京北山区板栗林主要养分元素积累与分配的研究

对北京北部山区板栗林主要养分元素积累与分配的研究结果表明:22年生板栗林的生物量为38638kg/hm2,生物量在干、枝、叶、花、果、果苞及根中的分配比例为52.18∶21.82∶3.70∶2.26∶2.65∶2.07∶15.33。板栗林5种主要养分元素N、P、K、Ca和Mg的贮存量为315.38kg/hm2,不同器官中5种养分元素贮存量排序为干>枝>根>叶>花>果苞>果。土壤层中5种养分元素贮存总量为206427.59kg/hm2,有效养分元素贮存量为16188.29kg/hm2,板栗林5种养分元素贮存量占土壤层5种养分元素贮存总量的0.15%,占有效养分贮存量的1.95%。板栗林对N的富集能力最强,各元素的富集系数排序为N>P>K>Ca>Mg。板栗林生态系统每积累1t干物质需要5种养分元素总量7.17kg,其中对Ca元素的需求量最大,P的最小。     

黄土丘陵区人工林养分循环特*征

通过对山西省吉县蔡家川流域人工刺槐林和人工油松林养分元素积累与分布和生物循环进行研究,结果表明:(1)黄土丘陵区人工林乔木层不同器官养分元素含量以树叶为最高,树干最低;各器官中养分元素含量N最高,P最低,凋落物层养分含量总计约占整个林下层养分含量的26.69%～37.36%;(2)黄土丘陵区人工林生态系统养分总贮量为3 238.548 kg/hm2,乔木层、灌木层、草本层和凋落物层分别72.24%,12.31%,8.70%和6.74%,说明该地区人工林群落结构简单,乔木层树种单一;(3)黄土丘陵区人工林年吸收量、归还量、存留量分别为256.825,110.328,146.497 kg/(hm2.a),年归还量占年吸收量的42.96%,凋落物的回归量不到吸收量的1/2。(4)循环系数为0.364～0.398,循环速率依次为PMgKCaN。     

桤木人工林营养元素的季节动态、空间分布与生物循环研究

对湖南汨罗桤木人工林5种营养元素(N、P、K、Ca、Mg)的季节动态、空间分布及生物循环进行研究。结果表明:桤木叶片营养元素含量均为春季最高,干材养分含量偏低,且大部分元素在春季达最低点,所以建议桤木干材在春季采伐;树皮有大量Ca富集,根系中营养元素季节变化不明显。林下植被元素含量从春季到冬季有下降的趋势,枯落物、土壤层中元素含量季节变化趋势不明显,K元素各个土层各个季节含量变化都不是很大。桤木人工林生态系统各组分养分含量变化差异较大,以树叶中养分含量最高,30-60cm土壤层中含量最低;乔木层各器官排序为树叶>树皮>树枝>树根>树干,各器官中养分元素含量以N最高,P最低。桤木人工林生态系统养分总贮量为167 809.80kg/hm2,其中乔木层5种元素总量为754.77kg/hm2,占生态系统养分总贮量的0.45%,林下植被与枯落物层二者的养分积累量为254.04kg/hm2,占生态系统养分总贮量的0.15%。营养元素的年积累量为350.18kg/hm2,以N的积累量最大。桤木年吸收量、归还量、存留量分别为449.38,348.23,101.15kg/hm2。营养元素的循环系数为0.77,利用系数为0.60,周转期为2.17年,循环速率依次为N>Ca>Mg>K>P。     

北京密云2种人工林氮磷钾的生物循环特征

 为了探究北京密云2种典型人工林生态系统主要养分元素的生物循环特征,2006—2007年以北京密云水库库西试验区的油松人工林和麻栎-侧柏人工混交林为研究对象,采用标准样方定位观测的方法,对其主要元素N、P、K的降水输入、凋落物归还、积累量以及生物循环特征进行了观测和研究。结果表明:1)大气降水向油松林和混交林生态系统每年分别输入养分量为31.56和13.27kg/(hm2.a);2)油松林和混交林凋落物中N、P、K的归还总量分别为18.00和14.06kg/(hm2.a);3)油松林中乔木层N、P、K积累总量为612.37kg/hm2,各器官中N、P、K积累量大小排序是叶>枝>干>根,混交林中乔木层N、P、K积累量分别为153.87、18.28和100.13kg/hm2;4)油松林养分利用系数排序为N>K>P,混交林养分利用系数为K>N>P,油松林对N、P、K的吸收系数均高于混交林,而混交林N、P、K的循环系数均高于油松林。研究结论阐明,油松林和混交林通过降水归还的养分量占总归还量分别为63.7%和53.0%,通过凋落物归还的养分量占总归还量分别为36.3%和47%,2种人工林生态系统的降雨淋溶均为年养分归还量的主要部分;油松林和混交林生态系统从土壤中吸收N、P、K的总量分别为126.58和54.96kg/(hm2.a),其中有77.02和24.42 kg/(hm2.a)存留于林分中,有49.56和30.54 kg/(hm2.a)通过淋溶和凋落物归还土壤。     

不同桉树人工林Cu元素积累和循环的比较研究

通过对海南刚果12桉、尾叶桉、窿缘桉3种桉树Cu元素的积累、循环进行比较研究。结果表明,刚果12桉、尾叶桉、窿缘桉3种桉树Cu元素平均含量为4.61,3.45,4.36 m g/kg;林分积累量为0.350 3,0.397 6,0.1167kg/hm2。年存留量尾叶桉>刚果12桉>窿缘桉;年归还量刚果12桉>尾叶桉>窿缘桉;刚果12桉、尾叶桉年吸收量分别是窿缘桉的2.7,2.6倍;刚果12桉、窿缘桉、尾叶桉循环系数分别为0.66,0.63,0.53。两种林分特征下尾叶桉Cu元素的含量存在差异,林下有植被的林分和林下无植被的林分Cu元素含量分别为17.15,13.48 m g/kg,林分积累量为0.534 4,0.336 8 kg/hm2。林下有植被的林分和无林下植被的林分Cu元素年存留量分别为0.106 8,0.067 3 kg/(hm2.a);年归还量为0.247 4,0.160 0 kg/(hm2.a);年吸收量分别为0.354 2,0.227 3 kg/(hm2.a);循环系数分别为0.70和0.71。     

长沙市郊枫香人工林养分归还研究

通过野外调查和室内测试分析相结合的方法,研究枫香人工林的养分归还,为枫香人工林生态系统经营管理和物质循环研究提供科学依据。结果表明:1)枫香人工林的年凋落量为4 935.6 kg/hm2,凋落量大小依次为落叶>落枝>花果>碎屑;2)凋落物养分年归还量为111.849 kg/hm2,各元素归还量大小依次为N>Ca>K>Mg>P,各组分归还量大小为落叶>落枝>花果>碎屑;3)降水淋溶养分年归还量为105.823 kg/hm2,各元素淋溶量大小依次为Ca>K>Mg>P>N;4)枫香人工林总的年养分归还量为217.672 kg/hm2,各元素归还量大小依次为Ca>N>K>Mg>P。因此,在降水较丰富的亚热带地区,降水淋溶对枫香人工林养分归还的作用不可忽视。     

密云水库北京集水区油松水源保护林主要养分元素积累与分配研究

对密云水库北京集水区油松水源保护林主要养分元素积累与分配的研究结果表明:29年生油松林的生物量为92 627 kg/hm².油松林不同器官中各养分元素的含量差异较大,在叶、枝和干中各养分元素的含量顺序分别为N(K)>K(N、Ca)>Ca(K)>Mg(P)>P(Mg).根系中的养分元素随着根系直径的增加呈各养分元素的含量降低.油松林生态系统5种养分元素的贮存量为695.17 kg/hm².若以各养分元素在油松林生态系统中的贮存量来计,则N的贮存量最大,P的最小,不同养分元素贮存量的顺序N>Ca>K>Mg>P.油松林生态系统对N元素的富集能力最强,不同器官中各养分元素的富集系数排序均为N>P>K>Ca>Mg.油松林每积累1 t干物质需N、P、K、Ca和Mg等5种养分元素共计7.51 kg.     

太行山地区侧柏人工林主要养分元素分配及循环特征

为了解侧柏(Platycladus orientalis)人工林养分循环特征,以太行山丘陵区侧柏人工林为研究对象,采用样地标准木收获法,对其生物量和养分循环进行了研究.结果表明:(1)侧柏人工林(26 a)生物量约45.55t/hm2,林分净生产力为2.07 t/hm2;生物量分配排序为;树干树根树皮树枝树叶.(2)林分营养元素积累量为455.23 kg/hm2,积累量的排序为:CaNP.(3)灌草植被层营养元素积累量顺序为:CaNP,灌草层3种元素总贮量仅占乔木层的5.5%.(4)凋落物营养元素年归还量为337.12 kg/hm2,3种营养元素归还量排序为:CaNP,Ca的年归还量最高,为271.66 kg/hm2,分别是N和P的4.42倍和69.12倍.(5)年吸收量、年存留量、养分年归还量和富集系数排序均为CaNP;吸收系数排序为CaNP;利用系数、循环系数排序是NCaP,侧柏对N的利用系数最大;Ca的富集能力最强.分别是N,P的1.9和2.8倍.侧柏的N周转时间最短(1.22 a),P周转时间最长(3.63 a),Ca周转时间居中(1.43 a).     

氮沉降对杉木人工林凋落物大量元素归还量的影响

通过野外模拟试验,研究了杉木人工林(Cunninghamia lanceolata)凋落物养分归还对氮沉降增加的响应。试验设计为4种处理,分N0(对照)、N1、N2、N3共4种处理,N沉降量分别为0,60,120,240kg N/(hm2.a)。每处理重复3次。通过3a监测发现,经N0、N1、N2、N3处理,N元素平均年归还量分别为8.49,8.51,9.57,9.37kg/hm2,P分别为0.74,0.68,0.73,0.72kg/hm2,K分别为3.57,3.93,4.02,3.98kg/hm2,Ca分别为6.81,6.96,6.76,7.12kg/hm2,Mg分别为2.12,2.22,2.08,2.30kg/hm2,相对于N0处理,各水平的氮沉降处理在3a时间里表现为提高凋落物N归还量的作用,但是增长幅度有下降的趋势,对P元素归还有抑制作用,对K、Ca、Mg元素先期表现为促进其归还量的作用,但在后期逐渐有呈抑制的趋势。各处理凋落物5种元素归还量均在2,4,7月出现3个明显的归还高峰期,最大值均出现在7月份。     

我国东北地区蒙古栎林生物量及生产力的研究

对我国东北地区常见5种蒙古栎林乔木层生物量和生产力研究的结果表明,各林分生物量依次为榛子蒙古栎林(249754.45 kg/hm2)>高产栎林(184750.00 kg/hm2)>胡枝子蒙古栎林(128312.00 kg/hm2)>杜鹃蒙古栎林(124573.16 kg/hm2)>矮栎林(42974.50 kg/hm2),各林分乔木层生物量主要分布在数量较少的大径级林木中,大径级林木在森林生态系统生物量构成中占主导地位。几种次生林乔木层生物量由大到小依次为榛子蒙古栎林>白桦林>高产栎林>杂木林>胡枝子蒙古栎林>杜鹃蒙古栎林>山杨林>硬阔叶林>矮栎林。各林分净生产力依次为榛子蒙古栎林(18701.3kg/hm2.a)>矮栎林(7682.6kg/hm2.a)>杜鹃蒙古栎林(7622.1kg/hm2.a)>胡枝子蒙古栎林(7588.5kg/hm2.a)>高产栎林(6984.0kg/hm2.a)。     

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.     

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.     

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.