Magnesium deficiency–induced impairment of photosynthesis in leaves of fruiting Citrus reticulata trees accompanied by up‐regulation of antioxidant metabolism to avoid photo‐oxidative damage

Limited data are available on the physiological responses of leaves from fruiting trees to magnesium (Mg) deficiency. Magnesium deficiency–induced effects on photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry in leaves of fruiting (Citrus reticulate cv. Ponkan) trees were assessed by the chlorophyll a fluorescence (OJIP) transient. Magnesium deficiency decreased leaf CO₂ assimilation and carbohydrates, but had no effect on intercellular CO₂ concentration. Activity of ribulose‐1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) and concentrations of Chlorophyll (Chl) and carotenoids (Car) decreased to a lesser extent than CO₂ assimilation. Chlorophyll a fluorescence transient from Mg‐deficient leaves had increased O step and decreased P step, accompanied by positive ΔL, ΔK, ΔJ, and ΔI bands. Magnesium deficiency decreased maximum quantum yield of primary photochemistry (F_v/F_m), quantum yield of electron transport from Q<$>_A^‐<$> to the photosystem I (PSI) end electron acceptors (φ_R0), maximum amplitude of IP phase and total performance index (PI_{tot, abs}), but increased deactiviation of oxygen‐evolving complex (OEC) and energy dissipation. Magnesium‐deficient leaves had higher or similar activities of antioxidant enzymes except for lower catalase (CAT) activity, higher or similar concentrations of antioxidant metabolites, and a higher ratio of Car : Chl. Magnesium‐deficiency did not affect concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) and ratios of ascorbate (ASC) to ASC + dehydroascorbate (DHA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) to GSH + oxidized glutathione (GSSG). In conclusion, Mg deficiency–induced impairment of the whole photosynthetic electron transport chain may be the main factor contributing to decreased CO₂ assimilation. Enhanced energy dissipation and antioxidant metabolism provide sufficient protection to Mg‐deficient leaves against photo‐oxidative damage.     

Late nitrogen fertilization affects nitrogen remobilization in wheat

A pot experiment with wheat plants was carried out to study how late application of nitrogen (N) fertilizer affects the use of pre‐anthesis N reserves during the grain‐filling period. Increasing doses of N fertilizer were applied (0, 40, and 52 mg N plant^–1), either in two amendments (growth stages GS20 and GS30, according to Zadoks scale) or in three amendments (GS20, GS30, and GS37). The experiment was arranged in a complete randomized three‐block design with 129 plants per treatment. The plants were watered daily, harvested every 2 d between anthesis and maturity, and were separated into roots, leaf sheaths, leaf blades, and ears for further N determination. Grain N concentration improved due to a late N application in GS37 by 14% (higher N dose) and by 7% (further splitting the same N‐fertilizer dose, respectively). The higher the N‐fertilizer dose applied, the greater was the amount of pre‐anthesis reserves in vegetative organs, these reserves became later available for remobilization. Although splitting the same N dose in three amendments did not increase the N reserves, these reserves were more efficiently remobilized allowing an improvement in grain N concentration. The fertilizer management did not change the temporary pattern of N accumulation in the ear, but did induce a change in the amount of N remobilized and in the contribution of each organ (root, leaf sheath, leaf blade) to this remobilization. Late N amendment allowed a greater N availability of leaf blades and ear N reserves (from 20% up to 26% and from 19% up to 22%, respectively) for remobilization towards the grain, decreasing the root contribution from 28% down to 15%, while the contribution of leaf sheaths was maintained around 35% irrespective of the N applied.     

Analysis of ammonia losses after field application of biogas slurries by an empirical model

Due to energy crises and stricter environmental regulations, renewable energy sources like bio‐methane produced by anaerobic digestion (biogas) become increasingly important. However, the application of slurries produced by biogas fermentation to agricultural land and subsequent ammonia emission may also create environmental risks to the atmosphere and to N‐limited ecosystems. Evaluating ammonia loss from agricultural land by model simulation is an important tool of agricultural‐systems analysis. The objective of this study was the systematical comparison of ammonia volatilization after application of two types of biogas slurries containing high amounts of energy crops in comparison with conventional animal slurries and to investigate the relative importance of factors affecting the emission process through an empirical model. A high number of ammonia‐loss field measurements were carried out in the years 2007/08 in biogas cropping systems in N Germany. The study consisted of simultaneous measurement of NH₃ losses from animal and biogas slurries in multiple‐plot field experiments with different N‐fertilization levels. The derived empirical model for the calculation of NH₃ losses based on explanatory variables gave good predictions of ammonia emission for both biogas and pig slurries. The root mean square error (RMSE) and mean bias error (MBE) of the empirical model for validation data were 2.19 kg N ha^–1 (rRMSE 29%) and –1.19 kg N ha^–1, respectively. Biogas slurries produced highest NH₃ emissions compared to the two animal slurries. In view of the explanatory variables included in the model, total NH$ _4^+ $ application rate, slurry type, temperature, precipitation, crop type, and leaf‐area index were important for ammonia‐volatilization losses.     

Root‐growth characteristics contributing to genotypic variation in nitrogen efficiency of oilseed rape

A 3‐year field experiment was carried out to determine the significance of root‐growth characteristics contributing to N‐uptake efficiency of two oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) cultivars differing in N efficiency. Two N treatments were applied, and the core and minirhizotron techniques were used to study root‐length density and number of living roots, respectively. Fertilizer‐N supply increased shoot dry matter, grain yield, total N uptake, and total soil N_min contents particularly in the top soil. Although significant differences occurred in all parameters between years, the interactions between years and cultivars were mostly not significant. Compared to cv. Capitol, the N‐efficient cv. Apex was characterized by a higher grain yield at N0 and a higher N uptake during reproductive growth. This genotype also had a higher root‐length density and more living fine roots particularly in the topsoil layer. Root growth of this genotype was especially high from beginning of shooting to beginning of flowering, while shoot growth and N uptake during vegetative growth were comparatively low. Our results suggest that N‐efficient cultivars can be characterized by a high investment in root growth during the vegetative stage with a comparatively slow shoot growth and N‐uptake rate until beginning of flowering, which, however, continues during reproductive growth. High root production only during reproductive growth seems to be less effective to achieve high N efficiency, because this may lead to a shortage of assimilates for seed filling. High root‐length density at vegetative stages may thus be advantageous for N uptake and reproductive growth and could be a useful morphological character for the selection and breeding of N‐efficient cultivars.     

氮肥用量对滨海滩涂区甘薯干物质积累、氮素效率和钾钠吸收的影响

我国沿海滩涂种植能源作物甘薯有广阔的前景。为确定苏北滩涂区甘薯适宜施氮量,比较了6个施氮水平下甘薯的成活率(SR)、商品率(CR)、蔓薯比(V/T)、干物质积累(DMA)、氮素累积值(NAV)、氮利用效率(NUE)、氮收获指数(NHI)及钾钠吸收的差异。结果表明:(1)施氮量与甘薯地上部分DMA和NAV均呈极显著正相关(P<0.01,余同),对地下部分NAV影响较小(P>0.05)。(2)与不施氮比较,施氮60 kg(N)·hm-2对甘薯的V/T、SR、NUE和NHI均无显著影响。(3)甘薯的CR、地下部分和块根DMA以及理论产量(NAV×NUE×NHI)均以施氮60 kg(N)·hm-2显著高于其他处理。施氮量超过60 kg(N)·hm-2,施氮量与甘薯的V/T值呈极显著正相关,与SR、CR、NUE、NHI、地下部分和块根DMA均呈极显著负相关。(4)甘薯对钾钠的吸收量均随施氮量的增加而增加,二者呈极显著正相关。甘薯地上部分钾钠含量均在施氮量为60 kg(N)·hm-2时达到最高值。施氮量对钾钠含量比没有影响。因此,苏北滩涂区甘薯适宜施氮量为60 kg(N)·hm-2。     

秸秆还田方式和氮肥类型对黄淮海平原夏玉米土壤呼吸的影响

为了研究黄淮海平原不同秸秆还田方式和施氮类型对夏玉米农田生态系统土壤呼吸的影响,于2010年6—10月,采用LI-COR-6400-09土壤气室连接红外线气体分析仪(IRGA)对玉米农田行间掩埋秸秆区的土壤呼吸作用进行了连续测定。结果表明,常规施肥下,玉米生育期内秸秆行间掩埋处理(ISFR)的平均土壤呼吸速率显著高于秸秆移除(NSFR)和秸秆覆盖(SFR)处理(P<0.05)。秸秆行间掩埋配合施用化学氮肥处理中,配施50.4 kg(N).hm 2处理(ISF3)的平均土壤呼吸速率为(178.85±46.60)mg(C).m 2.h 1,显著高于配施33.6 kg(N).hm 2处理(ISF2)的(124.11±23.18)mg(C).m 2.h 1(P<0.05)。秸秆行间掩埋配合施用鸡粪处理中,鸡粪施用量为33.6kg(N).hm 2(ISOM2)处理的平均土壤呼吸速率为(208.08±31.54)mg(C).m 2.h 1,施用16.8 kg(N).hm 2(ISOM1)和50.4 kg(N).hm 2(ISOM3)处理的为(135.07±21.97)mg(C).m 2.h 1、(171.43±43.31)mg(C).m 2.h 1,相比ISOM2处理,ISOM1和ISOM3处理的平均土壤呼吸速率降低了35.09%和17.61%。ISOM2处理玉米季CO2排放累积量为499.39 g(C).m 2,显著高于ISF2处理的297.86 g(C).m 2。秸秆行间掩埋配合施用化学氮肥对土壤呼吸速率的影响小于配合施用鸡粪的影响,配合施用16%总氮的鸡粪,即33.6 kg(N).hm 2时C/N比最适宜土壤微生物的代谢活动。     

小麦-玉米-大豆轮作下黑土农田土壤呼吸与碳平衡

农田生态系统是陆地生态系统的重要组成部分,探讨农田生态系统的土壤呼吸与碳平衡对于科学评价陆地生态系统在全球变化下的源汇效应具有重要意义。基于中国科学院海伦农业生态实验站的长期定位试验,对不同施肥处理下黑土小麦-玉米-大豆轮作体系2005—2007年的作物固碳量与土壤CO2排放通量进行了观测,并对该轮作体系下黑土农田生态系统的碳平衡状况进行了估算。结果表明:在小麦-玉米-大豆轮作体系中,作物固碳量的高低表现为:玉米>大豆>小麦,平均值分别为6 513 kg(C).hm-2、4 025 kg(C).hm-2和3 655kg(C).hm-2。从作物生长季土壤CO2排放总量来看,3种作物以大豆农田生态系统的土壤CO2排放总量最高,平均值达4 062 kg(C).hm-2;其次为玉米,为3 813 kg(C).hm-2;而小麦最低,为2 326 kg(C).hm-2。3种作物轮作下NEP(净生态系统生产力)均为正值,表明黑土农田土壤-作物系统为大气CO2的"汇",不同作物系统的碳汇强度表现为玉米>小麦>大豆,三者的平均值分别为3 215 kg(C).hm-2、1 643 kg(C).hm-2和512 kg(C).hm-2。长期均衡施用氮、磷、钾化肥或氮、磷、钾化肥配施有机肥后,小麦、玉米和大豆农田生态系统的固碳量和土壤CO2排放总量均明显增加,并在氮、磷、钾配施有机肥处理下达到最高。不同的施肥管理措施将改变土壤-植物系统作为大气CO2"汇"的程度,总体表现为化肥均衡施用下NEP值较高,而化肥与有机肥配施下农田生态系统的NEP值较低。     

山西省西山地区退耕还林还草后续产业的发展与保障问题分析

本文通过随机抽取5个典型县区的有关数据,从退耕与林草建设的模式入手,利用比较和综合分析的方法,分析了山西省西山地区以林牧业发展为主的退耕还林还草后续产业的现状和趋势,以及后续产业发展的保障性等问题。结果认为,从整体上看,山西省西山地区退耕还林还草后续产业发展过程可分为倒退式发展(2000—2003年)、明显加快发展(2003—2006年)和迅速发展(2006—2009年)3个时段。选定的典型县区总体情况表明,在区域耕地减少、人口增多的情况下,粮食总产量和人均粮食产量均有所增长,表明典型区域耕地质量明显提高和后续产业持续发展的趋势;从典型县区个案情况看,在某一定时段内粮食总产量和人均粮食产量均出现不同幅度的负增长态势,也显示了该区后续产业存在严重的发展问题。最后提出了稳定耕地数量、保障人均粮食拥有量是后续产业发展的根本,以及需要进一步分析的主要问题。     

稻田病虫害生态防控模式及其在西南地区的应用

近年来,由于受气候、种植制度、栽培方式、生态环境和品种多样化等因素的综合影响,水稻病虫害危害程度加重,防控压力增大;同时,由于当前我国农村劳动力的匮乏以及文化水平的限制,病虫害防治过分依赖化学药剂,造成环境污染,威胁食品安全。基于此,通过对传统优秀农业植保技术的挖掘、提高以及现代科学技术的发展、应用,一些以农业、物理和生物防治为关键技术的生态综合防控模式正被广泛应用并进行示范推广,逐渐显现出病虫害防治和减少农药施用的优势。本文总结并梳理了当前西南稻作区主要的稻田病虫害生态防控模式及其应用成效,结果发现:杂糯间作的品种多样性防控模式可有效控制稻瘟病,但增加了劳动量;稻鸭共作的生物多样性防控模式可有效控制纹枯病、稻飞虱、叶蝉、福寿螺和杂草,但对技术水平和市场条件要求较高。此外,对昆虫性信息素、生物农药、植物性驱虫剂和天敌保护利用技术等生物防控技术的优缺点进行了总结和分析。