沧州渤海新区土地利用总体规划实施的生态效应评估

[目的]定量分析土地利用总体规划实施过程对生态环境的影响,预防或减轻规划实施过程中产生的不良环境影响.[方法]以河北省沧州市渤海新区为研究区,以土地利用规划数据和2009—2013年土地利用现状数据为基础,采用生态系统服务价值评估方法、敏感性指数、灰色预测模型,分析研究区2009—2013年土地利用及其生态系统服务价值的变化,预测2015和2020年生态系统服务价值,并与规划目标进行比较。[结果](1)2009—2013年,研究区建设用地增加量已经超过规划期建设用地的增加总量,生态系统服务价值减少了1.11×107元,说明规划实施过程中过于重视经济效益,而忽视了生态效益;(2)预测结果显示,到2020年生态系统服务价值减少7.08×10~7元,规划实施过程中,研究区生态系统服务功能在逐渐减弱。[结论]当地政府应高度重视规划实施过程中生态环境退化的问题,并采取积极有效的措施,促进经济建设与生态环境保护协调发展。     

基于改进价值当量因子的1992-2015年青藏高原生态系统服务价值演化分析

[目的]基于改进的单位面积生态服务价值基础当量表和土地覆被数据集,评估青藏高原1992—2015年生态系统服务价值演化,为青藏高原生态安全保障提供空间指引。[方法]借助改进的单位面积生态服务价值基础当量表,结合CCI-LC长时间序列土地覆被产品评估生态系统服务价值。[结果]①1992—2015年青藏高原生态系统服务价值有所提高,24 a间增加了1.62×10~(11)元,且不同生态系统类型的服务价值呈现:草地水域森林湿地农田荒漠的特征;②生态系统调节服务价值量最高,2015年高达5.53×10~(12)元,支持服务和供给服务其次分别为1.33×10~(12)元和5.50×10~(11)元,文化服务价值最低为2.90×10~(11)元;③生态系统服务价值受高程和坡度的影响,在不同的高程和坡度下生态系统服务价值都是先增加后减少,4 000～5 000 m高程范围内和5°～15°坡度范围内的价值量最高。[结论] 1992—2015年青藏高原生态系统服务总价值得到提高,不同的生态系统以及生态系统服务类型的价值量差异大,地形条件对生态系统服务价值有所影响。     

1980—2020年汾河流域生态系统服务价值的时空变化

[目的]分析1980—2020年汾河流域生态系统服务价值时空变化特征,为该流域生态环境的科学调控和管理提供理论参考。[方法]利用汾河流域1980—2020年5期Landsat-MSS/TM/ETM遥感影像解译数据研究了流域土地利用变化特征,并估算了生态系统服务价值。[结果] 1980—2020汾河流域土地利用中耕地、林地和草地一直处于主导地位,土地利用整体变化表现为耕地向建设用地转移;土地利用动态度表明2000—2020年土地变化明显高于1980—2000年。1980—2020年汾河流域土地利用总生态服务价值持续减少,空间分布整体上呈上游高,中下游低的趋势。从不同功能价值来看,调节和支持服务减少最多。不同土地利用程度与ESVI双变量LISA聚集图呈现出明显的空间负相关性,主要以汾河上游的低土地利用程度与高ESVI聚集分布为主。[结论] 1980—2020年汾河流域土地利用/覆被变化对生态服务价值有较大影响。可以通过提高土地集约利用水平,促进该区土地利用结构向高生态服务价值发展。     

山东省土地利用变化及其对生态系统服务价值的影响

[目的]对山东省土地利用变化及其对生态系统服务价值产生的影响进行分析,为区域环境保护和粮食安全提供保障。[方法]运用GIS技术获取山东省1995,2005,2015年土地利用类型数据,结合相关评价模型,对研究区生态服务价值的时空动态演变及其特征进行剖析。[结果](1)山东省土地利用类型主要以耕地为主,1995—2015年,耕地、林地、草地以及未利用地面积减少,建设用地和水域面积持续增加,建设用地的扩张主要由耕地转变而来;(2)1995—2015年,研究区内生态系统服务总价值共减少6.62×109元,变化率为-2.07%。20a间,水文调节的生态服务价值增加迅速,其他单项生态服务价值均呈现为减少的态势;从空间上来看,生态系统服务价值差异较大,表现为鲁东、鲁南地区高,鲁中和鲁西北地区低的空间分布格局,生态增值区范围较小,生态减值区广泛分布且面积增大。(3)山东省生态系统服务价值缺乏弹性,所采用的生态价值系数是可靠的。[结论]今后应着力优化土地利用结构和布局,通过规划等措施综合调控土地利用变化,从而促进山东省生态环境的稳定发展。     

重点生态功能区生态系统服务价值变化及预测

[目的]对重点生态功能区(都江堰市)生态系统服务价值功能特征和变化趋势进行分析和预测,为该区域环境保护与合理城市开发目标的制定提供科学依据。[方法]以都江堰市1995,2007,2014年3期Landsat遥感影像解译的土地覆被数据为基础,使用Costanza的生态系统服务价值计算方法,谢高地2002版价值当量,经当量修正,敏感度指数检验后,评估都江堰市19a间生态系统服务价值及其变化。运用灰色GM(1,1)模型预测其变化趋势。[结果](1)研究区土地覆被类型以森林、农田为主(共80%以上)。1995—2014年研究区土地覆被变化较大,生态用地减少。(2)1995—2014年研究区生态系统服务价值下降629.46万元。森林是研究区生态服务价值最大的系统(占83%以上),其次为农田、水体、草甸、未利用地。水源涵养、废气处理是都江堰市最突出的两项生态服务(共56%以上)。(3)利用灰色GM(1,1)模型预测了研究区2021—2035年土地覆被面积,结合精度检验预测此阶段生态系统服务价值将增加136.6万元,年均增长0.17%。[结论]区域生态系统服务价值减少的主要原因是以交通为代表的建设用地增加,导致生态服务价值系数较高的生态用地减少,而增加森林、水体等有较高生态价值的土地覆被类型是维持与提高区域生态功能的有效措施。     

基于CLUE-S模型的南四湖流域土地利用及其生态效应评估

[目的]分析南四湖流域土地利用变化的生态效应并探讨其动态演变特征,为流域土地资源的合理开发利用和生态系统的保护提供参考。[方法]基于南四湖流域2000至2015年土地利用数据,利用生态系统服务价值核算模型及CLUE-S模型对南四湖流域的生态服务价值及其动态演变特征进行计算和分析。[结果]2000—2015年南四湖流域耕地、草地和未利用地面积减少,林地、水域/湿地和城乡建设用地面积增加,南四湖流域整体生态系统服务价值增加了9.10亿元,但粮食生产、气体调节和保持土壤等生态功能分别下降了0.85%,0.85%和1.29%,生态问题依旧存在,生态系统服务价值分布不均匀,生态减值区的分布范围大于生态增值区。2030年流域内生态系统服务价值略微增加,而粮食生产、气体调节和保持土壤等单项生态系统服务功能继续下降,生态价值极低区以城市为中心向四周扩张,生态增值区范围缩小。[结论]虽然研究区内生态系统服务价值呈上升趋势,但生态价值分布不平衡,生态服务功能有升有降,因此有必要制定相应的措施,来控制土地利用类型的转换,平衡流域内的生态环境。     

秦岭北麓城市新兴开发区生态系统服务价值变化

[目的]选取秦岭北麓典型城市区域陕西省西安市浐灞生态区为研究对象,从景观格局变化、生态服务价值两方面分析城市新区建设及可持续性,以期为城市生态建设提供决策参考。[方法]以遥感数据为基础,对研究区土地利用类型和景观格局进行定量分析,研究城市新区尺度下的景观生态系统和生态服务价值变化特征。[结果](1)2004—2014年,浐灞生态区城乡转换特征明显,农业景观比重显著降低,建设用地景观增幅达88.2%,生态景观增幅高达201.5%以上,区域"生态含量"明显提高。(2)生态服务价值以农田、绿地和水体景观变化较为明显,其中农田生态服务价值损失近65%,到2014年全区85%以上的生态服务价值来自于绿地和水体景观。[结论]浐灞生态区10a间生态用地动态变化强烈且持续,城市生态服务价值增加明显,反映该区在保障城市化建设的同时,有效且显著提高了环境质量,其生态建设政策有利于区域生态系统的建设和发展。     

资源型城市土地利用变化对生态系统服务价值的影响——以安徽省淮南市为例

[目的]以安徽省淮南市为例,探讨资源型城市土地利用变化对生态系统服务价值的影响,为该市生态、经济、生态环境保护以及今后进行城市开发建设和农业发展提供科学参考。[方法]基于土地利用变化和生态系统服务价值评估的相关理论和方法,运用GIS软件,分析淮南市2000和2010年土地利用变化,并计算淮南市生态系统服务价值,研究土地利用变化对生态系统服务价值的影响。[结果]2000—2010年淮南市土地利用变化较大,主要土地类型以耕地、居民地及工矿用地和水域为主。土地利用结构发生变化,出现耕地、林地减少,水域、居民地及工矿用地、草地增加的现象。研究区生态系统服务价值总量呈减少的趋势,从2000年的11.72亿元减少到2010年的11.33亿元,减幅达3.33%。单位面积生态系统服务价值的分布变化也与研究区土地利用变化紧密相关,居民地及工矿用地的增加是造成生态系统服务价值减少的最主要原因。生态系统服务价值对生态价值系数的敏感性指数均小于1,说明研究区内的生态系统服务价值缺乏弹性,研究结果是可信的。[结论]淮南市应高度重视土地利用变化对生态系统服务价值的影响,优化调整土地利用结构,注重增加生态用地,稳步提升区域生态系统服务价值。     

长江三角洲生态系统服务价值分析及趋势预测

[目的]对长江三角洲生态系统服务价值进行分析及趋势预测,以期为该区未来城市发展以及制定生态环境建设补偿政策提供支持。[结果]以长江三角洲16个地市2000—2014年的土地利用数据和相关统计资料为数据源,采用Costanza生态系统服务价值计算方法,参照修正后的生态系统单位面积生态服务价值系数,结合敏感性分析,探讨生态系统服务价值的时空演化规律,并利用马尔科夫模型对其未来3a的发展趋势进行了预测分析。[结果]区域生态系统总服务价值从2000年的1 303.89亿元减少到2014年的1 294.25亿元,变化率为-0.74%,水源涵养、废物处理和娱乐文化生态系统服务功能价值上升;在空间上,常州、南京、宁波、泰州、台州、扬州的生态系统服务价值不断增加,而其他城市的则处于下降趋势;对长江三角洲2015和2017年的土地利用构成和生态系统服务价值进行预测,呈现耕地、林地持续减少,建设用地持续增加的趋势,生态系统总服务价值将减少276.65亿元。[结论]在未来土地调整中应更多地考虑到生态服务价值的重要意义,格外注意对耕地、水域的保护,控制建设用地占用耕地和林地,继续加大植树造林力度,提高土地利用集约度,维持生态系统的功能。     

干旱区县域土地覆被变化特征及其生态环境效应——以内蒙古自治区翁牛特旗为例

[目的]研究翁牛特旗的土地利用变化特征及其生态环境效应,为该地区生态环境重建提供支持。[方法]选取2006及2015年8月Landsat卫星影像,通过ENVI 5.1提取出翁牛特旗土地利用数据,进而利用土地利用动态度、土地利用类型的空间转移矩阵,以及生物丰度指数、生态系统服务价值和敏感性指数,分别对翁牛特旗土地利用结构的时空演化特征和生态环境效应进行分析。[结果](1)翁牛特旗主要土地利用类型为耕地、林地、草地和沙地,近10a来该旗的土地利用变化呈现为耕地、草地、建设用地增加,林地、沙地和水体面积减少的态势。(2)10a间生物丰度指数从2006年的43.47下降为2015年的42.69,降低1.79%,表明区域的生物量减少,不利于生物多样性发展;生态系统服务总价值从2006年的102.31亿元下降至2015年的98.47亿元,减少了3.84亿元,下降了3.75%,生态环境基本维持着平衡,总体上呈现出微弱的退化。(3)各种土地利用类型的敏感性指数(CS)均小于1,表明研究区生态系统服务价值对于生态服务价值系数不敏感、缺乏弹性。[结论]研究区林地、水体面积的减少,建设用地面积的增加是生态系统服务总价值减少的主要原因。研究区土地利用变化引起的生态系统服务价值和生物丰度的减少,加剧了当地生态环境的脆弱性。     

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.