A simple method for detection of lipolytic microorganisms in soils

Media selective for the isolation of bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi were amended with 0.1% sunflower oil emulsified with 0.01% Tween 80. Lipase-producing microorganisms produced clear zones on these media. When lipase-producing bacteria were cultured on a polycarbonate membrane laid on the selective medium for bacteria, clear zones were produced on the medium when the membrane along with bacteria was removed. The agar disc cut from the clear zone also produced a clear zone when placed on the fresh medium, indicating that clear zone formation is the result of the activity of extracellular lipases. The largest population of lipase-producing microorganisms in an agricultural soil was actinomycetes followed by bacteria and fungi. Ranging from 12 to 75% of bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi isolates from soils collected from three different locations were capable of producing lipases. In general, relatively small percentages of soil bacteria were lipase producers, and lipase producers were more common among soil actinomycetes and fungi. These three groups of microorganisms appear to be all important in decomposition of oils in organic matters in soils.     

克螟稻秸秆cry1Ab基因表达产物对土壤生物学活性的影响

通过实验室条件下的秸秆还土试验 ,比较了转基因克螟稻及其亲本稻秸秆对土壤各微生物生理群的数量、土壤酶活性以及土壤呼吸强度的影响差异。与亲本对照相比 ,转基因克螟稻秸秆的添加对土壤好氧性细菌、放线菌和真菌的数量没有显著性影响 ;土壤氨化细菌、自生固氮菌和纤维素降解菌的数量在培养中期有些差异 ,但差异并不持续 ;对土壤蛋白酶、中性磷酸酶、脲酶和土壤呼吸强度没有显著性影响 ;土壤脱氢酶对转基因克螟稻秸秆的添加极其敏感。转基因克螟稻秸秆处理土壤中脱氢酶的活性在培养的前 9周明显地高于非转基因秸秆处理土壤 (p <0 0 5 )。尽管如此 ,培养 63d后 ,两种秸秆处理土壤脱氢酶活性差异逐渐消失。试验结果表明 ,转Bt基因克螟稻秸秆中的cry1Ab蛋白对土壤可培养的微生物没有明显的毒害作用     

Bt-transgenic rice straw affects the culturable microbiota and dehydrogenase and phosphatase activities in a flooded paddy soil

There have been few investigations of the possible effects of genetically engineered plants on the microbiota and enzyme activities in flooded soil. We studied the influence of the transgenic rice KeMingDao (KMD) straw on the culturable microbiota and enzymatic activities in a flooded paddy soil under laboratory conditions. KMD contained a synthetic cry1Ab gene from Bacillus thuringiensis under the control of a maize ubiquitin promoter and linked in tandem with the gusA and hpt genes. The results showed that there were only some occasional significant differences (P<0.05) in the number of Colony forming units of aerobic bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi and in the number of anaerobic fermentative bacteria, denitrifying bacteria, hydrogen-producing acetogenic bacteria, and methanogenic bacteria between the paddy soil amended with Bt-transgenic rice straw and with the non-Bt parental rice straw during the early stages of incubation. From d14 to d84 there were significant increases (P<0.05) in soil dehydrogenase and soil neutral phosphatase activity in soils amended with rice straw compared to soil without added straw. The dehydrogenase activity was significantly greatly (almost 1.95-fold) in soil amended with Bt-transgenic straw from d7 to d14 but from d21 to d49 there was significantly greater activity (about 1.47-fold) in the soil amended with non-Bt-straw. There were no apparent differences between the activity of soil neutral phosphatase in the soils to which non-Bt-straw and Bt-straw had been added. However, both soils to which rice straws were added demonstrated significant differences in the number of microorganisms except for aerobic bacteria and enzymatic activities with respect to the control soil throughout the incubation. The above results indicated that the Bt-straw from KMD transgenic rice is not toxic to a variety of culturable microorganisms in the studied flooded paddy soil.     

Chromium-Resistant Bacterial Populations from a Site Heavily Contaminated with Hexavalent Chromium

Chromium-containing industrial effluents are primarily responsible for environmental contamination by toxic and highly mobile, hexavalent chromium. The dilution plate-count method, using media amended with Cr(VI) at concentrations ranging from 0 to 1000 mg L^-1, was used to compare the sizes of Cr(VI)-resistant bacterial populations from a soil contaminated with 25 100 mg kg^-1 total Cr [12 400 mg kg^-1 Cr(VI)] to those isolated from a slightly contaminated soil (99.6 mg kg^-1 total Cr) and two other soils without any history of Cr contamination. Bacterial populations resistant to 500 mg L^-1 Cr(VI) were isolated from all soils except the heavily contaminated soil. To determine whether Cr-resistant bacterial populations were indigenous to both the contaminated and the uncontaminated soils, enrichment cultures containing Cr(VI) at concentrations ranging from 0 to 1000 mg L^-1 were employed. Bacterial populations, as high as 10⁵ (colony forming units) CFU g^-1 soil, tolerant of 500 mg L^-1 Cr(VI) were isolated from all soils within 48 h of enrichment suggesting that the presence of aerobic Cr(VI)-resistant bacterial populations is unrelated to contamination levels or contamination history. However, identification of these resistant bacteria using fatty acid profiles was unsuccessful suggesting that these populations may have unique characteristics. Fungal colonies resistant to 1000 mg L^-1 Cr(VI) were routinely isolated from both uncontaminated and contaminated soils. The results suggest that Cr-resistant microorganisms may be present in soils, even those with no history of Cr contamination.     

植物修复对重金属镍污染土壤微生物群落的影响

采用室内盆栽试验方法,研究了外源镍污染土壤的植物修复对土壤微生物群落的影响。试验用水稻土中添加NiSO4.6H2O(100~1 600 mg kg-1)经过12周的驯化培养后,种植了2种超累积植物和1种耐性植物,经110 d的试验后进行了植物修复后土壤微生物活性的分析。结果表明,非根区土中添加镍的质量分数为100 mg kg-1时,对土壤中细菌、真菌和放线菌总数有一定的促进作用,土壤中微生物生物量最大;当添加镍的质量分数大于100 mg kg-1时,将对土壤微生物群落造成不利的影响。在植物修复过程中,通过植物的减毒(吸收重金属)作用和根系分泌物的作用,改善了土壤微生物的生存环境,提高了土壤微生物的数量和生物量。经过植物修复后,根区土壤微生物较非根区土壤的丰富,土壤微生物群落总DNA序列多样性指数相应增加,但不同植物对根区土壤微生物的贡献是不同的。     

Bacterial oxidation of manganous ions as affected by organic substrate concentration and composition

The ability of a soil Arthrobacter sp. to oxidize manganous ions in agar media containing various proportions and concentrations of sucrose and yeast extract as substrates was examined. Oxidation occurred readily on media ranging from those containing no added substrate to those containing as much as 2 per cent substrate. A variety of patterns of manganese oxide deposition was observed in colonies on various media. On media enriched with yeast extract the oxide was confined to the colonies and consisted of numerous small specks. Enrichment of media with sucrose resulted in the oxide being deposited as large discrete specks both within the colonies and in the agar below and around them. Oxidation did not occur on media which became and remained more acid than pH 6.0 or on those that rapidly became alkaline (pH 8.0). Within these limits increasing substrate concentration improved both growth and oxidation. Both the direction and rate of pH change, and hence the onset of oxidation, were affected by the proportion and concentration of sucrose and yeast extract. Non-oxidizing colonies, on media that had become alkaline, rapidly became oxidizing when exposed to CO₂-enriched air. The location of oxidation on agar plates and the time required for the first visible evidence of oxidation on various media are explained on the basis of pH changes during growth.These results are discussed in relation to the selection of media for the isolation and enumeration of manganese-oxidizing micro-organisms, to manganese oxidation by fungi and to the availability of manganese in soils.     

DECOMPOSITION OF SOIL POLYSACCHARIDE

Polysaccharide material was isolated by absorption on charcoal from the acidified, non-humic fraction extracted by alkali from three soils. The polysaccharides were used as substrates in soil incubation, perfusion, and suspension experiments. Concordant results were obtained with freely drained Countess-wells and Insch Association soils derived from acidic and basic igneous parent materials respectively. Polysaccharide material added to soil at low concentration (I per cent) was apparently totally decomposed after 8 weeks when the amounts of polysaccharide in control and amended soils were statistically indistinguishable. At higher concentrations (2-3 per cent) a significant difference in reducing sugar, equivalent to about 30 per cent of the substrate, remained after 32 weeks. Partial neutralization of the polysaccharide material with calcium hydroxide increased the rate of decomposition in Countesswells Association soil but had an opposite, smaller effect in Insch Association soil. Soil polysaccharide material was decomposed slightly faster in perfusion and suspension experiments than in moist soil. Only 20 per cent of the carbohydrate in the unfractionated alkali–soluble organic matter of soil was decomposed during incubation in soil for up to 133 weeks. There was usually little change in the carbohydrate content of soil incubated alone. The soil microbial population showed a marked increase in response to added polysaccharide material but only slight qualitative changes were detected. It is concluded that the persistence of naturally occurring polysaccharide in soil is related to inaccessibility caused by chemical combination, complexing or insolubility but not to a biologically-stable molecular structure.     

Phytoextraction of Zinc by Indian Mustard and Tall Fescue

Abstract

This experiment evaluated the capacity of two species, Indian mustard (Brassica juncea Czern.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) to extract zinc (Zn) from soils. Also, this experiment focused on using nitrogen (N) fertilizers to increase the phytoextraction of Zn. Two soils of the Hadley series (Typic Udifluvents) were studied. A treatment array of Zn concentrations in soils was supplied as zinc sulfate. Nitrogen was supplied at 200 mg N/kg of soil as calcium nitrate, urea, or compost. Two successive plantings of Indian mustard in the same media were grown until flowering and harvested. Fescue was grown from seeding to a height of 15 cm, harvested, grown again in the same media to a height of 15 cm, and harvested again. After the second harvests of Indian mustard and fescue, soil samples were taken for analysis of extracts with water and with Morgan's solution. Indian mustard was grown with Zn additions ranging from 0 to 100 mg/kg soil. The shoot mass of Indian mustard in both harvests increased to a soil‐Zn level of 25 mg/kg and then decreased. Although growth decreased as the soil‐Zn levels increased beyond 25 mg/kg, Zn concentration and total accumulation increased linearly as the soil‐Zn levels increased. Zinc concentration and accumulation in Indian mustard were highest in soils amended with urea and were lowest in soils with no fertilizer. Fescue was grown with Zn additions ranging from 0 to 1000 mg/kg soil. The shoot mass of fescue increased to a soil‐Zn level of 125 mg/kg (harvest 1) or 250 mg/kg (harvest 2) and then decreased as the soil‐Zn levels increased. Concentration and accumulation of Zn in fescue increased linearly as the soil‐Zn levels increased. Zinc concentration and accumulation were highest in fescue grown in soils amended with urea and lowest in soils with no fertilizer. The highest accumulation of Zn in fescue (3800 mg/pot) occurred at 1000 mg Zn/kg soil. Highest concentrations of soil Zn were extracted with Morgan's solution or water from soils amended with urea, regardless of the species grown in the soils. Lowest concentrations of Zn were extracted from soils with no fertilizer added, regardless of extract or species. In general, if fertilizers (calcium nitrate, urea, or compost) were added to the soils, the pH decreased. Fescue was easy to grow, tolerated much higher soil‐Zn levels than Indian mustard in this research, and could be a species useful for phytoextraction of Zn.     

Resistance of microbial populations in DDT-contaminated and uncontaminated soils

One DDT-contaminated soil and two uncontaminated soils were used to enumerate DDT-resistant microbes (bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi) by using soil dilution agar plates in media either with 150 μg DDT ml⁻¹ or without DDT at different temperatures (25, 37 and 55°C). Microbial populations in this study were significantly (p<0.001) affected by DDT in the growth medium. However, the numbers of microbes in long-term contaminated and uncontaminated soils were similar, presumably indicating that DDT-resistant microbes had developed over a long time exposure. The tolerance of isolated soil microbes to DDT varied in the order fungi>actinomycetes>bacteria. Bacteria from contaminated soil were more resistant to DDT than bacteria from uncontaminated soils. Microbes isolated at different temperatures also demonstrated varying degrees of DDT resistance. For example, bacteria and actinomycetes isolated at all incubation temperatures were sensitive to DDT. Conversely fungi isolated at all temperatures were unaffected by DDT.     

Aflatoxin B1 effects on soil microorganisms

Corn contaminated with aflatoxin is unfit for consumption by animals and is most often disposed of by plowing it into the soil. The effect of aflatoxin B₁ on the population and activity of soil microorganisms was determined at concentrations of 1, 100 and 10,000 ng ml^?1 of agar media or g^?1 of soil. Aflatoxin B₁ at 10,000 ng ml^?1 of medium reduced the number of viable fungi by 38% and the number of bacteria and actinomycetes by 34%. Soil amended to 10,000 ng aflatoxin B₁ demonstrated a slight, yet significant reduction in the population of fungi and bacteria plus actinomycetes. At this rate the antagonistic effect on soil microorganisms began at 14 days after aflatoxin B₁ was added and lasted nearly 6 weeks. Subsequently no significant differences were observed among any of the treatments.When the soil was amended with alfalfa to provide a substrate for microbial growth, the population showed a more significant reduction due to aflatoxin B₁, but the duration of the effect was reduced. The evolution of CO₂ from soil amended with aflatoxin B₁ showed little if any diminution. Similarly, aflatoxin B₁ failed to demonstrate a significant effect on nitrifying bacteria. Aflatoxin B₁ was found to be slightly deleterious to Rhizobium japonicum, resulting in a 30% reduction in numbers at the highest treatment rate. Using auxotrophic cultures of R. japonicum, aflatoxin B₁ was also shown to induce the formation of mutants.     

土霉素污染对土壤生物学性质影响的初步研究

为了解随粪肥进入农田中的土霉素对土壤生物化学性质产生的可能影响,采用实验模拟方法研究了土霉素污染对土壤微生物生物量碳、土壤酶活性及微生物组成的影响。结果表明,土霉素污染对土壤细菌、放线菌数量和微生物总量均有一定的抑制作用,随土霉素污染程度的提高抑制作用也有所增强;但土霉素污染对真菌的作用较为复杂,一般是低浓度时有促进作用,高浓度时有抑制作用。低量土霉素污染对土壤脲酶和中性磷酸酶活性均无明显的影响,但高量的土霉素污染对土壤脲酶活性起抑制作用。土霉素对土壤微生物生物量碳的影响因土壤类型、土霉素加入量和培养时间不同有所差异。土霉素污染对土壤生物化学性质的影响主要发生在土霉素进入土壤的初期,随着时间的增加,影响逐渐减弱和消失;     

Characteristics of soil microbiostasis

No increase in numbers of fungi, actinomycetes and bacteria in 3 days, as measured by selective media, was used as an indication of the presence of fungistasis, actinostasis and bacteriostasis in soil, respectively. The population of fungi, actinomycetes and bacteria did not increase in 9 of 10 soils tested indicating concurrent existence of fungistasis, actinostasis and bacteriostasis in a wide range of soils. When Penicillium funiculosum, Streptomyces scabies and Agrobacterium radiobacter were used as test organisms, these three types of microbiostasis were detected simultaneously in all 8 soils tested. All three groups of microorganisms flourished in autoclaved soil, and microbiostasis was restored to sterilized soil by reinoculation with 1% natural soil or microorganisms including antibiotic and non-antibiotic producers. Soil microbiostasis was annulled completely or partially by addition of different nutrie0nts. Bacteriostasis appeared to be the easiest to overcome with nutrients among these three types of microbiostasis.     

Influence of irrigation with pulp and paper mill effluent on soil chemical and microbiological properties

Summary Irrigation of sugarcane crops with combined pulp and paper mill effluent increased soil pH, organic C, N, P, and K. Over a period of 15 years effluent application increased exchangeable Na by 4.5-fold compared with control soil (well-water irrigated), which ultimately elevated the Na adsorption ratio of the soils. The combined effluent irrigation increased the soil populations of bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, rhizobia, and yeasts. The populations of soil microorganisms were higher after 15 years of effluent treatment, followed by 3, 2, and 1 year of effluent treatment; these populations were directly proportional to soil organic C and to the available nutrient status of the soils. Regular monitoring of microflora showed a considerable change in the populations from one sampling month to another. Soil samples, including the control, collected in May (summer) showed maximum counts of bacteria, fungi, rhizobia, and yeasts.     

Screening of Microorganisms for Biodegradation of Simazine Pollution (Obsolete Pesticide Azotop 50 WP)

The capability of environmental microorganisms to biodegrade simazine—an active substance of 2-chloro-s-triazine herbicides (pesticide waste since 2007)—was assessed. An enormous metabolic potential of microorganisms impels to explore the possibilities of using them as an alternative way for thermal and chemical methods of utilization. First, the biotope rich in microorganisms resistant to simazine was examined. Only the higher dose of simazine (100 mg/l) had an actual influence on quantity of bacteria and environmental fungi incubated on substrate with simazine. Most simazine-resistant bacteria populated activated sludge and biohumus (vermicompost); the biggest strain of resistant fungi was found in floral soil and risosphere soil of maize. Compost and biohumus were the sources of microorganisms which biodegraded simazine, though either of them was the dominant considering the quantity of simazine-resistant microorganisms. In both cases of periodic culture (microorganisms from biohumus and compost), nearly 100% of simazine (50 mg/l) was degraded (within 8 days). After the repeated enrichment culture with simazine, the rate of its degradation highly accelerated, and just after 24 h, the significant decrease of simazine (20% in compost and 80% in biohumus) was noted. Although a dozen attempts of isolating various strains responsible for biodegradation of simazine from compost and biohumus were performed, only the strain identified as Arthrobacter urefaciens (NC) was obtained, and it biodegraded simazine with almost 100% efficiency (within 4 days).     

Utilization of organic materials in soil aggregates by bacteria and fungi

Cultures of six fungi and two bacteria were added to samples of aggregates in which either ¹⁴C-labelled glucose or starch was thoroughly distributed in macro- and micropores or in control samples where the labelled substrates were added to the preformed aggregates and considered to be mainly in macropores. The release of ¹⁴CO₂ was monitored over a 24-day incubation.In the control samples with substrates mainly in macropores, the bacteria were as active as fungi in releasing ¹⁴CO₂ from both soils. When the substrates were distributed in macro- and micropores in aggregates made from a fine sandy loam, the fungi were more efficient than bacteria in releasing ¹⁴CO₂. This was not the case in a self-mulching clay.The initial flush of ¹⁴CO₂ released during incubation of the amended fine sandy loam was due mainly to fungi, which were followed by a secondary bacterial population. The change in populations occurred simultaneously with a step in the cumulative ¹⁴CO₂ release curve thought to be due to the utilization of all the labelled substrate added, followed by renewed respiration as the secondary population flourished. The results presented fit well with an efficiency of C assimilation by micro-organism in soil of about 60%.     

Amino sugars and muramic acid—biomarkers for soil microbial community structure analysis

Characterizing functional and phylogenetic microbial community structure in soil is important for understanding the fate of microbially-derived compounds during the decomposition and turn-over of soil organic matter. This study was conducted to test whether amino sugars and muramic acid are suitable biomarkers to trace bacterial, fungal, and actinomycetal residues in soil. For this aim, we investigated the pattern, amounts, and dynamics of three amino sugars (glucosamine, mannosamine and galactosamine) and muramic acid in the total microbial biomass and selectively cultivated bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes of five different soils amended with and without glucose. Our results revealed that total amino sugar and muramic acid concentrations in microbial biomass, extracted from soil after chloroform fumigation varied between 1 and 27 mg kg⁻¹ soil. In all soils investigated, glucose addition resulted in a 50-360% increase of these values. In reference to soil microbial biomass-C, the total amino sugar- and muramic acid-C concentrations ranged from 1-71 g C kg⁻¹ biomass-C. After an initial lag phase, the cultivated microbes revealed similar amino sugar concentrations of about 35, 27 and 17 g glucosamine-C kg⁻¹ TOC in bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes, respectively. Mannosamine and galactosamine concentrations were lower than those for glucosamine. Mannosamine was not found in actinomycete cultures. The highest muramic acid concentrations were found in bacteria, but small amounts were also found in actinomycete cultures. The concentrations of the three amino sugars studied and muramic acid differed significantly between bacteria and the other phylogenetic microbial groups under investigation (fungi and actinomycetes). Comparison between the amino sugar and muramic acid concentrations in soil microbial biomass, extracted after chloroform fumigation, and total concentrations in the soil showed that living microbial biomass contributed negligible amounts to total amino sugar contents in the soil, being at least two orders of magnitude greater in the soils than in the soil inherent microbial biomass. Thus, amino sugars are significantly stabilized in soil.     

Microbial Activity of Cu Contaminated Soils and Effect of Lime and Compost on Soil Resiliency

In vineyards, the long-term use of copper fungicides has increased soil Cu concentrations that can adversely affect the number and activities of soil microorganisms. To better understand this phenomenon and to ameliorate such harmful effects, an incubation experiment was carried out with a sandy loam and a sandy soil to which increasing rates of CuSO₄ were added. By this treatment, the basal soil respiration (7-55%) and decomposition of added vine branches (46-86%) was inhibited. At the application rate of 500 mg Cu kg^?1, soil microbial biomass-C was inhibited (7-66%) in the sandy soil and stimulated (2-10%) in the sandy loam soil. The specific respiration rate was a reliable indicator for Cu stress, and it increased with time and higher Cu concentrations before lime and compost applications. Total number of bacteria and streptomycetes were also strongly inhibited. Fungal population was significantly more tolerant to copper toxicity than the bacteria. A stimulation of fungal population at a dose of 500 mg Cu kg^?1 in both soils was observed. A criterion such as “stimulation” lasting for more than 60 days can also be used as indication of Cu contamination of soils. The order of inhibition (on day 125) at a dose of 500 mg Cu kg^?1 soil was as follows: A. sandy loam soil (pH> 7.0) — fungi < biomass-C < basal soil respiration < bacteria < streptomycetes; B. sandy soil (pH< 6.0) — fungi < basal soil respiration < biomass-C < bacteria < streptomycetes. The application of lime increased soil recovering ability at a moderate rate (for CO₂ production – 22-70% and for biomass-C- 39-156%), but the combination of lime and compost significantly increased soil resiliency (for CO₂ production- 16-518% and for biomass-C- 103-693%). The soil resiliency assessed by number of bacteria in compost treatments was 30-120% in sandy loam soil and 92-700% in the sandy soil. Compost and lime application increased the number of streptomycetes from 52 to 500% in sandy loam soil and from 100 to 700% in sandy loam soil. Fungal population was less increased in sandy soil as compared to sandy loam soil. The ecological dose higher than 5% inhibition of microbial processes and microorganisms appears to be suitable to assess Cu contamination of soils. CO₂ production, biomass-C and specific respiration rate were less sensitive indicators as compared to streptomycetes and bacteria. It appears that compost application effectively promoted the recovery of soil microbial activity and soil fertility of Cu contaminated soils.     

多氯联苯复合污染土壤的土著微生物修复强化措施研究

通过室内模拟试验,以不同C源、C/N比、水分及通透性为调控因子,对多氯联苯(PCBs)长期复合污染土壤的土著微生物强化修复进行了初步研究。结果表明,PCBs长期复合污染土壤中,在土壤水分含量为田间持水量的60%时,加入淀粉、葡萄糖和琥珀酸钠均在一定程度上增加了细菌和真菌数量,从而促进土壤中PCBs的土著微生物降解。不同种类的C源对PCBs污染土壤的土著微生物降解效果存在明显差异,且其降解效果与C源的施用剂量密切相关。当淀粉加入量为C1.0g/kg土时,土壤中PCBs的降解效果较好,而葡萄糖和琥珀酸钠加入量为C0.2g/kg土时,PCBs的降解效果明显。土壤C/N比为10:1的处理效果优于C/N比为25:1和40:1。土壤人为翻动有利于PCBs污染土壤中细菌和真菌的生长,提高土著微生物的代谢活性,从而促进土壤中PCBs的自然降解。这为进一步探讨加速土壤中PCBs降解的最适条件和研发POPs污染土壤的生物修复技术提供了科学依据。     

Mineralization of 14C-labelled unripe straw in soil with and without rape (Brassica napus L.)

Soil was amended with ¹⁴C-labelled unripe straw only (C:N ratio ca. 20), with ¹⁴C-labelled unripe straw plus unlabelled ripe straw (C:N ratio ca. 100) or with ¹⁴C-labelled unripe straw plus glucose. Half the samples with ¹⁴C-labelled straw and half the samples with ¹⁴C-labelled plus unlabelled straw were cropped with rape plants. A decreased rate of mineralization of the ¹⁴C-labelled straw was found in the planted soil compared with the unplanted soil. The reduction was most profound in the soil amended with both labelled and unlabelled straw, indicating that at least part of the reduction was due to competition between plants and microorganisms for mineral N. No other explanations for the decrease in mineralization in the presence of plants were found. The soil amended with glucose which simulated the effect of root exudates showed an increased rate of mineralization. Therefore, the reduction in the presence of plants was probably not due to microbial use of the rhizodeposition in favour of the labelled straw. Only a minor part of the reduction was apparently due to uptake of labelled C by the plant, as only small amounts were found in the roots and shoots at harvest. The difference in ¹⁴C mineralization between treatments was not reflected in the number of bacteria in the soil at harvest. The number of bacteria, which was determined by plate counts and direct microscopy, was the same in all the soils, rhizosphere soils as well as bulk soils.     

Nutrient balances in calcareous soils after application of different rates of pig slurry

Abstract. Changes in amounts of macro-(N, P, K) and micro-nutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu) were determined in two calcareous soils amended over an eight-month period with pig slurry applications ranging from 0 to 500 m³/ha, and planted in containers with green pepper ( Capsicum annuum ). Total N and exchangeable K increased after slurry applications of 300 m³/ha or more, and available P increased after the smallest application rate (100m³/ha). Maximum crop nutrient uptakes of 41, 40 and 91% for N, P and K occurred with the smallest dose of slurry. Large losses of N, ranging from 27 to 74% (mean 55%) of N added to soil, occurred with all slurry treatments. From 41 to 71% (mean 55%) of the total P added in pig slurry was fixed in non-assimilable forms. Most of the K from the pig slurry was available to the plants. Most of the micro-nutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu) from the slurry were immobilized in the soil, probably because of the high pH and the small amounts of organic matter in both the slurries and soils tested.