春玉米田施用双氰胺和硫包衣尿素的节本减排效果分析

氧化亚氮（N2O）是一种重要的温室气体,农田土壤是其重要的排放源.本研究利用温室气体自动测定系统,对华北平原春玉米农田尿素（U）、尿素添加10％双氰胺（DCD1）、尿素添加5％双氰胺（DCD2）、硫包衣尿素（SCU）和不施肥（CK）5个不同施肥处理土壤进行N2O测定,以分析双氰胺和硫包衣尿素对土壤N2O排放的影响.结果表明,（1）各处理N2O排放总量顺序为U＞SCU＞ DCD2＞DCD1＞CK,各处理的排放系数在0.20％ ～0.71％,与单施尿素相比,DCD1、DCD2分别减少N2O排放59.5％、47.1％,硫包衣处理的N2O排放与尿素处理差异不显著,但两者的N2O排放均极显著高于添加DCD的处理（P＜0.01）.（2）排放高峰是伴随土壤孔隙含水量（WFPS）明显上升而发生的,各施肥处理N2O的排放通量与土壤WFPS呈极显著相关关系（P＜0.01）.（3） DCD2施肥方案每减排1tCO2-eq的同时可减少支出约178元,表明此方案可作为减少春玉米农田N2O排放的技术措施.     

不同氮磷肥施用对春玉米农田N_2O排放的影响

农田过量施肥会增加N2O排放,使农田土壤成为重要的温室气体排放源。为减少农田N2O排放,利用自动观测系统研究了春玉米农田中不同肥料对N2O排放的影响,并结合作物产量及N2O的排放量探索减少温室气体排放的施肥措施。采用田间试验方法设定了不施肥（CK）、尿素（U）、尿素加磷肥（NP）和硝酸磷肥（NOP）4个处理进行研究。结果表明,各处理下N2O排放总量分别为：CK0.21kgN·hm-2、U1.19kgN·hm-2、NP0.93kgN·hm-2、NOP0.69kgN·hm-2;N2O排放主要受施肥、灌溉,降雨和土壤温度的影响;在作物生长后期土壤含氮量小于7mgN·kg-1的情况下,观测到土壤吸收N2O的情况;各处理下排放因子均小于政府间气候变化委员会（IPCC）的缺省值1%,表明IPCC推荐的排放因子不适用于估算中国北方的春玉米农田N2O排放。施加磷肥有助于减少农田N2O排放并提高产量,硝态磷肥较尿素可以显著减少N2O排放。综合考虑产量和N2O排放,相对于施用尿素和尿素加磷肥处理,硝酸磷肥处理不仅可节约15%和30%的肥料投入,而且分别减少42%和26%的N2O排放,具有减排不减产的良好效果。     

不同农作措施对棕壤玉米田N2O排放及碳足迹的影响*2

于2014年5-9月在辽河平原棕壤地区春玉米地设置不施氮肥（对照,CK）、常规施肥（F）、吡啶尿素包衣（FP）、常规施肥加生物黑炭（FC）以及常规施肥加秸秆半量还田（FS）5个试验处理,每处理3次重复,在玉米整个生育期观测N2O的排放情况,对比分析5种农作措施对农田土壤N2O排放及玉米生产过程中碳足迹的影响效果。结果表明：（1）施肥对N2O排放有明显影响,其排放通量主要受施肥时间和施肥量的影响,施肥后排放通量较高,其中基肥和追肥阶段排放的N2O分别占全生育期N2O累积排放量的24.3%～27.3%和32.0%～38.2%;（2）各施肥处理中 N2O 的排放量均高于 CK 处理,但与 F 处理（常规施肥）相比较,FP、FC和 FS处理N2O累积排放量分别降低了30.2%、22.7%和9.4%,其中FP的减排效果最好;（3）各施肥处理碳足迹均显著大于CK。除CK外,FP和FC处理的碳足迹较低,分别较F处理降低了19.5%和14.8%;FP 处理的碳强度最低、碳效率最高,与其它农作措施相比,是高产低排效果最优的措施;（4）施用氮肥的直接 N2O排放占玉米生产全周期中碳排放的最大份额,其占比为74.9%～89.0%,其次是化肥生产过程的碳排放,其占比为13.4%～17.8%。因此,适当减少氮肥用量,提高氮肥利用率是降低玉米生产过程碳足迹的关键,本研究中,吡啶尿素包衣处理（FP）是棕壤区春玉米生产过程碳足迹管理的最优措施。     

基于DNDC模型的东北地区春玉米农田固碳减排措施研究

春玉米是我国东北地区主要粮食作物,但由于连年耕作和氮肥的高投入,春玉米农田也可能成为重要的温室气体排放源。因此,通过优化田间管理措施在保证作物产量的同时实现固碳减排,对于春玉米种植系统的可持续发展具有重要意义。过程模型（Denitrification Decomposition, DNDC）是评估固碳减排措施的有效工具,本研究在对DNDC模型进行验证的基础上,应用模型研究不同施氮和秸秆还田措施对东北地区春玉米农田固碳和氧化亚氮（N2O）排放的长期综合影响。模型验证结果表明,DNDC模拟的不同处理下土壤呼吸季节总量、 N2O排放季节总量和春玉米产量与田间观测结果较一致;同时模型也能较好地模拟不同处理下土壤呼吸和N2O排放季节变化动态。这表明DNDC模型能较理想地模拟不同施氮和秸秆还田措施对春玉米农田土壤呼吸、 N2O排放和作物产量的影响。利用模型综合分析不同管理情景对产量和土壤固碳减排的长期影响,结果表明: 1）与当地农民习惯施肥相比,优化施氮措施不会明显影响作物产量,能减少N2O排放,且对土壤固碳影响很小,因而能降低温室气体净排放,但净排放降低幅度有限（8%~13%）; 2）在优化施氮措施的同时秸秆还田能在保障供试农田春玉米产量的同时大幅度减少春玉米种植系统温室气体净排放,甚至可能将供试农田由温室气体排放源转变为温室气体吸收汇。本研究结果可为优化管理措施实现春玉米种植系统固碳减排提供科学依据。     

华北春玉米田施用纳米增效氮肥的增产减排作用初探

采用静态箱自动采样监测系统,对生长季内华北平原春玉米田在不同施肥处理下（尿素U、纳米增效碳铵NA、纳米增效尿素NU和不施肥CK）土壤N2O排放通量进行监测,以寻求在相同施氮量条件下既增产又能减少N2O排放的施肥措施.结果表明,不同施肥处理下N2O排放通量存在显著差异（P＜0.05）,全生育期U、NU、NA和CK处理区的N2O排放总量依次为1.17、0.78、0.70、0.18kgN·hm-2,NA和NU分别比U减少了40％和33％的N2O排放;而玉米产量依次为NU＞ NA＞U＞CK,与U相比,NU和NA分别显著高出11％和9％的玉米产量（P＜0.05）.可见,与施用尿素相比,在玉米产量显著增加的前提下,纳米增效氮肥具有明显的减排效果.     

不同施肥量对设施菜地N2O排放通量的影响

为明确北京地区设施菜地的N2O排放特征,寻求既能减少N2O排放又使蔬菜增产或保持原有产量的切实有效措施,该研究采用静态箱/气相色谱法对北京地区设施菜地的黄瓜进行了全生长季N2O排放通量的观测,并分析了不同施肥量对N2O排放量、蔬菜产量和经济效益的影响。结果如下：土壤N2O排放通量的季节变化有明显的时间变异性,试验初期受基肥的影响,N2O排放量较大,随着时间的推移,土壤N2O排放量有所减少并保持稳定;试验后期由于追肥,出现一次排放高峰,且持续时间较长。各处理土壤N2O排放总量的次序是：T4（常规施肥量+鸡粪）＞T3（3/4常规施肥量+鸡粪）＞T1（1/4常规施肥量+鸡粪）＞T2（1/2常规施肥量+鸡粪）＞Tn（鸡粪）＞T0（无肥处理）,各处理之间N2O排放量差异达到极显著水平。综合考虑施肥量、N2O排放量和黄瓜产量,研究认为T3（3/4常规施肥量+鸡粪）的施肥量比较合理,可以为合理施肥、降低农民生产成本以及估算中国农田温室气体排放量和编制温室气体排放清单提供 依据。     

楚雄市主要水稻种植区域的温室气体排放因素探究

水稻种植会造成直接和间接的温室气体排放,采用生命周期法对楚雄市主要水稻种植区域的温室气体排放进行了综合评估,揭示该区域水稻生产中温室气体排放的来源结构,从而为该区域水稻的低碳、减排种植提供一定参考。结果表明:1)楚雄市单位面积水稻种植的温室气体排放量为7 680.38～7 681.47 kgCO_2·hm~(-2);2)造成温室气体排放的项目中,稻田CH_4排放量猪粪施用排放量复合肥排放量氮肥排放量,是排放量最大的4个温室气体来源,占温室气体总量的49.68%、16.98%、15.25%和9.03%,其余项目对温室气体总量的贡献均小于5%;3)单位稻米产量的温室气体排放量为692.88～719.02 kgCO_2﹒t~(-1),单位净收益的温室气体排放量为2 492.31～2 595.84 kgCO_2/万元。降低稻田CH_4排放及施肥造成的温室气体排放是该区域水稻低碳种植的关键。     

施肥对稻田温室气体排放及土壤养分的影响

【目的】农业活动引起的温室气体排放对全球变暖的影响日益得到关注,本试验研究不同施肥处理对稻田温室气体排放、 产量和土壤养分的影响,以期为农田可持续利用和温室气体减排提供依据。【方法】在长江中下游地区稻麦轮作区进行田间试验,设置不施氮肥(CK)、 当地习惯施肥(FP)、 推荐N肥(OPT)、 有机无机配施(OPT+M)、 秸秆还田(OPT+S)5个处理,采用静态箱/气相色谱(GC)法测定了稻季CH4、 N2O和CO2的排放情况,调查了不同施肥措施对稻田温室气体增温潜势以及产量,测定了土壤养分,并综合产量和增温潜势对温室气体排放强度进行分析,提出该区域稻田减排增产的合理施肥措施。【结果】 1) 不同处理CH4季节排放总量为OPT+SOPT+M FP OPT CK,排放量为99.02~143.69 kg/hm2; N2O季节排放量为FPOPT+MOPT OPT+S CK,排放量范围为0.95~3.57 kg/hm2; CO2排放顺序与CH4季节排放趋势一致,排放量为7231.64~13715.24 kg/hm2。2)根据稻季CH4和N2O季节排放量以及在100年尺度上的CO2当量计算,不同处理温室气体全球增温潜势大小顺序为OPT+SOPT+M FP OPT CK。在CK、 FP、 OPT、 OPT+M和OPT+S的全球增温潜势中,N2O占的比重分别为10.31%、 26.39%、 21.51%、 22.91% 和11.58%,CH4所占比重分别为89.69%、 73.61%、 78.49%、 77.09%和88.42%。稻田N2O的排放量很少,排放以甲烷为主,因此不同施肥措施所排放的N2O对综合温室效应的贡献远低于CH4。相对于当地习惯施肥处理,OPT、 OPT+M和OPT+S 3种优化施肥措施均在减少化肥施用量的情况下增加了水稻产量,增产率分别为3.6%、 14.3%和 8.5%,其中以有OPT+M处理增产效果最明显。3)不同施肥处理下,CO2排放强度为FP(0.56)OPT+S(0.52) OPT(0.50)OPT+M(0.49),OPT和OPT+M显著低于当地习惯施肥处理,OPT+M CO2排放强度最低。4)有机碳、 全氮、 速效磷和速效钾含量均在OPT+S处理中最高。【结论】不同施肥措施影响稻季温室气体排放,施用有机肥和氮肥均增加了CO2、 CH4、 N2O的排放,秸秆还田增加了CO2和CH4排放,减少了N2O排放。稻田减排应以减少CH4排放为主,推荐氮肥量配施有机肥为碳强度评价体系下最优处理。秸秆还田对土壤养分的改善趋势明显,虽然增加了CO2排放,但考虑到其可避免因焚烧造成大量CO2的排放,总体上依然减少了CO2的排放,但对秸秆还田的适宜量需要进一步研究。     

基于养分专家系统的农田养分管理技术在小麦玉米农田温室气体减排中的应用效果

为了评价基于养分专家系统(Nutrient Expert,简称NE)养分管理模式下的推荐施肥对农田环境效应的影响,对121个田间试验中基于NE养分管理模式和农民习惯管理模式下的农田温室气体排放量进行了分析。结果发现:NE养分管理模式在不降低作物产量的前提下,大幅度提高了农田氮肥偏生产力,显著降低了温室气体排放量。与农民习惯施肥处理相比,NE养分管理模式的N2O排放量在小麦和玉米季分别降低了60.8%和53.7%。而在总的农田温室气体排放当量中,NE养分管理模式的温室气体排放当量较农民习惯施肥处理(FP)在小麦和玉米季分别降低了40.8%和42.3%。农田温室气体排放当量与氮肥偏生产力间有显著的线性+平台关系,即在一定范围内温室气体排放量随着氮肥偏生产力的提高而降低。在本研究中,当排放量分别降低到2 350kg CO2eq/hm2(玉米)和1 888 kg CO2eq/hm2(小麦)时,随着氮肥偏生产力的增加温室气体排放量有趋于不变的趋势。总体来看,基于NE养分管理模式的推荐施肥技术在华北平原减少农田温室气体排放方面有很好的应用前景。     

不同农作措施对棕壤玉米田N_2O排放及碳足迹的影响

于2014年5-9月在辽河平原棕壤地区春玉米地设置不施氮肥(对照,CK)、常规施肥(F)、吡啶尿素包衣(FP)、常规施肥加生物黑炭(FC)以及常规施肥加秸秆半量还田(FS)5个试验处理,每处理3次重复,在玉米整个生育期观测N_2O的排放情况,对比分析5种农作措施对农田土壤N_2O排放及玉米生产过程中碳足迹的影响效果。结果表明:(1)施肥对N_2O排放有明显影响,其排放通量主要受施肥时间和施肥量的影响,施肥后排放通量较高,其中基肥和追肥阶段排放的N_2O分别占全生育期N_2O累积排放量的24.3%~27.3%和32.0%~38.2%;(2)各施肥处理中N_2O的排放量均高于CK处理,但与F处理(常规施肥)相比较,FP、FC和FS处理N_2O累积排放量分别降低了30.2%、22.7%和9.4%,其中FP的减排效果最好;(3)各施肥处理碳足迹均显著大于CK。除CK外,FP和FC处理的碳足迹较低,分别较F处理降低了19.5%和14.8%;FP处理的碳强度最低、碳效率最高,与其它农作措施相比,是高产低排效果最优的措施;(4)施用氮肥的直接N_2O排放占玉米生产全周期中碳排放的最大份额,其占比为74.9%~89.0%,其次是化肥生产过程的碳排放,其占比为13.4%~17.8%。因此,适当减少氮肥用量,提高氮肥利用率是降低玉米生产过程碳足迹的关键,本研究中,吡啶尿素包衣处理(FP)是棕壤区春玉米生产过程碳足迹管理的最优措施。     

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.