无核葡萄VvWRKY20基因的克隆及其在胚珠败育过程中的差异表达分析

WRKY转录因子是植物特有的一类超家族转录因子,在植物的生长、发育和衰老过程中都有WRKY转录因子的参与.本研究利用SRAP-cDNA技术,以无核葡萄(Vitis vinifera)品种无核白胚珠各发育时期的cDNA为材料,克隆获得了311 bp的差异表达片段,进一步在有核葡萄(V.vinifera)品种黑比诺胚珠中进行验证.BLASTn分析表明,差异表达片段为葡萄基因组预测的WRKY20基因序列(XM_002272334.2)的部分序列.以序列XM 002272334.2为模版设计引物,通过RT-PCR技术在无核白胚珠cDNA中克隆到一个长1796 bp的同源序列,其ORF为1653 bp,编码550个氨基酸,命名为VvWRKY20(GenBank登录号:JQ782602).生物信息学分析表明,Vv WRKY20含两个WRKY保守结构域,两个C2H2锌指结构域,两个DNA结合位点,为WRKY家族中的Ⅰ类成员.其分子量为60140.4D,等电点为6.10,不稳定系数为51.01,属于不稳定蛋白.实时荧光定量PCR分析,该基因在无核白胚珠发育过程中表达量大且变化十分很明显,最大值与最小值之比为17.56,在有核品种黑比诺中,表达较低且表达水平保持相对稳定,最大值与最小值之比仅为2.52.在同一发育时期,该基因在无核白中的表达量也远高于在黑比诺葡萄中的表达量,10d时为15.77倍,30 d时达到229.12倍.有核与无核品种Vv WRKY20基因表达的差异表明,该基因可能参与无核葡萄胚珠败育.研究结果为进一步研究葡萄胚珠败育机制提供基础资料.     

桃WRKY转录因子PpWRKY18克隆及表达分析

为了探究WRKY转录因子在植物抵抗逆境胁迫方面的重要作用,本研究从桃中克隆PpWRKY18基因,通过生物信息学分析PpWRKY18蛋白含有典型WRKY功能结构域。系统进化树分析表明,桃PpWRKY18与蔷薇科物种的亲缘关系最为相近。生物信息学预测PpWRKY18蛋白定位细胞核,并通过农杆菌瞬时注射烟草叶片证实PpWRKY18定位于细胞核。对PGEX-PpWRKY18融合蛋白进行诱导表达,发现PpWRKY18融合蛋白主要在包涵体中表达。荧光定量PCR结果表明,PpWRKY18受干旱诱导表达量上升,复水后PpWRKY18表达量下降。生物信息学预测显示,蛋白磷酸酶蛋白家族(Protein Phosphatase 2C)、C2H2蛋白家族(PpZAT5)、ERF蛋白家族(PpERF9)、BHLH蛋白家族(PpBHLH92)可能与PpWRKY18蛋白互作,推测PpWRKY18蛋白通过与这些蛋白互作协同响应干旱胁迫。本研究为探索PpWRKY18响应干旱的分子机制提供了理论依据。     

玉米乙烯应答元件结合蛋白基因启动子克隆与功能验证

为了给玉米转基因研究提供更多的非生物逆境诱导启动子,寻找只在逆境胁迫条件下适当驱动外源抗逆基因的表达,在生物信息学分析的基础上,克隆与水稻DREB1B转录因子基因同源的玉米乙烯应答元件结合蛋白基因sb CBF6的启动子psb CBF6,在非生物逆境应答元件分析和实时定量PCR验证其非生物逆境胁迫响应特性后,用以构建驱动报告基因GUS的表达载体,并使用基因枪法转化玉米愈伤组织,通过愈伤组织的GUS荧光值与荧光素酶发光值的比值,评价psb CBF6启动子在非生物逆境胁迫及激素诱导条件下的驱动活性。结果表明,sb CBF6基因在各种非生物逆境胁迫下差异表达。psb CBF6启动子长1 479 bp,存在多种与非生物逆境胁迫应答相关的调控元件,可在非生物胁迫条件下驱动外源抗逆基因在转基因植物中诱导表达。试验结果为研究抗逆转基因玉米提了供参考。     

小麦TaWRKY51基因的克隆、表达分析和转基因功能鉴定

WRKY是植物中特有的锌指型转录因子,其广泛参与植物对生物及非生物胁迫的响应过程.本研究从小麦(Triticum aestivum L.)中分离出一个新的WRKY转录因子基因TaWRKY51,其全长cDNA序列长度为1295 bp,其中开放阅读框(ORF)为942 bp,编码一个由313个氨基酸组成的多肽.用半定量RT-PCR进行表达谱分析,结果显示,TaWRKY51基因在分蘖节、叶和根系中的表达水平较高,并且受干旱胁迫诱导上调表达.在拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)中过量表达TaWRKY51基因导致转基因株系侧根数目明显增多,并且对ABA、干旱和盐等胁迫处理的敏感性增加,表明该基因可能在植物响应非生物逆境胁迫信号传导过程中起负调控作用.本研究有助于揭示TaWRKY51基因调控植物侧根发育及响应非生物逆境胁迫的分子机制.     

茶树脱水素基因(CsDHN)的克隆及表达分析

脱水素(dehydrins,DHNs)是植物胚胎发育后期丰富蛋白(late embriogenesis abundant protein,LEA)中的一类,与低温、干旱以及盐胁迫等多种逆境反应相关.本研究采用cDNA末端快速扩增(rapidamplification of cDNA ends,RACE)技术从茶树(Camellia sinensis)中获得一种茶树脱水素基因CsDHN (GenBank登录号:FJ436978),序列分析显示,该基因cDNA全长960 bp,编码201个氨基酸,推测编码蛋白质分子量约为21kD,等电点为8.3,属于Y3SK2型脱水素.CsDHN基因有2个外显子和1个内含子.生物信息学预测显示,该脱水素蛋白亲水性强、无信号肽和跨膜区,亚细胞定位于细胞质中.表达特性分析表明,CsDHN在逆境及脱落酸(abscisic acid,ABA)诱导下可上调其转录水平,4℃低温处理下表达量可提高4.2倍,而脱水处理能提高93.4倍,高盐处理能提高17.8倍,CsDHN对脱水、高盐胁迫的响应程度优于低温胁迫.CsDHN在茶树各组织器官中都有表达,其中种子中表达量最高,为叶片的11.2倍.研究表明脱水素基因CsDHN可能在茶树防御非生物逆境胁迫和参与茶树种子成熟脱水的活力保护过程起一定作用,为了解茶树抗逆分子机制提供了一定的理论基础.     

碱蓬SgBADH的克隆与分析及植物表达载体构建

为研究碱蓬甜菜碱醛脱氢酶基因的功能,采用同源克隆方法,从碱蓬(Suaeda glauca(Bunge)Bunge.)中克隆到BADH全长c DNA,命名为Sg BADH,并对其序列结构和表达特性进行分析。生物信息学分析发现,Sg BADH编码500个氨基酸的亲水性蛋白,预测亚细胞定位于叶绿体。基因表达分析发现Sg BADH基因受Na Cl和ABA诱导表达,预示Sg BADH基因可能在碱蓬对盐胁迫的反应中起重要作用。本研究同时构建了Sg BADH植物表达载体并转化EHA105农杆菌,为进一步研究BADH基因的功能和碱蓬的耐盐分子机制奠定了基础。     

红花S-腺苷甲硫氨酸合成酶基因的克隆与表达分析

S-腺苷甲硫氨酸合成酶(SAMS)是植物代谢过程中的一个关键酶。为了探究SAMS在红花逆境胁迫方面的作用,本研究根据红花转录组数据从红花品种豫红花1号克隆得到1个SAMS的全长cDNA序列,命名为CtSAMS1,并对其进行生物信息学分析、组织表达特性分析及非生物胁迫和激素诱导表达分析。结果表明,红花CtSAMS1基因的开放阅读框(ORF)长1 173 bp,编码390个氨基酸,其蛋白分子质量为42.7 kDa,蛋白保守区预测表明CtSAMS1具有甲硫氨酸腺苷转移酶的保守结构域,属于S-腺苷甲硫氨酸合成酶家族。系统进化分析显示CtSAMS1与来自菊科的SAMS亲缘关系较近。实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)检测结果表明,CtSAMS1基因在花和茎中表达量最高,在其他组织部位中表达量极低;CtSAMS1基因表达量随着花瓣衰老程度的增加而升高。盐、干旱和低温胁迫均能够诱导CtSAMS1基因的表达,茉莉酸甲酯、水杨酸、脱落酸能够诱导红花花瓣中CtSAMS1基因表达,赤霉素对CtSAMS1基因表达有一定的抑制作用。本研究为进一步研究CtSAMS1在红花中的抗逆机制,以及为培育红花抗逆新品种奠定了理论基础。     

丹参SmLEA家族基因的鉴定和表达分析

胚胎发育晚期丰富蛋白(late embryogenesis abundant protein,LEA)普遍存在于植物,该家族基因在非生物胁迫下大量积累以保护植物正常生长发育,是逆境胁迫研究的热点。丹参(Salvia miltiorrhiza)作为我国传统大宗药材,产量和品质易受逆境影响。为进一步开展对丹参抗逆基因的发掘研究,本研究基于丹参基因组和转录组数据库,利用生物信息学方法对Sm LEA家族基因进行鉴定和蛋白理化性质分析,利用MEGA 5.0、MEME、GSDS2.0、BDGP等生物信息学软件分别构建系统进化树,分析Sm LEA保守基序,基因结构和启动子区等,利用q RT-PCR和公布的RNA-seq数据库对基因表达量进行初步研究。共鉴定出23条Sm LEA基因,分为7组;Sm LEA家族基因理论等电点在4.51~10.3之间,大多属于高度亲水蛋白,分布于各个亚细胞区室;不同组间Motif存在一定差异;基因内含子较少;q RT-PCR结果显示,Sm LEA家族基因在丹参根、茎、叶、顶芽都有表达,根、茎表达量相对较高;多数Sm LEA基因在丹参幼苗受到盐、脱水、损伤、高温和低温处理后表达量都有所上调;RNA-Seq数据分析表明,Sm LEA基因对茉莉酸甲酯(methyl Jasmonate,Me JA)响应比水杨酸(salicylic acid,SA)响应更明显。Sm LEA家族基因结构保守,启动子区含大量非生物胁迫响应顺式作用元件,基因大多响应盐、脱水、损伤、高温、低温胁迫处理和Me JA、SA激素处理,推测该家族基因在非生物胁迫中发挥重要作用。本研究对Sm LEA家族基因序列、理化性质、组织表达特异性以及不同胁迫处理下的表达量进行了分析,为丹参Sm LEA家族基因的深入研究提供基础数据。     

陆地棉小GTP结合蛋白基因GhROP6的克隆及表达初步分析

为探究ROP基因在棉花抵御逆境胁迫中的生物学功能,利用同源克隆的方法获得一个陆地棉GhROP6基因,通过生物信息学方法分析其理化性质、结构及进化关系,利用实时荧光定量PCR(qRTPCR)技术探究GhROP6基因的组织表达特异性及不同逆境胁迫和外源激素处理下的表达模式,构建GhROP6基因的VIGS载体并转化棉花,利用qRT-PCR技术检测其沉默效率。结果显示,GhROP6基因开放阅读框（ORF）为597 bp,编码一个含198个氨基酸的I类ROP蛋白;多重序列比对结果显示,GhROP6符合ROP蛋白结构特征,且与其他物种ROP蛋白高度同源;进化树分析结果显示GhROP6蛋白与拟南芥AtROP6蛋白同源性最高;GhROP6基因在棉花根、茎、真叶及子叶中均有表达,且在真叶中表达量最高;GhROP6基因对干旱、高盐、低温、高温等胁迫和外源脱落酸（ABA）、生长素（IAA）处理均有不同程度的响应,可能在棉花抗逆反应中扮演着重要角色。GhROP6在棉花的叶片和根部均得到有效沉默,表明已获得GhROP6基因沉默植株。本研究为进一步了解GhROP6基因的分子生物学功能奠定了基础。     

玉米HVA22基因启动子的克隆与功能验证

利用转基因技术转化利用外源抗性基因,可提高玉米对非生物逆境的抵抗能力,改良其在不良环境下的稳产性。但是,在过去的研究中,大多采用组成型启动子启动外源抗逆基因过量表达,虽然可以改良转基因株系的抗逆性,但其生长发育受到不同程度抑制,适应性代价较大。用非生物逆境诱导启动子,可培育出只在逆境胁迫下表达的转基因抗逆品种,避免正常条件下抗逆基因过量表达的不良影响。本研究以水稻HVA22蛋白质的氨基酸序列为探针,搜索玉米基因组同源mRNA序列HVA22,用PlantCARE软件分析并同源克隆其上游启动子序列,实时荧光定量PCR验证HVA22基因在非生物逆境胁迫下的差异表达,构建HVA22基因启动子HVA22s启动GUS基因的表达载体,基因枪法转化玉米愈伤组织,GUS染色检测启动活性。结果表明,玉米HVA22s启动子长度1478 bp,含有多种与非生物逆境应答相关的调控元件。HVA22基因在高温胁迫,以及脱落酸和乙烯诱导下上调表达。用HVA22s启动GUS基因转化的玉米愈伤组织,在脱落酸诱导、甘露醇模拟高渗处理、低温和高盐胁迫条件下,GUS染色均可显现靛蓝色斑点,说明HVA22s启动子确有非生物逆境启动功能,进一步验证其启动活性后可运用于玉米抗逆转基因研究。     

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。     

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.     

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.     

Properties of anaerobically digested and composted municipal solid waste assessed by linking soil mesofauna dynamics and nitrogen modelling

We have studied the effect of anaerobically digested (ADMSW) and composted municipal solid waste (CMSW) on mineralization and foodweb dynamics to verify the hypothesis that ADMSW would immobilize N right after addition to soil in contrast to addition with CMSW. Another hypothesis was that the mesofauna (enchytraeids and microarthropods) would stimulate N release from the decomposer community. We measured excretion of -N and urea-N from the mesofauna and hypothesized that enchytraeids would release urea. ADMSW and CMSW were amended to pots with sandy loam and barley. The pots were divided into treatments with or without mesofauna. Mesofauna, plant N and biomass, soil N and ergosterol (fungal biomass) were measured over a 113-day period of four equidistant samplings. Soil respiration, N mineralization and N release by the mesofauna were modelled from concurrent studies. ADMSW- and CMSW-treated soils initially (<20 days) immobilized N. The amendments did not increase plant growth substantially, and this was probably due to N-limitation in the early stages of plant growth. Enchytraeid abundance was about three times higher in ADMSW- than CMSW-treated soils, indicating that ADMSW contained more labile compounds, bacteria, and microfauna. The mesofauna did not affect N-content, but the cumulated -N excreted by the mesofauna was estimated to be substantial and about one-fifth of total plant N in ADMSW. An explanation for this discrepancy might be that in the absence of the mesofauna, other members of the detrivore and microbivore community performed the mesofauna’s function. Neither enchytraeids nor microarthropods excreted urea.     

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,     

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,     

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,     

Assessing the effectiveness of conservation measures: Resolving the “wicked” problem of the Steller sea lion

“Wicked” problems are those that are complex and that change when solutions are applied. Many conflicts in conservation fall into this category. The study approached the problem of how to constrain the apparent wickedness of a problem in the conservation management of a species by using simple empirical indicators to carry out iterative assessment of the risk to a population and to document how this risk evolves in relation to the addition of new data and the implementation of management actions. Effects of high levels of uncertainty within data and also concerning population structure were examined through stochastic simulation and by exploration of scenarios. Historical trends in the example used, the Steller sea lion, showed rapid declines in abundance in some regions during the 1980s. The current total population is 130,000-150,000 Steller sea lions through Alaska and British Columbia and this number has been stable since about 1990 in spite of regional differences in population dynamics. Regional differences in the sequence of changes in the number of pups and non-pups, suggested that an internal re-distribution of juveniles could have happened between 1980 and 1990. Current productivity also appears close to the long-term mean. Stochastic population projection using various scenarios showed that, based upon this history, the risk of extinction for the population has declined and is below reasonable thresholds for considering the population to be endangered. The trends in risk suggest that management actions taken since 1990 have probably been effective. Consequently, the conservation management objectives for the Steller sea lion are probably being met. The approach provides a mechanism, based upon experience and scenario analysis, for exploring future policy options and may help to constrain the debate amongst stakeholders about the cost-benefit trade-offs associated with different options.     

Soil-profile distribution of primary and secondary plant-available nutrients under conventional and no tillage

Nutrient distributions under no tillage (NT) compared with conventional disk-and-bed tillage (CT) management in the warm, humid region of the southeastern USA need to be assessed so that future placement, quantity, and type of fertilizers can be altered, if necessary, to efficiently match crop demands. We determined soil-profile distributions of pH, N, P, S, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu to a depth of 0.9 m at the end of 8.5 years of continuous CT and NT management on a Weswood silty clay loam (fine, mixed, thermic Fluventic Ustochrept) in southcentral Texas. Most dramatic changes occurred within the 0–0.05 m depth, where soil under NT had lower pH, Fe, and Cu than under CT, but greater P, K, Zn, and Mn. Greater P and K under NT than under CT also occurred below the till-zone (0.15–0.3 m). At a depth of 0–0.3 m, soil under NT contained greater amounts of extractable P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu than under CT. Nitrogen fertilization had little effect on nutrient distributions, except resulting in greater extractable K at 0–0.05 m and greater nitrate at 0–0.15 m. Few changes in soil-profile distributions were observed for extractable S, Ca, Mg, and Na. Long-term continuous use of NT on this fine-textured, high-fertility (except for N) soil had no apparent adverse effects on nutrient distributions relative to CT, but enhanced conservation and availability of P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu near the soil surface where crop roots proliferate.     

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.