希拉穆仁荒漠草原风蚀地表颗粒粒度特征

以荒漠草原常见的耕作区、围封区、放牧区及旅游区4种土地利用类型表层土壤为研究对象,利用激光衍射技术分析了0~2 cm表层土壤粒度组成,计算并分析平均粒径、标准偏差、偏度、峰态及分形维数等粒度参数,探讨风蚀颗粒范围。结果表明:1希拉穆仁荒漠草原耕作区、围封区、放牧区及旅游区4种土地利用类型土壤粒度组成均表现为以砂粒和粉粒为主,黏粒含量较低,样地平均粒径数值依次变小,分选性逐渐变好,峰态平缓,分形维数数值逐渐减小,土壤颗粒组成依次粗化;偏度分别为负偏、近于对称、正偏和偏正偏,彼此差异明显,偏度可作为有效的粒度参数指标。2通过分析粒度分布频率曲线和土壤粒度累积频率间平均距离,显示研究区粒径为134μm和454μm附近颗粒为近自然状态下的易风蚀颗粒。各粒度参数及分维值均显示放牧和旅游加剧希拉穆仁草原表层土壤风蚀,土壤粒度分布范围变宽,整体向粗粒化方向发展。     

围栏封育对荒漠草原灌丛草地土壤优先流的影响研究

为探究围封对灌丛草地土壤优先流的影响,以宁夏吴忠市盐池县典型荒漠草原区为研究区,通过野外入渗染色试验、图像处理分析等方法,对围封荒漠草原灌丛草地土壤优先流的影响进行评价。结果表明:(1)围栏封育与放牧管理样地土壤水分入渗特征存在差异,在围栏封育样地,草地、天然柠条林地、人工柠条林地的入渗染色图像分别在0—125,0—115,0—105 cm呈现均匀分布,而在125—240,115—150,105—140 cm呈现染色分支,在放牧管理样地,草地、天然柠条林地、人工柠条林地入渗染色图像分别在0—80,0—70,0—80 cm呈现均匀分布,围栏封育导致土壤优先流发生深度更大;(2)土壤剖面染色面积比表现为围栏封育草地＞围栏封育天然柠条林地＞围栏封育人工柠条林地＞放牧管理人工柠条林地＞放牧管理天然柠条林地＞放牧管理草地,土壤染色深度表现为围栏封育草地＞围栏封育天然柠条林地＞放牧管理草地＞放牧管理天然柠条林地＞围栏封育人工柠条林地＞放牧管理人工柠条林地,围栏封育管理会导致土壤剖面染色面积比及染色深度增大;(3)土壤优先流变异系数表现为放牧管理天然柠条林地＞放牧管理人工柠条林地＞围栏封育天然柠条林地＞放牧管理草地＞围栏封育人工柠条林地＞围栏封育草地,放牧管理导致土壤优先流程度增加,而围栏封育降低灌木林地及草地的优先流程度。因此,在荒漠草原等干旱半干旱地区,围栏封育可作为提升土壤水分均匀入渗深度、降低优先流发生程度、提高土壤水分利用效率的重要管理方式。     

封育与放牧对黄土高原天然草地土壤化学计量特征的影响

为揭示封育与放牧2种草地利用方式下土壤化学计量特征及其驱动因素,以宁夏固原云雾山封育草地和放牧草地为研究对象,定量分析了0—30 cm土壤化学计量特征及其影响因子。结果表明:(1)封育降低了土壤紧实度、容重和含水率,土壤孔隙度略有上升。(2)封育草地0—10 cm土层以0.25 mm水稳性团聚体为主,其中5 mm团聚体达到了46%,平均重量直径(MWD)和几何平均直径(GWD)分别为3.78,1.70,显著高于放牧草地(P0.05),但两者分形维数并无差异,封育草地土壤团聚体稳定性有所提高。(3)封育草地0—10 cm土层土壤有机碳(SOC)、全氮(TN)、全磷(TP)分别为17.714,2.018,0.659 g/kg,均高于放牧草地,其中土壤TN含量达到显著水平(P0.05)。(4)封育草地0—20 cm土层碳氮比(C/N)、碳磷比(C/P)、氮磷比(N/P)均高于放牧草地。(5)封育草地土壤SOC、TN、C/P和N/P与土壤容重和分形维数呈显著性负相关(P0.05),并且SOC和TN与MWD和GWD呈显著性正相关(P0.05),放牧草地土壤化学计量特征与物理特性相关性低于封育草地。封育与放牧相比,改善了土壤物理特性和团聚体结构,土壤养分有所提升,土壤化学计量特征与土壤物理特性密切相关,土壤物理结构可能是影响土壤化学计量特征的主控因子。     

高寒地区不同土地利用方式对土壤抗风蚀能力的影响

采用风洞实验对祁连山东段天祝高寒地区天然放牧草地、退耕自然恢复草地、翻耕地、免耕留茬地和人工种植多年生草地5种土地利用方式下的原状土抗风蚀能力进行了研究。结果表明,多年生草地的临界侵蚀风速最大,免耕留茬地和天然草地次之,翻耕地和退耕自然恢复地最小;风蚀速率与风速变化成正相关,随着风速增大,风蚀速率相应增加;风蚀速率和风速变化服从幂函数变化关系。在近地表0-20cm范围内,降尘量总量依次为退耕自然恢复地翻耕地天然放牧草地多年生草地免耕留茬地;土壤抗风蚀能力表现为退耕自然恢复地天然放牧草地多年生草地免耕留茬地翻耕地。     

宁夏典型草原土壤理化性状对不同管理方式的响应

以宁夏典型草原为对象,研究封育、放牧和水平沟改良管理方式下草原土壤颗粒组成、土壤容重、有机质含量、全氮、水解氮、速效磷和速效钾的分布差异。结果表明,不同管理方式下0-40cm土壤以细沙粒和粗粉粒为主,占颗粒总量的58.46%～77.48%,管理方式对土壤质地无明显影响,但0-15cm土层粘粒和粉粒含量随封育年限的增加呈上升趋势;放牧能显著增加0-5cm土壤容重;管理方式对0-40cm土层有机质、全氮、水解氮、速效磷和速效钾含量影响显著,以封育15,20,25年和水平沟改良10年的草地土壤养分含量较高,放牧草地最低;各管理方式下土壤养分含量表现为随土层深度增加而下降;典型草原土壤理化性状间存在显著相关性。     

封育对天然草地深层土壤粒径分形特征的影响

为了明确长期封育对天然草地土壤粒径分形的影响,采用空间序列代替时间序列的方法,试验对比研究了黄土高原宁夏固原云雾山自然保护区封育30年草地和放牧草地的深层土壤粒径分形特征。结果表明:(1)封育30年草地土壤中粉粒含量显著低于放牧草地(p0.05),分别为21.1%和28.1%。(2)封育30年草地的土壤粒径分形维数明显高于放牧草地(p0.01),在140—500cm的土层中表现尤为显著。(3)土壤粒径分形维数与粉粒和极细沙粒含量呈极显著正相关(p0.01),而与细沙粒、中沙粒、粗沙粒呈极显著负相关(p0.01)。因此,长期封育草地土壤粒径趋于变大,中细颗粒土壤积累减少,同时长期封育影响深层土壤结构,深层土壤物理结构信息不容忽视。     

科尔沁沙地不同草地利用方式下土壤粒度和有机碳分布特征

[目的]探讨不同草地利用方式下粒度与有机碳含量及相关性,揭示草地退化过程当中土壤有机碳的损失速率,为科尔沁沙地生态环境恢复治理提供科学依据。[方法]以科尔沁沙地乌力吉木伦河流域流动和半固定风沙土为研究对象,对流域内围封草地、不同退化程度的盐碱化样地和人工种植牧草样地等不同草地利用方式下粒度与有机碳含量及相关性进行了探索研究。[结果]围封措施在控制土壤侵蚀和提高土壤有机碳含量方面均起到显著的作用;流域内0—20 cm土层各样地粒度组成以粉粒和砂粒为主,由于翻耕的因素,燕麦和苜蓿样地表层土壤粗粒化明显且比其他样地具有更高的峰值和中值粒径;研究区内100μm粒径左右颗粒为易受侵蚀颗粒;土壤中小于100μm颗粒组分每被吹蚀1%,其有机碳含量将损失0.120 4 g/kg。[结论]在丘间平地分布的盐碱化草甸土地,根据实际情况结合围封措施和种植牧草能防止土壤侵蚀且有效提高有机碳含量。     

基于土壤粒度参数的荒漠草原地表粗粒化过程

草原退化特征已由植被变化为主演变为土壤退化的阶段,其植被覆盖变化可在一定程度上反映退化状况与过程,探明荒漠草原不同退化阶段(覆盖度)地表风蚀状况,对合理利用与保护草地资源意义重大。以希拉穆仁荒漠草原7个覆盖度(裸地,5%,20%,40%,60%,80%和100%)下的表层土壤为研究对象,利用激光衍射技术测量表层0—1cm土壤粒度组成,分析不同覆盖度下的平均粒径、标准偏差、偏度、峰态及分形维数等粒度参数变化情况及颗粒频率分布。结果表明:(1)土壤粒度组成均以沙粒和粉粒为主,黏粒含量较低;偏度可作为有效粒度参数指标。(2)随着盖度降低,平均粒径数值越大,分选性越好,频率曲线由近于对称—正偏—极负偏转变,峰态由尖锐变平缓,分形维数先增加后降低。(3)粒径分布基本呈双峰分布,盖度越小第二波峰滞后越明显,且分布均匀程度越低,易风蚀颗粒范围为144~869μm。     

安多县沙漠化过程中土壤理化性质的演变特征

通过分析安多县不同沙漠化阶段代表性草地土壤的理化性质,揭示了该县草地在沙漠化过程中土壤理化性质的演变特征。研究表明:在沙漠化过程中土壤的理化性质变化明显,从潜在沙漠化向重度沙漠化演变过程中土壤抗风蚀与保水性能下降、土壤pH值升高、土壤颗粒粗化且剖面内土壤颗粒组成分异增大,风蚀对土壤颗粒的机械分选明显;在原始草地演变为潜在沙漠化草地这个阶段有机碳与速效养分损失严重,应重视沙漠化的早期防治。研究结果还表明在沙漠化过程中土壤属性之间存在复杂的相互作用。依据沙漠化过程中土壤理化性质的演变特征,提出了在进行草地恢复时需特别注意的土壤问题。     

青藏高原高寒草甸土壤有机质、全氮和全磷含量对不同土地利用格局的响应

草地土地利用格局的变化强烈影响着其土壤营养元素的含量与垂直分布。对青藏高原东北隅高寒草甸不同土地利用格局（封育植被、放牧利用和人工种植）下不同深度（0—10cm、10—20cm和20—40cm）的土壤有机质、全氮和全磷含量的对比研究表明：封育植被下土壤营养元素在表层和深层之间有显著差异（P〈0．05）,与土壤深度表现出一定的负线性相关（R2〉0．40,P〈0．05）。放牧利用和人工种植对营养元素在不同土壤层次的分布无显著影响（P均值〉0．05）,前者的有机质和全氮含量与土壤深度略呈负线性,后者则无此关系。放牧利用和人工种植较显著地（P均值〈0．05）降低了土壤表层有机质和全氮的含量,但增加了土壤表层全磷的含量,对土壤深层的影响较小。人工种植对营养元素含量的影响效果略大于放牧利用,但两者差异不显著。     

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.