生物质炭催化玉米秸秆热解气重整提质研究

为研究生物炭作催化剂消减焦油提高热解气品质的效果,以玉米秸秆为原料,以焦油转化率、热解气产率和热解气热值为评价指标,研究重整温度、停留时间和生物炭特性对热解气提质的影响,并分析生物炭作为催化剂重整前后比表面积的变化。研究结果表明,与石英砂(高温裂解)相比,生物炭具有较好的催化特性,且稻壳炭、木屑炭和玉米秸秆炭对焦油的转化率分别为79.8%、78.6%、72.6%,热解气产率分别为39.7%、38.6%、37.9%。随着重整温度和停留时间的增加,热解气产率和焦油转化率增加,而热解气热值仅随着温度升高而增加,当温度为800℃时,热解气热值为17.6 MJ/m~3。800℃催化重整后生物炭比表面积为79.81 m~2/g,高于550℃热解生物炭比表面积37.96 m~2/g,生物炭作催化剂时不但可以提高热解气品质,而且生物炭比表面积也有所增加。     

碳化温度对畜禽粪便水热炭燃烧特性的影响

大量、集中的畜禽粪便,若不加以合理处理利用极易引发严重的环境污染问题。该文选择了集约化程度较高的生猪、奶牛、肉牛、肉鸡和蛋鸡5种畜禽的粪便作为样本,研究了水热碳化温度对畜禽粪便水热处理的影响,通过元素分析、工业分析和热重试验,分析了水热炭的燃烧特性,并比较了不同畜禽粪便水热炭之间的差异。研究发现,水热碳化能够提高水热炭的碳元素、固定碳含量,提高高位热值,降低氢碳比、氧碳比和挥发分固定碳比的值,得到的水热炭类似于褐煤。热重试验发现,水热碳化能够减小不同畜禽粪便样品之间的性质差异。水热碳化温度为180和210℃时,除肉鸡粪便水热炭外,其他畜禽粪便水热炭的综合燃烧特性指数均得到提高,5种畜禽粪便中,奶牛和肉牛粪便水热炭具有更好的燃烧特性。     

木屑及其水热炭的热解特性和动力学对比

为全面了解木屑及其水热炭的差异,获取更多关于水热炭作为化工燃料的使用特性。该文使用热重分析仪和傅里叶红外光谱仪对比研究了木屑及其水热炭在热解过程(10℃/min升温速率)中的失重特性及其官能团变化,分析了升温速率(10、20、30℃/min)对2种样品热解失重过程的影响,采用DAEM(分布活化能模型)计算了2种样品不同转化率下的活化能。结果表明:1)在200℃反应6 h得到的木屑水热炭,化学结构与木屑相似。2)在热解过程(10℃/min升温速率)中,木屑与水热炭最大失重速率分别为0.817%/℃和1.224%/℃,温度为353.57℃和363.42℃;不同终温下半焦红外光谱分析发现,水热炭更易解聚,其碳化速度更快。3)对比3种不同升温速率下2种样品的失重曲线可知,水热处理没有影响热滞后现象,样品焦炭生成量与升温速率无关,焦炭生成量平均值水热炭大于木屑。4)DAEM模型适用于2种样品热解反应活化能的求解,木屑及其水热炭活化能分别为99.33~252.72 k J/mol和63.77~211.68 k J/mol,当转化率在0.30到0.80范围时,木屑的活化能高于水热炭。研究结果为木屑水热炭热化学转化制备焦炭提供理论依据。     

葡萄糖水热过程中焦炭结构演变特性

为了解生物质水热炭化过程中焦炭的形成机制及其理化结构的演变机理,该文以葡萄糖为原料,利用高温高压反应釜,对葡萄糖在水热环境中炭化的反应过程和焦炭的表面物理结构及微观化学组成进行了系统的分析。研究发现,葡萄糖经过水热处理,可以获得富含炭微球的无定形水热焦炭,这些炭微球粒径分布在0.6～7 μm之间,而通过控制水热过程的温度、葡萄糖添加量和停留时间,则可对其收率、形貌、化学组成等理化性质产生重要影响。在220℃,4 h,6 g/100 mL的水热条件下,炭微球粒径最小且均匀,平均粒径约为1.54 μm;在220℃,4 h,12 g/100 mL的水热条件下,焦炭收率最高为38.92%。水热焦炭中含有大量的芳香环结构和含氧官能团,具有很强的亲水性,其表面碳化程度高于内核。水热焦炭的形成主要是一系列脱水、聚合、凝结、芳香化、胶体作用的结果。研究结果为生物质水热法制备炭微球的过程控制提供参考。     

高油脂产率微藻的筛选及发酵条件的优化

本研究旨在从自然水域分离、筛选出高油脂产率的微藻藻株,对其生产油脂的发酵条件进行优化,以期为用微藻制备生物柴油的工业化生产打下基础.从不同淡水环境中分离纯化了17株微藻,根据形态特征对这些微藻进行了初步鉴定.比较了其中11株微藻的生物量、油脂含量及油脂产率.从中选取生物量和油脂含量都较高的椭圆栅藻(Scenedesmus ovalternus)、雷氏衣藻(Chlamydomonas reinhardii)和蛋白核小球藻(Chlorella pyrenoidosa)3株微藻,研究了光照、温度、pH、碳源、氮源及不同水平碳氮源组合对其比生长速率和油脂产率的影响,结果表明,添加葡萄糖作为碳源时3株微藻生长较快,油脂产率较高;其最适发酵温度为28(2;椭圆栅藻和蛋白核小球藻最适pH为7,而雷氏衣藻最适pH为9;葡萄糖和尿素分别为这3种微藻的最适碳源和氮源.从油脂产率方面考虑,椭圆栅藻的最佳碳、氮源组合为:30g/L葡萄糖和2.1 g/L尿素;蛋白核小球藻的最佳碳、氮源组合为:40 g/L葡萄糖和2.1g/L尿素;雷氏衣藻则为:30/L葡萄糖和1.2g/L尿素.雷氏衣藻和蛋白核小球藻的5 L发酵试验表明,与摇瓶培养相比,发酵培养时间由7 d缩短为5 d,OD540nm分别可达61.2和59.9,而且2株微藻生物量干重分别由11.2 g/L和8.8 g/L提高到26.58 g/L和20.19 g/L,油脂含量分别由20.3%和17.2%提高到23.2%和20.1%,油脂产率分别由0.3248 g/L/d和0.2162 g/L/a提高到1.2333 g/L/d和0.8112 g/L/a.本研究结果表明,从天然水域分离、筛选得到的两株微藻雷氏衣藻(Y7)、蛋白核小球藻(Y9)经过发酵条件优化控制油脂产率分别可达1.2333 g/L/a和0.8112 g/L/a,有望应用于利用微藻制备生物柴油的工业化生产.     

秸秆微波水热炭和活性炭理化及电化学特性

为了解秸秆微波酸催化水热炭和碱活化活性炭形成机制和理化特性演变规律,该研究开展了不同柠檬酸质量分数下的秸秆微波水热和活性炭的制备试验,并研究了水热炭和活性炭理化及其电化学特性。结果表明,随柠檬酸质量分数的增加,秸秆水热炭的产率、挥发份和H含量减少,而其灰分、固定碳、C和高位热值增加,且酸质量分数为10%后趋于稳定。柠檬酸质量分数为10%时,水热炭的碳微球结构最丰富,其比表面积和孔体积最大,且以中孔为主。10%柠檬酸水热炭在900℃下经KOH活化后的活性炭产率为8%～11%,活化气体产率为32%～35%,且以CO和H_2为主。900℃活性炭的比表面积为1 250～1 570 m~2/g,总孔体积为1.00～1.20 cm3/g,孔径为3.55～4.10 nm,且以中孔和微孔为主。当电流密度为1 A/g,水稻、玉米和油菜秸秆活性炭的比电容分别为160.54、150.12和155.17 F/g,且循环5 000次后的电容保持率分别为91.04%、88.12%和89.06%,表现出较好的循环稳定性。水稻秸秆水热炭和活性炭的产率、灰分、碳转化率、能量转化率、比表面积、总孔体积、比电容和电容保持率最大。     

水热炭化温度和时间对鸡粪生物质炭性质的影响

水热炭化被认为是极具潜力的安全处置与资源化利用鸡粪的技术措施之一。该研究将鸡粪在190和260℃水热炭化处理不同时间(1、6和12 h),收集并测定固体产物生物质炭特性,目的在于了解水热炭化反应温度和时间对鸡粪生物质炭特性的影响。结果表明,鸡粪经过水热炭化处理后,46%~56%的干物质转化为生物质炭,C、P质量分数分别增加了5%和59%以上,而H、O、N、K质量分数则分别降低了9%~18%、26%~65%、19%~37%和92%~97%。表面电荷量降低,p H值依变性也减弱,其中有效阳离子交换量降低了50%~90%。生物质炭中1~5μm孔隙显著减少,主要形成1和100μm左右的孔隙。总体来看,水热炭化反应温度越高,反应时间越长,这些指标提高或降低的幅度越大,生物质炭的炭化程度越高;比起反应时间,反应温度对生物质炭性质的影响更大。该文还讨论了鸡粪生物质炭作为土壤调理剂的应用价值与潜力,研究结果可为鸡粪生物质炭在土壤改良等方面的应用提供基础数据。     

大型海藻基生物炭中多环芳烃分布特征及毒性评价

研究大型海藻基生物炭中多环芳烃(Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons,PAHs)分布特征及毒性可为其资源化利用提供重要的依据。该研究利用索氏提取结合气相色谱质谱法分析了不同热解温度(200、300、400、500和600℃)的大型海藻(瓦氏马尾藻(Sagassum vachellianum)、羊栖菜(Sargassum fusiforme)、鼠尾藻(Sargassum thunbergii)、带形蜈蚣藻(Grateloupiaturuturu)、粗枝软骨藻(Chondriacrassicaulis)及孔石莼(Ulvapertusa))基生物炭中16种PAHs含量并对其毒性进行评价。结果表明,大型海藻基生物炭中均能检出PAHs(总量浓度为78.2～2 244.2μg/kg),且其生成量整体随热解温度升高先增加后降低。大型海藻基生物炭中PAHs含量均低于欧洲生物炭标准(EuropeanBiochar Certificate,EBC,10.1版)规定的EBC-AgroOrganic等级限量值(4±2)mg/kg。大型海藻基生物炭中PAHs以2环和3环为主,4环PA...     

酸碱预处理对西瓜皮微波水热炭化产物特性的影响

为了探究预处理下西瓜皮微波水热(microwavehydrothermal,MHT)温度对炭化产物资源化的影响,该研究对其干燥处理、酸处理和碱处理后进行不同MHT温度试验,分析炭化产物的特性及其可能的应用。结果表明,在MHT温度为130～190℃之间,碱处理在MHT温度为170℃所得水热炭的产率最高达86.01%,明显高于干燥处理和酸处理对应产率(P0.05)。然而,其热值小于17 MJ/kg,不具有作为燃料的潜力。干燥处理和酸处理不仅能获得符合标煤的水热炭,而且能够得到高附加值的5-羟甲基糠醛(5-hydroxymethylfurfural,HMF)和糠醛(furfural,FF)。对比干燥处理产物情况,酸处理能够在MHT温度为130℃时得到3.3%的HMF产率以及在150℃下得到相同产率的FF。经济性分析表明在MHT温度为130℃下酸处理1 t新鲜西瓜皮可得炭化产物的价值约为6 607元,且工艺能耗仅为66元/t。该研究结果可为预处理下西瓜皮资源化转化以及MHT工艺的实际应用提供参考。     

生物炭Mg/Al-LDHs复合材料对磷的吸附特性及机理

为有效控制水体富营养化和实现农业废弃物资源化利用,以生物炭作为类水滑石(Layered Double Hydroxide,LDHs)的载体,采用共沉淀法制备出生物炭镁铝水滑石复合材料(Mg/Al-LDHs@BC),并研究其对水中磷酸盐的吸附特性。采用X射线衍射、扫描电子显微镜、Zeta电位仪、傅立叶红外光谱仪和X射线光电子能谱对其进行表征。结果表明,花瓣状Mg/Al-LDHs成功负载到生物炭表面上。Mg/Al-LDHs@BC对磷酸盐的吸附动力学过程更符合准二级动力学模型,等温吸附过程更适合Langmuir模型来描述,拟合得到的最大吸附量达71.37 mg/g,高于Mg/Al-LDHs,同时较生物炭提升约9倍。Mg/Al-LDHs@BC的零点电荷为5.39,在酸性条件下对磷酸盐的吸附性能优于碱性条件。Cl^-和NO₃^-对Mg/Al-LDHs@BC吸附磷酸盐干扰较小,吸附量仅分别下降3.66和5.93 mg/g;CO₃^2-和SO₄^2-对其干扰较大,吸附量分别下降了19.64和15.93 mg/g。Mg/Al-LDHs@BC对磷酸盐的吸附机理主要涉及阴离子交换、静电吸引和配体交换。研究结果可为农业废弃物资源化利用及水体富营养化防治提供理论依据。     

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.     

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.     

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.