Effect of Continuous Cropping on Leaf Nutrient and Growth of Different Species of Poplar Plantation

[Objective]The paper was to study the effect of continuous cropping on leaf nutrient and growth of different species of poplar plantation.[Method] The tree height,diameter at breast height（DBH）,volume of different generations and species of poplar plantation in poplar production area in northern Jiangsu Province,as well as TN,TP and TK content in their leaves were determined through field investigation and indoor experiment.[Result] With the increasing generation,the changes of TN,TP and TK content in the leaves of different ages of two varieties of forest stand were also different.However,with the increasing tree ages,TN,TP and TK contents in leaves showed decrease trend.With the increasing generation,the changes of tree height of I-69 and I-72 poplar showed the similar trend.The effect of increasing generation on tree height of 7-year-old and 10-year-old poplar was relatively stable,showing decrease trend from generation to generation.The tree height of 4-year-old poplar first increased and then decreased with the increasing generation.The changes of DBH along with different generations were basically consistent with the changes of tree height.With the increasing cultivation generations,the volume of 7-year-old and 10-year-old poplar decreased with significant difference.[Conclusion ] The result provided basis for rational fertilization and management of poplar plantation,improvement of productivity of poplar plantation,and achievement of sustainable management of plantation.

Distribution and Accumulation of Nutrient Elements in Organic Tissue of Eucalyptus grandis Saplings

The biomass, macroelements （N, P, K, Ca, Mg） and microelements （Fe, Zn） contents were detected in organs of 1a-3a Eucalyptus grandis saplings, as well as their accumulated amount. Results showed that contents of nutrient elements varied greatly in different organs. Total contents of macroelements N, P, K, Ca and Mg in1a-3a E. grandis were distributed in the order of stem phloem, leaves 〉 branch- es, roots 〉 stem xylem. Accumulated amount of macroelements in 1a-3a E. grandis were in the order of leaves 〉 branches 〉 stem phloem 〉 roots or stem xylem 〉 stem xylem or roots. Accumulated amount law of nutrient elements was not affected by the plant age. Microelements Fe and Zn were mainly concentrated in the leaves and roots. The accumulation of macroelements was in the order of Ca 〉 N 〉 K 〉 Mg 〉 P; and the microelements was in the order of Fe 〉 Zn. Accumulated amounts of microelements in 1a-3a E. grandis were 12.45 136.19 and 420.23 g per plants, respectively. Among the annual net accumulated amount of nutrient ele- ments per plant in 1a-3a E. grandis, Ca element was the maximum, N and K ele- ments took the second and third places. Mg element was relatively small and P el- ement was the minimum.

The Relationship between the Area of Aquaculture Pond and Purification Pond in Water Circulation Aquaculture System

The establishment of water circulation aquaculture system realized the hi- erarchical use of nitrogen, phosphorus and other eutrophic substances in aquaculture wastewater and the recirculation use of water resource. However, no research has been reported on the detailed calculation of the relationship between the area of aquaculture pond and purification pond. In this study, referring to the absorption ability of aquatic plants to pollutants in aquaculture wastewater and pollutant generation and discharge coefficient in aquaculture pond, based on the general rules of water quality management in freshwater aquaculture system, a calculation mode was es- tablished to investigate the relationship between the area of aquaculture pond and purification pond in freshwater recirculation aquaculture system, which was feasible to explain related cases and would provide theoretical basis to reduce the economic costs in the construction of water circulation aquaculture system and realize the bal- ance between the ecological benefits and the economic benefits.

The influence of Nitrogen Nutrition on Starch Accumulation in the Process of Tuber Development in Autumn Solanum tuberosum L.

Taking two varieties, high and low starch content respectively, as tested materials, experiments were conducted to study the effects of nitrogen fertilizer in different levels on tuber starch accumulation characteristics under autumn planting condition, and thus to provide technical support in optimized planting techniques of autumn potato. The results showed that during tuber development the changes in concentrations of total starch, amylopectin and amylose were ＂S＂ shaped curve un-der different nitrogen fertilizer treatments, in line with the Logistic equation Y=K/（1＋ae-bT）, but both starch accumulation intensity and the time reaching to maximum ac-cumulation intensity were not exactly the same in different nitrogen fertilizer levels so is it with different varieties. Furthermore, high starch concentration variety ‘XS-1’, the largest accumulation of strength of amylase was the lower in the middle fertil-ization and higher in low and high fertilization treatments. The contents of amy-lopectin, total starch were first increasing and then dropping with the amount of ni-trogen increasing. To low starch concentration variety ‘XS-2’, with nitrogen fertilizer content increase, the largest accumulation of strength was reducing in amylose, but was rising in amylopectin and changed from rising to fal ing in total starch. The time reaching to maximum accumulation strength in amylose and total starch changed from increasing to decreasing and amylopectin kept declining.

Variation of SPAD values in uneven-aged leaves of different dominant species in Castanopsis carlessi forest in Lingshishan National Forest Park

The greenness （SPAD） of uneven-aged leaves of dominant species in the Castanopsis carlessi forest at different altitude gradients in Lingshishan National Forest Park, Fujian Province, China were measured by using portable chlorophyll meter SPAD-502. In addition, the correlation between SPAD value and the concentration of chlorophyll and foliar nitrogen was also investigated. Significant variations in SPAD values were found between the uneven-aged leaves of different dominant species and different altitude gradients. Regression analysis showed that SPAD value was significantly correlated with the concentration of chlorophyll and the content of foliar nitrogen, indicating that SPAD value could be indicators for foliar chlorophyll and nitrogen. It is suggested that SPAD meter is a useful tool for forest assessments in decision-making and operational nutrient management programs.

Seasonal characteristics of Carex lasiocarpa biomass and nutrient accumulation in the typical wetland of Sanjiang Plain, China

Seasonal dynamics of above- and belowground biomass and nutrient characteristics （nitrogen, carbon, and phosphorus） of Carex lasiocarpa were investigated in the typical wetland of Sanjiang Plain, China from May 2007 to September 2008. The results show that the changes of aboveground biomass during the growing season are best described by the twice function curve model, whereas the changes of belowground biomass follow the exponential increase curve model. Both the organic carbon contents in the above- and belowground plant parts show significant positive linear correlations with the growing time, and the coefficients R2 are 0.983 and 0.746, respectively. The carbon accu-mulations of the above- and belowground plant parts during the growing season show the same dynamics as those of the biomass. However, the nitrogen contents and accumulation in C. lasiocarpa aboveground and belowground parts show exponential increase during the growing season. The dynamics of C. lasiocarpa phosphorus contents follows the twice function curve model, whereas the accumulation of phosphorus shows the linear increase. The ratios of C/N in different parts of C. lasiocarpa fit the negative linear relations with total nitrogen content in the growing season. Moreover, the ratios of C/P in C. lasiocarpa plant also fit the negative linear relations with total phosphorus content. The results show that nitrogen is the primary limiting nutrient for C. lasiocarpa growth as compared with carbon and phosphorus.

A Rapid Metagenomic DNA Extraction from Sediments: Potassium Dichromate SDS Method

[Objective] The objective of this study was to report an improved method for rapid DNA extraction from black-order sediments, without any purification step. [Methods] Sediments in eutrophic lake are complex ecosystems and soil microbes involved in anthropogenic nutrient cycling are very important. DNA-based molecular methods offer new tools for characterization of these mixed communities of mi- croorganisms. However, it is very difficult to remove humic substances, heavy met- als that co-existed with genome DNA representing the microbial community directly from these complex systems and can interfere with subsequent genetic analysis. The potassium dichromate solution was firstly used to remove humic substances. [Results] The steps of removing humic substances and DNA extraction were per- formed simultaneously that improved the speed of extraction to approximately 1 hour and the nucleic acids that were obtained with this method did not need to be washed with 70% ethanol and dissolved directly in sterile water for total bacterial 16S rDNA, nosZ gene of denitrifying bacteria, pmoA of methanotrophs, nifH of nitro- gen-fixing bacteria, amoA of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria and ammonia-oxidizing ar- chaea molecular ecology analyses. [Conclusion] This method could provide a plat- form for preparing a fast sediments DNA extraction.

Biodeposition, respiration, and excretion rates of an introduced clam Mercenaria mercenaria in ponds with implications for potential competition with the native clam Meretrix meretrix in Shuangtaizi estuary, China

This study aimed to evaluate the potential impacts of an introduced clam Mercenaria mercenaria on estuarine ecosystem, and implications for the niche competition with a native clam Meretrix meretrix. The biodeposition, respiration, and excretion rates of 34. mercenaria were determined seasonally using a sediment trap and a closed respirator in field. The biodeposition rates ofM. mercenaria were 0.06-0.37 g/ （ind.·d）, and the respiration rates were 0.31-14.66 mg/（ind.·d）. The ammonia and phosphate excretion rates were 0.18-36.70 and 1.44-14.87 μg/（ind.·d）, respectively. The hard clam M. mercenaria may discharge dry deposits up to 2.1 × 10^5 t, contribute 18.3 t ammonia and 9.0 t phosphate to culture ponds, and consume 7.9×10^3 t O2 from ponds annually. It suggested that the hard clam M. mercenaria might play an important role in pelagic-benthic coupling in pond ecosystem through biodeposition and excretion. A comparison of the key physiological parameters of the introduced clam M. mercenaria and the native clam Meretrix meretrix suggested that M. mercenaria had a niche similar to that of Meretrix meretrix in Shuangtaizi estuary and might have a potential competition with Meretrix meretrix for habitat and food ifM. mercenaria species escaped from the culture pond or artificially released in estuarine ecosystem.

Spatial Variation of P and N in Water and Sediments of Dianchi Lake, China

Dianchi Lake is one of the most eutrophic lakes in China. In order to understand this eutrophication and to help control the pollution, this research investigated the spatial distribution of Kjeldahl nitrogen (K-N) and total phosphorus(TP) through analysis of bottom water and sediment (3 depths) samples collected at 118 sites around Dianchi Lake. The concentrations of K-N and TP for the lake bottom water in the Caohai part of the lake were much higher than those in the Waihai part, generally decreasing from north to south. In the sediments, the K-N concentration was higher in the Caohai part and the middle of the Waihai part. On the other hand, TP in the sediments was greater in the southern and western parts. Both K-N and TP had similar spatial distributions for the sediment samples of three different depths.Vertically, the K-N and TP concentration in the sediments decreased with an increase in depth. This was evidence that eutrophication and pollution of Dianchi Lake was becoming gradually more severe. Exterior factors including uncontrolled input of domestic and industrial effluents as well as non-point pollution around the lake were the main reasons for serious eutrophication; therefore, controlling these was the first step in reducing eutrophication of Dianchi Lake.

Characterization of calcium deposition induced by Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 in BG11 culture medium

Calcium carbonate （CaCO3） crystals in their preferred orientation were obtained in BG11 culture media inoculated with Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 （inoculated BG11）. In this study, the features of calcium carbonate deposition were investigated. Inoculated BGll in different calcium ion concentrations was used for the experimental group, while the BGll culture medium was used for the control group. The surface morphologies of the calcium carbonate deposits in the experimental and control groups were determined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The deposits were analyzed by electronic probe micro-analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectrum, X-ray diffraction, thermal gravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The results show that the surfaces of the crystals in the experimental group were hexahedral in a scaly pattern. The particle sizes were micrometer-sized and larger than those in the control group. The deposits of the control group contained calcium （Ca）, carbon （C）, oxygen （O）, phosphorus （P）, iron （Fe）, copper （Cu）, zinc （Zn）, and other elements. The deposits in the experimental group contained Ca, C, and O only. The deposits of both groups contained calcite. The thermal decomposition temperature of the deposits in the control group was lower than those in the experimental group. It showed that the CaCO3 deposits of the experimental group had higher thermal stability than those of the control group. This may be due to the secondary metabolites produced by the algae cells, which affect the carbonate crystal structure and result in a close-packed structure. The algae cells that remained after thermal weight loss were heavier in higher calcium concentrations in BGll culture media. There may be more calcium- containing crystals inside and outside of these cells. These results shall be beneficial for understanding the formation mechanism of carbonate minerals.

Effects of Transplanting Nutrient Soil on Growth and Dry Matter Accumulation of Tobacco Seedlings

In order to select the suitable soil for transplanting tobacco in Hunan to- bacco growing areas, pot experiment was conducted to study the effects of different transplanting nutdent soils on the growth and dry matter accumulation of tobacco. The results indicated that the treatments of transplanting with nutrition soils were better than the control group. For the underground part, transplanting nutrient soil could effectively improve the root activity of tobacco plants, and increase root volume, root surface area, total root length, as well as the number of root tips and the number of root branches. For the aboveground part, transplanting nutrient soil could remarkably improve the plant height, stem girth, leaf number and maximum leaf area, and could simultaneously significantly increase the dry matter accumulation. By comparison, peat ＋ mushroom residue ＋ saw dust ＋ straw powder ＋ bicchar ＋ root promoting nutrient solution was the most effective treatment, and the effect of sole application of nutrient solution was limited. In conclusion, transplanting with nutrition soil could effectively promote the growth and dry matter accumulation of tobacco.

Benthic nutrient recycling in shallow coastal waters of the Bohai Sea

Sediment-water fluxes of N and P species in the Bohai Sea were investigated in Septem-ber-October 1998 and April-May 1999. The benthic fluxes of nutrient species were determined by incubating sediment core samples with bottom seawater bubbled with air or nitrogen. -2NO,+4NH, dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) and phosphorus (DOP), total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) and phosphorus (TDP), and -34PO showed a net exchange flux from seawater to sediment, while -3NO, dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and -23SiO were released from sediment to seawater in the Bohai Sea. Sediment-water nutrient exchange increases DIN and reduces the phosphorus load in the Bohai Sea. The release of silicate from sediment to overlying seawater reduces potential silicate limitation of primary production resulted from decrease of riverine discharge. The exchange flux of nutrients showed no obvious seasonal variation. The present study showed that the concentrations and composition of nutrients in the water column were affected by suspended sediment, and that not all the exchangeable phosphate in sediment could be released via sediment resuspension.

Targeted yield concept and a framework of fertilizer recommendation in irrigated rice domains of subtropical India

Soil test crop response （STCR） correlation studies were carried out in Vindhyan alluvial plain during 2001 to 2004 taking IR-36 as test crop to quantify rice production in the context of the variability of soil properties and use of balanced fertilizers based on targeted yield concept. The soils were developed on gently sloping alluvial plain with different physiographic settings and notable variation in drainage condition. Soil properties show moderate variation in texture （loamy to clay）, organic carbon content （4.4 to 9.8 g/kg）, cation exchange capacity （10,2 to 22.4 cmol （p＋）/kg） and pH （5.3 to 6,4）, Soil fertility status for N is low to medium （224 to 348 kg/ha）, P is medium to high （87 to 320 kg/ha） and K ranges from medium to high （158 to 678 kg/ha）. Database regarding nutrient requirement in kg/t of grain produce （NR）, the percent contribution from the soil available nutrients [CS （%）] and the percent contribution from the applied fertilizer nutrients [CF （%）] were computed for calibrating and fbrmulating fertilizer recommendations. Validity of the yield target for 7 and 8 t/ha was tested in farmers＇ fields and yields targets varied at less than 10%. The percent achievement of targets aimed at different level was more than 90%, indicating soil test based fertilizer recommendation approach was economically viable within the agro-ecological zone with relatively uniform cropping practices and socio-economic conditions.

Lake Sediments from Dianchi Lake:A Phosphorus Sink or Source?

Dianchi Lake is a highly eutrophic lake in southwestern China where phosphorus (P) is the limiting element for eutrophication and where lake sediments play an important role in the P cycle. One hundred and eighteen sites were sampled throughout Dianchi Lake in 2002 to investigate the P loading of the lake sediments, while fresh surface sediments were studied in the laboratory to clarify its role for phosphorus. The results showed that concentrations of total phosphorus (TP) in sediments were very high, with a maximum value of 6.66 g kg-1, and decreased with sediment depth. P adsorption on surface sediments was rapid with adsorption amounts higher in acidic than in alkaline conditions. The release experiments showed that P release increased as pH rose from 7.0 to 10.5. Additionally, compared with aerobic conditions, P release was much higher under anaerobic conditions, especially with low P content in the lake water. At present, the sediments in Dianchi Lake still function as a sink for phosphorus at high P levels in lake water. However, if the external P load was reduced and P content in lake water became low, the sediment would have a large potential for P release under anaerobic conditions.

Nutrient and Litter Patterns in Three Subalpine Coniferous Forests of Western Sichuan, China

Investigations were conducted to quantify litterfall, and litter and nutrient accumulation in forest floor, and to acquire information on litter decomposition and nitrogen and phosphorus release patterns in three different subalpine coniferous forests, a plantation （P1）, a secondary forest （SF）, and a primitive forest （PF）, in western Sichuan, China. The litter trap method was used to evaluate litterfall with the litterbag method being utilized for litter decomposition. Seasonal patterns of litterfall were similar in the three forests, with two peaks occurring in September-November and March-May. The plantation revealed an annual litterfall of 4.38 x 103 kg ha-1, which was similar to those of SF and PF, but P1 had a lower mass loss rate and a higher C/N ratio. The C/N ratio may be a sound predictor for the decomposition differences. N concentrations of leaf litter in both the secondary forest and primitive forest increased first and then decreased, and the percentages of their final/initial values were 108.9% and 99.9%, respectively. P concentration in the three forests increased by the end of the study. The results of litterfall and decomposition indicated that in the plantation the potential to provide nutrients for soil organic matter was similar to those of SF and PF; however, its slower decomposition rate could result in a somewhat transient accumulation of litter in the forest floor.

Tempo-spatial variations of sediment-associated nutrients and contaminants in the Ruxi tributary of the Three Gorges Reservoir, China

Ruxi River is a tributary of the Three Gorges Reservoir. This study examined the temporal and spatial dynamics in particle size characteristics and the associated nutrients and contaminants of the fluvial suspended and deposited sediments along the Ruxi River. Temporal variations in the particle size distribution of the suspended sediment are controlled mainly by differences in sediment source during different seasons. Total organic carbon （TOC）, total nitrogen （TN） and total phosphorous （TP） in the 〈 62 μm fraction of the suspended sediment exhibit considerably higher concentrations in spring, indicating high probability of algal blooms in the backwater areas. Downstream trends in the nutrient contents of 〈 62 pm deposited sediments imply the greatest potential for eutrophication in the backwater ends, where highest nutrient concentrations were detected. Assessment of metal contamination shows that the sediments deposited in the water-level fluctuation zone were moderately to strongly contaminated by Cadmium （Cd）, with a considerably high potential ecological risk. The findings reported have emphasized the impacts of reservoir impoundment on aquatic and/or terrestrial environment in this region. More information on physical, chemical and biological processes of sediment and sediment-associated materials are needed for developing ecologically sound policies management. environmentally and of water and sediment

Distribution and Ecological Risk Assessment of HCHs and DDTs in Surface Seawater and Sediment of the Mariculture Area of Jincheng Bay,China

The distribution of hexachloroeyclohexanes （HCHs） and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes （DDTs） in the surface sea- water and sediment of Jincheng Bay mariculture area were investigated in the present study. The concentration of total HCHs and DDTs ranged from 2.98 to 14.87ngL-l and were〈0.032ngL-1, respectively, in surface seawater, and ranged from 5.52 to 9.43 and from 4.11 to 6.72 ng g-l, respectively, in surface sediment. It was deduced from the composition profile of HCH isomers and DDT congeners that HCH residues derived from a mixture of technical-grade HCH and lindane whereas the DDT residues derived from technical-grade DDT and dicofol. Moreover, both HCH and DDT residues may mainly originate from historical inputs. The hazard quotient of α-HCH, β-HCH, γ-HCH and δ-HCH to marine species was 0.030, 0.157, 3.008 and 0.008, respectively. It was estimated that the overall probability of adverse biological effect from HCHs was less than 5%, indicating that its risk to seawater column spe- cies was low. The threshold effect concentration exceeding frequency of γ-HCH, p,p＇-DDD, p,p＇-DDE and p,p＇-DDT in sediment ranged from 8.3% to 100%, and the relative concentration of the HCH and DDT mixture exceeded their probable effect level in sediment. These findings indicated that the risk to marine benthos was high and potentially detrimental to the safety of aquatic prod- ucts, e.g., sea cucumber and benthic shellfish.

Human Influences on the Development of Acid Sulphate Soils in the Pearl River （the Zhujiang） Delta

In the Pearl River Delta with more than 1000 years of intensive land reclamation history, the developmentof acid sulphate soils has been generally limited in terms of their acid potential (pyrite content) and spatialextent. This is attributed to the rapid delta progradation, partially resulted from increasing sediment yieldcaused by deforestation within the catchment and the empolderment in the estuarine embayment. Theempolderment practice accompanied by the clearance of mangroves stopped the upward growth of the pyriticlayer on the one hand and limited the vertical accretion of non-pyritic freshwater sediments over the pyriticestuarine sedimellts on the other. In such a case, the Pyritic layer in the area is frequently thin and ofshallow occurrence. Under forced leaching-recharge conditions for the paddy rice cultivation, the leaching ofacid sulphate materials prevails over its production and this leads to a net loss in pyrite oxidation products.Land excaVation for fishpond farming accelerates Pyrite oxidation due to the direct exposure of the pyriticsediments to air on the pond bunds. Severe acidification can intensify the environmental degradation ofestuarine ecosystems.

Ecological effects of co-culturing sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka) with scallop Chlamys farreri in earthen ponds

Monthly changes in sedimentation and sediment properties were studied for three different culture treatments： sea cucumber monoculture （Mc）, sea cucumber and scallop polyculture （Ps-c） and scallop monoculture （Ms）. Results indicated that the survival rate of sea cucumber was significantly higher in Ps-c cultures than in Mc cultures. Sea cucumber yield was 69.6% higher in Ps-c culture than in Mc culture. No significant differences in body weight and scallop shell length were found between Ps-c and Ms cultures. The mean sedimentation rate of total particulate matter （TPM） was 72.2 g/（m^2.d） in Ps-c cultures, with a maximum of 119.7 g/（mE.d）, which was markedly higher than that of Mc （mean value）. Sedimentation rates of organic matter （OM）, total organic carbon （TOC）, total nitrogen （TN） and total phosphorus （TP） in Ps-c cultures were also significantly higher than those in Mc cultures. TOC and TN contents of sediment increased rapidly in the first 5 months in Ms cultures and remained at a high level. TOC and TN contents in Mc and Ps-c cultures decreased during sea cucumber feeding seasons and increased during sea cucumber dormancy periods （summer and winter）. The study demonstrates that co-culture of sea cucumber and scallop in earthen ponds is an alternative way to alleviate nutrient loads and improve water quality in coastal aquaculture systems. Moreover, it provides the additional benefit of an increased sea cucumber yield.

Heavy Metal Distribution in Sediments of Muthupettai Mangroves, South East Coast of India

Core sediments from the Muthupettai mangroves on the southeast coast of India were analyzed for soil texture,total nitrogen,organic carbon,phosphorus and heavy metals(Fe,Mn,Cr,Cu,Ni,Pb,Zn and Cd).The distinct seasonal variation in the distribution of metals in the sediments was observed.The minimum concentration was recorded in river mouth and the maximum was in lagoon.High metal concentration in sediment was observed during monsoon and low concentration in summer.The total nu-trient in lagoon and river mouth was recorded in the range of 4.528 to 8.526 mg g-1 for organic carbon,2.213 to 10.5 mg g-1 for nitro-gen and 0.824 to 7.22 mg g-1.