城镇化人为扰动下垫面类型影响水源涵养功能的评价

城镇化引起的各种人为扰动地貌单元的水源涵养功能较原地貌明显降低是造成城市水土流失的主要原因,在降雨和排水管网设计能力一定条件下,也是加剧城市内涝的主要原因。该文采用野外调查、室内物理分析及AHP(analytic hierarchy process)层次分析综合评价法,系统地分析了各种人为地貌单元的物质组成和持水性能变化并综合评价了其对原地貌水源涵养功能的影响特征。结果表明:1)各种扰动地貌单元2 mm土体颗粒质量分数在45%以上,原地貌2 mm土壤颗粒质量分数在92%以上;扰动地貌不均匀系数和曲率系数分别在11.05~41.30和0.32~3.15之间变化,其中不均匀系数较原地貌减小了4.51%~80.27%;各种扰动地貌单元土壤容重为施工便道(1.74 g/cm3)边坡绿化带(1.54 g/cm3)1 a弃渣堆积体(1.48 g/cm3)2 a弃渣堆积体(1.34 g/cm3)3 a弃渣堆积体(1.31 g/cm3),比坡耕地依次增加33.85%、18.46%、13.85%、3.08%和0.77%;扰动地貌的土壤总孔隙度、土壤田间持水量和饱和含水量则表现出相反趋势。2)人为扰动地貌单元土壤入渗性能总体小于原地貌单元,而原地貌土壤稳定入渗率则在2.83~6.22 mm/min之间变化;当项目区林地转化为新弃渣堆积体时对降雨和城市洪水动态调节功能影响最大,转化为施工便道时影响最小;人为扰动地貌单元土壤水库总库容、兴利库容和滞洪库容总体低于原地貌,当项目区草地转化为施工便道时对土壤持水能力及调蓄地表径流能力危害最大。3)各种扰动地貌单元水源涵养能力明显小于原地貌单元,以施工便道(0.421)最差,林地最好(0.651);在城镇化过程中应重视城镇水面、林草地的空间分布及占地面积,对短期松散堆积体也最好进行临时绿化措施。4)加强对扰动地貌物质组成、大孔隙结构和降雨-径流-入渗连续性定位研究,同时关注各扰动地貌在不同压实条件下土壤水库蓄水性能对项目区雨洪过程线和排水系统的影响。研究结果可为城市水土保持生态服务功能恢复、城市绿化带建设和洪水内涝缓解提供科学依据。     

水电站弃渣场岩土侵蚀人工模拟降雨试验研究

在金安桥水电站选定渣场弃渣颗粒径级分析基础上,用人工模拟降雨方法,对弃渣堆积平台和边坡的岩土侵蚀特征进行了研究,结果显示:(1)堆积弃渣颗粒在剔除>2 cm石块后,粒径>4 mm弃渣颗粒占48.42%,比原地貌表层土壤大13.64%,而原地貌表层土壤中粒径<0.25 mm颗粒占15.81%,弃渣中相同径级的颗粒占8.56%。(2)一次降雨过程中,弃渣堆积平台径流量最大,是原地貌荒草地的2.27倍,弃渣堆积坡面径流量最小,仅为原地貌荒草地的45.5%。(3)一次降雨过程中,弃渣堆积平台和坡面的初始含沙率均低于植被条件较差的原地貌荒草地的含沙率,达到稳定含沙率时,弃渣坡面的含沙率与原地貌荒草地接近,而渣场堆积平台的含沙率远低于原地貌荒草地。(4)一次降雨过程中,相同时段内的产沙总量原地貌荒草地最大,弃渣堆积平台次之,弃渣堆积坡面最小。(5)弃渣场岩土侵蚀过程中,产流量与产沙量之间呈显著的幂函数关系。     

不同植被恢复年限弃渣场入渗性能研究

为科学预测弃渣场水土流失量及评价其植被恢复效应,采用双环入渗法研究了不同植被恢复年限的弃渣场平台及边坡处的入渗特征,结果表明:不同植被恢复年限的弃渣土体容重、有机质含量及毛管孔隙度均随植被恢复年限的增加而增大,植被恢复从1年变化到2年,其容重差异在0.07~0.14 g/cm~3之间;弃渣入渗过程大致存在入渗率迅速降低(9 min内)、缓慢降低(10~60 min)和趋于稳定(60 min后)三个阶段;平台处的稳定入渗率随植被恢复年限的增加呈先增加后减小趋势,而边坡处的稳定入渗率则随植被恢复年限的增加呈先减小后增加趋势;Horton模型对弃土弃渣入渗过程拟合的相关系数最大(平均0.923),是反映其入渗过程的适宜模型。     

生产建设项目弃渣场物理性质变化特征及类型划分

各种生产建设项目在建设过程中产生的大量弃土弃渣场,由于其失去了原生土壤的结构且具有较陡的松散堆积面,是人为水土流失的主要地貌单元。以重庆典型生产建设项目弃渣场为研究对象,在分析弃土弃渣物理力学性质变化特征基础上,划分了弃渣场类型并分析其生态修复特征。结果表明:1)不同生产建设项目弃土弃渣物质组成特征差异明显,矿产资源开发建设工程物质组成复杂,砂粒(2 mm)含量为39.24%;线性建设工程以石砂质渣体居多,而城镇建设工程弃渣以土质弃渣为主。2)与原状土壤相比,弃土弃渣受人为机械扰动而其物理力学性质特征显著;紫色土弃渣平均紧实度(1.86 g/cm3)远大于原状土壤(1.27 g/cm3),渗透性(0.28~26.03 mm/min)高于原状土壤(0.73~6.22 mm/min),抗剪强度和液塑限指数相比土壤也明显降低,直接影响其自身稳定性和抗侵蚀性能。3)在生产中可根据弃渣场物质组成、原地貌类型、上游有无汇水面积进行类型划分,并以堆放方式作为主要依据评价弃土弃渣堆积体的土壤侵蚀特征和稳定性。     

生产建设项目弃土弃渣与林地土壤入渗特征分析

针对弃土弃渣物质组成复杂、结构混乱、养分含量较低的特点,采用野外双环入渗方法对不同堆置年限弃土弃渣水分入渗性能进行了研究。结果表明:与桑树林地相比,弃土弃渣土石混合不均匀导致其孔隙结构较差,土壤总孔隙度、毛管孔隙度均显著小于林地;桑树林地与弃土弃渣入渗过程最大的差异在于初始入渗阶段,此阶段弃土弃渣入渗率下降迅速并呈波动性减少趋势,且入渗特征与土体疏松多孔的结构特征、自然含水率和容重关系密切;最大持水量表现为桑树林地Ld(116.37 t/hm2)>堆置3年弃土弃渣L3a(106.77 t/hm2)>堆置1年弃土弃渣L1a(103.98 t/hm2),非毛管持水量表现为Ld(82.65 t/hm2)>L3a(51.74 t/hm2)>L1a(43.22 t/hm2),林地的水源涵养功能明显强于弃土弃渣,而L3a土壤持水性能要高于L1a。     

水电站工程弃渣场土壤侵蚀规律研究

采用现场调查和定位观测等方法,对金安桥水电站工程弃渣场弃渣容重、粒径组成,原地貌和渣场绿化边坡、弃渣场松散堆积物边坡以及堆积平台和运渣道路的土壤侵蚀量进行了研究.结果显示:①弃渣场不同部位的渣土容重均值分别为1.70 g/cm3、1.30g/cm3和0.96g/cm3;②弃渣颗粒在剔除＞ 2cm石块后,粒径＞4mm的弃...     

水电工程建设对土壤理化性质的影响研究——以金安桥水电站为例

为研究水电工程建设对土壤理化性质的影响,选取金安桥水电站重塑地貌2^#弃渣场和3^#弃渣场的土壤为研究对象,未受工程施工扰动的灌草丛、林地和农田的原地貌土壤作为对照,对土壤理化性质进行测定,结果显示：①土壤容重为重塑地貌大于其原地貌;②总孔隙度和毛管孔隙度为原地貌高于其重塑地貌,非毛管孔隙度则相反;③重塑地貌2^#和3^#渣场的表层渣体粒径都较粗,〉5mm粒径的颗粒组成百分比就达到64．53％和65．11％,比例不合理,而原地貌农田的土壤粒径组成基本呈正态分布;④土壤有机质、全氮、水解氮、速效钾含量均为原地貌大于重塑地貌,而全磷、速效磷含量则相反。研究结果表明水电工程建设对土壤理化性质影响较大。     

不同恢复年限弃渣场入渗特征研究与评价

为分析弃渣场入渗性能及其植被恢复效应,采用野外双环入渗和主成分分析方法,分析和评价不同恢复年限弃渣场入渗特征。结果表明:(1)弃渣场恢复年限2个月(P1),2a(P2),4a(P3)和桑树林地(P4)的初始入渗率依次为11.32,9.34,15.84,19.38mm/min,稳定入渗率为4.64,3.62,6.71,7.81mm/min;桑树林地的稳定入渗率为3个弃渣场的1.68,2.16,1.16倍;(2)Kastiakov模型的拟合效果优于通用经验模型、Philip模型和Horton模型,其决定系数为0.905~0.956;(3)入渗特征值与土壤容重,20~5mm,5~2mm颗粒含量呈显著负相关(p0.05),与非毛管孔隙度、有机质含量和2~0.075 mm颗粒含量呈显著(p0.05)或极显著(p0.01)正相关;(4)主成分分析评价的土壤入渗能力排序依次为P4(2.398)P3(0.792)P1(-1.104)P2(-2.089);随着恢复年限的增加,弃渣场入渗性能得到较好的改善且接近桑树林地。     

不同植被恢复年限弃渣场边坡土壤物理性质特征

研究不同植被恢复年限弃渣场土壤侵蚀物理性质特征,可为生产建设项目弃渣场水土流失防治及植被恢复提供理论基础。本文以重庆市典型弃渣场为研究对象,采用野外调查及室内综合分析等方法研究不同恢复年限弃渣场的边坡不同部位土壤物理性质特征。结果表明:不同恢复年限弃渣的细小颗粒(0.25mm)含量差异较大,其随着时间的增加呈先减小后增加的趋势;随着恢复年限增加,弃渣容重呈减小的趋势,2月弃渣容重在1.48~1.64 g/cm3,4年弃渣容重可达1.20~1.40 g/cm3,而弃渣场不同坡位的总孔隙度均与土壤容重呈反比;土壤水分含量明显增大,4年弃渣边坡的自然含水率为2月和2年弃渣的2倍左右,田间持水量也以4年弃渣最大,其平台及边坡的平均持水量为22.26%;在植物根系及其枯落物作用下,弃渣边坡土壤物理性质得到改善,其增强了边坡稳定性。     

采石废弃地弃渣与农田土混合土壤粒径特征及水文效应

探究弃渣与农田土不同混合比例下重构土体粒径特征和水文效应的差异,对于提高采石废弃地重构土体的结构稳定、水资源高效利用以及资源利用化具有重要意义。以采石场弃渣和农田土为重构基质,以0∶10(C₁),3∶7(C₂),5∶5(C₃),7∶3(C₄),10∶0(C₅)体积比例混合,采用野外土柱模拟方法,探究不同配比下土壤粒径特征和水文效应的差异。结果表明:(1)不同配比下弃渣含量越高,砂粒比重越大、黏粒和粉粒比重越小,砂粒比重最大为61.50%,分散度、偏度、峰态等群体特征参数变化分别为降低、升高、升高,不均匀系数显著降低,曲率系数在1~3波动,分形维数呈不显著降低趋势,土体结构朝不稳定方向变化。(2)混合土壤弃渣含量增大会引起容重变大、毛管孔隙和总孔隙数量减少、非毛管孔隙数量增加等土壤孔隙方面以及田间持水、毛管持水、饱和持水三者下降等土壤持水性能方面的变化,同时,初始入渗、稳定入渗、平均入渗等速率变化以及累计入渗量基本呈增加趋势,稳渗用时呈波动式变化。不同配比下土壤入渗模型拟合R²≥0.856,RRMSE≤0.153,整体上模型拟合效果较好,灰色关联分析结果表明,C₅入渗性能最好。(3)弃渣∶农田土以3∶7体积比例混合后的土壤在粒径结构和水文效应2个方面评价结果中表现最佳。[JP]     

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.