Boron Toxicity Alters Nitrate Reductase Activity,Proline Accumulation,Membrane Permeability,and Mineral Constituents of Tomato and Pepper Plants

ABSTRACT

Boron (B) toxicity is an important disorder that can limit plant growth on soils of arid and semi arid environments throughout the world. Although of considerable agronomic importance, our understanding of B toxicity is rather fragmented and limited. The effects of increasing levels of B (0, 0.5, 5, 50 mg kg^{? 1}) on plant growth, proline accumulation, membrane permeability, nitrate reductase activity (NRA), and mineral nutrient interactions of tomato and pepper plants were investigated in greenhouse conditions. Increasing levels of B increased the B contents of plants. Boron toxicity symptoms occurred at 5 and 50 mg kg^{? 1} levels. Fresh and dry weights of the plants clearly decreased with the application of the 50 mg kg^{? 1} level of B. Membrane permeability and proline accumulation were significantly increased by the 50 mg kg^{? 1} level of B. Nitrate reductase activity of tomato plants was increased with increasing levels of B. With the exception of potassium (K) and calcium (Ca) in pepper and magnesium (Mg) in tomato, B treatments significantly affected nutrient concentrations of tomato and pepper. Except for sulfur (S) and Ca in tomato, the highest rate of B applied increased the N, phosphorus (P), and K concentrations of tomato and N, P, Mg, and S concentrations of pepper.     

The effect of organic acids from tomato root exudates on rhizosphere colonization of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens T-5

Root colonization by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens is directly related to bacterial growth, chemotaxis, biofilm formation, and the interaction with host plant root exudates. In this study, root exudates were collected from two tomato plant varieties that supported bacterial cell division and induced the B. amyloliquefaciens T-5 chemotactic response, even at the concentration of 10 μg ml⁻¹. Root exudates also induced biofilm formation, but lower than control treatment. In addition, five organic acids were identified in the root exudates and subsequently evaluated. Malic acid, citric acid, succinic acid and fumaric acid significantly induced the chemotaxis response and swarming motility. Maximal chemotactic response and swarming motility were induced by malic acid, and all the organic acid did not have a significant effect on biofilm formation. Furthermore, these organic acids promoted the B. amyloliquefaciens T-5 recruitment under gnotobiotic conditions, increasing the rhizosphere bacterial population. This data suggested that tomato root colonization by B. amyloliquefaciens T-5 was influenced by organic acids secreted by roots. This study expands our understanding of B. amyloliquefaciens T-5 colonization on tomato roots under natural conditions and reflects the significance of B. amyloliquefaciens T-5 strain as biocontrol agent which will be useful for preparing formulations for the better control of plant wilt diseases.     

生物有机肥对田间蔬菜根际土壤中病原菌和功能菌组成的影响

利用实时荧光定量PCR方法对田间条件下连作番茄和辣椒施用生物有机肥(BOF)和常规施肥(CK)的根际土壤微生物中青枯病原菌和功能菌群(固氮菌和荧光假单胞菌)的数量进行定量研究.结果表明:与CK相比,BOF处理的番茄和辣椒产量分别提高了26.0％和19.9％,青枯病发病率分别降低了41.5％和44.7％,番茄和辣椒植株根际土壤固氮菌数量分别增加了23.5％和25.8％、荧光假单胞菌数量分别增加了29.5％和20.2％、病原菌数量分别减少了73.2％和90.1％.生物有机肥能够调控根际微生物区系的组成,降低土传病害的发病率,促进作物健康生长;实时荧光定量PCR方法能够快速准确地检测根际土壤中功能微生物种群数量变化.     

Effects of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on the diversity of culturable microfungi and nematodes associated with tomato: impact on root-knot disease and plant growth

The available information on Pseudomonas biocontrol inoculants on the non-target fungal and nematode community is scant. The current paper addresses this issue and investigates the effects of biocontrol agents Pseudomonas aeruginosa IE-6 and IE-6S⁺ (previously shown to suppress several soil-borne plant pathogens) on soil microfungi and plant-parasitic nematodes as well as on the root-knot development and growth of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum). Furadan, a granular nematicide was included as a treatment for comparative purposes. Treatments were applied to soil at the start of each 52-day-long tomato growth cycle, and their effects on the composition and diversity of rhizosphere and endophytic microfungi and plant-parasitic nematodes were examined at the end of first and fourth growth cycle. Several diversity indices were employed to assess community diversity. A total of 16 genera comprising 23 microfungal species were isolated from the tomato rhizosphere. The most abundant fungal species belonged to the genera Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Penicillium. With a few exceptions, fungi were neither exclusively inhibited nor specifically promoted by the application of treatments at any of the growth cycles studied. However, Paecilomyces lilacinus, an egg and female parasite of root-knot nematode, though exclusively absent in the controls was isolated from the treatments. Both general diversity and equitability of rhizosphere microfungi were greater at first compared to the fourth growth cycle while species richness remained uninfluenced across the growth cycles and treatments. However, Furadan and IE-6S⁺ treatments considerably abated general diversity and equitability. Of the microfungal species isolated from the rhizosphere seven were also recovered from surface-sterilized root tissue of tomato suggesting that all the endophytes are primarily rhizosphere organisms. Diversity of endophytic fungi was consistently lower compared with that of the rhizosphere. Both general diversity and equitability declined in all three treatments relative to controls in the root tissue but species richness remained unaltered. Diversity and equitability of plant-parasitic nematodes in soil were reduced by all three treatments over the controls at fourth growth cycle whilst species richness did not change at either growth cycle. The biocontrol agents significantly reduced root-knot development and enhanced shoot growth of tomato over the controls. The possible implications of fungal composition and abundance because of biocontrol by Pseudomonas application are discussed.     

Mycorrhizal inoculation enhances growth and nutrition of cotton plant

Arbuscular Mycorrhizae Fungi (AMF) inoculations may improve growth and nutrient uptake of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) plant. Although the importance of mycorrhizal symbioses for growth and nutrient acquisition of cotton plant is known, less is known about mycorrhizal dependency on P and Zn nutrition under low Zn fertile soil conditions. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of different of P and Zn fertilizer addition on cotton plant growth as well as Zn and P uptake. Sterilized and non-sterilized low Zn fertile Konya series soil was treated with different levels of P and Zn. Soils were inoculated with two mycorrhizae species like Funneliformis mosseae and Claroideoglomus etunicatum after sterilization. Results showed that mycorrhizal inoculation on plant growth and nutrient uptake has significant effect when soil was sterilized. Cl. etunicatum mycorrhizae species has greater effect than Fu. mosseae mycorrhizae species. Root colonization increased 23–65% due to mycorrhizal amendment. The shoot: root ratio increased by 13 and 22% for non-sterile and sterile condition respectively in mycorrhiza amended soil. Mycorrhizal dependency varies 1–55% and 3–64% for non-sterile and sterile soil respectively on mycorrhizae, P and Zn amended soil. Mycorrhizal dependency analysis showed that cotton plant in both sterile and non-sterile soil conditions depends on mycorrhizae species, P nutrition, however is less depend on Zn nutrition. This study concluded that the inoculation of cotton plant with selected mycorrhizae is necessary under both sterile and non-sterile soil conditions.     

Evidence that fresh weight measurement is imprecise for reporting the effect of plant growth-promoting (rhizo)bacteria on growth promotion of crop plants

Eight greenhouse experiments were performed to compare the effect of seven plant growth-promoting (rhizo)bacteria (PGPR/PGPB) on fresh and dry weights of four crop plants. This has been done to validate if fresh weight measurements of plant variables can serve as reliable values when reporting the effect of these bacteria on plant growth. These experiments show that the growth promotion effects by the tested PGPR/PGPB, including Bacillus amyloliquefaciens GB03, Bacillus subtilis IN-937B, Bacillus altitudinis INR7, and Pseudomonas mandelii 89B-27 in corn and cucumber and Azospirillum brasilense Cd, A. brasilense Sp 245, and Azospirillum lipoferum Br 17 in pepper and tomato, varied significantly between fresh and dry weights of shoot, root, and/or whole plant in the repeated greenhouse experiments. These results support our hypothesis that using fresh weight determination for assessing plant growth promotion by beneficial bacteria is inherently faulty. Therefore, it is recommended that dry weight determination rather than fresh weight determination is used for plant growth promotion tests.     

Functional diversity of external hyphae of AM fungi: Ability to colonise new hosts is influenced by fungal species,distance and soil conditions

The aim of this paper was to investigate the effects of soil conditions and distance from a host plant on the ability of hyphae of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi to grow and colonise a new host. Two glasshouse experiments were conducted using compartmented pots. The first investigated the effects of distance between a colonised and uncolonised host plant (Trifolium subterraneum L.) and average pore size of the growth substrate (100 μm, 38 μm) on the ability of two AM fungi, G. intraradices and G. mosseae, to colonise a new host plant. The second experiment determined if the pore size of the substrate (100 μm, 38 μm) affected the growth of AM fungi in the absence of a new host. In Experiment 1, both G. mosseae and G. intraradices grew successfully through the two sand substrates and colonised new host plants. Both fungi reached and colonised new hosts fastest when hosts were separated by the shortest distance (2.5 cm), with largest pore size substrate (100 μm). G. mosseae produced more external hyphae per unit of colonised root and colonised new host plants more rapidly than G. intraradices. However, receiver plants colonised by G. mosseae exhibited a negative mycorrhizal growth response following colonisation. Experiment 2 showed that G. mosseae grew further from its host than G. intraradices. The results support the theory that some AM fungal species may produce large amounts of external hyphae primarily to increase the probability of locating and colonising a new host plant.     

Native Grass Facilitates Mycorrhizal Colonisation and P Uptake of Tree Seedlings in Two Anthropogenic Substrates

Two microcosm experiments were conducted to study the role of extraradical mycelium (ERM) of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in establishment and growth of tree species used for revegetation in anthropogenic substrates. Inoculated or non-inoculated Acer pseudoplatanus, Alnus glutinosa or Salix purpurea seedlings were grown with Calamagrostis epigejos (a grass spontaneously colonising degraded ecosystems) in two substrates (fly ash and coal mine spoil) either in direct root contact or in rhizoboxes with interaction only via ERM network. In both experiments, inoculation with AMF mostly had a positive effect on the growth of trees and increased the aggregation of fly ash. When plants grew in direct root-to-root contact, grass presence negatively affected tree growth, but it significantly improved mycorrhizal development (colonization of tree seedlings, spore number and ERM length). When grass and tree roots interacted via the ERM network, tree seedlings were successfully colonised by the ERM spreading from the C. epigejos roots. Mechanical disturbance of the ERM links between plants reduced AMF development and tree height in both substrates, but tree shoot biomass was not affected. In fly ash, inoculated, non-disturbed treatments showed significant transfer of ³²P from the grass to the tree seedlings. It can be concluded that roots of A. pseudoplatanus, A. glutinosa or S. purpurea seedlings can be colonised from the ERM network radiating from quickly growing grasses, which can act as important agents for AMF distribution and facilitate mycorrhization of planted trees. In particular for willow, grass seems to be an essential nurse plant to achieve successful root colonisation.     

Biocontrol efficiency of Fusarium wilt diseases by a root-colonizing fungus Penicillium sp.

Soil-inhabiting fungal pathogen Fusarium oxysporum often causes severe yield losses in many crops. We investigated the effect of a plant growth-promoting fungus, Penicillium sp. EU0013 on Fusarium wilt disease. In dual culture experiments, EU0013 inhibited the growth of Fusarium wilt pathogens by producing an inhibition zone. In experiments using sterile potting medium under controlled conditions, EU0013 significantly reduced the severity of Fusarium wilt on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata). In non-sterile soil, benomyl-resistant mutants of EU0013 were selected by exposing the conidial solution of EU0013 to ultraviolet light. The selected mutant EU0013_90S isolate did not show any distinct differences from EU0013 in colony characteristics, growth rate or antifungal activity against Fusarium wilt pathogens in dual culture. The effect of EU0013_90S on tomato wilt was studied under greenhouse conditions using non-sterile soil. Two-weeks old tomato seedlings were dipped in four different concentrations of EU0013_90S conidial suspension (1?×?10³, 1?×?10⁴, 1?×?10⁵, and 1?×?10⁶ conidia mL^–1). Seedlings were then planted in soil inoculated with either F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici race 1 CU1 or race 2 JCM 12575 (1?×?10⁶ bud-cells g^–1). We found the greatest disease suppression occurred when seedlings were dipped in the highest concentration of EU0013_90S conidia. This same inoculum concentration of EU0013_90S also resulted in the highest disease reduction in soil infested with JCM 12575. Higher root colonization with EU0013_90S showed a significant reduction in Fusarium wilt disease, suggesting that colonization by Penicillium sp. EU0013_90S is important for efficient biocontrol of these diseases.     

Biostimulant effects of rhizobacteria on wheat growth and nutrient uptake depend on nitrogen application and plant development

The capacity of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) – Bacillus amyloliquefaciens GB03 (BamGB03), B. megaterium SNji (BmeSNji), and Azospirillum brasilense 65B (Abr65B) – to enhance growth and nutrient uptake in wheat was evaluated under different mineral N fertilizer rates, in sterile and non-sterile soils, and at different developmental stages. In gnotobiotic conditions, the three strains significantly increased plant biomass irrespective of the N rates. Under greenhouse conditions using non-sterile soil, growth promotion was generally highest at a moderate N rate, followed by a full N dose, while no significant effect was observed for the inoculants in the absence of N fertilizer. At 50N, plant biomass was most significantly increased in roots (up to +45% with Abr65B) at stem-elongation stage and in the ears (+19–23% according to the strains) at flowering stages. For some nutrients (N, P, Mn, and Cu), the biomass increases in roots and ears were paralleled with reduced nutrient concentrations in the same organs. Nevertheless, growth stimulation resulted in a higher total nutrient uptake and higher nutrient uptake efficiency. Furthermore, Abr65B and BmeSNji counteracted the reduction of root development caused by a high N supply. Therefore, combining PGPR with a proper cultivated system, N rate, and plant stage could enhance their biostimulant effects.     

Survival and persistence of genetically modified Sinorhizobium meliloti in soil

Studies were conducted to evaluate the survival and persistence of Sinorhizobium meliloti 104A14 and two acid phosphatase-negative mutants in Kirkland (fine, mixed, thermic Udertic Paleustolls) silt loam soils with various fertility levels, and to assess the impact of inoculation on nodule occupancy and soil microbial community structure in the inoculated alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) rhizosphere. Recovery of the inoculated strains was 100% (in the order of 10⁸ cells g⁻¹ soil) immediately following inoculation to soils, but decreased from 10⁸ cells g⁻¹ soil to undetectable levels in a nutrient-poor soil within 32 days. In a nutrient-rich soil, approximately 2–3% (4.7–7.43×10⁶ cells g⁻¹ soil) of the mutants and 23% (5.84×10⁷ cells g⁻¹ soil) of the wild-type inocula persisted for more than 64 days. Survivability and persistence of the wild-type S. meliloti were significantly greater than that of the genetically modified acid phosphatase negative mutants in all the soils tested. The persistence and nodule occupancy of the introduced S. meliloti in sterile and non-sterile soils were also tested for two repeated alfalfa growth periods in the same plant growth units, with a 1 month interval in between and no additional inoculation for the second period. Nodule occupancy of the introduced S. meliloti in non-sterile soils ranged from 30 to 60% for the first period and 85 to 100% for the second period. Our results suggest that survival and persistence of S. meliloti was enhanced by alfalfa cultivation and increased soil fertility, but impaired by mutation of acid phosphatase genes regardless of phosphorus nutritional levels. Moreover, inoculation with genetically modified S. meliloti strain 104A14 promoted indigenous bacterial growth in soil (increased bacterial population from 1.4×10⁶ to 4.3×10⁶ cells g⁻¹ soil), but not the growth of fungi and yeast. However, inoculation of the wild-type S. meliloti or genetically modified mutants did not result in significant changes in microbial community structure as indicated by EP indices and ratios of r/K strategists.     

Search of environmental descriptors to explain the variability of the bacterial diversity from maize rhizospheres across a regional scale

The regional scale variability of the bacterial community inhabiting the rhizosphere was studied with soil collected from maize fields located in the Santo Domingo Valley (SDV; Baja California Sur, Mexico), a semi-arid agricultural ecosystem of approximately 200 km². The bacterial community structure was visualized by single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) profiles of PCR-amplified partial 16S rRNA genes of directly extracted rhizosphere soil DNA. SSCP profiles of different SDV sites and an external field site in Germany were evaluated for their similarities and the contributing bacteria were characterized by DNA sequence analyses. SSCP profiles from each site were significantly different from the others, as revealed by permutation of pairwise similarities (P < 0.05). In comparison to the German site, SSCP profiles from SDV were more similar to each other despite contrasting soil salinity levels. Correspondence analysis revealed that among SDV sites, salinity levels, soil organic carbon and calcium (Ca²⁺) were most influential on the bacterial community structure. Depending on the phylogenetic group analyzed (Bacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, Pseudomonas), the importance of these soil variables varied. Interestingly, the East–West direction also revealed an effect, suggesting that future explorations of bacterial diversity patterns should also consider landscape topography in search of explaining patterns of bacterial diversity in soils.     

Enhanced dissipation of chrysene in planted soil: the impact of a rhizobial inoculum

Results from an innovative approach to improve remediation in the rhizosphere by encouraging healthy plant growth and thus enhancing microbial activity are reported. Mixed grass-legume systems, together with microbial inoculants, were used to remediate a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (chrysene) spiked agricultural soil. Inoculants were symbiotic rhizobia, which may play an important role in rhizoremediation by increasing plant and root growth. An inoculum of an isolate of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii, selected for PAH tolerance, was produced using a peat carrier. The inoculum and white clover (Trifolium repens L.), were planted into soils with ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). The soils spiked with chrysene (500 mg kg⁻¹) then aged for 4 weeks. Shoot- and root-biomass of plants, and the amount of root nodulation, were determined. Rhizobial populations, soil pH and soil nitrogen were also monitored throughout the trial. In addition, the ability of the inoculated rhizobial strain to utilise chrysene as a sole carbon source was assessed. Direct uptake and/or degradation of chrysene by the clover and ryegrass did not occur to a significant degree. Enhanced losses of chrysene were seen in planted, non-sterile soils that contained a rhizobial inoculum. No direct degradation of chrysene by R. leguminosarum bv. trifolii was observed and no enhanced losses of PAHs were detected in sterile soils after inoculation with rhizobia. Results suggest that the enhanced dissipation of chrysene, observed in the non-sterile planted inoculated pots, was not a result of degradation of chrysene by R. leguminosarum bv. trifolii. The symbiotic association with R. leguminosarum bv. trifolii improved plant vigour and growth in inoculated planted treatments. This may have stimulated the rhizospheric microflora to degrade chrysene.     

Sour Orange (Citrus Aurantium L.) Growth is Strongly Mycorrhizal Dependent in Terms of Phosphorus (P) Nutrition Rather than Zinc (Zn)

The partial sterilization of soil eliminates useful microorganisms, resulting in the reduced growth of mycorrhizae-dependent citrus plants, which are often unresponsive to the application of fertilizer. Research was conducted to test the hypothesis that indigenous mycorrhizae (IM) inoculation is as efficient as selected mycorrhizal inoculation under sterile and non-sterile soil conditions. Rhizophagus clarus and indigenous mycorrhiza spores, isolated from citrus orchards, were used as arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi under greenhouse conditions with sterile and non-sterile Çanakçi series (Typic xerofluvent) soils with low phosphorus (P) fertility. Different P (0 and 100 mg kg^?1) and zinc (Zn) (0, 5 and 10 mg kg^?1) concentrations were used at the start of the experiments. The shoot, root dry weight (RDW), root colonization, and P, Zn, iron (Fe), copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn) concentrations of the shoot were determined; mycorrhizae dependency (MD) was also calculated.

The results indicate that R. clarus and indigenous mycorrhiza in sterile and non-sterile soil conditions considerably increased the growth of citrus plants. Owing to existing beneficial indigenous rhizosphere microorganisms, citrus plant growth without inoculation was better in non-sterile soils than in the sterile soils. In non-sterilized soil, the plant growth parameters of R. clarus-inoculated soils were higher than those of indigenous mycorrhiza-inoculated soils. Mycorrhizae infection increased certain citrus plant growth parameters, such as root infection, biomass and nutrient uptake (P, Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu). In sterile soil, the addition of up to 5 mg kg^?1 soil Zn and the inoculation of R. clarus significantly increased plant growth; inoculation with indigenous mycorrhiza produced more dry weight upon the addition of up to 100 mg kg^?1 phosphorus pentoxide (P₂O₅). Under sterile soil conditions, without considering fertilizer addition, MD was found to be higher than that of non-sterile soils. In general, the contribution of the indigenous soil spores is significant. However, indigenous soil mycorrhizae may need to be managed for better efficiency in increasing plant growth and nutrient uptake. The major finding was that the inoculation of citrus seedlings with mycorrhiza is necessary under both sterilized and non-sterilized soil conditions.     

不同盐分条件下植物促生菌对燕麦和黑麦草幼苗的促生效应

从盐生植物根际土中分离得到4株含1-氨基环丙烷-1-羧酸(ACC)脱氨酶的植物促生菌(PGPR),通过无菌育种袋栽培试验,考查其在不同盐分条件下对燕麦和黑麦草幼苗的促生效应。结果表明,4株菌对5 g/kg或10 g/kg NaCl盐分胁迫下的燕麦和黑麦草幼苗均表现出显著地缓解促生效应,其中假单胞菌属S1最显著,10 g/kg NaCl比无NaCl时促生作用更大。4株PGPR的ACC脱氨酶活性与植物生长参数(根长和下胚轴长)之间具有极显著的正相关性(Pearson相关系数>0.81)。     

Changes of microbial properties in (near-) rhizosphere soils after phytoextraction by Sedum alfredii H: A rhizobox approach with an artificial Cd-contaminated soil

The ultimate goal of soil remediation is to restore soil health. Soil microbial parameters are considered to be effective indicators of soil health. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of phytoextraction on microbial properties through the measurement of soil microbial biomass carbon, soil basal respiration and enzyme activities. For this purpose, a pre-stratified rhizobox experiment was conducted with the Cd hyperaccumulator Sedum alfredii H. for phytoextraction Cd from an artificial contaminated soil (15.81 mg kg⁻¹) under greenhouse conditions. The plant and soil samples were collected after growing the plant for three and six months with three replications. The results indicated that the ecotype of S. alfredii H. originating from an ancient silver mining site was a Cd-hyperaccumulator as it showed high tolerance to Cd stress, the shoot Cd concentration were as high as 922.6 mg kg⁻¹ and 581.9 mg kg⁻¹ at the two samplings, and it also showed high BF (58.4 and 36.8 after 3 and 6 months growth), and TF (5.8 and 5.1 after 3 and 6 months growth). The amounts of Cd accumulated in the shoots of S. alfredii reached to an average of 1206 μg plant⁻¹ after 6 months growth. Basal respiration, invertase and acid phosphatase activities of the rhizosphere soil separated by the shaking method were significantly higher (P < 0.01) than that of the near-rhizosphere soil and the unplanted soil after 3 months growth, so were microbial biomass carbon, urease, invertase and acid phosphatase activities of the rhizosphere soil after 6 months growth. Acid phosphatase activity of the 0–2 mm sub-layer rhizosphere soil collected by the pre-stratified method after 3 months growth was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of other sub-layer rhizosphere soils and bulk soil, and so were microbial biomass carbon, basal respiration, urease, invertase and acid phosphatase activities of the 0–2 mm sub-layer rhizosphere soil after 6 months growth. It was concluded that phytoextraction by S. alfredii could improve soil microbial properties, especially in rhizosphere, and this plant poses a great potential for the remediation of Cd contaminated soil.     

Plant‐growth‐promoting rhizobacteria isolated from a Calcisol in a semi‐arid region of Uzbekistan: biochemical characterization and effectiveness

Bacteria were isolated from the rhizosphere of cotton, wheat, alfalfa, and tomato grown in field locations within a semi‐arid region of Uzbekistan. Strains were identified as Pseudomonas denitrificans, P. rathonis, Bacillus laevolacticus, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, and Arthrobacter simplex. The isolated strains produced different enzymes, phytohormone auxin and were antagonists against specific plant‐pathogenic fungi. Most of the strains are tolerant with respect to salt and temperature. All of the bacterial strains isolated in this study have been found to increase plant growth of wheat and maize in pot experiments.     

Effect of crop growth on the distribution and mineralization of soil sulfur fractions in the rhizosphere

The effect of plant growth on the mineralization of organic matter and distribution of soil S fractions (plant available SO₄^2—, adsorbed SO₄^2—, carbon‐bonded S, ester‐bonded S, and residual‐S) in the rhizosphere was studied in a greenhouse experiment using a rhizobag technique. In this study wheat, oilseed rape and radish were grown on two soils, a Haplic Acrisol and a Hortic Anthrosol. Significant differences between S fractions in the rhizosphere and non‐rhizosphere were determined in dependence on soil type and crop species. In all cropped treatments lower amounts of ester‐bonded S and higher levels of residual‐S were found in the rhizosphere than in the non‐rhizosphere, while the amount of carbon‐bonded S fractions was similar. These results indicate firstly, that the arylsulfatase activity was higher in the rhizosphere than in the non‐rhizosphere and secondly, that mass flow of SO₄^2—‐S to the rhizosphere increased after mineralization of residual‐S. Compared to the non‐vegetated soil, the ester‐bonded S fraction of wheat and oilseed rape decreased in the rhizosphere revealing that the mineralization of organic S in the rhizosphere is related to the crop type.     

Deleterious properties of certain rhizosphere bacteria on field pea (Pisum sativum) under gnotobiotic and non-sterile conditions

Three strains of Pseudomonas putida, one non-fluorescent and two fluorescent, were investigated in a series of complementary experiments to characterise their inhibitory effects on peas under different environmental conditions. Firstly, a gnotobiotic growth pouch system was developed to observe the deleterious effects of the strains on pea root development. A negative impact of the strains was observed on the development of the root morphology using these pouches which was accompanied with a subsequent reduction in root biomass. By using this method it was concluded that the deleterious effect of one of the strains was dependent on the inoculum density. Secondly, two complementary studies in non-sterile growth systems where pea seeds/seedlings were inoculated with the bacteria, showed deleterious effects on plant biomass by two of the strains. Thirdly, by using a sterile plant growth system allowing microscopic observations on root hair development, all strains were found to be able to induce root hair deformations on pea seedlings. The results showed that the mode of action for the deleterious effect differ between the strains. Based on our findings, we would like to emphasise the necessity to include a palette of different sterile and non-sterile growth systems to be able to identify characteristics of importance for deleterious rhizosphere bacteria.     

Comparison of root system architecture and rhizosphere microbial communities of Balsas teosinte and domesticated corn cultivars

The progenitor of maize is Balsas teosinte (Zea mays subsp. parviglumis) which grows as a wild plant in the valley of the Balsas river in Mexico. Domestication, primarily targeting above-ground traits, has led to substantial changes in the plant's morphology and modern maize cultivars poorly resemble their wild ancestor. We examined the hypotheses that Balsas teosinte (accession PI 384071) has a) a different root system architecture and b) a structurally and functionally different rhizosphere microbial community than domesticated cultivars sweet corn (Zea mays subsp. mays accession PI 494083) and popping corn (Zea mays subsp. mays accession PI 542713). In a greenhouse experiment, five plants from each corn variety were grown in individual pots containing a Maury silt loam – perlite (2:1) mixture and grown to the V8 growth stage at which rhizosphere bacterial and fungal community structure was assessed using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism and fatty acid methyl ester analysis. Functional characteristics of the rhizosphere were assayed by examining the potential activity of seven extracellular enzymes involved in carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus cycling. Root system architecture was characterized by root scans of sand grown plants at the V5 growth stage. Compared to the control the sweet corn rhizosphere had different bacterial and fungal community structure, decreased fungal diversity and increased bacterial abundance. Teosinte caused a significant change in the rhizosphere bacterial and fungal community structure and increased bacterial abundance, but no significant decrease in bacterial or fungal diversity where the former was found to be significantly greater than in the sweet corn rhizosphere. Popping corn did not trigger significant changes in the bacterial or fungal diversity and bacterial abundance in the soil. The individual popping corn plants changed the bacterial and fungal communities in different directions and the overall effect on community structure was significant, but small. Of the enzymes analyzed, potential N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG) activity was found to contributed most to the differentiation of teosinte rhizosphere samples from the other corn varieties. The teosinte root system had proportionally more very fine (diameter < 0.03 mm) roots than popping corn and sweet corn and it developed the highest root to shoot dry weight ratio, followed by popping corn. Sweet corn had significantly lower average root diameter than popping corn and teosinte and grew proportionally the least below-ground dry mass. The results allude to functional and structural differences in the rhizosphere microbial communities of the corn varieties that, with additional research, could lead to useful discoveries on how corn domestication has altered rhizosphere processes and how plant genotype influences nutrient cycling.