电容式谷物水分传感器平面探头的研制

针对谷物水分传感器平行极板探头安装难度大、高水分测量精度低等问题,将平行极板探头结构改进成为平面极板探头结构,并且通过增加保护极板减小干扰和杂散电容的影响,提出影响传感器敏感性、精度的平面极板探头的几个参数,采用有限元分析方法较精确分析了探头的电场分布和电容。根据能量的分布得到谷物测量深度、平面极板探头电容值同其驱动极宽与两感应极板间距（极距）之比的关系,当二者之比等于0.9时即为平面极板探头的优化尺寸。试验结果表明,该传感器测量含水率的误差在±1.5%范围内,测量含水率范围可达到6%～36%,测量温度范围-10～80℃。优化的平面极板探头提高了测量精度,降低了安装难度。     

土壤剖面水分传感器的边缘电磁场分析

为了提高基于驻波比原理（Standing Wave Ratio,SWR）的土壤剖面水分传感器非接触式测量精度及传感器在田间土壤水分测量中的实用性,该研究基于电磁仿真软件和印刷电路板工艺设计了一种基于边缘电磁场理论的小型定向测量探头,并进行了探头阻抗变换电路的设计,最后借助矢量网络分析仪探究了探头测量与介质、电导率的关系。在论证检测原理有效性的基础上,首先采用High Frequency Structure Simulator电磁场仿真验证探头结构的合理性。并配置不同介电常数的介质溶液进行试验,进行了试验检验,确定了此剖面土壤水分传感器的阻抗特性及测量范围。同时,为了分析土壤电导率对测量结果的影响,配置不同水分、电导率梯度的土壤样本,利用矢量网络分析仪分析了探头阻抗与水分及电导率的关系,得出结论：在土壤含水率3%～56%、土壤电导率0～6 300 μS/cm时,水分测量受电导率影响的最大绝对误差6.33%。与ET-5、5TE两种商用传感器受土壤电导率影响精度性能进行对比,传感器在非盐碱土壤（电导率在0～6 300 μS/cm内）受土壤电导率影响的最大土壤体积含水率相对误差相比其他两款传感器减少了0.17%～5.27%,受电导率影响在非盐碱土壤测量时更小,且传感器探头具有体积小、成本低、非接触式定向测量受内部介质干扰较小等优点,基本满足非盐碱地土壤田间实际检测需求。研究成果可为土壤剖面水分测量提供理论基础与技术参考。     

太阳能供电的土壤剖面水分动态原位自动监测系统的研制

目前,商业化的土壤水分传感器在野外观测土壤剖面含水率时仍然存在测量深度不可调节、多传感器探头之间的互换误差、野外长期监测供电困难、成本较高等问题。为此,该研究设计并研制了一种太阳能供电的可实现野外长期工作的介电管式土壤剖面水分原位自动监测系统。该系统组成包括:传感器模块、主控模块、太阳能供电模块和参数设置软件。测量时,先将PVC管垂直安装至待测土壤中,安装过程不扰动土壤结构,主控与存储模块控制土壤含水率传感器在PVC管中上下移动测量土壤含水率,并同步记录土壤深度。此外,该系统可以根据实际需求通过PC机参数设置软件进行灵活设定测量参数(传感器测量深度、测量深度间隔和测量周期)。针对该系统的性能与测量精度开展了相关测试与观测试验,功耗测试结果表明该系统待机功率为0.35 W,工作功率为1.4 W,太阳能电池板最大输出功率为5W,太阳能电池板和锂电池配合供电的情况下能实现长时间续航;土壤含水率传感器在砂土和粉壤土中的标定试验表明:该系统测量结果与实际土壤体积含水率高度吻合,标定曲线决定系数R~2均大于0.99;经过校正后,该系统探头深度定位的标准偏差在0.2 cm以内。在两种质地土壤的滴灌试验结果表明:该系统分别在6和15 mL/min两种滴水速率下均能准确获取土壤剖面含水率的动态变化过程,为观测作物生长状态和根区水分变化、制定合理的灌溉策略以及研究并检验土壤入渗水动态模型提供了可靠的技术支持和保障。     

基于3S技术联合的农田墒情远程监测系统开发

农田墒情信息是现代农业实施精准施肥、精确灌溉的重要科学依据。为了实现快速准确地采集墒情信息,研究开发了基于3S（GPS/GIS/GPRS）技术联合的农田墒情远程监测系统。该系统主要由农田信息监测网络节点和远程服务器组成,在小范围内由传感器节点基于ZigBee通讯协议组成无线传感器网络,在大尺度上通过网关节点集成GPS网络,利用GSM/GPRS网络实现与Internet的信息交互,完成了墒情数据的自动采集、无线传输和准确定位。设计了太阳能自供电的长寿命无线传感器节点和网关节点,开发了服务器端农田墒情信息管理系统软件,实现了Web方式下的参数远程设置和信息实时监测。该系统的设计开发为农田墒情信息监测和分析决策提供了有效的工具。     

黄土塬区农田土壤温度变化特征研究

根据长武农业生态试验站深剖面土壤水热观测场2011年的观测资料,分析了农田土壤温度日变化、季节变化特征及其与休闲地土壤温度的差异。结果表明:农田0—20 cm（冬季0—10 cm）土层土壤温度呈正弦曲线趋势变化;垂直剖面上,土层越深,土壤温度的日振幅越小;土壤日最高和最低温度出现的时间越晚。土壤温度的日振幅,春季最大,夏秋次之,冬季最小;土壤日最高和最低温度出现的时间春、夏季较早,秋季次之,冬季较晚。典型晴天的土壤温度的日变化曲线较典型阴天的平滑且土壤温度的日振幅较大。就季节变化而言,农田与休闲地土壤温度的季节变化趋势一致,但是农田0—70 cm土层的月平均最高温度出现的时间较休闲地有所滞后;农田0—110 cm间各土层的月平均最高温度低于休闲地0.6~1.5℃,月平均最低温度低于休闲地0.2~1.1℃。7—8月农田土壤日平均温度显著低于休闲地,而降雨会明显降低农田与休闲地的土壤温度差异。     

多土壤信息测量传感器的硬件系统集成设计（英）

土壤在作物的生长过程中起到了重要的作用,所以对于基于决策的作物生产管理,土壤信息是必需的。传统的土壤取样获取土壤信息技术耗时且成本高,尤其是对于大规模农田土壤信息测量。目前一些近地面的可连续测量的土壤信息传感器技术能够提供高精度的数字土壤信息地图,然而这些商业化的技术成熟的传感器通常需要单独使用。该文提出了将γ射线光谱仪GR320、利用电磁感应原理的EM38和EM31以及Veris 3100和Veris pH这些可在农田近地面连续测量的土壤特性测试传感仪器集成在一起同时使用的方案,介绍了此集成系统的硬件设备和相关特性参数以及今后需要继续研究解决的问题。利用该系统可一次获得不同的土壤特性参数数据,如土壤矿物质含量,不同深度的土壤电导率值和土壤pH值等,可避免多次测量车辆行走对土壤的压实。多传感器数据之间的互相补充可以进一步提高且更有利于精确农业中基于土壤信息的决策规划。该系统适用于大面积农田土壤特性测量。     

基于ZigBee和PDA的农田信息无线传感器网络

为了实现农田信息的实时采集、处理与可视化,缩短数据采集和处理间的时差,开发了基于ZigBee和PDA的农田信息无线传感器网络。系统由集成ZigBee协调器的PDA和带传感器的路由节点组成。通过无线传感器网络,用户手持PDA可实时动态访问田间信息,并控制传感器的供电电源开关,以节省功耗。采集的田间信息包括土壤水分、土壤温度、土壤电导率、空气温湿度。其中土壤温度、空气温湿度传感器为数字式传感器,土壤水分、土壤电导率传感器为模拟传感器。节点通信距离试验表明,正常工作条件下,40 m距离的丢包率只有0.092,满     

基于改进BP神经网络与支持向量机的土壤墒情预测方法研究

为提高土壤墒情预测精度,提出了一种基于遗传算法（GA）、改进粒子群算法（IPSO）、误差反向传播（BP）神经网络和支持向量机（SVM）的土壤墒情组合预测模型（GA_IPSO_BP-SVM）。该模型首先在BP神经网络的权阈值选择中同时引入GA和IPSO构成GA_IPSO_BP模型,然后对GA_IPSO_BP和SVM模型分别进行训练和数据仿真,最后利用建立的加权模型对GA_IPSO_BP和SVM模型的土壤墒情预测结果进行组合。以安庆市8个监测站某时段内农田土壤墒情数据为例,分别按隔日、两日后和三日后三种时间跨度进行土壤墒情预测,并对照BP、GA-BP、PSO-BP、IPSO-BP、GA_IPSO_BP和SVM模型,验证和比较提出的GA_IPSO_BP-SVM模型的土壤墒情预测精度。结果表明,GA_IPSO_BP-SVM模型的土壤含水量预测相对误差平均值最小。GA_IPSO_BP与SVM模型组合的GA_IPSO_BP-SVM模型提高了土壤墒情的预测精度,更适合于土壤墒情的短期预测,该方法可为农业节水灌溉方案的制定提供技术支撑。     

降雨非饱和入渗对土壤热量运移变化的影响

高温季节土壤表层温度非常高,土壤内部含水率较低,突发性降雨对于土壤温度动态变化和水热交换运移影响极大。为了揭示降雨非饱和入渗对土壤热量运移变化的影响,该研究建立了反映降雨入渗过程的土壤热量运移数学模型,编制了有限元数值计算程序,针对南京雨花台区典型土壤,开展了降雨非饱和入渗对土壤热量运移影响的数值计算与分析研究。结果表明：不考虑降雨入渗情况下,土壤温度变化与热量运移主要是表层土壤与环境之间的热交换作用引起,热量运移影响深度约0.2 m;降雨强度45 mm/h作用下,随降雨历时增加,雨水全部自由入渗到土壤内部,土壤内部基质吸力呈线性递减趋势,湿润锋面逐渐下移,土壤体积含水率快速增加;湿润锋过后的土壤体积含水率逐渐接近于饱和体积含水率,土壤入渗能力逐渐下降,直至趋于饱和入渗率;在降雨非饱和入渗影响下,入渗到土壤孔隙中的低温雨水与土壤颗粒发生热量交换,进而改变了原有土壤温度场分布,并随着降雨入渗深度的持续增加,降雨入渗过程对土壤热量运移的影响呈现逐渐减弱趋势。经过现场实测数据与模拟计算结果验证,随着降雨历时增加,土壤体积含水率实测值和数值计算值相对误差保持在±3.99%以内,均方根误差RMSE为0.01 cm3/cm3;土壤温度实测值和数值计算值的相关误差保持在±2.72%以内,均方根误差RMSE为0.55℃,模拟计算结果和现场实测数据均吻合较好,表明该模型对描述降雨非饱和入渗过程土壤热量运移规律的适应性较强,数值计算程序合理。研究成果可为农业水利工程与水土保持、土壤水文水资源的分布与利用、城市水资源控制与生态环境保护等领域提供重要参考。     

土壤水分剖面测量系统设计与应用性能检验

针对农田环境下观测不同作物根区土壤水分变化的实际需要,研制了一种可快速获取0～200 cm深度范围内土壤剖面含水率的传感器及其测量系统。其中水分传感器工作原理为基于电容边缘场效应测量电极周围介质的介电常数,与土壤接触采用PVC套筒式结构,深度测量为霍尔磁敏传感器阵列,测量系统数据处理平台为PDA。对于测量方法的理论研究,该文给出了传感器工作原理的解析分析,进一步提出了传感器应用性能检验的试验方法。结果表明,该传感器性能指标达到实际应用需求,具备应用推广价值。     

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.