耕作方式、播深及覆土对机播套作小麦麦苗素质的影响

为了探索提高丘区套作小麦机播质量的农艺措施,本试验分别在翻耕和免耕条件下,设置了播深（2,5,8 cm）、覆土（不覆土为对照）处理对麦苗素质的影响。结果表明,3种措施中播深对麦苗素质影响最大,5 cm播深利于培育壮苗,播深2 cm时表现为出苗率、基本苗,根系活力、干物质质量及叶面积显著下降,而播深8 cm时地中茎极显著增长导致出苗率下降,单株茎蘖数、最高苗、干物质质量及叶面积极显著降低;翻耕条件下分蘖节埋得较深,促进了植株分蘖,但地中茎加长,出苗率变低;免耕条件下植株生长量大,株高和绿叶面积增大;覆土处理单株茎蘖数、最高苗及根系活力显著提高,幼苗素质较不覆土高。因此,丘区套作小麦机播配套的农艺措施应选择“免耕+播深5 cm+覆土”利于提高麦苗素质。     

适宜深播提高地下滴灌夏玉米出苗率促进苗期生长

通过连续2次的防雨棚小区试验,研究地下滴灌供水条件下不同播种深度对夏玉米苗期生长的影响。在地下滴灌供水条件下分别设置3、5、7、9和11 cm 5种播种深度,结果表明:地下滴灌条件下水分上移扩散至距地表10 cm以内,下渗到距地表80 cm。除3 cm播深处理外,夏玉米的出苗时间随着播种深度的增加而延长。出苗时间延长导致3和11 cm播深处理夏玉米出苗率和地上部干物质积累量最低,其株高和单株干物质积累量的变异系数显著高于其他处理。7和9 cm播深处理的出苗率最高,其株高和干物质积累量的变异系数较低。综上,地下滴灌条件下,播深7~9 cm,既能保证出苗率,避免缺苗断垄的现象,又能提高玉米的整齐度及单株干物质积累量,是较为适宜的播种深度,研究可为夏玉米运用地下滴灌提供技术参考。     

播深和播量对宁夏地区直播稻幼苗素质和产量的影响

为探究播深和播量对宁夏地区直播稻幼苗生长发育和产量的影响,以宁夏水稻主栽品种富源4号为试验材料,采用二因素裂区设计,设置4种播深：1、2、3和4 cm,4个播量：112.5、187.5、262.5和337.5 kg·hm^-2,研究不同播深和播量对直播稻幼苗素质及其产量的影响。结果表明,播深×播量对水稻出苗率的影响存在显著的互作效应,其中播深1～2 cm、播量112.5～187.5 kg·hm^-2四种组合较其他组合的出苗率明显增加;幼苗素质中苗高、茎基宽、充实度和壮秧指数4个指标均在播深2 cm、播量262.5 kg·hm^-2组合中优于其他组合;发根力在播深2～3 cm、播量187.5 kg·hm^-2两种组合中优于其他组合;幼苗整齐度在播深3 cm、播量262.5 kg·hm^-2组合中优于其他组合。在幼苗素质指标中,播深×播量对充实度和壮秧指数的影响均存在极显著的互作效应。对于根系生理指标,根系活力、根系总吸收面积和根系活跃吸收面积在播深2 cm、播量187.5～262.5 kg...     

耕作方式、播深及覆土对机播套作小麦群体质量和产量的影响

为探讨发展丘区套作小麦机播技术配套的农艺措施,该试验分别在翻耕和免耕条件下,设置了播深（2、5、8 cm）、覆土（不覆土为对照）对小麦群体质量和产量的影响。结果表明,3种农艺措施对群体质量和产量影响大小的先后顺序是播深＞耕作方式＞覆土。其中播深对群体质量和产量指标的影响均达显著水平,最适播深为5 cm,8 cm次之;播深 2 cm时分蘖少群体小,主要依靠主茎成穗,且干物质积累量、叶面积指数及产量显著减小。免耕优于翻耕,免耕能扩大群体,同时显著提高花后干物质积累量、有效穗数、茎蘖成穗率及产量。覆土利于群体苗期分蘖和花后干物质积累,达到显著增产效果。另外,3种农艺措施的交互作用显著。综合来看,丘区套作小麦机播技术配套的农艺措施宜选用“免耕+播深5 cm+覆土”,利于优化群体质量提高整体产量水平。     

秸秆还田与旋耕对川中土壤物理性状及玉米机播质量的影响

为明确川中丘陵地区紫土小麦-玉米两熟种植模式下机播玉米生产适宜的秸秆还田方式与耕作方式,改善土壤的瘠薄、黏性过大等问题,提高耕层土壤的播种条件、播种质量,达到作物高产的目的,设置秸秆还田旋耕(RTS)、秸秆还田免耕(NTS)、秸秆不还田旋耕(RT)、秸秆不还田免耕(NT)4个处理,研究麦秸还田与旋耕对川中丘区紫色黏土物理性状及机播夏玉米播种质量的影响。结果表明:与秸秆不还田相比,麦秸还田显著增加了拔节期0~10 cm土层土壤毛管孔隙度和免耕处理0~10 cm全生育时期土壤含水量,显著降低出苗率、播种均匀度和幼苗整齐度等指标。与免耕相比,旋耕处理降低了0~10 cm土壤容重、含水量,增加了毛管孔隙度,出苗率提高9.9%,幼苗株高、茎粗、叶面积和干重显著提高。麦秸还田条件下,旋耕处理较免耕处理0~10cm土壤容重降低2.0%~12.1%,出苗率、播种均匀度、每穴苗数、幼苗整齐度显著提高,其中出苗率增加17.9%。玉米出苗率与0~10 cm土壤含水量呈显著正相关,播种均匀度与幼苗整齐度均与0~10 cm土壤容重呈显著负相关。可见,麦秸还田下旋耕处理改善了土壤结构,增加了土壤含水量,更有利于川中丘陵地区小麦-夏玉米种植模式机播玉米质量和幼苗素质的提高。     

小四轮田间行走对四川丘陵旱地土壤特性及冬小麦幼苗生长的影响

以四川丘陵地区广泛使用的小四轮拖拉机为对象,研究其田间行走对丘陵旱地土壤特性及冬小麦幼苗生长的影响.结果表明,小四轮行走造成0-20 cm土层压实,土壤容重和土壤机械阻力增加,孔隙度减少,土壤水分下渗受到抑制.压实不会影响冬小麦的出苗率和最高苗,但会延迟分蘖发生,降低分蘖成穗率,减少有效穗数.压实显著减弱了幼苗素质,表现为根系长度、根系表面积和根系活力下降,根系直径增加,株高、叶面积、干物重、根冠比显著下降,最终减产9.7％.因此,四川丘陵旱地小麦机播过程中,应采取有效措施减轻机械压实.     

水分胁迫下新造地施磷深度对苦荞生长及根系分布的影响

  【目的】  根系构型影响作物的抗旱能力，研究磷肥施用深度调节苦荞根系分布的可行性，为贫瘠干旱地区苦荞的生长提供科学养分管理措施。  【方法】  以‘黑丰1号’苦荞 (Fagopyrum tataricum L.) 为试验材料，进行根管土柱 (直径25 cm、高50 cm) 栽培试验，设置田间持水量65%～75% (W1)、45%～55% (W2) 和35%～45% (W3) 3种土壤水分条件，磷肥施用深度分别设置距离地表10 cm (P10)、20 cm (P20)、30 cm (P30) 以及3层均匀施用 (P-all) 4种方式，共有12个处理。在苦荞幼苗三叶一心期进行处理，生长22天后取样，测定根系构型，并记录生物量。  【结果】  干旱胁迫抑制了苦荞植株生长、干物质量的积累以及根系发育，其中W3水分条件抑制作用最为明显，导致苦荞株高、茎粗和叶面积较W1水分条件分别下降17.20%、18.03%和23.17%；根长、根表面积和根体积分别下降16.97%、20.39%和17.39%；地上部干物质量和根系干物质量分别下降39.16%、28.60%。干旱胁迫促进根系下扎，增加深层土壤中的根系分布。与W1水分条件相比，W2、W3水分条件下0—10和10—20 cm土层平均根长分别下降30.18%和27.55%、41.83%和41.02%，根系干物质量分别下降36.62%和33.61%、49.72%和48.11%；而20—30和30—45 cm土层中的苦荞平均根长则分别增加33.53%和42.52%、31.74%和50.95%，根系干物质量分别增加13.70%和26.84%、5.85%和28.64%。深层施磷促进施磷层土壤根系生长，与P-all处理相比，P10处理10—20 cm土层根长平均增加18.96%，P20处理20—30 cm土层平均增加32.39%，P30处理30—45 cm土层平均增加28.73%，根系干物质量依次分别增加26.62%、30.74%和24.65%。方差分析结果表明，各水分处理条件下，0—10和10—20 cm土层根系干物质量均表现为P10处理显著高于其他施磷处理，且其他处理间差异也达显著水平；而20—30、30—45 cm土层根系干物质量则表现为P20、P30施磷处理显著高于其他处理。  【结论】  水分和施磷深度对苦荞苗期植株生长以及根系分布均有显著影响。在干旱胁迫下，增加磷肥的施用深度可促进苦荞根系在20—45 cm深土壤中的分布，显著扩大根系对土壤养分和水分的获取空间，并最终促进苦荞的生长。本试验条件下，采样仅限于苦荞苗期，在水分胁迫条件下磷肥以10 cm的施肥深度效果最佳。     

黄土高原不同玉米-大豆间作模式对玉米生长发育的影响

以玉米品种(郑单958,豫玉22)和大豆品种(中黄24,中黄13)为材料进行田间试验,在单作和间作两种模式(间作比例分别为2:2,2:4)下研究了黄土塬区不同玉米-大豆间作模式对玉米生长发育的影响。研究结果表明,郑单958分别与大豆两个品种间作,玉米叶片叶绿素相对含量、单株叶面积、茎粗和干物质积累量从大喇叭口期开始均高于单作,株高在生育后期表现为间作高于单作。豫玉22分别与大豆两个品种间作,玉米叶片叶绿素相对含量和茎粗从大喇叭口期开始高于单作,干物质积累量从吐丝期开始高于单作,单株叶面积在吐丝期显著高于单作,株高在生育后期表现为间作低于单作。间作下的郑单958干物质积累量在生育后期高于豫玉22,更有利于增产。在所选的玉米和大豆间作模式中,郑单958和中黄24以2:4间作是黄土塬区对玉米增产更为有利的间作模式。     

氮素水平对雾培马铃薯植株生长和产量的影响

在雾化栽培条件下,以马铃薯主栽品种川芋117和米拉为试验材料,研究了不同氮素水平下马铃薯植株农艺性状、干物质含量及产量变化。结果表明,氮素水平对川芋117和米拉的株高、茎粗、叶片数、叶面积、叶绿素含量、匍匐茎数、全株干物质含量、单株结薯数、产量均有极显著影响。品种对株高、茎粗、叶片数、叶绿素含量、匍匐茎数、全株干物质含量、单株结薯数、产量和收获指数均有显著或极显著影响。除叶绿素含量外,植株的各农艺性状在氮素水平为240 mg/L处理最高,氮素过高,反而不利于植株生长发育。随氮素水平的增加,叶、茎、根和块茎的干物质积累量呈先增高后降低趋势,均在240 mg/L氮素处理干物质积累量达到最大值。氮素水平对川芋117和米拉的单株结薯数和结薯产量均影响显著,随氮素水平从120 mg/L增加至600 mg/L,单株结薯数和产量先增加后显著下降,氮素浓度为240 mg/L时,两个品种的单株结薯数及产量达到峰值,较高氮处理,增幅分别为71.6%和107.8%,91.7%和83.1%。600 mg/L氮素处理,0.5～1 g小薯比例显著高于240 mg/L氮素处理。总体来看,240 mg/L的氮素浓度为雾培生产马铃薯原原种最佳浓度。     

山东省褐土土壤容重对玉米生长发育及产量形成的影响

以郑单958为材料,采用盆栽试验,以原状土壤不打破犁底层为对照(CK),设置容重1.2、1.3、1.4、1.5、1.6 g/cm3共6个处理水平,探索了山东省褐土不同土壤容重条件下玉米生长发育和产量差异。结果表明:随着土壤容重增加,玉米株高、茎粗、单株叶面积、总根量、植株干物质累积和籽粒产量总体呈现减少趋势,且容重越大,降幅越显著。土壤容重1.5 g/cm3时,玉米生长发育受到明显抑制,土壤容重由1.2 g/cm3增加到1.6g/cm3,玉米株高、茎粗、单株叶面积分别降低15.7%、12.6%、28.7%,且玉米生长中后期叶片衰老速率加剧;玉米根条数、根长、根干重、根冠比、植株干重分别降低17.9%、47.0%、36.8%、20.1%、20.7%,容重增加对根系生长的影响明显高于地上部。与CK相比,容重1.2~1.6 g/cm3各处理的穗粒重分别增加11.1%、18.0%、4.6%、-4.5%、-14.6%。因此,适当降低有效耕层内土壤紧实度,可促进玉米根系生长和干物质积累,提高单株生产能力。     

低氮和干旱胁迫对富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的影响

【目的】以富士（Fuji）、 秦冠（Qinguan）嫁接在平邑甜茶（Malus hupehensis Rehd.）上的当年生盆栽苗为试验材料,采用砂培方法,研究了缺氮胁迫和干旱对富士和秦冠生长情况、 光合参数、 植株各部位氮磷钾含量及氮素利用效率的影响,分析比较了低氮干旱条件下富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的差异,以期为果树生产高效肥水利用提供理论指导。【方法】试验共设四个处理: 正常氮正常水（ZZ）、 低氮正常水（DZ）、 正常氮干旱（ZG）、 低氮干旱（DG）。氮素和水分均设置两个水平,分别为正常氮（6 mmol/L NO-3-N）、 低氮（0.3 mmol/LNO-3-N）、 正常供水（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的80%~85%）、 干旱处理（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的60%~65%）。【结果】富士和秦冠的生物量（茎和叶）、 株高茎粗等生长指标以及光合速率、 气孔导度、 蒸腾速率均为正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）,并且相对应处理下秦冠的以上指标均高于富士;正常供水下,缺氮处理使富士、 秦冠的根冠比比正常氮处理均有所增加,富士提高了2.05%,秦冠提高了22.40%。富士和秦冠的氮、 磷、 钾含量均表现出正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）; 氮、 钾元素含量在植株各部位的分布顺序依次是叶＞根＞茎,磷元素则是根＞叶＞茎;光合氮素利用效率（PNUE）和氮素利用效率表现为秦冠处理之间差异极显著,富士处理之间差异不显著;秦冠的PNUE和NUE明显高于富士,在低氮正常水（DZ）处理下,秦冠氮肥利用率比富士高42.07%,在低氮干旱（DG）处理下高64.14%;低氮胁迫下富士和秦冠的NUE显著提高,并且秦冠提高的幅度高于富士。【结论】施用氮肥能够显著提高富士与秦冠的干物质量,同等水肥条件下,秦冠生长优于富士;水分亏缺会减少叶片对氮的吸收,干旱条件下适度增施氮肥,可提高果树的抗旱能力;低氮干旱胁迫下秦冠的生长指标、 光合指标及氮素利用效率指标均优于富士,表现出较强的抗低氮干旱胁迫的能力。     

Pasture Vegetation Elemental Analysis by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a new technique for the analysis of plant material. This study investigates the application of LIBS to pasture-based plant samples. The LIBS measurements were obtained from pelletized pasture samples (100 samples) that had been also analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) following microwave digestion for calibration and comparison purposes. Comparisons for elements sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), boron (B), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) showed that LIBS could be used for almost all the standard profile total elements with concentrations down to low mg/kg levels (observed error of Na: 0.024 percent, K: 0.18 percent, Mg: 0.016 percent, Ca: 0.073 percent, P: 0.017 percent, Mn: 31 mg/kg, Fe: 150 mg/kg, Zn: 6.6 mg/kg, and B: 1.1 mg/kg). Elemental analysis at less than mg/kg levels was not possible using LIBS. The elements S and Cu were particularly difficult to analyze with reliability using LIBS at the concentration levels found in the plant samples. Replacing microwave digestion and subsequent ICP analysis with a direct analysis of dried plant samples using LIBS has the potential to improve the productivity and reduce the cost of testing.     

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 from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Macroinvertebrates in North American tallgrass prairie soils: effects of fire, mowing, and fertilization on density and biomass

The responses of tallgrass prairie plant communities and ecosystem processes to fire and grazing are well characterized. However, responses of invertebrate consumer groups, and particularly soil-dwelling organisms, to these disturbances are not well known. At Konza Prairie Biological Station, we sampled soil macroinvertebrates in 1994 and 1999 as part of a long-term experiment designed to examine the effects and interactions of annual fire, mowing, and fertilization (N and P) on prairie soil communities and processes. For nearly all taxa, in both years, responses were characterized by significant treatment interactions, but some general patterns were evident. Introduced European earthworms (Aporrectodea spp. and Octolasion spp.) were most abundant in plots where fire was excluded, and the proportion of the total earthworm community consisting of introduced earthworms was greater in unburned, unmowed, and fertilized plots. Nymphs of two Cicada genera were collected (Cicadetta spp. and Tibicen spp.). Cicadetta nymphs were more abundant in burned plots, but mowing reduced their abundance. Tibicen nymphs were collected almost exclusively from unburned plots. Treatment effects on herbivorous beetle larvae (Scarabaeidae, Elateridae, and Curculionidae) were variable, but nutrient additions (N or P) usually resulted in greater densities, whereas mowing usually resulted in lower densities. Our results suggest that departures from historical disturbance regimes (i.e. frequent fire and grazing) may render soils more susceptible to increased numbers of European earthworms, and that interactions between fire, aboveground biomass removal, and vegetation responses affect the structure and composition of invertebrate communities in tallgrass prairie soils.     

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.     

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.     

Variation in quality parameters between and within 14 Nordic tree fruit and berry species

Abstract

A 3-year study was carried out to investigate quality parameters in 14 tree fruit and berry species grown in southern Norway. The species were blueberry, apple, aronia, sour cherry, sweet cherry, red raspberry, strawberry, blackcurrant, gooseberry, red currant and elderberry, harvested along with wild bilberry, cloudberry and lingonberry. Significant differences between species were identified for all quality parameters. The coefficient of variation between species was lowest for pH (12.5%), dry matter (18.9%) and soluble solids (25.3%), followed by titratable acids (59.3%), total phenolics (83.8%), antioxidant capacity FRAP (85.7%) and antiradical power by the DPPH-assay (97.8%), total monomeric anthocyanins (132%) and ascorbic acid (137%). Average coefficient of variation within species were lower and ranged from 4 (pH) to 62% (ascorbic acid). Only the FRAP values were significantly affected by harvesting year with lower levels in 2004 than in 2005 and 2006. There were significant interactions between species and harvesting year for dry matter, soluble solids, pH, ascorbic acid and FRAP. The results indicate generic ranges in composition within species independent upon growing location and climate, and the composition of the tree fruits and berries is not likely to deviate from these ranges. It is concluded that desirable composition of tree fruits and berries and their products should primarily be achieved by selection among species rather than searching fors broadened variation within individual species.     

Potassium Fixation and Release Characteristics in Rhizosphere and Nonrhizosphere Soils for a Rapeseed–Rice Cropping Sequence

Potassium (K) fixation and release in soil are important factors in the long-term sustainability of a cropping system. Changes in K concentration and characteristics of K fixation and release in rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils in the rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)–rice (Oryza sativa L.) rotation were investigated using a rhizobox system. The concentrations of different forms of K in both rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils decreased with plants compared to without plants, regardless of K fertilizer application. Potassium uptake by crops mainly came from the rhizosphere soil. In the treatment without K fertilizer (–K), the main form of K supplied by the soil to the crops was 1.0 mol L^?1 nitric acid (HNO₃) nonextractable K, followed by nonexchangeable K, and then exchangeable K. In the treatment with K fertilizer (+K), the main K forms supplied by the soil to the crops were exchangeable K and nonexchangeable K. The amount and rate of K fixation after one cycle of the rapeseed–rice rotation was greater in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The amount and rate of K fixation of soil in the +K treatment were significantly less than in the –K treatment. The cumulative amounts of K released with 1.0 mol L^?1 ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc) and 1.0 mol L^?1 HNO₃ extraction increased with the increasing numbers of extractions, but the K-releasing power of soil by successive extraction decreased gradually and finally became almost constant. The release of K was less in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The release of K in the +K treatment was similar to that in the –K treatment in rhizosphere soil, but the K release in nonrhizosphere soil was greater with the +K than the –K treatment. Overall, the information obtained in this study will be helpful in formulating more precise K fertilizer recommendations for certain soils.     

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.