亚热带4种典型森林植被土壤固碳细菌群落结构及数量特征

为研究亚热带不同森林植被类型土壤固碳微生物特征及其影响因子,选取毛竹林(Moso banboo groves)、阔叶林(Broad-leaved forest)、杉木林(Chinese fir forest)和马尾松林(Masson pine forest)等4种森林植被为研究对象,以 cbbL为固碳细菌指示基因,利用实时荧光定量PCR (Real-time quantitative PCR)和MiSeq高通量测序为研究手段。结果表明,4种林分土壤的细菌16S rRNA基因和固碳细菌cbbL基因丰度范围分别是5.40×10~(10)～2.81×10~(11) copies·g~(-1)干土和4.55×10~8～3.53×10~9 copies·g~(-1)干土,其中毛竹林显著高于其他三种林分(P0.05);基因丰度显著关联的环境因子是阔叶林土壤的有效磷、不同土层的pH(P0.05)。杉木林土壤固碳细菌多样性显著低于其他3种林分(P0.05),其亚表层土壤高于表层(P0.05);双因子分析表明,林型、土层之间土壤固碳细菌多样性均存在显著或极显著差异。所有土壤具有相似的优势属但相对丰度不同,其中毛竹林和杉木林土壤的甲基化石油杆菌属(Methylibium)和诺卡菌属(Nocardia)占比明显高于阔叶林和马尾松林。冗余分析结果显示,不同林分土壤pH、土壤有机碳、有效磷、全氮差异是影响土壤固碳细菌群落特征形成的主要因素。综上,4种植被对土壤固碳微生物数量及群落结构多样性影响明显,从土壤理化性质、固碳细菌基因丰度、多样性以及结构特征等多维度结果证明,毛竹林对土壤肥力以及固碳细菌影响效果最好,固碳微生物对毛竹林土壤有机质积累贡献大于阔叶林,定量结论有待进一步研究。     

DMPP增强碳酸氢铵防控辣椒疫病的效果与机制

为增强氨杀灭土壤病原微生物、防控作物土传病害的效果,采用室内培养和盆栽试验的方法,研究了硝化抑制剂DMPP和(或)碳酸氢铵预处理潮土15 d,对土壤理化性质和土壤细菌、真菌、氨氧化菌、辣椒疫霉菌数量的影响以及对辣椒疫病的防效,并对辣椒疫病的发病率与土壤理化及微生物学性状进行相关性分析,为开发新的防控辣椒疫病的技术提供依据。结果表明,施加DMPP的土壤铵态氮含量显著高于对照,而土壤pH、硝态氮和亚硝态氮含量显著低于对照。碳酸氢铵和DMPP配合施用处理土壤15 d,土壤细菌amo A基因拷贝数和辣椒疫霉菌ITS基因拷贝数分别降低34.9%(P0.05)和93.8%(P0.05);土壤16S r RNA基因拷贝数比未添加DMPP处理高出54.7%(P0.05);DMPP对土壤氨氧化古菌amo A基因拷贝数无显著影响。栽植辣椒28 d后,DMPP和碳酸氢铵配合施用处理的辣椒疫霉菌ITS基因拷贝数最低(2.1×10~5 copies·g~(-1)),其次为DMPP(15.4×10~5 copies·g~(-1));对照辣椒根际疫霉数量最高(37.1×10~5 copies·g~(-1)),分别比碳酸氢铵处理、DMPP处理和DMPP和碳酸氢铵配合施用处理高0.4倍、1.4倍和16.8倍。碳酸氢铵或DMPP处理过的土壤栽植辣椒28 d后,对照辣椒疫病发病率最高(95.00%),仅施用碳酸氢铵处理发病率次之(85.00%),DMPP和碳酸氢铵配合施用处理的发病率最低(32.20%),其防治效果达66.11%。辣椒疫病的发生率与土壤电导率、硝态氮含量、疫霉菌数量正相关,与土壤pH、铵态氮含量、细菌及真菌数量负相关。综上,碳酸氢铵和DMPP配合施用降低潮土氨氧化细菌的数量,从而增加铵态氮而降低硝态氮含量,提高了土壤pH,进而降低土壤疫霉菌数量,因而能有效防控辣椒疫病。     

长期施肥与覆膜对土壤细菌、泉古菌和氨氧化微生物丰度的影响

施肥与覆膜等农田管理措施能够改变土壤的物理化学性质,这直接影响着驱动氨氧化过程的氨氧化微生物,而氨氧化过程是硝化作用的限速步骤。以沈阳农业大学棕壤长期施肥与覆膜试验站为平台,采用荧光定量PCR技术,研究了5种施肥制度下[不施肥(CK)、氮肥(N)、氮磷肥(NP)、有机肥(M)和有机无机配施(MNP)]土壤细菌、泉古菌和氨氧化微生物数量的变化。结果表明,不同施肥处理细菌、泉古菌、氨氧化细菌和氨氧化古菌的基因拷贝数平均值分别为0.52×109～4.20×109、2.14×108～9.69×108、0.21×107～6.89×107和0.26×107～74.70×107copies g-1干土。与CK相比,有机肥处理(M、MNP)能显著增加土壤细菌的丰度,化肥处理(N、NP)则相反;施肥尤其是化肥处理(N、NP)均能降低泉古菌和氨氧化古菌的丰度;有机肥处理(M、MNP)显著增加了氨氧化细菌的丰度。细菌、泉古菌、氨氧化细菌和氨氧化古菌丰度均与pH值存在显著正相关关系(P0.05),细菌和氨氧化细菌丰度则主要受全碳含量的影响,而细菌、泉古菌和氨氧化细菌丰度与铵态氮、硝态氮含量存在极显著负相关关系(P0.01)。研究结果可为进一步探讨农田生态系统中氨氧化微生物对不同管理措施的响应机制及其在氮素转化中的作用提供科学依据。     

长期不同施肥黑土细菌和古菌群落结构及主效影响因子分析

【目的】依据黑龙江省农科院34年的长期定位试验,探讨影响东北黑土细菌和古菌区系的主效环境因子。【方法】试验采集不施肥(CK)、施氮磷肥(NP)、施氮钾肥(NK)、施磷钾肥(PK)、施氮磷钾肥(NPK)5个施肥处理的耕层土样借助传统化学分析方法和Illumina Miseq高通量测序技术解析土壤化学性状和细菌与古菌的群落结构特征,并对细菌和古菌群落结构与环境因子进行相关性分析。【结果】1)不同施肥处理土壤细菌和古菌群落结构存在显著差异与CK相比,4种施肥处理均降低了古菌丰富度,NPK处理增加了土壤细菌的丰富度、多样性以及古菌的多样性;变形菌门(Proteobacteria)、酸杆菌门(Acidobacteria)是所有土样中的优势菌群,占细菌与古菌总量的38.2%~42.9%。施肥条件下,放线菌门(Actinobacteria)、浮霉菌门(Planctomycetes)、绿弯菌门(Chloroflexi)、蓝藻门(Cyanobacteria)的相对丰度降低芽单胞菌门(Gemmatimonadetes)、厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)的相对丰度升高而其他菌门的相对丰度对不同施肥处理的响应不同。2)施用氮肥显著改变了土壤化学性状,长期施氮(尿素)处理的土壤全氮、速效氮和有机质含量显著高于不施氮处理而pH则显著降低。3)RDA分析结果显示,pH对土壤细菌和古菌群落结构的影响最大解释了66.5%的变化;其他环境因子则共解释了细菌与古菌群落33.5%的变化各因子的贡献率依次为pH速效钾有效磷有机质。Pearson相关性分析结果也表明,细菌和古菌群落与土壤化学指标间存在密切的相关关系。【结论】解析了长期不同施肥条件下土壤细菌和古菌的群落结构特征,确定了pH是影响土壤细菌和古菌区系的主效环境因子,氮磷钾均衡施肥不仅显著提高了作物产量和丰富了土壤养分含量,同时也增加了土壤细菌的丰富度、多样性以及古菌的多样性,有利于维持良好的土壤生态环境。研究结果对揭示东北黑土肥力演变机制、建立合理的施肥制度具有重要的理论价值。     

长期施肥对氨氧化古菌丰度及群落结构的影响

【目的】氨氧化古菌对土壤氮素转化有着重要的作用。本研究以长期定位施肥黄泥田土壤为研究对象探讨了长期不同施肥模式对土壤氨氧化古菌数量和多样性的影响,为制定合理的施肥制度提供理论基础。【方法】试验在福建省农科院试验站上进行,以30年长期定位施肥的红壤性水稻土为研究对象采用荧光定量PCR和克隆文库技术,研究了长期不同施肥模式对氨氧化古菌(ammonia-oxidizing archaea,AOA)丰度及群落结构的影响。试验设4个处理:1)不施肥(CK);2)单施氮磷钾肥(NPK);3)氮磷钾肥配施牛粪(NPKM);4)氮磷钾肥配施秸秆(NPKS)。小区面积为12 m~2每个处理设3个重复。土样采集时间为2012年10月份(水稻收获后),测定土壤养分和氨氧化古菌的数量及多样性。【结果】1)与CK相比,NPKM和NPKS处理显著增加了土壤有机质含量,NPKM和NPKS处理之间无显著差异。2)与CK相比施肥均能提高土壤全氮含量;NPKM和NPKS处理能够显著提高土壤全磷含量,NPKM处理全磷含量最高;仅NPKS处理能显著增加全钾含量。3)与CK相比,长期施肥均能提高土壤有效氮(AN)、速效磷(AP)和速效钾(AK)的含量,并且NPKM处理AN和AP含量最高,NPKS处理中AK含量最高。4)与CK相比,长期施肥均对土壤pH值无显著影响。5)与CK处理相比,NPKM和NPKS处理的amoA基因拷贝数显著增加增加幅度分别为168.4%和95.7%;单施化肥处理与CK无显著差异。土壤氨氧化古菌数量与土壤有机质含量呈显著正相关,与土壤全磷、有效氮、速效磷和速效钾含量呈极显著正相关。6)长期不同施肥处理影响土壤氨氧化古菌的种群结构,单施化肥增加了土壤AOA的多样性,而化肥配施有机肥则降低了AOA的多样性。7)本试验中得到的土壤氨氧化古菌amoA基因序列均为不可培养的古菌,包括泉古菌(Crenarchaeote)和奇古菌(Thaumarchaeote)。本试验所得氨氧化古菌绝大多数与来自土壤、沉积物的amoA基因克隆非常相似,少数与水体环境相似。【结论】不同培肥模式下,土壤中氨氧化古菌均为不可培养的古菌,包括泉古菌(Crenarchaeota)和奇古菌(Thaumarchaeota),然而水稻土壤养分和氨氧化古菌丰度及群落结构变化显著。单施化肥的作用不明显,有机无机肥配施有利于土壤有机质和养分的积累以及氨氧化古菌的生长增加了氨氧化古菌优势菌群的比例。     

土地利用方式对红壤氮素矿化和硝化作用的影响

研究在我国亚热带红壤地区采集林地、竹林、茶园和旱地农田4种利用方式的土壤样品,测定了氮素净矿化和净硝化以及N_2O排放速率,定量了氨氧化细菌(AOB)和氨氧化古菌(AOA),以期阐明土地利用方式对红壤氮素矿化和硝化作用的影响。结果表明,不同利用方式红壤AOA基因拷贝数在6.20×10~6到6.58×10~6copies g~(-1)土;AOB基因拷贝数在4.18×10~6到7.41×10~6copies g~(-1)土,AOA和AOB丰度的最大值均出现在旱地红壤。旱地红壤0～7天和0～14天的氮素净矿化速率分别为3.46和1.62 mg kg~(-1),均显著高于其他利用方式。氮素净矿化速率与土壤pH值呈显著的正相关关系(P0.05),与C/N呈显著的负相关关系(P0.05),说明土壤pH和C/N是影响不同利用方式红壤氮素净矿化速率的主要因子。旱地红壤0～7天和0～14天的净硝化速率分别为5.33和3.06 mg kg~(-1),也均显著高于其他利用方式。净硝化速率与铵态氮(NH_4~+-N)含量(P0.01)、pH(P0.05)和AOB(P0.01)均呈显著的正相关关系,表明土壤p H和可利用NH_4~+-N含量是影响红壤净硝化速率的重要因素,高土壤pH和NH_4~+-N含量有利于AOB的生长和活性,从而明显增加净硝化速率。然而,不同利用方式红壤的N_2O排放速率却没有显著的差异,说明利用方式似乎不影响土壤N_2O排放,这与净硝化速率变化规律相矛盾。可能的原因是,除了硝化作用外,好氧培养条件下还存在其他重要的N_2O产生途径,将来的研究中需要关注不同利用方式红壤N_2O产生途径,以阐明红壤N_2O排放机制。     

黄土丘陵沟壑区典型林地土壤微生物、酶活性和养分特征

通过对陕西吴起县黄土沟壑区退耕还林地不同林分(沙棘、刺槐、油松、小叶杨)根际与非根际土壤养分、酶活性和微生物特征进行研究,比较4种典型林分及退耕草地“根际效应”及根际对养分的截留效应,评价根际效应对土壤特性产生不同改良效果,为黄土沟壑区退耕地人工林科学选择造林树种提供理论支持。研究表明:1根际与非根际土壤中有机质含量、有效磷含量、碱解氮含量和速效钾含量表现出显著差异,有机质、有效磷、速效钾含量均呈现明显的根际聚集现象。2根际土壤微生物数量和土壤酶活性总体高于非根际,仅油松样地中过氧化氢酶活性和小叶杨样地中脲酶活性根际低于非根际。3根际土壤中脲酶活性与细菌和真菌数量相关性达到显著水平,过氧化氢酶活性与真菌相关性达到显著水平;有机质含量与细菌、放线菌数量和脲酶活性相关性达到显著水平;碱解氮、有效磷含量均与细菌、真菌数量和脲酶活性相关性达到显著水平。在非根际土壤中,土壤养分含量与土壤微生物、土壤酶活性的相关性明显降低。4从土壤肥力综合水平看,根际土壤肥力水平综合得分总体上大于非根际土壤,其中根际土壤中沙棘小叶杨油松刺槐草地。沙棘能大幅度提高土壤肥力,具有较好的土壤改良效果。     

轮作绿肥对盐碱地土壤性质、后作青贮玉米产量及品质的影响

为明确种植和翻压绿肥改良和培肥盐碱地的效果,采用田间试验研究了种植和翻压毛叶苕子(Vicia villosa Roth.)、田菁(Sesbania cannabina Poir.)、草木樨(Melilotus officinalis L.)、紫花苜蓿(Medicago sativa L.)、箭筈豌豆(Vicia sativa L.)和黑麦草(Lolium perenne L.)6种绿肥对中度苏打盐碱地土壤理化性质、返还土壤的N、P_2O_5和K_2O数量、后作青贮玉米(Zea mays L.)鲜草产量及蛋白质含量的影响。结果表明:与对照(不种植绿肥)相比,绿肥生长后期可显著提高土壤含水量1.0%~6.2%,使pH降低0.03~0.43,EC降低0.12~1.50 mS×cm~(-1);翻压绿肥可返还土壤N 15.6~195.4 kg×hm~(-2)、P_2O_5 5.3~58.8 kg×hm~(-2)和K_2O 34.5~127.9 kg×hm~(-2),使土壤有机质、全氮、碱解氮、速效磷和速效钾分别提高0.42~1.86 g×kg~(-1)、0.05~0.34 g×kg~(-1)、0.5~32.3 mg×kg~(-1)、0.42~4.65 mg×kg~(-1)和3.8~26.1 mg×kg~(-1);与对照相比,青贮玉米的鲜草产量和蛋白质含量分别增加1 294~19 391 kg×hm~(-2)和0.4~23.9 mg×g~(-1)。总体而言,种植和翻压豆科绿肥在保蓄土壤水分,降低土壤pH和EC,提升土壤有机质含量和N、P_2O_5、K_2O养分数量(特别是N素数量),提高青贮玉米鲜草产量与蛋白质等方面的效果均显著优于禾本科绿肥,其中以适应性强、生长快、生物量大的毛叶苕子处理的改良、培肥土壤,生产优质牧草的效果最好;其次是草木樨处理。种植和翻压豆科绿肥可有效改良中度苏打盐碱地,显著提高土壤肥力,提供无机养分替代部分化肥,提高优质牧草的生产,是适合大同盆地中度苏打盐碱地经济、有效和环保的改良模式,对稳定耕地面积、保证粮食安全具有重要意义。     

基于高通量测序的两种植被恢复类型根际土壤细菌多样性研究

为研究库布齐沙地生态恢复过程中不同植被恢复类型土壤微生物细菌群落结构、多样性的变化特征,以流动沙地为对照,运用高通量测序技术,对自然恢复的油蒿群落、人工种植的中间锦鸡儿群落根际和非根际土壤细菌多样性进行了研究,并分析了土壤理化性质对其分布的影响。结果表明:(1)与流沙对照相比,两种植被恢复类型对细菌多样性产生了正效应,细菌群落丰度、多样性和均匀度明显增加。其中,自然恢复的油蒿群落土壤细菌丰度高于人工种植的中间锦鸡儿群落;(2)变形菌门、酸杆菌门和放线菌门为研究区土壤中的优势细菌类群,其中变形菌门在各样地丰度比例最高,变形菌的4个亚群变化趋势一致,α-变形菌相对含量在油蒿和中间锦鸡儿群落根际土壤中明显增加,尤其是自然恢复的油蒿群落根际土壤中α-变形菌得到了很好的恢复;(3)土壤有机质、全氮、速效氮、速效钾含量和土壤含水量是影响土壤细菌群落丰度和多样性的主要土壤因子,典型相关分析表明土壤有机质、全氮、全钾、速效钾、速效氮含量对于研究区土壤细菌群落遗传多样性的变化起着重要作用。     

稻作条件下不同施肥模式对原土盐碱地的改良培肥效应

为了提高原土盐碱地土壤肥力,确定最佳施肥模式,研究了化肥、羊粪、生物有机肥不同组合施肥模式对原土盐碱地有机质、速效养分、p H、全盐、微生物区系及水稻产量的影响。结果表明:与对照相比,不同施肥模式均有显著的改良培肥效果,其中以处理5,即减施1/2化肥+增施1倍羊粪+增施1倍生物有机肥施肥模式效果最佳,显著(P0.05)提高了0~20 cm土壤有机质7.04%、碱解氮95.86%、速效钾54.84%、速效磷125%、有效锌11.47%;土壤p H值平均下降了1.39个单位、全盐降低了31.89%;极显著(P0.01)的降低了土壤碱化度40.15%;有效改善了土壤生物活性,细菌数量增加40.3倍、放线菌数量增加1.5倍;产量达7000.5 kg hm-2,增产22.81%。     

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.     

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     

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.