种植方式对玉米不同生长期土壤微生物群落功能多样性的影响

为探讨玉米不同种植方式下土壤微生物群落功能多样性的差异,进行田间定点试验,采用Biolog方法分别研究了4行轮作、4行连作、8行轮作和8行连作的种植方式对玉米种植前、拔节期、抽穗期和收获期土壤微生物功能多样性的影响。结果表明:4种种植方式的土壤微生物均在种植前代谢活性最弱、功能多样性最低,在玉米抽穗期土壤微生物代谢活性最强,功能多样性最高。在种植玉米前,轮作的土壤微生物代谢活性和功能多样性高于连作,8行轮作和4行轮作土壤微生物的物种多样性指数分别比相应的连作高22.93%和11.42%;4行轮作的土壤微生物物种多样性指数比8行轮作低3.17%,而4行连作比8行连作高6.83%。在玉米拔节期、抽穗期及收获期连作土壤微生物功能多样性略高于轮作,且有4行连作大于8行连作的趋势,但差异均未达显著水平。种植前,4种种植模式的土壤微生物对6大类碳源的利用程度整体上都较低,降解碳水化合物类、羧酸类和聚合物类碳源的微生物是种植方式影响的主要土壤微生物类群;随着玉米的生长,土壤微生物对6大类碳源的利用都逐渐增强,玉米拔节期、抽穗期和收获期之间土壤微生物特征碳源没有较大差异,4种种植方式的土壤微生物对聚合物类碳源利用程度差异都不显著。PLS-EDA分析结果表明种植方式对土壤微生物产生较大影响,种植前8行轮作和4行连作的土壤微生物碳源利用模式具有相似性;种植玉米后4种种植方式的土壤微生物对碳源的利用模式存在较大差异,其中4行连作的土壤微生物在玉米拔节期和收获期对碳源的利用模式与其他3种种植方式差异最大。试验说明作物长期连作栽培会影响土壤微生物群落功能,降低土壤微生物物种多样性,引起土壤微生物群落结构与功能的失调。     

玉米秸秆腐解规律及土壤微生物功能多样性研究

试验以玉米长期连作和玉米—小麦轮作土壤为研究对象,采用网袋法设定秸秆覆盖和深埋2个还田处理,间隔不同时间取样,分析秸秆腐解特征及土壤微生物群落功能多样性。结果表明,针对不同土壤来说,玉米—小麦轮作土壤中2种秸秆还田方式下(T1和T2),玉米秸秆腐解速率、养分(N、P和K)释放率均高于玉米长期连作土壤(CT1和CT2);不同秸秆腐解时间下,土壤微生物群落功能多样性各处理表现不同。总的来说,T1和T2处理的微生物群落平均颜色变化率、丰富度指数、优势度指数和均匀度指数均高于CT1和CT2。在玉米长期连作种植区,秸秆深埋比秸秆覆盖能更有效提高玉米秸秆腐解率和改善土壤微生物群落结构的功能多样性。     

轮作与连作对烟田土壤微生物区系及多样性的影响

为探讨轮作与连作对烟田根际土壤微生物群落的影响,采用实验室微生物培养联合微生物高通量测序技术,分析了玉米-烤烟轮作和烟叶连作对烟株根际土壤微生物数量、群落结构及其多样性的影响。研究结果表明,轮作烟田根际土壤中可培养细菌和放线菌数量均高于连作烟田根际土壤,但真菌数量低于连作烟田。土壤高通量测序结果表明,轮作烟田根际土壤真菌和细菌群落多样性均高于连作烟田;在烟株的生长过程中,轮作和连作烟田在旺长期和成熟期微生物群落相似度降低。相较于黑胫病/根腐病/根结线虫发病率较高(36. 67%)的连作烟田来说,轮作烟田发病率较低(0%),进一步分析真菌和细菌群落结构发现,轮作烟田根际土壤中拮抗菌如Sphingomonas (鞘脂单胞菌属)、Pseudomonas (假单胞菌属)、Aspergillus (曲霉属)等相对丰度均高于连作烟田,而连作烟田根腐病病菌Pythium (腐霉属)丰度较高。     

长期有机无机配施下烤烟-玉米轮作优化土壤微生物活化无机磷

采集遵义市15年长期施肥定位试验的土壤,包括撂荒地（对照）、烤烟连作—单施化肥、烤烟连作—化肥有机肥配施、烤烟玉米轮作—单施化肥和烤烟玉米轮作—化肥有机肥配施等处理,通过土壤悬浊液与培养液混合培养技术、微生物高通量测序及常规分析,研究长期施肥对土壤无机磷活化的影响。结果表明,烤烟玉米轮作、施用有机肥和撂荒地的土壤可培养微生物（细菌、真菌、放线菌和无机磷细菌）数量增多,种群多样性增加,说明土壤生态环境改善。将土壤悬浊液接种至微生物培养液中,培养期间混合液中的有效磷含量以烤烟玉米轮作高于烤烟连作,化肥有机肥配施和撂荒地高于单施化肥,其中以烤烟玉米轮作—化肥有机肥配施最高,烤烟连作—单施化肥最低,说明合理种植和科学施肥有益于土壤无机磷的活化,在遵义烟区提倡烤烟玉米轮作—化肥有机肥配施很有必要。在混合液中,氢离子与溶解钙磷、有机酸与溶解铁磷和铝磷显著相关。与溶磷微生物的纯培养技术相比,土壤悬浊液培养既能反映微生物的溶磷特征,又更接近土壤微生物菌群复杂的溶磷状况。在供试土壤微生物中,存在柠檬酸合酶、蛋白葡萄糖脱氢酶和苹果酸合酶等的合成通路,处理间的差异可从分子生物学角度解释合理轮作和化肥有机肥配...     

保护地菜田与稻麦轮作田土壤微生物学特征的比较

比较分析了位于长江三角洲嘉兴市的三类主要水稻土(漏水型水稻土、爽水型水稻土和囊水型水稻土)由稻麦(或油菜)轮作改为多年连作露地蔬菜和大棚蔬菜后一些土壤微生物学特征的变化,以衡量土壤质量演变的趋势。结果表明,与稻麦(油)轮作土壤相比,蔬菜地土壤微生物区系发生了极大的变化,细菌数量显著减少,真菌和放线菌数量却显著增加;硝化细菌和反硝化细菌数量随土壤类型不同呈不同的变化。多年连作露地蔬菜和蔬菜大棚保护地土壤中微生物生物量碳和总磷脂(TPL)含量显著低于稻麦轮作土壤,土壤中脱氢酶活性也显著低于稻麦轮作土壤。Biolog分析表明,蔬菜大棚保护地土壤中微生物能利用的碳源显著少于露地蔬菜和稻麦轮作土壤,而后两者间无显著差异。说明由稻麦(油)轮作改为多年连作大棚蔬菜后土壤微生物群落结构、功能的多样性明显下降,土壤质量的稳定性和可持续利用性土壤的长期生产力也将大大降低。土壤微生物数量、活性及群落结构和功能多样性的下降主要与蔬菜栽培特别是大棚蔬菜栽培的旱作与稻麦水旱轮作的生态环境条件的变化和前者的过量施用精有机肥和高效NPK复合肥导致的土壤氮、磷富集、有机质下降、次生盐渍化和酸化有关。     

不同施肥措施对番茄连作土壤酚酸含量和微生物功能多样性的调节

设施内蔬菜连作土壤酚酸含量和微生物功能多样性的异常是导致连作障碍的关键因素。利用毛细管电泳及BiologECO生理学研究法研究了鸡粪(M)、鸡粪+K2SO4(MK)、鸡粪+稻草(MR)、鸡粪+稻草+K2SO4(MRK)对温室内番茄连作6年土壤中对羟基苯甲酸、苯甲酸、阿魏酸及肉桂酸及微生物功能多样性的影响,以不施肥处理为对照(CK)。结果表明:与CK相比,不同物料组合施用能够显著降低土壤中酚酸含量,其中MRK处理降低效果最明显,土壤中对羟基苯甲酸、苯甲酸分别降低7.11%~57.04%、81.84%~83.32%。不同物料组合施用提高了土壤微生物对碳源的利用强度,其中MRK处理土壤微生物对碳源利用能力最强,且微生物多样性指数最高,其Shannon和Mch Intosh多样性指数比其他处理平均提高3.93%~10.07%、6.22%~27.47%。主成分分析表明,M处理土壤的微生物功能多样性差异主要是由于氨基酸、羧酸类、聚合物或酚酸类碳源引起的,而MR处理则是由碳水化合物或胺类碳源引起。微生物多样性指数与土壤中对羟基苯甲酸、苯甲酸、阿魏酸及肉桂酸含量呈显著负相关。MRK处理番茄产量分别比MK、MR、M、CK提高5.87%、11.34%、22.85%、30.13%,但MK番茄产量与MRK相差不明显。设施栽培条件下,鸡粪、稻草和K2SO4配合施用对提高土壤微生物功能多样性,降低土壤酚酸类物质含量,减缓连作障碍具有重要意义。     

不同轮作模式对砂田土壤微生物区系及理化性状的影响

砂田是干旱半干旱地区具有综合效能的旱作覆盖技术,有明显改良和调节农田小环境的功效,近年来随着砂田产业化的快速发展,西瓜连作现象非常普遍,连作障碍明显。针对砂田西瓜连作障碍明显的现状, 基于定位试验, 研究了西瓜连作(对照, CK)和西瓜→花豆、西瓜→辣椒、西瓜→南瓜3种轮作方式对砂田土壤微生物群落和理化性状的影响, 结果表明: 与连作相比, 3种轮作模式均可改善土壤微生物区系结构, 增加土壤微生物多样性指数, 增加细菌、放线菌数量及细菌数量与真菌数量比值(B/F), 减少真菌数量; 其中以与辣椒轮作效果最为明显, 多样性指数(McIntosh指数, 0.247)较CK(0.146)显著增加, 放线菌数量比例(31.98%)较CK (14.22%)显著增加, 但真菌数量及占总菌数的比例(0.06%)相对CK(0.43%)明显降低。轮作能改变土壤微生态环境, 提高砂田土壤微生物多样性, 缓解西瓜的连作障碍,西瓜与辣椒轮作是有效预防和克服连作障碍的较佳种植制度。     

茄子与香蕉轮作配施生物有机肥对连作蕉园土壤微生物区系的影响

连作现象在香蕉生产上非常普遍,而长期连作会导致严重的连作障碍。本文针对香蕉连作障碍,选择连作香蕉13年的地块,采用常规方法结合变性梯度凝胶电泳(PCR-DGGE)技术,在田间条件下研究了轮作茄子配施生物有机肥对高发枯萎病连作蕉园土壤可培养微生物数量、土壤化学性状以及土壤细菌群落结构的影响。结果表明:与连作香蕉相比,轮作茄子处理可显著降低可培养尖孢镰刀菌数量,使其数量从种植初的10~4 cfu·g~(-1)(干土)下降到10~3 cfu·g~(-1)(干土),同时提高了土壤p H,增加了土壤有机质、速效钾、碱解氮含量。无论是轮作还是连作种植模式,与配施普通有机肥相比,配施生物有机肥对可培养尖孢镰刀菌、真菌和细菌数量影响均不显著;但在轮作模式下,施用生物有机肥处理的细菌数量与真菌数量比值(B/F,381.2)显著高于配施普通有机肥处理(270.3)。PCR-DGGE分析结果表明,轮作茄子配施生物有机肥显著改变了土壤细菌群落结构,增加了细菌丰度、稳定性和多样性,其中多样性指数(Shannon-Wiener指数,3.22)较连作香蕉配施普通有机肥处理(2.89)显著增加。以上结果表明,茄子与香蕉轮作有利于连作蕉园土壤的微生态环境,同时轮作配施生物有机肥效果更优。     

长期连作及强还原土壤灭菌处理对烤烟根际土壤真菌群落的影响

烤烟是重要的经济作物,连作障碍已成为限制其产业发展的主要原因之一,研究长期连作及强还原土壤灭菌处理(RSD)对烤烟根际土壤真菌群落的影响,为缓解烤烟连作障碍提供理论基础。选取烤烟连作 3、5和 7年根际土壤分析理化性质和真菌群落演替规律。选取烤烟连作 3年样地实施强还原土壤灭菌处理(RSD),与未处理(3年)对比,以此评价 RSD修复效果。结果表明:(1)连作处理显著降低烤烟根际土壤 pH及总碳和总氮的含量,RSD处理较未处理(3年)显著提升土壤总碳和总氮的含量。(2)测序结果表明,连作处理显著促进真菌群落 Alpha多样性,主坐标轴分析和聚类分析表明连作处理显著改变真菌群落结构,真菌群落相对丰度的变化及 FUNGuild数据库比对结果表明,连作处理促使病原菌丰度增加。(3)与未处理(3年)相比,RSD处理显著降低真菌群落多样性和病原菌丰度。(4)相关性热图分析表明病原菌相对丰度与 pH、总碳和总氮含量呈显著负相关。因此,长期连作烤烟导致根际土壤质量退化,造成病原菌增多;RSD处理对连作土壤的质量和真菌群落具有良好的修复效果。     

30年不同设施条件和栽培方式下土壤养分和微生物群落功能多样性的变化

【目的】随着设施蔬菜栽培年限的增加设施连作土壤生态环境发生很大变化。系统研究长期不同设施类型和栽培方式下土壤养分和微生物群落多样性的变化,可为蔬菜土壤可持续利用提供理论依据。【方法】选择连续30年以不同设施进行蔬菜栽培的土壤(1969~2009年)进行田间试验。以温室连作两茬黄瓜、夏季休闲为对照(CK);温室连作两茬黄瓜夏季填闲毛豆/花生(CS_1);大棚连续种植两茬黄瓜(CS_2);大棚前28年连作黄瓜、后两年露地种植绿叶菜(CS_3);连年露地种植绿叶菜(CS4)5种种植方式。于2009年采集0-20 cm土壤样品,采用常规方法系统分析了土壤养分含量和微生物数量,对培养96h、120 h和144 h的AWCD值进行主成分分析(principal component analysis,PCA)、六大碳源利用程度及Shannon-Weaver指数多样性指数分析。【结果】CS_1处理每孔平均颜色变化率(AWCD)显著高于其他处理;在96、120、144 h主成分分析表明,第1主成分分别解释了32.9%、33.61%和32.21%的碳源利用差异,CK处理在主成分1上均与其他处理显著分开,第2主成分分别解释了14.2%、15.96%和16.42%的碳源利用差异,CK处理在96和144 h与其他处理显著分开;在主成分1主成分3加权上96 h与144 h的CS_3、CS_4和CS_1处理显著不同于CK和CS,处理。96、120和144 h主成分1差异的贡献碳源主要是氨基酸、羧酸类化合物主成分2差异的贡献碳源主要是胺类化合物、多聚物。各处理对六大碳源利用显著不同,CK和CS,处理对碳水化合物、羧酸类化合物和多聚物利用显著低于其他处理。CK和CS,处理微生物群落多样性指数和均匀度指数均显著低于其他处理;CS3和CS4处理细菌数/真菌数比(B/F)以及微生物总量均高于其他处理分别显著高于对照310.34%、334.48%和280.1%、368.0%;CK处理全氮、有机质、速效钾和硝态氮显著高于其他处理,CS、处理相对CK处理则显著降低其含量,其中全氮、有机质、速效钾、铵态氮和硝态氮含量分别显著降低41.46%、50.26%、51.47%、26.72%和54.11%,CS_3和CS_4处理全氮、速效磷、速效钾、硝态氮均显著低于其他处理。全氮、速效养分均与B/F、微生物总量、微生物多样性指数呈负相关,铵态氮与其均呈极显著负相关速效磷与B/F、微生物总量呈极显著负相关。【结论】30年温室连作黄瓜土壤养分累积严重,夏季填闲毛豆/花生可显著降低硝态氮累积和增加微生物多样性;30年温室大棚单—连作黄瓜显著降低微生物群落多样性;30年露地种植绿叶菜以及大棚后两年露地种植叶菜的微生物数量均较高且养分累积最低。     

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.