Effects of fall and spring seeding date and other agronomic factors on infestations of root maggots, Delia spp. (Diptera: Anthomyiidae), in canola

Several agronomic benefits can result from fall seeding of canola (Brassica spp.), but extensive research data are lacking on the potential impact of this practice on infestations of root maggots (Delia spp.) (Diptera: Anthomyiidae), which are major pests of the crop in western Canada. Field experiments making up 13 location by year combinations were conducted in central Alberta, Canada, from 1998 to 2001 to determine the effect of fall versus spring seeding of canola on root maggot damage. Depending on the experiment, interactions with seeding rate, seed treatment, timing of weed removal, and canola species (cultivar) also were investigated. Root maggot damage declined with an increase in seeding rate for plots seeded in May but not in fall or April. Susceptibility to infestation was greater for plants of Brassica rapa L. than Brassica napus L., but seed treatment had no effect on damage by these pests. Combined analysis using data from all experiment by location by year combinations indicated that seeding date had no significant effect on root maggot damage. The extended emergence of Delia spp. adults, which spans the appearance of crop stages vulnerable to oviposition regardless of seeding date, prevented reduced root maggot attack. Covariance analysis demonstrated the importance of increasing seeding rate for reducing root maggot infestations, a practice that can be especially beneficial for May-seeded canola when growing conditions limit the ability of plants to compensate for root maggot damage. Results determined with the small plot studies described here should be validated in larger plots or on a commercial field scale, but both the combined and covariance analyses indicate that seeding canola in fall does not predispose plants to greater damage by larval root maggots than seeding in spring.     

Seed size: a priority trait in cereal crops

Crop production and productivity must be increased to provide a balanced diet for the global population. The entire genome sequences of crop species allow the elucidation of genes that regulate important traits related to the final crop seed yield, which frequently depends mainly on seed size. Seed size is a major factor that controls seed quantity and it is strongly affected by various biotic, abiotic and genetic factors. Epigenetic marks in the genome and phytohormones are also important factors affecting seed growth and development. Several genes are known to be involved in the control of seed size, but their interaction and functional characterization have yet to be resolved. In this review, we discuss the different factors that govern seed size in cereal crops and Arabidopsis.     

Estimating belowground nitrogen inputs of pea and canola and their contribution to soil inorganic N pools using 15N labeling

Background and aims

Crop species grown in a diversified crop rotation can influence soil N dynamics to varying degrees due to differences in the quantity and quality of the residues returned to the soil. The aim of this study was to quantify the contribution of N rhizodeposition by canola (Brassica napus L.) and pea (Pisum sativum L.) to the crop residue N balance and soil inorganic N pool.

Methods

Canola and pea were grown in a soil-sand mixture and were subject to cotton-wick ¹⁵N labeling in a greenhouse experiment. Nitrogen-15 recovered in the soil and roots were used to estimate N rhizodeposition.

Results

Belowground N, including root N and N rhizodeposits, comprised 70 % and 61 % of total crop residue N for canola and pea, respectively. Canola released the greatest amount of total root-derived N to the soil, which was related to greater root biomass production by canola. However, root-derived N in the soil inorganic N pool was greater under pea (13 %) than canola (4 %).

Conclusions

Our results show a significant belowground N contribution to total crop residue from pea and canola. Further investigation is required to determine whether input of the more labile N rhizodeposits of pea improves soil N supply to succeeding crops or increases the potential for N loss from the soil system relative to canola.     

On the nature of temporary yield loss in maize following canola

Background and Aims

Soy is currently the most important biodiesel feedstock crop in the U.S., but canola is an attractive alternative because of its potential for greater oil yields. Nevertheless, factors other than oil yield must be considered in the choice of biodiesel feedstock crop. For example, soy is mycorrhizal and canola is not. We examined the consequences of soy and canola crops to subsequently-grown maize, which is mycorrhizal. We hypothesized that canola would reduce mycorrhization, P uptake and yield of subsequently-grown maize when compared to soy, and that winter cover cropping with wheat (mycorrhizal) would ameliorate canola’s negative impacts.

Methods

We established four rotations with two contrasts: either soy or canola in year 1, and with or without winter cover crops, followed by two years of maize.

Results

In year 2, mycorrhizal colonization, shoot P concentration and yield of maize were reduced following canola compared to soy. Nevertheless, many of the former canola plots produced maize with much lower growth than did the former soy plots irrespective of mycorrhizal colonization, shoot N or shoot P concentrations. Cover cropping with wheat did not ameliorate these negative effects. The negative effects of canola were temporary as they did not occur in the second year of maize.

Conclusions

The negative effects of canola observed in the first year of maize were coincident with a reduction in mycorrhizal colonization, but some other phenomenon appears to be causal, possibly allelopathy. Winter cover cropping was largely ineffective in ameliorating the negative effects of canola on maize.     

Influence of honey bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) density on the production of canola (Crucifera: Brassicacae)

Pollination is an essential step in the seed production of canola, Brassica napus L. It is achieved with the assistance of various pollen vectors, but particularly by the honey bee, Apis mellifera L. Although the importance of pollination has been shown for the production of seed crops, the need to introduce bee hives in canola fields during flowering to increase oil seed yield has not yet been proven. With the purpose of showing this, hives of A. mellifera were grouped and placed in various canola fields in the Chaudière-Appalaches and Capitale-Nationale regions (nine fields; three blocks with three treatments; 0, 1.5, and 3 hives per hectare). A cage was used to exclude pollinators and bee visitations were observed in each field. After the harvest, yield analyses were done in relation to the bee density gradient created, by using pod set, number of seeds per plant, and weight of 1000 seeds. Results showed an improvement in seed yield of 46% in the presence of three honey bee hives per hectare, compared with the absence of hives. The introduction of honey bees contributed to production and consequently, these pollinators represented a beneficial and important pollen vector for the optimal yield of canola.     

Preceding crop and phosphorus fertilization affect cadmium and zinc concentration of flaxseed under conventional and reduced tillage

Field studies were conducted over 4 years at two locations in Manitoba, Canada to evaluate effects of preceding crop, tillage and phosphorus (P) fertilization on Cd and Zn concentration in oilseed flax (linseed—Linum usitatissimum L.). Canola (Brassica napus L.) and spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were grown under conventional and reduced tillage with three rates of monoammonium phosphate. Flax was seeded the year following the spring wheat or canola, with or without P fertilizer, and Cd and Zn concentration and accumulation were determined in the flax tissue at 5 weeks and in the mature seed. Flax following canola had lower Zn concentration and accumulation and higher Cd concentration and Cd:Zn ratio in the tissue and seed relative to flax following wheat. Phosphorus fertilization tended to increase Cd concentration and Cd:Zn ratio and decrease Zn concentration in the tissue and seed. Effects of tillage and interactions among tillage, preceding crop, and P fertilization were inconsistent. Changes in flax Cd and Zn concentration may be due to changes in mycorrhizal colonization or by the high concentration of Cd in the decomposing canola residue. Crop sequence and P management can be used to improve flaxseed food quality, by increasing Zn and decreasing Cd concentration.     

Strategies to decrease nitrate leaching in the Brimstone Farm Experiment,Oxfordshire, UK, 1988–1993: the effects of winter cover crops and unfertilised grass leys

Nitrate losses in drainflow were measured over five years on eight hydrologically isolated field plots, pairs of which had the following cropping regimes: (a) a 3-yr unfertilised, ungrazed grass ley followed by winter and spring cereals, (b) mixed cropping including winter cover crops, spring cereals, winter cereals, winter fallow and spring beans, (c) a similar sequence to (b) but with a winter fallow replacing the cover crop in the first year and a winter cover crop replacing the fallow in the third year, and (d) continuous winter cereals (control plots). Less nitrate was lost in winter drainflow from winter cover crops than from the winter fallows, but over all five years less nitrate was leached from the continuous cereal plots than from those with mixed cropping. Most of the extra nitrate lost from the mixed cropping regimes probably resulted from mineralisation of the cover crop residues, which occurred at times when subsequent crops could not take advantage of the mineral nitrogen released. Crops grown after the grass ley and cover crops did not benefit from their residues, in terms of either grain yield or of total nitrogen uptake. We conclude that on heavy clay soils in UK a cropping regime of continuous winter cereals offers the best compromise between profitable crop production and minimised nitrate loss to surface waters.     

Increasing Crop Diversity Mitigates Weather Variations and Improves Yield Stability

Cropping sequence diversification provides a systems approach to reduce yield variations and improve resilience to multiple environmental stresses. Yield advantages of more diverse crop rotations and their synergistic effects with reduced tillage are well documented, but few studies have quantified the impact of these management practices on yields and their stability when soil moisture is limiting or in excess. Using yield and weather data obtained from a 31-year long term rotation and tillage trial in Ontario, we tested whether crop rotation diversity is associated with greater yield stability when abnormal weather conditions occur. We used parametric and non-parametric approaches to quantify the impact of rotation diversity (monocrop, 2-crops, 3-crops without or with one or two legume cover crops) and tillage (conventional or reduced tillage) on yield probabilities and the benefits of crop diversity under different soil moisture and temperature scenarios. Although the magnitude of rotation benefits varied with crops, weather patterns and tillage, yield stability significantly increased when corn and soybean were integrated into more diverse rotations. Introducing small grains into short corn-soybean rotation was enough to provide substantial benefits on long-term soybean yields and their stability while the effects on corn were mostly associated with the temporal niche provided by small grains for underseeded red clover or alfalfa. Crop diversification strategies increased the probability of harnessing favorable growing conditions while decreasing the risk of crop failure. In hot and dry years, diversification of corn-soybean rotations and reduced tillage increased yield by 7% and 22% for corn and soybean respectively. Given the additional advantages associated with cropping system diversification, such a strategy provides a more comprehensive approach to lowering yield variability and improving the resilience of cropping systems to multiple environmental stresses. This could help to sustain future yield levels in challenging production environments.     

甘肃省中部沿黄灌区轮作和连作马铃薯根际土壤真菌群落的结构性差异评估

甘肃省中部沿黄灌区是西北地区乃至全国重要的加工型马铃薯生产基地,然而因集约化种植带来的连作障碍问题已经严重影响到当地马铃薯种植业的可持续发展。采用大田试验与PCR-DGGE(Polymerase Chain Reaction-Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis)技术相结合的方法,并通过真菌的18S r DNA序列分析,评估轮作(未连作)和连作条件下马铃薯根际土壤真菌群落在组成结构上的差异,以期为甘肃省中部沿黄灌区马铃薯连作的土壤障碍机理研究提供新证据。结果表明,同轮作相比,连作显著降低了马铃薯块茎产量和植株生物量,并且随着连作年限的延长,连作障碍也愈加严重。长期连作(6a)也导致马铃薯根冠比显著增加和植株收获指数的显著下降。在根际土壤真菌的种群数量和多样性上,连作和轮作间无显著差异,但在群落组成结构上差异明显。真菌18S r DNA测序分析进一步表明,马铃薯连作较轮作相比增加了Fusarium sp.和Fusarium solani以及Verticillium dahliae的种群或个体数量,而这些真菌是导致马铃薯土传病害的主要致病菌类型。根际土壤真菌群落组成结构的改变特别是与土传病害有关的致病菌滋生可能是导致当地马铃薯连作障碍的重要原因。     

Effect of four cropping systems on variant western corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) adult and egg densities and subsequent larval injury in rotated maize

The cultural practice of rotating corn, Zea mays L., with soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merrill, to manage larval injury by the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, was used extensively throughout east central Illinois and northern Indiana until the mid-1990s. The effectiveness of this management tactic diminished due to a shift in the ovipositional behavior of the western corn rootworm. The variant western corn rootworm has since spread as far as northwestern Illinois, southern Wisconsin, southern Michigan, and eastern Ohio. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of four cropping systems on adult and egg densities of the western corn rootworm and to quantify the level of root injury in rotated corn after each system. The four cropping systems used included: 1) corn; 2) soybean; 3) double-cropped winter wheat, Triticum aestivum L., followed by soybean; and 4) winter wheat. Research trials were conducted near Monmouth (northwestern), DeKalb (northern), and Urbana (east central), IL, during 2003 and 2004. Results indicated variant western corn rootworm adults can be found in all four treatments at each location and consequently no crop was immune to oviposition or root injury by corn rootworm larvae in rotated corn the following season. Adults were found primarily in corn and soybean, whereas egg densities were greatest in corn plots in all three locations in both years of the study. Root injury by larvae was most abundant in corn following corn at all three sites. Of the four systems evaluated, the use of wheat demonstrated the most potential for preventing yield reducing levels of root injury in rotated corn.     

Nitrogen mineralization and potential nitrification at different depths in acid forest soils

Yield decline of cereals grown in monoculture may be alleviated with alternative crop management strategies. Crop rotation and optimized tillage and fertilizer management can contribute to more sustainable food and fiber production in the long-term by increasing diversity, maintaining soil organic matter (SOM), and reducing adverse effects of excessive N application on water quality. We investigated the effects of crop sequence, tillage, and N fertilization on long-term grain production on an alluvial, silty clay loam soil in southcentral Texas. Crop sequences consisted of monoculture sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench,) wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr), wheat/soybean double-crop, and rotation of sorghum with wheat/soybean. Grain yields tended to be lower with no tillage (NT) than with conventional tillage (CT) early in the study and became more similar after 11 years. Nitrogen fertilizer required to produce 95% to maximum sorghum yield was similar for monoculture and rotation upon initiation of the experiment and averaged 16 and 11 mg N g^-1 grain with NT and CT, respectively. After 11 years, however, the N fertilizer requirement became similar for both tillage regimes, but was greater in monoculture (17 mg N g^-1 grain) than in rotation (12 mg N g^-1 grain). Crop sequences with double-cropping resulted in greater land use efficiency because similar or lower amounts of N fertilizer were required to produce equivalent grain than with less intensive monoculture systems. These more intensive crop sequences produced more stover with higher N quality primarily due to the inclusion of soybean in the rotation. Large quantities of stover that remained on the soil surface with NT led to greater SOM content, which increased the internal cycling of nutrients in this soil. In southcentral Texas, where rainfall averages nearly 1000 mm yr^-1, more intensive cropping of sorghum, wheat, and soybean with moderate N fertilization using reduced tillage can increase grain production and potentially decrease N losses to the environment by cycling more N into the crop-SOM system.     

冬季作物种植对双季稻根系酶活性及形态指标的影响

基于湖南长沙7a定位试验,以冬闲为对照,研究了冬种马铃薯、紫云英及油菜为前茬作物对早、晚稻根系酶活性、形态指标及产量的影响.结果表明,与冬闲相比,冬种作物后早、晚稻根系丙二醛(MDA)含量增加,但其根系的活性氧清除能力更强(SOD、POD和CAT活性高),能够在一定程度上缓解膜脂过氧化作用带来的伤害;冬种不同作物对早晚稻根系形态的影响表现不一.冬种马铃薯和紫云英处理在早稻生育后期的根系优势明显,并能在一定程度上促进晚稻根系生长,双季稻总产量较对照分别增加6.29％和7.76％,而冬种油菜抑制了晚稻根系生长,导致晚稻产量及双季稻总产分别降低6.31％和1.96％;相关性分析表明,灌浆期较高的根长、根数、根体积和根表面积是冬种作物改善双季稻产量的主要原因.综合来看,冬种马铃薯和紫云英对于促进双季稻根系生长,提高稻谷产量具有重要作用,而冬种油菜则不利于提高双季稻的稻谷生产力.     

Evaluation of Cuphea as a rotation crop for control of western corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

The ability to prevent significant root feeding damage to corn, Zea mays L., by the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, by crop rotation with soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr., has been lost in portions of the Corn Belt because this pest has adapted to laying eggs in soybean fields. Cuphea spp. has been proposed as a new broadleaf crop that may provide an undesirable habitat for rootworm adults because of its sticky surface and therefore may reduce or prevent oviposition in these fields. A 4-yr study (1 yr to establish seven rotation programs followed by 3 yr of evaluation) was conducted to determine whether crop rotation with Cuphea would provide cultural control of corn rootworm. In support of Cuphea as a rotation crop, fewer beetles were captured by sticky traps in plots of Cuphea over the 4 yr of this study compared with traps in corn and soybean, suggesting that fewer eggs may be laid in plots planted to Cuphea. Also, corn grown after Cuphea was significantly taller during vegetative growth, had significantly lower root damage ratings for 2 of 3 yr, and had significantly higher yields for 2 of 3 yr compared with continuous corn plots. In contrast to these benefits, growing Cuphea did not prevent economic damage to subsequent corn crops as indicated by root damage ratings > 3.0 recorded for corn plants in plots rotated from Cuphea, and sticky trap catches that exceeded the threshold of five beetles trap(-1) day(-1). Beetle emergence from corn plots rotated from Cuphea was significantly lower, not different and significantly higher compared with beetle emergence from continuous corn plots for 2002, 2003 and 2004 growing seasons, respectively. A high number of beetles were captured by emergence cages in plots planted to Cuphea, indicating that rootworm larvae may be capable of completing larval development by feeding on roots of Cuphea, although peak emergence lagged approximately 4 wk behind peak emergence from corn. Based on these data, it is unlikely that crop rotation with Cuphea will provide consistent, economical, cultural control of corn rootworm.     

Dryland residue and soil organic matter as influenced by tillage, crop rotation, and cultural practice

Novel management practices are needed to increase dryland soil organic matter and crop yields that have been declining due to long-term conventional tillage with spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-fallow system in the northern Great Plains, USA. The effects of tillage, crop rotation, and cultural practice were evaluated on dryland crop biomass (stems + leaves) yield, surface residue, and soil organic C (SOC) and total N (STN) at the 0?C20?cm depth in a Williams loam (fine-loamy, mixed, superactive, frigid, Typic Argiustolls) from 2004 to 2007 in eastern Montana, USA. Treatments were two tillage practices [no-tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT)], four crop rotations [continuous spring wheat (CW), spring wheat-pea (Pisum sativum L.) (W-P), spring wheat-barley (Hordeum vulgaris L.) hay-pea (W-B-P), and spring wheat-barley hay-corn (Zea mays L.)-pea (W-B-C-P)], and two cultural practices [regular (conventional seed rates and plant spacing, conventional planting date, broadcast N fertilization, and reduced stubble height) and ecological (variable seed rates and plant spacing, delayed planting, banded N fertilization, and increased stubble height)]. Crop biomass and N content were 4 to 44% greater in W-B-C-P than in CW in 2004 and 2005 and greater in ecological than in regular cultural practice in CT. Soil surface residue amount and C and N contents were greater in NT than in CT, greater in CW, W-P, and W-B-C-P than in W-B-P, and greater in 2006 and 2007 than in 2004 and 2005. The SOC and STN concentrations at 0?C5?cm were 4 to 6% greater in CW than in W-P or W-B-P in NT and CT from 2005 and 2007. In 2007, SOC content at 10?C20?cm was greater in W-P and W-B-P than in W-B-C-P in CT but STN was greater in W-B-P and W-B-C-P than in CW in NT. From 2004 to 2007, SOC and STN concentrations varied at 0?C5?cm but increased at 5?C20?cm. Diversified crop rotation and delayed planting with higher seed rates and banded N fertilization increased the amount of crop biomass returned to the soil and surface residue C and N. Although no-tillage increased surface residue C and N, continuous nonlegume cropping increased soil C and N levels at the surface layer compared with other crop rotations. Continued return of crop residue from 2004 to 2007 may increase soil C and N levels but long-term studies are needed to better evaluate the effect of management practices on soil C and N levels under dryland cropping systems in the northern Great Plains.     

Impact of planting dates and insecticide strategies for managing crucifer flea beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in spring-planted canola

Integration of cultural practices, such as planting date with insecticide-based strategies, was investigated to determine best management strategy for flea beetles (Phyllotreta spp.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in canola (Brassica napus L.). We studied the effect of two spring planting dates of B. napus and different insecticide-based management strategies on the feeding injury caused by fleabeetles in North Dakota during 2002-2003. Adult beetle peak emergence usually coincided with the emergence of the early planted canola, and this resulted in greater feeding injury in the early planted canola than later planted canola. Use of late-planted canola may have limited potential for cultural control of flea beetle, because late-planted canola is at risk for yield loss due to heat stress during flowering. Flea beetle injury ratings declined when 1) the high rate of insecticide seed treatment plus a foliar insecticide applied 21 d after planting was used, 2) the high rate of insecticide seed treatment only was used, or 3) two foliar insecticide sprays were applied. These insecticide strategies provided better protection than the low rates of insecticide seed treatments or a single foliar spray, especially in areas with moderate-to-high flea beetle populations. The foliar spray on top of the seed treatment controlled later-emerging flea beetles as the seed treatment residual was diminishing and the crop became vulnerable to feeding injury. The best insecticide strategy for management of flea beetle was the high rate of insecticide seed treatment plus a foliar insecticide applied at 21 d after planting, regardless of planting date.     

大豆连作障碍研究 Ⅱ. 大豆连作减产机理及对土壤紫青霉菌毒素的调控对策

研究分析了土壤紫青霉菌分泌毒素对连作大豆全生育过程的危害。结果表明,在大豆种子萌动期毒素致毒作用已经开始; 在大豆幼苗期及分枝期,较高浓度毒素(×10³倍稀释)使大豆完全不结瘤,极低浓度(×10⁵倍稀释)仍然抑制40%结瘤,致使重茬大豆光合固氮能力显着降低。而大豆残根、凋落物等通过刺激紫青霉菌的增长,造成对大豆进一步的危害。对连作大豆土壤紫青霉毒素的调控研究表明,使用土壤放线菌MB生物防治,可使重茬大豆增产8.4～18.9%; 使用海洋放线菌MB-97生物防治可使重茬大豆增产30.5%. 应用MB97制剂对连作大豆全生育过程的防病、减毒控制的综合调控,可使重茬5年大豆田间微区试验折合大豆产量达到4575kg·hm^-2.     

Much Improved Irrigation Use Efficiency in an Intensive Wheat-Maize Double Cropping System in the North China Plain

Crop yield and water use efficiency （WUE） in a wheat-maize double cropping system are influenced by short and uneven rainfalls in the North China Plain （NCP）, A 2-year experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of irrigation on soil water balance, crop yield and WUE to improve irrigation use efficiency in the cropping system, Soil water depletion （~SWS） by crop generally decreased with the increase of irrigation and rainfall, while ASWS for the whole rotation was relatively stable among these irrigation treatments, High irrigations in wheat season increased initial soil moisture and ASWS for subsequent maize especially in the drought season, Initial soil water influenced mainly by the irrigation and rainfall in the previous crop season, is essential to high yield in such cropping systems, Grain yield decreased prior to evapotranspiraUon （ET） when ET reached about 300mm for wheat, while maize showed various WUEs with similar seasonal ET, For whole rotation, WUE declined when ET exceeded about 650 mm, These results indicate great potential for improving irrigation use efficiency in such wheat-maize cropping system in the NCP, Based on the present results, reasonable irrigation schedules according to different annual rainfall conditions are presented for such a cropping system.     

Much Improved Irrigation Use Efficiency in an Intensive Wheat-Maize Double Cropping System in the North China Plain

Crop yield and water use efficiency (WUE) in a wheat-maize double cropping system are influenced by short and uneven rainfalls in the North China Plain (NCP). A 2-year experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of irrigation on soil water balance, crop yield and WUE to improve irrigation use efficiency in the cropping system. Soil water depletion (△SWS)by crop generally decreased with the increase of irrigation and rainfall, while △SWS for the whole rotation was relatively stable among these irrigation treatments. High irrigations in wheat season increased initial soil moisture and △SWS for subsequent maize especially in the drought season. Initial soil water influenced mainly by the irrigation and rainfall in the previous crop season, is essential to high yield in such cropping systems. Grain yield decreased prior to evapotranspiration(ET) when ET reached about 300 mm for wheat, while maize showed various WUEs with similar seasonal ET. For whole rotation, WUE declined when ET exceeded about 650 mm. These results indicate great potential for improving irrigation use efficiency in such wheat-maize cropping system in the NCP. Based on the present results, reasonable irrigation schedules according to different annual rainfall conditions are presented for such a cropping system.     

间作植物和茬口对连作党参生长和品质产量的影响

选择两种茬口(轮作茬、连作茬)和6种植物材料(党参、大蒜、玉米、黄芪、苦参、向日葵),组成党参单作和间作6种种植模式,设置茬口和间作模式两因素田间随机区组试验,通过监测不同生长时期党参的生长指标(蔓长、主根长、主根直径、地下部分鲜干重)、根部产量及品质指标(根部多糖含量、炔苷含量、醇溶性浸出物含量和灰分含量)的变化衡量不同茬口和间作植物对党参连作障碍的缓解效应。结果表明：(1)轮作茬口下党参单作及各间作处理对党参生长、品质和产量的改善效果都较连作茬口下明显,且两茬口下各间作处理的改善效果都较党参单作明显。(2)与向日葵、大蒜和玉米间作处理对两茬口党参的主根长、主根直径、地下部分鲜干重的提升效果比党参单作和其余间作处理(与黄芪、苦参间作)更显著。(3)大蒜和向日葵间作处理能够显著提高两茬口党参根部产量,尤其大蒜表现最优,与其间作的轮作茬和连作茬党参分别较各自对照增产49.92%和22.55%。(4)与大蒜间作能有效提升两茬口党参根部多糖含量、炔苷含量和醇溶性浸出物的含量,党参单作和其余间作处理对两茬口连作党参的品质提升效果不及大蒜间作处理理想。研究发现,从党参长势及根部产量和品质综合分析,两茬口下党参与大蒜间作最有利于党参植株生长,能有效缓解党参连作障碍,并显著提高其药用部位的产量和品质,且轮作茬口下的提高效应更明显。     

硼、镉元素及其交互作用与油菜产量和品质

硼和镉两种元素是影响油菜产量和品质的两个重要因素.硼是植物生长所必需的微量元素,施硼是油菜种植的必需环节;镉是植物生长的非必要元素,易在油菜体内富集,可能通过食物链危害人体健康.本文主要从镉含量与油菜食品安全品质角度考虑,阐述了油菜对镉的积累和耐受机制;同时,概括了前人总结的硼对油菜的产量和品质的影响.最后,结合本人研究区广西地区土壤有效硼含量低,全镉含量高的现状,提出运用硼镉交互作用机理,通过施加适量硼肥,提高油菜的产量和品质,消除土壤镉的潜在危害,从本质上改善该地区土壤存在的低硼高镉现状.