A split-root apparatus for examining the effects of hydraulic lift by trees on the water status of neighbouring crops

We describe a split-root system for examining the effects of hydraulic lift by trees on crop growth. In this system, upper lateral tree roots were grown in a container set on the ground through which the taproot of the tree could penetrate into the moist soil below. The container, with a radius of 0.5 m and a height of 0.20 m, consisted of two compartments divided by a waterproof barrier. A markhamia tree (Markhamia lutea (Benth.) Schumann) and upland rice (Oryza sativa (L.)) plants were planted in one compartment, with only rice plants planted in the other compartment. Irrigation of the container was ceased at the start of the experiment. The stomatal conductance of the rice plants in the associated side, in which both trees and rice plants were grown, declined more rapidly during the first drying period than in the rice-only compartment, suggesting that there was competition for water between the tree and the crop plants. However, during the later drying period, the rice plants in the associated side were green and viable, while those in the rice-only side became desiccated. Rice roots were seen intermingling with tree roots, and the soil water content in the associated site tended to be higher than in the rice-only side. It is likely that hydraulic lift occurred in the associated side and that water that had been transferred to the surface roots was released into the soil, enabling the rice plants in this compartment to remain viable. This novel system is useful for examination of the effects of hydraulic lift by trees on the growth of neighbouring crops. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

油茶籽油微胶囊凝聚法工艺技术的研究

以阿拉伯胶和明胶为壁材的凝聚法生产茶油微胶囊的工艺过程及条件如下5%阿拉伯胶和5%明胶与一定量油茶籽油在60℃下乳化1min,在pH4.4下凝聚0.5h,10℃下固化1h,经离心和真空干燥即可.该法制备的微胶囊,有较高的含油率和包埋率.其粒径与凝聚时的搅拌速度密切相关,但其水溶性较差.     

Relationship between effective solar radiation and sap flow process during an entire growing season in Western Mountains of Beijing

In order to explore the relationship between the time processes of solar radiation and sap flow, sap flow velocity (SFV) of Platycladus orientalis and Pinus tabulaeformis, effective solar radiation (ESR) and other environmental factors were synchronously monitored for one year in the Beijing Western Mountains by using a thermal dissipation probe (TDP) system and an automatic weather station. Results showed significant differences between changes in diurnal characteristics of ESR and sap flow in sunny days during three seasons. Starting times of sap flow occurred generally 1.5–3 hours later than those of solar radiation and there were small differences between Platycladus orientalis and Pinus tabulaeformis. But peak times and stopping times of sap flow varied con-siderably with large contrasts in ESR. The duration of sap flow showed clear differences among the seasons owing to the variable rhythms of climate factors in Beijing. Fluctuation amplitude in the duration of sap flow remained relatively stable during the autumn but changed greatly during spring and summer. Changes in diurnal sap flow velocity of both Platycladus orientalis and Pinus tabu-laeformis were about 0–3 hours later than those of ESR but with the same configuration. The start of sap flow was mainly induced by the sudden intensification of ESR (sunrise effect). Seasonal models of SFV indicated that a cubic equation had the best fit. It was more practical to simulate seasonal water consumption models of trees with ESR. In further investigations, these models should be optimized.     

Altitudinal and longitudinal variations in Pinus brutia (Ten.) of Crete Island,Greece: some needle,cone and seed traits under natural habitats

Four populations representing the entire natural distribution range of Pinus brutia (Ten.) in Crete (Greece) were sampled to determine: (1) Altitudinal variation within populations of Lassithi, Vorizia, Koustagerako, and Samaria, and; (2) Longitudinal variation among the four populations, based on morphological and anatomical differences in cone, needle and seed characteristics. Samples were collected from 10 trees per altitude, at three altitudes in each population. A total of 12 morphological and anatomical traits from needles, cones and seeds were analyzed to assess the altitudinal and longitudinal variations of the species in the island. The number of teeth per cm showed significant (P<0.01) differences between altitudes in Samaria, Vorizia and Lassithi, while needle length, width and the number of resin canals showed significant differences (P<0.01) between altitudes in Koustagerako. Cone width showed patterns of variation along the altitudinal gradient in Koustagerako, Samaria and Vorizia. Most traits had their highest means at the middle altitudes (650masl) in all the four populations. Overall, no clear altitudinal differentiation was detected, probably due to high rate of gene flow. Longitudinal variability showed a clear pattern of differentiation along the east–west climatic gradient. Needle length, width, sheath length, number of teeth per cm and the number of resin canals were the most useful traits for determining the climatic gradient clines.     

Are Phenological Observations Sufficient to Estimate the Quality of Seed Crops from a <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus grandis</Emphasis> Open-pollinated Seed Orchard? Consequences for Seed Collections

Reproductive phenology was observed over three years in a Eucalyptus grandis seed orchard in Madagascar to determine the impact of geographic differences of parental selections on the expected genetic composition of seed crops. Pollen flow (observed pollen cloud) was deduced from a paternity assignment based on sampling from one year’s seed production. The two approaches were used to verify whether knowledge of phenology is sufficient to predict the genetic quality of the seeds collected. Despite the high flowering level, with a constant cycle over three years, the results demonstrated wide reproductive phenological differences associated with the parents’ origin, suggesting putative pollination disequilibrium. From both observed and expected pollen clouds, the results showed preferential mating among different provenances, which has consequences for seed crop composition. Phenological observations, which can be made inexpensively, can be used to promote methods of effective seed orchard management in order to improve the genetic quality of seeds.     

Financial feasibility of using shelterbelts for swine odor mitigation

A farm-level financial feasibility was performed to examine the use of shelterbelts as a swine odor mitigation technology. Shelterbelts are purposefully planted rows of trees and shrubs around the main sources of swine odor—swine buildings, manure storage systems, and crop fields that receive land applied manure. By using a series of model pork finishing farms and a number of differing shelterbelt design scenarios, the shelterbelt establishment and long-term (20 years) maintenance costs were calculated using a discounted cash flow analysis. Total costs for examined pork finishing farms, depending upon the shelterbelt design scenario, and whether or not government cost-share programming was used, ranged from $0.01 to $0.65 per pig produced. Study results emphasized the importance of cost-share programs, particularly Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP). In most cases, both with and without cost-share programming, the total costs were well below reported pork producer expenditures for odor management.

基于树干液流通量的沙地樟子松合理林分密度的确定

应用热扩散式树干茎流计(TDP)对辽宁省章古台樟子松人工固沙林生长季期间树干液流速率进行了连续5年的测定,结合同步观测的降水、林冠截留量、林内蒸发散量和土壤水分含量,利用水量平衡的方法,推算了现阶段樟子松应有的合理密度。结果表明:4月上中旬沙地樟子松液流启动,10月中下旬液流基本结束,生长季(4-10月)各月平均液流速率分别为2.58、4.78、5.19、5.01、4.84、4.30、1.93 cm·h^-1,以6月份的最高,其次依次为7、8、5、9月份,4、10两月平均液流速率较低。通过推算,径阶14、16、18、20 cm的樟子松纯林的合理密度分别应为688、531、422、344株·hm^-2,现有同径阶的林分普遍存在密度过大的问题。研究结果对于现有林分的科学经营具有重要的指导意义。     

耐高压双向椭圆齿轮微小流量计研究

提出了一种基于低偏心率椭圆齿轮转子适用于高压下微小流量计量的双向椭圆齿轮流量计结构,阐述了该种流量计的工作原理,给出了低偏心率椭圆齿轮转子的节曲线及齿廓方程,并设计了样机进行实验研究。实验表明,在31.5 MPa以下,0.05~3 L/min流量范围内的计量精度可达±0.5%,在0.03~3 L/min流量范围内的计量精度可达±1%,具有耐高压、结构简单、精度高、脉动小、可双向计量等优点。     

内循环厌氧反应器三相分离器性能的研究

三相分离器是厌氧反应器的核心部件,三相分离器研究的重点和难点在于揭示气液固三相分离过程。文章通过建立冷模实验系统探究了三相分离器气体分离收集的过程,并考察了曝气量、进水量对气相带水量、气相带水能力、颗粒流失等三相分离器性能的影响。研究结果表明:气相在三角堰内完成分离收集然后汇聚到集气室内,最后夹带一定量的液体由提升管排出;随着曝气量的增加,气泡逃逸量有所增加,颗粒流失加大,气相带水量不断增加,但是气相带水能力先增加后降低;进水量的变化不影响三相分离器的运行效果。研究结果为三相分离器的设计及稳定运行提供了理论基础。     

汇流口水流水力特性研究综述

综述了60多年来对汇流口水流的研究成果，提出汇流口分为“Y”型汇流口与“非对称型”汇流口两类。汇流口水流存在水流停滞区、流速偏向区、分离区、流速加速区、混合层区等。影响汇流口的主要控制因素有：汇流比、汇流角、河床高差、宽深比、汇流口下游干流弗劳德数等。尽管对汇流口水流的研究已经获得了丰硕的成果，但依然存在不少的问题：1、对“Y”型汇流口研究较少；2、汇流口水面形态的研究存在争论；3、有无螺旋流及螺旋流形式存在争议；4、实验室研究成果与野外实测成果存在差异。