别为R2=0.73和R2=0.80。林地和水稻田利用方式可有效提高土壤团聚体数量和质量,增加土壤稳定性和改善土壤结构。     

施用生物质灰渣对柑橘园土壤团聚体及有机碳分布的影响

为探讨生物质灰渣施用对紫色丘陵区柑橘园土壤团聚体组成、稳定性以及不同土层各粒级团聚体有机碳分布的影响。以重庆市现代果树生态示范园为研究对象,采用沙维诺夫干筛法和湿筛法测定了土壤中各粒级团聚体含量,并用重铬酸钾外加热法测定其水稳定性团聚体的有机碳含量。结果表明:(1)干筛下,B处理(施用生物质灰渣21 260kg/hm~2)R_(0.25)含量高于A处理(对照),且A和B处理土壤团聚体主要以5mm粒径团聚体为主,其含量均大于70%;湿筛下,B处理20—40cm土层土壤R0.25含量高于0—20cm和40—60cm土层,分别增加了6.47%和11.60%,A处理也呈现相同的变化趋势,且A和B处理土壤水稳定团聚体主要以0.25mm粒径团聚体为主。(2)在0—20cm土层中,B处理在湿筛下的GMD和MWD均高于A处理,分别比A处理增加了0.87%和2.87%;在40—60cm中,B处理在干筛下的GMD和MWD达最大值,分别为4.54,4.81mm,可见配施生物质灰渣有利于提高土壤团聚体的稳定性,尤其有利于提高土壤表层(0—20cm)和亚表层(20—40cm)的团聚体稳定性。(3)与表层相比,A处理40—60cm土层5,5~2,2~1,1~0.5mm有机碳含量降幅分别是B处理的1.13,1.06,1.15,1.13倍,施用生物质灰渣能减小20—40cm和40—60cm土层有机碳的降幅;总体上,B处理各土层各粒级团聚体有机碳含量均高于A处理,提高土壤团聚体各粒级有机碳含量。(4)B处理0—60cm土层土壤团聚体有机碳总储量为4.318 8×10~5 kg/hm~2,比A处理高1.86%。配施生物质灰渣能够增加大团聚体的数量,提高土壤各粒级团聚体有机碳含量及有机碳储量,提高土壤有机碳水平。     

夏闲期复播绿肥对旱地麦田土壤团聚体碳氮含量的影响

为探究不同绿肥品种翻压条件下晋南旱地麦田土壤团聚体稳定性以及有机碳(SOC)和全氮(TN)在不同粒径团聚体的分布特征,深入了解不同种类绿肥的增碳保氮机制。已连续3年(2018—2021年)不同绿肥品种(对照休闲、大豆、绿豆、油葵、玉米)翻压还田后冬小麦收获期0-10,10-20,20-30 cm土壤为研究对象,采用湿筛法进行土壤粒径分级,并分析粗大团聚体(>2 mm)、细大团聚体(0.25~2 mm)、微团聚体(0.053~0.25 mm)和粉黏粒组分(<0.053 mm)中SOC和TN含量,测算团聚体的构成与稳定性(R_0.25,>0.25 mm团聚体含量;MWD,平均重量直径;GMD,几何平均直径),并测定各粒径团聚体SOC和TN及其对土壤总有机碳和总氮的贡献率。结果表明:不同绿肥处理下旱地麦田土壤团聚体质量占比均以细大团聚体0.25~2 mm为主(占22.77%~39.71%)。复播绿肥显著增加0-30 cm土层>2 mm粒径团聚体质量占比,以大豆绿肥增加最明显,0.25~2,0.053~0.25 mm粒径团聚体质量占比降低,对<0.053 mm粉黏粒的影响不明显;大豆绿肥对各土层R_0.25、MWD和GMD值提高作用明显。大豆和玉米对0-30 cm各土层土壤总有机碳含量具有显著提高作用,分别提高27.83%和25.71%。大豆绿肥进一步提高土壤各粒径团聚体有机碳含量。复播绿肥降低土壤全氮含量,大豆绿肥处理的降低程度最小,且对<0.053 mm粉黏粒全氮含量具有增加作用。0.25~2,>2 mm大团聚体对0-10 cm土层土壤有机碳和全氮的贡献率最高;复播绿肥提升土壤碳氮比(平均21.39),较对照休闲(平均13.71)提高7.68,其中玉米提升效果最佳,大豆次之。综合土壤增碳固氮效果,连续3年翻压大豆绿肥可有效提高旱地麦田土壤团聚体稳定性,提升土壤肥力。     

施用不同改良材料对黄土区空心村复垦土壤结构和有机质含量的影响

[目的] 解决黄土区空心村废弃宅基地复垦土壤结构不良,肥力低下的严重问题,为空心村复垦土壤的质量提升提供理论依据。[方法] 选取6种不同改良材料处理进行了5 a的田间定位试验,分析了对照(CK)、熟化剂(TM)、粉煤灰(TF)、有机肥(TO)、熟化剂+粉煤灰(TMF)、熟化剂+有机肥(TMO)、粉煤灰+有机肥(TFO)处理对复垦土壤结构稳定性和有机质含量的改善效应。[结果] 与对照处理相比,长期施用不同改良材料后空心村复垦土壤有机质含量明显增加,促使水稳性微团聚体(＜0.25 mm)胶结形成水稳性大团聚体(＞0.25 mm),水稳性大团聚体含量均呈增加趋势。在0—15 cm土层,TM,TF,TO,TMF,TMO,TFO处理下水稳性大团聚体含量分别比CK处理增加了328.2%,130.0%,87.8%,81.1%,36.7%,12.2%。TF,TO,TMF,TMO,TFO处理显著增加了土壤团聚体平均重量直径(MWD)、几何平均直径(GMD)值,降低了不稳定团粒指数(E_LT)、分形维数(D)(p＜0.05)。土壤有机质含量与MWD,GMD,＞2 mm粒级水稳性团聚体含量呈极显著正相关关系,与E_LT,D,＜0.25粒级水稳性微团聚含量呈极显著负相关。其中,粉煤灰+有机肥处理下空心村复垦土壤的水稳性大团聚体和有机质含量最高,土壤结构稳定性提升效果最好。[结论] 在黄土区空心村废弃宅基地复垦土壤整治中,粉煤灰+有机肥的有机无机结合处理是黄土区空心村复垦土壤结构改善和肥力提升适宜的改良措施。     

稻壳及稻壳生物炭对土壤团聚体稳定性及有机碳分布的影响

【目的】长期种植雷竹(Phyllostachys praecox)会导致土壤酸化加剧,土壤结构破坏。我们比较了施用不同量稻壳和稻壳生物炭对土壤理化性状和团聚体组成的影响,以寻求实现雷竹的可持续生产的有效措施。【方法】采用盆栽方法进行雷竹幼苗试验,供试土壤长期种植雷竹,pH为5.3。设置分别施用稻壳、稻壳生物炭10 t/hm² (10H、10B)和30 t/hm² (30H、30B)处理,以不施稻壳和稻壳生物炭的处理为对照(CK)。雷竹幼苗生长262天后,采集土样测定土壤基本理化性质,采用湿筛法筛分不同粒级土壤团聚体,测定各粒级团聚体中有机碳和全氮含量。【结果】30H和30B处理均显著降低了<0.053 mm粒级团聚体含量,显著提高了水稳性团聚体的平均重量直径(MWD)、几何平均直径(GMD)以及>0.25 mm粒级团聚体(R0.25)含量;10H和10B处理对水稳性团聚体的MWD、GMD以及R0.25含量均无显著影响。30B处理显著增加了>2 mm、0.25～2 mm、0.053～0.25 mm粒级团聚体中有机碳含量,其中增...     

“绿色革命”以来大气CO2浓度升高对C3作物营养品质的影响

自20世纪60年代"绿色革命"以来,育种技术和农耕技术的发展促进了农作物产量的大幅提升,然而作物的营养品质出现下降趋势。在相似的遗传背景下,大气CO_2浓度升高会使单位体积农作物产品的营养元素含量下降,因此"绿色革命"至今,农作物产品的营养元素下降可能受大气CO_2浓度升高影响。通过植物生长箱模拟"绿色革命"初期和目前的大气CO_2浓度水平(310μmol/mol和400μmol/mol),针对主要C_3作物水稻、小麦和大豆,研究"绿色革命"以来大气CO_2浓度升高对其籽粒的C、N、Fe、Zn元素含量的影响,结果表明:CO_2浓度升高对3种作物籽粒的C元素含量几乎没有影响,变化幅度在±1.5%之间;籽粒的N、Fe、Zn元素含量普遍呈现下降趋势,但均未达到显著水平。     

Potential of wild species for genetic enhancement of some semi-arid food crops

Discovery and incorporation of genes from wild species provide means to sustain crop improvement, particularly when levels of resistance in the cultigens are low and virulent strains of pests and pathogens overcome the host plant resistance. The extent of utilization and the potential of the wild genepool for genetic enhancement were reviewed in five important food crops viz. sorghum, pearl millet, chickpea, pigeonpea and groundnut grown in the semi-arid tropics. Introgression from compatible wild germplasm in the primary gene pool resulted in transfer of new cytoplasmic male sterility systems in pearl millet and pigeonpea, development of high protein, cleistogamous flower and dwarf pigeonpea lines and foliar disease resistant groundnut cultivars. Utilization of wild species in secondary and tertiary gene pools has been generally limited due to sterility, restricted recombination or cross incompatibility. Nevertheless, these species are extremely important as they contain high levels of resistance to several important biotic and abiotic stresses. Several of them, like those belonging to the Parasorghum section and the rhizomatous Arachis species are sources of multiple resistances and hold great promise to sustain crop productivity.     

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     

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.     

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.     

Collection and preliminary evaluation of native turfgrass accessions in Italy

Despite a raising interest on turfs in Italy, all theavailable varieties of this kind in the Country are of foreign origin, and areoften poorly adapted to the prevailing climatic conditions. This prompted tobegin a collection activity of indigenous turfgrass species, with the ultimategoal of identifying promising materials for future breeding based on localgenetic resources. The collection was carried out in three areas of Italy, viz.the northern Po Plain, the coastal region of Liguria, and the island of Sardiniathat are characterised, respectively, by subcontinental, warm temperate, andtypical Mediterranean climate. Altogether, 141 sites were visited, yielding 226accessions belonging to eight species of potential interest for turfs:Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis,Festuca rubra, Festuca arundinacea,Lolium perenne, Agrostis stolonifera,Agrostis tenuis, and Cynodon dactylon,this last being a warm-season grass. Poa pratensis andCynodon dactylon were mostly collected in northern Italyand Sardinia, respectively, whereas Festuca arundinacea andLolium perenne were rather ubiquitous. The collection sitesranged from 0 to 1040 m asl, but sites over 750 m wereonly visited in the inner part of Sardinia. All the accessions, collected aswhole plants, were transplanted at Lodi, northern Italy, where they are beingevaluated. Their preliminary evaluation for traits of importance for turf use,such as sward colour and overall quality, highlighted the great variation andthe occurrence of interesting accessions in all species. Other characters wererecorded, bearing specific importance in individual species, and in all casespromising accessions were identified. The germplasm of Festucarubra, Festuca arundinacea, and Loliumperenne proved highly infected by endophytic (symbiotic) fungi of thegenus Neotyphodium.     

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.     

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.     

Leaf position and genotype differences for mineral element concentrations in sorghum grown on tropical acid soil 1

Mineral element deficiencies and toxicities are common problems associated with sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] production on acid soils. To better understand some of the mineral element problems and the analysis of plant tissue of sorghum plants grown on acid soils, four sorghum genotypes were grown on an acid Oxisol at Carimagua, Colombia limed with dolomite at 2 and 6 Mg ha^‐1.

Samples for mineral element analyses were obtained from leaves at different positions on the four genotypes. Concentrations of P and Mg were highest in the flag leaf (Leaf No. 1) and decreased as the position on the plant declined from the top of the plant for plants grown at 2 Mg lime ha^‐1. Similar decreases in P, Mg, K, and Zn concentrations occurred in plants grown with 6 Mg lime ha^‐1. Concentrations of Ca, S, Si, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Al increased as leaf position declined from the flag leaf for plants grown at 2 and 6 Mg lime ha^‐1. The higher lime supply enhanced Ca and reduced Mn and Fe concentrations in leaves. Differences in mineral element concentrations for the four genotypes used were fairly extensive. The elements to show the greatest range among genotypes were Al and Si and the elements to show the least range among genotypes were P, K, and S. Care should be used in collecting leaf samples for plant analysis and genotypic differences for accumulation of mineral elements should be considered in interpretation of results.