Influence of compaction from wheel traffic and tillage on arbuscular mycorrhizae infection and nutrient uptake by Zea mays

Interactive effects of seven years of compaction due to wheel traffic and tillage on root density, formation of arbuscular mycorrhizae, above-ground biomass, nutrient uptake and yield of corn (Zea mays L.) were measured on a coastal plain soil in eastern Alabama, USA. Tillage and soil compaction treatments initiated in 1987 were: 1) soil compaction from tractor traffic with conventional tillage (C,CT), 2) no soil compaction from tractor traffic with conventional tillage (NC,CT), 3) soil compaction from tractor traffic with no-tillage (C,NT), and, 4) no soil compaction from tractor traffic with no-tillage (NC,NT). The study was arranged as a split plot design with compaction from wheel traffic as main plots and tillage as subplots. The experiment had four replications. In May (49 days after planting) and June, (79 days after planting), root biomass and root biomass infected with arbuscular mycorrhizae was higher in treatments that received the NC,NT treatment than the other three treatments. In June and July (109 days after planting), corn plants that received C,CT treatment had less above-ground biomass, root biomass and root biomass infected with mycorrhizae than the other three treatments. Within compacted treatments, plants that received no-tillage had greater root biomass and root biomass infected with mycorrhizae in May and June than plants that received conventional tillage. Corn plants in no-tillage treatments had higher root biomass and root biomass infected with mycorrhizae than those in conventional tillage. After 7 years of treatment on a sandy Southeastern soil, the interactive effects of tillage and compaction from wheel traffic reduced root biomass and root biomass infected with mycorrhizae but did not affect plant nutrient concentration and yield. ei]J H Graham     

Gas exchange is related to the hormone balance in mycorrhizal or nitrogen-fixing alfalfa subjected to drought

The beneficial effect of mycorrhization on photosynthetic gas exchange of host plants under drought conditions could be related to factors other than changes in phosphorus nutrition and water uptake. Our objective was to study the influence of drought on phytohormones and gas exchange parameters in Medicago sativa L. cv. Aragón associated with or in the absence of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and/or nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Four treatments were used: (1) plants inoculated with Glomus fasciculatum (Taxter sensu Gerd.) Gerdemann and Trappe and Rhizobium meliloti 102 F51 strain (MR); (2) plants inoculated with only Rhizobium (R); (3) plants inoculated with only mycorrhizae (M); and (4) non-inoculated plants (N). When endophytes were well established, treatments received different levels of phosphorus and nitrogen in the nutrient solution in order to obtain plants similar in size. Sixty days after planting, plants were subjected to two cycles of drought and recovery. Midday leaf water potential (Ψ), CO₂ exchange rate (CER), leaf conductance (g_w) and transpiration (T), as well as leaf and root abscisic acid (ABA) and cytokinin concentrations were measured after the second drought period. Gas exchange parameters were determined by infrared gas analysis. Cytokinins and ABA levels in tissues were analysed by ELISA and HPLC, respectively. Nodulated R and MR plants had the lowest ABA concentrations in roots under well-watered conditions. Water stress increased ABA concentrations in leaves of N, R and MR plants, while ABA concentration in M plants did not change. The highest production of ABA under water deficit was in the roots of non-mycorrhizal plants. The ratio of ABA to cytokinin concentration strongly increased in leaves and roots of non-mycorrhizal plants under drought. By contrast, this ratio was lowered in roots of M plants and remained unchanged in leaves and roots of MR plants when stress was imposed. The highest leaf conductances and transpirational fluxes under well-watered conditions were those of nitrogen-fixing R and MR plants, but these results were not impaired with increased CO₂ exchange rates. Photosynthesis, leaf conductance and transpiration rates decreased in all treatments when stress was imposed, with the strongest decrease occurring in non-mycorrhizal plants. The relationships found between these gas exchange parameters and the hormone concentrations in stressed alfalfa tissues suggest that microsymbionts have an important role in the control of gas exchange of the host plant through hormone production in roots and the ABA/cytokinin balance in leaves. The most relevant effect of mycorrhizal fungi was observed under drought conditions.     

保水剂和丛枝菌根真菌异形根孢囊霉对紫花苜蓿生长与抗旱性的影响

为探讨保水剂（super absorbent polymers,SAP）和丛枝菌根真菌（arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,AMF）对植物生长和抗旱性的影响,以紫花苜蓿Medicago sativa为供试植物,开展了温室盆栽试验。植物播种时设置土壤添加和不添加聚丙烯酰胺型SAP（BJ2101）处理,以及接种和不接种异形根孢囊霉Rhizophagus irregularis处理,通过称重法维持12%的土壤含水量（正常供水）,植物生长30d,各处理一半植物接受干旱胁迫（6%的土壤含水量）,另一半仍正常供水,持续30d后收获。结果表明,在干旱胁迫下,接种AMF显著增加了紫花苜蓿的植株干重,促进了植物对矿质元素的吸收,提高了叶片中叶绿素和脯氨酸含量,增强了植物的抗旱性。SAP抑制了R. irregularis对植物根系的侵染;与单接种AMF相比,SAP和AMF的联合施用降低了紫花苜蓿的生物量,影响了植物对矿质元素的吸收。本研究中,SAP和AMF的联合施用并没有表现出协同增效作用,这一方面可能是因为研究设定的土壤水分管理模式,另一方面SAP与AMF共同施用的适宜条件还需进一步探索优化。     

Influence of mycorrhizae and Rhizobium on cytokinin content in drought-stressed alfalfa

The objective of this research was to study the growth responseto drought of arbuscular mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal alfalfa(Medicago sativacv. Aragn) in relation to leaf cytokinin levels.In the experiment, four treatments were used: (a) plants inoculatedwith Clomus fasciculatum (Taxter sensu Gerd.) Gerdemann andTrappe and Rhizobium meliloti 102 F51 strain, (MR); (b) plantsinoculated with only Rhizobium (RP); (c) plants inoculated withonly mycorrhizae (MN); and (d) plants non-inoculated (NP). Non-mycorrhizalplants were supplemented with phosphorus and nonnodulated oneswith nitrogen to achieve similar size in all treatments. Plantswere subjected to drought by withholding irrigation in a cyclicway. The effects of drought on growth, number of stems, degreeof senescence, and leaf cytokinin levels were measured. Results of identification of cytokinins showed that dihydrozeatinriboside (dHZR) and ortno-topolin riboside (oTR) were predominantin alfalfa leaves. Nonsymbiotic plants (NP) showed higher totalcytokinin concentrations (dHZR and oTR). Under drought, NP plantsshowed the largest percentage drop in cytokinins and lower numberof stems as well as increased degree of senescent leaf tissuerelative to control values. By contrast, stressed symbioticplants (RP, MN and MR) showed higher green leaf weight thannonsymbiotic ones (NP) due to delay of leaf senescence and maintenance(RP) or increase (MN, MR) of stem leaf cytokinin levels duringdrought. The relationships between growth and the different cytokininsare discussed, suggesting an important role of mycorrhizal symbiosisin maintaining cytokinin levels under drought. Key words: Alfalfa, arbuscular mycorrhizae, cytokinins, drought, leaf senescence     

Influence of drought on competition between selected Rhizobium meliloti strains and naturalized soil rhizobia in alfalfa

Drought is an important environmental factor that can affect rhizobial competition and N₂ fixation. Three alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. and M. falcata L.) accessions were grown in pots containing soil from an irrigated (Soil 1) and a dryland (Soil 2) alfalfa field in northern Utah, USA. Mutants of three strains of Rhizobium meliloti Dang. from Pakistan (UL 136, UL 210, and UL 222) and a commercial rhizobial strain 102F51a were developed with various levels of resistance to streptomycin. Seeds inoculated with these individual streptomycin-resistant mutants were sown in the two soils containing naturalized rhizobial populations. Soils in the pots were maintained at −0.03, −0.5, and −1.0 MPa. After 10 weeks, plants were harvested and nodule isolates were cultured on agar medium with and without streptomycin to determine nodule occupancy (proportion of the nodules occupied by introduced rhizobial strains). Number of nodules, nodule occupancy, total plant dry weight, and shoot N were higher for Soil 1 than Soil 2. Number of nodules, plant dry weight, and shoot N decreased as drought increased from −0.03 to −1.0 MPa in the three alfalfa accessions. Rhizobial strains UL 136 and UL 222 were competitive with naturalized alfalfa rhizobia and were effective at symbiotic N₂ fixation under drought. These results suggest that nodulation, growth, and N₂ fixation in alfalfa can be improved by inoculation with competitive and drought-tolerant rhizobia and may be one economically feasible way to increase alfalfa production in water-limited environments. Joint contribution from USDA-ARS and the Utah Agric. Exp. Sta., Utah State Univ., Logan, UT 84322-4810, USA. Journal Paper No. 4931. Joint contribution from USDA-ARS and the Utah Agric. Exp. Sta., Utah State Univ., Logan, UT 84322-4810, USA. Journal Paper No. 4931.     

干旱胁迫下紫花苜蓿根系形态变化及与水分利用的关系

采用盆栽实验方法研究了紫花苜蓿(品种:陇东和阿尔冈金)根系形态、生物量、蒸腾耗水量等对持续干旱的反应及与水分利用效率(WUE)间的关系,以期揭示紫花苜蓿对干旱胁迫的适应机制。结果表明:干旱胁迫使得紫花苜蓿根系形态特征在年季间、茬次间和品种间发生了显著变化,主要表现为主根伸长生长受到抑制、主根直径变细、侧根和根系总长度伸长生长则被促进、根系表面积和直径≥1mm的侧根数目显著增加、根系生物量下降,这是紫花苜蓿对干旱逆境的适应策略,但这种适应性存在限度。另一方面,干旱胁迫条件下紫花苜蓿草产量和蒸腾耗水量也因生长年限、茬次和品种的不同而呈现不同程度的降低。紫花苜蓿根系形态性状(总根长、根系生物量与根冠比)与植株水分利用效率间具有显著的相关性,其中根重对水分效率的影响是第一位的。WUE在根系形态与冠层水分消耗的协同变化下得到有限提高。对干旱的耐性最终表现为第2年第1年、第1茬和第2茬第3茬、陇东阿尔冈金。     

丛枝菌根对紫茎泽兰和黄花蒿地上地下养分分配的竞争调控策略

紫茎泽兰（Eupatorium adenophorum）入侵喀斯特生态系统导致群落多样性和稳定性降低是该区域面临的重要生态问题,丛枝菌根（Arbuscular mycorrhizae,AM）通过根系外延菌丝互联不同物种个体影响植物养分竞争,但如何调控入侵种与乡土种地上地下资源竞争分配尚不清楚。以入侵种紫茎泽兰和乡土种黄花蒿（Artemisia annua）为研究对象,使用由1个竞争室和2个种植室所组成的微生态系装置。针对两物种对竞争室养分资源利用,采用20 μm和0.45 μm尼龙网设置共同竞争（CC）、单一利用（SU）和对照（CK）处理,并对上述处理进行AM真菌接种（M⁺）与不接种（M^-）,分析不同处理下紫茎泽兰与黄花蒿地下地上生物量及氮磷养分分配。结果表明：就地上部分而言,比较M⁺与M^-,三种竞争方式的紫茎泽兰磷吸收量均显著表现为M⁺ > M^-,但黄花蒿在M⁺与M^-间无显著差异;比较3种竞争方式,M⁺下紫茎泽兰氮吸收量和黄花蒿生物量及氮磷吸收量表现为SU>CK,黄花蒿地上生物量、氮磷吸收量则表现为CCSU;M⁺下CC处理紫茎泽兰地上氮吸收量显著高于黄花蒿;M^-下黄花蒿氮磷吸收量显著表现为CC和SU>CK,但紫茎泽兰在CC、SU和CK间无显著差异。就地下部分而言,三种竞争方式的紫茎泽兰地下生物量、氮磷吸收量显著表现为M⁺ > M^-,但黄花蒿在M⁺与M^-间无显著差异;比较三种竞争方式,M⁺下紫茎泽兰氮吸收量在CC与SU间无显著差异,但SU>CK;比较植物间,M⁺条件下,CC和SU处理的紫茎泽兰氮磷吸收量均显著高于黄花蒿,而M^-条件下紫茎泽兰与黄花蒿生物量和氮磷吸收量在三种竞争方式间均无显著差异。研究表明,AM真菌通过菌根网络调控入侵种和乡土种的竞争能力,影响公用土壤养分资源在植株地上地下的资源分配并提高入侵植物从菌根共生体中获得收益促进其入侵。     

Eco-physiological characteristics of alfalfa seedlings in response to various mixed salt-alkaline stresses

Soil salinization and alkalization frequently co-occur in nature, but little is known about the mixed effects of salt-alkaline stresses on plants. An experiment with mixed salts （NaCI, Na2SO4, NaHCO3 and Na2CO3） and 30 salt-alkaline combinations （salinity 24-120 mmollL and pH 7.03-10.32） treating Medicago sativa seedlings was conducted. The results demonstrated that salinity and alkalinity significantly affected total biomass and biomass components of seedlings. There were interactive effects of salt composition and concentration on biomass （P 〈 0.001）. The interactions between salinity and alkalinity stresses led to changes in the root activity along the salinity gradient （P 〈 0.001）. The effects of alkalinity on seedling survival rate were more significant than those of salinity, and the seedlings demonstrated some physiological responses （leaf electrolyte leakage rate and proline content） in order to adapt to mixed salt-alkaline stresses. It was concluded that the mixed salt-alkaline stresses, which differ from either salt or alkali stress, emphasize the significant interaction between salt concentration （salinity） and salt component （alkalinity）. Further, the effects of the interaction between high alkalinity and salinity are more severe than those of either salt or alkali stress, and such a cooperative interaction results in more sensitive responses of ecological and physiological characteristics in plants.     

Effects of flooding on carbohydrate and ABA levels in roots and shoots of alfalfa

Alfalfa is sensitive to waterlogging, and its yields are significantly reduced under this condition. We investigated the effects of soil flooding on free abscisic acid (ABA) accumulation in shoots and roots of alfalfa in relation to plant growth and stomatal conductance responses. The production of dry matter in alfalfa was significantly affected by flooding mainly as a result of a rapid reduction in root growth. Shoot dry matter accumulation was maintained during the first 10 d of treatment and started to decline thereafter. Foliar concentration of the major mineral elements (N, P, K) was reduced by flooding, whereas only K concentration decreased in roots of flooded plants. Regrowth declined with duration of flooding and was less than 50% of controls after 2 weeks. While no changes in ABA concentration could be detected in flooded roots, an increase was noted within a few days in leaves when compared to unflooded controls. This increase in free ABA coincided with the accumulation of large quantities of starch in leaves and a rapid decline in leaf stomatal conductance. Our results support the suggestion that leaf ABA originates from the leaf itself and may be accumulating along with starch as a result of reduced translocation to the roots. Our observation of large accumulations of sucrose in flooded roots agrees with previous reports that supply of carbohydrates is not a limiting factor to root anaerobic metabolism in flooded alfalfa.     

Effect of heterogeneous distribution of nutrients on root growth, ABA content and drought resistance of wheat plants

Heterogeneous distribution of nutrients influenced morphology of wheat roots; they were shorter and had more laterals at the site of high nutrient content. The roots outside the nutrient-rich patch were longer and penetrated deeper in the soil than those of the plants supplied with the same quantity of nutrients but having them homogeneously distributed. The ABA content of roots sampled from the site of high nutrient content was greater than in those elsewhere. It is suggested that this might be important for inhibition of their extension growth and stimulation of laterals in the nutrient rich patch. Heterogeneously distributed nutrients beneficially influenced accumulation of ¹⁵N and assimilation of CO₂ by the plants, enabling an increased supply of nutrients to the parts of the root system beyond the nutrient rich patch and sustained their rapid extension. Enhanced penetration of roots into the deeper soil layers could contribute to the observed increase in drought resistance of plants grown with localised placement of fertilisers under field conditions.     

IAA and ZR content in leek (Allium porrum L.), as influenced by P nutrition and arbuscular mycorrhizae,in relation to plant development

Leek plants (Allium porrum L.), infected or not with the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus, Glomus mosseae, were grown in a sand-hydroponic system, fed with a nutrient solution containing 3.2 or 96 M P and analyzed for root IAA and ZR content, to assess the role played by the fungus and P nutrition on host hormonal balance. IAA was analyzed by HPLC-fluorimetry, ZR by HPLC-UV coupled with a bioassay based on the expression of a phytohormone-regulated GUS reporter gene. Shoot and root weights and shoot FW-DW ratio enhancements, as well as root-to-shoot DW ratio decrement in mycorrhizal plants, were related to P nutrition. Shoot P concentration was increased by mycorrhizae at both P levels, but was comparable in AM plants grown at 3.2 M P and non mycorrhizal (NM) plants at 96 M P. Mycorrhizae and P increased IAA at substantially similar values, while P increased ZR much more than mycorrhizae did. These results are discussed in relation to root architecture modifications induced by the AM fungus.     

不同干旱胁迫条件下丛枝菌根真菌对 木棉叶绿素荧光参数的影响

为了探明丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)与木棉(Bombax ceiba Linn.)抗旱性的关系,采用盆栽法对不同干旱胁迫条件下接菌组(1 g土壤含100个AMF孢子)和未接菌组木棉叶绿素荧光参数进行了比较分析.结果表明:中度干旱胁迫(土壤相对含水量45%~50%)和重度干旱胁迫(土壤相对含水量30%~35%)条件下接菌组的初始荧光(Fo)均低于未接菌组;与对照(土壤相对含水量65%~70%)相比,重度干旱胁迫5、15和35 d,接菌组的Fo值分别升高了10.39%、20.93%和14.14%,未接菌组的Fo值分别升高了26.95%、48.75%和71.35%.接菌组的PSⅡ最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)和PSⅡ潜在活性(Fv/Fo)在中度和重度干旱胁迫5、15和35 d均高于未接菌组.与对照相比,重度干旱胁迫5、15和35 d,接菌组的Fv/Fm值分别降低了9.09%、6.85%和22.06%,未接菌组的Fv/Fm值分别降低了10.67%、16.21%和52.78%;接菌组的Fv/Fo值分别降低了28.14%、22.43%和46.01%,未接菌组的Fv/Fo值分别降低了28.38%、48.20%和75.96%.总体来看,在中度和重度干旱胁迫条件下,接菌组的PSⅡ实际光量子产量〔Y(Ⅱ)〕、PSⅡ非调节性能量耗散的量子产量〔Y(NO)〕、光化学淬灭系数(qP)和光合电子传递速率(ETR)高于对照,而PSⅡ调节性能量耗散的量子产量〔Y(NPQ)〕和非光化学淬灭系数(qN)低于对照;未接菌组的Y(Ⅱ)、qP、qN和ETR值低于对照,而Y(NO)和Y(NPQ)值则高于对照.研究结果显示:AMF能够减轻干旱尤其是重度干旱胁迫条件下木棉受伤害和光抑制的程度,并提高其叶片PSⅡ反应中心的活性,从而增强木棉在干旱胁迫条件下的生存能力.     

干旱胁迫下AM真菌对矿区土壤改良与玉米生长的影响

以神东矿区塌陷区退化土壤为供试基质,以玉米为宿主植物,研究在干旱胁迫下,丛枝菌根真菌(arbuscular mycorrhizalfungi)对玉米生长和养分吸收的影响,以及对矿区退化土壤的改良作用.结果表明:干旱胁迫下,接种AMF显著提高了玉米根系侵染率和生物量,玉米叶片相对含水量和叶色值明显高于对照组;接种组玉米地上部分磷、氮、钙和根系部分磷、钾、钙含量显著增加;接种AMF后,玉米根际土壤总球囊霉素和易提取球囊霉素含量分别增加了36.2％和33％,且根际土壤中有机质含量显著增加.由此可见,接种AMF促进了玉米对矿质养分的吸收,缓解了干旱造成的玉米生长的不利影响,提高了根际土壤中有机质含量,对矿区退化土壤改良有重要意义.     

宁南山区紫花苜蓿(Medicago sativa)土壤干层水分动态及草粮轮作恢复效应

以各类作物农田水分为对照,连续两年对宁南山区不同生长年限苜蓿深层土壤水分以及10年生苜蓿地耕翻后轮作不同年份作物农田的水分进行了测定.结果表明,随着苜蓿生长年限的增加,干层深度与厚度先增加后减小.3年生苜蓿干层深度为720cm,6年生干层最深可达1000cm以下,10年生干层深度为920cm,3～12年生苜蓿地0～700cm土层基本上均属于土壤干层范围.苜蓿地0～800cm土壤湿度随生长年限增加而降低,2004年测定的4、7年生和12年生苜蓿地0～700cm土层平均含水率分别为5.30%、5.22%和5.01%;2005年测定的3、6年生和10年生苜蓿地0～800cm土层湿度分别为6.26%、5.60%和5.27%;而800～1000cm土层湿度在一定年限后有恢复趋势.300cm为苜蓿地降水下渗的最大临界深度,300cm以下土壤干层一旦形成,将长期存在,7～12年生苜蓿300～700cm土层湿度仅维持在4.0%左右.苜蓿地和农田的土壤干层厚度与湿度有较大差异,草粮轮作可使苜蓿土壤干层水分基本恢复到农田湿度,而且轮作年份越长,土壤各层次水分恢复效果越好,10年生苜蓿轮作18年后土壤水分基本恢复到农田状态.     

钙离子对紫花苜蓿及苜蓿根瘤菌耐酸能力的影响

土壤酸性是阻碍苜蓿根瘤菌与其宿主紫花苜蓿之间高效共生固氮的重要环境因子.本文研究了Ca2 对紫花苜蓿及苜蓿根瘤菌耐酸能力的影响.结果表明:加入一定浓度的Ca2 (5和10mmol·L-1)能提高苜蓿根瘤菌的生长速率,使苜蓿根瘤菌提前进入对数生长期.中性pH条件下,Ca2 的加入对苜蓿根毛变形率无显著影响;低pH条件下,加入2、5和10mmol·L-1的Ca2 均可提高根毛变形率,Ca2 浓度越高,其影响越显著,说明低pH下Ca2 可能会促进苜蓿根瘤菌与其宿主之间的识别.低pH条件下加入Ca2 可以使苜蓿结瘤提前,结瘤率提高;结瘤动力学检测结果表明,加入一定浓度的Ca2 可以使同期结瘤数增加,越是结瘤后期,环境pH越低,这种表现越明显.     

From model to crop: functional characterization of SPL8 in M. truncatula led to genetic improvement of biomass yield and abiotic stress tolerance in alfalfa

Biomass yield, salt tolerance and drought tolerance are important targets for alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) improvement. Medicago truncatula has been developed into a model plant for alfalfa and other legumes. By screening a Tnt1 retrotransposon‐tagged M. truncatula mutant population, we identified three mutants with enhanced branching. Branch development determines shoot architecture which affects important plant functions such as light acquisition, resource use and ultimately impacts biomass production. Molecular analyses revealed that the mutations were caused by Tnt1 insertions in the SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN‐LIKE 8 (SPL8) gene. The M. truncatula spl8 mutants had increased biomass yield, while overexpression of SPL8 in M. truncatula suppressed branching and reduced biomass yield. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed that SPL8 inhibited branching by directly suppressing axillary bud formation. Based on the M. truncatula SPL8 sequence, alfalfa SPL8 (MsSPL8) was cloned and transgenic alfalfa plants were produced. MsSPL8 down‐regulated or up‐regulated alfalfa plants exhibited similar phenotypes to the M. truncatula mutants or overexpression lines, respectively. Specifically, the MsSPL8 down‐regulated alfalfa plants showed up to 43% increase in biomass yield in the first harvest. The impact was even more prominent in the second harvest, with up to 86% increase in biomass production compared to the control. Furthermore, down‐regulation of MsSPL8 led to enhanced salt and drought tolerance in transgenic alfalfa. Results from this research offer a valuable approach to simultaneously improve biomass production and abiotic stress tolerance in legumes.