Direct and Residual Contributions of Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation by Legumes to the Yield and Nitrogen Uptake of Maize (Zea mays L.) in the Nigerian Savannah

Field experiments were conducted to determine the direct and residual contributions of legumes to the yield and nitrogen (N) uptake of maize during the wet seasons of 1994 and 1995 at the University Farm, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Nigeria, located in the Northern Guinea savannah of Nigeria. Nodulating soybean, lablab, green gram and black gram contributed to the yield and N uptake of maize either intercropped with the legumes or grown after legumes as a sole crop. Direct transfer of N from the nodulating soybean, lablab, green gram and black gram to the intercropped maize was 24.9–28.1, 23.8–29.2, 19.7–22.1 and 18.4–18.6 kg N ha^–1, respectively. However, the transfer of residual N from these legumes to the succeeding maize crop was 18.4–20.0, 19.5–29.9, 12.0–13.7 and 9.3–10.3 kg N ha^–1, respectively. Four years of continuous lablab cropping resulted in yields and N uptake of the succeeding maize crop grown without fertilizer N that were comparable to the yields and N uptake of the succeeding maize crop supplied with 40–45 kg N ha^–1 and grown after 4 years of continuous sorghum cropping. It may therefore be concluded that nodulating soybean, lablab, green gram and black gram may be either intercropped or grown in rotation with cereals in order to economize the use of fertilizer N for maize production in the Nigerian savannah.     

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.     

Effects of Supplementing a Basal Diet of Chloris gayana Hay with One of Three Protein-rich Legume Hays of Cassia rotundifolia,Lablab purpureus and Macroptilium atropurpureum Forage on Some Nutritional Parameters in Goats

Growth and digestibility experiments were conducted on growing East African type goats offered Chloris gayana hay supplemented with one of three high-protein (119–128 g CP/kg DM) legume hays, Cassia rotundifolia (cassia), Lablab purpureus (lablab) or Macroptilium atropurpureum (siratro), and crushed maize to investigate the feed intake, digestibility, growth and urinary excretion of purine derivatives. Goats in the supplemented groups had higher total dry matter and nitrogen intakes and higher N retention and body mass gains than unsupplemented counterparts. The digestibility of dry matter, organic matter and neutral detergent fibre were increased by protein supplementation. Animals on supplemented diets had higher fractional outflow rates of particulate matter from the rumen. The production of protein by ruminal microbes and the efficiency of microbial N production were increased by supplementation. It was concluded that a mixture of low-quality grass hay (61.9 CP/kg DM) and either cassia, lablab or siratro hay, and maize grain can provide a productive balanced diet for growing goats.     

杂交狼尾草作为能源植物的产量和品质特性

于2006～2009年在北京地区进行田间试验,研究杂交狼尾草作为草本能源植物的适应性、生物质产量和品质特性。结果表明:在北京地区杂交狼尾草不能越冬,其干物质产量可达40.14～48.54t/hm2,热值为17.02MJ/kg,纤维素、半纤维素、木质素含量分别为36.15%、21.01%和8.92%,碳、氢、氮元素含量分别为41.86%、5.62%和1.52%,C/N为27.54∶1,灰分含量为9.26%,灰熔点的变形温度、软化温度、半球温度和流动温度分别为942.0℃、980.8℃、1010.3℃和1054.8℃。杂交狼尾草适宜作为草本能源植物在北京及周边地区推广应用,但存在不能越冬和生物质含水量下降速率慢的缺点。     

Effect of Supplementation of a Basal Diet of Maize Stover with Erythrina variegata,Gliricidia sepium or Leucaena leucocephala on Feed Intake and Digestibility by Goats

Two 4 x 4 Latin square design experiments were carried out. In experiment 1, four mature Anglo-Nubian x Fiji local goats, pre-experimental body weight 25.0 +/- 0.6 kg, 22-24 months old, were used to study the effect of supplementation of a basal diet of maize stover with Erythrina variegata (EV), Gliricidia sepium (GS) and Leucaena leucocephala (LL) on dry matter intake (DMI) and nutrient digestibility. Maize stover treated with urea was used as a control diet. E. variegata was higher in crude protein content than LL or GS. The DMI of the urea treated stover diet was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that of the diets of untreated stover supplemented with forage legumes. The DMI was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the GS diet than in the EV or LL diets. Significant (p < 0.05) differences existed between the urea-treated stover and the diets of stover supplemented with forage legumes in the digestibility of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), organic matter (OM) and energy. In experiment 2, four mature goats, pre-experimental body weight 27.0 +/- 0.3 kg, 24-28 months old, were used to measure their response when the urea-treated maize stover and the maize stover and forage legume diets were sprayed with molasses. The intake of the urea-treated stover diet sprayed with molasses was significantly lower (p < 0.05) that that of the maize stover/forage legume diets sprayed with molasses. The DMI of the diets improved with the addition of molasses. The DMI among the goats offered the maize stover/forage legume diets + molasses did not differ significantly. (p > 0.05). Statistically significant (p < 0.05) differences were obtained in this second study between the urea-treated stover and the stover supplemented with forage legumes in the digestibility of DM, CP, NDF, OM and energy. The stover supplemented with forage legumes had a higher (p < 0.05) nutrient digestibility. The present studies demonstrated that the use of forage legumes as protein supplements improved the feed quality of maize stover in the diets of mature goats. It is suggested that molasses should be sprayed on fresh leaves of Gliricicia sepium and other forage legumes that are initially rejected, in order to improve acceptance and DMI when fed to ruminant animals in confinement or in a cut-and-carry system of production.     

三种豆科作物与玉米间作对玉米生产力和种间竞争的影响

合理的种间配置是间作系统中作物获取高产,种间相互作用发挥优势的关键。本研究设置蚕豆/玉米(M/F)、大豆/玉米(M/S)和豌豆/玉米(M/P) 3种豆科作物与玉米间作模式,以及相应单作种植,通过测定单间作条件下作物产量、生物量,明确3种豆科作物与玉米间作对间作玉米生产力和间作作物种间资源竞争力的影响。结果表明,3种间作模式均具有间作优势,土地当量比(LER)均大于1,两年平均土地当量比分别为1.38 (M/F)、1.19 (M/S)、1.26 (M/P);两年结果均是M/S中玉米产量最高,至收获期,与大豆间作的玉米产量可达单作玉米产量的93.6% (2017)和71.2% (2018);M/S中玉米的穗粒数显著高于M/F和M/P中;地上部生物量及采样期平均生长速率均表现为M/S>M/P>M/F;共生期内大豆相对于玉米的资源竞争力(A_sm)随共生期推进逐渐降低,而蚕豆相对于玉米的竞争力(A_fm)和豌豆相对于玉米的竞争力(A_pm)逐渐升高;玉米单独生长时期3种间作模式玉米的补偿效应(CE)无显著差异,各间作模式两年平均CE值均小于1;因此,在本试验条件下,甘肃河西走廊灌区玉米与大豆间作是保证间作玉米稳产的有效措施。     

Short-term response of the herbaceous layer within leave patches after harvest

Leave patches, uncut areas in a harvested forest, may conserve herbaceous layer species that decline after forest clearcutting. They may also serve to maintain source populations for the recolonization of the harvest area. The main objective of this study is to characterize the short-term response of the herbaceous layer to clearcut harvesting disturbance within and adjacent to leave patches. Four experimental 1 ha patches and two uncut references were established. Within each patch or reference, belts of five 1 m² quadrats were placed at 50 m and 5 m outside the patch, at 0 m (edge), and at 25 m, 35 m, and 50 m (centre) inside. These belts of quadrats were replicated at all four aspects (North, South, East, and West). Ground vegetation was sampled yearly for 1 year before harvest and 3 years after harvest in the experimental patches and for 2 consecutive years in the references. Some common residual species declined significantly in the clearcuts, but remained stable inside the patches in the short term (3 years after harvest). Overall species composition changed little in the patch interior and edge after harvest. Colonizing species (those that appeared in quadrats after harvest) in the patch exterior were predominantly early-seral species, whereas colonizers in the patch interior tended to be shade-tolerant forest species. Species were grouped a priori based on two habitat preferences (amounts of canopy cover and disturbed substrate). Species characteristic of a habitat with closed canopy and undisturbed substrates that decreased significantly over time in the patch exterior were negatively correlated with the amount of exposed mineral soil and open canopy. Species characteristic of a habitat with open canopy and disturbed substrates that increased significantly at the patch exterior showed a positive correlation with the amount of exposed mineral soil and open canopy. No species’ habitat preference groups declined significantly in the patch interior or edge over time. Based on species’ responses to forest operations, it appears that at least the common forest species are maintained in the short term within leave patches.     

Grasslands in ‘Old World’ and ‘New World’ Mediterranean‐climate zones: past trends,current status and future research priorities

Despite their ecological, economic and social importance, grasslands in areas with Mediterranean climates continue to receive limited scientific, political and media attention. The main objectives of this review are to compare and contrast dryland grasslands in the ‘Old World’ regions of the Mediterranean basin (southern Europe, western Asia and North Africa) with those of ‘New World’ regions with Mediterranean climates (Australia and Chile) and to identify common research priorities. The common characteristics and differences in climate, soils, native vegetation, importance of the livestock sector and the socio‐economic background for the different Mediterranean environments are examined. Past trends and the current status of temporary and permanent Mediterranean grasslands are also described. Some common issues between these regions are as follows: (i) adaptation to climate change; (ii) increasing persistence and drought survival of both annual and perennial species; (iii) the important role of forage legumes; (iv) maintaining grassland plant diversity; and (v) improved ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration, control of soil erosion and wildfires, and preservation of both wild and domestic biodiversity. The favourable climate in these regions, which allows year‐round grazing and the growth of legumes, should be exploited to improve the sustainability of grassland‐based, extensive farming systems and the quality of their animal products, while at the same time improving ecosystem services. The decreasing support for grassland research and development programmes requires increased international scientific and technical cooperation among the few institutions operating in the different Mediterranean‐climate areas of the World to provide innovative and sustainable solutions to farmers.     

Response to salinity of three grain legumes for potential cultivation in arid areas

Abstract

The material balance of all the chemical species associated with the phosphate sorption reaction by two amorphous clays, silica-alumina gel and synthetic goethite was investigated adjusting the initial pH to 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, and 7.0. Phosphate sorption was found to decrease with increasing initial pH. During phosphate sorption, the equilibrium pH rose, adsorption of Cl^- decreased to a state of negative adsorption, adsorption of Na⁺ increased markedly, silicate was released, and Al in the solution was precipitated. With increasing initial pH, the amount of apparent released OH^- increased, the amount of Na⁺ adsorption increased, and the amount of released silicate decreased. The overall relationship of the material balance is explained in terms of the charge balance associated with phosphate sorption.     

豇豆属食用豆类间的远缘杂交

【目的】明确豇豆属下不同食用豆种间的杂交亲和性,为开展豇豆属食用豆远缘杂交育种提供参考。【方法】以绿豆、小豆、黑吉豆、饭豆、豇豆5种主要的豇豆属食用豆栽培豆种和Vigna minima、Vigna nakashimae、Vigna riukiuensis 3种小豆、饭豆的近缘野生种为亲本,进行豇豆属下食用豆种间的远缘杂交,并对“绿豆×小豆”、“饭豆×小豆”、“小豆×饭豆”的杂种幼胚进行幼胚拯救。通过调查杂交成荚率和杂种F₁的农艺性状表现,分析豇豆属下不同食用豆杂交组合间的杂交亲和性。【结果】各食用豆种间亲缘关系的远近及母本的选择影响远缘杂交结果。除包含豇豆种的杂交组合外,其他食用豆种间正反交杂交组合均能够结荚,杂交荚和杂交籽粒的发育程度在各组合间存在差异。“绿豆×黑吉豆”、“小豆×Vigna minima”、“小豆×Vigna nakashimae”、“小豆×Vigna riukiuensis”4个杂交组合不存在受精前的遗传障碍,杂交成荚率较高,幼胚发育阶段存在不同程度的发育障碍,但均可以获得能够正常出苗的杂交籽粒,F₁ 植株结实率降低。绿豆和饭豆间正反交均能够结荚,但绿豆作母本时的成荚率显著高于饭豆作母本时的成荚率,且能够收获成熟的杂交荚和杂交籽粒。F₁植株高度不育,即使与绿豆或饭豆回交也均不能获得有活力的后代种子。“绿豆×小豆”、“饭豆×小豆”2个杂交组合不存在受精前的杂交障碍,然而在受精后幼胚生长阶段却存在发育障碍。通过幼胚拯救可以获得两者的后代植株,前者F₁高度不育,后者F₁可育,但结实率降低。其他杂交组合间存在杂交荚发育一段时间后干枯或掉落、杂交籽粒胚败育等现象,未能获得后代植株。【结论】绿豆作母本与黑吉豆、小豆、饭豆杂交更利于杂交荚和杂交籽粒的发育;黑吉豆与小豆、饭豆杂交时存在胚败育现象;饭豆作母本与小豆杂交经幼胚拯救可以获得可育的F₁植株;小豆与近缘野生种的杂交亲和性优于饭豆;豇豆与其他食用豆类间杂交均未成功。