耕作方式与玉米秸秆条带还田对土壤水稳性团聚体和有机碳分布的影响

通过3年的耕作和秸秆条带还田试验,研究了行间旋耕秸秆还田(T1S1)、行间翻耕秸秆还田(T2S1)、行间旋耕秸秆不还田(T1S2)和行间翻耕秸秆不还田(T2S2)四种耕作措施对土壤团聚体及有机碳分布的影响。结果表明:秸秆还田处理提高了0~40 cm土层团聚体平均重量直径(MWD)、2 mm和0.25~2 mm大团聚体含量及有机碳贡献率,相应地减少了0.053 mm黏砂粒含量及其有机碳贡献率,提高了0~40 cm土层总有机碳含量及各粒级团聚体有机碳含量;秸秆还田条件下,旋耕处理0~40 cm土层团聚体MWD和团聚体有机碳贡献率均高于翻耕处理,但各土层总有机碳含量及各粒级团聚体有机碳含量均略低于翻耕处理;行间旋耕秸秆还田显著提高了各土层大团聚体和微团聚体含量、MWD及其有机碳贡献率,与其它处理相比明显改善了土壤结构。     

长期配施有机肥对旱地红壤微团聚体中有机碳含量的影响

以连续种植花生26年的旱地红壤为研究对象,选取了有机无机配施试验区的NPK(对照),NPK+花生秸秆(还田)、NPK+稻秆(稻秆)、NPK+鲜萝卜菜(绿肥)及NPK+猪厩肥(厩肥)等5个肥料处理土壤,采用吸管法逐级提取了大小粒级微团聚体土壤样品,分析了各粒级微团聚体的有机碳含量变化及其对土壤总有机碳的贡献率,探讨了微团聚体的粒级组成与土壤有机碳含量及分形维数的相关关系。结果表明:长期配施有机肥未能显著改变旱地红壤中大小粒级微团聚体比例的分布格局,即0.25~0.05 mm2~0.25 mm0.05~0.01 mm(0.005 mm)0.01~0.005 mm,其中优势粒径0.25~0.05 mm微团聚体所占比例为44.3%~50.0%。配施有机肥可以显著增加旱地红壤2~0.25 mm,0.25~0.05 mm及0.05~0.01 mm粒级团聚体有机碳含量,提高特征微团聚体比例,增大分形维数,且随着0.05 mm粒级微团聚体数量的增多,分形维数均显著增大。各粒级团聚体有机碳的平均含量大小依次为:(0.005 mm)0.25~0.05 mm(2~0.25 mm)0.05~0.01 mm0.01~0.005 mm,其中0.25~0.05mm与0.05~0.01 mm粒级微团聚体有机碳受施肥的影响差异显著。土壤有机碳总量与2~0.25 mm、0.25~0.05 mm及0.05~0.01 mm粒级微团聚体有机碳含量呈显著正相关关系,其中0.25~0.05 mm粒级微团聚体对土壤总有机碳的贡献率为55.4%,显著高于其它粒级微团聚体。     

秸秆和生物炭还田对棕壤团聚体分布及有机碳含量的影响

  【目的】  比较长期秸秆和生物炭还田后土壤团聚体的变化与差异,旨在探索棕壤适宜的改良方法。  【方法】  在辽宁沈阳棕壤上连续进行了6年的田间定位微区试验,种植制度为玉米连作,试验共设6个处理:不施肥 (CK)、单施氮磷钾 (NPK)、单施生物炭 (B)、生物炭与氮磷钾配施 (BNPK)、单施秸秆 (S)、秸秆与氮磷钾配施 (SNPK)。在玉米收获后,采集0—20和20—40 cm两土层土壤样品,采用Yoder湿筛法进行了团聚体分级和测定。  【结果】  与NPK相比,BNPK和SNPK处理显著提高了0—20和20—40 cm土层 > 1 mm、1～0.5 mm和 0.25～0.5 mm粒级团聚体含量占比,降低了0.25～0.053 mm粒级团聚体含量占比,SNPK处理提高大团聚体含量占比的效果显著高于BNPK。与NPK处理相比,BNPK和SNPK处理显著增加了团聚体平均重量直径 (MWD)、几何平均直径 (GMD) 和0.25 mm粒级团聚体含量 (R_0.25),即增加了团聚体的稳定性,SNPK处理的团聚体MWD和GMD值又显著高于BNPK,R_0.25值两处理间无显著差异 (0—20 cm土层)。随团聚体粒级减小,不同粒级团聚体有机碳含量随之减少,以 > 1 mm粒级团聚体有机碳含量最高。与CK相比,各施肥处理均增加了各粒级团聚体有机碳含量,BNPK处理对0—20 cm土层0.25～0.053 mm粒级团聚体有机碳含量影响最显著,有机碳含量增加了44.57%。  【结论】  长期秸秆和生物炭还田能够改变土壤团聚体的分布,有利于大团聚体的形成和土壤结构改善,可提高土壤团聚体有机碳含量和团聚体稳定性,增加作物产量;秸秆直接还田提高团聚体稳定性的效果优于生物炭还田,生物炭还田提高团聚体有机碳的效果方面优于秸秆直接还田。     

秸秆还田量对土壤团聚体有机碳和玉米产量的影响

为明确秸秆深还田对土壤团聚体及有机碳和作物产量的影响,在辽宁省半干旱地区进行了6年秸秆深还田小区定位试验,秸秆施用量分别为0(CK)、6 000 kg/hm~2(T1)、12 000 kg/hm~2(T2)、18 000 kg/hm~2(T3)、24 000 kg/hm~2(T4),将秸秆还入20～40cm土壤亚表层,利用干筛、湿筛得到不同粒级土壤团聚体。结果表明:秸秆添加与CK比可降低土壤0～20 cm和20～40 cm土层土壤容重;土壤机械性团聚体主要集中在0.25 mm粒级,而水稳性团聚体主要集中在0.25mm粒级,与CK处理比秸秆的添加增加了土壤机械稳定性团聚体平均重量直径(MWD)和土壤水稳性团聚体MWD,随秸秆还田量增加,MWD值增大;秸秆深还田使各粒级团聚体有机碳均高于CK,对20～40 cm土层土壤团聚体碳含量的影响大于0～20 cm土层;秸秆深还田可增加玉米产量,随秸秆还田时间延长,不同秸秆还田量对玉米产量增加存在差异,2016年玉米产量测定结果各处理与CK比,T1增产4.66%、T2增产6.71%,T3增产5.37%、T4增产8.82%。秸秆深还田,能够提升土壤团聚体的稳定性,有利于增加土壤团聚体碳含量,对土壤质量和玉米产量的提高具有促进作用。     

秸秆还田对盐渍土团聚体稳定性及碳氮含量的影响

以黄河三角洲典型盐化潮土为研究对象,分析了3种盐渍化程度(轻度、中度、重度)和3 a连续秸秆还田下土壤水稳性团聚体组成、稳定性以及各级团聚体C、N含量的变化。研究结果表明:重度盐渍土0.25～2 mm和0.053～0.25 mm团聚体所占比例显著低于轻度和中度盐渍土;土壤盐分含量与0.25～2mm团聚体中有机碳和全氮的分配比例、0.053～0.25 mm团聚体中全氮的分配比例成显著负相关。秸秆还田使轻度盐渍土平均重量直径(MWD)、几何平均直径(GMD)和0.25 mm团聚体所占比例(R0.25)分别增加47.6%、39.7%和54.0%,使中度盐渍土MWD、GMD和R0.25分别增加31.0%、31.9%和31.4%;各粒级中秸秆还田使轻度盐渍土0.053～0.25 mm粒级有机碳和全氮含量增加最多,增加比例分别为29.1%和28.8%,该粒级中C、N分配比例也显著提高;秸秆还田使中度盐渍土0.25～2 mm团聚体有机碳及其分配比例提高最多,比例分别为56.1%和58.7%。秸秆还田对轻度和中度盐渍土团聚体的稳定性均起到了明显的改善作用,但不同盐渍土秸秆还田对土壤团聚体C、N分布的影响明显不同。     

有机物料对稻田土壤团聚体及有机碳分布的影响

通过连续5年定位试验,以紫云英、秸秆和商品有机肥等有机物料还田的稻田土壤为对象,研究有机物料还田后不同物理分组下土壤组成特点和有机碳变化特征。结果表明,稻田土壤团聚体主要分布在2~0.25mm与0.25~0.053mm粒级,团聚体颗粒有机碳含量随着粒径的减小而减少。有机物料还田可提高0.25~0.053mm和0.053mm粒级团聚体有机碳的含量,紫云英、秸秆、商品有机肥等有机物料可通过提高土壤微团聚体有机碳含量而增加土壤碳库。有机物料施用增加土壤轻组组分颗粒含量,减少重组组分颗粒含量,有助于土壤轻组组分的形成。稻田土壤轻组颗粒有机碳含量与0.25mm和0.053mm团聚体颗粒有机碳含量呈显著相关,与2~0.25mm团聚体颗粒有机碳含量呈极显著相关。稻田土壤施用紫云英、秸秆和商品有机肥等有机物料,可有效提高土壤微团聚体和轻组成分颗粒含量,增加土壤微团聚体和轻组有机碳含量,改变稻田土壤有机碳库组成特征。     

福鼎茶园土壤团聚体有机碳分布与分子结构特征

以福建省福鼎市白琳镇(BL)、点头镇(DT)、磻溪镇(PX)、管阳镇(GY)和太姥山镇(TMS)的茶园土壤为研究对象,研究其团聚体组成及稳定性,各粒级团聚体有机碳含量、固碳贡献率及有机碳红外光谱,旨在从团聚体尺度揭示茶园土壤有机碳分布及其分子结构特征。结果表明:(1)不同采样地土壤团聚体组成存在差别,但随土层加深,大团聚体(0.25~2 mm)和微团聚体(0.053~0.25 mm)含量均减少,而粉-黏粒团聚体(＜0.053 mm)含量增大;(2)随土层加深,所有采样地平均重量直径(MWD)和几何平均直径(GMD)减小,分形维数(D)增大,团聚体结构稳定性降低;(3)各粒级团聚体有机碳含量随土层加深而减小,固碳贡献率主要受团聚体含量的影响,大团聚体固碳贡献率相对更大;(4)各粒级团聚体有机碳均主要来源于多糖碳或脂肪碳,0-15 cm土层土壤粉-黏粒团聚体比大团聚体和微团聚体有机碳更稳定,15-30 cm土层各级团聚体均比0-15 cm土层对应粒级团聚体有机碳更稳定。研究成果可为茶园土壤有机碳的科学管理提供理论参考。     

秸秆还田对黄土旱塬麦田土壤团聚体有机碳组分的影响

探究不同秸秆还田量对黄土旱塬麦田土壤团聚体稳定性及碳库变化特征的影响,可为旱作农田土壤培肥提供理论依据。在晋南旱地冬小麦种植区,设置S0（不还田）、S1/2（1/2倍还田）、S1（1倍还田）、S2（2倍还田）4个处理,通过连续3 a试验研究了不同秸秆还田量下土壤团聚体组成及稳定性变化情况,土壤及各粒级团聚体中总有机碳（Total Organic Carbon,TOC）、轻组有机碳（Light Fraction Organic Carbon,LFOC）、重组有机碳（Heavy Fraction Organic Carbon,HFOC）与胡敏素碳（Humin Carbon,HM-C）、胡敏酸碳（Humic Acid Carbon,HA-C）和富里酸碳（Fulvic Acid Carbon,FA-C）含量的变化特征,以及各粒级团聚体中有机碳组分与团聚体稳定性之间的关系。结果表明：黄土旱塬麦田土壤,随着秸秆还田量的增加,>0.25 mm大团聚体含量逐渐增加,<0.25 mm微团聚体及粉黏粒含量逐减少;S2处理下,平均重量直径、几何平均直径、>0.25mm团聚体质量百分数较S0处理分别增加了14.7%（P<0.05）、22.2%（P<0.05）、13.9%（P<0.05）,提高了团聚体的稳定性。秸秆还田提高了全土TOC含量,以S2处理下土壤TOC含量最高,较S0处理增加了28.1%（P<0.05）。另外,秸秆还田提升了>0.25～2 mm团聚体中HM-C、HA-C和FA-C含量,其中S2处理较S0处理分别提高了19.0%（P<0.05）、25.5%（P<0.05）、14.9%（P<0.05）,并且胡敏酸碳和富里酸碳的比值（HA-C/FA-C）也随着秸秆还田量的增加而提高。<0.053 mm粉黏粒的FA-C含量变化是引起水稳性团聚体稳定性变化的主要原因,能解释其变化的64.1%。总体表明,秸秆还田促进了黄土旱塬麦区土壤水稳性微团聚体向水稳性大团聚体的转化,提高了团聚体稳定性。秸秆还田增加了土壤及各团聚体中有机碳及其组分含量,并进一步提高土壤腐殖化程度,且秸秆还田量越高,提升幅度越大。2倍秸秆还田量（平均7 477 kg/(hm2·a)）对当地土壤有机碳含量提升、土壤结构改善的效果最好。研究结果对旱地土壤肥力和碳汇能力提升具有重要意义。     

几种保护措施对紫色丘陵区坡耕地土壤团聚体结构及有机碳的影响

探索生物炭、聚丙烯酰胺以及玉米秸秆对紫色丘陵区坡耕地土壤团聚体结构的影响,以及团聚体有机碳分布特征,为紫色丘陵区坡耕地保护措施提供最优选择。采用土壤理化分析对无保护措施(CK)、单施生物炭(BC)、聚丙烯酰胺表施(PAM)、玉米秸秆覆盖(SM)处理下的土壤团聚体组成及其有机碳含量进行测定。结果表明:(1)研究区土壤团聚体以5mm和5~2mm粒级为主,分别占58.18%~40.12%和30.34%~24.46%。与CK相比,3种保护措施都有效增加了土壤大团聚体含量,其中SM处理效果最好。不同措施下土壤团聚体平均重量直径(MWD)基本表现为SMPAMBCCK,团聚体分形维数规律与MWD相反。(2)不同保护措施下土壤团聚体有机碳随团聚体粒级表现出较大差异,但多在0.5~0.25mm粒级范围达到峰值,在0—30cm土层范围内,土壤各粒级团聚体有机碳平均含量基本表现为SMPAMBCCK,且随土层的增加,同一处理各粒级团聚体有机碳呈减少趋势。(3)土壤团聚体对有机碳的贡献率在5mm和5~2mm粒级范围达到最大,前者贡献率为53.64%~27.92%,平均达40.12%,后者为30.92%~11.80%,平均达25.35%,可将2mm粒级团聚体作为紫色丘陵区土壤有机碳固定的特征团聚体。(4)不同保护措施下土壤有机碳密度基本上表现为SMPAMBCCK,相同处理下土壤有机碳密度随土层增加而减小,且各处理之间的差异也随土层增加而减小。3种保护措施均有效改良了土壤结构,提高了土壤有机碳含量,其中以秸秆覆盖措施效果最好,表明秸秆覆盖为研究区较为理想的一种坡耕地保护措施。     

灌溉方式对保护地土壤微团聚体及其碳、氮分布的影响

以连续13年沟灌、滴灌和渗灌3种不同灌溉方式灌溉的保护地土壤为对象,研究不同灌溉处理保护地土壤微团聚体的分布及其碳、氮含量变化.结果表明,不同灌溉处理间,0-10 cm和10-20 cm土层土壤微团聚体含量均以渗灌处理最高,且0-10 cm土层灌溉处理间差异大于10-20 cm土层;各灌溉处理0-10 cm土层和10-20 cm土层土壤微团聚体均以0.01～0.05 mm粒级为优势粒级,0.05～0.25 mm粒级为次优势粒级,而＜0.01 mm粒级土壤微团聚体含量最少;灌溉处理间0-10 cm和10-20 cm土层各粒级土壤微团聚体全氮含量分布的总体趋势是滴灌高于沟灌和渗灌,且颗粒越小、这一处理间差异越明显,而处理间各粒级土壤微团聚体总碳含量差异不明显;0-10 cm土层某粒级土壤微团聚体总碳和全氮含量高于10-20 cm土层同粒级土壤微团聚体,而在同一土层微团聚体粒径越小、其总碳和全氮含量越高.从土壤结构及养分性状考虑,滴灌和渗灌比沟灌更适合于保护地蔬菜栽培灌溉.     

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.