水分和铅交互胁迫对紫穗槐苗木光合特性和水分利用效率的影响

通过盆栽实验研究1 a生紫穗槐(Amorpha fruticosa)在不同水分处理(土壤相对含水率为40％,60％,80％,100％)及重金属铅胁迫水平(0,1 000,2 000,4 000,6 000 mg/kg)交互作用下叶绿素含量、净光合速率和水分利用效率的变化.结果表明:在水分和铅交互胁迫下,紫穗槐叶绿素含量变化无明显规律可循,铅含量＜4 000 mg/kg时,不同水分胁迫条件下紫穗槐叶绿素含量呈逐渐下降趋势,铅含量＞4 000 mg/kg时,不同水分胁迫条件下紫穗槐叶绿素含量呈逐渐上升趋势.水分和铅交互胁迫下,紫穗槐净光合速率呈下降趋势,铅含量＜2 000 mg/kg时,不同水分胁迫条件下紫穗槐净光合速率逐渐上升,铅含量＞2 000 mg/kg时,不同水分胁迫条件下紫穗槐净光合速率逐渐下降.在水分和铅交互胁迫下,紫穗槐水分利用效率呈上升趋势,土壤相对含水率为40％(重度水分胁迫)时,紫穗槐水分利用效率最大.     

水分和铅交互胁迫对国槐幼苗生理生化特性的影响

为了探讨在水分和铅交互胁迫条件下,国槐（SophorajaponicaL．）幼苗抗氧化酶系统活性及渗透调节物质含量的变化,采用盆栽实验,研究不同水分处理（土壤相对含水率为40％、60％、80％、100％）及5个铅胁迫水平（0、300、500、1000、2000mg‘kg。）交互作用对抗氧化酶活性、MDA含量、可溶性糖含量和脯氨酸含量的影响。结果表明：在水分和铅的交互胁迫下,国槐幼苗叶片POD、SOD酶活性表现先升后降的趋势,与单一的水分胁迫、铅胁迫相比,交互作用对SOD、POD活性的影响规律性不明显,在一定程度上表现出协同或拮抗效应;随着水分胁迫的加剧和铅胁迫的增大,国槐幼苗叶片的MDA含量变化呈现升高的趋势。在铅含量〈2000mg·k^-1条件下,交互胁迫的国槐幼苗叶片MDA含量低于单一水分胁迫处理,表明国槐在交互胁迫下受到的膜伤害比单一水分胁迫下受到的膜伤害小;国槐幼苗叶片可溶性糖含量对水分胁迫较不敏感,且随着水分胁迫的加剧和铅胁迫的增加,叶片可溶性糖含量的变化比较复杂,但总体上呈先升后降的趋势;在铅含量500mg·kg。和40％水分胁迫处理下,可溶性糖含量显著高于对照（P〈0．01）,MDA含量与对照无明显差异;随着水分胁迫的加剧和铅胁迫的增大,脯氨酸含量逐渐升高;在40％水分胁迫下,重金属铅和水分胁迫对叶片中脯氨酸的积累有协同促进作用。适当的交互胁迫（铅含量300、500mg·kg。和40％水分处理）有利于提高国槐的抗逆性。     

铅胁迫对紫穗槐光合作用及生理生化特征的影响

以紫穗槐幼苗为材料,通过盆栽试验,研究不同浓度(0、100、300、600 mg·kg~(-1))铅(Pb)胁迫条件下,紫穗槐叶片中的丙二醛(MDA)含量、抗氧化酶(SOD、POD、CAT)活性等生理指标和光合作用参数以及叶绿素荧光参数对Pb胁迫的响应。结果表明:紫穗槐叶片中MDA含量和电解质外渗率随着Pb胁迫程度的增加呈升高趋势,Pb胁迫提高了紫穗槐叶片中抗氧化酶SOD、POD的活性;100 mg·kg~(-1)Pb胁迫处理下,紫穗槐净光合速率(Pn)显著高于对照组;Pb胁迫浓度达到300 mg·kg~(-1)时,紫穗槐抗氧化酶活性、相对叶绿素含量(SPAD值)显著升高;600 mg·kg~(-1)Pb胁迫下CAT活性开始有所降低,光合作用降低主要受非气孔限制因素的影响,对紫穗槐叶绿素荧光特性未造成严重损伤。说明紫穗槐对环境中Pb(600 mg·kg~(-1))污染的耐受能力较强。     

土壤水分胁迫对设施黄瓜叶片光合及抗氧化酶系统的影响

以黄瓜品种"津研四号"(Jinyan4)为试材,于2015/2016年秋冬季在温室内对黄瓜全生育期开展土壤水分胁迫盆栽试验,设置正常灌溉CK(田间持水量的70%~80%)、轻度胁迫T1(田间持水量的60%~70%)、中度胁迫T2(田间持水量的50%~60%)、重度胁迫T3(田间持水量的30%~40%)4个土壤水分处理,采用土壤水分传感器EM50监测土壤含水量,于苗期、伸蔓期、开花期和结瓜期测定黄瓜叶片的光合特性和抗氧化酶活性等指标。结果表明:(1)水分胁迫下黄瓜叶片光合色素含量均有不同程度降低,T3处理叶绿素a、叶绿素b和类胡萝卜素含量平均值分别比CK下降47.41%、41.03%和34.03%,叶绿素a/b无明显变化趋势。(2)随着土壤水分胁迫加剧,叶片净光合速率(Pn)、胞间CO2浓度(Ci)、蒸腾速率(Tr)和气孔导度(Gs)值下降,气孔限制值(Ls)升高,T3处理水分利用效率(WUE)高于其它各处理。(3)随着胁迫时间的延长,各处理黄瓜叶片丙二醛(MDA)含量逐渐增加,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性均呈先升高后降低,过氧化物酶(POD)呈先降低后升高再降低的趋势。随着胁迫的加重,SOD、POD和CAT活性不断升高,MDA含量持续增加。研究认为土壤水分胁迫引起黄瓜叶片光合能力下降,抗氧化酶活性升高,MDA含量增加。     

不同浓度Hg2+ 、Cr3+ 和Pb2+单一胁迫对绿豆膜脂过氧化物含量及抗氧化酶活性的影响

研究了不同浓度Hg2+、Cr3+ 和Pb2+胁迫条件下,绿豆花荚期叶片中膜脂过氧化物（MDA）含量及抗氧化酶,包括(超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT))活性的变化情况。结果表明,Hg2+、Cr3+和Pb2+胁迫后,随着浓度的升高,绿豆叶片中MDA含量也逐渐升高,与对照相比均呈差异显著性;在Cr3+和Pb2+胁迫下,绿豆叶片中SOD酶活性随着浓度的升高呈现升高的趋势;在低、中浓度Hg2+胁迫下,SOD酶活性低于对照,但高浓度下,SOD酶活性高于对照;Hg2+处理后,POD随着浓度的增加,表现出先升高后降低又升高的趋势;低、中浓度Cr 3+处理使绿豆叶片内POD活性降低,但在高浓度时表现出POD活性增强;随着Pb2+处理浓度的增加,POD活性逐渐降低;Hg2+ 和Cr3+处理使CAT活性升高,但Pb2+处理后,CAT活性随浓度的升高先下降,再升高,然后又下降。研究表明Pb2+对绿豆的生态毒性较大。     

水分胁迫对苹果属植物抗氧化酶活性的影响研究

试验研究水分胁迫对 3种苹果属植物湖北海棠、西府海棠和新疆海棠根系和叶片抗氧化酶活性的影响结果表明 ,随水分胁迫的加重 ,3种海棠抗氧化酶活性逐渐增强 ,当土壤绝对含水量降至 6 .5 %时 ,过氧化氢酶 (CAT)活性首先达高峰 ,而超氧化物歧化酶 (SOD)活性高峰则出现于土壤绝对含水量为 2 .8%时 ,之后 2种酶活性逐渐降低 ,复水后又均有所升高 ;过氧化物酶 (POD)活性高峰出现于土壤绝对含水量为 3.2 %时 ,之后逐渐下降 ,至复水后仍呈下降趋势 ;丙二醛 (MDA)含量随水分胁迫的加重而逐渐增加 ,当土壤绝对含水量降至 1 .8%时其含量最高 ,复水后则呈下降趋势。种间抗氧化能力耐旱型新疆海棠 >西府海棠 >干旱敏感型湖北海棠     

铅胁迫对大叶黄杨铅积累量及叶片生理特性的影响

采用盆栽方法研究了大叶黄杨(Euonymusjaponicus)在单一铅胁迫下对各器官铅积累及叶片生理指标的影响.结果表明:随着土壤铅浓度的增高,大叶黄杨的生物量、叶片叶绿素含量和叶绿素a/b值逐渐下降;植物各器官铅积累量逐渐增加.铅在大叶黄杨体内分布的规律是:根>茎>叶;超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性在低浓度范围内呈现上升的趋势,表现出一定的适应能力;在高浓度处理水平时,3种酶活性呈现下降趋势,并都低于对照;叶片膜透性则表现出随胁迫强度的增加而上升.从生理指标反映出:在铅浓度300 mg/kg范围胁迫时,大叶黄杨具有较强的适应能力.     

干旱胁迫下甜橙叶片保护酶体系的变化研究

对2年生枳[Poncirus.trifoliate(L.)Raf.]砧无病毒奉节72-1脐橙[Citrus.sinensis(L.)Osbeck.cv.Fengjie.72-1.navel]嫁接苗进行持续性干旱胁迫处理,研究干旱胁迫期间甜橙叶片保护酶活性和丙二醛(MDA)含量随土壤和植株水分变化的生理适应性。结果表明,干旱胁迫明显导致了过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性下降,过氧化物酶(POD)和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性上升,而MDA含量变化不明显。干旱胁迫初期或轻度胁迫期,保护酶活性已具有明显的适应性反应;当处于中度胁迫时,POD和SOD依然保持很高活性。在防止MDA产生中,CAT的作用不明显,POD和SOD起主要的协同作用。     

干旱气候条件下水分胁迫对辣椒叶片生理特性的影响

以"陇椒2号"辣椒为材料,研究了正常水分处理、轻度水分胁迫和中度水分胁迫对辣椒叶片MDA含量、保护酶活性及叶绿素荧光参数的影响,以确定甘肃省干旱气候条件下满足辣椒正常生长的土壤水分。结果表明:随着处理时间的延长,3种处理下辣椒叶片的MDA含量呈上升的趋势,SOD和POD活性均呈现先升高后降低的趋势;中度水分胁迫下辣椒叶片MDA含量和SOD活性均高于另外2个处理,POD活性在处理前期较高,在处理后期则下降;3种处理下辣椒叶片的Fv/Fm、Fv’/Fm’、ФPSII和qP指标均表现出先上升后下降的趋势,在处理后期,中度水分胁迫下的叶片上述指标较低;3种处理下辣椒叶片的NPQ指标变化趋势与qP指标的趋势相反,在轻度水分胁迫下2个指标的变化较为平缓。综合结果说明在水资源相对匮乏的干旱地区,轻度水分胁迫(田间持水量的60%)可以满足辣椒的正常生长需要。     

外源谷胱甘肽对自毒作用下嫁接黄瓜及砧穗幼苗叶片抗氧化系统的影响

为探索外源还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)对自毒作用下嫁接黄瓜的保护作用及机理,本研究以200g·L-1连作嫁接黄瓜根际土壤浸提液灌根模拟自毒胁迫(CK2),分别以浓度为0、100、200 mg·L-1GSH对幼苗进行叶片喷施和灌根处理,在处理第4、第8、第12、第16天测定嫁接黄瓜、黄瓜、南瓜幼苗生物量、叶片超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性以及GSH、抗坏血酸(As A)、丙二醛(MDA)含量。结果表明,自毒胁迫下,嫁接黄瓜、黄瓜和南瓜幼苗壮苗指数、叶片SOD、POD、APX、CAT活性降低,As A、GSH含量下降,MDA含量升高。表明连作嫁接黄瓜土壤浸提液能够对3种植物幼苗产生自毒作用。3种植物幼苗T1、T2、T3处理和嫁接黄瓜、南瓜幼苗T4处理的壮苗指数,叶片SOD、POD、APX、CAT活性和GSH、As A含量均显著增加,MDA含量均显著降低。黄瓜幼苗T4处理的壮苗指数,叶片SOD、POD、APX、CAT活性和GSH、As A含量呈下降趋势,MDA含量呈上升趋势。表明施加适宜浓度GSH可以提高抗氧化酶活性和抗氧化剂含量,减轻活性氧对膜脂造成的伤害,从而提高幼苗素质。综上,嫁接黄瓜和南瓜幼苗的T4处理,黄瓜幼苗的T2处理缓解自毒作用效果较为明显。本研究结果为防治嫁接黄瓜连作障碍提供了理论依据。     

Agricultural potential of Mediterranean grain and forage legumes: Key differences between and within Vicia species in terms of phenology, yield, and agronomy give insight into plant adaptation to semi-arid environments

In order to identify key adaptive traits which affect productivity in Mediterranean grain and forage legumes and simultaneously determine the agricultural potential of a wide range of Vicia species, germplasm collected from the wild throughout the eastern Mediterranean was grown under semi-arid conditions in Tel Hadya, Syria (313 mm growing season rainfall). These included species currently in use in Mediterranean agriculture, such as V. sativa L., as well as those more widely used in the past-such as V. ervilia L., but also a broad selection from Section Narbonensis (B. Fedtsch. ex Radzhi) Maxted, including V. narbonensis L, V. johannis Tamamsch., V. hyaeniscyamus Mout., V. serratifolia Jacq., and V. kalakhensis Khattab et al. V. faba, a near relative of the taxa in Section Narbonensis, was included as a domesticated control. Where applicable, a representative range of subspecies was used. Accessions were chosen from a wide range of habitats in terms of latitude (31.02–40.72 decimal^o), longitude (27.1–43.17 decimal^o), altitude (20–1510 m), rainfall (180–1700 mm/yr) and soil depth (5–50 cm) in order to maximise diversity within species. Agricultural potential was determined by measuring seed, hay and biological yield, as well as agronomic traits such as harvest index, standing crop height, and seed size. The comparative influence of phenology and key agronomic traits such as plant habit and seed size on productivity varied tremendously between species, depending on their reproductive strategies. In V. sativa and V. ervilia, the smaller seed species which rely on long vegetative phases and growing seasons to accumulate sufficient biomass to set seed, and in which there was comparatively little agronomic variation, phenology had a large impact on yield. In early emerging taxa such as V. ervilia and V. s. subsp. sativa, with built-in long vegetative phases and growing seasons, seed yield was negatively correlated with flower ing (r = –0.86 to –0.88), whereas the opposite was the case for later emerging taxa such as V. s. subsp. nigra (L.) Ehrh. (r = 0.95). Within V. narbonensis and relatives, the larger seeded Vicia species which rely on more conservative reproductive strategies where high seedling vigour associated with large seeds enables the species to enter reproductive phases relatively early, phenology had a much smaller impact on yield than did variation of key traits such as seed weight, plant habit and pod shattering. Among the undomesticated germplasm harvest indices ranged from 0.09–0.31, hay yields from 0.1–3.4 t/ha, seed yield from 0–2.0 t/ha, and dry matter at maturity from 1.6–6.5 t/ha. Sub-specific taxonomy was crucial in determining agronomic potential. V. narbonensis var. aegyptiaca Kornhuber ex Asch. et Schweinf. showed the most potential, combining an upright habit, large seeds (212 mg) and tendency to retain intact pods after maturity, with the highest yield, harvest index and crop height of all the wild Vicia species. V. sativa subsp. sativa, V. ervilia and V. narbonensis var. narbonensis were less productive, but still showed agricultural potential. The smaller seeded V. narbonensis, var. affinis, var. jordanica H. Schäf. and var. salmonea (Mout.) H. Schäf., and their close relatives V. johannis, V. hyaeniscyamus, V. serratifolia and V. kalakhensis have little to offer Mediterranean agriculture on the basis of poor agronomy.     

On the Taxonomy of the Members of ‘Saccharum Complex’

The difficulty and problems encountered in the study of cultivated plants, in general and sugarcane, in particular has been indicated. In order to understand these problems, a brief review on the taxonomy of Saccharum and closely related taxa, namely, Erianthus, Sclerostachya, Narenga and Miscanthus (generally known as ‘Saccharum complex’) has been given. A short account on the important morphological features that are specific to sugarcane has also been stated as classification is commonly based on such morphological characters. A note has been added on the chromosome number, origin, and distribution of the species of ‘Saccharum complex’ members. Taxonomic keys have been devised for identification of the genera of Saccharinae and for the species of Saccharum and Erianthus occurring in India. A new combination, Sclerostachya fallax (Balansa) Amalraj et Balasundaram, has also been proposed.     

Polymorphism of high molecular weight glutenin subunits in three species of Aegilops

A collection of 136 accessions of Aegilops umbellulata (39), Ae. comosa (75) and Ae. markgrafii (22) was analysed for high-molecular-weight (HMW) glutenin subunits composition. The homogeneity of the accessions was studied and 55.1% of the collection was homogeneous for HMW glutenin subunits (29 Ae. umbellulata, 33 Ae. comosa and 14 Ae. markgrafii). The HMW glutenin subunits of Ae. umbellulata are encoded by the Glu-U1 locus; in Ae. comosa results showed that this proteins are encoded at the 1M chromosome, and the locus was named Glu-M1. In Ae. markgrafii it was assumed that HMW glutenin subunits were encoded by an homoeologous locus and it was named Glu-C1. All the accessions of Ae. umbellulata and Ae. markgrafii expressed both, x-type and y-type subunits. Among the Ae. comosa accessions, only one expressed an x-type subunit alone. All the accessions of Ae. umbellulata and some of Ae. comosa had x-type glutenins of higher molecular weights than those commonly present in bread wheat. A total of 8 alleles were detected at the Glu-U1 locus, 11 at the Glu-M1 and 4 at the Glu-C1. The new HMW glutenin variation found in this work suggests their possible utilisation in breeding for wheat quality.     

Effect of agroforestry woody species on earthworm activity and physicochemical properties of worm casts

The effects of five agroforestry woody species (Dactyladenia barteri, Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala, Senna siamea andTreculia africana) on the surface aasting activity ofHyperiodrilus africanus were studied in an Alfisol (Oxic Paleustalf) in southwestern Nigeria. Casting activity under the woody species decreased in the following order:Dactyladenia sp. (26.4 Mg ha^-1 year^-1)>Gliricidia sp. (24.4 Mg ha^-1 year^-1)>Treculia sp. (22.9 Mg ha^-1 year^-1)>Leucaena sp. (18.6 Mg ha^-1 year^-1)>Senna sp. (18.3 Mg ha^-1 year^-1). These differences in casting activity were partly explained by microclimatic effects. Irrespective of the woody species, the worm casts were higher in clay and silt contents, bulk density, water-stable aggregates, pH, organic C, exchangeable cations, effective cation exchange capacity, and extractable P levels than the corresponding surface soils. The woody species did affect the physicochemical properties and P sorption of the worm casts. The content of water-stable aggregates of worm casts decreased in the following order:Dactyladenia sp.>Treculia sp.>Senna sp.>Leucaena sp.>Gliricidia sp. Large differences in extractable P levels were observed.Senna sp. was associated with the highest extractable P level (11.5 mg kg^-1) andTreculia sp. the lowest (4.9 mg kg^-1). P sorption was highest on worm casts underDactyladenia sp. and lowest on those underTreculia sp. Without fertilizer application, there were no significant differences in the dry weight of maize grown in the different worm casts. With NPK applications, the dry weight of maize grown in worm casts associated withTreculia sp. was significantly lower than that of maize grown in the other worm casts, mainly due to the low extractable P level. Despite a high organic C and exchangeable K status, maize grown in the worm casts still responded significantly to N and K applications. The N uptake by maize grown in worm casts associated withTreculia sp. was lower than that in the other treatments.     

Phylogenetic relationships of Actinidia and related genera based on micromorphological characters of foliar trichomes

The phylogenetic relationships within the genus Actinidia and among 3 allied genera Clematoclethra, Saurauia, and Sladenia have been very controversial. In order to understand the systematic implication of foliar trichomes in those genera, the micromorphological characteristics of foliar trichomes from 34 taxa were examined by means of light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The observed micromorphological characteristics were classified into eight main types. A phylogenetic analysis of Actinidia and related genera based on 15 micromorphological characters of foliar trichomes was conducted using Wagner parsimony method and Sladenia celastrifolia, Rhododendron hybridum and R. simsii as a complex outgroup. In the resulting phylogenetic tree, Actinidia is shown to be a monophyletic group, and Clematoclethra and Saurauia form another monophyletic group. This study also presents the phylogenetic relationships among 4 sections within the genus Actinidia: the monophyly of sect. Leiocarpae and of sect. Strigosae, and polyphyly of sect. Maculatae and of sect. Stellatae.     

Genetic diversity of rhizobia associated with indigenous legumes in different regions of Flanders (Belgium)

We investigated the diversity of rhizobia isolated from different indigenous legumes in Flanders (Belgium). A total of 3810 bacterial strains were analysed originating from 43 plant species. Based on rep-PCR clustering, 16S rRNA gene and recA gene sequence analysis, these isolates belonged to Bradyrhizobium, Ensifer (Sinorhizobium), Mesorhizobium and Rhizobium. Of the genera encountered, Rhizobium was the most abundant (62%) and especially the species Rhizobiumleguminosarum, followed by Ensifer (19%), Bradyrhizobium (14%) and finally Mesorhizobium (5%). For two rep-clusters only low similarity values with other genera were found for both the 16S rRNA and recA genes, suggesting that these may represent a new genus with close relationship to Rhodopseudomonas and Bradyrhizobium. Primers for the symbiotic genes nodC and nifH were optimized and a phylogenetic sequence analysis revealed the presence of different symbiovars including genistearum, glycinearum, loti, meliloti, officinalis, trifolii and viciae. Moreover, three new nodC types were assigned to strains originating from Ononis, Robinia and Wisteria, respectively. Discriminant and MANOVA analysis confirmed the correlation of symbiosis genes with certain bacterial genera and less with the host plant. Multiple symbiovars can be present within the same host plant, suggesting the promiscuity of these plants. Moreover, the ecoregion did not contribute to the separation of the bacterial endosymbionts. Our results reveal a large diversity of rhizobia associated with indigenous legumes in Flanders. Most of the legumes harboured more than one rhizobial endosymbiont in their root nodules indicating the importance of including sufficient isolates per plant in diversity studies.     

Diversity of native rice (Oryza Poaceae:) species of Costa Rica

We found several populations of wild Oryza species in the lowlands of Costa Rica. The plants showed extensive morphological variation, suggesting the presence of several species. In the morphologic study, 33 traits were scored for plants of all the species. A principal component analysis revealed the significant morphological separation of the different species. The analyses indicated that there are three species, O. grandi­glumis, O. latifolia and O. glumaepatula. Two putative hybrid types were found, both significantly differing in their morphology from the known species and intermediate at several traits. O. grandi­glumis is a new record for Costa Rican flora. Its main population is located in Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, Los Chiles, Alajuela. O. latifolia is distributed throughout the lowlands of the country and the plants of the Atlantic slope are significantly bigger in general habit than those of the Guanacaste area. During this study a population of O. glumaepatula of hundreds of thousands of plants was discovered in the Medio Queso River wetland, Los Chiles, Alajuela. This population is the most important source of genes for cultivar's improvement from the primary gene pool of rice in Costa Rica. The small ligule and the wide flag leaf characteristic of the two CCDD species separated them from the AA diploid O. glumaepatula. Seed size, ligule size, number of branches in the panicle, plant height and sterile lemma length are all bigger in O. grandi­glumis, and influenced the second factor that separated the CCDD species in two discrete clusters. The species found offer great possibilities for the improvement of rice cultivars and they should be thoroughly studied and appropriately protected.     

Effect of passage through the intestinal tract of detritivore earthworms (Lumbricus spp.) on the number of selected Gram-negative and total bacteria

Laboratory experiments were carried out to investigate the fate of bacteria during and after passage through the intestinal tract of detritivore earthworms. Earthworms (Lumbricus spp.) were fed with cattle dung inoculated 7 days previously with one of five different Gram-negative bacteria. Bacterial concentrations were determined 2 days later in dung and soil, and in gut material from different parts of the earthworm intestinal tract. A high percentage (28–82%) of the total bacteria (epifluorescence direct counts) in the earthworm gut content was culturable. The concentration of total heterotrophic aerobic bacteria did not vary significantly among the five different bacterial additions and the non-inoculated control. In earthworm casts the number of total heterotrophs per gram dry matter (2.1×10⁹) was higher than in soil (1.7×10⁸), but lower than in the dung (1.5×10¹⁰). The test-bacteria, however, showed different survival patterns along the earthworm intestinal tract. The concentrations of Escherichia coli BJ 18 and Pseudomonas putida MM 1 and MM 11 in earthworm casts were lower than in the ingested dung, while concentrations of Enterobacter cloacae A 107 and Aeromonas hydrophila DMU 115 in dung and casts were similar. Ent. cloacae, and to aminor extent E. coli, were reduced in numbers by several orders of magnitude in the pharynx and/or crop. In the hind gut, however, the concentration of Ent. cloacae had increased to the same level as in the ingested dung, while the concentration of E. coli remained low. Our observations indicate that the bacterial flora of ingested food materials changes qualitatively and quantitatively during gut transit.