Greater accumulation of litter in spruce (Picea abies) compared to beech (Fagus sylvatica) stands is not a consequence of the inherent recalcitrance of needles

Background and aims

Replacement of beech by spruce is associated with changes in soil acidity, soil structure and humus form, which are commonly ascribed to the recalcitrance of spruce needles. It is of practical relevance to know how much beech must be admixed to pure spruce stands in order to increase litter decomposition and associated nutrient cycling. We addressed the impact of tree species mixture within forest stands and within litter on mass loss and nutritional release from litter.

Methods

Litter decomposition was measured in three adjacent stands of pure spruce (Picea abies), mixed beech-spruce and pure beech (Fagus sylvatica) on three nutrient-rich sites and three nutrient-poor sites over a three-year period using the litterbag method (single species and mixed species bags).

Results

Mass loss of beech litter was not higher than mass loss of spruce litter. Mass loss and nutrient release were not affected by litter mixing. Litter decay indicated non-additive patterns, since similar remaining masses under pure beech (47%) and mixed beech-spruce (48%) were significantly lower than under pure spruce stands (67%). Release of the main components of the organic substance (C_org, N_tot, P, S, lignin) and associated K were related to mass loss, while release of other nutrients was not related to mass loss.

Conclusions

In contradiction to the widely held assumption of slow decomposition of spruce needles, we conclude that accumulation of litter in spruce stands is not caused by recalcitrance of spruce needles to decay; rather adverse environmental conditions in spruce stands retard decomposition. Mixed beech-spruce stands appear to be as effective as pure beech stands in counteracting these adverse conditions.     

Changes induced by the roots of Erica arborea L. to create a suitable environment in a soil developed from alkaline and fine-textured marine sediments

Background and aims

We report on the modifications induced by the roots of Erica arborea L. on a soil derived from alkaline and fine-textured marine sediments.

Methods

Physical, chemical, mineralogical and biochemical properties of bulk soil and of the rhizosphere of Erica were characterised to evaluate its role on soil development.

Results

Once the upper horizons had been decarbonated because of geomorphic and pedogenic processes, Erica colonised the soil and progressively modified it through the activity of roots. In the upper horizons, there was no difference between rhizosphere and bulk soil for pH, organic C and exchangeable Al and H. At depth, pH, organic C and exchangeable Al and H differed between rhizosphere and bulk soil. The weathering reactions induced by the Erica roots caused a relative quartz enrichment in the rhizosphere compared with the bulk soil. In the E, EB and Bw horizons, the microbial community of the rhizosphere appeared better adapted than in the underlying 2Bw horizons, where the rhizospheric microorganisms were poorly adapted as these horizons represented the boundary between acid and sub-alkaline soil environments.

Conclusions

The activity of Erica roots modified soil properties so to produce more favourable conditions for itself and the rhizosphere microflora.     

Aluminum tolerance of wheat does not induce changes in dominant bacterial community composition or abundance in an acidic soil

Aims

Aluminum-tolerant wheat plants often produce more root exudates such as malate and phosphate than aluminum-sensitive ones under aluminum (Al) stress, which provides environmental differences for microorganism growth in their rhizosphere soils. This study investigated whether soil bacterial community composition and abundance can be affected by wheat plants with different Al tolerance.

Methods

Two wheat varieties, Atlas 66 (Al-tolerant) and Scout 66 (Al-sensitive), were grown for 60 days in acidic soils amended with or without CaCO₃. Plant growth, soil pH, exchangeable Al content, bacterial community composition and abundance were investigated.

Results

Atlas 66 showed better growth and lower rhizosphere soil pH than Scout 66 irrespective of CaCO₃ amendment or not, while there was no significant difference in the exchangeable Al content of rhizosphere soil between the two wheat lines. The dominant bacterial community composition and abundance in rhizosphere soils did not differ between Atlas 66 and Scout 66, although the bacterial abundance in rhizosphere soil of both wheat lines was significantly higher than that in bulk soil. Sphingobacteriales, Clostridiales, Burkholderiales and Acidobacteriales were the dominant bacteria phylotypes.

Conclusions

The difference in wheat Al tolerance does not induce the changes in the dominant bacterial community composition or abundance in the rhizosphere soils.     

Partitioning of the source of leaf calcium of American beech and sugar maple using leaf Ca/Sr ratios: a predominantly surficial but variable depth of Ca uptake

Background and Aims

Reduced availability of calcium (Ca) has been linked to maple forest decline. We therefore aimed at assessing the contribution of the different soil horizons to leaf Ca of competing beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) and sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) to better understand the dynamics of Ca uptake.

Methods

Leaf Ca was partitioned using the Ca/Sr ratio approach in two mature forests of southern Quebec. A mass balance was also used at one site to validate the results obtained with the Ca/Sr approach.

Results

The L and F horizons contributed most of the leaf Ca of beech and maple with likely small contributions from the upper B and/or H/Ahe horizons. Leaf Ca/Sr ratios of beech were however more variable than those of maple. Using a mass balance, the organic horizons and upper mineral soil horizons were found to provide ca. 80 and 20 % of tree Ca uptake, respectively.

Conclusion

Beech and maple Ca uptake depth apportionment is on average similar but beech is likely more plastic in sourcing soil Ca. The low contribution of the mineral soil to leaf Ca at our sites can be linked to less favorable conditions for Ca uptake likely associated with low Ca/Al ratios.     

Aluminum resistance mechanisms in oat (Avena sativa L.)

Background and aims

Enhanced aluminum (Al) resistance has been observed in dicots over-expressing enzymes involved in organic acid synthesis; however, this approach for improving Al resistance has not been investigated in monocots. Among the cereals, oat (Avena sativa L.) is considered to be Al resistant, but the basis of resistance is not known.

Methods

A hydroponic assay and hematoxylin staining for Al accumulation in roots were used to evaluate Al resistance in 15 oat cultivars. Malate and citrate release from roots was measured over a 24?h period. A malate dehydrogenase gene, neMDH, from alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) was used to transform oat.

Results

Oat seedlings were highly resistant to Al, as a concentration of 325?μM AlK(SO₄)₂ was needed to cause a 50% decrease in root growth. Most oat cultivars tested are naturally resistant to high concentrations of Al and effectively excluded Al from roots. Al-dependent release of malate and Al-independent release of citrate was observed. Al resistance was enhanced in a transgenic oat line with the highest accumulation of neMDH protein. However, overall root growth of this line was reduced and expression of neMDH in transgenic oat did not enhance malate secretion.

Conclusions

Release of malate from oat roots was associated with Al resistance, which suggests that malate plays a role in Al resistance of oat. Over-expression of alfalfa neMDH enhanced Al resistance in some lines but was not effective alone for crop improvement.     

Carbonylated proteins accumulated as vitality decreases during long-term storage of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) seeds

Key message

Carbonylation of proteins associated with a stress response may contribute to the lowered viability of naturally aged beech seeds, especially the desiccation tolerance-associated proteins and USP-like protein.

Abstract

Proteins are modified by a large number of reactions that involve reactive oxygen species-mediated oxidation. The direct oxidation of amino acids produces 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine-detectable protein products. Carbonylation is irreversible, and carbonylated proteins are marked for proteolysis or can escape degradation and form high molecular weight aggregates, which accumulate with age. Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) seeds stored under optimal conditions for different periods of time, ranging from 2 to 13 years, were analyzed. Protein carbonylation was examined as a potential cause for the loss of viability of beech seeds, and the characteristic spots of protein carbonyls were identified. Here, we present and discuss the role of carbonylation in the proteome of beech seeds that contribute to the loss of seed viability during natural aging. The long-term storage of beech seeds is intricate because their germination capacity decreases with age and is negatively correlated with the level of protein carbonyls that accumulate in the seeds. We establish that protein synthesis, folding and degradation are the most affected biochemical traits in long-term stored beech seeds. In addition, we suggest that proteins associated with the stress response may have contributed to the lowered viability of beech seeds, especially the desiccation tolerance-associated proteins that include T-complex protein 1 and the universal stress protein (USP)-like protein, which is identified as carbonylated for first time here.     

Modeling individual tree height to diameter ratio for Norway spruce and European beech in Czech Republic

Key message

The purposed spatially explicit and spatially non-explicit height to diameter ratio models can be useful to evaluate the stability of trees and stands for Norway spruce and European beech forests.

Abstract

Height to diameter ratio (HDR) is an individual tree index, also known as slenderness coefficient, and commonly used to evaluate stability of trees and stands. We developed both spatially explicit and spatially non-explicit HDR models for Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) using a large dataset collected from fully stem-mapped permanent research plots in various parts of the Czech Republic. Various tree and stand characteristics were evaluated for their potential contributions to the the HDR models. In addition to diameter at breast height (DBH), other highly significant predictor variables identified are dominant height (HDOM) (site quality measure), dominant diameter (DDOM) and quadratic mean diameter (QMD) (spatially non-explicit competition measures), and Hegyi’s index (spatially explicit competition index, CI). A simple exponential decay function was chosen as a base function to include these predictor variables. Both spatially explicit and spatially non-explicit models described large parts of the HDR variations [R _adj ²  = 0.66 (Norway spruce), 0.72 (European beech)] without any systematic deviation of the residuals across the observed data range. Unlike for European beech, spatially explicit model for Norway spruce better described HDR variations than its spatially non-explicit counterpart. After DBH, HDOM provided the largest contribution to each model type, followed by DDOM and QMD or CI for both species. The HDR increased with increasing HDOM and CI, but it decreased with increasing DDOM and QMD, suggesting there were significantly large effects of site quality and stand density on HDR. Because of a little difference between the fit statistics and graphical displays of the two model types, spatially non-explicit model is recommended for prediction of HDR for both species as this model does not require spatially explicit CI, which is computationally much more complex than spatially non-explicit competition measures. The proposed HDR models may be applicable to assess stability of trees and stands, and to regulate stand densities.

     

Effects of soil acidity and water stress on corn and soybean performance under a no-till system

Background and Aims

Field studies have demonstrated that aluminum (Al) toxicity is low in no-till systems during cropping seasons that have adequate and well-distributed rainfall. This study evaluated the performance of corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) on an acid loamy soil under a long-term no-till system, in response to surface liming and as affected by genotypic tolerance to Al and water stress.

Methods

A field trial examined the effect of surface application of lime (0, 4, 8, and 12 Mg ha^?1) on no-till corn and soybean nutrition and yield. Trials were also carried out in undisturbed soil columns taken from the unlimed and limed plots. Two hybrids/cultivars of corn and soybean, one sensitive and the other moderately sensitive to Al were grown at two soil moisture levels with and without water stress (50 % and 80 % water filled pore space).

Results

Alleviating soil acidity by liming improved nutrition and increased grain yields of corn and soybean. The benefits of liming on root length density, nutrient uptake and shoot biomass production of corn and soybean were more pronounced in Al-sensitive genotypes under water stress.

Conclusions

The results suggest that plants exposed to drought stress under no-till systems are more affected by Al toxicity.     

Impact of common European tree species and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb.] Franco) on the physicochemical properties of the rhizosphere

Trees play a crucial role in nutrient cycling and ecosystem fertility, notably through rhizosphere processes. The aim of this study was to compare soil physicochemical properties between bulk soil and rhizosphere of several tree species, and to compare rhizosphere properties between fertilized and non-fertilized conditions. The soil sampling was performed in Breuil-Chenue forest (North-East of France) in seven stands: native forest (old beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and oak (Quercus sessiliflora Smith) coppice with standards; CwS), beech, oak (Quercus petraea [Matt.] Liebl.), Douglas-fir and fertilised Douglas-fir, Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst.) and fertilised Norway spruce. Systematic soil sampling was performed at 0–3, 3–10, and 10–23 cm in 20 calibrated pits. The rhizosphere of the different species was generally enriched in C, N, Ca, Mg, and K. Interestingly, the same positive effect was observed in the fertilised plots. The rhizosphere effect varied between tree species for C, “base” cations, pH_water and cation exchange capacity. This study reveals that interactions between roots, microorganisms and soil can enrich the pool of nutrients in the rhizosphere compared to bulk soil whatever the soil fertility conditions, and that the magnitude of the rhizosphere effect depends on tree species.     

Degradability, molecular weight and adsorption properties of dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen leached from different types of decomposing litter

Aims

We characterized dissolved organic matter (DOM) leached during decomposition of deciduous silver birch litter (Betula pendula Roth.), coniferous Norway spruce litter (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and a mixture of these litters in order to find out whether the properties of DOM would explain the earlier observed signs for higher microbial activity in soil under birch than spruce.

Methods

DOM leached from decomposing litters was collected in a litter-column experiment in the laboratory. Adsorption properties (XAD-8 resin fractionation) and molecular weight as well as the degradability of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrogen (DON) were measured three times during decomposition: 1) in the early stages, 2) after the mass loss reached 20–30 % and 3) when the mass loss reached 30–40 %.

Results

The leaching of DOC hydrophilic neutrals and bases, regarded easily degradable, decreased during decomposition. The leaching of DOC in hydrophobic acids, regarded refractory, increased from spruce and especially from the mixture litter during decomposition and may be connected to the degree of litter decomposition that was highest for the mixture. Unexpectedly, the degradability of DOC differed only slightly between the litters but the degradability of DON was substantially higher for spruce than birch. Spruce DOM seemed to be more N-rich than birch DOM in the early stages of decomposition and it seemed that labile DON was mobilized earlier from spruce than birch litter.

Conclusions

We conclude that the decomposition degree of litter determines largely the properties of DOM. The observed differences in the properties of DOM sampled during the litter decomposition cannot explain differences in C and N cycling between birch and spruce.     

Fine-root trait plasticity of beech (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fagus sylvatica</Emphasis>) and spruce (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Picea abies</Emphasis>) forests on two contrasting soils

Aim

The fine roots of trees may show plastic responses to their resource environment. Several, contrasting hypotheses exist on this plasticity, but empirical evidence for these hypotheses is scattered. This study aims to enhance our understanding of tree root plasticity by examining intra-specific variation in fine-root mass and morphology, fine-root growth and decomposition, and associated mycorrhizal interactions in beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) forests on soils that differ in resource availability.

Methods

We measured the mass and morphological traits of fine roots (i.e. ≤ 2 mm diameter) sampled to 50 cm depth. Fine-root growth was measured with ingrowth cores, and fine-root decomposition with litter bags. Mycorrhizal fungal biomass was determined using ingrowth mesh bags.

Results

Both tree species showed more than three times higher fine-root mass, and a ten-fold higher fine-root growth rate on sand than on clay, but no or marginal differences in overall fine-root morphology. Within the fine-root category however, beech stands had relatively more root length of their finest roots on clay than on sand. In the spruce stands, ectomycorrhizal mycelium biomass was larger on sand than on clay.

Conclusions

In temperate beech and spruce forests, fine-root mass and mycorrhizal fungal biomass, rather than fine-root morphology, are changed to ensure uptake under different soil resource conditions. Yet enhancing our mechanistic understanding of fine-root trait plasticity and how it affects tree growth requires more attention to fine-root dynamics, the functional diversity within the fine-roots, and mycorrhizal symbiosis as an important belowground uptake strategy.

     

Mixed Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica [L.]) stands under drought: from reaction pattern to mechanism

Key message

We review causes of synergies in mixed-species stands, develop guiding hypotheses for revealing their mechanisms and present a rainfall exclusion experiment along with a transect (KROOF) for exploring drought effects.

Abstract

While monocultures have dominated forest research and practice in the past, in face of growing resource scarcity and climate change, mixed-species stands are on the advance. Long-term observations show that mixed-species stands frequently over-yield monocultures, and they further suggest that the over-yielding is often higher on poor than on fertile sites and in low-growth than in high-growth years. However, the underlying causes have not yet been clarified. We start with a review of, among others, hydraulic redistribution, complementary eco-physiological traits, and ectomycorrhizal networks as possible causes behind the observed productivity gains in mixed-species stands. Then, we develop guiding hypotheses for further exploration of synergies in mixed-species stands. Finally, we introduce into the concept and model approach of the rainfall exclusion experiment for examining the role of water supply in mixed versus pure forest stands of spruce and beech. At the Kranzberg site, six plots are equipped with water retention roofs, which only close during rain events. The remaining six plots serve as non-roofed control. Together with the rainfall exclusion experiment, an ecological gradient with five sites extending through SE-Germany forms the “Kranzberg Roof Experiment” (in short KROOF). Kranzberg Forest is a part of this gradient from moist to dry conditions, with each site providing mixed and pure associations each of spruce and beech. The ecophysiological approach will be complemented by tree ring analysis and modelling of productivity of the tree associations under intense drought.     

The natural abundance of 15N in litter and soil profiles under six temperate tree species: N cycling depends on tree species traits and site fertility

Aims

We investigated the influence of tree species on the natural ¹⁵N abundance in forest stands under elevated ambient N deposition.

Methods

We analysed δ¹⁵N in litter, the forest floor and three mineral soil horizons along with ecosystem N status variables at six sites planted three decades ago with five European broadleaved tree species and Norway spruce.

Results

Litter δ¹⁵N and ¹⁵N enrichment factor (δ¹⁵N_litter–δ¹⁵N_soil) were positively correlated with N status based on soil and litter N pools, nitrification, subsoil nitrate concentration and forest growth. Tree species differences were also significant for these N variables and for the litter δ¹⁵N and enrichment factor. Litter from ash and sycamore maple with high N status and low fungal mycelia activity was enriched in ¹⁵N (+0.9 delta units) relative to other tree species (European beech, pedunculate oak, lime and Norway spruce) even though the latter species leached more nitrate.

Conclusions

The δ¹⁵N pattern reflected tree species related traits affecting the N cycling as well as site fertility and former land use, and possibly differences in N leaching. The tree species δ¹⁵N patterns reflected fractionation caused by uptake of N through mycorrhiza rather than due to nitrate leaching or other N transformation processes.     

Elevated CO2 temporally enhances phosphorus immobilization in the rhizosphere of wheat and chickpea

Aims

The efficient management of phosphorus (P) in cropping systems remains a challenge due to climate change. We tested how plant species access P pools in soils of varying P status (Olsen-P 3.2–17.6 mg?kg^?1), under elevated atmosphere CO₂ (eCO₂).

Methods

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants were grown in rhizo-boxes containing Vertosol or Calcarosol soil, with two contrasting P fertilizer histories for each soil, and exposed to ambient (380 ppm) or eCO₂ (700 ppm) for 6 weeks.

Results

The NaHCO₃-extractable inorganic P (Pi) in the rhizosphere was depleted by both wheat and chickpea in all soils, but was not significantly affected by CO₂ treatment. However, NaHCO₃-extractable organic P (Po) accumulated, especially under eCO₂ in soils with high P status. The NaOH-extractable Po under eCO₂ accumulated only in the Vertosol with high P status. Crop species did not exhibit different eCO₂-triggered capabilities to access any P pool in either soil, though wheat depleted NaHCO₃-Pi and NaOH-Pi in the rhizosphere more than chickpea. Elevated CO₂ increased microbial biomass C in the rhizosphere by an average of 21 %. Moreover, the size in Po fractions correlated with microbial C but not with rhizosphere pH or phosphatase activity.

Conclusion

Elevated CO₂ increased microbial biomass in the rhizosphere which in turn temporally immobilized P. This P immobilization was greater in soils with high than low P availability.     

Screening of plant growth promoting Rhizobacteria isolated from sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

Background and Aims

This study was aimed at assessing the diversity of putatively diazotrophic rhizobacteria associated with sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) cropped in the south of Brazil, and to examine key plant growth promotion (PGP) characteristics of the isolates for the purposes of increasing plant productivity.

Methods

299 strains were isolated from the roots and rhizosphere of sunflower cultivated in five different areas using N-free media. 16S rDNA PCR-RFLP and 16S rRNA partial sequencing were used for identification and the Shannon index was used to evaluate bacterial diversity. Production of siderophores and indolic compounds (ICs), as well phosphate solubilization activities of each isolate were also evaluated in vitro. On the basis of multiple PGP activities, eight isolates were selected and tested for their N-fixation ability, and their capacity as potential PGPR on sunflower plants was also assessed.

Results

All except three Gram-positive strains (phylum Actinobacteria) belonged to the Gram-negative Proteobacteria subgroups [Gamma (167), Beta (78), and Alpha (50)] and the family Flavobacteriaceae (1)]. Shannon indexes ranged from 0.96 to 2.13 between the five sampling sites. Enterobacter and Burkholderia were the predominant genera isolated from roots and rhizosphere, respectively. Producers of siderophores and ICs were widely found amongst the isolates, but only 19.8% of them solubilized phosphate. About 8% of the isolates exhibited all three PGP traits, and these mostly belonged to the genus Burkholderia. Four isolates were able to stimulate the growth of sunflower plants under gnotobiotic conditions.

Conclusions

Enterobacter and Burkholderia were the dominant rhizospheric bacterial genera associated with sunflower plants. Inoculation with isolates belonging to the genera Achromobacter, Chryseobacterium, Azospirillum, and Burkholderia had a stimulatory effect on plant growth.     

An experimentally controlled extreme drought in a Norway spruce forest reveals fast hydraulic response and subsequent recovery of growth rates

Key message

An experimental drought treatment, exacerbated by a natural drought event, compromised growth in Norway spruce, but more cavitation-resistant xylem was produced and no long-term growth reductions were observed.

Abstract

An experimental drought treatment in a mature Norway spruce forest that coincided with a rare drought event in southern Sweden in 1992, allowed us to study how such forests may respond to similar extreme events in the future. Immediately after the onset of the drought treatment, height and diameter growth decreased compared to control treatments. New xylem cells had smaller lumen und thicker walls, resulting in a more safety-orientated water transport system. The maximum growth and hydraulic system response of the 1990–1996 drought treatment coincided with the 1992 summer drought event. After the drought treatment ended, all measured traits recovered to control and irrigation treatment values after 3 years. While height and diameter growth recovered with delay, wood structure and hydraulic properties showed fast recovery. We conclude that a highly plastic response of the hydraulic system indicates a notable degree of resilience to droughts that are expected to become more common under climate change. Our results do not imply, however, that survival and productivity of Norway spruce plantations would not be compromised under drier conditions in the future, and they apply to site conditions equivalent to the studied system.     

Interaction of aluminium and drought stress on root growth and crop yield on acid soils

Background

Aluminium (Al) toxicity and drought stress are two major constraints for crop production in the world, particularly in the tropics. The variation in rainfall distribution and longer dry spells in much of the tropics during the main growing period of crops are becoming increasingly important yield-limiting factors with the global climate change. As a result, crop genotypes that are tolerant of both drought and Al toxicity need to be developed.

Scope

The present review mainly focuses on the interaction of Al and drought on root development, crop growth and yield on acid soils. It summarizes evidence from our own studies and other published/related work, and provides novel insights into the breeding for the adaptation to these combined abiotic stresses. The primary symptom of Al phytotoxicity is the inhibition of root growth. The impeded root system will restrict the roots for exploring the acid subsoil to absorb water and nutrients which is particularly important under condition of low soil moisture in the surface soil under drought. Whereas drought primarily affects shoot growth, effects of phytotoxic Al on shoot growth are mostly secondary effects that are induced by Al affecting root growth and function, while under drought stress root growth may even be promoted. Much progress has recently been made in the understanding of the physiology and molecular biology of the interaction between Al toxicity and drought stress in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in hydroponics and in an Al-toxic soil.

Conclusions

Crops growing on acid soils yield less than their potential because of the poorly developed root system that limits nutrient and water uptake. Breeding for drought resistance must be combined with Al resistance, to assure that drought resistance is expressed adequately in crops grown on soils with acid Al-toxic subsoils.     

Rhizobacteria (Pseudomonas sp. SB) assist phytoremediation of oily-sludge-contaminated soil by tall fescue (Testuca arundinacea L.)

Background and aims

The objectives of this study were to examine the effect of direct inoculation of seeds with the rhizobacteria Pseudomonas sp. SB on the growth of tall fescue and phytodegradation efficiency in an oily-sludge-contaminated soil.

Methods

SB isolated from rhizosphere soil of tall fescue was evaluated for their plant-growth-promoting characters and ability to produce biosurfactant. A pot experiment was conducted to study the effect of inoculation of SB on phytoremediation.

Results

SB reduced the surface tension of culture media and produced indole acetic acid, siderophores, and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase. Inoculation of SB increased shoot and root dry weights of tall fescue in oily-sludge-contaminated soil by 28 % and 19 %, respectively. Over 120 days, the content of total petroleum hydrocarbon in soil decreased by 33.9 %, 68.0 %, and 84.5 %, and of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by 32.9 %, 40.9 %, and 46.2 %, respectively, in the no-plant control, tall fescue, and tall fescue + SB treatments. Inoculation of SB also increased the activity and biodiversity of soil microbial communities in the planted treatments.

Conclusions

SB could produce biosurfactant and exhibited a number of characters of plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria. Inoculation of SB to tall fescue led to more effective remediation of oily-sludge-contaminated soils.     

Main rhizosphere characteristics of the Cd hyperaccumulator Rorippa globosa (Turcz.) Thell

Aim

This article was aimed to explore the main rhizospherial properties of the Cd hyperaccumulator R. globosa compared to those of the non hyperaccumulator Rorippa palustris (Leyss.) Bess. representing the same genus (Rorippa) of Cruciferae.

Method

Pot culture experiments using soil spiked with Cd as CdCl₂·2.5H₂O and rhizobags were conducted to determine the differences in Cd accumulation vs. pH, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), Cd chemical fractionation, enzyme activities, and microorganism number in the rhizospheres of R. globosa and R. palustris, and in the bulk soils.

Results

Experiments on Cd uptake by R. globosa and R. palustris from soil spiked with different doses of Cd ranging from 0 to 40 mg?kg^?1, confirmed Cd-hyperaccumulating properties of R. globosa (Cd accumulation in the above-ground organs >100 mg kg^?1, enrichment factor EF> 1, translocation factor TF> 1, no significant biomass reduction at Cd doses >10 mg kg^?1) and the lack of such properties in R. palustris, which made these species suitable for comparative studies. The pH value was found to be a constant, specific property of the rhizosphere of R. globosa and R. palustris, and of the bulk soil, independent on the Cd dose, however the differences were rather small: by 0.2 unit lower in the rhizosphere of R. globosa, and only by 0.1 unit lower in the rhizosphere of R.. palustris compared to the bulk soil. Chemical fractionation of Cd, i.e. its affinity to pools of different binding strength, also appeared to be a specific feature of a rhizosphere and soil independent on the Cd dose. It exhibited a unique capability of the rhizosphere of the Cd-hyperaccumulator R. globosa to mobilize Cd, which enriched the most labile exchangeable fraction in 24.4 % and the immobile residual fraction in 42.3 %, compared to 19.3 % and 50.8 % in the bulk soil and in the rhizosphere of the non-hiperaccumulator R.palustris that did not show significant difference (p?<?0.05) from the bulk soil. In turn, DOC concentrations, enzymatic (urease and catalase) activity and microorganism (bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes) growth in rhizosphere soils were largely influenced by different Cd doses, although they were always considerably higher in the rhizosphere soils of R globosa, than in the rhizosphere of R. palustris and in the bulk soil, in particular at Cd doses ≥10 mg kg^?1.

Conclusion

pH and DOC changes in the rhizosphere of the Cd-hyperaccumulator R. globosa were found to be of a minor importance. The alteration of Cd chemical fractionation consisting in substantial reduction of the immobile residual pool and Cd enrichment primarily in the most labile exchangeable fraction, along with over 2-fold higher number of microorganisms was considered to be the driving force of Cd hyperaccumulation.