近地层臭氧浓度增高对稻米品质的影响: FACE研究

利用稻田开放式空气中臭氧浓度增加(FACE,Free Air gas Concentration Enrichment)平台,以常规粳稻‘武粳15’和杂交粳稻‘陵风优18’为供试材料,设置大气背景臭氧浓度(Ambient)和高臭氧浓度(比Ambient增高21%,模拟21世纪中叶臭氧浓度)两个水平,研究臭氧胁迫对大田生长水稻成熟期稻米加工、外观、蒸煮/食味和营养品质的影响及其种间差异。结果表明,近地层臭氧浓度增高使稻米糙米率、精米率和整精米率均不同程度下降,其中精米率降幅达显著水平。与Ambient相比,臭氧胁迫使两品种稻米垩白米率、垩白大小和垩白度平均分别增加15.0%(P=0.10)、42.0%(P0.05)和60.5%(P0.05)。臭氧胁迫使稻米胶稠度平均降低7.1%(P0.05),但对两品种稻米直链淀粉和糊化温度均无显著影响。稻米RVA谱测定结果显示,臭氧胁迫对稻米最高黏度值、崩解值、冷胶黏度值、消减值和回复值均无显著影响。臭氧胁迫使两品种稻米蛋白质浓度呈增加趋势,但均未达显著水平。方差分析表明,多数情况下,两品种间稻米诸品质性状存在显著差异,但品种与臭氧的互作对所有测定指标均无显著影响,说明两品种稻米品质对臭氧胁迫的响应无明显差异。本试验在开放稻田条件下运行,适度臭氧胁迫使稻米垩白明显增加,胶稠度显著下降,但对其他米质指标影响较小,两品种趋势一致。     

三氯异氰尿酸对马铃薯连作障碍土壤微生物群落组成的影响

采用盆栽试验，选择三氯异氰尿酸(TCCA)为土壤消毒剂，研究不同施用量TCCA对马铃薯连作障碍土壤微生物群落组成的影响。TCCA施用量设置分别为：0(CK)，30 kg/hm²(S₃₀)，60 kg/hm²(S₆₀)和120 kg/hm²(S₁₂₀)。结果表明：与CK处理相比，S₆₀和S₁₂₀处理显著提高土壤pH(P<0.05)，分别提高0.15个和0.26个单位；显著增加土壤可溶性有机碳含量 (P<0.05)，增幅分别为30.4% 和83.5%；显著提高土壤铵态氮含量(P<0.05)，分别提高3.3倍和9.7倍。同时，S₆₀和S₁₂₀处理显著影响了土壤微生物优势菌属的相对丰度(P<0.05)。与CK处理相比，在门水平上，S₆₀和S₁₂₀处理下土壤变形菌门(Proteobacteria)的增幅达55.3% 和85.9%，子囊菌门(Ascomycota)的增幅达16.7% 和35.1%；在属水平上，S₆₀和S₁₂₀处理下显著降低马铃薯致病菌链霉菌属(Streptomyces)的相对丰度(P<0.05)，降幅达35.7% 和57.1%。主坐标(PCoA)分析表明，S₆₀和S₁₂₀处理与CK处理的细菌和真菌的群落结构截然不同。除了TCCA直接杀菌的影响，冗余分析(RDA)显示，土壤pH和铵态氮含量亦是影响微生物群落组成变化的关键因子。     

磁化水处理对镉胁迫下欧美杨幼苗光合及生长特性的影响

为探讨磁化水灌溉处理在促进植物生长、提高植株重金属耐受性方面的作用机制,本研究采用随机区组试验设计,研究了镉胁迫（0 μmol·L^-1、50 μmol·L^-1、100 μmol·L^-1）下磁化水灌溉处理对1 a生欧美杨''I-107''光合特性、叶绿素荧光动力学参数及生长特性的影响。结果表明：1）镉胁迫会显著降低植株高生长和根茎叶干物质量;低浓度（50 μmol·L^-1）镉处理促进根系直径及体积增大（P<0.05）,高浓度（100 μmol·L^-1）则会抑制根系各形态参数;镉胁迫下欧美杨叶绿素b和类胡萝卜素含量分别降低12.50%、43.24%和19.27%、46.37%（P<0.05）,净光合速率（P_n）、蒸腾速率（T_r）、胞间二氧化碳（C_i）分别降低13.68%和33.68%、8.07%和27.81%、5.00%和14.99%（P<0.05）,同时,PSⅡ潜在活性（F_v/F_m）、最大光化学速率（F_v/F_o）、光合性能指数（PIabs）和量子产额（φ_Eo）均有不同程度降低。2）磁化水灌溉提高镉胁迫植株高生长及根茎叶干物质量,增加植株根系长度及表面积;同时,叶绿素a、叶绿素b和类胡萝卜素含量在0 μmol·L^-1和100 μmol·L^-1镉胁迫下分别提高16.99%、40.20%,8.67%、39.10%和17.32%、50.52%（P<0.05）;G_s、C_i及WUE显著升高,T_r则降低24.20%、23.33%、12.06%（P<0.05）;另外,F_v/F_m、F_v/F_o、PIabs显著升高（P<0.05）。综上所述,磁化水灌溉处理有助于提高镉胁迫下欧美杨幼苗光合色素含量,维持光合机构功能,增强光合碳同化速率,减轻镉胁迫对植株生长发育的抑制。     

水分和CO2对玉米光合性能及水分利用率的影响

利用环境生长室探讨不同CO₂浓度和土壤水分亏缺处理下玉米植株生物量、气孔形态与分布特征、叶片气体交换参数、叶绿素荧光参数等生长及生理指标的变化规律。以‘郑单958’ 玉米品种为试材,利用环境生长室设置2个CO₂浓度和4个土壤水分梯度对玉米进行CO₂浓度和水分处理。结果表明：1）不同程度土壤水分亏缺均显著降低玉米地上生物量（P<0.05）,但CO₂浓度升高增加了轻度水分亏缺条件下玉米地上生物量（P<0.01）和总生物量（P<0.01）。2）大气CO₂浓度升高导致轻度和中度水分亏缺条件下玉米的净光合速率（P_n）分别提高15.8%（P<0.05）和25.7%（P=0.001）,而CO₂浓度升高却降低了玉米叶片蒸腾速率（P<0.001）和气孔导度（P<0.001）,最终导致玉米瞬时水分利用效率均显著提高（P<0.001）。3）不同水分处理对玉米叶片气孔密度和单个气孔形态特征均造成显著影响（P<0.01）。因此,大气CO₂浓度升高可以增加轻度水分亏缺条件下玉米叶片氮含量、叶片非结构性碳水化合物含量和光合电子传递速率,从而提高玉米植株的生物量累积以及叶片碳同化能力和水分利用效率。研究结果将为深入理解气候变化背景下玉米对大气CO₂浓度升高和土壤水分亏缺的生理生态响应机制提供科学依据。     

不同来源有机物料对菜用蚕豆生长和品质及根际土壤性状的影响

通过盆栽试验，分析了不同来源有机物料(鸡粪、牛粪、菇渣)对菜用蚕豆生长和品质、根际土化学和生物学性状的影响。结果表明：①3种有机物料对蚕豆分枝数、荚干重、籽粒干重、大粒重、大粒蚕豆占比、籽粒淀粉含量均有积极作用，其中牛粪和菇渣能显著(P<0.05)提高大粒蚕豆占比，鸡粪能显著(P<0.05)提高二粒荚和三粒荚的占比，并且对籽粒淀粉含量的提升效果最为明显(比对照增加69.1%)；②3种有机物料增加了根际土中细菌、真菌数量，显著(P<0.05)提高了根际土中性转化酶、脲酶、酸性磷酸酶、多酚氧化酶活性(除牛粪使中性转化酶活性提高不显著外)，其中鸡粪对细菌数量、中性转化酶活性、脲酶活性的提高程度均最大；③鸡粪能显著(P<0.05)增加根际土有机碳、全氮、NH₄⁺-N含量，牛粪、鸡粪能显著(P<0.05)提高土壤pH。大粒蚕豆占比与土壤酸性磷酸酶活性、有效磷含量呈显著正相关。蚕豆淀粉含量与细菌数量、中性转化酶活性、有机碳、全氮、NH₄⁺-N含量呈显著正相关，这说明有机物料的施用可能为细菌生长提供了更多的碳源和能源，导致细菌数量增加。细菌是酶的重要产生者，细菌数量的增加可能提高了碳氮循环相关酶(中性转化酶、脲酶)的产生量和活性，从而使更多的有机氮转变为无机氮(NH₄⁺-N)，提高了土壤养分(NH₄⁺-N、全氮)水平，进而提高了蚕豆营养品质。     

CO2浓度升高对不同水分条件下冬小麦生长和水分利用的影响

以CO₂浓度升高为主要特征的气候变化对作物生长发育及产量形成的影响日益受到重视。冬小麦是我国主要粮食作物之一, 主要分布在干旱及半干旱地区, 且生长期内多干旱少雨。研究不同水分条件下冬小麦的生长变化及水分利用对CO₂浓度升高的响应具有重要的科学和实践意义。本研究在封顶式生长室中对2个土壤水分水平[适宜水分: 70%~80%田间持水量; 干旱胁迫: 50%~60%田间持水量]的盆栽冬小麦进行了CO₂熏蒸试验[背景大气浓度: (396.1±29.2) μmol·mol^-1; 升高的浓度: (760.1±36.1)μmol·mol^-1]。对小麦植株生理指标、生物量、产量、耗水量和水分利用效率(WUE)等的研究结果表明, 与背景大气CO₂浓度相比, CO₂浓度升高可促进冬小麦生长, 其地上生物量显著增加, 适宜水分和干旱胁迫条件下分别增加了28.6%和18.6%; 籽粒产量显著增加, 适宜水分和干旱胁迫条件下分别增加了32.6%和22.6%; CO₂浓度升高主要通过增加穗粒数提高籽粒产量, 穗粒数在适宜水分条件下提高24.3%, 干旱胁迫条件下提高15.5%, 对千粒重没有显著影响。CO₂浓度升高使群体和产量WUE显著提高, 在适宜水分条件下提高幅度较大, 分别提高17.7%和24.8%。CO₂浓度升高显著提高了叶片光合速率(P_n)、降低了气孔导度(G_s)和蒸腾速率(T_r); 在适宜水分和干旱胁迫下P_n分别提高15.6%与12.9%, G_s分别降低22.7%与18.2%, T_r分别降低8.9%与7.5%。CO₂浓度升高提高了叶片水势及叶绿素含量; 在适宜水分条件下叶片水势提高幅度较大, 为7.7%; 叶片叶绿素含量在2种水分条件分别提高7.5%与3.8%。由以上试验结果可得出: CO₂浓度升高对冬小麦的生长、产量及水分利用效率均具有促进作用, 而且在土壤水分状况较好时, 这种作用效果更明显; CO₂浓度升高主要通过增加穗粒数来促进产量提高。     

不同阳离子组成微咸水灌溉对生菜光合和离子吸收特性的影响

为探究不同微咸水水质对土壤盐分和作物生长的影响,在日光温室条件下,以生菜为供试对象开展盆栽试验,以CaSO₄的饱和溶液为对照(CK),向去离子水中添加氯化盐形成不同阳离子组成的微咸水处理(Na⁺,T_Na;Na⁺/K⁺比为1:1,T_Na-K;K⁺,T_K),各处理添加盐分总摩尔量相同,研究灌溉水中不同阳离子组成对土壤盐分、阳离子含量以及生菜光合特性、离子吸收和生长的影响。结果表明:(1)微咸水灌溉下生菜生长季末(播后80天)各处理0-20 cm土壤饱和提取液电导率(EC_e)较播种前和播种后50天显著升高,其中,CK处理显著低于其他处理(P<0.05)。土壤pH在不同处理和不同土层深度上差异均不显著(P>0.05)。生长季末土壤盐分阳离子大多积累在表层,与盐分分布一致。(2)与CK相比,单盐离子胁迫(T_Na和T_K处理)显著降低生菜净光合速率、蒸腾速率、气孔导度等光合特性(P<0.05),从而降低产量,T_Na处理最低;而T_Na-K处理光合特性虽显著低于CK处理,但高于T_Na和T_K处理,说明T_Na-K处理的盐分离子组成缓解了单个盐分离子对生菜生长的危害,且生菜产量较T_Na和T_K处理有所升高,但差异不显著(P>0.05)。(3)与CK相比,T_Na和T_K分别显著提高生菜叶片中Na⁺和K⁺含量;而T_Na-K处理叶片Cl^-含量虽然高于CK,但显著低于T_Na和T_K处理(P<0.05)。微咸水中Na⁺、K⁺阳离子比为1:1的盐分组成维持了生菜植株的离子平衡,缓解了单个一价阳离子对生菜生长的盐胁效应,而对于单个离子来说,Na⁺对生菜的毒害作用明显大于K⁺。研究结果为微咸水灌溉管理提供科学依据。     

不同利用方式红壤反硝化势和气态产物排放特征

采用厌氧培养-乙炔抑制法测定了4种不同利用方式红壤的反硝化势和气态产物N₂O和N₂的排放速率。结果表明，不同利用方式红壤反硝化势和N₂O和N₂的排放速率差异明显，土壤反硝化势强弱顺序依次为：竹林>茶园>林地>旱地。反硝化势与土壤有机碳(P<0.05)、厌氧培养期间土壤CO₂累积排放量(P<0.01)、nirS基因丰度( P<0.05)和nirK基因丰度(P<0.05) 呈显著正相关关系。逐步回归分析结果表明，CO₂累积排放量表征的易矿化碳是造成不同利用方式红壤反硝化势差异的主要原因，可以解释反硝化势变化的66%(P<0.01)。不同利用方式红壤N₂O和N₂排放速率差异明显，旱地红壤N₂O和N₂排放速率均最低，表明土壤pH的提升并没有增加旱地红壤的反硝化损失风险和N₂O排放速率。土壤易矿化有机碳含量也是影响不同利用方式红壤N₂O和N₂排放速率的主要因素。反硝化功能基因nirS、nirK和nosZ的丰度均与CO₂累积排放量呈显著正相关关系，进一步支持了土壤易矿化有机碳含量是影响不同利用方式红壤反硝化势和气态产物排放的主要因子。土壤pH是影响不同利用方式红壤反硝化气态产物N₂/N₂O的主要因素，但是pH影响红壤N₂/N₂O的微生物机制仍需要进一步研究。     

秸秆还田替代化肥对黄土旱塬小麦产量及水肥利用的影响

为研究不同秸秆还田量替代部分化肥后对黄土高原冬小麦产量、水肥利用效率和硝态氮积累特征的影响。于2018—2021年在晋南黄土旱塬冬小麦种植区,设置秸秆不还田(S0)、秸秆半量还田(S1/2)、秸秆全量还田(S1)、秸秆2倍量还田(S2)4个还田量处理,研究不同秸秆还田量替代化肥对冬小麦产量形成、水肥利用效率及土壤硝态氮残留的影响。结果表明:在黄土旱塬麦区,秸秆还田替代8.3%~31.9% N和15.7%~63.2% P₂O₅的基础上,冬小麦产量总体随秸秆还田量增加而增加,且在降水丰沛年份,增加秸秆还田量可产生更大的产量效应。3年试验总体表明,S2处理冬小麦平均产量分别较S0、S1/2和S1处理分别高17.5%(P＜0.05),10.4%(P＜0.05),4.3%。连续3年秸秆还田均提高了冬小麦穗数,S2处理冬小麦平均单位面积穗数分别较S0、S1/2和[JP]S1处理高17.1%(P＜0.05),12.3%(P＜0.05),3.6%,不同处理间穗粒数和千粒重差异不显著。播前2 m土壤贮水量总体随着还田量的增加而增加,试验期间S2处理平均贮水量较S0提高8.3%(P＜0.05)。冬小麦生育期耗水量也表现为随着还田量的增加而增加,S2处理平均耗水量较S0处理增加了10.0%(P＜0.05)。不同处理间水分生产效率差异不显著,平均为14.9 kg/(hm²·mm)。在秸秆还田替代部分化肥基础上,旱塬冬小麦肥料利用效率随着秸秆还田量的增加而增加,其中,S2处理平均氮肥偏生产力(PFP_N)、氮肥农学效率(AE_N)、氮肥当季回收率(RE_N)和磷肥偏生产力(PFP_P)较S0处理分别提高66.4%,155.8%,113.5%,105.2%。连续3年秸秆不还田使0—2 m土壤硝态氮残留量较2018年播前提高100.6%,并随水向下淋溶在深层土壤中累积,而秸秆还田处理2 m土层硝态氮累积量均低于2018年播前,S2处理2 m土壤硝态氮残留量最低,为244.8 kg/hm²。综合考虑,晋南黄土旱塬麦区,在秸秆还田替代8.3%~31.9% N和15.7%~63.2% P₂O₅基地上,可增加播前土壤底墒,降低肥料残留,并提高肥料利用效率,进而提高冬小麦产量,其中,以2倍秸秆还田量(平均为7 477 kg/hm²)产生的产量和水肥效应最佳。研究结果可为推进旱作麦区面源污染防控和冬小麦高产高效绿色生产提供理论依据。     

有机覆盖对城市森林土壤有机碳矿化及其氧化稳定性特征的影响

为探究有机覆盖对城市森林土壤有机碳矿化及其氧化稳定性特征的影响，采集北京市鹫峰国家森林公园土壤，进行室内培养，研究不覆盖(CK)、木片覆盖(M_w)、堆肥覆盖(M_c)、上层木片覆盖+下层堆肥覆盖(M_w+c) 4种条件下土壤有机碳矿化特征及氧化稳定组分变化。结果表明，不同有机覆盖方式均显著影响了土壤有机碳(SOC)矿化(P<0.05)，M_c、M_w+c、M_w处理的有机碳累积矿化量分别是CK的1.77倍、2.93倍和3.98倍，M_w处理累积矿化量分配比和Cp/SOC值(土壤有机碳矿化潜能占土壤有机碳含量的比重)显著高于M_c和M_w+c处理(P<0.05)，说明M_c和M_w+c处理的固碳潜力好于M_w处理。不同有机覆盖方式显著提升了土壤有机碳及其氧化稳定组分含量(P<0.05)，M_w+c处理的增幅最明显，土壤有机碳含量比CK提高了29.14%；高活性有机碳组分和低活性有机碳组分含量较CK分别提高了20% 和37.14%。有机覆盖提高了土壤有机碳稳定指数，降低了活性指数，表明有机覆盖增强了土壤有机碳稳定性。有机碳累积矿化量与高活性有机碳组分呈极显著正相关(P<0.01)，与土壤有机碳和低活性有机碳组分呈显著正相关(P<0.05)。综合土壤有机碳矿化特征及其氧化稳定组分的变化来看，上层木片+下层堆肥的覆盖模式，既能提高土壤的固碳潜力，又能协调有机碳矿化与稳定性特征。     

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.     

“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。     

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     

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。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Short-term variation in the concentration of selected ions within individual tropical rainstorms

Rainwater was collected at the campus of the University of Brunei Darussalam in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, using a funnel-in-bottle sampler. Polypropylene bottles were changed at intervals during rainstorm events. The pH and conductivity were determined immediately after collection on aliquots of the sample. Samples were refrigerated at 5°C for subsequent chemical analysis. Analyses for Na, Mg, Ca, Zn and Fe were carried out by means of inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES); Cu and Mn were analysed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAAS); K was analysed using flame atomic emission spectroscopy (FAES); and Cl^–, NO₃ ^– and SO₄ ^2– were analysed by ion chromatography (IC). Concentration versus time profiles are reported for three rainstorm events. All ions exhibited a decrease in concentration during the rainstorm. The first sample contained the highest concentration of ions, consistent with a first-flush effect. The contribution of the initial stages of the shower to the total quantity of ion deposited during the entire rainstorm is quite overwhelming; in many cases 20 to 30% of the mass was deposited in less than 5% of rainstorm duration. On the other hand, the pH and conductivity variation during rainstorms did not exhibit a consistent pattern.     

Leaf litter selection by detritivore and geophagous earthworms

Summary Litterbag experiments with 10 different kinds of leaf litter showed that detritivore (Lumbricus species) and geophagous (Aporrectodea species) earthworms prefer certain litter types over others, since different numbers of worms were found below the litter after 50–52 days of exposure in a pasture. The detritivores preferred Fraxinus, Tilia, and predecomposed Ulmus and Fagus litter to Fagus litter and paper, while geophages preferred Tilia litter to Alnus and Ulmus litter, so that the two groups of earthworms showed different preferences. The detritivores seemed to be more selective than the geophages. The palatability of the litter was examined in relation to the C: N ratio, the lignin concentration and the initial and final polyphenol concentration. The numbers of detritivores were significantly correlated with the C: N ratio and the final polyphenol concentration, so that selection of litter seems to be related to palatability. The numbers of geophages were not significantly correlated with any of the parameters for palatability. The disappearance of litter after 50–52 days appeared to be due to detritivore activity, since the numbers found below the litter were positively and significantly correlated with the litter disappearance. There was no significant correlation with geophage activity. This indicates that detritivores use litter as food, and therefore influence the composition of the litter layer.     

The 5S rRNA gene diversity in the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Secale</Emphasis> and determination of its closest haplomes

We analyzed 127 rDNA sequences (5S DNA units) obtained from 23 seed accession samples from more or less 10 taxa in wild and cultivated rye, genus Secale L. The sequences fell into two known groups, here assigned to two unit classes, viz. long R1 and short R1 (designations to reflect on R haplome of rye). The different taxa could not be fully differentiated based on the 5S DNA units. We searched for 5S DNA sequences from known unit classes most closely similar to the long R1 and the short R1. One set with the long R1 unit class contained sequences of the long P1 unit class from Agropyron (P haplome) and from Kengyilia (StYP haplome), long J1 from Thinopyrum (J haplome), whereas the set with the short R1 included the long S1 from Pseudoroegneria (St haplome) and Kengyilia (StYP haplome), the short J1 from Thinopyrum (J haplome) and the short V1 from Dasypyrum (V haplome). Each of the two sets was analyzed separately by maximum likelihood (ML) phylogenetic analysis from which we were able to infer that the 5S DNA units of Secale differentiated in a non-clock fashion and followed the HKY substitution model in the gene tree with the long R1 unit class and the HKY + G in the gene tree with the short R1 unit class. A complementary Bayesian analysis yielded identical tree topologies to the ML ones for each of the two sequence sets. In the tree with the long R1 units the long P1 and long J1 unit classes were closest to the long R1 unit class, whereas in the tree with the short R1 units the long S1 and short J1 unit classes were closest to the short R1 unit class, indicating possibly a close relationship between the St, J and R haplomes.