Spatial distribution of soil carbon in pastures with cow-calf operation: effects of slope aspect and slope position

Background, aim, and scope  

The rate at which soil carbon (C) accumulates in terrestrial beef agro-ecosystem is uncertain, as are the mechanisms responsible for the current C sink. Broad knowledge of cattle movement in pasture situations is critical to understanding their impact on agro-ecosystems. Movement of free-ranging cattle varies due to spatial arrangement of forage resources within pastures and the proximity of water, mineral feeders, and shades to grazing sites. The effects of slope aspect (SA) and slope position (SP) on nutrient dynamics in pastures are not well understood. Few studies have been made of soil-vegetation and soil-landscape relationships along an elevation gradient in tropical and subtropical regions. Current literature suggests no clear general relationships between grazing management and nutrient cycling. Early study reported no effect of grazing on soils nutrients, while other studies determined increases in soil nutrients due to grazing. We hypothesize that SA and SP could be of relative importance in controlling spatial variability of soil organic carbon (SOC). This study addressed the effects of SA and SP on the spatial distribution of SOC in forage-based pastures with cow-calf operation in subtropical region of southeastern USA.     

基于修正双作物系数模型估算温室黄瓜不同季节腾发量

为估算温室黄瓜植株蒸腾与土面蒸发,该研究基于FAO-56推荐的双作物系数模型,应用温室内实测微气象、叶面积指数(LAI)及土壤水分数据,对模型中基础作物系数(Kcb)和土面蒸发系数(Ke)进行修正,并基于修正后FAO-56Penman-Monteith(P-M)模型,确定温室参考作物蒸发蒸腾量(ET0),进而估算温室黄瓜蒸发蒸腾量(ETc)和植株蒸腾(Tr)。基于Venlo型温室内黄瓜不同种植季节(春夏季和秋冬季)Lysimeter和茎流计观测的黄瓜ETc和Tr,对修正后的双作物系数模型预测结果进行验证。结果表明,应用修正后的双作物系数模型估算的温室黄瓜ETc和Tr与实测值具有较好地一致性,春夏季温室黄瓜全生育期ETc估算值与实测值的日均值分别为3.05和2.94 mm/d,秋冬季分别为2.53和2.76 mm/d。修正后的双作物系数模型估算春夏季温室黄瓜日ETc的决定系数(R2)、均方根误差(RMSE)和模型效率系数(Ens)分别为0.95、0.41 mm/d和0.93;估算秋冬季ETc的误差计算结果依次为0.91(R2)、0.48 mm/d(RMSE)和0.90(Ens)。修正后的双作物系数模型估算春夏季日平均Tr与实测值分别为2.37和2.19mm/d,秋冬季分别为1.43和1.34 mm/d。研究结果还显示,不同种植季节温室黄瓜全生育期日平均Tr占ETc的比例分别为64.62%(春夏季)和68.59%(秋冬季)。该研究成果不仅为制定准确的温室黄瓜灌溉制度提供了理论依据,而且对实现温室环境智能化控制及减少温室内无效的土面蒸发具有重要意义。     

微喷灌结合滴灌对温室高温环境和作物生长生理特性的影响

微喷灌结合滴灌是指在作物根区滴灌的基础上对作物冠层进行微喷灌来改善作物生长环境的一种灌水方式。为了探明微喷灌结合滴灌（micro-sprinkler irrigation combined with drip irrigation,MSDI）和地表滴灌（surface drip irrigation,SDI）2种灌水方式下温室高温环境及作物生长生理特性的差异及响应规律,该研究以黄瓜为试验对象,于2017年2－6月开展了2种灌水方式下温室环境及黄瓜生长生理特性的观测试验。结果表明：在改变温室环境方面,MSDI灌水方式较SDI可增加温室内相对湿度,降低气温,同时降低叶片温度约4℃;在作物生长生理特性方面,采用MSDI可增加黄瓜株高与茎粗,降低作物茎流速率,促进黄瓜生长;2种灌水方式下黄瓜最大光合效率几乎一致,分别为0.74和0.77,但日平均实际光合效率差异明显,分别为0.57和0.47,MSDI灌水方式下黄瓜叶片日平均气孔导度和光合速率比SDI方式分别高182.8%和92.4%。该研究成果对于合理调控温室高温环境、提高温室作物产量具有重要的指导意义。     

Temperature-dependent oxide removal from manganese- and iron oxide-coated soil redox bars

Purpose

Soil temperature is a fundamental parameter affecting not only microbial activity but also manganese (Mn^III,IV) and iron (Fe^III) oxide reduction rates. The relationship between Mn^III,IV oxide removal from oxide-coated redox bars is missing at present. This study investigated the effect of variable soil temperatures on oxide removal by Mn^III,IV and Fe^III oxide-coated redox bars in water-saturated soil columns in the laboratory.

Materials and methods

The Mn coatings contained the mineral birnessite, whereas the Fe coatings contained a mixture of ferrihydrite and goethite. Additionally, platinum (Pt) electrodes designed to measure the redox potential (E_H) were installed in the soil columns, which were filled with either a humic topsoil with an organic carbon (C_org) content of 85 g kg^?1 (pH 5.8) or a subsoil containing 2 g C_org kg^?1 (pH 7.5). Experiments were performed at 5, 15, and 25 °C.

Results and discussion

Although elevated soil temperatures accelerated the decrease in E_H after water saturation in the topsoil, no E_H decreases regardless of soil temperature occurred in the subsoil. Besides soil temperature, the importance of soil organic matter as an electron donor is highlighted in this case. Complete removal of the Mn^III,IV oxide coating was observed after 28, 14, and 7 days in the soil columns filled with topsoil at 5, 15, and 25 °C, respectively. Along the Fe redox bars, Fe^III reducing conditions first appeared at 15 °C and oxide removal was enhanced at 25 °C because of lower E_H, with the preferential dissolution of ferrihydrite over goethite as revealed by visual differences in the Fe^III oxide coating. Oxide removal along redox bars followed the thermodynamics of the applied minerals in the order birnessite > ferrihydrite > goethite.

Conclusions

In line with Van’t Hoff’s rule, turnover rates of Mn^III,IV and Fe^III oxide reduction increased as a result of increased soil temperatures. Taking into account the stability lines of the designated minerals, E_H-pH conditions were in accordance with oxide removal. Soil temperature must therefore be considered a master variable when evaluating the oxide removal of redox bars employed for the monitoring of soil redox status.

     

Penman-Monteith模型模拟Venlo型温室黄瓜植株蒸腾

准确模拟温室作物蒸腾对于制定科学合理的灌溉制度及温室环境调控具有重要意义,该研究基于2017年秋冬季和2018年春夏季Venlo型温室黄瓜生育期内微气象数据、黄瓜生长发育指标和植株蒸腾,对Penman-Monteith(PM)模型中关键参数—冠层阻力和空气动力学阻力进行研究。通过分析黄瓜叶片孔阻力与温室内气象因子的响应关系,构建了由黄瓜有效叶面积指数及叶片孔阻力模拟冠层阻力的子模型;采用基于风速的Perrier对数法和基于温室对流类型的热传输系数法计算温室内低风速环境下的空气动力学阻力,并评价不同方法的适用性。结果表明:叶片孔阻力与太阳辐射呈指数关系(R~2=0.89),可通过观测温室内太阳辐射计算黄瓜叶片孔阻力;应用热传输系数法确定空气动力学阻力时,温室内对流类型绝大多数时间为混合对流;2种方法计算的温室内空气动力学阻力变化幅度均较小,Perrier对数法计算的春夏季和秋冬季空气动力学阻力平均值分别为388和383 s/m,热传输系数法计算的空气动力学阻力平均值分别为141和158 s/m;基于2种空气动力学阻力计算方法,PM模型模拟的植株蒸腾与实测值均具有较好的一致性,但采用Perrier对数法计算空气动力学阻力时,PM模型低估了植株蒸腾,春夏季和秋冬季拟合线斜率分别为0.87和0.91;而采用热传输系数法计算空气动力学阻力时,PM模型可更准确的模拟该地区温室黄瓜植株蒸腾,春夏季和秋冬季拟合线斜率分别为1.00和0.94,R~2分别为0.91和0.95,均方根误差分别为46.15和12.45 W/m~2。该研究结果为实现PM模型在Venlo型温室环境的准确应用提供了参考。     

Effects of Vermicompost and Vermiwash on Plant,Phenolic Content,and Anti-oxidant Activity of Mexican Pepperleaf (Piper auritum Kunth) Cultivated in Phosphate Rock Potting Media

The aim of this investigation was to determine the effect of vermicompost, vermiwash, and phosphate rock on plant, total phenols, flavonoids, and anti-oxidant activity in Piper auritum Kunth leaves. P. auritum plants were obtained from cuttings and were planted according to the Box-Behnken experimental design with three repetitions at the central point. The factors and levels were vermicompost (10, 20, and 30 g plant^?1), vermiwash (5, 10, and 15 mL plant^?1), and phosphate rock (1, 2, and 3 g plant^?1). Plant growth parameters (plant height, stem diameter, leaves number) and chlorophyll content were measured 1 month after treatment applications. Total phenols, total flavonoids, and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl radical scavenging activity was measured after 4 months. Vermicompost, vermiwash, and phosphate rock had no statistically significant effect on plant growth. Plant height, stem diameter, leaves number, chlorophyll, innermost number, fresh weight stem, fresh weight leaves, fresh weight root, dry weight stem, dry weight leaves, and dry weight root were not different among treatments. Total phenolic compounds were statistically affected for both vermiwash and phosphoric rock (p < 0.05) and the anti-oxidant activity decreased by vermicompost addition. The application of 15 mL plant^?1 vermiwash, 1 g phosphate rock, and 20 g vermicompost plant^?1 increased the total phenol content.     

PESO: a modelling framework to help improve management strategies for epidemics – application to sharka

The optimization of management strategies for plant diseases is a difficult task because of the complexity and variability of epidemic dynamics. Thanks to their ability to numerically simulate many scenarios, models can be used to estimate epidemiological parameters, assess the effectiveness of different management strategies and optimize them. This article presents the PESO (parameter estimation–simulation–optimization) modelling framework to help improve plant disease management strategies. This framework is based on (i) the characterization of the epidemic dynamics to estimate key epidemiological parameters, (ii) the use of spatially explicit models to simulate epidemic dynamics and disease management, and (iii) the use of numerical optimization methods to identify better management strategies. This approach is generic and can be applied to many diseases. The work presented here focuses on sharka (caused by Plum pox virus), which has a worldwide impact on the Prunus industry, and is associated with huge disease management costs in many countries, especially in France.     

Differential expression of molecular rust resistance components have distinctive profiles in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Coffea arabica</Emphasis> - <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hemileia vastatrix</Emphasis> interactions

Countering the economic hurdle caused by coffee leaf rust disease is most appealing at this time as it has posed a major threat to coffee production around the world. Establishing differential expression profiles at different times following pathogen invasion in both innate and acquired immunities unlocks the molecular components of resistance and susceptibility. Suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) was used to identify genes differentially over-expressed and repressed during incompatible and compatible interactions between Coffea arabica and Hemileia vastatrix. From 433 clones of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) sequenced, 352 were annotated and categorized of which the proportion of genes expressed during compatible interaction were relatively smaller. The result showed upregulation and downregulation of various genes at 12 and 24 h after pathogen inoculation in both interactions. The use of four different databases in searching for gene homology resulted in different number of similar sequences. BLASTx against EMBL-EBI (European Molecular Biology Laboratory-European Bioinformatics Institute) database being with the maximum (100%) hits for all the annotated sequences. RT-qPCR analysis of seven resistance-signaling genes showed similar expression patterns for most of the genes in both interactions, indicating these genes are involved in basal (non-specific) defense during which immune reactions are similar. Using SSH, we identified different types of resistance related genes that could be used for further studies towards resistant cultivar development. The potential role of some of the resistance related proteins found were also discussed.     

A Hierarchical Perspective to Woody Plant Encroachment for Conservation of Prairie-Chickens

Encroachment of Great Plains grasslands by fire-sensitive woody plants is a large-scale, regional process that fragments grassland landscapes. Using prairie grouse (Tympanuchus spp.) of conservation concern, we apply hierarchy theory to demonstrate how regional processes constrain lower-level processes and reduce the success of local management. For example, fire and grazing management may be locally important to conservation, but the application of fire and grazing disturbances rarely cause irreversible fragmentation of grasslands in the Great Plains. These disturbance processes cause short-term alterations in vegetation conditions that can be positive or negative, but from a long-term perspective fire maintains large tracts of continuous rangelands by limiting woody plant encroachment. Conservation efforts for prairie grouse should be focused on landscape processes that contribute to landscape fragmentation, such as increased dominance of trees or conversion to other land uses. In fact, reliance on local management (e.g., maintaining vegetation structure) to alter prairie grouse vital rates is less important to grouse population persistence given contemporary landscape level changes. Changing grass height, litter depth, or increasing the cover of forbs may impact a few remaining prairie-chickens, but it will not create useable space at a scale relevant to the historic conditions that existed before land conversion and fire suppression.     

Wheat grain quality under increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations in a semi-arid cropping system

We investigated wheat (Triticum aestivum) grain quality under Free Air CO₂ Enrichment (FACE) of 550 ± 10% CO₂ μmol mol⁻¹. In each of two full growing seasons (2008 and 2009), two times of sowing were compared, with late sowing designed to mimic high temperature during grain filling. Grain samples were subjected to a range of physical, nutritional and rheological quality assessments. Elevated CO₂ increased thousand grain weight (8%) and grain diameter (5%). Flour protein concentration was reduced by 11% at e[CO₂], with the highest reduction being observed at the late time of sowing in 2009, (15%). Most of the grain mineral concentrations decreased under e[CO₂] - Ca (11%), Mg (7%), P (11%) and S (7%), Fe (10%), Zn (17%), Na (19%), while total uptake of these nutrients per unit ground area increased. Rheological properties of the flour were altered by e[CO₂] and bread volume reduced by 7%. Phytate concentration in grains tended to decrease (17%) at e[CO₂] while grain fructan concentration remained unchanged. The data suggest that rising atmospheric [CO₂] will reduce the nutritional and rheological quality of wheat grain, but at high temperature, e[CO₂] effects may be moderated. Reduced phytate concentrations at e[CO₂] may improve bioavailability of Fe and Zn in wheat grain.