Evidence for salt tolerance in pepper varieties (Capsicum annuum L.) in Tunisia

Summary Salt tolerance in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is described in terms of yield, mortality and root weight. Significant differences in absolute and in relative salt tolerance were demonstrated between Tunisian varieties. Relative salt tolerance of Beldi was found to be due to its root system which remained unreduced under stress condition; local adaptation could be involved. D'hirat showed interesting levels of absolute salt tolerance and low mortality. An EC_w-value \s-> 7.63 dS/m was critical for almost all characters observed, with reductions of approximately 50%. Fruit weight and shoot-root ratio were not significantly affected by high salt concentrations of the irrigation water.     

南方稻区早籼区试品种产量分析及育种刍议

通过对“六五”至“八五”期间南方稻区早籼区论资料分析表明，南方稻区早籼育种取得了明显进展，产量水平大约每5年提高4％～6％。产量水平得以提高的主要因素是每穗粒数和粒重的增加。但优质品种产量水平偏低，其主要原因是粒重偏低。     

Effects of CO2 enrichment on young plant growth of 96 genotypes of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum)

Summary The early growth of 96 genotypes of tomato was studied at 320 ppm CO₂ and at 750 ppm CO₂ in separate climate rooms. Plants were harvested at 40 and 55 days after sowing. Fresh and dry weights were determined. Large differences between genotypes were found for average plant fresh and dry weights and for relative growth rates. The average overall growth enhancement by CO₂ enrichment was 2.3. Two genotypes showed significant genotype x CO₂ interaction. The consequences of these results for tomato breeding are discussed.     

Relationship between relative water content during reproductive development and winter wheat grain yield

Summary Water is often the most limiting factor to winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production in the southern Great Plains of the U.S.A., yet the lack of reliable screening criteria has precluded direct selection for drought resistance in breeding programs. Previous work showed that leaf relative water content (RWC) was highly heritable when measured under field-drought conditions, but its adoption as a screening tool for yield improvement requires further investigation of the genetic relationship between grain yield and RWC. Plants representing high and low yield potential under drought stress, and a random group of plants, were selected from an F₂ population having the pedigree, TAM W-101/Sturdy. Two sets of entries, each comprised of the two parents and 24 F₂-derived lines, were evaluated under a rainshelter in the F₃ (1986) and F₄ (1987) generations to determine differences in leaf RWC during reproductive development. One set of entries did not receive any water after the jointing stage, and the other set was grown under well-watered conditions. A positive relationship was observed between grain yield and RWC measured during anthesis and mid-grain fill, as the high-yield selections maintained a significantly higher RWC than the low-yield selections. Grain yield and RWC were also positively associated among random selections segregating for both traits. Subsequent adjustment of genotype means for differences in reproductive development at time of sampling underscored the need to consider differences in maturity when RWC is the selection criterion.     

白银市相对资源承载力演化过程分析

为了弄清白银市的资源承载能力水平,运用相对资源承载力的研究思路,分别以全国、甘肃省和兰州市作为参照区,动态分析了该区域1996-2005年各种资源的相对承载力以及综合资源承载力。结果表明：①与全国或兰州市相比,白银市的综合资源承载力均处于超载状态,但近年来超载程度有所下降。2005年末,综合资源承载力均约为163万人,尚超载12万人。②与甘肃省相比,白银市的综合资源承载力处于富余状态,且有上升的态势。2005年末,综合资源承载力为231万人,富余56万人。③白银市自然资源对其综合资源承载力的贡献都最大,均在42%以上,是综合资源承载力的主要贡献源。以全国为参照区,社会资源对资源承载力增长的贡献最大,自然资源最小;以甘肃省为参照区,经济资源对资源承载力增长的的贡献最大,自然资源最小;以兰州市为参照区,自然资源对资源承载力增长的贡献最大,社会资源贡献最小。     

The agronomic benefit of phosphate rock application with elemental sulfur depends on the reactivity and fertilizer placement

Abstract

A possible way to improve phosphate rock (PR) agronomic performance is through the addition of elemental sulfur (S⁰). We used ³²P isotope dilution method to assess the P taken up by crops treated with PR. Two experiments, one with common bean and other with upland rice, were carried out, to evaluate the effect of S⁰ on the agronomic performance of two contrasting PR, applied in different methods. Gafsa (GPR) and Patos de Minas (PPR) were used as the high and low reactivity PR, respectively. The experiments were arranged in completely randomized design on factorial structure 2?×?2 × 2?+?2; which means 2 PR (GPR and PPR) versus 2?S⁰ condition (with or without-S⁰) versus 2 application methods (band and broadcast) plus 2 additional treatments (control and triple superphosphate). In band application the S⁰ increased the amount of P uptake by plants from fertilizer of GPR from 2.57 to 9.86?mg pot^?1 for common bean and of 2.26 to 7.05?mg pot^?1 to rice. Regardless the management adopted, less than 2% of P applied as PPR has been taken up by crops. The addition of S⁰ as a strategy to increase the agronomic performance of PR is PR characteristics dependent and fertilizers placement.     

Microwave l-band (1730 MHz) accurately estimates the relative water content in poplar leaves. A comparison with a near infrared water index (R1300/R1450)

In this study the estimation of reflectivity at 1730 MHz (l-band), measured with a microwave digital cordless telephony (DCT) patch antenna, is presented as an easy-to-handle and non-destructive new method to assess the relative water content (RWC) of poplar leaves and filter discs at different levels of dehydration. The accuracy of this new method has been contrasted with the R₁₃₀₀/R₁₄₅₀ index, determined by a portable near infrared (NIR) spectrometer. The close correlations found between RWC and the reflectivity at a frequency of 1730 MHz, both for filters and leaves, indicate that microwave determinations are rather independent of the physical properties of the material analysed. On the contrary, the differences found between poplar leaves and leaf filters in the relationships established between RWC and the R₁₃₀₀/R₁₄₅₀ index demonstrate a strong influence of the properties of the material in NIR reflectance measurements, specifically as they relate to changes in leaf thickness during dehydration. It should be noted that the amount of energy received by the leaf for the microwave technique (0.1 mW) was much lower than that received for the measuring of the R₁₃₀₀/R₁₄₅₀ index (2.5 W). Moreover, R-square coefficients were higher for microwaves than for the R₁₃₀₀/R₁₄₅₀ index. The use of a technologically simple, low cost and portable device, based on a microwave DCT patch antenna, could yield a solid support for the development of a commercial apparatus enabling the determination of plant water status under field conditions.     

Segetal and ruderal relatives of cultivated plants and the problems of their conservation and use: a Russian perspective

The paper presents a survey of the situation existing now in nature with wild relatives of crop species from the group of segetal and ruderal plants, found within the territories of Russia and of other CIS countries. The majority of non-specialized annual and perennial weeds have been shown still to occur in the territory of the former USSR. For the past 50 years they have not seriously vanished from agriculture. Some of them even have a tendency to expand their areas and to become more abundant. Hence they need not be conserved in gene banks. It is only for a relatively small group of species of specialized contaminants that care should be taken to preserve them and to store their seeds in gene banks.     

相对SPAD值用于不同品种夏玉米氮肥管理的研究

采用田间试验研究了不同氮肥处理、不同玉米品种及关键生育期间的SPAD值差异和基于相对SPAD阈值的氮肥管理对氮肥用量、子粒产量、氮肥利用率和土壤氮素变化的影响。结果表明,两品种玉米各关键生育期的SPAD值开始随施氮量的增加而显著增加,施氮量超过N 210 kg /hm2后不再显著增加;郑单958和冀农一号大喇叭口期的相对SPAD值与产量的关系符合线性加平台模型,其平台相对SPAD值分别为0.976和0.981;两玉米品种和不同生育期间的绝对SPAD值差异显著,利用相对SPAD值可消除品种和生育期间的SPAD值差异。玉米关键生育期追肥量和总施氮量均随预设相对SPAD阈值的增加而增加,基于相对SPAD阈值的氮肥管理能在保持高产的同时较农民习惯施肥显著降低氮肥用量、田间氮素表观损失和收获后土壤无机氮残留、提高氮肥利用率;本试验条件下,保持玉米高产高效的适宜相对SPAD阈值为0.95～0.98,此阈值管理下,郑单958和冀农一号的产量较农民习惯施肥没有降低,而氮肥用量降低了42%,氮肥回收利用率和农学效率分别增加了18.6、20.0个百分点和6.0、6.5 kg/kg。     

城市土地集约利用评价及障碍因子诊断——基于生态健康与低碳发展视角

[目的]揭示京津冀地区城市土地集约利用状况,为生态健康与低碳发展视域下的城市土地集约利用提供理论基础。[方法]相对熵组合赋权法、多因素综合评价法、协调度测算法和障碍因子诊断法。[结果](1)京津冀地区城市土地集约利用水平呈现出以京津为核心的“十字形”扩散态势。(2)系统协调度与土地集约利用水平之间显著相关,但不同城市间存在相对差异。(3)高度集约区的北京市和天津市,主要障碍因子集中在与生态健康和低碳环保有关的指标上;中度集约区的秦皇岛市和唐山市,主要障碍因子集中在与土地利用程度和布局相关的指标上,石家庄、邯郸和保定地区则集中在与生态健康相关的指标上;低度集约区的沧州、廊坊和邢台地区的主要障碍因子集中在与生态环境和低碳投入相关的指标上,承德和衡水地区集中在与经济发展和土地投入相关的指标上;粗放利用区的张家口,主要障碍因子集中在与经济发展和生态保护相关的指标上。[结论]将生态健康与低碳发展理念纳入城市土地集约利用研究中,可以较为科学全面地刻画出城市土地集约利用状况,为今后城市土地的科学利用提供决策支持。