Variation of Parthenium hysterophorus in response to soil quality: implications for invasiveness

Summary The performance of Parthenium hysterophorus , native to the tropical Americas and invasive to several countries, was evaluated for response to soil quality. Phenological (six stages) and quantitative growth variables [relative growth rates in height (R_h) and diameter (R_d)] were measured every fortnight. Based on harvest data, the variables, root:shoot (R:S) ratio, specific leaf area (SLA), relative growth rate in biomass (R_w), net assimilation rate (NAR) and dry matter allocation to plant components, were determined. High clay content in soils prolonged the rosette stage, enhanced R_h and R_d and hampered root growth, but promoted biomass allocation to shoots. The extreme degree of plant mortality was observed, with only 33.3% individuals surviving to reproduce in the soils with highest clay contents. This appears to be one of the most important findings that certainly has a major bearing on the range of adaptation of the weed. Seed mass declined whereas seed production increased in relatively coarser soils with the exception of nearly pure sand. In soils rich in clay, plants produced a smaller number of larger seeds. These data suggest that variation in fundamental functional traits would enable P. hysterophorus to adjust to a variety of habitat conditions.     

光照和褪黑激素对内蒙古绒山羊氮分配的影响

从氮分配的角度研究了光照和褪黑激素对内蒙古白绒山羊营养分配的影响。结果表明:光照时间和埋植褪黑激素显著影响绒山羊体内氮物质分配,短光照或埋植褪黑激素显著提高绒山羊血液中的褪黑激素水平,并使其他相关激素如催乳素(PRL)、胰岛素(INS)、类胰岛素生长因子-I(IGF-I)、瘦素(LEP)的含量发生显著变化,结果使毛绒氮的沉积增加,体氮的沉积减少。短光照条件下毛绒氮和体氮的沉积分别为33.7%±0.64%和66.3%±0.64%;而长光照条件下则减少毛绒氮的分配量,增加体氮分配量,毛绒氮和体氮的沉积分别为23.6%±0.46%和76.4%±0.46%。短光照和褪黑激素之间有强烈的互作效应,短光照埋植褪黑激素组毛绒氮和体氮的分配比例分别为36.1%±0.79%和63.9%±0.79%。试验期绒山羊的产绒量平均增加(338.83±72)g,比普通绒山羊提高73.86%,新生羊绒的品质符合纺织工业标准的要求。     

Density responses and spatial distribution of cotton yield and yield components in jujube (Zizyphus jujube)/cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) agroforestry

Trees are the dominant species in agroforestry systems, profoundly affecting the performance of understory crops. Proximity to trees is a key factor in crop performance, but rather little information is available on the spatial distribution of yield and yield components of crop species under the influence of trees in agroforestry systems. Also, little information is available on how crop density may be exploited to optimize the yield in such systems. Here we studied the performance of cotton in jujube/cotton agroforestry. Field experiments were conducted in 2012 and 2013 in Hetian, Xinjiang, China. Cotton was grown at a row distance of 60 cm in three densities, 13.5, 18.0 and 22.5 plants m⁻² in six m wide paths between tree lines in a jujube plantation. Plant density affected both cotton aboveground dry matter and yield significantly. The highest yield was attained at the intermediate density of 18.0 plants m⁻² (20.0 plants m⁻² corresponding in sole cotton), lower than the optimal density in sole cotton (25.0 plants m⁻²). Yield at the lower density was constrained by the low number of bolls per m² as a direct consequence of the low density, whereas at the high plant density yield was constrained by a lower allocation of assimilates to cotton seed and lint, as a consequence of intraspecific and interspecific competitions. There were strong gradients in yield and yield components in relation to the distance from the tree rows. Leaf area and total dry matter of cotton in rows close to the tree lines were reduced, especially in the rows next to the trees. Moreover, biomass allocation to cotton fruits was reduced in these rows. Competitive influences from the trees on cotton performance extended two rows deep in a six-year old jujube stand, and even three rows deep in a seven-year old stand. Shading effects on cotton yield were compensated by increasing plant density as a result of greater boll numbers per unit ground area. Data from this study help guide the design of optimal plant density of cotton in jujube plantations and give insight in the spatial distribution and dynamics of competitive effects in agroforestry systems in general.     

Maize harvest index and water use efficiency can be improved by inhibition of gibberellin biosynthesis

Possibilities to improve maize harvest index and nutrient utilization efficiency by application of plant growth regulators were investigated. In container experiments, the effects of different growth regulators on the development of the maize (Zea mays L.) cultivars Pioneer 3906 and Fabregas were tested. Paclobutrazol (PAC) and chlorocholine chloride (CCC), two inhibitors of gibberellin biosynthesis, as well as gibberellic acid (GA₃) were applied at growth stage V5. Three weeks after application of PAC, shoot growth of both maize cultivars was strongly affected with a significant decrease in plant height in the PAC treatment by 44% and 36% for Pioneer 3906 and Fabregas, respectively. The growth‐retarded plants had higher leaf areas and reduced transpiration rates. The higher shoot growth after GA₃ application was accompanied by a reduction in leaf area and an increase in transpiration rate during 1 week before anthesis. CCC treatment showed no significant effects on plant height, leaf area and transpiration rate. The PAC‐treated cultivar Pioneer 3906 produced several cobs per plant, which were mainly barren at maturity. However, PAC application to Fabregas resulted in just one cob per plant with good kernel development and a grain yield, which was not significantly reduced in comparison with the control. With this similar grain yield in combination with a straw yield decrease of 32%, the harvest index was significantly improved by 12%. In addition, with PAC‐treated Fabregas plants, a 19% increased water use efficiency of the grain (WUE_grain) during the critical period of kernel setting was achieved. In this maize cultivar, CCC application also improved harvest index by 5%, but no effect on WUE_grain occurred. GA₃ treatment decreased harvest index of both maize cultivars, and it either reduced WUE_grain (Pioneer 3906) or showed no effect (Fabregas). Utilization efficiencies of N, P and K were not increased with growth regulator application, even in the PAC‐treated Fabregas plants with a significantly improved allocation of assimilates to the grain, mirrored by the higher harvest index. The results indicate that fertilizer applications must be adjusted to the reduced demand of growth‐retarded plants, most likely leading to higher nutrient utilization efficiencies.     

Comparison of Salt and Drought‐Stress Effects on Maize Growth and Yield Formation with Regard to Acid Invertase Activity in the Kernels

The long‐term effects of salt stress (11 dS m^?1) and drought stress (35 % WHC) were investigated for two maize genotypes, focusing on the relation between metabolic changes around the time of pollination and the impact on yield determinants at maturity. The relatively salt‐resistant hybrid Pioneer 3906 and the relatively drought‐resistant hybrid Fabregas were compared. The experiments were conducted in large plastic containers in a vegetation hall in two consecutive years (2011 and 2012). Plant height and leaf area were significantly reduced under both stress conditions. The transpiration rate was only slightly reduced under drought stress; but under salt stress, a significant reduction occurred 40–53 days after sowing. As a significant increase in sucrose concentrations was observed in the salt‐treated maize kernels 2 days after pollination, the availability of assimilates was not limiting and the plants could afford to save water by reduced stomatal opening. Although under both stress conditions the soluble acid invertase activity was reduced 2 days after pollination, concomitantly, an increase in hexose concentrations was observed. Thus, in these experiments, the delivery of hexoses by acid invertase activity did not limit kernel development. Differences in grain yield at maturity between salt and drought stress were most likely caused by salt‐specific effects (Na⁺ toxicity), Fabregas being more affected than Pioneer 3906.     

两相分配(有机相-水相)生物反应器降解污染物的原理及应用

有毒有机污染物大多为人工合成的异生物合成物，具“三致”与生物难降解等特性，对环境和人类健康造成了严重的威胁。本文论述了两相分配生物反应器对有毒有机污染物的降解原理及其应用现状。该反应器基于热力学平衡原理，通过引入有机相，消除有机污染物对微生物的抑制作用，在快速降解污染物的同时实现体系的自控。现有研究表明。可高效降解苯、苯酚、BTX、多环芳烃等有毒有机污染物。此外，对该反应器的进一步研究与应用进行了展望。     

镉污染下不同类型水稻土氮素供应特征及其影响因素

污染条件下的土壤氮素供应影响了作物生产和植物生态修复。采用温室盆栽试验,研究了两种剂量镉污染下我国21种水稻土无机氮的供应特征和影响因素。结果表明：淹水10天后,不同水稻土土壤溶液无机态氮含量变幅为1.42 ~ 70.40 mg/L （(平均值为16.76 mg/L）),其中NH4+-N和NO3--N分别占62.5% 和33.7%;与施肥对照相比,镉污染降低了大多数水稻土土壤溶液无机态氮的含量,平均降幅为58.4%,主要是由土壤溶液NH4+-N含量下降所致;土壤溶液NO3--N含量受镉污染的影响程度则因土壤类型而异。基于典范对应分析的偏因子分析（(VPA）)表明镉污染对水稻土土壤溶液无机氮含量的影响最大,其次是土壤类型,施肥影响最小,三类因子单独作用的影响比例分别为40.38%、6.51% 和0.05%。镉污染下,pH、CEC和土壤质地显著影响水稻土无机氮供应,其中土壤pH是镉污染条件下影响NH4+-N含量变化的首要因子。     

How much variation can be explained by seasonal,spatial and environmental effects in nekton assemblages of the Terminos Lagoon?

• 1. The coastline is very sensitive to both climatic and human influences but also provides essential goods and services upon which human welfare depends. Species inhabiting these coastal areas provide valuable resources and enhance ecosystem functioning: it is therefore essential to understand the main factors influencing species abundance patterns. The aim of this study is to estimate the amount of variation in nekton coastal assemblages explained by spatial, temporal and environmental variables.
• 2. Nekton sampling was carried out over 17 months in the Terminos Lagoon, a reserve area situated in the Gulf of Mexico, using a shrimp trawl. At each station, 11 environmental variables were recorded. The influence of seasonal, spatial and environmental variables on nekton species abundance was analysed using Partial Canonical Correspondence Analysis (PCCA).
• 3. The explanatory variables explained only 19.7% of the total observed variation in the nekton community for the Terminos Lagoon. The major part of the explained variation was due to the spatial effect (9.2%), while environmental variables and seasonality explained only 3.6% and 0.8%, respectively, suggesting the necessity to consider experimental fishing design in such artisanal fisheries.
• 4. Results also suggest focusing on more integrative indicators of community structure such as measures of taxonomic diversity based on presence/absence or on measures related to functional attributes of communities rather than using species abundance patterns to predict changes in coastal ecosystems.

Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Seed growth of three perennial ryegrass cultivars sown on two dates and treated with trinexapac ethyl straw shortener

First‐year crops of diploid perennial ryegrass (cvs. Meridian, Bronsyn and Grasslands Impact) were sown on 1 April and 14 May 2008. Applications of trinexapac ethyl (TE) plant growth regulator at 0, 200 and 400 g a.i. ha^?1 were used to shorten stems to examine the impact of seed growth. Seed filling followed a consistent sigmoidal growth pattern with a lag phase of 127°C days, and linear duration of 390°C days. Time to 95% of final seed weight was 517°C days. Seed yield increases from TE were from higher numbers of first‐grade seeds m^?2, achieved by a higher rate of seed filling during the linear phase of 0·115 mg per °C day per spike. For all cultivars, the maximum stem dry weight occurred at 310–400°C days post‐anthesis, which suggest the stem was a strong sink. As seeds developed, their demand for assimilate increased and they drew more from the stem. At harvest, stem weights from TE treatments were 25% heavier than at anthesis, while untreated ‘Bronsyn’ and ‘Grasslands Impact’ stems were similar to those at anthesis. Thus, stems treated with TE contributed assimilates to increase seed yield but were still a net sink with assimilates in the stem at harvest. Trinexapac ethyl rate induced an inverse relationship between seed yield and stem height. This showed that competition for assimilate between stems and growing seeds limited the seed yield. Management or genetic factors that reduce stem height are likely to increase seed yields of perennial ryegrass.     

脐橙叶片矿质营养元素含量的分区分布特征

为揭示矿质营养元素在脐橙叶中分区分布特征,以枳砧和枳橙砧纽荷尔脐橙为对象,测定新叶和老叶的叶尖、叶缘、中部、叶基和翼叶等5个分区中10种元素(N、P、K、Ca、Mg、Fe、Mn、Cu、Zn和B)的含量,并分析各分区离子组成的差异。主成分分析显示,第一主成分(PC1)和第二主成分(PC2)分别解释了总变量的43.4%和21.1%,明确区分了新叶和老叶,大致区分了叶不同分区,发现新叶翼叶与其他分区具有明显差异,而老叶本叶各分区的离散程度明显大于新叶本叶各分区。两种砧木脐橙新叶中钾含量分布表现为翼叶叶基中部叶缘≈叶尖,镁含量表现为叶尖≈叶缘中部叶基翼叶;两种砧木脐橙老叶中锰含量表现为叶尖≈叶缘中部叶基翼叶,硼含量表现为叶尖叶缘中部叶基翼叶。N、P、B在新叶本叶各分区以及P、Ca在老叶本叶各分区间含量都没有显著差异。枳砧脐橙新叶翼叶Mn、Cu和Zn的含量与叶片其他分区没有显著差异,而枳橙砧脐橙新叶翼叶Mn、Cu和Zn的含量都分别显著低于叶片其他分区。结果表明,不同元素叶片分区分布特征存在明显差异,翼叶的元素含量和离子组成与叶片其他分区差异明显。