苏太猪SLA-DQB及DRB基因第2外显子多态性及其与繁殖性能的关联分析

采用PCR-RFLP技术对苏太猪SLA-DQB及DRB基因第2外显子PCR产物进行分析，结果表明：苏太猪SLA-DQB基因经RsaⅠ酶切后共产生3种等位基因，5种基因型；SLA-DRB基因经RsaⅠ酶切后共产生3种等位基因，4种基因型。χ2适合性检验表明，苏太猪SLA-DQB及DRB基因外显子2的RsaⅠ酶切位点均达到了Hardy-Weinberg平衡状态。将SLA-DQB和DRB基因的基因型进行组合，共产生12种组合基因型，BBDF的第3胎繁殖性能总产仔数、产活仔数、初生窝重和断奶仔猪数显著高于组合基因型AADD、AADF、ABDD和CCDF（P＜0.05）。就繁殖性能而言，BBDF在群体中为最优秀的组合基因型。     

梅山猪氨肽酶基因N(pAPN)cDNA克隆、序列分析及重要变异位点的筛选

氨肽酶N(aminopeptidase N,APN)蛋白是猪(Sus scrofa)传染性胃肠炎病毒(Transmissible gastroenteritis virus,TGEV)和猪的流行性腹泻病毒(Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus,PEDV)等一系列冠状病毒的受体蛋白。为探讨梅山猪APN基因的分子结构特征以及重要的变异位点,本研究通过PCR扩增和测序技术,结合生物信息学分析梅山猪APN基因功能区域和重要变异位点,对其蛋白质结构进行预测和分析。结果表明,梅山猪APN基因cDNA全长2 886 bp(GenBank登录号:KF280271),含有20个外显子,编码961个氨基酸。与GenBank数据库公布的标准序列(登录号:NM_214277.1)相比,梅山猪APN基因编码区变异共引起10处氨基酸突变与2处氨基酸缺失,其中Phe82Asn、Leu107Phe、Leu108 Ile、Ser330Pro、Trp399Arg和Glu465 Gly等6处突变位于APN酶催化活性区域,Gln747His突变、748Tyr和749Ser缺失突变位于APN病毒结合区域。蛋白结构和编码产物功能分析发现,pAPN为不稳定的亲水性蛋白,无信号肽,具有1个跨膜螺旋(跨膜区位于12~34氨基酸,二级结构元件以α螺旋和β折叠为主,编码产物主要参与细胞被膜(cell envelope)、中央中间代谢(central intermediary metabolism)、辅酶因子生物合成(biosynthesis of cofactors)等功能。Gln747His、748Tyr和749Ser缺失突变可能与氨肽酶N结合病毒能力有关。本研究对梅山猪pAPN基因功能的分析及变异位点的筛选,为今后筛选猪抗病毒性腹泻的有效遗传标记提供理论基础。     

苏太猪SLA-DQB和SLA-DRB基因第2外显子多态性及其与繁殖性能的关联分析

采用PCR-RFLP技术对苏太猪SLA-DQB及SLA-DRB基因第2外显子PCR产物进行分析。结果表明,苏太猪SLA-DQB基因经RsaⅠ酶切后共产生3种等位基因,5种基因型;SLA-DRB基因经RsaⅠ酶切后共产生3种等位基因,4种基因型。χ2适合性检验表明,苏太猪SLA-DQB及SLA-DRB基因外显子2的RsaⅠ酶切位点均达到了Hardy-Weinberg平衡状态。将SLA-DQB和SLA-DRB基因的基因型进行组合,共产生12种组合基因型,BBDF的第3胎繁殖性能总产仔数、产活仔数、初生窝重和断奶仔猪数显著高于组合基因型AADD、AADF、ABDD和CCDF(P<0.05)。从繁殖性能看,BBDF在群体中为最优秀的组合基因型。     

绵羊甘露聚糖结合凝集素基因(MBL)全长DNA序列克隆及生物信息学分析

绵羊甘露聚糖结合凝集素(MBL)是肌体天然免疫系统的重要组成部分。根据人(Homo sapiens)和牛(Bos taurus)的MBL基因序列的同源保守区域,分段设计9对特异性引物,以中国美利奴羊(Ovis aries)血液基因组DNA为模板,经扩增、测序、拼接,首次克隆到长为4462bp的绵羊MBL基因组DNA序列,包括了该基因的启动子区、4个外显子和3个内含子,编码249个氨基酸;BLAST分析其与牛MBL-C编码的氨基酸同源性最高为96.39%,判定其为MBL-C型基因,并将该序列提交至GenBank(Accession No.FJ977629);通过Expasy网站预测其蛋白结构功能特征,1～19氨基酸为绵羊MBL基因信号肽区域,外显子1编码N-端富含胱氨酸区和8个Gly-X-Y重复序列的胶原样区,外显子2含有12个Gly-X-Y的胶原样区,外显子4编码的碳水化合物识别域(CRD)具有C型凝集素CRD的共同特征。本研究为国内首次报道绵羊MBL基因比较完整基因组DNA序列,为深入研究MBL的结构与功能以及MBL缺损的分子机制提供基础数据。     

猪小脂肪细胞因子1（SMAF1）基因cDNA的克隆及表达谱分析

采用比较基因组学和RT-PCR方法，根据人和小鼠SMAF1基因的保守序列，设计简并引物，克隆了猪SMAF1基因的cDNA序列。所克隆片断全长256bp（GeneBank登录号 DQ191892），包括一个编码了81个氨基酸的完整编码区，该序列与人和小鼠的SMAF1基因的相似性分别为86%和78％，预测的氨基酸序列与人、小鼠、大鼠和牛的相似性分别为81％、67％、70%和84%。猪SMAF1基因在脂肪组织中高丰度表达，在4月龄瘦肉型猪（大白猪）脂肪组织中的表达量显著低于脂肪型猪（梅山猪）（P＜0.05）。本研究结果表明，猪SMAF1基因可能具有和其它物种SMAF1基因相似的功能，推测其在脂肪细胞发生和/或脂肪细胞功能中具有重要的调控作用。     

甘蓝S位点受体激酶基因（SRK）编码区的甲基化分析

克隆了位于自交不亲和型甘蓝(Brassica oleracea)S位点受体激酶基因(SRK)上第一编码区中包含两个CCGG位点的目的片段,通过甲基化敏感限制性内切酶-PCR法,利用对甲基化敏感性不同的Msp Ⅰ和HpaⅡ分别对柱头乳突和花药基因组DNA及其PCR产物进行交叉组合式的酶切与电泳,首次对SRK基因编码区的特定DNA区段进行了甲基化分析.使用相同的SRK基因特异性引物时,柱头乳突和花药基因组DNA作为模板均可以扩增出清晰目标谱带,且目标谱带经Msp Ⅰ/Hpa Ⅱ完全酶切后可产生预期的谱带类型;而经Msp Ⅰ/Hpa Ⅱ完全酶切后的此二基因组DNA再作为模板进行PCR,均无特异性的目标谱带扩出.这些结果初步表明,自交不亲和型甘蓝花粉的SRK基因可能不存在甲基化封闭.     

猪ZAR1基因变异及其对产仔数的影响

根据合子阻滞因子1(zygotearrest 1,ZAR1)基因GenBank的DNA序列(DQ231443,gi:83727928)设计2对引物,用直接测序和PCR-SSCP相结合的方法,进行单核苷酸多态性(single nucleotide polymorphism,SNP)检测,分析该基因在5个品种猪(小梅山、清平、杜洛克、长白和大白)中变异特征及其与产仔数的相关性。测序后在内含子2、3和外显子3中存在6个SNP及在内含子3中存在1处5bp的插入/缺失变异。在5个品种猪群中,对外显子3中的第54碱基处C→T突变(Exon3-BstUⅠ)和内含子3中的5个碱基插入/缺失的变异(Intron3-TspRⅠ)进行了PCR-RFLP检测,并与产仔数进行了关联分析,结果表明,Exon3-BstUⅠ多态对杜洛克母猪第1胎和2胎总产仔数产生显著(P<0.05)影响,对经产母猪总产仔数产生极显著(P<0.01)影响,对经产母猪的产活仔数影响极显著(P<0.01),携带CC基因型母猪的产仔数均高于TT基因型的;Intron3-TspRⅠ多态对杜洛克母猪第1胎和经产胎次总产仔数和产活仔数有显著(P<0.05)影响,NN基因型高于MN和MM基因型的产仔数。     

鸡β-防御素基因的克隆与结构分析

通过RT-PCR扩增出鸡β-防御素Ga1-1、Ga1-2和Ga1-3基因的部分cDNA序列，大小分别为198、195和297bp。利用PCR技术扩增出鸡β-防御素Ga1-1、Ga1-2和Ga1-3基因组DNA部分序列，大小分别为1176、1053和2454bp。经分析发现，2个内含子将鸡-β-防御素Ga1-1、Ga1-2和Ga1-3基因的编码区分成3个外显子部分。第1个外显子编码绝大部分信号肽序列；第2个外显子编码信号肽羧基端极小部分序列、原片段序列与大部分成熟肽序列；第3个外显子编码小部分成熟肽序列。扩增到的鸡β-防御素Ga1-1、Ga1-2和Ga1-3基因的两个内含子长度，分别为482和496bp，183和675bp，980和1280bp。鸡β-防御素基因编码区结构的这种组成与哺乳动物的β-防御素基因的不同，在哺乳动物中为1个内含子将β-防御素基因编码区分成2个外显子部分。Blast比较发现，鸡β-防御素Ga1-1和Ga1-2基因位于鸡的3号染色体连续克隆群Contig42．182上，并且这2个基因转录方向相反。Ga1-3基因位于鸡的3号染色体连续克隆群Contig42．181和Contig42．182上，转录方向与Ga1-1基因相同。     

猪UCP3基因多态性及其与脂肪沉积、肉质性状的相关分析

在QTL定位的基础上选取猪解偶联蛋白3(UCP3)作为控制脂肪沉积性状和肉质性状的候选基因。对猪UCP3基因的部分编码区进行了测序，在395 bp处发现了1个cSNP位点。该cSNP位点发生G→A突变，并导致相应编码氨基酸由甘氨酸→精氨酸的改变。该位点可以被限制性内切酶SmaⅠ识别。利用PCR-RFLP方法，对186头大白×梅山F2资源家系进行UCP3片段SmaⅠ位点分析，发现AA、AB和BB三种基因型，其中A等位基因频率0.56，B 0.44。经统计分析发现，在该F2群体中，UCP3 SmaⅠ位点多态性与脂肪沉积性状中胸腰椎间膘厚、臀部膘厚显著相关；与肉质性状中的肌内脂肪、系水力和失水率显著相关。UCP3 SmaⅠ位点主要表现为加性效应，基因型AA降低膘厚，提高系水力和降低失水率，但同时也降低肌内脂肪含量。     

荷斯坦牛白细胞抗原基因-DRB3(BoLA-DRB3)外显子2多态性及其与体细胞评分的关系

采用PCR-RFLP技术,用限制性内切酶BstY I对河北省489头荷斯坦母牛和40头荷斯坦公牛白细胞抗原-DRB3基因(BoLA-DRB3)外显子2的284 bp扩增产物进行多态性分析.荷斯坦母牛经BsfY Ⅰ酶切产生3种基因型AA、AB和BB,其频率分别为0.078、0.380和0.542;荷斯坦公牛经BsfY Ⅰ酶切产生2种基因型AB和BB,其频率分别为0.250和0.750;荷斯坦母牛和公牛在该酶切位点均处于Hardy-Weinberg平衡状态(母牛:,P=0.799>0.05;公牛:,P=0.665>0.05);用最小二乘法分析BoLA-DRB3基因外显子2的多态性与荷斯坦母牛体细胞评分(somatic cell score,SCS)的关系,结果表明AA基因型SCS最小二乘均值极显著低于AB基因型所对应的值(P=0.0098<0.01),极显著低于BB基因型所对应的值(P=0.00009<0.0001);AB基因型SCS最小二乘均值极显著低于BB基因型所对应的值(P=0.0096<0.01);对乳房炎抗性,AA是最有利基因型,BB是最不利基因型.研究结果表明BoLA-DRB3基因外显子2的多态性是提高奶牛乳房炎抗性的一个潜在的DNA标记.     

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.