农田土壤重金属淋洗剂筛选与效应分析

为分析不同淋洗剂在不同淋洗条件下对重金属淋洗效果的影响,采用振荡淋洗法对比研究4种淋洗剂(柠檬酸(CA)、酒石酸(TA)、乙二胺四乙酸二钠盐(EDTA)和氨三乙酸三钠盐(NTA))不同浓度、淋洗时间、pH和固液比对重金属复合污染农田土壤中Pb、Cd、Cu和Zn的淋洗效果及单因素最佳淋洗条件下土壤淋洗前后重金属不同形态含量的变化。结果表明,CA和TA的最佳淋洗浓度为0.3mol/L,EDTA和NTA为0.05mol/L;CA和NTA的最佳淋洗时间为480min,EDTA和TA为720min;4种淋洗剂的最佳淋洗pH均为3,最佳固液比均为1∶20。单因素最佳淋洗条件下,EDTA对土壤重金属去除效果最佳,对Pb、Cd、Zn和Cu的去除率分别为67.4%,61.0%,13.8%和76.0%;NTA效果次之,去除率分别为41.6%,42.4%,9.9%和54.3%。土壤重金属去除率随淋洗剂pH的降低而升高,随固液比的增加而增加,随淋洗剂CA与TA浓度增大而增大。淋洗剂对土壤重金属的解吸动力学曲线符合准二级动力学模型,解吸过程为化学解吸,且解吸反应速率受土壤重金属含量与淋洗剂浓度控制。土壤重金属在淋洗剂作用下的解吸速率为Cd>Pb≈Zn≈Cu。EDTA和NTA淋洗显著降低土壤中Pb、Cd、Zn和Cu铁锰氧化态和有机结合态的含量,CA和TA显著降低Pb、Cd、Zn和Cu铁锰氧化态的含量。淋洗剂对重金属的去除效率为EDTA>NTA>CA>TA。     

重金属高污染农田土壤EDTA淋洗条件初探

通过室内振荡淋洗试验研究了乙二胺四乙酸二钠(EDTA)浓度、淋洗时间、液固比、淋洗次数对甘肃省白银市某高污染农田土壤中重金属去除效果的影响,并测定了EDTA淋洗前后土壤中重金属形态的变化。结果表明：淋洗剂浓度和液固比越高、淋洗时间越长、淋洗次数越多,对重金属的去除效果越好。在EDTA浓度为5 mmol/L、液固比为2.5、连续振荡淋洗3次、每次1 h时,对土壤中Cd、Cu、Pb、Zn 4种重金属的总去除率分别为 55.2%、21.9%、19.3% 和20.9%,其中Cd 淋洗效率最高。EDTA对土壤中交换态、碳酸盐结合态和铁锰氧化物结合态重金属的去除效果明显,但不能有效去除有机及硫化物态和残余态土壤重金属。     

不同淋洗剂对不同性质污染土壤中镉的浸提效率比较

以三种外源添加Cd的低污染土壤(酸性、石灰性和高有机质土壤)为研究对象,对比了两种螯合剂,两种酸性溶液对Cd的浸提效果。结果表明,螯合剂的浸提效率高于酸性溶液,并呈现出EDTAEDDS柠檬酸和HCl的顺序。三种土壤上,在0.05~0.20 mol L-1的浓度范围内,EDTA和EDDS随浓度的升高对Cd的浸提效率差异不显著,表明螯合剂在过量的情况下并不能显著提高Cd的浸提效率;而柠檬酸和HCl对Cd的浸提效率随浓度的升高而增加,尤其在石灰性土壤上,浓度的升高极显著地提高了浸提效率。外源添加Cd污染土壤上Cd浸提效率极显著高于田间无污染土壤。研究结果显示EDTA用于Fe、Ca含量均较低的土壤效果更好,EDDS宜用于有机质和黏粒含量均较低的土壤,而柠檬酸和HCl宜用于酸性土壤。     

白银市污灌区土壤-小麦系统镉赋存特征及其健康风险评价

为探明白银市有色冶炼污灌区土壤镉(Cd)形态、空间分布特征及小麦中Cd含量对人体健康的影响,采用连续分级提取法和地理信息系统(ArcGIS)空间插值方法,研究污灌区表层土壤和不同污染程度典型土壤剖面Cd赋存形态及其空间分布差异,阐明污灌区Cd在不同生育期春小麦不同器官中分布和富集特征,并利用健康风险模型计算Cd的健康风险水平并进行空间区划。结果表明,表层土壤Cd不同形态平均含量依次为碳酸盐结合态>可交换离子态>铁锰氧化物结合态>残渣态>有机结合态,占全量比例依次为碳酸盐结合态>残渣态>可交换离子态>铁锰氧化物结合态>有机结合态,其空间分布与Cd总量分布相似。Cd的五种形态均与pH呈显著负相关,与土壤有机质(SOM)呈显著正相关。除残渣态外,其他四种Cd形态和阳离子交换量(CEC)呈显著正相关。0~60 cm土壤剖面Cd形态以碳酸盐结合态和铁锰氧化物结合态为主,可交换离子态随污染程度降低而降低,残渣态随污染程度降低而增加。春小麦不同器官的Cd含量随春小麦生长总体表现为根>叶>茎>籽粒。Cd健康风险分布与土壤Cd总量、土壤可交换离子态和碳酸盐结合态Cd的空间分布一致。不同区域居民食用小麦对成人的健康风险指数(HQ)范围在1.2~5.6之间,均大于1,已存在非致癌健康风险。本研究结果为白银市土壤重金属Cd污染综合防控提供了科学依据。     

生物质炭对土壤-水稻系统中Cd迁移累积的影响

探究生物质炭添加对Cd污染土壤中Cd形态、植株对Cd的吸收分配及土壤肥力的影响,为污染稻田粮食安全提供科学依据。在湖南省长沙市Cd污染稻田进行田间定位试验,设置5个生物质炭添加量处理(0,10,20,30,40t/hm^2),分析生物质炭对Cd在土壤中形态转化和水稻器官中分配的影响。结果表明:生物质炭通过将土壤中酸溶态Cd钝化为可还原态Cd以减少在水稻器官中的累积,钝化量随着生物质炭增加而增加,土壤酸溶态Cd较CK降低3.83%～19.08%;且茎对根和糙米对茎的转运系数随生物质炭的添加分别降低4.23%～9.30%和1.39%～8.33%;土壤酸溶态Cd含量直接影响糙米中Cd含量,且受土壤pH和土壤有机碳的调控。Cd污染稻田添加生物质炭可以提高土壤肥力,降低土壤Cd生物有效性,20t/hm^2生物质炭添加量可以作为研究区周边Cd污染稻田修复的参考标准。     

钙质钝化材料对四川盆地6种主要旱作土壤Cd的钝化效应

为针对性、定量化地利用钝化处理实现不同类型Cd污染土壤的安全利用,以四川盆地6种主要旱作土壤为研究对象,采用室内培养试验和土培试验探讨了6个剂量水平下,钙质钝化材料对土壤pH、CEC、有效Cd含量、Cd形态、小白菜生物量和Cd含量的影响。结果表明:(1)钙质钝化材料可提升6种土壤的pH和CEC,土壤CEC随用量的增加而持续增加,而土壤pH在提升至微碱性水平后,不再随用量的增加而增加;(2)6种土壤有效Cd含量随钝化材料用量的增加先显著降低,后趋于平稳,用量＞2.5%后均无显著变化。该添加量下,有效Cd含量降幅为典型黄壤(63.32%)＞酸性紫色土(46.65%)＞漂洗黄壤(38.51%)＞中性紫色土(34.97%)＞石灰性紫色土(18.03%)＞灰潮土(16.60%);土壤中可交换态Cd主要向碳酸盐结合态、铁锰氧化物结合态和残渣态形态转化;(3)除石灰性紫色土外,钙质钝化材料可显著提升其余5种污染土壤中小白菜的生物量并显著降低其可食部位Cd含量。用量为2.5%时,典型黄壤、漂洗黄壤和酸性紫色土中小白菜Cd含量降幅高达84.28%,79.90%,69.87%,显著优于中性紫色土、灰潮土和石灰性紫色土(5%用量时降幅仅为40.27%,31.13%,17.98%)。该研究揭示钙质钝化材料对6种Cd污染旱作土壤的剂量-效应差异,并在典型黄壤、漂洗黄壤和酸性紫色土中钝化效率较优,为不同土壤条件下钙质钝化材料的合理使用提供科学依据。     

长期秸秆还田对德阳地区稻田土壤镉赋存形态的影响

明确长期秸秆还田对稻田土壤Cd污染阻控或促进效应,有利于制定针对性的农田Cd污染治理措施,对保障粮食安全生产具有重要意义。以四川省德阳市旌阳区Cd污染稻田为研究对象,通过田间实地调查与采样分析,探讨了秸秆还田不同年限(0 a、1 a、4 a、8 a)对农田土壤Cd赋存形态及其生物有效性的影响。结果表明,研究区稻田土壤Cd形态含量分布为:残渣态铁锰氧化物结合态有机结合态碳酸盐结合态可交换态;秸秆还田(4 a以上)显著增加了土壤有机质含量,进而促进了稻田耕作层(0~20 cm)土壤有机结合态Cd含量水平显著上升(以秸秆还田4 a,其含量增加了45%为最高),对土壤可交换态Cd含量略有增加效应;土壤p H则随秸秆还田年限的延长呈先升高后缓慢下降趋势,主要影响土壤碳酸盐结合态Cd含量水平的变化。从土壤Cd形态的生物利用性角度评价,随秸秆还田年限延长(1~4 a),能减轻稻田耕作层(0~20 cm)土壤有效态Cd的分配,促进其向潜在态Cd转移;而对犁底层(20~40 cm)土壤Cd形态的生物有效利用性的影响未达显著水平。总体来看,秸秆还田(1~4 a)提高了土壤有机质含量,显著增加了耕作层(0~20 cm)土壤有机结合态Cd含量水平,促进了耕作层(0~20 cm)稻田土壤Cd由有效态向潜在态转化,降低稻田土壤Cd污染状况;持续长期的秸秆还田(连续秸秆还田8 a以上),则可能因土壤p H下降而促进土壤Cd由潜在态向有效态转化,增加稻田土壤Cd的生物吸收累积效率。     

重金属胁迫条件下空心莲子草的生长和营养特征分析

空心莲子草是一种常见的水生植物,并能在重金属污染的水体或附近土壤中生长。本研究发现,空心莲子草能富集6种常见的重金属元素,其富集能力为：Zn2＋〉Mn2＋〉Pb2＋〉Cu2＋〉Cd2＋〉Cr3＋。高浓度（1mmol/L）Cu2＋、Mn2＋、Zn2＋和Cr3＋等重金属胁迫处理条件下,空心莲子草的根冠比增加,生物干重、总根长和总根表面积都相应降低。此外,高浓度（1mmol/L）Pb2＋、Cd2＋、Cu2＋或Zn2＋分别胁迫处理条件下,空心莲子草的K＋、Ca＋和Mg＋等元素的含量变化差异显著（P〈0.05）。以上研究表明,空心莲子草通过改变体内钾钙镁等重要生长元素营养情况来适应重金属污染的胁迫,有很强的富集重金属元素的能力,进而降低污染、净化水体。空心莲子草对重金属污染的生长响应及体内重要矿物元素营养特性之间的相互关系,可能为重金属污染的水土生物修复提供理论依据。     

凹凸棒石-稻秸复合材料的制备及其对污染土壤中镉钝化效果的研究

为提高凹凸棒石(ATP)在土壤重金属修复中的性能，以ATP和水稻秸秆(稻秸)为原料，通过厌氧发酵法制备了ATP占稻秸质量分别为25%(F-25)、50%(F-50)、75%(F-75)、100%(F-100)和125%(F-125)的ATP-稻秸复合材料，研究了复合材料对污染土壤镉(Cd)的钝化效果。通过扫描电镜(SEM)和傅立叶红外光谱(FTIR)对复合材料进行了表征，探讨了复合材料对土壤Cd的钝化机制。结果表明，复合材料减少了土壤可交换态、碳酸盐结合态及铁锰氧化物结合态Cd的含量，而增加了残渣态Cd的含量，其中，F-25分别使土壤可交换态、碳酸盐结合态及铁锰氧化物结合态的Cd含量减少了14.11%、5.95% 和10.66%，而残渣态增加了29.15%。3% 添加量的复合材料F-25或5% 添加量的复合材料F-50对土壤Cd的钝化效果较好，钝化率分别为59.88% 和62.50%。复合材料对土壤Cd的钝化率随着钝化时间的延长急剧增加，但15 d后，钝化率增加缓慢。综合考虑复合材料配比、修复材料添加量及钝化时间对土壤Cd钝化效果的影响并兼顾成本，在污染土壤Cd修复时，应优先考虑复合材料F-25并推荐3% 的添加量。     

BCR法在污染农田黑土重金属形态分布研究中的应用

通过对东北地区污染农田黑土剖面的取样调查分析，对重金属Cd、Ph、Cu、Zn在农田黑土中的污染状况及其迁移特征进行了对比研究，并就BCR（the Community Bureau of Reference）连续提取法在农田土壤重金属污染评估中的应用进行了探讨。结果表明，重金属的迁移率大小依次为：Cd〉Cu〉Pb〉Zn，Cd的酸可溶态占全量的比率高于其它重金属。Pb的酸可提取态浓度随土壤深度增加而增大，公路附近土壤中PL、Cu及城市郊区土壤中Cd、Pb和Zn的氧化物结合态含量均随土壤深度的增加而升高，已存在向下迁移的趋势。4种重金属有机结合态在采样区土壤中基本都表现为耕层高于非耕层。研究表明，应用BCR连续提取法有助于确定土壤重金属污染以及重金属向下迁移状况，借助该法可以有效、可靠地对土壤重金属污染进行评估。     

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.