基于高光谱图像的稻瘟病抗氧化酶值早期预测

水稻稻瘟病是危害水稻种植的真菌病害,早期预测病害源头是防治稻瘟病的有效手段。在病害症状显证之前实现早期预测,能从源头上更好地遏制病害,阻止分生孢子的大量繁殖,达到稻瘟病早期防治的目的。该文通过连续分时段测定水稻稻瘟病潜育期稻苗的高光谱图像和相对应的稻苗抗氧化物酶SOD（superoxide dismutase, SOD）酶值,利用高光谱图像处理技术结合化学计量学方法,建立稻瘟病潜育期内稻苗冠层高光谱图像与抗氧化酶SOD酶活之间的关联预测模型。结果表明,基于全光谱信息建立的SOD酶值预测模型,模型具有较好的预测效果,校正集相关系数RC=0.9921,校正集均方根误差RMSEC=5.135 U/g;预测集相关系数RP=0.9274,预测集均方根误差RESEP=8.634 U/g。出于建立更为广泛应用的稳定的多光谱成像检测系统的需要,基于选定的6个特征波长526、550、672、697、738和747 nm建立了简化的SOD酶值预测模型,该模型的RC=0.6945,RMSEC=17.92 U/g;RP=0.5488,RESEP=22.0085 U/g。研究表明,在水稻稻瘟病潜育期内,通过高光谱图像反演相应的SOD酶活性信息,推断水稻稻瘟病病害胁迫程度信息是可行的。     

马铃薯黑心病和单薯质量的透射高光谱检测方法

针对单一检测技术不能同时检测马铃薯内外品质的多项指标,采用透射高光谱成像技术并融合光谱和图像信息,对其内部黑心病、质量指标进行检测。通过透射高光谱成像系统获取266个样本高光谱图像（400～1000 nm）,并提取光谱和图像二者信息。采用不同变量选择方法对光谱进行变量选择,用9个光谱变量建立检测马铃薯黑心病偏最小二乘判别分析（partial least squares discriminant analysis, PLS-DA）模型与质量偏最小二乘回归（partial least squares, PLS）模型;提取样本透射高光谱图像的面积信息,建立基于光谱-图像的检测马铃薯质量PLS模型。试验结果表明,黑心样本识别率为100%,识别最小黑心面积为1.88 cm2;基于光谱-图像所建立质量检测模型预测效果较好,其预测集相关系数(Rp)为0.99,预测均方根误差(RMSEP）为10.88。结果表明：采用透射高光谱成像技术并融合图像和光谱信息对马铃薯内部黑心病、质量同时进行检测是可行的。     

基于冠层光谱的锦橙叶片磷素营养监测研究

以盆栽蓬安100号锦橙施肥调控试验为基础,利用田间冠层光谱信息探索建立植株磷素营养监测技术与方法。通过采集蓬安100号锦橙95个单株样本的冠层光谱信息和室内检测分析叶片磷含量,随机选取76个作为建模样本,19个为检验样本,运用多种光谱预处理方法和偏最小二乘法(Partial least square method,PLS)及内部交叉验证方法建立校正模型与模型检验。结果表明,经多种光谱预处理方法的建模结果比较,冠层原始反射光谱经二阶求导和SNV处理后建立的蓬安100号锦橙叶片磷含量冠层光谱监测模型预测能力和稳健性最佳,其主成分数4个,能表达全波段63%的信息;校正模型相关系数为0.90,偏差Bias=2.45E-10,且RMSEC和RMSEP均最小。模型检验预测的决定系数R2=0.85。因此,利用二阶导数及标准归一化(Standard normal variate transformation,SNV)预处理的田间冠层光谱信息快速无损监测蓬安100号锦橙叶片磷含量具有一定的可行性。     

采用高光谱图像深度特征检测水稻种子活力等级

为实现水稻种子活力的准确检测,该文研究了一种基于高光谱图像技术结合深度学习的高精度检测方法。采用人工加速老化的方式得到老化0,1,2和3 d的1 200个水稻种子样本,使用高光谱成像设备获取不同老化天数样本的高光谱图像,并从单个样本区域提取其光谱信息。随后对1200个样本进行发芽试验,根据发芽试验结果将所有样本划分为高活力、低活力和无活力3个等级。采用小波阈值去噪(Wavelet Threshold Denoising,WTD)结合一阶导数(First/1~(st) Derivative,FD)的方法(WTD-FD)对原始光谱进行预处理,使用主成分分析(Principal Component Analysis,PCA)和堆叠自动编码器(Stacked Auto-Encoder,SAE)分别从预处理光谱中提取特征变量。分别基于PCA和SAE特征变量构建支持向量机(Support Vector Machine,SVM)模型,并根据模型准确率确定较佳模型,最后使用灰狼优化算法(Grey Wolf Optimizer,GWO)对选择的模型进行参数优化。结果显示WTD-FD对原始光谱的预处理是有效的,使用从预处理光谱中提取的SAE非线性深层特征相比于PCA线性特征更具有代表性,基于其建立的SAE-SVM模型的准确率达到96.47%。SAE-SVM模型经过GWO优化之后,模型准确率提高到98.75%。研究结果表明,高光谱图像技术结合深度学习方法对水稻种子活力等级准确检测具有指导意义。     

基于高光谱技术的霉变稻谷脂肪酸含量无损检测

脂肪酸含量是表征稻谷霉变信息的重要指标。为了解决传统化学分析法测定稻谷脂肪酸含量有损、费时、低效等问题,该文研究应用高光谱技术实施霉变稻谷脂肪酸含量无损检测的方法。研究选取人工制备的不同霉变时期的稻谷样本作为研究对象,利用高光谱仪结合理化试验方法测定其相应的光谱信息和脂肪酸含量,运用移动窗口平滑法(savitzky-golay,SG)和一阶微分(first derivation,FD)对光谱数据进行预处理,采用连续投影算法(successive projections algorithm,SPA)提取反映稻谷脂肪酸含量变化的光谱特征波段,应用回归分析法建立基于特征波段光谱反射值的稻谷脂肪酸含量预测模型,对比分析不同光谱预处理方法的模型预测效果。研究结果显示,原始光谱数据通过SG平滑和一阶微分处理后,分别经SPA方法优选出了14和10个光谱特征波段;采用SG-SPA-MLR(multivariable linear regression)方法构建的模型质量和稻谷脂肪酸含量预测效果均优于FD-SPA-MLR模型,校正时其内部交叉验证的相关系数RCV和均方根误差RMSECV分别为0.9419、11.9646 mg/(100 g);预测时其外部验证的相关系数RP和均方根误差RMSEP分别为0.9366、12.3550 mg/(100 g),模型对不同霉变时期的稻谷脂肪酸含量均具有较强的预测能力。研究表明,利用高光谱技术对稻谷脂肪酸含量实施无损检测具有可行性,可为将来快速检测稻谷霉变提供参考依据。     

基于高光谱图像光谱与纹理信息的生菜氮素含量检测

高光谱图像包含丰富的光谱与图像信息,该文基于此试图构建生菜氮素检测模型。利用高光谱图像采集系统获取可见-近红外(390~1 050 nm)范围内的生菜叶片高光谱图像,同时利用凯氏定氮法获取对应叶片的氮素值。将光谱反射值较大波长图像与反射值较小波长图像相除并用阈值化法构建掩膜图像,获取感兴趣区域(ROI,region of interest)。由于高光谱数据量大、且数据间冗余性强,因此如何有效的提取一些特征波长十分重要。该文采用主成分分析(PCA,principal component analysis)对原始高光谱图像进行处理,根据前3个主成分图像(PC1、PC2、PC3)在全波长下的权重系数分布图选出662.9、711.7、735.0、934.6 nm 4个特征波长及对应的光谱特征,并且分别提取4个特征波长图像、主成分图像PC1、PC2、PC3在ROI下的基于灰度共生矩阵的纹理特征,最后利用支持向量机回归(SVR,support vector machine regression)分别建立生菜叶片基于特征波长光谱特征、特征波长图像与主成分图像的纹理特征及光谱纹理融合特征与对应氮素值之间的关系模型。结果表明,在校正性能指标决定系数R2C上,基于光谱特征+特征波长图像纹理特征的模型较好,R2C=0.996,校正集均方根误差RMSEC为0.034;在预测性能指标决定系数R2P上,基于光谱特征的模型较好,R2P=0.86,预测集均方根误差RMSEP为0.22。该研究结果可为农作物氮素的快速、无损检测提供一定的参考价值。     

基于高光谱技术的猪肉肌红蛋白含量无损检测

为充分利用猪肉光谱与图像信息,实现猪肉肌红蛋白含量的在线检测,该研究提出一种基于深度学习模型的猪肉肌红蛋白含量无损检测方法。采用高光谱设备采集冷藏过程中猪肉高光谱图像,通过ENVI5.3选择图像感兴趣区域（Region Of Interest,ROI）,分别提取ROI平均光谱信息与主成分图像信息。利用卷积自动编码器（Convolutional Auto Encoder,CAE）提取光谱与图像信息深度特征,分别建立光谱特征、图像特征及图-谱融合特征与肌红蛋白含量之间关系的卷积神经网络（Convolutional Neural Network,CNN）预测模型。其中基于融合深度特征CNN预测模型准确度较高,该模型对脱氧肌红蛋白（DeoMb）、氧合肌红蛋白（OxyMb）、高铁肌红蛋白（MetMb）含量预测集决定系数分别为：0.964 5、0.973 2、0.958 5,预测集均方根误差 RMSEP分别为：0.015 8、0.226 6、0.381 6。为进一步验证图-谱融合特征与猪肉肌红蛋白存在对应关系,分别建立偏最小二乘回归（Partial Least Squares Regression,PLSR）、支持向量机回归（Support Vector Regression,SVR）预测模型。结果表明：CAE能充分提取图像与光谱特征;基于融合特征建立回归模型能提高肌红蛋白含量预测精度,相比于光谱信息与图像信息,以MetMb为例其分别提高5.42%、16.12%。该检测方法为肉类质量在线检测提供参考,具有好的应用前景。     

高光谱图像技术在掺假大米检测中的应用

为了有效判别出优质大米中是否掺入劣质大米,该文研究了一种针对大米掺假问题的快速、无损检测方法。从市场上购买了东北长粒香大米和江苏溧水大米,按纯东北长粒香大米、3∶1、2∶2、1∶3和纯江苏溧水大米共5个掺合水平进行大米试验样本的制备。利用可见-近红外高光谱图像采集系统(390~1050 nm)获取了200个大米样本的高光谱图像。采用ENVI软件确定高光谱图像的感兴趣区域(region of interest,ROI),并提取出所有样本在ROI内的平均高光谱数据。采用支持向量机(support vector machine,SVM)建立全光谱波段下的大米掺假判别模型,径向基(radial basis function,RBF)核函数模型交叉验证准确率为93%、预测集正确率为98%。由于高光谱信息量大、冗余性强且受噪声的影响较大,该文采用主成分分析方法(principal component analysis,PCA)分别对大米高光谱图像和高光谱数据进行处理,从特征选择和特征提取2个角度对原始高光谱数据进行处理,通过主成分权重系数图选择了531.1、702.7、714.3、724.7、888.2和930.6 nm 6个特征波长,通过留一交叉验证法(leave-one-out cross-validation,LOOCV)确定并提取出PCA降维后的最优主成分数(number of principal component,PCs)为9。最后分别将优选出的特征波长和提取出的最优主成分数作为模型的输入,建立SVM模型。试验结果表明,基于特征波长SVM模型的交叉验证准确率为95%、预测集正确率为96%,基于最优主成分数SVM模型的交叉验证准确率为94%、预测集正确率为98%。该研究结果表明,该文建立的基于特征波长和基于最优主成分数的SVM模型均具有较优的预测性能,且利用高光谱图像技术对大米掺假问题进行检测是可行的。     

基于改进离散粒子群算法的青贮玉米原料含水率高光谱检测

快速、无损和准确检测青贮玉米原料含水率,对确保青贮玉米发酵品质、推动青贮产业健康快速发展有重要现实意义。为探究高光谱技术在青贮玉米原料含水率检测方面的可行性,研究通过高光谱成像系统获取青贮玉米原料高光谱图像并利用烘箱加热法测定实际含水率。在粒子更新方式和惯性权重2个方面对传统离散粒子群算法(discretebinary particle swarm optimization,DBPSO)进行优化,提出基于改进型离散粒子群算法(modified discrete binary particle swarm optimization,MDBPSO)的特征波段优选方法,并利用相关系数分析法(correlation coefficient,CC)、DBPSO和MDBPSO法提取原料含水率高光谱特征变量,基于全波段反射光谱(total spectral reflectance,TSR)和特征波段反射光谱建立青贮玉米原料含水率预测模型。结果表明,MDBPSO优选特征波段适应度函数的收敛精度和收敛效率较DBPSO法均有明显改善,最优适应度值由0.761 6提高至0.812 3,函数收敛迭代次数由280次降低至79次。MDBPSO-PLSR预测模型的建模精度和预测精度均高于CC-PLSR、DBPSO-PLSR和TSR-PLSR预测模型,其校正集决定系数Rc2和均方根误差RMSEC(root mean square error of calibration)分别为0.81和0.032,预测集决定系数Rp2和均方根误差RMSEP(root mean square error of prediction)分别为0.80和0.045。该研究表明,利用高光谱图像技术检测青贮玉米原料含水率具有较高的精度,研究可为后续开发青贮玉米原料水分快速检测仪器提供借鉴方法。     

基于近红外光谱技术的茶油原产地快速鉴别

为研究茶油原产地溯源问题,维护其市场秩序,促进公平竞争。该文利用近红外光谱技术采集湖南、江西、安徽和浙江4个不同产地茶油的光谱数据,并运用 Savitzky-Golay 平滑（savitzky-golay, SG）、多元散射校正（multiplicative scatter correction, MSC）、一阶导数（first derivation, FD）和矢量归一化（vector normalization, VN）等4种方法对其进行预处理。采用偏最小二乘法（partial least squares, PLS）提取最佳主成分,构建 PLS 回归模型;同时,采用主成分分析（principal component analysis, PCA）和 PLS 算法提取最佳主成分,作为 BP 人工神经网络（BP artificial neural network, BPANN）输入变量,构建 PCA-BPANN 和 PLS-BPANN 模型。以验证集相关系数 RP 和验证集均方根误差 RMSEP 为模型的评价指标,分别优选最佳 PLS 和 BPANN 模型。试验结果表明,SG-PLS-DA 和 SG-PLS-BPANN-DA 模型对未知样本的整体分类准确率均大于90%。其中,SG-PLS-BPANN-DA 的鉴别效果优于前者,其建模集相关系数 RC、均方根误差 RMSEC 分别为0.974、0.170,验证集相关系数 RP、均方根误差 RMSEP 分别为0.972、0.172,对上述两类样本集的总体分类准确率分别为98.15%、95.83%,该模型能较准确鉴别茶油原产地。研究结果可为快速辨别茶油原产地提供参考。     

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.     

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.