Soil feedback effects to the foredune grass Ammophila arenaria by endoparasitic root-feeding nematodes and whole soil communities

In coastal foredunes, the grass Ammophila arenaria develops a soil community that contributes to die-back and replacement by later successional plant species. Root-feeding nematodes and pathogenic soil microorganisms are involved in this negative feedback. Regular burial by wind-blown beach sand results in vigorous growth of A. arenaria, probably because of enabling a temporary escape from negative soil feedback. Here, we examine the role of root-feeding nematodes as compared to the whole soil community in causing negative feedback to A. arenaria. We performed a 3-year sand burial experiment in the field and every year we determined the feedback of different soil communities to plant growth in growth chamber bioassays.In the field, we established A. arenaria in tubes with beach sand, added three endoparasitic root-feeding nematode species (Meloidogyne maritima, Heterodera arenaria and Pratylenchus penetrans) or root zone soil to the plants, and created series of ceased and continued sand burial. During three subsequent years, plant biomass was measured and numbers of nematodes were counted. Every year, bioassays were performed with the field soils and biomass of seed-grown A. arenaria plants was measured to determine the strength of feedback of the established soil communities to the plant.In the field, addition of root zone soil had a negative effect on biomass of buried plants. In the bioassays, addition of root zone soil also reduced the biomass of newly planted seedlings, however, only in the case when the field plants had not been buried with beach sand. Addition of the three endoparasitic root-feeding nematodes did not influence plant biomass in the field and in the bioassays. Our results strongly suggest that the negative feedback to A. arenaria is not due to the combination of the three endoparasitic nematodes, but to other components in the soil community, or their interactions with the nematodes.     

Multiple species-specific controls of root-feeding nematodes in natural soils

One of the major limitations to enhance sustainability of crop production systems is the inability to control root-feeding nematodes without using chemical biocides. In soils under wild vegetation, however, root-feeding nematodes affect plant performance and plant community composition varying from substantially to insignificantly. Previous studies in natural ecosystems have already shown that mutualistic symbionts, such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and endophytes, may influence plant exposure to root-feeding nematodes. In order to learn more from natural systems, we examined nematode control in the root zone of a wild coastal foredune grass by microorganisms, other nematodes and microarthropods. We cultured all eight root-feeding nematode species that occur in the root zone of marram grass (Ammophila arenaria) in coastal foredunes of the Netherlands. Then, in an indoor growth experiment we exposed each nematode species to the potential natural antagonists collected from the same dune soil. Most of the eight dominant root-feeding nematode species could be controlled to some extent by more than one group of soil organisms added. The effectiveness of control varied among nematode species, which seemed to be controlled in a species-specific way. We conclude that in a natural soil the effectiveness of control by microorganisms, other nematodes or microarthropods varies among root-feeding nematode species. Most are controlled, at least to some extent, by soil microbes. However, some root-feeding nematode species are controlled only by microarthropods. Our results strongly suggest that sustainable agriculture will benefit from using a range of biological control mechanisms when controlling root-feeding nematodes, rather than relying on single control agents. Our suggestion also implies that conserving soil biodiversity is crucial in order to enhance the reliability of biological crop protection against soil-borne pests and diseases.     

宁东矿区天然植物群落特征及其与土壤理化性质的关系

[目的] 研究宁东矿区天然植物群落特征与土壤理化性质的关系,为宁东矿区植被重建过程中植物种的选择提供科学依据。[方法] 以宁东矿区6种典型的天然植物群落和土壤为研究对象,采用野外调查结合室内试验的方法,对比分析不同群落的植物群落特征及其与土壤理化性质的关系。[结果] 宁东矿区6种天然植物群落共调查到植物55种,隶属于15科48属,集中分布于菊科、豆科、藜科和禾本科4科。细枝岩黄耆（Hedysarum scoparium）+柠条锦鸡儿（Caragana korshinskii）—白莲蒿（Artemisia sacrorum）群落灌木层植被盖度和高度在6个群落中均最高,其数值分别为48%和202.54 cm,灌木物种柠条锦鸡儿在其中5个群落中均有分布且生长良好。灌木层Patrick丰富度指数与土壤碱解氮、砾石含量、速效钾和有机质呈正相关,与pH值呈负相关;草本层植物种Patrick丰富度指数与土壤有机质、田间持水量和速效磷呈正相关关系。[结论] 宁东矿区煤矸石山植被重建时,对于覆土土质为壤质砂土或砂质壤土,优先选择柠条锦鸡儿、细枝岩黄耆、黑沙蒿（Artemisia ordosica）和沙拐枣（Calligonum mongolicum）等灌木树种;覆土土质为少砾质砂土时选沙冬青（Ammopiptanthus mongolicus）和柠条锦鸡儿;覆土土质为多砾质砂土时可选藏锦鸡儿（Caragana tibetica）、裸果木（Gymnocarpos przewalskii）和胡枝子（Lespedeza bicolor）等灌木物种。土壤容重对灌木物种多样性贡献率较大,土壤田间持水量和有机质对草本植物多样性贡献率较大。     

Successional trends in the characteristics of soil nematode communities in cropped and fallow lands in Senegal (Sonkorong)

Soil nematode communities in the 0–15 cm soil layer are used as indicators for describing the processes of fallow succession in the semi-arid zone of West Africa (Senegal). Abundance of plant feeding nematodes, non-plant feeding nematodes, plant parasite index (PPI), species richness and Shannon evenness of plant parasitic nematodes were measured at five stages of succession: fields, early (1–3 years), intermediate (8–10 years), old (18–20 years) fallows, and forest stage. These nematological indexes were analyzed simultaneously by multivariate analysis to show the indicative properties of nematode communities. Overall, changes in abundance of nematode groups, PPI and diversity, show continuous trends from early fallow to mature stages of the succession; these trends parallel theoretical trends in secondary succession. In addition, soil nematode parameters were meaningful and expressed interactions of various uncontrolled factors with successional processes, such as environmental conditions or cropping history. During the 3 years of the survey, the structure of nematode communities, described by index analysis, showed little temporal change and supported the use of nematodes as stable indicators.     

黄土丘陵区典型草地演替中植物群落特征与土壤储水量关系

[目的]阐明草地植被演替过程中植被生产力、植物多样性等生态学特征与土壤储水量的关系,为探明黄土高原地区植被恢复的生态环境效应提供一定的科学依据。[方法]采用时空互代的方法对宁夏回族自治区固原市云雾山保护区自然恢复3,8,13,46,66,89a的样地进行取样,分析0—100cm土层土壤储水量的分布及其与地上地下植物生物量、物种多样性的关系。[结果]随着草地演替的进行,植被群落盖度、生物量和物种多样性指数在恢复13a之前显著增加,之后渐趋稳定;土壤含水量逐渐增加,容重逐渐降低。植被群落演替对0—40cm土层土壤储水量没有显著影响,但演替后期对40cm以下土层水分有明显消耗。植被群落生物量及物种多样性指标与表层0—10cm水分呈显著正相关。[结论]草地演替过程中,植被群落生物量和物种多样性的增加与表层土壤储水能力的提升密切相关,但深层根系生物量的增加对下层土壤储水的消耗也逐渐增大。     

Nematodes associated with saffron II: Bioindication for soil health assessment and impact of agricultural practices

BackgroundSaffron cultivation is vital in the Taliouine-Taznakht regions, but the influence of agricultural practices on soil nematode communities, critical for soil health and plant productivity, is not well understood.This study characterizes nematode communities in saffron fields of the Taliouine-Taznakht regions, assessing the impact of various agricultural practices on these communities, with a focus on their diversity, functional roles, and potential as bio-indicators of soil health.A total of 163 soil samples were collected from saffron fields in Taliouine-Taznakht. Nematode communities were identified, quantified, and their functional diversity analyzed. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to visualize relationships between nematode communities and sampling sites. Co-inertia analysis assessed the impact of agricultural practices on nematode diversity.The nematode communities were diverse and varied across regions. PCA identified unique nematode community compositions in different saffron fields. Omnivorous nematodes were strongly linked with Taouyalte (TA), and herbivorous ones were prevalent at Agadir Melloul (AM) and Sidi Hssaine (SH). Modern crop types, high-frequency irrigation, and alfalfa-barley rotation were positively correlated with predator nematode abundance, potentially controlling plant parasitic nematodes and encouraging nutrient cycling. Conversely, monocropping, traditional irrigation, and long plantation age correlated with reduced structure and maturity indices, suggesting a less stable ecosystem.This study unveils the intricate relationships between nematode communities in Taliouine-Taznakht saffron fields and agricultural practices. Findings indicate that specific practices, such as crop rotation and modern irrigation techniques, can foster beneficial nematode groups that improve soil health and potentially regulate harmful plant parasitic nematodes. This knowledge is crucial for crafting sustainable and effective saffron cultivation strategies.     

Microcosm experiments on the development of different plant parasitic nematode fauna in two soils from the Soudanese-Sahelian zone of West Africa

To test the hypothesis that the structure of plant parasitic nematode communities is affected by soil characteristics, experiments were conducted in a greenhouse with two soils with different physical and chemical characteristics and land management histories (fallow and a cultivated field) from adjacent plots. The cultivated soil was more sandy and had lower organic matter and nutrient contents than the fallow soil. Four nematode assemblages of Scutellonema cavenessi, Helicotylenchus dihystera and Tylenchorhynchus gladiolatus were inoculated in the soils. The pot experiment was conducted on millet during 2 months. Multiplication rates of H. dihystera were not significantly different in the two soils. T. gladiolatus had a lower multiplication rate in the fine-textured soil. S. cavenessi seemed to reproduce better in the coarse-textured soil when inoculated in low density with H. dihystera. The presence of plant parasitic nematodes in the cultivated soil caused a significant decrease of millet biomass, whereas plants in the fallow soil were less sensitive to nematode damage and were only affected when the soil was inoculated with T. gladiolatus alone. This experiment did not explain the distribution of plant parasitic species observed in the field. However, parameters other than the presence of a favourable host plant and micro-climatic conditions were found to induce differences in the reproductive rates of several species of plant parasitic nematodes. Received: 14 January 1996     

Effects of the earthworm Pontoscolex corethrurus on banana plants infected or not with the plant-parasitic nematode Radopholus similis

Radopholus similis is a worldwide endoparasitic nematode that greatly hampers banana (Musa acuminata, Cavendish subgroup) productivity. Earthworms are known to closely interact with above-ground and under-ground soil biota and particularly with plants and microfaunal communities. This study was aimed at investigating, under greenhouse conditions, the effects of the earthworm Pontoscolex corethrurus on banana growth and nutrient uptake, and assessing the influences of this earthworm on the development of an inoculated population of R. similis. Six-week-old tissue culture banana plants were submitted to four treatments: with P. corethrurus, R. similis, P. corethrurus+R. similis, and a control with no earthworms or nematodes. At the end of the experiment, the P. corethrurus treatments showed significantly higher leaf surface areas, shoot dry root weights, and root fresh weights than those without earthworms. This root growth enhancement probably contributed to the evident but non-significant decrease in the density of nematodes in the roots, even though earthworms did not reduce the total number of nematodes per whole root system. Moreover, the presence of earthworms slightly alleviated the severity of root damage. N bioavailability in the soil, along with N, Ca, and Mg content of banana plants, were also significantly increased in the presence of earthworms. Our results demonstrated that banana plant growth and nutrition were positively influenced by earthworms. Cropping practices that boost the development of earthworm communities in soil should therefore be promoted to enhance sustainability and to naturally alleviate nematode impact.     

A review on the role of predatory soil nematodes in the biological control of plant parasitic nematodes

Predatory nematodes feed on soil microorganisms including plant parasitic nematodes. They reduce populations of plant parasitic nematodes in virtually all soils because of their constant association with plant parasitic nematodes in the rhizosphere, and also release nutrients in plant-available forms, which may enable plants to better withstand nematode burden on their roots. Predation by nematodes of the orders Mononchida, Diplogasterida, Dorylaimida and Aphelenchida, has been studied but the data available in field/natural conditions are insufficient to conclude whether they are effective biocontrol agents of plant parasitic nematodes. However, among the different types of predators, diplogasterids are the most suited for biocontrol of nematodes, because of their short life cycles, easy culture, prey-specificity, chemotaxis sense and resistance to adverse conditions. This article summarizes progress to date and suggests ways to encourage the use of predatory nematodes as biocontrol agents in the management of plant parasitic nematodes.     

Nematode communities in the artificially vegetated belt with or without irrigation in the Tengger Desert,China

Shifting sand dunes threatened the Baotou-Lanzhou railway being kept on operation smoothly seriously crossing Shapotou on the southeastern edge of the Tengger Desert (China). Artificial vegetation input was employed in Shapotou and a vegetated belt was established for stabilizing the shifting sand dunes. Nematode communities from bare soil between vegetation (ST, STI) and soil under the vegetation (ST-V, STI-V) in the vegetation belt, were investigated. All sites received natural rainfall, of which STI and STI-V received irrigation supplements. Total 43 genera were found in four types of soil samples, and Acrobeles, Acrobeloides, Chiloplacus, Panagrolaimus, Aphelenchoides and Ditylenchus were dominant genera in our study. Nematode abundance per 100 g fresh soil (47–552), the number of taxa identified (8–20), species richness (1.51–3.41), the proportion of plant feeders (0.3%–4.2%) and abundance of all cp groups responded to vegetation. The proportion of omnivores (0.5%–7%), the number of taxa identified, Shannon index (1.26–2.12), species richness, genus dominance (0.18–0.40) and abundance of cp3–5 responded to irrigation supplements. The application of PCA helped to reveal that almost all nematode taxa exhibited a positive loading on the horizontal axis, it implied that nematode abundance was generally higher on sites with planted input. Besides, it showed a vegetation gradient from bare soil between vegetation to soil under vegetation along the first axis, while an irrigation gradient along the second axis. Similarly, classification analysis based on all cased involved indicated that two-main group of nematodes was distinguished by their habitats under vegetation from bare soil. Those results suggested that vegetation input might play a more important role on nematode community composition than irrigation supplements for stabilization of shifting sand dunes. Therefore, nematode community composition could be as an indicator of stabilization of sand dune approaches of plant input with only natural rainfall versus with natural rainfall in combination with irrigation supplements in our system. However, the apparent anhydrobiotic state of the nematode fauna required special consideration in desert system, thus the utilization of the nematodes as an indicator of stabilization of sand dune regimes should be further explored on anhydrobiotic nematodes.     

Adaptation, tolerance, and evolution of plant species in a pyrite mine in response to contamination level and properties of mine tailings: sustainable rehabilitation

Purpose

The impacts of mining contaminations and physico-chemical properties and geochemistry of mine tailings on the density, richness, biodiversity, evolution and succession of plant species and vegetation recovery in the mining area is very poorly reported in the literature. Therefore, the present study conducted an investigation on vegetation development and succession of plant communities at the abandoned São Domingos pyrite mining area.

Materials and methods

We conducted the field survey to estimate the vegetation development and succession of plant communities, collect vegetation (plant species, lichen and moss) and tailing (and soil) samples, and finally analyzed the physico-chemical and geochemical properties and metal levels in mine tailings, soil and vegetation samples.

Results and discussion

The results showed that the communities of low height and biomass like grass, legume, shrub, moss and lichen were dominating on the mine tailings and waste dumps at the inner sites and center of the mine, and the vegetation coverage was explicitly very poor. The reddish brown colluvia had poor soil quality, but high acidity and metal concentrations. However, at the outer edge of the mine the loamy soil and relatively lower acidity and metal contamination favored the higher vegetation cover and a gradual increase in the number of species and plant succession, where the taller, higher biomass and broad leaf trees were abundantly grown forming a dense forest and canopy. The succession of several plant communities dominating in the mining area, vegetation coverage and species richness were strongly related to the different levels of contamination, soil properties and adverse factors of mine tailings.

Conclusions

Although the high concentrations of toxic trace elements and low pH soil are important factors for limiting the plant growth, however, proper soil development with enriched nutrients and properties on mining wastes, by either natural or external soil aided process, can help to promote the high vegetation growth, mine rehabilitation and ecological restoration of the mining degraded lands.     

Pasture and forest soil microbial communities show distinct patterns in their catabolic respiration responses at a landscape scale

Catabolic responses to specific substrates can be used to differentiate soil microbial communities. We hypothesized that the catabolic respiration responses of microbial communities from pastures would differ from those of forest soils, and that the differences would be consistent at a landscape scale, due to inherent differences in litter quality and management regimes. We analysed respiration responses to 25 different substrates of 20 pasture soils (dominated by rye grass and white clover) and 20 forest soils (indigenous forest species or the plantation species Pinus radiata) over a wide geographical range in New Zealand.Within each pasture or forest category, the catabolic responses showed a similar pattern, suggesting similarities in functional catabolic capability and microbial community Indigenous forests and pine forests microbial communities did not differ in their responses. Pasture soil communities had significantly higher relative responses to carbohydrate and amino-acid substrates and significantly lower relative response to carboxylic acid substrates, than microbial communities from forest soils. Forest soils had relatively greater responses to carboxylic acids as a group, as well as citric acid, α-ketobutyric acid, α-ketoglutaric acid, and α-ketovaleric acid, than did the pasture soils. A subset of 6 substrates was equally as effective at differentiating the microbial catabolic response of pasture soils from forest soils as the entire set of 25 substrates. The results demonstrated distinct differences in the respiration responses of the soil microbial communities of pastures and forests, but showed strong similarities within each vegetation class, despite the wide geographical spread, different soils and plant species.     

AM真菌群落改善保护地退化土壤质量和黄瓜生长的效应

A pot experiment was performed to determine the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi(AMF) communities on soil properties and the growth of cucumber seedlings in a degraded soil that had been used for continuous cucumber monoculture in a greenhouse for 15 years.In the experiment,AMF communities(created by combining various AMF species that were found to be dominant in natural farm soil) were inoculated into the degraded soil,and then the soil was planted with cucumber.Inoculation with AMF communities did not affect soil pH but increased soil aggregate stability and decreased the concentrations of salt ions and electrical conductivity(EC) in the soil.Inoculation with AMF communities increased the numbers of culturable bacteria and actinomycetes but reduced the number of fungi.AMF communities increased plant growth,soluble sugar content,chlorophyll content,and root activity compared to non-mycorrhizal or a single AMF species treatments.Improvements of soil quality and plant growth were greatest with the following two communities:Glomus etunicatum + G.mosseae + Gigaspora margarita + Acaulospora lacunosa and G.aggregatum + G.etunicatum + G.mosseae + G.versiforme + G.margarita + A.lacunosa.The results suggested that certain AMF communities could substantially improve the quality of degraded soil.     

Diversity and distribution of nematode communities in grasslands from Romania in relation to vegetation and soil characteristics

The nematode communities of 36 grassland ecosystems in Romania, belonging to different plant associations and soil types, were studied. The abundance of nematodes, the species and trophic types present, as well as their distribution in relation to plant community and soil characteristics are analyzed and discussed.The abundance of nematodes from the 36 grasslands studied ranged between 0.41 × 10⁶ and 8.57 × 10⁶ individuals/m², and a total of 121 genera and 145 species of nematodes were found. The highest diversity was found in grasslands developed on brown earth soil (65–67 genera and 74–76 species), with least diversity in those evolving on podzol and lithosol (33–36 genera with 25–28 identified species). Most of the dominant taxa were found in specific soil layers; some obligate plant parasitic genera (e.g., Paratylenchus, Rotylenchus, Criconema) showed preference for deeper soil layers. The nematode diversity index (H′), with values ranging between 2.38 and 3.47, did not differ significantly between the different types of grasslands. Plant feeding, bacterial feeding, hyphal feeding and omnivorous nematodes were the main groups in mountainous grasslands developed on different soil types. Plant feeding and bacterial feeding nematodes dominated the trophic structure and more plant feeders (62–69%) were found in communities of subalpine and alpine grasslands developed on podzol and alpine meadow soil, than in those developed on rendzina and lithosol (27–33%). The ratio of hyphal feeding to bacterial feeding nematodes (Hf/Bf) is constantly in favour of the bacterial feeding group, the values being an indicator of good soil fertility for most studied grasslands. The nematode communities of grasslands are grouped into six main clusters according to their genera affinity and distinguished by different grassland and soil types. Communities from subalpine grasslands developed on rendzina, acid brown and lithosol have the greatest similarities. An ordination of nematode communities in relation to important environmental variables is presented. Environmental variables relevant in explaining the patterns of nematode composition in grasslands, using canonical correspondence analysis (CCA), are: humus, pH, total nitrogen, exchangeable bases and soil type. No single factor could be selected.     

Local variation in belowground multitrophic interactions

A growing number of studies point at the involvement of root herbivores in influencing plant performance, community composition and succession. However, little is known about the factors that control root herbivore abundance and the role of local variation in the effectiveness of these factors. Here, we performed a full factorial experiment with plants, root-feeding nematodes and rhizosphere microbial communities from two dune sites, to test the hypothesis that the outcome of belowground multitrophic interactions depends on local differences between the interacting organisms. The organisms included the marram grass Ammophila arenaria, the cyst nematode Heterodera arenaria, microbial plant pathogens and natural enemies of the nematodes from two coastal foredune systems, one in The Netherlands and one in Wales. The two plant populations differed at the molecular and phenotypic level, and the microbial communities from the two dune sites differed in the composition of the dominant soil fungi but not of the dominant bacteria. Plants were negatively affected by the rhizosphere microorganisms from one of the sites. Nevertheless, nematode performance was not affected by the origin of both the host plants and the microbial communities. The reproductive output of the cyst nematode depended on the presence of microorganisms, as well as on inter-population variability in the response of the nematode to these natural enemies. In the absence of microorganisms, the two nematode populations differed in the number and size of the produced cysts, although maternal effects cannot be excluded. Inter-population differences in the host plant were a secondary factor in the nematode-microorganisms interactions, and did not influence bottom-up control of the cyst nematodes. Our results did not reveal strong signals of coevolution in belowground multitrophic interactions of plants, cyst nematodes and soil microbial communities. We conclude that the interactions between the studied organisms do not necessarily depend on their local vs. non-local origin. Nevertheless, we were able to show that local variation in soil organism community composition can be an important factor in determining the outcome of interactions in belowground multitrophic systems.     

黄土丘陵沟壑区退耕还林工程对植被恢复影响的研究--以陕西吴旗县为例

在对吴旗县乔木林、灌木林和草原群落野外调查的基础上，对其植被恢复及植被恢复与水土流失的关系进行了定量分析，结果表明，在吴旗县这样的自然地理条件下，通过退耕还林、封山禁牧，植被完全可以得到恢复，完全可以控制水土流失的发生。在自然恢复初期，植物群落将以草原地带性植被为主，并可以恢复到稳定阶段。三种植被群落在植物多样性方面差异并不大，草原群落的物种多样性和群落均匀度要略小于乔木林和灌木林群落。     

Influence of phytoparasitic nematodes on symbiotic N2 fixation in tropical herbaceous legume cover crops

 Populations of plant parasitic nematodes and their effects on symbiotic nitrogen (N) fixation in herbaceous legumes and on some selected characteristics of other plant species associated with such cover crops were studied. Two legume species [mucuna, Mucuna pruriens (L) DC. var. utilis (Wright) Bruck and lablab, Lablab purpureus L. Sweet], one grass/weed species [imperata, Imperata cylindrica (L.) Rauschel] and a cereal (maize, Zea mays L.) were used. There were three soil treatments (fumigation, fumigation plus inoculation with Meloidogyne species, and an untreated control). Plant parasitic nematode populations in soil, roots and nodules were determined at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after planting. The response of the phytoparasitic nematodes to soil treatments varied according to the plant species present. The predominant nematodes in soils, roots and nodules of legumes were of the genus Meloidogyne, whereas other genera of parasitic nematodes dominated the fauna in soils and roots of maize and imperata. Biomass yield of mucuna was not significantly affected by either Meloidogyne spp. or the other genera of phytoparasitic nematodes. In contrast, the dry matter yield of lablab measured at 12 weeks was reduced by 16% in inoculated compared with fumigated soils. Similarly, the biomass yields of maize and imperata were reduced by 10% and 29%, respectively, in unfumigated rather than fumigated soils. The amounts of N accumulated in mucuna, maize and imperata were not significantly affected by the two groups of plant parasitic nematodes. However, at 12 weeks, lablab grown on inoculated soils accumulated only 69% of the N found in plants grown on fumigated soils. Inoculation of soil with Meloidogyne spp. significantly increased the number of nodules on lablab roots compared with the non-inoculated treatments, whereas nodulation in mucuna was not affected by soil treatment. After 12 weeks, the quantity of N₂ derived from symbiotic fixation in mucuna was not significantly affected by soil treatments whereas the amount of fixed N in lablab was 32% lower in inoculated than in fumigated soils. Possible mechanisms for the non-suppressive effect of plant parasitic nematodes on mucuna are discussed. Received: 12 March 1999     

Influence of bacterial-feeding nematodes (Cephalobidae) on soil microbial communities during maize growth

The effect of several bacterial-feeding nematodes of the Cephalobidae family (Zeldia punctata, Acrobeloides nanus and Cephalobus pseudoparvus) on the microbial community of a Sahelian soil (Senegal) was investigated in microcosm. The consequences of the activity of these nematodes on the growth and nitrogen nutrition of young maize plants (aerial biomass, root biomass and nitrogen content) were also estimated. Laboratory-cultured nematodes were inoculated into soil containing maize seedlings where the natural nematofauna had been previously eliminated by alternately freezing and defrosting (five cycles). The microbial compartment of the soil community was characterised through total microbial biomass (using fumigation-extraction), density of bacteria (using colony forming units counts), microbial activity (using alkaline phosphatase) and genetic structure of soil microbial community (using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis) at sowing and at 12, 26 and 47 days after planting. Final nematode densities in the different treatments (between 4 and 20 Ind g⁻¹ dry soil) demonstrated a high level of reproduction. The different types of nematodes tested induced similar trends in changes in the microbial pool of the soil and in maize seedling growth. Compared to control soils, the presence of nematodes led to an increase (+12%) in plant biomass and reduced concentrations of soil ammonium but had no effect on concentrations of nitrate by the end of the experiment. Sixty-three percent of the inorganic nitrogen initially present in the soil was incorporated into the maize plants with nematodes whereas only 47% was incorporated without nematodes. Nematode activity led to a significant decrease in microbial biomass (−28%) and density of cultivable bacteria (−55%), however, nematodes stimulated bacterial activity (+18%). The effects of Z. punctata were weakest compared to A. nanus and C. pseudoparvus. The presence of nematodes modified the genetic structure of the microbial community essentially by changing the relative abundance of dominant bacterial populations. Among nematode species tested, A. nanus modified the structure of the microbial communities the most compared with control soils without nematodes. Overall, results from this study provide evidence for the ability of microbial feeding nematodes to alter microbial activity, microbial community structure, nitrogen mineralisation and growth of maize seedlings in a Sahelian soil from Senegal, West Africa.     

水土保持对区域植被演替的影响——以黄土高原地区为例

 在综述已有研究的基础上,结合实地调查,初步分析了水土保持对植被演替影响的主要方式,不同水土保持措施(工程措施、人工恢复植被、水土保持生态自我修复)对植被演替所产生的影响。结果表明,水土保持生态自我修复下的植被演替趋向自然演替过程,而人工恢复植被的影响取决于物种选择与营造方式,不当的物种及纯林营造,往往使植物群落结构单一化,植被正常演替中断或逆向发展。反之,则可促进植被正常演替,缩短植被恢复过程。工程措施对植被演替的影响,可能更多地表现其对植物群落空间分布格局方面。但要全面科学地认识和评价水土保持对区域植被演替的影响,仍需系统的调查研究。     

太行山片麻岩区植被恢复过程中物种多样性与土壤水分效益分析

植被恢复是退化生态系统重建的重要途径，植被恢复过程中物种多样性的变化反映了植被的恢复程度，通过群落调查，研究了太行山片麻岩区植被恢复过程中群落物种多样性特征及其与土壤含水量之间的关系，结果表明：物种多样性指数天然灌木群落〉人工乔木群落。乔木和灌木群落各指数大小为封禁20年〉封禁10年〉封禁5年。6种群落其土壤含水量均偏低，随着封禁时间的加长，含水量略为增加，但天然灌木群落平均含水量稍大于人工群落。不同封禁时间群落土壤含水贯与均匀度指数成正相关，多样性指数与含水量先呈正相关，在封禁20年时，呈负相关。采取封禁措施，减少人为干扰、进行合理抚育措施，是太行山片麻岩区植被群落恢复的有效途径。