中国北方主要农区农田氮磷淋溶特征与时空规律

中国北方黑土区、潮土区和褐土区是我国农业主产区,大水大肥问题尤为突出,氮磷淋溶是全国典型的地下水污染来源。然而,中国北方主要农区农田氮磷淋溶特征和时空规律尚不清楚。本文利用田间原位监测和文献荟萃分析方法,系统分析了中国北方主要农区285个监测点年的4种主要种植模式(春玉米、冬小麦-夏玉米、露地蔬菜、保护地蔬菜)农田氮磷淋溶特征与时空规律。研究结果表明,中国北方4个主要种植模式的平均氮和磷淋溶强度分别为:保护地蔬菜117.5 kg(N)·hm~(-2)和0.74 kg(P)·hm~(-2),露地蔬菜51.7kg(N)·hm~(-2)和0.10kg(P)·hm~(-2),冬小麦-夏玉米轮作49.9kg(N)·hm~(-2)和0.07kg(P)·hm~(-2),春玉米30.7kg(N)·hm~(-2)和0.09kg(N)·hm~(-2)。与粮田相比,蔬菜田的高水肥投入决定了其较高的氮磷淋溶量。受土壤质地以及区域间水肥管理差异的影响,同一种植模式下,总氮淋溶强度为黑土区褐土区潮土区。农田氮磷淋溶年际间变化主要受降雨强度的影响,总氮淋溶量与降雨强度呈正线性相关关系,尤其前一年无淋溶事件发生背景下,下一年的淋溶量会急剧增加。空间尺度上,潮土区和褐土区是氮素淋溶的主要风险区。值得注意的是一些蔬菜种植面积尤其是保护地蔬菜种植面积占比较大的省份表现出较高的氮磷淋溶风险。综上,北方主要农区农田氮磷淋溶风险以氮为主,磷的淋溶风险也不容忽视。潮土区和褐土区是氮素淋溶的主要风险区。区域尺度上,氮磷淋溶主要来自粮田,但菜田面积越大,氮磷淋溶风险越高。     

黑土春玉米田氮素的淋溶风险与阻控机制研究

为阐明黑土春玉米田氮素的淋溶风险与阻控机制,运用田间原位15N示踪技术,设常规垄作、免耕无秸秆覆盖和免耕100%秸秆覆盖(秸秆量为7500 kg·hm~(-2))3个处理,量化了长期免耕秸秆覆盖措施下氮素在不同形态氮库中的转化特征、淋溶运移规律和去向。结果表明:农民常规施肥量条件下,常规垄作、免耕无秸秆覆盖和免耕全量秸秆覆盖均已导致东北黑土春玉米田0～300cm土壤剖面中分别累积461.6kg(N)·hm~(-2)、450.7kg(N)·hm~(-2)和439.7kg(N)·hm~(-2)的矿质氮,且主要是硝态氮(占比分别为84.2%、79.5%和81.7%),存在着氮素的淋溶损失风险。当季施入肥料氮对玉米苗期和抽雄期0～40cm土层总硝态氮库累积的贡献率平均为60.9%和58.0%,其淋溶损失风险较高。与常规垄作处理相比,免耕全量秸秆覆盖降低了0～40 cm土层肥料氮向矿质氮库的转化,降低比例达20.8%;增加了其向黏土矿物固定态铵和有机氮库的转化,提高比例分别为39.4%和30.5%。0～20cm土层,黏土矿物对肥料来源铵的固定能力和微生物对肥料来源矿质氮的固持能力基本相当;20～40cm土层,固持能力前者高于后者,说明外源碳输入的数量及其与土壤微生物的接触程度共同决定着对矿质氮的固持潜能。通过免耕和秸秆覆盖调控机制,可阻控黑土春玉米田矿质氮在土壤剖面的大量积累,使氮肥利用效率和玉米产量均提高9.7%,氮肥的气态损失降低27.7%,延缓肥料氮向深层土壤剖面淋溶运移的速率。     

免耕秸秆覆盖条件下尿素来源铵态氮和硝态氮的累积与垂直运移过程

为准确量化常规垄作和免耕不同量秸秆覆盖处理条件下,玉米不同生育期尿素氮来源铵态氮(NH_4~+-N)和硝态氮(NO_3~--N)在土壤剖面中的累积、垂直运移特性和淋失风险,于2016年在连续运行9年的长期免耕定位试验基地上设置田间原位~(15)N同位素示踪微区试验,试验设5个处理,分别为常规垄作(RT)、免耕无秸秆覆盖(NT-0)、免耕33%秸秆覆盖(NT-33)、免耕67%秸秆覆盖(NT-67)和免耕100%秸秆覆盖(NT-100)。研究结果表明:玉米苗期和抽雄期,0~20 cm和20~40 cm土层尿素来源NO_3~--N的累积量显著高于尿素来源的NH_4~+-N,尿素来源NO_3~--N占所施入尿素氮的比例在苗期最高,各个处理相应土层的平均值分别为24.0%和17.4%。玉米成熟期,0~100 cm土壤剖面中残留的尿素来源的矿质氮96%以上是NO_3~--N,约有7%左右的尿素氮以NO_3~--N的形态垂直运移至80~100 cm土层中,其对相应土层总的土壤NO_3~--N库的贡献比例达50%以上,说明当季作物施入氮肥的淋溶损失风险较高。与常规垄作处理相比,免耕67%和100%秸秆覆盖处理降低了尿素来源NO_3~--N在深层土壤剖面的残留,但差异未达到显著性水平。     

三峡库区坡耕地免耕秸秆覆盖下氮磷流失特征

为有效防治三峡库区坡耕地氮磷流失,在三峡库区长坪小流域连续进行两年野外径流小区监测试验。在自然降雨条件下进行免耕秸秆覆盖(SM)和对照(CK)两个处理的田间试验,研究了免耕秸秆覆盖措施对地表径流和氮磷养分流失的影响。结果表明：(1)降雨量与径流量极显著正相关,径流主要由几次暴雨事件造成,需要重点防范玉米季暴雨造成的水土流失。免耕秸秆覆盖能减少地表产流产沙,相比对照处理,免耕秸秆覆盖减少19.1%的径流流失,减少63.6%的泥沙流失。(2)免耕秸秆覆盖分别降低了21.3%,25.8%的总氮和总磷流失量,径流量和氮磷流失量呈极显著正相关,免耕秸秆覆盖主要通过减少径流量来减少氮磷流失。(3)坡耕地油菜—玉米种植制的氮磷流失风险期为6—7月初,该时期CK处理41.3%的径流量贡献了81.4%,52.1%的总氮和总磷流失,SM处理38.4%的径流量贡献了75.2%,48.2%的总氮和总磷流失,在该时期通过免耕秸秆覆盖可分别减少17.5%,31.7%的总氮和总磷流失。研究表明,免耕秸秆覆盖是控制三峡库区坡耕地氮磷养分流失的良好水土保持措施。     

科技部“十三五”农业面源和重金属污染农田综合防治与修复技术研发重点专项 “农田氮磷淋溶损失污染与防控机制研究”项目正式启动

集约化农田通过投入大量化肥和灌溉提高作物产量,过量的化肥养分通过淋溶损失到地下水,对地下水环境产生巨大影响。这种高强度的人为干预,形成了集约化农业特有的根层-深层包气带-地下水系统。我国农业主产区集约化程度和污染负荷居全球之首,对环境影响为全球典型。我国地下水污染日益严重,80%监测点地下水为Ⅳ和Ⅴ类,与农田淋溶相关的“三氮”(氨氮、亚硝态氮、硝态氮)是最主要的污染源。黑土、潮土和褐土区是我国粮仓,氮磷肥、灌溉过量投入,也是农田氮磷淋溶和地下水污染的易发区和高发区。因此,开展氮磷在根层-深层包气带-地下水淋溶机理和阻控机制的理论研究,是保障国家粮食安全和生态环境可持续的迫切需求。由农田点污染控制向区域农田氮磷淋失风险控制分区及其相关氮磷消减政策法案的结合治理是国际上农田氮磷淋失污染控制的发展趋势。欧洲联盟(EU-27)制定硝酸盐指令(nitrate directive)和水指令(water framework directive),规范肥料与灌溉水的施用量和方式,提高氮磷的利用效率,减少氮磷淋失,并通过划分硝酸盐脆弱敏感区,进行重点防控。由此可见,研究从农田到区域的氮磷淋溶规律和区域阻控途径意义重大。针对这一社会需求,近日,科技部联合农业部启动了第一批“农业面源和重金属污染农田综合防治与修复技术研发”重点专项,“农田氮磷淋溶损失污染与防控机制研究项目”属于专项2016年首批启动的基础研究项目之一。     

中国北方农田氮磷淋溶损失污染与防控机制

突破厚包气带农田根层氮磷淋溶与地下水污染复杂定量关系和阻控机理是国际研究难点。本文系统梳理了重点研发专项"农田氮磷淋溶损失污染与防控机制"项目取得的主要进展,项目包括以下4方面研究内容:1)北方主要农区农田根层氮磷淋溶时空规律;2)根层—深层包气带氮磷淋溶机制和主控因子;3)黑土、潮土和褐土氮磷淋溶阻控机制及其效果; 4)典型农区氮磷淋溶风险与区域消减途径。主要科学发现包括:1)受土地利用类型、地下水埋深、包气带岩性、水文地质条件等综合因素的影响,黑土区、潮土区和褐土区根层氮磷淋溶规律与地下水硝酸盐超标率体现出空间不一致和较大差异性。黑土区虽然根层淋溶较小,然而受地形地貌影响,地下水水质对淋溶响应更强烈,应该进一步研究黑土区地下水水质对淋溶的响应机制。华北潮土区和褐土区厚包气带具有明显氮阻控能力,应该进一步加强厚包气带对氮磷淋溶减排机理与途径研究。2)基于长期施肥定位试验和12 m深观测井对包气带农田土壤氮盈余累积特征和淋失规律的研究发现,华北平原区的环境安全施氮量约为200kg(N)·hm~(-2)·a~(-1),超过环境安全阈值的多投入氮肥中有51%淋失到1m根层以下,不合理灌溉、强降水、大孔隙和裂隙是造成土壤硝酸盐淋溶的主要因素,对包气带累积硝态氮的淋失作用可影响至6m以下土层。3)利用深层取样和生物学方法结合,对厚包气带0～10.5m原位土壤微生物的反硝化活性和微生物区系组成的研究结果表明,表层土壤是微生物进行反硝化的主要场所,深层土壤中反硝化作用显著减弱,"碳饥饿"是限制底层土壤反硝化微生物丰度与活性的关键因素;室内培养试验证实添加碳源可有效激活土壤微生物的反硝化活性,为"根层截氮包气带脱氮"的淋溶阻控机理找到了突破口。4)利用黑土、潮土和褐土区氮磷淋溶阻控试验、全国农业面源污染国控监测网、北方农区地下水硝酸盐监测网和NUFER (NUtrient flows in Food chains, Environment and Resourcesuse)模型,提出了养分损失脆弱区区划和区域氮磷污染削减草案,可为农业绿色发展和面源污染阻控提供科学依据。     

降雨对吉林省黑土区雨养春玉米农田氮磷淋溶的影响

吉林省黑土区是我国玉米生产的重要基地,农业集约化程度较高,农业面源污染风险较大。因此,掌握吉林省黑土区降雨与农田氮磷淋溶的关系,对区域生态农业可持续发展意义重大。本研究基于吉林省4个面源污染监测点,于2016-2019年春玉米季对降雨情况、淋溶量、淋溶液氮磷浓度及淋溶强度等进行了动态监测,系统分析了吉林省黑土区自然降雨与农田氮磷淋溶的关系。结果表明:1)吉林省黑土区降雨年际间和监测点间差异较大,年际间波动在424～554mm,春玉米全生育期平均降雨量为475mm;不同监测点降雨量大小依次为通化(593～785 mm)公主岭(512～699 mm)梨树(305～434 mm)农安(197～342 mm)。2)淋溶量和降雨强度呈极显著正相关关系,降雨强度每增加10 mm·(24h)-1,淋溶量增加1.81mm。全生育期(4-10月)降雨量与淋溶次数、淋溶概率分别呈极显著和显著正相关,降雨量每增加100mm,淋溶次数约增加3次,淋溶概率上升6%。当全生育期降雨量超过74mm时,淋溶概率增加,可能引起淋溶;而当全生育期降雨量达到217mm时,淋溶次数增加,可以发生淋溶。产生淋溶的降雨等级一般以中雨(10～24.9 mm)和大雨(25～49.9 mm)为主。3)淋溶量和淋溶液总氮浓度呈极显著正相关,与总磷浓度无明显相关关系。4)总氮淋溶强度与降雨强度呈极显著正相关,降雨强度每增加10 mm·(24h)-1,总氮淋溶强度增加0.73kg·hm~(-2),而总磷淋溶强度与降雨强度无明显相关性。由此可见,吉林省黑土区农田在春玉米雨养条件下以氮素淋溶为主,且与降雨密切相关,应因地制宜采取农艺措施在源头上阻控农业面源污染的发生,为农业生态可持续发展提供有效途径。     

褐土区农田土壤氮磷淋溶特征及其管理措施

自20世纪90年代以来,持续过量氮磷化肥投入导致农业面源污染日益严重,了解农田土壤氮磷淋溶特征是降低地下水污染的基础。基于田间调查、长期定位肥料试验和田间试验,分析褐土区氮磷的盈余状况,阐明该区农田土壤氮磷的盈余变化、淋溶特征;评价田间管理措施对农田土壤氮磷淋溶的影响。结果表明,典型褐土区关中平原过量施氮的土壤达到83%以上,大量土壤硝态氮已经迁移到100cm土层以下,15%的水井地下水的硝态氮含量超过10 mg·L~(-1)(WHO饮用水标准);80%耕层土壤有效磷(Olsen-P)含量已超过20mg·kg-1,富磷土壤已出现可溶性磷素向耕层以下迁移的现象。氮肥和磷肥的投入量、氮磷吸收量和土壤氮磷残留量之间存在着3个发展阶段:环境友好-资源高效阶段、环境低风险-资源低效阶段和环境有害-资源无效阶段。与当地常规水肥投入量相比,在保证产量的前提下,化肥减量、降低灌溉量、施用生物炭或秸秆还田都可以降低氮磷淋失量;其中化肥减量、降低灌溉可显著降低氮磷的淋失,其次是施用生物炭和秸秆。施用秸秆条件下,阻控硝态氮淋失与微生物生物量碳氮的提高、土壤硝化势降低或反硝化势升高有关。此外,需要关注褐土区粮果复合系统中土壤氮磷淋溶的环境效应、地下水硝酸盐污染的溯源等问题。     

耕作方式和秸秆还田对砂姜黑土碳库及玉米小麦产量的影响

长期秸秆还田免耕覆盖措施导致沿淮区域砂姜黑土耕层变浅、下表层(10～30 cm)容重增加、土壤养分不均衡等问题凸显,限制了小麦-玉米周年生产力的提高。耕作和秸秆还田措施合理的搭配组合是解决这一问题的有效方法。通过8年的小麦-玉米一年两熟田间试验,设置4个处理:1)玉米季免耕-小麦季免耕秸秆不还田(N);2)玉米季深耕-小麦季深耕秸秆不还田(D);3)玉米季秸秆免耕覆盖还田+小麦秸秆免耕覆盖还田(NS);4)玉米季秸秆免耕覆盖还田+小麦季秸秆深耕还田(DS)。通过分析作物收获后不同土壤深度(0～60 cm)总有机碳(TOC)、颗粒态碳(POC)、微生物生物量碳(MBC)、易氧化态碳(KMnO4-C)、可溶性有机碳(DOC)和土壤碳库管理指数(CPMI),并结合小麦-玉米的周年产量变化,以期获得培肥砂姜黑土的最佳模式。研究结果表明:1)相对于长期免耕措施(N),DS处理能够提高0～30 cm土层TOC、POC、MBC、KMnO4-C等组分含量和CPMI;而NS措施仅提高土壤表层(0～10 cm)TOC、活性有机碳组分含量和CPMI;2)DS处理显著提升了小麦-玉米的周年生产力,其麦玉的周年产量均值分别比N、D和NS处理高出14.7%、12.9%和8.5%;3)MBC和KMnO4-C对于耕作和秸秆还田措施都是较为敏感指示因子。总的来说,玉米季小麦秸秆覆盖还田+小麦季玉米秸秆深耕还田(DS)是改善沿淮地区砂姜黑土土壤碳库、提高小麦-玉米周年产量的一种有效农田管理模式。     

基于养分损失脆弱区的氮磷淋溶分区消减策略

农业面源污染研究多聚焦于田块尺度,缺少对区域尺度氮磷损失风险和消减途径的探索。因此,本研究提出在区域尺度依据养分损失风险制定管理策略,以期在现有技术条件下充分发挥减排措施潜力、全面提升面源污染区域阻控效力。本文利用水质监测数据、文献数据、地理要素空间数据和基于NUFER（NUtrient flows in Food chains,Environment and Resources use）模型模拟的养分损失结果,划定了我国养分损失脆弱区;在此基础上,按照我国农业生态区划和养分损失脆弱区级别确定了各区养分管控程度,并结合各区自然和社会经济条件选取可行、高效的养分管理技术,形成了我国氮磷淋溶区域消减策略和技术列单;最后通过模型再次评估了分区氮磷消减策略的效果。结果表明：养分损失脆弱区和潜在脆弱区覆盖了全国耕地面积的52%,广泛分布于主要农产品产区,呈现显著的空间聚集特征;分区养分管理可以消减51%的潜在脆弱区面积,消减潜力较大的区域集中在东北、长江中下游和西南地区;氮淋溶强度超过22.6 kg·hm^-2的区域覆盖耕地面积3.1×10⁷ hm²,通过实施基于养分损失脆弱区的分区氮磷消减措施,氮淋溶超标区内耕地面积减少至1.9×10⁷ hm²,消减比例约为40%。上述养分损失脆弱性区划和区域氮磷消减草案可为农业绿色发展和面源污染控制提供科学依据。     

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.     

Responses of native legume desert trees used for reforestation in the Sonoran Desert to plant growth-promoting microorganisms in screen house

Three slow-growing legume trees used for desert reforestation and urban gardening in the Sonoran Desert of Northwestern Mexico and the Southwestern USA were evaluated whether their growth can be promoted by inoculation with plant growth-promoting bacteria (Azospirillum brasilense and Bacillus pumilus), unidentified arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi (mainly Glomus sp.), and supplementation with common compost under regular screenhouse cultivation common to these trees in nurseries. Mesquite amargo (Prosopis articulata) and yellow palo verde (Parkinsonia microphylla) had different positive responses to several of the parameters tested while blue palo verde (Parkinsonia florida) did not respond. Survival of all tree species was over 80% and survival of mesquite was almost 100% after 10 months of cultivation. Inoculation with growth-promoting microorganisms induced significant effects on the leaf gas exchange of these trees, measured as transpiration and diffusive resistance, when these trees were cultivated without water restrictions.