Si/As调控苗期水稻吸收、外排和转运砷的研究

通过生物模拟法,将水稻幼苗分别暴露于含有10μmol/L无机三价砷As(Ⅲ)或五价砷As(V)的营养液中12,24,48h,探究硅砷摩尔比(Si/As为0∶1,100∶1和200∶1)对苗期水稻吸收、外排、转运和累积砷的影响。结果表明,水稻暴露于含As(Ⅲ)营养液中12h,与Si/As为0∶1相比,Si/As为200∶1的处理使水稻的As(Ⅲ)吸收速率降低30.7%(P0.05),且随着暴露时间的延长,水稻对As(Ⅲ)的吸收速率逐渐降低,不同Si/As对其吸收速率的影响也减弱。处理48h,100∶1和200∶1的Si/As均降低水稻根部As(Ⅲ)向茎叶的转移系数,较Si/As为0∶1分别降低51.2%和56.9%,同时水稻地上部As(Ⅲ)含量比Si/As为0∶1的处理分别降低50.7%和67.2%;暴露在As(V)营养液中12h,Si/As为100∶1促进水稻对As(V)的吸收,增幅高达82.3%,但暴露24h,Si/As为200∶1则抑制水稻根系对As(V)的吸收,以及As(Ⅲ)的外排和As(Ⅲ)由水稻根系向茎叶的转运,降幅分别为28.0%,41.9%和39.9%。暴露48h时,Si/As为200∶1的水稻As(Ⅲ)转移系数较Si/As为100∶1的处理降低57.9%,并且处理24,48h时,Si/As为100∶1和200∶1水稻地上部As(Ⅲ)含量显著降低53.6%和75.0%,25.0%和52.8%。此外,水稻根系对As(V)的吸收与As(Ⅲ)的外排之间呈极显著正相关关系(r=0.921,P0.01),该关系不受Si/As和暴露时间的影响。无论是As(Ⅲ)或As(V)处理,在12～48h的暴露时间内,Si/As为200∶1显著抑制砷的吸收、As(Ⅲ)的外排和As(Ⅲ)在水稻体内的转运。     

间作绿肥弥补减施氮肥引起的玉米产量损失

  【目的】  河西绿洲灌区玉米连作普遍存在过量施氮等问题,我们探讨了间作绿肥来减少玉米氮肥投入的可行性及机理,以减少玉米生产带来的环境风险。  【方法】  于2019—2020年,在甘肃武威开展玉米间作绿肥田间试验,供试绿肥作物为箭筈豌豆 (Vicia sativa L.) 和油菜 (Brassica campestris L.)。试验采用裂区设计,主区设玉米间作箭筈豌豆(M/V)、玉米间作油菜(M/R) 和单作玉米(M) 3 种种植模式,副区为常规施氮量 (360 kg/hm2,N2) 和减氮25% (270 kg/hm2,N1) 两个施氮水平。绿肥作物在盛花期 (玉米出苗50天左右) 刈割并覆盖于玉米行间。从玉米出苗后开始,每15天取样分析玉米的干物质积累量,收获期调查籽粒产量及产量构成。  【结果】  在单作玉米(M)条件下,N1较N2处理玉米籽粒产量和生物量分别降低了15.7%和12.9% (P<0.05),而在M/R、M/V种植模式下,N1与N2水平间两指标无显著差异。玉米出苗后0～60 天的干物质积累量,N1水平较N2水平在3个种植模式下平均降低了15.8%;M/R和M/V模式较M模式分别平均降低了8.8%和31.5%;玉米生长60～105 天的干物质积累量,N1水平较N2水平在3个种植模式下平均降低了7.2%,而M/R和M/V种植模式分别较M种植模式分别提高了10.2%和8.8%;玉米生长105～150 天 (灌浆初期至成熟期) 的干物质积累量,N1水平比N2水平降低了4.2%,而M/R和M/V种植模式分别较M模式提高5.8%和8.2%。在玉米生长 60～105天及105～150天,N1水平下M/R、M/V种植模式与N2水平下M种植模式的干物质积累量均无显著差异。间作绿肥显著提高了减氮条件下 (N1)玉米的最大增长速率 (V_max),M/R和M/V种植模式较M种植模式分别提高16.1%和27.3%,其中,以N1水平M/V种植模式的V_max提高幅度较大,比N2水平M种植模式高16.6%。间作绿肥可提高减氮条件下玉米穗粒数和千粒重;与单作玉米相比,玉米穗粒数和千粒重M/R种植模式分别提高11.9%和19.6%,M/V种植模式分别提高13.9%和22.3%。通过灰色关联分析进一步表明,千粒重是影响玉米籽粒产量的主导因素,其次为穗粒数,最后为单位面积穗数。  【结论】  间作绿肥可提高减氮条件下玉米大喇叭口期到成熟期的干物质积累量和向籽粒的输出量,提高粒重,因而抵消减施氮肥25%带来的玉米产量损失,最终保证减氮条件下玉米产量的稳定,是河西绿洲灌区实现玉米减氮增产的一种高效管理措施。     

基于熵权法和TOPSIS对马铃薯施肥和滴灌量组合的优化

  【目的】  研究滴灌施肥条件下不同马铃薯品种的滴灌量和施肥量优化组合,以建立马铃薯生长、产量、品质、水肥利用效率和经济效益最优的水肥管理组合技术。  【方法】  采用正交试验设计方法布置马铃薯小区试验。试验设3个滴灌水平:W1 (100%ET_c)、W2 (80%ET_c)、W3 (60%ET_c),其中ET_c为作物蒸散量;3个施肥(N–P₂O₅–K₂O)水平:F1 (240–120–300 kg/hm2)、F2 (180–90–225 kg/hm2)、F3 (120–60–150 kg/hm2 );3个马铃薯品种:V1 (费乌瑞它)、V2 (陇薯7号)、V3 (青薯9号),设1个不施肥对照处理(W3F0V1),共10个处理。在主要生育期测定了马铃薯光合指标和耗水量,在成熟期测定马铃薯产量、产量组成和品质,分析水分利用效率(WUE)、肥料偏生产力(PFP)和经济效益。  【结果】  滴灌量、施肥量和品种对马铃薯产量组成、WUE、PFP和净收益有极显著影响(P<0.01)。F2水平下马铃薯产量、干物质累积量、淀粉含量、维生素C含量、粗蛋白含量和净收益比F1水平的下分别提高了19.28%、1.13%、1.62%、3.79%、8.79%和34.64%,比F3水平下提高了21.48%、3.07%、6.27%、6.08%、11.18%和27.94%。随着滴灌量的增加,产量、产量组成、淀粉含量、维生素C含量、粗蛋白含量、PFP和经济效益呈单峰曲线变化趋势,还原糖含量随着灌水量的增加呈先减少后增加趋势。青薯9号的叶片叶绿素含量、淀粉含量、粗蛋白含量、维生素C含量、WUE、PFP均高于其余两个品种。通过熵权法和TOPSIS分析得出排名前三的优化处理依次为:F2W2V3、F1W1V1和F3W2V1。F2W2V3处理的产量、单株块茎重、商品薯重、最大单个块茎重、粗蛋白含量、WUE和净收益最大,分别为49.22 t/hm2、1096.7 g、794.3 g/plant、433.9 g、0.214 mg/g、20.21 kg/m3和44832元/hm2。F1W1V1 和F3W2V1 依次排在第二和第三,其产量分别为41.79和37.67 t/hm2,单株块茎重分别为906.5和836.7 g, 商品薯重分别为711.4和607.3 g/plant,最大单个块茎重分别为395.6和357.1 g, 净收益分别为34584和32023元/hm2。  【结论】  在陕北旱区春季马铃薯生产中,3个马铃薯品种的最优灌溉和施肥组合均为80%ET_C和N–P₂O₅–K₂O 180–90–225 kg/hm2,该组合可同时兼顾高产、优质、高水肥利用效率和高经济效益的多重目标,其中品种青薯9号各指标均优于其他两个品种。     

ASE-HPLC-MS/MS法测定土壤中四环素类抗生素残留

通过优化ASE萃取参数和固相萃取净化条件,建立了土壤中4种四环素类抗生素残留的加速溶剂萃取-液相色谱串联质谱测定方法。选择EDTA-McIlvaine∶甲醇=1∶2(V/V)作为萃取溶剂,应用Oasis-MAX强阴离子交换柱进行样品的富集和净化,乙腈∶0.4%甲酸溶液=22∶78(V/V)条件下进行色谱分离,ESI正离子源和多反应监测模式(MRM)下测定,方法检测限为2.2～3.2μg.kg-1,定量限为22～32μg.kg-1,样品加标回收率在60.1%～103.8%之间,相对标准偏差为2.6%～4.8%。本方法具较高灵敏度和准确度,能满足土壤中μg.kg-1痕量水平4种四环素类抗生素残留测定要求。     

高效液相色谱法测定大豆中卵磷脂的含量

应用高效液相色谱法(HPLC),选用Kromasil SIL柱,以甲醇/异丙醇/正己烷(60/35/5,V/V)为流动相,采用紫外检测器(205nm)对卵磷脂进行了测定。结果表明,大豆卵磷脂的保留时间为26.035min,定量线性范围2.06~30.9μg(r=0.9999),精密度和稳定性实验相对标准偏差均小于5%,加样回收率达97.41%,表明建立的大豆卵磷脂检测方法灵敏度高、稳定性和重现性好。     

亚麻籽双液相多级逆流萃取工艺模拟试验

为了考察双液相技术萃取亚麻籽的工业化效果,应用模拟试验探讨了多级逆流萃取工艺应用于正己烷-乙醇-水三元双液相亚麻籽萃油脱氰苷生产的可行性。结果表明,在料烷比1︰5 (m/V),料醇比1︰2 (m/V),温度55℃,时间 30 min,乙醇质量分数85% (m/m),NaOH添加量为乙醇相0.05% (m/V)的条件下,实验室串级模拟四级逆流萃取达到工艺要求,亚麻粕中残油量小于1%,氰苷残余小于0.7 mg/kg,多级逆流接触法萃取流程适宜于亚麻籽双液相萃油脱氰苷生产工艺。     

配合饲料添加剂中喹乙醇含量的测定

本文介绍了用高效液相色谱测定配合饲料添加剂中喹乙醇含量的方法。该方法色谱条件为:μ-Bondapak C_(18)色谱柱,甲醇/水(60/40,V/V)作流动相,流速为1.0mL/min;高灵敏可变紫外检测器,检测波长为262nm.标准曲线的线性范围在0～1mg.平均回收率为98.33%。变异系数为3.88%.该方法简便、快速,灵敏、准确。     

厌氧培养体系中V(V)与Fe(Ⅲ)还原之间的电子竞争

以4种不同来源的水稻土为材料,采用接种水稻土浸提液的厌氧培养试验,设置添加不同偏钒酸盐浓度和无定形氧化铁处理,测定培养过程中V(V)和Fe(Ⅱ)浓度的变化,探讨厌氧培养过程中V(V)和Fe(Ⅲ)还原之间的相互影响机制。结果表明,在厌氧环境下土壤微生物能够以V(V)作为电子受体,将其还原为低价态的钒,V(V)浓度随着培养时间增加呈降低趋势。以V(V)为唯一电子受体时,还原起始时间大体在2~15d之间;4种水稻土中的微生物群落对于V(V)的还原能力具有差异,V(V)还原率在汉中(HZ)和安康(AK)水稻土样品中分别达到92.82%~95.63%和81.15%~81.97%,而在邛崃(QL)和永吉(YJ)水稻土样品中分别为60.64%~62.19%和51.38%~53.41%,2种钒添加浓度处理间无明显差异。V(V)和Fe(Ⅲ)共同作为电子受体时,Fe(Ⅲ)可导致V(V)还原过程明显滞后15~20d,并且使还原率降低,分别为66.50%~75.26%(HZ),67.15%~69.22%(AK),48.14%~48.72%(YJ)及0~11.80%(QL)。不同处理的铁还原率均可达到100%,铁还原最大反应速率(Vmax)总体表现为:AKHZQLYJ样品;添加不同浓度V(V)后AK、HZ和YJ样品中出现明显促进铁还原过程的"协同效应",表现为Vmax增大,且最大还原速率对应的时间(TVmax)相应减小,但在QL样品中出现抑制铁还原的"拮抗效应",表现为随着V(V)浓度增加Vmax减小,且TVmax增大。推测的"协同效应"机理为:以发酵微生物的兼性还原为主导,V(V)还原产物强化了铁还原过程;而"拮抗效应"可能由于专性铁还原微生物的群落演替以及钒的毒性对发酵微生物产生抑制所致。     

不同侧风和静电电压对静电喷雾飘移的影响

为研究不同侧风和静电电压对静电喷雾雾滴飘移的影响规律,设计不同侧风(恒速风1、2、4 m/s及0~4 m/s变化的模拟自然风)及静电电压(0,2,4,6,8 k V),进行喷杆式静电喷雾机的雾滴飘移试验,测定不同静电电压下的雾滴粒径与荷质比,并对比分析雾滴飘移质量中心距和飘失率。结果表明:随着静电电压的增大,雾滴粒径减小,雾滴荷质比增大,0~8 k V电压下电极干燥和电极打湿对雾滴荷质比没有显著影响。在侧风风速为1 m/s时,0~8 k V静电喷雾的雾滴飘移中心距小于0.55 m,雾滴飘失率低于15%。在侧风风速2 m/s时,非静电喷雾的雾滴飘失率为11.9%,6~8 k V静电喷雾的雾滴飘失率超过20%,其中静电电压8 k V的雾滴飘失率(23.9%)比非静电喷雾增加100.8%。在侧风风速4 m/s时,4~8 k V静电喷雾的雾滴飘移中心距在0.9 m以上,雾滴飘失率在30%以上,其中静电电压8 k V下的雾滴飘移中心距为967.2 mm比非静电喷雾下增加了13.7%,雾滴飘失率为35.4%比非静电喷雾下增加了59.5%。相同静电电压下,2 m/s的恒速风和0~4 m/s变化的模拟自然风之间对雾滴飘失率无显著差异。该研究为优化喷雾技术参数和提高雾滴抗飘移的能力提供参考。     

内蒙古中西部玉米临界氮浓度稀释模型的构建与验证

【目的】建立内蒙古中西部地区玉米临界氮浓度稀释曲线模型,利用相应的氮营养指数对玉米进行氮素营养诊断,并验证曲线的可靠性,以期为实现内蒙古中西部玉米合理施用氮肥提供理论依据。【方法】于2019—2021 年,分别在内蒙古中部的达拉特旗和西部的五原县、乌拉特前旗 3 个典型区域,以新玉 12、晋单42、先玉 1225、泽玉 19、宏育 203 和晋单 542 以及东农 258 为试验材料,进行建模田间试验。6 个氮肥处理包括传统氮肥 (N 400 kg/hm²)、不施氮 (对照)、推荐优化施氮 (N) 180 kg/hm² (OPT) 以及 70% OPT、130% OPT、170% OPT,分别在玉米拔节期 (V6)、八叶期(V8)、十叶期(V10)、大喇叭口期 (V12)、吐丝期 (R1)、乳熟期(R3) 和蜡熟期 (R5) 进行植株取样,测定植株地上部生物量和植株氮浓度,利用地上部生物量和植株氮浓度构建临界氮浓度稀释模型。2021 年在达拉特旗进行验证试验,设置推荐施氮示范田和传统习惯生产田,测定玉米植株地上部生物量和植株氮浓度,利用氮营养...     

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.