A method to estimate aquifer artificial recharge from a hill dam in Tunisia

In arid and semi-arid areas, artificial recharge is a key technology in groundwater resources management, and a reliable estimate of artificial recharge is necessary to its sustainable development. Several methods are available to estimate the artificial recharge; however, most of them require field data or model parameters, thus limiting their applications. To overcome this limitation, we presented an analytical method to estimate the artificial recharge through monitoring the water release by piezometer and analysing the controlling factors of the artificial recharge from a hill dam in Tunisia. A total of 97 measurements of water flow in the streambed recorded from 4 gauging stations were analysed. Results indicated that the average infiltration velocity ranged from 0.043 to 0.127 m/d and the infiltration index varied from 7.6 to 11.8 L/(s·km). Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis shows that the infiltration index, the stream gradient, the thickness of unsaturated zone, the number of infiltration pond, the stream geometry, and the water flow rate were found to be the main factors in determining the infiltration. The high correlation coefficients(0.908 for the number of infiltration pond and 0.999 for the stream geometry) mean that the number of infiltration pond and the stream geometry are the most influential factors. Time variations of groundwater level were used to analyze the recharge effects on the piezometry of aquifer. The analysis showed that during the artificial recharge, the water table increased at a rate of 5 mm/d and that the increase was limited to the area surrounding the recharge site. Based on the results of the study, building infiltration ponds along streambed and improving the potential of rainwater harvesting over the study area are recommended.     

Spatial distribution and sample size to estimate Euschistus heros population density in wild plants during off-season

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - The neotropical brown stink bug Euschistus heros (F.) is an important pest for many crops in several countries and its ability to survive on associated...     

土地利用回归模型模拟京津冀PM2.5浓度空间分布

PM2.5污染暴露评估需要浓度空间分布数据,而稀疏的地面监测点无法满足要求.土地利用回归(LUR)模型是模拟大气污染物浓度的有效方法,本研究拟探讨LUR模型在中国区域尺度的适用性及精度.选取土地利用、道路交通、人口密度、工业污染源、高程、气象共6类变量建立区域LUR模型模拟京津冀地区2013年PM2.5浓度空间分布.以研究区80个监测点为中心建立0.1km～10km共22个系列缓冲区,表征不同尺度下各变量对PM2.5浓度的影响.双变量相关分析得出161个影响因子与PM2.5浓度的相关性水平,筛选出13个影响因子与PM2.5浓度进行逐步多元线性回归,得到区域LUR模型.交叉验证显示模型拟合精度(R2)达到78.7％,模拟结果显示京津冀PM2.5污染南北差异明显.     

Assessment of the sample size to estimate the weed seedbank in soil

It was found that, in order to estimate the number of weed seeds in soil with a desirable degree of accuracy and confidence level. the sample size depends to large extent on the spatial distribution pattern of the seeds in the soil. The seeds of most weeds found in cultivated soils are distributed according to one of two statistical distributions: Poisson or Negative Binomial. For an acceptable degree of accuracy in estimating the number of seeds in the soil, the sample size must be large, Taking this into account, in this study a practical solution based on a theoretical approach is proposed for the problem of establishing the sample size for a species distributed according to either statistical pattern. In addition, given the sample size, it was possible to determine the estimation error to be expected. This theoretical approach is compared with that proposed in previous studies. Two abaci, based on simple expressions, are provided to determine the sample size, according to the Poisson or the Negative Binormal distribution of the weed species. For Poisson distribution, the sample size is determined (given the desired maximum relative error estimation and the confidence level) as a function of only one parameter: the expected number of seeds per sampling unit m (estimaied by the sample mean). For Negative Binomial distribution, the sample size is determined as a function of two parameters: m and p (estimated according to the relationship between the sample mean and the sample variance). A sample size n nol very different from those given in previous studies is obtained, but the lower limit found for the n -values is lower than that found in these studies.     

促进草莓炭疽病菌大量产孢的方法

为了促进草莓炭疽病菌在人工培养基上快速、大量地产生分生孢子,本研究在PDA培养基中添加不同量的酵母提取物,并结合涂断气生菌丝的方法,测定了不同处理对草莓炭疽病菌分生孢子产生的影响。结果发现,在PDA培养基中添加0.1%酵母提取物最适合草莓炭疽病菌（Colletotrichumtheobromicola）的产孢。将培养3 d菌落上的气生菌丝涂断,2 d后可产生大量分生孢子。因此,PDA培养基中添加0.1%酵母提取物,结合菌丝涂断的方法,可显著提高草莓炭疽病菌的产孢量。该方法所用营养成分简单,用时短,操作简便。     

Evaluation of sampling methods and assessment of the sample size to estimate the weed seedbank in soil, taking into account spatial variability

As field sampling is time consuming, it is necessary to develop efficient sampling techniques to obtain accurate estimates of the weed seedbank in soil. The relative efficiency between sampling schemes depends on the spatial variability in weed seed density across agricultural fields. Spatial variability of the weed seed density was characterized by theoretical correlograms. A systematic sampling (square grill) scheme was considered and it was found that, taking into account spatial variability, this sampling scheme was more efficient than simple random sampling. As a result, the sample size can be reduced in comparison with that given in previous studies, where spatial correlation was ignored. The reduction depends on the correlation structure defined as a function of the ratio, τ, between the nugget effect and the sill of the variogram. The maximum reduction of the sample size, without loss of either precision or confidence level corresponds to the case where there is no nugget effect, τ = 0. The opposite extreme case, where the reduction is nil, corresponds to the case of a pure nugget effect τ = 1. The abaci based on given expressions are provided to determine the sample size in species whose spatial pattern can be fitted either to a Poisson or to a negative binomial distribution.     

A novel method for producing basidiocarps of the cocoa pathogen Crinipellis perniciosa using a bran-vermiculite medium

A novel method for the production of basidiocarps from the mycelia ofCrinipellis perniciosa is described. This involved the colonization of a bran-vermiculite medium with pure culture of the fungus, prior to application of a peat-based casing. Basidiocarp production was induced by hanging the cultures in a cabinet where they were subjected to a daily cycle of wetting and drying. The method was successfully and reproducibly used to fruit isolates of all four known biotypes of the fungus within 10–16 weeks of inoculation.     

Quantification of within‐season focal spread of wheat take‐all in relation to pathogen genotype and host spatial distribution

Within season gradient of wheat take‐all was measured in field experiments according to line or random sowing host spatial distribution, and two Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici (Ggt) isolates (G1i and G2i), representative of the G1 and G2 genotype groups in terms of aggressiveness. Root disease incidence and severity were assessed at six dates from early March to late June on plants located at regular distances from the inoculum sources. Simple models relating disease intensity at different levels of hierarchy fitted observed data well, and indicated a strong disease aggregation both within and among plants. Disease severity on source plants placed nearby the inoculum source increased over time, ranging from 5 to 46% at the first assessment, and from 55 to 98% at the last assessment, being in general larger for G2i than G1i. In line‐sown plots, disease progressed steadily along the line but did not extend beyond 20 cm, seldom reaching the neighbour line. Disease rarely reached 25 cm in the direct‐seeded crop stands. These results indicate that Ggt intensifies but does not spread to a large extent during a cropping season. Distance from the source, pathogen genotype and assessment date had a significant effect on disease severity according to mixed model analyses, disease spread being larger for G2i than G1i. However, no significant effect of host spatial distribution could be detected. Yield loss within 20 cm of the source plant ranged between 20 and 40%, and was not significantly affected by pathogen genotype or host spatial distribution.     

Widespread distribution of resistance to triazole fungicides in Brazilian populations of the wheat blast pathogen

Fungicides have not been effective in controlling the wheat blast disease in Brazil. An earlier analysis of 179 isolates of Pyricularia oryzae Triticum lineage (PoTl) sampled from wheat fields across six populations in central-southern Brazil during 2012 discovered a high level of resistance to strobilurin fungicides. Here we analysed azole resistance in the same strains based on EC₅₀ measurements for tebuconazole and epoxiconazole. All six Brazilian populations of PoTl exhibited high resistance to both azoles, with in vitro EC₅₀ values that were at least 35 to 50 times higher than the recommended field doses. We sequenced the CYP51A and CYP51B genes to determine if they were likely to play a role in the observed azole resistance. Although we found five distinct haplotypes in PoTl carrying four nonsynonymous substitutions in CYP51A, none of these substitutions were correlated with elevated EC₅₀. CYP51B was sequenced for nine PoTl isolates, three each representing low, medium, and high tebuconazole EC₅₀. Both PoTl CYP51A and CYP51B could complement yeast CYP51 function. All PoTl CYP51A-expressing yeast transformants were less sensitive to triazoles than the PoTl CYP51B ones. Transformants expressing PoTl CYP51A haplotype H1 carrying the R158K substitution were not more resistant than those expressing PoTl CYP51A haplotype H5, which is synonymous to haplotype H6, found in triazole-sensitive P. oryzae Oryza isolates from rice blast. Therefore, the reduced triazole sensitivity of wheat blast isolates compared to rice blast isolates appears to be associated with a non-target-site related resistance mechanism acquired after higher exposure to triazoles.     

A simulation of herbicide use based on weed spatial distribution

Intensive field surveys were conducted to deter mine the spatial distribution of composite broad leaf and grass weed seedlings in seven maize and five soybean fields in eastern Nebraska in 1992. Farmer fields where herbicides were applied in a 38-cm band over 76-cm spaced rows were chosen for this study. Weed populations were measured in the interrow and in the band-treated intrarow. Spatial maps constructed for grass or broadleaf weeds revealed that individual species as well as species assemblages are highly aggregated. On average, 30% of the sample area in the 12 fields surveyed was free of broadleaf weeds and 70% free of grass weeds in the interrow area (no her bicide). Where a pre-emergence herbicide was applied (intrarow), 71% of the sample area was free of broadleaf weeds and 94% free of grass weeds. Increasing the threshold to some value other than zero resulted in a larger field area not requiring a herbicide application. The results of these distribution studies indicate that herbicide use could be substantially reduced if weed dis tribution maps or real-time plant sensing were available to provide information for intermittent herbicide application systems or refinement of economic thresholds.     

2001-2014年新疆阿尔泰地区积雪时空分布特征研究

基于2001-2014年的MODIS10A2积雪产品数据,对新疆阿尔泰地区积雪的年际变化特征、年内变化特征及空间分布进行了分析研究,得到以下结论:1)年内积雪一般由10月中旬左右便开始累积建立,在第二年1月份积雪覆盖面积到最大值,7月份积雪覆盖面积达到最小值,其中,冬季积雪面积所占比例最大,夏季最小。2)2001-2014年新疆阿尔泰地区积雪覆盖面积呈减少趋势。阿尔泰地区积雪空间分布极不均匀,北部积雪分布明显多于南部,山区及高海拔地区为积雪频次分布的高值区,平原及流域地区为积雪覆盖频次的低值区。3)永久性积雪主要分布在阿尔泰山北部的高海拔区(3000-3923m),且面积较小。     

温室中南美斑潜蝇幼虫的空间分布型研究

对南美斑潜蝇(Liriomyza huidobrensis Blanchard)幼虫在温室蔬菜上的空间分布进行了研究。结果表明,南美斑潜蝇幼虫在温室黄瓜、番茄、茄子上呈均匀分布,且个体间相互排斥;南美斑潜蝇幼虫在其作物植株上的分布主要集中在下部叶片,其次是中部叶片,上部叶片数量较少;根据空间分布的研究结果,组建了3种温室蔬菜上的理论抽样数模型。     

Response of black rot in cabbage to spatial distribution of inoculum

Disease progress of black rot in cabbage crop was studied over three years in field plots to compare the effects of uni-focal and multi-focal inoculum applied in equal amounts per plot. Disease progress (plant incidence and leaf incidence) was plotted over time, three dimensional maps were made, and disease aggregation was studied by means of geostatistics, black-black counts and Moran's I statistic. Black rot progress was primarily due to focus expansion. Secondary foci may appear at short distances from the initial focus but they usually merge with the expanding initial focus. Anisotropy occurred occasionally but was of minor importance. Disease proceeds faster in plots with multi-focal inoculation than in those with uni-focal inoculation. Probably, serious epidemics in Dutch cabbage fields originate from large numbers of foci.     

Influence of spatial structure on pathogen colonization and extinction: a test using an experimental metapopulation

The Linum marginale–Melampsora lini plant–pathogen interaction has been studied extensively with regard to its epidemiology and population genetic structure (host resistance and pathogen virulence) in a natural metapopulation. In this study, this system was used in an experimental metapopulation approach to investigate explicitly how the distance (degree of isolation) between local population patches influences disease dynamics within a growing season, as well as the genetic structure of pathogen populations through stochastic colonization and extinction processes. The experimental design centred on four replicate sets of populations, within which patches were spaced at increasingly greater distances apart. Each patch consisted of an identical set of host and pathogen genotypes, with each pathogen genotype having the ability to attack only one of four host-resistance types. Over the 2 years of the experiment, the results showed clear 'boom-and-bust' epidemic patterns, with the strongest determinant of disease dynamics within a growing season being the identity of particular host–pathogen genotypic combinations. However, there were also significant effects of spatial structure, in that more isolated patches tended to exhibit lower levels of disease during epidemic peaks than patches that were close together. Extinction of pathogen genotypes from individual populations was positively related to the severity of disease during preceding epidemic peaks, but negatively related to the level of disease present at the final census prior to overwintering. The probability of recolonization of pathotypes into populations during the second growing season was most strongly related to the distance to the nearest neighbouring source population in which a given pathotype was present. Overall, these results highlight the importance of spatial scale in influencing the numerical and genetical dynamics of pathogen populations.     

新菠萝灰粉蚧雌成虫空间分布型的初步研究

本文通过对新菠萝灰粉蚧的雌成虫进行田间调查,应用David和Moore的聚集性指标、Cassie的指标C和Kuno的指标CA、Lloyd的平均拥挤度m*及聚块性指标m*/m 3个聚集性指标及Taylor的幂法则和Iwao的m* m的回归法对新菠萝灰粉蚧雌成虫的空间分布型进行了分析和检验。结果表明,其在剑麻株内的空间分布为聚集分布,且具有密度依赖性,引起聚集的原因主要是新菠萝灰粉蚧雌成虫自身习性,与环境因素也有一定关系。     

Pea extracellular Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase responsive to signal molecules from a fungal pathogen

We previously reported that the release of O₂ ⁻ from isolated pea cell walls was enhanced by a 70-kDa glycoprotein elicitor but was suppressed by mucin-type glycopeptide suppressors (supprescins A and B) prepared from pycnospore germination fluid of Mycosphaerella pinodes, causal agent of Mycosphaerella blight of pea. Here, we show that superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the apoplast fluid/cell wall of pea seedlings responds to the fungal elicitor and suppressor molecules. In a pharmacological study and with internal amino acid sequencing, the apoplastic SOD in a pea cultivar Midoriusui was found to be a Cu/Zn type SOD. We cloned a full-length cDNA of the Cu/Zn-SOD and designated it as PsCu/Zn-SOD1. An increase in PsCu/Zn-SOD1 mRNA and the PsCu/Zn-SOD1 protein was induced by treatment with the elicitor more intensively than by wounding. Such induction by the elicitor or wounding, however, was inhibited by the concomitant presence of supprescins. The SOD activity of recombinant PsCu/Zn-SOD1 was regulated directly by these signal molecules in a manner similar to their effect on the SOD activity in the apoplastic fluid and in the cell wall-bound proteins. Based on these findings, we discuss a role for PsCu/Zn-SOD1 in the pea defense response. The nucleotide sequence data of PsCu/Zn-SOD1 reported are available in the DDBJ/EMBL/GenBank databases under accession number AB189165.     

On the spatial distribution of citrus tristeza virus disease

The spatial spread of citrus tristeza virus (CTV) disease was studied using data from two infected groves. Statistical analysis indicated a spatial grouping of infected trees. A gamma distribution was fitted to the empirical distribution of the distances between nearest infected neighbors. The findings suggest that, after locating a newly infected tree, additional inspections to detect CTV should be carried out mainly on trees within 14 m of that tree.     

A proposed surface resistance model for the Penman-Monteith formula to estimate evapotranspiration in a solar greenhouse

Greenhousing is a technique to bridge season gap in vegetable production and has been widely used worldwide. Calculation of water requirement of crops grown in greenhouse and determination of their irrigation schedules in arid and semi-arid regions are essential for greenhouse maintenance and have thus attracted increased attention over the past decades. The most common method used in the literature to estimate crop evapotranspiration(ET) is the Penman-Monteith(PM) formula. When applied to greenhouse, however, it often uses canopy resistance instead of surface resistance. It is understood that the surface resistance in greenhouse is the result of a combined effect of canopy restriction and soil-surface restriction to water vapor flow, and the relative dominance of one restriction over another depends on crop canopy. In this paper, we developed a surface resistance model in a way similar to two parallel resistances in an electrical circuit to account for both restrictions. Also, considering that wind speed in greenhouse is normally rather small, we compared three methods available in the literature to calculate the aerodynamic resistance, which are the r_a~1 method proposed by Perrier(1975a, b), the r_a~2 method proposed by Thom and Oliver(1977), and the r_a~3 method proposed by Zhang and Lemeu(1992). We validated the model against ET of tomatoes in a greenhouse measured from sap flow system combined with micro-lysimeter in 2015 and with weighing lysimeter in 2016. The results showed that the proposed surface resistance model improved the accuracy of the PM model, especially when the leaf area index was low and the greenhouse was being irrigated. We also found that the aerodynamic resistance calculated from the r_a~1 and r_a~3 methods is applicable to the greenhouse although the latter is slightly more accurate than the former. The proposed surface resistance model, together with the r_a~3 method for aerodynamic resistance, offers an improved approach to estimate ET in greenhouse using the PM formula.     

陕西地区1368-2013年冰雹灾害时空分布特征研究

通过对陕西地区1368-2013a间冰雹灾害事件的搜集整理,利用Arc GIS及Matlab等软件统计分析了该地区冰雹灾害的时空分布特征及周期变化规律。结果表明:1368-2013a间,陕西地区共发生了991次冰雹灾害事件,平均每年发生1.54次,其中初等雹灾、中等雹灾和特等雹灾分别占冰雹灾害的25.43%、61.96%和12.61%。冰雹灾害在时间尺度上存在着175a、250a和500a等3个振荡周期。在时间分布上,冰雹灾害发生的频率呈现出波浪式的上升趋势,18世纪以后,冰雹灾害的发生频次明显增加,且夏秋连雹的现象最多。在空间分布上,区域内雹灾存在明显空间的差异,冰雹灾害主要发生在关中平原西部及以北地区,存在以榆林、延安及陇县为中心的高频区域。