温度和水分对黄土丘陵区3 种典型土地利用方式下土壤释放CO2 潜力的影响

为探讨影响土壤释放CO₂ 潜力的因素, 本研究采集黄土丘陵区3 种典型土地利用方式下(苹果园、退牧草地、辽东栎林地)的原状土壤样品, 室内进行不同温度和水分梯度的培养试验, 测定培养过程中土壤释放CO₂ 的速率以及土壤的理化性质, 并分析其对土壤释放CO₂ 潜力的影响。结果表明: 影响土壤释放CO₂ 速率的主要因素是温度, 指数模型Ra=ae^bT 可以很好地预测土壤呼吸速率随温度的变化情况。含水率对土壤呼吸速率影响不大, 但含水率对Q₁₀ 值的影响明显, 较高或较低的水分情况下都会降低土壤呼吸速率随温度变化的敏感程度。3 种土地利用方式下, 土壤释放CO₂ 的速率表现为: 林地土壤>草地土壤>果园土壤。土壤理化性质中, 有机碳对土壤呼吸的影响最大, 其次为有机氮; 此外微生物量碳很可能是间接影响土壤CO₂ 释放速率的一个因素。     

塿土剖面CO2浓度的动态变化及其受环境因素的影响

CO₂是土壤空气的重要组成,土壤空气CO₂浓度一般高于大气几倍到数十倍,甚至上百倍^[1]。土壤空气中CO₂主要来源于土壤呼吸,其浓度主要决定于生物因素(植物根系、土壤微生物活性等)和环境因素(土壤温度、含水量等)^[2～4]。土壤空气CO₂浓度可以反映和影响土壤向大气释放CO₂的通量^[4,5],同时对植物根系生长发育、土壤微生物活动和各种养料物质转化也有很大影响^[1]。研究了解土壤空气CO₂浓度剖面分布、季节动态及其影响因素,有助于人们认识土壤中CO₂产生、累积、输运以及向大气排放的生物和物理过程,制定和实施合理的农作措施以改善作物生长环境和减少土壤向大气排放的CO₂。国外已在森林、草地和农田土壤上开展了较长时间的土壤空气CO₂浓度观测研究^[4~7],但我国的研究和报道很少^[8,9]。本文通过土壤剖面不同深度CO₂浓度的定位观测,初步揭示了土剖面CO₂浓度的分布特征、季节动态及其受水热条件的影响。     

呼伦贝尔草甸草原不同显热通量观测方法比较

显热通量（sensible heat flux，H）是反映地表湍流运动的重要参数，准确获取该参数对于区域内热量交换规律的认识和农业生产及水资源的有效管理具有重要意义。涡动相关仪（eddy covariance system，EC）和大孔径闪烁仪（large aperture scintillometer，LAS）是目前生态系统水热通量的主要测量手段，但两者观测范围的空间尺度存在差异。该研究以呼伦贝尔草甸草原生态系统为对象，通过对比分析两种方法观测的显热通量（H_LAS和H_EC）变化特征，对两者之间的差异（ΔH）及产生原因进行探究，并且定量研究了不同因子对ΔH的影响程度。结果表明，在不同时间尺度内，H_LAS和H_EC的变化趋势基本一致，显热通量主要受到净辐射的驱动作用，同时ΔH与净辐射存在正相关性；对应时刻H_LAS和H_EC之间线性回归方程斜率为1.13，拟合优度R²为0.81，说明大孔径闪烁仪在草甸草原区有着很好的适用性；EC能量平衡闭合程度会影响H_LAS和H_EC之间差异，剔除能量平衡闭合率（energy balance ratio，EBR）小于0.8的数据后，H_LAS和H_EC之间线性回归方程斜率减小至1.05，说明能量平衡闭合程度越高ΔH越小；净辐射（net radiation，R_n）、风速（wind speed，WS）、波文比（Bowen ratio，Bowen）和饱和水汽压差（saturated water vapor pressure difference，VPD）与ΔH之间相关性显著，是ΔH的主要气象环境因子；ΔH单个影响因子的解释能力从高到低依次为净辐射、风速、EC能量平衡闭合率、饱和水汽压差、波文比，任意两个不同影响因子之间均呈现双因子增强作用，解释能力较高的交互影响因子为净辐射/风速和风速/波文比。研究结果有利于准确理解LAS与EC显热通量观测过程中的空间尺度效应，同时可为区域尺度扩展和遥感地面验证过程中通量数据的质量控制提供科学参考依据。     

桃光合性能杂种优势的秋季日变化特征

以桃品种“吊枝白”和“霞晖5 号”及其杂交F1 代种苗为试验材料, 研究了桃在秋季的光合性能杂种优势日变化特征。结果表明: 净光合速率(Pn)午间表现正向杂种优势, 蒸腾速率(Tr)和气孔导度(Gs)全天基本表现负向杂种优势, 而水分利用效率(WUE)则全天基本表现正向杂种优势。相关性分析表明, 杂交F₁ 代种苗的Pn 与Tr、Pn 与Gs、Tr 与Gs 均呈正相关, 其中Pn 与Tr 之间相关性达显著水平(P<0.05); 亲本的Pn 与Tr之间呈显著正相关(P<0.05), Gs 与Pn、WUE 之间呈显著正相关(P<0.05)。灰色关联度分析表明, 影响Pn、Tr和WUE 杂种优势率的主要因素均为大气CO₂ 浓度(Ca)。     

轮作对设施蔬菜大棚中次生盐渍化土壤盐分离子累积的影响

2007 年8 月在江苏省宜兴市采集10 个典型大棚土壤及其邻近露地蔬菜地土壤调查其离子组成和电导率, 并选择2 个土壤具有次生盐渍化特征的大棚研究轮作(蓖麻-白菜-蓖麻、辣椒-白菜-辣椒)对土壤电导率(EC)和离子组成的影响。结果表明, 大棚蔬菜地土壤EC 显著高于露地蔬菜地土壤, 20%的大棚土壤已发生次生盐渍化(EC>500 μS·cm^-1); 大棚土壤的SO₄^2-、NO₃^-离子浓度显著高于露地蔬菜土壤, 说明SO₄^2-、NO₃^-是影响大棚次生盐渍化的主要离子。2 年3 茬大棚蔬菜地轮作试验结果表明, 蓖麻-白菜-蓖麻轮作导致土壤EC 下降5%, 辣椒-白菜-辣椒轮作使土壤EC 下降33%, 表明后者对土壤次生盐渍化改良效果优于前者。两轮作系统盐分离子累积差异主要在于SO₄^2-, 辣椒-白菜-辣椒轮作能降低土壤SO₄^2-的累积, 而蓖麻-白菜-蓖麻轮作则不然。建议根据次生盐渍化土壤主控盐分离子以及不同作物对盐分离子吸收累积偏向性选择合适的轮作系统, 实现轮作改良次生盐渍化最佳效果。     

氟啶胺对土壤中蔗糖酶活性及呼吸作用的影响

使用农药控制作物害虫和疾病可提高农业生产力, 然而农药的使用对土壤造成的污染已成为巨大且日益严重的问题。重复、广泛使用的农药进入土壤影响土壤生物、生物代谢及其生物活性, 已成为农业生态环境重要的研究内容。为了更好地了解氟啶胺对土壤微生物活性和土壤质量等潜在环境危险, 采用实验室模拟的方法研究了氟啶胺农药残留动态, 以及氟啶胺对土壤呼吸强度、蔗糖酶活性及其动力学和热力学特征参数的影响。结果表明: 高剂量(100 mg·kg^-1)氟啶胺在土壤的降解速率常数最大, 氟啶胺在土壤中的半衰期范围为0.38~0.59 d。高剂量(50 mg·kg^-1、100 mg·kg^-1 和1 000 mg·kg^-1)氟啶胺对土壤蔗糖酶表现出不同程度的抑制作用; 低剂量(1 mg·kg^-1、5 mg·kg^-1)处理表现为抑制-激活-抑制作用, 且波动范围较大; 10 mg·kg^-1 氟啶胺对土壤蔗糖酶前期表现为抑制、后期表现为激活作用, 波动范围较大。不同浓度氟啶胺胁迫下蔗糖酶促反应的Michaelis 常数(K_m)和最大反应速率(V_max)发生改变, 但变化不大。土壤中氟啶胺浓度为1 mg·kg^-1 时蔗糖酶所需的活化能(E_a)比CK 高, 其他浓度都低于CK; 5 mg·kg^-1、10 mg·kg^-1、50 mg·kg^-1、100 mg·kg^-1 和1 000 mg·kg^-1 所需的活化焓变(ΔH)随氟啶胺的浓度降低而变小; 在相同温度下蔗糖酶的活化熵变(ΔS)表现为: 1 mg·kg^-1G)变化差异较小; 320~330 K (开氏温度)时最大速度常数(Q₁₀)最大, 而290~300 K 时Q₁₀ 较小。低剂量氟啶胺对土壤微生物呼吸作用的影响表现为随时间变化呈现抑制-激活趋势, 高低剂量表现为抑制作用。土壤微生物的呼吸活性因氟啶胺的加入而产生波动。本研究结果有助于进一步分析研究受农药污染土壤的质量和酶活之间的相关性。     

不同化感潜力水稻钾离子吸收动力学差异分析

水培条件下, 采用离子耗竭法研究培养液中不同营养元素对化感水稻“PI312777”和非化感水稻“Lemont”钾离子吸收能力的影响, 并分析两水稻品种根部钾离子吸收相关基因的差异表达。结果表明, 不同处理下, 化感水稻“PI312777”相对于对照的△K_m、-△I_max 和△C_min 变化范围均较小, 与非化感水稻“Lemont”相比差异达显著水平。不同处理下, 两水稻品种的K_m 值和C_min 值的变化趋势为完全营养液培养未饥饿处理水稻(K_Control)>完全营养液培养饥饿处理水稻(K_All)>只含N、P、K 的营养液培养饥饿处理水稻(KNPK)>只含N、K 的营养液培养饥饿处理水稻(K_NK)>只含P、K 的营养液培养饥饿处理水稻(K_PK)>无N、P、K 的完全营养液培养饥饿处理水稻(K_Other)>只含K 的营养液培养饥饿处理水稻(K_K), 最大吸收速率I_max 值则相反。可见, 不同营养元素对两水稻钾离子吸收存在显著影响, 其中N 素的影响高于P 素, P 素高于其他元素。水稻根部钾离子吸收相关基因的差异表达分析结果显示, 不同处理条件下两水稻品种钾离子吸收相关基因均上调表达, 但非化感水稻“Lemont”的表达强度高于化感水稻“PI312777”。可见, 非化感水稻“Lemont”响应环境因素变化的敏感度高于化感水稻“PI312777”。     

大孔径闪烁仪与涡度相关系统对灌溉农田蒸散量的对比观测

蒸散是地表能量平衡的重要组成部分, 在土壤-植物-大气连续体的能量、质量、动量交换过程中起着重要作用。大孔径闪烁仪(LAS)是近时期兴起的观测跨像元尺度地表通量的地面仪器, 为验证其观测数据的可靠性, 本文把专家认可且在中国生态系统研究网络(CERN)中广泛应用的涡度相关仪(EC)的观测数据作为参考依据, 于2010 年8 月在中国科学院栾城农业生态系统试验站夏玉米田对大孔径闪烁仪计算结果进行验证。验证结果表明, 两种仪器测定的地表感热通量日变化和月变化观测结果基本一致。由于下垫面属性、环境因子及观测范围等因素的影响, 大孔径闪烁仪与涡度相关仪观测的蒸散量日变化之间有一定的差异,但日蒸散总量的测定基本一致。试验证明了大孔径闪烁仪观测数据的准确性。将大孔径闪烁仪计算的蒸散量与涡度相关仪观测值进行线性回归分析, 二者的吻合度较高(R²=0.800 4)。研究结果显示, 大孔径闪烁仪在地表水热通量的数据监测中具有很大的使用价值, 为日后用大孔径闪烁仪验证遥感估算蒸散值奠定了基础。     

不同耕作条件下豆麦双序列轮作农田土壤温室气体的排放及影响因素研究

为了研究耕作措施对双序列轮作农田土壤温室气体的排放及影响, 采用CO₂分析仪、静态箱 气相色谱法在陇中黄土高原半干旱区对传统耕作不覆盖、免耕不覆盖、免耕秸秆覆盖和传统耕作+秸秆还田4种耕作措施下豆麦双序列轮作农田土壤温室气体(CO₂、N₂O和CH₄)的排放及影响因素进行了连续测定和分析。结果表明: 测定期内4种耕作措施下农田土壤均表现为CO₂源、N₂O源和CH₄净吸收汇; 除传统耕作不覆盖措施, 其他3种耕作措施不同程度地减少了2种轮作序列土壤的N₂O排放通量, 并显著增加了土壤对CH4的吸收。CO₂和N₂O的排放通量分别与地表、地下5 cm处、地下10 cm处的土壤温度呈极显著和显著正相关关系, 相关系数分别为0.92^**和0.89^**、0.95^**和0.91^**、0.77^*和0.62^*; 而CH₄吸收通量与不同地层的温度之间无明显的相关关系; CO₂和CH₄的通量与0~5 cm、5~10 cm的土壤含水量均呈显著正相关关系, 相关系数分别为0.69^*和0.72^*、0.77^*和0.64^*, 而与10~30 cm土壤含水量无明显相关关系; N₂O排放通量与各层次的土壤含水量之间均呈不显著负相关关系。对2种轮作序列各处理下土壤中排放的3种温室气体的增温潜势计算综合得出: 4种耕作措施中, 免耕不覆盖处理可相对减少土壤温室气体的排放量, 进而降低温室效应。     

连作栽培对当归光合参数日变化的影响

利用CI-310 便携式光合作用系统, 测定正茬(连作0 年)、迎茬(隔年连作)、重茬(连作2 年)3 种种植方式下当归叶片的光合参数, 研究其日变化特征。结果表明: 3 种种植方式下当归叶片净光合速率(Pn)、蒸腾速率(Tr)、气孔导度(Gs)和胞间CO₂ 浓度(Ci)的日变化均呈“双峰”曲线, 12:00 时存在明显“午休”现象, 但不同茬口Pn、Tr、Gs 和Ci 高峰和低谷出现的时刻和值不同; 根据Pn、Ci 和Gs 的变化方向, 推测当归叶片的光合“午休”受气孔因素影响; 重茬和迎茬极显著(P<0.01)降低当归叶片叶绿素含量; 正茬种植方式下当归叶片Pn、Gs、Ci 和Tr 的日均值均极显著(P<0.01)和显著(P<0.05)高于重茬。由此得出, 连作栽培显著降低当归叶片的叶绿素含量、Gs、Ci、Pn 和Tr, 进而影响产量形成。     

“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     

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.     

Electron donor and pH relationships for biologically enhanced dissolution of chlorinated solvent DNAPL in groundwater

Biologically enhanced dissolution offers a method to speed removal of chlorinated solvent dense non-aqueous-phase liquid (DNAPL) sources such as tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichoroethene (TCE) from aquifers. Bioremediation is accomplished by adding an electron donor to the source zone where fermentation to intermediates leading to acetic acid and hydrogen results. The hydrogen and possibly acetic acid are used by dehalogenating bacteria to convert PCE and TCE to ethene and hydrochloric acid. Reductive dehalogenation is thus an acid forming process, and sufficient alkalinity must be present to maintain a near neutral pH. The bicarbonate alkalinity required to maintain pH above 6.5 is a function of the electron donor: 800 mg/L of bicarbonate alkalinity is sufficient to achieve about 1.2 mM TCE dechlorination with glucose, 1.7 mM with lactate, and a much higher 3.3 mM with formate. Laboratory studies indicate that in mixed culture, formate can be used as an electron donor for complete conversion to ethene, contrary to pure cultures studies indicating it cannot. Various strategies can be used to add electron donor to an aquifer for DNAPL dehalogenation while minimizing pH problems and excessive electron donor usage, including use of injection-extraction wells, dual recirculation wells, and nested injection-extraction wells.     

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.     

Short-term variation in the concentration of selected ions within individual tropical rainstorms

Rainwater was collected at the campus of the University of Brunei Darussalam in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, using a funnel-in-bottle sampler. Polypropylene bottles were changed at intervals during rainstorm events. The pH and conductivity were determined immediately after collection on aliquots of the sample. Samples were refrigerated at 5°C for subsequent chemical analysis. Analyses for Na, Mg, Ca, Zn and Fe were carried out by means of inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES); Cu and Mn were analysed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAAS); K was analysed using flame atomic emission spectroscopy (FAES); and Cl^–, NO₃ ^– and SO₄ ^2– were analysed by ion chromatography (IC). Concentration versus time profiles are reported for three rainstorm events. All ions exhibited a decrease in concentration during the rainstorm. The first sample contained the highest concentration of ions, consistent with a first-flush effect. The contribution of the initial stages of the shower to the total quantity of ion deposited during the entire rainstorm is quite overwhelming; in many cases 20 to 30% of the mass was deposited in less than 5% of rainstorm duration. On the other hand, the pH and conductivity variation during rainstorms did not exhibit a consistent pattern.     

Responses of native legume desert trees used for reforestation in the Sonoran Desert to plant growth-promoting microorganisms in screen house

Three slow-growing legume trees used for desert reforestation and urban gardening in the Sonoran Desert of Northwestern Mexico and the Southwestern USA were evaluated whether their growth can be promoted by inoculation with plant growth-promoting bacteria (Azospirillum brasilense and Bacillus pumilus), unidentified arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi (mainly Glomus sp.), and supplementation with common compost under regular screenhouse cultivation common to these trees in nurseries. Mesquite amargo (Prosopis articulata) and yellow palo verde (Parkinsonia microphylla) had different positive responses to several of the parameters tested while blue palo verde (Parkinsonia florida) did not respond. Survival of all tree species was over 80% and survival of mesquite was almost 100% after 10 months of cultivation. Inoculation with growth-promoting microorganisms induced significant effects on the leaf gas exchange of these trees, measured as transpiration and diffusive resistance, when these trees were cultivated without water restrictions.     

The 5S rRNA gene diversity in the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Secale</Emphasis> and determination of its closest haplomes

We analyzed 127 rDNA sequences (5S DNA units) obtained from 23 seed accession samples from more or less 10 taxa in wild and cultivated rye, genus Secale L. The sequences fell into two known groups, here assigned to two unit classes, viz. long R1 and short R1 (designations to reflect on R haplome of rye). The different taxa could not be fully differentiated based on the 5S DNA units. We searched for 5S DNA sequences from known unit classes most closely similar to the long R1 and the short R1. One set with the long R1 unit class contained sequences of the long P1 unit class from Agropyron (P haplome) and from Kengyilia (StYP haplome), long J1 from Thinopyrum (J haplome), whereas the set with the short R1 included the long S1 from Pseudoroegneria (St haplome) and Kengyilia (StYP haplome), the short J1 from Thinopyrum (J haplome) and the short V1 from Dasypyrum (V haplome). Each of the two sets was analyzed separately by maximum likelihood (ML) phylogenetic analysis from which we were able to infer that the 5S DNA units of Secale differentiated in a non-clock fashion and followed the HKY substitution model in the gene tree with the long R1 unit class and the HKY + G in the gene tree with the short R1 unit class. A complementary Bayesian analysis yielded identical tree topologies to the ML ones for each of the two sequence sets. In the tree with the long R1 units the long P1 and long J1 unit classes were closest to the long R1 unit class, whereas in the tree with the short R1 units the long S1 and short J1 unit classes were closest to the short R1 unit class, indicating possibly a close relationship between the St, J and R haplomes.     

Leaf litter selection by detritivore and geophagous earthworms

Summary Litterbag experiments with 10 different kinds of leaf litter showed that detritivore (Lumbricus species) and geophagous (Aporrectodea species) earthworms prefer certain litter types over others, since different numbers of worms were found below the litter after 50–52 days of exposure in a pasture. The detritivores preferred Fraxinus, Tilia, and predecomposed Ulmus and Fagus litter to Fagus litter and paper, while geophages preferred Tilia litter to Alnus and Ulmus litter, so that the two groups of earthworms showed different preferences. The detritivores seemed to be more selective than the geophages. The palatability of the litter was examined in relation to the C: N ratio, the lignin concentration and the initial and final polyphenol concentration. The numbers of detritivores were significantly correlated with the C: N ratio and the final polyphenol concentration, so that selection of litter seems to be related to palatability. The numbers of geophages were not significantly correlated with any of the parameters for palatability. The disappearance of litter after 50–52 days appeared to be due to detritivore activity, since the numbers found below the litter were positively and significantly correlated with the litter disappearance. There was no significant correlation with geophage activity. This indicates that detritivores use litter as food, and therefore influence the composition of the litter layer.