不同粒径土壤的光谱特征差异分析

通过野外采集土样,研磨后获取不同粒径(2、1、0.5、0.25、0.15和0.05 mm)土壤,在暗室内进行光谱测定。分别采用光谱数据微分变换和连续统去除的方法,研究不同粒径土壤的光谱特征差异,探索不同粒径处理对土壤光谱特征的影响。结果表明:不同粒径土壤的平均光谱反射率在全波段、可见光、红外波段都随土壤粒径的减小而增加;土壤光谱反射率与土壤粒径呈负相关关系。微分变换放大了某些在原始光谱数据中比较隐晦的信息。可见光、全波段平均反射率均在土壤粒径0.25 nm时,呈现出更明显的增长趋势,而红外波段则在土壤粒径0.15 mm时,增长趋势更为明显;土壤光谱在450和490 nm处的吸收峰值随土壤粒径的减小呈多项式分布;土壤全波段光谱反射率随着粒径的减小呈幂函数增长。     

宁夏龟裂碱土水盐运移及时空分布特征

为了探明龟裂碱土水盐时空分布特征,该研究对龟裂碱土水盐进行跟踪监测,分析在自然条件下土壤水盐时空分布和运移特征。结果表明:0～20 cm土壤含水率最小,变异系数最大;80～100 cm土壤含水率较大,变异系数较小。土壤全盐和碱化度变异性强,空间分布不均,0～40 cm土壤全盐和碱化度的变异系数分别为60.4%和67.6%,40～100 cm土壤全盐和碱化度变异系数较小。0～20 cm土壤全盐和碱化度最大,20～100 cm土壤全盐和碱化度逐层降低。0～40 cm土壤含水率随季节变化幅度较大,40～100 cm变化幅度较平稳,土壤含水率逐年减小。土层0～20 cm全盐和碱化度极显著高于其他土层,土层0～40 cm土壤脱盐、积盐交替,盐分变化活跃,土壤全盐和碱化度逐年呈增加的趋势。结果为龟裂碱土改良水盐调控提供依据。     

不同粒径土壤有机质含量可见光-近红外光谱估算研究-以湟水流域为例

不同土壤粒径大小差异致使土壤光谱反射率不近相同,从而影响土壤有机质含量的预测精度。因此探索不同粒径下土壤有机质含量估算精度,可为有机质的精确估算以及减少样品的前期处理提供参考依据。本文将分别过10、20、60、100目筛的土样于暗室内进行350~2500 nm波段光谱反射率测量,经多元散射校正(MSC)与小波变换(WT)平滑去噪后,首先将原始光谱(R)及其数学形式包括反射率倒数(1/R)、反射率对数(lgR)、反射率根号(R~(1/2))进行一阶微分变换,然后采用遗传算法结合偏最小二乘法(GA-PLS)筛选土壤有机质含量特征波段区间,再将R、R'及特征波段(CHR)作为偏最小二乘回归(PLSR)和支持向量机(SVM)的输入波段进行有机质含量建模。结果表明:1)土壤粒径越小,光谱反射率越高,特别是当波长大于600 nm时,反射率明显增加;2)土壤有机质含量的特征波段主要位于426~447 nm,1427~1459 nm,1948~1958nm,1970~1991 nm,2012~2039 nm,2165~2186 nm谱区;3)采用GA-PLS算法挑选特征波段建立SOM估算模型,模型精度和预测能力明显高于R和R';4)利用SVM方法建模模型精度明显高于PLSR方法;5)样本容量较大时,采用1mm(20目)粒径光谱数据建模最佳。     

龟裂碱土对植被冠层光谱特征及长势预测的影响

为了通过统一土壤背景来量化龟裂碱土对其上覆植被冠层光谱的影响,通过野外原位测定,系统分析了龟裂碱土上覆植被在自然和覆盖条件下5个典型生育期冠层光谱特征、光谱反射率与叶片叶绿素值和叶面积指数（leaf area index,LAI）之间的关系,进而建立了不同条件下2个生理指标的预测模型。结果表明：覆盖条件下向日葵三对叶期冠层光谱反射率较自然条件下在400～520和1 027～1 130 nm平均降低了0.10,在521～1 026 nm平均降低了0.18;其他生育期覆盖条件下冠层光谱反射率较自然条件下在可见光波段下降,在近红外区域增加（其中七对叶期在720～1 050 nm平均增幅为11.29%）。自然条件下三对叶期冠层光谱反射率与叶绿素值和LAI平均相关系数分别为0.68和0.47,开花期、乳熟期光谱反射率与叶绿素值和LAI与三对叶期相关性相似;其他2个生育期冠层光谱反射率自然条件下在可见光波段与2个生理指标平均相关系数分别为-0.27和-0.52,在近红外区域分别为0.53和0.69,覆盖条件下相关系数明显高于自然条件。三对叶期建立的叶片叶绿素值和LAI预测方程决定系数最小,现蕾期最大。除三对叶期外,其他时期对2个生理指标的预测模型的拟合度都较高（RSPAD为0.61～0.88,RLAI为0.72～0.92）,预测能力也较强;引入土壤pH值可以增强模型的稳定性和预测能力。研究结果可为该地区龟裂碱土上覆植被长势估测提供理论依据。     

紫色土和黄壤含水率的室内光谱反演

[目的] 选择西南地区代表性土类紫色土和地带性黄壤,分析其光谱信息,构建土壤水分反演模型,估测土壤含水率,为西南地区土壤水分快速监测提供方法依据。[方法] 通过室内配置紫色土和黄壤不同土壤含水率水平,运用地物光谱仪测量其光谱反射率,比较不同含水率条件下两类土壤的高光谱特征;采用多种数学变换和相关分析法提取特征波段,运用多元逐步回归（SMLR）和BP神经网络（BPNN）分别构建土壤含水率的高光谱估测模型。[结果] ①随土壤含水率的增加,紫色土和黄壤的光谱反射率均逐渐降低;在相同含水率条件下,紫色土的光谱反射率低于黄壤。②土壤含水率对可见光波段（380～760 nm）反射率的影响显著低于红外波段（760～2 500 nm）;均在1 400,1 900,2 200 nm附近存在明显水分吸收谷。③经数学变换的紫色土和黄壤光谱反射率均与土壤含水率存在极强的相关性。④基于BPNN建立的土壤水分反演模型整体优于SMLR模型。[结论] BPNN模型为西南地区紫色土和黄壤土壤含水率光谱反演的最优模型,能够快速准确估测紫色土和黄壤土壤水分状况。     

浅地下水埋深微域尺度苏打盐渍土的积盐机理探讨

通过野外定位观测和室内化验,探讨了浅埋地下水环境下苏打盐渍土的积盐机理。结果表明:在35×35m2大小的区域内,相对高差仅60cm,包括盐化草甸土、浅位柱状碱土、白盖苏打碱土和中位柱状碱土4种土壤类型。盐化草甸土分布在相对较低的洼地,几乎没有碱化层;白盖苏打碱土和中位柱状碱土分布在微坡地和高平地。高平地土壤的碱化层出现在15～30cm,碱化度(ESP)70%,微坡地土壤的ESP表层最大达75%。地下水位(初见水位)表现为洼地凸出的三维空间格局,洼地和高平地之间的地下水初见水位差达1m以上,24h后的水位基本保持在同一水平。地下水位在冻结期的变化与冻土的形成和发展有一定相关性。冻结期,部分浅埋地下水进入冻层,导致冻层含水率增加,同期地下水开始缓慢下降。盐化草甸土表层的含水率从冻结前的20%增加到50%(过饱和状态),其增量达到显著性水平(p<0·05);苏打碱土冻结层含水率有一定的变化,但变化程度不显著。冻融期间,苏打碱土表层含盐量迅速增加,其中白盖苏打碱土表层含盐量增量幅度达80%,而盐化草甸土表层的盐分含量变化不显著。     

碱化土壤的野外及实验室波谱响应特征及其转换

为了探讨不同测量环境下碱化土壤波谱相互转换的条件和规律,对新疆天山北坡奇台绿洲碱化土壤进行定点野外、实验室波谱测量及特征分析,并结合土壤理化性质,利用多元线性回归方法进行野外-实验室测量波谱之间的双向转换。结果表明:野外测量波谱与土壤pH值呈极显著的正相关关系,可有效监测土壤碱化程度。但实验室测量波谱与pH值之间不具有相关性。pH值对实验室测量波谱向野外测量波谱的转换影响最大,其次是实验室波谱的b3(630～690nm)和b2(521～600nm)波段反射率,而b1(450～520nm)、b4(760～900nm)波段反射率与野外测量波谱的各波段反射率之间均无明显对应关系。实验室测量波谱与有机质含量呈负相关关系,且对于土壤有机质具有良好的定量反演潜力。实验室波谱向野外波谱转换的模型涉及的因子较少,稳定性高且具有良好验证精度,转换效果较野外波谱向实验室波谱转换的模型理想。     

基于不同变换形式的干旱区土壤盐分高光谱特征反演

对干旱区土壤盐渍化的高光谱特征进行研究,分析并阐明高光谱精度的影响因子及变换形式,这对定量测定土壤盐碱程度具有重要意义。以陕西定边地区盐碱土壤为研究对象,通过分析区域土样的高光谱数据和室内测定的电导率与全盐含量数据,研究了同一耕作、施肥和灌溉措施下土壤电导率和全盐量的关系,并比较了电导率和全盐量两者的相关关系,分析两者与不同光谱指标(光谱反射率、反射率倒数、反射率对数、反射率一阶微分及反射率对数一阶微分)的相关性以及二者高光谱反演的精度。结果表明:(1)电导率(x)与含盐量(y)之间存在正相关关系且R~2=0.96,达到显著水平;(2)电导率与光谱反射率之间的相关性要优于全盐量,在土壤盐渍化的敏感波段表现尤为突出,遴选敏感光谱波段为350~1 000nm;(3)以电导率构建的偏最小二乘回归模型的决定系数和均方根差优于全盐量。研究表明该区域的土壤高光谱信息对土壤电导率的响应较全盐量敏感,以电导率为监测指标的高光谱反演精度明显要高于全盐量。该结果可为提高上壤盐渍化高光谱监测精度提供科学支撑。     

苏打盐渍土的微域特征及土壤表层积盐机理探讨——以吉林省大安地区嫩江古河道碱滩地为例

通过野外定位观测和室内分析,探讨了苏打盐渍土微域尺度(32 m长的横截面)的土壤结构以及冻融期土壤表层积盐的机理。结果表明:高平地的地层剖面为粉砂质亚粘土-粘土-粉砂-砂砾质地结构;洼地以粉砂质为主,缺少粘土层。盐化草甸土表层的水分以毛管水为主,粗毛管孔隙占总孔隙度的70%以上;苏打碱土的水分主要为束缚水,含水率低且变化微弱。苏打碱土和盐化草甸土镶嵌的微域格局对土壤水分和盐分的迁移规律有明显的影响。冻融季节,盐化草甸土成为水分迁移的汇集区,其表层含水率达50%以上(达到过饱和状态);苏打碱土冻层的水分变化十分微弱,但是盐分含量显著增加并在消融期表聚,导致土壤的盐渍化程度不断加重。     

开都河流域下游绿洲土壤盐渍化特征及其光谱分析

以新疆开都河流域下游绿洲为研究区,通过土壤样品化学分析及其光谱反射率的测量,分析了土壤盐渍化特征以及土壤反射光谱曲线与土壤盐渍程度之间的关系;基于统计分析的方法,建立了表征土壤盐渍化特征的因子与其高光谱数据的多元回归模型。研究结果表明:研究区土壤pH值的平均值大于8.0,属于弱碱性土壤;土壤盐分含量呈T型分布;盐渍化土壤的光谱反射率曲线特征在形态上相似,变化平缓;在可见光-近红外波段,盐渍化土壤的光谱反射率曲线形状基本上由五个折线段和四个吸收带组成。     

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,     

Assessing the effectiveness of conservation measures: Resolving the “wicked” problem of the Steller sea lion

“Wicked” problems are those that are complex and that change when solutions are applied. Many conflicts in conservation fall into this category. The study approached the problem of how to constrain the apparent wickedness of a problem in the conservation management of a species by using simple empirical indicators to carry out iterative assessment of the risk to a population and to document how this risk evolves in relation to the addition of new data and the implementation of management actions. Effects of high levels of uncertainty within data and also concerning population structure were examined through stochastic simulation and by exploration of scenarios. Historical trends in the example used, the Steller sea lion, showed rapid declines in abundance in some regions during the 1980s. The current total population is 130,000-150,000 Steller sea lions through Alaska and British Columbia and this number has been stable since about 1990 in spite of regional differences in population dynamics. Regional differences in the sequence of changes in the number of pups and non-pups, suggested that an internal re-distribution of juveniles could have happened between 1980 and 1990. Current productivity also appears close to the long-term mean. Stochastic population projection using various scenarios showed that, based upon this history, the risk of extinction for the population has declined and is below reasonable thresholds for considering the population to be endangered. The trends in risk suggest that management actions taken since 1990 have probably been effective. Consequently, the conservation management objectives for the Steller sea lion are probably being met. The approach provides a mechanism, based upon experience and scenario analysis, for exploring future policy options and may help to constrain the debate amongst stakeholders about the cost-benefit trade-offs associated with different options.     

Soil-profile distribution of primary and secondary plant-available nutrients under conventional and no tillage

Nutrient distributions under no tillage (NT) compared with conventional disk-and-bed tillage (CT) management in the warm, humid region of the southeastern USA need to be assessed so that future placement, quantity, and type of fertilizers can be altered, if necessary, to efficiently match crop demands. We determined soil-profile distributions of pH, N, P, S, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu to a depth of 0.9 m at the end of 8.5 years of continuous CT and NT management on a Weswood silty clay loam (fine, mixed, thermic Fluventic Ustochrept) in southcentral Texas. Most dramatic changes occurred within the 0–0.05 m depth, where soil under NT had lower pH, Fe, and Cu than under CT, but greater P, K, Zn, and Mn. Greater P and K under NT than under CT also occurred below the till-zone (0.15–0.3 m). At a depth of 0–0.3 m, soil under NT contained greater amounts of extractable P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu than under CT. Nitrogen fertilization had little effect on nutrient distributions, except resulting in greater extractable K at 0–0.05 m and greater nitrate at 0–0.15 m. Few changes in soil-profile distributions were observed for extractable S, Ca, Mg, and Na. Long-term continuous use of NT on this fine-textured, high-fertility (except for N) soil had no apparent adverse effects on nutrient distributions relative to CT, but enhanced conservation and availability of P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu near the soil surface where crop roots proliferate.     

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.     

Enhanced establishment and growth of giant cardon cactus in an eroded field in the Sonoran Desert using native legume trees as nurse plants aided by plant growth-promoting microorganisms and compost

To evaluate the feasibility of long-term desert reforestation technology of mixed vegetation, cardon cactus (Pachycereus pringlei) seedlings from indoor and outdoor nurseries were planted in the field adjacent to one seedling of potential legume nurse trees: mesquite amargo (Prosopis articulata), yellow palo verde (Parkinsonia microphylla), and blue palo verde (Parkinsonia florida). Some of the planting holes were also supplemented with common dairy compost. Additionally, the combinations of legume tree–cactus were inoculated with either a consortium of desert arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB; the diazotroph Azospirillum brasilense Cd, and the phosphate solubilizer Paenibacillus sp.), or a mixture of all. The field experiments were evaluated periodically during 30 months for survival and growth. Cardons reared in an outdoor screen house survived better in the field than those reared in a controlled growth chamber and hardened later outdoors. Association with any legume nurse tree increased survival and enhanced growth of untreated cardons. For cardons growing alone, application of either compost, AM fungi, and all the treatments combined increased survival. For these plants, no treatment affected plant growth during the first 3 months after transplanting. Later, all treatments, except for AM fungi, enhanced plant growth. However, only 2 years after transplanting the enhanced growth effect of AM fungi was also significant. In the presence of the legume nurse trees, transient positive effects on cardon growth were recorded. General evaluation after 30 months of cultivation showed that the treatments positively affected cardon growth when growing alone or in combination only with mesquite amargo but not with the other two legume trees. This study proposes that young legume trees have the capacity to enhance survival and growth of cardon cactus, depending on the legume cactus combination. Additional treatments such as compost or PGPB can either amplify the effect or else attenuate it.