基于空间差异的新疆沙棘资源果实品质及营养成分分析

为研究空间分布差异性对新疆沙棘资源果实品质及营养成分的影响。以5个县的‘深秋红’‘无刺丰’‘状圆黄’沙棘品种为供试样本,并对供试样本的可溶性固形物、蛋白质、氨基酸、总糖、总酸、维生素C、微量元素、总黄酮、脂肪酸、花青素、β-胡萝卜素、番茄红素含量测定,后进行主成分分析并计算综合得分。13个供试沙棘样品果实中各营养及药用成分均存在不同程度的差异性。青河县沙棘果实综合测试指标比布尔津县综合高出0.93～5.54倍,比哈巴河县综合高出0.90～4.49倍,比乌什县综合高出0.99～13.67倍,比阿合奇县综合高出1.10～4.98倍。青河县沙棘品种‘状圆黄’果实各项品质指标表现最优,综合得分为6.04分;且青河县沙棘资源整体综合得分最高,平均为3.54分。青河县更适宜沙棘的生长发育,种植的沙棘果实品质更为优异,13个供试沙棘样品中青河县‘状圆黄’果实品质最佳。     

中国南瓜对嫁接黄瓜产量与风味影响的综合评价

为探讨中国南瓜砧木种质资源的多样性,筛选同时具有较高产量和较优风味品质嫁接黄瓜的中国南瓜砧用种质,本研究以国内外102份中国南瓜高代自交系种质为砧木,以黄瓜品种新泰密刺为接穗进行嫁接,利用主成分分析、隶属函数分析和聚类分析对嫁接黄瓜形态学和农艺性状等13项指标进行综合评价。结果表明,与对照新泰密刺相比,102份嫁接组合的各项指标存在广泛变异,主成分分析显示前5个主成分累计贡献率达到86.226%,其中植株产量因子、雌花因子、果实风味因子是构成嫁接组合性状差异的主要因子。系统聚类分析将102个嫁接组合划分为4个类群,隶属函数分析表明柿饼南瓜5Bb636-3(N67)和三禾13-s08z13-3(N91)等7份砧木的嫁接组合产量和口感等各项指标表现突出,可作为南瓜砧木品种选育的优异亲本材料。本研究进一步丰富了中国南瓜砧木的评价体系,为选育嫁接黄瓜性状良好的中国南瓜砧木品种提供了重要依据。     

不同来源马棘种子和苗期性状的变异研究

为了揭示马棘种子和苗期性状的变异规律,筛选马棘新品种选育的优异种质,对巫山地区19个马棘种质种子和苗期共10个性状进行调查分析。结果表明,马棘不同种质间的种子和苗期性状有显著差异(P0.05),种子平均变异系数7.73%～12.88%。相关性分析表明,种子长、种子宽、发芽率与种子千粒重呈极显著正相关,苗高与地上生物量和地下生物量呈极显著正相关;采用主成分综合得分法筛选出12号、25号、16号3个得分较高的资源;应用聚类分析将19个种质聚为3类,其中第Ⅱ类综合表现较好,包含较大苗高、种子宽、地上及地下生物量。     

油用紫苏种质主要农艺性状及品质特征鉴定与评价

为筛选优异紫苏种质资源及优良育种亲本,提高紫苏育种效率,本研究以159份油用紫苏种质资源为试验材料,对不同紫苏种质11个主要农艺性状及5个关键品质特性进行了鉴定、变异分析、主成分及系统聚类分析等多元统计分析与评价。结果表明,供试紫苏种质主要农艺性状及品质特征的变异系数介于2.60%~35.42%之间,各种质间主要农艺性状及品质特性遗传变异丰富,类型广泛,选择利用的前景较好;主成分分析将主要农艺性状及品质特征聚为6个主成分,即分枝数因子、α-亚麻酸因子、油酸因子、生育期因子、千粒重因子和产量因子,总变异贡献率分别为40.943%、21.549%、12.332%、5.810%、4.486%和4.243%,累计贡献率为89.36%,可代表所考察性状的大部分信息;系统聚类将供试材料聚为五大类群,表明不同类群材料间各农艺性状及品质特征存在较明显的特异性;此外,本试验确定了主要农艺性状及品质特征划分标准,揭示了叶色、粒色等不同类型紫苏种质在产量、α-亚麻酸含量等关键指标上的差异性规律,评价筛选的高产及特异性明显的优异种质。本研究结果为生产中应用优异基因资源及改良育种亲本提供了一定的理论依据。     

不同产地红富士苹果品质评价因子的选择北大核心CSCD

本研究选取了全国9个具有代表性的苹果产地的红富士苹果,对果实的单果重、果形指数、可溶性固形物等30个品质指标进行测定,采用主成分分析法将品质指标进行降维压缩,并进行了聚类分析。结果表明:通过主成分分析,提取8个λ>1的综合指标,并且前8个主成分反映了果实品质100%的信息量,根据8个主成分对30个品质指标进行系统聚类分析,结合方差分析与变异系数,最终选择单果体积、果皮色泽b值、果肉颜色a值、淀粉含量、出汁率、固酸比、果实硬度、蛋白质为8个具有代表性的品质评价因子。     

新疆地方品种梨果实品质性状综合评价

为了优良品种的筛选、选育及推广应用提供科学理论依据,建立8个新疆地方品种梨的果实品质综合评价体系。以‘鄯善红梨’‘鄯善句句梨’‘鄯善黄麻梨’‘晚熟塔西梨’‘鄯善早熟句句梨’‘诺尕依梨’‘雅格丽克梨’和‘库车句句梨’为试材,测定其14项果实内外品质指标,对14项指标进行相关性分析和因子分析,建立基于因子分析的综合品质评价模型,并根据综合品质得分进行优良度排序。结果表明:8个新疆地方品种梨14项果实品质性状变异系数有所不同,其中色差值a~*(红绿差异)的变异系数较大,其变异系数为225.40%,单果质量、果实纵径、果心质量、色差值L~*、果实硬度、总酸含量和糖酸比的变异系数均中等,在20.0%～45.0%范围之内,其余果实品质指标的变异系数均相对较小(小于20.0%),且各果实品质指标间均存在不同程度的相关性。经因子分析提取出特征根值均大于1的4个公因子,其累计方差贡献率达88.90%,其中第1公因子的贡献率为31.15%,主要由果实纵径、单果质量、果心质量、果实横径和果形指数5个因子决定,主要反映了果实大小、果心大小和果实形状。第2公因子的贡献率为23.31%,由糖酸比、果实硬度、含糖量和总酸含量4个因子决定,主要反映了果实酸甜口感品质和耐运强度的高低。第3公因子的贡献率为18.29%,由色差值L~*、色差值a~*和色差值b~*3个因子决定,主要反映了果实表面颜色色差程度。第4公因子的贡献率为16.15%,由可食率和果柄长度2个因子决定,主要反映了果实可食部分大小和果实抗风能力强度的高低。经综合品质评价模型得出,新疆梨8个地方品种果实综合品质得分的优良度排序依次为‘诺尕依梨’‘雅格丽克梨’‘库车句句梨’‘鄯善黄麻梨’‘鄯善句句梨’‘鄯善红梨’‘鄯善早熟句句梨’‘晚熟塔西梨’,研究结果为新疆地方梨品种的合理应用及科学推广提供参考。     

华南型黄瓜主要农艺性状遗传多样性评价

为研究华南型黄瓜的遗传多样性及亲缘关系,以69份黄瓜自交系为试材,对其24个主要农艺性状进行遗传变异、相关性、主成分和聚类分析。结果表明,不同农艺性状的变异系数为6.19%~73.89%,各性状至少与其他1个性状存在极显著或显著相关。选取累积贡献率为73.597%的前7个主成分,其包含的17个农艺性状是黄瓜种质评价的主要指标,其中14份材料综合表现较优(F1.5)。进一步系统聚类,可将黄瓜种质分为4类:第Ⅰ类下胚轴较长,第1雌花节位低,瓜呈短圆筒形、具点状黄色斑纹,可用于早熟品种选育;第Ⅱ类下胚轴和节间短、第1分枝节位低,叶片小,第1雌花节位较低,瓜小、具点状黄色斑纹,综合性状与近缘野生种接近,可用于早熟、稳产、抗逆品种的选育;第Ⅲ类下胚轴和节间长,瓜皮白绿、具点状白色斑纹,可用于白皮品种选育;第Ⅳ类节间长、主蔓粗、第1分枝节位高,叶片大,第1雌花节位高,瓜大、呈长圆筒形、具点状白色斑纹,可用于黄瓜高产育种。综合评价结果表明华南型黄瓜种质具有丰富的遗传多样性,适用于黄瓜优异资源的挖掘及品种选育。本研究结果为华南型黄瓜资源利用和新品种选育奠定了基础。     

基于形态性状和指标成分的远志遗传多样性分析及综合评价

为了揭示远志种质资源遗传多样性地理分布的特点和种质资源群体间的遗传关系,并筛选出相对合理的评价指标,本研究利用形态性状数据以及3个主要指标成分(远志皂苷、远志𠮿酮Ⅲ和3,6'-二芥子酰基蔗糖)含量,对省内11个不同来源的26份和省外7个不同来源的16份三年生远志进行遗传多样性分析。研究发现远志在形态性状以及指标成分含量上具有明显差异,变异系数和遗传多样性指数分别在13%~49%、19%~30%和0.7~1.7、0.9~1.4之间;远志𠮿酮Ⅲ含量与花色深度呈极显著正相关性,与株高呈显著正相关性,与木芯粗呈极显著负相关性;3,6'-二芥子酰基蔗糖含量与细叶远志皂苷含量呈显著正相关性,与株高呈极显著负相关性;细叶远志皂苷含量与茎分支数呈显著负相关性。主成分分析将15个指标简化为4个因子,累计贡献率达67.764%;形态性状和指标成分含量的聚类分析结果均将远志分为三大类群,但各类群成员并不一致,利用综合评价F值筛选出8份优良种质;各种质的综合得分范围为-1.15~1.23;利用逐步回归分析筛选到远志种质评价的7个关键性指标,分别为茎分支、叶色、花色、根重、木芯重、远志𠮿酮Ⅲ含量和3,6'-二芥子酰基蔗糖含量。综上所述,参试远志种质资源主要形态性状和指标成分的遗传多样性较为丰富,变异幅度较大。本研究从42份种质资源中筛选出8份综合表现良好的优异单株,可用于进一步开发和利用,为远志种质创新利用、品种改良提供了理论依据。     

基于主成分与聚类分析的苹果加工品质评价

为了探讨苹果品种间理化品质的差异,给选育新品种和苹果合理加工利用提供理论支持,采集了30个苹果品种为试材进行模式识别分析。该试验所用苹果在2011年8-10月份按照苹果可采成熟度(九成熟)在辽宁省兴城市国家种质资源圃进行采集。试验测定了单果质量、体积、密度、果皮颜色、硬度、糖酸比、维生素C等20项理化品质指标,采用描述性统计、主成分和聚类分析方法对苹果品种和品质关系进行了分析。结果显示,30个品种苹果的密度、果型指数和含水率3项指标未表现出差异。对剩余17项品质指标进行了主成分分析,依据主成分解释总变量和碎石图提取了6个主成分反映原变量的82.3%的信息。第一主成分主要综合了可滴定酸、糖酸比及固酸比的信息即口尝品质因子;第二主成分主要综合了L值,a值和b值的信息,命名为颜色因子;其余主成分依次为甜度因子、质构因子、内在品质因子和果个大小因子。结合主成分得分图直观地显示了苹果品种和理化指标间关系:辽伏、理想、早金冠和瑞光分布在PC1和PC2的正向区间,糖酸比和固酸比值较大、口感好,但是果皮颜色较绿,是品质较好的早熟苹果;寒富、赤阳和红富士依次落在PC1和PC2第四区间,食用品质好、果皮颜色较红,是较为常见的晚熟苹果。分布在第二区间的普利阿姆,白星,Pvma果皮颜色绿且口感酸涩,不适宜鲜食,这些品种可能较为适宜进行加工。第三区间品种固酸比、甜酸比取值较小但是果皮颜色红,为选育果皮颜色受消费者喜爱且内在品质好的早熟品种提供了理论支持。聚类分析将30个品种苹果分为5类,聚类结果与主成分得分图结果基本一致,该试验初步判定30个品种苹果是否适宜鲜食,为苹果品种选育和加工应用利用提供理论依据。     

基于主成分分析和聚类分析的山东省粮食可持续发展评价

为建立合理的粮食可持续发展评价方法,依据山东省各地级市的相关数据从资源禀赋、农业投入水平、农业资源转化水平3个层面出发,选取了10个评价指标,借助SPSS,利用主成分分析法提取3个主成分用以说明各市的粮食可持续发展水平。确定各主成分权重得到最终的评价函数,并计算出各地区的综合评价得分。设定4个等级对综合得分进行聚类分析,结合ArcGIS绘图输出,直观描述山东省粮食可持续发展状况。     

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.