地表覆盖对日光温室黄瓜生长发育及生理特性的影响

试验研究了秸秆覆盖、地膜覆盖和秸秆加膜覆盖对结瓜期日光温室嫁接和未嫁接黄瓜生长发育与生理特性的影响。结果表明,地表覆盖可有效促进植株生长,有利于雌花分化、提高坐瓜率、降低畸形瓜比例、缩短成瓜时间以及增加单瓜重、早期产量和总产量,其中以秸秆加膜覆盖效果最明显,秸秆覆盖和地膜覆盖次之,嫁接效果优于未嫁接。秸秆覆盖、地膜覆盖和秸秆加膜覆盖均可不同程度提高黄瓜净光合速率、光能利用效率和水分利用效率,且以秸秆加膜覆盖效果最好,嫁接优于未嫁接。秸秆覆盖与秸秆加膜覆盖均可显著增加黄瓜叶片叶绿素含量,增强黄瓜根系活力,而地膜覆盖却使叶绿素含量低于对照,根系活力在结瓜后期低于秸秆覆盖与秸秆加膜覆盖处理,但仍高于对照。     

地表覆盖对温室黄瓜品质、水分利用效率及土壤环境的影响(英)

在日光温室条件下研究了不同地表覆盖对黄瓜品质、水分利用效率及土壤环境的影响.结果表明:地表覆盖不仅能明显增加黄可溶性糖、Vc、可溶性蛋白、干物质含量及游离氨基酸总量,而且能提高黄瓜的水分利用效率,其中覆盖秸秆＋地膜效果优于覆盖秸秆与覆盖地膜;同一处理下嫁接黄瓜处理优于非嫁接黄瓜.覆盖秸秆具有降低最高地温和提高最低地温的作用,使土壤温度保持相对稳定;覆盖地膜对最高地温的增幅最大,对最低地温的增幅最小,结果导致地温变幅最大;覆盖秸秆＋地膜既增温又保温.土壤呼吸速率日变化呈单峰曲线,与5～10 cm地温日变化趋势一致,峰值出现在14:30左右,土壤呼吸速率与5～10 cm地温达极显著相关;地表覆盖的土壤呼吸速率均显著高于对照,并以覆盖秸秆＋地膜的土壤呼吸速率最高,覆盖地膜与覆盖秸秆次之.覆盖秸秆与覆盖秸秆＋地膜处理使0～20 cm土层的土壤容重极显著小于覆盖地膜与对照,覆盖地膜的土壤容重略小于对照,随着土层的加深,各处理间土壤容重差异渐小.在覆盖秸秆与覆盖秸秆＋地膜处理小区,耕层(0～20 cm)土壤有机质含量、全氮、全磷含量、速效氮磷钾含量显著高于对照和覆盖地膜处理,并以覆盖地膜处理最低.     

地表覆盖对河套灌区土壤水热和番茄生长的影响

在河套灌区以不覆盖为对照,测定了地膜覆盖、秸秆覆盖、地膜+秸秆覆盖对土壤水热和番茄生长的影响。结果表明,地膜覆盖提高了土壤温度,而秸秆覆盖、地膜+秸秆覆盖降低了土壤温度,其中秸秆覆盖降低的幅度较大。在番茄生育前期不同覆盖可提高0—50cm土层的土壤水分含量,其中地膜覆盖效果最好。地膜覆盖使番茄产量提高了222.61%,地膜+秸秆覆盖使产量提高了17.04%,而秸秆覆盖则使产量降低了3.06%。地膜覆盖使水分利用效率提高了93.83%,地膜+秸秆覆盖使之提高了5.90%,秸秆覆盖则使水分利用效率降低了19.29%。河套灌区番茄播种时以地膜覆盖为宜,不宜采用秸秆覆盖。     

覆盖方式对温室辣椒结果期生长和水分利用的影响

在日光温室条件下, 通过地膜覆盖、秸秆覆盖、地膜加秸秆覆盖和对照共4 个处理的小区试验, 研究覆盖方式对温室辣椒结果期生长及水分利用的影响, 从中筛选出有利于温室辣椒生产的较佳覆盖模式。结果表明: 地膜加秸秆覆盖处理结果初期土壤温度升温幅度大于秸秆覆盖, 结果盛期和结果末期土壤温度降温趋势小于地膜覆盖; 各覆盖处理都显著促进植株生长, 增加结果期辣椒叶片叶绿素相对含量和植株总干重及各部分干重, 并显著提高辣椒产量, 减少耗水量, 其中, 地膜加秸秆覆盖表现尤为突出; 地膜加秸秆覆盖、地膜覆盖和秸秆覆盖处理的水分利用效率分别为对照的2.17 倍、2.09 倍、1.67 倍。总之, 地膜加秸秆覆盖是利于日光温室辣椒生产、提高水分利用效率的较佳覆盖方式。     

宁南旱区沟垄覆盖改善土壤水热状况提高马铃薯产量

垄覆塑料地膜沟内覆盖集雨种植模式可影响土壤水热状况,促进作物生长,提高作物的产量和水分利用效率。为探讨旱作条件下沟垄二元覆盖的土壤水热效应对马铃薯产量的影响效果,于2015年在宁南旱区设置垄覆地膜沟内覆盖不同材料(普通塑料地膜、玉米秸秆、生物降解膜、麻纤维地膜及液态地膜),以垄覆地膜沟不覆盖为对照,研究沟垄二元覆盖模式对土壤水分、耕层土壤温度、马铃薯生长、产量及水分利用效率的影响。结果表明:垄覆地膜沟覆地膜处理在马铃薯前期、中期土壤蓄水量较对照显著增加(P0.05),垄覆地膜沟覆秸秆处理在马铃薯生育后期土壤蓄水量最高(P0.05)。垄覆地膜沟覆地膜处理增温效果明显,马铃薯全生育期0~25 cm土壤温度较对照显著增加(P0.05),而垄覆地膜沟覆秸秆处理较对照显著降低(P0.05)。在马铃薯整个生育期,垄覆地膜沟覆秸秆处理植株株高和茎粗均明显高于对照处理(P0.05),在马铃薯生育后期垄覆地膜沟覆秸秆处理的地上部生物量显著高于对照处理(P0.05)。沟垄二元覆盖模式下马铃薯增产效果以垄覆地膜沟覆秸秆处理最为显著,较对照增产56.1%(P0.05),且水分利用效率最高(81.1kg/(hm2·mm))。总之,垄覆地膜沟覆秸秆处理对改善土壤水热状况,提高马铃薯水分利用效率和产量的效果显著,建议在宁南旱区进行推广应用。     

不同地表覆盖方式对松花菜土壤温度、产量和水分利用的影响

为探索不同地表覆盖方式下半干旱地区露地高原夏菜的栽培效果,以松花菜(Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.)为研究对象,设露地无覆盖(CK1)、地膜覆盖(CK2)、地膜+秸秆行间覆盖(T1)、秸秆行间覆盖(T2)和秸秆全覆盖(T3)5个处理,研究不同地表覆盖方式对松花菜土壤温度、产量和水分利用效率的影响。结果表明,地膜+秸秆行间覆盖与露地无覆盖相比,显著促进了松花菜株高、茎粗和叶面积的增加,但总体与地膜覆盖无显著差异;秸秆行间覆盖和秸秆全覆盖处理抑制了松花菜植株的营养生长。与露地无覆盖相比,地膜+秸秆行间覆盖具有明显的增温效果,且最大增温幅度出现在春茬试验莲座期10 cm土层和秋茬试验苗期5 cm土层,秸秆行间覆盖和秸秆全覆盖处理都不同程度地存在增温和降温双重效应。与地膜覆盖相比,地膜+秸秆行间覆盖处理对土壤温度的调控均能达到地膜覆盖的效果,且在秋茬试验中,地膜+秸秆行间覆盖处理在苗期5 cm和10 cm土层温度分别升高2.5℃和1.8℃,更有利于松花菜幼苗的生长发育,秸秆行间覆盖和秸秆全覆盖处理在两茬试验各生育期、各土层均表现为降温效应,且秸秆全覆盖处理降温效果最明显。与露地无覆盖、地膜覆盖相比,春茬试验,地膜+秸秆行间覆盖处理生物产量分别提高32.3%、2.7%,经济产量分别提高68.9%、4.7%,分别节水29.0%、7.3%,水分利用效率分别提高137.8%、13.1%;秋茬试验,生物产量分别提高4.7%、2.4%,经济产量分别提高27.6%、8.4%,分别节水23.8%、11.1%,水分利用效率分别提高67.2%、21.9%。综上,地膜+秸秆行间覆盖处理具有良好的调温保墒作用,增产增效显著,较地膜覆盖种植在榆中地区更具优越性。     

深松条件下不同地表覆盖对马铃薯产量及水分利用效率的影响

水分不足是限制旱区作物生长的主要因素,覆盖耕作能够改善土壤的微环境,从而显著提高作物的产量和水分利用效率。为探讨深松结合地表覆盖对土壤物理性状、马铃薯生长、产量及水分利用效率的影响,2013-2015年在宁南旱区采用深松覆盖秸秆、深松覆盖地膜、深松不覆盖3种覆盖耕作模式,以传统耕作不覆盖为对照,对土壤体积质量、团聚体、水分、马铃薯产量和水分利用效率等方面的影响进行了研究。结果表明,与传统耕作相比,深松结合地表覆盖可有效降低耕层土壤体积质量,改善土壤孔隙状况,以深松覆盖秸秆处理效果最佳,深松覆盖秸秆处理0~40 cm平均土壤体积质量较传统耕作降低17.1%。与传统耕作相比,深松覆盖地膜和深松覆盖秸秆处理可使0~40 cm土层0.25 mm机械稳定性团聚体数量显著增加30.7%和17.4%。深松结合不同覆盖方式能有效改善马铃薯生育期0~200 cm土层土壤水分状况,深松覆盖地膜对作物生育前期土壤水分保蓄效果较好,深松覆盖秸秆对生育中后期土壤水分状况的改善效果最佳。深松结合不同覆盖方式下马铃薯植株株高、茎粗及地上部生物量均显著高于传统耕作。作物生育前期以深松覆盖地膜处理效果最佳,中后期以深松覆盖秸秆处理促进作用明显。深松结合地表覆盖能明显提高马铃薯的产量和水分利用效率,深松覆秸秆处理的马铃薯产量、商品薯率和水分利用效率分别较传统耕作处理平均提高37.3%、93.3%和41.2%。通过两年试验研究,在宁南旱区采用深松结合地表覆盖措施具有良好的蓄水保墒效果,对马铃薯生长有利,以深松覆盖秸秆处理的增产和提高水分利用效率效果最为显著。     

地表覆盖方式对辣椒水分利用效率、果实品质及氮素分布的影响

研究了地表覆盖方式对辣椒 (Capsicum anmuum L.)水分利用效率、品质、叶片硝酸还原酶活性及植株和土壤中氮素分布的影响。结果表明,覆盖可增加辣椒整个生育期土壤水分含量。覆盖地膜和覆盖秸秆+地膜比其他地表处理方式能显著增加辣椒的产量和经济收入,提高产量水分利用效率和经济水分利用效率。覆盖可显著降低耕作层（0—20 ㎝）土壤硝态氮含量,且随着土层深度的增加,硝态氮含量显著降低,但对各土壤铵态氮含量无显著影响。对品质而言,覆盖地膜处理辣椒果实pH、维生素C含量显著高于其它处理,且其电导率、阳离子交换量和硝酸盐含量显著低于其他处理。覆盖可增强叶片硝酸还原酶活性,降低叶片中的全氮含量,显著降低每百千克产量氮肥吸收量。从提高辣椒的品质、环境安全、肥料利用和经济效益各因素考虑,生产中辅以科学的水分管理,覆盖地膜和覆盖秸秆+地膜是可行的地表覆盖方式。     

沟垄二元覆盖对渭北旱塬区土壤肥力及玉米产量的影响

探讨沟垄二元覆盖对旱地土壤肥力及作物生产力的影响,对完善半湿润区作物微集水栽培技术具有重要的理论和实践意义。2007—2011年在渭北旱塬进行5年定位试验,设置垄上覆地膜,沟内分别覆普通地膜、生物降解膜、玉米秸秆、液体地膜和沟不覆盖等不同沟垄覆盖模式,以传统平作为对照。结果表明,2011年春玉米收获后各处理土壤有机质及速效养分含量随土层的加深而降低,与2007年试验处理前相比,沟垄二元覆盖各处理土壤养分含量明显增加,而垄覆地膜+沟不覆盖和传统平作处理有所下降。垄覆地膜沟覆秸秆处理0~20 cm层土壤有机质、碱解氮、有效磷和速效钾含量均显著高于对照,垄覆地膜沟覆地膜和垄覆地膜沟覆生物降解膜处理有机质和碱解氮含量较对照有所增加,而其有效磷和速效钾含量显著增加。20~60 cm层土壤有机质和速效养分含量各沟垄二元覆盖处理均略高于对照。各沟垄覆盖处理表层(0~20 cm)土壤脲酶、磷酸酶和蔗糖酶活性均较对照增加,且以垄覆地膜沟覆秸秆处理土壤酶活性最高,垄覆地膜沟覆生物降解膜和垄覆地膜沟覆地膜处理次之。垄覆地膜沟覆生物降解膜、垄覆地膜沟覆地膜和垄覆地膜沟覆秸秆处理较对照显著增产41.1%、42.1%、39.3%,水分利用效率显著提高38.0%、39.6%、37.0%。在渭北旱塬区进行沟垄二元覆盖对提高土壤肥力、酶活性及春玉米产量和水分利用效率有显著提高作用,以垄覆地膜沟覆秸秆处理最佳,垄覆地膜沟覆地膜和垄覆地膜沟覆生物降解膜次之。可见,垄覆地膜沟覆地膜、生物降解膜或秸秆的沟垄全覆盖种植在渭北旱塬雨养农业区春玉米生产栽培具有一定的可行性和应用价值。     

深松覆盖模式对宁南地区雨养马铃薯水分利用效率的影响

针对宁南旱区年际降水变率大、马铃薯产量和降水利用率低等问题，连续3a秋作物收获后分别采用深松覆盖秸秆、深松覆盖地膜、深松不覆盖3种深松覆盖模式，以传统翻耕不覆盖为对照，研究不同深松覆盖模式对休闲期和生育期土壤水分、马铃薯干物质累积、产量和水分利用效率的影响。结果表明，深松覆盖模式可改善休闲期土壤水分状况，以深松覆秸秆处理效果最佳，0−200cm层平均土壤含水量较对照显著增加6.41%。与对照相比，深松覆秸秆和深松覆地膜处理下休闲期0−200cm层平均土壤蓄水量和降水补给率分别显著提高49.85%、121.85%和46.82%、83.73%。深松覆盖模式可改善马铃薯生育期0−200cm层土壤含水量，调控不同生育阶段耗水量。深松覆秸秆处理对生育前期（播种后0～60d）60−100cm层土壤保水效果显著，而对照处理该阶段耗水量最高，深松覆地膜处理次之，而深松覆秸秆处理最低；深松覆秸秆处理对生育中期（播种后60～120d）0−60cm（2016年）和140−200cm（2015年）层土壤保水效果较好，而深松覆地膜处理生育中期耗水量最高，深松覆秸秆处理次之，对照处理最低；深松覆秸秆处理对生育后期（播种后120～150d）0−40cm层土壤蓄水效果最佳，其阶段耗水量也最高，深松覆地膜处理次之，对照处理最低。深松覆盖模式下马铃薯地上部和地下部干物质累积量均显著高于对照，生育前期以深松覆地膜处理效果较好，而生育中后期以深松覆秸秆处理具有显著促进作用。深松覆盖模式能显著提高马铃薯产量和水分利用效率，以深松覆秸秆处理最高，平均分别较对照显著提高49.33%、43.80%。可见，休闲期深松覆盖可改善休闲期土壤水分状况，有利于提高生育期土壤水分含量，调控马铃薯阶段耗水量，从而增加马铃薯干物质累积，实现作物的高产和水分高效利用，以深松覆盖秸秆处理效果最佳。     

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.