青海共和盆地不同人工灌木群落土壤碳密度研究

共和盆地高寒沙区植被恢复区4种典型人工灌木林是柠条(Caragana korshinskii)、沙棘(Hippophae rhamnoides)、沙柳(Salix psammophila)和乌柳(Salix cheilophila)。土壤有机碳密度调查研究表明,不同灌木群落类型下的土壤有机碳密度(0~100 cm)由大到小是:沙棘9.42 kg/m2、沙柳6.73 kg/m2、乌柳6.06 kg/m2、草地4.56 kg/m2、柠条3.67 kg/m2。不同灌木林地0~100 cm土壤质地和分层状况不同,土壤有机碳含量随着土壤深度增加而减少,表层(0~10 cm)含量最高。与对照样地草地相比,位于丘间地的林地土壤有机碳含量均有不同程度的提高。     

晋北风沙区人工林土壤水分及粒度特征

以位于晋北风沙区右玉县贾家窑6种人工林地(11 a油松林、21 a油松林、23 a华北落叶松林、17 a油松+柠条混交林、柠条林和沙棘林)为研究对象,通过测定土壤含水量及粒度、计算粒度参数等分析比较不同林地土壤水分和粒度的变化及分布。结果表明:1)在0~100 cm深度,6种林地平均土壤含水量由大到小依次为:沙棘林11 a油松林柠条林17 a油松+柠条混交林23 a华北落叶松林21 a油松林;0~20 cm土层土壤含水量相对较低,较深土层土壤水分受植物蒸腾耗水、根系分布深度及密度等因素影响;2)6种林地的粒度组成以极细砂和粉粒为主。7个粒级中,柠条林和沙棘林粉粒占比最大,其他林地极细砂含量占比最大;3)在0~100 cm深度,6种林地土壤平均粒径大小依次为:23 a华北落叶松林11 a油松林21 a油松林17 a油松+柠条混交林沙棘林柠条林;4)沙棘林和柠条林有较强的水土保持能力,在晋北风沙区植被恢复过程中可以优先选择沙棘和柠条进行造林;5)研究区经过多年植被恢复,人工林耗水量增加。认为有必要根据土壤水分状况结合植被耗水特性和生长阶段开展人工林的科学管护,如适当调整植被盖度,加强林下草本和枯落物保护。     

青海湖地区典型固沙植物对根下土壤改良作用的初步研究

通过调查青海湖地区典型固沙植物沙蒿(Artemisa desterorum Spreng.)、沙棘(Hippophae rhamnoides Linn.)和乌柳(Salix cheilophila)的根系分布情况,测定灌丛根下及裸沙地土壤温湿度、土壤有机质、土壤养分等理化指标,初步分析了3种典型固沙植物在植被恢复初期对土壤的改良作用。结果表明,土壤温度均高于空气温度,其中裸沙地和沙棘根下土壤温度略高;植物根下土壤水分均低于裸沙地,植物生长耗水表现为沙蒿沙棘乌柳;3种植物对土壤养分及土壤有机质的提高均发挥出较大的作用,尤其是对表层土壤(0-10cm)的改良效果明显。自然植被沙蒿对土壤养分的改良效果最明显,而人工植被乌柳能够显著提高土壤有机质含量。在极端贫瘠的高寒沙地,人工植被能够改善植被恢复区土壤有机质及土壤养分状况,从而进一步促进自然植被的恢复。     

晋北丘陵风沙区不同植被恢复模式的土壤化学特征与生态恢复效应

通过对山西省右玉县从高家堡乡至右卫镇的公路两侧乔木林(小叶杨、樟子松、油松和华北落叶松)、灌木丛(沙棘、柠条和乌柳)及各种乔木、乔灌混交林的土壤化学特征分析,评价了乔、灌恢复模式的生态恢复效应。结果表明:(1)不同植被恢复模式的生态恢复效应差异显著,混交林生态恢复效果优于纯林;(2)灌木沙棘、柠条、乌柳在本区生态恢复中的作用突出,特别是豆科植物柠条的生态恢复效果优于其他非豆科植物;(3)乔木种樟子松、油松,灌木种沙棘、柠条、乌柳耐旱、耐寒,生态适应性强,在本区生态修复中作用明显,可用于本区人工植被恢复的植被重建优先物种;(4)本区土壤洁净,适宜发展有机农业。     

毛乌素沙地不同植被恢复措施下土壤理化性质空间分布特征

[目的] 探讨不同植被恢复措施下土壤理化性质的空间分布特征,为半干旱沙区植被恢复提供理论依据。[方法] 以毛乌素沙地西南边缘3种典型植被恢复模式(封育草地、飞播林地和人工柠条林地)为研究对象,以退化草地为对照,通过采集0—40 cm范围内3个土层的土壤,研究了其土壤理化指标和土壤综合肥力。[结果] ①在不同措施下土壤表层(0—10 cm)含水量显著增加,而在深层(10—40 cm)土壤则显著降低;与之相反的是土壤表层容重显著降低,而在深层土壤差异不显著,呈现弱变异;植被恢复显著降低了上层(0—20 cm)土壤pH值,而对20—40 cm土层差异不显著;此外,同一植被类型下随着土层加深土壤含水量(SWC)、容重(BD)、pH值均逐渐增加。②不同措施下土壤有机质(SOM)、全氮(TN)含量显著增加,封育样地SOM最高,飞播样地土壤TN最高,而速效磷(AP)含量显著降低,土壤全磷(TP)、SOM、TN等养分含量具有表聚性,土壤AP和速效氮(AN)含量在不同植被恢复、不同土层之间存在差异性。③土壤综合肥力指数呈现为：飞播样地(0.794)>封育样地(0.662)>对照样地(0.637)>柠条林地(0.603),即土壤质量在飞播样地最高,而在柠条林地最低。[结论] 3种植被恢复模式均对土壤各理化指标有显著影响,不同植被恢复措施导致土壤各指标在垂直剖面上发生不同程度的变异,毛乌素沙地适宜进行飞播造林,而不宜大面积种植人工柠条林。     

毛乌素沙地植被类型对生物结皮及其下伏土壤养分的影响

为了解旱区荒漠生物结皮的养分效应及其同植被灌丛间的关系,研究以毛乌素沙地广泛分布的苔藓、藻结皮为对象,选取4类典型植被样地,深入探讨了植被对生物结皮及其下伏土壤的养分分布的影响。结果表明:(1)沙蒿植被冠层下的藻结皮及其下伏土壤的全氮、全磷、有机质含量显著高于植被冠层间,沙柳、柠条群落则为植被冠层下的相应值显著低于植被冠层间(p0.05)。(2)沙蒿、沙柳、柠条3种群落的生物结皮及下伏土壤养分含量均随土层加深逐渐降低,而草地则表现为5—10 cm土层的土壤养分显著高于上层土壤;苔藓结皮的全氮、有机质表现为:柠条草地沙柳沙蒿,苔藓结皮的全磷以及藻结皮的养分含量均表现为:草地柠条沙蒿沙柳。(3)总体上,各类型植被下的苔藓及藻结皮均能够显著增加表层0—10 cm土壤的养分含量,且苔藓结皮的养分富集作用优于藻结皮。     

高寒沙地不同植被恢复类型土壤肥力质量差异及评价

青海共和盆地是全国土地沙漠化危害较严重的区域之一,在沙漠化土地上进行植被恢复是控制该区沙漠化和改善区域环境的一个有效措施。为研究高寒沙地不同方式植被恢复后土壤肥力质量的差异,以自然恢复的赖草草地(Leymus secalinus)、人工恢复的沙柳林(Salix psammophila)、人工恢复的柽柳林(Tamatix chinensis)、人工恢复的乌柳林(Salix cheilophila)和人工恢复的乌柳小叶杨(Populus simonii)混交林为研究对象,测定了5种植被恢复类型0~50 cm深度土壤的物理性状、持水能力和养分特征,通过主成分分析和相关分析方法选取具有代表性的指标计算土壤质量指数,对5种植被类型的土壤肥力质量进行综合评价。结果表明:5种植被类型的土壤特性均表现出显著地"表聚性",即表层土壤肥力质量优于深层土壤;不同植被类型之间各土壤指标具有显著差异性,土壤质量指数计算结果表明,赖草草地(1.55)和沙柳林(1.50)土壤肥力质量最好,柽柳林(1.09)和乌柳林(0.93)次之,乌柳小叶杨混交林(0.76)土壤肥力质量最差。     

晋西北丘陵风沙区50年林龄人工柠条林植被群落及其土壤特性变化

为探究晋西北丘陵风沙区50年林龄人工柠条林植被群落特征及土壤环境因子的变化规律。在0(撂荒地),12,18,40,50年的时间序列上,分析柠条生长性状、土壤含水量、土壤养分及植物群落特征等变化动态。结果表明:(1)随着人工柠条林种植年限的增加,柠条盖度和株高在时间梯度上显著增加,具体表现为,种植后期(40~50年)的柠条盖度是种植前期(0~12年)的1.98倍,柠条株高在种植后期(40~50年)是种植前期(0~12年)的1.48倍;柠条密度随种植年限的增加而显著降低,从种植前期(0~12年)的0.35株/m²减少到种植后期(40~50年)的0.11株/m²。(2)土壤环境因子随着人工柠条林种植年限的增加而逐渐恢复,表现为土壤有机碳、pH、土壤速效氮和速效钾在时间梯度上的增加,土壤含水量、含盐量和土壤速效磷呈下降趋势。其中0—20 cm表层土壤恢复程度高于20—100 cm的土壤。(3)在人工柠条林种植前期(0—12年),土壤养分恢复的速率明显低于人工柠条林种植中后期阶段(12~50年),灌丛对土壤表层(0—20 cm)养分有明显的富集效应,随着人工柠条林建立时间的延长,在种植后期(40~50年)时,“肥岛”面积向灌丛间扩展。(4)随着人工柠条林种植年限的增加,土壤环境改善,草本植物种类、数量显著增加,优势种也在变化,从种植前期(0~12年)以一年生先锋物种(米蒿和野燕麦)为优势种,演变为种植中后期(12~50年)以多年生草本(披碱草)为优势种。由于天然半灌木(铁杆蒿)入侵,简单的人工柠条林向复杂的灌草群落演变。(5)种植人工柠条林对土壤环境因子及群落多样性具有明显的促进作用,通过不同类型植物群落与土壤环境因子的RDA约束排序分析图可以看出,人工柠条林、一年生草本植物、多年生草本植物和天然半灌木与土壤环境因子(土壤含水量、土壤养分指标)呈显著的相关关系,不同类型植物群落与土壤环境因子相互联系、相互制约,共同构成较为稳定的群落结构。研究人工柠条林植被群落特征及土壤环境因子的变化规律对干旱半干旱地区的群落恢复和生态环境重建具有重要的参考价值。     

垦殖对川西北高寒草地土壤理化性质的影响

为了解垦殖对川西北高寒天然草地土壤理化性质的影响,采用空间代替时间的方法,选择高寒草地垦殖年限为3a和10a的蔬菜地作为研究对象,以未开垦的天然草地作为对照,研究了不同垦殖年限下0—60cm土层土壤理化性质的变化特征。结果表明:人为垦殖导致天然高寒草地土壤养分含量和土壤理化性质显著下降,且随着垦殖年限的增加土壤质量进一步降低。垦殖10a后,0—60cm土层土壤容重、砂粒含量分别增加了21.1%和8.0%(p0.05),土壤含水量、有机质、全氮、速效氮、粘粒含量分别下降了38.4%,44.1%,39%,46.7%和19.2%(p0.05)。表层(0—20cm)土壤理化性质和土壤碳氮养分含量的降低最明显,随着土层的加深,土壤理化性质变化趋于减弱。0—20cm土层土壤大部分碳、氮养分的损失发生在垦殖前3a,而在底层(20—40cm和40—60cm)土壤垦殖前3a土壤碳、氮的变化未达差异水平,土壤碳、氮养分的损失主要发生在垦殖3~10a。     

宁夏黄土丘陵区植被恢复对土壤养分和微生物生物量的影响

本研究以宁夏固原天然草地、农地、撂荒地和不同年限的柠条林地为研究对象,分析了不同植被类型下土壤养分和土壤微生物生物量碳、氮、磷的变化。研究结果表明:土壤养分除速效磷和全氮外,其他指标均为农地最低,撂荒地次之,并且随植被恢复年限的增加而增加;不同植被类型条件下,土壤微生物生物量有显著差异,微生物量碳含量表现为撂荒地农地天然草地3年柠条林地13年柠条林地23年柠条林地,微生物量氮以天然草地最低,农地、撂荒地和不同年限柠条林地较大,不同植被类型土壤微生物量磷差异显著,在5~20cm土层和20~40cm土壤中表现尤为突出。土壤微生物量碳、氮、磷与植被类型和植被恢复年限关系密切。柠条林对土壤微生物生物量有明显促进作用,并且随着植被恢复年限的增加改良效果越显著。     

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.