外源赤霉素对富集植物繁缕生长及镉积累的影响

为了强化镉富集植物繁缕对镉污染土壤的修复效率,采用盆栽试验,研究了喷施不同浓度赤霉素(GA_3)对繁缕生长及镉积累的影响。结果表明,繁缕的生物量随GA_3浓度的增加而增加,但光合色素含量、抗氧化酶(SOD、POD和CAT)活性、可溶性蛋白含量、可溶性糖含量、镉含量及镉积累量均呈先增后降的趋势。在GA_3浓度为10 mg L~(-1)时,繁缕地上部分及整株镉积累量均达到最大值,分别为244.86、348.97μg plant~(-1),较各自对照分别增加了31.20%(P0.05)和25.51%(P0.05)。因此,采用繁缕修复镉污染土壤时,以10 mg L~(-1)的GA_3提高繁缕的修复效率最佳,可作为植物修复的强化措施。     

喷施脱落酸对树番茄幼苗生理特性及镉吸收的影响

采用盆栽试验,研究了在镉条件下对树番茄幼苗地上部分喷施不同浓度(0、1、5、10、20μmol L-1)脱落酸后对其生理特性及镉吸收的影响。结果表明,树番茄幼苗各部位的生物量及叶片的光合色素含量均随喷施脱落酸浓度的升高出现先下降后上升的趋势。与对照相比,喷施脱落酸在提高树番茄幼苗叶片POD及CAT活性的同时降低了其SOD活性。随着喷施脱落酸浓度的升高,树番茄幼苗根际土壤的pH及有效态镉含量分别表现出上升和下降的趋势。另外,喷施脱落酸后,树番茄幼苗各部位的镉含量均显著低于对照,并随喷施脱落酸浓度的升高呈下降趋势,其根系及地上部分的镉含量在喷施20μmol L-1脱落酸后分别较对照降低了26.44%及41.60%。喷施20μmol L-1脱落酸不仅使树番茄幼苗的生物量达到最大,还使其根、茎、叶的镉含量及转运系数均低于其他处理。综上,在镉条件下喷施适宜浓度的脱落酸可以在促进树番茄幼苗生长的同时抑制其对镉的吸收。     

花卉植物硫华菊的镉积累特性研究

为从花卉中筛选镉超富集植物用于镉污染土壤的修复,采用土壤高浓度镉污染法从5种花卉植物中筛选出具有镉富集植物基本特征的花卉植物硫华菊,并通过盆栽试验和小区试验,进一步研究硫华菊的镉积累特性。结果表明:随土壤镉浓度的增加,硫华菊的生物量、光合色素含量及可溶性蛋白含量均呈先增后降的趋势,SOD活性、POD活性呈增加的趋势,但CAT活性则呈降低的趋势。镉在硫华菊各个器官中的分布大小顺序为:根系茎秆地上部分叶片。硫华菊根系、茎秆、叶片及地上部镉含量随土壤镉浓度的增加呈增加的趋势,且在土壤镉浓度大于10mg/kg时,硫华菊地上部分镉含量均超过镉超富集植物临界值(100mg/kg)。不同浓度镉处理的硫华菊地上部分镉富集系数(BCF)均大于1,但转运系数(TF)均小于1。硫华菊根系、茎秆、叶片及地上部分镉积累量随土壤镉浓度的增加均呈先增后降的趋势,地上部分镉积累量最大值为479.34μg/株(土壤镉浓度为100mg/kg)。小区试验研究表明,在土壤镉浓度为2.04~2.89mg/kg时,硫华菊地上部分镉积累量为4.54~5.60mg/m~2。因此,硫华菊是一种镉富集植物,且修复能力较强,可有效地修复镉污染土壤。     

褪黑素浸种对豌豆幼苗生长及镉积累的影响

通过盆栽试验,研究了不同浓度褪黑素浸种对豌豆幼苗生长及镉积累的影响。结果表明:用50、100、150、200μmol/L的褪黑素浸种处理后,豌豆幼苗的生物量、含水量、光合色素含量、抗氧化酶活性均高于对照,且豌豆幼苗植株的镉含量明显降低。当褪黑素浓度为200μmol/L时,豌豆幼苗的生物量、光合色素含量均达到最大值;而根系及地上部分的镉含量最低,分别为6.72 mg/kg和0.104 mg/kg,较对照分别降低了20.28%和46.39%。因此,褪黑素浸种能够促进豌豆幼苗生长,降低其对镉的吸收,其中200μmol/L褪黑素效果最好。     

人参菜对镉胁迫的生理响应

采用盆栽试验,研究不同浓度镉胁迫对人参菜的生长、光合色素含量、叶绿素荧光参数、抗氧化物酶活性、根系活力、渗透调节物质、镉积累的影响。结果表明:(1)人参菜对镉有一定的积累能力,且人参菜中镉的分布是根>叶>茎。(2)低镉浓度(0～10 mg kg-1)对人参菜株高、根长、干重、光合色素含量、抗氧化物酶含量有促进作用,中、高镉浓度(10～20 mg kg-1)会抑制其生长。(3)随着镉浓度的增加,人参菜叶片的Fo、ΦPSⅡ呈降低趋势,Fm、Fv/Fm、q P呈先升高后降低的变化趋势。(4)随着镉浓度升高,人参菜叶片的相对电导率呈先升高后降低的变化趋势,可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白含量增加。综上所述,镉胁迫下人参菜的生长表现出"低促高抑"的现象,这为揭示镉胁迫下人参菜的生理响应奠定了基础。     

牛繁缕对镉的积累特性研究

以牛繁缕为试材,采用盆栽试验研究其在不同镉浓度条件下的镉积累特性。结果表明:牛繁缕根系生物量、地上土壤部分生物量和总生物量均随土壤镉浓度的升高而降低。在土壤镉浓度小于100 mg kg-1时,牛繁缕的抗性系数均大于0.5;当土壤镉浓度为25 mg kg-1时,抗性系数最大,为0.931。在不同镉浓度条件下,牛繁缕光合色素的合成会受到一定程度的抑制,叶绿素b、类胡萝卜素和叶绿素总量均随镉污染浓度的增加而逐渐降低,但叶绿素a和a/b值则表现为波动变化的趋势。随土壤镉浓度的增加,牛繁缕根系及地上部分镉含量呈增加的趋势;当土壤镉浓度为100 mg kg-1时,牛繁缕地上部分镉含量为118.94 mg kg-1,大于镉超富集植物临界值(100 mg kg-1)。牛繁缕根系和地上部分富集系数均大于1,但转运系数小于1。牛繁缕根系、地上部分和整株的镉积累量最大分别能达到449.05、126.07、532.83μg plant-1,生物富集量系数及转运量系数均随土壤镉浓度的增加而降低。在土壤镉浓度不高于75 mg kg-1时,牛繁缕生物富集量系数大于1 g plant-1,但各个镉处理下的转运量系数均小于1。由此可见,牛繁缕是一种镉富集植物,具有较强的镉富集能力,可用于镉污染农田的修复。     

表油菜素内酯对镉胁迫下番茄幼苗生长及镉累积的影响

采用盆栽试验研究不同浓度(0、0.02、0.1、0.5、2.5 mg/L)的表油菜素内酯(EBR)对镉胁迫下番茄幼苗生长及镉累积的影响。结果表明,镉处理后番茄幼苗的生物量、叶绿素含量、抗氧化酶(POD和CAT)活性均下降,丙二醛(MDA)含量、相对电导率和渗透调节物质含量均升高;喷施一定浓度的EBR(0.5 mg/L)后,番茄幼苗的生物量、叶绿素含量、抗氧化酶(POD和CAT)活性及脯氨酸含量均显著增加,可溶性蛋白、MDA含量和相对电导率有所下降,番茄幼苗根系和地上部分的镉含量分别上升了50.0%和93.4%,镉转运系数最低,为0.45。综上,喷施EBR能够增强番茄幼苗对镉胁迫的耐受性,促进幼苗生长,降低镉的转运系数,其中,EBR浓度为0.5 mg/L时效果最好。     

镉胁迫对荻生长、镉富集和土壤酶活性的影响

采用盆栽土培法,从播种开始培育132d后,研究0,3,6,9mg/kg镉胁迫对荻的生长、镉富集与分布和土壤酶活性的影响。结果表明:荻耐性指数随处理浓度的增加先上升后下降,镉浓度≤6mg/kg时,促进荻生长,镉浓度为9mg/kg时,抑制荻生长。叶绿素、丙二醛和可溶性糖含量均随处理浓度的增加先升高后降低,在镉浓度为6mg/kg时达到最大值;类胡萝卜素含量为先降低后升高,在6mg/kg时达最小值。荻根部铜、锌和铁含量均随处理浓度的增加而升高,地上部铜和铁含量先降低后升高,而锌含量持续降低。根部和地上部镉含量随镉处理浓度增加呈线性增加趋势,且根部镉含量均高于地上部;不同浓度镉处理荻根部富集系数均大于1,但地上部富集系数和转运系数均小于1;根部镉积累量随处理浓度的增加先升高后降低,在镉浓度为6mg/kg时达到最大值,地上部镉积累量持续升高,荻体内镉主要分布在根部。镉处理组的土壤脲酶和过氧化氢酶活性与对照相比总体无显著差异(P0.05),镉浓度为6mg/kg和9mg/kg对土壤脲酶活性有一定促进作用,但会抑制过氧化氢酶活性,根际土壤酶活性总体高于非根际土壤酶。研究表明,荻对镉有较强的耐性,且根部对镉有较强的富集能力,因此,荻在土壤镉污染稳定化修复方面具有一定的应用潜力。     

镉胁迫对白车轴草生长、镉含量及养分分配的影响

为了解镉(Cd)胁迫对白车轴草(Tritolium repens L.)生长发育以及养分的吸收、累积与分配的影响,采用盆栽试验,研究了不同浓度镉处理下白车轴草幼苗的生长、生物量及碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)和钾(K)的积累与分配特征。结果表明:随镉胁迫浓度增加,植株幼苗叶面积、主根长、侧根数、侧根长及地上部高先升高后降低,叶柄长明显降低;而根、茎、叶中镉含量逐渐升高,且根系大于茎叶。同时,植物各器官生物量生产及C、N、P和K积累量均表现出随镉添加量的增加而先升高后降低,高浓度镉胁迫处理(50.00、100.00和200.00 mg·kg-1)明显抑制植株生物量生产以及C、N、P和K的积累,显著改变了生物量及其C、N、P和K积累量的分配格局,但低浓度镉处理(12.50mg·kg-1)却无明显影响。一定浓度的镉胁迫处理(12.50和25.00 mg·kg-1)降低植株N、P、K的利用效率,但高浓度镉处理(200.00 mg·kg-1)则提高植株N、P、K的利用效率。本研究为城市园林绿化及镉污染土壤的修复提供了应用潜力,同时也为牧草的安全评估提供了科学借鉴。     

镉胁迫对黄麻光合作用及镉积累的影响

为揭示镉(Cd)胁迫下黄麻的光合耐性及其对Cd的富集特征,通过土壤盆栽试验分析了Cd胁迫下黄麻的生长、光合色素、气体交换参数及对Cd富集能力的变化。结果表明,当Cd浓度≤10 mg·kg~(-1)时,黄麻根长、株高和各器官生物量降幅较小;而当Cd浓度≥20 mg·kg~(-1)时,根长、株高和各器官生物量降幅进一步增大。随着Cd浓度的升高,黄麻叶片光合色素含量显著降低,但却能维持较高的Chla/b值,这可能有助于黄麻对Cd的耐性。Cd胁迫使净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)和蒸腾速率(Tr)显著降低,但胞间二氧化碳浓度(Ci)随Cd浓度的升高而逐渐增大,表明黄麻光合速率的下降是由非气孔限制因素引起的。随着Cd浓度的升高,黄麻各器官Cd含量和累积量逐渐增大,在浓为100 mg·kg~(-1)Cd处理下,地上部和地下部Cd含量均达到最大值,分别为232.46 mg·kg~(-1)和186.98 mg·kg~(-1)。Cd胁迫下,黄麻地上部和地下部富集系数均大于1,各处理迁移系数在0.85~1.65之间,表明黄麻对Cd有较强的富集和转运能力。Cd浓度为5~10 mg·kg~(-1)时,Cd提取率超过1.9%。因此,黄麻是一种潜在的修复轻、中度土壤Cd污染的植物材料。本研究结果为挖掘新的植物修复材料提供了理论依据。     

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.     

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.     

Properties of anaerobically digested and composted municipal solid waste assessed by linking soil mesofauna dynamics and nitrogen modelling

We have studied the effect of anaerobically digested (ADMSW) and composted municipal solid waste (CMSW) on mineralization and foodweb dynamics to verify the hypothesis that ADMSW would immobilize N right after addition to soil in contrast to addition with CMSW. Another hypothesis was that the mesofauna (enchytraeids and microarthropods) would stimulate N release from the decomposer community. We measured excretion of -N and urea-N from the mesofauna and hypothesized that enchytraeids would release urea. ADMSW and CMSW were amended to pots with sandy loam and barley. The pots were divided into treatments with or without mesofauna. Mesofauna, plant N and biomass, soil N and ergosterol (fungal biomass) were measured over a 113-day period of four equidistant samplings. Soil respiration, N mineralization and N release by the mesofauna were modelled from concurrent studies. ADMSW- and CMSW-treated soils initially (<20 days) immobilized N. The amendments did not increase plant growth substantially, and this was probably due to N-limitation in the early stages of plant growth. Enchytraeid abundance was about three times higher in ADMSW- than CMSW-treated soils, indicating that ADMSW contained more labile compounds, bacteria, and microfauna. The mesofauna did not affect N-content, but the cumulated -N excreted by the mesofauna was estimated to be substantial and about one-fifth of total plant N in ADMSW. An explanation for this discrepancy might be that in the absence of the mesofauna, other members of the detrivore and microbivore community performed the mesofauna’s function. Neither enchytraeids nor microarthropods excreted urea.