Nitrogenase activity in the rhizosphere of sugar cane and some other tropical grasses

Summary Roots of sugar cane had considerable nitrogenase activity and produced up to 5 n moles ethylene/h/g root by the reduction of acetylene. The rhizosphere soil and soil mid-way between the cane rows also reduced acetylene.Beijerinckia indica was abundant on roots and in the soil. Nitrogenase activity was also associated with roots ofPanicum maximum,Pennisetum purpureum andCymbopogon citratus.     

Biological Nitrogen Fixation in Sugar Cane: A Key to Energetically Viable Biofuel Production

The advantages of producing biofuels to replace fossil energy sources are derived from the fact that the energy accumulated in the biomass is captured directly from photosynthesis and is thus renewable, and that the cycle of carbon dioxide fixation by the crop, followed by burning of the fuel makes no overall contribution to atmospheric CO₂ or, consequently, to global warming. However, these advantages are negated if large quantities of fossil fuels need to be used to grow or process the biofuel crop. In this regard, the Brazilian bioethanol program, based on the fermentation/distillation of sugar cane juice, is particularly favorable, not only because the crop is principally hand harvested, but also because of the low nitrogen fertilizer use on sugar cane in Brazil. Recent ¹⁵N and N balance studies have shown that in some Brazilian cane varieties, high yields are possible without N fertilization because the plants are able to obtain large contributions of nitrogen from plant-associated biological N₂ fixation (BNF). The N₂-fixing acid-tolerant bacterium Acetobacter diazotrophicus was first found to occur within roots, stems, and leaves of sugar cane. Subsequently, two species of Herbaspirillum also have been found to occur within the interior of all sugar cane tissues. The discovery of these, and other N₂-fixing bacteria that survive poorly in soil but thrive within plant tissue (endophytic bacteria), may account for the high BNF contributions observed in sugar cane. Further study of this system should allow the gradual elimination of N fertilizer use on sugar cane, at least in Brazil, and opens up the possibility of the extension of this efficient N₂-fixing system to cereal and other crops with consequent immense potential benefits to tropical agriculture.     

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria of the genusBeijerinckia in South African soils

Summary In contrast to the ubiquitous distribution of the nitrogen-fixing bacteria of the genusAzotobacter which can be encountered in all soils with suitable pH, the nitrogen-fixing bacteria of the genusBeijerinckia seem to be restricted to the tropics.All attempts to isolateBeijerinckia from north-european soils have so far failed. The conditions underlying this peculiar phenomenon are not clearly understood. The selective action of low soil pH, low temperature, frost resistance, etc. cannot be responsible for the absence ofBeijerinckia from temperate zones.In an earlier paper¹³ it was emphasized that the presence ofBeijerinckia is almost invariably connected with the occurrence of laterites, tropical Red Earths or latosols. As these soil types are almost restricted to the tropics, this may be the reason why the genusBeijerinckia is mainly confined to tropical regions.It was also suggested in that paper thatBeijerinckia might also occur in lateritic soils — fossil or developed under particular climatic conditions — outside the tropics.The present paper gives the first evidence of the occurrence ofBeijerinckia in lateritic soils outside the tropics in South Africa. ThereBeijerinckia occurs abundantly in the lateritic soils of the Mistbelt, but it occurs also — although more sporadically — in soils as far south as Cape Town (lat. 34° S.). Hence, non-symbiotic nitrogen fixation may occur in some of these soils which are too acid to containAzotobacter.     

Non-symbiotic nitrogen fixing bacteria in tropical soils

Summary Several aspects of heterotrophic, free-living nitrogen-fixing bacteria specific to tropical environments are presented. WhileAzotobacter chroococcum andA. vinelandii seem to occur throughout the world,A. paspali, Derxia gummosa andBeijerinckia spp. have been found mainly in the tropics. Derxia occurred more frequently than previously supposed and was stimulated by moist soil conditions, particularly after flooding.A. paspali growth in soil even under experimental conditions, was strictly limited to the rhizosphere of a few varieties ofPaspalum notatum and the association took almost a year to become established. This work was supported by the Brazilian National Research Council.     

Endophytic and rhizospheric enterobacteria isolated from sugar cane have different potentials for producing plant growth-promoting substances

Background and aims

Endophytic and rhizospheric environments differ in many respects, leading to the presence of different bacterial communities at each site. However, microorganisms such as enterobacteria can be found both within plants and in the surrounding soil. Bacteria must present differences in the traits that affect such environments in order to successfully colonise them. The present study compared the plant growth-promoting potential of diazotrophic enterobacteria isolated from the rhizosphere and from within surface-disinfected plants.

Methods

A total of 46 diazotrophic enterobacterial strains (21 rhizospheric and 25 putatively endophytic) belonging to the Klebsiella and Enterobacter genera, which are prevalent in sugar cane plantations, were isolated from the rhizosphere and from surface-disinfected plants. Their ability to synthesise amino acids using combined nitrogen obtained from nitrogen fixation, and their ability to synthesise indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) were determined by high performance liquid chromatography. Endogenous ethylene production by the bacteria was measured using gas chromatography, and biocontrol of phytopathogenic fungi was determined qualitatively using a dual culture technique.

Results

The putative endophytes released significantly higher amounts of amino acids than the rhizospheric bacteria, whilst the latter produced higher quantities of ethylene and were more actively antagonistic to fungi. Both types of bacteria released similar amounts of IAA.

Conclusion

Endophytic and rhizospheric bacteria differ in their capacity to release plant growth-promoting substances, which may be a reflection of their adaptations and an indication of their potential impact on their natural environment.

     

异裂菊属根际微生物群落结构及功能多样性

异裂菊属是广西喀斯特石山区典型的特有属,根际微生物是其能否有效吸收、有效利用土壤养分和适应石山恶劣土壤环境的最直接表征之一。该研究采用DGGE和Biolog两种方法对异裂菊属植物根际和非根际微生物多样性进行了研究。结果表明:(1)异裂菊属5个种根际pH、碱解氮等9个养分含量都高于非根际。(2)5个种的根际、非根际存在2个共有细菌类群,但在数量上存在差异,3个种的根际条带小于非根际;5个种的根际、非根际微生物群落较为相似,较易聚在一起。(3)绢叶异裂菊根际微生物对碳源利用能力最强,凹脉异裂菊非根际最弱,其他对碳源的利用能力较接近;异裂菊属种根际微生物利用碳源的能力都高于非根际,根际微生物多样性指数均高于非根际,优势度指数与非根际基本相同或略高于非根际,丰富度和均匀度指数与优势度指数规律相似;异裂菊属根际、非根际微生物利用的碳源主要是糖类、羧酸类和氨基酸类化合物,4个种根际微生物利用碳源的能力高于非根际。(4)阳离子交换量、黏粒含量百分率和碱解氮是影响异裂菊属根际微生物碳源利用模式的最重要因子。总体来说,土壤理化性质对异裂菊属植物根际微生物群落多样性具有重要影响,异裂菊属通过分泌羧酸、糖等多类化合物提高了根际微生物的活性,进而有效地提高了根际肥力水平。     

Calcium and Magnesium Levels in Agricultural Soil and Sewage Sludge in an Industrial Area from Southeastern Spain: Relationship with Plant (Saccharum officinarum) Disposition

This investigation was initiated to assess the following objectives: (1) to measure the total calcium and magnesium content in agricultural soil and sewage sludge from the Mediterranean coastal area of Motril (southeastern Spain); (2) to determine the pH values of indicated samples in order to evaluate first their influence on calcium and magnesium content, and second on levels of these minerals in the main crop (sugar cane: Saccharum officinarum) grown in the area; (3) to study the influence of industrial activities, first on calcium and magnesium cantents and pH values in agricultural soil, and second on calcium and magnesium concentrations present in sugar cane samples; (4) to check if the calcium and magnesium levels existing in agricultural soil exert any influence on corresponding element uptake by sugar cane plants. Calcium levels found in agricultural soil were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those found in sewage sludge. Significant linear relationships between calcium and magnesium concentrations in agricultural soil and sewage sludge (p < 0.005) were found. Calcium concentrations found in soil from the industrialized area (39.2 ± 7.2 mg g^?1) were significantly higher than those corresponding to the non-industrialized area (31.0 ± 6.6 mg g^?1). The pH values determined in agricultural soil were significantly influenced by industrial activity (p < 0.05). The industrial activity and pH values measured in agricultural soil did not statistically influence either calcium or magnesium levels in the sugar cane plants. Calcium and magnesium concentrations existing in agricultural soil did not significantly influence the element uptake by sugar cane plants.     

库布齐沙地两种植被恢复类型根际土壤微生物和土壤化学性质比较研究

油蒿(Artemisia ordosica)与中间锦鸡儿(Caragana intermedia)是库布齐沙地分布广泛的优良固沙植被类型,在植被恢复过程中受到关注。以库布齐沙地自然恢复的油蒿群落与人工种植的中间锦鸡儿群落为研究对象,以流动沙地为对照,采用野外调查、室内生化实验与统计分析相结合的方法,分析两种植被恢复类型根际与非根际土壤微生物、土壤化学性质的差异,研究土壤微生物与土壤化学性质间的相关关系,并运用综合指数法评价两种植被恢复类型对土壤生态系统的恢复效果,为库布齐沙地植被恢复与重建提供科学依据。主要结论如下:(1)与流沙对照相比,两种植被恢复类型根际、非根际土壤微生物数量、微生物生物量碳、氮含量均有不同程度的提高,其中,自然恢复的油蒿群落根际土壤微生物总数、细菌数量、微生物量碳和氮含量均显著高于中间锦鸡儿根际,真菌和放线菌数量分布表现为中间锦鸡儿油蒿;(2)两种植被恢复类型根际、非根际土壤有机质、全氮、全磷、速效氮、速效钾含量均比流动沙地有不同程度地提高,其中,油蒿根际、非根际土壤有机质、全氮、速效氮含量显著高于中间锦鸡儿;(3)影响油蒿和中间锦鸡儿群落土壤微生物数量、生物量碳和氮的土壤因子是有机质、p H值、全氮、速效氮、速效钾、速效磷,其中,对两种植被恢复类型土壤微生物数量和生物量有正向促进作用的主要因子是土壤有机质、速效钾和全氮含量;(4)运用综合指数法计算出基于14个土壤指标的土壤质量综合指数(SQI),SQI值排序为:油蒿根际中间锦鸡儿根际油蒿非根际中间锦鸡儿非根际流沙对照。自然恢复的油蒿群落对土壤质量的改良效果显著优于人工种植的中间锦鸡儿群落,是库布齐沙地生态恢复的适合途径之一。     

Interaction of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Azospirillum brasilense</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Glomus intrarradix</Emphasis> in Sugar Cane Roots

Fifteen-day-old variety NA 56-79 sugar cane seedlings were inoculated with Azospirillum brasilense and Glomus intrarradix. This article aims at examining changes in sugar cane root seedlings inoculated with Glomus intrarradix and Azospirillum brasilense, the increase in microbial biomass and the acetylene reduction process as well. The internal root colonization was studied 20 days after inoculation using scanning and a transmission electron microscope. Both microorganisms entered the sugar cane root through the emergent lateral roots. The microorganisms were capable of coexisting both intra and intercellularly, producing changes in the cell wall, thus allowing colonization and interaction between the organisms. These changes increased the number of microorganisms inside the root as well as acetylene nitrogen reduction. Sugar cane plant biomass increased with joint-inoculation. The number of endophytic microorganisms and nitrogen fixing activity increased when they were colonized by Azospirillum and Glomus together.     

三峡库区消落带4种适生植物根际与非根际土壤养分与酶活性特征研究

三峡库区消落带植被修复过程中,物种的更替对库区土壤的地球化学循环产生潜在影响。以三峡库区忠县石宝寨汝溪河消落带植被修复示范基地165-170 m海拔段人工种植狗牙根、牛鞭草、落羽杉以及立柳根际与非根际土为试验对象,探究其根际与非根际土壤的养分含量及酶活性差异,以阐明不同物种的生长适应性及其根际养分利用策略,比较不同物种对库区土壤的营养改良作用。结果表明：（1）三峡库区消落带4种适生植物根系活动导致根际与非根际土壤养分因子以及土壤酶活性产生差异,不同物种的栽植均在一定程度上使库区土壤营养条件得以改善;（2）碳、氮两种元素在4种适生植物根际土壤中发生不同程度的富集,但磷素与钾素在不同物种根际与非根际土壤之间的变化不一致;（3）蔗糖酶、脲酶以及酸性磷酸酶在4种适生植物根际土中均表现出一定程度的根际正效应（R/S>1）,且狗牙根对3种土壤酶的根际活化效果最为明显,其根际效应分别高达2.39、1.89和2.7;（4）在植物根系的调控下,根际土中有机质与氮素、磷素以及钾素的相关性更为显著,而非根际土壤中,仅钾素与有效氮、有效磷呈显著负相关,其余各土壤养分因子之间均无显著相关性;（5）与落羽杉和立柳两木本植物相比,狗牙根与牛鞭草两草本植物根际具有更为合理的养分调节模式,对库区土壤的改良效果更好。     

Production of Pleurotus ostreatus mushrooms on sugar cane agrowastes

The growth of different strains of Pleurotus spp. on sugar cane agrowastes was evaluated. Three hybrid strains with good production outcomes and yields exceeding 17% were selected. Strain 184 (P. ostreatus x P. pulmonarius) showed the best results. Three spawn materials (wheat grain, millet grain and milled corn cob) at different spawning levels were tested and a significant influence was found. The obtained results were best explained in terms of total nitrogen content of the initial mixture (spawn + substrate), suggesting a probable nitrogen limited growth of the mushroom on sugar cane residues. A 10% millet grain spawn was found to be a reasonable compromise. Productive responses decreased with an increase in bag's capacity (8–10–12 kg), even though the same diameter was maintained in order to avoid pronounced temperature profiles. Smaller bag's capacities (8–10 kg) were recommended. It was also shown that the utilization of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) mixed 50/50 with sugar cane residues as substrate caused a twofold increase of crop responses, confirming the advantages of this substrate supplementation. The obtained results identified sugar cane agrowastes as a feasible substrate for Pleurotus spp. production with yields and biological efficiencies comparable and to some extent better than others reported with conventional lignocellulosic residues such as cereal straw.     

Biodiversity of diazotrophic bacteria within the soil, root and stem of field-grown maize

Recent studies suggest a high diversity of diazotrophic bacteria in maize. However, none of these works have been based on a sufficient number of samples to provide reasonable quantitative estimates of diazotrophic bacterial diversity. Here we present the use of molecular tools and statistical inference to assess diazotrophic bacterial diversity within rhizosphere soils, roots and stems of field grown maize. DNA was isolated from the latter collected from six maize growing regions within the southern most state in Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul. Using conserved primers, nifH Cluster I gene fragments were amplified from each of the three zones, and the products cloned and sequenced. The majority of the sequences were classified within the Proteobacteria with the α-proteobacteria and β-proteobacteria being the most abundant in the rhizosphere soil and stem samples. The γ-proteobacteria were most abundant in rhizosphere soils, less so in roots, and least in the stem samples. According to three different diversity measures, the rhizosphere soil samples possessed greater diazotrophic bacterial diversity than the roots and stems of the maize plants. Only two genera, Azospirillum and Azotobacter, were found in virtually all samples at an abundance of over 1% of the total nifH sequences obtained. Other genera were largely restricted to soil (Methylocystis, Beijerinckia, Geobacter, Rhodovulum, Methylobacterium, Gluconacetobacter, Methylocella, and Delftia), roots (Dechloromonas), or stems (Methylosinus, Raoultella, and Rhizobium). Three genera, Herbaspirillum, Ideonella, and Klebsiella, appeared to dominate in the interior of the plant but were much rarer in soil.     

黄河三角洲不同类型盐生植物土壤真菌群落结构特征

盐生植物种类及其所具有的不同耐盐调节方式影响着根际微生物群落的结构与组成。为明确不同类型盐生植物根际与非根际土壤中真菌群落结构与组成的差异及其与土壤环境间的相互关系,该研究采集了黄河三角洲地区芦苇、盐地碱蓬、獐毛3种不同类型盐生植物0～20 cm土层的根际和非根际土壤,通过高通量测序对其真菌群落多样性和结构进行了分析,以探究真菌群落特征与土壤理化因子间的关系。结果表明：(1)3种不同类型盐生植物根际土壤真菌群落丰富度显著大于各自非根际土,且獐毛根际土壤真菌群落丰富度显著大于芦苇和盐地碱蓬的根际土。(2)距离热图分析表明,芦苇和盐地碱蓬非根际土壤真菌群落间的相似性最大。(3)土壤真菌多样性和丰富度与土壤总碳、总氮、有效磷、pH呈正相关关系,与土壤盐分含量呈负相关关系。(4)3种不同类型盐生植物的根际与非根际土壤中,球囊菌门(Glomeromycota)均为绝对优势门,盾巨孢囊霉属(Scutellospora)为优势属。(5)RDA分析表明,土壤盐分含量是影响土壤真菌群落结构的重要因子,球囊菌门丰度与土壤总氮、总碳、有效磷、有机碳、pH呈正相关关系,与盐分呈负相关关系。(6)植物土壤真菌群...     

Improved methodology for isolation of Acetobacter diazotrophicus and confirmation of its endophytic habitat

Nitrogen-free, semi-solid defined medium with crystallized cane sugar (100 g/l) supplemented with cane juice (5 ml/l) was the most selective for isolating Acetobacter diazotrophicus. Surveys of A. diazotrophicus using this medium showed that >10³ cells/g fresh wt were present at all sites in all parts of the sugar cane plant and in all trash samples examined, reaching up to 10⁷/g. Additional samples, from forage grasses and cereals and from weed species collected within the sugar cane fields, were all negative. Heat treatment (50°C for 30 min) of the sugar cane setts did not affect A. diazotrophicus numbers within the plant. Nitrogenase activity of intact soil-plant systems in pots planted with heat-treated setts did not respond to inoculation with A. diazotrophicus. The endophytic habitat of this diazotroph and its propagation within the stem cuttings was confirmed.The authors are with EMBRAPA-CNPAB, Cx Postal 74.505, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, 23851-970, Brazil     

Patterns of rhizosphere carbon flux in sugar maple (Acer saccharum) and yellow birch (Betula allegheniensis) saplings

Despite its importance in the terrestrial C cycle rhizosphere carbon flux (RCF) has rarely been measured for intact root–soil systems. We measured RCF for 8‐year‐old saplings of sugar maple (Acer saccharum) and yellow birch (Betula allegheniensis) collected from the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest (HBEF), NH and transplanted into pots with native soil horizons intact. Five saplings of each species were pulse labeled with ¹³CO₂ at ambient CO₂ concentrations for 4–6 h, and the ¹³C label was chased through rhizosphere and bulk soil pools in organic and mineral horizons for 7 days. We hypothesized yellow birch roots would supply more labile C to the rhizosphere than sugar maple roots based on the presumed greater C requirements of ectomycorrhizal roots. We observed appearance of the label in rhizosphere soil of both species within the first 24 h, and a striking difference between species in the timing of ¹³C release to soil. In sugar maple, peak concentration of the label appeared 1 day after labeling and declined over time whereas in birch the label increased in concentration over the 7‐day chase period. The sum of root and rhizomicrobial respiration in the pots was 19% and 26% of total soil respiration in sugar maple and yellow birch, respectively. Our estimate of the total amount of RCF released by roots was 6.9–7.1% of assimilated C in sugar maple and 11.2–13.0% of assimilated C in yellow birch. These fluxes extrapolate to 55–57 and 90–104 g C m^?2 yr^?1 from sugar maple and yellow birch roots, respectively. These results suggest RCF from both arbuscular mycorrhizal and ectomycorrhizal roots represents a substantial flux of C to soil in northern hardwood forests with important implications for soil microbial activity, nutrient availability and C storage.     

Belowground responses of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Picea asperata</Emphasis> seedlings to warming and nitrogen fertilization in the eastern Tibetan Plateau

The impacts of global climatic change on belowground ecological processes of terrestrial ecosystems are still not clear. We therefore conducted an experiment in the subalpine coniferous forest ecosystem of the eastern edges of the Tibetan Plateau to study roots of Picea asperata seedlings and rhizosphere soil responses to soil warming and nitrogen availability from April 2007 to December 2008. The seedlings were subjected to two levels of temperature (ambient; infrared heater warming) and two nitrogen levels (0 or 25 g m⁻²year⁻¹ N). We used a free air temperature increase from an overhead infrared heater to raise both air and soil temperature by 2.1 and 2.6°C, respectively. The results showed that warming alone significantly increased total biomass, coarse root biomass and fine root biomass of P. asperata seedlings. Both total biomass and fine root biomass were increased, but coarse root biomass was significantly decreased by nitrogen fertilization and warming combined with nitrogen fertilization. Warming induced a prominent increase in soil organic carbon (SOC) and NO₃ ⁻-N of rhizosphere soil, while nitrogen fertilization significantly decreased SOC and NH₄ ⁺-N of rhizosphere soil. The warming, fertilization and warming × N fertilization interaction decreased soil microbial C significantly, but substantially increased soil microbial N. These results suggest that nitrogen deposition combined with warmer temperatures under future climatic change possibly will have no effect on fine root production of P. asperata seedlings, but could enhance the nitrification process of their rhizosphere soils in subalpine coniferous forests.     

辽宁碱蓬根际土壤真菌多样性的季节变化及其耐盐性

采用稀释平板法和形态学鉴定法进行了辽宁碱蓬(Suaeda liaotungensis)根际土壤真菌的分离鉴定及季节、盐度对真菌多样性的影响分析。结果表明:春、夏、秋、冬四季辽宁碱蓬根际土壤中的真菌菌落数分别为6410、4180、5730和3340,种类分别为6属13种、9属16种、11属31种、6属12种,共分离鉴定出13属42种真菌;其根际土壤真菌的多样性指数、丰富度指数和均匀度指数,从大到小的次序均为秋夏春冬,3种指数均在秋季达到峰值;多样性指数和丰富度指数差异较大,均匀度指数波动较小,春季和冬季的均匀度指数相近。辽宁碱蓬根际土壤真菌种类明显多于无植被土壤,是无植被土壤的7倍,多样性指数和均匀度指数分别是无植被土壤的4—8倍和1—1.2倍;其根际土壤真菌优势种群包括青霉属(Penicillium)、葡萄穗霉属(Stachybotrys)、枝孢属(Cladosporium)、木霉属(Trichoderma)、曲霉属(Aspergillus)和镰孢属(Fusarium);4个季节的优势菌不尽相同,但均有一个共同的优势菌属青霉属。以Na Cl浓度梯度法制造盐胁迫生境,检测辽宁碱蓬根际土壤真菌对盐胁迫的响应,结果表明:60%左右的菌种能耐受5%以下盐度、15%左右的菌种能耐10%—20%盐度;筛选出了6株高度耐盐菌:细交链孢霉、草酸青霉、产黄青霉、烟曲霉、细极链格孢和赭曲霉,其中最高耐盐菌种赭曲霉可耐20%盐度。创新之处在于以盐度和季节为变量检测辽宁碱蓬根际土壤真菌的种群构成,为其深入研究奠定了理论基础。     

赤杨对辽东落叶松人工林土壤氨基糖积累的影响

微生物残留物是土壤稳定性碳库的重要组成部分,然而其对固氮树种的响应还不清楚。以辽东山区日本落叶松(Larix kaempferi)人工纯林和落叶松-赤杨混交林为研究对象,以氨基糖作为微生物残留物的生物标识物,研究了赤杨对落叶松人工林根际和非根际土壤氨基糖积累的影响。结果表明,混交林中落叶松根际和非根际各氨基糖单体含量均显著高于纯林,说明赤杨引入有利于土壤微生物残留物的积累。其中,混交林落叶松根际及非根际土壤氨基糖葡萄糖含量分别比纯林高出99.5%(P0.01)和154%(P0.01);胞壁酸含量分别比纯林高出66.1%(P0.01)和132.3%(P0.01)。赤杨引入对氨基葡萄糖/胞壁酸比值的影响不显著,但显著增加氨基糖对土壤有机碳的贡献。冗余度分析表明全氮是驱动土壤中氨基糖发生变化的主要因子。表明赤杨引入显著提高微生物固持的土壤碳库和有机碳稳定性,这对落叶松人工林合理经营具有重要意义。     

不同季节艾比湖湿地盐角草根际nirS-型与nirK-型反硝化细菌群落组成分析

旨在了解艾比湖湿地盐生植物盐角草根际与非根际中不同类型反硝化细菌的分布及其随季节变化情况,为温带干旱地区荒漠盐化生态系统的代表-艾比湖湿地在生态植被恢复过程中,由微生物推动的土壤氮素循环过程提供数据支撑。采集了艾比湖湿地夏、秋、春三个季节的盐角草根际和非根际土壤样本,通过高通量测序技术,比较分析了nirS-型和nirK-型两种类型的反硝化细菌的多样性和群落结构特点;利用RDA (redundancy analysis)探究了土壤理化因素对反硝化细菌多样性及群落结构的影响。艾比湖湿地盐角草根际与非根际中,nirS-型和nirK-型反硝化细菌多样性最高的为秋季根际土壤样本;各土壤样本中的反硝化细菌多样性均呈现根际>非根际。盐角草各土壤样本中的nirS-型反硝化细菌在门分类水平上隶属于变形菌门(Proteobacteria),厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)和放线菌门(Actinobacteria),而nirK-型反硝化细菌在门水平上分类仅包括了Proteobacteria和Firmicutes。Proteobacteria在各土壤样本中的占比均较高;其中Gamma-Proteobacteria的盐单胞菌属(Halomonas)和假单胞菌属(Pseudomonas)是各土壤样本所共有的nirS-型反硝化菌的优势菌属,但它们在每个土壤样本中的相对丰度各有差异。Alpha-Proteobacteria的根瘤菌属(Rhizobium)是盐角草各土壤样本中较为广泛存在的nirK-型反硝化细菌。艾比湖湿地盐角草各土壤样本中的反硝化细菌群落结构存在着一定的差异。RDA结果显示含水量、有机质、全氮和铵态氮等对各土壤样本中的nirS-型反硝化细菌的多样性影响较大,含水量、有机质、全氮、碱解氮等是nirK-型反硝化细菌多样性的主要影响因素。土壤电导率、全磷、全钾、全氮和碱解氮协同影响nirS-型反硝化细菌的群落结构,有机质、速效钾、速效磷、pH和硝态氮是nirK-型反硝化细菌群落结构组成的主要影响因素。艾比湖湿地反硝化细菌呈现季节性变化,nirS-型和nirK-型反硝化细菌以不同的主要菌属,共同推进湿地反硝化作用。而对于湿地生态系统的保护,则需要进行长期而广泛的土壤状态评估和土壤反硝化微生物菌群的动态监测。     

Biological nitrogen fixation associated with sugar cane

A recent¹⁵N dilution/N balance study confirmed that certain sugar cane varieties are capable of obtaining large contributions of nitrogen from plant-associated N₂ fixation. It was estimated that up to 60 to 80% of plant N could be derived from this source, and under good conditions of water and mineral nutrient supply, it may be possible to dispense with N fertilization of these varieties altogether. The recently discovered bacterium,Acetobacter diazotrophicus, apparently responsible for this N₂ fixation associated with the plants, has unique physiological properties for a diazotroph, such as tolerance to low pH, and high sugar and salt concentrations, lack of nitrate reductase, and nitrogenase activity which tolerates short-term exposure to ammonium. Furthermore, it also behaves as an endophyte, in that it is unable to infect sugar cane plants unless through damaged tissue or by means of VA mycorrhizae and is propagated via the planting material (stem pieces).