玉米拔节期冠层叶绿素含量多光谱图像检测

为了探索大田玉米冠层叶片叶绿素指标的快速检测方法。采用自主研发的2-CCD多光谱图像成像系统采集了大田玉米拔节期冠层图像,并同步获取了样本叶绿素含量指标SPAD值。对多光谱图像进行了平滑滤波,并基于HSI颜色空间实现了冠层图像的分割。提取了玉米冠层可见光(blue(B),green(G),red(R);400~700 nm)和近红外(near-infrared,NIR,760~1 000 nm)4个波段平均灰度值并计算了平均灰度值计算比值植被指数(RVI,ratio vegetation index)、归一化植被指数(NDVI,normalized difference vegetation index)、修改型二次土壤调节植被指数(MSAVI2,modified soil-adjusted vegetation index)等8种常见植被指数作为图像检测参数。分析了这12个检测参数与叶绿素指标之间的相关性,讨论了图像检测参数的多种组合,建立了叶绿素指标的多元线性回归分析(MLRA,multiple linear regression analysis)模型。研究结果表明:R、G、B波段的平均灰度值与叶绿素指标成较高负相关,相关系数分别为-0.73,-0.71和-0.71,植被指数中相关性较好的是NDVI、MSAVI2和RVI,相关系数分别为0.83、0.81和-0.81。基于这6个参数组合建立的叶绿素指标估算模型拟合度最好,其建模集决定系数为0.79,验证集决定系数为0.71,研究结果为无损检测玉米拔节期叶绿素含量提供了支持。     

玉米冠层叶片光谱反射率与玉米长势空间变异的关系

为了寻找一种快捷获取玉米叶绿素空间分布信息的方法,研究了玉米苗期冠层叶片光谱反射率的变化特征,分析了不同生长阶段冠层叶片光谱反射率的空间分布和叶绿素质量浓度的空间分布.研究结果表明:玉米苗期冠层叶片叶绿素的质量浓度空间分布不均匀.冠层叶片的叶绿素质量浓度与光谱指数RVI的相关性较低,与归一化差异植被指数NDV1值和550 nm波段的反射率均有较高的相关性.分析550nm波段的反射率值与冠层叶片叶绿素质量浓度值的相关关系,显示二者成负相关变化趋势,相关系数绝对值在0.69～0.88范围随着生长期的变化而逐渐增大,五叶期前期的相关性系数绝对值达到苗期最大值,表明550 nm波段反射率值能够较好的反映玉米苗期叶绿素质量浓度的水平,分析和掌握550 nm波段反射率值的变化及其空间分布特性对快速监测玉米苗期生长状况,对指导田间施肥具有重要意义.     

冬小麦苗期叶绿素含量检测光谱学参数寻优

光谱分析技术是作物生长检测的主要手段,为了解决大田漫反射采集所造成的光谱基线漂移和偏移问题,研究采集了冬小麦冠层325~1 075 nm范围反射光谱,采用多元散射校正方法对小麦原始光谱进行预处理。采取遗传算法对光谱特征参数寻优并结合相关分析结果,选取486、599、699和762 nm波长处反射率值并组合计算了RVI(ratio vegetation index),DVI(difference vegetation index),NDVI(normalized difference vegetation index)和SAVI(soil-adjusted vegetation index)共12个植被指数,分析了各植被指数与叶绿素含量值之间的相关关系,结果显示:DVI和SAVI可抑制苗期土壤背景干扰并对叶绿素含量响应较为敏感,与叶绿素含量相关性最优的参数分别为DVI(762,599)、SAVI(762,599)、DVI(762,699)和SAVI(762,699),与叶绿素含量的相关系数都达到0.6以上。基于相关性最优光谱植被指数DVI(762,699)和SAVI(762,599)利用最小二乘-支持向量回归建立冬小麦叶绿素含量预测模型,建模集决定系数为0.681,验证集决定系数为0.611。该模型可用于无损检测冬小麦苗期叶绿素含量,以期为后续施肥决策提供支持。     

基于成像光谱技术的寒地玉米苗期冠层氮含量预测模型

为了探索寒地玉米冠层氮素含量,以不同氮素水平下玉米大田试验为基础,利用高光谱成像技术探讨苗期玉米冠层光谱,通过相关矩阵法选择植被指数的变量,并依据叶片氮素含量与植被指数的相关性,建立玉米冠层氮素含量预测模型。结果表明:根据玉米冠层高光谱图像,选择与各波段相关性较强的525、566、700、715、895 nm作为植被指数的变量,构建与氮素含量相关性强的植被指数归一化植被指数NDVI(normalized difference vegetation index)、归一化光谱植被指数NDSI(normalized difference spectral index)、比值光谱指数RSI(ratio spectral index)、差值光谱指数DSI(difference spectral index)。以与叶片氮素含量相关性较高的植被指数为自变量,建立单变量、多变量回归预测模型。采用单变量NDVI二次函数回归模型作为0、50 kg/hm~2施氮量下玉米冠层氮素含量预测模型,其R~2分别为0.719、0.803。在100 kg/hm~2施氮量下玉米冠层氮素含量的预测模型为3变量回归模型,其R~2达到0.657。用置信椭圆F检验法检验预测模型,其F值均小于F0.05,估测值与实测值间R2分别是0.724、0.798、0.655,标准误差RMSE分别为0.156、0.140、0.156 mg/g,表明实测值和估测值间的差异不明显,预测模型可用。     

不同品种夏玉米光谱特征差异及其与农学参量相关性研究

研究测定了不同品种夏玉米在六个典型生育期地上部分全氮、叶绿素含量、干生物量、叶面积指数(LAI)以及冠层光谱反射率,利用不同方法比较了不同品种玉米光谱特征的差异,系统分析了单波段反射率、可见光和近红外波段组合而成的8种常见植被指数与相应时期不同农学参量的相关性。结果表明:不同品种夏玉整个生育期不同品种冠层在可见光范围内反射率差异一直没有达到显著水平,苗期和拔节期在近红外区域反射率也无显著差异,从孕穗期到乳熟期在近红外区域反射率差异增大,普遍呈显著性差异。采用F检验法可以准确地反映不同品种在不同波段反射率的差异。常见光谱植被指数从拔节期到孕穗期绝大部分都可以准确反映不同品种夏玉米的农学参量,以GRVI最佳,它不仅可以区分不同品种夏玉米在中后期的长势,又可以准确拟合这段时期作物的农学参量。     

基于夏玉米光谱特征的叶绿素和氮素水平及氮肥吸收利用研究

本文首先分析不同施 N 水平条件下夏玉米冠层在6个典型生育期的光谱特征曲线,然后计算了可见光和近红外波段光谱反射率组成的归一化植被指数(NDvI)及相应时期叶片叶绿素含量和地上部分全N含量2个重要指标以及孕穗期冠层NDVI和几个N肥吸收利用效率的相关性.结果表明,孕穗期冠层光谱反射率在近红外区域反射率最大,且其可见光和近红外区域反射率差异最大:从苗期到孕穗期,NDVI和叶绿素、全N含量的相关性逐渐增强,到抽雄期减弱,灌浆期又有所增强;整体来讲绿色归一化植被指数 GNDNI(560,760)在各生育期与不同农学参量的相关性比其他波段组合的指数好,其次为NDVI(660,760)波段组合.随着施N量的增加,N肥利用效率、收获指数和N肥收获指数、N素农艺效率以及N肥回收效率均逐渐降低,对各N肥吸收利用指数的预测以NDVI(660,760)、NDVI(660,1100)和GNDVI(560,760)较理想.     

水稻成熟过程中高光谱与叶绿素、类胡萝卜素的变化规律研究

通过大田和室内试验，测定了2个品种、3个供氮水平处理的水稻冠层、主茎剑叶、完全展开倒三叶和穗在成熟过程中的不同时期的高光谱反射率及对应叶片和穗的叶绿素、类胡萝卜素含量。结果表明：不同供氮水平的水稻冠层和叶片光谱差异明显，其叶片的叶绿素、类胡萝卜素含量随供氮水平的提高而增大；冠层光谱反射率随发育期推移在可见光范围内逐渐增大，在近红外区域逐渐降低；穗光谱的红边位置象冠层、叶片光谱一样也存在“蓝移”现象；叶片叶绿素、类胡萝卜素含量和高光谱植被指数VI1(R₉₉₀/R_{553相似文献}   

不同生育期冬小麦光谱特征对叶绿素和氮素的响应研究

研究测定了不同施氮水平条件下冬小麦冠层在七个典型生育期叶片叶绿素、地上部分全氮含量以及冠层光谱,分析了单波段反射率、可见光和近红外波段组合而成的归一化植被指数(NDVI)、比值植被指数(RVI)与相应时期叶片叶绿素和地上部分全氮含量的相关性。结果表明,施氮量增加,两个农学参量、冠层近红外波段反射率都随之增加,但当施氮量增加到300kg hm-(2一次性施入)时,上述各项指标均降低;整个生长期中孕穗期在近红外区域反射率最高,与可见光波段反射率相差最大;除分蘖期外,其它时期单波段510nm～1100nm反射率、NDVI、RVI与叶绿素和全氮含量显著相关,植被指数的相关性较单波段高,且从分蘖期到乳熟期,相关性逐渐增强;整体来讲,可见光中560nm、660nm和近红外760nm、1100nm和1200nm组合的NDVI在各生育期与两个农学指标的相关性较好,选择NDVI(560,760)可以准确拟合叶片叶绿素和地上部分全氮含量。     

多光谱低空遥感图像光照辐射度校正

为了提高受云层阴影影响的遥感图像的信息提取准确度,该文以水稻小区试验过程中为进行氮素水平检测而采集的低空机载高分辨率多光谱遥感图像为对象,对受云层阴影影响的高光谱图像进行光谱校正,从而提高氮素水平检测的精度。试验中采用机载的双摄像机同步采集可见光和近红外的水稻遥感图像,并将两摄像机的图像进行几何校正后合成得到彩红外(color infrared,CIR)光谱图像;同时在图像采集区域布置3块不同反射率的1.2 m×1.2 m标定靶,利用便携式光谱仪测定标定靶的反射光谱曲线,并统计标定靶在图像中各通道的亮度均值。以标定靶在晴天无云和有云图像中的亮度值为节点,对G、R和近红外(near infrared,NIR)通道分别建立分段的线性变换模型进行校正。为验证校正精度,在遥感图像中分别选择大田水稻、小区试验田块和裸地3个不同区域的图像的G、R和NIR通道像素亮度均值及归一化植被指数(normalized differential vegetation index,NDVI)作为评价指标。试验结果表明,和传统的整体线性变换相比,采用分段线性变换校正具有较高精度,G、R和NIR通道校正后的平均误差为8.6%,9.1%和11.7%,NDVI平均误差为11.5%,有效提高了阴影条件下的遥感图像的信息提取精度,提高了受云层影响遥感图像的利用率。研究为低空遥感的图像校正提供了参考。     

苗期低温胁迫对“红颜”草莓叶绿素含量及冠层高光谱的影响

2020年9月−2021年1月以“红颜”（Fragaria×ananassa Duch “Benihope”）草莓为试材，在南京信息工程大学开展低温环境控制试验。设置21℃（日最高气温）/11℃（日最低气温）、18℃/8℃、15℃/5℃和12℃/2℃共4个低温处理，持续时间设置3d、6d、9d、12d共4个水平，以25℃/15℃为对照（CK）。测定草莓叶片叶绿素含量以及冠层高光谱反射率，研究低温胁迫对草莓叶绿素含量及冠层反射光谱的影响，筛选出叶绿素含量估算模型的敏感波段与特征参数。结果表明：（1）同一低温条件下，草莓叶片叶绿素a、叶绿素b和总叶绿素(a+b)等参数随着胁迫天数的延长而减少；同一胁迫天数下，温度越低其含量越低，即低温胁迫程度越大叶绿素含量下降幅度也越大。（2）不同温度同一胁迫天数处理草莓苗期冠层光谱反射率变化规律大致相同。在可见光区域草莓冠层反射光谱曲线均存在绿峰和红谷，在近红外反射平台随着温度降低，光谱反射率数值逐渐增大，即反射平台逐渐增高。（3）草莓冠层一阶微分光谱曲线变化较剧烈，有明显波峰和波谷，在红边范围内偶有双峰现象。随着低温胁迫程度的加深，一阶微分光谱最高峰的值越高，草莓冠层光谱的近红外反射率升高，红边位置蓝移，之后该峰值逐渐降低，红边位置红移。（4）草莓叶绿素(a+b)含量与冠层原始光谱反射率的相关系数均呈负相关，与原始光谱的近红外波段反射率的相关性明显高于可见光波段。叶绿素(a+b)含量与原始光谱反射率相关性较好，均达到显著水平，其中737nm波段相关系数达到最大，因此可以用其作为敏感波段对叶绿素含量进行预测。叶绿素(a+b)含量与植被指数中的DVI、MSAVI、PVI、RDVI、SAVI和TSAVI的相关性达极显著水平，可以选其作为特征参数对叶绿素含量进行预测。     

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.