生物炭对黄土高原不同质地土壤中NO3-N运移特征的影响

为了解生物炭在抑制黄土高原农田土壤可溶态养分淋失方面的功效,通过人工模拟实验,研究土壤中添加生物炭后对硝态氮运移的影响,为黄土高原地区农田非点源污染防治及氮循环研究等提供科学依据。选择黄土高原地区三种不同质地土壤类型（风砂土、黄绵土、塿土）,通过室内土柱模拟研究方法,用连续流动分析仪（SKALAR-SAN⁺⁺）测定出流液的硝态氮浓度,通过硝态氮的穿透曲线分析在稳态条件下,生物炭添加及不同添加量对土壤中硝态氮运移的影响。结果表明:对于质地较粗黄绵土和风沙土,生物炭输入能够降低硝态氮的淋失,随添加量增加,其阻滞作用越强。对于质地较为粘细的土,添加生物炭反而促进了硝态氮淋失,随添加量增加,其促进作用越强。稳态条件下,三种土壤的硝态氮穿透过程均符合对流弥散方程。研究表明加入生物炭对不同质地土壤中可溶态养分的影响不同,可以促进质地较粗土壤的保肥能力,却不利于质地较为粘细土壤硝态氮养分的保持。     

土壤初始含水率对浑水膜孔灌肥液自由入渗水氮运移特性影响

为了探究浑水膜孔灌肥液入渗在不同土壤初始含水率下水氮运移特性,通过室内肥液入渗试验,研究了不同土壤初始含水率(6.02%,7.40%,8.23%,10.08%和13.20%)条件下入渗特性、湿润锋运移、土壤水分分布以及铵态氮和硝态氮的运移特性,建立了浑水膜孔灌肥液入渗累积入渗量、各向湿润锋运移距离与土壤初始含水率之间的关系,提出了不同土壤初始含水率的累积入渗量以及各向湿润锋运移距离的经验模型。结果表明:累积入渗量、各向湿润锋运移距离以及湿润体内水分和氮素的分布规律均受到土壤初始含水率的影响;同一入渗时刻,累积入渗量随土壤初始含水率的增大而减小,而湿润锋运移距离却呈现出随时间增大的趋势;土壤初始含水率越大,湿润体体积越大,湿润体内水分、铵态氮以及硝态氮分布范围越广;土壤初始含水率越大,入渗系数K值越小,入渗指数α越大。灌水结束时,湿润体内铵态氮绝大部分分布在湿润体半径r≤5cm范围内,而湿润体半径10cmr5cm范围的土壤铵态氮含量随土层深度的增加而降低,当湿润体半径r≥10cm时,铵态氮含量明显降低;硝态氮主要集中分布在由膜孔中心至半径为10cm范围内,水平方向和垂直方向硝态氮含量均随着膜孔中心距离的增加而降低,距离膜孔中心越近硝态氮含量越高;在同一位置处,铵态氮和硝态氮质量分数均随土壤初始含水率的增大而增大;随土壤水分再分布,湿润锋逐渐下移,湿润体内铵态氮逐渐向下运移且其含量呈现降低趋势;随时间继续运移,上层土壤硝态氮含量逐渐减小,下层新湿润体中硝态氮含量逐渐增加,整个湿润体内硝态氮含量分布趋于均匀。研究成果为进一步研究浑水膜孔灌肥液入渗氮素运移及转化奠定了基础。     

生物炭添加对宁夏中部旱区土壤水分入渗及持水性的影响

为探讨生物炭含量对宁夏中部旱区土壤水分入渗及持水性的影响,采用室内一维垂直入渗法与张力计法,对生物炭添加量为0%(CK)、1%(B1)、2%(B2)、3%(B3)和4%(B4)的土壤入渗速率、湿润锋、累积入渗量及持水性进行研究。结果表明,随着生物炭含量增加,初始入渗速率、稳定入渗速率和平均入渗速率逐渐减小;120 min时,与对照相比,B1、B2、B3和B4的湿润锋分别减少15%、21%、24%和26%,累积入渗量分别减少5.32%、10.95%、13.47%和19.11%,即生物炭含量增加湿润锋进程减缓和累积入渗量减小;利用Kostiakov、Philip、通用经验和Horton模型对土壤水分入渗过程进行模拟,发现Kostiakov模型最适合描述研究区不同含量生物炭的土壤水分入渗过程。van Genuchten模型较好的拟合了生物炭添加后土壤水分特征曲线,当土壤含水量为25%时,B1、B2、B3和B4的土壤水吸力比CK增加了42%、75%、100%和163%。研究表明生物炭添加可以明显提高旱区土壤持水和保水性能,对旱作农业的发展有积极作用。     

土壤初始含水率对涌泉根灌土壤水分及氮素运移特性的影响

为了探究涌泉根灌水肥一体化灌溉在不同土壤初始含水率下水氮运移特性,通过室内肥液入渗试验,研究了不同土壤初始含水率(4.13%,7.21%,8.77%,11.06%,14.01%)条件下入渗特性、湿润锋运移、土壤水分以及铵态氮和硝态氮的运移特性,建立了涌泉根灌累积入渗量、各向湿润锋运移距离与不同土壤初始含水率之间的关系,提出了不同初始含水率下涌泉根灌累积入渗量、各向湿润锋运移距离的经验模型。结果表明:累积入渗量、各向湿润锋运移距离以及湿润体内水分和氮素的分布、转化等均不同程度地受到土壤初始含水率的影响。同一时刻条件下,累积入渗量随着土壤初始含水率的增大而减小,而湿润锋运移距离却呈现出增大的趋势;土壤初始含水率越大,湿润体体积越大,湿润体内水分、铵态氮和硝态氮的分布范围越广泛;距离灌水器出水孔越近,土壤中的铵态氮和硝态氮含量越高。入渗系数K随着土壤初始含水率的增大而减小,入渗指数α随着土壤初始含水率的增大而增大;水平湿润锋拟合参数a、b均随土壤初始含水率的增大而增大,竖直向下湿润锋运移指数c随着土壤初始含水率的增大而增大,入渗指数d随着土壤初始含水率的增大而减小。随着土壤水分再分布的持续进行,湿润体内水分分布越加均匀,采用克里斯琴森均匀系数Cu评价灌水结束、再分布1,3天条件下湿润体内水分分布均匀度依次为61.99%,74.27%和83.60%;湿润体内铵态氮含量逐渐减小,但铵态氮的分布区域基本无变化;湿润体内硝态氮分布区域变大,平均值呈增大,最值区域有下移趋势。研究成果为进一步研究涌泉根灌水氮高效利用技术奠定了基础。     

有机肥配施保水剂对紫色土水分入渗及氮素淋溶的影响

以有机肥、保水剂(聚丙烯酰胺PAM、高分子吸水树脂SAP和沃特)为供试材料,通过室内土柱模拟试验,研究有机肥配施保水剂对紫色黏土水分入渗及氮素淋溶的影响。结果表明:有机肥配施保水剂可有效增加土壤的保水保肥能力,是控制土壤水分和养分淋失的有效措施。单施有机肥和有机肥配施保水剂均降低了湿润锋运移深度和入渗速率。与对照相比,单施有机肥和有机肥配施保水剂处理的湿润锋运移深度降低了33.33%～46.49%,入渗速率降低了22.73%～31.82%,累计淋溶液体积降低了1.25%～6.78%。施用有机肥有一定增肥保肥能力,但随淋洗次数增加保肥能力逐渐降低,与对照相比,在持续淋溶条件下单施有机肥的硝态氮和全氮累计损失率分别升高了12.00%,17.51%。有机肥配施保水剂可有效减少氮素淋失量,降低氮素淋失率,提高土壤保肥能力。与施用有机肥相比,有机肥配施保水剂硝态氮损失率降低了35.49%～78.46%,全氮损失率降低了35.53%～71.85%,其中有机肥配施PAM处理保水保肥效果最好。     

不同生物炭添加量下植烟土壤养分的淋失

【目的】我国南方植烟土壤养分淋失严重尤其是氮、钾,不仅造成资源浪费和潜在环境威胁,还严重制约了烟叶的可持续生产。生物炭比表面积大、孔隙多、稳定性强,施入土壤后可增加对养分的吸附,延长肥效和减少养分损失。本文研究了添加不同水平生物炭对植烟土壤硝态氮、磷、钾养分淋失的影响,为充分发挥生物炭提高养分利用率的作用提供依据。【方法】采用土柱淋洗模拟方法,试验共设5个处理,包括不施肥对照(CK)、氮磷钾肥(NPK)、氮磷钾肥+10%生物炭(10%B)、氮磷钾肥+20%生物炭(20%B)、氮磷钾肥+40%生物炭(40%B),每个处理重复4次,随机排列。【结果】不同生物炭添加量下,土壤硝态氮、磷、钾的淋失量在培养期间呈先增加后减少的趋势。与NPK处理相比,添加生物炭处理在培养21天之后减少了硝态氮淋失量,在整个培养期间延缓和减少了磷的淋失量;与NPK处理相比,10%B、20%B和40%B处理硝态氮淋失总量分别显著降低13%、18%和25%,磷素淋失总量分别显著降低46%、61%和73%,10%B和20%B处理的钾素淋洗量略高,但差异未达显著水平,而40%B处理的钾素淋洗量则显著高于前3个处理,比NPK处理高47%。培养结束后,由于生物炭本身偏碱性,随着生物炭添加量的增加,土壤p H显著升高。表明添加生物炭条件下,土壤硝态氮淋失量的减少主要是生物炭的吸附作用所致;磷素淋失量的减少除了与生物炭的吸附作用有关外,也可能与土壤p H的升高有关;钾素淋失量的增加可能与生物炭本身携带的钾素有关。施用生物炭对土壤硝态氮、磷、钾养分淋失影响的机制还需进一步验证。【结论】施用生物炭能够有效减少植烟土壤硝态氮和磷素的淋溶损失,进而节约氮、磷肥料和提高养分利用效率,降低地下水污染风险,促进烟叶可持续优质生产,在一定范围内其施用量越高效果越好。生物炭的适宜添加量还需综合考虑氮磷钾3个元素的淋失而继续试验。     

改性生物炭的吸附作用及其对土壤硝态氮和有效磷淋失的影响

在实验室通过生物炭与FeCl3的不同配比确定了生物炭的最佳改性条件,并利用土柱模拟试验,研究改性生物炭对土壤硝态氮和有效磷淋失的影响。结果表明,Fe3+与生物炭质量比为0.7是最佳改性条件,改性作用大大增强了生物炭吸附硝态氮和有效磷的能力。在含N量为50mg.L-1的KNO3和含P量为50mg.L-1的KH2PO4溶液中,最佳改性炭的吸附量分别比改性前提高了12倍和66倍,氮和磷的理论最大吸附量分别为2.47mg.g-1和16.58mg.g-1。土壤中添加最佳改性炭能够延缓并减少硝态氮和有效磷的淋失,添加量为2.5%、5%和10%与不添加任何物质的对照相比,硝态氮的淋失量分别显著降低20%、43%和59%(P<0.05),有效磷的淋失量分别显著降低45%、59%和75%(P<0.05),表明土壤中添加改性生物炭能够有效降低土壤硝态氮和有效磷的淋失风险。     

牛粪生物炭对土壤氮肥淋失的抑制作用

为了探讨以牛粪为原材料制备的生物炭对土壤氮肥淋失的抑制作用,对牛粪生物炭的结构和元素组成进行了表征和分析,并通过人工模拟土柱氮肥淋失实验,研究了生物炭对淋滤液p H值、铵态氮、硝态氮和总氮累积淋失总量及浓度影响。结果显示:该生物炭具有发达的管状孔洞结构,K,Ca含量比牛粪增加200%和10%;淋滤液p H值随着生物炭比例增加而提高,生物炭5%与对照0%相比,淋滤10天,p H值增幅最大,为12.5%;淋滤30天内,按生物炭0%、2%、3%、4%和5%,铵态氮和硝态氮浓度逐渐降低。淋滤大于40天,生物炭的添加延缓了土壤中硝态氮的淋失时间。生物炭4%~5%,对土壤氮肥淋失的抑制效果最佳,与对照0%相比,铵态氮、硝态氮和总氮累积淋失总量分别减少了16%、32%和32%左右。     

生物炭添加对黄绵土水分补给和消退的影响

[目的]明确雨季生物炭添加对黄绵土储水、保水能力的影响,为科学利用生物炭改良黄土高原地区土壤以及确定合理的生物炭施用量提供基本理论支持。[方法]采用多层一体式土壤水分温度测量系统(JDTS-01)对黄土高原地区土壤水分进行野外定点观测,并使用烘干法对监测数据进行校正,研究黄绵土0—40 cm土层水分动态变化与补给、消退情况。基于双变量相关分析探讨了不同生物炭添加量下土壤水分补给和消退变化的影响因素及其相对重要性。[结果](1)整体上生物炭添加能在一定程度上增加土壤水分含量,低生物炭添加量增加了深层土壤水分,而高生物炭添加量增加了表层土壤水分,2.5%左右的生物炭添加量可能是影响土壤水分入渗和蒸发的拐点。(2)添加生物炭后,0—20 cm土层水分补给量增大,20—40 cm土层水分补给量减小。降雨带来的水分补给能够很大程度上滞留在土壤耕层,添加生物炭量较大时土壤水分补给效果更好;0—20 cm土层中添加生物炭处理的水分消退更快,而不添加生物炭的土壤水分入渗土层更深。(3)生物炭添加可以促进黄绵土土壤水分补给,减弱土壤水分消退,有利于降雨后土壤储水。[结论]生物炭添加能够改善黄土高原地区土...     

不同管理措施对黄土塬区农田土壤水分调控和硝态氮淋溶累积的影响

【目的】研究黄土区旱作农田不同施肥和覆盖处理对土壤水分与硝态氮淋溶的影响,以提高水肥利用效率,增加作物产量,为选取适宜于该区可持续生产的农田管理措施提供理论基础。【方法】选取渭北旱塬定位试验中不施肥对照、施氮磷化肥、氮磷化肥配施钾肥、氮磷化肥配施生物炭、氮磷化肥与休闲期地膜全覆盖、氮磷化肥与生育期地膜全覆盖和氮磷化肥与全年地膜全覆盖共7个处理。分析了不同处理连续耕作冬小麦15年后收获期剖面硝态氮累积和生长季内土壤剖面水分变化状况。【结果】与对照相比,施氮磷化肥处理显著增加了硝态氮在0—300 cm土层中的累积,累积量是对照的6.1倍。与施氮磷化肥相比,在氮磷化肥基础上生育期地膜全覆盖、配施生物炭、配施钾肥和全年地膜全覆盖处理显著减少了土壤硝态氮累积量,分别减少了78.7%、73.2%、66.0%和59.7%,氮磷化肥与休闲期地膜全覆盖土壤硝态氮含量较施氮磷化肥处理虽无显著差异,但硝态氮累积量也减少19.2%。与对照相比,施氮磷化肥处理对0—300 cm土层水分补给和消耗量无显著影响。与施氮磷化肥相比,氮磷化肥基础上配施钾肥和生物炭对土壤水分补给和消耗量也无显著影响,而施氮磷化肥基础上的休闲期地膜全覆盖、生育期地膜全覆盖和全年地膜全覆盖显著增加土壤水分补给量,其中只有氮磷化肥与休闲期地膜全覆盖处理显著增加了土壤水分消耗量。硝态氮在土壤中的累积受土壤水分运移影响,其在土壤中的累积量随着水分补给量的增加而增加。土壤水分运移能显著影响硝态氮在土壤剖面的分布,其结果是氮磷化肥与生育期地膜全覆盖和氮磷化肥配施生物炭处理硝态氮主要分布在0—20 cm土层,氮磷化肥配施钾肥和氮磷化肥与全年地膜全覆盖处理硝态氮主要分布在0—100 cm土层,而施氮磷化肥和氮磷化肥与休闲期地膜全覆盖处理硝态氮主要分布在0—200 cm土层,其中施氮磷化肥和氮磷化肥基础上配施钾肥、全年地膜全覆盖、休闲期地膜全覆盖4个处理出现硝态氮累积峰。【结论】不同农田管理措施通过对水分的调控减少硝态氮淋溶,进而提高氮素利用效率,其中在施氮磷化肥的基础上增加生育期地膜全覆盖能有效调控土壤水分运移和减少硝态氮淋溶累积,是旱塬区改善农田水肥状况,增加作物产量的适宜措施。     

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.