Assessment of crop insect damage using unmanned aerial systems: A machine learning approach

Agricultural pests are responsible for millions of dollars in crop losses and management costs every year. In order to implement optimal site-specific treatments and reduce control costs, new methods to accurately monitor and assess pest damage need to be investigated. In this paper we explore the combination of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), remote sensing and machine learning techniques as a promising technology to address this challenge. The deployment of UAVs as a sensor platform is a rapidly growing field of study for biosecurity and precision agriculture applications. In this experiment, a data collection campaign is performed over a sorghum crop severely damaged by white grubs (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). The larvae of these scarab beetles feed on the roots of plants, which in turn impairs root exploration of the soil profile. In the field, crop health status could be classified according to three levels: bare soil where plants were decimated, transition zones of reduced plant density and healthy canopy areas. In this study, we describe the UAV platform deployed to collect high-resolution RGB imagery as well as the image processing pipeline implemented to create an orthoimage. An unsupervised machine learning approach is formulated in order to create a meaningful partition of the image into each of the crop levels. The aim of the approach is to simplify the image analysis step by minimizing user input requirements and avoiding the manual data labeling necessary in supervised learning approaches. The implemented algorithm is based on the K-means clustering algorithm. In order to control high-frequency components present in the feature space, a neighbourhood-oriented parameter is introduced by applying Gaussian convolution kernels prior to K-means. The outcome of this approach is a soft K-means algorithm similar to the EM algorithm for Gaussian mixture models. The results show the algorithm delivers decision boundaries that consistently classify the field into three clusters, one for each crop health level. The methodology presented in this paper represents a venue for further research towards automated crop damage assessments and biosecurity surveillance.

Vegetation structure and floristic composition of a tropical dry deciduous forest in Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka, India

A permanent 2 ha (200 m x 100 m) plot was established for long-term monitoring of plant diversity and dynamics in a tropical dry deciduous forest of Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka, southern India. Enumeration of all woody plants >= 1 cm DBH (diameter at breast height) yielded a total of 1766 individuals that belonged to 46 species, 37 genera and 24 families. Combretaceae was the most abundant family in the forest with a family importance value of 68.3. Plant density varied from 20 - 90 individuals with an average 35 individuals/quadrat (20 m x 20 m). Randia dumetorum, with 466 individuals (representing 26.7 % of the total density 2 ha(-1)) with species importance value of 36.25, was the dominant species in the plot. The total basal area of the plot was 18.09 m(2) ha(-1) with a mean of 0.72 m(2) quadrat(-1). The highest basal area of the plot was contributed by Combretaceae (12.93 m(2) 2 ha(-1)) at family level and Terminalia tomentosa (5.58 m(2) 2 ha(-1)) at species level. The lowest diameter class (1-10 cm) had the highest density (1054 individuals 2 ha(-1)), but basal area was highest in the 80 - 90 cm diameter class (5.03m(2) 2 ha(-1)). Most of the species exhibited random or aggregated distribution over the plot. This study provides a baseline information on the dry forests of Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary.

Study on the biomass yield of Duckweed (Lemna minor) (L.) in hydroponic cultures containing different concentrations of aquaeous extract of chicken manure

The biomass yields of duck week (Lemna minor(L) was monitored in hydroponic media prepared by variously extracting 0.50, 1.00 and 2.00g of dried chicken manure per liter of city water (tap water) supply. The culture media consisting of aqueous extract of the various manure treatments were made up to 12 liters in all cases with tap water as control. Plastic baths of 25 liters capacity with 0.71 super(m2) surface area were used as culture facility. Each bath was stocked at a density of 30g super(m-2) with fresh weed samples (i.e 21.30g/bath). Maximum yields were obtained at all treatment levels and control on day 3 and based on the highest yield of 0.37gm super(-2)d super(-1) (dry matter) obtained at 1.00gL manure treatment which was however not significantly higher (P>0.05) than the 0.36gm super(-2)d super(-1) (dry matter) at 0.05gl super(-1) media manure content, an average manure level of 0.75l super(-1) was selected and used to determine the operational plant density. Thus fresh weights of 30 to 300gm super(-2) was grown in triplicate at 30g intervals for a period of 3 days. A regression equation of Y=2.6720+0.0021x with a corresponding maximum density or operational plant density of 266gm super(-2) and yield of 0.98gm super(-2), d super(-1) (dry matter) were obtained. Further growth trials were carried out at the operational density and manure levels of 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, 1.25, 1.50, 1.75 and 2.00gl super(-1) media manure concentration giving a significantly higher yield (P<0.05) of 17gm super(-2), d super(-1) (dry matter). This yield was however doubled to between 2.21 and 2.24gm super(-2) d super(-1) (equivalent to 7.96 to 8.06mt.ha-1, Yr-1 dry matter on extrapolation) if 25% and 75% respectively of the total weed cover were harvested daily within the experimental period. The role of some dissolved plant nutrients (DPN) were also discussed

土壤微生物和酶对大气CO2浓度与温度升高的响应

土壤微生物(Soil microbes)是生态系统的重要组成部分，它参与土壤中复杂有机物质的分解和再合成，也参与C、N、S、P等的循环。土壤酶(Soil enzyme)是土壤中具有生物活性的蛋白质，它与微生物一起推动着土壤的生物化学过程，并在树木营养物质的转化中起着重要的作用。鉴于土壤微生物和土壤酶对环境变化的敏感性，它们在CO2浓度和温度升高时的反应将在很大程度上影响森林生态系统的结构和功能。因此，要全面评价大气CO2浓度和温度升高对整个生态系统的影响，有必要对CO2浓度和温度升高条件下的土壤微生物的反应进行深入的研究与探讨。本文应用自控、封闭、独立的生长室系统，研究了川西亚高山岷江冷杉（Abies faxoniana）根际、非根际土壤微生物数量，红桦（Betula albosinensis）根际微生物数量以及根际、非根际土壤酶活性对大气CO2浓度(环境CO2浓度+350±25μmol·mol-1，EC)和温度(环境温度+2.0±0.5℃，ET)升高及两者同时升高(ECT)的响应。结果表明： 1) EC和ET显著增加岷江冷杉根际微生物数量，但不同微生物种类对EC和ET的反应有所差异。6、8和10月，岷江冷杉根际微生物数量与对照(CK)相比，EC处理的根际细菌数量分别增加了35%、164%和312%，ET处理增加了30%、115%和209%；EC和ET处理对根际放线菌和根际真菌数量影响不显著。ECT处理的根际放线菌数量分别增加了49%、50%和96%，根际真菌数量增加了151%、57%和48%；而ECT对根际细菌数量影响不显著。EC、ET和ECT处理对岷江冷杉土壤微生物总数的根际效应明显，其R/S值分别为1.93、1.37和1.46(CK的R/S值为0.81)。 2) 红桦根际微生物数量对EC、ET和ECT的响应不同。生长季节(5~10月)，高密度的红桦根际细菌数量与CK 相比，EC的根际细菌数量分别增加28%、33%、423%、65%、43%和79%，而低密度的红桦根际细菌数量增加不显著。ET能显著增加根际细菌数量(7~10月)，其中高密度的根际细菌数量分别增加了377%、107%、35%、22%，而低密度的根际细菌数量分别增加了27%、27%、64%、48%；ECT对两个密度水平下根际细菌数量均未产生有显著的影响。高、低密度的红桦根际放线菌和根际真菌数量与 CK 相比，EC显著增加了低密度的红桦根际放线菌数量，而对高密度的根际放线菌数量无显著影响；ET和ECT对高低密度的红桦根际放线菌数量均未产生显著影响。EC和ET对高低密度的根际真菌数量也无显著影响，而ECT却显著增加了高低密度的根际真菌数量。 3) EC、ET和ECT处理的低密度红桦根际微生物(细菌、放线菌和真菌)数量没有显著高于或低于高密度根际微生物数量，表明短期内密度对红桦根际微生物数量不产生影响。 4) 不同种类的氧化还原酶对EC、ET和ECT的响应不同。5~10月，EC的红桦根际过氧化氢酶活性是CK 的1.44、1.06、1.11、1.10、1.12和1.24倍，差异显著(6月除外)；ET和ECT处理根际过氧化氢酶活性无显著增加。EC的红桦根际多酚氧化酶活性比CK显著增加；ET的根际多酚氧化酶活性显著高于CK(8月除外)。ECT的根际多酚氧化酶活性高于CK，差异不显著。EC的根际脱氢酶活性分别增加了46%、40%、133%、48%、17%和26%，差异显著。5~7月，ET和ECT的根际脱氢酶活性高于CK的脱氢酶活性，而8~9月则相反，差异性均不显著。 5) EC、ET和ECT对不同种类的水解酶的影响不同。EC能显著增加红桦根际脲酶活性，5~10月分别增加了29%、42%，、70%、67%、59%和57%。ET和ECT 对根际脲酶活性未产生显著影响。EC显著提高根际转化酶活性，5、6和9月EC的根际转化酶活性分别比CK高51%、42%和40%。5和10月，ET的根际转化酶活性低于CK，而其余月份却高于CK，但均具有显著性差异。ECT的根际转化酶活性与CK的根际转化酶活性有显著性差异(9月除外)，5、6和7月的根际转化酶活性分别提高了94%、198%和67%。 6) 与CK相比，EC、ET和ECT的非根际土壤微生物数量以及非根际土壤酶活性均无显著提高。EC、ET和ECT的过氧化氢酶、脲酶的根际效应明显，而多酚氧化酶和脱氢酶根际效应不明显。EC和ECT的转化酶根际效应明显，而ET的转化酶根际效应不明显。 It is well known that atmospheric CO2 concentration and temperature are increasing as a consequence of human activities. In past decades, considerable efforts had been put into investigating the effects of climate change on processes of forest ecological system. In general, studies had been mainly focused on the effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 on plant physiology and development, litter quality, and soil microorganisms. Studies showed that there was variation in the responses of root development and below-ground processes to climate between different plant communities. Since the concentration of CO2 in soil was much higher (10~50 times) than in the atmosphere, increasing levels of atmospheric CO2 may not directly in fluence below ground processes. Betula albosinensis and Abies faxoniana, as the dominated tree species of subalpine dark coniferous forest in the western Sichuan province, which play an important role in the structure and function of this kind of forest ecosystem. In our study, effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration (350±25μmol·mol-1), increased temperature (2.0±0.5℃) and both of the two on the number of rhizospheric microbe and rhizospheric enzyme activity were studied by the independent and enclosed-top chamber’ system under high-frigid conditions. Responses of rhizospheric bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi number of Betula albosinensis and Abies faxoniana under different densities(high density with 84 stems·m-2, low density with 28 stems·m-2 ), and rhizospheric enzyme activity of Betula albo-sinensis to elevated CO2 concentration and increased temperature were analyzed and discussed. The results are as the following, 1) In comparion with the control, the numbers of rhizospheric bacteria of Abies faxoniana were increased by 35%, 164% and 312% significantly in June, August and October respectively of EC, and were increased by 30%, 115% and 209% respectively of ET.However the effect of EC and ET on rhizospheric actinomycetes and fungi was not significant. The number of rhizospheric actinomycetes of ECT were increased significantly by 49%, 50% and 96% respectively, and the increment of rhizospheric fungi were 151%, 57% and 48% respectively .The effect of ECT on rhizospheric bacteria was not significant. Rhizospheric effect of soil microbe for all treatments was significant, with the R/S of 1.93, 1.27 and 1.46 for EC, ET and ECT, respectively. 2) Treatment EC improved the number of rhizospheric bacteria of Betula albosinensis under high density significantly in comparison with the control, over the growing season, the greatest increment of rhizospheric bacteria was from July. However, EC had no effect on the number of rhizospheric bacteria under low density. Except May and June, treatment ET improved the number of rhizospheric signifcantly. The effect of treatment ECT on the number of rhizospheric bacteria under different densities was not significant. Of treatment EC, the number of rhizospheric actinomycetes of Betula albosinensis under low density were increased significantly, however, treatment EC did not stimulate the number of rhizospheric actinomycetes under high density. Simultaneously, treatment ET and ECT did not stimulate the number of rhizospheric actinomycetes. Finally, in treatment ECT, the number of rhizospheric fungi under high density were increased significantly, however treatment EC and ET did not stimulate the number of rhizospheric fungi under different densities. 3) Of treatment EC, ET and ECT, the number of rhizospheric microbe of Betula albosinensis under low density were not more or fewer than that of microbe under hign density along the growing season, which showed that plant density had no effect on the nmber of microbe. 4) From May to October, 2004，rhizospheric catalase activity of Betula albosinensis of treatment EC was 1.44, 1.06, 1.11, 1.10, 1.12 and 1.24 times as treatment CK respectively, and the difference was statistically significant(except June). Treatment ET and ECT did not increase rhizospheric catalase activity significantly. In treatment EC, the rhizospheric pohyphenol oxidase activity was higher than treatment CK significantly. The rhizospheric pohyphenol oxidase activity of treatment ET was higher than CK significantly (except August). The rhizospheric pohyphenol oxidase activity of treatment ECT was higher than CK, but the difference was not statistically significant. Over the growing period, the rhizospheric dehydrogenase activity were increased 46%, 40%, 133%, 48%, 17% and 26% respectively by treatment EC, and the difference was statistically significant. From May to July, the rhizospheric dehydrogenase activity in treatment ET and ECT was higher than CK, but from August to October, the rhizospheric dehydrogenase activity was lower than CK, the difference was not significant. 5) Treatment EC increased rhizospheric urease activity significantly, from May to October, rhizospheric urease activity were increased 29%, 42%, 70%, 67%, 59% and 57% respectively by EC. Treatment ET and ECT had no effect on rhizospheric urease activity. Treatment EC improved rhizospheric invertase activity significantly, in May, June and September, the rhizospheric invertase activity of treatment EC were increased 51%, 42% and 40% in comparison with the control. Except May and October, the rhizospheric invertase activity of treatment ET was markly higher than CK. The rhizospheric invertase activity of treatment ECT was significantly different from CK (except September), in May, June and July treatment ECT increased rhizospheric invertase activity by 94%, 198% and 67% respectively. 6) In comparison with the control, treatment EC, ET, and ECT had no effect on the number of non-rhizospheric microbe and non-rhizospheric enzyme activity. Rhizospheric effect of catalase and urease for all treatments was significant, but rhizospheric effect of pohyphenol oxidase and dehydrogenase was not significant. Rhizospheric effect of invertase of EC and ECT was significant, but rhizospheric effect of invertase of ET was not significant.

卧龙自然保护区不同海拔的中国沙棘(Hippophae rhamnoides subsp. sinensis)天然群体的遗传多样性分析

中国沙棘是一种雌雄异株、风媒传粉的灌木或乔木，在中国西南的卧龙自然保护区有广泛的分布。本研究以采集于四川卧龙自然保护区5 个海拔(1800 m、2200 m、2600 m、3000 m、3400 m)梯度的中国沙棘天然群体为材料，以ISSR 和AFLP 标记技术研究其遗传多样性水平及其遗传结构，旨在了解卧龙地区中国沙棘天然群体的遗传多样性水平以及遗传多样性在群体间、群体内以及雌雄亚群体间的分布和特征，为中国沙棘树种的遗传改良及种质资源保存提供遗传研究背景与实验依据。同时探讨ISSR、AFLP 和RAPD三种标记对中国沙棘天然群体的遗传变异水平和群体间遗传结构的评估能力和各自的优缺点。研究得出以下主要结论： 1. ISSR和AFLP分析都表明卧龙自然保护区的中国沙棘群体拥有较高的遗传变异水平(h = 0.249，HT = 0.305)。出现这种结果的主要原因可能与卧龙自然保护区多变的气候条件和生境的异质度大有关。 2. ISSR 和AFLP 都揭示出卧龙自然保护区中国沙棘群体的遗传多样性随着海拔的增加发生显著的变化，表现为中海拔群体(2200 m 和2600 m)比高海拔群体(3000 m 和3400 m)和低海拔群体(1800 m)有更高的遗传多样性的趋势。出现这种趋势的可能解释是低海拔群体处在相对高温和相对干旱的环境，高海拔群体受到低温和紫外线胁迫，而中海拔群体存在中国沙棘生长的适宜环境。 3. ISSR 和AFLP 分析都表明：卧龙自然保护区中国沙棘的遗传结构遵循分布范围广、交配系统以异交为主的木本植物的通常模式，即大多数的遗传变异存在于群体内，只有少部分的遗传变异存在于群体间。 4. 经Mantel 检测表明，卧龙自然保护区中国沙棘群体间的海拔距离和对应遗传距离之间存在显著的正相关关系，即随着垂直海拔距离的增加，群体间的遗传距离也随之增加。Mantel 检测结果以及聚类分析将卧龙自然保护区5 个不同海拔的中国沙棘群体分为低、中、高海拔群体三组的研究结果都表明，海拔很可能是限制群体间基因交流的主要因素。 5. ISSR 分析发现同一海拔的雌雄亚群体首先聚类的研究结果表明，同一海拔的雌雄亚群体在遗传上最相似。方差分析结果表明只有3.8%的总遗传变异存在于雌雄亚群体间，这可能与雌雄植株间的交配和遗传物质的混合有关。 6. ISSR、AFLP 和RAPD 分析都表明卧龙自然保护区不同海拔的中国沙棘天然群体的遗传多样性水平较高。它们的分析结果估算得到的Nei's 平均基因多样度(h)分别为0.249、0.214 和0.170。从该结果可以看出ISSR 和AFLP 比RAPD 检测到更多的遗传多态性,这很可能是不同标记检测的基因组的位点不同所致。 7. 依据对不同标记系统的比较分析，认为ISSR、AFLP 和RAPD 三种分子标记系统都能成功地用于调查卧龙自然保护区不同海拔的中国沙棘群体的遗传变异水平及遗传变异结构，提供关于中国沙棘天然群体多态性水平和遗传变异分布的有用信息。在三者中，AFLP 具有最高效能指数和标记指数，在确定种间分类关系或鉴别个体方面是一种比较理想的标记。 Hippophae rhamnoides subsp. sinensis, a dioecious and deciduous shrub species,occupies a wide range of habitats in the Wolong Nature Reserve, Southwest China. Ourpresent study investigated the pattern of genetic variation and differentiation among fivenatural populations of H. rhamnoides subsp. sinensis, occurring along an altitudinal gradientthat varied from 1,800 to 3,400 m above sea level in the Wolong Natural Reserve, by usingISSR and AFLP markers to guide its genetic improvement and germplasm conservation. And,comparative study of ISSR, AFLP and RAPD was performed to detect their capacity toestimating the level and pattern of genetic variation occurring among the five elevationpopulations of H. rhamnoides subsp. sinensis, and to discuss their application to the study onplant genetics. The results were list following: 1. The ISSR and AFLP analysis conducted for the H. rhamnoides subsp. sinensispopulations located in the Wolong Natural Reserve of China revealed the presence of highlevels of genetic variation (h = 0.249, HT = 0.305). Besides such features as relatively widedistribution, dominantly outcrossing mating system, and effective seed dispersal by small animals and birds, it is sometimes argued that hard climatic conditions and heterogeneous habitats may also contribute to high levels of diversity. 2. Genetic diversity of H. rhamnoides subsp. sinensis populations was found to varysignificantly with changing elevation, showing a trend that mid-elevation populations (2,200m and 2,600 m) were genetically more diverse than both low-elevation (1,800 m) andhigh-elevation populations (3,000 m and 3,400 m). H. rhamnoides subsp. sinensis is thoughtto be stressed by drought and high temperature at low elevations, and by low temperature athigh elevations. The high genetic variability present in the mid-elevation populations of H.rhamnoides subsp. sinensis is assumed to be related to a greater plant density in the middlealtitudinal zone, where favorable ecological conditions permit its continuous distributioncovering the zone from 2,200 m to 2,600 m above sea level. 3. The genetic structure of H. rhamnoides subsp. sinensis revealed by ISSRs andAFLPs followed the general pattern detected in woody species with widespread distributionsand outcrossing mating systems. Such plants possess more genetic diversity withinpopulations and less variation among populations than species with other combinations oftraits. 4. In the present study, Mantel tests showed positive correlations between altitudinaldistances and genetic distances among populations or subpopulations. The observedrelationship between altitude and genetic distances, and the result of the cluster analysisincluding populations or male subpopulations and classifying the groups into three altitudeclusters suggest that altitude is a major factor that restricts gene flow between populationsand subpopulations. 5. The analysis of molecular variance showed that only 3.8% of the variability residedbetween female and male subpopulations. Such a very restricted proportion of the totalmolecular variance between female and male subpopulations is due to common sexuality andmixing of genetic material between females and males. 6. The analysis based on ISSRs, AFLPs and RAPDs all revealed relatively high levelsof genetic variation among different altitudinal populations of H. rhamnoides subsp. sinensisin Wolong Natural Reserve of China. Their estimates of mean Nei’s gene diversity is equal to0.249, 0.214 and 0.170 respectively, suggesting the higher capacity of detecting geneticvariation of ISSR and AFLP than RAPD. It might be ascribed to their distinct sensitivity todifferent type of genetic variation. 7. Based on the coparative study on ISSR, AFLP and RAPD, we drew a conclusion thatthey all successfully reveal some useful information concerning the level and pattern ofgenetic vatiation occurring among different elevation populations of H. rhamnoides subsp.sinensis. AFLP is a ideal tool to taxonomic study and individual identification for theirhighest efficiency index and marker index among the three marker systems.

黄龙世界自然遗产地岷江冷杉原始林群落结构与植物多样性：生境差异性研究

黄龙世界自然遗产地岷江冷杉林(Abies faxoniana)生境类型多样，群落结构复杂，群落植物种类组成多样性丰富。揭示不同生境的生物多样性及其差异是认识生物多样性格局、形成及维持机制的前提和进行多样性保育的基础。本文采用样方法对黄龙钙化滩生境、阴坡非钙化生境及半阳坡非钙化生境的岷江冷杉原始林植物群落结构及植物多样性进行了研究。结果表明： 黄龙岷江冷杉林具有明显的复层异龄结构，垂直结构明显，乔木、灌木、草本、苔藓层次分明。共发现高等植物386 种，其中维管植物46 科103 属163 种，苔藓植38 科83 属物223 种。各层片结构及物种组成如下: (1)钙化滩生境、阴坡非钙化生境、半阳坡非钙化生境分别发现乔木18 种、13种、8 种。乔木层均可分为两个亚层，第一亚层优势种均为岷江冷杉，第二亚层主要为岷江冷杉异龄树或其它大高位芽物种。钙化滩生境第一亚层除优势种岷江冷杉外混生有巴山冷杉(Abies fargesii)、粗枝云杉(Picea asperata)以及阔叶树种白桦(Betula platyphylla)等，第二亚层主要为岷江冷杉异龄树；阴坡非钙化生境第一亚层除优势种岷江冷杉外间有巴山冷杉和白桦，第二亚层物种主要为川滇长尾槭(Acer caudatum var. prattii)；半阳坡非钙化生境第一亚层除优势种岷江冷杉外混生有巴山冷杉，第二亚层主要为岷江冷杉异龄树。依乔木层优势种的差异，钙化滩生境及半阳坡非钙化生境为岷江冷杉纯林，阴坡非钙化生境为岷江冷杉－川滇长尾槭混交林。不同生境乔木层郁闭度、乔木密度、树高结构、直径结构均存在差异。 (2)钙化滩生境发现灌木41 种，平均盖度为18.49±1.72(％)，平均高度为52.12±4.45(cm)，优势种为直穗小檗(Berberis dasystachya)；阴坡非钙化生境发现灌木30 种，平均盖度为29.33±2.56 (％)，平均高度为119.55±8.01 (cm)，优势种为箭竹 (Fargesia spathacea) 、唐古特忍冬(Lonicera tangutica) 和袋花忍冬(Lonicera saccata)；半阳坡非钙化生境发现灌木29 种，平均盖度为31.35±1.93 (％)，平均高度为107.55±4.24 (cm)，优势种为箭竹(Fargesia spathacea)。不同生境灌木层结构和物种组成多样性差异显著，钙化滩生境的灌木盖度、高度总体上较非钙化的坡地生境低, 钙化滩生境灌木以小型叶的落叶灌木为主，沟两侧非钙化的坡地生境上则发育了丰富箭竹。 (3)钙化滩生境发现草本46 种，平均盖度为7.18±0.79 (％)，平均高度为5.04±0.26(cm)，以山酢浆草(Oxalis griffithii)为优势种；阴坡非钙化生境发现草本物种71 种，平均盖度达29.04±2.31(％)，平均高度为9.08±0.52(cm)，以钝叶楼梯草(Elatostema obtusum)、山酢浆草为优势种；半阳坡非钙化生境草本物种50 种，平均盖度为以8.79±0.82(％)，平均高度为7.67±0.43 (cm)，以扇叶铁线蕨(Adiantum flabellulatum)、双花堇菜(Viola biflora)、华中蛾眉蕨(Lunathyrium shennongense)、山酢浆草为优势种。阴坡非钙化生境草本层片发育良好，多样性最为丰富，盖度和物种丰富度均显著高于钙化滩生境和半阳坡非钙化生境。 (4)钙化滩生境发现苔藓物种140 种，平均盖度达84.25±1.30 (％)，以仰叶星塔藓(Hylocomiastrum umbratum) 等大型藓类为优势种；阴坡非钙化生境发现苔藓物种115 种，平均盖度为79.29±1.64 (％)，以刺叶提灯藓(Mnium spinosum)、大羽藓(Thuidium cymbifolium)、毛尖燕尾藓(Bryhnia trichomitra)等个体较小的物种为优势种；半阳坡非钙化生境发现苔藓物种91 种，平均盖度为60.64±1.93 (％)，也以刺叶提灯藓为优势种。 (5)钙化滩生境、阴坡非钙化生境、半阳坡非钙化生境的物种数分别为234 种、221 种、175 种。乔木层的Shannon-Wiener 指数分别为0.75 ±0.12、1.87±0.12、1.78±0.07（灌木层，0.44±0.08、1.71± 0.15、2.49±0.06；草本层，0.33±0.13、1.31±0.15 、2.15±0.08； 苔藓层1.30±0.11、2.08±0.04、1.73±0.11，）；Pielou 均匀度指数分别为0.45±0.05、0.29±0.06、0.28±0.08（灌木层，0.75±0.03、0.68±0.05、0.52±0.06；草本层，0.68±0.02、0.77±0.02、0.74±0.02；苔藓层，0.40±0.03、0.63±0.02、0.52±0.03）；Simpson's 优势度指数分别为0.63±0.06、0.78±0.04、0.83±0.07（灌木层，0.21±0.03、0.28±0.05、0.45±0.06；草本层，0.25±0.02、0.12±0.01、0.17±0.01；苔藓层，0.45±0.04、0.18±0.01、0.31±0.04）。三种生境间乔木层、草本层的Sorenson 群落相似性系数较低, 灌木层、苔藓层的的Sorenson 群落相似性系数较高。 综上所述，黄龙岷江冷杉林的群落结构、植物多样性在三种生境间存在差异性，这将意味着我们在进行黄龙世界自然遗产地的森林经营管理时要较多地关注岷江冷山林群落在不同生境中的差异性。 There were multiplex habitat types, complicated community structure and abundant species composition in the Huanglong World Natural Heritage Site. Uncovering the differences of biodiversity among different habitats was a precondition to understand the distribution, formation and sustaining mechanism of the biodiversity, and the foundation of biodiversity conservation. In the present study, using plenty of quadrants, we investigated the community structure and the biodiversity of the primitive Abies faxoniana forest in different habitats (travertine bottomland, semi-sunny-slope non-calcified habitat and shady-slope non-calcified habitat) in the Huanglong World Natural Heritage Site. The main results are as follows: All the primitive Abies faxoniana forests in the three habitats were uneven-aged with obvious vertical structure including tree layer, shrub layer, herb layer and bryophyte layer. A total of 386 higher plants including 163 vascular plant species (103 generic, 46 families) and 223 bryophyte species (83 generic, 38 families) were investigated. The structure and species composition of each layer are as follows: (1) There were 18, 13 and 8 tree species in travertine bottomland, shady-slope non-calcified habitat and semi-sunny-slope non-calcified habitat, respectively. The tree layers in all habitats can be divided into two clear sub-layers. The upper tree layers were dominated by Abies faxoniana, and the lower tree layers were dominated by uneven-aged Abies faxoniana or other phanerophytes species. There were Abies fargesii , Picea asperata and Betula platyphylla besides the dominated species (Abies faxoniana) in the upper tree layer in travertine bottomland, and the lower tree layers were dominated by uneven-aged Abies faxoniana; There were Abies fargesii and Betula platyphylla besides the dominated species (Abies faxoniana) in the upper tree layer in shady-slope non-calcified habitat, and the lower tree layers were dominated by Acer caudatum var. prattii; There was Abies fargesii besides the dominated species (Abies faxoniana) in the upper tree layer semi-sunny-slope non-calcified habitat, and the lower tree layers were dominated by uneven-aged Abies faxoniana. According to composition percentage of dominate species in tree layer, both the forest in travertine bottomland and in semi-sunny-slope non-calcified habitat could be ranked as pure forest, and the forest in shady-slope non-calcified habitat could be ranked as mingled forest. There were significant differences in crown density, plant density, height structure and diameter structure among the three habitats. (2) A total of 41 shrub species (average coverage 18.49±1.72％; average height 52.12±4.45 ㎝)were found in travertine bottomland, and the dominate species was Berberis dasystachya; A total of 30 shrub species (average coverage 29.33±2.56 ％;average height 119.55±8.01 ㎝)were found in shady-slope non-calcified habitat, and the dominate species was Fargesia spathacea, Lonicera tangutica and Lonicera saccata. A total of 29 shrub species (average coverage 31.35±1.93％; average height 107.55±4.24 ㎝) were found in semi-sunny-slope non-calcified habitat, and the dominate species was Fargesia spathacea. There were significant differences in structure and species diversity of the shrub layers among the three habitats. The coverage and height of shrub had lower value in travertine bottomland than in two non-calcified habitats. Moreover, travertine bottomland was dominated by deciduous shrub species with microphyll and non-calcified habitats developed abundant Fargesia spathacea species. (3) A total of 46 herb species (average coverage 7.18±0.79％;average height 5.04±0.26 ㎝)were found in travertine bottomland, and the dominate species was Oxalis griffithii; A total of 71 herb species (average coverage 29.04±2.31％;average height 9.08±0.52 ㎝)were found in shady-slope non-calcified habitat, and the dominate species was Elatostema obtusum and Oxalis griffithii. A total of 50 herb species (average coverage 8.79±0.82％;average height 7.67±0.43 ㎝) were found in semi-sunny-slope non-calcified habitat, and the dominate species was Adiantum flabellulatum, Viola biflora, Lunathyrium shennongense and Oxalis griffithii. Herb layers developed well in shady-slope non-calcified habitat and had the higher species richness and coverage than travertine bottomland and semi-sunny-slope non-calcified habitat. (4) A total of 140 bryophyte species (average coverage 84.25±1.30％)were found in travertine bottomland, and the dominate species was big bryophyte species such as Hylocomiastrum umbratum and so on; A total of 115 bryophyte species (average coverage 79.29±1.64％)were found in shady-slope non-calcified habitat, and the dominate species was small bryophyte species such as Mnium spinosum, Thuidium cymbifolium, Bryhnia trichomitra and so on. A total of 91 bryophyte species (average coverage 60.64±1.93％) were found in semi-sunny-slope non-calcified habitat, and the dominate species was Mnium spinosum. (5) There were 234, 221 and 175 plant species in travertine bottomland, shady-slope non-calcified habitat and semi-sunny-slope non-calcified habitat, respectively. Shannon-Wiener index of the tree layer was 0.75 ±0.12, 1.87±0.12 and 1.78±0.07 (the shrub layer, 0.44±0.08, 1.71± 0.15 and 2.49±0.06; the herb layer, 0.33±0.13, 1.31±0.15 and 2.15±0.08; the bryophyte layer, 1.30±0.11, 2.08±0.04 and 1.73±0.11.) for the three habitats, respectively; Pielou index of the tree layer was 0.45±0.05, 0.29±0.06 and 0.28±0.08 (the shrub layer, 0.75±0.03, 0.68±0.05 and 0.52±0.06; the herb layer, 0.68±0.02, 0.77±0.02 and 0.74±0.02; the bryophyte layer, 0.40±0.03, 0.63±0.02 and 0.52±0.03.) for the three habitats, respectively. Simpson's index of the tree layer was 0.63±0.06, 0.78±0.04 and 0.83±0.07 (the shrub layer, 0.21±0.03、0.28±0.05、0.45±0.06; the herb layer, 0.25±0.02, 0.12±0.01 and 0.17±0.01; the bryophyte layer, 0.45±0.04, 0.18±0.01 and 0.31±0.04.) for the three habitats, respectively. There were low Sorenson index both in the tree layer and in the herb layer among the three habitats, whereas, high Sorenson index occurred both in the shrub layer and in the bryophyte layer. To sum up, there were differences both in community structure and plant diversity among the three different habitats, which means that we should pay more attention to habitats heterogeneities of the primitive Abies faxoniana forest when we take action to manage the forest in the Huanglong World Natural Heritage Site.

Spectral response of winter wheat to crop development and various agronomic limitations

For maximizing the effective applications of remote sensing in crop recognition, crop performance assessment and canopy variables estimation at large areas, it is essential to fully understand the spectral response of canopy to crop development and varying growing conditions. In this paper, the spectral properties of winter wheat canopy under different growth stages and different agronomic conditions were investigated at the field level based on reflectance measurements. It was proved that crop growth and development, nitrogen fertilization rates, nutrient deficit (e.g. lacking any kind of nitrogen, phosphorus and kalium fertilizer or lacking all of them), irrigation frequency and plant density had direct influence on canopy reflectance in 400-900 nm which including the visible/near infrared bands, and resulted in great changes of spectral curves. It was suggested that spectral reflectance of crop canopy can well reflect the growth and development of crop and the impacts from various factors, and was feasible to provide vital information for crop monitoring and assessment. ©2010 IEEE.

Produtividade do feijão de inverno influenciada por irrigação, densidade de plantio e adubação em solo de Cerrado.

2008

Influência da densidade de semeadura nas características agronômicas de cultivares de girassol.

RESUMO: O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a influência de densidades de semeadura de genótipos de girassol em suas características agronômicas. O experimento foi realizado no campo experimental do IFMT, Campus Campo Novo do Parecis - MT, entre os meses de fevereiro e junho de 2015. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi de blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial 5 x 5, sendo cinco genótipos de girassol AGUARÁ 04, GNZ NEON, HÉLIO 251, SYN 045 e SYN 3950HO) e cinco populações de plantas (30.000, 37.500, 45.000, 52.500 e 60.000 plantas ha-1), com 3 repetições. Foram analisadas as características altura de planta, diâmetro da haste, tamanho do capítulo, massa de mil aquênios e produtividade de aquênios. Os dados obtidos foram submetidos à análise de variância, seguido de teste Tukey para cultivares e análise de regressão para as diferentes populações de plantas (p<0,05). O genótipo SYN 045 apresentou a maior produtividade de aquênios, 1.708,90 kg ha-1 enquanto que a população de 60.150 plantas ha-1 foi a que possibilitou a maior produtividade de aquênios, 2.391,92 kg ha-1. ABSTRACT: This study aimed to evaluate the influence of sowing density of sunflower genotypes on their agronomic characteristics. The experiment was conducted in the experimental field of IFMT, Campus Campo Novo do Parecis - MT, between February and June 2015. The experimental design was randomized blocks in a factorial 5 x 5, five sunflower genotypes (AGUARÁ 04, GNZ NEON, HÉLIO 251, SYN 045 and SYN 3950HO) and five plant populations (30,000, 37,500, 45,000, 52,500 and 60,000 plants ha-1) with 3 repetitions. Plant height, stem diameter, chapter length, mass thousand achenes and achenes productivity were analyzed. The data were submitted to analysis of variance followed by Tukey test for cultivars and regres. -

Control del crecimiento de tecoma stans var stans en función de la densidad de cultivos y la aplicación de fitoreguladores

p.45-51

Densidad de siembra y fertilización nitrogenada en trigo : 1-cultivares Marcos Juárez INTA y Norkinpan 70

p.9-16

Efecto de la densidad de plantación sobre la productividad comercial en rosas para corte

p.7-12

Le roseau commun (Phragmites Australis) influence-t-il la composition spécifique et le développement larvaire d'amphibiens?

Les plantes envahissantes sont considérées comme l'une des plus grandes menaces sur les espèces, mais leurs impacts sur les amphibiens demeurent peu connus. L’objectif de ce projet est de déterminer l’effet de l’établissement du roseau commun (Phragmites australis) sur la répartition des amphibiens et sur leur développement larvaire. Il est présumé que cette plante s'accapare l'espace et les ressources disponibles en produisant une importante biomasse, qu’elle peut modifier l’hydrologie des marais et la structure des communautés d’amphibiens. J’ai évalué les facteurs influençant la répartition des amphibiens selon les caractéristiques des étangs et du paysage dans 50 sites envahis ou non à divers degrés. Des expériences ont également été menées afin d’étudier les répercussions de trois densités de roseau sur des têtards de la Grenouille des bois (Lithobates sylvaticus) et sur la qualité de son habitat. Mes résultats suggèrent que le roseau à forte densité ralentit le développement larvaire de la grenouille des bois et influence les assemblages phytoplanctoniques. Cependant, il n’y a aucune relation entre la densité de la plante et la survie, la morphologie des têtards et les caractéristiques biotiques et abiotiques de l’eau. Dans notre aire d’étude, le paysage autour des étangs a une plus grande influence sur la répartition des amphibiens que l'établissement du roseau. Toutefois, la probabilité d’assèchement est plus élevée lorsque la plante est établie en grande quantité, ce qui, si l’envahissement s’intensifie, aura un effet néfaste sur la survie des têtards et mettra en péril la persistance des populations.

Effects of row spacing on productivity and nodulation of two soybean varieties under hot sub-moist tropical conditions in south-western Ethiopia

The objective of this study was to determine the optimum row spacing to improve the productivity of two soybean (Glycine max L.) varieties under the tropical hot sub-moist agroecological conditions of Ethiopia. A two-year split-plot design experiment was conducted to determine the effect of variety (Awasa-95 [early-maturing], Afgat [medium-maturing]) and row spacing (RS: 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60 cm) on the productivity, nodulation and weed infestation of soybean. Seed and total dry matter (TDM) yield per ha and per plant, and weed dry biomass per m^2 were significantly affected by RS. Soybean variety had a significant effect on plant density at harvest and some yield components (plant height, number of seeds/pod, and 1000 seed weight). Generally, seed and TDM yield per ha and per plant were high at 40 cm RS, and weed dry biomass per m^2 was higher for RS >= 40 cm than for narrower RS. However, the results did not demonstrate a consistent pattern along the RS gradient. The medium-maturing variety Afgat experienced higher mortality and ended up with lower final plant density at harvest, but higher plant height, number of seeds per pod and 1000 seed weight than the early-maturing variety Awasa-95. The results indicate that 40 cm RS with 5 cm plant spacing within a row can be used for high productivity and low weed infestation of both soybean varieties in the hot sub-moist tropical environment of south-western Ethiopia.

Determination of the silvo-melliferous regions of Benin: a nationwide categorisation of the land based on melliferous plants suitable for timber production

Perennial plants are the main pollen and nectar sources for bees in the tropical areas where most of the annual flora are burned in dry seasons. Therefore perennial plants constitute the most reliable bio materials for determining and evaluating the beekeeping regions of the Republic of Benin. A silvo-melliferous region (S-MR) is a geographical area characterised by a particular set of homogenous melliferous plants that can produce timber. Using both the prevailing climatic and the agro-ecological conditions six S-MRs could be identified, i.e. the South region, the Common Central region, the Central West region, the Central North region, the Middle North region and the Extreme North region. At the country level, the melliferous plants were dominated by Vitellaria paradoxa which is common to all regions. The most diversified family was the Caesalpiniaceae (12 species) followed by the Combretaceae (10 species) and Combretum being the richest genus. The effect of dominance is particularly high in the South region where Elaeis guineensis alone represented 72.6% of the tree density and 140% of the total plant importance. The total melliferous plant density varied from 99.3 plants ha^(−1) in the Common Central region to 178.0 plants ha^(−1) in the Central West region. On the basis of nectar and pollen source, the best region for beekeeping is the CentralWest region with 46.7% of nectar producing trees, 9.4% of pollen producing trees and 40.6% of plants that issue both, this in opposition to the South region which was characterised by an unbalanced distribution of melliferous trees.