退化红壤植被恢复团聚体及化学计量特征

为了探究不同植被恢复模式对土壤碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)分配格局及其生态化学计量特征的影响,为红壤侵蚀区的植被恢复措施及生态治理模式优化提供科学依据,以江西省泰和县红壤严重退化地为研究对象,对研究区马尾松纯林、湿地松纯林、木荷纯林、马尾松木荷混交林(马木混交林)以及湿地松木荷混交林(湿木混交林)5种植被恢复模式0—20,20—40cm土层不同粒径水稳性团聚体C、N、P分配格局及其化学计量特征进行了研究。结果表明:(1)0—40cm不同粒径团聚体分别占总重56.34%(>2mm),30.01%(0.25~2mm),7.14%(0.053~0.25mm),6.54%(<0.053mm),各植被恢复模式土壤水稳性团聚体含量随着粒径的减小而降低,且差异显著(p<0.05),马木混交林>2mm土壤水稳性团聚体含量显著高于其他恢复模式(p<0.05);(2)各植被恢复模式土壤C、N、P含量以马木混交林及湿地松纯林较高,水稳性团聚体C、N、P的含量总体随着粒径减小呈升高的趋势,以较小粒级养分含量较高,且存在显著差异(p<0.05);土层间C、N含量差异显著,P无显著差异,C∶N、C∶P及N∶P存在显著差异(p<0.05);粒径间C∶N、C∶P及N∶P存在显著差异;土壤团聚体C、N与C∶N、C∶P、N∶P均呈极显著相关关系,N∶P值较高且P与N∶P存在显著负相关性(p<0.05);(3)土壤C、N与土壤团聚体C、N含量显著相关(p<0.05),土壤团聚体C、N与土壤容重及含水率存在极显著相关性(p<0.01)。研究结果表明,不同植被恢复模式对土壤养分的改善作用主要集中于表层土壤;土壤团聚体养分对土壤养分状况具有指示作用,且土壤团聚体养分保持能力与土壤物理性质有关;研究区植被生长限制因素以P限制为主且大团聚体和微团聚体受P限制作用更严重;马木混交林较其它植被恢复模式对土壤质量和结构提升均具有显著作用。     

黄土丘陵区沙棘混交林叶片、凋落物、土壤碳氮磷化学计量特征

以黄土丘陵区沙棘(Hippophae rhamnoides)+油松(Pinus tabuliformis)、沙棘(H.rhamnoides)+刺槐(Robinia pseudoacacia)混交林(H_rP_t、H_rR_p)及油松(P_t)和刺槐(R_p)纯林为对象,测定叶片、凋落物和0—100 cm土壤C、N、P含量及其化学计量比,探究混交造林对不同组分间养分协同变化规律的影响。结果表明:(1)相比P_t,H_rP_t中油松叶片C、N、P含量(p0.05)及N∶P(p0.05)增加,C∶N和C∶P降低(p0.05),表明H_rP_t有助于缓解N限制,加快其生长速率;相比R_p,H_rR_p中刺槐叶片C、N含量及C∶P和N∶P降低,P含量及C∶N增加(p0.05),表明H_rR_p增强刺槐对P的吸收,但降低其对C和N的固存;(2)相比P_t,H_rP_t凋落物C、N、P含量及N∶P增加,C∶N和C∶P降低(p0.05),表明H_rP_t有助于加快凋落物分解,促进养分归还;相比R_p,H_rR_p凋落物C、N、P含量及其计量比均有所增加(p0.05),表明H_rR_p对凋落物分解无显著作用;(3)相比P_t和R_p,H_rP_t和H_rR_p土壤C、N、P含量增加,但C∶N和C∶P降低(p0.05),表明H_rP_t和H_rR_p均有助于提高N和P利用效率,改善土壤养分状况;(4)叶片、凋落物化学计量指标间具有较强协同效应,且N、P相比C在不同组分间的相关性更明显。综上,相比H_rR_p,H_rP_t更有助于改善养分限制因子供给,加快组分间养分转化。研究结果对于揭示黄土高原地区人工混交林生态系统养分供应潜力及合理制定营林规划具有重要意义。     

黄土丘陵沟壑区刺槐混交林生态化学计量特征与碳储量

为了探讨混交林与纯林养分状况和固碳能力的差异,以黄土丘陵沟壑区刺槐(Robinia pseudoacacia)纯林、油松(Pinus tabuliformis)纯林以及刺槐+油松(Robinia pseudoacacia+Pinus tabuliformis)混交林、刺槐+山杨(Robinia pseudoacacia+Populus davidiana)混交林为对象,通过野外调查和室内分析相结合的方式,研究混交林与纯林生态系统的生态化学计量特征与碳储量。结果表明:(1)刺槐+油松混交林显著增加刺槐枝和根的C含量和叶、干的P含量及枝的C:P与N:P,并显著增加油松叶、枝和根的N含量和枝、干、根的N:P,但显著降低油松各器官的C:N,而刺槐+山杨混交林仅显著增加刺槐枝的P含量。(2)刺槐+油松混交林的土壤C含量显著高于刺槐纯林,土壤P含量显著低于油松纯林;刺槐+山杨混交林与刺槐纯林土壤P含量差异不显著。(3)总体纯林中乔木叶片与凋落物的C含量显著相关,C:N、C:P在乔叶-凋落物-土壤中均显著相关;但在总体混交林中仅有凋落物与土壤中的P含量与C:P显著相关。(4)刺槐+山杨混交林乔木层碳储量显著高于刺槐纯林,刺槐+油松混交林林下植被层与土壤层碳储量显著高于刺槐纯林。研究结果为深入了解黄土高原养分循环机制奠定基础,同时也为黄土高原人工林的经营管理提供理论依据。     

北京山区典型植被枯落物和土壤层水文功能

[目的]研究枯落物和土壤层水文功能,从而明晰北京山区不同植被的水源涵养能力,可为当地植被建设提供借鉴。[方法]使用室内浸泡法、环刀法、定水头法等对北京山区不同植被的枯落物与土壤层水文功能进行了定量分析,并通过相关性分析明确了有机碳与土壤层水文功能之间的关系。[结果](1)枯落物最大持水率、最大拦蓄率、有效拦蓄率为侧柏(Platycladus orientalis)×灌木混交林>五角枫(Acer elegantulum)纯林>五角枫×侧柏混交林>侧柏纯林。最大持水量、最大拦蓄量、有效拦蓄量均为五角枫纯林>侧柏×灌木混交林>五角枫×侧柏混交林>侧柏纯林,且均为半分解层大于未分解层。(2)土壤饱和持水量和毛管持水量排序为侧柏纯林>五角枫纯林>侧柏×灌木混交林>五角枫×侧柏混交林。土壤非毛管持水量大小排序为五角枫×侧柏混交林>五角枫纯林>侧柏×灌木混交林>侧柏纯林。土壤饱和导水率沿剖面向下逐渐减小,平均饱和导水率最大的植被类型为侧柏×灌木混交林。(3)土壤有机碳含量表现为沿剖面向下逐渐减小,且土壤有机碳含量与容重、总孔隙度...     

北京八达岭地区4种人工林土壤团聚体稳定性及有机碳特征

通过对北京八达岭地区4种典型人工林(油松、元宝枫、华山松纯林和以侧柏、刺槐为主的混交林)的调查采样和室内分析,研究林分类型对土壤团聚体稳定性及有机碳分布特征的影响。在4种典型人工林内分别设置3个20m×20m样地,在每个样地中按照"S"形设置3个采样点,按0—10cm,10—20cm,20—30cm分层采集土壤样品,并进行土壤理化性质的测定与分析。结果表明:(1)4种林分土壤的大团聚体占各粒级的主体,含量为65%~82%,表现为华山松林侧柏×刺槐混交林油松林元宝枫林,林分间土壤团聚体含量在0—10cm土层差异显著(P0.05)。(2)土壤团聚体稳定性随着土层的加深而逐渐降低,表层(0—10cm)土壤团聚体平均质量直径MWD在不同林分间差异显著(P0.05),在10—20cm,20—30cm的土层无显著差异。(3)4种林分土壤的有机碳含量表现为元宝枫林华山松林油松林侧柏×刺槐混交林,土壤有机碳含量在10—20cm差异显著(P0.05),土壤有机碳可解释39%土壤大团聚体含量的变化。比较而言,元宝枫林土壤团聚体稳定性较高,利于该地区土壤有机碳的累积。     

黄河三角洲盐碱地道路防护林对土壤的改良效应

为探讨黄河三角洲盐碱地不同道路防护林对土壤的改良效应,选取白蜡(Fraxinus chinensis)+毛白杨(Populus tomentosa Carr)混交林、旱柳(Salix matsudana Koidz)林、柽柳(Tamarix chinensis Lour)林、白蜡(Fraxinus chinensis)林4种盐碱地道路防护林类型,并以裸地为对照,对其土壤容重和孔隙度、pH值和含盐量、土壤养分及C、N、S含量特征进行对比研究.结果表明:①与裸地相比,不同道路防护林具有降低土壤容重,增加土壤孔隙度的显著效应,并且表现出一定的压碱抑盐效应.随着林分类型的不同表现出一定的差异,其中混交林地土壤通气、透水性及压碱抑盐效果好于柽柳灌木纯林的,而旱柳林和白蜡林地的则较差.②不同道路防护林土壤有机质含量及速效性养分含量均有提高,其中土壤有机质含量依次为混交林>柽柳林>白蜡林>旱柳林,分别比裸地的增加49.5%,38.8%,18.9%,5.7%.③不同道路防护林下的C、N、S元素含量差别较大,元素含量表现为:C>S>N.N含量表现为混交林>柽柳林>白蜡林>旱柳林,分别是裸地的2.8,2.2,1.5,1.1倍.C、S含量均表现为混交林>柽柳林>裸地>白蜡林>旱柳林,并且混交林、柽柳林、白蜡林的碳氮比均小于25:1.     

不同类型红松林土壤基础肥力特征分析

通过实地调查与对比试验,对红松人工纯林、人工混交林和天然林3种林分不同土层的土壤养分状况进行了分析和研究。结果表明,不同林分的土壤养分含量差异较大,随着土层深度的增加,3种林分的土壤养分含量均出现逐渐下降的趋势。土壤有机质含量、全量养分含量和速效养分含量均在0—15cm土层中达到最高值。其中红松天然林最高,依次为红松人工混交林和红松人工纯林。3种林分中钾素含量比较丰富,全磷含量维持在较低水平,土壤pH值下降缓慢。红松人工纯林土壤有酸化趋势,pH值在5.08～5.37。因此,红松人工纯林应及时进行更新,以防止土壤环境的恶化。     

湘西南石漠化地区不同植被恢复模式的土壤有机碳研究

以湘西南石漠化地区侧柏纯林、侧柏+枫香混交林、湿地松+枫香混交林、栾树纯林和封山育林5种植被恢复模式下的土壤为研究对象,通过野外土壤剖面调查和土壤样品化学分析,研究石漠化地区植被恢复过程中不同层次、不同坡位、不同林龄的土壤有机碳特征。结果表明:(1)5种林分土壤有机碳含量为栾树纯林>封山育林>侧柏纯林>侧柏+枫香混交林>湿地松+枫香混交林,并随土壤深度增加而递减,各林分变化幅度不同,且各土层之间差异显著。(2)随林龄的增加,土壤有机碳含量增加且主要集中在土壤表层。(3)同一林分下,不同坡位有机碳含量变化为下坡>中坡>上坡。(4)土壤有机碳密度在5种林分中差异显著,并随土壤深度增加而减少;在整个土壤剖面上,有机碳密度为54.22～96.52t/hm2,其中0-15cm有机碳密度的贡献率达55.95%。     

三峡库区坡耕地典型香榧套种模式土壤碳氮磷及其生态化学计量特征

为阐明三峡库区坡耕地典型香榧套种模式对土壤碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)含量及其生态化学计量特征的影响,在重庆市云阳县宝坪镇香榧种植基地内,选取香榧纯林(TG)、香榧-黄精(TGP)、香榧-大豆(TGG)3种套种模式为研究对象,分析不同模式及土层深度下土壤C、N、P含量及其生态化学计量特征。结果表明：不同模式的土壤C含量无显著差异,N、P含量均表现为TGG(0.80,0.53 g/kg)>TGP(0.71,0.40 g/kg)>TG(0.56,0.39 g/kg),且与TG相比,TGG的N、P含量分别显著提高42.9%,35.9%。土壤C、N主要富集在0—10 cm土层,而P主要集中在10—20 cm土层。3种模式的土壤C∶N、C∶P、N∶P分别为8.39～10.73,31.63～45.22,3.25～5.61,均低于全国平均值(14.4,136.0,9.3)。N∶P<10,表明N为研究区限制性养分。相关性分析结果表明,土壤pH、容重和总孔隙度也是影响土壤C、N、P含量及其生态化学计量的重要指标。香榧套种模式有利于土壤养分的积累,TGG的C、N、P含量高于TGP和TG,...     

山东省石灰岩山地不同混交林改良土壤及减蚀效益评价

[目的]选择具有良好防护功能的混交林林分类型,为山东省石灰岩山地森林优化升级提供理论依据。[方法]选取山东省典型石灰岩山地5a生8种不同树种混交林林分,以侧柏纯林为对照,采用野外调查和室内测定相结合的方法,从混交林林分的生长状况、改良土壤理化性状效益、林地土壤水文效益、土壤减蚀效益3个方面的13个指标(郁闭度、冠幅、树高、土壤容重、总孔隙度、速效氮、速效磷、速效钾、土壤饱和贮水量、稳渗速率、渗透时间、减蚀量、枯落物层厚度)研究其改良土壤与减蚀效益,通过层次分析法(AHP)对不同树种混交林林分进行综合评定。[结果]改良土壤与减蚀效益最好的是苦楝侧柏混交林,其次是刺槐侧柏混交林和黄栌侧柏混交林。[结论]混交林改良土壤与减蚀效益优于纯林,其中苦楝侧柏混交林、刺槐侧柏混交林和黄栌侧柏混交林改良土壤与减蚀效益最佳,适宜石灰岩山地。     

Polymorphism of high molecular weight glutenin subunits in three species of Aegilops

A collection of 136 accessions of Aegilops umbellulata (39), Ae. comosa (75) and Ae. markgrafii (22) was analysed for high-molecular-weight (HMW) glutenin subunits composition. The homogeneity of the accessions was studied and 55.1% of the collection was homogeneous for HMW glutenin subunits (29 Ae. umbellulata, 33 Ae. comosa and 14 Ae. markgrafii). The HMW glutenin subunits of Ae. umbellulata are encoded by the Glu-U1 locus; in Ae. comosa results showed that this proteins are encoded at the 1M chromosome, and the locus was named Glu-M1. In Ae. markgrafii it was assumed that HMW glutenin subunits were encoded by an homoeologous locus and it was named Glu-C1. All the accessions of Ae. umbellulata and Ae. markgrafii expressed both, x-type and y-type subunits. Among the Ae. comosa accessions, only one expressed an x-type subunit alone. All the accessions of Ae. umbellulata and some of Ae. comosa had x-type glutenins of higher molecular weights than those commonly present in bread wheat. A total of 8 alleles were detected at the Glu-U1 locus, 11 at the Glu-M1 and 4 at the Glu-C1. The new HMW glutenin variation found in this work suggests their possible utilisation in breeding for wheat quality.     

Powdery Mildew Resistance in a Collection of Chinese Barley Varieties

One hundred and forty-seven Chinese barley varieties maintained at the Gene Bank of the National Barley Improvement Centre, Zhejiang, and 84 progenies from these varieties were tested at the seedling stage for their reaction to 32 selected pathotypes of Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei. Eighteen resistance spectra were identified comprising single or combined resistances from eight known (Ml(Bw), Ml(Ch), Mla7, Mla8, Mla9, Mla13, MlaRu4 and Mlg) and six unknown resistance genes. The most frequent gene was Ml(Bw), which was found in 69 varieties and previously detected in only a few European winter barley varieties. The genes Mla8 and Ml(Ch) were also often present, but other resistance genes were rare. After inoculation, considerably fewer pathogen colonies were observed in ‘Aiganqi’ and one line of ‘Tong5’. Twenty varieties were composed of lines with different resistance genes. China is likely to be a region of origin of the genes Ml(Bw), Mla7, as well as three unknown genes found in original landraces and perhaps another three unknown genes detected in cultivars bred in China. The resistances of varieties from the Zhejiang province and those originating from 11 other Chinese provinces were quite different. Unfortunately, none of the varieties are promising sources of resistance to powdery mildew and China does not seem to be a region suitable for identifying such sources.     

Changes in trace element speciation in kola north surface waters during snow melt

The powerful mass-flow of melt water during the brief period of spring thaw provides a surge of pollutants and causes extremely toxic short term conditions. Together with the increase in total metal concentrations during this period, a redistribution in metal speciation occurs that increases the proportion of more toxic forms. Concentrations of ion-exchangeable fractions of nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), aluminium (Al), and manganese (Mn) show strong negative correlations with pH. The sum of complex metal species shows a strong positive correlation with total organic carbon (TOC). A data analysis model based on relationships observed between key parameters and metal behaviour together with gidrological data allowed an assessmrnt of the metal impact on waterbodies from accumulated airborne pollution (Ni, Cu) as well as from accelerated leaching from watersheds (Al, Mn).     

Collection and preliminary evaluation of native turfgrass accessions in Italy

Despite a raising interest on turfs in Italy, all theavailable varieties of this kind in the Country are of foreign origin, and areoften poorly adapted to the prevailing climatic conditions. This prompted tobegin a collection activity of indigenous turfgrass species, with the ultimategoal of identifying promising materials for future breeding based on localgenetic resources. The collection was carried out in three areas of Italy, viz.the northern Po Plain, the coastal region of Liguria, and the island of Sardiniathat are characterised, respectively, by subcontinental, warm temperate, andtypical Mediterranean climate. Altogether, 141 sites were visited, yielding 226accessions belonging to eight species of potential interest for turfs:Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis,Festuca rubra, Festuca arundinacea,Lolium perenne, Agrostis stolonifera,Agrostis tenuis, and Cynodon dactylon,this last being a warm-season grass. Poa pratensis andCynodon dactylon were mostly collected in northern Italyand Sardinia, respectively, whereas Festuca arundinacea andLolium perenne were rather ubiquitous. The collection sitesranged from 0 to 1040 m asl, but sites over 750 m wereonly visited in the inner part of Sardinia. All the accessions, collected aswhole plants, were transplanted at Lodi, northern Italy, where they are beingevaluated. Their preliminary evaluation for traits of importance for turf use,such as sward colour and overall quality, highlighted the great variation andthe occurrence of interesting accessions in all species. Other characters wererecorded, bearing specific importance in individual species, and in all casespromising accessions were identified. The germplasm of Festucarubra, Festuca arundinacea, and Loliumperenne proved highly infected by endophytic (symbiotic) fungi of thegenus Neotyphodium.     

Genetic diversity of rhizobia associated with indigenous legumes in different regions of Flanders (Belgium)

We investigated the diversity of rhizobia isolated from different indigenous legumes in Flanders (Belgium). A total of 3810 bacterial strains were analysed originating from 43 plant species. Based on rep-PCR clustering, 16S rRNA gene and recA gene sequence analysis, these isolates belonged to Bradyrhizobium, Ensifer (Sinorhizobium), Mesorhizobium and Rhizobium. Of the genera encountered, Rhizobium was the most abundant (62%) and especially the species Rhizobiumleguminosarum, followed by Ensifer (19%), Bradyrhizobium (14%) and finally Mesorhizobium (5%). For two rep-clusters only low similarity values with other genera were found for both the 16S rRNA and recA genes, suggesting that these may represent a new genus with close relationship to Rhodopseudomonas and Bradyrhizobium. Primers for the symbiotic genes nodC and nifH were optimized and a phylogenetic sequence analysis revealed the presence of different symbiovars including genistearum, glycinearum, loti, meliloti, officinalis, trifolii and viciae. Moreover, three new nodC types were assigned to strains originating from Ononis, Robinia and Wisteria, respectively. Discriminant and MANOVA analysis confirmed the correlation of symbiosis genes with certain bacterial genera and less with the host plant. Multiple symbiovars can be present within the same host plant, suggesting the promiscuity of these plants. Moreover, the ecoregion did not contribute to the separation of the bacterial endosymbionts. Our results reveal a large diversity of rhizobia associated with indigenous legumes in Flanders. Most of the legumes harboured more than one rhizobial endosymbiont in their root nodules indicating the importance of including sufficient isolates per plant in diversity studies.     

Sources of powdery mildew resistance in a wild barley collection

A total of 1,383 accessions of wild barley (Hordeum vulgare ssp. spontaneum) held in the USDA-National Small Grains Collection, Aberdeen were screened for resistance to powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei) in the Czech Republic. They were subsequently tested at the seedling stage for reaction to selected powdery mildew pathotypes and simultaneously for their adult plant resistance in the field. One hundred and twenty-three accessions exhibited resistance to 22 pathotypes in the greenhouse tests (reaction type 2–3 or lower) as well as resistance to the natural population of this pathogen in the field in the Czech Republic during at least 2-year testing. These accessions represent large amount of promising sources in breeding barley for resistance to powdery mildew.     

Agricultural potential of Mediterranean grain and forage legumes: Key differences between and within Vicia species in terms of phenology, yield, and agronomy give insight into plant adaptation to semi-arid environments

In order to identify key adaptive traits which affect productivity in Mediterranean grain and forage legumes and simultaneously determine the agricultural potential of a wide range of Vicia species, germplasm collected from the wild throughout the eastern Mediterranean was grown under semi-arid conditions in Tel Hadya, Syria (313 mm growing season rainfall). These included species currently in use in Mediterranean agriculture, such as V. sativa L., as well as those more widely used in the past-such as V. ervilia L., but also a broad selection from Section Narbonensis (B. Fedtsch. ex Radzhi) Maxted, including V. narbonensis L, V. johannis Tamamsch., V. hyaeniscyamus Mout., V. serratifolia Jacq., and V. kalakhensis Khattab et al. V. faba, a near relative of the taxa in Section Narbonensis, was included as a domesticated control. Where applicable, a representative range of subspecies was used. Accessions were chosen from a wide range of habitats in terms of latitude (31.02–40.72 decimal^o), longitude (27.1–43.17 decimal^o), altitude (20–1510 m), rainfall (180–1700 mm/yr) and soil depth (5–50 cm) in order to maximise diversity within species. Agricultural potential was determined by measuring seed, hay and biological yield, as well as agronomic traits such as harvest index, standing crop height, and seed size. The comparative influence of phenology and key agronomic traits such as plant habit and seed size on productivity varied tremendously between species, depending on their reproductive strategies. In V. sativa and V. ervilia, the smaller seed species which rely on long vegetative phases and growing seasons to accumulate sufficient biomass to set seed, and in which there was comparatively little agronomic variation, phenology had a large impact on yield. In early emerging taxa such as V. ervilia and V. s. subsp. sativa, with built-in long vegetative phases and growing seasons, seed yield was negatively correlated with flower ing (r = –0.86 to –0.88), whereas the opposite was the case for later emerging taxa such as V. s. subsp. nigra (L.) Ehrh. (r = 0.95). Within V. narbonensis and relatives, the larger seeded Vicia species which rely on more conservative reproductive strategies where high seedling vigour associated with large seeds enables the species to enter reproductive phases relatively early, phenology had a much smaller impact on yield than did variation of key traits such as seed weight, plant habit and pod shattering. Among the undomesticated germplasm harvest indices ranged from 0.09–0.31, hay yields from 0.1–3.4 t/ha, seed yield from 0–2.0 t/ha, and dry matter at maturity from 1.6–6.5 t/ha. Sub-specific taxonomy was crucial in determining agronomic potential. V. narbonensis var. aegyptiaca Kornhuber ex Asch. et Schweinf. showed the most potential, combining an upright habit, large seeds (212 mg) and tendency to retain intact pods after maturity, with the highest yield, harvest index and crop height of all the wild Vicia species. V. sativa subsp. sativa, V. ervilia and V. narbonensis var. narbonensis were less productive, but still showed agricultural potential. The smaller seeded V. narbonensis, var. affinis, var. jordanica H. Schäf. and var. salmonea (Mout.) H. Schäf., and their close relatives V. johannis, V. hyaeniscyamus, V. serratifolia and V. kalakhensis have little to offer Mediterranean agriculture on the basis of poor agronomy.     

Changes in rhizosphere microbial activity mediated by native or allochthonous AM fungi in the reafforestation of a Mediterranean degraded environment

This study was carried out in a semiarid degraded area to assess the effectiveness of mycorrhizal inoculation with a mixture of native arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi or an allochthonous AM fungus (Glomus claroideum), on the establishment of Olea europaea subsp. sylvestris L. and Retama sphaerocarpa (L.) Boissier in this area. Associated changes in the soil microbiological properties and aggregate stability related to these AM inocula were also recorded. Eighteen months after planting, G. claroideum had increased available P in the rhizosphere of both shrub species. In general, both inoculation treatments increased water-soluble C and water-soluble and total carbohydrates, G. claroideum being the most effective inoculum, particularly in R. sphaerocarpa. The mixture of native AM fungi was the most effective treatment for increasing the aggregate stability of R. sphaerocarpa soil, while that of O. europaea was increased only by G. claroideum. Increased (dehydrogenase, urease, protease-BAA, acid phosphatase and -glucosidase) enzyme activities, in particular of dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase, were recorded in the rhizosphere of both mycorrhizal shrub species. The mixture of native AM fungi was the most effective treatment for stimulating the growth of O. europaea and R. sphaerocarpa (11.6-fold and 3.3-fold, respectively, greater than control plants). The establishment of mycorrhizal shrub species favoured the reactivation of soil microbial activity, which was linked to an increase in aggregate stability.