外源生物质炭对土壤中铵态氮素滞留效应的影响

以生物质炭和黄棕壤为研究材料,通过阳离子交换量测定、铵态氮等温吸附实验以及模拟土柱淋溶,研究生物质炭对土壤铵态氮素滞留效应的影响。发现生物质炭以1%、3%和5%添加后,土壤CEC值分别增加9.4%、14.7%和19.7%,铵态氮素淋失量分别减少22%、39%和47%,氮素滞留量分别增加15%、5%和14%;同时影响氮素在土层中的分布,其中加生物质炭土壤的氮素集中在土柱上部5～7cm处,而不加生物质炭土壤集中在中部偏下9～11cm处。结果表明,生物质炭能够提高土壤对铵态氮素的吸附能力,显著降低土壤铵态氮素养分的淋失。     

生物质炭施用及老化对石灰性紫色土中磺胺类抗生素迁移特征的影响

以长江上游低山丘陵区广泛分布的石灰性紫色土旱地的耕作层土壤为对象,采用室内批量平衡吸附试验和填装土柱穿透试验,研究了施用1%生物质炭及3年老化作用对2种磺胺类抗生素(磺胺嘧啶和磺胺二甲基嘧啶)吸附和迁移特征的影响。结果表明,Freundlich方程能更好地拟合抗生素在土壤中的等温吸附曲线,施用生物质炭提高了土壤对抗生素的吸附能力,吸附常数KF值依次为:老化1%施炭土新鲜1%施炭土对照土;土柱出流液的磺胺嘧啶和磺胺二甲基嘧啶相对浓度峰值均表现为:老化1%施炭土新鲜1%施炭土对照土,说明生物质炭的添加能有效减少控制紫色土中抗生素的淋失迁移,以对磺胺二甲基嘧啶的阻控效果较好;生物质炭老化3 a后土壤对抗生素的吸附作用与阻控效果均有所提高,主要归因于土壤pH的提高。     

铁改性稻壳生物炭对铵态氮的吸附效果研究

  【目的】  研究稻壳生物炭和3种铁改性稻壳生物炭对铵态氮的吸附特性,为其作为添加剂进行炭基肥料的开发提供参考。  【方法】  以稻壳为原料,在500℃无氧条件下热解制备稻壳生物炭（RBC）,并采用3种工艺制备铁改性稻壳生物炭 (FDRBC、FWRBC和FWBC)。利用比表面积测定仪 (BET) 和扫描电镜 (SEM)、X射线衍射 (XRD)、傅立叶红外光谱 (FT-IR) 等技术对稻壳炭和3种铁改性稻壳炭进行物理性质表征。以稻壳生物炭和3种铁改性稻壳生物炭为材料进行铵态氮吸附试验,采用Langmuir和Freundlich方程对稻壳炭和3种铁改性稻壳炭的等温吸附数据进行拟合;并分别用准一级动力学模型和准二级动力学模型对吸附数据进行拟合。  【结果】  1) 经过铁改性,稻壳炭比表面积降低了2.4%～63.7%,孔径平均提高了2.8%～319.2%,pH均降低到5左右;2) FWBC和FWRBC在pH为6时,对NH₄+-N的吸附量最大,FDRBC和RBC在pH为7时,对NH₄+-N的吸附量最大;3) Langmuir吸附等温方程能够很好地拟合稻壳炭和3种铁改性稻壳炭对铵态氮的吸附数据,RBC、FDRBC、FWRBC和FWBC对铵态氮的最大吸附量分别为2.22、8.82、4.67和3.67 mg/g;4) 稻壳炭和3种铁改性稻壳炭对铵态氮的吸附行为符合准二级动力学方程。  【结论】  供试稻壳炭和3种铁改性稻壳炭对铵态氮的吸附主要为单分子层吸附,以化学吸附方式为主。铁改性处理提高了稻壳炭的孔径,降低了pH。对铵态氮的吸附能力以FDRBC最优,用其制备新型肥料可提高肥料的保肥供肥能力。     

碳酸钾添加比例对玉米秸秆生物炭表面特性的影响

在600 oC的热解温度下通过添加不同比例的碳酸钾制备活性生物炭。对比分析了碳酸钾活化生物炭（KBC）和普通生物炭（BC）的特性,包括生物炭红外光谱特征、表面官能团、比表面积和孔径分布及吸附动力学过程等。结果表明,经碳酸钾活化的生物炭比表面积大为提高,最高达到566 m2?g-1（KBC-2-600）,而普通生物炭（BC600）的比表面积仅为86.8 m2?g-1,KBC600系列的介孔孔容和微孔孔容均显著的高于BC600,介孔孔容平均扩大了16倍,微孔孔容平均扩大了4倍,同时提高了微孔率。经碳酸钾活化的生物炭表面官能团的数量和饱和度发生改变,在1 256 cm-1～3 414 cm-1处,官能团的总体含量均低于普通生物炭,酯类羰基消失,形成氢键的能力减弱,非饱和醚类增加,芳香性和非极性提高,此表面特征更有利于吸附非极性芳香类污染物。对萘吸附的动力学实验表明,BC600和KBC-4-600均适合拟二级动力学模型拟合,经碳酸钾活化后,生物炭的吸附性能提高,颗粒内扩散模型拟合结果表明,经碳酸钾活化后,生物炭内部孔隙复杂程度和数量均得到提高。碳酸钾活化的生物炭表面性质优良,作为高效吸附剂用于修复非极性芳香类污染有很大潜力。     

不同温度花生壳生物炭孔隙特征及其差异

为评价花生壳生物炭农业与环境领域应用价值与潜力,该研究分别在100~800℃条件下制备花生壳生物炭,测定其孔隙参数,以期了解花生壳生物炭在不同热解温度条件下的孔结构变化规律。结果表明,在100~500℃条件下制备的花生壳生物炭以中孔和大孔为主,其吸附解析等温线为Ⅱ类吸附等温线,迟滞回线属于H3型,孔隙结构主要由狭缝孔构成;600~800℃条件下制备的生物炭以微孔为主,其吸附解析等温线为Ⅰ类吸附等温线,迟滞回线属于H4型,孔隙结构主要是锥形孔。当热解温度从100℃上升至600℃过程中,BET比表面积、比孔容均呈上升趋势,同时t-Plot微孔比表面积、t-Plot微孔孔容、中孔比表面积、中孔孔容也均在600℃时基本达到最高水平。花生壳生物炭的孔径分布随温度的变化非常明显,孔峰主要在3~5 nm处,100~600℃条件下峰值表现为升高趋势,600~800℃条件下峰值逐渐降低,与比表面积分布图结果相一致。花生壳生物炭孔隙表面分形维数D1和体积分形维数D2均在600~800℃条件下水平较高,高热解温度导致孔隙结构的复杂程度有所增加,生物炭表面更加粗糙。根据花生壳生物炭在不同热解温度条件下的孔结构变化规律,为花生壳生物炭制备及应用提供参考依据,有利于实现花生壳综合高效利用。     

田间老化生物质炭减缓稻麦轮作系统土壤N2O排放能力降低的机理

作为一种重要的土壤调节剂,生物质炭在固碳减排,尤其在氧化亚氮(N₂O)减排方面的作用日益突出。本研究通过田间定位试验,分析稻麦轮作体系新鲜和田间不同时间老化生物质炭对N₂O排放的影响,旨在明确生物质炭对田间N₂O排放的持续效应及其作用机理。试验共设置5个处理,分别为CK（不施氮肥和生物质炭）、N（施氮肥）、NB_0y（氮肥+新鲜生物质炭）、NB_2y（氮肥+2年老化生物质炭）和NB_5y （氮肥+5年老化生物质炭）,动态监测稻麦轮作周期N₂O排放,测定水稻和小麦收获后土壤理化性质和氮循环功能基因丰度。结果表明,生物质炭显著降低土壤N2O累积排放量32.4% ~ 54.0%,且表现为NB_0y> NB_2y> NB_5y。与N处理相比,NB_0y, NB_2y 和NB_5y处理显著提高土壤pH值0.6 ~ 1.2个单位、土壤有机碳（SOC）含量21.4 % ~ 58.6%、硝态氮（NO_3^--N）含量1.7% ~ 31.3%,对土壤pH改善能力随着生物质炭老化而下降。生物质炭处理显著提高nosZ基因丰度54.9% ~ 249.4%,土壤 (nirS+nirK)/nosZ比值随着生物质炭老化而增加。相关性分析表明,土壤N₂O累积排放量与pH值呈显著负相关,与NO_3^--N含量和amoA-AOB（氨氧化细菌）丰度呈显著正相关。因此,新鲜和田间不同时间老化生物质炭均能显著改善土壤理化特性,降低土壤 N₂O排放且新鲜生物质炭的作用效果优于老化生物质炭。土壤NO_3^--N 含量及(nirS+nirK)/nosZ比值的增加,是导致老化生物质炭减排N₂O能力降低的主要原因。     

柠条生物炭对土壤中敌草隆的吸附性能

以柠条为原料,分别在200、300、400℃和600℃进行炭化处理制备柠条生物炭,分析柠条粉末和生物炭的组分,用扫描电镜观察柠条生物炭的形貌,比表面积分析仪绘制柠条生物炭的吸附等温线,研究柠条生物炭的孔容、孔径以及比表面积等结构参数。使用土柱实验装置将柠条生物炭与土壤混合,通过淋溶试验检测柠条生物炭对土壤中的除草剂敌草隆的吸附效能。结果表明,柠条炭化的吸附等温线属于典型的Ⅰ型吸附线,随着炭化温度的升高,柠条生物炭的炭得率不断降低,在600℃进行炭化处理可以得到44.71%的柠条生物炭,其比表面积可达到187.56 m2·g~(-1),平均孔径4.83 nm,微孔体积占总孔体积的52%。土壤中添加1%的柠条生物炭就可以对土壤中的敌草隆产生显著吸附效果,添加3%的柠条生物炭可以获得最佳的经济效益。     

不同温度下镉在典型农田土壤中的吸附动力学特征

按土重的3%和5%向采自海南和广西的3种可变电荷土壤中添加由稻草制备的生物质炭,混合培养30 d后用一次平衡法研究了生物质炭对土壤吸附Cd（Ⅱ）的影响及其与土壤表面电化学性质的关系,旨在阐明生物质炭促进可变电荷土壤吸附和固定Cd（Ⅱ）的机制。结果表明,添加稻草炭显著提高了3种土壤的阳离子交换量（CEC）和土壤pH,并使土壤胶体Zeta电位向负值方向位移。因此,添加稻草炭增加了土壤表面的负电荷量,土壤表面对Cd（Ⅱ）的吸附容量增强,使3种可变电荷土壤对Cd（Ⅱ）的吸附量增加,且Cd（Ⅱ）吸附量的增幅随稻草炭添加水平的提高而增加。Freundlich方程和Langmuir方程可以拟合3种土壤对Cd（Ⅱ）的吸附等温线,但Freundlich方程拟合效果更好,该方程表征吸附容量的常数k也随着稻草炭添加水平提高而增大。研究表明在pH3.0~5.0范围内,稻草炭均增加土壤对Cd（Ⅱ）的吸附量。添加稻草炭提高土壤pH,促进Cd（Ⅱ）的吸附,因为Cd（Ⅱ）的吸附量随pH升高而增加。解吸实验表明,添加稻草炭处理Cd（Ⅱ）的解吸量高于对照处理,说明生物质炭提高了土壤对Cd（Ⅱ）的静电吸附量。     

稻草生物质炭对3种可变电荷土壤吸附Cd（Ⅱ）的影响

按土重的3%和5%向采自海南和广西的3种可变电荷土壤中添加由稻草制备的生物质炭,混合培养30 d后用一次平衡法研究了生物质炭对土壤吸附Cd（Ⅱ）的影响及其与土壤表面电化学性质的关系,旨在阐明生物质炭促进可变电荷土壤吸附和固定Cd（Ⅱ）的机制。结果表明,添加稻草炭显著提高了3种土壤的阳离子交换量（CEC）和土壤pH,并使土壤胶体Zeta电位向负值方向位移。因此,添加稻草炭增加了土壤表面的负电荷量,土壤表面对Cd（Ⅱ）的吸附容量增强,使3种可变电荷土壤对Cd（Ⅱ）的吸附量增加,且Cd（Ⅱ）吸附量的增幅随稻草炭添加水平的提高而增加。Freundlich方程和Langmuir方程可以拟合3种土壤对Cd（Ⅱ）的吸附等温线,但Freundlich方程拟合效果更好,该方程表征吸附容量的常数k也随着稻草炭添加水平提高而增大。研究表明在pH3.0~5.0范围内,稻草炭均增加土壤对Cd（Ⅱ）的吸附量。添加稻草炭提高土壤pH,促进Cd（Ⅱ）的吸附,因为Cd（Ⅱ）的吸附量随pH升高而增加。解吸实验表明,添加稻草炭处理Cd（Ⅱ）的解吸量高于对照处理,说明生物质炭提高了土壤对Cd（Ⅱ）的静电吸附量。     

不同老化方法对生物炭表面特征及镉吸附能力的影响

为明确不同自然环境过程（氧化还原、降雨、光照）对生物炭的老化作用及其对重金属吸附能力的影响,该研究以不同温度（200、500 °C）和气氛（O₂、N₂）热解的小麦秸秆生物炭为研究对象,采用化学氧化、干湿交替、紫外光照氧化3种人工老化方法模拟生物炭在自然环境中的老化过程,并分析老化作用对生物炭理化性质及镉（Cd）吸附能力的影响。结果表明：与初始生物炭相比,老化作用使生物炭表面破碎,孔隙结构增多,提高了生物炭比表面积。干湿交替老化使低温生物炭的比表面积增大0.85倍,而经过化学氧化后的低温生物炭、高温生物炭比表面积分别增大8.81、0.37倍。老化过程使生物炭的官能团种类减少,且含氧官能团数量发生不同程度的变化,其中化学氧化使羧基、内酯基等含氧官能团增多,而干湿交替及紫外光照老化主要引起含氧官能团数量的减少。此外,热重分析结果表明化学氧化使低温生物炭热稳定性降低,而所有老化后的高温生物炭热稳定性均增强。化学氧化、紫外光照、干湿交替3种老化处理均可提高两种生物炭的吸附能力,Cd²⁺吸附量分别提高498.95%~799.36%、436.10%~768.43%、35.53%~128.10%。因此,生物炭实际应用时需综合考虑其环境过程、特性变化以及目标污染物种类,以促进生物炭环境应用的长远发展。     

“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     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.