福建省铁观音茶园土壤钼含量状况调查与分析

为了解福建铁观音茶园土壤钼供应能力,对福建省安溪县、华安县及永春县14个铁观音生产乡镇133个铁观音茶园表层土壤和相应的茶叶钼含量进行了调查。结果表明,133个供试铁观音茶园土壤全钼含量在0.29～23.17 mg/kg之间,平均为2.41 mg/kg,其中以闪长岩类发育的土壤全钼含量最高,而砂岩类发育的土壤全钼含量最低。供试土壤有效钼平均含量仅为0.17 mg/kg,土壤普遍缺乏有效钼。土壤有效钼含量与0.02～0.002 mm颗粒含量及土壤钼全量呈显著正相关,土壤钼有效度与＜0.002 mm颗粒含量呈极显著负相关,而与土壤pH值呈极显著正相关。茶叶中钼的含量在0.04～0.36 mg/kg之间,平均为0.10 mg/kg。茶叶中钼含量与土壤有效钼含量相关性不显著,与土壤有效硫含量呈显著负相关。建议通过改良茶园土壤酸性、避免过度施用含硫肥料和叶面喷施钼肥以改善铁观音茶园钼营养状况。     

施用不同有机物料对棕壤酶活性的影响

为研究施用不同有机物料对棕壤酶活性的影响,在昌图棕壤试验地上设6个处理,测定不同培肥方式下土壤酶活性,并研究了土壤酶与土壤肥力因子的相关关系。结果表明:(1)秸秆还田和施用厩肥均能显著提高土壤酶活性和纤维素分解强度。在提高脲酶、转化酶活性方面施用厩肥效果好于秸秆还田,全量施用优于半量施用;在提高酸性磷酸酶、过氧化氢酶方面秸秆还田效果好于施用厩肥。各处理中,秸秆还田配施厩肥对提高脲酶活性效果最好,对提高其他各类酶活性效果一般。除过氧化氢酶外,其他各类酶活性均随着土层深度的增加而降低。(2)各种土壤酶之间存在一定的相关关系。脲酶与转化酶呈极显著正相关关系(r=0.913**);转化酶与磷酸酶呈极显著负相关(r=-0.643**);磷酸酶与过氧化氢酶呈极显著正相关关系(r=0.639**)。土壤酶与其他肥力因子之间也具有一定的相关关系。土壤脲酶与纤维素分解强度、碱解氮、速效磷、速效钾、有机质、含水量均达到极显著正相关关系(r分别为0.906**、0.821**、0.911**、0.917**、0.888**、0.867**);土壤转化酶与纤维素分解强度、碱解氮、速效磷、速效钾、有机质、含水量均达到极显著正相关关系(r分别为0.958**、0.857**、0.855**、0.842**、0.820**、0.831**);土壤酸性磷酸酶与含水量呈极显著负相关关系(r=-0.666**),与土壤容重呈显著负相关(r=-0.560*);土壤过氧化氢酶与土壤容重呈极显著负相关(r=-0.765**)。     

福建省铁观音茶园土壤镁素状况研究

调查了福建省安溪县、华安县和永春县等铁观音茶主产区的150个茶园表土和相应的茶叶镁素含量状况,探讨了铁观音茶园土壤镁素供应能力及其与土壤条件之间的关系。结果表明,供试铁观音茶园土壤全镁含量平均值为1.77 g/kg;其中以变质岩类发育的土壤全镁最高,而花岗岩类发育的土壤全镁最低。土壤全镁含量与有机质含量和0.02～0.002 mm粉砂粒含量呈显著正相关,与2～0.02 mm颗粒含量呈极显著负相关。土壤交换性镁含量平均值仅为9.63 mg/kg,土壤普遍缺镁。交换性镁含与pH、有机质含量和土壤全镁呈之间显著正相关,土壤镁有效度与0.002 mm 颗粒含量之间呈显著负相关。茶叶镁含量平均值为1.78 g/kg,与交换性镁含量呈极显著正相关。     

黄河口湿地土壤磷素动态分布特征及影响因素

以黄河口湿地为研究对象,对2008年10月、2009年5月和8月、2010年8月4次野外调查所获取的样品进行室内分析,研究土壤磷素的时空分布特征,并分析土壤理化性质、植被及微生物对磷素分布的影响。结果表明：农业种植区表层土壤全磷（TP）、有效磷（Olsen-P）含量均高于自然湿地的。自然湿地土壤全磷水平和垂直分异均较小,变幅分别为429.19～693.30mg/kg,408.55～663.03mg/kg;有效磷含量水平和垂直分异均较大,变幅分别为0.27～13.48mg/kg,0.08～9.57mg/kg,研究区有效磷含量处于四级及以下水平。土壤全磷水平和垂直方向季节动态变化幅度很小,变异系数分别为5.80%和1.15%;有效磷季节变化明显大于全磷的季节变化,变异系数分别为29.21%和31.09%。土壤磷素分布特征与土壤理化性质、植被分布和微生物的作用相吻合,土壤全磷含量与粘土和粉砂含量、全氮、有机碳含量呈显著正相关关系,与容重呈极显著负相关关系,有效磷含量与土壤粘土和粉砂含量呈显著正相关关系;不同植被群落土壤全磷含量水平和季节变化较小,有效磷含量水平和季节变化明显;植被根际土全磷含量略高于非根际的,碱蓬有效磷的根际效应显著,根际土有效磷含量明显高于非根际的;植被对磷素的吸收累积量与根际土壤磷素含量呈弱的负相关关系;植被根际微生物活性与根际土壤有效磷含量呈极显著正相关关系。     

罗平烟区土壤有效硼、钼含量与烟叶硼、钼含量的关系分析

以罗平县植烟土壤为研究对象,分析了罗平县土壤有效硼、有效钼含量及其互作与烟叶硼、钼含量的关系。结果表明:(1)罗平县土壤有效硼含量平均值为0.540 mg/kg,变幅为0.051~3.033 mg/kg,变异系数为77.78%;土壤有效钼含量丰富,平均值为0.489 mg/kg,变幅为0~3.458 mg/kg,变异系数高达98.77%。(2)罗平县烟叶硼含量平均值为16.301 mg/kg,变幅为2.163~35.684 mg/kg,符合优质烤烟硼含量范围内的样本数占总数的88.89%;烟叶钼含量偏低,平均值为0.535 mg/kg,变幅为0.059~4.059 mg/kg,符合优质烟叶生长发育钼含量的样本数占总样本数的48.83%。(3)烟叶硼含量与土壤有效硼含量呈极显著正相关,相关系数为0.215,烟叶硼含量(y^)与土壤有效硼含量(x)的回归方程为y^=14.720+2.925x;烟叶钼含量与土壤有效钼含量呈极显著正相关,相关系数为0.411,烟叶钼含量(y^)与土壤有效钼含量(x)的回归方程为y^=0.335+0.409x;(4)土壤有效硼和有效钼的交互作用对烟叶硼含量存在极显著影响,但对烟叶钼含量的影响未达到显著水平。     

浙江省部分茶园土壤钼含量状况及影响因素研究

2002年对浙江省部分茶园土壤钼进行了调查。结果表明,浙江省茶园土壤全钼含量较高,在0~20cm土层为12.81±10.76mg/kg,在20~40cm土层为11.26±9.06mg/kg,但有效钼含量低,缺钼茶园占到了50%以上,其中严重缺钼茶园在45%以上(且有效钼含量只占到全钼含量的3%~12%)。统计分析显示,土壤有效钼(x)与全钼(y)之间有着极显著线性正相关,y=4.5679x 5.8135(n=63,r=0.816**)。从上下土层看,表现出0~20cm土层钼含量要比20~40cm土层高。茶园土壤有效钼含量与土壤有机质含量呈显著相关。     

湖南省主要稻田土壤的固定态铵含量与最大固铵容量

应用Silva-Bremner法,研究了湖南省7种主要母质发育的稻田土壤的固定态铵含量和最大固铵容量。研究结果表明:①供试耕层土壤固定态铵含量变动在69.2~457.5mg/kg之间,平均为304.7mg/kg±96.7mg/kg,占土壤全N的2.6%~25.7%,平均为14.0%±5.1%,是该地区一项重要的土壤N素资源。7种不同母质发育的稻田耕层土壤固定态铵含量的大小顺序为:湖潮泥>黄泥田>河沙泥>紫泥田>灰泥田>红黄泥>麻沙泥。②在土壤剖面中,土壤固定态铵含量随剖面深度的变化因土壤类型不同而不同,但其相对含量随深度增加而恒增大:表层平均为15.1%±6.6%,亚表层为25.9%±11.7%,表下第3层平均为34.6%±16.3%。③供试耕层土壤的最大固铵容量以湖潮泥最高,达658.7mg/kg,以麻沙泥最低,为97.6mg/kg。④相关分析表明,土壤耕层固定态铵含量与0.01~0.001mm黏粒含量呈极显著正相关(r=0.698**,n=28),与有机质、全N、碱解N、CEC、缓效K和<0.001mm黏粒含量的相关性均不显著。耕层土壤最大固铵容量与固定态铵量呈极显著正相关(r=0.841**,n=32),与0.01~0.001mm黏粒含量呈极显著正相关(r=0.659**,n=28)。     

保水剂用量对紫色土微量元素有效态及活化率的影响

运用野外径流侵蚀泥沙小区的模拟试验,在紫色土中施加不同用量(T0:0 kg/hm²、T1:30 kg/hm²、T2:90 kg/hm²、T3:150 kg/hm² 和T4:210 kg/hm²)的保水剂,研究不同保水剂施用量对紫色土微量元素及其有效态含量的影响。结果表明,土壤微量元素含量表现为:Mn(134.68±11.02)mg/kg>Zn(69.46±5.24)mg/kg>Fe(24.02±3.03)mg/kg>Cu(17.42±12.17)mg/kg>Mo(1.04±0.17)mg/kg,土壤微量元素有效态含量表现出相似规律。随着保水剂施用量的增加,土壤Mn、全Zn、土壤有效Zn逐渐增加,表现为T0Cu>Mn>Fe>Zn。本研究可为提高紫色土区抗旱性能及土壤微肥的高效利用及土壤肥力综合评价提供理论依据与数据支持。     

土壤养分与澳洲坚果果实内含物间的相关性分析

为了探究澳洲坚果桂热1号种植基地土壤养分与果实内含物之间的相关性,为种植基地科学施肥、提高肥料利用效率提供参考依据。采集广西崇左龙州县、南宁横县、梧州岑溪市3个澳洲坚果种植基地土壤与果实样品,测定土壤养分(全磷、全钙、锌、铁和硒)与果实内含物(钾、钙、镁、铁、锌、磷、硒、可溶性糖、蛋白质、脂肪和氨基酸总量)指标,采用相关性分析方法,筛选影响果实品质的主要土壤养分因子。结果发现,龙州基地全磷含量属于高水平(0.86 g/kg),其余基地属于低水平(0.23～0.30 g/kg);3个基地土壤锌含量都达到很高水平(32.2～177 mg/kg);龙州基地铁含量属于中水平(7.67%),其余基地属于低水平(2.92%～3.16%)。龙州和横县基地均属于富硒土壤(0.84～0.86 mg/kg)。不同基地果实钾含量为370～475 mg/100g,钙含量为42.1～57.5mg/100g,镁含量为93.3～106.3 mg/100g,铁含量为14.0～18.7 mg/kg,锌含量为10.9～12.4mg/kg,磷含量为151～206 mg/100g,硒含量为0.09～0.23 mg/kg,可溶性糖含量为2.78～3.08g/100g,蛋白质含量为8.69～9.33 g/100g,脂肪含量为69.6～83.1 g/100g,氨基酸总量为7.98～8.44 g/100g。其中,龙州基地钙、铁、硒、蛋白质、脂肪和氨基酸总量最高,其余的果实品质指标都是横县基地最高,岑溪基地的果实品质指标都是最低或者居中。果实中蛋白质含量与土壤养分中全磷含量呈极显著正相关(r=1.000),与土壤中全钙、锌和铁含量也达到显著正相关(r=0.998-0.999);果实中可溶性糖含量与土壤中硒含量呈极显著负相关(r=-1.000);果实中氨基酸总量与土壤中硒含量相关系数(0.990)较高;果实中脂肪与土壤中全磷、全钙、锌和铁含量相关系数(0.911-0.933不等)也较高。土壤养分与果实矿质元素含量没有显著的相关性,澳洲坚果果实中的可溶性糖和氨基酸总量主要受土壤硒含量的影响,蛋白质和脂肪主要受土壤全磷、全钙、锌、铁的影响。     

重庆地区紫色土锗的背景含量及分布特征

对重庆地区分布的5种主要紫色土的116个背景土壤剖面,261个土样中的锗含量及分布进行了研究,结果表明:紫色土中锗的含量服从对数正态分布,几何均值为0.67×/÷1.4 mg/kg,算术均值为(0.71±0.26)mg/kg,略低于世界土壤平均值(1.0 mg/kg).背景土壤剖面C层锗含量高于A层、B层,但在燃煤所致降尘和酸雨重污染地区及某冶炼厂附近土壤(灰棕紫泥属)中,其表层锗含量明显高于底层,亦高于其它非污染地区同属土壤表层,因此,局部地区土壤可能存在锗污染问题,值得重视.紫色土壤锗含量与土壤阳离子交换量(CEC),Cu含量呈显著负相关,与土壤Pb,As含量呈显著正相关,而与土壤pH、有机质(OM)、碳酸盐含量及土壤其它化学成分(Hg,CA,Zn,Al_2O_3,Fe_2O_3,K_2O.Na_2O,CaO.MgO,Mn,Cr,Ni,TiO_2)间相关性很差.     

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.