土壤中大豆根瘤菌优势类群以及与寄主共生关系的多样性

我国大豆种植区使用人工选育制成的根瘤菌剂接种效果不稳定。研究指出南方、北方和黄淮流域的6个省土壤中分布的主要Bradrhizobium.japonicum是DH444、USDA110、LL120、005和C224血清型的菌株,主要的Rhizobium.fredii是2048、USDA217、DE1611、2120和2077血清型的菌株。它们占每个取样地点分离物总数的60.3-81.6％。植物感染结瘤法测得大豆种植地点土著根瘤菌菌数在104/克土以上。盆栽试验表明大豆根瘤菌与大豆品种共生时有较强的亲和选择性和共生效应的多样性,其有效结瘤和固氮效率与根瘤菌个体菌株和大豆品种极相关。大多数土著大豆根瘤菌是低或中效固氮的菌株,因而认为选育抗土著根瘤菌而有利于人工接种菌株结瘤的大豆品种和强竞争性的高效菌株仍是提高我国大豆生产的有效途径。     

不同茬口土壤和大豆品种对根瘤菌遗传多样性的影响

土壤和大豆品种是影响根瘤菌遗传多样性的主要因素。本研究通过土壤捕捉试验,分别从冬小麦茬口和玉米茬口土壤中种植的4个大豆品种根瘤中分离得到149株快生根瘤菌和49株慢生根瘤菌。对这些菌株进行16S rDNA限制性酶切分析(ARDRA)、16S-23S基因间隔(IGS)以及共生基因(nod C)的限制性片段长度多态性分析(RFLP),考察土壤茬口和大豆品种对大豆根瘤菌遗传多样性的影响。ARDRA分析结果表明,快生根瘤菌全部属于中华根瘤菌属(Sinorhizobium),慢生根瘤菌全部属于慢生根瘤菌属(Bradyrhizobium)。IGS酶切分型将所有菌株分为3种图谱类型,其中型Ⅰ与辽宁慢生根瘤菌(B.liaoningense)的模式菌株酶切图谱类型完全一致,型Ⅱ和型Ⅲ与费氏中华根瘤菌(S.fredii)的模式菌株酶切图谱类型完全一致。综合以上结果,本研究分离到的菌株分属于以上2个种。在两种茬口土壤中快生根瘤菌费氏中华根瘤菌均为优势种群,在冬小麦茬口土壤中的比例(平均95.18%)远高于玉米茬口土壤(平均53.78%)。‘冀豆12’大豆品种的费氏中华根瘤菌在两种茬口土壤中所占比重均高于其他品种。对菌株的IGS基因型与宿主大豆品种的相关性分析表明,大豆品种与根瘤菌IGS基因型之间具有一定相关性。nod C-RFLP酶切分型结果表明,土壤茬口和大豆品种对菌株的共生基因无明显影响。本研究表明根瘤菌、土壤茬口和大豆品种间存在一定的相关性。土壤茬口对根瘤菌的种群结构影响较大,大豆品种对根瘤菌的基因型具有一定的选择性。     

GUS基因标记法对慢生花生根瘤菌竞争结瘤和接种效果的研究

应用GUS基因标记技术,可简便、快速、准确、原位、直观地确定标记花生根瘤菌株形成的根瘤,从而方便地研究标记菌株与土著根瘤菌的竞争结瘤能力。无氮水培试验表明,标记菌株gusA4-5、gusA2-9分别与土著菌混和接种占瘤率为71.4%、77.0%。盆栽试验表明,接种供试菌株Spr4-5、Spr2-9占瘤率分别为57.9%、63.0%,比对照极显著增产52.5%、22.7%;接种Spr4-5比Spr2-9极显著增产24.2%。初步说明两个供试菌株的竞争结瘤力比土著根瘤菌强,菌株Spr2-9强于Spr4-5;Spr4-5比Spr2-9有效性高,是结瘤适量,竞争结瘤能力强的高效菌株。     

联合固氮菌与根瘤菌协同作用对小麦幼苗的影响

小麦种子分别接种不同组合的联合固N菌和根瘤菌,播种到灭菌蛭石上培养28d后分别测定小麦幼苗F_v/F_m值、鲜物质量、干物质量、含N量及根系固N酶活性结果表明,接种联合固N菌植株均测到鲜根系固N酶活性,最高达386.6(±3.5)nmol/g,且联合固N菌和根瘤菌协同作用时植物干物质量、F_v/F_m值和含N量均略高于其单独作用,尤其是来自干旱半干旱草原羊草根际的联合固N菌——催娩克雷伯氏菌al(Klebsiella oxytoca)和内蒙古草原草木犀根瘤的中华苜蓿根瘤菌(Sinorhizobium,melilot)菌株Ⅱ的组合固N能力更强,对农业生产有一定应用潜力。     

用荧光酶基因(cfp)标记法研究菜豆根瘤菌的竞争性和有效性

试验采用三亲本杂交法将cfp基因导入一株有效性较高的菜豆根瘤菌SC18,获得了一株带cfp基因标记的菌株SC18-cfp。对SC18-cfp进行性状、标记基因的遗传稳定性检测,结果表明,cfp基因不仅能有效表达,而且性状稳定。随机挑取SC18-cfp的10个转移结合子在无氮砂培条件下进行标记菌株与亲本菌株在3个菜豆品种上的竞争结瘤试验。结果证实,10个转移结合子在供试植物根系上的占瘤率均接近50%,其有效性和竞争结瘤能力与亲本菌株间的差异不显著,品种间的差异性不显著;在控制田间试验中SC18-cfp比土著根瘤菌的竞争结瘤能力强,在品种A、B、C上的占瘤率分别达到了57.8%、60.0%、55.6%。接种SC18的植株干重、全氮量、叶绿素含量和豆荚产量均显著高于对照。     

芽孢杆菌与根瘤菌复合包衣对大豆结瘤固氮能力的影响

为了探究不同芽孢杆菌与根瘤菌复合包衣对大豆结瘤固氮的影响,通过盆栽试验,设置不接菌对照(CK)、根瘤菌单独包衣(R)、阿氏芽孢杆菌(RB)和胶质类芽孢杆菌(RP)2种促生菌分别与根瘤菌双包衣以及 3种菌混合包衣(RBP)共5个处理,测定大豆根瘤数量、干重、根瘤固氮酶活性及植株氮、磷、钾含量,筛选根瘤菌剂最佳组合。结果表明,接种菌剂的处理均能够促进大豆结瘤固氮,其中RB处理效果最好,能够获得最高的大豆植株干重、根瘤数量、根瘤干重、固氮酶活性、全氮含量,比CK分别提高51.80%、14.44%、53.33%、44.36%、25.61%,3种菌包衣并没有比双接种促生效果更好。相关性分析表明,根瘤干重与固氮酶活性、根瘤数量及植株干重都呈显著正相关关系,说明根瘤的质量可能比数量更能准确评价共生固氮效率。此结果为根瘤菌剂应用于机械化种植提供可能性,为进一步推广根瘤菌剂的规模化生产应用提供了科学依据。     

抗春雷霉素大豆根瘤菌突变株的诱变及其生物固氮特性的分析

根瘤菌与豆科植物共生可以固定大量的氮。根瘤菌剂接种豆科作物是一项普遍推广应用、有效的农业技术。但由于大量土著根瘤菌的存在，产生竞争障碍，降低了接种菌剂的占瘤率。大多数的土著根瘤菌对春雷霉素敏感，因此接种抗春雷霉素的高效结瘤固氮根瘤菌，并用春雷霉素处理种子，可抑制土著根瘤菌，提高接种菌剂的占瘤率，从而达到高结瘤、高固氮和提高产量的目的。本文将探讨诱变对根瘤菌抗春雷霉素突变的作用，并对获得的抗性突变株的生物固氮特性进行分析。     

安徽省北部大豆根瘤菌的分离,血清学分析及田间自然结瘤调查

对安徽省北部分离的２７株快生大豆根瘤菌和３８株慢生大豆根瘤菌的血清学分析及田间自然结瘤的血清学调查表明：００５血清型系安徽北部夏大豆产区占据优势的血清型，１８组样品和再现频率为１００％；３６株分离物中２６株属００５血清型，占总分离物的７２．５％。２０４８血清型出现频率为８３．３％；在３组样品中占瘤率达４１－５１。６％。２１７血清型占瘤率普遍低于１６％。讨论了自然结瘤调查中采样地点，大豆品种和土壤类     

山西省快生型大豆根瘤菌资源调查和鉴定

从山西省主要大豆产区的不同土壤和大豆品种中分离得到的38个快生型大豆根瘸菌株的鉴定表明,这些分离物的IAR除了氨苄青霉素外,均较慢生型为低。38个菌株被分为4个血清型,其中2个为新发现的,命名为2077和2120型。细胞成分N%含量为2.01-3.78,C%含量为50.52-55.53%,N/C值<10。所检测的7个菌株都有1-2个大质粒,且每个均有112 Md的大质粒。分离株的共生效应和结瘤竞争由于大豆品种不同而有显著差异。本研究表明,我国大豆起源地之一的山西省,快生型大豆根瘸菌的分布广泛,分离频率较高,菌株类型也多。     

壳聚糖对NaCl胁迫下菜用大豆结瘤固氮的影响

【目的】研究壳聚糖对盐胁迫抑制菜用大豆结瘤固氮的缓解效应,为进一步探讨壳聚糖抗逆机理提供新的线索。【方法】以蛭石为基质,以菜用大豆‘特早王’–根瘤菌共生体系为研究对象,采用人工气候箱培养,研究NaCl胁迫下壳聚糖对菜用大豆根瘤形成、生物固氮的影响。菌种为与‘特早王’共生匹配性较好的快生根瘤菌N18。接种后的植株进行如下4个处理:1)叶面喷施清水,根部浇灌无氮营养液(CK);2)叶面喷施壳聚糖水溶液,根部浇灌无氮营养液(CTS);3)叶面喷施清水,根部浇灌溶有NaCl的无氮营养液(Cl);4)叶面喷施壳聚糖水溶液,根部浇灌溶有NaCl的无氮营养液(CTS+Cl)。上述各处理施用的水或水溶液均为无菌水配制,NaCl处理的浓度为50 mol/L,CTS处理的适宜浓度为200 mg/L。接种30天后,将大豆植株取出,用清水将根部蛭石冲洗干净后,立即测定根瘤固氮酶活性、根瘤数及根瘤鲜重,然后测定根瘤豆血红蛋白含量和根系活力,最后测植株干重和全氮量。【结果】氯化钠胁迫下,植株干重显著下降,与CK相比降幅达49%,喷施壳聚糖后(CTS+Cl),降低幅度显著减小,但依然显著低于CK (P <0.05)。无盐条件下,与CK相比,壳聚糖处理(CTS)增加植株干重的效果不明显。喷施壳聚糖显著增加了菜用大豆的根瘤数、根瘤鲜重、植株含氮量、根系活力、豆血红蛋白含量及固氮酶活性(P <0.05)。NaCl胁迫显著抑制了菜用大豆的结瘤固氮作用,其中根瘤数、根瘤鲜重分别较CK下降了79%、90%,而壳聚糖处理(CTS+Cl)使菜用大豆在盐逆境下的结瘤数、根瘤鲜重、植株全氮含量、根系活力、豆血红蛋白含量及固氮酶活性等均显著回升,增幅分别达对照的29%、20%、17%、48%、19%、21%,但均显著低于CK。【结论】非NaCl胁迫下,喷施壳聚糖可以显著促进菜用大豆结瘤,提高豆血红蛋白含量及固氮酶活性,最终增加植株含氮量。在NaCl胁迫下,外源壳聚糖可以显著缓解氯化钠胁迫导致的对根系活力和结瘤固氮的影响。因此,叶面喷施壳聚糖是促进菜用大豆结瘤固氮和生长的有效措施。     

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.