西北地区纵墙湿帘山墙排风系统改善夏季蛋鸡舍内热环境

为研究应用于中国西北地区的纵墙湿帘山墙排风系统对蛋鸡舍内热环境的改善状况,该试验选取了西北地区纵墙湿帘山墙排风与传统纵向通风2种通风系统的蛋鸡舍,通过对舍内热环境的连续监测,探究了2种通风系统下蛋鸡舍内的热环境及热应激状况,并比较了2种通风系统的经济投入成本。结果表明：纵墙湿帘山墙排风与传统纵向通风系统蛋鸡舍内温度最大波动幅度分别为2.7、10.3 ℃,纵墙湿帘山墙排风系统舍内水平与垂直方向温度差异不显著（P>0.05）,传统纵向通风蛋鸡舍内水平与垂直方向温湿度差异显著（P<0.05）;传统纵向通风蛋鸡舍内无热应激状态比试验舍低9.9%,轻度、中度、高度热应激状态分别比纵墙湿帘山墙排风系统舍内高2.7%、7.2%、0.1%;但相同饲养条件下蛋鸡舍采用纵墙湿帘山墙排风降温系统的经济投入成本是传统纵向通风降温系统成本的1.6倍。综合2栋蛋鸡舍内热环境空间分布、温湿指数等认为,纵墙湿帘山墙排风系统应用于中国西北炎热干旱地区蛋鸡舍可降低舍内温差及热应激程度,为更好的缓解舍内局部热应激并将该降温系统在西北地区蛋鸡养殖中推广,建议在风机相对侧山墙上也安装湿帘小窗。     

自动防疫系统对冬季鸡舍空气净化的效果

试验选用300型空气电净化自动防疫系统和3DDC-12型粪道等离子体除臭灭菌系统(二者简称为自动防疫系统),测定其对冬季蛋鸡舍空气的净化效果。选取尺寸、样式和饲养密度等完全相同的两栋蛋鸡舍作对比试验,两栋鸡舍通风采用自动控制装置。在试验鸡舍安装自动防疫系统,测定两栋鸡舍舍内有毒有害气体和空气细菌总数的浓度。结果显示,两栋鸡舍在适当通风条件下（使舍内温度维持在(14.2±0.4)℃）,对照鸡舍和试验鸡舍的空气细菌总数平均浓度分别为 17.8 cfu/L和11.72 cfu/L（P＜0.01）,自动防疫系统使之降低34.2%;空气粉尘的平均质量浓度分别为5.52 mg/m3和 3.54 mg/m3（P＜0.01）,自动防疫系统使之降低35.9%;蛋鸡平均日死亡只数分别为4.68只和2.53只（P＜0.01）,自动防疫系统使之降低46.0%。试验表明,舍内安装自动防疫系统能显著降低鸡舍空气细菌总数浓度和空气粉尘浓度,降低蛋鸡死亡率。     

反光膜对育肥羔羊生理指标和生长性能的影响

该研究对单彩钢屋顶外表面铺设反光膜,以解决实际生产中单彩钢屋顶育肥羊舍热应激严重的问题。选择两栋建筑结构相同的敞棚羊舍,其中一栋单彩钢屋顶外铺反光膜（铺膜舍）,另一栋单彩钢舍作为对照（对照舍）。利用红外热像仪对夏季（6－8月份）屋顶内表面温度进行阶段性（前期第1～7 天、中期第8～37天和后期第38～67天）热成像分析,同时计算各阶段屋顶内表面辐射热,并通过测定育肥羔羊生长性能和生理指标评价反光膜缓解育肥羔羊热应激的效果。结果表明：1）试验期间对照舍屋顶内表面温度、屋顶内表面辐射热均在11:30达到最高值,铺膜舍则在14:00达到峰值;整个试验期铺膜舍屋顶内表面温度较对照舍平均降低7.31 ℃,尤其每天9:00-16:30降低显著（P<0.05）,此外,铺膜舍屋顶内表面辐射热较对照舍降低8.85%。2）试验全期铺膜舍环境温度较对照舍平均降低0.55 ℃,尤其前期9:00-13:00显著降低,达1.78 ℃（P<0.05）。 另外,舍内环境温度与屋顶内表面温度、屋顶内表面辐射热均表现出显著线性正相关关系（P<0.01）;3）试验全期铺膜舍羔羊日均质量增重较对照舍显著提高10.97%（P<0.05）,试验中期和后期两舍育肥羔羊的饮水量存在显著差异（P<0.05）,分别较对照舍提高15.58%和12.66%;呼吸频率较对照舍降低5.31%（P<0.05）。可见,单彩钢屋顶外铺反光膜可有效改善屋顶的隔热性能,改善育肥羔羊的生理指标和生长性能,缓解其热应激。     

冷风机-风管对南方开放式牛舍的降温效果

为改善南方夏季开放式肉牛舍环境条件,该文设计湿帘冷风机-纤维风管系统,采用风管定点送风、孔口射流高速出风的模式,将冷风均匀送至肉牛活动区域进行局部降温。该研究以栓系饲养西门塔尔牛为试验对象,对环境、肉牛生理及增质量进行测定。结果表明:测定期间,在肉牛站立(1.3 m高度)和躺卧背部高度(0.7 m高度),与对照舍相比,处理舍的平均温度分别降低2.0和1.8℃,平均相对湿度皆增加10%,平均风速分别增加0.69和0.47 m/s(P0.01);试验舍内氨气和二氧化碳平均质量浓度比对照舍分别降低0.17和81 mg/m3,热负荷指数(heat load index,HLI)均值降低2.84(P0.01);试验牛的呼吸频率降低22次/min、直肠温度降低0.35℃、皮温降低1.04℃,差异均极显著(P0.01)。在整个试验期间,处理舍肉牛未出现患病情况,日增质量为0.92 kg/d;对照舍肉牛患病率高达47%,日增质量为0.54 kg/d,差异极显著(P0.01)。该研究表明在开放式牛舍中进行湿帘冷风机-纤维风管局部降温,有助于缓解肉牛热应激,应用于南方夏季高温高湿天气下技术和经济可行。     

湿帘冷风机-纤维风管通风系统对妊娠猪猪舍的降温效果

夏季高温严重影响母猪生产性能,为缓解空怀妊娠母猪夏季热应激,该文采用湿帘冷风机-纤维风管通风系统,以风管定点送风、开孔喷射出风的模式,将冷风输送至妊娠猪活动区域进行局部降温试验,对照猪舍采用自然通风模式。试验结果表明:在舍外日平均最高气温39.9℃,平均温度31.5℃、湿度85.6%时,试验舍和对照舍日平均温度、日平均最高温度分别为27.7、29.6和30.2、32.5℃(P0.01),湿度分别为87.5%和82.5%(P0.05);试验舍风管纵向开孔出口平均风速为7.23 m/s,风管下风速从高往低逐渐衰减,母猪活动区域风速为0.99 m/s,对照舍风速为0.16 m/s(P0.01)。试验舍和对照舍CO2浓度分别为1 849和2 444 mg/m3(P0.05),NH3浓度分别为1.48和4.96 mg/m3(P0.01)。试验舍和对照舍平均温湿度指数分别为70.4和73.6(P0.01),有效环境温度分别为12.1和19.5℃(P0.01),试验舍全天均处于舒适范围。母猪平均皮温分别为33.3和34.1℃(P0.05),呼吸频率分别为72.3和87.5次/min(P0.05)。从生产性能来看,试验舍和对照舍6~9月母猪采食量分别为81.0和72.0 kg/(头·月),试验舍显著高于对照舍(P0.05),7~11月试验舍和对照舍母猪分娩率分别为89.3%和78.9%,窝产活仔数分别为12.6和11.7头/窝,出生窝质量分别为18.0和17.1 kg/窝,以上指标均差异显著(P0.05)。结果表明,湿帘冷风机-纤维风管系统的局部降温和风冷效果好,可有效改善舍内热环境,缓解母猪热应激。     

基于多元数据的夏季鸡舍环境质量评价及其对产蛋性能的影响

蛋鸡舍环境质量直接影响蛋鸡产蛋性能。为探究夏季蛋鸡舍环境质量及其对产蛋性能的影响,研究提出基于多元数据的分析方法,首先采集鸡舍内7类关键环境因子数据,按照热环境、光环境和气体环境分组,再根据改进D-S证据理论规则进行迭代融合,得到蛋鸡舍各检测点环境质量的综合评价结果,进而分析其对产蛋性能的影响。以夏季八层层叠式蛋鸡舍为试验鸡舍开展试验。结果显示：八层层叠式蛋鸡舍下四层的环境质量和平均产蛋率的最优位置均处于鸡舍前端;平均产蛋率最差的位置处于鸡舍中端,该位置环境质量综合评价结果为一般;上四层平均产蛋率最优位置为鸡舍中端,该位置环境质量综合评价结果为适宜;平均产蛋率最差位置和环境质量最差位置均为鸡舍后端（靠近风机端）。在试验鸡舍所有检测点中,平均产蛋率高于86%的检测点,环境质量综合评价结果大都为适宜,平均产蛋率低于86%的检测点,环境质量综合评价结果为一般或差,鸡舍内各检测点环境质量综合评价结果与平均产蛋率的变化趋势高度一致。该研究为准确评价蛋鸡舍环境质量,揭示蛋鸡舍环境质量对产蛋性能的影响提供了一种行之有效的方法。     

蛋鸡舍冬季CO2浓度控制标准与最小通风量确定

中国现行的蛋鸡舍内CO_2浓度控制的农业行业标准为1 500 mg/m~3,主要适用于传统的刮板式清粪鸡舍。目前新建、改建鸡舍都采用传送带清粪方式,鸡舍内的相对湿度和氨气等有害气体浓度均明显减少,其冬季最小通风量和舍内CO_2浓度参数标准均有待重新研究。该文通过总结分析国内外相关学者对不同清粪方式蛋鸡舍内NH_3、CO_2浓度的测试数据,提出传送带清粪蛋鸡舍内CO_2浓度取值建议,并根据CO_2浓度平衡原理,提出该类蛋鸡舍冬季最小通风量的取值建议。结果表明:传送带清粪蛋鸡舍内CO_2浓度参数控制标准建议可取5 000 mg/m~3;蛋鸡舍冬季连续通风最小通风量为0.40~0.50 m~3/(h·kg)。该研究为中国新建、改建传送带清粪模式蛋鸡舍CO_2浓度参数标准的取值以及调控蛋鸡舍冬季通风与保温矛盾等问题提供了参考依据。     

热回收通风系统在犊牛舍的应用效果分析

为减少冷应激对犊牛健康的影响,降低冬季犊牛养殖中通风与保温的矛盾,该研究在新疆地区对牛舍热回收通风系统的通风效果及热回收性能进行了评价。试验舍采用2套相同的热回收通风系统进行通风,对照舍自然通风。试验结果表明:热回收通风系统可使舍外进入舍内的新鲜空气温度平均提高10.15℃,日均CO2和NH3浓度分别显著降低173.15和0.63 mg/m~3(P0.05)。2套系统共可为试验舍提供通风量1 097.83 m~3/h,送风管小孔出风口的平均风速为2.45 m/s,风管始末端风速分别为2.76和2.34m/s。该系统的热回收效率为76.17%,能效比为3.1。该系统可以保证良好舍内环境和较高的能量回收效率,缓解冬季犊牛生产中通风与保温的矛盾。     

半阶梯式笼养蛋种鸡舍冬季日间空气污染物排放特征

蛋鸡舍空气颗粒物、空气微生物和氨气等污染物的排放不但影响场区生物安全,更会造成环境污染问题。该文采用直线多点均匀采样新型系统,对北京地区某半阶梯式笼养蛋种鸡舍冬季空气颗粒物、微生物和氨气3种污染物的日间排放进行监测和分析,研究半阶梯式笼养蛋种鸡舍冬季日间空气污染物排放特征。结果表明,该蛋种鸡舍试验期间舍内温度保持在18.0~20.0℃;间歇性通风条件下,风机的开启时长和舍外温度具有正相关关系(P0.05,R2=0.883 7);在冬季8:00-18:00期间,空气颗粒物的排放质量浓度为0.5~0.8 mg/m~3,每只鸡排放量为1.0~1.5 mg/h;空气微生物的排放浓度为4.0~4.5 log10CFU/m~3,每只鸡排放量为4.3~4.8 log10 CFU/h;氨气排放浓度为7.6~14.3 mg/m~3,每只鸡排放量为8.1~13.7 mg/h。试验期间,舍外温度低于舍内温度,试验鸡舍通风量及波动范围小,空气颗粒物、空气微生物和氨气的排放浓度、排放量与舍外温度、通风量、舍内相对湿度之间均未发现相关关系(P0.05)。该研究结果可为中国蛋鸡舍空气污染物排放特征提供参考。     

小窗砖拱鸡舍的设计研究

针对我国黄土高原山区海拔高、冬季低温持续时间长、经济基础薄弱的特点,为了满足蛋鸡生产的要求,设计建造了小窗砖拱鸡舍,分析并测试了鸡舍的主要环境因子参数。结果表明,该鸡舍冬季无需人工供暖,采用自然通风,全年舍内月平均温度为10.2℃～26.5℃,相对湿度为53.9%～62.5%,CO₂浓度在0.15%以下,造价比同期砖木结构和水泥屋顶结构的鸡舍分别低29.4%和35.5%。蛋鸡生产率显著提高。适用于黄土高原地区发展养鸡业,有推广前景     

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,     

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.     

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.     

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.