秸秆直接还田的作用和方法

近年来有不少实践经验指出,秸秆(包括麦草、玉米秸和棉秆等)直接还田是利用有机物质的一种较好形式。     

针叶木木质素单体模型化合物热解研究进展

木质素目前是唯一可持续生产芳香基化合物的可再生资源。然而，当前绝大多数的木质素未能得到有效利用。热解可以将木质素快速转化为生物炭、生物油和生物气等产物并实现其资源化和高值化利用的有效途径。愈创木基单元是针叶木木质素的主要组成单元，且其结构中的甲氧基和酚羟基等官能团在木质素中广泛存在，因此作为模型化合物被广泛应用。愈创木酚类化合物直接热解产物以苯酚类和邻苯二酚类化合物为主，且热解温度对其热解过程具有一定影响，提高热解温度提高转化率且产生少量芳烃和更多的烯烃，且愈创木基结构单元的C4取代基官能团对愈创木酚直接热解的影响较小。分子筛由于具有独特结构和酸性位点，是催化裂解愈创木酚脱氧制备芳烃和单酚的有效催化剂。催化热解反应条件（如热解温度、重时空速和原料分压等）对催化热解产物具有重要影响；且在热解过程中添加氢供体可以显著提高愈创木酚脱氧率并降低催化剂的积碳。热解机理方面，愈创木酚基化合物直接热解反应主要反应途经是自由基反应，且结构单元中的甲氧基与焦炭形成具有直接关系。初步热解产物邻苯二酚及其衍生的邻羟基苯醌是形成气体产物的重要中间体。与直接热解不同的是，愈创木酚催化热解的主要反应机理是"烃池机理"。该研究通过对愈创木酚类化合物直接热解研究、催化热解研究和反应机理等方面进行总结和综述，期望加深对木质素热解过程的理解，为木质素热解产物的调控提供理论指导。     

棉花秸秆糖化碱预处理条件优化

新疆含有丰富的棉花秸秆资源,但棉秆需经预处理后才能被纤维素酶高效水解。该文以棉花秸秆资源的综合利用为目的,对其碱预处理及微波/碱预处理条件进行了试验,结果表明：2.0%NaOH,固液比1︰20,120℃,处理棉花秸秆75 min,棉秆中的木质素、半纤维素含量分别降低60.42%,35.05%;利用碱/微波（700 W）预处理棉花秸秆15 min,棉花秸秆中的木质素、半纤维素分别降低61.31%,44.78%,提高微波功率对于处理后的棉秆中木质素、高聚糖（纤维素+半纤维素）收率无明显影响,但功率越高、所需时间越短;不同预处理后的棉花秸秆酶水解试验表明,碱预处理棉花秸秆酶水解96 h,水解率为20.01%,碱/微波预处理棉花秸秆酶水解48 h,水解率为20.05%。     

高固体负荷下尿素预处理对玉米秸秆主要成分和结构的影响

该研究将尿素作为单独预处理试剂,利用大豆粉中的脲酶促进尿素向NH3的转化,预处理过程中采用较高固体负荷,试图在相对较低温度下通过尿素的转化实现玉米秸秆的气态NH3预处理,系统研究预处理过程中的总固体负荷(Total Solids,TS)、大豆粉与秸秆质量比、尿素与秸秆质量比、预处理温度和预处理时间对玉米秸秆的主要成分及其表面形态结构和基团结构的影响,获得高TS下尿素预处理玉米秸秆的较优条件。结果表明,质量分数50%TS的尿素预处理能够很好的保护秸秆中的糖类;大豆粉中的脲酶可以显著提高尿素预处理秸秆中葡聚糖和阿拉伯聚糖的含量;秸秆葡聚糖的含量随着尿素与秸秆质量比、预处理温度和预处理时间的增加而增加,而木质素、木聚糖和阿拉伯聚糖含量的差异不显著;质量分数50%TS、1∶20大豆粉与秸秆质量比、1∶1尿素与秸秆质量比、80℃预处理温度、10 d的预处理效果最优,预处理后玉米秸秆木质素、葡聚糖、木聚糖和阿拉伯聚糖的质量分数分别达到14.20%、51.75%、20.67%和4.23%;尿素预处理秸秆过程中,C-O基(1 032cm~(-1))波动最显著,木质素和羟基肉桂酸键破裂明显,证明了高TS下,利用尿素实现气态NH3预处理玉米秸秆的可行性,为尿素预处理理论体系的研究提供基础。     

蒸汽爆破发酵棉秆饲喂绵羊效果分析

为了研究蒸汽爆破与微生物发酵联合处理的棉秆对育肥期绵羊生产性能及血液生化指标的影响。试验选取健康的5月龄的巴音布鲁克公羊30只,依据体质量进行单因素完全随机试验设计,分为蒸汽爆破发酵棉秆组、棉秆组和玉米青贮组,每组10只。试验期40 d。试验结果表明:干物质采食量在各组间差异极显著(P0.01)。蒸汽爆破发酵棉秆组的日增质量比棉秆组高49.21%(P0.05);玉米青贮组的日增质量比棉秆组高44.45%,具有显著趋势(0.05P0.1);料肉比棉秆组蒸汽爆破发酵棉秆组玉米青贮组。玉米青贮组的血液球蛋白质量浓度比蒸汽爆破棉秆组和棉秆组低17.02%和20.01%,差异显著(P0.05)。玉米青贮组的血液总蛋白质量浓度比棉秆组低11.90%(P0.01),比蒸汽爆破发酵棉秆组低7.86%(P0.05)。白蛋白与球蛋白的比值蒸汽爆破发酵棉秆组比玉米青贮组低18.68%(P0.05)。棉秆组的谷丙转氨酶比玉米青贮组和蒸汽爆破发酵棉秆组高69.80%和77.67%,差异极显著(P0.01)。玉米青贮组的血液胆固醇摩尔浓度比棉秆组低36.13%(P0.05)。低密度脂蛋白摩尔浓度玉米青贮组比棉秆组低50.00%(P0.05)。试验结果说明:棉秆经蒸汽爆破发酵后,其饲喂品质高于棉秆而低于玉米青贮,对育肥羊的安全性要优于粉碎棉秆,能减轻对绵羊机体的伤害;育肥羊的增重效果高于棉秆而接近玉米青贮,料肉比高于玉米青贮而低于棉秆。在棉花种植区,利用蒸汽爆破和微生物发酵技术联合处理棉花秸秆,可能有助于棉花秸秆的饲料化利用。     

不同土著菌及其复合菌对玉米秸秆降解的影响

为研究一种高效的玉米秸秆降解复合菌,选取了木质素降解优势土著菌密黏褶菌、环状芽孢杆菌、铜绿假单胞菌、栗褐链霉菌、黄孢原毛平革菌、杂色云芝、绿色木霉、黑曲霉,对各单一菌种对玉米秸秆的降解能力进行了测定,通过菌种间的拮抗试验,将单一菌种进行组合,初步构建了一组木质纤维素降解复合菌。结果表明：在整个35 d的预处理周期中,黑曲霉、绿色木霉对秸秆中纤维素、半纤维素体现了较高的降解能力,黑曲霉、绿色木霉对半纤维素的降解率分别为47.81%、37.53%,对纤维素的降解率分别为38.96%、46.32%;黄孢原毛平革菌、杂色云芝对玉米秸秆中的木质素体现了较强的降解能力,对木质素的降解率分别为43.56%、39.17%;菌种拮抗试验表明该试验所选用的真菌、放线菌及细菌之间无拮抗反应,可以进行混合培养;对复合菌预处理前后的玉米秸秆微观结构进行扫描电镜分析,发现在降解过程中复合菌对木质纤维素的结构产生了破坏作用,提高了木质纤维素的可及性;木质素、纤维素、半纤维素的含量在整个发酵过程中都在逐渐减少,发酵结束时复合菌对半纤维素的降解率最高达到48.53%,纤维素的降解率为36.38%,木质素的降解率为40.11%,在提高木质素降解率的同时减少了纤维素消耗。该研究为秸秆类生物质降解及利用提供了参考依据。     

适宜薄膜含量提高棉秆/塑料定向复合板力学和吸水性能

为了有效利用棉秆资源,制备高性能的生物质秸秆人造板,该文以等规聚丙烯和高密度聚乙烯薄膜为填充材料,以长棉秆束为基体材料,采用定向分层铺装方法,热压制备了不同薄膜含量的棉秆/塑料定向复合板,测试了复合板的物理力学性能,用扫描电子显微镜观察了复合板的微观结构。结果表明,等规聚丙烯基复合板物理力学性能优于高密度聚乙烯基复合板,且当等规聚丙烯薄膜质量分数为15%时,复合板性能较佳,在此条件下,复合板的静曲强度、弹性模量、内结合强度、吸水厚度膨胀率和吸水率分别为60.60 MPa、5074.4 MPa、1.48 MPa、2.53%和18.60%。复合板中棉秆纤维和塑料薄膜接合界面存在机械啮合结构。该研究可为利用农业生物质秸秆和塑料薄膜制备木塑复合材料提供参考。     

低木质素含量棉秆皮纤维的提取和表征

为了实现棉秆皮纤维在纺纱上的应用,该文在150℃以上的温度下用质量分数为4%的碱从棉秆皮中提取了纤维,测定了温度和时间对棉秆皮纤维细度、木质素质量分数及力学性能的影响。将棉秆皮纤维与棉按质量比30/70的比例进行混纺,研究了木质素的质量分数对混纺纱性能的影响。结果表明:随着温度的升高和时间的延长,棉秆皮纤维的细度和木质素质量分数逐渐下降。但是,当温度升高至170℃后,棉秆皮纤维的断裂强度迅速降低。160℃、60 min提取的纤维性能较理想:纤维细度28.3 dtex、木质素质量分数4.5%、断裂强度1.8 c N/dtex、杨氏模量46 c N/dtex。与闪爆及常压碱处理等方法相比,高温方法提取的纤维木质素质量分数低60%以上。棉秆皮纤维的木质素质量分数从5.5%降至4.5%后,混纺纱的条干变异系数和毛羽指数分别降低了75.1%和29.6%,而断裂强度和伸长率分别提高了11.1%和9.8%。高温提取的棉秆皮纤维可纺出细度为22.4 tex、断裂强度为12.0 c N/tex的纱线。     

NaOH处理玉米秸秆厌氧生物气化试验研究

提出通过NaOH化学处理以改善玉米秸秆的可生物消化性能、提高玉米秸秆厌氧消化产气量的方法。NaOH添加量为玉米秸秆干物质的8%。对未处理和经NaOH处理的玉米秸秆进行了厌氧消化对比试验研究,厌氧消化负荷率为35,50,65和80 g/L。分析并比较了两者在不同负荷率下的日产气量、累积产气量、单位TS和VS产气量等。结果显示,与未处理玉米秸相比,NaOH处理过的玉米秸的干物质消化率和产气量明显提高,在35,50,65,80 g/L负荷率下,产气量分别提高了13.1%,39.8%,48.3%和47.8%,单位TS、VS的产气率分别提高了13.1%～48.3%、23%～61.3%;两种玉米秸分别在35和65 g/L负荷率下获得了最高单位TS产气量。NaOH化学处理使玉米秸细胞壁结构和化学成分发生了明显的变化,分别有53.2%、46.9%和66.6%的木质素、纤维素和半纤维素被分解,其中1/2～2/3被转化成了易被厌氧菌利用的可溶性物质,这是产气量提高的主要原因之一。研究结果对提高玉米秸的产气效率、实现大规模应用具有重要指导意义。     

蒸汽爆破过程麦秆木质纤维素的转化

采用低压蒸汽爆破技术处理小麦秸秆木质素。通过单因素试验,考察蒸汽爆破过程汽爆压力、液固比、物料粒度、维压时间对木质纤维素降解的影响,木质素的降解率达到22.67%。设计L9(34)正交试验,上述因素影响主次顺序为汽爆压力>液固比>维压时间>物料粒度,优化条件为汽爆压力0.6 MPa,液固比为20︰1,维压时间为30 min,物料粒度为20～60目,且对优化结果进一步验证。红外光谱分析表明,经汽爆后麦秆木质素结构受到了一定程度的破坏;扫描电镜观察,麦秆的纤维束受到了破坏,发生了断裂,且出现了多孔的结构。     

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.