纳米复合相变蓄冷材料的制备及蓄冷特性分析

针对生鲜冷链物流领域冷藏运输温度要求,该研究通过差示扫描量热仪（Differential Scanning Calorimeter, DSC）对甘氨酸、山梨醇、甘露醇、氯化钾进行筛选,经优化后配置出主储能为0.6mol/L甘氨酸+0.1mol/L山梨醇（命名为TA2）,以此体系为基液添加纳米二氧化钛和纳米氧化铝,并添加高吸水性树脂（Super Absorbent Polymer, SAP）对防泄漏现象进行优化,探究添加纳米粒子后复合相变蓄冷材料的相变潜热和热循环稳定性。将该复合材料应用于自制保温箱,以水晶梨为试验对象进行了蓄冷箱保冷特性试验,对比蓄冷保温箱载货与空载情况下箱内各点的温度变化,综合考虑蓄冷保温箱内蓄冷剂侧面布置和顶层布置加侧面布置这两种摆放方式对保冷性能的影响。结果显示,添加质量分数为0.5%的纳米二氧化钛粒子可使基液的导热系数达到最大值,经优化的最终材料为TA2+0.5%TiO2+0.25%SAP,相变潜热为294.57 J/g,Onset温度为-5.8 ℃,经过200次循环试验,复合材料热性能稳定。蓄冷剂以侧布加顶布的摆放方式下的大部分箱内空间可在0～5 ℃保持480 min,温度场更均匀,利于保持生鲜产品新鲜度。研究结果可为相变材料在生鲜冷链物流中的研制及应用提供参考。     

超声波改善乳酸钙-氯化铵-水复合相变材料过冷特性

针对无机相变材料过冷度高的问题,对乳酸钙-氯化铵-水相变体系做超声震荡处理以及在凝固过程加入超声外场,研究超声波对乳酸钙-氯化铵-水相变体系凝固特性的影响。试验发现,增加超声波震荡后,过冷度降低0.62℃,相变过程持续了7755 s,溶液的相变潜热为276.2J/g,增加了4.14%;溶液凝固时增加超声波相变体系没有出现过冷现象,相变过程持续了8 256 s溶液的相变潜热为283.5 J/g,增加了6.9%。试验表明,在乳酸钙-氯化铵-水相变体系凝固过程中加入超声场,有利于乳酸钙-氯化铵-水相变体系的性能提高。     

温室多壁碳纳米管芒硝基相变材料储能性能

该文对比不同温度下强酸处理多壁碳纳米管(multi-walled carbon nanotubes,MWCNTs)对其表面结构改性,并以物理分散制备出含MWCNTs的十水硫酸钠基复合相变储能材料。探讨不同酸化温度下MWCNTs对十水硫酸钠基复合相变储能材料的过冷和相分层影响。并对其比热,导热系数及相变潜热特征进行分析。结果表明:酸化处理后MWCNTs产生羧基;添加质量分数1%的120℃酸化后的MWCNTs的A、B两种十水硫酸钠基复合相变储能材料过冷度降低最大;添加酸化处理后的MWCNTs的十水硫酸钠基复合相变储能材料相容性较好;含120℃酸化后的1%的MWCNTs的A、B两种十水硫酸钠基复合相变储能材料比热及导热系数在相变温度点附近都达到最大,分别为5.095 mm2/s和0.932 5 w/mk、4.235 6 mm2/s和0.941 3 w/mk;含质量分数1%的120℃酸化处理的MWCNTs的B类复合相变储能材料较A类的潜热值大,其分别为143.6 J/g,97.42 J/g;该试验表明含1%MWCNTs-B相变储能材料更适合应用于温室。     

芒硝基相变材料性能及其在简易温室中升温效果试验

该文研究芒硝基相变储能材料相变性能及其在青藏高原地区冬季简易温室的保温效果,采用物理法制备芒硝基复合相变储能材料,通过温度-时间曲线、差示扫描量热法(differential scanning calorimetry,DSC)和热常数分析仪(Hot Disk)等方法表征了材料性质。当添加成核剂硼砂质量分数为4%时,芒硝基复合相变材料的过冷度消失,添加增稠剂羧甲基纤维素钠质量分数1.5%时,芒硝基复合相变材料相分层现象基本消失,添加导热剂石墨粉质量分数为1%时,复合相变材料导热系数为1.0216 W/(m·K),材料相变潜热为127 k J/kg,放热峰值为15.4℃,同时经过300次相变循环,材料仍旧能保持较好的相变性能。芒硝基复合相变材料模拟在温室升温试验中表明:当芒硝基相变材料添加量为25、35和45 kg时清晨日出前最低温度可以提高1、3.6和4.4℃。分析相变材料温室石膏后墙结果表明:正午最高温度分别降低1.1、2.2和3.0℃,清晨日出前最低温度分别提高0.4、2.4和4.0℃。综合试验表明,该芒硝基复合相变材料适用于高寒气候环境下简易温室。     

十水硫酸钠相变蓄冷保温箱保冷特性的试验研究

针对果蔬保鲜冷链物流中2~8℃的运输温区要求,为了保证运输中果蔬等农产品的品质,研发一种经济性较高,相变温度为6.4℃,相变潜热为141 J/g的硫酸钠水合盐体系,其成分为(75.5%Na2SO4·10H2O+3%硼砂+1.25%聚丙烯酸钠+16%NH4Cl+4%KCl+0.25%去离子水).相变材料封装于聚乙烯蓄冷板中,应用于发泡聚丙烯(expanded polypropylene)保温箱和真空绝热板(vacuum insulation panel)保温箱中,组成蓄冷式冷链运输装备.利用产品供应规范(good supply practice GSP)验证设备建立保温箱温度测试系统,得到箱内各点的升温曲线,通过平均保冷时间来评价保温箱的保冷效果,对比了保温箱载货与空载情况下箱内各点的温度变化.综合考虑保温箱内侧面布置、顶层布置等不同的摆放方式,聚丙烯发泡与真空绝热板不同保温箱体材质对保冷性能的影响.研究表明真空绝热板的保温效果优于发泡聚丙烯,可提高保冷时间13.31%;蓄冷剂在侧布形式下的保冷时间较侧布加顶布方式延长4.7%;在真空绝热板保温箱中分析了载货情况下的保冷性能较空载保冷时间减少0.77 h.研究结果为蓄冷保温箱在冷链物流中的进一步设计和优化提供支持,以及蓄冷技术在果蔬冷链物流中的应用提供参考.     

石蜡/ZIF-8@ZIF-67定形相变材料的储热性能

针对固-液相变材料在相变过程中由于体积变化产生的芯材泄漏现象,该研究以ZIF-8@ZIF-67核壳结构为载体,以石蜡（paraffin）为相变芯材,采用溶剂蒸发法制备了质量分数为50%、60%、70%和75%的石蜡/ZIF-8@ZIF-67定形相变材料。通过扫描电镜、透射电镜、X射线衍射、傅里叶红外光谱、BET比表面积、热重分析、差式扫描量热和瞬态平板热源等测试手段对定形相变材料的形貌、结构、热稳定性、相变潜热、热导率进行表征;采用Fluent软件对填充相变材料的相变蓄热供暖系统进行了数值模拟分析。结果表明：ZIF-8@ZIF-67形貌为大小均匀的菱形十二面体,石蜡的最高负载量为70%,且石蜡与ZIF-8@ZIF-67 MOF载体之间没有发生化学变化。质量分数为70%的石蜡/ZIF-8@ZIF-67经50次热循环后,熔化焓为54.36 J/g,与循环前相比无明显下降（循环前熔化焓为59.59 J/g）,说明其具有良好的热循环稳定性。研究表明质量分数为70%的石蜡/ZIF-8@ZIF-67相变材料可以很好的保持整体系统的温度稳定性,具有良好的蓄-放热效果。     

外挂型相变储能装置在日光温室中的蓄放热试验

为了验证和评价外挂型相变储能装置在严寒地区日光温室中长周期的蓄放热性能。将传统日光温室分割成4个隔断温室,并以中间两个隔断温室（东侧：相变温室（加相变材料）;西侧：对照温室（不加相变材料））为试验对象。以优化后配比为3%CMC+3%SrCl2·6H2O+35.96%CaCl2+58.04%H2O的复合相变材料为储能介质,采用PVC-U管进行封装并外挂布置于相变温室的北墙内表面,进行了为期51d的相变温室与对照温室的现场试验。基于试验数据,从温室内空气温度、过冷不适宜生长率及有效积温变化等方面讨论了相变温室的蓄放热性能。通过分析获得结果如下：1）所采用的相变材料,试验前后其相变温度较为稳定,没有发生明显的过冷和相分离问题,蓄热、放热过程的相变潜热分别减小了11.5%和13.2%;2）相变储能装置在典型晴天条件下的蓄放热性能最好,阴天次之,雪天最差,可以提高夜间相变温室平均温度分别为3.1、1.9、0.9 ℃; 3）相变温室过冷不适宜生长降低率为40%,过冷不适宜生长降低率概念可用于相变温室蓄放热性能的定量评价。4）相变温室比对照温室提高了约58.4%的有效积温。研究为相变温室在严寒地区的实际推广和应用提供了数据支持,同时也为相变温室蓄放热性能的长周期分析提供了理论方法。     

生物化学复合防腐剂在橙汁防腐保鲜中的协同增效作用

该文以天然生物防腐剂乳酸链球菌素(Nisin)、化学防腐剂山梨酸钾、乙二胺四乙酸(EDTA)以及食品抗氧化剂异Vc钠为原料,对通过复配后得到的各组复合型防腐剂在橙汁保鲜中的协同增效作用进行研究,并且与单一的防腐剂保鲜效果进行比较,得出一组适合在橙汁中使用的高效复合型防腐剂。结果表明,上述各种抑菌剂单独使用时均不能完全抑制橙汁中微生物的生长;正交试验结果表明,当选择0.05 g/kg Nisin、0.1 g/kg山梨酸钾、0.01 g/kg异Vc钠、0.03 g/kg EDTA作为复配型抑菌剂的最佳添加配比时,能显著地抑制橙汁中微生物的生长,第14、17、21 d对菌落总数的抑制率分别达到99.9%、99.9%和99.6%,其抑菌效果显著优于单一防腐剂的抑菌效果。因此,Nisin与三者复合使用时具有协同增效性,该复合防腐剂添加至橙汁中可起到良好的防腐保鲜效果。     

自然冷贮藏系统中一维动态蓄冷过程的初步研究

冰动态蓄冷问题的实质是伴随有潜热释放或吸收的移动界面导热问题。由于已有的文献对自然冷贮藏系统的热力学分析涉及较少,而冰融化与凝固过程中传热规律的研究又是大规模制冰的关键,故该文从传热学角度出发,将自然冷贮藏系统中蓄冷水箱进行简化,通过试验得到相变界面随时间变化的实际曲线。在理论计算中,考虑冰层和水的导热量与水的相变潜热释放量之和等于冰层与外界的对流换热量建立数学模型,得到冰厚随时间变化的理论关系曲线。与实际曲线比较表明,理论模型能够反映冰一维动态蓄冷的实际进程。     

相变蓄热砌块墙体在日光温室中的应用效果

日光温室墙体的保温蓄热性能直接影响温室内气温和作物的生长。该文选用石蜡与硬脂酸正丁酯按质量比为5∶5制成复合相变材料,以稻壳为载体采用自然吸附法进行吸附得到相变骨料。相变骨料与建筑材料混合制成相变蓄热砌块,并以其为墙体建造相变蓄热温室。采用差示扫描量热法测试复合相变材料和稻壳骨料DSC（热流-温度）曲线,相变温区为15～45℃;复合相变材料的熔解潜热为116.2 kJ/kg,凝固潜热为118.5 kJ/kg,相变稻壳的凝固潜热值为70.63 kJ/kg,熔解潜热值为58.14 kJ/kg。用多点温度计测量相变温室和普通温室室内外气温和墙体内外表面温度,相变温室室内气温波动幅度比对照温室小4.1℃,最低气温比对照高1.7℃,而最高气温则比对照低2.4℃。通过在温室内栽培金鹏一号番茄试验,表明相变温室中番茄的生长状况明显优于普通温室。因此,该文采用的相变蓄热砌块墙体建成的日光温室比普通温室具有更好的蓄热保温性能,更有利于冬季作物生长。     

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.