An evaluation of the Olsen test as a measure of plant-available phosphorus in grassland soils derived from basalt parent material

Abstract. Anecdotal and circumstantial evidence have suggested that the Olsen test underestimates plant-available phosphorus (P) in basaltic soils in Northern Ireland. Therefore, the ability of this test to predict plant-available P in basaltic (and non-basaltic) soils was investigated by regressing Olsen-P data against herbage P indices calculated from plant tissue test data using the diagnosis and recommendation integrated system. The average Olsen-P concentration for a range of fields situated on basaltic soils was considerably lower than the average Olsen-P concentration for a range of fields situated on non-basaltic soils, and yet mean sward P status, as given by the herbage P indices, was similar for both groups of fields. Herbage P indices were also much better correlated with Olsen-P measurements in non-basaltic soils than in basaltic soils. Furthermore, at low Olsen-P values (≶9mgPL⁻¹) some swards on basaltic soils were genuinely deficient in P, while others were sufficient or even in surplus for this nutrient. The results confirm that Olsen-P is inadequate as a predictor of plant-available P in basaltic soils. It is concluded that an alternative soil test is needed to provide a reliable assessment of plant-available P in basaltic soils, to prevent overuse of fertilizer and manure P and to minimize the amounts of P entering local watercourses.     

Grouped, stacked rods and tapeta lucida in the retina of Japanese anchovy Engraulis japonicus

ABSTRACT: Morphology of the photoreceptor cells and tapetum of the Japanese anchovy Engraulis japonicus was studied by histologically and by chemical analysis. The Japanese anchovy has a duplex retina. The cones form parallel rows consisting of alternately placed long cones and bifid cones. Both types of cones are intimately associated and form triple units that are regularly spaced along the row of cones. The rods are grouped and stacked. This fish has a retinal tapetum lucidum composed of guanine and hypoxanthine. Three structures of the tapetum lucidum were recognized: platelet, diamond and rod types. Photomechanical changes include movements of the photoreceptor cells and the retinal tapetum. The retina of the Japanese anchovy is thought to be highly sensitive and well adapted to a dim light environment.     

Analysis of the Impact of Alfalfa Forage Production under Summer Water-Limiting Circumstances on Productivity, Agricultural and Growers Returns and Plant Stand

The trade-off between summer water conservation from alfalfa production and the effects on plant growth, agricultural crop value, and grower returns in the low desert area (Imperial, Palo Verde, Parker and Yuma Valleys of California and Arizona) was analysed using an experimental plot in the Palo Verde Valley. The purpose was to provide a basis for evaluating water conservation decisions and policies. Four summer dry-down periods (withdrawing water for a predetermined period) of 0 days (control), 35 days, 70 days, and 105 days were analysed. Our results show that whereas the various dry-down periods would provide water conservation ranging from 254 to 944 million m³, the region would experience agricultural income decline by US $16 to US $73 million. For growers, benefits of dry-down would be effective only if the water price exceeds US $0.045 m⁻³ in California and US $0.036 m⁻³ in Arizona. Also dry-down would have possible adverse effects in the following areas including declines in plant stand density, long-term productivity, service industry sales, employment and biological benefits of soil fertility and organic matter that is attributed by the alfalfa plant in which case agriculture's and growers monetary losses could increase.     

N_(98s)×特青(亚种间杂交稻)抽穗后物质生产及分配特点研究初报

对N×特青示范田中试区与肥料试验田各处理小区稻株分析结果表明:抽穗后,亚种间杂交稻N×特青比常规稻特青干物质生产能力强,灌浆速度快;地上部各器官占植株干重比例,前者叶片比重大于茎,后者茎比重大于叶。亚种间杂交稻对肥料反应敏感,抽穗后,干物质累积,植株高度,每穗总粒数和粒重均随施肥量增加而增加,在高肥区有利于进一步提高产量,但增施氮肥后,灌浆速度明显滞后。     

Effects of Two Underseed Species, Medicago polymorpha L. and Scorpiurus muricatus L., on the Yield of Main Crop (Durum Wheat) and Subsequent Crop (Teff) Under Humid Moisture Regimes in Ethiopia

Mixed cropping of leguminous underseed species and cereal crops may increase productivity and serve some additional purposes. Two leguminous weed species which are widely distributed in annual crops of the Ethiopian highlands have been studied with varying coverage in greenhouse trials in Ethiopia with regard to their suitability as underseeds and with wheat ( Triticum turgidum [L.] Thell. var. durum [Desf.] MacKey) as a main crop. The competitive effects of Scorpiurus muricatus L. on the grain yield of wheat were smaller than those of Medicago polymorpha L. (-14.1 % and -23.6 % respectively, compared with the underseed free control) which is mainly ascribed to differences in their speed of development and shoot height. The residual effects of the underseed's root masses on the grain yield of the successive teff crop (Eragrostis tef [Zucc] Trotter) were significantly higher with Scorpiurus muricatus (+99.3 %) than with Medicago polymorpha (+63.6 %). The results are discussed with regard to the specific site conditions in the cereal-dominated cropping systems of the Ethiopian highlands.     

Analysis of Growth and Productivity of Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea) in Relation to FYM, Nitrogen and Source of Fertilizer

A field experiment was conducted during the winter seasons of 1992–93 and 1993–94 at Anand to study the effect of FYM, nitrogen and source of fertilizer on growth and yield of mustard [ Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj & Cosson]. The results showed significant variation in leaf area index (LAI), crop growth rate (CGR), dry matter production and seed yield. The direct effect of farmyard manure (FYM) was conspicuous in improving the growth of mustard. FYM application at 10 tonnes ha⁻¹ significantly increased the LAI, CGR and dry matter accumulation per plant at almost all the stages during first year study (1992–93) and in pooled analysis. Similarly, nitrogen application registered maximum LAI, CGR at 75 kg level and RGR and NAR at 50 kg level at almost all the during both years. Sulphur carrying source (Ammonium sulphate plus single super phosphate) increased all stages growth characters. Maximum dry matter accumulation per plant and seed yield were recorded with highest levels of FYM (20 tonnes ha⁻¹), N (75 kg ha⁻¹) and source having S. Seed yield was strongly associated with LAI and dry matter accumulation per plant at all the stages.     

西北太平洋公海柔鱼和日本爪乌贼个体发育期营养生态位变化分析

为了更好的了解柔鱼和日本爪乌贼个体发育期营养生态位变化,根据2021-2022年“淞航”号渔业资源调查船所采集36尾柔鱼和30尾日本爪乌贼样本,对其眼睛晶体进行了碳氮稳定同位素分析。结果表明：柔鱼个体δ13C、δ15N值变化幅度分别为0.10‰-1.68‰、0.79‰-7.51‰;日本爪乌贼个体δ13C、δ15N值变化幅度分别为0.15‰-1.20‰、0.81‰-7.05‰。柔鱼、日本爪乌贼生态位面积变化范围分别为0.40‰2-5.85‰2、0.27‰2-5.36‰2。GAM模型分析显示：柔鱼眼睛晶体δ13C、δ15N与晶体直径均具有显著的相关性（P<0.01）,偏差解释率分别为31.9%和34.3%。日本爪乌贼眼睛晶体δ13C、δ15N与晶体直径均具有显著的相关性（P<0.01）,偏差解释率分别为12.9%和19.4%。分析认为,个体营养生态位的变化幅度较大,侧面反映了西北太平洋黑潮-亲潮过渡区同位素基线值变化幅度较大;该海域的柔鱼、日本爪乌贼个体摄食水平存在很大差异;个体发育和基线值是影响组织δ13C、δ15N值的因素。     

基于COI基因构建西北太平洋常见鱼类DNA条形码参考数据库

西北太平洋以其独特的地理位置和复杂的海洋环境,孕育了极为丰富的渔业资源,成为全球海洋生物多样性保护和渔业资源管理的热点区域。为了更有效地进行鱼类种类识别和多样性的调查,本研究建立了西北太平洋常见鱼类DNA条形码本地数据库。基于线粒体COI基因,对2023年6-8月在西北太平洋海域所采集的307份样品进行扩增和测序,共获得7目13科20属25种鱼类的COI基因序列。77.96%的COI序列在公共数据库中都能比对到高相似度序列。种间平均遗传距离为0.233,种内平均遗传距离为0.003,种间遗传距离是种内遗传距离的77.67倍,且能够形成明显的条形码间隙,不存在物种区分困难的现象。基于COI基因序列构建的系统发育树显示,同一属的鱼类首先聚为一支,随后与同一科的鱼类聚为一支,最后,同目不同科的鱼类聚为一支。综上所述,COI基因具有物种特异性,能够有效的区分西北太平洋常见鱼类物种,本数据库的初步建立,有利于后期利用环境DNA技术进行西北太平洋鱼类多样性的监测和调查,为西北太平洋海域生物多样性保护、资源管理和种群动态监测提供了技术支持。