温度和物料配比对城市园林绿化废物与鸡粪水浴法好氧堆肥的影响

[目的]探究温度和物料配比对城市园林绿化废物与鸡粪水浴法好氧堆肥的影响,为大规模好氧堆肥提供技术指导与理论基础。[方法]以恒温水浴锅、空气泵、气体转子流量计、温度计、发酵瓶与洗气瓶为材料,构建水浴法温控好氧堆肥装置,开展城市园林绿化废物与鸡粪质量比分别为2∶3,2∶1,3∶1,5∶1(分别命名A,B,C,D组)水浴法堆肥试验。[结果]城市园林绿化废物与鸡粪发酵堆肥微生物代谢活性最佳温度在50～55℃之间,当温度≥55℃,微生物对有机物的降解受到明显抑制。从温度变化看,A—D组堆肥均经历了升温期、高温期、降温期和中温期。A—D组堆肥氮素损失率分别为47.11%±0.55%,63.82%±1.05%,53.43%±0.71%和36.38%±0.83%,D组堆肥的保氮量最高。从种子发芽率与发芽指数看,A—D组堆肥产物发芽率分别为96.7%±2.11%,96.7%±2.25%,84.4%±1.98%和96.7%±2.06%,堆肥产物均达到腐熟度评价标准(≥80%)。[结论]城市园林绿化废物与鸡粪水浴法好氧堆肥最佳温度为50～55℃,D组堆肥的保氮量最高,4组堆肥产物均达到腐熟度评价标准。     

不同水分和物料配比条件下堆肥氨气排放量研究

结合北京市平谷区桃树种植的具体农业生产状况,选用北京市周边具有代表性的鸡粪、金针菇菇渣和桃树枝作为堆肥研究对象,使用实验室堆肥设备进行好氧堆肥,对堆肥产生的氨气排放量及规律进行研究。研究结果表明,堆肥水分从50%增加为60%,氮损失率增加约10%;单位质量堆肥氨气的排放量减少比例与桃枝添加比例成正相关。建议鸡粪与桃枝的比例控制在1∶2.5,堆肥水分控制在50%～60%,以降低堆肥过程中的氨气排放量,减少氮损失。     

畜禽粪便堆肥快速升温除臭多功能复合菌剂及其应用

采用多重筛选方法相结合,从土壤、秸秆、堆肥等不同来源样品中分离得到4株具有较强纤维素降解能力细菌A531、A422、B622和C631,该4株菌株同时具有使堆肥快速升温和有效除臭潜力。经菌体形态观察、生理生化分析及16S rDNA鉴定,其中两株分别为蜡状芽孢杆菌(A531)、白色芽孢杆菌(C631),菌株A422和B622须进一步鉴定。将该4株菌与本实验室保藏的1株氨氧化细菌(新型耐热芽孢杆菌Aliibacillus thermotolerans)BM62按照不同比例配制成复合菌剂进行堆肥功能验证,结果表明,菌株A531、A422、B622、C631和BM62按照1∶1∶1∶1∶1的比例混合进行堆肥,与对照堆肥相比,添加菌剂的堆肥中纤维素降解率提高19.83%,总氮损失率降低10%,NO_2~-含量增加46.6%,NH_3挥发率降低35.5%;将此复合菌剂各菌株比例调整为2∶2∶1∶1∶1的堆肥结果为,纤维素降解率提高了21.73%,总氮损失率减少8.1%,NO_2~-含量增加39.7%,NH_3挥发减少23.1%;将此复合菌剂各菌株比例调整为1∶2∶1∶2∶1的堆肥结果为,纤维素降解率提高了18.86%,总氮损失率减少了11.2%,NO_2~-含量增加了49.1%,NH_3挥发减少42.6%。以上结果表明,此复合菌剂可以明显降低堆肥过程不愉快气味,降低堆肥中氮素损失,快速有效分解纤维素等有机物质,具有很好的应用价值和社会意义。     

城市林木枯落物与河道底泥不同配比的堆肥效果

为利用城市林木枯落物与河道底泥堆肥生产有机肥,设计城市林木枯落物和经加粉煤灰钝化处理的河道底泥5种不同比例(1∶1、1∶2、1∶3、2∶1和3∶1)的高温堆肥试验,测定堆肥过程中堆温、p H值、有机质和C/N的动态变化,以及这5种配方堆肥产物的种子发芽指数。结果显示,堆温和p H值均呈先升高后下降的趋势,3∶1的配比升温迅速、高温期维持时间(5 d)最长;堆肥结束时,各处理均达到腐熟,p H值在7.47~8.87,有机质分别下降了36%、38%、42%、33%和29%,城市林木枯落物比例增加有利于减少有机质损失;由于底泥的C/N较低,增加枯落物有助于提高堆肥效率;处理1、4和5的种子发芽率分别在26、18和19 d达80%以上,而处理2和3直至堆肥结束其种子发芽率仍小于80%。综合考虑堆肥质量和效率,底泥和城市林木枯落物3∶1的处理为规模化生产有机肥的适宜原料比例。     

枝条堆肥及其还田后对苹果园土壤养分状况和植株光合性能的影响

【目的】通过探究不同枝条堆肥腐解程度及还田处理对果园土壤有机质、速效养分及苹果植株光合性能的影响,为果园修剪枝条合理化利用提供理论依据和实践支持。【方法】对果树修剪下来的枝条进行粉碎后,按枝条碎片∶尿素∶菌剂重量比进行堆肥处理,处理1(T1)为30∶0∶0,处理2(T2)为30∶1∶0,处理3(T3)为300∶0∶1,处理4(T4)为300∶10∶1。堆肥60 d后分别测定堆肥过程中堆肥材料纤维素、半纤维素、木质素含量。以不覆盖为对照（CK）,将4种堆肥处理产物分别进行苹果树行下覆盖还田,对应记为ST1、ST2、ST3、ST4,测定堆肥覆盖还田后土壤有机质含量及苹果树植株净光合速率等指标变化。【结果】尿素及菌剂添加有利于促进枝条碎片的腐解,且以两者共同添加效果更显著;与T1相比,T2、T3、T4处理半纤维素、纤维素和木质素的降解率均显著增加。T2和T4处理纤维素和木质素降解率无显著差异,T4处理半纤维素、纤维素和木质素的降解率分别为15.60%、25.85%、26.83%。堆肥覆盖还田后,可提高土壤有机质和速效氮磷钾的含量,两者均呈现ST4> ST2> ST3> ST...     

毛乌素沙地玉米不同种植年限砒砂岩与沙复配土壤有机质与全氮的关系

[目的]研究毛乌素沙地不同种植年限下不同比例砒砂岩与沙复配土壤碳氮变化特征,分析新造复配成土结构能否持续稳定发育。[方法]根据2013—2016年田间小区试验数据,对不同种植年限下3种比例砒砂岩与沙复配土壤有机质和全氮时空变化特征及两者间的关系进行研究。[结果]①不同比例复配土壤有机质和全氮含量均随着作物种植年限的增加而呈现稳定上升趋势;②4 a间3种复配土壤有机质和全氮含量均表现为:1∶11∶21∶5,各自相对于2013年变化差异极显著(p0.01);③不同种植年限下3种比例复配土壤有机质与全氮均呈现显著正相关,相关系数分别为0.860,0.891 7,0.737 6。[结论]复配比例和种植年限是影响新造土壤有机质和全氮含量的重要因子。     

稻秸与猪粪静态好氧共堆肥的最佳配比

为揭示稻秸与猪粪静态好氧共堆肥的最佳配比,采用室内培养法,以腐殖质组成为评价依据,对稻秸与猪粪按照7种质量比[10∶0(Rs),9∶1(Rp1),7∶3(Rp2),5∶5(Rp3),3∶7(Rp4),1∶9(Rp5)和0∶10(Pm)]混合后,于不同时间对物料进行水溶性物质、可提取腐植酸、胡敏酸、胡敏素碳含量(C_(WSS)、C_(HE)、C_(HA)、C_(Hu))以及胡敏酸碱溶液E_4/E_6、腐殖化系数(C_(HA)/C_(FA))的动态分析。结果表明:(1)与稻秸相比,猪粪中有更高含量的C_(WSS)和C_(HA),而C_(Hu)含量较低;(2)与0 d相比,90 d堆肥结束时,各处理C_(WSS)和C_(Hu)含量均有不同程度降低,其中,Rp1处理对CWSS的消耗程度最大,Rp3处理对C_(Hu)的分解作用最强;(3)在供试处理中,仅有Rp1处理在堆肥结束时能使C_(HE)增加13.1%,其余处理C_(HE)均表现为消耗;(4)Rp5处理在堆肥结束时能够促进HA分子的缩合,相反,其他处理HA分子的芳构化程度均有所下降。随堆肥进行,各处理HA均表现为先降解、再缩合的规律,稻秸占堆肥总质量≥30%,经堆肥后有利于腐殖质品质的提升,而猪粪占堆肥总质量≥90%,则堆肥后腐殖质品质会有所下降。     

污泥堆肥施用对土壤单位有机碳矿化及温度敏感性的影响

[目的]揭示污泥堆肥施用后土壤单位有机碳矿化及温度敏感性(Q₁₀)对于市政污泥资源化利用和土壤碳库稳定性的主控因素,并进而为市政污泥处理及土壤有机碳固持提供理论支撑。[方法]以黄土丘陵区退化草地土壤为研究对象,测定了不同污泥堆肥添加比例(0,2.0%,5.0%,10.0%,15.0%,20.0%)和培养温度(15℃,25℃和35℃)下土壤有机碳矿化速率,探讨了污泥堆肥添加对土壤有机碳矿化特征和Q₁₀的影响。[结果](1)与CK相比,不同污泥堆肥添加在培养初期土壤单位有机碳矿化速率显著增加(p<0.01),之后迅速下降直至趋于稳定;而施用污泥处理组的土壤单位累积矿化量是CK的1.6～4.2倍,在施用比例达到10.0%～20.0%时其有机碳矿化速率与累积矿化量均差异不显著。(2)运用一级动力学方程,拟合不同温度不同污泥添加土壤单位有机碳矿化动态均达到较好效果(R²>0.95),潜在矿化势(C₀)值在6.92～39.60 mg C/g差异显著(p<0.05),土壤有机碳矿化速率常数(k)...     

水稻秸秆预处理对猪粪高温堆肥过程中磷素形态变化的影响

[目的]明确秸秆预处理加快堆肥效率的同时,考察其是否能对堆体中磷的转化产生影响。[方法]通过添加秸秆腐熟剂(B)和氢氧化钙(C)分别对水稻秸秆进行10 d(B1、C1)和20 d(B2、C2)的预处理静态堆置,以无预处理的秸秆为对照(CK),与猪粪按比例混合后进行好氧堆肥。用红外光谱(IR)、扫描电镜(SEM)和X射线衍射(XRD)分析了水稻秸秆的改变程度,并用传统方法分级测定了堆肥过程中连续浸提的磷形态。[结果]秸秆腐熟剂预处理对秸秆结构破坏性更强,且预处理时间越长效果越好。秸秆腐熟剂预处理可缩短堆肥高温期,促进水稻秸秆与猪粪混合堆肥的进程,而氢氧化钙预处理则并无明显效果。堆肥结束后,C1和C2的总磷含量分别为26.47和23.68 g/kg,CK为22.51 g/kg;而B1和B2处理分别高达29.84和32.88g/kg。不同处理堆体中各形态磷含量差异较大,但整体来看各形态总磷含量高低依次为HCl-P>NaHCO3-P>H2O-P>NaOH-P。从植物有效磷(H2O-P+NaHCO3-P)含量上来看,秸秆腐熟剂预处理效果要优于氢氧化钙预处理(B1和B2分别为14.44和13.74 g/kg,C1和C2分别为12.27和12.02 g/kg)。不同的秸秆预处理时间对堆肥过程中磷素形态的转变影响不大,但与氢氧化钙预处理组相比,秸秆腐熟剂预处理更有利于NaOH-Po向NaOH-Pi的转化。[结论]秸秆腐熟剂对水稻秸秆进行预处理破坏性强于氢氧化钙预处理,且预处理时间越长效果越好。预处理有利于促进秸秆、猪粪混合堆肥过程中磷植物有效性的提高,且秸秆腐熟剂预处理效果要优于氢氧化钙预处理。     

冻融交替对砒砂岩与沙复配土壤氮素的影响

[目的]探讨冻融作用对毛乌素沙地陕北榆林地区砒砂岩与沙复配土壤氮素的影响,对于提升毛乌素沙地土壤肥力具有重要作用。[方法]通过室内培养试验,探讨不同比例砒砂岩与沙复配土壤氮矿化过程对冻融的响应特征。[结果]冻融交替作用对土壤氮的矿化有显著影响,在冻融1周期时,3种比例复配土壤中硝态氮、铵态氮含量增加较快。在冻融2周期后,复配土壤中硝态氮、铵态氮含量均出现下降趋势。冻融5周期,复配土壤中硝态氮、铵态氮含量均开始呈现稳定增加趋势。冻融10周期后,1∶1,1∶2及1∶5复配土壤铵态氮含量分别增加了10%,49%与11%,硝态氮含量分别增加了14%,39%与34%,其中1∶2复配土硝态氮、铵态氮含量较1∶1,1∶5增加显著,对氮素的保持性能较好。[结论]冻融循环促进了土壤有机氮的矿化,有利于土壤中硝态氮、铵态氮的累积,为早春农作物的生长提供足够的氮素。     

Agricultural potential of Mediterranean grain and forage legumes: Key differences between and within Vicia species in terms of phenology, yield, and agronomy give insight into plant adaptation to semi-arid environments

In order to identify key adaptive traits which affect productivity in Mediterranean grain and forage legumes and simultaneously determine the agricultural potential of a wide range of Vicia species, germplasm collected from the wild throughout the eastern Mediterranean was grown under semi-arid conditions in Tel Hadya, Syria (313 mm growing season rainfall). These included species currently in use in Mediterranean agriculture, such as V. sativa L., as well as those more widely used in the past-such as V. ervilia L., but also a broad selection from Section Narbonensis (B. Fedtsch. ex Radzhi) Maxted, including V. narbonensis L, V. johannis Tamamsch., V. hyaeniscyamus Mout., V. serratifolia Jacq., and V. kalakhensis Khattab et al. V. faba, a near relative of the taxa in Section Narbonensis, was included as a domesticated control. Where applicable, a representative range of subspecies was used. Accessions were chosen from a wide range of habitats in terms of latitude (31.02–40.72 decimal^o), longitude (27.1–43.17 decimal^o), altitude (20–1510 m), rainfall (180–1700 mm/yr) and soil depth (5–50 cm) in order to maximise diversity within species. Agricultural potential was determined by measuring seed, hay and biological yield, as well as agronomic traits such as harvest index, standing crop height, and seed size. The comparative influence of phenology and key agronomic traits such as plant habit and seed size on productivity varied tremendously between species, depending on their reproductive strategies. In V. sativa and V. ervilia, the smaller seed species which rely on long vegetative phases and growing seasons to accumulate sufficient biomass to set seed, and in which there was comparatively little agronomic variation, phenology had a large impact on yield. In early emerging taxa such as V. ervilia and V. s. subsp. sativa, with built-in long vegetative phases and growing seasons, seed yield was negatively correlated with flower ing (r = –0.86 to –0.88), whereas the opposite was the case for later emerging taxa such as V. s. subsp. nigra (L.) Ehrh. (r = 0.95). Within V. narbonensis and relatives, the larger seeded Vicia species which rely on more conservative reproductive strategies where high seedling vigour associated with large seeds enables the species to enter reproductive phases relatively early, phenology had a much smaller impact on yield than did variation of key traits such as seed weight, plant habit and pod shattering. Among the undomesticated germplasm harvest indices ranged from 0.09–0.31, hay yields from 0.1–3.4 t/ha, seed yield from 0–2.0 t/ha, and dry matter at maturity from 1.6–6.5 t/ha. Sub-specific taxonomy was crucial in determining agronomic potential. V. narbonensis var. aegyptiaca Kornhuber ex Asch. et Schweinf. showed the most potential, combining an upright habit, large seeds (212 mg) and tendency to retain intact pods after maturity, with the highest yield, harvest index and crop height of all the wild Vicia species. V. sativa subsp. sativa, V. ervilia and V. narbonensis var. narbonensis were less productive, but still showed agricultural potential. The smaller seeded V. narbonensis, var. affinis, var. jordanica H. Schäf. and var. salmonea (Mout.) H. Schäf., and their close relatives V. johannis, V. hyaeniscyamus, V. serratifolia and V. kalakhensis have little to offer Mediterranean agriculture on the basis of poor agronomy.     

On the Taxonomy of the Members of ‘Saccharum Complex’

The difficulty and problems encountered in the study of cultivated plants, in general and sugarcane, in particular has been indicated. In order to understand these problems, a brief review on the taxonomy of Saccharum and closely related taxa, namely, Erianthus, Sclerostachya, Narenga and Miscanthus (generally known as ‘Saccharum complex’) has been given. A short account on the important morphological features that are specific to sugarcane has also been stated as classification is commonly based on such morphological characters. A note has been added on the chromosome number, origin, and distribution of the species of ‘Saccharum complex’ members. Taxonomic keys have been devised for identification of the genera of Saccharinae and for the species of Saccharum and Erianthus occurring in India. A new combination, Sclerostachya fallax (Balansa) Amalraj et Balasundaram, has also been proposed.     

Polymorphism of high molecular weight glutenin subunits in three species of Aegilops

A collection of 136 accessions of Aegilops umbellulata (39), Ae. comosa (75) and Ae. markgrafii (22) was analysed for high-molecular-weight (HMW) glutenin subunits composition. The homogeneity of the accessions was studied and 55.1% of the collection was homogeneous for HMW glutenin subunits (29 Ae. umbellulata, 33 Ae. comosa and 14 Ae. markgrafii). The HMW glutenin subunits of Ae. umbellulata are encoded by the Glu-U1 locus; in Ae. comosa results showed that this proteins are encoded at the 1M chromosome, and the locus was named Glu-M1. In Ae. markgrafii it was assumed that HMW glutenin subunits were encoded by an homoeologous locus and it was named Glu-C1. All the accessions of Ae. umbellulata and Ae. markgrafii expressed both, x-type and y-type subunits. Among the Ae. comosa accessions, only one expressed an x-type subunit alone. All the accessions of Ae. umbellulata and some of Ae. comosa had x-type glutenins of higher molecular weights than those commonly present in bread wheat. A total of 8 alleles were detected at the Glu-U1 locus, 11 at the Glu-M1 and 4 at the Glu-C1. The new HMW glutenin variation found in this work suggests their possible utilisation in breeding for wheat quality.     

Genetic diversity of rhizobia associated with indigenous legumes in different regions of Flanders (Belgium)

We investigated the diversity of rhizobia isolated from different indigenous legumes in Flanders (Belgium). A total of 3810 bacterial strains were analysed originating from 43 plant species. Based on rep-PCR clustering, 16S rRNA gene and recA gene sequence analysis, these isolates belonged to Bradyrhizobium, Ensifer (Sinorhizobium), Mesorhizobium and Rhizobium. Of the genera encountered, Rhizobium was the most abundant (62%) and especially the species Rhizobiumleguminosarum, followed by Ensifer (19%), Bradyrhizobium (14%) and finally Mesorhizobium (5%). For two rep-clusters only low similarity values with other genera were found for both the 16S rRNA and recA genes, suggesting that these may represent a new genus with close relationship to Rhodopseudomonas and Bradyrhizobium. Primers for the symbiotic genes nodC and nifH were optimized and a phylogenetic sequence analysis revealed the presence of different symbiovars including genistearum, glycinearum, loti, meliloti, officinalis, trifolii and viciae. Moreover, three new nodC types were assigned to strains originating from Ononis, Robinia and Wisteria, respectively. Discriminant and MANOVA analysis confirmed the correlation of symbiosis genes with certain bacterial genera and less with the host plant. Multiple symbiovars can be present within the same host plant, suggesting the promiscuity of these plants. Moreover, the ecoregion did not contribute to the separation of the bacterial endosymbionts. Our results reveal a large diversity of rhizobia associated with indigenous legumes in Flanders. Most of the legumes harboured more than one rhizobial endosymbiont in their root nodules indicating the importance of including sufficient isolates per plant in diversity studies.     

Phylogenetic relationships of Actinidia and related genera based on micromorphological characters of foliar trichomes

The phylogenetic relationships within the genus Actinidia and among 3 allied genera Clematoclethra, Saurauia, and Sladenia have been very controversial. In order to understand the systematic implication of foliar trichomes in those genera, the micromorphological characteristics of foliar trichomes from 34 taxa were examined by means of light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The observed micromorphological characteristics were classified into eight main types. A phylogenetic analysis of Actinidia and related genera based on 15 micromorphological characters of foliar trichomes was conducted using Wagner parsimony method and Sladenia celastrifolia, Rhododendron hybridum and R. simsii as a complex outgroup. In the resulting phylogenetic tree, Actinidia is shown to be a monophyletic group, and Clematoclethra and Saurauia form another monophyletic group. This study also presents the phylogenetic relationships among 4 sections within the genus Actinidia: the monophyly of sect. Leiocarpae and of sect. Strigosae, and polyphyly of sect. Maculatae and of sect. Stellatae.     

Effect of agroforestry woody species on earthworm activity and physicochemical properties of worm casts

The effects of five agroforestry woody species (Dactyladenia barteri, Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala, Senna siamea andTreculia africana) on the surface aasting activity ofHyperiodrilus africanus were studied in an Alfisol (Oxic Paleustalf) in southwestern Nigeria. Casting activity under the woody species decreased in the following order:Dactyladenia sp. (26.4 Mg ha^-1 year^-1)>Gliricidia sp. (24.4 Mg ha^-1 year^-1)>Treculia sp. (22.9 Mg ha^-1 year^-1)>Leucaena sp. (18.6 Mg ha^-1 year^-1)>Senna sp. (18.3 Mg ha^-1 year^-1). These differences in casting activity were partly explained by microclimatic effects. Irrespective of the woody species, the worm casts were higher in clay and silt contents, bulk density, water-stable aggregates, pH, organic C, exchangeable cations, effective cation exchange capacity, and extractable P levels than the corresponding surface soils. The woody species did affect the physicochemical properties and P sorption of the worm casts. The content of water-stable aggregates of worm casts decreased in the following order:Dactyladenia sp.>Treculia sp.>Senna sp.>Leucaena sp.>Gliricidia sp. Large differences in extractable P levels were observed.Senna sp. was associated with the highest extractable P level (11.5 mg kg^-1) andTreculia sp. the lowest (4.9 mg kg^-1). P sorption was highest on worm casts underDactyladenia sp. and lowest on those underTreculia sp. Without fertilizer application, there were no significant differences in the dry weight of maize grown in the different worm casts. With NPK applications, the dry weight of maize grown in worm casts associated withTreculia sp. was significantly lower than that of maize grown in the other worm casts, mainly due to the low extractable P level. Despite a high organic C and exchangeable K status, maize grown in the worm casts still responded significantly to N and K applications. The N uptake by maize grown in worm casts associated withTreculia sp. was lower than that in the other treatments.     

Diversity of native rice (Oryza Poaceae:) species of Costa Rica

We found several populations of wild Oryza species in the lowlands of Costa Rica. The plants showed extensive morphological variation, suggesting the presence of several species. In the morphologic study, 33 traits were scored for plants of all the species. A principal component analysis revealed the significant morphological separation of the different species. The analyses indicated that there are three species, O. grandi­glumis, O. latifolia and O. glumaepatula. Two putative hybrid types were found, both significantly differing in their morphology from the known species and intermediate at several traits. O. grandi­glumis is a new record for Costa Rican flora. Its main population is located in Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, Los Chiles, Alajuela. O. latifolia is distributed throughout the lowlands of the country and the plants of the Atlantic slope are significantly bigger in general habit than those of the Guanacaste area. During this study a population of O. glumaepatula of hundreds of thousands of plants was discovered in the Medio Queso River wetland, Los Chiles, Alajuela. This population is the most important source of genes for cultivar's improvement from the primary gene pool of rice in Costa Rica. The small ligule and the wide flag leaf characteristic of the two CCDD species separated them from the AA diploid O. glumaepatula. Seed size, ligule size, number of branches in the panicle, plant height and sterile lemma length are all bigger in O. grandi­glumis, and influenced the second factor that separated the CCDD species in two discrete clusters. The species found offer great possibilities for the improvement of rice cultivars and they should be thoroughly studied and appropriately protected.     

Effect of passage through the intestinal tract of detritivore earthworms (Lumbricus spp.) on the number of selected Gram-negative and total bacteria

Laboratory experiments were carried out to investigate the fate of bacteria during and after passage through the intestinal tract of detritivore earthworms. Earthworms (Lumbricus spp.) were fed with cattle dung inoculated 7 days previously with one of five different Gram-negative bacteria. Bacterial concentrations were determined 2 days later in dung and soil, and in gut material from different parts of the earthworm intestinal tract. A high percentage (28–82%) of the total bacteria (epifluorescence direct counts) in the earthworm gut content was culturable. The concentration of total heterotrophic aerobic bacteria did not vary significantly among the five different bacterial additions and the non-inoculated control. In earthworm casts the number of total heterotrophs per gram dry matter (2.1×10⁹) was higher than in soil (1.7×10⁸), but lower than in the dung (1.5×10¹⁰). The test-bacteria, however, showed different survival patterns along the earthworm intestinal tract. The concentrations of Escherichia coli BJ 18 and Pseudomonas putida MM 1 and MM 11 in earthworm casts were lower than in the ingested dung, while concentrations of Enterobacter cloacae A 107 and Aeromonas hydrophila DMU 115 in dung and casts were similar. Ent. cloacae, and to aminor extent E. coli, were reduced in numbers by several orders of magnitude in the pharynx and/or crop. In the hind gut, however, the concentration of Ent. cloacae had increased to the same level as in the ingested dung, while the concentration of E. coli remained low. Our observations indicate that the bacterial flora of ingested food materials changes qualitatively and quantitatively during gut transit.