磷、钾营养对套作大豆钾素积累及利用效率的影响

以贡选1号为材料,研究了磷、钾营养对套作大豆钾素积累及利用效率的影响。结果表明,套作大豆全生育期钾素积累动态符合"S"型增长曲线。完熟期钾素积累总量以及根、茎、叶片、荚果各器官钾素含量均随施钾量增加而增加,随施磷量增加呈先增加后减少的趋势;各处理均以P2K3(P2O517.0 kg/hm2,K2O 112.5 kg/hm2)最高,较不施磷、钾(P0K0)高18.79%5~8.33%。全生育期钾积累速率呈单峰曲线变化,随施钾量增加而增加,随施磷量增加先升高后降低,出苗后90 d左右达到最大值。钾素生产效率、吸收利用率、农学利用率随施磷、施钾量增加与钾积累速率表现一致,但收获指数随施磷量增加先降低后升高。合理施用磷、钾肥能提高套作大豆钾素利用效率,以P2K1(P2O517.0 kg/hm2,K2O 37.5 kg/hm2)处理最好。     

耐盐碱转基因大豆对盐碱土壤磷有效性的影响

以转入BADH基因的耐盐碱转基因大豆株系(SRTS)和其受体黑农35(HN-35),以及野生大豆(Y-21)、当地主栽品种抗线王(K)和盐碱敏感性品种合丰50(HF-50)为材料,在大田盐碱土壤条件下封闭种植,比较分析了耐盐碱转BADH基因大豆对根际土壤磷有效性的影响。研究结果表明,相比受体野生型大豆HN-35,SRTS、K和Y-21在苗期、花期和结荚期均表现出较高的有效磷、无机磷、微生物量磷含量以及较低的有机磷含量,以苗期和花期差异最为明显;SRTS植株根际土壤p H值在生长发育前期显著(P0.05)低于HN-35,与Y-21和K差异不明显,而生育后期SRTS与HN-35差异不显著。根际土壤有机磷细菌数量在苗期、花期、结荚期和鼓粒期SRTS均显著高于其他品种大豆,无机磷细菌数量SRTS在花期、结荚期和鼓粒期占优势。且分别与微生物量磷呈极显著的正相关关系(R=0.607**;R=0.715**)。同时,SRTS根际土壤酸性和中性磷酸酶活性在各时期均显著(P0.05)高于HN-35,以花期差异最为明显;而两者碱性磷酸酶活性差异仅在鼓粒期达显著水平。从上述结果可以看出,在大豆生长的一些时期,耐盐碱转基因大豆可能通过根系释放大量H+,使磷素转化的相关微生物群落结构和功能发生改变,从而增强盐碱土壤无机磷的水解和有机磷的矿化能力,促进磷素的循环和有效磷含量的提升,但其影响程度具时期性,且后期基本可得到恢复。     

Effect of B,Mn and Zn on nodulation and N2‐fixation in southernpeas

Abstract

Two greenhouse studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of B, Mn and Zn on nodulation and N₂‐fixation of southernpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Halp.) cultivars ‘Freezegreen’, ‘Mississippi Silver’ and ‘Pinkeye Purple Hull’. The cultivars were grown in plastic pots with a Norfolk sandy loam (fine, loamy siliceous thermic, Typic Paleudult) soil treated with B, Mn and Zn at rates of 0, 5, 10 and 20 kg/ha each at pH levels 5.5, 6.0 and 6.5. At pH 6.5 all micronutrient treatments significantly increased nodulation and N₂‐fixation over the control (no micronutrient applied). The effects of B, Mn and Zn on nodulation and N₂‐fixation depended on the cultivar and soil pH. For plants given the 5 kg/ha B and Mn treatments, ‘Mississippi Silver’ produced the highest number of nodules and ‘Pinkeye Purple Hull’ the least. At 20 kg/ha Zn, nodulation of ‘Freezegreen’ was highest and ‘Pinkeye Purple Hull’ the lowest. As a whole, maximum nodulation was at 5 kg/ha B and Mn and 20 kg/ha for Zn. Nitrogen fixation rates responded similarly except that the optimum rate for Zn was 10 kg/ha. Seed yield of plants peaked at 5 kg/ha for B and 10 kg/ha for Zn, indicating a possible relation of N₂‐fixation to seed yield.     

施磷量对小麦物质生产及吸磷特性的影响

在低磷土壤条件下,以中筋小麦扬麦12号和弱筋小麦扬麦9号为材料,研究了施磷量对小麦物质生产和吸磷特性的影响。结果表明,在施磷量(P2O5)0～180.kg/hm2范围内,植株对磷的吸收量、吸收速率和磷的积累量随施磷量增加而上升;以施磷量108.kg/h2处理的叶面积指数(LAI)、植株茎蘖数、茎蘖成穗率、干物质积累量、花后干物质积累量和子粒产量最高。当施磷量超过108.kg/hm2时,相关物质生产指标则呈下降趋势,说明即使在缺磷土壤上,施磷量有其适宜值。小麦一生对磷的吸收存在两个高峰,出苗至越冬始期为第一个吸收高峰,拔节至孕穗期为第二个吸收高峰。植株磷素积累量的70%～75%是在拔节后吸收,表明拔节期施磷对满足小麦第二个吸磷高峰和磷的最大积累期需磷有重要意义。     

Influence of phosphorus on nitrogen fixation in chickpea cultivars

Phosphorus (P) is a major nutrient factor influencing nitrogen (N) accumulation and partitioning of photosynthates in plants, especially the symbiotic N₂‐fixation in legumes. This study was conducted to investigate how P application (0, 20, 40, and 60 kg P₂O₅/ha) affects symbiotic N₂‐fixation of three cultivars (C 235, Pusa 408, and Pusa 417) of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). Application of P in general significantly increased leaf area, shoot dry weight, and the rate of acetylene (C₂H₂) reduction. Phosphorus concentration of shoots and roots, soluble sugar content of nodules, and shoot N accumulation were also significantly increased, especially by P at the 40 kg P₂O₅/ha rate. The P concentration in nodules was, however, not affected by different levels of P. The Pusa 417 cultivar responded better than the others to the P treatments. Phosphorus‐deficient plants accumulated sugar in their leaves. The interaction effect was found significant on leaf area, shoot dry weight, nodule number, and shoot N accumulation. Pusa 417 gave greatest response to 40 kg P₂O₅/ha but Pusa 408 and C 235 interacted best with the 20 kg P₂O₅/ha rate only. The increased nodulation and symbiotic N₂‐fixation on P application seem to be the result of morphologically advanced shoots which are making more photosynthates for transport to nodules and not the direct effect of P on the nodules.     

Phosphorus dynamics in the rhizosphere of two wheat cultivars in a soil with high organic matter content

Soil organic matter (SOM) is a key of most nutrient cycling and its content influences labile phosphorus (P) pool. In order to promote P availability from SOM, some plant strategies could be important to increase organic P mineralization, which may change among cultivars of the same crop. This study evaluated phosphorus dynamics in the rhizosphere of two wheat cultivars in soil with high organic matter content. Experiment was established in a greenhouse using a Humic Cambisol in a randomized block design using Quartzo and Abalone as wheat cultivars and harvested 20 days after seedling. Pots with a horizontal mesh (25 µm) were used to isolate the soil from roots. At harvest, the soil under the mesh was sliced in five distances from the rhizoplane (0–3; 3–6; 6–10; 10–20; 20–30 mm). Organic P was the buffer to maintain P dynamics in the rhizosphere and there was phosphorus depletion in the first slice near the rhizoplane due to the root effect, regardless the cultivar. Quartzo showed high labile inorganic P, presumably due to the high amount of root hairs, which increased the acid phosphatase activity and consequently root P uptake. Quartzo was more efficient in changing rhizosphere regarding the P acquisition.     

抗病性不同大豆品种根面及根际微生物区系的变化 Ⅱ.连作大豆(重茬)根面及根际微生物区系的变化

采用平板计数法测定了两个抗根腐病连作大豆品种生育期间根面和根际微生物区系动态变化。结果表明,两个品种大豆根面细菌随生育期增加呈递减趋势,品种间无差异。合丰25(H25)的根际细菌数量随生育期呈递减趋势,绥农10号(S10)根际细菌数量从三叶期到鼓粒初期不断增加,到成熟期又急剧减少。感病品种H25根瘤重明显低于抗病品种S10。H25根面真菌和镰孢霉总数在三叶期和成熟期均高于S10,苗期是根腐病的主要发病期。总之,在连作条件下,无论抗病品种还是感病品种大豆成熟期其根面和根际细菌减少,真菌和主要病原菌(镰孢霉Fusarium)都会大量富集,表明根系分泌物对根面和根际的微生物种群有选择性地促进或抑制作用。     

抗病性不同大豆品种根面及根际微生物区系的变化 Ⅰ.非连作大豆(正茬)根面及根际微生物区系的变化

采用平板计数法测定了3个抗病性不同的大豆品种在生育期内根面和根际微生物区系的变化情况,并应用荧光计数法直接测定了根际细菌和真菌的生物量。结果表明,土体的微生物种类最丰富、根际的次之、根面的较单一。播种后从三叶期到鼓粒初期,根面和根际的可培养细菌总数随生育期逐渐增加,鼓粒初期达最大值,而成熟期则有明显的下降;大豆根际细菌生物量也存在相同的变化规律。抗病性不同的大豆品种其根面、根际可培养细菌总数存在差异;抗病品种大豆的根瘤重明显高于感病品种。种植一季后感病品种根际积累的病原生物(镰孢霉Fusarium.sp.和大豆胞囊线虫Heterodera.glycines的胞囊数)明显高于抗病品种。说明大豆根系分泌物对微生物具有选择性的促进或抑制作用,不同大豆品种以及同一大豆品种在不同生育时期根系分泌物的组成和数量不同,从而使大豆根面及根际形成了特定的微生物区系组成。     

Nitrogen and phosphorus requirements of different wheat plant types under dryland and irrigated conditions 1

The wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plant type in major producing areas of the U.S. is changing rapidly from tall cultivars to high‐yielding semidwarf cultivars. Objectives of experiments were to determine if nitrogen and phosphorus nutritional requirements differ between traditional tall cultivars and modern semidwarf cultivars under dryland and irrigated conditions. ‘Larned’, a tall cultivar; ‘Newton’, a semidwarf cultivar; and ‘Plainsman V, a high‐protein semidwarf cultivar, were grown with all combinations of three nitrogen fertilizer levels (0, 84, and 168 kg N/ha) and two phosphorus fertilizer levels (0 and 90 kg P₂O₅/ha) at Colby, Kansas for two years. Three levels of irrigation—dryland, limited irrigation, and full irrigation—were applied. Grain yields were highest with 84 kg N/ha under dryland and with 168 kg N/ha under irrigation. Phosphorus increased grain yield under dryland conditions one year, but had no effect under irrigated conditions. Cultivar X nutrition interactions from differential yield responses to fertility levels occurred under the dryland and limited irrigation regimes one year. Grain protein content was increased by nitrogen fertilization under all regimes both years and was decreased only by phosphorus fertilization under dryland conditions one year. Cultivar X nitrogen interactions for grain protein occurred under all irrigation regimes. We concluded that nutrient requirements do not differ between tall and semi dwarf wheat culti‐vars under any irrigation regime. Raising the recommended level of nutrients, particularly nitrogen, should be considered for all cultivars, both tall and semidwarf.     

施磷对小麦旗叶氮代谢关键酶活性和子粒蛋白质含量的影响

在田间试验条件下,以强筋品种济麦20和弱筋品种山农1391为材料,研究了不同施磷水平对2类型品种小麦旗叶氮代谢关键酶活性和子粒蛋白质积累的效应。结果表明,在P2O5 0～135 kg /hm2范围内,施磷明显提高济麦20灌浆前期旗叶硝酸还原酶（NR）和谷氨酰胺合成酶（GS）活性;但却降低山农1391旗叶NR、GS活性。强筋品种济麦20在灌浆中、后期旗叶内肽酶（EP）、羧肽酶（CP）活性和蛋白质含量因施磷而提高;而弱筋品种山农1391的EP、CP活性和子粒蛋白质含量则降低。施磷使济麦20子粒清蛋白、醇溶蛋白和谷蛋白的含量提高,球蛋白含量有所降低;但弱筋品种山农1391子粒球蛋白、醇溶蛋白和谷蛋白的含量因施磷而降低,清蛋白含量未见显著变化。说明小麦施磷应考虑不同品质类型品种氮代谢及子粒蛋白质含量对施磷的反应。     

东北黑土区大豆生长、结瘤及产量对氮、磷的响应

氮肥和磷肥显著影响大豆的结瘤和产量。然而在土壤肥力较高、速效养分有效性差的东北地区,有关氮肥和磷肥施用量对大豆结瘤和产量影响的研究较少。本试验采用裂区田间试验,设置3个氮（N）水平（0、20 和 50 kg/hm2）和 3 个磷（P）水平（0、 20 和 40 kg/hm2）,研究氮、 磷及其交互作用对大豆生长发育、 结瘤特征及产量的影响。结果表明, 单施氮肥大豆生物量和产量随着施氮量的增加而增加,而根瘤数量、 干重、 大小和结瘤指数呈逐渐下降的趋势。单施磷肥促进大豆生物量、 产量、 根瘤数量、 干重、 大小和结瘤指数的增加,但其增幅低于施氮处理下的增幅。氮磷对大豆生长和产量促进作用高于单施氮和单施磷处理,但差异不显著;氮磷处理下的根瘤数量、 干重、 大小和结瘤指数低于单施磷处理;氮磷处理下N2（N 50 kg/hm2）处理下的大豆根瘤数量、 干重、 大小和结瘤指数高于N1处理（N 20 kg/hm2）下的,随着施磷量的增加大豆根瘤数量、 干重、 大小和结瘤指数增加,施磷能够抵消氮对大豆根瘤产生和形成的抑制。氮、 磷及其交互作用对大豆根瘤的影响都是直接的,并且不是通过促进大豆生长间接促进的。因此氮和磷均是限制东北地区大豆结瘤和产量的因素,但氮是主导因素。若要获得大豆高产,氮肥施用量需要控制在50 kg/hm2,磷肥在40 kg/hm2;但若想最大的发挥大豆的结瘤固氮功能,那么应该不施或者减少氮肥的施用量到20 kg/hm2,磷肥仍在40 kg/hm2。     

超高产栽培下磷肥运筹对春玉米根系特性的影响

以金山27为供试品种,研究了超高产栽培下不同施磷量（P2O5 0、100、150和200 kg/hm2）和施用方式（传统施磷和分层施磷）对春玉米根系特征及产量的影响。结果表明,根重、4060 cm土层根幅及根系活力均随施磷量的增加而增加,根系SOD和POD活性随施磷量的增加而提高,MDA含量则随施磷量的提高而降低。同一施磷水平下,分层施磷不仅能促进春玉米根重的增加和下层土壤中根条数的增多; 同时能延缓生育后期不同土层中根系活力下降,提高根系SOD和POD活性,降低MDA含量。在100 kg/hm2施磷量下,分层施磷较传统施磷增产7.1%,产量差异达到5%显著水平; 在150 kg/hm2和200 kg/hm2施磷量条件下,分层施磷与传统施磷的产量差异不显著。     

根系分隔方式对玉米/大豆根际土壤碳含量及磷有效性的影响

【目的】豆科与禾本科间作体系中对磷有效性的影响主要集中在根系分泌物的活化作用,由根际沉淀引起的土壤碳含量与磷酸酶活性变化及其对红壤磷有效性的影响机制尚不清楚。【方法】本研究以间作玉米大豆为研究对象,设置根系完全分隔、尼龙网分隔、不分隔3种方式,在0、21.83、43.67、65.50和87.34 P mg kg-1（分别记为P0、P1、P2、P3和P4）磷肥施用水平下进行盆栽试验,研究根系分隔方式对间作玉米大豆根际土壤微生物量碳（MBC）、溶解性有机碳（DOC）、根际土壤有机碳（ROC）、酸性磷酸酶活性（ACP）、碱性磷酸酶活性（ALP）、速效磷和Hedley磷组分的影响。【结果】相比完全分隔,根系不分隔可提高玉米和大豆根际土壤MBC含量,显著降低玉米根际土壤DOC含量,低磷水平（P0、P1）时显著提高大豆DOC含量,显著提高玉米（仅在低磷时）和大豆根际土壤ACP活性,低磷时显著提高大豆根际土壤ALP活性。除玉米活性磷组分外,根系分隔方式对间作玉米大豆根际土壤速效磷、磷组分有显著或极显著影响。根系不分隔较完全分隔可通过降低大豆根际活性无机磷（Pi）(P0除外)和中活性Pi从而提高玉米根...     

Diversity of rhizosphere bacteria associated with different soybean cultivars in two soil conditions

Aiming at learning the effects of soil conditions and cultivar on the bacterial diversity in the rhizosphere of soybean (Glycine max(L.) Merr.), bacterial communities associated with four soybean cultivars grown in two soils were revealed by terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) combined with sequencing analysis of a 16S rDNA clone library. Lower bacteria diversity was found in soil A which has higher salinity and nutrient contents, while the highest bacterial diversity was found in the rhizosphere of cv. Jidou 12 in both soils. These results revealed that both the soil conditions and soybean cultivar affected the community composition of rhizosphere bacteria, but the effect of soil conditions was greater than that of soybean cultivar as demonstrated by the principal component analysis. It also revealed that the abundant rhizosphere bacteria may also the main symbiotic or non-symbiotic nodule endophytes.     

Soil and Rice Responses to Phosphate Fertilizer in Two Contrasting Seasons on Acid Sulfate Soil

Acid sulfate soils (ASS) are characterized by low pH, aluminum (Al), and iron (Fe) toxicity and are typically deficient in phosphate (PO₄). The application of phosphorus (P) fertilizer could help reduce the level of exchangeable Al and Fe, thereby improving the rice growth and yield. Five levels of P (0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 kg phosphorus pentoxide (P₂O₅)/ha) were tested with rice varieties MTL560 in the wet season and MTL480 in the dry season. The optimum rate of P was 60 kg P₂O₅/ha for rice in the dry season and 80 kg P₂O₅/ha in the wet season. Soil testing showed at the start of the season that there was sufficient P in the soil. At the end of the season there was a reduction in soil Al and Fe in plots that had P rates above 40 kg P₂O₅/ha. It is therefore likely that P application reduced Al and Fe toxicity through precipitation and formation of Al-P and Fe-P compounds, which boasted yield, rather amending a soil P deficiency.     

生活污泥对白菜供磷和土壤磷状况的影响

采用好气培养和盆栽试验以探明污泥磷的肥效,降低污泥施用导致的土壤磷累积引起的环境风险。结果表明,单施污泥土壤有效磷含量和白菜吸磷量均显著低于施用磷酸一铵和鸡粪处理;施用污泥后有利于增加白菜生长后期土壤磷酸酶的活性和土壤Olsen-P含量。在白菜等产量条件下,单施污泥处理土壤中Olsen-P残留量显著高于污泥与化肥混施处理;在P2O5施用量为902~70 kg/hm2时,污泥堆肥磷的肥效为磷酸一铵的25%左右。     

施磷对玉米吸磷量、产量和土壤磷含量的影响及其相关性

为了给玉米磷高效利用提供理论依据, 在低磷土壤(Olsen-P 4.9 mg·kg^-1)上, 通过田间试验, 研究了施磷0(T₀)、50 kg(P₂O₅)·hm^-2(T₁)、100 kg(P₂O₅)·hm^-2(T₂)、200 kg(P₂O₅)·hm^-2(T₃)、1 000 kg(P₂O₅)·hm^-2(T₄)对两个玉米品种"鲁单9002" (LD9002)、"先玉335"(XY335)的产量、磷素吸收利用及根际磷动态变化的影响。结果表明: 两玉米品种根际土、非根际土速效磷含量在不同生育时期都表现为T12O₅)·hm^-2的T₃处理非根际土转化为根际土土壤磷的量最大, 同时玉米生物量、产量、磷转移量也达到最高, 而施磷1 000 kg(P₂O₅)·hm^-2处理玉米生物量、产量与中磷水平相比没有显著增加, 但植株吸磷量较高。XY335的花后磷转移量小于LD9002。相关分析表明, LD9002根际土、非根际土速效磷含量与茎、叶吸磷量之间显著相关, 以播种后79 d与茎、叶磷浓度、吸磷量、生物量、产量之间的相关系数最高; 而XY335根际土、非根际土速效磷含量与茎、叶磷浓度之间显著相关, 在播种后47 d期间与茎、叶磷浓度、吸磷量、生物量、产量之间的相关性最好。因此, 在低磷土壤上, LD9002和XY335分别在播种后79 d和47 d时是植株对磷的敏感期, 可以通过测试根际土、非根际土速效磷含量来反映土壤的供磷状况; LD9002在79 d时最大吸磷量需要的根际土、非根际土速效磷含量分别为54.95 mg·kg^-1、32.99 mg·kg^-1, XY335品种在47 d时最大吸磷量需要的根际土、非根际土速效磷含量分别为51.24 mg·kg^-1、35.35 mg·kg^-1; 施磷量1 000 kg(P₂O₅)·hm^-2处理两品种玉米产量、生物量、磷积累量与施磷量100~200 kg(P₂O₅)·hm^-2处理没有显著差异。     

Carbon loss from roots of wheat cultivars

The amounts of organic materials released into soil from roots during the first 4 weeks of growth were determined for 11 cultivars of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Carbon loss from roots was measured by supplying ¹⁴CO₂ continuously to the shoots and measuring the ¹⁴C content of the roots, root-free soil, water-soluble material and CO₂ flushed from the root chamber. Six cultivars were compared in each of two experiments, with the cultivar Condor common to both experiments. There were no significant differences between cultivars, relative to Condor, for ¹⁴C activity present in soil, roots, water-soluble material or rhizosphere CO₂. There was a significant difference between cultivars in experiment 1, but not in experiment 2, for the variate log₁₀ (¹⁴C lost from roots: ¹⁴C translocated to roots).There was evidence that a reduction in growth temperature, within the range 10–15°C, increased carbon loss from wheat roots into the rhizosphere.     

施氮量、土壤和植株氮浓度与小麦赤霉病的关系

【目的】赤霉病已成为影响小麦产量和品质的重要病害之一,为了解施用氮肥对小麦赤霉病的影响,本文通过研究不同施氮水平下小麦赤霉病的发病情况,探索施氮、土壤供氮、植株氮浓度与小麦赤霉病的关系。【方法】采用田间小区试验,以多穗型豫麦49-198(YM49-198)和大穗型周麦16(ZM16)为供试品种,设N 0、120、180、240、360 kg/hm25个施氮水平(N0、N120、N180、N240、N360),根据"小麦赤霉病测报技术规范"调查小麦赤霉病的发病情况。【结果】土壤硝态氮含量及0—90 cm土层土壤硝态氮累积量均随施氮量的增加而增加,小麦收获期N0、N120、N180处理0—30 cm土层硝态氮含量及0—90 cm累积量差异不显著,但显著低于N240和N360处理。两个品种小麦赤霉病病穗率和病情指数(DI)随施氮量的增加而增加,各处理间差异显著;豫麦49-198施氮处理的病穗率和DI比不施氮处理分别增加29.5%~132.0%和35.9%~225.2%,周麦16施氮处理的病穗率和DI比不施氮处理分别增加42.4%~161.8%和41.7%~206.9%;两个品种小麦N180处理赤霉病的病穗率和病情指数与N0、N120差异较小,显著低于N240和N360;周麦16较豫麦49-198发病严重,各处理的病穗率和病情指数比豫麦49-198分别高出7%~25%和28.0%~63.6%。小麦赤霉病病穗率和DI与硝态氮含量显著正相关,与0—90 cm硝态氮累积量呈线性正相关。孕穗期、开花期和灌浆期茎基部硝酸盐含量和拔节期~开花期植株的全氮含量各处理间差异较大,且与小麦赤霉病病穗率和DI显著线性正相关。【结论】土壤硝态氮含量及累积量随施氮量增加而增加,小麦收获后施氮量低于N 180 kg/hm2时土壤中硝态氮残留较低,赤霉病发病较轻。小麦赤霉病病穗率和病情指数随施氮量的增加而增加,说明施氮量过高会加重小麦赤霉病病害;小麦拔节期~开花期的氮浓度过高会加重赤霉病病害,因此在这一时期,适宜的施氮量、土壤硝态氮和植株氮浓度在赤霉病发生年份可以减轻病害,综合考虑土壤硝态氮残留、产量和赤霉病害等因素的适宜施氮量为N 180 kg/hm2。     

Root-induced changes in the rhizosphere: Importance for the mineral nutrition of plants

Root-induced changes in the rhizosphere may affect mineral nutrition of plants in various ways. Examples for this are changes in rhizosphere pH in response to the source of nitrogen (NH₄-N versus NO₃-N), and iron and phosphorus deficiency. These pH changes can readily be demonstrated by infiltration of the soil with agar containing a pH indicator. The rhizosphere pH may be as much as 2 units higher or lower than the pH of the bulk soil. Also along the roots distinct differences in rhizosphere pH exist. In response to iron deficiency most plant species in their apical root zones increase the rate of H⁺ net excretion (acidification), the reducing capacity, the rate of Fe^III reduction and iron uptake. Also manganese reduction and uptake is increased several-fold, leading to high manganese concentrations in iron deficient plants. Low-molecular-weight root exudates may enhance mobilization of mineral nutrients in the rhizosphere. In response to iron deficiency, roots of grass species release non-proteinogenic amino acids (?phytosiderophores”?) which dissolve inorganic iron compounds by chelation of Fe^III and also mediate the plasma membrane transport of this chelated iron into the roots. A particular mechanism of mobilization of phosphorus in the rhizosphere exists in white lupin (Lupinus albus L.). In this species, phosphorus deficiency induces the formation of so-called proteoid roots. In these root zones sparingly soluble iron and aluminium phosphates are mobilized by the exudation of chelating substances (probably citrate), net excretion of H⁺ and increase in the reducing capacity. In mixed culture with white lupin, phosphorus uptake per unit root length of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants from a soil low in available P is increased, indicating that wheat can take up phosphorus mobilized in the proteoid root zones of lupin. At the rhizoplane and in the root (root homogenates) of several plant species grown in different soils, of the total number of bacteria less than 1 % are N₂-fixing (diazotrophe) bacteria, mainly Enterobacter and Klebsiella. The proportion of the diazotroph bacteria is higher in the rhizosphere soil. This discrimination of diazotroph bacteria in the rhizosphere is increased with foliar application of combined nitrogen. Inoculation with the diazotroph bacteria Azospirillum increases root length and enhances formation of lateral roots and root hairs similarly as does application of auxin (IAA). Thus rhizosphere bacteria such as Azospirillum may affect mineral nutrition and plant growth indirectly rather than by supply of nitrogen.