不同耕作制度对紫色水稻土活性有机质及碳库管理指数的影响

以长期定位试验点的紫色水稻土为研究对象，研究了耕作制度对紫色水稻土活性有机质和碳库管理指数的影响。结果表明：稻田长期垄作免耕0～10cm土层有机质含量比常规平作高，10～60cm土层有机质含量则比常规平作低；表明稻田长期垄作免耕土壤有机质具有表层富集现象；水旱轮作各土层有机质含量均比常规平作低。垄作免耕各土层活性有机质含量普遍增加，水旱轮作表层（0～10cm）活性有机质含量减少，其余土层变化不大。对活性有机质组分含量的研究表明：与常规平作相比，垄作免耕增加了土壤表层活性有机质各个组分的含量，在其余土层增加了低活性有机质含量，而减少了高活性有机质含量；水旱轮作增加了各土层低活性有机质含量而减少了中活性和高活性有机质含量。垄作免耕所有土层的碳库管理指数都在100以上，水旱轮作除表层（0～10cm）小于100以外，其余土层都在100以上。由此可见，农业管理措施对土壤有机质、活性有机质及碳库管理指数有较大影响。     

子午岭植被恢复过程中土壤团聚体有机碳含量的变化

土壤有机碳是土壤团聚体形成的重要胶结剂之一，土壤团聚体分布影响有机碳含量及其稳定性。对子午岭植被恢复过程中团聚体有机碳含量变化的研究结果显示：相对于农田，植被恢复可增加土壤各个粒径团聚体有机碳含量．同时增加不同层次土壤团聚体有机碳含量。就粒径而言，虽然各个植被下〈0．25mm土壤团聚体有机碳含量最低，植被类型变化对土壤团聚体有机碳含量影响最大的是〈0．25mm粒径，辽东栎林地〈0．25mm土壤团聚体有机碳含量是农田〈0．25mm团聚体有机碳含量的3倍；其次，植被类型对〉5mm团聚体有机碳含量影响较大，辽东栎、早期森林、灌丛、草地和弃耕地土壤〉5mm团聚体有机碳含量比农田土壤〉5ram团聚体有机碳含量高149％，209％，104％，62％，10％。说明植被演替可增加土壤团聚体有机碳含量，但首先是增加较大粒径团聚体的有机碳含量；随着植被的进一步演替，小粒径团聚体有机碳含量也相应的增加，这部分有机碳是稳定的，说明植被恢复增强了土壤的碳汇功能。     

免耕对土壤团聚体特征以及有机碳储量的影响

以实施7年的中国科学院禹城综合试验站冬小麦夏玉米轮作免耕长期定位试验场为对象,研究免耕条件下土壤水稳性团聚体和有机碳储量的变化,为进一步评价免耕措施对黄淮海平原土壤结构和质量的影响提供科学依据。设置免耕(NT)、免耕秸秆不还田(NTRR)、常规耕作(CT)3种处理,分析土壤表层(0~20 cm)及深层(20~60 cm)水稳性团聚体分布特征、土壤有机碳以及团聚体有机碳的变化和相互关系。研究结果表明:由于减少了对土壤的破坏以及增加了秸秆还田和有机肥的施用,与常规耕作相比,NT和NTRR可提高表层土壤有机碳含量和储量、水稳性团聚体平均重量直径(MWD)和几何平均直径(GMD),以及大团聚体有机碳的含量和储量。其中,秸秆覆盖比施用有机肥对表层土壤有机碳储量和0.25~2 mm团聚体有机碳储量的提高具有更显著的作用。与表层不同,深层土壤有机碳和大团聚体有机碳的含量和储量表现为NT相似文献   

子午岭林区不同植被恢复阶段土壤有机碳变化研究

研究了子午岭林区植被恢复过程中土壤有机碳含量、团聚体有机碳分布以及不同粒级团聚体有机碳对土壤有机碳的贡献率。研究结果表明,0—100 cm剖面上有机碳含量加权平均值随植被恢复年限逐渐升高,坡耕地0—100 cm土层土壤有机碳加权平均值为3.54 g/kg,弃耕地、草地、灌木和乔木阶段分别比坡耕地提高6.8%,36.6%,41.5%和73.6%;0—20 cm土层土壤有机碳含量随植被恢复的提高幅度明显高于20 cm以下土层;0—5和5—10 cm土层土壤各粒级团聚体有机碳含量随植被恢复年限逐渐增加,并有向大粒级（〉2 mm）团聚体中富集的趋势,10—20 cm土层土壤团聚体有机碳含量随植被恢复变化不明显;弃耕地、草地、灌木和乔木阶段0—20 cm土层〉5,5～2和2～1 mm粒级团聚体有机碳贡献率高于坡耕地,说明植被恢复0—20 cm土层土壤增加的有机碳更多地固定在〉1 mm粒级团聚体中。     

保护性耕作对丘陵区水稻土团聚体稳定性的影响

长期保护性耕作通过增加土壤有机碳而成为稻田土壤结构改良的一项有效措施,而保护性耕作对土壤团聚体稳定机制的影响尚未完全清楚。本文供试土样采自耕作制定位试验水旱轮作、冬水免耕、垄作免耕和厢作免耕耕层（0～ 20 cm）土壤,土样经过糊化作用、湿润作用和再次糊化作用等预处理,用以阐明稻田土壤团聚体的破碎机制。研究结果表明：糊化作用和湿润作用后紫色水稻土团聚体稳定性差异不明显,而保护性耕作显著影响团聚体的稳定性。糊化作用后团聚体水稳性强弱顺序为：垄作免耕＞厢作免耕＞冬水免耕＞水旱轮作,湿润作用后团聚体水稳性强弱顺序为：厢作免耕＞垄作免耕＞冬水免耕＞水旱轮作。糊化作用下团聚体稳定性与有机碳浓度相关性不显著（r＝0.432,p＞0.05）,湿润作用下团聚体稳定性与有机碳浓度呈极显著正相关（r＝0.626,p＜0.01）。因此,研究结果说明保护性耕作有利于紫色水稻土大团聚体有机碳含量提高,进而增强团聚体的水稳性。     

稻田垄作免耕对土壤团聚体和有机质的影响

该文以1990年建立的耕作制定位试验田紫色水稻土为研究对象,分析了冬水田（FPF）、水旱轮作（CR）和垄作免耕（RNT）3种耕作方式对土壤团聚体组成和有机质的影响。结果表明,垄作免耕减少了对土壤大团聚体的破坏,在0～10 cm土层,垄作免耕大团聚体含量分别是冬水田和水旱轮作的1.48和1.32倍,微团聚体含量则显著降低;在 ＞10～20 cm土层有相同的趋势。3种耕作条件下,有机碳和氮在团聚体中的分布模式类似,均有向大团聚体富集的趋势,但垄作免耕条件下土壤有机碳和氮质量分数显著高于冬水田和水旱轮作。对土壤颗粒有机质（POM）的分析结果表明,垄作免耕0～10 cm土层轻质组分（LF）的质量分数（1.92 g/kg）与水旱轮作（1.70 g/kg）差异不显著,但显著高于冬水田（1.42 g/kg）。冬水田、水旱轮作和垄作免耕的0～10 cm土层,团聚体内总颗粒有机质（total iPOM）质量分数分别为0.96,1.12,2.14 g/kg;垄作免耕土壤团聚体内细颗粒有机质（fine iPOM）分别为冬水田和水旱轮作土壤的3.02和2.46倍,占总POM差异的57%和66%。垄作免耕土壤团聚体内粗颗粒有机质（coarse iPOM）分别为冬水田和水旱轮作土壤的1.56和1.40倍,占总POM差异的18%和19%。在＞10～20 cm土层有相似的趋势,但在＞10～20 cm层土壤粗iPOM的差异对总POM差异的贡献较0～10 cm层大。垄作免耕减少了对大团聚体的破坏并促进微团聚体向大团聚体团聚;降低了团聚体的周转速率,促进了细iPOM的固定,利于紫色水稻土对碳的固定和积累。     

名山河流域不同土壤类型和土地利用方式下有机碳的分布特征

以名山河流域不同类型土壤为研究对象,研究了不同土地利用方式下土壤有机碳和团聚体中有机碳含量的分布特征。结果表明:(1)名山河流域3种类型的土壤有机碳含量在17.50~34.70g/kg之间,含量高低表现为水稻土黄壤紫色土,水稻土含量分别是黄壤和紫色土的1.32,1.39倍;从不同的土地利用方式看,水田土壤有机碳及活性有机碳含量显著高于旱地、茶园和果园,土壤活性有机碳与土壤有机碳呈极显著正相关(R2=0.884 6);(2)土壤有机碳含量在土壤剖面中表现出随着土层深度的增加而降低的趋势,表层土壤(0—20cm)有机碳含量由高到低依次为水稻土黄壤紫色土,下层土壤(20—40cm)有机碳含量为水稻土紫色土黄壤,土壤活性有机碳含量的分布具有相似规律;(3)在不同土地利用方式下,表层土壤(0—20cm)有机碳含量大小关系表现为水田旱地果园茶园,下层土壤(20—40cm)有机碳含量表现为水田果园茶园旱地,水田表层、下层土壤活性有机碳含量均极显著地高于旱地、果园、茶园,再次证明活性有机碳是表征有机碳特性的重要指标;(4)3种类型土壤的团聚体在不同的利用方式下的有机碳含量表现出随着土壤剖面加深而降低的趋势,土壤团聚体的单位有机碳含量随着粒径的减小呈现波浪形的变化趋势,各粒径团聚体中的有机碳含量与土壤有机碳含量呈正相关关系。综上可知,土壤类型的差异和土地利用方式的不同会对土壤有机碳及各粒径团聚体中有机碳的含量及分布特征产生一定的影响。     

耕作制度对紫色水稻土有机碳累积及矿化动态的影响

以稻田长期定位试验为平台,研究常规平作（中稻-冬水田）、垄作免耕（中稻-冬水田）、垄作免耕（中稻-油菜）和水旱轮作（中稻-油菜）4种耕作制度对紫色水稻土有机碳累积及矿化动态的影响。结果表明：实行不同耕作制度均能提高土壤有机碳密度,以垄作免耕（中稻-油菜）最佳。不同耕作制度实施20年后,农田0-10 cm表层土壤有机碳密度已趋于稳定,垄作免耕会提高10-20 cm和20-40 cm土层有机碳密度,而水旱轮作各土层有机碳密度均低于其他耕作处理。不同耕作制度下水稻土中易氧化有机碳数量和有机碳氧化稳定系数差异较大,其中,垄作免耕（中稻-油菜）下水稻土有机碳氧化稳定系数最大。各耕作处理中,土壤有机碳的最大矿化速率差异显著,有机碳矿化率和pH呈显著正相关;在培养期间,垄作免耕（中稻-油菜）的累积矿化量始终显著低于其他处理;常规平作（中稻-冬水田）的总矿化强度最大,垄作免耕（中稻-油菜）最小。     

稻田长期垄作免耕对土壤肥力性状的影响研究

以长期田间定位试验为基本材料,研究了长期垄作免耕对稻田土壤肥力性状的影响.结果表明稻田长期垄作免耕有利于土壤结构的形成,土壤中＜0.01mm土粒团聚度增大,＞0.01mm有机微团聚体和＞0.01mm铁、铝-有机微团聚体所占比例表现为不同程度的提高,＞0.01mm元机微团聚体和钙、镁-有机微团聚体显著下降.免耕10年后,稻田长期垄作免耕土壤表层有机质含量提高,0～10cm土层的有机质含量达47.5g/kg,比常规平作高41.1%,比水旱轮作高51.3%,比试验前增加了89.0%;随着土壤层次的下移,各处理的土壤有机质含量降低.垄作免耕与常规平作和水旱轮作相比,土壤中的氮、磷、钾含量增加,稻田垄作免耕有利于土壤的定向培肥.     

秸秆覆盖免耕对土壤氨基糖在团聚体粒级中分布的影响

本试验对常规垄作(RT)、无秸秆覆盖免耕(NT-0)和全量秸秆覆盖免耕(NT-100)下不同土层(0~5 cm、5~10 cm、10~20 cm)氨基糖含量在不同团聚体粒级中的分布特征进行了分析。结果表明,与传统耕作相比,免耕处理显著影响了表层土壤(0~10 cm)的团聚化作用,促进了微团聚体和小颗粒大团聚体向大团聚体的转化。在不同的土壤层次,NT-0没有改变土壤有机碳含量,而NT-100显著增加了土壤有机碳含量。另外,相对于NT-0和RT,NT-100显著促进了0~5 cm土壤各团聚体粒级中总氨基糖、氨基葡萄糖和氨基半乳糖的积累,而在5~20cm土层没有产生显著影响。研究表明,免耕无秸秆覆盖对土壤有机碳、氨基糖含量以及各氨基单糖含量没有影响,而结合秸秆覆盖则显著促进了表层土壤有机碳以及氨基糖的积累。     

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.