The effect of soil aggregate size on early shoot and root growth of maize (Zea mays L.)

Differences in plant growth arising from differences in aggregate size in the seedbed are normally atributed to limitations in nutrient or water supply during the early growth period. This study was initiated to determine if these were the only mechanisms by which aggregate size influences plant response. Four different aggregate size fractions (less than 1.6 mm, 1.6 to 3.2 mm, 3.2 to 6.4 mm and 6.4 to 12.8 mm diameter) were sieved from a silt loam soil. Nutrients were added to the soil and maize was grown in the aggregates for eighteen days after seedling emergence. Soil matric potential was maintained between — 3 and −20 kPa. Shoot dry weight declined by 18% as aggregate size increased from less than 1.6 mm to 1.6–3.2 mm. There was little further decline as aggregate size increased to 6.4–12.8 mm. Final leaf area showed a similar decline. The availability of nutrients or water were not limiting. Total root length in the coarsest aggregate system was less than 60% of that in the finest system. Main axes of seminal and nodal roots were longer in the coarser aggregate systems, the length of primary laterals was not affected, and length of secondary laterals was lower in the coarser systems. A greater proportion of the roots penetrated the larger aggregates than the smaller aggregates; however, the larger aggregates offered greater resistance to penetration by a rigid micropenetrometer (150 μ diameter probe). Diameter of the main axes roots were greatest in the largest two aggregate fractions. it is speculated that a combination of increased endogenous ethylene in roots in the finest aggregate system due to entrapment by water and increased mechanical resistance in the coarsest aggregate system accounts for the observed effects on root norphology.     

The impact of mechanical impedance on the emergence of carrot and onion seedlings

The development of a method using wax layers to simulate the effect of strong soil crusts on seedling emergence is described. Wax layers of different strengths were prepared by melting together white soft paraffin and paraffin wax in different proportions. The wax discs were placed above seeds planted in wet, but well-aerated sand in controlled environments. The effect of adding charcoal to the wax discs to prevent transmission of light was also tested. When wax layer penetrometer pressure was 0.2–0.25 MPa, light transmission greatly decreased the final emergence of carrot, but not onion seedlings. Penetrometer pressures above 0.25 MPa greatly decreased emergence through black wax layers in both carrot and onion. The presence of 2–4 mm stones immediately below wax layers (to simulate aggregates) decreased the emergence of onion shoots through wax layers with penetrometer pressures of 0.25 MPa and above. The emergence of carrot and onion seedlings from wax layers was compared to emergence in the field from different soil types and aggregate sizes. In both laboratory and field experiments, carrot gave better emergence than onion when emergence was relatively poor. Results were consistent with the hypothesis that mechanical impedance is a major factor in poor crop emergence in temperate conditions.     

The interacting effects of temperature,ground disturbance,and herbivory on seedling establishment: implications for treeline advance with climate warming

Thermal control of treeline position is mediated by local environmental and ecological factors, making trends in treeline migration difficult to extrapolate geographically. We investigated the ecological dynamics of conifer establishment at treeline in the Mealy Mountains (Labrador, Canada) and the potential for its expansion with climate warming. Available seedbed and tree seedling emergence in the treeline ecotone were monitored, and seeds and seedlings of Picea mariana were planted along an elevational gradient from open-canopy forest through tree islands to alpine tundra. Experimental treatments included passive warming of daytime air, ground disturbance, and vertebrate herbivore exclosures. Responses in seed germination and seedling growth, damage, and mortality were monitored over two growing seasons, and re-surveyed after 5 years. While no tree seedlings were observed growing naturally above the treeline, planted seeds were able to germinate, develop and overwinter, and persist for 4 years in all habitats examined. Disturbance of the seedbed was important for seedling emergence in the forest and tree islands. While temperature enhancement alone had little impact on emergence, even moderate temperature increases had significantly disproportionate effects on emergence of seedlings in the alpine habitat when combined with soil disturbance, indicating that future climate warming could lead to treeline advance if viable seed and suitable substrate for recruitment are available. The positive effect of excluding herbivores suggests that herbivory may be an important filter modifying future species distribution. While seedbed conditions and herbivory would control the rate of individual species advance, the results indicate potential upslope migration of the treeline in the Mealy Mountains, with consequent loss of alpine ecosystems.     

Vertical seed distribution in the soil constrains regeneration of Bromus pictus in a Patagonian steppe

Question: What is the effect of vertical seed distribution (i.e. seeds on soil surface or buried) and the relative importance of vertical and horizontal seed distribution (i.e. seeds near established vegetation or near bare soil) for seedling emergence? Location: Patagonian arid steppe. Methods: To evaluate the effect of vertical seed distribution on seedling emergence, four sowing treatments were used in field and greenhouse experiments. Vertical vs. horizontal seed distribution and the occurrence of seedlings were analysed in the field. Effects of trampling and mechanical drilling on seedling emergence were investigated experimentally in the field. Results: In field and glasshouse experiments buried seeds showed a higher emergence and larger seedling size than seeds lying on the soil surface. The observational field study indicated that natural emergence was not associated with particular microsites or plant cover (horizontal distribution), but that most seedlings emerged from buried positions (vertical distribution). Buried seeds represented less than 10% of the sampled seed cohort but account for almost 60% of the seedlings. The trampling/drilling experiment showed that sheep trampling and mechanical drilling increased seedling emergence compared to non‐treated controls. Conclusions: The population dynamics of Bromus pictus is strongly constrained by the vertical position of seeds, which largely affects emergence, and seed horizontal distribution, which largely affects seedling survival. Our results showed that sheep trampling after seed dispersal may be a low‐input technique for increasing grass recruitment.     

Feathermoss seedbeds facilitate black spruce seedling recruitment in the forest–tundra ecotone (Labrador,Canada)

As climate warms, conifers are expected to expand their ranges into alpine tundra where ecological factors such as seedbed availability, and post‐dispersal seed and seedling predation may control local recruitment. Seedbed composition may influence microhabitat, nutrients, physical structure, and predation level and, therefore, affect the success of conifer recruitment, thereby providing the template for future expansion. In the boreal forest, seedbed–seedling competition dominates such that seedbed removal increases black spruce recruitment. In the harsher climate of the Mealy Mountains boreal forest–tundra ecotone (Labrador, Canada) the Stress gradient hypothesis (SGH) predicts that facilitation may dominate seedbed–seedling interactions. This study investigated potential mechanisms of seedbed facilitation (temperature, water, nutrients, physical protection) in three conifer seedbeds (Pleurozium schreberi, Cladonia spp., bare soil) and examined whether seed predation and/or seedling herbivory varied among seedbeds over three years. Seed emergence was low overall (< 10% on all treatments), but highest on Pleurozium (6.3%), followed by bare ground (4.6%) and Cladonia (0.3%). Facilitation was observed between Pleurozium and black spruce as seedling height increase (31%) and survival (55%) were highest; herbivory, seed predation and overwinter mortality were lowest compared to both Cladonia and bare ground seedbeds. Unlike in the closed canopy boreal forest, seedlings recruited poorly on bare soil as seedling height increase and survival were 20.5% and 26%. Temperature and water availability were similar across seedbeds, while nutrient availability was higher on Pleurozium. The physical structure of Pleurozium likely protects first to third‐year seedlings from temperature extremes and predators. As climate warms and seed availability increases, Pleurozium may facilitate black spruce recruitment and treeline expansion.     

Crop and weed emergence patterns in relation to time of cultivation and rainfall

In experiments over 3 years, separate field plots were cultivated once only at 2-wk intervals. Cultivation resulted in a flush of weed seedlings, representing usually less than 6% of the apparently viable seeds in the top 10 cm of soil and with a species composition which varied with the time of year. Subsequent flushes coincided in timing and extent with those on soil which had been undisturbed and were related to significant rainfall events. In each year there were periods when lack of soil moisture restricted emergence. At these times, seeds were released from dormancy by cultivation but germination of some or all of them was delayed. There was a general correspondence in the emergence patterns of weeds and of carrot and onion sown after each cultivation. On occasions when the seedbed was drying out, establishment of the comparatively rapidly-germinating radish and cabbage was greater than that of carrot, onion or weeds. Effective initiation of germination of both crops and weeds was traceable to rainfall events. Emergence was reduced or delayed on more than half of the 45 cultivation occasions during the three growing seasons, and the results emphasise the importance of soil moisture in determining the extent and timing of seedling emergence.     

不同年限旱砂田土壤团聚体及其有机碳分布特征

以长期定位试验5、10、15、20、30年旱砂田为研究对象,研究了不同年限旱砂田土壤团聚体及其有机碳的分布特征.结果表明:旱砂田土壤团聚体含量随粒级减小表现出“降-升-降”的变化趋势,10年以内旱砂田以>5 mm粒级团聚体为主,15年以上旱砂田以0.05～0.25 mm粒级团聚体为主,>0.25 mm团聚体含量(R_0.25)和团聚体平均质量直径(MWD)均随着覆砂年限的延长而减小.不同年限旱砂田土壤团聚体有机碳含量随团聚体粒级减小而增加,各粒级土壤团聚体有机碳含量、团聚体对有机碳的贡献率及团聚体有机碳储量均随着覆砂年限的延长和土层的加深而降低,>1 mm粒级团聚体有机碳对长期旱砂田有机碳变化响应敏感.10、15、20、30年较5 年旱砂田团聚体有机碳储量在0～10 cm土层分别降低了8.0%、24.4%、27.5%和31.4%,10～20 cm土层分别降低了1.4%、15.8%、19.4%和21.8%.综上所述,旱砂田土壤固碳能力随种植年限延长而降低,需加强15年以上旱砂田的土壤培肥工作.     

Effects of burial in sand and water supply regime on seedling emergence of six species

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Air seeding has long been regarded as a quick and successful measure for vegetation rehabilitation in China. However, seedling emergence of often-used species including Agriophyllum squarrosum, Artemisia sphaerocephala, Artemisia ordosica, Hedysarum fruticosum, Caragana korshinskii and Medicago sativa is low. Experiments were conducted under controlled conditions to study the effects of sowing depth and water supply on seedling emergence, in order to understand the requirements for increasing seedling emergence. METHODS: Seeds were exposed to different environments of burial and water supply regimes in PVC pots (7 cm in diameter and 11 cm in height) under the same light intensity and alternating temperature regimes in a growth chamber. KEY RESULTS: Seedlings of three species (Agriophyllum squarrosum, Artemisia sphaerocephala, Artemisia ordosica) with relatively light seeds emerged well at a 0.5 cm sowing depth under a 7.5 and 10 mm water supply regime. However, few seedlings of these species emerged when the sowing depth was over 1 cm or when water supply was 5 mm. Seedlings of Caragana korshinskii, Hedysarum fruticosum and Medicago sativa emerged from sowing depths of 0.5-4 cm, 0.5-3 cm, and 0.5-4 cm, respectively, under both 7.5 and 10 mm water supply regimes. Under a 5 mm water supply regime, seedlings of these species also emerged at over 1 cm sowing depth. Seeds of all six species sown on the surface of sand did not germinate, and seedlings did not emerge when they were sown at depths greater than 6 cm. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these experiments, a 0.5 cm sowing depth resulted in the highest seedling emergence and it is concluded that this is the optimal sowing depth for seedling emergence of all six species.     

Bamboo as bioresource in Ethiopia: management strategy to improve seedling performance (Oxytenanthera abyssinica)

Seedling emergence and subsequent survival and growth are vital for natural forest restoration or plantation establishment by means of seeds. Such information is lacking for the African bamboo species. Two experiments were carried out in a greenhouse to evaluate the influence of seed orientation and sowing depth of the lowland bamboo Oxytenanthera abyssinica on seedling emergence, survival and growth. A randomised complete block design was used. Seedling emergence in the seed orientation experiment followed the order embryo-end-up>lay-flat>embryo-end-down. Survival rate after 62 days decreased in the order lay-flat>embryo-end-down>embryo-end-up. Mean seedling height and number of leaves per seedling followed a similar pattern. Seeds sown on top of the soil surface and at 2.5 mm depth achieved faster and higher seedling emergence than those sown at 5 and 10 mm depths. However, mean seedling height and number of leaves per seedling were higher in 5 and 2.5 mm depths than surface and 10 mm depths. There were significant quadratic relationships between sowing depth and seedling height (p=0.034) as well as number of leaves per seedling (p=0.032), both peaking around 5 mm soil depth. Lay-flat orientation, which is the most frequent position in broadcast sowing, is recommended at 5 mm sowing depth for the lowland bamboo based on overall performance in seedling emergence, survival and growth.     

Root growth as influenced by aggregate size

Summary This study examined the effects of aggregate size on root impedance and developed an equation to describe the root pressure necessary to avoid deflection around an aggregate. This critical root pressure was predicted to increase with increasing aggregate size, decreasing root diameter, and decreasing deflection angle. In growth chamber experiments, maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings were grown in A horizon material of Groseclose silt loam (Clayey, mixed, mesic, Typic Hapludult). The soil had been moist sieved into different aggregate sizes (0–1, 1–2, 2–3, and 3–6 mm diameter). The larger aggregates did constitute a slight root impedance as roots were deflected around them. Diameters of roots grown in 3–6 mm aggregates increased significantly, whereas root lengths were not always signficantly decreased. The smaller aggregates did not impede root growth and were readily displaced by roots. Large aggregates were more of an impedance to lateral roots than to main axes.     

沙冬青种子萌发及幼苗生长特性

沙冬青(Ammopiptanthus mongolicus)是亚洲中部荒漠特有种,由于其分布的环境条件特殊,现存植被天然更新困难,人工育苗、造林存在一定问题。为改善种皮透水性,获得整齐一致的发芽,分别用21.5 (室温)、40、60、80和90 ℃的温水浸种5 min。结果表明: 60 ℃温水浸种效果最好,与对照相比,显著地提高了种子发芽势,并有效地降低硬实率。对比分析了15、20、25、30、35和40 ℃环境温度下种子萌发的特性,种子发芽最适温度是30 ℃,而胚根及下胚轴伸长最快的温度为25~30 ℃。较低温度下种子发芽延续时间较长,并且种子萌发后下胚轴和胚根伸长缓慢,易形成畸形(胚根严重扭曲、缢裂)幼苗。15 ℃时畸形幼苗占发芽种子数的28.1%,而30~40 ℃时仅占5.2%~8.6%。温度过高不利于种子萌发及幼苗生长,40 ℃时,吸胀种子绝大部分丧失活力,发芽种子在35 ℃以上温度下生长2~3 d,胚根胚轴组织呈水渍状坏死。另外,催芽后的种子播种在河沙中子叶出土最快,出土率可达63%,显著高于在粘质壤土中出土率(11%)。不同粒径的种子播种后幼苗生长特性表现出一定的差异,粒径5 mm以下小粒种子播种后幼苗长势弱,苗期成活率低,生长70 d后幼苗成活率仅为35.4%,而粒径5 mm以上种子同期幼苗成活率达56.2%。据上述试验结果,结合自然分布区内环境条件的资料,分析了沙冬青濒危原因,并为植被恢复育苗措施提出建议。     

Modelling field emergence patterns in arable weeds

A model was developed to simulate weed emergence patterns after soil cultivation. In the model, the consecutive processes of dormancy release, germination and pre-emergence growth were modelled in separate modules. Input variables of the model were: date of soil cultivation, soil temperature and soil penetration resistance. Output variables of the model were: seedling density and timing of seedling emergence. The model was parameterized for Polygonum persicaria , Chenopodium album and Spergula arvensis with data from previous field and laboratory experiments. The model was evaluated with data from an experiment, in which emergence of P. persicaria , C. album and S. arvensis was monitored in field plots that were cultivated once only, at one of five dates in the spring. At the same time as the field observations on seedling emergence, seasonal changes in seed dormancy of the buried weed seeds were assessed by testing the germination of seed lots that were buried in envelopes. From a comparison between field observations and simulated data, it appeared that the model overestimated the rate of dormancy release in spring, whereas germination and pre-emergence growth were simulated well. In general, therefore, both the numbers of emerging seedlings and the timing of emergence could be predicted accurately, when dormancy was not simulated but introduced from experimental data. Improvement of predictions of field emergence of weeds should mainly focus on increasing the precision of the simulation of dormancy release. Close correlations were found between seedbed temperature and both the extent and rate of seedling emergence, but analysis with the simulation model revealed that they were only partly based on causal relationships, so that they have limited predictive value.     

Experiments on the mechanism of tree and shrub establishment in temperate grassy woodlands: Seedling emergence

Field experiments were designed to examine tree and shrub seedling emergence in temperate grassy woodlands on the New England Tablelands. The effects of study sites, intensity of previous grazing, removal of ground cover by fire or clearing, burial of seeds and ant seed theft on seedling emergence were tested in two field experiments. Six tree and seven shrub species were used in the experiments and their cumulative emergence was compared with laboratory germination studies. All species used in field experiments had lower cumulative emergence than those in laboratory germination studies despite prolonged periods of above average rainfall before and after seeds were sown. Eucalypt species emerged faster in the field than the shrub species and generally attained higher cumulative emergence than the shrubs. Spatial effects of sites and patches within sites, and of previous grazing history did not strongly influence patterns of seedling emergence in most species. Ground and litter cover generally did not enhance or suppress the emergence of seedlings, although the removal of cover in recently grazed areas enhanced the emergence of some species. Burning enhanced the emergence of some tree and shrub species where plots had more fuel and intense fires, but this effect was not strong. Compared with other treatments, seedbed manipulations produced the strongest effects. In the absence of both invertebrate and vertebrate predators, seedling emergence was lower for surface‐sown seed, compared with seed sown on scarified soil surfaces. Higher seedling emergence of buried seeds in the presence of invertebrate predators probably resulted from the combined effects of predator escape and enhanced moisture status of the germination environment. Some promotion of emergence was achieved for all species in most sown treatments probably as a result of a prolonged above average rainfall. In contrast, the natural recruitment of trees and shrubs was negligible in experimental plots, highlighting the importance of seed supply and dispersal as ultimate determinants of recruitment.     

杉木林分类型对表层土壤团聚体有机碳及养分变化的影响

探讨不同杉木林分表层土壤有机碳及养分在团聚体尺度下的微观表征,可为促进杉木人工林土壤资源可持续利用奠定理论基础,从而保障和提升土壤健康及肥力。本研究以杉木-火力楠混交林(Ⅰ)、杉木-米老排混交林(Ⅱ)和杉木纯林(Ⅲ)的土壤为对象,在0～10和10～20 cm土层采集土样,通过干筛法将土样分为>2、0.25～2和<0.25 mm粒径团聚体,测定各粒径团聚体的有机碳、全氮、碱解氮、有效磷、速效钾等养分的含量。结果表明: 不同林分表层土壤团聚体的有机碳和养分含量均随粒径减小而增加,不同粒径团聚体对有机碳和养分储量的贡献率在0～10 cm土层表现为: (>2 mm粒径)>(0.25～2 mm粒径)>(<0.25 mm粒径),在10～20 cm土层为(>2 mm粒径)>(<0.25 mm粒径)>(0.25～2 mm粒径)。不同林分类型表层土壤团聚体稳定性指标的平均重量直径,有机碳、全氮、碱解氮和有效磷含量及储量均为林型Ⅰ>Ⅱ>Ⅲ(10～20 cm土层的有效磷除外),而速效钾含量和储量的排序为林型Ⅲ>Ⅰ>Ⅱ。相较于杉木纯林,杉木与火力楠、米老排混交林的表层土壤具有更稳定的团聚体结构,而未受到人为因素干扰的杉木-火力楠混交林的表层土壤具有更多的大团聚体(>0.25 mm),土壤结构优于受到人为干扰的杉木-米老排混交林。杉木-火力楠混交林能够有效促进土壤团聚体的形成和稳定,缓解人工林土壤有机质分解及养分流失。     

岷江上游不同植被下土壤团聚体特征分析

以岷江上游卧龙自然保护区内不同植被条件下土壤为对象,研究了暗针叶林、针阔混交林、暗针叶林林窗下箭竹林、高山栎4种植被土壤的团聚体数量特征.结果表明,湿筛法得到的4种植被类型土壤团聚体服从对数正态分布,其几何平均直径与标准差之间存在负相关关系.其中,针阔混交林和高山栎林土壤具有较大的团聚体直径.土壤的分维数范围在2.40～2.78之间,＜0.25mm团聚体含量越高,土壤团聚体分形维数越大,暗针叶林土壤的第2层和暗针叶林窗箭竹林土壤的第3层的分形维数最大.土壤团聚体的保存机率以3～1mm、1～0.5mm粒径级团聚体为大,遭到破坏的可能性小;＞10mm、0.5～0.25mm粒径级的团聚体的保存机率小,容易遭到破坏.对团聚体稳定性指数进行剖面加权平均发现,针阔混交林土壤的稳定性指数最高,其次为高山栎林土壤、暗针叶林林窗下箭竹林和暗针叶林土壤,说明针阔混交林和高山栎林有利于土壤团聚体的稳定.团聚体的3个数量特征之间具有密切联系,均可用于说明土壤团聚体稳定性的大小.     

Supplementing Seed Banks to Rehabilitate Disturbed Mojave Desert Shrublands: Where Do All the Seeds Go?

Revegetation of degraded arid lands often involves supplementing impoverished seed banks and improving the seedbed, yet these approaches frequently fail. To understand these failures, we tracked the fates of seeds for six shrub species that were broadcast across two contrasting surface disturbances common to the Mojave Desert—sites compacted by concentrated vehicle use and trenched sites where topsoil and subsurface soils were mixed. We evaluated seedbed treatments that enhance soil‐seed contact (tackifier) and create surface roughness while reducing soil bulk density (harrowing). We also explored whether seed harvesting by granivores and seedling suppression by non‐native annuals influence the success of broadcast seeding in revegetating degraded shrublands. Ten weeks after treatments, seeds readily moved off of experimental plots in untreated compacted sites, but seed movements were reduced 32% by tackifier and 55% through harrowing. Harrowing promoted seedling emergence in compacted sites, particularly for the early‐colonizing species Encelia farinosa, but tackifier was largely ineffective. The inherent surface roughness of trenched sites retained three times the number of seeds than compacted sites, but soil mixing during trench development likely altered the suitability of the seedbed thus resulting in poor seedling emergence. Non‐native annuals had little influence on seed fates during our study. In contrast, the prevalence of harvester ants increased seed removal on compacted sites, whereas rodent activity influenced removal on trenched sites. Future success of broadcast seeding in arid lands depends on evaluating disturbance characteristics prior to seeding and selecting appropriate species and seasons for application.     

Effects of surface disturbance and light level on seedling emergence in a Japanese secondary deciduous forest

Abstract. The effects of soil surface disturbance and light level on seedling emergence were examined by creating experimental conditions differing in soil surface treatment and light level in a temperate deciduous broadleaved secondary forest in central Japan. The results of MANOVA showed that soil surface disturbance exerted a favourable influence upon the seedling emergence of many species. Effect of soil disturbance on total density and number of emerged species was greater than that of a high light level. The interaction between soil surface disturbance and light level revealed significant positive effects for seedling emergence, especially for small‐seeded species. The relationship between the percentage of emerged seedlings and seed weight was significantly negative in the soil‐surface disturbed and high light level condition, suggesting that minute‐seeded species largely depend on both factors for seedling emergence. Both soil surface disturbance and high light level had a positive effect on the number of emerged species, suggesting that these factors contributed to species richness at the stage of seedling emergence.     

Factors influencing seedling emergence and survival in<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cercidiphyllum japonicum</Emphasis>

Cercidiphyllum japonicum Sieb. etZucc. is found in riparian forests in Japan, but the seedlings rarely regenerate more than coexisting tree species. We investigatedC. japonicum emergence and seedling survival in a nursery for 21 months. Bare soil, soil-with-litter, and gravel treatments and 3.0%, 10.9%, 22.7%, 60.1%, and 100% relative photosynthetic photon flux density (RPPFD) light conditions were tested. Seedling emergence depended on soil type and light conditions. Owing toC. japonicum’s small seed size, germinated seedlings could not penetrate the litter layer and became desiccated in gravel, but most seedlings emerged and survived in bare soil. These surviving seedlings needed quite bright light to germinate but not extreme light conditions. Initial mortality was high, but most of the seedlings that survived the first three months survived for the duration of the study, even under quite dark 10% RPPFD conditions. Current-year seedlings grew poorly under bright light conditions and rarely survived under the brightest light condition, when survival was probably negatively affected by desiccation. After one year, seedlings were able to use the higher light conditions more efficiently for growth. Such seedlings probably have a high chance of survival. Under low light conditions, both current- and second-year seedlings grew poorly. However, even small seedlings are likely to survive under low light conditions in a nursery, because the seedbed is level and nursery seedlings do not face all of the threats that are present in an actual forest.     

宁南山区植被恢复对土壤团聚体水稳定及有机碳粒径分布的影响

土壤团聚作用和土壤有机碳固定之间密切相关.对宁南山区不同植被恢复措施和年限下土壤团聚体粒径分布及稳定性、土壤团聚体中有机碳及其组分分布进行了研究,探讨了有机碳及其组分对植被恢复的响应.结果表明,不同植被恢复措施下,土壤团聚体粒径分布表现为“V”字分布:＞5 mm和＜0.25 mm这两个粒径的团聚体含量最多,5-2 mm、1-0.25 mm团聚体的含量次之,2-1 mm粒径的团聚体含量最少.坡耕地的平均重量直径(MWD)最低,为1.4,其他植被恢复措施下土壤的平均重量直径MWD在1.9-3.1之间.不同的植被恢复措施下,0-20 cm土层和20-40 cm土层全土有机碳含量在7.4-17.7 g/kg之间、微生物碳含量分布在50.3-664.7 mg/kg之间、腐殖质碳含量在0.9-2.5g/kg之间.胡敏酸碳含量分布在0.2-0.6 g/kg,富里酸碳含量在0.6-1.9 g/kg之间.全土有机碳、微生物碳、腐殖质碳、富里酸碳均为坡耕地最低,其他植被恢复措施的有机碳、微生物碳、腐殖质碳、富里酸碳含量分别是坡耕地的1.1-2.3倍、2.0-8.4倍、1.0-2.0倍、1.2-2.4倍.不同粒径团聚体有机碳相比较,大多呈现中间高两边低的变化趋势,最大值出现在中间粒径,即5-2 mm、2-1 mm、1-0.25 mm这3个粒径.逐步回归表明,5-2 mm团聚体和1-0.25 mm团聚体有机碳含量的提高有助于土壤水稳性团聚体的形成.研究结果表明,植被恢复提高了土壤团聚体有机碳含量,在碳形态上,富里酸碳和微生物生物量碳对不同植被恢复措施的敏感度较高,胡敏酸碳含量则相对稳定.     

The role of reproductive phenology, seedling emergence and establishment of perennial Salix gordejevii in active sand dune fields

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The function of sexual reproduction of perennials in restoration of vegetation of active dune fields frequently has been underestimated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of sexual reproduction of the perennial Salix gordejevii in the revegetation of active dunes. METHODS: Seedling emergence and establishment of S. gordejevii were examined both in controlled experiments (germination at different burial depths with different watering regimes) and in field observations in three dune slacks. The reproductive phenology and soil seed bank of S. gordejevii, the dynamics of soil moisture, the groundwater table and the landform level of three dune slacks were monitored. KEY RESULTS: Seeds of S. gordejevii began maturation on 1 May, and seed dispersal lasted from 8 May to 20 May. Seeds on the soil surface germinated significantly faster than those buried in soil (P<0.05). Seedling emergence was negatively correlated with landform level. When most seedlings emerged, there was a significantly positive correlation between soil moisture and seedling emergence (P<0.01). Rainfall was negatively correlated with seedling emergence. Seedling establishment was significantly and positively correlated with seedling emergence (P<0.05), and 72.3 % of the emergent seedlings were established at the end of the growing season. These results indicated that (a) seeds matured and dispersed before the rainy season; (b) seeds germinated as soon as they contacted a moist surface and relied more on soil moisture than on rainfall; and (c) more seedlings emerged at lower sampling points in dune slacks. CONCLUSIONS: In natural conditions, restoration of active sand dune fields generally commences with revegetation of dune slacks where sexual reproduction of perennials contributes greatly to species encroachment and colonization and hence plays an important role in restoration of active dune fields. Furthermore, aeolian erosion in dune slacks, leading to good soil moisture, facilitates seed germination, seedling emergence and establishment of S. gordejevii.