Effects of contrasting seasonal growth patterns on composition and persistence of mixed grass‐legume pastures over 5 years in a semi‐arid Australian cropping environment

Perennial grass‐based pastures are uncommon in phased cropping rotations in south‐eastern Australia, where rainfall often limits production and persistence. The high reliance on pure legume‐based pastures limits overall pasture productivity and has adverse effects on environmental parameters such as weed incursion and ground cover. A field experiment was monitored over 5 years to examine the relative productivity of the temperate perennial grasses, phalaris (Phalaris aquatica) and cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) and determine whether contrasting seasonal activity enhances their persistence when grown in mixtures with lucerne (Medicago sativa) and annual legumes. Phalaris swards were shown to increase cumulative aboveground biomass by up to 96% and 32%, and in year 5 reduce annual grass emergence by between sevenfold and threefold compared to annual legume and lucerne/annual legume mixed swards, respectively. Only swards that included phalaris maintained ground cover above 70% in each autumn of the experimental period. Swards based on the highly summer dormant cocksfoot cultivar, Kasbah, were generally less productive over all, despite the cocksfoot showing a high level of persistence and good recovery following drought. Grass‐based swards that included lucerne were observed to produce ~35% greater legume biomass than a sward sown only to annual legumes. Cumulative legume biomass was greatest in lucerne swards in the absence of perennial grasses. The experiment was unable to demonstrate a consistent benefit in production and persistence associated with contrasting seasonal growth patterns. However, mixtures containing a range of functional types were consistently shown to enhance productivity over the duration of the experiment compared to less diverse swards. The potential to substantially increase forage productivity and ground cover, while reducing incursion by annual grass weeds, by including well‐adapted perennial grasses in mixtures with lucerne and annual legumes should be utilized.     

Functional contribution of two perennial grasses to enhance pasture production and drought resistance under a leaf regrowth stage defoliation criterion

Lolium perenne L. (Lp) is the main pasture species in New Zealand, but climate change increases the likelihood of drought during summer and consequently lowers its growth rates. Bromus valdivianus Phil. (Bv) tolerates better the summer soil water restriction, but its competitiveness in a diverse pasture relates to the defoliation management and soil moisture levels. The performance of both species in terms of production, persistence and feed quality across seasons under different defoliation regimens was evaluated when the species were mixed and in monoculture. The treatments were applied in a randomised complete block design with three blocks. Bromus valdivianus and Lp monocultures and the 50/50 mixture (Mx) were grazed at low and high defoliation frequencies (i.e. based on Bv and Lp optimal leaf regrowth stage [LS], respectively). Herbage mass production was 15% higher in the Mx, mainly due to an increase in production in spring and summer. In spring, there was complementarity growth between the species, while during summer/early autumn, the Mx production relayed in the higher participation of Bv. Root biomass at depth (31–70 cm) was 38% greater for Bv monoculture and the Mx compared with Lp monoculture, which demonstrated the contribution of Bv to a better production of the mixture during and following the dry periods. In addition, the maintenance of the Bv tiller population and the higher growth rate during dry periods demonstrated its better fitness to low soil water availabilities than Lp. Although herbage mass was not modified by the defoliation frequency, forage quality of Bv showed values at low defoliation frequency that could compromise animal production during spring. However, there was an increase in root biomass under low defoliation frequencies, which suggested that a flexible grazing management across seasons would increase the niche utilisation between species in the mixture. The defoliation frequency of the mixture could be based on Lp LS during spring and winter, and slowed down, following Bv criteria, during summer and autumn.     

全球变暖下1951—2014年北京地区的季节变化

为了深入了解气候变暖背景下北京季节变化特征,利用1951—2014 年北京观象台逐日气温资料,采用相关分析和突变检测等方法,研究了北京四季开始日期和四季长度的变化特征及其与气温变化的联系。结果表明：（1）北京春季、夏季、秋季和冬季的常年平均开始日期分别为4月3日、5月26日、9 月16 日和11 月3 日。1951—2014 年北京入春和入夏日期显著提前,入秋和入冬日期显著推迟。（2）北京冬季最长,其次为夏季和春季,秋季最短。1951—2014 年北京地区夏季显著延长,而冬季显著变短。夏季显著变长是受夏季开始日期显著提前和秋季开始日期显著推迟共同影响;冬季显著缩短则是受春季开始日期显著提前和冬季开始日期推迟共同影响。（3）1951—2014 年北京年平均气温呈显著升高趋势,线性变化率为0.35℃/10 a。北京气温变化对气候季节变化有显著影响,气温升高,则春季和夏季开始日期提前,而秋季开始日期推迟,夏季延长。（4）北京四季开始日期和四季长度在1990 年前后均发生了显著突变。在全球变暖背景下,北京气温、四季开始日期和四季长度均对气候变暖存在非均衡响应。     

Growth Characteristics of Contrasting Varieties of Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)

A field experiment was conducted to study growth characteristics of contrasting varieties of Lolium perenne (early heading: Gremie ; late heading Vigor ) in different growth/regrowth periods during 1984 and 1985. A growth function was fitted to data of weekly measurements of dry matter production (DM) and leaf area index (L) to derive the following parameters according to quantitative analysis of plant growth: crop growth rate (C), relative growth rate (R), leaf area ratio (LAR) and leaf weight ratio (LWR). Furthermore phenological development of the swards was recorded.
The chief differences in the growth potential of the varieties were found in primary growth on the one hand and in both investigated first regrowth periods on the other hand. In second and third regrowth periods no distinct differences were found either in DM nor in L regarding variety effects. In primary growth the early heading variety gained an advantage in DM, which was enhanced with prolonging growth period until the middle of June combined with a rapid reproductive development of the sward. Growth potential in the first regrowth period was determinated by the time of cutting in primary growth according to the development stage of the swards at cutting time. It was evident that highest values of DM and C were corresponding with a high amount of undamaged reproductive tillers in the sward. DM of vegetative summer regrowths were comparable, while in late summer/autumn under worsening environmental conditions a reduction in DM was observed. In opposite to that L developed rather similar in the investigated regrowth periods. According to this force of expression of L is discussed in relation to DM and phenological development of the swards.     

季节变化对夏洛来种公牛精液品质的影响

从洛阳市白马寺种公牛站挑选年龄、健康状况相近且性欲旺盛的夏洛来种公牛5头,对其生产性能指标按春(3—5月)、夏(6—8月)、秋(9—11月)、冬(12—2月)4个季节连续五年的记录进行统计分析。结果表明:(1)采精量随季节变化不明显(P>0.05)。(2)原精活力:夏季(0.46±0.04)与春(0.70±0.01)、秋(0.65±1.01)、冬季(0.69±0.01)差异极显著(P<0.01)。(3)冻后活力:春、秋、冬季均极显著高于夏季(P<0.01),说明季节对夏洛来种公牛精液冻后活力具有明显影响。(4)精液密度:夏季与春、冬季差异极显著(P<0.01),夏季与秋季差异显著(P<0.05)。(5)精液冻后畸形率:夏季的夏洛来种公牛精子冻后畸形率极显著地高于其它季节(P<0.01)。(6)精液冻后的顶体完整率:夏季的夏洛来种公牛冻精顶体完整率极显著地低于冬、春季节(P<0.01),显著地低于秋季(P<0.05)。     

An energy budget for a Macoma balthica (mollusca) population living on a tidal flat in the Dutch Wadden Sea

Seasonal and annual energy budgets were compiled for individuals and for a tidal flat population of Macoma balthica in the western part of the Dutch Wadden Sea, based on independent estimates of their numbers, biomass, food consumption and absorption, production and respiration.The consumption of food reached a maximum in late winter and remained high during spring. The absorption of food was maximal in spring and minimal in autumn and early winter. The absorption of food related to chlorophyll a was high only during April, May and June. The respiration was high during spring and summer and reached a minimum in winter.Somatic growth and gonad output were high only in the months April, May and June, whereas weight. Indeed, estimates for the absorption of chlorophyll a related food minus respiration were only high during the three months.The production of Macoma appears to depend primarily on the concentration of chlorophyll a related food in the water.The maintenance ration on basis of total consumption amounted to 1.3% of the body weight per day or, when based on the absorbed chlorophyll a related food to 0.4%. The net growth efficiency was 19% on the basis of all absorbed food, and 28% on the basis of chlorophyll a related food.     

1961—2010年贵州省不同茶季茶树需水量的时空变化特征

利用贵州省82个气象站点1961—2010年地面气象观测资料和茶树生育期资料,结合ArcGIS、数理统计等方法,采用联合国粮食与农业组织(FAO,Food and Agriculture Organization)推荐的方法计算了研究区不同茶季的茶树需水量,分析了茶树需水量的时空分布特点及变化趋势。结果表明：近50年来贵州省不同茶季的茶树需水量存在显著差异,大小关系是夏茶>秋茶>春茶>越冬期。从空间分布来看,夏茶和秋茶的需水量呈“西北低东南高”分布型,而越冬期和春茶的需水量呈“西南高东北低”分布型。春、夏、秋茶季以及越冬期的茶树需水量均呈减少趋势,气候倾向率分别为-1.6、-4.8、-1.2、-0.3 mm/(10 a)。近50a来越冬期和春茶季的茶树需水量的地区间差异在缩小;而夏茶和秋茶季的茶树需水量的地区间差异在增大。     

近50年山东省四季划分及其变化

为了深入掌握山东省不同地形特征下各地入季时间和四季天数的变化规律,运用山东省115个气象站1961—2010年逐日气温观测资料,结合气候趋势系数,以5天滑动平均气温作为划分依据,对山东省近50年的入季时间、四季天数及其时空变化特征进行分析。结果表明：鲁西北、鲁中和鲁南四季年代际变化特征相似,半岛地区入春和入夏时间明显晚于其他地区,夏季明显比其他地区短,冬季则更长。21世纪以前,各地入季时间和四季天数年代际变化不明显,进入21世纪以来,山东各地入春和入夏时间提早,入秋和入冬时间变化不大,夏季明显延长,冬季明显缩短。近50年来,山东省各地入春时间极显著提早,入秋推迟,入夏和入冬时间变化不显著。除半岛外各地春季天数极显著延长,冬季天数显著缩短,除半岛夏季外,其他地区夏季和秋季天数变化不明显。     

1961-2016年内蒙古四季开始日期及长度变化特征

为了更深入的了解全球变暖大背景下内蒙古地区四季变化情况,为当地农牧业产业调整、生态环境保护提供科学依据。利用1961—2016 年内蒙古地区101 个气象站的监测资料,采用《气候季节划分》(QX/T 152—2012)的四季划分方法,分析了内蒙古地区四季开始日和长短变化。研究表明：内蒙古地区春季、夏季和秋季开始日期的空间分布呈由西南向东北逐渐推迟,冬季开始日期则正好相反。春季长度的空间分布呈中部多、两端少,夏季和秋季长度自西南向东北递减,且呼伦贝尔市中部长年无夏,冬季长度分布与夏季、秋季相反。从年际变化上看,春季、夏季和秋季的开始日期均在提前,季节长度也呈增加趋势,而冬季开始日期在延后,冬季长度呈减少趋势。在全球变暖的大背景下,内蒙古地区的四季开始日期和长度存在明显变化,对农牧业生产和生态平衡均有一定影响。     

陕西省气温降水的年际和季节变化特征

为了深入认识全球气候变化背景下区域气温、降水响应及变化趋势,通过采用距平分析、线性趋势法、5年滑动平均、Mann-Kendall突变检验以及滑动t检验方法,分析近50年陕西省气温降水的年际和季节变化特征。结果表明,陕西省1960—2009年气温的年际和季节变化以年平均气温、春季、秋季和冬季平均气温的显著升高、及冬季和秋季的较早增暖突变为特征;降水量的年际和季节变化以年降水量、春季和秋季降水量显著减少,夏季和冬季降水量显著增加,以及春季降水量的较迟减少突变、夏季降水量的较早增加突变为特征。近50年陕西省气温降水年际和季节变化趋势符合中国气候变化的总体趋势。     

1962—2013年山东临沂四季变化特征分析

为了反映气候变暖对临沂季节变化的影响,以便更好地服务于当地应季农业生产、防灾减灾等方面,根据气候季节划分国家标准,利用临沂市气象局所辖10个台站1962—2013年逐日气温资料,分析了临沂地区近52年来四季开始日期和四季长度的变化特征。结果表明：临沂市春季起始日明显提前,秋、冬季起始日均有不同程度的推迟,且这种变化在20世纪90年代到21世纪初最为明显,而夏季起始日变化趋势则不明显。四季长度的变化表现为,春、夏季略呈延长趋势,冬季则呈现明显缩短趋势,秋季变化趋势不明显。四季长度的突变多发生在20世纪80年代末到90年代初,且在80年代后,春、夏季长度呈增加趋势,冬季长度则持续缩短,尤其是1998年以后冬季缩短更为明显。四季长度均存在3年、6年、9年的周期,其中春季以3年周期最为明显,夏、秋、冬季则以6年的周期最为显著,另外春、夏、秋季长度还存在12年左右的周期,冬季长度存在30年左右的周期。     

气候变化背景下江南地区人体舒适度时空分布特征

为定量评价江南地区人体舒适度时空演变特征,本研究基于江南地区1961—2011年434个常规气象观测站逐日相对湿度、平均气温资料,利用人体舒适度指数模型系统分析了江南地区人体舒适度季节变化及空间分布特征,并进行相应的风险区划。结果表明:(1)除夏季外,江南地区全年及各季节人体舒适度值空间分布由南向北呈现逐渐减小的带状分布。(2)研究发现江南地区舒适日、不舒适日由南到北逐渐减少,极不舒适日呈现明显相反的趋势。(3)江南地区全年及各季节人体舒适度值分别以0.302/10 a、0.162/10 a、0.211/10 a、0.355/10 a、0.484/10 a上升,全年及春、秋、冬舒适感逐渐增加,而夏季舒适感显著下降。(4)全年及春、秋、冬人体舒适度值均具有明显的突变特征,突变点约在20世纪80年代末,后期总体上表现为上升趋势,气候变化在一定程度上有利于全年及春、秋、冬舒适度增加,减少了夏季人体舒适感。该研究结果可为江南地区人居环境决策、旅游气候资源综合开发利用及旅游气象服务保障提供科学的依据。     

Phenological and physiological evaluation of first and second cropping periods of sorghum and maize crops

Environmental conditions influence phenology and physiological processes of plants. It is common for maize and sorghum to be sown at two different periods: the first cropping (spring/summer) and the second cropping (autumn/winter). The phenological cycle of these crops varies greatly according to the planting season, and it is necessary to characterize the growth and development to facilitate the selection of the species best adapted to the environment. The aim of this study was to characterize phenological phases and physiological parameters in sorghum and maize plants as a function of environmental conditions from the first cropping and second cropping periods. Two parallel experiments were conducted with both crops. The phenological characterization was based on growth analyses (plant height, leaf area and photoassimilate partitioning) and gas exchange evaluations (net assimilation rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration and water-use efficiency). It was found that the vegetative stage (VS) for sorghum and maize plants was 7 and 21 days, respectively, longer when cultivated during the second cropping. In the first cropping, the plants were taller than in the second cropping, regardless of the crop. The stomatal conductance of sorghum plants fluctuated in the second cropping during the development period, while maize plants showed decreasing linear behaviour. Water-use efficiency in sorghum plants was higher during the second cropping compared with the first cropping. In maize plants, in the second cropping, the water-use efficiency showed a slight variation in relation to the first cropping. It was concluded that the environmental conditions as degree-days, temperature, photoperiod and pluvial precipitation influence the phenology and physiology of both crops during the first and the second cropping periods, specifically cycle duration, plant height, leaf area, net assimilation rate, stomatal conductance and water-use efficiency, indicating that both crops respond differentially to environmental changes during the growing season.     

1961～2015年滁州干旱特征分析

为更好地开展防灾减灾气象服务,利用1961～2015年逐日降水资料,采用数理统计、Z指数和Mann-Kendall等方法研究了滁州近55年干旱变化特征。结果表明：滁州年降雨气候呈湿化趋势,春、秋季呈干旱化趋势,春季干旱化明显,夏季、冬季呈湿润化趋势,冬季近10年以干旱化为主,值得关注。年及春季大旱、季节连旱皆5年1遇;大旱冬季5年2遇,夏季7年1遇,秋季8年1遇。     

Relay-intercropped forage legumes help to control weeds in organic grain production

In organic grain production, weeds are one of the major limiting factors along with crop nitrogen deficiency. Relay intercropping of forage legume cover crops in an established winter cereal crop might be a viable option but is still not well documented, especially under organic conditions.Four species of forage legumes (Medicago lupulina, Medicago sativa, Trifolium pratense and Trifolium repens) were undersown in six organic wheat fields. The density and aerial dry matter of wheat, relay-intercropped legumes and weeds were monitored during wheat-legume relay intercropping and after wheat harvest until late autumn, before the ploughing of cover crops.Our results showed a large diversity of aerial growth of weeds depending on soil, climate and wheat development. The dynamics of the legume cover crops were highly different between species and cropping periods (during relay intercropping and after wheat harvest). For instance, T. repens was two times less developed than the other species during relay intercropping while obtaining the highest aerial dry matter in late autumn. During the relay intercropping period, forage legume cover crops were only efficient in controlling weed density in comparison with wheat sole crop. The control of the aerial dry matter of weeds at the end of the relay intercropping period was better explained considering both legumes and wheat biomasses instead of legumes alone. In late autumn, 24 weeks after wheat harvest, weed biomass was largely reduced by the cover crops. Weed density and biomass reductions were correlated with cover crop biomass at wheat harvest and in late autumn. The presence of a cover crop also exhibited another positive effect by decreasing the density of spring-germinating annual weeds during the relay intercropping period.     

典型草原的光合有效辐射特征

为了合理利用太阳能和调整农牧业产业结构提供依据,利用2010年平均光合有效辐射(PAR)和太阳总辐射(Rs)资料,采用线性关系进行最小二乘拟合,分析该区的光合有效辐射特征。结果表明：典型晴天日和阴天日的PAR和Rs曲线变化趋势基本一致,且前者的值明显大于后者;PAR的月平均总量为8.15 MJ/m2,年总量为2983.1 MJ/m2,春、夏、秋、冬四季的平均日总量季节变化较明显,夏季最大,冬季最小;PAR/Rs晴天日的值明显小于阴天日,全年平均值为0.497,月平均值在0.422~0.544之间,最大值出现在夏末的8月,为0.544,最小值出现在冬季的1月,为0.42。PAR/Rs的变化幅度和当地的天气气候有关,受天空云、大气气溶胶、大气中水汽含量等因素的影响。     

1979—2014年汾河流域干旱时空特征

为全面分析近年来汾河流域的干旱特征,有效应对干旱风险,笔者采用汾河流域35个气象站1979—2014年的逐月降水数据,以标准化降水指数SPI为干旱评测指标,并采用Mann-Kendall检验等统计方法,获取流域在时间和空间尺度上的干旱分布特征。结果表明：36年来,流域年干旱强度和干旱范围呈减小趋势,四季的干旱强度减弱,夏、秋、冬季干旱范围减小;四季中冬季旱情最多且范围最广,夏季区域性干旱最多,秋冬春季发生连旱的可能性最高;多年平均下,干旱主要分布在流域北部,夏季南部干旱也分布较多,春、秋季局地干旱发生频率最高。SPI指数较好地反映了汾河流域近36年干旱的时空变化特征。     

Half-sib family selection for forage yield in orchardgrass

Genetic variation for forage yield of orchardgrass is abundant, but there are few reports of progress from selection for increased forage yield. The objective of this study was to estimate direct effects of selection from one cycle of half‐sib family selection for forage yield in orchardgrass. Eleven selected populations were compared with their parent populations within three maturity groups. Populations were evaluated under hay management at three locations and management‐intensive rotational grazing at two locations. Nine of the 11 selected populations differed, by an average of 7.4%, from their parent population in forage yield. Nine of the selected populations also showed changes in Drechslera leafspot reaction, all indicating a negative genetic correlation with forage yield. Selection for high forage yield tended to result in greater ground cover and later relative maturity. However, changes in net herbage accumulation (NHA) under rotational grazing were generally not significant and were uncorrelated with changes in forage yield, indicating that forage yield of hay plots is not correlated with the NHA of grazed plots. Although genetic gains in forage yield measured under hay management were very favourable relative to other reports from the literature, the lack of correlated progress under grazing management indicates that directed selection for NHA of orchardgrass should be conducted under grazing management.     

玉树地区1961-2015年降水变化特征分析

为了了解玉树地区近55年来降水的变化特征和规律,利用玉树地区近55年降水量资料,分析了玉树地区降水量年代际、年际、各季和各月的气候变化特征,并用小波变换方法分析了年、季降水量的周期变化。结果表明,年降水量呈增加趋势,气候倾向率为4.641 mm/10 a,55年来,共增加了25.5 mm。夏季降水量呈减少趋势,而春、秋、冬三季降水量呈增加趋势;各月降水量减少最多的是7月,其次是8月;各月降水量增加最多的是5月,其次是6月。年、春、夏以及冬季降水量的主周期是26年左右,秋季降水量的主周期为12年左右。     

广州市叶菜田杂草群落组成及其年动态变化

于2008年利用倒置“W”九点取样法对广州市叶菜田杂草群落年动态变化进行了调查。调查共计发现60种杂草,属23科,45属。春季杂草群落为马齿苋(Portulaca oleracea)+繁缕(stellaria media)+腋花蓼（Echinochloa colonum）为主;夏季以马齿苋+碎米莎草（Cyperus iria）+凹头苋（Amaranthus lividus）为主;秋季以马齿苋+凹头苋+光头稗（Echinochloa colonum）为主;冬季以腋花蓼+繁缕+酸模叶蓼（Polygonum lapathifolium）为主。通过计算杂草的优势度得出全年危害最严重的杂草为马齿苋、繁缕、腋花蓼、酸模叶蓼、凹头苋、碎米莎草、马唐（Digitaria sanguinalis）、牛筋草（Eleusine indica）、光头稗、小藜（Cardamine hirsuta）等10种。其中,马齿苋、凹头苋、碎米莎草在春夏秋季为优势杂草;马唐在夏秋冬为优势杂草;光头稗、牛筋草为春秋季优势杂草;繁缕、腋花蓼、酸模叶蓼、小藜为冬春季优势杂草。