| Abstract: | Abstract Succession and the phylogenetic profile of eukaryotic communities associated with rice straw decomposition in a rice field were studied using polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) analysis followed by 18S rDNA sequencing. Nylon mesh bags containing leaf sheaths or blades were buried in the plow layer of a rice field under flooded conditions after transplanting (Experiment 1) and under drained conditions during the off-crop season (Experiment 2). In addition, rice straw samples in Experiment 2 were taken out before plowing in spring and re-placed in the rice field under flooded conditions at transplanting. Statistical analyses based on DGGE patterns showed that eukaryotic communities were divided into two groups, namely group A before the placement in soil, after the mid-season drainage in Experiment 1 and under the drained conditions in Experiment 2 and group B before the mid-season drainage in Experiment 1 and under the flooded conditions in Experiment 2. Based on the sequence analysis of DGGE bands, which characterized the eukaryotic communities, succession of the communities was revealed, that is, most of the bands in group A were closely related to fungi, whereas the bands in group B were closely related to protozoa. These results indicated that eukaryotic communities associated with rice straw decomposition in the rice field are mainly affected by soil conditions, such as oxic or reduced conditions, irrespective of rice straw parts (leaf sheaths and blades). |
