Effect of bioaugmentation and nitrogen supplementation on composting of paddy straw

A composting experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of a hyperlignocellulolytic fungal consortium and different nitrogen amendments on paddy straw composting in terms of changes in physicochemical and biological parameters. A fungal consortium comprising four lignocellulolytic mesophilic fungal cultures was used as inoculum for bioaugmentation of paddy straw in perforated pits. The comparative effect of farmyard manure (FYM), soybean trash, poultry litter and urea on the composting process was evaluated at monthly intervals in terms of physicochemical (pH, EC, available P, C:N ratio and humus content) and biological (enzymatic and microbial activity) parameters. The compost prepared from bioaugmented paddy straw composting mixture, with poultry manure as nitrogen supplement attained desirable C:N ratio in 1 month and displayed least phytotoxicity levels along with higher production of β-1,4-Exoglucanase. The combined activity of the autochthonous composting microbiota as well as the externally applied fungal inoculum accelerated the composting process of paddy straw. Supplementation of paddy straw with poultry manure in 8:1 ratio was identified as the best treatment to hasten the composting process. This study highlights the importance of application of fungal inoculum and an appropriate N-amendment such as poultry manure for preparation of compost using a substrate having high C:N ratio, such as paddy straw.     

Microscopic Structural Changes in Paddy Straw Pretreated with Trichoderma reesei MTCC 164 and Coriolus versicolor MTCC 138

The present study reports the pretreatment of paddy straw by Trichoderma reesei MTCC 164 and Coriolus versicolor MTCC 138 to observe the changes in chemical composition and its correlation with change of surface structure, morphology and porosity of paddy straw. Compared with untreated straw, cellulose decreased by 15.9 and 19.3 % in T. reesei MTCC 164 and C. versicolor MTCC 138 pretreated paddy straw respectively. Lignin content increased by 41.4 % in T. reesei pretreated paddy straw whereas decreased by 19.1 % in C. versicolor pretreated straw. The microscopic structural changes were examined by scanning electron microscopy under reasonable conditions. Results showed that digestibility of paddy straw are increased by treating paddy straw with both the cultures. Both surface area and pore size of treated straw were increased partially due to solubilization of silica components.     

秸秆还田下氮肥运筹对水稻各生育期土壤微生物群落结构的影响

运用磷脂脂肪酸(phospholipid fatty acid,PLFA)和Biolog方法,研究了秸秆不还田不施肥(CK)、秸秆还田+尿素1(N分配:麦收后∶水稻移栽前∶分蘖期∶孕穗期=0∶6∶2∶2,T₁)、秸秆还田+尿素2(N分配:麦收后∶水稻移栽前∶分蘖期∶孕穗期=3∶3∶2∶2,T₂)、秸秆还田+沼液+尿素(N分配:麦收后∶水稻移栽前∶分蘖期∶孕穗期=3(沼液)∶3(2沼液+1尿素)∶2(尿素)∶2(尿素),T₃) 4种氮肥运筹方式对水稻各生育期(分蘖期、孕穗期、成熟期)土壤微生物群落结构的影响。结果表明: 1)T₃处理显著提高了各生育期土壤中的有效氮含量,其中成熟期有效氮含量显著高于分蘖期和孕穗期;T₁～T₃处理的有效磷和速效钾含量在各生育期均高于CK,且分蘖期的含量高于孕穗期和成熟期;稻田各生育期与各处理的交互作用对土壤有效氮、有效磷、速效钾含量均有显著影响;2)T₃能提高稻田土壤中微生物碳源代谢强度,碳水化合物、氨基酸、聚合物、羧酸是稻田土壤微生物利用的主要碳源,稻田各生育期与各处理的交互作用对微生物利用碳水化合物和羧酸的能力有显著影响;3)T₂、T₃能显著提高土壤微生物生物量;T₂处理真菌/细菌比较高,以真菌为主导,更有利于稻田土壤生态系统的稳定。表明秸秆还田同步施用氮肥(尿素或沼液)能提高土壤微生物活性,改善土壤环境。     

冬季覆盖作物秸秆还田对双季稻田根际土壤微生物群落功能多样性的影响

微生物群落功能多样性是土壤质量变化重要的指标,不同作物类型的秸秆还田措施对土壤微生物群落功能多样性具有明显的影响。以位于双季稻主产区不同冬季覆盖作物-双季稻种植模式大田定位试验田为研究对象,以冬闲-双季稻种植模式为对照(CK),应用Biolog-GN技术开展黑麦草-双季稻(Ry)、紫云英-双季稻(Mv)、油菜-双季稻(Ra)和马铃薯-双季稻(Po)种植模式条件下不同冬季覆盖作物秸秆还田后对双季稻田根际土壤微生物功能多样性影响的研究。研究结果表明,早稻和晚稻成熟期,与CK处理相比,冬季覆盖作物秸秆还田处理增加了稻田土壤碳源平均颜色变化率(AWCD),以Po处理AWCD均为最高,均显著高于Ry和CK处理。不同冬季覆盖作物秸秆还田处理土壤微生物代谢多样性指数表现出明显的差异,早稻成熟期,Po处理的Richness、Shannon和McIntosh指数均为最高,其次为Ry、Mv和Ra处理,CK处理最低;晚稻成熟期,各处理的Richness、Shannon和McIntosh指数大小顺序均表现为PoRaMvRyCK。土壤微生物碳源利用的主成分分析结果表明,各冬季覆盖作物秸秆还田处理根际土壤微生物利用的主要碳源为氨基酸类和糖类物质,不同处理间碳源利用类型有差异。冬季覆盖作物秸秆还田措施有利于提高双季稻田根际土壤微生物对碳源的利用能力、物种丰富度和均匀度。     

Long-term field fertilization alters the diversity of autotrophic bacteria based on the ribulose-1,5-biphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RubisCO) large-subunit genes in paddy soil

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) assimilation by autotrophic bacteria is an important process in the soil carbon cycle with major environmental implications. The long-term impact of fertilizer on CO₂ assimilation in the bacterial community of paddy soils remains poorly understood. To narrow this knowledge gap, the composition and abundance of CO₂-assimilating bacteria were investigated using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism and quantitative PCR of the cbbL gene [that encodes ribulose-1,5-biphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RubisCO)] in paddy soils. Soils from three stations in subtropical China were used. Each station is part of a long-term fertilization experiment with three treatments: no fertilizer (CK), chemical fertilizers (NPK), and NPK combined with rice straw (NPKM). At all of the stations, the cbbL-containing bacterial communities were dominated by facultative autotrophic bacteria such as Rhodopseudomonas palustris, Bradyrhizobium japonicum, and Ralstonia eutropha. The community composition in the fertilized soil (NPK and NPKM) was distinct from that in unfertilized soil (CK). The bacterial cbbL abundance (3–8?×?10⁸ copies g soil^?1) and RubisCO activity (0.40–1.76 nmol CO₂ g soil^?1 min^?1) in paddy soils were significantly positively correlated, and both increased with the addition of fertilizer. Among the measured soil parameters, soil organic carbon and pH were the most significant factors influencing the community composition, abundance, and activity of the cbbL-containing bacteria. These results suggest that long-term fertilization has a strong impact on the activity and community of cbbL-containing bacterial populations in paddy soils, especially when straw is combined with chemical fertilizers.     

Solid state degradation of paddy straw by Phlebia floridensis in the presence of different supplements for improving its nutritive status

Effect of different supplements on the degradation of paddy (rice) straw by Phlebia floridensis was studied and the conditions for best ligninolysis, lower loss in total organic matter (TOM) and enhancement in in vitro digestibility (IVD) were established. Effect of different supplements on lignocellulolytic enzymes production, degradation of cell wall fibres of paddy straw and their resultant effect on its nutritional quality was studied. Ammonium chloride, soya bean meal and moisture content were selected for response surface study on the basis of their important role in degradation. Finally, the process was successfully scaled up from 5 g to 200 g under optimized sold state conditions and the straw quality was upgraded in terms of increased IVD (40%) with a moderate loss (6%) in TOM during 20 days of incubation. Protein content, amino acid, total phenolics and antioxidant properties of the paddy straw improved with its fermentation.     

Community Dynamics of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in High-Input and Intensively Irrigated Rice Cultivation Systems

Application of a mycorrhizal inoculum could be one way to increase the yield of rice plants and reduce the application of fertilizer. We therefore studied arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in the roots of wetland rice (Oryza sativa L.) collected at the seedling, tillering, heading, and ripening stages in four paddy wetlands that had been under a high-input and intensively irrigated rice cultivation system for more than 20 years. It was found that AMF colonization was mainly established in the heading and ripening stages. The AMF community structure was characterized in rhizosphere soils and roots from two of the studied paddy wetlands. A fragment covering the partial small subunit (SSU), the whole internal transcribed spacer (ITS), and the partial large subunit (LSU) rRNA operon regions of AMF was amplified, cloned, and sequenced from roots and soils. A total of 639 AMF sequences were obtained, and these were finally assigned to 16 phylotypes based on a phylogenetic analysis, including 12 phylotypes from Glomeraceae, one phylotype from Claroideoglomeraceae, two phylotypes from Paraglomeraceae, and one unidentified phylotype. The AMF phylotype compositions in the soils were similar between the two surveyed sites, but there was a clear discrepancy between the communities obtained from root and soil. The relatively high number of AMF phylotypes at the surveyed sites suggests that the conditions are suitable for some species of AMF and that they may have an important function in conventional rice cultivation systems. The species richness of root-colonizing AMF increased with the growth of rice, and future studies should consider the developmental stages of this crop in the exploration of AMF function in paddy wetlands.     

Efficacy of carboxin and heat treatment for controlling the growth of Sclerotium rolfsii during culture of the mushroom Pleurotus flabellatus

Soaking paddy straw for 18 h in a carboxin suspension in water (5 mg a.i./l) effectively controlled the growth of Sclerotium rolfsii occurring as a natural contaminant in paddy straw, during culture of the mushroom Pleurotus flabellatus. Carboxin at this concentration delayed sporophore formation by 2–3 days, but did not affect total yield. No detectable carboxin residues were found in the mushrooms grown on the treated paddy straw. Treatment of the paddy straw with hot water at 60°C for 10 min completely controlled the contaminant without affecting mushroom growth and yield; but 20 mm treatments with hot air at 60°C or heating with the steam to 75–80°C did not control S. rolfsii.     

秸秆还田与施肥对稻田土壤微生物生物量及固氮菌群落结构的影响

利用氯仿熏蒸法和变性梯度凝胶电泳法(PCR-DGGE)研究了秸秆覆盖还田与施肥对灰棕冲积水稻土0—10cm和10—20cm土层土壤微生物生物量碳、氮和固氮菌群落结构的影响。结果表明:土壤微生物量碳、氮和固氮菌多样性从0—10cm土层到10—20cm土层均呈现降低趋势。无秸秆覆盖处理(对照组)的土壤微生物生物量碳(SMB-C)和微生物生物量氮(SMB-N)量最小。在秸秆覆盖还田处理中,低氮和无钾处理的SMB-C和SMB-N都显著低于全量氮磷钾肥处理。虽然无磷处理的SMB-N低于全量氮磷钾处理,但差异不显著。说明秸秆覆盖还田配施充足氮磷钾肥能显著提高土壤微生物生物量碳、氮。由DGGE图谱多样性指数分析得知,配施充足氮磷钾肥的处理土壤的固氮菌多样性最丰富。UPGMA聚类分析显示,10种不同处理的聚类图也不同,对照(无秸秆)处理0—10cm和10—20cm的微生物不同于其它处理单独聚在了一个群里。DGGE条带测序得知,14个条带的近缘种大部分为非培养细菌nifH基因片段,主要优势菌群其归属于变形菌门(Proteobacteria)的β-变形菌纲(Betaproteobacteria)。应用PCR-DGGE技术可以解释灰棕冲积水稻土秸秆覆盖不同肥料用量固氮菌分子群落结构特点。     

Cellulose decomposing ability of Trichoderma in relation to their saprophytic survival

Abstract

Forty one strains of Trichoderma were isolated from four provinces in the Philippines and tested for their cellulose adequacy indices (CAI). T. harzianum strain no. 94-016 with the highest CAI was further tested for its saprophytic colonization in pots relative to the amount of inoculum. The higher the amount of inoculum of T. harzianum strain no. 94-016, the higher percentage colonization of rice straw in the soil. Further tests were done to compare the decomposition of rice straw on the surface and buried in the soil and the effect of moisture on soil decomposition. Buried rice straw inoculated with T. harzianum strain no. 94-016 watered on a daily basis provided better decomposition.     

Fermentation of paddy malt mash to ethanol by mixed cultures of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Zymomonas mobilis ZM4 with penicillin G

Traditional fermentation of paddy malt mash (containing 18.1% w/v dextrose equivalent) to paddy arrack using paddy husk as source of inoculum yielded very low level of ethanol (4.25% v/v). Use of yeast isolates obtained from paddy husk as well as a potent ethanol producer like Zymomonas mobilis ZM4 and their combinations in the fermentation revealed that a combination of an yeast isolate PH 03 (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and Z. mobilis ZM4 produced synergistically and statistically more ethanol (10.1% v/v) than the individual and other combination of cultures. In this process, addition of penicillin G at a concentration of 20 U/ml rather than heat sterilization, helped retention of the limited amylase activity in the mash for simultaneous saccharification and fermentation over 7 d at 30°C. About 98.5% of the carbohydrate was accountable in the fermentation which yielded 86.7% of the theoretical yield of ethanol, apart from biomass and acids.     

Genes Involved in Cyclic Lipopeptide Production Are Important for Seed and Straw Colonization by Pseudomonas sp. Strain DSS73

Survival in natural bulk soil and colonization of sugar beet seeds and barley straw residues were determined for Pseudomonas sp. strain DSS73 and Tn5 mutants in amsY (encoding a peptide synthetase involved in production of the cyclic lipopeptide amphisin) and gacS (encoding the sensory kinase of the two-component GacA/GacS regulatory system). No differences in survival or growth in response to carbon amendment (citrate) were observed in bulk soil. However, both mutants were impaired in their colonization of sugar beet seeds and barley straw residues by an inoculum established in the bulk soil. The two mutants had comparable colonization phenotypes, suggesting that amphisin production is more important for colonization than other gacS-controlled traits.     

Fine mapping of grain length QTLs on chromosomes 1 and 7 in Basmati rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Grain dimensions (length, breadth and length/breadth ratio) are important quality attributes of Basmati rice for its high consumer acceptance. Earlier we identified two significant quantitative trait loci (QTL) intervals on chromosomes 1 and 7 for grain dimensions in Basmati rice using a population of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from cross between Basmati variety Pusa 1121 and a short grain non-aromatic variety Pusa 1342. For fine mapping of these QTLs, 184 F₆ RILs were grown and phenotyped in the normal rice growing season at two different locations. Forty-nine new SSR markers targeting these QTL intervals were tested and nine were found polymorphic between the parents. Using revised genetic maps adding new markers, the grain length QTL qGRL1.1 on chromosome 1 was narrowed down to 108?kbp from the earlier reported 6,133?kbp. There were total 13 predicted gene models in this interval which includes the probable candidate gene for the exceptionally high grain length of Basmati variety Pusa 1121. Similarly, two tandem QTL intervals qGRL7.1 and qGRL7.2 on chromosome 7 were merged into a single one narrowed down to 2,390?kbp from the earlier reported length of 5,269?kbp. This region of chromosome 7 also has co-localized QTLs for grain breadth and length to breadth ratio. SSR markers tightly linked to the QTL at a map distance of ??0.2?cM were developed for the qGRL1.1 and qGRL7.1 loci that could be used for marker-assisted breeding. Validation of earlier published markers for the grain length gene GS3 on chromosome 3 showed no difference between Pusa 1121 and Pusa 1342, highlighting the significance of qGRL1.1 and qGRL7.1 for the extra grain length of Basmati variety Pusa 1121.     

The effect of long or chopped straw on pig behaviour

In the EU, pigs must have permanent access to manipulable materials such as straw, rope, wood, etc. Long straw can fulfil this function, but can increase labour requirements for cleaning pens, and result in problems with blocked slatted floors and slurry systems. Chopped straw might be more practical, but what is the effect on pigs’ behaviour of using chopped straw instead of long straw? Commercial pigs in 1/3 slatted, 2/3 solid pens of 15 pigs were provided with either 100 g/pig per day of long straw (20 pens) or of chopped straw (19 pens). Behavioural observations were made of three focal pigs per pen (one from each of small, medium and large weight tertiles) for one full day between 0600 and 2300 h at each of ~40 and ~80 kg. The time spent rooting/investigating overall (709 s/pig per hour at 40 kg to 533 s/pig per hour at 80 kg), or directed to the straw/solid floor (497 s/pig per hour at 40 kg to 343 s/pig per hour at 80 kg), was not affected by straw length but reduced with age. Time spent investigating other pigs (83 s/pig per hour at 40 kg), the slatted floor (57 s/pig per hour) or pen fixtures (21 s/pig per hour) was not affected by age or straw length. Aggressive behaviour was infrequent, but lasted about twice as long in pens with chopped straw (2.3 s/pig per hour at 40 kg) compared with pens with long straw (1.0 s/pig per hour at 40 kg, P=0.060). There were no significant effects of straw length on tail or ear lesions, but shoulders were significantly more likely to have minor scratches with chopped straw (P=0.031), which may reflect the higher levels of aggression. Smaller pigs showed more rooting/investigatory behaviour, and in particular directed towards the straw/solid floor and the slatted floor than their larger pen-mates. Females exhibited more straw and pen fixture-directed behaviour than males. There were no effects of pig size or sex on behaviour directed towards other pigs. In summary, pigs spent similar amounts of time interacting with straw/solid floor when long and chopped straw were provided, and most aspects of pig-directed behaviour and injuries were not affected by straw length. There was an increase in pigs with minor shoulder lesions with chopped straw, perhaps because of increased aggression. The use of chopped straw as an enrichment material for pigs warrants further investigation in larger and more detailed studies.     

Solid state fermentation of Saccharum munja residues into food through Pleurotus cultivation

The technical feasibility of using Saccharum munja as a substrate for the cultivation of the oyster mushroom, Pleurotus sajor-caju, is evaluated. The biological efficiency of mushroom production is compared on different substances-S. munja, S. munja plus paddy straw, and paddy straw. Although the efficiency is low on S. munja, the ready availability of this weed large areas holds a favourable option for its use in mushroom cultivation. The crude proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and energy values are also lower though the differences are not great. The degradation of three major components-cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin has been observed, which proves P. sajor-caju to be a lignocellulolytic fungus. The nitrogen and mineral analysis of post-mushroom production S. munja (spent substrate) compares favorably with the dry cow-feed ration showing an enhanced protein content in the spent substrate.     

Microbial biomass production from rice straw by fermentation with Penicillium janthinellum

Production of microbial biomass through fermentation of pretreated rice straw using Penicillium janthinellum (St-F-3B) is reported, with emphasis on the use of non-effluent generating pretreatment procedures. The fungus readily metabolized a rice straw substrate that had been subjected to alkali pretreatment by steaming at atmospheric pressure followed by the neutralization of the alkali. The crude protein content of the microbial biomass averaged 15–20%. The fermentation could be carried out in aerated-agitated fermenters using fertilizer grade nutrient salts to produce a biomass with 17.5% crude protein. When operated on a semicontinuous basis using 20% of the previous batch as inoculum, successive batches produced a biomass product with 12–19% crude protein content in 48 h. The problems of developing a technology for protein from agricultural residues with particular reference to developing countries are discussed.     

黑龙江不同玉米秸秆还田方式下土壤动物群落结构及其对秸秆降解的影响

以黑龙江省海伦市典型黑土耕地为试验样区,研究黑土区不同秸秆还田方式下土壤动物群落结构特征及其在秸秆降解中的作用。实验选取6目、30目、260目降解袋,设置5个处理:17kg玉米秸秆+2kg水还田+含微生物100%浓度催腐剂(样方A)、8.5kg玉米秸秆+1kg水还田+含微生物50%浓度催腐剂(样方B)、原始样方(样方C)、8.5kg玉米秸秆+1kg水还田(样方D)、17kg玉米秸秆+2kg水还田(样方E),并于2009—2011每年9月份测定不同样方的玉米秸秆降解率和微生物数量。结果表明:所有样方累积秸秆降解率都达55%以上,秸秆降解率从高到低排序依次为:样方A>样方B>样方C>样方D>样方E;对秸秆降解起主要作用的动物类群为中小型土壤动物中的甲螨亚目、中气门亚目和节跳虫科,约占土壤动物个体数的86.70%;不同处理样方中,土壤动物群落结构相似;相同处理样方中,不同规格的降解袋中土壤动物个数与类群差异显著(P<0.001);不同孔径降解袋中土壤动物的个数、类群数、多样性基本都与秸秆降解率呈正相关,进一步表明土壤动物对秸秆降解具有促进作用。     

Quantitative analysis of the community structure of tropical amphibian assemblages and its significance to conservation

Amphibian community structure in five tropical sites was studied using dominance, diversity, evenness indices, niche breadth and overlapping scores and association analysis. Ten species of amphibians with average density/ha varying from 8 to 49 in different sites were collected.Rana limnocharis andBufo melanostictus were respectively the dominant amphibia in paddy fields and other sites. Niche breadth scores indicatedRana limnocharis, Bufo melanostictus andRana cyanophlyctis as habitat generalists indicating wide tolerance to environmental gradients. Five frog speciesi.e. Rana tigerina, Microhyla ornata, Ramanella variegata, Uperedon systoma andPolypedates maculatus were considered habitat specialists indicating narrow tolerance to environmental gradients. Niche breadth scores were found to be a function of the cumulative relative abundance value of different species. The niches ofRana limnocharis andRana cyanophlyctis, Bufo melanostictus andBufo stomaticus showed maximum overlapping.Rana tigerina showed maximum niche overlapping withRana variegata in paddy fields and withMicrohyla ornata when all sites were taken together. The coefficient of community index was maximum between the paddy fields and minimum between the paddy fields and forest site.Rana tigerina occurred very sparsely and analysis of data indicates that its population are threatened and require conservation measure.     

稻草还田对水稻土固氮基因(nifH)组成结构和多样性的影响

以中国科学院桃源农业生态试验站长期定位施肥试验为平台,选取稻草还田(C)、氮磷钾(NPK)、氮磷钾加稻草还田(NPK+C)和不施肥对照(CK)4个处理,在晚稻的分蘖期、孕穗期和成熟期分别采集土样,利用实时定量PCR(Q-PCR)和末端限制性片段多态性(T-RFLP)等分子生物学方法研究长期稻草还田对水稻土含nifH基因固氮微生物群落丰度、组成和多样性的影响.结果表明：与对照相比,稻草还田和单施化肥处理均显著增加nifH基因的丰度(分蘖期除外),NPK+C处理中含nifH基因的微生物数量最高;nifH基因组成也受到长期施肥的影响,其中CK处理nifH基因组成与各施肥处理明显不同,C与NPK处理间nifH基因组成存在一定差异,而NPK与NPK+C处理间无显著差异.长期施肥不会引起含nifH基因微生物群落多样性的显著改变.可见,稻草还田不仅引起nifH基因群落的组成发生变化,而且导致其数量显著增加,因而可增加土壤的固氮能力.     

Utilization of waste materials for outdoor wintering of Apis mellifera L. colonies.

The studies were conducted for two years during 1996-1997 and 1997-1998 to evaluate the impact of different waste materials wheat bhusa (chopped wheat straw), paddy straw, sawdust and thermocole sheet (a type of polystyrene board) as inner packing, and in combination with polythene sheets as outer packing, on the brood rearing activity of honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies. The increase in brood area showed that thermocole alone as well as in combination with polythene sheets was superior to all other treatments; followed by paddy straw, wheat bhusa and saw dust, respectively. Considering the economic feasibility and easy availability, the paddy straw packing is recommended for outdoor wintering of honeybee colonies.