Influence of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) intercropping and polyethylene mulching on early growth of walnut (Juglans spp.) in central Italy

Combined production of timber and forage species is considered to be a desirable land-use system to offset some of the current land management problems of Italy. This paper reports the early results of a study on intercropping young plants of walnut with alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), with or without polyethylene mulching, in an experimental plantation in central Italy. Two genotypes of walnut were used:Juglans regia L. and the French hybrid NG23×RA. The seasonal changes of absolute and relative growth rates of walnut stem diameter and apical shoot length were investigated.During both growing seasons, alfalfa intercropping strongly decreased walnut growth, whereas polyethylene mulching promoted stem height and diameter growth. Stem growth of intercropped-and-mulched walnut was the same as that of sole walnut under clean cultivation management. The use of polyethylene mulching reduced or avoided the competitive effect of associated alfalfa on walnut growth. During both growing seasons, the intercropped-and-mulched walnut had higher relative growth rates than intercropped-unmulched walnut. The results show the effectiveness of polyethylene mulching in promoting early growth of walnut, even when intercropped with alfalfa during early stages of plantation establishment.     

Growth and nutrient accumulation of Brazil nut trees (Bertholletia excelsa) in agroforestry at different fertilizer levels

The Brazil nut tree(Bertholletia excelsa) is a frequent component of agroforestry systems in the Amazon because of its adaptation to nutrient-poor upland soils and multiple uses.We investigated the aboveground biomass production(kg dry weight),nutrient uptake and requirements(N,P,Ca,Mg,K) of Brazil nut trees of different sizes grown under agroforestry conditions and fertilized at different levels.Eight of 70 experimental trees with different size were harvested and stem,branches and leaves were separated.Nutrient contents were determined for three trees of varying size.Average tree growth was fast,but variability was high,suggesting considerable potential for the improvement of this economically important species.The trees responded to increased levels of fertilizer and lime with significantly increased foliar nutrient contents and growth,probably because of the improved availability of Mg and Ca for which the species seems to have a relatively high demand.In contrast to Brazil nut trees grown in forest or dense plantations,the agroforestry trees invested a substantial part of their biomass and nutrients in large branches and developed spreading crowns.To improve stem form,reduce competition with associated crops for light and recycle nutrients,regular pruning of lower branches or planting arrangements that favor self-pruning are recommended.These measures would also increase the recycling of Ca and Mg,large quantities of which are contained in the branches.     

采煤沉陷区苦草的生物学特性及其竞争机制

采煤活动所致的动态沉陷湿地具有动态性、高潜水位和生态脆弱性等特点,探明此类人工重构湿地的水生植物群落的生物学特性及其竞争机制,有助于为采煤沉陷区湿地水生植物群落修复提供科学依据.本研究以淮南潘集区人工构建的苦草群落(Ass.Vallisneria natans)为倒,采用样方调查法,研究苦草的生物学特性及其与其他水生植物的竞争机制.结果表明,1)沉陷区苦草的生物学特性与浅水湖泊较一致.主要表现在苦草的繁殖方式、传粉方式、生活史方面,但研究区苦草以有性繁殖为主.2)沉陷区苦草能与以种子萌发形成的水烛群丛(Ass.Typha angustifolia)共生,但生物量低;在与形成两年以上的水烛群丛竞争中处于劣势,在水烛群丛盖度达到90％时苦草逐渐消失.3)沉陷区苦草在与浮叶植物莕菜群丛(Ass.Nymphoides peltatum)、苹群丛(Ass.Marsilea quadrifolia)竞争中处于弱势,其盖度、株高、生物量等指标都明显下降.4)沉陷区苦草在与沉水植物竹叶眼子菜群丛(Ass.Potamogeton malaianus)竞争中处于劣势,苦草与沉水植物黑藻群丛(Ass.Hydrilla verticillata)、狐尾藻群丛(Ass.Myrioph yllum verticillatum)、大茨藻群丛(Ass.Najas marina)、金鱼藻群丛(Ass.Ceratophyllum demersum)占据不同水层空间,种间竞争不强烈,能较好地共存.总之,苦草较之于相似生长型的植物具有较明显的竞争优势,对于具有不同生活型,尤其是挺水植物和浮叶植物,处于竞争劣势.     

基于W_V_Hegyi竞争指数的杉木竞争生长模型研究——以湖南省福寿国有林场杉木生态公益林为例

根据湖南省福寿国有林场杉木生态公益林(幼龄林、中龄林、近熟林)复测数据,通过研究Hegyi,V_Hegyi,W_V_Hegyi三种竞争指数与胸径的相关性,选择相关性最强的W_V_Hegyi竞争指数,构建单木竞争生长模型。以此为基础,用加权平均树高作为胸径生长量的权重,重新构建了单木竞争生长模型,并对W_V_Hegyi竞争指数分布规律进行分析,利用回归分析方法构建径阶竞争指数预估模型和径阶生长模型。通过基于加权胸径生长量与W_V_Hegyi竞争指数构建径阶生长模型,以期为林木从单木到林分的模拟提供新途径。     

抚育间伐对小兴安岭天然次生林中云杉、冷杉的碳密度分配与竞争的影响

间伐改变林分环境,也对林木生长、森林碳储量及林木竞争关系造成一定影响,研究15%、25%、35% 3个间伐强度处理8 a后小兴安岭天然次生林中杉木的径阶分布、碳密度分配特征及竞争指数,对森林经营的指导和森林碳汇发展有重要意义。结果表明,35%抚育间伐强度均使杉木径阶分布频率偏离正态性;间伐改变了林木各器官碳密度的分配,其趋势是随着间伐强度的增大树干碳密度占总量的比例先减小再增加,而树枝生物量分配规律则呈逐渐减小的趋势;25%和35%间伐强度,杉木地上部分的生物量和碳密度均显著大于对照样地,其中25%间伐强度时生物量和碳密度最大,而15%间伐强度的杉木生物量与对照样地无显著差异,而碳密度却小于对照样地;同CK相比,T₁₅样地杉木的Hegyi竞争指数减少了2.05%,而T₂₅、T₃₅分别增加了36.07%和14.66%;冗余分析（RDA）结果表明,Hegyi竞争指数、间伐强度共同解释了碳密度变化的61.3%,且Hegyi竞争指数增长不利于林分碳密度增加,竞争压力通过改变各器官的碳密度来响应。     

Testing Taylor's Power Law association of maize interplant variation with mean grain yield

Plant-to-plant variability is a crop stability component. The objective of this study in maize (Zea mays L.) was to test the validity of the theoretical background of the hypothesis that the coefficient of variation (CV) for grain yield per plant and mean yield are connected exponentially, following the Taylor's Power Law (TPL) Model. Field experimentation was conducted across two sites, two seasons, and two planting densities. Densities were the main plots, corresponding to the typical practice of 8.89 plants m^–2 (TCD) and the low-input optimal of 5.33 plants m^–2 (LCD), while hybrids were the subplots. Data from 26 subplots in the first site averaged CV values of 22.6% at the TCD and 21.9% at the LCD, and mean yields of 19.1 and 13.9 t ha^–1, respectively, following the TPL Model. The same was true for the second site, with average CVs and means of 41.5% and 14.3 t ha^–1 at the TCD and 36.8% and 11.5 t ha^–1 at the LCD. A test was performed on the simple correlation between the logarithms of variances and their respective means to investigate whether there is a systematic variance dependence on mean, thus questioning the reliability of TPL. The validity of TPL was verified in the first site. Nevertheless, there was a systematic dependence of yield variance on mean yield in the second site, implying that the CV-yield correlation might be not biologically meaningful. Conversion of the variance to remove its dependence on the mean did not validate the CV-yield negative relationship, meaning that caution is needed when interpreting the CV as a stability index for intra-crop variation. Whether the determinant factor of invalidity of TPL was the extensive intra-crop variation in the lower yielding second site can be assessed in future research.     

粮食作物生物育种技术全球创新布局与竞争态势研究——基于核心专利数据挖掘的视角

“开展种源‘卡脖子’技术攻关,打好种业翻身仗”亟需探明当前粮食作物生物育种技术领域的专利创新布局和竞争态势。依据专利导向的产业竞争情报分析框架,以核心专利数据（不包含中国港澳台地区）为基础,从整体环境、技术布局和机构竞争3个方面剖析了粮食作物生物育种技术领域的全球创新布局及竞争态势。结果表明,领域内技术创新活跃,中国核心专利量位居前列,但与美国相比有很大差距;北美、欧洲和中国是全球主要技术布局地,尤以美国最为集中,中国发明的专利主要布局在国内,全球竞争能力不足;基因组重测序技术、分子标记辅助育种、抗性技术和杂交技术等是领域热点技术;突变或遗传工程、改良基因型的方法是领域内“主导-成熟型”技术,各主要国家和地区均进行了重点布局,我国在“新兴-成长型”技术领域具备相对优势;跨国种子公司的技术和市场竞争覆盖了全球主要国家和地区,技术布局主题广泛,因此,我国亟待培育有国际竞争力的本土创新研发机构。上述结果为政府及科研部门制定该领域技术创新引导政策,以及开展前瞻性研发布局和优化竞争决策提供参考。     

Population consequences of behaviour in the European bitterling (Rhodeus sericeus Cyprinidae)

Abstract –  The European bitterling is a freshwater fish with an unusual spawning symbiosis with freshwater mussels. Female bitterling possess long ovipositors that they use to place their eggs onto the gills of a mussel. Males fertilise the eggs by releasing sperm into the inhalant siphon of the mussel. The embryos develop inside the mussel for approximately a month, eventually leaving the mussel as actively swimming larvae. Because they use a discrete spawning site that can be readily manipulated they represent an ideal model for linking reproductive decisions with population dynamics. Bitterling have been used in field and large-scale pool experiments, in combination with modelling and population and genetic studies to investigate the population consequences of behaviour. Here we show how male mating tactics, female mate and oviposition decisions, and aggressive interference competition among juveniles, may have significant impacts on bitterling population size and population genetics.     

Oyster greening by outdoor mass culture of the diatom Haslea ostrearia Simonsen in enriched seawater

Oyster greening was first described in the seventeenth century as a natural phenomenon. However, it has recently been discovered that the diatom Haslea ostrearia Simonsen causes greening by synthesis of a blue pigment designated as ‘marennine’. This phenomenon, which involves massive proliferation of H. ostrearia in oyster ponds, was not understood or controlled by oyster farmers in the Marennes‐Oléron region (Atlantic coast of France). As greening oysters improved their market value, they tried to develop empirical methods to guarantee oyster fattening and improve profits. In this context, the present study investigated the feasibility of mass culture of diatoms outdoors in 10‐m³ ponds, using enriched seawater. Different biotic and abiotic parameters were monitored daily to determine the influence of the day–night temperature range. After 8 days, H. ostrearia was the dominant diatom species (66%), reaching a mean cell concentration of 2 × 10⁵ cell mL^?1 and a marennine concentration of 3.4 mg L^?1. Although intensive greening was obtained, further studies are required to optimize the production stages before this technology can be transferred to oyster farmers.     

黄土丘陵区撂荒草地不同生态位物种非结构性碳水化合物对氮添加的响应

为研究氮添加对不同生态位物种非结构性碳水化合物的影响。通过对黄土丘陵区典型撂荒草地进行3年的氮添加试验N0(0 g/(N·m²·a))、N3(3 g/(N·m²·a))、N6(6 g/(N·m²·a))和N9(9 g/(N·m²·a)),[JP]分析了不同生态位物种可溶性糖、淀粉和非结构性碳含量。结果表明:氮添加主要影响占据较高生态位的白羊草(Bothriochloa ischaemum)和长芒草(Stipa bungeana)的非结构性碳水化合物的储存,而对铁杆蒿(Artemisia sacrorum)和杂草影响较小。N6和N9处理对白羊草和长芒草非结构性碳、可溶性糖和淀粉的储存表现出明显的促进作用,这种作用在地上部分表现尤为明显。同时,植物相对重要值与植物地下非结构性碳和淀粉含量显著正相关,而与地上可溶性糖含量和可溶性糖/淀粉显著负相关。研究结果有利于加强对氮沉降背景下不同生态位物种碳储存及分配特征的认识。