塑料薄膜覆盖对牛粪便温室气体排放的影响

为控制短期贮存畜禽粪便的温室气体排放,该文研究了塑料薄膜覆盖对肉牛粪便短期贮存过程中温室气体排放量的影响。试验采用静态箱-气相色谱法观测了秋季(日均22.87℃)肉牛粪便自然露天堆放(对照组)和塑料薄膜覆盖堆放(覆盖组)时温室气体的排放通量。结果表明:秋季覆盖塑料薄膜贮存粪便可使N2O和CO2的日均排放通量分别降低94.85%(P0.01)和88.85%(P0.01),并在试验前期(0~9 d)使CH4的日均排放通量降低了43.37%(P0.05),但随后的10~30 d,覆盖组粪便CH4的日均排放通量极显著高于对照组(P0.01)。结论:当环境温度在17.23~30.35℃时,覆盖塑料薄膜可以降低堆放贮存(0~30 d)粪便N2O和CO2的排放通量以及堆放初期(0~9 d)CH4的排放通量。因此,塑料薄膜覆盖贮存法可显著降低粪便堆放初期的温室气体排放。     

基于动态箱法的北京延庆区牛粪堆放CH4和N2O排放量估算

畜禽粪便堆放管理会造成甲烷(CH_4)和氧化亚氮(N_2O)等温室气体的大量排放。通过联合国政府间气候变化专门委员会(IPCC)建议的排放系数等方法,可以实现对某一区域范围内畜禽粪便管理系统的温室气体排放总量的估算,但由于其排放受粪便管理、气候条件等因素的显著影响,直接套用IPCC的默认系数会产生较大的误差。为更加准确估算中国奶牛粪便管理所造成的CH_4、N_2O排放,该文在对北京延庆区奶牛生产与粪便管理模式进行了实地调研的基础上,采用动态箱法模拟了奶牛粪便不同季节短时自然堆放管理模式下的CH_4、N_2O排放过程,并对区域内的年温室气体排放总量进行了测算。研究结果表明,奶牛粪便在一个月的自然堆放管理模式下,每千克牛粪挥发性固体在春、夏、秋季的CH_4排放量分别为223.97、4 603.31、351.38 mg,每千克牛粪N_2O排放量分别为5.86、9.43、0.81 mg。2016年北京延庆区全年奶牛粪便CH_4、N_2O排放总量分别为13 342.50、347.87 kg。延庆区奶牛粪便堆放管理过程的CH_4排放因子为1.50kg/(头·a),小于IPCC指南中的1.78 kg/(头·a);受堆放时间较短的影响,N_2O的排放因子则显著小于IPCC的推荐值。若直接使用IPCC默认参数估算延庆区奶牛粪便堆放管理过程中的CH_4和N_2O排放量,会造成排放量的高估。     

覆盖及堆积高度对肉牛粪便温室气体排放的影响

为了研究覆盖对不同堆积高度肉牛固体粪便温室气体（N2O、CH4和 CO2）排放量的影响,试验采用静态箱的方法研究了20和40 cm堆积高度时覆盖或者不覆盖情况下肉牛粪便温室气体的排放量。结果表明,堆积40 cm的牛粪CH4的累积排放量显著高于20 cm处理,而N2O和CO2累积排放量显著降低。覆盖显著增加了牛粪N2O的排放量和40 cm高度牛粪的CH4排放量,降低了40 cm高度牛粪CO2的排放量,而对20 cm高度牛粪CH4和CO2排放无显著影响。根据CH4和N2O在100 a 尺度上相对CO2的全球增温潜势计算出综合温室效应,无覆盖处理的20和40 cm牛粪的综合温室效应分别为(101.07±6.28）和(94.67±3.29)g/kg,覆盖处理的20和40 cm牛粪的综合温室效应分别为(104.20±6.78)和(103.43±3.21)g/kg,堆积高度为40 cm且无覆盖的综合温室效应最小。     

北京夏季机械通风育肥猪舍CO2、NH3排放和耗水量研究

为明确拔塞式清粪机械通风育肥猪舍夏季CO2和NH3的排放量及猪舍耗水量,并建立中国类似设施猪舍的气体排放及水的消耗量基线及寻求减排和节水空间,选择北京市拔塞式清粪机械通风育肥猪舍,设计机械通风系统的通风量测量系统,并测量机械通风量,从2015年7月25日至8月11日(共18d)监测猪舍NH3、CO2排放量和耗水量.试验结果表明,NH3排放量平均值为(23.4±11.0)g/(d·500kg),范围为4.3~49.5g/(d·500kg).NH3的排放量在08:00和14:00极显著高于10:00,12:00、16:00和18:00时的排放量(P<0.001),可能是人工清粪行为导致NH3排放量降低.CO2排放量平均值为2.73±0.78kg/(d·500kg),最大和最小排放量分别是5.00和1.00kg/(d·500kg),44%的日平均排放量为2.5~3kg/(d·500kg),92%的日平均排放量小于4.0kg/(d·500kg),日间CO2排放量在12:00达到高峰.育肥猪耗水量的最大值、最小值和平均值分别为90.0,19.6和47.0L/(d·pig).     

高寒草甸植被层对于草地甲烷通量的影响

土壤对大气甲烷的汇是草地的一项重要生态功能,关于草地的温室气体通量已有大量研究,但鲜见关于植被层对于草地甲烷通量影响的报道。通过设置完整高寒草甸(IHC)、去除地上生物量草地(RAB)和裸地(RBB)三个处理,利用静态箱法来研究植被层对于草地甲烷通量的影响,结果显示在观测期间草地的平均甲烷氧化速率由高到低依次为:裸地[(52.2±18.9)μg/(m2·h)]去除地上生物量草地[(32.3±14.7)μg/(m2·h)]完整草地[(27.9±10.6)μg/(m2·h)],三者之间差异达到显著水平(P0.05)。根据三种处理计算出的草地根系和草地地上部分生物量2003—2004年的甲烷通量分别为(23.5±18.3)μg/(m2·h)和(7.4±11.5)μg/(m2·h),二者甲烷通量均为正值说明植物地上部分和草地根系都起到了促进甲烷排放的功能。在2003年、2004年、2005年、2006年RBB生长季平均甲烷通量分别为(-67.7±20.6)μg/(m2·h),(-60.7±18.5)μg/(m2·h),(-58.3±16.3)μg/(m2·h)和(-48.9±22.6)μg/(m2·h),表现为逐年降低的规律,但是IHC处理和RAB处理生长季甲烷平均通量的年季差异不显著,且没有明显的规律。在三年的原位观测期间,三种处理甲烷通量与土壤5cm温度、土壤湿度相关性也达到显著水平(P0.05)。     

外加可溶性碳源对华北典型农田土壤N2O、CO2排放的影响

以华北平原典型农田土壤为对象,运用静态培养系统研究方法,设置室内培养试验,研究添加不同浓度葡萄糖对土壤N2O、CO2排放的影响.结果表明:碳氮配施的外源添加方式明显促进N2O和CO2排放,其排放通量均高于对照组和只添加氮源的处理.在配施碳源葡萄糖浓度为0.5 g/kg时N2O排放通量最高(NH4+组2 500 μg/(kg·d),单位以N计,下同,NO3-组1 500 μg/(kg·d)),4.0 g/kg时N2O排放通量最低(NH4+组500 μg/(kg·d),NO3-组800 μg/(kg·d));葡萄糖浓度为2.0 g/kg时CO2排放通量最高(NH+组500mg/(kg· d)),0.5 g/kg时CO2排放通量最低(NH+组100 mg/(kg,d)).从培养开始到结束,只添加氮源的土壤NH+含量变化不明显,NO3-含量增至29.21 mg/kg(NH4+组)和62.25 mg/kg(NO3-组);而配施葡萄糖的土壤NH+含量降为不足1 mg/kg(NH4+组),NO3-含量明显减少.N2O累积排放通量与葡萄糖浓度呈负相关(NH4+组),CO2累积排放通量与葡萄糖浓度呈正相关.分析结果表明,外加可溶性碳源明显减少土壤中NH4+和NO3-含量,并且促进土壤N2O、CO2排放,其排放通量大小与C/N比有关.     

华南地区覆膜旱种稻田甲烷排放及其与土壤水分和温度的关系

采用静态箱法和田间小区试验,研究了常规稻田和覆膜旱种稻田水稻全生育期CH4的排放规律,探讨了温度和水分与稻田CH4排放的关系。结果表明:覆膜旱种稻田的甲烷排放量明显低于常规水田的排放量,常规水田的甲烷累计排放通量为20.38g/m2,覆膜旱种稻田为2.46g/m2,水稻覆膜旱种后甲烷排放量降低了88%。常规水田CH4排放峰期持续了35d,覆膜旱种稻田CH4排放峰期为25d,两者在CH4排放高峰期的排放量分别占整个生育期累计排放量的72%和97%。覆膜旱作稻田CH4排放量降低,主要表现在最大排放峰值降低和排放峰持续时间缩短。土壤温度(5cm处)和水分与水稻生育期稻田甲烷的排放有显著正相关。CH4排放通量大于1.0mg·m-2·h-1主要集中在土壤质量含水率高于36.25%的区域,在土壤质量含水率小于36.25%时,常规稻田和覆膜旱种稻田都只有少量CH4排放。     

不同氮水平下黄瓜-番茄日光温室栽培土壤N_2O排放特征

为探讨日光温室黄瓜—番茄种植体系内N2O排放动态变化及其对不同氮水平的响应规律,采用密闭静态箱法,研究了常规氮量(黄瓜季1 200 kg/hm2,番茄季900 kg/hm2)、比常规氮量减25%(黄瓜季900 kg/hm2,番茄季675 kg/hm2)、减50%(黄瓜季600 kg/hm2,番茄季450 kg/hm2)以及不施氮对日光温室土壤N2O排放的影响。结果表明,温度是影响日光温室土壤N2O排放强度的重要因素,4-10月(平均气温为27.4℃)的N2O排放通量最高达818.4μg/(m2·h);而2-3月(平均气温15.1℃)以及11-12月(平均气温14.7℃)期间的N2O排放通量最高仅为464.5μg/(m2·h),比4-10月的N2O排放峰值降低了43.2%。N2O排放峰值在氮肥追施后5 d内出现,N2O排放量集中在氮肥施用后7 d内,可占整个监测期(271 d)排放量的64.7%~67.8%。施氮因增加了土壤硝态氮含量而引起N2O排放爆发式增长,0~10 cm土壤硝态氮含量与N2O排放量呈指数函数关系(P0.01)。日光温室黄瓜—番茄种植体系内的N2O排放量为0.99~9.92 kg/hm2,其中75.6%~90.0%由施氮造成。与常规氮用量相比,氮减量25%和50%处理的N2O排放量分别降低了40.4%和59.3%,总产量却增加4.9%和7.4%。综上所述,合理减少氮用量不仅可显著降低日光温室土壤N2O排放,而且不会引起产量的降低。该研究为日光温室蔬菜生产构建科学合理的施氮技术及估算中国设施农田温室气体排放量提供参考。     

氮肥用量和脲酶抑制剂对滴灌马铃薯田氧化亚氮排放和氨挥发的影响

【目的】 氨挥发和氧化亚氮排放是氮素损失的重要途径。内蒙古阴山北麓滴灌马铃薯田种植面积大,普遍存在过量施肥的问题。研究适宜的氮肥用量,利用脲酶抑制剂来抑制氨挥发和氧化亚氮排放,对提高当地氮肥利用率和减缓环境压力具有重要意义。 【方法】 田间试验分两年在内蒙古武川县两个村庄进行,供试地块种植马铃薯,采用滴灌技术。2015年设置4个处理,分别为:不施氮 (CK);优化施氮模式,施N 180 kg/hm2 (Opt);优化施氮减半模式,施N 90 kg/hm2 (OptR);农民传统施肥量,施N 270 kg/hm2 (Con)。2016年试验处理根据2015年的结果进行调整,设置4个处理:不施氮 (CK);优化施氮添加脲酶抑制剂模式,施N 162.6 kg/hm2 (OptI);优化施氮模式, 施N 162.6 kg/hm2 (Opt);农民传统施肥量,施N 320 kg/hm2 (Con)。分别采用静态暗箱法和通气法采集氧化亚氮和氨气,每次施肥后,两天采集一次气体样品,氧化亚氮连续取样三次,氨气持续取样直至气体含量低于仪器检测值下限。 【结果】 氨挥发速率在施入尿素后第1～5 d出现峰值。Con处理2015和2016年氨挥发的最大峰值分别是13.2 mg/(m2·d) 和5.3 mg/(m2·d),氨挥发累积量分别为N 3.61和3.96 kg/hm2;Opt处理的最大峰值分别为8.69 mg/(m2·d) 和3.19 mg/(m2·d),累积挥发量分别为N 3.11和2.72 kg/hm2;OptR处理氨挥发速率最大峰值为5.63 mg/(m2·d),氨挥发累积量为2.66 kg/hm2,OptI处理氨挥发速率最大峰值为3.67 mg/(m2·d),氨挥发累积量为2.50 kg/hm2。氨挥发累积量随着氮肥用量的增加而增多,Con处理的氨挥发量显著高于其他处理;氧化亚氮排放量在施入尿素后第3 d达到峰值,Con处理2015和2016年的氧化亚氮排放峰值分别达到0.3 mg/(m2·d) 和0.2 mg/(m2·d),氧化亚氮累积排放量分别为N 1.96和1.18 kg/hm2,显著高于其他处理;Opt处理两年的排放最大峰值均为0.11 mg/(m2·d),氧化亚氮累积排放量为N 0.95、0.69 kg/hm2;OptR的氧化亚氮排放量最大峰值为0.09 mg/(m2·d),累积量为0.90 kg/hm2。OptI的氧化亚氮排放量最大峰值为0.12 mg/(m2·d),氧化亚氮累积量为0.66 kg/hm2。相比Opt,OptI处理的氨挥发和氧化亚氮累积排放量分别降低了11.8%和16.7%,但未达到显著水平。氨挥发速率与土壤温度呈显著正相关,土壤温度的升高会显著增加氨挥发速率,土壤湿度的增加会抑制氨挥发速率,影响不显著。氧化亚氮的排放与土壤湿度呈显著正相关,土壤中水分增加会显著增加氧化亚氮的排放量,土壤温度与氧化亚氮排放成负相关,影响未达到显著水平。 【结论】 与农民传统施肥模式相比,优化施氮模式可显著降低氨挥发和氧化亚氮排放量,添加脲酶抑制剂未达到显著降低尿素氨挥发量和氧化亚氮排放的效果。土壤湿度和土壤温度在一定程度上影响着氨挥发速率和氧化亚氮的排放通量。在供试地区马铃薯田的施肥管理中,推荐可有效地降低氨挥发和氧化亚氮排放量的优化施氮模式。      

硝化抑制剂和通气调节对土壤N2O排放的影响

采用室内培养方法,研究了土壤水分含量和温度对硝化反应速度、N2O排放及施用硝化抑制剂(N-Serve)和土壤掺砂对N2O排放的影响。结果表明,硝化反应速度随温度升高而加快,30℃时反应进行最快;水分对硝化反应速度的影响不显著。N2O排放通量随温度和水分含量升高而加大,最高排放通量出现在水分含量28.5%,20℃或30℃时。30℃、低水分(14.2%)时,N2O排放量较低,15d累积排放量为126.4.mg/kg,且主要来自硝化反应,施用N-Serve可使总排放量减少65.0%;水分含量增加到28.5%,反硝化反应发生,N2O排放量急剧增加,15d累积排放量达764.4.mg/kg;施用砂子或N-Serve,总排放量分别减少82.9%、62.1%。因此,低水分时,施用N-Serve可抑制硝化反应;高水分时,施用砂子或砂子与N-Serve配合,可有效抑制N2O排放。     

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.