黑河上游天老池流域不同植被下土壤理化性质和入渗特征

选择天老池流域的5种典型植被类型下的土壤,用环刀进行多点采样,用于土壤理化性质和入渗的观测,比较分析不同植被土壤的理化性质。结果显示:不同的植被类型下土壤理化性质有差异。土壤容重表现为草地(干草原1.12g/cm~3,亚高山草地1.00g/cm~3)灌木林地(亚高山灌丛0.76g/cm~3)乔木林地(祁连圆柏0.75g/cm~3,青海云杉0.50g/cm~3);总孔隙度表现为乔木林地(青海云杉81.29%,祁连圆柏76.61%)灌木林地(72.63%)草地(亚高山草地62.28%,干草原57.65%);有机质含量表现为青海云杉(136.87g/kg)亚高山灌丛(119.96g/kg)亚高山草地(94.67g/kg)祁连圆柏(70.69g/kg)干草原(43.94g/kg),总体表现为阴坡大于阳坡。土壤容重、有机质含量、总孔隙度均与土壤入渗特征呈显著性相关,土壤理化性质对土壤入渗的综合影响作用决定了土壤入渗速率的大小。用环刀法观测表层土壤的入渗过程,通过比较发现,初始和稳定入渗速率均表现为青海云杉(7.17mm/min,5.12mm/min)祁连圆柏(2.33mm/min,1.30mm/min)亚高山灌丛(1.91mm/min,1.01mm/min)亚高山草地(1.89mm/min,0.77mm/min)干草原(1.41mm/min,0.44mm/min),整体表现为乔木林地灌木林地草地。用变异系数衡量土壤理化性质和入渗率的空间变异性,结果表明,5种植被土壤的理化性质表现出不同程度的变异,土壤的入渗率均表现出较大的空间变异性。青海云杉林地的土壤入渗率明显大于其他4种植被类型,在本研究区的水源涵养上起到至关重要的作用。     

祁连山区4种高寒植被类型下土壤养分及含水率分布

[目的]探究祁连山区土壤养分及含水率分布特征,为祁连山区水土保持和生态植被恢复提供参考。[方法]以高寒草甸、高山灌丛、温性草原、温性荒漠4种高寒植被类型土壤为研究对象,采用野外调查、室内试验及数理统计相结合的方法,研究了4种植被类型下不同土层深度和4种坡向下土壤有机质(SOM)、全氮(TN)、全磷(TP)、含水率(SMC)分布特征,及其与年平均气温、年累积降雨量之间的相关性。[结果](1)研究区SOM含量范围为1.85～190.31 mg/g, TN含量为0.07～7.99 mg/g, TP含量为0.24～1.81 mg/g, SMC为0.79%～73.21%。(2)土壤SOM,TN,TP,SMC含量差异主要受植被类型影响,不同植被类型土壤SOM,SMC含量大小顺序均为：高寒草甸>高山灌丛>温性草原>温性荒漠;TN含量：高山灌丛>高寒草甸>温性草原>温性荒漠;TP含量：温性草原>高寒草甸>高山灌丛>温性荒漠。在4种坡向中,TP含量在半阴坡最高,阳坡最低,SOM,TN,SMC含量在半阳坡最高。(3)SOM,TN,TP,SMC与年累积降...     

青藏高原高寒草原与草甸土壤可蚀性的关键因子

[目的] 探讨青藏高原高寒草原与草甸土壤可蚀性特征差异,为高寒草原草甸土壤可蚀性研究提供重要参考。[方法] 选取18个变化因子作为草原与草甸土壤可蚀性评价的影响因子,运用主成分分析、逐步回归分析以及通径分析法,确定高寒草原与草甸土壤可蚀性的主要影响因素,筛选青藏高原高寒草原与草甸土壤可蚀性的关键因子。[结果] 高寒草原土壤可蚀性主要受土壤粒径与团聚体特征两方面的影响,高寒草甸土壤可蚀性主要受粒径孔隙分布、有机质、团聚体特征和渗透性能的影响;高寒草原土壤可蚀性的关键因子为：粉粒、团聚体平均质量直径（MWD）、团聚体>2 mm粒级结构体破坏率（PAD_>2）和>0.25 mm粒级结构体破坏率（PAD_>0.25）,草甸土壤可蚀性关键因子为：粉粒、黏粒、>1 mm粒级结构体破坏率（PAD_>1）和饱和导水率。[结论] 草原与草甸土壤主要在颗粒机械组成、有机质含量、含水量等方面表现出较大差异,草甸土壤状态更适合于植被发育。     

西藏北部不同草地类型土壤碳、氮、磷的变化特征

[目的]探讨西藏北部不同草地类型间土壤碳氮磷含量的分布规律和各养分间相互关系,为草地生态保护和评价提供理论依据。[方法]通过S形土壤取样法对西藏北部不同草地类型的土壤样品进行采集,利用试验测定土壤的碳氮磷含量,基于SPSS进行方差分析和相关性分析。[结果]山脊高寒草甸、高寒灌丛草甸和山腰高寒草甸有机碳含量主要受海拔高度的影响,有机碳含量随着海拔高度的增加而增加,随土层深度加大而降低;有机碳与全氮有极显著正相关关系,相关系数为0.968(p0.01),不同草地类型间全氮含量趋势与有机质趋势相同;除高寒沼泽草甸,其他草地类型的有效氮与全氮分布规律相同,有效氮含量和全氮含量之间存在显著正相关关系,相关系数为0.439(p0.05)。速效磷受全磷含量影响显著,速效磷与全磷的相关系数为0.442,为极显著正相关关系;全磷含量受放牧影响,但放牧对速效养分的影响更加明显。[结论]西藏北部不同草地类型土壤碳、氮、磷的具有一定的变化规律,草地退化与放牧强度具有一定联系。     

高寒草甸典型小流域土壤水分空间变异对比研究

以寒区两个典型小流域为例,根据理论变异函数,通过Krige空间内插法对比研究小流域0～30cm层土壤水分空间变异性及其特征。结果表明：（1）受植被类型、覆盖度影响,水平方向上,同一流域不同植被类型土壤含水量分布为：高寒灌丛草甸〉高寒嵩草草甸〉退化草地;相同草甸类型条件下,纳通河流域平均土壤水分含量均小于跨热洼尔玛流域;各坡位、坡向草甸植被严重退化区域土壤水分含量均略小于高寒草甸草地区域。（2）从剖面分析,跨热洼尔玛流域各层土壤含水量均大于纳通河流域;剖面变异性、土壤水分下渗速度纳通河流域总体均大于跨热洼尔玛流域;土壤水分变化剧烈程度高寒草甸草地区域在20～30 cm层、植被退化区域10～20 cm层;土壤水分下渗速度草甸植被严重退化区域大于高寒草甸草地;高寒草甸草地区域在10～20 cm层土壤水分在下渗过程中有一定的滞后作用;而草甸植被严重退化区域则无此类情况。     

祁连山东段不同植被下土壤养分状况研究

通过分析祁连山东段天祝县地区5种植被类型（丛生禾草草地、银露梅灌丛、青海云杉林、青海云杉-白桦混交林和白桦林）覆盖下土壤碳、氮、磷含量的变化情况,研究了不同植被对土壤养分的影响。结果表明:植被对土壤养分具有表聚效应,不同植被覆盖下的土壤0-20 cm土层养分含量显著高于20-40 cm土层（p<0.05）,乔木林的表聚效应强于灌丛和草地。随上覆植被从草本植物到灌木再到乔木的变化,土壤有机碳、全氮、铵态氮和速效磷等养分均呈现出逐渐增加的趋势（p<0.05）;硝态氮含量变化情况为白桦林>银露梅灌丛>青海云杉林>青海云杉-白桦混交林>丛生禾草草地,土壤全磷除白桦林下较高外,其他4种植被之间都无显著差异（p>0.05）。青海云杉-白桦混交林维持土壤养分平衡的能力强于其他4种植被。     

典型岩溶山区植被恢复对土壤团聚体分布及稳定性的影响

[目的]了解岩溶山区植被恢复对土壤团聚体分布及稳定性的影响。[方法]通过野外调查与室内分析,研究了广西壮族自治区平果县果化镇典型岩溶峰丛洼地荒地、草地、灌丛、林灌4种不同植被覆盖下土壤的基本理化性质、团聚体的分布及稳定性特征。[结果](1)土壤中0.25mm的水稳性团聚体含量与土壤的容重显著负相关,与全土有机碳含量极显著正相关;(2)土壤水稳性团聚体以2~1,1~0.5和0.25mm粒级的含量居多。0.25mm粒级的团聚体,在草地、灌丛和林灌中明显高于荒地,在表层土中明显高于下层土;(3)随土层深度的增加,土壤团聚体的破坏率增大;土壤团聚体的破坏率:草地灌丛林灌荒地,草地和灌丛的平均重量直径和几何平均直径明显高于荒地和林灌。[结论]植被的恢复提高了团聚体的稳定性,且草地和灌丛土壤的团聚体稳定性更高,更有利于水土保持,可以作为该区域水土保持的主要植被类型。     

祁连山不同林地类型土壤特性及其水源涵养功能

对甘肃祁连山4种不同林地类型的土壤特性、凋落物持水量、林地土壤蓄水性能、土壤渗透性能等进行了研究.结果表明,林地内土壤容重和孔隙度(0-60 cm)差异较大,容重大小依次为:牧坡草地＞祁连圆柏林＞高山灌丛林＞青海云杉林;总孔隙度大小依次为:青海云杉林＞高山灌丛林＞祁连圆柏林＞牧坡草地.林地间凋落物的最大持水量和最大持水率表现一致,趋势表现为:高山灌丛林＞青海云杉林＞祁连圆柏林＞牧坡草地.不同林地间土壤非毛管孔隙持水量差别较大,4种林地的土壤非毛管孔隙持水量由大到小依次为:青海云杉林＞高山灌丛林＞祁连圆柏林＞牧坡草地.有效涵蓄量大小与土壤涵蓄降水量一致,4种林地变化范围为184.98～222.27 mm,大小顺序依次为:青海云杉林＞牧坡草地＞高山灌丛林＞祁连圆柏林.     

祁连山浅山区退耕地土壤团聚体及其有机碳和全氮的分布特征

[目的]分析祁连山浅山区退耕地土壤团聚体及其有机碳和全氮分布特征,为该区退耕地植被恢复及水土流失防治提供理论依据。[方法]以祁连山大黄山林区三种类型退耕地为研究对象,通过干筛法测定团聚体粒径,分析不同粒级团聚体组成及其有机碳和全氮分布规律。[结果] 3种类型退耕地≥0.25 mm的大团聚体含量高于0.25 mm的微团聚体,其中以5 mm和0.25～2 mm粒级团聚体为主;封育草地团聚体稳定性最强,平均重量直径(MWD)高于沙棘林地9.31%,高于未封育草地31.95%;未封育草地土壤有机碳含量低于沙棘林地和封育草地,且差异显著,三种类型退耕地土壤全氮含量没有明显变化趋势;0.25～2 mm团聚体有机碳含量最高,0.25 mm微团聚体全氮含量最高,沙棘林地和封育草地土壤团聚体养分优于未封育草地;与团聚体分布特征相同,5 mm和0.25～2 mm粒级团聚体依然是退耕地有机碳和全氮储存的主体。[结论]祁连山浅山区退耕地以≥0.25 mm的大团聚体为主,沙棘林地和封育草地团聚体稳定性及其有机碳和全氮含量高于未封育草地。     

祁连山三种主要乔木林细根生物量比较

采用根钻法采集细根,分析了祁连山中段寺大隆林区3种主要乔木植被青海云杉纯林、杨树纯林和祁连圆柏纯林的细根生物量、土壤含水量、土壤容重和土壤养分状况,并在3种森林群落之间进行了比较研究,旨在为该区提高森林生产力和根系碳汇的后续研究提供理论依据。结果表明:研究区内3种乔木植被总细根生物量和活细根生物量之间呈极显著正相关,而细根生物量和土壤水分与土壤容重均呈显著负相关,土壤养分和土壤含水量对细根生物量有着积极的促进作用。3种植被类型的细根生物量都集中分布在20—40 cm土层,而且杨树林分依次是青海云杉林分的154倍、祁连圆柏纯林的308倍;3种植被类型的土壤容重依次为S_d杨 > S_d柏 > S_d杉,且两两之间差异显著;0—10 cm土壤含水量差异显著,青海云杉纯林远高于其他两种乔木植被;另外,3种植被类型土壤中含有的碳、氮含量差异也比较显著。     

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.