Table of Content

20 June 2014, Volume 23 Issue 3

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Orginal Article

Plant community productivity and diversity on alpine meadow steppe in the Three River Headwater Region, Qinghai Province under different denudation levels

LIU Yan-shu,FAN Jiang-wen,LI Yu-zhe,ZHANG Liang-xia

2014, 23(3):  1-7.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140301

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The changes in plant productivity, composition and biodiversity were studied on the plateau meadow steppe denuded to different levels by erosion in the Three River Headwater region. Aboveground, belowground and total biomasses decreased with an increase in denudation, with the reduction of belowground biomass being the most important change. Changes of aboveground biomass related to changes of functional groups. Biomass of all functional groups decreased with increased denudation. Relative biomass of sedges, grasses and legumes decreased whereas the relative biomass of forbs increased with increased denudation. Changes of richness, diversity and evenness indices showed similar trends in relation to denudation, initially decreasing but then increasing, with the lowest values at moderate levels of denudation. Species and functional diversity indices showed similar response trends in relation to the level of denudation.

Changes in the activities of soil enzymes and microbial community structure at different degradation successional stages of alpine meadows in the headwater region of Three Rivers, China

HU Lei,WANG Chang-ting,WANG Gen-xu,MA Li,LIU Wei,XIANG Ze-yu

2014, 23(3):  8-12.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140302

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An analysis was carried out on the soil enzyme activities and the soil microbial community structure of alpine meadows in the headwater area of the Yellow River, the Yangtze River and the Lancang River at four successional degraded stages (NS: Normal Steppe, LD: Light Degradation, MD: Moderate Degradation, HD: Heavy Degradation) using the colorimetric method and phospholipids fatty acid (PLFA). 1) The species and quantity of soil microbes did not reduce with degradation of the alpine meadow and they reached the highest level at MD. 2) The soil microbial structure at MD was the most complex one among the four stages. 3) The soil microbial diversity in the 0-10 cm layer was richer than that at 10-20 cm, which made the microbial community structure better adapted to the changes of ambient environment. 4) The activities of all five enzymes decreased significantly (P<0.05) with soil depth and the activity of alkali phosphatase decreased considerably as the alpine meadow degraded (P<0.05). The maximum activities of protease and polyphenol oxidase appeared at MD, with the minimum in NS, but the activities of invertase and urease (P>0.05) seldom changed in any of the four stages. Enzyme activities responded differently to changes of the ambient environment. Alkali phosphatase, protease and polyphenol were more sensitive than invertase and urease. 5) There was a significant correlation between soil enzyme activities and soil microbes at successional degraded stages of the alpine meadow (P<0.05). Soil enzyme activities and soil microbial community structure could be comprehensive indicators to show the stage of succession and the degree of degradation on the alpine meadows in the headwater areas of the three rivers.

Study on biomass estimation methods of understory shrubs and herbs in forest ecosystem

WANG Huan,NIU Shu-kui,SHAO Xiao,ZHANG Chen

2014, 23(3):  20-29.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140303

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The understory shrub and herbs in three forest types, including Pinus tabulaeformis forest, Quercus variabilis forest and mixed coniferous forest in Beijing Forestry University Experimental Forest farm of Miaofengshan, were selected as the research objects. The shrub layer biomass were studied by the method of model and the herb layer biomass were studied by the method of sample. Biomass models were constructed for different organs and the whole plant of species widely distributed in the shrub layer using product of base diameter and plant height (DH), product of the square of base diameter and plant height (D²H), tree crown area (A),volume (V) as the independent variables, then the biomasses of species of shrubs of different forest types were evaluated by selecting the optimal models with largest coefficient of determination and the smallest estimated standard deviation; Herb layer biomasses were calculated by the method of harvesting all quadrat. The results showed that the optimal biomass models for different organs and the whole plant of a single species is that cubic equations is the largest in all models, that is cubic equations>power function>quadratic>linear. The independent variables suitable for the optimal models is that V is the largest in all variables,that is V>D²H>DH>A. The biomasses of shrub and herbs layer varied significantly among different forest types.The shrub layer biomass of three forest: P. tabulaeformis forest>Q. variabilis forest>mixed coniferous forest; The herb layer biomass of three forest: mixed coniferous forest>Q. variabilis forest>P. tabulaeformis forest; The total biomass of shrub and herb layers: mixed coniferous forest>Q. variabilis forest>P.tabulaeformis forest; The proportional distribution of organ of shrub is that trunk and root is larger than branch and leaf, aboveground biomass is greater than the below-ground biomass of herb layer, and shrub biomass>herb layer biomass.

Evaluation of the value of ecosystem services of Beijing Honghua golf course

DAI Zi-yun,GAO Chen-hao,SONG Zheng,PUYANG Xue-hua,WANG Chang-jun,HAN Lie-bao

2014, 23(3):  30-38.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140304

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The ecosystem services of the Beijing Honghua golf course were evaluated by market valuation, by shadow engineering, by carbon tax method and by travel cost. The value of ecosystem services of the Honghua golf course was estimated at up to RMB 80.55 million yuan per year, of which, about RMB 510.3 thousand yuan came from water holding, about RMB 25.7 thousand yuan from soil conservation, about RMB 425.0 thousand yuan from CO₂/O₂ balance, about RMB 14.5 thousand yuan from nutrients accumulation, about RMB 82.4 thousand yuan from air purifying, about RMB 208 thousand yuan from water purifying, about RMB 824 thousand yuan from biodiversity conservation, and about RMB 78.47 million yuan from trade income. Moreover, the environmental cost generated through the maintenance and management of the golf course was RMB 1.67 million yuan, of which, about RMB 40.8 thousand yuan came from carbon emission, about RMB 1.44 million yuan from the consumption of water resources, about RMB 185.9 thousand yuan from waste of nutrients, and about RMB 4.2 thousand yuan from air pollution. Compared with the value of ecosystem services, the environmental cost was much smaller. From a cost-benefit perspective, the surrounding environment was improved by the golf course, and scientific and rational management of the golf course promoted the value of ecosystem services.

Analysis of the spatio-temporal variation in net primary productivity of grassland during the past 10 years in Xinjiang

YANG Hong-fei,Gang Cheng-cheng,MU Shao-jie,ZHANG Chao-bin,ZHOU Wei,LI Jian-long

2014, 23(3):  39-50.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140305

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Dynamic monitoring of regional NPP (net primary productivity) has important significance for research on global change. The NPP of Xinjiang grassland from 2001 to 2010 was estimated using an improved light use efficiency model based on MODIS-NDVI, land use classification data and meteorological data. Spatial-temporal variation features of grassland NPP from 2001 to 2010 in Xinjiang were studied and analysed. The spatial distribution of NPP in Xinjiang grassland was constrained by the regional hydrothermal conditions. Grassland types were generally distributed as alpine and sub-alpine meadow, plain grassland, meadow, desert grassland, alpine and sub-alpine grassland from north to south. The grassland NPP reduced from 395 g C/(m²·a) to near 0 g C/(m²·a) and 10-year average total NPP of Xinjiang grassland was 56.47 Tg C. Compared with other grassland types, mean NPP of meadow was the highest (155.29 g C/m²·a), while mean NPP of desert grassland was the lowest (57.68 g C/m²·a). The overall level of mean NPP was meadow>alpine and sub-alpine meadow>plain grassland>alpine and sub-alpine grassland>desert grassland. The overall level of grassland NPP in Xinjiang was rather low, where alpine and sub-alpine meadow, plain grassland and meadow belonged to lower productive ecosystems, and desert grassland, alpine and sub-alpine grassland belonged to the lowest productive ecosystems. On the main grasslands in Xinjiang, the NPP from June to August occupied 63.17% of the whole year. The monthly NPP in different grasslands changed differently but all peaked in July. Compared with other types, NPP of alpine and sub-alpine meadow increased more quickly in the first seven months, while alpine and sub-alpine grassland were the slowest. The decrease of meadow NPP was quicker than those of other grassland types in the last five months, while desert grassland was the slowest. With the exception of meadow, the mean NPP of the other four grassland types showed a downward trend from 2001 to 2010 in Xinjiang. Total NPP of grassland in Xinjiang reached the maximum (60.21 Tg C/a) in 2007, and dropped to the minimum (53.41 Tg C/a) in 2006. During the past 10 years, the grassland NPP in Xinjiang showed a great annual fluctuation but with an overall reduction trend.

Numerical simulation analysis on the impact of change in rangeland vegetation type on climate in the Tianshan Mountains using a Regional Climate Model

ZHAO Ling,YANG Qing,AN Sha-zhou

2014, 23(3):  51-61.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140306

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The relationship of vegetation with climate change has been identified in recent studies at regional and global scales. These efforts have provided the basis for vegetation reconstruction and eco-environment restoration through research on vegetation dynamics in specific regions and on its relationship with climate change to find the key factor affecting vegetation changes. In this study, the simulations of climate (mainly temperature and precipitation distribution and changes over Xinjiang) in the Xinjiang region were carried out by RegCM3 nested into CRU data. The RegCM3 model has the ability to simulate the basic character of the spatial distribution of precipitation and temperature over Xinjiang. At the same time, the model simulation can provide more reliable information of local precipitation and air temperature for regions with few observation stations. The impact of the change in rangeland vegetation type on climate in Tianshan Mountains was analyzed by the Regional Climate Model. Using this model, we analysed the impact of vegetation change on temperature and precipitation through three sensitivity experiments. The increase in grassland area may have little effect on temperature and precipitation in the Tianshan Mountains, but vegetation type that changed from grassland to cropland resulted in an increase of temperature and precipitation in the surface layer. Half of the grass area cultivated could bring growth from May to July in the Tianshan Mountains. This study showed that latent heat release was the main factor causing the ground temperature difference. The latent heat, by influencing the water vapor contents, affected the thermo-convective local precipitation.

Vegetative organ structures of Ranunculaceae in Northeastern China and notes on systematic implications

CHENG Xin-yu,LIU Mei,ZHANG Xin-xin,WANG Chen,LI Bin-sheng

2014, 23(3):  62-74.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140307

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The vegetative organ structures of 17 genera, 27 species and 4 varieties of Ranunculaceae from northeastern China have been deeply studied for the first time using both the glycol methacrylate method (GMA) and peeling of the leaf epidermis. The vegetative organ features, such as root, stem, leaf cuticle, stomata, petiole shape in transverse section and aerenchyma, have important systematic values. The thick cuticle found in Thalictrum is not present in other species. Stoma distribution is the same in the taxa within a genus, but differs between genera. Aerenchyma occurs in the cortex of roots and stems of Ranunculus. Petiole shapes in transverse section are similar in the taxa of the genus. The study supports the three genera Ranunculus, Batrachium and Halerpestes and they were placed in Ranunculus sensu lato since they have similar structures, e.g. their roots have lysigenous aerenchyma, vessels are present in bundles, and there is no secondary xylem. Caltha and Trollius have different cortical structures in the roots and different stomata distribution. Our study provides the morphological evidence for the molecular systematics that placed the two genera in different groups.

Morphological study on the leaf structures of Potentilla in Northeastern China and its taxonomic value (Rosaceae)

SUN Tian-hang,LIU Mei,SUN Xue-qin,CHENG Xin-yu,RU Jian

2014, 23(3):  75-84.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140308

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The leaf structures of 23 species of Potentilla in Northeastern China were studied by the GMA method for the first time. The stipules varied in shape, including lanceolate, lanceolate-ovate, oval and lobate. The petioles in transverse section were usually heart-shaped, but could also be U-shaped, triangular or nearly round, and they usually had 3 vascular bundles. Glandular or nonglandular hairs were present on the epidermis of leaves. Stomata of the anomocytic type mainly occured on the lower epidermis. The phloem fibres were widely present in the taxa studied. The two woody species (Potentilla fruticosa and P. glabra) share many features with herbaceous plants, e.g. trichome type, number and structure of vascular bundles. Our study supports the placement of the two woody species in the genus Potentilla and provides morphological evidence for further taxonomic study of the genus and also provides morphological data for further study of Potentilla in China and in the Rosaceae.

Research on the wild medicinal vineplant resources in the “Danxia” geomorphological area of Langshan Mountain and their potential exploitability

WANG Ye-she,CHEN Li-jun,YANG Xian-jun,DUAN Lin-dong

2014, 23(3):  85-96.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140309

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The status-quo of the wild medicinal vine plants resources in the Southwest of Hunan, were investigated in Langshan, a National Scenery location. There are about 128 species, 73 genera and 41 families of wild medicinal vineplants in the “Danxia” Geomorphological Area of Langshan Mountain, Hunan. They account for 22.16%, 10.60% and 8.74%, respectively, of the total of species, genera or families of plants in Lanshan Mountain. In terms of life form, the woody medicinal lianas (99 species) outnumber the herbaceous medicinal vine plants (29 species), accounting for 77.34% and 22.66%, respectively, of the total number of wild medicinal liana in Langshan, Hunan. Among all these medicinal liana, Fujimoto wild medicinal ferns and gymnosperms are relatively rare, while the majority are wild medicinal Fujimoto angiosperms, which is dominated by Fujimoto Douko leaves of plants. In terms of composition, genera outnumber families. The dominant families include Vitaceae, Papilionaceae, Celastraceae, and Rubiaceae, while the dominant genera include Clematis, Rubus, Lonicera, Kadsura, and Smilax. The floristic composition shows an obvious tropical nature, including 49 genera which account for 67.12% of the total genera. There is 1 species of national rare and endangered plant, 8 species of national key protected plants and 2 species of the first batch of national key protected wild medicinal materials. In terms of the medicinal plants, the medicinal vine plants with root, rhizome and leaf dominate, accounting for 69.53%, 29.69% and 27.34%, respectively, of the total of medicinal vine plants. In terms of the medicinal effect, the vine plants which are used to treat rheumatism, to activate blood circulation and remove blood stasis, or to clear heat, account for 57.03%, 47.66% and 43.75%, respectively, of the total of medicinal vine plants. Suggestions have been put forward for the purpose of protecting and exploiting wide medicinal liana resources in the “Danxia” geomorphological area of Langshan Mountain, providing a reference basis for sustainable use of these resources in this region.

Phylogenetic analyses on the biological crusts of several algae in the Taklimakan Desert

WANG Dan,GONG Chun-xia,GOU Ya-feng,ZHOU Lu,ZHU Jun-bao,GAO Jian-feng

2014, 23(3):  97-103.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140310

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The unique biological property of desert algae comes from the extreme environment of the Taklimakan Desert in Xinjiang, but so far there are no related reports on the desert algae. To study the microalgae species of the Takilimakan Desert, 6 desert microalgae were isolated from sand samples using 96-well plate limited dilution and spread plate methods. Morphologically, 5 of the strains investigated were Chlorophyta (TLD2A1,TLD2B,TLD6B,TLD7A-2,TLD7B-5) while TLD5A1 was a Cyanobacterium. TLD2A1 and TLD2B showed a close relationship with Chlorellaceae, TLD2B and TLD7A-2 with Chlamydomonadaceae, and TLD7B-5 with Tetranephris brasiliensis of the Sphaeropleales. TLD5A1 and Nostoc clustered in a single clade, and the TLD5A1 strain was 97% similar to Nostoc ellipsosporum. This study determined the taxonomic status of the 6 strains of microalgae in the desert, providing a theoretical basis for future research of the Taklimakan Desert algae.

Phenotypic responses of a clonal plant (Buchloe dactyloides) to nutrient heterogeneity

LUO Dong,QIAN Yong-qiang,LIU Jun-xiang,HAN Lei,LI Wei,SUN Zhen-yuan

2014, 23(3):  104-109.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140311

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Phenotypic responses of ramets of the stoloniferous clonal plant Buchloe dactyloides in homogeneous nutrient and under three scales of heterogeneous nutrients were studied by measuring the growth, morphological characters of clonal ramets and the chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics of mother ramets. Compared with other nutrient treatments, the number of ramets, clumps and stolons, biomass, F_v/F_m and Φ_PSⅡ were higher in plots of heterogeneous nutrient at 25 cm×25 cm spacing. However, different nutrient conditions did not prompt significant differences in internode and root length. These results suggested that physiological integration modifies phenotypic plasticity of clonal ramets for efficient absorption and utilization of nutrients, and increases the chlorophyll fluorescence of mother ramets in heterogeneous nutrient. These effects were more pronounced when the spacing was 25 cm×25 cm.

Construction of a bivalent plant expression vector of DREB1A and Bar genes and studies of genetic transformation of potato

JIA Xiao-xia,QI En-fang,WANG Yi-hang,WEN Guo-hong,GONG Cheng-wen,WANG Hong-mei,LI Jian-wu,MA Sheng,HU Xin-yuan

2014, 23(3):  110-117.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140312

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Potato growth and productivity has been extremely affected by drought-stress. It is important to improve drought tolerance of potato to increase yield under stress conditions. To improve drought resistance of potato, the drought response transcription factor DREBIA gene and rd29A promoter were isolated from Arabidopsis thaliana by PCR. Using recombinant DNA technology, the bivalent plant expression vector pBI121-rd29-BDR, which contains two expression cassettes, rd29A-DREB1A-NOS and CaMV35S-Bar-NOS, was successfully constructed. Potato stems were used for the transformation. Excised stems (0.5-1.0 cm) were infected with Agrobacterium LBA4404/pBI121-rd29-BDR (OD₆₀₀=0.5-0.8) and grown on a co-cultivation medium for 3 days in darkness, then placed on callus induction medium plates containing 2 mg/L PPT and 200 mg/L cefotaxime for callus formation. Twenty two resistant seedlings were obtained. The PCR and RT-PCR testing showed that DREB1A was not only integrated into the genome of the potato Longshu 10, but was also expressed in transgenic plants. To verify drought resistance of transgenic potato, analyses were carried out.

Flowering phenology and reproductive features of artificial F₁ hybrids between Miscanthus floridulus and M. sacchariflorus

AI Xin,ZHU Yu-ye,JIANG Jian-xiong,LONG Wei,LI Sha-sha,YI Zi-li

2014, 23(3):  118-126.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140313

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Flowering phenology and reproductive features of hybrid offspring are the chief factors that reflect the potentiality of genetic improvement in breeding project. In our study, we investigated the flowering phenology and reproductive features (pollen fertility, seed setting and the process of meiosis in pollen production) of an artificial F₁ population crossed by M. floridulus and M. sacchariflorus. The main results were: 1) The flowering periods of both F₁ population and individual plants are generally long, from the early or mid-June to mid or late-October, individual plants in the population showed high degree of flowering synchrony; the flowering duration of population and single plant can divided into two peaks based on the statistical number of spikelets and tillering during the flowering stage, which appeared at June and September respectively; according to the booting and onset stage, 66.07% individuals were more like the parent species M. sacchariflorus, while other 31.25% were prone to M. floridulus, only 2.68% individuals showed extremely late flowering, these indicated early flowering has dominant heritability; Seed setting rate was negatively correlated with flowering onset, and positively correlated with flowering number and duration. 2) The parent species M. floridulus and M. sacchariflorus had high degree of pollen fertility, while the rate of fertility pollen of F₁ population was obvious higher than of the parents; the pollen fertility of the F₁ population in the second peak is higher than that of the first peak, were (65.42±14.71)% and (50.79±18.61)% respectively; The pollen fertility was significant variant among the F₁ population, the average variant coefficient reach 29.56%; the pollen fertility seemed to with no correction with seeding setting rate. 3)The meiosis process of the pollen mother cell was general normal in the F₁ plants, only small part which less than 2% had chromosome abnormalities. All the above results indicated M. floridulus and M. sacchariflorus have no crossing barrier, enable the potential to produce hybrid cultivars.

Influences of biosolids on drought resistance of tall fescue

HAN Chao,LIU Yang,DONG Hui,CHANG Zhi-hui

2014, 23(3):  127-135.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140314

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Biosolids contain biologically active substances, such as humus and auxin, which will influence plant growth. The influences of biosolids on drought resistance of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) were studied at the same nitrogen level. Split-plot treatments included well-watered and drought stress. Subplot treatments all had nitrogen applied at 75 mg/kg. The control had 75 mg N/kg soil completely provided by NH₄NO₃ solution). The biosolids 0.5× rate had 37.5 mg N/kg soil provided by biosolids, and 37.5 mg N/kg soil provided by NH₄NO₃ solution. The biosolids 1× rate had 75 mg N/kg soil completely provided by biosolids). Nitrogen treatments at biosolids 1× and 0.5× rates improved turfgrass quality, leaf relative water content, leaf chlorophyll content, and reduced leaf wilting rate under drought stress (P<0.05) indicating that biosolids improved the aboveground growth condition of tall fescue under drought stress. Treatment with the biosolids 1× rate also increased leaf water use efficiency of tall fescue and maintained better water metabolism at 50% container capacity (P<0.05). Treatments at biosolids 1× and 0.5×rates increased root dry weight of tall fescue under both moisture conditions and improved root viability under severe drought stress. Proline accumulation was also promoted by bisolids under both water conditions (P<0.05). It is suggested that biologically active substances in biosolids can enhance drought tolerance of tall fescue.

Comparison of drought resistance among three Calligonum in the Southern Fringe of the Taklamakan Desert

HUANG Cai-bian,ZENG Fan-jiang,LEI Jia-qiang

2014, 23(3):  136-143.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140315

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The influence of drought stress and re-watering on the ecophysiological characteristics of Calligonum cancellatum, C. cordatum, and C. rubicundun was studied in a pot experiment under three irrigation treatments. The comprehensive drought resistance of the three Calligonum was compared with their subordinate function. Under water stress, relative water content, water potential, and chlorophyll content of assimilating branches were higher for C. rubicundun, but recovered more slowly after re-watering compared with those of other species. After water stress, the malondialdehyde (MDA) content was lower and recovered more slowly for C. rubicundun under drought and medium irrigation treatments, but was higher and recovered more quickly at high irrigation levels compared with other species. There was a large number of osmotic adjustment substances (soluble sugar and proline) accumulated in the assimilating branches of the three Calligonum under water stress. The contents of osmotic adjustment substances under drought treatment were in the following order: C. cordatum>C. rubicundun>C. cancellatum, but under medium and high irrigation treatments they were C. cancellatum>C. cordatum>C. rubicundun. However, the contents of osmotic adjustment substances in C. cordatum decreased more significantly compared to other species after re-watering. In addition, C. cordatum had significantly higher root/shoot ratios than the other species. Based on the determined indexes under water stress, the comprehensive drought resistance was in the following order: C. rubicundun>C. cancellatum>C. cordatum. Obviously, the difference of each ecophysiological parameter among species was not consistent with that of comprehensive evaluation. Overall, C. rubicundun can be introduced for shelterbelt construction because of its strong tolerance and adaptability to drought stress in the southern fringe of the Taklimakan Desert.

Effects of drought stress on lipid peroxidation,osmotic adjustment and activities of protective enzymes in the roots and leaves of orchardgrass

JI Yang,ZHANG Xin-quan,PENG Yan,LIANG Xiao-yu,HUANG Lin-kai,MA Xiao,MA Ying-mei

2014, 23(3):  144-151.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140316

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To elucidate the mechanism of drought tolerance in orchardgrass, the different responses associated with lipid peroxidation, osmotic adjustment and activity of protective enzymes in the root and leaf to drought stress of two different genotypes of orchardgrass (drought-sensitive “01998” and drought-tolerant “Baoxing”) were investigated. With an extension of drought stress, MDA content and electrolyte leakage in the root and leaf of the two orchardgrasses increased, and total soluble sugar content and free proline content also accumulated. At the same time, soluble protein content, SOD, CAT, POD, APX activities increased initially and then decreased. The accumulation of leaf MDA content and membrane permeability grew fast, indicating that damage on the blades was far more serious than on roots under constant drought stress. Accumulation of osmotic substances, leaf soluble sugar and soluble protein content were higher in shoots than in the roots, while the relative increase of free amino acid was greater in the roots. This might be because the blade is the main area for sugar production, whereas the root system is closely related to the synthesis of amino acids. In addition, APX and POD activities in the roots and leaves of “Baoxing” were higher than those in “01998” under 24 d drought stress, indicating that its ability to scavenge singlet oxygen and H₂O₂ was not weakened by drought stress. Drought tolerant “Baoxing” showed more active and stable peroxidation ability under drought stress.

Effects of salt treatments on the growth and ecophysiological characteristics of Haloxylon ammodendron

LU Yan,LEI Jia-qiang,ZENG Fan-jiang,XU Li-shuai,PENG Shou-lan,LIU Guo-jun

2014, 23(3):  152-159.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140317

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A pot experiment was conducted to study the influence of different concentrations (0, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mmol/L) of NaCl on the growth, the contents of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and malondialdehyde (MDA), the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), water potential, and on the contents of soluble sugar and proline in the assimilation shoots of Haloxylon ammodendron. The growth of H. ammodendron was promoted at a lower NaCl concentration (50 mmol/L). Compared with the control, plant height and basal stem diameter were significantly inhibited in the 400 mmol/L NaCl treatment, while crown area, dry mass of assimilation shoot and shoot dry mass were considerably reduced under NaCl treatments at concentrations ≥200 mmol/L and root dry mass was considerably reduced under NaCl treatments at concentrations ≥100 mmol/L. Thus, the suppressive effect on root dry mass was greater than on crown area, dry mass of assimilation shoot and shoot dry mass, which were more affected than plant height and basal stem diameter. Root/shoot ratios decreased markedly under NaCl treatments at concentrations ≥100 mmol/L compared with the control. Compared with the control, there were significant accumulations of H₂O₂ and MDA in the assimilation shoot of H. ammodendron at higher NaCl concentrations and the activities of SOD, POD, CAT and APX increased at low NaCl concentrations (≤100 mmol/L), suggesting that together they play an important role in the scavenging of reactive oxygen species. However, the activities of CAT and POD began to reduce at NaCl concentrations ≥200 mmol/L compared with the control, indicating the scavenging efficiency of the antioxidative enzyme system weakened. Water potential reduced with an increase in NaCl concentrations. The contents of soluble sugar and proline initially increased but then decreased compared with the control.

Influences of CoCl₂ on the growth and seedling physiological indexes of Hordeum vulgare under NaCl stress

MENG Ya-xiong,WANG Shi-hong,WANG Jun-cheng,XU Xian-liang,LAI Yong,SI Er-jing,MA Xiao-le,LI Bao-chun,YANG Ke,WANG Hua-jun

2014, 23(3):  160-166.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140318

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To determine the beneficial effect of cobalt on the growth of Hordeum vulgare under NaCl stress, the effects of addition of CoCl₂ on seed germination, seedling growth, endogenous hormones and some physiological indexes of barley seedlings under NaCl stress were studied. With the aggravation of NaCl stress, the germination vigor, germination capacity, shoot length and root length decreased considerably, while the contents of abscisic acid (ABA) and malondialdehyde (MDA) increased significantly, and the activities of antioxidant enzymes were enhanced. Under NaCl stress, germination vigor, germination capacity, shoot length and root length and the activities of antioxidant enzymes were elevated by the treatment of 0.1 mmol/L CoCl₂, compared with NaCl stress alone, and it dramatically inhibited the accumulation of MDA and ABA. This effect was more significant under the more serious NaCl stress. The results showed that the addition of CoCl₂ could improve (IAA+GA₃)/ABA, enhance the ability to clear up reactive oxygen species, reduce lipid peroxidation under NaCl stress, and promote seed germination, seedling growth and adaptive capacity of barley.

Effects of transplant density on the growth, development, officinale yield and quality of Radix hedysari

ZHAO Rui-ming,SUN Lian-hu,GUO Feng-xia,CHEN Yuan,TIAN Sheng-hua

2014, 23(3):  167-174.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140319

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Radix hedysari plants were cultivated at different transplant densities (30 cm between rows and 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 cm within rows) to explore the adaptive transplant density for cultivating the plant and to provide evidence for its standardized production in the south of Gansu. When the transplant row distance was 30 cm, the plant population yield reduced significantly with the wider plant spacing, but the officinale yield and quality for the individual plants increased. When the plant spacing was 25 cm, the transplanted plants showed the highest survival rate with strong plants, the highest ratio of roots to shoots, thick main stems, high yield and good quality for the individual plants with fewer side roots, long and big main roots, resulting in good quality of officinale roots. Compared with the 30 cm in row distance (the traditional cultivated density), the officinale yield at a density of 25 cm in row spacing was increased by 14.8% in fresh weight and by 22.1% in dry weight. The above results showed that that 25 cm in row spacing and 30 cm between row distance (25 cm×30 cm), i.e. 133 thousand plants per hectare, is the optimal density for cultivating Radix hedysari in the south of Gansu.

Response of Amorpha fruiticosa planting to soil nutrients in the Tibetan Plateau

ZHAO Ping,DAI Wan-An,DU Ming-Xin,YANG Jie,ZHOU Zhi-Yu,LI Xiao-Zhong,LI Jin-Hui,ZHOU Yuan-Yuan,JIN Qian

2014, 23(3):  175-181.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140320

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The two years old Amorpha fruticosa planted in the southwest of the Tibetan Plateau, Lhasa was selected to study the various forms of nitrogen, total phosphorus, contents of organic carbon and pH changes in both IC (in the crown) and OC (out of crown). 1) Total nitrogen, ammonium and nitrate in IC were 23.44%, 13.95% and 37.6% higher respectively than those in OC. Soil total phosphorus in IC was 19.57% higher, soil organic carbon in IC was 44.21% higher and soil pH was lower by 1.69 units than the average. 2) There were significant (P<0.05) differences in the contents of soil total nitrogen, ammonium, nitrate, total phosphorus, organic carbon and soil pH between IC and OC. 3) In a vertical direction, the contents of total nitrogen, ammonium, nitrate and total phosphorus reached a maximum value at a depth of 10-20 cm in soils. The contents of organic carbon and pH reduced with increasing depth. 4) A linear relation was shown between the organic carbon and total nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen, total phosphorus in IC.

Allelopathic effects of Phragmites communis leaves on the growth and physiobiochemical characteristics of Solidago canadensis

LIU Cheng,CHEN Xiao-de,WU Ming,HE Li,YE Xiao-qi,FAN Ting-xing

2014, 23(3):  182-190.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140321

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A sandy culture experiment was conducted to study the allelopathic effects of different concentrations (0, 0.025 g DW/mL, 0.05 g DW/mL and 0.1 g DW/mL) of aqueous extract from Phragmites communis leaves on the growth and physiobiochemical characteristics of the invasive plant species Solidago canadensis. During the test (0-45 d), cumulative growth of basal diameter and height of S. canadensis was significantly reduced with stronger extract concentrations while the mortality significantly increased. Chlorophyll content continued to decrease with time, and the higher the extract concentration the lower the chlorophyll content, while carotenoid content initially increased but then decreased. When treated at a low concentration (0.025 g DW/mL), the activities of peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) increased as processing time was prolonged, but when the concentration continued to rise, they both increased initially but then decreased. Catalase activity (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content increased when the concentration of extract increased, and both increased with processing time. Soluble protein content and root activity decreased at higher concentrations, and the trend was exacerbated with prolonged processing. The results indicate that allelopathic effects of P. communis on S. canadensis became stronger with increased concentration and processing time.

Allelopathy of Equisetum arvense extract on seed germination and seedling growth of wheat

ZHENG Jing-yao,YUE Zhong-hui,TIAN Yu,LIU Bao-lin,GUO Li-bo

2014, 23(3):  191-196.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140322

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The effect of Equisetum arvense root extract at different concentrations on seed germination and seedling growth of wheat was bioassayed to study the allelopathic dynamics of E. arvense to wheat and to provide a theoretical basis for wheat production. There were no significant effects on seed germination rates of 5 cultivars of wheat [Longmai 26 (LM26), Kenjiu10 (KJ10), Longmai 33 (LM33), Longfu18 (LF18) and Gelaini (GLN)] with aqueous extract (5 and 30 mg/mL) of E. arvense, but there were significant (P<0.05) reductions in seed germination rates of the 5 species of wheat with aqueous extracts of 70 and 100 mg/mL. The seedling heights of LM26 and LF18 decreased with 100 mg/mL treatment and seedling height of all species of wheat increased with other treatments. The dry matter weight of seedlings of the five species decreased and the peroxidase (POD) activity in wheat seedlings increased with the treatments. The water-soluble sugar (WSS) content was significantly (P<0.05) reduced in wheat seedlings of LM26, KJ10, LM33 and GLN. The malondialdehyde (MDA) content significantly (P<0.05) increased in wheat seedlings of GLN with the 70 mg/mL treatment and in LF18 with the 100 mg/mL treatment (P<0.05). The catalase (CAT) activity significantly (P<0.05) increased in wheat seedlings LM26,LF18,GLN with the treatment concentration increasing.

A study on the appropriate stocking capacity under group-household management on the Hongyuan grasslands in north-western Sichuan

LIU Tao,GAN You-min,ZHANG Hong-xuan,YANG Shu-jing,SONG Zhong-qi,FU Pei-bin,ZHANG Xue-lian

2014, 23(3):  197-204.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140323

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The experiment aimed to study the group-household grassland at Hongyuan in north-western Sichuan by systematically analysing the dynamic characteristics of the alpine meadow and soil nutrient with different livestock capacities under natural conditions. As the livestock capacity increased, the dominant species of winter slope pasture, such as Carex enervis, Elymus nutan and Kobresia setchwanensis, gradually reduced, while forbs, such as Potentilla anserina and P. discolor, gradually increased. The dominant species of summer ground pasture transformed from C. muliensis to Blysmus sinocompressus, Deschampsia caespitosa, C. meyeriana and K. tibetica. The soil nutrient showed no significant difference between the winter slope pasture and summer ground pasture with different grazing intensities. In general, irrespective of the type of pasture, the proportions of good grass gradually dropped with an increase in livestock capacity, and the aboveground biomass and diversity index were higher under modest levels of grazing than under other levels. Under group-household management of the alpine meadow in the north-western Sichuan Plateau, the suitable livestock capacity on winter slope pasture was 0.97 Yak/ha, and on summer ground pasture, it was 1.14-1.33 Yak/ha.

Nutritional evaluation of sunflower straw and plate in sheep

ZHONG Fang-yin,ZHENG Chen,LI Fa-di,LIU Ting

2014, 23(3):  205-214.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140324

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Six Gansu alpine sheep with 28 kg in average weight and fitted with permanent rumen fistula were chosen to investigate the nutritional evaluation of sunflower straw and plate on sheep in a 3×3 Latin square design. 1) On an air dry basis, dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, crude fiber, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, calcium, phosphorus were 90.73%, 5.72%, 0.89%, 30.15%, 53.09%, 39.40%, 11.61%, 0.84%, 0.13% respectively in sunflower straw and 89.63%, 11.84%, 2.13%, 12.48%, 23.51%, 15.41%, 14.04%, 0.97%, 0.29% in sunflower plate. 2) The digestibility of dry matter ,nitrogen, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, calcium, phosphorus were 61.61%, 65.37%, 65.19%, 48.18%, 44.89%, 29.10%, 26.07% respectively in sunflower straw and 70.96%, 69.57%, 76.26%, 60.87%, 58.60%, 37.98%, 44.75% in sunflower plate. The nitrogen retention rate and digestive energy were 34.72%, 8.75 MJ/kg respectively in the straw and 41.40%, 9.97 MJ/kg in the plate. 3) When feeding sunflower straw to sheep, there were significant (P<0.05) differences in molar ratios of acetic acid and ammonium nitrogen in rumen fluid. There were no differences in pH, total volatile fatty acids, molar ratio of propionate acid, butyrate, other acids and total nitrogen, urea nitrogen, protein nitrogen in rumen fluid (P>0.05). When feeding sunflower plate to sheep, there were significant (P<0.05) differences in molar ratios of acetic acid, propionate acid, and the ratios of acetic acid to propionate in rumen fluid. There were no differences in pH, total volatile fatty acids, in molar ratios of butyrate, other acids and nitrogen in rumen fluid.

Effect of metallothionein on lymphocyte apoptosis of the dairy cow cultured in vitro under heat stress

ZHAN Jin-shun,WU Li-zhuan,LI li-li,ZHANG Bin

2014, 23(3):  215-223.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140325

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The effect of exogenous MT on lymphocyte apoptosis of the dairy cow was studied in vitro under heat stress. The splenic dairy cow lymphocytes were divided into 4 groups which had final concentrations of MT 0 (control group), 70 (group Ⅰ), 140 (group Ⅱ) and 210 μg/mL (group Ⅲ). The cells of each group were cultured in a cell incubator (37℃, 5%CO₂). After 20 h, the cells of each group were put into water bath pot (43℃) for 1 h, and then recultured in a cell incubator (37℃, 5%CO₂) for 3 h. Finally, various indexes were tested by observation of morphology and RT-PCR. 1) MT added in cell culture medium reduced the damage of dairy cow lymphocytes under heat stress, but the effect decreased with an increase in MT concentration. 2) The activities of CAT, SOD, GSH-Px in groups Ⅰ to Ⅲ were higher than those in the control group and the content of MDA were lower. It is suggested that MT could improve antioxidation of lymphocytes. 3) The relative transcript levels of Bax and p50 in group Ⅰ to Ⅲ were significantly (P<0.01) lower than those in the control group. The relative transcript level of Bcl-2 in groups Ⅰ to Ⅲ were significantly (P<0.01) higher than those in the control group. This indicated that MT could regulate the expression of genes related to lymphocyte apoptosis. In conclusion, exogenous MT decreased lymphocyte mortality rate, improved lymphocyte inoxidizability and restrained lymphocyte apoptosis . The best final concentration of MT was 70 μg/mL.

A study on the associative effect of whole corn silage-peanut vine and Leymus chinensis by rumen fermentation in vitro

SUN Guo-qiang,LV Yong-yan,ZHANG Jie-jie

2014, 23(3):  224-231.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140326

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The experiment investigated the associative effect of whole corn silage (MCS)- peanut vine (PV) and Leymus chinensis (LC). First, WCS was mixed with PV in the proportions of 100∶0, 90∶10, 80∶20, 70∶30, 60∶40, 50∶50, 40∶60, 30∶70 20∶80, 10∶90 and 0∶100. After the best combination of WCS and PV (BWP) was determined, the BWP was grouped with LC under these 11 proportions. Rumen fermentation in vitro was used and single factors associative effect indexes including the associative effects of gas production (AEGP), microbiological crude protein (AEMCP), dry matter degradation rate (AEDMD) and multiple factors associative effect indexes were analysed over 24 h. 1) Under the WCS-PV combination of different proportions, both AEGP and AEDMD were the largest at a ratio of 70∶30 and they were 0.69 and 0.72 respectively. They were very significantly (P<0.01) higher than those at other proportions, but AEMCP was negative. 2) Under the WCS-PV combination of different proportions, the 70∶30 ratio of WCS to PV had the largest associative effects according to the multiple factors associative effect indexes, and consequently, the 70∶30 ratio of WCS to PV was the best combination of WCS and PV (BWP); 3) Under the BWP-LC combination of different proportions, both AEGP and AEDMD were the largest at the ratio of 80∶20 and they were 0.17 and 0.18 respectively, very significantly (P<0.01) higher than those at other proportions, and the AEMCP was negative. 4) Under the BWP-LC combination of different proportions, the 80∶20 ratio of BWP to LC had the largest associative effects. In conclusion, the WCS-PV combination at the ratio of 70∶30 and WCS-PV-LC combination at the ratio of 56∶24∶20 were found to have the largest associative effects in this study.

Quality analysis on different sweet sorghum silages in Southern Xinjiang compared with a corn silage

ZHANG Su-jiang,AMERJAN Osman,XUE Xing-zhong,ZHANG Xiao,GUO Xue-feng,CHEN Li-qiang

2014, 23(3):  232-240.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140327

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To select sweet sorghum varieties suitable for making good silage in southern Xinjiang, the sensory traits and nutrient content in different kinds of sweet sorghum silage and maize silage were evaluated. Six varieties of sweet sorghum with different sugar contents and one maize variety were chosen to make silage in plastic cans. 1) The success rate was 100% in the ensiling from Xin-sorghum No.2, Cowley and Rio. The pH in the silage was less than 4.12 and the sensory evaluation was excellent. For Tian-si No.1 and maize, the success rate was 80%, the pHs were 4.27 and 4.18 respectively, and the sensory evaluation was good. For Hunnigreen, the success rate was 40%, pH was 4.97 with sensory evaluation a medium grade 3. For X096 the success rate was 20%, pH 5.31 and it was rated as 4-corruption. Rio, Cowley, Xin-sorghum No.2 and maize silages had higher levels of lactic acid and lower level of butyric acid, while the silages made from X096, Hunnigreen sweet sorghum had more butyric acid and less lactic acid. 2) Water content was highest in Hunnigreen sweet sorghum silage (P<0.05) and lowest in X096 sweet sorghum silage (P<0.05). The crude protein contents in the silages from sweet sorghum Rio, Cowley and maize were more than 7%, which was significantly (P<0.05) higher than those in other silages, with minimum crude protein content being 5.7% from X096. Crude fat content in sweet sorghum Cowley silage was 3.30%, was significantly (P<0.05) higher than those in other silages. Water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) contents in Cowley and Rio sweet sorghum silages were more than 4.5%, significantly (P<0.05) higher than those in the silages from other varieties. The WSC content in maize silage was larger than those in X096 and Tian-si No.1 sweet sorghum silages. 3) The contents of crude fiber, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber in X096 silage were higher compared to other silages (P<0.05), but the amounts of such components were almost the same in Rio, Cowley and Tian-si No.1 (P>0.05). 4) There were no significant differences between the silages in the contents of ash, calcium and phosphorus. The results suggested that choosing sweet sorghum Xin-sorghum No.2, Cowley and Rio instead of maize to make silage is possible in Southern Xinjiang. In order to reduce moisture, it is better to delay harvesting or to dry for a short time before making silage using Hunnigreen sweet sorghum as the raw material.

Influences of moisture and compound additives on the quality of alfalfa hay during storage

DING Wu-rong,GUO Xu-sheng,YANG Fu-yu

2014, 23(3):  241-247.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140328

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To select an optimal method for hay preservation, the effects of different moisture levels and applications of two chemical compound additives at bundling on preserved hay quality were investigated. The two chemical compound additives (SG and CA) used are both generally used for consuming oxygen and inhibiting mold or clostridia growth. The moisture treatments included high (27% to 28%) and low (17%) levels. Hay samples were collected at 0, 5, 10, 25, and 60 d before or after bundling. Under high levels of moisture, hay preservation without additives effectively preserved CP and WSC during the early stage of preservation, and the fiber content of the hay was relatively low. However, the quality of hay with a high level of moisture was lower at the late stage than that with a low level of moisture (P<0.05). Hay preservation with a high level of moisture and additives preserved CP and WSC well, and the concentrations of NPN and ADF in the hay were lower (P<0.05) than those in the hay preserved under a high level of moisture without additives. Therefore, good quality hay preservation with a high level of moisture can be obtained by addition of chemical additives at bundling. Adding CA, a complex chemical additive used against mold, could also maintain high levels of WSC, Ash, DM, CP and low levels of NPN and NDF during hay preservation. According to the standards of hay quality evaluation, all indexes of CP, ADF and DDM conferred superfine grade for the hay treated with CA. The use of CA for hay preservation was better than that of SG in terms of hay quality.

Effects of molasses addition on the fermentation quality of broccoli residue, rice straw and alfalfa mixed silage

WANG Jian,WANG Ya-qin,WEN Ai-you,SHAO Tao

2014, 23(3):  248-254.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140329

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The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of adding molasses on the fermentation of rice straw, alfalfa and broccoli residues mixture silage. The three treatments were: no molasses (control), and addition of 2.5% or 5.0% molasses (on a fresh weight basis). The silos were opened on 1, 3, 5, 7, 14 and 30 days after ensiling and the silage fermentation quality was evaluated. The pH of the control decreased slowly but after the first 14 days of post-ensiling, had significantly (P<0.05) increased to 4.96 by day 30. The pH under molasses addition decreased significantly (P<0.05) from 3 days of ensiling and was below 4.0 at the end of ensilage. The content of lactic acid in all treatments reached the highest value (50.82,84.84,86.64 g/kg DM, respectively) on day 14. The contents of acetic acid and volatile fatty acids in all treatments continuously increased until the end of the experiment. Propionic and butyric acids in all treatments were absent or detected in small amounts only during the ensiling period. Molasses addition significantly (P<0.05) increased the ratios of lactic acid/acetic acid and also the contents of lactic acid, but significantly (P<0.05) decreased pH, NH₃-N/TN and butyric content compared with the control. There were no significant differences in pH, lactic acid/acetic acid, lactic content, NH₃-N/TN and butyric content between treatments. In conclusion, molasses addition at 2.5% improved the ensiling fermentation of mixed ensilage of broccoli residue, rice straw and alfalfa.

Effects of different nitrogen additions on the yield, quality and nutrient absorption of forage maize

CHEN Yuan-xue,CHEN Xi,CHEN Xin-ping,LUO Yong,MU Yong,LV Shi-hua,XU Kai-wei

2014, 23(3):  255-261.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140330

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A field experiment was carried out at a planting base of forage grass in Hongya, Sichuan, China to investigate the effect of nitrogen (N) addition at different rates (0, 60, 120, 180, 240 kg/ha, labelled as N₀, N₆₀, N₁₂₀, N₁₈₀, N₂₄₀ respectively) on the yield, quality and nutrient absorption of forage maize (FM) (Zea mays-Zea mexicana hybrids, cv.Yucao 2) in 2009. Nitrogen application significantly promoted tiller number and biomass of FM at the trumpeting stage (TS) and the silking stage (SS), immediately after harvest. Aboveground dry matter increased with an increase in N rates, and increased by 60.9% at TS and 23.8% at SS under N180 compared with those under N₀, but it decreased to some extent under N₂₄₀. N application markedly enhanced crude protein (CP) content, and reduced the contents of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF), so improving available nutritive value and forage quality of FM. Plant N, P and K contents reduced with plant development stage: at the jointing stage (JS): N 3.74%, P₂O₅ 0.456%, K₂O 2.50%; at TS: N 2.21%, P₂O₅ 0.238%, K₂O 2.32%; at SS: N 1.46%, P₂O₅ 0.184%, K₂O 1.08%. Nitrogen addition significantly promoted N concentration, N and P uptakes, weakly increased P concentration, but weakly reduced K concentration and barely influenced K uptake. The order of N, P and K uptakes of FM was N>K₂O>P₂O₅, the ratios of N∶P₂O₅∶K₂O were 8.2∶1∶5.5 at JS, 9.5∶1∶9.7 at TS, 8.0∶1∶5.8 at SS. In conclusion, N and K nutrition were very important and the appropriate rate of N was 180 kg/ha for Yucao 2 plantings in this area.

A study on fungicidal activity of allicin against Colletotrichum capsici and Phytophthora capsici in the laboratory and its efficacy in the field

ZHOU Qing,LI Bao-tong,TANG Li-mei

2014, 23(3):  262-268.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140331

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Allicin is a botanical antibiotic extracted from garlic. To explore fungicidal activity of allicin against Colletotrichum capsici and Phytophthora capsici in the laboratory its inhibitory effects against mycelial growth and conidial production were assayed by measuring mycelial growth rate and conidial germination. Its efficacy in the field was tested by foliar spraying. Allicin showed inhibitory effects against mycelia growth, conidial production and germination of both fungi and its activity increased with increased concentrations. The EC₅₀ was 130.15, 142.60 and 127.21 μg/mL against mycelial growth, conidial production and conidial germination respectively of C. capsici, and 128.11, 123.64 and 139.68 μg/mL respectively against P. capsici. Field tests showed that the efficacies of allicin 6% EW (emulsion in water) at 600 and at 1200 μg/mL against C. capsici were 83.54%-88.25% respectively and 82.85%-85.88% against P. capsici. On the third day after the third spray they were 74.59%-79.16% and 74.59%-78.01% respectively but at the fourteenth day after the third spray, they were not significantly different from that of the control [carbendazim 50% WP (wettalbe powders) at 1000 μg/mL]. The efficacies of allicin 6% EW at 200-600 μg/mL against C. capsici and P. capsici were less than 76% on the third to fourteenth day after the third spray, and were significantly lower than that of the control. The recommended dosage of allicin 6% EW against C. capsici and P. capsici is 600-1200 μg/mL on pepper seedlings and during the fruiting period, spraying was done 3 times at 10 d intervals.

Screening, identification and biological function evaluation of endophytic bacteria against potato storage disease

WANG Ying,WANG Yu-qin,YANG Cheng-de,YAO Yu-ling,CHEN Xiu-rong,XUE Li

2014, 23(3):  269-275.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140332

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Phoma foveata, Colletotrichum coccodes and Fusarium avenaceum are 3 species of potato storage pathogens. The highly resistant bacterial strain 263XY1 tested against potato storage diseases was screened from endophytic bacteria isolated from Kobreasia capillifolia under alpine grassland in the Eastern Qilian Mountains using the confront culture method. The inhibition rates of 263XY1 against F. avenaceum, C. coccodes and P. foveata were 67.17%, 86.17% and 70.89%, respectively. The concentration of IAA secreted by 263XY1 was 3.31 mg/L in the King medium with Trp, and 1.52 mg/L without Trp. The increment of available P was 38.94 mg/L obtained by dissolving inorganic P (phosphate of calcium) and bacterial strain 263XY1 possessed the ability to fix nitrogen. The 16S rDNA sequence analysis indicated that 263XY1 shared 99% homology with Bacillus vallismortis (GenBank accession No. JQ547633.1), so 263XY1 was identified as B. vallismortis.

Prediction of potential distributions and risk analysis of Phoma foveata in China

JIANG Hong-xia,YANG Cheng-de,PU Chong-jian,CHEN Xiu-rong,SHANG Xun-wu

2014, 23(3):  276-281.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140333

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The gangrene (Phoma foveata), which was a important disease in storage period of potato tubers, can cause the rotten potato rate more than 30% when the disease seriously occurred . In order to investigate the risk and suitable area of this fungus in China, Desktop GARP (the Genetic algorithm for Rule-set Prediction, GARP) and ArcGIS models were applied to predict potential geographic distribution based on the data about current distribution of P. foveata in world and 14 environmental and geological covariates in China. The results showed that P. foveata survive in part of the following 11 provinces including Gansu, Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, Xinjiang, Ningxia, Jiangsu, Anhui, Hubei and Hunan. And it could also occur in most area of 10 Provinces including Inner Mongolia, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Henan, Hebei, Shandong, Beijing, Liaoning, Jilin and Heilongjiang. Comprehensive risk value of P. foveata was 0.792, which indicated that P. foveata will be a risk microorganism in China and need importantly monitor.

Identification and evaluation of biological control potential of B-401 endophytic bacteria in grasses on alpine grasslands

CHANG Tao,WANG Han-qi,YANG Cheng-de,WANG Ying,YANG Xiao-li,XUE Li,CHEN Xiu-rong,XU Chang-lin

2014, 23(3):  282-289.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140334

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To study the biological control potential of B-401 endophytic bacteria in grasses on alpine grasslands, the determination of bacteriostatic ability was carried out by dual culture against plant pathogenic fungi. B-401 inhibited the growth of Phoma foveata, Stysanus stemonitis, Colletotrichum coccodes, Fusarium avenaceum, Fusarium oxysporum, Alternaria solani, Bipolaris sorokiniana and Fusarium solani by 74.45%, 71.57%, 70.05%, 48.01%, 56.01%, 60.25%, 64.65% and 45.01% respectively. The control efficacy of B-401 against potato gangrene was 52.67% when a 10 times dilution of fermentation broth was sprayed on potato tubers during the storage-period. The concentration of IAA secreted by B-401 in King’s medium containing 100 mg/L tryptophan was 3.42 mg/L, and the concentration in the medium without tryptophan was 2.60 mg/L. B-401 possessed the capacity for nitrogen fixation but it did not have the capacity for phosphate solubilization. Based on morphology and physiological and biochemical characters, combined with 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis, B-401 was indentified as Bacillus atrophaeus.

The prospects for rangeland ecosystem services evaluation

GAO Ya,LIN Hui-long

2014, 23(3):  290-301.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140335

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There are four steps to evaluate the value of rangeland ecosystem services: definition, classification, setting up index, and evaluation. In this sequence, we discovered some different results in the four research steps. There could be three reasons for these differences: 1) Not fully understanding the heterogeneous characteristics of the grassland ecosystem interior, 2) Some research did not include the right evaluation objects, and these mistakes led to a double counting evaluation of the rangeland ecosystem services, and 3) Some research ignored the relationship between stakeholders and the valuation. To solve the above issues, a realistic plan of rangeland ecosystem services evaluation was introduced based on a comprehensive and sequential classification system of rangeland (CSCS). It included identification of the research scope and the internal grassland species, choosing the appropriate evaluation indices and the suitable evaluation methods. It especially emphasized the importance of field study.

Progress in research on the diseases of Onobrychis viciaefolia

NIE Hong-xia,GAO Feng,DUAN Ting-yu,LI Yan-zhong

2014, 23(3):  302-312.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140336

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Disease is one of the limiting factors for the production of sainfoin (Onobrychis viciaefolia). By the end of 2011, 32 diseases had been found in this legume forage world wide, including 27 fungal diseases, 2 bacterial diseases, 1 virus disease and 2 nematode diseases. Of the fungal diseases, 24 were found in China, 9 in Britain, 5 in Iran, 3 in Turkey, 2 in Canada, and 1 in each of the former Soviet Union and Germany. Among these diseases, 13 such as leaf spot (Cercospora sp.), anthracnose (Colletotrichum truncatum) and root rot (Aphanomyces euteiches) only occurred in China, whereas 3 diseases, powdery mildew (Erysiphe trifolii), ring spot (Pleospora herbarum) and root rot (Phytophthora citricola, P. cryptogea, P. megasperma) only occurred abroad. In total, there were 36 fungal species pathogenic on the plant. Of the plant tissues damaged, 21 were found in leaves and stems, 5 in root systems, and 1 which can cause systematic infection in the whole plant. In China, 20 were found in Gansu, 9 in Xinjiang, 5 in Inner Mongolia and fewer in other provinces. These bacteria, virus and nematode diseases occurred abroad except for stem epidemic disease (Pseudomonas syingae). Up to now, the loss, life cycle and management of some frequently occurring stem-leaf diseases such as powdery mildew, rust (Uromyces onobrychis), black rot (Alternaria tenuis) have been studied at various levels but there have been few studies on most of the stem-leaf diseases, root diseases and systematic diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to focus on several important diseases and to accurately identify their causal agents, frequently survey their dynamics and clearly determine their occurrence. The aim of this review is to propose effective management strategies for farmers.

A review of grassland carrying capacity: definition, theoretical consideration and model

XU Min-yun,HE Jin-sheng

2014, 23(3):  313-324.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140337

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Based on equilibrium theoretical models, the response of vegetation to grazing pressure is linear and reversible, and can be manipulated predictably with stocking rates. This equilibrium-based theoretical model advocates a conservative stocking strategy to maintain internal ecosystem regulation and stability. The management goal is to maintain a balance between stocking numbers and feeding resources. In contrast, 'new rangeland science' based on non-equilibrium ecological dynamics placed greater emphasis on external disturbances as drivers of ecosystem behavior. The ‘new science’, proposes that plant composition and biomass in semi-arid rangelands are primarily driven by rainfall and not by grazing pressure. Management of such systems should be opportunistic and take advantage of, or create, conditions which allow switches to a more desirable state. There are two major approaches: plant- or animal-oriented, to determine rangeland carrying capacity (CC). The traditional technique for determining CC is to calculate the total amount of forage at the end of the growing season, multiply this by a correction factor, and then divide by the average yearly feeding requirements of a livestock unit. Using total herbaceous forage productivity as the single criterion to predict the livestock support capacity has been criticized because biomass quality and feeding value for livestock and livestock nutritional needs are largely ignored. Based on research progress, the development and evolution, controversy in the application of the CC concept are summarized. The plant-, animal- (including standard hay-, total digestible nutrients- digestible crude protein- and energy-oriented) oriented CC was also compared. It is evident that in view of the seasonal variation in nutrient content of natural herbage, animal-oriented permissible stocking rates on the whole tend to be lower than those predicted by the plant-oriented approach. The most complete approach to evaluate primary and secondary productivity of rangelands should combine plant- and animal-based methods, rather than just plant oriented. In the case of a conservative grazing strategy, stocking rate was stable and grazing pressure fluctuated while for an opportunistic grazing strategy, stocking rate was unstable and grazing pressure was stable. Both equilibrium and non-equilibrium dynamics are found in rangelands, often at different times or governing different parts of the resource. Either conservative or opportunistic strategies could be correct, depending on the circumstances, including environmental variability and predictability, degradation and thresholds, property right regimes, discount rates, and market stability and prices. Finally, rangeland science and management are ultimately based on ecological models. In making management decisions, the specific model used is important because it determines both the expected ecosystem response to particular actions, as well as the strategies to attain desired conditions. The ecological model and grazing lands applications are summed up to provide reference for grazing management decision.

Impact of different use patterns and degrees of grassland use on vegetation carbon storage in the Aba grassland pastoral area

YANG Shu-jing,LI Tao,GAN You-min,WANG Yong,JI Lei,SONG Zhong-qi,LIU Tao

2014, 23(3):  325-332.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140338

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For studying the influence of different use patterns and degrees on the carbon storage of grassland vegetation in the Aba pastoral area, the ground vegetation, litter and underground biomass were measured in grasslands with different use patterns (fenced mown grassland, artificial grassland, winter and spring grazing meadowland and summer and autumn grazing pasture) and different degrees of use in the growing season (winter and spring graze meadowland, summer and autumn mild grazed land, summer and autumn moderate grazed pasture and summer and autumn severe grazed land). 1) In terms of use pattern, the carbon storage of aboveground vegetation on the fenced mown grassland, winter and spring grazed meadowland and artificial grassland was significantly (P<0.05) higher than those on the summer and autumn grazed pasture. In terms of degree of use in the growing season, winter and spring grazed meadowland and summer and autumn mild grazed land was significantly (P<0.05) higher than summer and autumn severe grazed land and summer and autumn moderate grazed pasture. 2) Differences in the carbon storage of litter was not significant. 3) In use patterns, the total carbon storage of roots on the summer and autumn grazed pasture and fenced mowing grassland was significantly higher than those on the winter and spring grazed meadowland and artificial grassland. In degree of use in the growing season, summer and autumn moderate grazed pasture and summer and autumn mild grazed land was significantly higher than summer and autumn severe grazed land and winter and spring grazed meadowland. The carbon storage of roots significantly decreased downward from the surface. The carbon storage of roots from 0 to 10 cm was more than 65% of the total, while from 10 to 30 cm there was no significant difference. In terms of use pattern, the carbon storage of grassland vegetation appeared as fenced mown grassland (356.509 g/m²)>winter and spring grazed meadowland (297.780 g/m²)>artificial grassland (164.953 g/m²)>summer and autumn grazed pasture (137.577 g/m²), and the carbon storage of ground vegetation was 15.334, 17.130, 9.167 and 5.146 times respectively of the carbon storage of underground roots. In terms of use in the growing season, winter and spring grazed meadowland (297.780 g/m²)>summer and autumn mild grazed land (217.002 g/m²)>summer and autumn severe grazed land (113.849 g/m²)>summer and autumn moderate grazed pasture (81.882 g/m²), and the carbon storage of ground vegetation was 17.1304, 8.636, 4.412 and 2.430 times respectively of the carbon storage of underground roots. The results showed that use pattern and grazing intensity are important factors influencing carbon storage of grassland vegetation.

Impacts of heavy metals on the fluorescence characteristics and root morphology of 2 turfgrass species

CHEN Wei,ZHANG Miao-miao,SONG Yang-yang,CHEN Jian-gang,ZHANG De-gang

2014, 23(3):  333-342.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140339

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The impacts of Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ stresses on fluorescence characteristics and root morphology of tall fescue (Festuca elata) and perennial ryegrass (Poa pratensis) were studied. The F_v/F_m of tall fescue under Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ stresses were lower than that in the controls suggesting that the activity of PSⅡ was weakened. However, it was quite different for perennial ryegrass. The F_v/F_m under Cd²⁺ stress was slightly higher than that in the controls indicating that the impact of Cd²⁺ was not significant. However, it was significantly reduced when the concentrations of Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ reached 500 mg/kg or more. Meanwhile, the lower concentrations of Zn²⁺ resulted in an improving effect on the PSⅡ system. The qP and ETR of both species under the stresses of 4 heavy metals were lower than those in the controls suggesting that the photosynthetic activity and electron transformation efficiency were inhibited. Except at low concentrations, the root length, root area, numbers of root forks and tips of tall fescue were significantly lower than those in the controls when under stress from four heavy metals: there was a decreasing trend with increasing stress concentration. Perennial ryegrass showed a strong resistance to the stresses when heavy metals were at low concentrations and vice versa.

Effects of various trampling stresses on turf characteristics and the natural recovery of Zoysia metrella

MA Xue-mei,LUO Gan-feng,LI De-rong,JIN Xiong,CHENG Jian-feng

2014, 23(3):  343-349.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140340

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Zoysia matrella possesses the characteristics of developed aboveground stolon and underground rhizomes, long and thin leaves, long green periods, intensive grass sward, strong reproduction and resistance, and low maintenance costs so it is the most important warm season turfgrass in the south of China and the first option for planting sports and urban open turf. From previous literature, the research on Z. matrella was more focused on the morphological and anatomical structures, drought, cold, saline and alkaline resistances, but there were few studies on trampling tolerance and natural recovery after trampling was seriously neglected. To provide some theoretical basis and practical references for the planting, management and maintenance of Z. metrella turf, the effects of various trampling stresses,including none (control), light, moderate and heavy trampling on the characteristics of Z. metrella turf established for 4 years and their natural recovery were studied using artificial trampling. All trampling stresses significantly reduced turf characteristics in the order of turf height>turf coverage>turf density>aboveground biomass>length of the top third leaf. The effects of various trampling stresses on the turf characteristics were obviously different and moderate trampling could control turf height, decrease turf biomass and increase turf density. After 53 days of natural recovery, the trampled turfs gained some recovery, but the consequence of recovery was related to the turf characteristics and trampling intensity. Turf height after recovery was higher than that before trampling in the order of moderate trampling>light trampling>heavy trampling and was extremely significantly lower than that of the control. Turf height and coverage could recover to the original level before trampling and was best with moderate trampling. The length of the top third leaf could recover to 86.8%-93.5% of the original level and was extremely significantly higher than that of the control. The aboveground biomass under moderate trampling recovered to 90.2% of the original level, while the aboveground biomass under moderate and heavy trampling recovered to above 115.0% of the original levels, but they were extremely significantly lower than that of the control. Therefore, the damage of turf under light trampling was small and recovery to the original level was rapid. The short-time damage of turf under moderate trampling was serious and recovery to the original level was slow. Under heavy trampling, the long-time damage to turf was very serious and recovery to the original level was difficult.

Effects of different chemical treatments on fermentation characteristics of rice straw in vitro

MA Yan-yan,LI Yuan-fei,CHENG Yan-fen,ZHU Wei-yun

2014, 23(3):  350-355.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140341

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The effects of different chemical treatments on fermentation characteristics of rice straw (RS) in vitro were investigated. The rumen fluid was collected from 3 holstein dairy cows with permanent rumen fistula. The rice straw was treated with composite sodium hydroxide (SH), ammonium bicarbonate (AB) and urea (UR). The bottles containing 10 mL rumen fluid and 90 mL media with 1 g RS as substrate were incubated at 39℃, and the samples were collected at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after incubation for the analysis of gas production (GP), volatile fatty acids (VFA), ammonia nitrogen (NH₃-N) and microbial protein production (MCP). The chemical treatments significantly improved the GP, concentrations of VFA, NH₃-N and MCP compared with untreated RS. The cumulative gas production, dry matter digestibility and VFA of SH-RS were significantly higher than the others and they were significantly lower in the untreated RS. However, pH and the concentrations of NH₃-N and MCP of UR-RS were significantly higher than those of AB-RS, SH-RS and UT-RS. In conclusion, chemical treatments improved the in vitro digestibility of RS, in which composite sodium hydroxide treatment was recommended.

Residues of azoxystrobin in forages and soils

ZHANG Zhi-yong,JIAN Qiu,SONG Wen-cheng,SUN Xing,YANG Bang-bao

2014, 23(3):  356-361.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140342

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To determine the safety of azoxystrobin in forages, residue degradation and final residue levels of azoxystrobin in forages and soils at three experimental sites (Beijing, Nanjing of Jiangsu province and Zhengzhou of Henan province) were determined by HPLC-MS. Residues of azoxystrobin in forage and soil were extracted by ethyl acetate, cleaned in a NH₂-column and detected by HPLC-MS. External standards were employed for quantitative analysis. The method was validated at three levels of fortification (0.01, 0.10 and 1.00 mg/kg) in forages and soils. The recoveries of azoxystrobin in forages were 86.5%-97.4%,with RSD of 6.1%-10.3%, and the recoveries in soils were 82.4%-107.2%, with RSD of 2.3%-5.7%. The limit of detection of azoxystrobin in forages and soils was 0.01 mg/kg. The half-lives of residues of azoxystrobin in forages at the three sites were 2.9-3.4 days,and the half-lives in soils were 3.2-3.7 days. Twenty one days after treatment, azoxystrobin residues in forages were safe according to the recommended dosage and times based on the CAC’s of azoxystrobin in forages (15 mg/kg).

Effect of interplanting halophyte in cotton fields with drip irrigation under film to improve saline-alkali soil

WANG Sheng,WANG Quan-jiu,ZHOU Bei-bei,WU Jun-hu,SHI Wen-juan,LUO Xiao-dong

2014, 23(3):  362-367.  DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140343

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To improve saline-alkali soil, the halophyte was interplanted in cotton fields through drip irrigation under film. The average water content in interplanted Suaeda salsa and Salicornia europaea were larger than those in the control plot by 61.0% and 34.1% respectively. The desalinizations were 43.1% (S. salsa), 30.6% (S. europaea) and 17.2 (control plot). The K⁺/Na⁺ ratio and the soil bulk density increased, while the Cl^- and soil porosity decreased, and the cotton yield increased. This suggested that interplanting halophyte in cotton fields is a good option to improve saline-alkali soil, with no requirement for much more water.