平原区土地整理项目的碳排放效应研究——以河北省巨鹿县土地整理项目为例

为了研究土地整理的碳排放效应,以河北省巨鹿县土地整理项目为研究区域,基于能源消费和土地利用变化的视角,运用IPCC清单法,分析了土地整理的土地平整、灌溉与排水、道路工程和农田防护与生态环境保持四大工程碳排放及区域土地利用变化导致的碳排放,明确了土地整理的碳源/汇作用及其测算方法,并提出了降低土地整理碳排放的相关建议,以期为土地整理的碳排放研究和低碳化土地整理提供科学参考。研究结果表明:巨鹿县土地整理项目能源消费导致的碳排放总量为303.87t,其中土地平整工程是主要的碳排放源,占工程施工碳排放总量的64.53%,其次为道路工程和灌溉与排水工程,分别占30.24%,5.23%;土地平整工程单位投资额碳排放量和单位投资比例的碳排放比率两项指标值最大,分别为677.87kg/万元和10.02,表明了该项工程投资少、碳排放量大的特点,灌溉与排水工程的两项指标值最小,分别为6.38kg/万元和0.09,具有投资多、碳排放量小的特点;巨鹿县土地整理导致的土地利用变化使得区域土壤和植被碳储量减少4 160.3t,表现出碳源效应,其中园地碳储量变化量最大;根据环境经济损益分析方法,巨鹿县土地整理后项目区相当于排放了4 464.17t,单位面积碳排放量为1 966.52kg/hm2,单位投资额碳排放量为994.19kg/万元。     

土地整理对农田土壤碳含量的影响

土地整理对土壤的强扰动会影响土壤的碳循环平衡,为了研究土地整理对农田土壤碳含量的影响,通过间接采样和随机采样方法,采集了江苏3个土地整理区土地整理前后土样进行有机质测定,初步分析了不同土地整理区土地整理后的土壤碳含量变化及其变化差异原因。主要结论有：1）通过土地整理,3个土地整理区土壤碳含量都有得到提高。其中,苏南丹阳土地整理区碳质量分数提高了26.05%,碳密度提高23.87%,提高幅度最大,碳密度变化方向与碳含量变化具有一致性,但提高幅度低于碳含量。这与各整理区原有土质、土地整理工程施工方式、施工时间等因素密切相关。2）水田碳质量分数显著高于旱地碳质量分数,但是经过土地整理旱地碳含量提高幅度大于水田,水田在整理前后碳含量变化幅度不大。3）在土地整理项目实施前应制定适宜的土地整理规划,实施有利于土壤固碳的土地整理工程。     

丘陵区土地整理对土壤理化性状的影响

该文以莱芜市里辛土地整理项目为例,采用野外采样和室内分析相结合的方法,研究了丘陵区土地整理对土壤理化性状的影响。研究结果表明,土地整理对土壤物理性状影响极显著或显著;对土壤化学性状影响不显著;各土壤理化性状的变异系数,除土壤体积质量增加、土壤黏粒稍有增加外,其他均下降,整理后土壤理化性状更均匀。土壤理化性状变化原因主要是整理中注重物理措施、忽视土壤培肥,施工不规范及国家有关标准不具体等造成。今后应重视土壤培肥,规范施工,完善有关土地整理标准、明确各项土壤理化性状指标等,以确保土壤质量提高。     

长期施肥对土壤微生物生物量碳、氮及矿质态氮含量动态变化的影响

利用位于陕西杨凌的17年长期定位试验研究了长期不施肥(CK)、单施化肥(F)、化肥配施有机肥(F+M)和化肥加秸秆还田(F+S)处理对小麦-玉米轮作体系中作物不同生长时期土壤微生物生物量碳、氮(SMBC、SMBN)和矿质态氮含量的影响。结果表明,0—10 cm土层土壤SMBC、SMBN和矿质态氮含量的变化范围分别为264.8~752.2、37.51~14.8和3.83~8.5 mg/kg。不同处理相比,F+M处理中各采样时期(小麦苗期、拔节期、灌浆期及玉米播种期、大喇叭口期、灌浆期和收获后)土壤SMBC和SMBN含量均为最高,分别为不施肥对照的1.382~.65和1.892~.50倍;F+S处理矿质态氮含量最高,SMBC和SMBN也高于F和CK处理,大部分采样时期的差异达显著水平(P0.05);与CK相比,长期单施化肥也使各时期SMBC和SMBN含量提高。在小麦拔节期到灌浆期的旺盛生长阶段各施肥处理土壤SMBN含量均下降,而矿质态氮含量变化不大,处于较低水平;在玉米大喇叭口期到灌浆期的旺盛生长阶段,F+M、F+S和F处理土壤矿质态氮含量显著下降,而SMBN含量均有所升高。表明在土壤矿质态氮含量较高时,作物首先利用矿质态氮,而在土壤矿质态氮含量处于较低水平时,微生物固持的氮素可能会释放出来供作物吸收利用。     

紫色土区土地整理年限对土壤理化特性的影响

为研究土地整理对紫色土区土壤理化特性的影响,采用整理前后点对点的定位采集样品方式进行野外作业,应用主成分分析法和聚类分析法对比分析Ⅰ区(土地整理年限为19个月)、Ⅱ区(土地整理年限为7个月)与Ⅲ区(土地整理年限为1个月)土地整理前后的土壤理化性状相关关系的变化情况。结果表明:短期土地整理年限内(该文设定为19个月),土地整理年限的长短对表土层土壤性质的变化有影响。土地整理工程实施后,Ⅰ区大部分土壤性质更均匀,土壤性质的变化主要为有利的,有机质和阳离子交换量分别显著增加9.59%和13.84%(P0.05),土壤砂粒减小(P0.05),粉粒和黏粒增加(P0.05),团聚体破坏率显著减小33.22%(P0.05);Ⅱ区土层厚度显著增加为25 cm(P0.05),砾石含量显著增加(P0.05),土壤有效持水量显著增加102.96%(P0.05);Ⅲ区大部分土壤性质更均匀,土壤性质的变化主要是不利的,容重显著增高14.63%(P0.05),粉粒含量、有机质分别显著降低14.16%和24.95%(P0.05),团聚体破坏率显著增加58%(P0.05)。3个区域土地整理后土壤性质间的相关关系都发生了变化。Ward Linkage法各分类组分之间具有更好的相关性,而Average Linkage法与主成分分析结果具有更好的一致性。该文的研究结果可为紫色土区农田的整治工程提供依据。     

氯化钾抑制玉米茎腐病发生与土壤微生物关系初探

十二年的钾肥长期定位试验表明,氯化钾能够显著降低玉米茎腐病的发生率。为了探讨其机理,通过室内培养试验,研究了PDA培养基中添加氯化钾和土壤浸提液对禾谷镰刀菌(Fusarium.graminearum)生长速度的影响,分析了长期施用氯化钾条件下玉米各生育期根际真菌、细菌和放线菌数目的变化。结果发现,一定浓度的氯化钾不能直接抑制禾谷镰刀菌的生长;与不施氯化钾处理相比,施氯化钾处理的土壤浸提液对禾谷镰刀菌生长具有明显的抑制效果,表明土壤浸提液在病原菌与玉米互作中发挥一定作用。长期施氯化钾显著影响玉米生育前期根际土壤真菌和放线菌数目,对根际土壤细菌数目影响不明显,而且真菌数目与茎腐病的发生率呈显著负相关。各处理根际土壤真菌与放线菌数目差异显著时期正处于病原菌的主要浸染时期,因此,施氯化钾引起的玉米根际土壤微生物区系(尤其是真菌数目)的变化是抑制玉米茎腐病发生的机制之一。     

夏玉米农田N2O排放影响因素的模拟分析

【目的】全球46%~52%的N2O来自农田土壤,农田土壤N2O排放的研究具有重要的环境和经济意义。量化各影响因素对夏玉米农田N2O排放的影响,可为合理减少施肥产生的N2O排放提供依据。【方法】于2012和2013年连续两年进行了夏玉米裂区田间试验。试验主区为作物处理,副区为氮肥处理(0、 150、 300、 450 kg/hm2)。采用暗箱静态法-气相色谱法测定了不同处理N2O的排放通量,比较了不同温度和降雨量条件下不同处理的N2O排放量,计算了气温、 降雨量、 氮肥管理和夏玉米吸收对夏玉米农田N2O排放的影响。【结果】温度及降雨量的变化明显影响N2O的排放。2012年和2013年气温和降雨量对夏玉米生长期间N2O总排放量的影响分别为-0.24和-0.07。随着施氮量的增加,施氮对N2O排放的影响率呈线性增加(R2 = 0.923),施氮量0、 150、 300和450 kg/hm2,对玉米田N2O排放的影响分别为0、 0.38、 1.63、 3.54。夏玉米生长吸收对N2O排放量的平均影响因子为-0.33,年际间差异不显著(P = 0.07)。在苗期、 穗期、 花粒期,夏玉米生长吸收的影响因子分别为-0.57、 -0.29和-0.13,不同生育期的影响因子差异显著(P = 0.0015)。不同施氮量下,气候条件对夏玉米农田N2O排放影响率差异不显著(P 0.05); 不同气温和降雨量,夏玉米生长吸收对N2O排放的影响在同一施氮量下差异不显著(P 0.05),且均随施氮量的增加而减小。【结论】通过量化分析,气候条件对N2O排放的影响与气温和降雨量密切相关,温度升高影响增大,反之则减小,降雨后排放显著增大。施氮对N2O排放的影响随施氮量增加线性增加。夏玉米生长吸收降低了N2O排放,且在不同生育时期的影响差异显著。综合各影响因子,低氮量条件下(≦150 kg/hm2),气候因素和玉米生长对N2O排放的影响较大,高氮量下(≧300 kg/hm2),氮肥的施用是影响N2O排放的主要因子。     

青藏高原农田生态系统碳平衡

为探讨青藏高原农田生态系统碳平衡规律及其影响因子 ,并揭示其对全球含碳温室气体源、汇变化的贡献与响应 ,1 998～ 1 999连续 2年在拉萨农业生态站农田用静态箱法和生物量取样法开展土壤—植被界面CO2 吸收与排放的试验研究。农作物生长季 ,以冬小麦为例 ,生长前期 (从播种到拔节 )土壤碳排放量高于植被碳固定 ,生长后期 (灌浆到成熟 )则是植被碳固定高于土壤碳排放量 ,从全年来看 ,土壤碳排放量略高于植被碳固定     

不同土地利用方式对哈尼梯田土壤肥力的影响

哈尼梯田土地利用方式的改变对梯田土壤肥力的变化有重要影响。探究不同土地利用方式下哈尼梯田土壤肥力的变化特征及其影响因素,有助于理解土壤肥力对哈尼梯田持续发展的影响。以哈尼梯田典型区域内的水田、旱地、设施大棚土壤为研究对象(种植作物分别为水稻、玉米和柑橘、葡萄和辣椒),通过采样区域野外调查和实验室室内分析的方法,对梯田不同土地利用方式下土壤肥力特征进行研究。结果表明:(1)哈尼梯田不同土地利用方式下,水田和旱地玉米土壤水稳性团聚体稳定性最高,设施栽培(葡萄、辣椒)土壤水稳团聚体稳定性最低(P<0.05)。(2)不同土地利用方式下,土壤化学肥力随土壤深度增加而降低,水田改为其他4种土地利用方式,土壤全氮、有效磷含量增加,土壤pH下降(P<0.05);而水田土壤中的阳离子交换量、交换性钙、交换性镁含量显著低于其他4种土地利用方式(P<0.05)。(3)不同土地利用方式下土壤酶活性0～20 cm土层高于20～40 cm土层。整体上,除磷酸酶外,旱地、设施土壤中的脲酶、蔗糖酶、蛋白酶活性均显著降低,旱地玉米的磷酸酶活性显著高于水田(P<0.05)。(4)不同土地利用方式下,表层土壤(0～20 cm)中土壤微生物量碳氮含量均高于深层土壤(20～40 cm)微生物量碳氮含量。旱地和设施土壤中的微生物量碳氮含量显著低于水田的微生物量碳氮含量(P<0.05)。(5)土壤蔗糖酶、蛋白酶、磷酸酶活性和微生物量碳、微生物量氮与土壤有机碳含量均显著正相关,土壤蔗糖酶、磷酸酶活性和全氮含量显著正相关,蛋白酶、蔗糖酶活性和微生物量碳、微生物量氮与交换性钙、交换性镁显著负相关,蔗糖酶、芳基硫酸酯酶活性与微生物量氮含量正相关。在哈尼梯田中,水田改为旱地、设施大棚后,土壤中根区微环境、植株凋落物等刺激土壤物理肥力中水稳性团聚体稳定性降低;不同土地利用方式下,植物生长所需养分供给不同,人为耕作、灌溉、施肥促使旱地(旱地玉米、旱地柑橘)化学肥力中氮磷钾含量升高,但设施大棚(设施辣椒、设施葡萄)土壤化学肥力氮磷钾含量降低;同时旱地及设施大棚生物肥力土壤酶活性、微生物量碳氮含量低于水田。改变哈尼梯田传统土地利用方式,导致传统稻作模式土壤肥力降低,破坏梯田养分的运移和     

揭膜时期和施氮量对陇东旱塬春玉米群体生理指标及产量的影响

为了探明甘肃陇东旱塬区全膜双垄沟播玉米产量、生长指标同步提高的适宜揭膜时期和施氮量,本研究以甘肃陇东旱塬全膜双垄沟播春玉米为研究对象,设置了3个揭膜时期(拔节期揭膜、抽雄期揭膜、全生育期覆膜)和3个施氮量(N 0、150、225 kg/hm~2),研究了揭膜时期、施氮量及其互作对春玉米生长指标及产量的影响。结果表明:揭膜时期或施氮量对玉米产量影响差异达显著或极显著水平,而其互作不显著。抽雄期揭膜籽粒产量和水分利用效率均优于拔节期揭膜和全生育期覆膜,而拔节期揭膜与全生育期覆膜之间产量差异不显著。同一揭膜时期,施氮(高氮或低氮)玉米产量极显著高于不施氮,且产量随施氮量的增加而增加。与低氮处理相比较,高氮处理玉米产量虽有一定程度的增加,但差异不显著。同时,抽雄期揭膜结合高施氮量较低施氮量更有利于玉米叶片SPAD值、光合速率及叶面积指数等生长指标的改善。因此,综合考虑产量、水分利用效率及生长指标,在甘肃陇东旱塬区全膜双垄沟播玉米栽培条件下,抽雄期揭膜结合施氮量150~225 kg/hm~2为较适宜的栽培模式。     

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.