用低场核磁分析胡萝卜切片干燥过程的内部水分变化

为研究胡萝卜切片在干燥过程中内部水分变化的特征,采用电热恒温干燥箱在40、50、60、70和80℃的条件下对胡萝卜切片进行热风干燥试验,应用低场核磁共振(low field nuclear magnetic resonance,LF-NMR)的横向弛豫时间(T2)反演谱分析胡萝卜切片在干燥过程中内部水分的变化。试验结果表明:干燥过程改变了胡萝卜样品中水的结合状态,自由度高的水分向自由度低的迁移;随着干燥温度升高,干燥速率加快,但温度为80℃时,由于物料表面结壳阻碍了水分的外迁从而影响干燥速率。试验数据为果疏变温联合干燥工艺和干燥转换点的确定提供参考。     

热风-脉动压差闪蒸干燥对苹果片水分及微观结构的影响

该文应用菲克第二定律、采用低场核磁共振及磁共振成像系统(MRI,magnetic resonance imaging)、差示量热扫描、扫描电子显微镜等技术,分析不同预干燥温度对苹果片脉动压差闪蒸干燥过程中水分扩散和微观结构的变化。试验结果显示:随预干燥温度升高,水分扩散速率加快,有效水分扩散系数随温度升高而变大,整体范围在9.84×10-9~7.24×10-8 m2/s;干燥作用引起水分状态由高自由度向低自由度迁移,自由水含量在干燥初期迅速降低,不易流动水含量先增加后降低;MRI结果表明:苹果鲜样水分集中于中心部位,随干燥进行,水分向外扩散并均匀分布于样品中,含水率的降低,导致图像亮度呈现降低趋势,同时样品表现出向中心收缩的现象;脉动压差闪蒸干燥过程中,含水率与玻璃化转变(Tg)和水分活度(aw)之间表现出极显著相关性(R0.90,p0.01),含水率的降低引起Tg升高、aw降低,且Tg与aw之间呈线性相关(R20.81);水分的散失导致微观结构发生变化,细胞破裂形成空腔,脉动瞬间的真空作用促使苹果片多孔海绵状结构进一步形成,赋予其酥脆口感。该试验可以为苹果片在脉动压差闪蒸干燥方面提供理论依据和技术参考。     

直触式超声功率对梨片超声强化热风干燥水分迁移的影响

为探讨直触式超声对梨片热风干燥过程的水分迁移强化效应,在不同超声功率下进行梨片超声强化热风干燥试验,应用低场核磁共振(low-field nuclear magnetic resonance,LF-NMR)技术的自旋-自旋弛豫时间T2反演图谱及磁共振成像(magnetic resonance imaging,MRI)技术分析超声功率对梨片干燥过程中内部水分状态与迁移变化的影响。结果表明:梨片热风干燥属于内部扩散控制,在梨片热风干燥过程中施加超声有利于增强内部传质、加快干燥进程;干燥温度为45℃时,超声功率升至12、24、36、48 W时,对应平均干燥速率比0 W时分别提高了13.1%、49.1%、83.6%、139.34%,表明提高超声功率有利于提高脱水速率。扫描电镜(scanning electron morphology,SEM)观察发现,施加超声会导致梨片组织微细孔道的增大与增多,从而有利于水分迁移。LF-NMR结果表明,超声功率越大,自由水、不易流动水和结合水的峰面积A值变化越显著,表明提高超声功率有利于提高水分流动性;结合干燥特性可以看出,干燥过程中首先除去的是自由水,超声功率由0 W升至48 W,自由水完全被脱除时间由720 min缩短至360 min,表明超声在自由水存在的情况下能实现较好的声波能量传递及内部水分湍动,进而产生显著的水分迁移强化效果;超声功率越大,不易流动水和结合水的脱除速率加快,表明提高超声功率可增强超声的高频振动和扩张作用,有利于减弱组织结构对水分的束缚力并增强水分流动性。MRI图像直观显示出梨片干燥过程中水分减少和水分空间分布变化规律,超声功率越大,H+质子密度图红度值下降越快,说明提高超声功率有利于加快水分迁移速率。研究结果可为超声强化热风干燥的理论研究及技术应用提供参考。     

基于低场核磁共振的热风干燥猕猴桃切片含水率预测模型

为研究猕猴桃切片热风干燥过程中水分迁移规律,该试验通过对猕猴桃切片进行热风干燥,考察不同干燥温度(70、80、90℃)、切片厚度(3、4、5 mm)下的干燥特性。试验采用直接干燥法测定含水率,运用低场核磁共振技术(Low-Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance,LF-NMR)分析热风干燥过程中猕猴桃切片内部水分分布状态与变化规律,建立动力学模型,验证并预测。结果表明:猕猴桃切片热风干燥开始为外部控制,随后属于内部扩散控制,水分有效扩散系数范围为1.58×10-7～4.18×10-7 m2/s,扩散效率随温度升高而增大。升高温度能显著提高猕猴桃干燥速率,可加快结合水、不易流动水以及自由水的迁移。自由水和结合水先于不易流动水发生变化,自由水含量在干燥前期逐渐下降,此过程中不易流动水和结合水含量均表现为先升高后降低的趋势。当自由水被脱除后,不易流动水和结合水含量依次达到最大值;此后,随着干燥的进行,不易流动水逐渐被脱除,此时结合水含量开始下降直至干燥结束。整个干燥过程中,猕猴桃切片部分自由水先转化为不易流动水和结合水,结合水与不易流动水相互转化,循环往复伴随整个干燥过程。以干燥过程中的自由水、结合水、不易流动水的核磁峰值总和、切片厚度和干燥温度为自变量,猕猴桃切片含水率为因变量,进行多元线性回归分析,建立含水率预测模型,模型的拟合优度为0.982。结果表明,低场核磁共振技术结合数学模型可用于描述猕猴桃切片热风干燥过程,可实现对猕猴桃切片干燥过程中含水率的快速、无损检测,研究结果可为猕猴桃热风干燥工艺和过程设计提供理论依据。     

牛肉干中红外-热风组合干燥工艺中水分迁移规律

为研究牛肉干中红外-热风组合(combined mid-infrared and hot air,CMIHA)干燥过程中水分迁移的规律,进而阐明这种干燥工艺的合理性,在干燥温度70℃,辐射强度0.48 W/cm2,辐射距离8 cm,风速1 m/s的条件下,通过对比牛肉干CMIHA干燥和热风(hot air,HA)干燥的干燥曲线、热收缩率及测定水分扩散率、内外温差等指标,研究了牛肉干CMIHA干燥过程中水分迁移变化;借助水分低场核磁共振波谱(low field magnetic resonance spectroscopy,MRS)及氢质子成像(magnetic resonance imaging,MRI)技术分析牛肉干CMIHA干燥和HA干燥过程中水分的状态变化及分布,比较2种干燥方法对牛肉干内部3种状态水的横向弛豫时间、含量、信号幅度及H质子密度的影响,揭示CMIHA干燥牛肉干水分迁移规律。结果表明,与HA干燥相比,CMIHA干燥能够显著提高(p0.05)干燥过程中牛肉干的内、外部温度及其温差,显著降低牛肉干收缩率(p0.05),从而提高CMIHA干燥的水分扩散率(p0.05),加快水分的迁移,提高干燥效率(p0.05);这是由于干燥初期CMIHA干燥能够显著提高牛肉干不易流动水和自由水的横向弛豫时间(p0.05),加快内部不易流动水向自由水的转变,不易流动水的含量、信号幅度显著降低(p0.05),自由水的含量、信号幅度显著提高(p0.05),促进自由水扩散至物料表面而散失;此外,2种干燥方法对牛肉干干燥过程中结合水的影响差异不显著(p0.05)。研究结果为CMIHA干燥在牛肉干生产上的应用提供了理论依据。     

利用核磁共振成像技术分析胡萝卜干燥过程中内部水分传递

为可视化果蔬干燥过程中内部水分传递现象,利用低场核磁共振成像技术（magnetic resonance imaging, MRI）研究了圆柱状胡萝卜40、70℃热风干燥过程中内部水分传递过程,获得了物料收缩状态下水分廓线特征和变化规律。研究表明,干燥过程中,胡萝卜样品的水分廓线沿径向、轴向同时向中心不规则收缩,其内部的水分传递是一个多维、非稳态传递过程,并具有non-Fickian传递特征;干燥初始,水分梯度在物料表面迅速形成。随着干燥的进行,物料干基含水率低于7.33 kg/kg时,其湿区直径收缩比率大于实测直径收缩比率,表面成为“干区”,干湿界面退缩到物料内部。圆柱状胡萝卜的热风干燥过程可以用Henderson-Pabis模型进行描述,所建水分传递模型可以很好地模拟70℃干燥试验结果,最大相对误差为7.69%,出现在干燥最后阶段,其他时刻相对误差低于4%;物料中心层水分传递模型可以很好地预测40℃干燥试验过程。研究结果可以为干燥工艺的选择以及物料收缩状态下水分传递过程的理论模拟提供支持。     

DCPTA对干旱胁迫下玉米种子萌发影响的无损检测

为探究2-(3,4-二氯苯氧基)乙基二乙胺(2-(3,4-dichlorophenoxy) ethyl triethylamine,DCPTA)在干旱胁迫下对玉米种子萌发的影响,使用聚乙二醇(polyethylene glycol-6 000,PEG-6 000)和浓度为0.5、1.0、1.5 mg/L的DCPTA混合溶液对玉米种子进行浸泡处理,采用种子标准发芽试验总结得出不同浓度的DCPTA对玉米种子发芽情况影响的规律,再结合低场核磁共振(low field nuclear magnetic resonance,LF-NMR)及核磁共振成像(magnetic resonance imaging,MRI)技术,通过研究其内部水分变化情况、水分迁移规律及水分分布特征解释造成该结果的原因。试验结果表明:一定浓度的DCPTA可以提高玉米种子萌发过程中的耐旱性能,加快种子内部水分的存储速率,提供种子萌发所需的水分条件,减轻干旱胁迫对玉米种子造成的损害。DCPTA对玉米种子干旱胁迫的缓解效果随着其浓度的升高呈现先上升后下降的趋势,以1.0 mg/L的DCPTA处理效果最显著(P<0.05)...     

苹果片中短波红外干燥过程中水分扩散特性

为了研究苹果片中短波干燥过程中水分扩散特性和玻璃化转变温度的变化规律,进而明确中短波红外干燥过程中的水分扩散特性,采用中短波红外干燥箱在50、70和90℃的条件下对苹果片进行中短波红外干燥处理试验,应用低场核磁共振(low-field nuclear resonance,LF-NMR)和差示量热扫描(differential scanning calorimetry,DSC)等技术,测定中短波红外干燥过程中水分状态、玻璃化转变温度、水分活度、体积等变化情况,进一步分析中短波红外干燥过程中水分状态与玻璃化转变温度、水分活度等指标之间的相关性及变化规律。结果表明:干燥过程中,中短波红外温度对水分扩散影响较大,50、70、90℃3个温度条件下平均干燥速率之比为1∶1.5∶2.3;苹果片中存在3种状态水分,干燥过程中液泡中的自由水含量大幅度降低的同时,细胞质和细胞外空隙中不易流动水质量分数由7.96%增加至46.82%,干燥继续进行,不易流动水含量逐渐降低;中短波红外干燥过程中,苹果片内不易流动水含量的降低,明显提高了玻璃化转变温度(p0.05),使其由-38℃左右最高上升至13.41℃,并引起水分活度由0.99迅速下降至0.24(p0.01);随干燥过程中水分的散失,苹果片发生皱缩现象,体积与水分含量表现出极显著相关性(R0.99)。该研究为中短波红外干燥中水分扩散特性研究提供了理论依据。     

风干白鲢的热风干燥模型及内部水分扩散特性（简报）

白鲢(Hypophthalmichthyx mortitrix)鱼块经腌制后,用热风干燥制成风干鱼,研究鱼块干燥曲线及内部水分扩散特性,为风干白鲢的工业化生产提供理论参数.结果表明,提高热风温度和风速能明显加快鱼块的干燥速率、缩短干燥时间.基于Fick扩散定律建立的风干白鲢的干燥模型具有较高的拟合精度.干燥过程中鱼块的有效水分扩散系数随含水率的降低先减小后增大,随热风温度和风速的提高而增大.平均有效水分扩散系数为1.3×10-11-4.3×10-11m2/s.     

基于LF-NMR研究包装方式和温度对鲶鱼片保水性的影响

为了考察贮藏过程中包装方式和温度对鲶鱼片保水性的影响,该试验将新鲜鲶鱼片分别经空气包装(air-package,AP)、真空包装(vacuum package,VP)和气调包装(modified atmosphere package,MAP,60%CO_2+40%N_2)后贮藏于4℃和-0.7℃的冷库中,于贮藏第0、1、4、7、10、15、20、30天测定鲶鱼片的pH值、蒸煮损失率、离心失水率等指标变化,利用低场核磁共振(low-field nuclear magnetic resonance,LF-NMR)技术测定鲶鱼片的水分弛豫时间(T22)、弛豫面积(P22)和质子密度成像(magnetic resonance imaging,MRI),并利用扫描电镜(scanning electron microscopy,SEM)观察鲶鱼片肌纤维结构的变化,对鲶鱼片贮藏过程中保水性变化及原因进行综合判断。结果显示,随着贮藏时间的延长,各组鲶鱼片保水性均呈下降趋势,表现为蒸煮损失率和离心失水率比新鲜鲶鱼片增加,弛豫时间T22和弛豫面积P22降低。相比较而言,冰温气调(-0.7°C-MAP)样品的保水性下降最为缓慢,是鲶鱼片品质保持的较佳贮藏方法。皮尔逊相关系数分析表明弛豫面积P22与贮藏时间、蒸煮损失率及离心失水率显著相关(P0.05);MRI结果显示,鲶鱼片的水分在贮藏过程中逐渐从肌纤维内部渗出,集聚在肌束膜上;SEM表明肌纤维细胞结构发生改变,这可能是引起保水性下降的根本原因。综上所述,该研究证明利用LF-NMR技术可快速表征鲶鱼肉保水性的变化,研究结果为选择鲶鱼片的较佳贮藏条件提供了理论依据。     

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.