海带渣与养殖固体废弃物混合发酵产沼气试验

废弃物的高效和资源化利用是现代渔业发展面临的重要课题。该文以海带渣和养殖固废为原料开展了两相发酵产沼气效果试验研究,探讨了中温条件下(35±1℃)料液TS浓度和接种率对混合水解酸化特性以及厌氧发酵产沼气效果的影响。结果表明,海带渣与养殖固废混合水解酸化过程启动很快,第2天乙酸浓度即达到峰值,5 d后丙酸和丁酸浓度增幅较快,水解酸化过程中甲酸产量相对较低。不同TS浓度(6%、8%和10%)和不同接种率(10%、20%和30%)的料液水解3 d,乙酸的酸化度分别为42.6%、50.0%、49.8%和50.7%、44.3%、40.3%;主要有机酸(乙酸+丁酸+甲酸)的酸化度分别达到61.7%、68.7%、62.2%和69.4%、57.5%、58.0%。料液TS浓度为8%~10%、接种率为10%~20%和p H值为6.0~7.0时,海带渣与养殖固废在中温条件下混合水解2~3 d,即可获得后期发酵产沼气所需的酸化料液。此外,发酵产沼气结果表明,每天按与产沼气接种污泥质量比为1:7~1:9的比例添加酸化料液,在p H值为7.0~8.0和35±1℃的条件下厌氧发酵产沼气,产气系统启动很快,而且8~13 d即进入稳定产气阶段,产气率保持在489.4~581.5 m L/g VS,所产沼气中的甲烷体积分数达到82.7%~84.9%,而且料液不会出现酸化现象。海带渣与养殖固废混合水解酸化、批量填料发酵产沼气工艺明显提高了产气效率和系统稳定性。     

温度及总固体浓度对粪秆混合发酵产气特性的影响

为探索温度、发酵料液总固体浓度和产气量之间的关系,确定最佳发酵温度以及进料量,通过自行研究设计的可控性恒温发酵装置,以5℃为梯度在20～40℃温度范围内,设置以4%为梯度,质量分数为4%～20%的5个总固体浓度,以鸡粪和玉米秆2∶1（干物质量比）混合物为发酵原料,以常温厌氧发酵池的底物为接种物,进行批量厌氧消化试验,研究不同总固体浓度的发酵原料在不同温度下的厌氧发酵效果。结果显示,各总固体浓度发酵料液的产气速率均随着发酵温度的升高而加快;随总固体浓度增大,发酵料液产沼气的最适温度范围也随之扩大;各总固体浓度发酵料液的干物质产气率在5个温度的平均值依次为料液总固体质量分数8%＞20%＞16%＞12%＞4%;鸡粪和玉米秆2∶1混合原料厌氧发酵的理论最优总固体质量分数及发酵温度值分别为14.6%,32.8℃。可以看出,发酵料液浓度并不是越高越好,不同的温度有其最适的浓度或浓度范围。     

汽爆预处理青玉米秸秆厌氧发酵特性

为了研究青玉米秸秆未汽爆和汽爆预处理后厌氧发酵产沼气特性,该文采用汽爆压力为2.5MPa,保压时间为90s,加入质量分数为30%的沼液,未气爆青玉米秸秆的TS(总固体物)质量分数为6%,汽爆预处理青玉米秸秆厌氧发酵的TS质量分数分别为1%、2%、3%、4%、6%、8%、10%和15%,考察了厌氧发酵过程中pH值和产气量随时间和TS质量分数的变化。结果表明:未汽爆秸秆在TS质量分数为6%时能够顺利厌氧发酵,但汽爆秸秆厌氧发酵液极易酸化,且无法调节,适宜的TS质量分数最大为4%;未汽爆秸秆挥发性固体产气率为214.6mL/g,汽爆秸秆在TS质量分数为3%时产气率最大,为334.8mL/g,比未处理秸秆提高了56%;未汽爆秸秆的产气速率为3.3mL/(g·d),汽爆秸秆产气速率随TS质量分数增大而减小,在TS质量分数为1%时最大,为14.8mL/(g·d)。青玉米秸秆经汽爆预处理后其厌氧发酵产沼气的产气率和产气速率大大提高,可以节约发酵时间,缩短发酵周期,有利于秸秆能源化利用的工业化生产。     

温度底物浓度和微量元素对牛粪厌氧发酵产沼气的影响

洱海流域畜禽奶牛粪便的无序堆置和不合理处置对洱海入湖污染具有较大贡献,为了控制畜禽养殖污染,该研究在结合洱海流域现有中温沼气工程产气率低、运行不稳定、易结壳等问题的基础上,通过取样当地奶牛粪为原料,研究温度、接种量和微量元素等3种因素对中温厌氧发酵产沼气过程的影响,并运用响应面法优化微量元素的添加量,以筛选出适于高原地区奶牛粪便中温厌氧发酵的沼气工程操作参数。试验结果表明:发酵温度为35℃条件下原料产气量大于30和45℃;35℃的发酵温度有利于挥发性脂肪酸(volatile fat acids,VFA)的产生与甲烷菌再利用;发酵温度为35℃时,发酵各个阶段4类菌群的数量多于30和45℃;因此,发酵温度为35℃时,牛粪厌氧发酵系统微生物区系中各类功能微生物数量与比例最佳,适合于中温厌氧发酵微生物菌群的生长、代谢;接种量越大发酵启动越快,接种量10%总产气量最大,未接种试验组,发酵启动较慢,总产气量也较低;通过中心复合试验设计和响应曲面回归分析确定得出,添加微量元素Fe2+质量浓度5.00 mg/L、Ni2+质量浓度21.40μg/L、Co2+质量浓度28.82μg/L时,可刺激厌氧发酵过程的作用酶以促进产气。本研究在资源化利用养殖废物的同时,提高了沼气工程产气率,试验结果为洱海流域农村养殖粪便厌氧发酵沼气工程正常运行提供理论依据。     

秸秆批式和半连续式发酵物料浓度对沼气产率的影响

为比较秸秆批式发酵和半连续发酵工艺的产沼气效果,以水稻秸秆为单一发酵底物,开展了室内中温批式发酵和半连续发酵对比试验,以容积产气率和原料产气率为特征指标,研究不同料液浓度对秸秆批式和半连续发酵产沼气的影响,以期获得秸秆沼气工程适宜的运行参数。结果表明,批式发酵容积产气率随着TS浓度的增加而增加,但增幅逐渐减少;与静态批式发酵相比,间歇搅拌有助于提高批式发酵容积产气率,特别对高TS浓度处理容积产气率的提升效果更加明显;而半连续进料条件下更有利于高TS浓度处理容积产气率的提高,但各处理原料产气率均随着固物滞留时间(solid retention time,SRT)缩短而逐渐降低。综合考虑产气情况及工程应用实际,建议秸秆批式发酵底物质量分数不超过8%,而半连续发酵TS质量分数8%时SRT设计为20 d(容积产气率1.00 m3/(m3·d)),若发酵TS质量分数6%时,SRT设计为15 d,容积产气率0.75 m3/(m3·d),该运行参数为秸秆沼气工程发展提供了理论依据。     

切割稻秸发酵产沼气性能影响因素优化

为了替代秸秆沼气湿式发酵的需进行粉碎预处理,探索切割颗粒秸秆的发酵工艺,简化工程操作流程,降低能耗。该文以稻秸为研究对象,研究发酵温度、发酵液浓度、稻秸粒度和堆沤时间对产气性能的影响,并进行试验验证。结果表明:温度与原料挥发性固体(volatile solid,VS)产气率的相关性显著(P0.01),最优组合为:40℃、堆沤2 d、粒度1 cm、总固体(total solid,TS)质量分数为8%,最优组合VS产气率为385.9 mL/g;40℃厌氧消化产沼气的速率快,各试验组前20 d累积产气量都达到总产气量的73%以上;正交试验中,40℃试验组均有发酵液温度高于水浴锅现象,以及生化培养箱验证试验组发酵液温度高于对照,2种现象说明水稻秸秆厌氧消化可能有少量放热。研究结果为秸秆沼气工程发酵工艺改进和运行提供参考。     

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。     

花生秧厌氧发酵产沼气试验

试验以花生秧为原料,采用厌氧发酵工艺,对其沼气发酵潜力进行研究,结果表明花生秧沼气发酵潜力达0.349m3/Kg。采用正交试验方法对花生秧沼气发酵的工艺参数优化配置进行了研究,结果表明发酵温度,发酵料液总固体浓度,pH值对其发酵结果均有不同程度影响,其中发酵温度和总固体浓度对沼气产量和甲烷产量的影响显著。最优的工艺条件为：发酵温度35℃,总固体浓度20%,pH=7.5,接种量1∶1。添加一定比例牛粪能明显提高产气速度。该文为规模化利用花生秧生产沼气提供了参考。     

堆肥预处理温度控制促进麦秸厌氧发酵产沼气

为阐释温度在堆肥预处理影响秸秆厌氧发酵产沼气中的作用,以麦秸为原料,研究堆肥不同升温阶段麦秸的厌氧发酵产气特性,并以麦秸堆肥的温度数据为基础,以灭菌后的麦秸为原料进行模拟堆肥（不同温度处理）,模拟堆肥后的麦秸进行厌氧发酵产沼气。结果表明,在堆温升至55℃前,麦秸干物质（TS）损失率为4.06%,当堆温升至55℃后麦秸TS损失率迅速增加,堆肥10 d后麦秸TS损失率达22.45%;堆肥后麦秸厌氧发酵产气速率并无明显提高,TS产气量随堆肥时间先增加后降低,以堆温升至55℃时麦秸TS产气量最大,为349.92 mL/g,较开始堆肥增加了7.56%,扣除堆肥造成麦秸有机物损失,堆肥预处理对麦秸产气量并无明显促进;当堆温超过55℃以上9 d的麦秸产气量仅为开始堆肥的66.58%。模拟堆肥的结果表明,不同温度处理对麦秸有机物损失、物质组成均有较大影响,模拟堆肥后麦秸半纤维素大幅降低了28.10%,TS产气量随处理温度、处理时间的增加先增加后降低,当处理温度为55℃时获得最大TS产气量,为342.36 mL/g,较未处理提高了8.35%;随着处理温度的提高和处理时间的延长,麦秸TS产气量逐渐降低。以上结果表明,堆肥预处理产生的高温对破坏秸秆物质结构、提高其厌氧生物转化性能有较大影响,当秸秆堆体温度升至55℃时应停止堆肥,进行厌氧发酵产沼气。该文可为堆肥预处理在秸秆沼气工程中应用提供参考。     

食品废物两相高温半干法厌氧发酵生产沼气初步研究

为了提高两相厌氧发酵工艺的生产性能,该文研究了一种新的两相半干法厌氧发酵沼气生产系统,即在水解相中批式发酵,每次从工作容积为4 L的产烷相中取500 mL接种液,与食品废物混合后发酵1～2 d,再全部输入产烷相继续生产沼气,如此循环.实验运行温度为50℃,食品废物总固体TS和挥发性固体VS分别为19.3%和16.1%,产烷相先在4gVS·d-1的进料率下单相运行至稳定,稳定期日产气量为(4.09±0.03)L(甲烷占69.0%),pH为7.50±0.02,TS和VS分别为(1.05±0.02)%和(0.64±0.02)%.稳定的产烷相与水解相联合后,水解相在60～700 g的进料量下都能正常产气,但氢气含量较低.产烷相在进料量600g时产气量最高,为29.1 L/d,随后受到抑制,受抑制前的甲烷含量为72.4%～74.0%,TS和VS含量也在该进料量后达到最高峰,分别为3.50%和2.32%.研究结果表明新的两相半干法厌氧发酵沼气生产系统有效提高了生产性能,在今后的研究中,需要降低从产烷相输入水解相的接种液量,以更好抑制水解相产烷微生物,提高产氢性能,还可使产烷相更加稳定,承受更高的进料量.     

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.