A comparison of microbial-feeding nematodes and protozoa in the rhizosphere of different plants

Summary The biomass of microbial-feeding nematodes and protozoa was measured in the rhizospheres of peas, barley, grass and turnips grown for 10 weeks in pots containing a clay-loam soil; in the rhizospheres of peas and barley grown for 3 weeks in a sandy soil; and in the rhizosphere of barley grown for 11 weeks in an unfertilised and a fertilised clay-loam soil. The nematode biomass was consistently larger in the rhizosphere of all plants in both soils than in the bulk soil, but the protozoa biomass showed a rhizosphere effect only under pea and fertilised barley. The biomass of nematodes in the rhizosphere (1.2–22.3 g dry weight g^-1 dry soil) was greater than the biomass of protozoa (0.1–3.2 g g^-1), and greater under pea>barley>grass>turnip. It is suggested that nematodes are more able to exploit low bacterial densities than protozoa and that they initially migrate into the rhizosphere from the bulk soil. In samples of potato rhizosphere from field-grown plants, the nematode biomass was also greater than the active and total protozoan biomass. It is argued that in the rhizosphere the biomass of microbially feeding nematodes exceeds that of protozoa and that nematodes are more important in terms of nutrient cycling.     

Seasonal dynamics of amoebae in the root canopy of Zygophyllum dumosum in the Negev Desert, Israel

Water availability and nutrient limitation are the most important driving forces in hot desert ecosystems, determining vegetation cover and biological activity. In this study the amoeba population was determined in the upper soil layer (0-10 and 10-20 cm) under and between 4 individual Zygophyllum dumosum shrubs. The soil samples were taken from the different layer beneath the shrub and between the shrubs (control) along four seasons. Total number of amoeba was significantly higher in the Z. dumosum root canopy (2935 individual/g soil) in comparison to control samples (625 individual/g soil). Amoebal density was highest at 10-20 cm during the winter, spring and summer. In autumn, during heavy dewfall amoebal density was greatest in the top 10 cm of soil.     

Evidence for gluconic acid production by Enterobacter intermedium as an efficient strategy to avoid protozoan grazing

The effect of pure gluconic acid and of gluconic-acid-producing bacteria on the activity of three protozoan species, Colpoda steinii (a ciliate), Vahlkampfia sp. (an amoeba) and Neobodo designis (a flagellate), was determined in vitro and in soil microcosms. Pure gluconic acid was shown to mediate disappearance of active cells, due to encystment and/or death of protozoa, at 0.15 mM in saline medium. Similarly, the presence of gluconic acid inhibited excystment of the three protozoa tested. Enterobacter intermedium 60-2G (Wt), a gluconic acid-producing rhizobacterium, elicited the same effects on protozoa when co-cultured in the presence of 5 g L⁻¹ glucose. However, the effect was not observed when glucose was omitted from the medium. Similarly, a pqqA isogenic mutant strain, unable to produce gluconic acid from glucose, exhibited a reduced effect on protozoan activity. Rhizosphere-microcosm studies performed with wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) confirmed the reduced ability of the pqqA mutant to limit protozoa reproduction compared to the Wt strain. Since the sodium salt of gluconic acid did not cause any significant stress to protozoa and considering that addition of 50 mM Tris-Cl (pH 7.2) abolished the deleterious effect of gluconic acid, acidification of the medium appeared as the key factor that induced encystment/death of protozoa. We propose that production and excretion of gluconic acid should be considered an efficient mechanism evolved by bacteria to escape, tolerate or defend themselves against protozoan grazing in rhizosphere environments.     

农牧复合生态系统氮磷营养循环与提高养分利用率的研究

本项实验研究(1988-1991)通过田间试验、饲喂试验和农牧结合的生态农业实体运营,使农田亚系统的氮肥利用率达到56.9%,磷36.3%,整个农牧复合系统的养分回收率氮49.9%,磷37.6%,比单一种植业的利用效率提高10-20个百分点,这在太行山前平原资源节约型生态农业建设中,是一种高效益的生态农业示范模式,生产上已开始推广应用。     

The model predator Acanthamoeba castellanii induces the production of 2,4, DAPG by the biocontrol strain Pseudomonas fluorescens Q2-87

Fluorescent pseudomonads show great potential as biological control agents due to their capability to produce antifungal toxins such as 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (DAPG). DAPG is synthesized from the precursor monoacetyl-phloroglucinol (MAPG) and its production depends on the metabolic state of the bacteria as well as on their interaction with other organisms. In this study we show that Pseudomonas fluorescens responds to the bacterivorous amoeba Acanthamoeba castellanii by upregulating the production of phloroglucinol derivates in a density-dependent manner. Living amoebae caused moreover a distortion of the MAPG to DAPG balance in favor of the latter, suggesting that amoebae may interfere with the first steps of DAPG synthesis. Predator-prey interactions appear thus to be an important factor for the regulation of antibiotics production in biocontrol microorganisms.     

Can differences in soil community composition after peat meadow restoration lead to different decomposition and mineralization rates?

Reducing decomposition and mineralization of organic matter by increasing groundwater levels is a common approach to reduce plant nutrient availability in many peat meadow restoration projects. The soil community is the main driver of these processes, but how community composition is affected by peat meadow restoration is largely unknown. Furthermore, it is unclear whether restoration induced changes could lead to altered decomposition and mineralization rates. We determined soil community composition in restored peat meadows with different groundwater levels and soil pH. This composition was subsequently used in food web model calculations of C and N mineralization rates to assess whether differences in soil community composition may have contributed to differences in decomposition and mineralization rates observed between these meadows.Community composition of micro-organisms, Collembola and Enchytraeidae differed considerably between meadows and were correlated with differences in groundwater levels and soil pH. Collembolan and enchytraeid species from wet and neutral environments were more abundant at meadows with higher groundwater levels. Lower fungal to bacterial PLFA ratios and higher numbers of protozoa indicated an increased importance of the bacterial part of the food web at meadows with higher groundwater levels. Food web model calculations suggested that the observed changes in community composition would lead to higher rates of C and N mineralization at meadows with high groundwater levels. Results from modeling were consistent with field measurements of C mineralization, but not with measurements of N mineralization.We conclude that understanding changes in soil community composition in response to specific restoration measures may help us to better understand ecosystem responses to wetland restoration schemes, especially regarding soil biogeochemical processes.     

土壤原生动物——研究方法及其在土传病害防控中的作用

原生动物是原生生物的一种,是土壤食物网中的消费者,能捕食细菌和真菌等其他微生物.除了对土壤微生物群落和物质循环产生重要影响外,根际原生动物与细菌、真菌等土壤微生物共同组成生物网络屏障,并在抵御土传病原菌入侵作物根系的过程中发挥着重要作用.然而,相对于根际有益细菌和有益真菌,国内外关于原生动物防控土传病害的效果及作用机制...     

Browsing by red deer negatively impacts on soil nitrogen availability in regenerating native forest

Herbivores can have important indirect effects on belowground properties and processes that govern ecosystem form and productivity. A major way that herbivores affect ecosystem productivity is by modifying feedbacks that occur between dominant plants and belowground properties, and especially by changing the rates of nutrient mineralisation. In this study, we examine the effects of browsing by red deer, relative to landscape factors such as variations in microclimate and topography, on soil biological properties and N cycling in regenerating forest in an upland region of the Scottish Highlands. The site at Creag Meagaidh in the Scottish Highlands was sampled three times over the growing season of 2001 and soil cores were taken from four exclosures. Measures of soil biological properties and nitrogen availability were made. The results presented here suggest that although spatial and temporal variation were the dominant factors affecting soil biological properties and nitrogen dynamics in this ecosystem, herbivory also had consistent and significant effects on these measures. Browsing significantly reduced measures of DOC (27%), NO₃⁻ (48%), NH₄⁺ (49%) and N-mineralisation (53%). The microbial C:N ratio was also significantly greater (89%) in browsed than un-browsed areas, suggesting that the removal of deer reduced the extent that the microbial community was N-limited. These significant negative effects of browsing on soil nitrogen cycling have the potential to reduce ecosystem productivity. We conclude that removal of browsing over 14 years has accelerated native woodland regeneration, leading to subsequent increases in soil C- and N-mineralisation, further increasing plant N supply and tree growth in this ecosystem.     

Early Development and Nutrition of Cover Crop Species as Affected by Soil Compaction

Abstract

A good cover crop should have a vigorous early development and a high potential for nutrient uptake that can be made available to the next crop. In tropical areas with relatively dry winters drought tolerance is also very important. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the early development and nutrition of six species used as cover crops as affected by sub‐superficial compaction of the soil. The plants (oats, pigeon pea, pearl millet, black mucuna, grain sorghum, and blue lupin) were grown in pots filled with soil subjected to different subsurface compaction levels (bulk densities of 1.12, 1.16, and 1.60 mg m^?3) for 39 days. The pots had an internal diameter of 10 cm and were 33.5 cm deep. Grasses were more sensitive to soil compaction than leguminous plants during the initial development. Irrespective of compaction rates, pearl millet and grain sorghum were more efficient in recycling nutrients. These two species proved to be more appropriate as cover crops in tropical regions with dry winters, especially if planted shortly before spring.     

Trophic interactions between rhizosphere bacteria and bacterial feeders influenced by phosphate and aphids in barley

The aim was to study the effects of P fertilization and leaf aphid attack on the trophic interactions of bacteria and bacterial feeders in the rhizospheres of barley plants. The density of protozoa peaked in the rhizospheres of plants fertilized with N and P, whereas nematodes peaked in the rhizospheres of plants to which only N had been added. Fingerprinting of bacterial communities by length heterogeneity polymerase chain reaction revealed differences in community structure between NP rhizospheres and N rhizospheres as well as aphid-related differences within N rhizospheres. Specifically, α-proteobacteria increased with P addition. To evaluate if differences in bacteria in terms of their quality as food could partly explain the observed differences in protozoan and nematode abundances, growth of the flagellate Cercomonas sp. was assessed with 935 bacteria isolated from the different treatments. This assay indicated that bacterial isolates were of higher food quality to Cercomonas sp. in NP than in N rhizospheres when plants were subjected to aphid attack. Bacteria of high and low food quality for Cercomonas sp., respectively, were fed to the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and larval production examined. α-Proteobacteria supported the growth of Cercomonas sp. well, whereas Actinobacteria did not. In contrast, C. elegans reproduced poorly on most α-proteobacteria but were able to reproduce well on some Actinobacteria. These results suggest that the different response of protozoa and nematodes to P addition could be mediated through a food quality-related change in community composition of bacteria and that leaf aphid attack may interfere with nutrient effects on bacterial assemblages of rhizospheres.     

苹果砧木苗根际微域环境的研究

本文以平邑甜茶,平顶海棠和新疆海棠三种苹果常用砧木苗试材,采用分层取样的根际箱法对其根际微域的环境状况进行了研究。结果表明,根际微域ｐＨ和氧化还原电位下降,Ｎ,Ｐ,Ｋ表现根际亏缺,Ｃａ和Ｍｇ在根表积累。     

稻虾共作模式氮和磷循环特征及平衡状况

稻虾共作模式是我国长江中下游地区一种新兴的稻田复合种养生态模式,研究稻虾共作系统中氮（N）和磷（P）的循环特征及盈亏状况,对合理调控稻虾共作系统养分循环和平衡,指导系统N和P优化管理具有重要的意义。本文通过田间试验,采用投入产出法,以中稻单作模式作为对照,研究了稻虾共作模式下N和P的循环特征及平衡状况。结果表明：克氏原螯虾子系统N和P的输出/输入比分别为0.62和0.44,且子系统中N和P以饲料输入最大,占总输入的92.9%和96.4%,以成虾N和P输出最大,分别占总输出的53.3%和59.5%;在目前投入水平下,两种模式土壤子系统中N和P表观平衡均出现盈余,且稻虾共作模式土壤子系统N的盈余量高于中稻单作模式,而P的盈余量则低于中稻单作模式;稻虾共作模式和中稻单作模式的N和P输出/输入比均小于1,且稻虾共作模式的N和P输出/输入比均小于中稻单作模式;稻虾共作模式增加了土壤截存的N和P量,其土壤截存的N和P量较中稻单作模式分别提高49.2 kg·hm^-2和9.1 kg·hm^-2;稻虾共作模式提高了系统N和P表观损失量,其系统N和P表观损失量较中稻单作模式分别提高10.2 kg·hm^-2和1.0 kg·hm^-2。可见稻虾共作模式降低了N和P输出/输入比,促进了土壤中N和P的累积,但增加了系统N和P表观损失量。     

A regulatory role for phenol oxidase during decomposition in peatlands

Unique peatland properties, such as their ability to preserve intact ancient human remains (bog bodies) and to store globally significant quantities of atmospheric CO₂, can be attributed to their low rates of enzymic decomposition. Peatland soils are normally devoid of molecular oxygen in all, but the uppermost layer, and thus enzymes such as phenol oxidase, which require molecular oxygen for their activity, are rarely active. Interestingly, even the activities of enzymes such as hydrolases that have no oxygen requirement, are also extremely limited in peatlands. Here, we show that those low hydrolase activities can be indirectly attributed to oxygen constraints on phenol oxidase. On addition of oxygen, phenol oxidase activity increased 7-fold, P<0.05, a response that allowed phenolic depletion in the peatland soil. Phenolic materials are highly inhibitory to enzymes and their lower abundance allowed higher hydrolase activities (β-glucosidase 26%, P<0.05, phosphatase 18%, P<0.05, sulphatase 47%, P<0.01, xylosidase 16%, P<0.05 and chitinase 22%, P<0.05). Thus, oxygen constraints upon phenol oxidase activity promote conditions that inhibit decomposition. This mechanism has important implications for preservation of archaeological organic materials, sequestration of atmospheric CO₂ and potentially in the preservation of food and treatment of water pollution.     

长期不同施肥措施下红壤稻田的养分循环与平衡

红壤丘陵地区荒地或旱地开垦为水田不仅可以治理土壤侵蚀,而且能增加土壤肥力,提高农田生产力.本文分析了长期不同施肥措施下垦自红壤荒地的稻田 2004-2007 年的养分循环和平衡特征及变化.结果表明:不同垦殖年限施肥措施对水稻产量的影响基本不变,都是 NPK+有机质循环 (8589 kg/hm2) ＞ NPK (7804 kg/hm2) ＞ N+有机质循环 (6626 kg/hm2) ＞有机质循环 (4525 kg/hm2) ＞无肥区 (2707 kg/hm2),且随着垦殖年限增加,不同施肥措施间产量差异有增大趋势.P 是中低肥力红壤稻田的主要限制因子,不施 P 肥对早稻产量的影响高于晚稻.有机物循环可以提高系统养分的再循环率,循环及循环配施化肥处理的养分都有盈余,单施化肥则会导致养分亏缺.高产稻田生态系统 N 素输入主要依靠化学 N 肥,有机肥是重要的 P 素资源,秸秆还田对于稻田 K 平衡有重要作用.     

Protease and deaminase activities in wheat rhizosphere and their relation to bacterial and protozoan populations

Protease and deaminase activities and population dynamics of bacteria and protozoa were measured in the rhizosphere of wheat to study their interactions with the mineralization of nitrogen. The experimental design allowed the separation of roots and soil material by means of a gauze. The most pronounced rhizosphere effect was detected for all the measured variables in the soil closest to the gauze. The number of bacteria was significantly higher in the presence than in the absence of plants up to 4 mm away from the soil-root interface and the closer to this interface the higher the number. Protozoan and bacterial population dynamics were positively correlated; generally, populations of flagellates and amoebae were comparable and their sum accounted for the population of total protozoa. For both enzyme activities the rhizosphere effect extended up to 2 mm away from the soil-root interface. The histidinase activity was of bacterial origin, while it is likely that bacteria, protozoa and root hair all contributed to the overall caseinase activity. Decomposition of root exudates and native organic matter in the rhizosphere, reflected by a growing microbial population, is associated with nitrogen mineralization through increases in caseinhydrolysing and L-histidine-deaminating activities. The adopted soil-plant microcosm is suitable for the study of the rhizosphere effect over time of incubation and distance gradient from the soil-root interface.     

根际动态过程与植物营养

养分的有效性是由土壤物理、化学和生物学特性,特别是根系主导的根际动态过程所决定的。根系引起根际pH值和氧化还原电位、根分泌物以及由此引起微生物种群、数量和活性的改变,从根本上决定着根际养分的动态。而根系主导的根际动态又具有明显的基因型差异,并受植物营养状况的诱导和调控。因此,根际动态变化的方向和强度对植物适应土壤化学和物理逆境具有重要意义。本文从根际的一般概念入手,综述了近十余年来国内外根际动态研究的新成果,重点讨论了根际动态与植物营养的关系,并运用根际微生态系统的概念,把根际动态与植物对养分胁迫的适应性及其调控机理紧密联系起来,使根际动态和植物矿质营养基因型差异机理两个基础性研究热点融为一体,为解决重大的全球性环境、生态以及农业持续发展问题提供新的途径和理论依据。     

施用牛粪对土壤-油菜系统氮素组分的影响

大理是我国南方地区发展奶业最早的地区之一,伴随着奶牛养殖业的快速发展,奶牛粪便已成为洱海流域农业面源污染的重要来源。通过在洱海流域内设置2年田间定位试验,研究施用牛粪对土壤-油菜系统氮素转化的影响,为洱海流域畜禽粪便资源化还田利用提供理论依据。在大理洱海流域水稻-油菜水旱轮作模式下,设置不施肥(CK)、施用化肥(NPK)、化肥与牛粪配施(NPK+S)、牛粪施用(2S)、倍增牛粪施用(4S)五种处理的田间小区试验,研究施用牛粪对油菜季土壤铵态氮(NH_4~+-N)、硝态氮(NO_3~--N)、可溶性有机氮(DON)、微生物量氮(SMB-N)和全氮(TN)的影响,及对油菜地上部氮素养分吸收利用的情况。施用牛粪处理的土壤铵态氮、硝态氮、可溶性有机氮含量均低于化肥单施处理,微生物量氮高于化肥单施处理,施用牛粪可减控土壤可溶性氮素流失,提高土壤微生物氮库容量,但不同牛粪施用量处理间差异较小,牛粪与化肥配施效果最好,牛粪施用对提高和保持土壤全氮含量的效果随时间延长,其效果显著,相比CK提高土壤全氮含量8.74%~13.69%,相比NPK提高9.53%~14.53%。牛粪施用处理相比化肥单施能提高油菜籽粒的吸氮量,提高幅度达8.51%~17.96%,倍增牛粪施用相比牛粪施用未能提高油菜籽粒吸氮量,仅提高油菜秸秆的吸氮量。综合土壤肥力和油菜产量,洱海流域油菜季较优施肥方式是牛粪与化肥配施,能提高油菜氮收获指数,促进氮养分向油菜籽粒转移,增加经济产量,同时能提高和保持土壤微生物量氮和全氮含量,增强土壤供氮能力。