Comparison of Bacterial Communities Associated with Microcrustaceans from the Floodwater of a Paddy Field Microcosm: Estimation Based on DGGE Pattern and Sequence Analyses

Bacterial communities associated with five kinds of microcrustaceans ( Tanycypris sp., Moina sp., Mesocyclops sp., Cypretta sp. and Heterocypris sp.) from the floodwater of a paddy field microcosm were examined by the application of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) to PCR-amplified 16S rDNA products with universal bacterial primers and by sequencing of characteristic DGGE bands. The number of DGGE bands of the associated bacteria was small, indicating the association of specific bacterial members with the microcrustaceans studied, among which Tanycypris sp. showed the smallest number of bands. Principal component analysis (PCA) demonstrated that the community structure of the associated bacteria could be divided into three groups: Podocopida ( Tanycypris sp., Cypretta sp. and Heterocypris sp.), Moina sp. and Mesocyclops sp., and further analysis separated Tanycypris sp. and Heterocypris sp. into different clusters. The duration of the incubation period affected the bacteria associated with Tanycypris sp., Moina sp. and Cypretta sp. only. Nearly all of the associated bacteria belonged to Gram-negative bacteria, especially the Cytophaga-Flavobacterium-Bacteroides (CFB) group. Closest relatives of the DGGE bands common to three Podocopida and Mesocyclops sp. belonged to an invertebrate endosymbiont.     

Activities of soil enzymes in fields continuously cultivated with cassava,sugarcane, and pineapple in middle terrace areas of Lampung Province,South Sumatra,Indonesia

Changes in the activities of soil enzymes (acid and alkaline phosphatases, β-glucosidase, and arylsulfatase) associated with continuous cultivation of cassava, sugarcane, and pineapple were studied in middle terrace areas of Lampung Province, South Sumatra, Indonesia. Soil samples were collected from fields continuously cultivated with cassava for the period ranging from 0 to 10 y, with sugarcane from 0 to 20 y, and with pineapple from 0 to 10 y. Continuous cultivation did not show conspicuous effects on soil pH, and contents of total N, organic C, and available P as well as soil enzymatic activities. However, the changes in the activities of the soil enzymes generally showed a significant relationship with the contents of soil organic C and total N.     

Effect of Application of Rice Straw and Compost on the Bacterial Communities Associated with Moina sp. in the Floodwater of a Paddy Soil Microcosm: Estimation Based on DGGE Pattern and Sequence Analyses

Bacterial communities associated with Moina sp. in the floodwater of a paddy field microcosm were examined by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of PCR-amplified 16S rDNA. Eighteen out of 20 eubacterial DGGE bands were sequenced. The associated eubacterial communities mainly consisted of the Cytophaga-Flavobacterium-Bacteroides group and α-, β-, and γ-Proteobacterial groups, irrespective of the application of rice straw and rice straw compost. The effect of the application of rice straw and compost on the communities was not appreciable, compared with host specificity. An uncultured Cytophagales bacterium was estimated to be specifically associated with Moina sp. Presence of bacteria that are specific to rice straw treatment was also estimated.