原位合成纳米金/石墨烯修饰玻碳电极检测水和土壤中痕量铅

为提高痕量铅的检测精度,提出了一种简单、可控的一步还原法在裸玻碳电极表面原位合成纳米金/石墨烯材料的方法,并通过循环伏安法(cyclic voltammetry,CV)对修饰电极进行电化学表征。利用修饰后的电极对醋酸-醋酸钠缓冲溶液中的铅离子(Pb(Ⅱ))标准样品进行检测,并对检测条件进行了优化。优化条件下的试验结果表明,在pH值为4.5的醋酸-醋酸钠缓冲溶液中,Pb(Ⅱ)的溶出峰为-0.08 V,在1～90μg/L范围内Pb(Ⅱ)的溶出峰电流与Pb(Ⅱ)浓度之间呈现良好的线性关系(R~2=0.985),最小检测下限为0.27μg/L。在优化后的条件下采用该电极测定了实际水样与土壤中的Pb(Ⅱ)含量,加标回收率区间分别为93.75%～109.20%和93.82%～109.9%,相对标准偏差均小于7%,可以用于对实际水样与土壤样本的检测。     

碳纳米颗粒修饰丝网印刷电极测定百合镉含量

该文利用烛灰,设计开发一种基于碳纳米颗粒修饰的丝网印刷电极,并对该电极的性能进行了评估。扫描电子显微镜显示修饰后的工作电极表面碳纳米颗粒分布均匀,直径约几十纳米。电极表征时,修饰电极氧化峰高13.76 m A,还原峰高11.85 m A,峰电位差为267 m V。在使用方波阳极溶出法检测含75μg/L Cd2+缓冲液时,修饰电极峰高为3.123μA。使用修饰电极检测不同Cd2+浓度缓冲液时,将峰高与Cd2+浓度进行数量关系拟合,获得拟合方程,R2=0.998。该修饰电极Cd2+浓度检测限可达到0.91μg/L。将其用于百合样本检测,加标回收率为99.2%~100.8%。该文修饰碳纳米颗粒丝网印刷电极可为其他检测对象或其他检测环境下的检测提供参考。     

重金属在矿区土壤——蔬菜系统的吸收与迁移特性研究

重金属污染土壤的农产品安全倍受大家的关注。研究选择某铅锌矿区周边的蔬菜地,采集叶菜类蔬菜及土壤样品,研究Cd、Pb、Cu、Zn在土壤中的赋存形态及其在土壤-蔬菜系统中的迁移特性。结果表明,污染土壤中Cd、Pb、Zn超标,分别为国家标准限值的1.44～6.44倍、2.97～3.88倍和1.30～2.30倍。BCR连续提取结果显示,Cd、Pb以可还原态为主,Cu、Zn以可还原态和残渣态为主,可还原态Cd、Pb、Cu、Zn分别占总量的70.6%、79.0%、34.4%和38.1%;残渣态Cu、Zn分别占总量的34.6%和30.2%。酸可提取态Zn、Cd分别达13.2%和6.3%。供试蔬菜茎叶中Pb含量超标,为国家标准限值的1.50～5.83倍。蔬菜茎叶中Cd、Pb含量与其土壤中可还原态含量显著正相关,Cd含量与土壤酸可提取态Cd含量显著正相关。蔬菜Cd的富集系数(BCF)相对较高(0.61～3.34),其中水芹和香芹Cd、Pb、Zn的BCF值显著高于其他蔬菜。蔬菜中Zn的迁移系数(TF)较高(0.54～2.07)。叶用芥菜中Cd、Pb、Zn的TF值较高,分别为1.02、2.25、1.62。因此,在污染土壤蔬菜风险评价中需要考虑不同蔬菜品种对重金属吸的吸收迁移特性的差异。     

激光诱导击穿光谱技术检测土壤中的铅和镉含量

为了满足土壤重金属快速准确检测的需求,同时为土壤的重金属污染防治和农业的可持续发展提供理论指导,该研究利用激光诱导击穿光谱(laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy,LIBS)技术结合定标曲线法和化学计量学方法对土壤中重金属铅(Pb)和镉(Cd)元素进行定量分析。在获取LIBS数据之后,结合土壤LIBS发射谱线中Pb和Cd谱峰信息以及美国国家标准与技术研究院(national institute of standards and technology,NIST)的标准原子光谱数据库,选取了Pb和Cd的特征谱线分别为Pb I 405.78和Cd I 361.05 nm。首先对谱线信息进行预处理后,根据谱峰信息和元素的含量,分别建立了基于谱线峰强度、归一化后洛伦兹拟合强度、谱峰积分强度与对应元素浓度之间的关系模型和定标曲线。对于Pb元素的3种定标方法得到的线性关系的决定系数(R2)分别为0.983 85、0.970 97、0.993 21,且模型反演的结果与实际值的相对误差较小;而Cd元素的3种定标方法没有得到明显线性关系。然后运用偏最小二乘回归(partial least-squares regression,PLSR)建立了土壤Pb和Cd元素的定量分析模型,Pb元素PLSR模型的结果与定标曲线法的结果类似,其预测的相关系数(RP)为0.948 5,预测均方根误差(RMSEP)为2.044 mg/g;而Cd元素的PLSR模型的结果比起定标曲线法有较大提升,其预测的相关系数(RP)为0.994 9,预测均方根误差(RMSEP)为97.05μg/g,结果说明PLSR方法在光谱化学分析领域中比定标曲线法进行定量分析有更好的适用性。研究表明,LIBS技术能够实现对土壤重金属Pb和Cd含量的定量检测,为开发实时便携式LIBS土壤重金属检测仪提供了理论基础。     

不同粒径磷矿粉钝化土壤重金属Cd、Pb的机制研究

采用盆栽试验,研究磷矿粉不同粒径(0.1、1.5、150μm)的3种不同用量(1、2、4 g·kg-1土)钝化土壤重金属Cd和Pb的效应及机制。结果表明,磷矿粉的粒径越小、用量越大,上海青产量越高,叶面积越大,植物体内Cd、Pb的含量越低,土壤中交换态Cd、Pb的含量越低,残渣态Cd、Pb的含量越高。与对照相比,0.1μm磷矿粉高用量(4 g·kg-1土)的处理上海青的产量和叶面积分别显著增加87.3%和147.9%,叶中Cd和Pb含量分别显著降低46.9%和61.9%,根中Cd和Pb含量分别显著降低47.9%和35.3%,土壤交换态Cd和Pb含量分别降低44.8%和44.9%。150μm磷矿粉低用量(1 g·kg-1土)处理叶面积、植物体内Cd、Pb含量与对照都没有达到显著差异。1.5μm磷矿粉处理效果介于0.1μm和150μm磷矿粉处理之间。可见,0.1μm磷矿粉钝化土壤重金属效果最好,其机制是降低了植物容易吸收的交换态Cd和Pb的含量。     

广东韶关主要矿区周边农田土壤铅、镉的形态分布及生物有效性研究

采用改进BCR法和DTPA提取法研究了韶关主要矿区周边农田土壤Pb、Cd的形态分布和生物有效性。结果表明,参照土壤环境质量标准二级标准,韶关主要矿区周边农田土壤Pb、Cd的超标率分别为14.1%和92.3%;参照食品中污染物限量标准,调查的5种蔬菜样品Pb、Cd的超标率分别为57.7%和48.7%。土壤Pb以可还原态为主,占到4种形态和的76.13%,Pb各形态的分布顺序为：可还原态〉残渣态〉可氧化态〉酸提取态;土壤Cd以酸提取态和可还原态为主,占到4种形态和近89%,Cd各形态的分布顺序为：酸提取态〉可还原态〉可氧化态〉残渣态。用DTPA提取得到的土壤Pb、Cd有效态均值分别为24.91、1.29 mg·kg-1。相关性分析表明,除了胡萝卜Cd,5种蔬菜Pb、Cd含量与土壤酸提取态、可还原态、可氧化态及土壤有效态含量显著相关,与土壤pH和有机质相关性不大。逐步回归分析表明,只有土壤残渣态含量对蔬菜Pb、Cd含量影响不显著。     

西宁火烧沟下游表层泥质沉积物中重金属含量及评价

重金属元素是一类重要的污染物,研究其在表生环境中的含量及污染程度,对于环境保护和治理具有重要意义。利用ICP-MS测试方法对青海省西宁市火烧沟下游城区段表层泥质沉积物中As,Cd,Pb,Ti,V,Cr,Mn,Ni,Cu,Zn共10种重金属元素的含量进行了分析测定,并利用污染系数、地累积指数和潜在生态危害指数等指标评估了其污染程度。结果表明:火烧沟下游表层泥质沉积物中Cd,Cr和Zn含量（平均值分别为0.39 μg/g,183 μg/g和135 μg/g）明显高于青海省土壤平均值,As和Pb含量（平均值分别为16.0 μg/g和21.9 μg/g）接近或略高于青海省土壤平均值;Cd污染明显,达到了中等—较高生态危害风险级别,其他元素为低生态危害风险级别;多风险因子指数（119.4）显示已达到中等生态风险级别。火烧沟下游已出现较明显的重金属污染,应控制As,Pb,Cr,Zn,尤其是Cd向火烧沟中的排放。     

生物质炭对水稻土中脱氢酶活性和铁还原过程的影响

为探究添加生物质炭对淹水稻田体系脱氢酶活性及土水界面铁还原过程的影响,选择2种不同地区水稻土,采用土壤泥浆厌氧培养试验方法,分析添加不同粒径生物质炭后泥浆培养体系中脱氢酶活性、pH以及Fe(Ⅱ)浓度的变化。结果表明:生物质炭能够提高水稻土厌氧培养体系的脱氢酶活性,促进微生物铁还原进程。脱氢酶活性和铁还原能力随着生物质炭粒径的减小而增大。未添加生物质炭的处理中,2种水稻土脱氢酶活性最大分别为3.13,2.60μg/(ml·g·min),Fe(Ⅱ)累积量最高分别为8.07,7.44mg/g;通过添加生物质炭,2种水稻土培养体系脱氢酶活性最大分别达4.35,4.18μg/(ml·g·min)、Fe(Ⅱ)累积量最高分别为9.01,8.18mg/g。典范对应分析显示,水稻土初始pH与最大铁还原潜势及达到最大铁还原速率对应的时间呈极显著相关,表明生物质炭对铁还原过程的影响因土壤性质不同而存在差异;脱氢酶活性、Fe(Ⅱ)累积量之间呈现极显著的相关关系,两者在培养过程中相互促进。     

衢州典型重金属污染农田镉、铅输入输出平衡分析

为定量评估区域农田土壤重金属输入输出平衡,以浙江省衢州市某典型镉(Cd)、铅(Pb)中、轻度复合污染农田为研究对象,对其主要输入源(大气沉降、灌溉、肥料和农药)的Cd、Pb输入通量以及输出通量(水稻秸秆与籽粒移出)开展了长期监测与定量平衡分析。结果表明,大气沉降通量无显著季节变化,由大气沉降导致的Cd、Pb年均输入量分别为3.18和54.46 g·hm^-2,输入量占比分别达到34.98%和34.95%;而灌溉水Cd、Pb年均输入量分别为5.76和100.62 g·hm^-2,占比分别达到63.37%和64.57%;由肥料带入的Cd、Pb年均输入量分别为0.15和0.74 g·hm^-2,占比仅为1.65%和0.47%;而农药带入的Cd、Pb输入量可忽略不计。在该地区双季稻种植模式下,通过水稻秸秆和籽粒的收获和转移,Cd、Pb年输出量分别为10.69和41.74 g·hm^-2。综上,调查区域农田土壤Cd的输入输出基本达到平衡,而土壤Pb仍为输入状态,建议对该地区灌溉水进行净化并开展长期监测,同时避免水稻秸秆直接还田。本研究强调了重金属污染区水稻秸秆移除的重要性,为农田土壤重金属污染风险管控提供了理论依据和数据支持。     

不同pH下两种可变电荷土壤中Cu(II)、Pb(II)和Cd(II)吸附与解吸的比较研究

对两种可变电荷土壤的研宄表明,土壤对Cu(Ⅱ)、Pb(Ⅱ)和Cd(Ⅱ)的吸附量均随pH的增加而增加,但Cu(Ⅱ)与Pb(Ⅱ)吸附量之间的差值随pH增加而减小,Cu(Ⅱ)和Pb(Ⅱ)与Cd(Ⅱ)吸附量之间的差值随pH增大呈增大趋势.土壤吸附的Cd(Ⅱ)的解吸量随吸附平衡液pH的增加而增加;但Cu(Ⅱ)和Pb(Ⅱ)的解吸量先随pH增加而增加,在某一pH时达最大,随后再逐渐减小.3种重金属离子在可变电荷土壤中吸附和解吸行为的不同特征是pH导致的土壤表面电荷的变化和离子水解程度的变化共同作用的结果.本文的研究结果对可变电荷土壤中重金属的控制和污染土壤的修复具有一定的指导意义.     

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.     

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.     

Karyotypic and genome size variation in Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. (pigeonpea) and some wild relatives

Detailed karyotypes and 4C DNA amounts have been studied in five cultivars of Cajanus cajan and 20 species belonging to Cajanus, Rhynchosia, Dunbaria, Flemingia and Paracalyx. C. cajan shows intraspecific variability and its karyotype is most similar to that of C. cajanifolius (sect. Cajanus) in the morphology and number of satellite chromosomes and the lack of any correlation between chromosome size within the complement and asymmetry. Karyotypes of C. lineatus and C. sericeus belonging to sect. Atylia are similar with respect to maximum r-index and the ratio of longest and shortest chromosomes in their respective complements. C. acutifolius (sect. Frutocosa) is distinct in having a very low ratio (1.44) between the longest and the shortest chromosomes, while in C. albicans, C. goensis, C. scarabaeoides (sect. Cantharospermum) there is no chromosome pair with r-index >2.0. C. mollis and C. volubilis (sect. Volubilis) show similarity with regard to ratio between the longest and the shortest chromosomes and a distinct chromosome pair with an arm ratio of 2.7 and C. platycarpus is distinct (sect. Rhynchosoides) in having the smallest ratio (1.36) between the longest and the shortest chromosomes. 4C DNA amounts in Cajanus and Rhynchosia vary between 3.28 pg to 11.69 pg and 4.92 pg to 11.13 pg respectively, while in Dunbaria, Flemingia and Paracalyx these vary between 4.70 and 7:06 pg. In the genus Cajanus karyotypic features and 4C DNA amounts agree with the sectional classification and bring out a close relationship between C. cajan and C. cajanifolius. This is supported by studies based on seed protein patterns, isozyme analysis, trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitor patterns, RFLP and RAPD data and crossability relationships. A clear relation between DNA amount and abnormalities effecting the extent of pairing and recombination in interspecific hybrids shows the importance of this study in developing future breeding programme involving C. cajan and its wild relatives that are of potential value.