Leaching of dissolved organic matter from seagrass leaf litter and its biogeochemical implications

Dissolved organic matter（DOM） represents a significant source of nutrients that supports the microbial-based food web in seagrass ecosystems. However, there is little information on how the various fractions of DOM from seagrass leaves contributed to the coastal biogeochemical cycles. To address this gap, we carried out a 30-day laboratory chamber experiment on tropical seagrasses Thalassia hemprichii and Enhalus acoroides. After 30 days of incubation, on average 22% carbon（C）, 70% nitrogen（N） and 38% phosphorus（P） of these two species of seagrass leaf litter was released. The average leached dissolved organic carbon（DOC）, dissolved organic nitrogen（DON） and dissolved organic phosphorus（DOP） of these two species of seagrass leaf litter accounted for 55%, 95% and 65% of the total C, N and P lost, respectively. In the absence of microbes, about 75% of the total amount of DOC, monosaccharides（MCHO）, DON and DOP were quickly released via leaching from both seagrass species in the first 9 days. Subsequently, little DOM was released during the remainder of the experiment. The leaching rates of DOC, DON and DOP were approximately 110, 40 and 0.70 μmol/（g·d）. Leaching rates of DOM were attributed to the nonstructural carbohydrates and other labile organic matter within the seagrass leaf. Thalassia hemprichii leached more DOC, DOP and MCHO than E. acoroides. In contrast, E. acoroides leached higher concentrations of DON than T. hemprichii, with the overall leachate also having a higher DON： DOP ratio. These results indicate that there is an overall higher amount of DOM leachate from T. hemprichii than that of E. acoroides that is available to the seagrass ecosystem. According to the logarithmic model for DOM release and the in situ leaf litter production（the Xincun Bay, South China Sea）, the seagrass leaf litter of these two seagrass species could release approximately 4×10~3 mol/d DOC, 1.4×10~3 mol/d DON and 25 mol/d DOP into the seawater. In addition to providing readily available nutrients for the microbial food web, the remaining particulate organic matter（POM）from the litter would also enter microbial remineralization processes. What is not remineralized from either DOM or POM fractions has potential to contribute to the permanent carbon stocks.

Integrated Use of Organic and Bio-fertilizers to Improve Yield and Fruit Quality of Olives Grown in Low Fertility Sandy Soil in an Arid Environment

Olive productivity should be improved through stimulating nutrition,particularly under poor fertility soils.Consequently,the objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of applying organic and bio-fertilizers on the physiological growth,yield and fruit quality of olive trees under newly reclaimed poor-fertility sandy soil in an arid environment.During a field experiment carried out at El-Qantara,North Sinai,Egypt over two consecutive seasons(2019-2020 and 2020-2021),olive Kalamata trees were evaluated under three organic fertilizer treatments alone or in combination with three bio-fertilizers treatments.Organic fertilizer was applied as goat manure(16.8 kg/tree/year),or olive pomace(8.5 kg/tree/year)in mid-December of each season vs.untreated trees.The bio-fertilizers were applied as N-fixing bacteria(150 g/tree)was inculated in early March of each season,or amino acid mixture(1.5%)was applied three times,at 70%of full bloom,21 days after full bloom,and a month later in comparison to a non-fertilized trees(control).The cultivar used was Kalamata,a dual-purpose cultivar for oil and table olives whose value increases when processed as table olives.The results indicated that the goat manure followed by olive pomace significantly enhanced photosynthetic pigments(chlorophyll a,b,and carotenoids),leaf mineral contents(N,P,K,Ca,Mg and Fe),tree canopy volume,number of flowers per inflorescence,number of inflorescences per shoot,initial fruit set,fruit retention.For fruit quality,fruit length and width,fruit weight,and total fruit yield was increased compared to the non-fertilized control.Likewise,The bio-fertilizer N-fixing bacteria followed by the amino acid mixture significantly improved all of the aforementioned parameters.Accordingly,it is recommended,both environmentally and economically to utilize organic and bio-fertizers,particularly goat manure combined with N-fixing bacteria,in low-fertility soil to sustain olive production as well as reducing mineral fertilization.

Effects of broad-leaf crop frequency in various rotations on soil organic C and N, and inorganic N in a Dark Brown soil

The objective of this study was to determine the impact of frequency of broad-leaf crops canola and pea in various crop rotations on pH, total organic C (TOC), total organic N (TON), light fraction organic C (LFOC) and light fraction organic N (LFON) in the 0 - 7.5 and 7.5 - 15 cm soil depths in autumn 2009 after 12 years (1998-2009) on a Dark Brown Chernozem (Typic Boroll) loam at Scott, Saskatchewan, Canada. The field ex-periment contained monoculture canola (herbicide tolerant and blackleg resistant hybrid) and monoculture pea compared with rotations that contained these crops every 2-, 3-, and 4-yr with wheat. There was no effect of crop rotation duration and crop phase on soil pH. Mass of TOC and TON in the 0 - 15 cm soil was greater in canola phase than pea phase in the 1-yr (monoculture) and 2-yr crop rotations, while the opposite was true in the 3-yr and 4-yr crop rotations. Mass of TOC and TON (averaged across crop phases,) in soil generally increased with increasing crop rotation duration, with the maximum in the 4-yr rotation while no difference in the 1-yr and 2-yr rotations. Mass of LFOC and LFON in soil was greater in canola phase than pea phase in the 1-yr, 2-yr and 3-yr rotations, but the opposite was true in the 4-yr rotation. There was no consistent effect of crop rotation duration on mass of LFOC and LFON. The N balance sheet over the 1998 to 2009 period indicated large amounts of unaccounted N for monoculture pea, suggesting a great potential for N loss from the soil-plant system in this treatment through nitrate leaching and/or denitrification. In conclusion, the findings suggest that the quantity of organic C and N can be maximized by increasing duration of crop rotation and by including hybrid canola in the rotation.

不同海拔大叶种有机茶土壤与叶片碳氮磷生态化学计量特征

本试验对普洱市祖祥高山有机茶园有限公司的不同海拔梯度有机茶根际土壤和叶片碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)含量及其化学计量比进行了研究,探究了海拔高度对大叶种有机茶树根际土和叶片碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)生态化学计量特征的影响,分析了该试验地大叶种茶树生长的限制性因素,为大叶种有机茶园的合理养分管理提供数据支持。结果表明,不同海拔大叶种有机茶叶片的全碳、全氮、全磷含量及叶片C:N、C:P、N:P随海拔的升高有着不同的变化趋势:海拔越高,叶片的C:N和C:P越低,根据对植物营养元素的限制因素叶片N:P的分析可知,有机茶叶片的N:P在四个海拔梯度上都低于14,叶片全碳、全氮、全磷含量及叶片C:N、N:P在不同海拔间无显著差异,但叶片C:P在海拔间差异显著。不同海拔大叶种有机茶根际土壤全碳、全氮、全磷含量及土壤C:N、C:P、N:P随着海拔的升高有不同的变化趋势,海拔越高,土壤的全碳、全氮、全磷含量越高,在不同海拔间差异显著,土壤C:N、C:P、N:P在不同海拔间差异不显著。叶片的C:N、C:P、N:P与土壤的C:N、C:P、N:P多呈显著正相关关系。总之,大叶种有机茶的生长受氮的限制,所以在有机茶园经营管理过程中,要注意养分投入的平衡。

生物有机肥与化肥减量配施对土壤养分及烟叶产质量的影响

为减少化肥的过量施用,提高湖南宜章植烟土壤肥力和烟叶生产效益,以烤烟品种‘K326’为材料,采用田间试验研究了不同比例生物有机肥与化肥减量配施对土壤养分及烟叶产量与品质的影响。结果表明:增施适当比例生物有机肥配合化肥减量能不同程度地改善土壤肥力质量,促进烟株的生长。随着生物有机肥比例的增加与化肥用量的减少,烤烟的各项生长农艺性状、感官评吸质量、产量、产值以及上等烟比例呈先升后降的趋势。其中,以减量20%化学追肥的T2处理对烟株的生长和烟叶的品质表现最好。与常规施肥的对照(CK)相比,烟草株高、有效叶片数和最大叶面积分别增加8.24%~17.00%、13.81%~23.22%和12.63%~16.86%,C3F烟叶中总糖和钾含量分别达到26.51%~30.01%和2.16%~2.86%,C3F和B2F烟叶的感官评吸质量分别提高1.67%~2.98%和3.12%~4.10%,烟叶产量、上等烟比例和产值分别提高3.76%~6.58%、3.38%~3.79%和8.24%~9.58%。研究结果为湘南植烟区应用生物有机肥与化肥减量配施提供了科学参考依据。

增施微藻和牛粪有机肥对土壤化学性质和细菌群落以及烤烟产质量的影响

【目的】研究增施微藻和牛粪有机肥对烟草生长、产质量及土壤细菌群落的影响。【方法】设置微藻、牛粪有机肥、微藻+牛粪有机肥和空白对照(CK)4个田间试验处理,监测烟株农艺性状、烤后烟叶产量和化学成分,测定土壤化学性质,运用荧光定量PCR、Illumina Miseq测序等分子生物学技术分析土壤细菌群落丰度和组成。【结果】与CK相比,增施微藻+牛粪有机肥可显著增加土壤硝态氮、溶解性有机碳、有效磷和速效钾含量,改善土壤pH;烟株圆顶期株高和叶数显著增加,烤后烟叶中总氮、钾、烟碱、总糖和还原糖含量以及氮碱比和钾氯比显著增加,烟叶产量和产值分别提高13.70%和16.78%;可提高土壤细菌群落多样性,优化土壤细菌群落结构,其中芽孢杆菌属(Bacillus)的相对丰度升高,提升了土壤细菌群落抑制青枯病害的能力。典型对应分析结果表明:土壤pH以及硝态氮和速效钾含量是影响土壤细菌群落结构组成的关键因素。【结论】增施微藻和牛粪有机肥可提高土壤养分含量,活化土壤有益微生物,提高细菌群落抑制青枯病菌的能力,改善土壤微生态环境,促进烟草生长,提高烟叶产量和品质。

生物质有机肥对酸性红壤区人参果病害与产量的影响

人参果(Solanum muricatum)是云南特色经济作物.长期施用化学肥料和农药,会导致人参果主产区土壤酸化、板结、有机质含量低和肥力退化等问题,同时作物病害严重、挂果率低等障碍因素突出.研究通过创制生物质有机肥改良人参果种植土壤,试验施用量分别为9、12、15 t/hm^(2)和18 t/hm^(2),以传统单施尿素150 kg/hm^(2)为对照(CK),分析了土壤理化性质与酶活性,调查了不同处理下人参果枯叶病发病率和产量.结果表明:施用生物质有机肥显著提高了土壤pH、电导率(EC)、阳离子代换量(CEC)、有机质和速效氮、磷、钾含量(P<0.05),降低了土壤容重,增加了土壤磷酸酶、脲酶与多酚氧化酶活性(P<0.05),且活性随施用量增加而增加.与CK相比,施用生物质有机肥能显著改善土壤理化特征和增加土壤酶活性,从而提高人参果产量,且其解释率为87.40%.施加生物质有机肥降低了人参果枯叶病发病率(P<0.05),且其与产量的关联性符合对数曲线模型(R^(2)=0.794,P<0.01).与非种植障碍区相比,生物质有机肥以15~18 t/hm^(2)的施用量处理即可获得较高产量.因此,施用生物质有机肥部分替代化肥,可有效改良酸性红壤区土壤质量和缓减人参果病害,从而提高作物种植产量.

鄱阳湖典型洲滩湿地植物水碳稳定同位素与内在水分利用效率变化特征

在极端水文事件频发和人类活动影响加剧的背景下,鄱阳湖水文情势的异常变动给洲滩湿地植物带来了一系列影响。为进一步了解鄱阳湖湿地植物水分利用来源和内在水分利用效率(iWUE)的季节变化规律,揭示优势植物在生长过程中对不同水分变化的适应策略,于2020年12月-2021年5月在鄱阳湖国家级自然保护区蚌湖和修河之间的典型洲滩湿地上设置监测断面,对灰化苔草(Carex cinerascens)、南荻(Triarrhena lutarioriparia)植物样品及其潜在水源样品进行系统采集,测定并分析了水、碳稳定同位素的动态变化特征和指示意义。结果表明,典型洲滩湿地苔草和南荻植物茎水的氢、氧稳定同位素组成没有表现出明显差异,从冬季至春季,植物茎水的δ^(18)O值总体上均呈现波动富集的变化趋势。苔草在春季生长期iWUE没有表现出明显变化,而南荻在萌发时期iWUE最低,之后的生长期iWUE具有显著的增长趋势。在各潜在水源当中,植物茎水的同位素组成与土层中的重力水最为相近,其次为与根系分布联系密切的土壤水。在春季降水频繁时,来源于降水且埋深较浅的重力水可能是植物利用的主要水源,而在枯水期重力水埋深较深时,植物采取降水和土壤水的混合利用模式应对水分胁迫。植物叶片有机质的δ^(18)O值分析发现,苔草在萌发生长期i WUE的变化与光合作用能力相关的因素有关,南荻iWUE的变化主要受气孔导度变化的影响。

有机-无机肥配施对新疆核桃园土壤和叶片养分的影响

[目的]研究有机-无机肥配施对核桃园土壤和叶片养分的影响,筛选影响叶片养分的主要土壤化学因子,为新疆核桃园土壤养分资源高效管理提供科学依据。[方法]以新疆喀什地区叶城县核桃主栽区的10年生‘温185’核桃为研究对象,采用单因素完全随机区组设计,以当地主要的化肥施用类型(磷酸氢二铵和硫酸钾,YD)为对照,探究有机-无机肥配施(矿源黄腐酸钾和中量元素水溶肥,YZ)对核桃园土壤化学特性和叶片矿质元素的影响。[结果]与YD施肥措施相比,YZ处理显著降低了土壤pH、盐离子含量,提高了叶片矿质元素含量,但具有季节性差异。其中,5月,YZ处理显著提高了土壤NO_(3)^(-)-N(460.22%)、AK(46.46%)和叶片N(12.16%)、K(17.46%)、Zn(21.88%)元素含量;7月,YZ处理显著降低了土壤pH(2.21%)、EC(27.25%)、Cl^(-)-S(23.37%)、NH_(4)^(+)-N(61.09%)、AP(30.03%)、Na^(+)(13.24%)和叶片Cl^(-)-L(15.94%)元素含量(p<0.05),相反,显著提高了叶片N(4.16%)、P(13.25%)、Ca(20.73%)、Mg(44.04%)、Na(66.67%)、Fe(24.62%)、Mn(52.47%)、B(31.85%)元素含量(p<0.05);9月,YZ处理显著降低了土壤EC(20.45%)、NH_(4)^(+)-N(37.31%)、AP(21.74%)、Na^(+)(11.36%)含量(p<0.05),相反,显著提高了OM(22.17%)、NO_(3)^(-)-N(59.09%)、AK(56.47%)含量(p<0.05)。线性回归分析结果表明,土壤pH、Na+和Cl^(-)-S是新疆核桃园中影响核桃叶片矿质元素含量的重要土壤化学因子,增施有机肥并且降低土壤pH,有利于叶片N、P、K、Na、Fe、Zn元素的积累。[结论]YD处理提高了土壤EC、Na^(+)、Cl^(-)-S、NH_(4)^(+)-N等盐离子含量,长期施用可能会加剧新疆核桃园的土壤盐渍化水平;YZ处理可显著降低土壤pH、Na^(+)、EC、NH_(4)^(+)-N等盐离子含量,提高了叶片N、P、K、Fe等矿质元素含量,建议在新疆核桃主栽区核桃园,7月之前可通过有机-无机肥配施降低土壤盐渍化水平来减轻盐碱危害,同时平衡叶片矿质元素含量,而应尽量避免长期单一施用化肥。

水肥与覆膜对油莎豆产量及土壤性质的影响

为探究极端干旱区油莎豆(Cyperus esculentus)经济有效的水肥种植措施,本研究在和田地区沙漠-绿洲过渡带风沙土上设置了水肥和覆膜的双因素试验,设3个水肥处理(60%、80%和100%水肥),3个覆膜处理(无膜、液膜和白膜),共计9个处理,分析了不同水肥处理和覆膜方式对油莎豆干物质产量、土壤养分、土壤盐的影响。结果表明,不同水肥处理对油莎豆的生长与各部分产量均无显著影响(P>0.05),覆膜处理显著影响油莎豆株密度、块茎个数、千粒重及块茎产量(P<0.05)。油莎豆叶生物量与块茎产量均在覆盖白膜条件下最大,块茎产量在液膜处理下为最低。水肥与覆膜处理对土壤养分均有显著影响,水肥处理与覆膜处理对0-20 cm土层土壤有机质、水解性氮、速效钾,以及20-40 cm土层土壤水解性氮、有效磷、速效钾存在显著交互作用。种植油莎豆显著降低了土壤有机质含量,增加了其余养分含量,土壤有机质含量在白膜+60%水肥条件下为最高;并且显著降低了土壤深层盐分含量,但过量的水肥会导致表层土壤盐渍化。综上所知,在覆盖白膜的条件下,选择较低的水肥添加量能够在获得较高的油莎豆产量的同时,减少成本,获得最大的经济生态效益,因此,针对贫瘠缺水的沙化土地,推荐使用白膜+60%水肥的模式种植油莎豆。

不同原料生物炭与无机钝化剂配施对小白菜地上部镉积累和土壤镉钝化的影响

生物炭是量大价廉的土壤重金属钝化材料。为探明不同原料生物炭与石灰沸石复配对土壤镉钝化与作物可食部镉含量的影响,用7种量大易得的农业废弃物制备生物炭,并采用南方典型镉中度污染温室菜地土壤进行小白菜盆栽试验。结果显示,7种生物炭的微观结构和基本理化性质存在显著(P<0.05)差异,但与无机钝化剂复配后有助于提高土壤pH值、有机质含量、电导率、阳离子交换量、碱解氮含量、速效钾含量和有效磷含量,降低土壤有效态Cd含量,且均较不施用钝化剂的空白对照显著提高了小白菜的地上部干重,促进了小白菜生长,显著降低了小白菜的地上部镉含量和镉转运系数。与单施无机钝化剂相比,配施生物炭在改善土壤理化性质、促进作物生长、降低可食部镉含量等方面效果更好。

湘南典型烟区土壤有机碳库指数、养分库容对烟叶质量的影响

于2020─2021年采集了耒阳烟区土壤及烟叶样品,分析了土壤有机碳库指数、养分及其库容对烟叶质量的影响和作用途径。结果表明:土壤有机碳库指数、养分总库容量、有效磷库容量及碱解氮库容量是影响烤后烟叶化学成分、外观质量及感官质量的4个主要指标;土壤有机碳库指数通过影响烟叶总钾、总糖、总植物碱含量间接地影响烤烟的感官质量,还通过影响烟叶总钾、总植物碱、总氮(土壤碱解氮)含量间接地影响烤烟的外观质量;土壤有机碳库指数、烤烟总钾含量、总植物碱含量与烤烟的外观质量、感官质量均呈显著正相关;烤烟的总糖含量与其感官质量呈显著正相关;土壤碱解氮含量与烤烟的外观质量呈显著正相关;烤烟总氮含量与其外观质量呈显著负相关。因此,提高耒阳烟区烤烟质量的重点在于提高土壤有机碳库指数。

模拟淋溶条件下亚热带不同性状凋落叶DOM的溶出量特征

亚热带区域丰沛的降雨可导致森林凋落叶可溶性有机质(Dissolved Organic Matter,DOM)大量淋溶溶出,成为地表和土壤活性有机质的重要来源,但凋落叶性状可能显著影响DOM溶出特征。本研究选取具有明显性状差异的8种亚热带森林典型树种凋落叶为研究对象,采用模拟淋溶实验方法,分析淋溶后凋落叶可溶性有机质(包括碳、氮和磷元素)的溶出量与化学计量特征及其与性状的关系。结果发现,相较于其他树种,淋溶前DOM含量较高、持水能力较高的杜英凋落叶淋溶后碳、氮、磷的溶出量以及质量损失均大于其他树种。不同性状凋落叶可溶性有机碳、氮、磷的溶出率也表现出显著差异,且磷的溶出率明显高于碳和氮的溶出率。相关性分析表明,凋落叶可溶性有机碳溶出率主要受淋溶前可溶性有机碳和氮含量以及最大持水力的影响,但凋落叶的叶面积和淋溶前可溶性有机磷含量是影响可溶性有机磷溶出率的最重要因子。此外,凋落叶性状也可显著影响溶出DOM的DOC/DOP,DON/DOP和DOC/DON,改变从凋落物进入土壤的DOM质量。这些结果充分表明亚热带森林凋落叶DOM的迁移过程与凋落叶持水能力密切相关,为区域生态系统结构优化和可持续经营管理提供了科学依据。

有机肥配施对雪茄茄芯烟叶成分和质量的影响

为了提高雪茄烟叶质量,采用正交试验设计研究了3种有机肥[咖啡渣有机肥(A)、酒糟有机肥(B)和菜籽粕有机肥(C)]的3个水平(0 kg/hm^(2)、1 500 kg/hm^(2)和3 000 kg/hm^(2))配施对雪茄烟叶的化学成分、外观质量和评吸质量的影响。结果表明:配施有机肥后使得雪茄调制后烟叶总氮、全磷和氯含量有所下降,全钾、灰分含量及钾氯比均有所上升,烟叶的化学成分更加协调;合理配施有机肥可以提高雪茄外观质量和评吸质量评分,其中咖啡渣有机肥的用量对烟叶外观品质和评吸品质均有明显的影响。综合分析可知,对茄芯烟叶综合品质有利的有机肥配施组合为A2B1C2,即咖啡渣有机肥1 500 kg/hm^(2)+菜籽粕有机肥1 500 kg/hm^(2)。

杉木人工林阔叶化改造对林分碳密度的影响

杉木Cunninghamia lanceolata人工林连栽导致生产力下降,将杉木二代林改造为杉阔混交林对提高林分生产力和碳汇能力具有重要意义。本文在杉木二代林内分别引入光皮桦Betula luminifera、木荷Schima superba和厚朴Magnolia officinalis,构建杉阔混交林,分析了各林分乔木层、林下植被层、凋落物层和土壤层有机碳密度变化。结果表明:杉木+木荷、杉木+厚朴混交林乔木层碳密度与杉木纯林接近,但杉木+光皮桦比杉木纯林乔木层碳密度减少了25.8%。3种杉阔混交林与杉木纯林之间林下植被碳密度没有差异,但凋落物碳密度均低于杉木纯林。杉木+光皮桦、杉木+木荷和杉木+厚朴混交林0~50 cm土层土壤有机碳密度分别比杉木纯林增加了5.9%、8.6%和21.7%。相对于杉木纯林,杉木+木荷和杉木+厚朴混交林林分总碳密度分别增加了5.7%和15.3%,而杉木+光皮桦林林分总碳密度则减少了6.1%。因此,树种组成显著影响杉阔混交林林分碳密度及其分配特征,选择适宜的树种进行杉木二代林阔叶化改造是提高林分固碳潜力的关键。

百脉根类LATERAL ORGAN BOUNDARIES基因的分离及表达方式(英文)

植物顶端分生组织可分为中央区,周缘区和肋区。在植物胚后发育中,侧生器官产生于顶端分生组织的周缘区。顶端分生组织和侧生器官之间的边界的建立和维持是一个非常重要的发育过程,许多调节子参与控制这个过程。拟南芥的 LATERALORGANBOUNDARIES(LOB)基因具有独特的表达模式,其表达的范围与上述的边界区域重合。LOB基因隶属于一个大的基因家族——L O B 结构域基因家族。该家族编码的蛋白在 N 端具有一个保守的LOB结构域,该家族 LOB 基因以外的成员也参与拟南芥不同的发育过程。为了探讨在与拟南芥亲缘关系较远的豆科中 LOB 同源基因的功能,我们在豆科模式植物百脉根中分离了3 个 LOB 同源基因,命名为 LjLOB 基因,并用 RNA 原位杂交方法研究了这3个基因的表达模式。研究结果显示,L j L O B 1 和LjLOB3都强烈地在小叶原基的基部表达,这种表达模式可能与小叶原基和复叶原基之间的边界相关。而LjLOB4则在发育中的花芽不同轮之间的边界上表达。百脉根中这3 个基因具有不同的表达模式,强烈地提示它们的功能发生了分歧:L j L O B 1 和L j L O B 3 可能在复叶发育中具有重要功能;而LjLOB4 则可能参与了花的发育。

Competition-density effect of tree organs in Acacia auriculiformis stands

The competition-density (C-D) effects for mean mass for tree, stem, branch and leaf were analyzed in Acacia auriculiformis stands. Mean tree mass-density and mean organ mass-density were well explained by the C-D equation of tree and the C-D equation of tree organ, respectively. An equation describing the relationship between mean leaf area u and density was formulated that fit the u-data well. The relationship between mean tree mass w and the ratio of each organ to mean tree mass (wo/ w) was examined. With increasing w, the stem mass ratio wS/w increased, whereas the branch mass ratio wB/w and the leaf mass ratio wL/w decreased. The yield difference between the lowest-density stand and the high-density stand became greater with stand growth. However, the yield of the mid-density stand was slightly lower than the yield of the high-density stand during the experimental period. To produce the most desirable combination of demanding individual-tree size and relative high stem yield, the mid-density is recommended as proper planting density for future management of A. auriculiformis stands.

Nodal Spine Pairs Present in the Mimosoid <i>Prosopis juliflora</i>Are Not Stipules but Define a Distinct Class of Lateral Organs

The descriptions of Prosopis juliflora of subfamily mimosoideae in the family leguminosae, given in the floras of arid and semi-arid regions of the world, including the flora of Delhi, state that the spine pairs seen in association with compound leaf on nodes are stipules. The suggestions that spines are stipules were tested by morphological and histological examination of nodes of P. juliflora plants growing in the Arawalli range at New Delhi. The nascent nodes on growing branches of P. juliflora were observed to produce a pair of knife-like free bifacial stipules together with a leaf and a pair of spines. The stipules were missing from the mature nodes of the same branches whose young nodes carried stipule pairs, suggesting that the stipules were deciduous whereas leaves and spines were persistent. Anatomically, spines were observed to be appendages to stem and located adjacent to leaf petiole away from stipules. Vasculature of stipules was independent. The observations allowed the conclusion that P. juliflora nodes form regular stipules and spines produced on them are stem-like distinct lateral organs. It is suggested that nodal spine pairs borne on plant nodes in general are lateral organs different from stipules, leaves and secondary inflorescences.

Effects of different inputs of organic matter on the response of plant production to a soil water stress in Sahelian region

The aim was to study the effects of organic management like the application of organic matters on crop production. This research is placed in the context of climate change impact mitigation. A field experiment was conducted during the dry season. Rainfall inputs were simulated by irrigation to study the effects of water stress during the flowering period of a grain on the agronomic and the physiological behavior of the plant. The measurements were made on the volumetric soil moisture, stomatal conductance, and leaf area index (LAI), grain yield, straw and weight of 100 grains. The water use efficiency (WUE) and yield losses were evaluated. The results of the volumetric soil moisture showed that the use of localized input under water stress (STR-T1) recorded the lowest moisture in the surface horizons. Treatment with localized input under water stress with or without fertilization (STR-T1, STR-T1 + N) showed an ability of stomatal regulation compared to the control (STR- T0) and the input application by spreading (STR- T2). (STR-T1 + N) has initiated an early stomatal closure of the plant because of the effect of nitrogen. However, despite a more pronounced water stress with stomatal closure, the LAI and the grain yield were greater with (STR-T1) and (STR-T1 + N). The results showed that the inputs of localized organic fertilization with or without nitrogen grain yields were the highest regardless of the hydric regime applied. However the losses of grain yield were higher in treatments with organic inputs in spreading and localized under water stress. The WUE by the crop was reduced compared to the control with organic inputs under STR. In this study we show that the use of organic matter increases de farmers risk and this notion of risk is high and it is necessary to consider this risk in the proposals of technical innovations.

Effect of Leaf Litter Treatment on Soil Microbial Biomass

Soil microbial biomass is an active fraction of soil organic matter. It shows quicker response than soil organic matter to any change in the soil environment. Being an index of soil fertility, it plays a key role in the decomposition of litters and fast release of available nutrients. Leaf litters of leguminous and non-leguminous species in alone and mixed form were applied as treatments in the soil to observe the changes in the magnitude of soil microbial biomass. Soil microbial biomass C and N were determined by chloroform fumigation extraction method. Increment in the concentration of microbial biomass C and N was higher in the treatments with leguminous leaf litter (497 - 571 μgCg?1, 48 - 55 μgNg?1) than the non-leguminous one (256 - 414 μgCg?1;22 - 36 μgNg?1). However, when non-leguminous litters were mixed with leguminous litters then the values increased distinctly (350 - 465 μgCg?1, 28 - 48 μgNg?1). On the basis of increment in soil microbial biomass, leaf litters of the species considered potential to improve soil nutrients are—Cassia siamea and Dalbergia sissoo from leguminous trees, Anthocephalus + Cassia and Shorea + Dalbergia from mixed form of non-leguminous and leguminous one and Eichhornia crassipes, an alien aquatic macrophyte. The leaf litters of these species can be used as source of organic matter to improve the crop yield.