黄土丘陵区不同坡度下土壤有机碳流失规律研究

通过野外径流小区观测与采样分析,研究了自然降雨条件下坡度对土壤有机碳流失的影响.结果表明:在黄土丘陵区,随着坡度增加(10°～30°),其侵蚀强度(A)变化趋势为:A_20°>A_30°>A_15°>A_10°>A_25°,表明在20°和25°之间存在着临界坡度;土壤有机碳流失的变化趋势与侵蚀强度一致,可见有机碳流失主要受侵蚀强度的影响.土壤侵蚀造成了泥沙中有机碳的富集,其平均富集比为2.27～3.74,且富集比随着侵蚀强度和坡度增大而减小.土壤有机碳流失程度与降雨特征值PI₃₀呈幂函数关系.减少地表径流和土壤侵蚀是降低土壤有机碳流失的关键.     

坡面小区土壤-径流-泥沙中磷素流失特征分析

从土壤-径流-泥沙过程,探讨北京密云石匣小区中不同土地利用类型、植被覆盖度和耕作方式下土壤磷素流失的差异,以及影响土壤磷素流失的主要因子及其相互关系。结果表明:泥沙量变化与降雨量呈现出较好的正相关关系,降雨强度对无植被覆盖小区的土壤侵蚀影响更为显著;产流时间主要受土壤含水量的影响,并与土壤含水量呈正相关;在降雨条件基本相同的前提下,前期土壤含水率越高,污染物的流失量也越大。不同土地利用类型中,农地中颗粒态磷流失量大于果园,林地次之,荒草坡流失量最小,这与各小区前期土壤含磷量的变化趋势基本一致;无植被覆盖小区磷流失量均高于有植被覆盖小区;磷浓度和磷流失量都随坡度增大呈上升趋势,在坡度为15~°20°范围,存在磷流失的坡度临界值,超过坡度临界值,磷流失减小;泥沙中含磷量与泥沙中小于0.001mm的粘粒分布比例呈正相关,说明土壤中粘粒是磷素养分流失的载体,由泥沙携带流失的磷占绝对优势。     

雨强和坡度对黄土坡面土壤侵蚀及氮磷流失的影响

采用人工模拟降雨的手段,在2种雨强(50,75mm/h)、4种坡度(5°,10°,15°,20°)条件下,研究了雨强和坡度对黄土坡面土壤侵蚀和养分流失的影响。结果表明:(1)降雨强度从50mm/h增大到75mm/h,相同坡度的坡面开始产流时间提前了2.75~4.79min。(2)随着雨强的增大,同一坡度的坡面径流量增加了12.53~15.80mm/m2,增加幅度为1.24~1.31倍;同一坡度的坡面产沙量增加了0.47~3.61kg/m2,增加幅度为0.77~2.90倍。坡面侵蚀过程中,存在临界坡度,为15°左右。(3)氮素流失以径流流失为主,泥沙中总氮的流失量较低,仅占径流总氮流失量的1.4%~9.7%。坡度较小时,磷素流失途径以径流流失为主,随着坡度的增加,磷素的流失途径以泥沙流失为主。(4)径流总氮流失浓度与径流强度呈线性正相关,泥沙总氮和总磷流失浓度与产沙率也分别呈显著的线性正相关。     

喀斯特典型坡耕地模拟降雨条件下的土壤侵蚀响应

为了定量研究不同降雨强度、坡度和孔(裂)隙度条件下坡耕地土壤侵蚀响应和空间分布特征,采用人工模拟降雨试验,通过模拟喀斯特典型坡耕地耕作层和微地貌特征以及孔裂隙构造特征,研究土壤侵蚀响应和空间分布特征。结果表明:(1)15,30mm/h降雨强度时地表不产流,水土流失形式为地下漏失;50mm/h降雨强度时地表产流产沙,水土流失也以地下漏失为主,地下径流出现最大值。50mm/h以上降雨强度时,土壤侵蚀逐渐向地表侵蚀转变,地表、地下径流泥沙分配呈负相关;(2)在一定条件下,坡度增大,地表径流泥沙量增加,地下径流量减小,当坡度在10°~15°时地表径流泥沙量急剧增加,25°时坡面产流产沙量达到最大值,其中20°坡面径流泥沙与25°接近;地下泥沙与坡度、孔(裂)隙度间变化规律不明显。(3)径流空间分配特征以地下径流为主,其中90 mm/h降雨强度以地表侵蚀为主。(4)降雨强度、坡度和孔(裂)隙度等因子对地表径流及地下径流的影响程度依次为降雨强度坡度孔(裂)隙度。总之,喀斯特坡耕地以地下漏失为主,地表产流之前随雨强增大而增大,地表径流产生后则反之,极端暴雨(90mm/h)下以地表侵蚀为主;降雨强度对水土流失影响程度最大,其次坡度,再次孔(裂)隙度。     

雨强对红壤坡耕地泥沙流失及有机碳富集的影响规律研究

在典型红壤丘陵区平均坡度为10?的坡耕地径流小区 (2 m?5 m) 上进行降雨强度为1.69 mm min-1（大雨强）、1.31 mm min-1（中雨强）和0.64 mm min-1（小雨强）的模拟降雨试验,并对模拟降雨过程中泥沙的迁移规律和泥沙有机碳的流失富集规律进行了研究。研究结果表明：侵蚀作用下泥沙流失量随着降雨强度的增大而增加,并与径流量呈显著的立方关系,径流量是坡耕地土壤流失的重要影响因素;土壤有机碳流失以泥沙结合态为主,泥沙态有机碳流失量占总有机碳流失量的84%以上,最高达到97.6%;泥沙中有机碳富集比随着降雨强度的增大而逐渐减小,有机碳的选择性迁移在低强度降雨条件下表现更为明显;中雨强和小雨强下有机碳的富集比与黏粒的富集比分别呈极显著和显著正相关,而大雨强泥沙有机碳富集比与黏粒富集比没有显著的线性关系。雨强是影响泥沙流失和泥沙有机碳迁移的重要因素。     

坡面侵蚀过程中泥沙有机碳流失特征分析

以野外布设的径流小区为研究对象,采用模拟降雨方法研究随机条件下降雨侵蚀过程中泥沙有机碳含量及流失过程的动态变化规律。结果表明:(1)降雨侵蚀过程中泥沙有机碳含量随降雨的进行逐渐降低并趋于平稳,与坡面土壤有机碳含量相比显著增高(p0.01),有机碳在泥沙中明显富集,富集比最大值达1.780,泥沙中有机碳含量及富集比随侵蚀速率的增加明显减小且趋于稳定;(2)泥沙有机碳流失速率随降雨的进行先波动增大,达到最大值后又波动减小,最后逐渐趋于准稳定,整个过程呈单峰分布;(3)泥沙有机碳流失强度与土壤侵蚀强度呈显著性线性正相关(p0.01),说明土壤侵蚀量决定侵蚀过程中有机碳流失量,准确获取土壤侵蚀强度是估算坡面有机碳流失量的基础。     

黄土丘陵区土壤侵蚀对土壤有机碳流失的影响研究

土壤侵蚀是造成土壤中有机碳迁移、流失的主要原因，也是陆地碳循环的重要动力过程之一。通过野外径流小区观测和室内分析的研究结果表明：土壤有机碳流失主要随着泥沙流失，最高可以达到95％以上；土壤侵蚀造成了有机碳在泥沙中的富集，且富集比大于1。植被覆盖度对小区有机碳的流失有很大的影响，随着植被覆盖度增大，土壤有机碳的流失减小。侵蚀强度与泥沙中有机碳含量呈递减的对数关系；而与土壤有机碳流失程度呈明显的线性关系。     

蔗区小流域泥沙有机碳入河负荷的时空变化特征及其影响因素

[目的] 针对广西红壤区典型小流域坡耕地甘蔗土壤有机碳流失问题,探究其流失时空特征和影响因素,解析流域泥沙有机碳在甘蔗不同生长时期入河负荷时空变化,为揭示自然降雨侵蚀下土壤有机碳流失的影响机制提供科学依据。[方法] 试验区位于广西壮族自治区崇左市扶绥县客兰水库水源区那辣小流域,流域分为下游子流域(S₁)和上游子流域(S₂,S₃)。利用无人机技术和径流泥沙自动监测—采样系统对甘蔗4个生长时期(苗期、分蘖期、伸长期和成熟期)入河泥沙有机碳及植被覆盖度等进行监测,并利用皮尔逊相关分析,确定入河泥沙有机碳与降雨径流、植被覆盖度和施肥等影响因素的关系。[结果] ①甘蔗苗期的流域泥沙有机碳入河负荷占整个生长期总流失量的61.1%,显著高于其他生长期,其特征为苗期(5.1 kg/hm²)＞成熟期(1.6 kg/hm²)＞伸长期(1.4 kg/hm²)＞分蘖期(0.3 kg/hm²)。②流域降雨径流和植被覆盖度与泥沙有机碳入河负荷呈极显著相关,分别解释了泥沙有机碳入河负荷生长期变化的45%和54%;而流域施肥和土壤容重与泥沙有机碳入河负荷呈显著相关,分别解释了泥沙有机碳入河负荷生长期变化的79%和36%。[结论] 流域入河泥沙有机碳流失变化主要是由降雨径流、植被覆盖度、施肥和土壤容重所引起。在蔗区小流域,通过增加植被覆盖以减少地表径流的冲刷及调控施肥时间,对降低土壤有机碳流失具有重要作用。     

地表砾石对降雨径流及土壤侵蚀的影响

山区土壤表层常有大量砾石覆盖,地表砾石覆盖会对降雨入渗产生影响,从而影响径流和土壤侵蚀。利用人工降雨试验来评价北京山区普通褐土上不同砾石覆盖度对径流和土壤侵蚀的影响。试验降雨强度为30,67,92mm/h,土盘(1m×0.5m)坡度为20°,砾石覆盖度为0,5%,10%,20%,40%和60%。研究结果表明:对试验土壤,径流量随砾石覆盖度增加呈线性减小。水流流速和土壤侵蚀量随砾石覆盖度的增加呈负指数递减。降雨强度对径流量和土壤侵蚀量与砾石覆盖度之间的关系不存在影响。研究结果可为北京山区的土壤侵蚀预报提供数据基础。     

片蚀过程中■土团聚体活性有机碳流失特征及其量估算

[目的]揭示土壤团聚体破碎、迁移对活性有机碳流失的影响,建立活性有机碳流失量估算方程,为评估水蚀作用下土壤有机碳流失与矿化的定量关系提供理论支撑。[方法]以黄土高原典型■土为研究对象,设计3种降雨强度(60mm/h,90mm/h,120mm/h)和3个坡度(5°,10°,15°),采用人工模拟降雨技术,通过建立经验方程,对活性有机碳流失量进行估算。[结果]相较雨强,坡度对土壤轻组有机碳(light fraction of soil organic carbon,LFoc)流失的影响更明显,片蚀与溅蚀泥沙LFoc含量均随坡度的增大先减小后增大,而雨强对片蚀泥沙LFoc含量无显著影响(p<0.05);溅蚀泥沙LFoc含量明显低于片蚀,且溅蚀泥沙LFoc未发生明显富集,片蚀泥沙中LFoc发生明显富集;对比不同粒级团聚体LFoc含量发现,<0.05mm黏粉粒、0.05～0.25mm团聚体中LFoc更易于发生富集,而0.25～2mm团聚体LFoc只在小雨强和小坡度条件下发生富集;由于<0.02mm粒级团聚体迁移为LFoc流失的主导因素,基于<0.02mm粒级团聚体迁移量相...     

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.