镉对不同品种水稻光合作用的影响

采用盆栽土培法,以对镉相对敏感的水稻品种YZX和相对耐受的品种XY-12为材料,通过对人工添加镉后（土壤中镉浓度达到5mg·kg^-1）水稻齐穂期叶片光合速率的测定,选用直角双曲线模型、非直角双曲线模型和叶子飘新模型对光响应曲线进行拟合,探究镉对不同品种水稻叶片光响应特征的影响,并对不同光响应模型进行比较。结果表明,镉处理后,两个水稻品种净光合速率均表现为降低;镉对两水稻品种光响应曲线参数的影响存在差异,内禀量子效率、最大净光合速率、光饱和点均受到镉的影响,较不添加镉的对照降低,而镉处理后水稻剑叶光补偿点却大大增加;镉促进了品种YZX的暗呼吸作用,但对品种XY-12却表现为抑制作用;总体上,品种XY-12对土壤中镉的耐受性强于YZX;3种模型模拟的光响应曲线均能较好地反映两品种叶片光合作用的光响应特征,但光响应参数与实测值存在差异,直角双曲线模型和非直角双曲线模型拟合的最大净光合速率（P_max）远大于实测值,并且光补偿点（LCP）和暗呼吸速率（Rd）与实测值相比存在较大差异,而采用传统的线性回归方法得到的光饱和点（LSP）却远低于实测值,叶子飘模型拟合的各项参数与实测值最为接近,并很好地弥补了其它模型的缺点。因此,该模型在反映水稻在镉毒害下叶片光合作用的光响应特征等方面具有较大优势。     

柳属植物光合-光响应曲线模型拟合

为了研究柳属植物的光合-光响应曲线模型,利用直角双曲线模型、非直角双曲线模型和直角双曲线修正模型对柳属植物的光合-光响应曲线进行拟合。结果表明,直角双曲线拟合所得的初始量子效率、暗呼吸速率、最大光合速率和光饱和点的值均高于非直角双曲线的拟合结果,但由于在有限光强下,2模型均不存在极值,因此无法直接得到最大净光合速率和饱和光强;而直角双曲线修正模型存在极值点,可以直接求得植物的饱和光强和最大净光合速率,且拟合值更加接近实测值。通过比较另外5种柳属植物净光合速率的实测值与模型估计值,得出直角双曲线修正模型估计值的相对误差之和最小,证明了直角双曲线修正模型的估计值更接近实测值。因此,直角双曲线修正模型是拟合柳属植物光合-光响应曲线的最佳模型。利用此模型可有效地对柳属植物光能利用效率进行评价,为高光效柳树的筛选提供理论参考。     

不同土壤水分条件下麻栎盆栽实生苗的光合响应

在南京林业大学树木园内,应用Li-6400光合作用测定系统测定一年生麻栎（Quercus acutissima Carruth）盆栽实生苗在不同土壤水分条件下的光合响应参数、相同光合有效辐射强度下的净光合作用参数、高光强度下的Pn-CO2变化曲线;用光合作用光响应实测值和直角双曲线修正模型对不同土壤水分条件下麻栎的光响应曲线进行拟合,探讨双曲线修正模型对麻栎幼苗的适用性及麻栎的光合响应规律.结果表明：1）在光合有效辐射强度160μmol/（m2·s）条件下,土壤含水量为24.0％、14.5％、11.4％的处理组和土壤含水量32.0％的对照组之间的净光合速率及蒸腾速率存在显著性差异（P＜0.05）;2）直角双曲线修正模型拟合出的光响应数据除了光饱和点和实测值有较大的差异外,拟合的其他光响应数据相差不大,并随土壤含水量的变化和实测值呈现相同的趋势;3）麻栎的羧化效率、CO2补偿点都随土壤含水量的降低而降低,土壤含水量抑制了1,5-二磷酸核酮糖羧化酶（Rubisco）的酶活性.     

冬小麦光合特性对CO2浓度与土壤含水量的响应机制

光合作用是衡量植物对环境响应的重要指标,通过光响应曲线拟合量化光合特征,可从生理机制方面揭示出植物在不同生长环境下自身的调节与适应机制。本文利用Li-6400便携式光合仪测定了冬小麦在4种不同处理条件下灌浆期旗叶的光响应曲线,采用直角双曲线模型(RHM)、非直角双曲线模型(NRHM)、直角双曲线修正模型(RHMM)、指数模型(EM)和指数改进模型(MEM)对光响应数据进行拟合,分析了不同CO_2浓度和土壤含水量对冬小麦光合特征的影响。结果表明,直角双曲线修正模型对各处理下冬小麦光响应曲线和光响应曲线参数的拟合值都与实测值较为接近,拟合效果最好;随着CO_2浓度升高,各水分处理下冬小麦表观量子效率(α)、光饱和点(LSP)和最大净光合速率(P_(nmax))增大,光补偿点(LCP)和暗呼吸(R_d)降低,即CO_2浓度升高能有效增加冬小麦的光能转化率和光能利用范围,提高冬小麦的光合能力;随着土壤含水量的降低,冬小麦光补偿点(LCP)和暗呼吸速率(R_d)升高,但表观量子效率(α)、光饱和点(LSP)和最大净光合速率(Pnmax)降低,即冬小麦虽然能通过提高初始光合效率抵消一部分干旱胁迫的影响,但干旱胁迫仍会降低冬小麦光合能力;此外,CO_2浓度的增加能抵消部分冬小麦因干旱胁迫引起的光合能力降低。     

不同氮肥水平下玉米光响应曲线模型的比较

【目的】本研究采用7种模型对光响应曲线进行拟合,比较不同拟合模型的优劣,旨在优选出氮胁迫下最优的光合作用光响应模型,为研究玉米的氮素营养生理和栽培提供科学依据,为棕壤地区春玉米氮素高效管理提供理论依据。【方法】以郑单958玉米为研究对象,在棕壤长期定位肥料试验的基础上,采用LI-6400型便携式光合作用测定系统测定穗位叶在不同光强下的光合速率,从不同供氮水平研究灌浆期玉米穗位叶叶片的光合作用光响应特征,采用二次回归、 直角双曲线、 非直角双曲线以及直角双曲线修正等7种不同模型对光响应曲线进行拟合,通过拟合程度、 拟合的表观量子效率(α)、 最大净光合速率(Pnmax)、 光饱和点(LSP)、 光补偿点(LCP)和暗呼吸速率(Rday)6个参数的对比,比较7 种模型的差异。【结果】 1)随氮肥水平的提高,产量、 氮素含量、 叶绿素含量有所提高,而施氮处理的净光合速率则表现出降低的趋势。2)本研究中的7种模型均能较好地对施高量氮肥(N180处理)的玉米叶片Pn光响应进行拟合,决定系数除直角双曲线修正模型为0.992外,其余均为0.994。但是不同模型对光抑制现象明显的N0、 N120处理的拟合效果差异较大,从决定系数比较来看,拟合效果优劣排序为直角双曲线修正模型、 二次回归模型非直角双曲线模型指数模型直角双曲线模型、 动力学模型。3)直角双曲线修正模型和二次回归模型的Pnmax、 LSP、 LCP和Rday四个光合参数均与实测值较为接近,而其他模型除个别参数较为接近外,多数参数差别较大;另外由于直角双曲线模型、 非直角双曲线模型和动力学模型的方程没有极值,不能直接得到光饱和点,使这三种模型损失了LSP这个重要的参数。4)随着施氮水平的提高,灌浆期玉米穗位叶α、 Pnmax、 LSP、 LCP和Rday 5个参数均逐渐升高。【结论】随着施氮水平的提高,灌浆期玉米穗位叶光合性能明显提升,光抑制程度减轻,α、 Pnmax、 LSP、 LCP和Rday 5个参数均升高;在不同氮肥水平下,无论是光饱和、 非光饱和或光抑制情况下,直角双曲线修正模型和二次回归模型均能较好地对玉米光响应曲线进行拟合,拟合的光合参数信息较多,拟合的光合参数与实测值相近,因此直角双曲线修正模型和二次回归模型较适宜拟合玉米光响应曲线。     

土壤紧实胁迫对黄瓜叶片光合作用及叶绿素荧光参数的影响

紧实是温室土壤的疲劳症状之一,它对作物的生长、产量及养分吸收均有影响。本试验以容重为指标,用盆栽试验模拟温室土壤的物理疲劳症,研究了土壤紧实胁迫对黄瓜叶片光合作用及叶绿素荧光参数的影响,探讨温室土壤物理疲劳对黄瓜叶片光合作用产生影响的机理。结果表明,土壤紧实胁迫条件下黄瓜叶片的净光合速率（Pn）、气孔导度(Gs)及蒸腾速率(Tr)下降,而胞间CO2浓度（Ci）却增大,最终导致叶片干物质的累积量减少,第一雌花节位降低,果实发育提早。叶片的叶绿素含量减少,光合活性（Fv）、光系统Ⅱ（PSⅡ）反应中心的电子传递活性（Fm/Fo）、光能的最大转化效率（Fv/Fm）及PSⅡ的潜在活性（Fv/Fo）降低以及PSⅡ的光能利用率下降是紧实胁迫条件下黄瓜叶片光合作用减弱的原因。     

几种光合作用光响应模型对烟草的适用性分析

为探讨不同光响应曲线模型对烟草的适用性,分别测定云南赵桅基地K326叶片在20、30和35℃下的净光合速率光响应曲线,昭通自然条件下红花大金元(红大)、KRK26和云烟99叶片净光合速率的光响应曲线.用直角双曲线模型、非直角双曲线模型、动力学模型、指数模型以及叶子飘等构建的新光响应模型(新模型)对各光响应曲线进行拟合.结果表明,新模型对光饱和、非光饱和及光抑制的光响应曲线拟合均较好,指数模型对光饱和的光响应曲线拟合较好,其它3个模型对任何一种光响应的拟合效果均较差.指数模型和新模型拟合的最大净光合速率(Pmax)与实测值最接近,其它3个模型拟合的Pmax值偏高,以非直角双曲线模型偏高最明显.直角双曲线模型和非直角双曲线模型拟合的表观量子效率(α)普遍接近或超过最大量子效率理论值范围,指数模型和新模型拟合的α值在正常范围内,动力学模型拟合的α值则偏低.非直角双曲线模型拟合的光补偿点(Ic)明显低于实测值,其它模型拟合的Ic与实测值均较接近.直角双曲线模型、非直角双曲线模型和动力学模型不能直接计算光饱和点(Is),新模型拟合的Is与实测值均接近,出现光饱和及光抑制时,指数模型拟合的Is也与实测值接近.研究结果表明,以新模型对烟草光响应曲线进行拟合较为合理.     

外源一氧化氮对NaCl胁迫下番茄幼苗光合特性的影响

在100.mmol/L.NaCl胁迫下,研究了外源NO供体硝普钠(SNP)处理对番茄(Lycos.641.2..persicon.esculentum.Mill.)幼苗光合作用光响应曲线、CO2响应曲线等光合特性的影响。结果表明,在NaCl胁迫下,外源NO显著提高了番茄幼苗叶片净光合速率(Pn)、蒸腾速率(Tr)和气孔导度(Gs),降低了胞间CO2浓度(Ci);显著提高了光饱和点(LSP)、光饱和光合速率、表观量子效率(AQY)、CO2饱和点(CSP)、羧化效率(CE)、RuBP最大再生速率;显著降低了光补偿点(LCP)、CO2补偿点(CCP);同时提高了叶片叶绿素含量。以上结果表明,外源NO能改善番茄幼苗NaCl胁迫下的光合作用,从而增强植株的耐盐性。     

日光温室黄瓜叶片光合速率模型及其参数确定的初步研究

对于属于C3作物的黄瓜,用Charles-Edwards包括光呼吸,暗呼吸和氧效应的光合模型建立其叶片净光合速率模型。并通过试验确定该模型参数。结果表明：以此模型描述黄瓜叶片的光合速率所得到的光合模型参数在一定的光合有效辐射(PAR)范围内与实测数据相符合。不同叶龄的黄瓜叶片其光合特性存在较大差异。其中叶龄为20~30 d的叶片之间光合速率及相关参数差异显著。     

叶片氮浓度对温室黄瓜花后叶片最大总光合速率影响的模拟

光合作用是作物产量和品质形成的基础,直接受到叶片含氮量的影响.该文通过不同定植期不同氮素处理试验,建立了不同光温条件下温室黄瓜叶片适宜氮浓度的求算方程,并定量分析了不同光温条件下黄瓜叶片最大总光合速率与叶片氮浓度的关系.在此基础上,进一步建立了适合不同光温条件的温室黄瓜花后叶片最大总光合速率与叶片氮浓度关系的通用模型,并用与建模相独立的试验数据对模型进行了检验.结果表明,建立的模型能较好地预测不同定植期黄瓜叶片氮浓度对叶片最大总光合速率的影响.模型对温室黄瓜叶片最大总光合速率的预测结果与实测结果之间基于1:1直线的决定系数和均方根差分别为0.83和1.56 μmol·m-2·s-1.建立的模型可以为温室黄瓜周年生产的氮素精确管理提供理论依据与决策支持.     

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.