不同内源重金属生物炭对Cu和Cd吸附及其对老化作用的响应

为明确老化作用对不同内源污染物生物炭吸附重金属稳定性的影响,该研究以不同污染程度（清洁、中度和重度污染）土壤种植的巨菌草秸秆制备3种不同内源Cu和Cd含量的生物炭RB、SB和JB,分析3种生物炭对Cu和Cd的吸附能力以及干湿和冻融老化对饱和吸附后生物炭中Cu和Cd的生物有效性的影响。结果表明：3种生物炭表面均分布丰富的孔隙结构,RB含有最高的pH值和灰分;生物炭对Cu和Cd的吸附符合Langmuir模型（R2=0.951～0.998）,且RB对Cu和Cd的吸附量最大,分别为54.3和37.3 mg/g;与此相同,饱和吸附后RB对Cu和Cd的固持量最大,分别为21.4和4.78 mg/g。与老化前相比,干湿老化较冻融老化更显著地降低了饱和吸附后生物炭中Cu的TCLP浸出含量,促进了Cu从酸溶态和残渣态向还原态和氧化态转化,降低了Cu的环境风险;但是干湿和冻融老化作用增加了饱和吸附后生物炭中Cd的TCLP浸出含量,促进了Cd从残渣态向酸溶态、还原态和氧化态转化,增加了Cd的环境风险。这可能是由于3种生物炭对Cu的吸附主要以表面络合为主,对Cd的吸附以化学沉淀机制为主。总体上,RB生物炭固持最高的Cu和Cd,但是干湿和冻融老化增加了饱和吸附后生物炭Cd环境风险,研究结果对于评估生物炭长期钝化修复稳定性具有一定的指导意义。     

生物炭对不同酸化水平稻田土壤性质和重金属Cu、Cd有效性影响

针对南方稻田土壤酸化严重,导致养分流失有毒重金属活化,严重影响稻米质量安全的重大现实问题。以水稻秸秆和谷壳等农业废弃物为原料制备生物炭(分别记为RSC和RHC),研究不同原料生物炭对酸化土壤改良及其对重金属有效性的影响。设置3个生物炭用量(0,20,50 g/kg,分别记为CK、C1、C2),4种土壤酸化水平(pH 4.01,4.25,4.33,4.58,分别记为L1、L2、L3、L4),生物炭与重金属污染土壤共同培养60天后测定土壤pH、全氮、有机质、有效磷、速效钾和有效态Cu、Cd含量。结果表明:RSC对酸化土壤pH的改良效果明显优于RHC,且施炭量越高提高幅度越大,RSC的C2处理使4种酸度水平的土壤pH分别提高了0.68,0.97,1.29,1.71个单位。2种生物炭均能提高土壤的全氮、有效磷、速效钾和有机质含量,其中各施炭处理有机质显著提高,尤以速效钾的增幅最为显著,RSC对4种养分的提高均优于RHC。RHC对土壤有效态Cu含量无显著影响;RSC的C2较C1处理更能降低土壤中有效态Cu含量,使4种酸度水平的土壤分别降低了13.62%,6.57%,4.36%,7.88%。RHC处理的L3、L4土壤中有效态Cd含量显著降低,最大分别降低了13.79%,19.23%。RSC使4种酸度土壤有效态Cd含量最大分别降低了20.00%,25.81%,20.69%,19.23%。相关分析表明,土壤pH与有效态重金属含量呈显著负相关关系。水稻秸秆炭用于改良酸化土壤、降低重金属Cu和Cd有效性的效果更佳,且降低污染土壤中Cd的有效性较Cu好;生物炭对酸化程度越低的土壤pH和有效磷含量的提高以及有效态Cd含量的降低效果较好,而有效态Cu含量的降低效果则在酸化程度越高的土壤中表现更佳;土壤pH是生物炭调控重金属Cu、Cd有效性的主要影响因素。     

淹水条件下生物炭对污染土壤重金属有效性及养分含量的影响

以生物炭为改良剂,采用淹水培养方法研究不同添加量生物炭(BC)处理(1%,3%和5%)对污染土壤Zn、Cd、Pb、Cu有效性及养分含量的影响,并用毒性淋出试验(TCLP)法对其生态风险进行评价。结果表明:与对照相比,添加生物炭土壤中交换态Zn、Cd、Pb、Cu分别降低0.15%～24.11%,1.22%～16.09%,0.47%～21.51%,3.05%～77.30%,且表现为随生物炭施用量的增加其降低程度增大。TCLP态Zn、Cd、Pb、Cu含量分别降低0.74%～21.47%,6.67%～47.62%,2.02%～16.74%,0.29%～21.20%,且表现为随生物炭施用量的增加其降低程度增大。与对照相比,添加生物炭后土壤pH上升(-0.01)～0.35个单位,有机质、铵态氮和硝态氮分别增加0.09%～20.02%,1.59%～38.28%和2.74%～90.14%。土壤pH值与土壤交换态Cu含量呈显著负相关,有机质含量与交换态Zn含量呈显著负相关。淹水条件下污染土壤中施用生物炭可降低重金属Zn、Cd、Pb和Cu的有效性和生态风险,提高土壤养分含量,起到改良土壤作用。     

2种含铁材料对水稻土中砷和重金属生物有效性的影响

通过盆栽试验研究添加2种含铁材料(Fe(OH)3、FeCl3)对污染水稻土壤中As、Pb、Cd、Cu、Zn生物有效性的影响。结果表明,添加Fe(OH)3对土壤As交换态含量没有显著的影响,添加FeCl3显著降低了土壤As交换态含量,添加量为0.50g/kg时,土壤As交换态含量比对照下降46%。添加Fe(OH)3使土壤Pb、Cu交换态含量显著降低,2.00g/kg的添加量使Pb、Cu交换态含量分别下降63%,74%。添加FeCl3使土壤Pb、Cd、Zn交换态含量显著升高,2.00g/kg的添加量使Pb、Cd、Zn交换态含量分别升高3 834%,247%,1 744%。添加Fe(OH)3对糙米中无机As和重金属Pb、Cd、Cu、Zn含量没有显著的影响,添加FeCl3显著降低了糙米中无机As含量,但显著提高了糙米中Pb、Cu含量,1.00g/kg的添加量使糙米中无机As含量降低33%,Pb、Cu含量分别升高147%,50%。表明添加FeCl3能有效降低土壤As的生物有效性,但提高了土壤重金属的生物有效性。添加Fe(OH)3对土壤pH无显著影响,而添加FeCl3能显著降低土壤pH值,这是FeCl3能有效固定土壤As,提高土壤重金属交换态含量的重要原因之一。     

棉花、花生秸秆生物炭对棕壤中Cu(Ⅱ)运移的影响

[目的]分析棉花、花生生物炭基本理化性质,模拟自然条件下降雨对土壤中Cu(Ⅱ)淋失量的影响,探讨生物炭修复Cu(Ⅱ)污染棕壤的可行性。[方法]以棉花、花生秸秆为原料,采用限氧热解法分别在350,500,650℃下制备生物炭,将生物炭按1%的炭土干重比施入铜污染棕壤[Cu(Ⅱ)的浓度200mg/kg],通过室内土柱淋溶试验分析添加不同生物炭对土壤缓冲性能和吸附能力的影响。[结果]两类生物炭的H/C及O/C的比值随着温度的升高逐渐降低,而生物炭的BET比表面积则随着制备温度的升高而逐渐增大;添加生物炭的土壤淋溶液pH值显著高于空白处理,花生生物炭的效果更为显著;随着淋溶次数的增加,添加生物炭的土壤中Cu(Ⅱ)的淋失量明显低于空白处理;添加花生生物炭提高了土壤中Cu(Ⅱ)的专性吸附,以650℃最为显著。[结论]两种生物炭能明显提高土壤的缓冲性能和对重金属的吸持能力,其中以花生生物炭的效果更为明显。     

土壤有机质对镉污染土壤修复的影响

镉是生物非必需具生物毒性元素,有机质作为修复镉污染土壤的重要改良剂之一而备受关注。土壤有机质通过对土壤理化性质、对镉的吸附-解析、络合作用、生物有效性作用影响镉污染土壤修复效果。主要阐述了土壤有机质对镉污染土壤修复的影响作用机制,探讨了有机质的适用条件、影响因子,分析了工程应用过程存在的问题,以期为重金属污染土壤修复技术研究提供新的思路。     

大豆秸秆生物炭对铅锌尾矿污染土壤的修复作用

采用盆栽空心菜的方法,研究了大豆桔杆生物炭对铅锌尾矿污染土壤的修复作用。污染土壤中Cu、Zn、Pb和Cd含量分别为50,400,1 119,3.4mg/kg。结果表明:土壤无论是否受到铅锌尾矿污染,添加3%生物炭(w/w)均能显著提高土壤pH;3%生物炭能够抑制铅锌尾矿污染导致的土壤pH降低。大豆桔杆生物炭对尾矿污染土壤和未污染土壤中重金属有效态的影响不同,与未污染土壤相比,3%生物炭的钝化作用不能抵消铅锌尾矿污染导致的重金属有效态含量的增加。铅锌尾矿污染抑制空心菜生长;施加3%生物炭可以消除铅锌尾矿污染对空心菜生长的抑制作用。生物炭显著降低污染土壤空心菜根部重金属含量,而对地上部分的影响,不同元素表现出不同的特点;3%生物炭能够阻控铅锌尾矿污染土壤中Cu、Zn、Pb和Cd向空心菜地上部迁移富集。大豆桔杆生物炭对空心菜吸收重金属的影响,在铅锌尾矿污染土壤和未污染土壤上表现不同,存在元素之间的拮抗作用以及由于生物炭提高空心菜生物量所产生的稀释作用。在研究设置条件下,与未污染土壤相比,从空心菜生物量和可食部分吸收重金属含量来评价,施加3%大豆桔杆生物炭可以修复铅锌尾矿导致的土壤污染。     

重金属和生物有机肥对苹果根区土壤微生物的影响

通过土壤追施Cd ,Cu和生物有机肥,研究了重金属对红富士苹果根区微生物的危害以及生物有机肥减轻重金属对土壤微生物危害的效应。结果表明:施用生物有机肥后,果园根区土壤细菌、真菌和放线菌数量显著增加,细菌占绝对优势;土壤Cd浓度在10 30mg/kg范围内,随Cd浓度的增加,细菌数量大幅度减少;Cu元素对土壤微生物的危害情况与Cd相似,但程度比Cd轻;从生物有机肥中提取的有机质对Cd和Cu有明显的吸附作用,在pH值6～8的范围内,吸附率随pH升高而提高;在中性微酸的条件下(最适宜苹果栽培的土壤酸碱条件) ,有机质对Cu2 吸附率远高于对Cd2 的吸附率;生物有机肥明显减轻Cd ,Cu对土壤微生物的危害,并且对Cu污染土壤的改善效果更好     

花生秸秆生物炭输入对棕壤中铜形态转化及其有效性的影响

人工模拟铜污染棕壤,通过添加不同裂解温度(350℃、500℃和650℃)和不同施用量(2%和4%)的花生秸秆生物炭,探究生物炭输入对土壤pH和铜形态(Tessier连续提取法)的影响,分析生物炭输入对棕壤铜生物有效性的影响机制。结果表明:随着制备温度的升高,生物炭产率、平均孔径减小,pH、灰分、阳离子交换量(CEC)和比表面积增大;施加生物炭提高了土壤pH,土壤pH与交换态铜含量成负相关,且随生物炭裂解温度和添加量的增加而升高;施炭量一定条件下,随着输入生物炭裂解温度的升高,土壤交换态铜、铁锰氧化物结合态铜含量显著减少(P0.05),有机化合态铜含量显著增加(P0.05),残渣态含量增多,其中650℃裂解温度生物炭处理对降低土壤铜有效性效果最好;在相同的裂解温度下,随着施炭量增加,土壤交换态、碳酸盐结合态和铁锰氧化物结合态铜含量减少,有机化合态铜和残渣态铜含量增多,其中以4%施炭量处理对降低土壤有效态铜的效果最优。研究结果表明,生物炭裂解温度和添加量是影响棕壤pH和铜生物有效性的因子,其中SP4-650处理最有利于降低棕壤中铜生物有效性。     

土壤钝化剂对黑土中铜的原位固定作用

采用盆栽试验研究3种钝化剂(粉煤灰、磷灰石和膨润土)对黑土中铜(Cu)的化学形态、生物积累和有效性的影响。结果表明:3种钝化剂能显著降低Cu污染黑土中水提取态(DW)、TCLP提取态和二乙基三胺五乙酸-三乙醇胺(DTPA-TEA)提取态Cu含量,其中以膨润土的效果最为明显;Tessier连续提取测定发现,3种钝化剂显著降低非残留态Cu(水溶态和交换态、碳酸盐结合态、铁锰氧化物结合态和有机结合态)含量(p<0.01),增加残留态Cu含量,表明3种钝化剂通过改变黑土中Cu的化学形态,降低了黑土中Cu的可淋失性和生物有效性;与对照相比,添加钝化剂能显著降低水稻地上部分的Cu含量(p<0.01),如在400Cu mg/kg处理的土壤上,添加2.5%的粉煤灰、磷灰石和膨润土使米粉中的Cu含量分别降低21.8%,22.7%和31.9%。土壤中可淋失态和生物有效态Cu的分析表明,钝化剂主要是通过改变土壤中Cu的化学形态,降低土壤中Cu的生物有效性,以降低Cu在水稻中的积累;试验表明,Cu污染土壤中施用钝化剂可以修复Cu污染,降低水稻Cu污染风险。     

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.