砒砂岩区三种沙棘根系特征与固土能力

[目的] 研究中国沙棘(Hippophae rhamnoides ssp.sinensis)、太阳沙棘(Hippophae rhamnoides ssp.taiyang)、乌兰沙林沙棘(Hippophae rhamnoides ssp.mongolica “Wulanshalin”)在砒砂岩区的根系分布特征及林下土壤抗蚀性特征,为改善当地生态环境提供新的树种选择。[方法] 在野外挖土壤剖面获取根土复合体,在室内进行根扫描及崩解试验。[结果] ①沙棘根系垂直分布规律大致相似。随土层深度的增加,根长、根体积逐步减少。根系主要分布在0—60 cm土层,占总根量比例分别为90.96%(中国沙棘),83.38%(太阳沙棘),74.93%(乌兰沙林沙棘);粗根主要分布在0—40 cm土层。水平方向粗根主要分布在距根基0—20 cm的范围内,细根主要分布在20—100 cm范围内,且距根基越远细根含量越少,根系整体呈浅层化分布。②沙棘林下土壤崩解速度变化趋势基本一致。以0—20 cm表层土平均崩解速度最低。随着深度增加逐步增大,水平方向距根基部越远土壤平均崩解速度越大。土壤崩解速度表现为：中国沙棘(3.18 g/s)＞太阳沙棘(1.27 g/s)＞乌兰沙林沙棘(1.21 g/s)。③土壤崩解速度与沙棘根系分布有显著相关关系。垂直方向上受到粗根和细根的共同影响,水平方向主要受到细根的影响,细根对固持水土的作用更大。[结论] 太阳沙棘的根系含量高于乌兰沙林沙棘,且根系分布特征和林下土壤崩解速度变化规律联系更密切,更适用于砒砂岩区的水土流失防治工作。     

臭椿树干液流和直径微变化对土壤水分的响应

[目的] 研究不同水分条件下〔土壤体积含水量分别为10%～15%(W₁),15%～20%(W₂),20%～25%(W₃),25%～30%(W₄)4种水分处理〕臭椿的树干液流和树干径向变化特征及其与气象因子的关系,为深入了解臭椿水分利用策略和科学制定臭椿水分管理措施提供科学依据。[方法] 采用热扩散式探针法(TDP)对臭椿树干液流进行连续观测,使用树干径向变化记录仪持续监测臭椿树干直径变化,并同步监测相关环境因子的变化。[结果] 在W₃和W₄土壤水分处理下,臭椿液流量基本相同,且树干直径的增长量和变化幅度也相近;在W₁—W₃范围内,臭椿液流量随土壤含水量的增加而增大,但夜间液流占日总液流量的比例随土壤含水量的增加而减小,分别为：W₁(12.3%)>W₂(11.9%)>W₃(6.0%)。日尺度下臭椿树干直径的变化幅度随着土壤含水量的增加而减少,但生长量随之增加;随着土壤含水量的不断增加,白天树干液流与气象因子的相关性呈增大趋势,夜间呈降低趋势;树干液流和树干直径的变化都滞后于太阳辐射,提前于饱和水气压差,且二者与饱和水汽压差之间的时滞均随土壤含水量的增加而减小,但二者与太阳辐射之间的时滞受土壤含水量变化的影响很小。日尺度下臭椿树干液流与树干直径的变化呈反向变化规律,且液流的变化总是提前于树干直径的变化。随着土壤含水量的增加,时滞缩短。[结论] 臭椿树干液流与树干直径变化对土壤水分变化的响应存在紧密联系。在W₃水平,土壤含水量达到了臭椿可以充分利用的阈值,因此W₃土壤水分处理为臭椿最适宜的灌溉标准。     

晋陕蒙地区土壤质地重构对土壤水力性质的影响

[目的] 探究晋陕蒙地区土壤质地重构对土壤水力性质的影响,评价砒砂岩不同添加量对砂黄土的改良效果,为该区沙化土地修复工作提供理论依据。[方法] 将砒砂岩与砂黄土按照不同配比进行重构,研究其饱和导水率、土壤水分特征曲线、土壤有效持水量等指标。[结果] ①随着砒砂岩比例的增加(0%～100%),重构土中砂粒(0.05～2 mm)含量下降8.1%～33.5%,粉粒(0.002～0.05 mm)和黏粒(＜0.002 mm)含量分别增加5.2%～21.0%,2.9%～12.5%。当砒砂岩与砂黄土比例达到75∶25时,重构土壤质地由砂壤土转变为壤土;当砒砂岩与砂黄土按照25∶75比例混合时,该处理在10 ℃时的K_s为4.07×10^-6 m/s,与黄土高原地区典型的黄绵土田间自然状态下的K_s值相近; ②砒砂岩添加量对土壤水分特征曲线的影响主要在高吸力段,当砒砂岩与砂黄土的比例为25∶75时,土壤水分有效性相对较高; ③随着砒砂岩含量增加土壤保水性能呈现上升趋势,砒砂岩的添加比例越高,重构土壤饱和含水量(θ_s)和残余含水量(θ_r)越大。[结论] 砒砂岩与砂黄土按25∶75比例重构(土壤容重1.41 g/cm³)土壤有效持水量显著高于其他处理,是晋陕蒙地区土壤改良的有效方法。     

腐殖酸和植物促生芽孢杆菌对黑麦草抗逆性及砒砂岩土壤性状的影响

[目的] 探究微生物在砒砂岩土壤修复工程中的作用,为微生物强化植物改良砒砂岩土壤的科学设想提供新思路。[方法] 以黑麦草作为供试作物,通过室内盆栽模拟试验的方法,研究接种植物促生芽孢杆菌Bacillus halotolerans P75,施用腐殖酸肥料以及不同的菌肥搭配对水土流失严重的砒砂岩土壤理化性质及黑麦草生长和抗逆性指标的影响。[结果] 与对照相比,Bacillus hallotolerans P75发酵液与腐殖酸协同处理显著提高了黑麦草叶片中SOD活性（229.7%）、POD活性（83.6%）和脯氨酸含量（119.3%）,显著增加砒砂岩土壤中多糖、有机质、速效磷和速效钾含量,且土壤渗水率明显降低。[结论] 植物促生芽孢杆菌Bacillus hallotolerans P75发酵液与腐殖酸肥料协同作用能够显著改善砒砂岩土壤的水分、养分流失问题,提高黑麦草的抗逆性,强化植物对砒砂岩土壤的改良和修复。     

降雨对河岸生态系统杨树树干液流及其环境控制的影响

降雨能够改变土壤水分状况进而促进林木蒸腾,然而场降雨量及其持续时间对林木树干液流及其环境控制机制的影响尚不明确。为此,在华北半干旱半湿润区的北京市顺义区共青林场,选取位于河岸生态系统不受土壤水分胁迫的欧美杨(Populus×euramericana)人工林为研究对象,在2019年和2021年生长季,使用TDP热扩散法测量树干液流,同步监测气象及土壤含水量等环境因子。根据对该区长期(2016—2017年、2019年和2021年)降雨数据统计分析结果,将2次降雨脉冲间隔超22.5 h的事件划分2场独立的降雨事件。按照降雨事件雨量及历时,将其中位数±1.5倍标准误的事件定义为常见事件,而将累积概率大于90%的事件定义为极端事件。结果表明:(1)太阳辐射是唯一显著控制该杨树人工林生长季树干液流的环境因子(偏相关系数r_p=0.539),饱和水汽压差、风速和土壤含水量均与树干液流不相关(p>0.533),降雨事件发生前后这一环境控制特征没有发生变化;(2)雨后树干液流随着场降雨量的增加而降低(R²=0.78,p=0.004),但与降雨事件历时无显著相关关系;(3)树干液流在常见降雨事件和极端事件后,在半小时尺度上随时间变化无显著差异(p≥0.264),但4类降雨事件后主导的环境控制因子却不完全相同,太阳辐射和饱和水汽压差总能显著促进半小时尺度的树干液流(r_p≥0.374),而土壤含水量仅在常见和极端的强降雨历时事件后,显著促进雨后半小时尺度液流(r_p≥0.215)。风速显著抑制常见场降雨量事件后半小时尺度的树干液流(r_p=-0.258),却能显著促进常见和极端场降雨历时事件后半小时尺度的树干液流(r_p≥0.183)。研究成果为进一步深入揭示降雨特征对树干液流及其生物物理控制机制的影响,以及改进气候变化下生态水文过程的模拟与评估提供参考。     

喀斯特区云南鼠刺树干液流及土壤水分动态

[目的]分析喀斯特区树干液流速率与土壤水分之间关系,揭示云南鼠刺的水分动态及对生境的适应机理,为喀斯特区生态环境建设提供理论依据。[方法]2009年7月26日至8月1日期间,利用热扩散式液流探针对喀斯特区的土面和石沟两种不同生境中云南鼠刺的树干液流进行连续测定,同时测定土壤水分含量的变化。[结果]两种不同生境中树干液流日变化呈现出不规则峰形曲线,每天液流速率的最大值均出现在白天,最小值均出现在夜间;同一深度土壤含水量随着时间的推移均逐渐降低,但降低速率不同,其变化与土壤深度的关系不明显;云南鼠刺树干液流速率与土壤含水量存在着不显著的正相关关系。[结论]云南鼠刺在喀斯特区的土面和石沟两种生境中的树干液流速率不同,但规律基本一致,树干液流速率与土壤含水量的相关关系不显著。     

基于灰色关联分析的砒砂岩区不同林龄沙棘的改土效应

[目的]探究不同林龄沙棘对其下土壤的改良效果,为砒砂岩区人工沙棘林生态建设、恢复和重建提供理论依据。[方法]以内蒙古达拉特旗典型砒砂岩区不同林龄沙棘林为研究对象,利用灰色度关联分析法,对沟坡阳坡1～7 a沙棘林0—40 cm土层土壤物理性质(土壤含水量、土壤容重、土壤总孔隙度、土壤比重、土壤毛管孔隙度、土壤非毛管孔隙度、土壤饱和持水量、土壤最大毛管持水量)进行测定,并以周边荒坡作为对照(CK),对不同林龄沙棘林对砒砂岩土壤的改土效应进行分析。[结果]土壤含水量、土壤总孔隙度随沙棘林龄增加而增大,随土壤深度增加而减少,土壤容重与之相反;不同林龄沙棘能增强土壤持水能力,并且4～7 a沙棘持水能力大于1～3 a沙棘持水能力。[结论]在砒砂岩区营建人工沙棘林有利于土壤改良,不同林龄沙棘对土壤改良作用主要作用于0—10 cm和10—20 cm土层。     

菊芋根系分泌物改良滨海盐土的微生物机制

[目的] 探究菊芋在滨海盐土改良过程中的作用机制,分析菊芋和碱蓬根系分泌物的组分差异,明确土壤微生态环境的变化规律,进一步为盐土改良提供理论依据。[方法] 以种植菊芋和自然碱蓬植被为样地,对菊芋和碱蓬的根系分泌物进行对比分析,研究在根系分泌物作用下土壤微生物数量,微生物量碳氮,微生物群落结构以及土壤酶活性的变化,从而系统地阐明根系分泌物介导下盐土改良的微生物机制。[结果] 菊芋根际土壤中含有果糖（2.343×10^-3 g/kg）、葡萄糖（4.235×10^-3 g/kg）、蔗糖（2.670×10^-3 g/kg）,分别是碱蓬根际土壤的9.28,1.52和2.43倍。而菊芋根际与非根际中的果糖含量存在显著性差异（p<0.05）,其根际中含量为非根际的12.02倍。菊芋土壤还含有低聚果糖（蔗果三糖、蔗果四糖和蔗果五糖）,而碱蓬土壤中未检测出低聚果糖。除糖类外,菊芋根系分泌物还含有烷烃、酚、醛、酯、有机酸、醇、酮、酰胺,其组分较碱蓬土壤更为复杂且某些组分为菊芋特有〔1-氯—十八烷、正十六烷酸、2-甲基-Z-4-十四碳烯、十二酮、（Z）-9-十八碳酰胺、苯丙酸十六烷基酯等〕。功能性根系分泌物（如低聚果糖、果糖、十六烷、十八烷酸等）为根际微生物提供碳源、氮源和营养元素的同时,使菊芋根际土壤中微生物数量显著增加（p<0.05）,土壤微生物量碳、氮显著高于碱蓬土壤（p<0.05）,其值分别是碱蓬土壤的1.95和1.6倍,且菊芋根际的微生物量碳、氮约为非根际的1.69和1.50倍,优势菌群（变形菌门、放线菌门、绿弯菌门、酸杆菌门）所占比重达到90%,土壤有益菌群（Actinobacteria和Acidobacteria）的相对丰度显著增加（p<0.05）,土壤生物活性提升。此外,菊芋根际特有的分泌物（十六烷、烯醛等）,抑制了病原菌的生长,优化了微生物群落结构。除过氧化氢酶外,土壤脲酶、蔗糖酶和碱性磷酸活性显著提高（p<0.05）,其活性分别是碱蓬土壤的1.83,1.88和3.30倍。[结论] 种植菊芋后,通过根际分泌物介导,改善土壤微生物群落结构与功能,增加土壤酶活性,使土壤生物活力得以整体提升,与原生植被碱蓬相比,降低了土壤含盐量,起到了改良盐土的作用。     

黑河流域中游荒漠区沙尘暴、扬沙和浮尘监测及其与气候因子的关系

[目的] 分析黑河流域中游荒漠区沙尘暴、扬沙以及浮尘频次和时长的月变化和年变化,并分析其与主要气候因子的关系,为区域沙尘天气的早期预警和荒漠区的经营和管理提供依据。[方法] 利用黑河流域红沙窝荒漠化综合防治试验站的2010—2019年的沙尘天气监测数据和气象数据进行分析。[结果] 沙尘频次和时长主要集中在春季,其次是冬季,春冬两季的频次和时长各占全年的82.3%和79.4%。10 a间沙尘暴和扬沙频次总体变化趋势逐渐减少,而浮尘频次总体变化趋势逐年增加;沙尘时长总体变化趋势逐年增加。沙尘频次月变化与土壤湿度（10 cm）和大气湿度之间呈极显著负相关（p<0.01）,与风速之间呈极显著正相关（p<0.01）。扬沙年际发生频次与土壤温度（5 cm）之间呈显著负相关（p<0.05）,与大气温度之间呈极显著负相关（p<0.01）。[结论] 近10 a来,黑河流域中游荒漠区的沙尘天气主要发生在春季和冬季,破坏性较大的沙尘暴和扬沙逐年减少,而浮尘逐年增加。沙尘频次的月变化主要影响因素是浅层土壤湿度、大气湿度和风速。春季的浅层土壤湿度影响了沙尘暴和扬沙年际频次变化,浅层土壤温度影响了浮尘年际频次变化;冬季的浅层土壤温湿度和降水量影响了沙尘暴的年际频次变化,浅层土壤温度和大气温度影响了扬沙的年际频次变化。     

裸露砒砂岩区不同植被类型土壤团聚体稳定性与抗蚀性能

[目的] 研究裸露砒砂岩区鲍家沟小流域不同植被类型土壤团聚体特征与可蚀性,为植被建设和减轻入黄泥沙提供科学指导。[方法] 运用Le Bissonnais法和崩解法研究裸露砒砂岩区不同植被类型土壤团聚体稳定性特征与可蚀性。[结果] ①慢速湿润处理条件下,土壤结构中以2 mm以上的团聚为主,预湿扰动处理条件下,2 mm以上的团聚体占14.79%～40.17%,快速湿润处理条件下2 mm以上团聚体含量占4.69%～15.11%。②土壤团聚体的破坏率呈现：裸地 > 草地 > 油松林 > 山杏林 > 柠条林 > 沙棘林的趋势。③裸露砒砂岩区土壤的可蚀性K值在0.045～0.092之间,各植被类型土壤的崩解速率在0.48～1.38 g/min之间。[结论] 沙棘等人工植被能够显著增强土壤团聚体结构的稳定性,降低土壤的可蚀性,提升土壤的抗蚀性能,从而有效削减侵蚀产沙过程。     

Agricultural potential of Mediterranean grain and forage legumes: Key differences between and within Vicia species in terms of phenology, yield, and agronomy give insight into plant adaptation to semi-arid environments

In order to identify key adaptive traits which affect productivity in Mediterranean grain and forage legumes and simultaneously determine the agricultural potential of a wide range of Vicia species, germplasm collected from the wild throughout the eastern Mediterranean was grown under semi-arid conditions in Tel Hadya, Syria (313 mm growing season rainfall). These included species currently in use in Mediterranean agriculture, such as V. sativa L., as well as those more widely used in the past-such as V. ervilia L., but also a broad selection from Section Narbonensis (B. Fedtsch. ex Radzhi) Maxted, including V. narbonensis L, V. johannis Tamamsch., V. hyaeniscyamus Mout., V. serratifolia Jacq., and V. kalakhensis Khattab et al. V. faba, a near relative of the taxa in Section Narbonensis, was included as a domesticated control. Where applicable, a representative range of subspecies was used. Accessions were chosen from a wide range of habitats in terms of latitude (31.02–40.72 decimal^o), longitude (27.1–43.17 decimal^o), altitude (20–1510 m), rainfall (180–1700 mm/yr) and soil depth (5–50 cm) in order to maximise diversity within species. Agricultural potential was determined by measuring seed, hay and biological yield, as well as agronomic traits such as harvest index, standing crop height, and seed size. The comparative influence of phenology and key agronomic traits such as plant habit and seed size on productivity varied tremendously between species, depending on their reproductive strategies. In V. sativa and V. ervilia, the smaller seed species which rely on long vegetative phases and growing seasons to accumulate sufficient biomass to set seed, and in which there was comparatively little agronomic variation, phenology had a large impact on yield. In early emerging taxa such as V. ervilia and V. s. subsp. sativa, with built-in long vegetative phases and growing seasons, seed yield was negatively correlated with flower ing (r = –0.86 to –0.88), whereas the opposite was the case for later emerging taxa such as V. s. subsp. nigra (L.) Ehrh. (r = 0.95). Within V. narbonensis and relatives, the larger seeded Vicia species which rely on more conservative reproductive strategies where high seedling vigour associated with large seeds enables the species to enter reproductive phases relatively early, phenology had a much smaller impact on yield than did variation of key traits such as seed weight, plant habit and pod shattering. Among the undomesticated germplasm harvest indices ranged from 0.09–0.31, hay yields from 0.1–3.4 t/ha, seed yield from 0–2.0 t/ha, and dry matter at maturity from 1.6–6.5 t/ha. Sub-specific taxonomy was crucial in determining agronomic potential. V. narbonensis var. aegyptiaca Kornhuber ex Asch. et Schweinf. showed the most potential, combining an upright habit, large seeds (212 mg) and tendency to retain intact pods after maturity, with the highest yield, harvest index and crop height of all the wild Vicia species. V. sativa subsp. sativa, V. ervilia and V. narbonensis var. narbonensis were less productive, but still showed agricultural potential. The smaller seeded V. narbonensis, var. affinis, var. jordanica H. Schäf. and var. salmonea (Mout.) H. Schäf., and their close relatives V. johannis, V. hyaeniscyamus, V. serratifolia and V. kalakhensis have little to offer Mediterranean agriculture on the basis of poor agronomy.     

On the Taxonomy of the Members of ‘Saccharum Complex’

The difficulty and problems encountered in the study of cultivated plants, in general and sugarcane, in particular has been indicated. In order to understand these problems, a brief review on the taxonomy of Saccharum and closely related taxa, namely, Erianthus, Sclerostachya, Narenga and Miscanthus (generally known as ‘Saccharum complex’) has been given. A short account on the important morphological features that are specific to sugarcane has also been stated as classification is commonly based on such morphological characters. A note has been added on the chromosome number, origin, and distribution of the species of ‘Saccharum complex’ members. Taxonomic keys have been devised for identification of the genera of Saccharinae and for the species of Saccharum and Erianthus occurring in India. A new combination, Sclerostachya fallax (Balansa) Amalraj et Balasundaram, has also been proposed.     

Polymorphism of high molecular weight glutenin subunits in three species of Aegilops

A collection of 136 accessions of Aegilops umbellulata (39), Ae. comosa (75) and Ae. markgrafii (22) was analysed for high-molecular-weight (HMW) glutenin subunits composition. The homogeneity of the accessions was studied and 55.1% of the collection was homogeneous for HMW glutenin subunits (29 Ae. umbellulata, 33 Ae. comosa and 14 Ae. markgrafii). The HMW glutenin subunits of Ae. umbellulata are encoded by the Glu-U1 locus; in Ae. comosa results showed that this proteins are encoded at the 1M chromosome, and the locus was named Glu-M1. In Ae. markgrafii it was assumed that HMW glutenin subunits were encoded by an homoeologous locus and it was named Glu-C1. All the accessions of Ae. umbellulata and Ae. markgrafii expressed both, x-type and y-type subunits. Among the Ae. comosa accessions, only one expressed an x-type subunit alone. All the accessions of Ae. umbellulata and some of Ae. comosa had x-type glutenins of higher molecular weights than those commonly present in bread wheat. A total of 8 alleles were detected at the Glu-U1 locus, 11 at the Glu-M1 and 4 at the Glu-C1. The new HMW glutenin variation found in this work suggests their possible utilisation in breeding for wheat quality.     

Effect of agroforestry woody species on earthworm activity and physicochemical properties of worm casts

The effects of five agroforestry woody species (Dactyladenia barteri, Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala, Senna siamea andTreculia africana) on the surface aasting activity ofHyperiodrilus africanus were studied in an Alfisol (Oxic Paleustalf) in southwestern Nigeria. Casting activity under the woody species decreased in the following order:Dactyladenia sp. (26.4 Mg ha^-1 year^-1)>Gliricidia sp. (24.4 Mg ha^-1 year^-1)>Treculia sp. (22.9 Mg ha^-1 year^-1)>Leucaena sp. (18.6 Mg ha^-1 year^-1)>Senna sp. (18.3 Mg ha^-1 year^-1). These differences in casting activity were partly explained by microclimatic effects. Irrespective of the woody species, the worm casts were higher in clay and silt contents, bulk density, water-stable aggregates, pH, organic C, exchangeable cations, effective cation exchange capacity, and extractable P levels than the corresponding surface soils. The woody species did affect the physicochemical properties and P sorption of the worm casts. The content of water-stable aggregates of worm casts decreased in the following order:Dactyladenia sp.>Treculia sp.>Senna sp.>Leucaena sp.>Gliricidia sp. Large differences in extractable P levels were observed.Senna sp. was associated with the highest extractable P level (11.5 mg kg^-1) andTreculia sp. the lowest (4.9 mg kg^-1). P sorption was highest on worm casts underDactyladenia sp. and lowest on those underTreculia sp. Without fertilizer application, there were no significant differences in the dry weight of maize grown in the different worm casts. With NPK applications, the dry weight of maize grown in worm casts associated withTreculia sp. was significantly lower than that of maize grown in the other worm casts, mainly due to the low extractable P level. Despite a high organic C and exchangeable K status, maize grown in the worm casts still responded significantly to N and K applications. The N uptake by maize grown in worm casts associated withTreculia sp. was lower than that in the other treatments.     

Genetic diversity of rhizobia associated with indigenous legumes in different regions of Flanders (Belgium)

We investigated the diversity of rhizobia isolated from different indigenous legumes in Flanders (Belgium). A total of 3810 bacterial strains were analysed originating from 43 plant species. Based on rep-PCR clustering, 16S rRNA gene and recA gene sequence analysis, these isolates belonged to Bradyrhizobium, Ensifer (Sinorhizobium), Mesorhizobium and Rhizobium. Of the genera encountered, Rhizobium was the most abundant (62%) and especially the species Rhizobiumleguminosarum, followed by Ensifer (19%), Bradyrhizobium (14%) and finally Mesorhizobium (5%). For two rep-clusters only low similarity values with other genera were found for both the 16S rRNA and recA genes, suggesting that these may represent a new genus with close relationship to Rhodopseudomonas and Bradyrhizobium. Primers for the symbiotic genes nodC and nifH were optimized and a phylogenetic sequence analysis revealed the presence of different symbiovars including genistearum, glycinearum, loti, meliloti, officinalis, trifolii and viciae. Moreover, three new nodC types were assigned to strains originating from Ononis, Robinia and Wisteria, respectively. Discriminant and MANOVA analysis confirmed the correlation of symbiosis genes with certain bacterial genera and less with the host plant. Multiple symbiovars can be present within the same host plant, suggesting the promiscuity of these plants. Moreover, the ecoregion did not contribute to the separation of the bacterial endosymbionts. Our results reveal a large diversity of rhizobia associated with indigenous legumes in Flanders. Most of the legumes harboured more than one rhizobial endosymbiont in their root nodules indicating the importance of including sufficient isolates per plant in diversity studies.     

Phylogenetic relationships of Actinidia and related genera based on micromorphological characters of foliar trichomes

The phylogenetic relationships within the genus Actinidia and among 3 allied genera Clematoclethra, Saurauia, and Sladenia have been very controversial. In order to understand the systematic implication of foliar trichomes in those genera, the micromorphological characteristics of foliar trichomes from 34 taxa were examined by means of light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The observed micromorphological characteristics were classified into eight main types. A phylogenetic analysis of Actinidia and related genera based on 15 micromorphological characters of foliar trichomes was conducted using Wagner parsimony method and Sladenia celastrifolia, Rhododendron hybridum and R. simsii as a complex outgroup. In the resulting phylogenetic tree, Actinidia is shown to be a monophyletic group, and Clematoclethra and Saurauia form another monophyletic group. This study also presents the phylogenetic relationships among 4 sections within the genus Actinidia: the monophyly of sect. Leiocarpae and of sect. Strigosae, and polyphyly of sect. Maculatae and of sect. Stellatae.     

Diversity of native rice (Oryza Poaceae:) species of Costa Rica

We found several populations of wild Oryza species in the lowlands of Costa Rica. The plants showed extensive morphological variation, suggesting the presence of several species. In the morphologic study, 33 traits were scored for plants of all the species. A principal component analysis revealed the significant morphological separation of the different species. The analyses indicated that there are three species, O. grandi­glumis, O. latifolia and O. glumaepatula. Two putative hybrid types were found, both significantly differing in their morphology from the known species and intermediate at several traits. O. grandi­glumis is a new record for Costa Rican flora. Its main population is located in Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, Los Chiles, Alajuela. O. latifolia is distributed throughout the lowlands of the country and the plants of the Atlantic slope are significantly bigger in general habit than those of the Guanacaste area. During this study a population of O. glumaepatula of hundreds of thousands of plants was discovered in the Medio Queso River wetland, Los Chiles, Alajuela. This population is the most important source of genes for cultivar's improvement from the primary gene pool of rice in Costa Rica. The small ligule and the wide flag leaf characteristic of the two CCDD species separated them from the AA diploid O. glumaepatula. Seed size, ligule size, number of branches in the panicle, plant height and sterile lemma length are all bigger in O. grandi­glumis, and influenced the second factor that separated the CCDD species in two discrete clusters. The species found offer great possibilities for the improvement of rice cultivars and they should be thoroughly studied and appropriately protected.     

Powdery Mildew Resistance in a Collection of Chinese Barley Varieties

One hundred and forty-seven Chinese barley varieties maintained at the Gene Bank of the National Barley Improvement Centre, Zhejiang, and 84 progenies from these varieties were tested at the seedling stage for their reaction to 32 selected pathotypes of Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei. Eighteen resistance spectra were identified comprising single or combined resistances from eight known (Ml(Bw), Ml(Ch), Mla7, Mla8, Mla9, Mla13, MlaRu4 and Mlg) and six unknown resistance genes. The most frequent gene was Ml(Bw), which was found in 69 varieties and previously detected in only a few European winter barley varieties. The genes Mla8 and Ml(Ch) were also often present, but other resistance genes were rare. After inoculation, considerably fewer pathogen colonies were observed in ‘Aiganqi’ and one line of ‘Tong5’. Twenty varieties were composed of lines with different resistance genes. China is likely to be a region of origin of the genes Ml(Bw), Mla7, as well as three unknown genes found in original landraces and perhaps another three unknown genes detected in cultivars bred in China. The resistances of varieties from the Zhejiang province and those originating from 11 other Chinese provinces were quite different. Unfortunately, none of the varieties are promising sources of resistance to powdery mildew and China does not seem to be a region suitable for identifying such sources.