不同耕作模式对小麦—玉米轮作下潮土养分和作物产量的影响

通过分析裂区设计下的6个处理,即小麦季深耕和旋耕2个主处理×玉米季免耕播种、行间深松和行内深松3个副处理:(1)旋耕+免耕播种(RT—NT);(2)旋耕+行间深松(RT—SBR);(3)旋耕+行内深松(RT—SIR);(4)深耕+免耕播种(DT—NT);(5)深耕+行间深松(DT—SBR);(6)深耕+行内深松(DT—SIR),对土壤养分含量和作物产量影响,筛选适宜于小麦—玉米轮作体系的耕作模式。结果表明,各处理土壤养分含量在小麦、玉米两季中均随土层深度增加而降低。小麦季,旋耕处理0—10cm土层土壤全氮、碱解氮、有效磷含量、硝态氮含量显著高于深耕处理;但深耕增加当季30—40cm土层土壤有机质、全氮、碱解氮、有效磷、硝态氮、铵态氮含量。玉米季,DT—NT处理0—30cm土层有机质含量较RT—NT处理增加40.1%～64.3%。RT—SBR、RT—SIR处理显著提升土壤0—30cm全氮含量,其中RT—SBR处理0—10cm土层全氮含量最高,为1.4g/kg。RT—SIR处理显著增加0—20cm土壤碱解氮含量,较RT—NT显著增加15.0%～25.3%。在0—40cm土层,DT—SBR处理的有效磷含量最高,而RT—SBR处理的速效钾含量最高。DT—SIR处理显著提升20—50cm土层硝态氮和铵态氮含量,其中硝态氮含量为8.5～30.4mg/kg,铵态氮含量为2.6～8.9mg/kg。与小麦季相比,玉米季提升10—20cm土层有机质含量、0—50cm土层的碱解氮、有效磷、速效钾含量以及40—50cm土层的硝态氮、铵态氮含量。DT—SBR和DT—SIR处理穗长、百粒重、收获指数和产量显著高于其他处理,且二者产量较RT—NT处理显著增加6.4%～10.8%。玉米季DT—SIR处理的肥料偏利用率和经济效益最高。综上所述,深耕+行内深松处理有利于增加土壤养分含量,且增产效果较好,在本研究中最优。     

耕作方式对辽西褐土区土壤穿透阻力的影响及机理

为了探明耕作方式转变对土壤物理性质的影响，研究设置田间定位试验，监测长期旋耕转变为免耕和深松耕后土壤容重、水分和穿透阻力的变化特征。试验设免耕（no tillage，NT）、深松（subsoiling，SS）、旋耕（rotary tillage，RT）3个处理，在玉米生长季监测土壤含水量、容重和穿透阻力动态，定量并分析土壤穿透阻力对含水量和容重变化的响应。结果表明，玉米生育期NT处理的土壤容重保持相对稳定，RT和SS处理容重逐渐增大；与RT和SS处理相比，NT处理增加0—30 cm的容重、0—45 cm的含水量和0—15 cm的穿透阻力，但在干旱时期降低15—45 cm的穿透阻力，避免了土壤紧实对玉米的胁迫。基于含水量和容重参数，建立了预测土壤穿透阻力的指数模型，其P<0.001，R²为0.77。模型结果表明，当容重>1.4 g/cm³且含水量<0.13 cm³/cm³时，土壤穿透阻力将大于限制作物生长的阈值（2 MPa）；在含水量<0.2 cm³/cm³时，土壤穿透阻力对含水量的敏感性显著高于容重，说明该区域干旱（水分）引起的土壤紧实度增加比压实更为重要。免耕有助于该区域保持土壤水分，同时降低容重增加导致的土壤紧实效应，有利于避免土壤紧实胁迫对作物生长的影响。     

深松和秸秆还田对旋耕农田土壤有机碳活性组分的影响

土壤有机碳(soil organic carbon,SOC)及其活性组分能够敏感响应耕作方式变化及有机物输入。为对比长期旋耕农田进行深松后土壤有机碳各活性组分及比例变化,该研究基于连续7a的旋耕转变为深松和秸秆管理长期定位试验,对比了旋耕无秸秆还田处理(rotary tillage with straw removal,RT)、旋耕秸秆还田处理(rotary tillage with straw return,RTS)、旋耕转变为深松无秸秆还田处理(rotary tillage conversion to subsoiling with straw removal,RT-DT)、旋耕转变为深松秸秆还田处理(rotary tillage conversion to subsoiling with straw return,RTS-DTS)下土壤有机碳(soil organic carbon,SOC)、颗粒有机碳(particulate organic carbon,POC)、易氧化有机碳(readily oxidizable organic carbon,ROC)、微生物生物量碳(microbial biomass carbon,MBC)、溶解性有机碳(dissolved organic carbon,DOC)、活性有机碳(labile organic carbon,LOC)在土壤有机碳中比例的变化及各组分间的相互关系。研究结果表明,耕作方式从旋耕转变为深松和秸秆还田对SOC及其各活性组分均产生显著影响,耕作方式转变、秸秆还田及两者的交互效应是影响SOC及其活性组分的主要因素。秸秆还田显著提高了RTS处理和RTS-DTS处理的SOC含量,分别比RT和RT-DT处理高6.1%~15.6%和19.1%~32.3%。并且转变耕作方式后RTS-DTS处理比于RTS处理SOC含量提高16.9%~20.0%。同时,RTS-DTS处理的POC含量比RTS处理高13.6%~53.8%;但RT-DT和RTS-DTS处理的土壤ROC含量较RT和RTS处理都呈下降趋势,RTS-DTS处理的ROC含量比RTS处理下降4.6%~10%;MBC含量降低23.8%~30.6%。虽然秸秆还田显著提高了各处理的DOC含量,但RTS转变为RTS-DTS处理后,其3个土层的DOC含量下降了8%~41%。相比于RT和RTS处理,RT-DT和RTS-DTS处理0~30 cm各土层中LOC在SOC中的比例显著下降。相关性分析结果表明,除POC与ROC之间无显著性相关关系外,SOC及各组分间均呈显著(P<0.05)或极显著(P<0.01)的相关关系。耕作方式转变为深松和秸秆还田提高了SOC含量的同时,显著降低了SOC中的活性有机碳组分,这更有利于SOC的有效积累,促进土壤碳库的稳定固存。     

耕作方式对麦–玉轮作农田固碳、保水性能及产量的影响

【目的】 农田固碳保水性能是影响作物产量的关键因素,研究耕作方式对耕层 (0—20 cm) 土壤碳、水含量和产量的影响,为选择适宜该地区的最佳耕作措施提供参考。 【方法】 保护性耕作长期定位试验始于2002年,种植制度为冬小麦–夏玉米一年两熟,两季秸秆全量粉碎 (3～5 cm) 还田,试验设传统翻耕、深松、旋耕和免耕4种耕作方式。对2015—2016年作物生长各时期土壤有机碳含量、土壤含水量、碳水储量、产量和等价产量等进行了测定。 【结果】 不同处理麦–玉轮作农田0—20 cm土层有机碳含量有所不同。耕作措施对土壤有机碳含量有显著 (P < 0.05) 影响,表现为深松和免耕能显著增加0—10 cm土层有机碳含量,且以深松效果最为显著 ( P < 0.05)。与传统翻耕相比,免耕和旋耕降低了10—20 cm土层土壤有机碳含量;深松比传统翻耕显著 ( P < 0.05) 增加了小麦季土壤有机碳含量,玉米季没有显著性差异 ( P < 0.05)。0—10 cm土层,玉米季旋耕和免耕处理的土壤含水量高于深松和传统翻耕;在10—20 cm土层小麦季免耕处理土壤含水量高于其他三种耕作方式。产量结果表明,深松能有效增加作物的有效穗数、穗粒数和千粒重,进而增加籽粒产量和周年等价产量;免耕显著 ( P < 0.05) 降低了亚表层 (10—20 cm) 有机碳含量,降低穗粒数和千粒重,不利于作物增产。两年小麦玉米单作产量和周年等价产量均表现为深松 > 传统翻耕 > 旋耕 > 免耕。 【结论】 深松能有效促进耕层土壤有机碳积累和保水性能提高,增加作物的有效穗数、穗粒数和千粒重,从而增加产量;免耕显著 (P < 0.05) 提高了表土层 (0—10 cm) 碳储量,有助于增强耕层土壤的保水性能。      

小麦-玉米轮作耕作方式对玉米灌浆成熟期叶片衰老生理特性的影响

为了进一步探索适宜山东省半湿润易干旱地区夏玉米高产、稳产的耕作措施,本试验研究小麦、玉米轮作下免耕、深松、深耕两季的耕作方式(7个)对夏玉米穗位叶片衰老特性、灌浆期干物质积累、转运及籽粒产量的影响.结果表明(定位试验第3年):小麦深松+玉米免耕直播+秸秆还田(W3 M2)可显著提高夏玉米叶片生育后期SOD活性、叶片可溶性蛋白含量,而MDA含量增加缓慢,显著延缓穗位叶衰老;在吐丝至成熟期间干物质生产量上,W4M4(小麦深耕+玉米隔年深耕+秸秆还田)和W1M1(小麦旋耕+玉米隔年旋耕+秸秆还田)最高,W3M2和W3M3(小麦深松+玉米隔年深松+秸秆还田)次之,均显著高于CK和W1M2(小麦旋耕+玉米免耕直播+秸秆还田);W3M2干物质向籽粒运转比例即收获指数最高,W4M4最低;各耕作方式下W3M2和W1M1籽粒产量最高,分别比对照增加23.90％和9.87％.因此在本试验条件下小麦深松+玉米免耕直播+秸秆还田(W3M2)耕作方式下更有效延长叶片功能期,提高后期叶片生理活性,促进干物质向籽粒运转,增产效果显著.本研究可为华北麦-玉两熟农区合理安排周年耕作措施提供理论依据.     

黄土旱塬区平衡施肥下不同土壤耕作模式的蓄水纳墒及作物增产增收效应研究

【目的】黄土旱塬半湿润易旱区是典型的雨养农业区,多数一年一熟或两年一熟制,冬小麦和春玉米是该区主要的粮食作物,平衡施肥是主要的施肥方式。多年研究和生产实践证明,建立与不同作物轮作方式相配套的土壤轮耕技术体系,可以为作物生长发育创造良好的土、 肥、 水、 气、 热的土壤环境条件,保持农田生态健康发展,促进作物增产增收。本文在当地平衡施肥条件下,通过多年耕作模式定位试验,研究在平衡施肥条件下,不同土壤耕作模式对休闲期和作物生育期0200 cm土层蓄水纳墒状况、 作物产量及其经济效益的影响,为黄土旱塬半湿润易旱区建立在一定肥力水平下与作物轮作体系相配套的土壤轮耕模式提供理论依据。【方法】选择位于黄土旱塬半湿润易旱区腹地的陕西省合阳县甘井镇一年一熟旱作冬小麦春玉米轮作田为试验区,采用免耕、 深松和翻耕3种土壤耕作方法组成4种土壤轮耕模式,即: 翻耕免耕翻耕免耕(RT1); 深松翻耕深松翻耕(RT2); 免耕深松免耕深松(RT3); 免耕翻耕深松免耕(RT4); 以连年翻耕(CK1)、 连年深松(CK2)和连年免耕(CK3)为对照,通过连续4年(2007~2011年)定位试验,研究平衡施肥条件下的7种土壤耕作模式对冬小麦春玉米轮作田0200 cm土层土壤贮水量、 土壤水分含量、 作物籽粒产量、 水分利用效率(WUE)和经济效益的影响。【结果】 1)在土壤休闲期,RT3模式下0200 cm土层土壤贮水量最高,其次是RT2。与对照组相比,4种轮耕模式0200 cm土层土壤贮水量均高于CK1; RT3显著高于CK3,但与CK2差异不显著。0200 cm土层土壤剖面含水量,亦以RT3模式最高。2)在冬小麦生育期,0200 cm土层土壤贮水量和土壤含水量,RT3和CK2模式的较高。3)在春玉米生育期,0200 cm土层土壤贮水量和土壤含水量RT3和CK3较高。4)不同耕作模式的作物籽粒产量、 水分利用效率(WUE)和经济效益,以RT2和CK2模式最高。四年平均结果RT2处理较CK1、 CK2和CK3处理增产10.2%、 3.6%和17.1%,增收23.6%(P0.05)、 6.8%(P0.05)和28.3%(P0.05),提高WUE 9.7%(P0.05)、 4.3%和18.6%(P0.05)。【结论】年际间轮流进行深松和翻耕(RT2)处理,虽然其在土壤蓄水保墒效应方面略低于年际间轮流进行免耕和深松(RT3)和连年深松(CK2)处理,但可获得最佳增产增收效果和最高水分利用效率; 连年深松能够增加水分入渗,保护土壤,增加蓄水能力,但产量和经济效益不如RT2处理,也是该区比较适宜的耕作方法。根据实际状况,在平衡施肥条件下的一年一熟作物轮作区,应推荐深松翻耕的轮耕或连年深松的耕作模式。     

机械化生态沃土耕作模式提高土壤质量及作物产量

为了解决小麦玉米两作区连年翻耕造成的土壤养分、水分流失、土壤沙化以及长期不耕作不利于作物高产等问题,将翻耕、旋耕、深松等适当结合,建立一种械化生态沃土耕作模式,设置一定的周期,周期内对土壤进行适度的耕作,并与连年翻耕和连年免耕模式进行试验对比。试验结果表明:5 a周期内机械化生态沃土耕作模式可以显著提高各层土壤有机质含量,0~10 cm提高最大达0.2%;连年免耕在前3 a可以显著提高O~10 cm土壤有机质含量,后2 a有所减少;连年翻耕在前3a可以显著提高20~30 cm土壤有机质含量,后2a显著减少。土壤含水率表现为机械化生态沃土连年免耕连年翻耕,随着时间变化,差异越来越显著。0~10 cm土壤容重在5%水平上机械化生态沃土耕作模式和连年免耕显著低于连年翻耕。机械化生态沃土耕作模式下作物产量显著高于连年免耕和连年翻耕,2014年增产优势最明显.比连年翻耕小麦增产30.8%,玉米增产28.4%,比连年免耕小麦增产22.5%,玉米增产20.9%。     

华北典型区域土壤耕作方式对土壤特性和作物产量的影响

华北平原是我国重要的小麦玉米种植区,长期土壤旋耕免耕和秸秆全量还田带来耕层变浅、犁底层变厚和上移、土壤养分表聚等现象,通过耕作方式改变,解决上述问题对维持区域粮食生产有重要意义。试验以冬小麦-夏玉米轮作系统为研究对象,分别在代表华北平原高产区的栾城试验区和代表中低产区的南皮试验区进行,设置冬小麦播种前进行土壤深耕、深松、窄深松3种处理,以生产上常用的旋耕为对照。所有处理夏玉米季均采用土壤免耕播种,测定项目包括土壤容重、作物根系、作物产量和水分利用效率。结果表明,不同耕作方式对土壤特性和作物产量的影响具有区域差异。南皮试验区土壤深耕(松)显著地(P0.05)提高了作物产量,深耕、深松和窄深松处理的冬小麦产量比旋耕分别增加16.5%、19.3%和13.1%,夏玉米产量分别增加17.3%、16.2%和21.9%,周年产量分别增加16.9%、17.6%和17.8%;深耕、深松和窄深松处理间作物产量差异不显著。栾城试验区冬小麦、夏玉米产量和周年产量各处理之间差异不显著。土壤深耕、深松、窄深松和旋耕均能降低0～20 cm土层土壤紧实度和土壤容重。冬小麦播种后,与土壤耕作前比较,土壤深耕、深松和旋耕处理土壤紧实度南皮试验区分别平均降低71.6%和68.2%,栾城试验区分别降低88.8%和?7.7%,常用的旋耕模式在栾城试区没有降低土壤紧实度。小麦收获时不同耕作方式0～40cm土层的土壤容重均低于土壤耕作前的土壤容重,至夏玉米收获时不同耕作处理的土壤容重与耕作前基本一致,不同耕作处理对土壤容重的影响差异不显著。在南皮试验区, 3种耕作方式与旋耕相比,均显著提高了冬小麦和夏玉米水分利用效率;在栾城试验区,各处理冬小麦和夏玉米水分利用效率差异不显著。本研究结果显示在华北平原高产区连续实施土壤旋耕模式没有影响作物产量,而在中低产区实施土壤深耕或者深松模式更利于作物产量提高。     

耕作方式对豫南雨养区土壤微环境及冬小麦产量的影响

针对豫南雨养农业区降水基本满足作物生长需求但年内和年际间分配不均、土壤耕性差的生态实际,为解决小麦播种期和冬春干旱以及改善耕层水、肥、气、热等因子提供理论依据。于2007—2015年,在豫南雨养农业区进行了连续9a的大田定位试验,研究了不同耕作模式对小麦生长季土壤水分、容重、温度及冬小麦产量的影响。试验共设置6个处理:T1(传统翻耕)、T2(不覆盖/不深松+覆盖/免耕)、T3(覆盖/不深松+不覆盖/免耕)、T4(不覆盖/深松+不覆盖/免耕)、T5(覆盖/深松+覆盖/免耕)以及T6(不覆盖/不深松+还田/旋耕)。结果表明,(覆盖/深松+覆盖/免耕)T5可以有效提高小麦播种期0~40cm土层的含水量,为麦播提供较好的水分基础,不同耕作方式处理对冬小麦越冬期和返青期土壤日平均温度影响较小,不足以对冬小麦发育进程产生影响。(覆盖/深松+覆盖/免耕)T5能够有效降低耕层0~20cm和0~40cm的土壤容重。覆盖/深松+覆盖/免耕处理的前3a,冬小麦产量较对照有所降低,从第4年开始较对照增产,2011—2015年增产幅度分别为2.02%、2.83%、10.93%、5.88%、1.97%。以上结果表明,通过T5(覆盖/深松+覆盖/免耕)的简耕覆盖技术可以有效利用降水资源、培肥地力,提高产量,具有节本增效的作用。     

不同轮耕方式对旱作区土壤容重、水分及春玉米产量的影响

探索不同耕作方式对春玉米旱作田土壤容重、土壤水分、玉米产量和水分利用效率(WUE)的影响,为试区玉米高产、水分高效持续利用型耕作模式提供理论依据。于2014~2016年在兰州市榆中县清水驿乡孟家山村玉米田开展连续免耕(NT)、连续深松(ST)、连续翻耕(PT)、深松、免耕及深松轮耕(ST/NT/ST)、免耕、免耕和深松轮耕(NT/NT/ST)、翻耕、免耕及翻耕轮耕(PT/NT/PT)、翻耕、免耕及深松轮耕(PT/NT/ST)和深松、翻耕及深松轮耕(ST/PT/ST)8种耕作模式试验,测定了玉米产量及水分利用效率。结果表明:0~60 cm土层,随土层的增加土壤容重呈先增后降,20~40 cm土层的土壤容重最高。轮耕模式均能降低土壤容重,以ST/PT/ST轮耕模式最低,其次为ST/NT/ST,较PT提高了1.24%、0.25%;玉米生育期土壤含水量变化与降水分布呈现出一定的同步性,免耕有益于提高耕层土壤水分,深松与翻耕轮耕则会促进土壤水分的下渗,免耕与深松轮耕更有利于深层土壤水分的提高;NT/NT/ST轮作能显著提高玉米生育期0~100 cm土层土壤含水量,ST/NT/ST次之,较单一耕作(NT、ST、PT)相比,土壤含水量分别提高了1.20%、4.80%、19.77%,0.78%、1.89%、16.45%;3年产量比较,ST/NT/ST轮作模式显著高于其他耕作处理,ST/NT/ST较单一耕作(NT、ST、PT)玉米产量分别提高了5.97%、3.56%、15.75%;轮耕模式下的WUE较单一耕作(NT、ST、PT)高,以ST/NT/ST轮耕模式最高。在8种轮耕模式下,ST/NT/ST(深松、免耕及深松)轮耕模式下土壤容重和土壤含水量最佳,生产能力最强,水分利用效率最高,是旱作区玉米田最适宜轮耕模式。     

“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.