高温复合菌系WSC-6预处理稻秆对沼气生产的影响

为提高稻秆在沼气生产中的水解酸化效率,寻求复合菌系WSC-6生长的廉价氮源,降低稻秆酸化水解的运行成本,该试验利用高温复合菌系WSC-6,以未经处理的稻秆为碳源,分别以新鲜猪粪和干猪粪为氮源,对稻秆进行生物预处理。研究结果表明,高温复合菌系WSC-6对新鲜猪粪中的氮源利用更充分,总氮利用率达到81.5%,对稻秆的降解率也高于干猪粪,稻秆的总质量损失率达到48.3%,纤维素、半纤维素和木质素的降解率分别达到67.3%、79.3%和27.9%。在稻秆的生物预处理中,无论采用哪种氮源方式,反应系统的pH值都在6.5～8.2之间变化,不会产生酸化现象。以新鲜猪粪代替蛋白胨作为稻秆生物预处理的氮源,既降低了稻秆生物预处理的运行成本,又消除了猪粪造成的环境污染,这对沼气的工业化生产具有重要的应用价值。     

复合微生物预处理玉米秸秆提高其厌氧消化产甲烷性能

为促进微生物预处理方法在提高玉米秸秆高效厌氧消化产甲烷方面的应用效果,该文研究了由黑曲霉(Aspergillus)、木霉(Trichoderma)、草酸青霉(Penicillium)和白腐真菌组成的复合微生物菌系HK-4,对玉米秸秆预处理及厌氧消化产气性能的影响。将复合微生物菌系加入到粒径为0.7~1 cm玉米秸秆中,在28℃恒温条件下190 r/min震荡培养15 d,测得纤维素、半纤维素和木质素的降解率分别可达64.52%、51.06%和3.89%。使用经HK-4处理过的玉米秸秆,用于沼气生产,发酵32 d,复合微生物菌系组共产生7364 m L气体,比未处理组提高了27.4%;预处理4 d,复合微生物处理组甲烷体积分数即可提升到40%以上,之后20 d在45%~53%之间波动,而未经HK-4处理过的玉米秸秆,甲烷体积分数在第6天才稳定到36.7%。     

复合菌系MC1预处理对玉米秸秆厌氧发酵产甲烷效率的提高

采用高效纤维素分解菌复合系MC1对玉米秸秆进行预处理,以提高玉米秸秆厌氧甲烷发酵的效率和产气量。复合菌系预处理的结果表明,预处理发酵液的pH值呈先下降后升高的趋势,与以往的复合菌系发酵产物pH值特性相似。在14 d的预处理过程中,秸秆质量减少了59.0%,其中纤维素减少了53.1%,半纤维素减少了76.4%。发酵液中的可溶性糖含量最大值出现在第2 d,为1.44 g/L。化学需氧量（COD）和挥发性产物最大值均出现在第4 d,监测到的5种挥发性产物的量分别为乙醇2.38 g/L、乙酸0.57 g/L、丙酸0.11 g/L、丁酸0.62 g/L和甘油0.22 g/L,因此,处理4 d后最适合甲烷发酵。厌氧发酵的结果表明,与未处理的玉米秸秆的厌氧发酵相比,预处理后的秸秆总产气量和总甲烷量分别了提高了33.0%和58.1%。结果表明,MC1对玉米秸秆预处理后,可明显提高甲烷产量,具有较高的利用潜力。     

不同土著菌及其复合菌对玉米秸秆降解的影响

为研究一种高效的玉米秸秆降解复合菌,选取了木质素降解优势土著菌密黏褶菌、环状芽孢杆菌、铜绿假单胞菌、栗褐链霉菌、黄孢原毛平革菌、杂色云芝、绿色木霉、黑曲霉,对各单一菌种对玉米秸秆的降解能力进行了测定,通过菌种间的拮抗试验,将单一菌种进行组合,初步构建了一组木质纤维素降解复合菌。结果表明：在整个35 d的预处理周期中,黑曲霉、绿色木霉对秸秆中纤维素、半纤维素体现了较高的降解能力,黑曲霉、绿色木霉对半纤维素的降解率分别为47.81%、37.53%,对纤维素的降解率分别为38.96%、46.32%;黄孢原毛平革菌、杂色云芝对玉米秸秆中的木质素体现了较强的降解能力,对木质素的降解率分别为43.56%、39.17%;菌种拮抗试验表明该试验所选用的真菌、放线菌及细菌之间无拮抗反应,可以进行混合培养;对复合菌预处理前后的玉米秸秆微观结构进行扫描电镜分析,发现在降解过程中复合菌对木质纤维素的结构产生了破坏作用,提高了木质纤维素的可及性;木质素、纤维素、半纤维素的含量在整个发酵过程中都在逐渐减少,发酵结束时复合菌对半纤维素的降解率最高达到48.53%,纤维素的降解率为36.38%,木质素的降解率为40.11%,在提高木质素降解率的同时减少了纤维素消耗。该研究为秸秆类生物质降解及利用提供了参考依据。     

NaOH预处理提高甘蔗叶产甲烷性能及其机理分析

为提高甘蔗叶厌氧消化的产甲烷性能,采用NaOH对粉碎后的甘蔗叶进行了预处理,得到了不同NaOH浓度、不同预处理时间条件下甘蔗叶厌氧消化的甲烷产率,并研究比较了预处理前后甘蔗叶微观物理形态、化学分子结构和化学组分的变化。结果表明:与未预处理甘蔗叶相比,NaOH预处理甘蔗叶的累计产甲烷量提高了22.02%～89.94%,厌氧消化时间T80缩短了2～4 d,其中6%NaOH-5d预处理甘蔗叶的产甲烷性能最好;NaOH破坏了甘蔗叶表面蜡质层和细胞壁结构,促进了甘蔗叶表面二氧化硅、木质素等分解,打破了对纤维素的束缚;预处理后甘蔗叶的木质纤维素结构发生明显变化,其中木质素的羟基、甲氧基和羰基等部分官能团发生不同程度断裂,紧致的大分子结构发生分解,纤维素的结晶度降低,部分氢键遭到破坏,半纤维素发生了分子间和分子内的降解;预处理甘蔗叶的木质纤维素含量均有不同程度的降低,可被微生物分解利用的有机物质增多,其中6%NaOH-5d预处理甘蔗叶厌氧消化的木质素、纤维素、半纤维素降解率分别提高了9.27%、25.14%和21.52%。因此NaOH预处理是一种提高甘蔗叶厌氧消化产甲烷性能的有效方法。     

产甲烷复合菌剂的性能评价及中试试验产气效果

产甲烷菌对环境变化的敏感性很容易导致厌氧发酵失败,如何保证产甲烷菌的活性是厌氧发酵稳定进行的关键。在考察RY3、SH4、G1、G2和G3产甲烷菌株主要生理生化特征和拮抗作用的基础上,构建了产甲烷复合菌剂,并对产甲烷复合菌剂的pH值耐受性、温度耐受性和不同接种量进行了性能评价。结果表明：5株互补共生构建的产甲烷复合菌剂可在pH值5.5～10.5的范围内生长,且在pH值5.5～9.5的范围内培养3 d后甲烷总产量在1 706.7～2 026.7 ?mol之间,具有较优良的耐酸碱性能;产甲烷复合菌剂的生长温度范围在15～70℃,且在30～55℃范围内培养3d后甲烷总产量在1 906.9～2 028 ?mol之间,温度适应范围宽泛。产甲烷复合菌剂接种量试验表明,在低温20℃下,接种产甲烷合菌剂的试验组比未接种复合菌剂对照组在产甲烷的时间上平均缩短14 d,在高温50℃下,接种产甲烷复合菌剂的试验组比未接种产甲烷复合菌剂的对照组在产甲烷的时间上平均缩短5 d,无论低温还是高温下,复合菌剂的接种均可明显促进产甲烷过程的启动,缩短启动时间。中试产气效果及动力学分析表明,20℃低温下,接种10%复合菌剂的试验组21 d内沼气总产量和甲烷总产量均为接种10%活性污泥试验组的1.6倍;50℃高温下,接种10%复合菌剂的试验组21 d内沼气总产量为接种10%活性污泥试验组的2.7倍,甲烷总产量为2.8倍,无论低温20℃还是高温50℃下,接种复合菌剂的可显著提高厌氧发酵产沼气效率,缩短产甲烷进程,为厌氧发酵系统优化调控提供一种新的技术途径。     

生活有机垃圾厌氧发酵联产氢气和甲烷

以模拟的生活有机垃圾为原料,进行批式中温厌氧发酵联产氢气和甲烷。结果表明,与单独产氢相比,生活有机垃圾厌氧发酵联产氢气和甲烷能够显著提高能源回收效率。在产氢阶段,COD降解率为26.24%,且主要转化为中间代谢产物(如乙酸和丁酸),气体成分主要为氢气和二氧化碳,没有甲烷生成,氢气含量为31%～67%,挥发性固体(VC)氢气产率为55.4mL/g,能源回收率为3%(以热值计算)。在产甲烷阶段,中间代谢产物基本转化为甲烷,气体成分主要为甲烷和二氧化碳,没有氢气生成,甲烷含量稳定在68%～78%,VS产甲烷率为270.9mL/g,能源回收率为48.5%。整个厌氧发酵联产氢气和甲烷过程的COD去除率为60.65%,总能源回收效率为51.5%。     

不同预处理方式下水稻秸秆厌氧消化性能比较

以水稻秸秆为原料,在恒温35℃和料液总固体质量分数为5%的条件下,以实验室内培养的不产气厌氧活性污泥为接种物,研究了稀碱水解、尿素氨化、生物酶解以及沼液预处理4种不同方式对秸秆厌氧发酵物能转化率、发酵周期、失重率以及木质纤维含量等方面的影响。结果表明,1.5%NaOH及6d生物预处理可明显改善水稻秸秆干物质(totalsolid,TS)产气率,较空白分别提高44.0%和44.6%。0.4%低质量分数尿素预处理无法有效改善水稻秸秆的甲烷转化率,但通过调节C/N比可明显缩短发酵周期。与其他3种预处理相比,沼液预处理在提高秸秆物能转化率、缩短产气周期方面均有优势,其TS产气率达到333.9mL/g,TS产甲烷率达到180.7mL/g,分别较空白提高27.9%和21.2%。通过对厌氧发酵前后稻秆木质纤维含量比较分析,产气率与失重率有一定的关联,1.5%NaOH处理样品发酵后纤维素、半纤维素损失最大,但沼液中高浓度的COD增加了后续处理的难度。因此秸秆沼气工程预处理方式的选择不仅需要考虑产气率的提升,也要顾及沼液后续处理等问题。沼液预处理可能成为今后水稻秸秆沼气工程较理想的方式。     

菌酶共降解玉米秸秆的工艺研究

该文研究玉米秸秆菌酶共降解工艺,利用黄孢原毛平革菌固体发酵去除部分木质素,再添加外源纤维素酶、木聚糖酶降解纤维素和半纤维素.黄孢原毛平革菌培养12 d时木素过氧化物酶(LiP)酶活达到最大值11.3 u/g,15d时漆酶(Lac)酶活达到最大值0.0992 u/g,秸秆降解集中在10～20 d,第25d时菌解结束,干基总损失率为18.94%;再经过6 d的酶解,纤维素、半纤维素的相对含量分别从27.1%、20.3%下降到13.1%、11.9%.玉米秸秆经菌酶共降解,木质素、纤维素、半纤维素的降解率分别达到67.0%、60.4%、33.0%,每克秸秆还原糖含量达0.507 g.结果表明,菌酶共降解为玉米秸秆的生物利用提供了一种新方法.     

梯度有机负荷下农业废弃物厌氧发酵特性及微生物群落

为了解梯度负荷对不同C/N农业废弃物厌氧发酵特性及微生物群落的影响,该试验以猪粪、金针菇菌包、稻秆和甘蔗叶等C/N差异较大的废弃物作为原料,通过逐渐提高全混合厌氧反应器(continuous stirred tank reactor,CSTR)的有机负荷率(organic loading rate,OLR),研究物料在4个OLR(1.11、1.67、2.22和2.78g/(L·d),以可挥发性固体计)下的产甲烷特性和微生物群落结构变化.结果表明:4种物料的日甲烷产量均随OLR递增而增加,但单位物料甲烷产率与微生物菌群结构则因物料C/N差异而表现出不同的变化趋势.其中:猪粪的日甲烷产量最高,细菌和古菌的菌群结构与对照组相比变化不大;多样性指数先增后减,甲烷产率也在OLR达到1.67g/(L·d)后逐渐下降.金针菇菌包甲烷产率相对稳定,细菌和古菌的多样性指数随OLR递增而增长.稻秆和甘蔗叶同属于碳质量分数高的秸秆类物料,二者的细菌和古菌的菌群结构变化明显;但在OLR达到2.78g/(L·d)时,稻秆受系统酸化(VFA/TIC>0.8)影响,甲烷产率下降明显,细菌和古菌的多样性指数也出现下降;而甘蔗叶则因VFA/TIC<0.8,其甲烷产率在发酵过程中未出现明显下降.此外,不同C/N物料对优势菌的形成存在影响.其中:Methanolobus zinderi为猪粪物料特有的优势古菌;Proteiniphilum acetatigenes,Acetivibrio cellulolyticus为金针菇菌包、甘蔗叶特有的优势细菌;Methanospirillum hungatei为稻秆物料独有的优势古菌.     

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.     

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.     

Karyotypic and genome size variation in Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. (pigeonpea) and some wild relatives

Detailed karyotypes and 4C DNA amounts have been studied in five cultivars of Cajanus cajan and 20 species belonging to Cajanus, Rhynchosia, Dunbaria, Flemingia and Paracalyx. C. cajan shows intraspecific variability and its karyotype is most similar to that of C. cajanifolius (sect. Cajanus) in the morphology and number of satellite chromosomes and the lack of any correlation between chromosome size within the complement and asymmetry. Karyotypes of C. lineatus and C. sericeus belonging to sect. Atylia are similar with respect to maximum r-index and the ratio of longest and shortest chromosomes in their respective complements. C. acutifolius (sect. Frutocosa) is distinct in having a very low ratio (1.44) between the longest and the shortest chromosomes, while in C. albicans, C. goensis, C. scarabaeoides (sect. Cantharospermum) there is no chromosome pair with r-index >2.0. C. mollis and C. volubilis (sect. Volubilis) show similarity with regard to ratio between the longest and the shortest chromosomes and a distinct chromosome pair with an arm ratio of 2.7 and C. platycarpus is distinct (sect. Rhynchosoides) in having the smallest ratio (1.36) between the longest and the shortest chromosomes. 4C DNA amounts in Cajanus and Rhynchosia vary between 3.28 pg to 11.69 pg and 4.92 pg to 11.13 pg respectively, while in Dunbaria, Flemingia and Paracalyx these vary between 4.70 and 7:06 pg. In the genus Cajanus karyotypic features and 4C DNA amounts agree with the sectional classification and bring out a close relationship between C. cajan and C. cajanifolius. This is supported by studies based on seed protein patterns, isozyme analysis, trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitor patterns, RFLP and RAPD data and crossability relationships. A clear relation between DNA amount and abnormalities effecting the extent of pairing and recombination in interspecific hybrids shows the importance of this study in developing future breeding programme involving C. cajan and its wild relatives that are of potential value.