Role of Biochar and Fungi on PAH Sorption to Soil Rich in Organic Matter

The use of biochar (BC) has been suggested for remediation of contaminated soils. This study aims to investigate the role of microorganisms in sorption of PAH to BC-amended soils. Fungi, especially the wood and litter-degrading fungi, have shown the ability for humification and to degrade recalcitrant molecules, and are thus suitable model organisms. Haplic Arenosol with high organic matter content was chosen to highlight the importance of soil organic matter (SOM) in PAH sorption, possibly to form non-extractable residue. Basidiomycetous fungi Agrocybe praecox and Phanerochaete velutina grown on pine bark were inoculated in organic matter (OM)-rich Haplic Arenosol and OM-poor sandy loam with either BC or chemically activated BC (ABC) and ¹⁴C-labelled pyrene for 60 days. Fungi did not mineralize pyrene, but increased sorption up to 47–56% in BC-amended Haplic Arenosol in comparison with controls (13–25%) without a fungus irrespective of the presence of an adsorbent. In OM-poor sandy loam, only 9–12% of pyrene was sorbed to amended soil in the presence of fungus and adsorbent. The results suggest that BC and fungal amendment increased sorption of pyrene, especially to Haplic Arenosol more than by either BC or fungi alone.     

Differentiation of Seed Germination and Early Seedling Growth in Ten Provenances of Eucalyptus Microtheca

INTRODUCTIONEllca{opIusmicrolhccaF.MucII.(coolibal1)l1asawidegeographicrangemainly``-itl1intl1caridandscl11i-aridzonesofAustralia(Bola11dctal.l984).Tl1erangcoflatitlldeisl4-33Su-itl1analtitudinalrangeofJustabovesealeveIto7oom.Tl1crcislcssvariationincli-ma…     

Differentiation of seed germination and early seedling growth in ten provenances ofEucalyptus microtheca

An investigation of seed germination and early seedling growth ofEucalyptus microtheca was based on seed collection from 10 widely separated provenances in Australia. Genetic variation of seed germination and early seedling growth was observed among a series of provenances whose natural habitats range from different climatic condition. In the ten provenances, both the model of seed relative germination percentage and the model of seed total germination percentage fitted Logistic regression [y=a/(1+exp(-ex+b))]. In comparison with provenances from four high temperature (mean annual maximum temperature >30.0 °C; mean annual minimum temperature >17.0 °C) areas, six low temperature (mean annual maximum temperature <30.0 °C; mean annual minimum temperature <17.0 °C) areas showed the fast germination rate and the high total germination percentage. For each provenance we have 45 seedlings equally divided into three watering levels (100%, 50%, and 25% of field capacity), and studies on relationship between early seedling growth and climatic factors of the natural habitat of provenance. In control treatment, height growth of the seedling has been associated with intrinsically the driest quarter precipitation in the seed collection areas of provenance. In all the treatments, length growth of the biggest leaf of the seedling was related to mean annual maximum temperature and mean annual minimum temperature in origin of provenance. In contrast, basal diameter growth of the seedling was related to mean annual minimum temperature of the seed collection areas in water stress treatment. From an ecological viewpoint, the fast germination rate and the high total germination percentage of the seed and rapid early growth of the seedling appear to be favourable adaptations to the climatic conditions prevailing in the natural habitat of provenance. Responsible Editor: Chai Ruihai     

桉树的抗旱性研究进展

在干旱和半干旱地区,为了成功地栽培桉树,许多学者从不同角度对桉树种群的抗旱性机理和它们对不同干旱环境的反应进行了研究和探讨。结果认为,桉树种群的遗传基因能适应于干旱的环境。生长在水分短缺条件下的植株,是通过各种途径保持组织水含量在细胞免受伤害的临界值以上而达到其适应。一般来说,具有旱生植物特征的桉树种群对干旱的适应能力较强,它们能够生存在较干旱的环境条件下,但不可能从湿润的气候环境中取得生长优势。