Genetic resources of wild cereals in Israel and vicinity. I. Phenotypic variation within and between populations of wild wheat,Triticum dicoccoides

Summary Populations of wild emmer wheat, Triticum dicoccoides, in Israel, originating from diverse habitats, and tested earlier for allozyme (Nevo et al., 1982) and disease resistance polymorphisms (Moseman et al., 1983a, 1983b; Nevo et al., 1984a, 1984b), were compared and contrasted for performance in agronomically important phenotypic traits. The traits compared involved 10 variables comparing germination, earliness, biomass and yield variables. The field experiments were conducted in 1980, 1981 and 1982 in two relatively standardized and contrasting environments: mesic (Mount Carmel, Haifa) and xeric (Acedat Farm, and Sede Boqer, in the northern Negev desert). The experimental design involved 12 population quadrangles at Avedat Farm in 1980, and rows of randomized genotypes of five populations in both Haifa and Sede Boqer in 1981 and 1982.The results indicate that the characters studied are partly genetically determined. Striking genetic variation was found between and, at least in some characters, also within populations in each site, whereas remarkable environmental variation including genetic-environmental interaction was found between the mesic and the xeric sites. We conclude that natural populations of wild emmer wheat in Israel vary not only in genetic polymorphisms of allozymes and disease resistance, but also in quantitative traits of agronomic importance. These traits are economically significant and should be conserved and utilized in wheat crop improvement.     

Factorial regression analysis of genotype by environment interaction in ryegrass populations, using both isozyme and climatic data as covariates

A sample of 58 natural ryegrass populations (Lolium perenne L.) from the French and Spanish oceanic coast was evaluated for three seasonal growth traits (i.e. spring, autumn and winter vigour traits) in 5 evaluation sites (three in France and two in Spain). This sample showed a high level of genotype (population) × environment (evaluation sites) interactions for the three agronomic traits. A factor regression analysis, using both isozyme frequencies of populations and climatic factors of evaluation sites as covariates, was carried out on a sub-sample of 30 populations in order to explain these interactions. This method succeeded in explaining most population × location interactions by the product of two covariates. For instance, for spring vigour trait, 72.8% of the interaction term could be explained by the use of two covariates: the PGI2-20 allelic frequency of populations and the minimum temperature of the coldest month of evaluation sites. This study shows the advantage of such a method for plant breeders who need to identify promising ryegrass populations for their breeding objectives. A number of genetic and evolutionary hypotheses are also discussed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Patterns of amphibian diversity in Brazilian Amazonia: conservation implications

A literature survey was conducted to determine the amphibian diversity and distribution in Brazilian Amazonia. Patterns of endemisms and similarity of fauna between localities were also addressed. Twenty-eight inventories were found for the region, the majority localized in areas with easier access by road or river. A minimum of 163 amphibian species was recorded for Brazilian Amazonia. Although many species are endemic to the Amazonian lowlands as an entity, the patterns of species uniqueness among sites suggested low endemic distribution within the lowlands of the Amazon Basin. The mean similarity between localities varied from low to intermediate (mean=0.40), indicating that the Brazilian Amazonia is characterized by distinctive assemblages of amphibians throughout its extension. Localities further apart had lower similarity. No threatened species were recorded. These results contribute to determine priority areas for new inventories and establishment of conservation units. We suggest that areas next to the Amazon deforestation frontier should be prioritized for new studies due to the high rate of alteration and potential loss of species. Additionally, studies on amphibian population dynamics are few in Brazilian Amazonia and more of them should be emphasized to help to draw a better picture of the status of amphibians in this region.     

湖北竹亚科植物地理分布区划研究

根据竹亚科植物的地理分布规律和气候区划,将隶属于2个中国竹区的湖北竹林分为4个竹区、8个亚区,并深入研究了各个竹区的植物地理特征、竹类区系特征和竹林经营策略.     

Soil microbial, fungal, and nematode responses to soil fumigation and cover crops under potato production

Sodium N-methyldithiocarbamate (metam sodium) and 1,3 dichloropropene are widely used in potato production for the control of soil-borne pathogens, weeds, and plant parasitic nematodes that reduce crop yield and quality. Soil fumigation with metam sodium has been shown in microcosm studies to significantly reduce soil microbial populations and important soil processes such as C and N mineralization. However, few published data report the impact of metam sodium on microbial populations and activities in potato production systems under field conditions. Fall-planted white mustard (Brassica hirta) and sudangrass (Sorghum sudanense) cover crops may serve as an alternative to soil fumigation. The effect of metam sodium and cover crops was determined on soil microbial populations, soil-borne pathogens (Verticillium dahliae, Pythium spp., and Fusarium spp.), free-living and plant-parasitic nematodes, and C and N mineralization potentials under potato production on five soil types in the Columbia Basin of Eastern Washington. Microbial biomass C was 8–23% greater in cover crop treatments compared to those fumigated with metam sodium among the soil types tested. Replacing fumigation with cover crops did not significantly affect C or N mineralization potentials. Cumulative N mineralized over a 49-day laboratory incubation averaged 18 mg NO₃-N kg⁻¹ soil across all soil types and treatments. There was a general trend for N mineralized from fumigated treatments to be lower than cover-cropped treatments. Soil fungal populations and free-living nematode levels were significantly lowered in fumigated field trials compared to cover-cropped treatments. Fumigation among the five soil types significantly reduced Pythium spp. by 97%, Fusarium spp. by 84%, and V. dahliae by 56% compared to the mustard cover crop treatment. The percentage of bacteria and fungi surviving fumigation was greater for fine- than coarse-textured soils, suggesting physical protection of organisms within the soil matrix or a reduced penetration and distribution of the fumigants. This suggests the potential need for a higher rate of fumigant to be used in fine-textured soils to obtain comparable reductions in soil-borne pathogens.     

Effects of long-term 2,4-D application on microbial populations and biochemical processes in cultivated soil

Summary The effects of 15 years of field applications of 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetate (2,4-D) on soil microbial population and biochemical processes were studied in a field cropped with maize followed by potatoes. Amine or ester formulations at the rate of 0.95 kg 2,4-D per hectare applied in May and October every year. Fungal, bacterial, and actinomycete populations, and microbial biomass C and N were reduced by the 2,4-D treatment, the reduction being more marked where the ester was used. N mineralization, nitrification, and potentially mineralizable N were reduced by the 2,4-D ester only, while urease activity was depressed by both formulations. Dehydrogenase activity and soil microbial respiration tended to be temporarily increased by the amine, but were reduced substantially by the ester, indicating that the ester probably interfered with nutrient cycling.     

Spatially targeting the distribution of agricultural input stockists in Malawi

Developing the rural agricultural input markets in sub-Saharan Africa can improve the current low productivity of smallholder farmers. Malawi has seen significant efforts in addressing the availability of agricultural inputs at village level in the last few years; for example, the improvement of rural agro-dealer networks. Nevertheless inputs are still difficult to obtain for many remote smallholder farmers. Spatial analysis can help in the expansion of input stockists, especially agro-dealer networks, by assessing the coverage of existing input outlets and deriving optimum locations for village-level input stockists.We address three research questions. First, what is the locational efficiency of the current village-level stockists of inputs (Citizens Network for Foreign Affairs – Rural Agricultural Market Development Trust trained network of agro dealers and public sector)? Secondly, how many village-level stockists of markets are needed to reach 60% of the population in the central region of Malawi within one hour? Finally we address the potential spatial components of the sustainability of input stockists relating to the potential demand from smallholder farmers and the access to bulk supplies. The problem of finding the optimum location for village-level stockists of markets is addressed in two stages, using spatial analysis in conjunction with location–allocation models. First, the locational efficiency of the existing network of stockists of inputs is determined, followed by the establishment of a set of optimal sites for village-level stockists of inputs. A final step explores the viability of stockists and calculates the population surrounding the stockists taking into account competition from other sources of inputs and the accessibility of the selected stockists to potential wholesalers who are bulk distributors of farm inputs.Our results show that locational efficiency can be assessed in terms of the differential access of households to resources and transport. Often, these differences are not considered in covering problems and can have a large effect on the physical access to inputs. The results can be used to define which areas are inherently difficult to serve with agricultural inputs and could inform efforts to provide incentives to remote areas. Further implications for input policies in Malawi are that improvements in road infrastructure might not directly benefit the poorest farmers (if they are walking) but could serve to reduce the wholesale prices and therefore the retail price. In addition, the improvement in roads might increase the number of potential customers of any particular stockist, with economies of scale allowing the reduction of prices while ensuring a satisfactory profit margin for the stockist. The results of our models imply that Citizens Network for Foreign Affairs may need to train stockists over a wider area to increase the access to inputs of those smallholder farmers with least resources.     

地理信息网格与数字农业建设刍议

网格技术是网络环境下海量数据管理和信息共享的有效方法。地理信息网格是网格技术在地理空间技术领域的应用,作为农业空间信息网格的基础,它是实现农业信息共享与服务的有效途径。地理信息网格在数字农业领域的广泛应用将深刻影响农业信息系统的规划部署、运行和管理机制,提高农业信息资源共享程度和使用效率,推进数字农业建设的步伐。     

地理信息网格及其在数字农业建设中的应用

网格技术是网络环境下海量数据管理和信息共享的有效方法。地理信息网格是网格技术在地理空间技术领域的应用,作为农业空间信息网格的基础,它是实现农业信息共享与服务的有效途径。地理信息网格在数字农业领域的广泛应用将深刻影响农业信息系统的规划部署、运行和管理机制,提高农业信息资源共享程度和使用效率,推进数字农业建设的步伐。     

基于种间竞争的遗传算法的改进

提出基于种间竞争的基本遗传算法的改进算法,并编写程序实现该改进算法.通过考核实例计算,发现改进后的算法具有更强的鲁棒性.