Biochemical responses of glyphosate resistant and susceptible soybean plants exposed to glyphosate

Glyphosate is a wide spectrum, non-selective, post-emergence herbicide. It acts on the shikimic acid pathway inhibiting 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS), thus obstructing the synthesis of tryptophan, phenylalanine, tyrosine and other secondary products, leading to plant death. Transgenic glyphosate-resistant (GR) soybean [Glycine max (L.)] expressing an glyphosate-insensitive EPSPS enzyme has provided new opportunities for weed control in soybean production. The effect of glyphosate application on chlorophyll level, lipid peroxidation, catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), guaiacol peroxidase (GOPX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, soluble amino acid levels and protein profile, in leaves and roots, was examined in two conventional (non-GR) and two transgenic (GR) soybean. Glyphosate treatment had no significant impact on lipid peroxidation, whilst the chlorophyll content decreased in only one non-GR cultivar. However, there was a significant increase in the levels of soluble amino acid in roots and leaves, more so in non-GR than in GR soybean cultivars. Root CAT activity increased in non-GR cultivars and was not altered in GR cultivars. In leaves, CAT activity was inhibited in one non-GR and one GR cultivar. GOPX activity increased in one GR cultivar and in both non-GR cultivars. Root APX activity increased in one GR cultivar. The soluble protein profiles as assessed by 1-D gel electrophoresis of selected non-GR and GR soybean lines were unaffected by glyphosate treatment. Neither was formation of new isoenzymes of SOD and CAT observed when these lines were treated by glyphosate. The slight oxidative stress generated by glyphosate has no relevance to plant mortality. The potential antioxidant action of soluble amino acids may be responsible for the lack of lipid peroxidation observed. CAT activity in the roots and soluble amino acids in the leaves can be used as indicators of glyphosate resistance.     

Glyphosate affects photosynthesis in first and second generation of glyphosate-resistant soybeans

The crop area planted to conventional soybeans has decreased annually while that planted to glyphosate-resistant (RR) soybean has drastically increased mainly due to the wide adoption of glyphosate in current weed management systems. With the extensive use of glyphosate, many farmers have noted visual plant injury in RR soybean varieties after glyphosate application. A new generation designated as “second generation—RR2” has been recently developed and these RR2 cultivars already are commercially available for farmers and promoted as higher yielding relative to the previous RR cultivars. However, little information is currently available about the performance of RR2 soybean beyond commercial and farmer testimonial data. Thus, an evaluation of different glyphosate rates applied in different growth stages of the first and second generation of RR soybeans, revealed a significant decrease in photosynthesis. In general, increased glyphosate rate and late applications (V6) pronounced decrease photosynthetic parameters and consequently decreased in leaf area and shoot biomass production. In contrast, low rate and early applications were less damage for the RR soybean plants, suggesting that with early applications (V2), plants probably have more time to recover from glyphosate or its metabolites effects regarding late applications.     

Glyphosate-induced impairment of plant growth and micronutrient status in glyphosate-resistant soybean (Glycine max L.)

This investigation demonstrated potential detrimental side effects of glyphosate on plant growth and micronutrient (Mn, Zn) status of a glyphosate-resistant (GR) soybean variety (Glycine max cv. Valiosa), which were found to be highly dependent on the selected growth conditions. In hydroponic experiments with sufficient Mn supply [0.5 μM], the GR cv. Valiosa produced similar plant biomass, root length and number of lateral roots in the control treatment without glyphosate as compared to its non-GR parental line cv. Conquista. However, this was associated with 50% lower Mn shoot concentrations in cv. Conquista, suggesting a higher Mn demand of the transgenic cv. Valiosa under the selected growth conditions. Glyphosate application significantly inhibited root biomass production, root elongation, and lateral root formation of the GR line, associated with a 50% reduction of Mn shoot concentrations. Interestingly, no comparable effects were detectable at low Mn supply [0.1 μM]. This may indicate Mn-dependent differences in the intracellular transformation of glyphosate to the toxic metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) in the two isolines. In soil culture experiments conducted on a calcareous loess sub-soil of a Luvisol (pH 7.6) and a highly weathered Arenosol (pH 4.5), shoot biomass production and Zn leaf concentrations of the GR-variety were affected by glyphosate applications on the Arenosol but not on the calcareous Loess sub-soil. Analysis of micronutrient levels in high and low molecular weight (LMW) fractions (80% ethanol extracts) of young leaves revealed no indications for internal immobilization of micronutrients (Mn, Zn, Fe) by excessive complexation with glyphosate in the LMW phase.     

Cropping practices modulate the impact of glyphosate on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and rhizosphere bacteria in agroecosystems of the semiarid prairie

A growing body of evidence obtained from studies performed under controlled conditions suggests that glyphosate use can modify microbial community assemblages. However, few studies have examined the influence of glyphosate in agroecosystems. We examined 4 wheat-based production systems typical of the Canadian prairie over 2 years to answer the following question: Does preseeding of glyphosate impact soil rhizosphere microorganisms? If so, do cropping practices influence this impact? Glyphosate caused a shift in the species dominating the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community in the rhizosphere, possibly through the modification of host plant physiology. Glyphosate stimulated rhizobacterial growth while having no influence on saprotrophic fungi, suggesting a greater abundance of glyphosate-tolerant 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) in bacteria than in fungi. Glyphosate stimulated rhizosphere bacteria in pea but not in urea-fertilized durum wheat, which is consistent with inhibition of EPSPS tolerance to residual glyphosate through high ammonium levels. Mitigation of the effects of glyphosate on rhizosphere bacteria through tillage suggests a reduction in residual glyphosate activity through increased adsorption to soil binding sites upon soil mixing. The influence of glyphosate on Gram-negative bacteria was mitigated under drought conditions in 2007. Our experiment suggests that interactions between soil fertility, tillage, and cropping practices shape the influence of glyphosate use on rhizosphere microorganisms.     

Some Soybean Cultivars Have Ability to Induce Germination of Sunflower Broomrape

Sunflower broomrape is a noxious parasitic weed which has caused severe damage to crop ecosystems. Trap crops can release a mixture of allelochemicals to induce the germination of sunflower broomrape. We studied the allelopathic effects of soybean on sunflower broomrape. Fourteen common soybean cultivars were grown in pots. Samples were collected from soybean plants and rhizosphere soil at five growth stages (V1, V3, V5, R2, and R4). The allelopathic effects of soybean reached highest at the V3 stage. Methanolic extracts of soybean roots induced higher broomrape germination than methanolic extracts of stems or leaves. The germination rates induced by root extracts (10-fold dilution) were positively correlated with germination rates induced by stem (10-fold dilution) and leaf extracts (10-fold dilution). The broomrape germination rates induced by root extracts were also positively correlated with soybean nodule diameter and dry weight. The results indicated that soybeans could induce sunflower broomrape germination. We conclude that soybean has the potential to be used as a trap crop for sunflower broomrape.     

抗草甘膦转基因大豆对根际土壤细菌及根瘤菌的影响

转基因大豆是全球种植最广泛的转基因作物,抗除草剂是其最主要的转基因特性.微生物群落是土壤质量的监测指标之一,抗草甘膦转基因大豆及配施草甘膦是否影响大豆根际土壤细菌及根瘤菌群落尚不清楚.本研究基于大田试验,以非转基因亲本大豆‘中豆32’为对照(CK),分析转G10-epsps基因耐除草剂大豆SHZD32-01(GR)及配施草甘膦(GR+G)在大豆各生育时期对根际土壤细菌和根瘤菌的影响.结果表明: 与CK相比,GR、GR+G处理对苗期和成熟期根际土壤pH、总有机碳(TOC)、总氮(TN)、NH₄⁺-N含量等产生影响;GR处理显著增加结荚期根际土壤细菌群落丰度及多样性,GR+G处理显著增加结荚期根际土壤细菌群落多样性,但显著降低苗期和结荚期根际土壤细菌群落丰度;GR、GR+G处理改变了部分优势细菌类群的相对丰度,但不同生育期根际土壤优势细菌类群均为变形菌门、酸杆菌门、拟杆菌门、绿弯菌门、浮霉菌门和放线菌门;GR、GR+G处理改变了根瘤菌类群的相对丰度,但未影响慢生根瘤菌和中华根瘤菌两种主要大豆根瘤菌的相对丰度,且GR+G处理结荚期根际土壤根瘤菌相对丰度显著降低.环境因子分析显示,根际土壤放线菌和根瘤菌群落丰度主要受土壤pH影响.抗草甘膦转基因大豆或配施草甘膦显著影响结荚期根际土壤细菌和根瘤菌,但其影响随大豆的生长而消失.     

Glyphosate affects lignin content and amino acid production in glyphosate-resistant soybean

Farmers report that some glyphosate-resistant soybean varieties are visually injured by glyphosate. Glyphosate is the main herbicide that directly affects the synthesis of secondary compounds. In this work, we evaluated the effect of increasing rates of glyphosate on lignin and amino acid content, photosynthetic parameters and dry biomass in the early maturity group cultivar BRS 242 GR soybean. Plants were grown in half-strength complete nutrient solution and subjected to various rates of glyphosate either as a single or in sequential applications. All parameters evaluated were affected by increasing glyphosate rates. The effects were more pronounced as glyphosate rates increased, and were more intense with a single total application than sequential applications at lower rates.     

Glyphosate reduces shoot concentrations of mineral nutrients in glyphosate-resistant soybeans

Although glyphosate-resistant (GR) technology is used in most countries producing soybeans (Glycine max L.), there are no particular fertilize recommendations for use of this technology, and not much has been reported on the influence of glyphosate on GR soybean nutrient status. An evaluation of different cultivar maturity groups on different soil types, revealed a significant decrease in macro and micronutrients in leaf tissues, and in photosynthetic parameters (chlorophyll, photosynthetic rate, transpiration and stomatal conductance) with glyphosate use (single or sequential application). Irrespective of glyphosate applications, concentrations of shoot macro- and micronutrients were found lower in the near-isogenic GR-cultivars compared to their respective non-GR parental lines Shoot and root dry biomass were reduced by glyphosate with all GR cultivars evaluated in both soils. The lower biomass in GR soybeans compared to their isogenic normal lines probably represents additive effects from the decreased photosynthetic parameters as well as lower availability of nutrients in tissues of the glyphosate treated plants.     

Alterations in glutathione pool and some related enzymes in leaves and roots of pea plants treated with the herbicide glyphosate

Our previous studies have demonstrated that application of glyphosate caused oxidative events in young pea and wheat plants. In this work, the changes in the endogenous level of glutathione (total and oxidized) and the activities of glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) after treatment with glyphosate were studied in pea plants (Pisum sativum L., cv. Skinado). Glyphosate was applied in two ways: (1) by leaf spraying with 10 mM solution; and (2) in nutrient medium as 0.01 mM solution. Measurements were made in both leaves and roots. Root and leaf treatments provoked the increase in both total and oxidized glutathione contents. Both types of herbicide application caused activation of GR in treated organs. Slight increase was detected also in untreated roots. It was found that glyphosate application to leaves provoked strong enhancement in the GST activity in leaves, while its root application stimulated the enzyme activity in the roots. We observed the higher GST activity in the organ directly treated with herbicide. Furthermore, we suggested that the activated isoforms of GST(s) participated in detoxification of hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxides.     

Co‐expression of GR79 EPSPS and GAT yields herbicide‐resistant cotton with low glyphosate residues

Glyphosate‐resistant (GR) crops have been adopted on a massive scale by North and South American farmers. Currently, about 80% of the 120 million hectares of the global genetically modified (GM) crops are GR crop varieties. However, the adoption of GR plants in China has not occurred at the same pace, owing to several factors including, among other things, labour markets and the residual effects of glyphosate in transgenic plants. Here, we report the co‐expression of codon‐optimized forms of GR79 EPSPS and N‐acetyltransferase (GAT) genes in cotton. We found five times more resistance to glyphosate with 10‐fold reduction in glyphosate residues in two pGR79 EPSPS‐pGAT co‐expression cotton lines, GGCO2 and GGCO5. The GGCO2 line was used in a hybridization programme to develop new GR cottons. Field trials at five locations during three growing seasons showed that pGR79‐pGAT transgenic cotton lines have the same agronomic performance as conventional varieties, but were USD 390‐495 cheaper to produce per hectare because of the high cost of conventional weed management practices. Our strategy to pyramid these genes clearly worked and thus offers attractive promise for the engineering and breeding of highly resistant low‐glyphosate‐residue cotton varieties.     

不同种植模式对作物根系生长、产量及根际土壤微生物数量的影响

采用多年大田试验研究了小麦-大豆(A1)、小麦-甘薯(A2)、玉米(A3)、小麦/玉米/大豆(A4)和小麦/玉米/甘薯(A5)5种种植模式的根际环境变化特征和根系生长特性.结果表明:与A1、A2、A3和A5相比,A4提高了小麦、玉米、大豆在开花期和成熟期的生物量、根系活力和根干质量,提高了各作物根际土壤细菌、真菌和放线菌数量.各种植模式之间,植株生物量和根际微生物数量的变化规律为套作＞单作、大豆茬口＞甘薯茬口、边行＞中行.小麦/玉米/大豆(A4)套作模式通过改善3种作物的根际环境,促进了作物地下部根系生长和地上部生物量的增加,从而实现作物增产.     

玉米和大豆根际土壤性质的动态变化

 采用根垫模拟装置制备根际土壤,并改变根垫与土壤接触时间以研究植物生长不同时期根际土壤性质的动态变化。研究结果表明,植物生长不同时期根际土壤性质变化有明显差异：植物生长前期,根际土壤水溶性有机碳(DOC)含量急剧增加,20 d后逐渐下降;pH值也是先升后降,但最高值出现在40～60 d前后。在研究的100 d内,氧化还原电位(Eh)始终呈下降趋势,而微生物量则持续上升。玉米(Zea mays L.)和大豆(Glycine max Merr.)根际土壤性质变化趋势基本一致,但玉米根际土壤变化幅度显著高于大豆     

Glyphosate effects on the gene expression of the apical bud in soybean (Glycine max)

Glyphosate is a broad spectrum, non-selective herbicide which has been widely used for weed control. Much work has focused on elucidating the high accumulation of glyphosate in shoot apical bud (shoot apex). However, to date little is known about the molecular mechanisms of the sensitivity of shoot apical bud to glyphosate. Global gene expression profiling of the soybean apical bud response to glyphosate treatment was performed in this study. The results revealed that the glyphosate inhibited tryptophan biosynthesis of the shikimic acid pathway in the soybean apical bud, which was the target site of glyphosate. Glyphosate inhibited the expression of most of the target herbicide site genes. The promoter sequence analysis of key target genes revealed that light responsive elements were important regulators in glyphosate induction. These results will facilitate further studies of cloning genes and molecular mechanisms of glyphosate on soybean shoot apical bud.     

Effect of monoculture soybean on soil microbial community in the Northeast China

Monoculture (MC) soybean, a common practice in the Northeast China, causes significant declines in soybean yield and quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the responses of the soil microbial community and soybean yield to different soybean cropping systems. Three cropping systems were compared, (1) corn-soybean rotation (corn-corn-soybean, CS), (2) MC soybean for 3 years (S3), (3) MC soybean for 9 years (S9). Both bulk and rhizosphere soil samples were collected at three growth stages: two trifoliate (V2), full bloom (R2), and full seed (R6), respectively. Soil microbial DNA was analyzed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)—denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) to assess changes in composition of bacterial and fungal communities. Prominent DGGE bands were excised and sequenced to gain insight into the identities of the predominant microbial populations. Some prominent differences were observed in bacterial DGGE patterns of amplified 16S rDNA (V3 region) among rhizosphere soils. These major differences included one DGGE band (showing 100% similarity to Arthrobacter sp.) that was enriched at R2 stages in CS and S9, and another band with 97% sequence similarity to an uncultured actinobacterium was detected at R6 stage in CS, and at R2 and R6 stages in S9. The bacterial community from bulk soil showed no significant band change in DGGE patterns among different cropping systems. In fungal DGGE patterns of the amplified 18S rDNA partial fragment, one specific band (showing 98% similarity to Trichoderma viride) occurred in rhizosphere soil of treatment CS at V2 and R6 stages and treatment S9 at R6 stage. None of the above bands were detected in treatment S3. The soybean yields and plant heights from CS and S9 were greater than those from S3. Moreover, catalase activities from CS and S9 at V2 and R2 stages were higher than those tested from S3 at the corresponding times in rhizosphere soil. The present results showed that DGGE patterns were not able to detect significant differences in diversity or evenness among microbial communities, but significant differences were found in the composition of bacterial and fungal community structures. Some distinguished bands from bacterial and fungal DGGE patterns were only enriched in CS and S9 soil, which could potentially play an important role in soybean growth development.     

硫素对不同大豆品种成熟期AM真菌群落多样性的影响

研究硫素对不同大豆品种成熟期丛枝菌根（arbuscular mycorrhizal,AM）真菌群落多样性的影响,探索有利于提高3个特定大豆品种根围土壤和根系AM真菌多样性的最佳施硫量,为提高大豆产量和改善大豆品质提供理论依据。试验采用盆栽,选用黑农44（HN44）、黑农48（HN48）、黑农37（HN37）3个大豆品种作为试验材料,设4个硫素处理S1（对照）,S2（0.02g/kg）,S3（0.04g/kg）和S4（0.06g/kg）。采用PCR-DGGE技术分析3个大豆品种根围土壤和根系中AM真菌群落多样性。结果表明：在S2处理下HN37和HN44根围土壤和根系AM真菌多样性最高,而在S3处理下HN48根围土壤和根系AM真菌多样性最高;DGGE图谱中各样品优势种群变化显著,球囊霉属Glomus和柄囊霉属Funneliformis真菌为3个大豆品种根围土壤和根系中AM真菌的优势菌群。由此可见,硫素对不同大豆品种根围土壤和根系AM真菌群落多样性有显著影响,适量施硫能够提高大豆根围土壤和根系中AM真菌的多样性,不施或过高施硫反而抑制AM真菌的多样性。     

Application of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria to soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) increases protein and dry matter yield under short-season conditions

We previously reported that application of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) increased soybean growth and development and, specifically, increased nodulation and nitrogen fixation over a range of root zone temperatures (RZTs) in controlled environment studies. In order to expand on the previous studies, field experiments were conducted on two adjacent sites, one fumigated with methyl bromide and one nonfumigated, in 1994. Two experiments were conducted at each site, one involving combinations of two soybean cultivars and two PGPR strains, the other involving the same factors, but also in combination with two strains Bradyrhizobium japonicum. Soybean grain yield and protein yield were measured. The results of these experiments indicated that co-inoculation of soybean with B. japonicum and Serratia liquefaciens 2-68 or Serratia proteamaculans 1-102 increased soybean grain yield, protein yield, and total plant protein production, compared to the nontreated controls, in an area with low spring soil temperatures. Interactions existed between PGPR application and soybean cultivar, suggesting that PGPRs applied to cultivars with higher yield potentials were more effective. PGPRs applied to the rhizosphere without addition of B. japonicum also increased only leaf area and seed number at the fumigated site. Overall, inoculation of soybean plants with PGPRs in the presence of B. japonicum increased soybean grain yield, grain protein yield, and total plant protein production under short season conditions.     

不同氮浓度对兔眼蓝浆果不同品种幼苗生长和光合生理的影响

为确定兔眼蓝浆果( Vaccinium ashei Reade)不同品种苗期的适宜施氮量,以兔眼蓝浆果早熟品种‘阿拉帕哈’(‘Alapha’)、中熟品种‘园蓝’(‘Gardenblue’)和晚熟品种‘芭尔德温’(‘Baldwin’)的组培苗为实验材料,采用水培法研究了不同氮浓度(0、1、2和4 mmol·L-1)对幼苗生长、根和叶中全氮含量、叶片光合生理特性的影响。结果表明：与对照(0 mmol·L-1氮)相比,经1、2和4 mmol·L-1氮处理后3个兔眼蓝浆果品种的单株茎叶干质量显著增加,根冠比显著降低;但品种‘园蓝’的单株根干质量显著高于对照,另2个品种的单株根干质量与对照无显著差异。随着营养液中氮浓度的提高,3个兔眼蓝浆果品种根的全氮含量及品种‘阿拉帕哈’叶的全氮含量均逐渐增加,且在4 mmol·L-1氮处理下最高;品种‘园蓝’和‘芭尔德温’叶的全氮含量呈先升高后降低的趋势,且均在2 mmol·L-1氮处理下最高;各处理组根和叶的全氮含量均显著高于对照。经1、2和4 mmol·L-1氮处理后,3个兔眼蓝浆果品种叶片的叶绿素a、叶绿素b和总叶绿素含量以及PSⅡ最大光化学效率( Fv/Fm )均呈先升高后降低的趋势,且均显著高于对照。各处理组中,品种‘园蓝’叶片的净光合速率( Pn)、气孔导度( Gs)、胞间CO2浓度( Ci)和蒸腾速率( Tr)均显著高于对照;品种‘芭尔德温’叶片的Pn值在4 mmol·L-1氮处理下显著低于对照,Gs和Tr值在2 mmol·L-1氮处理下显著高于对照,Ci值与对照无显著差异;与对照相比,品种‘阿拉帕哈’叶片的Pn值在1和4 mmol·L-1氮处理下显著提高,Gs值在1 mmol·L-1氮处理下显著提高,Tr值在1和2 mmol·L-1氮处理下显著提高,而Ci值则在4 mmol·L-1氮处理下显著降低。综合分析结果显示：适度增施氮肥可提高兔眼蓝浆果不同品种幼苗的茎叶生长、改善其光合性能,但对根系生长无明显的促进作用。在营养生长期兔眼蓝浆果不同品种的需氮量存在差异,其中品种‘园蓝’更适宜高氮环境,而施用少量氮肥即可促进品种‘芭尔德温’和‘阿拉帕哈’幼苗地上部分生长。     

大豆不同生育期根际土壤细菌群落结构的变化

为了解大豆根际细菌群落结构多样性及根际细菌群落结构的变化,该研究以大豆苗期和成熟期的根际土壤为材料,采用Illumina高通量测序技术测定细菌16S rRNA V3+V4区序列,探究大豆不同生育期根际土壤细菌群落结构的变化。对原始数据进行拼接、过滤、去除嵌合体序列和聚类分析等数据处理,并对OTU进行分类学注释。在此基础上运用ANOVA分析物种组成变化,Alpha多样性指数研究细菌多样性变化。结果表明:细菌丰富度和多样性在不同生育期有显著变化,其中成熟期土壤中的细菌丰富度和多样性指数均明显高于苗期; 变形菌、放线菌、酸杆菌是大豆根际的优势菌门,其含量在不同生育期也有显著变化; 假诺卡氏菌属、糖丝菌属、鞘氨醇单胞菌属是大豆根际的优势菌属,这些菌属中的部分菌群属于根际促生菌,具有潜在的促生效应。这些结果证实大豆的生育期对根际土壤细菌群落结构有重要影响。     

Biological aspects of Bemisia tabaci biotype B and the chemical causes of resistance in soybean genotypes

In Brazil, the silverleaf whitefly (SLW), Bemisia tabaci biotype B, is a serious soybean pest. SLW management is difficult and new control strategies, such as host–plant resistance, are required. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the biology of SLW, from eggs to adults, on seven soybean cultivars. The emergence of adult insects was monitored daily. Defense-related compounds were identified and quantified from the V3 to the V8 stages in SLW-infested and non-infested plants. The rates of emergence of SLW adults were lower in cultivars ‘IAC 17,’ ‘IAC 19’, and ‘IAC 24’ compared with the susceptible cultivar ‘IAC Holambra Stwart’. Rutin, genistin, genistein, and salicylic acid were identified and quantified in plant extracts. The rutin, genistin, and genistein levels decreased after SLW infestation. Rutin concentrations increased in infested plants of ‘IAC 17’ (V6) and ‘IAC 19’ (from V5 to V8). ‘Barreiras’ showed the highest genistein content in non-infested plants; from V5 growth stage, it was not detected in cultivars Doko (infested), Vencedora, ‘IAC 17’, and ‘IAC 24’ (non-infested). High levels of salicylic acid were observed in ‘IAC ‘19’-infested plants (at V3 and V5). The results suggest that rutin can be related to SLW adults’ emergence only when the feeding source was ‘IAC 19’. Consequently, further studies are needed to access the associated gene expressions and the effect of other secondary metabolites, mainly volatile compounds from SA pathway, including its consequences on feeding preference and mostly in relation to IAC cultivars.     

Spatial and temporal distribution of a bioluminescent‐marked Pseudomonas putida on soybean root

The ability of rhizobacteria to compete with other microorganisms for root colonization may be critical for its establishment on a root. Over a 6 day period, visualization of the spatial and temporal rhizosphere distribution of a bioluminescent‐marked rhizobacterium, Pseudomonas putida, strain GR7.4lux, was examined on soybean grown in non‐sterile soil conditions. Luminometry technologies showed a rapid root distribution of rhizobacteria where bioluminescence was particularly intense on the seed and upper root parts. The results provide new information on rhizobial root distribution, where, using enrichment broth, 50% of the root tips were still colonized by rhizobacteria up to 6 days after sowing. This suggests that rhizobial enrichment is required to detect low populations at the root tip. Bioluminescent technology represents a promising alternative to previous methods for studying rhizobial growth and distribution on roots. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.