氟 对玉米产量品质及土壤性质的影响

适量氟对动物和人类健康有益, 而过量氟对动物和人类健康有害。为研究氟对玉米产量品质及土壤性质的影响, 采用盆栽试验研究了添加0、100 mg·kg^-1、200 mg·kg^-1、500 mg·kg^-1、1 000 mg·kg^-1 和1 500 mg·kg^-1 氟(NaF)对玉米产量、粗蛋白和淀粉含量及土壤pH、水溶性钙和微生物数量的影响。结果表明: 随氟处理浓度的增加玉米产量显著降低, 减产9.9%~85.4%; 玉米籽粒蛋白质含量显著增加, 从91.8 g·kg^-1 增加到108.8 g·kg^-1。加入氟100 mg·kg^-1 和200 mg·kg^-1 时, 淀粉含量表现为下降趋势,而当加入氟500 mg·kg^-1、1 000 mg·kg^-1 和1 500 mg·kg^-1 时, 淀粉含量表现为上升趋势。玉米不同部位氟含量基本上随氟浓度的增加而增加, 玉米根部和籽粒含氟量与氟添加量的相关性达极显著水平, 相关系数分别为r_根=0.998^**和r_粒=0.915^**; 叶含氟量与氟添加量的相关性达显著水平, r_叶=0.852^*; 玉米不同部位氟含量的大小顺序为根>叶>叶鞘>茎>籽粒。氟浓度在200 mg·kg^-1 时, 籽粒含氟量已超过无公害农产品标准1.0 mg·kg^-1。石灰性土壤添加氟后, 可使土壤pH 增加,从8.05 增加到8.70; 水溶性钙含量显著下降, 由2.71 g·kg^-1 下降到1.02 g·kg^-1。随氟浓度的增加土壤放线菌数量显著降低, 与对照相比, 降低0.92%~65.22%; 低浓度的氟可以促进土壤细菌、真菌的生长, 而高浓度的氟可以抑制细菌、真菌的生长。     

黄淮麦区小麦籽粒锌含量差异原因与调控

小麦高产优质生产对保障我国粮食安全和人们营养健康有重要意义。通过实地调研和取样分析,研究了黄淮麦区276个田块的小麦籽粒锌含量与产量和产量构成、施肥和土壤养分、作物锌吸收利用等参数的关系。结果表明,黄淮麦区缺锌和非缺锌土壤的比例分别为42%和58%,两种土壤上的小麦籽粒锌含量分别介于16~52和17~58 mg·kg^-1,分别有7%和9%样本的籽粒锌达到推荐值40 mg·kg^-1。缺锌田块,籽粒锌含量与磷肥用量（r = -0.273,P < 0.01）、0~20 cm土壤有效磷（r= -0.283,P < 0.01）显著负相关,高低籽粒锌组的磷肥用量分别为73和137 kg·hm^-2,土壤有效磷分别为13和20 mg·kg^-1,有效锌分别为0.8和0.7 mg·kg^-1,但籽粒产量低于非缺锌土壤（7 204 和7 857 kg·hm^-2）。非缺锌田块,籽粒锌含量与磷肥用量显著负相关（r= -0.181,P < 0.05）,与0~20 cm（r= 0.236,P< 0.01）和20~40 cm（r= 0.183,P < 0.05）土壤有效锌显著正相关,高低锌组的磷肥用量分别为112和145 kg·hm^-2,0~20 cm的土壤有效磷分别为29和30 mg·kg^-1,有效锌分别为3.3和2.2 mg·kg^-1。因此,在缺锌土壤上,应首先解决土壤缺锌问题,将有效锌提升至临界值1.0 mg·kg^-1以上,非缺锌土壤有效锌保持在3.0 mg·kg^-1以上,同时适当减少磷肥用量和降低土壤有效磷水平,以减少磷对小麦锌吸收的负面影响,维持黄淮麦区小麦高产并改善籽粒锌营养。     

赤字爱胜蚓对土壤中镉富集的初步研究

将赤字爱胜蚓放在镉浓度分别为0、200、300、400、500、600、700mg·kg-1的土壤中培养60d后,用原子吸收分光光度计法测定镉在蚯蚓不同部位的分布、蚓粪中镉的含量。结果表明,赤字爱胜蚓对土壤中的镉具有较强的富集能力。当土壤中镉浓度为200mg·kg-1时,蚯蚓体内镉浓度为305mg·kg-1,相当于蚯蚓体重的0.03%;土壤镉浓度200～500mg·kg-1,蚯蚓对镉的富集系数在5以上;蚯蚓第XV体节后的肠道部是镉的主要吸收部位。研究结果表明,蚯蚓对于中轻度镉污染的土壤修复治理效果较为理想。     

氟啶胺对土壤中蔗糖酶活性及呼吸作用的影响

使用农药控制作物害虫和疾病可提高农业生产力, 然而农药的使用对土壤造成的污染已成为巨大且日益严重的问题。重复、广泛使用的农药进入土壤影响土壤生物、生物代谢及其生物活性, 已成为农业生态环境重要的研究内容。为了更好地了解氟啶胺对土壤微生物活性和土壤质量等潜在环境危险, 采用实验室模拟的方法研究了氟啶胺农药残留动态, 以及氟啶胺对土壤呼吸强度、蔗糖酶活性及其动力学和热力学特征参数的影响。结果表明: 高剂量(100 mg·kg^-1)氟啶胺在土壤的降解速率常数最大, 氟啶胺在土壤中的半衰期范围为0.38~0.59 d。高剂量(50 mg·kg^-1、100 mg·kg^-1 和1 000 mg·kg^-1)氟啶胺对土壤蔗糖酶表现出不同程度的抑制作用; 低剂量(1 mg·kg^-1、5 mg·kg^-1)处理表现为抑制-激活-抑制作用, 且波动范围较大; 10 mg·kg^-1 氟啶胺对土壤蔗糖酶前期表现为抑制、后期表现为激活作用, 波动范围较大。不同浓度氟啶胺胁迫下蔗糖酶促反应的Michaelis 常数(K_m)和最大反应速率(V_max)发生改变, 但变化不大。土壤中氟啶胺浓度为1 mg·kg^-1 时蔗糖酶所需的活化能(E_a)比CK 高, 其他浓度都低于CK; 5 mg·kg^-1、10 mg·kg^-1、50 mg·kg^-1、100 mg·kg^-1 和1 000 mg·kg^-1 所需的活化焓变(ΔH)随氟啶胺的浓度降低而变小; 在相同温度下蔗糖酶的活化熵变(ΔS)表现为: 1 mg·kg^-1G)变化差异较小; 320~330 K (开氏温度)时最大速度常数(Q₁₀)最大, 而290~300 K 时Q₁₀ 较小。低剂量氟啶胺对土壤微生物呼吸作用的影响表现为随时间变化呈现抑制-激活趋势, 高低剂量表现为抑制作用。土壤微生物的呼吸活性因氟啶胺的加入而产生波动。本研究结果有助于进一步分析研究受农药污染土壤的质量和酶活之间的相关性。     

高阳县农田土壤速效养分空间变异特征研究

土壤养分空间变异的研究对指导测土配方施肥具有重要意义。为了便于土壤养分的管理, 以河北省保定市高阳县为例, 应用地统计学和GIS相结合的方法, 研究了农田土壤速效氮、磷、钾含量的空间变异特征。结果表明: 土壤速效氮、磷、钾的含量范围分别为10.50~210.00 mg·kg^-1、1.02~197.75 mg·kg^-1和14.51~376.18 mg·kg^-1, 平均值分别为76.32 mg·kg^-1、22.28 mg·kg^-1和128.34 mg·kg^-1, 变异系数范围为36.11%~79.71%, 属于中等强度变异。速效氮、磷、钾的C0/(C0+C)值均介于25%~75%, 表现出中等强度的空间自相关, 空间变异是结构因素和随机因素共同作用的结果, 空间相关距离分别为43.96 km、1.05 km和51.94 km。通过插值误差的比较得出最优拟合模型, 速效氮、磷、钾最好的理论模型分别为球状模型、指数模型和球状模型, 趋势效应参数宜选取0阶。然后用普通克里格方法绘制了土壤速效氮、磷、钾的空间分布图, 速效氮含量绝大部分属低等水平, 无明显分布特征, 速效磷空间分布呈条带状, 速效钾空间分布呈条带状和岛状分布相结合的特点。     

华北山前平原农田土壤肥力演变与养分管理对策

通过对2000 年、2008 年栾城县农田土壤养分与1979 年土壤普查资料的比较, 分析了养分肥力指标的变化程度, 研究了30 年间该县农田土壤养分演变趋势及其原因, 提出了养分资源管理的相应对策。研究结果表明, 2008 年土壤肥力状况较2000 年和1979 年发生了明显变化, 土壤有机质、碱解氮、有效磷和速效钾含量均有显著提高(P<0.01), 碱解氮含量增加尤为显著。土壤碱解氮平均含量由1979 年的56.7 mg·kg^-1 增加到2000 年的80.0 mg·kg^-1 和2008 年的109.1 mg·kg^-1, 1979~2000 年间土壤碱解氮以每年1.1 mg·kg^-1 的平均速度增长, 年均增长率1.9%, 增幅41.1%; 进入21 世纪后, 增长速度明显加快, 2000~2008 年间以每年3.6 mg·kg^-1的平均速度增长, 年均增长率4.5%, 增幅为36.4%。土壤有机质由1979 年的11.6 g·kg^-1 增加到2008 年的18.8g·kg^-1, 平均每年以0.24 g·kg^-1 的速度增长, 年均增长率为2.1%, 增幅为62.1%。30 年间土壤有效磷含量由17.5mg·kg^-1 增加到24.7 mg·kg^-1, 增加幅度为41.1%。由于受到"北方石灰性土壤不缺钾"的观点影响, 20 世纪该区域农民很少施用钾肥, 1979~2000 年间土壤速效钾含量呈下降趋势, 由140.6 mg·kg^-1 下降到111.4 mg·kg^-1, 下降幅度20.8%; 进入21 世纪, 由于秸秆还田措施的实施和含钾肥料的施用, 至2008 年全县土壤速效钾平均含量又回升到149.5 mg·kg^-1。栾城县农田土壤肥力水平较高, 生产潜力大, 该区域农田养分管理应以氮素的精确管理为核心, 以实现作物持续高产稳产与环境保护相协调为目标, 氮肥管理推行实时诊断与推荐施肥技术,磷钾肥实施恒量监控储备施用技术, 推广秸秆直接还田, 实行有机无机相结合的培肥措施。     

二甲基二硫熏蒸对保护地连作土壤微生物群落的影响

随着保护地高附加值经济作物的连年栽培, 土传病害问题愈发突出, 熏蒸剂也因此得以更广泛的应用。但鉴于熏蒸剂的广谱性, 在杀死有害生物的同时, 不可避免地对非靶标生物产生一定的影响。为明确溴甲烷替代药剂二甲基二硫(dimethyl disulfide, 简称DMDS)熏蒸对土壤微生物群落的影响, 本研究在室内条件下采用BIOLOG 方法, 测定不同浓度DMDS 熏蒸对保护地连作土壤微生物群落的影响。研究结果表明: 不同浓度DMDS(170.00 mg·kg^-1、85.20 mg·kg^-1、42.50 mg·kg^-1、21.30 mg·kg^-1 和10.62 mg·kg^-1)熏蒸处理对镰孢菌属(Fusarium spp.)和疫霉菌属(Phytophthora spp.)的LC₅₀(抑制中浓度)分别为42.08 mg·kg^-1 和115.15 mg·kg^-1。DMDS 熏蒸后恢复培养0 d 取样, 温育120 h 时, 170.00 mg·kg^-1、42.50 mg·kg^-1 和10.62 mg·kg^-1 的DMDS 处理土壤的AWCD 值(平均每孔颜色变化率, average well-color development, AWCD)分别比空白对照升高8.46%、6.02%、19.31%, 表明DMDS 促进了土壤微生物的生长。恢复培养14 d 后, 各处理土壤微生物的AWCD 值恢复至对照水平。多样性指数分析显示, DMDS 熏蒸后恢复培养0 d 时, 土壤微生物群落的Shannon 指数、Simpson指数均高于空白对照, McIntosh 指数与对照无显著性差异; 恢复培养7 d 后, Shannon 指数与Simpson 指数恢复至对照水平。主成分分析结果显示, DMDS 熏蒸后恢复培养0 d 时, 各处理间微生物对碳源的利用方式差异显著, 恢复培养14 d 后, DMDS 对微生物碳源利用方式的影响逐渐减弱, 恢复至对照水平。结果表明, DMDS 熏蒸处理对土壤微生物的生长具有促进作用, 影响了微生物对碳源的利用方式, 但在恢复培养14 d 后, 被干扰的土壤微生物逐渐恢复至对照水平。DMDS 熏蒸处理在有效防控土传病原真菌的同时, 不会对土壤微生物群落产生明显的扰动影响, 对环境较安全。     

铜和维生素A 及其互作效应对肉鸡免疫功能的影响

采用4×2(铜×维生素A)完全随机试验设计, 研究了日粮添加不同水平的铜(0 mg·kg^-1、8 mg·kg^-1、150 mg·kg^-1、225 mg·kg^-1)和维生素A(1 500 IU·kg^-1、5 000 IU·kg^-1)对肉仔鸡不同生长阶段(0~4 周龄和5~7 周龄)免疫功能的影响。结果表明: 添加铜为8 mg·kg^-1 时, 肉鸡生长前期(0~4 周龄)可显著(P<0.05)或极显著(P<0.01)提高肉鸡脾脏活化T 淋巴细胞百分率和血清抗体效价, 生长后期(5~7 周龄)可极显著(P<0.01)或显著(P<0.05)提高脾脏、胸腺、盲肠扁桃体活化T 淋巴细胞百分率和外周血液中活化T、B 淋巴细胞百分率; 整个试验期添加高铜(150 mg·kg^-1、225 mg·kg^-1)时, 活化T、B 淋巴细胞百分率均不同程度下降。添加维生素A 5 000 IU·kg^-1 时, 肉鸡生长前期可显著(P<0.05)提高其外周血液中活化T 淋巴细胞百分率, 生长后期可极显著(P<0.01)或显著(P<0.05)提高脾脏、盲肠扁桃体活化T 淋巴细胞百分率和血清抗体效价。铜和维生素A 互作效应对肉鸡生长前期的活化T、B 淋巴细胞百分率和血清抗体效价影响不显著, 对生长后期的外周血液、胸腺、盲肠扁桃体活化T 淋巴细胞百分率影响显著(P<0.05), 以8 mg·kg^-1 铜× 5 000 IU·kg^-1 维生素A 处理最高; 以上结果提示铜和维生素A 对肉鸡免疫功能的影响存在互作效应。     

Cu对猪粪堆肥过程中堆料性质和氧化还原类酶活性的影响

以猪粪和秸秆为主要试验材料, 添加不同浓度重金属Cu, 采取发酵罐处理方法, 在好氧高温条件下研究了重金属Cu对猪粪堆肥过程中多酚氧化酶、脱氢酶活性的变化, 以及堆腐过程堆体温度、堆料pH、胡敏酸E4/E6值变化的影响。结果表明: 不添加外源重金属Cu的CK处理在降温期堆温高于Cu含量为100 mg·kg^-1、500 mg·kg^-1的堆料; CK堆料pH最低点为5.94, E4/E6平均值为3.88。Cu含量为500 mg·kg^-1的堆料pH最高点为8.85, E4/E6平均值为3.68。Cu含量为100 mg·kg^-1的堆料升温快, 高温期持续时间长, 最高温度高于CK和Cu含量为500 mg·kg^-1的堆料, 能有效杀灭病原微生物, 达到无害化处理要求; 堆料pH控制在7~8之间, E4/E6大多情况低于CK和Cu含量为500 mg·kg^-1的堆料, 多酚氧化酶平均活性、脱氢酶平均活性均最高, 但在脱氢酶活性测定中表现出“抗性酶活性现象”。     

洪泽湖地区麦稻两熟农田及杨树林地降雨径流对地下水水质的影响

农业氮磷养分流失已经成为地下水污染的重要原因之一,为了探究和比较麦稻两熟农田和杨树林地氮磷流失对地下水的影响,本文在洪泽湖河湖交汇区设置农田和杨树林监测小区和监测井,进行了为期1年的地表养分流失和地下水水质监测。结果表明：1）林地雨前雨后表层土壤含水量均小于麦田,麦田土壤含水量较雨前平均提高8.95%,林地提高4.05%。2）麦田和杨树林地表层土壤硝态氮、铵态氮及有效磷流失总量分别为63.53 mg·kg^-1、5.61 mg·kg^-1及57.43 mg·kg^-1和16.78 mg·kg^-1、2.45 mg·kg^-1及0.73 mg·kg^-1,稻季田面水硝态氮、铵态氮、可溶性磷和颗粒态磷流失总量为8.32 mg·L^-1、27.44 mg·L^-1、2.39 mg·L^-1和2.99 mg·L^-1,监测期内杨树林氮磷流失总量明显低于农田。3）农田表层养分流失量与降雨量存在密切关系,基本随降雨量增大呈对数增长,而杨树林几乎不受降雨影响。4）农田产生径流的理论最小降雨量（麦田：3.3 mm;稻田：4.2 mm）远小于杨树林地（22.8 mm）,麦田铵态氮、正磷酸盐浓度,稻田和杨树林地总氮、硝态氮、铵态氮、总磷、可溶性磷、正磷酸盐浓度与降雨量存在显著相关性。5）农田径流中养分浓度与地下水氮磷含量存在显著相关性（P<0.05）,而杨树林地地下水氮磷含量保持在相对稳定水平,与径流中养分浓度无明显相关性。与农田相比,林地能够更好地控制径流养分流失,缓解地下水污染,有利于农业面源污染的控制。     

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。     

Biodiversity and ecogeography of wild Lactuca spp. in some European countries

Staff members of the Department of Botany of Palacký University in Olomouc and Gene Bank Department – Workplace Olomouc, Research Institute of Crop Production in Prague, Czech Republic, conducted an expedition in seven European countries (Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland) in August/September 1999 to collect wild Lactuca spp. germplasm and study its geographic distribution, ecology and biodiversity. During the mission, more than 600 locations were visited resulting in the collection of 602 seed samples (accessions) of wild Lactuca species and 13 seed samples of related genera (Chondrilla and Mycelis). Lactuca serriola f. serriola, L. serriola f. integrifolia, L. saligna and L. viminea subsp. chondrilliflora were prevalent in southern Europe (Italy, France), however, only L. serriola was common in central and western Europe (Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland). The greatest diversity of Lactuca species was found in France, where also the most seed samples (165) were collected. The most characteristic habitats with a high density of Lactuca spp. populations were observed along roads and highways, grassy ditches, ruderal communities, and dust-heaps. Natural infections by powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) and downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) on some wild Lactuca spp. were observed. Recent observations concerning the geographic distribution, population structure, habitats, and natural occurrence of diseases of Lactuca spp. are discussed. This assemblage of genetic resources of Lactuca spp. can serve as the basis of future studies of species diversification, spatial population structure, plant microevolution, domestication processes, and genetic variability of host-parasite interactions.     

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.     

Properties of anaerobically digested and composted municipal solid waste assessed by linking soil mesofauna dynamics and nitrogen modelling

We have studied the effect of anaerobically digested (ADMSW) and composted municipal solid waste (CMSW) on mineralization and foodweb dynamics to verify the hypothesis that ADMSW would immobilize N right after addition to soil in contrast to addition with CMSW. Another hypothesis was that the mesofauna (enchytraeids and microarthropods) would stimulate N release from the decomposer community. We measured excretion of -N and urea-N from the mesofauna and hypothesized that enchytraeids would release urea. ADMSW and CMSW were amended to pots with sandy loam and barley. The pots were divided into treatments with or without mesofauna. Mesofauna, plant N and biomass, soil N and ergosterol (fungal biomass) were measured over a 113-day period of four equidistant samplings. Soil respiration, N mineralization and N release by the mesofauna were modelled from concurrent studies. ADMSW- and CMSW-treated soils initially (<20 days) immobilized N. The amendments did not increase plant growth substantially, and this was probably due to N-limitation in the early stages of plant growth. Enchytraeid abundance was about three times higher in ADMSW- than CMSW-treated soils, indicating that ADMSW contained more labile compounds, bacteria, and microfauna. The mesofauna did not affect N-content, but the cumulated -N excreted by the mesofauna was estimated to be substantial and about one-fifth of total plant N in ADMSW. An explanation for this discrepancy might be that in the absence of the mesofauna, other members of the detrivore and microbivore community performed the mesofauna’s function. Neither enchytraeids nor microarthropods excreted urea.     

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,     

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,     

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,     

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.     

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.