硝态氮对盐胁迫下囊果碱蓬幼苗根系生长和耐盐性的影响

在溶液培养条件下,设计了4个盐分（1,150,300或450 mmol/L NaCl）和3个氮素（0.05,5或10 mmol/L NO3--N）水平,研究了盐、氮及其互作对囊果碱蓬（Suaeda physophora Pall.）幼苗的离子吸收、氮营养状况、根系形态特征及耐盐性的影响。结果表明,与低盐或低氮相比,增加盐分或氮水平显著增加了囊果碱蓬根部的干重、根系的侧根长、表面积、总吸收面积和活跃吸收面积;且这些根系的形态指标与地上部的离子及氮的累积存在显著的正相关。高盐胁迫下增加氮营养,显著增加了地上部Na+、NO3-、有机氮的含量和硝酸还原酶的活性;降低了Cl-和K+的含量。高盐胁迫下,硝态氮的增加促进了囊果碱蓬幼苗根系的生长,增加了地上部有机氮、NO3-和Na+的累积,改善了植株的营养状况和渗透调节,从而提高了囊果碱蓬的耐盐能力。     

NaCl对真盐生植物囊果碱蓬硝态氮吸收亲和力系统的影响

采用营养液培养方法,研究了真盐生植物囊果碱蓬(Suaeda physophora Pall.) 在不同盐度和氮水平中预处理21 d后硝态氮的吸收动力学特征。结果表明,氮饥饿后,囊果碱蓬对NO-3吸收符合离子吸收动力学模型,其吸收动力学参数表现为NO-3预处理浓度增加后,高亲和力系统中Vmax增大,Km值增加,但增加的幅度不一致。经过低氮高盐预处理的囊果碱蓬高亲和力系统增加的幅度比经过高氮高盐预处理的囊果碱蓬高亲和力系统增加的幅度大; 对于低亲和力系统,NaCl长期胁迫对高氮预培养的囊果碱蓬的低亲和力系统吸收速率有抑制作用,而对低氮预培养的囊果碱蓬的低亲和力系统吸收速率有促进作用。结果说明,真盐生植物囊果碱蓬长期生长在低氮高盐条件下,为了适应特殊的环境条件,形成了耐盐的硝态氮吸收系统。     

Physiological response of culture media-grown barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) to titanium oxide nanoparticles

Since the fate of nanoparticles after their release in the environment and their possible transfer in plants and subsequent impacts is still largely unknown, this paper evaluates the potential phytotoxic effects of up to 20% w/w TiO₂ nanoparticles (nTiO₂) on barley cultivated in hydroponics and agar media. The X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed that nTiO₂ powder corresponds to anatase phase. On agar medium only high concentrations of nTiO₂ (10% and 20% w/w) induced significant inhibition of shoot growth. However, hydroponics treatment with nTiO₂ up to 1000?mg?L^?1 did not show any adverse effect on the shoot growth. In both experiments, (i) root growth inhibition effects became visible with increasing concentration of nTiO₂, (ii) plants treated with nTiO₂ showed no change in chlorophyll a and b content, even though the plants absorbed nTiO₂, (iii) weight of biomass treated with nTiO₂ was not significantly different compared to control. Therefore, we assume that transport of nTiO₂ into the aerial parts is limited due to the presence of effective mechanical or physiological barriers in roots. Overall, it appears that early root growth is a relevant indicator of potential effects of nTiO₂ exposure. Our results also indicate that synthesized nTiO₂ are not significantly toxic to the barley when applied at the concentrations used in this work, even though plants absorb titanium.     

Salt-induced perturbation in growth,physiological attributes,activities of antioxidant enzymes and organic solutes in mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) cultivars differing in salinity tolerance

A pot experiment was conducted to appraise the inhibitory effects of salt stress on biochemical attributes in the three mungbean cultivars (NCM-209, NCM-89 and NM-92). Salt stress caused a significant decrease in plant height, shoot relative water contents, photosynthetic pigments, endogenous levels of K⁺ and K⁺/Na⁺ ratios and increase in cellular levels of H₂O₂, MDA, Na⁺ and Cl^?. However, cv. NCM-209 was found to be tolerant in terms of lower salt-induced decline in K⁺, K⁺/Na⁺ ratio and photosynthetic pigments. The endogenous levels of H₂O₂ and MDA were also lower in cv. NCM-209. Salt stress markedly also affected different yield attributes in all mungbean cultivars. Again cultivar NCM-209 exhibited less inhibitory effects of salt stress on different growth attributes. Salt stress resulted in a marked increase in the activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase and ascorbate peroxidase) in mungbean cultivars. Activity of peroxidase was maximal in cv. NCM-209 and catalase activity was maximal in cv. NCM-89, whereas cvs. NCM-89 and NM-92 showed higher activities of superoxide dismutase. Similarly activity of ascorbate peroxidase was higher in cv. NM-92. It could be inferred from data of antioxidant enzymes that mungbean cultivars cannot be categorized as salt tolerant or sensitive on the basis of a single antioxidant enzyme.     

Rapid and reversible nitrate inhibition of nodule growth and N2 fixation activity in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.)

Nodulated soybean (Glycine max. (L) Merr. cv. Williams) plants were hydroponically cultured, and various combinations of 1-week culture with 5 or 0 mm nitrate were applied using 13-d-old soybean seedlings during three successive weeks. The treatments were designated as 0-0-0, 5-5-5, 5-5-0, 5-0-0, 5-0-5, 0-5-5, and 0-0-5, where the three sequential numbers denote the nitrate concentration (mm) applied in the first-second-third weeks. The size of the individual nodule was measured periodically using a slide caliper. All the plants were harvested after measurement of the acetylene reduction activity (ARA) at the end of the treatments. In the 0-0-0 treatment, the nodules grew continuously during the treatment period. Individual nodule growth was immediately suppressed after 5 mm nitrate supply. However, the nodule growth rapidly recovered by changing the 5 mm nitrate solution to a 0 mm nitrate solution in the 5-0-0 and 5-5-0 treatments. In the 5-0-5 treatment, nodule growth was completely inhibited in the first and the third weeks with 5 mm nitrate, but the nodule growth was enhanced in the second week with 0 mm nitrate. The nodule growth response to 5 mm nitrate was similar between small and large size nodules. After the 5-5-5, 5-0-5, 0-0-5, and 0-5-5 treatments, where the plants were cultured with 5 mm nitrate in the last third week, the ARA per plant was significantly lower compared with the 0-0-0 treatment. On the other hand, the ARA after the 5-0-0 and 5-5-0 treatments was relatively higher than that after the 0-0-0 treatment, possibly due to the higher photosynthate supply associated with the vigorous vegetative growth of the plants supplemented with nitrate nitrogen. It is concluded that both soybean nodule growth and N₂ fixation activity sensitively responded to the external nitrate level, and that these parameters were reversibly regulated by the current status of nitrate in the culture solution, possibly through sensing of the nitrate concentration in roots and / or nodules.     

模拟干旱和盐碱胁迫对碱蓬、盐地碱蓬种子萌发的影响

为研究干旱和盐碱胁迫对碱蓬(Suaeda glauca)、盐地碱蓬(Suaeda salsa)种子萌发的影响,比较碱蓬和盐地碱蓬逆境生理特性的异同,本研究利用PEG6000、NaCl和Na_2CO_3分别模拟干旱、盐和碱胁迫,配制相同渗透势的PEG6000、NaCl、Na_2CO_3处理液,以蒸馏水处理为对照,对碱蓬、盐地碱蓬种子的萌发与胚的生长进行比较研究。结果表明:1)低渗处理(-0.46 MPa)对碱蓬、盐地碱蓬种子的萌发无显著影响;高渗处理(-1.38MPa、-1.84 MPa)抑制碱蓬、盐地碱蓬种子的萌发。2)当溶液渗透势相等时,NaCl处理下碱蓬种子的萌发率显著大于PEG、Na_2CO_3处理;而等渗PEG、NaCl、Na_2CO_3处理对盐地碱蓬种子萌发率的影响无显著差异。3)PEG、NaCl、Na_2CO_3处理组碱蓬、盐地碱蓬种子的最终萌发率与对照无显著差异。4)在幼苗形成阶段,PEG、Na_2CO_3处理对碱蓬、盐地碱蓬胚的抑制作用显著大于等渗NaCl处理。5)碱蓬、盐地碱蓬胚的生长对NaCl、Na_2CO_3胁迫的响应存在差异。-0.92 MPa NaCl处理抑制碱蓬胚的生长,却对盐地碱蓬产生促进作用;-0.46 MPa Na_2CO_3处理对碱蓬胚的抑制作用小于盐地碱蓬。综合分析表明:碱蓬、盐地碱蓬均具有很强的抗盐性。在种子萌发阶段,碱蓬种子的抗旱、抗碱能力低于盐地碱蓬;在幼苗形成阶段,碱蓬胚的抗盐性小于盐地碱蓬,但对轻度碱胁迫的抗性高于盐地碱蓬。     

Sulfur dioxide inhibition of photosynthesis at different CO2 and O2 concentrations in relation to photorespiration

The mechanism of SO₂ inhibition of photosynthesis in intact leaves of tomato and maze was studied to evaluate SO₂ inhibition of photorespiration. Leaf tissues were fumigated with SO₂ under photorespiratory (low CO, and/or high O, concentrations) and non-photo-respiratory conditions. When tomato leaf disks were fumigated with 10 ppm SO₂ at 2, 21 and 100° o O., SO₂ inhibited photosynthesis at 2% O₂ in the same degrees as at 21% O₂. SO₂ inhibition of photosynthesis was depressed at higher CO₂ concentrations when the disks were fumigated with SO₂ at different CO₂ concentrations. High CO₂ concentrations also reduced the photosynthesis inhibition of maize leaf disks. These results suggest that SO₂ inhibits photosynthesis through other mechanisms than photorespiration inhibition and confirm the view that SO₂ competes with CO₂ for the carboxylating enzymes in photosynthesis     

Growth and antioxidant responses in mustard (Brassica juncea L.) plants subjected to combined effect of gibberellic acid and salinity

The effects of salt stress on plant growth parameters, lipid peroxidation and some antioxidant enzyme activities [superoxide dismutase (SOD; EC 1.15.1.1), catalase (CAT, EC 1.11.1.6), peroxidase (POD, EC 1.11.1.7), glutathione reductase (GR; EC EC 1.6.4.2) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX, EC 1.11.1.11) activity] were studied in the leaves of mustard. Plants were exposed to two different concentrations of NaCl stress (100 and 150 mM) for 45 days and were sprayed with GA₃ (75 ml pot^?1, conc. 75 mg l^?1) once a week. Salt stress resulted in decrease in the growth and biomass yield of mustard but the exogenous application of GA₃ enhanced these parameters significantly. Application of GA₃ counteracted the adverse effects of NaCl salinity on relative water content, electrolyte leakage and chlorophyll (Chl) content. GA₃ was sufficient to attenuate partially the stimulatory effect of NaCl supply on proline and glycinebetaine biosynthesis. GA₃ reduced lipid peroxidation in the leaves, which was increased during salt stress. The activity of all the antioxidant enzymes was increased significantly during salt stress in mustard. The exogenous application of GA₃ decreased the enzyme activity. The results of the present study indicate that usage of GA₃ reduces the harmful effects of salinity and increases resistance to salinity in mustard plant.     

Influence of sulphur supply on glucose and ATP concentrations of inoculated broad beans (Vicia faba minor L.)

In the present study, the influence of S supply on S concentrations, N₂ fixation, available amounts of glucose and adenylates of Vicia faba minor L. were weekly investigated, starting 6 weeks after sowing. Glucose was determined photometrically in shoots, roots and nodules and in ATP, ADP and AMP by bioluminescence in roots, mitochondria and bacteroids. Sulphur deficiency resulted in significantly lower S concentrations of shoots, roots and nodules, in a reduced N₂ fixation as well as in significantly lower amounts of glucose in shoots and nodules. In roots and bacteroids, S deficiency resulted in lower ATP concentrations, while the influence of S supply on ADP and AMP was less pronounced. With optimum S supply, the available amounts of glucose and ATP were strongly influenced by flower formation and seed development. Dedicated to Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. W. Werner on the occasion of his 75th birthday.     

Effects of nitric oxide and nitrogen on seedling emergence,ion accumulation,and seedling growth under salinity in the euhalophyte Suaeda salsa

Recently nitric oxide (NO) has emerged as a key signal molecule in plants. However, little is known about the role of NO in the salt tolerance of halophytes. Effects of the NO donors sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and nitrate (NO ) on growth and ion accumulation in the euhalophyte Suaeda salsa under salinity were investigated in the present study. The results showed that higher SNP supply increased seedling emergence, but SNP had no effect on shoot growth and the concentrations of Na⁺, K⁺, Cl^–, and NO . Higher NO had no effect on seedling emergence of the species. Shoot Cl^– decreased, but NO₃^– increased markedly, with a higher NO supply. The decrease in the estimated contribution of Cl^– to the osmotic potential was compensated for by an increase in that of NO . It appears that NO plays an important osmotic role in S. salsa under high salinity with a higher NO supply, and this trait may increase salt tolerance of the species under high salinity.     

Effects of Salinity and Nitrogen on Growth,Contents of Pigments,and Ion Accumulation of a Euhalophyte Suaeda Salsa in an Intertidal Zone and on Saline Inland

The different responses of two populations of Suaeda salsa (Linn.) Pall. (saline seepweed) from an intertidal zone and a saline inland zone to salinity [1 or 500 mM sodium chloride (NaCl)] and nitrogen [N; 0.05, 1, or 10 mM nitrate (NO₃ ^?)‐N] were investigated. Greater NO₃ ^?‐N supply (10 mM) increased shoot dry weight for the two populations of S. salsa, especially for S. salsa from the saline inland zone. Greater NO₃ ^?‐N supply (10 mM) increased the concentrations of chlorophyll and carotenoid in leaves and the NO₃ ^? and potassium (K⁺) concentrations in shoots for both populations. Greater NO₃ ^?‐N supply (10 mM) increased shoot Na⁺ in S. salsa from the intertidal zone. In conclusion, S. salsa from the saline inland zone is more responsive to NO₃ ^?‐N supply than the intertidal population. Greater NO₃ ^?‐N supply can help the species, especially the intertidal population, to grow and to mediate ion homeostasis under high salinity.     

The Influence of Carbon Dioxide or Ozone Concentration on Growth and Assimilate Partitioning in Seedlings of Nine Conifers

Abstract

Seedlings of nine different conifers were exposed to 355 and 730 μmol mol-1 CO₂, or low (> 15 nmol mol^?1) and elevated 0₃ concentration (70 nmol mol^?1) for 81–116 days. The experiments were conducted in growth chambers placed in a greenhouse. Increased CO₂ concentration enhanced the mean relative growth rate (RGR) and total plant dry weight by 4 and 33% in Larix leptolepis, by 4 and 38% in Larix sibirica, by 7 and 47% in Picea glauca and by 3 and 16% in Picea sitchensis, respectively. The growth rates and dry weights of Pimis contorta, Pinus mugo and Pseudotsuga menziesii were not significantly affected. Carbon dioxide enrichment enhanced RGR of two provenances of Picea abies by 4 and 6%, respectively, while a third provenance was unaffected. In Pimis sylvestris, only the RGR of one of three provenances was stimulated by CO₂ enrichment (4%).

After two growth seasons CO₂ enrichment enhanced RGR and total plant dry weight by 11 and 35% in Picea abies and by 12 and 36% in Pinus sylvestris, respectively. Elevated CO₂ decreased the shoot:root ratio in Larix leptolepis, and decreased the needlerstem ratio in Picea glauca, but increased it in Pseudotsuga menziesii.

Elevated O₃ significantly decreased the plant dry weight in Picea sitchensis, Pseudotsuga menziesii and in one of three provenances of Pinus sylvestris, while the other species and provenances were unaffected. Increased O₃ concentration increased the shoot:root dry weight ratio in one of three Picea abies provenances, in all three Pinus sylvestris provenances and in Pinus contorta. The needle:stem ratio was enhanced by O₃ in seven of the nine species. The O₃ exposure caused chlorosis of needles in all species except Pseudotsuga menziesii.     

La(NO3)3 对盐胁迫下黑麦草幼苗生长及抗逆生理特性的影响

为探讨稀土元素镧(La)对牧草盐胁迫伤害的缓解作用, 采用水培法研究了叶面喷施20 mg·L^-1La(NO₃)₃ 对NaCl 胁迫下黑麦草幼苗生长及其抗逆生理特性的影响。结果表明: 盐胁迫显著抑制黑麦草幼苗的生长, 提高叶片电解质渗漏率及丙二醛(MDA)、O₂^- 和H₂O₂ 含量, 其作用随盐浓度的增大而增强。超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)活性和抗坏血酸(AsA)、谷胱甘肽(GSH)、可溶性蛋白质、脯氨酸含量随盐浓度增大呈先升后降趋势, 可溶性糖和Na⁺/K⁺比逐渐增大, 质膜H⁺-ATP 酶活性逐渐降低, 过氧化物酶(POD)活性及POD 同功酶数量表达增强。喷施La(NO₃)₃ 处理可降低盐胁迫下黑麦草幼苗叶片的O₂^- 和H₂O₂ 含量, 提高SOD、CAT、POD、APX 和质膜H⁺-ATP 酶的活性及POD 同功酶的表达, 使AsA、GSH、可溶性蛋白质、可溶性糖和游离脯氨酸含量及幼苗生物量增加, Na⁺/K⁺比降低。表明La(NO₃)₃ 可通过提高抗氧化系统的活性和积累渗透溶质减轻盐胁迫伤害, 从而提高黑麦草的耐盐性。     

Low levels of ferredoxin, ATP and leghemoglobin contribute to limited N2 fixation of peas (Pisum sativum L.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) under S deficiency conditions

Sulphur (S) has become a major limiting factor for plant production in industrial as well as in remote industrial rural areas. Limitation of S can reduce legume N₂ fixation by affecting nodule development and function. In pot experiments with pea (Pisum sativum L.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), we investigated the influence of S on growth, ferredoxin, ATP and leghemoglobin concentrations. Addition of 200 mg S pot⁻¹ increased yield of shoots, roots and nodules of both plant species significantly. However, the influence of S on nodule yield formation was most pronounced. Pea and alfalfa roots were found to have higher S concentrations than shoots and being up to 2.9 times the S concentration in the shoots of peas under S-sufficient conditions. Sulphur addition also increased N₂ fixation significantly. The ferredoxin concentration in bacteroids of root nodules of pea was increased significantly by S only 10 weeks after planting and in bacteroids of root nodules of alfalfa 10 and 17 weeks after planting, while on per pot base the amounts of ferredoxin were higher throughout the experimental period of time. The ATP concentration of bacteroids of root nodules of both plant species as well as of mitochondria of root nodules of pea were significantly higher with optimum S supply. The effects of S deficiency on N₂ fixation are likely to be caused by the shortage of ferredoxin and ATP. The amount of leghemoglobin was reduced in comparison to nodules of the S-sufficient plants.     

NaCl对大麦硝态氮吸收动力学特征的影响

采用营养液培养方法研究了不同盐分和氮水平对大麦‘鉴四’(Hordeum vulgare L.)生长及硝态氮(NO3?-N)吸收动力学参数特征的影响。结果表明:不同浓度NO3?-N与Na Cl预处理后,大麦对NO3?吸收符合离子吸收动力学模型,其吸收动力学参数表现为NO3?预处理浓度增加后,Vmax增大,Km值增加,但增加的幅度不一致。对高亲和力系统来说,所有预处理大麦的NO3?-N吸收曲线均符合Michaelis-Menten方程的描述。1 mmol?L?1NO3?-N预处理中,120 mmol?L?1 Na Cl预处理比1 mmol?L?1 Na Cl预处理显著提高了NO3?-N的吸收速率;10 mmol?L?1NO3?-N预处理时,120 mmol?L?1 Na Cl预处理与1 mmol?L?1 Na Cl预处理无显著性差异。表明低氮环境下生长的大麦,其根系NO3?-N高亲和力系统受Na Cl影响较大。对低亲和力系统来说,所有预处理大麦的NO3?-N吸收曲线均符合Michaelis-Menten方程的描述。在1 mmol?L?1 NO3?-N预处理中,与1 mmol?L?1 Na Cl预处理相比,120 mmol?L?1 Na Cl胁迫的大麦NO3?-N吸收速率显著提高;10 mmol?L?1 NO3?-N预处理中,120 mmol?L?1 Na Cl与1 mmol?L?1 Na Cl处理相比,降低了大麦的NO3?-N吸收速率。表明低氮环境下生长的大麦,盐胁迫对其根系低亲和力系统有促进作用,而高氮环境下生长的大麦,盐胁迫对其低亲和力系统的NO3?-N吸收没提高作用。     

Comparative growth and symbiotic performance of four Acacia mangium provenances from Papua New Guinea in response to the supply of phosphorus at various concentrations

Plant growth performance, the P content in root and nodule tissues, and nodulation and N₂-fixing ability were studied in four provenances of Acacia mangium from Papua New Guinea following different levels of P fertilizer application. A. mangium did not seem to need high levels of P for growth and N₂ fixation. The response by this leguminous tree to the P supply varied significantly according to provenance and to P concentrations in the culture solution. The provenances of A. mangium were classified into three types according to their P response: (1) Growth performance, nodulation, and N₂ fixation of plants were stimulated as concentrations of P increased (provenance PH 482); (2) the maximal effect of P on plant growth was found only at P concentrations higher than 500 M (provenance PH 484); and (3) the plant response to P fertilization was low, even with nutrient solutions containing P concentratins higher than 500 M (provenances PH 483 and PH 485). Provenance PH 483 was distinguished by its low nodulating ability. However, this provenance grew well, probably because of its high N₂ fixation efficiency as expressed by specific acetylene reduction activity and its high P content in nodule tissues. Therefore, in certain cases, these two parameters may be useful criteria in selecting leguminous plants for field use. Statistical analyses of the study results showed that the effect of the factor P supply on N₂ fixation efficiency and nodule development was only significant at P concentrations lower than 250 M whereas the effect of the factor plant provenance was significant regardless of the P concentration used. This observation emphasizes the value of provenance screening in the identification of plants for use in a wide range of soil types.     

钙和NO对NaCl胁迫下黄瓜幼苗生长和活性氧代谢的影响

采用营养液培养的方法,研究了Ca2+对外源一氧化氮(Nitric oxide,NO)所诱导的NaCl胁迫下黄瓜幼苗生长、活性氧代谢的影响。结果表明,添加外源NO或Ca2+显著缓解了NaCl胁迫对黄瓜幼苗生长的抑制,叶片和根系超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性较单独NaCl胁迫处理显著提高,丙二醛(MDA)和过氧化氢(H2O2)的含量、超氧阴离子(O.-2)产生速率明显下降;添加NO的同时添加Ca2+通道抑制剂La3+抑制了NO的这些调节作用。结果表明Ca2+对NO诱导的NaCl胁迫下黄瓜幼苗植株活性氧清除能力的提高起重要作用,NO的作用可能依赖于胞浆Ca2+。     

Effect of placement of urea and coated urea fertilizers on yield and quality of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) seeds

The objective of the present study was to record the seed yield and to examine visually the quality of soybean seeds cultivated under different types and placements of urea fertilizers. In addition to the conventional fertilizer application (including ammonium sulfate 16 kg N ha^-1 broadcasting (100 kg N ha^-1 of urea (0B) and X00-d type coated urea CU-100 (CUB), and deep placement (100 kg N ha^-1) of urea (UD) and 100-d type coated urea CU-100 (CUD) was conducted in separate plots in a paddy field converted to an upland field located at Shindori Experimental Station of Niigata University. Soybean plant growth was periodically analyzed and the quality of harvested seeds was also visually examined (hereafter referred to as “visual quality”). It was found that the deep placement treatments were more conducive 1o nitrogen (N₂)fixation, based on the relative mreide N concentration in the xylem sap, which is a good indicator of N~fixation by soybean. Also the total seed yield was the highest in CUD (82 g plant^-1) and 0D (81 g plant^-1), compared to the control (62 g plant^-1), UB (68 g plant^-1), and CUB (68 g plant^-1). The visual quality of harvested seeds showed that CUD enhanced the quality of seeds compared to the other treatments, in which the percentage of good quality seeds, hereafter referred to as "good seeds," based on the dry weight was 51 (control), 65 (K3B), 61 (CUB), 61 (0D), and 6696 (CUD). In terms of diseased seeds, the percentage of turtle wrinkle and broken seed coats was found to decrease by N application compared to the control. Thus, it is suggested that N fertilization management is important for maximum yield of soybean as well as for the enhancement of seed quality.     

Microbial response to exudates in the rhizosphere of young beech trees (Fagus sylvatica L.) after dormancy

Plants act as an important link between atmosphere and soil: CO2 is transformed into carbohydrates by photosynthesis. These assimilates are distributed within the plant and translocated via roots into the rhizosphere and soil microorganisms. In this study, 3 year old European beech trees (Fagus sylvatica L.) were exposed after the chilling period to an enriched ¹³C–CO₂ atmosphere (δ¹³C = 60‰ – 80‰) at the time point when leaves development started. Temporal dynamics of assimilated carbon distribution in different plant parts, as well as into dissolved organic carbon and microbial communities in the rhizosphere and bulk soil have been investigated for a 20 days period. Photosynthetically fixed carbon could be traced into plant tissue, dissolved organic carbon and total microbial biomass, where it was utilized by different microbial communities. Due to carbon allocation into the rhizosphere, nutrient stress decreased; exudates were preferentially used by Gram-negative bacteria and (mycorrhizal) fungi, resulting in an enhanced growth. Other microorganisms, like Gram-positive bacteria and mainly micro eucaryotes benefited from the exudates via food web development. Overall our results indicate a fast turnover of exudates and the development of initial food web structures. Additionally a transport of assimilated carbon into bulk soil by (mycrorhizal) fungi was observed.