可调五辊式对虾剥壳机剥壳参数优化试验

为了优化提高可调五辊式对虾剥壳的作业质量和效率,以70~80只/kg的南美白对虾为试验对象,利用研制的可调五辊式对虾剥壳机进行试验,以辊组转速、辊组转角、辊组V角、辊组倾角为影响因素,以剥壳率、得仁率、剥壳时间为评价指标,进行了四因素五水平正交旋转中心组合优化试验。通过Design-Expert 8.0.5b软件,建立了评价指标与各影响因素的数学回归模型,分析了显著因素对评价指标的影响,确定了最优参数组合为:辊组转速25 r/min,辊组转角315°,辊组V角130°,辊组倾角18°。选取鲜活对虾在-30℃温度下冷冻10 min进行预处理,并进行对虾去头、开背6节处理后进行剥壳试验,试验结果表明:在优化参数组合下,剥壳率平均值为94.67%,得仁率为85.23%,30只/组剥壳时间为54.33 s。试验表明可调五辊式对虾剥壳机满足对虾剥壳的技术要求,调节方便可靠,可为各个级别对虾剥壳装备的设计提供参数依据。     

带式夹持输送对虾开背机的设计与试验

为适应不同尺寸对虾开背以及寻找开背的优化参数,设计带式夹持输送对虾开背机,并对该方案的夹持与输送机构、夹持V角调节机构、限深与导正部分进行了详细设计。在单因素试验的基础上,以响应面优化法安排三因素三水平的正交试验,探求了夹持V角、输送速度、切割转速3个关键参数对切口长度、切口对称度、切口深度、切口光滑度4个评价指标的影响规律,利用Design-Expert8.06软件对试验结果进行方差分析,建立了评价指标与各影响因素的数学回归模型,并进行响应面分析,得到带式对虾开背机的最佳工艺参数组合为:夹持V角33°,输送速度285 mm/s,切割转速1 250 r/min。选取去头预处理、腹部六节完整的对虾在带式对虾开背机上以最佳参数组合进行试验验证,试验结果为:切口长度成功率92.5%,切口对称度成功率90.83%,切口深度成功率90.0%,切口光滑度成功率93.3%,与预测值误差绝对值均小于5%。验证试验结果表明带式对虾开背机性能可靠稳定,各项指标均满足要求。     

低温盐水预处理对南美白对虾剥壳的影响研究

本文采用不同浓度的低温盐水处理南美白对虾,以处理时间为水平,以剥壳耗时、对虾的挥发性盐基氮含量、ATP酶活性、硬度、弹性、壳肉间拉力、温度变化趋势为测定指标,结合感观评定,确定了南美白对虾低温盐水预处理剥壳最佳处理条件为:4°Bé低温盐水处理1h,此时虾体温度为0.067℃,剥壳时间为8.77分,虾肉弹性为3.89mm,硬度为14.86N,拉力为1.27N,挥发性盐基氮含量为4.61mg·100g-1,ATP酶活虾为0.059U·mg-1。虾肉较完整,肉质好,色泽、气味正常。本研究将为南美白对虾机械剥壳提供技术支撑。     

南美白对虾揉搓预处理对剥壳影响的试验研究

为获得低损高品质的虾仁,该研究提出了机械式揉搓预处理方法,研究了揉搓处理对剥壳影响的因素。根据对虾体型特征和试验需求设计了带式揉搓试验台。以体长约12 cm、质量约10.6 g的鲜活南美白对虾作为试验对象。为了适应现代化剥壳工艺,首先对对虾进行1℃、15 min的低温处理,再进行揉搓试验。试验以揉搓法向压力、揉搓总距离和揉搓方向为影响因素,以促剥指数、汁水流失率和破损率为评测指标,在单因素试验基础上,进行响应面优化试验。获得优化参数组合为:揉搓法向压力11.8 N、揉搓总距离70 cm、揉搓方向反向占比30%,该条件下促剥指数为1.41,汁水流失率为3.44%,破损率为4.9%,经过试验验证,误差小于5%。根据对虾的壳肉结构特点、受力分析和揉搓前后壳肉连接的显微结构变化,分析了"挤压力-剪切力-滚动"联合作用下"虾体形变-壳肉撕扯-分离扩展"的过程,阐明了对虾揉搓的壳肉松脱促剥机理。研究结果可为对虾绿色、低损去壳方法提供参考。     

玉米种子仿生脱粒机性能试验与参数优化

玉米种子仿生脱粒机是依据鸡喙离散玉米籽粒过程和裸手脱粒玉米籽粒过程的先离散后脱粒原理设计的,其具有低损伤、低破碎率等特点。为了优化玉米种子仿生脱粒机脱粒系统的有关参数,进而降低玉米种子在脱粒过程中的损伤,该文采用二次回归正交旋转组合设计的方法,以籽粒破碎率和脱净率为主要性能指标,选取差速辊转速、离散辊转速、脱粒辊转速和离散辊间隙、脱粒辊间隙为试验因素,对玉米种子仿生脱粒机进行了性能试验。并依据试验结果分别对离散辊转速与脱粒辊转速对破碎率和脱净率的影响,以及离散辊间隙与脱粒辊间隙对破碎率和脱净率的影响进行分析。分析结果表明:当离散辊转速在150~180 r/min和310~350 r/min,脱粒辊转速在270~350 r/min时,破碎率取得较小值;当离散辊转速在230~300 r/min,脱粒辊转速在150~200 r/min范围内时,籽粒脱净率取得最大值100%。当离散辊间隙在0~4 mm,脱粒辊间隙在5~9.2 mm时,籽粒破碎率取得最小值。当脱粒辊间隙在0~2.2 mm时脱净率取得最大值100%。综合以上结论,在试验拟合曲线的基础上按综合评价法进行优化,得到最优参数组合为差速辊转速90 r/min,离散辊转速350 r/min,脱粒辊转速为350 r/min,离散辊间隙4.6 mm,脱粒辊间隙4.6 mm。测得此时破碎率为0.226%,脱净率为99.317%,玉米芯完整度为100%,达到国家标准要求。     

蓖麻蒴果剥壳装置关键部件改进设计与试验

该研究针对蓖麻蒴果的物性特点,以提高其剥壳率和降低破损率为目标,研制了蓖麻蒴果剥壳装置,对关键部件进行了改进设计与力学分析,建立了力与变形的数学模型。利用MATLAB进行运算,得出了挤压力P与轧角α、辊筒变形量ΔR、两辊筒间隙、蓖麻蒴果直径和辊筒直径的关系。明确了剥壳过程中各种影响因子间的相互制约关系,确定了影响蓖麻蒴果剥壳的主要因素是辊筒转速、辊筒间隙和辊筒差速,提出了影响剥壳率和破损率的优化方案:剥壳率优化的因素水平组合是辊筒转速为10r/min,辊筒间隙为18mm,辊筒差速为30r/min;破损率优化的因素水平组合是辊筒转速为10r/min,辊筒差速为30r/min,辊筒间隙为12mm,研究结果可为同类剥壳机械的优化设计提供理论支持和技术参考。     

干红花收获机立式辊刷采摘装置设计与试验

针对旱地干红花人工采收时不易捏取导致采摘效率低、掉落率高等问题,该研究结合红花的物理特性和种植模式,设计了立式辊刷干红花收获机采摘装置。根据机具结构对刷丝排布方案进行理论分析,确定刷丝排布方案为螺旋式,螺旋升角为30°,旋向为右旋。对辊刷采摘干红花进行力学分析,得出使花丝脱离果球的关键作用力为法向力F_N。采用Hertz弹性接触理论对F_N进行分析,并建立刷丝-果球接触力学模型,揭示干红花的采摘原理,明确影响采摘质量的主要因素为刷丝材质、丝径、长度和辊刷转速,进一步对立式辊刷结构与运动参数进行分析,得出采摘装置优化参数组合为：辊刷长度300 mm,辊刷直径100 mm,辊刷转速360 r/min,刷丝材质为聚酰胺610(PA-610),刷丝长度30 mm,刷丝丝径0.3 mm。通过植株通过率试验确定立式辊刷与栅条架的间隙为12 mm。田间采摘试验表明,该装置的红花采摘率和伤果率分别为87.04%和4.19%,机具采摘效率为人工采摘效率的7.71～10.92倍。研究结果可为辊刷式干红花收获机的设计与优化提供参考。     

对辊式红花采收装置参数优化及试验

为了提高对辊式红花采收装置的作业质量,以"裕民无刺"红花品种为试验对象,利用搭建的对辊式红花采收试验台,以对辊间隙、胶辊直径和胶辊转速为影响因素,采净率、掉落率和破碎率为评价指标,进行了二次旋转正交组合试验。通过Design-Expert 6.0.10软件,建立了评价指标与诸影响因素的数学回归模型,分析了显著因素对评价指标的影响,优化试验参数,确定最优参数组合为:胶辊直径40 mm、对辊间隙0.5 mm和胶辊转速1 400 r/min。根据优化参数组合,选取开花后1~5 d(含水率为44.6%~78.4%)的红花进行采收试验,试验结果表明:在优化参数组合下,红花采净率90.02%,掉落率2.46%,红花破碎率3.04%;在该试验参数组合,对含水率为22.9%~29.5%干花进行采收,出现大量红花残留在果球表面,作业质量急剧下降现象,因此红花适时收获时间为开花期1~5 d为宜。通过在新疆塔城地区裕民县进行红花田间采收试验,表明该采收装置能够满足红花采收的技术要求。上述研究成果丰富了红花采收技术,也为辊式采收机具的设计提供参考依据。     

南极磷虾等径滚轴挤压剥壳工艺优化

该文采用响应面分析法对南极磷虾滚轴挤压剥壳工艺参数进行优化,以剥壳得肉率为试验指标,以滚轴转速、滚轴间隙、旋转圈数为自变量,在单因素试验的基础上进行响应面分析。获得最佳工艺条件为：滚轴转速1.6 r/s、滚轴间隙0.5 mm、旋转圈数1.7 r,预测的得肉率为36.44%,此参数条件下的实测平均得肉率为35.17%。在最佳工艺参数下,试验放置时间与剥壳得肉率的关系,结果表明：随着放置时间的增加,剥壳得肉率逐渐降低;手工剥壳得肉率从35.29%降至29.73%,机器剥壳得肉率从34.71%降至21.08%。机器剥壳得肉率较手工剥壳相对较低,且降幅更为明显。研究结果可为南极磷虾剥壳装备的研制提供参考。     

荸荠收获机弹簧辊式泥果分离装置研制

针对荸荠收获泥果分离难、果实损伤率高的问题,根据旱地环境下荸荠采收作业需求,该研究提出一种由正反旋弹簧并排布置的荸荠收获机弹簧辊式泥果分离装置。通过对荸荠与弹簧辊的相对运动过程动力学分析,确定了影响荸荠收获泥果分离的关键因素为弹簧外径、螺距、相邻弹簧间距、高度差及弹簧转速、线径、作业速度。利用EDEM软件建立泥果混合物离散元模型,对弹簧辊结构参数与工作参数进行单因素试验,分析各因素对泥果分离效果的影响。以荸荠筛分率和土壤筛分率为指标进行二次回归正交试验,得到弹簧辊最佳参数组合为外径100 mm、螺距30 mm、间距9 mm、转速420 r/min,该参数组合下荸荠筛分率为80.00%,土壤筛分率为80.69%。进行仿真验证试验,对比试验结果与模型预测值,荸荠筛分率平均相对误差为2.09%,土壤筛分率平均相对误差为2.42%。以明果率、伤果率、破皮率、挖净率为指标开展模拟采挖试验,分析不同线径弹簧辊的泥果分离能力,确定12 mm线径弹簧兼具较好的振动筛分性能和较低的损伤率。通过实际收获试验测得作业速度0.21 m/s,作业效率0.19 m² /s,碎土率75.61%,明果率82.42%,伤果率14.73%,破皮率7.01%。研究结果可为荸荠收获机研制和优化改进提供参考。     

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.