中天山北坡垂直带土壤有机碳密度分布特征

以乌鲁木齐河流域为重点研究区,利用实测典型土壤剖面特征数据估算土壤有机碳密度,就剖面有机碳和表层有机碳之间,剖面有机碳、表层有机碳和海拔高度之间,土壤剖面有机碳密度与发生层深度之间以及不同土壤类型土壤有机碳密度的分布特征进行相关分析,结果表明:在中海拔区域,土壤有机碳的密度最大且含量最高。发生层越厚,土壤的发育程度就越高,土壤有机碳密度也就越大,有机碳的含量就越高。全剖面和表层土壤有机碳密度值分别为46.91,13.95 kg/m²。不同土壤类型的土壤有机碳密度存在着显著差异。     

不同土地利用对表层土壤有机碳密度的影响

采用第二次土壤普查资料,研究了安徽省不同土地类型表层土壤的有机碳密度和碳库的特点。结果表明,安徽省平均有机碳密度为(31.64±16.39)tC/hm2,林地土壤表层有机碳密度高于全省表层土壤平均有机碳密度,旱作土壤表层有机碳密度则低于全省平均值。有机碳密度的大小顺序为:林地>水稻土耕层>旱地。安徽省表层土壤有机碳储量分布也表现为:林地>水稻土>旱地。表层土壤有机碳总量达0.28 Pg,其中林地占50%,水稻土占23%,而旱地只占18%。因此,人为利用特点是区域土壤碳库和碳密度的主要影响因素。分析表明:林地、水稻土和旱作土壤表层有机碳量与总氮之间的相关系数(R2)均大于0.78,农田土壤粘粒含量与土壤有机碳固定也有一定关系。     

土地利用变化与长期施肥对黑土有机碳密度的影响

土壤管理方式影响土壤碳库储量,进而影响土壤的源汇功能。该研究通过测定草地(GL)、裸地(BL)、农田无肥(NF)、化肥(NP)和化肥配施有机肥(NPM)处理的有机碳含量和土壤容重,估算了不同土地利用和施肥管理方式下的土壤有机碳密度的变化及农田的固碳潜力。结果表明,土壤有机碳含量表层最高而且变化较大,向下逐渐降低且变化较小。对于不同植被覆盖的3个处理,草地0-20cm土层土壤有机碳含量比裸地和无肥分别高出20.6%和16.4%。对于不同施肥管理方式,化肥有机肥配施土壤有机碳含量比无肥和化肥分别高出25.4%和15.5%,所有处理有机碳含量在160-200cm土层没有显著差异。0-40cm土层及0-100cm土体有机碳密度的变化趋势是NPMGLNPNFBL;40cm以下有机碳储量无规律性变化,表现出较大的变异性,这可能与土壤本身的空间异质性有关。草地100cm土体有机碳储量比裸地和无肥分别增加6.8%和5.7%,裸地和无肥无显著差异;化肥加有机肥100cm土体有机碳储量比化肥和无肥分别增加10.4%和5.9%。经估算,松嫩平原黑土区0-100cm土体有机碳库储量约为1.35Pg,农田有机培肥后碳库储量可达到0.96Pg,其固碳潜力约为0.05Pg。0-100cm土体有机碳密度与0-20cm土层有机碳含量及有机碳密度呈极显著正相关(r=0.99;r=0.97,P0.01),表明土壤表层有机碳含量及密度对0-100cm土壤有机碳库具有决定作用。     

基于三维曲面的山地土壤有机碳储量估算研究——以庐山地区为例

当前区域土壤有机碳(SOC)储量多是基于土壤平面面积进行估算的,其估算结果的误差需要量化评价,尤其在地形复杂区域。本文选择庐山为研究区,基于七个坡度等级样区的二维平面面积及DEM提取的三维曲面面积,得到曲面和平面面积比率(A3D/A2D)与坡度间的量化关系;将庐山地区按高程及其主导土壤类型分为四个区域,结合土壤调查采样数据估算了各区域和整个庐山地区在三维曲面面积和二维平面面积上的土壤有机碳密度(SOCD)和储量,并对比分析了两种面积估算庐山SOC储量结果的差异。结果表明,随着坡度增加,曲面面积与平面面积差异呈指数式增加;从庐山4个高程区域看,坡度最大区域的A3D/A2D值最大,其SOC储量差值比例最高,达到12.13%,坡度最小区域的A3D/A2D值最小,其SOC储量差值比例最小,为6.78%。整个研究区平均坡度为19.55°,其A3D/A2D值为1.10,SOC储量差值比例为9.70%。以上研究表明,地形起伏较大的山地区域,其土层的平面面积与曲面面积有较大差距,对区域土壤碳储量估算有重要影响,计算该地区土壤碳储量时,应充分考虑这种影响,以降低区域碳储量估算的误差。     

松嫩平原玉米带农田土壤有机碳时空格局

该文基于吉林省第二次全国土壤普查省数据、县级土壤剖面资料和2003－2006年实测数据,估算了不同土壤类型农田表层土壤有机碳密度和储量,并对近25年来土壤有机碳时空变化特征及其原因进行分析。结果表明,总体上松嫩平原玉米带农田土壤有机碳密度和储量呈增加趋势。其中,碱土、暗棕壤、黑土和草甸土的土壤有机碳密度增幅分别达33%（4.16 kg/m2）,23.05%（3.79 kg/m2）、16.51%（3.74 kg/m2）和12.20%（3.77 kg/m2）;相反,黑钙土有机碳密度下降幅度达30.79%（2.18 kg/m2）。两时期土壤有机碳密度的空间分布格局基本一致,呈中部高、边缘低的趋势,但25年间土壤有机碳含量变化与1980年初始含量呈显著负相关（r＝-0.615**,P＜0.01）,且4.04 kg/m2是土壤有机碳上升或下降的临界值。根据West等提出的土壤碳汇潜力估算方法,如果保持1980年土地利用方式和传统的栽培耕作措施不变的情况下,松嫩平原玉米带农田土壤有机碳的碳汇潜力为0.33 Tg/a。     

上海市绿地表层土壤有机碳储量的估算

本文调查了上海市472个绿地土壤样点,通过对其土壤有机碳含量、密度等指标进行测定分析,最终估算出上海市绿地土壤表层有机碳储量,同时为预测上海市未来十几年的碳库变化提供数据支撑。研究结果表明:①上海市绿地表层(0～20 cm)土壤有机碳空间分异性较大,土壤有机碳含量和密度表现为西高东低,且自中心向四周逐渐增高。②不同绿地类型土壤有机碳含量大小依次为:公园绿地公共绿地道路绿地;有机碳密度的大小依次为:公共绿地公园绿地道路绿地。不同绿地类型土壤有机碳含量和密度差异显著,其中,城区不同绿地类型土壤有机碳含量和密度差异显著(P0.05),但郊区不同绿地类型土壤有机碳含量和密度差异不显著(P0.05)。③2015年上海市绿地表层土壤有机碳储量约为4.26×106 t。预计到2035年,上海市绿地表层土壤有机碳储量约可达到1.53×107 t。     

30年来东北主要黑土区耕层土壤有机碳密度与储量动态变化研究

运用GIS和地统计学相结合的方法,通过对全国第二次土壤普查时期(1980年)、2000年、2011年研究区三期采样数据的比较,研究了东北主要黑土区海伦、双城、公主岭三个县(市)不同时期的土壤有机碳密度与储量,并分析了30年来研究区土壤有机碳密度与储量在时间与空间的变化情况。研究表明:海伦、双城和公主岭过去30年间土壤有机碳密度分别下降了0.68 kg m-2、0.18 kg m-2和1.05 kg m-2;储量分别下降了0.23×1010kg、0.05×1010kg和0.18×1010kg。海伦、双城前20年有机碳密度下降速率较快,后10年趋向平稳并略微增长,公主岭有机碳密度在研究期的30年内仍处于快速下降阶段。按照土类统计,1980年与2011年两个时期研究区的有机碳密度与储量,结果表明几乎所有土壤类型的有机碳密度与储量均出现下降,有机碳密度降幅最大的为棕壤(下降1.95 kg m-2),有机碳储量降幅最大为黑土(下降0.29×1010kg)。     

黑龙江地区不同类型水稻土有机碳、氮含量及其密度研究

结合第二次全国土壤普查(1979年)-黑龙江省水稻土分布及其相关数据,2011年采取调查取样与室内分析的方法,研究了黑龙江地区4种类型(黑土型、白浆土型、草甸土型和沼泽土型)水稻土表层有机碳、氮含量及其密度的状况。结果表明:目前(2011年)4种类型水稻土表层平均有机碳、氮含量范围分别为21.18±7.27~30.91±9.99 g kg-1、1.83±0.44~2.49±0.74 g kg-1,表层平均有机碳、氮密度范围分别为5.32±1.42~6.95±0.98 kg m-2、0.46±0.07~0.56±0.08 kg m-2,其中沼泽土型水稻土表层有机碳、氮含量及其密度最大,黑土型则最小;沼泽土型与黑土型水稻土之间表层有机碳、氮含量及其密度差异均达1%显著水平,与草甸土型水稻土之间表层有机碳、氮含量差异均达1%显著水平,其有机碳、氮密度差异均达5%显著水平,与白浆土型水稻土之间表层有机碳及其密度差异达1%显著水平。与第二次全国土壤普查的相关数据相比较,黑龙江地区4种类型水稻土表层有机质(碳)、氮含量呈现明显下降趋势,但其表层有机碳、氮含量及其密度仍处于较高水平。     

基于多元分析的岷江下游土壤有机碳密度空间分布及影响因素研究

采用传统统计、灰色关联度、逐步回归和通径分析相结合的多元分析方法对岷江下游1 138个样点的表层(0~20 cm)土壤有机碳密度及其影响因素进行研究。结果表明,该区表层土壤有机碳密度在0.89~6.49 kg/m2之间,均值为3.24 kg/m2。其在空间上呈不规则的斑块状分布,具中等空间相关性,表现出中部浅丘区高而西北和东部高丘区低的分布趋势。土地利用类型、土壤酸碱度(p H)、成土母质、地貌类型、坡度和土壤质地均是影响土壤有机碳密度的主要因素。其中,土地利用类型、p H、地貌类型、坡度和土壤质地与有机碳密度呈极显著相关。灰色关联度的分析表明与土壤有机碳密度关联最为密切的是地貌类型,其次是p H和成土母质,逐步回归和通径分析的结果均表明地貌类型是最主要因素,成土母质和p H次之。综合比较以上方法,得出地貌类型、成土母质和p H为影响岷江下游研究区表层土壤有机碳密度的主要因素。     

江苏表层土壤有机碳密度和储量估算和空间分布分析

基于1:50万的江苏土壤图和江苏土壤的数据,运用地理信息系统技术,对江苏表层土壤有机碳密度及储量做出估算,并且分析了土壤有机碳密度的空间分布差异。结果表明:土壤有机碳密度介于4.2kgm-2到20.32kgm-2之间,土壤有机碳储量为673892.8×106kg;土壤有机碳密度具有高度的空间变异性,兴化、南通和无锡的有机碳密度最高,沿海地区的有机碳密度比较高,最低的为淮阴及其附近地区。     

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.