喀斯特坡地裸露心土层产流产沙模拟研究

通过人工降雨探索表土剥离后喀斯特坡地侵蚀产沙特征及机制,为该地区开展地下水土流失研究及指导水土流失防治工作具有重要的理论和现实意义。试验采用钢槽装填土石模拟喀斯特地区表土剥离后坡地的"二元结构",通过人工模拟降雨揭示了雨强(30、50、80mm h~(-1))、坡度(10°、15°、20°、25°)和地下孔(裂)隙度(1%、2%、3%、4%、5%)对坡地土壤侵蚀的影响,并在此基础上进一步讨论了各因子对剥离表土后的坡地造成的影响。结果表明:(1)表土剥离后地下漏失的隐蔽性增强,小雨强的坡地土壤侵蚀容易被忽视,30、50 mm h~(-1)雨强条件下,仅当坡地坡度≥15°时地表出现径流,坡地侵蚀产沙以地下流失为主,地下产流量、产沙量随雨强先增大后减小。(2)喀斯特地区坡地土壤侵蚀治理不应只重视地表水土流失,更应关注垂直方向上的土壤侵蚀——地下漏失,低坡度(坡度≤15°)条件下,地表近乎无产流产沙,坡地侵蚀产沙集中在地下孔(裂)隙,而坡度为20°、25°的坡地,其地下产沙比重仍分别高达0.85~0.97、0.59~0.84。剥离表土后的坡地水土保持应从地表、地下两个方向进行,避免由地下漏失引起的岩溶塌陷。增大地下孔(裂)隙度能显著提高地下产流量和产流系数,并促进地下孔裂隙产沙量和产沙比重的增加。     

喀斯特坡地土壤地下侵蚀模拟试验研究

通过人工降雨及模拟喀斯特坡地地下孔(裂)隙构造,研究坡地地下产流产沙特征。结果表明:在降雨强度与孔(裂)隙度条件不变的情况下,地下孔(裂)隙累积径流量、径流率与坡度呈负相关关系,随坡度的增大而减小,地下孔(裂)隙产沙量总体上随坡度的增大而减小,但当地下孔(裂)隙度相差较大时,其产沙量在坡度变化上并非绝对随坡度的增大而减小;其他条件相同时,在50~80mm/h之间存在临界雨强,使地下孔(裂)隙累积径流量及产沙量先随坡度的增大而增大,达到临界降雨强度后,呈减小趋势,地下孔(裂)隙径流率总体随降雨强度的增大而减小;地下孔(裂)隙累积径流量、径流率、产沙量与地下孔(裂)隙度呈正相关关系;地下孔(裂)隙产沙量随地下孔(裂)隙累积径流量变化呈正相关关系;地下土壤漏失产流产沙与各因子间相关程度为坡度降雨强度地下孔(裂)隙度。     

岩层倾向对喀斯特槽谷区地表/地下产流过程的影响

喀斯特槽谷区在降雨过程中极易发生水土流失,这使得该区生态环境被破坏。以喀斯特槽谷区为研究对象,通过室内模拟其典型顺/逆层坡面特征及地下孔裂隙发育程度,利用人工降雨试验研究不同雨强条件下地表地下产流特征,从而揭示喀斯特槽谷区地表地下产流机制。结果表明:(1)喀斯特槽谷区地表地下产流受雨强影响,小雨强(30 mm/h)条件下地下产流量大于地表产流量,中雨强(60 mm/h)条件下地表产流量增大且裸坡条件下地表产流量大于地下产流量,大雨强(90 mm/h)条件下裸坡与顺层坡的地表产流量均大于地下产流量。(2)地下孔裂隙发育程度对地表地下产流量的分配比例产生影响,地下孔裂隙度越大则地下产流量越多,且2%～3%的地下孔裂隙度时地表地下产流量分配比例发生转变。(3)不同岩层倾向条件下,地表产流量及其分配比例最高为裸坡,最低为逆层坡,地下产流量及其分配比例最高为逆层坡,最低为裸坡。(4)不同岩层倾角条件下,顺层坡地表产流量最高为30°,最低为90°,地下产流量则相反;逆层坡地表产流量最高为90°,最低为60°,地下产流量最高为60°,最低为90°。研究结果可为喀斯特槽谷区地表及地下产流机制的进一步认识提供科学依据。     

喀斯特山地石漠化过程中地表地下侵蚀产沙特征

喀斯特地区特殊的地表、地下侵蚀产沙是引发石漠化发生发展的重要物理过程。以喀斯特山地石漠化过程中不同石漠化状况的裸坡面为研究对象,通过模拟其地表微地貌及地下孔(裂)隙构造特征,采用人工模拟降雨试验研究其地表及地下侵蚀产沙特征。结果表明:无石漠化、潜在石漠化和轻度石漠化的裸坡在相同条件下的地表产沙量总体上高于地下产沙量,且10 min降雨时段内地下产沙量在0~100 g之间。不同石漠化强度的裸坡地表、地下侵蚀产沙量均随雨强的增大而增加;小雨强(30~80 mm h~(-1))下,随着石漠化强度加剧其地表越不易发生侵蚀,而石漠化强度达到一定程度时(基岩裸露率40%)土壤流失以地下流失为主;大雨强(150 mm h~(-1))下,地表产沙量及其分配比例随基岩裸露率变化不明显,而地下产沙量则呈先增加后减小的变化且在基岩裸露率为30%时达到最大。不同石漠化强度的裸坡地表产沙量及其分配比例随地下孔(裂)隙度变化不明显,地下产沙量及其分配比例总体上随地下孔(裂)隙度增加而增加;在不同地下孔(裂)隙度下(1%~5%),地表、地下产沙量及其分配比例随基岩裸露率变化(10%~50%)差异较大。研究结果对认识喀斯特地区石漠化发生发展机制、揭示土壤侵蚀特征、防治地表地下水土流失具有重要的理论和现实意义。     

喀斯特裸坡地径流对降雨强度与坡度的响应

为探究喀斯特裸坡坡面在不同降雨强度与坡度组合下径流过程及其径流总量特征。将表层岩溶带中孔(裂)隙视为可透水的"筛孔",设定地下"二元"结构中孔(裂)隙度(5%)一致的情况下,探索裸坡地在不同降雨强度与坡度组合下地表/地下径流过程与总径流量的特征,并以此为基础揭示降雨强度、坡度对喀斯特坡面水文特征的影响。结果表明:(1)在较小降雨强度条件下(≤30 mm/h),裸坡地表并未出现产流迹象,以地下所产生的径流为主。在中大雨强(≥50 mm/h)条件下,裸坡地地表产流,且在设计降雨30 min时长内其径流过程并未出现规律性变化,而地下径流过程则在不同坡度与雨强下均呈现出先增加后趋于平缓的趋势,且其转折点多居于9～12 min时段内。(2)30 min内裸坡地地下总径流量在15 mm/h降雨强度且坡度为5°,10°,15°,20°这4个坡度条件下变化并不显著(P0.05),而其余降雨强度下地下/地表径流量均随着坡度增加差异显著(P0.05);同时除地下径流量与坡度呈极显著负相关(P0.01)外,其余地表/地下径流均与降雨强度与坡度均呈现出极显著正相关(P0.01);(3)降雨强度为大雨强(90 mm/h)条件下首次出现了地下径流系数0.5的情况,证明大雨强(90 mm/h)条件下存在着临界坡度使得地表与地下径流量相接近。研究成果能够为喀斯特坡地水土流失防治提供参考和合理意见。     

淮北平原黄潮土多雨强变坡度产流产沙规律试验模拟

针对淮北平原黄潮土水土流失严重的问题,为揭示其产流产沙规律,利用五道沟水文实验站大型人工模拟降雨径流试验场,开展了40,60,80mm/h 3个雨强及5°,10°,15°3个坡度产流产沙规律试验模拟。结果表明:坡面初始产流时间随坡度、雨强的增大而缩短,雨强、坡度越大缩短越不明显;单位时间产流、产沙量随降雨时间变化的转折点在产流后6～15min,单位时间产流量随降雨时间变化表现为前期快速增加,中期缓慢增加,后期平稳,其中40,60mm/h雨强单位时间产流量随坡度增加而减小,80mm/h雨强随坡度的增加而增加;单位时间产沙量随雨强、坡度的增大而增大;不同坡度累计产沙量及产流量随降雨时间变化呈幂函数或线性函数关系(R20.99);坡度及雨强与坡面产流、产沙总量分别呈多元线性和多元幂函数关系。     

喀斯特裸露坡耕地径流养分流失试验研究

为揭示雨强对喀斯特坡耕地养分流失的影响,运用可调坡度、地下孔(裂)隙度试验钢槽装填土石模拟喀斯特裸露坡耕地,采用人工模拟降雨的方法研究不同雨强下喀斯特裸坡径流养分流失特征。结果表明:(1)雨强为15,30mm/h时地表不产流,雨强为50mm/h时地表有产流;试验雨强下地下孔(裂)隙均有径流产生。(2)地表径流中全氮和全钾流失量均随雨强增大而增大,全磷流失量则先增大后减小;地下径流中全氮流失量随雨强增大呈先增大后减小趋势,全钾流失量与雨强正相关,全磷流失量与雨强关系不明显。(3)雨强为30,50mm/h时养分以地下孔(裂)隙流失为主,其贡献率为100%;地下径流中全氮流失量对其总流失量的贡献率表现为:15mm/h30mm/h50mm/h70mm/h90mm/h,全磷与全钾为:15mm/h30mm/h50mm/h90mm/h70mm/h。(4)地表径流量、全氮、全钾流失量和地下全钾流失量与雨强均呈显著正相关,相关系数分别为0.926,0.919,0.982和0.955。15,30mm/h雨强下,径流养分仅通过地下孔(裂)隙流失,50mm/h及以上雨强时养分伴以地表径流流失,且地下流失量大于地表流失量。     

岩溶区免耕和翻耕措施对裸坡耕地产流产沙过程的影响

为揭示不同耕作措施对岩溶地区坡耕地产流产沙的影响,采用独立设计土槽、室内人工模拟降雨的方法,通过设定一定雨强下研究不同耕作措施对西南岩溶区裸坡耕地径流与土壤流失特征。结果表明:雨强为63mm/h,坡度小于10°时,翻耕措施能够加快地下孔隙的产流时间,而免耕能够滞缓其产流,翻耕的产沙量为免耕的66%;当坡度大于10°时,翻耕措施能够延缓地下孔隙的产流时间,而免耕则加速其产流,翻耕的产沙量分别为免耕的16%和6%。雨强为100mm/h,坡度小于10°时,随着坡度的增大,翻耕措施会加速地下孔隙流的汇流过程,免耕的产沙量是翻耕的41%;坡度大于10°时,翻耕措施能延缓地表径流的汇流过程,且翻耕的产沙量为免耕的68%和0.9%。同一坡度和雨强下,翻耕措施较免耕措施可减少土壤随径流流失。     

短历时强降雨对典型喀斯特坡耕地侵蚀产沙的影响

探索短历时强降雨对典型喀斯特坡耕地侵蚀产沙的影响,为喀斯特区坡耕地应对极端天气的水土流失防治提供理论依据。研究采用人工室内模拟降雨试验的方法,对喀斯特坡耕地侵蚀产沙特征在短历时强降雨作用下的影响因素开展研究。结果表明:(1)短历时强降雨导致喀斯特坡耕地地表输沙模数和产沙量随降雨强度的增大而增大,而地下输沙模数和产沙量与降雨强度无明显变化规律,坡耕地土壤侵蚀以地表为主。地表产沙临界雨强为30～50 mm/h。(2)坡度增大时地表产沙比重大于地下产沙比重,地表土壤侵蚀以地表为主。产沙比重发生转折的坡度值为15°～20°。70 mm/h降雨强度和5°坡度下,降雨强度对地下土壤侵蚀可能存在"负效应"。(3)喀斯特坡耕地侵蚀产沙特征与降雨强度和坡度密切相关,但降雨强度因子起主导作用。强降雨主要影响地表土壤侵蚀,因此,对喀斯特坡耕地土壤侵蚀治理应以地表为主。研究结果有助于深入了解短历时强降雨对喀斯特坡耕地土壤侵蚀的影响,为对喀斯特坡耕地应对极端天气和水土流失防治以及维持生态环境健康持续发展提供理论依据。     

喀斯特地区裸坡面土壤侵蚀的人工模拟降雨试验研究北大核心CSCD

通过人工模拟喀斯特裸坡面微地貌特征和地下喀斯特裂隙构造,结合人工模拟降雨实验,研究不同基岩裸露率、不同降雨强度、不同地下孔裂隙度以及降雨历时对土壤侵蚀的影响。结果表明:(1)地表、地下孔裂隙流量均随雨强的增大而增大,地表累积悬移质和推移质流失量,地下累积悬移质流失量均随雨强的增大总体呈增大的变化规律;(2)总体上地表径流随基岩裸露率的增大先增大后减小,地下孔裂隙流随基岩裸露率的增大先减小后增大;地表累积推移质和悬移质流失量随基岩裸露率的增大总体呈增大趋势,地下孔裂隙流的累积悬移质流失量随基岩裸露率的增大总体呈减小的变化规律;(3)降雨历时和地表径流呈正相关的关系,而和地下孔裂隙流则呈负相关的关系;地表的推移质和悬移质产沙量,地下孔裂隙的产沙量随降雨历时总体呈下降趋势;(4)地表产流产沙随地下孔裂隙度增大而减小,而地下产流产沙则相反;(5)土壤侵蚀和各因子间相关程度为雨强>降雨历时>地下孔裂隙度>基岩裸露率。     

“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.