Microsite differences in fungal hyphal length, glomalin, and soil aggregate stability in semiarid Mediterranean steppes

Glomalin is a recently discovered glypoproteinaceous substance produced by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) that plays an important role in structuring soil. We quantified soil fungal hyphal length and glomalin content at vegetated and open microsites in Stipa tenacissima steppes of SE Spain. Soils underneath the canopy of S. tenacissima had higher glomalin pools compared to open microsites. We also found significant differences between sites, suggesting the presence of landscape level heterogeneity in glomalin concentration. Soil fungal hyphal length also differed significantly among the sites, but there was no significant effect of microsite. Water-stable aggregates (1-2 mm diameter; WSA_1-2 mm), however, while differing among sites, did not vary as a function of microsite. Furthermore, WSA_1-2 mm was negatively correlated with glomalin fractions, as well as soil organic C. Carbonates were likely the major binding agents in these carbonate-rich (average carbonate content: 71%) soils, and not organic C (including glomalin). AMF-mediated stabilization of soil aggregates did not contribute to the formation and maintenance of fertile islands underneath the canopy of S. tenacissima.     

Interaction between AM fungi and a liquid organic amendment with respect to enhancement of the performance of the leguminous shrub Retama sphaerocarpa

This study examined the interactions between the inoculation with three arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, namely, Glomus intraradices, Glomus deserticola and Glomus mosseae, and the addition of a liquid organic amendment at different rates (0, 50, 100 or 300 mg C of liquid amendment per kilogram soil) obtained by alkaline extraction of composted dry olive residue with respect to their effects on growth of Retama sphaerocarpa seedlings and on some microbiological and physical properties of soil. One year after planting, both mycorrhizal inoculation treatments and the addition of amendment had increased plant growth and dehydrogenase, urease and benzoyl argininamide hydrolysing activities. The inoculation with G. mosseae increased plant growth to a greater extent than the addition of the amendment (about 35% greater than plants grown in the amended soil and about 79% greater than control plants) and both treatments produced similar increases in soil aggregate stability (about 31% higher than control soil). The organic amendment produced a very significant decrease in the levels of microbial biomass C and a strong increase in soil dehydrogenase and urease activities, which were proportional to the amendment rate. Only the combined treatment involving the addition of a medium dose of amendment (100 mg C kg⁻¹ soil) and the mycorrhizal inoculation with G. intraradices or G. deserticola produced an additive effect on the plant growth with respect to the treatments applied individually (about 77% greater than plants grown in the amended soil and about 63% greater than inoculated plants).     

Soil quality attributes of conservation management regimes in a semi-arid region of south western Spain

Soil quality is essential for plant growth and terrestrial ecosystem maintenance. Although soil properties can be influenced by the agricultural production system, this influence has seldom been studied under semi-arid Mediterranean conditions. We analyzed the effect of the management system on soil physical and chemical parameters and soil microbial communities over three consecutive years under different conventional and conservation management regimes: conventional tillage (CT), direct seeding (DS), direct seeding with a winter crop cover (DSC), and long-term conservation management after nine consecutive years of direct seeding with winter cover (DSC^LT). The study was conducted on a maize (Zea mays L.) crop under irrigation in south western Spain. An improvement of the physical, chemical and biological parameters of the DS and DSC soils with respect to the CT soil was observed after two years management. Soil water content increased around 30% during the three years in the DS and DSC soils; organic C, nitrogen, and aggregate stability increased after the second year; total culturable microorganisms were twice as numerous in DSC^LT as in the CT soil; and soil penetration resistance was 50% less in all soils under any of the conservation management regimes. Hence, there was a major improvement in soil quality related to a potential increase of crop yields, and a reduced environmental impact, after short-term as well as after long-term conservation management.     

甘肃中部半干旱区紫花苜蓿耗水规律及土壤水分变化特征研究

利用大型蒸渗仪于2001—2002年连续2年测定的甘肃中部半干旱地区紫花苜蓿生长期日耗水量以及土壤水分资料，分析研究了耗水规律和土壤水分变化特征。结果表明：紫花苜蓿全生长期总耗水量约在382．9mm左右，日耗水量随降水量的增大而增大，在整个生长期内基本呈现周期性正弦曲线波动，土壤水分的周年变化可划分为3个时期：春季失墒期、夏季波动变化期、秋季增墒期；垂直变化分为3个层次：多变层(0～30cm)、缓变层(30—10Ocm)、稳变层(100～200cm)。     

Processes and mechanisms of desertification in northern China during the last 30 years,with a special reference to the Hunshandake Sandy Land,eastern Inner Mongolia

Desertification has been widely recognized as one of the most serious environmental problems in China, although its concept and causes are still debated in scientific communities. The semi-arid region in northeastern China, located on northern margin of eastern Asian summer monsoon, is ideal for investigating the processes and mechanisms of desertification because of its very sensitive ecosystem. Using the Hunshandake Sandy Land of eastern Inner Mongolia, a former dormant dunes and wetlands environment, we monitored the variation of the desertified land and the wetlands in order to assess the climatic and human impacts on the processes of desertification. The research methods included digital image processing of LANDSAT data and ground checks. The remote sensing data from the last three decades show that the wetlands were larger in 1975 and 1992 than in 1989 and 2001. The variation of the extension of mobile dunes is in inverse proportion to that of wetlands. The main process of desertification is the reactivation of dormant sand dunes. The changes of wetlands and desertified lands correlate considerably well with the variations of local precipitation and temperature, suggesting that climate might be the key factor triggering desertification in the Hunshandake. In other sandy lands of China, however, human activities might be the key factor causing desertification and land degradation.     

Soil management options for Alfisols in the semi-arid tropics: annual and perennial crop production

A field experiment was conducted in the semi arid tropics to study the effects of soil structural modification on cropping systems. The aim was to improve crop production and land resource protection using innovative soil management practices. Tillage, mulch and perennial/annual rotational based systems were compared for 5 years in an Alfisol at ICRISAT in India. Crop yield parameters, including grain and biomass yield, leaf area index, crop cover, and plant height were measured. Results indicate significant benefits to annual crop yield (maize, sorghum) from improved water supply due to mulching with farmyard manure or and rice straw, and due to rotation with prior-perennial crops. Grain yields were 16 to 59% higher in mulched treatments compared to unmulched treatments, with similar increases for fodder yields. Annual crop yields after 4 years of perennials were 14 to 81% higher than unmulched treatments, except for low fertility maize grown after buffel grass. The interaction with chemical fertility was less clear than for water supply. The results have implications for soil management throughout the semi-arid tropics.     

酒竹纤维形态结构特性的初步研究

本文通过分析酒竹不同年龄、不同节段的竹材纤维构造,探讨了竹材纤维构造参数的变化规律,为酒竹人工林的定向培育提供基础数据。实验发现:酒竹竹材纤维细胞细长,两端渐尖,有时在端部出现分叉现象,其腔径较小,胞壁较厚;竹材节部的纤维形态与节间不同,具有钝的尾端,存在分叉现象,与节间的纤维相比节部的长度短很多。酒竹纤维长度轴向变化规律为:中部上部基部,纤维的长度与节间的长度相关;酒竹各部位的纤维宽度与以往研究不同,其1年生竹材纤维宽度中部基部上部;秆材的年龄和部位会对酒竹纤维的形态指标造成一定程度的影响。酒竹可作为优质纸张的纸浆原料,在其利用过程中应充分考虑竹材的采伐年龄及部位,以达到竹材的最大利用率。     

Soil respiration response to precipitation reduction in a grassland and a Mongolian pine plantation in semi-arid northeast China

Climate change is predicted to alter global precipitation regimes.However,the response of soil carbon and nitrogen cycles and soil microorganisms to precipitation reduction is poorly understood but is dependent on ecosystem type.To evaluate the impacts of reduced precipitation on soil respiration,soil inorganic nitrogen(i.e.,NH4^+–N and NO3^-–N),nitrogen mineralization,and soil microbial community composition,a precipitation manipulation experiment was initiated in a Mongolian pine plantation and a naturally restored grassland in semi-arid northeast China.Precipitation reduction led to decreases of soil respiration rates by 14 and 8%in 2014 and 2015 in the Mongolian pine plantation but no changes in the grassland.Soil inorganic nitrogen,ammonification and nitrification rate,and soil phospholipids fatty acids were not significantly changed by reduced precipitation but significantly differed between the two ecosystems and among growing seasons.Our results suggest that the impacts of precipitation reduction on soil respiration were different between the Mongolian pine plantation and the grassland,and that ecosystem type and growing season had more pronounced impacts on soil carbon and nitrogen cycles.     

旱地全膜双垄沟播玉米水分变化特征探讨

2008年在会宁县四方吴乡三房吴村进行了全膜双垄沟播玉米需水动态测定。结果表明：在半干旱地区全膜双垄沟播玉米生育期需水264mm左右,造成干旱的原因不是降水总量不足,而是降水与玉米生长发育期需水不吻合,尤其是玉米进入大喇叭口期,需水进入高峰期,此期需降水补充,如无有效降水,应采用集雨补灌等主动抗旱措施。