含水率对土壤有机质含量高光谱估算的影响

土壤含水率对有机质(soil organic matter,SOM)含量高光谱估算精度有很大的影响。为了探讨SOM高光谱估算中土壤含水率的影响,该文对烘干土、风干土和质量含水率为5%~40%(按5%递增)的土壤样本进行了室内高光谱测量,对光谱数据进行了反射率、反射率一阶导数和反射率倒数对数3种光谱数据变换,运用偏最小二乘回归法(partial least squares regression,PLSR)建立了相应的SOM估算模型。结果表明,风干土的SOM高光谱估算精度较好;当含水率水平小于25%时,SOM估算模型精度受含水率的影响较大,光谱数据进行反射率倒数对数变换后的模型精度最高;当含水率水平大于等于25%时,水分对土壤光谱反射率的影响要大于SOM,不适宜利用土壤光谱数据进行SOM含量高光谱估算。该研究可为大田环境不同含水率情况下光谱估算SOM提供参考。     

干旱区典型绿洲土壤有机质的反演及影响因素研究

为了大面积、高精度地反演土壤有机质含量,为农业可持续发展提供数据支撑。以新疆渭干河-库车河三角洲绿洲为研究区,采用波段平均法将实测高光谱窄波段拟合为Landsat 8 OLI遥感影像的宽波段,建立土壤有机质含量的估算模型,并将最优估算模型应用到经过波段校正的Landsat 8OLI遥感影像中。结果表明:(1)反射率进行倒数、对数、平方、一阶微分等数学变换后与有机质含量的相关性显著提高;(2)土壤有机质的高光谱估算模型拟合度较高,最优估算模型的决定系数R2为0.852,采用比值法对多光谱波段反射率进行校正,校正后的遥感影像反演结果得到了较大提高,检验样本的决定系数R2从0.711提升至0.849。从反演结果来看,将高光谱估算模型应用到经过订正的多光谱影像,土壤有机质反演模型的精度得到了大幅度提高,运用此方法可以实现高精度的土壤有机质区域化反演。(3)有机质的分布受土地利用类型、土壤颗粒组成、土壤质地的影响,其中土壤质地对有机质的空间分布影响最为显著。     

星载高分五号高光谱耕地主要土壤类型土壤有机质含量 估测——以黑龙江省建三江农垦区为例

为了评价国产星载高分五号(GF-5)高光谱影像估测土壤有机质(SOM)含量的潜力,以及不同土壤类型对SOM含量光谱估测精度的影响,本研究以黑龙江省建三江农垦区为研究对象,获取了覆盖研究区域的GF-5高光谱影像和188个土壤样本。对提取的样点GF-5光谱反射率数据进行了反射率倒数、对数、一阶微分等9种光谱数学变换,并采用相关系数法确定了SOM含量的光谱敏感波段。采用偏最小二乘回归(PLSR)线性统计建模方法,对研究区域全部土壤类型以及草甸土、沼泽土、黑土等主要土壤类型,分别构建了光谱全波段和敏感波段的SOM含量估测模型,并进行了精度评价。结果表明,基于GF-5光谱数据的研究区域全部土壤类型的SOM含量估测精度不理想,最优模型精度决定系数(R2)为0.265,均方根误差(RMSE)为4.647%,相对分析误差(RPD)为1.135;不同类型土壤在SOM含量光谱估测精度差异较大,草甸土和沼泽土的SOM含量估测精度不高,但黑土的SOM含量估测精度较高,其中全波段光谱反射率对数一阶微分(LnR)′的SOM含量估测精度最高,R~2=0.729,RMSE=1.065%,RPD=1.850,SOM含量估测模型可用。按照不同土壤类型构建SOM含量估测模型可以进一步挖掘GF-5高光谱遥感估测SOM含量的潜力。     

光谱变换和光谱分辨率对土壤有机质含量估测精度的影响

利用高光谱遥感数据结合统计建模是当前土壤有机质(SOM)含量高光谱估测的主要方法。为了探讨SOM含量高光谱估测适宜的光谱变换方法和光谱分辨率,以黑龙江省建三江黑土区土壤样本为研究对象,采用SR-6500便携式光谱仪在实验室测量土样的光谱反射率。对土壤光谱数据重采样为1、5、10、20、30、40、50、60、70、80、90、100 nm共12种光谱分辨率,经过Savitzky-Golay光谱曲线平滑处理后,将光谱反射率R进行反射率倒数1/R、对数logR、倒数对数log(1/R)、对数倒数1/logR、一阶导数R′、倒数一阶导数(1/R)′、对数一阶导数(logR)′、倒数对数一阶导数[log(1/R)]′和对数倒数一阶导数(1/logR)′共10种光谱变换;利用多元线性逐步回归(MLSR)和偏最小二乘回归(PLSR)的方法建立SOM含量估测模型。结果表明:(1)1/R和(1/R)′光谱变换对于提高SOM含量估测精度的效果较好,其中1/R光谱变换的SOM含量估测精度R2val均高于0.87,(1/R)光谱变换的SOM含量估测精度R2val均高于0.90;(2)5、10 nm光谱分辨率对于1/R和(1/R)′光谱变换下的MLSR与PLSR估测SOM含量的精度都较高,为较适宜的光谱分辨率;(3)SOM含量估测的光谱分辨率并非越高越好,适度的降低光谱分辨率以及选择合适的光谱变换方法,不仅可以减少数据处理的工作量,也可以提高SOM含量的估测精度。     

不同粒径土壤有机质含量可见光-近红外光谱估算研究-以湟水流域为例

不同土壤粒径大小差异致使土壤光谱反射率不近相同,从而影响土壤有机质含量的预测精度。因此探索不同粒径下土壤有机质含量估算精度,可为有机质的精确估算以及减少样品的前期处理提供参考依据。本文将分别过10、20、60、100目筛的土样于暗室内进行350~2500 nm波段光谱反射率测量,经多元散射校正(MSC)与小波变换(WT)平滑去噪后,首先将原始光谱(R)及其数学形式包括反射率倒数(1/R)、反射率对数(lgR)、反射率根号(R~(1/2))进行一阶微分变换,然后采用遗传算法结合偏最小二乘法(GA-PLS)筛选土壤有机质含量特征波段区间,再将R、R'及特征波段(CHR)作为偏最小二乘回归(PLSR)和支持向量机(SVM)的输入波段进行有机质含量建模。结果表明:1)土壤粒径越小,光谱反射率越高,特别是当波长大于600 nm时,反射率明显增加;2)土壤有机质含量的特征波段主要位于426~447 nm,1427~1459 nm,1948~1958nm,1970~1991 nm,2012~2039 nm,2165~2186 nm谱区;3)采用GA-PLS算法挑选特征波段建立SOM估算模型,模型精度和预测能力明显高于R和R';4)利用SVM方法建模模型精度明显高于PLSR方法;5)样本容量较大时,采用1mm(20目)粒径光谱数据建模最佳。     

采煤矿区表层土壤有机质含量遥感反演

利用LandSat ETM+影像反演煤炭开采区表层土壤有机质含量的空间格局,对采样点各波段光谱反射率进行数学变换,并将所得结果与有机质含量进行相关性分析.挑选出敏感波段,建立了表层土壤有机质含量的光谱预测模型.结果表明,研究区表层土壤有机质含量与第5波段和第7波段反射率呈极显著的负相关关系(R分别为-0.585和-0.543,P＜0.001);对反射率进行数学变换可以改善其与有机质之间的相关性;用第1波段反射率对数的倒数和第5波段反射率的倒数建立二元回归方程(R2 =0.616 2,p＜0.001)对研究区土壤有机质有很好的预测能力(R2 =0.616 2,RMSE=0.89);有机质含量在10～15g/kg范围的图斑面积最大,占研究区总面积的50.44％;表层土壤有机质随开采沉陷坡度的增加呈减少的趋势;煤炭开采沉陷对表层土壤有机质含量的扰动属于失碳效应.     

黑土典型区土壤有机质遥感反演

土壤有机质（SOM）含量时空变异规律研究对于土壤肥力评价、土壤碳库估算、土壤资源利用与保护具有重要意义,而地貌、成土母质、土壤类型等差异、高光谱卫星影像较少等因素制约了区域尺度的SOM含量遥感反演方法研究的开展。该文以黑龙江省黑土带典型区为例,采集区域土壤样本,获取Landsat TM遥感影像,基于有机质含量与土壤反射率的定量关系,建立区域SOM遥感预测模型。结果表明：黑土区SOM含量高,一般大于2%,决定了有机质对土壤反射光谱特性的主要作用,而且该区SOM空间变异性显著,且耕作方式、气候等因素决定了裸土时间长,因而该区适于SOM含量遥感反演;有机质与TM各波段反射率均显著相关,最大相关系数在第3波段（0.63～0.69 μm）,为-0.710,其次为4波段（0.76～0.90 μm）,与实验室基于高光谱反射率数据分析的结果一致;基于TM影像2、3、4波段的SOM指数模型最优,预测精度高、稳定性好,可以用于揭示黑土典型区SOM含量的空间分布特征。该研究将为改进土壤理化参数遥感反演、土地质量评价、土壤碳库估算等工作方法提供理论与技术支持。     

多光谱遥感结合随机森林算法反演耕作土壤有机质含量

土壤有机质(Soil Organic Matter,SOM)遥感反演一般以单期影像作为输入量,为研究多时相影像遥感结合随机森林提高SOM遥感反演精度的可能性,该研究以黑龙江省农垦总局胜利农场耕地范围为研究区,以Sentinel-2A和Landsat 8影像作为数据源,获取两期裸土遥感影像,构建光谱指数,以随机森林算法筛选波段和光谱指数作为输入量,构建SOM反演模型。结果表明:1)两期影像的SOM反射光谱响应波段包括二者共有的中心波长:约560、660、850 nm,以及Sentinel-2A特有的中心波长740 nm 4个波段;2)基于单期影像最佳波段和光谱指数,Sentinel-2A影像SOM最优反演模型R2为0.913,均方根误差为0.860 g/kg,精度高于Landsat 8影像反演模型;3)单期影像最佳波段引入光谱指数,相比以最佳波段作为输入量,使SOM最优反演模型的均方根误差分别提高了28.867%和8.722%;4)引入时相信息,基于单期和两期影像波段和光谱指数,SOM最优反演模型精度由高到低为两期影像(R2为0.938,均方根误差1.329 g/kg)、Sentinel-2A影像(R2为0.935,均方根误差为1.944 g/kg)、Landsat 8影像(R2为0.922,均方根误差2.022 g/kg),两期影像SOM最优反演模型的稳定性和精度略高于单期影像。研究结果证明了Sentinel-2A影像数据以及多时相裸土影像反演SOM的优势。     

苏北沿海滩涂地区土壤有机质含量的高光谱预测

基于反射高光谱快速、无损的检测优势,以苏北沿海滩涂地区不同成陆年代土壤作为光谱信息源,应用偏最小二乘回归（PLSR）方法,研究了原始反射光谱（REF）、微分光谱（FDR）、反射率倒数的对数（lg(1/R)）和波段深度（BD）对不同成陆年代土壤有机质含量的预测精度。结果表明,不同成陆年代土壤有机质含量预测的最佳光谱指标存在差异。REF是构建总体样本有机质含量PLSR预测模型的最佳光谱指标,均方根误差（RMSE）和相关系数（r）分别为2.7231和0.8701;FDR是预测成陆千年土壤样本有机质含量的最佳光谱指标,RMSE和r分别为2.0110和0.9436;BD所构建的成陆百年土壤有机质含量的PLSR预测模型为最优,RMSE和r分别为2.7051和0.8770。相关分析表明,可见光波段、以1 400 nm为中心及1 900～2 450 nm的红外波段是估算土壤有机质含量的最佳波段。     

东北农牧交错带耕地土壤有机质遥感反演研究

农牧交错带是农耕区与草原牧区的过渡带，土壤有机质(SOM)的精确估算与变化监测对碳库估算与农业生产具有重要研究意义。以东北典型农牧交错带为研究区，Landsat 8 OLI影像和ALOS 12.5m DEM为数据源，基于波段反射率、反射率对数、亮度指数与相关地形因子，分别利用多元线性逐步回归(MLSR)模型、随机森林(RF)模型和BP神经网络(BPNN)模型，构建农牧交错带SOM多光谱反演模型。结果表明：(1)根据重要性排序，选择Landsat8OLI第4波段的对数、第5波段、第6波段和亮度指数作为输入量，RF和BPNN模型的精度优于MLSR模型。(2)引入高程(E)与坡向变率(SOA)后，3种模型的预测精度提高，BPNN模型精度提高最多，R2提高了0.22,RMSE降低了0.40 g/kg。3种模型最优反演精度由高到低为：BPNN模型(R2=0.82,RMSE=1.4 g/kg)>RF模型(R2=0.71,RMSE=1.9 g/kg)>MLSR模型(R2=0.66,RMSE=8.8 g/kg)。研究结果可为农牧交错带SOM时空变化研究提供方法支撑。     

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.     

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.     

Einfluss der düngungsmethoden auf die entwicklung von zuckerrübenkrankheiten

Während neunjähriger (1994-2002) Untersuchungen in der Versuchsanstalt Ba?cyny (Fahlerde, Fall-Gleyboden, ausgebildet aus leichtem Lehmboden) wurde der Befall mit Krankheiten an der Zuckerrübe in Abhängigkeit von der Düngungsmethode bewertet. Folgende Methoden wurden angewendet: A - Mineraldünger, B - Stalldung und Mineraldünger, C - Stroh-, Gründung und Mineraldünger, D - Kompostdünger und Biopräparate (ökologische Düngung). Auf den Objekten A, B, C wurden bei konstanter Phosphor-Kalium-Düngung die Stickstoffgaben von 0 bis 180 kg.ha^?1 differenziert. Auf dem ökologischen Objekt D ohne Mineraldünger wurden statt Stickstoff die Biopräparate P₅₀₀ und P₅₀₁ verabreicht. Der geringste Befall von Krankheiten wurde an der Zuckerrübe auf jenem Objekt festgestellt, das mit Kompost und den Biopräparaten gedüngt worden war. Im Rahmen der konventionellen Düngungsmethoden wurde allgemein die höchste Intensität der Krankheiten an der mit Stroh, Gründung und Mineraldünger gedüngten Zuckerrübe beobachtet. Ausnahmen von dieser Regel bildete das Vorkommen von echtem Mehltau und Keimlingsfäule. Auf den Objekten A, B, C nahm die Intensität der Krankheiten mit der Steigerung der Stickstoffgabe zu. Auch die auf Objekt D verabreichten Biopräparate stimulierten die Entwicklung der Krankheiten. The effect of various fertilization methods on the diseases of sugar beet was estimated on the basis of nine-year studies (1994-2002) conducted in the Experimental Production Farm in Ba?cyny on loess-based, sedimentary-gley, light-clay soil. The following fertilization methods were applied: A - mineral fertilization, B - mineral and manure fertilization, C - straw, green manure and mineral fertilization, D - ecological compost and biodynamic preparations fertilization. In the objects A, B and C fertilized with phosphorus and potassium, various doses of nitrogen ranging from 0 to 180 kg/ha^?1 were used. In the ecological object D, where mineral fertilization was not used, biodynamic preparations P₅₀₀ and P₅₀₁ were applied instead of nitrogen. The lowest ratio of the diseases of sugar beet was observed in the object fertilized with the compost and biodynamic preparations. In view of the conventional fertilization methods, generally the highest incidence of diseases was noted in the sugar beet fertilized with straw, green manure and mineral fertilizers. The exception was the occurrence of powdery mildew and the black leg. In objects A, B and C the incidence of the diseases increased with the increase in nitrogen doses. The applied biodynamical preparations in the object D stimulated the development of diseases too.     

Prospects for control of Pythium damping-off of lettuce with Trichoderma,Gliocladium and Enterobacter spp.

Summary Damping-off of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) caused by Pythium ultimum was studied in pots containing a non-sterile potting mix in the glasshouse. Fifty P. ultimum sporangia g^-1 compost reduced the plant stand to 15% and shoot dry weight to 18%, but this reduction was totally prevented by applying Trichoderma harzianum at 2×10⁵ viable propagules g^-1 potting mix. Gliocladium virens and Enterobacter cloacae also alleviated the damping-off. E. cloacae did not adversely affect the action of the fungal antagonists. The co-existence of the bacterial and fungal antagonists was revealed on the root surface and inner surface of the testa by scanning electron microscopy, indicating the compatibility of the biocontrol agents.     

细菌、真菌及植物氮营养信号研究进展

氮素吸收代谢是所有生物生命活动的核心部分,因此,各种生物对氮的吸收与同化过程都有精细的调节。这种调节依赖于生物对体内氮素状况信号及体外（生长介质中）氮素信号的感受。过去几十年中,在细菌、真菌中已经对氮素营养信号有了较好的研究,而植物中则相对缓慢,但也有了一定的认识。本文重点比较细菌、真菌及植物中氮信号系统的组成,以期为进一步认识植物中的氮信号接受与转导系统提供启示。     

Aircraft operations near concentrations of birds in Antarctica: The development of practical guidelines

Aircraft operations have the potential to disturb and to impact negatively on bird life. A gradient of increasing behavioural response is evident in birds when exposed to increasing aircraft stimulus. The most major disturbance is likely to lead to impacts on the health, breeding performance and survival of individual birds, and perhaps bird colonies. A process of revision to policies on aircraft operations contained in management plans for a number of specially protected areas in Antarctica by the United Kingdom, accompanied by consultations made within the scientific community through the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and with operational interests through the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programmes (COMNAP) resulted in new guidelines being adopted by the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties in June 2004. The principal recommendations of the guidelines are that bird colonies should not be overflown below 2000 ft (∼610 m) above ground level and landings within 1/2 nautical mile (∼930 m) of bird colonies should be avoided wherever possible. These guidelines are less stringent and less specific than those that were recommended by the SCAR specialist group on birds, and represent a compromise to accommodate operational needs. While the adoption of clear and consistent guidelines for the operation of aircraft in Antarctica is welcome in that this provides practical advice that is likely to reduce incidences of close aircraft/bird encounters, there remains insufficient knowledge of the interactions between aircraft and birds in Antarctica, and the consequent impacts on individual birds and on bird populations. It is important, therefore, that the guidelines adopted are considered interim, and should be kept under scrutiny with revisions made as new and improved research results appear.     

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.