氮肥高效施用在低碳农业中的关键作用

低碳农业是我国集约化农业发展的必然趋势。深入理解氮肥高效施用是实现低碳农业的关键,可以更加明确如何集成优化农业管理措施增加产量、减少农田生态系统碳排放、提高土壤固碳效应,综合实现固碳、减排、增产的低碳农业发展目标。本文概述了低碳农业评价指标的三个阶段性研究特点,从田间温室气体排放的综合温室效应拓展为涵盖固碳效应的净温室效应,再拓展为涵盖生命周期评价碳排放的综合净温室效应以及兼顾作物产量的温室气体强度。提出了如何利用当季作物试验来估算农田生态系统净碳收支、结合生命周期评价当季作物综合净温室效应和单位产品温室气体强度的方法。按照现阶段低碳农业的评价指标,以我国稻–麦轮作生态系统集约化生产的低碳农业模式为案例,解析氮肥施用在低碳农业各组成包括作物产量、固碳效应、CH₄和N₂O排放、农业措施碳排放中的重要作用,明确氮肥高效施用在农田生态系统综合净温室效应和温室气体强度中的关键作用,从而实现低碳农业可持续发展。     

孔隙结构对水稻土温室气体排放的影响

土壤结构影响水分和气体的运动和土壤生物活动,进而影响稻田温室气体排放。为探明土壤结构对水稻生长过程中温室气体排放的影响,选取江苏宜兴的湖白土和江西进贤的红壤性水稻土进行盆栽试验。设置不搅动(NP)、搅动(PD)和搅动后掰土回填(RP)3个处理。应用X射线CT成像技术分析不同处理土壤孔隙结构,通过静态箱法测定水稻生长过程中的温室气体排放。结果显示,PD处理降低了土壤大孔隙度和孔隙连通性,而NP及RP处理的大孔隙较多且连通度高。湖白土PD处理的CH₄排放量分别是NP处理的2.5倍和RP处理的14.6倍,相关分析表明湖白土CH₄的排放与大孔隙度呈显著负相关,表明大孔隙度升高会降低CH₄排放。红壤性水稻土NP处理的CH₄排放最高,可能是由于NP处理≤30μm的孔隙度最低,促进了CH₄的排放;PD处理提高了N₂O排放,相关分析表明N₂O排放总量和直径30~1000μm孔隙呈显著负相关。两种土壤RP处理全球增温潜势(GWP)强度以及CH₄总排放量均显著低于NP和PD处理。研究结果表明土壤孔隙结构的改变影响稻田温室气体的排放,通过改变耕作方式调节土壤结构可能是稻田CH₄和N₂O减排的途径之一。     

藏北高寒草甸温室气体排放对长期增温的响应

为深入认识高寒草甸温室气体通量对长期气候变暖的响应,利用开顶式生长室（OTC,Open Top Chamber）模拟增温2a（2Y,2015-2016年）和6a（6Y,2011-2016年）对藏北高寒草甸生长季CO₂、CH₄和N₂O通量的影响。结果表明：与对照相比,生长季（6-8月）增温6Y处理和增温2Y处理分别增加和降低高寒草甸土壤CO₂排放通量,其中7月增温6Y处理CO₂排放通量显著高于增温2Y处理;增温6Y和2Y处理增加了高寒草甸CH₄吸收通量,但是处理间差异均不显著;高寒草甸N₂O排放通量表现为增温6Y＞2Y＞CK,处理间无显著差异。环境因子与温室气体排放通量的相关分析表明,CO₂、CH₄和N₂O排放通量与0～5cm土壤温度相关不显著;土壤湿度、植物地上生物量、微生物生物量碳和蔗糖酶是影响高寒草甸CO₂排放通量的关键因子;NO₃--N是影响CH₄吸收通量的关键因素;脲酶和NO₃--N是影响N₂O排放通量的主要因子。因此,增温6Y处理通过增加植物地上部生物量、蔗糖酶活性,从而提高了土壤CO₂排放通量,增温6Y和2Y处理通过增加土壤脲酶和NO₃--N含量,从而促进了土壤N₂O排放和CH₄的吸收通量。     

不同灌溉模式和施氮处理下稻田 CH4 和 N2O 排放

【目的】研究不同灌溉模式和施氮处理稻田 CH₄ 和 N₂O 的排放规律、综合增温潜势和综合排放强度,以期获得降低稻田 CH₄ 和 N₂O 排放的灌溉模式和施氮管理。【方法】2015～2016 年在广西南宁市灌溉试验站进行晚稻和早稻大田试验,两次试验均设 3 种灌溉模式:常规灌溉 (CIR)、“薄浅湿晒 ”灌溉 (TIR) 和干湿交替灌溉 (DIR)。 2 种尿素-N 和猪粪-N 比例:100% 尿素-N (FM1),50% 尿素-N + 50% 猪粪-N (FM2)。共设 CIR-FM1、TIR-FM1、DIR-FM1、CIR-FM2、TIR-FM2 和 DIR-FM2 6 个处理,用静态箱–气相色谱法测定了水稻生育期内稻田 CH₄ 和 N₂O 排放通量,分析了早晚稻生育期内 CH₄ 和 N₂O 累积排放量和综合增温潜势,并结合产量分析了 CH₄ 和 N₂O 综合排放强度。【结果】DIR 下 FM2 处理早稻产量和两季总产量比 FM1 处理分别提高 18.8% 和 17.7%,FM2 下 TIR 和 DIR 模式早稻产量分别比 CIR 模式提高 20.9% 和 37.4% 以及 DIR 模式两季总产量比 CIR 模式提高 21.5%。不同处理早晚稻生育前期 CH₄ 排放通量较高,生育中后期 CH₄ 排放通量较低。水稻生育期内 TIR 和 DIR 模式 CH₄ 累积排放量低于 CIR 模式,FM1 处理 CH₄ 累积排放量低于 FM2 处理。不同处理早晚稻生育前期 N₂O 的排放通量为负值或者较低,N₂O 排放主要集中在晒田完成复水之后及成熟期稻田水分落干时,DIR 模式 N₂O 累积排放量显著高于 CIR 模式,FM2 处理 N₂O 累积排放量高于 FM1 处理。不同处理稻田 CH₄ 和 N₂O 的排放彼此间存在消长关系。CH₄ 对综合增温潜势的贡献率达 99% 以上,而 N₂O 的贡献率不足 1%。3 种灌溉模式下 FM1 处理 CH₄ 或 N₂O 增温潜势、CH₄ 和 N₂O 综合增温潜势和排放强度均低于 FM2 处理,2 种施氮处理下 TIR 和 DIR 模式 CH₄ 和 N₂O 综合增温潜势和排放强度低于 CIR 模式。【结论】与常规灌溉相比,“薄浅湿晒”灌溉水稻产量和 N₂O 排放有所提高,但是降低 CH₄ 排放量及 CH₄ 和 N₂O 综合增温潜势和排放强度;干湿交替灌溉增加水稻产量和 N₂O 排放,但是降低 CH₄ 的排放量及 CH₄ 和 N₂O 综合增温潜势和排放强度,因此,“薄浅湿晒”和干湿交替灌溉模式是有效降低稻田 CH₄ 和 N₂O 综合增温潜势和排放强度的两种灌溉模式。在这两种灌溉方式下,与猪粪尿素配施相比,单施尿素显著降低 CH₄ 和 N₂O 综合增温潜势和排放强度。     

有机肥和缓控肥替代部分化肥降低双季稻田综合净温室效应

  【目的】  秸秆还田是我国水稻生产中的常规土壤培肥措施，在此背景下，进一步研究有机肥和包膜尿素替代部分普通尿素，以及施用硅肥和微量元素对土壤固碳效应和温室气体排放的影响及机理，为实现稻田“固碳减排”提供依据。  【方法】  江西高安县的双季稻田间定位试验始于2013年。在秸秆全部还田、早稻施N165 kg/hm2和晚稻施N 195 kg/hm2条件下，设置4个氮素处理: 100%普通尿素氮 (CK)；用20%有机肥氮替代普通尿素氮 (N1)；在N1基础上增加Si、Zn和S肥 (N2)；在N2基础上用30%的包膜尿素氮替代普通尿素氮 (N3)。于收获期测定作物产量和地上部生物量，2016年测定了早稻和晚稻生育期温室气体 (CO₂、N₂O和CH₄) 排放量。  【结果】  与早稻季相比，晚稻季温室气体排放总量较高，其中晚稻季CH₄排放量是早稻季的4倍 (P < 0.05)，生态系统呼吸增加了7.5%～9.3% (P > 0.05)。同一季节4个处理间生态系统呼吸没有显著差异；N₂O排放量以CK 最高，其中早稻季CK处理比N1、N2和N3处理分别增加31.7%、27.2%和43.7%，晚稻季分别增加20.0%、31.5%和40.6% (P < 0.05)；与CK处理相比，有机肥替代处理显著增加了CH₄的排放量，其中早稻季N1、N2和N3处理分别增加了13.1%、13.9%和21.4%，晚稻季分别增加了19.4%、12.7%和13.7% (P < 0.05)。利用地上部生物量估计当季/年尺度土壤固碳效应，晚稻季有机肥处理 (N1、N2和N3) 与CK相比增加显著 (P < 0.05)；2016年早稻产量比晚稻提高30%，所以早稻季综合净温室效应是负值 (碳汇)，而晚稻季是正值 (碳源)，全年总计为碳源，这表明稻田产生温室效应。与CK处理相比，有机肥和包膜尿素配施处理 (N3) 显著降低了全年综合净温室效应。  【结论】  连续4年的田间试验结果表明，在秸秆还田基础上，用有机肥部分替代普通尿素可显著增加CH₄排放，但又显著降低N₂O排放且增加土壤固碳效应。综合考虑，有机肥投入会显著降低双季稻田综合净温室效应。使用包膜尿素替代部分普通尿素可有效降低施用有机肥产生的CH₄排放，且通过提高产量进一步降低双季稻生产系统的综合净温室效应。而施用中、微量元素肥料对综合净温室效应没有显著正效应。由于晚稻的温室气体排放量高于早稻，因此，通过优化施肥技术提高早稻产量是降低双季稻年度温室气体排放的有效措施。     

有机肥和秸秆炭分别替代部分尿素和秸秆降低黑土温室效应的效果

【目的】 农田条件下研究用有机肥替代部分尿素、用秸秆生物炭替代秸秆对黑土有机质提升和温室气体排放的影响,为秸秆有效还田和“固碳减排”提供理论依据。 【方法】 2013—2015年在东北典型春玉米区进行田间定位试验,所有处理采用相同方法施用同量磷钾化肥,磷肥为磷酸氢二铵 (P₅O₂ 60 kg/hm2),钾肥为硫酸钾 (K₂O 75 kg/hm2),在施用4 t/hm2玉米秸秆前提下,设置:1) 不施尿素氮 (N0);2) 尿素氮100% (N 165 kg/hm2,N1);3) 尿素氮60% + 有机肥氮20% + 缓释氮20% (N2)。另外,处理4) 除了用2 t/hm2玉米秸秆炭替代4 t/hm2玉米秸秆外,其他与N2一致 (N3)。各生育期测定生态系统温室气体 (CO₂、N₂O和CH₄) 排放量,收获期测定作物产量和地上部生物量。 【结果】 N1、N2、N3处理间玉米产量差异不显著。在等氮条件下,N1、N2、N3处理生态系统CO₂排放分别为13170、10521、9994 kg/hm2,N2和N3处理降低CO₂排放的效果显著好于N1,N2和N3处理差异不显著 (P < 0.05),N1、N2、N3处理N ₂O累积排放分别为6.092、6.597、3.604 kg/hm2,N3降低N₂O累积排放的效果显著好于N1和N2处理;N1、N2、N3处理CH₄累积排放分别为0.694、1.652、–2.107 kg/hm2,N3处理降低CH₄累积排放的效果显著好于N1和N2处理。农田系统净碳收支 (NECB,除土壤固碳外,作物?土壤系统产生的碳收支,如作物光合、呼吸和产量移出等),N2处理为C 766.5 kg/hm2,是碳汇,而N1和N3处理是碳源 (C ?621.3 kg/hm 2和?673.3 kg/hm2)。当季作物尺度上用NECB估算的土壤固碳效应N1、N2和N3处理分别为C ?142.9、176.3、1385.1 kg/hm 2,N3处理土壤固碳效应显著好于N2和N1处理。在化肥生产和运输以及农事操作等投入产生的间接碳排放量方面,化肥氮是农业投入的主要碳源,分别占N1、N2和N3处理农业投入的73%、71%和66%。综合考虑农事操作带来的碳排放,化学品投入带来的碳排放,以及农田系统温室气体排放和土壤固碳的收支,综合净温室效应N1、N2、N3处理分别为2535.2、1488.2、–3769.7 CO₂ eq. kg/hm2,只有N3处理是碳汇。 【结论】 在供试黑土条件下,用有机肥替代部分化肥增加生态系统净碳收入;用秸秆生物炭替代秸秆显著增加土壤固碳效应、减少N₂O排放;从综合净温室效应看,有机肥与秸秆生物炭分别替代部分化肥与秸秆“固碳减排”效果最佳。      

碳中和目标下畜牧业低碳发展路径

推动实现碳中和是可持续发展的关键,减少温室气体排放是推动实现碳中和的根本。作为国际低碳行动的引领者和开拓者,中国承诺将力争于2030年前实现二氧化碳排放达峰,努力争取2060年前实现碳中和。农业生产活动是中国温室气体的第三大排放源,其中畜牧业贡献了农业非二氧化碳温室气体排放的80%,是农业主要温室气体排放源。因此,畜牧业的低碳减排对实现碳中和至关重要。该研究从动物呼吸、动物胃肠道发酵、粪污处理等直接排放源和饲料生产加工、设备设施能源消耗、动物产品加工及运输等间接排放源系统综述了畜牧业的温室气体排放,从源头、过程和末端全方位阐述了畜牧业的低碳减排途径。源头减排包括动物的肠道发酵管控、饲料成分升级、粗粮与精粮比例的调整、使用添加剂以及选育优质畜禽品种,过程减排包括畜舍环境及设备能耗调控、畜禽管理方式优化以及精准畜牧业的应用,末端减排包括粪污处理以及畜产品供应链的优化。该研究对碳中和目标下的畜牧业低碳发展路径进行了综述,以期为推动实现碳中和,促进畜牧业绿色可持续发展提供参考。     

生物质炭和腐殖质对稻田土壤CH4和N2O排放的影响

为探讨生物质炭与腐殖质单独施用与配合施用对稻田土壤CH₄和N₂O气体排放以及水稻产量的影响。以浙江临安潜育性水稻土的稻田系统为研究对象,设置2个水稻秸秆生物质炭添加水平(0,20 t/hm²)和3个腐殖质水平(0,0.6,1.2 t/hm²),共6个处理,分别为:(1)B0F0(对照,不添加生物质炭和腐殖质);(2)B0F1(腐殖质用量为0.6 t/hm²);(3)B0F2(腐殖质用量为1.2 t/hm²);(4)B1F0(生物质炭用量为20 t/hm²);(5)B1F1(生物质炭和腐殖质用量分别为20,0.6 t/hm²);(6)B1F2(生物质炭和腐殖质用量分别为20,1.2 t/hm²),研究生物质炭和腐殖质输入对水稻产量、稻田CH₄和N₂O气体排放的影响。结果表明:(1)与B0F0相比,单独施用生物质炭和腐殖质或生物质炭与腐殖质配施均降低了土壤CH₄累积排放量,但增加了土壤N₂O累积排放量;(2)生物质炭处理对GWP(global warming potential)和GHGI(greenhouse gas intensity)没有显著影响(P>0.05),腐殖质处理显著降低了GWP和GHGI(P<0.05),生物质炭和腐殖质对GWP和GHGI存在显著交互作用(P<0.05);(3)与B0F0相比,单独施用生物质炭和腐殖质或者生物质炭与腐殖质配施均能在一定程度上减少单位水稻产量的温室气体排放强度(GHGI),B0F2处理的GHGI最低,表明单施腐殖质处理(腐殖质用量为1.2 t/hm²)稻田土壤的减排效果和环境效应最好。研究结果为进一步探讨稻田土壤固碳减排提供数据支撑和理论依据。     

生物质炭对不同植被类型土壤温室气体排放影响研究进展

土壤生态系统是温室气体排放的主要来源之一，降低土壤温室气体排放对于缓解全球变暖具有重要意义。近年来，生物质炭在改良土壤性质、提高土壤碳汇和影响土壤温室气体排放方面展现出了巨大的潜力。因此，关于施加生物质炭对土壤温室气体排放影响的研究已经成为了环境科学和农业生态领域的研究热点。然而，生物质炭对土壤温室气体净排放的影响是促进还是抑制尚无统一定论。不同植被类型条件下土壤温室气体排放也存在较大差异，故而研究添加生物质炭对不同植被类型土壤温室气体排放的影响至关重要。本文综述了添加生物质炭对林地、农田及设施蔬菜土壤中CO₂、CH₄和N₂O排放的影响，探讨了生物质炭对土壤温室气体排放的作用机制。总结发现，不同植被类型土壤添加生物质炭将降低土壤N2O的排放，并且增加土地对CH4的吸收，而对CO₂排放的影响没有统一定论。结合国内外生物质炭在该领域的研究现状，未来需开展生物质炭在土壤温室气体减排领域的长期系统研究，同时应充分考虑使用生物质炭可能存在的潜在环境风险，以期为生物质炭在土壤温室气体减排中的应用提供可靠的科学依...     

玛纳斯河流域不同灌区棉田土壤CO2和N2O排放通量

为探究石河子灌区、新湖总场灌区、莫索湾灌区之间土壤温室气体排放的差异性,通过长期的野外观测及样品采集,采用静态箱—气相色谱法,于2019年棉花出苗期、花铃期、吐絮期对玛纳斯河流域石河子灌区、新湖总场灌区、莫索湾灌区棉田土壤温室气体进行日观测,应用统计学方法,并结合土壤温度、含水量、pH、有机碳、铵态氮、硝态氮等因素分析。结果表明：(1)土壤CO₂和N₂O具有明显的季节变化和日变化,土壤CO₂和N₂O排放通量的峰值出现在花铃期,分别为527.160,1.713 mg/(m²·h)。同时,CO₂排放通量日变化峰值出现在13:00,N₂O排放通量日变化峰值出现在17:00,表现为单峰曲线。2种土壤温室气体在生育期内的排放通量在不同灌区之间有所差异,呈现出新湖总场灌区>莫索湾灌区>石河子灌区。(2)土壤CO₂和N₂O排放通量受温度影响更为显著,土壤CO₂和N     

“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.     

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.     

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.     

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.