Uptake of silicon in barley under contrasting drought regimes

Plant and Soil - Silicon (Si) accumulation in plant tissues plays a vital role in alleviating biotic and abiotic stresses, including drought. Temperate regions are predicted to experience...     

Bacterial community in the rhizosphere and rhizoplane of wild type and transgenic eucalyptus

The rhizosphere is a niche exploited by a wide variety of bacteria. The expression of heterologous genes by plants might become a factor affecting the structure of bacterial communities in the rhizosphere. In a greenhouse experiment, the bacterial community associated to transgenic eucalyptus, carrying the Lhcb1-2 genes from pea (responsible for a higher photosynthetic capacity), was evaluated. The culturable bacterial community associated to transgenic and wild type plants were not different in density, and the Amplified Ribosomal DNA Restriction Analysis (ARDRA) typing of 124 strains revealed dominant ribotypes representing the bacterial orders Burkholderiales, Rhizobiales, and Actinomycetales, the families Xanthomonadaceae, and Bacillaceae, and the genus Mycobacterium. Principal Component Analysis based on the fingerprints obtained by culture-independent Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis analysis revealed that Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria and Actinobacteria communities responded differently to plant genotypes. Similar effects for the cultivation of transgenic eucalyptus to those observed when two genotype-distinct wild type plants are compared.     

Differential selection of growth rate-related traits in wild barley, Hordeum spontaneum, in contrasting greenhouse nutrient environments

Across-species comparisons show that inherent variation in relative growth rate (RGR) and its underlying traits are correlated with habitat productivity. In this study, we test the hypothesis that growth rate-related traits confer differential selective effects in contrasting nutrient environments. We specifically test whether high RGR is targeted by selection in nutrient-rich environments whereas low values of traits that underlie RGR [specific leaf area (SLA), leaf mass fraction and leaf area ratio (LAR)] confer a direct fitness advantage in nutrient-poor environments, resulting in selection of low RGR as a correlated response. We measured RGR, its underlying component traits, and estimated fitness in a range of wild barley (Hordeum spontaneum) accessions grown under high and low nutrient conditions. Selection on component traits differed between the two environments, while total selection of RGR was not significant. Using multiple regression and path analysis to estimate direct fitness effects, a selective advantage of high LAR and SLA was demonstrated only under nutrient-rich conditions. While supporting the view that observed associations between habitat richness and some RGR-component traits reflect adaptation to differing nutrient regimes, our data suggest that direct selection targets component traits rather than RGR itself.     

Detection and quantification of Paenibacillus polymyxa in the rhizosphere of wild barley (Hordeum spontaneum) with real-time PCR

Aim:  To detect and quantify the plant drought tolerance enhancing bacterium Paenibacillus polymyxa in a collection of 160 Hordeum spontaneum rhizosphere samples at the 'Evolution Canyon' ('EC'), Israel.
Methods and Results:  PCR primers and a FAM-TAMRA probe (6-carboxyfluorescein, 6-carboxy-tetramethyl-rhodamine) targeting 16S rRNA genes were designed and used to detect and quantify the target strain. Two commercial kits, Bio101 Fast Spin and Mo Bio Ultra Clean Soil DNA, were tested for DNA isolation from the rhizosphere and surrounding soil. Population densities of P. polymyxa were studied in the rhizosphere of wild barley and surrounding soil from the contrasting climatic slopes at the 'EC' using the real-time PCR and culture based methods.
Conclusion:  Paenibacillus polymyxa is one of the best established species in wild barley rhizosphere at the 'EC' slopes. With the real-time PCR assay we are able to detect 1 pg of DNA per PCR corresponding to 100 cells per ml. The results at the 'EC' correlate well to bacterial estimations by culture based methods.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  Significantly higher P. polymyxa cell number was detected in the rhizosphere of arid 'African' microclimate indicating possible role of adaptive co-evolution with plants.     

Nitrogen fixation in the rhizosphere and rhizoplane of barley

Summary Aerobic and anaerobic N₂-fixing bacteria developed in the rhizosphere of barley seedlings and exhibited N₂ase activity when seedlings were grown in sterilized sand-nutrient cultures containing low levels of combined nitrogen. The source of the N₂-fixing bacteria appeared to be the seed. Average daily rates up to 0.9 μmoles C₂H₄ h⁻¹ g⁻¹ dry root tissue were measured, but the intensity of the activity was affected by moisture levels and concentration of combined N in the rhizosphere. Removal and washing of the roots did not remove the activity, and roots remained active even after surface-sterilization. An unidentified aerobic N₂-fixing bacterium was isolated from the rhizoplane of active barley roots. Inoculation of barley seedlings with the aerobic N₂-fixing bacterium enhanced N₂ase activity of excised roots 10-fold, with average rates of 0.9, 1.1 and 1.3 μmoles h⁻¹ g⁻¹ dry root assayed under pO₂ of 0.01, 0.02 and 0.04 atm respectively. The aerobic N₂-fixing bacterium also exhibited N₂ase activity when inoculated into the rhizosphere of oat, rice and wheat seedlings. Microscopic observations of sterilized live and stained barley roots suggest that the aerobic N₂-fixing bacterium is an endophyte which infects root tissue and metamorphoses into vesicle-like structures.     

Bacterial diversity in the rhizosphere of Proteaceae species

The Cape Floral Kingdom is an area of unique plant biodiversity in South Africa with exceptional concentrations of rare and endemic species and experiencing drastic habitat loss. Here we present the first molecular study of the microbial diversity associated with the rhizosphere soil of endemic plants of the Proteaceae family (Leucospermum truncatulum and Leucadendron xanthoconus). Genomic DNA was extracted from L. truncatulum rhizosphere soil, L. xanthoconus rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil and used as a template for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene (rDNA). Construction and sequencing of 16S rDNA libraries revealed a high level of biodiversity and led to the identification of several novel bacterial phylotypes. The bacterial community profiles were compared by 16S rDNA denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Cluster analysis and biodiversity indices revealed that the rhizosphere soil samples were more similar to each other than to non-rhizosphere soil and the rhizosphere soil contained a bacterial diversity that was richer and more equitable compared with non-rhizosphere soil. A Chloroflexus and an Azospirillum genospecies were restricted to the L. xanthoconus rhizosphere soil and Stenotrophomonas genospecies was identified in all rhizosphere soil samples but was not present in the non-rhizosphere soil. Taxon-specific nested PCR and DGGE-identified differences between the Proteaceae plant rhizosphere soil with a Frankia genospecies restricted the L. truncatulum rhizosphere. Archaea-specific rDNA PCR, DGGE and DNA sequencing revealed that Crenarcheote genospecies were excluded from the plant rhizosphere soil and only present in non-rhizosphere soil.     

Bacterial inoculation of Quercus pyrenaica trees alters co-occurrence patterns but not the composition of the rhizosphere bacteriome in wild conditions

Quercus pyrenaica is a woody species of high landscape value, however, its forests show an advanced state of degradation in the Iberian Peninsula. Afforestation typically has low success, thus, it is necessary to improve the fitness of oaks plantlets to be transplanted, for instance, by inoculating beneficial microorganisms. In adding microorganisms to ecosystems, there must be balanced efficacy with potential effects on native microbial communities. We addressed changes in diversity, richness, composition and co-occurrence networks of prokaryotic communities in the rhizosphere of inoculated and control trees outplanted to three different sites located in the Sierra Nevada National and Natural Park (Spain). After 18 months in wild conditions, we did not detect changes due to the inoculation in the richness, diversity and structure in none of the sites. However, we observed an increase in the complexity of the co-occurrence networks in two experimental areas. Modularization of the networks changed as a result of the inoculation, although the sense of the change depended on the site. Although it was impossible to unravel the effect of bacterial inoculation, our results highlighted that inoculation alters the association of rhizosphere bacteria without entailing other changes, so networks should be analysed prior to inoculating the plantlets.     

Predicted microbial biomass in the rhizosphere of barley in the field

Summary Laboratory data for the loss of root material by barley and field data for the growth of barley plants in Syria and in England have been combined to predict the amount of material lost by barley roots during a season, and to predict the resulting microbial biomass in the rhizosphere. The predicted microbial biomass C in the rhizosphere ranged from 10–34% of the total plant biomass C depending mainly upon the value used for rate of loss of root material. Total loss of root material predicted during a season in England constituted 7.7–25.4 percent of C fixed by photosynthesis. The major assumptions made in these calculations are considered, and the predicted values discussed in relation to reported values for soil microbial biomass, CO₂ fluxes from soil and associative nitrogen fixation.     

Thermal plasticity of the circadian clock is under nuclear and cytoplasmic control in wild barley

Temperature compensation, expressed as the ability to maintain clock characteristics (mainly period) in face of temperature changes, that is, robustness, is considered a key feature of circadian clock systems. In this study, we explore the genetic basis for lack of robustness, that is, plasticity, of circadian clock as reflected by photosynthesis rhythmicity. The clock rhythmicity of a new wild barley reciprocal doubled haploid population was analysed with a high temporal resolution of pulsed amplitude modulation of chlorophyll fluorescence under optimal (22°C) and high (32°C) temperature. This comparison between two environments pointed to the prevalence of clock acceleration under heat. Genotyping by sequencing of doubled haploid lines indicated a rich recombination landscape with minor fixation (less than 8%) for one of the parental alleles. Quantitative genetic analysis included genotype by environment interactions and binary‐threshold models. Variation in the circadian rhythm plasticity phenotypes, expressed as change (delta) of period and amplitude under two temperatures, was associated with maternal organelle genome (the plasmotype), as well as with several nuclear loci. This first reported rhythmicity driven by nuclear loci and plasmotype with few identified variants, paves the way for studying impact of cytonuclear variations on clock robustness and on plant adaptation to changing environments.     

Developmental instability of vascular plants in contrasting microclimates at ‘Evolution Canyon’

Rocellaria dubia bores into subtidal rocks of karsted limestone in the Adriatic Sea and elsewhere. It also bores into the shells of various bivalve species. The mechanism of boring has hitherto been debated, but examination of occupied shells suggest that this is achieved by mechanical (the shell) abrasion and chemical etching using secretions produced from glands in the anterior mantle. Fast‐growing bivalves such as Ostrea edulis and Pinna nobilis carry heavy R. dubia burdens, and encapsulate the borer in secreted calluses. Slow‐growing bivalves such as the burrowing Venus verrucosa and Glycymeris violacescens carry low R. dubia burdens, are less able to encapsulate the borers, and probably incur enhanced mortalities as a result. Individuals of R. dubia removed from their limestone boreholes re‐secreted adventitious tubes around their siphons, probably from glands in the posterior mantle. The lifestyle of R. dubia is now better understood, and its ability to bore bivalve shells in particular suggests how the more advanced tropical gastrochaenids Cucurbitula and Eufistulana have evolved from initial (as juveniles) bivalve shell borers into occupants of adventitious crypts and tubes, respectively. It is further argued that the Gastrochaenidae show convergent similarities with the similar crypt‐ and tube‐building representatives of the Clavagelloidea. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 104 , 786–804.     

Bacterial conjugation between pseudomonads in the rhizosphere of wheat

Abstract Transfer of plasmid RP4 between introduced pseudomonads was studied in rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil of wheat, in soil chambers and in culture tubes. In both experiments, the presence of growing wheat roots stimulated the occurrence of plasmid transfers in the soil. The plasmid transfer frequencies in rhizosphere soil in the soil chambers were consistently higher than those in rhizosphere soil in the culture tubes, indicating an influence of the experimental set-up.
In the soil chambers, both the survival of introduced donor and recipient strains and the plasmid transfer frequencies decreased drastically at increasing distances from the roots. In addition, plasmid transfer frequencies were influenced by the inoculum densities of both donor and recipient strains; higher frequencies were observed in soil that was initially inoculated with higher cell numbers.     

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.     

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.     

Metabolic changes associated with cold-acclimation in contrasting cultivars of barley

Cereal plants become more resistant to freezing when first exposed to a period of cold-acclimation. Many physiological and molecular changes have been shown to occur at low temperatures, but the role and the contribution of each to frost resistance is still poorly understood. Two cultivars of barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.), the winter barley Onice and the spring barley Gitane, were acclimated under controlled conditions under an 8-h photoperiod at 4°C (light) and 2°C (dark) for 21 days. Changes in free proline, ABA, water-soluble carbohydrates and free fatty acids were measured to assess their involvement in cold-acclimation and to explain the different frost-resistant capacities of the two cultivars. Exposure of barley plants to low temperature resulted in an equal increase in proline in both cultivars. During the first days of cold acclimation, ABA levels showed a peak in the frost-resistant cultivar, lasting about 24 h, followed by a decrease. The water soluble carbohydrates reached their highest content after 3 days of hardening, although after 14 to 21 days of acclimation the carbohydrate content was similar to that of unhardened plants. The frost-resistant Onice had a much higher free fatty acid content than the frost-sensitive Gitane. Furthermore in Onice 86% of free farty acids was represented by unsaturated molecular species. Inolenic acid alone being 71%. In contrast, in the frost-sensitive cultivar only 31% of free fatty acids was unsaturated and a large amount of 9-oxo-nonanoic acid, a product present in the linolenic acid cascade, was also detected.
The ABA content after 2 days of hardening and the free fatty acid composition were clearly different between the two cultivars and may explain, at least in part, the different frost-resistant capacities of Onice and Gitane.     

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.     

塔里木荒漠河岸林不同生境群落物种多度分布格局

为解释塔里木荒漠河岸林群落构建和物种多度分布格局形成的机理, 本文以塔里木荒漠河岸林2个不同生境(沙地、河漫滩) 4 ha固定监测样地为研究对象, 基于两样地物种调查数据, 采用统计模型(对数级数模型、对数正态模型、泊松对数正态分布模型、Weibull分布模型)、生态位模型(生态位优先占领模型、断棍模型)和中性理论模型(复合群落零和多项式模型、Volkov模型)拟合荒漠河岸林群落物种多度分布, 并用K-S检验与赤池信息准则(AIC)筛选最优拟合模型。结果表明: (1)随生境恶化(土壤水分降低), 植物物种多度分布曲线变化减小, 群落物种多样性、多度和群落盖度降低, 常见种数减少。(2)选用的3类模型均可拟合荒漠河岸林不同生境群落物种多度分布格局, 统计模型和中性理论模型拟合效果均优于生态位模型。复合群落零和多项式模型对远离河岸的干旱沙地生境拟合效果最好; 对数正态模型和泊松对数正态模型对洪水漫溢的河漫滩生境拟合效果最优; 中性理论模型与统计模型无显著差异。初步推断中性过程在荒漠河岸林群落构建中发挥着主导作用, 但模型拟合结果只能作为推断群落构建过程的必要非充分条件, 不能排除生态位过程的潜在作用。     

Effect of phosphorus on the colonization of barley rhizosphere by microorganisms

The mineral phosphorus supply produced two outbreaks in the bacterial population of the barley rhizosphere and rhizoplane but inhibited the growth of fungal mycelium. The inhibition of mycelial growth might be due to the exudation of specific inhibitors by barley roots, since the most pronounced inhibition was observed at high doses of supplementary phosphorus.     

Landscape effects on wild boar home range size under contrasting harvest regimes in a human-dominated agro-ecosystem

Agro-ecosystems can experience elevated human-wildlife conflicts, especially crop damage. While game management often aims at reducing number to mitigate conflicts, there is on-going debate about the role of hunting disturbance in promoting game to range over wider areas, thereby potentially exacerbating conflicts. Herein, we hypothesised that landscape configuration and non-lethal disturbance modulate the response to harvest disturbance. We used an information theoretic approach to test the effects of landscape and anthropogenic variables on wild boar ranging patterns across contrasting harvest regimes. We used 164 seasonal home ranges from 95 wild boar (Sus scrofa) radio-tracked over 6 years in the Geneva Basin where two main harvest regimes coexist (day hunt and night cull). Mean seasonal 95% kernel home range size was 4.01 ± 0.20 km² (SE) and 50% core range size 0.79 ± 0.04 km², among the smallest recorded in Europe. Range sizes were larger in the day hunt area than in the night cull area, with no seasonal effect. However, when accounting for landscape variables, we demonstrate that these patterns were likely confounded by the underlying landscape configuration, and that landscape variables remain the primary drivers of wild boar ranging patterns in this human-dominated agro-ecosystem with range size best explained by a model including landscape variables only. Therefore, we recommend accounting for landscape configuration and sources of non-lethal disturbance in the design of harvest strategies when the aim is to limit wide-ranging behaviour of wild boar in order to mitigate conflicts.     

Influence of phosphorus on the colonization of barley rhizosphere by microorganisms

The mineral phosphorus supply produced two outbreaks in the bacterial population of the barley rhizosphere and rhizoplane but inhibited the growth of fungal mycelium. The inhibition of mycelial growth might be due to the exudation of specific inhibitors by barley roots, since the most pronounced inhibition was observed at high doses of supplementary phosphorus.