法国梧桐叶片炭和枝条炭对水中Pb2+的吸附特性影响

以法国梧桐叶片和枝条为原料在500℃下通过限氧裂解法制成生物质炭,进而采用批量吸附法探究了不同溶液初始pH、吸附时间、溶液初始Pb~(2+)浓度对生物质炭吸附效果的影响,并通过拟合吸附动力学曲线和吸附等温线方法初步研究吸附机理。结果表明,与法国梧桐枝条炭相比,叶片炭矿质元素组成相对较为复杂,官能团种类较丰富。2种生物质炭均在吸附时间为24 h时、初始pH为5时达到最大吸附量,叶片炭的最大吸附量比法国梧桐枝条炭高25.6%。2种生物质炭的动力学吸附过程均符合准二级动力学方程,表明吸附速率主要受化学因素控制;2种生物质炭的吸附等温线更符合Langmuir模型,吸附以单分子层为主,也存在层间扩散的多分子层吸附。综上所述,2种生物质炭均能较好地吸附水溶液中的Pb~(2+),叶片炭的吸附效果比枝条炭更明显,在实际生产中可以将法国梧桐修剪枝和落叶炭化后用于铅污染水体修复。     

小麦秸秆生物炭对高氯代苯的吸附过程与机制研究

以小麦秸秆为原料,分别在三种温度(400℃、500℃、600℃)下制备小麦秸秆生物炭,并标记为WSB400、WSB500、WSB600。分析了秸秆炭的元素组成,表征了其结构和表面特征,研究了秸秆炭对五氯苯和六氯苯的吸附动力学和吸附等温线。结果表明,升温热解使得小麦秸秆有机组分炭化、极性官能团消除,炭化程度增强;三种秸秆炭均可快速高效地吸附高氯代苯,且对六氯苯的吸附要快于五氯苯,假二级动力学方程能更好地拟合秸秆炭对氯苯的吸附动力学过程;不同秸秆炭对氯苯的饱和吸附量大小顺序为WSB400WSB500WSB600;对吸附等温线进行分析可得,随着秸秆炭制备温度的升高,其对氯苯的吸附等温曲线由线性变为非线性,吸附机理则由以分配作用为主过渡到分配作用与表面吸附共同作用。     

pH对生物质炭吸附诺氟沙星和磺胺甲恶唑的影响

为解决水体中抗生素去除及芦苇秸秆资源化利用等问题,以芦苇秸秆制备的生物质炭为吸附材料,考察不同pH条件下诺氟沙星(NOR)和磺胺甲恶唑(SMX)在芦苇秸秆生物质炭上的等温吸附过程及吸附动力学。结果表明,生物质炭的吸附与NOR和SMX在不同溶液pH下的存在形态有关。随pH的增加,生物质炭对NOR的吸附量先增加后减小,最高吸附量为7.80 mg·g~(-1);生物质炭对SMX的吸附量在溶液pH 1～3时逐渐减小,在pH 3～5时逐渐增加,pH5时吸附量逐渐降低。拟二级动力学模型可较好地拟合NOR和SMX在生物质炭上的吸附,生物质炭吸附NOR和SMX受到表面吸附、颗粒内扩散等作用的共同影响。吸附等温线符合Langmuir方程,吸附过程以单分子层吸附为主。溶液不同的pH会影响芦苇秸秆生物质炭对NOR和SMX的吸附效果,这为生物质炭吸附水中抗生素的合理应用提供一定的数据支持。     

芦苇生物质炭对镉的吸附及机制

为解决重金属废水处理问题,寻求芦苇的新型资源化利用途径,采用限氧热解方法在不同温度下制备芦苇生物质炭(RBC)。在对芦苇生物质炭进行元素分析的基础上,进行吸附动力学实验和等温吸附实验,并通过扫描电镜(SEM)、傅立叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)和X射线衍射(XRD)等表征方法,探究不同热解温度对RBC吸附Cd~(2+)的影响及吸附机制。结果表明:RBC对Cd~(2+)的吸附过程更符合准二级吸附动力学方程,Langmuir等温吸附模型能更好描述RBC对Cd~(2+)的吸附;500℃下制备得到的RBC产率较高,Cd~(2+)吸附量最大,理论吸附量可达39.05 mg·g~(-1);吸附Cd~(2+)后,RBC表面生成粒状结构,XRD谱图出现CdCO_3和CdSiO_3晶型的峰,推断Cd~(2+)分别能与CO_3~(2-)与SiO_3~(2-)形成沉淀。研究表明,芦苇生物质炭的最优热解温度为500℃,此温度下产率最高,对Cd~(2+)的吸附能力最强,吸附Cd~(3+)的机制可能为阳离子交换、沉淀吸附、络合和Cd~(2+)-π金属键合共同作用。     

热解温度对花生壳生物质炭吸附去除水中4-硝基酚的影响

为提升农业废弃物的资源化再利用价值,以花生壳为原料,在不同热解温度(400、500、600℃)下限氧制备花生壳生物质炭(BC400、BC500、BC600),考察其对水中4-硝基酚的吸附效果。生物质炭表面灰分通过酸洗法去除,采用批量吸附试验的方法分析生物质炭对PNP吸附特性的影响,并结合元素分析、扫描电镜及红外光谱图方法,探讨热解温度对生物质炭吸附水中PNP特性的影响。结果表明,生物质炭总产量随温度升高而降低,其含碳量随温度升高逐渐增加;生物质炭中含氧官能团随温度的升高而减少,芳香性增强,有利于对有机物的吸附。吸附等温线符合Freundlich模型,线性拟合很好,R2在0.954～0.991之间;对比伪二级动力学模型、Elovich模型、颗粒内扩散模型可知,吸附过程与伪二级吸附动力学模型拟合效果最佳, R2在0.981～0.999之间,平衡吸附量随热解温度升高而增大,BC600BC500BC400,BC600的吸附容量为34.48 mg/g,是BC400的2.25倍。以NaOH为解吸剂,当NaOH质量浓度为1.0 mg/L时对4-硝基酚的解吸效率最高,为68.21%,可见生物质炭的再生利用具有一定的可行性。因此,高温制备的花生壳生物质炭可作为去除4-硝基酚的良好功能材料。     

玉米秸秆生物炭对Cd（Ⅱ）的吸附机理研究

以玉米秸秆为原料,在350℃和700℃热解温度下分别制备了两种生物炭（BC350和BC700）,并对其理化性质进行了表征。在700℃下制备的生物炭芳构化程度更高,疏水性更强,比表面积更大,孔结构发育更加完全。研究Cd（Ⅱ）在两种生物炭上的吸附发现,Two-site Langmuir吸附等温模型比One-site Langmuir吸附等温模型能更好描述Cd（Ⅱ）在生物炭表面的吸附。BC700对Cd（Ⅱ）的吸附容量大于BC350,解吸率远小于BC350,吸附效果更好;离子交换和阳离子-π作用两种吸附机理同时存在并共同作用,前者分别占BC350和BC700总吸附容量的13.7%和1.1%,后者分别占86.3%和98.9%,阳离子-π作用是最主要的吸附机理。红外光谱FTIR分析表明,生物炭表面的含氧官能团和π共轭芳香结构分别提供不同机理的吸附位点。由于具有更多的离子交换位点,BC350对Cd（Ⅱ）吸附受pH影响较BC700更大。     

载镁香蕉秆基生物炭对氮磷的吸附性能研究

以香蕉秸秆为原料,氯化镁(MgCl_2)为改性剂,通过限氧热解法(温度673 K)制备生物质炭。利用扫描电镜、傅里叶红外光谱、X射线衍射等技术分析了镁改性生物质炭对氮、磷的吸附机理。结果表明,通过镁改性,生物质炭对氮、磷的吸附量得到显著提高,最大吸附量分别达13.80、18.21 mg·g~(-1);对氮、磷的等温吸附曲线均符合Langmuir曲线,为单层吸附,吸附机理主要以化学吸附为主;吸附平衡时间约为150 min,氨氮和磷的吸附动力学均符合准二级动力学拟合方程,吸附过程受多步骤控制。该载镁生物质炭可以作为潜在吸附剂去除废水和富营养化水体中过量的氮、磷。     

水稻秸秆生物质炭对土壤磷吸附影响的研究

以水稻秸秆为原料,分析了不同热解温度下所制备的生物质炭的性质,并采用批处理法,分析了生物质炭添加量和不同热解温度制备的生物质炭对土壤磷吸附特性的影响。结果表明:随着热解温度的升高,生物质炭的碳化程度、比表面积和磷含量增加。添加生物质炭显著减少了土壤对磷的吸附量,而且随着生物质炭热解温度的增加,土壤对磷的吸附量显著增加。Langmuir方程和Freundlich方程都能够较好地拟合添加生物质炭土壤的磷等温吸附曲线。准一级动力学方程和准二级动力学方程可较好地描述添加生物质炭土壤的磷吸附动力学行为。通过以上研究结果可知,水稻秸秆生物质炭可以减少土壤对磷的吸附并增加土壤有效磷的含量,因此在土壤磷肥肥效改良方面具有一定的应用潜力。     

油料作物秸秆生物炭对水体中铅离子的吸附特性与机制

为探索利用废弃生物质资源制备生物炭去除水体中Pb~(2+)污染的可行性,以农业废弃物胡麻秸秆和油菜秸秆为原材料,采用限氧裂解法在700℃条件下制备油菜秸秆(rape straw)生物炭和胡麻秸秆(flax straw)生物炭,通过2种生物炭对Pb~(2+)的批量吸附试验,利用4种吸附动力学模型(拟一级动力学、拟二级动力学、Elovich模型和颗粒内扩散模型)和4种等温吸附模型(Langmuir、Freundlich、Temkin和D-R模型)研究了胡麻和油菜秸秆生物炭对Pb~(2+)的吸附行为。同时,通过(brunauer emmett teller,BET)比表面积和孔径分析、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、X射线衍射(XRD)和傅里叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)等手段对生物炭的结构和性质进行了表征,初步探讨了2种生物炭对Pb~(2+)的吸附机制。结果表明,胡麻和油菜秸秆生物炭分别在4 h和10 h达到吸附平衡,理论最大吸附量分别达到220.07和307.59 mg/g;2种生物炭对Pb~(2+)的吸附符合拟二级动力学模型,吸附等温线符合Langmuir等温吸附模型,表明其吸附过程为单分子层吸附;2种生物炭对Pb~(2+)的吸附作用为物理-化学复合过程,吸附机制主要包括静电作用、离子/配体交换、阳离子–π作用。研究结果可为油料作物秸秆的资源化利用和生物炭对水中重金属污染防治提供理论依据。     

不同温度玉米秸秆生物炭对萘的吸附动力学特征与机理

通过批平衡实验,研究不同剂量热解温度(300、400、500、600℃,记作C300、C400、C500、C600)玉米秸秆生物炭对萘的吸附动力学特征与机理。同一热解温度下生物炭投加剂量为10 mg时对萘的平衡吸附量大于50 mg。热解温度对生物炭吸附萘的影响也不同,投加剂量为10 mg时,萘的平衡吸附量为C400C300C600C500;剂量为50 mg时,C300、C400和C600的平衡吸附量相近,而C500的平衡吸附量最低。生物炭对萘的吸附动力学数据随时间的变化可以用假二级动力学方程很好地拟合,表明生物炭对萘的吸附是复杂的,并不是单一的单层吸附。用颗粒内扩散模型和Boyd模型分析,发现液膜扩散以及颗粒内扩散均影响吸附过程,且液膜扩散为限速因素。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

细菌、真菌及植物氮营养信号研究进展

氮素吸收代谢是所有生物生命活动的核心部分,因此,各种生物对氮的吸收与同化过程都有精细的调节。这种调节依赖于生物对体内氮素状况信号及体外（生长介质中）氮素信号的感受。过去几十年中,在细菌、真菌中已经对氮素营养信号有了较好的研究,而植物中则相对缓慢,但也有了一定的认识。本文重点比较细菌、真菌及植物中氮信号系统的组成,以期为进一步认识植物中的氮信号接受与转导系统提供启示。     

Aircraft operations near concentrations of birds in Antarctica: The development of practical guidelines

Aircraft operations have the potential to disturb and to impact negatively on bird life. A gradient of increasing behavioural response is evident in birds when exposed to increasing aircraft stimulus. The most major disturbance is likely to lead to impacts on the health, breeding performance and survival of individual birds, and perhaps bird colonies. A process of revision to policies on aircraft operations contained in management plans for a number of specially protected areas in Antarctica by the United Kingdom, accompanied by consultations made within the scientific community through the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and with operational interests through the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programmes (COMNAP) resulted in new guidelines being adopted by the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties in June 2004. The principal recommendations of the guidelines are that bird colonies should not be overflown below 2000 ft (∼610 m) above ground level and landings within 1/2 nautical mile (∼930 m) of bird colonies should be avoided wherever possible. These guidelines are less stringent and less specific than those that were recommended by the SCAR specialist group on birds, and represent a compromise to accommodate operational needs. While the adoption of clear and consistent guidelines for the operation of aircraft in Antarctica is welcome in that this provides practical advice that is likely to reduce incidences of close aircraft/bird encounters, there remains insufficient knowledge of the interactions between aircraft and birds in Antarctica, and the consequent impacts on individual birds and on bird populations. It is important, therefore, that the guidelines adopted are considered interim, and should be kept under scrutiny with revisions made as new and improved research results appear.     

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.