茶树CsDREB-A2转录因子基因的克隆与非生物胁迫响应分析

干旱应答元件结合蛋白(DREB)类转录因子在植物逆境信号转导途径中具有重要的调控作用。为了解AP2/ERF转录因子在茶树逆境胁迫的分子调控机理,本研究从茶树龙井43叶片的cDNA中克隆得到一个编码CsDREB-A2转录因子的基因;对CsDREB-A2基因及其编码蛋白序列特征进行分析,并利用实时荧光定量PCR法检测该基因在茶树不同非生物胁迫处理下的表达水平。结果表明,CsDREB-A2基因开放阅读框为1 056 bp,编码351个氨基酸,其编码氨基酸序列具有AP2保守结构域,包含典型的YRG元件和WLG基序。AP2结构域第14、第19位氨基酸分别为缬氨酸和谷氨酸。拟南芥AP2/ERF家族转录因子的进化分析表明,该转录因子属于DREB亚族的A2组。CsDREB-A2相对分子质量为39 080 Da,理论等电点为5.32,属于亲水性蛋白,主要由α-螺旋和随机卷曲组成,无序化特征明显且存在一个LM无序区域;可能定位于细胞核,不存在信号肽和跨膜结构,属于非分泌蛋白。CsDREB-A2基因在高温(38℃)和干旱(200 g·L^-1 PEG)胁迫下均能快速诱导表达,并显著高于对照,分别在处理4、2 h达到最大值,为对照的20.70和42.90倍,植物在渗透胁迫下,可能通过ABA信号途径调节该基因对干旱的耐受性。高盐(200 mmol·L^-1 NaCl)胁迫下CsDREB-A2基因的表达受抑制,推测其可能存在负调控结构域降低该基因在盐胁迫下的表达量。本试验结果为研究DREB类转录因子在茶树抗逆胁迫的分子调控机制提供了一定的理论参考。     

玉米逆境胁迫响应基因ZmbZIP84的克隆与功能验证

碱性亮氨酸拉链(Basic leucine zipper,bZIP)转录因子是真核生物中分布最广泛、结构极其保守的家族之一,在植物生长进程中发挥重要作用。为验证bZIP转录因子在逆境胁迫中发挥的作用,本研究通过分析转录组数据,筛选到27个参与干旱-复水胁迫的bZIP基因,计算相关性系数、构建共表达网络图发现ZmbZIP84(Zm00001d053988)是核心节点基因;该基因位于玉米第4号染色体,具有高度保守的bZIP结构域;分析理化性质,发现该基因是亲水性蛋白且属于不稳定蛋白;构建系统发育树,发现该基因与柳枝稷和高粱的亲缘关系最近;实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)结果显示,ZmbZIP84在玉米各组织中均有表达,成熟根中的表达量最高;设置20%聚乙二醇(PEG)-6000、42℃高温、200 mmol·L^-1 NaCl以及缺乏铵态氮等模拟试验,发现该基因在高温、干旱、氮处理下表达量显著上调,而在NaCl处理下表达量下调,说明ZmbZIP84基因积极参与并响应非生物胁迫;利用CRISPR/Cas9技术获得ZmbZIP84基因的拟南芥同源基因缺失型纯合突变体,发...     

桃WRKY转录因子PpWRKY18克隆及表达分析

为了探究WRKY转录因子在植物抵抗逆境胁迫方面的重要作用,本研究从桃中克隆PpWRKY18基因,通过生物信息学分析PpWRKY18蛋白含有典型WRKY功能结构域。系统进化树分析表明,桃PpWRKY18与蔷薇科物种的亲缘关系最为相近。生物信息学预测PpWRKY18蛋白定位细胞核,并通过农杆菌瞬时注射烟草叶片证实PpWRKY18定位于细胞核。对PGEX-PpWRKY18融合蛋白进行诱导表达,发现PpWRKY18融合蛋白主要在包涵体中表达。荧光定量PCR结果表明,PpWRKY18受干旱诱导表达量上升,复水后PpWRKY18表达量下降。生物信息学预测显示,蛋白磷酸酶蛋白家族(Protein Phosphatase 2C)、C2H2蛋白家族(PpZAT5)、ERF蛋白家族(PpERF9)、BHLH蛋白家族(PpBHLH92)可能与PpWRKY18蛋白互作,推测PpWRKY18蛋白通过与这些蛋白互作协同响应干旱胁迫。本研究为探索PpWRKY18响应干旱的分子机制提供了理论依据。     

小麦耐热相关转录因子基因TabZIP28的分离及功能分析

碱性亮氨酸拉链(basic leucine zipper,bZIP)是植物中广泛存在的一类转录因子,参与多种胁迫响应与生长发育过程.本研究从小麦(Triticum aestivum)中克隆到一个热胁迫诱导的bZIP家族转录因子基因TabZIP28 (GenBank登录号:KT753298.1),ORF长度为1 713 bp,编码570个氨基酸.生物信息学分析结果表明,TabZIP28与拟南芥bZIP家族转录因子中B亚组的3个基因Atb ZIP17、AtbZIP28和AtbZIP49归为一类.氨基酸序列比对结果表明,该蛋白具有bZIP和跨膜结构域(transmembrane domain,TMD)两个保守结构域以及规范的位点1蛋白酶(site 1 protease,S1P)剪切位点.对该基因起始密码子ATG上游1 699bp的序列进行顺式作用元件分析,发现该基因的启动子区域包含众多激素和逆境胁迫响应元件.通过qRT-PCR对该基因在逆境胁迫下的表达模式进行分析,结果表明,TabZIP28在热胁迫处理1h即上调表达且达到最大值;用20％PEG 6000模拟干旱环境处理小麦幼苗后,TabZIP28在处理6h达到最大值,并在12h时急剧下降;对5mmol/L H2O2处理响应比较缓慢,在处理12h才上调表达;该基因不受到二硫苏糖醇(dithiothreitol,DTT)处理的诱导表达.在拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)中过量表达TabZIP28基因,转基因株系在高温胁迫后的成活率和种子发芽率较野生型明显提高,说明该基因可能对植物的耐热性有贡献,可以作为耐热性育种的候选基因.     

盐碱胁迫下野生大豆CBL-CIPK通路表达分析

野生大豆(Glycine soja)是栽培大豆(Glycine max)的近缘野生种,含有栽培大豆中不存在的优异基因。为了明确类钙调磷酸酶B蛋白(CBL)与其互作蛋白激酶(CIPKS)组成的CBL-CIPK通路蛋白在野生大豆抗盐碱胁迫中的功能,本研究在盐碱胁迫下高耐及敏感野生大豆材料转录组分析的基础上,利用在线生物学工具对野生大豆CBL-CIPK通路蛋白结构、亚细胞定位、磷酸化位点及系统发育进行了分析。结果发现,10个野生大豆CBLs蛋白均含有3个EF手结构;7个CBLs蛋白定位于细胞核,另外3个分别定位于细胞质、叶绿体和内膜系统。38个CIPKs蛋白均含有ATP结合结构域、丝氨酸/苏氨酸蛋白激酶活性结构域和NAF结构域;20个CIPKs蛋白定位在细胞质中,9个定位在叶绿体中,6个定位在细胞核中,另有3个分别位于细胞器膜、线粒体和内膜系统。野生大豆与栽培大豆的CBL-CIPK通路基因高度同源,但野生大豆GsCIPK5_like基因与栽培大豆GmCIPK5亲缘关系较远,栽培大豆GmCIPK21基因与野生大豆GsCIPK21亲缘关系较远。在盐碱胁迫处理0和10 h后,GsCBL10基因在高耐材料中的表达量比敏感材料显著上调;在盐碱胁迫处理0 h后,GsCIPK10基因在高耐材料中的表达量也比敏感材料显著上调。本研究为阐明CBL-CIPK通路对野生大豆耐盐碱胁迫中的功能奠定了理论基础。     

二穗短柄草MADS-BOX基因AGL6和FUL1的可变拼接和表达模式分析

MADS-BOX基因家族是一类调控植物发育的重要转录因子,AGAMOUS LIKE 6(AGL6)和FRUITFULL(FUL1)属于其亚家族。本研究克隆了二穗短柄草(Brachypodium distachyon)2个MADS-BOX基因Bd AGL6和Bd FUL1的c DNA序列,分析了这2个基因的可变拼接和表达模式。结果表明,Bd AGL6基因在转录过程中,由于内含子部分保留机制,发生可变拼接,形成了3个转录本(Bd AGL6-1、Bd AGL6-2和Bd AGL6-3);Bd AGL6-3与水稻(Oryza sativa)、玉米(Zea maize)等禾本科植物中的AGL6转录因子序列高度同源;和Bd AGL6-3相比,Bd AGL6-1在C末端结构域插入额外的7个氨基酸;Bd AGL6-2在C末端结构域插入额外的5个氨基酸。q RT-PCR结果显示,Bd AGL6在花中高水平表达,其中Bd AGL6-3表达最强,Bd AGL6-1和Bd AGL6-2表达较弱。Bd FUL1基因的前体m RNA同样发生了可变拼接,产生2个转录本(Bd FUL1-1和Bd FUL1-2);两者的表达模式相似,除了在花和茎中表达之外,在幼苗的叶中也有表达。研究结果为进一步了解MADS-BOX基因家族的生物学功能提供了参考资料。     

独行菜LaBBX基因低温表达响应与密码子偏性分析

BBX是调控植物非生物胁迫相关基因表达,响应植物逆境胁迫的重要锌指蛋白类转录因子。为探究BBX在独行菜(Lepidium apetalum)幼苗耐受低温生长中的表达响应及其密码子偏好性,本研究基于独行菜转录组数据,筛选独行菜BBX编码基因的cDNA序列,并从独行菜幼苗中克隆获得全长733 bp的基因编码区序列,命名为LaBBX。序列分析表明,LaBBX由242个氨基酸组成,包含2个B-box锌指蛋白结构域,蛋白分子量为61.66 kDa,等电点为5.09,无信号肽和跨膜区。独行菜幼苗受低温胁迫时,LaBBX基因显著上调表达,6 h上调表达至21倍,且24 h内均呈现高水平表达,说明该转录因子可能在独行菜幼苗受低温胁迫时起重要作用。偏好性分析结果显示,独行菜LaBBX基因的ENc、CAI值和GC含量分别为55.453、0.244和46.78%,其密码子使用偏性较弱,相对偏好使用AT,高频密码子有8个,CDS序列及RSCU聚类分析中与十字花科植物最相近;其偏好性的形成与突变和自然选择等诸多因素相关,酵母菌表达系统更适合作为LaBBX基因的异源表达受体,拟南芥是适宜LaBBX基因的遗传转化受体。本研究为了解独行菜LaBBX基因的异源表达及基因功能提供了重要参考。     

非生物胁迫诱导的玉米蛋白激酶基因ZmCIPK1的cDNA克隆和表达分析

CIPK（CBL-interacting Protein Kinase）在植物非生物胁迫信号转导中起重要作用。应用电子克隆的方法在玉米中克隆了一个cDNA全长为1395bp的蛋白激酶基因ZmCIPK1（GenBank接受号为EF158034）。其编码的蛋白含有465个氨基酸,分子量为51.98KD,等电点为6.92。推断的ZmCIPK1催化结构域中包含蛋白激酶催化结构域保守的11个亚结构域, 蛋白C端具有植物CIPK蛋白家族特有的包含24个氨基酸的NAF结构域。半定量RT-PCR结果表明,在甘露醇、氯化钠、ABA和4°C低温诱导时,ZmCIPK1在玉米幼苗叶片中表达量明显上调,在24小时内保持较高的转录水平。试验结果表明,ZmCIPK1是一个新的玉米蛋白激酶基因,响应多种非生物胁迫信号。     

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.