不同覆盖材料对旱地马铃薯土壤水热状况及其水分利用效率的影响

为研究旱作条件下马铃薯不同覆盖材料的土壤水热条件及其对产量与水分利用效率的影响,在大田条件下,设置普通地膜、秸秆、绿肥、液体地膜4种覆盖材料栽培方式,测定其土壤含水量、耕层土壤温度和产量,并计算各覆盖材料的水分利用效率。结果表明,与传统裸地(CK)相比,普通地膜、秸秆、绿肥、液体地膜覆盖材料处理下耕层土壤(0—25cm)日平均温度提高3.62,2.01,1.50以及2.38℃;各覆盖材料均可提高土壤含水率,普通地膜、秸秆、绿肥、液体地膜覆盖较对照耕层土壤(0—25cm)平均含水率增加3.25%,2.24%,2.40%以及2.50%;与对照相比,各种覆盖材料可使马铃薯块茎产量分别增加10.33%,23.03%,20.27%及27.17%;不同覆盖材料水分利用效率大小为:液体地膜绿肥秸秆普通地膜对照(CK)。液体地膜在土壤保水及对马铃薯产量的影响方面均具有显著效果。     

不同栽培方式对马铃薯田间土壤温湿度及产量的影响

在我国湖南省地区,对春播马铃薯进行了绿肥聚垄地膜覆盖、绿肥聚垄、地膜覆盖、普通翻耕4种不同栽培方式处理,研究了马铃薯在不同的栽培方式下对土壤温度、水分及产量的影响。结果表明:在马铃薯生产前期,土壤平均温度和含水量均是绿肥聚垄地膜覆盖栽培地膜覆盖栽培绿肥聚垄栽培普通栽培。且绿肥聚垄地膜覆盖栽培方式马铃薯的产量可增加25.6%,而地膜覆盖栽培栽培方式马铃薯产量降低15.8%。因此,绿肥聚垄地膜覆盖栽培方式能够显著地提高马铃薯的田间温湿度和产量,而地膜覆盖可采取前期覆膜、中后期撤膜的栽培方式。     

马铃薯地膜种植生态效应研究

通过田间随机区组试验研究马铃薯地膜种植生态效应结果表明,马铃薯营养阶段、生殖阶段不同地膜覆盖处理耕层土壤速效氮供应强度比露地提高32.6%~64.0%,速效磷提高4.2%~59.4%,植株吸收量分别提高13.2%~48.3%和14.6%~38.2%;不同处理耕层土壤速效氮含量营养阶段均高于生殖阶段,速效磷含量则相反。地膜处理耕层土壤含水量营养阶段比露地提高5.3%~31.6%,植株吸收量提高26.3%~31.0%;生殖阶段比露地分别提高1.9%~16.9%和4.4%~18.8%。耕层土壤中2阶段地膜比对照细菌分别增加30.0%、130.8%,放线菌分别增加19.7%、474.1%,霉菌分别增加12.5%、22.7%。一天中地膜处理耕层土壤温度均高于露地,上午随土层深度的增加,营养阶段土壤温度递增而生殖阶段略呈递减,中午和下午随土层深度的增加,2阶段土壤温度逐渐递减。地膜处理其块茎产量、地上茎叶产量、地下根产量均高于露地对照。在试验设计施肥范围内,地膜种植施肥水平高的土壤和植株养分、水分含量高,增产幅度大。     

覆膜和密度对宁南旱地马铃薯产量及水分利用效率的影响

以庄薯3号为供试材料,采用大田试验,研究覆膜对不同栽培密度条件下土壤储水量、马铃薯产量构成、产量以及水分利用效率的影响。结果表明:地膜覆盖可明显提高0—40,40—100 cm土壤储水量,提高了马铃薯块茎产量（25.2%）和水分利用效率（28.0%）;不论覆膜与否,适宜的马铃薯密度可提高马铃薯产量和水分利用效率,趋势为6.0万株/hm² > 7.5万株/hm² > 4.5万株/hm²,但地膜覆盖优于裸地。因此,在宁南旱地马铃薯覆膜栽培条件下密度为6.0万株/hm²时,能有效减少土壤水分消耗,同时实现马铃薯高产。     

不同覆盖时期和方式对旱地马铃薯土壤水热条件和产量的影响

在大田条件下,以不同覆盖种植方式为处理,通过测定土壤含水量、耕层土壤温度、马铃薯生长指标和经济产量等,研究不同覆盖种植方式对旱地马铃薯土壤水热状况和产量的影响。结果表明:与传统耕作和垄沟全膜覆盖处理相比,垄膜沟草覆盖能显著提高马铃薯苗期0~25cm土壤温度3℃左右,降低盛花期至收获期0~25cm土壤温度2℃左右;其次,垄膜沟草覆盖显著提高播前0~30cm土层含水量,增加收获后0~100cm土层土壤含水量。垄膜沟草覆盖的株高、单株薯块重、大薯率、产量显著高于其它处理,且秋季覆盖的产量优于春季覆膜,故垄膜沟草秋季覆盖是适宜半干旱区旱作马铃薯的高产种植方式。     

秸秆扩蓄肥对土壤水分和马铃薯产量品质及水分利用的影响

为了增强土壤保水力,改善土壤结构,提高土壤水肥利用效率,该文将玉米、小麦和大豆3种作物秸秆经理化处理并与聚丙烯酰胺(PAM)结合造粒形成的秸秆扩蓄肥应用于马铃薯大田栽培,并与单施钾肥及不施肥处理为对比,研究了3种秸秆扩蓄肥对马铃薯生长发育期间的土壤物理性状、生理特征、产量品质及水分利用效率的影响。结果表明,3种秸秆扩蓄肥具有较强的保水性能,能显著增加0～20cm表层土壤含水率,提高马铃薯苗期、块茎增长期、淀粉累积期的土壤耕层及20～70cm水分;有效降低土壤体积质量,提高非毛管孔隙比例,增加土壤孔隙度;显著提高马铃薯盛花期叶片光合速率、气孔导度和蒸腾速率,增加马铃薯株高、冠幅面积和叶面积。与不施肥处理比较,秸秆扩蓄肥处理的淀粉含量提高12.3%～13.6%,大中薯率提高37.9%～42.8%,产量提高39.3%～50.4%,水分利用效率提高35.6%～45.4%。该研究为秸秆扩蓄肥的推广提供了依据。     

秸秆覆盖及播种方式对马铃薯耗水特性和产量的影响

为明确西北旱作雨养农业区不同秸秆带状覆盖种植模式下马铃薯耗水规律、水分利用效率及产量的变化规律,以地膜覆盖和露地种植(CK)为对照,设置4种秸秆带状覆盖模式(①种植带和覆盖带各40 cm、单行播种,②种植带和覆盖带各40cm、双行播种,③种植带和覆盖带各50cm、单行播种,④种植带和覆盖带各50 cm、双行播种),研究不同秸秆带状覆盖模式对旱地马铃薯耗水特性和产量的影响。结果表明:秸秆带状覆盖处理与CK相比,马铃薯薯块产量和水分利用效率平均分别显著提高34.0%、21.5%,分别平均较地膜覆盖显著降低31.3%、25.0%;其中40 cm覆盖种植结构产量和水分利用效率较50 cm覆盖种植结构分别明显提高4.5%和6.8%,双行播种较单行播种增产4.4%,二者水分利用效率无明显差异。秸秆带状覆盖条件下,播种—现蕾阶段的耗水量、耗水强度及耗水模系数平均较CK显著降低14.5%、15.2%、15.4%,平均较地膜覆盖显著增加20.9%、19.0%、31.5%;与CK相比,现蕾—块茎膨大阶段耗水量、耗水强度及耗水模系数无显著性差异,相比于地膜覆盖,则分别平均显著减少20.7%、22.2%、13.9%;块茎膨大—成熟阶段分别平均较CK显著提高51.7%、52.4%、50.0%。同时,相比于CK,单薯重、商品薯率分别显著提高17.3%、31.8%,单株结薯数和小薯率降低7.5%、17.6%。可见,秸秆带状覆盖栽培可通过降低现蕾前的耗水和增加块茎膨大后的耗水,一定程度上缓解马铃薯植株后期对水分的需求,延长块茎膨大后植株光合作用,提高有机物的积累量,从而提高薯块产量和水分利用效率。而秸秆带状覆盖中,单行种植以种植带∶覆盖带=40 cm︰40 cm最好,双行种植以种植带︰覆盖带=50 cm︰50 cm较适宜。     

保水剂施用量对旱作土壤理化性质及马铃薯生长的影响

针对宁夏中部半干旱偏旱区土壤贫瘠,降水较少,土壤蒸发强烈、马铃薯低产等突出问题,采用以2种土壤保水剂为对象,研究了保水剂不同施用量对旱作土壤性状及马铃薯生长的影响。结果表明,穴施沃特保水剂90kg/hm2的耕层(0—30cm)土壤容重比不施保水剂处理显著降低5.2%。施用保水剂各处理耕层粒径0.25mm机械稳定性团聚体数量均较不施保水剂处理(对照)有所提高,而粒径0.1mm团聚体数量较对照明显降低;在马铃薯关键生育期(块茎形成至膨大期),与不施保水剂处理相比,施用保水剂各处理能明显提高0—100cm土层土壤贮水量,以穴施沃特保水剂处理的保水效果最佳。沃特保水剂改善了土壤结构和水分状况,加速土壤有机质的分解与矿化,促进土壤养分的转化供应,保蓄土壤的有效养分。施微生物保水剂能促进马铃薯初花期生长,进入块茎膨大期施用沃特保水剂效果显著。不同保水剂施用量植株养分含量和积累量显著提高,有利于提高肥料的利用率,且随保水剂施用量的增加,其养分利用率越高。不同保水剂施用量各处理的马铃薯产量均显著高于不施保水剂处理,其中穴施沃特保水剂90kg/hm2的增产效果最佳(44.1%),穴施沃特保水剂60kg/hm2的商品薯率最高(20.9%)。     

干旱区大田玉米膜下滴灌土壤水热效应研究

土壤水热状况是影响干旱区作物产量的主要因素,围绕膜下滴灌土壤水热运移情况,以河套灌区玉米为研究对象,开展了2年的田间试验,研究了膜下滴灌条件下不同覆膜耕作方式对土壤水热运移规律的影响。试验设垄作全膜(LQ)、垄作半膜(LB)、平作全膜(PQ)和平作半膜(PB)4个处理,采用烘干法测定0—120cm土壤含水量,ECH2O-5TE探头测定0—120cm土壤温度。试验结果表明:在苗期,0—20cm土层LQ土壤含水率较LB、PQ和PB分别提高了14.4%,23.8%和26.9%;拔节期,0—40cm土层LQ含水率较LB提高了32.6%,PQ较PB提高了5.8%;抽雄期0—60cm土层垄作土壤含水率明显高于平作,而60—120cm土壤含水率差异不明显;成熟期0—80cm土层LQ土壤含水率较LB、PQ和PB分别提高了18.1%,11.2%和21.5%。分析0—70cm土层平均土壤温度发现,LQ的温度明显高于半膜覆盖的处理,2014年和2015年LQ土壤温度较LB分别增加0.44,1.16℃,较PQ分别增加0.93,0.22℃,较PB分别增加1.22,1.37℃。2年的试验验证了不同覆膜耕作方式下,随土层深度的增加,土壤温度变化趋于平缓。垄作全膜可以提高土壤温度,增大土壤含水率,有效防止垄体土壤温度的散失,为作物生长提供良好的水热状态,促进作物增产。     

地膜秸秆双覆盖对免耕种植玉米田土壤水热效应的影响

针对免耕秸秆覆盖种植在北方旱区导致土壤温度降低,从而造成作物产量下降的问题,该研究依托山西寿阳农业部旱地农业野外科学试验站长期保护性耕作定位试验,在免耕秸秆覆盖(NTSM)的处理上增加了地膜覆盖措施,研究秸秆地膜双覆盖免耕(NTSMP)措施对农田土壤水分、土壤温度、水分利用效率及作物产量的影响。研究结果表明,在玉米生长前期,NTSMP 0~20 cm土层的土壤含水率分别比NTSM和对照处理(CT)高20.2%和21.5%,差异显著(P0.05),但在40~110 cm土层,NTSMP处理土壤含水率却分别比NTSM及CT低8.8%~14.0%和12.7%~18.8%,差异显著(P0.05)。整个生育期结束后,NTSMP处理的土壤储水量出现了负增长,但与CT处理相比差异并不显著(P0.05)。玉米生育期前期(4月~5月)0~10 cm土壤平均温度,NTSMP处理比NTSM和CT分别高3.2℃和1.9℃,差异显著(P0.05)。NTSMP处理的玉米产量分别比NTSM和CT高50.3%、36.8%(P0.05),水分利用效率分别提高了42.5%和30.4%(P0.05)。可见,NTSMP在玉米生育前期可以增加表层土壤温度,提高表层土壤含水率,为玉米生长提供了良好的水热条件,并最终实现了玉米产量和水分利用效率的大幅提高。     

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.