Table of Content

20 December 2009, Volume 18 Issue 6

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Spatial distribution and dynamic characteristics of the grassland vegetation in Hebei

XU Min-yun, LI Yun-qi, WANG Kun, CAO Yu-feng, YU Hai-liang,
LI Xue-feng, LI Lian-shu, JING Fu-jun, LI Jia-xiang, XIE Fan

2009, 18(6):  1-11. 

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Open-air survey data from 110 plots and 330 quadrats (not including output examination spots) obtained from a Hebei grassland survey from 2005 to 2007 and a grassland survey of Hebei materials from 1979 to 1984, were used to investigate the grassland vegetation coverage, height, production, and vegetation fluctuation. Grassland vegetation quantitative fluctuation and its fluctuation ratio between 2005 and 2007 were calculated, and rangeland types, area and their spatial distribution in Hebei province were rearranged. According to the Chinese Grassland Classification System initiated by the Committee of Systematic Grassland Surveys, Hebei rangeland was divided into seven types: Temperate steppe, temperate meadow-steppe, mountain meadow, warm temperate tussock, warm temperate shrub-grassland, lowland meadow, and marsh grassland. Based on the differences of topography, soil, climate and vegetation characteristics, the spatial distribution of Hebei rangeland was divided into three districts. The Bashang plateau region accounted for 29.7% of the area of the whole rangeland, with a rangeland area of 1.41×10⁶ ha, containing temperate steppe, temperate meadow-steppe and mountain meadow distributing in this region. In mountain and hilly areas, the total area of all three rangeland types, mountain meadow, warm temperate tussock and warm temperate shrub-grassland, was 3.3×10⁶ ha, accounting for 69.3% of the area of the whole Hebei rangeland. The rangeland area of the littoral plain was 0.05×10⁶ ha, accounting for 1% of the whole Hebei rangeland with two grassland types in this region: Lowland meadow and marsh grassland. Grassland production (hay output) of warm temperate shrub-grassland reached 5 133.35 kg/hm² and was the highest of all the steppe types. It was followed by warm temperate tussock (4 182.22 kg/hm²), mountain meadow (in Bashang plateau district, 3 268.35 kg/hm²), temperate meadow-steppe (2 665.94 kg/hm²), mountain meadow (in mountain and hilly areas, 2 111.55 kg/hm²), lowland meadow (1 872.44 kg/hm²), and temperate steppe (1 103.29 kg/hm²). The order of vegetation coverage (%) of different steppe types was mountain meadow (in Bashang plateau district, 93.97%)>mountain meadow (in mountain and hilly areas, 82.60%)>lowland meadow (82.26%)>warm temperate shrub-grassland (79.70%)>warm temperate tussock (76.91%)>temperate meadow-steppe (71.59%)>temperate steppe (57.63%). The order of vegetation height of different steppe types appeared as warm temperate tussock (49.25 cm)>warm temperate shrub-grassland (34.18 cm)>mountain meadow (in Bashang plateau district, 28.88 cm)>temperate meadow-steppe (26.22 cm)>mountain meadow (in mountain and hilly areas, 21.98 cm)>temperate steppe (19.77 cm)>lowland meadow (18.77 cm). The quantitative fluctuation of the grassland vegetation was positive in 2005, 2006, and 2007, but that in 2007 was negative and the fluctuation ratio lower than compared with 2005, suggesting the worst vegetation growth was in 2007. Among the steppes types, the vegetation fluctuation ratio of warm temperate tussock was the highest and that of temperate meadow-steppe was the lowest with the ratios of other steppe types between the two.

Remotely sensed dynamics monitoring of grassland aboveground biomass and carrying capacityduring 2001-2008 in Gannan pastoral area

LIANG Tian-gang, CUI Xia, FENG Qi-sheng, WANG Ying, XIA Wen-tao

2009, 18(6):  12-22. 

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Monitoring grassland aboveground biomass (GAB) is not only an important content for the research of spatial patterns of grassland resources, but is also a basis for the integration analysis of the balance between grassland forage supply and livestock demand. Grassland investigation data from 2006-2008 and Terra/MODIS (Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) daily surface reflectance product of MOD09GA in Gannan pastoral area, were used to establish both a monitoring model of GAB, and the 10-day, monthly and yearly dynamics of biomass and theoretical livestock carrying capacity during 2001-2008 in Gannan Prefecture. And each county was simulated and analyzed. Results suggested that the power function of MODIS-EVI (Enhanced Vegetation Index) can best simulate the green yield of GAB in Gannan pastoral area. The mean precision of the monitoring model was 76.7%, which might simulate the GAB dynamics in the period from May to October when the grassland was at a good growing stage. It mainly concentrated in the period from the first 10-days of May to the third 10-days of October during the grassland growth time. During this period digital images of the maximum GAB in a 10-day period may objectively reflect the general rule of grassland growth, but a few of the digital images of the maximum GAB were severely affected by rainy or cloudy weather condition which lasted a long time and covered a large scale, with a considerable change in the quantity of grazing livestock. The dynamic curve of the monthly maximum GAB for each grassland type during 2001-2008 was characterized by a unimodal parabola form. The average maximum GAB appeared in July, but the month that the GAB reached the maximum value varied from year to year, mainly in the period from July to August. There were great differences in the overall biomasses in different years in the Gannan pastoral area. The average overall biomass during those years in the overall Prefecture was 109.31×10⁸ kg. The highest value appeared in 2005 (129.1×10⁸ kg), followed by 2006 and 2007, which reached 113.2×10⁸, 110.7×10⁸, and 109.0×10⁸ kg, respectively. Due to the differences of weather condition, grassland area and growth situation, there was a significant difference for the theoretical livestock carrying capacity in each county.

Evaluation of comprehensive management benefits of Anjiagou small watershed in Dingxi, Gansu

CAI Guo-jun, ZHANG Ren-zhi, CHAI Chun-shan

2009, 18(6):  23-30. 

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Using the analytic hierarchy process(AHP), the benefits were analyzed and evaluated, of comprehensive management of Anjiagou small watershed in Dingxi, Gansu during 2001-2005. In Anjiagou small watershed, the comprehensive benefit value increased 168.57％ and the ecological benefit value improved 56％ during the 5 years from 2001 to 2005; the vegetation coverage increased from 10.1％ in 2001 to 21.3％ in 2005, the control degree of soil and water loss improved from 72.6％ to 84.0％,the modulus of soil erosion decreased from 4 627 t/(km²·a) in 2001 to 1 300 t/(km²·a) in 2005;the agricultural input-output ratio decreased from 0.95 to 0.82,the productivity of labor increased from 8 074 yuan /person per year to 9 167 yuan/person per year,the land productivity improved from 267 yuan/667 m² to 343 yuan/667 m², and the average increasing rate was 28.46％;the rural per capita net income improved from 1 620 yuan in 2001 to 1 748 yuan in 2005, and increased by 7.9％. Based on the result, it was regarded that: through carrying out a series of management measures, the ecological, economic and social benefits in Anjiagou small watershed were all increased to some extent; the ecological and agricultural production environments were obviously improved; the living standard of local people were remarkably elevated; the harmonious development trend of agriculture, forestry and animal husbandry has come into being; the ecological economy and social multiplex system in Anjiagou small watershed were developing towards sustainable, steady and harmonious trend.

Determination of the upper threshold value for 5 main control indexes in reclaimed water irrigation

WANG Qi, WANG You-guo, SUN Ji-xiong, SHI Chun-juan

2009, 18(6):  31-38. 

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Using reclaimed water for greenbelt irrigation, which can extend the application scope of reclaimed water, and it’s also very important to relief crisis caused from the lack of water in the city. 2 kinds of familiar greenbelt plants in Shenzhen-Torenia fournieri and Duranta repens. were applied as studying objects, using addition the concentration of chloride, residual chlorine, total salt, suspensions and increasing or reducing pH value into reclaimed water to test the endurance of greenbelt plants, from using the method of constructing regression Logistic equation based on the relationship between the relative electric conductivity (REC) in the leaf and concentration (value), then the median-lethal concentration(LT₅₀)was determined, so as to determine the upper threshold value. And the result showed that the method of constructing regression Logistic equation based on REC and concentration (value), then determined the median-lethal concentration(LT₅₀)was resultant feasible and theoretically reasonable, the results showed were consistent with the phenomena of the test completely, thus the method also could be citied to study on adversity conditions of plant endured. The optimal quality indicators of reclaimed water from the median-lethal concentration(LT₅₀)gained from this method were chloride<531.48 mg/L, residual chlorine<2.59 mg/L, total salt<1 605.5 mg/L, suspensions<141.63 mg/L, pH value between 5.29 and 10.28 respectively. The test outcome extended the application scope of reclaimed water quality indexes practically, and there were guidance meaning to establish the criterion of reclaimed water quality in greenbelt irrigation.

The biology of Spodoptera mauritia fed on the turfgrass Agrostis stolonifera

HAN Qun-xin, MAI Yi-ting, CHEN Ping

2009, 18(6):  39-43. 

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The turfgrass insect pest Spodoptera mauritia, is distributed in the south of China. It is polyphagous and Agrostis stolonifera is one of its turfgrass hosts. Field observations and experimental rearing methods were used to study the biology of S. mauritia fed on this turfgrass. In the field, the larvae could chew the turfgrass leaves and tender stems, causing severe damage. The weight of female pupae was greater than that of male ones. The highest productivity per female was 251 eggs, while the average productivity per female was 54.6 eggs. The eggs appeared in clusters when laid.

A study on the construction of a Web Information System for rodents in Gansu

CAO Hui, LIU Rong-tang, HUA Li-min, ZHANG Yong, WU Yuan-yuan, WANG Kai,
YANG Si-wei, WANG Jian, LIU Xiao-dong, CHEN Xiao-ni

2009, 18(6):  44-50. 

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The construction of a Web Information System for rodents in Gansu (WISRG) is introduced and the basic database pattern of rodents in Gansu discussed. The construction of WISRG was based on systematic data of rodents including faunal component, morphological character, taxonomic status, population dynamic, geographical distribution, predictive model, and control measures. In the data collection process, many zoologists and local herdsmen were consulted. This system used ASP technology and Microsoft SQL Server 2000 as a database exploitative domain. The WISRG was composed of three parts: The database of rodents in Gansu, the information management system, and the user query system. With the implementation of WISRG, the data source of rodents in Gansu was managed scientifically and shared through the internet.

Cloning of a chitinase gene and the acquisition of transgenic potato plants

ZHANG Ru, LI Jin-hua, CHAI Zhao-xiang, ZHANG Jun-lian, ZHANG Jin-wen , WANG Di

2009, 18(6):  51-58. 

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The antagonistic ability of potato against fungal disease was enhanced by acquiring transgenic potato plants via gene engineering. A chitinase gene was cloned via PCR products from cDNA of Trichoderma atroviride. This gene was recombined into the plant expression vector p33ECR and transferred into micro tubers from flasks of two varieties (Favorita and Shepody) of potato via Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. After infection and co-culture, 18 transformed plants were acquired through Kanamycin and Carbenicillin screening tests. After PCR tests for transgenic plants, 67% of the plants (12 plantlets) were positive. This will give support for obtaining high biologically effective potato varieties in future research.

Research on tissue culture and medium of Nitraria tangutorum

GUO Ye-hong, LIN Hai-ming, WU Rui

2009, 18(6):  59-64. 

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Young stem segments and leaves of Nitraria tangutorum were selected to investigate suitable media and plant regeneration techniques for explants. Immature stems were a good source for explants of tufted shoots, and cultivation at 20℃ can reduce contamination rates of tufted shoots. Leaves were good explants of callus induction as well and a lower concentration of 2,4-D was better for callus than a higher concentration. The optimum multiplication medium for N. tangutorum was MS+6-BA 2 mg/L+NAA 1.00 mg/L and tufted shoots formed from axil buds were the main multiplication method. The optimum medium for root formation was 1/2 MS+KT 1 mg/L+IBA 0.5 mg/L and the optimum medium for callus induction was MS+2.4-D 0.5-1.0 mg/L.

A study on salt tolerance and the genetic stability of T1 generation transgenic alfalfa with the BADH gene

YAN Li-ping, XIA Yang, LIANG Hui-min, WANG Zhen-zhen,
LI Shuang-yun, LIU Cui-lan, PANG Cai-hong

2009, 18(6):  65-71. 

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The physiological response of transgenic alfalfa to different salt stresses and its PCR detection were investigated. The ratio of negative to positive numbers of PCR detection confirmed the first Mendelian law. The transgenenic T1 generations showed enhanced BADH activity and betaine content, compared to the non-transgenenic plants at 0.8% NaCl stress. Proline and soluble sugar contents and the antioxidase activity of transgenic T1 generations were higher than those of non-transgenic plants at different salt stresses, while electrolyte leakage and malonaldehyde contents were lower. This suggests that the BADH gene was expressed in the transgenic T1 generation, resulting in improved salt tolerance in the transgenic plants.

Cloning of homologous targeting sequences and construction of antibiotic-freeplastid site-specific integration expression vector of chicory

WANG Yu-hua, HAO Jian-guo, JIA Jing-fen

2009, 18(6):  72-81. 

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A pair of primers used in amplifying plastid fragments of chicory was designed based on the conservative sequences of both rps7 and 16S rDNA genes in the tobacco, maize, Arabidopsis thaliana and soybean plastid genomes. The 4.8 kb fragment was cloned from the chicory plastid genome. Sequencing analysis indicated that this fragment was 4751 bp in size (GenBank Accession Number GQ199478), and consisted of 449 bp 5′-end of the rps7 gene, 793 bp sequence of rps12 gene, 72 bp sequence of the trnV gene, 1 315 bp 5′-end of the 16S rDNA gene and most gene intergenic regions. The BLAST results showed that the similarity of this fragment with tobacco and lettuce were 92% and 97% respectively. Using this fragment as a homologous targeting sequence, we constructed the site-specific integration chicory-specific plastid expression vector pJBADH-GFP that carries the multicistron expression cassette of prrn-BADH-gfp-psbA-3′. The results of restriction analysis and PCR detection confirmed this. This plastid expression vector is desirable both for use in establishment of a chicory antibiotic-free plastid transformation system and traits improvement of chicory or for use as a bioreactor to produce edible vaccines for animals via plastid genetic transformation.

Phylogeny of species with the StH genome in Triticeae (Poaceae) inferredfrom nuclear rDNA ITS sequences

WANG Xiao-li, FAN Xing,ZHANG Chun, SHA Li-na,
ZHANG Hai-qin, ZHOU Yong-hong

2009, 18(6):  82-90. 

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Species with the StH genome in Triticeae are included in the genus Elymus sensu lato. In order to investigate the phylogeny of the StH genome in Triticeae, nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences of 16 species with the StH genome were analyzed together with those of five Pseudoroegneria (St) and three Hordeum (H) accessions. The maximum marsimony (MP), maximum likelihood (ML) and median joining algorithm (MJ) methods were used to reconstruct the phylogenetic tree. The results indicated that:1) Sitanion jubatum, Sitanion hystrix and Hystrix patula are closely related to Elymus species, and should be transferred to Elymus; 2) the StH genome species distributed in North American have close relationships. There is diversity and differentiation between the North American and Eurasian StH genome species; 3) a certain degree of diversity and differentiation of StH genome species is in good agreement with their geographical distributions;4) a certain degree of differentiation was found in diploid species with St and H genomes. Meanwhile, the possible reasons for the differentiation of StH genome species are also discussed.

Genetic variation in 2-year Eucalypt hybrids’ growth and typhoon resistance

LUO Jian-zhong, XIE Yao-jian, CAO Jia-guang, LU Wan-hong, REN Shi-qi

2009, 18(6):  91-97. 

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Using a 2×10 factorial mating’s eucalypt hybrids as material: Female parents are Eucalyptus urophylla and Eucalyptus tereticornis,male parents are Eucalyptus grandis, Eucalyptus pellita, E. urophylla and E. tereticornis. The 27-month tree stem volume growth and resistance index to typhoon with speed of 18 and 40 m/s (WR₁ and WR₂) were studied on the hybrids respectively. The results showed: For growth traits, there were no significant difference between female parents (P＞0.05). Significant differences were exist between male parents, between the interaction of female and male parents (P＜0.05). There were significant differences (P＜0.05) between female parents, betweens male parents for WR₁(P＜0.05). WR₂ was only significantly different (P＜0.05) between male parents. For tree volume growth, E. grandis had high general combining ability (GCA) as male parents, combination: T1×G2 and U1×P3 had high special combining ability (SCA); For typhoon resistance, G1, G2 and P2 had high GCA on WR₁ and WR₂ as male parents respectively. Tree volume growth traits were controled by additive gene action and dominance gene action together, their narrow sence and board sence heritabilities were 0.14-0.17 and 0.30-0.36; typhoon resistance index only controled by additive gene action, their heritabilities were 0.10-0.11. The growth traits’ heritability of progenies of E. urophylla as female parent were lower than that of E. tereticornis. But their heritabilities of typhoon resistance were higher than that of E. tereticornis. Volume growth traits generally had significant positive genetic correlation (P＜0.05) with WR₁. But had significant (P＜0.05) negative genetic correlation with WR₂.

Study on relationship between soil enzyme and soil fertility of alpinemeadow in different carrying capacities

JIAO Ting, CHANG Gen-zhu, ZHOU Xue-hui, YANG Hong-shan, HOU Yan-hui,
MIAO Xiao-lin, LIU Rong-tang, PU Xiao-peng

2009, 18(6):  98-104. 

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The soil enzymes and soil fertilities in alpine meadow under different carrying capacitty in Subei county of Gansu province were analyzed. The soil bulk density increased while the water, pH and organic matter declined with the increasing of carrying capacity, the soil was weak alkaline in grazing area; The content of total nitrogen, available nitrogen, available phosphorus and available potassium of soil in 0-20 cm depth get to the maximum in HC(P<0.01), while the content of total nitrogen and available potassium lie in minimum in MC; The same as four indexes above, the urease, catalase, alkaline phosphatase activity of soil in 0-20 cm depth increased with the increasing of carrying capacity; Correlation analysis showed they were in significantly positive correlation between the catalase, alkaline phosphatase activity, the three enzymes and the main soil fertilities, which showed the soil enzymes can be used to characterize the soil fertility status; Principal component analysis can get the same result: They have the good correlation between soil alkaline phosphatase and catalase activities and soil fertilities which can be used to indicate the status of grassland degradation and recovery.

Effects of different land-use types on soil carbon and nitrogen contents in the northern region of Qinghai Lake

QIAO You-ming, WANG Zhen-qun, DUAN Zhong-hua

2009, 18(6):  105-112. 

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Four different land-use types, fenced and ungrazed (FU), fenced and seasonal grazed (FG), perennial pasture (PP) and crop land (CL) in the Sanjiao Cheng Sheep Breeding Farm located in the northeastern part of Qinghai Lake, were used to investigate underground biomass, soil particle size, soil organic carbon and total nitrogen contents of the 0-10, 10-20, 20-30 cm soil layers. Soil organic carbon and total nitrogen storage were different under different land-use types. The storage of soil organic carbon per unit area varied in the order of PP>FU>FG>CL. The soil organic carbon in the perennial pasture was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that in cropland, but no significant difference was found between the other two types (P>0.05). The changes of total nitrogen were similar to those of organic carbon. In the 0-30 cm soil depth, the underground biomass varied in the order FU>FG>PP>CL, with values of 2 416.67, 1 688.25, 1 224.50, and 1 290.75 g/m² respectively. In the 0-10 cm soil layer the soil clay content of PP was significantly (P<0.05) higher than in the other three types. The soil clay content of the 10-20 cm soil layer was in the order PP>CL>FU>FG. No significant differences in soil clay contents were found in the 20-30 cm soil layer under different land-use types. The soil silt contents of the four different land-use types were not significantly different in the same soil layer.

Effect of nitrogen fertilizer application on Elymus nutans biomass allocationin an alpine meadow zone on the Tibetan Plateau

WU Jian-shuang, SHEN Zhen-xi, ZHANG Xian-zhou, FU Gang

2009, 18(6):  113-121. 

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Field experiments were conducted in artificial grassland sown in the alpine meadow zone on the Tibetan Plateau, to test the effect of nitrogen fertilizer application on Elymus nutans biomass allocation. The community coverage and the forage yield increased by 42.0% and 808 kg/hm² in the 175 kg N/hm² application treatment compared with the control group. The total and component plant biomass increased with the amount of nitrogen fertilizer applied, but the biomass allocation pattern was not significantly affected by nitrogen application. N-fertilization improved the quality of E. nutans. The stem/leaf reached a minimum (2.187) in the 105 kg N/hm² treatment. Reproductive allocation was mainly controlled by genetic factors and was not significantly affected by nitrogen fertilization. Nitrogen application can improve the assimilation of N and P from soil by artificially sown grassland plants.

The dynamics of Ceratoides arborescens fermentation quality in the process of ensiling

TAO Lian, YU Zhu

2009, 18(6):  122-127. 

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The effects of different additives, including LAB, cellulase and LAB+cellulase on the dynamics of Ceratoides arborescens fermentation quality in the process of ensiling were investigated. The bags of each treatment were opened 1, 3, 5, 10, 30, and 45 d after ensilage at room temperature. The pH value declined rapidly in the initial 3-5 d of the fermentation. The lactic acid content increased considerably during the first 10 d, and the contents of ammonia-N and butyric acid increased slowly with storage time. The pH value, the contents of ammonia-N and butyric acid of all the treatments were lower and the content of lactic acid were increased than those the control. The additives improved the fermentation quality of C. arborescens silages and among the treatments, the LAB additives+cellulase treatment showed the most obvious effect.

Regulation of selenium and cobalt nutrition levels of grass and animal productsby their transmission through the soil-pasture-feed-animal chain (SPFAC)

JIE Xiao-lei, GUO Xiao, LIU Shi-liang, HU Hua-feng, LI Jian-ping,
YAO Wen-chao, LI Qiu-ling

2009, 18(6):  128-136. 

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A field experiment was arranged in the Yellow River beach from 2006 to 2008 to study the regulation of selenium (Se) and Se-cobalt (Co) by basal application of combined fertilizers (Na₂SeO₃·5H₂O-570-765 g/hm² and CoSO₄·7H₂O-762-1 548 g/hm²) on the nutrition of alfalfa and animal products through the “soil-pasture-feed-animal chain” (SPAFC). Alfalfa had a strong capacity to absorb Se from soil fertilizers and to convert inorganic Se to organic Se. Se and Co combined application increased the abilities to absorb and convert inorganic Se, thus effectiveness and security of Se could be greatly enhanced. When application rates of Se and Co were 765 and 762 g/hm² respectively, Se-Co combined fertilizer enhanced the contents of crude protein (CP) and ether extract (EE), but had no apparent effect on the crude fiber (CF) content or non-nitrogen extract (NFE), suggesting that feed value was greatly increased. Other Se and Se-Co combined fertilizers increased CF contents, reduced EE contents but had no significant effects on other nutrients. Se and Se-Co combined fertilizers significantly (P<0.05) enhanced the contents of Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn. Se-Co combined fertilizers were better than Se alone fertilizers. When alfalfa meal (rich in Se and Co) was 5% of diet, Se contents of animal products were significantly enhanced. There were other significant correlations (P<0.01) between Se contents in animal products, in pasture, and in soil.

Effects of exogenous metallothionein on milkability and anti-oxidative status in dairy cattle

ZHANG Bin, TAN Qiong, XIAO Bing-nan, LI Li-li, CHEN Yu-guang,
XIAO Ding-fu, LIU Hai-lin, WU Zong- ming, ZHANG Fu-sheng

2009, 18(6):  137-143. 

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The effects of exogenous metallothionein (Zn-MT) on milkability and anti-oxidative status of dairy cattle was studied using 24 lactating Chinese Holstein cows. They were randomly allocated to groups A, B, C, and D, and Zn-MT was supplemented at 0, 4.0, 8.0 and 12.0 mg/capita respectively by intravenous injection. The milk yields of the cows in groups C and D were higher (P<0.05) than those in group A, but there were no significant differences in milk yields between groups A and B or in milkfat percentages between groups. The blood GSH-Px activities of the cows in groups B, C, and D were also higher(P<0.05)than that in group A. The blood CAT activities of the cows in group D were higher than those in groups A (P<0.01) and B (P<0.05), and there were significant differences (P<0.05) in the blood CAT activities of group A and C cows. The T-AOC levels of the cows in groups C and D were also higher (P<0.05) than those in groups A and B. The MDA serum content of cows in groups B, C, and D were lower (P<0.05) than of cows in group A. Exogenous Zn-MT should be an effective anti-oxidative substance and physiological supplement for dairy cattle.

Effect of Caragana microphylla on leaf traits of Setarria viridis in Horqin sandy land

MAO Wei,LI Yu-lin,ZHAO Xue-yong,HUANG Ying-xing, WANG Shao-kun

2009, 18(6):  144-150. 

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Plant leaf traits reflect the resource acquisition strategies of plants. Shrubs are the dominant plant life form and play an important role in Horqin sandy land. Herbaceous plants under the canopy may be affected by the shrubs. We determined the variations of leaf traits, including specific leaf area (SLA), leaf dry matter content (LDMC), leaf area (AR), dry matter (DM), leaf thickness (TH), leaf nitrogen content (LNC) per mass, leaf phosphorus content (LPC) per mass, between, under, and out of (open space) the shrubs.SLA, AR, DM, and LNC were 47.9%, 115.2%, 56.3%, and 63.3% higher respectively under the canopy of Caragana microphylla shrubs than in open space). An inverse trend was observed in three other traits (LDMC, TH, and LPC) which were 22.1%, 24.0%, and 34.6% lower respectively under this shrub canopy than in the open. The shrubs affected the growth of Setarria viridis by changing the shrub environment. Leaf area varied most among the leaf traits and this suggested that S. viridis under the shrub canopy may increase the size of photosynthetically active leaf surface area, thus offsetting the inevitable reduction in photosynthetic rate imposed by limited light supply.Shading also greatly changed the nutrient allocation and nutrient utilization efficiency, explaining the inverse change trend of LNC and LPC between, under, and out of the shrubs. The significant increase of LNC under the shrub canopy may be the result of the interaction of fertile islands and shading.

Effects of oat mixed with common vetch on the microorganism populations in rhizosphere soil

WANG Xu, ZENG Zhao-hai, ZHU Bo, HU Yue-gao, LIN Ye-chun,
CHEN Gong, LU Jin-sheng, YUAN Xi-lan

2009, 18(6):  151-157. 

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The population of rhizosphere microorganisms under oat(Avena sativa) and common vetch(Vicia sativa) was studied in different planting modes.The populations of rhizosphere bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes increased under oat through the jointing stage to the flowering stage then gradually decreased with oat growth. The population of rhizosphere bacteria under oat mixed with common vetch was significantly greater than that under oat monoculture (P<0.05) at different growth stages of oat. At harvest, the populations of rhizosphere bacteria under different treatments were dominant. The population of rhizosphere bacteria under the mixture of oat and common vetch was 1.1 times more than that under oat monoculture. Compared with that under oat monoculture, the population of rhizosphere bacteria under common vetch monoculture was 1.3 times higher. In mixtures, an intercropping ratio of oat and common vetch of 1∶2 had the greatest populations of rhizosphere microorganisms, whereas oat monoculture had the least. The mixture of oat and common vetch was beneficial for increasing the populations of rhizosphere microorganisms.

A study on the pattern and effect of Zea mays intercropping with Medicago sativa

LIU Zhong-kuan, CAO Wei-dong, QIN Wen-li, ZHI Jian-fei, LIU Zhen-yu

2009, 18(6):  158-163. 

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The legume/cereal intercropping system, supplying the world with most of the grain and proteins, is one of the most successfully farming systems for small-holder farmers. It is undoubtedly a sustainable farming system from both resources use and environmental friendly aspects as the nitrogen fixed by legumes sustains this system. Internationally, research effort has been focused on biological nitrogen fixation in legume/graminaceae systems due to environmental problems and energy crisis caused by irrational N fertilizer use. The change of light intensity, light transmittance, soil nutrients, corn grain yield, alfalfa yield and income of the system of corn intercropping with alfalfa were studied. Light intensity and light transmittance of different parts increased as the row space changed from narrow to wide, and in all treatments they were higher than in the CK except in T4. The contents of organic matter, organic nitrogen and available nitrogen of intercropping treatments displayed an increasing trend compared with those of the CK, and the trends became increasingly obvious with successive intercropping years. The contents increased with row space. With the same corn number per hectare, the maximum corn grain yield was achieved in T2 treatment for 3 years, and in all treatments it was higher than in the CK except for T4. Alfalfa yield increased with row space. Reduced N use resulted in reduced maize yield of various degrees, and yield declined with intercropping year, but there was no significant difference of yield between R1, R2, and CK in 2008.

Effects on cold tolerance of M2 of Longmu No. 803 alfalfa seed pre-treatedwith a mixed high-energy particle field

SHANG Chen, HAN Gui-qing, CHEN Ji-shan, LIU Jie-lin, ZHANG Yue-xue,
TANG Feng-lan, HAN Wei-bo, HAO Ruo-chao, LIU Feng-qi

2009, 18(6):  164-168. 

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The seeds of Longmu No. 803 alfalfa were pre-treated in a mixed high-energy particle field. The effect of M2 on Longmu No. 803 alfalfa subjected to low temperature treatment between autumn and winter were studied, including monitoring the leaf for free proline content, SOD activity, LSSC, Chla and Chlb contents after treatment with different radiant dosages. The mixed high-energy particle field significantly (P<0.05) increased the cold tolerance of M2 compared with the control. With increasing radiant dosage, the proline content, SOD activity, LSSC, Chla and Chlb contents of M2 were all significantly reduced. The low radiant dosage induced stronger cold tolerance than the high radiant dosage. There were two options involving 145 or 195 Gy of mixed high-energy particle field intensity.

Response to high temperature of Cleistogenes songorica seed dormancy from different positions

WEI Xue, WANG Yan-rong, HU Xiao-wen, WU Yan-pei

2009, 18(6):  169-173. 

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A series of laboratory tests were conducted with Cleistogenes songorica to study the effect of high temperature on seed dormancy release at different positions. The responses of seed dormancy release and seedling growth to 18 h high temperature (65, 85, 105℃) differed. All seeds were killed at 105℃ whereas 85℃ treatment broke seed dormancy and promoted seedling growth. The effect of 65℃ treatment varied with the position on the flower spike. Reponses of seed dormancy release at different positions to the 85℃ treatment differed with the treatment duration and a 3 h treatment significantly broke seed dormancy. Germination rate, plumule length, and radicle length of seeds on the top of spikes were significantly lower than those in the internodes.

A study on the changes of physiology and biochemistry during zoysiagrass seed development

MA Chun-hui, HAN Jian-guo, SUN Jie-feng, WANG Dong

2009, 18(6):  174-179. 

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This research aimed to provide a scientific theoretical basis for zoysiagrass seed production by investigating changes of physiology and biochemistry during seed development. Every three or five days, seeds of zoysiagrass were harvested after peak anthesis at Jiaozhou in Shandong province, and the changes in seed development were studied. The seed moisture content rose first, then gradually dropped. The fresh weight and dry weight of seeds slowly increased during seed development and finally decreased a little. The soluble sugar content of seeds decreased by about 5.0%. The starch content increased sharply and then slowly decreased, but stayed about 15.0% towards the end of development. The acid phosphoesterase activity of seeds harvested at different times were significantly increased (P＜0.01). IAA and GA contents slowly reduced with seed development. However, the contents of ABA rose gradually and reached 72.7 μg/100 g fresh weight. In conclusion, the optimal harvest time was the 36th days after peak anthesis (about June 15) in this experiment, and when the seed vigor was better, its moisture content and 1 000-seed weight were 26%-28% and 0.89 g, respectively.

Effects of MC-RR on the seed germination and characteristics of physiologyand biochemistry in Trifolium repens seedlings

XUE Yan-feng,LI Hui-ming,YI Neng,LI You-qin,SHI Zhi-qi

2009, 18(6):  180-185. 

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The seed and seedlings of Trifolium repens were treated with various concentrations of MC-RR. The effects of MC-RR on the seed germination, the change of antioxidant enzymes and the regulation of MC-RR accumulation in T. repens were studied in this paper. The results showed that the germination percentage and the germinating viability decreased with the increase of MC-RR concentration. When at the higher concentration, the germination percentage and the germinating viability significantly decreased compared with the control. Shoot height markedly inhibited with the rising of MC-RR concentration. Root length and fresh weight significantly increased under the lower concentration, whereas they markedly reduced at the higher concentration. The changes of antioxidant enzymes were different each other. SOD activity indicated the trend of increase-decrease-increase compared with the control. POD activity illustrated that it increased firstly and then decreased. However, the trend of CAT activity was different from SOD and POD. The MC-RR content of T. repens increased with the treating concentration compared with the concentration of 0.05 mg/L, whereas bioconcentration factor (BCF) decreased. All the results suggested that the seed and seedlings of T. repens would be damaged seriously with the increase of MC-RR concentration.

Responses of antioxidative capability in horsebean seedling to NO and H₂O₂ under Cd stress

LI Yuan,LI Jin-juan,WEI Xiao-hong

2009, 18(6):  186-191. 

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This study investigated the change of antioxidant enzymes (including SOD, CAT and POD), proline content, MDA and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in horsebean seedlings under Cd stress, and to study the protective effect of NO and H₂O₂. Sodium nitro presside (SNP) was used as a NO donor. Application of SNP and H₂O₂, alone and in mixtures helped protect horsebean seedling leaves from Cd oxidative damage. However, treatment E showed a much better protective impact than treatments C and D, which significantly increased activities of antioxidant enzymes. Seventy two hours after Cd stress, SOD reached its maximum (57.89% over the control). Forty eight hours after Cd stress, the activities of CAT and POD reached a maximum (69.60% and 101.18% over the control). One hundred and twenty hours after Cd stress, the proline content in treatment E increased by 134.88% compared with treatment B, and the contents of MDA, and H₂O₂ were largely reduced as was the production rate of O₂^·-.

Changes and mechanism in response of photosynthetic rates of lucerne residueto cutting under different water treatments

HE Shu-bin, LIU Guo-li, YANG Hui-min

2009, 18(6):  192-197. 

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The changes in photosynthetic rate and its mechanism during lucerne (Medicago sativa) regrowth after cutting were investigated in a greenhouse experiment. Photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (gs), contents of malondialchehyche (MDA) and proline, and the activities of superoxidase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) were measured at different soil water availabilities and cutting. Pn and gs increased shortly after cutting. Leaf MDA content decreased 10 h after cutting, while proline content increased. In addition, activity of antioxidases, including SOD, POD and CAT, increased shortly after cutting. The same trend of changes was observed under both water treatments, but significant difference appeared between treatments. It is suggested that cutting stimuli may reduce water stress within the plant body, enhancing osmotic adjustment and clearance of oxygen species, promoting normal functions of plant organs like stomatal movement. Thus, enough CO₂ can be supplied and Pn is then maintained and even enhanced.

A study on the economic injury level of plateau pika (Ochtona curzoniae) and its control index

WANG Xing-tang, HUA Li-min, SU Jun-hu, CAO Hui, QI Xiao-mei, LIU Rong-tang

2009, 18(6):  198-204. 

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The economic injury level of plateau pika (Ochtona curzoniae) and its control index were studied in the alpine meadow and alpine steppe of Dacha village in Sunan County from 2007 to 2008. The population of plateau pika was positively correlated with the reduction of prairie grass production (aboveground biomass) and the economic losses with the correlation coefficient (r)=0.976 5. The linear regression equation between the number of plateau pika’s effective holes (X) and grass production reduction (M) was M=-16.960 3+0.918 0X. The control costs per unit area were 25.05 yuan/hm² when Clostridium botulinum type C was used for biological control in this area of 1 330 hm². It was confirmed that the economic injury level of plateau pika was 130 effective holes/hm² and the allowed economic loss ratio was calculated as 11.2%. the actual density of plateau pika was 510 effective holes/hm² and the economic loss ratio was up to 32.9% in the research area.

Molecular phylogenesis of the Eospalax subgenus in the Gansu province

YANG Hong-shan, HE Xiao-qin, LIU Rong-tang, ZHANG San-liang, CHANG Gen-zhu

2009, 18(6):  204-209. 

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Maternity genetic diversity of the subgenus Eospalax in Gansu province was evaluated by studying the molecular phylogenesis of this subgenus. The nucleotide complete sequence variations of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and cytochrome B gene (1 140 bp) were examined. Sequence data were obtained from 31 samples of the subgenus Eospalax from 11 different places in Gansu province and 21 other sequences were acquired from GenBank. Four Gansu species were Qinling zokor, Gansu zokor, Bailey’s zokor, and Smith’s zokor. Two phylogenetic trees were constructed, one from the 31 near complete Cytb sequences from our experiment and 52 Cyt which were aligned with GeneBank. Using these results and related software, we analysed the change of Cytb gene sequences and discussed the classification and phylogenesis of four species of the subgenus Eospalax. This study provides the molecular basis for the phylogenesis of the subgenus Eospalax.

History and current situation of ecosystem health research

HOU Fu-jiang, XU Lei

2009, 18(6):  210-225. 

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There are three key developmental stages in studying ecosystem health. Planning is the first stage, and includes two sub-stages: the accumulation of knowledge about environmental and ecosystem health, and ideas and thoughts about ecosystem health. The discipline of ecosystem health is established at the second stage and also has two sub-stages: the establishment of basic theories and the development of research methods, which symbols were the first publication of terminology ‘ecosystem health’ and evaluation method ‘VOR’, respectively. At the third stage, ecosystem health evaluation starts to be operated in practice, as represented by the development of CVOR theory and related methods. The method of evaluating ecosystem health has been developed through four processes: laying out some simple indicators→integration of these indicators→evaluation of ecosystem function→evaluation of interface processes in ecosystems. This shows that embodying key ecological processes is an important index of selecting indicators to evaluate ecosystem health and multi-indicator integrations are a trend in evaluation of ecosystem health. Ecosystem health is the outcome of multidisciplines and embodies ideas of threshold values. Ecosystem health operates at different levels.

Application of a chlorophyll fluorescence technique for screening photosynthetic mutants

GUO Yu-peng, ZHENG Xia, WANG Xin-yu, CAO Zi-yi

2009, 18(6):  226-234. 

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As a basic technique in photosynthetic research, chlorophyll fluorescence is an important way to screen photosynthetic mutants. Many mutants have been isolated using this technique, and some genes have been identified in recent years. At the same time, screening method theories have also been developed with the accumulation of knowledge on photosynthesis. The development of screening technology is discussed in this article.

Responses of insect communities and populations on habitat fragmentation in grassland landscapes

HE Da-han, ZHAO Zi-hua, ZHANG Da-zhi

2009, 18(6):  235-241. 

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It has become increasingly clear that the occurrence of species and their population densities, as well as population dynamics, trophic interactions, and community structure within a habitat, may depend on processes of large spatial scales. The destruction and fragmentation of habitats has become one of the major threats to biodiversity. At first, the characteristics of habitat fragments (patches) in relation to possible processes and patterns of insect communities and their mechanisms for influencing diversity and biotic interactions were introduced based on literature surveys. The effects of habitat fragmentation on the structure, richness, and interactions of insect communities, and population dynamics with special emphasis on grassland landscapes were summarised and sorted in order. Experiments on the characteristics and dominant natural conditions in fragmented habitats and investigations in grassland habitats were conducted. This study showed that the relationships between patterns of fragmented habitats and biotic interactions, and secondary succession series in grassland landscapes were the key to the question of biodiversity conservation.

N₂O flux characteristics and emission contributions of Calamagrostis angustifoliawetland during growth and non-growth seasons

SUN Zhi-gao, LIU Jing-shuang, YANG Ji-song, MOU Xiao-jie, WANG Ling-ling

2009, 18(6):  242-247. 

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The nitrous oxide (N₂O) flux characteristics and emission contributions of Calamagrostis angustifolia wetland in the Sanjiang Plain during growth and non-growth seasons were observed in situ with static-chamber and GC methods from May 2003 to April 2004. The range of N₂O fluxes during the growth season was 0.005-0.111 mg/(m²·h) and showed pulse emission characteristics. The lower N₂O fluxes in May were correlated with abundant precipitation, while the sharply increased fluxes in June were correlated with the thaw of frozen layers. Between July and August, the N₂O fluxes were correlated with less precipitation and greater evaporation, and in September, the flux depended on available nitrogen in the soil. Further analysis indicated that the N₂O fluxes during the growth season were significantly (P<0.01) positively correlated with 5 cm ground temperature. The range of N₂O fluxes during the non-growth season was -0.001 5-0.049 7 mg/(m²·h), presenting “absorption-emission” characteristics. Further analysis indicated that the relationship between the N₂O fluxes and atmospheric temperatures or soil thaw days was in accord with exponential model (P<0.01) indicating that, in the frozen period, temperature was still the main factor controlling microbial activity. In the thaw period, temperature and thaw of frozen layers were important for induction of the rapid increase in N₂O fluxes. In conclusion, the N₂O emission amount during growth season was 205.54 mg N₂O/m², acting as the emission “source”, while during non-growth season, it was -26.97 mg N₂O/m², the “sink”. Overall, the N₂O emission over the whole year was 178.57 mg N₂O/m², an important N₂O emission “source”.

Cultivation of introduced alfalfa varieties in an arid area of Minqin county

LI Fa-ming, LIU Shi-zeng, Guo Chun-xiu, ZHU Shu-juan, CHENG Xiu-ying

2009, 18(6):  248-253. 

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A five-year cultivation practice of four introduced fine varieties of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) at the edge of a desert-oasis in Minqin county was investigated. With spring sowing time advanced, all species were significantly ahead of maturity trends. These varieties safely survived summer and winter, even if the maximum temperature in summer was 39℃ and the minimum in winter was -30.4℃. The survival rate increased as the stubble height under different treatments increased from 0, 3, 5, to 7 cm with 7 cm the best stubble height for plant survival. “Algonquin” and “Mathias” varieties in cultivation in the second year can be mowed three times. The annual average hay production achieved on the two varieties was 15 300 and 16 200 kg/hm², respectively, 32.8% and 40.6% greater than that of the control varieties. Seed production was 750 and 765 kg/hm², respectively, 155.0% and 150.0% greater than that of the control varieties. At the same time, these two varieties have shown stronger anti-drought, winter hardy and anti-worm capabilities in a Minqin desert area and similar areas, therefore promoting their economic value. There were no significant differences of seed production and forage production between “Beaver” and “Rangelander” varieties and the control variety.

A study on the photosynthetic characteristics of Paspalum atratum

LIU Jin-xiang, CHEN Wei-yun, XIAO Sheng-hong

2009, 18(6):  254-258. 

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Paspalum atratum is a perennial forage grass. This field study investigated the photosynthetic characteristics of P. atratum. Gas exchange was measured using a LI-6400 portable photosynthesis system on clear days in May. The photosynthesis showed a double-peak with a considerable noon inhibition, and belonged to the stomatal limitation type. The first peak appeared at about 11:30 a.m. when Pn reached 28.8 μmol/(m²·s) while the second peak appeared at about 15:00 when Pn was 21.59 μmol/(m²·s). The change was positively related to variations of Gs and Tr. The light saturation and compensation points, and apparent quantum yield of P. atratum were about 1 700 and 20 μmol/(m²·s), and 0.073 9 mol/mol, respectively. The CO₂ saturation and compensation points, carboxylation efficiency were 600.01 and 21.89 μmol/mol, and 0.084 6 μmol/(m²·s), respectively.

Peroxidase isozyme variations among germplasm resources ofOphiopogon japonicus in the Sichuan Basin

LIU Jiang, CHEN Xing-fu, YANG Wen-yu, ZHANG Shu-ping, LIU Wei-guo, ZHAO Xue-li

2009, 18(6):  259-263. 

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This study explored the relationships between genetic and morphological characteristics of Ophiopogon japonicus using 25 samples collected from different areas of the Sichuan Basin. Peroxidase isozyme (POD) was studied using vertical slab polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and the zymograms were analyzed using SPSS software version 13.0. There were 10 different POD band types and each band type was composed of 6 to 11 bands. There was no significant difference in POD band type between erective and creepy morphotypes. The band type was different between materials collected in the same area but with different morphological characteristics. There were plentiful POD variations among the germplasm resources of O. japonicus in the Sichuan Basin. The genetic relationship was not associated with geographical distributions, but was obviously related to the morphological characteristics. POD characteristics could be considered as a significant reference base in the classification of the germplasm materials of O. japonicus, and could be used to determine the genetic difference and relationships of the germplasm materials.

Genetic analysis of morphological characters of centipedegrass hybrids

ZHENG Yi-qi, FU Xin-tong, GUO Hai-lin, LIU Jian-xiu

2009, 18(6):  264-269. 

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F₁ segregating populations were obtained from two accessions of centipedegrass with different morphological characters. The heredity of five morphological characters, i.e. leaf length and width, internode length and diameter, and height of turf in F₁ populations, were analyzed by the major gene and polygene mixed genetic model, to reveal the genetic mechanism of these morphological characters in centipedegrass. The greatest variation was found in the leaf length and the coefficient of variance (CV) was 23.39%, followed by the variations in internode length, height of turf and internode diameter with the CVs of 21.89%, 15.32% and 7.41% respectively. The variation in leaf width was the least, CV 6.77%. One major gene model with additive, partial dominance or over dominance (A-1) was the most suitable model for the leaf length and the heritability of the major gene was 68.98%. One major gene model with negative entire dominance (A-4) was the most suitable model for internode length and the heritability of the major gene was 47.37%. A two major genes model with co-dominance (B-6) was the most suitable model for the height of turf and the heritability was 47.20%. The most suitable model for leaf width and internode diameter was for no major genes (A-0).