厨余垃圾沼渣堆肥与化学改良剂对城市搬迁地土壤团聚体形成的影响

为改善城市土壤团粒结构，以上海典型搬迁地土壤为研究对象，通过室外培养试验，研究了不同用量厨余垃圾沼渣堆肥和化学改良剂分别单施以及混施对土壤水稳定性团聚体、团粒结构形成的影响。结果表明：20%、30%沼渣堆肥单施处理可显著增加搬迁地土壤0.5~1.0、1.0~2.0 mm粒径大团聚体以及0.106~0.25 mm粒径微团聚体质量分数（P<0.05），而显著降低<0.106 mm粒径微团聚体质量分数（P<0.05）。化学改良剂β-环糊精单施处理可显著增加土壤微团聚体总量（P<0.05）；3 kg/m³用量硫酸钙、氧化铁单施处理均可显著促进土壤大团聚体的形成（P<0.05）。沼渣堆肥和化学改良剂混施处理较单施处理显著增加土壤>2.0、0.25~0.5 mm粒径大团聚体质量分数（P<0.05），而降低<0.106 mm粒径微团聚体质量分数（P<0.05）。在沼渣堆肥处理中，以20%沼渣堆肥添加量对土壤团粒结构改良效果最佳；在化学改良剂处理中，以3 kg/m³硫酸钙处理对土壤团粒结构改良效果最佳，其次是3 kg/m³氧化铁处理。WG₂₀+SM_mix处理（20%沼渣堆肥+化学改良剂混施）对搬迁地土壤团粒结构改良效果最佳，团粒结构达19.03%，较CK（对照组）、SM_mix（化学改良剂混施）、WG₂₀（20%沼渣堆肥）处理分别提高了94.0%、73.5%和26.0%。     

基于显著性特征的蝴蝶兰组培苗夹取点检测方法

为了提高蝴蝶兰自动化快速繁育过程中组培苗夹取点视觉检测的适应性和效率，该研究提出了一种基于改进U²-Net显著性检测网络（MBU²-Net⁺）的组培苗夹取点定位方法。首先，通过显著性检测网络得到蝴蝶兰组培苗的显著性图像；然后，对显著性图像进行骨架提取，并经过形态学分析计算定位组培苗夹取点；最后，将夹取点位置数据发送给机械臂进行夹取。在图像显著性检测试验中，MBU²-Net⁺的平均绝对误差为0.002，最大F₁分数为0.993，FPS（frames per second，每秒帧率）为33.99 帧/s，模型权重大小为2.37 MB；在组培苗夹取试验中，4组共112颗苗的夹取点提取成功率为85.71%。为验证该研究的适应性，将其应用于各阶段组培苗以及部分虚拟两叶苗共11株种苗的夹取点提取，成功率为81.82%，使用该方法对不同时期的蝴蝶兰组培苗进行夹取点检测，具有较高的成功率。研究结果可为发展组培苗自动化快速繁育技术提供参考。     

海拔和坡向对高寒灌丛草甸凋落物水源涵养功能的影响

以康定县折多山高寒山地灌丛草甸凋落物为研究对象，采用室外调查及室内测定结合的方法分析了凋落物蓄积量、持水及失水过程，以期探讨不同海拔和坡向凋落物水源涵养功能的差异。结果表明：（1）研究区凋落物的蓄积量在4.02~4.77 t/hm²波动，均表现出随着海拔的升高而逐渐降低，且半阴坡>半阳坡，海拔对凋落物蓄积量呈极显著影响（P<0.01）；（2）研究区凋落物最大持水量与蓄积量表现出一致的规律，有效拦蓄量最大为3 800 m半阳坡（5.95 t/hm²），最小为3 800 m半阴坡（2.53 t/hm²）；（3）枯落物持水量与浸水时间关系式为：W_t=aln （t）+b；枯落物吸水速率与浸水时间关系式为：V=ktⁿ；失水量与失水时间呈显著对数关系（R²>0.95，P<0.01），失水速率与失水时间呈显著幂函数关系（R²>0.99，P<0.01）。可见，该地区灌丛草甸凋落物的水源涵养功能在不同海拔和坡向间有明显分异特征，控制放牧减轻草甸退化和增加该生态系统的物种多样性能有效提高该区凋落物水源涵养功能。     

HDXRF法农田土壤镉测定结果准确度评价与精准校正模型构建

以甘肃白银某污灌区重金属污染农田土壤为研究对象，对影响高精度便携式X荧光光谱（HDXRF）法总镉（Cd_T）测定精度的主要因素进行了筛选，分别研究了土壤水分、有机质类型与含量、土壤类型对HDXRF法Cd_T测定的影响，并采用相对误差（RE）、相对标准偏差（RSD）和决定系数（R²）对测定结果的准确度和精密度进行了评价。结果表明：HDXRF法Cd_T测定的RE≤10%、RSD≤10%、R²>0.99，符合农田土壤环境质量监测技术规范和美国环境保护署标准的准确度和精密度规定。HDXRF法Cd_T测定结果随着土壤水分含量的增加呈指数衰减趋势，衰减方程为y=0.803e^–1.3284x，衰减系数（μ_ω）为–1.328 4，R²为0.984 5。HDXRF法Cd_T测定结果与有机质含量呈显著的负相关关系（r=–0.955），且腐殖酸（HA）比泥炭（Peat）对测定结果的影响更大，HA与测定结果的校正方程为y=–1.555x +0.780，R²为0.934 4。土壤类型对HDXRF法Cd_T测定结果存在一定的影响，相对于红壤和水稻土，灰钙土的测定结果与传统实验室分析方法测定结果更接近。总之，虽然HDXRF法Cd_T测定结果受多种因素影响，但通过校正模型校正，其校正结果的可靠性能够满足Cd污染农田土壤精准调查需求。     

磁化水处理对镉胁迫下欧美杨幼苗光合及生长特性的影响

为探讨磁化水灌溉处理在促进植物生长、提高植株重金属耐受性方面的作用机制,本研究采用随机区组试验设计,研究了镉胁迫（0 μmol·L^-1、50 μmol·L^-1、100 μmol·L^-1）下磁化水灌溉处理对1 a生欧美杨''I-107''光合特性、叶绿素荧光动力学参数及生长特性的影响。结果表明：1）镉胁迫会显著降低植株高生长和根茎叶干物质量;低浓度（50 μmol·L^-1）镉处理促进根系直径及体积增大（P<0.05）,高浓度（100 μmol·L^-1）则会抑制根系各形态参数;镉胁迫下欧美杨叶绿素b和类胡萝卜素含量分别降低12.50%、43.24%和19.27%、46.37%（P<0.05）,净光合速率（P_n）、蒸腾速率（T_r）、胞间二氧化碳（C_i）分别降低13.68%和33.68%、8.07%和27.81%、5.00%和14.99%（P<0.05）,同时,PSⅡ潜在活性（F_v/F_m）、最大光化学速率（F_v/F_o）、光合性能指数（PIabs）和量子产额（φ_Eo）均有不同程度降低。2）磁化水灌溉提高镉胁迫植株高生长及根茎叶干物质量,增加植株根系长度及表面积;同时,叶绿素a、叶绿素b和类胡萝卜素含量在0 μmol·L^-1和100 μmol·L^-1镉胁迫下分别提高16.99%、40.20%,8.67%、39.10%和17.32%、50.52%（P<0.05）;G_s、C_i及WUE显著升高,T_r则降低24.20%、23.33%、12.06%（P<0.05）;另外,F_v/F_m、F_v/F_o、PIabs显著升高（P<0.05）。综上所述,磁化水灌溉处理有助于提高镉胁迫下欧美杨幼苗光合色素含量,维持光合机构功能,增强光合碳同化速率,减轻镉胁迫对植株生长发育的抑制。     

粗颗粒土壤坡面侵蚀泥沙颗粒特征

为揭示粗颗粒土壤坡面侵蚀机理,采用湖北通城县、江西赣县、福建长汀县、广东五华县4个样地的4种粗颗粒土壤（分别定义为TCA、GXA、CTA、WHA）进行室内模拟降雨试验,研究粗颗粒土壤坡面侵蚀过程及侵蚀泥沙颗粒组成的变化规律。结果表明：（1）4种土壤的地表径流随着降雨时间的增长呈现出先增加后递减并趋于稳定的规律;（2）4种土壤的侵蚀特征存在差异,土壤侵蚀速率表现为WHA>TCA>GXA>CTA;（3）4种土壤的侵蚀泥沙中颗粒分布百分比大小均为砂粒>黏粒>粉粒>砾石。不同土壤侵蚀泥沙富集率表现出明显差异;（4）水流功率与土壤侵蚀速率的相关性显著,用幂函数可以准确描述其关系。在表达式中引入土壤黏粒含量、砾石含量后模型更加可靠（D_r=0.001ω^1.163C_l^-4.069,R²=0.82;D_r=0.003ω^1.149G_r^-1.934,R²=0.84）,提高了模型预测土壤侵蚀速率的精度,在实际应用中具有更广的适应范围与现实价值。     

植物多酚-牛血清白蛋白相互作用及对蛋白质结构的影响

多酚与蛋白质的相互作用取决于蛋白质和多酚的结构与类型,为研究不同植物多酚与牛血清白蛋白（bovine serum albumin,BSA）之间的相互作用,探明不同植物多酚对BSA结构的影响,进而筛选出稳定的植物多酚-BSA复合物。该研究采用原花青素（proanthocyanidins,PC）、儿茶素（catechin,C）、表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯(epigallocatechin gallate,EGCG)、茶多酚（tea polyphenol,TP）,通过紫外光谱法、荧光光谱法、红外光谱法和分子对接研究植物多酚与BSA相互作用及其对蛋白质结构的影响。结果表明：4种植物多酚-BSA复合物的紫外最大波长红移由大到小为EGCG（365 nm）＞PC（364 nm）、C（364 nm）＞TP（363 nm）;红外光谱发现,酰胺Ⅰ带的吸收峰（1 657.44 cm^-1）发生蓝移由大到小为PC（1 656.15 cm^-1）＞TP（1 632.07 cm^-1）＞EGCG（1 631.49 cm^-1）＞C（1 631.44 cm^-1）,烟酰胺II带峰形变宽;BSA二级结构由β-转角、无规卷曲转变为β-折叠、ɑ-螺旋,β-折叠含量增加C-BSA（40.20%）>PC-BSA（39.50%）>EGCG-BSA（39.32%）>TP-BSA（34.04%）,表明C更能促进BSA的二级结构稳定;荧光光谱表明4种多酚对BSA的猝灭类型均为静态猝灭,且结合位点约为1,表明存在一个结合位点;分子对接结果表明该结合位点位于Sub-domain IIA的疏水腔中,分子间相互作用力主要是氢键、疏水作用力,结合能由小到大为C（-3.72 kJ/mol）＜EGCG（-1.77 kJl/mol）＜PC（-1.02 kJ/mol）＜TP（-0.38 kJ/mol）;4种多酚中C和EGCG与BSA相互作用程度较大,C与BSA的结合能最小,形成的复合物最稳定。通过多酚与蛋白相互作用研究,更好地发挥多酚和蛋白两种组分的功能作用,可为开发功能性多酚-蛋白质复合物产品提供参考。     

黄土高原典型退耕草地植被特征对土壤入渗过程的影响

植被恢复过程可显著影响土壤入渗性能。通过选取黄土高原典型草地白羊草和铁杆蒿草地,设置不同种植密度（5,10,15,20,25,30株/m²）和采用人工模拟降雨试验（60 mm/h,60 min）,系统研究了草地植被特征对土壤入渗过程的影响。结果表明：（1）种植密度增加可显著延缓产流,不同种植密度下白羊草草地和铁杆蒿草地初始产流时间分别为0.76~5.74,0.87~2.08 s,且随盖度、根系生物量和有机质的增加呈幂函数增加（R²≥0.18,p<0.05）。（2）不同种植密度下白羊草草地的平均入渗速率、稳定入渗速率、入渗总量分别为0.47~0.82,0.46~0.82 mm/min和7.12~11.84 mm,铁杆蒿草地分别为0.38~0.67,0.35~0.60 mm/min和5.70~10.07 mm。当种植密度为20株/m²时,土壤入渗各参数均最大;平均入渗速率、稳定入渗速率、入渗量总量、入渗系数（K）随土壤有机质的提高呈幂函数增大（R²≥0.26,p<0.01）,衰减系数（α）随生物结皮盖度呈降低趋势（p>0.05）。（3）白羊草草地具有较高的根系生物量、生物结皮盖度和有机质含量,其初始产流时间、平均入渗速率、稳定入渗速率、入渗量总量及入渗系数（K）均不同程度高于铁杆蒿草地,衰减系数（α）低于铁杆蒿草地,土壤入渗性能较强。总体而言,对于典型退耕草地,土壤入渗总量（A）可表征为根系生物量密度（RMD）和土壤有机质（SOC）的拟合函数（A=2.77×RMD^0.149 SOC^0.614,R²=0.663,NSE=0.653）。研究结果可为黄土高原退耕草地生态水文过程和植被建设提供数据来源和理论依据。     

晋西黄土区典型林分枯落物层水文生态特性研究

选择山杨栎类次生林（以下简称次生林）、刺槐林、侧柏林、油松林为研究对象，通过样地调查，结合室内浸泡方法，对比分析枯落物（未分解层、半分解层）的水文特征指标，研究典型林分枯落物层水文生态特性。结果表明：（1）枯落物厚度为3.93~4.95 cm，刺槐林最大，油松林最小；蓄积量为次生林最大（19.28 t/hm²），侧柏林（18.03 t/hm²）和刺槐林（17.57 t/hm²）次之，油松林最小（14.73 t/hm²），未分解层蓄积量小于半分解层。（2）枯落物最大持水量（率）为30.92~61.31 t/hm²（197%~320%），次生林最大，依次为刺槐林、侧柏林，最小为油松林。（3）枯落物有效拦蓄存在显著差异（P>0.05），表现为次生林（31.29 t/hm²） > 刺槐（22.20 t/hm²） > 侧柏（18.19 t/hm²） > 油松（13.94 t/hm²），有效拦蓄率为107%~173%。（4）在浸水2 h内，枯落物持水量和吸水速率变化以次生林与刺槐林最为迅速，半分解层较未分解层变化迅速；持水过程中，两者与时间分别呈对数函数（R²>0.89）和幂函数关系（R²>0.99）。在4种林地中，次生林林下枯落物水文生态潜力最优，油松纯林最差，表现为次生林 > 刺槐 > 侧柏 > 油松。刺槐是除次生林外的3种人工林中最优林种。建议研究区内合理优化恢复树种配置，以提高水文生态功能。     

生物质炭对土壤N2O消耗的影响及其微生物影响机理

生物质炭在温室气体减排方面具有很大的发展前景,它不仅能实现固碳,对于在大气中停留时间长且增温潜势大的N₂O也能发挥积极作用。本研究采用室内厌氧培养试验,按照生物质炭与土壤质量比（0、1%和5%）加入一定量生物质炭,土壤重量含水率控制在20%。利用Robotized Incubation平台实时检测N₂O和N₂浓度变化,通过测定土壤中反硝化功能基因丰度（nirK、nirS、nosZ）分析生物质炭对N₂O消耗的影响及其微生物方面的影响机理。结果表明：经过20 h厌氧培养后,0生物质炭处理的反硝化功能基因丰度（基因拷贝数·g^-1）分别为6.80×10⁷（nirK）、5.59×10⁸（nirS）和1.22×10⁸（nosZ）。与0生物质炭处理相比,1%生物质炭处理的nirS基因丰度由最初的2.65×10⁸基因拷贝数·g^-1升至7.43×10⁸基因拷贝数·g^-1,nosZ基因丰度则提高了一个数量级,由4.82×10⁷基因拷贝数·g^-1升至1.50×10⁸基因拷贝数·g^-1,然而nirK基因丰度并无明显变化;5%生物质炭处理的反硝化功能基因丰度并未发生显著变化。试验结束时,添加生物质炭处理的N₂/（N₂O+N₂）比值也明显高于0生物质炭处理。相关性分析结果表明,nirS基因丰度和nosZ基因丰度均与N₂O浓度在0.01水平上显著相关。试验末期nirS基因丰度和nosZ基因丰度均随着N₂O浓度的降低而升高。因此在本试验中,添加1%生物质炭可显著提高nirS和nosZ基因型反硝化细菌的丰度,增大N₂/（N₂O+N₂）比值,促进N₂O彻底还原成N₂。生物质炭对于N₂O主要影响机理是增大了可以还原氧化亚氮的细菌活性,促进完全反硝化。     

不同干燥方式对中国对虾风味组分的影响

为了研究不同干燥方式对中国对虾风味组分的影响,该文采用热风(温度:(50±2)℃,风速:1.5 m/s,时间:8 h)、冷风(温度:18~20℃,风速:1.5 m/s,时间:56 h)、微波真空(功率500 W,真空度70 kPa,时间:40 min)、微波真空-冷风联合(先温度为18~20℃,时间27h的冷风干燥,后功率500 W,真空度70 kPa,时间10 min的微波真空干燥)4种干燥方式对其干制品的游离氨基酸组成、呈味核苷酸、等鲜量以及挥发性成分进行研究。结果表明,热风干燥后的中国对虾总游离氨基酸质量分数为63.31 mg/g,相对于对照组鲜虾(72.04 mg/g)有明显损失(P0.05);呈味核苷酸质量分数为7.9 mg/g,较对照组(9.05 mg/g)损失严重(P0.05);其等鲜量(127 g/(100 g))较鲜虾(180 g/(100 g))显著降低(P0.05);对虾产生以烤肉香味和海鲜风味为主的挥发性成分。冷风干燥使中国对虾总游离氨基酸质量分数较对照组损失偏大,其值为63.70 mg/g(P0.05);等鲜量(155(g/100 g))损失较大(P0.05);挥发性成分以烃类化合物为主,风味较寡淡。微波真空干燥后的中国对虾呈味核苷酸和等鲜量分别为9.17 mg/g和176 g/(100 g),总游离氨基酸质量分数较对照组损失较严重,为55.81 mg/g(P0.05);挥发性成分以肉香味和烤香味为主。微波真空-冷风联合干燥后的中国对虾呈味核苷酸含量最高,其值是9.90 mg/g;等鲜量值为189 g/(100 g),相对于鲜虾有所提高(P0.05);总游离氨基酸质量分数为62.84 mg/g呈现降低(P0.05);产生以烤肉香味和海鲜风味为主的挥发性成分。因此,微波真空-冷风联合干燥方式对中国对虾风味变化影响最小,是一种具有发展前景的干燥方式。     

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.