重庆中梁山海石公园石灰岩山地植物多样性研究

以25个5 m×5 m的样方为基础,研究了海石公园20 a无干扰的石灰岩山地灌丛植被情况.运用重要值、丰富度指数、均匀度指数和多样性指数分析了该区植物组成与多样性,并与云阳人工柏木林和缙云山草珊瑚群落对比.结果表明:在625 m~2样地中有维管束植物78种,群落各层次的丰富度大小格局依次为灌木层,草本层,藤本植物;多样性大小格局依次为灌木层,草本层或等于藤本植物;均匀度大小格局依次为藤本植物,灌木层,草本层.相对于云阳人工柏木林和缙云山草珊瑚群落,本群落的多样性指数较高.

Abstract：

The species composition and diversity of plants on the Haishi Park limestone shrubland without anthropogenic disturbance for 20 years were studied based on data from 25 5 m×5 m plots. Important value index, richness index, species diversity index and evenness index were used to analyze the species composition and diversity of plants in the region and a comparison was made between the results of the study with the Cupressus funebris forest in Yunyang and the Sarcandra glabra communities in the Jinyun Mountains. A total of 78 species of vascular plants were found in the 625 m~2 plots. Richness index was in the order of shrub layer ＞ herb layer ＞ liana layer; species diversity index in the order of shrub layer ＞herb layer ≥ liana layer and evenness index in the order of liana layer ＞ shrub layer ＞ herb layer. Species diversity index in Haishi. Park was higher than that in C. funebris forest in Yunyang and S. glabra communities in the Jinyun Mountains.     

Responses of plant diversity and primary productivity to nutrient addition in a Stipa baicalensis grassland,China

Nutrient addition can affect the structure and diversity of grassland plant communities, thus alter the grassland productivity. Studies on grassland plant community composition, structure and diversity in response to nutrient addition have an important theoretical and practical significance for the scientific management of grassland, protection of plant diversity and the recovery of degraded grassland. A randomized block design experiment was conducted with six blocks of eight treatments each: control(no nutrient addition) and K, P, N, PK, NK, NP, and NPK addition. We evaluated plant composition, height, coverage, density, and aboveground biomass to estimate primary productivity and plant diversity. Results showed that all treatments increased primary productivity significantly(P0.05) with the exception of the K and the NPK treatments had the greatest effect, increasing aboveground biomass 2.46 times compared with the control(P0.05). One-way ANOVA and factorial analysis were used for the species richness, Shannon-Wiener index, Pielou index and aboveground biomass, and the relationships between the diversity indices and aboveground biomass were determined through linear regression. We found that fertilization altered the community structure; N(but not P or K) addition increased the proportion of perennial rhizome grasses and significantly reduced that of perennial forbs(P0.05), thus it presented a trend of decrease in species richness, Shannon-Wiener and Pielou indexex, respectively. Only the main effects of N had significant impacts on both the diversity indices and the aboveground biomass(P0.05), and the interactions between N-P, N-K, P-K and N-P-K could be neglected. With fertilization, plant diversity(correlation coefficient, –0.61), species richness(–0.49), and species evenness(–0.51) were all negatively linearly correlated with primary productivity. The correlations were all significant(P0.01). Scientific nutrient management is an effective way to improve grassland productivity, protect the plant diversity as well as recover the degraded grassland.     

Diversity of Stored Grain Insect Pests in the Logone Valley, from Northern Cameroon to Western Chad Republic in Central Africa

Insects are major pests of stored grains. In sub Sahara Africa, stored grain insect pests are mainly Coleoptera or Lepidoptera. In the Logone Valley, area covering the Far North Region of Cameroon and South-West of Chad, to our knowledge, the diversity of insect pests noxious to stored products is not established. These beetles and weevils （Insecta：Coleoptera） during their development depreciate food in storage, were able to destroy a whole stock in a very short period of time if no protection of stored food is made. To achieve the diversity of insect pests, inspections of granaries were done in 209 villages of Logone Valley where insect pests were collected and identified. Secondly, the stored grains were sampled in peasant＇s granaries of Logone Valley and reared in incubators in the Unit of Entomological Research of the University of Ngaound6r6. After their emergence, insects were removed, collected and identified. Their noxious efficiency on stored grains is done by the calculation of the density of each insect pests per gram of grains. This study indicates that 12 species of harmful insects attack cereals and leguminous grains in the Logone Valley during storage. The Bruchids were the main insect pests of legumes. Callosobruchus maculatus was the main pest of legume and attacking mainly cowpeas （34.92 bruchids/g of seed） and peanuts （20.75 bruchids/g of seed）. Seven harmful species destroy the cereals. Sitophilus zeamais is the main pest of maize （15.86 weevils/g of maize） and S. oryzae, for sorghum （36.59 weevils/g of maize）. Tribolium castaneum were the main secondary pest. T. castaneum infests both cereals and leguminous. This work summarizes the importance and the diversification of stored grain pests in Logone Valley. Knowing the pest diversity is an important step in the strategy to develop a friendly and ecological control method of these harmful insects.     

Effect of Different Vegetation Types on the Rhizosphere Soil Microbial Community Structure in the Loess Plateau of China

The Loess Plateau in China is one of the most eroded areas in the world. Accordingly, vegetation restoration has been implemented in this area over the past two decades to remedy the soil degradation problem. Understanding the microbial community structure is essential for the sustainability of ecosystems and for the reclamation of degraded arable land. This study aimed to determine the effect of different vegetation types on microbial processes and community structure in rhizosphere soils in the Loess Plateau. The six vegetation types were as follows：two natural grassland （Artemisia capillaries and Heteropappus altaicus）, two artificial grassland （Astragalus adsurgens and Panicum virgatum）, and two artificial shrubland （Caragana korshinskii and Hippophae rhamnoides） species. The microbial community structure and functional diversity were examined by analyzing the phospholipid fatty acids （PLFAs） and community-level physiological profiles. The results showed that rhizosphere soil sampled from the H. altaicus and A. capillaries plots had the highest values of microbial biomass C, average well color development of carbon resources, Gram-negative （G-） bacterial PLFA, bacterial PLFA, total PLFA, Shannon richness, and Shannon evenness, as well as the lowest metabolic quotient. Soil sampled from the H. rhamnoides plots had the highest metabolic quotient and Gram-positive （G＋） bacterial PLFA, and soil sampled from the A. adsurgens and A. capillaries plots had the highest fungal PLFA and fungal：bacterial PLFA ratio. Correlation analysis indicated a signiifcant positive relationship among the microbial biomass C, G- bacterial PLFA, bacterial PLFA, and total PLFA. In conclusion, plant species under arid climatic conditions signiifcantly affected the microbial community structure in rhizosphere soil. Among the studied plants, natural grassland species generated the most favorable microbial conditions.     

The main physical properties of planosol in maize(Zea mays L.) cultivation under different long-term reduced tillage practices in the Baltic region

The impact of sustainable reduced tillage(RT) on the physical properties of soil is well documented worldwide; however, there is no precise information about the influence of long-term RT or no-till(NT) on the soils at the boundary for grain maize-growing in the semi-humid subarctic climate conditions of the Baltic states, especially on the formation of a hardened upper soil layer(10–15 cm in depth)- "loosening hardpan". This study was carried out at the Research Station of Aleksandras Stulginskis University, Lithuania from 2009–2012. The investigations were based on a long-term(since 1988) field experiment. The aim of the investigation was to ascertain the influence of reduced primary tillage on the main soil's physical properties. This study examined soils that were deep ploughing(DP), shallow ploughing(SP), deep cultivation(DC), shallow cultivation(SC), and no-till(NT). Reducing the tillage intensity to NT had no significant effect on the structural soil's composition; however, the stability of the structure of the 1 and 0.25 mm-size fractions was significantly higher in the non-reversibly tilled(DC, SC) and NT plots. The penetration resistance of the DP soils was less after primary tillage and wintering, and became similar to the NT plots at the end of the maize growth season. After primary tillage and wintering, the soil moisture content in the upper soil layer(0–5 cm depth) of the NT plots was 17–49 and 16–18% higher than that in the DP. Long-term reduction of primary tillage up to NT generally had no significant effect on the moisture content and soil bulk density of the 0–10 and 10–20 cm layers. The results showed that long-term RT stabilized the physical quality of soil. Less soil penetration resistance was established in the DP plots compared to both RT and NT, however, indicators of the formation of a uniform "loosening hardpan" layer were not found. It is summarized that long-term RT or NT systems stabilize, or may increase, the physical quality of soil in crop cultivation with low inter-row coverage potential(maize), and could be applied in semi-humid subarctic climate conditions as a good option to prevent soil degradation.     

Diversity in metagenomic sequences reveals new pathogenic fungus associated with smut in Job's tears

Smut is a serious disease in Job's tears, also known as adlay, and contributes to the reduction of crop yield in agricultural fields. In this study, the key pathogenic fungi in adlay smut disease were first identified by internal transcribed spacer region(ITS) high-throughput sequencing and then used to elucidate the composition and diversity of the fungal community in adlay smut. Results indicate that an abundance of operational taxonomic units(OTUs) were detected in the infected involucres of flowering plants and the OTUs were classified to nine phyla, 20 classes, 45 orders, 90 families and 119 genera. A total of 4 986 OTUs clustered together, sharing six core OTUs in all samples, while 145 OTUs were shared among four geographical groups. The Shannon and Simpson indices ranged from 0.137–1.629 and 0.357–0.970, respectively. Community diversity ranked as Anshun(AS)Qinglong(QL)Xingren(XR)Xingyi(XY) among the four geographical groups by Shannon and Simpson indices, exhibiting complex community diversities among accessions and geographical groups. The richness and diversity data imply a weak relationship between the accession community richness and geographical origins of samples. Two closely related fungal genera, Sporisorium and Ustilago, were implicated as causes of smut disease. The genus Sporisorium appears to be more commonly found among accessions and thus is more likely to be the fungal pathogen causing smut in adlay. This work can facilitate strategies to control and prevent smut infection to improve adlay yield.     

Bacterial diversity and community composition changes in paddy soils that have different parent materials and fertility levels

Parent materials and the fertility levels of paddy soils are highly variable in subtropical China. Bacterial diversity and community composition play pivotal roles in soil ecosystem processes and functions. However, the effects of parent material and fertility on bacterial diversity and community composition in paddy soils are unclear. The key soil factors driving the changes in bacterial diversity, community composition, and the specific bacterial species in soils that are derived from different parent materials and have differing fertility levels are unknown. Soil samples were collected from paddy fields in two areas with different parent materials(quaternary red clay or tertiary sandstone) and two levels of fertility(high or low). The variations in bacterial diversity indices and communities were evaluated by 454 pyrosequencing which targeted the V4–V5 region of the 16 S r RNA gene. The effects of parent material and fertility on bacterial diversity and community composition were clarified by a two-way ANOVA and a two-way PERMANOVA. A principal coordinate analysis(PCo A), a redundancy analysis(RDA), and multivariate regression trees(MRT) were used to assess changes in the studied variables and identify the factors affecting bacterial community composition. Co-occurrence network analysis was performed to find correlations between bacterial genera and specific soil properties, and a statistical analysis of metagenomic profiles(STAMP) was used to determine bacterial genus abundance differences between the soil samples. The contributions made by parent material and soil fertility to changes in the bacterial diversity indices were comparable, but soil fertility accounted for a larger part of the shift in bacterial community composition than the parent material. Soil properties, especially soil texture, were strongly associated with bacterial diversity. The RDA showed that soil organic carbon(SOC) was the primary factor influencing bacterial community composition. A key threshold for SOC(25.5 g kg~(–1)) separated low fertility soils from high fertility soils. The network analysis implied that bacterial interactions tended towards cooperation and that copiotrophic bacteria became dominant when the soil environment improved. The STAMP revealed that copiotrophic bacteria, such as Massilia and Rhodanobacter, were more abundant in the high fertility soils, while oligotrophic bacteria, such as Anaerolinea, were dominant in low fertility soils. The results showed that soil texture played a role in bacterial diversity, but nutrients, especially SOC, shaped bacterial community composition in paddy soils with different parent materials and fertility levels.     

Genetic Differentiation Analyses Based on mtDNA COⅡ Gene Sequences Among Different Geographic Populations of Aphis glycines(Hemiptera: Aphididae) in Northeast China

Aphis glycines(Hemiptera: Aphididae) is considered as a cosmopolitan pest of cultivated soybean, major diffi culties in its control measures may be due to its higher genetic diversity; however, the knowledge about population genetic diversity of this species is limited. This study aimed to represent the genetic differentiation among different geographic populations of soybean aphid in Northeast China. In order to investigate and assess the genetic diversity, genetic differentiation, molecular variance, population structure, ecological importance and evolutionary history of A. glycines, we sequenced a fragment of one protein-coding gene, the cytochrome c oxidaseⅡof mitochondrial DNA gene. The results showed that four haplotypes were defi ned among COⅡ gene of 180 sequences of soybean aphid in Northeast China including H1 shared by all the populations. Lower haplotype diversity(Hd=0.3590±0.0420) and nucleotide diversity(Pi=0.0012±0.0002) were observed and high gene flow was detected in every two populations, while most of the variation(80.81%) arose from variability within A. glycines from individuals. Low genetic differentiation and high gene fl ow(Nm=2.106) indicated a high migration rate between the populations, which might reveal that gene flow in different geographic populations did not affect by geographical distance. The phylogenetic tree and the haplotype network of A. glycines were obtained based on sequences of COⅡ gene, there were no signifi cant genealogical branches or clusters recognized in NJ tree, and no clear distribution, delineation of haplotypes were demonstrated in the haplotype network according to geographical location. This study rejected the vicariance hypothesis: geographic isolation could be a barrier and it restricted A. glycines gene fl ow among 10 populations.     

Responses of N_2O reductase gene(nosZ)-denitrifier communities to long-term fertilization follow a depth pattern in calcareous purplish paddy soil

The effect of long-term fertilization on soil denitrifying communities was analysed by measuring the abundance and diversity of the nitrous oxide(N_2O)reductase gene,nos Z.Soil samples were collected from plots of a long-term fertilization experiment established in 1982 in Suining City,China.The fertilizer treatments were no fertilizer(CK),three chemical fertilizer(CF)treatments(N,NP,NPK),manure(M)alone,and manure with chemical fertilizers(NM,NPM,NPKM).The abundance and diversity of the denitrifying bacteria were assessed by real-time quantitative PCR,terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism(T-RFLP),and cloning and sequencing of nos Z genes.The diversity and abundance of nos Z-denitrifiers was higher in soil amended with manure and chemical fertilizers(CFM)than in soil amended with CF alone,and the highest in topsoil(0–20 cm).The nos Z-denitrifier community composition was more complex in CFM soil than in CF soil.Specific species were detected only in the CFM soil.The abundance of nos Z-denitrifier in the NPKM treatment was approximately two times higher than that in the CK,N,and NPK treatments.Most of the cloned nos Z sequences were closely related to nos Z sequences from Bradyrhizobiaceae and Rhodospirillaceae in Alphaproteobacteria.Of the measured abiotic factors,soil organic matter correlated significantly with the abundance(P0.01);available phosphorus correlated significantly with the topsoil community composition(P0.01),whereas soil organic matter correlated significantly with the subsoil(20–90 cm)community composition(P0.01).This study demonstrated that long-term CFM fertilization affected both the abundance and composition of the nos Z-denitrifier community.     

Variation of Potential Nitrification and Ammonia-Oxidizing Bacterial Community with Plant-Growing Period in Apple Orchard Soil

In this study, we investigated the potential nitrification and community structure of soil-based ammonia-oxidizing bacteria （AOB） in apple orchard soil during different growth periods and explored the effects of environmental factors on nitrification activity and AOB community composition in the soil of a Hanfu apple orchard, using a culture-dependent technique and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis （DGGE）. We observed that nitrification activity and AOB abundance were the highest in November, lower in May, and the lowest in July. The results of statistical analysis indicated that total nitrogen （N） content, NH4＋-N content, NO3-N content, and pH showed significant correlations with AOB abundance and nitrification activity in soil. The Shannon-Winner diversity, as well as species richness and evenness indices （determined by PCR-DGGE banding patterns） in soil samples were the highest in September, but the lowest in July, when compared to additional sampled dates. The DGGE fingerprints of soil-based 16S rRNA genes in November were apparently distinct from those observed in May, July, and September, possessing the lowest species richness indices and the highest dominance indices among all four growth periods. Fourteen DGGE bands were excised for sequencing. The resulting analysis indicated that all AOB communities belonged to the 13-Proteobacteria phylum, with the dominant AOB showing high similarity to the Nitrosospira genus. Therefore, soil-based environmental factors, such as pH variation and content of NHa＋-N and NO3--N, can substantially influence the abundance of AOB communities in soil, and play a critical role in soil-based nitrification kinetics.     

Species diversity of thrips (Thysanoptera) in selected avocado orchards from Mexico based on morphology and molecular data

Avocado is one of the most important crops in the world, and Mexico is the largest producer of this fruit. Several insect pests affect its production, and thrips are amongst the most important. A key step in the design of control methods is accurate species identification. Despite this, formal reports on species diversity of thrips in Mexico are very scarce. Morphological identification can sometimes be time-consuming and inconclusive. Therefore, we explored the species diversity of thrips in Mexican avocado orchards(Michoacan state) based on partial sequences of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase subunit Ⅰ(COⅠ). Forty-four specimens were analysed, which represented approximately 8% of all individuals collected from five localities distributed in three Municipalities. All specimens were analysed using the COⅠ marker, and specimens within the genera Frankliniella were also analysed using a marker within the D2 domain of the 28 S(28 SD2) nuclear ribosomal DNA. Molecular identifications were confirmed using morphological taxonomy. Overall, six genera were found(Neohydatothrips, Scirtothrips, Frankliniella, Arorathrips, Caliothrips and Leptothrips). All genera contained only one species, except Frankliniella, for which there were six species. Data from the two molecular markers suggest the existence of cryptic species within Mexican F. occidentalis populations.     

Improved soil characteristics in the deeper plough layer can increase grain yield of winter wheat

In the North China Plain(NCP), soil deterioration threatens winter wheat(Triticum aestivum L.) production. Although rotary tillage or plowing tillage are two methods commonly used in this region, research characterizing the effects of mixed tillage on soil characteristics and wheat yield has been limited. A fixed-site field trial was carried out during 2011–2016 to examine the impacts of three tillage practices(5-year rotary tillage with maize straw removal(RT); 5-year rotary tillage with maize straw return(RS); and annual RS and with a deep plowing interval of 2 years(RS/DS)) on soil characteristics and root distribution in the plough layer. Straw return significantly decreased soil bulk density, increased soil organic carbon(SOC) storage and SOC content, macro-aggregate proportion(R_(0.25)) and its stability in the plough layer. The RS/DS treatment significantly increased the SOC content, total nitrogen(TN), and root length density(RLD) in the 10–40 cm layer, and enhanced the proportion of RLD in the 20–30 and 30–40 cm layers. In the 20–30 and 30–40 cm layers, an increase in SOC and TN could lead to higher grain production than commensurate increases in the surface layer, resulting in a sustainable increase in grain yield from the RS/DS treatment. Thus, the RS/DS treatment could lead to high productivity of winter wheat by improving soil characteristics and root distribution at the deeper plough layer in the NCP.     

Interactions of water and nitrogen addition on soil microbial community composition and functional diversity depending on the inter-annual precipitation in a Chinese steppe

Water and nitrogen are primary limiting factors in semiarid grassland ecosystems. Our knowledge is still poor regarding the interactive effects of water and N addition on soil microbial communities, although this information is crucial to reveal the mechanisms of the terrestrial ecosystem response to global changes. We addressed this problem by conducting a field experiment with a 15% surplus of the average rainfall under three levels of N addition(50, 100, and 200 kg N ha–1 yr–1) in two consecutive years in Inner Mongolia, China. Microbial community composition and functional diversity were analyzed based on phospholipid fatty acids(PLFA) and BIOLOG techniques, respectively. The results showed that water addition did not affect the soil microbial community composition, but much more yearly precipitation generally decreased the PLFA concentration, which implied a fast response of soil microbes to changes of water condition. Soil fungi was depressed only by N addition at the high level(200 kg N ha–1 yr–1) and without hydrologic leaching, while Gram-negative bacteria was suppressed probably by plant competition at high level N addition but with hydrologic leaching. The study found unilateral positive/negative interactions between water and N addition in affecting soil microbial community, however, climate condition(precipitation) could be a significant factor in disturbing the interactions. This study highlighted that:(1) The sustained effect of pulsed water addition was minimal on the soil microbial community composition but significant on the microbial community functional diversity and(2) the complex interaction between water and N addition on soil microbial community related to the inter-annual variation of the climate and plant response.     

Effects of maize-soybean relay intercropping on crop nutrient uptake and soil bacterial community

Maize-soybean relay intercropping is an effective approach to improve the crop yield and nutrient use efficiency, which is widely practiced by farmers in southwest of China. To elucidate the characteristics of different planting patterns on crop nutrient uptake, soil chemical properties, and soil bacteria community in maize-soybean relay intercropping systems, we conducted a field experiment in 2015–2016 with single factor treatments, including monoculture maize(MM), monoculture soybean(MS), maize-soybean relay intercropping(IMS), and fallow(CK). The results showed that the N uptake of maize grain increased in IMS compared with MM. Compared with MS, the yield and uptake of N, P, and K of soybean grain were increased by 25.5, 24.4, 9.6, and 22.4% in IMS, respectively, while the N and K uptakes in soybean straw were decreased in IMS. The soil total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and soil organic matter contents were significantly higher in IMS than those of the corresponding monocultures and CK. Moreover, the soil protease, soil urease, and soil nitrate reductase activities in IMS were higher than those of the corresponding monocultures and CK. The phyla Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi, and Actinobacteria dominated in all treatments. Shannon's index in IMS was higher than that of the corresponding monocultures and CK. The phylum Proteobacteria proportion was positively correlated with maize soil organic matter and soybean soil total nitrogen content, respectively. These results indicated that the belowground interactions increased the crop nutrient(N and P) uptake and soil bacterial community diversity, both of which contributed to improved soil nutrient management for legume-cereal relay intercropping systems.     

Dynamics of microbial diversity during the composting of agricultural straw

The dynamic changes in microbial diversity during the aerobic composting of agricultural crop straw with additives were evaluated using high-throughput sequencing at four phases of composting (mesophilic,thermophilic,cooling and maturation phases).In addition,the physicochemical parameters of the composting system were determined in this study.The fermentation time of the thermophilic period was prolonged with the addition of urea or urea combined with a microbial agent.The ratio of C/N and germination index variation indicated that the additives were favorable for composting,because the additives directly changed the physicochemical properties of the compost and had effects on the diversity and abundance of bacteria and fungi.The abundance of operational taxonomic units (OTUs),diversity index (Shannon) and richness index(Chao1) of fungi and bacteria were found to significantly increase when urea+microbial agents were added to straw in the thermophilic phase.The relative abundance of the predominant bacteria and fungi at the phylum and genus levels differed during different composting phases.The abundance of the phyla Firmicutes and Proteobacteria declined in the order of treatments SNWSNS (S is straw only compost;SN is straw+5 kg t~(–1) urea compost;and SNW is straw+5 kg t~(–1) urea+1 kg t~(–1) microbial agent compost) in the thermophilic phase.The abundance of the genera Staphylococcus,Bacillus and Thermobifida followed the same order in the mesophilic phase.Ascomycota accounted for more than 92%of the total fungal sequences.With the progression of the composting process,the abundance of Ascomycota decreased gradually.The abundance of Ascomycota followed the order of SSNSNW during the thermophilic phase.The abundance of Aspergillus accounted for 4–59%of the total abundance of fungi and increased during the first two sampling periods.Aspergillus abundance followed the order of SNWSNS.Additionally,principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the community compositions in the straw and straw+urea treatments were similar,and that the bacterial communities in treatments S,SN and SNW in the mesophilic phase (at day 1) were different from those observed in three other phases (at days 5,11,and19,respectively),while the fungal communities showed only slight variations in their structure in response to changes in the composting process.Canonical correlation analysis (CCA) and redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that total carbon(TC),NO_3~–-N (NN),electrical conductivity (EC) and p H were highly correlated with community composition.Therefore,this study highlights that the additives are beneficial to straw composting and result in good quality compost.     

4种禾本科小麦族植物微观形貌特征的比较(英文)

[Objective] This study was to investigate the difference in microscopic features of pollen grain and stoma of four triticeae species, as well as the relationship between the sizes of pollen grain and stoma, and the chromosome ploidy. [Method] Comparison of the micro-morphological characteristics of pollen grain and leaf epiderm among diaploid Thinopyrum elongatum, Elytrigia intermedia, hexaploid Triticum aestivum and octoploid Tritielytrigia types were carried out by observation under scanning electronic microscope(SEM). [Result] There were some differences among the four species in the micro-morphology, the size, the surface protuberance, the germ pore of pollen grain and the leaf epidermal stoma, in which diploid Thinopyrum elongatum was obviously different from the other three. Diploid, hexaploid and octoploid species of triticeae had remarkable differences in micro-morphological characteristics of pollen grain and stoma. However, some differences between hexaploid species and octoploid species were not significant. [Conclusion] Some microscopic characteristics of pollen grain and stoma could be used as the evidence to identify diaploid, hexaploid and octoploid spieces whose chromosome ploidy are hugely different.     

Impact of the red imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta Buren on biodiversity in South China: A review

The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, is a problematic invasive species in China since at least 2003. Over the past 15 years, a numerous studies were published on the impacts of this species on flora, fauna, and ecosystem function in natural and agricultural systems. We reviewed the literature on S. invicta invasion biology and impacts on biodiversity in South China. Both monogyne and polygyne colonies of S. invicta were introduced to China and polygyne colony is the dominant type. The range expansion rate of S. invicta may reach 26.5–48.1 km yr–1 in China. S. invicta forage activities occur year-round, peaking in the summer and fall in South China and show a preference for insects and plant seeds. We describe the ecological impacts of S. invicta on various habitats in South China, including arthropod community structure disruption and decreases in diversity and abundance of native ant species. S. invicta can replace the role of native ants in mutualisms between ants and honeydew-producing Hemiptera, which results in loss of important food resources for native ants and natural enemies of hemipterans. Further research is required to assess the complex ecosystem-level impacts of S. invicta in introduced areas.     

Genetic Relationships Among Chinese Maize OPVs Based on SSR Markers

Bulk-SSR method was used to analyze the genetic diversity of 44 open-pollinated varieties collected from Henan, Shandong, Shanxi, and Jilin provinces and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China using 70 pairs of SSR primers. The purposes of this study were to (1) compare the genetic diversity among 44 Chinese maize open-pollinated varieties; (2) estimate the minimum number of alleles for construction of a stable dendrogram; and (3) trace the genetic relationships among local germplasm from different regions of China. In total, these 70 SSR primers yielded 292 alleles in 176 samples (4×44) analyzed. The number of alleles per locus was 4.17 on average and ranged from 2 to 8. The highest number of alleles per open-pollinated variety (55.25) was detected in Shanxi germplasm, which indicated that open-pollinated varieties from Shanxi possessed the largest genetic diversity among those from the five locations. The correlation coefficients between different genetic similarity matrices suggested that 200 alleles were sufficient for analysis of the genetic diversity of these 44 open-pollinated varieties. The cluster analysis showed that 44 open-pollinated varieties collected from three growing regions in China were accurately classified into three groups that were highly consistent with their geographic origins, and there is no correlation between GS and geographic distance in this study.