不同类型生物炭理化特性及其对土壤持水性的影响

[目的]对比分析不同原料制备的生物炭的理化性质及其对土壤持水性的影响,为选择合适的生物炭改良和修复土壤提供理论依据。[方法]以鸡粪、浒苔及稻草为原料,分高、中、低3种不同温度制备生物炭,运用元素分析、盆栽培养等试验研究其特性。[结果]稻草中C,H及灰分的含量较高,鸡粪中N含量较高,浒苔中C含量低,O含量较高;而在制备的生物炭中,鸡粪基生物炭C和N含量较高,浒苔基生物C含量却比较低。另外,3种类型生物炭的H/C摩尔比值随着热解温度的升高而逐渐降低,C/N比随着热解温度的升高而增大。不同原料制备的生物炭pH值随着热解温度的升高而增大,pH值从6.82~8.35升高至9.33~10.29;3种类型的生物炭pH值随着灰分含量的增大而增大,但增长速率不同,稻草基生物炭浒苔基生物炭鸡粪基生物炭。并且,随着热解温度的升高,鸡粪、浒苔及稻草基生物炭引起土壤持水性逐渐增强。[结论]在土壤提供营养成分方面,鸡粪基生物炭显然更具优势,而且在促进土壤持水性方面,鸡粪生物炭也相对更强一些。     

畜禽粪便中的主要养分和重金属含量分析

为了进一步推进畜禽粪便资源化利用,推动现代化农业产业和循环经济发展。选取猪粪、牛粪、羊粪和鸡粪为主要研究对象,对其中的有机质、铵态氮、总磷、总氮和重金属元素进行了测定。结果显示:鸡粪中的有机质含量明显低于牛粪、猪粪和羊粪,而鸡粪中的铵态氮、全磷和全氮有明显高于牛粪、猪粪和羊粪。猪粪中的重金属铜和锌含量严重超标,超标率分别为69.0%和58.6%。鸡粪中镉、铬和镍金属含量超标率高于牛粪、猪粪和羊粪。在这四种畜禽粪便无害化、资源化和生态化的综合利用时,要充分考虑每种粪便中的养分和重金属含量,做到既合理又有效地综合利用。     

我国主要畜禽粪便养分含量及变化分析

取样并分析了我国20个省（市）主要畜禽粪便的养分含量。结果表明,畜禽粪便中养分含量变异很大,鸡粪和猪粪的氮（N）、磷（P2O5）、锌（Zn）、铜（Cu）含量明显高于牛粪和羊粪,而钾素（K2O）含量相当。鸡粪中N、P2O5、K2O、Zn、Cu平均含量分别为2．08％、3．53％、2．38％、306．6mg·kg^-1和78．2mg·kg^-1;猪粪中分别为2．28％、3．97％、2．09％、663．3mg·kg^-1和488．1mg·kg^-1;牛粪中分别为1．56％、1．49％、1．96％、138．6mg·kg^-1和48．5mg·kg^-1;羊粪中分别为1．31％、1.03％、2．40％、88．9mg·kg^-1、23．5mg·kg^-1。按照德国腐熟堆肥的标准,鸡粪中Zn、Cu的超标率分别为27．1％和15．3％;猪粪中Zn、Cu的超标率分别为62．5％和70．0％;牛粪中Zn、Cu的超标率分别为3．8％和9．6％;羊粪中Zn、Cu不超标。与上世纪90年代相比,鸡粪、猪粪、牛粪中P2O5的平均含量分别增加65．7％、93,7％和52．0％;鸡粪、猪粪、牛粪、羊粪K2O的平均含量分别增加138．7％、54．8％、71．9％、50．9％;鸡粪和猪粪中Zn的平均含量分别增加92．1％和383．5％,猪粪含Cu量增加近12倍。畜禽粪便的电导率（EC）值主要集中在50～150mS·cm^-1,pH主要集中在7．0—8．0。这一研究为畜禽粪便的安全合理施用提供了参考。     

制炭条件对生物炭碱性基团含量及酸性土壤改良效果的影响

采用不同粒径(0.5,0.25~0.5,0.25mm)的4种原材料(椰糠、木薯秸秆、桉树枝、猪粪),通过不同热解温度(300,400,500,600℃)炭化不同时间(1,2,3,5h)制备生物炭,探讨制炭条件对生物炭碱性基团含量的影响,并探索生物炭改良酸性土壤pH的影响因素。结果表明,不同制炭条件所制备的生物炭均呈碱性,碱性基团含量范围为0.40~1.05mmol/g。不同原材料生物炭碱性基团含量呈现猪粪木薯秸秆椰糠桉树枝的规律。随着热解温度的升高、热解时间的延长及原材料粉碎粒度的减小,生物炭碱性基团含量呈增加趋势。研究还表明,添加生物炭能显著提高酸性土壤pH,其改良酸性土壤的能力随碱性基团含量的增加而增强。原材料粉碎粒度减小、热解温度升高和热解时间延长及用量增加,均能有效提升生物炭改良酸性土壤pH的效果。     

典型河源区畜禽粪便农田施用的环境承载力研究

畜禽粪便作为农业面源污染的主要来源之一,对农田土壤质量及河源区水质安全存在严重威胁.本研究选取东辽河源区东辽县畜禽粪便为研究对象,通过分析其重金属与典型抗生素与产生特征,阐明了畜禽粪便农田施用的环境承载力及应对措施.结果表明:畜禽粪便中重金属Cu、Zn含量最高,四环素类抗生素中金霉素残留最高,猪粪中含量高于鸡粪和牛粪....     

我国商品有机肥和有机废弃物中重金属、养分和盐分状况

【目的】 分析我国主要菜区商品有机肥和有机废弃物的重金属、养分和盐分状况,为蔬菜高效安全施肥和菜田土壤质量改善提供一定的理论依据。【方法】 针对全国主要菜区包括北方6省（市）和南方12省（市）典型商品有机肥和有机废弃物展开调查,取样时间是2014年1月上旬,共采取商品有机肥样品126个和有机废弃物样品255个,对3类商品有机肥和5类有机废弃物中重金属、养分和盐分状况进行了研究。【结果】 1）按照我国现有的NY525-2012有机肥料中重金属限量标准,商品鸡粪中Cd、Pb和Cr超标率分别为10.3%、17.2%和17.2%,商品猪粪中Cd和As超标率分别为20.0%和6.7%,其它商品有机肥中Cr、Cd、As和Hg超标率分别为13.4%、2.4%、2.4%和2.4%;鸡粪中Cd、As和Hg超标率分别为2.4%、7.1%和2.4%,猪粪中Cd、Pb、As和Hg超标率分别为1.5%、3.1%、15.4%和1.5%,牛粪中Cd和Hg超标率分别为1.7%和1.7%,羊粪中Cd超标率为12.5%,其它有机废弃物中Cr和As超标率分别为4.5%和13.6%。现在的畜禽粪便与传统有机肥已经大不相同,尤其是鸡粪和猪粪中Cu、Zn含量远高于上个世纪90年代初,分别增加1.5~16.2倍和1.3~4.7倍。2）商品有机肥中全氮含量、全钾含量和氮磷钾总含量较有机废弃物平均分别高出51.2%、32.0%和15.0%,有机废弃物中全磷含量、有机质含量、C/N比值和C/P比值较商品有机肥平均分别高出23.7%、41.5%、22.7%和15.2%。商品有机肥中,商品猪粪的全磷含量、有机质含量和C/N比值均相对较高,其它商品有机肥的全氮含量、全钾含量、氮磷钾总含量和C/P比值均相对较高;有机废弃物中,鸡粪和猪粪的全氮含量、全磷含量和氮磷钾总含量均相对较高,鸡粪、羊粪和其它有机废弃物的全钾含量相对较高,猪粪、牛粪和羊粪的有机质含量相对较高,牛粪的C/N比值相对较高,牛粪和羊粪的C/P比值相对较高。3）商品有机肥的EC值（平均23.5 mS/cm,n=126）较有机废弃物（平均7.7 mS/cm,n=255）高出2.1倍。商品有机肥中其它商品有机肥的EC值很高,其次是商品猪粪,商品鸡粪的EC值相对较低;有机废弃物中鸡粪和其它有机废弃物的EC值相对较高,其次是羊粪,猪粪和牛粪的EC值相对较低。【结论】 商品鸡粪以Cd、Pb和Cr超标为主,商品猪粪以Cd和As超标为主,其它商品有机肥以Cr超标为主;猪粪、鸡粪和其它有机废弃物以As超标为主,羊粪以Cd超标为主。商品有机肥中全氮含量、全钾含量和氮磷钾总含量均高于有机废弃物,有机废弃物中全磷含量、有机质含量、C/N比值和C/P比值均高于商品有机肥。商品有机肥的EC值远高于有机废弃物。     

鸡粪等有机肥料的养分释放及土壤有效铜、锌、铁、锰含量的影响

采用室内培养法研究鸡粪、牛粪和猪粪等畜禽有机肥料的矿化率和速效氮、磷、钾养分释放特性,并探讨施用有机肥料对土壤有效铜、锌、铁、锰含量的影响.结果表明,鸡粪、牛粪和猪粪等畜禽有机肥料当季(120d)有机碳矿化率分别为87.5%、71.9%和55.4%,碱解氮释放量分别为39.9%、20.6%和35.3%,速效磷释放量分别为24.6%、61.3%和34.8%,速效钾释放量分别为78.8%、36.8%和41.5%.供试条件下土壤有效铜、锰含量增加,但有效锌含量降低,施用鸡粪可使土壤有效铁含量增加,而施用牛粪和猪粪则使土壤有效铁含量降低.     

鸡粪等有机肥料的养分释放及对土壤有效铜、锌、铁、锰含量的影响

采用室内培养法研究鸡粪、牛粪和猪粪等畜禽有机肥料的矿化率和速效氮、磷、钾养分释放特性,并探讨施用有机肥料对土壤有效铜、锌、铁、锰含量的影响。结果表明,鸡粪、牛粪和猪粪等畜禽有机肥料当季(120d)有机碳矿化率分别为87．5％、71．9％和55．4％,碱解氮释放量分别为39．9％、20．6％和35．3％,速效磷释放量分别为24．6％、61．3％和34．8％,速效钾释放量分别为78．8％、36．8％和41．5％。供试条件下土壤有效铜、锰含量增加,但有效锌含量降低,施用鸡粪可使土壤有效铁含量增加,而施用牛粪和猪粪则使土壤有效铁含量降低。     

吉林省畜禽粪便自然堆放条件下粪便/土壤体系中Cu、Zn的分布规律

本文通过对不同养殖场鸡、猪、牛粪便自然堆放条件下粪便和土壤样品的采集和实验室分析,研究了吉林省部分养殖场不同类型畜禽粪便Cu、Zn含量,以及粪便自然堆放对土壤Cu、Zn含量的影响。结果表明,鸡粪、猪粪和牛粪中Cu的含量范围和均值分别为7.12～26.04mg·kg-（1风干样,下同）（均值18.24mg·kg-1）、87.99～463.7mg·kg-（1均值243.6mg·kg-1）、3.95～27.63mg·kg-（1均值12.28mg·kg-1）;Zn的含量范围和均值分别为179.2～340.8mg·kg-（1均值276.9mg·kg-1）、140.5～455.8mg·kg-（1均值381.8mg·kg-1）、150.5～292.3mg·kg-（1均值188.1mg·kg-1）。不同类型粪便中Cu、Zn含量均是猪粪〉鸡粪〉牛粪,但不论是哪种类型的畜禽粪便重金属含量均是Zn〉Cu。在自然堆放条件下,鸡粪和猪粪中的Cu可从粪便向底土迁移,迁移量随粪便中Cu含量的增加而增加,并主要积累在土壤表层,而牛粪在自然堆放过程中对底土的Cu含量影响不显著,粪底土Cu含量分布规律为猪粪底土〉鸡粪底土〉牛粪底土;鸡粪、猪粪和牛粪中的Zn也可向底土迁移,使粪底土Zn含量有不同程度的增加,但主要积累在粪底土的表层,且不同类型粪便底土Zn含量差异不明显。     

稻秸蚯蚓堆制后的物理、化学及微生物特性变化

利用水稻秸秆与畜禽粪便（牛粪、猪粪和鸡粪）等干重混合物（RCD、RPM、RCE）接种蚯蚓（Eisenia foetida）进行堆制,研究堆肥产物的物理、化学及微生物特性变化。结果表明,蚯蚓堆制30 d后,稻秸牛粪、稻秸猪粪堆肥产物MBC含量显著下降; 3种稻秸粪便混合物经蚯蚓堆制后,堆肥产物微生物代谢熵、脱氢酶和碱性磷酸酶活性增加,尤以RCD的变化明显。稻秸牛粪、稻秸猪粪及稻秸鸡粪混合物经蚯蚓堆制后,总固形物平均重量损失分别增加6.45%、4.22%和3.82%; pH值均降低,其中RCD显著降低。蚯蚓堆制有助于提高堆肥产物全氮、全磷和全钾含量,同时使碳氮比降低。水稻秸秆混入部分畜禽粪便经蚯蚓堆制可减少堆肥时间并提高堆肥质量,混入的粪便以牛粪最好,猪粪次之,鸡粪最差。     

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,     

Assessing the effectiveness of conservation measures: Resolving the “wicked” problem of the Steller sea lion

“Wicked” problems are those that are complex and that change when solutions are applied. Many conflicts in conservation fall into this category. The study approached the problem of how to constrain the apparent wickedness of a problem in the conservation management of a species by using simple empirical indicators to carry out iterative assessment of the risk to a population and to document how this risk evolves in relation to the addition of new data and the implementation of management actions. Effects of high levels of uncertainty within data and also concerning population structure were examined through stochastic simulation and by exploration of scenarios. Historical trends in the example used, the Steller sea lion, showed rapid declines in abundance in some regions during the 1980s. The current total population is 130,000-150,000 Steller sea lions through Alaska and British Columbia and this number has been stable since about 1990 in spite of regional differences in population dynamics. Regional differences in the sequence of changes in the number of pups and non-pups, suggested that an internal re-distribution of juveniles could have happened between 1980 and 1990. Current productivity also appears close to the long-term mean. Stochastic population projection using various scenarios showed that, based upon this history, the risk of extinction for the population has declined and is below reasonable thresholds for considering the population to be endangered. The trends in risk suggest that management actions taken since 1990 have probably been effective. Consequently, the conservation management objectives for the Steller sea lion are probably being met. The approach provides a mechanism, based upon experience and scenario analysis, for exploring future policy options and may help to constrain the debate amongst stakeholders about the cost-benefit trade-offs associated with different options.     

Soil-profile distribution of primary and secondary plant-available nutrients under conventional and no tillage

Nutrient distributions under no tillage (NT) compared with conventional disk-and-bed tillage (CT) management in the warm, humid region of the southeastern USA need to be assessed so that future placement, quantity, and type of fertilizers can be altered, if necessary, to efficiently match crop demands. We determined soil-profile distributions of pH, N, P, S, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu to a depth of 0.9 m at the end of 8.5 years of continuous CT and NT management on a Weswood silty clay loam (fine, mixed, thermic Fluventic Ustochrept) in southcentral Texas. Most dramatic changes occurred within the 0–0.05 m depth, where soil under NT had lower pH, Fe, and Cu than under CT, but greater P, K, Zn, and Mn. Greater P and K under NT than under CT also occurred below the till-zone (0.15–0.3 m). At a depth of 0–0.3 m, soil under NT contained greater amounts of extractable P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu than under CT. Nitrogen fertilization had little effect on nutrient distributions, except resulting in greater extractable K at 0–0.05 m and greater nitrate at 0–0.15 m. Few changes in soil-profile distributions were observed for extractable S, Ca, Mg, and Na. Long-term continuous use of NT on this fine-textured, high-fertility (except for N) soil had no apparent adverse effects on nutrient distributions relative to CT, but enhanced conservation and availability of P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu near the soil surface where crop roots proliferate.     

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.     

Enhanced establishment and growth of giant cardon cactus in an eroded field in the Sonoran Desert using native legume trees as nurse plants aided by plant growth-promoting microorganisms and compost

To evaluate the feasibility of long-term desert reforestation technology of mixed vegetation, cardon cactus (Pachycereus pringlei) seedlings from indoor and outdoor nurseries were planted in the field adjacent to one seedling of potential legume nurse trees: mesquite amargo (Prosopis articulata), yellow palo verde (Parkinsonia microphylla), and blue palo verde (Parkinsonia florida). Some of the planting holes were also supplemented with common dairy compost. Additionally, the combinations of legume tree–cactus were inoculated with either a consortium of desert arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB; the diazotroph Azospirillum brasilense Cd, and the phosphate solubilizer Paenibacillus sp.), or a mixture of all. The field experiments were evaluated periodically during 30 months for survival and growth. Cardons reared in an outdoor screen house survived better in the field than those reared in a controlled growth chamber and hardened later outdoors. Association with any legume nurse tree increased survival and enhanced growth of untreated cardons. For cardons growing alone, application of either compost, AM fungi, and all the treatments combined increased survival. For these plants, no treatment affected plant growth during the first 3 months after transplanting. Later, all treatments, except for AM fungi, enhanced plant growth. However, only 2 years after transplanting the enhanced growth effect of AM fungi was also significant. In the presence of the legume nurse trees, transient positive effects on cardon growth were recorded. General evaluation after 30 months of cultivation showed that the treatments positively affected cardon growth when growing alone or in combination only with mesquite amargo but not with the other two legume trees. This study proposes that young legume trees have the capacity to enhance survival and growth of cardon cactus, depending on the legume cactus combination. Additional treatments such as compost or PGPB can either amplify the effect or else attenuate it.