高密度CO2对虾优势腐败菌的杀菌效果及机理

为了探讨高密度CO2（dense phase carbon dioxide,DPCD）对水产品腐败菌的杀菌效果和机制,以一株凡纳滨对虾优势腐败菌（Chryseobacterium sp. LV1）为研究对象,研究了DPCD处理温度（30～55℃）、压力（5～25 MPa）、时间（5～60 min）对杀菌效果的影响,分析了DPCD处理前后该菌理化性质的变化。结果表明：DPCD对其具有较好的杀菌效果,温度升高、压力增大、延长时间都会增强杀菌效果,而且超临界CO2比亚临界CO2的杀菌效果好。当在45℃、15 MPa和55℃、15 MPa下处理菌悬液30 min时,菌落总数均能下降5个对数;菌悬液的pH值从6.97分别下降至5.58和5.56;细胞外蛋白由最初的78.69 μg/mL分别增至151.91和157.40 μg/mL,200～800 nm范围内的吸光度值增大,这说明DPCD处理改变了其细胞膜的通透性,造成胞内蛋白质和核酸泄漏;可溶性和不溶性蛋白的电泳图谱发生变化,说明DPCD处理能够诱导Chryseobacterium sp. LV1可溶性蛋白质变性,降低其溶解度;能够钝化与其新陈代谢相关的14种酶类;但不会造成其DNA的降解。因此,DPCD处理致使其理化性质的改变可能是杀菌的主要原因之一。研究结果将为DPCD技术在对虾加工中的应用提供参考。     

高密度CO2处理对皱纹盘鲍肌肉品质的影响

为了探讨高密度CO2（DPCD）应用于加工皱纹盘鲍的可行性,在压力5～25 MPa、温度30～50℃、处理时间10～50 min下分别处理皱纹盘鲍,研究DPCD对其色泽、pH值、保水性、质量损失、质构等指标的影响规律。结果表明：与未处理的相比,DPCD处理对皱纹盘鲍的外观和pH值无显著影响（P＞0.05）,但对其色泽、基本营养成分、质量损失、保水性和质构有显著影响（P＜0.05）,并且随着处理强度的增加,其影响程度也加强;结合杀菌效果,DPCD处理皱纹盘鲍的适宜条件为：20 MPa、45℃、（40～50）min。研究结果将为DPCD加工技术在贝类肌肉食品中的应用提供参考。     

高密度二氧化碳对牛初乳的杀菌效果及对理化性质影响

高密度二氧化碳（DPCD）杀菌技术是目前越来越受关注的非热杀菌技术之一。本文研究了20 MPa、37℃条件下DPCD对牛初乳的杀菌效果。并探讨了经过处理后牛初乳粒度、黏度、色泽、pH值等的变化。结果表明在20 MPa、37℃的DPCD处理30 min以上条件能较好地杀灭牛初乳中的细菌,同时牛初乳发生了色泽变亮、粒度增大、黏度和pH值均降低等变化。     

高密度二氧化碳处理对冷却猪肉品质及理化性质的影响

为了探讨高密度二氧化碳（DPCD）非热杀菌技术对冷却猪肉品质及理化性质的影响,将冷却猪肉在50℃,压力分别为7、14、21 MPa的高压二氧化碳中处理30 min后,放于0～4℃贮藏,测定pH值、色泽、保水性等指标的变化。结果表明：DPCD处理对冷却猪肉在贮藏过程中的pH值、a*值和TVB-N值有显著影响,但对L*值、保水性、MFI值、TBA值、羰基值没有显著影响;DPCD处理压力越高,对冷却猪肉理化性质的影响越有利,但对颜色和保水性的影响越不利,其中,冷却猪肉经21 MPa、50℃的DPCD处理30 min后,a值显著降低（P＜0.01）,肉变成灰白色。该研究为DPCD杀菌技术在冷却肉中的应用提供参考。     

高密度CO_2处理虾仁营养组成和水分子状态的变化规律

为了探讨高密度CO2(dense phase carbon dioxide,DPCD)处理对虾仁肌肉品质的影响,以未处理的新鲜虾仁为对照,研究了DPCD处理过程中虾仁营养组成和水分子状态的变化规律。结果表明:在温度35~55℃和压力5~25 MPa的条件下处理10~50 min,与未处理虾仁相比,虾仁的水分、粗蛋白、粗脂肪和灰分含量均显著下降(P0.05),尤其是脂肪含量下降幅度最大;随着DPCD处理强度增加,虾仁肌浆蛋白和肌原纤维蛋白含量显著降低(P0.05),肌基质蛋白含量显著增加(P0.05);随着DPCD处理强度增加,虾仁结合水自由度升高,而不易流动水和自由水的自由度下降,且结合水和自由水的比例显著升高(P0.05),不易流动水的比例显著下降(P0.05)。DPCD在55℃和15 MPa处理虾仁30 min,虽然可以达到完全杀菌效果,但是水分、粗蛋白、粗脂肪、灰分质量分数分别下降了7%、3%、25%和11%,肌浆蛋白和肌原纤维蛋白发生较大变性,自由水比例显著增加(P0.05)。研究结果将为DPCD技术在对虾加工中的应用提供参考。     

声光动力联合杀菌技术对牡蛎的保鲜效果

针对单独光动力杀菌、声动力杀菌技术的缺陷,探究声光动力联合杀菌技术（Sono-photodynamic sterilization treatment,SPDT）对牡蛎的保鲜效果。该研究以牡蛎为研究对象,在以姜黄素浓度、声光动力处理时间及超声波功率为单因素试验的基础上进行正交试验,优化声光动力联合杀菌技术对牡蛎保鲜的工艺条件,同时对比不同处理前后的牡蛎进行理化指标及感官评分。结果表明：在姜黄素浓度50μmol/L、超声波功率600 W及声光动力处理时间60 min的条件下,对牡蛎的保鲜效果明显,菌落总数为4.52 lg (CFU/g)。此外,声光动力联合杀菌技术与空白对照组、姜黄素组、光照组、超声波组比较,较好维持牡蛎的pH值、硫代巴比妥酸和挥发性盐基氮在较低数值,保持了牡蛎的外观、硬度及色泽等感官品质,使牡蛎在4℃下贮藏货架期由6d延长至12d。因此,声光动力联合杀菌技术具有良好的杀菌特性,可用于生鲜牡蛎的保鲜,为声光动力联合杀菌技术应用于食品领域提供理论指导与技术参考。     

高密度CO2处理虾肌球蛋白形成凝胶的临界浓度与凝胶强度

为了探讨高密度CO_2(dense phase carbon dioxide,DPCD)诱导蛋白质形成凝胶的机制,以凡纳滨对虾肌球蛋白为研究对象,研究了DPCD处理压强、温度和时间对虾肌球蛋白形成凝胶的临界浓度和对虾肉糜凝胶强度的影响。研究结果表明:DPCD处理压强和温度对虾肌球蛋白溶液形成凝胶的临界浓度有显著影响,处理时间对肌球蛋白溶液形成凝胶的临界浓度无显著影响,但增加处理时间,可以形成更加紧实的凝胶。在40℃和5~30 MPa时虾肌球蛋白溶液形成凝胶的临界质量浓度为14 mg/mL,在50℃和5、10 MPa时虾肌球蛋白溶液形成凝胶的临界质量浓度为12 mg/mL,在50℃和15~30 MPa时虾肌球蛋白溶液形成凝胶的临界质量浓度为11 mg/mL,在60℃和5~30 MPa时虾肌球蛋白溶液形成凝胶的临界质量浓度为10 mg/mL。DPCD处理压强和温度对虾肉糜的凝胶强度也具有显著影响(P0.05),且随着压强增加和温度升高,虾肉糜凝胶强度呈增加趋势(P0.05);在50℃和25 MPa下处理虾肉糜20 min,形成的凝胶强度较好,达到了(14.28±0.57)N·mm。DPCD处理温度越高,虾肌球蛋白形成凝胶的临界浓度就越低,而虾肉糜形成凝胶的强度越高;DPCD处理压强越高,虽然对虾肌球蛋白形成凝胶的临界浓度影响较小,但能使虾肌球蛋白和虾肉糜形成凝胶的强度增加。从分析中还可以推断,DPCD低压(5~10 MPa)诱导虾肉糜形成凝胶主要是热效应的作用,DPCD较高压强(10 MPa)诱导虾肉糜形成凝胶是热和CO_2分子效应的共同作用。研究结果为进一步阐明DPCD诱导蛋白质形成凝胶的机制提供了基础数据。     

微波杀灭虾源地衣芽孢杆菌孢子特性及效果

为探讨微波和水浴对地衣芽孢杆菌孢子的杀菌效果和细胞壁结构的破坏作用,对不同温度和处理时间下水浴杀菌和微波杀菌处理前后孢子数量、核酸和蛋白质释放量及孢子萌发生长曲线的变化进行研究。结果显示,相同杀菌温度,微波对地衣芽孢杆菌孢子杀灭效果强于水浴,尤其是温度低于90 ℃;与Weibull拟合杀菌效果相比,线性拟合（R2＞0.56）比Weibull拟合（R2＞0.89）效果较差,但线性拟合结果更加直观;孢子悬液OD260 nm和OD280 nm先升高后下降,微波处理后孢子悬液OD260 nm和OD280 nm开始发生增长的时间均早于水浴,且微波处理在10 min内,OD260 nm和OD280 nm达到最大值,水浴处理在40 min内,OD260 nm和OD280 nm达到最大,说明微波处理导致的蛋白质和核酸泄露的时间均早于水浴;与水浴相比,微波处理后的芽孢萌发曲线延滞期均较长,水浴95 ℃处理100 min,延滞期即可延长8 min,而微波95 ℃处理10 min,芽孢不再萌发。结论：微波杀菌对地衣芽孢杆菌孢子的杀菌效果显著性强于水浴杀菌。通过对微波对枯草芽孢杆菌孢子杀菌效果的研究,可为靶向杀菌和微波杀菌在食品加工的应用提供理论基础。     

肉馅高密度CO2杀菌效果和杀菌动力学研究

研究了不同压力、温度和时间的高密度CO₂对肉馅的杀菌效果及杀菌动力学模型,以相对均方误(RMSE) 和决定系数(R2)为衡量指标考察了线性(Linear)、威布尔(Weibull)和逻辑斯谛(Log-Logistic)模型拟合的效果。结果表明：高密度CO₂对肉馅的杀菌效果随处理压力、温度和时间的增加而增强;D值（使90%的细菌失活所需的时间）在50MPa、75 ℃时达到最小为4.4 min,Z_P值（D值降低一个对数所需增加的压力）在75 ℃时达到最小为60.3 MPa,Z_T值（D值降低一个对数所需增加的温度）在50 MPa时达到最小为30.6 ℃;与Linear模型相比,Weibull和Log-Logistic模型能更好地拟合高密度CO₂杀菌曲线。RMSE和R2分析表明,Weibull模型最好地拟合了高密度CO₂处理下细菌失活动力学变化。     

全蛋液的高压CO2杀菌工艺参数优化

为了达到杀灭蛋液中沙门氏菌和避免热巴氏杀菌引起鸡蛋蛋白变性的目的,该研究采用高压CO_2(high pressure carbon dioxide,HPCD)对全蛋液中沙门氏菌进行冷杀菌。通过单因素试验分析CO_2压力、杀菌温度、杀菌时间和搅拌速度对全蛋液中沙门氏菌的杀菌效果,并利用Box-Behnken响应面设计建立了沙门氏菌杀灭的二次多项回归模型。得出最佳杀菌工艺为:在CO_2压力为30 MPa、温度为40℃、时间为60 min、搅拌速度为125 r/min的条件下,能够使全蛋液中3×10~6~3×10~7 CFU/m L的沙门氏菌完全杀灭。同时还比较了巴氏杀菌和HPCD杀菌对全蛋液的货架期、功能特性的影响。研究结果表明:与巴氏蛋液比较,HPCD使全蛋液货架期延长至39 d;起泡能力和起泡稳定性分别提高了53.63%和2.38%;乳液Zeta电位提高至7.66 mV,提高了乳液稳定性;全蛋液的粘度、粒度储能模量和损耗模量分别降低,呈现粘弹性性流体的特性。该研究结果可为HPCD杀菌技术应用蛋液产品提供参考。     

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.