模拟氮沉降对杉木人工林土壤可溶性有机碳和微生物量碳的影响

在杉木人工林中开展模拟氮沉降试验,设计N0(对照)、N1(60kg N/hm2.a)、N2(120kg N/hm2.a)和N3(240kg N/hm2.a)4种氮沉降水平。通过连续7年的处理后,研究外加氮源对土壤可溶性有机碳及微生物量碳的影响及与土壤酶活性的关系。相同N沉降处理下,土壤有机碳、可溶性有机碳和微生物量碳均随土层加深而降低。氮沉降对土壤有机碳具有促进作用,中-低氮沉降(N1、N2)增加幅度大,高氮沉降(N3)增加幅度小。低氮(N1)处理促进土壤微生物生物量C增加,而中、高氮(N2、N3)则抑制;各氮沉降处理土壤可溶性有机碳含量从高到低的顺序为:N3、N2>N1>N0。40-60cm土壤微生物量碳与蔗糖酶、纤维素酶呈极显著正相关关系,与淀粉酶、多酚氧化酶、过氧化物酶呈极显著负相关关系;除40-60cm土层的β-葡糖苷酶外,各层土壤可溶性有机碳与土壤蔗糖酶、纤维素酶和β-葡糖苷酶活性呈极显著正相关关系,与淀粉酶、多酚氧化酶和过氧化物酶呈极显著负相关关系。因此,氮沉降增加将会对土壤碳累积与分解过程产生较大的影响。     

黄土高原不同植物群落土壤团聚体中有机碳和酶活性研究

以黄土高原延河流域森林区3种典型植物群落为研究对象,研究了3种植物群落土壤团聚体中有机碳的含量、组分及土壤酶活性,分析了有机碳与酶活性的关系。结果表明:(1)3种植物群落,土壤团聚体各种形态有机碳和酶活性均表现为0~10 cm土层含量高于10~20 cm土层,辽东栎群落0~10 cm土层土壤多酚氧化酶活性却低于10~20 cm土层。(2)土壤团聚体有机碳含量在植物群落间表现为:辽东栎群落人工刺槐群落狼牙刺群落,酶活性在植被群落间的高低表现则不一致。土壤有机碳含量和酶活性在团聚体间均表现为随团聚体粒级的增大而增大,或先增大再减小的趋势。(3)蔗糖酶、纤维素酶以及β-D葡糖苷酶活性与各种形态有机碳均呈显著的正相关关系,多酚氧化酶和过氧化物酶与有机碳含量相关性不显著。(4)辽东栎群落和狼牙刺群落土壤团聚体蔗糖酶、纤维素酶、以及β-D葡糖苷酶活性在团聚体中表现为:|0.25 mm团聚体||2~0.25 mm团聚体||5~2 mm团聚体||5 mm团聚体|,其多酚氧化酶和过氧化物酶以及人工刺槐群落各种土壤酶活性均表现为2~0.25 mm粒级团聚体中最大。(5)β-D葡糖苷酶活性增大,能促进土壤各种有机碳含量增加;土壤蔗糖酶活性和β-D葡糖苷酶活性的提高有助于土壤活性有机碳含量增加;土壤多酚氧化酶活性的增大,有利于土壤腐殖质碳的积累。     

模拟氮沉降对滨海湿地土壤微生物功能多样性的影响

为全面了解大气氮沉降条件下滨海湿地土壤微生物碳源利用特点,本研究在江苏盐城滨海湿地建立模拟氮沉降实验平台,设置N1(N,0 g/(hm~2·a),对照)、N2(N,3 g/(hm~2·a),低氮)和N3(N,6 g/(hm~2·a),高氮)3个处理,采用Biolog微平板法,分析了土壤微生物功能多样性在不同氮处理下的变化规律和特点。结果表明:不同氮沉降处理间土壤微生物功能多样性差异显著,AWCD值随培养时间延长而增加;Shannon和Mc Intosh多样性指数也随施氮增加呈现升高的趋势,且不同处理间多样性指数差异显著;物种多样性和功能多样性表现出相同的变化规律。土壤微生物对6大类碳源利用强度存在差异,各处理间土壤微生物对碳水化合物类碳源利用率最高,为优势碳源;主成分分析结果显示,不同处理间土壤微生物在碳源利用上有明显的空间分异,土壤微生物功能多样性的差异主要体现在对羧酸类、酚酸类和胺类碳源的利用上,其中胺类尤为突出;此外,对不同施氮处理土壤微生物群落功能多样性与土壤理化因子进行相关分析,结果显示全氮、铵态氮、全磷会对滨海湿地土壤微生物组成和功能活性产生重要影响。     

模拟氮沉降对湿性常绿阔叶次生林土壤碳氮组分和酶活性的影响

为了研究氮沉降对次生林土壤碳氮组分和酶活性的影响,以华西雨屏区湿性常绿阔叶次生林为对象,从2014年1月起进行野外定位模拟氮沉降试验,分别设置对照(CK,+0 g/(m^2·a))、低氮(LN,+5 g/(m^2·a))和高氮(HN,+15 g/(m^2·a))3个氮添加水平。在氮沉降进行27个月后,按照腐殖质层和淋溶层表层进行取样,测定不同土层土壤总有机碳(TOC)、可浸提溶解性有机碳(EDOC)、易氧化碳(ROC)、全氮(TN)、硝态氮(NO_3^-—N)和铵态氮(NH_4^+—N)含量以及蔗糖酶、脲酶、酸性磷酸酶和多酚氧化酶活性。结果表明:模拟氮沉降显著增加该次生林腐殖质层土壤的TOC和NH_4^+—N含量,显著增加腐殖质层和淋溶层表层土壤的NO_3^-—N含量,腐殖质层土壤C/N显著升高。淋溶层表层土壤TOC、NH_4^+—N、C/N以及2层土壤的EDOC、ROC、TN和NH_4^+—N/NO_3^-—N均无显著影响。2层土壤的多酚氧化酶活性均随着氮添加量的升高而降低,其中淋溶层表层达到显著差异。模拟氮沉降对蔗糖酶、脲酶和酸性磷酸酶活性均无显著影响。腐殖质层中,NH_4^+—N和NO_3^-—N含量与TOC含量存在极显著正相关关系。2层土壤的多酚氧化酶活性均与NO_3^-—N含量呈极显著负相关。结果说明,模拟氮沉降使该次生林中原本较高的腐殖质层土壤TOC含量进一步显著增加,并且促进土壤无机氮的积累,而模拟氮沉降对多酚氧化酶的抑制作用更加有利于土壤有机质的积累。     

黄土丘陵区人工灌木林土壤酶特征

 采用时空互代法,以侵蚀环境下黄土丘陵区不同林龄的人工灌木林为研究对象,选取坡耕地和天然次生侧柏林为对照,分析了植被恢复过程中土壤酶的演变特征,并在此基础上提出了土壤酶综合评价指数,分析了其变化过程。结果表明:侵蚀环境下的坡耕地改造为灌木林后,脲酶、蔗糖酶、磷酸酶、纤维素酶、过氧化氢酶活性显著增加,并随种植年限增长逐渐升高,相同林龄的沙棘林酶活性高于柠条林;多酚氧化酶活性显著降低;淀粉酶活性变化规律不明显。相关性分析表明:除淀粉酶、脲酶外,蔗糖酶、磷酸酶、过氧化氢酶、纤维素酶相互之间呈显著正相关(P<0.05),与多酚氧化酶活性呈显著负相关;蔗糖酶、磷酸酶、过氧化氢酶、纤维素酶、多酚氧化酶和土壤有机质、全氮、碱解氮等主要养分因子的相关性显著。坡耕地由于人为活动干扰,土壤酶指数较低,改造为灌木林后随种植年限的延长显著增加,但是仍显著低于该地区植被破坏前顶级群落(天然次生侧柏林)。土壤酶指数可以表征各种酶活性大小的综合作用,能够全面客观地反映生态过程中土壤酶活性的演变过程。     

喀斯特山地草地土壤酶活性及土壤微生物碳代谢活性研究

为了明确喀斯特山地草地土壤微生物碳代谢功能,研究采用经典统计分析与排序分析,连续3年研究了桂西北喀斯特山地草地不同海拔土壤酶活性和土壤微生物碳代谢活性,并探讨了二者的相关关系。结果表明:(1)不同海拔喀斯特山地草地土壤养分含量(全氮、全碳、全钾、速效磷、碱解氮)呈一致的变化趋势,表现为中海拔高海拔低海拔,并且在不同海拔差异均显著(p0.05);而土壤pH值表现为中海拔高海拔低海拔。(2)不同海拔喀斯特山地草地土壤微生物碳源利用差异较大,其中羧酸类和碳水化合物是主要的碳源类物质,其次为氨基酸类、酚酸类和聚合物类,胺类碳源的利用率最小。(3)不同海拔喀斯特山地草地土壤微生物群落多样性指数随年份的增加而增加(2015—2017年),平均碳源利用丰富度指数(S)、均匀度指数(E)和物种丰富度指数(H)均表现为低海拔中海拔高海拔。(4)不同海拔喀斯特山地草地土壤酶活性(几丁质酶、糖苷酶、碱性磷酸酶、亮氨酸氨基肽酶、过氧化物酶δ和酚氧化酶δ)随年份的增加而增加,平均酶活性均表现为低海拔中海拔高海拔。(5)土壤微生物量碳、微生物呼吸和土壤微生物代谢熵从2015—2017年均呈增加趋势,3年内土壤微生物呼吸平均值基本表现为中海拔高海拔低海拔。(6) RDA排序分析表明:土壤微生物群落多样性与土壤酶活性呈显著或极显著的相关关系,其中土壤微生物代谢熵和微生物呼吸是土壤微生物多样性分布的主要影响因子,而土壤全碳和全氮与土壤微生物群落功能多样性呈显著的正相关,由此表明土壤全碳和全氮是造成不同海拔喀斯特山地草地土壤微生物群落多样性差异的重要原因。     

松嫩盐碱草地主要植物群落土壤酶活性研究

对松嫩盐碱草地不同植物群落土壤酶活性及其与土壤养分的关系进行了研究,结果表明,不同植物群落土壤酶活性变化趋势不同,过氧化氢酶在碱蓬群落中具最大活性.多酚氧化酶、过氧化物酶活性在碱斑裸地、碱蓬群落、碱蓬-虎尾草群落中活性较高,蛋白酶、转化酶及碱性磷酸酶活性在羊草-寸草苔群落及双子叶杂草群落中的活性较高;多酚氧化酶、过氧化物酶、蛋白酶、转化酶及碱性磷酸酶活性间有显著的相关关系;多酚氧化酶、过氧化物酶、蛋白酶、转化酶、碱性磷酸酶和土壤全氮、碱解氮、有机质、速效磷间有显著相关关系.     

化肥减施对紫云英还田土壤活性有机碳和碳转化酶活性的影响

【目的】评价紫云英绿肥还田配施化肥对稻田土壤活性有机碳含量以及与碳转化相关酶活性的影响。【方法】田间试验在浙江省金华市红壤黄筋泥土发育而成的水稻土上进行。供试紫云英 (Astragalus sinicus L.) 品种为‘宁波大桥’,每年4月在紫云英盛花期异地翻压。试验连续进行了6年,处理包括空白对照 (CK)、单施常规量化肥 (CF),单施紫云英 (MV),紫云英配合20%、40%、60%和80%的常规化肥量共7个处理。除空白和单施化肥处理外,其它处理均翻压45 t/hm2紫云英鲜草。N、P₂O₅、K₂O化肥常规用量分别为210、56.3、112.5 kg/hm2。水稻收获后,采集0—20 cm表层土样,测定了土壤活性有机碳 (可溶性有机碳 (DOC)、热水提取态有机碳 (HEOC)、微生物生物量碳 (MBC)、颗粒有机碳 (POC)、易氧化有机碳 (ROC)) 和总有机碳 (TOC) 含量,以及碳转化酶 (纤维素酶、蔗糖酶、β-葡萄糖苷酶、酚氧化酶和过氧化物酶) 活性。【结果】与CF相比,MV处理能够显著增加DOC、HEOC和ROC含量,对MBC和TOC含量无显著影响;显著增加纤维素酶、蔗糖酶和β-葡萄糖苷酶活性,对酚氧化酶和过氧化物酶活性无显著影响。四个紫云英配施化肥处理中,DOC和POC含量以MV + 60%CF处理最高,显著高于MV处理。随着配施化肥量的增加,土壤碳库管理指数随之增加。MV处理的纤维素酶、蔗糖酶、β-葡萄糖苷酶、酚氧化酶和过氧化物酶活性均显著低于其与化肥配合处理,上述五种酶活性均以MV + 60%CF处理最高。几何平均酶活性和总体酶活性均表现为MV < MV + 20%CF < MV + 40%CF、MV + 80%CF < MV + 60%CF处理 (P < 0.05)。通径分析表明纤维素酶活性对HEOC具有最大的直接正效应,蔗糖酶活性分别对DOC和MBC表现出最大的直接正效应,β-葡萄糖苷酶活性分别对POC和ROC表现出最大的直接正效应。酚氧化酶活性对DOC表现出最高的间接效应,β-葡萄糖苷酶活性则对HEOC具有最高的间接效应,过氧化物酶活性分别对MBC、POC和ROC表现出最大的间接效应。【结论】紫云英还田量为45 t/hm2条件下,适当减少常规化肥用量能够显著增加土壤活性有机碳含量和碳转化酶活性,以配施60%的化肥用量效果最佳。土壤活性有机碳含量受纤维素酶、蔗糖酶和β-葡萄糖苷酶活性的直接影响,而受酚氧化酶和过氧化物酶活性的间接影响。     

生物复混肥对土壤微生物功能多样性及土壤酶活性的影响

在温室盆栽条件下,采用Biolog微平板技术,研究了玉米施用等养分量的无机肥、有机无机复混肥、生物复混肥后土壤微生物群落功能多样性及土壤酶活性的动态变化。结果表明,生物复混肥处理的微生物群落平均颜色变化率（AWCD）、微生物群落Shannon指数（H）、丰富度指数（S）和Shannon均匀度指数（E）均为最高;微生物群落主成分分析表明,不同施肥处理土壤微生物群落碳源利用特征有一定差异,PC1将生物复混肥与其他处理明显区分,生物复混肥处理分布在PC1的正方向,其他处理分布在PC1的负方向;起分异作用的主要碳源有糖类、羧酸类和氨基酸类;土壤蔗糖酶、脲酶活性均以生物复混肥处理最高,分别为72.74 mg glucose·g-1·（24 h）-1和1.15 mg NH3-N·g-1·（3 h）-1。研究表明,生物复混肥的施用比等养分量的有机无机复混肥处理能显著提高土壤微生物群落碳源利用率、微生物群落的丰富度和功能多样性,增强土壤蔗糖酶和脲酶活性。     

紫色土区不同秸秆还田量对土壤酶活性的影响

为了探明长期秸秆不同还田量下紫色土区土壤酶活性及其主要驱动因子,以持续12年的四川紫色土长期定位试验为依托,设置:秸秆不还田(CK)、30%还田(RMW30)、50%还田(RMW50)和100%还田(RMW100)4个处理,测定了土壤各种酶活性以及土壤理化性质。结果显示,与CK处理比较,RMW100处理显著提高土壤有机质、碱解氮和速效钾含量以及pH。秸秆不同还田量处理均降低了β-纤维二糖苷酶(CBH)、纤维素酶(CL)、酚氧化酶(PhOx)和过氧化物酶(Perox)活性,提高了磷酸酶(Phos)、硫酸酯酶(Sul)、β-葡糖苷酶(βG)、α-葡糖苷酶(αG)、β-木糖苷酶(βX)、乙酰氨基葡萄糖苷酶(NAG)和亮氨酸氨基肽酶(LAP)活性。随着秸秆还田量的增加,β-纤维二糖苷酶(CBH)活性呈现降低趋势。冗余分析(RDA)显示土壤pH是土壤酶活性变化的主控因子,解释了方差变异的 60.20%,达到显著水平。因此,紫色土区秸秆还田主要是通过土壤pH对土壤酶活性产生影响。秸秆100%还田增加了土壤肥力,提高了土壤pH,是提升紫色土区土壤质量最优的管理措施。     

低氮和干旱胁迫对富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的影响

【目的】以富士（Fuji）、 秦冠（Qinguan）嫁接在平邑甜茶（Malus hupehensis Rehd.）上的当年生盆栽苗为试验材料,采用砂培方法,研究了缺氮胁迫和干旱对富士和秦冠生长情况、 光合参数、 植株各部位氮磷钾含量及氮素利用效率的影响,分析比较了低氮干旱条件下富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的差异,以期为果树生产高效肥水利用提供理论指导。【方法】试验共设四个处理: 正常氮正常水（ZZ）、 低氮正常水（DZ）、 正常氮干旱（ZG）、 低氮干旱（DG）。氮素和水分均设置两个水平,分别为正常氮（6 mmol/L NO-3-N）、 低氮（0.3 mmol/LNO-3-N）、 正常供水（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的80%~85%）、 干旱处理（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的60%~65%）。【结果】富士和秦冠的生物量（茎和叶）、 株高茎粗等生长指标以及光合速率、 气孔导度、 蒸腾速率均为正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）,并且相对应处理下秦冠的以上指标均高于富士;正常供水下,缺氮处理使富士、 秦冠的根冠比比正常氮处理均有所增加,富士提高了2.05%,秦冠提高了22.40%。富士和秦冠的氮、 磷、 钾含量均表现出正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）; 氮、 钾元素含量在植株各部位的分布顺序依次是叶＞根＞茎,磷元素则是根＞叶＞茎;光合氮素利用效率（PNUE）和氮素利用效率表现为秦冠处理之间差异极显著,富士处理之间差异不显著;秦冠的PNUE和NUE明显高于富士,在低氮正常水（DZ）处理下,秦冠氮肥利用率比富士高42.07%,在低氮干旱（DG）处理下高64.14%;低氮胁迫下富士和秦冠的NUE显著提高,并且秦冠提高的幅度高于富士。【结论】施用氮肥能够显著提高富士与秦冠的干物质量,同等水肥条件下,秦冠生长优于富士;水分亏缺会减少叶片对氮的吸收,干旱条件下适度增施氮肥,可提高果树的抗旱能力;低氮干旱胁迫下秦冠的生长指标、 光合指标及氮素利用效率指标均优于富士,表现出较强的抗低氮干旱胁迫的能力。     

Pasture Vegetation Elemental Analysis by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a new technique for the analysis of plant material. This study investigates the application of LIBS to pasture-based plant samples. The LIBS measurements were obtained from pelletized pasture samples (100 samples) that had been also analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) following microwave digestion for calibration and comparison purposes. Comparisons for elements sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), boron (B), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) showed that LIBS could be used for almost all the standard profile total elements with concentrations down to low mg/kg levels (observed error of Na: 0.024 percent, K: 0.18 percent, Mg: 0.016 percent, Ca: 0.073 percent, P: 0.017 percent, Mn: 31 mg/kg, Fe: 150 mg/kg, Zn: 6.6 mg/kg, and B: 1.1 mg/kg). Elemental analysis at less than mg/kg levels was not possible using LIBS. The elements S and Cu were particularly difficult to analyze with reliability using LIBS at the concentration levels found in the plant samples. Replacing microwave digestion and subsequent ICP analysis with a direct analysis of dried plant samples using LIBS has the potential to improve the productivity and reduce the cost of testing.     

Faculty positions:Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Macroinvertebrates in North American tallgrass prairie soils: effects of fire, mowing, and fertilization on density and biomass

The responses of tallgrass prairie plant communities and ecosystem processes to fire and grazing are well characterized. However, responses of invertebrate consumer groups, and particularly soil-dwelling organisms, to these disturbances are not well known. At Konza Prairie Biological Station, we sampled soil macroinvertebrates in 1994 and 1999 as part of a long-term experiment designed to examine the effects and interactions of annual fire, mowing, and fertilization (N and P) on prairie soil communities and processes. For nearly all taxa, in both years, responses were characterized by significant treatment interactions, but some general patterns were evident. Introduced European earthworms (Aporrectodea spp. and Octolasion spp.) were most abundant in plots where fire was excluded, and the proportion of the total earthworm community consisting of introduced earthworms was greater in unburned, unmowed, and fertilized plots. Nymphs of two Cicada genera were collected (Cicadetta spp. and Tibicen spp.). Cicadetta nymphs were more abundant in burned plots, but mowing reduced their abundance. Tibicen nymphs were collected almost exclusively from unburned plots. Treatment effects on herbivorous beetle larvae (Scarabaeidae, Elateridae, and Curculionidae) were variable, but nutrient additions (N or P) usually resulted in greater densities, whereas mowing usually resulted in lower densities. Our results suggest that departures from historical disturbance regimes (i.e. frequent fire and grazing) may render soils more susceptible to increased numbers of European earthworms, and that interactions between fire, aboveground biomass removal, and vegetation responses affect the structure and composition of invertebrate communities in tallgrass prairie soils.     

Assessing the effectiveness of conservation measures: Resolving the “wicked” problem of the Steller sea lion

“Wicked” problems are those that are complex and that change when solutions are applied. Many conflicts in conservation fall into this category. The study approached the problem of how to constrain the apparent wickedness of a problem in the conservation management of a species by using simple empirical indicators to carry out iterative assessment of the risk to a population and to document how this risk evolves in relation to the addition of new data and the implementation of management actions. Effects of high levels of uncertainty within data and also concerning population structure were examined through stochastic simulation and by exploration of scenarios. Historical trends in the example used, the Steller sea lion, showed rapid declines in abundance in some regions during the 1980s. The current total population is 130,000-150,000 Steller sea lions through Alaska and British Columbia and this number has been stable since about 1990 in spite of regional differences in population dynamics. Regional differences in the sequence of changes in the number of pups and non-pups, suggested that an internal re-distribution of juveniles could have happened between 1980 and 1990. Current productivity also appears close to the long-term mean. Stochastic population projection using various scenarios showed that, based upon this history, the risk of extinction for the population has declined and is below reasonable thresholds for considering the population to be endangered. The trends in risk suggest that management actions taken since 1990 have probably been effective. Consequently, the conservation management objectives for the Steller sea lion are probably being met. The approach provides a mechanism, based upon experience and scenario analysis, for exploring future policy options and may help to constrain the debate amongst stakeholders about the cost-benefit trade-offs associated with different options.     

Soil-profile distribution of primary and secondary plant-available nutrients under conventional and no tillage

Nutrient distributions under no tillage (NT) compared with conventional disk-and-bed tillage (CT) management in the warm, humid region of the southeastern USA need to be assessed so that future placement, quantity, and type of fertilizers can be altered, if necessary, to efficiently match crop demands. We determined soil-profile distributions of pH, N, P, S, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu to a depth of 0.9 m at the end of 8.5 years of continuous CT and NT management on a Weswood silty clay loam (fine, mixed, thermic Fluventic Ustochrept) in southcentral Texas. Most dramatic changes occurred within the 0–0.05 m depth, where soil under NT had lower pH, Fe, and Cu than under CT, but greater P, K, Zn, and Mn. Greater P and K under NT than under CT also occurred below the till-zone (0.15–0.3 m). At a depth of 0–0.3 m, soil under NT contained greater amounts of extractable P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu than under CT. Nitrogen fertilization had little effect on nutrient distributions, except resulting in greater extractable K at 0–0.05 m and greater nitrate at 0–0.15 m. Few changes in soil-profile distributions were observed for extractable S, Ca, Mg, and Na. Long-term continuous use of NT on this fine-textured, high-fertility (except for N) soil had no apparent adverse effects on nutrient distributions relative to CT, but enhanced conservation and availability of P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu near the soil surface where crop roots proliferate.     

Variation in quality parameters between and within 14 Nordic tree fruit and berry species

Abstract

A 3-year study was carried out to investigate quality parameters in 14 tree fruit and berry species grown in southern Norway. The species were blueberry, apple, aronia, sour cherry, sweet cherry, red raspberry, strawberry, blackcurrant, gooseberry, red currant and elderberry, harvested along with wild bilberry, cloudberry and lingonberry. Significant differences between species were identified for all quality parameters. The coefficient of variation between species was lowest for pH (12.5%), dry matter (18.9%) and soluble solids (25.3%), followed by titratable acids (59.3%), total phenolics (83.8%), antioxidant capacity FRAP (85.7%) and antiradical power by the DPPH-assay (97.8%), total monomeric anthocyanins (132%) and ascorbic acid (137%). Average coefficient of variation within species were lower and ranged from 4 (pH) to 62% (ascorbic acid). Only the FRAP values were significantly affected by harvesting year with lower levels in 2004 than in 2005 and 2006. There were significant interactions between species and harvesting year for dry matter, soluble solids, pH, ascorbic acid and FRAP. The results indicate generic ranges in composition within species independent upon growing location and climate, and the composition of the tree fruits and berries is not likely to deviate from these ranges. It is concluded that desirable composition of tree fruits and berries and their products should primarily be achieved by selection among species rather than searching fors broadened variation within individual species.     

Potassium Fixation and Release Characteristics in Rhizosphere and Nonrhizosphere Soils for a Rapeseed–Rice Cropping Sequence

Potassium (K) fixation and release in soil are important factors in the long-term sustainability of a cropping system. Changes in K concentration and characteristics of K fixation and release in rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils in the rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)–rice (Oryza sativa L.) rotation were investigated using a rhizobox system. The concentrations of different forms of K in both rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils decreased with plants compared to without plants, regardless of K fertilizer application. Potassium uptake by crops mainly came from the rhizosphere soil. In the treatment without K fertilizer (–K), the main form of K supplied by the soil to the crops was 1.0 mol L^?1 nitric acid (HNO₃) nonextractable K, followed by nonexchangeable K, and then exchangeable K. In the treatment with K fertilizer (+K), the main K forms supplied by the soil to the crops were exchangeable K and nonexchangeable K. The amount and rate of K fixation after one cycle of the rapeseed–rice rotation was greater in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The amount and rate of K fixation of soil in the +K treatment were significantly less than in the –K treatment. The cumulative amounts of K released with 1.0 mol L^?1 ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc) and 1.0 mol L^?1 HNO₃ extraction increased with the increasing numbers of extractions, but the K-releasing power of soil by successive extraction decreased gradually and finally became almost constant. The release of K was less in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The release of K in the +K treatment was similar to that in the –K treatment in rhizosphere soil, but the K release in nonrhizosphere soil was greater with the +K than the –K treatment. Overall, the information obtained in this study will be helpful in formulating more precise K fertilizer recommendations for certain soils.     

Electron donor and pH relationships for biologically enhanced dissolution of chlorinated solvent DNAPL in groundwater

Biologically enhanced dissolution offers a method to speed removal of chlorinated solvent dense non-aqueous-phase liquid (DNAPL) sources such as tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichoroethene (TCE) from aquifers. Bioremediation is accomplished by adding an electron donor to the source zone where fermentation to intermediates leading to acetic acid and hydrogen results. The hydrogen and possibly acetic acid are used by dehalogenating bacteria to convert PCE and TCE to ethene and hydrochloric acid. Reductive dehalogenation is thus an acid forming process, and sufficient alkalinity must be present to maintain a near neutral pH. The bicarbonate alkalinity required to maintain pH above 6.5 is a function of the electron donor: 800 mg/L of bicarbonate alkalinity is sufficient to achieve about 1.2 mM TCE dechlorination with glucose, 1.7 mM with lactate, and a much higher 3.3 mM with formate. Laboratory studies indicate that in mixed culture, formate can be used as an electron donor for complete conversion to ethene, contrary to pure cultures studies indicating it cannot. Various strategies can be used to add electron donor to an aquifer for DNAPL dehalogenation while minimizing pH problems and excessive electron donor usage, including use of injection-extraction wells, dual recirculation wells, and nested injection-extraction wells.     

Enhanced establishment and growth of giant cardon cactus in an eroded field in the Sonoran Desert using native legume trees as nurse plants aided by plant growth-promoting microorganisms and compost

To evaluate the feasibility of long-term desert reforestation technology of mixed vegetation, cardon cactus (Pachycereus pringlei) seedlings from indoor and outdoor nurseries were planted in the field adjacent to one seedling of potential legume nurse trees: mesquite amargo (Prosopis articulata), yellow palo verde (Parkinsonia microphylla), and blue palo verde (Parkinsonia florida). Some of the planting holes were also supplemented with common dairy compost. Additionally, the combinations of legume tree–cactus were inoculated with either a consortium of desert arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB; the diazotroph Azospirillum brasilense Cd, and the phosphate solubilizer Paenibacillus sp.), or a mixture of all. The field experiments were evaluated periodically during 30 months for survival and growth. Cardons reared in an outdoor screen house survived better in the field than those reared in a controlled growth chamber and hardened later outdoors. Association with any legume nurse tree increased survival and enhanced growth of untreated cardons. For cardons growing alone, application of either compost, AM fungi, and all the treatments combined increased survival. For these plants, no treatment affected plant growth during the first 3 months after transplanting. Later, all treatments, except for AM fungi, enhanced plant growth. However, only 2 years after transplanting the enhanced growth effect of AM fungi was also significant. In the presence of the legume nurse trees, transient positive effects on cardon growth were recorded. General evaluation after 30 months of cultivation showed that the treatments positively affected cardon growth when growing alone or in combination only with mesquite amargo but not with the other two legume trees. This study proposes that young legume trees have the capacity to enhance survival and growth of cardon cactus, depending on the legume cactus combination. Additional treatments such as compost or PGPB can either amplify the effect or else attenuate it.