再植枸杞根际真菌群落对长期连作的响应研究

受枸杞自身种植特点和道地产区土地资源限制,连作障碍已成为制约宁夏枸杞产业可持续发展的主要因素之一,导致严重的经济损失和生态问题。前期研究表明,连作能够显著影响再植枸杞根际土壤细菌的群落结构和多样性,但就连作对真菌群落结构和功能的影响目前仍不清楚。本文利用实时荧光定量PCR和高通量测序技术,研究连作对再植枸杞根际真菌群落丰度及多样性的影响。实时荧光定量PCR分析表明,与对照样地相比,连作显著促进再植枸杞根际及非根际土壤中细菌和真菌的丰度。但连作对真菌的促进作用明显高于细菌,导致细菌/真菌比例失衡,使再植枸杞根际及非根际土壤微生物环境偏向于真菌型。对测序结果的分析发现,所测定样地中枸杞根际及非根际土壤中的优势真菌门分别为子囊菌门、担子菌门、接合菌门、壶菌门及球囊菌门,其中连作地再植枸杞根际子囊菌门的相对丰度较对照样地显著降低,而接合菌门的相对丰度则显著增加(P0.05)。FUNGuild真菌功能预测也证实连作显著抑制再植枸杞根际土壤丛枝菌根真菌的相对丰度(P0.05)。基于距离的冗余分析(db-RDA)结果表明,土壤pH、电导率、硝态氮和有效磷含量是影响枸杞根际土壤真菌群落变化的主要因子(P0.05),而土壤硝态氮和有效磷含量则是解释非根际土壤真菌群落变化的主要因子(P0.05)。这些结果说明长期施用化肥可能是改变连作地再植枸杞根际土壤真菌群落结构及枸杞-真菌互作关系的主要因素之一。这一研究结果为理解枸杞连作障碍的形成机制提供理论基础。     

丛枝菌根真菌提高感染青枯菌番茄根际土壤细菌群落多样性和稳定性及有益菌属相对丰度

  【目的】  青枯病是由茄科雷尔氏菌 (Ralstonia solanacearum, 亦称青枯菌) 诱导产生的一种高温高湿型土传病害,土壤温度高、湿度大时易于青枯菌的繁殖进而引发青枯病。丛枝菌根真菌 (arbuscular mycorrhiza, AM) 可能通过调控根际微生物区系对病原体产生影响,我们研究了AM真菌对青枯菌入侵条件下土壤细菌群落的影响。  【方法】  以番茄 (Solanum lycopersicum) 为试材进行盆栽试验,供试AM真菌为摩西管柄囊霉 (Funneliformis mosseae) M47V,供试病原菌为茄科雷尔氏菌QL-RS 1115 (GenBank:GU390462)。催芽5日的番茄种子,接种AM菌剂的为菌根苗,未接种AM真菌的为非菌根苗。在番茄幼苗生长30天时,一半菌根苗和非菌根苗接种青枯菌,另一半不接种青枯菌,共4个处理。在接种青枯菌后1天和14天,采集番茄样品,采用抖土方法采集根际土壤,利用实时荧光PCR分析番茄根际青枯菌数量,采用16S rRNA高通量测序探究土壤细菌群落多样性和结构稳定性。  【结果】  在接种青枯菌初期 (1天),非菌根苗接种青枯菌 (TR–AMF) 和菌根苗接种青枯菌 (TR+AMF) 两组处理的根际土壤细菌群落结构发生明显改变,Chao1指数、Shannon指数和Simpson指数显著降低 (P<0.05),共现网络的节点数和连接数明显减少,模块化程度降低,共现网络简化表明细菌群落结构的稳定性降低。接种青枯菌14天后,不动杆菌属 (Acinetobacter)、鞘氨醇单胞菌属 (Sphingomonas)、溶杆菌属 (Lysobacter)、假单胞菌属 (Pseudomonas) 等有益细菌属在感染青枯菌的番茄根际富集,细菌共现网络的节点数和连接数增加,模块化程度提高,表明细菌群落稳定性得到恢复。与非菌根苗相比,菌根苗接种青枯菌 (TR+AMF) 和菌根苗未接种青枯菌 (TN+AMF) 两个处理番茄根际土壤中青枯菌丰度显著降低 (P<0.05)。AM真菌显著提高Chao1指数和Shannon指数 (P<0.05),提高了感染青枯菌番茄根际土壤中黄杆菌属(Flavobacterium)、黄色土源菌属 (Flavisolibacter)、噬胞菌属 (Cytophaga) 和苔藓杆菌属 (Bryobacter) 的相对丰度,同时增加了共现网络的节点数和连接数,并促进番茄根际细菌物种之间的良性互作,提高细菌网络的复杂程度。  【结论】  感染青枯菌的番茄根际会富集不动杆菌属 (Acinetobacter)、鞘氨醇单胞菌属 (Sphingomonas)、溶杆菌属 (Lysobacter)、假单胞菌属 (Pseudomonas) 等有益菌属以提高其抗病性,恢复细菌多样性和群落稳定性。接种AM真菌可显著降低番茄根际土壤中青枯菌的丰度,特别是侵染青枯菌后提高番茄根际的黄杆菌属 (Flavobacterium)、黄色土源菌属 (Flavisolibacter) 、噬胞菌属 (Cytophaga) 和苔藓杆菌属 (Bryobacter)的相对丰度,进而抑制土壤中青枯菌的生长,并通过提高细菌的多样性和丰富度,促进番茄根际细菌物种之间的稳定共生和良性互作,从而提高细菌群落对青枯菌的抵抗能力。     

黑土农田施加AM菌剂对大豆根际菌群结构的影响

为揭示在黑土农田条件下施加丛枝菌根(AM)菌剂对作物根际微生物群落的影响,试验以大豆为研究对象,田间播种时分别施加根内球囊霉(Glomus intraradices,GI)和摩西球囊霉(Glomus mosseae,GM)两种AM菌剂,以单施化肥处理(F)和不施加AM菌剂及化肥处理(CK)作为对照,采用传统与现代分子生物学手段,研究大豆根际土壤中菌群结构及根系内AM真菌多样性。结果表明:GI、GM处理的大豆菌根侵染率最高达到78.3%和86.6%;GI、GM、F处理的大豆根际土壤中可培养细菌、真菌和放线菌三大菌群的数量与CK处理相比显著提高(p0.05)。分离大豆结荚期根际土壤中AM真菌孢子,共获得Acaulospora属真菌3种,Glomus属真菌7种,孢子密度均较低,G.intraradices和G.mosseae均为各自处理的优势种群。对大豆结荚期根系和根际土壤PCR-DGGE图谱条带的丰度及优势条带测序分析,结果表明根际土壤中的AM真菌菌群数明显高于根系中AM真菌的菌群数量,GI处理的大豆根际土壤中AM真菌丰度值最大,GM处理大豆根系里的AM真菌丰度值最大,F处理的根际土壤中总AM真菌的数量最少;施加AM菌剂处理的大豆根系及根际土壤中的优势菌群分别为外源施加的两种AM真菌。     

长期不同养分缺乏对冬油菜土壤微生物群落组成及多样性的影响

为探明长期不同养分缺乏对冬油菜根际与非根际土壤细菌和真菌群落组成结构及多样性的影响,以江汉平原中稻 -冬油菜田间定位试验为研究对象,选取施磷钾肥不施氮肥(-N)、施氮钾肥不施磷肥(-P)、施氮磷肥不施钾肥(-K)和施用氮磷钾肥(NPK)4个处理,于成熟期采集各处理冬油菜非根际土壤(标记为 0)和根际土壤(标记为 1)。基于 Illumina MiSeq高通量测序技术对土壤样本的细菌 16S rDNA和真菌 ITS进行扩增、测序,并结合生物信息学分析根际和非根际土壤中细菌和真菌群落组成和多样性。结果表明:长期养分的投入缺乏造成土壤 pH和养分含量均有不同程度的降低。相比非根际土壤,冬油菜根际土壤的有机质、有效磷和速效钾含量有富集的趋势,而缓效钾差异不显著。长期平衡施肥(NPK处理)条件下,油菜根际土壤的细菌多样性比非根际土壤高,而根际真菌多样性低于非根际土壤。门分类水平上,各处理土壤中的细菌优势物种是绿弯菌门、酸杆菌门和变形菌门,平均相对丰度分别为 30.9%、25.7%和 17.6%;真菌优势物种是子囊菌门和担子菌门,平均相对丰度分别为 52.0%和 6.3%。相比 NPK处理,-N、-P和 -K处理对冬油菜根际和非根际细菌、根际真菌群落分布有显著影响,但对非根际真菌群落分布无明显作用,从而导致各处理的优势属种类型和相对丰度差异显著。冗余分析结果表明,pH、速效钾和有效磷含量对土壤细菌群落结构的影响最为显著,而有机质和碱解氮含量对真菌群落结构的影响最为明显。可见,长期不同养分缺乏会显著改变冬油菜根际细菌和真菌群落的组成结构及其多样性,尤其是缺磷、缺氮,其次是缺钾。因此,平衡施肥仍是维持农田微生物生态系统平衡与稳定的重要措施。     

生物质炭对花椒根际土壤真菌群落的影响

【目的】明确生物质炭施用量对花椒根际真菌群落结构的影响差异及其主控因子。【方法】对不施用生物质炭(CK)以及3个生物质炭施用量递增处理(T1,1.0 t hm^-2;T2,1.8 t hm^-2;T3,2.6 t hm^-2)的花椒根际土壤进行高通量测序、化学性质测定和花椒生长指标监测。【结果】花椒根区施用生物质炭提高了土壤pH、C/N和阳离子交换量,增加了全碳、全磷、全钾、有效磷和速效钾含量。随生物质炭用量的增加,真菌群落Chao 1、ACE和Shannon指数降低,Simpson指数升高;子囊菌门、接合菌门和壶菌门的相对丰度减少,球囊菌门和担子菌门相对丰度增加。属水平分析表明：T2处理极大地增加了花椒根际土壤微生物球囊菌属、被孢霉属和拟青霉属的相对丰度,分别是CK的24.3、3.1和1.4倍。T3处理极大地增加了花椒树高、地径和新梢抽生数,分别是CK的1.7、2.4和2.0倍。因子分析及相关性分析显示：土壤p H、C/N、有效磷、全氮和全碳累计解释了81.2%的群落变化;花椒生长指标与土壤pH、C/N、有效磷、全碳及真菌S...     

生物质炭提高稻田甲烷氧化活性

为了揭示生物质炭输入对稻田根际土壤产甲烷和甲烷氧化活性的影响,该文通过1a 的田间试验,研究了2种原料制备的生物质炭（竹炭和水稻秸秆炭）对水稻根际土壤产甲烷和甲烷氧化活性的影响。结果表明,2种生物质炭因理化性质的不同,对水稻根际土壤产甲烷活性和甲烷氧化活性的影响存在较大差别。秸秆炭的输入可以显著提高水稻苗期根际土壤产甲烷活性,而竹炭在水稻的整个生长期对根际土壤产甲烷活性均没有显著性影响。竹炭和秸秆炭不稳定易降解组分含量的差异,使其对稻田土壤产甲烷微生物产生不同程度的影响,进而导致稻田根际土壤产甲烷活性响应差别。除抽穗期竹炭处理和成熟期秸秆炭处理,尿素施加并未显著改变生物质炭对根际土壤产甲烷活性的影响趋势。在水稻整个生长期,秸秆炭和竹炭对稻田土壤甲烷氧化活性都有促进作用,但只有秸秆炭在苗期和成熟期表现出显著性的差异。尿素对苗期和抽穗期根际土壤甲烷氧化活性有促进作用。与竹炭相比,秸秆炭输入在改善土壤通气条件、提高土壤pH值和电导率EC、以及K、P元素含量等方面更为有效,同时可能是秸秆炭对水稻根际土壤甲烷氧化活性产生显著性促进作用的潜在机理。     

连作对再植枸杞根际细菌群落多样性和群落结构的影响研究

受枸杞道地产区土地资源等因素限制,连作障碍已成为影响枸杞产业发展的重要原因之一,导致严重的经济损失.研究连作条件下枸杞农田土壤生态系统微生物群落的演替规律对枸杞产业的可持续发展具有重要的理论意义.以宁夏银川市南梁农场连作多年的枸杞地为研究对象,利用Illumina MiSeq测序技术分析了连作对再植枸杞根际/非根际细菌群落的影响.结果表明,连作地显著抑制再植枸杞苗地径的增加,且其土壤pH较对照样地显著降低(p<0.05).测序结果证实,与对照样地相比,连作地再植枸杞根际土壤细菌物种数显著降低(p<0.05),细菌群落α多样性下降(p>0.05).主坐标分析表明,连作和对照样地间枸杞非根际细菌群落结构无明显差异,但连作显著改变再植枸杞根际细菌的群落结构.对细菌群落丰度的统计分析发现,连作地枸杞根际浮霉菌门、非根际假单胞菌门的相对丰度较对照样地显著降低(p<0.05).此外,冗余分析结果表明:枸杞园土壤pH和有效磷含量是影响枸杞非根际土壤细菌群落结构变化的主要因素,分别解释了41.8%和35.4%的群落结构变化(p<0.05),其他土壤因子无统计学意义,但土壤理化因子对再植枸杞根际细菌群落结构变化的影响均未达显著水平.这些结果证实连作能够显著抑制再植枸杞生长、影响再植枸杞根际细菌群落结构和多样性,干扰枸杞与土壤细菌群落间的互作关系.这些研究结果将为解析枸杞连作障碍机制提供理论基础.     

硒对油菜根际土壤微生物的影响

为明确硒对土壤根际微生物生态特征的影响,采用盆栽试验,基于高通量测序技术研究了不同浓度(0、0.5、1.0 mg·kg~(-1))外源硒对油菜根际土壤微生物群落结构与多样性的影响。群落结构分析结果表明:油菜根际土壤细菌优势菌门主要为变形菌门(Proteobacteria)、放线菌门(Actinobacteria)、厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)和酸杆菌门(Acidobacteria)等;真菌优势菌门为子囊菌门(Ascomycota)。多样性分析结果表明,硒未显著影响土壤细菌和真菌群落的多样性。主坐标分析表明,硒处理对细菌群落结构具有显著影响,而对真菌群落的影响不明显。显著差异物种线性判别分析(LDA)显示:Microtrichales显著富集于低浓度(0.5 mg·kg~(-1))硒处理土壤中;产黄杆菌(Rhodanobacter)、Nitrolancea、热微菌科(Thermomicrobiaceae)和无色杆菌属(Achromobacter)则显著富集于高浓度(1.0 mg·kg~(-1))硒处理土壤中。研究表明,施硒有助于油菜根际土壤富集有益根际微生物,从而促进植物生长,提高植物应对不良环境胁迫的能力。     

间套作玉米对线辣椒根际土壤微生物生态特征的影响

采用常规稀释平板法、氯仿熏蒸法、BIOLOG GN微平板反应系统及种间根系分隔技术, 以线辣椒单作(SC)为试验对照, 研究了间套作处理[玉米/线辣椒套作+根部塑料膜分隔(ICP)、玉米/线辣椒套作+根部尼龙网分隔(ICM)、玉米/线辣椒套作根部无分隔(ICN)]对线辣椒根际土壤微生物生态特征的影响。结果表明: 整个线辣椒生育期内, 各套作处理线辣椒根际土壤微生物总数与细菌总数具有相同的变化趋势, ICN和ICM处理的真菌、细菌、放线菌数量和细菌/真菌(B/F)、放线菌/真菌(A/F)比值均大于ICP与SC处理。盛果期, ICN处理根际土壤微生物量碳和微生物量氮比同处理其他生育期增加14.2%~54.0%和10.6%~54.7%。各处理土壤微生物群落AWCD的变化随培养时间呈现明显的"S"型曲线。间套作玉米显著提高了线辣椒根际土壤微生物群落的Shannon-Wiener指数(P<0.05)、Simpson指数、种间相遇几率和McIntosh指数(P<0.05), 并改变了土壤微生物对单一碳源的利用能力。线辣椒根际土壤微生物的不同多样性指数分别与其生物学产量之间存在显著或极显著正相关。说明间套作改善了土壤微生态环境。     

连作对再植枸杞根际细菌群落多样性和群落结构的影响

受枸杞道地产区土地资源等因素限制,连作障碍已成为影响枸杞产业发展的重要原因之一,导致严重的经济损失。研究连作条件下枸杞农田土壤生态系统微生物群落的演替规律对枸杞产业的可持续发展具有重要的理论意义。以宁夏银川市南梁农场连作多年的枸杞地为研究对象,利用Illumina MiSeq测序技术分析了连作对再植枸杞根际/非根际细菌群落的影响。结果表明,连作地显著抑制再植枸杞苗地径的增加,且其土壤pH较对照样地显著降低(p0.05)。测序结果证实,与对照样地相比,连作地再植枸杞根际土壤细菌物种数显著降低(p0.05),细菌群落α多样性下降(p0.05)。主坐标分析表明,连作和对照样地间枸杞非根际细菌群落结构无明显差异,但连作显著改变再植枸杞根际细菌的群落结构。对细菌群落丰度的统计分析发现,连作地枸杞根际浮霉菌门、非根际假单胞菌门的相对丰度较对照样地显著降低(p0.05)。此外,冗余分析结果表明:枸杞园土壤pH和有效磷含量是影响枸杞非根际土壤细菌群落结构变化的主要因素,分别解释了41.8%和35.4%的群落结构变化(p0.05),其他土壤因子无统计学意义,但土壤理化因子对再植枸杞根际细菌群落结构变化的影响均未达显著水平。这些结果证实连作能够显著抑制再植枸杞生长、影响再植枸杞根际细菌群落结构和多样性,干扰枸杞与土壤细菌群落间的互作关系。这些研究结果将为解析枸杞连作障碍机制提供理论基础。     

“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.     

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     

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.     

Collection and preliminary evaluation of native turfgrass accessions in Italy

Despite a raising interest on turfs in Italy, all theavailable varieties of this kind in the Country are of foreign origin, and areoften poorly adapted to the prevailing climatic conditions. This prompted tobegin a collection activity of indigenous turfgrass species, with the ultimategoal of identifying promising materials for future breeding based on localgenetic resources. The collection was carried out in three areas of Italy, viz.the northern Po Plain, the coastal region of Liguria, and the island of Sardiniathat are characterised, respectively, by subcontinental, warm temperate, andtypical Mediterranean climate. Altogether, 141 sites were visited, yielding 226accessions belonging to eight species of potential interest for turfs:Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis,Festuca rubra, Festuca arundinacea,Lolium perenne, Agrostis stolonifera,Agrostis tenuis, and Cynodon dactylon,this last being a warm-season grass. Poa pratensis andCynodon dactylon were mostly collected in northern Italyand Sardinia, respectively, whereas Festuca arundinacea andLolium perenne were rather ubiquitous. The collection sitesranged from 0 to 1040 m asl, but sites over 750 m wereonly visited in the inner part of Sardinia. All the accessions, collected aswhole plants, were transplanted at Lodi, northern Italy, where they are beingevaluated. Their preliminary evaluation for traits of importance for turf use,such as sward colour and overall quality, highlighted the great variation andthe occurrence of interesting accessions in all species. Other characters wererecorded, bearing specific importance in individual species, and in all casespromising accessions were identified. The germplasm of Festucarubra, Festuca arundinacea, and Loliumperenne proved highly infected by endophytic (symbiotic) fungi of thegenus Neotyphodium.     

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.     

Leaf position and genotype differences for mineral element concentrations in sorghum grown on tropical acid soil 1

Mineral element deficiencies and toxicities are common problems associated with sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] production on acid soils. To better understand some of the mineral element problems and the analysis of plant tissue of sorghum plants grown on acid soils, four sorghum genotypes were grown on an acid Oxisol at Carimagua, Colombia limed with dolomite at 2 and 6 Mg ha^‐1.

Samples for mineral element analyses were obtained from leaves at different positions on the four genotypes. Concentrations of P and Mg were highest in the flag leaf (Leaf No. 1) and decreased as the position on the plant declined from the top of the plant for plants grown at 2 Mg lime ha^‐1. Similar decreases in P, Mg, K, and Zn concentrations occurred in plants grown with 6 Mg lime ha^‐1. Concentrations of Ca, S, Si, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Al increased as leaf position declined from the flag leaf for plants grown at 2 and 6 Mg lime ha^‐1. The higher lime supply enhanced Ca and reduced Mn and Fe concentrations in leaves. Differences in mineral element concentrations for the four genotypes used were fairly extensive. The elements to show the greatest range among genotypes were Al and Si and the elements to show the least range among genotypes were P, K, and S. Care should be used in collecting leaf samples for plant analysis and genotypic differences for accumulation of mineral elements should be considered in interpretation of results.