白茅对紫茎泽兰的竞争效应

外来生物的入侵可导致环境退化、生物多样性降低和食物及水资源短缺,利用本地植物或优良牧草进行替代控制是治理入侵植物的有效途径之一。采用本地禾本科植物白茅与紫茎泽兰等比例混合种植,研究了其对紫茎泽兰的竞争效应。结果表明:白茅与紫茎泽兰之间呈现很强的竞争作用,可用作紫茎泽兰的替代控制植物;白茅地上部分相对竞争力比紫茎泽兰强,其幼苗萌发早于紫茎泽兰,株高和单株平均叶面积均显著高于紫茎泽兰;二者混合种植可显著抑制紫茎泽兰的植株生长和分蘖,混合种植区紫茎泽兰的株高、单株平均叶面积和叶绿素含量分别只有其单种的49%、72%和77%;而混合种植对白茅植株生长的影响不显著,并可促进其分蘖,混合种植区的白茅分蘖数达单种区的132%。白茅的相对产量显著高于紫茎泽兰的对应指标,竞争效应参数相对产量总和1.0;随着混合种植时间的延长,两者的竞争关系将愈加显著。     

紫茎泽兰与黑麦草苗期相对竞争力和生长特征的研究

为探究替代物种黑麦草（Lolium perenne）抑制外来人侵杂草紫茎泽兰（Eupatorium adenophorum）的潜力,采用de Wit取代系列设计,在野外小区内设置3水平多年生黑麦草栽植时间、4水平种植密度以及3水平混种比例等不同种植处理,于12周后收获,分别测量黑麦草与紫茎泽兰的地上生物量和地下生物量,用单株相对产量分析其竞争力。结果表明,种植密度、混种比例和黑麦草栽植时间显著影响紫茎泽兰的地上生物量,紫茎泽兰的竞争力在低种植比例情况下,随黑麦草栽植时间的推迟而明显增强,随种植密度的降低而增强。种植密度、混种比例、黑麦草栽植时间以及这些因素的互作等对黑麦草的地上生物量与地下生物量均具有显著影响;栽植时间越晚、密度越大,黑麦草的竞争力就越弱（尽管不存在直线关系）。在大多数种植处理条件下,紫茎泽兰经历的种间竞争明显大于种内竞争,表现出较弱的竞争力;而黑麦草在与紫茎泽兰同时栽植的情况下,经历的种内竞争大于种间竞争,表现出较强的竞争力。     

3种本地植物与入侵植物紫茎泽兰的竞争

为筛选替代控制紫茎泽兰的本地植物及探讨提高替代控制效率的方法,通过盆栽实验并利用相对产量(RY)和竞争攻击力系数(A)衡量了3种本地植物与紫茎泽兰的竞争关系,同时评估了活性炭(AC)、杀真菌剂(FC)和二者联合(AC+FC)对它们竞争的影响。结果表明：(1)不添加任何物质条件下：紫茎泽兰与南酸枣混种时,紫茎泽兰的生物量明显高于单种(P<0.05),其RY和A分别显著大于1和0(P<0.05);紫茎泽兰分别与假地豆和狗尾草混种时,紫茎泽兰的株高和生物量均明显低于单种(P<0.05),其RY和A均分别显著小于1和0(P<0.05)。说明紫茎泽兰的竞争力强于南酸枣而弱于假地豆和狗尾草,假地豆和狗尾草可以在一定区域作为替代控制紫茎泽兰的潜在目标植物。(2)与不添加任何物质相比,紫茎泽兰与南酸枣混种时,AC、FC及AC+FC处理增加了紫茎泽兰的根冠比,降低了其地上生物量比,也降低了南酸枣的生物量(P<0.05);紫茎泽兰与假地豆混种时,AC和AC+FC处理增加了假地豆的株高和生物量,FC处理增加了紫茎泽兰的株高(P<0.05);紫茎泽兰与狗尾草混种时,AC和A...     

紫茎泽兰化感作用对9种草本植物种子萌发的影响

【背景】紫茎泽兰是一种入侵我国的世界性恶性杂草,给当地的农、林、畜牧业生产造成严重的经济损失,使生态环境面临"绿色灾难"。紫茎泽兰的化感作用是其成功入侵的重要原因,其化感物质对当地植物的生长具有明显的抑制作用。【方法】利用培养皿滤纸法研究了紫茎泽兰叶片水提液对9种草本植物种子萌发的影响,这些植物包括紫茎泽兰入侵早期直接与之竞争的云南草本植物:鲁梅克斯、高丹红、鸭茅(安巴)、苕子、胡枝子,以及为替代控制紫茎泽兰而引进的外来优良牧草:紫花苜蓿(敖汉)、白三叶(海发)、红三叶、黑麦草(速达)。【结果】紫茎泽兰叶片提取液对9种受体植物种子萌发均具有化感作用。低浓度提取液对受体植物的化感作用较弱(对部分植物种子萌发有促进作用);高浓度提取液对受体植物的化感作用较强,且能降低种子发芽率及发芽速率,其中,发芽速率对化感作用更敏感。不同植物对紫茎泽兰化感作用的敏感程度不同,鲁梅克斯、鸭茅和苕子对紫茎泽兰的化感作用较敏感;黑麦草、胡枝子和高丹红最不敏感;紫花苜蓿、红三叶和白三叶对低浓度紫茎泽兰叶片水提液不敏感,对高浓度提取液较敏感。【结论与意义】不同植物种子对紫茎泽兰化感作用的敏感性存在差异,研究结果有利于了解紫茎泽兰成功入侵的机制,并可为筛选具有替代控制潜力的优良牧草奠定基础。     

替代物种与除草剂对紫茎泽兰的防效及其互作效应

[目的]研究替代物种与选择性除草剂,以实现对紫茎泽兰安全、高效和绿色的防控。[方法]采用植物间竞争试验法测定替代物种（高丹草、非洲狼尾草和黑麦草）和除草剂对紫茎泽兰的防效及其互作效应。[结果]高丹草、非洲狼尾草和黑麦草的竞争力依次强于紫茎泽兰。随着3种替代物种密度比例增加,紫茎泽兰的株高、分枝、根冠比、叶面积比均受到显著抑制,当替代物种与紫茎泽兰密度比为5∶1时,高丹草、非洲狼尾草和黑麦草对紫茎泽兰的替代控制效果分别为55.1%、46.9%和40.3%。除草剂氨氯吡啶酸、三氯吡氧乙酸、氯氟吡氧乙酸和二氯吡啶酸的毒力测定表明,二氯吡啶酸相对最高,LC₉₀为902.1 g·hm^-2,但三氯吡氧乙酸对替代物种的安全性相对最好,对高丹草、非洲狼尾草和黑麦草选择性指数分别为3.75、2.79和2.67。高丹草和非洲狼尾草与紫茎泽兰种植密度比例为3∶1时,结合二氯吡啶酸和三氯吡氧乙酸,非洲狼尾草和二氯吡啶酸结合表现拮抗作用,与三氯吡氧乙酸结合表现加成作用;高丹草和二氯吡啶酸结合表现加成作用,与三氯吡氧乙酸结合表现增效作用,在同等取得90%防效的情况下,可减少三氯吡氧乙酸用量20.0%~35.0%（即210.0~370.0 g·hm^-2）。[结论]合理的替代物种结合除草剂应用可实现互作增效,可作为紫茎泽兰综合防控的重要措施。     

紫茎泽兰与4种功能型草本植物根系生长特征和竞争效应

研究了紫茎泽兰与非洲狗尾草、本地狗尾草、佩兰和小藜在野外单、混种条件下根系形态特征,并对相对竞争能力进行了分析.结果表明： 紫茎泽兰与非洲狗尾草混种条件下,紫茎泽兰根系长度、体积和表面积比单种时减小,而非洲狗尾草增大;紫茎泽兰混种时生物量比单种时降低了77.1%,而非洲狗尾草增加了80.4%;非洲狗尾草相对产量和竞争平衡指数高于紫茎泽兰,相对产量总和约为1.0,说明非洲狗尾草地下竞争能力强于紫茎泽兰.紫茎泽兰与本地狗尾草混种条件下,两物种根系长度、体积和表面积低于单种,生物量分别比单种降低了45.3%和22.8%;竞争效应参数表明两物种具有较强的竞争效应.紫茎泽兰与佩兰混种时,两物种根系长度、体积和表面积与在单种时无显著差异,生物量分别低于单种;竞争效应参数表明紫茎泽兰具有竞争优势.紫茎泽兰与小藜混种时,紫茎泽兰根系形态和竞争能力均占优势.从地下根系竞争来看,可以利用非洲狗尾草替代控制紫茎泽兰以及对紫茎泽兰入侵迹地进行生态修复.     

泽兰实蝇雌成虫的寄主选择行为

【背景】泽兰实蝇是紫茎泽兰的专性寄生天敌,已成为控制紫茎泽兰的重要因子。泽兰实蝇的寄主选择力对其控制紫茎泽兰至关重要,但相关报道还很少。【方法】采用"Y"形嗅觉仪在实验室内测定泽兰实蝇雌成虫对寄主植物——紫茎泽兰及其他植物的选择行为,以及紫茎泽兰受重金属胁迫后泽兰实蝇对其选择的变化。【结果】不同日龄的泽兰实蝇雌成虫对紫茎泽兰的选择性不具有显著差异;交配与否对雌成虫的寄主选择没有显著影响;雌成虫对紫茎泽兰的选择显著高于黄蒿、水葫芦和蓝花鼠尾草等非寄主植物;雌成虫对花期及机械损伤的紫茎泽兰选择更显著;紫茎泽兰经重金属镉(Cd)、铅(Pb)和锌(Zn)单一及复合处理后,泽兰实蝇雌成虫对其选择性显著降低。【结论与意义】泽兰实蝇雌成虫的寄主选择性随植物种类、寄主植物(紫茎泽兰)的生育期、健康状况及重金属胁迫而变化,这有助于更好地利用泽兰实蝇控制紫茎泽兰。     

内蒙古典型草原连续5年施用氮磷肥土壤生物多样性的变化

以中国科学院内蒙古草原生态系统定位研究站典型草原施肥小区为对象,研究了连续5a施氮肥(不施肥对照-CK,N52.5、N105、N175和N280kghm-2)和磷肥(P9、P37和P75kghm-2)对土壤生物多样性的影响。结果表明,连续5a施氮磷肥,随施肥量增加,土壤微生物量碳氮、微生物活性和代谢熵显著降低,而土壤微生物量磷则显著增加。高氮(N280)和高磷(P75)处理,不仅显著降低了微生物利用碳源的能力和微生物功能多样性,而且改变了微生物利用碳功能群结构,施氮肥处理更为明显。大量施用氮肥显著降低了土壤线虫总数和不同营养类群的数量,而施磷肥对线虫总数影响并不显著,相反,施磷肥和少量氮肥却提高了食细菌线虫的数量和比例。施用氮肥土壤原生动物总数呈下降趋势,而施磷肥则显著增加,但适度施用氮肥和磷肥时,土壤原生动物群落最为旺盛,尤其是施磷肥后肉足虫数量大幅度提高。氮磷肥对土壤理化性质和植被组成影响的差异,可能是土壤生物对不同肥料及其用量的响应存在较大差异的原因所在,其中施氮肥多以负效应为主,而施磷肥则多以正效应为主。     

施肥对毛红椿幼林生长及叶片生理特征的影响

为了探究珍贵树种毛红椿对施用不同肥料不同用量的响应,该文以毛红椿幼林为研究对象,设置氮肥(N)、磷肥(P)、复合肥(CF)及缓释肥(SRF)4种肥料3个施肥水平(高、中、低),研究施肥对毛红椿幼林生长和叶片养分、生理的影响。结果表明：(1)施肥均可促进毛红椿树高和胸径生长,氮肥和复合肥效果更明显,氮肥处理的4年生毛红椿平均树高、平均胸径、平均材积较不施肥(CK)分别提高了15.0%、21.9%、67.5%,其中低氮肥(N1)处理的胸径年均生长量最大(2.99 cm),复合肥处理的平均树高、平均胸径、平均材积较CK分别提高了16.7%、19.2%、54.3%。高缓释肥(SRF3)和低磷肥(P1)分别在第4年树高、胸径的年增长量达到最大(分别为1.96 m、2.33 cm)。(2)施肥显著增加了毛红椿叶片叶绿素含量和非结构性碳水化合物含量,氮肥显著促进可溶性糖合成而磷肥显著促进淀粉合成。(3)N1和磷肥分别显著促进毛红椿叶片氮和磷含量的提高,磷肥、复合肥和氮肥均可显著提高叶片钾含量。(4)主成分分析结果表明,施肥促进生长效果依次为氮肥>复合肥>磷肥>缓释肥>不施肥,...     

长期施肥对黄土旱塬农田土壤有机磷组分及小麦产量的影响

研究长期施肥对黄土旱塬农田土壤有机磷组分及小麦产量的影响,可为提高磷素转化利用率及合理利用肥料提供理论支持。本研究依托长武旱塬农田生态系统长期(1984—2016年)定位试验站,选取不施肥(CK)、单施氮肥(N)、单施磷肥(P)、施氮磷肥(NP)、单施有机肥(M)、氮肥配施有机肥(MN)、磷肥配施有机肥(MP)、氮磷肥配施有机肥(MNP)8个处理,研究其对土壤有机磷组分、小麦产量和土壤性质的影响。结果表明: 长期施肥后土壤有机磷含量为244.7～429.1 mg·kg^-1,除N处理外,其余各处理有机磷含量比CK均显著增加了15.4%～47.9%。长期施用磷肥改变了黄土旱塬农田表层土壤(0～20 cm)各有机磷组分含量,MP、MNP处理显著提高了活性有机磷及中活性有机磷含量;N、P和NP处理显著降低了中稳性有机磷含量;N、P、NP、MN、MP、MNP处理均显著提高了高稳性有机磷含量。各处理土壤有机磷组分与总有机磷含量比值为:中活性有机磷>高稳性有机磷>活性有机磷>中稳性有机磷。长期施肥后,与CK相比,氮、磷肥配施,尤其是与有机肥配施,显著增加了小麦生物产量和籽粒产量。土壤指标中,有机质、速效磷和无机磷与小麦产量呈显著正相关。MP、M处理可以显著提高黄土旱塬黑垆土中的速效磷、总磷、总无机磷、活性有机磷和中活性有机磷含量,表明有机肥与磷肥配施可以提高该地区更容易被作物吸收的磷组分。总之,氮磷肥配施并配施有机肥可以提高该地区磷供给,对小麦增产有促进作用,对提高黄土旱塬地区土壤质量有重要意义。     

光强对两种入侵植物生物量分配、叶片形态和相对生长速率的影响

 比较研究了不同光强下生长的（透光率分别为12.5%、36%、50%、100%）两种入侵性不同的外来种——紫茎泽兰（Eupatorium adenophorum）和兰花菊三七（Gynura sp.）的生物量分配、叶片形态和生长特性。结果表明: 1）两种植物叶片形态对光环境的反应相似。弱光下比叶面积（SLA）、平均单叶面积（MLS）和叶面积比（LAR）较大,随着光强的升高,SLA、MLS、LAR和叶根比（LARMR）降低。2）100%光强下紫茎泽兰叶生物量比（LMR）、叶重分数（LMF）和叶面积指数高于低光强下的值,也高于兰花菊三七,支持结构生物量比（SBR）则相反。强光下紫茎泽兰叶片自遮荫严重,这可能是其表现入侵性的重要原因之一;兰花菊三七分枝较多,避免了叶片自遮荫,较多的分枝利于种子形成对其入侵有利。3）随生长环境光强的升高,两种植物的净同化速率（NAR）、相对生长速率（RGR）和生长对NAR的响应系数均升高（但100%光强下兰花菊三七RGR降低）,平均叶面积比（LARm）和生长对LARm的响应系数均降低,但不同光强下LARm对生长的影响始终大于NAR。4）随着光强的减弱,两种植物都增加高度以截获更多光能,但它们的生物量分配策略不同,紫茎泽兰根生物量比（RMR）降低,SBR增大,而兰花菊三七SBR降低,RMR增大。紫茎泽兰的生物量分配策略更好的反应了弱光环境中的资源变化情况。结论：紫茎泽兰对光环境的适应能力强于兰花菊三七。     

Influence of Elevated CO2 Concentration and Nitrogen Source on Photosynthetic Traits in the Invasive Species Eupatorium adenophorum (Asteraceae)

Increases in the concentration of atmospheric CO2 and plant invasion are two important problems that face humans worldwide. In some plants, exposure to a short term elevated concentration of CO2 (SE［CO2］) promotes photosynthesis, but the promotion of elevated ［CO2］ (E ［CO2］) to photosynthesis might disappear after long term treatment (so called “CO2 acclimation”); this might result from the associated inhibition of nitrate assimilation. The present study investigated the physiological effects of short term (8 days) and long term (40 days) exposure to E［CO2］ when these were combined with different forms of inorganic N (full N; nitrate (NO3-) N) in the invasive species Eupatorium adenophorum. Exposure to E［CO2］ increased the biomass of Eadenophorum, regardless of the duration of exposure to E［CO2］ and the type of inorganic N that was supplied. E［CO2］ could promote the photosynthesis of Eadenophorum seedlings fertilised with non depleted Hoagland solutions (full N). For plants fertilised with NH4+ depleted Hoagland solution (NO3- N), LE［CO2］ treatment promoted the photosynthesis of Eadenop horum, but the promotion of photosynthesis by E［CO2］ disappeared under SE［CO2］ conditions. Photosynthetic pigments contents were determined to estimate potential changes in the photosynthetic capacity of Eadenophorum. For plants fertilised with non depleted Hoagland solution, there were no significant differences in chlorophyll among the three ［CO2］ treatments, but the treatment of SE［CO2］ increased the levels of chlorophyll in leaves. The apparent promotion of biomass accumulation and photosynthesis at LE［CO2］ without a decrease in chlorophyll indicates that Eadenophorum might not acclimate to long term exposure to E［CO2］. NH4+ depletion did not affect the capacity of LE［CO2］ to promote the photosynthesis of Eadenophorum. Thus, considering some plants fertilised with NO3- acclimating to LE［CO2］, Eadenophorum might be more competitive in areas where the soils are relatively poor in NH4+ as levels of atmospheric CO2 continue to rise.     

长期施用含硫和含氯化肥对稻田杂草生长动态的影响

利用湖南祁阳红壤稻田长期定位试验,研究了在等量氮磷钾养分条件下,长期施用含Cl-、SO2-4和Cl-+SO2-4化肥水稻生育期间杂草种类和生物量的变化.结果表明:施肥34年后,施用含Cl-化肥处理水稻生育期间杂草的种类最多、总生物量(浮生杂草和湿生杂草的生物量之和)最大,早稻期间杂草平均总干物质量分别比含SO2-4和Cl-+SO2-4化肥处理增加了51.4%和17.6%,晚稻期间分别增加了144%和242%.含SO2-4和Cl-+SO2-4化肥处理稻田中浮生杂草生物量较大,而含Cl-化肥处理田间几乎没有浮生杂草生长.杂草总干物质量和湿生杂草干物质量均与土壤Cl-含量呈显著正相关(相关系数分别为0.764**和0.948**),与土壤SO2-4-S含量呈显著负相关(相关系数分别为0.849**和0.641*).土壤碱解氮和有效磷受土壤SO2-4-S、Cl-及pH的共同作用对杂草总干物质量产生影响.通过各种施肥措施维持土壤适宜pH及碱解氮、有效磷含量,提高土壤SO2-4-S含量、降低Cl-含量,能有效抑制南方红壤稻田中湿生杂草的生长,降低杂草总生物量.     

冬小麦播种密度和施肥方式对麦田杂草群落组成及生长的影响

在半湿润地区的土垫旱耕人为土上,以冬小麦品种小偃22为指示作物,通过田间小区试验研究了不同施肥条件下冬小麦田间杂草种群的组成以及在4个生育期(越冬期、返青期、拔节期、成熟期)田间杂草密度和生物量的变化.结果表明:(1)在冬小麦全生育期内共发现以猪殃殃、麦家公、婆婆纳、播娘蒿、泽漆、荠菜等为主的17种杂草,不同生育期杂草的优势种群不同,而且杂草总密度表现为越冬期>返青期>拔节期,生物量表现为拔节期>返青期>越冬期;(2)与不施肥处理(P0N0)比较,单施氮肥增加了杂草密度和生物量,在氮磷配施条件下,氮肥对生物量有极显著影响且随施氮量增加表现为减小趋势,其中PN45处理的杂草生物量最大并比P0N0增加51.8%;施磷对杂草生物量有极显著影响,其中单施磷比P0N0处理增加44.0%,PN135处理比P0N135处理增加24.0%.(3)低密度播种比正常密度播种能显著增加杂草生物量,平均增加幅度达82.9%.结果表明,通过增施氮肥和适当增加种植密度,可在一定程度上控制杂草发生,促进作物良好生长.     

Biomass production, relative competitive ability and water use efficiency of two dominant species in semiarid Loess Plateau under different water supply and fertilization treatments

Water stress and nutrient deficiency are considered to be the main environmental factors limiting plant growth and species interaction in semiarid regions. However, less is known about the interactive effects of soil water, nitrogen and phosphorus on native species growth and relative competitive ability. A replacement series design method was used with 12 mixed plants of Bothriochloa ischaemum and Lespedeza davurica grown in a pot experiment under three water regimes and four fertility treatments. Intercropping systems were assessed on the basis of indices such as biomass production and allocation, relative competitive ability, aggressivity, relative yield total and water use efficiency (WUE). Water stress decreased significantly the total biomass production for each species, either in monoculture or in mixtures. N, P, or NP application can significantly improve biomass production of the two species in their mixtures. There was no obvious change trend in root/shoot ratio of B. ischaemum or L. davurica in different mixture proportions. Relative yield total (RYT) values ranged from 0.98 to 1.39. Aggressivity values of B. ischaemum to L. davurica were positive in all water regimes and fertilizations, implying that B. ischaemum was the dominant species. Relative competition intensity values of B. ischaemum (i.e., RCI_B) were less than zero, while greater than zero for L. davurica (i.e., RCI_L), indicating that the effects of intraspecific competition with L. davurica were stronger for B. ischaemum, and the opposite for L. davurica. WUE increased gradually as the proportion of B. ischaemum increased in mixtures, and a 10:2 B. ischaemum:L. davurica mixture proportion had significantly higher WUE. Results suggest that it is advantageous to grow the two species together to maximize biomass production and the recommended mixture ratio was 10:2 of B. ischaemum to L. davurica because it gave higher RYT and significantly higher WUE under conditions of water deficit.     

Biomass production and nutrient cycling in Eucalyptus short rotation energy forests in New Zealand. I: Biomass and nutrient accumulation

Accumulation of biomass and nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg and Mn) was measured during the first 3-year rotation of three Eucalyptus short rotation forest species (E. botryoides, E. globulus and E. ovata) irrigated with meatworks effluent compared with no irrigation. E. globulus had the highest biomass and nutrient accumulation either irrigated with effluent or without irrigation. After 3-year growth, E. globulus stands irrigated with effluent accumulated 72 oven dry t/ha of above-ground total biomass with a total of 651 kg N, 55 kg P, 393 kg K, 251 kg Ca, 35 kg Mg and 67 kg Mn. Effluent irrigation increased the accumulation of biomass, N, P, K and Mn, but tended to reduce the leaf area index and leaf biomass, and decreased the accumulation of Ca and Mg.     

CO2浓度升高和不同氮源对紫茎泽兰生长及光合特性的影响

大气CO2浓度升高和植物入侵是全世界面临的两大重要问题。CO2浓度升高促进植物的光合作用,但在某些植物中,这种促进作用出现在短期高浓度CO2下,而在长期高浓度CO2处理下消失（称为CO2驯化）,被认为源于高浓度CO2对光呼吸和NO-3同化的抑制。通过比较研究不同形式氮源（全氮、硝态氮）和短期（8 days）、长期（40 days）CO2浓度升高处理对入侵植物紫茎泽兰生理特征的影响,结果表明在全氮供应下,短期和长期CO2浓度升高均促进了紫茎泽兰的光合;氨态氮缺失情况下,长期CO2浓度升高促进紫茎泽兰的光合,而短期CO2浓度升高对紫茎泽兰的光合没有促进作用;缺NH＋4下,短期高浓度CO2提高了叶片叶绿素含量,长期CO2升高又使其回复到正常CO2下的较低水平。这些结果表明紫茎泽兰并不会对长期的CO2升高产生驯化,即长期CO2升高会促进紫茎泽兰的光合作用,而且这一促进作用不受土壤中缺NH＋4的影响。鉴于培养介质中缺NH＋4会导致一些植物产生“CO2驯化”,未来CO2浓度升高情况下,在缺NH＋4的土壤中,紫茎泽兰的竞争力可能会更强。     

The relationships between host selection and subsequent larval performance in three free-living graminivorous sawflies

1. Selection of host plants for oviposition by females of three graminivorous sawfly species, Dolerus puncticollis C. G. Thomson, Dolerus picipes Klug. and Pachynematus clitellatus Lepeletier, was investigated experimentally using three grass species, Lolium perenne L., Festuca rubra L. and wheat, Triticum aestivum L. cv. Hunter.
2. Both species of Dolerus showed significant preferences for one grass over the other two, D. puncticollis preferring L. perenne and D. picipes selecting F. rubra. P. clitellatus females used L. perenne and F. rubra equally for oviposition, but avoided wheat.
3. The results correlated closely with larval performance trials, with D. puncticollis larvae having maximal survival and growth rates on L. perenne , and D. picipes larval performance being maximized on F. rubra. P. clitellatus larvae survived well on both grasses, but had a high level of mortality on wheat.
4. P. clitellatus larval growth rates were significantly higher on L. perenne than on F . rubra . Individual P. clitellatus adult females developing from larvae reared on L. perenne reached a significantly greater dry weight than those reared on F. rubra , but there was no significant difference in weight between males reared on the two hosts. There was some evidence that this disproportionate effect of host plant quality on the weight gain of the two sexes was translated into a bias in sex ratio of the eggs laid towards a greater proportion of females on L. perenne than on F. rubra . This manipulation of sex ratio would have a potential benefit for ovipositing females through disproportionate fecundity gains for female offspring.     

Empirical models for predicting the excretion of nutrients (N and P) by aquatic metazoans: taxonomic differences in rates and element ratios

1. We developed empirical models for predicting the release of nutrients [nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P)] by aquatic metazoans (zooplankton, mussels, benthic macroinvertebrates and fish). 2. The number of species represented in each model ranged from 9 to 74 (n = 40 – 1122), organism dry mass from 1 × 10^?5 to 8 × 10⁴ mg and water temperature from ?1.8 to 32 °C for all models. Organisms were from marine and freshwater (both lotic and lentic) environments. 3. Rates and ratios of nutrient excretion were modelled and intra‐ and intertaxon differences in excretion were examined. Rates of N and P excretion were not significantly different between marine and freshwater species within the same taxon (e.g. zooplankton). However, rates of excretion (as a function of organism dry mass and water temperature) were significantly different among different orders of zooplankton, mussels and fish. However, excretion of N was similar among different orders of benthic macroinvertebrates. 4. Detritivorous fish excreted both N and P at rates greater than all other taxa; whereas mussels excreted N and P generally at rates less than other taxa. There were no significant differences in the rate of N and P excretion between zooplankton and fish (i.e. the allometry of N and P excretion was similar between zooplankton and fish). 5. Molar N : P ratios of nutrients excreted increased with increasing organism dry mass for each group of metazoans, except for zooplankton and detritivorous fish (where N : P ratios declined with increasing organism dry mass). Molar N : P ratios in the excretions of aquatic metazoans were generally below the Redfield ratio of 16:1. 6. We examined the influence of variable abundance of zooplankton, benthic macroinvertebrates and fish on assemblage excretion rates. Rates of N and P excretion were calculated by applying our models to metazoan biomass and abundance data over seven consecutive years in two oligotrophic lakes. Rates of N and P excretion (g ha^?1 day^?1) increased linearly with increasing assemblage biomass (kg ha^?1). However, rates of N and P excretion were significantly and negatively correlated with the relative abundance of fish and positively correlated with the relative abundance of zooplankton.