摩擦复充种型孔带式水稻精量排种器充种性能分析与验证

为解决杂交稻工厂化穴盘育秧低播量精密播种问题,提出了一种摩擦复充种型孔带式水稻精量排种器,对种子充填过程进行了力学和运动学分析,确定影响试验指标的影响因素分别为型孔方向角、型孔带速度、型孔带倾角和种层厚度。通过EDEM离散元软件仿真分析了种子多次循环重复充种过程和充种效果,并分别分析了型孔带速度、型孔带倾角、种层厚度对充种性能的影响规律。基于仿真分析结果进行了较优组合验证试验,结果表明:在型孔方向角为90°,型孔带倾角为43°,型孔带转速为0.11 m/s,种层厚度为50 mm时充种合格率为96.4%,多粒率为1.4%,漏充率为2.2%,种子破碎率为0.18%,效果较优。摩擦复充种型孔带式水稻精量排种器能够满足杂交稻低播量精密播种的农艺要求,研究结果为工厂化穴盘育秧精量播种机的设计提供参考。     

气力滚筒式水稻直播精量排种器排种性能分析与田间试验

为了提高气力滚筒式水稻直播精量排种器的排种性能,该文运用单因素和中心组合试验设计理论,借助JPS-12型排种器性能检测试验台,研究了排种滚筒转速、负压气室真空度、清种气流速度及正压气室清堵正压4个主要运行参数对其排种性能的影响规律。单因素试验结果表明:排种滚筒转速、负压气室真空度、清种气流速度对排种器合格率、漏播率等指标的影响显著;正压气室清堵正压对排种器合格率、漏播率等指标的影响不显著;3个影响显著因素的三因素五水平回归正交旋转组合设计试验结果表明:各试验因素及因素交互作用对主要评价指标的影响主次顺序不同,影响排种器合格率的主次因素依次为:排种滚筒转速负压气室真空度清种气流速度;影响漏播率的主次因素依次为:负压气室真空度排种滚筒转速清种气流速度;对所建回归方程进行综合优化,得出排种器最佳工作参数组合为:排种滚筒转速10.00 r/min,负压气室真空度4.6 k Pa,清种气流速度21.88 m/s。此时,排种器的合格率为87.73%、漏播率为2.93%、空穴率为0.53%、重播率为9.34%、破损率为0.91%、穴距平均值为200.07 mm、穴距变异系数为4.75%、各行排量一致性变异系数为3.07%、总排量稳定性变异系数为2.08%。田间播种试验结果为合格率79.42%、漏播率15.11%、空穴率3.88、重播率5.47%、穴距平均值175.61 mm、穴距变异系数为20.03%。研究结果为气力滚筒式水稻直播精量排种器结构参数优化及排种性能提升提供参考。     

预切种式木薯排种机构设计与试验

针对当前预切种式木薯播种器存在充种效果差、合格指数低的问题，该研究设计了一种由落种滑板、主动辊筒、型孔摩擦带、支撑辊组、从动辊筒及储种箱等组成的预切种式木薯型孔摩擦带式精密排种机构。阐述了排种机构的基本结构和工作原理。对关键部件参数进行设计，通过理论分析确定影响排种机构充种性能的主要因素为型孔摩擦带型孔形状、型孔数量、型孔摩擦带安装倾角、型孔摩擦带速度以及种茎层厚度。基于离散元法（discrete element method,DEM）建立种茎群-型孔摩擦带仿真模型，通过单因素仿真分析各因素对充种性能及种茎群规律的影响。以充种合格指数和漏充指数为评价指标，通过二次回归正交旋转组合仿真分析确定最优参数，利用Design-Expert数据软件，建立各试验因素与评价指标的数学回归模型，并进行参数优化。结果表明，影响充种合格指数和漏充指数的因素主次顺序为型孔摩擦带速度、型孔摩擦带安装倾角和种茎层厚度，圆整后的最优参数为型孔摩擦带速度0.6 m/s、型孔摩擦带安装倾角45°，种茎层厚度250 mm，此时的模型预测充种合格指数为94.63%，漏充指数为3.42%，重充指数为1.95%。在最优参数下...     

气力托勺式马铃薯精量排种器设计

针对勺带式排种器播种前进速度进一步提高的限制以及气吸式排种器播种马铃薯所需功耗较大等问题,设计了一种气力托勺式马铃薯精量排种器。气力托勺式马铃薯精量排种器主要由滚筒、托勺、种箱、空心轴、气压隔板、压缩弹簧、链轮、清种气管等部件组成。通过理论分析与计算,确定了排种器关键部件参数。为了确定气力托勺式马铃薯精量排种器作业的优化参数,以负压、清种风速、型孔直径、滚筒转速为试验因素,以漏播率、合格率为试验指标,采用Box-Behnken试验设计原理进行了排种器性能试验,得到影响漏播率和合格率的主次顺序为负压、滚筒转速、型孔直径和清种风速。利用数据处理软件Design Expert 8.0.6进行参数优化,以漏播率、合格率为试验指标,得出负压为8.92 kPa,清种风速为32.25 m/s,型孔直径为18.34 mm,滚筒转速为19.92 r/min时,模型预测的漏播率为3.64%,合格率为91.9%。经过试验验证,与优化结果基本一致。论文相关研究可为马铃薯精量播种技术的研究提供参考。     

内充种组合型孔式播量可调棉花精量排种器设计与试验

为改善内充种式排种器用于棉花排种时易出现剪切伤种、内窝孔口堵塞以及播量无法调节的问题,该文设计了一种组合式阶梯状充填孔的播量可调式棉花精量排种器。以含水率为11.01%(湿基)的"鄂抗棉-10"棉种为试验对象,采用三元二次回归正交旋转组合设计试验,分析了内窝孔深度、入种口高度与排种盘转速对排种性能的影响规律,并获得了上述3因素的最佳工作参数组合。试验结果表明:排种器工作时种子破损率较低,凹型充填孔更适宜于棉花直播作业,影响排种器排种合格率的主次因素依次为排种盘转速≥内窝孔深度≥入种口高度,在内窝孔深度7.7 mm、入种口高度62.9mm、排种盘转速23.52 r/min时,排种合格率((2±1)粒/穴)为96.23%,漏播率(0粒/穴)为1.85%,重播率(大于3粒/穴)为1.92%,破损率为0.17%,满足棉花精量直播农艺要求。试验结果表明,阶梯状充填孔有延长清种时间与约束充种形态的作用,可减少排种器种子破损率3.73%,提高精量排种质量,可为内充种式排种器结构设计与优化提供参考。     

2BF-1400型水稻覆膜播种机覆土机构参数优化与试验

为提高水稻覆膜旱直播技术的关键环节膜上覆土质量,试验研究了水稻覆膜播种机的覆土机构性能参数对覆土质量的影响。以播种机前进速度、覆土圆盘直径和覆土圆盘偏角为影响因素,采用Box-Behnken中心组合试验设计方法,建立了水稻覆膜播种机覆土合格率的数学模型,分析了各机构参数对覆土质量的影响规律。结果表明:在试验参数范围内,各因素对覆土合格率影响程度由高到低依次为前进速度、覆土机构圆盘偏角、覆土机构圆盘直径。当水稻覆膜播种机前进速度为5.3 km/h、覆土圆盘直径为336 mm、覆土圆盘偏角为34°的参数条件下,平均覆土厚度22.44 mm,覆土率100%,平均覆土合格率达到97%,平均出苗合格率达到87%。研究结果为水稻旱直播覆膜播种机的应用和推广提供了技术依据。     

气吸板式超级稻精密排种器设计与试验

针对现有水平吸盘式排种器种盘结构复杂、整体气腔体积大、气压分布不均匀、气流不稳定、受风量和压力因素影响大等问题,该文设计了一种多气道气吸板式排种器。排种器吸种板采用分气道组合气腔结构,依靠吸种板的来回翻转和种箱的上下移动来实现充种和排种;按超级稻每个取秧面积2±1粒的机插育秧播种要求,吸种板采用在单位取秧面积内双孔对角布置的吸种气孔设计方案;对研制的排种器,以两优培九超级稻为试验对象,选取真空度、种箱移动速度、充种角度以及吸孔直径作为试验因素,进行充种性能的正交试验,通过试验得出充种性能最优参数组合为种箱移动速度0.12 m/s、真空度1.5 k Pa、充种角度120°、吸孔直径1.0 mm,最优参数组合下的充种合格率94.26%、漏播率2.47%、重播率3.27%;在充种性能最优参数组合下,选择不同播种效率作进一步播种性能试验,当播种效率为300盘/h时,合格率达到90.52%,满足了超级稻精密育秧播种要求。研究结果对保证超级稻育苗质量、实现机械化种植、增加产量和收益具有重要意义。     

油菜扰动气力盘式穴播排种器参数优化与试验

针对油菜气力式精量排种器作业速度提高易产生漏充影响穴播排种性能的问题,该研究对油菜扰动充种过程进行动力学分析,建立了扰动充种力学模型,明确了充种性能受到种盘转速、工作负压和种盘结构的影响;运用EDEM软件构建了可划分强制扰动区与摩擦扰动区的种子与种盘运动接触仿真模型,以槽齿厚度、槽齿数目和种盘转速为试验因素,以强制扰动区种群平均速度为试验指标,研究了各因素对种群扰动性能的影响规律,获得了较优的槽齿参数组合;以槽齿厚度、槽齿数目、种盘转速和工作负压为试验因素,以漏充率与充种合格率为评价指标进行了四因素三水平正交试验,通过极差分析得到了槽齿较优参数组合,即槽齿数为18、槽齿厚度为1.0 mm,与仿真结果一致,通过台架对比试验明确了对种群具有定向扰动的种盘可有效改善充种性能;开展了安装最佳种盘的穴播排种器穴播排种性能优化试验,以种盘转速与工作负压为试验因素,以空穴率与穴粒数合格率为试验指标,采用三水平析因试验设计,并对试验结果进行回归分析。结果表明,在种盘转速为40～80 r/min,工作负压在2 392～2 500 Pa的条件下,空穴率均低于3%,穴粒数合格率均高于96%。田间试验表明,油菜种植密度为(70±4)株/m~2,平均空穴率为4.6%,平均穴粒数合格率为90.54%,满足油菜农艺种植要求。该研究可为皖江地区油菜机械化穴播技术及装备研究提供参考。     

气吸板式超级稻精密排种器设计与试验

针对现有水平吸盘式排种器种盘结构复杂、整体气腔体积大、气压分布不均匀、气流不稳定、受风量和压力因素影响大等问题,该文设计了一种多气道气吸板式排种器。排种器吸种板采用分气道组合气腔结构,依靠吸种板的来回翻转和种箱的上下移动来实现充种和排种;按超级稻每个取秧面积2±1粒的机插育秧播种要求,吸种板采用在单位取秧面积内双孔对角布置的吸种气孔设计方案;对研制的排种器,以两优培九超级稻为试验对象,选取真空度、种箱移动速度、充种角度以及吸孔直径作为试验因素,进行充种性能的正交试验,通过试验得出充种性能最优参数组合为种箱移动速度0.12 m/s、真空度1.5 kPa、充种角度120°、吸孔直径1.0 mm,最优参数组合下的充种合格率94.26%、漏播率2.47%、重播率3.27%;在充种性能最优参数组合下,选择不同播种效率作进一步播种性能试验,当播种效率为300盘/h时,合格率达到90.52%,满足了超级稻精密育秧播种要求。研究结果对保证超级稻育苗质量、实现机械化种植、增加产量和收益具有重要意义。     

气吸式胡萝卜起垄播种一体机研制

该研究结合山东等地的胡萝卜垄作种植模式,研制了一种集起垄、开沟、精量播种、覆土、镇压等功能于一体的气力式胡萝卜精量播种机,实现胡萝卜垄上窄行精量播种作业。该机采用负压吸种、正压吹杂完成单粒精量播种,主要由气吸式精量排种器、起垄整形装置、开沟分种装置、覆土器、机架及传动系统组成。根据吸种及投种过程的种子受力及运动分析,得到排种器气室真空度临界值,明确了投种位置及株距均匀性的主要影响因素。设计了双圈型孔排种盘,排种盘内外圈型孔所在圆周半径分别为87.5和95.0 mm,每圈型孔数量为30个。依据清种要求及作业空间,设计锯齿刮板式及偏心式刮种器,实现型孔两侧刮种;根据种植农艺要求,确定FL-2.5型风机,实现不同播种风量要求;采用3个双翼铧式犁起垄,并通过整形装置对垄形进行修整,一次完成2个梯形垄;遵循单体双窄行、浅开沟及少覆土要求,确定了开沟分种结构及覆土板参数。依据投种过程分析,采用低位投种方式,最低限度布置排种器,开沟分种装置总体高度在100mm左右。以排种盘型孔直径、排种盘转速和气室负压为试验因素,以粒距合格率、漏播率和重播率为试验评价指标,进行三因素五水平的二次回归正交旋转组合试验,获得排种器最佳参数组合为型孔直径1.6mm,排种盘转速18 r/min,气室负压4.4k Pa。田间试验结果表明,该机播种粒距合格率大于94%、漏播率小于5%、重播率小于4%,满足相关国家标准及胡萝卜种植农艺要求,可为胡萝卜精量播种机具的设计提供参考。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Potassium Fixation and Release Characteristics in Rhizosphere and Nonrhizosphere Soils for a Rapeseed–Rice Cropping Sequence

Potassium (K) fixation and release in soil are important factors in the long-term sustainability of a cropping system. Changes in K concentration and characteristics of K fixation and release in rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils in the rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)–rice (Oryza sativa L.) rotation were investigated using a rhizobox system. The concentrations of different forms of K in both rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils decreased with plants compared to without plants, regardless of K fertilizer application. Potassium uptake by crops mainly came from the rhizosphere soil. In the treatment without K fertilizer (–K), the main form of K supplied by the soil to the crops was 1.0 mol L^?1 nitric acid (HNO₃) nonextractable K, followed by nonexchangeable K, and then exchangeable K. In the treatment with K fertilizer (+K), the main K forms supplied by the soil to the crops were exchangeable K and nonexchangeable K. The amount and rate of K fixation after one cycle of the rapeseed–rice rotation was greater in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The amount and rate of K fixation of soil in the +K treatment were significantly less than in the –K treatment. The cumulative amounts of K released with 1.0 mol L^?1 ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc) and 1.0 mol L^?1 HNO₃ extraction increased with the increasing numbers of extractions, but the K-releasing power of soil by successive extraction decreased gradually and finally became almost constant. The release of K was less in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The release of K in the +K treatment was similar to that in the –K treatment in rhizosphere soil, but the K release in nonrhizosphere soil was greater with the +K than the –K treatment. Overall, the information obtained in this study will be helpful in formulating more precise K fertilizer recommendations for certain soils.     

Increase in auxiliary photoprotective photosynthetic pigments in wheat seedlings induced by Azospirillum brasilense

Inoculation of wheat seedlings with the plant growth-promoting bacterium Azospirillum brasilense Cd was immobilized in alginate microbeads and, without applying any stress, significantly increased the quantity of several photosynthetic pigments, such as chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and the auxiliary photoprotective pigments violaxanthin, zeaxanthin, antheroxanthin, lutein, neoxanthin, and β-carotene. This resulted in greener plants with no apparent visible stress. After monitoring the quantity of photosynthetic pigments for 4 weeks, we observed that inoculated plants had higher quantities of pigments in shoot and stem. The greatest difference in the quantity of all pigments between inoculated and noninoculated plants occurred in the first week of growth. Regardless of treatment, the quantity of pigments in stems was three to four times less than the quantity of these pigments in shoots. Application of Azospirillum, either as liquid inoculant or as alginate microbeads, did not alter the positive effect of the bacteria on pigment production or the positive response of the plants towards A. brasilense Cd inoculation.     

In-situ enrichment and analysis of atrazine-degrading microbial communities using atrazine-containing porous beads

We examined the community composition of microbes that colonized atrazine-containing beads buried in agricultural soils that differed in atrazine treatment history. Bacterial abundance was 5-40-fold greater in atrazine-fortified beads. In beads containing 20 mg atrazine kg⁻¹ buried in soil with a history of atrazine application (conditioned soil), the abundance of Actinobacteria increased approximately 80-fold whereas in control soil, Actinobacteria were enriched only 10-fold and the gamma-Proteobacteria and Planctomycetes increased by 60- and 25-fold, respectively. The gamma-Proteobacteria were enriched by 120- and 230-fold in beads containing 200 mg atrazine kg⁻¹ in conditioned and control soil, respectively. The results demonstrate that BioSep^® beads are a suitable matrix for recruiting a diverse subset of the bacterial community involved in atrazine degradation.     

Genetic similarities among Spanisch populations of Agropyron, Elymus and Thinopyrum, using PCR-based markers

Arbitrary oligonucleotides were used as primers to amplifygenomic DNA of 48 wild Spanish populations of Agropyroncristatum, Elymus hispanicus,E. caninus,E. repens,Thinopyrum curvifolium, Th.junceum and Th.intermedium. Genetic diversity was analysedusing nineteen primers. The number of amplified products ranged from8 to 18 per primer and a total of 240 markers were scored. Differentlevels of intraspecific genetic diversity were found, the allogamousspecies E. repens andTh. intermedium being themost variable. Jaccard's similarity coefficients for internalmeasure within and between populations were used to produce a clusterdiagram. The results demonstrate differences in the degree ofsimilarity between taxonomic units. Interpopulational variability andinterspecific genomic relationships of these species arediscussed.     

Mycorrhizae,biocides, and biocontrol. 4. Response of a mixed culture of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and host plant to three fungicides

The effects of three commonly used fungicides on the colonization and sporulation by a mixture of three arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi consisting of Glomus etunicatum (Becker & Gerd.), Glomus mosseae (Nicol. & Gerd.) Gerd. & Trappe, and Gigaspora rosea (Nicol. & Schenck) in symbiosis with pea plants and the resulting response of the host-plant were examined. Benomyl, PCNB, and captan were applied as soil drenches at a rate of 20 mg active ingredient kg^-1 soil 2 weeks after transplanting pea seedlings in a silty clay-loam soil containing the mixed inocula of AM fungi (AM plants). Effects of fungicides were compared to untreated plants that were inoculated with fungi (AM control). The effect of mycorrhizal inoculation on plant growth was also examined by including nonmycorrhizal, non-fungicide-treated plants (non-AM control). Fungicides or inoculation with AM fungi had only a small effect on the final shoot weights of pea plants, but had greater effects on root length and seed yield. AM control plants had higher seed yields and lower root lengths than the corresponding non-AM plants, and the fungicide-treated AM plants had intermediate yields and root lengths. Seed N and P contents were likewise highest in AM control plants, lowest in non-AM plants, and intermediate in fungicide-treated AM plants. All three fungicides depressed the proportion (%) of root length colonized by AM fungi, but these differences did not translate to reductions in the total root length that was colonized, since roots were longer in the fungicide-treated AM plants. Pea plants apparently compensated for the reduction in AM-fungal metabolism due to fungicides by increasing root growth. Fungicides affected the population of the three fungi as determined by sporulation at the final harvest. Captan significantly reduced the number, relative abundance, and relative volume of G. rosea spores in the final population relative to the controls. The relative volume of G. etunicatum spores was greater in all the fungicide-treated soils, while G. mosseae relative volumes were only greater in the captan-treated soil. These findings show that fungicides can alter the species composition of an AM-fungal community. The results also show that AM fungi can increase seed yield without enhancing the vegetative shoot growth of host plants.