农业绿色发展系统研究思路与定量方法

农业绿色发展研究是融合多学科知识,以食物系统为研究对象,重点剖析系统内不同单元间关联和互馈关系,进而阐明粮食安全、国民健康、资源节约、环境保护等目标的协调机制,探索全产业链技术途径,并致力于协同实现农业"绿色"和"发展"的科学。传统研究方法往往忽视对农业绿色发展的系统思考和定量分析,无法统筹农业绿色发展的各环节和协调多类目标的实现。在本研究中,我们首先基于系统研究的思路,明确了"土壤-作物生产-畜牧业生产-食品加工-家庭消费—环境"整个食物系统是农业绿色发展系统研究边界;其次,结合农业绿色发展全链条和多尺度特性,提出并论述了"自上而下"和"自下而上"的定量研究思路;随后,以上述两方面研究思考为基础,构建了由1个核心模型[食物系统养分流动模型(NUFER)]、3个定量分析模块(水、大气和土地利用分析模块)和1个指标关联模块[耦合驱动力-压力-状态-影响-响应概念框架(DPSIR)、可持续发展指标体系(SDGs)和星球边界理论框架(PBs)]组成的农业绿色发展系统分析耦合模型(NUFER-AGD);最后,梳理了农业绿色发展定量研究的案例。案例研究通过多指标关联分析和指标评价,协同国家农业绿色发展的总体目标;在流域尺度以绿色环境与资源阈值为约束,定量设计农业绿色发展系统解决方案;系统分析全产业链农业绿色发展的技术实现路径。该研究不仅能为农业绿色发展理论和应用研究提供系统思路和定量方法,还可为国家农业绿色发展战略提供科学支撑。     

论乡村振兴战略背景下农业工程科技创新

为适应乡村振兴战略的任务需求,推进农业工程科技创新,该文阐述了乡村振兴战略的基本内涵,总结了近年来农业工程科技创新对农业农村经济发展的促进作用,主要表现在农业机械化工程提高生产效率;农业水土工程实现旱涝保收和生态环境改善;土地利用工程增加和优化耕地资源提高生产能力;农产品加工与贮藏工程促进一二三产业融合发展;农村能源工程促进绿色发展;农业资源循环利用工程促进农业可持续发展;农业建筑与生物环境工程提高劳动生产率和资源利用率;农业农村信息化工程促进精准农业和智慧农业发展;农业农村规划设计科学谋划"三农"发展。该文重点从乡村振兴中的产业振兴、生态振兴和人才振兴三个方面,分析了农业工程科技创新面临的新课题,提出了新时期农业工程科技创新以及人才培养的主要任务,包括树立系统思维,强化统筹和集成作用,综合集成农业工程理论、方法、技术和装备,提供整体、全面、有效的解决方案;聚焦提质增效,促进农业转型升级,推出一批关键工程技术和装备;强化循环发展理念,促进生产生活生态相融合,优化农业农村空间结构和产业布局,提供种养循环化、投入品减量化、生产清洁化、废弃物资源化、模式生态化的产业发展和工程解决方案;提高信息化应用和创新水平,促进数字农业和农村信息化发展,创制一批智能感知、智能作业、智能服务的产品;突出城乡融合、一二三产业融合、功能融合、产村融合、农业与互联网融合、要素融合和协作融合,做好乡村振兴规划;加强学科建设,开设急需专业,培养一批农业农村现代化急需的农业工程技术人才,为乡村振兴战略实施提供有力支撑和高效服务。     

中国农业绿色发展指标体系的构建与例证

构建指标体系是开展不同尺度农业绿色发展定量分析的基础,可为农业绿色发展的度量评价、系统设计和实现路径探索等科学研究提供方法支撑。本文立足农业和整个食物"生产-加工-消费"系统,以农业绿色发展的科学内涵和实现目标为导向,围绕社会、经济和生态环境3个维度,以"食物生产-加工-消费"全链条为边界,构建了1套适合开展定量研究和评价中国农业绿色发展的指标体系。在收集统计数据和文献资料、计算社会和经济类指标的基础上,引入食物链养分流动模型(NUtrientflowsinFoodchains,Environmente and Resources use, NUFER),实现了对生产、资源与环境类指标的定量计算;此外,本研究还确立了指标选取原则、计算过程和分级标准等。基于该指标体系,采用"自上而下"的研究思路,从全国尺度,通过定量分析氮素,描述了中国农业绿色发展的总体特征,揭示了存在的问题,并探讨了未来的优化策略;从省域尺度,解析了海南省热带岛屿农业绿色发展的特色问题;从县域尺度,分析了河北省各县域农业发展的现状及资源环境代价,为农业绿色发展提供科学支撑和依据;通过对标分析剖析了中国奶业产业发展的差距,探讨了产业挖潜的路径。上述实证研究表明,利用本研究建立的农业绿色发展指标体系与分析模型,能够定量解析不同尺度的农业绿色发展水平和特征,进行农业绿色发展的资源环境代价定量分析;通过对标分析明确产业发展的差距,阐明产业绿色发展的瓶颈问题和限制因素,进而挖掘产业绿色发展的潜力。此外,该指标体系还可用于系统设计农业绿色发展实现路径的研究,为区域农业绿色发展关键技术的开发以及相关政策的制定提供科学支撑。     

丹江口水源涵养区绿色高效农业技术创新集成与示范——模式设计、技术集成与机制创新

2017年5月,中国农业科学院科技创新工程协同创新任务"丹江口水源涵养区绿色高效农业技术创新集成与示范"正式启动。项目在农业绿色高效生产、种养耦合、生态循环、面源污染控制、多功能田园生态系统构建等方面开展协同创新。按照单一技术规范化、复合技术集成化、体系技术系统化的思路,任务创新集成水源涵养区生物多样性利用与农业种植结构调整、主要农产品全产业链绿色高效生产、种养循环新模式、生态型高效设施农业、农村生活污染物控制等环节的十大关键技术,总结形成一套水源涵养区绿色高效农业全域综合性的技术解决方案,可为其他同类地区提供可复制、可推广的经验、模式和示范样板,为保障南水北调水质安全,推动水源涵养区农业绿色发展、农民增收及区域脱贫攻坚提供有效的科技支撑。     

我国农业生态环境领域突出问题与未来科技创新的思考

农业生态环境对促进社会和经济可持续发展具有重要的现实意义。本文针对当前我国农业生态环境领域存在的局部污染形势严峻、生态资源利用率较低、环境污染纵深治理需求增大、生态环境功能开发严重滞后以及生态环境保护的科技支撑力不足等五个方面的问题进行分析,总结了农业面源和重金属污染综合防控与修复技术研发重点专项科技创新的重要进展,并梳理了未来科技创新发展需求,从污染防治、绿色生产、生态保育等方面,在科技创新领域重点方向提出相关建议,以期为我国近期农业生态环境领域科技创新工作提供参考。     

生态无人农场模式探索及发展展望

中国的农业生产建立在过量农药化肥投入的基础上,导致农田生态环境失衡,不利于农业的可持续发展,同时,农业劳动力短缺问题日益凸显,寻求一种生态化、高效化、智慧化的农业模式势在必行。基于多年的实践与探索,该文作者团队在山东淄博落地建成了中国首个生态无人农场,提出了"生态无人农场"的模式与发展理念。文章总结出农药、化肥和土壤耕作制度对农田生态系统造成的不利影响最为明显,提出通过一系列无人化作业手段与模式对农田生态系统进行生态化管理与改造,来实现农业生产的可持续发展。在此基础上,通过天空地一体化农情信息获取、地空一体化无人机群协同作业以及构建能够完全自主决策的智慧云大脑的技术集成创新模式,来实现农田信息的自动采集和处理、科学决策以及无人农机的远程控制等功能。文章对生态无人农场关键技术与模式进行了总结论述,提出了生态无人农场模式的实施内涵,以期为未来农业、智慧农业的发展以及推进农业农村现代化高质量发展提供借鉴。     

农业工程科技创新推进农业绿色发展

农业绿色发展是农业发展观的一场深刻革命。该文全面论述了农业工程科技创新对农业绿色发展的重要作用,深入分析了中国在农业资源利用、产地环境治理、生态系统保育和农产品绿色供给等方面取得的成效和存在的问题。提出了围绕农业绿色发展,农业资源监测、水土资源利用、农业投入品使用、农业机械化和农业废弃物资源利用等农业工程科技创新的前沿进展和主攻方向。从强化农业绿色发展理念、建立技术创新与推广体系、完善标准体系和加强政策支持4个方面提出了政策建议。该文可为农业绿色发展背景下农业工程科技研发提供重要的指导和参考。     

利用适用技术促进河源农业共生共赢可持续发展

适用技术是一种从实际情况出发,把技术、经济、社会和环境目标整合起来进行技术选择的理论。农业是"广东绿谷"河源的重要产业,必须实现可持续发展;农业应该在适用技术理论指导下转型升级、融合共生。通过访谈农电商代表企业与国家农业示范区,发现在适用技术理论基础上,通过共生共赢实现农业可持续发展的路径。针对河源农业的实际情况,结合成功实现农业共生共赢可持续发展的案例,在适用技术理论指导下提出河源农业可持续发展的对策:(1)不盲目追求"高精尖"技术,不盲目追求短平快经济效益;(2)在保护本土自然资源的基础上,有效运用适用技术推动农业产业化、生态化、标准化、可追溯化及服务化;(3)平衡政府、企业和农民三者之间的共赢利益,打造河源生态农业品牌,实现经济共生共赢可持续的"绿富"发展。     

中国农业绿色发展指标体系构建及其"十四五"趋势预判

构建农业绿色发展评价指标体系有利于定量评价中国农业绿色发展水平,为实现路径探索、政策制定等提供有益参考。基于此,该研究在充分理解农业绿色发展科学内涵的基础上,综合考量系统性、数据可得性等原则,构建了中国农业绿色发展评价指标体系。而后应用熵值法、主成分分析法和层次分析法等分别计算各指标权重值,同时基于组合赋权法求出各指标最终综合权重值,对2007-2019年中国农业绿色发展水平进行评价。在此基础上,应用灰色Verhulst模型预测"十四五"时期的发展趋势。研究结果显示：2007-2019年中国农业绿色发展水平总体上呈稳步上升趋势且逐渐迈向绿色发展路径;"十四五"中国农业绿色发展将进入快车道,农业绿色发展综合指数将达到77.9,比2019年提高了11.67%;"资源节约与高效利用"与"政策支持与科技支撑"指标是影响中国农业绿色发展的重要指标。因此,各级政府应将其作为后续施政重点,以稳步推进农业高质量绿色发展,助力农业现代化进程。     

浅议构建生态经济型绿色朝阳的发展战略

朝阳是个"七山一水二分田"的丘陵地区,生态环境极其脆弱。自20世纪80年代以来,以"三北"防护林建设为基础,建立起绿色屏障;以"退耕还林"工程为重点,增加了绿色面积;以天然林保护为依托,实现持续发展;以"中德合作"项目为契机,促进了生态建设。生态环境建设是一项多学科交错、因子多舛的系统工程,只有政府做后盾,政策做驱动,投入做保障,科技做支撑,才能调动全社会力量完成。科技发展战略:将生态建设纳入国民经济发展计划,制定相关政策法规,为生态建设保驾护航,加大科技投入及全社会参与力度,大力推广林、草、牧三元结构模式;确立由低度化技术向高度化技术转变的技术路线,提高科技水准。     

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.