小麦耐低钾性状的全基因组关联分析

  【目的】  筛选与小麦耐低钾性状相关的标记，为揭示小麦耐低钾性状的遗传机理奠定基础。  【方法】  本研究以198份中国黄淮南片麦区的小麦品种 (系) 作为供试群体。小麦种子发芽后，幼苗在正常钾营养液中生长4天，然后在低钾 (0.01 mmol/L) 和正常钾 (2 mmol/L) 营养液中生长25天。调查生物量，分析地上部和根部钾含量，计算小麦7个性状的相对值，利用小麦35K SNP芯片结合Q + K混合线性模型 (mixed linear model，MLM) 对7个耐低钾性状进行全基因组关联 (genome-wide association study，GWAS) 分析，筛选位于显著关联位点上的候选基因并进行功能注释，对显著关联位点进行等位变异分析，发掘优异等位变异。  【结果】  低钾胁迫条件下，地上部、根部、全株钾累积量和钾累积量根冠比显著降低，地上部、根部、全株钾利用指数显著升高。群体结构分析和PCA分析均将供试群体分为2个亚群。通过GWAS分析，共检测到75个显著关联单核苷酸多态性 (single nucleotide polymorphism，SNP) 标记 (P < 0.001)，分布在除1A、3B、3D、4D和6A染色体外的16条染色体上。通过候选基因搜寻及注释，共筛选出13个可能与小麦耐低钾胁迫相关的候选基因。等位变异分析共挖掘了 14 个优异等位变异，其中 6 个优异等位变异在供试群体中出现的频率较大。  【结论】  7个耐低钾性状均具有明显的数量性状特征，变异系数范围为20.66%～30.44%。40%的SNP标记分布在2B、5B和6B染色体上，21个SNP位点与多个耐低钾性状显著关联，单个SNP标记解释的表型贡献率的变异范围为5.78%～11.22%。TraesCS4A02G335400、TraesCS2B02G306000、TraesCS5B02G260000可能参与物质转运过程，TraesCS1D02G350600和TraesCSU02G105300可能参与逆境胁迫响应等生理过程，TraesCS2A02G000200可能参与逆境胁迫下的信号转导过程。     

小麦苗期耐盐相关性状的QTL分析

以小麦敏盐品种太空6号和耐盐品种德抗961杂交形成的F2和F2:3家系为试验材料,选取小麦8条染色体上的321对SSR引物进行亲本间多态性的筛选,在太空6号和德抗961之间表现多态性的SSR引物为52个,位点为54个,其中barc172和cfa2121两个引物分别有两个多态性位点。对这54个位点进行连锁分析,构建了包含42个SSR标记、覆盖小麦基因组8条染色体的遗传连锁图,共704.5cM,标记间平均间距为16.8 cM。采用复合区间法进行耐盐QTL分析。对于4个性状共定位到6个QTL,分别位于5A,5B,5D染色体。对于发芽率,检测到1个QTL,位于染色体5D上,在标记cfd40~gwm182之间,贡献率为7.68%,表现加性效应;对于苗高,检测到2个QTL,分别位于染色体5D和5A上,在标记gwm182~wmc215及barc141~wmc415之间,贡献率分别为9.3%和8.14%,分别表现为显性和部分显性;对于根长,检测到2个QTL,均位于染色体5B上,在标记gwm234与wmc326及barc140与barc142之间,贡献率分别为8.74%和8.40%,分别表现为部分显性和超显性;对于鲜重,检测到1个QTL,位于染色体5D上,在标记wmc215~cfd29之间,贡献率为12.60%,表现超显性。与所得的QTL位点距离较近的SSR标记,如barc141等,可望为耐盐小麦品种的分子标记辅助选择提供参考信息。     

波兰小麦品系XN555×普通小麦品系中13衍生重组自交系(RILs)群体中籽粒品质相关性状QTL定位

小麦籽粒品质相关性状属于数量性状,由多基因控制。为了探索小麦(Triticum aestivum L.)品质相关性状的遗传基础,以波兰小麦(Triticum polonicum L.)品系XN555×普通小麦品系中13产生的重组自交系(recombinant inbred lines,RILs)群体(包含99个F10株系)为研究材料,采用SSR(simple sequence repeat)分子标记技术构建遗传连锁图谱;根据2012年和2013年的表型数据,采用完备区间作图法(inclusive composite interval mapping,ICIM)定位籽粒硬度、籽粒蛋白质含量、面粉蛋白质含量和湿面筋含量等品质性状QTL。获得了由241个SSR标记位点组成的A、B染色体组的14个连锁群图谱,覆盖基因组1 338.92 cM,标记间的平均遗传距离为5.56 cM。共定位24个品质性状QTL,分布在1A、3A、4A、5A、6A、1B、2B、3B和5B等9条染色体上。其中,籽粒蛋白质含量和面粉蛋白质含量各7个QTL,湿面筋含量和籽粒硬度各5个QTL,4个性状的单个QTL可分别解释表型变异的8.30%～29.69%、6.90%～29.50%、10.10%～18.43%和7.93%～30.49%。两年都在6A染色体的Xbarc104～Xcfa2114标记区间内与Xbarc104相距1.2 cM处检测到湿面筋含量QTL,并于2012年和2013年分别检测出了面粉蛋白质含量和籽粒蛋白质含量的QTL。本研究为利用波兰小麦改良普通小麦以及在小麦品质改良中应用分子标记辅助选择提供依据。     

小麦籽粒淀粉主要特性的QTL定位

为给分子标记辅助选择和小麦品质育种提供依据,以小麦杂交组合99G44×京771重组自交系群体(RIL)为材料,利用SSR分子标记技术,采用复合区间作图法对小麦籽粒淀粉主要特性进行了QTL分析。结果表明,检测出1个与总淀粉含量有关的显著加性效应QTSA.-6B,位于6B染色体,位点总贡献率为10.91%;检测出1个与支链淀粉含量有关的显著加性效应QAmp.-1B,位于1B染色体,位点的总贡献率为9.54%;检测出1个与直链淀粉含量有关的显著加性效应QAms.-6B,位于6B染色体,位点总贡献率为7.29%;检测出1个与支/直比有关的显著加性效应QAmp./Ams.-6B,位于6B染色体,位点的总贡献率为12.69%;检测出1个与高峰粘度有关的显著加性效应QPV-1B,位于1B染色体,位点的总贡献率为5.91%;检测出2个与崩解值有关的显著加性效应QBD-1B和QBD-2D,位于1B、2D染色体,位点总贡献率为12.95%;检测出1个与回生值有关的显著加性效应QSB-1B,位于1B染色体,位点总贡献率为6.99%;检测出1个与低谷粘度有关的显著加性效应QTV-3B,位于3B染色体,位点的总贡献率为5.16%;检测出1个与膨胀势有关的显著加性效应QSP-1B,位于1B染色体,位点总贡献率为7.02%。本研究定位的淀粉品质性状的标记可作为小麦品质分子育种的工具。     

不同水分条件下水稻苗期根系性状的QTL分析

以超级杂交稻协优9308(协青早B/中恢9308)衍生的234个重组自交系(RIL)为材料,在正常水分和20%聚乙二醇(PEG-6000)模拟水分胁迫处理下对水稻苗期最长根长、总根长、根表面积、根体积、根平均直径、根尖数、根鲜重和根冠比进行QTL定位分析。采用复合区间作图法,共检测到影响8个根部性状的21个QTL,单个QTL可解释的表型变异介于4.80%～11.35%。其中,正常水分条件下检测到7个QTL,分布在第2、3、9、10、11染色体上;水分胁迫条件下检测到14个QTL,分布在第2、3、5、6、9染色体上。不同水分条件下检测到的QTL位点差异很大,表明不同水分条件下的遗传机制不同。在第3和第6染色体上各检测到1个根部性状的QTL簇,尤其在第3染色体RM6283-RM7370区间发现苗期根系性状与抗旱性及产量相关性状之间存在连锁关系,利用这些QTL紧密连锁的分子标记进行辅助选择,可望同时对多个相关性状进行遗传改良。     

波兰小麦×普通小麦品系中13重组自交系(RIL)群体穗部性状的QTL分析

小麦穗部性状是与籽粒产量关系密切的重要农艺性状。本研究以一个由99个株系组成的来源于波兰小麦(Triticum polonicum L.)和普通小麦(Triticum aestivum L.)品系中13杂交后代的F8重组自交系(recombinant inbred lines,RIL)群体为实验材料,利用微卫星(simple sequence repeat,SSR)标记对穗长、穗粒数和有效小穗数进行数量性状基因座(quantitative trait locus,QTL)定位分析。所构建的A染色体组和B染色体组共14个连锁群的遗传连锁图谱由115个SSR标记位点组成,图谱全长822.9cM,标记间的平均遗传距离为7.16cM。采用复合区间作图法在两年的环境中检测到分布在2A、3A、3B、5B和7B染色体上的6个穗长QTL,5个穗粒数QTL和2个有效小穗数QTL,表型变异贡献率分别为9.21%～22.94%,9.18%～19.71%和11.48%～13.01%。两年中都在3A染色体上的Xbarc12～Xbarc310区间内检测到控制穗粒数的主效QTL,说明该QTL较少受环境条件的影响,是一个稳定可靠的穗粒数QTL。该QTL与最近标记的遗传距离为0.01cM,可用于小麦产量性状的分子标记辅助育种。     

小麦苗期钾效率相关性状的全基因组关联分析

【目的】深入探究小麦钾效率的遗传基础,定向培育钾高效小麦品种是缓解我国钾肥资源短缺的重要途径。本文拟对不同钾处理条件下小麦苗期钾效率相关性状进行鉴定,并进行差异分子标记关联分析,筛选与钾效率紧密关联的分子标记,为钾效率相关基因的克隆及其在育种中的应用奠定基础。【方法】本研究以不同小麦品种(134份)为试验材料,于2014年和2015年,在山东农业大学温室内进行了营养液培养试验。设置正常供钾和低钾水平两个处理,7cm高、7日龄的幼苗在黑暗中生长28天后收获。将幼苗分为地上部和根部,测定植株干重(生物量)、钾含量,计算植株钾累积量、根冠生物量比和钾累积量比和钾利用效率。分析低钾处理对生物量及钾效率相关性状的影响,并以该群体检测到的15230个差异SNP标记为基础,用TASSEL5.0软件中的GLM模型和MLM模型对钾效率相关性状数据进行标记.性状的关联分析,以确定小麦苗期钾效率稳定关联的分子标记位点。【结果】与正常钾处理相比,低钾处理下植株根、冠及全株钾含量及积累量均显著下降,而根冠生物量比、根冠和全株钾利用率均显著增加。关联分析共获得了1300个关联分子标记,其中1102个标记被定位在19条染色体上,这些分子标记绝大多数仅在特定环境条件下被检测到,三个环境下均可检测到的相对稳定的分子标记位点仅有3个,分别为Excalibur_c14273_1407、Ku_c11150_773、BS00094893_51。同时,试验筛选出4个性状簇集位点标记,这些位点同时与6~7个性状存在显著关联,分别为Excalibur_c8670_972、wsnp_Ex_c12887_20426781、wsnp_Ku_c13311_21255428、IACX5989。【结论】低钾处理对小麦苗期生长及钾效率相关性状遗传控制位点有显著影响,低钾处理下与生物量和钾效率相关性状显著关联的分子标记绝大多数在同一个钾处理环境中被检测到,因此不同钾处理环境下这些性状可能由截然不同的基因控制。试验检测到4个至少与6个性状同时显著关联的热点分子标记位点,这些位点与小麦苗期多个生物量及钾效率相关性状均存在显著关联,可能包含重要的基因信息,值得进一步深入研究。     

小麦产量及氮效率相关性状的全基因组关联分析

  【目的】  探明控制产量及氮效率相关性状的稳定基因关联位点,为高产和氮素高效小麦育种及养分管理提供参考。  【方法】  采用134个小麦品种 (系) 为试验材料,依据小麦产量水平600和400 kg/hm2的需氮量设置正常氮 (T1) 和低氮 (T2) 2个处理,进行了2年田间试验,共形成4个处理环境。对小麦成熟期与产量及氮效率相关的14个性状进行了表型鉴定,采用GLM + Q一般线性模型和MLM + K + Q混合线性模型相结合的方法,利用群体差异SNP分子标记 (90K SNP芯片) 对小麦产量和氮效率相关性状进行全基因组关联分析。  【结果】  与正常氮处理相比,低氮处理条件下小麦籽粒产量、秸秆产量显著下降;所有性状的遗传力均在75%以上,其中小穗数的遗传力最高 (95.12%)。利用9329个SNP标记进行关联分析,共检测到382个SNP标记位点与供试14个性状存在显著关联（P ≤ 0.001）,分布在21条染色体上。有305个 (79.84%) SNP标记位点仅在一个关联分析环境中被检测到;有77个位点在至少两种处理环境 (包含平均值环境) 中被检测到与同一性状显著关联 (稳定关联标记)。其中9个SNP标记位点在至少3个环境中被检测到。在4个环境下 (包括平均值环境) 均检测到的稳定关联位点有4个:BobWhite_c47168 _598、Kukri_c31599_1456、wsnp_CAP11_c1761_958064和Excalibur_c62826_254,分别与穗粒数、籽粒氮含量和小穗数显著关联;同时与至少3个性状显著关联的SNP标记位点共12个,分别位于2A、3A、4A、5B和7B染色体上,贡献率为11.14%～22.97%,其中,标记BobWhite_c47168_598和Kukri_c31599_1456还分别定位了两个多环境 (4种环境) 稳定位点。根据12个与多性状共同定位位点和4个多环境 (4个环境) 稳定位点关联的SNP标记位置获得稳定位点附近区域的基因 (基于LD block等方式估算的区间大小),使用NCBI中CDD工具和EnsemblPlants网站对这些基因进行基因功能注释,根据功能注释,共得到10个与产量和氮效率性状相关的候选基因。  【结论】  氮供应水平对小麦成熟期产量和氮效率相关性状均有显著影响,氮素累积量与小麦产量显著正相关。本试验中检测到的与产量及氮效率相关性状显著关联的位点中,79.84%的SNP标记位点仅在一个氮处理环境中出现,环境稳定性较差;4个位点在4个环境条件下均被检测到,环境稳定性较好;12个SNP标记位点同时与至少3个性状显著关联,涉及性状均为产量及氮效率相关性状,反映了籽粒产量与氮素效率之间的显著相关关系,也可能是同时控制这些性状的遗传热点位点。根据这些热点位点和环境稳定性好的位点筛选到10个与产量及氮效率相关性状有关候选基因,值得深入探讨。     

玉米自交系产量和品质相关性状与简单重复序列(SSR)的关联分析

为寻找并确定控制玉米产量、品质的基因组区域,本研究利用64对核心SSR(simple sequence repeats)标记对257份玉米(Zea maysL.)自交系构成的群体进行基因分型,分析群体连锁不平衡位点、群体结构,在此基础上,采用TASSEL软件的GLM(general linear mode)程序对株高、穗位、生育期、穗长、穗行数、百粒重、脂肪含量、蛋白质含量和淀粉含量共9个性状的表型数据与标记进行回归分析,确定标记对表型的解释率。结果表明:(1)在公共图谱上的SSR位点组合都有一定程度连锁不平衡(linkage disequilibrium,LD),P<0.01时,LD成对位点占总位点组合20.29%,D’>0.5成对位点比例为12.65%。(2)SSR数据遗传结构分析表明,群体可分为5个亚群。(3)共鉴定出26个标记位点与9个性状相关联,大多集中在4、6、7和10染色体上,其中第7染色体上标记最多,为5个。8个位点的变异分别与株高、穗位、生育期、穗长、穗行数和蛋白质含量等6个表型性状极显著相关(P<0.01),分别为umc1294作用于株高,对表型的解释率为7.2%;umc1741及phi116作用于穗位,对表型的解释率为11.37%和8.57%;phi328175及phi260485作用于生育期,对表型的解释率为4.74%和5.6%;umc1741作用于穗长,对表型的解释率为5.77%;umc1309作用于穗行数,对表型的解释率为6.68%;bnlg1450及bnlg1185作用于蛋白质含量,对表型的解释率为9.41%和9.81%;其他18个标记与9个性状显著相关(P<0.05)。与单个性状关联的标记数目为1～7个,解释率为4.74%～14.31%。与产量相关性状关联的位点(次)累计为30个,与品质相关性状关联的位点(次)累计为7个,位点数目上品质性状远少于产量性状。部分标记与多个性状关联,可能是性状相关或一因多效的遗传基础,一些标记同时与某性状关联,多数标记与定位于遗传图谱的QTL(quantitative trait loci)一致,也有互补性。研究结果表明,这些位点及其区域内存在很多与产量、品质等性状相关的QTL,对提高玉米产量、改善玉米品质可能起到重要作用。     

小麦代换系幼苗根系对低磷胁迫的生理响应暗示的染色体效应

【目的】 以 CS (Chinese Spring,中国春) -Synthetic 6x 代换系为材料,研究小麦代换系幼苗根系对低磷胁迫的生理响应,并对相关性状进行染色体定位,为小麦耐低磷基因型的遗传改良提供理论依据。 【方法】 将母本中国春、父本 Synthetic 6x 以及代换系种子放于培养皿,于光照培养箱中培养 5 d,选择长势一致的健壮幼苗去掉胚乳,移入 Hoagland 营养液 (pH = 6.0)中培养。两叶一心时进行处理,设置正常供磷为对照 (磷浓度为2 mmol/L) 和低磷胁迫 (磷浓度为 20 μmol/L) 两个处理,四叶一心时对不同磷处理下代换系幼苗的根冠比、根系活力、酸性磷酸酶 (APase) 和核糖核酸酶 (RNase) 活性等生理指标进行测定。 【结果】 低磷胁迫下,小麦代换系苗期根冠比显著升高,APase 和 RNase 活性增强,根系活力降低;与母本中国春相比,4A、4B、6B、1D、2D 和 7D 代换系根冠比和相对根冠比显著或极显著升高,1A、2A、3A、5A、3B、7B、2D、3D、5D 和 7D 代换系的根系活力和相对根系活力显著或极显著增高,4A、1D 和 4D 代换系根系的酸性磷酸酶活性及相对磷酸酶活性均显著或极显著升高,2A、6B、4D 代换系根系的 RNase 活性和相对 RNase 活性显著或极显著增高。 【结论】 低磷胁迫下,Synthetic 6x 的 4A、4B、6B、2D 和 7D 染色体上可能存在诱导根冠比升高的基因;1A、2A、3A、5A、3B,7B、2D、3D、5D 和 7D 染色体上可能存在诱导根系活力增强的基因;4A、1D 和 4D 染色体上可能存在诱导根系酸性磷酸酶活性增强的基因;2A、6B 和 4D 染色体上可能存在诱导根系 RNase 活性增强的基因。即 Synthetic 6x 的第四染色体 (4A、4B、4D) 上可能存在调控根系相关特性的关键基因。      

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,     

Biodiversity and ecogeography of wild Lactuca spp. in some European countries

Staff members of the Department of Botany of Palacký University in Olomouc and Gene Bank Department – Workplace Olomouc, Research Institute of Crop Production in Prague, Czech Republic, conducted an expedition in seven European countries (Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland) in August/September 1999 to collect wild Lactuca spp. germplasm and study its geographic distribution, ecology and biodiversity. During the mission, more than 600 locations were visited resulting in the collection of 602 seed samples (accessions) of wild Lactuca species and 13 seed samples of related genera (Chondrilla and Mycelis). Lactuca serriola f. serriola, L. serriola f. integrifolia, L. saligna and L. viminea subsp. chondrilliflora were prevalent in southern Europe (Italy, France), however, only L. serriola was common in central and western Europe (Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland). The greatest diversity of Lactuca species was found in France, where also the most seed samples (165) were collected. The most characteristic habitats with a high density of Lactuca spp. populations were observed along roads and highways, grassy ditches, ruderal communities, and dust-heaps. Natural infections by powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) and downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) on some wild Lactuca spp. were observed. Recent observations concerning the geographic distribution, population structure, habitats, and natural occurrence of diseases of Lactuca spp. are discussed. This assemblage of genetic resources of Lactuca spp. can serve as the basis of future studies of species diversification, spatial population structure, plant microevolution, domestication processes, and genetic variability of host-parasite interactions.     

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.     

Properties of anaerobically digested and composted municipal solid waste assessed by linking soil mesofauna dynamics and nitrogen modelling

We have studied the effect of anaerobically digested (ADMSW) and composted municipal solid waste (CMSW) on mineralization and foodweb dynamics to verify the hypothesis that ADMSW would immobilize N right after addition to soil in contrast to addition with CMSW. Another hypothesis was that the mesofauna (enchytraeids and microarthropods) would stimulate N release from the decomposer community. We measured excretion of -N and urea-N from the mesofauna and hypothesized that enchytraeids would release urea. ADMSW and CMSW were amended to pots with sandy loam and barley. The pots were divided into treatments with or without mesofauna. Mesofauna, plant N and biomass, soil N and ergosterol (fungal biomass) were measured over a 113-day period of four equidistant samplings. Soil respiration, N mineralization and N release by the mesofauna were modelled from concurrent studies. ADMSW- and CMSW-treated soils initially (<20 days) immobilized N. The amendments did not increase plant growth substantially, and this was probably due to N-limitation in the early stages of plant growth. Enchytraeid abundance was about three times higher in ADMSW- than CMSW-treated soils, indicating that ADMSW contained more labile compounds, bacteria, and microfauna. The mesofauna did not affect N-content, but the cumulated -N excreted by the mesofauna was estimated to be substantial and about one-fifth of total plant N in ADMSW. An explanation for this discrepancy might be that in the absence of the mesofauna, other members of the detrivore and microbivore community performed the mesofauna’s function. Neither enchytraeids nor microarthropods excreted urea.     

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,     

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,     

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.