低温条件下满江红对地表水氮磷的去除效应研究

在冬季低温条件下研究了利用固氮植物满江红对模拟的不同磷浓度地表水的氮磷去除效应。结果表明,在各种磷浓度下,满江红对铵态氮、硝态氮和可溶性磷均有较好的去除效果,在试验结束的时候,溶液铵态氮、硝态氮去除率分别达94.04%和95.46%以上。磷的去除率随污染水体磷水平提高而增加,在处理前水体磷污染水平分别为0.1,0.4,1.6 mg P/L的条件下,其去除率分别达到87.0%,96.8%,99.0%。在磷污染水平提高时,满江红的生长量均有增加。满江红的生长量、植物体氮和磷浓度均随水体中磷的水平增加而提高。研究表明,满江红对富营养化地表水营养盐去除效果较好,可作为富营养化地表水修复植物。     

漂浮栽培水生植物对入滇河流污水中磷的去除效果研究

利用水生植物净化富营养化水体是污染水体生物治理的途径之一,为了找出适宜在水体中生长并对磷的去除效果较好的植物,选择5个品种的水稻以及空心菜、茭白和水花生为供试水生植物,通过静态水培试验,研究了各植物在富营养化水体中的生长状况,以及对水体中磷的去除效果。结果表明,在不添加任何植物营养的条件下,植物在富营养化水体中均能正常生长;有植物处理系统对水体中总磷（TP）、水溶性总磷（DTP）的去除效果显著高于无植物对照;有植物处理系统TP的去除率为53.28%～84.07%,DTP的去除率为44.99%～88.81%;无植物对照TP的去除率为32.57%,DTP的去除率为37.51%。植物组织所累积的磷占各自系统去除量的21.54%～75.32%,植物的吸收作用是磷去除的主要途径。水稻功米1号的经济产量最高,为616.28 g.m-2,组织所累积的磷占系统去除量也是最大,为75.32%。在所有供试植物中,水稻功米1号对富营养化水体既有较好的净化效果,又能获得一定的经济产量,是最优的净化植物,同时也是最适宜在水体中生长的水稻品种。     

两种水生植物对重富营养化水体修复效果研究

为了探索重富营养化水体的植物修复方法,在人工模拟条件下选取了两种水生植物伊乐藻(Elodea nuttallii)和黄花水龙(Jussiaea stipulacea Ohwi),采用漂浮生长方式对富营养化水体中养分的去除效果进行研究。结果表明:沉水植物伊乐藻在水面漂浮条件下可起到净化水体的作用,对总氮、氨态氮、硝态氮、总磷、COD、叶绿素a的去除率分别为62.9%,90.83%,53.90%,71.21%,43.33%,50.05%;漂浮植物黄花水龙对上述污染物的去除效果分别为93.56%,97.38%,99.44%,97.74%,52.49%,58.34%。变异分析表明,两者对这些养分的去除达到了显著水平(P<0.05)。黄花水龙对上述污染物的去除效果明显好于漂浮培养条件下的伊乐藻,适合重富营养化水体中养分的去除,而伊乐藻则在水质维持方面发挥更大作用。     

进水C/N对表面流—水平流人工湿地氮和COD去除效果的影响

通过模拟试验,研究在进水氮浓度不同条件下C/N对种植美人蕉的表面流—水平流人工湿地氮元素和COD去除能力的影响,并初步探讨其作用机理。结果表明:在营养生长期和开花期,低C/N有利于人工湿地系统中总氮和铵态氮的去除,C/N越高,硝态氮去除越彻底,而低C/N条件下,表面流—水平流人工湿地内的硝化作用限制了硝态氮的去除效果;对比2个生长期,各处理组总氮和硝态氮的去除能力相当,而开花期各处理组人工湿地铵态氮的去除能力高于营养生长期。C/N对人工湿地系统COD的去除效果的影响较少,2个生长期COD的去除效果相当,各处理组人工湿地系统COD的去除率约高于90%。随着停留时间的增加,人工湿地氮元素和COD的去除率均增加。对pH而言,湿地系统出水pH总体上先升高后趋于平稳,而氧化还原电位则先降低后升高最后趋于平稳,随C/N增加,出水pH降低,而氧化还原电位升高;营养生长期出水pH高于开花期,而氧化还原电位则呈相反表现。进水C/N和人工湿地系统共同影响着出水pH和氧化还原电位。     

进水C/N对表面流—水平流人工湿地氮和

通过模拟试验,研究在进水氮浓度不同条件下C/N对种植美人蕉的表面流—水平流人工湿地氮元素和COD去除能力的影响,并初步探讨其作用机理。结果表明：在营养生长期和开花期,低C/N有利于人工湿地系统中总氮和铵态氮的去除,C/N越高,硝态氮去除越彻底,而低C/N条件下,表面流—水平流人工湿地内的硝化作用限制了硝态氮的去除效果;对比2个生长期,各处理组总氮和硝态氮的去除能力相当,而开花期各处理组人工湿地铵态氮的去除能力高于营养生长期。C/N对人工湿地系统COD的去除效果的影响较少,2个生长期COD的去除效果相当,各处理组人工湿地系统COD的去除率约高于90%。随着停留时间的增加,人工湿地氮元素和COD的去除率均增加。对pH而言,湿地系统出水pH总体上先升高后趋于平稳,而氧化还原电位则先降低后升高最后趋于平稳,随C/N增加,出水pH降低,而氧化还原电位升高;营养生长期出水pH高于开花期,而氧化还原电位则呈相反表现。进水C/N和人工湿地系统共同影响着出水pH和氧化还原电位。     

不同水生植物净化污染水源水的试验研究

选择大薸、浮叶眼子菜、萍蓬草、香菇草、花叶芦竹、芦竹和常绿鸢尾共7种水生植物为供试植物,通过静态水培试验,考察各种水生植物对模拟污水中氨氮、硝态氮、总磷、铁和锰的去除率和去除能力,并对污染物的去除机理进行了分析,以期筛选出净化污水的优势植物。结果表明,水生植物对氨氮和硝态氮的去除率分别为21.18%～27.25%和32.65%～45.92%。水生植物对磷的去除率为10.57%～25.81%,其中香菇草和浮叶眼子菜尤为突出,去除率分别为25.81%和25.31%。水生植物可以促进水体中还原性物质Fe2＋、Mn2＋的氧化,降低水体中铁和锰的浓度。与铁相比,水生植物对锰去除的促进作用比较明显。两类水生植物对不同污染物的去除能力存在较大差异,浮水植物对污染物的去除能力明显强于挺水植物,为挺水植物的3.15～5.64倍。     

伊乐藻对污染水体中氮、磷的净化效果及其克藻效应

为了科学评价伊乐藻在水生态修复中的实际应用价值,在模拟条件下初步研究了沉水植物伊乐藻（Elodea nuttallii）对污染水体中氮、磷的净化效果及其克藻效应。结果表明,伊乐藻对总氮、氨态氮、硝态氮和总磷均具有一定的净化效果,并且水体中氮、磷起始浓度越高,其去除效果越明显;不同生物量伊乐藻对河水中其他藻类均具有较强抑制作用,并且随着生物量增加,其克藻效应更加明显。     

横坡耕作径流溶解态氮磷流失特征及其富营养化风险——以鲁中南山地丘陵区为例

以鲁中南山地丘陵区的坡耕地为例,在模拟降雨条件下分析了横坡耕作地表径流溶解态硝态氮（DNN）、铵态氮（DHN）和磷（DIP）的流失特征,并通过溶解态无机氮DIN（DNN＋DHN）/DIP、DNN/DIP和DHN/DIP等3种氮磷比衡量其径流的富营养化风险。结果表明,在研究区典型的暴雨强度下（70mm·h-1）,横坡耕作产流所需降雨量在8.07mm左右,产流后径流率在径流初期（0～5min）迅速增加,并在末期（14min后）趋于稳定,而径流泥沙浓度在降雨过程的变化表现出单峰型特征;溶解态氮、磷浓度在径流过程中逐渐降低,其中,径流末期DNN、DHN和DIN的平均浓度较初期分别下降12.1%、23.5%和12.6%,DIP浓度的下降幅度明显大于溶解态氮,为32.5%;溶解态氮、磷浓度与径流率以及原表土速效养分含量在径流初期的相关程度较高,之后则逐渐降低,与泥沙浓度的相关系数在降雨过程中则呈高-低-高变化;各溶解态氮的流失率在径流过程中呈增加趋势,而DIP流失率在径流过程中的变化不显著;溶解态氮、磷流失率与径流率存在升幂函数关系,但相关性随径流时间延长逐渐减弱。N/P率分析表明,横坡耕作径流的富营养化风险较低,但风险水平在径流过程中呈逐渐增加趋势。控制径流末期DNN的径流流失,可减轻横坡耕作径流对于受纳水体富营养化过程的影响。     

丹江口库区土壤氮磷养分流失特征

[目的]研究丹江口库区土壤的水土流失和非点源污染物氮磷流失的特点,为农业非点源污染模型的建立提供理论依据。[方法]通过室内人工模拟降雨试验,研究了坡度和施肥等处理对产流产沙、氮磷养分(硝态氮、铵态氮、总氮、有效磷和总磷)流失特点的影响。[结果](1)随着坡度的增加,平均入渗率和初始产流时间呈减小趋势,而径流总量和泥沙总量呈增加趋势。(2)相同施肥处理下,随着坡度的增加,泥沙中硝态氮、总氮、有效磷和总磷的流失浓度呈减小趋势,铵态氮流失浓度在不施氮肥条件下呈减小趋势,而在施氮肥处理下呈增加趋势。(3)在相同坡度条件下,随降雨时间推移,总氮浓度呈先减小后趋于稳定的趋势;铵态氮浓度随施肥处理的变化均呈现出波浪形变化;在施氮肥时,径流中硝态氮的浓度随着时间的推移,呈逐渐减小并趋于平缓的趋势,而在不施氮肥时几乎无变化。[结论]在不同施肥措施和坡度条件下,硝态氮主要随径流而流失,为随泥沙流失的8~11倍;铵态氮主要是随径流泥沙而流失,为随径流流失的1~17倍;总氮则是随径流和径流泥沙共同流失;有效磷和总磷都是以泥沙结合态流失为主,分别为随径流流失的1 000~6 200和1~3倍。     

沙丘固定过程中土壤铵态氮和硝态氮的时空变化

沙丘固定过程中土壤铵态氮和硝态氮存在着时空变化。本文对腾格里沙漠和毛乌素沙地沙丘固定过程中土壤铵态氮和硝态氮的含量进行了测定。结果表明,在剖面的垂直方向,土壤铵态氮和硝态氮含量均随土壤深度的增加而减小;在沙丘的水平方向,从丘顶、丘坡到丘间地,土壤铵态氮和硝态氮含量均趋于增加,但20～40cm土层的硝态氮/铵态氮比(硝/铵比)逐渐降低。而其时间变化体现于演替系列的进程中,演替系列前中期,土壤铵态氮含量逐渐增加,演替系列中后期,硝态氮含量逐渐增加;0～20cm土层硝/铵比的变化与上述趋势相同,而20～40cm土层硝/铵比的变化则没有这种规律。可见,在沙丘固定过程中,土壤铵态氮和硝态氮均表现出明显的时空变化规律,这种时空变化规律是植被与环境综合作用的结果,进而影响植物生长与植被动态。     

低氮和干旱胁迫对富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的影响

【目的】以富士（Fuji）、 秦冠（Qinguan）嫁接在平邑甜茶（Malus hupehensis Rehd.）上的当年生盆栽苗为试验材料,采用砂培方法,研究了缺氮胁迫和干旱对富士和秦冠生长情况、 光合参数、 植株各部位氮磷钾含量及氮素利用效率的影响,分析比较了低氮干旱条件下富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的差异,以期为果树生产高效肥水利用提供理论指导。【方法】试验共设四个处理: 正常氮正常水（ZZ）、 低氮正常水（DZ）、 正常氮干旱（ZG）、 低氮干旱（DG）。氮素和水分均设置两个水平,分别为正常氮（6 mmol/L NO-3-N）、 低氮（0.3 mmol/LNO-3-N）、 正常供水（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的80%~85%）、 干旱处理（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的60%~65%）。【结果】富士和秦冠的生物量（茎和叶）、 株高茎粗等生长指标以及光合速率、 气孔导度、 蒸腾速率均为正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）,并且相对应处理下秦冠的以上指标均高于富士;正常供水下,缺氮处理使富士、 秦冠的根冠比比正常氮处理均有所增加,富士提高了2.05%,秦冠提高了22.40%。富士和秦冠的氮、 磷、 钾含量均表现出正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）; 氮、 钾元素含量在植株各部位的分布顺序依次是叶＞根＞茎,磷元素则是根＞叶＞茎;光合氮素利用效率（PNUE）和氮素利用效率表现为秦冠处理之间差异极显著,富士处理之间差异不显著;秦冠的PNUE和NUE明显高于富士,在低氮正常水（DZ）处理下,秦冠氮肥利用率比富士高42.07%,在低氮干旱（DG）处理下高64.14%;低氮胁迫下富士和秦冠的NUE显著提高,并且秦冠提高的幅度高于富士。【结论】施用氮肥能够显著提高富士与秦冠的干物质量,同等水肥条件下,秦冠生长优于富士;水分亏缺会减少叶片对氮的吸收,干旱条件下适度增施氮肥,可提高果树的抗旱能力;低氮干旱胁迫下秦冠的生长指标、 光合指标及氮素利用效率指标均优于富士,表现出较强的抗低氮干旱胁迫的能力。     

Pasture Vegetation Elemental Analysis by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a new technique for the analysis of plant material. This study investigates the application of LIBS to pasture-based plant samples. The LIBS measurements were obtained from pelletized pasture samples (100 samples) that had been also analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) following microwave digestion for calibration and comparison purposes. Comparisons for elements sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), boron (B), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) showed that LIBS could be used for almost all the standard profile total elements with concentrations down to low mg/kg levels (observed error of Na: 0.024 percent, K: 0.18 percent, Mg: 0.016 percent, Ca: 0.073 percent, P: 0.017 percent, Mn: 31 mg/kg, Fe: 150 mg/kg, Zn: 6.6 mg/kg, and B: 1.1 mg/kg). Elemental analysis at less than mg/kg levels was not possible using LIBS. The elements S and Cu were particularly difficult to analyze with reliability using LIBS at the concentration levels found in the plant samples. Replacing microwave digestion and subsequent ICP analysis with a direct analysis of dried plant samples using LIBS has the potential to improve the productivity and reduce the cost of testing.     

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 from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

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.     

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.     

Macroinvertebrates in North American tallgrass prairie soils: effects of fire, mowing, and fertilization on density and biomass

The responses of tallgrass prairie plant communities and ecosystem processes to fire and grazing are well characterized. However, responses of invertebrate consumer groups, and particularly soil-dwelling organisms, to these disturbances are not well known. At Konza Prairie Biological Station, we sampled soil macroinvertebrates in 1994 and 1999 as part of a long-term experiment designed to examine the effects and interactions of annual fire, mowing, and fertilization (N and P) on prairie soil communities and processes. For nearly all taxa, in both years, responses were characterized by significant treatment interactions, but some general patterns were evident. Introduced European earthworms (Aporrectodea spp. and Octolasion spp.) were most abundant in plots where fire was excluded, and the proportion of the total earthworm community consisting of introduced earthworms was greater in unburned, unmowed, and fertilized plots. Nymphs of two Cicada genera were collected (Cicadetta spp. and Tibicen spp.). Cicadetta nymphs were more abundant in burned plots, but mowing reduced their abundance. Tibicen nymphs were collected almost exclusively from unburned plots. Treatment effects on herbivorous beetle larvae (Scarabaeidae, Elateridae, and Curculionidae) were variable, but nutrient additions (N or P) usually resulted in greater densities, whereas mowing usually resulted in lower densities. Our results suggest that departures from historical disturbance regimes (i.e. frequent fire and grazing) may render soils more susceptible to increased numbers of European earthworms, and that interactions between fire, aboveground biomass removal, and vegetation responses affect the structure and composition of invertebrate communities in tallgrass prairie soils.     

Variation in quality parameters between and within 14 Nordic tree fruit and berry species

Abstract

A 3-year study was carried out to investigate quality parameters in 14 tree fruit and berry species grown in southern Norway. The species were blueberry, apple, aronia, sour cherry, sweet cherry, red raspberry, strawberry, blackcurrant, gooseberry, red currant and elderberry, harvested along with wild bilberry, cloudberry and lingonberry. Significant differences between species were identified for all quality parameters. The coefficient of variation between species was lowest for pH (12.5%), dry matter (18.9%) and soluble solids (25.3%), followed by titratable acids (59.3%), total phenolics (83.8%), antioxidant capacity FRAP (85.7%) and antiradical power by the DPPH-assay (97.8%), total monomeric anthocyanins (132%) and ascorbic acid (137%). Average coefficient of variation within species were lower and ranged from 4 (pH) to 62% (ascorbic acid). Only the FRAP values were significantly affected by harvesting year with lower levels in 2004 than in 2005 and 2006. There were significant interactions between species and harvesting year for dry matter, soluble solids, pH, ascorbic acid and FRAP. The results indicate generic ranges in composition within species independent upon growing location and climate, and the composition of the tree fruits and berries is not likely to deviate from these ranges. It is concluded that desirable composition of tree fruits and berries and their products should primarily be achieved by selection among species rather than searching fors broadened variation within individual species.     

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.     

Potassium Fixation and Release Characteristics in Rhizosphere and Nonrhizosphere Soils for a Rapeseed–Rice Cropping Sequence

Potassium (K) fixation and release in soil are important factors in the long-term sustainability of a cropping system. Changes in K concentration and characteristics of K fixation and release in rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils in the rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)–rice (Oryza sativa L.) rotation were investigated using a rhizobox system. The concentrations of different forms of K in both rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils decreased with plants compared to without plants, regardless of K fertilizer application. Potassium uptake by crops mainly came from the rhizosphere soil. In the treatment without K fertilizer (–K), the main form of K supplied by the soil to the crops was 1.0 mol L^?1 nitric acid (HNO₃) nonextractable K, followed by nonexchangeable K, and then exchangeable K. In the treatment with K fertilizer (+K), the main K forms supplied by the soil to the crops were exchangeable K and nonexchangeable K. The amount and rate of K fixation after one cycle of the rapeseed–rice rotation was greater in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The amount and rate of K fixation of soil in the +K treatment were significantly less than in the –K treatment. The cumulative amounts of K released with 1.0 mol L^?1 ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc) and 1.0 mol L^?1 HNO₃ extraction increased with the increasing numbers of extractions, but the K-releasing power of soil by successive extraction decreased gradually and finally became almost constant. The release of K was less in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The release of K in the +K treatment was similar to that in the –K treatment in rhizosphere soil, but the K release in nonrhizosphere soil was greater with the +K than the –K treatment. Overall, the information obtained in this study will be helpful in formulating more precise K fertilizer recommendations for certain soils.