外源秸秆对污染土壤氧化还原过程水分散性胶体态重金属的影响

土壤胶体尤其是水分散性胶体，作为一种重要的污染物载体，在重金属吸附、迁移以及生物吸收过程起着重要作用。通过土壤培养试验探讨了外源添加水稻秸秆在氧化还原波动条件下如何影响土壤液相中及水分散性胶体中重金属的分布。结果表明，外源秸秆增加厌氧过程液相中溶解性有机碳(DOC)、砷(As)、铁(Fe)、锰(Mn)、钙(Ca)、钾(K)、硅(Si)、铝(Al)、镁(Mg)等浓度，降低了厌氧过程氧化还原电位(Eh)及铜(Cu)、铅(Pb)等浓度，提高了好氧过程Pb浓度。利用非对称流场流分馏-紫外可见-电感耦合等离子体-质谱联用技术(AF4-UV-ICP-MS)，测得水分散性胶体颗粒主要分布在0.3~3 kDa、3~40 kDa和130 kDa~450 nm三个粒径范围，各粒径颗粒的组成有所差异，主要含有机质、无机黏土矿物和铁矿物等。外源秸秆促进液相中Fe和As由胶体态向溶解态转化，促进镉(Cd)和Cu由溶解态向胶体态转化。本研究有助于揭示农业活动影响重金属迁移转化及有效性的界面机制。     

长期肥料试验对土壤和水稻微量元素及重金属含量的影响

长期肥料试验会影响土壤中微量元素和重金属状况以及作物对微量元素和重金属的吸收。本文研究了长期的不同施肥处理对土壤、糙米中微量元素Cu、Zn、Fe、Mn和重金属Pb、Cd含量的影响,结果表明:经17a连续施用猪粪及秸秆还田显著增加了土壤Cu、Zn和Cd全量,而土壤Fe、Mn和Pb全量在不同施肥处理间没有显著差异;施肥增加了土壤有效态Cu、Zn和Fe含量,其中施用猪粪及秸秆还田的3个处理显著增加了土壤有效态Cu、Zn和Cd含量,而土壤有效态Pb含量在不同施肥处理间没有显著差异。不同处理糙米Cu、Zn、Fe、Mn和Pb含量变化较小或没有显著性差异,而在3个施猪粪和秸秆还田处理中,糙米Cd含量均超过国家食品卫生标准(>0.2 mg kg-1)。水稻地上部吸收积累Cu、Zn、Fe、Mn、Pb和Cd总量与其地上部生物量呈正相关,土壤Cu、Zn、Cd有效态与全量含量呈极显著相关关系,而糙米中的镉含量与土壤镉含量有较好的相关关系。长期施用畜粪导致土壤Cd污染问题应引起高度重视。     

不同有机肥中Cu、 Zn在农田土壤中的有效性与形态归趋

【目的】畜禽粪便有机肥的施用是造成我国农田土壤重金属污染的重要原因之一。本文选用两种典型规模化养殖场畜禽粪便有机肥,研究其在石灰性土壤和酸性土壤上施用1年后Cu、 Zn的有效性和形态归趋,为客观评价畜禽粪便有机肥中重金属进入土壤后的环境行为和生态风险提供理论依据。【方法】采用温室土壤培养试验,在石灰性土壤和酸性土壤上分别设对照(CK)、 施2%鸡粪(CM2%)、 施5%鸡粪(CM5%)、 施与CM2%、 CM5%含等量Cu、 Zn的重金属无机盐溶液(CS2%、 CS5%)、 施2%猪粪(PM2%)、 施5%猪粪(PM5%)、 施与PM2%、 PM5%含等量Cu、 Zn的重金属无机盐溶液(PS2%、 PS5%)9个处理,每个处理设3次重复,在温室条件下培养1年。测定土壤pH值, EDTA提取有效态Cu、 Zn以及采用改进Tessier连续提取法提取的各形态Cu、 Zn的含量,分析鸡粪、 猪粪及等量无机盐溶液中Cu、 Zn进入土壤后的有效性和形态归趋。【结果】施用鸡粪和猪粪1年后,石灰性土壤的pH值降低,酸性土壤的pH值升高,施用5%猪粪时石灰性土壤pH值降低了0.23个单位,酸性土壤pH值升高了0.87个单位。施入鸡粪、 猪粪1年后,石灰性土壤中有效态Zn和酸性土壤中有效态Cu、 Zn含量显著增加,施用5%猪粪时酸性土壤中有效态Cu含量增加了1.95倍,施用5%鸡粪时2种土壤中有效态Cu的含量均显著低于等量无机盐。施用鸡粪和等量无机盐后,2种土壤中交换态和有机结合态Cu的含量显著增加,交换态、 碳酸盐结合态、 有机结合态和铁锰氧化物结合态Zn的含量显著增加; 施用猪粪和等量无机盐后,2种土壤中交换态、 铁锰氧化物结合态和有机结合态Cu的含量显著增加,碳酸盐结合态和铁锰氧化物结合态Zn的含量显著增加。【结论】施用鸡粪、 猪粪提高了石灰性土壤中Zn和酸性土壤中Cu、 Zn的有效性,高用量条件下鸡粪中Cu的有效性低于等量无机盐。1年后, 通过畜禽粪便有机肥带入2种土壤中的Cu 主要以交换态和有机结合态的形式存在,Zn则主要以碳酸盐结合态、 铁锰氧化物结合态和有机结合态的形式存在。2种土壤上有机肥带入的Cu、 Zn转化为铁锰氧化物结合态的比例低于等量无机盐,2种有机肥带入2种土壤中的Cu转化为交换态和有机结合态的比例高于等量无机盐。鸡粪带入的Zn转化为交换态的比例在酸性土壤中低于等量无机盐,但在石灰性土壤中则高于等量无机盐。     

长期施用微肥条件下微量元素和有机官能团在团聚体中的积累特征

微量元素对作物生长至关重要,长期施用微肥可能影响微量元素在农田土壤中的分布,进而影响作物产量及土壤有机碳结构。以渭北旱塬35年锌（Zn）、锰（Mn）、铜（Cu）微肥处理农田为研究对象,分别测定耕层土壤≥250、250~125、125~63、63~20、≤20 μm粒级中Zn、Mn、Cu元素含量,并通过傅立叶变换红外光谱（FTIR）测定各粒级有机官能团类型及含量,以期揭示长期微肥下微量元素积累与有机官能团之间的相互关系。结果表明,试验区土壤有机碳含量处于较低水平（6~12 g?kg-1）,长期施用Zn、Mn、Cu肥并未显著改善土壤有机碳含量,但导致Zn、Cu元素在表层土壤中明显富集（幅度分别为10%、100%以上）,而 Mn元素无明显富集（幅度在10%以内）。三种元素在微小团聚体（≤20 μm）中的富集程度最高,但该粒级有机碳抗分解能力最小（0.30~0.32）,这主要因为该粒级不稳定官能团C-O含量较高且矿物含量较高,与有机碳稳定性正相关的C=O、C=N、C=C含量少。试验区土壤中Cu元素积累与C-O、C=O、C=N呈正相关,而Zn、Mn元素与官能团之间无相关性,这与有机碳丰富的土壤存在较大差异。综上,长期施用微肥未显著改变试验区表层土壤有机碳含量及结构,但导致Zn、Mn、Cu元素在表层微小团聚体中产生不同程度的积累,这主要与有机碳总量、有机官能团含量及类型、元素吸附效率有关。     

连续四年施用规模化猪场猪粪温室土壤重金属积累研究

分别采集连续施用0～4年猪粪的蔬菜温室土壤和蔬菜果实样品,测定土壤和果实中Cu、Zn、Pb、Mn、Cr、Cd、Ni和As全量以及土壤中Cu、Zn、Pb、Mn、Cd和As有效态含量,对测定数据进行了Fisher小样本非参数随机化显著水平检验,研究连续4年施用规模化猪场猪粪的温室土壤重金属积累、重金属有效态含量变化及对蔬菜可食部分的影响。结果表明,连续4年施用猪粪,主要导致土壤中Cu和Zn的积累,As有一定积累,Pb、Cd、Ni和Cr短期积累效应不明显,Mn积累不明显,长期大量施用猪粪,Pb、Cd、Ni和Cr有积累的风险;土壤pH值降低;Cu、Zn有效态与全量呈显著正相关(p<0.05),与pH值呈极显著负相关(p<0.01);Pb、Cd和Mn有效态与pH值呈显著负相关(p<0.05);Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd和Mn有效态含量增加;有效态As与全As含量和pH值相关性不明显,但连年施用猪粪As有效态含量增加;连续4年施用规模化猪场猪粪的温室生产的部分番茄和黄瓜As含量超标。若连续以150 m³/(hm²·a)的猪粪施用量于该研究区蔬菜温室,土壤中全Cu和全Zn含量分别经过10年和15年可能超过国家农田土壤二级标准。该研究可为降低温室土壤重金属污染风险提供依据。     

砂质土壤不同粒径颗粒中有机碳、养分和重金属状况

用分散、筛分和悬浮相结合的物理方法,研究了砂质土壤中养分和重金属在不同粒径有机、无机颗粒中的分布。研究表明,砂质土壤中Cd、Co、Cr、Cu、Ni、Pb、Zn和Mn在颗粒状有机质(POM)有明显的富集,富集程度以Cu和Zn最为明显。粒径较小(0.05~1 mm)的POM组分中重金属的平均富集高于粒径较大(>1 mm)的POM组分。POM中重金属的富集因土壤重金属污染水平和重金属类型而异,并与土壤重金属的积累呈正相关。分析数据表明,土壤POM中重金属的积累不完全是植物分解残留的结果,土壤POM对重金属有强吸持能力可能是POM中重金属富集的主要原因之一。     

长春市城区土壤中Pb、Cu、Zn、Cd及Cr化学形态特征

为弄清长春市城市土壤中Pb、Cu、Zn、Cr及Cd的化学形态分布特征,系统采集了26件城市表层(0~20 cm)土壤样品,采用连续提取法对重金属各化学形态含量进行了测定。结果表明:Pb、Zn、Cu及Cr主要以残渣态存在,其次是铁锰氧化物结合态、腐殖酸结合态和强有机结合态占有次要地位,离子交换态和水溶态所占比例均较低;Cd则主要以碳酸盐结合态存在,同时,水溶态和离子交换态所占比例较高。残渣态Pb和Zn在城区表层土壤中所占比例较近郊土壤中略有下降,但幅度不大,除Cu外,其余各元素易迁移、高生物有效性的水溶态在城区表层土壤中所占比例略有上升。Pearson相关分析结果表明,各元素残渣态与全量均呈极显著正相关,其它各活性态与全量间的相关程度与重金属种类有关。土壤pH值和Fe、Mn含量对重金属的化学形态的影响也与重金属种类有关,而且,同一重金属的不同存在形态受土壤pH值和Fe、Mn含量的影响程度也不同。     

连续污泥农用对土壤微团聚体及有机质组分中 重金属分布的影响

采用物理和化学相结合的分组方法,将土壤逐级分离成不同粒径后再分出以有机无机复合体存在的重组,研究施加不同污泥后土壤中不同粒径颗粒、不同重组结合态腐殖质组分中Cu、Zn、Cd的分配特征。结果表明:土壤重金属浓度随其粒径减小呈不断升高趋势,但施用污泥增加了土壤细砂粒级组分中的重金属比例,且随施用污泥中重金属浓度上升而增加。施加污泥后,不同粒径土壤颗粒中松结态腐殖质比例明显增加,紧结态腐殖质所占比例下降。施加污泥后土壤细砂颗粒松结态腐殖质中Cu、Zn、Cd所占比例上升,紧结态腐殖质中Cu、Zn、Cd比例下降。粉砂粒级松结态腐殖质中Cu、Cd比例上升,紧结态腐殖质中Cu、Cd比例下降。细粉砂和胶体粒级不同结合态腐殖质中Cu、Zn、Cd比例没有明显变化。不同粒径组分土壤颗粒中重金属比例变化不仅与不同结合态腐殖质的比例有关,还与土壤颗粒大小和土壤性质有关。     

三江平原白浆土中Fe、Mn、Cu和Zn生物有效性的研究

在三江平原上,测定 42 个小区中玉米、大豆、小麦籽实 Fe、Mn、Cu 和 Zn 含量和土壤中各形态 Fe、Mn、Cu 和Zn含量.通过相关分析和通径分析,探讨了土壤中各形态Fe、Mn、Cu 和 Zn 的生物有效性,旨在为该地区合理施用微量元素提供科学依据.试验结果表明,玉米、大豆和小麦籽实含 Fe、Mn、Cu 和 Zn 量与土壤中有效态和交换态 Fe、Mn、Cu和Zn含量呈显著或极显著正相关.有机态 Fe、Mn、Cu 和 Zn含量与玉米、大豆和小麦籽实Fe、Mn、Cu 和 Zn含量也有很好的相关关系.交换态对有效态 Fe、Mn、Cu 和 Zn 影响最大,其次是有机质结合态.铁锰氧化物结合态 Fe、Cu 对有效态 Fe、Cu 及碳酸盐结合态 Mn、Zn 对有效态 Mn、Zn 具有一定正效应.而残留态 Fe、Cu 对有效态 Fe、Cu 和铁锰氧化物结合态 Mn 对有效态 Mn 产生负效应.     

畜禽粪肥对土壤有效铜锌铁锰含量的影响

采用室内培养和DTPA浸提法研究了鸡粪、牛粪和猪粪等有机肥料对土壤有效Cu、Zn、Fe、Mn含量的影响。结果表明,在供试条件下施用鸡粪、牛粪和猪粪均可使土壤中有效Cu、Mn含量增加,但有效Zn含量降低;施用鸡粪可使土壤有效Fe含量增加,而施用牛粪和猪粪使土壤有效Fe含量降低。增加鸡粪施用量,可使土壤中有效Cu、Zn、Fe、Mn含量增加;培养期间有效Cu、Zn含量变化幅度较小,有效Fe、Mn含量变化较大。     

低氮和干旱胁迫对富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的影响

【目的】以富士（Fuji）、 秦冠（Qinguan）嫁接在平邑甜茶（Malus hupehensis Rehd.）上的当年生盆栽苗为试验材料,采用砂培方法,研究了缺氮胁迫和干旱对富士和秦冠生长情况、 光合参数、 植株各部位氮磷钾含量及氮素利用效率的影响,分析比较了低氮干旱条件下富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的差异,以期为果树生产高效肥水利用提供理论指导。【方法】试验共设四个处理: 正常氮正常水（ZZ）、 低氮正常水（DZ）、 正常氮干旱（ZG）、 低氮干旱（DG）。氮素和水分均设置两个水平,分别为正常氮（6 mmol/L NO-3-N）、 低氮（0.3 mmol/LNO-3-N）、 正常供水（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的80%~85%）、 干旱处理（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的60%~65%）。【结果】富士和秦冠的生物量（茎和叶）、 株高茎粗等生长指标以及光合速率、 气孔导度、 蒸腾速率均为正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）,并且相对应处理下秦冠的以上指标均高于富士;正常供水下,缺氮处理使富士、 秦冠的根冠比比正常氮处理均有所增加,富士提高了2.05%,秦冠提高了22.40%。富士和秦冠的氮、 磷、 钾含量均表现出正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）; 氮、 钾元素含量在植株各部位的分布顺序依次是叶＞根＞茎,磷元素则是根＞叶＞茎;光合氮素利用效率（PNUE）和氮素利用效率表现为秦冠处理之间差异极显著,富士处理之间差异不显著;秦冠的PNUE和NUE明显高于富士,在低氮正常水（DZ）处理下,秦冠氮肥利用率比富士高42.07%,在低氮干旱（DG）处理下高64.14%;低氮胁迫下富士和秦冠的NUE显著提高,并且秦冠提高的幅度高于富士。【结论】施用氮肥能够显著提高富士与秦冠的干物质量,同等水肥条件下,秦冠生长优于富士;水分亏缺会减少叶片对氮的吸收,干旱条件下适度增施氮肥,可提高果树的抗旱能力;低氮干旱胁迫下秦冠的生长指标、 光合指标及氮素利用效率指标均优于富士,表现出较强的抗低氮干旱胁迫的能力。     

Pasture Vegetation Elemental Analysis by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a new technique for the analysis of plant material. This study investigates the application of LIBS to pasture-based plant samples. The LIBS measurements were obtained from pelletized pasture samples (100 samples) that had been also analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) following microwave digestion for calibration and comparison purposes. Comparisons for elements sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), boron (B), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) showed that LIBS could be used for almost all the standard profile total elements with concentrations down to low mg/kg levels (observed error of Na: 0.024 percent, K: 0.18 percent, Mg: 0.016 percent, Ca: 0.073 percent, P: 0.017 percent, Mn: 31 mg/kg, Fe: 150 mg/kg, Zn: 6.6 mg/kg, and B: 1.1 mg/kg). Elemental analysis at less than mg/kg levels was not possible using LIBS. The elements S and Cu were particularly difficult to analyze with reliability using LIBS at the concentration levels found in the plant samples. Replacing microwave digestion and subsequent ICP analysis with a direct analysis of dried plant samples using LIBS has the potential to improve the productivity and reduce the cost of testing.     

Faculty positions:Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Macroinvertebrates in North American tallgrass prairie soils: effects of fire, mowing, and fertilization on density and biomass

The responses of tallgrass prairie plant communities and ecosystem processes to fire and grazing are well characterized. However, responses of invertebrate consumer groups, and particularly soil-dwelling organisms, to these disturbances are not well known. At Konza Prairie Biological Station, we sampled soil macroinvertebrates in 1994 and 1999 as part of a long-term experiment designed to examine the effects and interactions of annual fire, mowing, and fertilization (N and P) on prairie soil communities and processes. For nearly all taxa, in both years, responses were characterized by significant treatment interactions, but some general patterns were evident. Introduced European earthworms (Aporrectodea spp. and Octolasion spp.) were most abundant in plots where fire was excluded, and the proportion of the total earthworm community consisting of introduced earthworms was greater in unburned, unmowed, and fertilized plots. Nymphs of two Cicada genera were collected (Cicadetta spp. and Tibicen spp.). Cicadetta nymphs were more abundant in burned plots, but mowing reduced their abundance. Tibicen nymphs were collected almost exclusively from unburned plots. Treatment effects on herbivorous beetle larvae (Scarabaeidae, Elateridae, and Curculionidae) were variable, but nutrient additions (N or P) usually resulted in greater densities, whereas mowing usually resulted in lower densities. Our results suggest that departures from historical disturbance regimes (i.e. frequent fire and grazing) may render soils more susceptible to increased numbers of European earthworms, and that interactions between fire, aboveground biomass removal, and vegetation responses affect the structure and composition of invertebrate communities in tallgrass prairie soils.     

Variation in quality parameters between and within 14 Nordic tree fruit and berry species

Abstract

A 3-year study was carried out to investigate quality parameters in 14 tree fruit and berry species grown in southern Norway. The species were blueberry, apple, aronia, sour cherry, sweet cherry, red raspberry, strawberry, blackcurrant, gooseberry, red currant and elderberry, harvested along with wild bilberry, cloudberry and lingonberry. Significant differences between species were identified for all quality parameters. The coefficient of variation between species was lowest for pH (12.5%), dry matter (18.9%) and soluble solids (25.3%), followed by titratable acids (59.3%), total phenolics (83.8%), antioxidant capacity FRAP (85.7%) and antiradical power by the DPPH-assay (97.8%), total monomeric anthocyanins (132%) and ascorbic acid (137%). Average coefficient of variation within species were lower and ranged from 4 (pH) to 62% (ascorbic acid). Only the FRAP values were significantly affected by harvesting year with lower levels in 2004 than in 2005 and 2006. There were significant interactions between species and harvesting year for dry matter, soluble solids, pH, ascorbic acid and FRAP. The results indicate generic ranges in composition within species independent upon growing location and climate, and the composition of the tree fruits and berries is not likely to deviate from these ranges. It is concluded that desirable composition of tree fruits and berries and their products should primarily be achieved by selection among species rather than searching fors broadened variation within individual species.     

Potassium Fixation and Release Characteristics in Rhizosphere and Nonrhizosphere Soils for a Rapeseed–Rice Cropping Sequence

Potassium (K) fixation and release in soil are important factors in the long-term sustainability of a cropping system. Changes in K concentration and characteristics of K fixation and release in rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils in the rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)–rice (Oryza sativa L.) rotation were investigated using a rhizobox system. The concentrations of different forms of K in both rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils decreased with plants compared to without plants, regardless of K fertilizer application. Potassium uptake by crops mainly came from the rhizosphere soil. In the treatment without K fertilizer (–K), the main form of K supplied by the soil to the crops was 1.0 mol L^?1 nitric acid (HNO₃) nonextractable K, followed by nonexchangeable K, and then exchangeable K. In the treatment with K fertilizer (+K), the main K forms supplied by the soil to the crops were exchangeable K and nonexchangeable K. The amount and rate of K fixation after one cycle of the rapeseed–rice rotation was greater in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The amount and rate of K fixation of soil in the +K treatment were significantly less than in the –K treatment. The cumulative amounts of K released with 1.0 mol L^?1 ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc) and 1.0 mol L^?1 HNO₃ extraction increased with the increasing numbers of extractions, but the K-releasing power of soil by successive extraction decreased gradually and finally became almost constant. The release of K was less in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The release of K in the +K treatment was similar to that in the –K treatment in rhizosphere soil, but the K release in nonrhizosphere soil was greater with the +K than the –K treatment. Overall, the information obtained in this study will be helpful in formulating more precise K fertilizer recommendations for certain soils.     

Electron donor and pH relationships for biologically enhanced dissolution of chlorinated solvent DNAPL in groundwater

Biologically enhanced dissolution offers a method to speed removal of chlorinated solvent dense non-aqueous-phase liquid (DNAPL) sources such as tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichoroethene (TCE) from aquifers. Bioremediation is accomplished by adding an electron donor to the source zone where fermentation to intermediates leading to acetic acid and hydrogen results. The hydrogen and possibly acetic acid are used by dehalogenating bacteria to convert PCE and TCE to ethene and hydrochloric acid. Reductive dehalogenation is thus an acid forming process, and sufficient alkalinity must be present to maintain a near neutral pH. The bicarbonate alkalinity required to maintain pH above 6.5 is a function of the electron donor: 800 mg/L of bicarbonate alkalinity is sufficient to achieve about 1.2 mM TCE dechlorination with glucose, 1.7 mM with lactate, and a much higher 3.3 mM with formate. Laboratory studies indicate that in mixed culture, formate can be used as an electron donor for complete conversion to ethene, contrary to pure cultures studies indicating it cannot. Various strategies can be used to add electron donor to an aquifer for DNAPL dehalogenation while minimizing pH problems and excessive electron donor usage, including use of injection-extraction wells, dual recirculation wells, and nested injection-extraction wells.     

Biodiversity and ecogeography of wild Lactuca spp. in some European countries

Staff members of the Department of Botany of Palacký University in Olomouc and Gene Bank Department – Workplace Olomouc, Research Institute of Crop Production in Prague, Czech Republic, conducted an expedition in seven European countries (Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland) in August/September 1999 to collect wild Lactuca spp. germplasm and study its geographic distribution, ecology and biodiversity. During the mission, more than 600 locations were visited resulting in the collection of 602 seed samples (accessions) of wild Lactuca species and 13 seed samples of related genera (Chondrilla and Mycelis). Lactuca serriola f. serriola, L. serriola f. integrifolia, L. saligna and L. viminea subsp. chondrilliflora were prevalent in southern Europe (Italy, France), however, only L. serriola was common in central and western Europe (Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland). The greatest diversity of Lactuca species was found in France, where also the most seed samples (165) were collected. The most characteristic habitats with a high density of Lactuca spp. populations were observed along roads and highways, grassy ditches, ruderal communities, and dust-heaps. Natural infections by powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) and downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) on some wild Lactuca spp. were observed. Recent observations concerning the geographic distribution, population structure, habitats, and natural occurrence of diseases of Lactuca spp. are discussed. This assemblage of genetic resources of Lactuca spp. can serve as the basis of future studies of species diversification, spatial population structure, plant microevolution, domestication processes, and genetic variability of host-parasite interactions.     

Increase in auxiliary photoprotective photosynthetic pigments in wheat seedlings induced by Azospirillum brasilense

Inoculation of wheat seedlings with the plant growth-promoting bacterium Azospirillum brasilense Cd was immobilized in alginate microbeads and, without applying any stress, significantly increased the quantity of several photosynthetic pigments, such as chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and the auxiliary photoprotective pigments violaxanthin, zeaxanthin, antheroxanthin, lutein, neoxanthin, and β-carotene. This resulted in greener plants with no apparent visible stress. After monitoring the quantity of photosynthetic pigments for 4 weeks, we observed that inoculated plants had higher quantities of pigments in shoot and stem. The greatest difference in the quantity of all pigments between inoculated and noninoculated plants occurred in the first week of growth. Regardless of treatment, the quantity of pigments in stems was three to four times less than the quantity of these pigments in shoots. Application of Azospirillum, either as liquid inoculant or as alginate microbeads, did not alter the positive effect of the bacteria on pigment production or the positive response of the plants towards A. brasilense Cd inoculation.     

In-situ enrichment and analysis of atrazine-degrading microbial communities using atrazine-containing porous beads

We examined the community composition of microbes that colonized atrazine-containing beads buried in agricultural soils that differed in atrazine treatment history. Bacterial abundance was 5-40-fold greater in atrazine-fortified beads. In beads containing 20 mg atrazine kg⁻¹ buried in soil with a history of atrazine application (conditioned soil), the abundance of Actinobacteria increased approximately 80-fold whereas in control soil, Actinobacteria were enriched only 10-fold and the gamma-Proteobacteria and Planctomycetes increased by 60- and 25-fold, respectively. The gamma-Proteobacteria were enriched by 120- and 230-fold in beads containing 200 mg atrazine kg⁻¹ in conditioned and control soil, respectively. The results demonstrate that BioSep^® beads are a suitable matrix for recruiting a diverse subset of the bacterial community involved in atrazine degradation.