表油菜素内酯对汞胁迫下小麦幼苗抗氧化系统的影响

为探讨表油菜素内酯(EBR)对小麦幼苗汞胁迫的调控作用,采用营养液水培法,研究汞胁迫下叶面喷施24-表油菜素内酯对小麦幼苗生长、叶片MDA及H2O2含量、质膜透性、抗氧化酶活性、抗氧化物质含量的影响。结果表明,50 mg·L-1汞处理小麦幼苗后,小麦幼苗的株高和干重显著降低,叶片的MDA、H2O2含量和质膜透性增加,SOD、POD和CAT活性下降,As A、GSH含量降低。与单独汞胁迫相比,叶面喷施一定浓度EBR促进了小麦幼苗的生长,降低了小麦幼苗叶片的MDA和H2O2含量,减小了质膜透性,提高了SOD、POD和CAT活性,增加了抗氧化物质As A、GSH含量,提高了As A/DHA、GSH/GSSG的比值,以EBR浓度0.01 mg·L-1为宜。综上,外源EBR可缓解汞胁迫对小麦幼苗的伤害,其机制可能与EBR能提高抗氧化酶活性及抗氧化物质含量、降低MDA和H2O2含量有关。本研究结果为降低汞污染土壤对作物生长的毒害作用提供了依据。     

紫穗槐幼苗叶片对不同干旱梯度胁迫的生理生态响应

研究了长期不同干旱梯度胁迫条件下紫穗槐幼苗叶片各种生理生化指标变化.结果表明:轻度、中度、重度胁迫条件下SOD、POD活性明显高于对照,而且随着胁迫时间的延长而逐渐增高.重度胁迫下SOD、POD活性与轻度、中度差异显著.胁迫前期(1～60 d)SOD、POD活性变化具有波动现象,胁迫后期(60～120 d)SOD活性下降,POD活性上升.轻度、中度、重度胁迫条件下可溶性蛋白质、脯氨酸含量高于对照,而且随着胁迫时间的延长而增高.重度胁迫下可溶性蛋白质、脯氨酸含量与轻度、中度差异显著,轻度、中度胁迫条件下可溶性蛋白质、脯氨酸含量差异不显著;从第80天始脯氨酸含量下降,而可溶性蛋白质含量增高.轻度、中度、重度胁迫条件下,可溶性糖含量差异较小.轻度、中度、重度胁迫条件下MDA含量、细胞膜相对透性高于对照,且逐渐增高,重度与轻度、中度差异显著,细胞膜透性变化与MDA含量变化成明显的正相关,MDA含量变化与SOD活性变化成正相关.     

硅作用下铜对小麦幼苗生理特性影响研究

通过水培试验,研究了在不同加硅量(0,30,60,90,120,150 mg/L,以SiO2计)作用下,铜(10 mg/L,以Cu计)对小麦幼苗叶绿素含量、抗氧化酶系统活性(SOD、POD、CAT)、脯氨酸含量、可溶性蛋白含量以及MDA含量的影响,结果表明:在加硅量(30,60,90 mg/L,以SiO2计)作用下,小麦幼苗叶绿素a含量、抗氧化酶系统(SOD、POD)活性、脯氨酸含量、可溶性蛋白含量的升高以及MDA含量的降低,减轻了铜对小麦幼苗的毒害作用;在加硅量150 mg/L作用下,小麦幼苗叶片可溶性蛋白含量的降低,MDA含量的升高,加重了铜对小麦幼苗的毒害作用。研究结果表明,加硅处理能够在一定浓度范围内缓解铜对小麦幼苗的毒害作用,从而为铜毒害的小麦区域增施硅肥提供理论依据。     

燕麦幼苗对氯化钠和氯化钾胁迫的生理响应差异

为探讨燕麦对NaCl和KCl胁迫的生理响应差异,采用水培法,研究了不同浓度NaCl和KCl胁迫对幼苗生长,活性氧代谢和渗透调节的影响。结果表明:(1)在75和150mmol/L浓度下,NaCl胁迫对燕麦幼苗的膜脂过氧化伤害和生长抑制大于KCl胁迫。NaCl胁迫下叶片中的超氧化物岐化酶(SOD),过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性及可溶性蛋白、可溶性糖和脯氨酸含量低于KCl胁迫;当浓度增大到225mmol/L时,KCl胁迫叶片中O-2.,H2O2,丙二醛(MDA),可溶性蛋白和可溶性糖含量显著大于NaCl胁迫,而SOD,抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)活性及谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量则相反。(2)225mmol/L KCl和NaCl处理的植株叶片水势分别为-0.867和-1.034 MPa,渗透势分别为-1.409和-1.252 MPa,说明KCl对燕麦的更强伤害不是渗透胁迫所致;经225mmol/L KCl胁迫后,燕麦叶片中Na+含量下降至对照的36.5%,而K+含量上升为对照的1.49倍,而补充20mmol/L NaCl显著提高了225mmol/L KCl胁迫下叶片Na+的含量及SOD,APX活性,降低了K+,H2O2,O-2.和MDA含量,说明离子毒害引起的活性氧积累可能是高浓度KCl胁迫对燕麦幼苗伤害大于NaCl胁迫的重要原因。     

甜菜碱对干旱胁迫下棉花幼苗生理特性的影响

以新疆广泛种植的棉花品种新陆早18号为试材,通过测定棉花幼苗体内脯氨酸、可溶性糖和丙二醛（MDA）的含量及抗氧化酶包括超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）和过氧化物酶（POD）的活性,研究叶面喷施不同浓度甜菜碱（Glycine betaine,GB）对干旱胁迫下棉花幼苗生理特性的影响。结果表明,干旱胁迫下,与对照相比,脯氨酸、可溶性糖、MDA含量及SOD和POD活性都显著提高,喷施甜菜碱后促进脯氨酸和可溶性糖含量进一步提高,酶活也显著升高,同时有效抑制了丙二醛含量的增加,CAT活性受干旱胁迫及甜菜碱的影响较小。研究表明喷施低浓度甜菜碱在一定程度上可以缓解干旱胁迫对棉花幼苗的伤害。     

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。     

外源一氧化氮对NaCl胁迫下番茄幼苗活性氧代谢的影响

研究了在100 mmol/L NaCl胁迫下,外源NO供体硝普钠（SNP）处理对耐盐性不同的2个番茄品种（沪番‘1480’和沪番‘2496’）幼苗叶片活性氧（ROS）水平和保护酶活性的影响。结果表明,外源NO提高了盐胁迫下SOD、POD、CAT和APX活性,AsA和GSH含量以及脯氨酸和可溶性糖含量,降低了MDA含量和O2- 产生速率;与耐盐品种‘1480’相比,NO处理对盐敏感品种‘2496’效果更明显。表明外源NO通过促进盐胁迫下保护酶活性、抗氧化剂和渗透调节物质的提高,降低ROS水平,缓解NaCl胁迫对番茄幼苗生长的抑制作用,增强植株的耐盐能力。     

PEG胁迫对沙冬青种子萌发过程的影响

采用PEG—6000溶液模拟干旱胁迫,设计5%、10%、15%、20%、25%五种浓度梯度,对应渗透势-0.054,-0.177,-0.393,-0.735,-1.25 MPa,探讨了渗透胁迫对沙冬青种子萌发过程的影响和其萌发幼苗中可溶性蛋白、脯氨酸、丙二醛含量及保护性酶SOD、POD、CAT等变化规律。结果表明,随胁迫程度加深,沙冬青种子的发芽率逐渐降低,死亡率逐渐升高,幼苗鲜重出现不同程度的降低。相对电导率和丙二醛含量随胁迫加深逐渐上升。可溶性蛋白和脯氨酸含量的变化趋势一致,均为先增加(5%~15%)后降低(20%和25%)。SOD、POD、CAT活性先上升后下降,PEG15%时,幼苗生长受阻,PEG浓度≥20%时,幼苗生长受到严重影响。     

外源NO对Ca(NO3)2胁迫下黄瓜幼苗生长和抗氧化系统的影响

本研究以黄瓜为试材,采用营养液水培,研究了外源NO对Ca(NO3)2胁迫下黄瓜幼苗生长和抗氧化酶系的影响.结果显示,在70mmol·L-1的Ca(NO3)2胁迫下,植株生长受到抑制,干重和叶绿素含量显著下降,叶片和根系抗氧化酶SOD、POD、CAT和APX活性均升高,膜脂过氧化产物MDA及可溶性 蛋白含量增加.而叶面喷施NO供体SNP显著缓解了Ca(NO3)2胁迫对黄瓜幼苗生长的抑制,植株干重显著增加.同时,抗氧化酶活性、可溶性蛋白和叶绿素含量也有不同程度的上升,MDA含量显著下降.以上表明,NO能够增强黄瓜幼苗对Ca(NO3)2胁迫的耐性.喷施SNP对正常营养液培养的黄瓜幼苗无显著影响.     

钙对铅胁迫下玉米幼苗生长及生理特性的影响

以玉米品种"郑单958"为材料,研究不同浓度Ca~(2+)(0~25mmol/L)对一定浓度铅(100mg/L)胁迫下玉米幼苗光合及生理特性的影响。结果表明,重金属铅明显抑制玉米幼苗的生长,与对照相比,玉米幼苗叶片SOD、POD和CAT活性分别降低57.58%,54.33%和55.21%,可溶性蛋白、脯氨酸和可溶性糖含量分别降低61.15%,92.45%和74.49%;而幼苗叶片的MDA含量和细胞膜通透性明显高于对照,较对照分别增加20.89%和32.36%。一定浓度的Ca~(2+)(10mmol/L)能显著促进玉米幼苗生物量(叶干鲜重、根干鲜重)增加,与单独铅胁迫处理相比,保护酶SOD,POD和CAT活性分别增加55.43%,36.01%和87.72%,可溶性蛋白、脯氨酸和可溶性糖含量分别增加55.28%,91.68%和67.16%,MDA含量下降62.03%;外源钙还有效改善铅胁迫下玉米幼苗的光合作用,其净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)均较单独铅胁迫处理条件下明显增加。外源钙对玉米幼苗铅胁迫的缓解具有剂量效应,以10mmol/L Ca~(2+)的效果最好,增强了玉米幼苗对重金属铅的抗性。     

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.     

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.     

Genetic similarities among Spanisch populations of Agropyron, Elymus and Thinopyrum, using PCR-based markers

Arbitrary oligonucleotides were used as primers to amplifygenomic DNA of 48 wild Spanish populations of Agropyroncristatum, Elymus hispanicus,E. caninus,E. repens,Thinopyrum curvifolium, Th.junceum and Th.intermedium. Genetic diversity was analysedusing nineteen primers. The number of amplified products ranged from8 to 18 per primer and a total of 240 markers were scored. Differentlevels of intraspecific genetic diversity were found, the allogamousspecies E. repens andTh. intermedium being themost variable. Jaccard's similarity coefficients for internalmeasure within and between populations were used to produce a clusterdiagram. The results demonstrate differences in the degree ofsimilarity between taxonomic units. Interpopulational variability andinterspecific genomic relationships of these species arediscussed.     

Mycorrhizae,biocides, and biocontrol. 4. Response of a mixed culture of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and host plant to three fungicides

The effects of three commonly used fungicides on the colonization and sporulation by a mixture of three arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi consisting of Glomus etunicatum (Becker & Gerd.), Glomus mosseae (Nicol. & Gerd.) Gerd. & Trappe, and Gigaspora rosea (Nicol. & Schenck) in symbiosis with pea plants and the resulting response of the host-plant were examined. Benomyl, PCNB, and captan were applied as soil drenches at a rate of 20 mg active ingredient kg^-1 soil 2 weeks after transplanting pea seedlings in a silty clay-loam soil containing the mixed inocula of AM fungi (AM plants). Effects of fungicides were compared to untreated plants that were inoculated with fungi (AM control). The effect of mycorrhizal inoculation on plant growth was also examined by including nonmycorrhizal, non-fungicide-treated plants (non-AM control). Fungicides or inoculation with AM fungi had only a small effect on the final shoot weights of pea plants, but had greater effects on root length and seed yield. AM control plants had higher seed yields and lower root lengths than the corresponding non-AM plants, and the fungicide-treated AM plants had intermediate yields and root lengths. Seed N and P contents were likewise highest in AM control plants, lowest in non-AM plants, and intermediate in fungicide-treated AM plants. All three fungicides depressed the proportion (%) of root length colonized by AM fungi, but these differences did not translate to reductions in the total root length that was colonized, since roots were longer in the fungicide-treated AM plants. Pea plants apparently compensated for the reduction in AM-fungal metabolism due to fungicides by increasing root growth. Fungicides affected the population of the three fungi as determined by sporulation at the final harvest. Captan significantly reduced the number, relative abundance, and relative volume of G. rosea spores in the final population relative to the controls. The relative volume of G. etunicatum spores was greater in all the fungicide-treated soils, while G. mosseae relative volumes were only greater in the captan-treated soil. These findings show that fungicides can alter the species composition of an AM-fungal community. The results also show that AM fungi can increase seed yield without enhancing the vegetative shoot growth of host plants.