黄土丘陵区天然和人工植被类型对土壤理化性质的影响

不同植被类型对黄土高原土壤质量的改善作用存在较大差异。研究天然和人工植被类型对土壤性状的影响差异对于深入认识黄土高原植被恢复与土壤环境演化的关系,准确评价不同植被恢复模式生态环境效益具有重要意义。该研究以黄土丘陵区燕沟流域为例,选择研究区广泛分布的11种天然和人工植被类型为研究对象,系统分析了该区天然和人工植被类型对土壤性状的影响。结果表明:天然和人工植被类型对土壤性状的影响差异明显。200cm土层土壤含水率大小为农田>天然草地>人工乔木林地>果园>人工灌木林地>天然灌木林地。与农田相比,天然灌木林地和天然草地土壤体积质量降低最为明显,人工乔木林地、人工灌木林地和果园土壤体积质量下降差别不明显。天然灌木林地、天然草地和人工灌木林地土壤有机质、全氮都有明显提高,人工乔木林地和果园土壤有机质和全氮提高不明显。不同植被类型土壤有机质、全氮总体随土层加深呈下降趋势,农田、果园和人工乔木林地土壤有机质和全氮垂直变化较小,而天然灌木林地、天然草地和人工灌木林地变化较大。不同植被类型土壤全磷含量差异较小,且垂直变化不明显。总体看来,天然植被类型对该区土壤性状改善作用优于人工植被类型,而人工灌木林的改善作用优于人工乔木林。     

风沙黄土区排土场不同植被类型下土壤生态化学计量特征

[目的]准确评价风沙黄土区露天矿区排土场不同植被类型下土壤改良效益，并揭示其植被恢复的养分限制性，进而为该区生态重建与环境改善构建高效的植被恢复模式提供理论依据。[方法]选取鄂尔多斯武家塔排土场乔、灌、草3种植被类型的10种恢复模式的土壤为研究对象，以新排土为对照，开展其土壤有机碳、全氮和全磷与其化学计量特征及关系的研究。[结果]风沙黄土区排土场土壤有机碳、全氮、全磷含量变化分别为0.62～18.60 g/kg, 0.09～0.36 g/kg和0.04～0.21 g/kg,其中乔、灌林地的土壤有机碳、全氮养分含量显著高于新排土(p≤0.05),乔木林地的全磷含量显著低于其他3种样地(p≤0.05);在土层垂直剖面，3种植被类型的土壤养分均表现为表层富集性，灌木林地的土壤全氮含量在不同土层均表现最高，乔木林地土壤有机碳平均含量最高，草地的全磷平均含量最多。土壤C/N在不同植被类型间无显著差异(p>0.05),土壤C/P和N/P受植被类型的影响较大，均表现为乔木林地>灌木林地>草地>新排土；在土层垂直剖面，C/N整体呈现增大的变化趋势，N/P先减小后增大的趋势。土壤...     

黄土丘陵区小流域生态恢复对土壤有机碳和全氮的影响

生态恢复工程是防治黄土高原土壤侵蚀和恢复土壤肥力的重要措施,研究退耕还林还草和梯田等生态恢复措施对有机碳(SOC)、全氮(TN)的影响,对准确评估土壤固碳固氮能力和土壤碳氮循环具有重要意义。选取黄土丘陵区典型小流域5种不同生态恢复0—100cm土层为研究对象,探讨了生态恢复措施条件下,坡耕地转变为林地、草地、灌木地及梯田过程中,不同土层深度土壤SOC与TN的含量及其储量变化规律。结果表明:生态恢复措施、土壤深度对流域土壤SOC与TN有极显著的影响(P0.01)。林地与灌木地SOC与TN在土壤0—20cm土层出现富集,草地SOC与TN则在0—40cm土层出现富集,梯田的0—20cm土层SOC富集比较明显,而TN未出现富集现象。坡耕地SOC与TN未出现富集现象。坡耕地在经过不同的生态恢复措施后,土壤SOC与TN含量及储量均会有所增加。从SOC与TN之间的相关性看,林地、草地表现为极强,灌木表现为强,而坡耕地与梯田为中等。研究为提高黄土丘陵区土壤碳氮含量的评估提供科学依据,促进区域生态恢复合理规划。     

子午岭林区不同植被恢复阶段土壤有机碳变化研究

研究了子午岭林区植被恢复过程中土壤有机碳含量、团聚体有机碳分布以及不同粒级团聚体有机碳对土壤有机碳的贡献率。研究结果表明,0—100 cm剖面上有机碳含量加权平均值随植被恢复年限逐渐升高,坡耕地0—100 cm土层土壤有机碳加权平均值为3.54 g/kg,弃耕地、草地、灌木和乔木阶段分别比坡耕地提高6.8%,36.6%,41.5%和73.6%;0—20 cm土层土壤有机碳含量随植被恢复的提高幅度明显高于20 cm以下土层;0—5和5—10 cm土层土壤各粒级团聚体有机碳含量随植被恢复年限逐渐增加,并有向大粒级（〉2 mm）团聚体中富集的趋势,10—20 cm土层土壤团聚体有机碳含量随植被恢复变化不明显;弃耕地、草地、灌木和乔木阶段0—20 cm土层〉5,5～2和2～1 mm粒级团聚体有机碳贡献率高于坡耕地,说明植被恢复0—20 cm土层土壤增加的有机碳更多地固定在〉1 mm粒级团聚体中。     

喀斯特石漠化区不同土地利用方式下土壤有机碳分布特征

为探究喀斯特土壤有机碳分布特征及其对人为干扰的响应,挖掘了2 854个土壤剖面,采集了22 786个土壤样品,分析了贵州省不同土地利用方式下土壤有机碳分布规律;并结合贵州省石漠化防治规划,初步估算了石漠化防治工程的土壤碳增汇贡献。结果表明:贵州省土壤有机碳呈现含量高、密度小的特征。表层土壤(0-20cm)有机碳平均含量25.07g/kg,平均密度仅为4.27kg/m~2。不同用地类型土壤表层有机碳含量大小为灌木林地乔灌木林地灌草地乔木林地弃耕地与荒地草地水田园地旱地与坡耕地;表层碳密度大小为水田灌木林地乔木林地乔灌木林地弃耕地与荒地灌草地旱地与坡耕地草地园地。0-60cm土层土壤有机碳含量对人为干扰较为敏感,60-100cm土层土壤有机碳含量差异较小。实施退耕还林,人工种草及人工造林等石漠化防治工程会明显促进土壤有机碳的积累,到2050年,贵州省0-10,0-20,0-30,0-100cm土层土壤有机碳将增加1.99×10~(13),3.37×10~(13),4.45×10~(13),6.29×10~(13) g。可见,喀斯特地区土壤有机碳具有含量高、密度低的显著特征,石漠化治理能有效增加喀斯特地区土壤碳汇。     

不同植被类型土壤氮素对侵蚀环境的响应

以黄土高原神木六道沟流域为研究对象,选取流域内3种典型植被类型(林地、草地、灌木)所处的3种侵蚀环境(梁峁顶、梁峁坡、沟坡)0—30cm土层土壤,对土壤5种氮素(全氮、有机氮、矿化氮、铵态氮、硝态氮)对侵蚀环境的响应进行了研究。结果表明:(1)林地土壤全氮和有机氮含量最大,显著高于草地和灌木地,不同植被类型土壤氮素随侵蚀环境的变化规律不尽相同。(2)林地矿化氮和硝态氮含量高于草地和灌木地;灌木地铵态氮高于林地和草地。(3)土壤容重和pH与全氮、有机氮、矿化氮、铵态氮和硝态氮呈极显著负相关,有机碳和C/N与全氮、有机氮、矿化氮、铵态氮和硝态氮呈极显著正相关。(4)矿化氮占全氮的比例随全氮含量的升高而升高,铵态氮占氮的比例随全氮的升高而降低。通过不同植被类型土壤氮素对侵蚀环境的响应,能够长期为黄土高原农业生产、生态修复与重建提供科学依据。     

毛乌素沙地不同植被恢复措施下土壤理化性质空间分布特征

[目的] 探讨不同植被恢复措施下土壤理化性质的空间分布特征,为半干旱沙区植被恢复提供理论依据。[方法] 以毛乌素沙地西南边缘3种典型植被恢复模式(封育草地、飞播林地和人工柠条林地)为研究对象,以退化草地为对照,通过采集0—40 cm范围内3个土层的土壤,研究了其土壤理化指标和土壤综合肥力。[结果] ①在不同措施下土壤表层(0—10 cm)含水量显著增加,而在深层(10—40 cm)土壤则显著降低;与之相反的是土壤表层容重显著降低,而在深层土壤差异不显著,呈现弱变异;植被恢复显著降低了上层(0—20 cm)土壤pH值,而对20—40 cm土层差异不显著;此外,同一植被类型下随着土层加深土壤含水量(SWC)、容重(BD)、pH值均逐渐增加。②不同措施下土壤有机质(SOM)、全氮(TN)含量显著增加,封育样地SOM最高,飞播样地土壤TN最高,而速效磷(AP)含量显著降低,土壤全磷(TP)、SOM、TN等养分含量具有表聚性,土壤AP和速效氮(AN)含量在不同植被恢复、不同土层之间存在差异性。③土壤综合肥力指数呈现为：飞播样地(0.794)>封育样地(0.662)>对照样地(0.637)>柠条林地(0.603),即土壤质量在飞播样地最高,而在柠条林地最低。[结论] 3种植被恢复模式均对土壤各理化指标有显著影响,不同植被恢复措施导致土壤各指标在垂直剖面上发生不同程度的变异,毛乌素沙地适宜进行飞播造林,而不宜大面积种植人工柠条林。     

黄河三角洲滩地不同植被类型改良土壤效应研究

为探讨黄河三角洲滩地不同植被类型对土壤的改良效应,选取东营市河口区内乔木林、灌木林、草地及对照农田4种典型植被类型为研究对象,对土壤理化性状及微生物数量进行对比研究.结果表明:①不同植被类型都有良好的改善土壤物理性能、化学特性和微生物活性的效应,且对上层土壤的改良效果好于下层.②表层土壤容重、pH值和含盐量低于20-50 cm土层,乔木林地下土壤通气、透水性及压碱抑盐效果好于灌木林地,而农田和草地则较差.③土壤有机质含量、速效N,P,K养分及微生物数量主要分布在0-20 cm土层,数量大小表现乔木林农田灌木林草地.细菌数量最多,占到微生物总数的97%以上,其次为放线菌,真菌数量最低.④微生物数量与土壤理化指标密切相关,且20-50 cm土层相关性比表层要显著,随着盐碱条件的改善及土壤速效养分的增多,盐碱滩地微生物数量有增多趋势.     

宁南山区退耕地不同植被类型对土壤理化性质的影响

对宁南山区典型区域——彭阳中庄小流域3种不同植被类型的土壤物理和化学性质进行了分析测定。结果表明:(1)沙棘林地和人工草地的土壤含水量、土壤容重和土壤孔隙度均小于自然封育,而沙棘林地和人工草地两者相比较而言,0—200cm土层沙棘林地的土壤平均含水量小于人工草地,0—60cm土层土壤容重人工草地相对较小,孔隙度相对较大;(2)0—60cm土层沙棘林地和人工草地的全氮、碱解氮和有机质平均含量与自然封育相比较,其含量由高到低的顺序为:自然封育>人工草地>沙棘林地,且差异显著;而全钾、速效磷、速效钾的平均含量与自然封育相比较,其含量由高到低的顺序为:林地>自然封育>人工草地;全磷平均含量变化依次为:林地>人工草地>自然封育。     

黄土丘陵区不同林龄乔灌林地土壤水分及持水性能研究

土壤水分是黄土丘陵区生态恢复过程中的主要制约因素,对该区典型流域不同林龄主要乔灌林地土壤容重、水分特征和持水能力的分析结果表明,表层土壤容重表现出天然灌木林乔木林人工灌木林果园,且容重随林龄的增加而减小,即20a25a30a。下层土壤容重与表层变化规律相似。土壤总孔隙度与土壤容重和非活性孔度变化规律相反,与土壤活性孔度和土壤孔隙比变化基本一致。0-50cm土层土壤含水量变化顺序为果园刺槐柠条狼牙刺,50-500cm土层则是刺槐林地最小,灌木林地在50-200cm土层的变动幅度较大,200-350cm土层柠条小于狼牙刺,350-500cm土层狼牙刺则小于柠条,主要受人工林种植密度和人为干扰措施影响。苹果园经过隔坡梯田整地措施,其林下0-500cm土层土壤水分含量最高。该区提倡"灌木先行"的植被恢复措施是必要的。表层土壤总持水量随林龄增加而增加,土壤总持水量变化顺序为天然灌木林地乔木林地人工灌木林地,有效持水量却表现出与总持水量相反的变化趋势,容重越低,土壤有效持水性越强。20-40cm土层及40-60cm土层的持水特性表现出与表层土壤相似的规律。     

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.