近30年河南省冬小麦气象年景的时空演变及其与大气环流的联系

为了探讨冬小麦气象年景对大气环流异常的响应,依托河南省17个市1988—2017年冬小麦产量数据及15种大尺度大气环流指数(LACI)资料,运用气候产量指数(CDYI)评估了研究区冬小麦气象年景的时空演变格局。结果表明:(1)基于主成分分析,河南省可以划分为4个呈现不同CDYI演变情形的子区域,分别为中东部、西部、北部、南部,且2000年后各分区CDYI的波动趋于缓和;(2)与其他分区相比,河南省北部地区CDYI的年代际振荡更为强烈,其呈现出增加—减少—增加—减少的波浪型演变;(3)与其他分区相比,河南省中东部地区CDYI与大尺度大气环流指数的线性关系最为显著;(4)诸多环流指数中,12月份厄尔尼诺1+2区的平均海面温度是表征河南省中东部地区冬小麦气象年景的关键前兆性信号,其每增加1%会导致产量减少0.56%。总体而言,依托前期环流指数异常能够较好地实现粮食作物气象年景的提前预判。     

华北平原夏玉米潜在产量时空演变及其对气候变化的响应

华北平原是我国的粮食主产区,为探讨气候变化可能对该地区粮食产量产生的影响,本文以中国科学院青藏高原研究所的中国区域地面气象要素数据集为基础,对作物生长模型WOFOST(WOrld FOod STudy)进行面域化,模拟华北平原1979—2015年夏玉米的生长情况;利用一元线性回归、经验正交分解(EOF)分析了华北平原夏玉米潜在产量的时空变化,利用逐个栅格相关性分析、奇异值分解(SVD)分析了华北平原不同区域夏玉米潜在产量与全生育期、吐丝前和吐丝后平均温度及日均太阳总辐射的相关性。结果表明,研究区夏玉米潜在产量大致呈现从南向北逐渐升高的特点,大部分地区夏玉米潜在产量为7 000~9 000 kg?hm~(-2);研究区西北部夏玉米潜在产量波动较大,波动较小的地区在北京南部、天津以及河北中部一带,标准差在500 kg?hm~(-2)以下;研究区西北部及河北唐山北部以及山东半岛东部夏玉米潜在产量呈上升趋势,这些地区的夏玉米潜在产量上升幅度大部分在200~600 kg?hm~(-2)?(10a)~(-1);研究区的其余大部分地区夏玉米潜在产量呈下降趋势,其中河北中南部、天津、鲁西北以及皖北的部分区域下降较明显,变化幅度在-250 kg?hm~(-2)?(10a)~(-1)左右。河北西部和东北部、北京西北部以及山东中部和东部等地区的夏玉米潜在产量与气温具有较显著的相关关系,相关系数在0.9以上,这些地区的夏玉米潜在产量在过去37年呈上升趋势,表明这些地区夏玉米潜在产量的增加可能是由气温上升导致的。北京东部和南部、天津、河北中南部及秦皇岛唐山南部、山东、河南东部、皖北和苏北等地区的夏玉米潜在产量与太阳总辐射具有较好的相关关系,相关系数在0.8左右,其中,吐丝后通过显著性检验的区域较吐丝前大,相关系数也较吐丝前大,该区域大部分地区夏玉米潜在产量呈下降趋势,可能是由该区域太阳总辐射下降导致的,且总辐射的下降主要对夏玉米的生殖生长阶段构成影响。总的来说,研究区夏玉米潜在产量上升的区域与温度的上升有关,温度的变化是这些地区夏玉米潜在产量变化的主导因子;研究区夏玉米潜在产量下降的区域与太阳总辐射的下降有关,太阳总辐射的变化是这些地区夏玉米潜在产量变化的主导因子。因此,气候变化背景下针对华北平原不同地区制定不同的合理应对措施显得尤为重要。     

1970-2019年河南省年内降水分配非均匀性的时空演变

[目的] 分析河南省年内降水分配非均匀性的时空演变规律,为区域水资源管理提供依据。[方法] 依托河南省113个气象站1970—2019年逐月降水数据,评估了降水季节性指数（PSI）的时空变化。[结果] ①PSI的空间分布表明河南省北部呈现出较高的降水非均匀性,超过28%的降水集中在7月;②基于主成分分析,河南省可以划分为4个呈现不同PSI演变特征的子区域,分别为西部、中东部、北部、南部;③西部、中东部、及南部地区的PSI在1990年后呈现出一定的上升趋势,而北部地区PSI呈现出更为强烈的短期振荡;④河南省大部分地区PSI的年代际变化主要受厄尔尼诺/南方涛动（ENSO）影响;⑤与其他粮油作物相比,冬小麦产量的年际波动对PSI更为敏感。[结论] 河南省年内降水分配的时空变异性较强,其与大尺度环流信号的相关性存在显著的区域差异。     

河南夏玉米产量灾损的风险区划

利用河南省96个县1971-2010年的夏玉米实际产量资料,从产量灾损率角度,分析该区夏玉米灾损风险评估指标的分布规律,包括历年平均减产率、减产率变异系数、不同减产率风险概率和灾损减产风险指数,构建夏玉米产量灾损风险评估模型,对河南省夏玉米产量灾损进行风险区划.结果表明,各灾损风险评估指标在河南省夏玉米区分布具有明显的地域性和连片性,根据综合风险指数将河南省夏玉米区划分为高、中、低3类风险区,低风险区分布在豫北、豫东、豫中的华北平原地区和南阳盆地;中风险区分布在豫西北部丘陵地区和豫南雨养夏玉米区;高风险区包括新蔡、上蔡、平舆、沈丘和渑池等县区,此区夏玉米减产综合风险最高,抗灾性较弱.研究结果可对指导河南夏玉米生产趋利避害和防灾减灾提供参考依据.     

1960-2018年河南省短周期旱涝急转事件演变特征

[目的]阐明河南省旱涝急转灾害的时空演变规律及趋势,为河南省旱涝急转事件的定量识别、时空演变及灾害风险评估提供依据。[方法]利用河南省17个国家基准气象台站1960—2018年逐日降水、气温资料,采用月尺度短周期旱涝急转指数,对河南省旱涝急转时空演变进行了多尺度、系统性地分析。[结果](1)旱涝急转指数绝对值大于1.0可作为旱涝急转事件的识别阈值,绝对值越大,旱涝急转强度越大。(2)旱涝急转事件年际波动变化显著,具有明显阶段性特点。轻度旱转涝事件发生频次略呈增多趋势,中度旱转涝事件发生频次趋势性不明显,其他旱涝急转事件则略呈减少趋势,但旱转涝与涝转旱事件强度分别以0.011/a, 0.021/a的线性倾向率略呈增强趋势,且强度在未来将会持续增大。(3)旱涝急转事件及其强度变化存在15.0 a的第一主周期与3.0 a的第二周期,但同一周期下旱转涝与涝转旱两类事件呈显著反相变化。(4)旱涝急转事件多发区及其强度较大区域主要集中于豫东、豫南平原区以及豫西山区,其中豫东、豫南平原区受地理、生态因素影响致灾风险较大。(5)前期大气环流、太阳黑子活动是旱涝急转现象预测预警的重要信号。[结论]河南省...     

气象灾害对河南省夏玉米产量的影响及对策

应用GM(1,1)灰色模型分段模拟法划分出河南省夏玉米单产丰歉年型;着重分析了河南省夏玉米生育期间3种主要气象灾害-初夏旱、卡脖旱和花期阴雨的发生频率、分布特点及对全省夏玉米单产的影响情况;对河南省夏玉米单产波动进行了周期分析并作了外延预报.在上述分析的基础上,结合河南省夏玉米生产中存在的问题,提出了相应的对策.     

淮河流域蚌埠闸以上地区夏玉米生长水分关键期干旱致灾降水阈值

基于淮河流域蚌埠闸以上地区66个气象站点1961—2015年气象资料,利用夏玉米气候产量与生育期内水分盈亏指数进行了相关性分析,确定夏玉米生长水分关键期,并利用28种分布函数对水分关键期内降水量序列进行了拟合,K-S和A-D进行了拟合优度检验,建立了最优概率分布模型,再基于降水概率分位数法定量化设计夏玉米各级干旱的致灾降水阈值R,通过典型干旱年份和站点验证了指标的合理性。结果表明:(1)淮河流域蚌埠闸以上地区夏玉米抽雄—成熟阶段是夏玉米生长的水分关键期;(2)各站点夏玉米生长水分关键期内降水序列的最优概率分布模型差异明显;(3)66个站点夏玉米干旱致灾的降水阈值地区差异较大,但各级阈值空间分布大致相同,均呈现北部至南部依次增加的趋势,其中西部的桐柏和南部的霍山最高,利用泰森多边形法确定整个研究区夏玉米生长水分关键期内干旱致灾降水阈值分别是:轻旱147≤R172mm,中旱118≤R147mm,重旱89≤R118mm,特旱R89mm。     

基于SVDI的吉林省中西部干旱识别及干旱危险性分析

[目的]在农作物生育期期间对吉林省中西部地区进行干旱的识别和量化,进行干旱危险性分析,为该地区农作物防旱减灾工作的展开提供参考。[方法]利用2005—2014年5—8月旬气象站数据和MODIS的NDVI 10d合成产品,采用空间植被干旱指数(SVDI)研究典型年吉林省中西部干旱时空分布特征,并结合农业干旱减产及粮食产量分析其适用性,进一步利用逐旬SVDI概率密度分布计算旬时间尺度的干旱危险性及月时间尺度的干旱危险性分布。[结果](1)与VCI指数相比,在作物生长前期和后期农业干旱减产和产量波动与SVDI呈现出更高的相关系数;(2)2005—2014年吉林省中西部重旱面积波动较为明显,重旱区域呈现出向中部和西南部地区转移的趋势;(3)吉林省中西部地区内5月上旬、下旬,6和8月下旬干旱发生概率较高;8月上旬和6月下旬干旱危险性较大;通榆县5—8月间干旱危险性较高。[结论]利用SVDI指数进行干旱的识别和量化是可行的,且在吉林省中西部作物生育期不同阶段干旱有明显的区域性。     

华北平原夏玉米不同生育阶段大风灾害危险性评估

[目的]大风灾害是制约社会经济发展的主要气象灾害之一,科学评估大风灾害危险性对夏玉米生产防灾减灾具有重要意义。[方法]基于夏玉米拔节后不同生育阶段最大风速和大风日数的时空分布特征,筛选并利用历史倒伏案例验证区域适用的夏玉米大风倒伏判别指标,运用风险区划方法,评估了华北平原夏玉米不同生育阶段的大风倒伏危险性。[结果](1) 1980—2019年以来,华北平原夏玉米拔节后最大风速和大风日数均呈显著的波动式下降趋势,空间上由东部向中西部逐渐递减。(2)夏玉米拔节后以轻度倒伏为主,区域平均的倒伏发生概率为44.5%,重度倒伏发生概率最小,为7.8%;拔节—抽雄阶段最易发生倒伏。(3)夏玉米拔节后大风倒伏概率总体呈逐渐降低趋势,但2011年以后局部地区拔节—抽雄期大风倒伏有极端加剧的趋势。(4)夏玉米大风灾害危险性分布整体上呈现由东向西逐渐递减的趋势,东部为高风险地区,中部大部分地区为中风险区,北部和西部部分地区为低风险地区。[结论]尽管近年来最大风速和大风日数均呈下降趋势,但华北平原局部地区夏玉米大风倒伏有加剧趋势,需要加强防灾减灾相关建设。     

湖北省粮食生产及其影响下的土地资源承载力格局

[目的]为科学评估湖北省土地资源和人口可持续发展现状,对湖北省1949—2012年的粮食生产特征和土地资源承载力进行分析。[方法]通过引入粮食生产相对波动指数、土地资源承载力模型和土地资源承载指数模型进行详细评估。[结果]研究期内湖北省粮食生产呈周期性波动特征,生产过程受自然灾害和政策影响显著,平衡外界影响因素能力薄弱,容易出现起伏;人口增幅小于粮食产量增幅,人均粮食占有量呈4个明显波动周期;2012年湖北省土地资源承载力主要以人口超载、粮食短缺为主要特征。中部平原湖区耕地资源丰富,人粮关系协调,为粮食盈余区域;西部山区和东南部武汉城市圈耕地资源缺乏,人口压力较大,粮食短缺,为人口超载区域。[结论]保护耕地,发展农业科技,提高单产,扩大农业生产规模和稳定粮食生产政策是切实保障湖北省农业稳定发展的重要途径。     

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.