长期不同施肥制度土壤肥力特征综合评价方法

通过综合分析不同施肥制度下土壤物理、化学、生物学特征来评价不同施肥体系培肥土壤能力,以期建立科学施肥制度,为实现土壤可持续利用提供理论依据。以位于中国农业科学院禹城试验基地长达26 a的不同施肥定位试验为平台,研究了长期不同施肥对2种土壤物理肥力指标、10种化学肥力指标及2种土壤生物肥力指标的影响,运用主成分分析和聚类分析等数理统计方法综合评价了长期不同施肥制度下土壤物理肥力、化学肥力及生物肥力因子,并对不同施肥制度土壤肥力水平进行综合评分。结果表明:1)不同施肥制度对土壤肥力因子影响差异显著。单施有机肥及有机无机配施与单施化肥相比,土壤容重降低5.0%~11.0%,土壤总孔隙度增加4.1%~9.9%:土壤有机碳、全氮增加95%~136%、69%~137%,土壤速效磷含量增加5倍,土壤速效钾增加81%~103%;土壤微生物碳、氮分别增加50%~112%、34%~79%,土壤pH值下降了0.15~0.47个单位。2)将14个土壤肥力因子分为2个主成分综合表征土壤肥力,其中土壤容重、土壤孔隙度、土壤全碳、土壤活性有机碳、土壤全氮、土壤有机氮、土壤微生物碳、土壤微生物氮、土壤速效钾、土壤全磷、土壤速效磷、土壤有机磷、pH值等肥力因子在主成分一上有较高的负荷,贡献率83.73%;土壤全钾在主成分二上有较高的负荷,贡献率8.49%。3)聚类分析方法把不同施肥制度对土壤肥力的影响差异强度分为4类:常量有机肥和常量有机无机配施、常量化肥和高量化肥、不施肥、高量有机肥。4)不同施肥制度对土壤培肥效果依次表现为:高量有机肥常量有机肥常量有机无机配施高量化肥常量化肥不施肥。单施有机肥以及有机无机肥配施与单施化肥相比能有效增加土壤养分含量,调节土壤养分平衡,能从土壤物理、化学、生物肥力方面综合提升土壤肥力水平,提高土壤养分供应能力。     

长期不同施肥处理红壤旱地剖面养分分布差异

【目的】 研究长期不同施肥措施下红壤旱地的培肥效果、养分迁移特征以及环境风险,对制定红壤旱地合理的养分管理和培肥技术,促进畜禽粪便的循环利用具有重要意义。 【方法】 依托始于1986年的红壤旱地肥料定位试验,选取不施肥 (CK)、氮磷钾肥配施 (NPK)、2倍氮磷钾肥配施 (2NPK)、有机肥 (OM) 和有机肥和氮磷钾肥配施 (NPKM) 5个处理,采集0—10 cm、10—20 cm、20—40 cm、40—60 cm、60—80 cm、80—100 cm土壤样品,分析了pH值、有机质及氮磷钾养分含量。 【结果】 连续施肥28年后,红壤旱地土壤有机质、全氮、碱解氮、全磷、有效磷、速效钾等含量均随着土壤深度增加逐步降低。与对照相比,施用有机肥显著提高了0—40 cm土壤的pH值,其余处理pH有所下降。长期施用化肥后,红壤旱地土壤有效磷、全磷、碱解氮和全氮在0—20 cm耕层累积,土壤速效钾的累积则达到40 cm深;与化肥处理相比,有机肥和有机无机肥配施处理0—40 cm土壤的全氮、碱解氮、速效钾、有效磷和全磷的含量显著增加,土壤全氮和碱解氮的下移累积达到40 cm,而土壤全磷和有效磷的下移累积则达到了60 cm。红壤旱地长期施用猪粪等有机肥主要增加了0—40 cm耕层土壤的磷素累积,而在剖面80 cm以下未表现出明显累积现象。 【结论】 长期施用化肥 (28年)处理养分主要在0—20 cm红壤旱地耕层土壤累积,而长期施用有机肥或有机无机肥配施还可以明显提高20—40 cm土壤养分含量,养分下移累积作用明显。此外,红壤旱地长期施用有机肥可以缓解耕层土壤的酸化、提高耕层土壤肥力水平,是增加培肥深度的有效措施,但是长期施用猪粪导致的氮磷下渗深度增加可能引起的环境风险也应引起重视。      

基于红壤肥力和环境效应评价的油菜-花生适宜施肥量

基于土壤肥力的施肥决策是提高施肥经济效益和降低施肥对环境危害的基础。本文针对红壤丘陵区的油菜-花生轮作系统,在红砂岩和红黏土红壤旱地中进行单因素的N、P肥料试验,评价其产量、肥料利用率、经济效益和环境效应,提出红壤丘陵区的施肥模型和适宜施肥量。试验表明,红壤速效P含量是影响作物产量的主要因素。考虑土壤速效P含量参数的油菜施N模型为Y=266.1×AP_class 2.87×N 393.3,其中Y为油菜的产量(kg/hm2);AP_class为土壤速效P含量的分类变量,N为施入的N肥用量(纯Nkg/hm2)。通过对不同施N量下花生产量、N肥利用率和环境效应(收获后土壤剖面中NO3--N储量)的综合评价,红砂岩红壤旱地中花生的N肥适宜用量为103.5kg/hm2。作物对P肥的利用率随施P量的增加呈现抛物线的变化方式。土壤速效P含量也影响了P肥利用率,速效P含量高的红砂岩红壤中花生对P肥利用率显著高于速效P水平低的红黏土红壤。综合评价P肥的产量效益、肥料利用率和经济效益,红砂岩红壤旱地中,油菜的适宜施P量为P2O590kg/hm2,花生的适宜施P量在P2O522.5～45kg/hm2之间。     

有机–无机肥配施比例对双季稻田土壤质量的影响

【目的】利用江西省稻田土壤质量演变定位监测试验为平台,系统分析长期不同施肥措施下土壤质量状况,明确提升红壤性双季稻田土壤质量的优化施肥措施。 【方法】长期定位试验设置 8 个处理,分别为不施肥处理 (CK),施磷钾肥处理 (PK),施氮磷肥处理 (NP),施氮钾肥处理 (NK),施氮磷钾肥处理 (NPK),施 70% 化肥 + 30% 有机肥处理 (70F + 30M),施 50% 化肥 + 50% 有机肥处理 (50F + 50M),施 30% 化肥 + 70% 有机肥处理 (30F + 70M),于 2012 年晚稻收获后测定 2 个土壤物理性质指标 (容重和总孔隙度)、7 个基础化学性质指标 (有机质、全氮、全磷、碱解氮、有效磷、速效钾和 pH 值) 及 3 个生物学性质指标 (细菌、真菌和放线菌数量),分析长期不同施肥对各土壤性质的影响,并运用主成分分析对各处理土壤质量进行综合评分,最后将综合得分进行聚类分析,以评价长期不同施肥措施对红壤性双季稻田土壤质量的影响。 【结果】经 28 年连续不同施肥处理后,各土壤性质在处理间均产生显著差异,但各土壤性质在处理间的变化趋势并不完全一致。化肥配施有机肥处理较化肥处理土壤容重降低 12.7%～20.6%,土壤孔隙度增加 2.3%～17.4%,有机质增加 22.5%～41.8%,全氮和碱解氮分别提高 9.8%～20.9% 和 11.1%～30.3%,全磷和有效磷分别提高 11.1%～71.7% 和 1.31～1.75 倍,pH 值提高 0.19～0.48 个单位;主成分分析方法将原 12 个土壤性质指标降维、提取出 2 个主成分,反映了原信息量的 87.4%,有机质、容重、真菌、全氮、有效磷、放线菌、总孔隙度、细菌、全磷和碱解氮在第一主成分上有较高载荷值,pH 值和速效钾在第二主成分上有较高载荷;各施肥处理下土壤质量综合水平高低排序为:30%F + 70M > 50F + 50M > 70F + 30M > NPK > NP > NK > PK > CK;聚类分析方法将长期不同施肥制度下稻田土壤质量划分为一级 (30F + 70M),二级 (50F + 50M、70F + 30M),三级 (NPK、NP),四级 (NK、PK、CK) 4 个等级。 【结论】与单施化肥相比,有机无机配施可有效增加土壤养分含量,改善土壤物理性质,缓解土壤酸化,提高土壤微生物数量,是提高红壤性双季稻田土壤质量的有效施肥措施。     

基于土壤肥力质量综合指数评价化肥与有机肥配施对红壤稻田肥力的提升作用

  【目的】  准确评价有机肥料提高农田土壤肥力的效果,是正确选择土壤培肥措施的基础。通过比较两种土壤肥力质量综合指数的计算方法评价有机肥培肥效果的可行性。  【方法】  3年田间定位试验 (2015—2017) 在长江中下游的红壤双季稻田进行。共设7个处理:不施肥 (CK),等氮磷钾投入量下的单施化肥 (CF) 和一半化肥氮配施一半的牛粪 (+CM)、猪粪 (+PM)、鸡粪 (+ChM)、绿肥 (+GM) 与秸秆 (+SR)。在2017年晚稻收获后,采集耕层土壤样品,分析土壤理化性状和土壤生物学性状。筛选用于评价土壤肥力的指标,用雷达图分析稻田土壤肥力水平的制约因素,采用土壤肥力质量综合指数 (IFI) 评价不同有机肥料的培肥效果。  【结果】  1) 团聚体结构、pH、有机质3个指标属于弱变异性,其余指标属于中等强度变异,以有效锌、有效磷以及酸性磷酸酶的变异系数较大,对施肥处理的响应比较灵敏;2) 由隶属度值制成的雷达图显示,土壤阳离子交换量 (CEC)、速效钾与全磷含量是制约稻田土壤肥力水平最主要的3个因子;3) 运用全量数据集与最小数据集计算的肥力指数IFI均表明,相对于不施肥CK,6个施肥处理均可以显著提高土壤肥力指数IFI,5个有机无机肥配施处理的IFI均显著高于单施化肥处理,且+PM与+ChM处理的IFI指数显著高于+CM与+GM处理;在全量数据集下,+SR处理的IFI指数显著高于+CM与+GM处理,而在最小数据集下,3个处理间差异不显著;4) 全量数据集的土壤肥力质量综合指数IFI_TDS和最小数据集的土壤肥力质量综合指数IFI_MDS均与双季稻总产量呈极显著正相关关系。  【结论】  基于全量数据集和基于最小数据集的土壤肥力质量综合指数 (IFI_TDS、IFI_MDS) 均可客观表征土壤肥力质量。依据该指标,化肥配施猪粪提高土壤肥力的效果最佳,其次是配施鸡粪或秸秆,最低是配施牛粪或紫云英绿肥。     

生物质炭及过氧化钙对旱地红壤酶活性和微生物群落结构的影响

明确生物质炭等改良剂对土壤酶活性及土壤微生物群落结构的影响,对南方红壤旱地改良剂的合理施用及评价不同改良剂对旱地红壤肥力的影响具有重要意义。针对江西旱地红壤进行室内培养试验,试验设置4个处理,即CK、Ca(过氧化钙,1.72 g/kg)、C(生物质炭,21.46 g/kg)、C+Ca(过氧化钙,1.72 g/kg;生物质炭,21.46 g/kg),利用磷脂脂肪酸方法(PLFA),研究改良剂对土壤微生物量和组成以及土壤酶活性、土壤活性有机碳的影响。结果表明:旱地红壤中添加生物质炭和过氧化钙土壤提高可溶性有机碳(DOC)和微生物量碳(MBC)含量;增加蔗糖酶(INV)、淀粉酶(AMY)及脲酶(URE)活性,特别是配施(C+Ca)显著提高土壤活性碳含量及酶活性。PLFA分析表明,土壤微生物总PLFAs量的大小顺序为:C+CaCCaCK;各处理土壤细菌的相对丰度最大,大约占微生物总含量的80%,放线菌次之,大约占微生物总含量的13%～15%,而真菌和丛枝菌根真菌的相对丰度较低。生物质炭和过氧化钙增加了革兰氏阴性菌(GN)/革兰氏阳性菌(GP)值,尤以C+Ca处理增加幅度最大。主成分分析(PCA)表明,添加生物质炭和过氧化钙能够改善土壤微生物群落结构;计算主成分的综合得分,配施(C+Ca)处理的综合得分最高,对土壤微生物群落结构的影响最大。冗余分析(RDA)表明,土壤MBC、DOC和土壤INV酶活性是影响土壤微生物数量和结构的主要因子。因此,施用生物质炭和过氧化钙能够明显提高旱地红壤微生物生物量,改变红壤微生物群落结构以及激发红壤酶活性,且配施效果最显著。     

不同施肥年限对红壤细菌多样性及群落结构演替的影响

为探讨不同年限施肥处理对旱地红壤细菌多样性和群落结构演替的影响,基于中国科学院红壤生态实验站设置的不同秸秆还田方式长期定位试验,采集种植玉米后第1年(Y2011)、第3年(Y2013)和第7年(Y2017)的土样进行分析。试验处理分为不施肥(CK)、化肥(N)和化肥+秸秆猪粪配施(NSM)3个处理,通过高通量测序技术研究旱地红壤细菌多样性和群落结构差异。结果表明:(1)施肥处理显著提高了土壤有机碳、全氮、全磷和有效磷养分含量,NSM处理对土壤肥力的提升效果比N处理好,且随着施肥年限的延长,提升效果越显著;(2)与Y2011相比,Y2013和Y2017下CK、N和NSM处理的细菌α多样性均显著提高,且N和NSM处理细菌多样性显著高于CK处理;(3)主坐标分析和聚类分析表明,土壤细菌群落主要通过施肥年限聚类在一起,但同一施肥年限下不同施肥处理之间细菌群落结构没有显著差异;(4)土壤全磷是驱动细菌多样性和群落结构变异的最关键因子。本研究从细菌多样性增加的角度,为探索有机培肥下红壤肥力提升和生态系统健康管护提供了科学依据。     

长期施肥对旱地红壤细菌群落的影响

为探讨长期不同施肥对旱地红壤细菌群落的影响,以中国农业科学院祁阳红壤实验站的冬小麦—夏玉米定位试验为研究对象,选取不施肥(CK)、单施氮肥(N)、施化学氮磷钾肥(NPK)和化学氮磷钾+有机肥配施(NPKM)4个处理,于试验开展25年(2015年)小麦收获后采集各处理0~20 cm的土壤样品,利用Illumina MiSeq高通量测序技术对土壤细菌群落进行测定,并深入揭示影响旱地红壤细菌群落的关键因素。结果表明:(1)长期不同施肥显著改变了旱地红壤的化学性质,N和NPK处理的土壤pH显著降低至4.02和4.15,而NPKM处理的土壤pH显著上升至5.99。NPK和NPKM处理均显著改善土壤肥力,但后者效果明显优于前者,而N处理对土壤肥力的提升效果微弱。(2)长期不同施肥改变了旱地红壤优势菌的相对丰度,非度量多维度分析(NMDS)和相似性分析(ANOSIM)表明不同处理的土壤细菌群落发生显著变化。(3)与CK相比,N处理的4种多样性指数(物种丰富度、Chao1指数、系统发育多样性和香农指数)显著降低了21.4%~49.4%,而NPKM处理显著增加了7.0%~66.9%,NPK处理也会使系统发育多样性和香农指数显著降低10.3%和13.0%。(4)逐步回归分析表明土壤pH是决定优势菌相对丰度及4种多样性指数的首要因素,多元回归树分析(MRT)探明土壤pH共解释了83.1%的细菌群落变异,不同处理间细菌群落转变均由土壤pH驱动。(5)STAMP分析发现,N、NPK和NPKM处理与CK分别有11、14和8个显著差异细菌属。综上所述,长期施肥后旱地红壤细菌群落主要受土壤pH的影响,而土壤肥力的作用相对较弱,长期施用化学氮肥造成的红壤酸化的负面效应已远超肥力改善的正面效应。因此,旱地红壤施肥应以防治土壤酸化为前提,长期化肥有机肥配施是一项适宜的施肥措施。     

长期施肥红壤性稻田和旱地土壤有机碳积累差异

  【目的】  提高土壤有机碳水平对提升农田生产力有重要意义。基于长期定位施肥试验,比较施肥影响下相同成土母质发育的红壤性稻田和旱地土壤的总有机碳 (TOC) 及其组分的积累差异,以深入理解红壤有机碳的固持及稳定机制。  【方法】  稻田和旱地长期施肥试验分别始于1981和1986年,包含CK (不施肥对照)、NPK (施氮磷钾化肥) 和NPKM (有机无机肥配施) 3个处理,在2017年晚稻和晚玉米收获后,采集两个试验上述处理的耕层 (0—20 cm) 土样,通过硫酸水解法分离土壤活性与惰性有机碳,测定并计算土壤中TOC及其组分的含量及储量,并利用Jenny模型拟合试验期间耕层土壤TOC含量的变化动态,估算土壤固碳潜力。  【结果】  与CK相比,长期施肥可提高稻田和旱地土壤各有机碳组分的含量,且NPKM处理的效果优于NPK处理。相比于稻田土壤,施肥对旱地土壤各有机碳组分含量的提升更加明显。NPK和NPKM处理下,旱地土壤活性有机碳组分Ⅰ、活性有机碳组分Ⅱ、惰性有机碳含量的增幅分别是稻田土壤的2.7、2.7、5.8倍和2.0、1.4和2.5倍。不论施肥与否,稻田土壤TOC的固存量和固存潜力均显著高于旱地土壤。施肥促进土壤固碳,在稻田和旱地土壤上,NPKM处理的TOC固存量分别是NPK处理的1.7和25.5倍,TOC固存潜力则分别是NPK处理的1.4和5.8倍。长期不同施肥均显著提高稻田和旱地土壤年均碳投入量,线性拟合方程表明,随碳投入量增加,土壤活性有机碳储量的累积对稻田、旱地土壤TOC储量累积的贡献率分别达64.7%、44.6%。不同处理间稻田与旱地土壤活性有机碳 (包括活性有机碳组分Ⅰ与活性有机碳组分Ⅱ) 含量的差异可解释其TOC含量差异的52.9%～60.0%。  【结论】  与施氮磷钾化肥相比,有机无机肥配施可更好的促进土壤固碳,且在旱地土壤上的促进作用比在稻田土壤上更为明显。与稻田土壤相比,旱地土壤各有机碳组分含量的变化对长期施肥的响应更敏感,且在施氮磷钾化肥条件下表现更为明显。红壤性稻田和旱地土壤TOC积累的主要贡献组分分别为活性有机碳和惰性有机碳。红壤植稻虽有利于有机碳固持,但红壤性稻田土壤的活性碳占比较高,可能易因不当管理而发生损失。     

长期配施秸秆与猪粪的红壤旱地有机碳库组成特征

以长期(1988—2014年)配施有机肥小区的对照(CK)、CK+花生秸秆(PS)、CK+稻秆(RS)及CK+猪粪(PM)的红壤旱地土壤为材料,采用Zimmermann等建立的方法将土壤有机碳逐级筛分为颗粒有机碳(POC)、砂粒和稳定团聚体碳(SAOC)、溶解性有机碳(DOC)、易氧化有机碳(LOC)以及惰性有机碳(r SOC)组分,并基于洛桑模型(RothC)将上述碳组分进一步划分为易分解植物残体碳(DPM)、难分解植物残体碳(RPM)、微生物生物量碳(BIO)、腐殖质碳(HUM)以及惰性有机碳(IOM)五个碳库,分析了长期配施作物秸秆与猪粪对各组分有机碳的影响,探讨了外源碳投入量及铁铝氧化物与各组分碳的相关关系。结果表明:长期配施秸秆与猪粪的红壤旱地中各组分有机碳含量和分布比例大小依次为:SAOC rSOC LOC POC DOC,而RothC模型各碳库含量和比例大小依次为:HUM IOM RPM BIO DPM。长期配施作物秸秆与猪粪的红壤旱地中HUM、BIO与IOM碳库组分的含量与比例均无显著变化,已处于相对稳定的平衡状态。与CK处理相比,PM处理可显著增加红壤旱地SOC;PS和RS处理可显著提高红壤旱地中DPM和RPM的含量,且RS处理有助于DPM与RPM中的有机碳向BIO与HUM转换。相关分析表明,外源碳投入量及土壤中非晶质氧化铝数量的增加有助于红壤旱地中稳定态有机碳的累积。     

低氮和干旱胁迫对富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的影响

【目的】以富士（Fuji）、 秦冠（Qinguan）嫁接在平邑甜茶（Malus hupehensis Rehd.）上的当年生盆栽苗为试验材料,采用砂培方法,研究了缺氮胁迫和干旱对富士和秦冠生长情况、 光合参数、 植株各部位氮磷钾含量及氮素利用效率的影响,分析比较了低氮干旱条件下富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的差异,以期为果树生产高效肥水利用提供理论指导。【方法】试验共设四个处理: 正常氮正常水（ZZ）、 低氮正常水（DZ）、 正常氮干旱（ZG）、 低氮干旱（DG）。氮素和水分均设置两个水平,分别为正常氮（6 mmol/L NO-3-N）、 低氮（0.3 mmol/LNO-3-N）、 正常供水（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的80%~85%）、 干旱处理（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的60%~65%）。【结果】富士和秦冠的生物量（茎和叶）、 株高茎粗等生长指标以及光合速率、 气孔导度、 蒸腾速率均为正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）,并且相对应处理下秦冠的以上指标均高于富士;正常供水下,缺氮处理使富士、 秦冠的根冠比比正常氮处理均有所增加,富士提高了2.05%,秦冠提高了22.40%。富士和秦冠的氮、 磷、 钾含量均表现出正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）; 氮、 钾元素含量在植株各部位的分布顺序依次是叶＞根＞茎,磷元素则是根＞叶＞茎;光合氮素利用效率（PNUE）和氮素利用效率表现为秦冠处理之间差异极显著,富士处理之间差异不显著;秦冠的PNUE和NUE明显高于富士,在低氮正常水（DZ）处理下,秦冠氮肥利用率比富士高42.07%,在低氮干旱（DG）处理下高64.14%;低氮胁迫下富士和秦冠的NUE显著提高,并且秦冠提高的幅度高于富士。【结论】施用氮肥能够显著提高富士与秦冠的干物质量,同等水肥条件下,秦冠生长优于富士;水分亏缺会减少叶片对氮的吸收,干旱条件下适度增施氮肥,可提高果树的抗旱能力;低氮干旱胁迫下秦冠的生长指标、 光合指标及氮素利用效率指标均优于富士,表现出较强的抗低氮干旱胁迫的能力。     

Pasture Vegetation Elemental Analysis by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a new technique for the analysis of plant material. This study investigates the application of LIBS to pasture-based plant samples. The LIBS measurements were obtained from pelletized pasture samples (100 samples) that had been also analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) following microwave digestion for calibration and comparison purposes. Comparisons for elements sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), boron (B), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) showed that LIBS could be used for almost all the standard profile total elements with concentrations down to low mg/kg levels (observed error of Na: 0.024 percent, K: 0.18 percent, Mg: 0.016 percent, Ca: 0.073 percent, P: 0.017 percent, Mn: 31 mg/kg, Fe: 150 mg/kg, Zn: 6.6 mg/kg, and B: 1.1 mg/kg). Elemental analysis at less than mg/kg levels was not possible using LIBS. The elements S and Cu were particularly difficult to analyze with reliability using LIBS at the concentration levels found in the plant samples. Replacing microwave digestion and subsequent ICP analysis with a direct analysis of dried plant samples using LIBS has the potential to improve the productivity and reduce the cost of testing.     

Faculty positions:Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Macroinvertebrates in North American tallgrass prairie soils: effects of fire, mowing, and fertilization on density and biomass

The responses of tallgrass prairie plant communities and ecosystem processes to fire and grazing are well characterized. However, responses of invertebrate consumer groups, and particularly soil-dwelling organisms, to these disturbances are not well known. At Konza Prairie Biological Station, we sampled soil macroinvertebrates in 1994 and 1999 as part of a long-term experiment designed to examine the effects and interactions of annual fire, mowing, and fertilization (N and P) on prairie soil communities and processes. For nearly all taxa, in both years, responses were characterized by significant treatment interactions, but some general patterns were evident. Introduced European earthworms (Aporrectodea spp. and Octolasion spp.) were most abundant in plots where fire was excluded, and the proportion of the total earthworm community consisting of introduced earthworms was greater in unburned, unmowed, and fertilized plots. Nymphs of two Cicada genera were collected (Cicadetta spp. and Tibicen spp.). Cicadetta nymphs were more abundant in burned plots, but mowing reduced their abundance. Tibicen nymphs were collected almost exclusively from unburned plots. Treatment effects on herbivorous beetle larvae (Scarabaeidae, Elateridae, and Curculionidae) were variable, but nutrient additions (N or P) usually resulted in greater densities, whereas mowing usually resulted in lower densities. Our results suggest that departures from historical disturbance regimes (i.e. frequent fire and grazing) may render soils more susceptible to increased numbers of European earthworms, and that interactions between fire, aboveground biomass removal, and vegetation responses affect the structure and composition of invertebrate communities in tallgrass prairie soils.     

Assessing the effectiveness of conservation measures: Resolving the “wicked” problem of the Steller sea lion

“Wicked” problems are those that are complex and that change when solutions are applied. Many conflicts in conservation fall into this category. The study approached the problem of how to constrain the apparent wickedness of a problem in the conservation management of a species by using simple empirical indicators to carry out iterative assessment of the risk to a population and to document how this risk evolves in relation to the addition of new data and the implementation of management actions. Effects of high levels of uncertainty within data and also concerning population structure were examined through stochastic simulation and by exploration of scenarios. Historical trends in the example used, the Steller sea lion, showed rapid declines in abundance in some regions during the 1980s. The current total population is 130,000-150,000 Steller sea lions through Alaska and British Columbia and this number has been stable since about 1990 in spite of regional differences in population dynamics. Regional differences in the sequence of changes in the number of pups and non-pups, suggested that an internal re-distribution of juveniles could have happened between 1980 and 1990. Current productivity also appears close to the long-term mean. Stochastic population projection using various scenarios showed that, based upon this history, the risk of extinction for the population has declined and is below reasonable thresholds for considering the population to be endangered. The trends in risk suggest that management actions taken since 1990 have probably been effective. Consequently, the conservation management objectives for the Steller sea lion are probably being met. The approach provides a mechanism, based upon experience and scenario analysis, for exploring future policy options and may help to constrain the debate amongst stakeholders about the cost-benefit trade-offs associated with different options.     

Soil-profile distribution of primary and secondary plant-available nutrients under conventional and no tillage

Nutrient distributions under no tillage (NT) compared with conventional disk-and-bed tillage (CT) management in the warm, humid region of the southeastern USA need to be assessed so that future placement, quantity, and type of fertilizers can be altered, if necessary, to efficiently match crop demands. We determined soil-profile distributions of pH, N, P, S, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu to a depth of 0.9 m at the end of 8.5 years of continuous CT and NT management on a Weswood silty clay loam (fine, mixed, thermic Fluventic Ustochrept) in southcentral Texas. Most dramatic changes occurred within the 0–0.05 m depth, where soil under NT had lower pH, Fe, and Cu than under CT, but greater P, K, Zn, and Mn. Greater P and K under NT than under CT also occurred below the till-zone (0.15–0.3 m). At a depth of 0–0.3 m, soil under NT contained greater amounts of extractable P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu than under CT. Nitrogen fertilization had little effect on nutrient distributions, except resulting in greater extractable K at 0–0.05 m and greater nitrate at 0–0.15 m. Few changes in soil-profile distributions were observed for extractable S, Ca, Mg, and Na. Long-term continuous use of NT on this fine-textured, high-fertility (except for N) soil had no apparent adverse effects on nutrient distributions relative to CT, but enhanced conservation and availability of P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu near the soil surface where crop roots proliferate.     

Variation in quality parameters between and within 14 Nordic tree fruit and berry species

Abstract

A 3-year study was carried out to investigate quality parameters in 14 tree fruit and berry species grown in southern Norway. The species were blueberry, apple, aronia, sour cherry, sweet cherry, red raspberry, strawberry, blackcurrant, gooseberry, red currant and elderberry, harvested along with wild bilberry, cloudberry and lingonberry. Significant differences between species were identified for all quality parameters. The coefficient of variation between species was lowest for pH (12.5%), dry matter (18.9%) and soluble solids (25.3%), followed by titratable acids (59.3%), total phenolics (83.8%), antioxidant capacity FRAP (85.7%) and antiradical power by the DPPH-assay (97.8%), total monomeric anthocyanins (132%) and ascorbic acid (137%). Average coefficient of variation within species were lower and ranged from 4 (pH) to 62% (ascorbic acid). Only the FRAP values were significantly affected by harvesting year with lower levels in 2004 than in 2005 and 2006. There were significant interactions between species and harvesting year for dry matter, soluble solids, pH, ascorbic acid and FRAP. The results indicate generic ranges in composition within species independent upon growing location and climate, and the composition of the tree fruits and berries is not likely to deviate from these ranges. It is concluded that desirable composition of tree fruits and berries and their products should primarily be achieved by selection among species rather than searching fors broadened variation within individual species.     

Potassium Fixation and Release Characteristics in Rhizosphere and Nonrhizosphere Soils for a Rapeseed–Rice Cropping Sequence

Potassium (K) fixation and release in soil are important factors in the long-term sustainability of a cropping system. Changes in K concentration and characteristics of K fixation and release in rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils in the rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)–rice (Oryza sativa L.) rotation were investigated using a rhizobox system. The concentrations of different forms of K in both rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils decreased with plants compared to without plants, regardless of K fertilizer application. Potassium uptake by crops mainly came from the rhizosphere soil. In the treatment without K fertilizer (–K), the main form of K supplied by the soil to the crops was 1.0 mol L^?1 nitric acid (HNO₃) nonextractable K, followed by nonexchangeable K, and then exchangeable K. In the treatment with K fertilizer (+K), the main K forms supplied by the soil to the crops were exchangeable K and nonexchangeable K. The amount and rate of K fixation after one cycle of the rapeseed–rice rotation was greater in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The amount and rate of K fixation of soil in the +K treatment were significantly less than in the –K treatment. The cumulative amounts of K released with 1.0 mol L^?1 ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc) and 1.0 mol L^?1 HNO₃ extraction increased with the increasing numbers of extractions, but the K-releasing power of soil by successive extraction decreased gradually and finally became almost constant. The release of K was less in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The release of K in the +K treatment was similar to that in the –K treatment in rhizosphere soil, but the K release in nonrhizosphere soil was greater with the +K than the –K treatment. Overall, the information obtained in this study will be helpful in formulating more precise K fertilizer recommendations for certain soils.     

Electron donor and pH relationships for biologically enhanced dissolution of chlorinated solvent DNAPL in groundwater

Biologically enhanced dissolution offers a method to speed removal of chlorinated solvent dense non-aqueous-phase liquid (DNAPL) sources such as tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichoroethene (TCE) from aquifers. Bioremediation is accomplished by adding an electron donor to the source zone where fermentation to intermediates leading to acetic acid and hydrogen results. The hydrogen and possibly acetic acid are used by dehalogenating bacteria to convert PCE and TCE to ethene and hydrochloric acid. Reductive dehalogenation is thus an acid forming process, and sufficient alkalinity must be present to maintain a near neutral pH. The bicarbonate alkalinity required to maintain pH above 6.5 is a function of the electron donor: 800 mg/L of bicarbonate alkalinity is sufficient to achieve about 1.2 mM TCE dechlorination with glucose, 1.7 mM with lactate, and a much higher 3.3 mM with formate. Laboratory studies indicate that in mixed culture, formate can be used as an electron donor for complete conversion to ethene, contrary to pure cultures studies indicating it cannot. Various strategies can be used to add electron donor to an aquifer for DNAPL dehalogenation while minimizing pH problems and excessive electron donor usage, including use of injection-extraction wells, dual recirculation wells, and nested injection-extraction wells.     

Enhanced establishment and growth of giant cardon cactus in an eroded field in the Sonoran Desert using native legume trees as nurse plants aided by plant growth-promoting microorganisms and compost

To evaluate the feasibility of long-term desert reforestation technology of mixed vegetation, cardon cactus (Pachycereus pringlei) seedlings from indoor and outdoor nurseries were planted in the field adjacent to one seedling of potential legume nurse trees: mesquite amargo (Prosopis articulata), yellow palo verde (Parkinsonia microphylla), and blue palo verde (Parkinsonia florida). Some of the planting holes were also supplemented with common dairy compost. Additionally, the combinations of legume tree–cactus were inoculated with either a consortium of desert arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB; the diazotroph Azospirillum brasilense Cd, and the phosphate solubilizer Paenibacillus sp.), or a mixture of all. The field experiments were evaluated periodically during 30 months for survival and growth. Cardons reared in an outdoor screen house survived better in the field than those reared in a controlled growth chamber and hardened later outdoors. Association with any legume nurse tree increased survival and enhanced growth of untreated cardons. For cardons growing alone, application of either compost, AM fungi, and all the treatments combined increased survival. For these plants, no treatment affected plant growth during the first 3 months after transplanting. Later, all treatments, except for AM fungi, enhanced plant growth. However, only 2 years after transplanting the enhanced growth effect of AM fungi was also significant. In the presence of the legume nurse trees, transient positive effects on cardon growth were recorded. General evaluation after 30 months of cultivation showed that the treatments positively affected cardon growth when growing alone or in combination only with mesquite amargo but not with the other two legume trees. This study proposes that young legume trees have the capacity to enhance survival and growth of cardon cactus, depending on the legume cactus combination. Additional treatments such as compost or PGPB can either amplify the effect or else attenuate it.