水分胁迫对玉米苗期膜损伤及有关酶活性的影响

水分胁迫下，３个测试的玉米杂交种（玉单３５８，南校８号，桂三２号）幼苗叶片束缚水含量（ＢＷＣ）有所提高，以玉单３５８的ＢＷＣ升幅最高。自由水含量（ＦＷＣ），总含水量ｔＴＷＣ）和叶片相对含水量（ＲＷＣ）均有所下降．下降水平为南校８号＞桂三２号＞玉单３５８。叶片可溶性糖和游离脯氨酸含量增长水平为玉单３５８＞桂三２号＞南校８号．膜脂过氧化产物丙二醛（ＭＤＡ）增加幅度和质膜相对透性大小为南校８号＞桂三２号＞玉单３５８．超氧物歧化酶（ＳＯＤ）、过氧化物酶（ＰＯＤ）和过氧化氢酶（ＣＡＴ）等保护酶活性则为：玉单３５８＞桂三２号＞南校８号。上述结果表明，花粉植株杂交种玉单３５８的抗水分胁迫能力比桂三２号和南校８号强．     

酸性红壤上玉米不同部位固氮微生物群落丰度和组成特征

[目的]发挥微生物固氮功能可降低农田化学氮肥的投入,对于缓解土壤酸化具有重要意义.固氮微生物广泛存在于植物体的各个部位,了解酸性土壤上作物不同部位固氮微生物群落特征,为挖掘其功能潜力提供数据支撑和理论基础.[方法]选择性状差异较大的耐铝玉米品种先玉335和铝敏感品种Mo17为试验材料,在酸性红壤上种植1个月后,收集玉米...     

间作修复对玉米镉含量影响的整合分析

【目的】分析间作修复对镉(Cd)污染农田玉米Cd含量影响,旨在为实现污染农田边生产边修复提供基础支撑。【方法】本研究以“玉米”、“Cd”、“间作”为关键词,在“中国知网”和“Web of Science”数据库检索2006—2020年期间发表的文献,筛选出符合要求的文献33篇,获得数据770组。以玉米单作为对照,利用整合分析(meta-analysis)方法揭示间作修复对玉米Cd含量影响,明确间作植物种类、玉米品种、土壤性质和栽培措施等因素的综合效应。【结果】与单作玉米相比,大田间作修复能显著降低玉米籽粒、茎叶和根Cd含量,尤其对籽粒Cd抑制作用最显著。蜈蚣草+籽粒苋、蜈蚣草、籽粒苋和龙葵等间作植物对玉米籽粒Cd含量有显著抑制作用;东单、海禾28和绿玉269等玉米品种籽粒Cd含量也显著受间作修复抑制。在弱酸性或中性土壤上,间作修复对玉米籽粒Cd的抑制作用增强;无论是安全利用类还是严格管控类农田,间作修复均能显著降低玉米籽粒Cd含量;间作行距对玉米籽粒和茎叶Cd含量影响不显著,但0～30 cm行距显著降低根Cd含量。盆栽间作修复涉及到的间作植物以及玉米品种较多,Meta分析结果表明,盆栽...     

Screening of rhizobacteria isolated from maize (Zea mays L.) in Rio Grande do Sul State (South Brazil) and analysis of their potential to improve plant growth

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are considered to have a beneficial effect on host plants and may facilitate plant growth by different mechanisms. In this work, the influence of different soil types on the bacterial diversity and the stimulatory effects of selected PGPR on two cultivars of maize were investigated. A set of 292 strains was isolated from the roots and rhizosphere soil of maize cultivated in five different areas of the Rio Grande do Sul State in Brazil. 16S rDNA-PCR-RFLP and 16S rDNA partial sequencing were used for identification, and the Shannon–Weaver index was used to evaluate bacterial diversity. We evaluated the ability of each isolate to produce indole acetic acid (IAA), siderophores and solubilize phosphates. On the basis of multiple PGP traits, six isolates were selected to test their potential as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria on maize plants. In both the roots and the rhizospheric soil of maize, the dominant bacterial genera identified were Klebsiella and Burkholderia. IAA producers were distributed widely among isolates, regardless of the sampling site. Approximately 42% of the isolates exhibited at least two attributes, and 24% showed all three PGP traits. Three strains, identified as Achromobacter, Burkholderia, and Arthrobacter, were effective as PGPR in both of the cultivars evaluated.     

干旱胁迫对玉米光合和产量的影响

干旱或渗透胁迫下，３个测试的玉米杂交种幼苗叶片叶绿素含量均下降，其净光合速率、呼吸速率亦显著下降，下降幅度为：玉单３５８＜桂三２号＜南校８号。叶片Ｃａ２＋－ＡＴＰ酶和Ｍｇ２＋－ＡＴＰ酶活性显著增加，增加幅度为；玉单３５８＜桂三２号＜南校８号。田间试验结果表明：干旱处理后，各品种株高、穗长、穗粗和籽粒百粒重均有不同程度的下降，下降幅度均为：玉单３５８＜桂三２号＜南校８号。干旱胁迫显著降低了玉米产量。减产程度为：玉单３５８＜桂三２号＜南校８号。说明花粉植株杂交种玉单３５８的抗旱能力大于桂三２号和南校８号。     

马铃薯||玉米间作对土壤细菌多样性的影响

为探明连续马铃薯、玉米单作及间作种植对土壤细菌群落组成的影响,利用IonS5~(TM)XL高通量测序平台,分析了单作玉米(M)、单作马铃薯(P)、马铃薯||玉米间作(PM)下,土壤细菌群落组成以及多样性间的差异。结果表明:与单作相比,马铃薯||玉米间作土壤有机质含量显著升高(P0.05),但土壤全氮、碱解氮、全磷、速效钾、土壤pH等没有显著变化。所获得的56 787个土壤细菌可操作分类单元(OTUs)共分为46门、55纲、114目、208科、455属。土壤变形菌门(Proteobacteria)、酸杆菌门(Acidobacteria)和放线菌门(Actinobacteria)细菌占总相对丰度的57.68%～65.11%,为优势菌门;间作对土壤细菌群落多样性(香农指数、辛普森指数)、丰富度(ACE指数和Chao1指数)无显著影响,但改变了基于门、属水平上的细菌群落组成。与单作马铃薯相比,间作显著降低了土壤变形菌门(Proteobacteria)相对丰度(P=0.023),提高了浮霉菌门(Planctomycetes)的相对丰度(P=0.043)。在属水平上,相对丰度较低的芽单胞菌属(Gemmatimonas)、Candidatus Solibacter属更易受到种植方式的影响;间作提高了节杆菌属(Arthrobacter)、芽球菌属(Blastococcus)和芽孢杆菌属(Bacillus)的相对丰度。随细菌群落结构变化,细菌群落功能上出现差异,通过KEGG功能预测共得到7个一级功能层, 35个二级功能层,表现出功能上的丰富性,土壤细菌群落在代谢、遗传信息处理和细胞过程方面功能活跃。7个一级功能层中的代谢功能组在马铃薯||玉米间作与马铃薯单作间有显著差异。利用前向选择,经蒙特卡罗检验表明,连续马铃薯、玉米单作及间作栽培5年后的土壤各理化性状指标与土壤细菌群落组成、多样性间的相关性均不显著。连续马铃薯||玉米间作及单作5年条件下土壤细菌群落组成的变化是由马铃薯||玉米间作作物种间互利和竞争关系而驱动的。     

Changes in soil organic carbon fractions and bacterial community composition under different tillage and organic fertiliser application in a maize−wheat rotation system

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to assess the impact of different tillage and organic fertiliser regimes on soil carbon fractions and bacterial community composition within a maize–wheat cropping system. We conducted a six-year experiment on the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain of China. Six treatments were established: deep tillage (DT), shallow tillage (ST), no-tillage (NT), deep tillage with organic fertiliser (DTF), shallow tillage with organic fertiliser (STF), and no-tillage with organic fertiliser (NTF). Results indicated that during the winter wheat growing season, the highest contents of soil organic carbon (SOC) and easily-oxidised organic carbon (EOC) were in the STF treatment. During the summer maizegrowing season, the DTF treatment had the highest SOC and EOC contents. Compared with the other treatments, the NTF treatment had higher Chao1 and Shannon indices for bacteria; however, the relative abundance of Proteobacteria is highest in all treatments. A redundancy analysis (RDA) revealed that bacterial community composition was correlated with variation of the SOC, DOC, EOC, and microbial biomass carbon (MBC). Our results showed that combining the two components of the SOC fractions and bacterial community composition, STF practice in a maize–wheat rotation was a sustainable approach to optimising soil structure and improving soil quality.     

Seasonal Changes in Macronutrients in the Leaves and Fruit of Kiwiberry: Nitrogen Level and Cultivar Effects

ABSTRACT

Nutrient use efficiency and overall plant fertilization strategies are key issues in food production in increasingly adverse environmental conditions. The plant Actinidia arguta (Siebold et Zucc.) Planch. ex Miq. is a species that has increased cultivation in recent years. The aim of this study was to assess seasonal leaf macronutrient changes and the relationship between soil nitrogen (N) fertility and N, as well as the concentration of other leaf essential macronutrients. The experiment was conducted during the growing seasons of 2015–2016 and tested two cultivars: “Weiki” and “Geneva”. Soil N level had a significant impact on the concentration of all leaf macronutrients, except sulfur, in both cultivars. Leaf macronutrient concentration was significantly lower in 2015, which was characterized by a higher average temperature and lower precipitation than the long term averages. A clear downward trend for leaf N and potassium concentrations was observed during the vegetation period. In contrast, leaf calcium and magnesium concentrations increased gradually throughout the season, while phosphorus and sulfur concentration changes were more cultivar dependent. In the soil and climatic conditions in which study was conducted (Central Europe), a time from mid-July to mid-August seems to be the suitable for leaf sampling for diagnostic purposes. Fruit macronutrient composition was predominantly cultivar and year dependent.     

Nitrogen acquisition and its relation to growth and yield in recent high-yielding cultivars of rice (Oryza sativa L.) in Japan

During the last two decades, high-yielding cultivars for multipurpose use of rice have been bred and released in Japan. Some of them have repeatedly recorded high yields of over 9?t?ha^?1 of brown rice (about 11.25?t?ha^?1 of rough rice). Here, characteristic features of nitrogen (N) acquisition and its relation to formation of yield components, dry matter production and grain yield at yield levels over 9?t?ha^?1 of brown rice in recent high-yielding cultivars, a large grain type of japonica variety, “Akita 63,” extra-panicle weight types of indica variety, “Takanari” and “Saikai 198,” and a panicle weight type of japonica variety, “Fukuhibiki,” are described as compared with those in the standard japonica cultivars, “Toyonishiki” and “Nipponbare.” The grain yield of the recent high-yielding cultivars was 9.4 to 11.6?t?ha^?1 of brown rice; that is 1.2?1.7 times greater than those of the standard cultivars. Sink capacity (1000-grain weight?×?spikelet number per unit land area) was 47?62% greater in the recent high-yielding cultivars, largely due to their 1.3?1.5 times greater N-use efficiency for sink formation (sink capacity per unit amount of total plant N in the aboveground part at maturity), although major component(s) responsible for their greater sink capacity differ among the cultivars. The ratio of grain yield to total dry matter was 1.1?1.4 times greater in the recent high-yielding cultivars than in the standard cultivars, indicating that the former efficiently translocate dry matter into spikelets during the grain-filling period. N-use efficiency for dry matter production (total dry matter per unit amount of total plant N) was comparable between “Akita 63,” “Fukuhibiki” and “Toyonishiki,” and slightly greater in “Takanari” and “Saikai 198” than in “Nipponbare.”

These results indicate that greater N-use efficiency for sink formation and efficient translocation of dry matter into spikelets contribute greatly to the high-yielding potential of the recent high-yielding cultivars.     

新型肥料对全球三大粮食作物产量和土壤生物学活性影响的Meta分析

  【目的】  随着近年来农业发展方式从资源消耗型向绿色生态型的转变,发展绿色新型肥料成为一大热门。已有研究大多关注新型肥料对三大粮食作物 (小麦、玉米和水稻) 产量、氮吸收和氮利用效率的影响,但关于新型肥料对土壤生物学活性影响的系统研究相对较少。本研究旨在整合已有的研究结果,定量分析新型肥料对三大作物产量和土壤生物学活性的影响,进而为加快新型肥料的研发与推广提供科学依据。  【方法】  本研究数据来源于“中国知网 (CNKI) ”及“Web of Science”数据库,以“小麦”、“玉米”、“水稻”、“产量”、“微生物量”、“酶活性”、“新型肥料”为主要关键词检索相关的田间试验文献,共筛选出文献29篇,包含32个独立试验,共545组数据。以施用传统化学肥料为对照组,施用新型肥料为试验组,采用Meta分析的方法,整合分析施用新型肥料对作物产量、土壤微生物量及酶活性的影响。  【结果】  与施用传统化学肥料相比,施用新型肥料显著提高三大作物产量、地上部吸氮量和氮肥利用效率,分别提高8.4%、9.9%和36.8%。施用新型肥料显著增加土壤微生物量氮 (14.6%),但对土壤微生物量碳无显著影响。施用新型肥料显著提高了土壤磷代谢酶活性 (8.6%) 和氧化相关酶活性 (5.7%),但对土壤碳代谢酶活性和氮代谢酶活性无显著影响。  【结论】  施用新型肥料提高了三大作物产量、地上部吸氮量和氮肥利用效率,同时增加了土壤微生物量氮、土壤磷代谢酶活性和氧化相关酶活性,提高了农田生态系统土壤生物学活性。     

Decrease in diversity and shift in composition of the soil bacterial community were closely related to high available phosphorus in agricultural Fluvisols of North China

ABSTRACT

Our objectives were to investigate whether AP affects the soil bacterial community composition and diversity in high-level available phosphorus (AP) soils. The bacterial community was analysed through high-throughput sequencing using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Fifteen soils, including barren land, cropland and greenhouse soils which were sandy loam Fluvisols, were selected from different fields in Beijing, China, with AP contents ranging from 5.03 to 391.45 mg kg^?1. Statistical analyses revealed high AP (>100 mg kg^?1) decreased alpha diversity (Shannon’s index, H’) but not beta diversity of the soil bacterial community. The sequencing of 16S rRNA genes showed that Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Acidobacteria were the dominant phyla in sandy loam Fluvisols. AP, soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) had synergistic influence on the shift of the bacterial community composition. Moreover, AP was the main driving factor affecting the soil bacterial community composition compared with other environmental factors. The members of the Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria belonging to copiotrophic taxa typically increased in relative abundance in high-P soils, while oligotrophic taxa (mainly Acidobacteria) decreased in relative abundance. Our results demonstrated that the bacterial community composition would shift from oligotrophic to copiotrophic with increasing levels of AP.     

玉米根际和非根际土壤细菌微多样性与土壤有机碳矿化的关系

[目的]运用高级别分类学分辨率揭示玉米根际和非根际土壤中细菌群落微多样性,并探讨微多样性与土壤有机碳矿化的关系,从更精细的分类学分辨率水平上为玉米根际土壤中微生物驱动的碳循环提供理论依据。[方法]以西北农林科技大学曹新庄试验农场为依托,采取田间生长条件下玉米根际和非根际两种土壤类型。利用高通量测序技术,比较OTUs和ASVs两种分类学分辨率水平上玉米根际和非根际土壤中的细菌群落结构,揭示细菌群落的微多样性。同时通过培养试验检测根际和非根际土壤的有机碳矿化特性。[结果]通过比较OTUs和ASVs两种分类学分辨率水平上的细菌群落,OTUs和ASVs两种方式显示出相似的细菌群落结构。在玉米根际和非根际土壤类型中,ASVs在更高分类学分辨率水平上描绘细菌群落组成,同时揭示了普遍存在于OTUs内的不同菌株或生态型。此外,两种不同生长策略(r-策略和K-策略)细菌物种的相对丰度差异是导致根际和非根际土壤细菌群落结构不同的主要因素。培养试验表明,根际土壤有机碳矿化量显著高于非根际土壤。3 a的连续采样分析结果表明,根系是田间成熟玉米根际和非根际土壤理化性质差异的主要因素而受时间(2019—2021年...     

Excess trace metal effects on cotton: 4. Chromium and lithium in Yolo loam soil

Abstract

Two cultivars of cotton (Gossypium spp) were grown in Yolo loam soil in a glasshouse to determine phytotoxicity effects of Cr and Li and possible interactions with other metals. The Cr at 100 μg/g soil had no adverse effects on either cultivar studied. A Cr increase was not observed in either stems or leaves. Both cultivars tolerated 25 and 50 μg Li/g soil. The 50 μg Li/g soil resulted in leaves of Acala SJ‐2 with 432 μg Li/g leaves and 720 in Giza 45. The 100 μg Li/g soil resulted in 74% and 87% leaf yield reductions in Acala SJ‐2 and Giza 45 respectively. Leaf concentrations of Li respectively were 1950 and 1850 μg/g. Except at the highest level of Li, leaves had higher concentrations of Li than did roots. The Cr and Li resulted in some plant metal interactions.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi respond to rhizobial inoculation and cropping systems in farmers' fields in the Guinea savanna

 It has been difficult to explain the rotation effect based solely on N availability in maize-soybean cropping systems in the moist savanna zone of sub-Saharan Africa. Although arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can contribute to plant growth by reducing stresses resulting from other nutrient deficiencies (mainly P) and drought, their role in the maize/soybean rotation cropping systems in the Guinea savanna has not yet been determined. Pot and field experiments were conducted for 2 years using 13 farmers' fields with different cropping histories in two agroecological zones (Zaria, northern Guinea savanna and Zonkwa, southern Guinea savanna) in Nigeria. We quantified the influence of cropping systems and rhizobial inoculation on plant growth, mycorrhizal colonization and diversity of promiscuous soybean and maize grown in rotation. The relationships between these variables and selected soil characteristics in farmers' fields were also examined. Percentage mycorrhizal colonization in promiscuous soybean roots ranged from 7% to 36%, while in maize it varied between 17% and 33%, depending on fields and the previous cropping history. A large variation was also observed for mycorrhizal spores, but these were not correlated with mycorrhizal colonization and did not appear to be influenced by rotation systems. Soybean mycorrhizal colonization was higher (13% increase) in Zonkwa, but not in Zaria, if the preceding crop was maize and not soybean. These differences were related to the soil P concentration, which was positively related to mycorrhizal colonization in Zonkwa but negatively to this parameter in Zaria. The previous crop did not affect mycorrhizal colonization of maize in both locations. Soybean cultivars inoculated with rhizobia had a higher mycorrhizal colonization rate (25%) and more AMF species than maize or uninoculated soybean (19%). Maize grown in plots previously under inoculated soybean also had higher percentage mycorrhizal colonization than when grown after uninoculated soybean and maize. Four AMF genera comprising 29 species were observed at Zaria and Zonkwa. Glomus was the dominant genus (56%) followed by Gigaspora (26%) and Acaulospora (14%). The genus Sclerocystis was the least represented (4%). Received: 28 October 1998     

Sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L.) Seeding Rate Additions to Forage Oat-Legume Mixtures in Newfoundland

Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis‐idaea L.) cvs “Sussi”; and “Sanna”; were cultivated on mineral soil with four different soil surface treatments (Sphagnum peat mulch, sand mulch, plastic mulch and herbicide 3‐syclohexyl‐5, 6‐trimethylenurasil (lenasil)). Amount of annual weeds, plant coverage and yield were observed over five years. Weeds were most abundant in the first two observation years. Sand mulch was the least efficient for the control of annual weeds for both cultivars, whereas lenasil was the most efficient for “Sussi”;, and peat mulch for “Sanna”;. The plant coverage increased steadily throughout the years in the “Sussi”; plots, especially in plots mulched with peat. The spreading of “Sanna”; was slower in all treatments. It was best in plots mulched with peat or sand. Overall, “Sanna”; was more productive, with the highest yield on sand mulch and the lowest on lenasil‐treated plots. “Sussi”;, instead, yielded best on lenasil plots and poorest on sand.     

Composition of soilless substrates affect the physiology and fruit quality of two strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) cultivars

Abstract

Leaf-level physiology, yield, and fruit quality of two strawberry (Fragaria?×?ananassa Duch.) cultivars, “BG4.370” and “Splendor” grown in five growing substrates were assessed. Substrate ratios were T1: tuff (0–4?mm), T2: cocopeat?+?perlite 4:1, T3: peatmoss?+?perlite 4:1, T4: tuff?+?cocopeat 4:1, and T5: tuff?+?peatmoss 4:1. Strawberry parameters were greatly affected by substrate composition but not cultivars. Plants grown in cocopeat?+?perlite 4:1 had the highest photosynthesis, transpiration, radical scavenging activity, and fruit firmness while those grown in peatmoss?+?perlite 4:1 had the highest yield, total phenolics and nitrate concentration compared to other substrates. Given that peat-based growing substrate has raised concerns over the environmental impacts such as, a reduction of wet-lands and loss of soil organic carbon, the lower environmental impact and higher fruit quality grown on cocopeat justifies the use of cocopeat as an alternative substrate to peatmoss.     

Phosphorus Stress-Induced Differential Growth,and Phosphorus Acquisition and Use Efficiency by Spring Wheat Cultivars

ABSTRACT

Phosphorus (P) is a finite, non-renewable, and natural resource and a vital major nutrient for plant metabolic and developmental processes. However, adverse soil biogeochemical characteristics of alkaline-calcareous soils (especially Aridisols) and highly weathered acid soils (i.e., Ultisols and Oxisols) render orthophosphate (Pi) as the least available major nutrient due to P complexation, sorption, and/or fixation. In such soil environments, plant bioavailable P is only a small fraction of total soil P, seriously limiting crop growth and production. Different plant species, and even cultivars of the same species, may display a suite of growth responses that enable them to solubilize and scavenge soil P either by enhancing external Pi acquisition or reprioritizing internal Pi use under P-stress soil environments. This paper reports relative growth responses, P acquisition and P-use efficiency characteristics by 14 cultivars of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown in solution culture with high/low P supply induced by applying soluble NH₄H₂PO₄, sparingly soluble rock phosphate, and Ca₃(PO₄)₂. The wheat cultivars exhibited considerable genetic diversity in biomass accumulation, P concentrations, P contents, factor (PSF) and P efficiency characteristics [i.e., P utilization efficiency (PUE), P efficiency (PE), and PE ratio (PER)]. Plant growth and PE parameters were significantly correlated, while P uptake was linearly related with biomass increase and solution pH decrease. The wheat cultivars with high PUE, PER and P uptake, and low PSF, and plant P concentration were more efficient in utilizing P and, hence, more tolerant under P-stress environment. Biomass and P contents of “P efficient/low-P tolerant” wheat cultivars were superior to “P inefficient/low-P sensitive” cultivars at all P-stress levels. Hence, “P efficient/low-P tolerant” cultivars are the most desirable wheat genotypes for P-stress environments because they are able to scavenge more P from sparingly soluble P sources or soil-bound P forms.     

Effects of silver nanoparticles on soil microorganisms and maize biomass are linked in the rhizosphere

Silver nanoparticles hold great promise as effective anti-microbial compounds in a myriad of applications but may also pose a threat to non-target bacteria and fungi in the environment. Because microorganisms are involved in extensive interactions with many other organisms, these partner species are also prone to indirect negative effects from silver nanoparticles.Here, we focus on the effects of nanosilver exposure in the rhizosphere. Specifically, we evaluate the effect of 100 mg kg⁻¹ silver nanoparticles on maize plants, as well as on the bacteria and fungi in the plant's rhizosphere and the surrounding bulk soil. Maize biomass measurements, microbial community fingerprints, an indicator of microbial enzymatic activity, and carbon use diversity profiles are used. Hereby, it is shown that 100 mg kg⁻¹ silver nanoparticles in soil increases maize biomass, and that this effect coincides with significant alterations of the bacterial communities in the rhizosphere. The bacterial community in nanosilver exposed rhizosphere shows less enzymatic activity and significantly altered carbon use and community composition profiles. Fungal communities are less affected by silver nanoparticles, as their composition is only slightly modified by nanosilver exposure. In addition, the microbial changes noted in the rhizosphere were significantly different from those noted in the bulk soil, indicated by different nanosilver-induced alterations of carbon use and community composition profiles in bulk and rhizosphere soil.Overall, microorganisms in the rhizosphere seem to play an important role when evaluating the fate and effects of silver nanoparticle exposure in soil, and not only is the nanosilver response different for bacteria and fungi, but also for bulk and rhizosphere soil. Consequently, assessment of microbial populations should be considered an essential parameter when investigating the impacts of nanoparticle exposure.     

Response of soil microbial abundance and diversity in Sacha Inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.) farms with different land-use histories in a tropical area of Southwestern China

Land-use conversion affects the soil community and microbial abundance, which are essential dynamic indicators of soil quality and sustainability. However, little to no work has been performed to analyse the impact from different land-use histories (i.e. fallow, tea, rice, banana, and maize) on the microbial abundance and diversity in the soil of sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.). Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) was performed to quantify soil bacterial and fungal abundance. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) combined with cloning and sequencing was used to assess the microbial communities. Our results showed that the bacterial and fungal abundance in fallow land-use conversion soils was significantly lower than that in the other four land-use conversion soils (tea, rice, banana, and maize). Moreover, the highest abundance of bacteria and fungi was detected in the soils converted from maize to sacha inchicultivation. In addition, canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) showed that the total N and pH were significantly related to bacterial and fungal community structures. These results suggest that land-use conversion from maize fields to sacha inchi farms is an effective way to maintain the soil microbial quantity and hence the sustainability of the soil.     

The effect of growth temperature on gelatinization properties of barley starch

The effects of growth conditions on the properties of barley starch were studied with the two‐rowed malting barley cultivars “Kustaa”; and “Kymppi”; field‐grown in Finland during a cold summer and a normal summer. In both cultivars, the growth conditions had an effect on the composition and gelatinization behaviour of both small and large granules. In the starches from the cold summer, the lipid content and gelatinization peak temperatures were lower, the gelatinized starch also being more easily hydrolysed by alpha‐amylase.