仿形滑刀式开沟器设计与试验

为了改善种床质量、提高播种分布直线性及播深一致性,通过"V"形种沟成因分析,设计了一种适用于大豆垄上双行种植模式的仿形滑刀式开沟器。该开沟器具有滑刀和仿形压土轮机构,可实现开沟、压沟和仿形功能,进而构建底部紧实、覆盖土壤松软的优良种床。通过土槽试验,以回土量为指标,采用响应面优化法分析得出最优参数组合,即载荷大小为689.66 N,开沟角度为40.43°,前进速度为2.12 m/s,开沟深度为51.62 mm。在最优工况下进行田间验对比试验,仿形滑刀式开沟器、双V型筑沟器、圆盘开沟器的横向偏移离散度分别为4.42、4.34、6.55,播深变异系数分别为6.06%、6.80%、11.52%,在50~75 mm土层开沟镇压后土壤紧实度分别为0.261、0.248、0.165 MPa,仿形滑刀式开沟器作业效果优于双V型筑沟器和圆盘开沟器,可以提高种床质量和播深一致性,且使种床紧实,利于种子出苗。     

多功能集成式播种开沟器的设计与试验

针对播种作业时土壤扰动大、种床土壤紧实度不足、播种深度均匀性差等问题,设计了一种集开沟、回土、镇压一体化的多功能集成式播种开沟器,其滑刀、挡土板、镇压轮相互配合能够实现开出种沟,种子落至沟底,湿土回流沟内,镇压轮镇压种沟,种子与土壤紧密接触。通过土槽试验,以土壤扰动量、土壤紧实度为试验指标进行三元二次回归正交试验得到开沟器各参数最优组合为滑刀滑切角44.6°、挡土板倾角3.2°、弹簧形变量11.8 mm。在最优参数下与双圆盘播种开沟器、尖角式进行田间对比试验,多功能集成式播种开沟器播深变异系数比双圆盘开沟器播深变异系数低了32.4%,比尖角式开沟器低了25.2%;集成式开沟器作业后的土壤紧实度比双圆盘开沟器紧实度高38.6%,比尖角式开沟器紧实度高62.9%;多功能集成式播种开沟器作业产生的土壤扰动量比双圆盘开沟器降低16.3%,比尖角式开沟器降低36.5%,其回土量比双圆盘开沟器提高29.9%,比尖角式开沟器提高61.5%。试验结果表明该开沟器可以改善种床环境,增强土壤紧实度,提高播种深度均匀性,可为播种开沟器的设计提供参考。     

基于HYDRUS-2D模型的玉米高出苗率地下滴灌开沟播种参数优选

开沟播种是一种可显著提高地下滴灌春玉米出苗率的新型播种方式,为了优化该技术模式,该文通过两年田间试验分析了地下滴灌玉米出苗率与灌水后种子处土壤有效饱和度(effective saturation)的关系,并基于HYDRUS-2D构建了地下滴灌开沟播种土壤水分运动模型,以90%玉米出苗率为前提,研究了不同土质和土壤初始含水率条件下3个技术参数——开沟深度、滴灌带埋深和灌水量对种子处土壤有效饱和度的影响.结果表明:1)出苗率随土壤有效饱和度线性递增,土壤有效饱和度不小于0.77时,出苗率超过90%;2)地下滴灌开沟播种HYDRUS-2D模型模拟精度较高,模拟得到的土壤有效饱和度随开沟深度增大而增大,随滴灌带埋深增大而减小;3)满足土壤有效饱和度为0.77所需的出苗水灌水量随土壤黏粒含量、土壤初始含水率和开沟深度增大而减小,随滴灌带埋深增大而增大.当表层土壤初始含水率为40%田持~60%田持时,开沟深度每增加5cm,砂壤土的出苗水灌水量减小15~20mm,粉壤和粉黏土的出苗水灌水量减小6~18mm;滴灌带埋深由30cm增大到35cm时,砂壤土的出苗水灌水量增大16~21mm,粉壤和粉黏土的出苗水灌水量增大4~14mm.不同埋深和开沟深度下,当表层土壤初始含水率由40%田持增大到60%田持时,砂壤土的出苗水灌水量减小9~14mm,粉壤和粉黏土的出苗水灌水量减小9~19mm;4)综合考虑土壤质地、玉米根系分布、机械作业、耗能、耕作深度和土壤水深层渗漏以及土壤初始含水率,玉米地下滴灌适宜的滴灌带埋深为30~35cm,开沟深度为10~15cm,灌水量范围为25~67mm.农业生产者可以根据当地实际情况对以上3个技术参数进行合理配置.     

行间耕播机弹性可覆土镇压轮性能有限元仿真分析及试验

为提高播种机的播种及镇压性能,解决播种作业中覆土后即时镇压的难题,结合橡胶类材料的变形理论与轮胎力学的研究基础,建立基于种沟沟型的理论模型,并设计出一种具有覆土功能的弹性镇压轮,镇压轮横截面由顶端连通的两个腔室组成,通过镇压轮侧缘与种沟接触产生的挤压力以同时实现覆土和镇压作业。利用ABAQUS软件对镇压轮进行有限元仿真分析,考察其覆土及镇压性能,通过有限元仿真分析证实该模型可行有效。通过与双圆盘覆土器和传统橡胶镇压轮的田间对比试验测得,该文所设计的弹性可覆土镇压轮作业后种子平均覆土深度为34 mm,变异系数为15.68%,镇压后种子上方距离地表5 cm的土壤紧实度为33.5 k Pa,变异系数为13.97%,应用双圆盘覆土器和传统橡胶镇压轮作业后种子平均覆土深度为35.3 mm,变异系数为17.51%,镇压后种子上方距离地表5 cm的土壤紧实度为26.5 k Pa,变异系数为15.32%,田间对比试验证实弹性可覆土镇压轮和双圆盘覆土器均可满足玉米播种作业对覆土深度的要求,但弹性可覆土镇压轮对土壤的镇压强度大于传统橡胶镇压轮,同时由覆土深度变异系数和镇压强度变异系数可以看出,弹性可覆土镇压轮在作业过程中的覆土深度稳定性和镇压强度稳定性均优于双圆盘覆土器和传统橡胶镇压轮。     

收获开沟埋草一体机双圆盘开沟机构设计与参数优化

为提高己研制的稻麦联合收获开沟埋草多功能一体机免耕播种时的开沟播种质量,设计双圆盘开沟机构与一体机相结合.为获取影响双圆盘开沟机构作业质量因素的最优参数,以机器前进速度、开沟器入土深度、开沟器排种管固定装置固定孔中心点至排种管出口中心点横向距离为试验因素,以种子入沟率、各行播种量稳定性变异系数、播种均匀性变异系数为试验指标,进行三因素五水平二次正交旋转组合试验.试验结果表明:各试验因素对于种子入沟率与各行播种量稳定性变异系数影响程度从大到小皆依次是:固定孔横向距离、开沟器入土深度、机器前进速度;各试验因素对于播种均匀性变异系数的影响程度从大到小依次是:机器前进速度、开沟器入土深度、固定孔横向距离.优化所得双圆盘开沟机构开沟播种作业最佳参数组合为机器前进速度为0.46 m/s;开沟器入土深度为3.25 cm;固定孔横向距离为16.16 mm,验证试验表明各指标试验结果与理论优化结果相对误差均小于4％,验证了所建模型与优化参数的合理性.     

夹指链式残膜回收装置仿形及收膜机构的改进设计与试验

针对现有夹指链式残膜回收装置收膜作业地面仿形性差、作业性能不稳定的问题,设计了一种单铰接仿形及收膜机构,该机构主要由仿形机构和收膜机构两部分组成,整个收膜装置由多个单铰接仿形及收膜机构并排组成,每个单铰接仿形及收膜机构作业时可以单独仿形。仿形机构主要由仿形架、切膜圆盘、仿形轮、压紧机构和刮土板组成,切膜圆盘固连在仿形轮一侧,将地表残膜切成带状的同时对地表进行仿形,压紧弹簧产生的预压力使仿形机构始终紧贴地表仿形,通过对仿形机构的设计,确定了其结构尺寸参数,并对该装置的上仿形运动和下仿形运动进行了分析与讨论。田间试验表明,在机具作业5.5 km/h、切膜圆盘直径为280 mm、仿形轮直径为220 mm时,残膜回收率达93.1%,能够满足残膜回收技术要求,研究成果有利于解决残膜污染问题。     

仿旗鱼头部曲线型开沟器设计与性能试验

为了减小播种开沟器的工作阻力,降低其对土壤的扰动,根据旗鱼头部的流线型曲线,建立了拟合曲线的数学模型,设计了仿旗鱼头部曲线型开沟器。为获得该开沟器工作时工作阻力及其对土壤扰动情况,进行离散元仿真和室内土槽试验。在前进速度为0.5 m/s时,分别以3种土壤含水率、3种开沟器开沟深度为因素进行仿真及室内试验。仿真结果:在含水率为12%±1%时,工作阻力、对土壤扰动宽度和回土深度随开沟深度的增加呈增加趋势;在开沟深度为60 mm时,工作阻力随含水率的增加而增加,但对土壤扰动宽度、回土深度影响不明显。工作阻力仿真与试验结果对比,两者变化趋势大致相同,相对误差在5.04%~27.08%之间。土壤扰动情况仿真与试验结果对比:回土深度的仿真与试验结果接近,而土壤扰动宽度的仿真与试验结果差别较大,可能是土壤颗粒粒径较大引起的,但变化趋势基本一致。由此说明了采用离散元法模拟开沟器的工作阻力及其对土壤扰动情况的可行性。该文可为开沟器的设计与优化提供参考。     

小麦播种机开沟器双向平行四杆仿形机构的设计及运动仿真

寒地冬小麦一般在秋季作物的垄沟两侧进行播种,为了保证冬小麦开沟器不到垄台上伤害正在生长的农作物,该文设计了双向仿形平行四杆机构。该文对仿形机构进行受力分析,确定了影响仿形性能的各参数;根据初始工作角和最大下仿形量,设计出仿形杆的长度为386.37 mm,最大上仿形量为98.35 mm;在左右达到最大仿形量时,确定左右仿形角为15°。最后应用CATIA软件进行运动仿真分析,通过运动仿真表明,仿形机构可实现上下、左右仿形,上下仿形量可达到170 mm,左右仿形量可达到100 mm,满足理论设计的双向仿形量。该机构为研制冬小麦免耕播种机提供了依据。     

马铃薯播种机分体式滑刀开沟器参数优化与试验

针对马铃薯播种机的铧靴式和圆盘式开沟器存在的种薯株距分布不均、播种效果质量差、回土量小等问题,研制出分体式滑刀马铃薯开沟器,并进行关键参数优化,分析开沟和回土过程中土壤颗粒在开沟器上的运动规律,研究种薯落入垄沟后的运动过程,确定影响土壤覆盖种薯效果的因素。采用旋转正交的试验设计方法,以机具前进速度、开沟器侧面夹角、开沟器长度及开沟深度为试验因素,以种薯的横向偏移系数、株距变异系数和回土量为试验指标,分析实施田间试验结果,优化分体式滑刀开沟器的结构参数与最优运动参数：在前进速度为0.95 m/s、开沟器侧面夹角为60°、开沟器长度为500 mm、开沟深度为115 mm时,株距变异系数为10.8%、种薯的横向偏移系数为3.83 mm、回土量为24.1%,满足马铃薯播种作业的要求。该研究结果可为马铃薯开沟播种装置设计与应用提供参考。     

马铃薯播种机播深调控装置设计与试验

针对现有马铃薯播种机大多采用整体仿形,无单体仿形机构而引起的仿形效果不佳、播深合格率较低、出苗整齐度较差等关键问题,研究设计了一种马铃薯播种机播深调控装置。阐述了该播深调控装置的主要结构和工作原理,通过对播深调控装置的动力学分析,建立了播深稳定性的数学模型,结合马铃薯播种机播深一致性的农艺具体要求,确定了该装置的理论结构参数,并得出了影响开沟深度稳定性的关键因素。采用旋转正交的试验方法,以初始牵引角、弹簧刚度和机具作业速度为试验因素,开沟深度合格指数和开沟深度变异系数为试验指标。试验结果表明:在作业速度为1 m/s、初始牵引角为0、弹簧刚度为10 N/mm时,开沟深度合格指数为96.6%,开沟深度变异系数为8.9%,满足马铃薯播种作业的要求。该研究为提高马铃薯播种机播种深度一致性和马铃薯苗齐苗壮的播种关键问题提供了设计参考。     

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.