Moisture preferences,growth and reproduction of the compost worm Eisenia fetida (Oligochaeta)

Summary Although moisture requirements of Eisenia fetida are considered to be generally known, very few in-depth studies have been performed. The moisture preferences of juveniles as well as adults of this species were determined in moisture towers containing cow manure with a particle size bigger than 500 and smaller than 1000 m and an organic matter content of 54%. The clitellate worms showed a wider preference range than the juveniles but deposited most of their cocoons within the narrow range of 65%–70% moisture — a moisture range preferred by 80% of the juveniles. Growth studies of newly hatched worms at various moisture levels over a period of 90 days showed that growth rate and final biomass were influenced by moisture availability with a very low rate of growth at low as well as at high moisture levels. The change in biomass of clitellate specimens as well as their consecutively produced cocoons were monitored at different moisture levels. A clear relationship between mass of cocoons and biomass of the producing worms was established at presumably favourable moisture conditions. Furthermore, the relation between cocoon mass and the production rate of cocoons was also determined, which showed that cocoon mass increased concomitantly with increase in cocoon production. The study also showed that clitellum development was increased at moisture levels above 64%. The onset of cocoon production was, however, earliest at slightly lower moisture levels, from which it is concluded that the optimal moisture level for growth and development of clitella are not necessarily optimal for the production of cocoons.Dedicated to the late Prof. Dr. M.S. Ghilarov     

晋西黄土残源沟壑区不同林分暴雨产流产沙作用分析

 通过对晋西黄土残塬沟壑区不同林分的径流场近6年的定位观测,分析林分对产流产沙的影响。结果表明:由山杨、油松、虎棒子、绣线菊、黄刺梅形成的次生林及虎榛子灌木林林分暴雨时产流产沙远较其他林分少;林草型林草带状间作、草林型林草带状间作和果园有较好的水土保持功能;低质量整地的果农复合经营模式暴雨时产流产沙较其他类型多,但在细致整地后其产流产沙明显减少;刺槐纯林林分郁闷度大、林下草本和枯落物量大,则暴雨时产流产沙少。     

Analysis of indigenous production methods and farm-based biodiversity of amochi (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Arisaema schimperianum</Emphasis> Schott) in two sub-zones of Southern Ethiopia

For the first time we report that diverse types of Arisaema schimperianum Schott locally called amochi, are grown and managed as an off-season food crop in Southern Ethiopia. Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and formal survey studies on 204 households were conducted over two consecutive years (2003–2004) in Chencha and Dita sub zones of Southern Ethiopia, to identify indigenous production methods and farm based biodiversity of amochi. Amochi is propagated from seed tubers and tuber parts left in the soil from the preceding harvest and grow during the dry season, February to June. Average share of proportion in the annual household consumption from amochi tubers was 9% and 4% for Chencha and Dita respectively. Uncooked amochi is irritating in contact to skin and mouth. Fifteen amochi types were identified in Dita and 12 in Chencha. They differ in the level of irritation, maturity and yield. Rich farmers with large family size as a working force, large farm size to support larger number of livestock that is source of farmyard manure, have farms with larger diversity of amochi than their poor counterparts, suggesting that its diversity is influenced by house hold characteristics and favoured under relatively fertile soil conditions. In both sub zones women had better experience in identifying amochi types than men. Further study is needed to identify chemical contents; and genetic variation using morphologic and molecular traits, in order to develop a strategy to assess and utilise the existing genetic diversity.     

Response of denitrifying communities to successive soil freeze–thaw cycles

The effect of soil freeze–thaw cycles on the denitrification potential was examined based on the C₂H₂ inhibition method. The gross N₂O production curve of the soil sample (incubation with C₂H₂) showed minor changes between the freeze–thaw treatment and the unfrozen control. However, kinetics analysis revealed that the initial production rate, an indicator of the population density of denitrifying communities, decreased (P = 0.043) and the specific growth rate constant, an indicator of the activity of denitrifying communities, increased (P = 0.039) as a result of the freeze–thaw cycles in five of six soil samples examined. The increase in the specific growth rate constant suggested the stimulation of the activity of denitrifying communities that survived after the freeze–thaw cycles and may explain the minor suppression on the gross N₂O production in spite of decreasing the population density of denitrifying communities that was suggested by the initial production rate. The net N₂O production curve of the soil sample (incubation without C₂H₂) showed a remarkable change in one out of six soil samples, and in that one soil sample, N₂O release to the atmosphere was largely stimulated (7.6 times) by the freeze–thaw cycles. However, the stimulation of the N₂O release by the freeze–thaw cycles was even observed in two other selected soil samples (4.6 and 1.8 times), suggesting that an imbalance in the N₂O-producing and N₂O-reducing activities of denitrifying communities might complementally explain the N₂O release stimulated by the freeze–thaw cycles.     

退耕还林工程对粮食生产的影响——以山西省为例

[目的]研究退耕还林工程对粮食生产的影响,为深入开展退耕还林工程提供科学依据。[方法]以山西省的117个县域为研究单位,基于1990,2000,2005,2010和2015年5期土地利用数据和社会经济统计数据,分析耕地和粮食生产时空变化,并通过建立生产函数分析退耕还林工程对粮食生产的影响。[结果]①山西省生态环境重点治理区域的退耕效果显著,黄土丘陵沟壑区耕地转林草地的类型尤为明显;②退耕15 a期间,山西省粮食总产量及粮食单位面积产量总体呈上升趋势,其中重点退耕县的粮食总产量与粮食单产水平都一定程度的提高,且粮食单产增幅高于全省平均水平;③退耕对粮食总产量及粮食单位面积产出均有显著的正向影响。[结论]在省级层面,退耕还林工程不会对粮食生产造成负面影响,反而通过促进农业集约化生产等方式,提高粮食单产水平,进而带动粮食产量的提高。     

基于植被降水利用效率的荒漠化遥感评价方法

 在考虑荒漠化评价的空间尺度和基准以及潜在评价指标的尺度特征的基础上,以国内外对土地荒漠化过程中植被降水利用效率(RUE)变化的研究为依据,提出一种以植被的降水利用效率为主要评价指标、适合于荒漠化遥感监测应用的荒漠化评价方法。该方法可很大程度上克服以植被指标为主的评价方法受降水波动影响大的缺点。这种方法重视不同荒漠化类型的共性特征,适合在多种类型荒漠化遥感评价中应用。     

我国养猪生产的发展方向

我国养猪生产正处在由传统生产向现代化生产转化阶段。在这个阶段中，养猪生产所面临的主要任务是工作重心由城郊转向农村；引导养猪生产向产业化方向发展；提高宏观调控能力，做到可持续发展。     

西藏地区降水资源评价与农田水利建设的建议

西藏高原自然降水不多，干湿季明显，干旱频率高；近三十多年来气候有变干的趋势；水资源丰富，但利用率很低。干旱缺水是农业生产的主要制约因素；为较大提高农业生产水平，提出了因地制宜开展农田水利建设的建议。     

广西奶牛养殖业发展中存在的问题及对策

随着国家对"三农"问题的日益重视和农业产业化进程的加速推进,奶牛养殖在农业发展中的地位和作用也在不断提高和增强。为了进一步加快广西奶牛养殖业的发展速度,通过深入调查广西奶牛养殖企业现有的生产状况及生产水平,分析了目前影响广西奶牛养殖业发展中存在的问题,提出加快广西奶牛养殖业发展的思路与对策。     

田林老山中山杉木人工林生产力及营养元素循环的研究

广西田林县老山林场中山区气候冷凉潮湿,土壤肥力较高,能满足杉木速生要求。17年生杉木人工林乔木层的生物量达138.46t/ha,平均净生产量为8.15t/ha·a,与杉木中心产区相当。乔木层对N,P,K,Ca,Mg5种营养元素的吸收量为224.04kg/ha·a,其中42.3％存留在林木层,42.5％通过凋落物,15.2％通过降雨淋洗归还土壤。通过凋落物归还是N,P,Ca,Mg归还的主要途径,K的归还主要通过降雨淋洗;K,Ca,Mg的循环系数较大,分别达到0.58,0.68和0.60;N,P相对较小,分别为0.48和0.33。林木正处于生长旺盛阶段,杉木对5种营养元素的吸收量、存留量和归还量以及循环系数都有较高水平,生物量积累也较大。