Experimental and physiological ecology of ammonia fungi: studies using natural substrates and artificial media

Experiments using natural substrates and artificial media were categorized into three groups. Using experiments in these three categories, we investigated dispersion, invasion sequence, and decomposing ability of ammonia fungi in the field on natural substrates. Spore germination and vegetative and reproductive growth of ammonia fungi derived from monocultures and five-species cultures were assessed on natural substrates and on artificial media. These features assist understanding of the colonization and successive occurrence of ammonia fungi in the field based on estimation of interactions among the fungi and the physiological characteristics of each ammonia fungus. The sequential colonization and fruiting of ammonia fungi in the field can be explained primarily by the preference or tolerance of a species to high concentrations of ammonium-N under alkaline to neutral conditions. Succession of ammonia fungi results from their sequential colonization associated with the time needed for each fungus to produce reproductive structures. Colonization likely initiates from mycelia and/or spores preinhabiting the soil and from newly invading airborne propagules. Duration of occurrence of ammonia fungi in the field is shortened by the interactions among them. Saprobic ammonia fungi are the principal agents of litter decomposition under alkaline to neutral conditions. Parts of this review were presented as the presidential address of the Mycological Society of Japan (MSJ) at the Mycological Society of America (MSA) and MSJ Joint Meeting 2005 held in Hawaii in August 2005     

Microbial changes in clover rhizosphere after foliar and soil application of cobalt

Application of cobalt(II) nitrate to the leaves of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) resulted in a pronounced increase of dry weight and the number of root nodules. Counts of bacteria in the rhizosphere, content of ammonia and production of carbon dioxide m rhizosphere soil were also higher, whereas the content of nitrates decreased Differences m the counts of bacteria, aotmomycetes, Azotobaoter, anaerobic bacteria and cellulose decomposing bacteria m the rhizosphere of control and treated plants were not directly related to the way of application of cobalt. GeneraPenicillium, Fusarium andTrichoderma predominated among fungi. The relative occurrence of pemcillia was higher after the application of cobalt, the incidence of fusaria was lower. The effects of foliar and soil application of cobalt on rhizosphere microflora were not identical.     

Colonization of rye green manure and peanut fruit debris by Aspergillus falvus and Aspergillus niger group in field soils.

Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger group colonization of deep-plowed, decomposing rye green manure cover crops in peanut field soils was studied in four fields during 1972 and 1973; colonization of decomposing peanut fruits was studied in 1972 in two fields. A. flavus colonization of rye and peanut fruits was greater in soils of heavy texture, and an A. flavus population as high as 165 propagules per g of soil was observed in soil adjacent to rye, whereas A. flavus populations in soils not associated with rye were 18 propagules per g of soil or lower. Highest A. flavus populations in soil adjacent to decomposing peanut fruits were usually comparable to populations associated with rye. Little decomposing rye or peanut fruit colonization was generally observed by the A. flavus competitor, A. niger group. A. flavus may maintain or increase its inoculum potential by colonization of these and other moribund plant tissues.     

不同地区森林土壤降解天然木质纤维素能力的分析评价

目的:分析不同地区森林土壤样品的木质纤维素分解能力,为分离和挖掘新的土壤木质纤维素分解酶系及微生物奠定基础.方法:测定来源于不同气候类型和植被的土壤样品的纤维素酶和木聚糖酶活性的变化以及对天然木质纤维素的降解能力.结果:土壤样品具有较高的初始木聚糖酶活,相反许多样品的纤维素酶活未测到.富集后,除个别样品酶活性稍有下降之外其余均明显提高,其中木聚糖酶活增长最多达118.58 u·g~(-1),纤维素酶活涨幅最多达110.00 u·g~(-1).各样品木质纤维素的降解量从24.4mg到93.1mg不等,降解效率最高55.35%.结论:来源于不同气候条件和不同类型土壤样品在天然木质纤维素降解能力以及相关的纤维素酶和木聚糖酶活性上表现出了广泛的多样性差异.     

Importance of woody debris in seed germination of Tipularia discolor (Orchidaceae)

Concerns about declining populations of terrestrial orchids make it important to identify the environmental factors crucial to seedling recruitment. This study shows that seedlings of Tipularia discolor (cranefly orchid) primarily occur on decomposing wood. Extensive searches of decomposing logs and stumps in mature and successional forests revealed seedlings at 24 sites, of which 15 could be identified as originating from seven different deciduous trees and one conifer. Seeds were planted in natural habitats to test the hypothesis that germination requires decomposing wood. In one experiment, seeds were placed into soil at sites where adult plants were abundant; no germination resulted. In a second experiment, germination of seeds sown in ambient soil was compared with sowings in plots amended with decomposing wood collected from a stump where spontaneous seedlings grew. Germination was much more frequent in plots amended with decomposing wood. We conclude that germination of T. discolor is stimulated in substrates that contain decomposing wood; judging from the occurrence of spontaneous seedlings, wood from at variety of tree species offer a suitable substrate.     

Effects of soil cations on the foraging behavior of Reticulitermes flavipes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

This study examined soil cation concentration gradients around decomposing logs and determined whether Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) builds galleries in soil substrates containing those cations versus soils without, presumably in an effort to forage efficiently. Soil samples were collected at different depths and lateral distances from decomposing logs containing termites, freshly fallen logs without termites, and bare soil locations at 10 sites to determine whether cation gradients existed in a forest floor. Analyses of cation gradients were significant for potassium, calcium, and magnesium; however, only potassium showed a significant gradient where concentrations decreased with depth and lateral distance from a decomposing log. R. flavipes was then tested in laboratory bioassays to determine if they were attracted to salt cation solutions. Linear foraging distance was significantly greater in artificial K2CO3 gradients than in controls. The results from this study suggest that potassium is found in gradients around decomposing logs and that R. flavipes is attracted to this cation.     

Potential role of allelopathy in the soil and the decomposing root of Chinese-fir replant woodland

The role of allelopathy in the Chinese-fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) replant problem was studied. The failure of Chinese-fir seedlings to grow normally in Chinese-fir replant woodland was not only caused by the depletion of nutrients and the deterioration of the structure of replant woodland soil, but also by biotic factors and allelopathy. Extracts of soils collected from replant woodlands significantly reduced the growth of Chinese-fir seedlings. Extracts and decomposing root residues also significantly inhibited the growth of Chinese-fir seedlings. Extracts of the replant soil and of the decomposing roots from Chinese-fir replant woodland were both toxic to other plants. The combination of the decomposing root residues and the pathogenic fungi reduced the growth of Chinese-fir seedlings the most when compared to the decomposing root residue alone and the control. It appears that allelopathy is at least partly involved in the Chinese-fir replant problem. ei]Section editor: R Rodriguez-Kabana     

Model of ammonia volatilization from calcareous soils

A quantitative model of ammonia volatilization from the calcareous soil uppermost 1-cm layer was developed and tested. The model accounts for the following processes: ammonium-ammonia equilibration in the soil solution, cation exchange between calcium and ammonium which results in ammonium distribution between soil liquid and solid phases, nitrification of dissolved ammonium, distribution of ammonia between liquid and gaseous phases and diffusion of gaseous ammonia in the soil air. The combined effect of various characteristics such as soil pH, cation exchange capacity, water capacity and nitrification rate on ammonia losses from various soil types have been studied. The model was validated against experimental results of ammonia losses from different soils for its use as a predicting tool. The model shows that most of ammonia losses can be explained by the interactive effect of high soil pH and low cation exchange capacity. Computations show increased ammonia volatilization with decreasing soil water capacity. Increasing fertilizer application rate has a small effect on percentage of ammonia losses. Increased nitrification rate and shorter “lag” period of nitrification reduce ammonia losses considerably. Good agreement was obtained between model calculations and experimental results of ammonia volatilization from 13 soils.     

生物炭对农田土壤氨挥发的影响机制研究进展

降低土壤氨挥发量是农田生态系统中减少土壤氮素损失、提高氮肥利用率的关键途径之一。生物炭具有独特的理化性质,施入土壤后可改变土壤理化性状,影响土壤氮素循环,并对农田土壤中氨挥发产生重要的影响。本文首先介绍了稻田和旱田两种土地利用方式下农田氨挥发过程及其影响因素(气候条件、土壤环境、施肥管理等);其次,重点综述了生物炭对农田生态系统氨挥发影响的研究进展,并从物理吸附机制、气液平衡机制、生物化学过程调节机制等方面探讨了生物炭介入下农田土壤氨挥发的响应机制,认为土壤氨挥发减排的响应主要是基于生物炭表面含氧官能团对土壤NH₄⁺和NH₃的吸附作用及促进土壤硝化作用;而生物炭增加土壤氨挥发排放主要与生物炭提高土壤pH值和透气性、增强土壤有机氮矿化微生物活性有关。最后,对生物炭减少土壤氨挥发、提高氮肥利用率的研究方向进行了展望。     

Production of volatiles from decomposing plant tissues and effect of these volatiles on Rhizoctonia solani in culture.

Volatiles, of which NH3 is a major component, were evolved from decomposing immature corn tissue (c:n9) and affected R. solani in culture two ways: they supplied additional nitrogen to the growth medium so that fungal mycelial growth increased; and they raised substrate pH from 5.5 to 8.2 which induced melanization of mycelium. Volatiles increased fungus growth and pigmentation within 2 weeks of amendment addition to soil. Increases were concomitant with NH3 production from corn tissue. More NH3 evolved from decomposing corn tissues of C:N9 and 17 than from those of C-N 33 and 81. More growth and pigmentation occurred in flasks through which volatiles from decomposing corn (C:N9) were passed than in flasks through which volatiles from nonamended soil or decomposing corn (C:N81) were passed. Carbon dioxide from decomposing tissues did not affect growth or pigmentation. Twice as much NH3 evolved from corn tissue (C:N9) which decomposed in saturated soil than from tissue which decomposed in soil at 50% of its water-holding capacity. Pigment production doubled under saturated conditions.     

羊草和大针茅凋落物分解及其微生物学效应

本文对锡林郭勒草原的主要建群种羊草(Aneurolopidium chinense)和大针茅(Stipa grandis)凋落物的分解状况与各类群腐解微生物生物量动态变化以及凋落物分解对其相应土层的生物活性影响进行了初步研究。研究结果表明： 1．羊草和大针茅凋落物(茎、叶)的分解速率均较缓慢。二年来地表样的失重率分别为15.9%、16.9%和21.5%;埋置样分别为21.4%、23.5%和26.5%。其埋置凋落物分解速率高于地表层。2．凋落物腐解过程中各类群腐解微生物生物量均有明显上升,与凋落物(起始)表面附着微生物的生物量相比,其上升幅度多在10—300倍之间。3．两年中凋落物残体的碳、氮含量比值随腐解进程而下降。4．凋落物的腐解可以刺激相应土层的土壤微生物活性的增长,而且其土壤有机质含量亦有提高。     

几种控释氮肥减少氨挥发的效果及影响因素研究

采用“静态吸收法”和“土柱淋溶法”、室内模拟试验,研究几种控释氮肥施入土壤后的氨挥发损失情况、N溶出速率、土壤脲酶活性及pH值变化的关系．结果表明,施氮450mg·kg^-1土时,3种控释氮肥氨挥发损失氮总量分别比普通尿素减少49．7％、28．0％和71．2％;施氮600mg·kg^-1土时,3种控释氮肥氨挥发损失氮总量分别比普通尿素减少34．6％、12．3％和69．9％．控释氮肥能显著降低土壤氨挥发量,减少因施肥而引起的大气环境污染．控释氮肥氨挥发量与不同氮肥引起的土壤脲酶活性、pH值、土壤中氮溶出速率密切相关．土壤的氨挥发总量与肥料在土壤中溶出总量的相关系数达到0．9533,在肥料施入的前期土壤氨挥发量同土壤脲酶活性、pH值的相关系数达到0．9533和0．9908。     

Abundance of archaeal and bacterial ammonia oxidizers – Possible bioindicator for soil monitoring

Many soil functions are driven by soil microorganisms and they have therefore been identified as appropriate indicators for monitoring of soil status. Genetic profiling of the bacterial ammonia oxidizing community was recently top-scored as soil biological indicator (Ritz et al., 2009). However, ammonia oxidation is not only performed by bacteria, but also ammonia oxidizing archaea. Based on the suggested niche differentiation between these two groups and findings that they are susceptible to environmental change in soil ecosystems at varying scales, we suggest that the abundance of these two communities rather than community profiling of the ammonia oxidizing bacteria could serve as a relevant and cost-effective bioindicator for soil monitoring.     

Ammonia volatilization after injection of anhydrous ammonia into arable soils of different moisture levels

Laboratory experiments have shown appreciable losses of ammonia after injection of anhydrous ammonia into dry and wet soils. In this study losses of ammonia injected into a moist (tension 10 kPa), dry (tension 160 kPa) and a wet (tension 1.6 kPa) sandy loam were measured under field conditions using wind tunnels. Losses were insignificant from a moist soil. However losses from a dry and a wet soil were 20% and 50% of injected ammonia, respectively. From the dry soil, losses of gaseous ammonia took place within the first hours after injection, which indicates a rapid transport through cracks and voids. From the wet soil, 20% of the injected ammonia was lost more gradually between 6 h and 6 d. This indicates that upward movement of water due to evaporation may be the cause of these ammonia losses which proceeded for longer periods.     

芦苇腐解土中酚酸类化感物质的水分响应特性研究

芦苇和虉草均具有较强的去污能力,常作为湿地植物配置于同一人工湿地进行污水处理。芦苇作为一种强化感植物对虉草具有较强的化感作用,在自然湿地和人工湿地中均会出现芦苇代替虉草的现象,且这一现象的发生与土壤含水量存在一定联系,此外,芦苇腐解土对虉草的化感抑制效应与腐解土中总酚酸的量密切相关。为了研究芦苇腐解土中主要酚酸类物质的水分响应特性,筛选出其中对水分响应较为明显的酚酸物质种类,该研究采用高效液相色谱法,通过芦苇枯落物腐解土的制备,对不同水分环境下芦苇腐解土中酚酸类物质进行了分离和鉴定。结果表明:芦苇腐解土中可分离出没食子酸、香豆酸、香草酸、丁香酸、对香豆酸、阿魏酸、水杨酸和苯甲酸等8种酚酸类物质,其中香豆酸、苯甲酸和阿魏酸等3种酚酸类物质含量较高。分离出的8种酚酸类物质的含量与腐解土的相对含水量均呈显著线性负相关关系,即随着腐解土相对含水量的上升,酚酸类物质的含量均呈现下降趋势,且各种酚酸类物质对水分的响应趋势均可用线性方程较好地拟合。其中,香豆酸、没食子酸和阿魏酸对芦苇腐解土的水分响应最为明显。因此,可将香豆酸、没食子酸和阿魏酸作为主要调控目标,通过调控湿地土壤中水分含量,削弱芦苇对虉草的化感抑制效应,从而维持人工湿地中虉草芦苇群落的长期稳定共存。     

Cellulolytic activity of some soil fungi

The cellulolytic activity of some soil fungi isolated from soil and decomposing pieces of plant material was observed to depend upon the genera of fungi, the nature of substrate and the temperature, The cellulase produced in the presence of cellulose powder was active against CMC and vice versa.     

中亚热带常绿阔叶林凋落物分解过程中汞的动态变化及迁移机理

森林凋落物对于汞在林地土壤的生物地球化学循环中起到重要作用,为研究森林凋落物分解过程中汞的迁移转化特征,以重庆四面山风景名胜区典型林分(常绿阔叶林)作为研究对象。于2014年3月—2015年3月连续监测典型林分凋落物中各形态汞浓度和有机质变化量,同时监测周围土壤中汞浓度变化。结果表明:四面山典型林分凋落物分解过程中汞浓度整体上升,总汞浓度(初始浓度:78 ng/g)的增幅最高达53%,甲基汞浓度(初始浓度:0.32 ng/g)最高增幅达138%;在春季和夏季,水溶态和酸溶态两种活性态汞含量分别增加了851%和96%,在分解前期和末期,凋落物汞的中惰性汞比例最高,占比达75%。土壤腐殖质层中总汞和甲基汞浓度比较稳定。凋落物中活性态汞通过雨水淋洗进入土壤与有机质络合并发生甲基化/去甲基化过程,通过地表径流、地下径流进入水体。凋落物中C含量减少了22%,N含量增加了15%,总汞浓度与C/N比呈负相关,与N含量呈正相关。凋落物中微生物C、N含量整体增加,与汞浓度峰值同步,且夏季含量显著高于冬季含量(P0.05),说明微生物与凋落物固定汞和汞的甲基化过程密切相关。     

施用南荻生物炭对不同类型土壤氨挥发的影响

在洞庭湖区农田施用秸秆生物炭不仅能实现秸秆资源化利用,还可降低环境污染压力。本研究于2020年采用水稻盆栽试验,研究了不同南荻秸秆生物炭施用量对土壤氨挥发速率、累积氨挥发量、表面水pH值和NH₄⁺-N浓度的影响。供试土壤为第四纪红土发育的红黄泥和花岗岩发育的麻砂泥水稻土,设置6个南荻秸秆生物炭添加处理,即分别以土柱0～20 cm土壤重量的0%、1%、2%、4%、6%和8%比例添加生物炭,每盆施用复合肥200 kg N·hm^-2。结果表明: 施用生物炭导致两种土壤之间或不同生物炭处理之间的氨挥发速率和累积量均存在显著差异。麻砂泥施用生物炭处理在施肥后第2天出现氨挥发峰值,且较不施生物炭处理峰值降低了23.6%～53.4%;红黄泥氨挥发峰值出现在施肥后第7～13天,且其峰值随着生物炭添加量的增加而升高。整体上,麻砂泥土壤的氨挥发速率均高于红黄泥。麻砂泥土壤＜4%生物炭添加量能抑制土壤氨挥发速率及累积量,其中以2%处理降幅最大(46.9%),但生物炭添加对水稻生长前期表面水pH值的影响不显著;红黄泥土壤随着南荻生物炭用量的增加,表面水中pH值和NH₄⁺-N浓度增加,导致氨挥发速率及累积量增幅达1.3～10.5倍。回归分析显示,生物炭添加量是影响两种土壤氨挥发的关键因素。Elo-vich方程能较好地拟合两种土壤的氨挥发累积量随时间的变化动态,各施炭处理的相关系数均达极显著水平。总体上,对于偏中性的麻砂泥土壤,施用一定量的南荻生物炭对氨排放有一定的抑制作用,而对于酸性的红黄泥土壤,增施南荻生物炭会通过提高表面水的pH值和NH₄⁺-N浓度促进氨挥发,因此针对不同类型土壤施用南荻秸秆生物炭应注意选择适宜用量,以降低氮素损失。     

Growth of ammonia-oxidizing archaea in soil microcosms is inhibited by acetylene

Autotrophic ammonia-oxidizing bacteria were considered to be responsible for the majority of ammonia oxidation in soil until the recent discovery of the autotrophic ammonia-oxidizing archaea. To assess the relative contributions of bacterial and archaeal ammonia oxidizers to soil ammonia oxidation, their growth was analysed during active nitrification in soil microcosms incubated for 30 days at 30 °C, and the effect of an inhibitor of ammonia oxidation (acetylene) on their growth and soil nitrification kinetics was determined. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis of bacterial ammonia oxidizer 16S rRNA genes did not detect any change in their community composition during incubation, and quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis of bacterial amoA genes indicated a small decrease in abundance in control and acetylene-containing microcosms. DGGE fingerprints of archaeal amoA and 16S rRNA genes demonstrated changes in the relative abundance of specific crenarchaeal phylotypes during active nitrification. Growth was also indicated by increases in crenarchaeal amoA gene copy number, determined by qPCR. In microcosms containing acetylene, nitrification and growth of the crenarchaeal phylotypes were suppressed, suggesting that these crenarchaea are ammonia oxidizers. Growth of only archaeal but not bacterial ammonia oxidizers occurred in microcosms with active nitrification, indicating that ammonia oxidation was mostly due to archaea in the conditions of the present study.