宣汉牛微卫星DNA与生长发育性状的关联分析

微卫星DNA(microsatellite DNA)标记已在动物和植物遗传变异分析和QTL定位方面普遍应用。许多研究者采用微卫星DNA标记在牛(Bos taurus)、羊(Capra hircus)、猪(Sus scrofa)、鸡(Gallus gallus)等基因组中筛选出了大量与生长发育或生产性能具有关联效应的等位基因,并应用于畜禽育种实践。然而,微卫星标记与宣汉牛(B.taurus)生长发育性状之间的关联效应尚未见相关研究报道。本研究采用12对微卫星引物,应用PCR扩增和非变性聚丙稀酰胺凝胶电泳技术,对42头宣汉牛母牛进行了遗传多样性检测,并统计分析各位点不同基因型群体宣汉牛在体高、体长、胸围、管围和体质量5个性状上的效应关系。结果显示,12个微卫星位点中,BM1905位点与宣汉牛体高、体长、胸围、管围和体质量不具有关联效应。IDVGA2、BM2113、ETH225、HEL9、ILSTS005、BM1824、ETH10位点与体高;BM2113、DVGA55、ETH225、HEL9、ILSTS005、BM1824、DAVG44位点与体长;BM2113、DVGA55、ETH225、HEL9、ILST093、IDVGA27、BM1824位点与胸围;BM2113、ETH225、HEL9、ILSTS005、BM1824、ETH10、DAVG44位点与管围;BM2113、DVGA55、ETH225、HEL9、ILSTS005、ILST093、BM1824位点与体质量均具有显著或极显著的效应关系。研究表明,除BM1905以外,其余11个微卫星位点上对宣汉牛生长发育性状具有正效应的等位基因有59个,具有负效应的等位基因44个。本研究在分子水平上为宣汉牛科学合理保种、早期选种和高效育种提供了理论依据,可应用于宣汉牛选育改良实践。     

荷斯坦牛白细胞抗原基因-DRB3(BoLA-DRB3)外显子2多态性及其与体细胞评分的关系

采用PCR-RFLP技术,用限制性内切酶BstY I对河北省489头荷斯坦母牛和40头荷斯坦公牛白细胞抗原-DRB3基因(BoLA-DRB3)外显子2的284 bp扩增产物进行多态性分析.荷斯坦母牛经BsfY Ⅰ酶切产生3种基因型AA、AB和BB,其频率分别为0.078、0.380和0.542;荷斯坦公牛经BsfY Ⅰ酶切产生2种基因型AB和BB,其频率分别为0.250和0.750;荷斯坦母牛和公牛在该酶切位点均处于Hardy-Weinberg平衡状态(母牛:,P=0.799>0.05;公牛:,P=0.665>0.05);用最小二乘法分析BoLA-DRB3基因外显子2的多态性与荷斯坦母牛体细胞评分(somatic cell score,SCS)的关系,结果表明AA基因型SCS最小二乘均值极显著低于AB基因型所对应的值(P=0.0098<0.01),极显著低于BB基因型所对应的值(P=0.00009<0.0001);AB基因型SCS最小二乘均值极显著低于BB基因型所对应的值(P=0.0096<0.01);对乳房炎抗性,AA是最有利基因型,BB是最不利基因型.研究结果表明BoLA-DRB3基因外显子2的多态性是提高奶牛乳房炎抗性的一个潜在的DNA标记.     

甘肃高山细毛羊微卫星遗传多样性及亲子鉴定研究

利用多重PCR和DNA测序技术对116只甘肃高山细毛羊(Ovis aries)13个微卫星座位的多态性进行检测,并结合父母本记录,开展亲子鉴定研究,以期为绵羊种质资源评价和亲子鉴定研究提供合理有效的微卫星座位.结果表明,甘肃高山细毛羊13个微卫星座位共检测到111个等位基因,在DRB 1-INTRO2座位检测到的等位基因数最多(14个),SRCRCP5座位最少(5个).ILSTS011座位观察杂合度最高(0.888),MAF214座位最低(0.500),除MAF214座位为中度多态外,其余12个座位均为高度多态,13个微卫星座位平均观察杂合度(Ho)为0.743,期望杂合度(He)为0.727,平均多态信息含量(PIC)为0.689.表明甘肃高山细毛羊遗传多样性较丰富.通过Cervus 2.0计算,13个微卫星座位累计父权排除概率(CPE)达到了0.999 94,11个具有高度多态的座位(除MAF214和OARJMP29外)CPE达到0.999 85,12个座位达到0.999 91,其中MAF214座位(中度多态)对CPE的影响较小,DRB1-INTRO2座位(高度多态)对CPE的影响较大,对亲子鉴定的贡献较大.本研究所分析的13个微卫星座位能够有效的提高亲子鉴定要求的精确度,可使实验操作更简便,成本降低,更适用于生产实际.     

14个微卫星DNA标记在猪个体识别和溯源中的应用研究

本研究应用微卫星标记对3个国外引进猪品种(大白猪、长白猪和杜洛克猪)进行了个体识别的可行性研究.每个品种选取同窝的10个个体,利用SSR多态性分析个体之间的差异.结果表明利用7个微卫星标记即可区分来源于其中2窝的20个个体,再加上7个微卫星标记后可对另一窝10个后代进行个体识别.本研究进一步利用这些微卫星标记对屠宰场随机取样的5头猪进行从肉样到血液样品的溯源研究,结果表明同一头猪的肉样和血液样品的微卫星座位是一一对应的,说明应用微卫星标记进行从市场肉品到养殖猪血液的DNA溯源是可行的.     

6个微卫星座位与北京荷斯坦母牛乳成分性状关系的研究

选择与奶牛乳成分性状紧密相关的6个微卫星座位BM711、BM143、BM1443、BM1905、BM415和BM4505,用非变性聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳分析其在200头北京荷斯坦母牛中的遗传变异。计算了其等位基因频率、杂合度、多态信息含量和有效等位基因数,并利用最小二乘法拟合线性模型初步探索了这6个微卫星座位与北京荷斯坦母牛乳成分性状的关系。结果表明:与乳脂率显著相关的最有利基因型在BM4505座位上为225bp/225bp,在BM415座位上为168bp/168bp,在BM711座位上为190bp/190bp;与蛋白率显著相关的最有利基因型在BM1905座位上为201bp/201bp,在BM1443座位上为163bp/163bp,在BM415座位上为168bp/168bp,在BM143座位上为110bp/110bp;与乳糖率显著相关的最有利基因型在BM1905座位上为201bp/201bp,在BM415座位上为168bp/168bp,在BM143座位上为108bp/108bp;与干物质率显著相关的最有利基因型在BM4505座位上为225bp/225bp,在BM415座位上为168bp/168bp。     

黄颡鱼微卫星标记筛选及特征分析

通过磁珠富集法首次筛选黄颡鱼微卫星标记并对其特征进行分析。用生物素标记的寡核苷酸探针(AC)8、(CT)8、(AT)7、(GATA)8、(GATT)7进行微卫星片断的富集,挑选部分阳性克隆测序获得38个含有微卫星的DNA序列,总计设计并合成了22对微卫星引物。以普通黄颡鱼基因组DNA为模板,进行PCR扩增,结果筛选出18个多态性微卫星标记,每对引物等位基因数2-8个（平均3.78）,遗传杂合度0.2225-0.8101（平均0.5755）,多态信息含量0.3425-0.7900（平均0.5336）。此外18对多态性微卫星引物中有16对在黄颡鱼属其它4种鱼类具有通用性,13对在鲇形目中的3种鱼类具有通用性。因此,可以推断筛选的多态性微卫星标记可用于黄颡鱼属和鲇形目鱼类的遗传分析。     

荷斯坦奶牛热休克蛋白70基因3＇-侧翼区遗传变异与耐热性的关系

本实验采用PCR-SSCP和测序技术对荷斯坦奶牛和鲁西黄牛两个群体共673个个体热休克蛋白70基因(HSP70)的3'-侧翼区的遗传变异,及该突变对奶牛产奶性状和耐热性状的影响进行研究.研究结果表明设计引物扩增片段大小500 bp,扩增产物具有多态性.供试的72头鲁西黄牛和601头荷斯坦奶牛均发现3种基因型,为从、AB和BB型.测序分析发现热休克蛋白70基因(HSP701的3'-侧翼区存在1个新突变,T→C.关联分析结果表明,BB基因型荷斯坦奶牛个体,乳脂率、乳蛋白率和305 d产奶量,相对于AA基因型的个体都要高;红细胞钾含量和产奶量下降率比AA类型个体要低,且达显著水平(P<0.05).鲁两黄牛B基因基因频率为74.31%,而荷斯坦奶牛B基因基因频率却比较低,为14.89%.由于鲁西黄牛耐热性显著强于荷斯坦奶牛,且耐热性最高的BB型奶牛产奶量下降率显著低于耐热性差的AA型奶牛.等位基因B可作为选育抗热应激奶牛潜在的分子遗传标记.     

荷斯坦牛BoLA-DRB3基因外显子2多态性及其与体细胞评分关系的研究*

采用PCR-RFLP技术用限制性内切酶BstYⅠ对河北省489头荷斯坦母牛和40头荷斯坦公牛BoLA-DRB3基因外显子2的284 bp扩增产物进行多态性分析。荷斯坦母牛经BstYⅠ酶切产生3种基因型AA、AB和BB,其频率分别为0.078、0.380和0.542;荷斯坦公牛经BstYⅠ酶切产生2种基因型AB和BB,其频率分别为0.250和0.750;荷斯坦母牛和公牛在该酶切位点均处于Hardy-Weinberg平衡状态（母牛：χ2=0.45,P=0.799>0.05;公牛：χ2=0.82,P=0.665>0.05）;用最小二乘法分析BoLA-DRB3基因外显子2与荷斯坦母牛体细胞评分(somatic cell score,SCS)的关系,结果表明AA基因型SCS最小二乘均值极显著低于AB基因型所对应的值（P=0.0098<0.01）,极显著低于BB基因型所对应的值（P=0.00009<0.0001）;AB基因型SCS最小二乘均值极显著低于BB基因型所对应的值（P=0.0096<0.01）;对乳房炎抗性而言,AA是最有利基因型,BB是最不利基因型。本研究结果可为奶牛乳房炎抗性标记辅助选择提供科学依据。     

致病疫霉基因组微卫星标记开发

致病疫霉(Phytophthora infestans)引起的马铃薯晚疫病是影响马铃薯生产的第一大真菌病害.通过致病疫霉基因组开发微卫星标记,旨为致病疫霉群体遗传结构研究提供更系统、有效的标记.利用软件SciRoKo和ClustalX对致病疫霉基因组中微卫星序列长度≥25 bp的适合标记开发的位点及两端序列进行筛选.然后在这些位点的两端序列上设计专一性PCR扩增引物,选择9株致病疫霉菌对引物的专一性和微卫星的多态性进行检测.最后利用40株不同年份和地理来源的致病疫霉菌株对可行性微卫星标记进行等位基因数的确定及其多态性评估,然后选取部分标记对40株致病疫霉群体进行遗传多样性分析.共获得了33个具多态性的微卫星标记,占开发总数的28.7％,其多态信息含量(PIC)值都在0.164～0.614之间,其中PIC≥0.5的标记有7个,0.25 ＜PIC＜0.5的标记有25个,PIC≤0.25的有1个.发现致病疫霉微卫星基因型与其交配型及地理来源有一定相关性,与甲霜灵敏感性不相关.本研究开发出一批具有多态性微卫星标记,为致病疫霉群体遗传学研究机理提供更多多态性高,稳定性强的分子标记.     

猪4号和7号染色体部分微卫星位点的遗传图谱构建

摘要：应用3头英系大白公猪(Sus scrofa )与7头梅山母猪(S. scrofa )杂交建立了参考家系,采集了140头F2代个体的血样,从USDA-MARC公布的4和7号染色体上分别选择7和8个微卫星位点,对这些微卫星位点检测了每个个体的基因型,应用CRIMAP软件,构建了猪4号和7号染色体的连锁图谱。在这－群体中,15个微卫星位点的平均等位基因数为3.6个,平均杂合度和平均多态信息含量分别为0.531和0.463,平均有信息减数分裂数为235。研究所构建的4号染色体两性平均连锁图谱全长为178.5 cM,位点间的平均间距为29.9 cM,公、母猪连锁图谱全长分别为172.2 cM和197.7 cM;7号染色体两性平均连锁图谱全长为179.1 cM,平均间隔为24.9 cM,公、母猪连锁图谱全长分别为167.7 cM和195.7 cM。连锁图谱的构建为以后的QTL定位奠定了基础。     

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.