炭基肥和竹炭对土壤氮素淋失和微生物的影响

为了研究竹炭和炭基缓释肥添加对毛竹林土壤氮素流失和细菌群落结构的影响,采用室内土柱淋溶试验,测定了淋溶水中NH_4⁺—N和NO_3^-—N浓度,分析了细菌群落多样性和组成。结果表明,与对照相比,炭基缓释肥的添加可以使土柱NH_4⁺—N和NO_3^-—N累积淋溶量分别降低12.5%和13.6%。此外,竹炭的添加可以显著降低NH_4⁺—N累积淋溶量(P<0.05),但是对NO_3^-—N的影响不显著。炭基缓释肥的添加可以增加土壤Nitrospira(硝化螺菌属)、Nitrosospria(亚硝化螺菌属)和Nitrobacter(硝化杆菌属)细菌的相对丰度,提高下层淋溶土壤反硝化优势菌群(丰度>0.1%)Burkholderia(伯克霍尔德菌属)、Cupriavidus(贪铜菌属)和Bradyrhizobium(慢生根瘤菌属)的相对丰度。炭基缓释肥添加对土壤NH_4⁺—N和NO_3^-—N的淋溶影响可能与土壤氮素循环微生物密切相关。     

滨海盐渍化土壤中氨氧化微生物丰度和多样性特征

为探究滨海盐土不同盐度梯度下氨氧化微生物的丰度和多样性特征,利用土壤化学和分子生态学手段(定量PCR、T-RFLP)对莱州湾南岸及黄河口4个河口断面(黄河、白浪河、堤河、胶莱河)14个不同盐度(6.4‰～51.1‰)盐渍化土壤样品的氨氧化古菌(AOA)和氨氧化细菌(AOB)的硝化潜势、丰度及多样性进行了分析。结果发现：土壤硝化潜势在高盐度(34.7‰～51.1‰)条件下被显著抑制,主要受土壤盐度、p H和NO₃^–-N水平显著影响;AOA-amoA基因丰度比AOB-amoA高出两个数量级,在中盐度时丰度最高(9.92×10⁶ copies/g土),在高盐度时受到显著抑制(5.28×10⁶ copies/g土,P<0.05);AOB-amoA基因丰度受盐度的影响,低盐度时显著高于中、高盐度条件;然而AOA和AOB的多样性和群落结构受盐度梯度影响不大。相关分析表明,硝化潜势与AOA和AOB丰度均无显著相关性,而与AOA/AOB比值以及AOA的Shannon指数显著负相关。由此可见,滨海盐土中,盐度的...     

土著菌群与蚯蚓肠道菌群共享核心物种协同抵御灭蚁灵胁迫研究

摘 要：灭蚁灵是一类高毒性的有机氯农药，当灭蚁灵通过直接或间接的人为途径进入到土壤生态环境系统后，会对生物体产生显著的毒害作用。土著菌群与蚯蚓肠道菌群都是对外源农药极其敏锐的感知受体，然而，它们对于抵御灭蚁灵毒害作用的微生物响应机制尚不清楚，值得探究。因而，本研究采集实际场地中不同梯度浓度（0~27.7 mg/kg）灭蚁灵污染土壤，设置蚯蚓土培实验，采用高通量测序技术，分析蚯蚓肠道菌群和土著菌群的结构和功能；通过MetagenomeSeq分析、LEfSe（Linear Discriminant Analysis Effect Size）分析和随机森林（Random Forests）分析以及网络分析，识别其核心类群。发现：1）灭蚁灵胁迫下蚯蚓肠道菌群相较之土著菌群的结构、组成受到的扰动更显著（p < 0.05）；2）不同梯度灭蚁灵胁迫下，蚯蚓肠道菌群和土著菌群组合存在稳定的核心物种，主要为气单胞菌属（Aeromonas）、黄杆菌属（Flavobacterium）、盖勒氏菌属（Gallerella）、微枝形杆菌属（Microvirga）、地杆菌属（Pedobacter）、亨氏菌（Ramlibacter）、Zavarzinella；3）这些核心种群在互作网络的平均度中心性、紧密中心性、特征向量中心性分别为136.72、0.44、0.52，均高于非核心种群的对应指标（91.52、0.42、0.33），表明核心种群具有更高的网络连通性，且此类核心种群具有碳氮转化和农药降解能力，说明蚯蚓肠道菌群和土著菌群可以通过共享核心物种与其它微生物联系紧密，具备发挥农药降解代谢的潜在功能，实现协同抵御土壤中灭蚁灵胁迫。本研究结果可为探明土著菌群与蚯蚓肠道菌群共享核心物种在抵御土壤中有机氯农药毒害作用的协同机制，提供新的科学认识。     

接种单细胞微生物对土壤团聚体形成及其稳定性的影响

将根瘤菌(Rhizobium sp.) G-01、肠杆菌(Enterobacter sp.) San8及粘红酵母(Rhodotorula mucilaginosa) R1等3株产胞外多聚物(Extracellular polymeric substances,EPS)的单细胞微生物接种于供试土壤,进行土培试验和盆栽黄瓜试验,研究接种微生物及作物根系对土壤团聚体形成、团聚体组成变化的影响。结果表明,3株单细胞微生物分泌EPS的量分别为2.12 mg (10¹⁰ cells)^-1、0.56 mg (10¹⁰ cells)^-1、172.71 mg (10¹⁰ cells)^-1,其主要组分是多糖、其次是蛋白质,且含有羟基、羧基、羰基等官能团;土培试验后,接种产EPS单细胞微生物处理土壤的大团聚体(>0.25 mm)含量比接种丝状微生物处理提高了71.31%,而盆栽试验后各处理土壤的大团聚体含量(>0.25 mm)比土培试验后土壤显著增加,这可能是由于植...     

三氯异氰尿酸对马铃薯连作障碍土壤微生物群落组成的影响

采用盆栽试验,选择三氯异氰尿酸(TCCA)为土壤消毒剂,研究不同施用量TCCA对马铃薯连作障碍土壤微生物群落组成的影响。TCCA施用量设置分别为：0(CK),30 kg/hm²(S₃₀),60 kg/hm²(S₆₀)和120 kg/hm²(S₁₂₀)。结果表明：与CK处理相比,S₆₀和S₁₂₀处理显著提高土壤p H(P<0.05),分别提高0.15个和0.26个单位;显著增加土壤可溶性有机碳含量(P<0.05),增幅分别为30.4%和83.5%;显著提高土壤铵态氮含量(P<0.05),分别提高3.3倍和9.7倍。同时,S₆₀和S₁₂₀处理显著影响了土壤微生物优势菌属的相对丰度(P<0.05)。与CK处理相比,在门水平上,S₆₀和S₁₂₀处理下土壤变形菌门(Proteobacteria)的增幅达55.3%...     

不同温度条件下生物质炭陈化对华南集约化菜地土壤反硝化过程的影响

【目的】比较不同温度下新鲜生物质炭与陈化生物质炭对华南集约化菜地土壤N₂O排放的影响,以深化对生物质炭减排机理的认识。【方法】本研究采用乙炔抑制法进行室内培养试验,共设置3个温度梯度(10℃、20℃和30℃)和3个生物质炭处理：无生物质炭(CK)、新鲜生物质炭(FB)以及田间陈化生物质炭(FAB),共9个处理。同时,各处理分别设置不加乙炔和添加10%体积含量乙炔的平行处理,以测定N₂O排放量并作差计算N₂排放量。对不含乙炔处理则测定土壤pH、电导率(EC)、可溶性有机碳(DOC)、 NO₃^-、 NH-4⁺、 NO₂^-含量,以及土壤中反硝化功能基因nirS、nirK、nosZ和nosZⅡ的丰度。【结果】温度升高显著增加了菜地土壤N₂O和N₂的排放量,显著提高了土壤pH和土壤NH₄⁺含量,并明显降低了DOC和NO₃     

基于稳定性同位素核酸探针技术的同化利用玉米秸秆碳微生物群落演替研究

【目的】研究秸秆分解过程中同化利用秸秆碳源的微生物生态演替过程,明确参与秸秆分解的主要微生物类群,为秸秆高效利用提供科学依据。【方法】采用¹³C标记高丰度玉米秸秆。微宇宙室内培养试验的供试土壤为华北平原石灰性潮土。共设置3个处理：不添加秸秆(soil)、添加自然丰度秸秆(soil+¹²C-straw)和添加¹³C标记秸秆(soil+¹³C-straw)。培养30天时,结合同位素示踪与高通量测序等技术,测定秸秆添加对土壤有机碳的激发效应,分析利用秸秆碳源的细菌、真菌群落结构及其与土壤胞外酶活性的关系。【结果】1)秸秆添加显著提高了土壤CO₂排放,添加秸秆对土壤有机碳的激发效应在培养第1天达到峰值,土壤和秸秆CO₂排放比例均在培养第3天达到峰值。2)整个培养时期共发现参与秸秆碳同化利用的细菌微生物操作分类单元(operational taxonomic units,OTUs) 238个,真菌OTUs 24个。细菌OTUs主要属于细菌变形菌门(Proteobac...     

麦秸与毛叶苕子共同调控青海高原土壤温室气体排放的作用机制

  【目的】  研究青海高原麦秸和豆科绿肥混合添加下土壤温室气体排放规律及其碳氮转化机制,为该地区农田系统秸秆和绿肥科学利用提供依据。  【方法】  采用室内模拟试验,设无添加对照(CK)、单独添加毛叶苕子(VS)、单独添加麦秸(WS)、麦秸与毛叶苕子混合添加(VWS),共4个处理。测定了温室气体排放速率、土壤活性碳氮组分、土壤酶活性、细菌、古菌、真菌、amoA、nirK和narG基因丰度。  【结果】  VWS处理与VS处理相比,CO₂和N₂O的累积排放量分别减少24.8%和74.6%,CH₄累积吸收量增加9.1%,综合增温潜势(global warming potential, GWP)显著降低76.1% (P<0.05);与WS处理相比,CO₂累积排放量增加33.7%,CH₄累积吸收量与N₂O累积排放量分别降低12.0%和43.1%,GWP降低49.4%。有机物料添加可调节土壤pH,增加土壤碳氮含量。VWS处理的土壤pH显著高于CK和VS处理;土壤水溶性有机碳(DOC)和微生物量碳(SMBC)含量较VS处理分别增加了21.6%和4.9%,无机氮(Nmin)、土壤水溶性有机氮(DON)和微生物量氮(SMBN)含量分别降低了77.3%、59.5%和6.3%;土壤Nmin、DOC、DON、SMBC和SMBN含量较WS处理分别增加64.0%、22.5%、56.5%、23.2%和27.8%。VWS处理较其他处理,α-葡萄糖苷酶(AG)和β-葡萄糖苷酶(BG)活性显著提高,亚硝酸还原酶(NIR)活性显著降低。VWS处理的真菌和古菌群落丰度较WS处理分别提高83.8%和69.8%,较VS处理分别降低62.6%和20.3%;VWS处理细菌群落丰度较VS处理降低33.4%。VWS处理下,AOB amoA、nirK和narG基因丰度较VS处理分别降低56.6%、41.4%和16.3%,较WS处理分别降低30.3%、25.9%和12.0%。相关分析结果表明,CO₂和CH₄排放与土壤有机碳、全氮、DOC、SMBC和SMBN含量,AG、NAG和NR活性,真菌、细菌、nirK和narG基因丰度呈显著正相关;N₂O排放与土壤全氮、DON、SMBC和SMBN含量、真菌、AOB amoA和nirK基因丰度呈显著正相关,与土壤pH和BG活性呈显著负相关。偏最小二乘路径模型分析(PLS-PM)表明,AOB amoA是调控土壤N₂O排放的主要功能菌群。  【结论】  麦秸、毛叶苕子单独添加以及二者混合添加均可促进土壤CO₂排放,减少CH₄吸收。相较于二者单独添加,混合添加可通过降低土壤AOB群落丰度等途径,实现N₂O减排和综合增温潜势下降,可作为青海高原旱地土壤温室气体减排的一项有效措施。     

氯氰菊酯污染土壤的微生物修复及对土著微生物的影响

在实验室条件下,在含有氯氰菊酯的土壤中添加氯氰菊酯和3-苯氧基苯甲酸(3-PBA)降解菌CDT3(Rhodococcussp.)和PBM11(Pesudomonassp.),同时设不加菌的对照。分别于0、3、7、15、30 d取样,测定土壤中氯氰菊酯和3-PBA的残留,同时用平板计数和变性梯度凝胶电泳(DGGE)方法分析土壤微生物群落的变化。结果显示:CDT3和PBM11在土壤中协同作用能够更好地降解氯氰菊酯及其中间产物3-PBA。氯氰菊酯对土著微生物有较强的抑制作用。投加降解菌可以消除农药对土壤微生物的抑制,有助于土著微生物种群的恢复,但短期内无法改变农药对土壤微生物结构的破坏。     

长期耕作对农田黑土几丁质降解菌群及酶活性的影响

为揭示长期耕作对农田黑土几丁质降解菌群及酶活性的影响及其驱动因子,以黑土区耕法长期定位试验为平台,采用荧光定量和高通量测序技术研究不同耕作措施（灭茬起垄、免耕、间隔深松和翻耕）下0～40 cm土层chiA几丁质降解菌基因丰度、微生物群落结构和酶活性。结果表明：0～20 cm土层,免耕显著提高chiA基因丰度;20～40 cm土层,免耕降低chiA基因丰度、alpha多样性和变形菌门（Proteobacteria）相对丰度,但是增加放线菌门（Actinobacteria）相对丰度。土壤pH、平均重量直径和养分含量显著影响chiA基因丰度和群落结构。与灭茬起垄相比,免耕显著提高0～20cm土层几丁质酶活性,而间隔深松和深翻显著提高0～40 cm土层几丁质酶活性。结构方程模型模拟发现耕作方式、土壤深度、平均重量直径、土壤有机碳、全氮、全磷、chiA基因丰度和放线菌门相对丰度对几丁质酶活性具有显著直接效应。研究结果为明确黑土区不同耕作措施对土壤几丁质降解的影响提供理论基础。     

低氮和干旱胁迫对富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的影响

【目的】以富士（Fuji）、 秦冠（Qinguan）嫁接在平邑甜茶（Malus hupehensis Rehd.）上的当年生盆栽苗为试验材料,采用砂培方法,研究了缺氮胁迫和干旱对富士和秦冠生长情况、 光合参数、 植株各部位氮磷钾含量及氮素利用效率的影响,分析比较了低氮干旱条件下富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的差异,以期为果树生产高效肥水利用提供理论指导。【方法】试验共设四个处理: 正常氮正常水（ZZ）、 低氮正常水（DZ）、 正常氮干旱（ZG）、 低氮干旱（DG）。氮素和水分均设置两个水平,分别为正常氮（6 mmol/L NO-3-N）、 低氮（0.3 mmol/LNO-3-N）、 正常供水（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的80%~85%）、 干旱处理（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的60%~65%）。【结果】富士和秦冠的生物量（茎和叶）、 株高茎粗等生长指标以及光合速率、 气孔导度、 蒸腾速率均为正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）,并且相对应处理下秦冠的以上指标均高于富士;正常供水下,缺氮处理使富士、 秦冠的根冠比比正常氮处理均有所增加,富士提高了2.05%,秦冠提高了22.40%。富士和秦冠的氮、 磷、 钾含量均表现出正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）; 氮、 钾元素含量在植株各部位的分布顺序依次是叶＞根＞茎,磷元素则是根＞叶＞茎;光合氮素利用效率（PNUE）和氮素利用效率表现为秦冠处理之间差异极显著,富士处理之间差异不显著;秦冠的PNUE和NUE明显高于富士,在低氮正常水（DZ）处理下,秦冠氮肥利用率比富士高42.07%,在低氮干旱（DG）处理下高64.14%;低氮胁迫下富士和秦冠的NUE显著提高,并且秦冠提高的幅度高于富士。【结论】施用氮肥能够显著提高富士与秦冠的干物质量,同等水肥条件下,秦冠生长优于富士;水分亏缺会减少叶片对氮的吸收,干旱条件下适度增施氮肥,可提高果树的抗旱能力;低氮干旱胁迫下秦冠的生长指标、 光合指标及氮素利用效率指标均优于富士,表现出较强的抗低氮干旱胁迫的能力。     

Pasture Vegetation Elemental Analysis by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a new technique for the analysis of plant material. This study investigates the application of LIBS to pasture-based plant samples. The LIBS measurements were obtained from pelletized pasture samples (100 samples) that had been also analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) following microwave digestion for calibration and comparison purposes. Comparisons for elements sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), boron (B), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) showed that LIBS could be used for almost all the standard profile total elements with concentrations down to low mg/kg levels (observed error of Na: 0.024 percent, K: 0.18 percent, Mg: 0.016 percent, Ca: 0.073 percent, P: 0.017 percent, Mn: 31 mg/kg, Fe: 150 mg/kg, Zn: 6.6 mg/kg, and B: 1.1 mg/kg). Elemental analysis at less than mg/kg levels was not possible using LIBS. The elements S and Cu were particularly difficult to analyze with reliability using LIBS at the concentration levels found in the plant samples. Replacing microwave digestion and subsequent ICP analysis with a direct analysis of dried plant samples using LIBS has the potential to improve the productivity and reduce the cost of testing.     

Faculty positions:Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Macroinvertebrates in North American tallgrass prairie soils: effects of fire, mowing, and fertilization on density and biomass

The responses of tallgrass prairie plant communities and ecosystem processes to fire and grazing are well characterized. However, responses of invertebrate consumer groups, and particularly soil-dwelling organisms, to these disturbances are not well known. At Konza Prairie Biological Station, we sampled soil macroinvertebrates in 1994 and 1999 as part of a long-term experiment designed to examine the effects and interactions of annual fire, mowing, and fertilization (N and P) on prairie soil communities and processes. For nearly all taxa, in both years, responses were characterized by significant treatment interactions, but some general patterns were evident. Introduced European earthworms (Aporrectodea spp. and Octolasion spp.) were most abundant in plots where fire was excluded, and the proportion of the total earthworm community consisting of introduced earthworms was greater in unburned, unmowed, and fertilized plots. Nymphs of two Cicada genera were collected (Cicadetta spp. and Tibicen spp.). Cicadetta nymphs were more abundant in burned plots, but mowing reduced their abundance. Tibicen nymphs were collected almost exclusively from unburned plots. Treatment effects on herbivorous beetle larvae (Scarabaeidae, Elateridae, and Curculionidae) were variable, but nutrient additions (N or P) usually resulted in greater densities, whereas mowing usually resulted in lower densities. Our results suggest that departures from historical disturbance regimes (i.e. frequent fire and grazing) may render soils more susceptible to increased numbers of European earthworms, and that interactions between fire, aboveground biomass removal, and vegetation responses affect the structure and composition of invertebrate communities in tallgrass prairie soils.     

Variation in quality parameters between and within 14 Nordic tree fruit and berry species

Abstract

A 3-year study was carried out to investigate quality parameters in 14 tree fruit and berry species grown in southern Norway. The species were blueberry, apple, aronia, sour cherry, sweet cherry, red raspberry, strawberry, blackcurrant, gooseberry, red currant and elderberry, harvested along with wild bilberry, cloudberry and lingonberry. Significant differences between species were identified for all quality parameters. The coefficient of variation between species was lowest for pH (12.5%), dry matter (18.9%) and soluble solids (25.3%), followed by titratable acids (59.3%), total phenolics (83.8%), antioxidant capacity FRAP (85.7%) and antiradical power by the DPPH-assay (97.8%), total monomeric anthocyanins (132%) and ascorbic acid (137%). Average coefficient of variation within species were lower and ranged from 4 (pH) to 62% (ascorbic acid). Only the FRAP values were significantly affected by harvesting year with lower levels in 2004 than in 2005 and 2006. There were significant interactions between species and harvesting year for dry matter, soluble solids, pH, ascorbic acid and FRAP. The results indicate generic ranges in composition within species independent upon growing location and climate, and the composition of the tree fruits and berries is not likely to deviate from these ranges. It is concluded that desirable composition of tree fruits and berries and their products should primarily be achieved by selection among species rather than searching fors broadened variation within individual species.     

Potassium Fixation and Release Characteristics in Rhizosphere and Nonrhizosphere Soils for a Rapeseed–Rice Cropping Sequence

Potassium (K) fixation and release in soil are important factors in the long-term sustainability of a cropping system. Changes in K concentration and characteristics of K fixation and release in rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils in the rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)–rice (Oryza sativa L.) rotation were investigated using a rhizobox system. The concentrations of different forms of K in both rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils decreased with plants compared to without plants, regardless of K fertilizer application. Potassium uptake by crops mainly came from the rhizosphere soil. In the treatment without K fertilizer (–K), the main form of K supplied by the soil to the crops was 1.0 mol L^?1 nitric acid (HNO₃) nonextractable K, followed by nonexchangeable K, and then exchangeable K. In the treatment with K fertilizer (+K), the main K forms supplied by the soil to the crops were exchangeable K and nonexchangeable K. The amount and rate of K fixation after one cycle of the rapeseed–rice rotation was greater in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The amount and rate of K fixation of soil in the +K treatment were significantly less than in the –K treatment. The cumulative amounts of K released with 1.0 mol L^?1 ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc) and 1.0 mol L^?1 HNO₃ extraction increased with the increasing numbers of extractions, but the K-releasing power of soil by successive extraction decreased gradually and finally became almost constant. The release of K was less in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The release of K in the +K treatment was similar to that in the –K treatment in rhizosphere soil, but the K release in nonrhizosphere soil was greater with the +K than the –K treatment. Overall, the information obtained in this study will be helpful in formulating more precise K fertilizer recommendations for certain soils.     

Electron donor and pH relationships for biologically enhanced dissolution of chlorinated solvent DNAPL in groundwater

Biologically enhanced dissolution offers a method to speed removal of chlorinated solvent dense non-aqueous-phase liquid (DNAPL) sources such as tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichoroethene (TCE) from aquifers. Bioremediation is accomplished by adding an electron donor to the source zone where fermentation to intermediates leading to acetic acid and hydrogen results. The hydrogen and possibly acetic acid are used by dehalogenating bacteria to convert PCE and TCE to ethene and hydrochloric acid. Reductive dehalogenation is thus an acid forming process, and sufficient alkalinity must be present to maintain a near neutral pH. The bicarbonate alkalinity required to maintain pH above 6.5 is a function of the electron donor: 800 mg/L of bicarbonate alkalinity is sufficient to achieve about 1.2 mM TCE dechlorination with glucose, 1.7 mM with lactate, and a much higher 3.3 mM with formate. Laboratory studies indicate that in mixed culture, formate can be used as an electron donor for complete conversion to ethene, contrary to pure cultures studies indicating it cannot. Various strategies can be used to add electron donor to an aquifer for DNAPL dehalogenation while minimizing pH problems and excessive electron donor usage, including use of injection-extraction wells, dual recirculation wells, and nested injection-extraction wells.     

Biodiversity and ecogeography of wild Lactuca spp. in some European countries

Staff members of the Department of Botany of Palacký University in Olomouc and Gene Bank Department – Workplace Olomouc, Research Institute of Crop Production in Prague, Czech Republic, conducted an expedition in seven European countries (Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland) in August/September 1999 to collect wild Lactuca spp. germplasm and study its geographic distribution, ecology and biodiversity. During the mission, more than 600 locations were visited resulting in the collection of 602 seed samples (accessions) of wild Lactuca species and 13 seed samples of related genera (Chondrilla and Mycelis). Lactuca serriola f. serriola, L. serriola f. integrifolia, L. saligna and L. viminea subsp. chondrilliflora were prevalent in southern Europe (Italy, France), however, only L. serriola was common in central and western Europe (Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland). The greatest diversity of Lactuca species was found in France, where also the most seed samples (165) were collected. The most characteristic habitats with a high density of Lactuca spp. populations were observed along roads and highways, grassy ditches, ruderal communities, and dust-heaps. Natural infections by powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) and downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) on some wild Lactuca spp. were observed. Recent observations concerning the geographic distribution, population structure, habitats, and natural occurrence of diseases of Lactuca spp. are discussed. This assemblage of genetic resources of Lactuca spp. can serve as the basis of future studies of species diversification, spatial population structure, plant microevolution, domestication processes, and genetic variability of host-parasite interactions.     

Increase in auxiliary photoprotective photosynthetic pigments in wheat seedlings induced by Azospirillum brasilense

Inoculation of wheat seedlings with the plant growth-promoting bacterium Azospirillum brasilense Cd was immobilized in alginate microbeads and, without applying any stress, significantly increased the quantity of several photosynthetic pigments, such as chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and the auxiliary photoprotective pigments violaxanthin, zeaxanthin, antheroxanthin, lutein, neoxanthin, and β-carotene. This resulted in greener plants with no apparent visible stress. After monitoring the quantity of photosynthetic pigments for 4 weeks, we observed that inoculated plants had higher quantities of pigments in shoot and stem. The greatest difference in the quantity of all pigments between inoculated and noninoculated plants occurred in the first week of growth. Regardless of treatment, the quantity of pigments in stems was three to four times less than the quantity of these pigments in shoots. Application of Azospirillum, either as liquid inoculant or as alginate microbeads, did not alter the positive effect of the bacteria on pigment production or the positive response of the plants towards A. brasilense Cd inoculation.     

In-situ enrichment and analysis of atrazine-degrading microbial communities using atrazine-containing porous beads

We examined the community composition of microbes that colonized atrazine-containing beads buried in agricultural soils that differed in atrazine treatment history. Bacterial abundance was 5-40-fold greater in atrazine-fortified beads. In beads containing 20 mg atrazine kg⁻¹ buried in soil with a history of atrazine application (conditioned soil), the abundance of Actinobacteria increased approximately 80-fold whereas in control soil, Actinobacteria were enriched only 10-fold and the gamma-Proteobacteria and Planctomycetes increased by 60- and 25-fold, respectively. The gamma-Proteobacteria were enriched by 120- and 230-fold in beads containing 200 mg atrazine kg⁻¹ in conditioned and control soil, respectively. The results demonstrate that BioSep^® beads are a suitable matrix for recruiting a diverse subset of the bacterial community involved in atrazine degradation.