九龙坡花椒种植区地形、土壤肥力与花椒产量的关系

为了解九龙坡花椒种植区土壤养分状况及该区地形因子、土壤肥力因子与花椒产量的关系,为科学合理制定花椒高效施肥措施提供理论依据,本研究采用田间调查研究和室内分析的方法,研究了九龙坡花椒种植区低、中、高产区的海拔、坡度及土壤pH、有机质、大量微量元素含量和交换性能的变化特征,及其与花椒产量的关系。研究结果表明：九龙坡花椒普遍种植于200~500 m海拔范围,高产区集中在300 m左右的海拔;从低产区到高产区坡度略有增加,但未达显著水平。土壤均属酸性土,pH<6.5。土壤肥力总体属高水平范围,但各养分因子差异很大,其中土壤阳离子交换量（CEC）、有效磷、有效钙、有效镁、有效铁、有效锰、有效铜、有效锌含量丰富,分别为27.2 cmol（+）·kg^-1、35.2 mg·kg^-1、3 289.8 mg·kg^-1、271.8 mg·kg^-1、48.6 mg·kg^-1、62.1 mg·kg^-1、1.5 mg·kg^-1、4.5 mg·kg^-1;有机质、碱解氮、速效钾、交换性酸属适中水平,分别为19.1 mg·kg^-1、114.9 mg·kg^-1、107.0 mg·kg^-1、8.1 cmol（+）·kg^-1;水溶性硼缺乏,为0.28 mg·kg^-1。相关分析表明花椒产量与有效钙、CEC、pH、有效锰、水溶性硼呈显著正相关;通径分析结果表明有效钙、CEC、交换性酸、有效铜、有效铁、有效锌是影响花椒产量的主要因子,逐步回归分析构建了有效钙（X₆）与花椒产量（Y）的最优回归线性方程：Y=11.693+0.003X₆。综上所述,九龙坡花椒种植区土壤养分失衡较为严重,施肥应注重养分的平衡,增施有机肥,改善土壤理化性状,治理土壤酸化。     

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。     

刺萼龙葵土壤种子库特征及其对替代控制的响应

土壤种子库在退化生态系统植被的恢复和演替中起重要作用,为明确外来入侵植物刺萼龙葵（Solanum rostratum Dunal.）土壤种子库特征,评价植物替代控制刺萼龙葵的效果,调查了河滩及农田边缘两个典型生境中的刺萼龙葵土壤种子库特征,分析了刺萼龙葵种子在土壤中的垂直分布与季节变化动态,并利用多种多年生禾本科与豆科牧草对刺萼龙葵进行替代控制研究,以期为刺萼龙葵生态调控提供理论依据。结果表明：1）两个生境中共鉴定出23种植物,禾本科和菊科为优势科;河滩及农田边缘刺萼龙葵种子总储量分别达347粒·m^-2和2 600粒·m^-2,占整个种子库的2.46%及35.16%。2）河滩生境中刺萼龙葵种子多集中于表层（0~2 cm）土壤,占种子总量的64.3%,且随土层深度的增加而减少;而农田边缘生境0~2 cm、2~5 cm和5~10 cm 3层种子数量差异不大（P>0.05）,分别占种子总量的32.7%、38.2%及29.1%。3）两个生境中刺萼龙葵种子主要集中于4月份采集的土样中,分别为273粒·m^-2（河滩）和1 970粒·m^-2（农田边缘）,显著高于6月份与8月份采集的土样种子数（P<0.05）;4）从替代控制第2年起,刺萼龙葵的密度、生物量及土壤种子储量即被控制在较低水平,均显著低于同期对照（P<0.05）,沙打旺+苇状羊茅+冰草+羊草组合对刺萼龙葵控制效果最佳,同时还可获得牧草鲜重20 396.1 kg·hm^-2,干重7 710.6 kg·hm^-2（2017年）,经济效益可观。5）刺萼龙葵种子库与刺萼龙葵密度（P<0.01）、生物量（P<0.05）呈正相关,牧草产量与刺萼龙葵种子库储量、密度、生物量均呈负相关,但相关性不显著（P>0.05）;降雨显著影响刺萼龙葵种子库储量（P<0.05）,可用幂函数模型y=2.619x^0.001（R²=0.822,F=18.486,P=0.013）描述二者之间的关系。     

不同磷源对设施菜田土壤速效磷及其淋溶阈值的影响

土壤中磷的移动性不仅取决于磷的数量且与磷肥形态有关。了解不同磷源（有机肥和化肥）对设施菜田土壤磷素的影响对于指导科学施肥和面源污染防治至关重要。本文选取河北省饶阳县3种不同磷含量的农田土壤（未种植过蔬菜的土壤、种植蔬菜30年的塑料大棚土壤和种植蔬菜4年的日光温室土壤）为研究对象,采用室内培养试验和数学模型模拟方法研究有机无机磷源对设施菜田土壤磷素的影响,确定无机肥和有机肥源土壤磷素淋溶的环境阈值。结果表明添加有机肥和无机磷肥都会显著增加3种不同种植年限设施菜田土壤速效磷（Olsen-P）和氯化钙磷（CaCl₂-P）含量,但增加速度不同。对于未种植过蔬菜的低磷对照土壤,磷投入量高于50 mg·kg^-1（干土）后,无机肥比有机肥显著提高了土壤Olsen-P含量。对于已种植蔬菜30年的塑料大棚土壤,高磷投入时[300 mg·kg^-1（干土）和600 mg·kg^-1（干土）],无机肥比有机肥显著提高了土壤Olsen-P含量,低于此磷投入量时有机肥和无机肥处理之间没有显著差异。3种不同农田土壤CaCl₂-P的含量所有处理均表现出无机肥显著高于有机肥处理,尤其是在高磷量[>300 mg·kg^-1（干土）]投入时表现更加明显。两段式线性模拟结果表明,设施菜田土壤有机肥源磷素和无机肥源磷素淋溶阈值分别为87.8 mg·kg^-1和198.7 mg·kg^-1。随着土壤Olsen-P的增加,添加无机肥源磷对设施菜田土壤CaCl₂-P含量的增加速率是有机肥源磷的两倍。因此,建议在河北省高磷设施菜田应减少无机磷肥的投入,特别是土壤速效磷高于198.7 mg·kg^-1的设施菜田应禁止使用化学磷肥和有机肥,在土壤速效磷低于198.7 mg·kg^-1的设施菜田应加大有机肥适度替代无机肥技术的推广。     

菊芋根系分泌物改良滨海盐土的微生物机制

[目的] 探究菊芋在滨海盐土改良过程中的作用机制,分析菊芋和碱蓬根系分泌物的组分差异,明确土壤微生态环境的变化规律,进一步为盐土改良提供理论依据。[方法] 以种植菊芋和自然碱蓬植被为样地,对菊芋和碱蓬的根系分泌物进行对比分析,研究在根系分泌物作用下土壤微生物数量,微生物量碳氮,微生物群落结构以及土壤酶活性的变化,从而系统地阐明根系分泌物介导下盐土改良的微生物机制。[结果] 菊芋根际土壤中含有果糖（2.343×10^-3 g/kg）、葡萄糖（4.235×10^-3 g/kg）、蔗糖（2.670×10^-3 g/kg）,分别是碱蓬根际土壤的9.28,1.52和2.43倍。而菊芋根际与非根际中的果糖含量存在显著性差异（p<0.05）,其根际中含量为非根际的12.02倍。菊芋土壤还含有低聚果糖（蔗果三糖、蔗果四糖和蔗果五糖）,而碱蓬土壤中未检测出低聚果糖。除糖类外,菊芋根系分泌物还含有烷烃、酚、醛、酯、有机酸、醇、酮、酰胺,其组分较碱蓬土壤更为复杂且某些组分为菊芋特有〔1-氯—十八烷、正十六烷酸、2-甲基-Z-4-十四碳烯、十二酮、（Z）-9-十八碳酰胺、苯丙酸十六烷基酯等〕。功能性根系分泌物（如低聚果糖、果糖、十六烷、十八烷酸等）为根际微生物提供碳源、氮源和营养元素的同时,使菊芋根际土壤中微生物数量显著增加（p<0.05）,土壤微生物量碳、氮显著高于碱蓬土壤（p<0.05）,其值分别是碱蓬土壤的1.95和1.6倍,且菊芋根际的微生物量碳、氮约为非根际的1.69和1.50倍,优势菌群（变形菌门、放线菌门、绿弯菌门、酸杆菌门）所占比重达到90%,土壤有益菌群（Actinobacteria和Acidobacteria）的相对丰度显著增加（p<0.05）,土壤生物活性提升。此外,菊芋根际特有的分泌物（十六烷、烯醛等）,抑制了病原菌的生长,优化了微生物群落结构。除过氧化氢酶外,土壤脲酶、蔗糖酶和碱性磷酸活性显著提高（p<0.05）,其活性分别是碱蓬土壤的1.83,1.88和3.30倍。[结论] 种植菊芋后,通过根际分泌物介导,改善土壤微生物群落结构与功能,增加土壤酶活性,使土壤生物活力得以整体提升,与原生植被碱蓬相比,降低了土壤含盐量,起到了改良盐土的作用。     

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。     

冬小麦免耕覆盖与有机栽培对土壤微生物群落组成的影响

为揭示农业管理活动对土壤微生物群落结构及AM真菌多样性的影响,以农田土壤生态系统为研究对象,选取免耕覆盖+施有机肥（NF）、免耕覆盖+不施有机肥（NC）、传统耕作不覆盖+施有机肥（TF）和传统耕作不覆盖+不施有机肥（TC）4种处理,采用Illumina Miseq高通量测序及磷脂脂肪酸（phospholipid fatty acids,PLFAs）分析方法,研究持续冬小麦免耕覆盖有机栽培3年后,土壤微生物群落结构组成、AM真菌及其多样性与土壤环境因子间的关系。结果表明,持续免耕覆盖有机栽培能增加以PLFA表征的土壤微生物群落的生物量,传统耕作显著提高了土壤革兰氏阳性菌（G⁺）、阴性菌（G^-）的生物量（P<0.05）。且随免耕栽培管理年限增加,土壤AM真菌生物量呈显著上升趋势;以16：1ω5c中性脂（NLFA）与16：1ω5c磷脂（PLFA）表征的AM真菌生物量比值显著升高（P<0.05）。免耕覆盖措施下,有机肥的施用提高了土壤AM真菌丰富度指数（Chao1指数和ACE指数）,但降低了土壤AM真菌的多样性（香农指数、辛普森指数）。主成分分析结果显示,AM真菌孢子（16：1ω5c中性脂）的生物量与土壤有机质、土壤易提取球囊霉素含量呈正相关关系,AM真菌丰富度指数与土壤有机质含量呈正相关,AM真菌多样性指数与土壤全氮含量、脲酶活性呈正相关。受农业管理措施导致的土壤理化性状及土壤生物学差异等综合因素影响,土壤微生物生物量及AM真菌多样性和丰富度改变。免耕覆盖措施提高了土壤AM真菌多样性指数,有机肥施用显著影响了AM真菌NLFA/PLFA生物量的比例,改变了AM真菌孢子和菌丝间生物量碳的分配关系。     

联苯菊酯等3种杀虫剂在茶园茶叶、土壤及降雨径流中的残留

为探究杀虫剂联苯菊酯、溴氰菊酯和虫螨腈的常用剂量和减施剂量对绿茶品种‘丰绿’（Camellia sinensis Yutakmitor）的鲜叶和茶园土壤及降雨径流的影响以及可能产生的膳食摄入风险,选择联苯菊酯、溴氰菊酯和虫螨腈的当地常用剂量和减量30%剂量作为处理组,在浙江绍兴富盛镇御茶村茶园进行田间试验,喷药后1 d、3 d、7 d、10 d分别采集试验小区的鲜叶和土壤,喷药后4 d、8 d采集降雨径流,检测样品中的杀虫剂残留并评估3种杀虫剂的膳食暴露风险。试验结果表明：同种杀虫剂常用剂量处理的茶鲜叶中残留虽然高于减施剂量处理,但二者差异不显著,杀虫剂减量30%对减少鲜叶中的残留并无明显效果。经过常用剂量与减施剂量处理的茶鲜叶中联苯菊酯的半衰期分别为5.89 d和4.61 d,溴氰菊酯的半衰期分别为5.75 d和2.55 d,虫螨腈的半衰期分别为3.72 d和2.70 d。3种杀虫剂在土壤中的残留均低于《土壤环境质量标准（GB 15618-1995）》中有机氯杀虫剂六六六的一级标准值（≤ 0.05 mg·kg^-1）。联苯菊酯和虫螨腈在降雨径流中的残留均低于《生活饮用水卫生标准（GB5749-2006）》中有机氯杀虫剂六六六的限值（0.005 mg·L^-1）,溴氰菊酯在降雨径流中的残留低于《生活饮用水卫生标准（GB5749-2006）》中溴氰菊酯的限值（≤ 0.02 mg·L^-1）。3种杀虫剂在茶叶中的膳食暴露风险评估结果表明,联苯菊酯、溴氰菊酯和虫螨腈的最大暴露量分别为0.5×10^-4~1.7×10^-4 mg·kg^-1（bw）·d^-1、1.0×10^-6~7.3×10^-6 mg·kg^-1（bw）·d^-1、1.0×10^-5~8.3×10^-5 mg·kg^-1（bw）·d^-1,风险商分别为0.005~0.017、0.000 2~0.001和0.000 2~0.003,使用联苯菊酯、溴氰菊酯和虫螨腈防治茶树虫害,对消费者的膳食暴露的风险均可以接受。与常用剂量相比,减施剂量处理对减少茶叶和环境中的杀虫剂残留的效果不明显。     

盐胁迫下海水稻抗逆生理响应分析

以海水稻品种‘FL478’‘JX99’‘Pokkali’和盐敏感品种‘IR29’为材料,设置6个土壤含盐量（0 g·kg^-1、1 g·kg^-1、2 g·kg^-1、3 g·kg^-1、4 g·kg^-1、5 g·kg^-1）,在防雨大棚下进行盆栽试验,孕穗期测定水稻叶片的丙二醛含量、细胞膜透性、可溶性糖含量、脯氨酸含量,以及Δ¹-吡咯啉-5-羧酸合成酶（P5CS）、鸟氨酸-δ-氨基转移酶（δ-OAT）和超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性,旨在探讨盐胁迫下海水稻渗透调节物质、抗逆酶与海水稻耐盐性的关系,为海水稻耐盐基因的发掘和耐盐品种的选育提供理论依据。结果表明：1）盐胁迫抑制了海水稻叶绿素的合成与积累,表现为水稻叶片的叶绿素含量随盐胁迫梯度的增加而减少,但其叶绿素含量显著高于盐敏感水稻品种。2）海水稻和盐敏感水稻的可溶性糖对盐胁迫的响应差异显著,其中土壤含盐量0~3 g·kg^-1胁迫下,盐敏感水稻叶片的可溶性糖含量的增加显著高于海水稻,但是在土壤含盐量4~5 g·kg^-1下,海水稻叶片的可溶性糖积累量显著高于盐敏感水稻品种。3）随盐胁迫加剧海水稻和盐敏感水稻叶片的丙二醛积累,造成细胞膜透性逐渐增大,但是海水稻品种丙二醛的积累量显著低于盐敏感对照,这表明海水稻叶片细胞膜损伤较小。4）盐胁迫下,4个水稻叶片的脯氨酸含量和P5CS、δ-OAT、SOD活性随盐胁迫浓度增加均表现出先升高后降的趋势,海水稻和盐敏感水稻分别在3 g·kg^-1、2 g·kg^-1盐浓度达到峰值,而海水稻植株的游离脯氨酸积累量、P5CS、δ-OAT和SOD活性显著高于盐敏感水稻。5）盐胁迫下海水稻可溶性糖、脯氨酸和P5CS之间呈极显著正的简单相关和偏相关性。因此,海水稻的抗盐性为生理性耐盐：在盐胁迫下,植株脯氨酸合成酶P5CS和δ-OAT均被激活,脯氨酸合成的两个途径（谷氨酸→脯氨酸和鸟氨酸→脯氨酸）同时增强,促使植株游离脯氨酸的快速积累。同时,由于植株游离脯氨酸快速积累,也助于植株SOD活性的激活,有效降低活性氧的积累,并通过合成可溶性糖与脯氨酸协同缓解渗透胁迫,而表现为较强的耐盐性。     

CO2浓度升高条件下不同程度豌豆蚜危害对紫花苜蓿叶片营养物质和次生代谢物质的影响

由于人类大量开采使用石油、煤炭、天然气等化石燃料,使大气CO₂浓度升高,这不但加速全球变暖,还将影响地球上动植物的生存和分布,从而对整个生态系统产生深远影响。为探明CO₂浓度升高与豌豆蚜（Acyrthosiphon pisum）虫口密度对紫花苜蓿（Medicago sativa）叶片内化学物质的影响,明确CO₂浓度升高和蚜虫密度在紫花苜蓿生理生化中的作用,试验在CO₂光照培养箱内设置380 μL·L^-1（对照）、550 μL·L^-1和750 μL·L^-1 3个CO₂浓度培育苜蓿幼苗并接入10日龄成蚜10头·株^-1、20头·株^-1、30头·株^-1,并以0头·株^-1作为空白对照,1周后测定植物体内营养物质和次生代谢物质含量。结果表明,随CO₂浓度升高,蚜虫密度为30头·株^-1时紫花苜蓿可溶性蛋白、可溶性糖以及淀粉含量均上升,在750 μL·L^-1 CO₂浓度下分别比CK上升11.62倍、0.49倍和0.24倍;黄酮、总酚和简单酚含量也显著上升。随蚜虫危害程度加重,同一CO₂浓度下紫花苜蓿淀粉、简单酚含量先上升后下降,高CO₂浓度蚜虫密度为30头·株^-1时比0头·株^-1时可溶性糖、总酚以及单宁含量上升1.66倍、1.49 mg·g^-1和1.09 mg·g^-1,差异均显著（P<0.05）。说明具有固氮作用的豆科植物更易于适应CO₂浓度升高的变化,从而在受到刺吸胁迫后增强自身诱导抗虫性以抵御害虫为害。     

Agricultural potential of Mediterranean grain and forage legumes: Key differences between and within Vicia species in terms of phenology, yield, and agronomy give insight into plant adaptation to semi-arid environments

In order to identify key adaptive traits which affect productivity in Mediterranean grain and forage legumes and simultaneously determine the agricultural potential of a wide range of Vicia species, germplasm collected from the wild throughout the eastern Mediterranean was grown under semi-arid conditions in Tel Hadya, Syria (313 mm growing season rainfall). These included species currently in use in Mediterranean agriculture, such as V. sativa L., as well as those more widely used in the past-such as V. ervilia L., but also a broad selection from Section Narbonensis (B. Fedtsch. ex Radzhi) Maxted, including V. narbonensis L, V. johannis Tamamsch., V. hyaeniscyamus Mout., V. serratifolia Jacq., and V. kalakhensis Khattab et al. V. faba, a near relative of the taxa in Section Narbonensis, was included as a domesticated control. Where applicable, a representative range of subspecies was used. Accessions were chosen from a wide range of habitats in terms of latitude (31.02–40.72 decimal^o), longitude (27.1–43.17 decimal^o), altitude (20–1510 m), rainfall (180–1700 mm/yr) and soil depth (5–50 cm) in order to maximise diversity within species. Agricultural potential was determined by measuring seed, hay and biological yield, as well as agronomic traits such as harvest index, standing crop height, and seed size. The comparative influence of phenology and key agronomic traits such as plant habit and seed size on productivity varied tremendously between species, depending on their reproductive strategies. In V. sativa and V. ervilia, the smaller seed species which rely on long vegetative phases and growing seasons to accumulate sufficient biomass to set seed, and in which there was comparatively little agronomic variation, phenology had a large impact on yield. In early emerging taxa such as V. ervilia and V. s. subsp. sativa, with built-in long vegetative phases and growing seasons, seed yield was negatively correlated with flower ing (r = –0.86 to –0.88), whereas the opposite was the case for later emerging taxa such as V. s. subsp. nigra (L.) Ehrh. (r = 0.95). Within V. narbonensis and relatives, the larger seeded Vicia species which rely on more conservative reproductive strategies where high seedling vigour associated with large seeds enables the species to enter reproductive phases relatively early, phenology had a much smaller impact on yield than did variation of key traits such as seed weight, plant habit and pod shattering. Among the undomesticated germplasm harvest indices ranged from 0.09–0.31, hay yields from 0.1–3.4 t/ha, seed yield from 0–2.0 t/ha, and dry matter at maturity from 1.6–6.5 t/ha. Sub-specific taxonomy was crucial in determining agronomic potential. V. narbonensis var. aegyptiaca Kornhuber ex Asch. et Schweinf. showed the most potential, combining an upright habit, large seeds (212 mg) and tendency to retain intact pods after maturity, with the highest yield, harvest index and crop height of all the wild Vicia species. V. sativa subsp. sativa, V. ervilia and V. narbonensis var. narbonensis were less productive, but still showed agricultural potential. The smaller seeded V. narbonensis, var. affinis, var. jordanica H. Schäf. and var. salmonea (Mout.) H. Schäf., and their close relatives V. johannis, V. hyaeniscyamus, V. serratifolia and V. kalakhensis have little to offer Mediterranean agriculture on the basis of poor agronomy.     

On the Taxonomy of the Members of ‘Saccharum Complex’

The difficulty and problems encountered in the study of cultivated plants, in general and sugarcane, in particular has been indicated. In order to understand these problems, a brief review on the taxonomy of Saccharum and closely related taxa, namely, Erianthus, Sclerostachya, Narenga and Miscanthus (generally known as ‘Saccharum complex’) has been given. A short account on the important morphological features that are specific to sugarcane has also been stated as classification is commonly based on such morphological characters. A note has been added on the chromosome number, origin, and distribution of the species of ‘Saccharum complex’ members. Taxonomic keys have been devised for identification of the genera of Saccharinae and for the species of Saccharum and Erianthus occurring in India. A new combination, Sclerostachya fallax (Balansa) Amalraj et Balasundaram, has also been proposed.     

Polymorphism of high molecular weight glutenin subunits in three species of Aegilops

A collection of 136 accessions of Aegilops umbellulata (39), Ae. comosa (75) and Ae. markgrafii (22) was analysed for high-molecular-weight (HMW) glutenin subunits composition. The homogeneity of the accessions was studied and 55.1% of the collection was homogeneous for HMW glutenin subunits (29 Ae. umbellulata, 33 Ae. comosa and 14 Ae. markgrafii). The HMW glutenin subunits of Ae. umbellulata are encoded by the Glu-U1 locus; in Ae. comosa results showed that this proteins are encoded at the 1M chromosome, and the locus was named Glu-M1. In Ae. markgrafii it was assumed that HMW glutenin subunits were encoded by an homoeologous locus and it was named Glu-C1. All the accessions of Ae. umbellulata and Ae. markgrafii expressed both, x-type and y-type subunits. Among the Ae. comosa accessions, only one expressed an x-type subunit alone. All the accessions of Ae. umbellulata and some of Ae. comosa had x-type glutenins of higher molecular weights than those commonly present in bread wheat. A total of 8 alleles were detected at the Glu-U1 locus, 11 at the Glu-M1 and 4 at the Glu-C1. The new HMW glutenin variation found in this work suggests their possible utilisation in breeding for wheat quality.     

Effect of agroforestry woody species on earthworm activity and physicochemical properties of worm casts

The effects of five agroforestry woody species (Dactyladenia barteri, Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala, Senna siamea andTreculia africana) on the surface aasting activity ofHyperiodrilus africanus were studied in an Alfisol (Oxic Paleustalf) in southwestern Nigeria. Casting activity under the woody species decreased in the following order:Dactyladenia sp. (26.4 Mg ha^-1 year^-1)>Gliricidia sp. (24.4 Mg ha^-1 year^-1)>Treculia sp. (22.9 Mg ha^-1 year^-1)>Leucaena sp. (18.6 Mg ha^-1 year^-1)>Senna sp. (18.3 Mg ha^-1 year^-1). These differences in casting activity were partly explained by microclimatic effects. Irrespective of the woody species, the worm casts were higher in clay and silt contents, bulk density, water-stable aggregates, pH, organic C, exchangeable cations, effective cation exchange capacity, and extractable P levels than the corresponding surface soils. The woody species did affect the physicochemical properties and P sorption of the worm casts. The content of water-stable aggregates of worm casts decreased in the following order:Dactyladenia sp.>Treculia sp.>Senna sp.>Leucaena sp.>Gliricidia sp. Large differences in extractable P levels were observed.Senna sp. was associated with the highest extractable P level (11.5 mg kg^-1) andTreculia sp. the lowest (4.9 mg kg^-1). P sorption was highest on worm casts underDactyladenia sp. and lowest on those underTreculia sp. Without fertilizer application, there were no significant differences in the dry weight of maize grown in the different worm casts. With NPK applications, the dry weight of maize grown in worm casts associated withTreculia sp. was significantly lower than that of maize grown in the other worm casts, mainly due to the low extractable P level. Despite a high organic C and exchangeable K status, maize grown in the worm casts still responded significantly to N and K applications. The N uptake by maize grown in worm casts associated withTreculia sp. was lower than that in the other treatments.     

Genetic diversity of rhizobia associated with indigenous legumes in different regions of Flanders (Belgium)

We investigated the diversity of rhizobia isolated from different indigenous legumes in Flanders (Belgium). A total of 3810 bacterial strains were analysed originating from 43 plant species. Based on rep-PCR clustering, 16S rRNA gene and recA gene sequence analysis, these isolates belonged to Bradyrhizobium, Ensifer (Sinorhizobium), Mesorhizobium and Rhizobium. Of the genera encountered, Rhizobium was the most abundant (62%) and especially the species Rhizobiumleguminosarum, followed by Ensifer (19%), Bradyrhizobium (14%) and finally Mesorhizobium (5%). For two rep-clusters only low similarity values with other genera were found for both the 16S rRNA and recA genes, suggesting that these may represent a new genus with close relationship to Rhodopseudomonas and Bradyrhizobium. Primers for the symbiotic genes nodC and nifH were optimized and a phylogenetic sequence analysis revealed the presence of different symbiovars including genistearum, glycinearum, loti, meliloti, officinalis, trifolii and viciae. Moreover, three new nodC types were assigned to strains originating from Ononis, Robinia and Wisteria, respectively. Discriminant and MANOVA analysis confirmed the correlation of symbiosis genes with certain bacterial genera and less with the host plant. Multiple symbiovars can be present within the same host plant, suggesting the promiscuity of these plants. Moreover, the ecoregion did not contribute to the separation of the bacterial endosymbionts. Our results reveal a large diversity of rhizobia associated with indigenous legumes in Flanders. Most of the legumes harboured more than one rhizobial endosymbiont in their root nodules indicating the importance of including sufficient isolates per plant in diversity studies.     

Diversity of native rice (Oryza Poaceae:) species of Costa Rica

We found several populations of wild Oryza species in the lowlands of Costa Rica. The plants showed extensive morphological variation, suggesting the presence of several species. In the morphologic study, 33 traits were scored for plants of all the species. A principal component analysis revealed the significant morphological separation of the different species. The analyses indicated that there are three species, O. grandi­glumis, O. latifolia and O. glumaepatula. Two putative hybrid types were found, both significantly differing in their morphology from the known species and intermediate at several traits. O. grandi­glumis is a new record for Costa Rican flora. Its main population is located in Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, Los Chiles, Alajuela. O. latifolia is distributed throughout the lowlands of the country and the plants of the Atlantic slope are significantly bigger in general habit than those of the Guanacaste area. During this study a population of O. glumaepatula of hundreds of thousands of plants was discovered in the Medio Queso River wetland, Los Chiles, Alajuela. This population is the most important source of genes for cultivar's improvement from the primary gene pool of rice in Costa Rica. The small ligule and the wide flag leaf characteristic of the two CCDD species separated them from the AA diploid O. glumaepatula. Seed size, ligule size, number of branches in the panicle, plant height and sterile lemma length are all bigger in O. grandi­glumis, and influenced the second factor that separated the CCDD species in two discrete clusters. The species found offer great possibilities for the improvement of rice cultivars and they should be thoroughly studied and appropriately protected.     

Phylogenetic relationships of Actinidia and related genera based on micromorphological characters of foliar trichomes

The phylogenetic relationships within the genus Actinidia and among 3 allied genera Clematoclethra, Saurauia, and Sladenia have been very controversial. In order to understand the systematic implication of foliar trichomes in those genera, the micromorphological characteristics of foliar trichomes from 34 taxa were examined by means of light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The observed micromorphological characteristics were classified into eight main types. A phylogenetic analysis of Actinidia and related genera based on 15 micromorphological characters of foliar trichomes was conducted using Wagner parsimony method and Sladenia celastrifolia, Rhododendron hybridum and R. simsii as a complex outgroup. In the resulting phylogenetic tree, Actinidia is shown to be a monophyletic group, and Clematoclethra and Saurauia form another monophyletic group. This study also presents the phylogenetic relationships among 4 sections within the genus Actinidia: the monophyly of sect. Leiocarpae and of sect. Strigosae, and polyphyly of sect. Maculatae and of sect. Stellatae.     

Effect of passage through the intestinal tract of detritivore earthworms (Lumbricus spp.) on the number of selected Gram-negative and total bacteria

Laboratory experiments were carried out to investigate the fate of bacteria during and after passage through the intestinal tract of detritivore earthworms. Earthworms (Lumbricus spp.) were fed with cattle dung inoculated 7 days previously with one of five different Gram-negative bacteria. Bacterial concentrations were determined 2 days later in dung and soil, and in gut material from different parts of the earthworm intestinal tract. A high percentage (28–82%) of the total bacteria (epifluorescence direct counts) in the earthworm gut content was culturable. The concentration of total heterotrophic aerobic bacteria did not vary significantly among the five different bacterial additions and the non-inoculated control. In earthworm casts the number of total heterotrophs per gram dry matter (2.1×10⁹) was higher than in soil (1.7×10⁸), but lower than in the dung (1.5×10¹⁰). The test-bacteria, however, showed different survival patterns along the earthworm intestinal tract. The concentrations of Escherichia coli BJ 18 and Pseudomonas putida MM 1 and MM 11 in earthworm casts were lower than in the ingested dung, while concentrations of Enterobacter cloacae A 107 and Aeromonas hydrophila DMU 115 in dung and casts were similar. Ent. cloacae, and to aminor extent E. coli, were reduced in numbers by several orders of magnitude in the pharynx and/or crop. In the hind gut, however, the concentration of Ent. cloacae had increased to the same level as in the ingested dung, while the concentration of E. coli remained low. Our observations indicate that the bacterial flora of ingested food materials changes qualitatively and quantitatively during gut transit.