Effect of temperature on rice growth in nutrient solution and in acid sulphate soils from Vietnam

Climatic and soil factors are limiting rice growth in many countries. In Vietnam, a steep gradient of temperature is observed from the North to the South, and acid sulphate soils are frequently devoted to rice production. We have therefore attempted to understand how temperature affects rice growth in these problem soils, by comparison with rice grown in nutrient solution. Two varieties of rice, IR64 and X2, were cultivated in phytotrons at 19/21°C and 28/32°C (day/night) for 56 days, after 3 weeks preculture in optimal conditions. Two soils from the Mekong Delta were tested. Parallel with the growing experiments, these two soils were incubated in order to monitor redox potential (E _h ), pH, soluble Al and Fe, soluble, and available P. Tillering retardation at 20°C compared to 30°C was similar in nutrient solutions and in soils. The effect of temperature on increasing plant biomass was more marked in solutions than in soils. The P concentrations in roots and shoots were higher at 20°C than at 30°C, to such an extent that detrimental effect was suspected in plants grown in solution at the lowest temperature. The translocation of Fe from roots to shoots was stimulated upon rising temperature, both in solutions and in soils. This led to plant death on the most acid soil at 30°C. Indeed, the accumulation of Fe in plants grown on soils was enhanced by the release of Fe²⁺ due to reduction of Fe(III)-oxihydroxides. Severe reducing conditions were created at 30°C: redox potential (E _h ) dropped rapidly down to about 0 V. At 20°C, E _h did not drop below about 0.2 V, which is a value well in the range of Fe(III)/Fe(II) buffering. Parallel to E _h drop, pH increased up to about 6–6.5 at 30°C, which prevented plants from Al toxicity, even in the most acid soil. Phosphate behavior was obviously related to Fe-dynamics: more reducing conditions at 30°C have resulted in enhancement of available P, especially in the most acid soil.     

Nitrogen mineralization in acid sulfate soils

Summary Mineralization of soil nitrogen studies with two acid sulfate soils under anaerobic and aerobic incubation at 30°C for 2 weeks showed that the mineral N was released and accumulated entirely as NH ₄ ⁺ in both soils. Nitrification did not occur in either of the soils under conditions that stimulate nitrification. The acid sulfate soils studied release good amounts of mineralizable N, and, because of lack of nitrifying activity, denitrification may not be a serious problem in these soils.     

Bulk soil pH and rhizosphere pH of peach trees in calcareous and alkaline soils as affected by the form of nitrogen fertilizers

One-year old nectarine trees [Prunus persica, Batsch var. nectarina (Ait.) Maxim.], cv Nectaross grafted on P.S.B2 peach seedlings [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] were grown for five months in 4-litre pots filled with two alkaline soils, one of which was also calcareous. Soils were regularly subjected to fertigation with either ammonium sulphate or calcium nitrate providing a total of 550 mg N/tree. Trees were also grown in such soils receiving only deionized water, as controls. Rhizosphere pH, measured by the use of a microelectrode inserted in agar sheet containing a bromocresol purple as pH indicator and placed on selected roots, was decreased by about 2–3 units compared to the bulk soil pH in all treatments. This decrease was slightly less marked when plants were supplied with calcium nitrate rather than ammonium sulphate or control. Measurements conducted during the course of the experiment indicated that ammonium concentration was similar in the solution of soils receiving the two N fertilizers. During the experiment, soil solution nitrate-N averaged 115 mg L^–1 in soil fertilized with calcium nitrate, 68 mg L^–1 in those receiving ammonium sulphate and 1 mg L^–1 in control soils. At the end of the experiment nitrate concentrations were similar in soils receiving the two N sources and bulk soil pH was decreased by about 0.4 units by ammonium sulphate fertigation: these evidences suggest a rapid soil nitriflcation activity of added ammonium. Symptoms of interveinal chlorosis in apical leaves appeared during the course of the experiment in trees planted in the alkaline-calcareous soil when calcium nitrate was added. The slightly higher rhizosphere pH for calcium nitrate-fed plants may have contributed to this. The findings suggest that using ammonium sulphate in a liquid form (e.g. by fertigation) in high-pH soils leads to their acidification and the micronutrient availability may be improved.     

Litter decomposition and nitrogen mineralization of soils in subtropical plantation forests of southern China,with special attention to comparisons between legumes and non-legumes

Litter decomposition and nitrogen mineralization were investigated in subtropical plantation forests in southern China. The CO₂ –C release from incubated litter and the forest floor of Acacia mangium, Acacia auriculaeformis, Eucalyptus citriodora, Pinus elliotii and Schima superba stands were used to estimate relative rates of litter decomposition. Decomposition was not positively correlated with litter nitrogen. E. citridora litter decomposed most rapidly and A. mangium litter most slowly, both with and without the addition of exotic nitrogen. Aerobic incubation and intact soil core incubation at 30 °C over a period of 30 days were used to assess nitrogen mineralization of six forest soils. Although there were differences in results obtained using the two methods, patterns between legume and non-legume species were the same regardless of method. All soils had pH values below 4.5, but this did not prevent nitrification. The dominant form of mineral nitrogen was nitrate for legume species and ammonium for non-legume species. The nitrogen mineralization potential was highest for soils in which legumes were growing.     

Mechanisms of adaptation of plants to acid soils

Major constraints for plant growth on acid mineral soils are toxic concentrations of mineral elements like Al, of H⁺, and/or low mineral nutrient availability either as a result of solubility (e.g. P and Mo), low reserves, and impaired uptake (e.g. Mg²⁺) at high H⁺ concentrations. Inhibition of root growth particularly by Al leads to more shallow root systems, which may affect the capacity for mineral nutrient acquisition and increase the risk of drought stress. Of the two principal strategies (tolerance and avoidance) of plants for adaptation to adverse soil conditions, the strategy of avoidance is more common for adaptation to acid mineral soils. Examples are (i) root-induced changes in the rhizosphere such as pH increase, (ii) release of chelators for Al, higher activity of ectoenzymes (acid phosphatases), and (iii) increase in root surface area via mycorrhizae. In order to have a better understanding of the principles of the mechanisms by which plants adapt to acid mineral soils more attention should thus be given to conditions at the root-soil interface.     

Calcium and temperature effects on seedling exudation and root rot infection of common bean on an acid sandy soil

Soil born fungi such as Phytium ultimum, Fusarium ssp., and Rhizoctonia solani (Kühn) severely restrict stand establishment of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) on acid soils of the Tropics. Calcium application is known to alleviate fungal infection in many legumes but the causes are still unclear. To investigate environmental factors and physiological mechanisms involved, growth chamber experiments were conducted with an acid sandy soil from Mexico. Treatments were soil liming at a rate of 0.67 g Ca(OH)₂ kg^-1, gypsum application at 0.49 g CaSO₄ 2H₂O kg^-1 soil placed around the seed, and an untreated control. Beans were grown under three temperature regimes with constant night and one constant day vs. two sinusoidal day temperatures. To examine patterns of seed and seedling exudation at regular intervals leachates of germinating seeds were collected on filter paper soaked with equilibrium solutions from soils of the three treatments. The severity of root rot in the control treatment was highest when plants were stressed by temperature extremes. At a sinusoidal day temperature peaking at 40°C soil liming and gypsum application to the seed increased the number of healthy seedlings similarly by over 60%. However, only liming which effectively eliminated growth constraints by low pH and high aluminum concentrations led to an increase in hypocotyl elongation by 22% and in total root length by 8%. Both calcium amendments increased the calcium and potassium contents in the hypocotyl tissue. From seeds exposed to the equilibrium solution of unlimed soil with pH 3.7, 1 mM Ca, and 0.6 mM Al considerable amounts of amino acids and carbohydrates were leached. In contrast, exposure to the equilibrium solution from limed soil with pH 4.3, 3 mM Ca, and negligible concentrations of Al led to a net uptake of amino acids and decreased leaching of carbohydrates. Exposure to the equilibrium solution of the gypsum treatment with pH 3.6, 20 mM Ca, and 1.2 mM Al resulted in a somewhat smaller net uptake of amino acids compared to liming. During germination pH around the seeds steeply increased in the untreated control but significantly less with both amendments. The results indicate that pH and the Ca/Al ratio in the soil solution around bean seeds determine their pattern of exudation and solute uptake. For bean germination and early growth on acid soils locally placed application of small amounts of gypsum as seed pelleting seems as effective as soil liming in reducing the incidence of root rot. The results indicate that this may be accomplished by decreasing the amount of leachates available for fungal development.     

Effects of species of VA-mycorrhizal fungi on growth and mineral uptake of sorghum at different temperatures

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] plants were grown in growth chambers at 20, 25 and 30°C in a low P Typic Argiudoll (3.65 µg P g^–1 soil, pH 8.3) inoculated with Glomus fasciculatum, Glomus intraradices, and Glomus macrocarpum to determine effects of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (VAMF) species on plant growth and mineral nutrient uptake. Sorghum root colonization by VAMF and plant responses to Glomus species were temperature dependent. G. macrocarpum colonized sorghum roots best and enhanced plant growth and mineral uptake considerably more than the other VAMF species, especially at 30°C. G. fasciculatum enhanced shoot growth at 20 and 25°C, and mineral uptake only at 20°C. G. intraradices depressed shoot growth and mineral uptake at 30°C. G. macrocarpum enhanced shoot P, K, and Zn at all temperatures, and Fe at 25 and 30°C above that which could be accounted for by increased biomass. Sorghum plant growth responses to colonization by VAMF species may need to be evaluated at different temperatures to optimize beneficial effects.     

Persistence and competitiveness of threeBradyrhizobium japonicum inoculant strains in clay loam Nile valley soil

The nitrogen contribution from the shoot and root system of symbiotically grown leucaena was evaluated in a field experiment on an Alfisol at IITA in Southern Nigeria. Maize in plots that received prunings from inoculated leucaena contained more N and grain yield was increased by 1.9 t.ha.^–1. Large quantities of nitrogen were harvested with leucaena prunings (300 kg N ha^–1 in six months) but the efficiency of utilization of this nitrogen by maize was low compared to inorganic N fertilizer (ammonium sulphate) at 80 kg N ha^–1. Maize yield data indicated that nitrogen in leucaena prunigs was 34 and 45% as efficient as 80 kg N ha^–1 of (NH₄)₂SO₄ for uninoculated and inoculated plants with Rhizobium IRc 1045, respectively. In plots where the prunings were removed, the leaf litter and decaying roots and nodules contributed N equivalent of 32 kg ha^–1. Twenty-five kg ha^–1 was the inorganic N equivalent from nitrogen fixed symbiotically by leucaena when inoculated with Rhizobium strain IRc 1045. Application of prunings from inoculated leucaena resulted in higher soil ogranic C, total N, pH and available NO₃.     

Some effects of giant Andean stem-rosettes on ground microclimate,and their ecological significance

The effect of giant Andean stem-rosettes (Coespeletia lutescens) on air and soil temperatures was studied in the Páramo de Piedras Blancas (Venezuela) at 4265 and 4385 m altitude during the dry season, which is the coldest season in this tropical mountain area. Maximum air temperatures beneath a plant canopy were only slightly higher than in the open. Minimum temperatures below the stem-rosettes were 4.7° to 7.0°C higher than in the open. This substantially reduced the intensity of nightly freezing. Soil temperature minima at 20 cm depth were 2.4° to 4.2°C higher below plants, but maxima were somewhat lower than in bare soil. These microclimatic alterations are ecologically significant for stemprosette seedlings, which should have a higher probability of survival due to the reduced frequency of frost and needle ice formation below large plants. Warmer soils at night should also result in greater water uptake by seedlings during the early morning hours, thus reducing dry-season mortality.     

Root exudates as mediators of mineral acquisition in low-nutrient environments

Plant developmental processes are controlled by internal signals that depend on the adequate supply of mineral nutrients by soil to roots. Thus, the availability of nutrient elements can be a major constraint to plant growth in many environments of the world, especially the tropics where soils are extremely low in nutrients. Plants take up most mineral nutrients through the rhizosphere where micro-organisms interact with plant products in root exudates. Plant root exudates consist of a complex mixture of organic acid anions, phytosiderophores, sugars, vitamins, amino acids, purines, nucleosides, inorganic ions (e.g. HCO₃ ^–, OH^–, H⁺), gaseous molecules (CO₂, H₂), enzymes and root border cells which have major direct or indirect effects on the acquisition of mineral nutrients required for plant growth. Phenolics and aldonic acids exuded directly by roots of N₂-fixing legumes serve as major signals to Rhizobiaceae bacteria which form root nodules where N₂ is reduced to ammonia. Some of the same compounds affect development of mycorrhizal fungi that are crucial for phosphate uptake. Plants growing in low-nutrient environments also employ root exudates in ways other than as symbiotic signals to soil microbes involved in nutrient procurement. Extracellular enzymes release P from organic compounds, and several types of molecules increase iron availability through chelation. Organic acids from root exudates can solubilize unavailable soil Ca, Fe and Al phosphates. Plants growing on nitrate generally maintain electronic neutrality by releasing an excess of anions, including hydroxyl ions. Legumes, which can grow well without nitrate through the benefits of N₂ reduction in the root nodules, must release a net excess of protons. These protons can markedly lower rhizosphere pH and decrease the availability of some mineral nutrients as well as the effective functioning of some soil bacteria, such as the rhizobial bacteria themselves. Thus, environments which are naturally very acidic can pose a challenge to nutrient acquisition by plant roots, and threaten the survival of many beneficial microbes including the roots themselves. A few plants such as Rooibos tea (Aspalathus linearis L.) actively modify their rhizosphere pH by extruding OH^– and HCO₃ ^– to facilitate growth in low pH soils (pH 3 – 5). Our current understanding of how plants use root exudates to modify rhizosphere pH and the potential benefits associated with such processes are assessed in this review.     

Aluminium,boron and molybdenum availability and uptake by rice in acid sulfate soils

Although Al toxicity is believed to be a problem in acid sulfate soils cropped to rice (Oryza, sativa L.), little is known about the behavior of other trace metals such as B and Mo in these soils. The objectives of this study were to measure the availability of Al, B, and Mo in these soils, to determine what governs the availability of these metals and to investigate the relationships between metal availability and uptake by rice. Metal availability and uptake by rice were evaluated in 134 flooded acid sulfate soils in the Central Plains region of Thailand and in a growth chamber study using 50 of the same soils. Soil and plant metal analyses were conducted at the panicle differentiation stage of growth in both studies and in the soil prior to transplanting in the growth chamber study. Metal activities were determined with GEOCHEM. The mineral phases believed to be governing Al³⁺ activities were jurbanite under low pH conditions and amorphous Al(OH)₃ at high pH. The Al chemistry is believed to be intimately linked to the redox-pH cycle, which is driven by the monsoonal climate. Mortality of rice associated with Al toxicity was observed under field and growth chamber conditions. Interference in P uptake and/or assimilation was believed to be the mechanism of Al toxicity. Activities of B(OH) ₄ ^– and B(OH) ₃ ⁰ were found to be highly correlated to pH and ionic strength, respectively, with the latter being the dominant B ion found in these soils. Activities of MoO ₄ ^2– were positively correlated to pH and appeared to be controlled by wulfenite. Leaf Mo contents were found to be positively correlated with MoO ₄ ^2– activity.     

Oxidation of elemental-S in coastal-dune sands and soils

Summary S-oxidation was studied in samples of (a) coastal sands lacking vegetation; (b) sands from beneath isolated stands ofAmmophila arenaria andHippophaë rhamnoides; and (c) dune soils obtained from beneath vegetation growing on mature dunes. S-oxidation in samples taken from dune environments was compared with the process in a fertile garden soil.Elemental-S was oxidized to SO ₄ ^2– in all samples, with S₂O ₃ ^2– being formed as intermediates. S-oxidation was most pronounced in the dune soil, followed by the garden soil,Ammophila arenaria andH. rhamnoides rhizospheres and finally the non-vegetated sand. The rate of S-oxidation thus generally increased with increasing C and N content, increasing vegetation cover and decreasing soil-sand pH.Maximum S-oxidation occurred at 30–37°C, but some of the intermediates appeared even at 45°C, presumably indicating abiotic S-oxidation at high temperatures. S-oxidation decreased the pH of the two soils studied, but did not markedly acidify the unvegetated or rhizosphere sands.     

氨基酸添加对亚热带森林红壤氮素转化的影响

为探究氨基酸氮形态对亚热带土壤氮素含量及转化的影响,选择建瓯市万木林保护区的山地红壤为对象,采用室内培养实验法,通过设计60%和90%WHC两种土壤含水量并添加不同性质氨基酸,测定了土壤中铵态氮、硝态氮、可溶性有机氮的含量和氧化亚氮的释放量,分析了可溶性有机碳、土壤p H值的大小变化及其与氮素的相互关系。结果表明:与对照处理相比,氨基酸添加显著增加了土壤NH_4~+-N含量并使土壤p H值升高,且在一定程度上解除了高含水量(90%WHC)对NH_4~+-N产生的抑制,其中甲硫氨基酸的效果最为明显。酸性、碱性、中性氨基酸对土壤NO_3~--N含量和N_2O释放影响不显著,但甲硫氨基酸可显著抑制土壤硝化从而导致NH_4~+-N的积累,并在培养前期抑制土壤N_2O产生而在培养后期促进N_2O释放,总体上促进N_2O释放。60%WHC的氨基酸添加处理较90%WHC条件下降低土壤可溶性有机氮的幅度更大。氨基酸对土壤氮素转化的影响与带电性关系较小,而可能与其分解产物密切相关。可见,不同性质氨基酸处理对森林土壤氮素含量及转化存在不同程度的影响,且甲硫氨基酸对土壤氮素转化的影响机理值得深入研究。     

Nodulation and growth response ofAllocasuarina andCasuarina species to phosphorus fertilization

To examine how soil phosphorus status affects nitrogen fixation by the Casuarinaceae —Frankia symbiosis,Casuarina equisetifolia and two species ofAllocasuarina (A. torulosa andA. littoralis) inoculated or fertilized with KNO₃ were grown in pots in an acid soil at 4 soil phosphate levels. InoculatedC. equisetifolia nodulated well by 12 weeks after planting and the numbers and weight of nodules increased markedly with phosphorus addition. Growth ofC. equisetifolia dependent on symbiotically fixed nitrogen was more sensitive to low levels of phosphorus (30 mg kg^–1 soil) than was growth of seedings supplied with combined nitrogen; at higher levels of phosphorus, the growth response curves were similar for both nitrogen fertilized and inoculated plants. The interaction between phosphorus and nitrogen treatments (inoculated and nitrogen fertilized) demonstrated that there was a greater requirement of phosphorus for symbiotic nitrogen fixation than for plant growth when soil phosphorus was low.WithAllocasuarina species, large plant to plant variation in nodulation occurred both within pots and between replicates. This result suggests genetic variation in nodulation withinAllocasuarina species. Nodulation ofAllocasuarina species did not start until 16 weeks after planting and no growth response due toFrankia inoculation was obtained at the time of harvest. Addition of nitrogen starter is suggested to boost plant growth before the establishment of the symbiosis. Growth ofAllocasuarina species fertilized with nitrogen responded to increasing levels of phosphorus up to 90 mg P/kg soil after which it declined by 69% forA. littoralis. The decrease in shoot weight ofA. littoralis, A. torulosa, C. equisetifolia andC. cunninghamiana at high phosphorus was confirmed in a sand culture experiment, and may be atributable to phosphorus toxicity.     

Root nodulation and nitrogen accumulation and partitioning in legume crops as affected by soil solarization

Soil solarization is a preplanting technique used in hot climates to control weeds and soilborne pathogens consisting of mulching the soil surface with polyethylene sheets. The increase in temperature associated with solarized soil could affect nitrogen availability for grain legume crops through effects on nitrogen fixing soil microorganisms or other mechanisms. To examine the effects of solarization on natural root nodulation and nitrogen accumulation and partitioning in the plant, two solarization field experiments were carried out over two planting seasons, involving genotypes of both faba bean (Vicia faba) and chickpea (Cicer arietinum). The effect of sowing date was also studied in the first season. Solarization increased the maximum soil temperature by 9–10 °C in the first, and by 13–15 °C in the second season. At 5 cm below the solarized soil surface, a temperature of over 46 °C prevailed for 146 and 280 h over the two respective seasons, while this temperature was not attained in unmulched soil. Solarization delayed the initiation of nodulation and consistently reduced the nodule number per host plant, but generated an approximate doubling of mean nodule weight. The total nodule mass per plant was not affected by the treatment in the first season, but was reduced in the second season. Solarization significantly increased the concentrations of NO₃^– -N, Na⁺, Zn²⁺, Ca²⁺ and K⁺ in the soil extract, and the total nitrogen accumulated in the whole plant. This latter increase was due to both higher plant growth and a greater plant nitrogen concentration. The increased nitrogen level in the plant was not uniform with respect to plant component, varying from 57% in the roots to 198% in the pods and seeds. The plants grown in non-solarized soil accumulated about 31% of their total N content in the shoots of the parasitic weed Orobanche crenata. Solarization dramatically improved grain yield by 300–900% in both seasons and in all genotypes studied, due to increased N availability in soil, N accumulation in plants, improved plant growth, and complete control of the parasite weed O. crenata. On the basis of these beneficial effects, soil solarization, which avoids site contamination and is suited to organic farming, should be a good opportunity in Mediterranean areas where the level and stability of grain yields are low, and the infestation of O. crenata is high.     

Glasshouse evaluation of the growth ofAlnus rubra andAlnus glutinosa on peat and acid brown earth soils when inoculated with four sources ofFrankia

The effects of soil type (an acid peat and 2 acid brown earths) andFrankia source (3 spore-positive crushed nodule inocula and spore-negative crushed nodules containing the singleFrankia ArI5) on nodulation, N content and growth ofAlnus glutinosa andA. rubra were determined in a glasshouse pot experiment of two years duration. Plants on all soils required additional P for growth. Growth of both species was very poor on peat withA. glutinosa superior toA. rubra. The former species was also superior toA. rubra on an acid brown earth with low pH and low P content. Some plant-inoculum combinations were of notable effectivity on particular soils but soil type was the major source of variation in plant weight. Inoculation with crushed nodules containingFrankia ArI5 only gave poor infection of the host plant, suggesting that inoculation with locally-collected crushed nodules can be a preferred alternative to inoculation withFrankia isolates of untested effectivity. Evidence of adaptation ofFrankia to particular soils was obtained. Thus, while the growth of all strains was stimulated by mineral soil extracts, inhibitory effects of peat extracts were more apparent with isolates from nodules from mineral soils than from peat, suggesting that survival ofFrankia on peat may be improved by strain selection.     

Saprophytic competence of acid tolerant strains ofRhizobium trifolii in acid soil

Summary Laboratory prescreening ofRhizobium trifolii for acid tolerance, based upon the ability of rhizobia to grow in acid media (pH 4.2) containing Al (15 M), was successful for the selection of strains capable of survival in acid soil.Both sterile and non-sterile soils of varying acidity were inoculated with several strains ofR. trifolii.Acid tolerant strains generally had significantly higher populations at every sample period than an acid sensitive strain. Amelioration of soil acidity by liming improved persistence of all strains. Soil sterilization by autoclaving adversely affected survival of all strains at each soil acidity level.Paper Number 8766 of the Journal Series, North Carolina Agricultural Research Service, Raleigh, NC 27650, USA.     

Freezing Resistance and Cryopreservation of Cell Strains of Rhaponticum carthamoides and Thalictrum minus

Effects of long-term (few months) culturing and short pregrowth (up to 7 days prior to deep freezing) in the presence of mannitol (5–6%), ABA (5.0–7.5 × 10^–5 M), or both substances on cryogenic resistance of leusea (Rhaponticum carthamoides, strains Rhs-2 and Rhs-8) and meadow rue (Thalictrum minus L., strain B-233) cell suspension cultures were studied. Cryoprotective capacities of 48 solutions were studied at slow (0.33°C/min) freezing to the temperature of liquid nitrogen with an automatic initiation of crystallization. Cells were stored in liquid nitrogen for several days or months. ABA had a cryoprotective effect, provided that subculturing intervals were 12–14 days. At more frequent subculturing (every 7 days), pregrowth on ABA-containing medium did not increase survival percentage compared to pregrowth with mannitol. Successful cryopreservation of these strains has been achieved due to strict standardization of 7-day subculturing regime, pregrowth in the presence of mannitol prior to freezing, and cryopreservation with dimethyl sulfoxide, sucrose, trehalose, and glycerol. The cell survival rates after thawing were 60% (Rhs-8), 80% (Rhs-2), and 70% (B-233). The cell growth resumed on the third to seventh day. The growth indices and protoberberine synthesizing activity in B-233 strain reached their control values at the ninth subculturing after a post-thaw recovery.     

Effects of Ruta graveolens leaves on soil characteristics and on seed germination and early seedling growth of four crop species

Effects of rue (Ruta graveolens) leaves on soil characteristics and on germination and seedling growth of four crop species (radish, zucchini, cauliflower and tomato) were investigated. Soil not previously associated with rue was mulched and amended with its fresh leaves. The objectives of the present study were to determine: (i) the changes in soil chemical characteristics after addition of rue leaves, (ii) the growth responses in soils treated with R. graveolens leaves, and (iii) whether the soil chemistry changes affect plant growth. Results indicate that soil incorporated with rue leaves had higher values of water‐soluble phenolics, electrical conductivity and nitrate, and lower pH values compared to untreated soil. Seed germination of radish and tomato was suppressed in covered and amended soils compared to control soil. Seedling development for all the species was suppressed in incorporated and amended soil, compared to the rue‐free soil. Correlations between soil chemical characteristics, germination and seedling growth of plants are also discussed.     

Actinobacterial community dynamics in long term managed grasslands

Palace Leas, a long-term experiment at Cockle Park Farm, Northumberland, UK was established in winter 1896–1897 since when the 13 plots have received regular and virtually unchanged mineral fertiliser and farm yard manure inputs. Fertilisers have had a profound impact on soil pH with the organically fertilised plots showing a significantly higher pH than those receiving mineral fertiliser where ammonium sulphate has led to soil acidification. Here, we investigate the impact of organic and mineral fertilisers on the actinobacterial community structure of these soils using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) and 16S rRNA gene analysis. To differentiate fertiliser effects from seasonal variation, soils were sampled three times over one growing season between May and September 2004 and January 2005. Community profiles obtained using T-RFLP were analysed using multivariate statistics to investigate the relationship between community structure, seasonality and fertiliser management. Soil pH was shown to be the most significant edaphic factor influencing actinobacterial communities. Canonical correspondence analysis, used to investigate the relationship between the 16S rRNA gene community profiles and the environmental parameters, showed that actinobacterial communities also responded to soil water content with major changes evident over the summer months between May and September. Quantitative PCR of the actinobacterial and fungal 16S and 18S rRNA genes, respectively suggested that fungal rRNA gene copy numbers were negatively correlated (P = 0.0131) with increasing actinobacterial signals. A similar relationship (P = 0.000365) was also evident when fatty acid methyl esters indicative of actinobacterial biomass (10-methyloctadecanoic acid) were compared with the amounts of fungal octadecadienoic acid (18:2ω9,12). These results show clearly that soil pH is a major driver of change in actinobacterial communities and that genera such as Arthrobacter and Micrococcus are particularly abundant in soils receiving organic inputs whilst others such as Streptomyces, Acidimicrobium and Actinospica are more prevalent in acid soils. The importance of these findings in terms of fungal abundance and potential disease suppression are discussed.