低屋面横向通风牛舍空气流场CFD模拟

低屋面横向通风(low profile cross ventilated,LPCV)牛舍作为中国大型奶牛场一种新的牛舍建筑形式近年来得到了广泛应用,但实际运行中存在舍内气流分布不均匀、夏季高温高湿、冬季低温高湿等环境控制技术瓶颈。为了研究LPCV牛舍空气流场的分布规律,以指导该种牛舍的改进和优化设计,该文在现场实测的基础上,采用计算流体动力学CFD(computational fluid dynamics)方法,根据现场和实验室实测值所确定的风机、湿帘等边界条件,对LPCV牛舍的气流分布进行了三维数值模拟。模拟时将牛只按与实物原型等比例引入到模型中。模拟结果表明:挡风板和颈枷下面矮墙的设置影响了舍内气流分布的均匀性。在既有牛舍挡风板设置和矮墙高度不能改变的情况下对牛舍进行了局部改造,改造后舍内气流分布得到明显改善,平均风速增加了52.8%,气流不均匀性指标降低了41.8%。模拟值与实测值的对比表明,28个测点测试值与模拟值平均相对误差的平均值为17.1%,说明现场实测与数值模拟有较好的吻合度。该研究可为中国LPCV牛舍结构优化设计和环境调控提供参考。     

夏季肉牛舍湿帘风机纵向通风系统的环境CFD模拟

为了研究湿帘风机纵向通风系统应用于肉牛舍的夏季降温效果,该试验在现场环境指标实测的基础上,采用计算流体力学(computational fluid dynamics,CFD)的方法对湿帘风机纵向通风肉牛舍的气流场与温度场进行模拟,并对系统进行改进与优化.模拟时将牛只按与实物原型等比例引入到模型中,结果表明:舍内温度分布均匀,但受牛体挡风的影响,气流分布不均,高风速区主要集中在屋顶及饲喂走道,可达0.9～1.2 m/s;牛活动区域风速较小,均小于0.6 m/s,不能满足饲养标准.在75个风速测定点剔除异常值后,气流场的相对误差范围为0.16％～94.41％,平均相对误差为34.53％,45个温度测点的相对误差范围为0.09％～10.74％,平均相对误差4.71％.通过温度场吻合性结果确定模拟与实测有较好的吻合度.在不改变牛舍围护结构及舍内构造的前提下,对牛舍进行优化,舍内安装导流板,使得温度与气流场的分布均匀性显著提高,降温效果更为显著.该研究可为湿帘风机牛舍的优化设计和环境调控提供参考.     

吊顶对湿帘风机纵向通风牛舍环境及牛生理的影响研究

为了改善湿帘风机纵向通风系统应用于肉牛舍的降温效果和气流分布的均匀性,同时提高肉牛活动区的风速,该试验在实测的基础上,采用流体力学(computational fluid dynamics,CFD)的方法对安装吊顶的湿帘风机纵向通风肉牛舍的气流场进行模拟。模拟时将牛只按与实物原型等比例引入到模型中,经吻合性验证,风速的平均相对误差,Y=0.7m截面为27%,Y=1.2 m截面为14%,Y=1.7 m截面为13%,认为模型有效。结果表明:安装吊顶后,舍内的气流分布均匀,肉牛活动区域风速适宜,可为肉牛提供更为适宜的饲养环境。舍内Y=0.7 m截面的平均风速为0.75 m/s,Y=1.2 m截面的平均风速为0.88 m/s,Y=1.7 m截面的平均风速为1.00 m/s。未安装吊顶的牛舍,舍外平均温度(35.0±2.7)℃条件下,0.7 m高度处平均温度(30.0±0.7)℃,1.2 m高度处平均温度(30.1±0.8)℃,较舍外平均降温14%;安装吊顶的牛舍,舍外平均温度(37.2±2.1℃)℃条件下,0.7 m高度处平均温度(31.1±0.7)℃,1.2 m高度处平均温度(31.1±0.7)℃,较舍外平均降温16%,说明安装吊顶后降温效果显著。安装吊顶后,舍内平均相对湿度80.9%,有害气体浓度均在饲养标准范围内;呼吸频率为36次/min,平均等温指数(equivalent temperature index,ETI)为23.96,均未达到热应激水平。     

挡风板对低屋面横向通风牛舍内空气流场影响的PIV测试

低屋面横向通风(low profile cross ventilated,LPCV)牛舍内的空气流场由于受到舍内建筑设施的影响而分布不均匀。为了研究舍内挡风板、矮墙、入口风速、奶牛等对舍内气流的影响,分析目前LPCV牛舍内气流分布不均匀的原因,该文按模型/原型=1/15的比例制作了LPCV牛舍和奶牛的模型。计算结果表明原型牛舍在正常通风情况下的雷诺数为4.92×10~5,只要模型入口风速大于2.56 m/s,欧拉数不再随着雷诺数的增加而改变,此时空气流动已经进入自动模拟区,根据近似模型法理论,原型和模型中的气体流动已经进入了自动模拟区,两者的气体流动是相似的。根据挡风板、矮墙的设置情况、不同的入口风速等设计了6种不同工况,采用粒子图像测速(particle image velocimetry,PIV)技术分别对模型内6种工况下的空气流场进行测试。结果表明:LPCV牛舍内挡风板和矮墙的同时设置是造成舍内空气流向发生偏转的根本原因,挡风板和矮墙单独设置时都不会造成舍内气流分布的不均匀,但挡风板能够增加舍内下方奶牛活动区域的气流速度。舍内奶牛的存在和入口风速的大小都不会对舍内气流的分布造成影响。该研究可为LPCV牛舍内挡风板优化设置提供参考。     

蛋鸡舍热湿环境参数全年逐时动态预测模型

准确预测蛋鸡舍内温度和相对湿度参数动态变化是精准调控舍内热湿环境的重要条件。然而,现有预测模型通常未能考虑湿帘降温效率的变化及其对舍内热湿环境的影响。针对此问题,该研究通过分析湿帘降温效率变化规律和舍内热、湿平衡关系,构建了蛋鸡舍内温、湿度全年逐时动态变化预测模型,并进行了现场验证、案例展示和讨论分析。结果表明:1)蛋鸡舍内温、湿度模拟值与实测值变化趋势一致,舍内温度的平均预测误差为0.67℃,舍内相对湿度的平均预测误差为3.1%;2)因围护结构热惰性而引起蛋鸡舍内温度的延迟(夏季无延迟,冬季1 h)和衰减(夏季0.3℃,冬季1.02℃)均较小;3)若不考虑湿帘降温效率的动态变化,如设为80%定值时,模拟的温度误差为1.4℃,相对湿度误差为5.4%,模型预测精准度降低。该研究可为蛋鸡舍建筑设计与热湿环境调控提供理论指导,以提高蛋鸡生产性能。     

加装大风量风机对夏季湿帘降温奶牛舍的防暑降温效果分析

低屋面横向通风(Low Profile Cross Ventilated,LPCV)牛舍在华北地区应用,引发高温高湿问题。为解决此问题,该研究选择石家庄某奶牛场的2栋不同尺寸的LPCV牛舍,加装数量不同的轴流风机。结果表明:轴流风机的工作效率受牛舍跨度以及其安装位置的影响,30m跨度牛舍运行更稳定,风速不均匀系数小于0.20;在74m跨度牛舍,南侧湿帘端的风机工作效率更高。舍内环境与奶牛生理指标评价表明:30m跨度舍加装轴流风机后,过帘风速为2.17±0.20 m/s,提升45.6%,舍内卧栏处风速为1.95±0.85 m/s、提升10.8%,进风量增加418 339.09 m3/h,舍内平均温度为27.7±1.9℃,相对湿度下降9.2%、平均值为(75.9±6.6)%。74 m跨度舍过帘风速为1.96±0.20 m/s,卧栏处平均风速为1.62±0.91 m/s,进风量为1 008 568.80 m3/h,平均温度为27.7±1.8℃,舍内平均相对湿度为(74.6±5.8)%;二栋牛舍内平均温度、相对湿度、奶牛呼吸频率与皮肤温度在加装轴流风机后无显著性差异(P0.05)。综上,加装轴流风机可以显著改善舍内环境,并创造有利于奶牛生存的环境。     

层叠式笼养肉鸭舍冬季环境测试及通风窗位置优化模拟

肉鸭产业规模化程度越来越高、空间集聚日益明显,层叠式笼养是发展最为迅速的立体养殖模式。该文对层叠式笼养鸭舍内的温湿度、气流、CO_2及NH_3质量浓度进行测试,构建了鸭舍的CFD模型,开展温度场和气流场的环境模拟,并提出现有鸭舍气流组织形式的优化方案。研究结果表明,测试期间(2018-12-18 00:00-2018-12-22 00:00),鸭舍内气温11.35～20.68℃,舍内外平均温差10.86℃;舍内平均相对湿度70.27%,略高于舍外;舍内CO_2、NH_3平均质量浓度分别为3285、0.33 mg/m~3。模拟原有鸭舍的温度场和气流场,与实测结果进行对比,平均相对误差为6.59%～8.87%,说明该文所建模型的数值模拟与试验数据具有很好的一致性。进一步通过降低一侧通风小窗的高度来优化鸭舍的气流组织,模拟发现优化后模型的舍内温度范围为11.07～19.71℃,其温度波动范围较原模型有明显减小,降低了肉鸭对温度的应激效应;优化后模型北侧第1列底层、第3列中层、第5列上层的平均风速分别为0.34、0.34、0.31 m/s,较原模型更加均匀。通过该研究,可为同类型鸭舍合理规划设计与改善舍内环境质量提供理论依据。     

公猪舍夏季温度和流场数值CFD模拟及验证

为研究夏季全漏缝地板公猪舍湿帘风机蒸发降温效果及舍内环境分布规律,该文利用计算流体力学CFD(computational fluid dynamics)对北京养猪育种中心SPF(Specific Pathogen Free Swine)公猪舍进行模拟研究并通过实测数据进行验证。研究中将漏缝地板作为多孔介质简化,基于标准k-?湍流模型对空载及装猪猪舍内的风速场和温度场进行模拟,通过模拟值与实测值的对比验证模型的合理性。结果表明采用该模型模拟空载时猪舍,风速场模拟值与实测值误差较小,相对误差范围在0.25%~30.8%。模拟温度与实测温度最大绝对误差为0.48 K,平均绝对误差为0.11 K,平均相对误差为0.5%。模拟装猪时的猪舍,温度分布结构与装猪前相似,但整体温度略有上升。该研究可对当前常用的含漏缝地板猪舍建模研究提供参考,并为畜禽舍内改造和建筑实践提供理论依据。     

规模化猪场妊娠母猪舍改进湿帘降温系统的环境特性

为研究湿帘与地道结合的改进湿帘降温系统对妊娠母猪舍的环境特性,该研究采取现场测试的方法,选取河南地区某规模化母猪场妊娠舍为试验猪舍,对该猪舍夏季和冬季舍内热环境和空气质量环境进行测试和分析,结果表明：1）改进湿帘降温系统夏季对新风的平均降温功率增加了?84.4 kW,提高了25%的降温效果;冬季对新风的平均加热功率增加了121.6 kW且舍内无需供暖,87%以上的节能效果发生在地下风道前半程。2）试验猪舍舍内温湿度、风速分布均匀,且舍内温度波动低于3.7 ℃;综合猪舍母猪体感有效温度和呼吸频率等应激程度指标,母猪冬季处于舒适状态,夏季有轻度热应激状态现象。3）夏季和冬季舍内氨气（NH3）、二氧化碳（CO2）、和粉尘（PM2.5和PM10）的质量浓度分布均匀,且均小于国家标准规定的妊娠舍空气污染物浓度极限水平。综上所述,改进湿帘降温系统不仅降低妊娠母猪舍热环境调控的能耗并维持舍内空气质量环境良好,对建立环境友好型规模化母猪场具有积极意义。     

集中通风式分娩母猪舍温湿度数值模拟与试验验证

为研究集中通风式猪舍温湿度场的分布规律,利用计算流体力学技术,对云南省某规模猪场的地沟进风、中央排风式分娩母猪舍进行温湿度场耦合模拟研究,并通过试验进行验证。本研究采用四面体非结构网格进行网格划分,运用重整化群RNGk-ε湍流模型进行稳态模拟,通过实测值与模拟值的对比,对模型进行验证。研究结果表明,温度模拟值与实测值最大差值不超过4℃,平均相对误差为6.5%;相对湿度模拟值与实测值最大差值不超过10%RH,平均相对误差为7.3%,验证了模型的准确性。温度、相对湿度和风速在垂直高度上的分布差异较大,温度随着垂直高度的增加而增加,且温度梯度逐渐增大;相对湿度随着垂直高度的增加而减小;而风速则随着垂直高度的增加而逐渐减小。本研究揭示了集中通风式分娩母猪舍的温湿度场分布规律,并为分娩舍温湿度场的优化提供参考。     

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.