基于基因表达式编程的作物水分生产函数构建

作物水分生产函数的确定是农业水资源优化配置的关键。该研究采用农业水文生态系统模型（Agro-Hydrological & Chemical and Crop systems simulator, AHC）与基因表达式编程（Gene Expression Programming, GEP）相结合的方法构建作物水分生产函数。以河套灌区3种主要作物（葵花、玉米、小麦）为研究对象,采用AHC模型模拟作物产量等,构建基于GEP算法的作物水分生产函数,探讨考虑盐分胁迫的作物水分生产函数构建的思路与方法。结果表明：1）作物模拟产量与地下水埋深、地下水矿化度和灌水量等因素有关。2）构建作物水分生产函数的最优输入因子组合为地下水埋深、灌溉量、蒸散发、地下水矿化度、土壤根层盐分对作物胁迫因子、土壤根层含水率。3）应用作物水分生产函数估算不同灌溉定额条件下作物产量（预测产量）,并与AHC模型计算的产量（模拟产量）进行比较,玉米、葵花、小麦预测产量与模拟产量具有很好一致性,其决定系数分别是0.96、0.93、0.96,平均相对误差均小于5%,满足计算精度要求。因此,该研究所构建的作物水分生产函数可以较准确地估算盐分胁迫下作物产量,为农业节水与灌溉水高效利用提供科学参考。     

基于遥感蒸发模型的干旱区灌区灌溉效率评价

为评价干旱区灌区的灌溉效率,该文以作物生长期灌溉地的蒸散发扣除降水量作为灌溉水的有效利用量,将灌溉水有效利用量与灌溉净引水量(总引水量减去退、排水量)的比值定义为灌溉水有效利用系数。利用遥感蒸散发模型可以较为准确地估算灌溉地蒸散发,从而可以避免传统灌溉水利用系数评估中难以准确估算通过灌溉到达作物根系层水量的问题。以河套灌区为研究对象,利用遥感蒸散发模型(surface energy balance algorithm for land,SEBAL)计算了区域内灌溉地作物生育期的蒸散发量,并结合降水量与净引水量的观测资料,对节水改造以来(2000-2010年)河套灌区灌溉水有效利用系数进行了分析和评价。结果表明,灌溉水有效利用系数近年来有增加趋势,同时灌溉水有效利用系数随降水量和净引水量的减小而增大,减少供水对灌溉水有效利用系数的影响要大于灌区节水改造工程的影响。另一方面,在灌区净引水量减少的情况下,灌溉地蒸发量能够维持在较稳定的水平,反映了近年来灌区节水改造的效果较好。     

基于时间序列LAI和ET同化的冬小麦遥感估产方法比较

为了评估同化时间序列叶面积指数(leaf area index,LAI)和蒸散发(evapotranspiration,ET)产品对冬小麦产量估测的有效性和适用性,该文选择陕西省关中平原冬小麦为研究对象,以SWAP为作物生长动态模型,利用冬小麦关键生育期的遥感观测和SWAP模拟LAI、ET趋势变化信息构建代价函数,以SCE-UA作为优化算法最小化代价函数,重新初始化SWAP模型中的出苗日期和灌溉量2个参数。重点比较了基于向量夹角和一阶差分2种代价函数的冬小麦单产估测精度。结果表明,同化MODIS LAI和ET后,冬小麦产量的估测精度比未同化精度(r=0.57,RMSE=1 192 kg/hm2)有显著提高,并且基于向量夹角代价函数法同化策略的单产估测精度(r=0.75,RMSE=494 kg/hm2)高于一阶差分代价函数法(r=0.73,RMSE=667 kg/hm2)的估测精度。该方法为其他区域的水分胁迫模式下遥感与作物模型双变量数据同化提供了参考。     

基于FAO-Blaney-Criddle方法的河套灌区参考作物蒸散发量估算

实时灌溉预报是河套灌区管理科学化与信息化的要求,利用天气预报中相对准确的气温数据估算参考作物蒸散发量对实时灌溉预报非常重要,因此需要建立一种基于温度的参考作物蒸散发量估算方法。利用 FAO-Penman-Monteith方法估算河套灌区解放闸灌域历史参考作物蒸散发量,以此作为标准值率定 FAO-Blaney-Criddle 公式中逐旬的修正系数,得到基于温度的参考作物蒸散发量估算方法。结果表明,在作物的生长季（4－9月）,FAO-Blaney-Criddle 方法与FAO-Penman-Monteith 方法的估算结果相近。率定期各旬相对误差均<5%,标准误差<0.65 mm/d,验证期各旬相对误差均<9%,标准误差<0.70 mm/d。10 d 滑动平均的参考作物蒸散发量估算精度,Nash 效率系数达到0.75,误差0.5 mm/d 的精确度达到了68%,误差在1 mm/d 以内的准确率达到95%。FAO-Blaney-Criddle 方法可以应用于河套灌区的灌溉预报中。另外,FAO-Blaney-Criddle 方法的参数具有较强的地区差异性,需要针对不同地区的气象数据进行率定和验证。     

基于HYDRUS-1D模型的河套灌区典型夹砂层耕地水分利用分析

为研究夹砂层耕地水分利用规律,以河套灌区典型夹砂层土壤耕地为研究对象,利用在春玉米生育期田间监测数据,应用土壤水分运动数值模型,探究对夹砂层土壤田间蒸散发、作物耗水及深层土壤水分的补给与深层渗漏规律。选择2种土壤的夹砂层埋深梯度S1（40～95 cm）、S2（60～110 cm）,设置了3个灌水水平W1（252.5 mm）、W2（315.85 mm）、W3（378.75 mm）开展田间试验,同不含夹砂层处理B作对照,并应用HYDRUS-1D模型模拟春玉米生育期田间蒸散发,土壤水分深层渗漏及地下水补给耕层水量与根系吸水量,与不含夹砂层处理对比分析夹砂层对田间水分利用影响。结果表明：随着砂层埋深增加,棵间蒸发损失减小,叶面蒸腾水量增加;不含夹砂层处理玉米田间毛管向上补给水量较浅埋砂层与深埋砂层处理分别大57.01%、118.53%,灌水量为315.85 mm时含夹砂层处理的土壤水分深层渗漏最小;玉米生育期内根系吸水量随砂层埋深的增加而减少,不含夹砂层处理根系吸水量最大。浅埋砂层与深埋砂层处理分别为蒸散量的55.51%、61.31%,不含夹砂层处理为66.69%;暂时性亏缺水量从大到小依次为：S2、S1、B,水分从大到小依次为：B、S2、S1。综合考虑夹砂层土壤水分迁移、作物水分利用规律,建议在夹砂层耕地春玉米灌溉根据砂层分布因地制宜定灌溉制度,当夹砂层埋深在40～110 cm范围时,推荐春玉米在生育期灌溉定额为315.85 mm。该研究结果可为河套灌区含有夹砂层农田灌溉制度的制定提供理论指导。     

基于遥感和作物生长模型的作物产量差估测

传统的作物生长模型很难模拟大田的实际产量,因为大量的数据、复杂的数学运算以及误差传递限制了作物生长模拟模型的运用。目前为止实际产量仅能通过观测和实地调查获得。该文将NOAA-14 AVHRR遥感获取的冠层温度信息引入作物生长模型,利用冠气温差计算作物水分胁迫系数,可以近似地估计区域作物实际生长速率和产量,进而建立了遥感-作物模拟复合模型PS-X,提出了估算区域作物实际产量的方法。PS-X模型可在不同层次模拟作物的生长和产量,在PS-1、PS-2、PS-X水平计算的分别是作物的光温生产潜力、水分限制下的生产力和实际产量。利用该模型,论文分别模拟了邯郸地区1998年夏玉米的光温生产潜力、水分限制下的生产力和实际产量,并通过比较不同模拟水平下产量和农户调查产量进行区域产量差分析。结果表明：PS-1和PS-2水平之间的产量差主要由水分和土壤质地差异造成;PS-2与PS-X水平间的平均产量差异较大,占总产量差（PS-1与PS-X水平之差）的81.4%,主要由田间管理差异造成;对于平原地区,夏玉米产量估测精度可达90%以上;砂质土壤区估算冠层温度和水分胁迫系数比壤质、粘质土壤区要高,因此砂质土壤区模拟作物产量较低,这与PS-2计算结果、农户调查数据一致。研究证实,区域上应用遥感瞬时温度信息建立遥感-作物模拟复合模型进行估产是可行的。     

农田水盐运移与作物生长模型耦合及验证

合理定量描述土壤水盐动态及作物生长过程对于干旱灌区制定适宜的农业用水措施具有重要意义。该文以SWAP(soil water atmosphere plant)模型为基础,采用变活动节点法实现了对土壤融化期的水盐运移模拟,并在根系吸水计算中引入了基于S形函数的水盐胁迫计算方法,以修正原SWAP模型对根系吸水的模拟。进一步嵌入了参数与输入数据较少且可以模拟作物生长过程及实际产量的EPIC(environmental policy integrated calculator)作物生长模型,构建了改进的农田尺度土壤水盐动态与作物生长耦合模拟模型-SWAP-EPIC。分别采用宁夏惠农灌区春小麦和春玉米田间试验数据,对SWAP-EPIC模型田间适用性进行了检验。对比分析各层土壤水分与盐分浓度、作物生长指标(叶面积指数、地上部生物量)的模拟值与实测值,结果表明:春小麦和春玉米试验中土壤水分的平均相对误差MRE和均方根误差RMSE均接近于0且模型Nash效率系数NSE值趋近于1,水分模块模拟精度较高,盐分浓度模拟存在略微差异但总体上一致性较好,并且作物生长指标匹配良好;同时,模拟的产量和蒸散发均较为接近实际值,春小麦和春玉米产量模拟相对误差分别为4.9%和3.3%。综上,该文改进的SWAP-EPIC模型可良好地应用于寒旱区农田尺度土壤水盐运移与作物生长耦合模拟。     

区域蒸散发分布式模拟及其遥感验证

随着遥感技术和水文模型集成技术的进步,在区域上进行蒸散发（ET）模拟和验证成为可能。为了探讨如何基于遥感监测ET进行正确的蒸散发模拟,使用1 km分辨率遥感监测ET对SWAT2000模型所模拟的漳卫南运河流域主要农业耕作区实际ET进行了率定分析,并探讨了SWAT模型农业耕作措施设置以及土壤和作物生长参数的合理取值问题。结果表明,SWAT模型模拟ET与遥感监测ET的确定性系数R2和Nash-Sutcliffe效率系数ENS分别达到了0.93和0.92;土壤蒸发与作物蒸腾的比例受土壤蒸发补偿系数（ESCO）影响较大,对于冬小麦-夏玉米轮作区,ESCO取值建议在0.8～1.0之间。利用遥感监测ET数据有助于蒸散发的正确模拟,从而有效地提高水文过程的模拟精度。     

基于时间序列NDVI相似性分析的棉花估产

多时相遥感数据能比单一时相反映更多的作物产量信息,挖掘多时相遥感信息以提高作物估产精度具有重要意义。该文以新疆生产建设兵团农一师一团的棉花为研究对象,提出了一种融合分区概念和时间序列NDVI(归一化植被指数)相似性分析的棉花估产方法。首先,通过植被指数与产量的相关性比较分析,确定NDVI为棉花估产因子,在此基础上根据棉花品种和土壤条件的差异,将研究区棉田划分为不同类型的生长区;然后,结合每个生长区获取的样点产量数据,确定各生长区时序NDVI估产模型的拟合系数;最后,融合距离与角度相似性算法,对各生长区内所有棉花像元的时序NDVI数据构成的向量与产量样点对应的时序NDVI向量进行相似性分析,确定待测棉田像元最佳的估产模型,实现对整个棉田区域棉花产量的遥感估测。结果表明,基于分区和时序NDVI相似性分析的棉花产量预测值与实测值决定系数达到0.77,该方法具有较好的操作性和适用性。     

HIMS模型蒸散发模块的改进及在海河流域的应用

利用流域分布式水文模型精确模拟计算和分析流域内不同植被类型实际蒸散发量及其时空分布特征,是当前流域蒸散发研究的一个前沿与难点问题。本文基于点尺度蒸散发观测试验与机理研究,对HIMS(Hydro-Informatic Modelling System)日过程模型蒸散发模块进行改进,考虑流域内植被空间分布和生长变化特性及灌溉措施的影响,利用分类汇总和分段单值作物系数法计算流域实际蒸散发,并在海河流域进行验证分析。研究结果表明:流域实际蒸散发模拟值与水量平衡法计算值相差3.4%,与原HIMS模型相比,蒸散发模拟精度提高9.2%;改进的模型对原有模型的模拟内容有所扩展,能够模拟林地蒸散发、草地蒸散发、冬小麦?夏玉米农田总蒸散发、作物有效蒸腾和土壤无效蒸发。改进后的HIMS模型能够快速模拟分析流域内不同植被类型实际蒸散发量及其时空分布特性,可为海河流域蒸散发管理提供技术支撑。     

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.