宁夏银北地区龟裂碱土盐分特征研究

为探明龟裂碱土的基本盐分状况,并建立在滴灌利用条件下基于电导率的土壤主要盐分性质的预测模型,本文在野外调查、取样和化学分析的基础上,利用经典统计分析方法,对我国宁夏银北地区龟裂碱土盐分特征进行了研究.结果表明,龟裂碱土剖面内盐分含量总体呈现“表聚”现象,主要盐分离子含量随深度增加逐渐降低.Cl-和Na+是该土壤中最主要的阴阳离子,且在上层土壤中表现尤为突出,HCO3+含量在100 cm以下的土层中逐渐增加.表层土壤钠吸附比(SAR)值较大,均在15(mmol/L)0.5以上,pH值在8.5～10之间.Na+与Cl-的相关性最强,相关性系数为0.902 (P＜0.01),Na+与SO42-、HCO3-的相关性次之.土壤饱和浸提液电导率(ECe)和Cl-、Na+、可溶性总盐(TSS)含量及SAR值显著正相关(P＜0.01).土壤Cl-、Na+、TSS含量及SAR可由自变量为ECe的数学回归方程来表达,且预测精度可靠,可快速、经济地模拟和预测该地区土壤Cl-、Na+、TSS含量及SAR值,为本区域滴灌精准改良利用条件下龟裂碱土的盐渍化状况评价提供参考.     

不同种植年限覆膜滴灌盐碱地土壤盐分离子分布特征

为了研究长期覆膜滴灌对土壤化学性质的影响,该文通过时空转化的方法研究了覆膜滴灌种植春玉米1a和2a的盐碱地土壤盐分及盐分离子在0～150 cm土壤削面上的分布特征,同时以试验地附近未种植的盐碱荒地作为对照.结果表明,覆膜滴灌条件下,当滴头下方20 cm处土壤基质势为-10 kPa时,0～40 cm土层土壤盐分含量、各种盐分离子含量、土壤pH值、Cl-/SO24和钠吸附比(SAR)随滴灌种植年限增加向降低.这表明根区土壤环境随种植年限增加逐渐变好,有利于作物生长.与盐碱荒地相比,滴灌种植以后40 cm以下土层Cl-含量、Na 含量、Cl-/SO24、钠吸附比(SAR)均增加了.     

施用石膏对苏北滩涂盐渍土浸提液电导率换算关系的影响

采用土壤饱和浸提液、土水比1︰1浸提液和土水比1︰5浸提液3种方法,测定了苏北滩涂地区施用石膏改良土壤样品的电导率和p H。结果表明:未用石膏改良的土壤饱和浸提液电导率与土水比1︰1及1︰5浸提液电导率之间存在显著相关关系,相关系数分别为0.988和0.979;在施用石膏情况下,土壤饱和浸提液和土水比1︰5浸提液电导率均随石膏添加有一定程度升高,且二者之间仍有良好的线性相关关系,其换算关系为:ECe=1.42+6.86×EC1︰5(r=0.980**);且施用石膏能显著改善土壤碱化程度,降低土壤p H。本实验研究条件下,建议研究区石膏施用量为3 g/kg(即0.6 kg/m2)。     

江苏典型滩涂区地下水及土壤的盐分特征研究

本文通过大量采样分析及数值拟合等方法,研究获得江苏典型滩涂分布区的地下水以及土壤的盐分含量、盐分离子组成特征及其分布规律;分别获得了地下水矿化度与地下水电导率、土壤全盐量与1:5土水比浸提液电导率之间的关系函数,应用这些关系函数将能够快速获得具有良好精度的相应要素的测定结果。本文研究成果将为江苏滩涂开发利用提供重要的理论及决策依据,并因而具有较为广泛的应用前景。     

黄河下游三角洲盐渍区表层土壤积盐影响因子及其强度分析

采用通径分析方法研究了黄河下游三角洲盐渍区表层土壤(0～10cm)积盐的影响因子及其强度的主次关系,结果表明:表土积盐过程受到盐源分布、盐分离子化学特征、土壤理化性质、地下水状况以及区域性气候条件的综合影响;旱季条件下研究区土壤盐渍化程度较高且盐分表聚性明显;土壤盐源分布对表土层积盐的影响强度最大,其次是盐分离子组成化学特征,表土层理化属性和地下水状况主要通过其它因素对表土层积盐产生间接影响;反映盐源分布的亚表土层(10～20cm)盐分和反映土壤盐分离子化学组成特征的钠吸附比SAR、氯硫比Cl-/SO42-是表土层积盐的主要控制因素。该研究结果为黄河三角洲地区盐渍土地的科学管理与改良利用提供参考依据。     

再生水盐分在亚热带不同土壤中的迁移特性及其差异

为了合理评价再生水灌溉盐分对土壤环境的影响,分析盐溶液淋溶亚热带土壤流出液盐分变化规律及其对土壤化学性质的影响差异,该文采用定水头入渗法,模拟不同浓度钠盐溶液淋溶黏性潮土、沙性潮土、红壤、紫色土、水稻土等5种亚热带地区土壤,并观测土壤流出液电导率（EC）和pH值的差异。试验结果表明：1）高浓度盐溶液对黏粒含量较高的红壤、紫色土、黏性潮土的穿透能力弱于黏粒含量较低的水稻土和沙性潮土。同等浓度水平处理达到相同的穿透程度,酸性土壤（红壤、紫色土、水稻土）能承受更多的低质水量。2）盐分在土壤中的迁移速度主要由土壤理化性质决定,土壤黏粒含量、交换性铝含量会显著减缓盐分在土壤中的迁移能力,而土壤粉粒含量、EC、pH值以及交换性钙、镁含量会促进盐分在土壤中的迁移。盐分更容易穿透碱性土壤（黏性潮土和沙性潮土）而流出,碱性土壤流出液相对EC最大变化速率比酸性土壤高36%。基于Boltzmann函数拟合表明,入渗水盐浓度及土壤理化性质对模型参数有显著影响（P<0.05）。3）土壤化学性质受入渗液盐分浓度的影响程度不仅与土壤本身的化学性质有关,也与土壤质地中的粉粒、黏粒含量有极显著的关系（P<0.01）。各浓度盐溶液对碱性土壤的pH值影响不明显,对酸性土壤的pH值影响较大,其流出液pH值减少1.6～2.6个单位,其中红壤的pH值变化最大,其次为紫色土。入渗液EC高于4.77 dS/m的处理对土壤流出液的稳定pH值影响增幅不明显。因此,利用低质水灌溉时要依据土壤理化性质合理限定水中盐浓度。     

风化煤改变黄河三角洲盐渍化土壤溶液组分的过程

黄河三角洲盐渍土改良具有重要的经济和社会意义。风化煤(0%、1%、3%、5%)添加到不同含盐量(1.0 mg·g-1、7.5 mg·g-1、35.3 mg·g-1)的滨海盐渍化土壤后,可降低土壤浸提液的钠吸附比(Sodium adsorption ratio,SAR)及Cl-/SO42-比,有助于减轻盐渍危害。7.5 mg·g-1含盐量土壤在5%添加下SAR由7.81降为6.61,Cl-/SO42-由10.20降为8.25。风化煤中丰富的羧基等表面官能团及Ca2+,可通过三个作用过程改变盐渍化土壤溶液的离子组成,涉及:1)风化煤固相Ca2+与溶液Na+离子的交换,从而降低土壤溶液中Na+的浓度和危害;2)溶液中Ca2+与土壤交换性Na+的置换,有助于土壤团聚体的形成和Na+的淋洗;3)溶液中的Na+与风化煤中的溶解性有机质形成络合物,使Na+的活度和植物有效性降低,间接起到减害作用。此外,钠吸附比和氯硫比可用于在实验室初步判断风化煤等物料用于盐渍土改良的潜力和效果。     

地下水浅埋区重度盐碱地不同滴灌种植年限土壤盐分分布特征

采用时空替代的研究方法,研究地下水浅埋区重度盐碱地不同滴灌种植年限(0、1、2、3年)对土壤盐分及不同盐分离子分布的影响,旨在为采用覆膜滴灌技术进行盐碱地改良提供理论依据。试验结果表明滴灌种植枸杞第1年,土壤盐分变化主要为自上而下被淋洗,种植2年和3年土壤年内盐分含量和分布变化相似,盐分主要分布在土壤表层,且在枸杞生育期结束时,剖面土壤含盐量都低于年初水平;土壤溶液电导率(EC1:5)与主要离子之间都具有极显著的相关关系,其中Cl-和Na+与EC1:5关系最为紧密;HCO3-与EC1:5负相关,相关性随着种植年限的增加而减小;Cl-、Mg2+、Ca2+、Na+在盐分组成中的荷载随种植年限增加而增大;回归分析表明Cl-和EC1:5之间具有线性关系,SO42-与EC1:5之间具有对数关系,EC1:5可以通过Cl-和SO42-表达;利用咸水覆膜滴灌并没有根本改变土壤类型,但在距滴头水平距离0～30cm范围内土壤含盐量从13.1g/kg降低到4～6g/kg,由盐土脱盐演化为重度盐化土。因此,采用覆膜滴灌技术明显降低了作物根区盐分含量,改善了作物根系生长的土壤环境条件。     

钠吸附比和盐分浓度对新疆典型砂壤土物理性质的影响

新疆土壤盐碱化问题严重影响农田水盐运移和作物产量。为探究钠吸附比（Sodium Adsorption Ratio,SAR）和盐分浓度对当地典型砂壤土物理性质的影响,该研究测定了4个SAR水平（40,30,20,15,10,5(mmol/L)1/2）和8个盐分浓度水平（200,150,100,50,20,10,5,2mmol/L）下土壤团聚体快速湿润过程中的团聚体水稳性;并测定了4个SAR水平（40,30,20,5 (mmol/L)1/2）和3个盐分浓度水平（200,100,20 mmol/L）溶液处理后的土壤水分特征曲线（Soil Water Characteristic Curve,SWCC）,量化了土壤脱水过程中土体压缩量与溶液SAR和盐分浓度的关系。结果表明：1）土壤团聚体水稳性与SAR和盐分浓度均呈显著负相关关系,SAR高于30 (mmol/L)1/2时,土壤团聚体水稳性才会显著下降;2)SAR对新疆典型砂壤土的SWCC有影响,且这种影响与盐分浓度有关;3）盐分浓度和SAR对土壤压缩量的影响存在交互作用。研究结果可为合理选用不同盐分组成和浓度微咸水灌溉以最大程度保护农田土壤结构...     

滨海垦区表层盐渍土理化性质和盐分离子动态特征

江苏沿海地区拥有面积广阔的围垦区,对围垦区土壤盐渍土性质变化规律的研究有助于把握滨海围垦区土壤质量变化规律和特征。本研究通过采集32个江苏省盐城市不同围垦年限的土壤表层样品,对滨海垦区表层盐渍土理化性质、盐分离子含量、钠吸附比（SAR）、电导率（EC）等土壤质量关键指标进行分析,结果表明：（1）在百年以上的围垦过程中,滨海垦区表层盐渍土的C/N和pH均呈现出先上升后下降的趋势,拐点在围垦后20a（年）左右,其中土壤C/N远低于我国传统耕地的平均水平。总有机碳（SOC）和全氮（TN）含量在围垦过程中整体呈现上升趋势;(2) 电导率（EC）和钠吸附比（SAR）呈快速降低的趋势,围垦至40a左右时,土壤质量基本达到传统耕地的土壤质量水平,盐分离子普遍降至1g/Kg左右。NO3-与NO2-均为土壤中的重要氮素形态,NO3-含量呈现先稳定后显著性下降趋势,在围垦至100a以上时显著下降,NO2-在围垦至20a左右时显著上升,围垦至40a左右时显著下降。百年围垦过程中,盐渍土盐分组成由氯化物盐土转变为氯化物硫酸盐土;（3）滨海盐渍土中理化性质与围垦年限对盐分离子演化存在复杂的关系,土壤围垦年限（RY）、pH-电导率（EC）和总有机碳（SOC）-全氮（TN）含量三组组分的共同作用对盐分离子变化贡献度最大。     

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.