受精温度对牛卵母细胞体外受精及随后胚胎发育的影响

将经过２０～２４ｈ体外成熟培养后的牛卵母细胞在含５％ＣＯ２，９５％空气，最大相对饱和湿度和温度分别为３７℃（Ｇ１），３８℃（Ｇ２）和３９℃（Ｇ３）的培养条件下进行体外受精，以观察受精温度对牛体外受精及其随后胚胎发育的影响。结果显示，不同受精温度对牛卵母细胞体外精子入卵率（９３．６％～１００％）及受精卵裂率（７８．５％～８０．３％）无明显影响；而早期胚胎卵裂发育速度、体外囊胚发育速度及体外囊胚发育率和孵化率均随着受精温度的升高呈上升趋势。在ＩＶＦ４２～４６ｈ，Ｇ３发育到５细胞以上卵裂周期阶段的早期胚胎比率（４０．３％）非常显著地高于Ｇ２（２４．３％）和Ｇ１（１８．８％，Ｐ＜０．００１）；而相应处于２细胞阶段的胚胎比率（Ｇ３为１４．６％）则十分显著地低于Ｇ２（２５．２％）和Ｇ１（３０．１％，Ｐ＜０．０１）。Ｇ３的囊胚体外孵化率（７５．８％）也非常明显地高于Ｇ２（５１．９％）和Ｇ１（４７．９％，Ｐ＜０．００）。结果表明，受精温度（３７～３９℃）主要影响早期胚胎的质量，从而影响到其随后的囊胚发育率、发育速度及其孵化率，而对卵母细胞的受精、卵裂率无明显影响。     

不同季节蛋鸡饲料养分浓度的研究Ⅱ.高温期罗曼蛋鸡日粮的优化研究

在高温夏季（１９９３年７月１日～９月３０日，合肥地区，开放式鸡舍，舍温２７．９～３８．７℃，平均３２．３℃），用６种不同配方的日粮饲喂处于相同生境的６组２３～３６周龄罗曼蛋鸡。按罗曼公司推荐的饲养标准配制第１组日粮；对第２～６组日粮养分浓度作适当调整。饲养结果表明：各组间罗曼蛋鸡产蛋率、饲料转化率和产蛋饲料成本有显著（Ｐ＜０．０５）或极显著（Ｐ＜０．０１）差异。其中，第５组鸡产蛋率（８３．９３％）和饲料转化率（４３．６４％）均为最高（Ｐ＜０．０１），比第１组鸡产蛋率（７８．９１％）和饲料转化率（４１．２６％）分别提高６．３６％（Ｐ＜０．０５）和５．７７％（Ｐ＜０．０５）；第５组鸡产蛋饲料成本（２．５５元／ｋｇ）比第１组鸡产蛋饲料成本（２．９２元／ｋｇ）降低１４．５１％（Ｐ＜０．０１）。第５组日粮配方（％）为：玉米６１．０、小麦麸３．０、大豆粕１７．０、鱼粉４．０、菜籽饼４．３、蛋氨酸０．１４、赖氨酸０．０５、骨粉０．８、石粉８．５、磷酸氢钙０．８、食盐０．３１、禽用微量元素添加剂０．１２、罗曼多维素０．０１８。     

卵丘细胞对牛卵母细胞体外成熟和体外受精的影响

本试验探讨了卵母细胞周围不同类型的卵丘细胞对牛卵母细胞体外成熟、受精及其随后的胚胎发育的影响。卵母细胞周围一般都含有多层卵丘细胞。按卵丘细胞的层数及形态将卵母细胞大致分为５类：（１）无卵丘细胞；（２）有２～３层卵丘细胞；（３）有４～５层卵丘细胞；（４）有６层以上卵丘细胞；（５）异常者（即卵母细胞外周有较厚的透明胶状物而无正常卵丘细胞）。以上５种卵母细胞经体外成熟培养并受精后，其卵裂率（分别为：４８．８％，７０．９％，８４．４％，８２．１％，６８．２％）及囊胚发育率（分别为：０．０％，１７．８％，３３．３％，５４．６％，２５．０％）除异常者外均随着卵丘细胞层数的增加而提高（Ｐ＜０．０５）。对含有２～６层卵丘细胞的卵母细胞成熟后进行不同程度的剥离处理。然后按剥离程度分为３组：（１）全部剥离；（２）仅剩放射冠；（３）放射冠外有２～３层卵丘细胞。受精后３组间的卵裂率无显著差异（分别为：８１．７％，８５．２％，８４．４％）。而囊胚发育率（分别为：１６．８％，２３．８％，２３．４％），全部剥离组明显低于其他两组（Ｐ＜０．０５）。试验结果表明卵丘细胞对卵母细胞的体外成熟有促进作用，从而影响随后的受精及胚胎发育。     

春小麦水肥产出协同效应研究

该文通过对春小麦２年田间水肥试验结果分析表明：①水肥对春小麦产量，收入有明显的主效应与交互效应，在试验范围内（水分为９％－１８％，肥料为５－２０ｋｇ／亩），水分平均主效应（以１．５％个土壤水分为１个单位）＞肥料平均主效应（以２．５ｋｇ／亩为１个单位）。②春小麦的水肥产量，收入效应为报酬递减函数，生产中存在一个经济合理的水肥耦合区，通常肥料为５－１６．０ｋｇ／亩时，需９％－１７．８％的水分与之配合；     

苄嘧黄隆及甲黄隆的气相色谱分析方法研究

本文研究了苄嘧黄隆和甲黄隆的气相色谱分析方法。采用（１）５％ＯＶ－１０１／Ｃｈｒｏ－ｍｏｓｏｒｂＧＡＷＤＭＣＳ（０．２５～０．１８ｍｍ）；（２）５％新戊二醇己二酸聚酯／ＣｈｒｏｍｏｓｏｒｂＧＡＷＤＭ－ＣＳ（０．２５～０．１８ｍｍ）的两条色谱柱，邻苯二甲酸二戊酯为内标，氢火焰离子化检测器，标准偏差（ＳＤ）≤０．０６４％，变异系数（ＣＶ）≤２．１％，平均回收率为９６．７％～９８．８％。     

生长因子对卵母细胞体外成熟及早期胚胎体外发育的影响

为了探讨生长因子（ＥＧＦ，ＰＤＧＦ）对牛卵母细胞体外成熟与早期胚胎体外发育的影响，本研究进行了两个实验。实验１：在卵母细胞体外成熟（ＩＶＭ）中，将卵母细胞平均随机的放入表皮生长因子浓度为０，２．５，２５，５０μｇ／Ｌ的成熟培养液和对照组中。实验２：在早期胚胎体外培养（ＩＶＣ）过程中，将受精卵平均随机分配入５个不同培养液的处理组：（１）ＴＣＭ－１９９＋１０％阉公牛血清（ＳＳ）；（２）ＴＣＭ－１９９＋ＥＧＦ＋ＰＤＧＦ；（３）ＴＣＭ－１９９＋ＥＧＦ；（４）ＴＣＭ－１９９＋ＰＤＧＦ；（５）ＴＣＭ－１９９＋无生长因子、其中ＥＧＦ：５０μｇ／Ｌ，ＰＤＧＦ：０．１μｇ／Ｌ。２，３，４，５组有０．１％ＰＶＡ和０．３％ＢＳＡ，并与颗粒细胞单层协同培养。卵母细胞的体外成熟（ＩＶＭ）、体外受精（ＩＶＦ）和早期胚胎体外培养（ＩＶＣ）的方法与Ｌｕ等（１９８７）报道的相同。结果表明：浓度为５０μｇ／Ｌ的处理组分裂率与对照组无差异（８９．０％，９２．４％，Ｐ＞０．０５），而浓度为０，２．５，２５μｇ／Ｌ的处理组分裂率均显著低于对照组（７８．６％，８２．３％，８４．３％，Ｐ＜０．０５），在囊胚率和第７ｄ一级胚胎率上各组均无差异。ＥＧＦ在体     

奶牛分娩前后血浆类固醇激素水平变化与胎衣不下的关系

应用放射免疫分析法（ＲＩＡ）测定了２０头怀孕奶牛（其中胎衣不下（ＲＦＭ）牛和正常（ＮＲＦＭ）牛各１０头］产前１０天到产后２天外周血浆孕酮（Ｐ４）、１７β－雌二醇（１７β－Ｅ２）和雌酮（Ｅ１）的水平。结果表明，产前６～３天，ＲＦＭ牛血浆Ｐ４水平略低于ＮＲＦＭ牛（Ｐ＞０．０５），而于产前２天突然跃升并显著高于ＮＲＦＭ牛（Ｐ＜０．０５）。血浆１７β－Ｅ２水平，ＲＦＭ牛于产前７天到分娩当天显著低于ＮＲＦＭ牛（Ｐ＜０．０５），尤其是产前７天和５天。血浆Ｅ１水平，产前１０～１天ＲＦＭ牛显著低于ＮＲＦＭ牛（Ｐ＜０．０５），尤其是产前８天和４天极显著低于ＮＲＦＭ牛（Ｐ＜０．０１）；而分娩当天，ＲＦＭ牛却显著高于ＮＲＦＭ牛（Ｐ＜０．０５）。此外，Ｐ４／１７β－Ｅ２的比值，在分娩前６天和２天ＲＦＭ牛极显著和显著高于ＮＲＦＭ牛（Ｐ＜０．０１和Ｐ＜０．０５）。上述结果表明，分娩前６天时，雌酮水平显著下降和Ｐ４／１７β－Ｅ２比值显著升高可以作为奶牛胎衣不下的指征。     

PGR—08对小麦种子萌发与幼苗生长的影响

ＰＧＲ—０８是一种新的植物生长物质．通过５～５０ｍｇ／Ｌ浸种处理，在（２５±１）℃条件下，使小麦种子发芽率４８ｈ内比对照增加９．３％～１９．３％，同时使种于中淀粉酶的活性比对照增加１０６．３％～１６２．５％．育苗６ｄ后，使苗高与根长都相当于对照的２～４倍，２５ｄ后，麦苗的一级分蘖相当于对照的１．６～２．３倍，而且有１／４～１／２的植株出现二级分蘖．同样条件下，对照却无二级分蘖。     

几蔬菜的养分需求与钾素增产效果

通过对９种蔬菜研究表明，蔬菜各器官养分含量高而转移率低，属营养非完全转移型作物；蔬菜需肥量大，比谷类作物约高出１／３；蔬菜的钾氮吸收比高（大于１￣１．５），而磷氮吸收比低（小于０．３）；每公顷产４５￣７５ｔ蔬菜，约需Ｎ３００￣４５０ｋｇ，Ｐ２Ｏ５ １０５￣２２５ｋｇ，Ｋ２Ｏ１０５￣２１０ｋｇ，１ｋｇＫ２Ｏ可增产番茄２６．１￣１４１．３ｋｇ，甘蓝１１．２￣５３．１ｋｇ，黄瓜５．８￣８６．９ｋｇ，甜菜     

植物增产增糖剂“施施乐”大田应用的增产效果

在１０４０ｈｍ２田间作物上喷施植物增产增糖剂“施施乐”（ＣＣＲ）的试验结果表明，水稻增产幅度为３％～２４％，大部分为１０％～２０％，结实率提高３％～９％；绿肥作物紫云英茎叶增产４２．６％～５６．２％；大乌圆龙眼、荔枝和橙果果汁中可溶性糖含量分别提高０．８２％～１．３７％，０．９５％～１．１４％和０．７４％；橙果维生素Ｃ含量提高２４．４％。上述结果说明ＣＣＲ在提高大田作物的产量和改善其产品质量中具有很好的作用     

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.