生物质三组分间交互作用对水热解产物及特性的影响

不同类型的生物质具有不同的纤维组成,且每种组分的水热反应路径存在差异,同时在水热过程中组分间相互作用影响生物质的水热解行为和产物分布,该文基于兼有上、下界约束条件的极端顶点,在高温高压反应釜中对组分(半纤维素,纤维素和木质素)间的相互作用进行了详细的研究,发现3种组分间的相互作用对产物的产率和特性存在明显的影响。根据气体产物结果,可以得出纤维素水解产物能够促进半纤维素水解,生成大量的CO2气体。较高的木质素含量和较低的纤维素和半纤维素含量对轻质油中的酸类和酮类化合物有抑制作用。此外,纤维素和半纤维素与木质素之间的交互作用有利于抑制重质油中酸类化合物的生成,促进酚类化合物。三组分间的交互作用使得水解产物更多的重新发生聚合、缩合等一系列反应生成焦炭,芳香化程度较高。通过组分间的交互作用更好地理解生物质水热机理并通过产物调控制备高品质的液体燃料和固体焦炭。     

熔融盐-镍协同催化生物质热解制取富氢气体

在固定床反应器中研究了(Na_2CO_3-NaOH)熔融盐和镍对生物质三组分纤维素、半纤维素和木质素热解制氢的影响。结果表明,熔融盐中的氢氧化钠能吸收三组分热解产气中CO_2,从而有利于合成气中的CO转化成H2。熔融盐含有的碱金属Na~+和OH~-分别能促进半纤维素与纤维素、木质素的热解,木质素热解产氢量最高可达到1 148 m L/g,H2体积分数达到90.7%。熔融盐-镍协同作用时可以降低三组分产气中CH_4含量,与单独添加熔融盐相比,纤维素、半纤维素和木质素的CH_4产量分别下降35.0%、24.5%和12.0%。在熔融盐-镍的存在下,纤维素、半纤维素和木质素的最高产氢量分别达到910、714和1 106 m L/g,H2体积分数分别为77.6%,77.8%和91.6%。     

纤维素木聚糖和木质素含量对生物质热解特性及产物的影响

采用热重法研究了纤维素、木聚糖和木质素含量对生物质热解特性的影响,分析了三组分相互混合热解时的交互作用规律,及其对热解动力学参数的影响;同时,在生物质真空热解液化系统上考察了三组分含量对热解液化产物分布及生物油组成的影响。结果表明,纤维素热解较为剧烈,生物油中芳香族、糖类、醛类和醇类含量较高;木聚糖的热稳定性较差,生物油中芳香族、酮类和酸类物质较多;木质素热解较为平缓且固体残留物较多,生物油成分主要为芳香族化合物。纤维素对活化能和指前因子的影响较大,木聚糖和木质素对反应级数的影响较大;纤维素的热解有利于减少固体残留物,而木质素的热解产物有利于促进糖类的分解;木聚糖对纤维素的热解具有明显的抑制作用;木聚糖能促进木质素的低温热解,两者混合热解对生物油组成影响较小。因此,高纤维素含量的生物质可以获得更高的生物油产率,且适量的木质素有利于促进纤维素的分解,为进一步提高生物油产率和品质提供了理论依据。     

玉米秸秆与油页岩混烧的热重试验

为了充分燃烧利用农业生物质与油页岩,采用热重-差示扫描量热(TG-DSC,thermogravimetric-differential scanning calorimetry)技术对玉米秸秆与油页岩混合燃料进行了热重试验,对其各燃烧特性与燃烧机理进行了分析并计算了燃烧动力学参数。结果表明,混烧试样的微分热重(DTG,differential thermogravimetric)曲线出现4个峰值,主要分别是半纤维素热解、纤维素热解、木质素和油页岩热解,以及油页岩焦炭燃烧和油页岩无机盐热解。在DTG曲线第1至第3峰之间出现DSC曲线放热峰,在DTG曲线第3峰至第4峰之间出现DSC曲线吸热峰,需要强化混合燃料的前期燃烧;玉米秸秆与油页岩的质量比例为4∶1时的混合燃料S2,其混烧的可燃特性、着火特性及综合燃烧特性指数均最大,燃尽时间最短,燃尽特性指数较大;在前3个温度区段,混合试样的活化能及频率因子均随温度区段的升高而降低,体现了活化能与频率因子变化的一致性;低温阶段与高温阶段反应级数分别约为1.5及0.7。研究结果可为生物质和油页岩的混烧利用提供参考。     

基于木质素部分脱除及其含量对生物质热解特性的影响

该研究采用固定床热解炉,研究不同木质素含量花生壳、核桃壳样品的裂解行为,利用元素分析、工业分析、气相色谱-质谱联用以及气相色谱法对原料和热解产物进行分析,探究木质素与综纤维素在原始交联结构下的交互作用及其对热解产物分布特性影响。研究结果发现,300℃热解条件下,随着木质素含量的增加,样品中固体产率增加,液体产率和气体产率下降。500、700℃热解条件下,固体产率相比300℃有大幅度的下降,且随样品中木质素含量的增加,固体产率无明显变化,液体产率稍微增加,气体产率下降。500℃时,H2产率很低,随样品中木质素含量的增加,CO2含量减少,CH4含量增加,CO含量有稍微的上升。而700℃时,综纤维素的脱氢、缩合、成环会生成大量的H2。同时,木质素能够促进综纤维素分解生成大量左旋葡聚糖,并抑制其分解;而综纤维素抑制木质素单体愈创木基的脱甲氧基反应,促进苯丙烷基的脱烷基反应,形成更多的酚类化合物。该研究对于生物质组分间交互和产物形成特性研究具有积极意义。     

ZSM-5催化生物质三组分和松木热解生物油组分分析

为了更清晰地研究三大组分(纤维素、木聚糖、木质素)在介孔ZSM-5参与下的催化热解过程,该研究首先对生物质的三大基本组分和云南松木粉进行热解,然后在介孔ZSM-5催化剂存在的条件下对微晶纤维素、木聚糖、碱性木质素三大组分和云南松进行催化热解。采用气质联用仪对生物油的化学组分进行分析。通过对比ZSM-5参与前后的生物油的主要化学组分的变化,对催化剂的催化机理进行探究。研究结果表明,催化热解过程中,介孔ZSM-5将纤维素直接热解得到的β-D阿洛糖、糠醛、3-丙基戊二酸和2,4-戊二烯酸转化为1-甲基萘、2,6-二甲基萘,纤维素催化热解得到的生物油中的芳烃含量为63.89%。半纤维素催化热解过程中,催化剂将生物油中的糠醛从67.78%降低为2.66%,有效提高芳烃化合物,包括萘、2-甲基萘的含量,催化热解后得到的生物油中总芳烃含量达到36.81%。木质素催化热解过程中,介孔ZSM-5有效降低生物油中2,6-二叔丁基对甲酚的量(从82.33%降至77.97%),并大幅地提高1,8-二甲基萘和1,7-二甲基萘的量,生物油中总芳烃相对含量达到14.14%。云南松催化热解过程中,催化剂有效降低云南松直接热解得到生物油中2-甲氧基-4-甲基苯酚和(Z)-异丁子香酚的含量,并将芳烃化合物总量提高到53.99%(主要是1-甲基萘、1-亚甲基-1氢-茚和2,6-二甲基萘)。随着催化剂使用次数的增加,生物油中含氧化合物相对含量增加,烃类化合物的相对含量明显降低,从53.99%降至43.32%,元素分析结果表明生物油中的碳含量逐渐减少,氧含量逐渐增加。但是,催化剂经过焙烧再生后,催化活性基本完全恢复。     

城市污泥与调理剂混合堆肥过程中有机质组分的变化

【目的】研究城市污泥堆肥过程中各项有机质组分及碳、 氮在堆肥过程中的形成与转化,以期改善堆肥的生物有效性,促进其土地利用。【方法】在工厂规模化下,以城市污泥、 蘑菇渣锯末以及返混料按照6∶3∶1的质量比混合形成堆肥物料,辅以强制通风措施和翻抛,进行为期18 d的高温堆肥试验。堆肥期间定期采样,测定指标包括温度、 C/N值、 pH、 含水率、 有机质降解率、 水溶性组分、 半纤维素、 纤维素和木质素,研究堆肥期间不同阶段堆肥物料中有机质组分的动态变化。【结果】堆体温度随着发酵时间的延长呈现先升高后降低的趋势,最高温度达到71.3℃; 含水率由60.7%降低到51.4%,pH呈现先升高后降低的趋势,总体处于6.0~7.5之间; 总有机碳含量持续下降,氮素含量表现为高温期持续下降随后呈上升的趋势; 初始阶段,堆肥物料中四种成分含量分布为: 水溶性组分纤维素半纤维素木质素,至堆肥结束变化为: 纤维素水溶性组分木质素半纤维素,经过堆肥之后水溶性组分及半纤维素含量分别由39.5%和20.1%下降为27.9%和14.4%,纤维素含量由初始的21.8%上升至29.5%,木质素含量相对稳定不变。物料经过堆肥化处理后达到腐熟标准,水溶性组分和半纤维素含量分别降低了38.6%和38.8%,纤维素和木质素含量在高温期分别降解了11.7%和18.5%; 物料总量降低了9.8%。水溶性组分的主要降解阶段为高温期,期间降解部分占总降解量的65.5%; 半纤维素的主要降解阶段为稳定期,稳定期降解部分占总降解量的69.1%,且有继续降解的趋势; 纤维素和木质素仅在高温期有少量降解; 氮素则表现为高温期铵态氮的损失及稳定期硝态氮的积累。【结论】堆肥化处理在实现污泥减量化基础上,污泥中有机质得到了稳定化,有利于城市污泥的土地利用。     

温度对纤维素半纤维素和木质素热解炭理化性能的影响

生物质炭是由生物质在缺氧或无氧的情况下,经高温慢速热解产生的一类难熔的、稳定的、高度芳香化的、富含碳素的固态物质,在能源、农业、环境和材料领域有广阔的应用前景。该文以纤维素、半纤维素和木质素为原料,采用程序控温管式炉,在不同的热解温度条件下(250、350、450、550、650、750和850℃)制备生物质三组分炭材料,并利用元素分析仪、量热仪、傅里叶变换红外光谱仪(FTIR)、X射线衍射仪(XRD)、核磁共振波谱仪(13C NMR)、热重分析仪(TG)和扫描电镜(SEM)等仪器对其物理化学性能进行表征,研究热解温度对生物质三组分炭材料理化性能的影响。结果表明:随着热解温度增加,生物质三组分炭的质量产率和能量产率都呈下降的趋势,纤维素炭、半纤维素炭和木质素炭的质量产率分别从94.23%、63.06%和87.14%减少至17.01%、20.67%和41.40%,能量产率分别从94.23%、55.7%和77.82%减少至58.69%、12.91%和31.09%。随着热解温度增加,生物质三组分炭中C元素的含量逐渐增加,而H元素、O元素、H/C、O/C的含量逐渐减少,尤其在250～450℃范围内下降最为显著。随着热解温度增加,FTIR分析表明-OH、-CH3、-CH2、C=O、C=C、苯环骨架、C-O、C-H等官能团含量显著下降,并且在高温热解时红外曲线几乎变为直线。随着热解温度增加,XRD分析表明生物质三组分炭中的三斜晶系(Iα)和单斜晶系(Iβ)衍射峰的强度逐渐降低,而石墨化微晶碳的002衍射峰和101衍射峰的强度逐渐增加;13CNMR分析表明生物质三组分炭中的烷基碳、含氧烷基碳和羧基碳含量逐渐减少,而芳基碳的含量则显著增加,证明高温有利于类石墨化结构形成。随着热解温度的增加,纤维素炭和半纤维素炭的热失重率逐渐下降,而木质素炭的热失质量率逐渐增加,三组分炭的热失质量峰值往高温一侧移动。随着热解温度的增加,生物质三组分炭的颜色逐渐加深,其中纤维素炭发生皱缩现象,其直径不断减小,半纤维素炭发生熔融和发泡现象,变为薄片状的炭材料,木质素炭的孔结构变得更加发达,并且出现球状的金属结晶体。该文研究结果可为生物质炭的制备和应用提供基础数据。     

活性炭催化生物质与低密度聚乙烯共热解

为探究生物质主要组分与聚烯烃塑料在活性炭共催化热解过程的相互作用机理,该研究采用磷酸活化法制备了活性炭催化剂,利用固定床反应器对纤维素、木聚糖、木质素、花旗松单独催化热解及其与低密度聚乙烯共催化热解产物的产率及组成进行了分析。结果表明,活性炭催化纤维素和木聚糖单独热解的主要产物为呋喃类物质,其质量分数分别为78.6%和83.2%;而活性炭催化木质素热解的主要产物为简单酚类物质（86.6%）。与理论计算值相比,四种混合物共催化热解所得液体产率降低了8.7%～11.4%,气体产率提高了22.6%～64.0%;液体产物中芳烃和轻质脂肪烃（C9～C16）的质量分数增加而氧化物的质量分数降低;气体产物中H2的体积分数有所增加而CO和CO2的体积分数明显降低。活性炭催化剂作用下,生物质三组分与低密度聚乙烯之间相互作用的影响程度有所不同。     

碱/碱土金属对纤维素热解特性的影响

为了解碱/碱土金属(AAEM)及存在形态对生物质热解特性的影响,用4种金属的不同盐溶液浸渍微晶纤维素,进行热重分析和管式炉热解试验。结果表明,AAEM能够促进纤维素在低温下热解,降低热解速率并提高固体焦产率;能降低纤维素热解的表观活化能,活化能随AAEM含量的增加而降低;使热解气体中的CO及C2体积分数降低、CO2和CH4体积分数提高。4种金属元素对纤维素热解催化能力的顺序为:K>Na>Mg,Ca。碱金属的存在形态对其催化能力有影响,乙酸盐金属对热解反应温度、产物的影响显著大于氯化物金属,并使纤维素热解过程分为两段,增加热解气体中H2的含量,而氯化物金属会降低气体中H2的含量,其催化能力易受到添加量的影响。生物质中以有机结合态存在的碱金属对热解过程的影响大于以无机态存在的同种金属。生物质催化热解气化过程及产物分布受金属种类及其存在形态的影响。     

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.