Effect of indaziflam on microbial activity and nitrogen cycling processes in an orchard soil

Indaziflam is a preemergent herbicide widely used for the control of weeds in pecan (Carya illinoinensis) orchards in the southwestern region of the United States. Given the paucity of data regarding the effect of indaziflam on the biochemical properties of soils supporting pecan production, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different application rates of indaziflam on soil microbial activity, diversity, and biochemical processes related to nitrogen (N) cycling. During two consecutive growing seasons (2015 and 2016), soil samples were obtained from experimental mesocosms consisting of soil-filled pots where pecan saplings were grown and treated with indaziflam applied at two different rates (25 and 50 g active ingredient (ai) ha^-1, with the higher rate being slightly lower than the recommended field application rate of 73.1 g ai ha^-1). Soil samples were collected approximately one week before and one week after herbicide application for determination of soil microbial biomass and diversity, N mineralization, and β-glucosaminidase activity. Soil samples collected from the control mesocosms without herbicide application were treated in the laboratory with two rates of indaziflam (75 and 150 g ai ha^-1) to determine the immediate effect on microbial activity. No significant effect of herbicide treatment on soil respiration and microbial biomass was detected. The results showed a slight to moderate decrease in microbial diversity (7% in 2015 and 44% in 2016). However, decreased β-glucosaminidase activity with herbicide treatment was observed in soils from the mesocosms (33%) and soils treated with indaziflam in the laboratory (45%). The mineral N pool was generally dominated by ammonium after indaziflam application, which was consistent with the drastic decrease (75%) in nitrification activity measured in the laboratory experiment. The results of this study indicate that indaziflam, even when applied at higher than recommended rates, has limited effects on soil microbial activity, but may affect N cycling processes.     

Hydrogen cyanide production by soil bacteria: Biological control of pests and promotion of plant growth in sustainable agriculture

Currently, plant diseases and insect infestations are mainly controlled by the extraneous application of pesticides. Unfortunately, the indiscriminate use of such agrochemicals can cause ecological and environmental problems, as well as human health hazards. To obviate the potential pollution arising from the application of agrochemicals, biological control of soilborne pathogens or insect pests using antagonistic microorganisms may be employed. Certain soil bacteria, algae, fungi, plants and insects possess the unique ability to produce hydrogen cyanide(HCN), which plays an important role in the biotic interactions of those organisms. In particular, cyanogenic bacteria have been found to inhibit the growth of various pathogenic fungi, weeds, insects, termites and nematodes. Thus, the use of HCN-producing bacteria as biopesticides offers an ecofriendly approach for sustainable agriculture. The enzyme, HCN synthase,involved in the synthesis of HCN, is encoded by the hcnABC gene cluster. The biosynthetic regulation of HCN, antibiotics and fluorescent insecticidal toxins through the conserved global regulatory GacS/GacA system is elaborated in this review, including approaches that may optimize cyanogenesis for enhanced pest control. In addition, the effects of bacterially synthesized HCN on the production of indole acetic acid, antibiotics and fluorescent insecticidal toxins, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase utilization and phosphate solubilization may result in the stimulation of plant growth. A more detailed understanding of HCN biosynthesis and regulation may help to elaborate the precise role of this compound in biotic interactions and sustainable agriculture.     

A conceptual framework and an empirical test of complementarity and facilitation with respect to phosphorous uptake by plant species mixtures

Plant species have different traits for mobilizing sparingly soluble phosphorus (P) resources, which could potentially lead to overyielding in P uptake by plant species mixtures compared to monocultures due to higher P uptake as a result of resource (P) partitioning and facilitation. However, there is circumstantial evidence at best for overyielding as a result of these mechanisms. Overyielding (the outcome) is easily confused with underlying mechanisms because of unclear definitions. We aimed to define a conceptual framework to separate outcome from underlying mechanisms and test it for facilitation and complementarity with respect to P acquisition by three plant species combinations grown on four soils. Our conceptual framework describes both mechanisms of complementarity and facilitation and outcomes (overyielding of mixtures or no overyielding) depending on the competitive ability of the species to uptake the mobilized P. Millet/chickpea mixtures were grown in pots on two calcareous soils mixed with calcium-bound P (CaP) and phytate P (PhyP). Cabbage/faba bean mixtures were grown on both acid and neutral soils mixed with P-coated iron (hydr)oxide (FeP) and PhyP. Wheat/maize mixtures were grown on all four soils. Rhizosphere carboxylate concentration and acid phosphatase activity (mechanisms) as well as plant P uptake and biomass (outcome) were determined for monocultures rhizosphere and species mixtures. Facilitation of P uptake occurred in millet/chickpea mixtures on one calcareous soil. We found no indications for P acquisition from different P sources, neither in millet/chickpea, nor in cabbage/faba bean mixtures. Cabbage and faba bean on the neutral soil differed in rhizosphere acid phosphatase activity and carboxylate concentration, but showed no overyielding. Wheat and maize, with similar root exudates, showed overyielding (the observed P uptake being 22% higher than the expected P uptake) on one calcareous soil. We concluded that although differences in plant physiological traits (root exudates) provide necessary conditions for complementarity and facilitation with respect to P uptake from different P sources, they do not necessarily result in increased P uptake by species mixtures, because of the relative competitive ability of the mixed species.     

Methanotrophy-driven accumulation of organic carbon in four paddy soils of Bangladesh

Biological methane oxidation is a crucial process in the global carbon cycle that reduces methane emissions from paddy fields and natural wetlands into the atmosphere.However,soil organic carbon accumulation associated with microbial methane oxidation is poorly understood.Therefore,to investigate methane-derived carbon incorporation into soil organic matter,paddy soils originated from different parent materials(Inceptisol,Entisol,and Alfisol) were collected after rice harvesting from four major rice-producing regions in Bangladesh.Following microcosm incubation with 5%(volume/volume)¹³ CH₄,soil¹³ C-atom abundances significantly increased from background level of 1.08% to 1.88%–2.78%,leading to a net methane-derived accumulation of soil organic carbon ranging from 120 to 307 mg kg^-1.Approximately 23.6%–60.0% of the methane consumed was converted to soil organic carbon during microbial methane oxidation.The phylogeny of¹³ C-labeled pmoA(enconding the alpha subunit of the particulate methane monooxygenase) and 16 S rRNA genes further revealed that canonical α(type II) and γ(type I) Proteobacteria were active methane oxidizers.Members within the Methylobacter-and Methylosarcina-affiliated type Ia lineages dominated active methane-oxidizing communities that were responsible for the majority of methane-derived carbon accumulation in all three paddy soils,while Methylocystis-affiliated type IIa lineage was the key contributor in one paddy soil of Inceptisol origin.These results suggest that methanotroph-mediated synthesis of biomass plays an important role in soil organic matter accumulation.This study thus supports the concept that methanotrophs not only consume the greenhouse gas methane but also serve as a key biotic factor in maintaining soil fertility.     

稻麦轮作制还田秸秆腐解和养分释放特征

秸秆还田是耕地质量提升的重要措施,还田秸秆腐解能够为作物生长提供氮、磷、钾等养分。明确稻麦轮作制水稻和小麦秸秆还田后的腐解和养分释放特征,是制定秸秆还田下合理养分管理制度的理论基础。通过田间尼龙网袋法,研究了小麦秸秆在水稻季、水稻秸秆在小麦季的腐解和养分释放特征以及秸秆腐解剂的影响。结果表明,小麦和水稻秸秆快速腐解期、中速腐解期、缓慢腐解期分别为0～10、10～20、20～110和0～10、10～50、50～200 d。在秸秆腐解剂的作用下,秸秆腐解率达50%和95%的时间缩短约8和38 d。水稻生育期内小麦秸秆累积腐解率达57%,秸秆氮和磷表现为淋溶-富集-释放,释放量分别为29%～37%和36%～44%,碳和钾表现为直接释放,释放量分别为55%和92%。小麦生育期内水稻秸秆累积腐解率达到73%,秸秆碳、氮、磷、钾均表现为直接释放,释放量依次为75%、41%～51%、59%、98%。水稻季,小麦秸秆在缓慢腐解期会吸附-富集土壤溶液中的氮和磷,伴随着秸秆中纤维素和半纤维素逐渐腐解,富集的氮、磷会部分释放到土壤中;小麦季,秸秆腐解剂提高快速和缓慢腐解期氮和磷的释放量和释放速率,氮素和磷素释放量分别提高10.0%和4.7%。热重分析表明,秸秆腐解剂主要加速了小麦和水稻秸秆半纤维素和纤维素的腐解。综上所述,秸秆腐解剂可以在一定程度上提高秸秆腐解和养分释放速率,同时也应注意还田秸秆在水稻孕穗期对土壤溶液中氮、磷的吸附-富集过程,在实际生产中宜在该时期适当补充氮、磷肥,以避免秸秆与作物争养分而导致减产。     

2004年全国夏季降水异常及其成因

采用NCEP/NCAR再分析资料和中国国家气候中心整理的160站降水量资料,在回顾2004年夏季我国降水分布的基础上,探讨了2004年夏季降水异常的可能原因.大气环流异常、副高指数面积偏小、强度偏弱等,可能是造成2004年夏季降水异常的主要环流异常的原因.     

提高兽医临床诊断学教学质量的改革与实践

以兽医临床诊断学课程的现状及存在的问题为出发点,在教师的教学自主权范围内,改革“满堂灌”的教学方式为学生“主导”的教学方式、传统的版书为多媒体教学为主导等,从而提高了兽医临床诊断学课程的授课质量.     

小尺度农田生态系统土地退化监测与评价指标体系建立

按照土地退化有关概念和农田生态系统的特点,运用参与式方法、KJ法、德尔菲法等方法,建立小尺度范围、人为驱动力影响下的农田生态系统土地退化监测与评价指标体系,包括耕作制度、耕作措施、土壤残膜污染、肥料污染、农药污染、灌溉方式、土壤含盐量、工程排碱措施、农田防护林、贫困状况共10项指标。该体系各指标具有可获取性,易于操作,便于土地利用者自我监测,减少人为不合理的农田土地利用活动,提高了土地生产力,可有效控制农田土地退化。     

全球视角:转基因作物与生物多样性

自然界中基因的横向转移广泛存在,转基因技术即是模仿自然界中的基因横向转移。在转基因技术开发和测试长达30多年之后,这一技术已被用于生产种类繁多的药物、几乎全世界所消费的啤酒和奶酪以及27个国家的1 800万农民在1.75亿hm2土地上种植的农作物。数以亿计的人和数十亿的家畜消费这些转基因作物及其制品差不多20年了,但是没有来自任何地方的可以证实转基因植物有害的案例。因此,让人很难理解为何在某些地区一直存在坚决抵制转基因作物种植的现象。鉴于转基因作物与生物多样性之间的关系,许多人的第一反应可能是农业本身就是生物多样性最主要的敌人,因为在过去的1.2万年中,全球人口数量从最初的100万增长到了目前的72亿,而农业耕地面积已达到了地球地表土地约1/3。一般来说,在耕地上进行的农业生产效率越高,产量越高,可持续性则越强,生物多样性受到的危害则越小。在近缘物种间自然发生的杂交是植物进化过程中的突出特征,由于人类选育具有某一改良特性的作物,杂交使得具有目标特性的作物得以富集。这一过程也影响了许多半野生的、似杂草的近缘种的遗传特性,并且在某些特例中,反而使得他们更加类似杂草。转基因既不会加强也不会延缓这些现象,但是它应当作为个案进行研究并解决。     

全球转基因作物的产量和销量

从1994年到现在,全世界转基因作物的种植生产和消费已经超过20年。转基因作物刚开始出现便立即被农民所接受。单单在2013年,全世界范围内包括棉花、玉米、大豆、油菜、甜菜和苜蓿在内的转基因作物种植面积已高达1.75亿hm2,有14个国家的转基因作物种植面积超过50万hm2。绝大多数转基因作物的两个典型优点是抗除草剂和抗虫。主要生产国的转基因作物普及率已经达到90%。如今,转基因作物在发达国家的种植面积比发展中国家更大。截至目前,还没有关于人类消费转基因作物以及含转基因成分食品的数据统计,绝大部分(约90%)的主要转基因作物被用作动物饲料,少数转基因作物,如木瓜、南瓜及甜玉米则被直接消费,油、淀粉、高果糖甜味剂、蔗糖和卵磷脂等来源于转基因作物的原料普遍被应用于食品产业。在美国超市,高达70%的产品中含有转基因成分,很多其他国家的人们也在消费这样的产品,尤其是那些没有要求转基因标识的国家和地区。在许多国家,一些非政府组织经常散布关于转基因食物的谣言,以达到阻挠公众接受转基因食物和转基因作物商业化的目的。遗憾的是,政府决策者的决定常常基于政治考虑,而非出于转基因作物的重要科学意义。