表冷器-热泵联合集热系统的优化及可用能分析

为进一步提升表冷器-热泵联合集热系统的放热性能,并为系统进行节能优化提出方向和途径建议,首先计算了储热池优化水温42℃目标下的实际蓄水量,试验并分析了蓄水量的减少对系统集放热性能的影响;在此基础上,进行了两种集热方式、一种放热方式的可用能分析,进一步明确了系统在3种运行方式时可用能损失的主要位置和原因;最后,提出了表冷器-热泵联合集热系统主要工作部件节能优化的建议。试验结果表明：优化蓄水量为8.4 m³的条件下,系统的放热功率和放热性能系数分别为27.1 kW和6.2,提升了33.5%和37.8%,放热性能提升显著。可用能分析表明,水泵的可用能效率最高,最高可达98.8%;表冷器-风机的可用能效率在表冷器-风机集热方式、热泵与表冷器-风机联合集热方式、放热模式下分别为89.3%、87.8%、60.1%,传热温差造成的不可逆损失是放热模式下效率较低的原因;热泵机组可用能效率最低,仅为46.4%,是后续系统节能优化的重点。该研究为优化提升主动集放热系统的节能性,提供了方向指导和解决新思路。     

表冷器-热泵联合集热系统不同运行模式的集热性能

针对现有的表冷器-风机主动集放热系统集热能力不足的问题,该研究在现有系统的基础上加入热泵,设计了一套表冷器-热泵联合集热系统。该系统共有3种集热运行模式:仅表冷器-风机集热(风机模式);表冷器-风机集热+热泵与表冷器-风机联合集热(混合模式);仅热泵与表冷器-风机联合集热(联合模式)。依据不同天气下的不同需求确定指标赋分方式,并对各指标赋分,最终总分最高模式作为该天气下的最佳集热模式。试验结果表明:晴天时,风机模式的集热性能系数(COP)最高,达到了6.0±0.7,联合模式的集热量最大,为(763.9±17.1) MJ,而混合模式的集热COP及集热量均居中。多云天时,混合模式的集热COP最高,为4.8±0.3,联合模式的集热量最大,为(519.7±30.5) MJ。在两种天气下,平均水-气温差均呈现出风机模式、混合模式、联合模式递增的趋势。通过对各指标赋分后得出,晴天时混合模式为最佳集热模式;多云天时联合模式为最佳集热模式。该研究可为主动集放热技术的性能提升提供新思路。     

日光温室主动蓄热后墙传热CFD模拟及性能试验

中国的日光温室实现了高效的能量利用,在中国北方地区的冬季农业生产中发挥了巨大的作用。但在实践生产中日光温室存在巨大的能量不平衡,给北方冬季的农业生产造成很大的损失,同时也限制了日光温室的高效应用。为了实现了日光温室对太阳能的高效利用,该文提出了一种能够将白天富裕能量进行有效存储的主动蓄热后墙日光温室。该文对主动蓄热后墙日光温室的室内温度和通风蓄热风道蓄热特性进行理论分析和试验,并与传统9m跨的被动蓄热日光温室进行了对比分析。试验结果表明,主动蓄热后墙日光温室的温度指标有了较明显提高。在晴天和多云采光天气条件下,主动蓄热后墙日光温室室内的温度较9m跨被动蓄热日光温室均有较大幅度的增加,在晴天夜间保温时段(16:00~次日09:00),主动蓄热后墙日光温室温度提高最小为1.8℃,最大为2.8℃,平均提高2.2℃;在多云天夜间保温时段(16:00~次日09:00),主动蓄热后墙日光温室温度提高最小为1.6℃,最大为4.2℃,平均提高2.2℃。该文利用CFD数值模拟对温室蓄热后墙的20℃等值面进行了分析,分析结果表明在定常条件下,通风主动蓄热的高效范围在10m以内,有效长度在20m以内。通过该试验,结合温室建筑的实践构造要求,确定的蓄热风道合理长度为20m。     

日光温室钢管屋架管网水循环集放热系统的性能分析与试验

为探讨日光温室蓄放热新途径,研究了钢管屋架管网水循环集放热系统,测试了该系统的集热与蓄放热状况。理论计算表明,在屋架间距为1 m,上、下弦杆件均为外径33.5 mm的圆管时,系统的太阳能截获率可达7%~8%。在室内地面面积为620 m2的日光温室中的冬季测试结果表明,容积为8.6 m3的蓄热水体白昼日平均蓄热温升4.7℃,平均蓄热量为149 MJ,蓄热流量为8 721 W;夜间水体日平均放热温降2.5℃,平均放热量为78.9 MJ,平均放热流量为5 974 W;与对照日光温室相比,平均提高夜间室内最低气温2.4℃。屋架集放热系统利用温室原有屋架作为集热与放热构件,不会妨碍室内的生产作业,同时成本低,运行管理简单,容易维护。     

日光温室空气余热热泵加温系统应用效果

中国日光温室是低碳节能设施结构类型的代表,但昼夜能量分布极不平衡,白天室内热量富余,而夜间低温高湿,冷害、病虫害时有发生。为实现日光温室内热量在时间、空间上的转移,以提高空气热能利用效率,提升日光温室抵御低温能力,设计了一套日光温室空气余热热泵加温系统。白天适时运行系统,将日光温室内富余空气热能泵取并储存于蓄热水池中;夜间室内气温较低时,首先开启风机和水泵,以对流换热方式通过表冷器直接散热;当蓄热水池水温降至一定温度,逆向运行热泵系统强制放热;此外,在连阴天及极端低温天气条件下,可开启风机与翅片式电加热对温室进行应急加温。对加温系统的应用效果进行试验,试验结果表明：与对照温室相比,系统运行期间,试验温室夜间平均气温高出2.8～4.4℃,相对湿度降低8.0%～11.5%;白天平均气温降低3.7～5.2℃,相对湿度降低12.3%～16.5%。系统不仅夜间加温、降湿效果显著,同时白天降温、除湿效果显著。系统白天集热功率为12.5～16.4 kW,制热性能系数为3.3～4.2;夜间表冷器散热阶段系统放热功率为9.3～10.3 kW,性能系数为6.6～7.4;逆向运行热泵强制放热阶段系统性能系数为3.8～4.1。加温周期内系统集、放热过程始终处于制热工况,整体性能系数达2.7,节能效果显著。该研究为日光温室夜间节能加温提供了新思路。     

固化沙蓄热后墙日光温室热工性能试验

结合西北非耕地地区多沙的特点,在因地制宜、就地取材的基础上,该课题组设计了1种以多孔砖和固化沙为后墙结构主要材料的新型复合墙体日光温室。该日光温室有被动蓄热后墙和主动蓄热后墙2种类型,被动蓄热后墙以固化沙为主要蓄热体,主动蓄热后墙在被动蓄热墙体的基础上增设了蓄热循环系统。通过在内蒙古乌海地区进行试验,分析其热工性能,并与当地普通砖墙日光温室性能进行比较分析。试验结果表明,晴天条件下,固化沙被动蓄热后墙温室、固化沙主动蓄热后墙温室、普通砖墙温室的夜间平均气温分别为13.7、17.0、12.8℃。阴天条件下,3座温室的夜间平均气温分别为10.6、13.8、10.0℃。固化沙被动蓄热后墙温室墙体内部恒定温度区域处于500~740 mm之间,蓄热体厚度近500 mm,其中固化沙蓄热体厚度近380 mm。固化沙主动蓄热后墙温室的墙体内部恒定温度区域处于740~1 000 mm之间,蓄热体厚度超过740 mm,其中固化沙蓄热厚度超过620 mm。综上,固化沙主动蓄热后墙日光温室的热工性能明显优于固化沙被动蓄热后墙日光温室及当地普通砖墙日光温室,可满足喜温作物的越冬生产,在西北多沙地区具有一定的实用推广价值。     

主动蓄热日光温室不同气流方向后墙传热CFD模拟

日光温室是一种能源高效利用型的温室结构,在中国北方的设施园艺产业中起到了非常重要的作用,其中主动储热日光温室结构是最近该领域研究的热点问题之一。针对高效主动储热风道的研究问题,该文构建了3种不同气流运动方式的主动蓄热日光温室后墙模型,分别是顶进顶出气流运动方式的主动蓄热日光温室后墙(W1)、侧进侧出气流运动方式的主动蓄热日光温室后墙(W2)、侧进顶出气流运动方式的主动蓄热日光温室后墙(W3)。在W1工况下对比试验数据及数值模拟数据发现,平均相对误差为6.7%,最大相对误差为13.4%,说明该文所建模型的数值模拟与试验数据有很好的一致性;进一步模拟结果表明,进口条件一致的情况下,W1、W2、W3在主动蓄热循环系统运行阶段的有效蓄热范围分别为700～800、500～600、600～700 mm;W1、W2、W3的出口平均温度分别为17.3、18.9、18.2℃,进一步计算得到,3种工况下,内部空气流的努塞尔特数分别为40.95、35.25、35.30;3种不同气流循环运动方式下,温室后墙的对流换热强烈程度表现为W1最大,W3其次,W2最小。该研究为设计主动蓄热日光温室墙体气流循环运动方式提供了理论依据和试验参考。     

相变蓄热墙体对日光温室热环境的改善

该文以北京市郊区某蔬菜种植基地日光温室为研究对象,将所研制的新型相变蓄热墙体材料应用于日光温室北墙内表面,通过提高温室墙体太阳能集热与蓄热能力,达到提高太阳能热利用效率和改善日光温室热环境的目的。采用40mm厚相变蓄热墙体材料板的试验温室与同尺寸的普通砖墙的对照温室比较,2010年12月21日至2011年1月18日的比较试验结果表明:草帘开启时段(白天),前者后墙表面温度平均提高1～2.7℃,耕作层(0～20cm)土壤平均温度提升0.5℃,室内环境平均温度提升0.2～2.1℃;草帘关闭时段(夜间),试验温室后墙表面温度平均提高2.1～4.3℃,耕作层土壤平均温度提升0.5～1.4℃,室内环境平均温度提升1.6～2.1℃。所研制的相变蓄热墙体材料较好地改善了温室作物生长热环境,提高了日光温室的太阳能热利用率。     

微热管阵列式太阳能空气集热-蓄热系统性能试验

该文采用了以微热管阵列(micro heat pipe arrays,MHPA)为核心元件的真空管型空气集热器与新型相变空气蓄热器,设计搭建了以空气为传热介质的太阳能集热-蓄热系统.集热器采用微热管阵列与真空管结合的新形式,蓄热器以相变温度42℃的月桂酸为蓄热相变材料,测试了系统在不同空气流量下集热过程的集热效率,蓄放热过程中蓄热放热的时间、功率,并在不同空气流量下对蓄热器的蓄热、放热特性进行了研究.研究表明:空气流量240m3/h工况下,集热效率最高;蓄热器的蓄热时间和放热时间最短,蓄热功率和放热功率最大,分别是633和486W;而空气流量60 m3/h能提供更加稳定的出口温度与放热功率,在供暖与干燥领域更加适用.集热-蓄热过程和放热过程阻力分别小于327和40 Pa,说明放热过程系统阻力损失较小,选用功率较小的风机就可提供空气流动的动力.     

太阳能蓄热联合空气源热泵的温室加热试验

针对日光温室被动采光蓄热的特点,该文在2014年1-2月期间,针对西安地区-6~10℃冬季气温条件下,开展了太阳能蓄热联合空气源热泵温室加热试验研究,通过对比太阳能蓄热联合空气源热泵系统改善温室内的空气温度、湿度及土壤温度等环境因素,分析评价太阳能联合空气源热泵系统在日光温室冬季应用的性能,结果表明:太阳能蓄热联合空气源热泵加热系统不仅明显提高了温室内的空气温度和土壤温度,也有效降低了温室内的湿度;在试验天气条件下,热泵单独供热时,系统的性能系数COP(coefficient of performance)在2.09~2.45之间;太阳能联合空气源热泵供热时,系统的COP在3.45~5.56之间;相比于其他天气工况,晴天条件下,太阳能蓄热供热时间较长,热泵补充供热时间缩短,系统的COP较高;采用地暖联合风机盘管作为末端供热方式,能够维持较高的室内气温和土壤温度,降低室内相对湿度。该文为今后进一步简化温室结构和降低建设成本,实现日光温室主动采光蓄热,奠定前期研究基础。     

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.