Weed and arthropod populations in conventional and genetically modified herbicide tolerant fodder beet fields

The introduction of genetically modified herbicide tolerant (GMHT) crops has raised concerns from both scientists and non-governmental organisations about possible effects on arable flora and fauna due to the changes in herbicide application and management that such crops involve. Three consecutive studies were performed, covering flora and fauna in fields of GMHT and conventional fodder beets over the season, at different locations and under different spraying regimes. At all locations and in the 3 years, a denser and more diverse weed flora and arthropod fauna were found in GMHT beets in early and mid-summer than in conventional beets when glyphosate-treatment occurred at or after label recommendation. Following the herbicide applications the GMHT fields had fewer weed species and seeds and lower weed densities and biomass than conventional fields. However, application of glyphosate earlier than recommended resulted in an extremely low weed diversity, density and biomass during the entire season. Timing of the first glyphosate applications, i.e. the duration of the herbicide free period, was essential in terms of biodiversity improvements. In the long term reduced production of weed seeds in GMHT fields may deplete the weed flora if the GMHT strategy becomes widely adopted.     

Quantifying the effect of buffer zones,crop areas and spatial aggregation on the externalities of genetically modified crops at landscape level

The development of genetically modified (GM) crops has led the European Union (EU) to put forward the concept of ‘coexistence’ to give farmers the freedom to plant both conventional and GM varieties. Should a premium for non-GM varieties emerge in the market, ‘contamination’ by GM pollen would generate a negative externality to conventional growers. It is therefore important to assess the effect of different ‘policy variables’ on the magnitude of the externality to identify suitable policies to manage coexistence. In this paper, taking GM herbicide tolerant oilseed rape as a model crop, we start from the model developed in Ceddia et al. [Ceddia, M.G., Bartlett, M., Perrings, C., 2007. Landscape gene flow, coexistence and threshold effect: the case of genetically modified herbicide tolerant oilseed rape (Brassica napus). Ecol. Modell. 205, pp. 169–180] use a Monte Carlo experiment to generate data and then estimate the effect of the number of GM and conventional fields, width of buffer areas and the degree of spatial aggregation (i.e. the ‘policy variables’) on the magnitude of the externality at the landscape level. To represent realistic conditions in agricultural production, we assume that detection of GM material in conventional produce might occur at the field level (no grain mixing occurs) or at the silos level (where grain mixing from different fields in the landscape occurs). In the former case, the magnitude of the externality will depend on the number of conventional fields with average transgenic presence above a certain threshold. In the latter case, the magnitude of the externality will depend on whether the average transgenic presence across all conventional fields exceeds the threshold. In order to quantify the effect of the relevant ‘policy variables’, we compute the marginal effects and the elasticities. Our results show that when relying on marginal effects to assess the impact of the different ‘policy variables’, spatial aggregation is far more important when transgenic material is detected at field level, corroborating previous research. However, when elasticity is used, the effectiveness of spatial aggregation in reducing the externality is almost identical whether detection occurs at field level or at silos level. Our results show also that the area planted with GM is the most important ‘policy variable’ in affecting the externality to conventional growers and that buffer areas on conventional fields are more effective than those on GM fields. The implications of the results for the coexistence policies in the EU are discussed.     

GeneSys: a model of the influence of cropping system on gene escape from herbicide tolerant rapeseed crops to rape volunteers: I. Temporal evolution of a population of rapeseed volunteers in a field

The aim of model GeneSys is to rank cropping systems according to their risk of gene escape from genetically modified, herbicide tolerant winter oilseed rape cultivars to rapeseed volunteers. The model integrates the effects of crop succession and crop management at the level of a region. The first part of the model presented in this paper describes the temporal evolution of rapeseed volunteers in a field, using an annual life-cycle comprising stages such as seed bank, seedlings, adult plants, flowers or freshly produced seeds. The relationships between the various stages depend on the crops grown each year and the cultivation techniques (stubble breaking, soil tillage, sowing date and density, herbicides, cutting and harvesting). Parameter values were either deduced from existing models and literature, or estimated from experimental studies and field surveys. The extension of the temporal sub-model to include the genetic evolution of rapeseed volunteers and the spatial dimension is presented in a second paper [Colbach, N., Clermont-Dauphin, C., Meynard, J.M., 2001. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ.].     

Structure and diversity of small mammal communities in agriculture landscape

Small mammal communities were snaptrapped for six years in agricultural landscapes to establish their relationship to various crop habitats in southern Moravia, Czech Republic. The presence of 14 small mammals was documented; 77% of the community found in crops consisted of three rodents, namely Microtus arvalis, Apodemus microps and A. sylvaticus, whereas in woody habitats, 89% of the community was represented by Clethrionomys glareolus, Apodemus flavicollis and A. sylvaticus. In permanent habitats (windbreaks, small woods and fallow land), the community was more abundant and diversified. Among the crop fields, the lowest abundance was found in cereal fields whereas the lowest diversity was observed in alfalfa. Soil-cultivating practices affected abundances especially in sugar beat and maize. Seasonal variation in numbers was lowest in forest and fallow land. Species richness decreased from spring and summer to autumn and winter in annual crops (cereal, maize, sugar beet and other crops), increased in alfalfa and fallow land, and remained relatively stable in windbreaks and forests. Based on similarity indices, two groups of small mammal communities were identified: one for field crops and another for permanent habitats. The fallow land assemblages in spring and summer were more similar to field crop species assemblages and in autumn and winter to permanent habitats one. Trophic requirements of small mammals and the food supply available in the various habitats are discussed.     

Alternative cropping systems for sustainable water and nitrogen use in the North China Plain

Serious water deficits and excessive nitrogen (N) applications are threatening the sustainability of intensive agriculture in the North China Plain (NCP). This study examined the possibility of replacing the conventional system (Con.W/M) of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and summer maize (Zea mays L.), with an optimized double cropping system (Opt.W/M), a 2-year system (winter wheat/summer maize-spring maize, W/M-M), and a monoculture system (spring maize, M) based on optimal water and N management strategies. From 2004 to 2010, a long-term field experiment conducted in the NCP showed that although >70 mm of irrigation water can be saved with Opt.W/M compared with Con.W/M, annual net groundwater use under Opt.W/M was still 250 mm, 65-90% of which was consumed during the winter wheat season. When wheat production was decreased, 35% and 61% of irrigation water could be reduced in W/M-M and M compared to Con.W/M, respectively. As a result, annual groundwater use was decreased to 190 mm in W/M-M and 94 mm in M. Meanwhile, the N fertilizer rate was reduced 59% and 72% in W/M-M and M compared to Con.W/M, respectively. There were no significant differences in net economic returns between Con.W/M and W/M-M across the 6-year period. In the 6 years, no significant economic loss was observed between Con.W/M and M except in the 2008-2010 rotation. The W/M-M and M systems showed great potential to reduce water and N application and achieve groundwater use balance, and thus should be considered for economic and sustainable agricultural development in the NCP.     

Prospects of utilization of sugar beet carbohydrates for biological hydrogen production in the EU

Hydrogen can be produced through dark anaerobic fermentation using carbohydrate-rich biomass, and through photofermentation using the organic acids produced from dark fermentation. Sugar beet is an ideal energy crop for fermentative production of hydrogen in the EU due to its environmental profile and its potential availability in the area. In this work, various aspects of cultivating sugar beet in the EU for biohydrogen were highlighted, with special focus on The Netherlands and Greece. Moreover, fermentation of sugar beet juice with Caldicellulosiruptor saccharolyticus at sucrose concentration 10 g/l was performed, and was found comparable to the fermentation on pure sucrose except that the hydrogen production was 10% higher on sugar beet juice. A conservative estimate of the annual hydrogen potential in the EU was made (300 × 10⁶ kg hydrogen), considering the utilization of sugar beet pulp in hydrogen production.     

Epigeic Collembola in winter wheat under organic,integrated and conventional farm management regimes

Community characteristics of Collembola assemblages in conventional, integrated and organic fields of winter wheat were compared among three randomly chosen areas in England using analysis of similarities, cluster analysis, multi-dimensional scaling and several measures of diversity and evenness. Indicator values were used to identify indicator species. Significant differences were found in the abundance of most species and in community structure among the three geographical regions but few differences between the farming regimes were significant. Despite a lack of significant differences among regimes, Entomobrya multifasciata and Isotomurus spp. were consistently, although not significantly more common in conventional than organic fields whereas the opposite was true for Isotoma viridis and Isotoma notabilis. Farming regime significantly affected the abundance of Sminthurinus elegans and Sminthurus viridis but the effect differed between geographical regions. Community composition and species dominance were influenced by farming regime, but no species were indicative of the different farming systems, as most occurred ubiquitously in all fields. Organically and conventionally farmed fields were found not to differ significantly from each other in community composition, but both differed from integrated fields. These findings are compared with the results from other recent European studies of the effects of farming systems on arthropods and their wider ecological implications are discussed.     

不同轮作和管理措施下根系呼吸对土壤呼吸的贡献

根系呼吸对土壤呼吸的贡献是研究土壤碳排放和土壤碳平衡的重点和难点.本研究采用根系排除法联合运用Li-8100土壤碳通量系统测定了华北平原冬小麦-夏玉米一年两熟传统管理体系(Con.W/M)、冬小麦-夏玉米一年两熟优化管理体系(Opt.W/M)、冬小麦-夏玉米(或夏大豆)-春玉米两年三熟优化管理体系(W/M-M、W/S-M)和春玉米一年一熟优化管理体系(M)作物根区土壤呼吸和非根区土壤呼吸,以根区和非根区土壤呼吸差异除以根区土壤呼吸计算根系呼吸的贡献.结果表明,根区土壤呼吸和非根区土壤呼吸具有明显的季节变化特征,二者具有显著的拟合关系.Con.W/M和Opt.W/M处理小麦季非根区土壤呼吸可分别解释根区土壤呼吸变异的65%和87%,玉米季非根区土壤呼吸的分别解释根区土壤呼吸变异的48%和65%.W/M-M、W/S-M和M处理春玉米非根区土壤呼吸可分别解释根区土壤呼吸变异的68%、76%和58%.Con.W/M处理小麦和玉米季根系呼吸对土壤呼吸贡献分别为25.0%和29.6%,Opt.W/M处理则分别为31.1%和35.0%.不同轮作和管理措施对春玉米根系呼吸的贡献无显著影响,W/M-M、W/S-M和M处理春玉米季根系呼吸贡献分别为23.7%、24.8%和24.9%.5 cm土壤温度对根区土壤呼吸的影响程度大于非根区土壤呼吸.     

若尔盖高原湿地藻类多样性研究

分别于夏、冬两季采集若尔盖高原湿地水样,利用传统培养及显微镜检的方法和现代分子生物学方法对其藻类多样性进行了研究.结果表明,夏季水样至少培养出4种绿藻,分别为普通小球藻(Chlorella vulgaris Beij.)、浮球藻(Planktosphaeriagelatinosa G.M.Smith)、繁茂栅列藻(Scenedesmus abundans Kirchner)和柱状栅列藻(Scenedesmus bijuga Turp.),均属于绿球藻(Chlorococcales),其中普通小球藻为优势藻种,并被分离纯化.显微镜检结果表明冬季水样中主要的藻类种群为硅藻,此结果符合在低温季节天然水体中常以硅藻为主的常理.蓝藻16S rRNA基因克隆文库中的主要类群为硅藻(Bacillaripiophyta,35.3%),其次为蓝藻,包括色球藻(Chroococcales,5.9%)、念珠藻(Nostocales,11.8%)、颤藻(Oscillatoriales,11.8%)和一些未知种属的蓝藻类群(Unclassified Cyanobacteria,35.3%),还发现一些与低温环境微生物相关的类群,如颤藻目细纤菌属(Leptolyngbya).     

阳澄西湖浮游藻类功能群演替特征及其与环境因子的关系

采用浮游藻类功能群、RDA（冗余分析）、多元回归分析等方法,对阳澄西湖浮游藻类功能群的演替特征及其影响因子进行了研究.2015年3月~2016年2月逐月对阳澄西湖浮游藻类和环境因子进行调查分析,结果表明,阳澄西湖浮游藻类可划分为21个功能群,其中10个功能群（B、D、E、G、J、Lo、S1、X1、X2、Y）为该湖的优势功能群,反映的生境特征表明该湖为分层敏感,扰动较少且混合程度较高的中-富营养浅水水体.阳澄西湖不同季节优势功能群演替规律为：由春季的B+X2+Y+X1+J+D,经夏季的B+X2+Y+X1+J+G+S1+Lo+E和秋季的B+X2+Y+Lo+E,转变为B+X2+Y+X1+D.RDA分析结果显示,阳澄西湖浮游藻类功能群分布受环境影响较为明显,但不同季节影响因子不同.整体上,水温（T）、pH值、溶解氧（DO）、氨氮（NH₄⁺-N）和浊度（Tur）是影响阳澄西湖浮游藻类功能群分布格局的主要因素.     

Farming systems and insect predators

Predatory carabids, staphylinids and spiders were monitored from 1981 to 1987 in a Dutch project concerning the development of arable farming systems. During this period epigeic predators in the conventional, integrated and organic systems were sampled using pitfall traps. The effects of crop type and farming system on species diversity, abundance and guild structure was analysed using trap data from wheat, pea, sugar beet, potato, onion and carrot fields. Predator abundance and species composition were found to be clearly affected by the farming system. However, in most cases the type of crop appeared to be of greater importance. Crops with a greater cover early in the season, like winter wheat and peas appeared to be more favourable than late and open crops like onions or carrots. Both system and crop effects were more apparent in carabids than in spiders or staphylinids. Only minor effects of farm management were found on species richness. Again, the crop itself seemed to be the main structuring factor. It is concluded that the presence and quality of predator populations is mainly determined by crop structure and crop-related factors. The role of favourable crops and field size in predator enhancement is discussed in relation to the agroecological infrastructure of the landscape.     

The effect of catch crops on sulphate leaching and availability of S in the succeeding crop on sandy loam soil in Denmark

Sulphate leaching losses may reduce the long-term possibility of maintaining the S supply of crops in low input farming systems. The ability of catch crops (Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam), winter rape (Brassica napus L.) and fodder radish (Raphanus sativus L.)) to reduce soil sulphate concentrations in autumn and make it available to a succeeding crop was investigated in 1996–1998 on sandy loam soil in Denmark. All catch crops reduced soil sulphate concentrations in the autumn compared to bare soil. Especially, the cruciferous catch crops had the ability to deplete efficiently soil sulphate levels and thus, reduce the sulphate leaching potential. The S uptake in aboveground catch crop was 8, 22 and 36 kg S per ha for ryegrass, winter rape and fodder radish, respectively. In the following spring, sulphate levels of the autumn bare soil were low in the top 0.5 m and a peak of sulphate was found at 0.75–1 m depth. In contrast, where a fodder radish catch crop had been grown, high sulphate levels were present in the top 0.5 m, but only small amounts of sulphate were found at 0.5–1.5 m depth. In spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), that followed catch crops, S concentrations at heading and maturity revealed that the availability of soil S increased following winter rape and fodder radish, whereas there were indications that following ryegrass, the S availability was reduced compared to bare soil. This initial study showed that catch crops have a high potential for reducing sulphate leaching and may be used to synchronise S availability with plant demand in a crop rotation.     

三峡小江（澎溪河）藻类功能分组及其季节演替特点

藻类功能分组(phytoplankton functional classification)以藻种生理生长特征及其环境适应性机制为基础,在藻类生长的C-R-S策略分类基础上,对具有相同适应性特征的藻种进行分组,形成面向藻类集群生态属性的功能组别,便于更直接阐释生境变化对藻类集群的选择机制.本研究尝试将藻类功能分组运用...     

Modeling black cutworm—Parasitoid—Weed interactions in reduced tillage corn

Computer simulations were used to evaluate the impact of tillage upon black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel), damage to seedling corn through its effects on cutworm infestation, feeding and parasitism by Meteorus rubens (Nees von Esenbeck). Using 1982 conditions of Urbana, Illinois, simulated black cutworm infestations in no-till fields approached the economic threshold of two larvae per 100 corn seedlings. In disked and conventionally tilled fields, infestations were 30 and 75% less, respectively, because weeds for oviposition sites were less abundant before planting. Cutworm damage in notill equalled or exceeded the economic injury level of 3% yield reduction. In conventional tillage, damage was 75% less than in no-till due to decreased infestation. Although infestation in disked fields was more than double that in conventional fields, damage was similar because of preferential cutworm feeding on weeds. These simulated values for black cutworm infestation and damage were similar to field data obtained under comparable conditions of tillage and moth trap-captures. Predicted M. rubens density in no-till and conventional tillage ranged from ca. 4 to 22 per 100 corn seedlings, and black cutworm parasitism ranged from 26 to 75%. In disked fields, parasitoid density increased by 40% and parasitism increased slightly (33–80%) as a consequence of weed availability for floral nutrition after planting. Simulated values for parasitoid search efficiency were similar to those estimated from field data. The increased M. rubens density and parasitism in disked fields did not affect black cutworm damage substantially. Damage reduction due to parasitism ranged from 10 to 30% under all three tillage conditions. These simulations suggest that M. rubens—weed interactions are of minor importance compared to black cutworm—weed interactions in influencing cutworm damage. In addition, they indicate that preferential cutworm feeding on weeds can substantially offset preferential cutworm oviposition in weedy, reduced-tillage fields.     

Soil loss due to harvesting of various crop types in contrasting agro-ecological environments

Soil erosion studies on cropland usually only consider water, wind and tillage erosion. However, significant amounts of soil are also lost from the field during the harvest of crops such as sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.), potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), chicory roots (Cichorium intybus L.), cassava (Manihot spp.) and sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam). During the harvest soil adhering to the crop, loose soil or soil clods and rock fragments are exported from the field together with these crops.This soil erosion process is referred to as ‘soil losses due to crop harvesting’ (SLCH). Most of the studies investigated SLCH variability and its controlling factors for one crop type in similar agro-ecological environments and for comparable harvesting techniques. In this study, a compilation of SLCH studies was made in order to investigate the effect of crop type, agricultural systems, ecological conditions and harvesting technique on SLCH variability. SLCH rates ranged from few to tens of Mg ha⁻¹ harvest⁻¹ and SLCH was highly variable both in space and time. Comparison of four studies on SLCH for sugar beet revealed that harvesting technique and soil moisture content at harvesting time can be equally important for SLCH variability. The occurrence of soil clods harvested with the crop explained why SLCH was significantly larger for mechanically harvested potato in Belgium compared to manually harvested potato in China. SLCH values for manually harvested sugar beet, potato, cassava and sweet potato in China and Uganda were in general smaller than SLCH values for mechanically harvested sugar beet, potato and witloof chicory roots measured in Belgium and France. However, SLCH may also vary significantly within Europe due to differences in harvesting techniques. Soil moisture content at harvesting time was besides harvesting technique one of the key factors controlling SLCH variability. There were no systematic differences in SLCH between crop types, although the soil–crop contact area–crop mass ratio could explain more than 40% of the means from several SLCH studies.     

稻油不同轮作模式对农田甲烷和氧化亚氮排放的影响

以南方稻区不同轮作模式为研究对象,采用静态箱-气相色谱法研究水稻-油菜轮作处理的甲烷（CH₄）和氧化亚氮（N₂O）排放特征,并估算稻田增温潜势（GWP）和温室气体排放强度（GHGI）.结果表明,双季稻田、一季中（晚）稻田、油菜地和休闲地CH₄平均排放量分别为135.25,55.64、5.05和1.89 kg ·hm^-2,稻季CH₄排放占不同轮作周年CH₄排放的91.8%~98.5%,稻田土壤水溶性有机碳与CH₄排放呈显著正相关,常规晚稻稻田CH₄排放比杂交晚稻高18.7%（P<0.05）;双季稻田、一季中（晚）稻田、油菜地和休闲地N₂O平均排放量分别为0.94、0.64、1.38和0.24 kg ·hm^-2,油菜地的N₂O排放占周年排放的57.2%~70.2%,双季稻和一季稻处理的冬闲农田N₂O排放占周年排放的17.8%和30.6%,杂交稻和常规稻稻田N₂O排放无显著性差异;双季稻-冬闲和双季稻-油菜的GWP处理高于稻-油和稻-冬闲处理,稻季排放CH₄的GWP占轮作周年GWP排放的71.2%~90.9%;GHGI以稻-稻-油菜最高,稻-油和稻-冬闲处理较低,综合环境效益和经济效益,建议南方稻区选择杂交晚稻-油菜的种植模式,有利于南方多熟制稻田的温室气体减排.     

3类抗性种子萌发过程中糖代谢对酸雨胁迫的响应

为揭示酸雨影响种子萌发机理,以pH 2.0、2.5、3.0、3.5、4.0、4.5、5.0的模拟酸雨处理水稻(O.sativa)、小麦(T.aestivum)、油菜(B.chinensis var.oleifera)3种不同抗性种子,研究种子萌发糖代谢对酸雨胁迫的响应.结果表明,水稻、小麦和油菜α-淀粉酶活性、可溶性糖和还原糖含量随胁迫强度增加(pH 5.0～2.0)而降低,均低于对照.3个指标响应酸雨胁迫强度的规律(伤害阈值/变幅)是:水稻(pH 3.5～4.0/53.88%～77.7%)＜小麦(pH 3.5～4.5/58.60%～89.41%)＜油菜(pH 4.0～5.0/60.14%～100%).胁迫强度一定时,水稻α-淀粉酶活性、可溶性糖和还原糖含量随时间延长而上升,小麦和油菜3个指标先升后降.胁迫时间一定时(3～7 d),3种种子处理组的旺α-淀粉酶活性、可溶性糖和还原糖含量均低于对照,且随胁迫强度增加而降低.3个指标达到最大伤害的胁迫时间为水稻(7 d;7 d,7 d)＞小麦(7 d,6 d,5 d)＞油菜(3 d,7 d,5 d).3个指标对酸雨胁迫强度与胁迫时间的响应规律显示,水稻糖代谢抗酸雨能力＞小麦＞油菜,这是酸雨胁迫下3类种子萌发指标趋异的又一内在原因.     

Nocturnal herbivore-induced plant volatiles attract the generalist predatory earwig <Emphasis Type="Italic">Doru luteipes</Emphasis> Scudder

Numerous studies have demonstrated that entomophagous arthropods use herbivore-induced plant volatile (HIPV) blends to search for their prey or host. However, no study has yet focused on the response of nocturnal predators to volatile blends emitted by prey damaged plants. We investigated the olfactory behavioral responses of the night-active generalist predatory earwig Doru luteipes Scudder (Dermaptera: Forficulidae) to diurnal and nocturnal volatile blends emitted by maize plants (Zea mays) attacked by either a stem borer (Diatraea saccharalis) or a leaf-chewing caterpillar (Spodoptera frugiperda), both suitable lepidopteran prey. Additionally, we examined whether the earwig preferred odors emitted from short- or long-term damaged maize. We first determined the earwig diel foraging rhythm and confirmed that D. luteipes is a nocturnal predator. Olfactometer assays showed that during the day, although the earwigs were walking actively, they did not discriminate the volatiles of undamaged maize plants from those of herbivore damaged maize plants. In contrast, at night, earwigs preferred volatiles emitted by maize plants attacked by D. saccharalis or S. frugiperda over undamaged plants and short- over long-term damaged maize. Our GC-MS analysis revealed that short-term damaged nocturnal plant volatile blends were comprised mainly of fatty acid derivatives (i.e., green leaf volatiles), while the long-term damaged plant volatile blend contained mostly terpenoids. We also observed distinct volatile blend composition emitted by maize damaged by the different caterpillars. Our results showed that D. luteipes innately uses nocturnal herbivore-induced plant volatiles to search for prey. Moreover, the attraction of the earwig to short-term damaged plants is likely mediated by fatty acid derivatives.