Formation,Distribution, and Physicochemical Properties of Plant Litter in Shrub Patches of Northeastern Patagonia

The objective of this study was to assess the formation, distribution, and physicochemical properties of litter in two types of shrub patches, featured by the dominant species (Atriplex lampa and Prosopis alpataco). These species are important components of the Monte Phytogeographic Province . The surface layers of the shrub-steppe have been classified into four soil condition classes using attributes that are easily observable in the field. These classes provide an estimate of litter spatial patterns and of potential dry matter production. Litter differs greatly in chemical content. The P. alpataco patch presents higher quality in organic matter , based on its elemental composition of carbon , nitrogen , and phosphorus . The patterns of the lignin studied in both patches were different . The sum of phenolic oxida tion species was higher in summer for P. alpataco than in A. lampa, indicating higher contents of lignin components in the former and a slight oxidation in the latter . The strongest peaks in 1 3 C NMR spectra are present in the rank of poly saccharides and sharper aliphatic structures . Seasonal differences between patches correlate to the results obtained in polysaccharides and lignin and might be ascribed to the high mineralization of the former . The results of this study indicate that the shrub structure in terms of patch types and patch dynamics controls the content , distribution , and composition of litter materials and has a major impact on litter decomposition . Thus the formation , distribution , and function of litter in shrub steppe soils can be studied through the structural characterization of patches and classes of soil surface conditions.     

Carbon,Nitrogen and Phosphorus Mineralization Potential of Native Agroforestry Plant Residues in Soils of Senegal

The objectives of this study were to investigate Piliostigma reticulatum (shrub) and Cordyla pinnata (tree) residues for chemical composition, and C, N, and P mineralizationin Senegalese soils. Soil samples (Sols ferrugineux tropicaux) were collected from a native agroforestry system beneath and outside a C. pinnata canopy. Soils were incubated for 11 weeks with P. reticulatum (leaves), C. pinnata (stem, leaves or stem + leaves), peanut (Arachis hypogea), or pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) residues. Nitrogen and P mineralization for the soil-plant mixtures was determined by periodic leaching with a 0.01 M CaCl 2 solution. An additional separate incubation was conducted to investigate C mineralization. The results showed that only peanut residues caused net N mineralization, while N immobilization occurred in the remaining treatments in both the soils derived from beneath or outside the canopy. This indicates that, at least in the short-term, these agroforestry residues would not likely be a source of N for crops. Net P mineralization varied among plant residues and soils sites but P. reticulatum amended soils increased soluble PO in both soils. This suggested that it could be useful for improving P avail4 ability. Peanut residues had the highest CO evolution in both soils suggesting a 2 probable relationship between C and N mineralization.     

中国半湿润、半干旱、干旱地区某些土壤的氧化还原状况

用新的电化学方法原位考察了褐土、灰钙土、棕漠土、黑土、风沙土、灌淤土、盐土、碱土、亚高山草甸土、灰褐土、水稻土和旱地土壤的氧化还原状况.综合已有原位测定结果,地带性土壤的电位(Eh)由南向北的空间分异与其水平地带谱相应;亚高山草甸土和灰褐土的氧化还原状况随山体高度和植物群落而呈垂直分异趋势.比较了自然土壤、旱作土壤和水稻土的电位(Eh)差异和特征,水稻土中的氧化还原过程远较自然土壤和旱作土壤中者为甚,其强度和速度不逊于南方地区水稻土.新的电化学方法的原位测定贴近于自然.     

Subsurface Drainage for Rehabilitation of Waterlogged Saline Lands: Example of a Soil in Semiarid Climate

In irrigated agriculture of arid and semiarid regions, soil salinity, coupled with waterlogging, is a serious problem. Provision of subsurface drainage seems to be a prerequisite for optimal crop production. A study was conducted to evaluate the long term (8-year) impact of a subsurface drainage system on soil properties and yields of wheat. The study was located in a severely affected, waterlogged, barren, sandy loamsaline soil (Comborthids). The subsurface drainage system was installed at a 1.75 m depth with three drain spacings (25, 50, and 75 m). The drains facilitated reclamation of the waterlogged saline land which had variations in salt removal with space and time. The removal of salts from the root zone varied initially with distance from the drain and with depth. However, after a few years, the variations were reduced and the land was reclaimed sufficiently to grow most of the crops of the region. Plots provided with a drain spacing of 75 m required more time for complete reclamation compared to plots provided with 25 m drain spacing. Leaching through subsurface drainage increased soil porosity, modulus of rupture, infiltration rate, organic carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and available water, and decreased bulk density differently in the three drain spacings (20, 50, and 75 m). In the 75 m drain spacing plots, soil salinity (EC e ) and water content remained higher than in the 25 and 50 m drain spacing plots. Soil EC e and water content were less near the drains, were highest in areas midway between the drains, and the effects were more apparent in the summer season. Wheat grain yield decreased with increasing drain spacings in the initial years of reclamation. With the gradual improvement in soil salinity, yields from plots with a 75 m spacing reached those of the narrower drain spacing plots by the fourth year. It was concluded that by installing a subsurface drainage system in a monsoon climate, waterlogged saline soils can be reclaimed by the natural leaching that can take place from rainfall. The optimum yield can be attained with a drain spacing of 75 m, which is 50% more than the design spacing of 50 m. Faster reclamation and more yield were obtained with a 25 m drain spacing and was achieved at a higher cost for the more expensive drainage system.     

Micronutrient Distribution in Different Physiographic Units of the Siwalik Hills of the Semiarid Tract of Punjab,India

We investigated the profile distribution of total and diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid ( DTPA )- extractable micronutrients ( Zn , Mn , Cu , Fe ) in soils developed on six physiographic units of the semiarid Siwalik hills of Punjab in northwest India . The soils showed a gradual fining of texture from shoulder slopes to toe slopes . All soils were alkaline and calcareous . In general , total and DTPA-extractable micro nutrients were higher in surface horizons and decreased in subsurface horizons . However , none of the micronutrients exhibited any consistent pattern of distribution with depth on different geomorphic surfaces . Physiography had a strong influence on the spatial distribution of total and available micronutrients . Contents of all micronutrients and their forms were higher in fine-textured and uneroded soils than in coarse-textured eroded soils . Soil pH , calcium carbonate , organic matter , and size fractions had strong influence on the distribution of total and extractable micronutrients . Based on linear coefficients of correlation , total content of micro nutrients increased with increase in clay content , whereas DTPA - extractable micronutrient content increased with increase in organic carbon and decreased with increase in pH and CaCO3 content . Except for Cu , no other micronutrient showed influence of total reserves on availability of the respective micronutrient . Among the various micronutrients , deficiency of Zn was found to be widespread , followed by Fe and Cu in the cultivated soils on foot slopes , toe slopes , and floodplains .     

Changes in Organic Matter of a Ferrallitic Tropical Soil Degraded by Cropping Systems: The Case of Southern Senegal

Understanding of the mechanisms involved in the restoration of degraded soils is necessary in order to assess the sustainability of a cropping system. For this purpose, an 8-year experiment was set up to test the efficiency of four cropping systems involving applications of fertilizer and/or manure and incorporation of crop residues and/or fallows on the regeneration of a Haplic Acrisol degraded by about 90 years of traditional cropping (groundnut-millet rotation without any input). The supply of nitrogen by the soil and particle size and chemical distribution were measured and used to characterize the soil organic matter (SOM) after 2 and 8 years of treatments, and then related to nutrients uptake. Two of the four cropping systems tested that were expected to regenerate soil fertility (Q1 and Q2: 4-year rotations including a plowed-in fallow, incorporation of crop residues, and mineral fertilization) both had a depressive effect on SOM content, although the losses of total C and N observed during the experiment (e.g .,-23% N and -20% N for Q1 and Q2, respectively) were less than that for the control (traditional cropping B, -33% N). Only the multiyear fallow did not result in further degradation of SOM, without, however, enriching the soil. On the other hand, an annual application of 10 Mg dry matter of manure ha -1 , combined with fertilizer, markedly increased the SOM (total N increased by factor 2 after only 2 years), an effect that seemed, however, stabilized at the end of the 8 years. Only a strong (10 Mg dry matter ha -1 ) and annual supply of manure, associated with mineral fertilization, had a positive effect on SOM, but its durability is not established.     

Seeding and Mulching Treatments as Conservation Measures of Two Burned Soils in the Central Ebro Valley,NE Spain

The effectiveness of seeding introduced species, with or without straw mulching, was tested as a measure of post-fire erosion control in gypsiferous (Xeric Haplogypsid) and calcareous soils (Xeric Torriorthent) in Central Ebro Valley (NE-Spain). Paired control, seeding, and combined seeding and mulching plots were established in four replicated plots for each soil tested. Seeding rate was 30 g m -2 and straw mulch was applied at 100 g m -2 in each plot. Plant projective cover (total and specific), plant biomass, bare soil cover and sediment yield were determined over a 2-year period. During the first year of sampling, species introduced by seeding increased plant cover (about 30%) without significant differences observed between soils. Plant cover was similar in seeding-only and seeding-mulching treatments, although the latter treatment significantly enhanced plant weight. During the second year these differences disappeared because species introduced by seeding practically did not survive. So, the introduced herbs did not interfere with native plants. Bare soil cover remained significantly lower in treated plots than on the control plots for both soils during both years of sampling. In the second year, the reduction of bare soil was attributed to both the straw mulch and litter from the seeding species. Soil protection was significantly higher in calcareous soils than in gypsiferous soils which is related to their physical and chemical properties. Cumulative sediment yield decreased significantly over time with both treatments on both soils. Soil losses from control plots were three times higher than seeding plots and 3.3 times higher than from seeding and mulching plots in gypsiferous soils. Soil losses from control plots were two times higher than from seeding plots and 2.7 times higher than the combined seeding and mulching plots in the calcareous soils. Cumulative soil loss was higher from the gypsiferous soils than from the calcareous soils due to the lower plant cover.     

Short-term Cover Crop Decomposition in Organic and Conventional Soils: Characterization of Soil C, N, Microbial and Plant Pathogen Dynamics

Stages of oat–vetch cover crop decomposition were characterized over time in terms of carbon and nitrogen cycling, microbial activity and damping-off pathogen dynamics in organically and conventionally managed soils in a field and a controlled incubation experiment. A measurement of relative growth consisting of radial growth of a fungal colony over non-sterilized soil divided by that over sterilized soil was used as an assay of suppressiveness. No differences in relative growth of Pythium aphanidermatum and Rhizoctonia solani were detected between organic and conventionally managed soils amended with cover crop residue. Significant effects of cover crop decomposition stage on the relative growth of both pathogens were obtained. Relative growth of P. aphanidermatum was highest just after incorporation and decreased 3 weeks after incorporation. Relative growth of R. solani was highest about 20 days after incorporation, and decreased 2 weeks later in the organic system, but continued to increase in the conventional system. In both experiments, the N or C content, C:N ratio or dry weight of retrieved debris were significantly correlated with relative growth of P. aphanidermatum. Relative growth of R. solani was significantly correlated with the C:N ratio of soil or the C or N content of debris. Microbial activity was not consistently associated with relative growth of either pathogen.     

Effect of cassava mosaic disease,soil fertility,plant spacing and their interactions on cassava yields in Zanzibar

Improvement of farmers' decision-making has been recognised as critical for the implementation of IPM, yet practitioners lack sound knowledge on the 'how and why' of farmers' decision-making processes. This study explored the perceptions, pest management practice, decision tools and sources of information of smallholder farmers growing cotton in India and vegetables in Kenya. Farmers trained under an Insecticide Resistance Management and two IPM Farmer Field School projects were compared with untrained farmers from the same localities, using individual interviews and participatory group analysis methods. Trained farmers' decision-making was enhanced, by the use of more decision tools and new sources of information and technologies and they were generally more confident in their pest management strategies than untrained farmers. As a result, trained farmers reduced their pest management costs but did not always obtain higher gross margins. Issues of gender, sustainability, economics and group action are discussed, along with recommendations for research and extension to take a closer look at farmers' decision-making processes in cash and subsistence crops.     

Decomposition of different crop straws and variation in straw-associated microbial communities in a peach orchard,China

Crop residue is a major source of soil organic matter;therefore,application of crop straw to soil contributes to the sustainable development of organic agriculture.To better understand the transformation of crop straw in orchard soils,we investigated the relationship between the characteristics of straw decomposition and functional diversity of associated microbial communities in a long-term peach orchard,China.Mesh bags,each containing 30 g of corn or bean straw,were buried at a soil depth of 20 cm in a 12-year-old peach orchard for 360 d(October 2011–October 2012).Three treatments were applied,i.e.,fresh corn straw,fresh corn straw with nitrogen fertilizer(urea,10.34 g/kg),and fresh bean straw.Changes in straw residual rate,straw water content and soil conditions were monitored after treatment.The functional diversity of straw-associated microbial communities was analyzed by the Biolog-Eco microplate assay.During the decomposition process,straw residual rates did not vary considerably from 10 d(30.4%–45.4%)to 360 d(19.0%–30.3%).Irrespective of nitrogen addition,corn straw decomposed faster than bean straw.Corn straw with nitrogen fertilizer yielded the highest average well color development(AWCD)values(1.11–1.67),followed by corn straw(1.14–1.68)and bean straw(1.18–1.62).Although the AWCD values did not differ significantly among the three treatments,substantial differences occurred across various time periods of the decomposition process(P<0.01).In terms of carbon source utilization,the dominant microbial groups fed mainly on saccharides.Hard-to-decompose substances gradually accumulated in the middle and late stages of straw decomposition.Of the six categories of carbon sources tested,the utilization rate of aromatics was the lowest with corn straw,whereas that of polymers was the lowest with bean straw.Among different treatments,straw residual rate was negatively correlated to soil available phosphorous,soil available potassium and soil temperature(P<0.05),but not to soil water content.In some cases(corn straw with or without nitrogen fertilizer),straw residual rate was negatively correlated to straw water content,amino acid utilization and carboxylic acid utilization,and positively correlated with microbial species richness and evenness(P<0.05).Microbial community associated with corn and bean straw decomposition in soil was respectively dominated by aromatic-and polymer-metabolizing groups during the middle and late stages of this process,which could reduce the stability of microbial community structure and decrease the rate of straw decomposition in the fruit tree orchard.     

Litter decomposition and C and N dynamics as affected by N additions in a semi-arid temperate steppe,Inner Mongolia of China

Litter decomposition is the fundamental process in nutrient cycling and soil carbon（C） sequestration in terrestrial ecosystems. The global-wide increase in nitrogen（N） inputs is expected to alter litter decomposition and,ultimately, affect ecosystem C storage and nutrient status. Temperate grassland ecosystems in China are usually N-deficient and particularly sensitive to the changes in exogenous N additions. In this paper, we conducted a 1,200-day in situ experiment in a typical semi-arid temperate steppe in Inner Mongolia to investigate the litter decomposition as well as the dynamics of litter C and N concentrations under three N addition levels（low N with 50 kg N/（hm2？a）（LN）, medium N with 100 kg N/（hm2？a）（MN）, and high N with 200 kg N/（hm2？a）（HN）） and three N addition forms（ammonium-N-based with 100 kg N/（hm2？a） as ammonium sulfate（AS）, nitrate-N-based with 100 kg N/（hm2？a） as sodium nitrate（SN）, and mixed-N-based with 100 kg N/（hm2？a） as calcium ammonium nitrate（CAN）） compared to control with no N addition（CK）. The results indicated that the litter mass remaining in all N treatments exhibited a similar decomposition pattern： fast decomposition within the initial 120 days, followed by a relatively slow decomposition in the remaining observation period（120–1,200 days）. The decomposition pattern in each treatment was fitted well in two split-phase models, namely, a single exponential decay model in phase I（〈398 days） and a linear decay function in phase II（≥398 days）. The three N addition levels exerted insignificant effects on litter decomposition in the early stages（〈398 days, phase I; P〉0.05）. However, MN and HN treatments inhibited litter mass loss after 398 and 746 days, respectively（P〈0.05）. AS and SN treatments exerted similar effects on litter mass remaining during the entire decomposition period（P〉0.05）. The effects of these two N addition forms differed greatly from those of CAN aft     

警惕新入侵昆虫梣粉虱[Siphoninus phillyreae(Haliday)]在中国大陆扩散

梣粉虱是新近入侵中国大陆的一种危险性果树和园林植物害虫,2010年9月在上海市闵行区发现其严重为害梨树。本文介绍了梣粉虱的识别特征、危害特性、寄主植物种类、地理分布范围和防治措施,为预防该虫在我国的进一步传播扩散提供科学依据。     

本土寄生蜂对移殖天敌昆虫泽兰实蝇的寄生

泽兰实蝇（Procecidochares utilis Stone）是我国入侵杂草紫茎泽兰的专食性天敌昆虫。为摸清本土寄生蜂对泽兰实蝇的寄生情况，在云南昆明市选取林下和开阔地等两种生境，分别采用对角线五点取样法与邻接格子取样法，调查了紫茎泽兰的生长及感染虫瘿情况；通过饲养与解剖虫瘿，观察了寄生泽兰实蝇的本土寄生蜂种类及其寄生率。结果表明，共有6种寄生蜂从虫瘿中羽化，对虫瘿的寄生率达70％以上；其中大部分虫瘿被3种寄生蜂寄生。虽然在开阔地生境中紫茎泽兰株高和每株枝条数显著大于林下生境，植株和枝条感虫（瘿）率也显著高于林下，但寄生蜂对虫瘿的总寄生率、各种寄生蜂的寄生率在两种生境之间差异不显著。解剖表明，每虫瘿羽化出的寄生蜂数随虫瘿横径的增大而显著增多。