Studies on aspergilli XVII. Effect of nitrogen sources on growth and fruiting

Summary The effect of ammonium, nitrate, and organic nitrogen on growth and sporulation of 18 Aspergilli was examined in a chemically defined medium in surface culture under controlled conditions. All three forms of nitrogen were metabolized by all the Aspergilli tested. Ammonium nitrogen was not good both for growth and fruiting. This was due to the sharp fall in the pH level which resulted due to the rapid utilization of anions of the ammonium nitrogen than cations. The effect of adding succinic acid in the medium containing ammonium nitrogen has been discussed.Good growth of Aspergilli in media containing nitrate nitrogen with the accompanying rise in the pH of the medium showed that these species are capable of reducing nitrate nitrogen to the level of ammonia. The role of succinic acid in the utilization of nitrate nitrogen was investigated. All fungi accomplished good growth on a medium containing asparagine.     

Regulation of extracellular laccase production of Agaricus bisporus by nitrogen sources in the medium

Abstract The substrate specificity of cystathionine γ-synthase (EC 4.2.99.9) in various bacteria was examined. O-Succinyl- l -homoserine was used preferably as a substrate by facultative anaerobic Gram-negative bacteria belonging to such genera as Escherichia, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Citrobacter, Erwinia, Serratia, Proteus and Salmonella . Among Gram-negative aerobic bacteria, bacteria belonging to the genera Pseudomonas, Xanthomonas and Alcaligenes also used O -succinyl- l -homoserine in preference to O -acetyl- l -homoserine. On the other hand, bacteria belonging to the genera Agrobacterium and Flavobacterium used O -acetyl- l -homoserine preferably. As to Gram-positive aerobic bacteria, bacteria of the genus Bacillus used O -acetyl- l -homoserine exclusively. Bacteria belonging to the genera Micrococcus, Corynebacterium, Brevibacterium and Arthrobacter used both O -acetyl- and O -succinyl- l -homoserine to similar extents.     

Algal growth on organic compounds as nitrogen sources

Two experimental series were run to evaluate the potential of algal development on dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) compounds as the sole source of nitrogen (N) nutrition. Monocultures of several common Lake Kinneret algae (Pediastrum duplex, Synechococcus sp., Microcystis aeruginosa, Aphanizomenon ovalisporum and Cyclotella sp.) were incubated for 3 weeks in the laboratory with different inorganic (NH4⁺, NO3^-) or organic (hypoxanthine, urea, guanine, ornithine, glucosamine, lysine) nitrogen sources. Even though the cultures were not axenic, marked differences were observed in algal growth response. Pediastrum, Cyclotella and Aphanizomenon grew well on most N sources, and cyanobacterial growth and yield were consistently greatest when the urea was the only N source. We also followed algal growth and eventual species dominance in batch samples of GF/F-filtered lake water, supplemented with orthophosphate and different inorganic or organic N compounds and inoculated with concentrated lake phytoplankton. Although no clear impact on phytoplankton growth (as chlorophyll concentration) was observed, in seven out of 11 experiments we could discern changes in the algal species that became dominant in flasks with different organic and inorganic N sources. Our results are consistent with the proposition that components of the DON pool are not only an important potential, direct or indirect N source for phytoplankton, but also that different algal species can exploit these sources with varying capabilities so that different N substrates may selectively stimulate the development of dominant algal species.      

Effect of nitrogen sources on the kinetic growth parameters of a Pseudomonas aeruginosa culture oxidizing quinoline

The object of the work was to study the kinetic parameters of Pseudomonas aeruginosa P1 growth. Quinoline could be used as a sole nitrogen source during growth of the organism in a mineral medium. Reduced nitrogen forms were shown to be preferable for the growth.     

Effect of different nitrogen and carbon sources on the proteolytic activity

Two-three fold increases in the levels of proteolytic activities in one strain of Bacillus licheniformis (R1-8) were obtained when changes in the nature of the nitrogen source (food and fodder yeast instead of soybean meal) and in the amount of invert sugars in the culture medium were performed.     

Low-cost and low maintenance preservation of Agaricus brasiliensis cultures

Agaricus brasiliensis cultures quickly lose viability when stored at cool temperatures, even for a short period of time. We evaluated several low-cost preservation methods using varied substrates, preservation solutions, and storage temperatures. Agaricus brasiliensis was intolerant to freezing temperatures, making liquid nitrogen use and deep-freezing methods impossible for its preservation. The best preservation conditions for the A. brasiliensis CS1 strain tested in this study were obtained by using rice as substrate and water as preservation solution, with storage at room temperature or when using soil, mushroom cultivation compost, or rice and stored at 10 °C without preservation solution. Those cultures that were reactivated showed the same productivity attributes as the control. In addition, no effect on productivity or biological efficiency was observed through successive subculturing of the strain (CS1). Parboiled rice was successfully used for other A. brasiliensis strains (CS2, CS5, CS7, CS9, and CS10), and also for Pleurotus ostreatus, P. sajor-caju, and Lentinula edodes.     

Effect of elevated CO2 concentration and nitrate: ammonium ratios on gas exchange and growth of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz)

Aims

This study evaluated how different nitrogen forms affect growth and photosynthetic responses of cassava to CO₂ concentration.

Methods

Cassava was grown in 14-L pots in a greenhouse at 390 or 750 ppm of CO₂. Three nitrogen treatments were applied: (a) 12?mM NO₃ ^?, (b) 6?mM NO₃ ^??+?6?mM NH₄ ⁺, and (c) 12?mM NH₄ ⁺.

Results

Thirty-six days after treatments began, plants grown under elevated CO₂ and fertilized only with NO₃ ^? (750_NO₃ ^?) had photosynthetic rates similar to plants grown under 390_NO₃ ^?, indicating significant photosynthetic acclimation to CO₂. In contrast, photosynthetic rates at elevated CO₂ increased as NH₄ ⁺ increased in the nutrient solution, such that photosynthetic acclimation was reduced for plants fertilized with only NH₄ ⁺. However, this positive effect of NH₄ ⁺ on photosynthesis was not observed in more advanced growth stages, and the toxic effects of NH₄ ⁺ severely reduced total dry mass for these plants measured at the end of the experiment.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that cassava will respond with increased biomass accumulation in response to raising atmospheric CO₂ levels, and that N form can have an important impact on the photosynthetic response. However, the positive effect of NH₄ ⁺ fertilization on cassava photosynthetic CO₂ response eventually led to a toxicity problem that reduced biomass production. The challenge is to determine how to manage NH₄ ⁺ fertilization so that the photosynthetic benefit observed in the initial phase may persist throughout the crop cycle.     

Effect of organic and inorganic nitrogen sources on endogenous polyamines and growth of ectomycorrhizal fungi in pure culture

 The abilities of three ectomycorrhizal fungi, Paxillus involutus, Suillus variegatus and Lactarius rufus, to utilize organic and inorganic nitrogen sources were determined by measuring the growth and endogenous free polyamines (putrescine, spermidine and spermine) of pure culture mycelium. Differences were found in the utilization of the nitrogen sources and in the polyamine concentrations between the fungal species and between isolates of L. rufus. All the fungi grew well on ammonium and on several amino acids. Endogenous polyamine levels varied with the nitrogen source. Spermidine was commonly the most abundant polyamine; however, more putrescine than spermidine was found in P. involutus growing on inorganic nitrogen or arginine. Low amounts of spermine were found in S. variegatus and some samples of L. rufus. None or only a trace of spermine was found in P. involutus mycelium. In all fungi, putrescine concentrations were higher with ammonium than with the nitrate treatment. The total nitrogen content of peat did not determine the ability of L. rufus strains isolated from peatland forest sites to utilize organic nitrogen. Accepted: 27 November 1998     

Regulation of genes involved in nitrogen utilization on different C/N ratios and nitrogen sources in the model ectomycorrhizal fungus Hebeloma cylindrosporum

Nitrogen (N) utilization by ectomycorrhizal fungi is an essential aspect of their ecosystem function. N deposition changes both the N pools and the carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio of the substrates where ectomycorrhizal fungi are found, and it is important to understand how these changes affect the N forms used by ectomycorrhizal fungi. To overcome the difficulties of studying ectomycorrhizal fungi in situ, we investigated all known N genes in the model fungus, Hebeloma cylindrosporum in a culture study. In addition to studying the regulation of all known N utilization genes, we aimed to understand whether there are gene clusters that undergo similar regulation. Lastly we studied how C/N ratio, N transporter type, and N source affected relative gene expression levels. We grew the D2 strain of H. cylindrosporum on a range of inorganic and organic N sources under low, medium, and high C/N ratios. We found three gene clusters that were regulated in a similar pattern. Lastly, we found C/N ratio, N source and N transporter type all affected gene expression levels. Relative expression levels were highest on the high C/N ratio, BSA and diLeucine N sources, and inorganic N transporters were always expressed at higher levels than organic N transporters. These results suggest that inorganic N sources may always the default preference for H. cylindrosporum, regardless of both the N sources and the C/N ratio of the substrate.     

不同氮素形态和配比对菘蓝根的生长及含氮成分含量和总量的影响

以来源于安徽亳州、甘肃张掖、安徽阜阳、山西运城和陕西商洛的5个种源菘蓝( Isatis indigotica Fort.)为实验材料,采用田间试验法对不施氮素(对照),仅施用NO3--N(T1)或NH4+-N(T2),混合施用氮素也n(NH4+-N)：n(NO3--N)=75：25(T3)、n(NH4+-N)：n(NO3--N)=50：50(T4)和n(NH4+-N)：n(NO3--N)=25：75(T5)页以及仅施用CO(NH2)2(T6)条件下各种源菘蓝的单株根鲜质量和干质量,根折干率,根中游离总氨基酸、可溶性蛋白质和总氮含量,以及单株根中游离总氨基酸、可溶性蛋白质和总氮总量的差异进行了比较分析。结果表明：在同一施氮条件下不同种源间菘蓝根的各项指标均有一定差异;而与各自的对照相比,不同施氮条件下同一种源菘蓝根的各项指标也有一定差异。总体来看,安徽亳州和山西运城种源菘蓝根的生长指标均在T6组中较高,甘肃张掖种源根的生长指标则在T2组中相对较高,安徽阜阳种源根的生长指标在T5组中最高,陕西商洛种源根的生长指标在T4组中较高。各施氮条件下安徽亳州种源菘蓝的单株根中游离总氨基酸、可溶性蛋白质和总氮总量均低于其对照,并在T6组中相对较高;甘肃张掖和陕西商洛种源根的上述3项指标分别在T2和T3组中最高,而安徽阜阳和山西运城种源根的上述3项指标则分别在T5和T1组中较高。研究结果显示：不同氮素形态和配比对菘蓝根生长和根中含氮成分积累的影响效应存在种源间的差异,并且对同一种源根生长和根中含氮成分积累有益的氮素形态和配比也不同。因此,为了获得高产优质的板蓝根药材,建议在菘蓝的栽培过程中针对不同种源采取适宜的施氮措施,并兼顾生长量和有效成分含量。     

Effects of some carbon sources on growth and nitrogen fixation in the cyanobacteriumNostoc linckia

Glucose, fructose, sucrose, maltose, and lactose stimulated photoheterotrophic growth ofNostoc linckia (Roth.)Born. as well as its heterocyst frequency, chlorophyll and protein contents, ammoniacal nitrogen uptake and nitrogenase activities. Glucose, fructose and sucrose also supported slow chemoheterotrophic growth. α-ketoglutarate, pyruvate, ribose, succinate, acetate, sorbose and formate were inhibitory.     

Effect of nitrogen addition on the performance of microbial fuel cell anodes

Carbon cloth anodes were modified with 4(N,N-dimethylamino)benzene diazonium tetrafluoroborate to increase nitrogen-containing functional groups at the anode surface in order to test whether the performance of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) could be improved by controllably modifying the anode surface chemistry. Anodes with the lowest extent of functionalization, based on a nitrogen/carbon ratio of 0.7 as measured by XPS, achieved the highest power density of 938 mW/m². This power density was 24% greater than an untreated anode, and similar to that obtained with an ammonia gas treatment previously shown to increase power. Increasing the nitrogen/carbon ratio to 3.8, however, decreased the power density to 707 mW/m². These results demonstrate that a small amount of nitrogen functionalization on the carbon cloth material is sufficient to enhance MFC performance, likely as a result of promoting bacterial adhesion to the surface without adversely affecting microbial viability or electron transfer to the surface.     

Effect of carbon and nitrogen sources on glucoamylase production inLactobacillus brevis

A strain ofLactobacillus brevis produced extracellular glucoamylase. Induction of the glucoamylase occurred when saccharides such as starch, dextrin, maltose, mannitol and sucrose were employed as sole carbon sources. Synthesis of the amylase also occurred when soybean extract and peptone were used as sole nitrogen sources. The organism could be employed as a starter culture for local food fermentation.     

水氮耦合对辣木生长特性的影响

辣木(Moringa oleifera)具有重要的经济价值.土壤水分及氮素有效性对辣木生长具有显著影响.以辣木'PKM I'品种为研究材料,于华南农业大学资源环境学院生态学教学实验基地温室内进行盆栽试验,试验设置3个水分:分别为田间饱和持水量的40％(W1)、60％(W2)、80％(W3),以及4个氮水平:0 g ?株...     

Role of carbon and nitrogen sources in bacterial growth and sporulation

[This corrects the article on p. 131 in vol. 22.].     

Effect of nitrogen and phosphorus addition on phenanthrene biodegradation in four soils

Phenanthrene mineralization rates were found to vary widely among four soils; differences in soil nutrient levels was one hypothesis to explain this variation. To test this hypothesis, phenanthrene mineralization rates were measured in these soils with, and without, added nitrogen and phosphorus. Mineralization rates either remained unchanged or were depressed by the addition of nitrogen and phosphorus. Phenanthrene degradation rates remained unchanged in the soil which had the highest indigenous levels of nitrogen and phosphorus and which showed the largest increase in phosphorus levels after nutrients were added. The soils in which degradation rates were depressed had lower initial phosphorus concentrations and showed much smaller or no measurable increase in phosphorus levels after nutrients were added to the soils. To understand the response of phenanthrene degradation rates to added nitrogen and phosphorus, it may be necessary to consider the bioavailability of added nutrients and nutrient induced changes in microbial metabolism and ecology.     

Incorporating clonal growth form clarifies the role of plant height in response to nitrogen addition

Nutrient addition to grasslands consistently causes species richness declines and productivity increases. Competition, particularly for light, is often assumed to produce this result. Using a long-term dataset from North American herbaceous plant communities, we tested whether height and clonal growth form together predict responses to fertilization because neither trait alone predicted species loss in a previous analysis. Species with a tall-runner growth form commonly increased in relative abundance in response to added nitrogen, while short species and those with a tall-clumped clonal growth form often decreased. The ability to increase in size via vegetative spread across space, while simultaneously occupying the canopy, conferred competitive advantage, although typically only the abundance of a single species within each height-clonal growth form significantly responded to fertilization in each experiment. Classifying species on the basis of two traits (height and clonal growth form) increases our ability to predict species responses to fertilization compared to either trait alone in predominantly herbaceous plant communities. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00442-012-2264-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Effects of carbon and nitrogen sources,carbon-to-nitrogen ratio,and initial pH on the growth of nematophagous fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pochonia chlamydosporia</Emphasis> in liquid culture

The effects of carbon and nitrogen sources, carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C:N) and initial pH value on the growth and sporulation of the nematophagous fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia in liquid culture were examined. Among the 21 carbon sources and 15 nitrogen compounds tested, the optimal carbon and nitrogen sources for mycelial growth were sweet potato and L-tyrosine, and for sporulation were sweet potato and casein peptone. A C:N ratio of 10:1 at pH 3.7 gave the maximum yield of conidia and a C:N ratio of 40:1 at pH 6.8 gave the maximum biomass. The initial pH value had a significant effect on mycelial growth and conidial production, with the optimal ranges being 3.5–4.5 for sporulation and 5–6 for growth. Maximum conidial production was obtained at an initial pH of 4.0 and the maximum biomass at pH 6.0. The results also showed that the final pH after 7 days cultivation was always higher than the initial value. The variability in growth and sporulation of seven strains of P. chlamydosporia in liquid culture was also compared and discussed.