Long-term tillage and wheel traffic effects on a poorly drained mollic ochraqualf in northwest Ohio. 1. Soil physical properties, root distribution and grain yield of corn and soybean

Effects of 12 years of 4 tillage systems, were studied on soil bulk density, infiltration rate, penetration resistance, structural stability of aggregates, root length density, moisture release characteristics and grain yield. The objective of this study was to assess long-term effects of tillage methods and guided traffic on soil properties and crop response on a heavy-textured poorly drained soil. Tillage systems included: (A) continuous no-till for 12 years; (B) no-till for 10 years followed by plow-till for 2 years; (C) plow-till for 10 years followed by no-till for 2 years; (D) continuous plow-till for 12 years. Wheel tracks had significant effects on soil physical properties. Soil in the traffic zone (TZ) in no-till treatment had higher bulk density and penetration resistance (PR) for the upper 0–30-cm layer than plow-till treatment. The PR for the surface layer in TZ was 25–46% more than in the row zone (RZ). Mean soil bulk density in the TZ of no-till plots was about 12% more than in the RZ (1.53 vs. 1.36 g cm⁻³). Changeover from no-till to plow-till decreased PR in RZ and TZ by 50–60% while that from plow-till to no-till increased PR by 10–20%. Similar effects were observed in percent aggregation and the mean weight diameter. In no-till treatments both initial and equilibrium infiltration rates were significantly lower in TZ than RZ (27.5 vs. 6.8 cm h⁻¹ initial and 10.0 vs. 1.5 cm h⁻¹ final). There were more macropores (> 2 mm) for the TZ in no-till compared with the plow-till treatments. Fine or micropores were comparatively more numerous in the sub-soil of no-till than plow-till treatments. The median aggregate size (D₅₀) was 6.2, 4.2, 4.8 and 3.5 mm for Treatments A, B, C and D, respectively. Root length density of corn in plow-till plots was significantly more than that in no-till plots for the top 0–20-cm layer. Corn and soybean yields were greater in plow-till than no-till treatments. Grain yields in Treatment D were greater than those in Treatment A by 10% for corn and by 6% for soybean.     

Mitochondrial phylogeography reveals high haplotype diversity and unique genetic lineage in Indian dugongs (Dugong dugon)

1. India plays a significant role in dugong conservation by having the largest population within South Asia. The status of dugongs in India is largely unknown due to a paucity of reliable ecological data. This study generated mitochondrial control region sequences from ~10% of dugong individuals from existing populations within India. Furthermore, data generated in this study were compared with the global data to assess genetic lineages, population structure, and genetic diversity of Indian populations.
2. Multiple analyses suggest that the Indian dugong populations are part of a single genetic cluster, comprising South Asia, North-west Indian Ocean, and South-west Indian Ocean populations. Despite small population size, they retain high genetic diversity with unique mitochondrial DNA haplotypes within South Asia. Within India, novel haplotypes are observed from all dugong habitats sampled, with overall high haplotype diversity (0.85 ± 0.04) but low nucleotide diversity (0.005 ± 0.001). Indian populations exhibit genetic differentiation with higher within-population variance (63.41%) than among populations (36.59%). Two of the haplotypes observed in India are shared with Sri Lanka, implying genetic connectivity between these populations.
3. The genetic data from Indian dugong populations provide critical insights into the identification of dugong corridors and important dugong conservation zones in India. We suggest site-specific interventions, including the creation of new marine protected areas and boundary reorganization and expansion of other existing protected areas, to ensure population connectivity. In addition, simultaneous efforts towards seagrass meadow restoration, reduction of dugong mortalities, and community participation in dugong conservation are recommended for population recovery of this threatened marine herbivore.

     

Climate‐strategic agriculture and the water‐soil‐waste nexus

Adoption of input‐responsive varieties enhanced food production during the second half of the 20th century. However, even bigger challenges lie ahead because of the growing societal demands. For example, the global population of 7.2 billion in 2013 is projected to reach 9.2 billion by 2050 and stabilize at 10 billion by 2100. The growing and increasingly affluent population, with preference towards more and more meat‐based diet, is likely to jeopardize the finite, fragile, and dwindling soil and water resources which are already under great stress in densely populated countries in Asia and elsewhere. Economic growth and increase in gross domestic product also lead to generation of waste or by‐products, along with contamination and eutrophication of water resources. International trade in food/feed products also involves transfer of virtual water, which is a serious issue when water‐scarce countries export virtual water to water‐endowed countries. The problem is confounded by the present and future climate change driven by the growing energy demands of the carbon civilization. Thus, adaptation to climate change represents both a threat and an opportunity for sustainable development. Adaptive strategies must be sustainable socially and environmentally and advance the Millennium Development Goals, while buffering agroecosystems against extreme climate events (e.g., pedologic, agronomic, and ecologic drought). Thus, recognizing and addressing the water‐soil‐waste nexus is important to achieving climate‐strategic agriculture. Sustainable intensification of agroecosystems, producing more per unit consumption of essential resources, must consider judicious management of hydrological and biogeochemical cycles (C, N, P, S). The soil C pool must be managed and enhanced to offset anthropogenic emissions, and mitigate/adapt to the climate change. The pace of adoption of recommended land use and soil‐/plant‐/animal‐management practices can be kept at par with advances in scientific knowledge through continuous dialogue between scientists on the one hand and policy makers / land managers on the other to translate research data into policy and action plans.     

Status and Regeneration of Himalayan Maple in the Himachal Pradesh: Honing Red List of Plants

The population status and regeneration of a data-deficient tree species were examined in both protected and unprotected areas. The target species was found in six habitat types, seven aspects between 2,100- to 3,300-m altitude, and sites dominated by different species. The species was best represented in a shady moist habitat, north and northwest aspects, altitudinal range >2,700 m, and sites dominated by Acer caesium in both protected and unprotected sites; but the generalized linear model indicated nonsignificant effect of sites, habitat, altitude, and dominance except for aspects. Difference in sapling and seedling density among aspects and sites only was significant. Probability of use and resource use index indicated poor preference and less pressure as fuel. It can be concluded that the species is not under any significant threat in the study area. But, further studies on population status, regeneration, and relationship with environmental factors in a wider geographic region are suggested to evaluate species and place under suitable priority category.     

Dissolution of Dominant Soil Phosphorus Fractions in Phosphorus-Responsive Soils of Bihar,India: Effects of Mycorrhiza and Fertilizer Levels

We investigated the effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (AM) fungi and various phosphorus (P) levels on the distribution and availability of P in dominant soils of Bihar, India. Potassium chloride (KCl)-P (labile P), sodium hydroxide (NaOH)-P (Fe-Al-bound P), hydrochloric acid (HCl)-P (Ca-bound P), and residual P (Res-P) fractions were analyzed in the soils under maize plant. Ca-bound P was the most abundant P fraction in the alkaline soils (65% of the total P) followed by neutral soil (35% of the total P), whereas it was less abundant (<4%) in the acidic soil type. Fe-Al-bound P was found to be highest for acidic soil (65% of the total P). Soils under the inoculation with Glomus mossae and control gave the highest and lowest values (15.63 mg kg^?1 and 10.74 mg kg^?1 respectively) for the labile fraction which was similar to the organically bound residual fractions of P (200.17 mg kg^?1 and 193.66 mg kg^?1 respectively. Inoculation of the soils with AM fungi leads to the redistribution of P fractions in different soils which consequently helps in improvement of available P in soil conducive for plant uptake.     

红豆和白扁豆种子萌发和生长对盐胁迫的响应及其生理机制

为探讨红豆和白扁豆种子萌发及幼苗生长对盐胁迫的响应及其生理机制,以红豆品种‘渝红豆2号’和传统白扁豆品种为材料,分别用不同浓度NaCl （0 mmol·L^-1、20 mmol·L^-1、40 mmol·L^-1、60 mmol·L^-1、80 mmol·L^-1、100 mmol·L^-1）溶液处理种子,测定不同NaCl浓度胁迫下红豆和白扁豆种子的发芽指标及幼苗生长指标、叶片丙二醛（MDA）含量、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）和过氧化物酶（POD）活性,分析NaCl胁迫对红豆和白扁豆种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响。结果表明：1）随NaCl浓度增加,红豆和白扁豆种子发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数和活力指数均呈下降趋势。当NaCl浓度为80 mmol·L^-1时,白扁豆发芽势、发芽指数、活力指数降为0,红豆的发芽势、发芽指数、活力指数分别为20.00%、2.00、0.83;NaCl浓度为100 mmol·L^-1时,红豆的发芽率为16.67%,但白扁豆为0,这表明在盐胁迫下红豆较白扁豆具有更高的萌发能力。2）红豆与白扁豆相对盐害率随NaCl浓度的增加而增加,当NaCl浓度为80 mmol·L^-1和100 mmol·L^-1时,白扁豆相对盐害率为96.58%和96.67%,红豆相对盐害率为47.05%和83.18%,说明红豆受盐害程度较低。3）红豆与白扁豆幼苗胚根、胚芽及鲜重均随NaCl浓度增加而下降。NaCl浓度为100 mmol·L^-1时,白扁豆胚根长为0,红豆胚根长为0.23 cm。4）随NaCl浓度升高,红豆和白扁豆叶片的MDA含量均增加,造成细胞膜透性逐渐增大,但是红豆幼苗MDA积累量低于白扁豆,这表明红豆叶片细胞膜损伤较小。5） NaCl胁迫下,红豆与白扁豆SOD活性均显著升高,但红豆SOD活性显著高于白扁豆;NaCl胁迫下,POD活性显著升高,但白扁豆POD活性显著下降。研究发现红豆可通过提高SOD和POD活性以降低细胞膜氧化伤害,减少MDA积累量,进而提高种子萌发能力。在相同浓度NaCl胁迫下红豆较白扁豆有更高的耐盐性,能更好地适应盐胁迫环境。     

Offsetting global CO2 emissions by restoration of degraded soils and intensification of world agriculture and forestry

Increase in atmospheric concentration of CO₂ from 285 parts per million by volume (ppmv) in 1850 to 370 ppm in 2000 is attributed to emissions of 270 ± 30 Pg carbon (C) from fossil fuel combustion and 136 ± 55 Pg C by land‐use change. Present levels of anthropogenic emissions involve 6·3 Pg C by fossil fuel emissions and 1·8 Pg C by land‐use change. Out of the historic loss of terrestrial C pool of 136 ± 55 Pg, 78 ± 12 Pg is due to depletion of soil organic carbon (SOC) pool comprising 26 ± 9 Pg due to accelerated soil erosion. A large proportion of the historic SOC lost can be resequestered by enhancing the SOC pool through converting to an appropriate land use and adopting recommended management practices (RMPs). The strategy is to return biomass to the soil in excess of the mineralization capacity through restoration of degraded/desertified soils and intensification of agricultural and forestry lands. Technological options for agricultural intensification include conservation tillage and residue mulching, integrated nutrient management, crop rotations involving cover crops, practices which enhance the efficiency of water, plant nutrients and energy use, improved pasture and tree species, controlled grazing, and judicious use of inptus. The potential of SOC sequestration is estimated at 1–2 Pg C yr⁻¹ for the world, 0·3–0·6 Pg C yr⁻¹ for Asia, 0·2–0·5 Pg C yr⁻¹ for Africa and 0·1–0·3 Pg C yr⁻¹ for North and Central America and South America, 0·1–0·3 Pg C yr⁻¹ for Europe and 0·1–0·2 Pg C yr⁻¹ for Oceania. Soil C sequestration is a win–win strategy; it enhances productivity, improves environment moderation capacity, and mitigates global warming. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Deforestation effects on soil degradation and rehabilitation in western Nigeria. IV. Hydrology and water quality

Hydrological and water-quality measurements were made on a 44·3 ha watershed under forest cover and following deforestation and conversion to an agricultural land-use. Under secondary tropical rainforest, water yield ranged from 2·2 per cent to 3·1 per cent of annual rainfall. Deforestation of 7 per cent of the watershed area increased water yield to 7·0 per cent of annual rainfall. Baseflow increased with deforestation, and increased progressively with time after deforestation. It was 5·1 per cent of annual rainfall in 1979, 15·1 per cent in 1980, 16·4 per cent in 1981 and 17·9 per cent in 1982. In comparison, surface flow was 4·5 per cent in 1979 and 6·2 per cent in 1980, but decreased to 2·3 per cent in 1981 and 2·4 per cent in 1982. Total water yield following deforestation and conversion to agricultural land-use ranged from 9·6 per cent to 21·3 per cent of the annual rainfall received. The dry season flow decreased with time as the dry season progressed, but increased over the years following deforestation. Surface runoff during the rainy season depended on ground cover and soil quality. The extent and severity of soil degradation affected the dynamics of surface flow. Because of actively growing crops, plant nutrient concentrations in surface runoff were low. Forested lysimeters had higher seepage losses than cropped lysimeters, and the water-use efficiency was 1·9–3·6 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹ for cowpeas compared with 6·1–11·0 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹ for maize. The delivery ratio was high immediately after deforestation and decreased to a steady value of about 3·2 per cent within 7 years. The data show five distinct phases of soil degradation in relation to generation of surface runoff. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.