棉田蜘蛛群落时空生态位研究

对棉田7种主要蜘蛛的生态位进行了分析，从时间、水平空间、垂直空间一维生态位以及时空（水平和垂直）三维生态位进行宽度值和重叠值的定量估计。研究结果表明时间生态位宽度值为星的蛛（Pardosa astrigera，PAR）最大（0.9218），其次为芦苇卷叶蛛（Dictyna arundinacea，DIC）（0.9176），重叠值为三突花蛛（Misumenops tri-cuspidatus，MIS）和彭妮红螯株（Chiracanthiumm japonicum，CHI）最大（0.8083）。水平生态位宽度值除黄褐新圆蛛(Neoscona doenitzi，NEO)最小（0.4307）外，其余集中在0.8814-0.9912间，重叠值多数集中在0.7200-0.9500间。垂直生态位宽度值为草间小黑蛛（Erigondium gramincola，ERI）最大（0.7998），重叠值为草间小黑蛛和温室球腹蛛（Achaearanea tepidariorum，ACH）最大（0.7600）。三维生态位宽度值为草间小黑蛛（0.7189）最大，重叠值较大为草间小黑蛛和温室球腹蛛（0.3716）、彭妮红螯蛛和芦苇卷叶蛛（0.3715）、草间小黑蛛和彭妮红螯蛛（0.3695）。并据三维生态位重叠值对这7种蜘蛛进行竞争群的划分，得出明显的竞争群，包括草间小黑蛛、彭妮红螯蛛、温室球腹蛛、芦苇卷叶蛛4种蜘蛛。     

香蕉园主要节肢动物群落多样性研究

香蕉园主要节肢动物群落组成有７４科１５２种。优势种包括香蕉冠网蝽（Ｓｅｐｈａｎｉｔｉｓ ｔｙｐｉｃａ）、茶袋蛾（Ｃｒｙｐｔｏｔｈｅｌｅａ ｍｉｎｕｓｃｕｌａ）、香蕉交脉蚜（Ｐｅｎｔａｌｏｎｉａ ｎｉｇｒｏｎｅｒｕｏｓａ）、广西抚蛛（Ｕｌｏｂｏｒｕｓ ｇｕａｎｇｘｉｅｎｓｉｓ）、草间钻头蛛（Ｈｙｌｙｐｈａｎｔｅｓ ｇｒａｍｉｎｉｃｏｌｕｍ）、幼豹蛛（Ｐａｒｄｏｓａ ｐｕｓｉｏｌａ）、立毛蚁（Ｐａｒａ     

南宁市十字花科蔬菜害虫天敌群落结构分析

南宁市十字花科蔬菜害虫天敌群落物种有70种(类)，隶属7目26科。主要有青翅隐翅虫(Paederus fuseipes)，长足虻(Dolichopodidae)、小菜蛾绒茧蜂(Cotesta plutellae)、八斑鞘蛛(Coleoserma octumaculalum)、食虫沟瘤蛛(Ummeliata insecticeps)、浅斑近微蛛(Eperigone fredeorum)和肖蛸(Tetragnatha)。蜘蛛的种类和数量皆为无公害和常规栽培两类菜地天敌之最。群落的多样性和均匀度偏低，优势种突出。文中揭示了两类菜地天敌群落的相似性及其结构特点和时间动态。认为占两类菜地节肢动物群落物种的53．44％和占个体数量的24．96％的菜地害虫天敌资源，是值得进一步研究和保护利用的自然生物控制因素。     

广西南部稻区生态系蜘蛛种群动态及其控制害虫效应研究

本文报导了1980～1982年在广西南部稻区蜘蛛种群动态的研究结果。南部稻区蜘蛛种群,分布普遍数量较多的有食虫瘤胸蛛、拟环纹狼蛛、拟水狼蛛、四斑锯螯蛛和八斑球腹蛛等十三种。全年发生总量以食虫瘤胸蛛和拟环纹狼蛛最多,是构成南部平原稻区最主要的优势种群。文中揭示了南部平原稻区自然蜘蛛种群数量季节性变动规律及施用化学农药的影响。早稻本田,以食虫瘤胸蛛最多;晚稻本田前、中期,微蛛和狼蛛种群数量相当,后期狼蛛略高于微蛛。自然保护区蜘蛛的数量和增长速率,早稻均高于晚稻。文中分析了南部平原稻区,不施用或少用化学农药,以微蛛和狼蛛为主的混合种群对稻飞虱的控制效能,早稻高于晚稻,应注意保护。     

稻蟹共作与常规稻田蜘蛛群落组成及多样性分析

稻蟹共作是一种新型的稻田生态种养殖技术,对推动生态农业发展具有重要意义。目前对稻田蜘蛛的研究仅限于常规稻田,而关于稻蟹共作系统蜘蛛方面的研究尚少见报道。本试验旨在研究稻蟹共作田与常规稻田中蜘蛛群落的组成及多样性特点,探索稻蟹共作田蜘蛛的发生特点,为进一步研究稻蟹共作系统生物多样性特征奠定基础。试验采用吸虫器抽吸法,系统调查了盘锦稻蟹共作田和常规稻田蜘蛛物种组成,并分析了蜘蛛群落多样性特点。结果表明：这两类稻田共调查11科31种蜘蛛,狼蛛科（Lycosidae）、皿蛛科（Linyphiidae）和园蛛科（Araneidae）数量最多,占总蛛数70%;稻蟹共作田蜘蛛个体数量显著高于常规稻田。2类稻田蜘蛛优势种均为草间钻头蛛（Hylyphantes graminicola）和拟水狼蛛（Pirata subpiraticus）。多样性指数表明,6月初蜘蛛Shannon-Wiener多样性指数最低,8-9月蜘蛛群落最高;而均匀度指数、丰富度指数总体与其呈正相关,优势度指数与其呈负相关;2类稻田蜘蛛群落多样性特点基本一致。研究结果表明稻蟹共作田和常规稻田蜘蛛种类和多样性特点没有显著差异,但蜘蛛个体数量有显著差异,即稻蟹共作田蜘蛛个体数量显著高于常规稻田。     

龙眼园节肢动物群落的多样性与生态位

龙眼园节肢动物群落由2纲21目127科334种组成,其种类和个体数：植食性昆虫占47.60%和31.21%,捕食性昆虫占14.07%和25.49%,蜘蛛占32.34%和14.87%。多样性指数以蜘蛛最高,3个层次月均值均在2.0以上,其次为植食性昆虫。周年的数量及多样性指数的波动亚群落与层次间均有差异,总体是植食性昆虫的波动较明显,蜘蛛的波动较平稳。12个优势种（类群）的生态位,一维的时间和空间生态位宽度值均是多色金蝉蛛（Phintella versicolor）最大,水平生态位是小叶蝉（Typhlocybinae）最大。一维的空间生态位重叠值,在害虫之间最大的是小叶蝉与锥头叶蝉（Japananus spp.）,天敌之间最大的是草间钻头蛛（Hylyphantes graminicola）与多色金蝉蛛,天敌与害虫间是蚂蚁类（Formicidae）与白蛾蜡蝉（Lawana imitata）;时间生态位重叠值,害虫之间最大的为红头长跗萤叶甲（Monolepta occifluvis）与啮虫科（Psocidae）;天敌之间为咸丰球蛛（Thridion xianfengensis）与二义宽胸蛛（Rhene biembolusa）;天敌与害虫之间为二义宽胸蛛与红头长跗萤叶甲;一维的水平生态位重叠值总体较小。多维生态位宽度大小依次为多色金蝉蛛、二义宽胸蛛、红头长跗萤叶甲、灵川丽蛛（Chrysso lingchuanensis）、咸丰球蛛、荔蝽（Tessaratoma papillosa）、啮虫科、草间钻头蛛、锥头叶蝉、小叶蝉、白蛾蜡蝉和蚂蚁类。多维生态位重叠值,在害虫之间最大的是锥头叶蝉与小叶蝉,天敌之间是咸丰球蛛与灵川丽蛛,天敌与害虫间是二义宽胸蛛与红头长跗萤叶甲。     

稻田蜘蛛空间分布型及抽样技术初步研究

稻田蜘蛛的空间分布型,频次分布测定食虫瘤胸蛛在水稻分蘖期呈奈曼分布型也符合负二项分布型;狼蛛类群以拟环纹狼蛛和拟水狼蛛为主的是波阿松分布型;混合蜘蛛类群微蛛为主的呈奈曼和负二项分布,微蛛和狼蛛类比数相当的呈波阿松分布。这几类蜘蛛在有的田块符合二种以上的分布型,借助平均拥挤度与平均密度比值、I值、Iδ扩散指标等进行测定,确定是否属聚集型分布,反应灵敏,方法简便,应用Iwao和Taylloy法效果更佳。系统测定证实,同一块田的稻田蜘蛛各类群分布型有季节性变化,影响因素比较复杂,与其捕食对象发生情况和本身种群结构的变动有密切关系。聚集分布型多出现在水稻生育的前期。对属于聚集型分布的食虫瘤胸蛛种群进行抽样方式和抽样数量的比较测定,用棋盘式抽样较准确,平均密度每丛1头以下时,以120丛的抽样数为宜,误差率可控制在10％以内。     

淮北棉田害虫与捕食性天敌群落动态变化研究

对淮北棉田害虫和捕食性天敌群落动态变化进行了研究。田间系统调查共发现害虫35种,捕食性天敌24种;害虫优势种为棉蚜、烟粉虱、棉叶螨、棉盲蝽;捕食性天敌优势种主要为四点亮腹蛛、龟纹瓢虫、T-纹豹蛛、草间小黑蛛、八斑球腹蛛、华姬猎蝽、小花蝽、青翅隐翅虫。该区棉田害虫与捕食性天敌在棉株上的分布特点为:四点亮腹蛛、T-纹豹蛛、草间小黑蛛、八斑球腹蛛、小花蝽、青翅隐翅虫为下部>中部>上部;烟粉虱、棉盲蝽为上部>中部>下部;华姬猎蝽7月30日前为上部>下部>中部,8月9日后为下部>上部>中部;棉蚜在6月20日前为上部>下部>中部,在6月30日后为下部>上部>中部;棉叶螨前期主要分布在下部,后期向上转移;龟纹瓢虫在7月10日前为上部>中部>下部,7月20日之后为下部>上部>中部。群落均匀度在棉花生长发育前期较低,中期逐渐上升,后期又逐渐下降;集中度的变化趋势与均匀度相反;多样性在棉花生育中期最高。以物种为单位和以功能团为单位的群落多样性指数和均匀度指数呈高度正相关,相关系数(r)为0.9904。     

蔗田蜘蛛群落结构及其动态研究

本文报道了蔗田蜘蛛群落有11科37属58种。主要种是幼豹蛛(Pardosapusiola)、八斑鞘腹蛛(Coleosoma octomaculatum)和脉络豹蛛(Pardosauenatrix)。群落的季节结构组成,前、中期以幼豹蛛和脉络豹蛛为主,后期则以八斑鞘腹蛛为主。种群数量高峰出现在中、后期。田间分布格局呈聚集型,地面分布的聚集度大于植株上分布的聚集度。聚集的原因多数是由环境引起的。蔗田蜘蛛群落多样性中期最高,与均匀度、丰富度呈显著正相关,与优势集中性是显著负相关。中期群落相对稳定,应注意保护。     

褐飞虱单克隆抗体的制备及其初步应用

应用杂交瘤技术,制备了4株褐飞虱的单克隆抗体,分别命名为3B2、3B11、3H3和4B8,其只与褐飞虱所有虫态发生反应,不与稻田其它主要昆虫和蜘蛛发生交叉反应,具有高度的特异性,应用4B8初步检测浙江大学华家池校区农场稻田蜘蛛对褐飞虱的阳性反应率,其中拟环纹豹蛛,拟水狼蛛和纵条蝇狮的阳性反应率最高,粽管巢蛛,黑肩绿盲蝽次之,狡蛛较低,而八斑鞘腹蛛,跳蛛,肖蛸和食虫瘤胸蛛未检测到阳性反应,拟环纹豹蛛对4B8的阳性反应率与褐飞虱和拟环纹豹蛛种群密度均极显著相关（r=0.612**,r=0.632**)。     

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.     

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.     

Biodiversity and ecogeography of wild Lactuca spp. in some European countries

Staff members of the Department of Botany of Palacký University in Olomouc and Gene Bank Department – Workplace Olomouc, Research Institute of Crop Production in Prague, Czech Republic, conducted an expedition in seven European countries (Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland) in August/September 1999 to collect wild Lactuca spp. germplasm and study its geographic distribution, ecology and biodiversity. During the mission, more than 600 locations were visited resulting in the collection of 602 seed samples (accessions) of wild Lactuca species and 13 seed samples of related genera (Chondrilla and Mycelis). Lactuca serriola f. serriola, L. serriola f. integrifolia, L. saligna and L. viminea subsp. chondrilliflora were prevalent in southern Europe (Italy, France), however, only L. serriola was common in central and western Europe (Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland). The greatest diversity of Lactuca species was found in France, where also the most seed samples (165) were collected. The most characteristic habitats with a high density of Lactuca spp. populations were observed along roads and highways, grassy ditches, ruderal communities, and dust-heaps. Natural infections by powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) and downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) on some wild Lactuca spp. were observed. Recent observations concerning the geographic distribution, population structure, habitats, and natural occurrence of diseases of Lactuca spp. are discussed. This assemblage of genetic resources of Lactuca spp. can serve as the basis of future studies of species diversification, spatial population structure, plant microevolution, domestication processes, and genetic variability of host-parasite interactions.     

Increase in auxiliary photoprotective photosynthetic pigments in wheat seedlings induced by Azospirillum brasilense

Inoculation of wheat seedlings with the plant growth-promoting bacterium Azospirillum brasilense Cd was immobilized in alginate microbeads and, without applying any stress, significantly increased the quantity of several photosynthetic pigments, such as chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and the auxiliary photoprotective pigments violaxanthin, zeaxanthin, antheroxanthin, lutein, neoxanthin, and β-carotene. This resulted in greener plants with no apparent visible stress. After monitoring the quantity of photosynthetic pigments for 4 weeks, we observed that inoculated plants had higher quantities of pigments in shoot and stem. The greatest difference in the quantity of all pigments between inoculated and noninoculated plants occurred in the first week of growth. Regardless of treatment, the quantity of pigments in stems was three to four times less than the quantity of these pigments in shoots. Application of Azospirillum, either as liquid inoculant or as alginate microbeads, did not alter the positive effect of the bacteria on pigment production or the positive response of the plants towards A. brasilense Cd inoculation.     

Responses of native legume desert trees used for reforestation in the Sonoran Desert to plant growth-promoting microorganisms in screen house

Three slow-growing legume trees used for desert reforestation and urban gardening in the Sonoran Desert of Northwestern Mexico and the Southwestern USA were evaluated whether their growth can be promoted by inoculation with plant growth-promoting bacteria (Azospirillum brasilense and Bacillus pumilus), unidentified arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi (mainly Glomus sp.), and supplementation with common compost under regular screenhouse cultivation common to these trees in nurseries. Mesquite amargo (Prosopis articulata) and yellow palo verde (Parkinsonia microphylla) had different positive responses to several of the parameters tested while blue palo verde (Parkinsonia florida) did not respond. Survival of all tree species was over 80% and survival of mesquite was almost 100% after 10 months of cultivation. Inoculation with growth-promoting microorganisms induced significant effects on the leaf gas exchange of these trees, measured as transpiration and diffusive resistance, when these trees were cultivated without water restrictions.