甘蔗茎成熟相关基因的分离与分析

随着甘蔗的成熟,甘蔗茎秆中积累的糖分在不断增加,其薄壁细胞的渗透压也在不断增加,这意味着大量与糖分积累和抗逆相关的基因也得到了大量的表达,对这些基因进行分离和鉴定有助于了解甘蔗茎成熟的分子机制。本研究以果蔗品种拔地拉（Badila）的成熟茎节与未成熟茎节为材料,利用抑制差减杂交技术（suppression subtractive hybridization,SSH）构建了甘蔗茎成熟相关基因的差减cDNA文库。挑取200个重组子进行测序,其中与甘蔗茎成熟相关基因片段有22个,包括2个与信号转导相关的cDNA片段,5个转录翻译相关蛋白,2个光合系统蛋白,8个物质能量代谢cDNA片段,抗逆、糖转运相关蛋白5个,另外还有一些片段通过GenBank搜索未发现有相关的同源序列,推测这些片段可能是功能未知的新基因。这些基因的获得为进一步提高甘蔗的糖分和抗逆性打下了良好的基础。     

干旱胁迫下新源1号新疆野苹果抑制性差减文库的构建与初步分析

为分离和鉴定新疆野苹果(Malus sieversii Roem.)根组织干旱胁迫条件下差异表达的基因,以苗龄为3个月的新源1号新疆野苹果水培苗为材料,应用20%PEG 6000溶液处理模拟干旱胁迫,利用抑制性差减杂交(SSH)的方法构建了新疆野苹果根组织干旱胁迫诱导表达差减文库(正库)和抑制表达差减文库(反库).正库和反库随机各挑菌500个,菌落PCR显示插入片段在250~1000 bp之间.测序鉴定后共得到268个有效UniESTs.经Blastx和Blastn等生物信息学方法分析表明全部的UniESTs按可能的生物学功能可被分为16个大类,包括新陈代谢、能量、转录、蛋白质合成、蛋白质修饰降解、DNA加工、细胞信号转导等.     

粉菠萝FVE同源基因的克隆及表达分析

FWE是植物自主开花途径中的关键基因,主要通过抑制FLC的表达来调控花发育过程。本研究利用粉菠萝似echmeafasciata）茎尖组织转录组序列数据,通过RACE技术克隆获得了粉菠萝中n,E同源基因A毋yE的cDNA全长序列。该序列全长为1672bp,开放阅读框为1404bp,编码由468个氨基酸残基组成的蛋白,该蛋白序列中含有6个保守的WD重复区域。氨基酸序列比对结果表明,4椰E基因编码的氨基酸序列与其它物种中WE的同源序列具有较高的相似性。qRT—PCR（实时荧光定量PCR）分析结果显示,粉菠萝中A椰E基因对外源乙烯的刺激产生了应答。在采用乙烯利灌心处理不同时间的过程中,发现A删E基因的转录水平均在处理后1d时达到最大,推测A椰E可能参与乙烯信号反应,该基因在粉菠萝自主开花途径中的调节作用可能受乙烯影响。     

利用差异显示法研究水稻耐淹涝相关基因

应用mRNA差异显示法对耐淹材料籼稻(Oryzasativassp.indica)FR13A和敏感籼稻(O.sativassp.indica)IR39595-503-2-1-2在淹涝胁迫下的基因差异表达进行了分析。结果显示,从40对引物中共扩增出1428条片段,筛选到102条在耐淹涝材料和敏感材料间差异明显的基因片段,差异率为7.1%。其中有42条差异带来自耐淹涝材料,有7个差异片段已通过Northern杂交验证在耐淹涝材料FR13A中表达。进一步克隆测序并进行数据库比对分析表明,有4个与水分胁迫产生的应答反应和生理生化变化有关,其中一个与ATP结合蛋白高度同源,另3个与异柠檬酸酶脱氢酶、NADH脱氢酶和乙醛酸转移酶部分序列高度同源,其余3个为新的cDNA片段。     

大白菜-结球甘蓝易位系AT4系列抽薹相关基因表达差异的cDNA-AFLP分析

抽薹开花时间是大白菜(Brassica rapa ssp.pekinensis)的重要性状,未熟抽薹直接影响大白菜的产量和品质.本研究以添加结球甘蓝(Brassica oleracea var.capitata)4号染色体片段的大白菜-结球甘蓝易位系AT4系列为材料,结合抽薹性鉴定,获得了45株耐抽薹和15株易抽薹植株;利用cDNA-扩增片段长度多态性(cDNA-amplified fragment length polymorphism,cDNA-AFLP)技术,对不同春化处理的耐抽薹和易抽薹植株叶片差异表达片段进行分离,获得了126条与抽薹性相关的差异表达条带,这些差异包括条带的有无和表达量的差异;通过差异条带回收、克隆和测序,获得了74条差异表达序列.同源性比对结果表明,61条差异表达序列具有同源序列,其中41条差异表达序列功能预测涉及代谢、能量、细胞物质运输、信号转导、表达调控、DNA修饰、细胞周期等,20条差异表达序列功能未知;13条在NCBI中找不到同源序列,可能是一些新基因.本研究获得了耐抽薹大白菜-结球甘蓝易位系,为耐抽薹大白菜新品种的培育提供新材料;同时获得了耐抽薹和易抽薹材料间的差异表达序列,为获得影响大白菜抽薹性的关键基因,揭示大白菜抽薹开花机制提供支撑.     

陕229干旱复水诱导基因表达及小麦乙烯受体(TaERS)基因特征分析

为了解小麦响应水分胁迫后复水条件下的基因表达特征,以小麦(Triticum aestivum L.)主栽品种陕229的3叶1心期幼苗为材料,采用消减杂交技术,构建了干旱复水条件下的SSH-cDNA表达文库。从消减文库中随机挑选59个插入片段大于400bp的阳性克隆测序,去除冗余序列和嵌合序列后,获得高质量EST序列32条(GenBank登录号为ES466767~ES466798)。序列比对分析表明,小麦干旱后复水的基因表达与植物对其他非生物胁迫的响应具有交叉性;17条EST序列与已知编码蛋白的基因同源性较高,涉及植物的信号传导、能量代谢、转录调控等方面;其他序列为新的EST。以其中一个与乙烯受体基因(ERS)同源性较高的EST序列为基础,采用同源克隆及RACE技术从小麦中分离了4个乙烯受体基因的全长cDNA序列,长度分别为2090、2271、2216和1886bp。4个全长cDNA序列所编码氨基酸序列的同源性极高(99%以上),且均具有ERS典型的GAF、HisKA和HATPase-c跨膜结构,分别命名为TaERS1(HM347272),TaERS2(HM601437),TaERS3(HM601438)和TaERS4(HQ111523)。植物ERS氨基酸序列多重比较表明,小麦与水稻的相似性最高(93%);TaERS基因的全长cDNA序列间比较共发现SNP位点23个。定量PCR表达分析显示,小麦TaERS家族基因参与了小麦植株响应水分胁迫和复水的调控机制。研究结果有助于进一步认识小麦干旱后复水的基因表达谱和小麦水分高效利用机制,探索小麦乙烯受体在水分高效利用中的作用。     

玉米磷酸丙糖转移蛋白（TPT）基因全长cDNA克隆及其在烟草中表达

以玉米黄早四幼苗叶片为材料,通过RT-PCR扩增后获得玉米磷酸丙糖转移蛋白(Triose phosphate translocator．TPT)cDNA 全长片段,对其进行序列分析。结果表明：分离的目的片段核苷酸序列与报道的相比同源率为99.9％,只有1个碱基发生改变。将得到的玉米 cDNA与CaMV35S启动子和NOS终止子融合,构建了正义表达载体,通过根癌土壤杆菌介导转化烟草,转基因植株经PCR和Southern杂交检测,证明TPT基因已整合到烟草基因组上     

小金海棠S-腺苷甲硫氨酸合成酶基因（MxSAMS）的克隆和表达分析

从本实验室建立的小金海棠缺铁差减文库中分离出一个cDNA片段,在GenBank中发现该片段与其它植物的S-腺苷甲硫氨酸合成酶(SAMS)基因具有90%的同源性。利用RACE技术成功地获得小金海棠（Malus xiaojinensis）SAMS基因(MxSAMS)的cDNA全长序列（GenBank登录号：EU639408）,该基因cDNA全长1 479 bp,最大开放阅读框1 176 bp,编码392个氨基酸,酶蛋白理论分子量为42.99 kD;与其它植物的蛋白质氨基酸序列同源性在88.1%~92.6%之间。推测的MxSAMS蛋白质三级结构包含3个保守结构域和一个保守的ATP结合位点GAGDQG。Southern 杂交显示,MxSAMS基因在小金海棠基因组中是单拷贝的。半定量RT-PCR结果表明,该基因在小金海棠的根和叶中均受缺铁胁迫诱导增强表达。     

龙眼成花逆转相关基因表达的cDNA-AFLP分析

摘要：以龙眼正常成花花芽和成花逆转花芽为试材,应用cDNA-AFLP技术,研究龙眼正常成花与成花逆转花芽cDNA的差异表达,并利用RT-PCR技术验证,探讨了龙眼成花逆转的分子机制。通过64对引物组合的cDNA-AFLP分析获得了2 560条扩增片段。选择其中有明显差异的片段进行回收、测序,获得了14条核苷酸序列。其中有13个片段在GenBank数据库中发现同源序列,1个功能未知。通过核酸和氨基酸比对分析,与龙眼成花逆转相关的112基因片段同源于银灰杨（Populus tremula x Populus alba）中编码Nek激酶家族(NIMA related protein kinases)基因（83 ％）, 331的核苷酸序列（80％）同源于与拟南芥（Arabidopsis thaliana）中编码内切-1,4-β-葡聚糖酶(EGases)的基因,313的核苷酸序列（78%）同源于与柑橘（Citrus sinensis）中的几丁质酶（chitinase CHI1）基因。     

小麦品种小偃22干旱诱导基因及其表达分析

利用抑制消减杂交(SSH)技术构建了小麦(Triticum aestivum)品种小偃22干旱胁迫诱导基因表达的SSH-cDNA文库,从文库中随机挑选插入片段大于400 bp的阳性克隆60个进行测序,去除冗余序列和嵌合序列后,获得了31条高质量表达序列标签(EST)序列(GenBank登录号:ES466737～ES466766,ES466799).进一步采用RT-PCR对其中的胚胎形成晚期富集蛋白基因(LEA)和△1-吡咯啉-5-羧基合成酶基因(P5CS)的表达模式进行了分析.结果表明,获得的EST序列中的26条EST序列具有功能已知的同源基因,这些基因多数不仅与植物的非生物胁迫相关,也与植物的生物胁迫反应相关,表明植物在胁迫反应中有明显的交叉适应性,其中与小麦表达序列高度同源的EST占58%.24条EST序列与功能已知蛋白的同源性较高,主要涉及植物的信号传导、能量代谢、转录调控及防卫反应等.表达模式分析表明,LEA家族蛋白D9在土壤绝对含水量达到4.8%时上调表达,在萎蔫后复水2 h时表达量最高,随着复水时间延长表达量降低并趋于稳定;PSCS基因D16在渍水条件下、严重干旱胁迫下均上调表达,而在可维持生长的水分条件下和严重干旱后复水4 h后表达量急剧下降.序列分析表明,LEA蛋白基因D9与PSCS基因D16均是部分同源基因,暂命名为TaLEA-D9和TaP5CS-D16.     

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.