Studies on the rhizosphere microflora of a desert plant

The response of the bacterial population to edaphic drought of the Egyptian desert was investigated. The influence of the rhizosphere on the microbial population as compared with soil apart was studied. The total microbial flora, total simple nutritional microflora, spores of simple and complex nutritional requirements, Actinomycetes and Fungi were estimated. Some groups of organisms which carry out certain important biochemical processes in the soil were also investigated, namely, cellulose decomposers, nitrifiers, Azotobacter and Clostridia. It was found that significatnly higher donsities of microbial population existed in the rhizosphere than in soil apart. This was attributed to organic matter and root secretion furnished by the growing roots of the desert plant, in addition to the presence of relatively moister conditions around the root than in soil apart. The high densities of microflora present in the rhizosphere indicate that the desert soil of this locality is suitable for reclamation since the only limiting factor in the proliferation of soil microorganisms are soil organic matter and moisture. Cellulose decomposers and nitrogen fixers, were found in high densities in the rhizosphere but not detected in the soil apart. The significance of the rhizosphere as constituting a microhabitat is discussed. The probable contribution of the periotrophic mantle of bacteria for protecting root cells against edaphic drought is also noted. Mineralization of the high microbial protein in the rhizosphere supplies the plant with the necessary nutrients.

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Изучение микрофлоры ризосферы растений в пустыне

Изучалась реакция популяций бактерий на засуху в египетской пустыне. Исследовалось влияние ризосферы (по сравнению со свободной почвой) на популяцию микробов. Было определено общее количество микроорганизмов, количество микроорганизмов со скромными требованиями к питанию, количество спорообразующих микроорганизмов е простыми и комплексными требованиями к питанию и количество актиномицетов и грибов. Изучались также некоторые группы микроорганизмов, осуществляющих важные биологические превращения в почве, а именно микроорганизмов, разлагающих целлюлозу, нитрификаторов, Azotobacter и Clostridia. Было установлено, что в ризосфере микробы гораздо более многочисленны, чем в свободной почве. Кроме стносительно большей влажности среды вблизи корней это обусловливается и влиянием органического вещества и корневых выделений, попадающих в почву пустыни. Обильная микрофлора в ризосфере растений в прстине свидетельствует о том, что почва пустыни в исследуемых местах пригодна для обработки, так как лимитирующими факторами в развитии микроорганизмов являются только влажность и органическое вещество почвы.

     

Effect of composted textile sludge on growth, nodulation and nitrogen fixation of soybean and cowpea

The effect of composted textile sludge on growth, nodulation and nitrogen fixation of soybean and cowpea was evaluated in a greenhouse experiment. The compost was incorporated into soil at 0, 9.5, 19 and 38 t ha(-1) (bases upon the N requirement of the crops, i.e., 0, 50, 100 and 200 kg available N ha(-1)). Growth, nodulation and shoot accumulation of nitrogen were evaluated 36 and 63 days after plant emergence. Nodule glutamine synthetase (GS) activity and leghemoglobin content were evaluated 63 days after emergence. Composted textile sludge did not show negative effects on nodule number and weight, nodule GS activity and leghemoglobin content. Nitrogen accumulation in shoot dry matter in soybean and cowpea was higher than other treatments with application of 19 t ha(-1) of compost. Composting can be an alternate technology for the management of solid textile mill sludge. This study verifies that the composted textile sludge was not harmful to growth, nodulation and nitrogen fixation of soybean and cowpea.     

放线菌制剂对人参生长及根域土壤微生物区系的影响

以小兴安岭地区人参为研究对象,探索放线菌制剂对人参的促生效应及对人参根区、根表土壤微生物区系的影响.结果表明： 经放线菌制剂Streptomyces pactum（Act12）处理后,人参药用部分产量增加,品质改善;叶片诱导酶活性提高,根系活力增强;土壤中细菌、放线菌的数量和比例显著增加,真菌的数量和比例减少.与对照相比,土壤微生物区系结构改变:优势菌荧光假单胞菌、韩国假单胞菌和氧化微杆菌在根区、根表土壤中的数量大幅提高;病原真菌烟色织孢霉在根区土壤中减少,在根表土壤中消失.表明施用放线菌制剂Act12能够改善土壤微生物区系,提高人参植株的抗性和根系活力,增加产量并改善品质.     

Effect of high soil temperatures on nodulation of cowpea, Vigna unguiculata

Cowpeas, inoculated with one of five effective strains of Rhizobium isolated from African soils, were grown at root temperatures of 30 ^oC continuously or at 36, 38, 40, 42 and 44 ^oC for 5 h/day and returned to glasshouse ambient for the intermediate period. Growth was best at 30 and 36 ^oC; above 40 ^oC growth was poor and no nodules formed. At 40 ^oC two strains failed to nodulate. Symbiotic performance was not dependent only on nodule production as nodule efficiency varied inversely with temperature. The number of nodules formed by strain R5000 after exposure of inoculated seed or seedlings to 40,42 or 44 ^oC for 5 h/day on each of 3 or 6 days depended on the age of plant and the duration of exposure to stress. When exposed to 42 or 44 ^oC during the first 3 days after sowing nodulation was reduced from 18 to 1–3 nodules/plant even after a further 40 days growth at ambient (30 day, 20 ^oC night). Nodulation was unaffected when 10–15-day-old seedlings were exposed to the same conditions. Numbers of strain R5000 on seed declined rapidly following three daily exposures of 5 h at 39 and 42 ^oC; at 45 ^oC less than three bacteria survived on each seed. Other rhizobia of the cowpea group varied greatly in their toleration of high temperatures, some survived well at 45 ^oC whereas others behaved like R5000.     

The rhizosphere microflora of wheat grown under controlled conditions II. Influence of the stage of growth of the plant,soil fertility and leaf treatment with urea on the rhizosphere soil microflora

Summary The rhizosphere effect of seminal roots of seedlings and of nodal roots of tillering plants of spring wheat ‘Kaspar’ was investigated under controlled conditions. The total number of micro-organisms recorded in the rhizosphere soil were significantly higher than for the non-rooted soil when investigated with the soil dilution plate method, but lower when fluorescence microscopy was used. Additions of inorganic fertilizer (NPK) decreased their numbers especially in rhizosphere soil of seminal roots and in non-rhizosphere soil, but did not change the ratio between bacteria and actinomycetes (B/A). In the rhizosphere soil the B/A ratio was higher than in the non-rhizosphere soil. An effect of urea leaf treatment was found with the dilution-plate method only in the rhizosphere soil of nodal roots, 3 to 7 days after the first treatment. Increased numbers of actinomycetes were found in this period in NPK fertilized soil, whereas increased numbers of bacteria were found at both fertility levels.     

Effect of some sulphur compounds on soil microflora of spruce rhizosphere

The effect of a long-term application of sulphite, thiosulphate and sodium sulphate on the soil microflora and spruce seedlings was investigated in a pot experiment. Sulphur compounds decreased the concentration of bacteria, including thiobacilli, increased the concentration of microscopic fungi and sulphate-reducing bacteria; they inhibited respiration, nitrification and oxidation of thiosulphate, stimulated ammonification and oxidation of elemental sulphur. In certain cases the spruce rhizosphere exhibited just the opposite effect. In the rhizosphere the sulphate-reducing bacteria were suppressed together with thiobacilli, whose unit oxidative activity increased substantially. Growth of seedlings was inhibited by sulphite and stimulated by thiosulphate and sulphate. Sulphite, the effects of which were similar to those of sulphur dioxide immissions, was the most effective compound. In regions influenced by immissions the soil is apparently intoxicated by the absorbed sulphite.     

Effect of soil solarization on nodulation,infection by mycorrhizal fungi and yield of cowpea

Solarization of soil was found beneficial for plant growth in cowpea under field conditions. Root nodulation, infection by mycorrhizal fungi and yield were higher in plants grown in solarized soil. These increases were to the extent of 104.7, 20.0 and 23.7 per cent respectively when compared to control treatment without solarization.     

Effect of continuous application of manures and fertilizers on rhizosphere microflora in arecanut palm

Summary The rhizosphere microflora of arecanut palm under continuous application of organic manures and inorganic fertilizers was studied. The nutrients applied are 100 g N, 40 g P₂O₅ and 140 g K₂O/palm/year in the form of organics and inorganics. The application of organic manure increased the microbial population. The increase in microbial population was observed between the rhizosphere samples collected at 0–30cm and 30–60 cm depths. The surface cultivation of soil increased the microbial population.Trichoderma sp. andAspergillus sp. dominated in therhizosphere of arecanut palm. Contribution No. 208. Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Vittal-574243, Karnataka, India.     

Effect of aflatoxin-contaminated groundnut cake on rhizosphere microflora of some vegetable plants

Plant and Soil - Amendment of groundut cake stimulated bacterial and fungal populations in rhizospheres of Rumex, okra, and clusterbean. Maximum rhizosphere effect was noticed when the plants were...     

Effect of phosphorus on the colonization of barley rhizosphere by microorganisms

The mineral phosphorus supply produced two outbreaks in the bacterial population of the barley rhizosphere and rhizoplane but inhibited the growth of fungal mycelium. The inhibition of mycelial growth might be due to the exudation of specific inhibitors by barley roots, since the most pronounced inhibition was observed at high doses of supplementary phosphorus.     

3株芽孢杆菌对番茄的促生作用及对番茄根域微生物的影响

通过种子萌发和盆栽促生试验研究3株芽孢杆菌Bs10、Ba12和Bl10对番茄的促生作用及其对番茄根域微生物区系的调节作用.结果表明: 3株芽孢杆菌对番茄种子的胚轴、胚根和番茄植株的生长有明显的促进作用,处理后番茄根系的总长度、总表面积和总体积均显著增加;处理后土壤中细菌数量和比例显著增加,真菌数量和比例明显减少.与对照相比,土壤微生物区系优势菌数量发生改变:优势甲基营养型芽孢杆菌在番茄根区、根表土壤中和根内的数量大幅提高;病原真菌腐皮镰刀菌和尖孢镰刀菌在根区和根表土壤中的数量显著减少.推知芽孢杆菌对根系微生物区系的调节作用是其发挥防病促生作用的重要机制之一.     

Seven in absentia proteins affect plant growth and nodulation in Medicago truncatula

Protein ubiquitination is a posttranslational regulatory process essential for plant growth and interaction with the environment. E3 ligases, to which the seven in absentia (SINA) proteins belong, determine the specificity by selecting the target proteins for ubiquitination. SINA proteins are found in animals as well as in plants, and a small gene family with highly related members has been identified in the genome of rice (Oryza sativa), Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), Medicago truncatula, and poplar (Populus trichocarpa). To acquire insight into the function of SINA proteins in nodulation, a dominant negative form of the Arabidopsis SINAT5 was ectopically expressed in the model legume M. truncatula. After rhizobial inoculation of the 35S:SINAT5DN transgenic plants, fewer nodules were formed than in control plants, and most nodules remained small and white, a sign of impaired symbiosis. Defects in rhizobial infection and symbiosome formation were observed by extensive microscopic analysis. Besides the nodulation phenotype, transgenic plants were affected in shoot growth, leaf size, and lateral root number. This work illustrates a function for SINA E3 ligases in a broad spectrum of plant developmental processes, including nodulation.     

Effect of carbofuran on the growth and nodulation ofVigna radiata

Effect of carbofuran on the growth, nodulation, phytomass, chlorophyll and carotene ofVigna radiata Roxb., was studied. Out of different concentrations of carbofuranviz., 0, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 ppm, the concentration of 5 ppm carbofuran revealed no toxic effect, instead the growth, number of nodules, phytomass and chlorophyll were increased in comparison to control. However, 10, 25 and 50 ppm carbofuran proved to be toxic. The plants showed inhibition of growth. While 100 ppm of carbofuran was found to be fatal for the growth of plants.     

Effect of seed size and plant growth on nodulation and nodule development in lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.)

Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.) cultivars vary widely in their growth habit and seed size. Preliminary experiments indicated that a large-seeded pole cultivar (King of the Garden) formed many more nodules than a small-seeded bush cultivar (Henderson). The relative importance of seed size and shoot mass in determining nodule number and mass was assessed in five lima bean cultivars differing in seed size and growth habit. Between cultivars, significant positive correlations between initial seed mass, plant weight and nodule number and mass were observed during the first four weeks after planting. Comparisons within cultivars indicated a strong correlation between nodule mass and shoot dry weight. The influence of plant morphology on nodule formation and mass was secondary to the effects of seed and shoot mass. As plants matured, the increase in nodule mass paralleled the increase in plant mass, while nodule number was relatively stable after day 18. These results suggest that the highly regulated process of nodule formation was under the influence of seed derived factors, while the continued accumulation of nodule tissue was related to shoot growth.     

Studies on the rhizosphere mycoflora of broad bean and cotton. Effect of fungal filtrate on plant growth

The dominating rhizosphere fungi of broad bean (Vicia faba Linn.) variety “Giza 1”, and cotton (Gossypium barbadense Linn.) variety “Giza 47”, were grown in liquid medium. After 10 days, filtrates were obtained and sterilized by filtration through sintered-glass filter. Plants were grown in sterile sand which was supplemented with nutrient solution. Every plant was irrigated with fungal filtrate, unconsumed medium, and water. The filtrates of the rhizosphere fungi of both broad bean and cotton stimulated plant growth.