The use of microbial parameters in monitoring soil pollution by heavy metals

Microbial parameters appear very useful in monitoring soil pollution by heavy metals, but no single microbial parameter can be used universally. Microbial activities such as respiration, C and N mineralization, biological N₂ fixation, and some soil enzymes can be measured, as can the total soil microbial biomass. Combining microbial activity and population measurements (e.g., biomass specific respiration) appears to provide more sensitive indications of soil pollution by heavy metals than either activity or population measurements alone. Parameters that have some form of internal control, e.g., biomass as a percentage of soil organic matter, are also advantageous. By using such approaches it might be possible to determine whether the natural ecosystem is being altered by pollutants without recource to expensive and long-running field experiments. However, more data are needed before this will be possible. Finally, new applications of molecular biology to soil pollution studies (e.g., genetic fingerprinting) which may also have value in the future are considered.     

A comparison of microbial-feeding nematodes and protozoa in the rhizosphere of different plants

Summary The biomass of microbial-feeding nematodes and protozoa was measured in the rhizospheres of peas, barley, grass and turnips grown for 10 weeks in pots containing a clay-loam soil; in the rhizospheres of peas and barley grown for 3 weeks in a sandy soil; and in the rhizosphere of barley grown for 11 weeks in an unfertilised and a fertilised clay-loam soil. The nematode biomass was consistently larger in the rhizosphere of all plants in both soils than in the bulk soil, but the protozoa biomass showed a rhizosphere effect only under pea and fertilised barley. The biomass of nematodes in the rhizosphere (1.2–22.3 g dry weight g^-1 dry soil) was greater than the biomass of protozoa (0.1–3.2 g g^-1), and greater under pea>barley>grass>turnip. It is suggested that nematodes are more able to exploit low bacterial densities than protozoa and that they initially migrate into the rhizosphere from the bulk soil. In samples of potato rhizosphere from field-grown plants, the nematode biomass was also greater than the active and total protozoan biomass. It is argued that in the rhizosphere the biomass of microbially feeding nematodes exceeds that of protozoa and that nematodes are more important in terms of nutrient cycling.     

Effect of drying and rewetting on mineralization and distribution of bacterial constituents in soil fractions

Summary Mineralization of ¹⁴C- and ¹⁵N-labelled whole bacteria, cytoplasm, and cell walls and their distribution in different soil fractions were studied during 211 days of incubation including two drying and rewetting cycles. With any of these three soil amendments, almost 60% of C derived from cellular constituents was released as CO₂, 15% was incorporated into the living microbial biomass and 25% was distributed into protected microbial metabolites or recalcitrant microbial products. The distribution of C and N derived from the amendments in the different soil fractions showed that constituents adsorbed on fine clay (<0.2 m were more rapidly decomposed than those adsorbed on silt (50-2 ) and coarse clay (2–0.2 ), indicating a faster organic matter turnover in fine clay than in silt and coarse clay. Although alternate soil drying and rewetting cycles did not significantly affect the mineralization of bacterial constituents, the cycles did have an important effect on the size and specific activities of newly formed microbial biomass. This suggests the presence of an active and a dormant fraction of soil biomass.     

Migration of bacterial-feeding nematodes,but not protozoa,to decomposing grass residues

Summary Populations of bacterial-feeding nematodes and protozoa developing in soil amended with dried grass powder or a nutrient solution were monitored in experimental systems designed to prevent migration from surrounding unamended soil. The addition of nutrient solution stimulated both microbial activity, as determined by dehydrogenase activity, and protozoa, but brought about no increase in nematode numbers. Amendment of soil with grass, however, caused an increase in both types of grazer, with the maximum biomass of protozoa (180 g g^-1) exceeding that of bacterial-feeding nematodes (42 g^-1). The decomposing grass was rapidly colonised by rhaditid nematodes, mainly Caenorhabditis sp. Incubating grass-amended soil in the absence of any surrounding soil, to prevent migration, changed the microflora from predominantly bacterial to predominantly fungal, and so could not be used to compare treatments with and without migration. Surrounding the amended soil with sterilised soil prevented migration and caused no detectable change in the microflora. This treatment demonstrated that migration plays an important part in the colonisation of decomposing substrates by nematodes, but that protozoa do not migrate in soil. The nematodes migrated from a volume of unamended soil that was equivalent to eight times the volume of amended soil. The potential effects of the large grazing pressure on the subsequent decomposition of the grass residue are discussed.     

Survival and competitiveness of Bradyrhizobium sp. in the rhizosphere of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan)

Summary The survival of Bradyrhizobium Cajanus strain CC1021 in the soil and rhizosphere of pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp] was determined by most probable number and fluorescent antibody techniques. The survival of strain CC1021 was poor under field compared with pot-culture conditions. Although the rhizosphere of pigeonpea promoted the growth of native pigeonpea rhizobia, although no increase in the number of rhizobia was observed with the inoculant strain. Under similar conditions of rhizosphere colonization the competitiveness of strain CC1021 with cv UPAS 120 and ICPL 312 was 10% and 66016 during the first year and 8.4% and 33.3%, respectively, during the second year.     

Responses by iron-efficient and inefficient oat cultivars to inoculation with siderophore-producing bacteria in a calcareous soil

Rhizosphere bacteria may enhance plant uptake of Fe by producing siderophores that chelate sparingly soluble Fe³⁺ in calcareous soils. To evaluate the extent to which plants benefit from colonization of the roots by prolific siderophore-producing bacteria, we inoculated two oat cultivars with six strains of bacteria that produced high concentrations of siderophores under Felimiting conditions in vitro. Oat cv Coker 227, an Fe-efficient cultivar, which produces the phytosiderophore avenic acid, and cv TAM 0-312, and Fe-inefficient cultivar, which does not produce the phytosiderophore, were grown in a calcareous soil (Weswood silt loam) on a light bench in the laboratory. Half of the plants were fertilized with a nutrient solution containing 5 mM Fe and half with a nutrient solution containing no Fe. After 6 weeks of growth, we compared colonization of the roots by the inoculant bacteria and the dry weight and Fe content of roots and shoots. Three species of Pseudomonas colonized the roots of both oat cultivars in high numbers (10⁶ cells g^-1 root dry weight), whereas the remaining bacteria colonized the roots in substantially lower numbers (10⁴ cells g^-1 root dry weight). Plants fertilized with 5 mM Fe were larger and supported greater numbers or rhizosphere bacteria per gram of root than plants not supplied with Fe. Comparisons of the Fe content and dry weight of roots and shoots revealed few significant differences between inoculated and uninoculated plants, or among the plants inoculated with the different strains of siderophore-producing bacteria. The differences that were observed revealed no consistent response to inoculation. We conclude that inoculation of the roots of the two oat cultivars with bacteria that produce high concentrations of siderophores in response to an Fe deficiency had little or no effect on Fe acquisition by the plants.     

Effect of increasing oxygen concentration on total denitrification and nitrous oxide release from soil by different bacteria

Summary The effect of increasing oxygen concentrations (0, 5, 10 and 20 Vol% O₂) on total denitrification and N₂0 release was studied in model experiments using a neutral pH loamy soil relatively rich in easily decomposable organic matter and supplied with nitrate (300 g nitrate N/g dry soil). The sterilized soil was inoculated with three different denitrifying bacteria (Bacillus licheniformis,Aeromonas denitrificans andAzospirillum lipoferum) and incubated (80% WHC, 30°C). The gas volume was analysed for O₂, CO₂, N₂O, NO and N₂ by gas chromatography and the soil investigated for changes in ammonium, nitrite, nitrate, pH, total N and C as well as water-extractable C. WithB. licheniformis andAeromonas denitrificans total denitrification increased remarkably with increasing pO₂ as the result of intensified mineralization.Azospirillum lipoferum, however, showed the highest activity at 5 vol% O₂. WithB. licheniformis N₂O was released only in anaerobic conditions and at 5 Vol% O₂ (maximum) or 10 Vol% 02, but not at 20 Vol%, whereasAeromonas denitrificans produced N₂O only in the presence of He gas (maximum) or at 5 Vol% O₂. In contrast to these bacteria, N₂O production withAzospirillum lipoferum was restricted to 10 Vol% O₂ (maximum) and to 20 Vol% 02, with some traces at 5 vol% O₂. With a certain set of conditions, total denitrification and N₂O formation seem to be governed by the mineralization rate of the organisms in question. The increased demand for electron acceptors by a high turnover rate rather than the presence of anaerobic conditions seems to have determined the rate of denitrification.     

Ergosterol and microbial biomass relationship in soil

Ergosterol and microbial biomass C were measured in 26 arable, 16 grassland and 30 forest soils. The ergosterol content ranged from 0.75 to 12.94 g g^-1 soil. The geometric mean ergosterol content of grassland and forest soils was around 5.5 g g^-1, that of the arable soils 2.14 g g^-1. The ergosterol was significantly correlated with biomass C in the entire group of soils, but not in the subgroups of grassland and forest soils. The geometric mean of the ergosterol: microbial biomass C ratio was 6.0 mg g^-1, increasing in the order grassland (5.1), arable land (5.4) and woodland (7.2). The ergosterol:microbial biomass C ratio had a strong negative relationship with the decreasing cation exchange capacity and soil pH, indicating that the fungal part of the total microbial biomass in soils increased when the buffer capacity decreased. The average ergosterol concentration calculated from literature data was 5.1 mg g^-1 fungal dry weight. Assuming that fungi contain 46% C, the conversion factor from micrograms ergosterol to micrograms fungal biomass C is 90. For soil samples, neither saponification of the extract nor the more effective direct saponification during extraction seems to be really necessary.     

Rasterelektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen an Samen der GattungAllium L. III.

Zusammenfassung Die Testa-Epidermisskulpturen von weiteren Arten der GattungAllium L. wurden rasterelektronenmikroskopisch untersucht. Dabei konnten die bisherigen Befunde über die sektionsspezifische Ausbildung der Testaskulpturen weitgehend bestätigt werden.Die wenig differenzierten Testaskulpturen der sect.Anguinum G. Don exKoch wurden an weiteren Arten der Gattung nachgewiesen. Die untersuchten Arten der sect.Rhizirideum G. Don exKoch entsprechen in der Mehrzahl den charakteristischen granulösen Skulpturtypen dieser Sektion. Besonderheiten ergeben sich bei einzelnen Arten durch spezielle verrucose Skulpturen bzw. deutlich undulierte Antiklinalwände.Die Testaskulpturen einiger Arten der sect.Cepa (Miller)Prokh. konnten den für diese Sektion typischen Skulpturformen zugeordnet werden.Der einheitliche, verrucose Skulpturtyp der sect.Codonoprasum Reichenb. wurde durch weitere Arten bestätigt. Ebenso zeigen die Arten der sect.Caloscordum (Herb.)Bak. übereinstimmende Testamerkmale.Die untersuchten Sippen der sect.Lophioprason Traub entsprechen in ihrer Testaskulptur dem bisher bekannten Merkmalsspektrum der jeweiligen Artengruppe. Hierbei konnte auch der spezielle verrucose Skulpturtyp derAllium acuminatum-Gruppe an weiteren Arten dieser Gruppe nachgewiesen werden. Granulöse Skulpturformen wurden bei einzelnen Arten der sect.Rhophetoprason Traub und sect.Amerallium Traub gefunden.Die der sect.Allium L. und dem subgen.Melanocrommyum (Webb etBerth.)Rouy gemeinsame Testaform, die durch verrucose Skulpturen sowie eine ausgeprägte Antiklinalwand-Undulation gekennzeichnet ist, wurde durch weitere Arten dieses Verwandtschaftskreises bestätigt. Dabei unterscheidet sich der Undulationstyp der SektionenAllium L. undMegaloprason Wendelbo von den untersuchten Arten anderer Sektionen des subgen.Melanocrommyum (Webb etBerth.)Rouy.

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SEM investigations on seeds of the genusAllium L. III

Summary The structure of the testa epidermis of additional species ofAllium L. have been studied by means of SEM. Results obtained earlier for different sections of the genus could be confirmed:The less differentiated testa structure of sect.Anguinum G. Don exKoch has been observed in further species of this group.Most of the newly examined taxa of sect.Rhizirideum G. Don exKoch correspond to the already known testa types of this section and are characterized by granulate seed coat surfaces. Deviations have been found in some species which possess either a special type of verrucate sculptures or have distinctly undulated anticlinal walls of the testa cells.The earlier described two testa types of sect.Cepa (Mill.)Prokh. could be observed in some additional species of this section, too.Likewise the uniformly verrucate sculptures of sect.Codonoprasum Rchb. have been found in further species and also the taxa of sect.Caloscordum (Herb.)Bak. agree in their testa characters.Earlier described seed coat types for different species groups of sect.Lophioprason Traub could be confirmed, among them the verrucate sculptures of theAllium acuminatum-group. Granulate testa surfaces have been analyzed in several species of sect.Rhophetoprason Traub and sect.Amerallium Traub. The testa type commonly found in sect.Allium as well as in subgen.Melanocrommyum (Webb etBerth.)Rouy and characterized by verrucate sculptures and strong undulation of the anticlinal cell walls could be observed in further species of these infrageneric groups. The undulation pattern of sect.Allium and sect.Megaloprason Wendelbo however differs from that of other sections of subgen.Melanocrommyum (Webb etBerth.)Rouy.

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Allium L. . III.

Allium L. . , - . Anguinum G. Don exKoch . Rhizirideum G. Don exKoch , . . Cepa (Miller)Prokh. . Codonoprasum Reichenb. . Caloscordum (Herb.)Bak. . Lophioprason Traub , . , Allium acuminatum- . Rhophctoprason Traub Amerallium Traub. Allium L. Melanocrommyum (Webb et.Berth.)Rouy, , , . Allium L. Megaloprason Wendelbo Melanocrommyum (Webb etBerth.)Rouy.

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Einige der untersuchten Arten konnten während der gemeinsamen Expeditionen in der Georgischen SSR gesammelt werden, die von Frau Dr.R. K. Beridze, Botanisches Institut der Georgischen Akademie der Wissenschaften, in bewährter Weise organisiert wurden. Dieses ist eine willkommene Gelegenheit, ihr diesen Beitrag anläßlich ihres 70. Geburtstages zu widmen.     

Rasterelektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen an Samen der GattungAllium L. II

Zusammenfassung Die Testa-Epidermisskulpturen von Arten der GattungAllium L. wurden rasterelektronenmikroskopisch untersucht.Dabei erwiesen sich die SektionenRhizirideum G. Don exKoch,Molium G. Don exKoch undLophioprason Traub im Hinblick auf ihre Skulpturmerkmale als heterogen. Einige der hier vorkommenden Skulpturtypen sind in jeder dieser Sektionen vertreten.In der SektionRhizirideum G. Don exKoch herrschen granulöse Skulpturen vor, während in den beiden anderen Sektionen neben einigen granulösen Typen hauptsächlich höckerartige Skulpturtypen auftreten.Die Variationsbreite der Skulpturmerkmale ist in den SektionenBriseis (Salisb.)Stearn,Arctoprasum Kirschl.,Codonoprasum Reichenb.,Schoenoprasum Dumort. s. str. undCepa (Miller)Prokh. sehr gering. Dabei sind die beiden letzteren Sektionen hauptsächlich durch granulöse Skulpturen gekennzeichnet, während bei den übrigen Sektionen ausschließlich höckerartige Skulpturen beobachtet wurden.Im Gegensatz zu den oben erwähnten Sektionen, deren Testa-Epidermiszellen durch einen annähernd geraden Verlauf der Antiklinalzellwände charakterisiert sind, zeigen die SektionenAllium L.,Megaloprason Wendelbo,Melanocrommyum Webb etBenth.,Acanthoprason Wendelbo undRegeloprason Wendelbo eine ausgeprägte Undulation der Antiklinalzellwände, die mit der Ausbildung höckerartiger Skulpturen korreliert ist.Als Übergangsformen sind die Testazellen einer Artentruppe der SektionScorodon Koch zu werten, die sich durch undulierte Antiklinalzellwände sowie granulöse bis schwach höckerartige Skulpturen auszeichnen.Die SektionenAnguinum G. Don exKoch,Calloscordon G. Don exKoch undPorphyroprason Ekb. sind jeweils durch spezielle Skulpturtypen gekennzeichnet.Der Formenzusammenhang der verschiedenen Skulpturtypen sowie Probleme der infraspezifischen Variabilität und sippenspezifischen Ausbildung dieser Skulpturmerkmale werden diskutiert.

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SEM investigations on seeds of the genusAllium L. II

Summary Testa epidermis sculptures of species of the genusAllium L. have been investigated by means of SEM.The sectionsRhizirideum G. Don exKoch,Molium G. Don exKoch, andLophioprason Traub proved to be heterogeneous in respect to their sculpture characters. Some of the analyzed sculpture types are present in all these sections.Within the sectionRhizirideum G. Don exKoch granulate sculptures prevail, whereas in both the other sections mainly verrucate sculpture types have been observed besides some granulate types.The variation of the sculpture characters of the sectionsBriseis (Salisb.)Stearn,Arctoprasum Kirschl.,Codonoprasum Reichenb.,Schoenoprasum Dumort. s. str., andCepa (Miller)Prokh. is very small. Both the last sections are characterized mainly by granulate sculptures; in the other ones only verrucate types have been observed.In contrast to the above-mentioned sections, their testa epidermis cells being characterized by approximately straight anticlinal cell walls, the sectionsAllium L.,Megaloprason Wendelbo,Melanocrommyum Webb etBerth.,Acanthoprason Wendelbo, andRegeloprason Wendelbo possess a striking undulation of the anticlinal cell walls, which is correlated with the occurrence of verrucate sculptures.The testa cells of a species group of the sectionScorodon Koch exhibit a transitional pattern, which is characterized by undulated anticlinal cell walls in connection with granulate to slightly verrucate sculptures.The sectionsAnguinum G. Don exKoch,Calloscordon G. Don exKoch, andPorphyroprason Ekb. are distinguished by special sculpture types.The correlations of the different sculpture types as well as problems of infraspecific variability and taxon specific development of the investigated sculpture characters have been discussed.

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Allium L. . II

Allium L. . , Rhizirideum G. Don exKoch,Molium G. Don exKoch Lophioprason Traub, , . , , . Rhizirideum G. Don exKoch , , , . Briseis (Salisb.)Stearn,Arctoprasum Kirschl.,Codonoprasum Reichenb.,Schoenoprasum Dumort. s. str. Cepa (Miller)Prokh. . , , , , , . , , Allium L.,Megaloprason Wendelbo,Melanocrommyum Webb etBenth.,Acanthoprason Wendelbo Regeloprason Wendelbo , . Scorodon Koch, , , -, .Anguinum G. Don exKoch,Calloscordon G. Don exKoch Porphyroprason Ekb. . , , - .

     

Eine zweiblütige Pflanze beiEranthis hyemalis (L.) Salisb

Zusammenfassung Die Gestaltung der Blütenregion einer spontan aufgetretenen, zweiblütigen Pflanze vom Sternblütigen Winterling,Eranthis hyemalis wird analysiert und beschrieben. Das die Nebenblüte tragende Parakladium entspringt der Achsel des unteren Involukralblattes.

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Eranthis hyemalis (L.)Salisb. with a two-flowered stem

Summary Studies in the flower region of an exceptional spontaneously two-flowered stem of the Winter Aconite,Eranthis hyemalis. The shoot (paracladium) bearing the accessory flower arises from the axil of the outermost leaf of the involucre.

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Eranthis hyemalis (L.)Salisb.

, , ,Eranthis hyemalis. , , .

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Herrn Prof. Dr. Drs. h. c.Hans Stubbe zum 75. Geburtstag gewidmet.

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Ich behalte gemäß Intern. Code, Art. 73 die vonLinné gewählte Schreibung bei, obgleich die klassische Form hiemalis seither weithin zu finden ist (s. aber z. B. Syllabus 1964,Clapham, Tutin andWarburg 1959,Lawalrée 1955).     

Short-term measurements of uptake of nitrogen fixed in the rhizospheres of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and millet (Pennisetum americanum)

Summary In a series of short-term experiments root systems of young sorghum and millet plants inoculated with N₂-fixing bacteria were exposed to ¹⁵N₂-enriched atmospheres for 72 h. The plants were grown in a normal atmosphere for up to 22 days after the end of the exposure to allow them to take up the fixed N₂. Environmental conditions and genotypes of sorghum and millet were selected to maximise N₂-fixation in the rhizosphere. Detectable amounts of fixed N (> 16 g/plant) were rapidly incorporated into sorghum plants grown in a sand/farmyard manure medium, but measurable fixation was found on only one occasion in plants grown in soil. N₂ fixation was detectable in some experiments with soil-grown millet plants but the amounts were small (2–4 g/plant) and represented less than 1 % of plant N accumulated over the same period. In many cases there was no detectable ¹⁵N₂ incorporation despite measurable increases in ethylene concentration found during an acetylene reduction assay.Published as ICRISAT Journal Article No. JA 740     

Effects of the herbicide Topogard on soil respiration, nitrification, and denitrification in potato-cultivated soils differing in pH

We investigated the effects of Topogard 50 WP (3 kg ha^–1) on soil respiration, mineral N content, and number of denitrifying and total bacteria in four coarse-textured volcanic soils for 91 days. Topogard application decreased CO₂ evolution in acid soils (Tepedibi and Karaçakl) whereas soil respiration was initially increased in neutral and alkaline soils (Kaba and Balar). The herbicide application significantly stimulated ammonification in Kaba and Balar soils, while Tepedibi and Karaçakl soils showed significantly lower NH₄⁺-N contents than the control. The treatment inhibited the activity of nitrifying microorganisms and, thus it decreased the NO₃^–-N content in Tepedibi, Karaçakl, and Kaba soils, whereas the NO₃^–-N content was increased in Balar soil. The NO₂^–-N content of soils was not affected by the treatment. The activity of denitrifying bacteria was stimulated by the addition of herbicide in all soils, whereas the total number of bacteria was not influenced. It may be concluded that the effects of Topogard on the microbiological characteristics of coarse-textured soils are likely to be dependent on soil pH.     

Kleine botanische Beobachtungen im Institutsgelände

Zusammenfassung 1. Die BlastocladialeAllomyces arbuscula, in Deutschland bisher nur von drei Fundorten angegeben (Remy 1950) wurde in einer Zone temporärer Pfützen am Rande einer gepflasterten Straße, wo auch die DesmidiaceeActinotaenium curtum (Bréb.)Teil. vorkommt, zwischen Gebäuden des Zentralinstitus gefunden.2.Tulipa sylvestris L. von einem Wild-Standort, wo sie sich wenig blühwillig zeigt, weist, in's Institutsgelände verpflanzt, starke vegetative Vermehrung und reichen Blütenansatz auf. Über auftretende Variationen im Blütenbau wird berichtet.

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Some botanical observations in the area of the Institute

Summary 1. The BlastocladialeAllomyces arbuscula E. J. Butler 1911, known hitherto in Germany only from three sites (Remy 1950) was found on loamy soil from roadsides in the area of the Central Institute Gatersleben, together with the DesmidialeActinotaenium curtum (Bréb.)Teil. 1954.2. Observations on enhancement of floweriness and natural occurring aberrations in the flower formula fromTulipa sylvestris L. transplanted from a shaded wild site with very sparse producing flowers to gardenground with full sunshine.

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1. Allomyces arbuscula, (Remy 1950), , , , Actinotaenium curtum (Bréb.)Teil.2. (Tulipa sylvestris L.), , , . .

     

Broad antifungal activity of β-isoxazolinonyl-alanine,a non-protein amino acid from roots of pea (Pisum sativum L.) seedlings

Summary -(Isoxazolin-5-on-2-yl)-alanine (IA), a heterocyclic non-protein amino acid from root extracts and root exudates of pea seedlings, acts as a potent growth inhibitor of several eukaryotic organisms, including yeasts, phytopathogenic fungi, unicellular green algae, and higher plants. The antibiotic effect on baker's yeast was reversed by l-methionine, l-cysteine, and l-homocysteine. Phytopathogenic fungi such as Botrytis cinerea, Pythium ultimum, and Rhizoctonia solani grown on agar containing IA were inhibited in the growth of mycelia or in the production of sclerotia. In contrast, no significant inhibition of either Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria was observed. Rhizobium leguminosarum, the compatible microsymbiont of Pisum spp., and Rhizobium meliloti were able to tolerate up to 2.9 mM IA (500 ppm) without any effect on the growth rate. Bradyrhizobium japonicum even gave a positive chemotactic response to IA. The ecological significance of IA as a preformed plant protectant during the seedling stage of Pisum spp. and other IA-containing legumes is discussed.     

Effects of liming and tillage systems on microbial biomass and glycosidases in soils

This study was undertaken to investigate the long-term influence of lime application and tillage systems (no-till, ridge-till and chisel plow) on soil microbial biomass C (C_mic) and N (N_mic) and the activities of glycosidases (- and -glucosidases, - and -galactosidases and -glucosaminidase) at their optimal pH values in soils at four agroecosystem sites [Southeast Research Center (SERC), Southwest Research Center (SWRC), Northwest Research Center (NWRC), and Northeast Research Center (NERC)] in Iowa, USA. Results showed that, in general, the C_mic and N_mic values were significantly (P <0.001) and positively correlated with soil pH. Each lime application and tillage system significantly (P <0.001) affected activities of the glycosidases. With the exception of -glucosidase activity, there was no lime×tillage interaction effect. Simple correlation coefficients between the enzyme activities and soil pH values ranged from 0.51 (P <0.05) for the activity of -glucosidase at the NWRC site (surface of the no-till) to 0.98 (P <0.001) at the SWRC site. To assess the sensitivity of the enzymes to changes in soil pH, the linear regression lines were expressed in activity/pH values. In general, their order of sensitivity to changes in soil pH was consistent across the study sites as follow: -glucosidase>-glucosaminidase>-galactosidase>-galactosidase>-glucosidase. Lime application did not significantly affect the specific activities (g p -nitrophenol released kg^–1 soil organic C h^–1) of the enzymes. Among the glycosidases studied, -glucosidase and -glucosaminidase were the most sensitive to soil management practices. Therefore, the activities of these enzymes may provide reliable long-term monitoring tools as early indicators of changes in soil properties induced by liming and tillage systems.     

Factors affecting l-asparaginase activity in soils

Summary Studies on the distribution of l-asparaginase in soil profile samples revealed that its activity generally decreases with sample depth and is accompanied by a decrease in organic C content. Statistical analyses indicated that l-asparaginase activity was significantly correlated (^** P<0.01) with organic C (r=0.86^**) and total N (r=0.78^**) in the 26 surface soil samples examined. There was no significant relationship between l-asparaginase activity and the percentage of clay or sand. There was, however, a significant correlation between l-asparaginase activity and amidase (r=0.82^**) and urease (r=0.79^**) activities in the surface samples studied. The effects of 21 trace elements, 12 herbicides, 2 fungicides, and 2 insecticides on l-asparaginase activity in soils showed that most of the trace elements and pesticides, at the concentrations used, inhibited the reaction catalyzed by this enzyme. The degree of inhibition varied among soils. When the trace elements were compared, at the rate of 5 mol g^-1 soil, the average inhibition of l-asparaginase in three soils showed that Ag(I), Cd(II), Hg(II), Ni(II), Pb(II), and V(IV) were the most effective inhibitors (average inhibition 20%). The least effective inhibitors (average 10%) included Cu(I), Ba(II), Co(II), Sn(II), Zn(II), Al(III), Se(IV), As(V), and Mo(VI). Other trace elements that inhibited l-asparaginase activity in soils were Cu(II), Mn(II), As(III), B(III), Cr(III), Fe(III), Ti(IV), and W(VI). When the pesticides were compared, at the rate of 10 g active ingredient g^-1 soil, the average inhibition of l-asparaginase activity in three soils ranged from 4% with Merpan to 46% with Malaspray. Other pesticides that inhibited l-asparaginase activity in soils (average inhibition in parentheses) were Aatrex (17%), Alanap (21%), Amiben (18%), Banvel (12%), Bladex (24%), 2,4-D (17%), Dinitramine (19%), Eradicane (16%), Lasso (40%), Paraquat (33%), Sutan (39%), treflan (7%), Menesan (18%), and Diazinon (33%).     

Isoenzyme variation within the wildSecale L. species

Summary The degree of inter- and intra-specific variation in the populations of allogamous and autogamousSecale L. species was estimated in support of isoenzyme markers. Totally, 11 different species ofSecale were analysed including perennial species:S. kuprijanovii Grossh.,S. chaldicum Fed.,S. montanum Guss.,S. anatolicum Boiss., and annual species:S. silvestre Host.,S. vavilovii Grossh.,S. ancestrale Zhuk.,S. dighoricum Vav.,S. afghanicum Vav.,S. segetale Roshev.; as well as the cultivated ryeS. cereale L. cv. Dakowskie Zote. Isoenzymes were analysed in the first leaf of single young seedlings grown in controlled conditions using starch-gel slab electrophoresis technique and the electrophoretic forms of two different enzyme systems were detected: nonspecific esterases (E. C. 3. 1. 1) and peroxidase (E. C. 1. 11. 1. 7). It was found that the breeding system of rye species has a distinct affect on the isoenzyme variation in their populations. The selffertile annual species,S. silvestre, was monomorphic for both enzyme systems. A very low esterases polymorphism was also found in other autogamous species,S. vavilovii, however a similar degree of polymorphism in allogamous annual species,S. segetale andS. dighoricum, was observed. Generally, the perennialSecale species were more polymorphic than the annual ones, and the isoenzyme variation in the population of cultivated ryeS. cereale was similar to some other wild annual species. It was observed that the intra-specific isoenzyme variation inSecale was bigger than the inter-specific. Esterases electrophoretic forms showed to be very sensitive markers of variation in rye species.

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Isoenzym-Variation bei Wildarten der GattungSecale L.

Zusammenfassung Der Grad der inter- und intraspezifischen Variation in Populationen von allogamen und autogamen Arten der GattungSecale L. wurde mit Hilfe von Isoenzymmerkmalen geschätzt. Insgesamt wurden 11 verschiedene Arten vonSecale einschließlich der mehrjährigen Arten analysiert:S. kuprijanovii Grossh.,S. chaldicum Fed.,S. montanum Guss.,S. anatolicum Boiss. und die einjährigen Arten:S. silvestre Host.,S. vavilovii Grossh.,S. ancestrale Zhuk.,S. dighoricum Vav.,S. afghanicum Vav.,S. segetale Roshev., wie auch des KulturroggensS. cereale L. cv. Dankowskie Zote. Die Isoenzyme wurden am ersten Blatt junger Einzelsämlinge, die unter kontrollierten Bedingungen angezogen wurden, unter Anwendung der Stärkegel-Plattenelektrophorese-Technik geprüft, und die elektrophoretischen Formen von zwei verschiedenen Enzymsystemen wurden nachgewiesen: nichtspezifische Esterasen (E. C.3.1. 1.)und Peroxidase (E. C. 1. 11. 1. 7.). Es wurde gefunden, daß das Fortpflanzungssystem der Roggen-Arten eine bestimmte Wirkung auf die Isoenzymvariation in ihren Populationen hat. Die selbstfertile einjährige Art,Secale silvestris, war hinsichtlich beider Enzymsysteme monomorph. Ein sehr schwach ausgeprägter Esterasenpolymorphismus wurde in einer anderen autogamen Art,S. vavilovii, gefunden, jedoch wurde ein ähnlicher Grad von Polymorphismus in allogamen einjährigen Arten,S. segetale undS. dighoricum, beobachtet. Grundsätzlich waren die mehrjährigenSecale-Arten polymorpher als die einjährigen, und die Isoenzym-Variation der Populationen des kultivierten RoggensS. cereale war ähnlich der einiger anderer einjähriger Wildarten. Es wurde beobachtet, daß die intraspezifische Enzym-Variation vonSecale größer war als die interspezifische. Die esterase-elektrophoretischen Formen erwiesen sich als sehr empfindliche Indikatoren für die Variation der Roggenarten.

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Secale L.

Secale L. . 11 ; :S. kuprijanovii Grossh.,S. chaldicum Fed.,S. montanum Guss.,S. anatolicum Boiss.; : S. silvestreHost,S. vavilovii Grossh.,S. ancestrale Zhuk.,S. dighoricum Vav.,S. afghanicum Vav.,S. segetale Roshev. S. cereale L., . , , ( — ). : (. . 3. 1. 1.) (. . 1. 11. 1. 7.). , ë . S. silvestre . ,S. vavilovii, ,S. segetale S. dighoricum. , , , . Secale , . .

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Presented as poster     

Süßwasser-Algenarten in Einzeldarstellung VI.Spirogyra gaterslebensis,eine neue Art der Sektion Salamacis

Summary Spirogyra gaterslebensis nov. spec.Vegetative cells 18–21 × (88,5-) 109–182 (–223,5) µm, with replicate end walls. 1 Chromatophore, making (4-) 5–6 (–8) turns, rarely 2 Chromatophores with (1,5-) 2 (–3) turns. Conjugation lateral and scalariform; tubes formed ± by both gametangia; fertile cells abruptly inflated to 41,5–52,0 (–70,0) µm in diameter. Zygospores ellipsoid 26,0–34,0–45,0 (–52,0) × 41,5–47,0–78,0 (–96,0) µm; median spore wall yellow, finely punctate, on the poles sometimes with a few wrinkles.In the GDR in a road ditch between Gatersleben and Quedlinburg with shallow, slowly running water, together withVaucheria woroniniana Heering V. debaryana Woronin andV. sessilis (Vauch.) D.C. April–Mai 1967.

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. VI.Spirogyra gaterslebensis, Salamacis

Spirogyra gaterslebensis nov. spec. : , Vaucheria woroniniana Heering,V. debaryana Woronin V. sessilis (Vauch.) D. C. 25. IV — 16. V. 1967. . .

     

Diversity of diazotroph populations in the rhizosphere of maize (Zea mays L.) growing on different French soils

Summary We studied the dominant diazotrophs associated with maize roots and rhizosphere soil originating from three different locations in France. An aseptically grown maize plantlet, the spermosphere model, was used to isolate N₂-fixing (acetylene-reducing) bacteria. Bacillus circulans was the dominant N₂-fixing bacterium in the rhizosphere of maize-growing soils from Ramonville and Trogny, but was not found in maize-growing sandy soil from Pissos. In the latter soil, Enterobacter cloacae, Klebsiella terrigena, and Pseudomonas sp. were the most abundant diazotrophs. Azospirillum sp., which has been frequently reported as an important diazotroph accociated with the maize rhizosphere, was not isolated from any of these soils. The strains were compared for their acetylene-reducing activity in the spermosphere model. The Bacillus circulans strains, which were more frequently isolated, also exhibited significantly greater acetylene-reducing activity (3100 nmol ethylene day^-1 plant^-1) than the Enterobacteriaceae strains (180 nmol ethylene day^-1 plant^-1). This work indicates for the first time that Bacillus circulans is an important maizerhizosphere-associated bacterium and a potential plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium.