基于CA-Markov模型的乌江下游地区土地利用变化情景分析

以乌江下游的涪陵等6个区县为研究区,基于1995年、2005年、2015年的Landsat影像解译数据,综合运用GIS空间分析技术、CA-Markov模型和MCE模型,实现研究区土地利用时空格局模拟。结合情景分析方法,探讨在"快速城镇化情景"、"现状延续情景"和"生态保护情景"三种模式下研究区2020年、2035年、2050年的土地利用格局。结果表明:(1)在"快速城镇化情景"下,建设用地急剧扩张,35年间其面积增加了一倍,达到1 390.46km2,且主要来源为耕地,约占转出耕地面积的一半;林地增长十分缓慢,草地和未利用地持续减少,到2050年分别减少了186.58km~2和69.40km~2,未利用地减少了一半。(2)在"现状延续情景"下,建设用地增长仍然较快,2050年增加了347.92km~2,增幅达37.92%;耕地减幅有所下降,林地增加也比"快速城镇化情景"要快,但草地和未利用地仍在持续减少,35年间分别减少了25.9%和44.3%。(3)在"生态保护情景"下,林地、草地、未利用地等生态用地不断恢复和增加,到2050年,生态用地总面积占研究区的64%;建设用地无序扩张得到限制,到2050年其总面积为1 171.42km~2,比同期"快速城镇化情景"减少了219.04km~2;耕地虽有减少,但逐渐趋于平衡,始终保持在6 000km~2以上。因此,"生态保护情景"是研究区未来经济、社会和环境协调发展较为理想的模式。研究结果可为该地区土地规划、区域可持续发展提供科学参考。     

基于PLUS与InVEST模型的内蒙古自治区土地利用变化及碳储量评估

为实现内蒙古自治区的“双碳”目标。根据内蒙古自治区2000年、2010年和2020年土地利用数据(LULC),按照内蒙古自治区“十四五”政策规划，建立自然发展、耕地保护与生态保护3种情景，利用PLUS模型对内蒙古自治区2030年土地利用空间分布进行预测分析，并用InVEST模型对内蒙古自治区不同开发情景下碳储量的变化进行分析。结果表明：(1)2000—2020年间内蒙古地区林地与建设用地面积均有增加，耕地、水域、草地与未利用地面积均呈减少态势，且转移方向上主要表现为耕地转为建设用地。(2)自然发展状态下，草地、耕地、水域及未利用地呈下降趋势，林地及建设用地呈上升趋势；在生态保护状态下，林地、草地和水域面积均比自然开发情景有所增加；耕地保护情景下，耕地面积相较于自然发展情景呈扩张趋势，扩张面积达4.69×10⁴ hm²。(3)2000年、2010年、2020年内蒙古地区碳储量分别达到1.371 7×10¹⁰,1.370 9×10¹⁰,1.370 6×10¹⁰ t,呈逐年减少趋势。...     

基于PLUS与InVEST模型的昆明市土地利用变化动态模拟与碳储量评估

[目的]评估不同情景下的土地利用变化与碳储量变化,为优化生态服务与可持续性发展提供科学依据。[方法]基于PLUS模型与InVEST模型,模拟和预测不同情景下的土地利用变化与碳储量。[结果](1)在自然发展与生态保护情景下,土地利用变化相似,耕地、草地、水域减少,建设用地急剧扩张,其中建设用地在自然发展情景下扩张更快,变化率达27.70%;在耕地保护情景下,土地利用变化与其他两种情景不同,这是由于林地面积的减少与建设用地的迅速扩张造成的;(2)昆明市2000,2010,2020年的碳储量分别为3.37×10⁸,3.34×10⁸,3.28×10⁸ t,呈现逐年下降的趋势。到2030年,耕地保护与生态保护相较于自然发展情景碳储量较高,说明采取保护措施,能有效控制碳储量的减少;(3)土地利用变化导致碳储量减少9.15×10⁶ t,土地利用变化与碳储量变化呈现高度一致性。[结论]落实耕地保护、生态保护政策,控制建设用地向耕地、林地的扩张,优化土地利用结构,有利于减缓区域碳储量损失。     

珠峰北麓朋曲流域土地覆被变化及未来情景模拟

[目的] 模拟未来短、中远期珠峰北麓朋曲流域土地利用变化，为该流域的土地利用规划提供科学参考。 [方法] 基于朋曲流域(珠峰北麓)2010-2020年的土地覆被数据，综合考虑人为和自然两大要素12项驱动因子，采用Markov-FLUS模型，对朋曲流域自由发展、耕地保护和生态保护3种未来情景下的土地覆被变化进行了模拟。 [结果] ①2020年朋曲流域土地覆被实际情况与Markov-FLUS模型模拟情况的总体精度(OA)为90%，kappa系数为0.82，精确度较高，模型可用于该区未来情景模拟； ②2010-2020年朋曲流域5种土地覆被类型发生变化，其中，林地和草地的面积变化最为明显，林地面积增加778.16 km²，草地面积减少726.89 km²； ③朋曲流域未来情景的模拟结果显示：在自由发展、耕地保护、生态保护3种不同情景下，短期内草地和其他用地类型面积变化较大，中远期除草地、其他用地类型面积变化较大以外，林地面积变化开始增大；无论是短期还是中远期来看，耕地保护情景下耕地面积均呈持续减少趋势。 [结论] 维持朋曲流域的可持续发展，必须强化落实耕地保护政策、注重耕地永续利用；生态保护情景下自然保护区内的植被类型相互转换受到限制，生物多样性得到有序协调发展。     

耦合InVEST与FLUS模型的海南岛生态系统碳储量时空演变与预测

[目的] 通过研究海南岛城市化扩张下土地利用变化对碳储量的影响,揭示碳储量时空格局演变和预测未来发展趋势,为优化国土空间布局和生态敏感区的保护提供科学依据。[方法] 基于1980—2020年土地利用数据,采用InVEST模型碳储量模块反演1980—2020年海南岛碳储量时空变化,并耦合FLUS模型和InVEST模型模拟自然发展情景、快速发展情景和生态保护情景3种发展情景下2030年海南岛的土地利用和碳储量变化情况。[结果] ①海南岛土地利用类型以林地、耕地为主。1980—2020年耕地、草地、林地和未利用地面积均有不同程度减少。建设用地和水域面积增加,尤以建设用地面积增长最快,增幅为83.4%。②海南岛碳储量总体呈“中间高,四周低”的特点,1980—2000年碳储量变化较小,降幅约0.03%。2000—2020年海南岛城镇化进程加快,碳储量损失也随之加剧,年均损失约372 t,累计损失碳储量7 439 t。③未来建设用地仍会继续扩张,受此影响3个情景下2030年海南岛碳储量均呈现降低的趋势。其中,快速发展情景下建设用地土地利用变化量最大,碳储量最易流失,自然发展情景次之,生态保护情景变化最小。[结论] 在海南自由贸易港未来的土地利用规划中,应加强中部山区、自然保护地等重点生态区位的保护力度,优化土地利用格局,严格控制林地、耕地和湿地向建设用地转变,提高固碳增汇效能,实现区域可持续发展。     

基于FLUS模型的喀斯特地区生态用地时空变化及多情景预测——以湖南省宁远县为例

[目的]分析近2000—2020年喀斯特地区生态用地数量分布特征,预测未来多情景下生态用地变化情况,寻求协调生态保护与发展建设的最优情景,为研究区未来国土空间开发保护,生态空间管控以及区域生态经济可持续发展提供科学参考。[方法]采用土地利用转移矩阵和动态度分析湖南省宁远县土地利用变化特点,基于FLUS模型,模拟预测2030年不同情景下生态用地数量及分布。[结果](1)耕地主要集中在宁远县中部区域,林地、草地原生态用地主要分布在南北两端和西部。2020年,原生态用地中,林地所占比例为56.69%,草地所占比例为12.85%,水域为0.60%,半人工生态用地即耕地所占比例为27.80%。(2)多情景模拟结果显示：生态优先情景下,宁远县原生态用地中林地、草地、水域分别较2020年增加了15.12,37.35,23.67 hm~2。(3)政策对喀斯特地区生态用地变化有着极大的导向作用,社会经济发展对水域的增加有显著影响。[结论]宁远县原生态用地所占比例高达70.14%。生态保护优先情景能够最大程度保障生态用地不被非生态用地侵占。在以建设森林城市为目标导向的情况下,宁远县及同类地区适宜采用该情景...     

基于地形因子的鄱阳湖地区土地利用格局变化分析

为研究土地利用空间格局变化地形特征,采用1990年、2000年、2010年、2013年4期鄱阳湖地区Landsat TM解译数据及DEM数据,借助地形位、分布指数、地学信息图谱方法,深入探讨了1990—2013年鄱阳湖地区不同地形下土地利用格局的变化特征。结果表明:(1)1990—2013年,鄱阳湖地区土地利用类型以耕地、林地、水域为主,三种类型面积占比均在90%以上,建设用地快速增长,由1990年的1 387.42km~2增加到2013年的2 413.98km~2,增加了1 026.56km~2,耕地、未利用土地、林地面积分别减少513.39km~2,399.04km2,123.75km~2;(2)1990—2013年,土地利用格局变化具有地形效应,低地形范围优势分布耕地、建设用地、水域,高地形范围林地优势分布,未利用土地、草地零散分布对地形变化适宜性较强;(3)1990—2013年,研究区土地利图谱以稳定型和中期型为主,面积分别为48 457.44km~2,2 014.56km~2,稳定型图谱的优势区域位于高、低地形范围,耕地、林地、建设用地变化稳定;低、中高地形范围是中期变换型的优势分布区,主要表现为未利用土地—未利用土地—水域—水域、耕地—耕地—建设用地—建设用地。     

基于Markov-FLUS模型的广西土地利用变化模拟预测

耕地保护是确保粮食安全和社会经济稳定的头等大事,土地利用变化预测分析则是调整耕地保护政策的重要依据。为了探究广西耕地保护工作成效、促进土地资源合理配置,围绕耕地保护,运用Markov-FLUS模型,分别基于非限制性与耕地保护两类情景,预测2025年广西土地利用数量及空间变化状况,对比了两类情景下耕地变化差异。结果表明:(1)广西城市建设效果明显,2005—2015年,城镇用地、交通基础设施用地等其他建设用地面积增长了893 km²,增长率达77.25%。两类不同土地利用情景模拟预测下,至2025年,城镇用地面积均保持增长趋势,但耕地保护情景下,其扩张速度受到限制;(2)广西生态保护成效良好,两类不同土地利用情景模拟预测下,至2025年,林地、草地、水域等生态用地面积均保持增长趋势;(3)广西耕地保护任重道远,2005—2015年,耕地面积减少626 km²,两类不同土地利用情景模拟预测下,至2025年,耕地面积均延续减少趋势。但耕地保护情景下,耕地面积减少态势得到一定程度遏止;(4)不同发展阶段,影响广西耕地保护的主导因素各异:2005—2015年,交通道路等基础设施建设是影响广西耕地保护的主要因素; 2015—2025年,随着社会经济加速发展,南宁市、桂林市、柳州市以及“钦北防”沿海城市建设用地的扩张和桂西北、桂南地区林业用地的增长,将成为广西耕地减少的主要原因。     

FLUS-CSLE模型预测黄土高原典型流域不同土地利用变化情景土壤侵蚀

流域土壤侵蚀预测对于了解未来土壤侵蚀发展趋势，制定未来水土保持治理策略具有重要意义。为了提出一种适用于黄土高原地区的易于评估未来不同土地利用管理策略的土壤侵蚀预测方法，本研究基于地形、降雨、土壤、遥感影像数据，完成韭园沟流域2010-2020年的土地利用空间分布解译，并计算历史时期（2010-2020）的土壤侵蚀模数，基于FLUS模型完成流域2025年土地利用分布状况预测，以此为基础获得未来植被覆盖措施因子B和耕作措施因子T，结合CSLE模型预测2025年自然发展、经济增长、生态保护3种不同土地利用变化情景下土壤侵蚀状况。结果表明：1）韭园沟流域土地利用类型主要为草地（面积占比62.23%）和林地（28.41%），其次是耕地、建筑物和水体，在2010-2020年期间土地利用空间分布格局经历了较大变化，林、草地面积增加8.36%，耕地面积减少30.3%。2）流域2010、2015、2020年这3 a间土壤侵蚀模数平均值分别为19.49、15.83、20.7 t/(hm2·a)，整体呈现先降低后增加的趋势，不同土地利用类型的土壤侵蚀模数由大到小为耕地（40.56 t/(hm2·a)）、草地（18.79 t/(hm2·a)）、建设用地（10.25 t/(hm2·a)）、林地（8.02 t/(hm2·a)）。3）在积极的生态保护情景下，2025年林、草地面积相比自然发展和经济增长情景分别增加1.63%、5.06%，耕地面积相比自然发展和经济发展分别减少1.2%、14.73%。4）2025年流域自然发展、经济增长、生态保护情景下土壤侵蚀模数分别为24.3、22.9、18.3 t/(hm2·a)。采取积极的生态保护情景发展模式，建设用地面积适度扩张可以兼顾生态保护和经济发展的需要。该研究为流域未来的土地利用规划以及水土保持治理提供了参考，同时提供了一种快速、高效的不同土地利用情景土壤侵蚀预测方法。     

基于InVEST和CA-Markov模型的黄河流域碳储量时空变化研究

区域土地利用/覆被变化是导致生态系统碳储量变化的主要原因,预测未来土地利用/覆盖变化及其对碳储量的影响对区域陆地生态系统的认识具有重要意义。本研究基于黄河流域2005—2018年土地利用/覆被变化规律,运用CA-Markov模型分别预测了生态保护情景(EVC)和自然变化情景(NVC)下的土地利用/覆被空间格局,采用修正后的碳密度,运用InVEST模型评估黄河流域2005—2030年6期碳储量。结果表明:2005—2018年黄河流域林地、水域和建设用地面积持续增加,耕地、草地和未利用土地面积减少, 13 a间全流域碳储量减少28.734×10~6 t。与自然变化情景相比,在生态保护情景下2030年草地和耕地相比2018年减少幅度较小,建设用地规模扩大得到了限制,产生了生态效应。2030年,自然变化情景和生态保护情景下的碳储量较2018年分别减少258.863×10~6 t和30.813×10~6 t,生态保护情景下土地利用覆被格局固碳能力高于自然变化情景,该研究可为黄河流域土地利用结构调整和土地利用管理决策提供科学依据。     

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.