麦秸还田及水稻氮肥配施技术研究

通过麦秸直接还田和水稻氮肥配施技术的研究表明：经过三熟作物秸杆连续还田，土壤有机质、全氮、速效钾显著地增加；秸杆全量还田，水稻产量随秸杆还田量增加而提高，秸杆还田量5400kg/hm^2的产量比不还田的增产6．6％；全生育期氮肥配比以前∶中∶后期为6．5；0．5∶3为最佳。     

秸秆还田下寒地水稻实现高产高氮肥利用率的氮肥运筹模式

  【目的】  秸秆还田是东北寒地水稻种植区培肥土壤的重要措施,研究调整水稻基蘖氮肥与穗氮肥比例,为促进寒地水稻氮肥的合理施用提供科学依据。  【方法】  田间试验于2016、2017年在吉林省进行,供试水稻品种为吉粳511。上一季水稻收获后,秸秆9000 kg/hm2粉碎至10 cm左右,翻压还田。在总施氮 (N) 量200 kg/hm2不变的前提下,设置5个基蘖肥与穗肥比例处理5∶5 (N 5∶5)、6∶4 (N 6∶4)、7∶3 (N 7∶3)、8∶2 (N 8∶2) 和9∶1 (N 9∶1),以不施氮肥 (N0) 为对照。在水稻6个生育期调查植株生物量和氮素含量,成熟期测定产量及产量构成因素。计算了氮素积累与转运特征,以及氮素利用效率。  【结果】  与N0处理相比,施氮提高了水稻穗数、穗粒数和结实率,进而显著提高了产量,以N 8∶2处理的水稻产量最高。水稻返青期至拔节期,氮积累量随基蘖氮肥占总施氮量比例的增加而增加,而齐穗期至成熟期阶段则表现为随基蘖氮肥占总施氮量比例的增加先增后减,氮素积累总量以N 8∶2处理最高。施氮显著提高了氮素转运量和齐穗后积累氮素对籽粒氮积累量贡献率,其中氮素转运量随基蘖氮肥占总施氮量比例的增加而增加,而齐穗后积累氮素对籽粒氮积累量贡献率随基蘖氮肥占总施氮量比例的增加先增后降,以N 8∶2处理最高。随基蘖氮肥占总施氮量比例的提高,氮素回收率、农学利用率、偏生产力和生理利用率均呈现先增后减趋势,均以N 8∶2处理最高。相关分析结果表明,水稻齐穗期前后氮素积累量与水稻产量均呈显著或极显著正相关 (r = 0.8943～0.9476),其中水稻齐穗后氮积累量与产量的相关性高于齐穗前。  【结论】  在秸秆还田条件下,基蘖氮肥与穗氮肥比例为8∶2最有利于提高水稻齐穗期至成熟期氮积累量,促进氮素向籽粒的转运,使水稻产量和氮素利用效率协同提高。因此,在本试验条件下,总施氮量200 kg/hm2,基蘖肥与穗肥比例为8∶2的施氮制度是优化水稻氮素积累特性及获得高产的理想运筹模式。     

秸秆全量还田与氮肥用量对水稻产量、 氮肥利用率及氮素损失的影响

【目的】在我国水稻生产中探讨秸秆全量还田与氮肥配施的理论与技术,阐明秸秆还田对水稻产量、 氮素利用率及氮素损失的影响,对于提高水稻产量和氮素利用效率、 减少氮污染具有重要意义。【方法】2009~2011年,以水稻南粳46为材料,在江苏常熟农业生态实验站进行原状土柱模拟试验。试验采用裂区设计,主区为秸秆全量还田(S)和无秸秆还田(S0); 副区为氮肥用量(N),设置N 120、 180、 240和300 kg/hm2 4个氮水平,以不施氮肥(N0)为对照。分析了水稻基肥期、 分蘖期、 穗肥期的氨挥发量和土壤80 cm处渗漏水全氮含量,土壤0—15 cm全氮含量,水稻产量,以及水稻籽粒和秸秆氮含量,计算水稻生育期氮肥的氨挥发损失率、 淋溶损失率、 土壤残留率以及水稻的氮肥利用效率。【结果】水稻产量随氮肥适宜用量增加而增加,与单施氮肥相比,秸秆还田下水稻平均增产6.3%,其中N 240 kg/hm2 处理产量最高; 水稻的氮肥利用率随施氮量的增加呈下降趋势,秸秆还田能够提高水稻的氮肥利用率,氮肥农学效率和氮肥表观利用率较单施氮肥分别提高1.4~3.4 kg/kg和1.8%~4.2%; 水稻田氨挥发损失量、 氮肥淋溶损失量和土壤残留氮量均随施氮量的增加而增加,在N 240 kg/hm2水平下,秸秆还田氨挥发损失量增加18.2%、 土壤残留氮量增加10.1 kg/hm2,减少氮素淋溶损失量30.9%,氮肥总损失率降低6.0%。【结论】在秸秆全量还田下,配施适量的氮肥,可以提高水稻对氮肥的利用率,增加产量,同时减少氮肥损失。本试验中,以麦秸全量还田配施N 240 kg/hm2为最优组合。     

改进施氮运筹对水稻产量和氮素吸收利用的影响

【目的】秸秆还田不仅可改良土壤和增加土壤有机质,还能提高作物产量和品质。但秸秆还田后,土壤有机酸积累和微生物固氮,抑制水稻前期生长。在长江流域稻麦两熟地区,当地农户往往通过增加施氮量来解决秸秆还田的负效应,造成肥料浪费和氮污染。因此,探索研究秸秆还田条件下水稻优化的氮肥运筹措施,阐明水稻产量形成和氮素吸收与利用对氮素响应特征,对于提高水稻产量和氮素利用效率具有重要意义。【方法】2012 2013年,以超级粳稻武运粳24号和宁粳3号为材料,在江苏省兴化市进行大田试验,在秸秆全量还田条件下,设置常规施氮300 kg/hm2(N1)、增加施氮量345 kg/hm2(N2)和常规施氮运筹(CFP,基肥∶分蘖肥∶穗肥=3∶3∶4)、改进施氮运筹(MFP,基肥∶分蘖肥∶穗肥=4∶3∶3),以无氮处理为对照,研究施氮量和氮肥运筹措施对水稻产量及其产量构成、干物质积累、氮素积累、氮素吸收速率和氮肥利用效率的影响。【结果】随着氮肥水平提高,水稻穗数显著增加,每穗粒数、结实率和千粒重下降,最终增产不显著。与常规施氮运筹比较,改进氮肥运筹显著增加穗数,显著提高群体颖花量并增产,在N1水平下,改进施氮运筹增产幅度为5.18%7.10%,高于N2水平的2.70%4.29%。随着施氮量增加,水稻分蘖中期、拔节期、移栽期至分蘖中期、分蘖中期至拔节期干物质积累量、氮素积累量显著增加,最终成熟期干物质积累量和氮素积累量有所增加,但差异不显著,而氮肥农学利用率、氮肥吸收利用率和氮偏肥生产力显著下降。与常规氮运筹处理相比,改进氮运筹显著增加水稻移栽期至分蘖中期干物质积累量、氮素积累量和氮素吸收速率,增加成熟期干物质积累量和氮素积累量,提高氮肥农学利用率、氮肥吸收利用率、氮肥生理利用率和氮偏肥生产力,在N1水平下成熟期干物质积累量和氮素积累量分别增加6.52%和5.55%,氮肥农学利用率、氮肥吸收利用率、氮肥生理利用率和氮偏肥生产力分别提高13.36%、8.55%、4.44%和5.29%,差异均达显著水平。【结论】秸秆全量还田条件下,增加氮肥用量水稻增产不显著,且氮肥利用效率低。不增加氮肥用量,通过适当提高基肥比例(基肥∶分蘖肥∶穗肥=4∶3∶3),可实现提高水稻产量、干物质积累量、氮素积累量和氮肥利用效率。     

稻麦轮作区保护性耕作条件下氮肥对水稻生长发育和产量的调控效应

20062~008年在四川省广汉市开展了保护性耕作措施下水稻氮肥调控试验,设置不同秸秆还田量(0、6000、12000 kg/hm2)、施氮量水平(0、1502、10 kg/hm2)以及氮素分配比例(6∶2∶2、6∶3∶1、8∶2)。结果表明,和施N 150 kg/hm2相比,N 210 kg/hm2处理水稻分蘖力、干物质积累量、开花期的植株个体和群体质量均有升高,花后茎鞘贮藏物质的输出及光合物质积累量增加,子粒产量提高7.3%。在施N 150 kg/hm2水平和基肥∶蘖肥∶穗肥=6∶2∶2分配比例下,与旋耕无麦秸还田处理相比,免耕秸秆还田与否对水稻茎蘖消长、干物质积累及子粒产量影响较小,但花后绿叶功能期延长,光合产物积累在产量形成中所占比例增加。在施N 210 kg/hm2水平和基肥∶蘖肥∶穗肥=6∶3∶1分配比例下,免耕还田麦秸量从6000 kg/hm2增加至12000 kg/hm2,水稻分蘖力明显增强,干物质积累量增大,开花期个体和群体质量提高,单位面积穗数和穗实粒数增多,产量增加4.1%;将氮肥分配比例由6∶3∶1变为8∶2,即增加基肥用量,减少中后期的氮素供应会导致分蘖高峰后分蘖大量死亡,有效穗数降低,穗粒数减少,产量下降。以上结果说明,氮素的充分供应是保护性耕作水稻获得高产的重要前提和基础,适当提高麦秸还田量、增加中后期氮素供应,能提高氮素利用率及分蘖成穗率和结实率,利于稳产高产。     

秸秆还田与氮肥管理对稻田杂草群落和水稻产量的影响

为了研究秸秆还田和氮肥管理对稻油轮作夏季稻田杂草群落分布特征和水稻产量的影响,试验设5个处理:常规施肥NPK+秸秆不还田,N基追肥比例为6∶2∶2(F0NS,CK);常规施肥NPK+秸秆全量还田,N基追肥比例为6∶2∶2(F_0S);常规施肥NPK+秸秆全量还田+秸秆腐解剂,N基追肥比例为6∶2∶2(F_0SA);常规施肥NPK+秸秆全量还田+秸秆腐解剂,N基追肥比例为7∶2∶1(F1SA);常规施肥PK,N减量15%+秸秆全量还田+秸秆腐解剂,N基追肥比例为6∶2∶2(F2SA)。记录杂草种类、数量、密度、生物量等指标,并于2016年9月底进行水稻实收测产。结果表明,与CK相比,F_0S、F_0SA、F1SA和F2SA处理的杂草总密度分别降低50.3%、29.2%、20.3%和6.8%,秸秆还田可以有效降低稻田杂草密度、生物量和杂草多样性;与F_0S相比,F_0SA、F1SA和F2SA处理的杂草发生数量和发生密度差异不显著,但禾本科和莎草科杂草不同程度地减少,柳叶菜科和玄参科杂草显著增加,配施秸秆腐解剂对农田杂草种类影响显著。在秸秆腐解剂和不同施氮措施下,与F_0SA相比,F1SA和F2SA处理杂草种类、生物量增加,杂草相对密度降低,但差异不显著;各处理间优势杂草种类和种群数量减少,但F2SA处理下生物多样性指数明显高于F_0SA和F1SA处理。与CK相比,F_0S、F_0SA、F1SA和F2SA处理的水稻产量分别提高7.13%、16.55%、17.80%和10.67%,其中F1SA处理作物产量增幅最高。研究表明,秸秆还田和氮肥管理能有效降低稻田杂草的发生密度、总生物量和和生物多样性,有利于提高水稻产量。     

稻草全量还田下氮肥运筹对双季晚稻产量及其氮素吸收利用的影响

【目的】稻草还田和合理的氮肥运筹不仅可以改良土壤和培肥地力,提高农作物产量和品质,还可以减少因过量施用氮肥带来的环境污染。随着水稻机械化收割的快速发展,稻草全量原位还田面积迅速扩大。因此,研究稻草全量还田后合理施用氮肥十分必要。本文通过早稻机收稻草切碎全量还田后晚稻氮肥运筹试验,探索该条件下晚稻氮肥的合理施用技术。【方法】以超级晚稻品种淦鑫688为试验材料,设计4个施氮（N）水平（0、 120、 180、 240 kg/hm2）基蘖穗肥比例为5∶2∶3,并在180 kg/hm2水平下增设稻草不还田对照处理和稻草全量还田下基蘖穗肥不同施氮比例处理（5∶0∶5、 5∶1∶4、 5∶2∶3、 5∶3∶2、 5∶4∶1、 5∶5∶0）。旨在分析不同处理间水稻产量、 产量构成和氮素吸收利用的差异。【结果】稻草全量还田下,施氮量在180 kg/hm2以下时产量随施氮量的增加而增加,之后则下降,处理间差异极显著。随施氮量的增加,有效穗数显著增加,而结实率则显著下降,施氮处理每穗粒数和千粒重显著高于不施氮处理。在相同施氮水平下,因为有效穗数、 结实率和千粒重显著提高,所以稻草全量还田产量极显著高于不还田处理,增幅8.83%。稻草全量还田同一施氮水平下,施氮比例为 5∶2∶3 处理产量极显著高于其他处理,其每穗粒数和千粒重均为最高,有效穗数随分蘖肥比例的增加而减少,处理间结实率差异不显著。稻草全量还田后,随着施氮量增加,其氮素总积累量、 氮肥表观利用率、 氮素的吸收率和百公斤籽粒的需氮量也显著提高,且与施氮量呈极显著正相关。但氮素收获指数和氮肥生理利用率均随施氮量的增加而降低。同一施氮水平下,全量还田处理水稻氮肥农学利用率和生理利用率均显著高于不还田处理。相关分析表明, 氮素总积累量与产量呈二次抛物线极显著正相关,氮肥表观利用率、 氮素吸收率与产量呈极显著正相关。稻草全量还田相同施氮水平下,随着穗肥施氮比例降低,其氮素总积累量、 中期的积累量和比率下降,其氮肥的表观利用率、 收获指数和氮素的吸收率也随之降低,但前期的氮素积累量和比率则升高。氮素的农学利用率和生理利用率均表现为随着穗肥比例的减少呈先增加后降低趋势,均以施氮比例为5∶2∶3处理处理最高,不施穗肥处理最低。各施氮比例处理中,穗肥的施氮量与氮素的总积累量、 中期积累量、 氮肥的表观利用率、 收获指数和氮素吸收率呈极显著正相关,氮肥的农学利用率和生理利用率与产量显著正相关。【结论】稻草全量还田后配施适量的氮肥可以提高晚稻产量,本试验以配施N 180 kg/hm2产量最高;在施纯N 240 kg/hm2以内,施氮越多,氮素积累量越多,相应的氮肥表观利用率、 氮素的吸收率和百公斤籽粒的需氮量也越大。总施氮量相同条件下,以基肥∶分蘖肥∶穗肥为 5∶2∶3 的施氮比例水稻产量, 氮肥农学、 生理利用率均为最高,此结果可作为双季稻区稻草全量还田后的推荐施氮比例。     

氮肥管理对秸秆还田下土壤氮素供应和冬小麦生长的影响

通过田间试验研究了秸秆和氮肥管理对小麦生育期土壤无机氮、微生物量碳、氮和小麦生长的影响,设置秸秆还田不施氮(CK)、农民习惯施氮FN5∶5(5∶5为氮肥基追比,下同)、推荐施氮SN3∶7、SN5∶5、SN7∶3和秸秆移走推荐施氮N5∶5处理。施氮显著提高苗期土壤无机氮含量,其与基肥氮量成正比且在拔节期显著降低,拔节后追肥提高了后期无机氮且其与追肥量成正比。小麦生育前期土壤微生物没有增加对无机氮的固持,而在拔节和抽穗期显著增加,此后逐步降低。秸秆还田较秸秆移走增加了无机氮固持,且生育中期固持量远高于前期。氮肥基追比过高导致小麦前期氮奢侈吸收和旺长且影响后期生长,氮肥3∶7基追施能满足小麦养分供求同步并实现高产和提高氮肥利用效率。     

秸秆还田施氮调节碳氮比对土壤无机氮、 酶活性及作物产量的影响

秸秆的质量,特别是C/N是影响秸秆分解速率和养分释放的重要因素。在秸秆还田条件下,如何科学合理地施用氮肥是秸秆利用和优化施肥研究的关键问题。本研究以秸秆还田施入碳氮的C/N为切入点,于2012—2013年通过田间试验(设秸秆不还田不施肥、秸秆还田不施氮、秸秆还田施用无机氮肥调节C/N为10∶1、16∶1和25∶1以及秸秆还田施用有机氮肥调节C/N为25∶1处理),研究秸秆还田不同氮输入对小麦-玉米轮作田土壤无机氮、土壤微生物量氮、酶活性以及作物产量的影响。结果表明:1)在C/N为25∶1下,施用有机氮肥和无机氮肥对土壤无机氮含量无显著影响;在施用无机氮肥的情况下,C/N越低土壤无机氮含量越高。2)秸秆还田施氮提高了土壤微生物量氮含量,但是各秸秆还田施氮处理之间差异不显著;秸秆还田不同施氮处理对脲酶活性无显著影响;秸秆还田施氮提高了FDA水解酶活性,并随C/N降低呈升高趋势,施用无机氮肥的效果强于施用有机氮肥的。3)秸秆还田施用无机氮肥显著提高了小麦和玉米地上部生物量,施用无机氮肥调节C/N为10∶1和16∶1相比于C/N为25∶1提高了小麦和玉米的苗期和成熟期地上部生物量;施用有机氮肥调节C/N为25∶1相比秸秆还田不施氮对地上部生物量无显著影响。秸秆还田施用无机氮肥提高了作物产量,施用无机氮肥调节C/N为16∶1产量最高,而施用有机氮肥调节C/N为25∶1有降低作物产量的趋势。综合以上结果来看,施用无机氮肥调节C/N为16∶1较为合理。     

秸秆配施氮肥还田对水稻土酶活性的影响

通过田间试验研究秸秆还田时间及配施氮肥比例对水稻土酶活性的影响,以期为培育水稻土肥力和稳定稻田生态系统功能提供理论依据。试验设置2个秸秆还田时间(WS,冬季还田;SS,春季还田)和4个氮肥配施量(N0,秸秆还田,试验期内全程不添加矿质氮;NB,常规施肥,还田时不添加矿质氮;N30B,秸秆还田时添加早稻基肥用量的30%矿质氮;N60B,秸秆还田时添加早稻基肥用量的60%矿质氮)。研究结果表明:1冬季秸秆翻耕还田能增加冬闲期6种与土壤碳周转相关酶(β-葡萄糖苷酶、β-纤维二糖苷酶、β-木糖苷酶、多酚氧化酶、过氧化物酶和蔗糖酶)的活性,冬闲期冬季秸秆还田条件下土壤酶活性均高于春季还田,生育期内冬季秸秆翻耕还田措施对土壤β-葡糖苷酶和过氧化物酶有增加作用;2秸秆还田并配施氮肥措施显著地增加冬闲期和生育期β-纤维二糖苷酶的活性,但配施氮肥的3个比例间土壤酶活性并无显著差异;3除多酚氧化酶外,其他5种酶均与其有机碳投入量呈显著正相关。因此,冬季秸秆还田及配施氮肥能在一定程度上调控与碳周转相关的土壤酶活性,对推广冬闲期秸秆翻耕还田及保障作物的产量具有重要的生态学意义。     

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.