叠片过滤器水头损失变化规律及杂质拦截特征

为避免叠片过滤器在工程应用中出现水头损失激增导致过滤器频繁冲洗造成水量和能量损耗现象,该研究对5种流速（0.37、0.40、0.43、0.46和0.49 m/s）、5种沙粒浓度（0.10、0.15、0.20、0.25和0.30 g/L）与5种沙粒级配的中值粒径（49、66、82、100和127 μm）条件下叠片过滤器的水力性能和过滤性能开展全试验。根据不同工况下过滤器的水头损失、拦沙量、拦截沙粒粒径以及拦截沙粒位置分布情况,利用回归分析法确定了清水和含沙水条件下水头损失的计算方法,探究不同沙粒粒径范围引起水头损失显著增加的敏感流速和水头损失变化原因,并分析叠片流道拦截沙粒粒径及拦截沙粒位置分布。结果表明：1）清水条件下过滤器局部水头损失系数为一定值,水头损失仅与有效过水面积有关,含沙水条件下水头损失与流速和沙粒浓度相关,并得出三者之间的关系,决定系数达到0.90以上;2）0～50、>50～75、>75～100、>100～125和>125～150 μm的沙粒粒径引起水头损失显著增加的敏感流速分别为0.37、0.40、0.43、0.46和0.49 m/s;3）水头损失和拦沙量的相关性较强,二者在沙粒粒径越大的含沙水下受流速的影响程度越小;4）0～65 μm的沙粒可穿出流道,>65～100 μm的沙粒能够被流道截留,叠片拦截最小沙粒粒径与流道最小截面内切圆直径关系为1∶1.8,>100～125 μm的沙粒易堆积流道进口处,>125～150 μm的沙粒无法进入叠片。研究可为不同灌溉参数设置下合理配置和使用叠片过滤器提供参考。     

网式过滤器水头损失动态变化规律

网式过滤器是微灌系统的关键部件之一,对过滤杂质,减缓滴头堵塞起到重要作用,但过滤器水头损失往往随拦截杂质的增多而增大,导致滤网破损或系统被迫停机。为明晰过滤器水头损失变化规律,该研究采用文献数据归纳分析和试验相结合的方法,对7种网式过滤器水头损失数据开展聚类分析;以Y型网式过滤器为例,测试不同流量、泥沙浓度和沙粒级配对过滤器水头损失的影响,以减少水头损失激增、提高拦沙效果为主要目标开展综合评价,优选过滤器适宜的运行工况。结果表明：1）不同类型网式过滤器水头损失随时间变化可分为平稳增加阶段和突然增加阶段,突然增加阶段的水头损失增长速率更大,堵塞均匀度均大于1。2）相同流量和浓度下,以>100~125 μm泥沙为主的Ⅲ级配和以>125~150 μm泥沙为主Ⅳ级配含沙水较以>54~75 μm泥沙为主Ⅰ级配和以>100~125 μm泥沙为主Ⅱ级配含沙水更容易产生水头损失激增。相同流量下,高浓度工况更容易出现水头损失激增;相同浓度下,流量为3.5 m³/h时最容易使过滤器水头损失激增。3）CRITIC-TOPSIS 综合评价结果表明排名前3的分别是流量2.5 m³/h、泥沙浓度60 mg/L工况下Ⅲ、Ⅳ和Ⅱ级配含沙水,综合得分指数分别为0.726、0.712和0.711;低泥沙浓度、大颗粒级配和高泥沙浓度、小颗粒级配在流量2.5 m³/h时综合性能好,高泥沙浓度、大颗粒级配在流量4.5 m³/h综合性能好,低泥沙浓度、小颗粒级配在3种流量下综合性能差异不大。研究可为减少过滤器水头损失和增加运行时长提供参考。     

叠片过滤器水力和过滤性能综合评价方法研究

为建立叠片过滤器过滤性能综合评价方法,以5种常见叠片过滤器为研究对象,对不同进水含沙量(0.02%、0.03%和0.04%)与过滤流量(25、30、35 m3/h)条件下叠片过滤器的水力性能和过滤性能开展试验研究。根据不同工况下叠片过滤器的堵塞均匀度、周期拦沙量以及拦截泥沙中值粒径,采用逐步回归分析、主成分分析方法,建立不同单项性能指标与6项叠片结构参数(叠片厚度、叠片片数、叠片沟槽长度、叠片沟槽数、叠片沟槽外截面三角形顶角、叠片沟槽外截面三角形高)间的多元线性回归方程,并采用直接加权法建立叠片过滤器性能的综合评价函数。结果表明,叠片结构尺寸参数均对过滤器性能有一定的影响,所建立的评价函数对叠片过滤器I～V的评价值依次为7.22、7.08、7.88、8.63以及3.11,该评价函数可以全面、合理地对叠片过滤器综合性能进行评价和对比。该评价方法不仅能用于对叠片过滤器性能进行评测,还能为改进叠片结构尺寸、进一步优化过滤器性能提供参考。     

边缝式迷宫滴灌带灌水器流道内泥沙沉积影响因素分析

为研究灌水器流道内泥沙颗粒淤积特性的影响因素，进一步降低物理堵塞发生的风险，该研究配置不同浓度（1.8、2.8、3.8 g/L）和不同粒径（0 $\leqslant $ d < 0.054 mm、0.054 mm $\leqslant $ d < 0.075 mm、0.075 mm $\leqslant $ d < 0.1 mm）的含沙水，进行全组合间歇滴灌堵塞试验，对含沙水灌溉下灌水器泥沙沉积特性进行分析并对灌水器内流态进行数值模拟研究。结果表明：灌溉结束后，经由边缝式迷宫灌水器输出的泥沙中，黏粒与砂粒比例下降，粉粒比例上升，即灌水器弯曲流道对小于0.002 mm和大于0.05 mm粒径的泥沙具有明显阻滞作用，流道内堵塞的泥沙集中在0.054～0.1 mm的中大粒径范围内。灌水器流道内部流线在主流区呈波浪状前进，主流区水流流速大于近壁区，中部转角处流速均偏大。沙粒易受上转角和下转角处产生的漩涡影响而沉降集中在漩涡中心及背水面。滞留在漩涡区内的泥沙颗粒是引起灌水器堵塞的主要因素。为减少灌水器堵塞风险，在设计优化时宜考虑减少直角、锐角区域以减少漩涡区的形成。     

叠片式砂过滤器水力特性模拟计算(英)

针对微灌工程中灌水器堵塞的问题,通过大量的水力性能测试和反冲洗性能试验,探讨了叠片式砂过滤器当滤管直径一定时的最佳叠片数,提出叠片式砂过滤器的水力性能特性方程和过滤水头损失公式,试验证实所建立的叠片式砂过滤器的水头损失公式比原有经验公式的计算精度高,即在设计流速条件下误差仅为3.18%,为开发研究新型砂过滤器提供参考.     

微灌用叠片式砂过滤器性能试验研究

针对微灌工程中灌水器堵塞的问题,在分析现有砂过滤器基础上,研究设计了叠片式砂过滤器。通过大量的水力性能测试和反冲洗抗堵塞性能试验以及对比试验,探讨了一定滤管直径的最佳叠片数,即滤管直径Φ₁=20 mm时,叠片数为48片为宜;并提出叠片式砂过滤器的水力性能特性曲线方程和过滤水头损失经验公式。试验结果表明：叠片式砂过滤器水力性能良好,过滤能力大,水头损失小,即在设计流量为10 m³/h下,叠片式砂过滤器的清洁压降比滤头式砂过滤器小37%;过滤与反冲洗效果好,是节水灌溉系统中理想的防堵塞设备。     

细小泥沙粒径对迷宫流道灌水器堵塞的影响

为探明细小泥沙粒径对迷宫流道灌水器抗堵塞性能的影响,该文以内镶片式斜齿形迷宫流道灌水器为研究对象,应用类短周期堵塞测验方法对8种粒径小于0.1 mm的泥沙颗粒进行浑水测试。在此基础上,分析了泥沙粒径和含沙量对灌水器堵塞的影响,探讨引起灌水器发生堵塞时的敏感粒径范围与含沙量水平。试验结果表明:对于粒径小于0.1 mm的细小颗粒,含沙量是引起灌水器堵塞的主要原因,当浑水含沙量水平大于1.25 g/L时,影响尤其显著,呈正相关关系;粒径对堵塞的影响并不是单调的递增或递减,堵塞发生的敏感粒径范围在0.03～0.04 mm之间。试验结果有助于进一步提高含沙水源滴灌的应用水平。     

不同结构滴灌双向流道灌水器抗堵性能对比试验

该文开展滴灌双向流道抗堵性能研究,以提高灌水器对含沙率较高的地表水源的适应性。试验浑水含沙率为30 g/L,经20次浑水试验,设置3种结构参数不同的双向流道灌水器(1#,2#,3#),并对比迷宫式流道灌水器的水力性能和抗堵性能。结果表明:1#、2#、3#双向流道浑水流量分别为清水流量的77.44%,83.35%,85.43%,而迷宫式流道在12次试验后完全堵塞。双向流道灌水器与迷宫式流道灌水器的水力性能及抗堵性能差异显著,且双向流道的水力性能及抗堵性能均优于迷宫式流道;双向流道水力性能越好,抗堵性能越差;流道形式及结构参数是影响灌水器水力性能及抗堵性能的重要因素。试验结束后,观测流道泥沙沉积情况,发现泥沙沉积程度由前段(进口)到后段(出口)逐渐减少;采用电子显微镜分别获取流道前段、中段和后段沉积泥沙样品扫描图像,利用Image Pro Plus 6.0软件分析沉积泥沙样品的粒径组成,发现沿流道方向,粒径(29)0.03 mm的泥沙颗粒质量分数逐渐减小,粒径(27)0.005 mm的泥沙颗粒质量分数呈先减小后增加的趋势;流道沉积泥沙中粒径(27)0.03 mm的颗粒质量分数占92.23%~97.89%,此粒径范围的泥沙颗粒更易在双向流道内沉积,引起堵塞。     

红壤粒径肥料浓度和灌溉方式对不同灌水器堵塞的影响

为探究水肥一体化灌溉过程中造成灌水器堵塞的影响因素,采用3个肥料浓度、3个红壤粒径段和2种灌溉方式,进行3种灌水器的堵塞试验,测定有效灌水次数。结果表明:1)红壤粒径越大越易造成流量可调灌水器堵塞。存在造成内镶贴片式滴灌带堵塞的敏感粒径段,范围0.0385~0.074 mm的红壤粒径容易造成灌水器堵塞;2)肥料浓度≤0.6 g/L时,肥料浓度加速灌水器堵塞显著。肥料浓度0.6 g/L,肥料浓度加速灌水器堵塞的效果较小;3)8孔流量可调灌水器在根区渗灌条件下更容易发生堵塞;而灌溉方式对于2孔流量可调灌水器和内镶贴片式滴灌带堵塞的影响差异不明显。4)浑水施肥条件下,内镶贴片式滴灌带的抗堵塞性能最好,其次是2孔流量可调灌水器,8孔流量可调灌水器的抗堵塞性能最差。该文为水肥一体化技术在云南红壤土中的应用提供理论依据。     

网式过滤器拦截率计算及其影响因素分析

为了使网式过滤器在工程应用中既保持滤网良好渗透率又提高滤网拦截率,该研究通过试验,分析了5种不同入口压强(0.02、0.04、0.06、0.08、0.10 MPa)、7种滤网孔径(125、150、180、210、250、300和350μm)及其与砂粒中值粒径的关系对过滤器拦截率的影响。结果表明:当滤网孔径与砂粒中值粒径的比值小于一个阈值C(C∈[1.80,1.88])时,拦截率随着滤网孔径增大而增大,当该值大于此阈值时,拦截率随着滤网孔径的增大而减小;过滤器的入口压强越大,过滤器拦截率越大,入口压强对过滤器拦截率有显著影响,被拦截砂粒在出口侧分布越集中;入口压强从0.02 MPa提高到0.10 MPa,250μm滤网拦截率提升38.49%,而125μm滤网拦截率提升88.94%;250μm滤网在0.10 MPa入口压强下15 min末出水砂粒粒径组成与180μm、0.02 MPa下初始出水砂粒粒径组成相似,在短时间的灌溉应用上,可调整入口压强而不需要调整设备来满足灌溉要求,研究为实际灌溉工程中提高过滤器拦截率和过滤效果提供了参考。     

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.     

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.     

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.