乙二胺四乙酸钠、能量基质、氨基酸对猪卵母细胞的体外成熟和早期孤雌发育的影响

本研究探讨了:(1)成熟培养基中葡萄糖和丙酮酸钠剂量对猪卵母细胞体外成熟极体排放率的影响;(2)培养基中葡萄糖、谷氨酰胺、牛磺酸和亚牛磺酸的剂量对猪孤雌激活胚胎体外发育的影响,同时探讨不同浓度乙二胺四乙酸钠(EDTA-N a)对猪孤雌激活胚胎体外发育的影响。利用屠宰场猪卵巢卵母细胞,在含不同剂量葡萄糖 丙酮酸钠的成熟液中体外成熟44~48 h,计算其极体排放率(试验1),进行化学法孤雌激活后,在含不同剂量的葡萄糖 谷氨酰胺 牛磺酸 亚牛磺酸与不同浓度的EDTA-N a的培养基中体外培养,计算孤雌激活胚的第48小时卵裂率和第168小时囊胚率(试验2)。结果表明:(1)葡萄糖 丙酮酸钠在1倍剂量(浓度分别为3.05 mm o l/L和0.91 mm o l/L)时,猪卵母细胞体外成熟的核成熟率为(59.3±5.0)%,当其剂量加倍时,猪卵母细胞体外成熟的核成熟率极显著下降(P<0.01),为(51.0±4.4)%;(2)随着EDTA-N a添加浓度的增加,猪孤雌激活胚的的囊胚发育率不断上升,添加浓度达到50μm o l/L时囊胚率最高(7.2±4.1)%,超过此浓度后囊胚率开始下降,培养基中添加适当浓度(25-100μm o l/L)的EDTA-N a对猪孤雌激活胚的囊胚发育率具有有利作用(P<0.05),添加浓度达到200μm o l/L时其有利作用消失;(3)培养基中葡萄糖 氨基酸的剂量过高(葡萄糖、谷氨酰胺、牛磺酸、亚牛磺酸的浓度分别大于5.55,1.0,7.0,5.0 mm o l/L)对猪孤雌激活胚的卵裂率无显著影响(P>0.05),但对其囊胚发育率有不利作用(P<0.05)。本研究得出以下结论:(1)适当浓度(25~100μm o l/L)的EDTA-N a对猪早期胚胎体外发育具有促进作用;(2)培养基中能量基质剂量过高会抑制猪卵母细胞体外成熟;(3)培养基中能量基质 氨基酸的剂量过高会抑制猪早期胚胎的体外发育。     

乙二胺四乙酸钠对猪卵母细胞的体外成熟和孤雌激活后早期发育的影响

本研究探讨了乙二胺四乙酸钠(EDTA-N a)对猪卵母细胞的体外成熟和孤雌激活后早期发育的影响。利用屠宰场猪卵巢卵母细胞,在不添加或添加不同浓度EDTA-N a的成熟培养液中体外成熟44~48 h,挑选核成熟卵母细胞进行孤雌激活,然后移到不添加或添加不同浓度EDTA-N a的胚胎培养液中进行体外培养168 h。结果说明:(1)成熟液中添加适当浓度(25~100μm o l/L)EDTA-N a对体外成熟猪卵母细胞孤雌激活后的早期发育具有促进作用,在EDTA-N a浓度为100μm o l/L时,效果最佳;(2)胚胎培养液中添加适当浓度(25~100μm o l/L)EDTA-N a,对体外成熟猪卵母细胞孤雌激活后的早期发育具有促进作用,在EDTA-N a浓度为100μm o l/L时,效果最佳;(3)成熟液和胚胎培养液中同时添加100μm o l/L EDTA-N a对体外成熟猪卵母细胞孤雌激活后的早期发育具有促进作用;(4)成熟液或/和胚胎培养液中添加不同浓度EDTA-N a,对体外成熟培养后的猪核成熟卵母细胞及孤雌激活后的4-细胞孤雌胚SDS-PAGE电泳的蛋白质表达图谱都无显著影响。     

不同化学激活方法和电激活参数对猪体外成熟卵母细胞早期孤雌发育的影响

本研究探讨了不同化学激活方法和不同电激活参数对猪体外成熟卵母细胞早期孤雌发育的影响。利用屠宰场猪卵巢卵母细胞,在体外成熟培养44~48 h后,将核成熟卵母细胞分别用:(1)不同化学激活方法[①1 0%乙醇 1 0μg/mL放线菌酮;②2.5 mm o l/L氯化锶 1 0μg/mL放线菌酮;③5μm o l/L离子霉素 2.5 mm o l/L 6二-甲氨基嘌呤(6-DMAP);④200μm o l/L硫柳汞 8 mm o l/L二硫苏糖醇进行激活处理;⑤对照组——不用任何激活剂(试验1)];(2)用不同电场强度和脉冲时程进行电激活(试验2),之后放入胚胎培养液中进行体外培养7 d。研究结果显示:(1)4种不同化学激活方法处理卵子的1原核形成率、2原核形成率和原核形成率都显著比对照组的高(P<0.05),其中离子霉素 6-DMAP组的2原核形成率和总原核形成率最高,分别为(23.1±3.5)%和(65.2±3.5)%,显著比其他处理组的都高(P<0.0 5);(2)4种不同化学激活方法处理组的囊胚率都比对照组的高(P<0.0 1),其中离子霉素 6-DMAP组的卵裂率及囊胚率最高,分别为(4 6.6±1 8.5)%和(5.6±4.2)%;(3)本研究所用的4种不同化学激活方法对猪4细-胞孤雌胚SDS-PAGE电泳的蛋白质表达图谱没有显著影响;(4)电场强度为1.7 kV/cm、脉冲时程为50和70μs时猪体外成熟卵母细胞激活效果最好,卵裂率、囊胚率、囊胚细胞数分别为:(77.4±9.7)%,(12.4±3.7)%,17.6±5.9和(75.1±10.6)%,(12.3±2.6)%,19.1±8.1。以上结果说明:(1)本研究所用的4种化学激活方法均能有效激活猪体外成熟卵母细胞,其中离子霉素 6-DMAP的激活效果最理想;(2)在本实验室条件下,采用1.7 kV/cm的电场强度、50~70μs的脉冲时程均能有效的激活猪体外成熟卵母细胞;(3)本研究所用的4种不同化学激活方法对猪4细-胞孤雌胚SDS-PAGE电泳的蛋白质表达图谱没有显著影响。     

季节对体外成熟卵母细胞的发育能力的影响

猪的卵母细胞对外界环境非常敏感,造成猪的胚胎学相关研究是家畜繁殖学研究领域中最困难的方面之一。猪卵脆弱的主要原因是其胞质中含有大量的脂肪滴,但目前其具体生物学功能还不清楚。众所周知,猪的繁殖表现和环境密切相关,例如,温度、湿度、光照等。本研究目的是描述季节的变化对体外成熟卵母细胞发育能力的影响。连续两年从当地屠宰场获取初情期前猪卵巢,抽取猪卵丘卵母细胞复合体,并在不含BSA的NCSU-23(添加10 ng/mL EGF,10 ng/mL leptin,0.57 mm o l/L cysteine,10 IU/mL PM SG和10 IU/mL hCG)中培养44 h,然后用透明质酸酶脱去卵丘。部分卵母细胞经过电击进行孤雌激活,部分卵母细胞用来进行体细胞核移植。对于猪体细胞核移植,使用长白猪胎儿成纤维细胞做为核供体,上述脱去卵丘的卵母细胞作为胞质供体。克隆胚和孤雌胚在添加4 m g/mL的BSA液滴中培养,第2天和第6天分别计算卵裂和囊胚率(D 0:融合或激活的当天)。其中每个实验至少重复3次,所有实验都经过SPSS(13.0)统计分析。比较了不同季节每对卵巢获得A级卵(外包3层以上致密的卵丘细胞并且卵胞质均匀的卵母细胞为A级卵)和B级卵(外包2~3层卵丘细胞并且胞质均匀的卵母细胞为B级卵)的数量以及卵母细胞核成熟的比例(实验1),统计分析了不同季节孤雌(实验2)和核移植(实验3)胚胎发育能力的差异。实验1中发现春季(3~5月)COC s/ovary pairs的比例最高[7.6±3.5(春)vs 6.4±3.3(夏),6.7±2.9(秋),6.7±3.4(冬),P<0.05]。然而,没有发现卵母细胞的MⅡ百分比有显著性差异[75.3%±3.3%(春),73.5%±2.3%(夏),73.0%±4.2%(秋),76.5%±6.7%(冬),P<0.05]。实验2中观察到夏季孤雌胚胎的囊胚率显著性降低[10.2%±2.7%(春)vs 27.2%±3.5%(夏),24.2%±3.2%(秋),22.3%±3.4%(冬),P<0.05]。实验3,猪体细胞克隆胚胎在春季囊胚率获得提高[12.2%±1.3%(春)vs 10.3±1.1%(秋),8.1±1.4%(冬),P<0.05]。以上结果表明,季节变化影响体外成熟卵母细胞的发育能力。     

聚乙二醇细胞融合技术在牛手工体细胞克隆中的应用初探

本研究分3个实验。实验1对比了不同浓度的离子霉素对牛去透明带卵母细胞孤雌激活的效果;实验2比较了手工半卵切割法去核与显微半卵切割法去核的效果;实验3对聚乙二醇（PEG）细胞融合技术在牛手工体细胞克隆的应用进行了初步探讨。结果表明,对于去透明带牛卵母细胞孤雌激活,离子霉素浓度为2．0μmol／L组的激活效果最好,其囊胚发育率（29．4％）极显著地高于浓度为5．0μmol／L的对照组和0．5μmol／L组（囊胚率分别为8．3％和9．4％,P〈0．01）;采用半卵切割法去核,手工切割的半卵存活率（85．6％）与显微操作（90．3％）差异不大,切割速率（约100枚卵／h）相仿。对双半卵与体细胞进行同步融合处理时,应用50％浓度的PEG融合率（39．3％）极显著好于45％、55％和60％的PEG（融合率分别为0％、16．2％和5．3％,P〈0．01）。     

6－二甲氨基嘌呤对牛卵母细胞孤雌发育的影响

本研究系统探讨了 6-二甲氨基嘌呤 ( DMAP)对牛卵母细胞孤雌发育的影响。牛卵母细胞体外成熟 2 4 ,2 6,2 8或 30 h后 ,先用含 7%乙醇的培养液激活处理 5min,然后在含 2 mmol/L DMAP的培养液中培养 3h,或直接在培养液中进行培养。结果发现 ,经 2 mmol/L DMAP培养处理 3h的卵母细胞的激活分裂率和囊胚发育率均明显高于未处理的卵母细胞 ,特别是对于体外成熟 2 4 h和 2 6h的卵母细胞差异更为显著。如若在 DMAP处理的基础上同时加入 5μg/m L的细胞松驰素 ( CB) ,卵母细胞激活后的囊胚发育率则得到进一步提高 ( 48.7%比 37.5% )。研究结果表明 ,DMAP和 CB对卵母细胞激活后的孤雌发育有促进作用 ,并能降低卵龄所引起的激活效果差异     

牛分离精子ICSI后卵母细胞激活方法的研究

本研究的目的是比较采用由流式细胞仪分离的牛X和Y精子进行胞质内精子注射(ICS I)后,两种不同激活方法对ICS I卵母细胞的激活效果。ICS I后,卵母细胞用5μm o l/L的Ionom yc in(离子霉素)处理5 m in后,先在化学成分明确培养液(CDM-1)中培养3 h,然后再在含有1.9 mm o l/L 6-DM AP(6二-甲氨基嘌呤)的培养液中培养3 h(Ionom yc in CDM-1 DM AP),或用5μm o l/L的Ionom yc in处理5 m in后,不经过CDM培养直接转入1.9 mm o l/L DM AP的培养液中培养3 h(Ionom yc in DAM P)。结果发现,两种激活处理的效果差异不显著。     

山羊卵母细胞无血清体外成熟培养

为研究无血清培养系统对山羊卵母细胞体外成熟及孤雌激活胚胎早期发育力的影响,分别以0.3%牛血清蛋白(BSA)(mV)、1%聚乙烯醇(PVA)(mV)和1%胰岛素转铁蛋白亚硒酸钠(ITS)(VV)代替成熟培养液中胎牛血清(FBS),以添加5?S的OM为对照组,对来源于屠宰场的卵巢卵母细胞复合体(COCs)进行体外培养。成熟率PVA添加组(50.00%)显著低于FBS组(83.23%)(P<0.01)、BSA组(71.19%)和ITS组(76.79%),与FBS组无显著差异(P>0.05);成熟卵母细胞用离子霉素联合6-DMAP激活,在SOFaa中进行孤雌胚培养,BSA、PVA、ITS及FBS各组的卵裂率依次为61.90%、46.97%、79.07%和83.58%,囊胚率分别为25.00%、19.70%、55.81%和60.45%。结果表明:在OM基础培养液中添加BSA或PVA,卵母细胞的成熟率明显低于添加FBS,且卵裂率和囊胚发育率也低于对照组(P<0.05或P<0.01);添加ITS,卵母细胞成熟率虽低于对照组,但孤雌胚卵裂率和囊胚发育率与对照组接近(P>0.05)。表明以ITS代替FBS,可用于山羊卵母细胞体外成熟培养。     

[Ca2+]及山梨醇电激液对猪卵母细胞孤雌激活的影响

研究了电激液中不同[Ca2+]与不同电脉冲强度对猪体外成熟卵母细胞孤雌激活的影响;以及山梨醇电激活液在猪孤雌激活中的应用。结果表明：（1）[Ca2+]为0.05 和 0.1 mmol/L时,分别以1.6 和1.2 kV/cm激活,得到的卵裂率为73.75% 和 74.70%;囊胚率为37.50%和36.83%,显著高于其余各组（P < 0.05）;当[Ca2+]过高,增加脉冲强度卵母细胞孤雌发育能力反而下降,退化率升高;（2）以山梨醇液进行电激活,在1.6 kV/cm时,卵裂率和囊胚率最高,分别为77.23% 和 34.15%;（3）与甘露醇电激液不同,施加交流电,山梨醇液不能对孤雌胚胎发育起到促进作用;（4）将山梨醇和甘露醇电激液等体积混合,交流脉冲后进行电激活,1.2、1.6 kV/cm组卵裂率分别72.33%和70.03%,囊胚率分别为31.03%和29.60%,虽然略低于甘露醇组（77.07%、36.03%）,但优于山梨醇组（69.63%、26.93%）,差异不显著（P > 0.05）。以上结果说明：猪卵母细胞激活所需内流[Ca2+]存在临界值,临界值内,提高[Ca2+]或电参数,都能提高卵母细胞的激活效果;超过临界值,发育能力下降;山梨醇液能够取代甘露醇液用于猪卵细胞的电激活;同时以山梨醇和甘露醇作为电激液的基本成分,可以用于猪卵母细胞的电激活。     

两种激活处理促进小鼠孤雌胚胎原核形成

不同人工处理方法激活哺乳动物卵母细胞的机理相似,但其激活效率存在差异。本研究以昆明（KM）、129/Sv×KM F1和C3H×KM F1雌鼠来源的卵母细胞为对象,利用氯化锶（SrCl2,Sr2＋）联合细胞松弛素B（cytochalasin B,CB）（Sr2＋＋CB）和离子霉素（ionomycin,Ion）联合6-二甲胺基嘌呤（6-dimethylaminopurine,6-DMAP）（Ion＋6-DMAP）两种激活方法处理下对比分析不同品系小鼠卵母细胞的激活效率,并以卵母细胞原核形成率、原核数量和孤雌胚胎体外发育来评价两种激活剂的激活效率。研究结果表明,Ion＋6-DMAP激活卵的1原核比率显著高于2原核（p〈0.05）,Sr2＋＋CB激活卵的2原核比率显著高于1原核（p〈0.05）;KM、129/Sv×KM F1和C3H×KM F1各组孤雌胚胎卵裂率和激活率没有显著差异（P〉0.05）,但129/Sv×KM F1和C3H×KM F1囊胚发育率显著高于KM组（p〈0.05）。3种小鼠品系的卵母细胞用Sr2＋＋CB处理的孤雌胚胎发育率显著高于Ion＋6-DMAP。结果证明,Sr2＋＋CB处理小鼠卵母细胞的激活效率明显优于Ion＋6-DMAP;129/Sv×KM F1和C3H×KM F1的孤雌胚胎体外发育率显著高于KM小鼠,为研究小鼠遗传背景影响孤雌胚胎发育的机理提供参考。     

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.     

Responses of native legume desert trees used for reforestation in the Sonoran Desert to plant growth-promoting microorganisms in screen house

Three slow-growing legume trees used for desert reforestation and urban gardening in the Sonoran Desert of Northwestern Mexico and the Southwestern USA were evaluated whether their growth can be promoted by inoculation with plant growth-promoting bacteria (Azospirillum brasilense and Bacillus pumilus), unidentified arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi (mainly Glomus sp.), and supplementation with common compost under regular screenhouse cultivation common to these trees in nurseries. Mesquite amargo (Prosopis articulata) and yellow palo verde (Parkinsonia microphylla) had different positive responses to several of the parameters tested while blue palo verde (Parkinsonia florida) did not respond. Survival of all tree species was over 80% and survival of mesquite was almost 100% after 10 months of cultivation. Inoculation with growth-promoting microorganisms induced significant effects on the leaf gas exchange of these trees, measured as transpiration and diffusive resistance, when these trees were cultivated without water restrictions.     

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.