燕沟流域土壤微生物学性质对植被恢复过程的响应

以黄土高原丘陵区陕北延安燕沟流域为例,研究了退耕地土壤微生物生物量对植被恢复过程的响应。结果表明,随植被恢复年限的增加,植被盖度、多度和物种数均呈现先增加后减少然后又增加的趋势。同对照农地相比,表层(0—5 cm)土壤呼吸速率和土壤微生物生物量均明显增加。表层土壤呼吸速率和微生物量碳、氮、磷分别比对照农地增加31.61%3~60.75%和15.19%5~12.81%、122.91%6~97.15%、193.5%2~068.17%。表层土壤呼吸速率对植被恢复的响应是在植被恢复初期(02~9年),随植被恢复年限的增加而增加;植被恢复305~5年期间,随植被恢复年限的增加而减少;而植被恢复55年以后,又随植被恢复年限的增加而增加。植被恢复过程中,土壤微生物量碳、氮和磷的变化与土壤呼吸速率变化趋势类似。除植被恢复8和16年外,植被恢复年限间的土壤呼吸速率、呼吸熵和微生物量碳、氮、磷均有显著性差异。表层土壤呼吸速率与土壤微生物量氮、磷呈极显著相关,土壤微生物量碳与土壤微生物量氮呈显著相关;而土壤呼吸熵与呼吸速率和微生物量碳、氮、磷相关性不明显。     

关中平原高速公路路堤边坡土壤养分与植被群落α多样性变化

选择不同植被恢复年限的高速公路路堤边坡为研究对象,采用时空代换法,通过相关性分析及主成分分析,研究关中平原高速公路植被恢复过程中土壤养分和植被群落α多样性的变化。结果表明:路堤边坡植被恢复过程中表层土壤养分因子含量平均值变化范围分别为:有机质12.26～25.83g/kg、全氮0.60～1.25g/kg、铵态氮7.16～35.10mg/kg、硝态氮4.15～7.42mg/kg、速效磷9.30～26.68mg/kg。植被恢复过程中,土壤养分特征受恢复年限、土层、坡向的影响。随着恢复年限的增加,表土养分条件明显好转,说明植被对土壤的培肥作用与时间密切相关。0—10cm土层土壤养分含量明显高于10—20cm土层,阴面边坡土壤养分含量高于阳面边坡。在人工扰动下,群落的α多样性主要受恢复年限和土壤中硝态氮含量的影响。恢复到17a时,边坡土壤养分和群落α多样性均达到较高水平。本研究对路堤边坡土壤质量及群落多样性的提高具有重要的意义,对高速公路生态建设和水土保持具有一定的参考价值。     

大兴安岭火烧迹地植被恢复中土壤微生物量及酶活性

为了探讨火烧迹地植被恢复过程中土壤微生物量及酶活性变化特征,采用时空互代法,以大兴安岭重度火烧迹地不同恢复年限落叶松人工林为研究对象,对土壤微生物量碳、氮含量及脲酶、碱性磷酸酶、蔗糖酶和过氧化氢酶活性进行了研究。结果表明:(1)土壤养分含量均随土层深度的增加而降低,并在植被恢复过程中呈波动性变化,恢复24a土壤全氮、全磷、有效磷和有机质含量均最高。(2)土壤微生物量碳和氮含量的变化范围分别为267.17~1 764.34mg/kg和23.45~182.14mg/kg,随土层深度的增加而降低。随恢复年限的增加,土壤微生物量碳、氮含量呈上升趋势。(3)植被恢复过程中土壤脲酶、碱性磷酸酶、蔗糖酶和过氧化氢酶活性随土层深度的增加而降低,其中,恢复24a落叶松人工林4种土壤酶活性均显著高于重度火烧迹地。(4)相关分析表明,土壤微生物量与土壤全磷、有效磷和有机质含量均极显著正相关,土壤酶活性与土壤全氮、全磷、水解氮和有机质含量极显著正相关,土壤生物学指标能较好地反映土壤肥力状况。火烧迹地经过24a的恢复,土壤微生物量及酶活性得到了较好的改善。     

宁夏黄土丘陵区植被恢复对土壤养分和微生物生物量的影响

本研究以宁夏固原天然草地、农地、撂荒地和不同年限的柠条林地为研究对象,分析了不同植被类型下土壤养分和土壤微生物生物量碳、氮、磷的变化。研究结果表明:土壤养分除速效磷和全氮外,其他指标均为农地最低,撂荒地次之,并且随植被恢复年限的增加而增加;不同植被类型条件下,土壤微生物生物量有显著差异,微生物量碳含量表现为撂荒地农地天然草地3年柠条林地13年柠条林地23年柠条林地,微生物量氮以天然草地最低,农地、撂荒地和不同年限柠条林地较大,不同植被类型土壤微生物量磷差异显著,在5~20cm土层和20~40cm土壤中表现尤为突出。土壤微生物量碳、氮、磷与植被类型和植被恢复年限关系密切。柠条林对土壤微生物生物量有明显促进作用,并且随着植被恢复年限的增加改良效果越显著。     

腾格里沙漠边缘区植被恢复与土壤养分变化研究

为了研究腾格里沙漠东缘植被恢复过程中不同阶段土壤养分和pH值的变化,在研究区从东向西分别采集6种植被恢复阶段的土壤,分别测定了其pH值、有机质和全效速效养分含量。结果表明,沙丘固定过程中,土壤有机质和全氮含量都呈逐渐增加趋势,分别从1.32和0.025g/kg增加到1.89和0.061g/kg,均达到了显著水平。半固定沙丘速效氮、速效钾含量均明显增加,发展为固定沙丘后由于大量植物的生长土壤速效氮、速效钾含量反而比半固定沙丘低。荒漠草原土壤中有机质、全氮及速效氮含量最高,退化草原速效磷含量比荒漠草原略高,差异不显著随退化荒漠草原恢复进程,人工梭梭林速效磷含量降低,速效钾总体呈显著增加趋势pH值以人工梭梭林较低。植被恢复过程中,沙生植被的存在对有机质和氮素的富集起着决定性作用,随着流沙固定和退化荒漠草原恢复,土壤有机质、氮和磷的含量增加,土壤有机质含量与土壤全氮、全磷和有效氮的含量呈较强的正相关关系。     

西藏高寒地区不同边坡生态修复类型土壤的肥力变化

[目的] 对西藏DG水电站6种不同边坡生态修复类型土壤的肥力变化进行对比研究,为西藏水电工程扰动区生态环境的修复提供理论依据和技术支撑。[方法] 采用实地测量和室内试验等方法,分析不同边坡生态修复类型的肥力变化特征及植被生长情况,并用相关性分析确定边坡土壤肥力时空变化与植被生长情况之间的相关性,探讨影响边坡植被生长土壤的肥力主控因素。[结果] 在6种边坡生态修复类型土壤中有机质和氮元素波动变化均较大,随季节变化呈现先降低后增加再降低的趋势,而pH值、速效磷、速效钾变化相对较小。从不同边坡对比结果来看,边坡的土壤养分含量从高到低依次均为：弃土弃渣地 > 土质边坡 > 一般施工场地 > 土石混合边坡 > 岩质边坡 > 施工硬化地表,不同边坡的植被恢复生长状况方面,与土壤养分含量呈现相同的排序。各肥力指标中氨氮、硝氮、速效磷与植被生长情况的相关性最高,其次为速效钾、有机质,而与pH值相关性最低,说明氨氮、硝氮、速效磷对边坡植被生长效果的影响较大。[结论] 在不同边坡的土壤肥力状况中,弃土弃渣地表现最佳,而岩质边坡和施工硬化地表均表现较差,且土壤肥力中氨氮、硝氮、速效磷含量与植被生长情况紧密相关。     

岷江上游山地森林/干旱河谷交错带植被恢复对土壤微生物量及酶活性的影*响

为了解岷江上游山地森林/干旱河谷交错带植被恢复对土壤微生物量及酶活性的影响,以交错带森林段及其下缘地段为研究对象,选取干旱河谷段封禁造林地为参照,分析了植被恢复过程中土壤微生物量、土壤酶活性的特征及其相关关系。结果表明:在交错带中土壤微生物量碳、氮以及蛋白酶的活性均随着海拔的升高呈逐渐增加的趋势;而土壤脲酶、蔗糖酶和过氧化氢酶活性随海拔的升高先增多后减少。通过对交错带山地森林下缘3种植被恢复模式研究表明,恢复植被能显著提高土壤的养分,增加土壤的生物活性。同时,土壤微生物量碳、氮和酶活性变化均具有明显的空间层次现象,即随土层深度的增加而呈降低的趋势。相关性分析表明,土壤微生物量碳、氮和4种土壤酶活性均与土壤pH呈负相关关系,与土壤其他养分呈正相关关系,说明岷江上游山地森林/干旱河谷交错带土壤微生物量和酶活性受植被、pH值、土壤养分和含水量等因素的共同影响,可作为评价土壤肥力的指标。     

不同植被恢复模式对植被混凝土基材微生物特征的影响研究

为了解植被混凝土生态修复对土壤微生物特征的影响,测定了狗牙根、高羊茅、紫花苜蓿等几种不同植被恢复模式下土壤物理化学生物特征.结果表明:植被恢复后,土壤有机质,全氮、速效氮、微生物量碳氮升高.不同植被恢复模式对土壤改善作用不同,对有机碳、微生物量碳改善作用大小顺序为高羊茅>狗牙根>紫花苜蓿,对全氮、速效氮、微生物量氮改善作用大小依次为紫花苜蓿>高羊茅>狗牙根.植被混凝土恢复后,土壤呼吸强度升高而土壤微生物代谢熵降低.相关性分析表明微生物量碳、氮与土壤呼吸强度、土壤养分相关性密切,显然土壤微生物可以作为评价基材质量的生物学指标.     

黄土丘陵区自然植被恢复下土壤微生物学质量演变特征

为了探讨黄土丘陵区自然植被恢复过程中土壤微生物学质量演变特征,用时空互代法对燕沟和县南沟典型小流域自然植被恢复下5个演替阶段（退耕1~6 a、7~17 a、18~35 a、36~60 a、> 60 a）土壤养分含量、微生物量和酶活性进行了研究。结果表明:随着地区植被退耕后自然演替的推进,土壤有机碳、全氮、有效氮与有效钾含量持续增加,土壤全磷含量在不同植被演替阶段变化不明显,有效磷含量在植被演替至多年生草本阶段（18~35 a）时含量最低;土壤细菌约占土壤微生物量的65%左右,且其数量在植被演替至多年生草本阶段时最多,土壤真菌和放线菌随退耕年限的延长呈现不断增加的趋势;土壤碱性磷酸酶、脲酶和蔗糖酶活性也随着植被自然演替的推进呈不断增加趋势,但脲酶和蔗糖酶在植被演替至灌木阶段（36 a）后增速放缓。相关性分析表明,自然恢复过程中土壤微生物数量与酶活性的提高程度比较一致,其与土壤养分关系密切,因此土壤微生物群落与土壤酶活性是反映植被恢复中土壤生物学质量变化的重要指标。     

桂西北喀斯特不同植被演替阶段土壤微生物群落多样性

采用经典统计与排序分析方法,研究了桂西北喀斯特不同植被演替阶段(原生林、次生林、灌丛、草地)土壤微生物群落多样性变化特征,并探讨了土壤微生物群落多样性与土壤养分、土壤微生物生物量和土壤微生物数量之间的关系。结果表明:(1)桂西北喀斯特植被演替对土壤养分有较大的影响,除了土壤容重和全磷含量以外,由草地到原生林的演替过程中,土壤养分均呈显著的变化趋势(p0.05)。随着演替的进行,土壤pH值和容重逐渐减小。土壤有机碳、全氮、全钾、速效氮、速效磷和速效钾含量随着演替而逐渐增加趋势,其大小依次变现为原生林次生林灌丛草地,其中不同演替阶段土壤有机碳全氮、速效氮、速效磷和速效钾含量差异均显著(p0.05)。(2)土壤微生物量碳、氮、磷大小依次变现为原生林次生林灌丛草地,其中灌丛和次生林MBP含量差异不显著(p0.05)。MBC/MBN随着演替的进行呈逐渐减小趋势,MBC/MBP和MBN/MBP随着演替的进行呈逐渐增加趋势。(3)不同植被演替阶段土壤微生物数量及组成不同,其中以细菌数目最多,土壤微生物种群总数量、细菌和放线菌数目依次为原生林次生林灌丛草地。(4)不同演替阶段土壤微生物群落功能多样性指数存在一定差异,其中物种丰富度指数(H)、均匀度指数(E)和碳源利用丰富度指数(S)依次表现为原生林次生林灌丛草地(p0.05);而优势度指数(Ds)依次表现为原生林次生林灌丛草地,并且不同演替阶段优势度指数(Ds)差异不显著(p0.05)。(5)相关性分析表明土壤养分、土壤微生物量、土壤微生物数量均与土壤微生物群落多样性具有显著的相关性,其中,土壤微生物量对微生物群落多样性的贡献最大,而MBN,SOC和细菌数目是影响桂西北喀斯特不同植被演替阶段土壤微生物群落多样性分布的主要因子。     

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.