高效光合细菌菌剂对土壤微生物的影响

为了筛选在盆栽试验条件下适宜的高效光合细菌菌剂浓度以促进番茄生长,研究了高效光合细菌菌剂的3种浓度对番茄种植土壤中微生物特性的影响。试验结果表明：高效光合细菌菌剂的施用可以显著提高土壤中细菌和放线菌的数量,降低土壤中真菌数量;不同程度提高土壤脲酶、酸性磷酸酶和过氧化氢酶的活性。其中以稀释100倍的光合细菌菌剂+化肥处理效果最明显,稀释100倍的菌剂+化肥处理最有利于土壤中微生物的生长繁殖,对土壤环境的改善效果最显著。     

加工番茄连作对农田土壤酶活性及微生物区系的影响

通过盆栽试验,研究了连作及活性炭处理对加工番茄土壤微生物数量及土壤酶活性的影响。结果表明:加工番茄连作对其微生物区系及土壤酶活性产生一定影响。随连作年限的增加,过氧化氢酶活性呈上升趋势,而脲酶、多酚氧化酶、蔗糖酶、磷酸酶活性呈下降趋势,通过活性碳处理后,脲酶、土壤蔗糖酶、多酚氧化酶、磷酸酶活性比对照(未活性炭处理)增加,而过氧化氢酶活性降低。随连作年限的增加,连作2a和3a的细菌数量分别比1a降低12.1%和16.8%,真菌数量连作2a和3a分别比种植1a时提高20%和60%,放线菌数量连作2a和3a土壤中分别是种植1a的1.04倍和1.12倍,通过活性碳处理后,细菌的数量在连作2a和3a时分别比对照增加5.8%和1.6%,放线菌和真菌数量比对照分别降低13.0%、23.1%和8.3%、50%。反硫化细菌数量随连作年限延长而增加,硝酸细菌和好氧性自身固氮菌数量减少。可见通过活性炭处理可减轻自毒物质对加工番茄土壤酶和微生物的影响,从而缓解加工番茄连作障碍。     

轮作与休闲对日光温室黄瓜连作土壤微生物和酶活性的影响

采用盆栽试验,研究了不同作物轮作和休闲方式对日光温室黄瓜连作土壤微生物数量、酶活性及后茬黄瓜生长和产量的影响.结果表明： 与连作相比,轮作有利于改善土壤微生物结构,增加细菌和放线菌数量,减少真菌数量;轮作与休闲有利于提高土壤转化酶、脲酶、过氧化氢酶和多酚氧化酶活性.在不同作物轮作和休闲方式下,后茬黄瓜结果期的细菌、放线菌数量和土壤转化酶活性均呈先升后降趋势,在盛瓜期达到最大值;真菌数量随生育期延长而增加;脲酶、过氧化氢酶和多酚氧化酶活性则随生育期延长而降低,在初瓜期最高.不同栽培模式下,以大葱-黄瓜轮作和糯玉米-黄瓜轮作的效果更佳,明显改善了后茬黄瓜的生长,提高了产量.     

枯草芽孢杆菌菌剂不同施用方式对甜瓜土壤微生物多样性及生长的影响

甜瓜连作种植和化学肥料过量施用造成了土壤微生态环境失衡、病害严重和产量降低等问题。施用枯草芽孢杆菌菌剂是改善土壤微生态环境、防治土传病害、促进植物生长的一项重要措施。文中以枯草芽孢杆菌为试验菌剂,分析菌剂不同施用方式对设施甜瓜土壤微生物多样性及生长的影响,采用稀释涂布平板方法测定土壤中可培养微生物的数量,采用Illumina Miseq测序技术测定土壤未培养微生物多样性,采用称重法测定甜瓜产量。结果表明,不同甜瓜生育时期,灌根、穴施和蘸根3种菌剂施用方式处理土壤可培养细菌的数量均显著高于对照,灌根、穴施和蘸根处理之间不存在显著差异;3个菌剂施用方式处理开花期土壤真菌数量显著低于对照,但是拉秧期土壤真菌数量差异不显著。比较3种菌剂施用处理中未培养微生物的多样性发现,细菌Shannon指数均高于常规施肥对照,Simpson指数低于对照;蘸根处理的真菌Shannon指数最低,Simpson指数最高。NMDS和聚类分析发现枯草芽孢杆菌菌剂蘸根施用处理对土壤中细菌和真菌菌群影响较大,均独立于一个分枝。微生物菌剂的施用使拟杆菌门 (Bacteroidetes) 的丰度显著降低,放线菌门 (Actinobacteria) 和酸杆菌门 (Acidobacteria) 的丰度显著升高,其中以蘸根处理变化最大。菌剂处理对真菌菌群的多样性影响较小,仅对壶菌门 (Chytridiomycota) 的丰度有显著影响。施用枯草芽孢杆菌菌剂可增加甜瓜的株高、茎粗、叶面积,蘸根处理的促长、增产效果最为显著。枯草芽孢杆菌菌剂作为一种新型环保肥料,具有增加土壤可培养微生物数量、提高土壤微生物多样性、促长增产的作用,该研究为枯草芽孢杆菌菌剂的合理施用提供了科学依据。     

苦参腐解物对酚酸类物质胁迫下茄子生长和根际土壤微生物活性的影响

研究了盆栽条件下添加苦参腐解物对酚酸物质(香草醛和肉桂酸)胁迫下茄子生长及根际土壤微生物种群数量和土壤酶活性的影响。与对照相比,苦参腐解物处理促进了酚酸作用下茄子的株高和茎粗生长,增加了茄子土壤微生物的种群数量,尤其增加了细菌和放线菌数量。随着外源香草醛和肉桂酸浓度的增加,细菌和放线菌数量先增大后减小,而真菌数量先降低后增加;同时,茄子根际土壤过氧化氢酶、多酚氧化酶、脲酶的活性均高于对照,呈先增大后降低的变化趋势。     

模拟氮沉降对太岳山油松林土壤酶活性的影响

为研究土壤酶活性对氮沉降增加的响应,以山西太岳山油松人工林和天然林为研究对象,于2009年8月开始实施模拟氮沉实验,试验设置对照(CK,0 kg N hm-2a-1);低氮(LN,50 kg N hm-2a-1);中氮(MN,100 kg N hm-2a-1);高氮(HN,150 kg N hm-2a-1)4种氮处理,自2012年起每年5、7、9月在各处理样方采集表层0—20 cm土壤,测定土壤酶活性(过氧化物酶、多酚氧化酶、纤维素酶、蔗糖酶、脲酶、中性磷酸酶)。研究结果表明:施氮处理下的脲酶与中性磷酸酶活性均有所提高,而低氮处理下天然林中的多酚氧化酶与人工林中的蔗糖酶显著低于对照,中氮、高氮处理下过氧化物酶、多酚氧化酶、天然林中的纤维素酶以及人工林中的蔗糖酶显著降低。总的来说,人工模拟氮沉降促进了土壤中脲酶和中性磷酸酶的活性,抑制了过氧化物酶和多酚氧化酶的活性,并降低了天然林土壤中的纤维素酶活性和人工林中的蔗糖酶活性,但对天然林中蔗糖酶和人工林中的纤维素酶无影响。主导木质素降解的多酚氧化酶活性与纤维素酶、蔗糖酶活性显著相关,纤维素酶与蔗糖酶活性的下降可能是由木质素降解受到抑制,土壤微生物可利用碳源减少所引起。另外,受到天然林土壤含氮量较高的影响,与人工林相比,天然林的多酚氧化酶活性对模拟氮沉降更敏感。由于被抑制的酶均与土壤有机质降解密切相关,氮沉降增加将减缓山西油松林土壤有机质的降解,有利于有机质在土壤中的积累。     

黄河三角洲滩地不同造林模式的土壤酶活性

该文对东营市垦利县柽柳(Tamarix chinensis)林、枣(Ziziphus jujuba)园、旱柳(Salix matsudana)林、刺槐(Robinia pseudoacacia)林、白蜡(Fraxinus chinensis)林、桑(Morus alba)园土壤酶活性及其与土壤化学性质和土壤微生物的关系进行了分析。结果表明:在土壤空间上,脲酶和过氧化物酶活性随土层的增加而减小,多酚氧化酶和过氧化氢酶的活性在土层之间变化不明显。过氧化氢酶与脲酶和多酚氧化酶显著相关,脲酶与多酚氧化酶呈负相关。不同造林模式对土壤过氧化氢酶和过氧化物酶影响不大,对脲酶和多酚氧化活性有显著的影响。各种造林模式增加了脲酶的活性,均高于柽柳林;减小了多酚氧化酶的活性,除刺槐林外,均显著低于柽柳林;而造林模式对过氧化物酶和过氧化氢酶的影响较小。土壤酶活性与土壤养分有一定的相关,其中脲酶与全氮、有机质显著正相关,与速效氮正相关;多酚氧化酶与速效钾正相关,而过氧化氢酶与全氮、速效磷和有机质呈负相关,与土壤pH值相关性不显著;与微生物的相关系数不大,其中脲酶与固氮菌、纤维素分解菌显著正相关,与细菌正相关;多酚氧化酶与固氮菌和细菌负相关;过氧化氢酶与固氮菌显著负相关,与纤维素分解菌负相关。脲酶和多酚氧化酶可以作为滩地土壤质量评价的指标。     

节节草生长对铜尾矿砂重金属形态转化和土壤酶活性的影响

通过盆栽模拟栽培试验,研究了节节草生长对铜尾矿砂重金属形态转化和土壤酶活性的影响。结果表明,节节草生长显著提高了尾矿砂中有机物结合态重金属比例(P0.01),降低了交换态和残渣态重金属比例(P0.05)。土壤过氧化氢酶、脲酶、多酚氧化酶和蔗糖酶活性均随着节节草的生长而不同程度的升高,其中过氧化氢酶和脲酶活性均与植物生长时间呈显著正相关(r过氧化氢酶=0.911,P0.05;r脲酶=0.957,P0.01),多酚氧化酶和蔗糖酶活性在植物生长旺盛期达到峰值,分别是对照组的2.40和2.02倍,随后迅速下降;而磷酸酶活性却显著下降(r磷酸酶=-0.923,P0.05)。土壤酶活性与节节草地下部分干重的相关性大于地上部分;且与土壤有机物结合态重金属的含量呈显著正相关,与交换态和残渣态重金属含量呈显著负相关。节节草生长不仅促进了铜尾矿砂重金属朝螯合态方面转化,有效降低重金属的生物有效性,同时还显著地改善了铜尾矿砂的基质环境和土壤肥力。因此,节节草在铜尾矿废弃地恢复实践中具有较大的应用潜力。     

不同连作年限土壤对茄子土壤生物学活性的影响及其嫁接调节

探讨了不同连作年限土壤对茄子根际土壤微生物数量、土壤酶活性的影响及其相关性和嫁接对重要相关因子的调节作用。结果表明:随着连作年限的增加,茄子根际土壤细菌数量和放线菌数量呈下降趋势,真菌数量呈增加趋势;根际土壤中的过氧化氢酶、过氧化物酶、多酚氧化酶、蛋白酶的活性呈降低趋势;土壤微生物数量和土壤酶活性之间有显著的相关性。其中过氧化氢酶、过氧化物酶、多酚氧化酶、蛋白酶是影响根际土壤中细菌和放线菌数量的主要因子,蛋白酶是影响根际土壤中真菌数量的主要因子。嫁接能提高土壤酶活性,缓解连作土壤带来的胁迫。     

家畜粪便堆肥对番茄青枯病、土壤酶活性及土壤微生物功能多样性的影响

合理施用堆肥能够有效地改善植物的生长条件和土壤的生态环境,从而提高植物对病害的抗性。通过盆栽实验,研究了家畜堆肥浸渍液及堆肥混土对番茄青枯病的防治效果及其对土壤酶活性和土壤微生物功能多样性的影响。结果表明,家畜堆肥浸渍液及堆肥混土均对番茄青枯病有一定防治效果,以体积分数1∶1、1∶3的浸渍液处理和质量分数10%的堆肥混土处理效果较好,分别降低病情指数69.4%,31.5%和13.0%。而且浸渍液处理效果优于堆肥混土处理,浓度越高抗病效果越明显。堆肥混土处理可提高土壤脲酶活性,对蔗糖酶和过氧化氢酶活性影响不大;1∶1堆肥浸渍液处理能显著提高土壤脲酶和蔗糖酶活性。基于BIOLOG方法的土壤微生物群落功能研究表明,两种堆肥处理的平均每孔变化率(AWCD)值、Shannon多样性指数、Simpson多样性指数均较对照减小,而对于Alatalo均匀度指数则没有显著影响。不同堆肥处理间微生物碳源利用存在较大差异,堆肥混土处理的主要碳源是糖类和羧酸类物质,而浸渍液处理则是糖类和氨基酸类物质。通过主成分分析得到的堆肥处理聚类结果与各种处理的抗病性强弱分类情况相吻合,且与AWCD值、Shannon多样性指数、Simpson多样性指数的强弱分类也大致吻合。研究表明,施用家畜粪便堆肥主要通过改变土壤微生物群落多样性和土壤酶活性,提高番茄植株的抗病性。     

枯草芽孢杆菌肥在罗汉果上应用的效应分析

以罗汉果永青2号品种为材料,在连作6 a罗汉果的地块上,用地膜覆盖和区间隔离的方法,施入不同浓度的枯草芽孢杆菌肥,观察土壤微生物数量、罗汉果叶绿素量、白绢病发生率、产量及皂苷Ⅴ的变化,研究枯草芽孢杆菌肥对多年种植罗汉果地块的土壤微生物,植株生长和品质的影响。结果表明:枯草芽孢杆菌肥明显提高0~20 cm土壤微生物的数量,尤其是细菌数量和放线菌明显高于对照;而引发植株发病的真菌数量显著减少,最多能减少13.8%。提高罗汉果植株叶片叶绿素含量,促进叶绿素a、叶绿素b的形成,有利光合作用积累,同时,能增加叶绿素c含量,提高植株抗逆性;能抑制或降低白绢病病菌感染,减少白绢病发生。罗汉果果实产量得到明显提高,最大提高17.5%,同时,大中果比率提高7.5%,优化了罗汉果商品的物理性状;能改善罗汉果品质,提高其内含物的含量,果实中的主效成份皂苷Ⅴ含量达到1.33%,显著高于对照。该研究结果为罗汉果产区使用枯草芽孢杆菌肥连续种植罗汉果提供了依据。     

Recovery of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas</Emphasis> spp. from the ‘Fired Plots’ Under Shifting Cultivation in Northeast India

Soil samples, collected after the fire operations at agricultural sites under shifting cultivation in northeast India, were subjected to physico-chemical and microbial analysis. The fire affected various physico-chemical properties of the soil. Significant differences in pH and electrical conductivity were recorded in soil of fired and fallow plots. Significantly higher amounts of total organic carbon and nitrogen were estimated in fallow plots as compared to the fired. Difference in total phosphates was not significant. The fire operations resulted in stimulation of microbial communities. The bacteria were the most affected group followed by actinomycetes and fungi, respectively. The bacterial and actinomycetes counts were significantly higher in fired plots as compared to the fallow plots. The representative bacterial species recovered from the ‘fired plots’ belonged to the genus Bacillus and Pseudomonas. 16S rRNA analysis revealed their maximum similarity with B. clausii, B. licheniformis, B. megaterium, B. subtilis, B. thuringiensis, P. aeruginosa and P. stutzeri. Most of these species were found to be positive for phosphate solubilization and antagonism in plate based assays. In view of the importance of Bacillus and Pseudomonas species in plant growth promotion and biocontrol, recovery of these species after fire operations is indicative of the microbiological merit of shifting cultivation.     

An efficient procedure for the isolation of PCR-competent DNA from Bacillus endospores germinated in soil

DNA extraction techniques for endospore-forming bacteria in soil are often labour-intensive and unreliable. Our objective in this work was to investigate whether good quality DNA could be obtained from spores germinated in soil. To this end, endospores from Bacillus subtilis, B. megaterium and B. thuringiensis were inoculated into soil microcosms and germination was induced by addition of LB medium supplemented with l-alanine, glucose, fructose and KCl. Heat resistance count was reduced to 80% for B. subtilis and more than 90% for B. thuringiensis and B. megaterium after a few minutes. Isolation of DNA from soil with a procedure which did not work on spores was shown to be as efficient for in situ-germinated spores as for inoculated vegetative cells. Furthermore, we developed a simple procedure that allowed us to use the recovered DNA in PCR amplifications. The present methodology is simple and efficient; it avoids the use of special equipment and harsh spore rupturing methods and can be carried out with multiple samples.     

Role of Ni-tolerant Bacillus spp. and Althea rosea L. in the phytoremediation of Ni-contaminated soils

In our current study, four nickel-tolerant (Ni-tolerant) bacterial species viz, Bacillus thuringiensis 002, Bacillus fortis 162, Bacillus subtilis 174, and Bacillus farraginis 354, were screened using Ni-contaminated media. The screened microbes exhibited positive results for synthesis of indole acetic acid (IAA), siderophore production, and phosphate solubilization. The effects of these screened microbes on Ni mobility in the soil, root elongation, plant biomass, and Ni uptake in Althea rosea plants grown in Ni-contaminated soil (200 mg Ni kg^?1) were evaluated. Significantly higher value for water-extractable Ni (38 mg kg^?1) was observed in case of Ni-amended soils inoculated with B. subtilis 174. Similarly, B. thuringiensis 002, B. fortis 162, and B. subtilis 174 significantly enhanced growth and Ni uptake in A. rosea. The Ni uptake in the shoots and roots of B. subtilis 174-inoculated plants enhanced up to 1.7 and 1.6-fold, respectively, as compared to that in the un-inoculated control. Bacterial inoculation also significantly improved the root and shoot biomass of treated plants. The current study presents a novel approach for bacteria-assisted phytoremediation of Ni-contaminated areas.     

Alleviation of Drought Stress in Turfgrass by the Combined Application of Nano-compost and Microbes from Compost

Drought stress is a key environmental factor limiting the growth and productivity of plants. Turfgrasses are often affected by drought in north China due to water shortage. In the present study, the impact of nanosized compost either alone or in combination with drought tolerant isolates from compost on turfgrass response to drought was investigated. Municipal solid waste (MSW) compost was processed into nanosized particles and added in turfgrass soil. Microorganisms in the MSW compost were screened for drought stress tolerance using increasing concentrations of polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000). Festuca arundinacea Schreb. plants were inoculated with this mixture and exposed to drought stress by reducing the amount of water added at vegetative growth stage. The drought-tolerant isolates from compost were identified as Bacillus cereus, Lysinibacillus sp. and Rhodotorula glutinis. Our results revealed that nanocompost and microbial inoculation minimized the drought stress-imposed effects significantly increasing shoot biomass, root biomass, and chlorophyll content. Similarly, nanocompost-treated and inoculated seedlings showed higher levels of antioxidant enzymes and lower MDA content compared to nontreated control under drought stress. The combination of nano-sized compost and microbial inoculation were more efficient than nanocompost alone in terms of influencing growth and physiological status of the seedlings under drought stress. Our data suggest that nanocompost combined with drought-tolerant isolates may enhance drought tolerance in turfgrass by promoting plant growth and increasing the capacity to eliminate toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS).     

Evaluation of Bacillus thuringiensis bioinsecticidal protein effects on soil microorganisms

The effect of B. thuringiensis and its crystal protein on plant growth and on functional groups of microorganisms is not well understood. Soybean (Glycine max) var. Br 322 was grown in non-sterile soil infested with three B. thuringiensis (Bt) inocula: insecticidal crystal protein producer (Cry+), a mutant non-producer (Cry–), or insecticidal crystal protein (ICP), at a rate of 10⁷ cells g^–1 dry soil or 1.25 mg of protein g^–1 dry soil. Non-inoculated plants were maintained as control. Measurements were carried out on soil samples before sowing (time zero) and after sowing and inoculation (5, 15, 25, 35 and 45 d) on samples of rhizosphere soil. The effect of spore and crystal protein produced by B. thuringiensis on the populations of functional groups of microorganisms (bacteria including actinomycetes and fungi) involved in the biogeochemical cycling of carbon (cellulolytic, amylolytic and proteolytic), phosphorus (arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi), and nitrogen (number of nodules and proteolytic) were evaluated. Population sizes of culturable heterotrophic bacteria and saprophytic fungi were also evaluated. No difference was found in heterotrophic bacterial populations inoculated with B. thuringiensis. Difference was observed in functional groups of C-cycling microorganisms. Nodule formation and plant growth were increased by Cry+ strain and ICP when compared with uninoculated plants. Crystal protein did not show any effect on arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) colonization. However, a deleterious effect was observed with Cry+ and Cry– strains that inhibited colonization of AM fungi when compared with uninoculated plants.     

Increase in Seedling Emergence and Dry Weight of Pigeon Pea in the Field with Chitin-supplemented Formulations of Bacillus subtilis AF 1

Summary Different formulations of a chitinolytic plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium, Bacillus subtilis AF 1, were evaluated for growth promotion of pigeon pea in the field. Alginate, peat, chitin/Aspergillus niger mycelium-supplemented peat, and spent compost formulations of B. subtilis AF 1 effectively increased the seedling emergence, plant height and dry weight in the field, with chitin-supplemented peat formulation being the most effective in two different cropping seasons viz., ‘kharif’ and ‘rabi’. As a seed treatment, chitin-supplemented peat formulation of B. subtilis AF 1 increased the emergence and dry weight of pigeon pea seedlings by 29 and 33%, in comparison to an increase of 21 and 30%, respectively by mid-exponential phase cells of B. subtilis AF 1. Colonization of the root system was assessed by the recovery of introduced ampicillin-resistant and chitin-degrading B. subtilis AF 1, on media containing ampicillin and colloidal chitin, from the rhizoplane during the cropping period.     

除草剂对桉树人工林下植物及土壤微生物群落的影响

除草剂在桉树人工林中的应用越来越普遍,但关于除草剂对桉树人工林林下植物和土壤微生物群落的影响知之甚少。通过桉树人工林低剂量高频率（LHF）、中剂量中频率（MMF）、高剂量低频率（HLF）除草剂喷施试验,并与人工除草（MT）为对照,比较分析不同剂量、不同频率除草剂施用对林下植物和土壤微生物群落的影响。结果表明,施用除草剂导致桉树人工林林下植物种类和功能群组成发生显著变化,但并未显著降低林下植物群落物种丰富度和多样性,随除草剂施用频率的降低及恢复时间的增加,物种丰富度及多样性指数呈恢复趋势。除草剂施用也导致土壤养分含量降低。除草剂通过对林下植物群落和土壤养分的负面影响间接影响土壤微生物群落。LHF显著降低藤本植物而显著提高蕨类植物功能群的重要值,从而显著降低了微生物群落、真菌和放线菌的磷脂脂肪酸（PLFA）含量。MMF显著降低木本和藤本植物而显著提高禾草植物功能群的重要值,导致土壤微生物群落和放线菌的PLFA含量显著降低。HLF未显著影响林下植物及土壤微生物群落,但土壤全磷含量显著降低,速效磷含量也大幅下降。施用除草剂显著降低了土壤微生物生物量碳、氮的含量。因此,生产上应减少除草剂的施用,以减少对林下植物和土壤微生物群落的负效应。     

Tomato Growth in Soil Amended with Sugar Mill By-Products Compost

Sugar mill by-products compost may be a good soil amendment to promote tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) growth. In addition, the compost may further promote plant growth by inoculation with N₂-fixing bacteria. Compost from sugar-mill waste was prepared with and without the N₂-fixing bacteria, Azotobacter vinelandii, Beijerinckia derxii and Azospirillum sp. and incubated for 50 days. Each compost type was added to 10 kg of soil in pots at rates of 0, 15, and 45 g with and without fertilizer N at rates of 0, 0.75, and 1.54 g. A blanket application of P and K was applied to all pots. Shoot and root dry weights and N content of the whole plant was measured at 55 days. Dry weight of tomato shoots was increased by 40% by addition of fertilizer N and root weight was increased by 66%. Without fertilizer N the high rate of inoculated compost increased shoot growth 180% and uninoculated compost increased shoot growth 112%. For most treatments with and without fertilizer N, inoculated compost enhanced shoot growth and nitrogen content more than uninoculated compost. Root weights were nearly doubled by addition of either compost in comparison to the 0 N treatment. At the low rate of compost addition without fertilizer N, root weight was the same for uninoculated and inoculated compost but at the high rate of compost addition root weight was 32% higher for inoculated compost. The N₂-fixing bacteria colonized roots when inoculated compost was used. Sugar mill by-products compost proved to be an effective soil amendment for promoting the growth of tomato plants.     

Growth enhancement of Citrus reshni after inoculation with Glomus intraradices and Trichoderma aureoviride and associated effects on microbial populations and enzyme activity in potting mixes

There have been some scientific reports suggesting that dual inoculations with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and saprophytic soil fungi may cause an additive or synergistic growth enhancement of the inoculated host plant. Some Trichoderma spp. have shown antagonistic potential against pathogenic fungi and a beneficial effect on plant growth. Joint inoculations of the mycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices Schenck and Smith, isolated from a citrus nursery (Tarragona, Spain) and a strain of Trichoderma aureoviride Rifai, isolated from an organic compost, were tested on a citrus rootstock, Citrus reshni Hort. ex Tan. The interactions between both microorganisms and their influence on mycorrhizal root colonization and plant growth enhancement, the changes produced in the soil microbial activity, like esterase, trehalase, phosphatase and chitinase activities, and on microbial populations were evaluated in three organic substrates: (1) sphagnum peat and autoclaved sandy soil (1/1, v/v), (2) sphagnum peat, quartz sand and perlite (1/1/1, v/v) and (3) pine bark compost (BVU, Prodeasa Product). Substrate characteristics were more important than the AM inoculation treatment in the determination of enzyme activity. In bark compost, the number of bacterial colonies obtained on soil-dilution plates was significantly higher than in peat and sand mixtures. Inoculation with T. aureoviride alone produced no significant effect on growth enhancement of C. reshni. However, dual inoculation with both, T. aureoviride and G. intraradices significantly increased plant growth in two of the substrates used and was the best treatment in pine bark amended compost. The inoculation with T. aureoviride did not affect the development of mycorrhizal root colonization. These results show a synergistic effect of G. intraradices and T. aureoviride on the growth of C. reshni in organic substrates and indicate the potential benefits of using combined inoculations.