陕北黄土高原陡坡耕地土壤侵蚀变异的空间格局

陡坡垦荒耕种是黄土高原人为加速土壤侵蚀的重要原因之一。但有关坡地景观尺度土壤侵蚀速率的定量资料却相对较少。利用环境放射性核素铯－137技术定量评价了陕北黄土高原典型山坡地顺坡断面（240m）土壤重新分布的空间变化及其影响因素。结果表明,黄土高原坡地土壤侵蚀速率存在明显的空间格局,即山坡中、上部是土壤最为严重的地带,土壤平均侵蚀速率高达82.8t/hm^2.a以上;山顶和坡脚侵蚀速率较小,土壤平均侵蚀速率分别为17.1t/hm^2.a及22.3t/hm^2.a;而坡下部土壤侵蚀速率居中,土壤平均侵蚀速率为46.8t/hm^2.a。坡度变化是影响该区土壤侵蚀速率空间变异的主导因子。研究结果对黄土高原坡地土壤侵蚀的预测预报和防土壤流失具有重要价值。     

退耕还林后榆林市土壤侵蚀和养分流失功效研究

为了研究退耕还林后植被覆盖变化对黄土高原地区土壤侵蚀的影响,利用RUSLE土壤侵蚀模型结合RS、GIS技术估算了陕西省榆林市2000—2013年土壤侵蚀模数。结果表明,2000年以来NDVI从0.20增加到0.33,表现出东南部增长快于西北部的空间特征。降雨量最小和最大年份是2000年和2001年,对应的土壤侵蚀模数分别为2 071.97t/(km~2·a)和8 968.82t/(km~2·a)。在模拟最大和最小降雨条件下,2013年土壤侵蚀模数分别为1 218t/(km~2·a)和5 375t/(km~2·a),土壤流失总量比2000年和2001年分别减少了40%和41%,约0.35×10~8 t和1.52×10~8 t。随着侵蚀量的减少,土壤养分流失得到了有效控制,2013年比2002年土壤有机质、全氮、碱解氮、速效磷和速效钾含量累计减少562 049.65t。退耕还林后,榆林市土壤侵蚀呈现总量减少、侵蚀强度降低的趋势,表明退耕还林政策取得了明显的水土保持效益。     

基于RUSLE模型的安徽省土壤侵蚀及其养分流失评估

基于修正的通用土壤流失方程(RUSLE)和GIS空间分析技术,定量分析了安徽省土壤侵蚀及其养分流失的空间分布特征,探讨了土壤侵蚀强度与海拔、坡度等地形因子的关系。结果表明:2010年安徽省土壤侵蚀总量为3 454×104 t a-1,土壤侵蚀模数平均值为256.9 t km-2 a-1。全省以微度土壤侵蚀为主,侵蚀强度由北向南逐渐加剧。淮北与沿淮平原、江淮丘陵岗地以微度土壤侵蚀为主,皖南丘陵山区和皖西大别山区以强度侵蚀为主。海拔200~500 m和坡度15°~25°的区域土壤侵蚀量最大。不同土壤侵蚀强度在各高程、坡度带的面积分布比例规律相似,随着海拔和坡度的增加,土壤侵蚀强度逐渐加剧。微度侵蚀的面积比例逐渐减小,其他侵蚀强度的面积比例逐渐增加。全省因土壤侵蚀引起的土壤有机碳(SOC)、全氮(TN)、全磷(TP)和全钾(TK)等养分流失总量为106.6×104 t a-1,其中SOC、TN、TP和TK的平均流失量分别为3.57、0.37、0.10和3.90 t km-2 a-1。土壤养分流失量总体上由北向南逐渐增多,淮北与沿淮平原四种养分平均流失量和流失总量最小,皖南丘陵山区平均流失量和流失总量最大。     

长江上游重点水土流失区坡耕地土壤侵蚀的137Cs法研究

利用137Cs示踪技术,对长江上游重点水土流失区(金沙江下游及毕节地区、嘉陵江中下游地区、嘉陵江上游陕南陇南地区和三峡库区)坡耕地土壤流失速率进行了初步研究。结果表明,研究区土壤类型、坡度等因子对坡耕地土壤流失速率的影响较大,陕南区砾质土、三峡库区黄壤坡耕地的土壤流失速率相对较小,34°砾质土坡耕地,多年平均土壤流失率为985t/(km2·a),31°黄壤坡耕地为2059t/(km2·a);嘉陵江中下游地区和三峡库区紫色土、陕南区黄褐土、陇南区黄绵土和金沙江燥红土坡耕地土壤流失速率较高,一般在2000～10000t/(km2·a);坡度越大土壤流失速率也越高。同时,对坡耕地地块内部土壤侵蚀与堆积的空间分异进行了初步探讨。在坡耕地地块内部,土壤在流水和犁耕共同作用下,侵蚀速率从峁顶至坡底总体呈下降趋势,并在地块中下部出现堆积大于侵蚀的区域。侵蚀小于堆积的临界点,一般出现在距坡顶20～30m范围。     

长江上游重点水土流失区坡耕地土壤侵蚀的137Cs法研究

利用137Cs示踪技术,对长江上游重点水土流失区(金沙江下游及毕节地区、嘉陵江中下游地区、嘉陵江上游陕南陇南地区和三峡库区)坡耕地土壤流失速率进行了初步研究.结果表明,研究区土壤类型、坡度等因子对坡耕地土壤流失速率的影响较大,陕南区砾质土、三峡库区黄壤坡耕地的土壤流失速率相对较小,34°砾质土坡耕地,多年平均土壤流失率为985 t/(km2*a),31°黄壤坡耕地为2 059 t/(km2*a);嘉陵江中下游地区和三峡库区紫色土、陕南区黄褐土、陇南区黄绵土和金沙江燥红土坡耕地土壤流失速率较高,一般在2 000～10 000 t/(km2*a);坡度越大土壤流失速率也越高.同时,对坡耕地地块内部土壤侵蚀与堆积的空间分异进行了初步探讨.在坡耕地地块内部,土壤在流水和犁耕共同作用下,侵蚀速率从峁顶至坡底总体呈下降趋势,并在地块中下部出现堆积大于侵蚀的区域.侵蚀小于堆积的临界点,一般出现在距坡顶20～30 m范围.     

北方土石山区土壤侵蚀对土壤质量的影响

沂蒙山区是我国北方典型的土石山区,当地土壤由片麻岩、砂岩发育而来,质地疏松易流失,目前缺乏对土壤侵蚀监测的长期观测数据。以山东省沂蒙山区某一小流域为研究对象,利用137Cs示踪技术与杨氏土壤侵蚀等模型,对该流域坡耕地与非耕地的土壤侵蚀速率进行了初步估算,坡耕地土壤侵蚀速率5 961.6 t/km2.a,坡地非耕地侵蚀速率2 530.5 t/km2.a,并探讨了土壤侵蚀对土壤质量的影响。研究结果表明:整个研究流域土壤侵蚀严重,土壤侵蚀量大的区域,土壤有机质、全氮等含量相对较低,而土壤全磷含量变化和缓,总体上土壤质量状况较差。该研究对我国北方土石山区土地资源的合理开发利用和生态环境保护具有积极的意义。     

美国路易斯安那州森林采伐迹地的水土保持措施

本文对路易斯安那州采伐林地的水土保持措施进行了研究,并估算了采伐林地的土壤侵蚀速率。作者于1985年对采伐两年的1584个林地样地进行了调查,用通用土壤流失方程式估算了土壤流失量。虽然在采伐林地的运材道、集材道上未能广泛实行种植牧草、修筑截水沟等水土保持措施,但是在两年内对95.5%的样地都进行了补植。采伐林地预测的最大土壤侵蚀速率(6.7t/hm~2·a)发生在运材道上。在采伐地整地方法中,机械作业产生最大的土壤侵蚀速率(10.4t/hm~2·a),而无机械处理的火烧法产生最小的土壤侵蚀速率(0.5~0.8t/hm~2·a)。无采伐的森林植被径流缓冲带并不能完全阻止沟头侵蚀。     

岩溶区坡面土壤侵蚀特征研究

以重庆南川岩溶区为例,用137C s法研究了岩溶区坡面土壤侵蚀特征。结果表明,坡面上部侵蚀速率较小,平均侵蚀速率为400.8 t/(km2.a),最大侵蚀速率为1 138.4 t/(km2.a);坡面中部侵蚀加剧,平均侵蚀速率2 264.8 t/(km2.a),最大侵蚀速率可达3 760 t/(km2.a);坡面下部侵蚀减弱甚至堆积。土壤表层有机质、表层粘粒及水稳性团聚体含量在坡面上的变化与土壤侵蚀速率具有负相关趋势。     

沂蒙山区土壤侵蚀的137Cs示踪法初步研究

沂蒙山区是我国北方典型的土石山区,当地土壤由片麻岩、砂岩发育而来,质地疏松易流失,缺乏对泥沙侵蚀监测的长期观测数据。本研究采集了山东省沂蒙山区某一小流域的48个土样共72个样品,利用137Cs示踪技术,确定该地区土壤中的137Cs背景值约为1 740 Bq m-2,并利用杨浩等人的土壤侵蚀定量模型,对该流域土壤侵蚀进行了初步估算。估算结果表明该地区非耕地土壤侵蚀的平均速率为2 531 t km-2a-1,坡耕地土壤侵蚀的平均速率为6 953 t km-2a-1。由于人类耕作活动以及地形的影响,坡耕地土壤侵蚀严重,土壤侵蚀速率在坡面上呈复杂变化。当地土壤流失严重,使得土壤涵蓄水能力下降,加剧了洪涝、干旱灾害的发生,影响当地农业的可持续发展和人们生活水平的提高。     

土壤侵蚀对坡耕地土壤水分及入渗特性影响

土壤水分对雨养农业坡耕地具有重要的意义,利用铲土侵蚀模拟试验小区,对不同侵蚀程度坡耕地的土壤水分特征曲线、土壤入渗、土壤水库特征及抗旱性能进行了研究。结果表明：（1）土壤侵蚀程度加剧可以使相同吸力下土壤的容积含水量降低,不利于坡耕地土壤的水分贮存,使坡耕地土壤抗旱性能降低。紫色土坡耕地土壤入渗速率随着土壤侵蚀程度加剧,0～10 cm层土壤入渗速率逐渐降低,同时随着土壤侵蚀程度加剧,不同垂直深度上各个土层土壤入渗速率差异逐渐减小。（2）不同侵蚀程度坡耕地土壤水库特征差异显著,紫色土坡耕地土壤总库容随着土壤侵蚀程度加剧先呈现上升趋势,土壤总库容的大小表现为S-10（422.7 t?hm-2）>S-5（413.1 t?hm-2）>S-15（408.2 t?hm-2）>S-0（404.9 t?hm-2）>S-20（403.5 t?hm-2）。随着侵蚀程度加剧紫色土坡耕地土壤水库无效水分有着不同程度的增加,土壤侵蚀可以减小水库持水效率,但侵蚀程度对水库持水效率影响不大。（3）不同侵蚀坡耕地0～40 cm层土壤的各贮水特征之间差异不大,同一土层深度不同侵蚀程度坡耕地最大吸持贮水量占饱和贮水量的75 %左右。随侵蚀程度加剧坡耕地土壤抗旱性变差,相同吸力下,不同侵蚀程度坡耕地耕层土壤累计损失水百分率随侵蚀程度加剧呈现不同程度的增加。研究结果可为地块尺度上紫色土坡耕地土壤水分和抗旱性能调控提供技术参数。     

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.