添加外源炭对苹果园土壤无机氮变化和氨挥发损失的影响

大田条件下,采用磷酸甘油-双层海绵通气法,监测了玉米秸秆两种不同利用方式（直接施用和制成生物质炭施用）下的土壤无机氮含量和氨挥发速率的变化,研究了两种碳源对土壤氨挥发的影响。试验共设4个处理,分别为：CK（N0）、N（N 250 kg/hm2）、N+S（N 250 kg/hm2+生物秸秆）和N+B（N 250 kg/hm2+生物质炭）。结果表明：不同处理间氨挥发速率存在显著差异,施氮处理（N,N+S和N+B）的氨挥发速率均显著高于对照（CK）处理,氨挥发速率随着施肥后时间的推移迅速增大,均在施肥后第3天达到峰值,然后逐渐下降,呈“低-高-低”的单峰曲线。各施氮处理氨挥发峰值大小存在显著差异,N处理最大,为2.37 kg/(hm2·d),其次是N+S处理,为1.65 kg/(hm2·d),N+B处理最低,仅为1.32 kg/(hm2·d),N处理分别是N+S和N+B处理的1.44,1.80倍。0—10 cm土层土壤铵态氮浓度的变化趋势与氨挥发速率的变化趋势一致,与氨挥发速率呈极显著正相关,但各处理间土壤铵态氮含量的峰值存在显著差异,N处理最大,N+S处理次之,N+B处理最小。去掉CK本底值后,氨挥发损失量以N处理最大,为15.29 kg/hm2,占施氮量的6.12%;N+S处理次之,为9.32 kg/hm2和3.73%;N+B处理最低,仅为6.01 kg/hm2和2.40%。因此,添加外源炭显著降低了氨挥发损失,以添加生物质炭效果最好。     

添加外源碳对苹果园土壤无机氮变化和氨挥发损失的影响

大田条件下,采用磷酸甘油-双层海绵通气法,监测了玉米秸秆两种不同利用方式(直接施用和制成生物质炭施用)下土壤无机氮含量和氨挥发速率的变化,研究了两种碳源对土壤氨挥发的影响。试验共设4个处理,分别为CK(N0)、N(N 250kg/hm2)、N+S(N 250kg/hm2+生物秸秆)和N+B(N 250kg/hm2+生物质炭)。结果表明:不同处理间氨挥发速率存在显著差异,施氮处理(N,N+S和N+B)的氨挥发速率均显著高于对照(CK)处理,氨挥发速率随着施肥后时间的推移迅速增大,均在施肥后第3天达到峰值,然后逐渐下降,呈"低-高-低"的单峰曲线。各施氮处理氨挥发峰值大小存在显著差异,N处理最大,为2.37kg/(hm2·d),其次是N+S处理,为1.65kg/(hm2·d),N+B处理最低,仅为1.32kg/(hm2·d),N处理分别是N+S和N+B处理的1.44,1.80倍。0—10cm土层土壤铵态氮浓度的变化趋势与氨挥发速率的变化趋势一致,与氨挥发速率呈极显著正相关,但各处理间土壤铵态氮含量的峰值存在显著差异,N处理最大,N+S处理次之,N+B处理最小。去掉CK本底值后,氨挥发损失量以N处理最大,为15.29kg/hm2,占施氮量的6.12%;N+S处理次之,为9.32kg/hm2和3.73%;N+B处理最低,仅为6.01kg/hm2和2.40%。因此,添加外源碳显著降低了氨挥发损失,以添加生物质炭效果最好。     

传统和优化施氮对春玉米产量、氨挥发及氮平衡的影响

【目的】本文通过在陕西省长武县(CW)和吉林省梨树县(LS)的春玉米田间试验,研究了传统和优化施氮对春玉米产量、土壤氨挥发及氮平衡的影响,以探讨春玉米氮肥优化的潜力及其对农田氨减排的效果。【方法】试验设对照、传统施氮(长武N 250 kg/hm2,梨树N 300 kg/hm2)及优化施氮(N 200 kg/hm2)3个处理,分别以N0、Ncon、Nopt表示。氨挥发采用德尔格氨管法(简称DTM法)进行原位测定,通过田间气象因素的校正计算氨挥发累积量。【结果】长武和梨树点不同施氮处理下春玉米的产量结果表明,除对照(长武7.9 t/hm2、梨树3.8 t/hm2)外,传统和优化施氮处理间均无显著差异(长武10.6 10.8 t/hm2,梨树9.5 9.6 t/hm2)。玉米氮肥利用率表现为优化施氮(44.3%44.5%)显著高于传统施氮(33.6%36.4%),其中长武点氮肥利用率提高了8.1个百分点,梨树点氮肥利用率增加了10.7个百分点。氨挥发田间监测结果显示,基肥翻耕入土后,伴随降雨的产生,长武和梨树点均未产生氨挥发。喇叭口追肥期表施氮肥后,长武和梨树点均产生大量氨挥发(占追施尿素氮量的16%22%),减少追肥用量N 30 kg/hm2(长武点)和N 100 kg/hm2(梨树点)能显著减少氨挥发损失N 8和15 kg/hm2。土壤-春玉米系统氮平衡估算的结果显示,与长武点氮素表观矿化N 97 kg/hm2相比,梨树点仅为N 16 kg/hm2。优化施氮比传统施氮处理显著降低表观氮素盈余N 48 88 kg/hm2。长武点各施氮处理的表观氮素盈余中,约46%的氮素残留在0—1 m的土壤中,54%损失到环境中,氨挥发占总损失的15%30%;梨树点表观氮素盈余中,35%损失到环境中,其中氨挥发占总损失的54%75%,约有65%残留在0—1m的土壤中。梨树点传统施氮处理0—1 m土层的氮素残留达N 140 kg/hm2,部分残留在土壤中的氮素也将面临淋洗、硝化和反硝化等损失的风险。与优化施氮相比传统施氮氮素表观损失增加了约N 30 40 kg/hm2,除氨挥发损失外,淋洗和硝化/反硝化等也是土壤-春玉米系统中不可忽视的氮素损失途径。【结论】我国春玉米主产区农民传统的氮肥用量偏高,增产效应不明显,氮肥损失风险加剧,尤其是氨挥发损失较大,氮肥的优化潜力高达20%33%,相当于可减少施氮N 50 100kg/hm2。     

交替灌溉施肥对夏玉米土壤氨挥发的影响

为了解交替灌溉施肥条件下土壤氮素平衡过程,提高氮肥利用率,采用密闭法研究了夏玉米农田土壤氨挥发速率和挥发量。结果表明：夏玉米拔节期追肥灌水后,不同处理的氨挥发速率峰值（1.68～3.97 kg/hm2×d）出现在第2天,而后迅速下降并进入低挥发阶段;抽雄期追肥灌水后,水肥异区交替灌溉施肥处理的氨挥发速率呈现上下波动变化;玉米拔节期追肥灌水的氨挥发量和损失率远远小于抽雄期。在灌水量350 m3/hm2、施肥量256.08 kg/hm2时的氨挥发量最低。与常规灌水施肥处理相比,水肥异区交替灌溉施肥处理可明显减少氨挥发损失。     

不同剂量秸秆还田的保墒效果及其对玉米产量的影响

为了探讨在覆膜基础上不同剂量秸秆还田的保墒增产效果,在辽宁省朝阳市建平县的坡耕地上布设了田间小区试验;对未施入秸秆以及施入400,800,1200和1600kg/hm2共5种不同剂量处理秸秆还田的旱地农田土壤墒情及玉米产量进行了比较分析。结果表明,800kg/hm2处理的保墒效果优于其它各秸秆还田处理,400,800,1 200和1 600kg/hm2这4种不同剂量秸秆还田处理产量分别为5 069.20,5 781.46,5 462.25和5 407.46kg/hm2,较对照处理分别增产了18.62%,35.28%,27.81%和26.53%;800kg/hm2处理对玉米生长发育状况的影响优于其它剂量秸秆还田与未施入处理,差异均达极显著水平。     

2021-01期封面+目录

  【目的】   农田氨挥发是大气中氨的重要来源,其减排措施研究已成为国际研究热点。有机肥替代化肥的农田氨挥发减排潜力已得到广泛认可,然而年际间气候变化对其减排能力的影响研究报道较少。通过研究年际间有机替代对作物产量和氨挥发损失量的影响,为华北地区科学减少氨挥发损失提供理论依据   【方法】   本研究基于华北平原玉米长期田间定位试验 (2007年设置),针对不同施肥处理开展了连续3年 (2017—2019年) 的氨挥发监测,以明确年际间气候变化对有机替代氨挥发减排潜力的影响强度。试验共设置4个处理:不施氮肥处理 (PK)、单施化肥处理 (NPK)、半量有机肥氮替代化肥氮处理 (HONS)、全量有机肥氮替代化肥氮处理 (FONS)。   【结果】   有机替代可以提高玉米产量,与NPK处理相比,HONS处理和FONS处理的玉米产量分别提高20.7%和30.9%。不同施氮处理的氮素偏生产力在35.6～46.7 kg/kg,与NPK处理相比,HONS处理和FONS处理的氮素偏生产力分别提高20.8%和30.9%。年际间和各处理间的氨挥发规律基本一致,都是在施肥后的第2～4天出现排放峰值,之后氨挥发速率逐渐降低,并在9天内基本趋于稳定。施肥后前9天是农田氨挥发的主要排放时期,氨挥发量占基肥期氨挥发总量的70.1%;占追肥期的63.7%。华北平原春玉米农田氨挥发损失量较低 (10.6 kg/hm2),有机替代能够进一步显著降低农田氨挥发损失。与NPK处理相比,HONS和FONS处理对氨挥发损失的减排率平均分别可达33.5%和58.7%。有机替代处理农田氨挥发的年际间变化显著高于单施化肥处理。相比氨挥发损失较低的2019年,2018年NPK处理的氨挥发损失增加了12.3%,而HONS处理和FONS处理分别增加了91.2%和105.0%,相应的HONS处理和FONS处理的减排率,从2019年的54.3%和71.1%,降低到22.1%和47.2%。主成分分析表明,年际间大气温度变化和土壤湿度变化是导致年际间氨挥发损失量差异的主要原因。   【结论】   相比单施化肥,有机肥替代化肥能够提高作物产量;相比半量有机替代,长期全量有机肥替代化肥对作物产量的提升能力更强。华北平原旱地农田有机替代能有效降低氨挥发损失,但在氨挥发损失较高年份有机替代的减排潜力会减弱,因此,有机替代氨挥发减排潜力的估算需要考虑年际间的变化。     

不同类型高氮复混(合)肥氨挥发特性及其对氮素平衡的影响

【目的】随着一次性施肥逐渐发展为东北地区玉米种植的主要施肥方式,控释肥料、脲甲醛肥料和稳定性肥料等新型高氮复混(合)肥料在一次性施肥中的比例不断增加。本文在吉林省中部黑钙土上设置玉米田间试验,以明确相同养分条件下,不同类型高氮复混(合)肥料在玉米上一次性施用的增产效果及氨挥发状况。【方法】试验于2013年5月至10月在吉林省梨树县榆树台镇新兴黄家窝保村进行,试验地土壤为黑钙土,试验共设7个处理,分别为不施氮(N0)、常规施肥(Con)、高塔肥料(HT)、掺混肥(BB)、控释肥(CRF)、脲甲醛肥(UF)和稳定性肥料(SF),每个处理3次重复,小区面积40 m2。除常规施肥处理的氮肥分为基肥和追肥(基追肥比例为1∶2)外,其他处理均采用一次性基施。各处理氮、磷、钾施用量分别为224、88、88 kg/hm2。在施肥后采用通气法对土壤氨挥发状况进行原位连续测定,于播种前和收获后分别用土钻采集0—100 cm土壤样品,采用1 mol/L的KCl溶液浸提,然后用连续流动注射分析仪[AA3(AUTOANALYSIS3),德国产]测定土壤NH+4-N和NO-3-N含量。玉米成熟期对各处理进行测产,并在每个小区选取3株有代表性的植株,分为秸秆和籽粒,烘干后称重,全部粉碎后测定植株中的氮含量,计算植株吸氮量。【结果】从收获后产量及氮素养分吸收利用的分析可以看出,与不施氮处理相比,施氮肥具有明显的增产效果,增产率达到18.9%24.1%,而在施氮量相同的条件下,一次性施用不同类型的高氮复混(合)肥间的产量无明显差异,介于12197 12899 kg/hm2之间;控释肥、脲甲醛肥料和稳定性肥料3个处理的氮肥当季利用率分别为27.9%、37.7%和28.8%;植株吸氮量分别为277.5、299.3和279.3 kg/hm2,均高于其他处理;肥料施入土壤后,不同时期的氨挥发速率整体上表现为先增加后降低的趋势,各肥料的氨挥发速率的差异主要集中在施肥后的3 13天,氨挥发速率峰值的大小为常规施肥高塔肥料掺混肥控释肥稳定性肥料脲甲醛肥;控释肥、脲甲醛肥和稳定性肥料的氨挥发量分别为10.6、8.1和10.3 kg/hm2,相当于施氮量的4.7%、3.6%和4.6%,明显低于掺混肥(14.8 kg/hm2)和高塔肥料(23.0 kg/hm2);从土壤-作物体系中的氮素平衡可以看出,控释肥、脲甲醛肥和稳定性肥料的表观损失量分别为103、79和73 kg/hm2,明显低于掺混肥(136 kg/hm2)和高塔肥料(123 kg/hm2);且与掺混肥相比,控释肥、脲甲醛肥和稳定性肥料可以提高氮肥利用率7.7 17.5个百分点,有效降低氮素损失。【结论】在黑钙土区一次性施肥模式下,不同类型高氮复混(合)肥间的玉米产量无明显差异;与掺混肥相比,控释肥、脲甲醛肥和稳定性肥料3种新型肥料可以促进植株对氮素的吸收利用,氮肥当季利用率提高38.1%86.6%,氨挥发速率降低40%96.5%,氨挥发损失量减少39.2%81.3%,且在环境可接受范围内有效维持玉米生育期间的土壤无机氮含量,保证了土壤氮素供应。     

华北农田土壤氨挥发原位测定研究

通过系数矫正后的双层海绵吸收法对不同N肥处理和NPK配施下氨气挥发损失特征研究结果表明,N肥施用方式、土壤温度以及灌溉是影响氨挥发的重要因素。施肥后氨挥发损失量为0.67~9.91kg/hm2,占施N量的0.41%~5.0%。玉米季氨挥发量占全年挥发损失的80%以上。尿素与过磷酸钙配施可显著降低氨挥发,在此基础上施用KCl,尿素氨挥发损失变化不明显。     

秸秆还田的小麦–玉米农田 N2O 周年排放的量化分析

【目的】N₂O 是重要的温室气体之一,主要来源于农田土壤。华北平原是我国的粮食主产区,秸秆还田是该地区主要的农田管理措施,明确不同秸秆还田量对小麦玉米农田周年土壤温度和含水量的影响以及与 N₂O 排放之间的量化关系,对发挥秸秆还田的生态效应,明确硝化和反硝化作用机制具有重要意义。【方法】以冬小麦、夏玉米为研究对象,设置 5 种不同秸秆还田量处理:小麦、玉米秸秆均不还田 (T0);小麦秸秆 1875 kg/hm2 + 玉米秸秆 2000 kg/hm2 还田 (T1);小麦秸秆 3750 kg/hm2 + 玉米秸秆 4000 kg/hm2 还田 (T2);小麦秸秆 5625 kg/hm2 + 玉米秸秆 6000 kg/hm2 还田 (T3);小麦秸秆 7500 kg/hm2 + 玉米秸秆 8000 kg/hm2 还田 (T4)。于 2014 年 10 月～2015 年 10 月,采用静态箱–气相色谱法对农田 N₂O 排放进行测定,探究不同秸秆还田量下小麦玉米农田 N₂O 排放的周年变化,并量化分析土壤温度、含水量与 N₂O 排放的关系。【结果】秸秆还田量显著影响 N₂O 的排放,随着秸秆还田量的增加,周年内 N₂O 排放总量呈增加的趋势,增加量为 1.33～3.50 kg/hm2,增加率为 32.3%～85.0%;通量增加量为 15.52～40.87 μg/(m2·h),增加率为 32.3%～85.1%。玉米季 N₂O 排放通量和总量分别是小麦季的 2.42～2.62 和 1.05～1.14 倍。秸秆还田可提高 0—10 cm 土壤温度和 0—20 cm 土壤含水量,增加范围分别为 0.63～2.14℃ 和 0.6%～1.8%。相关性分析表明,各处理土壤温度和 N₂O 排放通量无相关关系(P > 0.05)。T0、T1、T2 处理土壤含水量与 N₂O 排放通量呈显著正相关(P < 0.05),而 T3、T4 处理与 N₂O 排放通量之间不相关(P > 0.05)。【结论】随着秸秆还田量的增加,N₂O 排放通量和总量均呈现增加趋势,且玉米季高于小麦季。秸秆还田显著促进 N₂O 排放并可提高 0—20 cm 土壤含水量和 0—10 cm 土壤温度,周年秸秆还田量在 7750 kg/hm2 及以下时,N₂O 排放通量与土壤含水量之间呈显著正相关,而与土壤温度之间不相关。     

秸秆还田结合秋覆膜对半干旱区春玉米的影响

2013-2015年在农业部阜新农业环境与耕地保育科学观测实验站,设置秸秆还田(S)和秸秆还田结合秋覆膜（AM+S）两个春玉米种植处理,其中秸秆还田仅在2013年秋季进行,以裸地种植春玉米为对照(CK)。采用EcH2O土壤水温数据采集器实时观测不同处理的土壤水分和温度动态,结合玉米生长特性,研究秸秆还田结合秋覆膜对春玉米生长和水分利用效率的影响。结果表明,AM+S处理极显著增加了0-50cm土层的地积温和土壤体积含水量,增加了春玉米的耗水量,2014年和2015年春玉米播前1m土层分别较CK多贮水83.92mm和92.68mm。但2014年各处理籽粒产量差异不显著,AM+S处理春玉米水分利用效率显著低于CK和S处理;而在2015年,AM+S处理显著促进了玉米干物质积累,增加春玉米产量,春玉米产量和降水利用效率分别达到13560kg·hm-2、58.52kg·hm-2·mm-1,较CK和S处理分别同时提高97.96%和62.83%,籽粒产量水分利用效率(WUE)达到47.09kg·hm-2·mm-1,较CK和S处理处理分别提高90.34%和65.58%。本研究表明,在雨养农田较干旱的年份,采用秸秆一次性还田结合秋季覆膜技术,是解决半干旱区秸秆过剩,提高半干旱地区春玉米翌年产量和农田水分利用效率的较优方案。     

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.     

Electron donor and pH relationships for biologically enhanced dissolution of chlorinated solvent DNAPL in groundwater

Biologically enhanced dissolution offers a method to speed removal of chlorinated solvent dense non-aqueous-phase liquid (DNAPL) sources such as tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichoroethene (TCE) from aquifers. Bioremediation is accomplished by adding an electron donor to the source zone where fermentation to intermediates leading to acetic acid and hydrogen results. The hydrogen and possibly acetic acid are used by dehalogenating bacteria to convert PCE and TCE to ethene and hydrochloric acid. Reductive dehalogenation is thus an acid forming process, and sufficient alkalinity must be present to maintain a near neutral pH. The bicarbonate alkalinity required to maintain pH above 6.5 is a function of the electron donor: 800 mg/L of bicarbonate alkalinity is sufficient to achieve about 1.2 mM TCE dechlorination with glucose, 1.7 mM with lactate, and a much higher 3.3 mM with formate. Laboratory studies indicate that in mixed culture, formate can be used as an electron donor for complete conversion to ethene, contrary to pure cultures studies indicating it cannot. Various strategies can be used to add electron donor to an aquifer for DNAPL dehalogenation while minimizing pH problems and excessive electron donor usage, including use of injection-extraction wells, dual recirculation wells, and nested injection-extraction wells.     

Biodiversity and ecogeography of wild Lactuca spp. in some European countries

Staff members of the Department of Botany of Palacký University in Olomouc and Gene Bank Department – Workplace Olomouc, Research Institute of Crop Production in Prague, Czech Republic, conducted an expedition in seven European countries (Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland) in August/September 1999 to collect wild Lactuca spp. germplasm and study its geographic distribution, ecology and biodiversity. During the mission, more than 600 locations were visited resulting in the collection of 602 seed samples (accessions) of wild Lactuca species and 13 seed samples of related genera (Chondrilla and Mycelis). Lactuca serriola f. serriola, L. serriola f. integrifolia, L. saligna and L. viminea subsp. chondrilliflora were prevalent in southern Europe (Italy, France), however, only L. serriola was common in central and western Europe (Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland). The greatest diversity of Lactuca species was found in France, where also the most seed samples (165) were collected. The most characteristic habitats with a high density of Lactuca spp. populations were observed along roads and highways, grassy ditches, ruderal communities, and dust-heaps. Natural infections by powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) and downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) on some wild Lactuca spp. were observed. Recent observations concerning the geographic distribution, population structure, habitats, and natural occurrence of diseases of Lactuca spp. are discussed. This assemblage of genetic resources of Lactuca spp. can serve as the basis of future studies of species diversification, spatial population structure, plant microevolution, domestication processes, and genetic variability of host-parasite interactions.     

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.