Amino acid content of leguminous proteins as affected by genetic and nutritional factors III

Summary Pea proteins have been extracted from ground peas, and albumin, vicilin and legumin have been isolated. The electrophoretic homogenity of the proteins was tested by means of free electrophoresis and the amino acid composition was determined by column chromatography.     

Fate and activity of microorganisms introduced into soil.

Introduced microorganisms are potentially powerful agents for manipulation of processes and/or components in soil. Fields of application include enhancement of crop growth, protection of crops against plant-pathogenic organisms, stimulation of biodegradation of xenobiotic compounds (bioaugmentation), and improvement of soil structure. Inoculation of soils has already been applied for decades, but it has often yielded inconsistent or disappointing results. This is caused mainly by a commonly observed rapid decline in inoculant population activity following introduction into soil, i.e., a decline of the numbers of inoculant cells and/or a decline of the (average) activity per cell. In this review, we discuss the available information on the effects of key factors that determine the fate and activity of microorganisms introduced into soil, with emphasis on bacteria. The factors addressed include the physiological status of the inoculant cells, the biotic and abiotic interactions in soil, soil properties, and substrate availability. Finally, we address the possibilities available to effectively manipulate the fate and activity of introduced microorganisms in relation to the main areas of their application.     

Amino-acid content of leguminous proteins as affected by genetic and nutritional factors. II

Summary Quantitative analyses have been carried out on air-dried plant material in respect of the amino-acid composition as a function of condition of cultivation and selection of variety. Arginine occurs in both the varieties of clover examined and not, as was earlier reported on the basis of the paper chromatographic analysis, only in the tetraploid variety.No pronouced differences between inoculated and non-inoculated plants or between genetically different clovers were demonstrated. The total nitrogen content was higher in the inoculated plants.     

Carbon mineralization in soil of roots from twenty crop species,as affected by their chemical composition and botanical family

Background and aims

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have been widely studied for agricultural applications. One aim of this study was to isolate cadmium (Cd)-tolerant bacteria from nodules of Glycine max (L.) Merr. grown in heavy metal-contaminated soil in southwest of China. The plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits and the effects of the isolate on plant growth and Cd uptake by legume and non-legume plants in Cd-polluted soil were investigated.

Methods

Cd-tolerant bacteria were isolated by selective media. The isolates were identified by 16S rRNA gene and phylogenetic analysis. The PGR traits of the isolates were evaluated in vitro. Cd in soil and plant samples was determined by ICP-MS.

Results

One of the most Cd-tolerant bacteria simultaneously exhibited several PGP traits. Inoculation with the PGPR strain had positive impacts on contents of photosynthesis pigments and mineral nutrients (Fe or Mg) in plant leaves. The shoot dry weights of Lolium multiflorum Lam. increased significantly compared to uninoculated control. Furthermore, inoculation with the PGPR strain increased the Cd concentrations in root of L. multiflorum Lam. and extractable Cd concentrations in the rhizosphere, while the Cd concentrations in root and shoot of G. max (L.) Merr. significantly decreased.

Conclusions

This study indicates that inoculation with Cd-tolerant PGPR can alleviate Cd toxicity to the plants, increase Cd accumulation in L. multiflorum Lam. by enhancing Cd availability in soils and plant biomass, but decrease Cd accumulation in G. max (L.) Merr. by increasing Fe availability, thus highlighting new insight into the exploration of PGPR on Cd-contaminated soil.     

Amino acid content of leguminous proteins as affected by genetic and nutritional factors. I.

Summary Tetraploid and diploid red clover have been cultivated in greenhouse under aseptic conditions. The plant cultures were given only one source of nitrogen: either they were given nitrate in the nutrient solution or they were inoculated withRhizobium for establishing symbiotic fixation.The amino acid composition of protein from the different series and from different parts of the plants was analysed by paper chromatography.There was a clear arginine reaction from the tetraploid clover material but no arginine at all was found in the diploid clover material.Plants fed on nitrate and those fed on symbiotically fixed nitrogen showed the same amino acid pattern as far as can be judged from the chromatograms. The hydrolysates from inoculated plants showed usually more intense ninhydrine reaction on the chromatograms than hydrolysates from not inoculated plants, although diluted to the same nitrogen content. For this fact we have so far no explanation.     

Bicarbonate concentration as affected by soil water content controls iron nutrition of peanut plants in a calcareous soil.

Strategy I peanut plants are frequently subjected to iron deficiency when growing in calcareous soils, which contain high concentrations of bicarbonate. In calcareous soils under field conditions, it has been noted that chlorosis increases in severity after excessive rainfall or irrigation, but the chlorosis symptoms of peanuts are alleviated after waterlogged soils dry. A pot experiment was conducted simulating the chlorosis symptom observed in the field when peanut plants are exposed to fluctuating soil water content induced from rainfall or irrigation. We investigated the bicarbonate fluctuations resulting from adjustable soil water content (SWC) that could lead to bicarbonate-induced iron chlorosis of peanuts growing in calcareous soil. The experiments included three treatments of SWC (50% of water holding capacity (WHC), 80% of WHC, and 100% of WHC) under two levels of CaCO(3) concentrations (at 8.67% and 18.67%.) The results showed that the iron nutrition of peanuts could be regulated by different SWC at both CaCO(3) levels. Our observations indicate that iron deficiency chlorosis symptoms in peanuts grown in high soil water content were more severe, compared to those of peanuts in lower soil water content. A shift from high soil water content to lower soil water content could improve or eliminate the iron deficiency chlorosis symptom of peanuts. The HCO(3)(-) concentration in the peanut rhizosphere increased with increasing SWC and CaCO(3) content and it correlated with the level of soil water content. We suggest that variations in the soil water content could induce HCO(3)(-) concentration variation in the rhizosphere of peanuts. Consequently, the high HCO(3)(-) concentration, which is induced by a high water content in calcareous soil and a high CaCO(3) level, could inhibit the physiological response to iron deficiency of peanuts, resulting in iron deficiency chlorosis. The study indicates that a reasonable agricultural practice of irrigation and drainage should be considered to improve and prevent iron deficiency chlorosis of strategy I plants in calcareous soil.     

Degradation of [8,9,-14C]endosulfan by soil microorganisms.

Twenty-eight soil fungi, 49 soil bacteria, and 10 actinomycetes were tested as to their ability to degrade the insecticide endosulfan. Using 14C-labeled material, the qualitative as well as the quantitative formation of metabolities, as well as of 14CO2, could be followed. Sixteen fungi, 15 bacteria, and 3 actinomycetes were found capable of metabolizing more than 30% of the applied endosulfan. The major metabolities detected were endosulfate, formed by oxidation of the sulfite group, and endodiol, formed by hydrolysis of the ester bond. The majority of highly active fungi formed endosulfate as the major metabolite, whereas the majority of active bacteria formed endodiol. In addition to endosulfate and endodiol, individual cultures contained small quantities of endohydroxyether and two unidentified products. The very small quantities of 14CO2 evolved from cultures indicated that an extensive mineralization of the carbon skeleton of endosulfan did not occur.     

Specific threonine phosphorylation of a host target by two unrelated type III effectors activates a host innate immune receptor in plants

The Arabidopsis NB-LRR immune receptor RPM1 recognizes the Pseudomonas syringae type III effectors AvrB or AvrRpm1 to mount an immune response. Although neither effector is itself a kinase, AvrRpm1 and AvrB are known to target Arabidopsis RIN4, a negative regulator of basal plant defense, for phosphorylation. We show that RIN4 phosphorylation activates RPM1. RIN4(142-176) is necessary and, with appropriate localization sequences, sufficient to support effector-triggered RPM1 activation, with the threonine residue at position 166 being critical. Phosphomimic substitutions at T166 cause effector-independent RPM1 activation. RIN4 T166 is phosphorylated in vivo in the presence of AvrB or AvrRpm1. RIN4 mutants that lose interaction with AvrB cannot be coimmunoprecipitated with RPM1. This defines a common interaction platform required for RPM1 activation by phosphorylated RIN4 in response to pathogenic effectors. Conservation of an analogous threonine across all RIN4-like proteins suggests a key function for this residue beyond the regulation of RPM1.     

Polyamines and proline are affected by cadmium stress in nodules and roots of soybean plants

The effect of moderate (50 M) and high (200 M) doses of Cd were studied in relation to polyamine (Pas) metabolism, proline level and the glutamine synthetase/glutamate synthase system (GS/GOGAT) activity in nodules and roots of soybean plants during 6 days of treatment. The lower Cd concentration increased putrescine (Put) in both nodules and roots, while 200 M Cd increased Spm only in nodules and Put in roots. Spermidine (Spd) decreased in roots under both Cd concentrations. Arginine decarboxylase (ADC) and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) were both involved in Put biosynthesis in roots. In nodules, Put formation could mainly be attributed to ODC activity. Diamine oxidase (DAO) activity was severely reduced by 50 and 200 M Cd either in nodules or roots. The GS/GOGAT system activity was depressed either with 50 or 200 M Cd, but most significantly with the highest metal concentration. Under 200 M Cd, GS activity decayed to 25% or 60% of the control in nodules and roots, respectively, while GOGAT decreased 85% in nodules and 79% in roots by day 4 of treatment. Ammonium increased greatly in nodules (200% over the controls) and roots (100%) under 200 M Cd. Proline concentration increased significantly in nodules and roots under both Cd treatments, more markedly under 200 M Cd. The relationship between Pas and proline accumulation and nitrogen assimilation is discussed.     

Interactions between Azotobacter and "phosphobacteria" and their establishment in the rhizosphere as affected by soil fertility.

The effects on plant growth of "bacterial fertilizers" prepared from Azotobacter spp. and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria ("phosphobacteria") have been the subject of much controversy. Cases where no plant-growth stimulation occurred may often be accounted for by the failure to establish the bacterial inocula in the rhizosphere. Three factors that may influence inocula establishment, i.e. soil fertility, manuring, and interactions between Azotobacter and "phosphobacteria," were examined in pot experiments, designed for statistical analysis, in two neutral-alkaline soils, using lavender plants (Lavandula spica L.). During the experiments the numbers of Azotobacter and "phosphobacteria" were counted. Dry weights of roots and shoots were recorded after 16 weeks of growth. At the end of the experiments there were always more Azotobacter and "phosphobacteria" in the rhizospheres when plants were inoculated with both groups of organisms together than when they were inoculated singly. Addition of 2% farmyard manure to the richer soil enhanced this effect. Plant growth was greatest when seedlings were inoculated with both Azotobacter and the "phosphobacteria".     

Displacement of soil aggregates by elongating roots and emerging shoots of crop plants

Summary Models are presented in this paper for prediction of the extent to which soil aggregates in a loose seed bed can be displaced by extending roots and shoots. For roots, the maximum applied force is considered to be limited by either elastic bending, when the angle of contact with an aggregate surface is oblique, or buckling, when the root meets an aggregate perpendicularly. For emerging shoots, only the maximum forces are known. These forces are related to the known force displacement behaviour of artificially prepared beds of graded soil aggregates.It is concluded that displacement of soil aggregates which lie between 20 and 100 mm from the surface of the aggregate bed is only likely to be important for roots with diameters of 0.5 mm or less when the diameter of the aggregates in the bed is less than 1 mm. However, for plant species which have relatively large root diameters, such as pea, significant displacement of aggregates of up to 4 mm diameter may be possible. In contrast, emerging shoots are able to displace very much larger aggregates from their paths.     

Water relations, activities of antioxidants, ethylene evolution and membrane integrity of pigeonpea roots as affected by soil moisture

The plants of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) cv. H77-216 were subjected to moderate [soil moisture content (SMC) = 7.3 ± 0.5 %] and severe (SMC = 4.3 ± 0.5 %) drought by withholding the irrigation at vegetative stage (45 d after sowing). The control plants were maintained at SMC of 11.0 ± 0.5 %. Half of the stressed plants were re-irrigated and their recovery was studied after 2 d. Leaf water potential, osmotic potential, and relative water content of leaf and root decreased significantly while a sharp rise in proline and total soluble sugars contents were noticed. Drought induced a significant increase in 1-aminocyclopropane 1-carboxylic acid (ACC) content and ACC oxidase activity which caused a considerable increase in ethylene evolution. Malondialdehyde content and relative stress injury were increased under drought whereas reverse was true for ascorbic acid content. The membrane integrity of roots decreased during stress and recovered on rehydration. The specific activity of total superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione transferase decreased to 37 – 78 %, 17 – 62 %, 29 – 36 % and 57 – 79 % at moderate and severe drought, respectively. The increase in activity of catalase and peroxidase could not overcome the accumulation of H₂O₂ content in the roots.     

Fate of Salmonella montevideo on and in raw tomatoes as affected by temperature and treatment with chlorine.

A study was undertaken to determine the survival patterns of Salmonella montevideo G4639 on and in tomatoes during storage and the efficacy of chlorine treatment on inactivation of the pathogen. The population of S. montevideo on the surfaces of inoculated tomatoes stored at 10 degrees C did not change significantly (P < 0.05) throughout an 18-day storage period. Significant increases in population occurred within 7 days and within 1 day when tomatoes were stored at 20 and 30 degrees C, respectively. A significantly higher number of cells was taken up by the core tissue of tomatoes tempered at 25 degrees C when the tomatoes were dipped in a suspension at 10 degrees C compared with the number taken up when the tomatoes were dipped in cell suspensions tempered at 25 or 37 degrees C. Populations remained constant throughout subsequent storage for 8 days at 10 degrees C, regardless of the temperature differential between tomatoes and the dip suspension. Storage of tomatoes at 20 degrees C, however, resulted in significant increases in populations of S. montevideo. Populations of the pathogen on the surfaces and in the core tissues of tomatoes were significantly reduced by dipping for 2 min in a solution containing 60 or 110 ppm (60 or 110 micrograms/ml) chlorine, respectively; however, treatment in solution containing 320 ppm chlorine did not result in complete inactivation. Populations of S. montevideo remained unchanged in chopped tomatoes stored at 5 degrees C for 216 h (9 days) but increased significantly after storage for 96 or 22 h at 20 or 30 degrees C, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

两种蚜茧蜂及其寄主蚜虫对大豆植株挥发性次生物质的触角电位反应

研究了下列害虫和寄生天敌种类对大豆植株中提取的某些挥发性次生化合物及其不同组合混合相的触角电位反应： 1)豆蚜Aphis craccivora Koch和麦长管蚜Macrosiphum avenae (Fabricius);2)为害大豆植株的大豆蚜Aphis glycines Matsumura和不为害大豆植株的豆蚜二者所共有的寄生天敌豆柄瘤蚜茧蜂Lysiphlebus fabarum Marshall; 3)不为害大豆植株的麦长管蚜的寄生天敌燕麦蚜茧蜂Aphidius picipes Nees。结果表明,与大豆植株相关联的大豆蚜和不相关联的豆蚜所共有的天敌——豆柄瘤蚜茧蜂,对大豆植株的挥发性次生化合物及其混合相反应敏感,而与大豆植株不相关联的豆蚜、麦长管蚜及其寄生天敌——燕麦蚜茧蜂,对大豆植株的挥发性次生化合物及其混合相反应不敏感。再次证明,植物挥发性次生化合物在害虫及其寄生天敌搜寻寄主的过程中起到重要的作用。     

Soil and root populations of fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. associated with seedlings and field-grown plants are affected by sorghum genotype

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is valued for bioenergy, feed and food. Potential of sorghum genotypes to support differing populations of root- and soil-associated fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. or Fusarium spp., in two soils, was assessed. Culturable pseudomonads were enumerated from roots and soil of sorghum (Redlan and RTx433) and wheat (Lewjain) seedlings repeatedly grown in cycled soils in the growth chamber. Pseudomonads and Fusarium spp. were assessed from roots and soil of field-grown sorghum along with biological control traits hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and 2,4-diacetylphlorogluconol (phl) production. After four 4-week cycles, soil associated with Redlan seedlings had greater numbers of fluorescent pseudomonads than Lewjain. In dryland field conditions, RTx433 roots had greater numbers of pseudomonads than Redlan before anthesis but similar numbers after. There were no differences in numbers of pseudomonads from dryland soil or roots or soil of irrigated plants. Percentages of HCN-producing root isolates and phl soil isolates declined on irrigated Redlan plants, but percentages of HCN-producers increased in dryland conditions. Redlan roots had greater percentages of Fusarium isolates in the Gibberella fujikuroi complex. Results indicated that sorghum genotype affected root-associated populations of fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. and Fusarium spp. across soil environments.     

沙冬青与伴生植物深色有隔内生真菌定殖规律及其与土壤因子的相关性

为了探明荒漠环境深色有隔内生真菌(dark septate endophytes, DSE)生态分布和定殖状况, 于2013年7月从宁夏银川、沙坡头和甘肃民勤地区采集沙冬青(Ammopiptanthus mongolicus)及其伴生植物根围0-10、10-20、20-30、30-40、40-50 cm共5个土层土壤样品和根样, 研究了DSE空间定殖规律及其与土壤因子的相关关系。结果表明: 沙冬青和伴生植物根系能被DSE侵染, DSE分布和定殖具有明显的空间异质性, 并与土壤因子密切相关。沙冬青DSE微菌核结构紧凑, 呈团块状, 而伴生植物DSE微菌核零散分布。同一样地, 沙冬青DSE菌丝定殖率、定殖强度和总定殖率较伴生植物高, 而沙冬青和伴生植物微菌核定殖率无显著差异。不同样地, 沙冬青和伴生植物微菌核定殖率无显著差异, 沙冬青DSE菌丝定殖率、定殖强度和总定殖率为沙坡头>银川>民勤; 伴生植物DSE菌丝定殖率、定殖强度和总定殖率为银川>民勤>沙坡头。通径分析和主成分分析表明, 土壤有机质、总球囊霉素、磷酸酶和速效钾是西北荒漠环境中DSE定殖的主要影响因子。