漫灌和喷灌条件下土壤养分运移特征的初步研究

用非饱和土壤溶质运移的对流扩散方程及其解析解,联系大田漫灌、喷灌的入渗实际,在室内试验的基础上,研究了漫灌、喷灌入渗条件下,土壤养分运移的特征。研究结果表明,阳离子Ｋ^＋,由于土壤颗粒的吸附作用,流动性差,入渗结束后,Ｋ^＋浓度集中分布在土表０～２０ｃｍ土层内。阴离子ＮＯ₃^-,流动性强,入渗方式对ＮＯ₃^-离子运移影响大。漫灌入渗条件下,孔隙水流速度大（是喷灌的３．５倍）,ＮＯ₃^-运移快,机械弥散作用是喷灌的１１．６倍,入渗结束后,ＮＯ₃^-浓度集中分布在土壤深层的作物主根区之外,不利于作物吸收利用,并容易造成地下水污染。而在喷灌入渗条件下,供水强度低,孔隙水流速度小,ＮＯ₃^-运移慢,弥散作用弱,入渗结束后,ＮＯ₃^-浓度的峰值迁移浅,ＮＯ₃^-浓度集中分布在土壤表层作物主根区内,有利于作物吸收利用。这正是喷灌节水、保肥的内在机理。     

土壤秸秆注孔对土壤含水量及作物生长的影响

[目的] 研究土壤秸秆注孔对土壤含水量及作物生长的影响,为旱作农田增加雨水蓄集能力及提高水分利用效率提供理论依据。[方法] 开展玉米-小麦轮作田间试验,设置常规种植(CK)、土壤秸秆注孔2孔/m²(T₁),4孔/m²(T₂),8孔/m²(T₃)4个处理。[结果] 秸秆注孔所有处理均提高了整个试验期表层土壤含水量。T₂,T₃处理提高了收获期深层土壤含水量,试验结束时两者底层土壤(60-80 cm)含水量较CK分别提高了29.19 %和28.18 %。秸秆注孔处理提高了作物株高、经济产量和生物量,以及降水利用效率和水分利用效率,T₂,T₃处理的提高效果最明显,且彼此差异不显著。[结论] 秸秆注孔具有保水性能和增产能力,根据成本和效果综合考虑,推荐秸秆注孔4孔/m²(T₂)作为优选处理。     

川中丘陵区农村生活污水资源化利用后的土壤养分特征

[目的] 探究川中丘陵地区施用经无害化处理的生活污水后，不同类型土壤在不同深度土层中各养分指标的变化特征，为农村生活污水的无害化处理和资源化利用提供科学支撑。 [方法] 对三格化粪池处理后的农村生活污水进行资源化利用。在耕地中设置G₀(37.5 L/m²)，G₂(75 L/m²)，G₀(空白)3种施用处理；在林地中设置L₁(37.5 L/m²)，L₂(75 L/m²)，L₃(112.5 L/m²)，L₀(空白)4种施用处理。结合层次分析法(AHP)与主成分分析法(PCA)对各养分指标权重进行计算，对各处理在不同深度土层中的施用效果进行综合评分。 [结果] 在生活污水不同的资源化利用处理除L₃土壤养分评价等级为“良”外，其余处理皆为“优”。各处理下，耕地中各深度土层养分评价得分排序一致表现为：G₁＞G₀＞G₂；林地中0-20 cm土层表现为：L₀＞L₂＞L₁＞L₃；20-40 cm土层表现为：L₁＞L₀＞L₂＞L₃。耕地施用对提升土壤有机质、全氮、全磷、速效磷、速效钾有明显的效果；林地少量施用对提升20-40 cm除速效钾外其余土壤养分的效果较好。 [结论] 短期来看，在农村生活污水资源化利用时，适量的施用可改善耕地土壤的养分，对于林地无需施用土壤养分就可较好保持。     

有机质和陪伴阴离子对土壤吸附Zn的影响

本文研究了土壤有机质和陪伴阴离子对黄棕壤、红壤和砖红壤吸附Zn²⁺的影响。结果表明:土壤有机质含量与吸附Zn²⁺的数量呈正相关;陪伴阴离子对土壤吸Zn²⁺量有显著的制约作用,土壤从ZnCl₂溶液中吸附的Zn²⁺数量高于Zn(NO₃)₂的0.77-1.16倍;△pH值与吸Zn²⁺量呈直线关系。由解吸情况可以判明红壤胶体表面的高能吸附位占的比例明显大于黄棕壤或砖红壤。     

SO42-和Cl-对稻田土壤养分及其吸附解吸特性的影响

利用长期定位试验 ,比较了长期施用含SO₄^2-和Cl^- 化肥 22年后稻田土壤的 pH值、养分状况及其吸附解吸特性。结果表明 ,长期施用含SO₄^2-化肥 ,土壤有机质、速效氮和速效钾的含量较高 ,但全量氮磷钾的含量较低 ;长期施用含Cl^- 化肥 ,土壤全量氮磷钾和速效磷的含量较高 ,但pH值相对较低。长期施用含上述二种阴离子的化肥后 ,土壤对H₂PO₄^-的最大吸附量均较大 ,且在Cl^- 处理下土壤对H₂PO₄^-吸附的结合能较大 ,而SO₄^2-处理下土壤在同等吸附量时对H₂PO₄^-的解吸量相应较多。长期施用含SO₄^2-的化肥亦使土壤对钾素的供应强度较大 (ΔK0的绝对值较大 )、缓冲能力增强 (AR0值较高 ) ,而长期施用含Cl^- 的化肥时则与SO₄^2-相反     

九龙坡花椒种植区地形、土壤肥力与花椒产量的关系

为了解九龙坡花椒种植区土壤养分状况及该区地形因子、土壤肥力因子与花椒产量的关系,为科学合理制定花椒高效施肥措施提供理论依据,本研究采用田间调查研究和室内分析的方法,研究了九龙坡花椒种植区低、中、高产区的海拔、坡度及土壤pH、有机质、大量微量元素含量和交换性能的变化特征,及其与花椒产量的关系。研究结果表明：九龙坡花椒普遍种植于200~500 m海拔范围,高产区集中在300 m左右的海拔;从低产区到高产区坡度略有增加,但未达显著水平。土壤均属酸性土,pH<6.5。土壤肥力总体属高水平范围,但各养分因子差异很大,其中土壤阳离子交换量（CEC）、有效磷、有效钙、有效镁、有效铁、有效锰、有效铜、有效锌含量丰富,分别为27.2 cmol（+）·kg^-1、35.2 mg·kg^-1、3 289.8 mg·kg^-1、271.8 mg·kg^-1、48.6 mg·kg^-1、62.1 mg·kg^-1、1.5 mg·kg^-1、4.5 mg·kg^-1;有机质、碱解氮、速效钾、交换性酸属适中水平,分别为19.1 mg·kg^-1、114.9 mg·kg^-1、107.0 mg·kg^-1、8.1 cmol（+）·kg^-1;水溶性硼缺乏,为0.28 mg·kg^-1。相关分析表明花椒产量与有效钙、CEC、pH、有效锰、水溶性硼呈显著正相关;通径分析结果表明有效钙、CEC、交换性酸、有效铜、有效铁、有效锌是影响花椒产量的主要因子,逐步回归分析构建了有效钙（X₆）与花椒产量（Y）的最优回归线性方程：Y=11.693+0.003X₆。综上所述,九龙坡花椒种植区土壤养分失衡较为严重,施肥应注重养分的平衡,增施有机肥,改善土壤理化性状,治理土壤酸化。     

黑土区低山丘陵坡耕地侵蚀沟浅层土壤养分特征及其影响因素

[目的] 研究黑土区低山丘陵地形侵蚀沟土壤养分特征及其影响因素,为黑土区土地资源合理运用,土壤肥力精确化管理和退化土壤修复工作提供数据与理论支持。[方法] 以黑龙江省延寿县不同发育类型侵蚀沟表层土壤作为研究对象,对0—40 cm层侵蚀沟各部位的土壤进行取样测定,量化分析土壤养分特征。[结果] ①不同侵蚀沟道间有机质、全氮、全磷、全钾、速效磷、速效钾、碱解氮含量较CK差异显著(p＜0.05),随侵蚀沟发育,0—40 cm层的土壤有机质含量呈递减趋势,土壤全氮、全磷、全钾、速效磷、速效钾、碱解氮含量总体呈下降趋势。随着土层加深,土壤养分差异显著(p＜0.05),呈下降趋势。受侵蚀—沉积影响,土壤有机质、全氮、全钾、碱解氮含量在沟头段降幅明显;土壤有机质、有效磷、有效钾含量在沟尾因沉积作用下降平缓。②土壤退化指数在0—40 cm层呈A₂＞A₁＞A₃,随侵蚀沟发育,土壤退化程度加重。[结论] 土壤养分与容重总体呈显著负相关,与土壤水稳性团聚体含量、黏粒含量呈显著正相关;土壤剖面与构型差异是造成土壤养分差异的根本原因,侵蚀沟发育是土壤养分变化的次要原因,土壤有机质、全氮、全钾含量也受到部位差异影响。     

缓释肥对紫色土油菜生长和养分吸收利用的影响

分析缓释专用配方肥与当地常用肥对油菜生物量、氮磷钾养分吸收利用及其在土壤中累积的影响，为油菜节肥高效生产提供依据。通过大田试验，以油菜品种三峡油5号为试验材料，设置6种施肥处理：以不施肥（F₀）和常规施肥(F_c)为对照处理，缓释专用配方肥设置4种施肥水平(F₃₇₅: 375 kg·hm^-2，F₅₂₅: 525 kg·hm^-2，F₆₇₅: 675 kg·hm^-2，F₈₂₅: 825 kg·hm^-2)。结果表明，不同施用量的缓释专用肥料对油菜产量、单株有效角果数以F₆₇₅处理最大，F₈₂₅处理次之，F₃₇₅处理最小，其分别较F_c 处理增产43.54%、36.82%、13.88%；施用缓释专用配方肥油菜氮养分损失率从F_c处理的78.30%降低至53.97% ~ 73.66%；磷养分损失率从F_c处理的56.65%降低至20.53% ~ 46.13%；施用缓释专用肥料油菜收获期根区土壤全氮、全磷与全钾含量从F_c处理的0.651 0 g·kg^-1、0.404 4 g·kg^-1与20.74 g·kg^-1上升至0.661 7 ~0.691 4 g·kg^-1、0.407 2~0.496 0 g·kg^-1与28.96~29.50 g·kg^-1。施肥大幅增加油菜生物量，缓释专用配方肥的施用不仅利于提升肥料利用率，同时使得根区土壤养分含量变化较小，结合农业可持续发展，实际生产应该施用缓释专用肥。     

二苯基碳酰二肼应用于土壤、植株、有机肥料中有机质的比色测定

二苯基碳酰二肼应用于Cr₂O₇^-的测定已久,但尚未应用于有机质的测定。本文试图应用此法实现土壤、植株、有机肥中有机质的比色分析。     

基于土壤光谱特征的宁夏银北地区盐碱地盐分预测研究

对宁夏回族自治区银北地区盐碱地野外土壤表层光谱反射率和土壤全盐及盐分进行定量分析,筛选出各土壤盐分指标的敏感波段,然后采用全回归和逐步回归的方法建立各盐分的预测模型。结果表明：表层土壤高光谱反射率r,及其平滑去嗓处理后的值R,lg(R)与全盐含量呈极显著正相关关系,1/R,lg(1/R)与全盐呈极显著负相关关系,(R)'和〔lg(1/R)〕'在特定单波段处表现较佳;土壤表层光谱反射率与CO₃^2-的相关性最强,其次是SO₄^2-;土壤光谱反射率与Na⁺的相关性在各种变换方法下均较强,其次为Mg²⁺,与Ca²⁺的相关性最弱。基于R的逐步回归方程为全盐含量预测的最佳模型;基于土壤光谱反射率拟合土壤CO₃^2-的准确度略高于对土壤HCO₃^-;敏感波段估测土壤SO₄^2-含量的决定系数明显高于其他阴离子;采用〔lg(1/R)〕'逐步回归得到的方程拟合土壤Na⁺,K⁺和Mg²⁺含量相对于其他变换方式效果更理想。预测模型中对土壤全盐和Na+的模型精度较高,预测能力强;光谱对土壤SO₄^2-和Mg²⁺的预测能力也较强;对土壤Cl^-和Ca²⁺的预测稳定性、预测能力和精度都较差。     

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.