西北旱作农田不同耕作模式对土壤性状及小麦产量的影响

【目的】在雨养农业区,旱作区因连年翻耕而引起严重的土壤质量退化,使作物生产力下降,需定期改变其耕作方式。免耕深松隔年轮耕可以降低土壤容重,增加耕层土壤团聚体和有机碳氮的含量,增强土壤蓄水保墒能力,对改善土壤性状和提高作物产量具有重要意义。【方法】本研究于2007～2010年在宁夏南部半旱区进行了两年免耕一年深松 (NT/ST/NT)、两年深松一年免耕 (ST/NT/ST)、连年翻耕 (CT) 3种耕作模式试验,研究了其对耕层土壤容重、团聚体、土壤有机碳氮含量、土壤水分及作物产量的影响。【结果】3年耕作处理后,与连年翻耕相比,NT/ST/NT、ST/NT/ST处理0—20 cm层土壤容重分别降低了4.4%和7.3%,20—40 cm土层分别降低2.1%和5.7%,40—60 cm土层分别降低4.1%和5.5%;土壤孔隙度0—20 cm土层分别提高了4.1%和6.8%,20—40 cm土层提高了2.1%和4.3%,40—60 cm土层提高了5.5%和5.7%。0—20 cm土层,NT/ST/NT处理0.25～2 mm机械稳定性团聚体含量平均较CT处理提高了12.4%,ST/NT/ST处理 > 2 mm机械稳定性团聚体含量较CT处理平均提高了42.0%;20—40 cm土层,NT/ST/NT、ST/NT/ST处理 > 2 mm团聚体含量较CT处理平均分别提高了44.3%和50.4%。两种轮耕模式使0—40 cm土层土壤团聚体平均重量直径分别显著高于CT处理21.8%和22.5%,几何平均直径分别高于CT处理9.6%和9.5%。三个处理耕层土壤有机碳氮含量均比试验前有不同程度的增加,轮耕处理0—30 cm土层0.25～2 mm粒级有机碳含量和 < 0.25 mm粒级全氮含量显著高于CT,以ST/NT/ST处理效果最佳。NT/ST/NT和ST/NT/ST处理0—10 cm土层0.25～2 mm团聚体有机碳含量较CT处理分别显著提高7.9%和10.2%,10—20 cm土层分别提高19.0%和15.7%,20—30 cm土层分别提高10.6%和13.3%;0—10 cm土层 < 0.25 mm粒级全氮含量显著提高9.4%和10.9%,10—20 cm土层分别提高6.8%和10.2%,20—30 cm土层分别提高7.4%和9.3%。研究期间,NT/ST/NT和ST/NT/ST处理较CT处理可显著提高0—200 cm土壤贮水量,其中以ST/NT/ST处理保蓄土壤水分效果最佳。在小麦生长前期,轮耕处理土壤贮水量均高于连年翻耕,生长后期ST/NT/ST处理土壤水分含量最高,NT/ST/NT处理次之。轮耕处理的小麦生物量和籽粒产量显著高于连年翻耕,其中小麦籽粒产量分别增加9.6%和10.7%。【结论】免耕/深松轮耕可显著改善土壤的物理性状和水分环境,显著增加耕层土壤有机碳氮含量,提高作物的生产力,在宁南旱区有重要的应用前景。     

利用最小水分限制范围评价东北黑土区免耕和垄作的土壤水分稳定性

为明确耕作方式对黑土土壤水分稳定性的作用,提高黑土区雨养农业对气候变化的适应性,该研究基于黑土区长期免耕定位试验,利用最小水分限制范围(Least Limiting Water Range, LLWR)评价免耕(NT)和垄作(CT)管理下土壤含水率有效性及其变异特征。结果表明:1)在0～5、5～10、10～20和20～40 cm 4个土层中,NT处理显著降低了5～10 cm的LLWR,其他3个土层LLWR差异均不显著;2)在平水年(2014)、枯水年(2015)和丰水年(2016),NT管理下作物生育期内0～40 cm平均土壤含水率正常率分别为48%、72%和85%,年间变异系数为0.23;CT的土壤含水率正常率分别为56%、20%和51%,年间变异系数为0.38;3)在丰水年,NT与CT的平均有效储水量差值最小,NT比CT高8.95mm;在枯水年相差最大,NT的平均有效储水量比CT高13.99mm。因此,NT管理下土壤水分更稳定地分布在LLWR内,在极端降雨年份(枯水年和丰水年)优势尤其明显。     

轮耕对渭北旱塬春玉米田土壤理化性状和产量的影响

为了揭示不同轮耕处理对渭北旱塬春玉米田土壤理化性状及春玉米产量的影响,于2008—2010年在陕西合阳设置了免耕深松免耕(NT/ST/NT)、深松翻耕深松(ST/CT/ST)、翻耕免耕翻耕(CT/NT/CT)、免耕免耕免耕(NT/NT/NT)、深松深松深松(ST/ST/ST)和翻耕翻耕翻耕(CT/CT/CT)6种轮耕模式,测定和分析了各轮耕处理下土壤容重、土壤养分与玉米产量差异。结果表明:(1)各轮耕处理降低了土壤容重,提高了土壤孔隙度,增加了田间持水量,且以NT/ST/NT处理效果最佳;与对照CT/CT/CT相比,NT/ST/NT处理0～20cm和20～40 cm土层土壤容重分别降低11.43%和9.79%,土壤孔隙度分别增加11.05%和9.87%。(2)NT/ST/NT处理对耕层0～20 cm土层土壤有机质和全氮含量影响显著(P<0.05),0～60 cm土层土壤有机质平均含量最高(10.36 g.kg 1),土壤全氮含量平均值比试验开始前和对照CT/CT/CT分别提高10.65%和4.31%;各耕作处理对0～20 cm土层土壤全氮和碱解氮含量影响较大,而对20～40 cm土层土壤有效磷和速效钾含量影响较大,保护性轮耕处理对土壤培肥效应显著(P<0.05)高于传统翻耕处理。(3)NT/ST/NT、ST/CT/ST、CT/NT/CT、NT/NT/NT和ST/ST/ST处理产量比对照CT/CT/CT处理分别增产22.42%、16.33%、3.77%、9.91%和14.18%(P<0.05),以NT/ST/NT处理春玉米增产率最高。     

三峡库区茶园坡面土壤水分空间分布特征及对降雨补给的响应

利用高频率(5 min)的土壤水分探针和自动气象站监测三峡库区典型茶园坡面与林地坡面的土壤水分变化过程及其对降雨的响应，明确了林地和茶园土壤水分变化的规律，揭示了土地利用方式和微地形对土壤水分和降雨储蓄的影响机制。结果表明：(1)在时间上，茶园和林地土壤含水率随降雨量的变化而改变，土壤含水率随土层深度呈现“W”型和“S”型变化。土壤含水率年内变异系数随着土层深度的增加而降低，表层土壤(10 cm)含水率为中等变异水平(10%相似文献   

耕作方式对华北农田土壤固碳效应的影响

研究不同耕作方式对华北农田土壤固碳及碳库管理指数的影响,可为探寻有利于农田固碳的耕作方式提供科学依据。该研究在中国农业大学吴桥实验站进行,试验于2008年设置了免耕秸秆不还田(NT0)、翻耕秸秆不还田(CT0)、免耕秸秆还田(NT)、翻耕秸秆还田(CT)和旋耕秸秆还田(RT)5个处理。研究测定分析了土壤容重、有机碳、易氧化有机碳含量及不同耕作方式下的碳库管理指数。通过对不同耕作方式下0～110cm土壤的分析,结果表明,随着土层的加深,土壤有机碳含量不断下降,NT显著增加了表层(0～10cm)土壤有机碳含量,而>10～50cm有机碳含量较其他处理(NT0除外)有所下降,深层(>50～110cm)处理间差异不明显;土壤容重与有机碳含量呈显著的负相关关系(P<0.01);0～30cm土层有机碳储量以NT最高,CT与其无明显差异,二者较CT0分别高出13.1%和11.0%,而至0～50cm土层,CT的碳储量最高,但与NT无显著差异(P<0.05);与CT0相比,NT0降低了各层土壤易氧化有机碳含量,而NT则在0～10cm土层表现为增加;RT、CT分别显著增加了0～10、>10～30cm土层的碳库管理指数。结果表明,秸秆还田可改善土壤质量,提高农田碳库管理指数,同时碳库管理指数受耕作方式的影响也较大,尤其是CT和RT;NT通过减少土壤扰动、增加有机质的输入,可提高上层土壤有机碳的储量。     

吉林南部不同耕作管理下土壤水分对降雨事件的响应

土壤水分对降雨的响应特征与降水在地表和土壤中的分配密切相关。该研究为明确耕作方式对黑土土壤水分对降雨响应的作用,利用时域反射仪原位动态监测吉林南部耕作长期定位试验翻耕（CT）和免耕（NT）下玉米生育期含水率,通过7个指标量化两种耕作管理下土壤水分对降雨量大且持续时间长、降雨量小且持续时间短和降雨量较大且持续时间较短、降雨强度大的3类降雨事件的响应。结果表明：1）CT初始含水率较低,0～2.5、2.5～5和5～10 cm累积增加含水量（ASWI）显著高于NT;随土壤深度增加,CT的ASWI明显下降,而NT基本稳定。2）多数情况下,NT下相邻土层累积增加含水率之比（RSWI）大于100%,而CT低于100%。3）高降雨强度下NT相邻土层对降雨事件的响应时间（DRTlayer）平均值和异常值为负值的频率较多,说明NT下更易发生优先流。因此,极端降雨下NT土壤水分响应更剧烈,有利于降水向下层土壤渗透,减少地表径流形成。     

沙地土壤pH值、养分含量对微地形变化的响应

[目的]针对浑善达克沙地土壤pH值、碳、氮、磷含量的微地形变异性进行研究,系统分析浑善达克沙地不同微地形条件下土壤营养物质含量的的变化规律,为浑善达克沙地环境建设和合理开发利用提供理论参考。[方法]以内蒙古锡林郭勒盟白音锡勒牧场境内的中国科学院内蒙古草原生态系统定位站长期围封的沙地样地为研究对象,测定坡位对土壤pH值、碳、氮、磷含量。[结果]不同坡位pH值平均值大小顺序为:阳坡坡底阴坡坡顶;有机碳含量平均值大小顺序为:坡底阴坡阳坡坡顶;全磷含量平均值大小顺序为:坡底阴坡坡顶阳坡;土壤含氮量阴坡和坡底显著高于坡顶和阳坡。[结论]不同微地形条件下各层土壤pH值、全碳和全磷含量的变异系数均表现为阳坡和坡顶高于阴坡和坡底;同一坡位不同土层营养物质含量变异系数大小关系没有规律可循,因坡位和土层不同而表现出不同的大小关系。     

不同坡位条件对毛乌素沙地长柄扁桃林地土壤水分的影响

[目的]揭示半干旱区固定沙丘不同坡位条件下土壤水分空间变化规律,为固定沙丘土壤水分合理利用提供决策依据。[方法]在毛乌素沙漠东南缘陕西省神木市生态协会毛乌素治沙造林基地,以固定沙丘12 a龄人工长柄扁桃林地为研究对象,建立土壤水分定位观测小区,使用CNC503DR型中子仪对2018年7—10月0—300 cm土层土壤水分进行测定,并分析不同坡位条件下长柄扁桃林地生长季土壤水分时空变化特征。[结果](1)坡顶与坡上0—300 cm土壤剖面含水量随土层深度的增加呈先增加后减小,之后趋于稳定的变化趋势,而坡中(上、下)与坡底表现为类似S形的变化规律,土壤含水量表现为:坡底坡中(上)坡上≥坡顶坡中(下);(2)坡底土壤含水量表现出强变异性,其他4种坡位条件下为中等变异;(3)不同坡位条件下蒸散发表现为:坡底坡顶坡中(下)坡上坡中(上),坡上属强变异,而坡底则表现出中等变异且变异系数最小。[结论]不同坡位条件对固定沙丘土壤水分及蒸散耗水具有重要影响,坡底土壤含水量及蒸散发量均最大,且具有较强的不稳定性。     

采煤沉陷区不同土地利用类型土壤水分、有机质和质地的空间变异性

探索采煤沉陷区坡面微地形上土壤水分、养分和颗粒迁移转化的作用机理,为促进矿区生态环境综合整治的科学决策提供重要的理论和实践价值。以焦作九里山矿典型平原型采煤沉陷坑内的耕地和林地为研究对象,对比分析了土壤含水率、有机质含量和质地在不同土地利用类型(耕地和林地)、沉陷坡位(中心、坡底、坡中、坡顶和对照)和剖面深度(0~10 cm、10~20 cm、20~30 cm、30~40 cm、40~50 cm)上的空间变异性。结果表明,耕地土壤含水率和黏粒含量较林地显著降低(p0.05),而砂粒含量则显著增加(p0.01)。坡中或坡底处的土壤含水率、有机质和粉粒含量最小,而砂粒和黏粒含量则最大,成为整个沉陷坡面上的极值点。在剖面深度上,土壤含水率、有机质、砂粒含量表现为显著的表层聚集,黏粒含量则为显著深层聚集的特点。通过对土壤含水率、有机质含量和土壤质地在沉陷区坡面微地形空间变异作用机理的分析,建议平原型采煤沉陷区的土地复垦方向应以耕地为主、林地为辅的基本原则,在坡中到坡底的等高段复垦为林灌地,能起到对沉陷区土壤水分与养分流失控制和生态环境效益改善的关键作用。     

适宜耕作模式提高黄淮海平原冬小麦产量并改善土壤水肥状况

为了探索黄淮海小麦生产适宜的耕作模式,该研究设计长期定位试验（2017年—2022年）对比了简化耕作模式深耕（deep tillage, DT）、轮耕（rotational tillage, RT）和免耕（no-tillage, NT）对冬小麦产量和土壤水肥状况的影响。结果表明：RT处理显著提高了冬小麦苗期0～20 cm土层土壤水分吸收利用情况,冬小麦孕穗期、灌浆期RT处理0～20、>20~40 cm土层土壤含水量显著高于DT、NT处理。RT处理0～20、>20～40 cm土壤全氮、有机质含量和碳氮比含量较DT、NT处理显著提高, 2021—2022年0～20 cm土壤全氮、有机质含量、碳氮比RT处理较DT和NT处理分别显著提高40.45%和31.58%、56.66%和45.34%、11.62%和9.91%。2020—2021年和2021—2022年RT处理冬小麦产量较DT、NT处理分别显著提高20.20%、13.39%和20.35%、18.74%。RT处理显著增加了冬小麦千粒质量,其产量变异系数最低,产量可持续指数最高,说明RT处理有助于增加冬小麦生产力稳定性和可持续性,可以实现黄淮海冬小麦高产稳产。研究可为黄淮海平原冬小麦生产应用一年深耕、两年免耕的轮耕耕作模式提供理论指导与技术支撑。     

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.