W-OH材料对砒砂岩坡面土壤剥蚀率和微结构的影响

砒砂岩区是我国水土流失问题最严重的区域之一。为研究砒砂岩坡面土壤剥蚀率的影响因素及W-OH材料对其的改良效果,以内蒙古自治区准格尔旗地区砒砂岩为研究对象,采用模拟冲刷试验方法研究了冲刷流量(2,3,4 L/min)、坡度(5°,7.5°,10°)以及W-OH喷洒浓度(1%,2%,3%)对砒砂岩坡面土壤剥蚀率和微结构的影响。结果表明:(1)砒砂岩坡面剥蚀率沿坡面方向逐渐减小,且随着冲刷流量和坡度的增大而增大;(2)在流量、坡度固定条件下,随着W-OH溶液浓度的提高,砒砂岩坡面土壤剥蚀率改善效果越明显,坡面的抗蚀性能提升越高,当浓度超过2%时,对坡面固结效果较为明显;(3)SEM试验结果说明W-OH溶液可以对砒砂岩颗粒进行有效地包裹,从而防止水分侵蚀,提高坡面抗蚀性,这与溶液浓度和喷洒量关系密切,也与坡度和冲刷流量有一定相关性。研究结果将对W-OH用于砒砂岩坡面治理提供一定的理论支撑。     

植被覆盖对砒砂岩地区边坡侵蚀的减流减沙效益

为研究植被覆盖对砒砂岩地区自然边坡坡面侵蚀产流产沙规律的影响,阐明植被覆盖的减流减沙效益,在内蒙古鄂尔多斯市准格尔旗的西召沟内选取坡度在10°左右的裸地、草地、柠条、沙棘和油松5种植被覆盖类型的砒砂岩自然边坡,在冲刷流量为200L/h时分别对各植被覆盖边坡进行野外实地放水冲刷试验,对不同植被覆盖类型的砒砂岩自然边坡坡面侵蚀的减流减沙效益进行了研究。结果表明:植被覆盖可明显增加砒砂岩自然边坡水流冲刷的稳定性。不同植被覆盖类型的砒砂岩自然边坡坡面径流强度大小排序为裸地油松草地柠条沙棘;产沙强度大小排序为裸地草地柠条油松沙棘。相对于草地、柠条和油松覆盖的坡面,沙棘覆盖的砒砂岩自然边坡减流和减沙效益均最大。     

水溶性聚氨酯改良砒砂岩的水理性能试验研究

[目的]研究水溶性聚氨酯(W-OH)对砒砂岩水理性能的影响,为砒砂岩高边坡防护提供指导。[方法]通过W-OH改良砒砂岩水稳定性和抗冲刷性的室内试验,初步分析其改良砒砂岩机理。[结果]W-OH在低浓度下即可明显提高砒砂岩团聚体的水稳定性和抗蚀能力,且团聚体水稳定性K值随团聚体粒径的减小而增大;W-OH喷洒在砒砂岩表面后,明显降低了坡面的产沙速率和产沙量。[结论]通过胶结沙粒,W-OH在砒砂岩表面形成固结层,减少了水土流失,对砒砂岩的坡面稳定起到了明显防护效果。     

地面覆盖条件下雨强和坡度对红黏土坡面侵蚀过程的影响

为揭示地面覆盖条件下第四纪红黏土坡面在不同雨强和坡度时的侵蚀变化规律,选取3个降雨强度(1.0,1.5,2.0 mm/min)和3个坡度(10°,15°,20°),通过人工模拟降雨试验,分析坡面产流、产沙、入渗特征,并以15°为例计算覆盖坡面的减流减沙效益。结果表明:(1)坡面产流时间随雨强和坡度增加而提前,覆盖对产流时间有明显的滞后作用,雨强的增加会削弱覆盖延缓产流的作用;坡面径流率呈现前期增长,后期趋于稳定的变化特征;(2)当坡度一定,雨强从1.0 mm/min增加至2.0 mm/min,累积侵蚀量增加1.89～2.96倍;雨强一定,坡度从10°增加至20°,累积侵蚀量增加1.91～3.45倍;(3)坡面初始入渗率和入渗总量随坡度的增加而减小,而雨强的增大会增加坡面初始入渗率,减少入渗总量;(4)15°条件下覆盖坡面的径流量和泥沙量较裸坡平均减少50.26%和95.31%,松针覆盖的水土保持效益显著,且减沙效应大于减流效应;(5)坡度对覆盖坡面累积产流量和累积产沙量的影响程度大于雨强,不同雨强、坡度下累积径流量与累积产沙量呈现幂函数关系(R~20.97)。研究结果可为南方红壤丘陵区林下水土流失治理与生态恢复提供参考。     

人工降雨条件下云南红土坡面土壤侵蚀特性

[目的]揭示降雨强度、坡度和坡长与云南红土坡面土壤侵蚀之间的关系,为云南红土地区土壤侵蚀的防治提供依据。[方法]采用室内人工模拟降雨试验及理论分析相结合的方法。[结果](1)红土坡面侵蚀模数与降雨强度、坡度和坡长的相关关系显著(R20.95)。(2)在相同坡度、坡长条件下,红土坡面侵蚀模数与降雨强度呈幂函数关系;(3)在相同降雨强度、坡长条件下,红土坡面侵蚀模数与坡度呈二次多项式关系;(4)在相同降雨强度、坡度条件下,红土坡面侵蚀模数与坡长呈二次多项式关系。[结论]云南红土坡面侵蚀模数随降雨强度的增大而增大;当坡度小于临界坡度21.4°时,坡面侵蚀模数随坡度的增大而增大,当坡度大于临界坡度21.4°时,坡面侵蚀模数随坡度的增大而减小;坡面侵蚀模数随坡长的增大而增大。     

降雨、汇流和坡度对黑土浅沟坡面侵蚀影响的试验研究

[目的]为研究降雨、汇流和坡度对浅沟侵蚀的影响,实施精确的水土保持措施。[方法]通过室内模拟降雨和汇流试验,设计2个降雨强度(50,100 mm/h)和2个坡度(3°,7°),并在4种降雨强度和坡度组合下设置5个依次增加的汇流强度(15,30,45,60,75 L/min),分析降雨、汇流和坡度及其交互作用对浅沟坡面侵蚀的影响,明确浅沟侵蚀对坡面侵蚀的贡献。[结果](1)坡度和汇流强度对浅沟坡面侵蚀的影响均大于降雨强度。当降雨强度由50 mm/h增加到100 mm/h时,3°和7°对应的坡面侵蚀量分别增加52.3%～81.8%和29.4%～88.4%;而当坡度从3°增大到7°,50,100 mm/h降雨强度对应的坡面侵蚀量分别增加114.3%～395.5%和130.0%～320.9%;当汇流强度由15 L/min增加至75 L/min,坡面侵蚀量增加4.6～13.5倍。同时,汇流强度的增加加剧坡度对坡面侵蚀的作用,而减弱降雨强度对坡面侵蚀的影响。(2)降雨、汇流、坡度双因子和三因子交互作用对浅沟坡面侵蚀的影响以汇流强度—坡度交互作用和降雨强度—汇流强度—坡度三者的交互作用的影响最大,其...     

模拟降雨下不同坡度土壤坡面产流产沙特征及磷和钾素流失研究

采用室内模拟降雨研究了不同坡度对土壤坡面产流产沙特征及其养分流失的影响。结果表明:在降雨条件下,初始产流时间随坡度的增加而趋于提前,初始产流时间变化范围为0.63~1.62 min,说明坡面产流时间因坡面坡度的增加而缩短。不同坡度条件下径流强度随降雨历时的增加而增加,在降雨历时前20 min,径流强度急剧增加,降雨历时20 min以后,径流强度增加趋势趋于平稳,径流强度遵循幂函数变化规律;不同坡度条件下入渗强度随降雨历时的增加而降低,在降雨历时前20 min,入渗强度急剧降低,降雨历时20 min以后,入渗强度降低趋势趋于平稳,坡面入渗强度随时间则呈对数函数变化。不同坡度下径流量均随降雨历时呈“增加—稳定”趋势（单峰曲线,抛物线规律）,在整个降雨过程中,径流量随坡度的增加而增加,在0~20 min内,径流量随降雨历时的增加陡然上升趋势,20~40 min,不同坡度条件下土壤泥沙侵蚀量均达到最大值,40 min以后泥沙侵蚀量随降雨历时的增加呈现基本平稳趋势,泥沙侵蚀量中DP,K⁺,SEP和SEK均随着坡度的增加而增加。不同坡度条件下,泥沙量与侵蚀泥沙中养分的含量均存在不同程度的正相关关系,其中坡面坡度为20°,25°和30°时,侵蚀泥沙养分含量与泥沙流失量间的相关性明显优于其他坡度,说明侵蚀泥沙量的增加会引起泥沙中各种类养分含量的增加效应,而随着坡度的增加,侵蚀泥沙量与侵蚀泥沙中养分的含量并非均显示出更进一步的相关性。     

沂蒙山区坡面侵蚀过程

通过组合不同降雨强度、坡度的室内模拟降雨试验,研究沂蒙山区坡面侵蚀过程。结果表明：坡面产流时间随降雨强度、坡度的增加而提前,降雨强度对产流时间的影响较大;径流速度与降雨强度、坡度正相关,降雨强度对径流速度的影响相对坡度较弱,褐土表面径流速度大于棕壤;坡面径流量随降雨强度增大而增大,随坡度的增大而减少;土壤侵蚀率与总侵蚀量皆随降雨强度、坡度的增大而增大,但波动规律不同,细沟侵蚀使土壤侵蚀率急剧增加。对于棕壤,小降雨强度时,坡度是影响侵蚀率的主导因子,大降雨强度时,主导作用被降雨强度替代;对于褐土,侵蚀率的大小主要受控于降雨强度。在相同试验条件下,棕壤的侵蚀率、总侵蚀量要大于褐土,说明棕壤抗侵蚀能力小于褐土。     

黄土坡面土壤侵蚀动态变化过程试验研究

采用人工模拟降雨试验的方法对黄土坡面土壤侵蚀动态变化过程进行了研究.(1)不同雨强条件下,土壤侵蚀强度随降雨过程的动态变化趋势基本一致,整体皆随降雨历时的增长而递增,并皆可用对数线性组合方程很好地描述.开始降雨后的15 min和35 min是侵蚀强度随降雨过程变化的转折点;(2)不同坡度条件下,土壤侵蚀强度皆随雨强的增大而迅速增大,变化趋势基本一致,可用线性方程很好地描述;(3)不同雨强条件下,土壤侵蚀强度随坡度的增加表现为先增大后减小的趋势,可用对数线性组合方程很好地描述,25°左右是侵蚀强度发生变化的临界坡度;(4)不同雨强条件下,土壤侵蚀强度随坡长的增加整体表现为先增大后减小的趋势,可用对数线性组合方程很好地描述,坡长80 cm左右是侵蚀强度发生变化的转折点;(5)土壤侵蚀强度随雨强、坡度、坡长的动态变化可用三元线性方程描述,雨强对土壤侵蚀的影响远超过坡度与坡长,且坡度与侵蚀强度的关系较坡长为密切.     

模拟降雨条件下南方典型粘土坡面土壤侵蚀过程及其影响因素

采用人工模拟降雨的方法,研究了南方典型粘土坡面土壤侵蚀过程及降雨强度、降雨量、坡度对坡面产流产沙量的影响,建立了试验条件下坡面土壤侵蚀模型。结果表明:(1)试验条件下初始产流时间与降雨强度和坡度呈线性关系,随着降雨强度和坡度的增加,初始产流时间变小;(2)随着降雨时间的增加,坡面产流率先逐渐增加后达到稳定,产沙率呈先迅速增加后降低再逐渐达到稳定,产流率和产沙率随降雨强度的增加而相应增加,但随坡度变化不明显;(3)径流含沙量、总产流量、产沙量均随降雨强度和坡度的增加而增加,其中降雨强度为90mm/h、坡度为20°时总产流量为93 335ml,产沙量为636.10g,达到最大值;(4)降雨强度、降雨量、坡度都与产流量和产沙量呈极显著正相关关系,其中降雨量和降雨强度分别是产流量和产沙量最主要的影响因子,坡度对产流产沙量影响最小;(5)得出试验条件下土壤侵蚀量与降雨强度、坡度、时间的回归方程,经过验证,预测值和实测值相关性良好,说明该方程可用于试验条件下的土壤侵蚀量预测。     

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.