科尔沁沙丘-草甸相间地区表土饱和导水率的土壤传递函数研究

以科尔沁沙地典型坨-甸相间地区为研究区,野外布设240个采样点,对流动沙丘、半固定沙丘、固定沙丘、沙丘区杨树林、沙丘区耕地、低覆盖度草甸、高覆盖度草甸、草甸区耕地、撂荒地9种地貌类型下的表层土壤进行了采样,测定了其含水率、干容重、有机质、饱和导水率等理化特性,分析了不同地貌类型下表层土壤理化参数差异。选取Campbell、Cosby、Wosten等、Saxton等4种土壤饱和导水率传递函数,对该地区表土饱和导水率进行了预测。结果显示这几种土壤传递函数预测值与实测值偏差较大,相关系数均小于0.3,精度难以满足本地区应用。在此基础上,选取土壤容重、有机质含量、饱和含水率、平均粒径、粒径标准偏差5种土壤特性参数作为输入变量,采用主成分分析与非线性回归分析相结合的方法,重新建立了预测本地区表土饱和导水率的土壤传递函数,结果显示预测值与实测值相关系数为0.661,该传递函数可用于科尔沁沙地表层土壤饱和导水率的预测。     

科尔沁沙丘-草甸相间地区表土饱和导水率的土壤传递函数研究

本研究以科尔沁沙地典型坨-甸相间地区为研究区,野外布设240个采样点,对流动沙丘、半固定沙丘、固定沙丘、沙丘区杨树林、沙丘区耕地、低覆盖度草甸、高覆盖度草甸、草甸区耕地、撂荒地九种地貌类型下的表层土壤进行了采样,测定了这些样点的含水率、干容重、有机质、饱和导水率等理化特性参数,分析了不同地貌类型下表层土壤理化参数差异。选取Campbell、Cosby、Wosten1997/1999、Saxton四种土壤传递函数,对该地区表土饱和导水率进行了预测,结果显示这几种土壤传递函数预测值与实测值偏差较大,相关系数均小于0.3,由此可见这几种传统的土壤传递函数在本地区应用具有一定的局限性。在此基础上,选取土壤容重、有机质含量、饱和含水率、平均粒径、粒径标准偏差五种土壤特性参数作为输入变量,采用逐步多元统计回归、主成分分析及非线性回归分析相结合的方法,重新建立了预测本地区表土饱和导水率的土壤传递函数,结果显示预测值与实测值相关系数为0.648,该传递函数可应用于科尔沁沙地表层土壤饱和导水率的预测。     

渝东北紫色土饱和导水率传递函数研究

为研究渝东北紫色土理化性质在垂直空间上的分布情况以及对饱和导水率的影响,进而建立饱和导水率与各理化性质间的关系函数,推求饱和导水率的传递函数,选择渝东北开州区、云阳县等7个区县内45个紫色土典型田块为研究区域,运用Excel 2013和Matlab 2015b软件统计分析后,利用多元非线性回归法推求并验证了渝东北紫色土饱和导水率传递函数模型和模型参数。研究表明:①研究区土壤饱和导水率变化范围在0.16～195.68 cm/d,变化范围广,空间变异系数大,变异性较强;同一采样点深度越大,饱和导水率越小;②土壤饱和导水率与有机质含量有显著的指数函数关系,与饱和含水量有较强的二次函数关系,与土壤容重和土壤颗粒的相关性不大;③本次试验建立的土壤饱和导水率传递函数模型及模型系数检验合格,预测值与实际测算值误差较小,精度良好,可用于渝东北紫色土饱和导水率的预测工作。     

藏东南典型小流域土壤饱和导水率和土壤容重空间分布

选取藏东南地区的典型小流域,通过网格法在流域的阴坡和阳坡分别采集表层(0-10cm)和底层(20-30cm)环刀土样,研究土壤饱和导水率和土壤容重在流域内的空间分布。结果表明:不同土层相比,表层土壤的饱和导水率以及土壤容重均低于底层值;阴坡和阳坡相比,阳坡的平均土壤饱和导水率和土壤容重高于阴坡,且其变异程度更大;沿坡长方向,土壤饱和导水率从坡顶到坡底呈增大趋势而土壤容重呈减小趋势;土壤饱和导水率与土壤容重之间呈显著负相关(P0.05)。     

应用土壤质地预测干旱区葡萄园土壤饱和导水率空间分布

田间表层土壤饱和导水率的空间变异性是影响灌溉水分入渗和土壤水分再分布的主要因素之一,研究土壤饱和导水率的空间变化规律,有助于定量估计土壤水分的空间分布和设计农田的精准灌溉管理制度。为了探究应用其他土壤性质如质地、容重、有机质预测土壤饱和导水率空间分布的可行性,试验在7.6 hm2的葡萄园内,采用均匀网格25 m×25 m与随机取样相结合的方式,测定了表层(0～10 cm)土壤饱和导水率、粘粒、粉粒、砂粒、容重和有机质含量,借助经典统计学和地统计学,分析了表层土壤饱和导水率的空间分布规律、与土壤属性的空间相关性,并对普通克里格法、回归法和回归克里格法预测土壤饱和导水率空间分布的结果进行了对比。结果表明:1)土壤饱和导水率具有较强的变异性,平均值为1.64 cm/d,变异系数为1.17;2)表层土壤饱和导水率60%的空间变化是由随机性或小于取样尺度的空间变异造成;3)土壤饱和导水率与粘粒、粉粒、砂粒和有机质含量具有一定空间相关性,而与土壤容重几乎没有空间相关性;4)在中值区以土壤属性辅助的回归克里格法对土壤饱和导水率的预测精度较好,在低值和高值区其与普通克里格法表现类似。研究结果将为更好地描述土壤饱和导水率空间变异结构及更准确地预测其空间分布提供参考。     

灰色关联及非线性规划法构建传递函数估算黑土水力参数

土壤水分特征曲线和饱和导水率是重要的水力参数,为了简便准确获取这些参数,以松嫩平原黑土区南部为研究区域,采集136个采样点土样用于测定不同土层土壤水分特征曲线、饱和导水率以及土壤理化性质,并运用灰色关联分析确定影响土壤水力参数的主要土壤理化性质,采用非线性规划构建土壤分形维数、有机质、干容重、土壤颗粒组成与土壤水分特征曲线、饱和导水率之间的土壤传递函数,并通过与现有土壤传递函数对比分析进行精度验证。结果表明:1)土壤分形维数是估算土壤水分特征曲线模型参数和饱和导水率的主要参数之一,同时,干容重和有机质含量也在不同土层土壤传递函数中起到重要的作用;2)通过验证分析,不同土层各参数平均绝对误差接近于0,均方根误差值也都较小,其中在不同土层土壤传递函数估算的土壤含水率均方根误差分别为0.022、0.017cm~3/cm~3;3)对比分析其他已存的土壤水分特征曲线和饱和导水率的土壤传递函数,该文构建的土壤传递函数均方根误差值均较小,决定系数值都在0.66以上,表明估算精度较高,均好于其他方法估算精度,具有良好的区域适应性。综上,所构建的土壤水分特征曲线和饱和导水率土壤传递函数可以用于松嫩平原黑土区土壤水力参数估算。     

黄土高原坡地表层土壤饱和导水率和水分含量空间变异特征

表层土壤水分含量和饱和导水率对深层土壤水分的动态的变化具有重要的决定作用。在黄土高原坡地（50m×360 m）范围内进行网格（10 m×10 m）取样,用地统计学方法研究表层（0～30 cm）土壤饱和导水率和水分含量的空间变异特征。结果表明：1）坡地表层土壤密度变化规律为坡下位大于坡上位,土壤饱和导水率变异系数为0.37,属于中等变异强度;2）饱和导水率和自然对数化的饱和导水率在360 m尺度内均不具备空间结构特征,是纯随机变量,线性有基台模型适用于描述表层土壤水分的分布特征,水分分布存在明显的块金效应,并且随滞后距离的增加半方差变大;3）饱和导水率和水分含量从坡上位到坡下位均呈现波浪式变化,饱和导水率大的采样点土壤水分含量低,反之则高。     

蓄水坑入渗表层土壤体积质量和饱和导水率的变化

表层土壤体积质量和导水率是影响土壤入渗及水分运动的重要物理参数。该文采用土壤切片技术和数字图像分析技术,分析了蓄水坑灌条件下入渗水头对砂壤土表层土壤体积质量的影响,进行了不同入渗水头、土壤体积质量对砂壤土表层土壤饱和导水率的试验研究,并对蓄水坑侧向水平入渗湿润锋变化的试验结果与数值模拟结果进行对比分析。结果表明：该研究试验条件下（土壤体积质量为1.345 g/cm3）,入渗水头对土壤体积质量和表层土壤饱和导水率有较明显的影响。随着入渗水头的增大,其作用下的表层土壤体积质量趋于增大,土壤结构趋于密实,表层土壤的饱和导水率趋于减小;表层土壤饱和导水率与入渗水头和土壤体积质量之间呈乘幂关系,且表层土壤饱和导水率对土壤体积质量的变化较为敏感,当土壤体积质量达到某一程度时（1.466 g/cm3）,入渗水头对表层土壤饱和导水率的影响甚微。研究成果揭示了入渗水头影响蓄水坑土壤入渗的微观机制,为进一步研究蓄水坑灌法提供了理论依据。     

黄土区小流域土壤容重和饱和导水率的时空动态特征

土壤水力性质是评估降水入渗、径流发生以及土体可蚀性的重要参数。研究小流域尺度土壤水力性质的时空动态特征,对于以小流域为基本单元的黄土高原综合治理具有直接意义,有助于加深对相关生态水文过程的理解。以陕西省神木县六道沟老叶满渠小流域为对象,进行50 m×50 m网格布点(共73个样点),2014年8-10月期间每月测定1次表层土壤容重和饱和导水率,结合经典统计学与地质统计学的方法研究容重和饱和导水率的时空变化规律。结果表明:1)小流域尺度容重的月际变化趋势较为一致,整体呈正态分布规律,饱和导水率的月际变化强烈,呈偏态分布;容重较饱和导水率变化范围较小,变异程度较低;2)小流域尺度容重和饱和导水率在8-10月的半方差可用指数模型进行最优拟合,两者均表现出中等程度的空间依赖性;Kriging插值图表明小流域容重总体差异性较小,而饱和导水率差异显著;8-10月,西坡局部区域、坡顶的容重呈逐月增大趋势,而饱和导水率呈减小趋势;3)Pearson相关性分析表明,8-10月单次测定的容重和饱和导水率之间的相关性不明显;在同一土壤类型下(干润砂质新成土)表现出极显著的负相关关系(P0.01)。     

滩涂围垦农田土壤饱和导水率的影响因素及转换函数研究

确定苏北沿海滩涂围垦农田耕层土壤饱和导水率的影响因素,构建适合该区的土壤转换函数,是研究该区田间土壤水盐运动和盐渍化防控的重要前提。本文在该区典型地块实测土壤饱和导水率和相关土壤基本理化性质,探讨了该区土壤饱和导水率的剖面分布特点,对影响饱和导水率的土壤基本性质进行了主成分分析,并建立了用于该区饱和导水率间接估算的土壤转换函数。结果表明:滩涂围垦农田土壤饱和导水率随剖面深度增加呈表土层高、亚表层低、底土层又升高的趋势,20~40 cm土层饱和导水率最小,介于2.75~6.73 cm·d-1,属低透水强度;土壤容重随剖面深度增加表现出与饱和导水率相反的变化特点。除了容重、孔隙度、质地等物理因素外,土壤肥力、盐分等化学性质也是影响饱和导水率的重要因素;影响滩涂围垦农田土壤饱和导水率的因素可由持水特性、盐碱状况、养分特征和土壤质地4个主成分反映,其累计贡献率达78.17%。在Vereecken转换函数中引入土壤盐分后可提高预测精度,修正函数Vereecken_1是最适合滩涂围垦农区土壤、具有最佳预测精度的转换函数。本文构建的土壤转换函数,可通过较易获得的砂粒、黏粒、容重、盐分和有机质对耕层土壤饱和导水率进行较高精度的预测,其结果可为滩涂盐渍化农区田间尺度土壤饱和导水率间接估算以及水盐运动数值模拟提供支持。     

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.