河西干旱区白芍养分吸收规律与药效成分积累的关系研究

为揭示河西干旱区白芍干物质积累及营养元素吸收特征和药效成分累积规律,明确影响药效成分积累的营养元素种类,科学制定白芍施肥方案和规范化种植。以甘肃省古浪县古丰镇芍药产业基地4年生白芍为研究对象,通过田间试验测定白芍不同生长期干物质积累特征以及根中9个营养元素含量和3类药效成分含量,并分析白芍根中有效成分含量与营养元素的相关关性。结果表明：（1）随着生育期延续,白芍根部干物质积累先下降后上升,全株干物质积累量逐渐增加,出苗后90-130 d是白芍干物质积累最快的时期,占总积累量的79.29 %,是白芍生长的关键时期。（2）白芍地上部氮、钾含量总体呈下降趋势,而磷素含量总体呈明显增加趋势,而根部氮、磷含量总体呈减少趋势,钾含量变化不明显;地上部和根氮累积总量分别在出苗后130 d和150d达到最高。地上部磷积累量在出苗后150 d达到最大,根部磷积累量分别在出苗后30 d、150 d达到高峰,地上部和根部钾积累量分别在出苗后70 d和150 d达到高峰。地上部氮、钾含量在不同生长时期均高于根部,其磷含量则在出苗后90 d前低于根部,在出苗后110 d后高于根部。（3）根中芍药苷、芍药内酯苷积累量均先升高后降低,最后趋于稳定,多糖积累量表现为高-低-高的变化趋势。（4）芍药苷含量与氮、钙、铜含量呈极显著正相关,与钾含量呈显著正相关,芍药内脂苷含量与氮、钾、钙、铜含量呈极显著正相关,而芍药多糖与各营养元素含量之间没有相关性。可见,白芍氮、磷、钾营养最大效率期在出苗后110～150 d,适时追加氮、钾肥有利于根部生物量的积累,施肥中添加Ca、Cu元素能有效促进白芍药效成分的积累;河西冷凉山区白芍宜在9月中下旬（9月16日以后）采挖。     

外源施钙对盐胁迫下花生营养元素吸收与分配的影响

为解决盐碱地花生养分吸收不畅及分配受阻等问题,研究外源施钙对盐胁迫下花生氮、磷、钾、钙、镁吸收积累、分配特性和产量的影响,为盐碱地花生生产合理、高效施肥提供理论依据.以‘花育25号’为材料,在0.3%盐胁迫浓度下,设置4个Ca浓度梯度[T₁(0)、T₂(75)、T₃(150)和T₄(225) kg·hm^-2 CaO]进行盆栽试验.结果表明: 花生植株内养分含量依次为氮>钾>钙>磷>镁,苗期植株对氮和钙素的吸收中心均在叶片,磷、钾、镁的吸收中心为茎,苗期近一半的营养积累分配在各元素相应的生长中心.成熟期氮、磷、钾吸收中心转移到荚果中,尤以氮、磷在籽仁中的积累量居多,达72.3%～78.9%;钙、镁的吸收中心仍为叶片和茎,其分配比例分别为49.8%、32.6%.盐胁迫明显抑制花生植株各器官对氮、磷、钾、钙和镁各元素的吸收积累与分配,尤以对叶片和籽仁中氮素积累的抑制较为显著,但盐胁迫对荚果中镁的积累有促进作用.外源钙对盐胁迫下花生植株各器官氮、磷、钙和镁的吸收累积有明显的促进作用,尤其对籽仁中磷素积累的调节最为显著,其在籽仁中的积累量提高50%以上.适宜的钙施用量可显著促进盐胁迫下花生养分吸收积累量,提高花生成熟期荚果中氮、磷、钾的分配比,最终提高产量.综合各养分吸收、积累分配和产量结果,在0.3%盐胁迫条件下钙肥适宜施用量为150 kg·hm^-2 CaO.     

Formation of an extracellular system of enzymes during growth of Geotrichum candidum 3C on cell walls isolated from cereal grain capsules

The activities of extracellular systems of hemicellulases, pectinases, and cellulases was studied during a 72-h cultivation of Geotrichum candidum 3C. The culture was grown on a medium containing 3% cell walls isolated from wheat grain capsules, which served as the sole carbon source. Enzymes catalyzing the degradation of pectin substances (beet pectin, alpha-L-arabinan, and 1,4-beta-D-galactan), as well as beta-D-galactosidase and alpha-L-arabinofuranosidase involved in their hydrolysis, were formed first (4 h after the beginning of cultivation). Enzymes hydrolyzing 4-O-methyl-alpha-D-glucurono-beta-D-xylan and sodium carboxymethyl xylan were also found in the culture liquid after 4 h of fungal growth. The contents of pectin-degrading and xylanolytic enzymes reached their maximum levels after 52-56 and 72 h of growth, respectively. Cellulolytic enzymes were detected after 8-28 h of cultivation. Enzymes degrading alpha-D-galacto-beta-D-mannan were found 24 h after the beginning of growth; their content was maximum after 72 h of cultivation.     

Effects of two species of inorganic arsenic on the nutrient physiology of rice seedlings

This paper reports on a hydroponics experiment that was conducted to investigate the effect of inorganic arsenics on the seedlings of the rice cultivar Shanyou63. The seedlings were subjected to two treatments, i.e., As(III) and As(V). The results showed that the morphological traits of the seedlings were significantly altered after the arsenic treatments. Analysis of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and arsenic contents of the roots and leaves of the seedlings indicated that the absorption of phosphorus and potassium was mainly affected by As(III), while that of nitrogen was mainly affected by As(V). The expression of 12 genes involved in the absorption and utilization of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium were all observed to be down-regulated after the arsenic treatments. As(V) significantly affected the absorption and utilization of nitrogen, while As(III) significantly affected those of phosphorus and potassium. The result obtained by real-time FQ-PCR regarding the difference in the gene expressions agreed with that of our hydroponics experiment.     

不同培养期深色有隔内生真菌链格孢菌对紫花苜蓿生长的影响

接种深色有隔内生真菌（dark septate endophytes,DSE）可以提高植物对养分的吸收利用,促进植物生长发育。为探讨接种不同培养时间的DSE链格孢菌Alternaria sp. CGMCC 17463对紫花苜蓿生长的影响,以紫花苜蓿为研究对象,接种培养4、6、8、10d的Alternaria sp. CGMCC 17463鲜样菌剂和风干样菌剂进行盆栽试验,以阐明不同培养时间的Alternaria sp. CGMCC 17463对紫花苜蓿出芽率、生长特性和营养含量的作用。结果表明,接种Alternaria sp. CGMCC 17463鲜样菌剂和风干样菌剂的紫花苜蓿根系内均有Alternaria sp. CGMCC 17463定殖,且均能增加紫花苜蓿株高、地上部干重、根部干重和根冠比。其中,接种培养10d的Alternaria sp. CGMCC 17463鲜样菌剂和培养8d的风干样菌剂对紫花苜蓿的促生效果最佳。同时,接种鲜样菌剂和风干样菌剂可以提高紫花苜蓿对养分吸收。随Alternaria sp. CGMCC 17463培养时间的增加,接种鲜样菌剂和风干样菌剂的紫花苜蓿的氮、磷、钾含量均呈先增加再降低的趋势。接种培养4-6d的Alternaria sp. CGMCC 17463菌剂,紫花苜蓿的氮、磷、钾含量相对较高。Pearson 相关性分析表明,Alternaria sp. CGMCC 17463培养时间与紫花苜蓿株高、根干重、根系Alternaria sp. CGMCC 17463总侵染率和菌丝侵染率呈显著正相关（P<0.05）,菌剂类型不是影响紫花苜蓿生长的主要因素,本研究为进一步开发利用Alternaria sp. CGMCC 17463菌剂提供了理论支撑。     

Growth of maize plants in flowing medium with different levels of iron

The flow of the nutrient solution stimulates significantly the growth of maize plants and enhances the absorption of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. Especially the content of phosphorus in the shoots and in the roots is significantly increased, but its incorporation into organic compounds is considerably decreased. The plants grown, in flowing nutrient solutions have an altered distribution of iron with a higher amount of it remaining in the roots. In the shoots there is an increase in the P/Fe ratio, the ratio between ions changes in all parts of the plants in disfavour of N, K, and Fe, the production of dry matter is higher and the synthesis of chlorophyll is inhibited.     

Uptake and release of nutrients by living and decomposing Typha glauca godr. tissues at Eagle Lake,Iowa

Uptake and release of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and sodium from living above-ground and below-ground tissues and from decomposing litter of Typha glauca Godr. were studied at Eagle Lake, IA, during 1976. All nutrients were accumulated rapidly by shoots in the spring. Some of the nitrogen and phosphorus came from belowground storage; but potassium, calcium, and sodium were extracted entirely from the soil. Nutrients were immobilized in shoot tissues for different periods of time. Potassium content declined as rapidly as it had accumulated, and there was no evidence of belowground storage. Nitrogen and phosphorus content also declined, though not as rapidly. Approximately 45% of the nitrogen and phosphorus lost from the shoots was translocated to the rhizomes and stored. Calcium and sodium were conserved in shoot tissues until the shoots died. In the decomposing litter, potassium and sodium content declined, phosphorus and calcium content remained relatively constant, but nitrogen content increased. Over the full year of production and decomposition, this Typha glauca stand accumulated calcium and nitrogen, maintained phosphorus levels, and lost potassium and sodium.     

短期连续剪切对光生物反应器内海带配子体细胞生长及其恢复能力的影响

以不同搅拌速率(0~1000r/min)对海带(Laminaria japonica)配子体细胞施加短期(0~60h)连续剪切,卸载剪切力之后细胞静止恢复23.5d,在此期间研究不同搅拌速率分别在连续剪切和恢复期间对细胞生长及其恢复能力的影响。研究结果表明,连续剪切期间,90r/min下细胞叶绿素浓度积累达到最大值2.36mg/L;中高速搅拌速率(270~1000r/min)下叶绿素浓度迅速下降,胞内氮磷池释放,1000r/min下细胞损伤率为静止对照样的18倍。恢复期间,所有组别细胞均呈现较强的恢复能力。此外,在连续剪切实验中,海带配子体细胞内叶绿素浓度比干重更能有效的表达生物量浓度,除细胞损伤率外,磷源释放可以作为判别细胞受损的参考指标之一。     

氮、磷、钾对豫麦50旗叶蔗糖和籽粒淀粉积累的影响

以豫麦50为对象,探讨了氮、磷、钾对小麦旗叶中蔗糖的积累及相关酶活性以及籽粒中淀粉含量和组分的影响.结果表明,施氮可以增加灌浆前期旗叶中的糖含量,施钾则提高了灌浆后期旗叶中的糖含量,而施磷则对旗叶中的糖含量影响不大.施氮、磷、钾均能增加蔗糖合成酶活性,但它们的作用时间不同：施氮活性增加在籽粒灌浆中期,施磷在灌浆前期,而施钾在灌浆前、中期.但氮亦可增加花后24 d的磷酸蔗糖合成酶活性,施磷增加了灌浆前、中期磷酸蔗糖合成酶活性,施钾则增加了灌浆后期旗叶磷酸蔗糖酶活性.施氮、磷、钾都提高了籽粒中总糖含量,增加籽粒中淀粉含量,其中施钾效果最为明显.施磷提高籽粒中直链淀粉的积累,而施钾则显著提高了籽粒中支链淀粉的含量.     

外源有机酸对玉米磷吸收及其生长发育的影响

以玉米品种郑单958为材料,通过施加外源有机酸的盆栽试验方法,设置了土壤中不施磷肥和有机酸(CKo)、仅施磷肥(CKP)、施柠檬酸(Tca)、施苹果酸(Tma)和施草酸(Toa)处理,研究外源有机酸对玉米生长过程中的磷素吸收及其生长发育的影响.结果显示:(1)3种外源有机酸均可显著提高土壤中速效磷含量和磷素利用效率,Tca、Tma和Toa处理玉米根际土壤的速效磷含量分别为CKo的2.25、1.96和2.04倍,且各处理间的磷素利用效率依次为:CKp>Tca>Tma>Toa>CKo.(2)在拔节期、抽雄期和成熟期,Tca处理玉米的磷素利用效率依次为CKo的1.16、1.05和1.04倍.(3)3种外源有机酸均可显著提高玉米根系体积和根系活力、单株玉米的氮磷钾的累积量、玉米的生物量及相对籽粒产量.研究表明,外源柠檬酸、苹果酸和草酸均可显著提高玉米根际土壤中固态磷的溶解,促进植株体内营养元素的累积,保证植物生长发育的需要,从而提高玉米的生物量和产量;并以外源柠檬酸处理对玉米磷吸收及其生长发育效果最好.     

水稻物质生产与氮、磷、钾、硅素积累特点及其相互关系

大田条件下研究了30个水稻基因型的干物质与N、P、K、Si积累特性及其相互关系.结果表明,水稻干物质积累总量随N、P、K和Si积累总量的增加呈直线增加,其相关系数早季和晚季均达极显著水平.同时,N、P、K、Si积累的平衡有利于干物质积累,干物质积累量随NBI(养分平衡指数)直线增加,随NDI(养分偏离指数)直线下降.30个水稻品种平均N、P、K、Si积累总量比值早季为3.76:1:4.55:7.10,晚季为2.88:1:4.54:8.09.干物质积累能力以中期最强,前期最弱,而N积累能力却以前期最强,后期最弱.水稻抽穗前积累的干物质主要分配在茎鞘中,当抽穗期茎鞘比率达到最大时,茎鞘重约为叶片重的2倍,而抽穗前积累的N主要分配在叶片中,叶片中N的分配比率全生育期均比干物质分配比率高.成熟期积累的干物质、N和P主要分配在穗部,早、晚季稻的平均分配比率分别为58.01%、66.42%和70.06%,而K主要分配在茎鞘中,早、晚季稻的平均分配比率为62.08%.早季Si在茎中的分配比率(43.11%)最大,而晚季却以穗中的分配比率(46.99%)最大.     

水稻物质生产与氮、磷、钾、硅素积累特点及其相互关系

大田条件下研究了30个水稻基因型的干物质与N、P、K、Si积累特性及其相互关系．结果表明,水稻干物质积累总量随N、P、K和Si积累总量的增加呈直线增加,其相关系数早季和晚季均达极显著水平．同时,N、P、K、Si积累的平衡有利于干物质积累,干物质积累量随NBI(养分平衡指数)直线增加,随NDI(养分偏离指数)直线下降．30个水稻品种平均N、P、K、Si积累总量比值早季为3．76：1：4．55：7．10,晚季为2．88：1：4．54：8．09．干物质积累能力以中期最强,前期最弱,而N积累能力却以前期最强,后期最弱．水稻抽穗前积累的干物质主要分配在茎鞘中,当抽穗期茎鞘比率达到最大时,茎鞘重约为叶片重的2倍,而抽穗前积累的N主要分配在叶片中,叶片中N的分配比率全生育期均比干物质分配比率高．成熟期积累的干物质、N和P主要分配在穗部,早、晚季稻的平均分配比率分别为58．01％、66．42％和70．06％,而K主要分配在茎鞘中,早、晚季稻的平均分配比率为62．08％．早季Si在茎中的分配比率(43．11％)最大,而晚季却以穗中的分配比率(46．99％)最大．     

林地覆盖经营对雷竹生物量及土壤肥力的影响

以不同覆盖栽培年限(0、3、6、9和12年)雷竹林为研究对象,分析雷竹林退化过程中林分生长与土壤养分的变化趋势.结果表明:随着覆盖年限的增加,竹林地上及地下生物量均在覆盖3年时达到最大值,与对照相比增幅分别为14.6%和146.6%,差异显著;土壤养分含量受覆盖年限和土层深度的影响而出现差异性,并逐渐表现出上层富集的现象,土壤有机碳和全氮含量随覆盖年限的增加呈上升趋势,全磷含量在不同土层中均呈先降低后升高的变化趋势,在表层(0~20 cm)和底层(40~60 cm)土壤中覆盖6年时达到最低,亚表层(20~40 cm)土壤中覆盖3年时达到最低,全钾含量在表层土壤中持续增大,在亚表层和底层土壤中则表现为在覆盖0~3年下降、3~12年上升的变化趋势,试验雷竹林间差异显著.覆盖9年后,土壤肥力综合指数总体得到较大幅度的提高,亚表层土壤肥力优于表层和底层土,但不同覆盖年限间土壤肥力综合指数与雷竹各器官生物量均没有显著的相关性,而在亚表层中,土壤氮含量与竹叶生物量,以及钾含量与竹叶和鞭根生物量呈显著负相关.这表明长期覆盖及大量施用化肥导致的土壤养分过量积累已经对雷竹林的扩繁和生物量积累产生严重的抑制作用,加剧了竹林衰退趋势.     

小麦开花期灌水对土壤养分及根系分布的影响

本研究通过分析开花期灌水对小麦产量、植株养分分配和土壤养分分布的影响及其与根系特性的关系,为小麦充分利用水肥资源提供理论支撑。以抗旱高产品种‘洛麦28'和高光效品种‘百农207'为材料,采用2 m深土柱栽培方法,设置开花期灌水(T₁)和开花期不灌水(T₂)两个水分处理,测定了不同组织器官、不同土层土壤氮、磷、钾含量及根系分布特性等指标。结果表明: 小麦收获期土壤中铵态氮、速效磷和速效钾主要分布在0～80 cm土层中,硝态氮主要分布在80 cm以下土层中,开花期灌水促进小麦吸收0～60 cm土层的铵态氮、速效磷、速效钾和80 cm以下土层的硝态氮,减少了硝态氮向深层土壤的淋溶;小麦根系主要集中在0～60 cm土层中,随土壤深度的增加而减少。成熟期干物质积累量、全氮和全磷主要分配在小麦籽粒中,而全钾主要分配在茎秆中;开花期灌水显著增加了小麦百粒重,提高了小麦产量;根系形态指标与土壤硝态氮在0～40 cm土层中呈显著负相关,与土壤铵态氮在80～100 cm土层中呈极显著正相关,与土壤速效磷在0～100 cm土层中呈显著正相关。开花期灌水促进了根系在小麦生育末期对土壤养分的充分吸收,延长了养分从营养器官向生殖器官的转运功能期,使营养器官中的养分充分地转运到籽粒中去,增加小麦粒重,进而提高产量。     

铅污染土壤中杂草对铅的吸收

利用盆栽试验,研究了杂草对铅的吸收积累及铅污染土壤中杂草养分吸收和根系丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)侵染的特点．结果表明,铅污染对杂草生长没有明显影响．铅主要富集在根系中,对某些杂草吸收养分有影响．苗期除了升马唐钾含量铅处理与对照之间有显著差异外,其它差异均不显著,说明苗期铅处理对鸡眼草、苦荬菜、升马唐和无芒稗吸收养分基本没有影响;成熟期铅处理中苦荬菜和升马唐的全磷含量极显著高于对照,而无芒稗全氮含量显著低于对照．根系AMF的侵染特点是,无论是苗期还是成熟期。鸡眼草和升马唐根系的AMF侵染率变化不大;苦荬菜铅处理低于对照,苗期铅处理和对照的根系侵染率分别是45．52％和69．44％,成熟期分别是74．64％和82．21％;无芒稗铅处理根系的AMF侵染率显著高于对照,苗期铅处理和对照的根系侵染率分别是82．45％和59．19％,成熟期分别是91．36％和78．28％．     

Maize growth and ion absorption in Richter's solution at different flow rates

By comparing maize plants cultivated in standing nutrient solution with those from solutions flowing at different flow rates it has been established that absorption of nitrogen, potassium and especially of phosphorus was increased owing to the flow. There was likewise a relative rise in the distribution of nutrients to the overground parts of the plants. The content expressed per unit dry matter was increased only in the case of phosphorus; with nitrogen and potassium it was slightly lower than in the standing solution. Increasing amounts of iron were required under the conditions of flowing nutrient solutions to prevent chlorosis of the plants. The production of dry matter,NAR andRGR was also increased because of the flow. The flow considerably changed the habitus of the primary roots of the maize plants. The roots were longer, thinner and on the whole they contained relatively less dry matter (RWR). The lengthening of the roots is explained as a response to stimulation by the solution flow—the rheotropism.     

半连续及连续培养小球藻减排沼液及CO2

采用半连续或连续模式培养小球藻,考察小球藻减排沼液和CO2的能力。结果表明:在半连续培养模式中,当更新率为30%时,沼液中的N、P质量浓度可分别稳定在16～18和0.4～0.6 mg/L,达到污水二级排放标准;提高更新率到40%以上,3 d后微藻生物量及其对沼液中N、P的吸收达到动态平衡,但N、P去除率未达到污水直接排放标准;在连续培养模式中,分别选用20%及30%的日更新率,7 L规模12 d后沼液中的总氮(TN)仍高达55.64 mg/L。说明大规模培养条件下的光限制是微藻法减排沼液的主要制约因素。     

樟子松固沙林生长对土壤磷素变化的影响

磷是森林生态系统重要养分元素之一,是干旱半干旱地区植物生长的限制性因子。然而沙质草地转化为人工林生态系统后,林分的生长对沙地土壤磷素的变化及其影响机理还不清晰,为沙地合理经营和管理人工林带来了不确定性。以辽宁省章古台地区各生长阶段(幼龄林、中龄林、成熟林和过熟林阶段)的20块樟子松固沙林样地(在各生长阶段林分附近寻找1块天然草地作为对照样地)为研究对象,取样并测定样地各土层(0—10、10—20、20—40、40—60、60—80、80—100 cm)的土壤磷(全磷和速效磷)、土壤氮(全氮和速效氮)、土壤钾(全钾及速效钾)、土壤有机碳等含量以及土壤含水率、土壤pH值、土壤质地、土壤容重等因子值,并进行统计分析。结果表明:沙质草地营造樟子松人工林后,土壤全磷含量随林龄的增加而逐渐递增,成熟林时期达到最高,过熟林地全磷降低,且土壤全磷对土层深度不敏感。成熟林地的速效磷含量略高于幼林和中龄林;虽然与幼林、中龄林没有显著差异,但过熟林的土壤速效磷含量是所有林分中最低的。除了林分生长影响外,草地营造樟子松林后,土壤全磷的变化还受土壤容重和土壤速效氮含量的影响,而土壤速效磷的变化受土壤有机碳和pH...     

Spatial and Temporal Variations of Crop Fertilization and Soil Fertility in the Loess Plateau in China from the 1970s to the 2000s

Increased fertilizer input in agricultural systems during the last few decades has resulted in large yield increases, but also in environmental problems. We used data from published papers and a soil testing and fertilization project in Shaanxi province during the years 2005 to 2009 to analyze chemical fertilizer inputs and yields of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) on the farmers'' level, and soil fertility change from the 1970s to the 2000s in the Loess Plateau in China. The results showed that in different regions of the province, chemical fertilizer NPK inputs and yields of wheat and maize increased. With regard to soil nutrient balance, N and P gradually changed from deficit to surplus levels, while K deficiency became more severe. In addition, soil organic matter, total nitrogen, alkali-hydrolysis nitrogen, available phosphorus and available potassium increased during the same period. The PFP of N, NP and NPK on wheat and maize all decreased from the 1970s to the 2000s as a whole. With the increase in N fertilizer inputs, both soil total nitrogen and alkali-hydrolysis nitrogen increased; P fertilizer increased soil available phosphorus and K fertilizer increased soil available potassium. At the same time, soil organic matter, total nitrogen, alkali-hydrolysis nitrogen, available phosphorus and available potassium all had positive impacts on crop yields. In order to promote food safety and environmental protection, fertilizer requirements should be assessed at the farmers'' level. In many cases, farmers should be encouraged to reduce nitrogen and phosphate fertilizer inputs significantly, but increase potassium fertilizer and organic manure on cereal crops as a whole.     

Field Evaluation of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Colonization in Bacillus thuringiensis Toxin-Expressing (Bt) and Non-Bt Maize

The cultivation of genetically engineered Bacillus thuringiensis toxin-expressing (Bt) maize continues to increase worldwide, yet the effects of Bt crops on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in soil are poorly understood. In this field experiment, we investigated the impact of seven different genotypes of Bt maize and five corresponding non-Bt parental cultivars on AMF and evaluated plant growth responses at three different physiological time points. Plants were harvested 60 days (active growth), 90 days (tasseling and starting to produce ears), and 130 days (maturity) after sowing, and data on plant growth responses and percent AMF colonization of roots at each harvest were collected. Spore abundance and diversity were also evaluated at the beginning and end of the field season to determine whether the cultivation of Bt maize had a negative effect on AMF propagules in the soil. Plant growth and AMF colonization did not differ between Bt and non-Bt maize at any harvest period, but AMF colonization was positively correlated with leaf chlorophyll content at the 130-day harvest. Cultivation of Bt maize had no effect on spore abundance and diversity in Bt versus non-Bt plots over one field season. Plot had the most significant effect on total spore counts, indicating spatial heterogeneity in the field. Although previous greenhouse studies demonstrated that AMF colonization was lower in some Bt maize lines, our field study did not yield the same results, suggesting that the cultivation of Bt maize may not have an impact on AMF in the soil ecosystem under field conditions.