Phytate utilization of maize mediated by different nitrogen forms in a plant–arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus–phosphate-solubilizing bacterium system

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the organic phosphorus (P) (phytate) utilization of Zea mays L. with different nitrogen (N) forms (NH₄⁺ and NO₃^?) when both arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus (Funelliformis mosseae) and phosphate-solubilizing bacterium (PSB, Pseudomonas alcaligenes) are present. The soil was supplied with either KNO₃ or (NH₄)₂SO₄ (200 mg kg^?1 N) with or without phytin (75 mg P kg^?1). Results showed that the application of NH₄⁺ to the soil in a plant–AM fungus–PSB system decreased rhizosphere pH and increased phosphatase activity. It also enhanced the mineralization rate of phytin, which resulted in the release of more inorganic P. The application of NO₃^? promoted mycorrhizal colonization and hyphal length density in the soil. The inorganic P in the hyphosphere decreased, but more P was transferred to the plant through the mycorrhizal hyphae. Hence, in addition, the application of the two different N forms did not significantly alter the content of plant P. The plant supplied with different N fertilizers acquired P through different mechanisms associated with other microbes. NH₄⁺ application promoted phytin mineralization by decreasing soil pH, whereas NO₃^? application increased inorganic P uptake by strengthening the mycorrhizal pathway.     

Effects of liming and mycorrhizal colonization on soil phosphate depletion and phosphate uptake by maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) grown in two tropical acid soils

The effects of liming and inoculation with the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, Glomus intraradices Schenck and Smith on the uptake of phosphate (P) by maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) and on depletion of inorganic phosphate fractions in rhizosphere soil (Al-P, Fe-P, and Ca-P) were studied in flat plastic containers using two acid soils, an Oxisol and an Ultisol, from Indonesia. The bulk soil pH was adjusted in both soils to 4.7, 5.6, and 6.4 by liming with different amounts of CaCO₃.In both soils, liming increased shoot dry weight, total root length, and mycorrhizal colonization of roots in the two plant species. Mycorrhizal inoculation significantly increased root dry weight in some cases, but much more markedly increased shoot dry weight and P concentration in shoot and roots, and also the calculated P uptake per unit root length. In the rhizosphere soil of mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal plants, the depletion of Al-P, Fe-P, and Ca-P depended in some cases on the soil pH. At all pH levels, the extent of P depletion in the rhizosphere soil was greater in mycorrhizal than in non-mycorrhizal plants. Despite these quantitative differences in exploitation of soil P, mycorrhizal roots used the same inorganic P sources as non-mycorrhizal roots. These results do not suggest that mycorrhizal roots have specific properties for P solubilization. Rather, the efficient P uptake from soil solution by the roots determines the effectiveness of the use of the different soil P sources. The results indicate also that both liming and mycorrhizal colonization are important for enhancing P uptake and plant growth in tropical acid soils.     

Positive feedback between acidification and organic phosphate mineralization in the rhizosphere of maize (Zea mays L.)

To test the hypothesis that rhizosphere acidification would enhance the hydrolyzation of organic phosphates by increasing phosphatase activity. A Petri dish experiment with sterile agar and a pot experiment with a low P soil were used. In the Petri dish experiment, roots of each plant were cultured in two compartments, each of which contained agar with one of three nitrogen combinations: NH ₄ ⁺ /N0 (N0 = nitrogen free), NH ₄ ⁺ /NO ₃ ^- , and NO ₃ ^- /N0. Phytin was supplied as the sole phosphorus (P) source to all compartments. In the pot experiment, the soil in each pot was treated with N0, KNO₃, or (NH₄)₂SO₄) together with 0 or 75 mg kg^?1 phytin-P. Dry weight, P concentration, and P content of roots were highest in the NH ₄ ⁺ compartments in the Petri dish experiment. In the pot experiment, dry weight, P concentration, and P content of both shoots and roots were higher with NH ₄ ⁺ than with NO ₃ ^- . NH ₄ ⁺ treatments reduced rhizosphere pH, promoted the hydrolization of phytin, enhanced acid phosphatase activity in the rhizosphere, and increased phytin-P utilization relative to N0 and NO ₃ ^- treatments. Phosphatase activity was negatively correlated with rhizosphere pH but was positively correlated with plant P content in both experiments. Rhizosphere acidification optimized the activity of acid phosphatase excreted by maize roots and promoted phytin mineralization. NH ₄ ⁺ -induced acidification in the maize rhizosphere improved the growth of maize roots by improving P uptake from phytin; the improved growth, in turn, increased NH ₄ ⁺ uptake and acidification.     

Mycorrhizal symbiosis and phosphorus fertilization effects on Zea mays growth and heavy metals uptake

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can promote plant growth and reduce plant uptake of heavy metals. Phosphorus (P) fertilization can affect this relationship. We investigated maize (Zea mays L.) uptake of heavy metals after soil AMF inoculation and P fertilization. Maize biomass, glomaline and chlorophyll contents and uptake of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cd and Pb have been determined in a soil inoculated with AMF (Glomus aggregatum, or Glomus intraradices) and treated with 30 or 60 µg P-K₂HPO₄ g^?1 soil. Consistent variations were found between the two mycorrhizal species with respect to the colonization and glomalin content. Shoot dry weight and chlorophyll content were higher with G. intraradices than with G. aggregatum inoculation. The biomass was highest with 30 µg P g^?1 soil. Shoot concentrations of Cd, Pb and Zn decreased with G. aggregatum inoculation, but that of Cd and Pb increased with G. intraradices inoculation. Addition of P fertilizers decreased Cd and Zn concentrations in the shoot. AMF with P fertilization greatly reduced maize content of heavy metals. The results provide that native AMF with a moderate application rate of P fertilizers can be exploited in polluted soils to minimize the heavy metals uptake and to increase maize growth.     

Microbial consortium increases maize productivity and reduces grain phosphorus concentration under field conditions

BackgroundThe use of microbes that improve plant phosphorus (P) use efficiency is an avenue to boost crop yields while alleviating environmental impacts. We tested three microbial inoculants (Rhizoglomus irregulare alone – designated AMF; Pseudomonas putida alone – designated PSB; and R. irregulare and P. putida in consortium – designated AMF+PSB), combined with chemical fertilizers, in an intensive maize agricultural system.ResultsAs hypothesized: (i) despite the native soil microbial community and the application of P fertilizer, the microbial inoculants enhanced plant P uptake from the soil by 14–60%, and consequently improved P acquisition efficiency; (ii) PSB and AMF+PSB plants produced ±50% more biomass per unit of P taken up, and consequently enhanced plant internal P use efficiency (i.e. the biomass produced per unit of P); and (iii) the combined inoculation of AMF and PSB provided the best results in terms of productivity and P use efficiency. Further, the microbial inoculants altered P allocation within the plant, reducing grain P concentration.ConclusionBy testing the microbial inoculants under field conditions, our study clearly shows that the microbial consortium (AMF+PSB) increased maize productivity, and at the same time improved P use efficiency. Further, the use of these microbial inoculants was shown to be compatible with conventional agricultural management practices.     

Carbon trading for phosphorus gain: the balance between rhizosphere carboxylates and arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis in plant phosphorus acquisition

Two key plant adaptations for phosphorus (P) acquisition are carboxylate exudation into the rhizosphere and mycorrhizal symbioses. These target different soil P resources, presumably with different plant carbon costs. We examined the effect of inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on amount of rhizosphere carboxylates and plant P uptake for 10 species of low‐P adapted Kennedia grown for 23 weeks in low‐P sand. Inoculation decreased carboxylates in some species (up to 50%), decreased plant dry weight (21%) and increased plant P content (23%). There was a positive logarithmic relationship between plant P content and the amount of rhizosphere citric acid for inoculated and uninoculated plants. Causality was indicated by experiments using sand where little citric acid was lost from the soil solution over 2 h and citric acid at low concentrations desorbed P into the soil solution. Senesced leaf P concentration was often low and P‐resorption efficiencies reached >90%. In conclusion, we propose that mycorrhizally mediated resource partitioning occurred because inoculation reduced rhizosphere carboxylates, but increased plant P uptake. Hence, presumably, the proportion of plant P acquired from strongly sorbed sources decreased with inoculation, while the proportion from labile inorganic P increased. Implications for plant fitness under field conditions now require investigation.     

Carbon allocation mediated by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi alters the soil microbial community under various phosphorus levels

Studies have shown that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can shape the rhizosphere microbial community of the host plant, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Here, we tested the hypotheses that AMF may affect the rhizosphere microbial community by mediating carbon (C) allocation of the host plant, and that this mediation may be modulated by the soil phosphorus (P) level. Using a split-root system, we conducted a microcosm experiment with three main effects (soil P level: 5 or 25 mg kg⁻¹; AMF: with or without inoculation; and spatial niche (i.e., rhizosphere, hyphosphere, and mycorrhizosphere). Host plant growth benefited from AMF under low soil-P conditions. ¹³CO₂ isotope labeling showed that AMF increased C allocation to the colonized root and AMF mycelia under low-P conditions, which promoted AMF growth. ¹³C-DNA-SIP and 16S rRNA sequencing further indicated that the enhanced C allocation from the host altered the soil microbial community. Our results suggest that AMF enhances the C allocation of the host plant below ground, which can shape microbial community composition. These AMF effects were greater with a low than with a high level of soil P.     

A root hairless barley mutant for elucidating genetic of root hairs and phosphorus uptake

This paper reports a new barley mutant missing root hairs. The mutant was spontaneously discovered among the population of wild type (Pallas, a spring barley cultivar), producing normal, 0.8 mm long root hairs. We have called the mutant bald root barley (brb). Root anatomical studies confirmed the lack of root hairs on mutant roots. Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) analyses of the genomes of the mutant and Pallas supported that the brb mutant has its genetic background in Pallas. The segregation ratio of selfed F₂ plants, resulting from mutant and Pallas outcross, was 1:3 (–root hairs:+root hairs), suggesting a monogenic recessive mode of inheritance.In rhizosphere studies, Pallas absorbed nearly two times more phosphorus (P) than the mutant. Most of available inorganic P in the root hair zone (0.8 mm) of Pallas was depleted, as indicated by the uniform P depletion profile near its roots. The acid phosphatase (Apase) activity near the roots of Pallas was higher and Pallas mobilised more organic P in the rhizosphere than the mutant. The higher Apase activity near Pallas roots also suggests a link between root hair formation and rhizosphere Apase activity. Hence, root hairs are important for increasing plant P uptake of inorganic as well as mobilisation of organic P in soils.Laboratory, pot and field studies showed that barley cultivars with longer root hairs (1.10 mm), extracted more P from rhizosphere soil, absorbed more P in low-P field (Olsen P=14 mg P kg^–1 soil), and produced more shoot biomass than shorter root hair cultivars (0.63 mm). Especially in low-P soil, the differences in root hair length and P uptake among the cultivars were significantly larger. Based on the results, the perspectives of genetic analysis of root hairs and their importance in P uptake and field performance of cereals are discussed.     

The relationship between silicon availability,and growth and silicon concentration of the salt marsh halophyte Spartina anglica

Incorporation of cover crops into cropping systems may contribute to a more efficient utilization of soil and fertilizer P by less P-efficient crops through exudation of P-mobilizing compounds by the roots of P-efficient plant species. The main objective of the present work was to test this hypothesis. First a method has been developed which allows the quantification of organic anion exudation from individual cluster roots formed by P-deficient white lupin (Lupinus albus L.). Lupin plants were grown in nutrient solution at 1 μM P and in a low P loess in small rhizotrons. Organic anions exuded from intact plants grown in nutrient solution were collected from individual cluster roots and root tips sealed in small compartments by an anion-exchange resin placed in nylon bags (resin-bags). Succinate was the dominant organic anion exuded followed by citrate and malate. The mean of citrate exudation-rate was 0.06 pmol mm⁻¹ s⁻¹ with exudation highly dependent on the citrate concentration and on the age of the cluster roots. Exudates from cluster roots and root tips grown at the soil surface (rhizotron-grown plants) were collected using overlayered resin–agar (resin mixed with agar). Citrate exudation from cluster roots was 10 times higher than that from root tips. Fractionation of P in the cluster root rhizosphere-soil indicates that white lupin can mobilize P not only from the available and acid-soluble P, but also from the stable residual soil P fractions. In pot experiments with an acid luvisol derived from loess low in available P, growth of wheat was significantly improved when mixed-cropped with white lupin due to improved P uptake. Both in mixed culture and in rotation wheat could benefit from the P mobilization capacity of white lupin, supporting the hypothesis above. Nine tropical leguminous cover crops and maize were grown in a pot experiment using a luvisol from Northern Nigeria low in available P. All plant species derived most of their P from the resin and bicarbonate-extractable inorganic P. Organic P (P_o) accumulated particularly in the rhizosphere of all plant species. There was a significant negative correlation between the species-specific rhizosphere acid phosphatase activity and P_o accumulation. Growth and P uptake of maize grown in rotation after legumes were enhanced indicating that improved P nutrition was a contributing factor. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effect of introduced Pseudomonas fluorescens strains on the uptake of nitrogen by wheat from 15N-enriched organic residues

The effects of an antibiotic-producing Pseudomonas fluorescens strain (F113) carrying the marker gene cassette lacZY and a marked, non-producing strain (F113G22) on the uptake of nitrogen from ¹⁵N-enriched organic residues incorporated into a sandy soil were investigated in microcosm studies. Strain F113 produces the antibiotic 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (DAPG), whilst its modified derivative strain F113G22 has DAPG production deleted by Tn5 mutagenesis. Uptake of nitrogen by wheat (Triticum aestivum) from ¹⁵N-enriched organic residues was estimated using stable isotope-ratio mass spectrometry of shoot and root material of 17-day-old plants. In addition, plant growth and active microbial biomass in soil were monitored. In contrast to results obtained in our previous study on pea (Pisum sativum), it was found that in wheat, inoculation with either strain F113 or F113G22 decreased the proportion of nitrogen derived from ¹⁵N-labelled organic residues incorporated into soil as compared to non-inoculated controls. It is therefore suggested that these strains decreased mineralization of organic residues in the rhizosphere of wheat, making less inorganic N (¹⁵N) available for plant uptake. The results of this study indicate that the effects of introduced Pseudomonas fluorescens strains on nitrogen mineralization in the rhizosphere are plant-species dependent, and highlight the importance of testing microbial inocula on a range of plant species.     

磷高效利用野生大麦基因型筛选及其根际土壤无机磷组分特征

通过土培盆栽试验,研究了16份野生大麦种质资源在相同供磷水平下磷素吸收利用的基因型差异,探讨磷高效野生大麦根际土壤无机磷组分特征.结果表明：拔节期和扬花期磷素干物质生产效率（CV=11.6%、12.4%）、成熟期磷素籽粒生产效率（CV=13.7%）基因型间差异较大.不同生育时期磷高效基因型IS-22-30和IS-22-25生物量、磷积累量和磷素干物质生产效率均显著高于低效基因型IS-07-07,且高效基因型的籽粒产量分别是低效基因型的3.10和3.20倍.不施磷、施磷30 mg·kg^-1条件下,不同磷素利用效率野生大麦根际土壤有效磷和水溶性磷含量均显著低于非根际土壤,且高效基因型较低效基因型根际土壤水溶性磷亏缺量更大.根际与非根际土壤无机磷组分含量为Ca₁₀-P＞O-P＞Fe-P＞Al-P＞Ca₂-P＞Ca₈-P.在拔节期和扬花期,施磷30 mg·kg^-1条件下,磷高效基因型根际土壤Ca₈-P含量显著高于低效基因型,而Ca₂-P含量显著低于低效基因型;不施磷条件下,高效基因型根际土壤Ca₂-P和Ca₈-P含量均显著高于低效基因型,且根际土壤Ca₁₀-P均减少.施磷30 mg·kg^-1条件下,根际土壤Fe-P和O-P含量均表现为高效基因型显著高于低效基因型,Al-P含量则呈现相反的趋势;不施磷条件下,高效基因型根际土壤Al-P、Fe-P和O-P含量均显著低于低效基因型.低磷胁迫下,高效基因型活化吸收Ca₂-P、Al-P的能力强于低效基因型.     

Phosphorus Transformations in an Oxisol under contrasting land-use systems: The role of the soil microbial biomass

It is generally assumed that phosphorus (P) availability for plant growth on highly weathered and P-deficient tropical soils may depend more on biologically mediated organic P (P_o) turnover processes than on the release of adsorbed inorganic P (P_i). However, experimental evidence showing the linkages between P_o, microbial activity, P cycling and soil P availability is scarce. To test whether land-use systems with higher soil P_o are characterized by greater soil biological activity and increased P mineralization, we analyzed the partitioning of P among various organic and inorganic P fractions in soils of contrasting agricultural land-use systems and related it to biological soil properties. Isotopic labeling was used to obtain information on the turnover of P held in the microbial biomass. Soil samples were taken from grass–legume pasture (GL), continuous rice (CR) and native savanna (SAV) which served as reference. In agreement with estimated P budgets (+277, +70 and 0 kg P ha^–1 for CR, GL and SAV, respectively), available P estimated using Bray-2 and resin extraction declined in the order CR > GL > SAV. Increases in Bray-2 and resin P_i were greater in CR than GL relative to total soil P increase. Organic P fractions were significantly less affected by P inputs than inorganic fractions, but were a more important sink in GL than CR soils. Extractable microbial P (P_chl) was slightly higher in GL (6.6 mg P kg^–1) than SAV soils (5.4 mg P kg^–1), and significantly lowest in CR (2.6 mg P kg^–1). Two days after labeling the soil with carrier free ³³P, 25, 10 and 2% of the added ³³P were found in P_chl in GL, SAV and CR soils, respectively, suggesting a high and rapid microbial P turnover that was highest in GL soils. Indicators of P mineralization were higher in GL than CR soils, suggesting a greater transformation potential to render P_o available. Legume-based pastures (GL) can be considered as an important land-use option as they stimulate P cycling. However, it remains to be investigated whether crops planted in pasture–crop rotations could benefit from the enhanced P_o cycling in grass–legume soils. Furthermore, there is need to develop and test a direct method to quantify P_o mineralization in these systems.     

Soil phosphorus fractions and adsorption as affected by organic and inorganic sources

The effect of organic and inorganic sources of phosphorus (P) on soil P fractions and P adsorption was studied in a field without plant growth on a Kandiudalf in western Kenya. A high-quality organic source, Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsley) A. Gray leaves, and a low-quality source, maize (Zea mays L.) stover, were applied alone or in combination with triple superphosphate (TSP). The P rate was kept constant at 15 kg P ha^-1. Soil extractable P (resin, bicarbonate and sodium hydroxide), microbial biomass P and C and P adsorption isotherms were determined during 16 weeks after application of treatments. Application of tithonia either alone or with TSP increased resin P, bicarbonate P, microbial P, and sodium hydroxide inorganic P. Tithonia alone reduced P adsorption at 2–16 weeks. Maize stover had no effect on any of the P fractions or P adsorption. At 8 weeks, the application of tithonia reduced microbial C-to-P ratio (20) as compared to maize stover, TSP and the control (31–34). The reduction in P adsorption by tithonia was accompanied by increases in all measured P fractions, the sum of P in those fractions (resin, bicarbonate and sodium hydroxide) being larger than the P added. The reduction in P adsorption apparently resulted from competition for adsorption sites, probably by organic anions produced during decomposition of the high quality tithonia. Integration of inorganic P (TSP) with organic materials had little added benefit compared to sole application of TSP, except that combination of tithonia with TSP increased microbial biomass. The results indicate that a high quality organic input can be comparable to or more effective than inorganic P in increasing P availability in the soil.     

The effect of phytase on the availability of P from myo-inositol hexaphosphate (phytate) for maize roots

The effect of adding phytase to the root medium of maize plants on the P-availability of added myo-inositol hexaphosphate (phytin) has been studied in pot experiments. When 40 mM phytin-P in nutrient solution was incubated in quartz-sand for 15 days in the absence of plants, 80% of it could be recovered from the solution as soluble organic P. Maize plants growing on this mixture assimilated P from phytin at rates comparable to those from inorganic phosphate (Pi). At a lower addition rate (2 mM phytin-P) only 10% was recovered in the soil solution, and plant growth was severely limited by P. At this low phytin level, the addition of phytase (10 enzyme units per kg sand) increased the plants' dry weight yield by 32%. The relative increases of the Pi concentration in the solution and of the amount of P in the plants were even higher, indicating that the observed growth stimulation was due to an increased rate of phytin hydrolysis. The enzyme-induced growth stimulation was also observed with plants growing in pots filled with soil low in P, when phytin was added. However, on three different soils the addition rates of phytin and phytase necessary for obtaining a significant phytase effect were both about 10 times higher than those required in quartzsand. It is concluded that the P-availability from organic sources can be limited by the rate of their hydrolytic cleavage.Abbreviation Pi inorganic phosphate     

不同磷源对磷高效利用野生大麦根际土壤磷组分的影响

在土培盆栽条件下,以野生大麦磷高效利用基因型IS-22-30、IS-22-25和低效基因型IS-07-07为材料,研究不施磷(CK)、无机磷(KH₂PO₄,Pi)、有机磷(phytate,Po)及二者混合(KH₂PO₄+phytate,Pi+Po)的方式施磷30 mg·kg^-1时,磷高效基因型野生大麦对磷素吸收利用能力及土壤磷组分特征.结果表明： Pi处理野生大麦干物质量和磷素积累量最大,Pi+Po处理其次,Po处理最小,均显著高于CK处理,且磷高效基因型物质生产和磷素吸收能力显著高于磷低效基因型.土壤有效磷在不同磷源处理间差异显著,Pi处理时含量最高,Pi+Po处理次之,且磷高效基因型野生大麦根际有效磷含量显著高于磷低效基因型.磷高效基因型野生大麦根际有效磷呈现亏缺现象,在Pi和Pi+Po处理时亏缺程度较大.根际与非根际土壤无机磷组分含量为Ca₁₀-P>O-P>Fe-P>Al-P>Ca₂-P>Ca₈-P,且其含量随着Pi的增加而增加.各磷源处理下,磷高效基因型野生大麦根际土壤Ca₂-P、Ca₈-P出现亏缺;Pi处理磷高效基因型野生大麦根际土壤Al-P、Fe-P出现富集.土壤中有机磷各组分含量为中活性有机磷>中稳性有机磷、高稳性有机磷>活性有机磷.野生大麦根际土壤活性有机磷和中活性有机磷呈现富集,其富集量在Pi处理时最大;中稳性有机磷和高稳性有机磷呈现亏缺.各磷源处理下,磷高效基因型野生大麦根际土壤活性有机磷含量显著高于磷低效基因型,中稳性有机磷和高稳性有机磷在基因型间差异不显著.Pi缺乏时,磷高效基因型野生大麦活化吸收Ca₂-P、Ca₈-P、Al-P和活性有机磷的能力较强.     

接种AM真菌对玉米和油菜种间竞争及土壤无机磷组分的影响

在温室盆栽条件下,分别模拟单作、间作和尼龙网分隔种植,比较接种丛枝菌根(arbuscular mycorrhizal, AM)真菌Glomus intraradices和Glomus mosseae对菌根植物玉米和非菌根植物油菜生长和磷吸收状况的影响,并分析土壤中各无机磷组分的变化。结果发现,接种AM真菌可以促进土壤中难溶性磷(Ca₁₀-P和O-P)向有效态磷转化,并显著降低总无机磷含量 (P<0.05),显著提高菌根植物玉米的生物量和磷吸收量(P<0.05),特别是在间作体系中使玉米的磷营养竞争比率显著提高了45.0%-104.1% (P<0.05),显著降低了油菜的生物量和磷吸收量(P<0.05),从而增强了了菌根植物的竞争优势,降低了非菌根植物与菌根植物的共存能力。揭示了石灰性土壤中AM真菌对植物物种多样性的影响,有助于更加全面地理解AM真菌在农业生态系统中的作用。     

Effect of inoculation ofAzospirillum lipoferum on nitrogen fixation in rhizosphere soil,their association with root,yield and nitrogen uptake by mustard (Brassica juncea)

Summary A microplot field experiment was conducted in the presence or absence of P and N application to evaluate the influence of the seed inoculation of mustard (cv. Baruna T₅₉) withAzospirillum lipoferum on N₂-fixation in rhizosphere, association of the bacteria with the roots and grain yield and N uptake. Inoculation significantly increased the N content in rhizosphere soil particularly at early stage (40 days) of plant growth, which was accompanied by the increased association of the bacteria (A. lipoferum) in rhizosphere soil, root surface washing and surface-sterilized macerated root. A significant increase in grain yield and N uptake was also observed due to inoculation. Application of P particularly at the 20 kg. ha^–1 level further enhanced the beneficial effect ofAzospirillum lipoferum inoculation, while N addition markedly reduced such an effect.     

施磷对干旱胁迫下箭竹根际土壤养分及微生物群落的影响

以箭竹及其根际土壤作为研究对象,采用两因素随机区组实验,设置2种水分处理（正常浇水和干旱胁迫）和2种施磷量处理（施磷和不施磷）,探究施磷对干旱胁迫下箭竹根际土壤养分及微生物群落结构和多样性的影响。结果表明：（1）干旱胁迫显著降低了箭竹根际土壤中微生物量碳、可溶性有机氮和有效磷的含量,虽对箭竹根际土壤微生物群落的多样性无显著影响,但显著降低了箭竹根际土壤中总PLFA（phospholipid fatty acid contents）的含量和真菌、细菌、革兰氏阳性菌与革兰氏阴性菌的PLFA含量以及革兰氏阳性菌/革兰氏阴性菌的PLFA比值,显著改变了箭竹根际土壤微生物群落结构,结果显著降低了箭竹的生物量。（2）施磷显著增加了受旱箭竹根际土壤中微生物量碳和有效磷的含量,虽大体上对受旱箭竹根际土壤微生物群落的多样性无显著影响,但显著增加了受旱箭竹根际土壤中总PLFA和真菌PLFA的含量,并在一定程度上增加了细菌、革兰氏阳性菌、革兰氏阴性菌和放线菌的PLFA含量以及革兰氏阳性菌/革兰氏阴性菌和真菌/细菌的PLFA比值,也在一定程度上改善了受旱箭竹根际土壤微生物群落结构,从而改善受旱箭竹的生长。（3）主成分分析表明,干旱对箭竹根际土壤微生物群落结构的影响显著,而施磷的影响不明显。（4）相关分析发现,箭竹根际土壤微生物群落结构与箭竹根际土壤微生物量碳、可溶性有机氮及箭竹生物量呈显著正相关。综上,干旱降低了箭竹根际土壤养分含量和微生物生物量,改变了箭竹根际土壤微生物群落结构,抑制了箭竹的生长;施磷能增加受旱箭竹根际土壤养分含量和微生物生物量,改善受旱箭竹根际土壤微生物群落结构,进而改善受旱箭竹的生长。     

丛枝菌根真菌参与下植物-土壤系统的养分交流及调控

近几年随着有机农业的发展,丛枝菌根的作用受到特别关注。丛枝菌根是由植物根系与丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)形成的一种共生体。在植物-AMF-土壤系统中,AMF为植物提供N、P等营养的同时从根系得到所需的C。概述了植物-AMF-土壤系统中C、N、P等营养物质的交流以及AMF与土壤微生物的互作关系。丛枝菌根的形成可显著提高植物对P的吸收,且在高P条件下多余的P可储存于AMF中。AMF对土壤N循环的影响相当复杂,可能参与调控N循环的多个过程,如硝化作用、反硝化作用和氨氧化作用等。在有机质丰富的土壤中AMF菌丝可快速扩增并吸收其中的N,主要供菌丝自身所需,只有一小部分传递给植物。AMF对土壤C库的影响尚存争议,可能存在时间尺度的差异。短期内可活化土壤C,而在长期尺度上可能有利于土壤C的储存。AMF能够通过改变土壤微生物群落结构而影响植物-土壤体系的物质交流。AMF与解磷菌、根瘤菌和放线菌的协同增效作用可促进土壤有机质的降解或增强其固氮能力;AMF对氨氧化菌的抑制作用可降低氨的氧化减少N2O的释放。AMF与外生共生真菌EMF共存时,表现出协同增效作用,但EMF的优先定殖会限制AMF的侵染。AMF不同类群之间则主要表现为竞争和拮抗关系。AMF与土壤微生物之间的互作关系受土壤无机环境的影响,在养分亏缺条件下微生物之间往往表现为竞争关系。因植物、AMF与土壤微生物之间存在复杂的互作关系,为此AMF并不总是表现出其对植物营养的促进作用。目前关于AMF的作用机理仍以假说为主,需要进一步的实验验证。在植物-AMF-土壤系统中N与C的交流和P与C的交流并未表现出一致性,对N、P循环相互关系的进一步探讨有助于深入理解植物-土壤体系中的养分循环。植物、AMF和土壤微生物的养分来源及其对养分的相对需求强度和吸收效率尚未可知,因此无法深入理解AMF在植物-土壤体系中养分交流和转化的作用。在方法上,传统的土壤学方法在养分动态研究中存在局限性,现代分子生物学手段和化学计量学的结合值得尝试。