人工降雨条件下不同坡度和降雨强度对聚丙烯酰胺控制紫色土磷素流失的影响

通过模拟降雨试验研究不同坡度和降雨强度条件下,施用聚丙烯酰胺(PAM)对紫色土磷素流失的影响。结果表明:在控制径流上,施用PAM对较大坡度效果比缓坡明显(p<0.05),随坡度增加壤中流产流时间提前、流量增大。同时,坡耕地表面径流量和流速变化可能存在临界坡度范围(15°～20°),当坡度超过临界范围时,流速和流量反而减小。在磷素流失控制上,施用PAM对大坡度控制效果比小坡度显著(p<0.01)。施用PAM后,紫色土坡地表面径流量和径流速率均随降雨强度增大而增大,而径流中TP浓度逐渐减少,在中等雨强(34mm/h)时,PAM对紫色土磷素流失控制效果最好,其总磷(TP)流失量分别为低雨强(17mm/h)和大雨强(84mm/h)的77.37%和40.22%。由降雨径流量和磷输出的关系发现,雨强对TP浓度随径流量的变化趋势有一定影响,但影响较小;坡度对TP浓度的变化趋势基本没有影响。     

太湖流域典型蔬菜地磷流失因素的交互效应模型研究

本文通过野外径流小区试验,采用人工模拟降雨,研究了雨强、施磷水平、坡度以及植被覆盖度对菜地土壤磷素径流流失的影响.在此基础上,结合二次通用旋转组合设计方法,构建了土壤TP和PP浓度与雨强、施磷量和坡度之间关系的回归模型,并对各因子之间的交互作用进行了分析.结果表明,雨强、施磷量和坡度的增加,从而增加了土壤侵蚀,促进了径流中TP、DP和PP的流失;而小白菜在不同的生长期内,随着植被覆盖度的增加,产流历时延长,径流量减少,但与各形态磷流失浓度之间没有发现明显的相关关系.双因素交互效应表明,雨强和施磷量、施磷量和坡度以及雨强和坡度对径流中TP和PP浓度的影响存在一个值域,即降雨强度在中小雨强0.83～1.17mm·min-1,施磷量处在不施磷和低施磷≤30kg· hm-2,坡度为0°和3 °.低于这个值域时,其交互效应对径流中TP和PP浓度的影响不明显,高于这个值域时则都表现协同促进作用.因此,在农田管理上,应尽量采取措施削弱交互效应的协同促进作用,进而减弱土壤磷素径流流失对水环境的影响.     

雨强和坡度对黄土坡面土壤侵蚀及氮磷流失的影响

采用人工模拟降雨的手段,在2种雨强(50,75mm/h)、4种坡度(5°,10°,15°,20°)条件下,研究了雨强和坡度对黄土坡面土壤侵蚀和养分流失的影响。结果表明:(1)降雨强度从50mm/h增大到75mm/h,相同坡度的坡面开始产流时间提前了2.75~4.79min。(2)随着雨强的增大,同一坡度的坡面径流量增加了12.53~15.80mm/m2,增加幅度为1.24~1.31倍;同一坡度的坡面产沙量增加了0.47~3.61kg/m2,增加幅度为0.77~2.90倍。坡面侵蚀过程中,存在临界坡度,为15°左右。(3)氮素流失以径流流失为主,泥沙中总氮的流失量较低,仅占径流总氮流失量的1.4%~9.7%。坡度较小时,磷素流失途径以径流流失为主,随着坡度的增加,磷素的流失途径以泥沙流失为主。(4)径流总氮流失浓度与径流强度呈线性正相关,泥沙总氮和总磷流失浓度与产沙率也分别呈显著的线性正相关。     

模拟降雨条件下不同砾石含量工程边坡土壤侵蚀及水动力学特征

[目的]探究砾石含量对急陡工程边坡土壤侵蚀及流水力学特征的影响。[方法]采用室内模拟降雨试验和人工制备土壤等方法,研究了在3种降雨强度(40,60,80 mm/h),5种砾石含量(3%,15%,35%,55%,75%)条件下50°工程边坡土壤侵蚀率变化特征以及土壤侵蚀率与各水动力学参数的关系。[结果]①40,60,80 mm/h雨强下,各砾石含量坡面径流率较土质坡面分别减少了10.1%～55.9%,13.9%～41.9%,19.6%～47.7%;径流剪切力、径流功率、过水断面单位能分别与砾石含量呈显著递减的线性函数、指数函数、幂函数关系。②坡面侵蚀率随着砾石含量的增加而减小,不同试验雨强下侵蚀率大小及变化过程具有明显差异。当雨强为40 mm/h时,坡面整体产沙率较低,随降雨过程整体呈现出缓慢增加的趋势;当雨强为60 mm/h时,不同砾石含量下侵蚀率迅速增加后呈波浪式缓慢上升或平稳下降的趋势;当雨强为80 mm/h时,砾石含量为3%条件下,坡面侵蚀率迅速增长后增速降低,当砾石含量大于15%时,边坡侵蚀率达到峰值后均开始缓慢下降。③工程边坡土壤侵蚀率与径流率、径流剪切力、径流功率、过水断面单位能均呈显著线性函数、对数函数、幂函数关系。[结论]工程边坡土壤中的砾石具有抗侵蚀作用,随着砾石含量的增多,坡面土壤侵蚀量和各水动力学参数均明显降低。     

三峡库区不同坡度石灰土坡耕地磷素流失特征

[目的]研究石灰土坡耕地在不同坡度下的磷素流失规律,以期为三峡库区农业面源污染的防治和水资源保护提供基础数据。[方法]在三峡库区香溪河流域坡耕地修建径流小区进行原位人工降雨试验,在雨强1.5mm/min时,分析10°,15°和20°这3种坡度下坡耕地的径流量、泥沙浓度,以及地表径流中总磷、颗粒态磷,泥沙中总磷、速效磷浓度的变化趋势,并对径流泥沙进行无机磷分级试验。[结果]坡度越大,地表径流量、径流总量、泥沙流失量越大,初始产流时间越短,但坡度对径流中泥沙流失浓度的影响不显著;不同坡度下径流中总磷(TP)、颗粒态磷(PP)浓度都随着产流时间逐渐变小最后趋于平衡,其中径流中TP主要以PP形式流失,达到80%以上;泥沙中磷素流失主要以无机态磷为主,无机磷分级试验表明被植物高效利用的有效态磷和缓效态磷占无机磷总量的54.1%~57.8%。[结论]坡度主要通过影响地表径流总量和径流携带的泥沙总量而影响磷素流失总量,石灰土坡耕地磷素流失主要以径流泥沙携带为主。     

模拟降雨条件下秦岭北麓土壤磷素流失特征

以秦岭北麓竹峪地区为研究区域,采用模拟人工降雨的试验方法,研究了不同坡度(5°,10°)和不同降雨强度(1.1,1.3,1.5mm/min)下该区域田地土壤磷素流失过程规律。结果表明:降雨强度能够影响径流中溶解态磷(DP)的含量,但二者之间并非呈线性关系;相比于幂函数而言,指数函数模型更适合模拟秦岭北麓竹峪地区土壤径流溶解态磷(DP)浓度变化过程(R~20.75);降雨初期,泥沙中(STP)含量相对较高,但随着降雨的延续其浓度会有所下降,并最终保持在一个较稳定的水平上;泥沙全磷(STP)的流失速率随着降雨时间以幂函数的形式逐渐递减,同时发现泥沙全磷(STP)的流失速率与土壤流失速率之间存在着明显的线性关系(R~2=0.92),说明养分流失量累积过程与产沙过程一致,可以利用土壤侵蚀状况来进一步预测养分流失状况。     

坡面氮素流失的坡度和雨强效应模拟研究

为了研究坡面径流和壤中流中全氮(TN)的流失特征,探索坡度和雨强对TN流失的影响,以风化花岗岩母质发育的土壤为研究对象,选定坡度(5°,8°,15°,25°)和降雨强度(60,90,120,150mm/h)作为可变量,采用原状土搬迁的方式,在室内设计的径流槽上进行人工模拟降雨试验,设计试验降雨时长为坡面径流产流后90min,壤中流水样收集延续直至无出流为止。结果表明:(1)坡面径流TN流失浓度在产流初期快速下降,随雨强的减小或坡度的增大而增大,产流后期浓度趋于稳定且差距不大。(2)壤中流TN流失浓度均明显高于坡面径流,其流失过程规律为"上升—下降—略有上升—平稳",总体上随雨强的减小或坡度的增大而增大。(3)坡面径流和壤中流的TN流失量均随雨强或坡度的增大而增大。壤中流是坡面TN流失的主要途径,流失比例可达91.26%~99.61%。坡面径流中TN流失量占坡面TN总流失量的比例随雨强的增大而增大。(4)雨强、流量与坡面径流、壤中流TN总流失量均呈极显著正相关,而坡度只与壤中流TN总流失量呈显著正相关。(5)在雨强90mm/h与120mm/h之间存在一个临界雨强,超过这个临界雨强,坡面径流TN流失量及其占总流失量的比例都会大幅上升。     

极端暴雨下裸地坡面径流及壤中流中碳素输移特征

采用人工模拟降雨的方法,研究了不同雨强(90、120、150mm·h~(-1))和坡度(5°、8°、15°、25°)条件下,南方风化花岗岩母质土壤红土层裸地降雨坡面径流和壤中流中总碳(Total carbon,TC)的流失量及流失过程,并分析了雨强和坡度对TC流失量的影响。结果表明,在坡面径流中,坡度和雨强的增大对碳素质量浓度变化过程影响较小,且流失率曲线与质量浓度曲线呈极显著相关关系,TC流失率变化主要受质量浓度的影响;在壤中流中,TC质量浓度曲线呈现出迅速上升达到最大值后缓慢下降直至平稳的趋势;在试验条件范围内,各坡度条件下,随着雨强的增大,坡面径流中TC流失量增大,而壤中流中TC流失量减小;在大雨强下,坡面径流中TC流失量与坡度没有明显的线性关系,而随着雨强的增大,坡度与壤中流中TC流失量线性关系明显增加;在试验雨强和坡度下,雨强对TC流失总量和坡面径流中TC流失量的影响较坡度更显著,而在壤中流中坡度的影响则更显著。径流中碳素流失量与雨强、坡度及场降雨径流总量之间均有明显的线性关系,R~20.800。结果可为我国南方风化花岗岩母质土壤裸坡径流中TC单位面积流失量的估算提供依据。     

侵蚀性风化花岗岩坡地壤中流携氮磷流失动态模拟

[目的]探究侵蚀环境下,风化花岗岩残积坡地土壤氮磷流失特征以及坡面径流和壤中流携带氮磷流失的强度和贡献率,为不同侵蚀环境及生态环境脆弱条件下,坡地氮磷流失规律的试验研究及防治提供理论依据。[方法]采用原状土搬迁,室内人工模拟降雨的方法,设计2个坡度(8°和25°),5个降雨强度(30,60,90,120,150mm/min),通过坡度与雨强的多重组合试验,在测试浓度与径流量分析的基础上,研究氮磷流失强度及在坡面径流和壤中流中的分配。[结果](1)在强烈侵蚀的坡地,土壤结构性较差,漏水漏肥现象严重,壤中流随携带的氮磷流失比重很大,壤中流携带的TN流失量均占到总流失量的90%以上,TP稍次之;(2)TN随径流的流失量远大于TP的流失量,径流中TN与TP总流失量的比值最高能达到160倍;(3)雨强对氮磷流失量的影响大于坡度的影响,径流量的影响大于浓度的影响。(4)雨强对氮磷流失的影响存在2个转折,在60mm/min附近存在一个蓄满产流和超渗产流的雨强分界,在90mm/min左右,出现一个侵蚀性雨强的转折。[结论]强烈的侵蚀影响土壤养分的流失方式及流失通道的比配,壤中流所携带氮磷流失所占比重很大,进而会影响到地下水的污染问题,加强残积土母质坡地土壤的侵蚀防治,是地表水和地下水面源污染控制及土壤养分流失减少的根本。     

极端暴雨下裸地坡面径流及壤中流中碳素输移特征

采用人工模拟降雨的方法,研究了不同雨强(90、120、150 mm?h^-1)和坡度(5°、8°、15°、25°)条件下,南方风化花岗岩母质土壤红土层裸地降雨坡面径流和壤中流中总碳(Total carbon，TC)的流失量及流失过程,并分析了雨强和坡度对TC流失量的影响。结果表明，在坡面径流中，坡度和雨强的增大对碳素质量浓度变化过程影响较小，且流失率曲线与质量浓度曲线呈极显著相关关系，TC流失率变化主要受质量浓度的影响；在壤中流中，TC质量浓度曲线呈现出迅速上升达到最大值后缓慢下降直至平稳的趋势；在试验条件范围内，各坡度条件下，随着雨强的增大，坡面径流中TC流失量增大，而壤中流中TC流失量减小；在大雨强下，坡面径流中TC流失量与坡度没有明显的线性关系，而随着雨强的增大，坡度与壤中流中TC流失量线性关系明显增加；在试验雨强和坡度下，雨强对TC流失总量和坡面径流中TC流失量的影响较坡度更显著，而在壤中流中坡度的影响则更显著。径流中碳素流失量与雨强、坡度及场降雨径流总量之间均有明显的线性关系, R²＞0.800。结果可为我国南方风化花岗岩母质土壤裸坡径流中TC单位面积流失量的估算提供依据。     

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.     

“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。     

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     

低氮和干旱胁迫对富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的影响

【目的】以富士（Fuji）、 秦冠（Qinguan）嫁接在平邑甜茶（Malus hupehensis Rehd.）上的当年生盆栽苗为试验材料,采用砂培方法,研究了缺氮胁迫和干旱对富士和秦冠生长情况、 光合参数、 植株各部位氮磷钾含量及氮素利用效率的影响,分析比较了低氮干旱条件下富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的差异,以期为果树生产高效肥水利用提供理论指导。【方法】试验共设四个处理: 正常氮正常水（ZZ）、 低氮正常水（DZ）、 正常氮干旱（ZG）、 低氮干旱（DG）。氮素和水分均设置两个水平,分别为正常氮（6 mmol/L NO-3-N）、 低氮（0.3 mmol/LNO-3-N）、 正常供水（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的80%~85%）、 干旱处理（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的60%~65%）。【结果】富士和秦冠的生物量（茎和叶）、 株高茎粗等生长指标以及光合速率、 气孔导度、 蒸腾速率均为正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）,并且相对应处理下秦冠的以上指标均高于富士;正常供水下,缺氮处理使富士、 秦冠的根冠比比正常氮处理均有所增加,富士提高了2.05%,秦冠提高了22.40%。富士和秦冠的氮、 磷、 钾含量均表现出正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）; 氮、 钾元素含量在植株各部位的分布顺序依次是叶＞根＞茎,磷元素则是根＞叶＞茎;光合氮素利用效率（PNUE）和氮素利用效率表现为秦冠处理之间差异极显著,富士处理之间差异不显著;秦冠的PNUE和NUE明显高于富士,在低氮正常水（DZ）处理下,秦冠氮肥利用率比富士高42.07%,在低氮干旱（DG）处理下高64.14%;低氮胁迫下富士和秦冠的NUE显著提高,并且秦冠提高的幅度高于富士。【结论】施用氮肥能够显著提高富士与秦冠的干物质量,同等水肥条件下,秦冠生长优于富士;水分亏缺会减少叶片对氮的吸收,干旱条件下适度增施氮肥,可提高果树的抗旱能力;低氮干旱胁迫下秦冠的生长指标、 光合指标及氮素利用效率指标均优于富士,表现出较强的抗低氮干旱胁迫的能力。     

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.     

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.     

Pasture Vegetation Elemental Analysis by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a new technique for the analysis of plant material. This study investigates the application of LIBS to pasture-based plant samples. The LIBS measurements were obtained from pelletized pasture samples (100 samples) that had been also analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) following microwave digestion for calibration and comparison purposes. Comparisons for elements sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), boron (B), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) showed that LIBS could be used for almost all the standard profile total elements with concentrations down to low mg/kg levels (observed error of Na: 0.024 percent, K: 0.18 percent, Mg: 0.016 percent, Ca: 0.073 percent, P: 0.017 percent, Mn: 31 mg/kg, Fe: 150 mg/kg, Zn: 6.6 mg/kg, and B: 1.1 mg/kg). Elemental analysis at less than mg/kg levels was not possible using LIBS. The elements S and Cu were particularly difficult to analyze with reliability using LIBS at the concentration levels found in the plant samples. Replacing microwave digestion and subsequent ICP analysis with a direct analysis of dried plant samples using LIBS has the potential to improve the productivity and reduce the cost of testing.     

Short-term variation in the concentration of selected ions within individual tropical rainstorms

Rainwater was collected at the campus of the University of Brunei Darussalam in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, using a funnel-in-bottle sampler. Polypropylene bottles were changed at intervals during rainstorm events. The pH and conductivity were determined immediately after collection on aliquots of the sample. Samples were refrigerated at 5°C for subsequent chemical analysis. Analyses for Na, Mg, Ca, Zn and Fe were carried out by means of inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES); Cu and Mn were analysed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAAS); K was analysed using flame atomic emission spectroscopy (FAES); and Cl^–, NO₃ ^– and SO₄ ^2– were analysed by ion chromatography (IC). Concentration versus time profiles are reported for three rainstorm events. All ions exhibited a decrease in concentration during the rainstorm. The first sample contained the highest concentration of ions, consistent with a first-flush effect. The contribution of the initial stages of the shower to the total quantity of ion deposited during the entire rainstorm is quite overwhelming; in many cases 20 to 30% of the mass was deposited in less than 5% of rainstorm duration. On the other hand, the pH and conductivity variation during rainstorms did not exhibit a consistent pattern.     

Leaf litter selection by detritivore and geophagous earthworms

Summary Litterbag experiments with 10 different kinds of leaf litter showed that detritivore (Lumbricus species) and geophagous (Aporrectodea species) earthworms prefer certain litter types over others, since different numbers of worms were found below the litter after 50–52 days of exposure in a pasture. The detritivores preferred Fraxinus, Tilia, and predecomposed Ulmus and Fagus litter to Fagus litter and paper, while geophages preferred Tilia litter to Alnus and Ulmus litter, so that the two groups of earthworms showed different preferences. The detritivores seemed to be more selective than the geophages. The palatability of the litter was examined in relation to the C: N ratio, the lignin concentration and the initial and final polyphenol concentration. The numbers of detritivores were significantly correlated with the C: N ratio and the final polyphenol concentration, so that selection of litter seems to be related to palatability. The numbers of geophages were not significantly correlated with any of the parameters for palatability. The disappearance of litter after 50–52 days appeared to be due to detritivore activity, since the numbers found below the litter were positively and significantly correlated with the litter disappearance. There was no significant correlation with geophage activity. This indicates that detritivores use litter as food, and therefore influence the composition of the litter layer.     

The 5S rRNA gene diversity in the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Secale</Emphasis> and determination of its closest haplomes

We analyzed 127 rDNA sequences (5S DNA units) obtained from 23 seed accession samples from more or less 10 taxa in wild and cultivated rye, genus Secale L. The sequences fell into two known groups, here assigned to two unit classes, viz. long R1 and short R1 (designations to reflect on R haplome of rye). The different taxa could not be fully differentiated based on the 5S DNA units. We searched for 5S DNA sequences from known unit classes most closely similar to the long R1 and the short R1. One set with the long R1 unit class contained sequences of the long P1 unit class from Agropyron (P haplome) and from Kengyilia (StYP haplome), long J1 from Thinopyrum (J haplome), whereas the set with the short R1 included the long S1 from Pseudoroegneria (St haplome) and Kengyilia (StYP haplome), the short J1 from Thinopyrum (J haplome) and the short V1 from Dasypyrum (V haplome). Each of the two sets was analyzed separately by maximum likelihood (ML) phylogenetic analysis from which we were able to infer that the 5S DNA units of Secale differentiated in a non-clock fashion and followed the HKY substitution model in the gene tree with the long R1 unit class and the HKY + G in the gene tree with the short R1 unit class. A complementary Bayesian analysis yielded identical tree topologies to the ML ones for each of the two sequence sets. In the tree with the long R1 units the long P1 and long J1 unit classes were closest to the long R1 unit class, whereas in the tree with the short R1 units the long S1 and short J1 unit classes were closest to the short R1 unit class, indicating possibly a close relationship between the St, J and R haplomes.