Table of Content

20 April 2012, Volume 21 Issue 2

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Desertification mechanisms and process of soil chemical and physical properties in Hulunbeir sandy grassland, Inner Mongolia

ZHAO Ha-lin, ZHOU Rui-lian , ZHAO Xue-yong, ZHANG Tong-hui, WANG Jin

2012, 21(2):  1-7. 

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A field investigation on soil chemical and physical properties in different kinds of desertified grassland was conducted during 2009 in the Chenbaer Banner, Hulunbuir Sand Land of Inner Mongolia to understand desertification mechanisms and processes in grassland soils. The results showed that, 1) With developing desertification, fine particles (clay and silt) in soil decreased significantly while sand increased significantly, giving a courser soil texture, Loss of soil fine particles was most serious in moderate desertification; 2) In the desertification process, changes in soil bulk density and soil temperature were not significant, but soil hardness decreased significantly and soil moisture increased slightly; 3) Land desertification resulted in a reduction of soil organic carbon, soil nitrogen and phosphorus, while C/N and soil pH decreased synchronously; 4) Changes of soil organic and nutrient content had a significant positive correlation with soil clay and silt contents, while soil hardness had a significant positive correlation with soil fine particles and organic matter. Relativity in soil bulk density, soil temperature and soil moisture with soil texture was not significant; 5)In the desertification process, loss of soil clay and silt was the primary mechanism to cause soil coarseness and resulted in a reduction of soil hardness, soil organic carbon and nutrient contents, with lesser effects on soil bulk density, soil temperature and moisture in Hulunbeir sandy land.

Status of some selected major and trace elements in pasture soil from northeast of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

XIN Guo-sheng, LONG Rui-jun, SHANG Zhan-huan, DING Lu-ming, GUO Xu-sheng

2012, 21(2):  8-17. 

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The status of mineral elements in surface soils of natural grazing pasture was investigated to better understand the potential effects on soil-plant-animal ecosystems. The study was conducted in 4 counties from the northeast of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Soil samples (256) from alpine meadow soil (AMS), sub-alpine meadow soil (SAMS), and marshy soil (MS) were collected from these areas, and analyzed to determine the total and available concentrations of 13 elements (Ca, P, S, K, Mg, Na, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Co, Mo, and Se). The concentrations of mineral elements in soils varied with region and soil type. Total concentrations for most elements were below the national average of soils from China in one or more counties. However, the available concentrations of all mineral elements selected were above their critical levels for animal health, with the exception of Mg, P, and Se. These mineral deficiencies in soils have potential effects on the deficiency and/or imbalance of mineral elements in plants and animals. In addition, excessive Fe in soil could improve the Fe content of forage, but may eventually hamper absorption of some other mineral elements by livestock. Further research on mineral elements in plants and animals should be conducted to ascertain whether some mineral elements in soil are limiting grass and grazing livestock production in these regions.

Effect of different vegetation types on soil organic carbon in Mu Us desert

DING Yue-kui, YANG Jie, SONG Bing-yu, Hugejiletu, ZHANG Lin

2012, 21(2):  18-25. 

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Through comparing the concentration and inventory of soil organic carbon (SOC) and its distribution in soil profiles under nine different vegetation types in the Mu Us desert, the effect of different vegetation types on SOC were studied. The order of the concentration and inventory of SOC in the 0―80 cm soil layer were: Iris lactea var. chinensis community>Achnatherum splendens community>Salix matsudana community>Artemisia ordosica community on fixed sandy land>Salix psammophila community>Artemisia ordosica community on semifixed sandy land>farmland>Caragana intermedia community>shifting sandy land. With an increase of soil depth, the SOC concentration showed a significant accumulation in the A. ordosica community (fixed sandy land), C. intermedia community, S. matsudana community, A. splendens community, I. lactea var. chinensis community and farmland, but was gradually reduced in the A. ordosica community (semifixed sandy land), shifting sandy land and S. psammophila community. The distributions in soil profiles of SOC inventory and SOC concentration under each vegetation type were similar but differed in amplitude of variation. Vegetation construction on shifting sand would contribute to soil carbon sequestration and the A. ordosica and S. psammophila communities had better effects. Strong human disturbance should be reduced or avoided to prevent the change of carbon in shallow soil layers and to keep the stability of the soil carbon pool.

A study on the influence of grazing disturbance on soil fauna communities in subalpine meadows

XIAO Hong-yan, LIU Hong, LI Bo, YUAN Xing-zhong, SUN Shu-cun

2012, 21(2):  26-33. 

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Soil fauna in subalpine meadows of north-west Sichuan with various grazing pressures were studied to assess the influences of different grazing disturbances on soil fauna communities and to offer some scientific foundation for subalpine meadow ecosystem management. A total of 1 877 individuals were collected and found to represent 3 phyla, 7 classes, 15 orders and 49 groups. There were large differences in the dominant groups of soil fauna under different grazing intensities. The numbers of soil fauna in the various sites were in the order: heavy grazing＞moderate grazing＞light grazing. The individual density of soil micro-fauna was the highest while that of soil macro-fauna was the lowest. Both the individual density and the group number of soil fauna decreased with increasing soil depth and the numbers of groups and individuals of soil fauna in the moderately grazed habitat decreased most dramatically. With the disturbance of grazing pressures and forms, the diversities and evenness of abundance of soil fauna under moderate grazing were lower than those in other habitats, while the dominances were higher.

Community characteristics and soil nutrient dynamics in the beginning two years after artificial vegetation on rock slope

WANG Zhi-tai, BAO Yu, LI Yi

2012, 21(2):  34-42. 

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In order to know the vegetation characteristics and nutrient variation in the beginning period of ecological protection engineering on the rock slope, a study was done to test main community characteristics such as species composition, coverage and height, and soil nutrient factors such as organic matter and available nutrient elements. The research has been taken monthly on three slopes with different aspect and gradient in two years after vegetation planted. Results showed that: 1) There was significant seasonal changes on quantitative characteristics of plant communities generally at the early period since artificial vegetation planted. During the first year the number of species, which most belonged to planting’s, was few, and enriched greatly with invasion of local native plants in the next year. There were two withered periods of slope vegetation in a year, hot summer and cold winter. Living part coverage of the community was minimum during later winter and spring, recovered greatly from May and ascended until July, declined in August and September, then ascended again in October and got to the best in November. Community height in second year was higher than that in first year. 2) Content of available nitrogen and phosphorus decreased fluctuantly in two years, and lower than that of the beginning of artificial vegetation established. Available potassium content in No.1 and No.2 slopes declined after two years waved changing, but increased in No.3 slope. Content of organic matter increased greatly after fluctuant movement in first year, declined significantly in first three month of the second year, then stabilized until the end of the year. The content of organic matter at the end of the second year was lower than that at the same time of the first year. 3) There was obvious difference of species component and community coverage among three slopes in first two month of the beginning period, with the slopes were covered generally, slope aspect and gradient had no obvious influence to community characteristics.

Landscape pattern analysis of alpine steppe based on airborne hyperspectral imagery in Maduo county, Qinghai province

JIAO Quan-jun, ZHANG Bing, ZHAO Jing-jing, LIU Liang-yun, HU Yong

2012, 21(2):  43-50. 

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Landscape ecology has been widely used in grassland resource management and in ecological security evaluation. A multi-scale analysis of landscape statistics is very important for correlation with ecological processes. Acquiring features of landscape patterns from different grassland types with various fractional vegetation cover is one type of basic work in landscape scale analysis of grassland degradation. Extraction of small-scale landscape patterns from high resolution remote sensing is a useful attempt to carry out landscape-scale analysis. The present study analyzed different spectral characteristics of different grassland types and took precision grassland types mapping based on airborne high spatial resolution hyperspectral PIS imagery in Maduo county, Qinghai province. Metre-resolution landscape pattern differences in alpine steppe study areas with different fractional vegetation cover were explored through three landscape indices (landscape heterogeneity, landscape fragmentation and landscape dominance level). The results showed that landscape heterogeneity index and landscape dominance index are closely related to the level of fractional vegetation cover in alpine grassland. However, with reduced fractional vegetation cover of alpine steppe sample areas, fragmentation index initially decreased but then increased.

Dynamic responses on anti-oxidative defense system and lipid peroxidation of Lespedeza davurica to drought stress and re-watering

DU Run-feng, HAO Wen-fang, WANG Long-fei

2012, 21(2):  51-61. 

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The effects of different soil water levels [well-watered (CK), moderately stressed (DR₁) and severely stressed (DR₂)] and re-watering on antioxidant defense systems and membrane-lipid peroxidation of Lespedeza davurica was studied in a pot trial. The contents of malonaldehyde (MDA), ascorbic acid (AsA) and carotenoid (Car), as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in leaves of L. davurica under drought stress and re-watering were determined by sampling plants once every three days after the beginning of treatment, until 15 days of stress treatment. The results indicated that: 1) with increasing stress time, the activities of SOD, POD, CAT and APX in leaves were significantly higher in the water-stressed plants compared with well-watered plants. With an increase of drought stress intensity, SOD activity increased but activities of CAT and APX decreased. However, POD activity initially decreased but then increased after 6 days. In terms of anti-oxidants, the Car content in leaves were significantly higher in the water-stressed plants compared with well-watered plants, but the AsA content did not change significantly, although as the drought stress intensity increased, it initially decreased and then increased while the Car content was rising. Production of O₂^·- was increased by continuous drought stress treatment, and its accumulation resulted in lipid peroxidation, and in increased MDA content. In addition, as drought stress increased, MDA content increased in the first 6 days but there were no further significant changes in each treatment group although the O₂^·- content decreased. 2) After re-watering, the activities of APX and CAT, and the contents of Car and O₂^·- all increased, while the others decreased. 3) The antioxidant capacity of this plant was comprehensively evaluated by the subordinate function. L. davurica has higher drought resistance, and anti-oxidant capacity when moderately stressed than when severely stressed. Moderate stress may therefore be more suitable for the growth and development of this plant.

Effect of water stress and rewatering on the physiological and biochemical characteristics of Phalaris arundinacea

SONG Jia-zhuang, LI Ping-ping, FU Wei-guo

2012, 21(2):  62-69. 

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To investigate the responsive mechanisms and drought resistance of Phalaris arundinacea, the changes of physiological and biochemical indicators were studied over a long time, using pot-cultures under continuous artificial water stress conditions in a greenhouse. 1) During drought stress, the soil water content declined rapidly but the relative water content of leaves was not significantly reduced and was maintained at a normal level until the 12th day of drought. 2) In the process of drought stress, the soluble protein and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents increased continuously. 3) On the whole the contents of chlorophyll (Chl), chlorophyl a (Chla), carotenoid (Car) and the ratio of Chla/Chlb, Car/Chl all increased with the duration of prolonged drought. 4) In the late stages of drought stress, the chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of minimal fluorescence (Fo) and the non-photochemical quenching coefficient (NPQ) increased, while the maximal fluorescence (Fm), maximal quantum yield of PSⅡ(Fv/Fm), potential activities of PSⅡ(Fv/Fo) and photochemical quenching coefficient (qP) all decreased. 5) All the indicators were quickly restored to different degrees after rewatering. All these preliminarily results indicate that P. arundinacea has strong protection and damage repair capabilities which enable it to adapt to a high degrees of drought stress.

A study on photosynthesis and photo-response characteristics of three Salvia species

ZHANG Li-wen, ZHONG Guo-cheng, ZHANG Li, YANG Rui-wu, DING Chun-bang, ZHOU Yong-hong

2012, 21(2):  70-76. 

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To provide basic data for wild plant resources protection and cultivation of three Salvia species, the photosynthetic characteristics of adaptation and physiological response are reported in this paper. Plant chlorophyll concentrations were determined by colorimetry. Photosynthesis characteristics were evaluated using a LI-6400 portable photosynthetic system and data were fitted with different models to investigate the photosynthesis-light response curves using SPSS 18.0. Chlorophyll contents of the three Salvia species were significantly different. Photosynthesis-light response curves of all 3 plants fitted the new photosynthetic light-response model. The apparent quantum efficiency (AQY), Pn_max and LCP of S. miltiorrhiza were 0.040 3, 13.32 μmol/(m²·s) and 24.37 μmol/(m²·s), respectively, and were the lowest of the three plants while those of S. paohsingensis were the highest. The light radiation net photosynthetic rate (Pn), intercellular CO₂ concentration (Ci), stomatal conductance (Gs) and transpiration rate (Tr) of the three species of Salvia showed different responses to the photosynthetically available radiation flux density (PAR). The new photosynthetic light-response model gave accurate values for the physiological parameters of S. miltiorrhiza, S. paohsingensis and S. brevilabra. Neither S. miltiorrhiza nor S. paohsingensis were typical positive plants, and the shadow resistance of S. brevilabra was good. Intercropping with tall crops such as corn was good for increasing the net photosynthesis rate of S. miltiorrhiza and for retarding transpiration.

Antioxidant and osmoregulation substance properties of flower buds in Platycodon grandiflorus male sterile lines

LIU Zi-gang, YANG Ya-li, HU Tian-ming,WANG Yu-lin, XU-Rui, LEI Yan-ni, HE Jun

2012, 21(2):  77-82. 

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Male sterility is very important in the utilization of hybrid heterosis in Platycodon grandiflorus. The physiological and biochemical mechanisms of male sterile material, the contents of soluble sugar, free proline, soluble protein, and the activity of superoxide dismultase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) in flower buds at different developmental stages of male sterile lines and viable lines were investigated. The results showed that: 1) The contents of soluble sugar, free proline, and soluble protein in flower buds at different developmental stages of male sterile lines was lower than those of viable lines. Free proline irreversibly increased in male sterile buds as flower buds developed, but its content in viable buds was lower. 2) The variation in activity of reactive oxygen species and scavenger enzymes was almost same between sterile buds and viable buds during bud development, whereas activities of SOD, POD, and CAT was higher in male sterile buds than in viable buds. 3) The malondialdehyde (MDA) content of male sterile buds was higher than that of viable buds at all times. High activity of reactive oxygen species, scavenger enzymes, high content of MDA and low content of free proline may be the results of male sterility in P. grandiflorus.

A study on allelopathic activities of different organs of 23 alfalfa species

LUO Xiao-yong, SUN Juan

2012, 21(2):  83-91. 

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The allelopathic activities of different organs of 23 alfalfa species were studied using seedlings of lettuce and wheat as the receiver plants. The alfalfa plant tissue was ground to a powder and mixed with agar (PPA) in the laboratory. The growth of the two species of receiver plant seedlings were inhibited differently by different organs of the 23 alfalfa species and the inhibitory effects on radicals (or seminal roots) were higher than those on hypocotyls (or coleoptiles) at 1 g/L concentration. The susceptibility of lettuce to all alfalfa species was considerably higher than that of wheat. Of all the species, WL324, Aohan, Gannong No.1 and Gannong No.4 showed higher total activity against lettuce, while on wheat it was Gannong No.1, Gannong No.3, Gannong No.4 and Gongnong No.1. Although the inhibitions of 3 organs on the 2 species of receiver plants were clearly different, they showed a total trend of activities in the order roots>leaves>shoots.

Effect of adding wet hulless barley distillers’ grains on fermentation quality of mixed ensilage of hulless barley straw and tall fescue in Tibet

YUAN Xian-jun, YU Cheng-qun, LI Zhi-hua, Masataka Shimojo, SHAO Tao

2012, 21(2):  92-98. 

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The effect of adding wet, hulless barley distillers’ grains (WHDG) on the fermentation quality in mixed silage of hulless barley (Hordeum vulgare) straw and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) during ensiling was assessed. There were three treatments of different WHDG addition ratios (10%, 20% and 30% of fresh weight) plus a control. The silos were opened on 7, 14 and 30 days after ensiling and the fermentation quality was analyzed. WHDG addition significantly improved the mixed silage fermentation quality, as indicated by a sharp accumulation of lactic acid (LA) (P<0.05), faster decline of pH, lower butyric acid content (BA) and NH₃-N/total N (P<0.05) as compared with control silage. These results indicated that WHDG addition not only effectively inhibited the activity of aerobic bacteria, but also speeded-up and greatly enhanced lactic acid production and pH reduction. This restricted the utilization of water soluble carbohydrate by undesirable bacteria and reduced the loss of water soluble carbohydrate, leaving more residual water soluble carbohydrate for lactic acid bacteria. From results of the present study, it is suggested that 20% WHDG addition is effective for improving the fermentation quality of mixed ensilage of hulless barley straw and tall fescue.

The impacts of N fertilization and clipping on the growth and salt accumulation of Salicornia europaea

LIANG Fei, TIAN Chang-yan, ZHANG Hui

2012, 21(2):  99-105. 

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The effects of fertilization and clipping on salt accumulation and growth of Salicornia europaea, were studied in field experiments using clipping and four nitrogen levels (0, 150, 300, 450 kg/ha). Growth, contents and accumulative amounts of K, Na, Ca, Mg of S. europaea were measured. N fertilizer application to S. europaea increased biomass and salt accumulation but the concentration trends of K, Na, Ca and Mg in terms of direction and inflection point were different. The fresh weights were higher with clipping, but the dry weights were less. Clipping led to increased contents and accumulative amounts of K, but not of Na and Ca while Mg differed depending on the timing of clipping. Na and Ca content of S. europaea handling in cutting first increased, but then decreased with nitrogen supply, The results were the opposite with no cutting. Magnesium decreased with N fertilization application during blooming and fruit stages, but increased during the maturation stage. Under the conditions of this experiment, fertilization and clipping stimulated S. europaea growth, and strengthened the effectiveness of bioremediation of saline soil.

The physiological response of different greenbelt plants irrigated by reclaimed water for short-term

WANG Qi, MA Hong-jun, SHI Chun-juan, LIU Ying-jie, ZHOU De-quan, SUN Ji-xiong

2012, 21(2):  106-115. 

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The greenbelt irrigated by the reclaimed water can expand the range of the reclaimed water application, and has the important meaning for the realization of urban wastewater reuse. Adopting the soil column cultivation experiment, the physiology reaction of nine green plants irrigated by the reclaimed water (clear water irrigation as control) were determined, the results showed that the reclaimed water irrigation would produce certain effect on physiological mechanism of greenland plants, the effect was related with different plant species; and the relative water content of leaves, relative conductivity, free proline content, malondialdehyde (MDA), chlorophyll content and chlorophyll fluorescence has a tide of seasons dynamic changes. Except for the MDA content of Ficus microcarpa cv., Bougainvillea spectabilis, Litchi chinensis has significant difference (P<0.05) between under the reclaimed irrigation and the clear water irrigation, the other greenbelt plants has no significant difference (P>0.05). So it showed that the reclaimed irrigation will not harm to the growth of plants.

The relevant factors of callus induction of early spring ephemeral Lachnoloma lehmannii (Brassicaceae)

MANSUR Nasir, TAN Dun-yan, LIAO Kang

2012, 21(2):  116-122. 

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Lachnoloma lehmannii is an annual early spring ephemeral Brassicaceae species in the Junggar Desert of northern Xinjiang. The primary aims of this study were to research the conditions for callus induction in L. lehmannii. Using the aspect seedling cotyledon as explants, the effect of seedling age, media, sucrose concentration and the culture condition on callus induction and their growth was investigated. The most suitable condition for callus induction was seedlings of optimal age (14 days) on an MS culture medium containing 1.0 mg/L IBA+0.1 mg/L BAP, with a suitable concentration of sucrose (3%), at a temperature of 25℃ in the dark. The best condition for callus growth was a temperature of 25℃ in the light with a photoperiod of 16 h/day.

Cloning and analysis of dihydroflavonol reductase (DFR) gene from Medicago sativa

DONG Jie, WANG Xue-min, WANG Zan, GAO Hong-wen, SUN Gui-zhi

2012, 21(2):  123-132. 

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Dihydroflavonol reductase (DFR) is a key enzyme in condensed tannin synthesis pathway. A cDNA of DFR gene is cloned from alfalfa (Medicago sativa) by using rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) method. The expression pattern of MsDFR under different stresses was analyzed by qRT-PCR. The bio-informatical analysis showed that the full-length of cDNA sequence is 1 402 bp and includes a 1 023 bp open reading frame which encodes a 340-amino-acid polypeptide. A nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP) binding site “VTGASGFIGSWLVMRLMERGY” and a substrate specificity motif “TLNVTEDQKPLWDESCWSDVEFCRRV” were detected in the deduced amino acid sequence of MsDFR. The results of Real-time PCR indicate that the expression level of MsDFR gene is highest in pods, and least in root. The expression of MsDFR gene under stress of NaCl and GA₃ is down-regulated. In dark environment, the MsDFR gene expression was induced. There is a gibberellin (GA) signaling-independent pathway of tannin synthesis in alfalfa.

Optimization of SCoT reaction system and genetic diversity of different fall dormancy alfalfa

HE Qing-yuan, WANG Wu-bin, YANG Hong-yan, XIANG Shi-hua, ZHOU Li-ying, WANG Song-hua

2012, 21(2):  133-140. 

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Genomic DNA was extracted by advanced CTAB methods from Medicago sativa and Medicago hispida. The optimum SCoT-PCR (start codon targeted polymorphism) reaction system in alfalfa was established with orthogonal design experiments on four levels of five factors (DNA, dNTPs, Mg²⁺, Taq polymerase, and primer). A suitable SCoT reaction system was a 20 μL mixture containing 50 ng DNA, 1.00 mmol/L Mg²⁺, 1.20 U Taq polymerase, 0.40 mmol/L dNTPs and 0.30 μmol/L primers. Of the 50 primers screened, 13 generated highly polymorphic fragments useable as SCoT markers, and 34 accessions were amplified by these 13 primers. A total of 103 bands (including 92 polymorphic bands) were detected by the 13 chosen primers. The 34 accessions were divided into two groups. Two M. hispida cultivars from Anhui and Jiangsu were clustered into one group. The remaining 32 cultivars were classified into three sub-groups with a similarity coefficient of 0.757. Fall dormancy alfalfa cultivars were mostly distributed in the second sub-group. Semi-fall dormancy and non-fall dormancy alfalfa cultivars did not converge into the same sub-group thus showing incomplete similarity between fall dormancy alfalfas.

A study on transformation and expression of the Lyz-GFP genes mediated by agrobacteria in creeping bentgrass variety Penn A-1

AN Hui-hui, MA Hui-ling, LI Jian, BAI Sheng-jun, MA Xiang

2012, 21(2):  141-148. 

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Mature embryos of bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) Penn A-1 were used to establish a highly efficient regeneration system. The dual genes Lyz-GFP (Lysozyme gene and green fluorescence protein gene) were transformed into embryonic calli of creeping bentgrass by an agrobacterium-mediation method to obtain transgenic plants with disease resistance capability. The best conditions for transformation of the Lyz-GFP genes in Penn A-1 were studied. The callus induction ratio of Penn A-1 was highest at 36% on MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/L 2, 4-D and 0.1 mg/L 6-BA, and the calli had the optimum growth status. The highest differentiation ratio was 42.5% on MSO medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/L NAA. The study also showed that growth of agrobacterium LBA4404 was restrained by 300 mg/L cefotaxime (Cef). Transformed calli performed well in later growth periods as well as in the regeneration of transgenic plants after infection with agrobacterium LBA4404 (OD₆₀₀: 0.3-0.5) carried with pBI121-Lyz-GFP for 10-15 min, and co-cultured for 3 days. The transformation ratio of calli was 12.5%; the regeneration ratio of transgenic plants was 27.5%; the transgenic plants strongly expressed fluorescence, and the 750 bp target fragments of the GFP gene were amplified by PCR from 2 acquired transgenic plants with expression of Penn A-1 fluorescence.

Analysis of physiological and biochemical characteristics of T₁ salt-tolerant transgenic alfalfa transformed with the Rhizophora apiculatatotal total DNA via the pollen-tube pathway

ZHANG Li-quan, AO Deng-hua, SHI Wen-gui, NIU Yi-ding, HAN Lan, HASI Agula

2012, 21(2):  149-155. 

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With 300 mmol/L NaCl stress, the physiological and biochemical indexes, including chlorophyll, proline and MDA content, and antioxidase activity, of T₁ transgenic alfalfa transformed with Rhizophora apiculata total DNA by the pollen-tube pathway, were investigated. The transgenic plantlets had a reduced chlorophyll content of 0.09-0.29 times, but the non-transgenic plant had 0.32 times. The proline content of transgenic plantlets was enhanced by 1.2 to 4.2 times, but for non-transgenic plant it was 0.9 times. The increased proportion of MDA content was 0.15-0.29 times in transgenic plantlets compared with 0.36 times for non-transgenic plant. However, the transgenic plantlets had increased SOD activity (0.20-0.25 times) compared with the non-transgenic plant (0.19 times). The POD and CAT activity of the transgenic plantlets were 1.6-5.6 times and 1.2-1.3 times respectively compared with non- transgenic plants. This suggested that the transgenic plantlets had the physiological and biochemical characteristics of salt tolerant plants.

Effects of salt stress on the activity of PM-ATPase and 5′-AMPase of Saussurea runcinata at seedling stage

LI Peng-fei, DU Hai-yan, XIA Fang-shan, DONG Qiu-li, DONG Kuan-hu

2012, 21(2):  156-161. 

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Salt stress affects plant growth and development and reduces productivity of crops. This experiment was carried out to determine the MDA, plasma membrane ATP enzyme (PM-ATPase) and 5′-neucleotidase (5′-AMPase) of Saussurea runcinata seedling by NaCl and Na₂CO₃ stress (The concentration of Na⁺ is 0, 60, 120, 180, 240, 300 and 360 mmol/L) in order to assess the effects of its membrane systemthe under salinity and salt tolereance about it. It has been shown that the MDA increased by salinity stress. The content of MDA in roots and leaves of S. runcinata reached the maximum under Na₂CO₃ stress in the Na⁺ concentration of 360 mmol/L, respectively, 2.15 times and 1.94 times than the control. The maximum content of MDA in leaves of S. runcinata 1.22 times than the control. The activity of PM-ATPase and 5′-AMPase in the roots is higher than those in the leaves under the same concentration of Na⁺. The activity of PM-ATPase and 5′-AMPase were significantly difference by two different salinity stress. The maximum activity of PM-ATPase in the roots of S. runcinata up to 56.29 μg pi/(mg protein·h),but the activity of 5′-AMPase up to 53.91 μg pi/(mg protein·h). In a word, the damage of the roots of the S. runcinata is smaller than the leaves under the salinity stress, the S. runcinata more resistant to NaCl stress.

Analysis of agronomic characteristics and chromosome configuration of new strains of sorghum-sudangrass of low hydrocyanic acid content

FANG Yong-yu, YU Xiao-xia, YU Zhuo, MA Yan-hong, LI Xiao-yu, LI Zao-zhe

2012, 21(2):  162-170. 

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In order to investigate the growth characteristics, production performance, nutritional value and cytogenetic characteristics of the four new strains of sorghum-sudangrass SLCN-11, SLCN-12, SLCN-13, SLCN-14, the main agronomic characteristics and chromosome configuration, such as the growth rate, fertility, photosynthetic performance, fresh and seed yields, hydrocyanic acid content, nutrients and so on, were analyzed. The four new strains grew fast and were tall, tillering ability was strong, the growth period was 130-138 d, the ear type was in middle of their parents, pollen fertility rate was above 96%, seed setting rate was 72.11%-73.34%, The chromosome pairing behavior at PMC M I was regular (2n=2x=20=10Ⅱ). The four new strains had stronger photosynthetic capacity. Their fresh and seed yields were high. The fresh and seed yields of strain SLCN-11 were the highest. The hydrocyanic acid content of the four new strains were low, the hydrocyanic acid content in fresh sorghum-sudangrass was only 5.80-10.43 mg/kg when the plant height was about 100 cm, which was safe for feeding animals. The ratio of stem to leave was low and the nutritional value was high. At the jointing stage, the crude protein content of four new strains was 14.67%-16.31%, the crude fiber content was 24.31%-24.72%, and was rich in crude fat, nitrogen free extract, calcium, phosphorus and amino acids.

Karyotype comparison of poppy (Papaver somniferum) isoform collected from different areas in China

WEI Yu-jie, HE Qing-xiang, ZHANG Jin-wen, ZHANG Mei-xiu

2012, 21(2):  171-179. 

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Through raditional quashing method, we studied the chromosome number and karyotype of 2 poppy(Papaver somniferum) isoform with 10 samples, which were collected from five provinces in China. The results showed that two subtypes Isoform No.1 and No.2 were diploid with 2n=2x=22 chromosomes.The composition of relative length chromosomes for Isoform No.1 and No.2 was 2L+3M2+5M1+1S.The karyotype formula for Isoform No.1 was 18sm+4st, and the asymmetry index was 72.04% (“4A” type). The karyotype formula for Isoform No.2 was 16sm+6st,and the asymmetry index was 73.00% (“4B” type). The karyotype of different sample were highly asymmetrical, but slight differences were present among them.

Effects of different land-use types on larger-size soil animal communities in the northern region of Qinghai Lake

LIN Gong-hua, ZHAO Fang, CHEN Gui-chen, CHEN Sheng-yun, SU Jian-ping, ZHANG Tong-zuo

2012, 21(2):  180-186. 

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To investigate the effects of different land-use styles on soil animal communities in the grasslands of the northern region of Qinghai Lake, the larger-size soil animals from 10 different sites were investigated. A total of 657 animals (belonging to 3 classes 9 orders 13 taxonomic groups) were collected, with larval Coleopteran (beetles), larval Diptera and adult Coleopteran as the dominant groups. Compared with former related studies in other regions in the northwest of China, the northern region of Qinghai Lake had rather low numbers (11 individuals per 50 cm×50 cm×20 cm quadrat) and diversity, perhaps due to the arid nature of the area. Compared with three other original grassland types, abandoned land in the Guoluozang County area, soil animals were very scarce, while in the reseeded land there were significantly larger numbers of soil animals, indicating that cultivations had destructive effects on the Achnatherum grassland, while manual activities might be helpful for the recovery process. In the Lanniwan area, there were no differences in animal numbers, biomass and biodiversity between 18-years and 6-years enclosed grassland, but the unfenced grazing channel had significantly lower numbers and animal biomass than the two enclosed grasslands, indicating the negative effects of degraded vegetation and soil conditions on soil animal communities. In the River Beach area, there were no differences of animal biomass, number and biodiversity between the grazing channel and the enclosed meadow steppe, perhaps due to the humid soil environment in the area.

Metabolic energy balance and countermeasures study in the north grassland of China

YANG Bo, WU Jian-ping, YANG Lian, KEMP David, GONG Xu-yin, TAKAHASHI Taro, FENG Ming-ting

2012, 21(2):  187-195. 

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Feed balance is the prerequisite of the sustainability of grassland animal husbandry. The techniques of monitoring and evaluation of feed balance is the base of achieving sustainability on this matter. The paper is to discus the techniques used in the study to evaluate and to monitory the feed balance, of which the metabolic energy(ME) of sheep requirement and of grassland supervision in a year around were used as the benchmark to understand the feed balance status of the typical farm in Sunan County of Gansu province, in addition, supplementation strategy was worked out in according with the feed balance status of the typical farms of the pilot farm in this study. The results showed ME provision from grassland was higher than animal maintenance requirement in warm season from June to October, consequently, the body weight of sheep increased significantly. The ME provision was in deficit in cold season from November to May, as the results, the body weight losses was significant during this period of time. The stocking rate was the highest in summer pasture among 3 pasture types which were summer pasture, winter pasture and spring and autumn pasture. The results also showed the ME requirement of sheep fed in warm shed in winter was lower than those in conventional yard which should be an alternative in relieving ME deficit in winter and benefit in feed balance too. Experiment was designed to test the ewes were fed in warm shed in winter, the results showed the wool yield of experimental sheep was 0.73 kg/head higher than those of controls, the body weight loss decreased 14.9%, and pure income increased 126.25 Yuan/head respectively. The study also demonstrated that the lambing time had large effect on feed balance. Under the range of the production practice, the delaying lambing time can improve feed balance. The research measured lambs growth performance and the body condition of ewe which lambed in April and May. Result showed the birth weight of the lamb born in May and June were significantly higher than those born in April although the body weight of the lamb born in May was 4-5 kg lower than April lambs because of short growing time. However, the pen feed practice may be applied to achieve heavier body weight at the selling time of September. By conclusion, ME as the benchmark is a precise way in monitoring and evaluation of the feed balance status of the pasture animal husbandry, which at the end will ensure the process of achieving sustainability for pasture based animal husbandry in China. In addition, better understanding of the feed balance status will also help technicians and farmers to alter the production practice so that supplementation strategies and management practice can be applied accordingly.

Applying grey correlative degree analysis to comprehensively evaluate the influence of different defoliation intensities on nutritional value of Amorpha fruticosa

GUO Xia, LIU Xue-yun, ZHOU Zhi-yu, LIANG Kun-lun, WANG Rui

2012, 21(2):  196-204. 

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The influences of nutritional quality on Amorpha fruticosa were studied using five simulated defoliation intensities (20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% proportion of aboveground vegetation). The grey correlation degree method was used to comprehensively analyze seven nutritional indexes: crude ash (Ash), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), water-soluble sugar (WSC), crude protein (CP), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). When the defoliation intensity of A. fruticosa was 40%, the weighted grey correlation degree of leaves and stems was 0.781 2 and 0.651 3, respectively. This was larger than that of the other defoliation intensities. A. fruticosa had the best nutritional value with the 40% defoliation intensity treatment.

Relationship of stable carbon isotope concentration in diet and tissues of beef cattle

SUN Feng-mei, WANG Hui-wen, SHI Guang-yu, YANG Shu-ming

2012, 21(2):  205-211. 

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The effect of quantity of C₃ or C₄ plants in diets on the carbon (δ¹³C) stable isotope composition of different types of beef tissues were investigated. Eighteen (12 to 14 months old) young bulls were randomly divided into six groups and fed with a diet consisting of 52.0%,61.6%,71.2%,80.8%,90.4%,or 100% C₄ plant material. The remainder of the dietary constituents was from C₃ plants. The cattle were butchered after 132 days. The δ¹³C values of cattle tail hair, defatted muscle, crude fat and each feed material were determined by isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). The stable carbon isotope compositions of the beef tissues were primarily affected by diet, and the difference of δ¹³C value of cattle tail hair fed on the same diet decreased with time. The δ¹³C values of cattle tail hair, defatted muscle and crude fat all become enriched with increasing proportions of C₄ constituents in the diet. Moreover, all δ¹³C values of the different tissues (cattle tail hair＞defatted muscle＞crude fat) were significantly correlated with the content of C₄ plant material. Based on these results, it is possible for the proportion of C₄ plant material to be estimated from the δ¹³C values of the different tissue samples, thus the cattle tail hair, defatted muscle and crude fat can all be used to trace back to diet.

Impact study on efficiency of pig feeding and nutritional composition of meat on the basis of bio-bed system

ZHAO Dong-qing, WU Jian-ping, DUAN Qi-bin

2012, 21(2):  212-218. 

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The experiment selected 40 healthy and crossbred grow-finishing pigs (duroc×landrace×white), as traditional method of pig feeding on cement ground for control group, carried out the impact study on efficiency and nutritional composition on the basis of bio-bed system in arid and semi-arid areas. The experiment indicated, compared with the traditional method, average daily gain weight was enhanced 12.46% per pig and showing as significant difference (P<0.05), feed ration was saved 5.75% and net profit was increased 89.57 Yuan per pig. The essential amino acid (EAA) and flavor amino acid (FAA) of experimental group was significant higher than the control group (P<0.05); The heavy metal residues was no significant difference (P>0.05) and remained lower than the standard in operation; The content of saturated fatty acid (SFA) in experimental group was higher than the control group extremely remarkably (P<0.01), the content of unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) and general mineral substance were no significant difference (P>0.05). The experiment proved that the technology of feeding pig as bio-bed system could guarantee the animals’ welfare and economic benefit remarkable. The nutritional composition and meat flavor under bio-bed system is better than the results from tranditional method. The meat quality is healthy and safty, and the heavy metal residues is lower than standard in operation. The hyperlipidemia patient should less eat due to high content of saturated fatty acid (SFA).

Study on grassland community characteristics and species diversity along altitudinal gradients in the Gahai wetland, Gansu province

XU Peng-bin, DENG Jian-ming, ZHAO Chang-ming

2012, 21(2):  219-226. 

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To explore the responses of grassland community characteristics and species diversity to the altitudinal gradient and human activities, the species composition and plant life form of grassland community along altitudinal gradients from 3 485 to 3 650 m in the west-wing area of Gahai Lake, Gansu province, located in the eastern region of Qihai-Tibet Plateau, were investigated. The data showed that 59 species were found in this region, which belongs to 20 families and 46 genera. Most distribution type of these genera is the temperate, and the majority of these species are the perennial and non-leguminous nitrogen-fixing plants. The six grassland community types were classified along the altitudinal gradients, namely Poa annua-Anemone obtusiloba community, Potentilla plumose-Plantago depressa community, Stipa purpurea community, Poa annua-Koeleria cristata community, Poa annua-Kobresia myosuroides community, and Kobresia myosuroides-Cyperus community. The dominant species in the natural grassland are mostly consist of Gramineae and Cyperaceae families, while the species were replaced by the Potentilla plumose-Plantago depressa and Stipa purpurea in the human strongly active area, and herein human activities strongly influence the grassland community characteristics. In addition, the negative relationships between altitude and indexes of species diversity (such as, species abundance, species density, similarity index, and the number of common species) were also found. Obviously, both altitude and human activities strongly affect the community characteristics and diversity of the alpine grassland, even the human activities are more pronounced. Therefore, in order to sustain the species diversity and ensure sustainable development of alpine grassland, we should take the reasonable and effective protection and minimize the impact of human activities.

The effect of temperature and precipitation during the growing season on the biomass of steppe communities in the Herlen Basin, northern China

WU Yun-na, ZHANG Feng-jie, PEI Hao, JIANG Jian

2012, 21(2):  227-232. 

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Regression analysis between dry biomass and the corresponding “effective accumulated temperature” or “effective accumulated precipitation” of 23 years was done using daily temperature and precipitation observations from the past 48 years (1958-2005). The effective temperature (>10℃) showed an obvious upward trend but there were significantly different anomalies. There were no obvious variations of annual precipitation, but anomalies increased significantly (i.e., differed significantly between years). Effective precipitation during the growing season was an important resource and the effective accumulated temperature (>10℃) and effective accumulated precipitation showed a positive correlation (R=0.620 5). The biomass and effective accumulated temperature(>10℃)did not reach significant levels, but effective accumulated precipitation showed a significant positive correlation. The relation of biomass with configurations of effective accumulated temperature and effective accumulated precipitation was Y=71.409+0.334X₁-0.020X₂ and reached significant levels (P<0.001). Suitable configurations of effective accumulated temperature and effective accumulated precipitation played the most important role in the growth of vegetation, while suitable configurations of temperature and precipitation affected productivity of steppe communities in semi-arid areas.

Effect of N, P, K combinations fertilizion on the cultivation quality of Glycyrrhiza uralensis seedlings

HUANG Ya-ping, CHEN Yuan, GUO Feng-xia, XU Xiang-hong, ZHANG Tian-tong, WANG Yong-hui

2012, 21(2):  233-240. 

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The nutrient N, P, K combinations liquid was designed using a ‘3414’ experimental design. Seeds from Glycyrrhiza uralensis were sown and cultivated under the different nutrient irrigations to explore rational fertilizer combinations, and to provide some evidence for its effects in seedling culture in soil or under soilless conditions. The N, P, K treatments had significant effects on the emergence quality and seedling growth of plants under Hoagland irrigation in a pure sand medium. Under the N₂K₂ fertilizer, the emergence quality was higher than that in the CK, but it deteriorated with increased levels of P fertilizer, resulting in an emergence quality ranking of: N₂P₀K₂＞N₂P₁K₂＞N₂P₂K₂＞N₂P₃K₂. However, the emergence vigor rank was N₂P₁K₂＞N₂P₀K₂＞N₂P₂K₂＞N₂P₃K₂. Both the N₂P₂K₂ and N₂P₁K₂ treatments improved the seedling root TTC (2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride) vigor, establishing a good basis for healthy seedlings. Treatments lacking N or K but rich in N, P or K were all detrimental to seedling emergence and growth. These results suggest that the plants need a little P in the emergence stage, but the main P nutrient effect will appear after seedling emergence. Considering seedling culture efficiency and environmental protection, the optimum nutrient combination of N₂P₁K₂ is 80 mg/L NH₄NO₃, 89 mg/L KH₂PO₄ and 298 mg/L KNO₃ as N, P and K source respectively, applied once every 20 days during seedling culture. Some water should be applied immediately to take ammoniacal N to the bottom of the medium after fertilizing to, protecting the seedlings from NH₃ toxicity.

Drought resistance evaluation of four seedling chicory

LIU Jian-ning, SHI Yong-hong, HOU Zhi-hong, WANG Yun-qi, LI peng, XING Ya-liang, WU Xin-ming, ZHANG Yan

2012, 21(2):  241-248. 

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The effects of drought stresses on eleven drought-resistant characteristics of four seedling chicory were studied by reducing soil water in a pot experiment. The leaf water content (LWC), leaf relative water content (LRWC), height and biomass of the four seedling chicory decreased, while their leaf soluble sugar content (LSSC), leaf relative electrical conductivity (LREC), proline and root/shoot increased with improved drought stress resistance. Drought stress did not significantly affect height stress index or dry matter stress index of four seedling chicory. It is concluded that LWC, LRWC, height, root-shoot ratio, LREC and LSSC can be used as the main evaluation index, while aboveground biomass, underground biomass, plant height stress index, dry matter stress index and proline can only be used as reference indexes for drought resistance evaluation of chicory. The capacity of drought resistance by subordinate function analysis of the four chicories was gauged as: C₂>C₁>C₄>C₃. This accorded with their practical performance.

A study on morphological variation of pods and seeds of Medicago falcata collected from Zhaosu, Xinjiang

YU Wan-li, ZHANG Bo

2012, 21(2):  249-255. 

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The regulation of morphological variation and the relationship of different populations of Medicago falcata were studied using eight natural populations collected from Zhaosu Xinjiang and researching the phenotypic traits of their pods and seeds. The differences among populations and between individuals within populations were analyzed and correlations between traits and geographic factors were investigated. There were significant differences of some characters but not of pod length/width between populations. Within populations, there were significant differences in pod width, seed color, and seed width. The variation among populations was more than that within populations except for seed color. Coefficient of variation of 100-seed weights and shape of the pods were 0.540 and 0.535 respectively between populations, while the coefficient of variation of seed color within populations was 0.554. The main differences between regional populations were in seed size, seed numbers per pod and pod shape. There were positive correlations between length of pod and altitude. Eight populations were divided into 4 categories: large pods, large seeds, little seeds and the medium type based on UPGMA Euclidean distance cluster analysis.

The differences of seed rain between typical and swamp meadows on the eastern Tibetan Plateau

WEN Shu-jun, ZHANG Shi-ting, LI Wei, DU Guo-zhen

2012, 21(2):  256-263. 

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Seed rain, as a potential community, plays important roles in maintenance of biodiversity. In both typical and swamped meadow of eastern Tibetan Plateau, we studied the relationship between seed rain and vegetation on their species composition and seasonal dynamics. The results showed that, 1) There were no significant differences in species richness, Shannon index and individual density for vegetations between typical and swamp meadows, but NMDS (nonmetric multidimensional scaling)revealed that there was a clear separation of species composition between them; 2) Seed rain density in typical meadow was significantly higher than that of swamp meadow; 3) The seasonal dynamics of seed rain density both in typical and meadow exhibited bimodal patterns; 4) The similarity of seed rain between typical and swamp meadows were higher than that of vegetations, which was confirmed by the NMDS ordination analysis.

Effect of formula fertilization on the yield and quality of Stylosanthes guianensis cv. Reyan No.2

YANG Fan, ZHANG Yu, YU Ai, WEI Zhi-yuan, TANG Shu-mei, QI Zhi-ping

2012, 21(2):  264-270. 

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An experiment was carried out to study the effect of different N, P, K fertilizer treatments on the yield and quality of Stylosanthes guianensis cv. Reyan No.2, according to the theory of “3414” regression optimum design, the result showed that: the yield of different treatments of formula fertilization is significantly higher than unfertilized application (CK), the highest fresh yield of 3 997.6 kg/667 m² is reached by the application of N 4.33 kg/667 m², P₂O₅ 3.93 kg/667 m² and K₂O 3.75 kg/667 m² (6th treatment). Under the three-factor model, the optimum fertilization amounts of S. guianensis. cv. Reyan No.2 are N 4.33 kg/667 m², P₂O₅ 3.93 kg/667 m² and K₂O 3.75 kg/667 m², the optimum fresh yield is 3 862.5 kg/667 m². There is a regular that in the vegetative stage, contents of crude protein (CP) and crude ash (Ash) are higher, contents of the crude fiber (CF), crude fat (EE) and nitrogen free extract (NFE) lower than in the early flower stage.

Effects of tillage strategies on the topsoil water content and the yield of potato

FAN Shi-jie, WANG Di, ZHANG Jun-lian, BAI Jiang-ping, SONG Ji-xuan, MA Zhi-xia

2012, 21(2):  271-279. 

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For the purpose of developing new methods to attenuate the impact of drought stress on the spring-planting potato in Southwest China, this study analyzed the effect of tillage strategies on the potato field topsoil water content, the growth dynamic and the tuber yield. We also analyzed and predicted the potential yield and the water use efficiency under different tillage treatments with the FLINT1 potato growth model. The results demonstrated that before the full coverage, compared to the conventional tillage technique treatment (CK), the topsoil (0-20 cm) water content in the field treated with green manure + plastic mulching mode (GMPM), green manure (GM) and simply plastic mulching model (PM) increased 12.93%, 6.30% and 10.88%,respectively. While after the full coverage, topsoil water content of the filed treated with GMPM and PM were lower than that of CK at 6.35% and 6.40%. The results of FLINT1 model analysis indicated that the GMPM and PM strategies might induce water stress during the later tuber development stage. However, the tuber yield from GMPM field was 25.6% higher while the yield from PM field was 15.8% lower than that from CK. Therefore, the conclusion is that the GMPM strategy could significantly increased the topsoil water content during early seedling stage and the final tuber yield, therefore, it is a suitable tillage strategy for the production of spring-planting potato in Southwest China; While the plastic model might be applied at early seedling stage and removed during tuber development stage to maintain the high topsoil water content and the yield.

A study on growth characteristics of different cultivars of oat (Avena sativa) in alpine region

XU Chang-lin

2012, 21(2):  280-285. 

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The phonological phase, plant height, number of plants, yield and ratio of stem and leaf of eleven oat (Avena sativa) varieties in alpine regions of the Eastern Qilian Mountains were studied. The varieties Denmark No.444 and No.1 Qing-yongjiu could mature in these regions making them suitable for harvesting seeds and herbages. The plant height, plant tillers and herbage yield of introduced varieties were 130.6-155.7 cm, 2.77 tillers and 13.32-21.77 t/ha respectively, which were 1.1-1.4 times, 1.2 times and 1.9-3.2 times compared with the control. The varieties No.479 Qing-yongjiu, No.52 Qing-yongjiu, No.489 Qing-yongjiu, Chabei and Canadian had higher leaf contents (about 15% of total yields), while No.52 Qing-yongjiu, No.440 Qing-yongjiu, No.47 Qing-yongjiu, No.101 Qing-yongjiu, No.489 Qing-yongjiu, Chabei and Denmark No.444 had higher herbage yields (18.10 to 21.77 t/ha). The yields of oats could be estimated by the model Y=2 849.445+32.523H (R=0.886, P<0.01), where Y is the hay yields (g/m²) and H is the plant height (cm). Thus, the varieties No.52 Qing-yongjiu, No.479 Qing-yongjiu and Chabei had higher yields and leaf contents, making them suitable for planting in the alpine region.

Research progress on “desert ginseng”- Cistanche deserticola and Cynomeorium songaricum

HAO Yuan-yuan, YUE Li-jun, KANG Jian-jun, WANG Suo-min

2012, 21(2):  286-293. 

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Cistanche deserticola and Cynomeorium songaricum are parasitic higher-plants distributed in desert regions of China. They are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine as famous tonics. Currently, their new pharmacological roles have been developed and corresponding pharmacological components isolated. Exploitation of C. deserticola and C. songaricum requires preliminary industrialization and their products include drug, health foods and food additives. However, wild C. deserticola and C. songaricum have been classed as world endangered species because of frequent human activity and deteriorating environmental conditions in native regions. At present, artificial inoculation methods of C. deserticola and C. songaricum breeding have achieved preliminary success and interrelations between them and their hosts are clearer thus bringing an opportunity for the conservation and sustainable utilization of C. deserticola and C. songaricum. In this review, recent advances on their morphological characteristics, habitat and distribution, economic value, exploitation and utilization, and artificial breeding as well as effects on host plant growth are summarized. The future directions in this field are also discussed.

Influence of different soil coring methods on estimation of root distribution characteristics

LIU Feng-shan, ZHOU Zhi-bin, HU Shun-jun, DU Hai-yan, CHEN Xiu-long

2012, 21(2):  294-299. 

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Soil coring is one of the most labor-saving and accurate sampling methods in obtaining representative data to estimate the total root value, but lacks a corresponding accuracy analysis. Sampling at three holes has been widely adopted in the literature, but our experiment employed a higher-density coring method to acquire cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) roots. Root dry weight was chosen to study the accuracy of three, five and seven holes respectively. Five holes give better estimates of total root dry weight with less work while three holes could be representative of the soil surface (<30 cm), but had a wide deviation below 30 cm depth, especially in the bare rows, which had low coefficients of determination and failed to reach a level of significance. The rational sampling method is to collect samples from two holes, one hole, one hole at bare, narrow and wide rows respectively when considering both precision and time consuming labour. The root dry weights in a vertical direction were single-peak curves, and dropped sharply above the 40 cm soil layer, but were flat below 40 cm although there was a small increase in the 70-90 cm layer. Root dry weights were heavier in wide rows than in bared rows with respect to horizontal distribution.

A preliminary study on early biological effects on Cichorium intybus cv. Puna after space mutagenesis in a space satellite

ZHANG Yu, BAI Shi-qie, WANG Zeng-zhen, LI Da-xu, DENG Yong-chang

2012, 21(2):  300-304. 

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Dry seeds of Cichorium intybus were carried by return satellite for space mutagenesis. The space effects on characteristics of chicory SP1, including the germination capacity ability, vigour of germination, the growth of seedlings, main root length, and agronomiv characteristics in the field, were analyzed after space mutagensis. There were significant differences between both chicories and their ground controls. SAG0002 was better than SAG0001. Except for individual characters, the biological effect on different varieties of chicory was significantly promoted.

Effect of reseeding on productivity and plant diversity on alpine meadows

ZHANG Yong-chao, NIU De-cao, HAN Tong, CHEN Hong-yang, FU Hua

2012, 21(2):  305-309. 

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The effects of reseeding on community productivity, the structure of functional groups and on plant diversity have been carried out since May 2010 in a reseeding experiment on Maqu degraded alpine meadow in the east of the Tibetan Plateau. After reseeding, the productivity, species richness and the richness index of Margalef significantly increased. Comparing the treatment without reseeding to that with reseeding, the productivity increased 31%-44%. The productivity of gramineae and sedge increased along with an increased quantity of reseeding,especially with sedges in which productivity was 2.7 times that in the treatment without reseeding. The proportion of forbs in the community was greatly reduced in response to the reseeding. In conclusion, proper reseeding could raise the utility value of alpine meadows but in the meantime it is better to recover degraded grassland and maintain the stability of the ecosystem.