Alley cropping of sorghum with Leucaena during the post-rainy season on Vertisols in semi-arid India

A field experiment was conducted for two years (1989– 1991) on a Vertisol in Bijapur, India in a split-plot design, replicated four times, to evaluate the potential of alley cropping post-rainy season sorghum between Leucaena hedgerows. Leucaena produced on average 2.74 t per ha of prunings and 1.57 t per ha of wood annually. Alley cropping decreased sorghum yields by 28 to 45% when all Leucaena prunings were removed from the system and by 21 to 24%, when on average 1.92 t per ha prunings were applied to the soil annually. The reduction of sorghum yield increased as higher rates of N were applied to sorghum. Although alley cropping increased organic carbon by 21% and available N by 19% at the time of crop sowing, it did not result in increased crop yields because of competition for water between hedgerows and crops. Calculation of land equivalent ratios based on total Leucaena biomass indicated that alley cropping was more productive than sole cropping of sorghum only in one year, and that, too, when no N was applied to sorghum. Therefore, alley cropping of Vertisols with post-rainy season sorghum is not likely to have any advantage in the short term. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

余甘子对强致癌物N-亚硝基化合物在人体内合成的阻断作用

本文采用Ohshima的方法,以尿中N-亚硝基脯氨酸(NPRO)量为指标,研究了余甘子果汁阻断人体内N-亚硝基化合物(NNC)的合成。12名志愿者摄入L-脯氨酸500 mg和硝酸钠300 mg后,尿中NPRO的量平均为75.10 nmol,而当摄入上述两种药物的同时,分别给予同浓度的抗坏血酸和余甘子果汁后,尿中NPRO的含量则分别降为41.08 nmol和20.79nmol,且后者此本底值(25.55 nmol)还低。表明在本实验条件下,摄入含抗坏血酸75mg的余甘子果汁13ml,即能完全阻断500mg L-脯氨酸和300mg硝酸钠在人体内所引起的NPRO的合成。同时也证明,余甘子果汁能有效地阻断人体内NNC的合成。     

Effect of pruning intensities of three woody leguminous species grown in alley cropping with maize and cowpea on an alfisol

Field trials were carried out on an Oxic Paleustalf in the humid zone of southwestern Nigeria withLeucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit,Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Steud. andSesbania grandiflora (L.) Pers. alley cropped with maize and cowpea. The three leguminous woody species were grown in hedgerows spaced at 2 m. Trials were carried out one year after establishment of the hedgerows using a split-plot design with four replications. TheLeucaena trial had twenty pruning combinations consisting of five pruning heights (25, 50, 75, 100 and 150 cm) and four pruning frequencies (monthly, bi-, tri- and six-monthly). TheGliricidia andSesbania hedgerows were subjected to nine pruning intensities consisting of three pruning heights (25, 50 and 100 cm) and three pruning intensities (monthly, tri- and six-monthly).For the three woody species, biomass, dry wood and nitrogen yield from the hedgerow prunings increased with decreasing pruning frequency and increasing pruning height. Biomass, dry wood and nitrogen yields were in the following orderLeucaena >Gliricidia >Sesbania.The various pruning intensities had no effect on survival ofLeucaena plants. Pruning frequency had a larger effect than pruning height on survival ofGliricidia andSesbania plants. With monthly pruning, about 25 percent of theGliricidia and all of theSesbania plants died within six months of repeated pruning. Even with lower pruning frequencySesbania plants showed lower survival rates thanGliricidia orLeucaena.The various pruning intensities of all the hedgerow species had more pronounced effects on the grain yield of the alley cropped cowpea than on maize grain yield. Higher maize and cowpea yields were obtained with increasing pruning frequency and decreasing pruning height.IITA Journal paper number 335     

Modelling agroforestry systems of cacao (Theobroma cacao) with laurel (Cordia alliodora) and poro (Erythrina poeppigiana) in Costa Rica

The agroforestry systems of cacao (Theobroma cacao) under laurel (Cordia alliodora) and cacao under poro (Erythrina poeppigiana) were studied at CATIE, Turrialba, Costa Rica. An inventory was taken of the organic matter and nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg) separating the species into their compartments (leaves, branches, trunks and roots). Studies of the litter and of the mineral soil (0–45 cm) yielded these results: Patterns of nutrient accumulation are discussed in relation to the characteristics of these agroforestry systems.     

Modelling agroforestry systems of cacao (Theobroma cacao) with laurel (Cordia alliodora) and poro (Erythrina poeppigiana) in Costa Rica II. Cacao and wood production,litter production and decomposition

During 7 years (1979–1985) cacao harvests (beans and husks) have been recorded for the agroforestry systems ofTheobroma cacao underCordia alliodora andErythrina poeppigiana shade trees. The mean oven dry cacao yields were 626 and 712 kg.ha⁻¹.a⁻¹ cocoa beans underC. alliodora andE. poeppigiana respectively. Harvests have gradually increased over the years and the plantation has now reached maturity. Annual extraction of N, P, K, Ca and Mg in fruits, which is relatively small, was calculated on the basis of chemical analyses. The following average values were found (kg.ha⁻¹.a⁻¹): At the age of 8 years, theC. alliodora trees have reached 26.7 cm diameter (DBH) and 14.0 m in height. Mean annual growth (from age 5 to 7) is 14.6 m³.ha⁻¹.a⁻¹. Natural plant residue production has been measured for 4 years (Nov. 1981–Oct. 1985). UnderE. poeppigiana it has reached a value of 8.91 t.ha⁻¹.a⁻¹ and underC. alliodora 7.07 t.ha⁻¹.a⁻¹. The shade trees have contributed 57 and 47% respectively. Transference and decomposition rates are high and important in the nutrient cycles. The nutrient content of the litter was analysed and corresponding average yearly transfers were (kg.ha⁻¹.a⁻¹): For part I see Vol. 4, No. 3, 1986. Agroforestry Project, CATIE/GTZ (Tropical Agricultural Research and Training Center/Gesselschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit), Turrialba, Costa Rica     

Soil properties and nitrogen availability in silvopastoral plantings of Acacia melanoxylon in North Island, New Zealand

Acacia melanoxylon, a N₂-fixing timber tree occurring naturally in eastern Australia, is now promoted as a component of silvopastoral systems; but the interaction of the tree with pasture and soils has not been adequately studied. This study investigated the effects of Acacia melanoxylon on soil nitrogen (N) levels, N availability, soil pH, bulk density, organic carbon, C:N ratios and soil moisture in three separate silvopastoral sites with contrasting soil types in the North Island of New Zealand. At each site four tree stocking rates were studied (0, 500, 800, and 1700 stems ha^–1). The trees were nine years old at the time of the study. Soil samples from each study site were taken once at three depths (0 to 75 mm, 75 to 150 mm, and 150 to 300 mm), with three replicates per tree stocking rate. Soil analyses showed that although there were differences between soil types, few statistically significant differences occurred due to tree stocking rate. A greenhouse pot trial growing ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L. cv. Concord) in soil from the A horizon of each soil type from under the trees and the open pasture found that ryegrass yield, N uptake and N supply increased with increasing tree stocking rate. Increased N supply under the trees, coupled with greater soil moisture compared to the open pasture may have accounted for the higher pasture yield under Acacia melanoxylon compared to non dinitrogen fixing tree species. This study suggested that Acacia melanoxylon in a silvopastoral system had the potential to increase soil N availability.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

林地覆盖经营对雷竹林土壤氮素形态及硝化-反硝化作用的影响

为探讨林地覆盖经营对雷竹林土壤氮素形态和硝化作用、反硝化作用的影响,选择了覆盖11、3、5 a和不覆盖(CK)4种处理的雷竹林,测定0 20 cm土层土壤全氮、铵态氮和硝态氮含量,并采用气压过程分离系统(BaPS)测定土壤总硝化速率和反硝化速率。结果表明:随着覆盖年限的增加,试验雷竹林0 20 cm土层土壤全氮含量总体呈增加趋势,覆盖雷竹林全氮含量显著高于CK;土壤铵态氮和硝态氮含量均呈倒"N"型变化,覆盖3 a雷竹林的铵态氮和硝态氮含量最高;土壤铵硝比递增,覆盖3 a后显著提高,覆盖5 a后铵态氮是雷竹林土壤无机氮库的主要存在形式;土壤总硝化速率呈下降趋势,总体上与不同形态氮素含量、铵硝比相关性不显著,且相关性强度随覆盖经营年限的增加而减弱。土壤反硝化速率在覆盖3 a及以下年限时基本为0,覆盖5 a时显著提高,达69.53 μg·kg^-1·h^-1。研究表明,林地覆盖经营对雷竹林土壤氮素形态及组分比例的影响较明显,削弱了土壤硝化作用,土壤氮素不是限制硝化作用进行的主要因子,长期覆盖经营会显著提高土壤反硝化作用,增大土壤氮素的损失。在实际生产中建议采用休闲式覆盖方式,连续覆盖时间不超过3 a。     

Biocycle of nitrogen in a Cyclobalanopsis glauca-dominated evergreen broad-leaved forest in East China

The nitrogen (N) cycling was elucidated in a 40-year-old subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest dominated by Cyclobalanopsis glauca growing on red soil in Zhejiang Province, East China. The concentrations of N in the representative species ranged from 0.49% to 1.64%, the order of which in various layers was liana and herb layers > understory layer > tree and subtree layers; in various organs was leaf > branch > root > trunk; and aboveground parts > underground parts. The sequence of the concentrations of N in C. glauca was understory > tree > subtree layer; young and high-growing > old organs; reproductive > vegetative organs. Seasonal dynamics of the concentrations of N in C. glauca in the tree and subtree layers was comparatively stable. It was lower in autumn (October) in root, branch, and leaf in the tree layer, and low in January in the understory. There was no evident change in regularity of the concentrations of N in varying diameter classes. The concentrations of N in the litterfall, precipitation, throughfall, litter layer, and soil were 0.74%–2.30%, 0.000,038%, 0.000,09%, 1.94%, and 0.59%, respectively. The standing crop of N in the plant community was 1,025.28 kg/hm², accumulation in the litter layer was 224.88 kg/hm², and reserve in the soil was 55,151 kg/hm². Annual retention of N was 119.47 kg/hm², return was about 84.13 kg/hm², among which litterfall was 78.49 kg/hm² and throughfall, 5.64 kg/hm². Annual absorption of N was 203.60 kg/hm². Annual input of N through incident precipitation was 4.88 kg/hm². Compared with other forest types, cycling rate of N in the community was lower than in deciduous broad-leaved forests, rain forests, and mangroves, and was moderate in evergreen broad-leaved forests. N use efficiency of this forest was moderate among the forest types cited. According to the characteristics of the biocycle of phosphorous, it was concluded that N availability in the soil of this forest was not lower, and phosphorous not N was the limiting factor in the growth of plants in this community. __________ Translated from Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2005, 25(4): 740–748 [译自: 生态学报, 2005, 25(4): 740–748]     

Carbon and nitrogen dynamics under windrowed residues during the establishment phase of a second-rotation hoop pine plantation in subtropical Australia

The dynamics of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N), derived from the decomposition of windrowed harvest residues, was examined in the establishment phase of a second rotation (2R) hoop pine (Araucaria cunninghamii Aiton ex A. Cunn) plantation in subtropical Queensland, Australia. Following harvesting and site preparation, when residues were formed into windrows, in situ N mineralisation was measured in positions along the three tree-planting rows formed between the windrows. The position above the windrow had a higher nitrification rate than the other positions, averaging about 18 kg N ha⁻¹/month compared with 12 and 9 Kg N ha⁻¹ for the positions between and below the windrow positions, respectively. This position also had consistently greater soil moisture.

Macroplots were formed extending 5 m above and 10 m below a windrow. Windrowed residues within the macroplots were replaced by ¹⁵N-labelled material comprising hoop pine foliage, branch and stem. Hoop pine trees were planted within each macroplot with foliar samples taken at 12 and 24 months. Differences in foliar ¹⁵N enrichment between positions within macroplots were <1‰. Soil samples were taken from positions along the macroplots at 6-monthly intervals. Samples revealed an initial release of labile C and N but soil δ¹⁵N showed that residue-derived N was largely immobilised within the windrows for the 30-month sampling period. Whilst the use of windrows may act as a barrier to the down-slope movement of water, the residue N within the windrows may not be available to the trees of the following rotation for a considerable period following planting. Trees closest to the windrows may be able to introduce roots under the windrows thereby gaining access to the available N, but trees in the central tree planting row are unlikely to derive any significant benefit from the decomposition of windrowed residues.     

常绿和落叶阔叶树叶中N和P的变化及转移

从叶完全展开到生长季结束对常绿阔叶树种铁冬青、红楠和海桐及落叶阔叶树种日本朴、银杏和木叶的N和P浓度进行了定期测定。结果表明,常绿阔叶树种新叶的N和P浓度从5—7月急剧下降,然后小幅波动,而老叶的N和P浓度变化缓慢。落叶阔叶树种的N和P浓度随着季节的推移而明显下降。大多数树种的P转移率大于N转移率。常绿阔叶树种的N和P的转移率大于落叶阔叶树种。