Improving xanthophyll extraction from marigold flower using cellulolytic enzymes

In this work is studied the effect of a noncommercial enzyme preparation on xanthophyll extraction from marigold flower (Tagetes erecta). The enzymatic extract was synthesized by endogenous microorganisms previously isolated and identified as Flavobacterium IIb, Acinetobacter anitratus, and Rhizopus nigricans. The results show that the extraction yield depends directly on the extent of the enzymatic hydrolysis of cell walls in the flower petals and that it is possible to reach yields in excess of those previously reported for treatments with commercially available enzymes (29.3 g/kg of dry weight). HPLC analysis of the product indicates that the original xanthophyll profile is not altered. The enhanced extraction system appears to be very competitive when compared to the traditional process and current alternatives.     

Phenolic, flavonoid, and lutein ester content and antioxidant activity of 11 cultivars of chinese marigold

This study analyzed 11 Chinese cultivars of marigold to determine their major phytochemical contents and antioxidant activities. Dried marigold flowers were extracted with ethanol, ethyl acetate, and n-hexane and the extracts were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and chemical methods to determine their lutein esters, phenolic and flavonoid contents, and antioxidant activity, respectively. The different cultivars of marigold showed considerable variations in their lutein ester contents, ranging from 161.0 to 611.0 mg/100 g of flower (dry basis). The lutein esters in marigolds consisted predominantly of six all trans-diesters, but small amounts of cis isomers of the respective diesters were also present. The different cultivars of marigold also showed marked variations in total phenols and flavonoids, as well as antioxidant and radical-scavenging activities. Ethanol was confirmed to be the best solvent for extracting both phenols and flavonoids from marigold flowers, while n-hexane was the worst. The ethanolic extracts also exhibited the highest antioxidant and radical-scavenging activities. The cultivar Xinhong had the highest phenolic and flavonoid contents and radical-scavenging activity, as well as one of the highest lutein contents and antioxidant activities.     

施用玉米秸秆堆肥对盆栽芥菜土壤酶活性和微生物的影响

研究了施用玉米秸秆堆肥对盆栽芥菜土壤微生物和土壤酶活性的影响。结果表明,与对照和单施无机肥相比,施用堆肥能够提高芥菜生物量,增加根际土壤细菌、放线菌和真菌的数量,各处理微生物数量均在收获期达到最大值;同时,施用堆肥能够显著提高芥菜根际土壤脲酶、蔗糖酶、过氧化氢酶和纤维素酶的活性。各土壤酶在芥菜的生长期内变化趋势不同,脲酶活性在收获期达到最高;化肥与堆肥配施蔗糖酶活性在整个生长期内较稳定,其他处理均在收获期最低;过氧化氢酶活性在前期比较稳定,收获期有较大幅度下降;纤维素酶活性在旺长期较高,而苗期和收获期较低。相关性分析表明,部分土壤酶活性之间呈显著或极显著正相关;酶活性与土壤微生物数量之间呈显著或极显著正相关,表明土壤酶活性与微生物能够较好地反映土壤肥力水平。     

CO_2浓度升高对万寿菊生长发育与光合生理的影响

为探究经济花卉万寿菊响应CO_2浓度升高的生理机制,以万寿菊金币品种为试材,利用OTC(open top chamber)系统进行CO_2浓度控制试验,测定了万寿菊形态特征、叶片组织结构、光合色素含量、光合作用及糖类代谢物的变化。结果表明,本试验种植的万寿菊维管束中无"花环状"结构,是菊科中的C_3植物。CO_2浓度升高后,万寿菊叶片栅栏组织增多,栅栏组织内的叶绿体数量增加,光合色素含量增加,净光合速率增强,气孔导度和蒸腾速率在现蕾期和初花期下降,而在盛花期增加,水分利用率在各生育时期均增加。此外,CO_2浓度升高后,万寿菊叶片中还原糖含量、可溶性总糖含量、淀粉含量、纤维素含量均增加。植株的株高、茎粗、单株茎秆重、单株总生物量均有增加,花朵总产量增加27.46%。综上可知,CO_2浓度升高促进了万寿菊叶片光合作用和碳代谢,有利于万寿菊的生长发育。本研究结果有助于揭示万寿菊响应CO_2浓度升高的生理机制,为未来的万寿菊生产开发提供了依据。     

Using marigold (Tagetes spp.) as a cover crop to protect crops from plant-parasitic nematodes

A plethora of research has been conducted on the use of marigolds (Tagetes spp.) for nematode suppression, yet limited cover cropping with marigold is being practiced in commercial operations. Marigold is well known among nematologists for its ability to produce compounds such as α-terthienyl that are allelopathic to many species of plant-parasitic nematodes. However, there are contradictory reports on how this compound is released. The uncertainty centers on whether allelopathic compounds are released from root or shoot tissues, by growing live plants or soil-amended tissues, as a response to nematode penetration, or as a non-specific repellent. Other mechanisms by which marigold suppresses plant-parasitic nematodes include acting as a poor host, enhancing nematode-antagonistic microorganisms, or acting as a “dead-end” trap crop. Interpretation is complicated because multiple mechanisms may operate simultaneously. Understanding the exact mechanisms responsible for the nematode-suppressive effects of marigold could lead to further/broader incorporation into nematode management programs. This literature review revealed variable findings from marigold use. For example, in some instances using marigold was reported to be more effective than nematicides or soil fumigants and in other instances it had a negative impact on cash crop growth and yield. This variation has been attributed to differences in the way marigolds were used (e.g. intercrop/cover crop/soil amendment, seeding rate, time between marigold and cash crop), marigold cultivar, species or races of target nematodes, temperature, or age of marigold plant. Thus, future research should focus on determining the exact causes of this variability and on developing field IPM programs that take advantage of the nematode-suppressive potential of marigold.     

Carotenoid composition of marigold (Tagetes erecta) flower extract used as nutritional supplement.

Commercially prepared marigold flower (Tagetes erecta) extract was saponified and analyzed for carotenoid composition. HPLC analyses were performed on two normal-phase columns (beta-Cyclobond and silica) and on a C(30) reversed-phase column. The extract contained 93% utilizable pigments (detected at 450 nm), consisting of all-trans and cis isomers of zeaxanthin (5%), all-trans and cis isomers of lutein, and lutein esters (88%). All were identified by chromatographic retention, UV-visible spectra, and positive ion electrospray mass spectrometry in comparison to authentic standards. Contrary to previous findings, insignificant levels (<0.3%) of lutein oxidation products were detected in the saponified extract. This compositional determination is important for the application of marigold extract in nutritional supplements and increases its value as a poultry feed colorant because it contains more biologically useful lutein compounds than previously believed.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi mitigates heavy metal toxicity adverse effects in sewage water contaminated soil on Tagetes erecta L

The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the impact of colonization with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus Glomus constrictum on the biomass production, flower quality, chlorophyll content, macronutrients and heavy metals content of marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) planted under uncontaminated soil and watered with various rates of sewage water. Sewage water utilization significantly decreased biomass production, characters of flower, nutrient concentration and rates of mycorrhizal colonization of mycorrhizal (M) and non-mycorrhizal (NM) marigold as compared to control untreated plants especially at the higher rates, but the reduction rate was proportionally higher in non-AM treatments. Mycorrhizal plants had significantly greater yield, relative chlorophyll content, leaf area, flower quality and element (P, N, K and Mg) content compared to non-inoculated marigold plants irrigated with or without sewage water. Furthermore, AM inoculation had highly decreased heavy metal (Zn, Co, Mn, Cu) content in tissues as compared to equivalent non-inoculated plants grown under sewage water application. Growing marigold with AM inoculum can reduce toxicity of heavy metals and enhance biomass production and P uptake. The results support the view that AM have a protective function for the host plant, hence playing a potential function in soil polluted immobilization processes, and thus are of assessing the potential of phytoremediation of heavy metals in sewage water contaminated soil.     

金盏菊栽培中园林废弃物堆肥与牛粪替代泥炭的效果分析

  【目的】   探究园林废弃物堆肥和牛粪有机肥替代进口泥炭用于金盏菊 (Calendula officinalis L.) 无土栽培的可行性。   【方法】   在添加10% 珍珠岩和10% 蛭石 (体积比) 不变的条件下，将园林废弃物堆肥和牛粪有机肥按照V_{园林废弃物堆肥}∶V_{牛粪有机肥} = 4∶0 (T1)、3∶1 (T2)、2∶2 (T3)、1∶3 (T4) 和0∶4 (T5) 配制栽培基质，并以T0处理 (10% 珍珠岩 + 10% 蛭石 + 80% 进口泥炭) 作为对照，总计6种栽培基质，用于金盏菊无土栽培。在180 天的温室培育后，测定并分析金盏菊总鲜质量、根鲜质量、地上部分鲜质量、根长、花朵数、冠幅以及株高等指标，利用冗余 (RDA) 分析探究影响金盏菊各形态指标的主要因素，并根据植株形态指标综合评价体系来评估金盏菊生长状况，最终确定不同配比的栽培基质品质的优劣。   【结果】   T0处理与T1处理的金盏菊根系发育优于T2～T5处理；T1～T5处理的金盏菊地上部分生长情况均优于对照组T0处理，其中T5处理的金盏菊株高、冠幅生长效果最优，T2处理的金盏菊花朵数增多效果最优；T1～T5处理金盏菊生物量积累均高于对照组T0处理。通过RDA分析可知，金盏菊地上部分的生长、总鲜质量和地上部分鲜质量主要受栽培基质的速效磷、速效钾、全氮、pH、电导率 (EC值) 和容重影响；金盏菊地下部分生长情况主要受栽培基质的EC值、有机质、总孔隙度、通气孔隙和持水孔隙影响。通过综合评价可知，T1处理栽培基质条件下金盏菊综合评价指数最高 (0.72)，金盏菊的综合生长状况最优。   【结论】   园林废弃物堆肥和牛粪有机肥替代进口泥炭进行金盏菊无土栽培可以有效提高金盏菊品质，降低我国花卉无土栽培对进口泥炭的依赖。其中，以10% 蛭石 + 10% 珍珠岩+80% 园林废弃物堆肥对金盏菊生长最为有利，既可利用廉价的有机固体废弃物，又可提高金盏菊的生产效益。      

丛枝菌根真菌对万寿菊生长、吸镉及生理特性的影响

A pot experiment was carried out to study the effects of three arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), including Glomus intraradices, Glomus constrictum and Glomus mosseae, on the growth, root colonization and Cd accumulation of marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) at Cd addition levels of 0, 5 and 50 mg kg-1 in soil. The physiological characteristics, such as chlorophyll content, soluble sugar content, soluble protein content and antioxidant enzyme activity, of Tagetes erecta L. were also investigated. The symbiotic relationship between the marigold plant and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi was well established under Cd stress. The symbiotic relationship was reffected by the better physiobiochemical parameters of the marigold plants inoculated with the three AMF isolates where the colonization rates in the roots were between 34.3% and 88.8%. Compared with the non-inoculated marigold plants, the shoot and root biomass of the inoculated marigold plants increased by 15.2%- 47.5% and 47.8%-130.1%, respectively, and the Cd concentration and accumulation decreased. The chlorophyll and soluble sugar contents in the mycorrhizal marigold plants increased with Cd addition, indicating that AMF inoculation helped the marigold plants to grow by resisting Cd stress. The antioxidant enzymes reacted differently with the three AMF under Cd stress. For plants inoculated with G. constrictum and G. mosseae, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) increased with increasing Cd addition, but peroxidase (POD) activity decreased with increasing Cd addition. For plants inoculated with G. intraradices, three of the antioxidant enzyme activities were significantly decreased at high levels of Cd addition. Overall, the activities of the three antioxidant enzymes in the plants inoculated with AMF were higher than those of the plants without AMF inoculation under Cd stress. Our results support the view that antioxidant enzymes have a great influence on the biomass of plants, and AMF can improve the capability of reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging and reduce Cd concentration in plants to alleviate Tagetes erecta L. from Cd stress.     

万寿菊秸秆用于苹果连作土壤生物修复材料的潜力

[目的]万寿菊秸秆具有抑制有害微生物的作用,而苹果产业的可持续发展受到连作障碍的严重制约。本文研究了利用万寿菊进行连作土壤生物消毒的效果,为万寿菊秸秆的有效利用和苹果连作障碍的生物防控寻找可行的方案。[方法]2017年以平邑甜茶幼苗为试材,以26年苹果树下棕壤为供试土壤进行了盆栽试验。设4个万寿菊秸秆粉加入量0、12、30、60 g/kg,与土壤混合,浇水,幼苗移栽之前用薄膜覆盖15天,揭开晾7天。同时,设置一组不添加万寿菊粉也不用薄膜覆盖的处理作为对照(CK)。在幼苗生长3个月后开始取植株样,每隔一个月取一次,共采集三次,同时采集土壤样品。测定了平邑甜茶幼苗生长指标、光合参数、根系呼吸速率、保护性酶活性及土壤微生物等相关指标。[结果]与不添加万寿菊粉处理(0 g/kg)相比,万寿菊粉不同添加量处理均能显著增加根系呼吸速率,提高根系保护性酶活性;提高了平邑甜茶幼苗叶片的光合参数,促进连作平邑甜茶幼苗生长;优化土壤微生物环境。综合各指标,以30 g/kg处理的效果最好,与不添加万寿菊粉处理相比,平邑甜茶幼苗的根系呼吸速率增加56.6%,根系超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性分别增加48.7%、113.5%、115.2%。株高、地径、地上部鲜重、叶片叶绿素含量分别增加183.3%、55.5%、221.5%和17.3%。净光合速率(Pn)提高了83.6%,水分利用效率(WUE)提高了57.1%。上述各指标均与0、12、60 g/kg处理差异显著。添加万寿菊秸秆粉处理土壤后,土壤细菌增加,真菌减少,12、30、60 g/kg添加量的土壤细菌/真菌比值分别为99.3、265.7、197.3,分别是不添加处理的1.4倍、3.7倍、2.7倍,处理间差异显著。土壤中的尖孢镰孢菌基因拷贝数均降低,分别比不添加万寿菊粉处理下降18.6%、57.1%、40.4%,处理间差异显著。T-RFLP结果表明,不添加万寿菊粉处理(0 g/kg)与添加12 g/kg处理的真菌群落结构相似,30 g/kg与60 g/kg添加量的真菌群落结构较为相似,均与CK有明显差异。万寿菊添加量60g/kg处理的各指标虽然优于对照,但不如添加量30 g/kg处理的。试验中发现连作土只覆膜处理虽然对各指标的改善有一定的作用,但效果不明显。[结论]在连作土壤上施用适宜量的万寿菊秸秆粉,能降低土壤尖孢镰孢菌的基因拷贝数,明显改变连作土壤的真菌群落结构,提高平邑甜茶幼苗根系的呼吸速率和保护性酶活性,促进幼苗的生长,提高幼苗的光合效率,有效缓解苹果连作障碍。因此,万寿菊秸秆粉是一种有效的连作土壤修复材料,其在生产实践中的适宜添加量需要进一步研究。     

Latent and active polyphenol oxidase (PPO) in red clover (Trifolium pratense) and use of a low PPO mutant to study the role of PPO in proteolysis reduction

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity in leaf extracts of wild type (WT) red clover and a mutant line expressing greatly reduced levels of PPO (LP red clover) has been characterized. Both latent and active forms of PPO were present, with the latent being the predominant form. PPO enzyme and substrate (phaselic acid) levels fluctuated over a growing season and were not correlated. Protease activation of latent PPO was demonstrated; however, the rate was too low to have an immediate effect following extraction. A novel, more rapid PPO activation mechanism by the enzyme's own substrate was identified. Rates of protein breakdown and amino acid release were significantly higher in LP red clover extracts compared with WT extracts, with 20 versus 6% breakdown of total protein and 1.9 versus 0.4 mg/g FW of free amino acids released over 24 h, respectively. Inclusion of ascorbic acid increased the extent of protein breakdown. Free phenol content decreased during a 24 h incubation of WT red clover extracts, whereas protein-bound phenol increased and high molecular weight protein species were formed. Inhibition of proteolysis occurred during wilting and ensilage of WT compared with LP forage (1.9 vs 5 and 17 vs 21 g/kg of DM free amino acids for 24 h wilted forage and 90 day silage, respectively). This study shows that whereas constitutive red clover PPO occurs predominantly in the latent form, this fraction can contribute to reducing protein breakdown in crude extracts and during ensilage.     

Suitability of Fly Ash Vermicompost as a Component of Pine Bark Growing Media: Effects on Media Physicochemical Properties and Ornamental Marigold (Tagetes spp.) Growth and Flowering

This study evaluated the possibility of mixing fly ash vermicompost (FA) with pine bark (PB) compost to produce a horticultural growing medium for ornamental plants using ornamental marigolds (Tagetes spp.) as the test crop. Fly ash vermicompost was mixed with pine bark compost at 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% and marigold seeds were sown with or without fertilizer in the resultant media to test their suitability as seedling growing media. FA substitution up to 50% significantly improved water-holding capacity, total porosity, and air-filled porosity. It also raised pH from 4.52 to a maximum of 8.33 when incorporated up to 75%. Incorporation of FA up to 75% resulted in significantly high germination percentages above 90% compared to only 22.5% for the 100% PB medium. However, after 4 weeks of growth, seedlings in the 25 and 50% FA substituted media had higher plant height and leaf area. The 25% FA treatment resulted in significantly higher number of flowers and buds compared to the 50 and 75%. For effective marigold seedling germination and growth, a 50% FA:50% PB growing medium is recommended while for maturity and flower production, the 25% FA:75% PB combination is preferred.     

接种菌剂对猪粪高温堆肥中酶活性的影响

在静态通气条件下,以猪粪为原料,以小麦秸秆作为调节物质,分别用接种复合微生物和常规堆肥两个处理研究了高温堆肥过程中酶活性的变化特征,并对其与堆料E4/E6和电导率（EC）的相互关系进行了探讨。结果表明,接种菌剂堆肥显著地提高了堆料的温度,延长了高温腐解期,有效地提高了猪粪堆肥过程中各种酶的活性和峰值。酶活性的大小因酶种类和堆肥时期的不同而各异;纤维素酶和蔗糖酶在高温期的活性高,在低温期急速下降;脲酶和多酚氧化酶活性峰值出现在堆肥后期低温阶段;脱氢酶活性峰值出现在堆肥中期,过氧化氢酶活性在整个堆肥过程中呈持续下降的趋势。接种菌剂处理和CK处理堆肥期间的EC值均与纤维素酶和脱氢酶活性呈显著的正相关（p＜0.01）;E4/E6与过氧化氢酶活性成显著正相关（p＜0.01）,说明酶活性大小是反映堆肥过程中矿质化过程和腐殖化过程生物化学进程的很好指标。     

Phenolic extraction from apple peel by cellulases from Thermobifida fusca

With the optimization of the pretreatment conditions for the crude Thermobifida fusca cellulase activity and phenolic release from apple peel, we focused on the activity of individual purified cellulase related to the antioxidant activity. The overall phenolic release was significantly increased in a synergistic manner with combined pretreatment, not with individual pretreatment such as boiling, acid, and pectinase treatment. Approximately 60 mg of reducing sugar equivalent were produced per g of apple peel by treatment with T. fusca crude extract, and up to 3 times more reducing sugars were released when the apple peel was boiled and then treated with acid and pectinase. There was good correlation between the release of phenolics and reducing sugar by cellulase treatment and also between the amount of total phenolics and antioxidant capacity by each enzyme treatment (r2> 0.95). Among the tested enzymes purified from T. fusca cell extract, cellulase activity on apple peel was the highest with cellulase 6A (Cel 6A; 43% digestion), and the highest antioxidant capacity was obtained by incubation with Cel 6B (16 mg vitamin C equiv/g). Synergism in the activity was found from the combined treatment with Cel 6A and 6B in both cellulase activity and antioxidant capacity after 20 h of incubation. Cel 9A (progressive endocellulase) exhibited greater cellulase activity and antioxidant capacity than Cel 9A cd which lacks in cellulose-binding module, indicating that the cellulose-binding domain might play important roles in cellulolysis of apple peel. This study could provide some insights into the action mechanism of various cellulases on the digestion of cellulose-containing byproducts and expand the opportunity for cellulase utilization in the extraction of functional ingredients from the plant-derived byproducts.     

Cellulases (CMCases) and polyphenol oxidases from thermophilic Bacillus spp. isolated from compost

In composting, organic matter is degraded by cellulases and ligninolytic enzymes at temperatures typically above 50 °C. This study isolated thermophilic microorganisms from a compost system that were then screened for cellulase and polyphenol oxidase activity. Temperature optima for the cellulases and polyphenol oxidases were determined as 70 and 40 °C, respectively. Maximal cellulase activity was determined as 1.333 mg glucose released ml⁻¹ min⁻¹. Maximal polyphenol oxidase activity attained was 5.111 nmol phenol ml⁻¹ min⁻¹. Cellulases were found to be stable over a period of 1 h. The isolated compost microorganisms were identified as strains of Bacillus using 16S ribosomal DNA sequence analysis.     

接种菌剂对堆肥微生物数量和酶活性的影响

以牛粪和蘑菇渣为原料进行好氧堆肥,研究接种外源菌剂对堆肥中微生物数量和酶活变化的影响,为微生物菌剂的应用和堆肥工艺的改进提供依据。结果表明,加菌处理微生物数量高于CK处理。堆肥中酶活分析结果表明,各类酶活变化趋势有所不同。其中过氧化氢酶是由低到高的趋势,堆肥中加入外源菌剂对过氧化氢酶活性没有影响,加菌和CK处理最终活性为原始值的2倍以上;脲酶和纤维素酶的变化趋势都是先升高,再降低。加菌和CK处理脲酶活性峰值分别为37．38和30．17mgNH3-N·g^-1·24h^-1;纤维素酶活性峰值分别是51．84和30．62μg·min^-1,外源菌剂对二者酶活性均有明显提高。转化酶也是由高到低的变化趋势,但出现两个波峰。加菌处理转化酶活性峰值分别在第3和第14d出现,峰值为14．20和21．70．mg葡萄糖·g^-1·24h^-1;CK处理出现在第3和第21d,其峰值分别为11．77和20．71mg葡萄糖·g^-1·24h^-1。外源菌剂不仅可提高转化酶活性,还可以使其提前到达峰值。多酚氧化酶与其他酶有较大差别,它是降低-升高-降低的趋势。加菌和CK处理多酚氧化酶活性峰值分别为36．30和47．55mg没食子素·g^-1·3h^-1。以上结果表明,在好氧堆肥中接种外源菌剂可以加快堆肥中有机质分解和转化,促进腐熟。     

Phosphorus efficiency of ornamental plants in peat substrates

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate factors contributing to phosphorous (P) efficiency of ornamental plants. Marigold (Tagetes patula) and poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherima) were cultivated in a peat substrate (black peat 80% + mineral component 20% on a volume basis), treated with P rates of 0, 10, 35, 100, and 170 mg (L substrate)^–1. During the cultivation period, plants were fertigated with a complete nutrient solution (including 18 mg P L^–1) every 2 d. Both poinsettia and marigold attained their optimum yield at the rate of 35 mg P (L substrate)^–1 and the critical level of P in shoot dry matter of both crops was 5–6 mg g^–1. After planting, plant‐available P increased at lower P rates to a higher level for poinsettia than for marigold, but no significant change was observed at higher P rates. Balance sheet calculations indicated that at lower P rates more P was fertigated than was taken up by the plants. Root‐length density, root‐to‐shoot ratio, and root‐hair length of marigold were doubled compared to that of poinsettia. Root‐length density increased with crop growth, and 10 d after planting the mean half distance between roots exceeded the P‐depletion zone around roots by a factor of 3 and 1.5 for poinsettia and marigold, respectively. Thus, at this early stage poinsettia exploited only 10% of the substrate volume whereas marigold utilized 43%. Later in the cultivation period, the depletion zones around roots overlapped for both crops. Taking into account P uptake via root hairs, the simulation revealed that this was more important for marigold compared to poinsettia especially at low P‐supply levels. However, increase of P uptake due to root hairs was only 10%–20% at optimum P supply. For the two lower P levels, the P‐depletion profile around roots calculated for 10 d after planting showed that after 2 d of depletion the concentration at the root surface was below the assumed K_m value (5 μM) and the concentration gradient was insufficient to fit the demand. A higher content of plant‐available P in the substrate was observed for poinsettia compared to marigold in the treatment with P application adequate for optimum growth, because more fertigated P was accumulated during early stages of cultivation due to lower root‐length density of poinsettia. The observed difference of root morphological parameters did not contribute significantly to P‐uptake efficiency, since P mobility in the peat substrate was high.     

Microbial biomass and activity in pine litter in the presence of Tomocerus minor (Insecta,Collembola)

Summary Laboratory microcosms were used to study microbial populations and biomasses developing in fragmented litter of Pinus nigra Arnold var. nigra (A. et G.). Direct observations (fungal standing crop and fluorescein-stainable mycelia), litter enzyme analyses (cellulase and dehydrogenase), and measurements by physiological methods (microbial CO₂ production and total microbial, fungal, and bacterial viable biomasses) were made at 3-week intervals for 15 weeks. Most variables showed great changes during this period, which were ascribed to a rise in litter moisture content during the initial phase of the experiment, and to substrate depletion towards its final phase. The addition of the collembolan Tomocerus minor (Lubbock) for 1 week enhanced cellulase activities by 4%. When the animals were introduced after 6 weeks, the fungal standing crop was enhanced, and the percentage of fluorescein-stainable mycelia was reduced. Dehydrogenase activity was increased by grazing when the microbial population had been established for 9 weeks or longer. Eucaryotic and procaryotic substrate-induced respiration were positively correlated, which was explained by partial segregation of resources for the two groups. Litter cellulase and dehydrogenase activity showed correlations by other techniques, indicating their suitability as parameters for microbial activity in general, and for the collembolan grazing impact on microbial activity in particular.     

铀污染对土壤酶活性及微生物功能多样性的影响

为研究外源铀对土壤微生态的影响,设置不同浓度(0、10、20、50、100、150 mg·kg^-1)的铀对土壤进行处理,测定各铀处理组中土壤酶活性和微生物功能多样性。Biolog-ECO微平板技术分析结果表明,随着铀污染浓度升高,微生物活性逐渐降低;各铀处理组土壤微生物群落Shannon、Simpson、McIntosh多样性指数均显著低于对照组。铀处理后,六大类碳源利用能力较对照组显著降低,其中酚酸类碳源平均颜色变化率(AWCD)仅为对照组的19.98%。对照组中,微生物对胺类碳源利用能力最高;10 mg·kg^-1铀处理组中,微生物对多聚物类碳源利用能力最高;50、100和150 mg·kg^-1铀处理组中,微生物对羧酸类碳源利用能力最高。酶活性分析表明,随着铀污染浓度升高,碱性磷酸酶和芳基硫酸酯酶活性均呈下降趋势,而亚硝酸还原酶活性呈先升高后降低的趋势。纤维素酶活性仅在高浓度铀污染土壤中受到抑制。铀处理第30天,酶活性受到的抑制作用最强。4种酶对铀敏感程度依次为芳基硫酸酯酶>碱性磷酸酶>亚硝酸还原酶>纤维素酶。综上可知,铀污染对土壤微生物群落碳源利用能力有显著的抑制作用,同时芳基硫酸酯酶可有效表征土壤受铀污染程度。本研究结果为评估和修复铀污染生态环境提供了理论依据。     

Activity,origins and location of cellulases in a silt loam soil

Summary Cellulase activity in a silt loam soil was assayed and characterised using a microcrystalline cellulose substrate (Avicel). Activity was maximal between pH 5.3 and pH 6.0. A 64% loss in activity was observed on air-drying the soil. However, the residual activity was stable to storage at 40°C for 7 days and was resistant to the action of added protease. The component endoglucanase and -D-glucosidase activities in field-moist and air-dried soil were also assayed. The proportion of the soil microbial population able to utilise cellulose was investigated and the persistence of two free (soluble) cellulase preparations of microbial origin was determined following their addition to soil. A rapid decline in the endoglucanase activity of a Streptomyces sp. cellulase preparation was observed while 30% of the original activity of a Trichoderma viride cellulase preparation could still be detected after 20 days. From the data obtained in this study it appears that the major portion of the -D-glucosidase activity is bound to and protected by the soil colloids. By contrast, the major portion of the exo- and endoglucanase activity appears to be free in the soil solution, attached to the outer surfaces of cellulolytic microorganisms or associated in enzyme substrate complexes. The low residual activity measured in air-dried soil may owe its stability to an association with soil colloids or with recalcitrant cellulosic material present in soil.