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.     

Influence of a riparian wetland on nitrate and herbicides exported from an agricultural field

Agrochemicals are a major source of nonpoint pollution. Forested corridors along stream channels (riparian zones) are thought to be potential sites for removal of agricultural contaminants from ground and surface waters. First-order riparian wetlands are reputed to be especially effective at groundwater remediation. The study site is a fairly typical (for eastern Maryland) small, first-order stream in an agricultural watershed. Preferential flow supplies most of the stream water within the riparian headwater wetland. This upstream area also contains the highest average stream N and pesticide loads in the entire first-order riparian system. Zones of active groundwater emergence onto the surface display high concentrations of nitrate throughout the soil profile and in the exfiltrating water, whereas inactive areas (where there is no visible upwelling) show rapid attenuation of nitrate with decreasing depths. Atrazine degradation products appear to penetrate more readily through the most active upwelling zones, and there is a correlation between zones of high nitrate and high atrazine metabolite levels. Deethylatrazine/atrazine ratios (DAR) seem to indicate that stream flow is dominated by ground water and that much of the ground water may have reached the stream via preferential flow. Remediative processes appear to be very complex, heterogeneous, and variable in these systems, so additional research is needed before effective formulation and application of riparian zone initiatives and guidelines can be accomplished.     

不同种植方式对超级稻籽粒灌浆特性的影响

为探明不同种植方式下高产水稻的籽粒灌浆特性,以超级稻品种淮稻9号和III优98为材料,应用Richards方程W=A/(1+Be^–Kt)^1/N对旱育中苗壮秧精量手栽、小苗机插、直播3种种植方式水稻强、弱势粒的灌浆过程进行了比较研究。结果表明,(1)不同种植方式下,超级稻产量差异极显著,手栽最高,机插次之,直播最低。与手栽和机插相比,直播的千粒重和结实率显著降低,而手栽和机插之间千粒重和结实率的变化因品种类型而异。(2)不同种植方式下超级稻强、弱势粒灌浆特征为明显的异步灌浆型。强势粒达到最大灌浆速率的时间(T_max)早,最大灌浆速率(GR_max)、平均灌浆速率(GR_mean)以及终极生长量(A)和起始生长势(R₀)均明显大于弱势粒,而活跃灌浆期(D)和有效灌浆时间(T₉₉)明显小于弱势粒。(3)与手栽和机插相比,直播强势粒的GR_max和GR_mean显著降低,T_max明显延迟,D、T₉₉显著增加。弱势粒的GR_max和GR_mean机插最大,手栽略小于直播,T_max直播最早,机插次之,手栽最迟,D、T₉₉手栽、机插、直播依次减少。(4)籽粒灌浆阶段特征方面,平均灌浆速率和贡献率均以中期最大,中期的贡献率强势粒和弱势粒分别达到60.53%和50.78%,不同种植方式间前、中、后各期在灌浆持续天数、平均灌浆速率和贡献率上的差异因粒位不同而异。(5)千粒重与强、弱势粒的GR_max、GR_mean和D呈正相关,且与弱势粒的灌浆速率(GR_max和GR_mean)显著相关,结实率与强、弱势粒的灌浆参数除强势粒的D外,均不显著相关。说明不同种植方式对超级稻的籽粒灌浆特性有明显影响,虽均为异步灌浆型,但其强、弱势粒的最大灌浆速率及到达最大灌浆速率的时间等灌浆特征参数均差异较大,在保持籽粒最终生长量和结实率稳定的条件下,提高籽粒的灌浆速率,特别是弱势粒的灌浆速率,对提高千粒重有重要的作用。     

氮肥运筹和栽培方式对杂交籼稻II优498结实期群体光合特性的影响

以杂交籼稻II优498为材料, 在温江和汉源两种生态条件下, 研究了不同氮肥运筹方式对宽窄行、三角形、扩行减株稀植和抛秧4种栽培方式水稻结实期群体光合生产的影响。结果表明, 随穗肥施用比例的增加, 结实期冠层透光特性得到改善, 抽穗期茎鞘干重、高效叶面积率和有效叶面积率等群体质量指标得到提高, 抽穗后叶面积指数(LAI)和呼吸占群体光合的相对比例(CR/TCAP)有所降低, 而群体光合速率(CAP)在两地的变化趋势并不一致, 温光条件较差的温江点表现为先升后降, 而温光条件较好的汉源点则呈下降趋势。当氮肥运筹为6∶3∶1时, 宽窄行和三角形栽培有利于改善冠层透光特性和群体质量, CAP升高的同时结实中后期CR/TCAP增幅减小, 群体光合生产能力得到提高;当氮肥运筹比例为5∶2∶3时, 扩行减株稀植栽培透光性能和群体质量的增幅最大, CAP升高的同时CR/TCAP并未增加甚至有所减少, 群体光合生产能力高于其他栽培方式;当氮肥运筹比例为4∶1∶5时, 抛秧栽培在温江点有利于改善群体质量和增加光能截获, 结实中后期CAP显著提高的同时CR/TCAP降低, 群体光合生产优势明显, 但温光条件改善后此优势并无体现。因此, 提高水稻群体光合生产能力需结合当地温光条件并针对栽培方式采用适宜的氮肥管理措施。     

同核异质滇I型粳稻不育系及其保持系的光合特性

滇I型不育系和保持系是我国粳稻杂种优势利用最主要的技术体系之一。本研究利用Li-6400便携式光合测定系统测定了79对滇I型同核异质粳稻不育系及保持系上三叶的净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(G_s)、胞间CO₂ 浓度(C_i)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、水分利用效率(WUE)、气孔限制值(L_s)和叶绿素相对含量(SPAD)。结果表明,不育系间及保持系间的光合参数在3个叶位上都达到了极显著水平,基因型间的这种显著差异为高光效育种提供了宝贵的遗传基础。同一叶位上不育系与保持系间的光合参数具有显著的正相关。除SPAD值外,其他光合参数值在不育系与保持系间没有显著差异,但不育系的SPAD值显著大于保持系。叶绿素相对含量不是粳稻提高光合作用的限制因子;滇I型细胞质对光合作用没有负效应;利用滇I型细胞质转育的不育系的叶绿素含量很可能有所提高。基于剑叶光合参数值对保持系及不育系的聚类,不育系和保持系可分别分为高和较低光合速率的类型。本研究为滇I型不育系的高光效育种提供了理论基础,也可作为杂交粳稻高光效的理论参考。     

水稻内稃扭曲突变体palea distortion 1(pd1)的鉴定与基因定位

在对籼稻缙恢10进行EMS(ethyl methane sulfonate)处理后的群体中,发现一个花器官突变体,主要表现为内稃扭曲并呈现外稃化特征,浆片数目增加且呈现稃状特征,雄蕊数目减少至1～4个,部分雄蕊的花丝呈现浆片化特征,暂将其命名为水稻颖壳扭曲突变体palea distortion 1(pd1)。遗传分析表明该突变性状受一个隐形单基因控制。利用群体分离分析法(bulked segregation analysis,BSA),将PD1基因定位在第2染色体的RM13693和RM13936之间,遗传距离分别为3.25cM和3.90cM。该研究结果为PD1基因的图位克隆奠定了基础。     

Abductin: a rubber-like protein from the internal triangular hinge ligament of pecten

The rubber-like internal triangular hinge ligament from Pecten was studied by light and electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, and chemical analysis. The ligament is composed of an amorphous protein, abductin. In physical properties abductin is similar to elastin and resilin but distinct by amino acid analysis. It is characterized by high concentrations of glycine and methionine.     

Comparative Earth History and Late Permian Mass Extinction

The repeated association during the late Neoproterozoic Era of large carbon-isotopic excursions, continental glaciation, and stratigraphically anomalous carbonate precipitation provides a framework for interpreting the reprise of these conditions on the Late Permian Earth. A paleoceanographic model that was developed to explain these stratigraphically linked phenomena suggests that the overturn of anoxic deep oceans during the Late Permian introduced high concentrations of carbon dioxide into surficial environments. The predicted physiological and climatic consequences for marine and terrestrial organisms are in good accord with the observed timing and selectivity of Late Permian mass extinction.     

Surficial deposits at Gusev Crater along Spirit Rover traverses

The Mars Exploration Rover Spirit has traversed a fairly flat, rock-strewn terrain whose surface is shaped primarily by impact events, although some of the landscape has been altered by eolian processes. Impacts ejected basaltic rocks that probably were part of locally formed lava flows from at least 10 meters depth. Some rocks have been textured and/or partially buried by windblown sediments less than 2 millimeters in diameter that concentrate within shallow, partially filled, circular impact depressions referred to as hollows. The terrain traversed during the 90-sol (martian solar day) nominal mission shows no evidence for an ancient lake in Gusev crater.     

A High-Temperature Electrical Conduction Mechanism in the Lower Mantle Phase (Mg,Fe)1-xO

Measurements of electrical conductivity at high pressure and temperature were taken on the lower mantle phase magnesiowustite with varying Fe3+ content. Although previous measurements at atmospheric pressure suggest Fe2+-Fe3+ hopping (small polaron) as the dominant conductivity mechanism, the present experiments show a change in charge transport mechanism with temperature. The lower temperature measurements are consistent with small polaron conduction, but at higher temperatures, which are more applicable to the lower mantle, a large polaron mechanism is suggested. Because these mechanisms have different temperature and compositional dependencies, this transition has important implications for extrapolation to mantle conditions.