紫色土区坡耕地植物篱模式综合生态效益评价

科学评价植物篱模式提高坡耕地生态效益是进一步评价其生态经济社会综合效益的基础,可促进优化植物篱模式在山丘区的推广与应用。针对已有文献对植物篱模式生态效益评价存在评价指标片面等问题,选择植物篱模式下水土与农业面源污染物流失、土壤抗侵蚀力与土地生产力4方面指标,应用层次分析法与熵权法相结合计算评价指标权重,多因素综合评价法对西南紫色土区坡耕地紫穗槐、香根草、紫花苜蓿与蓑草4种植物篱模式进行综合生态效益评价。结果表明,植物篱模式的综合生态效益和不同类型生态效益较常规横坡农作模式明显提高,其中综合生态效益指数(A)、保持水土效益指数(B1)、控制农业面源污染效益指数(B2)、土壤抗侵蚀力效益指数(B3)、土地生产力效益指数(B4)分别增加206.4%~301.9%、228.6%~278.4%、212.6%~346.6%、93.7%~126.0%、23.6%~35.8%。植物篱模式不同类型生态效益指数大小顺序为B2(1.165)B1(0.962)B4(0.495)B3(0.332)。不同植物篱模式提高坡耕地综合生态效益的效应表现为20坡地紫穗槐模式香根草,13坡地紫花苜蓿蓑草。20坡耕地植物篱模式综合生态效益指数平均增加幅度(295.0%)大于13坡地植物篱模式(211.0%)。说明在西南紫色丘陵区的坡耕地,尤其是20以上坡耕地推广与实施灌木类植物篱可大幅提高其综合生态效益。     

紫色土区不同植物篱模式控制坡耕地氮素流失效应

为优选紫色土区控制农田氮磷等养分流失的复合农林模式,利用野外径流小区试验,结合室内分析与数理统计法研究了植物篱模式控制紫色土区坡耕地氮素流失效应。结果表明,植物篱模式减少了坡耕地总氮及各形态氮流失负荷,就总氮而言,20°坡耕地紫穗槐与香根草模式下年均总氮流失负荷分别比横坡农作模式降低92.4%、90.0%;13°坡耕地紫花苜蓿与蓑草模式的年均总氮流失负荷分别比横坡农作模式降低88.7%、83.9%。径流与泥沙流失量的减少与径流氮浓度的降低是植物篱控制坡耕地氮素流失的主要机制。紫穗槐、香根草、紫花苜蓿与蓑草植物篱模式可作为西南紫色丘陵区农业非点源氮素污染的源头控制技术,特别是20°以上坡耕地推广与实施灌木类植物篱模式,能长期有效地控制农田盈余氮素流失。     

紫色土区植物篱篱前淤积带与篱下土坎土壤抗蚀性研究

为探究紫色土坡地植物篱篱前淤积带与篱下土坎土壤抗蚀性的差异及变化规律,选取遂宁市水土保持试验站10°新银合欢植物篱小区(T1)、10°和15°香根草植物篱小区(T2和T3)进行研究。研究小区布设有上、中、下坡篱带,分别采集篱前淤积带和篱下土坎(下坡无)的表土样,测定有机质含量、水稳性团聚体和微团聚体组成,运用主成分分析法对土壤抗蚀性进行分析。结果表明:同一篱带,土壤有机质含量、团聚度和团聚状况均是篱前淤积带高于篱下土坎,土壤水稳性团聚体含量和抗蚀性综合指数则反之,篱下土坎的抗蚀性综合指数是篱前淤积带的1.48～3.17倍;同一小区,篱前淤积带土壤有机质含量、团聚度和团聚状况均表现为下坡中坡上坡,篱下土坎为中坡上坡,而土壤水稳定性和抗蚀性综合指数在坡位间则无显著性差异;同坡度下,香根草植物篱小区土壤有机质含量、团聚度、团聚状况和水稳定性均高于新银合欢植物篱小区;坡度越大,香根草植物篱小区土壤有机质含量、团聚状况和水稳定性表现越差;主成分分析发现,水稳性团聚类指标能较好地反映紫色土坡地土壤抗蚀性能的强弱,研究小区土壤抗蚀能力表现为T2T1T3。     

两种果草模式根系提高土壤抗蚀性的研究

以研究植物根系密度、根量及根层土壤剖面特征为基础,以退耕自然生草地和农耕地(横坡玉米 红薯)为对照,对两种果草模式根系提高土壤抗蚀性进行了定量研究。结果表明:土壤的抗蚀性与土体中根系含量密切相关,两种果草模式的根系总长度、根系表面积和根系总生物量都要明显高于自然生草地,而且这些根系指标与土壤抗蚀性呈正相关变化,这与水稳性团聚体和有机质含量与土壤抗蚀性呈正相关变化的趋势一致;果草模式土壤抗分散的能力得到了相当程度的改善,颗粒间团聚程度有了明显提高,土壤团粒结构得到了一定程度的改良;在南沱镇紫色土坡地发展的果草示范模式,其根系明显地提高了土壤的抗蚀性,可以在三峡库区范围内推广。     

湿润区坡地香根草植物篱农作措施对土壤侵蚀和养分的影响

为了解植物篱农作措施的侵蚀、养分循环特征，促进湿润半湿润地区坡地可持续利用。在三峡库区王家桥小流域建立了6个香根草(Vetiveria zizanioides)植物篱农作小区，包括：传统坡地耕作对照小区(C);单纯植物篱坡耕小区(H);植物篱+无机肥坡耕小区(HI);植物篱+有机肥坡耕小区(HO);植物篱+覆盖+无机肥坡耕小区(HIM);植物篱+无机肥+有机肥+覆盖坡耕小区(HIOM)。试验结果表明：N素损失的主要途径是径流携带，各植物篱小区的N损失达对照小区的2～3倍。泥沙携带是P素流失的主要形式，其径流损失几乎可以忽略。K素的径流携带损失非常严重，但低于其泥沙侵蚀损失。N、K平衡与作物产出正相关，越是高产区其养分平衡状况越容易出现亏损。单纯的植物篱措施有较明显的控制土壤流失功能，但减流效益不明显。施肥、覆盖措施，以及作物产出对植物篱农作措施的侵蚀有巨大影响。采取覆盖结合施肥的植物篱小区(HIOM和HIM)，水土效益最高，但投入高，产投比过低；植物篱配合有机肥或者无机肥措施小区(HO和HI)，水土保持效益和产投比均比较理想。综合生态、经济效益，应该优先推广HO和HI农林复合坡耕经营模式。     

川南地区不同退耕地对土壤抗蚀性的影响

对川南坡地退耕5年后的慈竹林地、杂交竹林地、桤木+慈竹混交林地和弃耕地土壤抗蚀性变化进行了研究,探讨了土壤抗蚀性指标间的关系。结果表明:退耕后土壤水稳性团聚体平均质量直径、结构性颗粒指数、团聚状况、团聚度、物理稳定性指数和有机质增加,土壤结构体破坏率、不稳定团粒指数、分散率、侵蚀系数和受蚀性指数降低;各退耕地土壤抗蚀性综合主成分值为-4.466~3.436,呈现出慈竹林地杂交竹林地桤木+慈竹混交林地弃耕地对照的特点;土壤有机质与大多数抗蚀性指标具有显著相关性,且与抗蚀性综合主成分值呈极显著正相关,说明坡地退耕后土壤有机质增加是土壤抗蚀性增强的关键,坡地退耕成慈竹林地更有利于增强研究区土壤抗蚀性。     

不同植被恢复模式对黄土丘陵区土壤抗蚀性的影响

提高土壤抗蚀性是防治土壤侵蚀、促进生态恢复的有效途径之一。以退耕1a撂荒地作为对照,该研究通过对恢复30a的刺槐、柠条、油松与刺槐-紫穗槐、油松-紫穗槐5种不同植被恢复模式进行土壤抗蚀性的探索研究,结果表明,与对照相比,不同植被恢复模式的土壤抗蚀性均明显增强,土壤有机质含量、土壤黏粒含量以及土壤颗粒间团聚程度显著提高。采用土壤有机质含量、水稳性团聚体含量、水稳性团粒平均质量直径、团聚度和分散系数等指标计算该区土壤抗蚀性,进行抗蚀性等量评价。不同植被恢复模式土壤抗蚀性大小顺序为:油松(PC16)、刺槐(RP21)、柠条(AK18)、油松-紫穗槐(PA17)和刺槐-紫穗槐(RA20),纯林土壤抗蚀性强于混交林。该区采用油松、刺槐和柠条纯林恢复模式效果要优于油松-紫穗槐和刺槐-紫穗槐混交模式。     

紫色丘陵区坡耕地生物埂的土壤抗蚀性综合评价

本文以紫色丘陵区坡耕地生物埂为研究对象,采用野外调查与室内分析相结合的方法对紫色丘陵区坡耕地桑树埂、花椒埂、紫花苜蓿埂、自然生草(狗尾草为主)埂模式下的土壤抗蚀性进行综合评价。结果表明:1)生物埂能有效增加土壤含水率和土壤有机质含量,改良土壤结构,且木本埂(桑树埂和花椒埂)改良效果更好。2)在评价生物埂土壤抗蚀性的四大类指标当中,变异程度最大的是水稳性团粒类指标,变异范围为46.84%~22.81%,平均变异达31.10%;其次为微团聚体类指标,变异范围为41.08%~20.55%,平均变异达30.97%;变异程度最小的为有机质,平均变异17.11%。3)通过主成分分析,13个用于表征研究区土壤抗蚀性的指标可优化为0.5 mm水稳性团聚体含量、团聚体分散率、水稳性指数和0.001 mm的黏粒含量4个指标。4)4种坡耕地生物埂模式下土壤抗蚀性综合指数大小依次为花椒埂桑树埂紫花苜蓿埂自然生草埂,抗蚀性强弱表现为花椒埂桑树埂紫花苜蓿埂自然生草埂。研究结果可为完善不同保护性耕作模式下土壤抗蚀性评价指标体系和区域性土壤抗蚀性评价及坡耕地水土保持措施的选择提供依据。     

基于耦合关联分析的护岸植被恢复土壤抗蚀性综合评价

为综合评估护岸植被对土壤抗蚀性的影响,选取草地、灌木、乔草和乔灌草模式土壤为研究对象,以自然坡面为对照,利用主成分分析法分析不同理化指标对土壤抗蚀性的影响,同时利用灰色关联度分析法分析土壤理化性质指标与土壤抗蚀性指标之间的关联程度,并在此基础之上构建土壤理化性质指标与抗蚀性指标的耦合模型,以综合评价不同护岸植被模式土壤的抗蚀性。结果表明:0.25mm水稳性团聚体、容重、有机质、碱解氮、有效磷、速效钾、平均重量直径和水稳性指数是影响研究区土壤抗蚀性的主要因子,其中0.25 mm团聚体对区域土壤抗蚀性的影响程度最大;平均重量直径、水稳性指数与土壤理化性质指标呈中等关联性,其关联性排序为0.25 mm团聚体有机质碱解氮有效磷速效钾容重;不同护岸植被模式土壤抗蚀性质与理化性质指标的系统耦合度整体属于弱协调,协调度的大小顺序为乔草乔灌草草地灌木自然坡面,乔草模式属于中度协调,其他模式均属于弱协调状态,说明乔草模式为护岸植被的最佳组合模式。土壤抗蚀性质与理化性质指标的协调程度可以为科学改善河岸土壤结构、提高土壤抗蚀性及为护岸植被的优选提供参考依据。     

等高植物篱控制紫色土坡耕地侵蚀的特点

应用等高植物篱能在较低投入下有效控制坡地土壤侵蚀和养分流失。三峡库区紫色土 2 5°坡地的大雨强模拟降雨实验表明 ,香根草等高植物篱能减少相当于对照坡耕地的 82 .2 %的侵蚀量 ( 1 997年 1 1月 ) ,通过施肥促进植物篱生长密闭能进一步提高对流失土壤的拦截效率 ,效果不逊于带间覆盖。经过 31个月的侵蚀过程 ,各植物篱小区最明显的坡形变化是篱带处及其前部堆淤成接近水平的淤积带。由于植物篱的阻滞和坡形的变缓 ,径流和表土作用的时间延长 ,由径流携带的养分损失成为坡面养分流失的重要途径 ,控制径流损失是控制养分流失的重要方式之一 ,同时也有助于减少坡面侵蚀     

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.     

“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.     

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.     

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     

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.