红色荧光标记载体pBacA4DsRed1的构建及其表达

以首次克隆的家蚕Bombyx mori 肌动蛋白（actin4, A4）启动子、红色荧光蛋白基因DsRed1和多聚腺苷酸识别序列SV40为元件，经多次克隆将其插入到 piggyBac转座载体中，构建成pBacA4DsRed1转基因表达载体。将该载体显微注射到胚盘形成前期的蚕卵中，在荧光显微镜下观察其发光情况，结果发现：在胚胎早期发育的第三天，检测到蚕卵内发出较强的红色荧光。由于蚕卵没有红色自发荧光，用DsRed1标记背景干扰小，对注射蚕种无特别选择，在荧光显微镜下观察到明显的红色荧光，表明pBacA4DsRed1载体构建正确且能在蚕卵中表达。红色荧光蛋白(RFP)基因丰富了报告基因的种类，并且与绿色荧光蛋白(GFP)基因一样，可以作为理想的报告基因应用于家蚕的功能基因研究。     

牛肌细胞生成素基因(MyoG)启动子的活性及组织特异性分析

肌细胞生成素(myogenin,MyoG)在肌肉细胞分化过程中起着中心调控的作用。为了研究牛(Bos)MyoG基因启动子的启动效率和组织特异性。本研究首先克隆了牛MyoG基因启动子区域,以pDsRed2载体为外源载体,红色荧光蛋白为目的基因,构建了pDsRed-BosMyoG真核表达载体。利用脂质体介导转染体外培养的绵羊(Ovis aries)骨骼肌卫星细胞和成纤维细胞,最后通过实时定量PCR和Western blot检测红色荧光蛋白的表达,从而确定牛MyoG基因启动子的启动效率及组织特异性。结果显示,pDsRed-BosMyoG转染绵羊骨骼肌卫星细胞后在显微镜下可观察到红色荧光蛋白的表达,但在转染后的成纤维细胞中并没有观察到红色荧光蛋白的表达。在mRNA水平上,转基因骨骼肌卫星细胞中红色荧光蛋白mRNA表达量明显高于转基因成纤维细胞(P0.01)。Western blot结果显示,转基因骨骼肌卫星中高表达红色荧光蛋白,而在转基因成纤维细胞中并未检测到此蛋白。结果表明,本研究克隆得到的牛MyoG基因启动子可以特异性的在绵羊骨骼肌卫星细胞中驱动外源基因的高表达,是一种有效的肌肉细胞特异性启动子。克隆MyoG基因的启动子,探讨启动子区域的启动活性,有助于从理论上揭示MyoG基因表达的关键调控位点,同时也有利于揭示肌肉发育调控的相关机理,为改良家畜肉质研究提供实验依据。     

板栗疫病菌绿色荧光与红色荧光蛋白共定位载体的构建

低毒病毒-板栗疫病菌组合是研究病毒与宿主相互作用的一个优秀的模式系统。我们构建了含绿色荧光蛋白基因gfp的载体pCPXHY2GFP与含红色荧光蛋白基因rfp的载体pCPXG418RFP,并用于转化野生型菌株EP155,获得了以潮霉素为筛选标记、表达绿色荧光蛋白的转化株pCPXHY2GFP/EP155和以G418为筛选标记、表达红色荧光蛋白的转化株pCPXG418RFP/EP155。将载体pCPXG418RFP转化pCPXHY2GFP/EP155,获得的转化株能观察到绿色荧光蛋白与红色荧光蛋白共定位的现象。板栗疫病菌绿色荧光与红色荧光共定位载体pCPXHY2GFP与pCPXG418RFP的构建,为深入研究病毒与宿主相互作用的分子机制提供了强有力的研究材料。     

转红色荧光蛋白基因唐鱼肌肉中抗生素标记基因(NPTⅡ)检测和表达量分析

为了获得有特色的观赏鱼,本实验室在2003年将含有海葵红色荧光蛋白基因的表达载体(同时含有标记基因新霉素磷酸转移酶基因(NPTⅡ))转入唐鱼(Tanichthys albonubes)的受精卯,获得转红色荧光蛋白基因唐鱼,对其外源标记基因NPTⅡ的表达产物和存在时间进行分析,为评价转基因鱼的生物安全提供依据.本实验对转基因唐鱼和非转基因唐鱼肌肉中抗生素标记基因(NPTⅡ)进行PCR检测和NPTⅡ表达产物的免疫检测试剂条检测,结果显示,转基因唐鱼检测到NPTⅡ基因和表达产物,而非转基因唐鱼中均没检测到该基因和表达产物存在.同时在唐鱼死亡后(水温20～25℃),应用酶联免疫吸附测定法(ELISA)对死亡0 (鲜活肌肉)、24、48、72、96、120和144 h组的转基因唐鱼肌肉中NPTⅡ蛋白的含量进行定量检测,结果表明,转基因唐鱼鲜活肌肉中NPTⅡ蛋白在肌肉中的含量为9.12 ng/g,随着转基因唐鱼死亡时间增加肌肉中NPTⅡ蛋白含量逐渐减少,死亡96 h组转基因唐鱼肌肉中NPTⅡ蛋白已经接近为0.结果表明,转基因唐鱼肌肉中NPTⅡ蛋白在白然环境中容易降解,推测其对环境安全隐患相对较低.     

外源性红色荧光蛋白基因(RFP)在转基因唐鱼中的整合分析

转红色荧光蛋白(red fluorescent protein,RFP)基因唐鱼(Tanichthys albonubes)的遗传符合孟德尔分离定律,为进一步了解RFP基因在转基因唐鱼基因组上的整合特点,采用PCR和Southern印迹检测转植基因的拷贝数和连接方式.结果表明,转植基因是以单位点、多拷贝(2～3个拷贝)、头尾相接(head-to-tail)的串联体形式整合.应用基因组步移技术分别克隆出1.0和1.2 kb的转植基因整合位点5'和3'侧翼区序列.序列分析表明,5'侧翼区为宿主唐鱼基因组序列,在GenBank数据库中经BLAST分析后未发现有同源序列;3'侧翼序列与P1噬菌体部分基因组序列同源性达到99%,非转基因唐鱼基因组中未检测到该侧翼序列.研究结果为转红色荧光蛋白基因唐鱼的遗传稳定提供了评价依据.     

在毕赤酵母中利用口蹄疫病毒(FMDV)2A实现dTomato和串联MagaininⅡ基因的共表达

抗菌肽(antibacterial peptides)是生物体内经诱导产生的一种具有生物活性的多肽,是天然免疫的重要组成部分.为了提高抗菌肽的表达量以及很方便地检测抗菌肽的表达情况,本研究利用口蹄疫病毒(Foot-and-mouth disease virus,FMDV) 2A将荧光蛋白dTomato基因和3个串联的MagaininⅡ基因融合到一个开放阅读框中(open reading frame,ORE),融合的基因被置于pPIC9K载体醇氧化酶基因(AOX1)启动子的下游,构建分泌型重组酵母表达载体pPIC9K-dTomato -2A-3M,将线性化的重组酵母表达载体通过电击法转入毕赤酵母(Pichia pastoris )GS115中,经G418筛选和PCR鉴定得到阳性转化子,然后将其转至摇瓶,在30℃、0.5％甲醇的条件下进行诱导表达,连续诱导3d.SDS-PAGE电泳图谱显示,在31 kD(dTomato)和9.5kD(3M)处有蛋白条带出现,在荧光显微镜下观察酵母表达上清发出红色荧光,对大肠杆菌(Escherichia coli)和金黄色葡萄球菌(Staphylococcus aureus)抑菌试验结果表明,重组抗菌肽串联的MagaininⅡ具有明显的抑菌效果.结果表明,由2A连接的融合基因(荧光蛋白dTomato和串联的MagaininⅡ)在毕赤酵母中成功的进行了表达,FMDV 2A在其C端剪切多聚蛋白,得到dTomato和串联的MagaininⅡ两个独立而有活性的蛋白,为小分子抗菌肽的表达提供一个高效的检测方法.     

根癌农杆菌介导的绿色木霉HP35-3转化及表达体系的构建

本研究通过根癌农杆菌介导转化法,构建丝状真菌绿色木霉HP35-3的遗传转化表达体系,并以红色荧光蛋白基因（DsRed2）为报告基因来验证本表达体系。首先构建含有潮霉素抗性基因（HygR）、磷酸甘油醛脱氢酶启动子（Pgpd）和红色荧光蛋白基因（DsRed2）的双元载体pCAMT-CPRFP。然后将该双元载体转化到根癌农杆菌EHA105中,并筛选阳性转化子。将该转化子和绿色木霉HP35-3分生孢子进行液体共培养,并在含有150μg/mL潮霉素抗性平板上筛选出绿色木霉HP35-3RFP阳性转化子。最后分别通过如下三种方法检测：提取HP35-3RFP的总DNA进行PCR验证;对菌丝体进行荧光显微镜观察;对菌丝体提取物进行荧光酶标仪检测。结果表明：获得的转化子能够稳定遗传,外源红色荧光蛋白基因整合到木霉HP35-3的基因组中并成功表达。     

适用于稻瘟病菌基因敲除、过表达和荧光融合蛋白表达载体的构建和使用

本研究意在提供一系列适于稻瘟病菌(Magnaporthe oryzae)的基因敲除、过表达和荧光蛋白融合表达,并且操作简单、耗时短、稳定可靠的通用载体,为系统研究稻瘟病菌的基因功能提供便利.通过PCR、克隆、酶切、连接等分子生物学方法,克隆了2个在菌丝和附着胞阶段都强力表达的启动子(SOD1启动子和H3启动子);构建了14种载体:3种稻瘟病菌基因敲除载体(pBS-SUR、pBS-BAR和pBS-NEO)、4种丝状真菌基因过表达载体(pKD5、pKD6、pKD61和pKD8)和7种丝状真菌荧光融合蛋白载体(pKD5-GFP、pKD5-RED、pKD6-GFP、pKD6-RED、pKD7-RED、pKD8-GFP和pKD8-RED);并提供了这些载体在丝状真菌的基因敲除、基因过表达和荧光融合蛋白表达中的应用方法.使用构建的基因敲除载体通过原生质体及ATMT转化最多同时在稻瘟病菌中敲除了4个基因;用pKD5-RED、pKD6-GFP和pK)6-RED转化稻瘟病菌后,发现SOD1启动子和H3启动子控制下的绿色和红色荧光蛋白在稻瘟病菌中强力表达,Real-time PCR结果证实SOD1启动子指导下的eGFPmRNA表达量是β-tubulin的2.5倍,SOD1启动子指导下的DsRED2mRNA表达量是β-tubulin的5.4倍,而H3启动子指导下的DsRED2 mRNA表达量是β-tubulin的20.8倍;MoATG8-DsRED2的融合蛋白(使用pKD6 -RED)可以正确定位MoATG8于小泡附近;SOD1启动子驱动的DsRED2(使用pKD6-RED)可以在稻瘟病菌的菌丝、孢子、附着胞等各个发育阶段表达.这些实验说明14种载体可以用于稻瘟病菌的基因敲除、基因过表达和荧光融合蛋白表达,也可用于镰刀菌等其他丝状真菌的基因功能研究.     

衣藻肌动蛋白-绿色荧光蛋白融合基因在酵母细胞中的表达*

将构建的含有衣藻(Chlamydomonas reinhardtii)动蛋白(actin)和绿色荧光蛋(green fluorescent protein,GFP)融合基因的酵母表达载体引入裂殖酵母(Schizosaccharomyces pombe)，衣藻肌动蛋白和荧光蛋白的融合基因得到了表达。表达actin-GFP融合蛋白的酵母细胞在蓝光激发下可以观察到绿色荧光。在EMM培养基上actin-gfp强烈表达，但在硫胺素(thiamine)存在时只进行微弱表达。在融合基因强烈表达时，actin-gfp表达产物在酵母细胞中以聚集形式存在，细胞破碎后发现表达产物主要分布于沉淀中。     

应用杆状病毒载体表达狂犬病病毒糖蛋白

本试验利用杆状病毒载体成功地表达狂犬病病毒糖 (G) 蛋白。从转染重组了日本动物用狂犬病病毒疫苗株RC HL株G蛋白基因的转移载体和野生型杆状病毒DNA 的Sf 9 细胞中, 分离出2 个重组杆状病毒克隆。应用印渍法和荧光抗体法(IFA) 从重组杆状病毒感染的Sf 9 细胞检出了狂犬病毒G 蛋白。Sf9 细胞表达的G 蛋白与狂犬病毒RC HL株感染NA 细胞的G蛋白的分子量一致。35 个抗RC HL株G蛋白的单克隆抗体均与重组杆状病毒感染的Sf 9 细胞反应, 表明表达的G蛋白的抗原性没有发生变异。表达的G蛋白主要分布在Sf 9 细胞的膜表面, 形成类似环状的荧光,这种荧光与RC HL株感染的NA 细胞的荧光相同。     

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.