Defoliation induces root exudation and triggers positive rhizospheric feedbacks in a temperate grassland

The facilitating effect of the exudation of carbon (C) compounds from roots on rhizospheric processes has been shown in controlled experiments; however, it still remains unclear how important this pathway of C from plants to the soil may be in energy and nutrient processes in grazed grasslands under natural conditions. Root exudation may be a particularly important C pathway in grazed grasslands and help promote positive feedbacks between large herbivores and plants. In this study we performed a ¹³C pulse-chase experiment on plots that were clipped or left unclipped in a mesic grassland in Yellowstone National Park. The dominant grass species in the plots was Poa pratensis and it was used to measure the effect of defoliation on root C exudation, the rhizospheric microbial community, and feedbacks on plant nutrient uptake over a time period of 24–72 h. Defoliation stimulated C exudation from roots by 1.5-fold, which concomitantly increased rhizospheric microbial biomass by the same factor. The facilitating effects of defoliation on rhizospheric processes resulted in positive feedback on soil inorganic N pools and leaf N content, which increased by 1.2- and 1.5-fold respectively. Changes in soil inorganic N pools during the experiment indicated that the effect of the C flush on the rhizospheric decomposer community of defoliated plants resulted in a 5-fold increase in rhizospheric daily net N mineralization rate. These findings demonstrate that in a natural grassland community defoliation-induced stimulation of C exudation stimulates rhizospheric N-mineralization which ultimately benefits defoliated plants. The results also indicate the important role that short-term root–rhizospheric microbe interactions play in the C and N processes in grazed grasslands.     

Bacillus asahii comes to the fore in organic manure fertilized alkaline soils

Organic manure (OM) fertilization has a profound impact on agroecosystems. However, little is known about temporal responses and roles of the specific soil microbial guilds involved in the increases of soil fertility and crop yield triggered by OM fertilization. To unravel these interactions, a series of fresh and archived soil samples from a fertilization experiment started in 1989 in North China Plain (NCP) was systematically investigated. Molecular assays of contemporary fresh samples unravel that Bacillus asahii responded most distinctly to OM fertilization, while no shifts in microbial community structure were observed between chemical fertilizations and the control without fertilization; a series of archived soil samples from 1989 to 2009 reveal that the indigenous B. asahii took 2–4 years to become specifically dominant and its ratio fluctuated between 40% and 72% during 20 years. Culture-dependent assessments of isolated B. asahii strain further indicate that its rise subsequently played a key role in the increases of both crop yield and soil fertility, especially via accelerating carbon and phosphorus cycling. This insight deepens our understanding of how OM impacts agroecosystems through soil microbial processes, and highlights the possibility of using archived microbial information as a reference to develop an efficient and sustainable agricultural strategy.     

Changes in growth,microbial and enzyme activities in oil palm nursery in response to bioinoculants and chemical fertilizers

ABSTRACT

A study was conducted to assess the influence of bioinoculants and chemical fertilizers on survival and enzymes activity of microbes in rhizosphere and growth of oil palm seedlings. Bioinoculants namely Azotobacter chroococcum, Azospirillum brasilense, Bacillus megaterium, Frateuria aurantia and Glomus aggregatum were applied individually, combindly and integrated with chemical fertilizers. Most convincing and highly significant results for growth parameters, phosphatases, dehydrogenase and trehalase activity were observed in potting mixture with application of bioinoculants + 25% recommended dose of chemical fertilizers (RDF). Extreme levels of esterase in potting mixture were noticed under the treatment with bioinoculants + 50% RDF followed by bioinoculants + 25% RDF. The highest population of Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Bacillus and Frateuria in potting mixture was enumerated with consortium of bioinoculants + 25% RDF. Glomalin content and root infection recorded in Glomus aggregatum was ostensibly superior to rest of the treatments except consortium of bioinoculants + 25% RDF. Correlation analysis revealed significant and positive interaction between microbial population and enzyme activities. The study suggests that integrated use of bioinoculants along with 25% RDF play a significant role in enhancing oil palm seedling growth through increased microbial population and enzyme activity in rhizosphere.     

Pineapple–banana rotation reduced the amount of Fusarium oxysporum more than maize–banana rotation mainly through modulating fungal communities

Continuous cropping with banana results in an enrichment of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense race 4 (FOC) in soil, causing the soil-borne disease Fusarium wilt. Crop rotation has been an effective method of controlling various soil-borne diseases. However, no information is currently available concerning variations in soil microbial community structure in banana crop rotations. Thus, the influence of two-year crop rotation systems of pineapple–banana and maize–banana on the population density of FOC and soil microbial community structure was investigated to identify which rotation system is more effective in FOC suppression and differences in microbial community composition among different rotations. Bacterial and fungal communities were interrogated by pyrosequencing of the 16 S RNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. The pineapple–banana rotation was more effective than maize–banana in reducing FOC abundances and suppressing Fusarium wilt disease incidence. Allelopathic effects of pineapple root exudates on FOC were not observed. Greater fungal community variations than bacterial were identified between the two rotation systems, suggesting that fungal communities may play a more important role in regulating FOC abundances. Furthermore, in the pineapple–banana rotation, Acidobacteria, Planctomycetes, Chloroflexi phyla, Gp1, Gp2 and Burkholderia bacterial genera increased while the fungal phyla Basidiomycota, (esp. Gymnopilus) increased and Sordariomycetes decreased. Such changes may be important microbial factors in the decrease in FOC.     

Co-accumulation of microbial residues and particulate organic matter in the surface layer of a no-till Oxisol under different crops

In the absence of significant mechanical disturbance such as under permanent no-till (NT), crop type should be a prominent factor controlling soil organic C (SOC) pools. Microbial cell residues have been shown to be influenced by plant species and are believed to contribute significantly to soil organic matter formation. We performed a study to investigate the co-accumulation of microbial cell wall residues (glucosamine, GlcN and muramic acid, MurN) and organic C (total and particle-size fractions) in the surface layer (0- to 5-cm depth) of an Oxisol after 7 yr under NT, as affected by different crop types. SOC content associated with pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] was 20% and 18% higher than that with corn (Zea mays L.) or sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), respectively. The highest particulate organic C (POC) content in soil was also found under pigeon pea, which showed values 54, 46, and 48% higher than under corn, sunflower, and oilseed radish (Raphanus sativus L. var. oleiformis Pers.), respectively. Changes in POC explained most of the variation in SOC. The positive impact of pigeon pea on POC and SOC was attributed to rapid decomposition of its residues, due to their low C/N ratio, followed by selective preservation of lignin-rich particulate organic matter. The accrual of POC was closely associated with the accumulation of fungal and bacterial cell wall residues. This may be due to preferential feeding of fungi and bacteria on recently deposited plant-derived C sources present in the form of particulate organic matter. This observation is consistent with a recent model suggesting that microbial residues play a greater role in the formation of SOC than previously considered. We emphasize that this effect was mediated by the accumulation of POC and influenced by crop type.     

Mutabilis in mutabili: Spatiotemporal dynamics of a truffle colony in soil

The functioning of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) symbioses is closely related to the development of the soil mycelial phase the ECM fungi. The properties and spatiotemporal dynamics of such mycelia in ecosystems is, however, poorly understood. Here we show, using a soil colony of summer truffle (Tuber aestivum) as a model, that an ECM mycelium may only grow and colonize newly-opened soil patches when soil temperatures rise above certain threshold, in this case +10 °C, provided other requirements such as sufficient soil moisture are fulfilled. Extension rates of truffle mycelium in the fields was recorded as >0.3 μm min⁻¹, several-fold greater than that predicted from laboratory cultures. Further, we demonstrated that there was a consistent spatial differentiation in mycelium growth patterns within the fungal colony on a decimeter scale, changing from “diffusion” type of growth at the colony margin to “colony-front” pattern further away from the colony margin. This change was clearly accompanied by shifting structure of soil microbial communities with Terrimonas sp. and another unidentified bacterium correlating with the “colony-front” mycelium growth pattern, and Sphingomonas sp. and Lysobacter brunnescens with the “diffusion” type of mycelium growth. Possible implications of the observed truffle colony differentiation are discussed for processes like fruit-body formation and dispersal of this ECM fungus. Our data indicate that the thallus of T. aestivum has to be considered as a principally variable (“mutabilis”) being in space and time, whose behavior correlates with conditions in ever changing soil environment (“in mutabili”).     

Microbial community structure and abundance in the rhizosphere and bulk soil of a tomato cropping system that includes cover crops

Understanding microbial responses to crop rotation and legacy of cropping history can assist in determining how land use management impacts microbially mediated soil processes. In the literature, one finds mixed results when attempting to determine the major environmental and biological controls on soil microbial structure and functionality. The objectives of this research were to: (1) Qualitatively and quantitatively measure seasonal and antecedent soil management effects on the soil microbial community structure in the rhizosphere of a subsequent tomato crop (Solanum lycopersicum) and (2) Determine phylum scale differences between the rhizosphere and bulk soil microbial community as influenced by the antecedent hairy vetch (Vicia villosa), cereal rye (Secale cereale), or black plastic mulch treatments. In this report, we use terminal restriction fragment length polymorphisms in the 16s rDNA gene to characterize changes in microbial community structure in soil samples from a field replicated tomato production system experiment at USDA-ARS Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, MD, USA. We found season of the year had the strongest influence on the soil microbial community structure of some of the major microbial phyla. Although we monitored just a few of the major microbial phyla (four Eubacteria and Archaea), we found that the effects of the tomato plant on the structural composition of these phyla in the rhizosphere differed dependent on the antecedent cover crop. Increased understanding of how agricultural factors influence the soil microbial community structure under field conditions is critical information for farmers and land managers to make decisions when targeting soil ecosystem services that are microbially driven.     

Soil microbial biomass, dehydrogenase activity, bacterial community structure in response to long-term fertilizer management

This study describes the effects of balanced versus nutrient-deficiency fertilization on soil microbial biomass, activity, and bacterial community structure in a long-term (16 years) field experiment. Long-term fertilization greatly increased soil microbial biomass C and dehydrogenase activity, except that the P-deficiency fertilization had no significant effect. Organic manure had a significantly greater (P<0.05) impact on the biomass C and the activity, compared with mineral fertilizers. Microbial metabolic activity (dehydrogenase activity per microbial biomass C) was significantly higher (P<0.05) under balanced fertilization than under nutrient-deficiency fertilization. General bacterial community structure was analyzed by PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) targeting eubacterial 16S rRNA gene. Mineral fertilization did not affect the DGGE banding pattern, while specific DGGE band was observed in organic manure-fertilized soils. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the change of bacterial community in organic manure-fertilized soil might not be because of the direct influence of the bacteria in the compost, but because of the promoting effect of the compost on the growth of an indigenous Bacillus sp. in the soil. We emphasize the importance of balanced-fertilization, as well as the role of P, in maintaining soil organic matter, and promoting the biomass and activity of microorganisms.     

Influence of introduced potential biocontrol agents on maize seedling growth and bacterial community structure in the rhizosphere

Two species of Pseudomonas chromosomally tagged with gfp, which had shown antagonistic activity against the tomato pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum in a previous study, were assessed for their impact in the rhizosphere of maize. Plant growth characteristics, numbers of indigenous heterotrophic bacteria, changes in the bacterial community structure according to the r/K strategy concept, and shifts in MIDI-FAME profiles of culturable bacterial fractions as well as total rhizosphere microbial communities were determined in relation to seed and soil treatment with the exogenous pseudomonads. The maize rhizosphere proved to be a suitable habitat for the introduced P. chlororaphis IDV1 and P. putida RA2, which showed good survival after introduction. However, both inoculants showed a small growth-reducing effect towards maize, which might have been caused by the high densities of inoculants used (i.e. competition for nutrients and action of metabolites produced) and/or changes in microbial community structure (both culturable bacterial fraction and the total microflora). Probably, an altered balance among the indigenous maize rhizosphere populations occurred. Thus, the culturable bacteria, as well as the total microflora in the rhizosphere, changed in response to the introduced pseudomonads, and their development was dependent on the growth stage of the plant. The FAME analyses showed that these microbial communities comprised different populations, and were separated according to, first, the method used (direct versus cultivation-based), second, sampling time, and, finally, inoculation level.     

Symbiotic effectiveness and host ranges of indigenous rhizobia nodulating promiscuous soyabean varieties in Zimbabwean soils

Presence of indigenous rhizobia nodulating promiscuous soyabean was determined in 92, mainly sandy soils, from wetter agro-ecological zones of Zimbabwe suited to soyabean production. A total of 129 isolates were obtained from nodules of promiscuous soyabean varieties, Magoye and Hernon 147, and a specific variety, Roan grown in potted soils. Magoye nodulated in 80%, Hernon 147 in 50% and Roan in only 25% of the 92 soils tested. Rhizobia populations ranged from undetectable to 2.4×10⁴ cells g⁻¹ of soil. Twenty-one of these isolates were tested for symbiotic effectiveness on two varieties, promiscuous Magoye and specific Roan. Differences in parameters such as nodule numbers, nodule weights and total N fixed reflected diversity among the indigenous isolates. Three isolates had significantly higher N₂-fixing potential in comparison with the commercial strain MAR 1491 on promiscuous Magoye. Host ranges of 34 isolates were evaluated on nine legume species: Arachis hypogaea, Cajanus cajan, Crotalaria juncea, Glycine max, Macroptilium atropurpureum, Phaseolus vulgaris, Sesbania sesbania, Vigna subterranea, Vigna unguiculata. Of these 34 isolates, 33 formed nodules with M. atropurpureum of which 61% were moderately effective to very effective while all nodulated V. unguiculata with 58% being moderately effective to very effective. Twenty-eight isolates nodulated V. subterranea and C. cajan (short season variety) with 76 and 36% of these being moderately to very effective, respectively. None of the isolates formed nodules on Phaseolus vulgaris, Arachis hypogaea or Sesbania sesban. Our results indicate that the ability of even specific varieties of soyabean to nodulate with indigenous isolates in African soils is greater than generally assumed.     

Crop improvement and root rot suppression by seed bacterization in chickpea

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted at the Regional Research Station, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Bawal, India, to evaluate the contribution of different bioinoculants in terms of nodule number, nodule biomass, root rot incidence and seed yield in chickpea. Nodule number and biomass were positively affected by the application of bioinoculants. Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) alone or in combination with bioinoculants reduced plant mortality and increased seed yield of the crop. Seed yield at 50% fertilizer dose (RF) plus all the three inoculants was at a maximum during all the three years of experimentation.     

植物促生菌接种对中国芥蓝根际固有微生物群落结构的影响

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have been widely recognized as an important agent,especially as a biofertilizer,in agricultural systems.The objectives of this study were to select efective PGPR for Chinese kale (Brassica oleracea var.alboglabra) cultivation and to investigate the efect of their inoculation on indigenous microbial community structure.The Bacillus sp.SUT1 and Pseudomonas sp.SUT19 were selected for determining the efficiency in promoting Chinese kale growth in both pot and field experiments.In the field experiment,PGPR amended with compost gave the highest yields among all treatments.The Chinese kale growth promotion may be directly afected by PGPR inoculation.The changes of microbial community structure in the rhizosphere of Chinese kale following PGPR inoculation were examined by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and principal coordinate analysis.The DGGE fingerprints of 16S rDNA amplified from total community DNA in the rhizosphere confirmed that our isolates were established in the rhizosphere throughout this study.The microbial community structures were slightly diferent among all the treatments,and the major changes depended on stages of plant growth.DNA sequencing of excised DGGE bands showed that the dominant species in microbial community structure in the rhizosphere were not mainly interfered by PGPR,but strongly influenced by plant development.The microbial diversity as revealed by diversity indices was not diferent between the PGPR-inoculated and uninoculated treatments.In addition,the rhizosphere soil had more influence on eubacterial diversity,whereas it did not afect archaebacterial and fungal diversities.     

Parasitism by Cuscuta australis affects the rhizhospheric soil bacterial communities of Trifolium repens L.

ABSTRACT

The effect of parasitism on belowground microbial communities is not well understood. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing was used to test the effect of Cuscuta australis parasitism on the composition and diversity of bacterial community in the rhizospheric soil of the host plant Trifolium repens. 94569 sequences were obtained from the amplicons of non-parasitised, and 97172 sequences were obtained from the parasitised rhizospheric soil bacterial community. Parasitism of C. australis significantly decreased the relative abundance of the bacterial phylum Nitrospirae, while it significantly increased that of Verrucomicrobia. Parasitism of C. australis significantly decreased the relative abundance of 10 bacterial genera, while it significantly increased those of nine genera. The Chao 1 indexes of the rhizospheric soil bacterial community of parasitised T. repens were significantly lower than those of non-parasitised T. repens. Principal coordinate analysis (based on the genus) and principal component analysis (based on the predicted gene function of bacterial communities) showed that rhizospheric bacterial communities from parasitised and non-parasitised T. repens differed and can be divided into two groups. These results suggest that infection of the holoparasitic plant could indirectly change the composition, diversity, and function of rhizospheric soil bacteria of the host plant.     

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。     

Non-target effects of the microbial control agents Pseudomonas fluorescens DR54 and Clonostachys rosea IK726 in soils cropped with barley followed by sugar beet: a greenhouse assessment

Non-target effects of a bacterial (Pseudomonas fluorescens DR54) and a fungal (Clonostachys rosea IK726) microbial control agent (MCA), on the indigenous microbiota in bulk soil and rhizosphere of barley, and subsequent a sugar beet crop, were studied in a greenhouse experiment. MCAs were introduced by seed and soil inoculation. Bulk and rhizosphere soils were sampled regularly during the growth of barley and sugar beet. The soils were assayed for the fate of MCAs and various features of the indigenous soil microbiota. At the end of the experiment (193 d), DR54 and IK726 had declined by a factor of 10⁶ and 20, respectively, and DR54 showed a short-lasting growth increase in the sugar beet rhizosphere. In general, the non-target effects were small and transient. IK726 seemed to have general stimulating effects on soil enzyme activity and the soil microbiota, and resulted in a significant increase in plant dry weight. The plant growth-promoting effect of DR54 was less pronounced and the DR54 displaced indigenous pseudomonads. DR54 stimulated growth of protozoans with a tolerance for the anti-fungal compound viscosinamide produced by DR54. Treatment with the fungicide Fungazil had no effects on plant growth or soil microorganisms. Phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis detected the perturbations of the soil microbial community structure in the MCA treatments as well as the return to non- perturbed conditions reflecting the decline of inoculant populations. The PLFA technique appears to be suitable for in situ monitoring of MCA non-target effects on the soil microbiota, but should be combined with assays for MCA survival and soil enzyme activity.     

Rhizosphere microbial community and Zn uptake by willow (Salix purpurea L.) depend on soil sulfur concentrations in metalliferous peat soils

On numerous occasions, rhizosphere microbial activities have been identified as a key factor in metal phytoavailability to various plant species and in phytoremediation of metal-contaminated sites. For soil bioremediation efforts in heavy metal contaminated areas, microbes adapted to higher concentrations of heavy metals are required. This study was a field survey undertaken to examine rhizosphere microbial communities and biogeochemistry of soils associated with Zn accumulation by indigenous willows (Salix purpurea L.) in the naturally metalliferous peat soils located near Elba, NY. Soil and willow leaf samples were collected from seven points, at intervals 18 m apart along a willow hedgerow, on four different dates during the growing season. Soil bacterial community composition was characterized by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis and a 16S clone library was created from the rhizosphere of willows and soils containing the highest concentrations of Zn. Bacterial community composition was correlated with soil sulfate, but not with soil pH. The clone library revealed comparable phylogenetic associations to those found in other heavy metal-contaminated soils, and was dominated by affiliations within the phyla Acidobacteria (32%), and Proteobacteria (37%), and the remaining clones were associated with a wide array of phyla including Actinobacteria, Gemmatimonadetes, Planctomycetes, Verrucomicrobia, Bacteriodetes, and Cyanobacteria. Diverse microbial populations were present in both rhizosphere and bulk soils of these naturally metalliferous peat soils with community composition highly correlated to the soil sulfate cycle throughout the growing season indicative of a sulfur-oxidizing rhizosphere microbial community. Results confirm the importance of soil characterization for informing bioremediation efforts in heavy metal contaminated areas and the reciprocity that microbial communities uniquely adapted to specific conditions and heavy metals may have on an ecosystem.     

Taxonomic and functional diversity of the soil microbiome recruited from alternative crops in a rotation system

Intensive cropping is considered to contribute to negative effects both on soil physiochemical properties and on long-term grain yield, which can be alleviated by appropriate crop rotations. The soil microbial community can vary with different crop rotations, which in turn affect soil quality and grain yield. Therefore, it is of great significance to elucidate the response of the soil microbial community to crop rotation. In this study, the structural and functional changes of microbial community in different crop rotations were analyzed using high-throughput sequencing and metagenomics analysis in a field experiment. The continuous winter wheat-summer maize cropping system was the control, and three crop rotations were established in October 2016 as follows: (1) spring peanut→winter wheat-summer maize, (2) winter wheat-summer peanut→winter wheat-summer maize and (3) spring sweet potato→winter wheat-summer maize. Soil samples were collected in September 2021 for soil microbial assessment. The results showed that the relative abundance of Actinobacteriota in the soil of spring sweet potato→winter wheat-summer maize was significantly higher (15.2%) than that in the control. The relative abundance of Ascomycota was significantly higher (19.8%–23.2%) in the soil following crop rotation compared with the control. Compared with the control, spring peanut→winter wheat-summer maize enriched energy metabolism genes, and spring sweet potato→winter wheat-summer maize reduced the genes related to plant–pathogen interaction. Compared with the control, crop rotation significantly decreased the relative abundance of the inorganic phosphorus solubilization gene (gcd) and the phosphorus transport gene (upgE) and increased the abundance of organic phosphorus mineralization genes (phoA and phyA). Based on these results, we concluded that the composition of the soil microbial community and functional genes can be altered by crop rotation, and spring peanut→winter wheat-summer maize and spring sweet potato→winter wheat-summer maize had more significant effects. This study provided a reference for the selection of crop rotations in the North China Plain based on the soil microbial community and its function.     

铜胁迫对抗虫转基因水稻根际土壤微生物的影响

根际土壤微生物群落是联系土壤环境与作物生长的重要纽带,也是转基因作物环境安全评价的主要指标,而Cu胁迫对转基因水稻根际土壤微生物的影响目前尚不清楚。本研究基于盆栽试验,采用高通量测序等技术研究Cu胁迫(Cu含量100mg/kg)对抗虫转基因水稻华恢1号(HH)及其亲本非转基因水稻明恢63(MH)农艺性状及成熟期根际土壤微生物的影响,并以不施加Cu胁迫处理为对照。结果显示:Cu胁迫显著降低了水稻株高、生物量及产量;Cu胁迫改变了水稻根际土壤总氮、铵态氮含量及氧化还原电位值,而种植转基因水稻仅降低了根际土壤氧化还原电位值;Cu胁迫没有影响水稻根际土壤细菌丰度,但降低了细菌群落Alpha-多样性,改变了水稻根际土壤细菌群落组成和群落结构;相同Cu含量胁迫下,HH和MH水稻生长指标及根际土壤细菌群落结构及组成差异较小。上述研究表明,Cu胁迫抑制了水稻农艺性状及根际土壤细菌群落,但种植抗虫转基因水稻没有影响水稻植株及根际土壤细菌群落对Cu胁迫的抗性。     

Soil microbial biomass and community composition as affected by cover crop diversity in a short‐term field experiment on a podzolized Stagnosol‐Cambisol

Background: Cover cropping appears as a useful land management practice with numerous benefits for ecosystem functions. Aim: The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of different winter cover crops on soil microbial biomass, activity, and community composition in intensively managed agriculture systems as function of cover crop diversity. Methods: For this purpose, an on‐farm experiment was conducted at a podzolized Stagnosol‐Cambisol during seven months growing oil radish as single cover crop and five different cover crop mixtures comprising 5 to 13 plant species. A fallow treatment was used as control. Phospholipid fatty acids were used to determine the soil microbial biomass and soil microbial community composition. Basal respiration of the soil microorganisms was measured as a proxy for microbial activity. Results: The results show that none of the cover crop mixture could increase soil organic carbon or total nitrogen content. Three cover crop mixtures and oil radish as single cover crop significantly increased soil microbial biomass by about 50% and all of the investigated cover crops significantly increased microbial respiration and metabolic quotient by 50–150%. Only highly diverse cover crop mixtures significantly increased individual microbial groups such as Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria, actinobacteria, and saprotropic and mycorrhizal fungi by about 20% compared to the control. However, the ratio of fungi to bacteria was not influenced by any of the cover crop mixtures under study. Conclusion: These findings corroborate that aboveground plant diversity is linked to belowground microbial diversity.     

Culture-based and culture-independent assessment of the impact of mixed and single plant treatments on rhizosphere microbial communities in hydrocarbon contaminated flare-pit soil

Phytoremediation is a novel treatment option for weathered, hydrocarbon contaminated, flare-pit soil in prairie ecosystems. The remediation potential of six different naturalized prairie plants was assessed by examining their impact on the degradation potential of indigenous bacterial communities. Culture-based and culture-independent microbiological methods were used to determine if mixed plant treatments stimulate different microbial communities and catabolic genotypes in comparison to individual plant species that comprise the mix. DGGE analysis of PCR-amplified 16S rRNA genes revealed that alfalfa (Medicago sativa) had a dominant effect on the structure of rhizosphere microbial communities in mixed plant treatments, stimulating relative increases in specific Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria populations. Alfalfa and mixes containing alfalfa, while supporting 100 times more culturable PAH degraders than other treatments, exhibited only 10% TPH reduction, less than all planted treatments except perennial rye grass (Lolium perenne). Total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) reduction was greatest in single-species grass treatments, with creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra) reducing the TPH concentration by 50% after 4.5 months. Overall TPH reduction throughout the study was positively correlated (p<0.001) to culturable n-hexadecane degraders.