除草剂对优质小麦品质和旗叶保护酶的调控效应

通过田间试验研究了4种除草剂在正常剂量下对2个优质小麦品种品质性状、蛋白质组分和旗叶保护酶系的影响.结果表明,整个籽粒灌浆过程中,2,4-D丁酯处理使籽粒蛋白质含量一直较高,世玛处理在灌浆前中期籽粒蛋白质含量较高,但灌浆末期籽粒蛋白质含量最低,巨星和骠马处理影响较小.2,4-D丁酯处理使收获时籽粒蛋白质含量及组分最高,湿面筋含量、沉降值、吸水率、稳定时间和评价值等加工品质最好,世玛处理则使营养品质和加工品质最差,巨星和骠马处理影响相对较小.籽粒灌浆期间,2,4-D丁酯处理使旗叶SOD、CAT和POD活性一直较低,尤其是籽粒灌浆末期活性最低;其它除草剂使旗叶SOD、CAT和POD活性在不同灌浆时期存在差异:灌浆前中期,骠马处理使3种保护酶活性最高;灌浆后期,世玛处理使旗叶中保护酶活性下降缓慢,且活性最高.籽粒灌浆期前期,4种除草剂对旗叶中MDA含量的影响是:世玛＞骠马＞CK＞巨星＞2,4-D丁酯,灌浆中后期,2,4-D丁酯和巨星处理使MDA含量快速提高,世玛和骠马处理使MDA含量升高相对较慢,到灌浆末期,2,4-D丁酯使MDA含量最高,世玛处理最低.图5表2参22     

光照对伊乐藻（Elodea nuttallii）幼苗生长及部分光能转化特性的影响

将伊乐藻幼苗种植于不同光照强度水体中,定期测定伊乐藻主要生长发育指标,并用水下饱和脉冲叶绿素荧光仪测定幼苗叶片的叶绿素光合荧光参数,研究高于光饱和点的光强、介于光饱和点与补偿点之间的光强、低于光补偿点的光强对伊乐藻幼苗生长以及光系统Ⅱ(PSⅡ)光合荧光特性的影响.结果表明:(1)不同光照强度对伊乐藻幼苗株高、叶片数、鲜重有显著影响.100%、5%、1%自然光照组伊乐藻幼苗株高、叶片数、鲜重随时间变化均呈现增加趋势,但试验后期100%自然光照组幼苗增长率有所下降,1%自然光照组增长率变缓;0.5%、0.1%、0.05%自然光照组幼菌株高、叶片数、鲜重随时间变化均呈现下降趋势,试验结束时,0.1%、0.05%自然光照组幼苗株高比初始降低了 20%、60%;(2)不同光照强度对伊乐藻幼苗叶片的光合色素含量有显著影响.Chla、Chlb含量随光强减弱均呈现升高趋势,而Chla/Chlb则呈现降低趋势,表明随着光强的逐渐降低,植物通过调节色素含量来增加对光能的捕获,从而提高叶片对光能的吸收以适应外界的逆境生长环境;(3)伊乐藻幼苗光适应能力随光照强度小同而有明显差异,其中5%自然光照组幼苗光适应能力明显高于其他组,试验结束时,6组幼苗的最大电子传递速率由大到小依次为5%、100%、1%、0.5%、0.1%、0.05%自然光照组.     

小麦-蚕豆间作对根系分泌糖和氨基酸的影响

根系分泌物在植物-土壤-微生物互作中充当信号物质,其对植物根际过程影响重大。糖和氨基酸是根系分泌物中两类最主要的物质,目前有关这两类分泌物的研究颇多,但在间作系统中尚缺乏系统研究,人们对间作系统中根系碳和氨基酸的分泌特征尚不清楚。为探讨间作对根系糖和氨基酸分泌的影响,通过盆栽试验分析比较了不同生育期单作、间作小麦(Tricumaestivum L.cv.Yunmai42)、蚕豆(Vicia faba L.cv.Yundou 8363)的根系质量、根冠比、根系中糖和氨基酸的含量及其分泌速率。研究结果表明,(1)与单作小麦相比,间作提高了拔节期(98d)小麦根系总糖和蔗糖含量,分别提高75.78%和114.5%;在拔节期(98d)、孕穗期(120d)和灌浆期(142d),间作提高了根系总糖分泌速率,分别提高126.9%,34.9%和59.8%;其中,3个时期间作蔗糖分泌速率分别是单作的2.37、1.41和2.0倍。间作对蚕豆根系糖含量及糖的分泌没有影响。(2)与单作相比,在蚕豆分枝期(57d)、结荚期(120d)、籽粒膨大期(142d),间作提高了蚕豆氨基酸分泌速率,分别提高了75.9%、41.5%、39.6%;间作对小麦根系氨基酸含量及根系氨基酸分泌无影响。总之,间作种植提高了作物根系糖含量,促进了根系糖和氨基酸的分泌,但作物种类不同、生育期不同,间作对根系分泌影响并不相同。     

Effect of exogenous 2,4-epibrassinolide on grain filling and yield formation of Tartary buckwheat北大核心CSCD

为明确外源2,4-表油菜素内酯影响苦荞生长、粒重与产量形成的生理机制,以苦荞品种晋荞2号为试验材料,研究不同浓度的外源2,4-表油菜素内酯处理(0、0.1、0.5、1.0和2.0 mg/L)对苦荞籽粒的灌浆特性、淀粉合成酶、根系形态及活力、叶片抗氧化酶活性及光合特性、农艺性状及产量的影响.结果表明:0.5 mg/L处理时苦荞籽粒的灌浆起始势(R0)、最大灌浆速率(Gmax)和平均灌浆速率(Gmean)最大,而达最大灌浆速率的时间(Tmax.G)最小;随2,4-表油菜素内酯施用量的增加,苦荞籽粒的腺苷二磷酸葡萄糖焦磷酸化酶(AGPase)和可溶性淀粉合成酶(SSS)活性、根系总长度等根系形态指标和根系活力、叶片抗氧化酶活性及光合特性指标、株高、主茎直径、单株粒重和千粒重均呈先增加后降低的趋势,且都在0.5 mg/L处理时达最大.外源2,4-表油菜素内酯的施用能在一定程度上促进苦荞产量的增加,其中0.1、0.5和1.0 mg/L处理与对照相比分别提高产量1.10、1.31和1.06倍,2.0 mg/L处理则降低0.96倍.本研究表明适宜的外源2,4-表油菜素内酯处理(0.5 mg/L)能促进苦荞籽粒灌浆,提高粒重和最终的产量.(图1表8参32)     

外源物质添加对东北黑土氨基酸矿化的影响

采用间歇淋洗好气培养法研究了东北黑土中氨基酸的矿化过程以及添加葡萄糖和葡萄糖与氮肥配施对其质量分数的影响。结果表明：土壤中氨基酸质量分数的变化受到外源物质添加的影响。与对照处理相比,葡萄糖以及葡萄糖与氮肥配施均能促进土壤氨基酸质量分数的积累,并且2种外源物质对氨基酸质量分数的影响相差不多。土壤不同种类的氨基酸具有不同的矿化特征,其中异亮氨酸的矿化速率最快,其次是赖氨酸、缬氨酸、组氨酸和亮氨酸,而精氨酸、甘氨酸和酪氨酸矿化速率较低。此外,土壤中每种氨基酸矿化对总氨基酸矿化的贡献与其在土壤中的质量分数有关,一般来说,氨基酸质量分数高则其矿化的贡献也大。     

铝对茶叶叶片主要化学成分的影响

以茶树2个品种(雁荡毛峰和知仁早茶)为研究材料,采用溶液培养法,研究了铝对茶叶叶片主要化学成分(茶多酚、咖啡碱、氨基酸和维生素C)的影响。结果表明,水培下,10～100mg·L-1质量浓度的铝可显著提高茶多酚的质量分数,与对照相比,50mg·L-1质量浓度下雁荡毛峰茶多酚的质量分数提高了180%,知仁早茶提高了100.6%;10～50mg·L-1质量浓度的铝可提高咖啡碱、氨基酸的质量分数,但100mg·L-1质量浓度下显著降低了咖啡碱和氨基酸的质量分数,雁荡毛峰降低了5.3%、25.8%,知仁早茶降低了2%、7.2%;不同质量浓度的铝对维生素C的质量分数影响不大;低质量浓度的铝处理降低茶树的丙二醛质量分数,而高质量浓度的铝处理(100mg·L-1)提高了丙二醛质量分数。结果证明水培条件下,10～50mg·L-1铝可明显提高茶叶品质,100mg·L-1质量浓度会降低茶叶品质。     

4种有机物料对铅胁迫下小麦生长及产量特征的修复效应

农田土壤铅(Pb)污染对作物的生长及光合的动态变化、产量特征以及品质安全都有影响,向污染土壤中施用有机物料能够改变重金属生物可利用性以及土壤结构和养分组成,对缓解作物生长发育所受胁迫具有现实意义。采用盆栽试验方法研究了4种有机物料即秸秆、鸡粪、菌渣和生物炭对600 mg·kg~(-1) Pb胁迫下小麦(Triticum aestivum L.)生长及产量特征的影响,并分析了小麦籽粒中Pb质量分数及富集系数的变化,为不同有机物料在农田Pb污染修复中的应用提供理论基础。结果表明,越冬期Pb处理对小麦生长有促进作用,而后期则显著降低了花后15 d的F_v/F_0,以及成熟期小麦干物质积累量、穗长、穗粒数、穗粒重、产量,同时提高了籽粒中Pb的质量分数,达到0.826 5 mg·kg~(-1);在污染土壤中添加6 g·kg~(-1)鸡粪显著提高了成熟期小麦的干物质积累量、穗长和产量;添加150 g·kg~(-1)菌渣显著促进了花期和成熟期小麦根伸长和干物质积累,提高了成熟期穗长、穗粒重和产量,该处理下单盆作物产量最大,达到23.22 g·pot~(-1),其成熟期土壤和籽粒中Pb质量分数也最低,分别为466.06 mg·kg~(-1)和0.493 1 mg·kg~(-1);添加50 g·kg~(-1)生物炭后小麦花后15 d和30 d的净光合速率(Pn)分别提高了26.30%和15.41%,花期株高和成熟期干物质积累量、穗长、穗粒数、穗粒重、产量也显著提高,同时籽粒中Pb质量分数显著降低;添加3 g·kg~(-1)秸秆的处理对小麦生长的影响不显著。     

湖泊底泥土地利用对土壤中重金属铅、铜形态影响

采用田区试验研究了田间种植冬小麦条件下,底泥土地利用前后土壤中重金属铅、铜的形态演变及小麦各器官中铅、铜的富集。结果表明,随着底泥施用量的增加,土壤中重金属铅、铜的可交换态、碳酸盐结合态、铁锰氧化物结合态、有机结合态、残渣态均有不同程度的增加,本试验所有处理中,可交换态铅的质量分数范围为0.02~0.10 mg·kg-1,碳酸盐结合态铅的质量分数范围为0.04~0.24 mg·kg-1,铁锰氧化物结合态铅质量分数为0.41~1.88 mg·kg-1,有机物结合态铅质量分数范围为1.23~4.92 mg·kg-1,残渣态铅质量分数范围为4.82~23.66 mg·kg-1;各处理与对照相比,可交换态铜质量分数增加了40.00%~200.00%,碳酸盐结合态铜质量分数增加了36.84%~363.16%,铁锰氧化物结合态铜质量分数增加了7.17~45.15%,有机结合态铜质量分数增加了7.98%~62.61%,残渣态铜质量分数增加了0.12%~9.69%,各处理的残渣态铅、铜质量分数均较高。随着底泥用量增加,小麦根系、茎叶、籽粒中铅、铜质量分数均呈增加趋势,植株对重金属铅、铜的富集顺序为根系>茎叶>籽粒,铜的富集系数均大于铅。小麦籽粒产量、茎叶生物量及地上部生物量随着底泥施用量的增加,均出现了先增加后减少的现象,当小麦籽粒产量达到最大值时,籽粒中铅、铜质量分数未超出我国相应标准,依此确定底泥环境安全施用量为3051.29 t·hm-2。     

光照对菹草（Potamogeton cripus）幼苗生长发育和光合荧光特性的影响

用遮光法获得5%、1%、0.5%、0.1%、0.05%伞光照共5个不同光照强度的水体,将菹草(Potamogeton cripus)萌发幼苗置于上述水体.观测幼苗生长发育状况,并利用水下饱和脉冲荧光仪(DIVING-PAM)测定其光合荧光特性.结果表明:(1)不同光照强度对菹草幼苗生长发育影响显著;随光强减弱,菹草幼苗株高、叶片数、生物量增长率显著降低(P<0.01);(2)菹草幼苗的最大光化学量子产量(Fv/Fm)随光强减弱而降低,实验第16天时,0.5%、0.1%、0.05%实验组Fv/Fm值仅为对照组的65%、53%和42%;(3)随光强减弱,幼苗吸收光能用于光化学电子传递的份额(qP)减少,第16天时,0.5%、0.1%、0.05%实验组的qP值为对照组的68%、67%、53%;(4)光强减弱导致0.5%实验组qN先升高后降低,0.1%、0.05%实验组的qN值则表现出显著下降趋势,表明幼苘在较低光强条件下,叶片PSII光能转换效率显著下降,进入PSII光化学过程的激发能减少,热耗散激发能也相应减少;(5)光强减弱导致电子在光合链中的传递速率(ETR)品著下降,第16天时,1%、0.5%、0.1%、0.05%实验组ETR分别为对照的70%、63%、56%、36%,导致参与CO2的电子减少,光合作用降低.快速光响应曲线测定结果表明,幼苗ETRmax随光强减弱呈下降趋势,光响应能力随光强的减弱显著下降.     

喀斯特特有植物罗甸小米核桃幼苗对光照强度的可塑性响应

研究光照强度对1年生喀斯特特有植物罗甸小米核桃幼苗可塑性的影响,探讨其在个体定居初期如何响应不同光照强度的变化及其生态适应策略.设置约为自然光100%、75%、50%和25%的光照强度处理材料,4个月后收获,比较分析罗甸小米核桃幼苗的形态、生物量分配和生理性状在不同光照强度处理下的差异,并对可塑性指标进行综合评价.结果表明,在中度光强(50%自然光照)下,植物采取增加高度,增大叶面积,增加各部位(根茎叶)的生物量分配,提高叶绿素含量、光合作用,促进游离脯氨酸含量积累和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性来综合调控,此时的丙二醛(MDA)积累量最低、为34.77 nmol/g,说明植物在这种光照强度下适应性最强.其次为高光强(75%自然光照)下,植物的以上各功能性状表现也能达到良好状态.此外,在低光强(25%自然光照)下,植物也具有较高的比叶面积、光合参数等性状.综合看植物各可塑性指标(0.06-0.52),生物量分配>生理性状>形态性状,且根冠比与过氧化物酶(POD)活性可塑性指数最大、分别为0.52和0.51,叶片厚度与SOD活性最小、分别为0.08和0.06.综上所述,在个体定居初期,喀斯特特有植物罗甸小米核桃幼苗各形态、生物量分配和生理性状响应光照强度的敏感程度及调控机制存在明显差异,仅在全光下诱导植物出现明显的抑制表型性状外,在高中低光强下均能灵活地塑造其自身性状来协同维持植物正常生长发育,具有的光照幅较广和可塑性强的特点可能是保证其稳定生存在这种喀斯特高度异质性生境的两个重要原因.(图4表3参42)     

连续两年紫外线-B辐射增强对玉米种子发芽及幼苗生长的影响

研究了在紫外线 (UV -B)辐射增强条件下与自然光下生长的玉米种子的发芽和幼苗生长特性以及对UV -B反应的变化。结果表明 :与自然光下生长的玉米种子相比 ,UV -B辐射增强条件下生长的玉米种子的发芽率和幼苗生长指标有不同程度的下降 ,但在连续两年UV -B强度增加条件下 ,其种子发芽和幼苗生长指标受高强度UV -B影响的程度显著下降。在连续两年UV -B辐射增强条件下生长的玉米种子萌发的幼苗叶片类黄酮含量显著高于在自然光下生长的玉米种子萌发的幼苗 ,这可能是在UV -B辐射增强条件下生长的玉米对UV -B辐射增强产生适应性的重要原因之一。     

Effect of short-term variations in light intensity on photosynthesis of a marine phytoplankter: A laboratory simulation study

Parameters of photosynthesis and growth were measured for a marine diatom (Lauderia borealis) grown in axenic continuous culture under three different light regimes: constant, simulated diurnal variation, and fluctuating. The light fluctuations were systematic increases and decreases in light intensity superimposed on the diurnal regime. In the first two regimes, a morning maximum and an afternoon depression in photosynthesis were observed. In the fluctuating light regime, the afternoon depression was less pronounced and the morning maximum was enhanced. The results may be explained by postulating a time-dependent value for the light-saturated rate of photosynthesis. Light utilization [mmol O₂ cell^-1 (E m^-2)^-1] was the same for the diurnally varying and fluctuating regimes, despite the fact that the peak light intensity in the fluctuating regime was double that of the diurnally varying regime.     

糯小麦回交改良群体中Wx基因的遗传和品质效应

在基因型鉴定的基础上,利用糯小麦杂交后代BC5F2代回交改良群体研究了各基因缺失对降低直链淀粉含量的效果和各基因合成直链淀粉的能力,以及直链淀粉含量与农艺性状、品质性状、淀粉糊化特性等的相关性。研究发现,在Wx基因的所有8种基因型之间,直链淀粉含量差异显著;研究单缺失基因型发现,对直链淀粉含量减少效应最大的是Wx-B1b,减少效应最小的是Wx-A1b,而Wx-B1b和Wx-D1b没有显著差异;研究双缺失基因型发现,Wx基因合成直链淀粉的能力以Wx-B1a最高,Wx-A1a最低,而Wx-B1a和Wx-D1a差异很小.直链淀粉含量与株高、穗长、小穗数、穗粒数、千粒重等农艺性状相关不显著,表明淀粉品质育种可以与高产育种实现有机结合.直链淀粉含量与SDS-沉降值呈显著负相关(r=-0.726),说明直链淀粉含量降低在一定程度上有利于提高小麦营养与加工品质.全糯类型的淀粉糊化特性与其他类型显著不同,具有最高的峰值粘度和稀懈值,最低的低谷粘度、最终粘度、反弹值、峰值时间、糊化温度、起始糊化温度,表明糯小麦淀粉在食品和工业上具有特殊用途;稀懈值与直链淀粉含量呈极显著负相关(r=-0.969),其它粘度参数与直链淀粉含量呈显著正相关(最终粘度r=0.797,低谷粘度r=0.910、反弹值r=0.954、峰值时间r=0.970、糊化温度r=0.962、起始糊化温度r=0.932).表5参37     

Direct, residual and direct + residual effects of sulphur in garlic (Allium sativum)-maize (Zea mays) cropping sequence

Significant positive effects of 30 kg/ha of sulphur as manifested on yield and yield parameters of garlic were further carried over to following maize crop. Garlic bulb and foliage yield (6.3 and 0.8 t/ha respectively) obtained at 30 kg/ha of sulphur dose was significantly higher over without sulphur (3.7 and 0.5 t/ha respectively) as revealed from two years' pooled data. Similarly number of leaves/plant, weight of cloves/5bulbs and weight/100 cloves at the said sulphur dose significantly increased over without sulphur from 10.5 to 11.9, 98.3 to 141.2 g and from 159 to 217 g in respective manner Increase in grain yield of maize (residual effect) and in the economic yield of the whole cropping sequence (Bulb yield of garlic and grain yield of maize) i.e. direct plus residual effect at 30 kg/ha of sulphur dose over without sulphur was from 28.3 to 47.2 and from 71 to 116 q/ha in respective manner i.e. with significant differences. Sulphur use efficiencies (kg yield/kg sulphur) of these crops at 15, 30 and 45 kg/ha over no sulphur were 57, 43 and 32; 53, 63 and 6 and 160, 150 and 67, all in respective order An optimum sulphur dose of 44.3 kg/ha produced increased bulb yield (over no S) worth Rs 34892 over fertilizer cost giving B:C ratio of 31.5:1. Utilization of sulphur added at 15, 30 and 45 kg/ha rates was 24.1, 19.3 and 15.7% by the garlic crop; and 29.6. 24.5 and 9.02% by the following maize crop, thus, adding up to 54.1, 43.8 and 24.9% by the cropping sequence, all in respective order.     

乙烯菌核利在水溶液中的光解动力学

以高压汞灯和太阳光为光源，研究乙烯菌核利在重蒸水、自来水、湖水及pH缓冲液中的光解动力学。高压汞灯下，乙烯菌核利在重蒸水中的光解半衰期约为28min，而在太阳光下为3．86h。自来水和湖水中溶解性物质对乙烯菌核利在高压汞灯下的光解动力学仅有微弱的淬灭效应，但在太阳光下表现出显著的敏化效应，照光3h的敏化效率分别为138％和126％。2种光源下，pH5．0和pH7．0缓冲液对乙烯菌核利的光解均表现为光淬灭效应，高压汞灯照光60min的淬灭效率分别为69％和57％，太阳光照光7h的淬灭效率分别为77％和33％；pH9．0缓冲液则表现出显著的敏化效应，高压汞灯照光20min的敏化效率为58％，而太阳光照光1h的敏化效率则达到了415％。     

乙烯菌核利在水溶液中的光解动力学

以高压汞灯和太阳光为光源,研究乙烯菌核利在重蒸水、自来水、湖水及pH缓冲液中的光解动力学。高压汞灯下,乙烯菌核利在重蒸水中的光解半衰期约为28 m in,而在太阳光下为3.86 h。自来水和湖水中溶解性物质对乙烯菌核利在高压汞灯下的光解动力学仅有微弱的淬灭效应,但在太阳光下表现出显著的敏化效应,照光3 h的敏化效率分别为138%和126%。2种光源下,pH 5.0和pH 7.0缓冲液对乙烯菌核利的光解均表现为光淬灭效应,高压汞灯照光60 m in的淬灭效率分别为69%和57%,太阳光照光7 h的淬灭效率分别为77%和33%;pH 9.0缓冲液则表现出显著的敏化效应,高压汞灯照光20 m in的敏化效率为58%,而太阳光照光1 h的敏化效率则达到了415%。     

Sensitivity of a crop growth simulation model to variation in LAI and canopy nitrogen used for run-time calibration

Run-time calibration, i.e. adjusting simulation results for field observations of model driving variables during run-time, may allow correcting for deviations between complex mechanistic simulation model results and actual field conditions. Leaf area index (LAI) and canopy nitrogen contents (LeafNWt) are the most important driving variables for these models, as they govern light interception and photosynthetic production capacity of the crop. Remote sensing may provide (spatial) data from which such information can be estimated. How, when and at what frequency such additional information is integrated in the simulation process may have various effects on the simulations. The objective of this study was to quantify the effects of different run-time calibration scenarios for final grain yield (FGY) simulations in order to optimize remote sensing image (RS) acquisition. The PlantSys model was calibrated on LAI and LeafNWt for maize in France and used to simulate maize crop growth in the Argentina and the USA, for which non-destructive estimates of LAI and leaf chlorophyll contents were acquired by optical measurement techniques. Leaf chlorophyll data were used to estimate LeafNWt. Due to its structure, the PlantSys model was more susceptible to run-time calibration with LeafNWt than with LAI. Run-time calibration with LAI showed the largest effect on FGY before and around flowering, and could mainly be related to maintenance respiration costs. Run-time calibration with LeafNWt showed the largest effect on FGY at and after flowering and could mainly be related to the change in effective radiation interception due to change in leaf life. The accuracy of LAI estimates showed a major effect on FGY for underestimations but was small in absolute sense. The accuracy of LeafNWt estimates had significant impact at all crop development stages, but was the strongest after flowering where crop growth and nitrogen uptake are less able to recuperate from changes in LeafNWt. In absolute sense, the effect on FGY was as strong as the accuracy of the LeafNWt estimates when applied in the early reproductive stages. Based on these results it was concluded that remotely sensed in-field variability of LAI and LeafNWt is valuable information that can be used to spatially differentiate model simulations. Run-time calibration at sub-field level may lead to more accurate simulation results for whole fields.     

Effects of non-circadian light/dark cycles on the growth and moulting of Palaemon elegans reared in the laboratory

The growth and moulting of Palaemon elegans Rathke has been compared under a circadian (12 h light: 12 h dark) and two non-circadian (8 h light:8 h dark and random light:dark) light/dark cycles. In prawns reared individually from hatching to the late juvenile phase, growth, measured as increase in total length, was significantly retarded in the non-circadian regimes, during zoeal, post-larval and early juvenile development. This effect was primarily the result of reduced increments at moulting in the non-circadian regimes. Growth of prawns reared from hatching to the post-larval phase, measured as wet and dry weights, was similarly reduced in a non-circadian regime. These effects support the hypothesis that the integrity of an animal's physiology is partially dependent on maintaining, through the action of daily environmental cycles, correct timing relationships between its oscillating sub-systems.     

Rapid assessment of insect pollination services to inform decision-making

Pollinator declines have prompted efforts to assess how land-use change affects insect pollinators and pollination services in agricultural landscapes. Yet many tools to measure insect pollination services require substantial landscape-scale data and technical expertise. In expert workshops, 3 straightforward methods (desk-based method, field survey, and empirical manipulation with exclusion experiments) for rapid insect pollination assessment at site scale were developed to provide an adaptable framework that is accessible to nonspecialist with limited resources. These methods were designed for TESSA (Toolkit for Ecosystem Service Site-Based Assessment) and allow comparative assessment of pollination services at a site of conservation interest and in its most plausible alternative state (e.g., converted to agricultural land). We applied the methods at a nature reserve in the United Kingdom to estimate the value of insect pollination services provided by the reserve. The economic value of pollination services provided by the reserve ranged from US$6163 to US$11,546/year. The conversion of the reserve to arable land would provide no insect pollination services and a net annual benefit from insect-pollinated crop production of approximately $1542/year (US$24∙ha^–1∙year^–1). The methods had wide applicability and were readily adapted to different insect-pollinated crops: rape (Brassica napus) and beans (Vicia faba) crops. All methods were rapidly employed under a low budget. The relatively less robust methods that required fewer resources yielded higher estimates of annual insect pollination benefit.     

Efficient thinning regimes for Eucalyptus fastigata: Multi-objective stand-level optimisation using the island model genetic algorithm

A stand-level optimisation problem formulated to determine a set of efficient thinning regimes satisfying two objectives, i.e. value production for sawlog harvesting and volume production for a pulpwood market, was demonstrated for a Eucalyptus fastigata trial in Kaingaroa Forest, New Zealand. Genetic algorithms were used to estimate the set of efficient thinning regimes (i.e. regimes that occur when it is not possible to increase the achievement of one objective without reducing another) known as a Pareto frontier. Each thinning regime specified a unique combination of initial planting density; frequency, timing and intensity of thinning; final crop number; and rotation length. Specifications for the “best” regime in the Pareto set (i.e. the one that satisfied a balanced trade-off between value and volume production) were similar to those recommended through professional judgment based on pooled long-term field observations from different eucalypt species grown throughout New Zealand. The advantage of Pareto optimality was the ability of not only identifying a unique thinning regime, but equally efficient regimes each providing a different combination of value and volume production. Research on this approach has the potential of being applied to other forest sites, providing there is sufficient re-measurement data to reflect stand growth dynamics.