基于稳定氢氧同位素的胡杨与柽柳幼苗水分来源研究

通过测定不同地下水埋深下胡杨和柽柳的幼苗茎干水和各潜在水源(土壤水、地下水)的δD和δ18 O同位素组成特征,利用IsoSource模型和平均深度模型,研究了胡杨和柽柳的幼苗对各潜在水源的利用比例和根系吸水的平均土壤深度。结果表明,单一种植条件下胡杨和柽柳的幼苗具有相似的水分利用特征,在30,80cm地下水埋深下深层土壤水和地下水是其主要水分来源,利用比例超过80%;在130,180cm地下水埋深下浅层土壤水为其主要水源,直接利用地下水的比例很小;在180cm埋深时胡杨幼苗不能直接利用地下水,对0—80cm土壤水的利用比例高达79.9%,柽柳幼苗利用地下水的比例仅为12.9%,对0—80cm土壤水的利用比例达到62%;混合种植下对水分的竞争作用使柽柳幼苗主要利用深层土壤水和地下水,胡杨幼苗主要利用浅层土壤水;柽柳幼苗利用水分的平均深度显著深于胡杨幼苗,表明柽柳对干旱环境的适应能力优于胡杨。     

黄土高原2种典型灌木地土壤水分有效性及其影响因素

为确定土壤质地对旱生植物长柄扁桃(Amygdalus pedunculata Pall)和沙柳(Salix psammophila)幼苗不同生理指标水分有效性的影响,采用盆栽控水试验,研究了黄土高原2种典型质地土壤(砂土和壤土)下长柄扁桃和沙柳幼苗不同生理指标随相对土壤含水率(土壤含水率占田间持水率的比值)的动态变化。结果表明:2种质地土壤下长柄扁桃和沙柳幼苗各生理指标相对值在相对含水率降低至土壤水分阈值之前保持相对稳定,低于此阈值时随相对含水率的降低而迅速下降,且均可用非线性连续函数来拟合(R~2=0.8905～0.9864)。2种植物土壤水分有效性因选取指标的不同而略有差异,当以瞬时气体交换指标(相对净光合速率R_(Pn)和相对气孔导度R_(Gs))为评价指标时,砂土水分有效性高于壤土;当以相对水分利用效率R_(WUE)为评价指标时,壤土水分有效性高于砂土。瞬时气体交换指标(R_(Pn)和R_(Gs))的水分阈值高于日变化指标(相对日蒸腾速率R_(Td)),表明土壤质地和时间尺度均会影响植物生理指标对土壤水分有效性的响应。因此,在黄土高原进行植被恢复与生态建设时应考虑土壤质地对植物水分有效性的影响。     

塔里木河下游胡杨气体交换对CO2加富和地下水埋深的响应

为了探讨CO2浓度增加对干旱荒漠区胡杨气体交换的影响,在塔里木河下游4个不同地下水埋深环境测定胡杨在CO2浓度分别为360,720μmol/mol条件下的光合速率、气孔导度、水分利用效率。结果表明,在地下水埋深4.12 m和4.74 m时,当CO2浓度由360μmol/mol增加到720μmol/mol时,胡杨的气孔导度略有减小;而在地下水埋深5.54 m和7.74 m环境下,CO2浓度的增加明显减小了胡杨的气孔导度。在CO2浓度为360μmol/mol时,胡杨的光合速率随着地下水埋深的增加而减少,然而当CO2浓度增加到720μmol/mol时,胡杨的光合速率不但没有因为地下水埋深的增加而减少,反而却因此而增加。当地下水埋深在4.12 m时,CO2浓度的增加对胡杨的水分利用效率没有产生明显的影响,但是随着地下水埋深近一步增加到4.74 m,5.54 m和7.74m时,胡杨的水分利用效率因CO2浓度的倍增分别增加了69%,18%和66%。地下水埋深最终控制着干旱荒漠区胡杨气体交换对CO2浓度升高的响应。     

水平微润灌湿润体HYDRUS-2D模拟及其影响因素分析

为探索土壤质地、初始含水率、压力水头和埋深对水平微润灌土壤湿润体特性的影响机理,利用试验数据验证了水平微润灌HYDRUS-2 D模拟结果的可靠性,模拟值与实测值非常吻合。在此基础上,模拟研究了3种土壤质地(砂壤土、壤土、粉壤土)以及壤土中不同初始含水率(0.085、0.106、0.130 cm~3/cm~3)、压力水头(0.6、1.2、1.8 m)和埋深(20、30、40 cm)条件下土壤湿润体动态变化规律。结果表明:土壤湿润锋运移距离皆符合垂直向下水平方向垂直向上的规律,湿润体在形状上差异不大,土壤含水率等值线均为近似"同心圆";土壤质地对湿润体特性有显著影响,土壤质地越黏重,湿润锋运移速率越慢,湿润体体积越小,土壤含水率等值线越密集,其"圆心"越靠近微润管,灌水结束时,壤土和砂壤土湿润体体积分别是粉壤土的1.3倍和2.5倍;在确定的土壤质地条件下,初始含水率和压力水头对湿润体特性有较大影响,湿润锋运移距离及湿润体体积均随土壤初始含水率、压力水头的增大而增大,初始含水率为0.106和0.130 cm~3/cm~3的湿润体体积分别是0.085 cm~3/cm~3的1.2倍和1.5倍,压力水头为1.2和1.8 m的湿润体体积分别是0.6 m的1.6倍和2.2倍;微润管埋深对湿润体分布位置有显著影响,埋深较浅时,湿润锋容易到达地表,埋深较深时,土壤湿润体随埋深下移而同步下移。     

地下水埋深与控肥对夏玉米氮素吸收和产量的影响

为探明地下水埋深与减施氮肥对夏玉米氮素吸收利用及产量的影响,基于大型地中渗透仪,研究了地下水埋深和施氮量对夏玉米氮素利用效率、植株氮素积累量、产量及其形成要素的影响,其中地下水埋深设2 m(G1),3 m(G2)和4 m(G3)3个水平,施氮量设减氮20%处理(240 kg/hm²,N1)、常规施氮处理(300 kg/hm²,N2)2个水平,不控水不施氮处理(G0N0)作为对照,共计7个处理。结果表明:(1)减氮20%条件下,夏玉米产量随地下水埋深增加呈减小趋势,氮素收获指数在埋深2 m下显著高于埋深3,4 m,分别增加5.71%,7.22%;(2)常规施氮条件下,埋深2 m处理茎、叶吸氮量显著高于埋深3~4 m处理,增幅为19.52%~50.31%,但产量、籽粒吸氮量和氮素收获指数埋深2 m处理显著低于埋深3~4 m处理,降幅为17.28%~29.28%;(3)地下水埋深2 m下,产量、氮肥农学效率、氮肥生理利用率、籽粒氮肥吸收利用率和氮素收获指数减氮20%处理均显著高于常规施氮处理,增幅为22.18%~115.35%。地下水埋深2 m条件下,施氮240 kg/hm²显著提升氮肥的增产效果,以及施氮后氮素转化为产量和干物质的效率,同时还增强氮素向籽粒的转移率,从而保持产量不致降低,因此埋深2 m条件下减氮20%有一定可行性。研究结果可为地下水浅埋地区控施氮肥提供理论参考依据。     

土壤质地对柱花草生长发育、生物量及土壤肥力变化的影响

采用大田试验的方法,在云南省元谋县小雷宰流域内壤土、砂壤土和重壤土3种质地土壤上,以热研5号柱花草为材料,研究土壤质地对柱花草生长发育、生物量及土壤有机质、有机碳、全氮和全磷的影响。试验结果表明:3种土壤质地上种植柱花草,柱花草地上部和地下部生长量和生物量表现幼苗期增加缓慢,而分枝期后增加快的趋势。壤土耕性好,兼有砂土和重壤土的优点,有利柱花草地上部分的生长发育,柱花草地上部生长量、生物量及改善土壤肥力方面显著高于重壤土。砂壤土有利于柱花草根系向深层土壤生长,柱花草地下部生长量、生物量及根瘤显著高于种植在重壤土。在3种土壤质地种植柱花草后,土壤有机质、有机碳、全氮和全磷均有上升趋势。综合而言,通气性和保肥保水能力居中的壤土更适合柱花草的生长发育及干物质的积累。     

地下水埋深及矿化度对多枝柽柳幼苗光合特征及生长的影响

采用简易Lysimeter研究了不同地下水埋深(20,60,100 cm)和不同矿化度(<1.00 g/L淡水,1.0～3.0 g/L微咸水,3.0～10.0 g/L咸水)对多枝柽柳幼苗光合特征及生长的影响。结果表明,不同地下水埋深与矿化度对多枝柽柳幼苗的光合特征及生长均有影响;在地下水埋深20 cm,矿化度为3.0～10.0 g/L的咸水条件下,多枝柽柳幼苗的最大光合速率(Pnmax)为66.93μmol/(m2.s),光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Cond)、水分利用效率(WUE)及羧化速率(CE)对光强的响应均大于其它试验处理。不同的地下水埋深、矿化度可显著影响多枝柽柳幼苗的最大光合速率(Pnmax)、表观量子效率(AQY)、暗呼吸速率(Rd)、光饱和点(LSP)等光合特征。进一步分析表明,在地下水埋深20 cm,矿化度为3.0～10.0 g/L的咸水条件下,多枝柽柳幼苗的生态适应能力较强,幼苗能够适应生境变化迅速生长,获得竞争优势。     

不同林龄胡杨径向生长量与地下水的关系

胡杨是塔里木河河道周围重要的适生树种,对调节区域小气候具有重要的作用。径向生长是反映胡杨生长状况的重要指标,它与地下水位的关系是很多研究关注的焦点。以往的研究将所有林龄的胡杨作为一个整体来对它与地下水之间的响应关系进行研究,却忽略了胡杨由于林龄存在差异,它们对地下水位的响应可能不同。所以该文以塔里木河下游为研究区,选取了不同林龄胡杨的径向生长量作为研究对象,利用曲线回归的方法分别与地下水埋深建立函数关系,并借助灵敏度分析确定了其与地下水埋深响应的敏感点,以实现定量分析的目的。结果表明:(1)胡杨中林和近熟林的径向生长量随地下水埋深下降呈减小特点;(2)胡杨径向生长量受地下水埋深的影响,总体上为4次多项式,但不同林龄的胡杨遵循不同的拟合关系;通过灵敏度分析,胡杨林龄的差异导致其胁迫水位和停止生长的水位也不同。通过研究,证明了胡杨不同林龄与地下水的关系不同,因此在开展恢复时应采取不同的对策。     

塔里木河下游灌区灌溉方式的转变对农田及其防护林土壤水盐动态的影响

通过分析塔里木河下游喀拉米吉镇绿洲大面积滴灌条件下的农田(3个棉田1个果园)与其防护林地土壤水盐分布特征,采用对比试验与野外监测方法,研究了当前滴灌体系对林网内农田及其防护林地的影响,分析防护林网内土壤水盐变化的主要因子。得出以下结论:(1)喀拉米吉镇绿洲,由于滴灌技术的普及,地下水埋深以0.5 m a-1的速度下降;地下水埋深具有季节性变化,在非灌溉季节地下水埋深较浅,在灌溉季节地下水埋深较深,与非灌溉季节相比,灌溉季节里地下水埋深平均下降了1 m以上。(2)由于喀拉米吉镇绿洲农田滴灌对土壤的影响深度不超过80 cm,灌溉水对地下水的补给量几乎为零,农田防护林根系只能从土壤深层吸收水分,导致了林地内土壤含水率显著低于农田(p<0.01)。(3)当前5 250 m3 hm-2 a-1的棉田灌溉、7 000 m3 hm-2 a-1的果园灌溉,使0～60 cm的土壤盐分处于低盐状态,基本达到农田的脱盐要求;防护林地盐分均明显高于农田(p<0.01),为农田的2倍～3倍;林地内土壤盐分表聚作用明显:砂壤土林地、砂土林地、黏土林地1、黏土林地2内表层土壤盐值分别较其农田高79.3%、77.1%、80.6%、88.4%。(4)通过林地间土壤含水率、土壤盐分的比较,发现地下水埋深的不同是农田防护林地土壤水盐差异的主要因素,150 cm土体内,含水率高的林地其含盐量也高,含水率低的林地其含盐量也低。     

柳树农田防护林造林效果及遮荫作用研究

研究了沙埋深度对荒漠植物红砂幼苗出土和生长的影响.进行了0.1,2,3和5 cm共5个深度处理,每个处理5个重复.结果表明,出苗率与沙埋深度呈显著负相关,且集中在O-2 cm的沙埋深度,3cm沙埋深度只有1苗出土,5 cm沙埋深度没有出苗;随着沙埋深度增加,第一次出苗所需天数增加;幼苗生长高度受沙埋深度和生长时间的影响显著,相对高度生长率随沙埋深度增大而增大,幼苗高度随沙埋深度增加而降低,但生长一定阶段后,随着沙埋深度的增大,幼苗高度也增大;生物量并不随沙埋深度变化而变化,但生物量分配却随沙埋深度增大而更多地分配给地下部分,这种变化可将有限的种子能量传给地下茎.进而促进出苗.红砂幼苗出土和生长的最佳沙埋深度约为1 cm.     

Agricultural potential of Mediterranean grain and forage legumes: Key differences between and within Vicia species in terms of phenology, yield, and agronomy give insight into plant adaptation to semi-arid environments

In order to identify key adaptive traits which affect productivity in Mediterranean grain and forage legumes and simultaneously determine the agricultural potential of a wide range of Vicia species, germplasm collected from the wild throughout the eastern Mediterranean was grown under semi-arid conditions in Tel Hadya, Syria (313 mm growing season rainfall). These included species currently in use in Mediterranean agriculture, such as V. sativa L., as well as those more widely used in the past-such as V. ervilia L., but also a broad selection from Section Narbonensis (B. Fedtsch. ex Radzhi) Maxted, including V. narbonensis L, V. johannis Tamamsch., V. hyaeniscyamus Mout., V. serratifolia Jacq., and V. kalakhensis Khattab et al. V. faba, a near relative of the taxa in Section Narbonensis, was included as a domesticated control. Where applicable, a representative range of subspecies was used. Accessions were chosen from a wide range of habitats in terms of latitude (31.02–40.72 decimal^o), longitude (27.1–43.17 decimal^o), altitude (20–1510 m), rainfall (180–1700 mm/yr) and soil depth (5–50 cm) in order to maximise diversity within species. Agricultural potential was determined by measuring seed, hay and biological yield, as well as agronomic traits such as harvest index, standing crop height, and seed size. The comparative influence of phenology and key agronomic traits such as plant habit and seed size on productivity varied tremendously between species, depending on their reproductive strategies. In V. sativa and V. ervilia, the smaller seed species which rely on long vegetative phases and growing seasons to accumulate sufficient biomass to set seed, and in which there was comparatively little agronomic variation, phenology had a large impact on yield. In early emerging taxa such as V. ervilia and V. s. subsp. sativa, with built-in long vegetative phases and growing seasons, seed yield was negatively correlated with flower ing (r = –0.86 to –0.88), whereas the opposite was the case for later emerging taxa such as V. s. subsp. nigra (L.) Ehrh. (r = 0.95). Within V. narbonensis and relatives, the larger seeded Vicia species which rely on more conservative reproductive strategies where high seedling vigour associated with large seeds enables the species to enter reproductive phases relatively early, phenology had a much smaller impact on yield than did variation of key traits such as seed weight, plant habit and pod shattering. Among the undomesticated germplasm harvest indices ranged from 0.09–0.31, hay yields from 0.1–3.4 t/ha, seed yield from 0–2.0 t/ha, and dry matter at maturity from 1.6–6.5 t/ha. Sub-specific taxonomy was crucial in determining agronomic potential. V. narbonensis var. aegyptiaca Kornhuber ex Asch. et Schweinf. showed the most potential, combining an upright habit, large seeds (212 mg) and tendency to retain intact pods after maturity, with the highest yield, harvest index and crop height of all the wild Vicia species. V. sativa subsp. sativa, V. ervilia and V. narbonensis var. narbonensis were less productive, but still showed agricultural potential. The smaller seeded V. narbonensis, var. affinis, var. jordanica H. Schäf. and var. salmonea (Mout.) H. Schäf., and their close relatives V. johannis, V. hyaeniscyamus, V. serratifolia and V. kalakhensis have little to offer Mediterranean agriculture on the basis of poor agronomy.     

Phylogenetic relationships of Actinidia and related genera based on micromorphological characters of foliar trichomes

The phylogenetic relationships within the genus Actinidia and among 3 allied genera Clematoclethra, Saurauia, and Sladenia have been very controversial. In order to understand the systematic implication of foliar trichomes in those genera, the micromorphological characteristics of foliar trichomes from 34 taxa were examined by means of light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The observed micromorphological characteristics were classified into eight main types. A phylogenetic analysis of Actinidia and related genera based on 15 micromorphological characters of foliar trichomes was conducted using Wagner parsimony method and Sladenia celastrifolia, Rhododendron hybridum and R. simsii as a complex outgroup. In the resulting phylogenetic tree, Actinidia is shown to be a monophyletic group, and Clematoclethra and Saurauia form another monophyletic group. This study also presents the phylogenetic relationships among 4 sections within the genus Actinidia: the monophyly of sect. Leiocarpae and of sect. Strigosae, and polyphyly of sect. Maculatae and of sect. Stellatae.     

Effects of mixing radiata pine needles and understory litters on decomposition and nutrients release

A microcosm experiment was conducted to understand the impacts of mixing radiata pine (Pinus radiata D. Don) needle litter and understory (gorse—Ulex europaeus L., broom—Cytisus scoparius L., bracken—Pteridium aquilinum L., and lotus—Lotus pedunculatus L.) litter materials on decomposition and nutrient release dynamics. Mixing of pine needle litter with understory litter material had significant impacts on both the rate of decomposition and nutrient release patterns of pine litter as well as that of the understory species. Incubation in microcosms over 10 months resulted in significantly lower mass loss of radiata pine needle litter mixed with broom and lotus litters (35.8±8.4 and 41.3±0.8%, respectively) than pure pine needle litter (63.5±2.3%). Mixing with pine needle litter significantly increased the mass loss of broom (53.1±6.1%) compared to that of pure broom (30.2±1.0%). Significant transfers of nutrients, especially of magnesium and potassium, were observed in litter mixture treatments. Concentration of K in litter materials was found to be the most limiting factor for the decomposing microorganisms in the present study. The findings of this study suggest that management of understory litter composition via weed control could be used to manipulate carbon turnover and nutrient release in the forest floor. Also, initial selection of understory species will be important and could be managed.     

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.     

Control of pitch pine seed germination and initial growth exerted by leaf litters and polyphenolic compounds

We investigated the influence of three concentrations of water extracts of three leaf litter species (pitch pine, huckleberry and white oak) and a mixture of all litters on the germination of pitch pine seeds and initial seedling growth in a microcosm experiment. All three plant species are important components of the pine barrens ecosystems in New Jersey, where it has been seen that pine seedling recruitment occurs only after stand replacing fire or in disturbed sites, where surface organic soil horizons and leaf litter have been removed. Leaf litter extracts did not influence seed germination, but significantly reduced seedling growth at high concentrations. There was little difference between the leaf litter species in growth suppression. As charcoal is a natural residue on the forest floor following fire, its influence on growth suppression was examined; it has been shown to immobilize polyphenols. Charcoal removed the inhibitory effect of leaf litter extracts and allowed the fertilizer effect of nutrients leached from the leaves to enhance seedling growth, particularly at the higher concentration of litter extract used. Responses to litter extracts were compared to four pure phenolic compounds, catchecol, p-coumaric acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid and tannic acid. None of these compounds suppressed pine seedling growth, suggesting that these phenolics are not allelopathic to pine seedlings. The results are discussed in the context of fire as a driving factor in these oligotrophic and seasonally dry ecosystems and the interactions between nutrient supply and allelopathic chemistry of different leaf litters.     

Effect of agroforestry woody species on earthworm activity and physicochemical properties of worm casts

The effects of five agroforestry woody species (Dactyladenia barteri, Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala, Senna siamea andTreculia africana) on the surface aasting activity ofHyperiodrilus africanus were studied in an Alfisol (Oxic Paleustalf) in southwestern Nigeria. Casting activity under the woody species decreased in the following order:Dactyladenia sp. (26.4 Mg ha^-1 year^-1)>Gliricidia sp. (24.4 Mg ha^-1 year^-1)>Treculia sp. (22.9 Mg ha^-1 year^-1)>Leucaena sp. (18.6 Mg ha^-1 year^-1)>Senna sp. (18.3 Mg ha^-1 year^-1). These differences in casting activity were partly explained by microclimatic effects. Irrespective of the woody species, the worm casts were higher in clay and silt contents, bulk density, water-stable aggregates, pH, organic C, exchangeable cations, effective cation exchange capacity, and extractable P levels than the corresponding surface soils. The woody species did affect the physicochemical properties and P sorption of the worm casts. The content of water-stable aggregates of worm casts decreased in the following order:Dactyladenia sp.>Treculia sp.>Senna sp.>Leucaena sp.>Gliricidia sp. Large differences in extractable P levels were observed.Senna sp. was associated with the highest extractable P level (11.5 mg kg^-1) andTreculia sp. the lowest (4.9 mg kg^-1). P sorption was highest on worm casts underDactyladenia sp. and lowest on those underTreculia sp. Without fertilizer application, there were no significant differences in the dry weight of maize grown in the different worm casts. With NPK applications, the dry weight of maize grown in worm casts associated withTreculia sp. was significantly lower than that of maize grown in the other worm casts, mainly due to the low extractable P level. Despite a high organic C and exchangeable K status, maize grown in the worm casts still responded significantly to N and K applications. The N uptake by maize grown in worm casts associated withTreculia sp. was lower than that in the other treatments.     

Allelic diversity of HMW and LMW glutenin subunits and omega-gliadins in French bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Wheat endosperm storage proteins, namely gliadins and glutenins, are the major components of gluten. They play an important role in dough properties and in bread making quality in various wheat varieties. In the present study, the different alleles encoded at the 6 glutenin loci and at 3 -gliadin loci were identified from a set of 200 hexaploid wheat cultivars grown primarily in France using SDS PAGE. At Glu-A1, Glu-B1 and Glu-D1, encoding high molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS), 3, 8 and 5 alleles were observed respectively. Low molecular weight glutenin subunits (LMW-GS) displayed similar polymorphism, as 5 and 11 alleles were identified at loci Glu-A3 and Glu-B3 respectively. Four alleles were observed at Glu-D3 loci. Omega-gliadin diversity was also very high, as 7, 13 and 9 alleles were found at Gli-A1, Gli-B1 and Gli-D1, respectively. A total of 147 (or 149) patterns resulted from the genetic combination of the alleles encoding at the six glutenin loci (or Glu-1 and Gli-1 loci). Although Glu-1 and Glu-3 loci were located on different chromosome arms and were theoretically independent, some associations were revealed due to pedigree relatedness between some French wheat cultivars. The usefulness of allelic identification of LMW-GS together with HMW-GS and gliadins for future genetic and technological wheat improvement is discussed.     

Properties of anaerobically digested and composted municipal solid waste assessed by linking soil mesofauna dynamics and nitrogen modelling

We have studied the effect of anaerobically digested (ADMSW) and composted municipal solid waste (CMSW) on mineralization and foodweb dynamics to verify the hypothesis that ADMSW would immobilize N right after addition to soil in contrast to addition with CMSW. Another hypothesis was that the mesofauna (enchytraeids and microarthropods) would stimulate N release from the decomposer community. We measured excretion of -N and urea-N from the mesofauna and hypothesized that enchytraeids would release urea. ADMSW and CMSW were amended to pots with sandy loam and barley. The pots were divided into treatments with or without mesofauna. Mesofauna, plant N and biomass, soil N and ergosterol (fungal biomass) were measured over a 113-day period of four equidistant samplings. Soil respiration, N mineralization and N release by the mesofauna were modelled from concurrent studies. ADMSW- and CMSW-treated soils initially (<20 days) immobilized N. The amendments did not increase plant growth substantially, and this was probably due to N-limitation in the early stages of plant growth. Enchytraeid abundance was about three times higher in ADMSW- than CMSW-treated soils, indicating that ADMSW contained more labile compounds, bacteria, and microfauna. The mesofauna did not affect N-content, but the cumulated -N excreted by the mesofauna was estimated to be substantial and about one-fifth of total plant N in ADMSW. An explanation for this discrepancy might be that in the absence of the mesofauna, other members of the detrivore and microbivore community performed the mesofauna’s function. Neither enchytraeids nor microarthropods excreted urea.     

Structural parameters and functional patterns of simulated earthworm burrow systems

Summary Earthworm burrow systems have been simulated by modelling, from field observations, five main characteristics of burrow units: density (number of burrows per unit volume), mean length, angular orientation, middle coordinates and diameter. The functional properties of the burrow systems have been analysed using structural parameters, i. e. number of full perforations, mean available burrow surface and minimal burrow spacing, and by estimating the shortest pathway through the burrow system. The simulations are used to study the effects of each of the main characteristics on structural parameters and the shortest pathway. This work reveals that the specific role of density is to lead to a threshold by determining an optimal horizontal distance, and that the mean length governs the vertical critical dimension of the system. These simulations may be applied to explain the nature of field burrow systems.