氮肥运筹对黄壤坡耕地作物产量和土壤无机氮累积量的影响

通过3年田间试验,探索贵州黄壤坡耕地玉米-小麦间套作体系作物增产、环境友好的适宜氮肥施用量。本研究设置6个小麦氮肥用量(N 0、90、120、150、180和240 kg/hm~2)和6个玉米氮肥用量(N 0、146、195、244、293和390 kg/hm~2),分别用N0、N1、N2、N3、N4、N5表示。结果表明:玉米在0～146.25 kg/hm~2的施氮量下,籽粒产量随着施氮量提高而增加,超过146.25 kg/hm~2施氮量,籽粒产量呈下降的趋势;玉米在0～243.25kg/hm~2的施氮量下,植株氮素累积量随着施氮量提高而增加,超过243.25 kg/hm~2的施氮量,植株氮素累积量呈下降的趋势。小麦在0～150 kg/hm~2的施氮量下,籽粒产量和植株氮素累积量随着施氮量提高而增加,超过150kg/hm~2施氮量,籽粒产量和植株氮素累积量呈下降的趋势。玉米-小麦间套作在0～236.25 kg/hm~2的施氮量下,籽粒产量随着施氮量提高而增加,超过236.25 kg/hm~2施氮量,籽粒产量呈下降的趋势;玉米-小麦间套作在0～315 kg/hm~2的施氮量下,植株氮素累积量随着施氮量提高而增加,超过315 kg/hm~2施氮量,植株氮素累积量呈下降的趋势。3年试验周期内氮素利用率较低,不超过25%;土壤中残留无机氮随着施肥量的增加而增加,并以NO3--N为主,100 cm土体累积的NO3--N与周年施氮量呈正相关(R2=0.746 3)。N0、N1、N2、N3、N4、N5处理的0～100 cm土体累积无机氮分别为275.5、301.5、292.1、366.5、431.2、616.9 kg/hm~2,N0、N1、N2、N3、N4、N5处理的耕层土壤无机氮占100 cm土体内土壤无机氮的比例分别为18.1%、19.0%、27.3%、26.2%、33.9%、22.1%。耕层无机氮表聚效应较弱,而土体累积无机氮含量较高。当每年施氮量为225.6～264.6 kg/hm~2时,籽粒产量为3 784.8～3 888.2 kg/hm~2,NO3--N积累量在217.5～228.9 kg/hm~2,增施氮肥,有利于籽粒增产,土壤NO3--N积累量平均增速为0.29 kg/kg,是贵州黄壤坡耕地麦-玉间套作体系氮肥适宜施用量,更有利于黄壤区农业的可持续发展。     

滴灌水肥一体化条件下施氮量对夏玉米氮素吸收利用及土壤硝态氮含量的影响

河北山前平原夏玉米高产区施肥不合理现象普遍存在,农业面源污染严重。研究华北山前平原水肥一体化条件下夏玉米适宜的氮肥运筹,可为该区氮素优化施用技术及提高氮肥利用效率提供依据。本研究以‘郑单958’玉米品种为材料,于2014—2015年2个玉米生长季,在滴灌条件下设置4个施氮水平(N0:不施氮;N1:120 kg·hm~(-2);N2:240 kg·hm~(-2);N3:360 kg·hm~(-2)),研究滴灌水肥一体化下施氮量对玉米氮素吸收利用和土壤硝态氮含量的影响。结果表明:N0处理的玉米干物质重及产量较其他处理显著降低,N1、N2和N3处理间无显著差异;N1处理的玉米氮含量和氮累积量较N0处理显著增加,施氮量在N1~N3范围内,不同年份间玉米植株氮含量和氮累积量存在一定差异,总体表现为随施氮量的增加而上升的趋势,但随施氮量的增加,植株氮含量和氮累积量上升幅度逐渐降低。N2处理的氮肥收获指数最高。随施氮量增加,氮肥当季回收利用率、氮肥农学效率、氮肥生产效率和氮肥利用效率显著降低;2014年,在0~100 cm土层范围内,4种施氮处理的土壤硝态氮含量均表现为随土层加深逐渐降低;2015年N2和N3处理的土壤硝态氮在80~100 cm土层达到累积峰,经过2年种植后,年施氮量超过240 kg·hm~(-2)的处理,土壤硝态氮淋洗加剧。利用一元二次方程拟合产量与施氮量之间的关系,明确了玉米最高产量的施氮量为199~209 kg·hm~(-2),经济施氮量为174~187 kg·hm~(-2)。综合考虑经济效益和生态效益,该条件下夏玉米滴灌水肥一体化的适宜施氮量为174~187 kg·hm~(-2)。     

春玉米产量、氮肥效率及土壤矿质氮对施氮的响应

为了提高氮肥增产效益,减少对环境的污染,通过田间试验研究了施氮量对春玉米产量、氮肥效率及土壤矿质氮的影响。结果表明,施氮量较低时,春玉米籽粒产量随施氮量增加显著增加,当施氮量高于180 kg·hm-2时,产量保持不变或有减少趋势。氮肥农学利用率、氮素吸收效率、氮素偏生产力和氮收获指数均随着施氮量增加显著降低,氮肥表观利用率和氮肥生理利用率均先增加后降低。从苗期到收获期,施氮处理0~60 cm土层硝态氮含量呈现"上升—下降—上升—下降—稳定"的变化趋势,而60~120 cm土层硝态氮在春玉米生长后期有增加的趋势。随着土层加深,土壤硝态氮含量呈波浪式下降,施氮量240 kg·hm-2和300 kg·hm-2处理在60~100 cm土层硝态氮含量均显著高于其他处理。随着施氮量增加,0~120 cm土层硝态氮累积量显著增加,当施氮量超过240kg·hm-2时,土层中累积的硝态氮存在着较大的淋溶风险。综合考虑产量、氮肥效率和环境效应,179~209 kg N·hm-2是本试验条件下春玉米的合理施氮量。     

硝酸盐反射仪和SPAD法对玉米氮素营养诊断的比较

精准的营养诊断是了解作物氮素营养及推荐施肥的基础。本文在田间滴灌条件下利用SPAD叶绿素仪(SPAD-502 Plus)和硝酸盐反射仪(RQ flex10)两种诊断方法对玉米关键生育时期的氮素营养诊断进行研究,旨在筛选出适宜的诊断方法,并依据诊断值建立滴灌玉米不同生育时期的施肥模型。试验设置0 kg(N)·hm~(-2)(N0)、225 kg(N)·hm~(-2)(N225)、330 kg(N)·hm~(-2)(N330)、435 kg(N)·hm~(-2)(N435)和540 kg(N)·hm~(-2)(N540)5个施氮水平,在不同生育时期测定了玉米叶片SPAD值和叶鞘NO_3~-含量,并分别与施氮量、植株全氮含量、产量进行方程拟合,比较两种诊断方法对玉米氮素营养的响应。研究结果表明:1)玉米叶片SPAD值和叶鞘NO_3~-含量均随施氮量的增加而显著升高,且在拔节期对施氮量的响应最敏感。叶鞘NO_3~-含量对施氮量变化的响应较SPAD值大,其与施氮量及玉米产量的拟合度均高于SPAD值,说明硝酸盐反射仪法对滴灌玉米氮素丰缺的反应更灵敏。2)玉米全氮含量与叶片SPAD值呈显著线性关系,而与叶鞘NO_3~-含量则以线性加平台表示。当叶鞘NO_3~-含量小于186 mg·L~(-1)时,植株全氮与NO_3~-间呈显著线性相关;当叶鞘NO_3~-含量大于186 mg·L~(-1)时,植株全氮随NO_3~-含量增加趋于不变。3)本农作区滴灌玉米最佳经济施氮量为402.5 kg·hm~(-2),对应的玉米产量为17 049 kg·hm~(-2)。玉米拔节期、抽雄吐丝期和灌浆期的临界叶鞘NO_3~-含量分别为729.3 mg·L~(-1)、536 mg·L~(-1)和81.2 mg·L~(-1)。SPAD叶绿素仪和硝酸盐反射仪均可对滴灌玉米进行氮素营养诊断,但硝酸盐速测值能更敏感地反映氮素丰缺状况,基于硝酸盐反射法进行作物氮素营养诊断及推荐施肥具有较好的准确性与适用性。     

养分专家系统推荐施肥对甜瓜产量品质和土壤氮素淋失的影响

  【目的】  养分专家系统 (Nutrient Expert，NE) 是利用作物多年产量水平和施肥历史进行推荐施肥的轻简化施肥技术。本研究从甜瓜产量品质和土壤养分的淋洗、平衡角度，对该方法在甜瓜上应用的可行性进行验证。  【方法】  以甜瓜品种‘楼兰17号’为试材，于2017—2018年在甘肃省瓜州县向阳村进行了推荐施肥田间试验。在养分专家系统推荐施氮量 N 300 kg/hm2 (NE, N300) 的基础上，设置NE ± 25%N (N225和N375)、NE ± 50%N (N150和N450) 4个施氮量处理，以不施氮肥为对照 (N0)。在成熟期，测定甜瓜产量、品质、地上部干物质积累量、果实氮素吸收量、氮肥利用率、0—200 cm土层硝态氮累积量，分析土壤氮素平衡状况。  【结果】  2017和2018年甜瓜产量均以NE系统推荐的N300处理最高，较N0处理两年平均增产24.7%，施氮量0～300 kg/hm2范围内，甜瓜产量随施氮水平的增加而增加，超过NE推荐施氮量 (300 kg/hm2)时产量下降；在NE推荐的施氮量 (300 kg/hm2)时甜瓜品质最优，商品率、经济效益最高，施氮量不足或过量都不利于甜瓜品质的形成；氮肥利用率、氮肥养分内在效率随施氮量的增加而降低，但N225和N300处理差异不显著，果实吸氮量在N300处理时最高，N300处理氮素收获指数明显高于其他施氮处理；0—200 cm土层硝态氮累积量随着施氮量的增加而增加，2017年硝态氮主要残留在0—100 cm土层，占0—200 cm土层硝态氮积累量的43.9%～55.3%，2018年硝态氮主要残留在100—200 cm土层，占0—200 cm土层硝态氮积累量的44.8%～69.9%；0—100 cm土层氮素表观损失量随施氮量的增加而增加，甜瓜植株地上部吸氮量两年平均占氮素输出量的33.2%、氮素残留量占氮素输出量的33.1%、氮素表观损失量占氮素输出量的42.1%；甜瓜产量、地上部吸氮量及氮素残留量和施氮量的多曲线分析拟合得出，甜瓜最高吸氮量的施氮量为323 kg/hm2，最高产量的施氮量为293 kg/hm2。施氮量每增加30 kg/hm2，产量增加886.5 kg/hm2，增幅为2.1%；土壤硝态氮增加8.5 kg/hm2，增幅为37.6%。  【结论】  不论是产量和品质，还是氮素收获指数，NE系统推荐的施氮300 kg/hm2处理都取得了最优的效果。当超过推荐施氮量时，主要增加茎叶干物质量，但会降低果实的产量和品质。在供试生态条件下，土壤中硝态氮累积量随施氮量的增加而增加，且向下淋洗明显，试验的第一年主要积累在0—100 cm土层，第二年则下移至100—200 cm土层，环境风险增加。当氮素施用量超过300 kg/hm2时，氮素表观损失量 > 氮素残留量 > 植株地上部吸氮量。因此，在生态脆弱区，限制氮肥过量投入不仅是产量和品质的需要，也是实现环境可持续的要求。     

减量施氮及秸秆深埋对春玉米地土壤电导率和硝态氮淋溶的影响

通过在中国科学院长武黄土高原农业生态试验站半覆膜种植春玉米大田试验,研究了减氮及秸秆深埋对土壤电导率、土壤硝态氮淋溶和玉米产量的影响,旨在为提高氮肥利用效率和保护环境提供理论依据。试验设5个处理3个重复,处理包括不施氮(CK)、常规施氮(CON1,N 250kg/hm2)、常规施氮加秸秆(CON2,N 250kg/hm2+秸秆)、减量施氮(CR1,N 200kg/hm2)和减量施氮加秸秆(CR2,N 200kg/hm2+秸秆)。测量了春玉米各生育期土层剖面土壤电导率、收获期土壤硝态氮含量和春玉米产量。结果表明:土壤电导率在分蘖期、拔节期40—150cm土层出现峰值,在抽穗期、成熟期40—200cm土层出现峰值,峰值范围下移。在0—150cm土层范围内,土壤电导率整体呈现CON2CON1,CR2CR1。在0—150cm土层范围内,常规施氮土壤电导率高于减量施氮。与常规施氮相比,减量施氮减少了土壤剖面硝态氮含量,同时,采取秸秆深埋措施也能减少土壤剖面硝态氮含量,并延缓硝态氮的淋溶下移。与常规施氮相比,减量20%施氮增产9.59%。施氮条件下,秸秆深埋时,有利于提高作物产量,提高氮肥增产潜力。秸秆深埋有利于提高土壤电导率,减少土壤硝态氮含量,阻控土壤硝态氮向下淋溶,提高玉米产量。     

施氮量对滴灌冬小麦–夏玉米周年产量及氮素利用效率的影响

  【目的】  当前华北平原冬小麦–夏玉米生产中,存在氮肥投入量大、氮肥利用效率低等问题,在滴灌水肥一体化条件下研究施氮量对冬小麦–夏玉米周年产量、氮素利用效率和土壤全氮含量、硝态氮残留的影响,以期为该地区小麦–玉米节肥、高产高效的栽培模式提供理论依据。  【方法】  于2018—2020年在青岛农业大学胶州现代农业示范园开展小麦、玉米滴灌施肥田间试验。设冬小麦/夏玉米生长季不施氮(N0)和施氮 150/150 kg/hm2 (N1)、210/225 kg/hm2 (N2) 和270/300 kg/hm2 (N3) 4个水平,以传统施肥方式和常规施氮量240/240 kg/hm2为对照(CK)。分析冬小麦和夏玉米产量、氮素吸收量和土壤氮素残留量。  【结果】  N2处理冬小麦、夏玉米产量最高,与N3处理无显著差异,但显著高于N0、N1和CK处理;N3处理冬小麦、夏玉米的干物质积累量、氮素吸收量最高,与N2处理差异较小,而显著高于N0、N1和CK处理。冬小麦、夏玉米氮肥偏生产力随着施氮量的提高而降低;冬小麦季氮素利用效率随着施氮量的提高而降低;夏玉米季,N2、N1和N0处理的氮素利用效率显著高于N3和CK处理,且N0、N1和N2处理间无显著差异;冬小麦、夏玉米氮肥农学利用率均随着施氮量的提高而降低,N2施氮水平下,氮素利用效率和氮肥农学利用率均表现较优。随着施氮量的增加,0—100 cm土层土壤全氮含量和硝态氮含量呈增加的趋势,全氮积累主要集中在0—40 cm土层,N3、N2和CK处理0—100 cm土层土壤全氮含量与N0和N1处理之间的差异随着轮作年数的增加而逐渐增大,N2处理较N3和CK处理有效抑制了硝态氮在表层土壤的积累和向深层土壤的迁移,降低了硝态氮淋失风险。  【结论】  冬小麦季施氮210 kg/hm2和夏玉米季施氮225 kg/hm2 (N2)可实现周年作物增产高效,提高氮素利用效率,显著降低硝态氮向深层土壤迁移,降低硝态氮淋失风险,是滴灌水肥一体化下华北平原麦玉周年轮作适宜的施氮量。     

地下水位波动对不同施氮量农田土壤硝态氮运移影响

明确地下水位波动对农田土壤剖面和地下水NO_3~--N运移的影响,可为减少土壤氮素淋失、降低地下水硝酸盐污染风险提供依据。本研究采用大型土柱温室种植甘蓝,研究2种水位波动(水位不变、水位每隔10 d波动20 cm)和3种施氮量[0 kg(N)·hm~(-2)、225 kg(N)·hm~(-2)、450 kg(N)·hm~(-2)]对土壤含水量、土壤溶液NO_3~--N浓度、地下水NO_3~--N浓度和作物产量的影响。结果表明,水位波动和施氮肥对NO_3~--N运移的影响与土壤剖面深度有关。0～20cm包气带土壤NO_3~--N含量受施氮量影响,过量施氮肥[450kg(N)·hm~(-2)]导致该剖面NO_3~--N累积。20～60cm水位波动带土壤NO_3~--N含量受施氮量和水位波动的共同作用:施氮量增加提高NO_3~--N含量;水位波动降低剖面土壤NO_3~--N含量,水位上升和下降均促进土壤NO_3~--N随着水流运动向下层迁移;剖面土壤硝态氮含量高,增加NO_3~--N进入地下水的风险。60～80 cm淹水区剖面土壤NO_3~--N含量较低。作物产量受水位波动影响不显著。在地下水位埋深较浅的农业区进行氮素污染防控时,不可忽视水位波动对NO_3~--N运移的影响。     

施氮对小麦产量和氮素径流损失及氮肥投入阈值的研究

为明确巢湖流域小麦季氮肥投入阈值,在连续3年田间试验条件下,研究了(2012—2014年)不同氮肥水平下(N0、N1、N2、N3、N4、N5分别为0,157.5,210.0,262.5,310.0,420.0kg/hm~2)小麦产量、植株氮素积累量、氮肥利用率、土壤无机氮残留量(0—20cm)及氮素径流流失;同时,利用回归方程模型对其间的相关关系进行拟合。结果表明:(1)与不施氮肥相比,施用氮肥可不同程度提高小麦产量,其中以N3处理增加的比例最大,为64.8%。利用二次函数分析,当施用氮肥超过290.9kg/hm~2时,小麦产量下降。(2)植株氮素累积量和氮肥利用率随施氮量的增加均呈先上升后下降的趋势,当实际施氮量为296.6kg/hm~2时,小麦地上部植株氮素积累量最高;当施氮量为158.5kg/hm~2时,氮肥利用率最高。(3)随着施氮量的增加,土壤中无机氮的残留量(0—20cm)和氮素的径流损失逐渐升高,但是在310.0kg/hm~2之前累积量无显著变化,当施氮量达到420.0kg/hm~2时,土壤中无机氮的残留量及氮素的径流流失变化明显,累积量平均达67.0kg/hm~2,流失量平均达8.3kg/hm~2。因此,施氮量过高时,会增加土壤无机氮残留及氮素径流损失的风险,对环境造成污染。结合巢湖地区土壤肥力条件,综合考虑试验施肥处理、施氮量对小麦产量、植株氮素积累量、氮肥利用率、土壤无机氮残留量(0—20cm)及氮素径流流失因素,提出适宜巢湖地区的氮肥投入阈值为157.5~262.5kg/hm~2。     

长期定位施肥对潮土氮素矿化特性及作物产量的影响

基于连续进行37a的莱阳长期定位施肥试验,采用田间原位—离子交换树脂法(ISC—IERB)研究了冬小麦—夏玉米轮作制下长期施用氮肥及其配施磷钾肥对非石灰性潮土氮素矿化特性的影响,并探究了氮素矿化特性及冬小麦或夏玉米产量之间的关系。结果表明,与长期不施肥(CK)相比,长期施肥使土壤全氮和矿质氮含量分别显著增加60.2%~130.9%和65.4%~307.8%;在施等量氮肥情况下,氮磷钾配施(N~2PK)较氮肥单施(N_2)使土壤全氮显著降低8.0%~8.6%。在冬小麦和夏玉米生长季,低氮处理(N_1,138kg N/hm~2)氮净矿化量分别为35.2mg/kg和76.7mg/kg,高量氮肥(N_2,276kg N/hm~2)处理氮净矿化量分别为76.6 mg/kg和105.4 mg/kg,N_2较N1分别显著增加117.8%和37.5%,高氮配施磷钾(N_2PK,N_2P,N_2K)与N_2氮净矿化量差异不显著;在冬小麦和夏玉米生长季,N_2PK处理作物吸氮量较CK分别显著增加320.0%和155.2%;N_2土壤表观淋失最严重,而氮磷钾配施有利于滞缓氮素淋失。与CK相比,长期施肥使夏玉米、冬小麦产量分别显著提高136%~327%和56%~317%;N_2PK夏玉米和冬小麦产量均最高,分别为9 659,5 484kg/hm~2。总之,增施氮肥是提高土壤供氮潜力的基础,氮磷钾配施有利于提高作物对氮素的吸收,并提高作物产量。     

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.     

“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.     

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.     

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     

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.