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)。     

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.     

不同生长时期极端降水事件对人工针叶林净生产力的影响——以江西省吉安市千烟洲生态试验站为例

[目的]研究不同生长时期极端降水事件对生态系统碳通量的影响,为准确评估江西省吉安市千烟洲人工针叶林生态系统应对极端天气的响应机制提供理论基础。[方法]对比2008年与2010年植物生长初期(4月)与生长旺盛期(6月)碳通量对环境因子(净辐射RN、温度TA、土壤含水量SWC与增强型植被指数EVI)变化的响应差异。[结果] 4月份净生态系统生产力(NEP)降低22.87%,主要是初级生产总量和生态系统呼吸分别降低17.36%[GEP, 9.56 g/(m~2·d)]和2.84%[RE,2.86 g/(m~2·d)]导致,而6月份GEP降低3.58%[7.17 g/(m~2·d)]以及RE增长12.8%[20.37 g/(m~2·d)]导致NEP降低65.77%[27.55 g/(m~2·d)]。[结论]生长季初期TA降低对RE的抑制大于土壤含水量增加的影响,而生长旺盛期土壤含水量增加则会抵消降温对呼吸的抑制,造成更大的碳损失,因此后续研究森林生态系统碳通量对极端气候响应时还需要考虑植物生长时期的影响。     

黄土丘陵区翻白草光合特性的研究

运用开放式气体交换LI-6400便携式光合作用测定系统,测定了自然条件下黄土丘陵区翻白草(Potentilladiscolor Bunge)的光合速率(Pn)、蒸腾速率(Tr)、气孔导度(Cs)及其光响应曲线.(1)翻白草净Pn日进程呈"单谷"型曲线,在早晨800,Pn为全天最大值14.91μmol/(m2·s);至1400,Pn降到最小值0.13 μmol/(m2·s),植物进入"午休"状态.(2)翻白草的光补偿点为51.4μmol/(m2·s),光饱和点为527μmol/(m2·s),表观量子效率为0.056 6,说明翻白草属于典型的阳生植物.(3)在光响应过程中,随着有效光辐射强度(RPA)的增强,翻白草的蒸腾速率(Tr)一直处于上升趋势,与Gs变化趋势完全一致,二者呈指数关系.翻白草WUE随RPA的增强呈抛物线状变化,在初始阶段,WUE增加较快,RPA为800 μmol/(m2·s)时,WUE达到最大值4.68 mmol/mol之后,WUE开始逐渐降低,但是变化较小.     

杭州湾滨海湿地CH4排放通量的研究

2013年4—9月,利用静态明箱–气相色谱法对杭州湾裸滩湿地、海三棱藨草湿地、芦苇湿地和互花米草湿地CH4排放通量进行了原位观测,并利用室内厌氧培养法测定了0~30 cm深度的土壤CH4产生潜力。结果表明:整体而言,裸滩湿地表现为CH4的吸收源,CH4排放通量春季高、夏季低;海三棱藨草湿地、芦苇湿地和互花米草湿地表现为CH4的排放源,CH4排放通量均呈现夏季高、春秋季低的季节变化。平均CH4排放通量表现为:互花米草湿地(1.589 mg/(m2·h))芦苇湿地(0.722 mg/(m2·h))海三棱藨草湿地(0.218 mg/(m2·h))裸滩湿地(–0.068 mg/(m2·h)),互花米草湿地各月CH4排放通量均显著高于其他湿地。0~30 cm深度平均土壤CH4产生潜力表现为:互花米草湿地(0.050μg/(g·d)芦苇湿地(0.042μg/(g·d))裸滩湿地(0.030μg/(g·d)海三棱藨草湿地(0.027μg/(g·d)),互花米草湿地各土层CH4产生潜力显著高于其他湿地(除0~5 cm外)。裸滩湿地土壤CH4产生潜力没有明显的空间垂直变化趋势,CH4产生潜力最大值、最小值分别出现在10~20 cm和5~10 cm土层。其他3类湿地0~5 cm土层的CH4产生潜力最大,土壤CH4产生潜力整体上随着土壤深度的增加而减小;海三棱藨草湿地和芦苇湿地5~10 cm土层的CH4产生潜力最小,互花米草湿地20~30 cm土层的CH4产生潜力最小。土壤p H、有机碳和全氮含量对CH4排放通量有显著的影响。     

倒刺鲃鱼苗耗氧率与窒息点的研究

通过对两种规格的倒刺(Sp in ibarbus d enticu la tus)鱼苗在两种水温条件下进行耗氧率与窒息点测定,结果表明:平均体重(3.53±0.10)g的倒刺鱼苗在水温27.3~28.3°C和30.0~31.0°C时耗氧率分别为0.357 7 m g/(g.h)和0.319 9 m g/(g.h),窒息点分别为0.327 0 m g/L和0.313 1 m g/L;平均体重(7.62±0.11)g的倒刺鱼种在水温27.3~28.3°C和30.0~31.0°C耗氧率分别为0.281 9 m g/(g.h)和0.300 9 m g/(g.h),窒息点分别为0.365 9 m g/L和0.478 4 m g/L。倒刺鱼苗的耗氧率昼夜变化不明显,随着鱼体重的增加而降低,而窒息点则随体重的增加而增加。     

伊犁河流域新垦区杨树水保林水分生态效益研究

对伊犁河流域新垦区两种造林密度杨树水保林林地土壤水分渗透速率、土壤含水量、土壤温度、土壤蒸发量、杨树蒸腾速率进行了测定,结果表明:(1)加水初期(0～4 h)内3种测地土壤水分渗透速率排序为2 m×4 m＞1.5 m×2 m＞对照地.(2)加水后土壤含水量以2 m×4 m林地变幅最大(2.09%),其水分增加值分别为对照地和1.5 m×2 m林地的1.47倍和4.18倍.(3)2 m×4 m林地1天中最高地温(23.87℃)出现在16:00,而1.5 m×2 m林地地温在14:00-18:00较高.(4)全天各时段2 m×4 m林地的蒸发量均大于1.5 m×2 m林地,2 m×4 m林地土壤日蒸发总量为2.47 g/(dm2·d),比1.5 m×2 m林地高0.91 g/(dm2·d).(5)1.5 m×2 m林地杨树日蒸腾量为111.47 g/(dm2·h),2 m×4 m林地仅有87.81 g/(dm2·h).     

植物提取物对菜青虫的拒食活性研究

测定了广西30科74种植物提取物对菜青虫4龄幼虫的拒食活性。结果表明,在10 m g/mL浓度下,处理24 h,拒食率在90%以上的有鸦胆子(果实)、番荔枝、灵香草和木防已等4种植物提取物;拒食率在80%~90%的有楝科一种A(学名待定)、海木、木花生、鸦胆子(枝叶)和毛鸦胆子(果实)等5种植物提取物;拒食率在70%~80%的有米仔兰、海南木和鱼藤等3种植物提取物;处理48 h,鸦胆子(果实)、番荔枝、灵香草和木防已等4种植物提取物仍然维持高拒食活性,拒食率在9 0%以上;拒食率在80%~90%仅有海木1种植物提取物;拒食率在70%~80%的有米仔兰、楝科一种A(学名待定)、鸦胆子(枝叶)和毛鸦胆子(果实)等4种植物提取物;其余的供试植物提取物24 h和48 h的拒食率均在70%以下。     

不同海拔蔗区土壤有机质、全氮含量和pH值特征

为明确海拔高度对云南省山地甘蔗土壤有机质、全氮及p H的变化影响,研究了云南省甘蔗种植面积最大的地级市——临沧市甘蔗生产区1 740份土壤样品的有机质、全氮含量和p H值的差异。结果表明:土壤有机质和海拔呈极显著相关关系(γ=0.156**,p0.01),随海拔升高而增加;土壤全氮含量、p H值与海拔无显著相关关系,不随海拔升高而增加。临沧市蔗地土壤有机质含量平均为25.6 g·kg~(-1),变幅为0.3 g·kg~(-1)~79.1 g·kg~(-1),变异系数为41%;土壤全氮平均含量为0.120 g·kg~(-1),变幅0.117 g·kg~(-1)~0.122 g·kg~(-1),变异系数为44%;土壤p H值平均5.3,变幅3.6~8.6,变异系数15%。     

未干扰黑土土壤酶活性垂直变化特征

以典型黑土区天然次生林土壤为研究对象,通过0~200cm土层范围内过氧化氢酶、脱氢酶、多酚氧化酶、蔗糖酶等指标的测定、计算和分析,旨在对未经开垦干扰黑土土壤酶活性特征进行研究,结果表明:未受干扰黑土土壤过氧化氢酶、脱氢酶、多酚氧化酶、蔗糖酶、碱性磷酸酶活性随土层深度的增加而降低,分别在6.88~10.71ml/(g土·20min)、7.37~45.92μg/(g土·24h)、3.06~3.59ml/(g土·24h)、0.28~2.28mg/(g土·24h)、3.65~9.77mg/(g土·24h)之间变化,其中过氧化氢酶、脱氢酶及蔗糖酶在60~80cm土层时显著高于其上下两层。研究结果可为探讨黑土质量的演变规律提供理论依据,也可为植被恢复效果评价提供参考。     

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.     

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.