Temporal and spatial distribution of Acanthaster planci population explosions in the Indo-West Pacific region

Recently-gathered information relating to the abundance and distribution of the asteroid Acanthaster planci on coral reefs at various localities in the Indo-West Pacific region is presented. Since 1957, population explosions of this coral predator have been observed on reefs in widely-separated areas. The infestations appear to be on an unprecedented scale. In some regions the area of reefs affected has increased progressively during the last decade. The principal infestations have occurred on accessible reefs near centres of human population, while remote reefs appear to be free from A. planci infestations. Human involvement in the initiation of the infestations is suggested.     

Studies on algal recolonisation of coral predated by the crown of thorns starfish Acanthaster planci in the sudanese red sea

This investigation was designed to investigate algal recolonisation on corals predated by Acanthaster planci. Slides and already predated coral heads were used to determine colonisation and growth rates of the algae. Results showed an initial rapid growth of the algae followed by a decrease in the case of the slides and a small increase in the case of the coral heads. The significance and possible causes of these results are discussed. These results would seem to put some doubt on the methods currently in use for estimating predation by these starfish, as the white coral heads can only be recognised for up to 10 days afterwards due to the rapid colonisation of algae.     

马铃薯幼苗对根际低氧胁迫的生长响应及耐性分析

为明确马铃薯抗湿性, 筛选耐湿品种, 本文采用盆栽淹水处理的方法, 以国内外14 个马铃薯品种资源为试验材料, 研究了低氧胁迫对植株生长的影响, 并利用湿害指数(WI)、抗逆系数(ARC)以及聚类分析方法分析了不同马铃薯品种资源幼苗耐低氧性的差异, 对14 个供试品种资源进行了耐低氧性综合评价。结果表明,与正常栽培(对照)比较, 淹水处理显著降低了“乌洋芋”、“早大白”、“Favorita”和“Vagor”品种的植株鲜重、植株干重、新叶数、株高和根系长度, 其平均抗逆系数为0.61~0.68, 这4 个品种对根际低氧胁迫敏感; 而“竹根”、“藏薯1 号”和“克新12 号”品种在低氧逆境下, 植株生长受到的抑制相对较小, 其平均抗逆系数在0.90~0.93,说明其对低氧胁迫的抗性较强; 其余7 个品种( “克新16 号”、“克新18 号”、“713NS51-5”、“717NS78-7”、“Cersa”、“458 DTO-33”和“川芋”)的平均抗逆系数在0.75~0.83,对低氧胁迫有一定的抗性。此外, 在淹水处理第8 d 时,“Vagor”和“Favorita”的湿害指数均达到3.0, 死亡率分别为47%和50%, 耐湿性最差; “克新18 号”、“乌洋芋”和“早大白”的湿害指数为2.5~2.8, 耐湿性较差; “竹根”、“克新12 号”、“藏薯1 号”和“克新16 号”的湿害指数为0.2~0.8, 耐湿性最强; 其余品种(“713NS51-5”、“717NS78-7”、“Cersa”、“458 DTO-33”和“川芋”)居中, 湿害指数为1.4~1.9。综合抗逆系数(ARC)、湿害指数(WI), 结合聚类分析的评价结果, 将供试的14 个马铃薯品种分为4大类: 耐低氧品种(“竹根”、“藏薯1 号”和“克新12 号”), 中等耐低氧品种(“克新16 号”、 “713NS51-5”、“717NS78-7”、 “458DTO-33”、“川芋”和“Cersa”), 不耐低氧品种(“克新18 号”、“乌洋芋”和“早大白”), 低氧敏感品种(“Favorita”和“Vagor”)。     

Intensive management fails to promote recruitment in the last large population of Juniperus communis (L.) in Flanders (Belgium)

In this study, the effectiveness of management measures aimed at promoting recruitment in the last large Flemish juniper population at Heiderbos is evaluated. We resurveyed demographic plots 23 years after their establishment in 1980 and linked the population changes with detailed records of the intensive management during the same period. Between 1980 and 2003 the population size has decreased by 36% and has changed from a relatively immature to a mature population with very few young individuals. Based on a simple model that simulated height growth between 1980 and 2003, the recruitment and mortality rates were estimated to be 5 and 24 ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, respectively. Intensive management has thus not been able to promote recruitment and the population might go extinct within 40 years if these rates remain unchanged. Furthermore, some measures, notably the working of the soil, have increased mortality of established junipers. The reasons for the limited recruitment are not entirely clear yet, but it may be due to a combination of the limited availability of bare ground for germination and the extremely low viability of juniper seeds. The latter fact may be a common characteristic of many threatened juniper populations in northwestern Europe.     

Accumulation of specific flavonoids in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) as a function of the early tripartite symbiosis with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Bradyrhizobium japonicum (Kirchner) Jordan

This study is the first report assessing the effect of soil inoculation on the signalling interaction of Bradyrhizobium japonicum, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and soybean plants throughout the early stages of colonisation that lead to the tripartite symbiosis. In a study using soil disturbance to produce contrasting indigenous AMF treatments, the flavonoids daidzein, genistein and coumestrol were identified as possible signals for regulating the establishment of the tripartite symbiosis. However, it was unclear whether soil disturbance induced changes in flavonoid root accumulation other than through changing the potential for AMF colonization. In this study, soil treatments comprising all possible combinations of AMF and B. japonicum were established to test whether (1) modifications in root flavonoid accumulation depend on the potential for AMF colonization, and (2) synthesis and accumulation of flavonoids in the roots change over time as a function of the early plant-microbial interactions that lead to the tripartite symbiosis. The study was comprised of two phases. First, maize was grown over 3-week periods to promote the development of the AM fungus Glomus clarum. Second, the interaction between soybean, G. clarum and B. japonicum was evaluated at 6, 10, 14 and 40 days after plant emergence. Root colonization by G. clarum had a positive effect on nodulation 14 days after emergence, producing, 30% more nodules which were 40% heavier than those on roots solely inoculated with B. japonicum. The tripartite symbiosis resulted in 23% more N₂ being fixed than did the simpler symbiosis between soybean and B. japonicum. The presence of both symbionts changed accumulation of flavonoids in roots. Daidzein and coumestrol increased with plant growth. However, development of the tripartite symbiosis caused a decrease in coumestrol; accumulation of daidzein, the most abundant flavonoid, was reduced in the presence of AMF.     

Compressive properties of Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) stalks

Compressive behaviour of hemp (Cannabis Sativ L.) stems is important for the design of hemp handling and processing machines. Experiments were carried out to measure the compressive properties of stems from two hemp varieties: Alyssa (grown for fibre only) and Petera (grown for both fibre and seed), produced in Manitoba, Canada. The physical properties of the hemp specimens were measured. For each variety, an air-dried hemp stem was divided into three height sections along the stem: upper, middle and lower. For each section, the hemp stem was further cut into 25.4 mm long specimens. Individual specimens were compressed in the axial and lateral directions using a universal testing machine. The load-displacement curves were recorded, and compressive properties were derived from the load-displacement curves. The outer diameter of the hollow hemp specimens varied from 6 to 17 mm; the linear density varied from 10 to 37 g m⁻¹. Diameter and linear density were greater for Petera than Alyssa, and at the lower height section than the higher section for both varieties. The compression tests showed that the maximum compressive load varied from 58 to 1425 N, and the energy requirement varied from 23 to 1809 mJ, depending on the variety, height section and diameter of stem, and compression direction. In general, the maximum compressive load and the energy requirement were greater in the lower section and for larger diameters; higher loads and energy were observed for Petera than for Alyssa and for the axial compression direction than for the lateral direction.     

The status of the otter (Lutra lutra L.) in Norfolk

The county of Norfolk was surveyed for otters between December 1974 and June 1975 inclusive. Only 32 sites out of a total of 233 sites visited had signs of otters and a further 8 records were received. A total population of 17 pairs was estimated, considerably below the carrying capacity of the area.     

Human impact on a brown bear population (Ursus arctos L.)

The effect of human disturbance and activities upon a small, remnant brown bear population in southern Norway was studied throughout a 25-year period. Bear reports are compared with indices of human activities, mainly mechanised forestry including the building of a network of forest roads and the practice of clear-felling. In the last 10 years of the study extensive building of holiday cabins has taken place.Statistically significant negative correlations exist between the number of bear observations and the density of forest roads. Negative tendencies were also indicated in areas close to cabin concentrations. A positive correlation is indicated between the number of bear observations and the length of the timber line in an area.     

Effect of aqueous extracts from vermicomposts on attacks by cucumber beetles (Acalymna vittatum) (Fabr.) on cucumbers and tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta) (L.) on tomatoes

Vermicomposts are produced through interactions between earthworms and microorganisms in the breakdown of organic wastes. Aqueous extracts were prepared in commercial brewing equipment from vermicomposts produced from super-market food wastes. The ratio of vermicompost to water was one to five v:v, to produce a 20% aqueous solution which could be diluted to 5% and 10% concentrations. The effects of soil drenches applied at dilutions of 20%, 10%, and 5% vermicompost aqueous extracts, were compared with those of deionized water, in the suppression of cucumber beetles (Acalymna vittatum) attacking cucumbers and tobacco hornworms (Manduca sexta) attacking tomatoes, in greenhouse cage experiments. Tomatoes and cucumber seedlings were germinated and grown for 4 weeks in 25 cm diameter pots containing a soil-less growth medium - Metro-Mix 360 - and thinned to four plants per pot. They were placed under 0.2 mm mesh cages (40 cm×40 cm×40 cm), with one pot containing four plants in each treatment cage. At germination, plants were treated with soil drenches of 5%, 10%, or 20% vermicompost extract or a deionized water control to field capacity and thereafter at weekly intervals. A complete nutrient solution was applied weekly to all plants. In each experiment, eight cucumber beetles or eight tobacco hornworms were released onto the leaves of the appropriate plant species in each cage (four pests per test plant). All treatments were replicated four times per pest experiment, in a randomized complete block design. Numbers of pests were counted and damage rated (0-none to 5-total) on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 14 after the release of pests into the cages.All of the concentrations of vermicompost extracts significantly suppressed the establishment of and the damage caused by the two pests on the plants. The higher the rate of aqueous extract application the greater was the suppression of the pests. We concluded that the most likely cause for the unpalatability of the plants to pests was the uptake of soluble phenolic compounds from the vermicompost aqueous extracts into the plant tissues. These compounds are known to make plants unattractive to pests and to affect pest reproduction and survival rates.     

紫苏对不同浓度镉胁迫的生理响应

为探讨紫苏的耐镉生理机制, 通过水培试验, 研究了镉离子浓度为0 mg·L^-1(对照)、2.0 mg·L^-1、5.0 mg·L^-1、10.0 mg·L^-1 条件下紫苏的生长、镉富集作用及叶片的保护酶活性。结果表明, 2.0 mg·L^-1、5.0 mg·L^-1、10.0 mg·L^-1 镉胁迫下, 紫苏单株生物量比对照分别减少28.4%、42.4%、66.0%, 不同处理间均存在极显著差异;3 个镉离浓度下紫苏的镉富集量依次为462.4 μg·株^-1、705.0 μg·株^-1、609.7 μg·株^-1, 富集系数依次为91.9、70.0、51.1, 具备镉超积累能力。此外, SOD、POD、CAT 酶活测定结果显示, 随镉离子浓度升高, 紫苏叶片的SOD 活性和MDA 含量显著升高, POD 和CAT 活性显著下降, 破坏了体内保护酶系统的平衡, 抑制紫苏生长。     

Facilitation of pentachlorophenol degradation in the rhizosphere of ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)

The phytoremediation of xenobiotics depends upon plant-microbe interactions in the rhizosphere, but the extent and intensity of these effects are currently unknown. To investigate rhizosphere effects on the biodegradation of xenobiotics, a glasshouse experiment was conducted using a specially designed rhizobox where ryegrass seedlings were grown for 53 days in a soil spiked with pentachlorophenol (PCP) at concentrations of 8.7±0.5 and 18±0.5 mg kg⁻¹ soil. The soil in the rhizobox was divided into six separate compartments at various distances from the root surface. Changes in PCP concentrations with increasing distance from the root compartment of the rhizobox were then assessed. The largest and most rapid loss of PCP in planted soil was at 3 mm from the root zone where total PCP decreased to 0.20 and 0.65 mg kg⁻¹, respectively with the two PCP treatments. The degradation gradient followed the order: near-rhizosphere>root compartment>far-rhizosphere soil zones for both concentrations where ryegrass was grown. In contrast, there was no difference in PCP concentration with distance in the unplanted soil. The increases in both soil microbial biomass carbon and the activities of soil urease and phosphatase were accompanied by the enhanced degradation of PCP, which was higher in the near-rhizosphere than far-rhizosphere soil. The results suggest that the effect of root proximity is important in the degradation of xenobiotics such as PCP in soil.     

Pseudomonads as a factor in the growth of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Pseudomonads were isolated from the roots of winter wheat plants. Plants produced from direct-drilling of seeds into plots where crop residues had been burnt were larger and appeared healthier than those from plots where crop residues remained. Tests showed that roots from the plants direct-drilled into the plots where crop residues had been burnt were colonized by fewer pseudomonads which could inhibit plant growth than those from plants produced from plots where crop residues remained. The tests were performed by inoculating wheat seedlings with individual bacterial isolates and measuring root growth. When several wheat cultivars were bioassayed against each of two of the inhibitory pseudomonads, they differed greatly in susceptibility to the adverse effects of the bacteria.     

Correlation between temperature and phenology prediction error in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

For rice (Oryza sativa L.), simulation models like ORYZA2000 and CERES-Rice have been used to explore adaptation options to climate change and weather-related stresses (drought, heat). Output of these models is very sensitive to accurate modelling of crop development, i.e. phenology. What has to date received little attention in phenology calibration is the temperature range within which phenological models are accurate. Particularly the possible correlation between temperature and phenology prediction error has received little attention, although there are indications that such correlation exists, in particular in the study by Zhang et al. (2008). The implication of such correlation is that a phenology model that is accurate within the calibration temperature range can be less accurate at higher temperatures where it can systematically overestimate or underestimate the duration of the phase from emergence to flowering. We have developed a new rice phenology calibration program that is consistent with ORYZA2000 concepts and coding. The existing calibration program DRATES of ORYZA2000 requires an assumption of default cardinal temperatures (8, 30 and 42 °C) and then calculates cultivar specific temperature sums and development rates. Our new program estimates all phenological parameters simultaneously, including the cardinal temperatures. Applied to nine large datasets from around the world we show that the use of default cardinal temperatures can lead to correlation between temperature and phenology prediction error and temperature and RMSE values in the order of 4-18 days for the period from emergence to flowering. Our new program avoids such correlation and reduces phenology prediction errors to 3-7 days (RMSE). Our results show that the often made assumption of a rapid decrease in development rate above the optimal temperature can lead to poorer predictions and systematic errors. We therefore caution against using default phenological parameters for studies where temperatures may fall outside the range for which the phenological models have been calibrated. In particular, this applies to climate change studies, were this could lead to highly erroneous conclusions. More phenological research with average growing season temperatures above the optimum, in the range of 32-40 °C, is needed to establish which phenological model best describes phenology in this temperature range.     

移栽时期与烤烟氮肥效应的相关性研究

采用田间试验的方法,研究了不同移栽期（5月5日、 15日和25日）对烤烟氮素的响应及其相关性的影响。结果表明,推迟移栽期至5月15~25日,烤烟产量和地上部各器官（烟叶与茎秆）中含氮量分别平均显著增加5.1%~6.1%和19.8%~55.2%,而且其对氮肥的农学利用率、 生理利用率、 土壤氮素依存率和氮素收获指数分别平均增加37.4%~49.8%、 30.4%~54.8%、 26.9%~29.1%和2.9%~5.7%。移栽期与氮肥农学利用率、 氮肥偏生产力和土壤氮素依存率呈现显著或者极显著正相关关系;氮肥农学利用率与氮肥生理利用率和土壤氮素依存率以及氮肥生理利用率与土壤氮素依存率均呈极显著正相关关系。因此,推迟移栽期至5月15~25日有利于提高氮素养分的增产能力。     

Simulation of nitrogen rhizodeposition and assimilation back into corn (Zea mays L.) roots

The objectives were to quantify the dynamics of N exchange between corn root and soil under field conditions and to compute the amount of N-rhizodeposition that is recycled back into corn by maturity. In a previous publication the simulation model NCSWAP/NCSOIL was used to quantify the release of organic-C from corn and its incorporation into soil organic matter. In this publication, results from the same simulations but pertinent to N are presented. The model was calibrated against measured N concentration in corn and soil and ¹⁵N enrichment data obtained from a long-term field experiment located near St Paul, MN. Field management included rototillage, the removal of stover-residue and grain and 4 fertilizer N treatments: 200 and 20 Kg N ha⁻¹ added yearly from 1980 to 1992, with ¹⁵N added with the fertilizer from 1980 until either 1985 or 1992. The same total amount of ¹⁵N was added with the 200 and 20 Kg N ha⁻¹ fertilizer: 4 and 40 ¹⁵N at.%, respectively. Corn roots released 24% of total N uptake. This loss was mitigated by the recycling of 14% of N-rhizodeposition into corn by maturity. ¹⁵N enrichment in corn and soil was higher for the 200 than the 20 Kg N ha⁻¹ treatment. This resulted from the rapid N mineralization-immobilization turnover that channelled N through the inorganic N pool whose ¹⁵N enrichment was fixed yearly to that of the fertilizer. Tracer N enrichment decreased more rapidly in corn than in soil from 1986 to 1992 when tracer N was no longer added with the fertilizer, and by 1992, ¹⁵N was localized in the stable pool and flushed from the more labile pools.     

Specific flavonoids as interconnecting signals in the tripartite symbiosis formed by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, Bradyrhizobium japonicum (Kirchner) Jordan and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.)

Many legume plants benefit from the tripartite symbiosis of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and rhizobia. Beneficial effects for the plant have been assumed to rely on increased P supply through the mycorrhizas. Recently, we demonstrated that P does not regulate the establishment of the tripartite symbiosis. Flavonoids appear to play a role as early signals for both rhizobia and AMF. Four soybean lines known to express different concentrations of the isoflavones genistein, daidzein and glycitein in the seed were used to test three hypotheses: (i) The establishment of the tripartite symbiosis is not dependent of a nutrient mediated effect; (ii) There is a positive correlation between seed isoflavone concentrations of different soybean lines and the progress of the tripartite symbiosis; (iii) Specific flavonoids control the establishment of the tripartite symbiosis in that a change in flavonoid root accumulation resulting from the development of one microbial partner can stimulate colonization of soybean roots by the other. Disturbed versus undisturbed soil treatments were produced to vary the potential for indigenous AMF colonization of soybean. In contrast, the potential for Bradyrhizobium was kept identical in both soil disturbance treatments. The uptake of P and Zn and the concentration of flavonoids in mycorrhizal soybean roots at 10 d after emergence were analysed either separately of Bradyrhizobium or in context of the tripartite symbiosis. Zinc nutrition did not differ between AMF treatments which supports the first hypothesis. The concentration of daidzein was at least four times greater in the root than in the seed reaching 3958±249 μg g⁻¹ dry across soybean lines. Coumestrol, which was absent in the seed, was synthesized to reach 2154±64 μg g⁻¹ dry. Conversely, the concentration of genistein was approximately three times smaller in the root that in the seed (301±15 μg g⁻¹ dry), while glycitein and formononetin were never detected. The establishment of the tripartite symbiosis was identical across soybean lines which does not support the second hypothesis. Concentrations of flavonoids were significantly greater in roots under disturbed soil, for which both symbioses were not as developed as in plants from undisturbed soil. This clearly supports the third hypothesis. This research provides the first data linking the function of different flavonoids to the establishment of the tripartite symbiosis, and suggests that these compounds are produced and released into the rhizosphere as a function of the colonization process.     

Food quality affects production of Lumbricus terrestris (L.) under controlled environmental conditions

Birch leaves and horse manure were used to determine the effects of food quality on growth and reproduction of laboratory-reared Lumbricus terrestris. Animals grew to maturity within 6 months but attained a significantly (p < 0.001) larger adult size with manure (6.17 g) versus leaves (4.20 g). Cocoon production by recently-mated adults maintained in isolation, fed with birch leaves or horse manure, resulted in 4.53 and 3.84 cocoons ind.⁻¹ month⁻¹ respectively, with an initial hatchability of 86%, falling to zero after 18 months. Re-mating of these known individuals permitted long term monitoring of reproductive output (to 30 months). For the whole experimental period, overall hatchability of the 2010 cocoons produced was 44.4%. Median incubation time of those cocoons that hatched within accepted norms (less than 5 months at 15 °C) was 103 days and was not influenced by adult food type. A proportion (35.5%) of cocoons took in excess of 12 months to hatch. Adult mortality was minimal (25%) during the long term experiment but abnormal cocoon production was recorded after 2 years. Overall results demonstrate that food quality can have a significant influence on somatic and reproductive production of L. terrestris and these data may aid construction of production models for this earthworm in ecosystems with contrasting food quality.     

Declining abundance of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) documented by herbarium specimens

American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) is a native North American forest herb whose roots have been collected for their reputed medicinal properties and exported to international markets for nearly 300 years. Numerous anecdotal reports suggest declining abundance throughout its range, and the species is currently listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. This study examines the putative decline of American ginseng over the last 150 years in 19 US states by using data from herbarium specimens. For successive time intervals, we calculate the numbers of American ginseng specimens in addition to the numbers of specimens of related taxa that are not commercially harvested. The proportions of American ginseng specimens from adjacent time intervals are then examined for significant changes. An additional analysis evaluates the potential for species overrepresentation in the database due to species collection bias. Despite evidence of preferential collection of American ginseng, the proportion of American ginseng specimens declined significantly through time for six northern states. This result is consistent with a long and intense history of harvest, extensive deforestation in northern regions of the United States, and slow regeneration of American ginseng.     

How to calculate nitrogen rhizodeposition: a case study in estimating N rhizodeposition in the pea (Pisum sativum L.) and grasspea (Lathyrus sativus L.) using a continuous N labelling split-root technique

The formulae used in studies with ¹⁵N labelling techniques for estimating the N rhizodeposition (Ndfr) of legumes differ according to the background atom% ¹⁵N values used to determine ¹⁵N excess in the soil and roots grown in soil. Therefore, a continuous ¹⁵N labelling split-root experiment with pea (Pisum sativum L.) and grasspea (Lathyrus sativus L.) was undertaken and the relevant calculations were made to determine a valid method for calculating Ndfr. It is shown that a non-nodulated reference plant or a legume grown on soil without ¹⁵N labelling are required components of experiments which aim to estimate legume-N rhizodeposition, if the ¹⁵N abundance of the total soil N at the start of the experiment and that of the total plant available soil N are different. The standard formula was developed further to calculate Ndfr in a valid way. The impact of using different background atom% ¹⁵N values on the results when estimating Ndfr are demonstrated according to the ¹⁵N abundance of the roots grown in the soil. At physiological maturity, the rhizodeposition of N from roots grown in the soil was 19.8 mg N plant⁻¹ for pea and 14.1 mg N plant⁻¹ for grasspea, which is, respectively, equivalent to 10.5 and 9.2% of their total root and shoot N.