CERES-Maize区域应用效果分析

作物区域模拟是利用有限的空间数据,尽可能反映作物生育期、产量等性状的时空变化规律。本文尝试利用CERES-Maize模型进行区域模拟,并探讨区域应用的效果。结果表明,经区域校准后的CERES-Maize模型用于区域模拟时,基本可以反映出产量的变化规律,网格模拟产量与农调队调查产量的相对均方根差（RMSE％）为29．9％,符合度0．78。全国2144个网格71．3％的RMSE％在30％以内,其中RMSE％〈15％的为29．4％;就各区域而言,种植面积最大的玉米生态2区（占全国总面积的34％）效果最好,该区63．2％网格模拟的RMSE％小于15％。但区域模拟过程中还存在一系列误差,主要包括：模型本身的误差、作物品种遗传参数的误差、按一定区域范围归并的品种和管理参数引起的误差、区域划分引起的误差和空间数据的误差等,今后需要进一步校准和修正。     

大豆茎秆、叶片及豆荚生长的动态模拟

以疆莫豆1号、蒙豆30、北豆5号为试材,在系统观测的基础上,构建了大豆茎秆、叶片和豆荚等器官的形态建成模型。模型以生理发育时间为时间步长,以生理发育日来衡量茎秆、叶片和豆荚的生长进程与生长次序,以品种遗传参数为基础来确定其他的模型参数,引入了最小含氮量、最大含氮量和临界含氮量来订正氮素的影响。不同品种不同播期的检验结果表明,节间长度的模拟误差在0.08～0.59 cm,RMSE在0.25～0.28 cm;节间粗度的模拟误差在0～0.10 cm,RMSE在0.04～0.05 cm;叶片长度的模拟误差在0.28～0.58 cm,RMSE为0.47 cm;叶片宽度的模拟误差在0.31～0.39 cm,RMSE在0.35～0.36 cm;豆荚长度的模拟误差在0.14～0.39 cm,RMSE在0.24～0.39 cm;豆荚宽度的模拟误差在0.09～0.21 cm,RMSE在0.14～0.17 cm;豆荚厚度的模拟误差在0.04～0.09 cm,RMSE在0.06～0.07 cm。模型表现出较好的预测性和可靠性。该研究可为大豆器官形态的虚拟显示提供参考。     

黑河中游绿洲不同质地土壤水分的入渗与再分布

该文利用双环入渗仪,通过定水头法研究了黑河中游绿洲地区玉米地和防护林地土壤水分的入渗过程,并利用Hydrus-1D模型和Trime-IPH手持式TDR分别对土壤水分的入渗和再分布过程进行了动态模拟和测定。结果表明:不同质地土壤水分入渗和再分布差异明显。土壤下部粘土夹层不仅对水分入渗起到显著的阻碍作用,而且具有较强的持水保水能力。统计分析表明,试验期间模拟土壤含水量的均方根误差和相对误差分别在0.02cm3/cm3和0.68%以下,模拟剖面储水量的均方根误差和相对误差分别在0.908 cm和0.9%以下,因此Hydrus-1D模型对绿洲地区土壤水分在垂直方向的运移模拟具有较高的精确度,这为该区域水分管理和可持续发展提供理论依据。     

土壤水分平衡与作物生长模拟模型的开发与验证

基于模块化和面向对象化程序设计思想，根据土壤水分平衡过程和作物生长发育的特点，采用VisualBasic程序设计语言，实现了界面友好的土壤水分平衡与作物生长模拟模型。在土壤、作物和气象参数数据文件的支持下，对红壤性水稻土上的作物生长过程进行了模拟和验证，田间验证结果表明，冬小麦田间0～5，5～15，30～35cm三个土壤深度土壤含水量模拟值与实测值相对误差分别为7．0％、8．1％、4．5％。小麦、早稻、晚稻、玉米产量模拟值与实测值之间的相对误差分别为6．7％、2．4％、5．3％、1．9％。     

气候变化对河南省夏玉米主栽品种发育期的影响模拟

为模拟气候变化对夏玉米发育期影响,本文将河南省划分为4个夏玉米主栽区,分区进行主栽品种遗传参数调试验证,确定各区域品种平均遗传参数。将未来气候变化情景(A2和B2)下,2020s、2050s和2080s各时段的温度和降水增量加上基准值,模拟未来气候变化对河南省夏玉米发育期的影响。模型调参验证结果表明：各区域品种遗传参数存在一定差异,豫西地区当前种植品种播种-开花所需积温高于其它地区,而豫北和豫东当前种植品种开花-成熟所需积温高于其它地区;各区开花期调参和验证误差RMSE为2～4d,相对误差NRMSE均小于10%;各区域成熟期调参误差RMSE均小于4d,验证误差RMSE为3～7d,除豫西区外,各区域调参及验证期间的成熟期相对误差NRMSE均小于10%。表明CERES-Maize模型对河南省各区域夏玉米发育期模拟精度均较高。未来气候变化影响模拟结果表明：A2和B2情景下,夏玉米营养生长期平均缩短4.7d和3.1d,全生育期平均缩短12.9d和8.6d。夏玉米生育期缩短日数与各时段增温幅度趋势一致,全省4个区域中豫西区生育期日数缩短最多。     

基于DSSAT作物模型的中美大豆主产区单产模拟与验证

开展基于作物模型的大面积作物产量估测研究,可以为及时掌握全球重点地区农作物的生产情况提供数据支撑。该研究以大豆为监测作物,选取中国吉林省和美国爱荷华州作为研究区域,基于DSSAT作物估产模型中的SOYGRO大豆模型,利用分辨率为0.5°×0.5°的生育期气象要素以及500 m×500 m绿色叶绿素植被指数,进行遥感数据融合作物模型估测大豆单位产量的模拟与验证研究。结果显示,2008-2017年,美国爱荷华州大豆单位产量模拟值的平均误差为16.8%,均方根误差为762.8 kg/hm~2,平均偏差为107.2 kg/hm~2;中国吉林省大豆单位产量估测的平均误差为36.3%,均方根误差为1 088.4 kg/hm~2,平均偏差为-237.9 kg/hm~2。在县域尺度下,大豆单位产量模拟值与调查值的拟合度较好,尤其在产量较低的年份,其中美国爱荷华州的产量相关系数最高可达0.78,中国吉林省的相关系数偏小,为0.59,表明对美国爱荷华州大豆单位产量的估测精度优于中国吉林省。研究所建立的大豆单位产量估测技术路线,可以为中美两国主产区作物单位产量的大面积有效估测提供参考。     

基于水氮因子的宁夏引黄灌区紫花苜蓿生长模拟模型

针对苜蓿生长模型ALFAMOD在动态水分平衡模拟和氮素平衡模拟方面的不足,提出一种基于水氮因子的紫花苜蓿生长模拟模型(alfalfa growth simulation model based on water and nitrogen factors,ALFSIM-WN)。该模型以宁夏引黄灌区紫花苜蓿为研究对象,采用模块化设计方法,划分为作物动态模拟子模型、水分平衡模拟子模型和氮素平衡模拟子模型,对紫花苜蓿的产量进行模拟和估算。通过连续2 a(2016-2017)的田间试验,获取气象数据、土壤数据和田间管理数据,利用2016年数据确定了模型参数,并预测了2017年4茬次紫花苜蓿生长期、叶面积指数、土壤水分动态和产量,对模型模拟值和实际观测值进行了对比。结果表明:宁夏引黄灌区紫花苜蓿每年能收割3～4茬,与当地以饲草收割为目的的生长期相符,综合2017年4茬次数据发现模型模拟叶面积指数的平均相对误差在2.3%～17.6%,模拟土壤水分动态的平均相对误差在2.3%～17.6%,产量预测数据的平均相对误差在1.7%～16.2%。叶面积指数、土壤水分动态和产量的均方根误差分别在0.09～0.44、0.009～0.039 cm3/cm3和0.3～2.3 t/hm2。模型模拟精准度较高,说明该模型在宁夏引黄灌区适用性良好,可以作为一个有效的紫花苜蓿生长模拟预测工具在饲草种植中应用。     

大棚控制排水对土壤水氮变化的影响

农田排水技术能够解决大棚种植条件下的次生盐渍化问题,因此得到了较广泛的应用。为了分析大棚控制排水条件下的土壤水分和土壤氮素的变化规律,在田间试验的基础上,采用RZWQM（root zone water quality model）模型对不同控制排水处理下的土壤水分含量、土壤氮素含量及氨挥发过程等进行了模拟校正和验证,并利用模型对不同控制排水条件（不同暗管间距和不同控制出口深度）下的水氮变化情况进行了分析。模型在校正阶段的分层含水率模拟均方根误差（RMSE）为0.038～0.050cm3/cm3,验证阶段的分层含水率模拟均方误差（RMSE）为0.040～0.081 cm3/cm3。结果表明：RZWQM模型能够较好的模拟田间水肥变化情况;控制排水对地下水位的控制效果显著但没有对作物的水分利用产生太大影响;不同暗管间距和控制深度下,暗管排水总量、排氮总量和渗漏氮总量都受到了极显著的影响,氮肥利用效率则受暗管间距影响而对控制深度不敏感。     

不同时间尺度太阳辐射数据对作物生长模型的影响(英)

逐日太阳辐射数据是作物模拟模型的重要输入参数之一。然而,在很多情况下,候、旬、月尺度的辐射信息相对容易获取。该文利用长时间序列(1961-2000)逐日太阳辐射数据,分别建立研究区候、旬、月不同时间尺度太阳辐射数据库,利用两个常用的作物生长模型(CERES-Maize和CGOPGRO-Soybean),以逐日数据(太阳辐射和模拟结果)为基准,分别探讨在雨养和灌溉条件下,不同时间尺度太阳辐射数据对作物生长模型的影响。结果表明:在不同时间尺度下,模型的输出(花期和作物产量)都接近于基准值。总体来看,两个模型模拟的花期平均误差和平均相对误差均接近于0,均方根误差为3.5d;CERES-Maize模型的模拟产量低于基准值,而CGOPGRO-Soybean的模拟结果高于基准值。在雨养和灌溉条件下,CERES-Maize的平均相对误差和均方根误差分别为-0.59%,120kg/hm2和-0.52%,129kg/hm2,CGOPGRO-Soybean的平均相对误差和均方根误差分别为5%,152kg/hm2和4.7%,165kg/hm2。短期数据误差(RMSE)是影响模型精度的主要因素。CGOPGRO-Soybean模型对不同时间尺度太阳辐射数据和水情信息比CERES-Maize模型敏感。当缺少逐日太阳辐射数据时,在雨养和灌溉条件下,候、旬、月尺度的太阳辐射数据都可以用于作物生长模型。     

南方塑料大棚冬春季温湿度的神经网络模拟

利用浙江省慈溪市草莓塑料大棚和南京信息工程大学农业气象试验站番茄塑料大棚的小气候观测数据及气象站资料,建立3个以棚外辐射、温度、相对湿度和风速为输入变量,棚内温度和相对湿度为输出变量的BP神经网络预测模型。结果表明,3个模型气温训练值与实测值的均方根误差(RMSE)都在2℃以内,相对误差都在4%左右;相对湿度训练值的RMSE都在7个百分点以内,相对误差不超过7%。利用此模型得到的气温预测值与实测值的RMSE都在2℃左右,冬季气温的相对误差较大,春季通风和不通风模型气温的相对误差不超过6%;相对湿度预测值的RMSE都在7个百分点以内,相对误差不超过9%。说明所建BP神经网络模型对于不同季节、不同通风条件、不同作物的大棚温湿度模拟都有较高的精度,能够满足棚内温湿度的预测要求,且对温度的模拟精度高于对相对湿度的模拟。     

低氮和干旱胁迫对富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的影响

【目的】以富士（Fuji）、 秦冠（Qinguan）嫁接在平邑甜茶（Malus hupehensis Rehd.）上的当年生盆栽苗为试验材料,采用砂培方法,研究了缺氮胁迫和干旱对富士和秦冠生长情况、 光合参数、 植株各部位氮磷钾含量及氮素利用效率的影响,分析比较了低氮干旱条件下富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的差异,以期为果树生产高效肥水利用提供理论指导。【方法】试验共设四个处理: 正常氮正常水（ZZ）、 低氮正常水（DZ）、 正常氮干旱（ZG）、 低氮干旱（DG）。氮素和水分均设置两个水平,分别为正常氮（6 mmol/L NO-3-N）、 低氮（0.3 mmol/LNO-3-N）、 正常供水（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的80%~85%）、 干旱处理（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的60%~65%）。【结果】富士和秦冠的生物量（茎和叶）、 株高茎粗等生长指标以及光合速率、 气孔导度、 蒸腾速率均为正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）,并且相对应处理下秦冠的以上指标均高于富士;正常供水下,缺氮处理使富士、 秦冠的根冠比比正常氮处理均有所增加,富士提高了2.05%,秦冠提高了22.40%。富士和秦冠的氮、 磷、 钾含量均表现出正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）; 氮、 钾元素含量在植株各部位的分布顺序依次是叶＞根＞茎,磷元素则是根＞叶＞茎;光合氮素利用效率（PNUE）和氮素利用效率表现为秦冠处理之间差异极显著,富士处理之间差异不显著;秦冠的PNUE和NUE明显高于富士,在低氮正常水（DZ）处理下,秦冠氮肥利用率比富士高42.07%,在低氮干旱（DG）处理下高64.14%;低氮胁迫下富士和秦冠的NUE显著提高,并且秦冠提高的幅度高于富士。【结论】施用氮肥能够显著提高富士与秦冠的干物质量,同等水肥条件下,秦冠生长优于富士;水分亏缺会减少叶片对氮的吸收,干旱条件下适度增施氮肥,可提高果树的抗旱能力;低氮干旱胁迫下秦冠的生长指标、 光合指标及氮素利用效率指标均优于富士,表现出较强的抗低氮干旱胁迫的能力。     

Pasture Vegetation Elemental Analysis by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a new technique for the analysis of plant material. This study investigates the application of LIBS to pasture-based plant samples. The LIBS measurements were obtained from pelletized pasture samples (100 samples) that had been also analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) following microwave digestion for calibration and comparison purposes. Comparisons for elements sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), boron (B), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) showed that LIBS could be used for almost all the standard profile total elements with concentrations down to low mg/kg levels (observed error of Na: 0.024 percent, K: 0.18 percent, Mg: 0.016 percent, Ca: 0.073 percent, P: 0.017 percent, Mn: 31 mg/kg, Fe: 150 mg/kg, Zn: 6.6 mg/kg, and B: 1.1 mg/kg). Elemental analysis at less than mg/kg levels was not possible using LIBS. The elements S and Cu were particularly difficult to analyze with reliability using LIBS at the concentration levels found in the plant samples. Replacing microwave digestion and subsequent ICP analysis with a direct analysis of dried plant samples using LIBS has the potential to improve the productivity and reduce the cost of testing.     

Assessing the effectiveness of conservation measures: Resolving the “wicked” problem of the Steller sea lion

“Wicked” problems are those that are complex and that change when solutions are applied. Many conflicts in conservation fall into this category. The study approached the problem of how to constrain the apparent wickedness of a problem in the conservation management of a species by using simple empirical indicators to carry out iterative assessment of the risk to a population and to document how this risk evolves in relation to the addition of new data and the implementation of management actions. Effects of high levels of uncertainty within data and also concerning population structure were examined through stochastic simulation and by exploration of scenarios. Historical trends in the example used, the Steller sea lion, showed rapid declines in abundance in some regions during the 1980s. The current total population is 130,000-150,000 Steller sea lions through Alaska and British Columbia and this number has been stable since about 1990 in spite of regional differences in population dynamics. Regional differences in the sequence of changes in the number of pups and non-pups, suggested that an internal re-distribution of juveniles could have happened between 1980 and 1990. Current productivity also appears close to the long-term mean. Stochastic population projection using various scenarios showed that, based upon this history, the risk of extinction for the population has declined and is below reasonable thresholds for considering the population to be endangered. The trends in risk suggest that management actions taken since 1990 have probably been effective. Consequently, the conservation management objectives for the Steller sea lion are probably being met. The approach provides a mechanism, based upon experience and scenario analysis, for exploring future policy options and may help to constrain the debate amongst stakeholders about the cost-benefit trade-offs associated with different options.     

Soil-profile distribution of primary and secondary plant-available nutrients under conventional and no tillage

Nutrient distributions under no tillage (NT) compared with conventional disk-and-bed tillage (CT) management in the warm, humid region of the southeastern USA need to be assessed so that future placement, quantity, and type of fertilizers can be altered, if necessary, to efficiently match crop demands. We determined soil-profile distributions of pH, N, P, S, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu to a depth of 0.9 m at the end of 8.5 years of continuous CT and NT management on a Weswood silty clay loam (fine, mixed, thermic Fluventic Ustochrept) in southcentral Texas. Most dramatic changes occurred within the 0–0.05 m depth, where soil under NT had lower pH, Fe, and Cu than under CT, but greater P, K, Zn, and Mn. Greater P and K under NT than under CT also occurred below the till-zone (0.15–0.3 m). At a depth of 0–0.3 m, soil under NT contained greater amounts of extractable P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu than under CT. Nitrogen fertilization had little effect on nutrient distributions, except resulting in greater extractable K at 0–0.05 m and greater nitrate at 0–0.15 m. Few changes in soil-profile distributions were observed for extractable S, Ca, Mg, and Na. Long-term continuous use of NT on this fine-textured, high-fertility (except for N) soil had no apparent adverse effects on nutrient distributions relative to CT, but enhanced conservation and availability of P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu near the soil surface where crop roots proliferate.     

Faculty positions:Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Macroinvertebrates in North American tallgrass prairie soils: effects of fire, mowing, and fertilization on density and biomass

The responses of tallgrass prairie plant communities and ecosystem processes to fire and grazing are well characterized. However, responses of invertebrate consumer groups, and particularly soil-dwelling organisms, to these disturbances are not well known. At Konza Prairie Biological Station, we sampled soil macroinvertebrates in 1994 and 1999 as part of a long-term experiment designed to examine the effects and interactions of annual fire, mowing, and fertilization (N and P) on prairie soil communities and processes. For nearly all taxa, in both years, responses were characterized by significant treatment interactions, but some general patterns were evident. Introduced European earthworms (Aporrectodea spp. and Octolasion spp.) were most abundant in plots where fire was excluded, and the proportion of the total earthworm community consisting of introduced earthworms was greater in unburned, unmowed, and fertilized plots. Nymphs of two Cicada genera were collected (Cicadetta spp. and Tibicen spp.). Cicadetta nymphs were more abundant in burned plots, but mowing reduced their abundance. Tibicen nymphs were collected almost exclusively from unburned plots. Treatment effects on herbivorous beetle larvae (Scarabaeidae, Elateridae, and Curculionidae) were variable, but nutrient additions (N or P) usually resulted in greater densities, whereas mowing usually resulted in lower densities. Our results suggest that departures from historical disturbance regimes (i.e. frequent fire and grazing) may render soils more susceptible to increased numbers of European earthworms, and that interactions between fire, aboveground biomass removal, and vegetation responses affect the structure and composition of invertebrate communities in tallgrass prairie soils.     

Enhanced establishment and growth of giant cardon cactus in an eroded field in the Sonoran Desert using native legume trees as nurse plants aided by plant growth-promoting microorganisms and compost

To evaluate the feasibility of long-term desert reforestation technology of mixed vegetation, cardon cactus (Pachycereus pringlei) seedlings from indoor and outdoor nurseries were planted in the field adjacent to one seedling of potential legume nurse trees: mesquite amargo (Prosopis articulata), yellow palo verde (Parkinsonia microphylla), and blue palo verde (Parkinsonia florida). Some of the planting holes were also supplemented with common dairy compost. Additionally, the combinations of legume tree–cactus were inoculated with either a consortium of desert arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB; the diazotroph Azospirillum brasilense Cd, and the phosphate solubilizer Paenibacillus sp.), or a mixture of all. The field experiments were evaluated periodically during 30 months for survival and growth. Cardons reared in an outdoor screen house survived better in the field than those reared in a controlled growth chamber and hardened later outdoors. Association with any legume nurse tree increased survival and enhanced growth of untreated cardons. For cardons growing alone, application of either compost, AM fungi, and all the treatments combined increased survival. For these plants, no treatment affected plant growth during the first 3 months after transplanting. Later, all treatments, except for AM fungi, enhanced plant growth. However, only 2 years after transplanting the enhanced growth effect of AM fungi was also significant. In the presence of the legume nurse trees, transient positive effects on cardon growth were recorded. General evaluation after 30 months of cultivation showed that the treatments positively affected cardon growth when growing alone or in combination only with mesquite amargo but not with the other two legume trees. This study proposes that young legume trees have the capacity to enhance survival and growth of cardon cactus, depending on the legume cactus combination. Additional treatments such as compost or PGPB can either amplify the effect or else attenuate it.     

Variation in quality parameters between and within 14 Nordic tree fruit and berry species

Abstract

A 3-year study was carried out to investigate quality parameters in 14 tree fruit and berry species grown in southern Norway. The species were blueberry, apple, aronia, sour cherry, sweet cherry, red raspberry, strawberry, blackcurrant, gooseberry, red currant and elderberry, harvested along with wild bilberry, cloudberry and lingonberry. Significant differences between species were identified for all quality parameters. The coefficient of variation between species was lowest for pH (12.5%), dry matter (18.9%) and soluble solids (25.3%), followed by titratable acids (59.3%), total phenolics (83.8%), antioxidant capacity FRAP (85.7%) and antiradical power by the DPPH-assay (97.8%), total monomeric anthocyanins (132%) and ascorbic acid (137%). Average coefficient of variation within species were lower and ranged from 4 (pH) to 62% (ascorbic acid). Only the FRAP values were significantly affected by harvesting year with lower levels in 2004 than in 2005 and 2006. There were significant interactions between species and harvesting year for dry matter, soluble solids, pH, ascorbic acid and FRAP. The results indicate generic ranges in composition within species independent upon growing location and climate, and the composition of the tree fruits and berries is not likely to deviate from these ranges. It is concluded that desirable composition of tree fruits and berries and their products should primarily be achieved by selection among species rather than searching fors broadened variation within individual species.     

Karyotypic and genome size variation in Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. (pigeonpea) and some wild relatives

Detailed karyotypes and 4C DNA amounts have been studied in five cultivars of Cajanus cajan and 20 species belonging to Cajanus, Rhynchosia, Dunbaria, Flemingia and Paracalyx. C. cajan shows intraspecific variability and its karyotype is most similar to that of C. cajanifolius (sect. Cajanus) in the morphology and number of satellite chromosomes and the lack of any correlation between chromosome size within the complement and asymmetry. Karyotypes of C. lineatus and C. sericeus belonging to sect. Atylia are similar with respect to maximum r-index and the ratio of longest and shortest chromosomes in their respective complements. C. acutifolius (sect. Frutocosa) is distinct in having a very low ratio (1.44) between the longest and the shortest chromosomes, while in C. albicans, C. goensis, C. scarabaeoides (sect. Cantharospermum) there is no chromosome pair with r-index >2.0. C. mollis and C. volubilis (sect. Volubilis) show similarity with regard to ratio between the longest and the shortest chromosomes and a distinct chromosome pair with an arm ratio of 2.7 and C. platycarpus is distinct (sect. Rhynchosoides) in having the smallest ratio (1.36) between the longest and the shortest chromosomes. 4C DNA amounts in Cajanus and Rhynchosia vary between 3.28 pg to 11.69 pg and 4.92 pg to 11.13 pg respectively, while in Dunbaria, Flemingia and Paracalyx these vary between 4.70 and 7:06 pg. In the genus Cajanus karyotypic features and 4C DNA amounts agree with the sectional classification and bring out a close relationship between C. cajan and C. cajanifolius. This is supported by studies based on seed protein patterns, isozyme analysis, trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitor patterns, RFLP and RAPD data and crossability relationships. A clear relation between DNA amount and abnormalities effecting the extent of pairing and recombination in interspecific hybrids shows the importance of this study in developing future breeding programme involving C. cajan and its wild relatives that are of potential value.     

Effect of some fungicide seed treatments on the survival of Bradyrhizobium japonicum and on the nodulation and yield of soybean [Glycine max. (L) Merr.]

Several commercial fungicide seed treatments were evaluated for their possible effect on the survival of Bradyrhizobium japonicum on seeds and on the nodulation and yield of soybeans in a greenhouse and a field experiment. quinolate Pro (carbendazim and oxine copper), Vitavax 200FF (carboxin and thiram), and Monceren (pencycuron) had a small effect or no effect on the survival of B. japonicum and on the nodulation and yield of soybeans. They can thus be considered compatible with soybean seed inoculation. Germipro UFB (carbendazim and iprodione), Apron 35J (metalaxyl), and Tachigaren (hymexazol) decreased B. japonicum survival and the nodulation and yield of soybeans and thus cannot be considered compatible with soybean seed inoculation.