Carbon and nitrogen budgets of nematodes in arable soil

Summary The amounts of C and N that pass through the nematode biomass in four cropping systems, barley without and with N fertilization, grass ley and lucerne, has been estimated. The nematodes were sampled at the field site of a Swedish integrated research project Ecology of Arable Land: The Role of Organisms in Nitrogen Cycling. The nematode biomass was lower (200 mg dry weight m^–2) in the annual (barley) than in the perennial (grass and lucerne, 350 mg dry weight m^–2) crops. For respiration, the nematodes used 4–71 O₂m^–2 year^–1 corresponding to C liberation of 1.3%–2.0% of the carbon input to the soil. A higher relative contribution by bacterial-feeding nematodes to the C and N fluxes and a higher turnover rate of the nematode biomass is an indication of more rapid nutrient circulation in the annual than in the perennial cropping systems.     

Influence of cropping system and nitrogen input on soil fauna and microorganisms in a Swedish arable soil

Summary The development of a number of components was analysed in an agro-ecosystem study with four cropping regimens, barley without and with N fertilization, grass ley, and lucerne. A great variation in N inputs (1–39 g N m^-2 year^-1) and cropping systems produced a variation in primary production (260–790 g C m^-2 year^-1) and input of organic material to the soil (150–270 g C m^-2 year^-1). This was reflected in variations of total soil animal biomass (1.6–5.1 g C m^-2) and in variations in the abundance of various animal groups, nematodes (5.6–9.8×10⁶m^-2), micro- (2.6–4.8×10^-4 m^-2), and macroarthropods (0.9–4.2×10³ m^-2). In contrast, total bacteria, fungi, flagellates, and amoebae varied quite independently of the organic matter input. Mineralization processes covaried more with C and N inputs and total animal biomass than with microbial biomass. it is suggested that the rather constant microbial biomass was a result of an adjustment in the grazing pressure of microbial-feeding animals to the level of microbial production.Dedicated to the late Prof. Dr. W. Kühnelt     

Dynamics of microbial biomass and soil fauna in two contrasting soils cropped to barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Summary This study compared the dynamics of shoots, roots, microbial biomass and faunal populations in two different soils cropped to barley. The dynamics of microbial C, protozoa, nematodes, acari, collembola, shoot and root mass were measured between July and October under barley at Ellerslie (Black Chernozem, Typic Cryoboroll) and Breton (Gray Luvisol, Typic Cryoboralf) in central Alberta. Very wet soil conditions in early July reduced the barley yield at Breton. The peak shoot mass was greater at Ellerslie (878 g m^–2) compared to Breton (582 g m^–2), but the root mass did not differ significantly between sites. Microbial C at 0–30 cm depth was greater at Ellerslie (127 g m^–2) than Breton (68 g m^–2). The average protozoa population (no. m^–2) did not differ significantly between sites. The average nematode population at 0–20 cm depth was greater at Ellerslie (5.1 × 10⁶ no. m^–2) compared to Breton (1.0 × 10⁶ no. m^–2) Acari and collembola populations at 0–10 cm depth at Ellerslie (43 × 10³ and 43 × 10² no. m^–2), respectively) were greater than at Breton (2 × 10⁴ and 9 × 10² no. m^–2) respectively). Tenday laboratory incubations of 0–10 cm soil samples from Ellerslie evolved more CO₂-C (120 g g^–1 soil) compared to samples from Breton (97 g g^–1 soil), but the CO₂-C evolution did not differ when expressed on an area basis (g m^–2) due to the greater soil bulk density at Breton. The soil from Breton respired twice as much CO₂-C when expressed as a proportion of soil C and 1.5 times as much CO₂-C when expressed as a proportion of microbial C, compared to the soil from Ellerslie. The greater CO₂-C: microbial C ratio, lower flush C:N ratio, and greater protozoa population: soil C ratio at Breton compared to Ellerslie suggest that the food web was relatively more active at Breton and was related to greater C availability and water availability at Breton.     

A comparison of microbial-feeding nematodes and protozoa in the rhizosphere of different plants

Summary The biomass of microbial-feeding nematodes and protozoa was measured in the rhizospheres of peas, barley, grass and turnips grown for 10 weeks in pots containing a clay-loam soil; in the rhizospheres of peas and barley grown for 3 weeks in a sandy soil; and in the rhizosphere of barley grown for 11 weeks in an unfertilised and a fertilised clay-loam soil. The nematode biomass was consistently larger in the rhizosphere of all plants in both soils than in the bulk soil, but the protozoa biomass showed a rhizosphere effect only under pea and fertilised barley. The biomass of nematodes in the rhizosphere (1.2–22.3 g dry weight g^-1 dry soil) was greater than the biomass of protozoa (0.1–3.2 g g^-1), and greater under pea>barley>grass>turnip. It is suggested that nematodes are more able to exploit low bacterial densities than protozoa and that they initially migrate into the rhizosphere from the bulk soil. In samples of potato rhizosphere from field-grown plants, the nematode biomass was also greater than the active and total protozoan biomass. It is argued that in the rhizosphere the biomass of microbially feeding nematodes exceeds that of protozoa and that nematodes are more important in terms of nutrient cycling.     

Fungi,bacteria and protozoa in soil from four arable cropping systems

Summary The effects of four cropping systems on soil microorganisms were investigated during 3 years. The cropping systems were B0, barley without nitrogen fertilizers; B120, barley with 120 kg N ha^–1 year^–1; GL, grass ley receiving 200 kg N ha^–1 year^–1; and LL, lucerne ley without nitrogen fertilizer additions. At samplings in September during three consecutive years no differences were found between treatments. Total fungal lengths ranged between 0.7 and 2.0 × 10³ m and bacterial numbers between 3.5 and 7.2 × 10⁹ g^–1 dry wt. soil.Twenty samplings over 3 years in B120 and in GL indicated higher numbers of bacteria and protozoa during the growing season, except for periods with moisture stress. No clear seasonal trends were found for the fungi. When comparing mean values for the 20 samplings, the grass ley contained significantly (P < 0.05) higher numbers of amoebae. Means of the bacterial numbers and biomass, total and FDA-active hyphal lengths were also higher or equal (FDA-active hyphae) but not significantly so.Seventy-nine per cent of the bacterial biomass and 73% of the total fungal lengths were found in the top soil, where also 85% of the oxygen was consumed.     

Shoot,root, soil and microbial nitrogen dynamics in two contrasting soils cropped to barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Summary Dynamics of barley N, mineral N, and organic N were compared at Ellerslie (Black Chernozem, Typic Cryoboroll) and Breton (Gray Luvisol, Typic Cryoboralf) in central Alberta, using ¹⁵N-urea. On average, shoot N and shoot ¹⁵N recoveries at Ellerslie (14.1 g m^–2, 36%) were greater than at Breton (4.5 g m^–2, 17%). Root N (g m^–2) did not significantly differ between sites (0–30 cm) but root ¹⁵N recovery was greater at Breton (3.4%) than Ellerslie (1.8%). Low levels of shoot N and shoot ¹⁵N at Breton were partly due to very wet soil conditions in July, which resulted in premature shoot senescence and low plant N uptake. Although the total ¹⁵N recoveries from the system (to 30 cm depth) at Ellerslie (63%) and Breton (56%) were similar, soil ¹⁵N was greater at Breton (35%) than at Ellerslie (26%). There were no differences in mineral N between sites but the average ¹⁵N recovery in the mineral-N pool was significantly greater at Ellerslie (3.3%) than at Breton (1.6%). There was no difference in ¹⁵N recovery in the microbial biomass (3%) between sites, although non-microbial organic ¹⁵N was greater at Breton (31 %) than at Ellerslie (20%). The two soils showed differences in the relative size of kinetically active N pools and in relative mineralization rates. Microbial N (0–30 cm) was greater at Ellerslie (13.3 g m^–2) than at Breton (9.9 g m^–2), but total microbial N made up a larger proportion of total soil N at Breton (1.6%) than at Ellerslie (0.9%). In the 0–10 cm interval, microbial N was 1.7-fold greater and non-microbial active N was 3-fold greater at Breton compared to Ellerslie, when expressed as a proportion of total soil N. Net N mineralization in a 10-day laboratory incubation was 1.4-fold greater in the Black Chernozem (0–10 cm interval) from Ellerslie, compared to the Gray Luvisol from Breton, when expressed per gram of soil. Net N mineralization in the soil from Breton was double that of the soil from Ellerslie, when expressed as a proportion of soil N. Although soil N (g m^–2) was 2.5-fold greater at Ellerslie compared to Breton, it was cycled more rapidly at Breton.     

Biodiversity and trophic structure of soil nematode communities are altered following woody plant invasion of grassland

Woody plant encroachment is an important land cover change in dryland ecosystems throughout the world, and frequently alters above and belowground primary productivity, hydrology, and soil microbial biomass and activity. However, there is little known regarding the impact of this geographically widespread vegetation change on the biodiversity and trophic structure of soil fauna. Nematodes represent a major component of the soil microfauna whose community composition and trophic structure could be strongly influenced by the changes in ecosystem structure and function that accompany woody encroachment. Our purpose was to characterize nematode community composition and trophic structure along a grassland to woodland chronosequence in the Rio Grande Plains of southern Texas. Research was conducted at the La Copita Research Area where woody encroachment has been documented previously. Soil cores (0–10 cm) were collected in fall 2006 and spring 2007 from remnant grasslands and woody plant stands ranging in age from 15 to 86 years, and nematodes were extracted by sugar centrifugation. Neither nematode densities (3200–13,800 individuals kg⁻¹ soil) nor family richness (15–19 families 100 g⁻¹ soil) were altered by woody encroachment. However, family evenness decreased dramatically in woody stands >30 years old. This change in evenness corresponded to modifications in the trophic structure of nematode communities following grassland to woodland conversion. Although root biomass was 2–5× greater in wooded areas, root-parasitic nematodes decreased from 40% of all nematodes in grasslands to <10% in the older wooded areas, suggesting the quality (C:N or biochemical defenses) of woody plant root tissue could be limiting root-parasites. In contrast, bacterivores increased from 30% of nematodes in grasslands to 70–80% in older woody patches. This large increase in bacterivores may be a response to the 1.5–2.5× increase in soil microbial biomass (bacteria + fungi) following woody encroachment. Therefore, while energy flow through grassland nematode communities appears to be distributed nearly equally among herbivory, fungivory and bacterivory, the energy flow through nematode communities in wooded areas appears to be based primarily on bacterivory. We speculate that these shifts in nematode community composition and trophic structure could have important implications for ecosystem patterns and processes. First, the low abundance of root-parasitic nematodes (and presumably root herbivory) under woody plants may be one mechanism by which woody plants are able to establish and compete effectively with grasses during succession from grassland to woodland. Second, the large increase in bacterivores following woody encroachment likely accelerates microbial turnover and the mineralization of N, thereby providing a feedback that enables the persistence of N-rich woody plant communities.     

Significant changes in soil microfauna in grazed pasture under elevated carbon dioxide

Soil microfauna in 0- to 10-cm soil under grazed pasture on a sand (Mollic Psammaquent) was assessed quarterly in free air CO₂ enrichment (FACE) rings that were at either ambient CO₂ or had been exposed to 475 l l^–1 CO₂ for 4–5 years. There were significant increases in nematode (1.5×) and rotifer (4.1×) abundance in soils subjected to elevated CO₂. Ten nematode taxa were significantly more abundant under elevated CO₂. The greatest increase was 4.3× in root-feeding Longidorus; three other root-feeders showed no increase in population densities at elevated CO₂. Bacterial-feeding Cervidellus was the only nematode with a significant decrease (0.4×). The abundance of all nematode feeding groups increased significantly in soils subjected to elevated CO₂. The relative increases in abundance of feeding groups (bacterial-feeders 1.3×, root-feeders 1.3×, plant-associated 1.5×, fungal-feeders 1.6×, omnivores 2.0×, predators 2.1×) suggest marked increases in fluxes through microbial-feeding nematodes and a multitrophic response among the soil biota to the increase in atmospheric CO₂ above ambient. Data from the site suggest soil microbial biomass C and N pools were unchanged over the sampling period. Of eight nematode indices only total maturity index increased (2.9 to 3.2), reflecting the increased proportion of the large Longidorus. Further work on microbial-microfaunal interactions and their micro-scale relation to roots is needed to better understand the impact of increasing atmospheric CO₂ on soil processes.     

Effect of irrigation on nematode population dynamics and activity in desert soils

Summary The nematode community in litter and soil was examined for a year in the Chihuahuan desert, before and after supplemental rainfall application. Proportions of nematode-active or anhydrobiotic forms and population densities were determined for 3 treatments: control (natural rainfall), a single, large (25-mm) monthly irrigation pulse, and 4 smaller (6-mm) irrigations spaced at weekly intervals. In litter the greatest nematode abundance was in the 6 mm week^–1 treatment (48 nematodes 20 g^–1 litter). Bacteriovores and fungivores accounted for approximately 95% of the numbers and biomass in all treatments. In soil, water amendments had no significant effect (P < 0.05) on annual mean densities of total nematodes, fungivores, bacterivores, or omnivore predators. Phytophage densities were greater on both irrigation treatments, with highest densities (9268 m^–2) in the 6 mm week^–1 soils, which was 5.9% of the total soil nematode density. Total densities of individual trophic groups were not significantly different before or after rainfall. Soil nematode densities fluctuated independently with trophic group, month, and season. Bacterial feeders and omnivore predators were the largest contributor to total soil nematode density and biomass. Prior to irrigation, there were no differences in the percentage of anhydrobiotes on the three treatments. Anhydrobiotes decreased after irrigation in all treatments, and were significantly lower in soils of the larger, monthly irrigation. Nematodes were inactive (anhydrobiotic) and decoupled from decomposition processes when soil water matric potentials reached –0.4 MPa.Dedicated to the late Prof. Dr. M.S. Ghilarov     

Ammonium oxidizer numbers,potential and actual oxidation rates in two swedish arable soils

Summary The number of ammonium-oxidizing bacteria was measured with the most probable number (MPN) method while potential ammonium oxidation rates were determined with a chlorate inhibition technique in two arable soils. A new method for measuring actual in situ ammonium oxidation in soil cores is presented.One soil was cropped for 4 years with one of four crop-fertilizer combinations: Unfertilized lucerne ley, unfertilized barley, nitrate-fertilized grass ley, or nitrate-fertilized barley. The highest ammonium oxidizer numbers and potential rates were found in the grass ley. The unfertilized barley had one-third the number and activity of the grass ley. Actual rates were in general 5–25 times lower than potential rates.The other soil was that undergoing a 27-year-old field trial with a fallow and four different cropping treatments: No addition, nitrate, nitrate + straw, or manure. Ammonium oxidizer numbers were highest in the manure and straw treatments. MPN numbers and potential rates were lowest in the fallow treatment. Typical specific potential rates were 30 ng N oxidized cell^–1 h^–1. Actual rates were in general 40 times lower than potential rates.Actual ammonium oxidation measurements seem to correspond to actual in situ activity at the moment of sampling, whereas the MPN technique and the potential measurements reflect events that occurred weeks to months before the sampling.     

Influence of oxygen on denitrification and aerobic respiration in soil

Summary The influence of the partial pressure of oxygen on denitrification and aerobic respiration was investigated at defined P02 values in a mull rendzina soil. The highest denitrification and respiration rates obtained in remoistened, glucose- and nitrate-amended soil were 43 1 N₂0 h^–1g^–1 soil and 130 1 O₂ h^–1g^–1 soil, respectively. At -55 kPa matric water potential, corresponding to 40% water saturation, N₂0 was produced only below P0₂ 40 hPa. The K _m, for O₂ was 3.0 x 10^–6 M. Formation of N₂O and consumption of O₂ occurred simultaneously with half maximum rates at P0₂ 6.7–13.3 hPa. Nitrite accumulated in soil below 40 hPa and increased with decreasing pO₂. The upper threshold for N₂0 formation in amended soil was P0₂ 33–40 hPa (39-47 M O₂).     

Earthworm biomass response to soil management in semi-arid tropical Alfisol agroecosystems

Earthworms recorded during 1989–1993 across 15 soil management treatments, comprising three different tillagexthree organic amendments (bare, farmyard manure, and rice straw) and six perennial ley treatments, belonged to two endogeic species, Octochaetona phillotti (Michaelsen) and Lampito mauritii Kinberg, while in a nearby undisturbed natural revegetation area three species were found, including the above two and Octonochaeta rosea (Stephenson). The earthworm biomass showed significant temporal and spatial variations and was higher during the post monsoon period than in the early rainy season. No worm biomass was recorded during the dry season. In the tillage and organic amendment treatments, the biomass was drastically reduced from September 1989 to September 1991 after the application of carbofuran and some herbicides, and was significantly reduced during these two years compared to that of 1992. The maximum monthly earthworm biomass ranged between 2.5 and 17.9 g m^-2 across the treatments and increased several-fold in the nearby natural revegetation area (75.9 g m^-2). It significantly increased in perennial ley treatments compared to annual treatments with organic amendments. Thus the earthworm biomass varied significantly (P<0.01) across the 15 treatments, indicating discernible effects of soil management.Visiting Scientist (under the Rockefeller Foundation Environmental Research Fellowship in International Agriculture)     

Using the spermosphere model technique to describe the dominant nitrogen-fixing microflora associated with wetland rice in two Egyptian soils

Summary This study is an attempt to describe the dominant N₂-fixing microflora associated with the roots of wetland rice. Rice cultivar Giza 171 was grown in a phytotron on two alluvial Egyptian soils for 8 days, a stage when the nitrogenase activity of undisturbed plants reached a level of 245 × 10^–6 mol C₂H₄ h^–1 g^–1 dry weight of leaf. The roots and rhizosphere soils were then used for counting and isolating dominant diazotrophs. Counts and initial enrichment steps were carried out on a selective medium made of an axenic rice plantlet, the spermosphere model, incubated under 1 % acetylene. The counts were very high, exceeding 10⁸ bacteria g^–1 dry weight of rhizosphere soil. Enterobacteriaceae were dominant; most isolates were Enterobacter cloacae belonging to different biotypes in the two soils. Enterobacter agglomerans, Citrobacter freundii and Klebsiella planticola were also present as members of the dominant microflora. Azospirillum brasilense and Azospirillum lipoferum were present as well, but less abundant.     

Trace gas emissions from soil of the central highlands of Mexico as affected by natural vegetation: a laboratory study

In the central highlands of Mexico, mesquite (Prosopis laevigata) and huisache (Acacia schaffneri), N₂-fixing trees or shrubs, dominate the vegetation and are currently used in a reforestation program to prevent erosion. We investigated how natural vegetation or cultivation of soil affected oxidation of CH₄, and production of N₂O. Soil was sampled under the canopy of mesquite (MES treatment) and huisache trees (HUI treatment), outside their canopy (OUT treatment) and from fields cultivated with maize (ARA treatment) at three different sites while production of CO₂, and dynamics of CH₄, N₂O and inorganic N (NH₄⁺, and NO₃^–) were monitored in an aerobic incubation. The production of CO₂ was 2.3 times higher and significantly greater in the OUT treatment, 3.0 times higher in the MES treatment and 4.0 times higher in the HUI treatment compared to the ARA treatment. There was no significant difference in oxidation of CH₄ between the treatments, which ranged from 0.019 g CH₄–C kg^–1 day^–1 for the HUI treatment to 0.033 CH₄–C kg^–1 day^–1 for the MES treatment. The production of N₂O was 30 g N₂O–N kg^–1 day^–1 in the MES treatment and >8 times higher compared to the other treatments. The average concentration of NO₃^– was 2 times higher and significantly greater in the MES treatment than in the HUI treatment, 3 times greater than in the OUT treatment and 10 times greater than in the ARA treatment. It was found that cultivation of soil decreased soil organic matter content, C and N mineralization, but not oxidation of CH₄ or production of N₂O.     

Nitrogen mineralization and reorganization in casts of the geophagous tropical earthworm Pontoscolex corethrurus (Glossoscolecidae)

Summary Mineral N concentrations ranged from 133.1 to 167.8 g g^-1 dry soil in fresh casts of the endogeic earthworm Pontoscolex corethrurus fed on an Amazonian Ultisol; this was approximately five times the concentration in non-ingested soil. Most of this N was in the form of NH _inf4 ^sup+ . N also accumulated in microbial biomass, which increased from a control value of 10.5–11.3 to 67.5–74.1 g g^-1 in fresh casts. During a 16-day incubation, part of the NH _inf4 ^sup+ -N was nitrified and/or transferred to the microbial biomass. Total labile N (i.e., mineral+biomas N) decreased sharply at first (ca. 50% in the first 12 h), and then more slowly. The exact fate of this N (microbial metabolites, denitrification, or volatilization) is not known. After 16 days, the overall N content of the casts was still 28% higher than that of the control soil. Incubation of the soil before ingestion by the earthworms significantly increased the production of NH _inf4 ^sup+ in casts. We calculate that in a humid tropical pasture, 50–100 kg mineral N may be produced annually in earthworm casts. Part of this N may be conserved in the compact structure of the cast where the cast is not in close contact with plant roots.     

Physiological and symbiotic characteristics of Rhizobium fredii isolated from subtropical-tropical soils

Summary Physiological and symbiotic characteristics were identified in Rhizobium fredii isolated from subtropical-tropical soils. The generation times of R. fredii Taiwan isolated-SB 357 and -SB 682 were 1.7 and 2.5 h, respectively. These strains were associated with acid production in yeast-extract mannitol medium. They were able to use hexoses, pentose, sucrose, trehalose and raffinose. Strain SB 357 can resist a high concentration of kanamycin (100 g ml^–1 and penicillin (400 g ml^–1). It can tolerate up to 2.34% NaCl and 1031.3 mosmol kg^–1 (23.4 bars). The growth rate of R. fredii SB 357 under the concentration of approximately 450 mosmol kg^–1 (10.2 bars) was not affected by salinity, but responded to osmotic pressure. Both strains (SB 357 and SB 682) isolated from subtropical-tropical soils were able to form an effective N₂-fixing symbiosis with the US soybean cv Clark lanceolate leaflet.     

Uptake and toxicity of copper and zinc for the African earthworm,Eudrilus eugeniae (Oligochaeta)

Growth rate change in earthworms is considered to be a suitable endpoint when determining sublethal effects. In this study we evaluated growth and maturation in the vermicomposting earthworm speciesEudrilus eugeniae as marker of sublethal toxicity of copper and zinc. We also compared routes of uptake. Apart from exposing worms experimentally for 73 days to contaminated food, a series of contact filter paper tests was also performed to determine LD₅₀ for copper and zinc. Both copper and zinc at sublethal concentrations affected growth and maturation in worms exposed to contaminated food. These worms had a copper content of 34.5 g g^–1 after 73 days and a zinc content of 184.9 g g^–1, showing a differential uptake. Copper was more toxic than zinc. Also in the contact test worms did take up more zinc than copper and the LD₅₀ (48 h) for copper was 0.011 mg cm^–2 and for zinc 0.066 mg cm^–2, which translated to body burdens of 6 g g^–1 for copper and 131 g g^–1 for zinc. Indications were that a regulatory mechanism existed for both metals. Both metals were taken up through the body wall at a relatively fast rate. This study indicated that the skin was the major route of metal uptake. This study also showed a poor relation between the two types of tests for purposes of evaluating lethality of zinc and copper.     

The combined effects of enhanced UV-B radiation and selenium on growth, chlorophyll fluorescence and ultrastructure in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) and barley (Hordeum vulgare) treated in the field

The possible ameliorative effects of selenium (Se) addition to soil on the detrimental effects of enhanced UV-B radiation were tested on strawberry and barley during 4 months of field experiment in Kuopio, Central Finland. Control plants were exposed to ambient levels of UV radiation, using arrays of unenergized lamps. A control for UV-A radiation was also included in the experiment. Added Se, applied as H₂SeO₄, at the level of 0.1 mg kg⁻¹ soil (low dosage) and 1 mg kg⁻¹ soil (high dosage) increased Se concentrations in plants more than 10 and 100 times, respectively. After 4 months of exposure, strawberry and barley plants were harvested for biomass analysis. Chlorophyll fluorescence was measured using the Hansatech FMS2 fluorescence monitoring system. Leaf anatomy and ultrastructure were observed by light and transmission electron microscope. Several effects of UV and Se as well as their interaction were found, mostly for strawberry, but not for barley, indicating species-specific responses. Our results provided evidence that the high Se concentration in soil had no ameliorative effect but increased the sensitivity of strawberry to enhanced UV-B radiation in the field. Under ambient radiation, Se did not alter leaf growth of strawberry, whereas under UV-B radiation, the high Se addition significantly decreased leaf growth. Strawberry runner biomass was affected by the interaction of Se and UV. Under ambient radiation Se did not change dry weight of runners, but in combination with UV-A or UV-B radiation the high Se dosage decreased dry weight of runners by about 30%. Although the high Se concentration positively influenced on quantum efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) in strawberry leaves, it reduced runner biomass, leaf number and ratio of starch to chloroplast area. This suggests that the harmful effects of the high Se dosage on photosynthetic processes occurred as a result of changes in activity or/and biosynthesis of enzymes, rather than alteration of PSII. At the low concentration, Se effects were slight and variable.Although barley leaves accumulated higher Se concentrations than strawberry, there were no apparent changes in their growth, biomass or chlorophyll fluorescence due to Se effect either alone or in combination with UV-B. However, at the ultrastructural level, an enlargement in the peroxisome area was found due to combination of UV radiation with Se, suggesting the activation of antioxidative enzymes, possibly catalase. Decrease in mitochondrial density in barley cells in response to Se might be attributed to alteration of mitochondrial division. Increase in the proportion of cells with cytoplasmic lipid bodies due to combined effect of UV-B and Se indicated the alteration of lipid metabolism and the acceleration of cell senescence in barley. Main UV-B effects were found, mostly at the tissue and ultrastructural level in strawberry, but not in barley, indicating species-specific susceptibility to enhanced UV-B radiation. UV-B-treated strawberry plants developed marginally thinner leaves with reduced ratio of starch to chloroplast area in their cells, suggesting negative influence of UV-B on photosynthetic processes.     

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.     

Reduction of bacterial growth by a vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus in the rhizosphere of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

Summary Cucumber was grown in a partially sterilized sand-soil mixture with the vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungus Glomus fasciculatum or left uninoculated. Fresh soil extract was places in polyvinyl chloride tubes without propagules of mycorrhizal fungi. Root tips and root segments with adhering soil, bulk soil, and soil from unplanted tubes were sampled after 4 weeks. Samples were labelled with [³H]-thymidine and bacteria in different size classes were measured after staining by acridine orange. The presence of VAM decreased the rate of bacterial DNA synthesis, decreased the bacterial biomass, and changed the spatial pattern of bacterial growth compared to non-mycorrhizal cucumbers. The [³H]-thymidine incorporation was significantly higher on root tips in the top of tubes, and on root segments and bulk soil in the center of tubes on non-mycorrhizal plants compared to mycorrhizal plants. At the bottom of the tubes, the [³H]-thymidine incorporation was significantly higher on root tips of mycorrhizal plants. Correspondingly, the bacterial biovolumes of rods with dimension 0.28–0.40×1.1–1.6 m, from the bulk soil in the center of tubes and from root segments in the center and top of tubes, and of cocci with a diameter of 0.55–0.78 m in the bulk soil in the center of tubes, were significantly reduced by VAM fungi. The extremely high bacterial biomass (1–7 mg C g^-1 dry weight soil) was significant reduced by mycorrhizal colonization on root segments and in bulk soil. The incorporation of [³H]-thymidine was around one order of magnitude lower compared to other rhizosphere measurements, probably because pseudomonads that did not incorporate [³H]-thymidine dominated the bacterial population. The VAM probably decreased the amount of plant root-derived organic matter available for bacterial growth, and increased bacterial spatial variability by competition. Thus VAM plants seem to be better adapted to compete with the saprophytic soil microflora for common nutrients, e.g., N and P, compared to non-mycorrhizal plants.