围封对内蒙古荒漠草原土壤理化性质及稳定碳氮同位素的影响

以内蒙古中西部希拉穆仁荒漠草原为研究对象,比较分析了退化荒漠草原自由放牧、围封3a和围封5a土壤理化性质及稳定性碳氮同位素的差异。结果表明:①与自由放牧相比,围封显著增加了土壤有机碳含量、全碳含量、土壤含水量及土壤碳氮比(C/N)(P0.05),土壤容重和全氮含量则显著降低(P0.05),但土壤全氮含量有随围封年限增加而升高的趋势。②相比自由放牧,围封显著降低了土壤的δ~(13)C值和δ~(15)N值。③土壤有机碳含量与δ~(13)C值呈显著负相关关系(P0.05),而土壤全氮含量与δ~(15)N值呈极显著正相关关系(P0.01)。可见,围封有利于促进退化荒漠草原土壤有机碳的积累,减缓土壤氮循环,改善土壤性质。     

三江平原沼泽湿地土壤有机碳的垂直分布特征研究

以三江平原腹地挠力河、别拉洪河、浓江河流域天然沼泽湿地为研究对象,并以湿地开垦后的农田为对照,研究了沼泽湿地不同层次土壤中有机碳含量的垂直分布特征及其与pH值、N素的相关关系。结果表明,沼泽湿地土壤有机碳的垂直分布随土壤深度、植物群落类型和农业耕作方式的变化而变化;开垦使天然沼泽湿地0～45cm土壤有机碳损失90%以上;土壤不同层次有机碳含量与pH呈显著负相关(r=-0.651**,P<0.01),与全氮呈显著线性正相关。     

长期施肥对西南黄壤有机碳平衡的影响

为阐明长期施肥对西南地区黄壤有机碳变化特征的影响,探讨土壤可持续利用培肥模式,从1995年起采用10种施肥模式(CK、1/4 M+3/4 NPK、1/2 M+1/2 NPK、M、NPKM、NPK、NK、N、NP、PK)对贵阳市小河区玉米地黄壤进行处理,分析了各施肥模式下土壤有机碳的变化特征及其与作物产量之间的动态变化关系。结果表明,随着施有机肥年限延长,土壤有机碳总体呈增加趋势,而施化肥表现出下降趋势,无机肥配施对提高土壤有机碳含量作用明显。不同施肥模式有机碳平衡变化很大,施有机肥,土壤有机碳平衡量均为正值,有机肥施用量的增加也会导致土壤有机碳含量提高;不施肥和施用化肥处理的有机碳平衡量均为负值,各施氮处理(NPK、NK、N、NP)间有机碳平衡量差异不显著(p值为0.08),但与不施氮处理(PK)的有机碳平衡量存在差异显著(p0.01)。黄壤有机碳平衡量与系统总碳投入之间呈现显著的正相关关系(R2=0.9995),维持黄壤有机碳平衡所需的最低碳投入量为每年2.57 t hm-2。施有机肥处理中,玉米产量与有机碳含量表现出较好的正相关关系(R2均大于0.6);而不施肥或施用化肥处理中,二者的相关性较差(R2均小于0.3)。以上结果说明,研究区黄壤中有机碳还没饱和,仍具一定的固碳潜力,施有机肥,尤其是有机肥与化肥配施可以提高土壤有机碳含量。     

湘中丘陵区不同土地利用方式下土壤有机碳密度

通过实测对比分析了湘中丘陵区不同土地利用方式下土壤有机碳含量及其密度.结果表明,不同土地利用方式下土壤有机碳含量随土壤深度的增加呈指数函数下降趋势(R2≥0.8184).且水平分布上表现为:经济林地(10.12 g/kg)＞人工林地(9.94 g/kg)＞次生林地(9.11 g/kg)＞坡耕地(7.90 g/kg)＞弃耕地(6.77 g/kg)＞苗圃地(5.95 g/kg);经济林地、人工林地、次生林地土壤有机碳含量与土壤pH值之间存在显著负相关性(p＜0.05),6种不同土地利用方式土壤有机碳含量与全氮含量之间均存在极显著正相关性(p＜0.01),人工林地和次生林地土壤有机碳含量与硝态氮含量之间存在显著的正相关性(p＜0.05).经济林地、弃耕地土壤有机碳含量与碱解氮含量之间存在极显著正相关性(p＜0.01).其它4种利用方式与碱解氮含量之间存在显著正相关性(p＜0.05);6种不同土地利用方式下土壤(0-60 cm)有机碳密度表现为:人工林地(91.57t/hm2)＞经济林地(89.51t/hm2)＞次生林地(83.13 t/hm2)＞坡耕地(72.70 t/hm2)＞弃耕地(58.05 t/hm2)＞苗圃地(43.63 t/hm2),与次生林地相比,苗圃地土壤有机碳的损失量最大.     

滩涂土壤有机碳空间分布与围垦年限相关性分析

中国具有治理和修复潜力的滨海滩涂盐土面积约为2000hm2。滨海滩涂盐土作为新成土壤,土体发育不明显、理化性状差、肥力水平低下。该文通过对东台境内表层土壤有机碳的采样分析,在ArcGIS地理信息系统及SPSS16.0系统平台上,利用地统计分析模块中的克里格法分析东台市表层土壤有机碳的空间变异规律,并分析不同滩涂围垦年限下表层土壤有机碳、总氮、pH值、EC1:5的变化特征及其相关关系,结果显示滨海表层土壤有机碳含量与总氮、围垦年限呈极显著正相关,相关系数r分别为0.959和0.749,与pH值、电导率EC1:5呈极显著负相关,相关系数r分别为-0.478和-0.649。围垦3a以上表层土壤有机碳可增加0.24%左右,总氮质量分数增加0.02%左右;围垦时间大于52a,有机碳质量分数自0.1%增加到1.6%,全氮质量分数自0.03%增加到0.12%,养分等级也相应从6级增加到3级。该文研究表明,滨海盐土随着围垦年限的增长,土壤碳储量与总氮含量随之增加、pH值与EC1:5随之降低,耕地质量也相应提高。     

黄土高原不同植被群落多样性与土壤有机碳密度关系研究

为了探明黄土高原不同植被群落多样性与土壤有机碳密度关系,在黄土高原纸坊沟小流域选取几种典型的植被群落(刺槐Robinia pseudoacacia、铁杆蒿Artemisia gmelinii、长芒草Stipa bungeana、狼牙刺Sophora davidii和柠条Caragana korshinskii),野外调查了植被多样性,同时室内测定0—100 cm土壤有机碳含量、密度以及相关土壤环境因子。结果显示:(1)不同植被群落多样性指数(Margalef丰富度、Mclntosh均匀度和Shannon-Wiener多样性)表现出相同的变化特征。柠条和刺槐群落差异不显著(p>0.05),二者显著低于其他植物群落(p<0.05),长芒草和狼牙刺群落最高,二者之间差异不显著(p>0.05),显著高于其他植物群落(p<0.05); 不同植物群落Simpson优势度指数呈现出相反的变化趋势,刺槐>柠条>铁杆蒿>狼牙刺>长芒草。(2)不同植物群落土壤全氮含量、微生物量碳、微生物量氮、速效养分(硝态氮、铵态氮、速效磷)大致表现为相同的变化特征,均表现为长芒草和狼牙刺群落高于其他群落,而柠条和刺槐群落土壤养分含量低于其他植物群落,不同植物群落土壤pH值表现出相反的变化特征。(3)在垂直方向,土壤有机碳密度随土层深度的增加而逐渐减小,80—100 cm土层土壤有机碳密度最低(p<0.05),0—20 cm土层土壤有机碳密度最高,表现出明显的“表聚性”,相同土层土壤有机碳密度大致表现为长芒草和狼牙刺群落高于其他植物群落。(4)相关性分析显示,不同植物群落多样性指数与有机碳和有机碳密度呈显著或极显著的正相关。冗余分析显示,土壤pH值和微生物量碳含量是主导植被多样性和土壤有机碳密度重要驱动因子; 双因素分析表明植被类型和土层深度对土壤有机碳含量和密度具有显著的影响(p<0.05)。     

大围山不同海拔森林土壤有机碳垂直分布特征

为研究亚热带地区典型森林土壤有机碳沿海拔梯度的分布特征,于2013年10月在大围山国家森林公园选择4个不同海拔的采样点,采集0-100cm剖面土样,分析土壤有机碳和土壤腐殖酸、胡敏酸(HA)、富里酸(FA)含量,研究其垂直分布特征和影响因素。结果表明,(1)土壤有机碳含量与海拔高度密切相关。高海拔剖面土壤有机碳明显高于低海拔剖面,4个采样点剖面有机碳平均含量表现为(18.84±14.42)g/kg(海拔1 465m)(13.94±6.05)g/kg(海拔1 402m)(11.95±9.20)g/kg(海拔1 002m)(11.05±7.97)g/kg(海拔800m)。(2)土壤有机碳、腐殖酸含量随着土壤剖面深度的增加而递减,而腐殖酸占有机碳的比例会有所增加,胡敏酸和富里酸比值(HA/FA)随着土壤剖面深度的增加呈降低的趋势。(3)土壤有机碳含量与土壤容重、全氮、全磷均存在极显著相关关系(P0.01),与毛管孔隙度和土壤中粉粒含量存在显著正相关关系(P0.05),腐殖酸与土壤pH值存在显著的负相关(P0.05)。总之,大围山森林土壤有机碳沿海拔梯度变化趋势明显,土壤有机碳含量随海拔升高而增加,随土壤剖面深度增加而显著降低;土壤腐殖酸含量随土壤剖面深度的增加而显著降低,占有机碳比例却表现出一定的增长趋势,但其与海拔高度并没有显著关系。     

菜地旱地交错分布区土壤有机碳和有效态微量元素的空间变异性—以山东寿光古城镇为例

基于GIS和地统计学方法,以山东寿光古城镇为例,分析了两种利用方式下（大棚蔬菜和小麦玉米轮作）表层（020 cm）土壤有机碳的空间变异特征及其影响因素,并分析了土壤有机碳含量与有效态微量元素含量之间的相关性。结果表明,研究区内大棚菜地有机碳平均含量高于小麦玉米轮作农田,两者变异程度均为中等,受施肥、温度、灌溉、翻耕等人为因素的影响显著。菜地耕层土壤有机碳的变程（749 m）小于农田（1460 m）,说明菜地有机碳空间变异程度高,这与菜地中施肥管理措施变异度更大有关。轮作区土壤有机碳空间分布模拟结果表明,研究区中部土壤有机碳含量较高,中东部和西部较低。大棚菜地土壤有机碳空间模拟结果表明,土壤有机碳较高值分布于研究区的东北、西北和东南区域,较低值分布在中西部北边位置。小麦玉米轮作农田中有机碳存储量与有效Fe、Cu、B含量呈极显著正相关,与有效Mn呈极显著负相关;菜地土壤有机碳与微量元素有效态之间的相关性不明显。     

山东省青州市土壤养分元素有效量及其影响因素

为研究山东省青州市土壤养分元素有效量及其影响因素，通过系统采集分析390件表层土壤样品，获得了N、P、K、Cu、Zn、Mo、B 7种土壤养分元素全量和有效量以及pH和有机质数据，并对其进行了相关性和差异性分析。结果表明：研究区土壤Mo、B元素有效量低，总体表现为缺乏和较缺乏；N元素有效量背景值略高于临界值，分布不规律；P、K、Cu、Zn元素有效量变异系数均大于100%，呈现西低东高的空间分布趋势。相关性分析表明，N、P、K、Cu、Zn、B 6种元素全量与有效量呈显著正相关，测试的7种元素有效量与pH均呈显著负相关，N、K、Zn、B 4种元素有效量与有机质含量呈显著正相关。不同成土母质中，奥陶系和寒武系土壤pH、奥陶系土壤有机质含量显著高于全区，养分有效量在奥陶系土壤中总体较低。不同土壤类型中，粗骨土土壤pH和有机质含量显著高于全区，养分有效量在粗骨土中总体较低。研究区土壤养分元素有效量不仅与元素全量水平关系密切，同时受土壤pH和有机质含量的影响。     

祁连山天老池小流域土壤有机碳空间异质性及其影响因素

采用野外取样和室内分析,结合地统计学方法和方差分析方法,分析了祁连山天老池小流域0~30 cm层的土壤有机碳的分布特征及其与植被类型、地形和土壤性质等因素的关系。结果表明,该流域土壤有机碳垂直分布存在显著的差异,随着土层深度的增加,土壤有机碳含量显著减少,0~10、10~20、20~30 cm土层土壤有机碳含量分别为105.08、81.46、62.62 g/kg,土壤平均有机碳含量为83.05 g/kg,变异系数为0.56。不同的植被类型0~10 cm土层土壤有机碳含量表现为青海云杉(138.20 g/kg)灌丛(118.49 g/kg)亚高山草甸(100.43 g/kg)祁连圆柏(74.17 g/kg)干草原(43.94 g/kg);随着海拔的升高土壤有机碳含量增加,阴坡有机碳含量明显高于阳坡;经相关性分析表明,土壤有机碳与土壤全氮和砂粒呈显著正相关关系,与土壤体积质量、黏粒和粉粒呈显著负相关关系。     

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.     

“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.     

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.     

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     

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.