Comparison of fatty acid composition in total lipid of diapause and non-diapause larvae of Cydia pomonella （Lepidoptera： Tortricidae）

Seasonal changes in the fatty acid composition of the total lipid extracted from the whole body of Cydia pomonella L. larvae were determined by gas chromatography. The six most abundant fatty acids in both non-diapause and diapause larvae of codling moth were oleic （35%-39%）, palmitic （23%-33%）, linoleic （16%-30%）, palmitoleic （5%-10%）, stearic （1.5%-3.0%） and linolenic acids （1.0%-2.5%）. This represents a typical complement of Lepidopteran fatty acids. The fatty acid composition of total lipid of C. pomonella larvae was related to diapause. In similarity to most other reports, the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids increased in diapause initiation state. The total lipid of diapause larvae contained more linoleic acid （25.8% vs. 16.1%） and less palmitic acid （24.7% vs. 33.4%）, than that of non-diapause larvae. The weight percentage of linoleic acid （C 18：2） increased from 16% to 26% from early-August through early-September during transition to diapause, while palmitic acid （C16：0） decreased from 33% to 25% at the same time. These changes resulted in an increase in the ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids （UFA/SFA） from 1.72 in non-diapause larvae to 2.63 in diapause larvae.     

西藏土壤中铜含量及分布

Cu content in soils sampled from different sites in Tibet was analyzed.The results showed that the average Cu content of soils was 19.6mg穔g^-1,lower than the average content in China.The content of Cu was distributed in Tibet with a total of gradually decreasing from the southeast to the northwest,which was consistent with the direction of change in the zonal successions of soil in Tibet.The variation of the content of Cu in the soils developed from different soil parent materials in Tibet was very remarkable,and the content of Cu in the soil developed from shale was greatly higher than that in the soil developed from other soil parent material.     

Nitrogen released from different plant residues of the Loess Plateau and their additions on contents of microbial biomass carbon, nitrogen in soil

An incubation method was used to investigate the nitrogen release characteristics from the residue of ten plant species which commonly grow in the northern part of the Loess Plateau. The effect of the residue on soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) and soil microbial biomass nitrogen (SMBN) was also determined. There were significant differences in the total N content and the C/N ratios among the different types of plant residue. The total N content of the residues ranged from 6.61 to 32.78 g kg^?1. The C/N ratio of the residue ranged from 14 to 65. There was an immediate increase in soil N after alfalfa, erect milkvetch, and korshinsk peashrub residue was added to the soil. In contrast, soil N decreased after elm, sea buckthorn, and wild peach residue was added to the soil. The soil N content remained relatively low for 14–34 days and then increased. This indicated that N immobilization occurred during the early portion of the incubation period when elm, sea buckthorn and wild peach residue was added to the soil. Soil N levels were low during the entire incubation period when simon poplar, locust, Stipa bungeana, and old world bluestem residue were added to the soil. The addition of plant residue significantly increased SMBC and SMBN in all treatments. The SMBC and SMBN values were greatest in treatments containing plant residue with high total N content and low C/N ratios. The C/N ratios of korshinsk peashrub, sea buckthorn, and wild peach residues were similar, but the amount of N released from these residues and the effects of the residue on SMBC and SMBN in soil were significantly different. This indicates that not only the C/N ratio but also the chemical composition of the plant residue affected decomposition. It is important to consider C and N release characteristics from plant residue in order to adjust the C and N balance of soil when revegetating degraded ecosystems.     

Nitrogen released from different plant residues of the Loess Plateau and their additions on contents of microbial biomass carbon, nitrogen in soil

An incubation method was used to investigate the nitrogen release characteristics from the residue of ten plant species which commonly grow in the northern part of the Loess Plateau. The effect of the residue on soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) and soil microbial biomass nitrogen (SMBN) was also determined. There were significant differences in the total N content and the C/N ratios among the different types of plant residue. The total N content of the residues ranged from 6.61 to 32.78 g kg^?1. The C/N ratio of the residue ranged from 14 to 65. There was an immediate increase in soil N after alfalfa, erect milkvetch, and korshinsk peashrub residue was added to the soil. In contrast, soil N decreased after elm, sea buckthorn, and wild peach residue was added to the soil. The soil N content remained relatively low for 14–34 days and then increased. This indicated that N immobilization occurred during the early portion of the incubation period when elm, sea buckthorn and wild peach residue was added to the soil. Soil N levels were low during the entire incubation period when simon poplar, locust, Stipa bungeana, and old world bluestem residue were added to the soil. The addition of plant residue significantly increased SMBC and SMBN in all treatments. The SMBC and SMBN values were greatest in treatments containing plant residue with high total N content and low C/N ratios. The C/N ratios of korshinsk peashrub, sea buckthorn, and wild peach residues were similar, but the amount of N released from these residues and the effects of the residue on SMBC and SMBN in soil were significantly different. This indicates that not only the C/N ratio but also the chemical composition of the plant residue affected decomposition. It is important to consider C and N release characteristics from plant residue in order to adjust the C and N balance of soil when revegetating degraded ecosystems.     

Effect of pine foliage damage on the incidence of larval diapause in the pine caterpillar Dendrolimus punctatus （Lepidoptera： Lasiocampidae）

The pine caterpillar Dendrolimus punctatus （Walker） with a larval facultative diapause is one of the most destructive insect pests of the pine tree Pinus massoniana in China. The larvae feeding on pine trees with different damage levels were studied to determine the induction of diapause under both laboratory and field conditions. Developmental duration of larvae before the third instar was the longest when fed with 75%-90% damaged needles, followed by 25%-40% damaged needles and intact pine needles, whereas mortalities did not differ among different treatments under the conditions of 25℃ and critical photoperiod 13.5：10.5 L：D. At 25 ℃, no diapause was induced under 15：9 L：D, whereas 100% diapause occurred under 12：12 L：D regardless of the levels of needle damage. Incidences of larvae entering diapause when they were fed with intact, 25%-40% and 75%- 90% damaged pine needles were 51.7%, 70.8% and 81% under 13.5：10.5 L：D, respectively. Similar results were obtained in the field experiment. Incidence of diapause was significantly different among the pine needle damage levels of pine trees when the photoperiod was close to the critical day length, indicating that the effect of host plants on diapause induction was dependent on the range of photoperiod. The content of amino acid and sugar decreased and tannin increased in pine needles after feeding by the pine caterpillars, suggesting that changed levels of nutrients in damaged needles or a particular substance emitted by damaged pine trees was perhaps involved in the diapause induction of the pine caterpillar.     

PHOTOPERIODIC CONTROL OF ADULT DIAPAUSE IN CHRYSOPERLA SINICA （TJEDER） （NEUROPTERA： CHRYSOPIDAE） -I. CRITICAL PHOTOPERIOD AND SENSITIVE STAGES OF ADULT DIAPAUSE INDUCTION

Photoperiodic sensitivity for diapause induction of the green lacewing, Chrysoperla sinica (Tjeder) was examined at 22℃. The adult diapause of C. sinica was induced by short-day photoperiods, and the critical photoperiod for its induction was between 12.5L-11.5D and 13L-11D.Adults developed without diapause under long-day conditions, and entered diapause under short-day conditions. The adult stage was the uppermost sensitive stage for adult diapause induction, adults could go into diapause only when the emerging adults were under diapause-inducing short-day photoperiods. The short-day photoperiodic experience by transferring between 15L: 9D and 9L: 15D at preimaginal stages did not result in adult diapause under 15L: 9D photo regime, although some treatments extended the pre-oviposition period in adult stage. The results showed that the 3rd instar larvae and pre-pupae were more sensitive to the photoperiodic change from 15L: 9D to 9L: 15D photo regime than the other preimaginal stages.     

Assessing the Suitability of Various Physiological Traits to Screen Wheat Genotypes for Salt Tolerance

Success of improving the salt tolerance of genotypes requires effective and reliable screening traits in breeding programs.The objective was to assess the suitability of various physiological traits to screen wheat genotypes for salt tolerance.Thirteen wheat genotypes from Egypt,Germany,Australia and India were grown in soil with two salinity levels(control and150mmol/L NaCl)in a greenhouse.The physiological traits(ion contents in leaves and stems,i.e.Na~ ,Cl~-,K~ ,Ca~(2 )),theratios of K~ /Na~ and Ca~ /Na~ in the leaves and stems,net photosynthesis rate,stomatal conductance,transpiration rate,chlorophyll content(SPAD value),and leaf water relations,were measured at different growth stages.The physiologicaltraits except for Na~ and Cl~-in stems and the leaf transpiration rate at 150 mmol/L NaCI showed a significant genotypicvariation,indicating that the traits that have a significant genotypic variation may be possibly used as screening criteria.According to the analysis of linear regression of the scores of the physiological traits against those of grain yield,however,the physiological traits of Ca~(2 )and Ca~(2 )/Na~ at 45 d and final harvest with the greatest genotypic variation were ranked atthe top.From a practical and economic point of view,SPAD value should be considered to be used as screening criteriaand/or there is a need to develop a quick and practical approach to determine Ca~(2 )in plant tissues.     

Characteristics of soil animal community in the subalpine/alpine forests of western Sichuan during onset of freezing

Seasonal freeze–thaw cycle is a common phenomenon in the subalpine/alpine forest region, and may have a significant influence on the structure and function of soil animal community. To understand the characteristics and dynamics of soil animal community as well as its response to repeated freeze–thaw events in this region during onset of freezing, a field experiment was conducted to investigate the composition, abundance, and diversity of soil fauna in primary fir (Abies faxoniana) forest, fir and birch (Betula albosinensis) mixed forest and secondary fir (A. faxoniana) forest, which were three representative forests in the subalpine and alpine forest region in western Sichuan. Soil samples were collected from November 3 to November 27, 2008, which was defined as onset of freezing based on the simultaneous monitoring of soil temperature. Soil macrofauna were picked up by hand in the fields. Mesofauna were separated and collected from the soil samples by Baermann and Tullgren methods, respectively. By preliminary identification, 40,942 individuals were collected, which belonged to 7 phyla, 15 classes and 25 orders in the three sampling forests. 16,557, 14,669 and 9716 individuals were found in primary forest, mixed forest and secondary forest, respectively. In comparison with the mineral soil layer, the soil organic layer had higher density and groups of soil fauna. Furthermore, following the repeated freeze–thaw events, density and groups of soil fauna experienced a distinct decrease in both soil organic layer and mineral soil layer, and this trend in soil organic layer was more significant in the primary forest, owing to higher intense and more frequent freeze–thaw cycles in soil organic layer of the primary forest. The results revealed that soil animals were sensitive bio-indicators to environmental changes, such as repeated freeze–thaw events and dry–wet cycle. Meanwhile, the results also implied that the dynamics of the structure and function of soil animal community during the onset of freezing was of ecological significance to understand the wintertime ecological process in soils.     

Characteristics of soil animal community in the subalpine/alpine forests of western Sichuan during onset of freezing

Seasonal freeze–thaw cycle is a common phenomenon in the subalpine/alpine forest region, and may have a significant influence on the structure and function of soil animal community. To understand the characteristics and dynamics of soil animal community as well as its response to repeated freeze–thaw events in this region during onset of freezing, a field experiment was conducted to investigate the composition, abundance, and diversity of soil fauna in primary fir (Abies faxoniana) forest, fir and birch (Betula albosinensis) mixed forest and secondary fir (A. faxoniana) forest, which were three representative forests in the subalpine and alpine forest region in western Sichuan. Soil samples were collected from November 3 to November 27, 2008, which was defined as onset of freezing based on the simultaneous monitoring of soil temperature. Soil macrofauna were picked up by hand in the fields. Mesofauna were separated and collected from the soil samples by Baermann and Tullgren methods, respectively. By preliminary identification, 40,942 individuals were collected, which belonged to 7 phyla, 15 classes and 25 orders in the three sampling forests. 16,557, 14,669 and 9716 individuals were found in primary forest, mixed forest and secondary forest, respectively. In comparison with the mineral soil layer, the soil organic layer had higher density and groups of soil fauna. Furthermore, following the repeated freeze–thaw events, density and groups of soil fauna experienced a distinct decrease in both soil organic layer and mineral soil layer, and this trend in soil organic layer was more significant in the primary forest, owing to higher intense and more frequent freeze–thaw cycles in soil organic layer of the primary forest. The results revealed that soil animals were sensitive bio-indicators to environmental changes, such as repeated freeze–thaw events and dry–wet cycle. Meanwhile, the results also implied that the dynamics of the structure and function of soil animal community during the onset of freezing was of ecological significance to understand the wintertime ecological process in soils.     

Assessing the Suitability of Various Physiological Traits to Screen Wheat Genotypes for Salt Tolerance

Success of improving the salt tolerance of genotypes requires effective and reliable screening traits in breeding programs. The objective was to assess the suitability of various physiological traits to screen wheat genotypes for salt tolerance. Thirteen wheat genotypes from Egypt, Germany, Australia and India were grown in soil with two salinity levels （control and 150 mmol/L NaCI） in a greenhouse. The physiological traits （ion contents in leaves and stems, i.e. Na^＋, Cl^-, K^＋, Ca^2＋）, the ratios of K^＋/Na^＋ and Ca^＋/Na^＋ in the leaves and stems, net photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, chlorophyll content （SPAD value）, and leaf water relations, were measured at different growth stages. The physiological traits except for Na^＋ and Cl^- in stems and the leaf transpiration rate at 150 mmol/L NaCI showed a significant genotypic variation, indicating that the traits that have a significant genotypic variation may be possibly used as screening criteria. According to the analysis of linear regression of the scores of the physiological traits against those of grain yield, however, the physiological traits of Ca^2＋ and Ca2^＋/Na^＋ at 45 d and final harvest with the greatest genotypic variation were ranked at the top. From a practical and economic point of view, SPAD value should be considered to be used as screening criteria and/or there is a need to develop a quick and practical approach to determine Ca^2＋ in plant tissues.     

Phyto-availability and speciation change of heavy metals in soils amended with lignin as micro-fertilizer

Lignin is a primary byproduct from the black liquor treatment in paper making industries, its application as micro-fertilizer in agricultural land might provide a promising alternative to sewage discharge. However, application of such a micro-fertilizer might affect the soil properties and result in soil pollution. In this study, the effects of lignin application on phyto-availability and speciation change of heavy metals in soils were investigated. Greenhouse experiments showed that lignin application improved the growth of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in all three soils investigated. The increase of the biomass for wheat shoot was 59.7%, 39.8% and 12.3% for Beijing soil, Jiangxi soil and Dongbei soil, respectively. In contrast, lignin amendment decreased the concentrations of heavy metals in wheat shoots from 2.2% to 61.0%. Sequential extraction procedure of a three-step BCR was used to investigate the fraction distribution. The extractable fractions were specified as fraction B1: water soluble,     

酸雨对缙云山林地黄壤汞溶出的影响

Forest yellow soil and arable yellow soil in Jinyun Mountain were collected to study the effect of simulated acid rain(adjusted to pH 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0) on the Hg leaching from soils by the methods of static extraction and dynamic leaching. The results showed that in forest yellow soils, surface accumulation of Hg occurred, and the accumulated Hg was easier to be leached out than that in arable yellow soil by acid rain. The amount of leached Hg was the largest at pH 4.0. To abate the risk of Hg pollution in water bodies by the Hg leaching from this forest soil, the Mountain should be closed, and timber-felling should be forbidden.     

Exchange of Proton and Major Elements in Two-Layer Canopies Under Acid Rain in a Subtropical Evergreen Forest in Central-South China

Canopy exchanges of H^＋ and N （NH4^＋-N, NO3^--N） and other major ions were evaluated and quantified In twolayer canopies based on throughfall measurements in Shaoshan Forest during the period 2000-2002, central-south China, The collected annual rainfall, throughfall, and sub-throughfall were 1 401, 1 191, and 1 084 mm/year, respectively. Fifteen percent and 8% of rainfall （or 9% of throughfall） were intercepted by the top canopy and sub-canopy layers, respectively, The foliar leaching of base cations from the top canopy was significantly higher than that from the sub-canopy, and the latter accounted for 25% of the former. The uptake of H^＋ and NH4^＋ was significantly higher in the top canopy than in the sub-canopy, indicating that the canopy buffering capacity in the top canopy was stronger than the sub-canopy; Mg^2＋ can be absorbed from water flux on the sub-canopy foliar surfaces to compensate for the Mg deficit in the forest soil during the growing season,     

Potential impacts of climate warming on active soil organic carbon contents along natural altitudinal forest transect of Changbai Mountain

Understanding soil carbon fractions and their responses to the global warming is important for improving soil carbon management of natural altitudinal forest ecosystem. In this study, the contents of soil total organic carbon (SOC), soil labile organic carbon (LOC), and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) in soil upper layers (0–20 cm) were measured along a natural altitudinal transect in the north slope of Changbai Mountain. The results showed that under natural conditions the contents of SOC and LOC were largest in Betula ermanii forest (altitude 1996 m), moderate in spruce-fir forest (altitude 1350 m), and smallest in Korean pine mixed broad-leaf tree forest (altitude 740 m). MBC contents in different forest ecosystems decreased in the order of Betula ermanii forest, Korean pine mixed broad-leaf tree forest, and dark coniferous forest. In addition, the responses of SOC, LOC, and MBC to soil warming were conducted by relocating intact soil cores from high- to low-elevation forests for one year. As expected, the soil core relocation caused significant increase in soil temperature but made no significant effect on soil moisture. After one year incubation, soil relocation significantly decreased SOC contents, whereas the contents of LOC, MBC, and the ratios of LOC to SOC and MBC to SOC increased.     

Potential impacts of climate warming on active soil organic carbon contents along natural altitudinal forest transect of Changbai Mountain

Understanding soil carbon fractions and their responses to the global warming is important for improving soil carbon management of natural altitudinal forest ecosystem. In this study, the contents of soil total organic carbon (SOC), soil labile organic carbon (LOC), and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) in soil upper layers (0–20 cm) were measured along a natural altitudinal transect in the north slope of Changbai Mountain. The results showed that under natural conditions the contents of SOC and LOC were largest in Betula ermanii forest (altitude 1996 m), moderate in spruce-fir forest (altitude 1350 m), and smallest in Korean pine mixed broad-leaf tree forest (altitude 740 m). MBC contents in different forest ecosystems decreased in the order of Betula ermanii forest, Korean pine mixed broad-leaf tree forest, and dark coniferous forest. In addition, the responses of SOC, LOC, and MBC to soil warming were conducted by relocating intact soil cores from high- to low-elevation forests for one year. As expected, the soil core relocation caused significant increase in soil temperature but made no significant effect on soil moisture. After one year incubation, soil relocation significantly decreased SOC contents, whereas the contents of LOC, MBC, and the ratios of LOC to SOC and MBC to SOC increased.     

Response of transgenic potato seedlings to allelopathic pressure and the effect of nutrients in the culture medium

Chinese farmers frequently use a wheat–potato cropping system. The land area planted to transgenic potatoes is increasing because transgenic potatoes have greater resistance to pests and diseases. However, little is known about the bio-compatibility of transgenic potatoes with wheat straw. The objective of this tissue culture study was to determine the allelopathic effects of wheat straw on transgenic potato seedlings. Seedlings were cultured on normal MS medium (normal treatment) and nutrient-deficient MS medium (acclimated treatment) and then transferred to MS medium, which contained wheat straw powder. Wheat straw powder inhibited potato seedling growth in both treatments. Among the parameters analyzed in this study, inhibition was greatest for plant fresh weight and least for plant height. The inhibitive effects of wheat straw were greater for seedling roots compared to shoots. Resistance to allelopathic pressure from wheat straw was greater in acclimated seedlings compared to normal seedlings. This suggested that previous pressure may have induced tolerance in the transgenic potato seedlings. Furthermore, growth inhibition of potato seedlings from the normal treatment increased as the amount of wheat straw powder in the culture medium increased. Calculations indicated that the presence of wheat straw would lead to a 55% reduction in the total biomass of normal potato seedlings compared to a 39% reduction for acclimated seedlings. Parameters such as net photosynthesis rate (Pn) and quantum yield (Y(II)) changed as the nutrient content of the culture medium increased or decreased, but the changes in the parameters were smaller for acclimated seedlings compared to normal seedlings. This suggests that nutrient status during the culture period could help transgenic potato seedlings adapt and compensate for energy loss from seedlings in defending against allelopathic pressure. In summary, the results show that previous exposure to pressures such as nutrient deficiency may increase the allelopathic pressure resistance of transgenic potato seedlings.     

Studies on the biology of Chaoborus flavicans (Meigen) (Diptera: Chaoboridae) in a fish-free eutrophic pond,Japan

Population dynamics of Chaoborus flavicans larvae of various instars was studied from November 1986 to December 1987 in a eutrophic, fish-free pond, Japan. First and 2nd instar larvae were observed from late April to late October, indicating a reproductive period of about half a year. C. flavicans overwintered in the 4th instar larvae. In water column samples, total density of all instars was 680–23680 m^-2, and pupal density 0–2600 m^-2; larvae of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd instars showed 5–6 density peaks in 1987, suggesting that 5–6 generations occur during a year (peaks of the 4th instar larvae were not clear, probably due to their longer development than those of younger instars). In sediment samples, no 1st and 2nd instar larvae were found, 3rd instar larvae were found occasionally but density of the 4th instar larvae was 280–18600 m^-2, and pupal density varied between 0–502 m^-2. Fouth instar larvae accumulated in sediment in the cold season and in the water column in the warm season; high temperature and low oxygen concentration were the most important factors limiting the distribution of larvae in the sediment in summer in the NIES pond. The dry weight of total C. flavicans larvae was 0.08–4.2 g m^-2 in sediment samples and 24–599 μg l^-1 (0.10–2.40 g m^-2) in water column samples. Comparisons of maximum densities in the NIES pond in different years and in waters of different trophic status show that density is generally higher in eutrophic than in oligotrophic habitats. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Response of transgenic potato seedlings to allelopathic pressure and the effect of nutrients in the culture medium

Chinese farmers frequently use a wheat–potato cropping system. The land area planted to transgenic potatoes is increasing because transgenic potatoes have greater resistance to pests and diseases. However, little is known about the bio-compatibility of transgenic potatoes with wheat straw. The objective of this tissue culture study was to determine the allelopathic effects of wheat straw on transgenic potato seedlings. Seedlings were cultured on normal MS medium (normal treatment) and nutrient-deficient MS medium (acclimated treatment) and then transferred to MS medium, which contained wheat straw powder. Wheat straw powder inhibited potato seedling growth in both treatments. Among the parameters analyzed in this study, inhibition was greatest for plant fresh weight and least for plant height. The inhibitive effects of wheat straw were greater for seedling roots compared to shoots. Resistance to allelopathic pressure from wheat straw was greater in acclimated seedlings compared to normal seedlings. This suggested that previous pressure may have induced tolerance in the transgenic potato seedlings. Furthermore, growth inhibition of potato seedlings from the normal treatment increased as the amount of wheat straw powder in the culture medium increased. Calculations indicated that the presence of wheat straw would lead to a 55% reduction in the total biomass of normal potato seedlings compared to a 39% reduction for acclimated seedlings. Parameters such as net photosynthesis rate (Pn) and quantum yield (Y(II)) changed as the nutrient content of the culture medium increased or decreased, but the changes in the parameters were smaller for acclimated seedlings compared to normal seedlings. This suggests that nutrient status during the culture period could help transgenic potato seedlings adapt and compensate for energy loss from seedlings in defending against allelopathic pressure. In summary, the results show that previous exposure to pressures such as nutrient deficiency may increase the allelopathic pressure resistance of transgenic potato seedlings.     

内蒙古草原沙地白扦年轮生长指数的变异

The variation in ring growth indices of Picea meyeri was assessed by dendrochronological techniques including response functions, correlation functions and single-year analysis on sandy dunes in the Xilin River basin steppe. The results show that growth of Picea meyeri was sensitive to climate change. Furthermore, it was determined that mean monthly temperature and total monthly precipitation from September of the current year to August of the preceding year can account for about 70% of the variance in the tree-ring width. The rainfalls in February and May of the current year together with that of the previous September were significantly correlated with the current year’s growth pattern. Additionally ,radial growth was negatively correlated with mean monthly temperature in current May. In this region the sandy substrate is characterized by high water infiltration and low soil moisture evaporation rates. As a result, relatively high precipitation from prior August to prior October can be reserved in the sandy soil and the Picea meyeri trees show strong adaptation to the sandy substrate in these se- mi-arid grasslands. Therefore, the establishment of Picea meyeri forest plantations in the sandy belt along the middle reaches of Xilin River are deemed feasible.