围封对内蒙古希拉穆仁草地物种多样性的影响

[目的]探究围封对内蒙古希拉穆仁草地物种多样性的影响,为围封对草原物种多样性影响的过程研究提供科学依据。[方法]通过调查、计算内蒙古希拉穆仁放牧草地与连续11 a围封草地的物种多样性,结合当地年降水量数据,分析放牧草地围封后物种多样性特征。[结果]围封后,冷蒿、轮叶委陵菜、达乌里芯芭、二裂委陵菜、星毛委陵菜年际波动较大;围封降低了希拉穆仁草地物种多样性,降水量较少年份(年降水量200 mm的2014年)Simpson,Shannon-Wiener和Pielous指数则刚好相反;围封后物种丰富度与年降水量相关系数减小。[结论]长期围封导致希拉穆仁草地物种多样性下降。在干旱气候环境下,围封能够一定程度地缓解气候变化对希拉穆仁草地物种多样性的影响。     

围封禁牧对退化草原土壤性状的影响

以希拉穆仁草原为研究对象,通过对比分析不同围封年限草原土壤机械组成、含水率、容重、孔隙度、有机质含量、碱解氮及速效磷、钾等各项指标,探讨了围封对低山丘陵退化草原土壤性状的影响。结果表明,随着围封年限的增加,草原0-20 cm土层土壤黏粒含量、孔隙度逐年增大,容重和含水率逐渐降低。随着围封时间的延长,土壤速效钾含量逐年降低,土壤有机质、速效磷、碱解氮含量逐渐增加。回归分析结果表明,土壤有机质、碱解氮、速效磷以及速效钾含量的变化同围封年限有显著的相关性。由此可见,围封是促进退化草原土壤改良及植被恢复的一项有效措施。     

围封对内蒙古荒漠草原土壤理化性质及稳定碳氮同位素的影响

以内蒙古中西部希拉穆仁荒漠草原为研究对象,比较分析了退化荒漠草原自由放牧、围封3a和围封5a土壤理化性质及稳定性碳氮同位素的差异。结果表明:①与自由放牧相比,围封显著增加了土壤有机碳含量、全碳含量、土壤含水量及土壤碳氮比(C/N)(P0.05),土壤容重和全氮含量则显著降低(P0.05),但土壤全氮含量有随围封年限增加而升高的趋势。②相比自由放牧,围封显著降低了土壤的δ~(13)C值和δ~(15)N值。③土壤有机碳含量与δ~(13)C值呈显著负相关关系(P0.05),而土壤全氮含量与δ~(15)N值呈极显著正相关关系(P0.01)。可见,围封有利于促进退化荒漠草原土壤有机碳的积累,减缓土壤氮循环,改善土壤性质。     

内蒙古希拉穆仁草原风蚀水平观测研究

近年来,草原由于遭受不合理利用而严重退化、沙化,风蚀愈加严重。采用集沙仪和移动式风洞模拟相结合的方法,对位于阴山北麓中部的希拉穆仁草原风蚀特征进行了连续6 a的观测研究。结果表明:(1)植被是控制风蚀的决定性因素,并且植被高度对风蚀的抑制作用强于植被盖度。(2)研究区风蚀模数在围封初期很高,达到1313.7 t/(km²·a),随着植被的改善,草原风蚀逐年下降。(3)风蚀物以细沙粒为主,含量占60%以上。该地区每风蚀1000 kg土壤,同时就损失15 kg有机质,227 g速效氮,262 g速效磷和120 g速效钾,肥力损失量惊人。保护基本草原,恢复退化草地,是防治草地风蚀的最根本途径。     

三江源退化高寒草原土壤有机碳组分分布研究

在青海省三江源区选择了玛多县花石峡镇高寒草原典型样区,划分5种不同退化程度样地(原生植被UD、轻度退化LD、中度退化MD、重度退化HD、极度退化ED),10 cm等深度采集表土土壤样品,分析土壤有机碳和组分含量变化。结果表明,研究区内高寒草原土壤表土有机碳及组分含量随退化程度加剧和土层加深呈显著下降。与原生植被相比,轻度退化、中度退化、重度退化和极度退化下0~30 cm土层土壤有机碳含量分别平均降低了19.4%、44.4%、67.0%和79.7%,土壤轻组有机碳含量分别平均降低了14.4%、46.8%、68.9%和81.3%,土壤重组有机碳含量分别平均降低了21.1%、43.6%、66.4%和79.1%。轻组占有机碳含量的比例为20.45%~29.02%,重组占有机碳含量的比例为70.98%~79.55%,有机碳含量的分布主要集中在重组。总的来看,表层土壤有机碳及组分含量在生态系统退化下的变化最剧烈。随退化程度加剧,高寒草原土壤有机碳含量下降迅速,损失严重。保护高寒草地生态系统,对于三江源区畜牧业可持续发展和我国陆地生态系统碳库具有极重要的意义。     

希拉穆仁天然草地不同群落土壤分形特征及其影响因素

研究希拉穆仁天然草地围封区内不同群落类型土壤颗粒分形特征及其影响因素,以期为荒漠草原土壤风蚀的减少和草地退化防治提供依据。利用土壤粒径质量分布原理与分形学理论,以围封16年荒漠草原的蒙古韭(Allium mongolicum)、银灰旋花(Convoloulus ammannii)、克氏针茅(Stipa krylovii)、羊草(Leymus chinensis)、洽草(Koeleria asiatica)、短花针茅(Stipa brevi flora)6种群落为研究对象,测定和计算土壤颗粒分形维数、粒径组成和水文物理参数,探讨了近自然恢复状态下0—30 cm土层不同群落类型的土壤颗粒分形特征及影响因素。结果表明:(1)决定该地区土壤颗粒分形维数大小的主要是粉砂和极细砂的百分含量,其次为细砂的百分含量,其余粒级土壤颗粒的影响程度较小;土壤颗粒分形维数与土壤总孔隙度、毛管孔隙度、饱和蓄水量和吸持蓄水量呈显著正相关,与土壤容重、非毛管孔隙度、滞留蓄水量的相关性不大。(2) 6种不同群落土壤颗粒分形维数最大为2.840,最小值为2.490。0—30 cm土层土壤颗粒平均分形维数介于2.575～2.750,从大到小依次为克氏针茅短花针茅洽草银灰旋花蒙古韭羊草。6种不同群落类型样地上土壤分形维数随土壤采样深度的变化发生不同的波动规律,整体上均呈线性下降趋势。(3)分形维数可以作为一个衡量土壤结构及草地退化恢复程度的综合性指标。从土壤分形维数及其蓄水性能来看,希拉穆仁天然草地围封区的6种群落改良土壤特性及蓄水功能表现为克氏针茅、短花针茅和洽草群落优于其他3种群落。     

川西北高寒草地退化对土壤团聚体组成及稳定性的影响

应用干筛法与湿筛法分析了川西北高寒草地不同退化阶段土壤团聚体组成特征,选取了土壤大团聚体含量（R_0.25）、平均重量直径（MWD）、几何平均直径（GMD）和团聚体破坏率（PAD）指标,研究了退化过程土壤团聚体稳定性的变化。结果表明:未退化草地土壤机械稳定性团聚体和水稳性团聚体组成都以大团聚体（>0.25 mm）为主,而退化草地均以微团聚体（<0.25 mm）为主;随着草地退化程度加剧,大团聚体含量（R_0.25）显著降低,土壤团聚体MWD和GMD均表现为:未退化 > 轻度退化 > 中度退化 > 重度退化,PAD呈现相反的变化趋势,其中未退化到轻度退化阶段团聚体稳定性变化最为明显;未退化和轻度退化草地土壤团聚体稳定性由表层向下层递减,而中度和重度退化草地表层（0—10 cm）土壤团聚体稳定性弱于下层（10—40 cm）。这些结果表明随着高寒草地退化的加剧,土壤团聚体稳定性显著降低,轻度退化阶段是土壤结构稳定性下降的关键期,在沙化防治中应予以重视。     

降雨侵蚀对退化草地土壤养分含量的影响

为了阐明高寒草甸降雨侵蚀对退化草地土壤养分的影响,以黄河源区退化草地为研究对象,通过野外模拟降雨试验和室内测试,对退化草地土壤养分流失规律进行了分析,这对于揭示高寒草甸草地退化机理和三江源生态环境保护具有重要意义。结果表明:草地退化区土壤养分含量随土层深度的增加而递减,其中40cm范围内的递减幅度较明显;同等条件下坡度为10°的重度退化区土壤养分含量比中度退化区和轻度退化区分别降低了4.2%~49.9%和14.9%~79.4%,而坡度为20°和30°的退化区表层土壤总养分含量均小于10°退化区,且草地退化越严重,则表层土壤略呈弱碱性。与10°退化区相比较,20°和30°的重度退化区养分指标分别降低了5.6%~18.3%和12.2%~44.7%;坡面土壤养分流失主要集中在降雨开始后的30min内,其流失幅度达24.6%~66.4%,其中腐殖质的流失最大,其次为碱解氮、有机质、全氮、速效钾和速效磷,全磷、速效磷和全钾的变化幅度相对较小。降雨侵蚀作用下高寒草甸退化草地的养分流失量比黄土区及人工种植区均大,反映了高寒草地区养分流失是草地退化的原因之一。     

基于土壤粒度参数的荒漠草原地表粗粒化过程

草原退化特征已由植被变化为主演变为土壤退化的阶段,其植被覆盖变化可在一定程度上反映退化状况与过程,探明荒漠草原不同退化阶段(覆盖度)地表风蚀状况,对合理利用与保护草地资源意义重大。以希拉穆仁荒漠草原7个覆盖度(裸地,5%,20%,40%,60%,80%和100%)下的表层土壤为研究对象,利用激光衍射技术测量表层0—1cm土壤粒度组成,分析不同覆盖度下的平均粒径、标准偏差、偏度、峰态及分形维数等粒度参数变化情况及颗粒频率分布。结果表明:(1)土壤粒度组成均以沙粒和粉粒为主,黏粒含量较低;偏度可作为有效粒度参数指标。(2)随着盖度降低,平均粒径数值越大,分选性越好,频率曲线由近于对称—正偏—极负偏转变,峰态由尖锐变平缓,分形维数先增加后降低。(3)粒径分布基本呈双峰分布,盖度越小第二波峰滞后越明显,且分布均匀程度越低,易风蚀颗粒范围为144~869μm。     

基于NDVI3g数据反演的青藏高原草地退化特征

利用NDVI3g数据反演青藏高原1986-2013年高寒草地植被盖度,并计算草地退化指数,以了解青藏高原高寒草地退化状况及其分布特征。结果表明,2011-2013年青藏高原草地退化指数为1.76,属轻度退化等级;退化面积达到41%,与历史平均水平（1986-2010）相比无显著变化,但中等以上退化面积有所增加。其中,轻度退化面积为22%、中度退化面积为8%、重度和极重度退化面积分别为6%和5%,而历史平均分别为28%、7%、4%和1%。从不同草地类型来看,高寒荒漠退化程度最严重,退化面积78%,退化指数为3.23,达到重度退化等级且表现出持续恶化趋势;而高寒草甸和高寒草原退化面积分别为31%和38%,退化指数分别为1.49和1.57,均属于轻度退化状态。从不同省域看,2011-2013年青藏高原新疆自治区范围内草地退化程度最为严重,退化草地面积所占比例为71%;青海省和西藏自治区草地退化比例也较大,分别达到42%和41%;甘肃、四川和云南草地退化比例较小,分别为25%、10%和12%。总体来看,青藏高原草地退化存在空间差异,与历史平均相比无显著变化,但局部有恶化趋势,尤其是高寒荒漠退化状况较为严重。     

“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.     

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.     

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.     

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.