不同种植年限大棚菜田土壤水溶性盐分的变化特征

采集新乡市不同种植年限大棚菜田、露天菜田及大田土壤共计160个样品,调查分析水溶性盐总量、各盐分离子的变化及土壤pH值。结果表明,大棚土壤在连续种植不同年限后,水溶性盐总量上升幅度与种植年限呈极显著相关(r=0.92**);K+、Na+、Cl-、NO2-、NO3-、SO24-含量与种植年限呈正相关,而Ca2+、Mg2+、HCO3-含量变化与种植年限呈负相关;土壤pH值降低幅度与种植年限呈极显著相关;K+、Na+、Cl-、NO3-、SO42-的含量均与土壤水溶性盐总量呈极显著相关。新乡市大棚菜田土壤中Cl-、NO2-、NO3-含量与pH值变化存在极显著负相关;SO42-含量与pH值变化存在显著负相关;HCO3-与土壤pH值变化存在极显著正相关。新乡市大棚菜田阳离子以K+、Na+为主,阴离子主要以Cl-、NO2-、NO3-、SO42-为主;不同种植年限对大棚土壤盐渍化和酸化有极显著影响,K+、Na+、Cl-、NO2-、NO3-、SO42-则是造成土壤盐渍化的重要原因,Cl-、NO2-、NO3-、SO42-是造成土壤酸化的重要原因。     

土壤水溶性盐基离子的高光谱反演模型及验证

土壤水溶性盐基离子是诊断土壤盐渍化类型与盐渍化程度的重要依据,利用光谱技术快速获取土壤水溶性盐基离子含量数据,可为土壤盐渍化类型与盐渍化程度的诊断提供新的技术和手段。该研究通过采集新疆5个不同地区399个土样的反射率与水溶性盐基离子数据并进行31种光谱预处理方法,分析了不同水溶性盐基离子(HCO3-、Cl-、SO42-、K+、Na+、Ca2+、Mg2+)与高光谱反射率之间的相关性;采用K-S(Kennard-Stone)方法挑选出299个样品,针对每种离子使用偏最小二乘回归(partial least squares regression,PLSR)分别建立32个高光谱定量反演模型,优选最佳反演模型,并单独使用100个样品对估测模型进行检验。结果表明:不同离子的最佳反演模型所使用的预处理方法存在差异,其中仅有Cl-和Ca2+、SO42-和Mg2+所使用的预处理方法相同,其他离子则不同;不同离子的反演精度也不同,HCO3-和Ca2+构建的模型相对分析误差(relative percent deviation,RPD)分别为2.67、2.57,模型具有很好的预测能力。Cl-、SO42-和Mg2+所构建的模型RPD分别为2.05、2.10和2.14,表明这三者建立的模型具有较好的预测能力。K+建立的模型RPD仅为1.11,不能对样品进行预测。Na+构建的模型RPD为1.83,表明该离子所建模型只能对样品进行粗略估测。研究结果为探究水溶性盐基离子的高光谱反演增添了新的内容,为土壤盐渍化监测的深入和推进提供了新的思路和方法。     

半干旱盐渍化地区果园土壤盐分离子相关性研究

以甘肃省秦安县兴国镇郑川村果园土壤为研究对象,利用统计分析的方法对500个土样盐分离子含量的相关性进行了研究.结果表明:该研究区土壤阴离子主要是HCO3-、SO42-,阳离子主要是Na+.CO32- 与HCO3-、Mg2+ 之间存在着显著的负相关,与Na+ 之间存在着极显著的正相关;HCO3- 与Cl- 之间存在着极显著的负相关,与Mg2+ 之间存在着极显著的正相关;Cl- 与SO42-、Ca2+、Mg2+、Na+ 之间存在着显著的正相关,其中与Ca2+、Na+ 之间存在着极显著的正相关;SO42- 与Ca2+、Mg2+、Na+ 之间存在着极显著的正相关;Ca2+ 与K+ 之间存在着极显著的正相关,与Na+ 之间存在着显著的负相关;Mg2+ 与K+ 之间存在着显著的负相关;K+ 与Na+ 之间存在着极显著的负相关.通过对盐分离子的聚类分析发现,Cl-、Mg2+、CO32-、Ca2+、K+ 和HCO3- 在该区土壤中有着相似或相近的运移特征.对相关分析和偏相关分析这两种分析方法所得结果进行了对比分析,它们之间存在着明显的差异,偏相关分析能进一步消除由于其他变量的影响,因而能够更加准确地刻化多元变量其中的两个变量之间的相关性.     

伊犁河流域土壤盐分与地下水关系的关联分析

根据2009年伊犁河流域土壤盐分与地下水条件的监测和取样分析资料,运用灰色关联分析法,对伊犁河流域3月、6月、9月与11月的土壤盐分与地下水埋深、矿化度、电导率、pH值与主要离子进行了关联分析。分析研究表明:研究区表层土壤盐分平均含量为1.37 g kg-1,属于轻度盐渍化土壤。地下水矿化度平均值为2.50 g L-1,属于微咸水。在关联排序中,地下水埋深、矿化度、电导率、SO42-、Cl-、Mg2+、Na+与土壤盐分变化的关联性较强;地下水pH、K+与Ca2+与土壤盐分变化的关联度低,均小于0.321;地下水Mg2+含量与土壤盐分关联度最高,为0.606。灌溉对地下水pH、矿化度、电导率、Mg2+、Cl-离子变化的影响不大,而对地下水埋深、Na+、SO42-、K+与Ca2+离子变化的影响较明显。为了防止土壤次生盐渍化,应该加强对地下水中Mg2+、Na+与Cl-离子的控制与管理。     

秦皇岛市蔬菜大棚全盐及盐分组成离子变化的研究

通过对不同棚龄、不同土层、不同季节的蔬菜大棚土壤全盐及盐分组成离子变化的研究表明,大棚土壤全盐含量明显高于相邻棚外土壤,大棚土壤全盐含量随着棚龄的增加而增加,大部分大棚土壤已达到中度盐渍化的程度,同棚龄不同土层全盐含量由上而下呈下降的趋势,大棚土壤全盐含量季节变化2月份明显高于9月份。不同棚龄的大棚土壤盐分组成离子Na+、K+、Ca2+、Mg2+、Cl-、SO42-、HCO3-、NO3-含量,在0～20cm土层中均明显高于相邻棚外土壤,其含量随着棚龄的增加而增加,其中,K+、Ca2+、NO3-、SO42-最为明显,是造成大棚土壤表层盐渍化的主要离子。造成大棚土壤盐渍化的主要原因是大量使用化学肥料,另外,耕作、灌溉等管理方式不当也是造成棚内土壤盐渍化的原因。     

苏打碱化土壤盐分离子与相关性分析

选取典型苏打碱化土壤剖面,分析了0～200cm深度主要盐分离子(Ca2+、Mg2+、Na+、K+、CO32-、HCO3-、Cl-和SO42-)的垂直分布规律。对各离子之间的相关性进行了统计分析。结果表明,测试土样离子以Na+和HCO3-离子为主,其剖面分布规律是表层含量较低,在80cm左右逐渐增至最大值,其后离子含量随深度而降低,至160cm以下则又随深度而增加,即在整个土壤剖面上大致呈倒"S"曲线分布。CO32-、HCO3-、Cl-与Na+,CO32-、HCO3-与Cl-之间均是相关系数大于0.80的极显著相关;除K+离子外,其它7个离子间均具有显著相关性,这表明该苏打碱化土壤盐分离子组成具有复杂性的特点。     

不同能源作物对土壤剖面盐分离子迁移的影响

为了筛选耐盐能源作物、挖掘利用盐渍土资源、促进农业可持续发展。以甘肃白银市东大沟盐渍化土壤作为研究对象,在大田试验条件采用对比研究的方法探讨种植四翅滨藜(Atriplex canescens)、油菜籽(Brassica napus)、甜高粱(Sorghum bicolor(L.)Moench)、荻(Triarrherca sacchariflora)、柳枝稷(Panicum virgatum)5种不同能源作物对土壤剖面盐分及其离子(HCO3-、Cl-、SO42-、K+、Na+、Ca2+、Mg2+)迁移的影响。结果表明:在盐渍化土壤,种植柳枝稷、四翅滨藜能明显减少土壤剖面0—100cm土层盐分、Cl-、Na+、Ca2+、Mg2+的含量,脱盐的同时会导致HCO3-在土壤剖面0—100cm土层累积。种植油菜可以抑制0—50cm土层盐分的累积。种植荻可以抑制50—100cm土层盐分、0—100cm土层HCO3-、60—100cm土层SO42-的累积。种植柳枝稷可明显减少土壤剖面0—100cm土层K+的含量。研究发现四翅滨藜、柳枝稷两处理的电导率均与其他处理之间达显著水平(P0.05),荻与其他处理之间水溶性Na+含量均达显著水平(P0.05),柳枝稷与其他处理之间HCO3-含量均达极显著水平(P0.01)。     

海河低平原不同地貌土壤盐分特征研究

以河流冲积扇、河流冲积扇与滨海平原过渡带、滨海平原3种主要地貌类型,分析了海河低平原区土壤盐分含量、盐基离子组成及电导率的变化规律。结果表明:河流冲积扇耕层虽明显脱盐,但由于底土含盐量高,仍存在土壤盐渍化的威胁,阴离子以Cl-和SO42-为主;相反,河流冲积扇与滨海平原过渡带、滨海平原表土含盐量较高,而底土含盐量较低,阴离子以Cl-为主;土壤盐分中阳离子含量以Na++K+为主,盐分组成主要的可溶性盐为NaCl,其次是Na2SO4和CaCl2。     

苏北典型新围垦海涂农田盐碱障碍因子特征分析

通过对苏北典型新围垦海涂农田(围垦于2005年,种植于2007年)盐碱障碍因子分析发现,农田土壤处于脱盐碱化阶段,其盐分均值为1.78 g/kg,属轻度偏中度盐渍化,但其变幅大,空间变异性强,盐分大值呈斑块状分布于田块中.同时,其pH高,均值达9.83,碱化特征明显.海涂围垦农田土壤盐分与pH的剖面分布均较均匀,垂直变异性弱.离子分析结果显示,海涂围垦农田土壤盐分以NaCl为主,除K+外,土壤可溶性离子按其与盐分和pH的关系大致可以分为两类,一类为Cl-、SO42-、Ca2+、Mg2+、Na+,分别与土壤含盐量呈显著正相关;另一类为CO32-、HCO3-,分别与pH值具有极显著的正相关关系;且同类离子之间互呈显著正相关,而两类离子相互之间呈显著负相关或极弱正相关.K+既与土壤含盐量和pH呈极显著正相关,同时也与除SO42-和Ca2+外的所有离子呈正相关.结合研究区气候特征,在消减新围垦海涂农田土壤盐碱障碍因子的过程中应积极改善土壤的物理性质以增强盐分的淋洗,并重点防止土壤的碱化过程.     

青海省鱼卡–大柴旦盆地土壤盐分特征

通过野外调查、采样与室内分析,采用相关分析和因子分析法研究鱼卡-大柴旦盆地土壤盐分特征。结果表明:土壤盐分组成中,阴离子以Cl–和SO42–为主,阳离子以Na+和Ca2+为主;土壤全盐量与Cl–和SO42–的含量分别呈显著、极显著正相关关系;0~20 cm土层土壤全盐量约占剖面土壤全盐量的53%,土壤盐分呈现表聚性;土壤全盐量及各离子变异系数超过100%,土壤盐分含量空间变异大;因子分析结果表明Cl-、SO42-、K++Na+和Mg2+可作为研究区土壤盐渍化状况的特征因子;土壤盐分的物质来源是地下水中的化学物质,土壤盐渍化程度的主导因素是地下水位埋深,同时受到历史积盐影响。     

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.