不同巨桉人工林土壤分形特征及抗蚀性分析

为探讨耕地退耕成人工巨桉林后对土壤团粒结构及土壤抗蚀性能产生的影响,在野外调查与室内分析的基础上,选择4.5年生巨桉纯林、巨桉+果树、巨桉+粮食作物土壤作为研究对象,农耕地作为对照,研究了不同巨桉人工林下水稳性团聚体分形维数的变化特征,分析了分形维数与土壤养分状况、土壤结构稳定性以及土壤抗蚀性能的关系。结果表明,4种模式土壤分形维数介于2.142~2.296;在0~15 cm土层分形维数表现为耕地林果林粮纯林,纯林和农耕地之间差异显著,其他3种模式之间差异不显著;在15~30 cm土层分形维数表现为耕地纯林林粮林果,4种模式之间差异不显著。分形维数与土壤有机质含量、大团聚体含量呈显著和极显著负相关;与土壤平均重量直径、水稳性指数有负相关趋势;与土壤体积质量、微团聚体含量呈极显著正相关。说明土壤分形维数越小,土壤有机质、大团聚体含量越高,土壤平均重量直径、水稳性指数越大,土壤体积质量、微团聚体含量越低,土壤结构越稳定,抗蚀力越强。因此,团聚体的分形维数值能反映土壤性质的变化,通过对土壤分形维数特征的研究可以定量揭示不同巨桉模式下土壤抗侵蚀的能力。     

巨桉人工林下土壤团聚体分形特征及碱解氮分布研究

了解川中丘陵区巨桉林土壤团聚体分形特征及碱解氮含量状况对于掌握该地区巨桉种植对土壤稳定性及土壤养分的影响十分必要。该研究以典型川中丘陵区3.5a生巨桉纯林、巨桉+果树、巨桉+粮食作物土壤为研究对象,以弃耕地土壤为对照,应用分形模型,分析了土壤团聚体分形特征及不同粒径团聚体对土壤碱解氮分布的影响。结果表明:土壤团聚体数量随着粒径的增大呈现出先减少再增加后减少的趋势,其中2~5mm粒径团聚体在土壤结构中占有重要地位;土壤分形维数排序为:弃耕地纯林林果林粮;土壤碱解氮含量排序为:弃耕地林粮林果纯林,巨桉林地较弃耕地土壤分形维数和碱解氮含量低,说明巨桉的栽培在有利于保持土壤水土流失的同时却造成了土壤养分流失和地力衰退;巨桉林地土壤碱解氮集中分布在0.25mm和0.25~0.5mm粒径的细砂和中砂砾中;相关分析表明,土壤碱解氮含量与0.25~0.5mm团聚体碱解氮含量呈负相关,与2~5mm团聚体碱解氮含量呈显著正相关。该研究结果科学评价了巨桉种植对土壤结构和养分的影响,为川中丘陵区土壤的水土保持和肥力维护工作提供了合理的经营模式。     

两种巨桉人工林地土壤抗蚀性的比较研究

[目的]揭示巨桉人工林组培苗和实生苗两种起源对土壤抗蚀性的影响。[方法]利用S形采样法在样地内采集多个样点,按上(0—10cm),中(10—20cm),下(20—30cm)三层分别利用环刀和塑料盒采集原状土壤,测定不同层次土壤容重、非毛管孔隙度、毛管孔隙度、总孔隙度、渗透速率、水稳性团聚体含量等。[结果](1)随着土壤深度增加,两种巨桉林地土壤容重呈现递增趋势,而总孔隙度和通气孔隙度呈递减趋势。组培巨桉林土壤容重低于实生苗巨桉林地,而土壤总孔隙度、通气孔隙度高于显著实生苗巨桉林地(p0.05);(2)随着土壤深度增加,两种巨桉林地土壤水稳性指数、抗蚀指数、团聚状况、团聚度和结构系数呈现下降趋势,水稳性指数和抗蚀指数达到显著水平(p0.05),而分散率和分散系数呈现升高趋势。组培巨桉林地不同土层的抗蚀指数和结构系数均高于实生苗巨桉林地,但分散系数均显著低于实生苗巨桉林地(p0.05);(3)随着土壤深度增加,两种巨桉林地土壤各粒径水稳性团聚体含量和平均重量直径(MWD)呈现出下降趋势,土壤结构体破坏率呈现上升趋势。组培苗巨桉林地不同土层各粒径(5mm;5~2mm;0.5~0.25mm;0.5mm;0.25mm)水稳性团聚体含量和MWD均高于实生苗林地,而结构体破坏率、2~1mm和1~0.5mm水稳性团聚体含量均低于实生苗巨桉林地。[结论]组培巨桉人工林的土壤抗蚀性更佳。     

不同巨桉林下紫色土壤抗蚀性与土壤因子的耦合关系分析

为揭示耕地退耕成巨桉林后对土壤抗蚀性的影响,在野外调查和室内分析的基础上,以紫色土上栽培的6a生巨桉纯林、巨桉+果树、巨桉+粮食作物及农耕地土壤作为研究对象,利用主成分方法分析了影响巨桉林土壤抗蚀性的主要理化指标,同时结合灰色关联度构建了抗蚀性指数—土壤理化性质指标的耦合模型,对不同巨桉林的抗蚀性进行综合判定。结果表明:影响土壤抗蚀性的主要因子有0.25mm团聚体含量、容重、有机质、平均重量直径、水稳性指数、有效钾、碱解氮,其中0.25mm团聚体含量是决定土壤抗蚀性水平的最关键因素;平均重量直径和水稳性指数与土壤理化性质指标分别属于中等和较强关联,土壤理化性质对土壤抗蚀性的影响依次为0.25mm团聚体含量碱解氮有效磷有机质有效钾容重;土壤抗蚀性与土壤理化性质系统的整体耦合水平属于弱协调,系统耦合协调程度为巨桉纯林(中度协调)耕地(弱协调)林粮(轻度不协调)林果(轻度不协调)。研究结论可为耕地退耕成巨桉林地的土壤抗蚀性评价提供一定的理论依据。     

石灰岩区土壤分形特征及其与土壤性质的关系

研究了岩溶坡地不同生态系统土壤颗粒组成和团粒结构的分形特征.结果表明,土壤颗粒组成分形维数与黏粒及物理性黏粒含量显著正相关,与砂砾含量显著负相关.团粒结构分形维数与水稳性团聚体含量显著负相关,与团聚体湿筛后的破坏率显著正相关,即分形维数愈高,>0.25 mm水稳性团聚体和水稳性大团聚体含量愈低;团粒结构的分形维数与土壤有机质有负相关趋势,与土壤阳离子交换量显著负相关,与土壤体积质量(容重)呈正相关趋势.次生灌丛岩溶生态系统退化后,土壤黏粒减少,体积质量上升,土壤水稳性团聚体含量及其稳定性下降,土壤颗粒组成分形维数降低,土壤团粒结构分形维数则呈上升趋势.颗粒组成分形维数与团粒结构分形维数对土壤质量和岩溶生态环境状况的反映是一致的.     

海州露天煤矿排土场不同复垦模式下表层土壤团聚体的稳定性

为探究不同复垦模式对排土场土壤团聚体稳定性的影响,以辽宁省阜新市海州露天煤矿排土场复垦区内灌木林地(紫穗槐)、榆树林地、刺槐林地、混交林地(刺槐和榆树混交)和荒草地5种复垦模式为研究对象,经干筛法和湿筛法测得土壤机械团聚体和水稳性团聚体组成,并以土壤大团聚体稳定性为指标(R_(0.25)即0.25 mm团聚体含量)和团聚体破坏率(PAD)、土壤团聚体直径指标(平均质量直径MWD、几何平均直径GMD和土壤分形维数D)作为评价指标,分析不同复垦模式下土壤团聚体稳定性的特征。结果表明:大团聚体稳定性、团聚体破坏率和土壤团聚体直径指标在不同复垦模式表层土壤总体呈现出林地优于荒草地的趋势,其中灌木林地土壤团聚体破坏率最低,刺槐林地和混交林地土壤团聚体直径指标较好,林地表土层土壤稳定性更好。土壤团聚体稳定性的指标MWD与GMD相互之间呈极显著正相关,与分形维数D值呈正相关。土壤团聚体从大团聚(5.00 mm)到转化微团聚体(0.25 mm)的过程中,1.00 mm和2.00 mm土壤团聚体转化过程中较为关键的节点。     

川中丘陵区不同巨桉林地模式下土壤抗蚀性研究

以川中丘陵区3.5a生巨桉纯林、巨桉+果树、巨桉+粮食作物3种栽培模式下土壤作为研究材料,弃耕地作为对照,通过对土壤机械组成、土壤干筛团聚体、土壤崩解速率、土壤水稳性指数(K值)等指标的测定和分析,研究了不同巨桉林地对土壤可蚀性的影响。结果表明:不同模式下土壤的机械组成差异极显著,物理性黏粒含量纯林弃耕地林果林粮,砂粒含量林粮林果弃耕地纯林;不同模式下土壤干筛团聚体组成差异极显著;土壤崩解速率总体上表现为纯林弃耕地林果林粮,且纯林的静水崩解率在垂直方向上增大,林果、林粮、弃耕相反;水稳性指数总体表现为纯林弃耕地林果林粮,垂直方向上,纯林K值减小,其它模式K值均增加。通过以上抗蚀性指标的分析,可以认为不同模式土壤的抗蚀性由强到弱依次为巨桉纯林弃耕地林果林粮。     

不同退耕年限林草地土壤颗粒分形特征研究

选用不同退耕年限林地、草地各3块,对0—60cm土壤进行土壤机械组成及分形维数研究,分析土壤颗粒特征与土壤基本性质之间的相关关系。结果表明:随着退耕年限的增加,土壤粘粒含量与颗粒分形维数有增长趋势,林地较草地变化显著;林、草地中土壤颗粒分形维数随土层加深均降低,林地较草地降低明显;随着年限的增加,土壤基本性质得到改善,饱和含水率、总孔隙度、水稳性团聚体及有机质尤为显著;土壤颗粒分形维数与水稳性团聚体、饱和含水率、总孔隙度、有机质和粘粒含量均存在显著正相关关系。退耕还林还草可改善土壤基本性质,土壤质地有向粘性发展的趋势,土壤分形维数提高,其中以林地最为显著。     

不同经营模式土壤团粒结构的分形特征研究

土壤团聚体和水稳性团聚体的状况是影响土壤肥力的一个重要因素。本文运用分形模型对不同林分经营模式土壤团粒结构进行研究,探讨了分形维数与土壤肥力的关系。结果表明：土壤水稳性团聚体及不稳性大团聚体含量越大,团粒结构的分形维数越小,土壤肥力越高,土壤肥力越高;土壤团粒结构的分形维数与水稳性团聚体含量及水稳性大团聚体含量之间存在的显著回归关系;分形模型为土壤肥力研究提供新方法。     

不同土地利用方式下土壤团聚体的组成及稳定性研究

采用野外调查与室内分析相结合的方法.就不同土地利用方式下土壤团聚体的组成及稳定性进行了研究.试验结果表明:(1)干筛处理下土壤团聚体均以>5 mm粒径为主,总体随粒径的减小呈先降低后增加再降低的趋势;湿筛处理下土壤团聚体以<0.25 mm粒径为主,总体随粒径的减小呈先降低后增加的趋势.(2)干筛处理下,平均重量直径和几何平均直径均表现为桉树人工林最大,杉木人工林最小;湿筛处理下平均重量直径和几何平均直径均以杉木人工林最大,枇杷园最小.(3)风干性团聚体的分形维数表现为杉木人工林>茶园>枇杷园>桉树人工林>撂荒地,水稳性团聚体的分形维数表现为枇杷园>撂荒地>茶园>桉树人工林>杉木人工林.     

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.