Rhizosphere microbial community and hexachlorocyclohexane degradative potential in contrasting plant species

The organochlorine 1,2,3,4,5,6 hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) is a broad-spectrum insecticide that was used on a large-scale worldwide. The soil–plant–microbe system and its influence on HCH biodegradation are evaluated. A greenhouse experiment was designed to evaluate HCH dissipation and several microbial parameters among rhizosphere and bulk soil of two contrasting plants, Cytisus striatus (Hill) Rothm and Holcus lanatus L. Plants were grown for 180 days in three treatments: uncontaminated soil (control), uncontaminated soil inoculated with soil (3% w/w) from a HCH-contaminated site (INOC), and uncontaminated soil inoculated with soil (3% w/w) from the HCH-contaminated site and artificially contaminated to obtain 100 mg HCH kg⁻¹ dry soil (100HCH-INOC). At harvest, plant biomass, soil water-extractable organic C, pH and Cl concentration, rhizosphere microbial densities (total heterotrophs, ammonifiers, amylolytics) and C substrate utilization patterns, and degradation of α-, β-, δ- and γ-HCH isomers were determined in bulk and rhizosphere soils. Soil solution Cl concentration was determined every 30 days throughout the entire growth period. Results demonstrate that both Cytisus striatus and Holcus lanatus can grow in soils with up to 100 mg HCH kg⁻¹. An enhanced degradation of α-HCH, but not β- or δ-HCH, was observed in the rhizosphere. Significant changes in the microbial densities were observed between bulk and rhizosphere soils of Cytisus, and an increase in C source utilization indicated changes in community level physiological profiles (CLPP) in the rhizosphere of this species when grown in contaminated soils. HCH dissipation was also greater in soils planted with this species. In accordance, increases in soil extractable C, Cl concentration and acidity were greater at the rhizosphere of Cytisus. Concentration of Cl in soil solutions also indicates greater HCH dechlorination in soils planted with Cytisus than Holcus. Results suggest that phytostimulation of bacteria present or added to soil is a promising approach to cleaning HCH-contaminated sites, and especially for biodegradation of α-HCH.     

Influence of some environmental factors on nitrogen fixation in the rhizosphere of rice

Summary Nitrogen fixers make up a large percentage of the total microflora in the rhizosphere of lowland rice. There are more aerobic nitrogen fixers than there are anaerobic ones. When soil crumbs from the root zone were placed on a nitrogen free agar medium and inoculated at 0, 5, 10, and 21 percent oxygen concentration, colonies of aerobic nitrogen fixers reached their greatest diameter at 5 and 10 percent oxygen. In acetylene reduction assays rice plants grown in paddy fields and in solution culture were tested for the nitrogenase activities of their roots at different oxygen tensions. Nitrogenase activity was highest at 3 percent oxygen, lower at 0 percent, and far lower at 21 percent. When rice was grown in solution culture the redox potential of the nutrient solution strongly influenced nitrogenase activity. With declining redox potential, nitrogenase activity increased to a maximum value but dropped sharply as redox potential further decreased. Ten ppm of combined nitrogen as urea depressed nitrogenase activity on excised roots. Combined nitrogen applied to one part of the root system affected, to some extent, nitrogen fixation on other roots kept in a solution without nitrogen. Nitrogenase activity in a fertility trial with lowland rice, examined at several dates, showed no inhibitory effect of fertilizer nitrogen, however, presumably because the nitrogen concentration in the soil solution rapidly decreased. Instead, an overall stimulating effect of nitrogen dressing was noticeable. Diurnal fluctuations of nitrogenase activity in the rhizosphere, with a peak in the afternoon and low fixation rates after low solar radiation, suggest a photosynthetic effect on nitrogen fixation. re]19751208     

Copper concentration in plants and in the rhizosphere as influenced by the iron status of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.)

Changes of metal concentration that occur in the rhizosphere may arise from several processes including variation in the concentration of complexing ligands, pH or redox potential that can be influenced by the Fe status of the plant. The aim of this study was to assess for both acidic and calcareous, Cu-contaminated soils how Cu concentration in plants and in the rhizosphere was affected by the Fe status of a strategy I plant species. The change of soil solution pH, total solution Cu concentration and soil redox potential was monitored for 8 days in the rhizosphere of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) in response to contrasting Fe supply. The concentration of Cu in roots was enhanced under Fe deficiency in the acidic soils. Shoot Cu however did not vary with the Fe status of the plant. The plant Fe status had little effect on rhizosphere pH, redox potential or Cu concentration in solution in either acidic or calcareous soils. Marked differences in pH and solution Cu concentration were observed between rhizosphere and uncropped soils. Roots induced an increase in pH of acidic soils and a decrease in solution Cu concentration in all soils. The decrease in solution Cu concentration in acidic soils may be explained by the increase in rhizosphere pH. The proposed device provided new data on the fate of Cu in the rhizosphere and showed a positive correlation for the four soils considered together between the total Cu concentration in soil solution and root Cu concentration.     

Nitrogen Fixation by Photosynthetic Bacteria in Lowland Rice Culture

Propanil (3′,4′-dichloropropionanilide) was a potent inhibitor of the nitrogenase activity of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) in flooded soil, but the herbicide at comparable concentrations was not toxic to rice, protozoa, and nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Ethanol-amended flooded soils treated with propanil exhibited higher rates of nitrogenase activity than those not treated with the herbicide. The enhanced nitrogenase activity in propanil-treated soils was associated with a rise in the population of purple sulfur bacteria, especially of cells resembling Chromatium and Thiospirillum. By employing propanil and a means of excluding light from the floodwater to prevent the development of phototrophs during rice growth under lowland conditions, the relative activities of blue-green algae, photosynthetic bacteria, and the rhizosphere microflora were determined. The results suggest that the potential contribution of photosynthetic bacteria may be quite high.     

Effects of vegetation on the emission of methane from submerged paddy soil

Summary Methane emission rates from rice-vegetated paddy fields followed a seasonal pattern different to that of weed-covered or unvegetated fields. Presence of rice plants stimulated the emission of CH₄ both in the laboratory and in the field. In unvegetated paddy fields CH₄ was emitted almost exclusively by ebullition. By contrast, in rice-vegetated fields more than 90% of the CH₄ emission was due to plant-mediated transport. Rice plants stimulated methanogenesis in the submerged soil, but also enhanced the CH₄ oxidation rates within the rhizosphere so that only 23% of the produced CH₄ was emitted. Gas bubbles in vegetated paddy soils contained lower CH₄ mixing ratios than in unvegetated fiels. Weed plants were also efficient in mediating gas exchnage between submerged soil and atmosphere, but did not stimulate methanogenesis. Weed plants caused a relatively high redox potential in the submerged soil so that 95% of the produced CH₄ was oxidized and did not reach the atmosphere. The emission of CH₄ was stimulated, however, when the cultures were incubated under gas atmospheres containing acetylene or consisting of O₂-free nitrogen.     

Effect of fluctuating rhizosphere redox potential on carbon assimilation ofSpartina alterniflora

Summary Spartina alterniflora Lois. plants from a Louisiana salt marsh were subjected to fluctuating levels of soil redox potential under controlled environmental conditions. The experiment was designed to examine the changes in carbon assimilation rates in response to the change in rhizosphere sediment redox condition representing a broad range of reduction normally associated with oxygen deficient environments. Variation in sediment redox potential is frequently encountered by this species in its natural environment in Louisiana's Gulf Coast marshes as a result of tidal patterns. Results indicated some adverse effects of extreme anoxic conditions on carbon assimilation ofS. alterniflora, a possible reflection of this species limited ability for maintaining root oxygenation under rapid, intense reduction in soil redox potential. It was also demonstrated that gas exchange limitations may be temporary and apparently may follow by some recovery. Carbon assimilation rates declined 15 to 21% when soil redox level decreased rapidly to below-200 mV which was followed by substantial recovery. A system for accurate control and measurement of rhizosphere redox potential and simultaneous measurement of plant photosynthetic activity is described.     

Pseudomonas sp. to Sphingobium indicum: a journey of microbial degradation and bioremediation of Hexachlorocyclohexane

The unusual process of production of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and extensive use of technical HCH and lindane has created a very serious problem of HCH contamination. While the use of technical HCH and lindane has been banned all over the world, India still continues producing lindane. Bacteria, especially Sphingomonads have been isolated that can degrade HCH isomers. Among all the bacterial strains isolated so far, Sphingobium indicum B90A that was isolated from HCH treated rhizosphere soil appears to have a better potential for HCH degradation. This conclusion is based on studies on the organization of lin genes and degradation ability of B90A. This strain perhaps can be used for HCH decontamination through bioaugmentation.     

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。     

Diazotrophic diversity in the rhizosphere of two exotic weed plants, Prosopis juliflora and Parthenium hysterophorus

This study is aimed at assessing culturable diazotrophic bacterial diversity in the rhizosphere of Prosopis juliflora and Parthenium hysterophorus, which grow profusely in nutritionally-poor soils and environmentally-stress conditions so as to identify some novel strains for bioinoculant technology. Diazotrophic isolates from Prosopis and Parthenium rhizosphere were characterized for nitrogenase activity by Acetylene Reduction Assay (ARA) and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Further, the culture-independent quantitative PCR (qPCR) was performed to compare the abundance of diazotrophs in rhizosphere with bulk soils. The proportion of diazotrophs in total heterotrophs was higher in rhizosphere than bulk soils and 32 putative diazotrophs from rhizosphere of two plants were identified by nifH gene amplification. The ARA activity of the isolates ranged from 40 to 95 nmol ethylene h⁻¹ mg protein⁻¹. The 16S rRNA gene analysis identified the isolates to be members of alpha, beta and gamma Proteobacteria and firmicutes. The qPCR assay also confirmed that abundance of nif gene in rhizosphere of these two plants was 10-fold higher than bulk soil.     

Analogous wheat root rhizosphere microbial successions in field and greenhouse trials in the presence of biocontrol agents Paenibacillus peoriae SP9 and Streptomyces fulvissimus FU14

Two Pythium-infested soils were used to compare the wheat root and rhizosphere soil microbial communities from plants grown in the field or in greenhouse trials and their stability in the presence of biocontrol agents. Bacteria showed the highest diversity at early stages of wheat growth in both field and greenhouse trials, while fungal diversity increased later on, at 12 weeks of the crop cycle. The microbial communities were stable in roots and rhizosphere samples across both soil types used in this study. Such stability was also observed irrespective of the cultivation system (field or greenhouse) or addition of biocontrol coatings to wheat seeds to control Pythium disease (in this study soil infected with Pythium sp. clade F was tested). In greenhouse plant roots, Archaeorhizomyces, Debaryomyces, Delftia, and unclassified Pseudeurotiaceae were significantly reduced when compared to plant roots obtained from the field trials. Some operational taxonomic units (OTUs) represented genetic determinants clearly transmitted vertically by seed endophytes (specific OTUs were found in plant roots) and the plant microbiota was enriched over time by OTUs from the rhizosphere soil. This study provided key information regarding the microbial communities associated with wheat roots and rhizosphere soils at different stages of plant growth and the role that Paenibacillus and Streptomyces strains play as biocontrol agents in supporting plant growth in infested soils.     

Effect of long-term organic and mineral fertilization strategies on rhizosphere microbiota assemblage and performance of lettuce

Long-term agricultural fertilization strategies gradually change soil properties including the associated microbial communities. Cultivated crops recruit beneficial microbes from the surrounding soil environment via root exudates. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of long-term fertilization strategies across field sites on the rhizosphere prokaryotic (Bacteria and Archaea) community composition and plant performance. We conducted growth chamber experiments with lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) cultivated in soils from two long-term field experiments, each of which compared organic versus mineral fertilization strategies. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing revealed the assemblage of a rhizosphere core microbiota shared in all lettuce plants across soils, going beyond differences in community composition depending on field site and fertilization strategies. The enhanced expression of several plant genes with roles in oxidative and biotic stress signalling pathways in lettuce grown in soils with organic indicates an induced physiological status in plants. Lettuce plants grown in soils with different fertilization histories were visibly free of stress symptoms and achieved comparable biomass. This suggests a positive aboveground plant response to belowground plant–microbe interactions in the rhizosphere. Besides effects of fertilization strategy and field site, our results demonstrate the crucial role of the plant in driving rhizosphere microbiota assemblage.     

Characterization and degradation potential of diesel-degrading bacterial strains for application in bioremediation

Bioremediation of polluted soils is a promising technique with low environmental impact, which uses soil organisms to degrade soil contaminants. In this study, 19 bacterial strains isolated from a diesel-contaminated soil were screened for their diesel-degrading potential, biosurfactant (BS) production, and biofilm formation abilities, all desirable characteristics when selecting strains for re-inoculation into hydrocarbon-contaminated soils. Diesel-degradation rates were determined in vitro in minimal medium with diesel as the sole carbon source. The capacity to degrade diesel range organics (DROs) of strains SPG23 (Arthobacter sp.) and PF1 (Acinetobacter oleivorans) reached 17–26% of total DROs after 10 days, and 90% for strain GK2 (Acinetobacter calcoaceticus). The amount and rate of alkane degradation decreased significantly with increasing carbon number for strains SPG23 and PF1. Strain GK2, which produced BSs and biofilms, exhibited a greater extent, and faster rate of alkane degradation compared to SPG23 and PF1. Based on the outcomes of degradation experiments, in addition to BS production, biofilm formation capacities, and previous genome characterizations, strain GK2 is a promising candidate for microbial-assisted phytoremediation of diesel-contaminated soils. These results are of particular interest to select suitable strains for bioremediation, not only presenting high diesel-degradation rates, but also other characteristics which could improve rhizosphere colonization.     

湿地林土壤的Fe2+,Eh及pH值的变化

通过在不同含水量 (田间持水量的 6 0 % :对照处理 ;田间持水量的 2 5 0 % :淹水处理 )和不同温度 (2 0℃ ,2 5℃ ,30℃ )条件下的室内培养 ,对江苏省里下河地区池杉湿地林土壤的二价铁离子 (Fe2 )浓度 ,氧化还原电位 (Eh)及 p H值进行了研究。结果表明 ,与对照处理相比 ,淹水土壤的 p H值和 Fe2 浓度明显提高 (P<0 .0 1) ,而 Eh值则明显降低 (P<0 .0 1)。在淹水条件下 ,高温处理的土壤 p H值和 Fe2 浓度明显高于低温处理土壤 (P<0 .0 1) ,Eh值则相反。研究表明 ,土壤 Eh值与 p H值之间存在着密切的 3次方程式关系 (P<0 .0 0 1)。就里下河地区湿地林土壤而言 ,Eh值下降至 2 0 0 m V以下时 ,才会有大量的铁元素被还原为Fe2 。     

植物种类对野芷湖湖岸带土壤反硝化作用的影响

反硝化作用是湖岸带有效去除氮素的关键氮循环过程,受到植物、土壤理化性质及微生物等因素的影响。为探究湖岸带不同植物对土壤反硝化作用的影响,通过调查测定野芷湖湖岸带9种常见植物的根际与非根际土壤的反硝化功能基因丰度和反硝化潜势,分析其与土壤理化性质的关系,阐明植物种类影响反硝化作用的机制。研究结果表明:(1)种植植物会改变湖岸带土壤的理化指标,植物根际土的硝态氮(NN)、铵态氮(AN)、总碳(TC)、总氮(TN)和可溶性有机碳(DOC)含量等显著高于非根际土,其中柳树、黄素馨、喜旱莲子草根际土的TC、DOC、TN、NN显著高于其他物种,桂树的根际和非根际土的pH均显著低于其他物种;(2)植物根际土的微生物反硝化功能基因(narG、napA、nirS、nirK和nosZ)丰度显著高于非根际土,其中柳树、黄素馨、喜旱莲子草根际土的基因丰度显著高于其他物种, pH、TN、NN和DOC等对反硝化功能基因丰度影响较大;(3)根际土的反硝化潜势显著高于非根际土,其中柳树、桂树、黄素馨根际土的反硝化潜势显著高于其他物种,黄素馨非根际土的反硝化潜势也较高,pH、DOC、TN以及napA、nirS、norB基因丰度等对土壤的反硝化潜势具有显著影响。本研究说明植物根际微环境更有利于反硝化微生物的生长与繁殖,湖岸带种植植物时可考虑不同的常绿和落叶乔木、灌木、草本植物的合理配置来提高湖岸带的氮素截留能力,以减少由过量氮素进入水生生态系统导致的面源污染。     

Flight activity of insecticide resistant and susceptible Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes in actograph chambers lined with malathion, γ HCH or dieldrin

The activity and resting behaviour of resistant and susceptible Anopheles stephensi Liston were recorded in acoustic actograph chambers lined with residual deposits of malathion, dieldrin or gamma HCH. In gamma HCH-treated flight chambers, SS and RS mosquitoes became active only after picking up lethal doses of insecticide, which explains why few SS and RS mosquitoes survive release into gamma HCH-treated experimental huts. Similar results were obtained in flight chambers treated with dieldrin; however, more mosquitoes would be expected to survive dieldrin under field conditions because resistance to this insecticide is greater than to gamma HCH. Mosquitoes in contact with malathion showed a three-phase activity pattern: an initial active phase, an inactive phase, and hyper-activity/convulsions. Initial activity or irritability was especially pronounced in SS and RS but absent in RR mosquitoes. Whether or not irritability would protect RS mosquitoes from malathion would probably depend on the ratio of sprayed to unsprayed surfaces in treated huts.     

Oxygen input controls the spatial and temporal dynamics of arsenic at the surface of a flooded paddy soil and in the rhizosphere of lowland rice (Oryza sativa L.): a microcosm study

The impact of oxygen (O₂) input at the soil surface and in the rhizosphere of rice (Oryza sativa L.) on the spatial and temporal dynamics of arsenic (As) was investigated in a flooded paddy soil. A soil microcosm and root-mat technique were designed to mimic submerged conditions of paddy fields. Water-filled containers with (planted) or without (unplanted) 27-day-old rice seedlings were fitted for 20 days on top of microcosms containing an As-affected soil (Bangladesh). After the initial establishment of strongly reduced conditions (?230 mV) in both planted and unplanted soils, the redox potential gradually increased until the day 8 to reach?+?50 mV at 2 mm from the surface of unplanted soils only. This oxidation was associated with an accumulation of NH₄-oxalate extractable As (25.7 mg kg^?1) in the 0.5-mm top layer, i.e. at levels above the initial total content of As in the soil (14 mg kg^?1) and a subsequent depletion of As in soil solution at 2 mm from soil surface. Root O₂-leakage induced the formation of an iron (Fe) plaque in root apoplast, with no evidence of outer rhizosphere oxidation. Arsenic content reached 173 mg kg^?1 in the Fe plaque. This accumulation induced a depletion of As in soil solution over several millimetres in the rhizosphere. Arsenic contents in root symplast and shoots (112 and 2.3 mg kg^?1, respectively) were significantly lower than in Fe plaque. Despite a large As concentration in soil solution, Fe plaque appeared highly efficient to sequester As and to restrict As acquisition by rice. The oxidation-mediated accumulation of As in the Fe plaque and in the oxidised layer at the top of the soil mobilised 21 and 3% of the initial amount of As in the planted and unplanted soils, respectively. Soil solution As concentration steadily decreased during the last 16 days of the soil stage, likely indicating a decrease in the ability of the soil to re-supply As from the solid-phase to the solution. The driving force of As dynamic in soil was therefore attributed to the As diffusion from reduced to oxidised soil layers. These results suggest a large mobility of As in the soil during the flooded period, controlled by the setting of oxic/anoxic interfaces at the surface of soil in contact with flooding water and in the rhizosphere of rice.     

两种盐生植物根际土壤细菌多样性和群落结构

应用高通量测序技术对西北干旱区两种盐生植物黑果枸杞和里海盐爪爪根际土壤细菌的多样性和群落结构进行研究,旨在揭示两种耐盐植物根际土壤细菌之间以及根际与非根际细菌群落结构间的差异,为深入研究盐生植物根际土壤微生物与耐盐性之间的关系提供理论基础。结果表明:黑果枸杞、里海盐爪爪根际细菌多样性丰度高于非根际土,黑果枸杞根际土壤细菌多样性丰度高于里海盐爪爪。根际和非根际土壤细菌群落的组成和丰度存在差异,从黑果枸杞和里海盐爪爪根际土壤中分别检测出细菌21门289属和22门304属,而从非根际土壤中分别检测出28门285属和24门336属;在两种盐生植物根际土壤中,变形菌门和厚壁菌门均为优势门;拟杆菌门、放线菌门、蓝细菌门及浮霉菌门在根际土壤中的丰度显著高于非根际土壤,而厚壁菌门在根际土壤中的丰度低于非根际土壤。两种植物根际土壤中的细菌优势门和优势属的数量均高于非根际土壤,在黑果枸杞和里海盐爪爪的根际土壤中的细菌优势属分别有10个和9个,而二者非根际土壤中的细菌优势属各有4个,其中假单胞菌属是根际和非根际土壤中的共有优势属。黑果枸杞和里海盐爪爪根系细菌群落组成和丰度存在差异,只有假单胞菌属和盐单胞菌属是两种植物根际土壤中的共有优势属。Unifrac分析和聚类分析表明,两种盐生植物根际土壤细菌之间的相似性大于根际和非根际细菌群落间的相似性。细菌多样性与土壤有机碳、有机质、总氮正相关,与pH、电导率负相关,电导率和pH,有机碳和总氮分别是非根际土,根际土壤细菌群落物种组成的主要影响因素。     

Rates of root and organism growth, soil conditions, and temporal and spatial development of the rhizosphere

BACKGROUND: Roots growing in soil encounter physical, chemical and biological environments that influence their rhizospheres and affect plant growth. Exudates from roots can stimulate or inhibit soil organisms that may release nutrients, infect the root, or modify plant growth via signals. These rhizosphere processes are poorly understood in field conditions. SCOPE AND AIMS: We characterize roots and their rhizospheres and rates of growth in units of distance and time so that interactions with soil organisms can be better understood in field conditions. We review: (1) distances between components of the soil, including dead roots remnant from previous plants, and the distances between new roots, their rhizospheres and soil components; (2) characteristic times (distance(2)/diffusivity) for solutes to travel distances between roots and responsive soil organisms; (3) rates of movement and growth of soil organisms; (4) rates of extension of roots, and how these relate to the rates of anatomical and biochemical ageing of root tissues and the development of the rhizosphere within the soil profile; and (5) numbers of micro-organisms in the rhizosphere and the dependence on the site of attachment to the growing tip. We consider temporal and spatial variation within the rhizosphere to understand the distribution of bacteria and fungi on roots in hard, unploughed soil, and the activities of organisms in the overlapping rhizospheres of living and dead roots clustered in gaps in most field soils. CONCLUSIONS: Rhizosphere distances, characteristic times for solute diffusion, and rates of root and organism growth must be considered to understand rhizosphere development. Many values used in our analysis were estimates. The paucity of reliable data underlines the rudimentary state of our knowledge of root-organism interactions in the field.     

Potential allelopathic effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">grandis</Emphasis> across a range of plantation ages

Allelopathy of the eucalypt has been considered as an important mechanism for the biodiversity reduction in the eucalypt plantation. To understand the allelopathic potential of the eucalypt (Eucalyptus grandis) roots and rhizosphere soil along a chronosequence (2, 4, 6, 8, 10 years), the germination and growth characteristics of three plant species (Raphanus sativus, Phaseolus aureus, and Lolium perenne) growing nearby or beneath the eucalypt plantations were measured. The results showed that aqueous extract of E. grandis root suppressed the germination and early seedling growth of the target plants. The younger E. grandis exhibited a comparatively stronger allelopathic potential. The highest dose root extracts from 4 years old E. grandis showed the strongest inhibitory effects on the germination rates of the target species, the inhibitory rates were about 48, 51.2, and 56.56% for R. sativus, P. aureus, and L. perenne, respectively. However, present biotests of rhizosphere soils from 6, 8, and 10-year-old plantations exhibited a remarkable stimulative effect on L. perenne, which indicated that the soil might neutralize or dilute allelopathic agents with the increase of plantation age. In addition, according to GC–MS analysis, more allelopathic potential compounds were found in the rhizosphere soil and roots of younger E. grandis plantation. Moreover, more allelochemicals were obtained from soil than from roots. The allelopathic compounds in roots and rhizosphere soil may play important roles in allelopathy of E. grandis plantation. More attention should be paid to the younger E. grandis plantations for the relative higher allelopathic effects.     

脲酶抑制剂/硝化抑制剂对植稻土壤中尿素N行为的影响

采用自制根盒试验,主要研究了脲酶抑制剂氢醌（HQ）,硝化抑制剂双氰胺（DCD）及二者组合对离水稻根际不同距离处NH4^--N和NO3^-N分布的影响,结果表明,DCD及其与HQ组合均能显著促进稻株地上部分生长,始终显著降低水稻根际与近根际土中NH4^ -N含量直至施肥后60d,施肥后20d时,DCD及其与HQ组合可使非根际土中NH4^ -N含量显著增加,随后,却出现相反现象,施肥后20d时,距根际不同距离的土壤中,配施DCD或DCD＋HQ处理均能显著降低NO3^-N含量,随后,近根际和非根际仍保持上述现象直至施肥后40d;同未施DCD处理相比,根际土壤却较早出现NO3^--N含量高峰,正好与水稻N营养需求时期相一致,因此,DCD及其与HQ组合可减少水稻根际环境下尿素N损失潜势,通过不种稻土壤和距根际3cm处的土壤中尿素无机氮形态分布的差异,充分显示了研究水稻根际土壤氮素转化及相关抑制剂对其影响时,以取离根际3cm外的土壤作为非根际明显优于不种稻土壤。