Man-made desert algal crusts as affected by environmental factors in Inner Mongolia, China

Man-made desert algal crusts were constructed on a large scale (3000m(2)) in Inner Mongolia, China. Microcoleus vaginatus was mass cultivated and inoculated directly onto unconsolidated sand dune and irrigated by automatic sprinkling micro-irrigation facilities. The crusts were formed in a short time and could resist the erosion of winds and rainfalls 22 days after inoculation. The maximum biomass in the man-made algal crusts could also reach 35 mu g Chl a/cm(2) of soil. Effects of environmental factors such as temperature, irrigation, rainfall and soil nutrients on algal biomass of man-made algal crusts were also studied. It was found that rainfalls and lower light intensity had significantly positive effects on the biomass of man-made algal crusts. The preliminary results suggested that man-made algal crusts could be formed rapidly, and thus it might be a new feasible alternative method for fixing unconsolidated sand. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The status and causes of alien species invasion in China

Data of classification, origin, pathway and environmental impacts of invasive alien micro-organisms, invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles, fish, birds, mammals, weeds, trees, and marine organisms in terrestrial, aquatic and marine ecosystems of China, were analyzed, based on literature retrieval, field survey and consultation. Some 283 invasive alien species were recorded in China, including 19 invasive alien micro-organisms, 18 aquatic plants, 170 terrestrial plants, 25 aquatic invertebrates, 33 terrestrial invertebrates, 3 amphibians and reptiles, 10 fish, and 5 mammals. Of the invasive alien species, 55.1% originated from North and South America, 21.7% from Europe, 9.9% from Asia, 8.1% from Africa and 0.6% from Oceania. Many institutions and individuals in China lack adequate knowledge of ecological and environmental consequences caused by invasive alien species, with some ignorance of the dangerous invasion in the introduction of alien species. For instance, 50.0% of invasive alien plants were intentionally introduced as pasture, feedingstuff, ornamental plants, textile plants, medicinal plants, vegetables, or lawn plants, 25% of alien invasive animals were intentionally introduced for cultivation, ornament, or biological control, In addition, more efforts are being made in the introduction of alien species, and little attention is paid on the management of introduced alien species, which may cause their escape into natural environment and potential threats to the environment. There were also gaps in quarantine system in China. All microorganisms were unintentionally introduced, through timber, seedling, flowerpot, or soil; 76.3% of alien invasive animals invaded through commodity or transportation facility because of the failure of quarantine. Therefore, quarantine measures should be strictly implemented; and meanwhile the intentional introduction of alien species should be strictly managed and a system of risk assessment should be implemented.

Heavy metals in plants and phytoremediation - A state-of-the-art report with special reference to literature published in Chinese journals

Goal, Scope and Background. In some cases, soil, water and food are heavily polluted by heavy metals in China. To use plants to remediate heavy metal pollution would be an effective technique in pollution control. The accumulation of heavy metals in plants and the role of plants in removing pollutants should be understood in order to implement phytoremediation, which makes use of plants to extract, transfer and stabilize heavy metals from soil and water. Methods. The information has been compiled from Chinese publications stemming mostly from the last decade, to show the research results on heavy metals in plants and the role of plants in controlling heavy metal pollution, and to provide a general outlook of phytoremediation in China. Related references from scientific journals and university journals are searched and summarized in sections concerning the accumulation of heavy metals in plants, plants for heavy metal purification and phytoremediation techniques. Results and Discussion. Plants can take up heavy metals by their roots, or even via their stems and leaves, and accumulate them in their organs. Plants take up elements selectively. Accumulation and distribution of heavy metals in the plant depends on the plant species, element species, chemical and bioavailiability, redox, pH, cation exchange capacity, dissolved oxygen, temperature and secretion of roots. Plants are employed in the decontamination of heavy metals from polluted water and have demonstrated high performances in treating mineral tailing water and industrial effluents. The purification capacity of heavy metals by plants are affected by several factors, such as the concentration of the heavy metals, species of elements, plant species, exposure duration, temperature and pH. Conclusions. Phytoremediation, which makes use of vegetation to remove, detoxify, or stabilize persistent pollutants, is a green and environmentally-friendly tool for cleaning polluted soil and water. The advantage of high biomass productive and easy disposal makes plants most useful to remediate heavy metals on site. Recommendations and Outlook. Based on knowledge of the heavy metal accumulation in plants, it is possible to select those species of crops and pasturage herbs, which accumulate fewer heavy metals, for food cultivation and fodder for animals; and to select those hyperaccumulation species for extracting heavy metals from soil and water. Studies on the mechanisms and application of hyperaccumulation are necessary in China for developing phytoremediation.

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Kentucky bluegrass

Embryogenic calli of Kentucky bluegrass, named Md, were induced from mature seeds and embryos, and proliferated on medium K3 containing 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D, 10.0 mumol/L), 6-benzylaminopurine (BAR, 0.5 mumol/L) and K5 which was the K3 medium supplemented with cupric sulfa (0.5 mumol/L) under dim-light condition (20-30 mumol.m(-2).s-1, 16 h light) at 24 degreesC. Embryogenic calli were transformed with plasmids pDM805 Carring bar and gus genes, Which was mediated by an Agrobacterium strain AGL1, four transgenic lines were obtained. The important factors that affect the transformation efficiency and obtain desirable number of transgenic plants included: (1) the quality of embryogenic calli; (2) light condition and time of co-cultivation; (3) concentration of antibiotics used for suppressing the overgrowth of Agrobacterium in the course of transformed plant regeneration; (4) selection pressure, etc. The micro nutrient of cupric had significant influence on the quality of embryogenic calli. This presentation is the first successful protocol of Kentucky bluegrass transformation mediated by Agrobacterium.

Effects of heavy metals on plants and resistance mechanisms

Goal, Scope and Background. As one of the consequences of heavy metal pollution in soil, water and air, plants are contaminated by heavy metals in some parts of China. To understand the effects of heavy metals upon plants and the resistance mechanisms, would make it possible to use plants for cleaning and remediating heavy metal-polluted sites. Methods. The research results on the effects of heavy metals on plants and resistant mechanisms are compiled from Chinese publications from scientific journals and university journals, mostly published during the last decade. Results and Discussion. Effects of heavy metals on plants result in growth inhibition, structure damage, a decline of physiological and biochemical activities as well as of the function of plants. The effects and bioavailability of heavy metals depend on many factors, such as environmental conditions, pH, species of element, organic substances of the media and fertilization, plant species. But, there are also studies on plant resistance mechanisms to protect plants against the toxic effects of heavy metals such as combining heavy metals by proteins and expressing of detoxifying enzyme and nucleic acid, these mechanisms are integrated to protect the plants against injury by heavy metals. Conclusions. There are two aspects on the interaction of plants and heavy metals. On one hand, heavy metals show negative effects on plants. On the other hand, plants have their own resistance mechanisms against toxic effects and for detoxifying heavy metal pollution. Recommendations and Outlook. To study the effects of heavy metals on plants and mechanisms of resistance, one must select crop cultivars and/or plants for removing heavy metals from soil and water. More highly resistant plants can be selected especially for a remediation of the pollution site. The molecular mechanisms of resistance of plants to heavy metals should be studied further to develop the actual resistance of these plants to heavy metals. Understanding the bioavailability of heavy metals is advantageous for plant cultivation and phytoremediation. Decrease in the bioavailability to farmlands would reduce the accumulation of heavy metals in food. Alternatively, one could increase the bioavailability of plants to extract more heavy metals.

Culture of the terrestrial cyanobacterium, Nostoc flagelliforme (Cyanophyceae), under aquatic conditions

Both colonies and free-living cells of the terrestrial cyanobacterium, Nostoc flagelliforme (Berk. & Curtis) Bornet & Flahault, were cultured under aquatic conditions to develop the techniques for the cultivation and restoration of this endangered resource. The colonial filaments disintegrated with their sheaths ruptured in about 2 days without any desiccating treatments. Periodic desiccation played an important role in preventing the alga from decomposing, with greater delays to sheath rupture with a higher frequency of exposure to air. The bacterial numbers in the culture treated with seven periods of desiccation per day were about 50% less compared with the cultures without the desiccation treatment. When bacteria in the culture were controlled, the colonial filaments did not disintegrate and maintained the integrity of their sheath for about 20 days even without the desiccation treatments, indicating the importance of desiccation for N. flagelliforme to prevent them from being disintegrated by bacteria. On the other hand, when free-living cells obtained from crushed colonial filaments were cultured in liquid medium, they developed into single filaments with sheaths, within which multiple filaments were formed later on as a colony. Such colonial filaments were developed at 15, 25, and 30degreesC at either 20 or 60 mumol photons.m(-2).s(-1); colonies did not develop at 180 mumol photons.m(-2).s(-1), though this light level resulted in the most rapid growth of the cells. Conditions of 60 mumol photons.m(-2).s(-1) and 25degrees C appeared to result in the best colonial development and faster growth of the sheath-held colonies of N. flagelliforme when cultured indoor under aquatic conditions.

Chinese studies on the edible blue-green alga, Nostoc flagelliforme: a review

Nostoc flagelliforme, which is distributed in arid or semiarid steppes of the west and west-northern parts of China, has been used by the Chinese as a food delicacy and for its herbal values for hundreds of years. However, the resource is being over-exploited and is diminishing, while the market demands are increasing with the economic growth. This review deals mainly with the Chinese studies on the ecology, physiology, reproduction, morphology and culture of this species in an attempt to promote research and development of its cultivation technology.

Anomalous photogalvanic effect of circularly polarized light incident on the two-dimensional electron gas in AlxGa1-xN/GaN heterostructures at room temperature

Under normal incidence of circularly polarized light at room temperature, a charge current with swirly distribution has been observed in the two-dimensional electron gas in Al0.25Ga0.75N/GaN heterostructures. We believe that this anomalous charge current is produced by a radial spin current via the reciprocal spin Hall effect. It suggests a new way to research the reciprocal spin Hall effect and spin current on the macroscopic scale and at room temperature.

A new p-n structure ultraviolet photodetector with p(-)-GaN active region

A new ultraviolet photodetector of employing p menus type GaN (p(-)-GaN) as the active layer is proposed. It is easy to obtain the p(-)-GaN layer with low carrier concentration. As a result, the depletion region can be increased and the quantum efficiency can be improved. The influence of some structure parameters on the performance of the new device is investigated. Through the simulation calculation, it is found that the quantum efficiency increases with the decrease of the barrier height between the metal electrode and the p(-)-GaN layer, and it is also found that the quantum efficiency can be improved by reducing the thickness of the p(-)-GaN layer. To fabricate the new photodetector with high performance, we should employ thin p(-)-GaN layer as the active layer and reduce the Schottky barrier height.

榆林市耕地资源与粮食安全研究

耕地资源是粮食生产及粮食安全的基础。针对世界粮价飙升所引发的"粮食危机",我国的粮食安全又重新成为社会所关注的焦点。在分析榆林市1949-2005年耕地资源变化的基础上,对耕地面积和粮食产量的年际变化率及不同历史阶段两者的相关关系进行分析,提出了榆林市粮食安全的保障措施。结果表明:1949-2005年,榆林市耕地面积及人均耕地面积均呈减少趋势;耕地数量变化对粮食生产具有根本的约束作用,但耕地面积与粮食产量的年际变化率的趋势并不完全同步,农业科技投入不仅抵消了因耕地面积减少所导致的粮食减产,而且可以使粮食总产出现较大增长,但耕地数量仍是稳定粮食总产的重要因素。

渭北泥炭资源在栽培基质中的应用研究

针对人工栽培基质中基质配比问题,采用生物试验的方法,对陕西彬县的泥炭、陕西铜川的油页岩、陕西关中土粘化层土壤,进行不同比例的配合后,再对配合基质设制不同处理,进行作物的室内栽培试验,通过生物量、生物性状(根冠比)、及产量分析来判断基质配比的优劣。研究结果表明:随着泥炭比例的增加,小青菜的产量增加,泥炭量达到一定值后,随着泥炭量的增加,小青菜的产量反而降低;泥炭与<1 mm粘土配合(PS)处理中,PS3处理(泥炭∶粘土为3∶1)小青菜地上部分产量最大;在泥炭与7~10 mm粘土配合(PB)处理中,PB2处理(泥炭∶粘土为2∶1)小青菜地上部分产量最大;对小青菜根系生物量来说,在泥炭和粘土比例较小时,小颗粒粘土处理的根量明显高于大颗粒粘土处理,在泥炭和粘土的比例较大时,大颗粒处理高于小颗粒处理。对油页岩处理而言,在泥炭量较少的配合基质中加入8%的油页岩能起到良好的增产作用;而在泥炭含量较多时,对小青菜产量的影响是负面的;石灰处理对小青菜地上部分产量影响都是负面的,但是对小青菜根系生物量的影响基本是正面的。高温处理对小青菜地上部分产量的影响基本上都是负面的,对小青菜根系的生长也基本是起负作用的。根冠比达到某一适宜值...

栽培和施肥模式对黄土区旱地土壤微生物量及可溶性有机碳、氮的影响

以黄土高原南部地区的两个定位试验为基础,研究了旱地不同栽培和施肥模式对土壤微生物量碳、氮和可溶性有机碳、氮的影响。结果表明,秸秆覆盖显著提高土壤微生物量氮(SMBN)含量,地膜覆盖使SMBN含量显著降低;秸秆和地膜覆盖显著降低小麦拔节期和灌浆期土壤可溶性有机氮(SON)含量。适量施用化学氮肥(120kg/hm2)有利于小麦生长后期SMBN含量的升高,而过量施用(240 kg/hm2)显著降低SMBN含量。与不施肥处理相比,土地经长期撂荒后0-10 cm土层SMBC,SMBN,SOC和SON含量显著提高;氮磷钾配施有机肥显著提高小麦各生育期0-10,10-20 cm土层SMBC,SMBN,SOC和SON的含量;单施氮磷钾肥对土壤SMBC,SMBN含量无明显影响,提高土壤SOC,SON的平均含量。土壤SMBC,SMBN,SOC和SON含量两两之间呈极显著正相关关系,四者含量与土壤有机碳、全氮含量间的正相关关系也达显著或极显著水平。

提高人工植被培育中土壤抗旱性的综合措施

干旱条件下培育人工植被,采取适当的抗旱措施是必不可少的,其中作为植物生长发育所需水分、营养的载体,土壤是显著的可调控对象,对其合理处置与抗旱有着密切的关系。以土蓄水、抑制蒸发、改良土壤、培肥地力等有利于对有限水分的利用。提高土壤抗旱性的综合措施包括土壤耕作、土壤培肥、土壤覆盖、防止水分深层渗漏等方面。在气候暖化的背景下,为增强土壤抗旱措施的效果,提高其技术水平,分析了与蓄水、保水、集水以及用水有关的土壤抗旱方式及其特点。在综合述评的基础上,还讨论了土壤抗旱措施的技术应用问题和需要研究的主要方面。

有机肥对设施菜地土壤-植物系统氮运移的影响

在设施菜地条件下，研究了不同有机肥施入量在黄瓜生长期对土壤-植物系统NO3--N迁移累积的影响。结果表明，黄瓜生长期土壤-植物系统NO3--N的迁移累积规律受黄瓜生长期、有机肥施用水平和土壤肥力的影响。盛果期，不同肥力土壤各个土层的硝酸盐含量和黄瓜叶片及体内的硝酸盐含量均高于黄瓜的其它生长期；对于不同的施肥水平，当施肥量为60 t hm-2时各个土层的不同肥力土壤硝酸盐含量均高于其它处理，且高肥力土壤条件下黄瓜体内的硝酸盐含量在黄瓜生长旺盛期超过国家安全食品标准(410mgkg-1)，当施肥量低于20 t hm-2时不同肥力土壤各个土层未出现硝酸盐显著累积现象，且在黄瓜生长的各个时期，黄瓜体内的硝酸盐含量均未超标。 土壤硝酸盐的垂直运移过程受有机肥施用水平和土壤肥力的影响，施肥量低于20 t hm-2时不同肥力土壤各土层未出现硝酸盐显著累积现象，当施肥量为60 t hm-2时土壤硝酸盐累积峰值随土壤肥力水平的提高而增加；40-150 cm土壤剖面中硝酸盐累积总量随有机肥施用量的增加而增加；不同肥力土壤在相同有机肥施用水平下40-150 cm土壤硝酸盐累积总量的变化量不同，土壤肥力越高土壤硝酸盐累积总量的绝对增加量越大，说明相同的有机肥处理对高肥力土壤硝酸盐累积影响更大。

栽培措施与文冠果结实性关系的研究

文冠果（Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge）是我国北方特有的木本油料树种，已被列为生物质能源树种之一。现阶段产量低是限制其发展的重要因素。结合目前文冠果生产发展的实际需要，有必要通过实践探讨出一套经济、简单易行的栽培措施，指导文冠果的高产优质栽培管理。本文以内蒙古翁牛特旗文冠果经济林场内40年生文冠果树为研究对象，对文冠果生物学、生态学特性进行定位观测和试验，研究了文冠果物候与积温的关系；野外布置不同管理措施的正交试验设计，测定了不同管理措施下文冠果产量和年生长周期内叶片矿质元素（N、P、K、Mg、Fe、Zn、Cu、Mn）的含量变化趋势，并对数据进行了分析。初步确定了文冠果物候与矿质养分动态变化、栽培管理措施与产量以及叶片养分含量之间的关系，为提高文冠果的产量、制定合理栽培管理措施提供一定理论依据，也为文冠果的进一步开发利用打下基础。 主要结论： 1.文冠果年生长周期内物候变化与积温呈显著对数函数关系，可以预测文冠果年生长发育期有效积温的理论值，也可以根据实际有效积温预测文冠果物候变化进程； 2.文冠果叶片中矿质元素变化与物候期有密切联系，大量元素间存在协同关系，水肥管理对叶片中矿质元素的变化有很大影响； 3.施肥和浇水均可提高文冠果果实产量，水肥耦合措施提高产量尤为显著：与对照相比，5月初一次浇水、施肥270g/株可使产量提高303%。