不同土壤中硅酸盐细菌生理生化特征及其解钾活性的研究

在以钾长石粉为唯一 K 源的硅酸盐细菌选择性培养基上,从我国部分省市土壤中筛选到 16 株硅酸盐细菌,以本实验室保藏 NBT 菌株为参照,对其生理生化特性、耐盐性、抗生素抗性、温度敏感性及释K 能力等生物学特性进行了测定。结果表明,17 株硅酸盐细菌菌体均为杆状,产生椭圆至圆形芽胞。其中 SB6、SB13 为短杆状,SB4、SB6、SB10、SB15 菌株是 G ,其余菌株是 G-。NH4 、NO3 为良好 N 源,且能在无 N -培养基上生长。菌株 SB13 和 NBT 解 K 能力较强,释放的 K 比接灭活菌对照分别增加 49.1 %和 45.3 %。菌株SB2、SB4、SB5、SB6 在 20 g/L NaCl 浓度的培养基上能生长,在温度为 10 ~ 40 范围内供试硅酸盐细菌能够良好生长。     

植物根际促生菌（PGPR）对缓解水稻受土壤锌胁迫的作用

为解决农田重金属污染的严重环境问题,提出利用植物根际促生菌（Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria,PGPR）来缓解农作物受重金属胁迫的科学设想。研究从大宝山污染土壤中筛选出的Pb2＋、Cd2＋、Cu2＋、Zn2＋耐性菌株,经鉴定为芽孢杆菌属（Bacillussp.DBM）,菌株DBM具有产吲哚乙酸（IAA）和ACC脱氨酶能力,但无产铁载体能力。盆栽试验结果表明,菌株DBM在水稻受重金属Zn（600mg.kg-1）胁迫时能有效保护并促进水稻的生长,使其地上部和地下部干重比不加菌处理对照分别提高97.8%和77.2%。另外,菌株DBM可以增加土壤中Zn的有效态含量,但不能增强水稻对土壤Zn的吸收能力。相反,在Zn600处理下,水稻地上部和地下部Zn浓度分别比不加菌处理对照减少15.1%和19.9%。但由于促生效果也极为显著,其地上部和地下部Zn总量仍分别比不加菌处理对照增加74.2%和48.6%。     

施钾对牛角花齿蓟马为害诱导的苜蓿防御的影响

【目的】探究施钾对蓟马为害诱导的苜蓿防御效应的作用。【方法】以紫花苜蓿品种甘农3号为植物试验材料,以牛角花齿蓟马(Odontothrips loti)为研究昆虫,在网室进行盆栽试验。设置不接虫不施钾(K0CK)、不接虫施钾(K2CK)、接虫不施钾(K0)和接虫施钾(K2) 4个处理。于苜蓿5叶1心期,进行接虫处理,K0和K2处理苜蓿每株接入3头蓟马成虫,于接虫后第1、3、5、7和9天,调查接虫苜蓿的受害指数,同时分别摘取各处理苜蓿上部和下部叶片,测定茉莉酸(JA)、水杨酸(SA)含量,以及苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)和脂氧合酶(LOX)活性。【结果】接虫后第1、3、5、7、9天,K2处理苜蓿的受害指数分别较K0显著降低了10.61%、21.40%、23.80%、27.79%和33.06%(P<0.01)。施钾与蓟马为害均能激发JA和SA信号传递途径,除第5天K2处理上部叶的LOX活性低于K0处理上部叶的LOX活性外,其余时期、其余处理苜蓿上部叶和下部叶的LOX和PAL活性以及JA和SA含量大小顺序均为K2>K0>K2CK>K0CK;K2处理苜蓿上部叶的LOX、PAL...     

施用接种解磷真菌的壮秧剂对水稻秧苗生长特性及磷素吸收的影响

通过苗床培养试验,研究了在低有效磷营养土上施用接种解磷青霉菌的壮秧剂对水稻秧苗的生长特性及磷素吸收的影响。结果表明,在低磷条件下,施用接种解磷菌的壮秧剂可以显著提高水稻秧苗的株高、地上部干、鲜生物量、根系活力、地上部磷含量和磷吸收量,在5个处理中,P2处理水稻秧苗的株高比对照提高16.81%,地上部鲜生物量比对照增加21.28%,地上部干生物量比对照增加12.42%,地上部磷含量比对照提高31.11%,地上部磷素吸收量比对照提高44.03%,表现效果较好,其次是P1和P4处理,其中P1处理的根部干、鲜生物量、根部的磷素含量和磷素吸收量均高于其他处理。在有效磷较低的土壤上,施用接种解磷菌的壮秧剂,可以促进作物苗期生长,分解土壤中难溶性磷,提高土壤磷素的利用效率。     

杂交苏丹草镉的吸收与分布规律研究

随着土壤中添加镉量的增加,杂交苏丹草的株高明显降低,生物量显著下降。镉添加量为40mg kg土的处理,杂交苏丹草株高和地上部的生物量分别只有对照的48%和8.4%。不加镉的对照,杂交苏丹草根、茎、叶的含镉量分别为3.2,2.7,3.2μg g-1,各部位含镉量没有显著差异;而在添加镉的土壤中,则呈现出根>茎>叶的变化规律;土壤添加镉的量越大,杂交苏丹草各部位含镉量越高,当镉添加量为40mg kg-1土时,根、茎、叶的含镉量分别为451.9,132.5,79.4μg g-1。杂交苏丹草植株中镉含量与土壤中镉的添加量呈现为显著的直线正相关,镉的累积量呈现为先上升后下降的规律。     

铜耐性优势植物根际土壤铜抗性菌株的筛选及其对铜的促溶作用

从铜矿废弃地重金属耐性优势植物根际土壤中分离筛选到两株抗高浓度Cu的细菌菌株HQN2和JYC17.对菌株HQN2和JYC17溶解难溶性Cu的作用进行了研究.结果表明:菌株HQN2和JYC17具有明显的溶解碳酸铜的能力,与接灭活菌对照相比,菌株HQN2和JYC17分别使培养液中水溶性Cu含量增加306%和136%,培养液的pH由初始的7.00分别降低到4.08和4.46.另外,Cu能促进供试菌株有机酸(葡萄糖酸、苹果酸和乙酸等)的合成.菌株HQN2和JYC17对土壤中难溶性Cu亦有明显的促溶作用.与接灭活菌对照相比,菌株JYC17和HQN2分别使土壤中交换态Cu含量增加110%和270%.经生理生化特征分析及16S rDNA序列分析,菌株HQN2和JYC17分别被鉴定为节杆菌属(Arthrobacter sp.)和微杆菌属(Microbacterium sp.).     

烟草根表可培养细菌群落组成及典型菌群的促生特性研究

植物微生物组是维护植物生长发育、提升抗逆防病的重要调控因素。为发挥植物微生物促进烟草生长、改善烟草根区微生态功能作用,本研究从烟草根表分离筛选可培养细菌组,并对不同菌株的促生能力进行测定。结果表明：(1)从烟草根表分离并鉴定出可培养菌株310株,隶属于31个属,其中主要为芽孢杆菌属(Bacillus)、假单胞菌属(Pseudomonas);(2)对比分析发现假单胞菌属、芽孢杆菌属、寡养单胞菌属(Stenotrophomonas)和成对杆菌属(Dyadobacter)为4种供试土壤烟草根表共有的细菌类群;(3)对进一步筛选得到的16株菌株进行促生能力的测定,发现6株菌具有固氮能力,5株菌产铁载体,4株菌可溶解无机磷,4株菌产IAA;(4)盆栽试验验证16株菌株的促生效果,其中37.5%的菌株对烟草生长具有显著促进作用,烟草株高、总鲜物质量和地下部干物质量分别比对照提高35.1%、27.9%和30.7%。总之,从烟草根表分离获得多种具有促生能力的菌株,为未来构建促进烟草健康生长的复合菌剂提供了理论基础。     

水稻-油菜轮作模式下秸秆还田替代钾肥的效应

【目的】研究稻-油轮作条件下秸秆还田配施钾肥对水稻和冬油菜产量、 地上部钾素累积量、 钾肥利用率以及土壤钾素含量的影响,明确长期秸秆还田替代钾肥的效果,为秸秆还田下稻-油轮作中钾肥的合理施用提供科学依据。【方法】2011~2014年在湖北省粮油主产区-江汉平原选择土壤供钾能力较高的农田,布置水稻-冬油菜轮作定位试验。试验共设7个处理,分别为: 1)CK(-K); 2)+K; 3)+S; 4)S+1/4K; 5)S+1/2K; 6)S+3/4K和7)S+K。其中K和S分别表示钾肥和还田秸秆,K2O用量为90 kg/hm2。【结果】 1)与不施钾(-K)相比,施用钾肥和秸秆还田均不同程度地增加了水稻和冬油菜年均产量和钾素吸收量,尤以秸秆还田配施钾肥处理(S+K)的水稻和冬油菜产量和地上部钾素吸收量最高,与对照(-K)相比增产率分别为12.8%和19.1%; 地上部钾素(K2O)累积吸收量增幅分别达到35.7%和79.3%。2)在当前推荐钾肥用量条件下,秸秆还田对水稻和冬油菜的钾肥吸收利用率没有显著影响,但均使两种作物的钾素吸收利用率显著降低。与秸秆不还田相比,秸秆还田后水稻季的钾肥与钾素农学利用率明显降低,而冬油菜季则分别显著提高与持平; 秸秆还田后,水稻季的钾素农学利用率显著降低,而冬油菜季则持平。3)通过对秸秆还田条件下钾肥用量与增产率、 地上部吸钾量增幅的相关分析得出秸秆还田后当前的推荐钾肥用量偏高。根据肥效模型并结合实际产量和农田钾素养分平衡拟合得出,水稻和冬油菜的年均适宜钾肥用量分别为52.0和61.9 kg/hm2,比推荐用量可分别减少42.2%和31.2%。【结论】在土壤钾素含量较高的情况下,稻-油轮作区开展连续秸秆还田不仅能够降低钾肥投入量,获得较高的粮油经济产量,还可以提高土壤有效钾含量并维持农田系统养分平衡以及秸秆钾素资源的良性循环。     

土壤盐胁迫降低后甜高粱的补偿生长和盐离子分布特征

逆境补偿效应在作物中普遍存在,对作物生长发育与产量产生重要的影响。为阐明土壤盐度降低后甜高粱的补偿生长效应,本研究采用盆栽方法,将甜高粱拔节期的土壤含盐量设置3个梯度:5 g×kg~(-1)(高盐处理)、由5 g×kg~(-1)降低到2 g×kg~(-1)(盐度降低处理)、2 g×kg~(-1)(低盐对照),测定2个甜高粱品种地上部器官(茎秆、叶片、叶鞘)干物质生长速率与积累,以及盐离子(Na~+、Cl~-、K~+)在不同器官的含量。结果表明:高盐处理甜高粱地上部干物质增长速率一直显著低于对照;土壤盐度降低后,各器官干物质生长速率明显升高,并超过对照,产生了超补偿效应。成熟期高盐处理株高与地上部干物质大幅下降;土壤盐度降低后‘辽甜1号’的株高与地上部干物质较低盐对照分别下降7.69%和33.21%,而‘中科甜3号’的株高和地上部干物质重与对照没有差异。高盐处理后各器官干物质中Na+和Cl-含量较对照大幅度提高,K+含量增加幅度较小。土壤盐分降低后的35 d,甜高粱Na+和Cl-在各器官中含量虽仍高于对照,但比高盐处理已大幅下降;茎秆与叶鞘K+的含量较对照有小幅提高,而叶片K+含量与对照无显著差异。本研究表明:甜高粱盐胁迫降低后离子毒害减轻、生长速率加快直至超过对照,耐盐甜高粱品种补偿效应尤为明显,成熟期干物质产量可与对照相当。本研究结果可为盐碱地甜高粱栽培提供理论依据。     

钾肥分期施用对苏丹草生长和产量的影响

在大田条件下研究了KCl分期施用对苏丹草产量及生长性状的影响。结果表明,基肥施用一定量KCl对基本苗数量影响不大,过量施用KCl则对苏丹草基本苗产生抑制作用。施钾没有导致苏丹草叶片质量比例下降。施用KCl明显提高苏丹草对蚜虫的抵抗能力,5个施钾处理所寄生的蚜虫数量平均为不施钾的27.2%。施用KCl显著增加苏丹草鲜草产量和经济效益,在钾肥用量相同时,不同施钾时期及钾肥用量分配对产量产生显著影响。在5个施钾处理中,以50%作基肥、在第2、3和4次收获后平均施用余下50%钾肥的增产效果最好,比对照增产16615kg/hm2,增产幅度达26.1%,每千克K2O增收苏丹草46.2kg;而KCl一次性作基肥施用增产效果较差。     

Inoculation of field-grown wheat (Triticum aestivum) with Azospirillum spp. in Brazil

Summary Three field experiments with wheat were conducted in 1983, 1984, and 1985 in Terra Roxa soil in Paraná, the major Brazilian wheat-growing region, to study inoculation effects of various strains of Azospirillum brasilense and A. amazonense. In all three experiments inoculation with A. brasilense Sp 245 isolated from surface-sterilized wheat roots in Paraná produced the highest plant dry weights and highest N% in plant tops and grain. Grain yield increases with this strain were up to 31 % but were not significant. The application of 60 or 100 kg N ha^–1 to the controls increased N accumulation and produced yields less than inoculation with this strain. Another A. brasilense strain from surface-sterilized wheat roots (Sp 107st) also produced increased N assimilation at the lower N fertilizer level but reduced dry weights at the high N level, while strain Sp 7 + Cd reduced dry weights and N% in the straw at both N levels. The A. amazonense strain isolated from washed roots and a nitrate reductase negative mutant of strain Sp 245 were ineffective. Strains Sp 245 and Sp 107st showed the best establishment within roots while strain Cd established only in the soil.     

Biomass and nutrient cycling in bamboo (Bambusa bambos) plantations of tropical areas

Biomass productivity and nutrient cycling in a Bambusa bambos plantation aged 4, 5, and 6 years were studied. The dry matter production of above-ground biomass increased progressively with age. Nutrient quantities in bamboo stands were in a range of 1–2 t ha^-1 for N and K, 0.5–1 t ha^-1 for Ca and Mg, and 0.1–0.2 t ha^-1 for P. Nutrient concentrations increased with the age of the plantation. About 10% year^-1 the nutrients present in the biomass of the bamboo stand are recycled to the soil by litter fall.     

Searching for Myanmar indigenous Bradyrhizobium type C strains that best identify Rj4 genotypes in soybean

Bradyrhizobium species are symbiotic partners of soybean plants. However, some Bradyrhizobium bacteria do not form functional nodules on the roots of Rj₄ genotype soybean cultivars. Our objective was to identify the strains of Bradyrhizobium (i.e., type C strains) that are least competent to form nodules on the roots of this plant genotype. We checked (i) previously isolated type C strains of Myanmar Bradyrhizobium elkanii (MMY6-1, MMY6-2, and MMY6-5), (ii) previously isolated type C strains of Myanmarese Bradyrhizobium spp. (MMY3-5 and MMY3-7), and (iii) strain Is-34 of B. japonicum, for nodule formation when associated with Rj₄ and other Rj genotype soybeans. Strains in groups (i), (ii), and (iii) are known to be incompatible with Rj₄ soybean genotypes. MMY3-5 and MMY3-7 produced functional nodules when associated with Rj₄ and other Rj genotype soybean cultivars, except Hill (Rj₄) cultivar. The ratios of ineffective nodule numbers/total nodule numbers (I/T ratios) for MMY6-1, MMY6-2, MMY6-5, and Is-34 in association with Rj₄ soybean cultivars were > 0.5, demonstrating incompatibility between these bacterial strains and the Rj₄ genotype. Interestingly, the I/T ratios of MMY6-1 and MMY6-2 were higher than that of Is-34 in almost all Rj₄ soybean cultivars. Thus, the nodule-forming abilities of the B. elkanii strains MMY6-1 and MMY6-2 were strongly suppressed in Rj₄ soybean cultivars; these strains may therefore be useful to identify the Rj₄ genotype in soybean cultivars.     

Molecular characterization and PCR detection of a nitrogen-fixing Pseudomonas strain promoting rice growth

Nitrogen-fixing plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) from the genus Pseudomonas have received little attention so far. In the present study, a nitrogen-fixing phytohormone-producing bacterial isolate from kallar grass (strain K1) was identified as Pseudomonas sp. by rrs (16S ribosomal RNA gene) sequence analysis. rrs identity level was high with an uncharacterized marine bacterium (99%), Pseudomonas sp. PCP2 (98%), uncultured bacteria (98%), and Pseudomonas alcaligenes (97%). Partial nifH gene amplified from strain K1 showed 93% and 91% sequence similarities to those of Azotobacter chroococcum and Pseudomonas stutzeri, respectively. The effect of Pseudomonas strain K1 on rice varieties Super Basmati and Basmati 385 was compared with those of three non-Pseudomonas nitrogen-fixing PGPR (Azospirillum brasilense strain Wb3, Azospirillum lipoferum strain N4 and Zoogloea strain Ky1) used as single-strain inoculants. Pseudomonas sp. K1 was detected in the rhizosphere of inoculated plants by enrichment culture in nitrogen-free growth medium, which was followed by observation under the microscope as well as by PCR using a rrs-specific primer. For both rice varieties, an increase in shoot biomass and/or grain yield over that of noninoculated control plants was recorded in each inoculated treatment. The effect of Pseudomonas strain K1 on grain yield was comparable to those of A. brasilense Wb3 and Zoogloea sp. Ky1 for both rice varieties. These results show that nitrogen-fixing pseudomonads deserve attention as potential PGPR inoculants for rice.     

Characterization of cultivable methanotrophs from paddy soils and rice roots

Abstract

Characterization of methanotrophs isolated from paddy soils and rice (Oryza sativa) roots was investigated in the present study. The number of methanotrophs in root homogenates of the rice cultivar Mutsuhomare was 4.9 × 10⁷ most-probable-number (MPN) g^?1 dry roots, in Yumeakari it was 2.0 × 10⁸ MPN g^?1 dry roots and in Kirara it was 4.6 × 10⁷ MPN g^?1 dry roots. Although bacterial cells were observed infrequently on the surface and in the interiors of roots before incubation, a large number of colonies, measuring 0.5–5 mm in diameter, were observed on the sterilized roots after incubation on nitrate mineral agar plates under methane in air. In particular, a large number of colonies were observed at the emergence sites of lateral roots and root hairs. Strains MD5-1 and M1 were isolated from the roots of Mutsuhomare and strain R62 was isolated from the root homogenate of Yumeakari. All isolates were catalase-positive and oxidase-positive, Gram-negative, straight-rod-shaped and curved-rod-shaped bacteria, and formed exospores. The isolates were able to fix nitrogen and grew in the absence of copper. In addition, all were found to be positive for naphthalene-oxidizing activities (corresponding to soluble methane mono-oxygenase activities). Strains MD5-1, M1 and R62 were closely related to Methylosinus sporium. Methanotrophic strains W3-6, SD3-5 and 2-19, isolated previously from paddy field soils, were classified into Methylosinus (W3-6) and Methylocystis (SD3-5 and 2-19) type II methanotrophs. Isolates from the rice roots (MD5-1, R62 and M1) grew logarithmically when casamino acid was used as the nitrogen source; however, the growth of these strains was reduced on the nitrate medium. These strains preferred amino acids over inorganic nitrogen as a nitrogen source for growth.     

锌在再力花体内的富集性及亚细胞分布和化学形态研究

为研究Zn在再力花(Thalia dealbata Fraser)体内的富集性及亚细胞分布和化学形态,依次设定0(CK)、0.075 mmol.L 1、0.250 mmol.L 1、0.500 mmol.L 1、1.000 mmol.L 1、2.000 mmol.L 16个Zn处理浓度,对再力花进行水培培养的胁迫试验。结果表明:再力花不能有效地将Zn运输到地上部,Zn主要积累在根部。在系列Zn浓度处理下,转运系数均<1,得出再力花并非超富集植物。在此基础上,采用差速离心技术和化学试剂逐步提取法,研究Zn在该植物根系中的亚细胞分布和化学形态。结果表明:低浓度[0(CK),0.075mmol.L 1,0.250 mmol.L 1]Zn处理下,Zn主要分布于再力花根部的细胞壁、细胞核及叶绿体中;Zn在再力花根部的存在形态主要是乙醇提取态,占50%以上,其次是氯化钠提取态。随着Zn处理浓度的提高(0.500 mmol.L 1,1.000 mmol.L 1,2.000 mmol.L 1),细胞溶质成为Zn的最主要分布位点,分别占31.15%、45.12%和56.44%,其次为细胞壁;乙醇提取态的比例有所下降,氯化钠提取态、水提取态的比例则随着处理浓度的提高而提高至30%以上,成为Zn在再力花根部的三大存在形态。     

Co-inoculation of selected nodule endophytic rhizobacterial strains with Rhizobium tropici promotes plant growth and controls damping off in common bean

Production of common bean(Phaseolus vulgaris)is limited by the occurrence of damping off(rhizoctoniosis),which is caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani.However,the co-inoculation of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria(PGPR)involved in biological control along with diatomic nitrogen(N2)-fixing rhizobia can enhance N nutrition and increase production.In this context,finding microorganisms with synergistic effects that perform these two roles is of fundamental importance to ensure adequate yield levels.The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of co-inoculation of nodule endophytic strains of the genera Bacillus,Paenibacillus,Burkholderia,and Pseudomonas with Rhizobium tropici CIAT 899,an N2-fixing rhizobial strain,on the biocontrol of damping off and growth promotion in common bean plants.Greenhouse experiments were conducted under axenic conditions using the common bean cultivar Pérola.The first experiment evaluated the potential of the 14 rhizobacterial strains,which were inoculated alone or in combination with CIAT 899,for the control of R.solani.The second experiment evaluated the ability of these 14 rhizobacterial strains to promote plant growth with three manners of N supply:co-inoculation with CIAT 899 at low mineral N supply(5.25 mg N mL^-1),low mineral N supply(5.25 mg N mL^-1),and high mineral N supply(52.5 mg N mL^-1).The use of rhizobacteria combined with rhizobia contributed in a synergistic manner to the promotion of growth and the control of damping off in the common bean.Co-inoculation of the strains UFLA 02-281/03-18(Pseudomonas sp.),UFLA 02-286(Bacillus sp.),and UFLA 04-227(Burkholderia fungorum)together with CIAT 899 effectively controlled damping off.For the common bean,mineral N supply can be replaced by the co-inoculation of CIAT 899 with plant growth-promoting strains UFLA 02-281/02-286/02-290/02-293.Nodule endophytes UFLA02-281/02-286 are promising for co-inoculation with CIAT 899 in the common bean,promoting synergy with rhizobial inoculation and protection against disease.     

Competition and persistence of Rhizobium tropici and Rhizobium etli in tropical soil during successive bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultures

Strains of Rhizobium tropici IIB, CIAT899 and F98.5, both showing good N₂ fixation, and a R. etli strain W16.3SB were introduced into a field which had no history of bean culture. Plant dilution estimates showed that in the presence of its host (Phaseolus vulgaris cv. Carioca) during the cropping seasons and the subsequent fallow summer periods, the bean rhizobial populations increased from less than 30 to 10³ g^–1 dry soil after 1 year and to 10⁴ g^–1 dry soil after 2 years. In the 1st year crop, the inoculated strains occupied most of the nodules, which resulted in a higher nodulation and C₂H₂ reduction activity. Without reinoculation for the second and third crops, however, little R. tropici IIB was recovered from the nodules and the bean population consisted mainly of R. etli, R. leguminosarum bv. phaseoli, and R. tropici IIA. Reinoculation with our superior R. tropici IIB strains before the second crop resulted in R. tropici IIB occupying the main part of the nodules and a positive effect on nodulation and C₂H₂ reduction activity, but reintroduction of the inoculant strain in the third season did not have any effect.     

Displacement of native rhizobia nodulating chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) by an inoculant strain through soil solarization

Summary Soil solarization greatly reduced the native chickpea Rhizobium population. With inoculation, it was possible to increase the population of the Rhizobium in solarized plots. In the 1st year, 47% nodulation was obtained with chickpea inoculant strain IC 59 when introduced with a cereal crop 2 weeks after the soil solarization and having a native Rhizobium count of <10 g^-1 soil, and only 13% when introduced 16 weeks after solarization at the time the chickpeas were sown, with 2.0×10² native rhizobia g^-1 soil. In the non-solarized plots inoculated with 5.6×10³ native rhizobia g^-1 soil, only 6% nodulation was obtained with the inoculant. In the succeeding year, non-inoculated chickpea was grown on the same plots without any solarization or Rhizobium inoculation. The treatment that showed good establishment of the inoculant strain in year 1 formed 68% inoculant nodules. Other treatments indicated a further reduction in inoculant success, from 1%–13% to 1%–9%. Soil solarization thus allowed an inoculant strain to successfully displace the high native population in the field and can serve as a research tool to compare strains in the field, irrespective of competitive ability. In year 1, Rhizobium inoculation of chickpea gave increased nodulation and increased plant growth 20 and 51 days after sowing, and increased dry matter, grain yield, and grain protein yield at maturity. These beneficial effects of inoculation on plant growth and yield were not measured in the 2nd year.Submitted as Journal Article No. JA 945 by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru, Andhra Pradesh 502 324, India     

Selection and evaluation of nitrate-tolerant strains of Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar viceae specific to the lentil

Seventeen strains of Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar viceae specific to the lentil (Lens culinaris L.) were screened, using the high-yielding lentil cultivar L 4076, for their tolerance to three levels of NO _inf3 ^sup- : 0, 4, and 8 mM NO _inf3 ^sup- . Preliminary screening of this symbiosis for nodulation and N fixation in the presence of NO _inf3 ^sup- showed significant variations among the strains. The number of nodules decreased and nitrogenase activity was depressed in all strains in the presence of NO _inf3 ^sup- . Strains L-1-87, L-27-89, L-33-89, and L-40-89 tolerated 8 mM NO _inf3 ^sup- . Four strains, three tolerant of NO _inf3 ^sup- (L-1-87, L-27-89, and L-33-89), and one sensitive (L-11-89) to NO _inf3 ^sup- , were selected from preliminary screening and used in a pot experiment to assess the symbiosis in the presence of 6 mM NO _inf3 ^sup- at three stages of plant growth, viz., 40 days, 60 days, and at the final harvest. In general, the weight of nodules and C₂H₂ reduction activity was significantly higher after 60 days than after 40 days. Inoculation with strain L-1-87 produced the maximum number of nodules, and root and shoot biomass both in the presence and the absence of NO _inf3 ^sup- . Nitrate reductase activity in the tops and nodules was assayed only after 60 days and did not show significant variations among strains and NO _inf3 ^sup- treatments. The grain yields for all strains except L-11-89 were significantly higher in the presence of NO _inf3 ^sup- than in the absence of NO _inf3 ^sup- , indicating that tolerant strains contributed symbiotically fixed N to the plant's N pool, resulting in an additive effect on yield. Inoculation with strain L-1-87 produced the maximum grain yield and this strain appears to have potential use as an inoculant in the presence of high levels of soil N.