利用生物信息学方法进行基于表达序列标签的玉 米单核苷酸多态性标记的开发

针对简单重复序列（SSR）标记密度不足、单核苷酸多态性（SNP）标记开发一般只基于2种基因型的序列差异,用以检测其他基因型的材料时多态性不高,不能满足玉米基因精细定位需要的现状,本研究从公共数据库下载来自不同遗传背景的玉米表达序列标签（EST）,结合运用各种生物信息学软件,开发基于EST序列的高多态性SNP标记。通过对2018530条EST序列的比对分析,拼接发掘出遍布全基因组的80363个SNP位点。在SNP位点两侧保守序列上设计PCR引物,开发出12388 个SNP标记（www.sicau.edu.cn/web/yms/snp/snp.html）,包含34721个SNP位点。其中,6008个标记只含单一SNP位点,12762个位点的多态性信息含量（PIC）大于04,具有高度多态性。     

鲤鱼三、四核苷酸重复微卫星座位的筛选及特征分析*

采用磁珠富集法结合放射性同位素杂交法分离出鲤鱼(Cyprinus carpio)三、四核苷酸重复的微卫星阳性克隆1248个。对其中的384个克隆进行测序分析,共得到微卫星序列325个,其中完美型244个（75.08%）,非完美型59个（18.15%）,混合型22个（6.77%）。依据得到的微卫星序列,用Primer 3软件在线设计并合成引物145对,检测结果显示71.43%（80对/112对）的引物在野生个体间表现出多态性,等位基因数在3~12之间,多态信息含量在0.2109~0.8607之间,80%的位点处于高度多态水平。对群体的遗传结构评估结果显示,四核苷酸重复的微卫星标记在黑龙江鲤野生群体表现出的多态性水平（PIC=0.7740）高于三核苷酸重复（PIC=0.5161）和双核苷酸重复（PIC=0.49）,适用于群体间遗传差异分析和遗传连锁图谱的构建。     

微卫星标记分析广西水牛遗传多样性

为研究广西沼泽型水牛(Bubalus bubalis)核基因组的多态性,采用23对荧光标记微卫星引物,对随机抽取的60个广西本地水牛样本进行了PCR检测。结果表明,23对引物中,有19对可以获得特异性产物且存在多态,平均有效等位基因数为4.0189,基因座ILSTS086含有13个等位基因;各微卫星基因座的平均杂合度变化范围为0.1852~0.4722,ILSTS019基因座平均杂合度最高(0.4722),而ILSTS017平均杂合度最低(0.1852);群体基因平均多态信息含量(PIC)为0.6639,19个标记中有18个PIC大于0.5,属高度多态位点。     

鲮微卫星DNA分子标记的筛选与遗传多样性分析

采用磁珠富集法对已建立的生长较快的西江段野生浅色鲮群体的极大、极小群体各31尾基因组DNA进行了微卫星序列的筛选,128个阳性克隆成功测序93个,其中80个为的微卫星序列,微卫星序列完美型占85％,非完美型占6．25％,混合型占8．75％。利用微卫星序列合成了23对微卫星引物,扩增结果表明,等位基因数为1～10个,扩增片段大小为92～283bp,其中14对引物扩增条带清晰,为中度或高度多态位点,极大、极小群体的平均有效等位基因数和平均多态信息含量分别为3．0784、3．2079和0．5675、0．5974,反映出2个群体遗传多样性均较丰富;高度多态性引物4的位点b,片段大小为119bp,在极大群体中出现频率为61．3％,在极小群体占22．6％,出现频率极大群体高于极小群体近3倍,初步可作为候选差异性分子标记。     

用鲤鱼EST-SSRs分子标记分析长江黑龙江鲤种群结构

从鲤鱼ESTs的数据库（10691个）中进行微卫星序列筛选，共发现微卫星序列127个，占整个ESTs数据库的1.19%，另外从本研究室构建的鲤鱼脑组织cDNA文库中筛选到微卫星序列20个。根据筛选得到的微卫星序列设计引物68对，合成引物40对，其中27对引物能够获得预期的目的片段，20对引物在所检测的群体内及群体间表现出多态性。用此20个多态性标记分析了长江鲤和黑龙江鲤的群体遗传结构，结果表明：长江鲤和黑龙江鲤在多数位点表现出较高的遗传多样性，20个位点的平均有效等位基因数分别为3.9135、3.4820；平均观察杂合度为0.6067、0.5667；平均期望杂合度为0.6737、0.6194；平均多态信息含量为0.6308、0.5714。长江鲤的遗传结构好于黑龙江鲤，两个群体的Hardy-Weinberg偏离指数较小，群体基本保持平衡，群体结构较合理；其中HLJE1、HLJE10位点在长江鲤和黑龙江鲤的扩增结果相差较大，长江鲤的多态性明显高于黑龙江鲤，位点多态信息含量相差一倍以上，可用于群体的鉴别。     

微卫星分子标记与松浦镜鲤3个表型性状的相关分析

本文利用SPSS13.0分析软件对194尾松浦镜鲤的体重、体长和尾长值进行相关分析,并选用扩增效果好的30个微卫星标记,检测新品种松浦镜鲤繁殖群体的有效等位基因数（Ne）、观测杂合度（Ho）、期望杂合度（He）和多态信息含量（PIC）等遗传参数,以卡方检验估计群体Hardy-Weinberg平衡,最后还将30个基因座的不同基因型与个体的体重、体长和尾长进行了相关分析。结果显示,体重与体长高度线性相关,差异极显著;尾长与体重、体长分别呈显著相关,差异显著。多样性指数结果表明共检测到172个等位基因,片段长度在115～432bp之间,有效等位基因数为1.14～5.32;观测杂合度为0.07～0.92,期望杂合度为0.13～0.91;多态信息含量为0.12～0.79,其中高度多态（PIC≥0.5）21个,中度多态（0.25≤PIC≤0.5）7个,表明这个群体的多样性较高,信息含量比较丰富。我们还发现有4个遗传位点：HLJ328、HLJ693、MFW29和MFW48与体长性状显著相关（P〈0.05）,其中,位点HLJ328、HLJ693和MFW48还与体重性状显著相关（P〈0.05）,未发现与尾长性状相关的位点。本文获得的这些标记具有生长特性优势,可作为松浦镜鲤分子辅助育种的参考标记。     

鸭微卫星标记的筛选及其遗传多样性分析

采用磁珠富集法从AFLP片段中筛选微卫星标记,并对5个福建地方鸭品种的遗传多样性进行检测。基因组DNA用EcoRⅠ/MseⅠ内切酶酶切的同时与接头连接,酶切连接产物与用生物素标记的探针杂交,应用磁珠捕获100~2000bp含有微卫星序列的DNA片段并通过pGEM-T载体转化到大肠杆菌DH5a感受态细胞中,构建富集微卫星序列的基因组文库。随机挑选46个阳性克隆,测序获得14条含有微卫星的DNA序列并递交到GenBank（登录号：FJ599499~FJ599512）。设计合成14对微卫星引物,通过PCR优化从中选择5对引物用于5个福建地方鸭品种的遗传多样性分析。结果显示,5对微卫星引物共检测到31个等位基因,各微卫星基因座的有效等位基因数为1.969 7~2.834 4,多态信息含量和杂合度的平均值分别为0.5133和0.7480,遗传多样性丰富,说明磁珠富集法适合用于鸭微卫星标记的分离与筛选,筛选得到的5个微卫星位点可作为有效的遗传标记用于福建省地方鸭品种遗传多样性的研究。     

植物转座元件及其分子标记的研究进展

转座元件是基因组中可移动的DNA分子，在真核生物的基因和基因组进化中起着重要的作用。植物的转座元件分为反转录转座子和DNA转座子两大类，其中，反转录转座子又分为长末端重复序列(LTR)反转录转座子和非LTR反转录转座子两个亚类，而DNA转座子分为自主元件、非自主元件和微型反向重复转座元件(MITE)三种类型。基于植物转座元件的分子标记目前主要有序列特异扩增多态性(S-SAP)、MITE显示、转座子显示(TD)、MITE位点间多态性(IMP)、反转录转座子位点(IRAP)、反转录转座子-微卫星扩增多态性(REMAP)和基于反转录转座子插入多态性(RBIP)。综述了这些分子标记技术的原理及其在生物遗传多样性与系统进化分析、基因作图、品种鉴定等方面的应用。     

PCR-SSCP技术与比较基因组学结合定位棉花Li1基因

聚合酶链式反应-单链构象多态性(polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism,PCR-SSCP)作为一种能检测基因组间DNA碱基微小差异的技术手段,具有操作简便、快捷且灵敏度高等优点.比较基因组学近年来已经成为研究生物基因组的最主要手段之一;大量基因组序列的产生为通过比较基因组学开发新标记和定位目标基因提供了大量的DNA序列资源.本研究以李氏超短纤维突变体(Ligon lintless-1,Li1)为材料,定位Li1基因,针对PCR扩增产物片段较大的样品(＞400bp)进行PCR-SSCP技术的优化,用己发表的拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)和棉花(Gossypium spp.)D基因组DNA序列为参考,探索PCR-SSCP技术与比较基因组学结合开发新标记应用于棉花基因定位的可能性.结果表明,电压为150V,胶浓度为10％,电泳温度为4℃时电泳结果最好;上样缓冲液与PCR扩增目的片段比例为5∶1为最佳比例.利用上述优化的PCR-SSCP技术将根据棉花与拟南芥同线性区段开发的分子标记构建了一个由28个标记组成的长度为149.6 cM的遗传图,该区域包含4个功能上与Li1位点密切相关的基因.此外,利用D基因组序列开发的标记构建了一个由17个SSCP标记和Li1位点组成,跨越40.3cM的遗传图谱,距其最近的两端标记W058和P095分别为0.6和0.3 cM.本研究为棉花Li1基因的精细定位及其候选基因的克隆提供了理论基础.     

金针菇种质资源5个农艺性状与SSR标记的关联分析

金针菇(Flammulina velutipes)是一种重要的商业化栽培食用菌,为挖掘控制金针菇重要农艺性状的基因组区段,本研究以90份金针菇种质资源为实验材料,测定其原基期、菌柄直径、菌柄长度、菌盖直径和单瓶产量5个农艺性状,利用全基因组序列开发的95份多态简单重复序列(simple sequence repeat,SSR)标记对供试材料进行基因组扫描,在分析实验材料的群体结构和连锁不平衡基础上,采用一般线性模型方法对5个农艺性状进行关联分析。结果表明,各供试材料的5个农艺性状均有极显著差异。95份多态SSR标记共检测到582个等位变异,平均每个位点的等位变异数为6.13个。标记多态信息含量(polymorphism information content,PIC)变化范围为0.204~0.818,平均为0.542。群体遗传结构分析将供试材料分为8个亚群体,群体内SSR位点间存在较高的连锁不平衡(linkage disequilibrium,LD),不平衡程度D’值大于0.5的组合数占总组合数的33.01%。关联分析检测出28个标记与5个性状显著相关,其中原基期的关联标记有2个,菌柄直径的关联标记有12个,菌柄长度的关联标记有3个,菌盖直径的关联标记有9个,单瓶产量的关联标记有5个。关联SSR标记对表型变异解释率的变幅为5.11%~23.55%。研究表明,所选金针菇种质资源群体的遗传多样性以及连锁不平衡程度较高,适用于关联分析研究。本研究结果对金针菇核心种质资源库构建以及分子标记辅助育种具有参考价值。     

低氮和干旱胁迫对富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的影响

【目的】以富士（Fuji）、 秦冠（Qinguan）嫁接在平邑甜茶（Malus hupehensis Rehd.）上的当年生盆栽苗为试验材料,采用砂培方法,研究了缺氮胁迫和干旱对富士和秦冠生长情况、 光合参数、 植株各部位氮磷钾含量及氮素利用效率的影响,分析比较了低氮干旱条件下富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的差异,以期为果树生产高效肥水利用提供理论指导。【方法】试验共设四个处理: 正常氮正常水（ZZ）、 低氮正常水（DZ）、 正常氮干旱（ZG）、 低氮干旱（DG）。氮素和水分均设置两个水平,分别为正常氮（6 mmol/L NO-3-N）、 低氮（0.3 mmol/LNO-3-N）、 正常供水（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的80%~85%）、 干旱处理（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的60%~65%）。【结果】富士和秦冠的生物量（茎和叶）、 株高茎粗等生长指标以及光合速率、 气孔导度、 蒸腾速率均为正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）,并且相对应处理下秦冠的以上指标均高于富士;正常供水下,缺氮处理使富士、 秦冠的根冠比比正常氮处理均有所增加,富士提高了2.05%,秦冠提高了22.40%。富士和秦冠的氮、 磷、 钾含量均表现出正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）; 氮、 钾元素含量在植株各部位的分布顺序依次是叶＞根＞茎,磷元素则是根＞叶＞茎;光合氮素利用效率（PNUE）和氮素利用效率表现为秦冠处理之间差异极显著,富士处理之间差异不显著;秦冠的PNUE和NUE明显高于富士,在低氮正常水（DZ）处理下,秦冠氮肥利用率比富士高42.07%,在低氮干旱（DG）处理下高64.14%;低氮胁迫下富士和秦冠的NUE显著提高,并且秦冠提高的幅度高于富士。【结论】施用氮肥能够显著提高富士与秦冠的干物质量,同等水肥条件下,秦冠生长优于富士;水分亏缺会减少叶片对氮的吸收,干旱条件下适度增施氮肥,可提高果树的抗旱能力;低氮干旱胁迫下秦冠的生长指标、 光合指标及氮素利用效率指标均优于富士,表现出较强的抗低氮干旱胁迫的能力。     

Pasture Vegetation Elemental Analysis by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a new technique for the analysis of plant material. This study investigates the application of LIBS to pasture-based plant samples. The LIBS measurements were obtained from pelletized pasture samples (100 samples) that had been also analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) following microwave digestion for calibration and comparison purposes. Comparisons for elements sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), boron (B), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) showed that LIBS could be used for almost all the standard profile total elements with concentrations down to low mg/kg levels (observed error of Na: 0.024 percent, K: 0.18 percent, Mg: 0.016 percent, Ca: 0.073 percent, P: 0.017 percent, Mn: 31 mg/kg, Fe: 150 mg/kg, Zn: 6.6 mg/kg, and B: 1.1 mg/kg). Elemental analysis at less than mg/kg levels was not possible using LIBS. The elements S and Cu were particularly difficult to analyze with reliability using LIBS at the concentration levels found in the plant samples. Replacing microwave digestion and subsequent ICP analysis with a direct analysis of dried plant samples using LIBS has the potential to improve the productivity and reduce the cost of testing.     

Faculty positions:Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Macroinvertebrates in North American tallgrass prairie soils: effects of fire, mowing, and fertilization on density and biomass

The responses of tallgrass prairie plant communities and ecosystem processes to fire and grazing are well characterized. However, responses of invertebrate consumer groups, and particularly soil-dwelling organisms, to these disturbances are not well known. At Konza Prairie Biological Station, we sampled soil macroinvertebrates in 1994 and 1999 as part of a long-term experiment designed to examine the effects and interactions of annual fire, mowing, and fertilization (N and P) on prairie soil communities and processes. For nearly all taxa, in both years, responses were characterized by significant treatment interactions, but some general patterns were evident. Introduced European earthworms (Aporrectodea spp. and Octolasion spp.) were most abundant in plots where fire was excluded, and the proportion of the total earthworm community consisting of introduced earthworms was greater in unburned, unmowed, and fertilized plots. Nymphs of two Cicada genera were collected (Cicadetta spp. and Tibicen spp.). Cicadetta nymphs were more abundant in burned plots, but mowing reduced their abundance. Tibicen nymphs were collected almost exclusively from unburned plots. Treatment effects on herbivorous beetle larvae (Scarabaeidae, Elateridae, and Curculionidae) were variable, but nutrient additions (N or P) usually resulted in greater densities, whereas mowing usually resulted in lower densities. Our results suggest that departures from historical disturbance regimes (i.e. frequent fire and grazing) may render soils more susceptible to increased numbers of European earthworms, and that interactions between fire, aboveground biomass removal, and vegetation responses affect the structure and composition of invertebrate communities in tallgrass prairie soils.     

Variation in quality parameters between and within 14 Nordic tree fruit and berry species

Abstract

A 3-year study was carried out to investigate quality parameters in 14 tree fruit and berry species grown in southern Norway. The species were blueberry, apple, aronia, sour cherry, sweet cherry, red raspberry, strawberry, blackcurrant, gooseberry, red currant and elderberry, harvested along with wild bilberry, cloudberry and lingonberry. Significant differences between species were identified for all quality parameters. The coefficient of variation between species was lowest for pH (12.5%), dry matter (18.9%) and soluble solids (25.3%), followed by titratable acids (59.3%), total phenolics (83.8%), antioxidant capacity FRAP (85.7%) and antiradical power by the DPPH-assay (97.8%), total monomeric anthocyanins (132%) and ascorbic acid (137%). Average coefficient of variation within species were lower and ranged from 4 (pH) to 62% (ascorbic acid). Only the FRAP values were significantly affected by harvesting year with lower levels in 2004 than in 2005 and 2006. There were significant interactions between species and harvesting year for dry matter, soluble solids, pH, ascorbic acid and FRAP. The results indicate generic ranges in composition within species independent upon growing location and climate, and the composition of the tree fruits and berries is not likely to deviate from these ranges. It is concluded that desirable composition of tree fruits and berries and their products should primarily be achieved by selection among species rather than searching fors broadened variation within individual species.     

Potassium Fixation and Release Characteristics in Rhizosphere and Nonrhizosphere Soils for a Rapeseed–Rice Cropping Sequence

Potassium (K) fixation and release in soil are important factors in the long-term sustainability of a cropping system. Changes in K concentration and characteristics of K fixation and release in rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils in the rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)–rice (Oryza sativa L.) rotation were investigated using a rhizobox system. The concentrations of different forms of K in both rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils decreased with plants compared to without plants, regardless of K fertilizer application. Potassium uptake by crops mainly came from the rhizosphere soil. In the treatment without K fertilizer (–K), the main form of K supplied by the soil to the crops was 1.0 mol L^?1 nitric acid (HNO₃) nonextractable K, followed by nonexchangeable K, and then exchangeable K. In the treatment with K fertilizer (+K), the main K forms supplied by the soil to the crops were exchangeable K and nonexchangeable K. The amount and rate of K fixation after one cycle of the rapeseed–rice rotation was greater in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The amount and rate of K fixation of soil in the +K treatment were significantly less than in the –K treatment. The cumulative amounts of K released with 1.0 mol L^?1 ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc) and 1.0 mol L^?1 HNO₃ extraction increased with the increasing numbers of extractions, but the K-releasing power of soil by successive extraction decreased gradually and finally became almost constant. The release of K was less in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The release of K in the +K treatment was similar to that in the –K treatment in rhizosphere soil, but the K release in nonrhizosphere soil was greater with the +K than the –K treatment. Overall, the information obtained in this study will be helpful in formulating more precise K fertilizer recommendations for certain soils.     

Electron donor and pH relationships for biologically enhanced dissolution of chlorinated solvent DNAPL in groundwater

Biologically enhanced dissolution offers a method to speed removal of chlorinated solvent dense non-aqueous-phase liquid (DNAPL) sources such as tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichoroethene (TCE) from aquifers. Bioremediation is accomplished by adding an electron donor to the source zone where fermentation to intermediates leading to acetic acid and hydrogen results. The hydrogen and possibly acetic acid are used by dehalogenating bacteria to convert PCE and TCE to ethene and hydrochloric acid. Reductive dehalogenation is thus an acid forming process, and sufficient alkalinity must be present to maintain a near neutral pH. The bicarbonate alkalinity required to maintain pH above 6.5 is a function of the electron donor: 800 mg/L of bicarbonate alkalinity is sufficient to achieve about 1.2 mM TCE dechlorination with glucose, 1.7 mM with lactate, and a much higher 3.3 mM with formate. Laboratory studies indicate that in mixed culture, formate can be used as an electron donor for complete conversion to ethene, contrary to pure cultures studies indicating it cannot. Various strategies can be used to add electron donor to an aquifer for DNAPL dehalogenation while minimizing pH problems and excessive electron donor usage, including use of injection-extraction wells, dual recirculation wells, and nested injection-extraction wells.     

Biodiversity and ecogeography of wild Lactuca spp. in some European countries

Staff members of the Department of Botany of Palacký University in Olomouc and Gene Bank Department – Workplace Olomouc, Research Institute of Crop Production in Prague, Czech Republic, conducted an expedition in seven European countries (Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland) in August/September 1999 to collect wild Lactuca spp. germplasm and study its geographic distribution, ecology and biodiversity. During the mission, more than 600 locations were visited resulting in the collection of 602 seed samples (accessions) of wild Lactuca species and 13 seed samples of related genera (Chondrilla and Mycelis). Lactuca serriola f. serriola, L. serriola f. integrifolia, L. saligna and L. viminea subsp. chondrilliflora were prevalent in southern Europe (Italy, France), however, only L. serriola was common in central and western Europe (Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland). The greatest diversity of Lactuca species was found in France, where also the most seed samples (165) were collected. The most characteristic habitats with a high density of Lactuca spp. populations were observed along roads and highways, grassy ditches, ruderal communities, and dust-heaps. Natural infections by powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) and downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) on some wild Lactuca spp. were observed. Recent observations concerning the geographic distribution, population structure, habitats, and natural occurrence of diseases of Lactuca spp. are discussed. This assemblage of genetic resources of Lactuca spp. can serve as the basis of future studies of species diversification, spatial population structure, plant microevolution, domestication processes, and genetic variability of host-parasite interactions.     

Increase in auxiliary photoprotective photosynthetic pigments in wheat seedlings induced by Azospirillum brasilense

Inoculation of wheat seedlings with the plant growth-promoting bacterium Azospirillum brasilense Cd was immobilized in alginate microbeads and, without applying any stress, significantly increased the quantity of several photosynthetic pigments, such as chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and the auxiliary photoprotective pigments violaxanthin, zeaxanthin, antheroxanthin, lutein, neoxanthin, and β-carotene. This resulted in greener plants with no apparent visible stress. After monitoring the quantity of photosynthetic pigments for 4 weeks, we observed that inoculated plants had higher quantities of pigments in shoot and stem. The greatest difference in the quantity of all pigments between inoculated and noninoculated plants occurred in the first week of growth. Regardless of treatment, the quantity of pigments in stems was three to four times less than the quantity of these pigments in shoots. Application of Azospirillum, either as liquid inoculant or as alginate microbeads, did not alter the positive effect of the bacteria on pigment production or the positive response of the plants towards A. brasilense Cd inoculation.     

In-situ enrichment and analysis of atrazine-degrading microbial communities using atrazine-containing porous beads

We examined the community composition of microbes that colonized atrazine-containing beads buried in agricultural soils that differed in atrazine treatment history. Bacterial abundance was 5-40-fold greater in atrazine-fortified beads. In beads containing 20 mg atrazine kg⁻¹ buried in soil with a history of atrazine application (conditioned soil), the abundance of Actinobacteria increased approximately 80-fold whereas in control soil, Actinobacteria were enriched only 10-fold and the gamma-Proteobacteria and Planctomycetes increased by 60- and 25-fold, respectively. The gamma-Proteobacteria were enriched by 120- and 230-fold in beads containing 200 mg atrazine kg⁻¹ in conditioned and control soil, respectively. The results demonstrate that BioSep^® beads are a suitable matrix for recruiting a diverse subset of the bacterial community involved in atrazine degradation.