不同植被恢复措施下高寒沙化草地植被与土壤变化特征

草地沙化是青藏高原草地生态环境恶化的显著问题之一，为研究不同恢复措施对高寒沙化草地植被与土壤的影响，以沙化草地（DG）、人工草本恢复草地（AG）、人工灌丛恢复草地（AS）以及天然草地（NG）为研究对象，基于植被群落和土壤特征的变化及两者的相互关系，评价了不同人工植被恢复措施对高寒沙化草地22年的恢复效果。结果表明：（1） AG和AS分别使DG的地上生物量增加至109.21，1 293.21 g/m²，但2种恢复措施的草本地上生物量均显著低于NG，而AG的植被群落物种丰富度比AS显著低31.48%（p<0.05）。（2）与DG的0—10 cm表层土壤相比，AG的土壤孔隙度、含水量、总碳和总氮含量分别显著提高7.94%，67.95%，22.09%和257.14%，AS的这些指标也分别显著提高6.41%，43.00%，17.18%和242.86%；但2种恢复措施的土壤碳氮养分含量均显著低于NG （p<0.05）。（3） AS和AG的土壤有机碳矿化总累积量分别比DG显著提高133.39%和116.96%，但均显著低于NG，2种恢复措施间无显著差异（p>0.05）。可见，人工植被恢复措施显著促进沙化草地植被以及土壤恢复，但灌丛恢复更有利于提高植被物种丰富度，而草本恢复更有利于增加沙化草地土壤水分。     

植被恢复对黄土高原矿区重构土壤理化性质、酶活性以及真菌群落的影响

[目的]研究黄土高原矿区重构土壤植被恢复对土壤理化性质、酶活性以及真菌群落的影响,准确评价植被恢复对该地区的土壤生态恢复效果。[方法]在内蒙古自治区准格尔旗选择3种典型植被恢复类型(灌木、乔木、草地)和未复垦地采集0—20 cm土壤样品,采用扩增子测序技术分析了土壤真菌多样性和群落组成,同时结合土壤理化性质探讨了不同植被恢复类型影响真菌群落多样性的重要因素。[结果]①与未复垦地相比,3种典型植被恢复类型不仅对土壤理化性质和酶活性均有明显提升,还提高了土壤真菌可操作分类单元(OUTs)和多样性指数,且差异显著,以灌木的效果最好。②真菌主要菌门相对丰度在各样地变化趋势为子囊菌门(Ascomycota)担子菌门(Basidiomycota)球囊菌门(Glomeromycota),相对丰度之和已超过50%,土壤真菌群落结构在4个样地之间保持了一定的稳定性。③土壤含水量为影响真菌群落结构的最主要因素。[结论]植被恢复影响土壤理化性质、酶活性及真菌群落多样性,黄土高原矿区生态恢复是一个漫长的过程,在生态恢复过程中,宜种植灌木来改善重构土壤的生态环境。     

川西北不同沙化程度草地土壤细菌群落特征

研究川西北不同沙化程度草地（未沙化草地、轻度沙化草地、中度沙化草地、重度沙化草地）土壤细菌多样性和群落结构特征,利用Illumina二代高通量测序技术MiSeq对土壤细菌的16 SrRNA V₃—V₄可变区进行测序,研究土壤细菌多样性、物种组成和丰富度,并结合土壤理养分探讨影响细菌群落结构的环境因素,对发挥土壤潜在肥力,了解土壤健康状况,实现该区植被的管理与可持续利用有着重要的意义。结果表明:（1）不同沙化草地土壤养分具有明显差异,依次表现为:随着沙化程度的增加,土壤pH值逐渐增加,而土壤有机碳、全氮、全钾、碱解氮和速效磷逐渐降低;（2）不同沙化程度草地土壤样品中共检测到细菌的32个门,65个纲,169个目,优势菌门为变形菌门（Proteobacteria）、放线菌门（Actinobacteria）、酸杆菌门（Acidobacteria）、绿弯菌（Chloroflexi）、浮霉菌门（Planctomycetes）,主要的优势菌纲为放线杆菌纲（Actinobacteria）、α-变形菌纲（α-Proteobacteria）、酸杆菌纲（Acidobacteria）、β-变形菌纲（β-Proteobacteria）、浮霉菌纲（Planctomycetacia）,与沙化草地相比,未沙化草地优势菌主要是变形菌门（Proteobacteria）和放线菌门（Actinobacteria）;（3）随着沙化程度的增加,OUT数目、Chao指数、Ace指数、Shannon指数逐渐减小,其中不同沙化草地土壤细菌覆盖率和Simpson指数差异不显著（p > 0.05）;（4）冗余分析和Pearson相关性分析表明,土壤pH值、土壤有机碳（SOC）和全氮（TN）是土壤细菌群落结构和多样性的主要影响因子。     

青藏高原三江源区不同恢复期高寒草甸土壤线虫群落演变

青藏高原三江源地区的高寒草甸面临着严峻的退化问题，人工建植是三江源地区退化草地的重要修复方式。为探究地下生物对草地人工恢复措施的响应，本研究比较了三江源地区高寒草甸不同恢复期人工草地(建植1、5和10 a)的土壤线虫群落变化。结果显示：与原生植被样地相比，所有恢复期样地的植物地下生物量降低，土壤容重、pH、全磷、全钾和硝态氮含量升高，表明人工草地系统的初级生产力和土壤特性尚未恢复到原生草地状态。不同恢复期样地中土壤线虫的均匀度和多样性指数均显著高于原生植被样地。此外，不同恢复期样地的线虫多度、代谢足迹以及成熟度指数均随恢复年限的增加而增加。相关性分析结果表明，土壤线虫多度与植物地下生物量、土壤有机质、全氮、全磷、矿质氮和速效氮含量显著正相关(P<0.05)，与土壤pH、全钾和容重显著负相关(P<0.05)。尽管三江源区退化草地的人工恢复措施尚未完全恢复牧草生产力至原生植被状态，但土壤生物结构及功能具有改善的趋势，显示该地区退化草地生态系统具有较强的恢复潜力。     

黄土丘陵区典型草地演替中植物群落特征与土壤储水量关系

[目的]阐明草地植被演替过程中植被生产力、植物多样性等生态学特征与土壤储水量的关系,为探明黄土高原地区植被恢复的生态环境效应提供一定的科学依据。[方法]采用时空互代的方法对宁夏回族自治区固原市云雾山保护区自然恢复3,8,13,46,66,89a的样地进行取样,分析0—100cm土层土壤储水量的分布及其与地上地下植物生物量、物种多样性的关系。[结果]随着草地演替的进行,植被群落盖度、生物量和物种多样性指数在恢复13a之前显著增加,之后渐趋稳定;土壤含水量逐渐增加,容重逐渐降低。植被群落演替对0—40cm土层土壤储水量没有显著影响,但演替后期对40cm以下土层水分有明显消耗。植被群落生物量及物种多样性指标与表层0—10cm水分呈显著正相关。[结论]草地演替过程中,植被群落生物量和物种多样性的增加与表层土壤储水能力的提升密切相关,但深层根系生物量的增加对下层土壤储水的消耗也逐渐增大。     

补播改良措施对沙化草地植被恢复的作用

在科尔沁沙地南缘,以严重沙化草地作为研究对象,通过布设人工补播试验,以及对飞播9a后沙化草地各植被群落特征的调查,研究了补播改良措施对沙化草地植被恢复的作用.结果表明:飞播措施和人丁补播措施对沙化草地植被恢复均具有显著作用.飞播9 a后的沙化草地,植被盖度、草群平均高度、草群密度以及地上生物量分别较对照样地提高了2.71倍、1.91倍、1.54倍和3.85倍.人工补播措施对改善沙化草地群落特征具有持久性,其中条播方式优于穴播和撤播方式.     

纳帕海高原湿地土壤微生物群落对土地利用方式改变的响应

【目的】探明高原湿地不同土地利用方式下土壤理化性质的改变对微生物群落结构及多样性的影响,为纳帕海高原湿地土地利用管理提供理论依据。【方法】以人类活动干扰下形成的放牧草地和耕地为研究对象,以自然沼泽湿地为对照,运用Illumina高通量测序技术比较不同土地利用方式下土壤微生物群落结构和多样性特征,并采用Mantel test分析土壤理化环境改变对土壤微生物群落的影响。【结果】(1)相较于自然沼泽湿地,耕作与放牧显著降低了土壤含水量、有机质、全氮和速效氮,却提高了全磷、碳氮比和容重（P <0.05）。(2)耕作和放牧显著增加土壤细菌与真菌α多样性（P <0.05）,三种利用方式间β多样性差异显著（P <0.01）。(3)耕作和放牧显著改变细菌和真菌群落结构,其中耕作使变形菌门、厚壁菌门和绿弯菌门相对丰度显著增加21.07%～123.61%,酸杆菌门、放线菌门和芽单胞菌门显著减小62.7%～75.29%;耕作使子囊菌门、担子菌门、接合菌门相对丰度显著减小71.33%～96.47%,未分类真菌门相对丰度显著增加722.97%;放牧使细菌浮霉菌门和疣微菌门增加57.46%、17...     

长期有机无机肥配施对东北黑土真菌群落结构的影响

【目的】分析长期有机无机肥配施对土壤真菌丰度、多样性及其群落特征的影响,探讨东北黑土真菌群落变化与施肥的相关性,为进一步调节土壤微生物结构,改善其生态功能提供参考依据。【方法】依托黑龙江省农业科学院36年长期定位试验站,选取4个不同施肥处理:不施肥处理（CK）、有机肥处理（M）、氮磷钾无机肥处理（NPK）和有机肥配施无机肥处理（MNPK）的耕作层土壤为研究对象,以真菌ITS基因为分子标靶借助qPCR技术和Illumina Miseq高通量测序平台,研究不同施肥处理对黑土中真菌群落丰度、多样性和组成的影响,并与土壤化学性质进行偶联分析,揭示群落与施肥的相关性。【结果】长期施用无机肥显著降低土壤pH,而有机无机配施可以有效缓解土壤酸化。NPK处理的ITS基因丰度显著高于MNPK;MNPK处理的细菌/真菌比值（26.91104）显著大于NPK,各处理比值由高到低为MNPK M CK NPK。细菌/真菌比值与土壤pH正相关;MNPK处理的真菌多样性指数值略大于NPK。Ascomycota和Zygomycota为土壤中主要真菌门,不同施肥处理之间真菌组成的相对丰度存在显著差异,对照处理Ascomycota的相对丰度为45.35%,MNPK和NPK处理分别为50.93%和56.16%。有机肥有利于降低病原真菌相对丰度,具有高度侵染性的Cochliobolus在MNPK（0.41%）和M（0.39%）中的相对丰度显著小于CK（3.25%）和NPK（2.08%）。CCA分析表明,土壤理化性质共解释土壤真菌群落结构变化的73.3%,有效磷（贡献量为32.4%,P=0.002）、铵态氮（贡献量为14.8%,P=0.01）和硝态氮（贡献量为16.2%,P=0.048）是3个重要的影响因子。【结论】不同施肥条件下土壤真菌丰度、多样性,以及菌群组成特征不同。与无机肥相比,有机肥无机肥配施能够有效改善真菌群落结构,降低真菌的丰度,增加真菌多样性,并提高土壤pH,减缓土壤酸化。土壤有效磷、铵态氮和硝态氮含量是影响黑土土壤真菌群落结构变化重要因素。     

京郊荒滩地短期植被恢复对土壤理化性质及微生物群落结构的影响

为了揭示京郊荒滩地植被恢复初期土壤理化性质与微生物群落结构的变化特征,以补播苜蓿(Medicago sativa L.)、补播无芒雀麦(Bromus inermis Leyss)为研究对象,自然撂荒地为对照,采用高通量测序方法研究不同植被恢复模式土壤细菌与真菌的群落结构。结果表明:(1)2种植被恢复方式下土壤全氮含量显著高于对照,补播无芒雀麦土壤全磷含量最高;(2)2种植被恢复方式短期内显著改善了土壤物理性质,土壤容重显著低于对照,补播无芒雀麦土壤田间持水量、毛管持水量与最大持水量最高,补播苜蓿土壤饱和导水率最高;(3)2种植被恢复方式短期内对土壤微生物群落结构产生影响,真菌中的子囊菌门、细菌中的蓝细菌门相对丰度增加,真菌与细菌的生物多样性降低;(4)相关性分析表明,土壤有机质含量与真菌中的子囊菌门、细菌中的变形菌门、蓝细菌门数量存在显著正相关关系。2种植被恢复方式短期内均不同程度的改善了土壤理化性质,增加了固氮及降解有机质的微生物的数量及活性。     

围栏封育在呼伦贝尔沙化草地植被恢复中的作用

 为给沙化草地植被恢复提供理论依据,在内蒙古呼伦贝尔沙化草地,通过测定围封不同年限(1、4、7年)沙化草地群落的特征值,并与未围封地段作对照,就围栏封育对沙化草地植被特征的影响进行了深入分析,结果表明:对沙化草地实施围栏封育,群落组成发生了规律性变化,随着围封年限的增加,退化指示植物所占比例逐渐降低,建群种及一些适口性较好的优良牧草所占比例逐渐增加,另外,围栏封育还可使草地植被盖度、平均高度、草群密度、地上生物量和土壤草根含量大幅度增加。     

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.