沼灌土壤17β-雌二醇专性降解菌的分离筛选及降解特性

集约化畜禽养殖场产生的沼液通常就地回用,在循环利用有机物的同时也会带来类固醇雌激素（Steroid Estrogens,SEs）的累积及污染。为降低沼灌后SEs对水土环境的污染风险,该研究采用富集和纯化培养法,对西南地区某奶牛养殖场沼灌区土壤中雌激素降解菌进行分离及筛选,获得一株利用17β-雌二醇（17β-E2）为唯一碳源生长繁殖的降解菌。通过16S rDNA 基因序列进行同源性比对以确定种属,并研究其降解特性。分别研究了菌株在不同温度、pH值、底物浓度三种单因素条件下的降解特性,然后利用三因素三水平正交试验继续优化菌株最适降解条件。结果表明：分离出的优势菌为生丝微菌属（Hyphomicrobium sp.）,命名为Hyphomicrobium sp.SS-1,该菌株在10～40 ℃、pH值为5～9、底物浓度为1～10 mg/L的条件下,均能不同程度降解17β-E2。其中菌株在温度为30 ℃、pH值为7、底物浓度5 mg/L的条件下,培养7 d对17β-E2的降解率可达71%,并伴随毒性低于E2的降解产物E1和E3生成,总雌激素去除率为56.8%。正交试验结果显示,各因素对菌株降解能力的影响顺序从小到大为：底物浓度、温度、pH值,且都为显著影响（P<0.05）;菌株最适降解条件为温度35 ℃、pH值为7、底物浓度5 mg/L,该条件下培养7 d,菌株对17β-E2的降解率可达97.09%。研究结果可为复杂基质环境中微生物降解SEs提供优质菌种资源,并为沼液灌溉区土壤的雌激素污染修复提供有效途径。     

高浓度沼液淹灌土水系统中氮、磷和有机物的动态变化

通过室内静置培养模拟试验,研究了高浓度沼液淹灌稻田土壤后上覆水和土壤中氮、磷和有机物的动态变化特征。结果表明,全沼液淹灌处理的上覆水中总磷和NH+4-N浓度分别在30 d和50 d内降低到允许排放标准以下;降低灌溉沼液的浓度,可缩短排放达标所需时间;但硝态氮浓度经过迅速下降后又会显著升高,全沼液灌溉处理100 d后,上覆水中NO-3-N的浓度比灌溉初期提高了44.9%。灌溉沼液中污染物浓度的降低,主要是降解和挥发作用的结果,只有少部分留在土壤中。因此,在水田休闲期进行高浓度的沼液淹灌,不仅可以消解和净化沼液中污染物质,还能有效改善土壤养分性质,不会引起土壤中氮、磷和有机物质的过量积累。     

SPE-HPLC/FLD法同时测定水中4种雌激素

研究建立了固相萃取（SPE）-高效液相色谱仪（HPLC）-荧光检测器（FLD）测定水体中4种雌激素（雌三醇、17β-雌二醇、炔雌醇和双酚A）的分析方法。水样过C18固相萃取柱净化浓缩,用5.00mL超纯水淋洗,15.00mL甲醇洗脱,洗脱液经氮气吹干后用50%甲醇溶解经HPLC-FLD测定;4种雌激素以甲醇/乙腈/水为流动相（体积比为25：30：45）,经InertsilODS-SP-C1（8150mm×4.6mm,5μm）反相色谱柱分离,激发和发射波长分别为280nm和310nm,流速1.0mL.min-1,柱温40℃,进样量20μL,以保留时间定性、外标法定量。该方法的线性范围为5.00～1000.00μg.L-1,且相关性良好（R〉0.9999）,4种雌激素的仪器检出限为0.107～0.271μg.L-1,方法检出限为0.214～0.540ng.L-1。在自来水中添加不同浓度的雌激素混合标准溶液,测得溶液中4种物质的加标回收率除炔雌醇为55.71%～66.78%外,其余雌激素的加标回收率均大于85%,相对标准偏差RSD（n=5）均小于4%。该方法灵敏度高、检出限低、重复性和精密性良好,能有效去除基质干扰,可用于水体中痕量雌激素的分析测定。     

施用沼气肥对保护地土壤硝酸盐及盐分累积的影响

本文以等有机质量的猪粪、沼渣为基肥,而追肥(化肥与沼液)以等NPK量进行施用,采用二裂式区组设计的方法研究了沼气肥、猪粪、化肥等不同施肥组合对保护地土壤硝酸盐及盐分积累的影响。结果表明:在番茄收获期,各处理0~20 cm土层土壤全盐含量在0.92g kg-1~1.65g kg-1之间;各处理土壤可溶性盐分组成中,阳离子以Ca2+、Mg2+为主,阴离子以SO42-、HCO3-、Cl-、NO3-为主。施肥提高了土壤硝态N的含量。施用沼渣比施用猪粪土壤硝酸盐含量高,但施用沼渣与施用猪粪对土壤全盐量的影响差异不显著;而施用沼液较施用化肥使土壤硝态N及全盐量提高。     

丹江口水库淅川淹没区农田土壤中有机氯农药的分布特征及生态风险研究

采集了丹江口淅川淹没区高程在170 m以下8个乡镇的农田土壤共18个样品,采用索氏提取分离富集、气相色谱-电子捕获（GC-ECD）检测、气相色谱仪-质谱（GC-MS）确证的方法对样品中20种有机氯农药进行了分析,研究了丹江口水库淅川淹没区土壤中OCPs的分布特征与潜在风险。结果表明,研究区农田土壤中有α-HCH和DDE两种有机氯农药被检出,其中α-HCH含量范围是nd～107.55 ng·g-1,平均值为40.31 ng·g-1;DDE含量范围是1.42～237.56 ng·g-1,平均值为36.28 ng·g-1。总有机氯含量范围为15.16～279.93 ng·g-1,平均值为76.59 ng·g-1;与其他地区比较,ΣHCHs含量偏高,ΣDDTs含量相当;α-HCH可能来自早期残留,也可能来自大气沉降,DDE可能源自早期残留。淅川淹没区农田土壤中α-HCH和DDE含量基本上符合国家土壤环境质量标准一级标准,土壤质量良好,但仍然存在一定的生态风险。     

洗脱–过硫酸钠氧化联合去除土壤中PCBs的研究

本文考察了羟丙基-β-环糊精（HPCD）及聚氧乙烯月桂醚（Brij35）洗脱和过硫酸钠（SPS）氧化联合对模拟污染土壤以及场地污染土壤中多氯联苯（PCBs）的去除效果,探讨了洗脱时间、土液比和洗脱剂浓度对土壤中PCBs洗脱率和过硫酸钠浓度对洗脱液中PCBs降解效率的影响。结果表明,两种洗脱剂都能有效地洗脱模拟污染土壤中的2,4,4?-三氯联苯（PCB28）,在土液比为1:20,HPCD和Brij35浓度分别为20 g/L和8.0 g/L时,洗脱4 h后,土壤中PCB28的洗脱率分别可达90%和79%;用100 g/L的SPS氧化24 h后,PCB28的最大去除率分别可达90%和92%。将PCB28模拟污染土壤洗脱-过硫酸钠氧化的优化条件用于去除场地污染土壤中的PCBs（总浓度~ 1400 mg/kg）,发现HPCD和Brij35对PCBs的总洗脱率分别为66%和53%;过硫酸钠处理后,两种洗脱液中PCBs（10.6 mg/L）的总降解率分别为41%和52%。以上研究表明洗脱-过硫酸钠氧化法能快速有效去除污染土壤中的PCBs,为PCBs场地污染土壤修复提供了一种新的方法。     

检测睾酮、孕酮、雌酮与雌三醇的双抗体酶免疫分析法

本文报道了自制的试剂建立了检测睾酮、孕酮、雌酮和雌三醇的双抗体酶免疫分析法。实验表明 ,这些测定具有很高灵敏度 (最小可测量为 0 1～ 1pg 孔 ) ,标准曲线范围为 0～ 40pg 孔 ;同相关类固醇激素 (孕酮、孕烯醇酮、睾酮、雄酮、雌酮、雌三醇和皮质酮等 )的交叉反应率一般在 0 1 %以下。测定的批内和批间变异系数分别在5 8%～ 7 2 %与 9 5%～ 1 0 5% (n =8)范围内。向血中添加激素标准品后的回收率在 94%～ 1 1 0 %范围内。用自制防腐剂处理后 ,液态抗体 (包括第二抗体 )、酶标记物和已包被第二抗体的滴定板可保持活性 5～ 1 2个月或更久 ( 4℃～ -2 0℃ )。此测定可节约激素特异抗体 4～ 1 0倍。初测人和动物的血、奶、尿样品表明所建立的 4种测定方法可分别用于人和动物体液中睾酮、孕酮、雌酮和雌三醇的定量检测     

北京大中型沼气工程冬季运行状况及发酵前后物料理化生物特性

为了解北京市大中型沼气工程冬季运行情况及发酵剩余物理化特性,该文实地调查了北京市29座沼气工程冬季运行情况,以调研问卷的形式了解沼气工程运行状况,并采样分析了发酵原料、沼渣和沼液样品的养分含量、粪大肠菌群数、铜、锌、砷、铅等指标。结果表明:北京29座冬季运行的沼气工程中主要以畜禽粪便为原料,其中有20座沼气工程采用猪粪进行厌氧发酵,厌氧消化反应器类型主要是全混式厌氧反应器和升流式厌氧固体反应器,沼气以供周边农户使用为主,沼渣和沼液以农田利用为主,从区域沼气工程运行状况来看,房山区的沼气工程运行状况相对较好,大兴区和顺义区的沼气工程运行状况参差不齐;所调研沼气工程沼渣和沼液的pH值适宜向农田施用,沼渣的EC值相对原料平均下降了56.97%,沼渣有机质和可挥发性固体的质量分数相对原料分别降低了20.99%和27.93%,沼渣的养分质量分数较高,沼液的养分质量浓度较低,沼渣中的粪大肠菌群数和沼液的化学需氧量、粪大肠菌群数整体偏高,有6座沼气工程的砷含量较高。调查结果可为北京市沼气工程冬季运行效果及沼渣沼液资源化利用提供基础数据,促进北京市沼气工程的可持续发展,提高生态和经济效益。     

洗脱–过硫酸钠氧化联合去除土壤中PCBs的研究

考察了羟丙基-β-环糊精(HPCD)及聚氧乙烯月桂醚(Brij35)洗脱和过硫酸钠(SPS)氧化联合对模拟污染土壤以及场地污染土壤中多氯联苯(PCBs)的去除效果,探讨了洗脱时间、土液比和洗脱剂浓度对土壤中PCBs洗脱率和过硫酸钠浓度对洗脱液中PCBs降解效率的影响。结果表明:两种洗脱剂都能有效地洗脱模拟污染土壤中的2,4,4?-三氯联苯(PCB28),在土液比为1︰20,HPCD和Brij35浓度分别为20 g/L和8.0 g/L时,洗脱4 h后,土壤中PCB28的洗脱率分别可达90%和79%;用100 g/L的SPS氧化24 h后,PCB28的最大去除率分别可达90%和92%。将PCB28模拟污染土壤洗脱-过硫酸钠氧化的优化条件用于去除场地污染土壤中的PCBs(总浓度约1 400 mg/kg),发现HPCD和Brij35对PCBs的总洗脱率分别为66%和53%;SPS处理后,两种洗脱液中PCBs(10.6 mg/L)的总降解率分别为41%和52%。由此,洗脱-过硫酸钠氧化法能快速有效去除污染土壤中的PCBs,为PCBs场地污染土壤修复提供了一种新的方法。     

猪、奶牛粪厌氧发酵中Pb的形态转化及其分布特征

畜禽粪便经厌氧发酵后其中的铅（Pb）仍然保留在沼液和沼渣中,阐明此发酵过程中 Pb 的形态转化对沼液和沼渣的后续处理有重要的参考意义。该研究以猪粪和奶牛粪为发酵原料,在中温（37℃±2℃）条件下,采用连续搅拌反应器进行了130 d中试试验,分析了Pb在固相和液相中的分配及其形态转化。研究结果发现：1）与进料相比,猪粪沼液和奶牛粪沼液中总Pb量降低了约70%和19%;2）猪粪沼液和奶牛粪沼液中Pb在液相中的比例为29%和17%,较发酵前降低约17%和58%;3）厌氧发酵后,猪粪沼液中各形态Pb所占比例的大小顺序为：残渣态（35%）>酸溶态/可交换态（34%）>可还原态（24%）>可氧化态（8%）;奶牛粪沼液中为：可还原态（33%）>酸溶态/可交换态（27%）>残渣态（26%）>可氧化态（15%）;4）厌氧发酵后,猪粪沼渣中残渣态和酸溶态/可交换态Pb的比例都极显著增加,奶牛粪沼渣中可氧化态Pb的比例极显著增加。猪粪和奶牛粪厌氧发酵后,适合通过沉淀池或氧化塘削减沼液中的Pb含量;但沼渣中Pb的浓度较大且化学形态发生显著变化,建议还田前进行重金属钝化处理。     

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.