有机无机肥配施对烤烟质体色素及其降解产物的影响

通过田间试验研究有机无机肥不同配施比例对烤烟质体色素及其降解产物的影响.结果表明,在同一部位中,施用有机肥4个处理的叶绿素、类胡萝卜素含量比不施用有机肥处理的高,且均达到显著水平,CK3(100%芝麻饼肥)叶绿素含量最高,T2(50%无机肥+50%芝麻饼肥)类胡萝卜素含量最高,但在类胡萝卜素与叶绿素比值上,T2最高,CK3最低;在新植二烯、类胡萝卜素降解产物含量和质体色素降解产物总量方面,除T3(25%无机肥+75%芝麻饼肥)的中部叶以外,所有施用有机肥处理在各部位中三者含量均有不同程度的增加,其中下部叶:T1(75%无机肥+25%芝麻饼肥)的新植二烯和质体色素降解产物总量、T2的类胡萝卜素降解产物含量最高;中、上部叶:T2的三者的含量均最高.因此,50%无机肥+50%芝麻饼肥对烤烟质体色素及其降解产物的含量影响最大,尤其是上部叶.     

豫中不同土壤质地烤烟烟叶色素含量变化的差异

在河南豫中烟区研究了4种典型质地土壤烤烟主栽品种NC89不同生育时期和调制后烟叶质体色素含量变化的差异。结果表明,砂土烟叶β-胡萝卜素和总类胡萝卜素在烤后烟叶样品中含量较高,其余几种色素降解程度均较大;砂壤土烟叶中大部分色素含量在烟株现蕾期至尚熟时下降较为缓慢,成熟采收时下降较为明显,在烤后烟叶中叶绿素、β-胡萝卜素和总类胡萝卜素残留较少,质体色素降解充分;壤土烟叶各种色素含量随生育期推进下降趋势均较明显,烤后烟叶样品中质体色素含量也较低,残留较少;黏土烟叶中各种色素含量在现蕾期至尚熟时含量开始下降,但在成熟采收时含量较高,色素降解程度低,烤后烟叶中叶绿素和类胡萝卜素含量偏高。砂壤土和壤土植烟有利于烤烟香气前体物质的积累和适时转化。     

不同钾肥组合对烤烟质体色素及降解产物的影响

采用田间试验,以普通钾肥为对照,研究了缓释钾肥及其与普通钾肥、黄腐酸钾的配施对烤后烟叶质体色素及其降解产物的影响.结果表明:T1(普通钾肥)和T2(缓释钾肥)均不利于降低烤后烟叶叶绿素含量,T2处理两种等级烟叶质体色素降解物质总量均低于T1处理,而T3处理(普通钾肥+缓释钾肥)显著降低了两种等级烟叶叶绿素含量,提高了中部叶质体色素降解物质总量,却降低了上部叶质体色素降解物质总量和类胡萝卜素含量;T4处理(普通钾肥+缓释钾肥+黄腐酸钾)能降低两种等级烟叶叶绿素含量、提高上部叶类胡萝卜素含量,其上部叶质体色素降解物质总量高于其他各处理,中部叶质体色素降解物质总量仅低于T3处理,此外上部和中部叶中分别有12种和8种类胡萝卜素降解产物含量高于其他各处理.故综合看,T4是最优的施钾处理.     

保水剂对干旱胁迫下雪茄烟叶次生代谢物质及化学成分含量的影响

为研究干旱胁迫下保水剂种类及用量对雪茄烟叶次生代谢物质及化学成分含量的影响,以德雪3 号为试材,采用盆栽试验研究了保水剂种类(SAP保水剂、沃特保水剂和自制TS-PAA保水剂)与用量(2、4和6 g·株-1)对雪茄烟生长过程中质体色素、多酚、有机酸含量的消长规律及其调制后化学成分含量变化的影响。结果表明,①干旱胁迫下施用3 种保水剂均能显著增加烟叶中叶绿素、叶绿素a、叶绿素b和类胡萝卜素的含量,且有利于烟株前中期叶绿素的快速积累和后期叶绿素的充分降解,以确保烟株适时落黄;②生长发育期间绿原酸、芸香苷、莨菪亭含量呈先增加后缓慢降低的趋势,且显著高于对照,说明施加3 种保水剂均有利于多酚类物质的积累,能间接提升调制后烟叶的香吃味;③在移栽后75 d时,3 种保水剂处理下苹果酸、草酸、丙二酸含量均有不同程度的提高,而柠檬酸含量与对照无显著差异;④施加3 种保水剂均能显著提高总糖、还原糖和钾含量,并降低总氮、烟碱、淀粉和氯含量,进而增加两糖比、糖碱比、钾氯比和氮碱比,使烟叶中化学成分更加均衡协调。不同处理相比较,TS-PAA保水剂和SAP保水剂以施用量为4 g·株-1,沃特保水剂以施用量为6 g·株-1时对次生代谢物质积累和烟叶质量改善作用效果最佳。     

保水剂施用量对旱作土壤理化性质及马铃薯生长的影响

针对宁夏中部半干旱偏旱区土壤贫瘠,降水较少,土壤蒸发强烈、马铃薯低产等突出问题,采用以2种土壤保水剂为对象,研究了保水剂不同施用量对旱作土壤性状及马铃薯生长的影响。结果表明,穴施沃特保水剂90kg/hm2的耕层(0—30cm)土壤容重比不施保水剂处理显著降低5.2%。施用保水剂各处理耕层粒径0.25mm机械稳定性团聚体数量均较不施保水剂处理(对照)有所提高,而粒径0.1mm团聚体数量较对照明显降低;在马铃薯关键生育期(块茎形成至膨大期),与不施保水剂处理相比,施用保水剂各处理能明显提高0—100cm土层土壤贮水量,以穴施沃特保水剂处理的保水效果最佳。沃特保水剂改善了土壤结构和水分状况,加速土壤有机质的分解与矿化,促进土壤养分的转化供应,保蓄土壤的有效养分。施微生物保水剂能促进马铃薯初花期生长,进入块茎膨大期施用沃特保水剂效果显著。不同保水剂施用量植株养分含量和积累量显著提高,有利于提高肥料的利用率,且随保水剂施用量的增加,其养分利用率越高。不同保水剂施用量各处理的马铃薯产量均显著高于不施保水剂处理,其中穴施沃特保水剂90kg/hm2的增产效果最佳(44.1%),穴施沃特保水剂60kg/hm2的商品薯率最高(20.9%)。     

磷、硼肥用量对烤烟石油醚提取物含量的影响

磷、硼肥对烤烟油分合成起着重要的作用。通过田间试验研究磷、硼肥施用量对烤烟油分合成前体物叶绿素、总有机酸和丙酮酸的影响,探究磷、硼肥用量对提高石油醚提取物的实际效果。试验结果表明:磷、硼肥施用量分别为112.5、3 kg/hm2时最有利于烤烟石油醚提取物的合成。增施磷、硼肥对于油分的合成有促进作用,而较低的磷肥可能限制硼肥肥效的发挥,不利于石油醚提取物的合成。叶绿素、总有机酸和丙酮酸含量与烟叶油分含量呈正相关,油分合成前体物含量高有助于油分的合成。     

烤烟氮素营养诊断及精准施肥模式研究

为解决烤烟生产中存在过高施氮或不合理的施肥技术措施致使烟叶产质量下降和氮素利用效率低下等突出问题,该研究于2008-2010年在广东韶关烟草产区以烤烟品种K326为材料,研究不同施氮水平下不同叶位及叶片不同位置上的叶绿素仪测定值(SPAD值)、叶绿素含量、总氮含量的变化特征及其与产质量的相互关系,分析实时氮肥管理(RTNM)模式下不同SPAD施肥阈值对烟草产质量及氮肥利用率的影响,结果表明:顶三叶的叶中位置SPAD值与叶片叶绿素含量、总氮含量的相关性最好,且变异系数小,是较为理想的指示叶或参照叶;获得较好产质量烤烟时的SPAD值在伸根期和旺长期的阈值范围为38.3～47.2。在设置不同SPAD阈值的RTNM模式下,SPAD阈值40.5~43范围内(氮肥用量为75～110kg/hm2)能获得较高的烟叶产量、产值,最高产量和产值分别为2844.09kg/hm2和26989.24元/hm2,烟叶化学成分较为协调。此外,通过与农民习惯施肥模式(167.8kg/hm2)相比较,在SPAD设定阈值为43的RTNM模式下,相应的氮肥用量为110kg/hm2,氮肥农学利用率和吸收利用率分别提高53.0%、46.5%,产值提高了7.4%,调制后烟叶的淀粉、总氮、烟碱含量显著下降,烟叶化学成分更为协调,内在质量较好。     

不同保水剂对戈壁日光温室基质栽培番茄生长和产量及品质的影响

为了给戈壁日光温室番茄基质生产中保水剂的合理添加提供技术依据,以酒番6号为试材,设置正常灌溉水平下不添加保水剂、添加90 kg/hm2凹凸棒、添加90 kg/hm2高分子树脂3个处理;定植后7 d减量灌水15%水平下不添加保水剂、添加90 kg/hm2凹凸棒、添加90 kg/hm2高分子树脂3个处理,研究了添加不同保水剂对戈壁日光温室基质栽培番茄生长、品质和产量的影响。结果表明,在正常灌溉水平下,与对照不添加保水剂相比较,添加90 kg/hm2凹凸棒和90 kg/hm2高分子树脂处理的番茄产量提高5.67%~5.85%,可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白、维生素C、可溶性固形物含量及水分利用效率分别提高10.83%~12.50%、11.88%~38.61%、1.98%~2.20%、7.74%~13.47%、5.70%~5.89%。减量灌水15%水平下,添加90 kg/hm2凹凸棒和90 kg/hm2高分子树脂处理的番茄产量提高8.65%~15.48%,可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白、维生素C含量及水分利用效率分别提高30.50%~37.24%、70.14%~84.86%、15.83%~18.38%、8.64%~15.50%,可溶性固形物含量降低3.36%~17.75%。表明添加保水剂可显著提高番茄植株生长,提高产量,改善果实品质。主成分分析表明,正常灌溉水平(4 500 m3/hm2)下,以添加90 kg/hm2高分子树脂效果最佳。     

生物炭与菜籽饼配施对土壤养分及烟叶产质量的影响

为寻求陕南烟田适宜的土壤改良技术,采用生物炭与菜籽饼二元配比试验,研究其对土壤矿质养分及烟叶品质与产量的影响。研究结果表明:生物炭与菜籽饼均有利于提高土壤矿质养分含量,且以混合施用效果更显著。生物炭与菜籽饼能有效促进烤烟生长,改善烤烟农艺性状,增加上、中部烟叶面积且随菜籽饼施用量的增加叶面积呈现增大的趋势。上等烟和中上等烟比率随生物炭施用量的增加呈先增加后降低的趋势;而产量与产值则随菜籽饼用量的增加表现出增大的趋势。生物炭和菜籽饼及二者交互对烤烟化学品质提升效果显著,能有效提高烤烟全氮、烟碱、钾及总糖和还原糖含量,降低烤后烟叶淀粉水平。综合分析,在陕西安康市旬阳地区推荐生物炭与菜籽饼配比为生物炭750 kg/hm2+菜籽饼750 kg/hm2。     

不同氮磷钾施用量对烤烟产量品质的影响

2015年,为研究不同氮磷钾施用量对烤烟品种‘红花大金元’在20834株/hm2种植密度下产量品质的影响,在云南省剑川县进行了4个不同比例氮磷钾施用量的试验。结果表明:从各生育期农艺性状来看,氮磷钾用量分别为105.6、66.0、290.4 kg/hm2和氮磷钾用量分别为115.2、72.0、316.8 kg/hm2的烤烟叶面积和株高等农艺性状表现较好,且两处理间差异不显著;从经济性状来看,氮磷钾用量分别为105.6、66.0、290.4 kg/hm2的中上等烤烟比例最高,经济效益亦最好。由此得出,红花大金元适宜的氮磷钾用量分别为105.6、66.0、290.4 kg/hm2。     

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.