干旱胁迫及复水对棉花叶片氮代谢的影响

以不同抗旱型棉花品种新陆早7号和新陆早24号幼苗为试材,研究持续干旱胁迫及复水对棉花幼苗叶片氮代谢关键酶活性、可溶性蛋白质、总氮和游离氨基酸含量的影响。结果显示:随着干旱胁迫天数的增加,新陆早7号和新陆早24号硝酸还原酶(NR)活性与对照相比分别降低 51.67%和74.22%;谷氨酰胺合成酶(GS)活性分别降低50.65%和72.95%;谷氨酸合成酶(GOGAT)活性分别降低 43.11%和68.36%;谷氨酸脱氢酶(GDH)活性在处理4d达到最大值;可溶性蛋白质含量分别增加了56.96%和34.12%;总氮含量分别增加了11.39%和8.43%;内肽酶活性分别增加了115.76%和165.06%;铵离子含量分别增加了92.29%和111.56%。干旱胁迫使新陆早7号在胁迫前期游离氨基酸含量增加慢,后期增加快;新陆早24号游离氨基酸含量的变化趋势与新陆早7号则相反。复水后,新陆早7号 NR、GS、GOGAT和GDH等活性恢复较快,内肽酶活性和游离氨基酸、铵离子、可溶性蛋白质和总氮含量下降也较快。试验表明,抗旱棉花品种具有较强的铵离子同化能力,增加渗透调节物质游离氨基酸含量,特别是脯氨酸含量增强其耐旱性。     

干旱胁迫对春大豆氮代谢关键酶活性的影响

为探讨不同大豆品种各关键酶活性间的差异与抗旱性的关系,以耐旱型大豆品种黑农44和敏感型品种黑农65为试验材料,研究不同时期干旱胁迫及复水对大豆叶片硝酸还原酶(NR)、谷氨酰氨合成酶(GS)和谷氨酸合成酶(GOGAT)3个氮代谢关键酶的影响。结果表明:在正常供水条件下,随着生育进程的推进,大豆叶片NR活性呈单峰曲线,GS和GOGAT活性呈双峰曲线。苗期2个品种在轻度和中度胁迫下NR活性相差不大,在重度胁迫下活性明显下降;GS酶活性随干旱胁迫程度增加而升高;GOGAT活性随干旱程度的增加而降低。不同时期干旱复水后,耐旱型品种黑农44的NR活性明显大于正常供水处理,而敏感型品种黑农65明显低于正常供水处理;但GS活性与NR恰好相反;GOGAT活性升高,但仍低于正常供水处理。耐旱型品种黑农44叶片NR、GS和GOGAT活性均高于敏感型品种黑农65,因此可通过提高NR、GS和GOGAT活性来减轻干旱胁迫对大豆的伤害。本研究可为大豆品种的筛选和抗旱栽培提供理论依据。     

增铵营养对低温胁迫下棉花幼苗氮代谢的影响

【目的】探明增铵营养提高棉花幼苗抗低温胁迫能力的机制。【方法】以棉花新陆早13号为供试品种,在人工气候室内模拟不同温度处理（15℃和25℃）,研究了不同铵硝态氮配比（NH4+-N/NO3--N分别为0/100、25/75、50/50、75/25、100/0）对低温（15℃）胁迫下棉花苗期生长、氮素吸收量及氮代谢相关酶活性的影响。【结果】常温条件（25℃）下,较单一铵、硝营养,铵硝混合营养显著提高棉苗各器官的生物量,地上部和根系干物质量在NH4+-N/NO3--N比为50/50处理时最大,单一铵营养处理时最小;对棉苗生物量的影响效果表现出铵硝混合营养处理优于单一铵、硝营养处理。低温胁迫（15℃）后棉苗各器官生物量减小,且差异显著。常温和低温条件下,随着营养液中NH4+-N比例增加,棉苗全氮含量逐渐递增,氮素吸收量先升后降;棉苗根系、茎秆及叶柄内硝态氮含量呈明显降低趋势;棉花幼苗叶片NR活性明显减小,相反,GS和GOGAT活性则极显著提高。常温处理下棉苗各器官的氮素累积量显著高于低温胁迫处理,低温抑制了棉苗对硝态氮的吸收,降低NR、GS和GOGAT活性。【结论】低温胁迫下,增铵营养可显著提高氮素养分含量,促进棉苗生长,同时通过提高GS、GOGAT等氮代谢相关酶活性,维持氮代谢平衡,增强棉花幼苗对低温的抗性。     

外源水杨酸对干旱胁迫及复水下苎麻生理特性和产量的影响

以中苎2号为研究对象,通过设置干旱胁迫(DS)、1 mmol·L-1水杨酸(SA)喷施+干旱胁迫(DS+SA)、1 mmol·L-1SA喷施+正常浇水(CK+SA)、正常浇水(CK)4个处理,研究干旱胁迫下外源SA对苎麻可溶性蛋白和可溶性糖、叶片和韧皮部相关酶活性等生理机制及其生长发育的影响。结果表明,干旱胁迫第20天时,与DS处理相比,DS+SA处理的苎麻叶片可溶性蛋白和可溶性糖含量显著增加(P0.05),分别提高了20.02%和17.91%。外源SA能明显缓解胁迫植株的氮代谢相关酶(NR、GS、GOGAT和GDH)和纤维发育相关酶(蔗糖合成酶、IAA氧化酶和β-1,3-葡聚糖酶)活性的降低;到干旱胁迫第20天和第30天,DS+SA处理NR活性比DS处理提高了2.02倍和0.73倍,GOGAT活性提高了67.83%和22.90%,而DS+SA处理的GS活性到干旱胁迫第10天和第20天与DS处理差异显著(P0.05)。DS处理的纤维发育相关酶到第30天下降幅度较大,3种酶活性分别只有CK的37.84%、30.71%和35.73%,而DS+SA处理能达到CK的58.23%、74.17%和60.11%。干旱导致苎麻生长缓慢,生物量与CK差异显著(P0.05),经DS+SA处理的植株的产量指标均高于DS处理。因此,在干旱胁迫下,外源水杨酸能够明显缓解植物体内相关酶活性的降低,维持植物正常生长,增强苎麻植株对干旱胁迫的耐受性。本研究为苎麻应对干旱胁迫提供了理论依据。     

甜菜碱对干旱胁迫下棉花幼苗生理特性的影响

以新疆广泛种植的棉花品种新陆早18号为试材,通过测定棉花幼苗体内脯氨酸、可溶性糖和丙二醛（MDA）的含量及抗氧化酶包括超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）和过氧化物酶（POD）的活性,研究叶面喷施不同浓度甜菜碱（Glycine betaine,GB）对干旱胁迫下棉花幼苗生理特性的影响。结果表明,干旱胁迫下,与对照相比,脯氨酸、可溶性糖、MDA含量及SOD和POD活性都显著提高,喷施甜菜碱后促进脯氨酸和可溶性糖含量进一步提高,酶活也显著升高,同时有效抑制了丙二醛含量的增加,CAT活性受干旱胁迫及甜菜碱的影响较小。研究表明喷施低浓度甜菜碱在一定程度上可以缓解干旱胁迫对棉花幼苗的伤害。     

旱盐交叉胁迫对燕麦幼苗生长和渗透调节物质的影响

采用盆栽土培试验研究不同干旱条件下盐胁迫对燕麦幼苗生长和渗透调节物质含量的影响。结果表明,0.3%或0.6%的土壤含盐量可提高轻度(土壤相对含水量65%)和中度(土壤相对含水量50%)干旱胁迫下燕麦幼苗的生物量和植株含水量,同时叶片可溶性糖、脯氨酸和可溶性蛋白质含量增加,游离氨基酸含量下降,根系和地上部Na+含量增加、K+含量降低;而0.9%的土壤含盐量处理或在重度干旱(土壤相对含水量35%)胁迫下随土壤含盐量的增加,燕麦幼苗生物量和植株含水量降低,叶片可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白质含量下降,脯氨酸和游离氨基酸含量增加,根系和地上部Na+含量进一步提高,K+含量迅速降低。表明适量的土壤含盐量可通过提高渗透调节缓解轻、中度干旱胁迫对燕麦幼苗生长的抑制,而过量的盐分加重干旱胁迫对燕麦幼苗的伤害作用。     

海稻86响应碱胁迫调节氮代谢的生理与分子机制

海稻86是原生长于沿海滩涂的水稻品种,具有强耐碱性。为探究海稻86耐碱胁迫的生理和分子机制,本研究以海稻86和对碱敏感的水稻品种珍汕97为材料,采用pH值9.0的碱处理液处理水稻幼苗,并检测其根和叶中含氮物质含量、氮代谢相关酶活性和基因表达量。结果表明,碱胁迫下,海稻86根和叶中硝态氮和可溶性蛋白含量降幅低于珍汕97,而珍汕97根中氨态氮的积累量显著大于海稻86。碱胁迫下,海稻86根部硝酸还原酶(NR)活性以及根和叶片谷氨酰胺合成酶(GS)活性与非胁迫下对照(CK)相比均无显著变化,叶片NR活性以及根部谷氨酸合成酶(GOGAT)活性降低,叶片GOGAT活性升高;珍汕97根和叶片NR和GS以及根部GOGA活性均显著降低,降幅明显大于海稻86;碱胁迫对海稻86的GDH活性无显著影响,但珍汕97的GDH活性显著升高。此外,碱胁迫下,海稻86和珍汕97的NR以及GDH基因表达量与酶活性变化较一致,NADH-GOGAT基因表达变化与酶活性变化存在差异,OsNADH-GOGAT1和NADH-GOGAT2表达量显著升高,海稻86的NR和GOGAT基因表达量高于珍汕97,GDH基因表达量低于珍汕97。综上表明海稻86具有强耐碱胁迫能力,与其具有较稳定的氮代谢关键酶活性有关。本研究为深入了解水稻耐碱机理和培育耐碱水稻品种提供了重要的理论依据。     

氮素不同形态配比对菠菜体内游离氨基酸含量和相关酶活性的影响

采用溶液培养试验,研究了氮素不同形态配比对菠菜茎叶中游离氨基酸含量及3种主要氮代谢酶活性的影响。结果表明:1)随着营养液中铵硝比(NH4+-N/NO3--N)的降低,菠菜茎叶中游离氨基酸的总量呈下降趋势。在全硝营养下(NH4+-N/NO3--N=0∶100)下,菠菜茎叶中游离氨基酸的总量只有全铵营养(NH4+-N/NO3--N=100∶0)的34.4%。2)在全铵营养下,菠菜茎叶中游离氨基酸的主要组分是谷氨酰胺、精氨酸和谷氨酸,三者占游离氨基酸总量的百分比依次为39.8%、20.2%和8.9%;在全硝营养下,菠菜茎叶中游离氨基酸以谷氨酸、天冬氨酸和丝氨酸为主,三者占游离氨基酸总量的百分比分别为30.3%1、8.6%和8.5%。3)提高营养液中硝态氮的比例,可以显着提高菠菜茎叶中硝酸还原酶(NR)的活性,同时降低了谷氨酸脱氢酶(GDH)的活性,谷氨酰胺合成酶(GS)活性则呈现先升后降的抛物线状变化规律。4)菠菜茎叶中NR活性与谷胺酰胺含量之间存在着显著负相关关系(r=-0.968)。     

外源H2S对盐胁迫下红砂幼苗叶片和根系氮代谢的影响

H₂S作为新型气体信号分子在调控植物生长发育和抗逆境胁迫中发挥着重要作用。为探究外源H₂S对盐胁迫下红砂(Reaumuria soongorica)氮代谢的影响机制及最佳叶施浓度,以当年生红砂幼苗为材料,采用盆栽试验,以1/2 Hoagland浇灌为对照(CK)考察在300 mmol·L^-1NaCl胁迫(CK300)下,叶面喷施不同浓度(0、0.010、0.025、0.050、0.100、0.250、0.500、1 mmol·L^-1)H₂S供体硫氢化钠(NaHS)对红砂叶片和根系中硝酸还原酶(NR)、谷氨酰胺合成酶(GS)、谷氨酸合成酶(GOGAT)活性以及硝态氮、可溶性蛋白和游离氨基酸含量的影响。结果表明,盐胁迫下,红砂幼苗根、叶中可溶性蛋白、游离氨基酸、硝态氮含量以及NR、GOGAT、GS活性均较对照(CK)显著下降。经不同浓度外源H₂S处理后,红砂根、叶中可溶性蛋白含量与单独盐胁迫对照(CK300)相比显著降低,NR、GOGAT、GS活性和硝态氮、游...     

新疆棉花品种的耐盐性综合评价

为了解北疆7种常用棉花品种的耐盐性,通过50、100和150mmol/L 3个NaC l浓度的胁迫处理,在棉花种子萌发阶段进行发芽势、发芽率的测定,在水培条件下对7个品种的生长势进行了比较,并采用隶属函数法进行耐盐性综合评价。根据耐盐性综合评价值得出供试7个棉花品种种子萌发阶段的耐盐性顺序为:新陆早10号新陆早13号新陆早12号新陆早17号新陆早31号新陆早26号新陆早18号;在幼苗生长阶段为:新陆早17号新陆早10号新陆早13号新陆早31号新陆早18号新陆早12号新陆早26号。由此可见,种子萌发阶段与幼苗生长阶段的耐盐性是不一致的,但新陆早10号在2个生长时期的耐盐性均表现较高,而新陆早26号则对盐害表现较为敏感。     

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。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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,     

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,     

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,     

Assessing the effectiveness of conservation measures: Resolving the “wicked” problem of the Steller sea lion

“Wicked” problems are those that are complex and that change when solutions are applied. Many conflicts in conservation fall into this category. The study approached the problem of how to constrain the apparent wickedness of a problem in the conservation management of a species by using simple empirical indicators to carry out iterative assessment of the risk to a population and to document how this risk evolves in relation to the addition of new data and the implementation of management actions. Effects of high levels of uncertainty within data and also concerning population structure were examined through stochastic simulation and by exploration of scenarios. Historical trends in the example used, the Steller sea lion, showed rapid declines in abundance in some regions during the 1980s. The current total population is 130,000-150,000 Steller sea lions through Alaska and British Columbia and this number has been stable since about 1990 in spite of regional differences in population dynamics. Regional differences in the sequence of changes in the number of pups and non-pups, suggested that an internal re-distribution of juveniles could have happened between 1980 and 1990. Current productivity also appears close to the long-term mean. Stochastic population projection using various scenarios showed that, based upon this history, the risk of extinction for the population has declined and is below reasonable thresholds for considering the population to be endangered. The trends in risk suggest that management actions taken since 1990 have probably been effective. Consequently, the conservation management objectives for the Steller sea lion are probably being met. The approach provides a mechanism, based upon experience and scenario analysis, for exploring future policy options and may help to constrain the debate amongst stakeholders about the cost-benefit trade-offs associated with different options.     

Soil-profile distribution of primary and secondary plant-available nutrients under conventional and no tillage

Nutrient distributions under no tillage (NT) compared with conventional disk-and-bed tillage (CT) management in the warm, humid region of the southeastern USA need to be assessed so that future placement, quantity, and type of fertilizers can be altered, if necessary, to efficiently match crop demands. We determined soil-profile distributions of pH, N, P, S, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu to a depth of 0.9 m at the end of 8.5 years of continuous CT and NT management on a Weswood silty clay loam (fine, mixed, thermic Fluventic Ustochrept) in southcentral Texas. Most dramatic changes occurred within the 0–0.05 m depth, where soil under NT had lower pH, Fe, and Cu than under CT, but greater P, K, Zn, and Mn. Greater P and K under NT than under CT also occurred below the till-zone (0.15–0.3 m). At a depth of 0–0.3 m, soil under NT contained greater amounts of extractable P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu than under CT. Nitrogen fertilization had little effect on nutrient distributions, except resulting in greater extractable K at 0–0.05 m and greater nitrate at 0–0.15 m. Few changes in soil-profile distributions were observed for extractable S, Ca, Mg, and Na. Long-term continuous use of NT on this fine-textured, high-fertility (except for N) soil had no apparent adverse effects on nutrient distributions relative to CT, but enhanced conservation and availability of P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu near the soil surface where crop roots proliferate.     

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.