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    20 February 2009, Volume 18 Issue 1
    Changes of carbon storage in vegetation and soil during different successional stages of rehabilitated grassland
    WANG Jun-ming, ZHANG Xing-chang
    2009, 18(1):  1-8. 
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    Over the last few decades the extent of land-use and vegetation composition has dramatically changed in the Loess Plateau. For a better understanding of the dynamics of rehabilitated grassland, carbon storage in vegetation and soil were studied in a space series of replaced time courses. The aboveground biomass carbon did not directly increase at the beginning stage of succession, but decreased to its lowest point in the second year following abandonment. After abandonment for 22 to 32 years, the aboveground biomass carbon increased to a steady state and after abandonment for 40 and 60 years, it approached a second steady state. The dynamics of root biomass carbon was similar to that of aboveground biomass carbon. Between abandonment ages 12 and 28 years, the root biomass carbon reached a steady state and between abandonment ages 32 and 60 years, the root biomass carbon approached a second steady state. Compared with cropland, the rehabilitated grassland had a lower soil organic carbon storage at the beginning (1-12 years) but after 15 years the soil organic carbon storage was higher than in cropland and had increased stably. In the 0 to 150 cm soil profile, the soil organic carbon content of the 0 to 15 cm layer was the highest. Our study indicated that in the early successional stage of rehabilitated grassland, the aboveground biomass carbon, root biomass carbon and soil organic carbon storage did not increase, but remained at a low-level for about 10 years. Further study is required to work out how to reduce this delay.
    The effects of long-term fertilization on crop yields and farmland nutrient equilibrium
    LI Xin-wang, MEN Ming-xin, WANG Shu-tao, QI Yue-pu, XU Hao
    2009, 18(1):  9-16. 
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    Yield response and farmland nutrient equilibrium were studied in fluvo-aquic soils of the North China Plain, and the results provided a theoretical basis for high yield-high efficiency and sustainable development of grain production on a field-block scale. Fertilization treatments were used in a long-term experiment to study yield response and farmland nutrient equilibrium. The 7-year fertilization experiment to study crop responses and farmland nutrient showed that for wheat the 7-year mean yields ratio of treatments CK, P2K2, N2K2, and N2P2 to N2P2K2 were 25.5%, 34.5%, 43.3%, and 83.2% respectively while those for maize were 42.3%, 52.7%, 70.6%, and 76.2%. The N supply capacity of fluvo-aquic soils in the absence of N fertilizer declined to 59% of the original in the first year investigated, fell to 43% in the second year, and then fluctuated around 40% in the following years. Without P fertilizer application, soil P capacity decreased to 72% in the first year, fell to 55% in the third year, and then fluctuated around 55%. The K supply capacity without K fertilizer addition changed from 93% in the first year to about 76% in the 7th year of the experiment. The best treatments of farmland N equilibrium were N2P1K2 and N2P2K1, of P was N2P1K2, of K was P2K2, and of N,P,K was N2P1K2. The cumulative apparent recovery rates of N,P,K fertilizers on crops of wheat and maize were 44.3%, 31.2%, 53.0% and 40.8%, 28.9%, 50.3% respectively. There were significant correlations between amount of fertilizer and yield response. N was the main limiting factor for crop yield, then P and K. The better treatment for farmland N,P,K equilibrium was N2P1K2.
    Growth responses of Carex lasiocarpa to different water regimes at different growing stages
    WANG Li1,2, SONG Changchun1, HU Jinming3, YANG Tao1,2
    2009, 18(1):  17-24. 
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    Growth responses of Carex lasiocarpa to different water regimes and hydrologic experience were studied in seedling transplant and water control experiments. C. lasiocarpa had significant responses to different water conditions. Its above-ground、below-ground and rhizome biomass were biggest under dry-wet alternate conditions; fresh root/shoot ratio decreased with increasing water and increased with increasing dryness; the rhizome biomass percentage was greatest under -5 cm water level. For C. lasiocarpa with different hydrologic treatments, the biomass was bigger under dry-wet alternate conditions at some times in the season while root/shoot ratio and rhizome biomass percentage were higher if they had undergone the -5 cm water treatment through the growing season. C. lasiocarpa grew slowly when submerged, but continued by rhizome regeneration after submergence finished. To gain the maximal values of growth indicators, water requirements at different stages must be met. To achieve the optimum goals in wetland restoration and management, water regimes should be regulated according to the plants needs.
    Alterations in leaf cellular ultra-structure of three varieties of Lolium perenne subjected to high temperature and soil drought stress
    WAN Li-qiang, SHI Yong-hong, LI Xiang-lin, HE Feng, JIA Ya-xiong
    2009, 18(1):  25-31. 
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    Changes of leaf cellular ultra-structure in response to high temperature and drought stress in three varieties (Accent, Bartwingo and Fairway) of Lolium perenne were investigated. Under high temperature stress of 35℃ chloroplasts swelled, became round and moved centrally. There was some plastoglobulis within the chloroplasts. The chloroplasts of Fairway under drought stress from 25% PEG-6000 solution were badly damaged. Their grana and envelope disrupted and the lamella swelled, split, and even dissolved and disappeared. The morphological variation of the mitochondrion was not distinct and their number increased under high temperature and soil drought stress. Compared with chloroplasts, the mitochondrial tolerance and resistance to high temperature and drought stress were strong. Accent’s tolerance and resistance to high temperature and drought stress were stronger than those of Fairway and Bartwingo, but were not significant.
    Relationship between phenols and in vitro digestibility of six legume feeding shrubs
    WEN Yi-fei, CAO Guo-jun, FAN Jiang-wen, MAO Hua-ming, LUO Fu-cheng
    2009, 18(1):  32-38. 
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    Abstract: Several legume shrubs in Yunnan province were analyzed to understand the dynamic changes in phenol content during different growth stages. The results showed that TET content (42.9 g/kg)changed from the wilting stage of Leucaena glauca to the flowering stage of Indigofera galegoides DC(123.6 g/kg); SPH content changed from the nutritional stage of L. glauca (11.6 g/kg) to the seed set stage (58.7 g/kg). The TEPH content of each growth stage was followed by a change in the ranges of 109.1-173.3 g/kg, 104.1-169.2 g/kg, 103.7-153.0 g/kg, and 86.6-155.6 g/kg. The phenol contents of I. galegoides was the highest while those of D. triangulare and I. amblyantha were lower than the others. The relative contents of four phenols were TEPT>TECT>TET>SPH. There was a strong and positive correlation among TECT, TET, and TEPT(P<0.01), but there was no significant negative correlation with SPH(P>0.05). IVOMD and IVDMD had a strong and negative correlation with TEPT, TECT, and TET. The absolute correlation value was higher than 0.7.
    Physiological and biochemical analysis of the leaves of Elymus under dry farming conditions
    QI Juan, XU Zhu, WANG Hai-qing, MA Yu-bao, LI Lin-hang
    2009, 18(1):  39-45. 
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    Physiological and biochemical characteristics of the leaves of six Elymus species were determined under the natural dry farming conditions of the arid and semi-arid regions of Inner Mongolia, different species from same regions were compared as well as the same species from different regions. There were significant differences in the physiological and biochemical characteristics of different Elymus. The species of XJE1 and XJP5 maintained a good water status and had a high relative water content (RWC), whereas the RWC of GSD4 was the lowest. BJT3 and XJP5 had a high chlorophyll content, while that of GSD4 was low. The osmotic content of Pro of BJT3, XJP5 and GSS2 was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that of the other species. The MDA of BJT3 was nearly three times higher than that of XJE1. GSD4 had the most SOD antioxidative enzyme activity, followed by BJT3 and then GSS2. POD activity of XJP5 was high, followed by BJT3, while NMN6 was lower. Multivariate membership function analysis indicated that except for GSD4 and NMN6, there were some significant differences in adaptation to arid and semi-arid environmens of the Elymus species. The order of subordinate function values from strong to weak was XJP5>BJT3>XJE1>GSD4>NMN6>GSS2. We also found that there were some homologies between different species from the same region. The same species in different regions appeared to be differentiated in their adaptability. These results indicate that the physiological and biochemical indexes were all adapted to different ecological environments.
    Influences of salt and alkali mixed stresses on antioxidative activity and MDA content of Medicago sativa at seedling stage
    ZHANG Yong-feng,YIN Bo
    2009, 18(1):  46-50. 
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    The Medicago sativa cv. Gongnong No.1 were stressed by different concentrations salt-alkali (NaCl/Na2CO3) at seedling stage. Activities of SOD, POD, CAT and MDA of M. sativa leaf were determined at seedling stage. Activities of SOD, POD, CAT and MDA were increased with increasing salt concentrations, and higher than CK.
    The effects of chopping and additives on the silage quality of Brachiaria decumbens cv. Reyan No.3
    LIU Qin-hua, FAN Chuan-guang, ZHANG Jian-guo, DONG Zhao-xia, CHEN Yong
    2009, 18(1):  51-56. 
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    The effects of chopping and additives (lactic acid bacteria-LAB1, lactic acid bacteria preparation-LAB2, 5% wheat bran-F) on the fermentation quality of Brachiaria decumbens cv. Reyan No.3 silage were investigated. The results showed that chopping treatment alone did not affect pH values (P>0.05), although it reduced acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid contents. NH3-N content was increased by chopping treatment alone but was significantly reduced by adding lactic acid bacteria (P<0.05). The addition of lactic acid bacteria and wheat bran reduced pH values and increased lactic acid contents, irrespective of chopping. The best fermentation quality was chopped B. decumbens cv. Reyan No.3 with LAB2 addition. When the silages of chopped B. decumbens cv. Reyan No.3 were exposed to air, the aerobic stability of LAB2 inoculated silage was inferior to that of F, LAB1 and W.
    An analysis by ISSR of genetic diversities in Stylosanthes germplasms
    TANG Yan-qiong, HU Xin-wen, GUO Jian-chun, BAI Chang-jun, HE Hua-xuan
    2009, 18(1):  57-64. 
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    Forty-eight Stylosanthes germplasms were studied for an analysis of genetic diversity by ISSR. Fourteen effective primers selected from 68 ISSR primers were used for PCR, and 155 of the 156 DNA fragments amplified, showed polymorphisms. The average binds from each primer was 11.1 and the average percentage of polymorphic bands was 99.36%. The coefficient of genetic conformability among the germplasms was 0.445-0.975. The results from POPGENE analysis indicated that the average information index (I) of Shannon was 0.355 3, gene diversity (H) of Nei was 0.227 9, and effective number of alleles (NE) was 1.388 7. Based on analyses of cluster and principal components, the 48 Stylosanthes germplasms used in this study could be divided into 5 groups: S. hamata, S. capitata, S. scabra, S. seabrana and S. guianensis, in which the genetic differentiation of S. guianensis group was the largest.
    Construction of a cDNA library of the leaf of Leymus chinensis and analysis of partial expressed sequence tags
    WANG Li-juan, JIN Zhi-ping, WANG Neng-fei, LI Xiao-feng, LIU Gong-she
    2009, 18(1):  65-71. 
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    Total RNA of Leymus chinensis (“Jishengyihao”) leaves was isolated by TRIZOL reagent and a cDNA library was constructed using SMART technology. The primary library had a high titer of 106 cfu/mL, in which 98% of the clones were recombinant and the insert cDNAs were from 0.5 kb to 3.0 kb. The amplified library had a titer of 1011 cfu/mL. The positive signals of TC and γ-TMT gene were detected by PCR of the amplified library. High quality sequences were shown by 307 of the cDNA clones.In the cDNA library, 117 clones were non-redundant, and BLAST led to the identification of several putative genes (e.g. glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate, RNase S-like protein precursor, translation elongation factor 1, translation initiation factor 1A, chloroplast psbA gene for D1 protein). This high quality cDNA library provides a useful tool for further study of the molecular mechanisms of the secondary metabolism of vitamin E and of gene expression in L. chinensis.
    Hybrid identification of progenies of Zoysia crosses by SRAP marker
    XUE Dan-dan, GUO Hai-lin, ZHENG Yi-qi, CHEN Xuan, LIU Jian-xiu
    2009, 18(1):  72-79. 
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    Sequence-related Amplified Polymorphism (SRAP) is a new molecular marker technique developed on the basis of PCR. The authenticity of 37 progenies of 5 Zoysia grass cross-combinations were identified by SRAP marker to select out the true hybrids for further study. First, primers were selected to bands specific for the male parent but absent from the female, then 9 primers were selected and applied to identify the hybrids. The authenticity of the progenies was identified by whether or not they had the male parent specific bands. There were 32 progenies with these specific bands, which were therefore identified as true hybrids. The amplified bands of SRAP were clear and stable, and there was considerable variation in the hybrids, including some with new bands and some without the parent bands. The results suggest that SRAP markers could be used as effective molecular markers for the authenticity, identification and genetic analysis of the progenies of Zoysia grass
    Factors influencing plant regeneration systems in mature embryo culture of Agropyron
    XU Chun-bo, MI Fu-gui, WANG Yong, LI Xing-you, ZHAO Hai-xia
    2009, 18(1):  80-85. 
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    The influence of both genotype and abscisic acid(ABA) on plant regeneration frequency of mature embryos of Agropyron was studied for establishing an effective system for gene transformation. Plant regeneration from mature embryos through direct callus induction was investigated in different species. There were differences in the capacity of callus induction and differentiation of mature embryos between different genotypes. There was suitable material for callus induction from mature embryos of A. mongolicum whose callus initiation frequency was 95% and callus differentiation frequency was 72%. The high frequency of embryogenic callus formation and differentiation were enhanced in MS solid medium with 0.3 mg/L ABA and the best genotype for genetic transformation was A. mongolicum.
    Construction of plant expression vectors containing two anti-fungal and one anti-herbicide genes and their expression in transgenic tobacco
    JIA Xiao-xia, ZHANG Jin-wen, WANG Han-ning, MA Huai-yi, LIANG Hui-guang
    2009, 18(1):  86-93. 
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    A Chitinase gene (Chi) and a β-1, 3-glucanase gene (Glu) were amplified from pET/Chi and pET/Glu plasmids respectively, and connected by eight neutral amino acids, to form a fusion gene (Chi-linker-Glu) which was inserted into pAHC25 by replacing the GUS gene. The expression cassettes Ubi-Chi-linker-Glu-nos and Ubi-bar-nos from recombinant plasmid pAHC25-C-G were inserted into vector pBI121 to obtain plant expression vector pBIb-CG. Leaf discs of tobacco were infected by Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain EHA105 containing this plant expression vector. The fusion gene Chi-linker-Glu was shown to have been integrated into the tobacco genome by PCR and Southern blotting analysis. In vitro testing of transgenic plants showed that they had resistance to Tricho derma viride and Fusarium solanif sppisii. The fusion gene Chi-linker-Glu was therefore expressed efficiently in transgenic tobacco to give disease-resistance.
    Rapid propagation in vitro and polyploid induction of Astragalus complanatus
    WANG Li-yan, JING Rui-yong, XIAO Li-jie, FANG Shu-mei,
    ZHANG Hong-mei, WANG Bei-yan, YIN Kui-de
    2009, 18(1):  94-99. 
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    Dry and ripe seeds of Astragalus complanatus were used as explants for rapid propagation to compare the mutagenic effects of different concentrations and durations of colchicine on A. complanatus. Rapid propagation experiments showed that MS was the optimal medium for buds, while MS+6-BA 3.0 mg/L+NAA 0.5 mg/L was the optimal proliferation medium with an average proliferation coefficient of 4.5 and average plantlet height of 3.5 cm. The best rooting medium was 1/2 MS+NAA 0.05 mg/L with a root count of 4-6 and 100% rooting. Apical buds of A. complanatus were immersed in 0.1%, 0.3% and 0.5% colchicine solutions for 1, 2, 3, or 4 d. Chromosome numbers of root tip cells in the regenerated plantlets were examined and showed that treatment with 0.3% colchicine solution for 3 d was the best combination of time and concentration. The polyploid rate was up to 40%.
    Seasonal shift of rumen bacteria quantity of grazing Tibetan sheep and forage nutrition by grazing sheep
    DAN Rui-fang, ZHANG Hai-tao, LONG Rui-jun, DING Xue-zhi, ZHANG Xin
    2009, 18(1):  100-104. 
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    In this study, real time PCR were used to monitor changed quantity of bacteria in rumens of 12 Tibetan sheep with seasonal shift, by collecting rumen content of grazing Tibetan sheep in alpine meadow in spring, summer, autumn and winter, respectively. 1)The quantity of bacteria in grazing Tibetan sheep rumen did not have a significantly change between winter and autumn, and that of spring decreased 2.38, 2.23-fold of autumn and winter, meanwhile, that of summer was significantly higher 5.56-fold, 2.35-fold and 2.49-fold than that of autumn, winter and spring;2)Intake of the grazing sheep in summer was significantly higher 1.98-fold, 1.61-fold and 1.80-fold than that of spring, winter, autumn. Intake of the grazing sheep and quantity of bacteria in rumens of the grazing sheep were decreased with fibre increased of fodder. The quantity of bacteria in rumens of Tibetan sheep changed, which result from fodder, season shift. 3)Real time PCR validated for specific detection and quantification of bacteria in rumens of Tibetan sheep with seasonal shift.
    A study on changes of amino acid profiles after 6 or 16 h rumen degradation of 2 legumes at different maturities
    LIU Tai-yu, LI Meng-yun, NIE Fu-rong, LIU Qing-hua, WANG Yan-ling
    2009, 18(1):  105-111. 
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    Six sheep fitted with permanent ruminal cannulas were used to determine the degradation profiles of amino acids (AA) from two legumes at different maturities after 6 or 16 h ruminal incubation using a nylon - bag technique. 1)With increased maturity of the legumes, the TAA content decreased: The highest values were in the tillering period and the lowest at maturity. 2)After ruminal incubation, Asp, Glu, Gly, Pro, Tyr, Ser, Arg, Thr, Lys and Phe were degraded in the rumen to a greater extent, than Ala, Val, Met, Cys, Ile, and Leu and the highest concentration was after 16 h ruminal incubation. 3)With increased maturity of legumes, all legume AA became less degradable in the rumen.
    Effects of different diet combinations on digestion and metabolism of nutrients of sheep
    LI Yong, HAO Zheng-li, LI Fa-di, WU Qiu-jue, ZHANG Xiao-qing, YE De-he
    2009, 18(1):  112-117. 
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    Three one and a half year old Gansu high mountain fine wool wethers (average live weight 22.5 kg) were fitted with permanent ruminal fistulas and a 3×3 Latin square design was used to study the effects of three combinations of diet (Ⅰ control, Ⅱ with 8% beet pulp, and Ⅲ with 8% apple pomace) on apparent digestion and retention of nitrogen. There were three 19 day periods (a 10-d adjustment followed by 9-d of collections) for each period. Apparent digested DM, OM and digestibility of DM and OM of wethers fed with diets Ⅰ andⅡ were significantly greater than those of Ⅲ (P<0.05). The digested NDF, ADF and the digestibility of NDF and ADF in dietⅡ were greater than those of dietⅠ, while those of diet Ⅲ were lower by comparison with these of diet Ⅰ. The digested N of diet Ⅱ was significantly (P<0.05)greater than that ofⅠ and N digestibility of Ⅱ was significantly (P<0.05) greater than those of Ⅰ and Ⅲ. There was more retained N of Ⅱ than of Ⅰ and Ⅲ. The apparent digestibility of Ca for diet Ⅱ was significantly (P<0.01) greater than those ofⅠand of Ⅲ(P<0.05), and that of Ⅲ was significantly greater than that of Ⅰ. The digested P of diet Ⅲ was (P<0.05)significantly greater than those of Ⅰand Ⅱ. The apparent digestibility of P in diet Ⅲ was greater compared with Ⅰ and Ⅱ.
    A study on the variance of Fusarium graminearum sampled from central Gansu
    LI Jin-hua, JI Li-jing, CHAI Zhao-xiang, Knight T E, Burgess L W
    2009, 18(1):  118-124. 
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    The occurrence of Fusarium graminearum on Triticum aestivum and Zea mays, in the middle areas of Gansu Province, China was assessed by isolation of Fusarium species from T. aestivum roots with brown rot symptoms, from T. aestivum sheaths, T. aestivum soil, Z. mays kernels, and Z. mays stalks. Fusarium isolates were identified by morphology according to Nelson’s system. Fourteen of 43 Fusarium isolates were F. graminearum. It was isolated only from corn stalks. These 14 isolates produced between 2 and 90 perithecia each. PCR using the Fg16 primer set resulted in a product of 0.41 kb from all 14 isolates and of 0.50 kb from the 6 reference isolates. It successfully differentiated between the F. graminearum isolates. PCR reactions using the Tri13 primer showed that all 14 isolates and the three Chinese reference cultures produced DON while the three Australian reference isolates produced fragments of 415 bp showing that they produced NIV.
    Dynamic monitoring of snow cover based on MOD10A1 and AMSR-E in the north of Xinjiang Province, China
    FENG Qi-sheng, ZHANG Xue-tong, LIANG Tian-gang
    2009, 18(1):  125-133. 
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    Accurate monitoring of snow-covered areas plays a significant role in dynamic studies and prevention of snow-caused disasters and of sustainable development in pastoral areas. Using snow cover products and climatic station data, the snow classification accuracy was analyzed for AMSR-E daily SWE (snow water equivalent) products and composite images using AMSR-E SWE and MOD10A1 daily snow cover products in the three snow seasons of November 1 to March 31 from 2002 to 2005 in the north of Xinjiang Province. Results suggested that the snow classification accuracy for AMSR-E daily SWE products is 66.59% and the overall accuracy is 69.49%. The composite images (denoted MODAE1), calculated by the user-defined composite algorithm, combined the advantages of AMSR-E SWE products that are not affected by weather and of MOD10A1 daily snow cover products with higher spatial resolution so that the snow classification accuracy reached 76.43%. The snow depth and land cover have an important effect on the accuracy of snow classification for the MODAE1 composite images. The snow classification accuracy for the composite images increased when the snow depth (SD) was between 1 and 40 cm, reached 90.19% when SD was 31-40 cm; but started to decrease when SD was more than 40 cm. The snow classification accuracy in the pastoral areas reached 77.6%, but declined to 72.7% in open shrub land areas.
    Analysis of dynamic spatial-temporal changes of landscape patterns in Hulunber meadow steppes——Taking Hailaer and surrounding areas as an example
    ZHANG Hong-bin, YANG Gui-xia, HUANG Qing, LI Gang, CHEN Bao-rui, XIN Xiao-ping
    2009, 18(1):  134-143. 
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    The dynamic spatial-temporal changes of landscape patterns in and around Halaer were analysed. First, the research area was divided into water, sand, farmland, city, and grassland based on remote sensing images of 1986, 1991, 1996 and 2001, and on field investigations. Second, the grasslands were classified into highest coverage grassland, high coverage grassland, medium coverage grassland and low coverage grassland using a Normalized Difference Vegetation Index. Finally, the dynamic spatial-temporal changes of the eight kinds of landscape patterns were analyzed using landscape ecology principles. Human activities intensified significantly from 1986 to 2001 in the research area and the area of grassland landscape was rapidly reduced and the extent of fragmentation intensified. The dominant landscape in the research area changed from highest-high coverage grassland to medium-low coverage grassland. Expansion of the sand landscape was obvious in the periphery of roads, city and farmland while the grassland vegetation seriously degenerated. Fragmentation of the city landscape was reduced as patches decrease and became centralized. The economic development pattern of the research area is at a stage that is transforming from an extensive pattern to an intensive urbanization pattern.
    Review of soil seed bank studies: Size, pattern and impacting factors
    SHANG Zhan-huan, REN Guo-hua, LONG Rui-jun
    2009, 18(1):  144-154. 
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    In our study to understand soil seed bank mechanisms we investigated several topics such as species diversity, seed number and their spatio-temporal pattern. All these are important for understanding soil seed bank mechanisms in vegetation ecology. A knowledge of soil seed banks can help with the planning to optimize inputs for vegetation regeneration source and nutrition. All of these factors influenced soil seed bank form, disturbed soil seed bank state, and inputs/outputs. In the study of factors influencing soil seed banks, research methods are an important factor that can affect the result, so we should refer to former experiments to develop good, objective methods to obtain reliable results. In the future, studies of soil seed banks should focus on soil seed bank capacity and composition, as these are important guides to vegetation succession, development and management.
    The basis of molecular biology of senescence in plants
    ZHANG Hai-na, GU Jun-tao, GUO Cheng-jin, LI Cun-dong, XIAO Kai
    2009, 18(1):  155-170. 
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    In agriculture, early-senescence of plant leaves is one of the important factors limiting the yield of grasses and other crops. It is would be useful to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of leaf senescence to enable the establishment of suitable senescing-delaying cultivation techniques in grass production. The productivity and quality of grass species and other crops could thus be further improved. Some studies have found that the initiation of senescence, changes of biochemical metabolic reactions and physiological processes combined with senescence, and modifications in the phenotypes of plants during plant senescence, were all due to the specific and programmed expressions of a group of genes related to plant senescence. There are also distinct coordination networks of expression and regulation among the senescent-related genes during the progress of plant senescence. In this paper, the cloning, functional classification, expression and regulation of senescence-related genes in plants, and progress in genetic engineering for delaying plant senescence are reviewed, with the purpose of providing a reference for improving the yield and quality of grass species and of other crops in the future by regulating the pathway of plant senescence.
    Progress and prospect in studies on Embellisia
    LI Yan-zhong, NAN Zhi-biao
    2009, 18(1):  171-178. 
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    There has been little attention or intensive study of the genus Embellisia Simmons in the 30 years since the genus was established in 1971. However, there is now much interest in it as some important plant pathogens and plant endophytes have been found in recent years. This paper summaries the literature, morphology, biology, physiology, ecology and economic value of the genus and discusses prospects for further studies. Thick and dark conidial septa are the most diagnosing characteristics, and Embellisia is morphologically similar to Helminthosporium, Curvularia, Drechslera etc and also to dematiaceous dictyo-mitosporic fungi such as Stemphylium, Acrodictys, Nimbya, Gibbage, Alternaria and Ulocladium. Twenty three species have been described from various habitats with 21 species found in plant rhizospheres, roots, stems and leaves. Five species have been reported from China. Two groups of Embellisia are of importance: one is plant pathogens which decrease production and quality of Allium satibum, Haycinthus orientalls, or promote degradation of Astragalus adsurgens pastures; the other is plant endophytes which increase toxicity of locoweed (Astragalus spp., Oxytropis spp.) and result in poisoning of livestock. However, the endophytes can produce swainsonine which can be used in treatment of some human diseases. Molecular biology studies have shown that Embellisia spp. are poly-morphic and genetically closer to Nimbya, Alternaria, and Ulocladium than to Stemphyliumn. In the future, toxicosis of livestock caused by the locoweed endophyte must be controlled. New species of Embellisia should be sought, the genetic diversity and teleomorph of Embellisia studied, and the genetics and production mechanism of swainsonie in the endophytic Embellisia elucidated as steps towards better economic utilization of this genus.
    Root distribution characteristics of three turfgrasses and their impact on soil nutrient content
    CHENG Wen-jing, CUI Jian-yu, MIN Fan-hua, HU Lin
    2009, 18(1):  179-183. 
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    Root and soil samples were collected from mature Festuca arundinacea, Lolium perenne and Poa pratensis. The root depth of F. arundinacea had reached 1.8 m, and the root biomass of F. arundinacea was 3.1 and 3.0 times the weight of L. perenne and P. pratensis respectively. There were significant influences of root distribution characteristics of turfgrasses on soil nutrient content. The differences in soil nitrate between turfgrasses were not significant in the 0-40 cm layer, but were significant in the 40-100 cm layer, with a ranking of P. pratensisL. perenneF. arundinacea. Soil available P decreased greatly as soil depth increased, and the differences between turfgrasses were significant in the 0-60 cm layer with rankings of P. pratensisL. perenneF. arundinacea. Soil available K was highest at 0-20 cm and showed no decrease in the 20-100 cm layer.
    Effects of nitrogenous fertilizer strategies on sugar components in the stubbles of Zea mexicana
    ZHANG Xiao-yan, LIU Feng, WANG Feng-yun, DONG Shu-ting
    2009, 18(1):  184-187. 
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    High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technology was used to measure sugar content in the stubbles of Zea mexicana. The effect of nitrogen on sugar content and the relationship between sugar content and regeneration in the stubbles was analyzed and showed that the soluble sugar content of Z. mexicana. Following one nitrogen application was significantly higher than that of the CK, which was higher than that of the three nitrogen applications treatment. The sugar content decreased as the amount of nitrogen increased. There were five soluble sugars (WSP, sucrose, glucose, fructose and mannitol) in the stubbles of Z. mexicana, and after nitrogen application, the contents of WSP, sucrose, glucose and fructose was lower than that of the CK. The sucrose and glucose content decreased with an increase of nitrogen but the fructose content increased. Regression analysis showed that sucrose, fructose and mannitol were the principal factors that affected the regeneration of Z. mexicana. The sucrose and mannitol content decreased while fructose rose during the H1 period but sucrose content rose while fructose and mannitol contents decreased during the H2 period and were favorable for regrowth. The CK dry matter yield of the regrowth was the lowest of the treatments and the highest biomass was obtained using a low nitrogen quantity (300 kg/hm2) applied once or a high nitrogen quantity (600 kg/hm2) applied three times.
    N-alkanes characteristic of roughage from the sheep grazing system in the Songnen Plain farming-pastoral zone
    SUN Hai-xia, ZHOU Dao-wei, LIU Chun-long
    2009, 18(1):  188-191. 
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    Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons in the cuticular wax of plants, which can be used as a marker for determination of dry matter intake and diet selection by grazing ruminants. The concentrations and profiles of alkanes from roughage (introduced and natural Leymus chinensis grassland, maize, and soybean residues), were analysed to provide basic data for research on grazing sheep in the farming-pastoral zone of the Songnen Plain. The n-alkane profiles of forage from grassland and crop residues were different from different species. In the range of C21-C35, the content of odd n-alkanes were more abundant than those of the even n-alkanes. Whole L. chinensis at different growth stages, Echinochloa crusgalli, and Artemisia anethifolia collected in May, Sonchus bracyotus growing in May and August, Setaria viridis, and stems, leaves, and pods of Glycine max and Zea mays crop residues, had the maximum alkane concentration for C31. The concentration of C29 n-alkanes was most abundant in Iris ensata and ear heads of L. chinensis and E. crusgalli in July while A. anethifolia had a maximum alkane concentration for C27 in August.