Removal of macro-and microelements by the main crops in the Amur oblast

The distribution of the main nutrient elements (N, P, K) as well as microelements (Zn, Mn, Cu, Co, Mo) and heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Sn, Cr, and Ni) in various organs of soybean and wheat plants in the full ripeness stage is studied. It is found that the topography of chemical elements in plants depends on their physiological role, concentration, crop species and its yielding ability.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi increase organic carbon decomposition under elevated CO2

The extent to which terrestrial ecosystems can sequester carbon to mitigate climate change is a matter of debate. The stimulation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) by elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO(2)) has been assumed to be a major mechanism facilitating soil carbon sequestration by increasing carbon inputs to soil and by protecting organic carbon from decomposition via aggregation. We present evidence from four independent microcosm and field experiments demonstrating that CO(2) enhancement of AMF results in considerable soil carbon losses. Our findings challenge the assumption that AMF protect against degradation of organic carbon in soil and raise questions about the current prediction of terrestrial ecosystem carbon balance under future climate-change scenarios.     

Environmental sex determination: interaction of temperature and genotype in a fish

Sex determination in an atherinid fish, the Atlantic silverside (Menidia menidia), is under the control of both genotype and temperature during a specific period of larval development. The sex ratios of the progeny of different females are variable and differ in their responsiveness to temperature. This demonstrates that sex ratio in fishes that normally have separate sexes can be influenced by the environment.