Variation in the chemical composition of green leaves and leaf litters from three deciduous tree species growing on different soil types

The chemical composition of green leaves and leaf litters of sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa), oak (Quercus robur) and beech (Fagus sylvatica) were determined for 26 sites grouped into high fertility (HF) and low fertility (LF) soils according to base saturation and N-mineralization potentials. Measurements were made of total carbon, acid detergent fibre (ADF), Klason lignin, holo-cellulose, sugar constituents of hemicellulose and phenylpropanoid derivatives of lignin, and nutrient concentrations (N, Ca, P, Mg, K and Mn). Leaf and litter constituents varied within and between species according to soil groups, but beech showed contrasting responses to oak and chestnut. Beech leaves had lower ADF, lignin and cellulose on HF soils than LF soils, whereas oak and chestnut leaves had higher ADF, lignin and cellulose on HF than the LF soils. Conversely, the same constituents in beech leaf litter were higher on HF soils than LF soils, but lower in oak and chestnut leaf litter on HF soils than LF soils. The phenylpropanoid derivatives of lignin and sugar constituents of hemicellulose also showed similar variations in relation to soil groups with contrasting patterns for in leaves and litters. Re-absorption of N from leaves before litter fall was negatively correlated with soil N mineralization potential for beech (highest on LF soils) but showed an unexpected, positive relationship for oak and chestnut (highest on HF soils). These intra-specific differences of leaf and litter chemistry in relation to soil fertility status are unprecedented and largely unexplained. The observed patterns reflect phenotypic responses to soil type that result in continuum of litter quality, within and between tree species, that have been shown in related studies to significantly influence litter decomposition rates.     

Dry matter production and nutrient cycling in agroforestry systems of mandarin grown in association with Albizia and mixed tree species

A study on dry matter production and nutrient cycling in agroforestry systems of mandarin grown in association with N₂-fixing Albizia and mixed tree species (non-N₂-fixing) was carried out in the Sikkim Himalaya. A site with Albizia was referred asAlbizia-mandarin stand and the other site with mixed tree species as mandarin stand. The stand total biomass, net primary productivity and mandarin fruit production was higher under the influence of Albizia. Agronomic yield of crops remained nearly the same in both the stands. Nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations of different components of Albizia were higher than those of mixed tree species, whereas their back translocation from leaf to branch before abscission was lower inAlbizia. The mandarin-based agroforestry is a highly nutrient-exhaustive system evaluated in terms of nutrient exit through the removal of agronomic yield. This system, under the influence of Albizia, was more productive with faster rates of nutrient cycling. Nutrient use efficiency increased under the influence of Albizia, in contrary to the hypothesis that efficiency should decrease with increasing rate of uptake. The poor nutrient conservation of Albizia, and malleability of nutrient cycling under its influence make it an excellent association which promotes higher availability and faster cycling of nutrients.Albizia should be utilised more extensively in the management of mandarin-based agroforestry systems.     

Uptake and translocation of non-ionised pesticides in the emergent aquatic plant parrot feather Myriophyllum aquaticum

The uptake of four (14)C-labelled non-ionised compounds, the methyl carbamoyloxime insecticide/nematicide oxamyl and three model phenylureas, from solution by rooted stems of the aquatic plant parrot feather [Myriophyllum aquaticum (Vell.) Verdc], together with translocation to the emergent shoots, was measured over periods of 24 and 48 h. Uptake into the submerged tissues of roots and stem base could be ascribed to two processes: movement into the aqueous phase of cells and then partitioning onto the plant solids. This latter process was related to lipophilicity (as measured by the l-octanol/water partition coefficient, K(ow)) and gave rise to high uptake rates of the most lipophilic compounds. Translocation to shoots was passive and was optimal at log K(ow) approximately 1.8, at which the efficiency of translocation of compound was about 40% of that of water. This optimum log K(ow) was identical to that observed previously in barley, although the translocation efficiency was somewhat less in parrot feather. Solvation parameters were applied to model uptake and translocation of a set of ten compounds by barley with the particular objective of understanding why translocation efficiency is lower at log K(ow) > 1.8.     

Allozyme diversity in Australian rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss

Rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), were first introduced into Australia over 100 years ago, and forms the basis of important recreational inland fisheries and an aquaculture industry in south‐eastern Australia. This paper investigates the genetic variation within and between samples of Australian rainbow trout using allozyme electrophoresis. The levels of genetic diversity within Australia do not show marked differences from those observed in hatchery and wild populations from throughout North America, New Zealand and South Africa, but there is evidence for the loss of some rare alleles during translocation from California to Australia via New Zealand. No appreciable difference in genetic diversity was apparent between hatchery and self‐sustaining wild populations of rainbow trout from mainland Australia. However, significant differences in allelic frequencies were observed, with consistent genetic differences between Victorian and New South Wales samples most likely reflecting state‐based hatchery and stocking policies.     

The potential of temporary shelters to increase survival of the endangered Mexican axolotl

1. Amphibian populations worldwide are in decline. Proactive conservation techniques such as translocations into created and restored wetlands have gained popularity in recent years but may fail owing to high predation and low environmental adaptability.
2. The Mexican axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum), affected by rapid urbanization, is now possibly extinct in the wild despite millions living in captivity throughout the world.
3. The aim of this study was to explore whether ponds from an artificial wetland can function as temporary shelters for a viable population of axolotls that could be re-introduced into their native ecosystem in Xochimilco once it is restored.
4. Egg-laying and hatching of 11 unique axolotl pairs placed into reproductive enclosures and larval survival to 7 weeks and up to 12 months were examined. Physicochemical and biological parameters were estimated and compared among ponds.
5. The results from this study are encouraging as they suggest that two ponds have adequate conditions for axolotls to reproduce and for larvae and juveniles to survive.

     

四川小麦品种高、低分子量麦谷蛋白基因和1B/1R易位的分子标记鉴定

为给四川小麦品质育种提供参考信息,利用7个HMW-GS、17个LMW-GS和1个1B/1R易位的特异分子标记,对105份2000年后育成的四川小麦品种进行上述基因检测。结果表明:(1)针对HMWGS,在Glu-A1位点,含Ax2*的品种有2份,频率为1.9%;在Glu-B1位点,含Bx7、Bx20、Bx17、By8和By9的品种分别有73、26、4、45和30份,频率分别为69.5%、24.8%、3.8%、42.9%和28.6%,未检测到含Bx7OE的品种;在Glu-D1位点,含Dx5的品种有65份,频率为61.9%。(2)针对LMW-GS,在Glu-A3位点,含Glu-A3a、Glu-A3b、Glu-A3c、Glu-A3d和Glu-A3f的品种分别有2、2、63、29和9份,频率分别为1.9%、1.9%、60.0%、27.6%和8.6%,未检测到含Glu-A3e和Glu-A3g的品种;在Glu-B3位点,含Glu-B3b、Glu-B3d、Glu-B3f、GluB3g和Glu-B3i的品种分别有18、10、1、75和1份,频率分别为17.1%、9.5%、1.0%、71.4%和1.0%,未检测到含Glu-B3a、Glu-B3c、Glu-B3e和Glu-B3h的品种。(3)含1B/1R易位的品种有36份,频率为34.3%。(4)组合6种和5种以上优质基因的品种分别有2份(频率为3.8%)和15份(频率为14.3%)。可利用这些品种作为亲本,在四川小麦品质育种中逐步导入优质基因Ax2*、Bx7、By8、Dx5、Glu-A3d、Glu-B3d、Glu-A3b和Glu-B3b,并淘汰1B/1R易位,优化四川小麦面筋优质基因组成。     

硒对水稻镉毒性的影响及其机制的研究

为探究外源四价硒[Se(Ⅳ)]对水稻镉(Cd)吸收和分布的影响,采用水培试验方法,参考稻田土壤淹水后硒的主要存在形态,研究外源Se(Ⅳ)对不同浓度Cd处理下水稻Cd吸收、转运的影响及其解毒机制。结果表明,在低浓度Cd处理(0.5μmol·L-1)下,外源Se(Ⅳ)对水稻Cd的积累和分布影响不显著,但在高浓度Cd处理(5.0μmol·L-1)下,外源Se(Ⅳ)会显著降低水稻对Cd的吸收和转运。不同浓度Cd处理均会增加水稻对Se的吸收,影响Se在水稻体内的分布,并且显著减少Se向地上部的转运。Cd、Se复合处理会导致水稻地下部非蛋白巯基(NPT)含量增加,同时改变Cd在地下部的亚细胞分布,使细胞壁组分的Cd含量上升,细胞可溶物质组分和细胞器组分的Cd含量下降,从而减少Cd向茎叶的转运,降低地上部的膜脂过氧化程度。由于试验所选用的水稻品种对Cd、Se抗性较强,不同处理下水稻地上部抗氧化酶活性与总抗氧化容量差异均不显著,且水稻生物量及表型特征也无显著差异。     

外源稀土和磷素在土柱中的相互作用

Rare earth elements (REEs) increasingly used in agriculture as an amendment for crop growth may help to lessen environmental losses of phosphorus (P) from heavily fertilized soils. The vertical transport characteristics of P and REEs, lanthanum (La), neodymium (Nd), samarium (Sm), and cerium (Ce), were investigated with addition of exogenous REEs at various doses to packed soil columns (20 cm deep). Vertical transfers of REEs and P were relatively small, with transport depths less than 6 cm for most REEs and P. Export of applied REEs in leachate accounted for less that 5% of inputs. The addition of Ce, Nd and Sm to soil columns significantly decreased concentrations of extractable soil P up to a depth of 4 cm, with soil P concentrations unaffected at depths > 4 cm. In general, REEs had little effect on the vertical leaching of P in packed soil columns.     

Investigations on the Occurrence of Hereditary Diseases in the Danish Cattle Population 1989-1991

Agerholm, J.S., A. Basse and K. Christensen: Investigations on the occurrence of hereditary diseases in the Danish cattle population 1989-1991. Acta vet. scand. 1993, 34, 245-253.– The methods of the Danish Bovine Genetic Disease Programme are outlined, and the results obtained during the first 3 years in function are described. The most common disease reported was spinal muscular atrophy in calves of the Red Danish Dairy breed with 312 reports. Necropsy was performed on 162 cases, and spinal muscular atrophy was diagnosed in 82 of these. Bovine progressive degenerative mye-loencephalopathy, rectovaginal constriction, syndrome of arthrogryposis and palatoschisis, hereditary chondrodysplasia (2 different types), syndactylism, epitheliogenesis imperfecta, and osteogenesis imperfecta was diagnosed with 1 case each. Lethal trait A46 was diagnosed in 4 calves. Some of these diseases have not previously been described in Denmark, and epitheliogenesis imperfecta was for the first time diagnosed in the Hereford breed. Chromosome translocation 1/29 was detected in the Blonde d’Aquitaine (BAQ), Limousine, and Red Danish Dairy breed. The aberration occurred frequently in BAQ. Furthermore, a complex chromosome translocation t(l;8;9)(q45;ql3;q26) was detected in the Red Danish Dairy breed.     

设施栽培条件下桃树果实不同发育时期14C-同化物的运转及分配特性

利用放射性同位素14C-示踪方法研究了设施桃树果实不同发育时期14C-同化物的运转分配特性。结果表明:在果实膨大期和果实成熟期,分配到果实中的14C-同化物均最多,且随着果实生长,分配到果实中的14C-同化物增加。叶片的自留量小于果实获得的14C-同化物量,且随果实生长,叶片的自留量越少。在各器官中果实的竞争势最强,其次叶片与根系也具有较强的竞争势。14C-同化物在各器官的分配状况与各器官积累的可溶性总糖和淀粉含量相对应。