晋西黄土区不同密度刺槐林枯落物层水文生态功能研究

为对比分析林分密度对枯落物层水文生态功能的影响,以晋西黄土区6种不同密度(475,900,1 200,1 575,1 825,2 350株/hm~2)刺槐(Robinia pseucdoacacia)人工林为对象,采用样地调查与室内试验相结合的方法,对其枯落物层总厚度、总蓄积量、最大持水量、有效拦蓄量、枯落物持水量与浸水时间的关系、枯落物吸水速率与浸水时间的关系等水文特征进行研究,以期从中提出该区刺槐林经营的合理密度,为充分发挥水土保持功能、实现功能导向型植被调控与优化配置提供理论依据。结果表明:(1)研究区6种密度刺槐人工林枯落物总厚度变化范围为28.67~54.33mm,总蓄积量为2.98~10.65t/hm~2,且在一定范围内,随林分密度增大,枯落物蓄积量出现先增加后减少的变化趋势,6种密度枯落物蓄积量由大到小依次为1 575株/hm~21 825株/hm~21 200株/hm~2900株/hm~22 350株/hm~2475株/hm~2;(2)枯落物最大持水率的变动范围为295.35%~427.84%,无明显的规律性;最大持水量为11.16~37.01t/hm~2,在一些林分间差异显著,表现为随密度的增加呈先增大后减小的趋势,密度为1 575株/hm~2的林分枯落物持水性能表现最好,达37.01t/hm~2;半分解层枯落物持水量均高于未分解层;不同密度刺槐林枯落物的吸水速率与密度关系不显著;(3)各林分枯落物有效拦蓄量为7.22~23.64t/hm~2,其中以1 575株/hm~2的有效拦蓄能力最强,为23.64t/hm~2;(4)枯落物持水量与浸水时间之间存在明显的对数函数关系:Q=aln t+b,R20.95;枯落物吸水速率与浸水时间之间存在明显的幂函数关系:V=ktn,R20.99。综上所述,在本研究范围内,林分密度在1 575株/hm~2时枯落物层表现出较好的水文生态功能,当密度低于1 200株/hm~2,枯落物层水文效应急剧下降;从枯落物水文功能角度,建议今后研究区刺槐林的经营密度以1 200~1 800株/hm~2为适宜调控范围。     

东江中上游主要森林类型枯落物的持水特性

为了定量评价森林枯落物的水文功能,通过浸水法和野外观测,调查了东江中上游主要森林植被类型枯落物的蓄积量,分析了枯落物的持水能力与过程。结果表明,枯落物蓄积量介于4.76～12.13t/hm2,表现为针阔混交林杉木林阔叶林马尾松林杂灌林;不同森林类型的枯落物最大持水量为4.89～18.17t/hm2,最大拦蓄量为3.34～14.39t/hm2,有效拦蓄量为2.60～11.66t/hm2,均表现为杉木林针阔混交林阔叶林杂灌林马尾松林。枯落物浸水实验表明,枯落物持水率与浸水时间存在对数曲线关系,而枯落物吸水速率与浸泡时间呈反函数关系;不同森林类型枯落物持水率和吸水速率随时间的动态变化规律基本相似。随浸水历时的延长,枯落物持水率呈增加趋势,在浸泡10～12h后,持水率增幅趋于平缓;不同森林类型枯落物吸水速率在前2h内变化最快,之后逐渐变缓,24h时吸水基本停止。     

冀北山地天然次生林枯落物层水文生态功能对不同林分密度的响应

为研究冀北山地天然次生林枯落物层水文生态功能对不同林分密度的响应,以该地区5种密度天然次生林作为研究对象,采用室内浸泡法对枯落物层水文生态效应进行了定量测定。结果表明:(1)枯落物厚度范围为45.34～60.70 mm,蓄积量为11.56～19.64 t/hm~2,依次排序为930株/hm~21 190株/hm~2780株/hm~2520株/hm~2280株/hm~2,即随着林分密度增加呈现先增长后减小的变化规律。(2)枯落物层最大持水量变化范围为23.26～44.67 t/hm~2,枯落物最大拦蓄量范围为21.15～39.56 t/hm~2,枯落物有效拦蓄量范围为17.66～32.86 t/hm~2,大小排序均为:930株/hm~21 190株/hm~2780株/hm~2520株/hm~2280株/hm~2。(3)枯落物持水量与浸水时间呈明显对数函数关系(R~20.93),持水速率与与浸水时间呈幂函数关系(R~20.99)。(4)综合枯落物层持水能力与拦蓄能力表明密度为930株/hm~2的林分生态水文效应最强,而其他密度水文生态功能相对较差,因此在该地区内针对密度过高或过低的天然次生林进行有效抚育措施有利于增加林分的水源涵养能力。     

南亚热带5种典型人工林凋落物水文效应

以广西国有高峰林场的5种不同人工林(马尾松林、杉木林、桉树林、米老排林、红锥林)为研究对象,结合野外调查和室内浸水法,对各人工林凋落物层的水文效应进行定量分析。结果表明:(1)5种林分凋落物蓄积量范围在1.96～9.05 t/hm~2,大小顺序为红锥林杉木林马尾松林桉树林米老排林。(2)5种林分凋落物中,杉木林最大持水量最大,为14.23 t/hm~2,马尾松林最小,为6.26 t/hm~2;米老排林凋落物最大持水率最大,为577.98%,红锥林最小,为135.46%。(3)杉木林凋落物的有效拦蓄量最大,为10.18 t/hm~2,马尾松林最小,为4.07 t/hm~2;米老排林凋落物有效拦蓄率最大,为463.35%,红锥林最小,为92.38%。(4)回归分析表明,凋落物持水量与浸水时间的关系符合对数函数关系(Q=aln t+b(R~20.773)),凋落物吸水速率和浸水时间的关系符合幂函数关系(V=kt~n(R~20.997))。持水过程中,各林分凋落物均表现为在1 h内持水量迅速增加,1 h后增加速度变慢,在10～12 h之后,吸水基本停止。综上,杉木林、米老排林凋落物层水源涵养功能较强。     

黄土丘陵沟壑区典型灌木林地枯落物的蓄积特征及持水性能

[目的]对黄土丘陵区不同植被枯落物层持水效能进行研究,为该区植被恢复和水土流失防治提供理论基础。[方法]以柠条、沙棘、狼牙刺、杠柳4种典型灌木林地枯落物层为研究对象,采用室内浸泡法对其水文效应特征进行分析。[结果]①沙棘林地地表枯落物蓄积量最大(1.048 kg/m~2);沙棘林地土壤中枯落物量最大(0.674 kg/m~2);土壤中枯落物占枯落物总蓄积量的20.15%～68.75%,其中柠条和狼牙刺土壤中枯落物高于地表枯落物。②地表枯落物和混入土壤枯落物的持水量均随浸泡时间呈极显著对数函数关系(R~2≥0.745,p0.01),地表枯落物5 min持水量可以达到最大持水量的40%,且与最大持水量存在显著的幂函数关系(R~2=0.38,p0.01),可以通过5 min持水量来拟合最大持水量,而混入土壤枯落物并没有呈现这一规律。混入土壤枯落物的持水量显著大于地表,其中地表枯落物有效持水量杠柳最大(2.13 g/g),土壤中枯落物有效持水量柠条最大(1.90 g/g)。③地表枯落物有效拦蓄量沙棘林地最大,为21.16 t/hm~2;土壤中枯落物有效拦蓄量柠条林地最大,为10.01 t/hm~2;土壤中枯落物拦蓄量的校正系数变化范围在0.18～0.42之间。[结论]土壤中枯落物不容忽视,其混入量占枯落物总蓄积量的1/5甚至2/3以上;柠条总有效持水量最大,而受枯落物类型和积累量的影响,沙棘总拦蓄能力最大,具有较强的水源涵养和水土保持功能。     

江西退化红壤区3种森林恢复模式的枯落物和土壤表层水文功能研究

为探讨退化红壤区植被恢复对枯落物层及土壤层的水源涵养功能影响,进一步揭示退化生态系统植被恢复的功能效应,采用室内浸水法和环刀法分别测定了3种恢复模式(木荷纯林、马尾松纯林、马尾松间伐补木荷林)的枯落物层与0—20 cm土层的持水能力。结果表明:(1)马尾松纯林的枯落物层蓄积量最大(7.91 t/hm~2),持水能力最强(15.39 t/hm~2),但持水率不如木荷纯林(246.69%)。(2)马尾松纯林的枯落物层有效拦蓄量和最大拦蓄量均为最大(7.75,10.02 t/hm~2),木荷纯林的最小(3.83,5.36 t/hm~2)。(3)3种恢复模式的枯落物层持水量随浸水时间的变化均遵循对数函数Q=aln(t)+b,R~20.90,枯落物持水速率随浸水时间变化均符合幂函数:V=at~b,R~20.95,拟合效果均较好。(4)马尾松间伐补木荷林、马尾松纯林、木荷纯林0—20 cm土层的水分最大滞留量分别为10.49,9.83,8.28 mm;木荷纯林土壤最大吸持贮水量(38.39 mm)高于马尾松间伐补木荷林(31.13 mm)和马尾松纯林(30.35 mm)。从枯落物最大持水量、有效拦蓄量及土壤毛管孔隙度、非毛管孔隙度多个因素的计算综合推断可知,3种恢复模式中马尾松纯林的枯落物和土壤表层的水源涵养能力最佳,马尾松间伐补木荷林次之,木荷纯林第三。在水土流失较为严重的退化红壤区,种植合适密度的马尾松林,可以通过地表枯落物层有效减缓水土流失。     

浙江省典型森林类型枯落物及林下土壤水文特性

选择浙江省5种典型林型(杉木林、毛竹林、阔叶林、针阔混交林、马尾松林)枯落物及林下土壤作为研究对象,布设30m×30m标准样地,枯落物水文效应测定采用浸泡法,土壤层水文效应测定采用环刀法。结果表明:不同林分类型枯落物蓄积量大小介于10.14～25.07t/hm2,排列顺序分别为针阔混交林>阔叶林>马尾松林>杉木林>毛竹林;最大持水量大小介于21.82～33.64t/hm2,排列顺序为针阔混交林>阔叶林>杉木林>马尾松林>毛竹林;有效拦蓄量大小介于16.8～24.84t/hm2,其排序为针阔混交林>杉木林>阔叶林>马尾松林>毛竹林;5种森林类型枯落物的持水量均随浸水时间而增大并逐步趋于稳定,其关系符合对数函数;前0.5h内枯落物吸水速率最大,1h之后吸水速率急剧降低,而后随着时间的推移,枯落物的吸水速率趋于统一,其关系呈幂函数关系;5种森林类型林下土壤容重、非毛管孔隙度、孔隙度、持水能力等指标差异并不显著,土壤持水力均值介于201.86～296.63t/hm2。综合来看,阔叶林及含有阔叶树种的林分持水能力相对高于针叶林。     

北京百花山森林枯落物层和土壤层水文效应研究

对百花山4种林分枯落物层和土壤层的水文效应进行了初步研究。结果表明:1核桃楸林枯落物的总蓄积量为9.99 t/hm2,最大持水量为27.72 t/hm2,有效拦蓄量为29.55 t/hm2;华北落叶松林枯落物的总蓄积量为10.27 t/hm2,最大持水量为12.84 t/hm2,有效拦蓄量为13.53 t/hm2;黑桦林枯落物的总蓄积量为7.04 t/hm2,最大持水量为19.01 t/hm2,有效拦蓄量为19.18 t/hm2;辽东栎林枯落物的总蓄积量为8.22 t/hm2,最大持水量为14.72 t/hm2,有效拦蓄量为18.33 t/hm2。2半分解层枯落物浸泡8 h已基本达到饱和,而未分解层10 h基本达到饱和,持水量与浸泡时间的关系为Q=aln(t) b;枯落物在浸水的前半小时内吸水速率最大,4 h左右时下降速度明显减缓,枯落物吸水速率与浸泡时间的关系为V=ktn。3辽东栎林土壤层持水能力最强,为266.22 t/hm2,黑桦林土壤的持水能力最差,为219.39 t/hm2,利用幂函数对入渗速率与入渗时间进行拟合,其相关系数均在0.98以上。     

城市水源地5种森林枯落物水文效应特征

[目的]探讨云南省蒙自市菲白城市水源地5种主要森林类型林下枯落物的持水效应特征,为菲白水源地营造水土保持林、水源涵养林提供理论依据。[方法]利用样方调查法、烘干法、浸泡法对其枯落物蓄积量、持水量、吸水速率、最大持水能力和拦蓄量等进行了研究。[结果]各林分总蓄积量相差较大,依次为:杉木林华山松+杉木人工柏树林青冈栎+云南松人工桉树林;不同森林类型枯落物最大持水量变化范围7.85~13.91t/hm2,最大持水率为165.85%~242.45%,最大拦蓄量为7.48~12.62t/hm2,有效拦蓄量为6.53~11.03t/hm2;5种森林枯落物持水量与时间呈较显著的对数函数关系,各层与浸水时间之间存在着显著的幂函数关系。[结论]综合比较5种森林类型的持水性能,杉树的持水能力较好,能够很好地涵养水源。     

川南马尾松低效人工林不同改造模式后枯落物持水特性分析

对川南马尾松低效人工林进行皆伐和林窗2种改造方式后进行枯落物持水特性研究。结果表明:林地枯落物蓄积量为对照林窗皆伐;其中2种改造方式后未分解层占总蓄积量的比例低于对照,已分解层蓄积量占总蓄积量的比例高于对照,半分解层蓄积量表现无规律;林地枯落物最大持水量大小为Φ30QKΦ10Φ20Φ40CK。不同分解层次最大持水量均表现为未分解层半分解层已分解层,且前两层最大持水量合计超过总持水量的80%;2种改造措施有效拦蓄量(8.85~11.14t/hm~2)高于对照(7.64t/hm~2)。不同改造措施初期吸水速率林窗模式为未分解层半分解层已分解层,皆伐改造模式半分解层未分解层已分解层;对照马尾松纯林为半分解层已分解层未分解层,趋于饱和持水量的时间多于林窗和皆伐模式;枯落物层持水量与浸水时间存在以下关系:w=aln t+b。R~2均在0.86以上,各时段持水量与浸水时间存在较显著相关关系,证明进行马尾松低效林改造,改变了地表枯落物的组成,对提高林地水源涵养和水土保持功能起到了重要作用。     

Agricultural potential of Mediterranean grain and forage legumes: Key differences between and within Vicia species in terms of phenology, yield, and agronomy give insight into plant adaptation to semi-arid environments

In order to identify key adaptive traits which affect productivity in Mediterranean grain and forage legumes and simultaneously determine the agricultural potential of a wide range of Vicia species, germplasm collected from the wild throughout the eastern Mediterranean was grown under semi-arid conditions in Tel Hadya, Syria (313 mm growing season rainfall). These included species currently in use in Mediterranean agriculture, such as V. sativa L., as well as those more widely used in the past-such as V. ervilia L., but also a broad selection from Section Narbonensis (B. Fedtsch. ex Radzhi) Maxted, including V. narbonensis L, V. johannis Tamamsch., V. hyaeniscyamus Mout., V. serratifolia Jacq., and V. kalakhensis Khattab et al. V. faba, a near relative of the taxa in Section Narbonensis, was included as a domesticated control. Where applicable, a representative range of subspecies was used. Accessions were chosen from a wide range of habitats in terms of latitude (31.02–40.72 decimal^o), longitude (27.1–43.17 decimal^o), altitude (20–1510 m), rainfall (180–1700 mm/yr) and soil depth (5–50 cm) in order to maximise diversity within species. Agricultural potential was determined by measuring seed, hay and biological yield, as well as agronomic traits such as harvest index, standing crop height, and seed size. The comparative influence of phenology and key agronomic traits such as plant habit and seed size on productivity varied tremendously between species, depending on their reproductive strategies. In V. sativa and V. ervilia, the smaller seed species which rely on long vegetative phases and growing seasons to accumulate sufficient biomass to set seed, and in which there was comparatively little agronomic variation, phenology had a large impact on yield. In early emerging taxa such as V. ervilia and V. s. subsp. sativa, with built-in long vegetative phases and growing seasons, seed yield was negatively correlated with flower ing (r = –0.86 to –0.88), whereas the opposite was the case for later emerging taxa such as V. s. subsp. nigra (L.) Ehrh. (r = 0.95). Within V. narbonensis and relatives, the larger seeded Vicia species which rely on more conservative reproductive strategies where high seedling vigour associated with large seeds enables the species to enter reproductive phases relatively early, phenology had a much smaller impact on yield than did variation of key traits such as seed weight, plant habit and pod shattering. Among the undomesticated germplasm harvest indices ranged from 0.09–0.31, hay yields from 0.1–3.4 t/ha, seed yield from 0–2.0 t/ha, and dry matter at maturity from 1.6–6.5 t/ha. Sub-specific taxonomy was crucial in determining agronomic potential. V. narbonensis var. aegyptiaca Kornhuber ex Asch. et Schweinf. showed the most potential, combining an upright habit, large seeds (212 mg) and tendency to retain intact pods after maturity, with the highest yield, harvest index and crop height of all the wild Vicia species. V. sativa subsp. sativa, V. ervilia and V. narbonensis var. narbonensis were less productive, but still showed agricultural potential. The smaller seeded V. narbonensis, var. affinis, var. jordanica H. Schäf. and var. salmonea (Mout.) H. Schäf., and their close relatives V. johannis, V. hyaeniscyamus, V. serratifolia and V. kalakhensis have little to offer Mediterranean agriculture on the basis of poor agronomy.     

On the Taxonomy of the Members of ‘Saccharum Complex’

The difficulty and problems encountered in the study of cultivated plants, in general and sugarcane, in particular has been indicated. In order to understand these problems, a brief review on the taxonomy of Saccharum and closely related taxa, namely, Erianthus, Sclerostachya, Narenga and Miscanthus (generally known as ‘Saccharum complex’) has been given. A short account on the important morphological features that are specific to sugarcane has also been stated as classification is commonly based on such morphological characters. A note has been added on the chromosome number, origin, and distribution of the species of ‘Saccharum complex’ members. Taxonomic keys have been devised for identification of the genera of Saccharinae and for the species of Saccharum and Erianthus occurring in India. A new combination, Sclerostachya fallax (Balansa) Amalraj et Balasundaram, has also been proposed.     

Polymorphism of high molecular weight glutenin subunits in three species of Aegilops

A collection of 136 accessions of Aegilops umbellulata (39), Ae. comosa (75) and Ae. markgrafii (22) was analysed for high-molecular-weight (HMW) glutenin subunits composition. The homogeneity of the accessions was studied and 55.1% of the collection was homogeneous for HMW glutenin subunits (29 Ae. umbellulata, 33 Ae. comosa and 14 Ae. markgrafii). The HMW glutenin subunits of Ae. umbellulata are encoded by the Glu-U1 locus; in Ae. comosa results showed that this proteins are encoded at the 1M chromosome, and the locus was named Glu-M1. In Ae. markgrafii it was assumed that HMW glutenin subunits were encoded by an homoeologous locus and it was named Glu-C1. All the accessions of Ae. umbellulata and Ae. markgrafii expressed both, x-type and y-type subunits. Among the Ae. comosa accessions, only one expressed an x-type subunit alone. All the accessions of Ae. umbellulata and some of Ae. comosa had x-type glutenins of higher molecular weights than those commonly present in bread wheat. A total of 8 alleles were detected at the Glu-U1 locus, 11 at the Glu-M1 and 4 at the Glu-C1. The new HMW glutenin variation found in this work suggests their possible utilisation in breeding for wheat quality.     

Genetic diversity of rhizobia associated with indigenous legumes in different regions of Flanders (Belgium)

We investigated the diversity of rhizobia isolated from different indigenous legumes in Flanders (Belgium). A total of 3810 bacterial strains were analysed originating from 43 plant species. Based on rep-PCR clustering, 16S rRNA gene and recA gene sequence analysis, these isolates belonged to Bradyrhizobium, Ensifer (Sinorhizobium), Mesorhizobium and Rhizobium. Of the genera encountered, Rhizobium was the most abundant (62%) and especially the species Rhizobiumleguminosarum, followed by Ensifer (19%), Bradyrhizobium (14%) and finally Mesorhizobium (5%). For two rep-clusters only low similarity values with other genera were found for both the 16S rRNA and recA genes, suggesting that these may represent a new genus with close relationship to Rhodopseudomonas and Bradyrhizobium. Primers for the symbiotic genes nodC and nifH were optimized and a phylogenetic sequence analysis revealed the presence of different symbiovars including genistearum, glycinearum, loti, meliloti, officinalis, trifolii and viciae. Moreover, three new nodC types were assigned to strains originating from Ononis, Robinia and Wisteria, respectively. Discriminant and MANOVA analysis confirmed the correlation of symbiosis genes with certain bacterial genera and less with the host plant. Multiple symbiovars can be present within the same host plant, suggesting the promiscuity of these plants. Moreover, the ecoregion did not contribute to the separation of the bacterial endosymbionts. Our results reveal a large diversity of rhizobia associated with indigenous legumes in Flanders. Most of the legumes harboured more than one rhizobial endosymbiont in their root nodules indicating the importance of including sufficient isolates per plant in diversity studies.     

Phylogenetic relationships of Actinidia and related genera based on micromorphological characters of foliar trichomes

The phylogenetic relationships within the genus Actinidia and among 3 allied genera Clematoclethra, Saurauia, and Sladenia have been very controversial. In order to understand the systematic implication of foliar trichomes in those genera, the micromorphological characteristics of foliar trichomes from 34 taxa were examined by means of light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The observed micromorphological characteristics were classified into eight main types. A phylogenetic analysis of Actinidia and related genera based on 15 micromorphological characters of foliar trichomes was conducted using Wagner parsimony method and Sladenia celastrifolia, Rhododendron hybridum and R. simsii as a complex outgroup. In the resulting phylogenetic tree, Actinidia is shown to be a monophyletic group, and Clematoclethra and Saurauia form another monophyletic group. This study also presents the phylogenetic relationships among 4 sections within the genus Actinidia: the monophyly of sect. Leiocarpae and of sect. Strigosae, and polyphyly of sect. Maculatae and of sect. Stellatae.     

Effect of agroforestry woody species on earthworm activity and physicochemical properties of worm casts

The effects of five agroforestry woody species (Dactyladenia barteri, Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala, Senna siamea andTreculia africana) on the surface aasting activity ofHyperiodrilus africanus were studied in an Alfisol (Oxic Paleustalf) in southwestern Nigeria. Casting activity under the woody species decreased in the following order:Dactyladenia sp. (26.4 Mg ha^-1 year^-1)>Gliricidia sp. (24.4 Mg ha^-1 year^-1)>Treculia sp. (22.9 Mg ha^-1 year^-1)>Leucaena sp. (18.6 Mg ha^-1 year^-1)>Senna sp. (18.3 Mg ha^-1 year^-1). These differences in casting activity were partly explained by microclimatic effects. Irrespective of the woody species, the worm casts were higher in clay and silt contents, bulk density, water-stable aggregates, pH, organic C, exchangeable cations, effective cation exchange capacity, and extractable P levels than the corresponding surface soils. The woody species did affect the physicochemical properties and P sorption of the worm casts. The content of water-stable aggregates of worm casts decreased in the following order:Dactyladenia sp.>Treculia sp.>Senna sp.>Leucaena sp.>Gliricidia sp. Large differences in extractable P levels were observed.Senna sp. was associated with the highest extractable P level (11.5 mg kg^-1) andTreculia sp. the lowest (4.9 mg kg^-1). P sorption was highest on worm casts underDactyladenia sp. and lowest on those underTreculia sp. Without fertilizer application, there were no significant differences in the dry weight of maize grown in the different worm casts. With NPK applications, the dry weight of maize grown in worm casts associated withTreculia sp. was significantly lower than that of maize grown in the other worm casts, mainly due to the low extractable P level. Despite a high organic C and exchangeable K status, maize grown in the worm casts still responded significantly to N and K applications. The N uptake by maize grown in worm casts associated withTreculia sp. was lower than that in the other treatments.     

Diversity of native rice (Oryza Poaceae:) species of Costa Rica

We found several populations of wild Oryza species in the lowlands of Costa Rica. The plants showed extensive morphological variation, suggesting the presence of several species. In the morphologic study, 33 traits were scored for plants of all the species. A principal component analysis revealed the significant morphological separation of the different species. The analyses indicated that there are three species, O. grandi­glumis, O. latifolia and O. glumaepatula. Two putative hybrid types were found, both significantly differing in their morphology from the known species and intermediate at several traits. O. grandi­glumis is a new record for Costa Rican flora. Its main population is located in Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, Los Chiles, Alajuela. O. latifolia is distributed throughout the lowlands of the country and the plants of the Atlantic slope are significantly bigger in general habit than those of the Guanacaste area. During this study a population of O. glumaepatula of hundreds of thousands of plants was discovered in the Medio Queso River wetland, Los Chiles, Alajuela. This population is the most important source of genes for cultivar's improvement from the primary gene pool of rice in Costa Rica. The small ligule and the wide flag leaf characteristic of the two CCDD species separated them from the AA diploid O. glumaepatula. Seed size, ligule size, number of branches in the panicle, plant height and sterile lemma length are all bigger in O. grandi­glumis, and influenced the second factor that separated the CCDD species in two discrete clusters. The species found offer great possibilities for the improvement of rice cultivars and they should be thoroughly studied and appropriately protected.     

The effects of feeding by Oniscus asellus on leaf litter sulfur constituents

Summary Feeding by the isopod, Oniscus asellus, produced changes in the sulfur constituents of leaf litter substrates (Acer negundo, A. saccharum, Fagus grandifolia, Picea rubens, and Tsuga canadensis). Isopod consumption of leaf litter generally accelerated the mineralization of carbon-bonded S and increased the formation of ester sulfate in all substrates. After the isopod egestion of A. negundo leaves, fecal decomposition over 6 weeks increased total S concentration from 68 to 120 mol S/g due to the catabolism of organic carbon. During the same period sulfate decreased from 34 to 20 mol S/g and carbon-bonded S increased from 34 to 100 mol S/g. Thus the total S pool in aged feces became enriched with organic S (83% of total S). Macroinvertebrate consumption accelerated the transformation of S constituents and the carbon-bonded S concentration approached that of the Oa organic horizon of a northern hardwood forest.Dedicated to the late Prof. Dr. M.S. Ghilarov