Evaluation of the intrinsic competitiveness and saprophytic competence of Rhizobium tropici IIB strains

Inoculation of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) with strains of R. tropici IIB and R. etli resulted in the disappearance of the R. tropici IIB stains from the nodule population and their replacement by other (non R. tropici IIB) bean symbionts (Vlassak et al. 1996). Coinoculation studies in monoxenic conditions and in soil core microcosms with plants harvested at two different growth stages indicated that the inoculated R. tropici IIB strains CIAT899 and F98.5 possess a good intrinsic competitiveness which declines, however, at a later plant growth stage and in soil conditions. The poor saprophytic competence of R. tropici IIB strain CIAT899 was further demonstrated by its poor survival in soil core microcosms after bean harvest. Strains were isolated from the field plots with a 3-year bean-planting history, characterized and evaluated for their competitiveness against R. tropici IIB strain CIAT899. Isolates from field plots, which had been repeatedly inoculated with R. tropici IIB strain CIAT899, showed a higher nodule occupancy compared to R. tropici IIB strain CIAT899, and this higher competitiveness exhibited by the field isolates might be an additional reason for the poor performance of R. tropici IIB strain CIAT899 in the field study. Plots with and without a history of bean production revealed after 3-year bean cultivation an almost totally different population that also significantly differed in competitiveness. Received: 12 February 1996     

The Genetic Structure of Australian Populations of Mycosphaerella musicola Suggests Restricted Gene Flow at the Continental Scale

ABSTRACT Mycosphaerella musicola causes Sigatoka disease of banana and is endemic to Australia. The population genetic structure of M. musicola in Australia was examined by applying single-copy restriction fragment length polymorphism probes to hierarchically sampled populations collected along the Australian east coast. The 363 isolates studied were from 16 plantations at 12 sites in four different regions, and comprised 11 populations. These populations displayed moderate levels of gene diversity (H = 0.142 to 0.369) and similar levels of genotypic richness and evenness. Populations were dominated by unique genotypes, but isolates sharing the same genotype (putative clones) were detected. Genotype distribution was highly localized within each population, and the majority of putative clones were detected for isolates sampled from different sporodochia in the same lesion or different lesions on a plant. Multilocus gametic disequilibrium tests provided further evidence of a degree of clonality within the populations at the plant scale. A complex pattern of population differentiation was detected for M. musicola in Australia. Populations sampled from plantations outside the two major production areas were genetically very different to all other populations. Differentiation was much lower between populations of the two major production areas, despite their geographic separation of over 1,000 km. These results suggest low gene flow at the continental scale due to limited spore dispersal and the movement of infected plant material.     

An inter-laboratory comparison of multi-enzyme and multiple substrate-induced respiration assays to assess method consistency in soil monitoring

The use of indicators in soil monitoring schemes to detect changes in soil quality is receiving increased attention, particularly the application of soil biological methods. However, to date, the ability to compare information from different laboratories applying soil microbiological techniques in broad-scale monitoring has rarely been taken into account. This study aimed to assess the consistency and repeatability of two techniques that are being evaluated for use as microbiological indicators of soil quality: multi-enzyme activity assay and multiple substrate-induced respiration (MSIR). Data were tested for intrinsic (within-assay plate) variation, inter-laboratory repeatability (geometric mean regression and correlation coefficient) and land-use discrimination (principal components analysis). Intrinsic variation was large for both assays suggesting that high replicate numbers are required. Inter-laboratory repeatability showed diverging patterns for the enzyme assay and MSIR. Discrimination of soils was significant for both techniques with relatively consistent patterns; however, combined laboratory discrimination analyses for each technique showed inconsistent correspondence between the laboratories. These issues could be addressed through the adoption of reliable analytical standards for biological methods along with adequate replication. However, until the former is addressed, dispersed analyses are not currently advisable for monitoring schemes.     

一些优质小麦及其杂种后代高分子量谷蛋白亚基组成与面包品质之关系

应用ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ技术分析了陕优２２５等１６个品种及３个组合杂种后代分离材料高分子量谷蛋白亚基组成及与面包品质的关系。结果表明，普通小麦中罕见的Ｇｌｕ－Ｂ１编码来基１４＋１５象Ｇｌｕ－Ｄ１编码亚基５＋１０一样，对面包品质有重要贡献，存在于陕优２２５、小偃６号等优质品种中。