中短波红外联合气体射流干燥提高茯苓品质

为探索茯苓的干燥特性,改善茯苓干燥品质,该文将中短波红外联合气体射流干燥技术应用于茯苓块的干燥。利用Dincer模型拟合茯苓块干燥曲线,结合滞后因子、干燥系数分析干燥过程,并估算其水分有效扩散系数。给出Dincer模型的具体应用方法,求出并分析不同干燥条件下的毕渥数、水分有效扩散系数、传质系数。测定干燥后茯苓块的破碎率,及茯苓块浸出物的质量分数。对比分析Fick第二定律、Weibull函数、Dincer模型的优缺点。结果表明:1)与气体射流干燥相比,中短波红外联合气体射流干燥可缩短干燥时间,降低破碎率约18%,提高浸出物质量分数约1%;联合干燥过程亦为降速干燥;试验参数范围内,提高温度、风速均可提高干燥速率;2)滞后因子范围为1.0136~1.0202,且温度、风速越高,干燥速度越快,干燥系数越大;3)联合干燥技术的的毕渥数为0.0826~0.0982,小于0.1,表明干燥过程与边界的对流换热热阻有关。传质系数的范围为1.0319×10-6~1.8003×10-6 m/s。4)基于Fick第二定律、Weibull分布函数、Dincer模型计算的水分有效扩散系数变化趋势一致,均随温度、风速的升高而增加。Fick第二定律不要求干燥曲线呈"指数"形式,但仅适用于降速干燥。Weibull分布函数不考虑边界的对流换热热阻。Weibull分布函数、Dincer模型均可应用于非降速干燥,但二者的缺陷是干燥曲线需呈"指数式"拟合。综上所述,中短波红外联合气体射流干燥技术可提高茯苓品质,借助于Weibull函数、Dincer模型可从不同角度更全面地解读干燥过程。研究结果可为Dincer模型在茯苓生产加工过程中联合干燥技术的应用提供参考。     

基于Weibull分布函数的葡萄干燥过程模拟及应用

为了探究Weibull分布函数中各参数的影响因素及其在干燥中的应用,该文以不同干燥方法（气体射流冲击干燥、真空脉动干燥）、干燥温度（50、55、60和65℃）以及烫漂预处理（30、60、90、120 s）的葡萄干燥过程为研究对象,利用Weibull分布函数对其干燥动力学曲线进行模拟并分析。研究结果表明：Weibull分布函数能够很好的模拟葡萄在试验条件下的干燥过程;尺度参数α与干燥温度有关,并且随着干燥温度的升高而降低;形状参数β与干燥方式和物料状态有关,但干燥温度对形状参数β的影响很小。计算了葡萄在干燥过程中的水分扩散系数Dcal在0.2982×10-9~2.7700×10-9 m2/s 之间,并根据阿伦尼乌斯公式计算出热风干燥和真空脉动干燥方法的干燥活化能分别为72.87和61.43 kJ/mol。研究结果为Weibull分布函数在葡萄干燥过程的应用提供参考。     

荷花粉真空脉动干燥特性和干燥品质

为了缩短花粉的干燥时间,保证干燥品质,将真空脉动干燥技术应用于干燥新鲜荷花粉,研究了真空保持时间(15、12、9、6和3 min)、干燥温度(45、50、55、60和65℃)对干燥动力学、水分有效扩散系数、干燥活化能的影响,并运用Weibull分布函数模拟了花粉真空脉动干燥特性曲线;此外还研究了真空保持时间、干燥温度对花粉蛋白质含量以及微观结构的影响,并对干燥前后的花粉进行了色差分析。试验结果表明:Weibull分布函数能够很好地描述花粉的真空脉动干燥过程,结合尺度参数、形状参数计算出花粉真空脉动干燥水分有效扩散系数在2.154 2×10-11~6.254 3×10-11 m2/s之间;干燥活化能为20.88 k J/mol,表明新鲜荷花粉干燥每脱除1 kg水所需要的启动能量为1 160.00 k J;试验参数范围内,随着真空保持时间的减少,干燥后花粉蛋白质质量分数呈现先增加后减少的趋势;当干燥温度为45℃,真空常压脉动比为12 min:3 min时花粉蛋白质质量分数最高,为18.43%;扫描电镜结果显示,随着干燥温度的升高,花粉颗粒间致密程度降低,形成孔隙结构,这有助于干燥中水分的扩散迁移,花粉颗粒微观结构的完整性随着干燥温度的升高而降低;干燥前后花粉未发生色泽劣变。荷花粉真空脉动干燥的较佳参数为真空常压脉动比为12 min:3 min,干燥温度为45℃。研究结果为花粉真空脉动干燥技术的应用提供了理论依据和技术支持。     

污泥干燥模型选择及Weibull分布模型求解与分析

为了研究污泥薄层干燥的动力学模型、明确薄层干燥模型选取原则、分析模型参数影响因素及在干燥中应用,该研究搭建了污泥干燥试验台,对不同干燥温度(50、75、100、125℃)、不同风速(0.5、1.0、1.5、2.0 m/s)与不同污泥厚度(5、10、15、20mm)的污泥进行干燥试验,利用Weibull分布模型对其干燥动力学曲线进行模拟并分析,建立了风温、风速和污泥厚度与模型参数的定量关系。从原模型与改进模型、因变量与自变量转换、多参数模型及初始条件等4个角度分析,选择Lewis、Page、Two-term exponential和Weibull分布模型进行拟合分析,发现污泥的热风干燥过程服从Weibull分布模型(R²=0.994～0.997),是典型的降速干燥过程,降速阶段存在第一、第二降速段,模型的尺度参数(α)和形状参数(β)均与热风温度、风速和污泥厚度有关;第二降速段扩散系数大于第一降速段扩散系数,第一降速段活化能变化范围为12.91～17.12 kJ/mol,第二降速段活化能变化范围9.56～15.05kJ/mol。研究结果可为污泥干燥工艺参数优化及干燥...     

基于Weibull分布函数的马铃薯丁薄层热风干燥特性

为了实现马铃薯的规模化热风干燥,提高脱水制品的品质、降低生产能耗和成本,该文以薄层干燥试验为基础,研究了鲜切马铃薯丁在不同热风温度（40、50、60、70、80、90℃）、风速（0.5、1.0、1.5、2.5、3.5 m/s）和切丁长度（2.5、5、10、15 mm）条件下的干燥曲线、水分有效扩散系数和干燥活化能。利用Weibull分布函数拟合了干燥曲线,并建立了风温、风速和切丁长度与模型参数的定量关系。研究表明：鲜切马铃薯丁的热风干燥过程服从 Weibull 分布函数（R2=0.991～0.999）,是典型的降速干燥过程,模型的尺度参数与热风温度、风速和切丁长度有关;模型的形状参数与风速和切丁长度有关,而温度对其影响不显著（P＞0.05）;水分有效平均扩散系数在1.859～12.509×10-9 m2/s之间,与热风温度和风速显著相关（P＜0.05）,而物料切丁长度对其影响不显著（P＞0.05）;几何尺寸值与干燥物料的切丁长度和风速有关;马铃薯丁热风干燥的活化能为19.107 kJ/mol。该研究可为马铃薯热风干燥提供理论和技术基础。     

哈密瓜片气体射流冲击干燥特性和干燥模型研究

本文将气体射流冲击干燥技术应用于哈密瓜片的干燥,研究了其在不同干燥温度（60、65、70、75和80℃）和风速（5、10、15和20 m/s）下的干燥曲线、水分有效扩散系数以及干燥活化能,并建立了气体射流冲击哈密瓜片的数学模型。研究结果表明：哈密瓜片的整个干燥过程属于降速干燥,水分有效扩散系数在2.38-4.55×10-9 m2/s的范围内随着干燥温度和风速的升高而升高;通过阿伦尼乌斯公式计算出了哈密瓜片的干燥活化能为29.44 kJ/mol。根据R2、RMSE和X-2得出,Modified Page方程能很好的预测哈密瓜片气体射流冲击干燥的水分比变化规律,该模型与气体射流的温度和风速有关,并得到了各参数的数值和模型表达式。     

三种干燥技术对红枣脆片干燥特性和品质的影响

为了解决传统油炸红枣脆片含油率高、维生素C损失严重及褐变等问题,探索红枣脆片新的加工方法,该文以新鲜脆熟期红枣为原料,利用气体射流冲击、中短波红外、真空脉动3种干燥技术进行非油炸红枣脆片的生产加工,对比了3种干燥方式对红枣脆片的干燥特性、色泽、维生素C保留率、复水性能、质地以及微观结构的影响。结果表明：1）红枣脆片在3种干燥方式下均表现为降速干燥,其中气体射流冲击干燥时间最短,为105 min,气体射流冲击、中短波红外、真空脉动干燥方式的水分有效扩散系数分别为1.55×10-9、1.03×10-9、0.89×10-9 m2/s;2）干燥方式对枣片色泽具有显著性影响（P<0.05）,真空脉动干燥所得枣片与新鲜枣片色泽最为接近;3）气体射流冲击、中短波红外、真空脉动干燥方式干燥后红枣脆片的维生素C保留率分别为51.5%、49.0%、66.6%,真空脉动干燥所得枣片维生素C含量保存率明显高于其他两种干燥方式（P<0.05）;4）气体射流冲击、中短波红外、真空脉动干燥方式加工的红枣脆片脆度分别为8.64、8.77、11.38 N,真空脉动干燥方式所得枣片最为酥脆;5）扫描电镜观测表明3种干燥方式均能得到疏松多孔的组织结构,真空脉动干燥所得枣片比气体射流和中短波红外干燥所得枣片组织结构更为疏松。从干燥时间来看气体射流冲击干燥耗时最短,但3种干燥方式所得红枣脆片色泽、维生素C保留率、复水性能和质地均以真空脉动干燥最优。该研究为低含油率和高品质红枣脆片的加工工艺选择提供了一定的理论依据。     

干燥介质相对湿度对胡萝卜片热风干燥特性的影响

为了探究相对湿度和阶段降湿对热风干燥过程的影响,该文在干燥温度60℃、风速3.0 m/s条件下,研究了相对湿度(20%、30%、40%、50%)及第一阶段相对湿度50%保持不同时间(10、30、60、90 min),第二阶段相对湿度20%下,胡萝卜片的干燥特性和温度变化规律;利用Weibull分布函数对干燥曲线进行拟合并分析干燥过程,结合尺度参数估算水分有效扩散系数;基于复水比、色泽、干燥时间和能耗对不同相对湿度条件下的干燥过程进行评价。研究结果表明:相对湿度保持恒定条件下,干燥速率先上升后下降,且相对湿度越低干燥速率越大。降低相对湿度有利于缩短干燥时间,热风相对湿度20%比50%条件下干燥时间缩短了27.6%;分段降湿干燥条件下,热风相对湿度50%保持30min后降低为20%,其干燥时间比相对湿度恒定为20%条件下缩短了18.5%,干燥过程出现2个升速阶段;Weibull分布函数可以很好地描述胡萝卜恒定湿度和阶段降湿干燥过程。尺度参数α范围在1.864~3.635 h之间,形状参数β值在1.296~1.713之间,水分有效扩散系数在1.17×10-9~2.92×10-9 m2/s之间。对绿红值、复水率、能耗和干燥时间进行综合评价显示,热风相对湿度50%保持30 min干燥条件下绿红值最高为41.4,能耗相比于恒定相对湿度20%条件下减少了6.0%,复水比较高为3.81,综合评分较高为0.91。该文揭示了干燥介质相对湿度对胡萝卜片干燥特性的影响规律,对于优化干燥介质湿度控制策略以提高干燥速率和品质,降低干燥能耗提供了科学依据和技术支持。     

哈密瓜片气体射流冲击干燥特性和干燥模型

为了提高哈密瓜制干品质、缩短干燥时间,该文将气体射流冲击干燥技术应用于哈密瓜片的干燥,研究了其在不同干燥温度（60、65、70、75和80℃）和风速（5、10、15和20 m/s）下的干燥曲线、水分有效扩散系数以及干燥活化能,并建立了气体射流冲击干燥哈密瓜片的数学模型。研究结果表明：哈密瓜片的整个干燥过程属于降速干燥,水分有效扩散系数在2.38～4.55×10-9 m2/s的范围内随着干燥温度和风速的升高而升高;通过阿伦尼乌斯公式计算出了哈密瓜片的干燥活化能为29.44 kJ/mol。通过决定系数R2、均方误差的根（RMSE）和卡方检验值（2）等拟合优度评价指标对各种干燥模型进行评价,结果表明：Modified Page模型能很好的预测哈密瓜片气体射流冲击干燥过程中的水分比变化规律。该研究为使用气体射流冲击技术工业化干燥哈密瓜提供了技术依据。     

腐殖酸肥料射频真空干燥特性

为研究腐殖酸肥料射频真空干燥特性及品质,该研究探讨了不同极板间距（160、165 mm）、不同初始湿基含水率（10%、15%、20%）下腐殖酸肥料的升温速率和加热均匀性,在此基础上进行射频真空干燥试验,并以热风干燥试验为对照,采用Weibull函数拟合腐殖酸肥料射频真空干燥特性曲线,对比射频真空干燥与热风干燥对腐殖酸肥料颜色、总氮、总磷、总钾及有机质的影响。结果表明：真空度为0.085 MPa,极板间距为160 mm、初始湿基含水率为15%时,干燥速率和升温速率较快,加热均匀性较好;升温曲线在53 ℃出现拐点,53 ℃前升温较快,53 ℃后升温较慢;除含水率为20%的物料外,极板间距对加热均匀性影响不显著（P > 0.05）,但初始湿基含水率对其有显著影响（P<0.05）;射频真空干燥所需时间较热风干燥缩短约208 min,射频真空干燥可显著提高干燥速率（P<0.05）;Weibull函数能较好的拟合腐殖酸肥料射频真空干燥过程,尺度参数和形状参数随极板间距的减小而减小,随初始湿基含水率的增加呈先减小后增大的趋势;水分有效扩散系数,随极板间距的减小而增大,随初始湿基含水率的增加,呈先增大后减小的趋势;极板间距与初始湿基含水率总体上对腐殖酸肥料的色泽高度L*、红绿值a*、蓝黄值b*、总氮、总磷、总钾、有机质无显著影响（P>0.05）;65 ℃热风干燥后样品的色差值显著高于射频真空干燥（P<0.05）,总氮和有机质含量显著低于射频真空干燥（P<0.05）。在设置的试验条件下,腐殖酸肥料的较佳干燥参数为真空度0.085 MPa、极板间距160 mm、初始湿基含水率15%。研究结果可为腐殖酸肥料射频真空干燥应用提供参考。     

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.     

The abundance of heterocystous blue-green algae in rice soils and inocula used for application in rice fields

Summary Algal populations were quantified (as colony-forming units [CFU] per square centimetre) in 102 samples of rice soils from the Philippines, India, Malaysia and Portugal, and in 22 samples of soil-based inocula from four countries. Heterocystous blue-green algae (BGA) were present in all samples. Nostoc was the dominant genus in most samples, followed by Anabaena and Calothrix. In soils, heterocystous BGA occurred at densities ranging from 1.0 × 10² to 8.0 × 10⁶ CFU/cm² (median 6.4 × 10⁴) and comprised, on average, 9% of the total CFU of algae. Their abundance was positively correlated with the pH and the available P content of the soils. In soil-based inocula, heterocystous BGA occurred at densities ranging from 4.6 × 10⁴ to 2.8 × 10⁷ CFU/g dw (dry weight), comprising only a moderate fraction (average 13%) of the total algae. In most soils, the density of indigenous N₂-fixing BGA was usually higher than that attained by applying recommended rates of soil-based inoculum. Whereas research on the practical utilization of BGA has been mostly directed towards inoculation with foreign strains, our results suggest that attention should also be given to agricultural practices that enhance the growth of indigenous strains already adapted to local environmental conditions.Maître de Recherches ORSTOM (France), Visiting Scientist at IRRI