混流式水轮机叶道空化涡诱发高振幅压力脉动特性

混流式水轮机部分负荷叶道空化涡不稳定特性已成为制约水电与其他可再生能源多能互补发展、扩大水轮机稳定运行范围急需研究的技术难题。该研究以HL702低水头混流式模型水轮机为研究对象,通过非稳态数值模拟技术及涡流可视化试验,对部分负荷工况下的叶道空化涡不稳定涡流演化及压力脉动特性展开研究。结果表明,叶道空化涡在水轮机转轮内为一个体积周期性变化的动态过程,其涡结构脉动主频为转轮转频的1.1倍。叶道空化涡诱发时,水轮机转轮叶片压力面和吸力面均捕捉到与涡结构频率相同的压力脉动信号。叶道空化涡体积的变化主要发生在转轮叶片背面出水边与下环交界附近,引起压力脉动幅值的局部放大。进一步分析发现,叶道空化涡发生工况下水轮机内部的瞬时压力脉动信号与空泡体积加速度成正比,表明涡流演化是引起压力脉动幅值上升的重要原因。研究进一步阐明了部分负荷工况叶道空化涡的演化特征,揭示了涡流诱发不稳定高振幅压力脉动的内在机制。     

多能互补条件下转轮优化对水轮机低负荷区稳定性能的影响

多能互补系统中新能源发电的不稳定性使得作为调能机组的水电机组频繁在水力效率低、振动剧烈的低负荷区运行，严重影响机组的寿命。该研究以多能互补系统中的混流式水轮机为研究对象，在前期考虑工况权重系数的转轮多工况优化设计结果基础上，对比分析了优化前后转轮叶片的几何参数变化，不同负荷区的水轮机内部流动状态及压力脉动特征差异。研究结果表明：优化后叶片包角、安放角以及叶片长度均有所增加，叶片表面压力分布及转轮进出水边速度矩分布更加均匀，有助于改善水轮机低负荷区的空化性能、提高能量转换能力。转轮进出口安放角的增加很好地抑制了转轮进口背面脱流涡及出水边的脱流涡区，改善了尾水管的入流条件，使得尾水管涡带的强度和影响范围明显减小。叶片优化后，转轮内各频率的压力脉动幅值均有不同程度的降低，尾水管内压力脉动改善明显。尾水管内0.2f_n(f_n为转频)和14f_n压力脉动在低负荷工况(OP1)幅值降幅分别为45%和40%，额定工况(OP4)尾水管内0.2f_n压力脉动基本消除，14f_n压力脉动幅值降幅为31%。...     

混流式水轮机主轴中心孔补水对尾水管性能的影响

混流式水轮机在低负荷工况下运行时,尾水管内出现旋转的偏心涡带,会引起强烈的压力脉动和振动,严重威胁厂房的安全。为了使机组稳定运行,该文提出了一种通过从上冠泄水锥引入高压补水的方法来降低尾水管的不稳定性。该文首先采用商业软件CFX16.0,对某电站混流式水轮机在低负荷工况下进行了可靠而准确的全三维非定常数值模拟,结果表明在该工况下尾水管内部存在明显的偏心涡带,并伴随着振幅较大的压力脉动,这与试验结果相吻合。其次,对该工况下不同补水流量进行了数值模拟计算,研究表明:尾水管内补高压水可以有效降低尾水管内部的流动损失,且随着补水量的增加而越小,但过大的补水量会引起叶片正背面压力的降低,影响水轮机的空化性能,故补水量的大小必须综合考虑;主轴中心孔高压补水可以增加转轮出口的轴向速度,从而改变涡带内速度场的分布,可有效消除回流现象,当补水流量过小时,抑制回流作用不明显;当补水量为进口流量1%时,尾水管内部压力脉动振幅变化不大,改善效果不明显;当补水量为进口流量3%时,尾水管内部涡带由双螺旋变成单螺旋,锥管段压力脉动振幅不减反增,不稳定性有所加剧;当补水量为进口流量5%时,尾水管内部压力脉动振幅从18.4%降低至1.63%,同时改变了压力脉动的主频,使其远离转轮主频,避免发生共振,提高了机组的稳定性。     

基于瞬态流固耦合的混流式转轮叶片裂纹成因分析

某电站混流式水轮机转轮叶片历年出现不同程度的裂纹情况,为了分析该转轮叶片裂纹产生的原因,该文首先采用流体动力学技术,对该水轮机机组在额定水头下、不同负荷的4个工况进行了全三维的非定常湍流数值模拟,分析对比了各个工况下转轮内部流场的变化和压力脉动情况,计算结果表明:在低负荷情况下转轮内部出现叶道涡,叶道涡的存在使得转轮内部压力脉动变大,从而引起机组运行不稳定;其次采用结构有限元技术对转轮在上述4个工况下进行了动应力分析,模拟结果显示:应力最大发生在转轮上冠和叶片出口连接处,且在低负荷下动应力最大,最大值可达到164.3 MPa,长期在低负荷工况下运行容易引起叶片疲劳;最后对转轮单个叶片进行了模态分析,从模态分析结果可知叶片固有频率远离各个水力激振频率,因此不会发生水力共振。该文通过计算流体动力学(computational fluid dynamics)的方法全面分析了叶片产生裂纹的原因,并提出了相应的裂纹控制对策,为机组的稳定运行提供了参考。     

灯泡贯流式水轮机增减负荷动态特性分析

水轮机频繁经历变负荷工况转换过程,使得机组在较短时间内工作参数急剧变化,严重影响电站稳定运行。该研究以某贯流式水轮机为研究对象,在考虑自由液面和水体重力的情况下,采用动网格技术对贯流式水轮机相同出力范围下的减、增负荷过渡过程的动态特性进行分析。研究结果表明：由于增负荷和减负荷过渡过程的起始工况导致起始流动状态不同,因此在相同出力时,机组内的流动分布不同,减负荷过程尾水管内的涡流面积及强度明显小于增负荷工况,且尾水管涡带尺度也明显小于增负荷过程;相比于增负荷过程,减负荷过程中转轮叶片大范围的低压区极易引发空化;机组内的水压力脉动主要以尾水管涡带引起的0.1fn(fn为转频)低频压力脉动和转轮的旋转引起3fn的高频压力脉动为主,增负荷过程的压力脉动幅值明显大于减负荷过程,两种压力脉动共同作用,使得贯流式水轮机主要振动区域集中于转轮。研究结果对贯流式水轮机的设计与运行具有一定的指导意义。     

叶片低压边的轴面位置对高水头水泵水轮机空化性能的影响

水泵水轮机转轮叶片低压边相比其他部位更具有空蚀的危险性。首先基于低比转速混流式转轮设计程序,设计了3个具有不同低压边轴面位置的叶片。然后采用数值模拟方法对3个转轮分别进行了3个不同出力的水轮机工况以及3个不同流量的水泵工况的全流道定常数值计算,对比分析了各计算工况下转轮的能量特性、流动特征及空化形态。研究表明,在一定范围内,叶片低压边轴面位置前移可以改善大流量水泵工况下转轮叶片进口的脱流情况,从而提高大流量水泵工况的扬程和空化性能。低压边轴面位置的后移,使得水轮机设计工况和满负荷工况的水力效率降低,但是改善了水轮机大流量工况的空化性能;并且叶片低压边轴面位置后移可以改善小流量工况下叶片进口的来流均匀性,从而提高小流量水泵工况的空化性能。相比而言,低压边在上冠型线位置的直径与转轮直径之比为0.4998的第2种低压边位置转轮在水轮机和水泵2种工况下都表现出比较好的空化性能,满足设计要求。     

叶片低压边厚度对水泵水轮机空化性能与强度的影响

水泵水轮机转轮叶片低压边相比其他部位更具有空蚀的危险性。首先基于低比转速混流式转轮设计程序,设计了3种具有不同厚度的叶片,厚度差异主要在叶片低压边位置;然后采用数值模拟方法对3种翼型转轮分别进行了3个不同出力的水轮机工况以及3个不同流量的水泵工况的全流道定常数值计算,对比分析了各计算工况下具有不同叶片低压边厚度的转轮的空化形态及流动特征;最后采用有限元方法对转轮叶片强度进行了校核。研究表明:3种叶片低压边厚度分布规律的转轮均满足强度要求。空化性能方面,水轮机42%出力工况下,翼型2转轮不发生空化;88%出力工况、100%出力工况和水泵大流量工况下,随着叶片低压边的厚度的增大,空化越剧烈;水泵小流量工况与设计工况下,转轮的空化程度并不因低压边厚度的增大而加剧,而是水泵设计工况下,低压边厚度相对最大的翼型3叶片头部绕流平顺,空化性能相对较好,其他2种翼型由于头部出现脱流和漩涡,出现严重空化。     

混流式水轮机的三维湍流流场分析与性能预测

用数值方法研究混流式水轮机各通流元件内部流场是优化其设计的重要手段。该文基于Navier-Stokes方程和k-ε紊流模型,采用贴体坐标和交错网格系统,用SIMPLEC算法对一模型混流式水轮机引水元件、转轮和尾水管进行了联合计算与转轮单流道计算,数值模拟了水轮机各通流元件内部三维湍流流场,预测了水轮机的能量性能和空化性能,并与水轮机模型试验结果进行了对比。该文的水轮机计算效率与实测效率非常接近,各工况最大相对误差为0.9%;计算的初生空化系数与实测临界空化系数之比为1.57～1.99,符合实际。研究结果表明,该文提出的多部件联合计算与转轮单流道计算相结合的方法,可节省计算资源且精度较高,并具有良好的工程适用性。     

C型及S型叶片的贯流式水轮机流场特性

为了研究不同叶片进出口边形状及位置对贯流式水轮机内部的流动特性及机组能量特性所产生的影响,并为贯流式水轮机叶片的水力设计提供参考,该文基于某4叶片灯泡贯流式水轮机模型机,利用ANSYS-Bladegen对转轮叶片进行优化设计,并通过数值研究的方法对优化前（C 型叶片）和优化后（S 型叶片）的贯流式水轮机进行流场分析和性能评估,以揭示2种形式的叶片几何参数差异所引起的水轮机内流动特性及水轮机能量特性的差异。研究结果表明：S型叶片因其进出口边位置低于C型叶片,因此流道内速度矩的消耗位置较低,转轮出口环量分布规律也呈S型分布;C型叶片具有较大的叶栅稠密度及包角,叶片表面低压区较小,相反S型叶片叶栅稠密度及叶片包角较小,叶片正背面压差较大,因此转轮能量转换能力优于C型叶片,同时S型的出水边有效的减小了转轮出口的低压区,有助于改善尾水管内的流动特性;叶片进出水边对转轮内的水流具有导流作用,且流量越小,这种趋势越明显,S 型叶片进水边形状有将水流导向轮缘的趋势,水流在流道内的流量分配也呈近似 S型分配;S型叶片叶栅排挤作用减小,转轮内的水力损失、转轮出口环量损失及尾水管水力损失也明显小于C型叶片,因此其整体能量特性优于C型叶片。     

混流式水轮机多工况运行转轮特性

为提高水轮机运行性能,该研究首先采用SST k-ω湍流模型探讨混流式水轮机多工况运行转轮内流特性,并基于流固耦合方法研究0.35Qr,Qr（Qr为设计工况）,1.09Qr工况下的结构场特性。量化分析三维流场速度、压力、涡流黏度、转轮等效应力与变形特征等参量,结果表明最大等效应力和最大变形量均随负荷增加而增大,且各工况下最大等效应力均出现在转轮叶片出水边靠近上冠处,最大变形量均产生在叶片出口边中间区域。0.35Qr、1.09Qr工况运行时水流在转轮进口的撞击产生轴向涡是涡流黏度、等效应力、变形量增加的主要原因,0.35Qr、1.09Qr工况最大等效应力约为Qr工况的0.86倍和1.07倍。叶片与上冠连接处应力集中,且因连接位置约束性较强,其结构变形量较小。上冠处强约束使得叶片中心位置产生的变形量最大,上冠处变形量约为叶片出口边中间位置变形量的29.25%。进一步采用理论分析与数值模拟相结合的方法探讨不同材料转轮性能,研究表明Q345材料转轮的湿模态频率下降率最高,最大下降率为24.5%。Q345的湿模态频率下降率是ZG00Cr13Ni5Mo转轮的1.14倍,因此使用Q345材料时应充分考虑流体阻尼效应。各材料转轮临界转速均远高于水轮机工作转速,不会引发共振,Q345和1Cr18Ni9Ti的转轮抗变形能力最强,但Q345转轮质量相对1Cr18Ni9Ti转轮较轻,Q345更适用于制造转轮。不同材料转轮的等效应力、变形量等静力学特性分布规律相同,且转轮具有相同的模态振型,故相关研究成果可推广至其他常用材料,为水轮机设计及运行提供一定的参考与指导。     

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.