Maintenance of Squash (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cucurbita</Emphasis> spp.) Landrace Diversity by Farmers' Activities in Mexico

Squash (Cucurbita spp.) is a common component in traditional cropping systems in Mexico, mainly in the agroecosystem known as the “milpa”, in which squash is cultivated in association with maize (Zea mays), the main crop. Using a questionnaire, 80 farmers were interviewed about crop production and selection practices in order to understand how these factors affect genetic diversity of local squash populations. We found that the most of the farmers who cultivate squash were elderly 59.8 ± 14.5 (mean ± SD; n = 78) years old. Squash varieties in the area were exclusively locally adapted landraces, and had not been replaced by modern squash cultivars. Two cultivated squash species, C. argyrosperma ssp. argyrosperma and C. moschata, had been grown intercropped with maize by 97.5% of the interviewed farmers, but only 50.0% were still producing squash at the time of the study. Farmers recognize typical characteristics of particular varieties within each of the local cultivated squash species, and selection is directed to maintain their identity. Nearly two thirds of the farmers (62.0%) had exchanged seeds of squash for planting, a practice that serves to increase genetic variability in the populations. All of the interviewed farmers were conscious of the possible hybridization between the wild gourd (C. argyrosperma ssp. sororia) and their cultivated squash. Despite various natural and human managed factors identified as contributing to enhancement of genetic diversity in these populations, results of the study show that genetic erosion of Cucurbita is likely in the region in the near future.     

Vigna vexillata (L.) A. Rich. Cultivated as a Root Crop in Bali and Timor

Vigna vexillata is considered as a pantropical distributed wild species closely related to the cowpea (Vigna uniculata) and adapted to infertile soils. The species is occasionally used for its storage roots as well as forage and erosion control plant. The objective of this study was to pursue personal communications that V. vexillata has be transformed into a cultivar in Indonesia. Seven Indonesian islands were visited (Java, Bali, Sumba, Flores, Timor, Kalimantan and Sulawesi). Wild V. vexillata was found in Java, Bali, Sumba, Flores and Timor, occasionally used as wild ‘forest food’, and cultivated V. vexillata was found in Bali and Timor, Seven cultivars were collected and two of these were made available for the National Botanic Garden of Belgium. The cultivars were primarily cultivated for their storage roots, propagated by seeds, required no scarified seeds for good germination and formed non-dehiscent pods. On-farm root yields of 18–30 t ha⁻¹ and seed yields of 0.7–1.2 t ha⁻¹ were estimated. A brief discussion about the common names of wild V. vexillata is given and it is proposed to use the name ‘tuber cowpea’ for V. vexillata accessions which are cultivated for their storage roots. The material may be of interest for regions, where the growing season is too short or the rainfall too low for sweet potato and cassava as well as to incorporate cultivar characteristics into wild V. vexillata accessions which are used for their storage roots.     

Effect of tillage intensity on weed infestation in organic farming

Conservation tillage is not yet widely accepted by organic farmers because inversion tillage is considered to be necessary for weed control. Three long-term experiments were established with combinations of reduced and conventional plough tillage and stubble tillage to determine weed infestation levels in organic farming, i.e. herbicide application being excluded. Experiment 1 (with very low stocking density of perennial weeds) showed that in presence of primary tillage by mouldboard ploughing the number of annual weeds was nearly unaffected by the mode of stubble tillage. In experiment 2, however, with Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) being artificially established, thistle density was significantly affected by stubble tillage and by a perennial grass–clover forage crop. Experiment 3 combined two levels of stubble tillage (skimmer plough, no stubble tillage = control) with four implements of primary tillage in the order of decreasing operation depth (deep mouldboard plough, double-layer plough, shallow mouldboard plough or chisel plough). Primary tillage by chisel plough resulted in significantly highest annual weed density compared to all other treatments. The natural C. arvense infestation in experiment 3 showed highest shoot density in the “skimmer plough/chisel plough” treatment compared to the lowest infestation in the “skimmer plough/double-layer plough” treatment. The poor capacity of the chisel plough for weed control was also reflected by the soil seed bank (5500 m⁻² C. arvense seeds for chisel plough, <300 seeds for all other primary tillage). A reduced operation depth of the mouldboard plough (“shallow mouldboard plough”) seemed to have an insufficient effect in controlling C. arvense infestation as well. Stubble tillage by the skimmer plough in addition to nearly any primary tillage operation largely reduced both annual weeds and thistle shoots. Most effective in controlling C. arvense was also a biennial grass–clover mixture as part of the crop rotation.Double-layer ploughing is a compromise between soil inversion and soil loosening/cutting and can be regarded as a step towards conservation tillage. In terms of controlling annual weeds and C. arvense, the double-layer plough was not inferior to a deep mouldboard plough and seems to be suitable for weed control in organic farming. Tilling the stubble shallowly after harvest can support weed control in organic farming remarkably, particularly in reducing C. arvense. If no noxious, perennial weeds occur and primary tillage is done by soil inversion, an omission of stubble tillage can be taken into consideration.     

Characterisation and Variation of Morphological Traits and Storage Proteins in Spanish Emmer Wheat Germplasm (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum Dicoccon</Emphasis>)

Emmer wheat is hulled wheat that was wide cultivated in Spain at the past. Actually, the most of this germplasm is conserved in Germplasm Banks, and only two small populations have been found in Asturias (North of Spain) in a recent collecting mission. In this work, a collection of 31 Spanish emmer lines developed from identical number of accessions of two Germplasm Banks was analysed for morphological spike traits and seed storage protein composition. Up to seven different botanical varieties were detected, which suggest the presence of a wide diversity, although lower than the historically described 10 botanical varieties. At level of seed storage proteins, the lines showed a high diversity, although the new alleles were present with low frequency in materials with scarce agronomic interest for the farmers (var. atratum, var. lagascae or var. pycnurum). This last circumstance could translate in a lost of variability by genetic drift.     

Molecular differentiation,diversity, and folk classification of “sweet” and “bitter” cassava (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Manihot esculenta</Emphasis>) in Caiçara and Caboclo management systems (Brazil)

This study focuses the inter-relationships among the men, the use, and the intra-specific cassava diversity, under the perspective of this crop evolutionary dynamics. The origin, the use and the current local management of varieties with high and low cyanogenic potential are important questions around cassava domestication. We collected 169 local varieties identified as “sweet” or “bitter” cassava by traditional farmers from Atlantic Forest and Amazon (Medium Negro River Basin), Brazil. Using a population genetics and an ethnobotany approach, the diversity and the genetic structure of cassava were evaluated. We found a total of 115 vernacular names, and in the Atlantic Forest sample the average genetic diversity (H _S = 0.654) was higher for the sweet varieties than for bitter ones (0.582). The genetic differentiation coefficient (R _ST), used to estimate the diversity among groups, was 0.057 (P < 0.001), indicating that the divergence between the two groups is low. We obtained a low correlation between the morphological and genetic distances, and the congruence was high when the ethnoclassification and the genetic structure were considered. We discuss the adaptive advantages of the sweet varieties use, the current socio-economic changes in bitter varieties use, and the ecological history of these variety groups.     

Spatial and temporal dynamics in genetic diversity in upland rice and late millet (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pennisetum glaucum</Emphasis> (L.) R. Br.) in The Gambia

Ambiguity exists about the level of genetic diversity represented by farmer crop varieties, how it develops over time and how it relates to the diversity comprised by formal varieties. As part of an interdisciplinary technological/sociological study on farmer management of gene flow, upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) and late millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.) from The Gambia were investigated for morphological and molecular variation. The goal of these analyses was to obtain insight into the level of crop genetic diversity of farmer’s materials planted in several case study villages in The Gambia. For both crops, samples were collected from villages and various research institutes. Based on variety names, different rice and millet varieties were expected to be used in different villages. In fact, there was a large overlap in genetic diversity for both crops, masked by the use of synonyms. The considerable similarity in rice genetic diversity between villages most likely results from the exchange of varieties between farmers. For millet this seems the result of development of varieties from the same gene pool. Some farmer varieties of rice, however, are apparent hybrid forms between the species O. sativa and O. glaberrima Steud., and farmer varieties in general displayed higher levels of genetic diversity than formal varieties. This indicates that, for rice, genetic diversity develops in farmers’ fields and may have potential use in formal breeding programs.     

Evaluation of genetic diversity in Turkish melons (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cucumis melo</Emphasis> L.) based on phenotypic characters and RAPD markers

The genetic relationships among 56 melon (Cucumis melo L.) genotypes collected from various parts of Turkey were determined by comparing their phenotypic and molecular traits with those of 23 local and foreign melon genotypes to investigate the taxonomic relationships and genetic variation of Turkish melon germplasm. Sixty-one phenotypic characters and 109 polymorphic RAPD markers obtained from 33 primers were used to define the genetic similarity among the melon genotypes by dendrograms or two and three dimensional scaling. There were high correlations (r ≥ 0.97) among the four resulting matrices used in molecular characterization. The correlations between phenotypic (Euclidean) and molecular Euclidean, Jaccard, Simple matching, and Nei analyses were r = 0.41, r = −0.40, r = −0.43 and r = −0.40, respectively. Related genotypes or genotypes collected from similar regions were partitioned to similar clusters. Both analyses (phenotypic and molecular) indicated that non-sweet melon types were dissimilar from sweet types and diversity of Turkish melon genotypes was higher than that of sweet foreign cultivars examined, but similar to that of the reference accessions employed. It was also observed that sweet Turkish melon genotypes belonging to groups inodorus and group cantalupensis were highly variable and could have intermated or have crossed with other non-sweet types.     

Farmers’ Perception and Genetic Erosion of Tetraploid Wheats Landraces in Ethiopia

Assessing genetic erosion has been suggested as the first priority in any major effort to arrest loss of genetic diversity. In Ethiopia, although it is generally accepted that significant amount of genetic erosion has occurred and is still occurring, there is little data on its amount and extent. Thus, this study is conducted to quantify the extent of genetic erosion in Ethiopian tetraploid wheat landraces and to identify major causes of genetic erosion. To this end, a field survey of 126 farmers, randomly selected over five districts in eastern, south-eastern and central highlands of Ethiopia during 2001/2002 and 2002/2003 main cropping seasons was undertaken. Questioner was used to collect primary data from farmers who are potentially rich sources of information on genetic erosion at the variety level. Additional data were collected through key informant interviewing. Moreover, resampling was made from Tulo, Chiro and Harar Zuriya districts in eastern Ethiopia. Analysis of history profiles from primary and secondary data indicated a reduction in the use of local varieties over years. Triticum polonicum and T. turgidum are becoming very localized, and therefore, they are under greater threat of extinction. Using the calculation scheme: gene erosion=100%−gene integrity, i.e., the still extant landraces, genetic erosion was calculated for the three different areas where resamplings were made. Genetic erosion of 100% was observed both in T. durum and T. dicoccon in Tulo district. Likewise, genetic erosion of 85.7, 100 and 77.8%, respectively, was calculated for T. durum, T. turgidum and T. dicoccon in Chiro district. In Harar Zuriya, a genetic erosion of 88.9% for T. durum and 100% both in T. turgidum and T. dicoccon was detected. Number of farmers growing landraces of tetraploid wheats drastically decreased in all surveyed areas in the past decades. Displacement of landraces by other crops was the prominent factor for ending landrace cultivation. Farmers’ preference to yield potential and cash crops subsequently reduced the chance of maintaining landraces. Institutional factors like access to credit and the extension advice have influenced farmers’ decision regarding cultivar choice. In all surveyed areas, the most important initial source of seed of improved wheat varieties is the seed credit from the Ministry of Agriculture which uses a ‘plant now, pay later’ scheme to promote the distribution of improved varieties and fertilizers. The problem of genetic erosion through inappropriate maintenance of ex situ collections was also recognized and discussed.     

Molecular evidence of genetic diversity changes in pea (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pisum sativum</Emphasis> L.) germplasm after long-term maintenance

Maintaining germplasm genetic integrity is a key objective of long-term ex situ conservation. Periodic regeneration, performed on limited plots with small number of individuals, increases the risk of genetic drift and genetic diversity changes. In this study, six accessions of white flowered, dry seed pea varieties (Pisum sativum L. subsp. sativum var. sativum): Bohatyr, Klatovsky zeleny, Hanák, Moravsky hrotovicky krajovy, Raman and Viktoria-75 and four accessions of colour flowered, fodder pea (P. sativum subsp. sativum var. arvense (L.) Poiret: Arvika, Česky banán, Moravská krajová and Niké, representing Czechoslovak varieties and landraces, bred over the last 40–80 years, were analyzed using ten microsatellite locus specific markers. Each accession was represented by 20 individual seeds of two temporally different samples, spanning the period of 20 or 40 years. Together with intra-accession variation (except of cv. Hanák), evidence of genetic changes, e.g. differences in allele frequencies as well as genetic composition of sample, was detected in six out of ten accessions (Arvika, Bohatyr, Česky banán, Moravsky hrotovicky krajovy, Moravská krajová and Raman). Evidence of genetic erosion was found in three accessions (Česky banán, Moravsky hrotovicky krajovy and Raman), while in another three (Arvika, Bohatyr and Moravská krajová) the level of diversity was found to have increased. Moreover in three samples of Bohatyr (2004) and Klatovsky zeleny (1963 and 2004), low levels of heterozygosity was detected. These results demonstrate that in pea, a self-pollinating and highly homozygous plant, the danger of the loss of genetic integrity exists. These findings are significant for long-term ex situ germplasm management.     

马铃薯对瓜列当种子萌发的化感作用研究

瓜列当给瓜类等经济作物造成较大危害。本研究采用盆栽4个推广马铃薯品种"夏波蒂"、"青薯168"、"冀张薯5号"和"克新1号",以不同生长时期(幼苗期、开花期和结薯期)马铃薯根际土、根系和地上部的浸提液(甲醇和水)刺激瓜列当种子萌发,根据发芽率来判定其对瓜列当化感作用的强弱,同时筛选刺激瓜列当发芽率高的品种用于列当杂草的防除。结果表明,马铃薯能刺激瓜列当种子萌发;不同马铃薯品种对瓜列当的化感作用各有差异,随着马铃薯的生长,根际土中化感物质积累不断升高,根系化感作用逐渐减弱,而地上部化感作用逐渐增强。甲醇浸提液刺激瓜列当种子发芽率高于水浸提液,即甲醇浸提化感作用效果较好。"夏波蒂"根系甲醇浸提液刺激瓜列当种子的发芽率在幼苗期最高,为48.5%;而地上部甲醇浸提液处理的发芽率在结薯期最高,为51.2%。可以在瓜列当危害的农田轮作"夏波蒂"5~8年,同时采用马铃薯秸秆还田来减少土壤中瓜列当种子库,达到防除瓜列当危害的目的。     

Seed dimorphism,chromosome number and karyotype of the amphicarpic species <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trifolium argentinense</Emphasis> Speg.

Amphicarpy, a specialized form of dimorphism where fruits and seeds are formed in underground and aerial flowers, has been reported in only ca. 50 flowering plants. Trifolium argentinense Speg. is an amphicarpic legume species that occurs in native pastures of Southern Brazil. Data on seed dimorphism, chromosome number and karyotype of the species are presented for the first time. T. argentinense is diploid, with 2n = 2x = 16. Chromosome size range from ca. 2.8 to 1.6 μm, the karyotypic formula is 3 metacentric + 1 satellite-bearing metacentric + 3 acrocentric + 1 subacrocentric and a TCL (total complement length) of 18.10 μm. All the subterranean, but around 70% of the aerial legumes formed seeds. Subterranean seeds were larger and heavier (2.1 mm and 0.0029 g, respectively) than the aerial ones (1.8 mm and 0.0016 g, respectively). As a follow up to this work, we plan to characterize aerial and subterranean-seed-derived plants regarding aspects such as growing rate, height, leaf size and forage production, as well as to determine the exact mode of reproduction of T. argentinense by pollination experiments and the use of molecular markers.     

Conservation in a changing world: <Emphasis Type="Italic">in situ</Emphasis> conservation of the giant maize of Jala

Using survey data from Jala, Mexico, this case-study evaluates in situ maize conservation of the variety ‘Jala’ (Zea mays L.). Though historically ‘Jala’ was the dominant variety grown in the valley of Jala, today less than 20% of farmers grow it on only 5% of the maize area. Younger growers of the ‘Jala’ variety specialize in it, growing relatively large amounts for niche markets. Older, diversified farmers grow small areas for household use and to compete in a local contest. Conservation of the ‘Jala’ variety has been heavily influenced by shifting ideal concepts of maize, as determined by market and consumption demands and by a contest designed to promote in situ conservation. The current move away from nationalized purchasing may favor ‘Jala’s’ continued conservation.     

Effects of long-term mineral fertilization on microbial biomass,microbial activity,and the presence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">r</Emphasis>- and <Emphasis Type="Italic">K</Emphasis>-strategists in soil

Long-term effects of mineral fertilization on microbial biomass C (MBC), basal respiration (R _B), substrate-induced respiration (R _S), β-glucosidase activity, and the r–K-growth strategy of soil microflora were investigated using a field trial on grassland established in 1969. The experimental plots were fertilized at three rates of mineral N (0, 80, and 160 kg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) with 32 kg P ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ and 100 kg K ha⁻¹ year⁻¹. No fertilizer was applied on the control plots (C). The application of a mineral fertilizer led to lower values of the MBC and R _B, probably as a result of fast mineralization of available substrate after an input of the mineral fertilizer. The application of mineral N decreased the content of C extracted by 0.5 M K₂SO₄ (C _ex). A positive correlation was found between pH and the proportion of active microflora (R _S/MBC). The specific growth rate (μ) of soil heterotrophs was higher in the fertilized than in unfertilized soils, suggesting the stimulation of r-strategists, probably as the result of the presence of available P and rhizodepositions. The cessation of fertilization with 320 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ (NF) in 1989 also stimulated r-strategists compared to C soil, probably as the result of the higher content of available P in the NF soil than in the C soil.     

Cultivation and Taxonomic Classification of Wheat Landraces in the Upper Panjsher Valley of Afghanistan After 23 Years of War

After 23 years of war, current information about the biodiversity of crops in the Hindukush mountains of Afghanistan is scarce. This study aimed at assessing the genetic composition of farmers wheat (Triticum spp.) populations through a survey of 21 randomly chosen cereal fields on both sides of the Panjsher river in the upper Panjsher valley of Northern Afghanistan. A stratified sampling of wheat heads according to morphological differences was followed by estimates of field size and grain yield and a formal interview with the landowner about the cropping sequence and the inputs used. About 75% of the cereal fields were cropped in rotation systems with faba bean (Vicia faba L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), maize (Zea mays L.) or fallow. Manure application at between 2.3 and 5.3 t ha⁻¹ was the major source of nutrient inputs at grain yield levels between 1.2 and 4.7 t ha⁻¹. The morphological characterization of the collection revealed 19 taxonomically different varieties of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) but also barley and triticale (Triticosecale Wittm.) grown in mixtures. Populations within one field consisted of up to seven botanical wheat varieties. Farmers did not differentiate between morphological differences within such mixtures but identified their populations instead according to grain color, cooking properties and resistance to mildew and frost. Triticum aestivum var. subferrugineum was the most widespread wheat variety and no effects of altitude on biodiversity of wheat was noted across the transect. Particularly interesting was the occurrence of T. aestivum var. subferrugininflatum and var. subgraecinflatum which so far have only been reported from Mongolia. The finding of triticale indicated the active seed exchange with lowland or long-distance seed sources.     

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.     

Morphological biodiversity and local use of the Himalayan pear (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pyrus pashia</Emphasis>) in Central Bhutan

A survey was undertaken in two valleys of the Bumthang area in Central Bhutan to study the morphological diversity, farmers’ knowledge, management practices, yield and income generation potential of the neglected Himalayan Pear (Pyrus pashia Hamilton ex D. Don). For this study a total of 148 Pyrus pashia accessions were collected and 103 households interviewed. Three quantitative and 14 qualitative traits such as colour, size, shape and texture of fruits and tree habit were used for morphological characterization of the accessions. The results demonstrated a high morphological diversity within the P. pashia trees. Fruit shape varied widely from globose to pyriform, fruit skin colour from light yellow and glossy to brown and dull. The observed diversity is likely due to the fact that under farmers’ conditions trees are propagated through seedlings rather than by grafting. None of the characters were specific and correlated with region or altitude. Distinct local cultivars with specific characters were absent making it impossible to group the pears morphologically. Interviews revealed low numbers of trees per farmers, lacking marketability of the fruits and farmers’ subsequent preference for improved varieties as major obstacles for the in situ preservation of biodiversity in P. pashia in this area.     

The enset (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ensete ventricosum</Emphasis>) gardens of Sidama: composition,structure and dynamics of a traditional poly-variety system

The composition and structure of 300 enset gardens from 10 different locations in Sidama were examined. Average size of the gardens was 0.74 ha. The gardens are composed of mixtures of various named enset varieties and different groups recognisable on the basis of ‘sex’ (male and female) and use (cooking and processing). The gardens exhibit high diversity, with a given garden containing up to 24 varieties (mean = 8.2). However, the components are not represented equally. Typically, the gardens consisted of one or two very abundant varieties and a much larger number of less common ones. Enset gardens are dynamic because the number and composition of varieties and different types changed from garden to garden, from location to location and across time. Their composition, structure and dynamics have been influenced by human, socio-economic factors (farm size, land per capita, cropping patterns and size of livestock), temporal circumstances and landscape elements (elevation) in which they are found. The nature, characteristics, organization and functions of Sidama enset gardens are outlined and the importance of maintaining mixtures of varieties for farmers is discussed.     

Maintaining Genetic Resources of Peach Palm (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bactris gasipaes</Emphasis> Kunth): The Role of Seed Migration and Swidden-fallow Management in Northeastern Peru

Knowledge of the effects of farmer practices on population genetic parameters of peach palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) is relevant to the improvement and conservation of the palm’s genetic resources. Microsatellite markers were used to assess genetic diversity and population structure of peach palm in swidden-fallow agroforestry systems in northeastern Peru. The study covered eight communities, comprising two study areas 160 km apart – one occupied by indigenous Amerindians and the other by mixed race campesinos. Simultaneous analysis of an ex situ peach palm germplasm collection provided a means to compare population genetic parameters. Farmers who were surveyed on seed selection practices for peach palm reported that an average of only four palms (4.3 for campesino and 1.5 for indigenous populations) were used to provide seed for the establishment of the forest gardens sampled. As expected, inbreeding coefficients observed within communities were relatively high (f = 0.105 − 0.210), however, observed heterozygosities within communities were also high (0.625–0.741). A metapopulation approach was used to describe migration within and among regions, implying a hierarchical structure of gene flow which maintains relatively high levels of genetic diversity. Seed migration was found to occur over longer distances (≤600 km) and at a higher frequency (46% of palms sampled) in the indigenous study area, and a proportionally greater number of alleles was found (49 vs. 43 over three loci) with twice as many private alleles occurring only in the indigenous populations. The farmers’ practice of preserving remnant palms through successive swidden generations may have contributed to the maintenance of alleles by reducing the severity of founder effects. Although the campesino study area exhibited a significant (20% of the variation; p < 0.01) isolation-by-distance relationship across 35 km distance, in general, both study populations had relatively limited genetic structure (θ = 0.012–0.03), which is believed to have resulted from the exchange of seeds over long distances and periods of time.     

Solubilization of inorganic phosphates and plant growth promotion by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aspergillus niger</Emphasis>

Two of 187 fungal isolates (Aspergillus niger 1B and 6A) displaying superior phosphate (P) solubilization and hydrolytic enzyme secretion were studied using P forms of calcium (Ca-P), iron (Fe-P), and aluminum (Al-P). Phosphate solubilization in a sucrose-basal salt (SB) broth was increased and pH decreased by both isolates. In Ca-P medium, solubilization for 6A was approximately 322 μg P mL⁻¹ and pH decreased by 4.2 units to 2.3 in 72 h. However, when pH value of the SB broth was lowered to 2.5 using HCl, 65.3  ±  0.4 μg mL⁻¹ of P was released from Ca-P, whereas trace amounts of P were released from Fe-P and Al-P. Both isolates displayed enhanced Al-P solubilization using NH₄Cl rather than KNO₃ as the N source; final pH values were not significantly different. With Ca-P, gluconic acid was predominantly produced by 1B and 6A, whereas oxalic acid predominated with Fe-P and Al-P. Addition of gluconic acid (final concentration of 8.5 μmol mL⁻¹) to Ca-P-supplemented SB lowered pH (2.9) and solubilized phosphate (146.0 ± 1.0 μg mL⁻¹). Similarly, addition of oxalic acid (final concentration 6.6 μmol mL⁻¹) to Ca-P- and Fe-P-amended media solubilized P (60.2 ± 0.9 and 21.6 ± 2.1 μg mL⁻¹, respectively), although these quantities were significantly lower than those detected in unamended SB. The presence of unidentified P solubilized compound(s) in the dialyzed (MW>500) supernatant warrants further study. In pot experiments, significant increases in plant (Brassica chinensis Linn.) dry weight and N and P contents were observed with the addition of isolate 6A, when a small amount of organic fertilizer together with either rock phosphate (South African apatite) or Ca-P served as the main P sources.