袋控缓释肥对日光温室番茄生长发育及土壤氮素淋失的影响

采用田间小区试验法研究袋控缓释肥对设施番茄生长发育和土壤氮素淋失的影响,对不同施肥方式下番茄关键生育阶段番茄生长指标和土壤氮素淋失进行比较。结果表明:袋控缓释肥施肥处理(BCRF)与传统施肥处理(TF)相比在株高、茎粗、叶片数和叶绿素等生长指标方面没有显著差异,等量袋控缓释肥处理(BCRF1)植株生长优于传统施肥处理,半量袋控缓释肥处理(BCRF2)施肥量减半后仍能保持良好长势。番茄根系45%以上都分布在0—15cm土层中,30—45cm土层在17%以下。BCRF处理根系长度、表面积和体积方面明显优于TF处理,BCRF1和BCRF2之间差异不显著。BCRF处理显著提高番茄生长后期根系活力,并一直维持在较高水平上,TF处理根系活力在取样期间下降30%。从产量上看,BCRF1处理最高,达72.1t/hm2,BCRF2处理其次,达67.8t/hm2,TF处理为66.5t/hm2,CK处理最低为46.1t/hm2,BCRF1、BCRF2和TF差异不显著。BCRF处理明显降低0—20cm和20—40cm土层硝态氮浓度,BCRF1和BCRF2之间差异很小。40—60cm土层和60—100cm土层中硝态氮浓度TF处理分别从146.7μg/g上升到164.3μg/g和84.2μg/g上升到96.8μg/g,BCRF处理变化很小,明显降低了硝态氮的渗漏。BCRF处理,0—20cm和20—40cm土层铵态氮浓度显著高于TF处理,0—20cm土层土壤溶液铵态氮浓度可达46.5μg/g以上,是TF处理2倍多。     

酸枣根系构型特征研究

对半干旱地区酸枣根系构型的研究结果表明:酸枣的根系水平分布可达300 cm,主要分布于0—60 cm范围内;60—240 cm范围根表面积和细根数量变化不大,二级侧根和细根分布比较均匀,在接近侧根末端,根长度、根表面积和细根长度数值明显增大,二级侧根数量增加。垂直方向根系分布可达120 cm,但主要分布在0—60 cm的土层中。0—60 cm土层含水量高,与根系在土层中的主要分布深度一致,因此,酸枣主要吸收土壤浅层和中层水分。尽管在深层土壤中细根的比例很少,但对酸枣吸收水分发挥着非常重要的作用,在干旱季节土壤浅层水分不足时,60 cm以下深层土壤中的水分能够维持酸枣的生存和生长。     

滴灌棉田根系与土壤氮磷钾养分的分布特征

为了解滴灌棉田根系与土壤养分的分布特征,选择壤土和砂壤土两种质地土壤,定期调查滴灌棉田不同生育时期的棉花根系与土壤氮磷钾养分在水平和垂直方向的分布规律。结果表明:第一次滴灌水前棉花根系体系构建完成,棉花根系水平分布均匀,在3~20 cm土层垂直分布较多,疏松土壤中可深入到40 cm土层;根系分布与基肥分布吻合,基肥能被有效利用。各生育期棉田养分垂直方向分布总体规律是0~30 cm土层中有效氮磷钾养分分布一致且较高;30~40 cm土层中养分略低,是过渡层;40 cm以下土层中养分较低。0~30 cm土层与40~60 cm土层养分间差异显著。棉田在垂直滴灌带的水平方向土壤养分含量差异不显著;滴肥后0~30 cm土层氮磷钾养分增加明显,及时提供了棉花生长的养分,维持了土层中养分水平。     

民勤绿洲盐生草生境土壤盐分空间分布特征

通过对民勤绿洲盐生草生境土壤盐分空间分布特征进行研究,旨为其在民勤绿洲乃至全国盐碱地生物修复中的应用提供理论依据。结果表明,在距盐生草水平方向0~60 cm范围内,阴离子主要是SO42-和Cl-,阳离子主要是Na+和Ca2+,土壤盐分主要是硫酸钠、硫酸钙、氯化钠和氯化钙。其中0~40 cm土层土壤属于氯化物–硫酸盐型,40~60 cm土层土壤属于硫酸盐–氯化物型。土壤pH在垂直剖面上随土层深度的增加而降低,在水平方向上,40 cm处低于20 cm和60 cm处,其中在土壤垂直剖面0~20 cm范围内,20 cm处高于60 cm处;而土壤垂直剖面20~60 cm范围内正好相反。土壤盐渍化程度在垂直方向上随土层的加深而加重,其中在距盐生草水平方向0~40 cm范围内,垂直剖面0~20 cm土层土壤非盐渍化,20~40 cm土层土壤轻度盐渍化,40~60 cm土层土壤中度盐渍化;在距盐生草水平方向40~60 cm范围内,垂直剖面0~40 cm土层土壤非盐渍化,40~60 cm土层土壤轻度盐渍化。在水平方向上,盐生草具有一定的聚盐效果。     

滴灌玉米苗期根系形态对启动磷肥施用位置的响应

通过模拟试验,研究启动磷肥施用在土壤中不同位置对滴灌玉米苗期生长、根系形态发育以及根系与土壤磷养分空间分布的影响,为明确启动磷肥最佳施肥位置及其对滴灌玉米苗期生长的影响提供理论依据。利用根箱设置启动磷肥:(1)模拟滴灌施肥(T1);(2)种子侧方5 cm、下方5 cm穴施(T2);(3)种子侧方5 cm、下方12 cm穴施(T3);(4)不施启动磷肥(CK)4个处理,根据大田启动磷肥施用量(P₂O₅ 30 kg/hm²)设置启动磷肥用量为P₂O₅ 0.2 g/kg土。分析各处理对玉米苗期生长、根系构型、根系与土壤磷养分分布状况的影响以及评价根系与土壤磷养分空间匹配度。结果表明:在玉米出苗后14,21天,施用启动磷肥显著增加了玉米总根长、总表面积、一级侧根和二级侧根数量,总体表现为T2最高,T1和T3次之,CK最低,但玉米初生根根条数和主胚根根长在各施肥处理间无显著差异。出苗后21天,土壤速效磷T1主要分布于垂直0—9 cm、水平0—18 cm范围内,T2主要分布于垂直3—12 cm、水平0—11 cm范围内,T3分布于垂直11—20 cm、水平0—11 cm范围内,根系分布T1主要集中于0—9 cm的土层中,T2主要集中于垂直5—15 cm、水平0—12 cm土层中,T3主要集中于垂直12—18 cm、水平0—9 cm土层中。各施肥处理中根系与土壤磷养分分布的空间匹配程度表现为T2>T3>T1。玉米出苗后7天,各处理间玉米干重和磷养分积累无显著差异,出苗后14,21天,启动磷肥处理玉米干重和磷养分积累显著高于CK,其中T2玉米干重和磷养分积累量最大,且显著高于T1和T3,但T1和T3之间无显著差异。启动磷肥穴施于种子侧下方5 cm处对玉米生长表现最佳,主要原因是养分分布位置与根系分布空间最匹配,有利于根系吸收磷素,同时促进了施肥区玉米侧根增生,扩大根系与土壤的接触面积,并增加了玉米的磷吸收量以及生物量。采用滴灌施用启动肥也能起到促进根系生长的作用,但是根系分布较浅。     

黄土高原小流域土壤水分及全氮的垂直变异

为了研究黄土高原土壤中水分及全氮垂直分布及变异情况,对陕北神木县六道沟小流域中苜蓿地、荒草地、农地、柠条地以及油松地5种不同植被类型下0～800 cm土层中土壤含水率和土壤全氮进行了测定和分析。土壤含水率在垂直方向上呈现出干湿交替的层状分布。植被类型影响土壤水分含量的垂直剖面分布;各植被类型下相对高湿层和低湿层出现的深度不同;不同深度土层平均土壤含水率不同。农地及退耕荒草地土壤水分涵养较好,垂直方向上含水率变化较大;人工植被苜蓿、柠条消耗土壤水分较多,土壤含水率变化相对平缓;油松地平均土壤含水率及变化幅度居中。研究区域中,土壤全氮含量水平较低,表层发生陡降后,在20 cm以下土层中仍以很小的变幅降低,变化平缓。柠条地土壤全氮含量高于其他植被类型。     

不同生长期大豆坡耕地土壤抗侵蚀能力特征

土壤抗侵蚀能力特征是土壤侵蚀预测预报的重要依据之一,为了分析黄土区不同生长期大豆坡耕地土壤抗侵蚀能力特征,采用原状土冲刷槽和静水崩解法,分别在大豆不同生长期测定坡耕地不同土层土壤抗冲性和抗蚀性,并对大豆根系特征与土壤抗侵蚀能力的关系进行分析。结果表明:随着大豆生育期的推进呈现出先增强后减弱的趋势,始粒期土壤抗侵蚀能力最强,苗期最弱;在大豆苗期与分枝期,土壤抗侵蚀能力随土层深度的增加而减弱;大豆开花期以后10~20 cm土层土壤抗侵蚀能力最强,其次为0~5 cm土层;土壤根重密度、根系表面积、根系体积及根系长度对土壤抗侵蚀能力影响均达到极显著水平(p0.01),且根径在0~0.5 mm之间根系的增多会更加有效地提高土壤的抗侵蚀能力。这表明在大豆生长初期加强对坡面的有效防护,避免地表长期裸露,培育根系发达的大豆品种将有助于对坡耕地土壤侵蚀的防控。     

土壤含水率监测位置对温室滴灌番茄耗水量估算的影响

土壤水分传感器埋设位置的选择是局部灌溉条件下获得作物根区代表性土壤含水率数据,从而制定滴灌灌溉制度的关键。本文以日光温室滴灌番茄为对象,研究滴灌线源土壤湿润体内含水率分布状况,通过对比距滴灌带不同位置处土壤含水率监测结果估算番茄耗水量的差异,探讨土壤含水率监测的合理位置。结果表明,番茄生育期内14~25 mm的灌水定额主要用于增加0~40 cm土层的土壤含水率,湿润体内日平均土壤含水率分布在75%~100%田间持水率。作物生育期内连续多次滴灌条件下,沿滴灌带单个灌水器形成的湿润土体会充分叠加,形成近似均匀的土壤含水率带状分布,且作物生育期内沿深度方向0~40 cm土层土壤含水率均值无显著性差异,距滴灌带不同水平距离的土壤含水率随时间的变化趋势具有同步特点,无明显的滞后性。以集中80%总根量的土壤深度作为滴灌番茄水分渗漏下界面时,14~25 mm的灌水定额会导致深层渗漏,且深层渗漏量表现出一定的空间变异性。番茄生育期内深层渗漏量约占灌水量的13%。距滴灌带不同位置处的番茄耗水量除在番茄苗期和开花座果期有较大差异外,其余生育阶段的差异均在10%以内。对温室滴灌番茄来说,滴灌高频少量的灌溉特征有利于维持作物根系层适宜的土壤水分状态,监测1个含水率剖面即可满足估算作物耗水量的要求。     

运用ET-100根系生态监测系统进行紫花苜蓿根系特征研究

运用引进设备ET-100根系生态监测系统,对两种紫花苜蓿(15°缓坡1年生、35°陡坡5年生)根系进行定时观测,分析不同条件下紫花苜蓿的根系生长状况。结果表明:缓坡当年生紫花苜蓿侧根发生的主要部位在距地面12—36 cm之间,0—12 cm之间仅有少量侧根发生,43 cm以下几乎没有侧根发生,根系生物量、主根直径整体上表现为从土壤表层到深层逐渐递减;当年生紫花苜蓿根系监测前期(9月15日—10月15日)在距地面18—33 cm之间生长最快,后期(10月16日—11月15日)在距地面43—53 cm之间生长最快,根系总长度增加量前期较后期大,但根系表面积、体积增加量则是后期比前期大;陡坡5年生紫花苜蓿根系发达、形状分散、分布均匀,在距地面30—70 cm之间生长相对较快,根系平均直径前期为4.3 cm,后期为5.4 cm。     

不同农田防护林配置结构下玉米水分来源研究

由于气候条件干旱,合理平衡防护林与农田作物水分需求是河套灌区农田防护林林网体系建设的关键问题。为研究河套灌区典型农田防护林对农田作物水分来源的影响,选择河套灌区3种典型配置的防护林系统,测定并分析附近农田距农田边缘0.3,0.4,0.6,2 H处土壤含水率、土壤和作物茎秆水氢氧同位素值。结果表明：(1)7—9月各农田样地土壤含水率普遍较低,4,5行样地在近林端处土壤含水率均低于远林端处,8行样地各处土壤含水率没有明显差异。(2)各样地土壤水氢氧同位素随着土层深度的增加而贫化,其中,8行样地距农田边缘0.4～0.6 H处40—60 cm土层的土壤出现较大的同位素富集。(3)4行样地内距农田边缘0.3～0.4 H处玉米主要利用40—80 cm土层土壤水,0.6～2 H处玉米利用0—40 cm土层土壤水。5行样地0.3 H处玉米利用20—60 cm土层土壤水,0.4～2 H处玉米利用0—60 cm土层土壤水。8行0.3,2 H处玉米主要利用0—40 cm土层土壤水,0.4～0.6 H处玉米则更多地利用20—80 cm土层土壤水。研究认为,8行配置的防护林对农田作物水分利用范围影响更广,在不影...     

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.