Calcium-Ammonium Selectivity of Two Benchmark Soils from Botswana as Assessed by Competing Semi-empirical Ion Exchange Equations

The effectiveness of lime-ammonium-nitrate (LAN) as a nitrogen (N) fertilizer in weathered soils depends on the respective selectivity for ammonium (NH₄) and calcium (Ca) by the soils. The study assessed Ca²⁺/NH₄⁺ exchange selectivity of two benchmark soils from Botswana and examined the soil fertility management implications. Surface horizons (0–20 cm) of Pellustert and Haplustalf were equilibrated with 50 ml stock solution containing variable concentrations of Ca²⁺ and NH₄⁺. The Ca²⁺/NH₄⁺ exchange data were fitted into the Vanselow (K_V), Gaines and Thomas (K_GT), Davies (K_D), and the regular solution (K_RS) equations. The selectivity coefficients for the Ca²⁺/NH₄⁺ exchange reactions varied widely with the soil exchanger composition except for the relatively stable K_RS. The selectivity coefficients indicated strong preference for NH₄⁺ to Ca²⁺. The thermodynamic exchange constant, K_ex, was 5.75 ± 1.24 in the Pellustert, indicating preferential adsorption of NH₄⁺, but not in the Haplustalf with K_ex = 0.92 ± 0.27. The free energy for Ca²⁺/NH₄⁺ exchange (ΔG°_ex) was negative (?4.26 ± 0.59 kJ mol^?1) in the Pellustert but slightly positive in the Haplustalf (0.34 ± 0.87 kJ mol^?1). In conclusion, the soil-NH₄ complex was more stable than soil-Ca complex in the Pellustert, indicating LAN as a N fertilizer would have greater potential effectiveness in the Pellustert than in the Haplustalf.     

Influence of total soluble salt concentration on growth and elemental concentration of winged bean seedlings,Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC.

Abstract

Winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) (L.) DC) seedlings of the accession TPT‐1, were grown in a greenhouse with graded, balanced total soluble salt (TSS) concentrations. After 4.5 days, plant height increased quadratically, with a maximum (149 cm) at 3000 ppm TSS. Seedlings were shortest at 1000 and 10,000 ppm TSS, 44.0 and 79.0 cm, respectively. Fresh weight of shoots increased quadratically with greatest weight, 29.03 g, at 5000 ppm TSS. Percent dry matter increased linearly with increasing TSS. Concentration of N, K and P increased quadratically with an increase in the TSS concentration in the growth medium. Concentration of Ca decreased quadratically with increasing TSS. Among the micronutrients, Fe and Mo concentration was quadratic, both elements were highest in the seedlings at 1000 and 10,000 ppm TSS rates. Concentrations of Mn and Zn increased linearly with increasing TSS. Winged bean seedlings at the 1000 to 3000 ppm TSS rates had spindly stems and a sparse, yellow foliage, typical for winged bean seedlings observed in the field during the first 4 to 5 weeks of growth. Seedlings at the 4000 and 5000 ppm TSS rates had sturdy stems and an abundant green foliage. At higher TSS concentrations, 5000 to 10,000 ppm TSS, seedlings had short intermodes and dark green foliage.     

In situ evaluation of fruit yield and estimation of repeatability coefficient for major fruit traits of umbu tree [Spondias tuberosa (Anacardiaceae)] in the semi-arid region of Brazil

The umbu tree (Spondias tuberosa) is a xerophytic woody species endemic to the northeast of Brazil. The present work reports a three-year in situ evaluation of major yield components in a random set of trees in Petrolina city, Pernambuco State, Brazil and the application of repeatability coefficient in the context of genetic resources utilization. Five traits were assessed: total fruit yield per plant (FY); total number of fruits per plant (NF); average fruit weight (FW); average pulp weight (PW) and average fruit diameter (FD). The values observed for FY ranged from 4.2–184 kg with mean of 61.5 kg. The values for NF ranged from 257 to 12,981 fruits/tree with mean 3,993 fruits. For FW, the range was from 10.82–23.36 g with mean of 16.03 g. The values for PW ranged from 7 to 17 g with mean of 11.2 g, while FD values varied from 2.5 to 3.5 cm with mean of 3.0 cm. Six methods were employed to estimate repeatability coefficient (r) for all parameters. The r ranged from 0.68–0.76 for NF; 0.87–0.89 for FW; 0.65–0.75 for FY; 0.64–0.78 for PW and 0.70–0.84 for FD. Narrower ranges across methods were observed to r-values greater than 0.80, as observed for FW and FD. Three to four years of measurements will be necessary for FY, NF, and PW and one year for FW to obtain a precision of 90% to provide a reliable identification of individuals for in situ or ex situ conservation.     

Genetic variability in plants regenerated from in vitro culture of sunflower (Helianthus annum L.)

In vitro regenerated sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) plants (R₁) were self-fertilized and the R₂ generation was evaluated for qualitative traits. A broad range of phenotypic variation was observed and mutation frequencies were calculated. Some in vitro induced variant phenotypes were similar to known spontaneous or induced mutations in sunflower, while others were new. Chlorophyll and carotenoid deficiencies, chimaerical variegation, fasciated stem and capitulum, abnormal shoot development, and other morphological variations, were noted. Substitution of anthers with petaloid structures in a disk-floret mutant indicates a possible homeotic mutation induced by in vitro tissue culture.     

滨旋花和兴安天门冬种子萌发特性的研究

从温度、pH值、盐分及混播方面对滨旋花和兴安天门冬种子萌发特性进行了研究。结果表明，滨旋花种子萌发的适宜温度为15～2．3℃，最适温度为20℃；而兴安天门冬种子萌发的适宜温度为23-28℃，其中25℃时发芽率最高；二者的种子适合在稍偏碱性环境下萌发；盐分对种子的萌发有抑制作用。滨旋花种子硬实率高，属于环境强迫休眠，人工处理种皮，可以解除休眠。     

A relationship between heading date and in vitro tillering propensity in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)

Summary In vitro tillers of over 1000 genotypes from nine contrasting Lolium perenne cultivars were cultured on various media containing the synthetic cytokinin, 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), in order to determine the effect on tillering. The cultures were assessed after seven weeks for survival, tiller production, size and vigour. Added auxins 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and -napthaleneacetic acid (NAA) had no consistent beneficial effects.A significant relationship was found between in vitro tiller production and cultivar heading date. Genotypes of early-heading, less persistent cultivars produced more tillers than genotypes from late heading more persistent cultivars. This was consistent with the generally higher in vitro tiller production in the biennial species Lolium multiflorum cultured on similar media.     

塑棚蔬菜气象信息服务系统

分析了木地塑棚蔬菜的气候背景，品种选择，温度指标，生产管理，无公害蔬菜生产等方面的状况。研究了大风，强降温，大雪，连阴天等灾害天气对塑棚蔬菜生产造成的影响以及相应的预报方法，据此开发了塑棚蔬菜气象信息服务系统，包括气象信息，灾害天气预报以及防御对策等。     

施用猪粪对土壤Zn形态和菜心Zn含量的影响

采用盆栽试验的方法,研究施用猪粪对土壤和菜心Zn含量的影响,以为蔬菜安全施用畜禽粪便提供依据.结果表明,土壤全Zn、有效态Zn和菜心Zn含量均随猪粪施用量和施用茬数的增加而提高,连续2茬施用猪粪达到40g/kg时,土壤全Zn含量和菜心Zn含量分别达到266.42和21.03mg/kg,超过国家土壤质量二级标准(pH≤6...     

氮素对哈尼梯田水稻冠层温、光生态因子及稻瘟病的影响

为了研究氮素对云南哈尼梯田水稻冠层昼温、光合有效辐射截获率及稻瘟病的影响,探索水稻冠层光合有效辐射截获率与稻瘟病发生的相关性,构建合理健康的群体冠层结构。以当地种植的常规水稻品种‘月亮谷’为试验材料,采取单因素随机区组设计,共6个处理,包括5个不同施氮处理和1个传统施肥对照处理。研究结果表明,高施氮水平下(125.0 kg/hm²)齐穗期的冠层昼温最低,冠层光合有效辐射最大截获率最大。中等施氮(75.0 kg/hm²)和高施氮水平下穗颈瘟的病情指数最高,中等施氮水平下的发病率最高,为51.0%。穗颈瘟发病率和病情指数均和冠层光合有效辐射最大截获率存在正相关性 (r=0.6696^*和r=0.7130^**),发病率与1级病穗百分比呈正相关性(r=0.7511^**),而和2级至5级病穗百分比的关系不大,病情指数分别与5级、1级病穗百分比呈正相关性(r=0.6324^**、r=0.4936^*),而和2级至4级病穗百分比关系不大。     

渔村妇女就业影响因素实证研究—以上海金山嘴渔村为例

为了促进渔村妇女就业和渔业经济的发展,在对上海金山嘴渔村妇女就业状况及影响因素调查的基础上,运用二元Logit模型,分别从渔村妇女的个人因素和家庭因素方面的7个因素对渔村妇女就业影响因素进行实证分析。结果显示：文化程度、是否有子女上学、是否有老人需要赡养、家人的态度、其丈夫从事的工作行业与渔村妇女就业成显著正相关,影响系数分别为0.66、1.57、1.53、1.36、0.95。由此提出以下几个建议：重视渔民的教育,提升渔村妇女的基本素质,鼓励和指导渔民创业,创造更多就业机会,完善社会保障制度等。