盐池沙地不同土壤水分条件下沙柳的光响应研究

在半干旱的盐池沙区,运用Li-6400便携式光合测定系统,测定了3 a生沙柳在不同水分条件下叶片光合和蒸腾作用的光响应特性.结果表明;0～2 000μmol/(m2·s)PAR范围内,沙柳在土壤水分为2%,4%,8%,12%时的光饱和点分别为1 340,1 520,1 550和1 633 μmol/(m2·s),随土壤含水量的增大而增大;Tr随PAR的增高不断增大;最大Pn分别为8.7,9.1,9.47和19.52 μmol/(m2·s);维持较高的Pn,即净光合速率达到最大的80%时,最低光照强度均在500μmol/(m2·s)以上;既保证较高的光能利用效率又维持较高的水分利用效率的光强600～1 500 μmol/(m2·s).沙柳平均Pn随着土壤含水量的增大而增大,而平均WUE在土壤含水量为8%时达到最大值,因此,沙柳的光能利用效率和水分利用效率都比较好的SWC应该为8%左右.     

土壤水分光辐射对白榆生理因子影响的研究

在山西省方山县,采用人工控制土壤水分方法,利用模拟光源研究了白榆苗6个土壤水分水平的净光合速率(Pn)、蒸腾速率(Tr)和瞬时水分利用率随光辐射(I)增强的变化规律。结果表明:白榆叶片的Pn、水分利用率在I较低时〔大约0~1500μmol/(m2.s)〕,随I的增强而增大,当I进一步增强,白榆的Pn和水分利用率呈下降趋势;而白榆叶片的Tr在无水分胁迫情况下,始终随I的增强而增大。通过6个土壤梯度水分的比较得出:随土壤水分增加,白榆Pn、Tr和水分利用率的变化趋势先增大后减小。在土壤含水量为5.34%~21.76%时,白榆的光饱和点为750~1542μmol/(m2.s),光补偿点为85~35μmol/(m2.s),由光饱和点对应最大净光合速率为1.28~12.80μmol(CO2)/(m2.s)。     

不同土壤水分条件下白榆的光响应研究

在黄土半干旱地区,利用LI- 6400便携式光合仪的Li-6400-02B红蓝光源设定从0～2 000 μmol/(m2·s)的光强,通过人工控水的方法取得不同的水分梯度,对白榆的各生理生长参数的光响应规律进行研究,结果表明光辐射强度和土壤含水量对白榆的净光合速率,蒸腾速率和水分利用效率有十分显著的影响.白榆光合速率Pn在土壤含水量为17.68%左右时达到最大,光合利用率在光强为1 200～1 600 μmol/(m2·s)时较高.蒸腾速率Tr在各水分梯度下随光强的增大有增大的趋势,水分利用效率WUE在土壤含水量为14.86%左右达到最大,在光强为800～1 500 μmol/(m2·s)时较高.因此,白榆生长的适宜水分条件为14.86%～17.68%,光强为1 200～1 500 μmol/(m2·s)时,光能和水分利用效率都较高.     

两种不同矮蔓型西葫芦冠层光合特性的差异分析

在日光温室自然光照下,对2个半矮蔓和2个矮蔓西葫芦品种的光合速率与光合参数的变化及光响应进行了研究。结果表明,西葫芦净光合速率(Pn)和蒸腾速率(Tr)的日变化皆呈单峰曲线,水分利用率(WUE)变化呈双峰曲线,其中半矮蔓品种不同生育期的Pn、午后Tr及WUE都高于矮蔓品种。不同矮蔓型西葫芦冠层的光合速率的差异可以用光合叶位差(PDLP)和光合时间差(PDDT)来表示,半矮蔓品种的PDLP和PDDT显著低于矮蔓品种(苗期除外),表明半矮蔓品种耐强光,植株碳同化能力强于矮蔓品种;结瓜期半矮蔓品种午后强光下叶温低于矮蔓品种,是其Pn较高的原因之一。半矮蔓品种C3的光饱和点为1265.0μmol·m-2·s-1,补偿点为30.4μmol·m-2·s-1,最大光合速率为31.4μmol·m-2·s-1,表观量子效率(AQY)为0.0524mol·mol-1,矮蔓品种D4的光饱和点为1162.5μmol·m-2·s-1,补偿点为44.8μmol·m-2·s-1,最大光合速率为25.6μmol·m-2·s-1,表观量子效率为(AQY)0.0457mol·mol-1。与矮蔓品种相比,半矮蔓品种冠层耐强光和弱光的能力强。     

CO2浓度升高对湿地松针叶蒸腾特性和水分利用效率的影响

在不同CO2浓度下，测定了湿地松上年生针叶和当年生针叶净光合速率（Pn）、蒸腾速率（Tr）、胞间CO2浓度（Ci）、气孔导度（Cs）和叶面饱和水汽压亏缺（Vpdl）随光照强度的变化。结果表明；Ci和Vpdl随光照强度增强而减小；G5，Pn和Tr均随光照强度增强而增大．在达到光饱和点后G5和Pn随光照强度增强而逐渐减小；WUE随光照强度增强呈先增大，达到最大值后又逐渐减小。Ci，vpdl随CO2浓度升高而增大；Gs和Tr随CO2浓度升高而减小；Pn和WUE在CO2浓度为400～1200μmol／mol时随CO2浓度升高而增大，当CO2浓度升高至1600μmol／mol时．Pn和WUE减小；同时．随着CO2浓度升高，上年生针叶光饱和点提高。     

两种水分条件下夏玉米叶片气孔行为对光质的瞬时响应

在灌水和不灌水(整个生长期不灌溉)两种水分条件下,利用LI-6400便携式光合测定仪,测定3个主要生育期(拔节期、抽雄期和灌浆期选择典型日)夏玉米(郑单958)第一个功能叶片的气孔导度(Gs)、净光合速率(Pn)和蒸腾速率(Tr)指标,据此计算叶片的瞬时水分利用效率(WUE),测定时设定了5种比例的红蓝光组合(即B/(R+B)分别为0、25%、50%、75%和100%),以对比分析不同红蓝光比对玉米叶片气孔行为的瞬时影响。结果表明:与不灌水相比,灌水处理的叶片平均Gs、Pn和Tr在抽雄期明显较高,但在拔节期和灌浆期差异不显著。不论何种水分处理,光合有效辐射为500μmol·m-2·s-1时,叶片Gs、Pn和Tr均表现为单色红光照射时最大,随着蓝光所占比例的增加,各指标均有不同程度的降低。从节水角度来看,高红光比例的光质有利于提高玉米叶片WUE。     

喀斯特峰丛洼地4种典型植物蒸腾作用及其影响因素

[目的]对广西壮族自治区喀斯特峰丛洼地4种典型植物(甘蔗、五节芒、灰毛浆果楝和青冈)蒸腾作用及其影响因素进行研究,为进一步开展区域植被生态需水研究提供科学依据。[方法]于2015年4月至2016年1月对4种主要植物群落不同季节蒸腾速率(Tr)、叶面积指数(LAI)和相关环境因子开展现场观测。[结果]4种植物Tr夏季与春、秋、冬3季呈极显著差异(p0.01),不同植物类型其Tr也存在差异,其中,甘蔗Tr的季节变化为96.55~197.42g/(m2·h),五节芒为95.26~169.13g/(m2·h),灰毛浆果楝为97.20~239.11g/(m2·h),青冈四季Tr为81.65~124.42g/(m2·h)。4种植物Tr均与空气温度(Ta)呈极显著(p0.01)或显著正相关关系(p0.05),与土壤含水率(SWC),LAI,土壤容重(ρb),空气相对湿度(RH)呈显著或极显著相关关系。SWC和Ta对甘蔗Tr起主导作用,是主要决策变量;Ta是五节芒Tr的主要决策变量;SWC和ρb是灰毛浆果楝Tr的主要影响因子;LAI,SWC和Ta是青冈Tr的主要影响因子。[结论]研究区域4种典型植物蒸腾作用存在差异,且均呈季节性变化趋势,不同植物Tr影响因素不同,可通过人工诱导水、光、热等环境因子进而合理调控植被生态需水。     

两种针叶树种光合特性研究

采用Li—6200光合分析仪,对祁连园柏和青海云杉两种针叶树种的光合速率进行了日变化和季节变化测试,结果表明:祁连园柏和青海云杉两种针叶树种的光合速率日变化均呈单峰曲线,两种树种的光合速率日变化峰值均出现在1日之中的9:00时,其中青海云杉光合速率日变化峰值为9.06μmol/(m~2·s)祁连园柏光合速率日变化峰值是7.154μmol/(m~2·s)。两种树种光合速率在季节变化中青海云杉有两个峰值分别在5月和8月分别为3.124,3.497μmol/(m~2·s);而祁连园柏的光合速率在季节变化中只有一个高峰值在5月份,为2.96μmol/(m~2·s)。两种树种的光合速率及其内外影响因子相关分析得出:青海云杉Pn与RH、COND两因子之间呈极显著正相关关系(r=0.632 6与r=0.688 4);与CINT、RS因子呈极显著负相关关系(r=-0.4620与r=-0.5740)。祁连园柏Pn与RH因子呈极显著正相关关系(r=0.412 6);与其它因子呈不显著正或负相关关系。两种针叶树种的WUE在生长季节变换中,青海云杉WUE较高值在5月和8月分别为0.636 98和0.532 4,平均WUE是0.315 6;祁连园柏水分利用效率WUE较高值在5月和6月分别为0.263 1和0.280 5,平均WUE是0.132 8。     

黔中喀斯特地区不同林型春季土壤呼吸研究

采用LI-6400便携式光合测定系统及土壤呼吸叶室6400-09对黔中喀斯特地区5种林型的土壤呼吸速率进行了测定和分析.结果表明,土壤呼吸速率日动态均呈单峰型;马尾松林土壤呼吸速率的昼夜变化值比阔叶林平均高0.91 CO2 μmol/(m2·s),其中凋落物部分平均高1.50 CO2 μmol/(m2·s);呼吸速率日均值为马尾松林(4.41 μmol/m2·s)>柏木林(3.55 μmol/m2·s)>阔叶林(3.49 μmol/m2·s)>灌木林(3.32 μmol/m2·s)>针阔混交林(3.05 μmol/m2·s);呼吸速率日极差与El呼吸速率平均值的比值为马尾松林(40.56%)>灌木林(23.91%)>针阔混交林(23.29%)>阔叶林(18.46%)>柏木林(13.70%);凋落物占土壤呼吸速率的比重为马尾松林>针阔混交林>灌木林>柏木林>阔叶林;土壤呼吸速率与5 cm土温关联较大;土壤湿度与土壤呼吸速率值呈负相关.     

不同光周期和红蓝光质配比对辣椒幼苗生长发育的影响

辣椒幼苗在光强(58±1)μmol/(m2·s)下,设置光周期24h(光/暗14h/10h)、12h(光/暗7h/5h)和6h(光/暗3.5h/2.5h)等3个水平,红蓝光光强比分别是7:1(7RB)和1:1(RB)等2个光质配比水平,共6个处理,经过30d后,对植株形态、生长、叶绿素含量、光合参数以及叶绿素荧光参数进行比较分析.试验表明P12-7RB下的辣椒幼苗地上干重和总叶面积最大,P6-RB处理的相对生长率(RGR)和比叶面积(SLA)比P24-RB分别高55.88%和23.62%.尽管P6-RB与P24-RB的净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)和蒸腾速率(Tr)无显著差异,但辣椒苗生长在P6-RB处理下表现出较高的光合系统的量子产额(ΦPSII)0.68mol/(m2·s),以及较低的非光化学淬灭(NPQ)0.17μmol/mol.P6、P12和P24处理的叶绿素含量无显著性差.RB下的幼苗与7RB下的幼苗相比具有显着更好的光合性能.试验表明辣椒可以适应非自然条件下的光周期.处理P6-RB补光参数对辣椒幼苗的生长最有利,可有效地用于植物厂,这为植物工厂延长光周期的实践应用提供了理论基础.     

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.