Tall fescue aluminum tolerance is affected by neotyphodium coenophialum endophyte

Roots of endophyte‐infected (E+) tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) exude more phenolic‐like reductants than roots of endophyte‐free (E‐) plants when mineral stressed. Phenolic compounds are efficient chelators of aluminum (Al) and may influence Al tolerance in many plant species. The objective of our study was to determine if enhanced release of phenolic compounds by roots of E+ plants contributes to Al tolerance in tall fescue. Two cloned genotypes (DN2 and DN11) of tall fescue infected with their naturally occurring fungal endophyte Neotyphodium coenophialum (Morgan‐Jones and Gams) Glenn, Bacon and Hanlin and their noninfected isolines were grown in nutrient solutions at 0 μM Al (Al‐) and at 640 μM Al (Al+) under controlled environment conditions. Root and shoot dry matter (DM) of endophyte‐infected tall fescue was greater in E+ than E‐ plants by 57% and 40%, respectively, when plants were grown without Al. Endophyte infection did not affect root and shoot DM of tall fescue grown with Al but relative (to Al‐treatment) reduction in root and shoot DM was greater in E+ than E‐ plants. In response to Al stress, more Al (47%) and P (49%) could be desorbed from root surfaces of E+ than E‐ plants. Aluminum concentrations in roots of E+ plants were 35% greater and P concentrations were 10% less than those determined in roots of E‐plants. No differences in mineral concentrations were observed in shoots, regardless of endophyte status, or Al level in nutrient solution. Roots of E+ plants increased pH of both Al‐ and Al+ nutrient solutions to a greater extent than roots of E‐ plants in a 48 h interval. Our results show that more Al can be sequestered on root surfaces and in root tissues of endophyte‐infected tall fescue than in plants devoid of endophyte. Aluminum sequestration was greater on root surfaces and in root tissues of E+ than E‐ plants of a given tall fescue genotype. Our results suggest that increased exudation of phenolic‐like compounds from roots of endophyte‐infected tall fescue may be directly involved in Al tolerance and serves as a mechanism for widespread adaptability and success of endophyte‐tall fescue associations.     

Sulfur deficiency had different effects on Medicago truncatula ecotypes A17 and R108 in terms of growth,root morphology and nutrient contents

Medicago truncatula is a model legume species with a diverse genetic diversity. To explore whether different ecotypes of Medicago truncatula differ in their response to sulfur deficiency, the effects of sulfur (S) deficiency on the two ecotypes (A17 and R108) were investigated. Sulfur deficiency stimulated lateral root initiation in the root apical region of both ecotypes, but did not affect their overall biomass. The S deficiency-induced changes in root morphology were more distinct in R108 plants than in A17 plants. Exposure to S deficiency led to a greater reduction in leaves and roots of R108 than those of A17 plants. The concentrations of majority of other mineral nutrients were increased in A17 plants, while they were mainly reduced in R108 plants under S-deficient conditions. A greater reduction in R108 plants than in A17 plants was found under S-deficient conditions. An accumulation of anthocyanin in R108 was observed under S-deficient conditions. These results indicate that the ecotype R108 appears more sensitive to S deficiency than the ecotype A17.     

Neotyphodium coenophialum‐endophyte infection affects the ability of tall fescue to use sparingly available phosphorus

Neotyphodium coenophialum, (Morgan‐Jones & Gams) Glenn, Bacon & Hanlin, infected tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) plants perform better than non‐infected isolines on phosphorus (P)‐deficient soils. Our objective was to characterize growth and P uptake dynamics of tall fescue in response to endophyte infection and P source at low P availability in soil. Two tall fescue genotypes (DN2 and DN4) infected with their naturally occurring N. coenophialum strains (E+), and in noninfected (E‐) forms were grown in Lily soil (fine loamy siliceous, mesic Typic Hapludult) in a greenhouse for 20 weeks. Three soil P treatments were imposed: no P supplied (control) and P supplied as commercial fertilizer (PF) or as phosphate rock (PR) at the level of 25 mg P kg^‐1 soil. Interaction of tall fescue genotype and endophyte status had a significant influence on mineral element uptake suggesting high specificity of endophyte‐tall fescue associations. Endophyte infection did not affect root dry matter (DM) when no P was supplied but shoot DM was reduced by 20%. More biomass was produced and greater P uptake rate occurred in PR than PF treatment. Root DM was greater in E+ DN4 than E‐DN4 when supplied with either PF or PR. In contrast, endophyte infection did not affect root DM of DN2, regardless of P source. Relative growth rate (RGR) of E+ plants grown with PR was 16% greater than that of E‐plants. Endophyte infection did not improve growth or P uptake in PF treatment. When PR was supplied, P uptake rate was 24% greater in E+ DN2 than E‐ DN2, but endophyte infection did not benefit DN4. Phosphorus‐use efficiency was 6% less in E+ DN2 but 16% greater in E+ DN4 compared to E‐ plants, regardless of P source. Root exudates of E+ DN2, but not E+ DN4 solubilized more P from PR than those of E‐ plants. The correlation between root RGR and P uptake rate was relatively high for E‐ plants (r=0.76), but low for E+ plants (r=0.27) grown with PR. Results suggest that P uptake by E+ tall fescue might rely on mechanisms other than an increase in root biomass (surface area). Endophyte infection modified tall fescue responses to P source. This phenomenon was associated with modes of P acquisition which included enhanced activity of root exudates in releasing P from PR in E+ plants (DN2), and increased root biomass (DN4). The dominant means of P acquisition may be determined by a specific association of endophyte and tall fescue genomes. Endophyte‐tall fescue association plasticity contributes to widespread success of symbiotic in marginal resource conditions.     

矿山生态型和非矿山生态型粗齿冷水花富磷能力的比较

【目的】研究适宜施氮条件下磷富集植物粗齿冷水花的磷积累能力,可为有效利用该植物提取土壤中过剩的磷、减少磷的面源污染提供理论依据。【方法】以两种生态型粗齿冷水花 (Pilea sinofasciata) 为研究对象,进行土培盆栽试验,供试土壤为灰潮土,每盆 (8 L) 装土8 kg。分别施磷0、400、600、800 mg/kg,陈化8周。幼苗种植前,每盆施入140 mg/kg尿素。移栽9周后收获,测定植株生物量、磷含量,分析了土壤速效磷含量。【结果】1) 在供试施磷量范围内,两种生态型粗齿冷水花地上部、地下部生物量在施磷600 mg/kg时达最大,此时矿山生态型地上部、地下部生物量分别是其不施磷对照的2.37和3.69倍,非矿山生态型地上部、地下部生物量是其不施磷对照的4.63和7.36倍,矿山与非矿山生态型地上部生物量最大值分别可达28.6 g/株和31.9 g/株。矿山生态型生物量在不施磷和施磷400 mg/kg时显著大于非矿山生态型,在施磷600、800 mg/kg时两生态型间无明显差异。2) 随施磷量增加,两种生态型粗齿冷水花地上部磷含量和矿山生态型地下部磷含量均表现为先升高后降低,在施磷800 mg/kg时显著降低,而非矿山生态型地下部磷含量随施磷量增加而增加,在施磷800 mg/kg时达最高。各磷处理下,矿山生态型地上部磷含量均显著高于非矿山生态型,而地下部磷含量低于非矿山生态型。3) 高磷处理显著增加了两种生态型粗齿冷水花地上部、地下部磷积累量,且在施磷600 mg/kg时植株磷积累量最大,矿山生态型与非矿山生态型地上部磷积累量最高分别可达195 mg/株和182 mg/株。在不施磷和施磷400 mg/kg时,矿山生态型地上部磷积累量显著高于非矿山生态型,在施磷600、800 mg/kg时两生态型间无明显差异。4) 不同磷处理下,两种生态型磷富集系数远大于1,磷转移率大于80%;矿山生态型的磷提取率和移除量在不施磷和施磷400 mg/kg时均大于非矿山生态型,在施磷600、800 mg/kg时两生态型间无明显差异。【结论】适宜施氮条件下,粗齿冷水花在施磷600 mg/kg时表现出较强的磷富集能力。与非矿山生态型相比,矿山生态型在不施磷和施磷400 mg/kg时对磷的积累能力和富磷潜力更强;在施磷600、800 mg/kg时两生态型植株对土壤磷的富集能力无明显差异。     

Main agronomic-productive characteristics of two ecotypes of Rosmarinus officinalis L. and chemical composition of their essential oils

The productive potential of two different ecotypes of Rosmarinus officinalis (Cevoli and Lunigiana) cultivated in the littoral area near Pisa (northern Tuscany, Italy) and the differences in the yield and composition of the essential oils of leaves, flowers, and stems obtained from different positions of the plants were used to characterize the two ecotypes. The Cevoli ecotype plant produced the highest yield of dry matter (221 g plant-1) in comparison to the Lunigiana ecotype (72 g plant-1). There were significant differences in dry matter production of different organs of both ecotypes. The essential oil contents of Cevoli and Lunigiana ecotypes were similar. In contrast, the oil contents of the different plant parts showed marked differences. The apical part of the plant and the leaves gave the highest essential oil yields. The major difference between the oils of the two ecotypes consisted in the 1,8-cineole contents (6.6 and 37.9% in Cevoli and Lunigiana, respectively). The Cevoli ecotype was determined to be the most suitable for essential oil extraction because it was characterized by a preponderance of flowers and leaves in the apical portion. The Cevoli ecotype could be classifited as an alpha-pinene chemotype, whereas Lunigiana is a 1,8-cineole chemotype.     

Effects of ergot alkaloids on food preference and satiety in rabbits, as assessed with gene-knockout endophytes in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne)

Neotyphodium species are fungal endophytes best known for their protection of grass hosts and production of bioactive metabolites including ergot alkaloids. Perennial ryegrass-Neotyphodium sp. Lp1 symbiota that have altered ergot alkaloid profiles (resulting from knockouts in two different endophyte genes) were fed, along with controls, to rabbits to test the effects of ergot alkaloids on food preference and satiety. Interestingly, rabbits dramatically preferred plants that were endophyte-infected but free of ergot alkaloids over endophyte-free plants (P = 0.01). Accumulation of ergot alkaloids of the clavine class counteracted the added appeal of endophyte-infected plants. In satiety tests, consumption of ergovaline (the ultimate ergot pathway product in wild-type endophyte), but not of several other ergot alkaloids, during an initial meal had a negative effect on subsequent rabbit chow consumption (P < 0.05). The data indicate that clavines were sufficient to reduce the appeal of endophyte-infected grasses, whereas only ergovaline reduced appetite.     

Effects of nitrogen,phosphorus, and potassium on SPAD-502 and atLEAF sensor readings of Salvia

There are various optical sensors in the market for precision nitrogen (N) management, which estimate leaf N status from chlorophyll content of leaves. However, readings may also be affected by the amounts of other nutrients in the plant leaves like potassium (K) and phosphorus (P), as well as sampling location within a plant or leaf. SPAD-502 and atLEAF optical sensors were used on Salvia ‘Vista Red’ plants grown with 0N-7.9P-0K, 41N-0P-0K, 0N-0P-31.6K, 0N-7.9P-0K + 41N-0P-0K, 0N-7.9P-0K + 0N-0P-31.6K, 41N-0P-0K + 0N-0P-31.6K, or 0N-7.9P-0K + 41N-0P-0K + 0N-0P-31.6K fertilizer plus a control. Both sensors were correlated with leaf N and each other. However, both sensor readings were affected by the presence or absence of P and K in the leaves, and thus these nutrients should be analyzed and reported along with leaf N values. Sensor readings were found to vary within a leaf and within leaf canopy location, so sampling needs to be consistent.     

两种矿山生态型香薷对铜的吸收、分布和积累特性研究

Two ecotypes of Elsholtzia, Elsholtzia splendens and E. argyi, are dominant plants growing on Cu and Pb-Zn smelters, respectively. Samples of the two ecotypes and the corresponding soils from fields of a copper mining area and a Pb-Zn mining area of Zhejiang Province, China, were analyzed to investigate Cu or Zn tolerance of these two ecotypes. Effects of nine Cu levels (0, 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160, 240 and 320 mg Cu L^-1 as CuSO₄·5H₂O) on growth and uptake, translocation and accumulation of Cu in these two ecotypes were examined in a solution culture experiment. The experimental results showed that dry weights (DW) of shoots and roots were depressed, and growth of E. splendens was less depressed than that of E. argyi when treated with ≥ 5 mg Cu L^-1. Concentrations of Cu in shoots of E. splendens and E. argyi exceeded 1 000 mg kg^-1 DW at ≥ 40 mg Cu L^-1. The maximum Cu accumulated in the shoots of Cu-treated E. splendens and E. argyi reached 101 and 142 μg plant^-1. Furthermore, analysis of plant samples from the fields showed that these two ecotypes can tolerant excess heavy metals and produced high dry matter, and E. splendens can accumulate 11.7 mg Cu plant^-1 grown on the Cu smelter. Therefore, E. splendens and E. argyi could be good plants for phytoremediation.     

适宜施氮量对粗齿冷水花根际微域土壤磷组分及磷酸酶活性的影响

  【目的】  适宜施氮可提高磷富集植物对磷过剩土壤的修复效率,研究适宜施氮处理下磷富集植物根际微域土壤磷组分的变化,可为利用磷富集植物提取土壤中过剩的磷提供理论依据。  【方法】  采用多隔层根箱土培试验,以磷富集植物矿山生态型粗齿冷水花为材料,非矿山生态型为对照,设磷处理的P质量浓度为800 mg/kg,氮处理的N质量浓度为0 (CK)和140 mg/kg,分析对比了两种生态型粗齿冷水花磷富集能力及根际微域土壤磷组分与磷酸酶活性的变化。  【结果】  1)适宜施氮量下,两种生态型粗齿冷水花地上部、地下部生物量和磷积累量均显著升高;矿山生态型地上部生物量和磷积累量分别为非矿山生态型的1.28和1.45倍。2)适宜施氮量下,两种生态型根际土壤中H₂O-P和NaHCO₃-Pi含量均增加;土壤H₂O-P和NaHCO₃-Pi含量均在距矿山生态型根际4 mm微域内显著高于非根际土壤,分别在距非矿山生态型根际4和2 mm微域内显著高于非根际土壤;土壤NaHCO₃-Po和NaOH-Pi、NaOH-Po含量在距两种生态型根际6 mm微域内显著低于非根际土壤;土壤HCl-Pi和HCl-Po和Residual-P含量在根际微域和非根际土壤之间无显著变化。不施氮和适宜施氮量下矿山生态型根际微域NaHCO₃-Pi含量均显著低于非矿山生态型,矿山生态型对土壤NaHCO₃-Pi的吸收利用能力更强。3)适宜施氮量下,两种生态型粗齿冷水花根际土壤磷酸酶活性均较对照增加,土壤酸性磷酸酶、碱性磷酸酶活性分别在距根际4和2 mm微域内显著高于非根际土壤,植酸酶活性在距根际8 mm微域内显著高于非根际土壤。不施氮和适宜施氮量下,矿山生态型根际微域土壤磷酸酶活性更高。  【结论】  高磷条件下,适宜施氮量 (140 mg/kg)增加了两种生态型粗齿冷水花根际微域土壤磷酸酶活性,且矿山生态型根际土壤磷酸酶活性更高,有利于根际微域土壤中磷由低有效态组分向高有效态组分转化,从而促进了植株的生长和磷素积累。     

Phenotypic variation in caryopsis dormancy and seedling salt tolerance in wild barley, Hordeum spontaneum, from different habitats in Israel

The phenotypic variation in caryopsis dormancy and seedling salt tolerance was investigated in 16 wild barley ecotypes in Israel. Depth of dormancy, as reflected by the time to maximum germination percentage, ranged from 15 to 103 days under dormancy-break treatment. Lower dormancy was characteristic of the mesic ecotypes, whereas deeper dormancy was characteristic of the xeric ecotypes. Dormancy-break patterns were revealed by growth curves: the xeric ecotype showed an S-shaped curve, whereas the mesic ecotype displayed a reverse L-shaped curve. Seedling salt tolerance was assessed by the ratio of root or coleoptile length in a seedling grown in 100 or 200 mM NaCl solution to that of a seedling grown in water. The root- and coleoptile-length ratios of mesic ecotypes were much higher than that of the xeric ecotypes, except that there was no observable difference in coleoptile-length ratio at 100 mM NaCl. The mesic ecotype was more tolerant to salt than the xeric ecotype at the young seedling stage, and seedling salt tolerance was negatively correlated with caryopsis dormancy depth. Thus evolutionary background environments have had a strong effect on the intensity of caryopsis dormancy in wild barley. Through natural selection, wild barley has adapted to dry and hot environments by increasing dormancy but not young seedling salt tolerance.     

Hydraulic properties of Eucalyptus grandis in response to nitrate and phosphate deficiency and sudden changes in their availability

Some herbaceous plant species have been shown to dynamically alter the hydraulic properties of their roots in response to sudden changes in the concentrations of mobile nutrients. These hydraulic adaptations effectively allow plants to ‘chase' mobile nutrients across the rhizosphere. Trees, on the other hand, could mitigate effects of heterogeneous, dynamic soil environments with extensive root systems as such systems would effectively equalize nutrient availability. In addition, large dendritic root systems would reduce the effectiveness of rapid, localized, physiological hydraulic changes as these local changes might cancel each other at lower‐order root junctions. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine if trees (Eucalyptus grandis) employ short‐term (minutes to hours), physiological hydraulic changes or rely on long‐term (days), growth‐based hydraulic acclimations to enhance mobile nutrient uptake. We used two nutrients, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), that are characterized by contrasting soil mobility: N being mobile and P immobile. Transpiration, whole‐plant hydraulic resistance (liquid phase), and the hydraulic resistance of single roots of E. grandis plants grown in high and low N combined with high and low P availability were measured. In general, plants grown with high N availability had lower whole‐plant hydraulic resistance than plants grown with low N availability. When N or P were in short supply, a sudden addition of N or P did not change either single‐root or whole‐plant hydraulic resistance at a given leaf water potential. However, addition of N reduced the transpiration rate, thus, enhancing plant water status, suggesting that E. grandis behavior prioritizes water conservation over N uptake in short‐term. Prolonged exposure to low nutrient availability resulted in high overall hydraulic resistance further suggesting prioritization of water conservation over N gain.     

Adaptive attributes of tropical forage species to acid soils II. Differences in shoot and root growth responses to varying phosphorus supply and soil type

Identification of plant attributes that improve the performance of tropical forage ecotypes when grown as monocultures or as grass+legume associations in low fertility acid soils will assist the development of improved forage plants and pasture management technology. The present work compared the shoot and root growth responses of four tropical forages: one grass and three legumes. The forages were grown in monoculture or in grass+legume associations at different levels of soil phosphate. Two infertile acid soils, both Oxisols, were used: one sandy loam and one clay loam. They were amended with soluble phosphate at rates ranging from 0 to 50 kg ha^‐1. The forages, Brachiaria dictyoneura (grass), Arachis pintoi, Stylosanthes capitata and Centrosema acutifolium (legumes), were grown in large plastic containers (40 kg of soil per container) in the glasshouse. After 80 days of growth, shoot and root biomass production, dry matter partitioning, leaf area production, total chlorophyll content in leaves, soluble protein in leaves, root length, and proportion of legume roots in grass+legume associations were determined. The grass, grown either in monoculture or in association responded more to phosphorus supply than did the three legumes in terms of both shoot and root production. At 50 kg ha^‐1 of phosphorus, the grass's yield per plant in association was greatly enhanced, compared with that of grass in monoculture. The increase in size of grass plants in association compared with that in monoculture may have been caused by reduced competition from the legumes. These differences in shoot and root growth responses to phosphorus supply in acid soils between the grass and the three legumes may have important implications for improving legume persistence in grass+legume associations.     

Interaction Effects of Nitrogen and Phosphorus on Nodulation in Red Clover (Trifolium pratense L.)

Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) is one of the most important plants in forage production, especially in northern areas. Fertilisation practices are focused on high yield and forage quality but effects of nutrients on nodulation and N₂ fixation are poorly understood. The aim of this work was to study how nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) separately as well as in combination affected nodulation. Red clover plants were grown in pots with gravel in a greenhouse for 11 weeks. To resemble field conditions the root temperature was kept lower than the shoot temperature. Plants were given five different combinations of N and P concentrations during growth. The result showed that at high N concentrations P had a counteracting effect on the N inhibition. The N₂-fixation parameters, nodule number, nodule dry matter and specific nitrogenase activity, were six times higher in plants grown with high N and high P than in plants with high N and low P. When the N₂-fixation parameters and the dry matter of roots and shoots were related to total plant dry matter, there was a stronger effect of P on nodulation parameters than on roots and shoots. This indicates that P has a direct effect on the N₂-fixation parameters, rather than an indirect effect via increased plant growth. These results demonstrate the importance to studying the effects of more than one nutrient at a time.     

The agronomic performance of sand rice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Agriophyllum squarrosum</Emphasis>), a potential semi-arid crop species

Agriophyllum squarrosum (sand rice), a member of the Amaranthaceae family adapted to arid to semi-arid conditions in central Asia, produces highly nutritious seed. Three ecotypes collected from sand dunes in the western Chinese arid desert region (Linze, Minqin and Shapotou) and three from the semi-arid desert region (Duolun, Naiman, and Aerxiang) were grown in loess soil at an experimental station (Gaolan) to characterize their performance with respect to plant architecture and seed yield-associated traits. The ecotypes originating from the more arid sites developed into taller, more strongly branching plants, formed thicker stems and a greater number of spikes. Those collected from the semi-arid sites developed larger seeds and were of shorter duration. The highest seed yields were obtained from the Aerxiang ecotype (129.55 g/m²). The same ecotype also exhibited both the highest emergence rate and the most favorable harvest index. The study represents the first assessment of the agronomic performance of sand rice and shows what needs to be done to domesticate and improve the species before it can be considered as a viable crop species.     

Nutrients balance for improvement of phytoremediation ability of teak seedlings (Tectona grandis)

As a green technique, plant-based remediation systems can be used to remove nitrogen (N) pollutants from N-rich wastewaters. However, the excess amount of N and shortage of other nutrients in this system limits the plant growth and affects the plant remediation efficiency. In this study, the effect of adding phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) to the N-enriched wastewater on growth and N-removal efficiency of teak seedlings (Tectona grandis) was evaluated. Twelve ratios of N:P:K were applied to teak seedlings and the related effects were compared with those in control solution containing only N. The results indicated that a ratio of 1N:0.5P:1K increased dry matter accumulation in teak seedlings by improving the balance of nutrients in plants. Teak seedlings grown in nutritionally-improved system eliminated 33.8% N more than those grown in only N solution. The water loss through plant uptake was also enhanced in the improved system up to 56%.     

Fungal endophyte infection increases carbon sequestration potential of southeastern USA tall fescue stands

Tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceous (Schreb.)) is often infected with a common toxic fungal endophyte (Neotyphodium coenophialum) capable of producing alkaloids that affect grazing animal health, insect herbivory, plant production, and litter decomposition. The strength of these endophyte-associated effects is thought to depend on the abiotic and biotic conditions of a specific site. Prior work from Georgia, USA, has demonstrated that fungal endophyte infection can increase soil carbon pools of tall fescue pastures; however, for endophyte infection to contribute substantially to regional carbon sequestration, this result would have to hold true across the broad range of environmental conditions that support tall fescue growth. In this study, we evaluated whether endophyte infection consistently alters various soil parameters, including carbon storage, of tall fescue stands located throughout the southeastern United States. Soil samples were collected from nine sites with established paired high- and low- endophyte-infected tall fescue stands. These samples were analyzed for basic soil parameters, soil organic carbon (SOC), soil total nitrogen (TN), particulate and non-particulate organic matter-C and -N (POM, n-POM), C and N mineralization rates, and microbial biomass and community composition. Averaged across all sites, endophyte-infected tall fescue stands had 6% greater SOC and 5% greater TN pools in surface soil than adjacent endophyte-free stands. The lack of a significant interaction between site and endophyte infection status indicated that this result was relatively consistent across sites, despite differences in stand age, climate, and other environmental conditions. While POM C and POM N tended to be higher in endophyte-infected than endophyte-free stands, this result was not significant. However, greater pools of n-POM C and N were observed in endophyte-infected vs. endophyte-free stands when averaged across all the sites, suggesting increased retention of recalcitrant substrates occurred in response to fungal endophyte infection. Total microbial biomass, measured via phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis, was greater in endophyte-infected than endophyte-free soils when averaged across sites, reflecting the trends observed with SOC and TN. Microbial community composition shifted somewhat in response to fungal endophyte infection: significantly higher fungal to bacterial ratios were observed in endophyte-free compared to endophyte-infected stands. However, ordinations of the PLFA data demonstrated only slight separation of endophyte-infected and endophyte-free microbial communities at some sites and no clear separation at others. Enhanced SOC, TN, recalcitrant n-POM C and N pools, and altered microbial biomass and communities suggest that this aboveground fungal endophyte symbiosis has widespread effects on soil biology and biochemistry, and that high prevalence of the aboveground endophyte increases C sequestration capacity of tall fescue stands throughout the southeastern USA.     

Phosphorus fractions in Andisol and Ultisol inoculated with Bacillus thuringiensis and phosphorus uptake by wheat

Abstract

Only a small portion of soil phosphorus (P) is available to plants on a short-term basis, and therefore, P taken up by crops in one growing season is small compared to total P (Pt) content of the soil. A group of soil microorganisms capable of transforming insoluble P into soluble and plant accessible forms. The objective of this study was to evaluate the changes in soil P-pools and P uptake by wheat crops as influenced by inoculation with Bacillus thuringiensis in two soils (Andisol and Ultisol), the experiment was conducted in pots under greenhouse conditions using a completely randomized design. Wheat plants were inoculated and re-inoculated at 20 and 46?days after sowing, respectively, with B. thuringiensis; and, plant sampling were performed after 46, 66 and 87 and soil at 87?days based on the Zadoks growth scale, and the soil was submitted by Hedley’s P fractions. The inoculation with B. thuringiensis affected significantly some P organic P (P_o) and inorganic P (P_i) fractions in both soils (Andisol and Ultisol), improved P uptake by wheat crop in (Ultisol) and decreased significantly in (Andisol). The positive effect was more consistent in Ultisol than in Andisol, this strain can be solubilized P fraction extracted with conc. HCl-P_o and HCl 1?mol.     

Genetic variation for the ratio of inorganic to total phosphorus in white clover leaves

The inorganic phosphorus (P.) and total P (P_T) concentrations of leaf tissue were measured for 9 genotypes from each of 4 white clover lines—Grasslands Sustain, Grasslands Prestige, a low‐P site ecotype, and a high‐P site ecotype— grown at 50 and 400 ug added P g^‐1 soil, in a glasshouse. The cultivars/ ecotypes varied significantly for P_i/P_T ratio at the high level of P supply, but not at the lower level. The two ecotypes were not significantly different from each other for P_i/P_T ratio at either P supply level. Among the 36 genotypes, P/ P_T ratio varied 2‐fold at the high P level and 2.5‐fold at the low P level. Broad sense heritabilities for P_i/P_T ratio were, however, low, particularly at the high level of P supply.     

Alleviation of salt stress by arbuscular mycorrhizal in zucchini plants grown at low and high phosphorus concentration

With the aim of determining whether the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) inoculation would give an advantage to overcome salinity problems and if the phosphorus (P) concentration can profoundly influence zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) plant responses to AM, a greenhouse experiment was carried out with AM (+AM) and non-AM (−AM). Plants were grown in sand culture with two levels of salinity (1 and 35 mM NaCl, giving electrical conductivity values of 1.8 and 5.0 dS m⁻¹) and P (0.3 and 1 mM P) concentrations. The percentages of marketable yield and shoot biomass reduction caused by salinity were significantly lower in the plants grown at 0.3 mM P, compared to those grown at 1 mM P. However, even at high P concentration, the absolute value of yield and shoot biomass of +AM zucchini plants grown under saline conditions was higher than those grown at low P concentration. The +AM plants under saline conditions had higher leaf chlorophyll content and relative water content than −AM. Mycorrhizal zucchini plants grown under saline conditions had a higher concentration of K and lower Na concentration in leaf tissue compared to −AM plants. The P content of zucchini leaf tissue was similar for +AM and −AM treatments at both low and high P concentrations in the saline nutrient solution. The beneficial effects of AM on zucchini plants could be due to an improvement in water and nutritional status (high K and low Na accumulation).     

Neotyphodium endophytes trigger salt resistance in tall and meadow fescues

Infection with Neotyphodium spp. endophytes increases resistance to drought stress and soil mineral imbalances in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb. = Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) S. J. Darbysh.) and meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds. = Lolium pratense (Huds.) Darbysh.). We hypothesized that resistance of these grasses to salinity stress may also be attributed to endophyte infection. Two tall fescue genotypes, Fa75 and Fa83, and one meadow fescue genotype, Fp60, infected (E+) with their endophytic fungi, Neotyphodium coenophialum (Glenn, Bacon and Hanlin) and N. uncinatum (Glenn, Bacon and Hanlin), respectively, and their noninfected counterparts (E–) were cultured in nutrient solution at three salinity levels of 0, 85, and 170 mM NaCl. Except for genotype Fa75, E+ plants exhibited higher leaf survival rates than E– clones at a high salinity level (170 mM). Root dry matter was higher in E+ than in E– plants, but shoot dry matter was not affected by endophyte infection. This resulted in a lower shoot‐to‐root ratio in E+ plants (1.63) compared with E– plants (2.40). Sodium (Na⁺) and chloride (Cl^–) concentrations were greater in roots of E– than in E+ clones. In shoots, Na⁺ and Cl^– concentrations were not affected by the endophyte. In contrast, E+ plants accumulated more potassium (K⁺), which resulted in a greater K⁺ : Na⁺ ratio in shoots of E+ than in those of E– plants. Our results show that endophyte infection reduced Na⁺ and Cl^– concentrations in tall fescue and meadow fescue roots but increased K⁺ concentrations in the shoots. Based on these results, we conclude that endophyte‐infected grasses may thrive better in salinity‐stress environments.