蚯蚓与菌根提高玉米生长和氮磷吸收的互补效应

【目的】蚯蚓和丛枝菌根真菌处于不同的营养级,但在促进植物生长和提高土壤肥力等方面却都发挥着积极作用。研究蚯蚓菌根互作及其对玉米吸收土壤中的氮、磷养分的影响,可为提升土壤生物肥力及促进农业的可持续发展提供理论依据。【方法】本研究采用田间盆栽方式,以玉米为供试作物,研究蚯蚓(Eisenia fetida)与丛枝菌根真菌(Glomus intraradices)互作及其对玉米养分吸收的影响。试验设置P 25和175 mg/kg两个水平。每个磷水平进行接种与不接种菌根真菌以及添加与不添加蚯蚓,共8个处理。调查了玉米生长、养分吸收以及真菌浸染和土壤养分的有效性。【结果】两个磷水平下,蚯蚓和菌根在增加玉米地上部和根系生物量方面有显著正交互作用(P0.05)。接种菌根真菌的各处理显著增加了玉米的侵染率及泡囊丰度、根内菌丝丰度等菌根指标。同时添加蚯蚓和接种菌根真菌的处理(AM+E)显著提高了菌根的侵染率、菌丝密度、丛枝丰度和根内菌丝丰度但是泡囊丰度有所下降。两种磷水平下,AM+E处理玉米地上部和地下部含氮量和含磷量均显著高于其他三个处理。在低磷条件下,地上部氮磷总量的增加分别是添加蚯蚓和接菌的作用;而地下部磷总量的增加主要是菌根真菌的作用。在高磷条件下,单加蚯蚓显著增加玉米氮磷的总量,而接种菌根真菌对玉米氮磷吸收的影响未达显著性水平。在高磷条件下,单加蚯蚓的处理显著提高玉米地上地下部生物量(P0.05),而单接菌的处理效应不显著,蚯蚓菌根互作通过提高土壤微生物量碳、氮实现对玉米生长和养分吸收的调控。在低磷条件下,单接菌显著提高了玉米的生物量(P0.05),单加蚯蚓的处理具有增加玉米生物量的趋势。菌根真菌主要促进玉米对磷的吸收,蚯蚓主要矿化秸秆和土壤中的氮磷养分增加土壤养分的有效性,蚯蚓菌根互作促进了玉米根系对土壤养分的吸收并形成氮磷互补效应。【结论】无论在高磷还是低磷水平下,蚯蚓菌根相互作用都提高了玉米地上地下部生物量、氮磷吸收量同时提高了土壤微生物量碳、氮。蚯蚓菌根相互作用对植物生长的影响取决于土壤养分条件。在高磷条件下(氮相对不足),蚯蚓菌根互作通过调控土壤微生物量碳、氮调控玉米生长和养分吸收。低磷条件下,菌根主要发挥解磷作用,蚯蚓主要矿化秸秆和土壤中的氮素,蚯蚓和菌根互补调控土壤中氮、磷,从而促进植物的生长和养分吸收。     

不同供磷水平对旱作条件下水稻生长、根系形态和 养分吸收的影响

通过盆栽试验,比较分析了磷素对旱作条件下不同水稻品种苗期生长、根系形态及磷素吸收利用效率的影响。结果表明,施用磷肥促进水稻地上部和根系的生长,低磷胁迫显著增大了植物的根冠比,且品种间差异明显,丛矮2在低磷水平和高磷水平下的根冠比比值为1.982,而黄华占相应的比值为1.096;随供磷浓度的增加,水稻植株含磷量增加而磷素生理利用率降低,在3种磷水平下,3345的磷素吸收效率均高于其他4个品种,磷素生理利用率却低于其他4个品种。根系形态参数与磷素吸收、利用效率的相关性分析表明:根系总长对水稻植株吸磷量影响最大。总之,适当地施用磷肥能更好地协调根系与地上部的关系,促进根系的生长和根系对磷素的吸收。     

不同磷锌组合对小麦磷锌含量、积累与分配的影响

采用盆钵试验方法研究了不同磷锌组合对小麦磷锌含量、积累和分配的影响。结果表明:施磷提高了小麦根系和分蘖期、成熟期茎杆磷积累量,降低了成熟期籽粒磷累积量。低磷水平下,施锌促进了小麦对磷的吸收累积,高磷水平下施锌效应则相反。施磷减少了小麦锌的累积量。低磷水平下,适量施锌能够提高小麦的锌积累量,高锌则降低了籽粒锌积累量。高磷水平下,施锌提高了分蘖期和抽穗期的小麦根部和分蘖期小麦茎杆锌积累量,高锌肥用量降低了成熟期小麦根部锌积累量。磷锌协同作用多发生在小麦生育前期,而磷锌拮抗作用主要发生在小麦成熟期。     

接种AM真菌对甘薯光合作用及碳磷代谢酶活性的影响

为探讨丛枝菌根真菌和磷水平对甘薯生长特性的影响,采用盆栽试验方法,设置3个P水平(P_0,P_(50),P_(150)mg/kg),研究了接种AM真菌对甘薯生长、光合特性和叶片酶活性的影响。结果表明:接种AM真菌显著增加了甘薯根系侵染率、丛枝丰度、根内菌丝丰度和泡囊丰度。不同磷水平间甘薯的侵染率、丛枝丰度均差异显著,中磷的总体侵染情况显著高于低磷和高磷水平(P0.05)。低磷和中磷条件下,接种处理显著提高了甘薯的生物量和氮磷吸收量(P0.05),其中在磷50mg/kg水平下,接种菌根真菌后甘薯氮磷养分吸收量显著高于未接种处理,地上地下部生物量分别提高了28.6%和73.3%,而高磷条件下接种处理甘薯地上和地下部的生长显著降低。在低磷和中磷水平下,接种AM真菌显著提高了甘薯的净光合速率、气孔导度和蒸腾速率;在中磷水平下接种AM真菌甘薯叶片的蒸腾速率和气孔导度达到最大值,之后随着磷水平的升高而降低;当土壤磷素供应过高时,接种AM真菌属非气孔限制因素导致的光合速率降低(P0.05)。在低磷和中磷水平下,接种菌根真菌显著提高了甘薯叶片中蔗糖合成酶、6-磷酸葡萄糖酸脱氢酶、蔗糖磷酸合成酶和磷酸酶的活性;在高磷水平下,接种后甘薯叶片代谢酶活性明显降低。不同磷水平下的菌根效应表现为P_(50)P_0P_(150),说明接种菌根的效果受土壤磷水平的影响。     

增效磷肥对冬小麦产量和磷素利用率的影响

在实验室条件下分别制备了含腐植酸、 海藻酸和谷氨酸3种增效剂的增效磷肥,运用土柱栽培试验研究等磷（设置低、 高2个施磷水平）投入条件下不同增效剂添加量的增效磷肥对小麦产量和磷肥利用率的影响。结果表明, 1）低磷水平下,增效磷肥处理小麦子粒产量比普通磷酸一铵提高9.74%~33.54%,高磷水平下,含腐植酸增效磷肥和含海藻酸增效磷肥处理小麦子粒产量分别比普通磷酸一铵增加26.81%和30.65%。低磷和高磷水平下,不同增效磷肥处理小麦子粒产量均随增效剂添加量的增加而提高。2）低磷和高磷水平下,增效磷肥处理小麦子粒含磷量与普通磷酸一铵处理差异不显著。3）低磷水平下,增效磷肥处理小麦吸磷总量比普通磷酸一铵增加14.81%~42.59%,磷肥的表观利用率平均提高了8.71~26.21个百分点;高磷水平下,腐植酸增效磷肥和海藻酸增效磷肥处理小麦吸磷总量分别比普通磷酸一铵增加18.18% 和 32.73%,磷肥的表观利用率平均提高了6.13 和10.19个百分点。     

印度梨形孢诱导烟草对黑胫病的抗性及其机理的初步研究

印度梨形孢(Piriformospora indica)是分离自印度塔尔沙漠的植物根系内生真菌,能够诱导多种植物对生物和非生物逆境产生抗性,目前已作为一种模式真菌用于内生真菌与植物互作关系的研究。为了研究印度梨形孢对烟草(Nicotiana tobacum)抗黑胫病的影响,本研究采用烟草疫霉菌(Phytophthora parasitica var.nicotianae)分别接种根部有印度梨形孢定殖与未定殖的烟草,观察接种后根部有印度梨形孢定殖与未定殖的烟草发病情况,测定抗病相关防御酶苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)、过氧化物酶(POD)、多酚氧化酶(PPO)的活性变化及抗病相关基因的表达量,并通过平皿对峙试验研究印度梨形孢对烟草疫霉菌生长的影响。结果表明,接种烟草疫霉菌后,根部有印度梨形孢定殖的烟草发病严重度要显著低于对照;接种烟草疫霉菌后第1~10 d,根部有印度梨形孢定殖的烟草叶片中防御酶PAL、POD和PPO活性高于对照,在第1 d,PAL活性是对照烟草的3.99倍,在第2 d,POD活性是对照烟草的1.5倍,在第4 d,PPO活性是对照烟草的2.66倍;实时荧光定量PCR(Real-time quantitative PCR,q RT-PCR)结果显示,接种烟草疫霉菌后第6~96 h,根部有印度梨形孢定殖的烟草叶片中抗病相关基因PR1b、P450-2、hrs203J、Nm IMSP和P450-1的表达量高于对照;在第12 h,PR1b、P450-2、hrs203J的表达量分别是对照烟草的3.8、15.7和3.1倍,在第48 h,Nm IMSP的表达量是对照烟草的2.6倍,在第72 h,P450-1的表达量是对照烟草的1.5倍;平皿对峙试验结果显示印度梨形孢对烟草疫霉菌的生长没有抑制、重寄生作用。研究结果表明,印度梨形孢可显著提高烟草对黑胫病的抗性,对黑胫病的抗性不是通过印度梨形孢分泌的抗菌物质实现的,是与烟草中抗病相关基因表达量的上升、防御酶活性的提高有关。本研究初步揭示了印度梨形孢诱导烟草抗黑胫病的相关机理,为进一步深入研究烟草黑胫病的生物防治及其机理提供基础资料。     

有机无机复混肥优化化肥养分利用的效应与机理研究? II 有机物料与磷肥复混对玉米产量及肥料养分吸收利用的影响

本研究采用团粒法工艺,利用味精厂玉米淀粉制糖形成的糖渣（A）作为有机原料,与磷酸一铵复混制成有机无机复混磷肥,运用土柱栽培试验研究等磷（设置低、中、高3个施磷水平）投入条件下不同有机无机比例的有机无机复混磷肥对玉米产量和磷素吸收利用的影响。主要结果为, 1）低、中、高磷水平下有机无机复混磷肥单株玉米籽粒产量平均比化肥磷（P）处理分别提高19.14 %、11.29 %和37.83 %。低磷、中磷和高磷水平下,有机无机复混磷肥比对应有机物料处理的增产幅度大于化肥磷（P）处理比对应的不施磷肥CK处理的增产幅度,有机物料与化学磷肥复混,明显提高了化学磷肥的增产效果。2）无论是施用化学磷肥还是有机无机复混磷肥,玉米植株的含磷量大都在一定程度上低于不施磷肥的CK处理,可能是施用磷肥大幅度增产引起的稀释效应所致;但施用磷肥处理的植株吸磷量却明显高于不施磷肥的CK处理。3）有机物料与化学磷肥复混具有优化化肥养分利用和提高化学磷肥利用率的效果。低磷、中磷和高磷水平下,有机无机复混磷肥处理平均玉米植株吸磷量比化肥磷（P）处理分别提高12.58 %、2.82 %和33.42%;低磷、中磷和高磷水平下,有机无机复混磷肥处理平均其化肥磷的表观利用率分别比化肥磷处理提高了14.85、1.22和16.04个百分点。     

新疆冬小麦品种苗期磷效率差异研究

通过室内盆栽试验,研究了 32个新疆冬小麦品种在苗期低磷和高磷水平下干物质重、叶绿素含量、类胡萝卜素含量、氮累积量和磷累积量的差异,以筛选出磷高效利用品种。结果表明:低磷和高磷处理,小麦叶绿素含量、类胡萝卜素含量、干物质重及氮磷累积量在各品种之间差异显著。聚类分析可以看出,施磷后新冬 4号和新冬 53号磷累积量增幅最大,对磷的响应比较敏感,为高磷高效品种;新冬 5号在低磷条件下磷累积量最大,为低磷高效品种,且新冬 5号叶绿素含量受磷的影响最敏感;在高磷条件下,新冬 9号、新冬 18号、新冬 19号、新冬 28号、新冬 33号、新冬 35号、新冬 49号和新冬 52号品种具有较高的磷累积量,为高磷较高效品种;高磷及低磷处理条件下,新冬 6号、新冬 12号、新冬 20号、新冬 23号、新冬 24号、新冬 26号品种磷累积量均最低,为磷低效品种。     

低磷与接种菌根对柑橘菌根形成及果实品质的影响

试验在柑橘园中设低磷加炭接种菌根、低磷施肥区接种菌根、高磷施肥区接种菌根、高磷施肥区不接种菌根、低磷施肥区不接种菌根5个处理,以研究施磷量与是否接种菌根对柑橘菌根形成及果实品质的影响。结果表明,与高施磷区相比,低施磷肥区和接种菌根都显著提高了柑橘的菌根侵染率,同时也提高了果实品质,改善了果实着色度。     

不同磷肥水平下丛枝菌根菌对玉米修复芘污染土壤的影响

盆栽试验研究了不同磷肥水平下接种丛枝菌根菌（Arbuscular mycorrizal fungi,AMF）对玉米修复芘污染土壤的影响。结果表明,在施磷水平为20和80 mg/kg条件下,50 mg/kg芘处理土壤中丛枝菌根菌能够正常侵染玉米根系,侵染率没有显著变化;土壤芘污染对玉米的生长有抑制作用,缺磷土壤中施磷能够缓解土壤芘对玉米生长的抑制作用。培养60 d后,高磷（80 mg/kg）和低磷（20 mg/kg）条件下,玉米接种AMF处理土壤芘残留浓度分别比相应的不接种处理降低了38%和35%,比相应无玉米的对照处理降低了53%和58%。表明玉米接种混合AMF能够显著降低土壤芘残留浓度,促进土壤芘的去除。与P 20 mg/kg处理相比,P 80 mg/kg处理玉米接种及不接种AMF的土壤芘残留浓度分别降低了16%和19%,表明缺磷土壤中施磷对玉米及菌根玉米去除土壤芘均有一定促进作用。土壤微生物碳量与土壤芘的去除率显著正相关,接种AMF和P 80 mg/kg处理均能够显著增加土壤微生物碳量,因此土壤微生物数量的增加可能是其促进土壤芘的去除的重要原因。     

Agricultural potential of Mediterranean grain and forage legumes: Key differences between and within Vicia species in terms of phenology, yield, and agronomy give insight into plant adaptation to semi-arid environments

In order to identify key adaptive traits which affect productivity in Mediterranean grain and forage legumes and simultaneously determine the agricultural potential of a wide range of Vicia species, germplasm collected from the wild throughout the eastern Mediterranean was grown under semi-arid conditions in Tel Hadya, Syria (313 mm growing season rainfall). These included species currently in use in Mediterranean agriculture, such as V. sativa L., as well as those more widely used in the past-such as V. ervilia L., but also a broad selection from Section Narbonensis (B. Fedtsch. ex Radzhi) Maxted, including V. narbonensis L, V. johannis Tamamsch., V. hyaeniscyamus Mout., V. serratifolia Jacq., and V. kalakhensis Khattab et al. V. faba, a near relative of the taxa in Section Narbonensis, was included as a domesticated control. Where applicable, a representative range of subspecies was used. Accessions were chosen from a wide range of habitats in terms of latitude (31.02–40.72 decimal^o), longitude (27.1–43.17 decimal^o), altitude (20–1510 m), rainfall (180–1700 mm/yr) and soil depth (5–50 cm) in order to maximise diversity within species. Agricultural potential was determined by measuring seed, hay and biological yield, as well as agronomic traits such as harvest index, standing crop height, and seed size. The comparative influence of phenology and key agronomic traits such as plant habit and seed size on productivity varied tremendously between species, depending on their reproductive strategies. In V. sativa and V. ervilia, the smaller seed species which rely on long vegetative phases and growing seasons to accumulate sufficient biomass to set seed, and in which there was comparatively little agronomic variation, phenology had a large impact on yield. In early emerging taxa such as V. ervilia and V. s. subsp. sativa, with built-in long vegetative phases and growing seasons, seed yield was negatively correlated with flower ing (r = –0.86 to –0.88), whereas the opposite was the case for later emerging taxa such as V. s. subsp. nigra (L.) Ehrh. (r = 0.95). Within V. narbonensis and relatives, the larger seeded Vicia species which rely on more conservative reproductive strategies where high seedling vigour associated with large seeds enables the species to enter reproductive phases relatively early, phenology had a much smaller impact on yield than did variation of key traits such as seed weight, plant habit and pod shattering. Among the undomesticated germplasm harvest indices ranged from 0.09–0.31, hay yields from 0.1–3.4 t/ha, seed yield from 0–2.0 t/ha, and dry matter at maturity from 1.6–6.5 t/ha. Sub-specific taxonomy was crucial in determining agronomic potential. V. narbonensis var. aegyptiaca Kornhuber ex Asch. et Schweinf. showed the most potential, combining an upright habit, large seeds (212 mg) and tendency to retain intact pods after maturity, with the highest yield, harvest index and crop height of all the wild Vicia species. V. sativa subsp. sativa, V. ervilia and V. narbonensis var. narbonensis were less productive, but still showed agricultural potential. The smaller seeded V. narbonensis, var. affinis, var. jordanica H. Schäf. and var. salmonea (Mout.) H. Schäf., and their close relatives V. johannis, V. hyaeniscyamus, V. serratifolia and V. kalakhensis have little to offer Mediterranean agriculture on the basis of poor agronomy.     

Changes in trace element speciation in kola north surface waters during snow melt

The powerful mass-flow of melt water during the brief period of spring thaw provides a surge of pollutants and causes extremely toxic short term conditions. Together with the increase in total metal concentrations during this period, a redistribution in metal speciation occurs that increases the proportion of more toxic forms. Concentrations of ion-exchangeable fractions of nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), aluminium (Al), and manganese (Mn) show strong negative correlations with pH. The sum of complex metal species shows a strong positive correlation with total organic carbon (TOC). A data analysis model based on relationships observed between key parameters and metal behaviour together with gidrological data allowed an assessmrnt of the metal impact on waterbodies from accumulated airborne pollution (Ni, Cu) as well as from accelerated leaching from watersheds (Al, Mn).     

On the Taxonomy of the Members of ‘Saccharum Complex’

The difficulty and problems encountered in the study of cultivated plants, in general and sugarcane, in particular has been indicated. In order to understand these problems, a brief review on the taxonomy of Saccharum and closely related taxa, namely, Erianthus, Sclerostachya, Narenga and Miscanthus (generally known as ‘Saccharum complex’) has been given. A short account on the important morphological features that are specific to sugarcane has also been stated as classification is commonly based on such morphological characters. A note has been added on the chromosome number, origin, and distribution of the species of ‘Saccharum complex’ members. Taxonomic keys have been devised for identification of the genera of Saccharinae and for the species of Saccharum and Erianthus occurring in India. A new combination, Sclerostachya fallax (Balansa) Amalraj et Balasundaram, has also been proposed.     

The major features of an infestation by the invasive weed legume gorse (Ulex europaeus) on volcanic soils in Hawaii

Gorse (Ulex europaeus) infestation occupies over 4,000 ha of agriculture and conservation lands on the southeastern slope of Mauna Kea on the Island of Hawaii. The aim of this investigation is to identify ecological features associated with this weed invasion by comparing the gorse-infested areas to the surrounding uninfested areas of this landscape. The soils within the gorse infestation are more acidic, resulting in higher levels of KCl-extractable Al and lower levels of Mehlich III-extractable Ca, Mg, Mn, and Zn. Yet, gorse accumulates higher concentrations of Ca, Zn and, Cu than the kikuyu grass (Pennesitum clandestinum), which is ubiquitous throughout the site. The Ca:Al and Mg:Al molar charge ratios of the soils are lowest within the epicenter of the gorse infestation, while the molar ratios are highest in the gorse apical stem tissues. All gorse plants are nodulated and have higher nitrogen contents than the surrounding kikuyu grass. Furthermore, the δ¹⁵N of the gorse stem tissues approaches 0‰, suggesting that nitrogen is being symbiotically fixed from the atmosphere. Characterization of the Bradyrhizobium isolated from gorse nodules shows similarities and distinctions to Bradyrhizobium isolated from the endemic legume koa (Acacia koa) within the same location. Population densities of the indigenous Bradyrhizobium are higher within the gorse rhizosphere than the kikuyu grass. Soil acidification, nutrient depletion, and symbiotic nitrogen fixation distinguish gorse-infested areas from the surrounding uninfested areas. These observations suggest that gorse has a competitive advantage over kikuyu grass under conditions of soil nutrient deficiency.     

Nematofauna associated with exotic and native leguminous plant species in West Africa: effect of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Glomus intraradices</Emphasis> arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis

Ten leguminous trees, four exotic species (Australian Acacia) and six indigenous species (three Sahelian Acacia spp. and three Sesbania spp.), were grown for 4 months in a natural Sahelian soil inoculated with or without the endomycorrhizal fungus, Glomus intraradices. In control trials, the determinant factor structuring the soil nematode fauna was the plant species, related plants having a similar influence on the nematode community in the soil. Soil nematode abundance increased from exotic acacias (3.3 g^-1 dry soil) to native acacias (11.5 g^-1 dry soil) and Sesbania species (17.6 g^-1 dry soil). Plant feeding nematodes (mainly Scutellonema and Tylenchorhynchus) were significantly less abundant under exotic acacias (1.4 g^-1 dry soil) than under native acacias (7.2 g^-1 dry soil) or Sesbania species (7.3 g^-1 dry soil). Bacterial feeding nematode density increased from exotic acacias (1.2 g^-1 dry soil) to native acacias (3.0 g^-1 dry soil) and Sesbania species (7.7 g^-1 dry soil) as total densities. However, the differences in the structure of the nematode communities between plant groups were suppressed in the presence of the mycorrhizal fungus. In fact, no difference in nematode densities remained between plant groups when G. intraradices developed in several dominant taxa belonging to different trophic groups, particularly: Tylenchorhynchus, Apelenchina, Cephalobus and Dorylaimoidea. This study clearly indicated that inoculation with the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus G. intraradices diminished the plant-specific effect on the structure of the soil nematode community.     

Powdery Mildew Resistance in a Collection of Chinese Barley Varieties

One hundred and forty-seven Chinese barley varieties maintained at the Gene Bank of the National Barley Improvement Centre, Zhejiang, and 84 progenies from these varieties were tested at the seedling stage for their reaction to 32 selected pathotypes of Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei. Eighteen resistance spectra were identified comprising single or combined resistances from eight known (Ml(Bw), Ml(Ch), Mla7, Mla8, Mla9, Mla13, MlaRu4 and Mlg) and six unknown resistance genes. The most frequent gene was Ml(Bw), which was found in 69 varieties and previously detected in only a few European winter barley varieties. The genes Mla8 and Ml(Ch) were also often present, but other resistance genes were rare. After inoculation, considerably fewer pathogen colonies were observed in ‘Aiganqi’ and one line of ‘Tong5’. Twenty varieties were composed of lines with different resistance genes. China is likely to be a region of origin of the genes Ml(Bw), Mla7, as well as three unknown genes found in original landraces and perhaps another three unknown genes detected in cultivars bred in China. The resistances of varieties from the Zhejiang province and those originating from 11 other Chinese provinces were quite different. Unfortunately, none of the varieties are promising sources of resistance to powdery mildew and China does not seem to be a region suitable for identifying such sources.     

Genetic diversity of rhizobia associated with indigenous legumes in different regions of Flanders (Belgium)

We investigated the diversity of rhizobia isolated from different indigenous legumes in Flanders (Belgium). A total of 3810 bacterial strains were analysed originating from 43 plant species. Based on rep-PCR clustering, 16S rRNA gene and recA gene sequence analysis, these isolates belonged to Bradyrhizobium, Ensifer (Sinorhizobium), Mesorhizobium and Rhizobium. Of the genera encountered, Rhizobium was the most abundant (62%) and especially the species Rhizobiumleguminosarum, followed by Ensifer (19%), Bradyrhizobium (14%) and finally Mesorhizobium (5%). For two rep-clusters only low similarity values with other genera were found for both the 16S rRNA and recA genes, suggesting that these may represent a new genus with close relationship to Rhodopseudomonas and Bradyrhizobium. Primers for the symbiotic genes nodC and nifH were optimized and a phylogenetic sequence analysis revealed the presence of different symbiovars including genistearum, glycinearum, loti, meliloti, officinalis, trifolii and viciae. Moreover, three new nodC types were assigned to strains originating from Ononis, Robinia and Wisteria, respectively. Discriminant and MANOVA analysis confirmed the correlation of symbiosis genes with certain bacterial genera and less with the host plant. Multiple symbiovars can be present within the same host plant, suggesting the promiscuity of these plants. Moreover, the ecoregion did not contribute to the separation of the bacterial endosymbionts. Our results reveal a large diversity of rhizobia associated with indigenous legumes in Flanders. Most of the legumes harboured more than one rhizobial endosymbiont in their root nodules indicating the importance of including sufficient isolates per plant in diversity studies.     

Effect of agroforestry woody species on earthworm activity and physicochemical properties of worm casts

The effects of five agroforestry woody species (Dactyladenia barteri, Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala, Senna siamea andTreculia africana) on the surface aasting activity ofHyperiodrilus africanus were studied in an Alfisol (Oxic Paleustalf) in southwestern Nigeria. Casting activity under the woody species decreased in the following order:Dactyladenia sp. (26.4 Mg ha^-1 year^-1)>Gliricidia sp. (24.4 Mg ha^-1 year^-1)>Treculia sp. (22.9 Mg ha^-1 year^-1)>Leucaena sp. (18.6 Mg ha^-1 year^-1)>Senna sp. (18.3 Mg ha^-1 year^-1). These differences in casting activity were partly explained by microclimatic effects. Irrespective of the woody species, the worm casts were higher in clay and silt contents, bulk density, water-stable aggregates, pH, organic C, exchangeable cations, effective cation exchange capacity, and extractable P levels than the corresponding surface soils. The woody species did affect the physicochemical properties and P sorption of the worm casts. The content of water-stable aggregates of worm casts decreased in the following order:Dactyladenia sp.>Treculia sp.>Senna sp.>Leucaena sp.>Gliricidia sp. Large differences in extractable P levels were observed.Senna sp. was associated with the highest extractable P level (11.5 mg kg^-1) andTreculia sp. the lowest (4.9 mg kg^-1). P sorption was highest on worm casts underDactyladenia sp. and lowest on those underTreculia sp. Without fertilizer application, there were no significant differences in the dry weight of maize grown in the different worm casts. With NPK applications, the dry weight of maize grown in worm casts associated withTreculia sp. was significantly lower than that of maize grown in the other worm casts, mainly due to the low extractable P level. Despite a high organic C and exchangeable K status, maize grown in the worm casts still responded significantly to N and K applications. The N uptake by maize grown in worm casts associated withTreculia sp. was lower than that in the other treatments.