2000-2020年湟水流域植被NDVI变化及其驱动力分析

探究湟水流域植被NDVI时空变化及其驱动因素将有利于地区生态环境的恢复和区域可持续发展。基于多源遥感数据和社会经济数据,利用趋势分析法和皮尔逊相关分析法探究2000—2020年流域植被NDVI时空变化特征,并借助地理探测器分析自然和人为驱动因素对流域内植被空间分异及变化的影响力。结果表明:(1)2000—2020年流域植被NDVI值整体呈现上升趋势,平均增速为0.003 8/a,其中湟水沿岸及下游部分上升趋势最为明显,同时新兴城镇与"引大济湟"工程区存在明显的下降趋势。(2)整个流域内,气温和高程是影响植被NDVI空间分异的主要因素;高程、土壤和植被类型是影响植被NDVI空间变化的主要因素。(3)各驱动因素间的交互作用解释力均高于单因素,呈现出非线性增强与双因子增强的情况,气温与地貌交互作用解释力最高,达到71.6%,对植被NDVI空间分异的解释力最强。(4)流域植被NDVI空间分异及变化受自然因素与人为因素的共同影响,且自然因素的影响起主导作用。随着人们环境保护意识显著提升与地区生态工程逐步落实,流域植被覆盖情况正在转好。     

近20年黄河三角洲地区植被覆盖度时空变化及其趋势分析

[目的]探究黄河三角洲地区植被覆盖度的时空动态变化以及植被覆盖度对土地利用变化的响应机制,为地区生态保护、建设与高质量发展提供参考。[方法]基于2000—2019年的归一化植被指数(NDVI)数据和2000—2020年5期土地利用数据,采用slope趋势分析和相关性分析等方法,分析了2000—2019年东营市植被覆盖度的时空动态变化及其对土地利用类型变化的响应。[结果]植被覆盖度在东营市南部地区、黄河沿岸以及黄河故道地区较高,而北部和东部沿海地区较低。在时间上,2000—2019年东营市NDVI为0.25～0.33,植被覆盖度呈现先增加后减少的趋势,在2010年达到最高水平。在空间上,东营市植被覆盖度改善区域面积大于退化区域,其面积占比分别为44.86%,37.94%。[结论]草地和未利用土地向城乡、工矿、居民用地和水域转化是造成植被覆盖退化的主要原因。     

2000—2020年西藏“一江两河”地区人类活动对植被覆盖变化的影响

[目的] 探究西藏“一江两河”(雅鲁藏布江、年楚河和拉萨河)地区人类活动对植被覆盖变化的影响机制,为该区开展山水林田湖草沙冰一体化保护与修复工程实施提供理论依据和科学指导。 [方法] 基于2000—2020年归一化植被指数、土地利用数据、生态工程数据和气象数据,利用GIS技术、残差分析、slope趋势分析和M-K检验等方法,研究“一江两河”地区人类活动对植被覆盖时空变化的影响机制。 [结果] ①2000—2020年研究区植被NDVI总体呈增加趋势,但表现出显著的空间差异性,NDVI增加区主要集中在河谷两岸。 ②2000—2020年人类活动对NDVI正向影响区主要集中在雅鲁藏布江和拉萨河等河谷地带,负向影响主要分布在拉萨市区及其周边地区,分布较少,以正向影响为主导。 ③不同土地利用类型对植被覆盖变化的影响程度不同,草地和灌丛对NDVI变化的贡献率最大,两者共达到92.8%,其中城镇和森林面积急剧增加,城镇生态系统增加面积主要由农田和草地生态系统转入,森林和灌丛生态系统主要由草地和荒漠生态系统转入。 ④生态工程林是研究区NDVI增加主要原因之一,生态工程林面积变化与NDVI变化率、残差变化率均呈极显著正相关关系,同时生态工程林能够较好地解释残差变化。 [结论] 人类活动是西藏“一江两河”地区地表植被覆盖变化的重要促进因素,适度的生态工程对植被恢复有重要作用。     

近40年中国植被NDVI时空演变格局及主导驱动因子的差异分析

[目的] 揭示中国不同子区、不同历史时期的植被NDVI演变主导驱动因子的差异性，为不同区域植被生态系统的保护和恢复提供决策支持。 [方法] 基于GIMMS NDVI，MODIS NDVI及气象站点数据等，引入重心模型和地理探测器等，在地理分区视角下分析和探讨了中国植被NDVI时空演变格局及驱动机制。 [结果] ①1981-2019年近40 a中国植被NDVI重心向南迁移，表明南方地区的植被NDVI增量与增速要高于北方地区; ②植被NDVI与气温呈正相关区域主要分布于黄土高原地区、四川盆地的中部、云贵高原以及长江中下游地区，植被NDVI与降水呈负相关区域则主要分布于云贵高原和长江中下游等地区； ③1981-2019年不同分区、不同历史时期的植被NDVI演变主导驱动因子存在显著差异，随着人类活动干扰强度的增加，土地利用∩其他因子逐渐成为各子区植被生态系统演变的主导因子。 [结论] 近40 a中国植被状况总体上呈现改善趋势，而人类活动在植被生态系统演变过程中贡献率已高于自然因子。     

2000—2020年白尼罗河上游地区植被动态及其驱动因子

[目的] 明确21世纪白尼罗河上游的植被动态及变化的驱动因子,为该区域生产活动、环境政策的制定与调整提供科学指导。 [方法] 以白尼罗河上游地区为研究区,基于降水、温度和人口数据,利用趋势分析、偏相关分析及残差趋势法确定了该地区2000—2020年植被(NDVI)变化特征及其主导因子的空间差异。 [结果] 白尼罗河上游地区NDVI平均以0.105/10 a的速率上升,且温度变化对于NDVI的影响强于降雨;人类活动总体对植被造成负面影响,但是这一负面影响的趋势正在逐渐减弱;在5种土地类型中,灌木地的植被为气候变化及人类活动变化背景下最为脆弱的(所受正面影响小,负面影响大);流域内15.01%陆地范围植被变化主要受人类活动主导,另外84.99%受气候变化主导。 [结论] 虽然流域内整体植被呈现增长趋势,但是个别地区植被发生了严重退化,尤其是城镇的扩张以及农田开垦的扰动对植被造成了破坏,当地在寻求增加粮食产量及旅游业收入的前提下应当做好植被的监测与管理工作。     

阴山北麓地区土壤侵蚀的时空变化及驱动力

[目的]分析2000—2020年阴山北麓地区土壤侵蚀时空变化及其影响因素,为该区土壤侵蚀治理与国土空间规划提供科学指导。[方法]基于降水、土地利用、土壤和遥感影像等数据,采用GIS技术和RUSLE模型开展研究。[结果](1)2000—2020年阴山北麓地区土壤侵蚀强度主要以微度侵蚀和轻度侵蚀为主,高等级侵蚀面积不断增加,阴山北麓地区土壤侵蚀状况十分严峻;(2)阴山北麓地区土壤侵蚀严重区主要分布在阴山山脉沿线和内蒙古多伦县大部分地区;(3)土地利用类型是阴山北麓地区土壤侵蚀主要影响因子,各因子解释力大小依次为：土地利用类型>植被覆盖度>降雨>坡度。土地利用类型为耕地,植被覆盖度小于0.3,坡度在15°～20°和降雨量在365～413 mm之间的地区为高风险侵蚀区域。[结论]阴山北麓地区土壤侵蚀程度整体偏高。植被覆盖度低的耕地和草地应为阴山北麓地区土壤侵蚀治理重点区域,应采取植树造林种草,扩大林草覆盖面,改善植被覆盖率,降低地表径流速率,提高下渗能力,来控制土壤侵蚀发生。     

黄土高原林区植被变化对水沙演变的影响——以仕望川流域为例

[目的]研究林区植被变化对水沙演变的影响,可以为黄河流域生态环境建设政策的制定与调整提供科学依据。[方法]基于仕望川流域控制水文站大村站1959—2018年的径流量与输沙量数据以及流域内的降水数据,分析了其60年水文变化特征。结合1985—2018年的NDVI数据以及五期土地利用数据,分析讨论了流域水沙变化的植被下垫面驱动效应。[结果]仕望川流域近60年来的径流量和输沙量呈显著减少的趋势(p<0.01),突变年分别在1988年和1983年,而流域内土地利用情况和降水在60年间并无明显的变化趋势,流域内生长季NDVI在2000年前变化不明显,但在2000年后有显著提升趋势。[结论]2000年以前,各种水土保持治理措施的实施是流域径流量与输沙量减少的主要原因;进入21世纪后,流域内植被质量的提升使径流量与输沙量进一步减少。     

山西黄河流域不同土地利用类型NDVI时空变化及其对气温、降水的响应

[目的]了解山西黄河流域不同土地利用类型NDVI时空变化及其对气温、降水的响应关系,对该流域生态保护、修复和高质量发展具有重要的意义。[方法]基于1998—2018年NDVI数据,利用NDVI变化趋势、变异系数、空间自相关等方法,对山西黄河流域不同土地利用类型NDVI时空变化特征及其与气温、降水的关系进行分析。[结果]不同土地利用类型NDVI变化趋势均呈向好态势,草地和林地覆盖状况优于整体水平。NDVI在空间上整体呈南北纵列、高低相间的分布格局,吕梁山和太岳山—中条山高,西部高原丘陵区和汾河谷地低。NDVI变化趋势的空间异质性显著,植被以显著改善为主。林地改善趋势的稳定性最好。NDVI表现出明显的空间集聚性特征,其中耕地NDVI变化趋势聚集特征最明显。不同土地利用类型NDVI对降水的敏感性强于气温。[结论]山西黄河流域不同土地利用类型NDVI时空变化差异显著,并对气温和降水存在响应关系,此研究将为该流域生态保护和建设提供更精准的植被恢复数据及其和气温、降水关系的基础资料。     

退耕还林还草工程实施对洛河流域土壤侵蚀的影响

退耕还林还草工程是中国实施的重要生态环境建设与保护工程,对区域植被覆盖及土壤侵蚀产生重要影响。以洛河流域（陕北黄土高原部分）为研究对象,利用流域通用土壤侵蚀方程（RUSLE）,结合流域降雨、土壤类型、DEM、植被覆盖等数据,定量分析了2000—2010年退耕还林还草工程实施对流域土壤侵蚀的影响。结果表明:（1）洛河流域2000—2010年耕地面积减少,林地、草地面积增加,土地利用变化主要发生在2000—2005年;（2）洛河流域2000—2010年土地利用变化导致植被NDVI平均值增大,耕地变化区域植被NDVI值增加幅度高于耕地未变化区域,表明耕地变化区域植被NDVI增加对耕地区域总体植被NDVI值增加贡献较大;（3）降雨侵蚀力和退耕还林还草工程实施对土壤侵蚀具有明显的影响。受降雨侵蚀力增大影响,2000—2010年洛河流域土壤侵蚀呈增加趋势;不考虑降雨侵蚀力变化情况下,洛河流域土壤侵蚀呈减少趋势,反映出退耕还林还草工程实施对土壤侵蚀的减缓作用。     

乌江流域土地利用变化的自然因子

自然因素是引起典型山地流域土地利用变化的主要原因,乌江流域作为典型山地流域,明确各自然因子在乌江流域土地利用类型转变中的贡献率,找到关键性驱动因子,从而为合理调整土地利用布局提供借鉴作用。以乌江流域为研究对象,基于时空性和整体性,采用2000年、2010年和2020年三期土地利用数据,综合各自然要素,利用增强回归树模型来分析土地利用变化的自然因子。结果表明:(1)2000—2020年乌江流域土地利用类型变化表现在,林地、灌木地、水体和人造地表面积比重明显增加,耕地、湿地面积显著减少,草地面积变化呈稳定趋势。(2)2000年和2020年对比发现乌江流域中部水体面积扩大,北部林地面积有所增加,东部耕地面积大幅度缩减。草地和灌木地空间变化不明显,呈嵌入式分布。人造地表以东南、西南、东北和西北部增加最为明显。(3)从贡献率方面考虑,降水对草地变化的贡献率最大,坡度对耕地的影响最大,植被类型对林地影响最大,影响湿地最大的自然驱动因子是坡度,气温是制约灌木地发展的最大自然因子,土壤类型对水体变化的贡献率最大,坡度是人造地表变化最大的自然驱动因子。草地变化的特征因子主要是降水、植被类型和气温; 耕地变化特征因子分别是坡度、高程和气温; 林地变化的特征因子是植被类型、高程和气温; 湿地变化的特征因子是坡度; 灌木地变化的特征因子是气温、土壤类型和植被类型; 水体变化的特征因子是土壤类型和植被类型; 人造地表变化的特征因子是坡度和植被类型。     

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.