Evaluating effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal consortia and Azotobacter chroococcum in improving biomass yield of Jatropha curcas

This study was conducted to study the long-term impact of bioinoculants, Azotobacter chroococcum and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on growth and biomass yield of Jatropha curcas grown in nursery and in field conditions. The experiment was set up in a randomized block design, and the following treatments was designed (T₁ = control, T₂ = Azotobacter, T₃ = inoculation with AMF, and T₄ = inoculation with Azotobacter + AMF). Data on various growth attributes (shoot height and shoot diameter) and biochemical parameters [leaf relative water content (LRWC), sugars, protein, and photosynthetic pigments] were recorded up to 6 months in the nursery and in the field (18 months). Results pertaining to morpho-physiological traits showed Azotobacter and AMF consortia increase shoot height, shoot diameter, LRWC, sugars, proteins, and photosynthetic pigments over control under nursery conditions. Besides enhancing the plant growth, these bioinoculants helped in better establishment of Jatropha plants under field conditions. A significant improvement in the shoot height, shoot diameter, fruit yield/plant, and seed yield (g)/plant was evident in 18-month-old Jatropha plants under field conditions when Azotobacter and AMF were co-inoculated. This work supports the application of bioinoculants for establishment of Jatropha curcas in semi-arid regions.     

The role a botanical institute can play in the conservation of the terrestrial biodiversity in a developing country

The need to integratein situ conservation into the planning process is outlined, and the importance of vegetation survey to determine conservation priorities and to identify areas suitable forin situ conservation is stressed. A case is presented, drawing on experience gained in Zimbabwe, of how a botanical institute can become an integral part of biological conservation. The institute should consist of a herbarium, a botanical garden, a gene bank and a vegetation survey unit. The function of each section, how they interlink, and how they can be integrated are discussed.     

Biomechanical rationale of coronary artery bypass grafting of multivessel disease

The biomechanical model of human coronary arteries was modified for improving the quality of diagnosis and surgical treatment for coronary heart disease. The problem of hemodynamics in the left coronary artery with multivessel bed disease – 45% stenosis of the anterior descending branch and 75% stenosis of the circumflex branch – was particularly considered. Numerical simulation of the coronary arterial bypass of the main trunk was carried out to estimate the functional condition of the coronary arteries after restoring myocardial blood supply by surgery.     

Distribution,length and weight of roots in young plantations ofEucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden irrigated with recycled water

Summary The root systems ofEucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden, irrigated with recycled municipal effluent at two sites in north-western Victoria, Australia, were studied by excavation and coring. Trees at Robinvale were four years-old and were irrigated using micro-sprays that covered only 70% of the ground surface area, whereas at Mildura, effuent was uniformly was uniformly applied to six years-old trees by flood and sprinkler irrigation. At Mildura where roots were excavated from a 2.80×2.80×1.20 m block of soil, a total root length of 1193 m.m⁻² and a total root weight of 3.1 kg m⁻² were estimated in the top metre. For roots >1 mm diameter, 77% of intercepts were at 0–30 cm, whereas only 50% were in the 50–100 cm soil horizon. At both sites where roots in the top 30 cm were studied by coring, the vertical distributions of root intercepts, length and weight were similar. Root length was greatest in the 0–10 cm soil horizon at both sites, and intercepts of roots <1 mm diameter comprised 73% and 81% of all roots at Mildura and Robinvale respectively. Roots <1 mm diameter contributed 85% of total length at both sites, but only 19% and 21% of total weight at Mildura and Robinvale respectively. The horizontal distribution of roots differed at the two sites. With uniform application of effuent at Mildura, root intercepts and length were concentrated in the centre of the irrigation bay, but at Robinvale, the concentration occurred closer to the tree row due mainly to the different method of irrigation. Root weight at both sites was highest within 50 cm of the tree row. Root densities of 0.11 to 0.57 cm cm⁻³ were estimated in the two plantations; these were similar to root densities measured inPinus radiata D. Don plantations up to 46 months old, but were considerably lower than those estimated for pastures. The implications of the results for the management of irrigated plantations of eucalypts are discussed.     

初期采脂对马尾松木材构造的影响

广东省韶关林场采用标准的采脂工艺,在其马尾松人工林进行了两年的初期采脂试验。 在这些马尾松的采脂树的采脂盘上,主要呈现泌脂和木材增生,而在其下方距离0.5m的影响盘上。仅有一些创伤轴向树脂道和树脂囊。创伤树脂道使其邻近的轴向管胞的形状不规则,又与树轴倾斜近45°。 从山中试验区不同的松树林分,在其对照盘(对照树的)、影响盘上,自髓向外每隔一个生长轮的离析材料;另在采脂盘上密切邻近采脂面两侧,自圆盘周围向内各选4轮材料;分别测定轴向管胞的长度,得知这些30(20)年生的马尾松树仍在幼态期间,其管胞长度一般是增加的;至于采脂面两侧的管胞却显出不同程度的减短,其中一些管胞呈现种种不规则形状。     

湿地松与茶树间作根系分布状况的研究

湿地松(Pinus elliottii)是阳性乔木,茶树(Camellia sinensis)是阴性灌木。这两种树种间作,形成针阔、乔灌两层树冠结构的茶园复合生态系统,可以改善茶树生态条件,提高茶叶的产量和品质。但间作存在胁地现象。一般认为这是上层树木的过度遮荫和根系间的竞争造成的。为了解这两种树种根系的分布状况和相互关系,并为间作茶园的合理配置和加强这种茶园的耕作管理提供依据,我们进行了湿地松与茶树间作根系分布状况的研究。     

Integrated planning and management of freshwater habitats,including wetlands

Freshwater habitats play a very important role in sustaining human activities. Natural functions of wetlands, and other freshwater habitats, generate a wide array of resources that directly or indirectly support the economic and social welfare of diverse groups of people. This role is being seriously weakened as a result of inappropriate planning and management approaches which fail to maintain the functional integrity of the freshwater ecosystems with the result that the flow and quality of resources is degraded. This paper illustrates some of the major functions of wetlands and presents a case for developing integrated planning and management practices that protect the health and productivity of freshwater wetlands and seek to optimise the sustainable use of the flows of resources they generate.     

DOCA—Salt高血压大鼠模型的一种简易制备方法：DOCA硅胶管皮下埋入法

用外径４ｍｍ,内径２．５０ｍｍ的硅胶管制成长２５ｍｍ,管内填入ＤＯＣＡ１００ｍｇ,管壁钻有１０一１４个直径约３００μｍ微孔的药管,埋入雄性ＳＤ大鼠（１４０±９ｇ）右下腹皮下,摘除一侧肾脏,术后喂１％盐水。埋管后３周即可形成高血压,埋管后８周大鼠的收缩压达２３．３±０．３７ｋＰａ。而ＤＯＣＡ皮下注射组大鼠（１０ｍｇ／周）术后５周形成高血压,术后１３周大鼠的收缩压达２３．３±０．６６ｋＰａ。两组升压曲线回归系数（１．２９５和０．６９２）之间的差异有极显著性意义（Ｐ＜０．００１）。对照鼠的收缩压一直保持在正常水平（１６±０．１６ｋＰａ）。与ＤＯＣＡ皮下注射法相比,皮下埋管法具有两个显著优点：（１）升压速率较快,升压幅度较大;（２）方法简便可靠,重复性好。     

Planning oral health care for the elderly in Israel for the years 2000 and 2025

The methodology and conclusions of this workshop arc reported here because the problems requiring solution are not unique to Israel. They will increasingly have wide geographical and political application. The population of Israel since its establishment in 1948 has increased about sixfold. The numbers of the elderly (65+) have increased about tenfold. The current situation must be examined and estimates obtained for the next ten years. Only thus can the system be enabled to cope with the problem as it develops. The chosen method was a carefully preplanned, multisectorial workshop. Recommendations were discussed, amended and finalised. The recommendations of the workshop included: Baseline national data is urgently required. Guidelines are required for selecting specific target populations to which priority should be given. The current favourable situation of adequate oral health manpower in Israel makes it possible to encourage providers of oral health care towards treatment for the elderly. It is essential that the appropriate health authorities allocate sufficient funds for the following urgent purposes: the conduct of a national survey of the elderly population; the establishment of oral health units on a trial basis in some selected hospitals; support institutions of higher education to facilitate training in geriatric dentistry. Conclusions. The workshop was multidisciplinary because it was necessary to include all the expertise and experience available as vital elements of the policy making process. This type of workshop was found to be an effective tool for planning oral health services.