木霉菌M2的鉴定及其对小白菜促生效果研究

以一株分离自健康、高产辣椒根际土壤的木霉菌(Trichoderma spp.)M2为供试菌株,研究其对小白菜生长发育的影响并在形态学分类的基础上结合r DNA-ITS序列分析的手段,对木霉菌M2进行分类鉴定,以期为微生物肥料的开发提供优良菌种。将木霉菌M2进行固体发酵制得孢子粉,研究其在温室条件下是否对小白菜的生长具有促生能力。结果表明:菌株M2属于哈茨木霉(Trichoderma harzianum);在温室盆栽试验中,土壤接种M2孢子粉对小白菜具有不同程度的增产作用,且能够提高叶绿素含量、可食用叶片数,其中接种5.0×10~9cfu的M2孢子粉处理的鲜重、干重最高,比对照组分别增加30.26%、20.08%;接种5.0×10~8cfu的M2孢子粉处理鲜重、干重较对照组分别增加18.33%、12.46%。这说明哈茨木霉M2菌株对小白菜的增产效果明显,具有潜在的农业应用价值。     

哈茨木霉协同秸秆对马铃薯黑痣病及根际土壤微生态的影响

为探究哈茨木霉(Trichoderma harzianum)M-33协同小麦秸秆对马铃薯黑痣病的生防效果,及其对马铃薯根际土壤微生物区系的影响,应用平皿对峙法和扫描电镜技术研究哈茨木霉M-33对立枯丝核菌的拮抗机制,通过盆栽试验研究哈茨木霉M-33协同小麦秸秆对马铃薯黑痣病的防治效果和对马铃薯植株生长的影响,基于稀释平板法和高通量测序技术测定协同处理对马铃薯根际土壤微生物区系的影响。结果表明,哈茨木霉M-33对立枯丝核菌的拮抗机制表现为空间竞争和重寄生;协同处理马铃薯出苗率为100%,对马铃薯黑痣病的防效高达70.26%,明显高于对照;协同处理的马铃薯株高、茎粗和分枝数分别为43 cm、0.82 cm和3.89,均明显高于对照;同时,协同处理后马铃薯根际土壤真菌数量较对照降低了29.54%,而细菌、放线菌和木霉菌数量分别较对照提高了75.36%、60.58%和 1 407.27%; 协同处理对真菌群落多样性、群落结构组成影响较大,对细菌群落多样性、群落结构组成影响较小;协同处理能够促进马铃薯根际土壤中有益微生物的聚集。本研究结果可为生防木霉菌高效利用和马铃薯黑痣病的生物防治提供理论基础。     

吸水链霉菌(Streptomyces hygroscopicus)B04固体菌剂对草莓生长及果实品质影响的研究

吸水链霉菌(Streptomyces hygroscopicus)B04是一株生防菌,本文采用De Wit模型研究了B04固体发酵的最佳基质配比,利用盆栽试验及田间实验研究B04固体发酵菌剂对草莓生长及果实品质的影响。结果表明,菌株B04固体发酵基质的最佳配比是蚯蚓粪与麦麸质量比1∶1,在料水比1∶0.8、pH 7.2~7.5、28℃条件下,发酵周期7 d,菌体数量能达到5.3×10~(10)CFU·g~(-1)。盆栽试验证实,B04固体发酵菌剂能显著促进草莓生长,增加草莓植株生物量,并降低草莓发病率,生防效果达到64.35%。田间实验表明,B04固体发酵菌剂能明显改善草莓品质,提高草莓果实中维生素C含量,增加糖酸比。     

牛粪发酵沼液对立枯丝核菌的抑制作用

为探讨牛粪发酵沼液的抑菌机理,以立枯丝核菌为研究对象,进行了试验研究。采用平皿培养方法:培养基表面分别均匀涂布1mL5种不同处理的沼液,即不作处理沼液、沼液灭菌、离心上清液、无菌膜滤液和菌体溶液,中心接种立枯丝核菌并于生化培养箱中28℃培养96h,每12h测量立枯菌落的生长直径以计算抑制率,同时借助分子生物学手段鉴定了沼液中起抑制作用的微生物。试验结果表明菌体溶液和不作处理沼液对立枯的抑制效果较好,抑制率最高可达74%和53%,离心上清液的抑制效果次之,无菌膜滤液和沼液灭菌处理的抑制作用较弱,一般在20%以下;对沼液中的微生物菌群进行了分离、纯化与筛选,获16株菌种,并与立枯丝核菌进行对峙培养试验,其中nfd-9和nfd-16具有较强抑制作用,其他菌株几乎没有抑制作用。将nfd-9、nfd-16与立枯对峙交界面处进行了扫描电镜观察,结果显示:这2株微生物通过竞争、拮抗和重寄生等作用来抑制立枯丝核菌的生长,从而到达防止病害的目的。经分子生物学技术鉴定,确定了nfd-9和nfd-16分别为米根霉菌(Rhizopus oryzae)和哈茨木霉(Trichoderma harzianum)。研究结果为进一步了解沼液抑制真菌的机理提供一定的理论参考。     

红三叶根际促生菌中具生防效果菌株筛选、鉴定及特性研究

【目的】 从岷山红三叶根际分离的109株促生菌,鉴定、筛选了具有生防能力的菌种资源并研究其生防特性,为生产应用提供服务。 【方法】 采用平板对峙法筛选优良生防菌株,对其产铁载体能力进行定性、定量测定和16S rRNA基因序列分析鉴定。 【结果】 平板对峙试验显示,109株促生菌中有8株促生菌对3种病原真菌 (立枯丝核菌、黄瓜枯萎菌、西瓜尖镰孢菌) 具有拮抗效果,分别是菌株MHS3、MHS7、MHS9、MHS27、MHS31、MHS38、MHS39和MHS48。其中,菌株MHS27、MHS31发酵液对立枯丝核菌抑菌率分别为40.1%、47.1%;菌株MHS7和MHS48发酵液对黄瓜枯萎菌抑菌率分别为26.1%、22.8%;菌株MHS27和MHS31发酵液对西瓜尖镰孢菌抑制率分别为34.0%、30.5%;产嗜铁素是生防菌 (MHS7、MHS27、MHS31、MHS48) 拮抗3种病原真菌的主要途径之一。经16S rRNA基因序列分析初步鉴定,菌株MHS7为特基拉芽孢杆菌 (Bacillus tequilensis),菌株MHS27为溶蛋白芽孢杆菌 (Bacillus proteolyticus),菌株MHS31为Pseudomonas paralactis,菌株MHS48为克雷伯氏菌 (Klebsiella oxytoca)。 【结论】 从岷山红三叶根际分离筛选出4株具有优良生防作用的PGPR菌株,为今后生物菌肥应用推广提供了菌种资源支持。      

绿色产色链霉菌E-219菌落的形态分化

菌株E-219由原始菌株CGMCC4.1119经60Coγ诱变及原生质体融合等手段改造后所得,本文通过分子荧光探针、荧光显微镜和电镜对绿色产色链霉菌E-219在固体基质表面的发育分化周期、斜面培养时间对阿维拉霉素产量的影响进行了研究,以为工业发酵选择适当的斜面种子提供理论依据。试验表明该菌株菌落发育过程伴有间断性菌丝凋亡,分生孢子的产生是活性菌丝分化的结果。与原始菌株相比该菌落形态呈现显著不同,其孢子萌发形成杂色初生菌丝,基内菌丝出现二次死亡(48h)及其中活性菌丝片段的二次快速生长,分生孢子形成数量多。原始菌株呈螺旋状孢子丝,孢子表面带刺,而E-219为直线型孢子丝,分生孢子表面光滑无刺突。摇瓶试验表明,菌种斜面种龄以106h左右为宜,此时分生孢子活性高,阿维拉霉素发酵单位可达1200mg/L。     

立枯丝核菌毒素的研究进展

立枯丝核菌(Rhizoctonia solani kühn)寄主范围广且腐生性强,主要危害禾本科、茄科、豆科和十字花科等43科260多种植物,造成水稻、玉米和马铃薯等作物产量严重减少以及品质下降。目前种质库中尚未发现高水平的抗源,因此无法借助转基因手段培育抗立枯丝核菌的新材料。立枯丝核菌致病因子主要为毒素和细胞壁降解酶,基于病原菌和植物互作关系,本文着重阐述了立枯丝核菌毒素提取工艺的发展、成分鉴定、生物活性及致病机理,旨在为进一步深入研究立枯丝核菌及其相关病害的有效防治提供一定的理论依据。     

Antibacterial mechanism of cow manure biogasslurry on Rhizoctonia solani

为探讨牛粪发酵沼液的抑菌机理,以立枯丝核菌为研究对象,进行了试验研究。采用平皿培养方法：培养基表面分别均匀涂布1 mL 5种不同处理的沼液,即不作处理沼液、沼液灭菌、离心上清液、无菌膜滤液和菌体溶液,中心接种立枯丝核菌并于生化培养箱中28℃培养96 h,每12 h测量立枯菌落的生长直径以计算抑制率,同时借助分子生物学手段鉴定了沼液中起抑制作用的微生物。试验结果表明菌体溶液和不作处理沼液对立枯的抑制效果较好,抑制率最高可达74%和53%,离心上清液的抑制效果次之,无菌膜滤液和沼液灭菌处理的抑制作用较弱,一般在20%以下;对沼液中的微生物菌群进行了分离、纯化与筛选,获16株菌种,并与立枯丝核菌进行对峙培养试验,其中nfd-9和nfd-16具有较强抑制作用,其他菌株几乎没有抑制作用。将nfd-9、nfd-16与立枯对峙交界面处进行了扫描电镜观察,结果显示：这2株微生物通过竞争、拮抗和重寄生等作用来抑制立枯丝核菌的生长,从而到达防止病害的目的。经分子生物学技术鉴定,确定了nfd-9和nfd-16分别为米根霉菌（Rhizopus oryzae）和哈茨木霉（Trichoderma harzianum）。研究结果为进一步了解沼液抑制真菌的机理提供一定的理论参考。     

利用小麦秸秆生产木霉分生孢子及其生物有机肥对黄瓜的促生效果

【目的】木霉是重要的植物根际促生功能菌,然而木霉类生物肥料生产的应用基础研究很薄弱。本研究以小麦秸秆为发酵基质,探究哈茨木霉T-E5产分生孢子的固体发酵工艺条件,并验证发酵物作为生物有机肥的促生效果。【方法】在实验室条件下,以小麦秸秆为固体发酵基质,研究固体发酵的不同发酵方式,温度、酸浓度、酸种类、接种量、含水量、外加碳源和氮源等单因子条件下的产孢量;再利用正交试验设计,研究温度、酸浓度、含水量、接种量、外加氮源和碳源的发酵条件优化。利用两季温室盆栽试验测定包括施用化肥、有机肥、发酵物和不同肥料组合的5个不同施肥处理的黄瓜地上部生物量、株高和叶面积。采用稀释涂布法测定黄瓜盆栽根际土中总真菌数量和木霉菌数量。【结果】单因素条件优化:基质用稀硝酸 (0.1 mol/L) 调节酸度值后接种3%(v/w) 的1 × 107个/mL的T-E5孢子液,调节水分使初始含水量达到75%;在此条件下,添加尿素和玉米粉,在28℃下发酵培养8天,最大产孢量可达到8.87 × 109个/g。通过正交优化,每10 g小麦秸秆,加入调节酸度值的0.05 mol/L硝酸18.3 mL,含水量70%(湿基),接种量9%,添加尿素的量为1%,30℃浅盘培养8天,产孢量达到1.1 × 1010个/g。第1季盆栽试验结果表明,与单施化肥处理 (CCK) 相比,发酵产物与化肥配施 (CT) 使黄瓜的地上部分生物量、株高和叶面积分别提高14.97%、16.75%和14.64%;与单施有机肥处理 (OCK) 相比,发酵产物与有机肥配施 (OT) 使黄瓜的地上部分生物量、株高和叶面积分别提高10.62%、26.06%和9.53%。第2季盆栽也有类似的促生效果,与CCK相比,CT使上述指标分别提高12.83%、11.49%和26.93%;与OCK相比,OT使上述指标分别提高5.96%、34.29%和18.01%。两季盆栽添加木霉发酵物的处理中根际土总真菌数和木霉菌数量相比CCK、OCK和不施肥照 (CK) 均增加1个数量级以上。【结论】以小麦秸秆为主要原料,采用固体发酵工艺可生产高分生孢子含量的哈茨木霉菌剂及其生物有机肥,表明利用农业废弃物生产高附加值的木霉菌剂及其生物有机肥具有可行性。但木霉孢子数量主要受发酵条件影响,今后应在中试和工厂化生产水平进一步研究木霉孢子固体发酵的工艺参数。     

长枝木霉菌抑菌谱测定及其抑菌作用机理研究

为了初步明确长枝木霉菌(Trichoderma longibrachiatum)对植物病原菌的抑菌谱和抑菌作用机理,采用对峙培养和显微观察相结合的方法测定了长枝木霉菌对12种植物病原菌生长的抑制作用,并通过显微观察的方法研究了长枝木霉菌对12种病原菌的抑菌机理。对峙培养结果表明,长枝木霉菌对苹果树腐烂病菌(Valsa ceratosperma)和棉花立枯病菌(Rhizoctonia solani)的生长抑制作用最强,生长抑制率分别为86.4%和72.5%,且培养3 d后长枝木霉菌的菌落可覆盖苹果树腐烂病菌整个菌落和棉花立枯病菌菌落边缘,并在苹果树腐烂病菌菌落表面和棉花立枯病菌菌落边缘产生大量孢子,拮抗等级分别为Ⅰ和Ⅱ级;对小麦叶斑病菌(Bipolaris triticicola)的生长抑制作用最弱,生长抑制率仅为27.5%,拮抗等级为Ⅲ级。抑菌作用机理试验结果表明,长枝木霉菌与12种病原菌相互作用后可通过产生抑菌圈、营养和空间竞争作用、重寄生作用,覆盖或深入病原菌菌落内部生长,占领病原菌的生长空间,以及菌丝与病原菌菌丝相互缠绕和交错,且缠绕的部位出现明显缢缩,最终使部分病原菌菌丝细胞原生质浓缩和菌丝断裂。因此,长枝木霉菌对供试的12种植物病原菌生长均具有一定抑制作用,并且明确了其抑菌作用机理。     

Agricultural potential of Mediterranean grain and forage legumes: Key differences between and within Vicia species in terms of phenology, yield, and agronomy give insight into plant adaptation to semi-arid environments

In order to identify key adaptive traits which affect productivity in Mediterranean grain and forage legumes and simultaneously determine the agricultural potential of a wide range of Vicia species, germplasm collected from the wild throughout the eastern Mediterranean was grown under semi-arid conditions in Tel Hadya, Syria (313 mm growing season rainfall). These included species currently in use in Mediterranean agriculture, such as V. sativa L., as well as those more widely used in the past-such as V. ervilia L., but also a broad selection from Section Narbonensis (B. Fedtsch. ex Radzhi) Maxted, including V. narbonensis L, V. johannis Tamamsch., V. hyaeniscyamus Mout., V. serratifolia Jacq., and V. kalakhensis Khattab et al. V. faba, a near relative of the taxa in Section Narbonensis, was included as a domesticated control. Where applicable, a representative range of subspecies was used. Accessions were chosen from a wide range of habitats in terms of latitude (31.02–40.72 decimal^o), longitude (27.1–43.17 decimal^o), altitude (20–1510 m), rainfall (180–1700 mm/yr) and soil depth (5–50 cm) in order to maximise diversity within species. Agricultural potential was determined by measuring seed, hay and biological yield, as well as agronomic traits such as harvest index, standing crop height, and seed size. The comparative influence of phenology and key agronomic traits such as plant habit and seed size on productivity varied tremendously between species, depending on their reproductive strategies. In V. sativa and V. ervilia, the smaller seed species which rely on long vegetative phases and growing seasons to accumulate sufficient biomass to set seed, and in which there was comparatively little agronomic variation, phenology had a large impact on yield. In early emerging taxa such as V. ervilia and V. s. subsp. sativa, with built-in long vegetative phases and growing seasons, seed yield was negatively correlated with flower ing (r = –0.86 to –0.88), whereas the opposite was the case for later emerging taxa such as V. s. subsp. nigra (L.) Ehrh. (r = 0.95). Within V. narbonensis and relatives, the larger seeded Vicia species which rely on more conservative reproductive strategies where high seedling vigour associated with large seeds enables the species to enter reproductive phases relatively early, phenology had a much smaller impact on yield than did variation of key traits such as seed weight, plant habit and pod shattering. Among the undomesticated germplasm harvest indices ranged from 0.09–0.31, hay yields from 0.1–3.4 t/ha, seed yield from 0–2.0 t/ha, and dry matter at maturity from 1.6–6.5 t/ha. Sub-specific taxonomy was crucial in determining agronomic potential. V. narbonensis var. aegyptiaca Kornhuber ex Asch. et Schweinf. showed the most potential, combining an upright habit, large seeds (212 mg) and tendency to retain intact pods after maturity, with the highest yield, harvest index and crop height of all the wild Vicia species. V. sativa subsp. sativa, V. ervilia and V. narbonensis var. narbonensis were less productive, but still showed agricultural potential. The smaller seeded V. narbonensis, var. affinis, var. jordanica H. Schäf. and var. salmonea (Mout.) H. Schäf., and their close relatives V. johannis, V. hyaeniscyamus, V. serratifolia and V. kalakhensis have little to offer Mediterranean agriculture on the basis of poor agronomy.     

Changes in trace element speciation in kola north surface waters during snow melt

The powerful mass-flow of melt water during the brief period of spring thaw provides a surge of pollutants and causes extremely toxic short term conditions. Together with the increase in total metal concentrations during this period, a redistribution in metal speciation occurs that increases the proportion of more toxic forms. Concentrations of ion-exchangeable fractions of nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), aluminium (Al), and manganese (Mn) show strong negative correlations with pH. The sum of complex metal species shows a strong positive correlation with total organic carbon (TOC). A data analysis model based on relationships observed between key parameters and metal behaviour together with gidrological data allowed an assessmrnt of the metal impact on waterbodies from accumulated airborne pollution (Ni, Cu) as well as from accelerated leaching from watersheds (Al, Mn).     

On the Taxonomy of the Members of ‘Saccharum Complex’

The difficulty and problems encountered in the study of cultivated plants, in general and sugarcane, in particular has been indicated. In order to understand these problems, a brief review on the taxonomy of Saccharum and closely related taxa, namely, Erianthus, Sclerostachya, Narenga and Miscanthus (generally known as ‘Saccharum complex’) has been given. A short account on the important morphological features that are specific to sugarcane has also been stated as classification is commonly based on such morphological characters. A note has been added on the chromosome number, origin, and distribution of the species of ‘Saccharum complex’ members. Taxonomic keys have been devised for identification of the genera of Saccharinae and for the species of Saccharum and Erianthus occurring in India. A new combination, Sclerostachya fallax (Balansa) Amalraj et Balasundaram, has also been proposed.     

Polymorphism of high molecular weight glutenin subunits in three species of Aegilops

A collection of 136 accessions of Aegilops umbellulata (39), Ae. comosa (75) and Ae. markgrafii (22) was analysed for high-molecular-weight (HMW) glutenin subunits composition. The homogeneity of the accessions was studied and 55.1% of the collection was homogeneous for HMW glutenin subunits (29 Ae. umbellulata, 33 Ae. comosa and 14 Ae. markgrafii). The HMW glutenin subunits of Ae. umbellulata are encoded by the Glu-U1 locus; in Ae. comosa results showed that this proteins are encoded at the 1M chromosome, and the locus was named Glu-M1. In Ae. markgrafii it was assumed that HMW glutenin subunits were encoded by an homoeologous locus and it was named Glu-C1. All the accessions of Ae. umbellulata and Ae. markgrafii expressed both, x-type and y-type subunits. Among the Ae. comosa accessions, only one expressed an x-type subunit alone. All the accessions of Ae. umbellulata and some of Ae. comosa had x-type glutenins of higher molecular weights than those commonly present in bread wheat. A total of 8 alleles were detected at the Glu-U1 locus, 11 at the Glu-M1 and 4 at the Glu-C1. The new HMW glutenin variation found in this work suggests their possible utilisation in breeding for wheat quality.     

The major features of an infestation by the invasive weed legume gorse (Ulex europaeus) on volcanic soils in Hawaii

Gorse (Ulex europaeus) infestation occupies over 4,000 ha of agriculture and conservation lands on the southeastern slope of Mauna Kea on the Island of Hawaii. The aim of this investigation is to identify ecological features associated with this weed invasion by comparing the gorse-infested areas to the surrounding uninfested areas of this landscape. The soils within the gorse infestation are more acidic, resulting in higher levels of KCl-extractable Al and lower levels of Mehlich III-extractable Ca, Mg, Mn, and Zn. Yet, gorse accumulates higher concentrations of Ca, Zn and, Cu than the kikuyu grass (Pennesitum clandestinum), which is ubiquitous throughout the site. The Ca:Al and Mg:Al molar charge ratios of the soils are lowest within the epicenter of the gorse infestation, while the molar ratios are highest in the gorse apical stem tissues. All gorse plants are nodulated and have higher nitrogen contents than the surrounding kikuyu grass. Furthermore, the δ¹⁵N of the gorse stem tissues approaches 0‰, suggesting that nitrogen is being symbiotically fixed from the atmosphere. Characterization of the Bradyrhizobium isolated from gorse nodules shows similarities and distinctions to Bradyrhizobium isolated from the endemic legume koa (Acacia koa) within the same location. Population densities of the indigenous Bradyrhizobium are higher within the gorse rhizosphere than the kikuyu grass. Soil acidification, nutrient depletion, and symbiotic nitrogen fixation distinguish gorse-infested areas from the surrounding uninfested areas. These observations suggest that gorse has a competitive advantage over kikuyu grass under conditions of soil nutrient deficiency.     

Nematofauna associated with exotic and native leguminous plant species in West Africa: effect of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Glomus intraradices</Emphasis> arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis

Ten leguminous trees, four exotic species (Australian Acacia) and six indigenous species (three Sahelian Acacia spp. and three Sesbania spp.), were grown for 4 months in a natural Sahelian soil inoculated with or without the endomycorrhizal fungus, Glomus intraradices. In control trials, the determinant factor structuring the soil nematode fauna was the plant species, related plants having a similar influence on the nematode community in the soil. Soil nematode abundance increased from exotic acacias (3.3 g^-1 dry soil) to native acacias (11.5 g^-1 dry soil) and Sesbania species (17.6 g^-1 dry soil). Plant feeding nematodes (mainly Scutellonema and Tylenchorhynchus) were significantly less abundant under exotic acacias (1.4 g^-1 dry soil) than under native acacias (7.2 g^-1 dry soil) or Sesbania species (7.3 g^-1 dry soil). Bacterial feeding nematode density increased from exotic acacias (1.2 g^-1 dry soil) to native acacias (3.0 g^-1 dry soil) and Sesbania species (7.7 g^-1 dry soil) as total densities. However, the differences in the structure of the nematode communities between plant groups were suppressed in the presence of the mycorrhizal fungus. In fact, no difference in nematode densities remained between plant groups when G. intraradices developed in several dominant taxa belonging to different trophic groups, particularly: Tylenchorhynchus, Apelenchina, Cephalobus and Dorylaimoidea. This study clearly indicated that inoculation with the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus G. intraradices diminished the plant-specific effect on the structure of the soil nematode community.     

Genetic diversity of rhizobia associated with indigenous legumes in different regions of Flanders (Belgium)

We investigated the diversity of rhizobia isolated from different indigenous legumes in Flanders (Belgium). A total of 3810 bacterial strains were analysed originating from 43 plant species. Based on rep-PCR clustering, 16S rRNA gene and recA gene sequence analysis, these isolates belonged to Bradyrhizobium, Ensifer (Sinorhizobium), Mesorhizobium and Rhizobium. Of the genera encountered, Rhizobium was the most abundant (62%) and especially the species Rhizobiumleguminosarum, followed by Ensifer (19%), Bradyrhizobium (14%) and finally Mesorhizobium (5%). For two rep-clusters only low similarity values with other genera were found for both the 16S rRNA and recA genes, suggesting that these may represent a new genus with close relationship to Rhodopseudomonas and Bradyrhizobium. Primers for the symbiotic genes nodC and nifH were optimized and a phylogenetic sequence analysis revealed the presence of different symbiovars including genistearum, glycinearum, loti, meliloti, officinalis, trifolii and viciae. Moreover, three new nodC types were assigned to strains originating from Ononis, Robinia and Wisteria, respectively. Discriminant and MANOVA analysis confirmed the correlation of symbiosis genes with certain bacterial genera and less with the host plant. Multiple symbiovars can be present within the same host plant, suggesting the promiscuity of these plants. Moreover, the ecoregion did not contribute to the separation of the bacterial endosymbionts. Our results reveal a large diversity of rhizobia associated with indigenous legumes in Flanders. Most of the legumes harboured more than one rhizobial endosymbiont in their root nodules indicating the importance of including sufficient isolates per plant in diversity studies.     

Powdery Mildew Resistance in a Collection of Chinese Barley Varieties

One hundred and forty-seven Chinese barley varieties maintained at the Gene Bank of the National Barley Improvement Centre, Zhejiang, and 84 progenies from these varieties were tested at the seedling stage for their reaction to 32 selected pathotypes of Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei. Eighteen resistance spectra were identified comprising single or combined resistances from eight known (Ml(Bw), Ml(Ch), Mla7, Mla8, Mla9, Mla13, MlaRu4 and Mlg) and six unknown resistance genes. The most frequent gene was Ml(Bw), which was found in 69 varieties and previously detected in only a few European winter barley varieties. The genes Mla8 and Ml(Ch) were also often present, but other resistance genes were rare. After inoculation, considerably fewer pathogen colonies were observed in ‘Aiganqi’ and one line of ‘Tong5’. Twenty varieties were composed of lines with different resistance genes. China is likely to be a region of origin of the genes Ml(Bw), Mla7, as well as three unknown genes found in original landraces and perhaps another three unknown genes detected in cultivars bred in China. The resistances of varieties from the Zhejiang province and those originating from 11 other Chinese provinces were quite different. Unfortunately, none of the varieties are promising sources of resistance to powdery mildew and China does not seem to be a region suitable for identifying such sources.