梭梭、白梭梭萌发过程的初探

针对准噶尔盆地南部沙漠边缘沙丘活化这一现象,结合目前新疆梭梭、白梭梭研究现状,结合历年的气象资料,模拟自然条件,对梭梭、白梭梭自然恢复的初始过程——种子萌发的温度和水分条件进行研究。结果表明,新疆梭梭、白梭梭种子在2℃时就可以萌发,而且发芽率达80%以上,当积雪厚度达到22 cm时,梭梭、白梭梭种子发芽率达到80%以上,变温提高发芽速率,当积雪厚度达到22 cm就可满足梭梭、白梭梭种子萌发的水分条件。此结果可为沙漠地区植被自然恢复提供理论依据。     

Recent developments of safer formulations of agrochemicals

The primary objectives of formulation technology are to optimise the biological activity of the pesticide, and to give a product which is safe and convenient for use. However, because of the wide variety of pesticide active ingredients which are available, many different types of formulations have been developed depending mainly on the physico-chemical properties of the active ingredients. In the past most formulations were based on simple solutions in water (SL), emulsifiable concentrates in a petroleum-based solvent (EC), or dusts (DP) and wettable powders (WP). The presence of petroleum-based solvents in EC formulations and dusty powders in DP and WP formulations can lead to safety hazards in use and a negative impact on the envirnoment generally. Most government and regulatory authorities are now demanding formulations which are cleaner and safer for the user, have minimal impact on the environment, and can be applied at the lowest dose rate. Developments in formulation technology and novel formulation types, sometimes in special packaging such as water-soluble packs, can also give products a competitive advantage, add value or extend the lif-cycle of active ingredients. There is also a demand from government authorities and consumer groups to use safer formulation additives and adjuvants, and to minimise the residues of pesticides on food crops after spraying. All of these aspects are putting increasing pressure on the development of improved formulation and adjuvant technologies. Pesticide formulations for spray application and for seed treatment are discussed, along with developments in bioenchancement.     

The effect of olive mill wastewater on seed germination after various pretreatment techniques

Olive mill wastewater (OMW) management has been a major issue of environmental concern for olive oil producing countries. OMW can be a serious nuisance, when disposed of untreated, due to its significantly high organic load, its phytotoxic properties and its relatively low biodegradability. Field and plant irrigation with raw or pretreated OMW is an easy and relatively inexpensive method to treat and dispose of OMW. Typical pretreatment techniques could be comprised of phase separation through a settling basin, dilution with water, aeration to promote biological degradation and pH neutralization. A full factorial experimental design approach was used here to study the main effects and interactions of the above four pretreatment techniques on the germination of tomato and chicory seeds. Results of the study showed that the most statistically significant technique affecting OMW phytotoxicity is water dilution. The next most significant technique was aeration. In particular, phytotoxicity decreased with increased OMW dilution with water, when OMW was aerated and without pH adjustment. pH neutralization resulted in increased phytotoxicity. Settling did not significantly decrease the phytotoxicity of settled OMW and is therefore not considered necessary in an OMW management system in which plant irrigation is the goal. The interaction of aeration and pH was, marginally, the most significant two-way interaction for tomato seeds, while no interactions were significant when chicory seeds were used.     

Joint effects of heavy metal binary mixtures on seed germination, root and shoot growth, bacterial bioluminescence, and gene mutation

This investigation was to assess the joint effects of metal binary mixtures on seed germination,root and shoot growth,bacterial bioluminescence,and gene mutation based on the one toxic unit(1 TU)approach.Different sensitivities and orders of toxicity of metal mixtures were observed among the bioassays.In general,mostly additive or antagonistic effects were observed,while almost no synergistic effects by the binary metal mixtures in all bioassays.Therefore,the combined effects of heavy metals in the different bioassays were difficult to generalize since they were dependent on both chemical type and the organism used in each bioassay.However, these results indicate that a battery of bioassays with mixture chemicals as opposed to just a single assay with single metal is a better strategy for the bioassessment of environmental pollutants.     

铜、镉胁迫下荻种子的萌发和幼苗生长

研究了不同质量浓度Cu、Cd胁迫对荻(Triarrhena sacchariflora(Maxim.)Nakai)种子萌发及其幼苗生长的影响。结果表明:随着胁迫质量浓度的增大,Cu、Cd对荻种子萌发和幼苗生长的抑制作用增强。就发芽率来看,影响荻种子萌发的Cu的临界质量浓度和极限质量浓度分别为20.81、67.37 mg·L-1,Cd的临界质量浓度和极限质量浓度分别为16.30、42.79 mg·L-1。Cu、Cd对荻幼苗根的抑制作用大于对芽的抑制作用;芽的生长表现为低促高抑。影响荻幼苗芽生长的Cu的临界质量浓度和极限质量浓度分别为52.32、96.11 mg·L-1,Cd的临界质量浓度和极限质量浓度分别为33.55、55.88 mg·L-1;影响荻幼苗根生长的Cu的临界质量浓度和极限质量浓度分别为42.33、85.03 mg·L-1,Cd的临界质量浓度和极限质量浓度分别为26.18、50.45 mg·L-1。     

Challenges to Introducing and Managing Disturbance Regimes for Holocarpha macradenia, an Endangered Annual Grassland Forb

Abstract:  Introducing rare plants to new sites for conservation to offset effects of habitat destruction requires detailed knowledge of habitat requirements, plant demography, and management needs. We conducted a factorial experiment replicated at three coastal prairie sites to test the effects of clipping frequency and litter accumulation on seed germination, seedling survival, reproduction, and seedling recruitment of introduced populations of the endangered, tall-stature, annual forb, Holocarpha macradenia (DC.) E. Greene. Clipping favored H. macradenia , primarily by enhancing seed germination and flower production. Litter accumulation had no effect on seed germination, even after 5 years of treatments. Seedling recruitment was highly site specific with large numbers of recruits recorded at only one of three sites. Although recruitment of seedlings was higher in clipped plots for 2–3 years, by 4–5 years after introduction very few seedlings survived to reproduction in any treatment. We attribute this result to a combination of poor habitat quality, small population size, and lack of a seed bank. We were unsuccessful in introducing this relatively well-studied species of concern to apparently suitable habitat at multiple sites in multiple years, which suggests that translocating rare plant populations to mitigate for habitat destruction is an expensive and highly uncertain endeavor.     

Effects of maternal diet and host quality on oviposition patterns and offspring performance in a seed beetle (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)

In seed beetles, oviposition decisions may influence the offspring phenotype because eggs constitute the initial resources available for larval development. We tested the effects of host quality variations (small vs. large seeds of the host plant Calystegia sepium, Convolvulaceae) on oviposition patterns and offspring performance of the seed beetle Megacerus eulophus. We also manipulated the maternal diet: high diet quality vs. low diet quality to evaluate possible interactive effects of the maternal nutritional environment and host quality on oviposition patterns. We further assessed the consequences of egg size variation in offspring size. Female M. eulophus fed with high-quality diet (H-diet) laid more eggs and lived longer than females fed with low-quality diet (P-diet). Fecundity decreased under a low-quality host for both maternal diets. The occurrence of maternal environmental effects on egg size plasticity was detected. Under conditions of low-quality host, mothers fed with the high-quality diet produced bigger eggs in comparison with a high-quality host, whereas females fed with the low-quality diet produced smaller ones. Regardless of these differences observed in egg size depending on the maternal diet, progeny emerging from small seeds (low-quality host) showed a similar performance at emergence. Offspring traits were only significantly affected by host quality. Beetles emerging from large seeds had greater body weight and length than those reared on small seeds. Variations in oviposition patterns in response to host quality are discussed.     

Role of post-dispersal seed and seedling predation in establishment of dandelion (Taraxacum agg.) plants

Dandelion Taraxacum agg. (formerly Taraxacum officinale G.H. Weber ex Wiggers) is a common weed species associated with pastures, grasslands and no-tillage cropping systems throughout its native range in Europe, and more recently introduced into North America, Australasia and elsewhere. Following wind-dispersal from the parent plant, its seeds are subject to predation from a host of invertebrate predators. Similarly, seedling predation may also significantly limit dandelion recruitment. Although such post-dispersal mortality is central to our understanding of dandelion population dynamics and therefore weed control, the precise spatio-temporal role played by different putative seed and seedling predators is poorly understood. Here we studied how seed viability, and seed and seedling predation influenced dandelion recruitment at two contrasting sites in central Europe. The abundance in the field and seed and seedling consumption in the laboratory were determined for the main groups of predators—ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabiade), terrestrial isopods (Isopoda: Oniscidea) and molluscs (Gastopoda: Pulmonata). At particular sites, seed viability and seedling predation were negatively correlated while the percentage of seeds that succumbed to seed predation was similar. Combined factors accounted for the death of 98% and 87% of exposed seeds. Ground beetles (particularly Amara spp.) and terrestrial isopods (Armadillidium vulgare) were efficient and dominant seed predators, while slugs (Arion lusitanicus) and isopods were important predators of seedlings. While there was no seasonal trend in the intensity of seed predation it decreased towards autumn in parallel with the feeding activity of the declining population of A. lusitanicus. The mortality factors thus varied in their importance, largely between sites and less with the course of the season. Although seed inviability, seed and seedling predation did not stop the recruitment of dandelion seedlings they are crucial factors limiting dandelion populations. Methods of increasing the efficiency of predation of seed as a means of managing weeds are worthy of further study, particularly in areas where dandelion is an invasive species.     

3个品种水稻种子萌发对酸雨胁迫的响应

为了探索不同水稻种植区水稻品种对酸雨胁迫的响应规律,采用室内实验方法研究pH值为2.0、2.5、3.0、3.5、4.0、5.0的模拟酸雨对隆安优8、天协1、协优57水稻品种种子发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数、活力指数和异状发芽率5个指标的影响.结果表明:酸雨持续胁迫7d后,上述3个品种的发芽势(率)、发芽(活力)指数随胁迫强度增加(pH值为5.0～3.0)呈先增后减的变化,pH值为2.5时种子仅有异状发芽,pH值为2.0时均不发芽;3者的发芽势(率)、发芽(活力)指数等均与胁迫时间(1～7d)呈显著负相关(异状发芽率呈正相关).综合分析认为,酸雨对3个水稻品种的伤害阈限为pH值2.5～3.5;一定胁强(pH值为2.5)下,3类种子上述5项萌发指标与CK呈显著差异的胁时不同:隆安优8、协优57(4d,2d,2d,2d,4d)大于或等天协1(3d,2d,2d,2d,3d),表明3者对酸雨的抗性存在一定差异,即隆安优8、协优57大于天协1.     

Set-aside management: How do succession, sowing patterns and landscape context affect biodiversity?

European Union (EU) member states set aside between 5 and 15% of arable land during the last two decades, but abolition of the set-aside scheme in 2008 caused a sudden loss in habitat availability and biodiversity in agricultural landscapes. Management of set-aside has many facets and in this perspective paper we focus on the biodiversity effects of successional age, sowing strategies and landscape context. Young, 1-2-year-old set-asides have been initially considered to be too ephemeral to have any conservation value. However, when a rich seed and bud bank is available, a species-rich natural (secondary) succession can be observed. Arable (annual) weed communities in the first two years of succession can even include endangered plant species with associated rare insect consumers. Furthermore, many bird species benefit from early-successional habitats, whereas small mammal communities are richer in older habitats. If the local plant species pool is poor, sowings of diverse mixtures from regional seed collections can be recommended. Set-aside managers using species-rich sowings often experience that dominant weeds suppress the less competitive annual species. This trend to species-poor communities can be avoided by intraspecific aggregation of competitively weak species. Broadening the spatial scale from the plot to the landscape, efficiency of set-aside is highest in simple landscapes, where set-aside exhibits greatest effect in enhancement of biodiversity and associated services such as pollination and biological control. In complex landscapes, however, additional set-aside does not add much to the high level of biodiversity and ecological processes already present. Twenty percent of semi-natural, non-crop habitat appears to be a rough threshold for enhancing biodiversity and sustaining services such as pollination and biological control, but improved set-aside management should have the potential to reduce the percentage of semi-natural non-crop habitat needed. EU policy should tailor set-aside schemes for the maintenance of biodiversity and also consider that management efficiency is higher in simple than complex landscapes.