桔梗氮、磷、钾施肥效应与施肥模式研究

采用氮、磷、钾三因素2次D-饱和最优设计(310),通过大田试验建立了氮、磷、钾施肥量与桔梗产量和总皂苷含量的效应函数。结果表明,氮、磷、钾肥对桔梗产量的影响大小依次为氮肥 钾肥 磷肥;氮、磷、钾肥对桔梗总皂苷含量的影响大小依次为氮肥 磷肥 钾肥。对各效应函数进行频率分析法寻优结果表明,桔梗目标产量在4200～4800 kg/hm2,95%置信区间的优化施肥量为N 83.72～119.41 kg/hm2、P2O5 64.10～134.39 kg/hm2、K2O 78.80～147.20 kg/hm2;桔梗总皂苷含量在5.5%以上,95%置信区间的优化施肥量为N 113.37～140.12 kg/hm2、P2O5 85.96～153.44 kg/hm2、K2O 76.86～136.38 kg/hm2;桔梗高产优质高效栽培最优施肥量为N 113.37～119.41 kg/hm2、P2O5 85.96～134.39 kg/hm2、K2O 78.80～136.38 kg/hm2,N、P2O5、K2O的最优施用量配比为1︰0.72～1.18︰0.66～1.20。     

减氮控磷稳钾施肥对水稻产量及养分积累的影响

氮、 磷用量偏大,钾肥用量不足不仅影响水稻的正常生长发育,而且导致养分利用率偏低。本文通过田间试验,研究减量施用氮、 磷肥,稳定钾肥投入对水稻产量、 养分积累量和肥料利用率的影响。试验设14个处理,每个处理重复2次。结果表明,氮钾、 磷钾、 氮磷钾配施处理的水稻秸秆生物量和籽粒产量均显著高于不施肥处理（P0.05）; 减氮控磷稳钾处理（N 225 kg/hm2、 P2O5 60 kg/hm2、 K2O 90 kg/hm2）与常规施肥处理相比（N 300 kg/hm2、 P2O5 150 kg/hm2、 K2O 60 kg/hm2）能显著增加水稻秸秆生物量（P0.05）,明显提高千粒重和籽粒产量; 试验还得出,减氮控磷稳钾处理分蘖期地上部氮、 钾含量和秸秆氮、 钾含量显著高于常规施肥处理（P0.05）; 收获期地上部氮、 钾的积累量和氮、 磷的表观利用率显著大于常规施肥处理（P0.05）。适当减少氮、 磷用量, 增加钾肥用量能改善氮、 钾营养状况,促进地上部干物质的积累,提高籽粒产量和氮、 磷表观利用率。N 196.2 kg/hm2、 P2O5 46.5 kg/hm2、 K2O 90 kg/hm2的配施方案具有实际推广应用价值。     

氮、磷、钾肥对大葱商品性状及其产量的影响

应用311-A拟饱和最优回归设计,通过氮、磷、钾肥配比田间试验,建立大葱施用氮、磷、钾肥对大葱株高、葱白直径、产量及施肥利润的效应函数。结果表明,株高极大值氮、磷、钾优化施肥组合为:N 371.30、P2O5 157.50、K2O 309.58 kg/hm2,此时的株高为92.88 cm;葱白直径极大值氮、磷、钾优化施肥组合为:N 350.63、P2O5 157.50、K2O 225.00 kg/hm2,此时葱白的直径为1.769 cm;最高产量的氮、磷、钾优化施肥组合为:N 394.08、P2O5 193.62、K2O 225.00 kg/hm2,此时产量为55805.06 kg/hm2;最佳施肥利润的氮、磷、钾优化施肥组合为:N 391.35、P2O5 192.97、K2O 225.00 kg/hm2,其最佳施肥利润达136865.60元/hm2,经济产量达55802.74 kg/hm2。     

施肥对中长绒陆地棉产量和品质的影响

通过对供试棉田土壤主要养分限制因子及中长绒陆地棉最佳施肥量研究表明,氮素是供试土壤的第一养分限制因子,其次是磷素和钾素,对中长绒棉产量影响的养分限制因子顺序为氮>磷>钾。平衡施肥的N、P2O5、K2O施肥量分别为207、138、75 kg/hm2时能显著提高中长绒陆地棉的产量。不施肥CK处理相对OPT(氮磷钾最佳施肥处理)减产达33%。通过氮磷钾肥料效应方程得到N、P2O5、K2O最佳经济施肥量分别为203.3、141.7、46 kg/hm2,N∶P2O5∶K2O为1∶0.70∶0.23,最佳经济皮棉产量分别为1474、1550和1516 kg/hm2。     

南安县域甘薯的土壤养分丰缺指标研究

应用"3414"田间肥料试验设计的试验结果,旨在了解南安甘薯产区的N、P、K肥料施用效果,建立县域土壤的甘薯养分丰缺指标,并通过多元二次肥料效应函数寻求甘薯最高产量和最佳经济施肥量。甘薯施用N、P、K肥增产增效较为显著,其增产增收效果NPKNKP,单位肥料效益PNK。南安县域内甘薯的土壤养分丰缺等级指标划分为3级,即当土壤碱解氮、有效磷、速效钾养分含量分别为75 m g/kg、20 m g/kg、65 m g/kg时为低,在75~177 m g/kg、20~40 m g/kg、65~135 m g/kg时为中,177 m g/kg、40 m g/kg、135 m g/kg为高。甘薯推荐施肥量随土壤碱解氮、有效磷、速效钾含量的提高而减少。全市平均,甘薯最高产量施肥量为N 197.43 kg/hm2,P2O563.84 kg/hm2,K2O 226.32 kg/hm2;最佳经济施肥量N 179.74 kg/hm2,P2O561.10 kg/hm2,K2O 212.50 kg/hm2。     

膜荚黄芪氮磷钾优化施肥模式研究

采用氮,磷,钾三因素二次D-饱和最优设计,通过田间试验,建立了氮磷钾的施肥量编码值与膜荚黄芪根产量、多糖含量的效应函数。结果表明,氮、磷、钾肥对膜荚黄芪根产量的增产作用大小依次为:氮肥＞钾肥＞磷肥;氮、磷、钾肥对黄芪多糖含量的作用大小依次为:钾肥＞磷肥＞氮肥,其中钾肥为负效应,氮肥、磷肥为正效应。寻优结果表明,膜荚黄芪目标产量在6000～7000 kg/hm2之间,95%置信区间的优化施肥量为:N 66.85～102.92 kg/hm2,P2O5 64.64～94.95 kg/hm2,K2O 119.78～166.48 kg/hm2;膜荚黄芪多糖含量在13%～14%之间,95%置信区间的优化施肥量为:N 66.85～102.92 kg/hm2,P2O5 64.64～94.95 kg/hm2,K2O 119.78～166.48 kg/hm2;膜荚黄芪高产优质高效栽培优化施肥量为:N 99.52～102.92 kg/hm2,P2O5 94.20～94.95 kg/hm2,K2O 119.78～166.48 kg/hm2,N、P2O5、K2O的最佳比例为:1: 0.92～0.95:1.16～1.62。     

芝麻氮、磷、钾肥的效应研究

为探明芝麻生产中氮、磷、钾肥最优化施肥参数,本试验运用“3414”肥料效应田间试验方案,对白芝麻品种郑芝98N09和黑芝麻品种冀9014的氮、磷、钾肥料效应进行了研究.结果表明:适量氮、磷、钾用量及其配施能显著改善芝麻的经济性状,提高芝麻产量.施氮量与芝麻株高、单株蒴数、单蒴粒数、千粒重等经济性状呈显著正相关,氮、磷、钾肥对郑芝98N09的经济性状的影响为氮＞磷＞钾,冀9014为氮＞钾＞磷.通过建立肥料与产量效应函数方程并结合经济效益分析得出,郑芝98N09的最佳施肥量为N 123.09 kg/hm2、P2O5 60.13 kg/hm2、K2O 73.31 kg/hm2,冀9014的最佳施肥量为N 133.92 kg/hm2、P2O5 70.85 kg/hm2、K2O 110.80 kg/hm2.因此,郑芝98 N09施肥时应重施氮肥,适配磷、钾肥;冀9014应重施氮、钾肥,兼施磷肥.     

不同氮磷钾施肥量对烤烟农艺性状及养分吸收的影响

研究氮磷钾用量对烟草生长和叶片养分吸收的影响,大田试验结果表明,不同水平的N、P、K施肥量明显影响烟株的长势,影响程度N>K>P,综合考虑产量和上等烟比例,以施肥量N 112.5 kg/hm2、P2O5112.46 kg/hm2、K2O 269.84 kg/hm2的N2P2K2处理最好,某种元素不足或过量都会降低上等烟比例。施用适量的氮有利于烤烟中N和K的吸收,而过量50%的N3水平的氮使烟草钾含量降低了11%。磷浓度过高或过低都会降低N和K的积累。增施K肥有利于N和K的积累,其中钾含量最高增长幅度可达37%。随着氮用量增加,上等级烟氮肥农学利用率呈直线下降的趋势,而磷、钾农学利用率在一定氮磷钾用量范围内增加。     

氮、磷、钾肥对卡因菠萝产量和品质的影响

运用3414试验设计,在大田试验条件下研究氮、 磷、 钾肥不同配比对卡因菠萝产量和品质的影响,提出适宜的肥料用量。结果表明:施用氮（N）、 磷（P2O5）、 钾肥（K2O）卡因菠萝分别增产15.5、 4.8和12.6 t/hm2,增产率为16.8%、 4.5%和13.1%,增加纯收入34800、 11000和27600 Yuan/hm2,农学效率分别为39.3、 42.3和29.6 kg/kg; 施肥增产、 增收效果以及对产量的贡献率均表现为N＞K2O＞P2O5, 肥料农学效率则表现为P2O5＞N＞K2O。在 P2（100 kg/hm2）K2（500 kg/hm2）基础上,施氮降低果实中维生素C和可滴定酸含量,增加了可溶性糖含量,而在N2（400 kg/hm2）P2（100 kg/hm2）基础上,施钾增加果实中维生素C、 可滴定酸和可溶性糖含量,施用磷肥对果实品质影响不大。对卡因菠萝产量效应函数进行频率分析法寻优得出,卡因菠萝目标产量超过105 t/hm2, 95%置信区间的优化施肥量为氮（N）281.27~436.48 kg/hm2、 磷（P2O5）64.03~121.69 kg/hm2、 钾（K2O）428.59~628.55 kg/hm2,N、 P2O5、 K2O的最优施肥量配比为1∶0.15~0.43∶0.982.23。研究结论可为果农从事卡因菠萝栽培提供施肥参考。     

不同施肥处理对桑叶产量及其品质的影响

利用现代肥料二次回归3414试验设计,研究了氮、磷、钾不同施肥处理对桑叶产量及其构成因素、桑叶品质的影响。结果表明:氮、磷、钾主要是通过影响桑树春季新稍长和秋季条长及其米条产叶量,进而影响桑叶产量。随着单因素施肥量的增加,桑叶产量也随之增加,在X1-2X2-2X3-2达到最大（其中X1、X2、X3分别为N、P、K肥料因子）,为30780.1 kg/hm2。通过建立桑叶产量的肥料效应函数,获得该地区最佳推荐施肥量为N 736.47 kg/hm2、P2O5 215.29 kg/hm2、K2O 267.74 kg/hm2,桑叶最佳产量为30709.5 kg/hm2。随着施肥量的增加,桑叶中粗蛋白、可溶性糖、氨基酸和脂肪含量也随之显著增加,在2水平时达到最大,分别为22.63%、18.62%、17.76%、9.19%;所以适量氮、磷、钾施肥量及其配比能显著提高桑叶的产量和品质。本文可为四川丘陵蚕区高产优质桑园建设提供科学依据和参考。     

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.