Forces and Straw Cutting Performance of Double Disc Furrow Opener in No-Till Paddy Soil

Conservation tillage is an energy efficient and low cost tillage system to improve soil environment compared with conventional tillage systems. However, the rice residue management becomes an “impossible to achieve” task due to high soil moisture content at harvest time and the thickness of rice straw. Disc type furrow openers are used for both seed drilling as well as straw cutting during no tillage sowing. A study was conducted to evaluate the draft requirement and straw cutting performances of different sized furrow openers in no-till paddy soil conditions. Double disc furrow opener was tested on an in-field traction bench for three working depths, i.e. 30, 60 and 90 mm, and three forwarding speeds, i.e. 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 m/s. The draft and vertical forces on the disc were recorded with load cells. These sensors were connected to a data acquisition system developed with hardware and software. The results revealed that the size of the furrow opener, operating depth and the forwarding speed had significant effects (P<0.05) on the horizontal and vertical forces, and the straw cutting performance. Mean values of the draft were 648.9, 737.2 and 784.6 N for the opener with diameters of 330, 450 and 600 mm respectively, and the vertical forces for similar openers were 904.7, 1553.9 and 1620.4 N, respectively. Furthermore, the mean straw cutting efficiencies for the double disc opener with diameters of 330, 450 and 600 mm were 39.36, 78.47 and 65.46%, respectively. The opener with 450 mm diameter provided higher straw cutting efficiency as compared to 600 mm diameter disc, while lowest straw cutting efficiency was observed with 330 mm diameter disc. The 450 mm diameter opener provided the highest straw cutting efficiency (88.6%) at 90 mm working depth and expressed optimum performance compared with other furrow openers.     

A Comparative Test of Mechanized and Manual Transplanting of Eelgrass, Zostera marina, in Chesapeake Bay

Abstract The laborious process of manual seagrass transplanting has often limited the size of seagrass restoration efforts. This study tested the efficiency of a mechanized planting boat, previously used for transplanting Halodule wrightii, relative to manual transplanting methods for establishing Zostera marina in Chesapeake Bay. Eelgrass planting was conducted at two sites, one each in the Rappahannock and James rivers, in October 2001. The methods were evaluated by three criteria: (1) initial planting success = proportion of attempted planting units (PUs) initially established (number confirmed in sediment by divers/number attempted); (2) survival = proportion of the initially established PUs persisting over 1, 4, and 24 weeks; and (3) efficiency = labor (in person·seconds) invested in each surviving PU. Initial planting success was significantly lower for the planting boat (24 and 56% at the Rappahannock and James sites, respectively) than for manual transplanting (100% at both sites). At the Rappahannock site, survival of initially established PUs declined over time for both methods, but while mean survival was always higher for manually planted rows, differences in survival between methods were not statistically significant. At the James site, survival to 1 and 4 weeks was significantly lower for the machine than for the manual method, but survival to 24 weeks was not significantly different. While the machine was able to attempt PUs faster than the manual method (2.2 s/PU vs. 5.8 s/PU, respectively), this speed was offset by poorer planting success rates, resulting in a much greater total labor investment for each machine‐planted PU that persisted to 24 weeks than for each similarly persisting manually planted PU (40.6 person·seconds/PU and 22.4 person·seconds/PU, respectively, averaged across sites). In summary, those PUs successfully planted by the machine survived similarly to PUs planted by hand, but as a result of poorer initial planting success, the machine required a greater investment of labor and plant donor stock for each PU surviving to 24 weeks. Therefore, in its tested configuration this planting boat is not a significant improvement over the manual method for transplanting eelgrass.     

Basic study on the rectangular numeric keys for touch screen

The present study was conducted to examine the optimum inter-key spacing of numeric rectangular keys for touch screens. Six male students (22-25 years old) and three female students (21-24 years old) participated in the experiment. Each subject performed the data entry task using rectangular keys of touch devices. These keys were arranged in both horizontal and vertical layouts. The sizes of the rectangular keys in both layouts were 12 x 21 mm and 15 x 39 mm, and each of the inter-key spacing of each key was 0, 3, 6, 12 and 21 mm. The response time with inter-key spacing of 3 mm was significantly faster than with the inter-key spacing of 0, 12 and 21 mm (p < 0.05). Keys of vertical position produced faster response time than that of horizontal position. The subjective ratings showed that the inter-key spacing of 6 mm was significantly better than the inter-key spacing of 0, 3, 12 and 21 mm (p < 0.05).     

秧苗平面分布对水稻群体动态、冠层透光率及穗部性状的影响

以分蘖能力较强的水稻品种D优527为材料,研究秧苗平面分布对水稻群体动态、冠层透光率及穗部性状的影响.结果表明:平面分布无序不等距程度越大,群体茎蘖数越多,差异在栽后34 d达显著水平,但齐穗期差异不显著.移栽后水稻不同平面分布群体逐渐呈平面分布无序不等距程度越大茎蘖数变异系数越大的趋势,至拔节期以后达到显著或极显著水平.与均匀分布相比,水稻秧苗不等距平面分布有利于改善群体冠层透光性和成穗质量.     

纯林、混交林型园林绿地的生态效益

试验选择元大都城垣遗址公园西段4块不同结构类型的绿地为研究对象,即草坪、刺槐纯林、油松纯林、刺槐．油松混交林,每一块试验地的面积在1000m^2左右,进行了连续8d的测试,通过试验观测与调查资料的分析,得出4块不同结构类型的园林绿地在水平方向和垂直方向上温度、湿度、风速的分布规律及差异。结果表明,在水平方向上,在3种天气条件下,油松纯林的水平日平均温度最低、相对湿度最高;在晴朗天气一天中的高温时段,草坪的温度最高,相对湿度最低,刺槐一油松混交林的相对湿度最高,温度最低。在水平方向上,经SPSS方差分析,4种绿地间的温、湿度差异均达到显著水平（α=0．05）。在垂直方向上,4种绿地的温度随着高度的升高逐渐升高,而相对湿度则随着高度的升高而逐渐降低;相对于其他绿地,混交林的温度和相对湿度变化比较复杂。刺槐-油松混交林的降温增湿效果最好,草坪的降温增湿效果最差。混交林型绿地降低风速的效果好于2种纯林。根据4种绿地在夏季的降温增湿效应提出混交林是园林绿地中生态效益较好的植物配置模式并提出了营造城市园林绿地植物景观的建议。     

不同群体结构夏玉米灌浆期光合特征和产量变化

大田试验以夏玉米为试料,采用裂裂区试验设计,密度设计包含75000、90000\,105000株/hm² 3个密度作为主区,每个密度处理包括: ①等行距60 cm×单株留苗,②等行距60 cm×双株三角留苗,③宽窄行距(宽行70 cm + 窄行距50 cm)×单株留苗和 ④宽窄行距×双株三角留苗共12种方式进行处理,测定光合及叶绿素荧光参数。研究不同群体结构对夏玉米灌浆期群体光合特性的影响。结果表明,在吐丝期,随着种植密度的增加,群体光合速率提高;蜡熟期以90000株/hm²最高,种植方式上表现为宽窄行大于等行距种植,双株留苗种植方式大于单株种植方式,差异均达到显著水平;随着种植密度的提高,群体内3个层次叶片最大光能转换效率(Fv/Fm)、光化学猝灭系数(qP)逐渐降低,种植方式基本表现为宽窄行大于等行距,留苗方式表现为双株大于单株。试验条件下,以90000株/hm²,宽窄行,双株三角留苗产量最高。     

不同密度红桦幼苗苗冠结构与竞争对CO2浓度升高的响应

研究了两个种植密度下,红桦（Betula albosinensis）苗冠结构特征对CO2浓度的响应,在此基础上探讨了CO2浓度升高对植物竞争压力的影响。结果表明,冠幅、冠高、苗冠表面积和苗冠体积均受CO2浓度升高的影响而增加,但是受密度增加的影响而降低。CO2浓度升高对苗冠的促进效应在低密度条件下大于高密度处理,高密度条件下苗冠基本特征部分地受到CO2浓度升高的促进作用;升高种植密度的效应则在高CO2浓度条件下大于现行CO2浓度处理。高CO2浓度和高密度条件下,LDcpa（单位苗冠投影面积叶片数）、LDcv（单位苗冠体积叶片数）和苗冠底部枝条的枝角均低于相应的现行CO2浓度处理和低密度处理,这主要是由于冠幅和冠高的快速生长所造成的。升高CO2浓度对枝条长度的影响与枝条在主茎上所处位置有关。总之,升高CO2浓度有利于降低增加种植密度对苗冠所带来的负效应,而增加种植密度降低了升高CO2浓度的正效应。LDcpa和LDcv的降低表明,红桦在升高CO2浓度和种植密度的条件下,会作出积极的响应,从而缓解由于生长的增加所带来的竞争压力的增加。     

Sensory interaction during trap-finding by female onion flies: implications for ovipositional host-plant finding

Using various three-dimensional traps alone and in combination with the onion volatile, dipropyl-disulphide (Pr₂S₂), we found that visual behaviour of female onion flies, Delia antiqua (Meigen), varied with the visual context (background composition and trap spacing) in which traps were presented and the females' reproductive state (mated vs. unmated). Against a background of real onions, females alighted more frequently on spherical than cylindrical traps, and white than green spheres, but females responded equally to white and green cylinders. In an onion field, baiting traps with Pr₂S₂ significantly increased female response to white over green traps, but had no influence on their response to trap shape. When traps were spaced 10 m apart and against a background of bare soil, females orienting to Pr₂S₂ baits alighted more frequently on vertical than horizontal traps, but shape and spectral reflectance were insignificant. However, when traps were spaced 0.25 m apart, females orienting to Pr₂S₂ baits alighted more frequently on cylinders than spheres. Mated females alighted more frequently on green than white cylinders, but unmated females responded to cylinders independent of spectral reflectance. When located 20 m downwind from Pr₂S₂ baits, mated females alighted on green cylinders significantly more often than unmated females. Response to traps mimicking onion plants suggests that ovipositional host-finding in female onion flies is dominated by olfactory responses at long range (several metres) and by visual cues at short-range (ca. 1 m). The view that host location by female onion flies is a hierarchical response pattern mediated by multiple sensory modalities and modified by resource level (habitat) and reproductive status, is discussed.     

盐爪爪Na^＋/H^＋逆向转运蛋白和焦磷酸酶的亚细胞定位

将盐爪爪Na+/H+逆向转运蛋白基因(KfNHX1)和焦磷酸酶基因(KfVP1)分别构建至植物表达载体,利用基因枪介导的方法转化洋葱表皮细胞,通过荧光显微镜观察研究其亚细胞定位.结果表明,转化了KfNHX1(或KfVP1)-GFP融合蛋白的洋葱表皮细胞仅膜系统散发荧光,而对照组即未转入KfNHX1(或KfVP1)基因的细胞则整体均匀发出荧光.说明KfNHX1和KfVP1可能定位于细胞的膜系统,作为跨膜转运蛋白在离子的调控运输中发挥重要作用.     

Swimming ability and behaviour of post-larvae of a temperate marine fish re-entrained in the pelagic environment

The degree to which behaviour, vertical movement and horizontal transport, in relation to local hydrodynamics, may facilitate secondary dispersal in the water column was studied in post-larval Sillaginodes punctata in Port Phillip Bay, Australia. S. punctata were captured in shallow seagrass beds and released at the surface in three depth zones (1.5, 3 and 7 m) off-shore at each of two sites to mimic the re-entrainment of fish. The behaviour, depth and position of S. punctata were recorded through time. The direction and speed of local currents were described using an S4 current meter and the movement of drogues. Regardless of site, fish immediately oriented toward the bottom, and into the current after release. In shallow water (1.5 m), 86% of fish swam to the bottom within 2 min of release. At one site, the net horizontal displacement of fish was largely unrelated to the speed and direction of local currents; at a second site, fish could not maintain their position against the current, and the net horizontal displacement was related to the speed and direction of currents. In the intermediate depth zone, wide variability in depths of individual fish through time led to an average depth reached by fish that was between the shallow and deep zones. Based on daily increments in the otoliths, however, this variability was not related significantly to the time since entry of fish into Port Phillip Bay. In the deepest depth zone, 81% of fish remained within 1 m of the surface and their horizontal displacement was significantly related to the direction and speed of currents. Secondary dispersal of post-larval fish in the water column may be facilitated by the behaviour and vertical movements of fish, but only if fish reach deeper water, where their displacement (direction and distance) closely resembles local hydrodynamic regimes. In shallow water, fish behaviour and vertical migration actually reduce the potential for secondary dispersal.     

The Arrangement and Spacing of Sugarcane Planting Influence Root Distribution and Crop Yield

Change in the planting arrangement can provide roots a different environment that alters access to soil resources, which can subsequently impact the productivity of above ground crop compartments. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the sugarcane yield as well as the distribution and biomass accumulation of roots across different spacing configuration treatments, in the absence of the confounding effect of machine traffic between the crop rows, in two areas with contrasting soil conditions. Two experiments were conducted under field conditions, in clayey and sandy soil. The experiments were conducted across two crop seasons and incorporated a randomized block design that tested six planting configurations: CS, conventional spacing (1.50 m); AS, alternated spacing (0.90?×?1.50 m); TS, triple spacing (0.75?×?0.75?×?1.50 m); PP 1.0 m, precision planting (1.0?×?1.0 m); PP 0.75 m, precision planting (0.75?×?0.75 m); and PP 0.50 m, precision planting (0.5?×?0.5 m). Results showed, in clayey soil, higher sugarcane yield for the PP 0.75 m spacing in the two crops evaluated; while, the PP 1.0 m spacing had the higher production in sandy soil, but only during the first ratoon. In relation to the total sugarcane production per unit area, the yield gains from reduced spacing were most evident for the first two crop cycles. The distribution and root biomass accumulation of sugarcane did not explain the above ground productivity in planting configurations.     

Influence of mulching on the pattern of growth and water use by spring wheat and moisture storage on a fine textured soil

Eight tonnes ha^–1 of stubble were used to mulch spring wheat (Triticum aestivum) on a fine textured soil with the aim of controlling both transpiration and soil evaporation during the wet pre-anthesis phase to increase moisture supply during grain filling in the eastern wheatbelt of Western Australia. Mulching reduced leaf area per plant by reducing the culm number; consequently the green area index was reduced. Reduced culm number was associated with low soil temperature which at 50 mm depth averaged 7°C lower under the mulched crop relative to the control crop in mid-season. The smaller canopies of the mulched crop used 15 mm less water than those of the control before anthesis; this difference in water-use was due equally to reduced transpiration and soil evaporation. However, the mulched crop was unable to increase ET during grain filling, a response associated with the persistence of low soil temperature for most of the growth period. Hence, total ET for the season was significantly lower (18 mm) under the mulched crop than the control crop. At harvest, mulching did not have significant effects on total above-ground dry matter and grain yields, but it increased water use efficiency for grain yield by 18%, grain weight by almost 17% and available moisture in both uncropped and cropped plots by an average of 43 mm.To determine whether there was any residual effects of soil treatment on moisture storage during the summer fallow period, soil moisture was monitored both in cropped plots and uncropped plots, that were either mulched or unmulched during the growing season, from harvest in October 1988 until next planting in June 1989. Available moisture at next planting was correlated with moisture storage at harvest despite the differences in run-off, soil evaporation and fallowing efficiency (increase in moisture storage as a percentage of rainfall) between treatments during fallowing. Therefore, the mulched treatments had more moisture available (30 mm), mostly as a result of less water use during cropping in the previous growing season, than the unmulched treatment.The study shows that mulching may be used to restrain both transpiration and soil evaporation early in the season to increase availability of soil moisture during grain filling. Secondly, mulching during the previous growing season had little effect on soil moisture during the summer fallow period, however, the moisture saved by mulching during cropping was conserved for the following season. These results indicate the importance of evaluating mulching of winter crops in terms of crop yield in the subsequent growing season as well as in the current season in which the soil was treated.Abbreviations D through drainage - DAS days after sowing of the crop on 31 May 1988 - DM dry matter produced in the above-ground portion of the crop (kg ha^–1) - E₀ evaporation from Class A pan (mm) - E_s evaporation from uncropped soil (mm) - E_sc evaporation from soil beneath the wheat canopy (mm) - ET evapotranspiration (mm) - FE fallowing efficiency (gain in soil moisture storage/rainfall) - GAI green area index (area of green vegetation per unit land area) - GWUE water-use efficiency for grain production (grain yield/total ET, kg ha^–1mm^–1) - K extinction coefficient (see equation 1) - RO run-off of moisture from soil surface during/following rainfall (mm) - SM available soil moisture (mm) at harvest (SMh) or at planting (SMp) - WUE water-use efficiency for total above-ground dry matter yield (see GWUE)     

Uptake of phenolic compounds from plant foods in human intestinal Caco-2 cells

In continuation of our studies on the bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds from food grains as influenced by domestic processing, we examined the uptake of phenolics from native/sprouted finger millet (Eleucine coracana) and green gram (Vigna radiata) and native/heat-processed onion (Allium cepa) in human Caco-2 cells. Absorption of pure phenolic compounds, as well as the uptake of phenolic compounds from finger millet, green gram, and onion, was investigated in Caco-2 monolayer model. Transport of individual phenolic compounds from apical compartment to the basolateral compartment across Caco-2 monolayer was also investigated. Sprouting enhanced the uptake of syringic acid from both these grains. Open-pan boiling reduced the uptake of quercetin from the onion. Among pure phenolic compounds, syringic acid was maximally absorbed, while the flavonoid isovitexin was least absorbed. Apparent permeability coefficient P_(app) of phenolic compounds from their standard solutions was 2.02 × 10^?6 cm/s to 8.94 × 10^?6 cm/s. Sprouting of grains enhanced the uptake of syringic acid by the Caco-2 cells. Open-pan boiling drastically reduced the uptake of quercetin from the onion. The permeability of phenolic acids across Caco-2 monolayer was higher than those of flavonoids.     

Delaying onion planting to control onion maggot (Diptera: Anthomyiidae): efficacy and underlying mechanisms

Onion maggot, Delia antiqua (Meigen) (Diptera: Anthomyiidae), is an important pest of onion, Allium cepa L., in northern temperate areas, especially in the Great Lakes region of North America Management of D. antiqua relies on insecticide use at planting, but insecticide resistance can cause control failures that threaten the long-term viability of this strategy. Delaying the time onions are planted was investigated as an alternative management approach for D. antiqua and the ecological and behavioral mechanisms underlying host age and insect relationships were examined in laboratory and field experiments. Delaying onion planting by two to four weeks reduced damage to onions by 35 and 90%, respectively. Onions planted later emerged later and this reduced the period overwintered flies had to oviposit on the plants. Moreover, flies tended to lay few to no eggs on these young, late-planted onions. As anticipated, D. antiqua laid 4-8 times more eggs on older onions than on young onions, and older onions were more resilient to injury caused by D. antiqua neonates compared with younger onions. However, the resiliency to maggot attack lessened as the density of D. antiqua increased from 2 to 10 eggs per plant, which probably explains why greater levels of maggot damage are typically observed in early onion plantings compared with later plantings. Delaying onion planting until mid-May reduced D. antiqua damage without jeopardizing the period required to produce marketable yield, but this cultural tactic must be combined with other management strategies to prevent economic loss.     

Spacing patterns and crown size variability in an Ecuadorian desert shrub species

Summary Analysis of spacing patterns in a monospecific stand of Croton menthodarus Benth. (Euphorbiaceae) suggests the presence of intraspecific competition. Analysis of the coefficient of variation for crown diameters suggests that increased plant density results in mortality of smallest individuals.     

不同密度下臭氧胁迫对Ⅱ优084水稻光合作用和物质生产的影响—FACE研究

依托中国稻田臭氧FACE(free air ozone concentration enrichment)技术平台,以超级稻Ⅱ优084为供试材料,臭氧设置当前大气臭氧浓度和高臭氧浓度(比前者高50%),移栽密度设置低密度(16穴·m^-2)、中密度(24穴·m^-2)和高密度(32穴·m^-2),研究不同移栽密度条件下近地层臭氧浓度升高对水稻光合作用、物质生产以及茎鞘非结构性碳水化合物浓度和含量的影响.结果表明: 臭氧浓度升高使水稻移栽后63 d、77 d和86 d剑叶SPAD值分别下降6%、11%和13%,均达显著或极显著水平.臭氧胁迫下结实期叶片净光合速率、气孔导度和蒸腾速率的降幅亦随时间推移而明显增加.高臭氧浓度使水稻抽穗至成熟期的物质生产量平均下降46%,从而使最终生物产量下降25%,均达显著水平.臭氧浓度升高使水稻拔节后茎鞘可溶性糖和淀粉的浓度和含量均显著降低,但使抽穗前茎鞘贮藏同化物的转运率大幅增加.方差分析表明,臭氧与密度间的互作对水稻所有测定参数均无显著影响.综上,近地层臭氧浓度升高使超级稻Ⅱ优084生育中后期的光合和生长均明显受抑,但这种抑制作用不受移栽密度的影响.
     

Photic Volume in Photobioreactors Supporting Ultrahigh Population Densities of the Photoautotroph Spirulina platensis

Characterization of the photic zone and light penetration depth in cultures with ultrahigh cell densities represents a major issue in mass cultures of phytoautotrophic microorganisms grown in enclosed photobioreactors. In a study of the effect of underwater optical properties on the penetration depth of photosynthetically active radiation, the inherent optical properties of algal suspensions, i.e., absorption and scattering coefficients, as well as their apparent optical properties, i.e., the reflectance and the vertical attenuation coefficient of downwelling irradiance, were determined by using high-spectral-resolution radiometric measurements. The vertical attenuation coefficient was used to estimate quantitatively the depth of light penetration into a reactor containing an ultrahigh cell density (chlorophyll concentration, up to 300,000 mg m(sup-3)). For such a high cell density, the photic volume in the reactor was found to be extremely small; nevertheless, it differed between the blue and red light (less than 0.06 mm) and the green light (about 0.5 mm). This suggests a singular role for green light under the unique circumstances existing in ultrahigh-cell-density cultures of photoautotrophs.     

Spatial distribution of roots of pearl millet on sandy soils of Niger

Root sampling in crop stands of low planting density requires reliable information on horizontal distribution of roots. This applies particularly to pearl millet in the Sahel, which is sown at a rate of less than two pockets of seed per m². The objective of this study was to investigate the spatial variability of root length density (RLD) among sampling positions in an improved management system with ridging and under traditional sowing. RLD between ridges (bR) was lower compared to sampling positions within ridges (wR) at soil depth layers from 0 to 80 cm soil depth. We found a highly significant, positive correlation between the sum of the root length (RL) of four sampling dates (tillering, booting, flowering, and maturity) with shoot dry mass (SDM) at maturity. The square of the correlation coefficient was highest when calculation of RL was based on RLD at all four sampling positions. While SDM exhibited significant differences among three pearl millet varieties, sole root sampling wR at a lateral distance of 60 cm relative to the pocket would not allow for the detection of varietal differences in RL, while all other sampling positions did. The correlation between RL and SDM was considerably improved if information of RLD bR was included. Under traditional sowing, RLD directly under the plant was lower compared to sampling positions at lateral distance 25 and 50 cm from the centre of the pocket, but this effect of sampling position was not significant. RLD estimates within deeper soil layers were not systematically affected by direction and lateral distance. To obtain accurate information about depth of rooting and RL under traditional sowing, samples should be taken from lateral distances between 20 and 40 cm from the pocket centre.     

Simultaneous visualization of peroxisomes and cytoskeletal elements reveals actin and not microtubule-based peroxisome motility in plants

Peroxisomes were visualized in living plant cells using a yellow fluorescent protein tagged with a peroxisomal targeting signal consisting of the SKL motif. Simultaneous visualization of peroxisomes and microfilaments/microtubules was accomplished in onion (Allium cepa) epidermal cells transiently expressing the yellow fluorescent protein-peroxi construct, a green fluorescent protein-mTalin construct that labels filamentous-actin filaments, and a green fluorescent protein-microtubule-binding domain construct that labels microtubules. The covisualization of peroxisomes and cytoskeletal elements revealed that, contrary to the reports from animal cells, peroxisomes in plants appear to associate with actin filaments and not microtubules. That peroxisome movement is actin based was shown by pharmacological studies. For this analysis we used onion epidermal cells and various cell types of Arabidopsis including trichomes, root hairs, and root cortex cells exhibiting different modes of growth. In transient onion epidermis assay and in transgenic Arabidopsis plants, an interference with the actin cytoskeleton resulted in progressive loss of saltatory movement followed by the aggregation and a complete cessation of peroxisome motility within 30 min of drug application. Microtubule depolymerization or stabilization had no effect.     

Population-level responses to nutrient heterogeneity and density by Abutilon theophrasti (Malvaceae): an experimental neighborhood approach

An experimental approach was used to examine the effects of spatial nutrient heterogeneity and planting density on the sizes of plants within populations of Abutilon theophrasti. Planting locations were generated using random numbers and replicated among populations growing on two different scales of heterogeneity and homogeneous soils. The same quantity of nutrients (dehydrated cow manure) was added to each population, regardless of the spatial nutrient distribution. The higher density was achieved by adding additional planting locations to those present at the lower density. Plant biomass was compared among ten planting locations present in all populations. Plants in seven locations were smaller at the higher density, but the spatial distribution of nutrients affected plant size in only two locations. At the population level, the higher density reduced mean plant biomass and increased both total biomass and the coefficient of variation in biomass, a measure of size inequality. Only when populations on both scales of heterogeneity were together compared with those on homogeneous soils were population-level measurements found to be significantly affected by soil treatment; heterogeneity resulted in decreased total biomass and an increase in the coefficient of variation, apparently due to an increase in the number of small plants in the population. These results, together with the finding that fine root biomass increased in nutrient-enriched patches, suggest that on heterogeneous soils most plants were able to access nutrient patches.