不同灌溉方式下(土娄)土玉米根际硝态氮的分布

实验着重研究分根条件下常规灌溉、交替灌溉和固定灌溉玉米苗期根际硝态氮的分布, 研究结果表明:不同灌水方式下,玉米根际硝态氮的分布不同.在这3种灌水方式的湿润区,NO-3-N的累积趋势为:交替灌水＞固定灌水＞常规灌水.     

不同灌水模式对冬小麦籽粒产量和水、氮利用效率的影响

在田间试验条件下,以冬小麦品种泰农18为材料,设置灌底墒水(CK)、底墒水+拔节水(W1)、底墒水+拔节水+越冬水与灌浆水交替灌溉(越冬/灌浆水交替灌溉模式,W2)、底墒水+拔节水+开花水(优化传统灌溉模式,W3)、底墒水+越冬水+拔节水+灌浆水(传统灌溉模式,W4)5种灌溉模式,每处理每次灌水量均为600 m3·hm-2,研究了山东泰安偏旱年份(2009-2010年)不同灌溉模式对小麦籽粒产量、水分利用效率和氮素利用效率的影响.结果表明:在小麦全生育期119.7 mm降水量条件下,越冬/灌浆水交替灌溉模式(W2)与传统灌溉模式(W4)籽粒产量差异不显著,但水分利用效率显著高于传统灌溉模式,与灌水量相同的优化传统灌溉模式(W3)相比,其小麦籽粒产量明显提高,水分利用效率无显著差异;越冬/灌浆水交替灌溉模式和传统灌溉模式的氮肥偏生产力最高,且籽粒收获后越冬/灌浆水交替灌溉模式在0 ～100 cm土层的硝态氮积累量显著高于传统灌溉模式和优化传统灌溉模式,降低了硝态氮的淋溶损失.在本试验条件下,越冬/灌浆水交替灌溉模式(W2)是可以兼顾小麦籽粒产量、水分利用效率和氮素利用效率的最佳灌溉模式.     

变饱和带条件下污水灌溉对土壤氮素运移和冬小麦生长的影响

为了研究地下水浅埋区污水灌溉对土壤环境及作物生长的影响,设置地下水埋深(2、3m和4m)和灌水水量(900m3·hm-2和1200m3·hm-2)2个因素,对冬小麦全生育期土壤氮素和冬小麦生长发育指标进行试验,试验在地中渗透仪中进行.结果显示:灌水后,不同处理土壤中硝态氮含量均显著增加,灌水水平越高,土壤中硝态氮含量增加越多;灌水后,灌水水平B1(900 m3·hm-2)不同潜水埋深地下水硝态氮分别增加34.67%、24.94%、20.88%;灌水水平B2(1200 m3·hm-2)不同潜水埋深地下水硝态氮分别增加58.42%、38.98%、27.21%.潜水埋深越浅,地下水中硝态氮的浓度增加越大,这也就表明由于淋溶和硝化作用产生的硝态氮造成浅层地下水污染的风险越大.污水灌溉对冬小麦的生长发育指标和产量有促进作用;相同灌水水平(B1 和B2),地下水埋深影响冬小麦生长发育指标的大小顺序为:2m＞3m＞4m.     

控制性分根交替灌溉下氮形态对番茄生长、果实产量及品质的影响

以高产大果型西红柿品种中研988为材料,采用分根培养的方法,研究了控制性分根交替灌溉(APRI)条件下,不同氮素形态(硝态氮、铵态氮)对番茄生长、产量及果实品质的影响.结果表明: 同一灌溉方式或下限处理下,铵态氮对番茄植株前期生长有利,而硝态氮促进番茄植株后期生长,并促进果实产量增加.在APRI同一灌水下限下,硝态氮处理可提高果实维生素C含量及糖酸比,提高营养品质.同一氮素形态供应下,APRI番茄的株高和叶面积均小于正常灌溉(CK),但灌水下限为60%田间持水量(θ_f)的APRI处理番茄茎粗在生长后期有所增加.在同一氮素形态下,与CK相比,APRI各处理的产量均下降,其中灌水下限在40%θ_f的APRI处理产量下降了22.4%～26.3%;而灌水下限在60% θ_f的APRI处理仅下降了5.3%～5.4%,下降幅度相对较小,而品质显著提高,并具有明显的节水效果.因此,控制灌水下限在60%θ_f、供应硝态氮的APRI处理为番茄高产、优质、节水的最佳处理.
     

氮素形态对专用小麦中后期根际土壤微生物和酶活性的影响

采用盆栽方法研究了酰胺态氮、铵态氮和硝态氮对强筋小麦(Triticum aestivum L.)"豫麦34"、中筋小麦"豫麦49"和弱筋小麦"豫麦50"生育中后期根际微生物和土壤酶活性的影响.结果表明,专用小麦根际真菌、细菌、放线菌数量和土壤脲酶、蛋白酶、硝酸还原酶活性以及根际pH值对氮素形态的反应不同."豫麦34"施用硝态氮,对根际土壤真菌、细菌(除成熟期外)和放线菌数量均具有明显的促进作用;"豫麦49"施用铵态氮,根际土壤细菌和放线菌数量最大,根际真菌数量在孕穗期和开花期以酰胺态氮处理最大,而成熟期以硝态氮处理最大;"豫麦50"施用硝态氮,对根际土壤真菌、细菌和放线菌数量均具有明显的促进作用.不同专用小麦品种均表现为在酰胺态氮处理下,根际土壤脲酶活性最高;在铵态氮处理下,根际土壤蛋白酶活性最高;在硝态氮处理下,根际土壤硝酸还原酶活性和pH值最高.     

干旱荒漠区不同灌木根际与非根际土壤氮素的含量特征

选取广泛分布于阿拉善干旱荒漠区的白刺、霸王、红砂、沙冬青、沙木蓼、梭梭和驼绒藜7种不同的旱生灌木,研究其根际与非根际土壤各种形态氮素、有机碳的含量特征及土壤pH的变化.结果表明,相对于非根际土壤,根际土壤全氮、铵态氮、硝态氮分别平均高24.9%、24.5%和65.1%,土壤有机碳平均高出18.5%,土壤pH值平均低0.14个单位.根际与非根际土壤的全氮、铵态氮、硝态氮、有机碳和pH之间都呈现出了极显著差异(p<0.01).7种灌木根际土壤全氮、硝态氮和有机碳含量均比非根际土壤含量高.除沙冬青根际铵态氮含量较非根际低以外,其余6种灌木根际土壤铵态氮含量均高于非根际土壤.梭梭的根际土壤pH高于非根际,其它6种灌木均是根际pH低于非根际土壤.在根际与非根际,土壤有机碳与土壤全氮之间均呈显著相关,二者表现为线性关系.而土壤全氮与铵态氮在根际与非根际则均无相关性,全氮与硝态氮在根际和非根际土壤均显著相关,且二者也呈线性相关.     

施氮量对夏玉米根际和非根际土壤酶活性及氮含量的影响

在华北平原潮土上进行田间试验,研究施氮量对夏玉米根际和非根际土壤酶活性及氮含量的影响.结果表明: 不同施氮水平下土壤酶活性均表现出一致的季节性变化趋势.与不施氮处理相比,施氮处理能显著提高根际和非根际土壤硝态氮含量及根际土壤铵态氮含量,显著增强土壤几丁质酶、β-葡萄糖苷酶、纤维素酶和木聚糖酶活性.在整个玉米生育期内,非根际土壤硝态氮含量显著高于根际土壤;非根际土壤铵态氮含量在灌浆期显著高于根际土壤,但在苗期和完熟期则显著低于根际土壤;根际土壤几丁质酶、β-葡萄糖苷酶、纤维素酶和木聚糖酶活性都显著高于非根际土壤.施氮对土壤有机质含量没有显著影响;在0～180 kg·hm^-2施氮范围内,施氮可明显增加土壤全氮含量,但当施氮量超过180 kg·hm^-2时,土壤全氮含量则明显下降.综上,适量施氮能显著增强土壤酶活性,提高土壤全氮含量,改善土壤生化性质.     

水氮配合对绿洲沙地农田玉米产量、土壤硝态氮和氮平衡的影响

在黑河中游边缘绿洲沙地农田研究了不同的水氮配合对玉米产量、土壤硝态氮在剖面中的累积和氮平衡的影响.结果表明,施氮处理较不施氮处理产量增加48.22%～108.6%,施氮量超过225 kg hm-2,玉米产量不再显著增加.受土壤结构影响土壤硝态氮在土壤中呈"W"型分布,即土壤硝态氮含量在0～20 cm、140～160 cm和260～300 cm土层均出现峰值,并随施氮量增加,峰值增高.在常规高灌溉量处理硝态氮含量峰值最高值出现在260～300 cm土层,节水25%灌溉处理硝态氮含量峰值最高值出现在土壤表层0～20 cm土层.在常规高灌溉量处理0～300 cm土层中200～300土层硝态氮累积量所占比例最高,介于27.56%～51.86%之间;节水25%灌溉处理在0～300 cm土层中100～200土层硝态氮累积量所占比例最高,介于32.94%～38.07%之间;表明低灌溉处理下土壤硝态氮在土壤浅层累积较多,而高灌溉处理使更多的硝态氮淋溶至土壤深层.与2006年相比,2007年不施氮处理0～200 cm土层土壤硝态氮含量和积累量均明显减少;而施氮处理变化很小,在低灌溉处理甚至表现出硝态氮含量和积累量增加,表明施氮是土壤硝态氮累积的主要来源,而灌溉则使硝态氮向土壤深层淋溶.0～200 cm 土层土壤硝态氮累积量平均介于27.66～116.68 kg hm-2、氮素表观损失量平均介于77.35～260.96 kg hm-2,和施氮量均呈线性相关,即随施氮量增加,土壤硝态氮累积量和氮素表观损失量均增加,相关系数R2介于0.79～0.99之间,相关均显著.随施氮量增加,玉米总吸氮量和氮收获指数增加,氮的农学利用率降低,而灌溉的影响较小.施氮量超过225 kg hm-2时,地上部植株氮肥吸收利用率和籽粒氮肥吸收利用率开始有降低趋势.所以,在沙地农田,节水10%～25%的灌溉水平和225 kg hm-2的施氮水平可以在避免水肥过量投入的基础上减少土壤有机氮淋溶对地下水造成的污染威胁.     

水肥异区交替灌溉对夏玉米生理指标的影响

以夏玉米品种‘户单4号'为材料,通过防雨棚内微区试验研究了两种灌水量(450 m~3/hm~2和900 m~3/hm~2)条件下水肥异区交替灌溉和均匀灌溉对夏玉米生长以及某些生理指标的影响.结果显示:(1)在节水50%的条件下,水肥异区交替灌溉与高灌水量均匀灌溉的夏玉米生物量、产量均无显著差异.(2)低灌水量时,水肥异区交替灌溉下的玉米根系伤流液、叶片可溶性蛋白含量、硝酸还原酶活性、光合速率、蒸腾速率等均高于均匀灌溉施肥处理,而植株全氮含量及叶片水分利用效率与均匀灌溉施肥的差异不显著.(3)高灌水量时,水肥异区交替灌溉处理除根系活力、光合速率以及蒸腾速率高于均匀灌溉处理外,其他指标均低于后者.研究表明,在低灌水量条件下,水肥异区交替灌溉能使夏玉米保持较高的根系活力和正常生理代谢,提高其叶片水分利用效率,从而达到了节水增产的目的.     

不同灌水方式对‘寒富’苹果叶片光合功能和抗氧化酶活性的影响

以‘寒富’苹果为试材,研究半根交替灌水、半根灌水及干旱处理对苹果叶片光合功能和抗氧化酶活性的影响。结果表明:与对照(常规灌水)相比,3种亏缺灌水处理对叶片净光合速率(Pn)和气孔导度(Gs)的抑制作用表现为干旱处理>半根灌水处理>半根交替灌水处理。半根交替灌水、半根灌水和干旱处理的叶绿素含量均是先升高,在第9天出现峰值后明显降低,干旱处理的叶绿素含量一直是最低的。3个处理的叶片脯氨酸含量随着处理时间的延长持续升高,干旱处理的脯氨酸含量最高,半根交替灌水处理的最低。3个处理的抗氧化酶活性变化各异,干旱和半根灌水处理的SOD酶活性先显著升高,在第9天出现峰值后迅速降低,半根交替灌水处理提高了SOD酶活性且一直较稳定;半根灌水和半根交替灌水处理的POD和CAT酶活性变化趋势相似,均在第9天出现峰值后呈下降的趋势,干旱处理的POD和CAT酶活性则是先显著升高,在第9天后维持在较高水平;3个处理均提高了叶片电导率和MDA含量,其中干旱处理显著高于其他处理,半根交替灌水处理最低。总之,半根交替灌水方式产生的水分胁迫较轻,并在减少灌水量的同时能维持较高的光合效率,可实现果树的节水栽培。     

不同氮效率水稻生育后期根表和根际土壤硝化特征

通过田间试验研究了不同氮效率粳稻品种4007(氮高效)和Elio(氮低效)生育后期在N0(0 kgN hm-2)、N180(180 kgN hm-2)和N300(300 kgN hm-2)水平下根表、根际和土体土壤pH值、铵态氮(NH+4-N)和硝态氮(NO-3-N)含量、硝化强度和氨氧化细菌(AOB)数量.结果表明无论是齐穗期、灌浆期还是成熟期,根表土壤pH值均显著低于根际和土体土壤.土壤pH值范围在5.95至6.84之间变化.土壤NH+4-N含量随水稻生长显著下降,且随施氮量增加而显著增加.根表土壤NH+4-N有明显亏缺区,且随距水稻根表距离增加,NH+4-N含量逐渐升高.土壤NO-3-N含量随水稻生长显著增加,施氮处理均显著高于不施氮处理,但N180和N300处理差异不显著.NO-3-N含量表现为根际>土体>根表.水稻根表和根际土壤硝化强度随水稻生长显著下降,而土体土壤硝化强度随时间延长小幅增加.施氮显著提高4007水稻根表土壤在齐穗和收获期硝化强度以及Elio在齐穗期根际硝化强度,但在施氮处理N180和N300中无显著差异.在整个采样期间,土壤硝化强度均表现为根际>根表>土体.水稻根表和根际AOB数量随水稻生长而显著降低,而土体土壤AOB数量无显著变化.例如,根表土壤AOB数量在齐穗期、灌浆期和收获期分别为16.7×105、8.77×105个g-1 dry soil和8.01×105个g-1 dry soil.根表和根际土壤AOB数量无显著差异,但二者显著高于土体土壤AOB数量.就两个氮效率水稻品种而言,土壤pH值基本无差异.4007土壤NH+4-N含量均显著高于Elio.在齐穗期水稻根表、根际和土体土壤NO-3-N含量在N180水平下均表现为Elio显著高于4007.而在灌浆期和收获期,水稻根表、根际和土体土壤则表现为4007显著高于Elio.在所有采样期,两个水稻品种土体土壤硝化强度和AOB数量在3个施氮量下均无显著差异.Elio根表和根际土壤硝化强度和AOB数量在水稻灌浆期之前一直显著高于4007,而在灌浆期之后则显著低于4007,且最终产量和氮素利用率(NUE)显著低于4007,这可能是由于4007灌浆期后硝化作用强,根际产生的NO-3-N含量高,从而4007根吸收NO-3-N的量也高造成的.因此水稻灌浆期和收获期根表和根际硝化作用以及AOB与水稻高产及氮素高效利用密切相关.     

根际土壤通透性对玉米水分和养分吸收的影响

为改善作物根系生长微环境,探索根际土壤通透性对作物水分和养分吸收的影响,在3个灌溉水平下（灌水量分别为每次600、400和200 ml）,采用盆栽玉米不通气、每隔2 d通1次气、每隔4 d通1次气等处理方法,研究了根际土壤通透性对盆栽玉米生理指标及水分和养分吸收的影响.结果表明：在相同灌水条件下,通气处理促进了玉米株高、叶面积的增长,提高了叶绿素含量;促进了玉米对土壤养分的吸收;显著提高了玉米的根系活力,灌水量为每次600 ml时,拔节期每隔4 d通气处理的玉米根系活力最大（8.24 mg·g^-1·h^-1）,较不通气处理（4.94 mg·g^-1·h^-1）提高了66.7%;根际土壤通气处理对盆栽玉米蒸腾的影响不显著,说明根际通气可提高玉米对水分与养分的吸收利用效率,促进植株生长发育.     

隔沟交替灌溉条件下玉米根系形态性状及结构分布

为揭示根系对土壤环境的适应机制,研究了隔沟交替灌溉条件下玉米根系形态性状及结构分布。以垄位和坡位的玉米根系为研究对象,利用Minirhizotrons法研究了根系（活/死根）的长度、直径、体积、表面积、根尖数和径级变化及其与土壤水分、土温和水分利用效率（WUE）的相关关系。结果表明,对于活根,在坡位非灌水区域复水后根系平均直径减小,而根系日均生长速率、单位面积土壤根系体积密度、根尖数和表面积均增大,并随灌水区域土壤水分的消退逐渐减小;对于死根,在坡位非灌水区域复水后根系日均死亡速率、根系体积密度、根尖数和表面积变化均减小,其中根系死亡速率和死根直径随土壤水分的消退逐渐降低,而死根体积密度、根尖数和表面积分布随土壤水分降低呈增大趋势;在垄位,根系形态分布趋势与坡位一致,除根系直径与与坡位比较接近外,其他根系形态值均小于坡位。将根系分成4个径级区间分析根系的形态特征,结果表明在根系长度和体积密度分布中以2.5－4.5 mm径级的根系所占比例最大,在根尖数和根系表面积分布中以0.0－2.5 mm径级的根系为主。通过显著性相关分析,死根直径、体积密度、活根表面积等根系形态与土壤含水率、土壤温度和WUE间均存在显著或极显著的正相关关系,部分根系形态指标（如根系的生长速率、活根体积密度）只与坡位土壤含水量、土壤温度具有明显的相关性,表明隔沟交替灌溉对坡位根系形态的调控作用比垄位显著。     

控制性分根区交替滴灌对苹果幼树形态特征与根系水分传导的影响

采用固定滴灌(根区一侧固定供水)、控制性分根区交替滴灌(根区两侧交替供水)和常规滴灌(紧贴幼树基部供水)3种灌水方式和3种灌水定额(固定滴灌和交替滴灌均为10、20和30 mm,常规滴灌为20、30和40 mm),对比研究了控制性分根区交替滴灌对苹果幼树形态特征与根系水分传导的影响.结果表明： 交替滴灌的根区两侧土壤出现反复干湿交替过程,常规滴灌的根区两侧土壤含水率差异不显著.在灌水定额相同时,灌水侧的土壤含水率在3种灌水方式间差异不显著.与常规滴灌和固定滴灌相比,交替滴灌显著增加了苹果幼树的根冠比、壮苗指数和根系水分传导,在30 mm灌水定额处理下,交替滴灌的根冠比分别增加31.6%和47.1%,壮苗指数增加34.2%和53.6%,根系水分传导增加9.0%和11.0%.3种灌水方式下,根干质量和叶面积均与根系水分传导呈显著线性正相关.控制性分根区交替滴灌增强了苹果幼树根系水分传导的补偿效应,促进了根系对水分的吸收利用,有利于干物质向各个器官均衡分配,显著提高了根冠比和壮苗指数.     

不同水氮条件下灌溉方式对玉米干物质量和氮钾利用的影响

由于作物需水随生育期的变化,分根区交替灌溉(AI)的节水效果也会随生育期而发生变化,探明不同生育期分根区交替灌溉对玉米生长和水分养分利用的影响,以期为分根区交替灌溉的实施和充分发挥其节水节肥效果奠定理论基础。通过盆栽试验,在2种灌水水平(正常灌水和轻度缺水)和2种有机无机氮比例(100%无机氮和70%无机氮+30%有机氮)下,以常规灌溉(CI)为对照,分别研究苗期—灌浆初期、苗期—拔节期以及拔节期—抽雄期进行AI对玉米干物质量、氮钾含量和吸收量以及土壤碱解氮和速效钾含量的影响。结果表明,在轻度缺水和有机无机氮肥配施下,与CI相比,拔节期—抽雄期分根区交替灌溉玉米地上部和总干物质量分别增加29.6%和27.4%,地上部和总N吸收量增加50.7%和50.4%。与单施无机氮肥相比,有机无机氮肥配施会在不同程度上增加地上部和总N吸收量,但是一般降低土壤碱解氮和速效钾含量,这说明在轻度缺水和有机无机N肥配施下,拔节期—抽雄期进行分根区交替灌溉提高玉米总干物质量和N吸收量。     

分根区干湿交替对玉米光合速率及蒸腾效率的影响

以玉米为材料研究了分根区干湿交替对叶片光合速度及蒸腾效率的影响,结果发现控制１／２根区交替供水和固定１／２根区供水在减少用水量的同时,叶片蒸腾速度明显下降,而光合速度不明显,蒸腾效率提高;控制１／２根区交替供水比固定１／２根区供水在光合维持高水平稳定时所要求的土壤含水量低,其蒸腾效率较高。干湿交替能够增加根冠比、根干重和根九。证明控制性分根交灌溉可提高玉米腾效率达到节水的目的。     

Drying of mucilage causes water repellency in the rhizosphere of maize: measurements and modelling

Background and Aims

Although maize roots have been extensively studied, there is limited information on the effect of root exudates on the hydraulic properties of maize rhizosphere. Recent experiments suggested that the mucilaginous fraction of root exudates may cause water repellency of the rhizosphere. Our objectives were: 1) to investigate whether maize rhizosphere turns hydrophobic after drying and subsequent rewetting; 2) to test whether maize mucilage is hydrophobic; and 3) to find a quantitative relation between rhizosphere rewetting, particle size, soil matric potential and mucilage concentration.

Methods

Maize plants were grown in aluminum containers filled with a sandy soil. When the plants were 3-weeks-old, the soil was let dry and then it was irrigated. The soil water content during irrigation was imaged using neutron radiography. In a parallel experiment, ten maize plants were grown in sandy soil for 5 weeks. Mucilage was collected from young brace roots growing above the soil. Mucilage was placed on glass slides and let dry. The contact angle was measured with the sessile drop method for varying mucilage concentration. Additionally, capillary rise experiments were performed in soils of varying particle size mixed with maize mucilage. We then used a pore-network model in which mucilage was randomly distributed in a cubic lattice. The general idea was that rewetting of a pore is impeded when the concentration of mucilage on the pore surface (g cm^?2) is higher than a given threshold value. The threshold value depended on soil matric potential, pore radius and contract angle. Then, we randomly distributed mucilage in the pore network and we calculated the percolation of water across a cubic lattice for varying soil particle size, mucilage concentration and matric potential.

Results

Our results showed that: 1) the rhizosphere of maize stayed temporarily dry after irrigation; 2) mucilage became water repellent after drying. Mucilage contact angle increased with mucilage surface concentration (gram of dry mucilage per surface area); 3) Water could easily cross the rhizosphere when the mucilage concentration was below a given threshold. In contrast, above a critical mucilage concentration water could not flow through the rhizosphere. The critical mucilage concentration decreased with increasing particle size and decreasing matric potential.

Conclusions

These results show the importance of mucilage exudation for the water fluxes across the root-soil interface. Our percolation model predicts at what mucilage concentration the rhizosphere turns hydrophobic depending on soil texture and matric potential. Further studies are needed to extend these results to varying soil conditions and to upscale them to the entire root system.

     

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.     

Effects of alternate partial root-zone irrigation on soil microorganism and maize growth

Partial root-zone irrigation creates a dynamic heterogeneous distribution of soil moisture that may affect the numbers and activities of soil microorganisms. In this study, three irrigation methods, i.e. conventional irrigation (CI), alternate partial root-zone irrigation (APRI, alternate watering on both sides of the pot) and fixed partial root-zone irrigation (FPRI, fixed watering on one side of the pot), and three watering levels, i.e. well-watered, mild and severe water deficit, were applied on pot-grown maize. Numbers of soil microorganisms, plant height, stalk diameter, leaf area and biomass accumulation were monitored over the treatment period. A quadratic parabola relationship between the number of soil microorganisms and soil water content was found, indicating the number of soil microorganisms reached a peak at the mild soil water deficit condition, possibly due to better soil aeration. The peak number of soil microorganism was obtained when soil water content was 66, 79 and 75% of field capacity for CI, FPRI and APRI, respectively. Soil microorganisms were evenly distributed in both sides of APRI and their total numbers were always higher than those under other two irrigation methods for the same soil water content. The count of soil microorganisms in the dry root zone of FPRI was reduced by a lack of water. Maximum biomass accumulation was obtained under well watered condition but severe water deficit led to a 50% reduction in the CI treatment. Such reduction was much smaller under APRI and therefore the highest water use efficiency was obtained. Our results suggest that APRI maintained the best aeration and moisture condition in the soil and enhanced the activities of soil microorganisms, which might also have benefited the plant growth.     

Manganese reduction in the rhizosphere of mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal maize

The influence of rhizosphere microorganisms and vesicular-arbuscular (VA) mycorrhiza on manganese (Mn) uptake in maize (Zea mays L. cv. Tau) plants was studied in pot experiments under controlled environmental conditions. The plants were grown for 7 weeks in sterilized calcareous soil in pots having separate compartments for growth of roots and of VA mycorrhizal fungal hyphae. The soil was left either uninoculated (control) or prior to planting was inoculated with rhizosphere microorganisms only (MO-VA) or with rhizosphere microorganisms together with a VA mycorrhizal fungus [Glomus mosseae (Nicol and Gerd.) Gerdemann and Trappe] (MO+VA). Mycorrhiza treatment did not affect shoot dry weight, but root dry weight was slightly inhibited in the MO+VA and MO-VA treatments compared with the uninoculated control. Concentrations of Mn in shoots decreased in the order MO-VA > MO+VA > control. In the rhizosphere soil, the total microbial population was higher in mycorrhizal (MO+VA) than nonmycorrhizal (MO-VA) treatments, but the proportion of Mn-reducing microbial populations was fivefold higher in the nonmycorrhizal treatment, suggesting substantial qualitative changes in rhizosphere microbial populations upon root infection with the mycorrhizal fungi. The most important microbial group taking part in the reduction of Mn was fluorescent Pseudomonas. Mycorrhizal treatment decreased not only the number of Mn reducers but also the release of Mn-solubilizing root exudates, which were collected by percolation from maize plants cultivated in plastic tubes filled with gravel quartz sand. Compared with mycorrhizal plants, the root exudates of nonmycorrhizal plants had two fold higher capacity for reduction of Mn. Therefore, changes in both rhizosphere microbial population and root exudation are probably responsible for the lower acquisition of Mn in mycorrhizal plants.