不同形态氮肥对设施土壤盐分含量和离子组成的影响

通过室内模拟培养实验,研究了尿素、碳酸氢铵和硝酸钙对设施土壤盐分含量和离子组成的影响.结果表明:(1)随着培养时间延长,不同形态氮肥处理土壤含盐量总体呈先升高后降低再升高的趋势.施肥处理的土壤含盐量较对照(CK)明显增加,但不同氮肥处理与未施氮肥处理(N0)间的土壤含盐量在整个培养期间内总体差异不显著.且氮肥用量对含盐量的影响也不显著.(2)设施土壤中尿素和碳酸氢铵处理的电导率与含盐量呈极显著正相关,硝酸钙处理电导率与含盐量呈显著正相关.且随培养时间的延长呈波浪状变化.其电导率显著高于相同氮用量时的其他两种氮肥处理;电导率与氮肥用量呈极显著正相关.(3)不同形态氮肥处理的土壤盐分离子组成相近,均以阴离子为主.设施土壤阴离子占盐分总量的76.29%～93.81%,露地土壤为75.16%～96.63%,以SO_4~(2-)含量最高,分别占67.37%和67.28%,NO_3~-含量次之;土壤中阳离子含量较少,以Ca~(2+)为主,K~+,Na~+,Ca~(2+),Mg~(2+)的含量随氮肥用量的增加而增加.(4)土壤电导率受阳离子的影响较大.阴离子的影响较小.设施土壤的电导率与Ca~(2+),Mg~(2+),K~+.NO_3~-含量呈极显著正相关,与Cl~-1呈显著正相关.露地土壤电导率与Ca~(2+),Mg~(2+)含量呈极显著正相关,与HCO_3~-呈显著负相关.     

土壤盐分离子对乌鲁木齐小白菜Pb含量的影响研究

为研究土壤中盐分离子对小白菜Pb含量的影响,采取正交试验L_(16)4~5和盆栽试验方法,分析了5种阳离子(Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+)、K~+、Na~+、Pb~(2+))和3种阴离子(SO_4~(2-)、Cl~-、NO_3~-)对小白菜地上部和根系中Pb含量的影响。结果表明,试验条件下小白菜地上部Pb含量为0.215~0.930 mg·kg~(-1),根系中Pb含量为1.648~24.33 mg·kg~(-1),可食用部分超标率达81.3%。土壤盐分离子对小白菜地上部Pb含量影响顺序为:Ca~(2+)Mg~(2+)Na~+Pb~(2+)K~+。根据相关性分析,土壤中Ca~(2+)与小白菜地上部Pb含量呈显著负相关(r=-0.540 3,P0.05),Na~+和Pb~(2+)呈正相关但不显著。Mg~(2+)和K~+呈负相关,也不显著。Cl~-和NO_3~-与小白菜地上部Pb含量呈显著负相关(r=-0.540,P0.05),SO_4~(2-)呈正相关,但不显著。对小白菜根系Pb含量影响顺序为:Pb~(2+)K~+Na~+Ca~(2+)Mg~(2+),土壤中Pb~(2+)对小白菜根系Pb的含量呈显著正相关(r=0.483,P0.05),Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+)、K~+、Na~+、SO_4~(2-)、Cl~-和NO_3~-相关性不显著。乌鲁木齐土壤中固有的盐分离子对小白菜可食用部分Pb的吸收没有抑制作用。     

淋洗水质和水量对宁夏龟裂碱土水盐运移的影响

为了探明龟裂碱土土壤剖面盐分分布与淋洗水质和水量的定量化关系,为宁夏引黄灌区龟裂碱土改良提供科学依据,通过室内土柱淋洗试验,开展了脱硫石膏施用下水质和水量对宁夏龟裂碱土水盐运移影响的研究。结果表明:脱硫石膏施用下龟裂碱土随着入渗时间的增加,累积入渗水量和湿润锋深度呈先急剧增加再缓慢增加的趋势,同一淋洗水量下入渗历时表现为黄河水沟水农田排水,淋洗水中的Na~+对龟裂碱土土壤入渗能力的影响较大;与土壤初始值相比,各处理0—20cm土层土壤pH值均有不同程度的降低,土壤脱盐率在79.53%~90.83%之间,阳离子溶脱率均表现为Mg~(2+)Na~+;利用农田排水淋洗龟裂碱土在降低0—40cm土层土壤全盐和主要盐分离子Na~+、Cl~-、Mg~(2+)、HCO_3~-含量方面效果较黄河水更为明显,淋洗水质对0—40cm土层Mg~(2+)和HCO_3~-溶脱率的影响表现为黄河水沟水农田排水。由于所用农田排水矿化度较低,农田排水淋洗处理土壤下层盐分聚积现象并没有比黄河水处理更明显。     

磁化微咸水灌溉对土壤交换性盐基离子组成的影响

在淡水资源贫乏的土壤盐渍化地区,通过对磁化微咸水灌溉后土壤交换性盐基离子组成和水溶性盐分的测定分析,探讨地下微咸水灌溉对土壤交换性盐基离子组成的影响。结果表明:(1)微咸水灌溉中土壤交换性Mg~(2+)、K~+、Na~+降低0.7%~25%,其交换性盐基饱和度(BSP)降低7.9%~32.4%;交换性Ca~(2+)和交换性盐基总量(TEB)提高6.7%~7.9%,BSP Ca~(2+)(Ca~(2+)在交换性盐基中所占百分比)提高1.5%~3.0%;(Ca~(2+)+Mg~(2+))/TEB、Ca~(2+)/K~+、Ca~(2+)/Mg~(2+)和Mg~(2+)/K~+均增加0.6%~51%,K~+/TEB则降低13.2%~31.3%;(2)磁化微咸水灌溉后,土壤交换性K~+、Ca~(2+)、TEB和BSP K~+、BSP Ca~(2+)含量提高13.2%~31.3%;交换性Na~+、Mg~(2+)和BSP Na~+、BSP Mg~(2+)均降低为9.3%~56.5%,呈显著差异水平(P0.05),且各交换性盐基离子平均含量大小依次为Ca~(2+)Mg~(2+)Na~+K~+;Ca~(2+)/K~+、Ca~(2+)/Mg~(2+)、(Ca~(2+)+Mg~(2+))/TEB、K~+/TEB均提高3.7%~47.8%,Mg~(2+)/K~+则降低47.8%~55.4%;(3)土壤交换性盐基离子与水溶性盐基离子K~+、Na~+、Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+)之间总体呈极显著相关(P0.01),与(Ca~(2+)+Mg~(2+))/TEB均表现为极显著相关(P0.01)。综上所述,磁化微咸水灌溉改变了土壤盐基离子的交换特性和离子组成,对降低土壤盐渍化地区长期应用微咸水灌溉产生的土壤盐分积聚有良好的作用。     

不同利用方式河套平原盐碱土盐分特征

为探讨土地利用方式对盐渍化土壤盐分特征影响,以河套平原5种利用方式(盐碱荒、改良地、牧草地、农用地、林地)下土壤为研究对象,采用野外取样与室内分析测试相结合的方法对其土壤剖面全盐量、盐分剖面类型以及盐分离子组成的变化规律进行了研究,结果表明:研究区土壤盐分离子以SO■,HCO~-_3,Ca~(2+),K~++Na~+为主;剖面盐分离子分布不均匀,具有中、强变异性;总体表现为:SO■HCO~-_3Ca~(2+)Na~++K~+Mg~(2+)Cl~-CO■;土壤盐分变化与Ca~(2+),Mg~(2+),SO■变化规律基本一致,即随土层深度增加而减小。土地利用方式对土壤全盐含量及其离子组成的影响显著,盐荒地和改良地剖面土壤全盐量随土层深度增加而减少,农用地随土层深度增加而增大,牧草地随土层深度增加表现为先增加后减少,林地土壤全盐量剖面垂直变化幅度不大,且土壤剖面(0—100 cm)平均全盐含量依次为盐荒地改良地牧草地林地农用地;人类活动使得土壤盐分含量下降了41.92%～79.33%,盐分类型由苏打氯化物型转化为苏打硫酸盐型,降低了盐碱的危害,且不同利用方式土壤全盐量与SO■,CO■,HCO~-_3,Ca~(2+),Mg~(2+),K~++Na~+均呈显著的正相关,而与Cl~-成反比。本研究的结论对于提高盐渍化土地的利用潜力即耕地后备资源极其利用具有重要的理论和实际意义。     

不同措施对河套灌区重度盐渍土改良效果

为了探究不同灌溉模式施加不同改良剂对河套灌区重度盐渍土的改良效果,设置秸秆深埋(SL)、石膏+有机肥(SF)、对照(CK)3个处理,对河套灌区重度盐渍土土壤盐分在0-70 cm剖面上的分布特点进行研究。结果表明:不同灌溉模式,SL和SF处理在0-15 cm土层均有效降低土壤pH,随改良时间延长改良深度增加pH持续降低,有一定的长效性,滴灌SL与SF处理pH较CK分别下降0.35,0.49,黄灌下降0.42,1.33,对30-70 cm土层影响较小。SF处理碱化度第2年下降达43%,SL处理为40%,滴灌更利于碱化度降低。从抑制盐分积累来看,SL与SF处理能有效抑制盐分0-15 cm土层聚集,黄灌SL与SF处理较CK分别下降13.60%,7.70%,滴灌分别下降31.60%,6.90%,SL处理抑盐效果较显著。土壤盐基离子表明,不同灌溉模式,SL与SF处理均显著降低0-15 cm土层Na~+与HCO_3~-的含量,滴灌降低比例高于黄灌,随着改良时间延长效果越显著,15-70 cm土层无明显变化。石膏加有机肥的施入提高0-70 cm土层SO_4~(2-)、Ca~(2+)及Cl~-的含量。通过对比分析,对河套灌区重度盐渍土治理而言,秸秆深埋和石膏+有机肥均能有效抑制重度盐渍土土壤积盐,有效降低pH及碱化度。整体来看,滴灌模式下石膏+有机肥改良效果优于秸秆深埋。     

宁夏中部压砂区表层土壤离子分布及盐分类型预测

为探明宁夏环香山压砂区盐碱地表层土壤离子分布主要影响因素及盐分类型,研究选取覆盖状况、地面倾角和海拔3个因素,对0～20 cm表层土壤离子分布、盐分存在形式及钠吸附比(SAR)进行研究。结果表明:(1)覆盖状况对土壤表层离子含量有显著影响,地面倾角对HCO_3~-影响显著,海拔对Mg~(2+)有显著影响,裸地Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+)、K~+、Na~+、Cl~-和SO_4~(2-)含量依次比压砂地高0%～284.21%、100%～130.53%、33.33%～48.94%、18.01%～182.26%、111.94%～468.72%和102.74%～118.82%,而CO_3~(2-)、HCO_3~-含量压砂覆盖比裸地分别高77.08%～400%和24.52%～48.09%;(2)阳离子之间除K~+与Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+)具有显著正相关外其余都极显著正相关,阴离子Cl~-和SO_4~(2-),CO_3~(2-)和HCO_3~-呈极显著正相关,其余都呈负相关或不显著正相关,阳离子与Cl~-均呈极显著正相关,与SO_4~(2-)除K~+外其余均呈极显著正相关,阳离子与CO_3~(2-)和HCO_3~-呈负相关或不显著正相关;(3)该区域表层土壤盐分主要以NaCl、KCl、CaCl_2、MgCl_2、Ca SO_4、MgSO_4和Na_2SO_4的形式存在,按照摩尔量计,盐分含量排序为:Na~+盐Mg~(2+)盐Ca~(2+)盐K~+盐;(4)覆盖状况对土壤表层SAR影响显著,地面倾角随海拔变化对土壤SAR没有显著影响,压砂地SAR为3.99(mol/kg)~(0.5),裸地为10.73(mol/kg)~(0.5)。宁夏环香山压砂区0～20 cm埋深土壤离子分布主要受到覆盖状况和地面倾角的影响,除K~+外,其他离子受海拔的影响不明显,盐分主要是Na~+盐,其次是Mg~(2+)盐,K~+盐含量最少。     

CO2浓度升高与增施钾肥对土壤化学性质的影响

采用土培和开顶箱法,研究了大气CO_2浓度升高与增施K肥共同作用对土壤化学性质的影响.结果表明,土壤中N、P的含量在高CO_2浓度和高K肥水平下下降,K的含量随K肥用量增加而增加.高K(200、300 mg/kg)处理和高浓度CO_2下温室次生盐渍化土壤中的NO_3~(-)、PO_4~(3-)、Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+) 含量也显著降低.因此,在未来CO_2浓度升高的环境中,更多的K肥供应能促进作物对此生盐渍化土壤中养分的吸收,降低此生盐渍化土壤中盐分的积累.     

张掖盆地北部地下水溢出带土壤盐分特征分析

探明张掖盆地北部地下水溢出带土壤含盐量、盐分组成及盐分离子的空间分布特征,为当地土壤盐渍化防治和土地资源管理及其可持续利用提供理论依据。土壤盐分数据分析使用了描述性统计、Kriging插值、相关性分析及主成分分析方法。结果表明:研究区土壤以强碱性为主,其阴离子以SO_4~(2-)为主,阳离子以K~++Na~+为主,全盐含量和盐分离子含量具有较强的空间变异性;研究区北部土壤大多数属于非盐渍化等级,而中部及西南部土壤以硫酸盐型轻盐渍化等级为主;SO_4~(2-)、Cl~-、Mg~(2+)、K~++Na~+、Ca~(2+)是引起全盐含量变化的主导因素,盐分离子间具有相关性,且以SO_4~(2-)与Mg~(2+)相关性最高,而Cl~-与K~++Na~+相关性最高;全盐含量、SO_4~(2-)、Cl~-、Mg~(2+)、K~++Na~+、Ca~(2+)是表征研究区土壤盐渍化现象的特征因子;土壤盐渍化的盐分主要是以镁盐为主的硫酸盐和以钠盐、钾盐为主的氯化物。     

深沟造林条件下秸秆覆盖对土壤养分和盐分变化的影响

为了综合分析深沟造林条件下秸秆覆盖对土壤养分和盐分的影响,该研究于2008-2012年在新疆塔城盆地老风口生态区新植林地进行了4 a定位试验,设置了3个处理,即深沟70 cm秸秆覆盖、深沟70 cm不覆盖和常规(不深沟不覆盖),分析了这3种处理在2008-2012年间的土壤养分和盐分的变化特征。结果表明:4 a后,深沟秸秆覆盖条件下土壤容重降低9.7%~24.9%,孔隙度提高11.2%~20.2%,饱和持水率增加13.0%~24.6%,土壤有机质质量分数增加24.48%。土壤容重、孔隙度、饱和持水率、养分含量改善情况均为:深沟秸秆覆盖深沟秸秆不覆盖常规。深沟秸秆覆盖条件下土壤表层(0~20 cm)盐分降低35.7%,底层(≥40~70 cm)土壤盐分降低2.9%,而深沟不覆盖盐分降低不显著。该研究表明,深沟秸秆覆盖改善了土壤结构、提高土壤养分、抑制蒸发和盐分表聚,为树木的正常生长提供了有利条件。     

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.