Root hairs explain P uptake efficiency of soybean genotypes grown in a P-deficient Ferralsol

Background and aims

Incorporating soybean (Glycine max) genotypes with a high nitrogen fixation potential into cropping systems can sustainably improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Western Kenya. Nitrogen fixation is, however, often constrained by low phosphorus (P) availability. The selection of soybean genotypes for increased P efficiency could help to overcome this problem. This study investigated the contribution of different root traits to variation in P efficiency among soybean genotypes.

Methods

Eight genotypes were grown in a Ferralsol amended with suboptimal (low P) and optimal (high P) amounts of soluble P. Root hair growth was visualized by growing plants in a novel agar system where P intensity was buffered by Al₂O₃ nanoparticles.

Results

In the pot trial, P uptake was unaffected among the genotypes at high P but differed about 2-fold at low P. The genotypes differed in P uptake efficiency but not in P utilization efficiency. Regression analysis and mechanistic modeling indicated that P uptake efficiencies were to a large extent related to root hair development (length and density) and, to a lower extent, to colonization by mycorrhizal fungi.

Conclusion

Breeding for improved root hair development is a promising way to increase P uptake efficiency in soybean.     

Oxide weathering and trace metal release by bacterial reduction in a New Caledonia Ferralsol

Bacterial reduction of Fe- and Mn-oxides was studied in a surfacehorizon of a New-Caledonian Ferralsol in batch experiments. Twotreatments were imposed containing different sources of organicmatter (soil organic matter with or without glucose addition) tolink organic matter biodegradation with reduction process. Theconcomitant solubilization of Ni and Co was also studied. Resultsshowed that anaerobic Fe- and Mn-reducing bacterial activity wasresponsible for Fe- and Mn-oxide solubilization by anaerobicrespiration or fermentation. When C was more available, oxidereduction was enhanced. Mn-oxide appeared as the major reduciblephase and metal source rather than goethite. Co and Ni weresolubilized with Fe and Mn but their amounts in solutiondecreased at the end of experiment. The bioavailability of heavymetals in this soil was increased by biological reduction but waslimited by adsorption or precipitation phenomena.     

Changes of Ni biogeochemistry in the rhizosphere of the hyperaccumulator Thlaspi goesingense

Processes in the rhizosphere of metal hyperaccumulator species are largely unknown. We investigated root-induced changes of Ni biogeochemistry in the rhizosphere of Thlaspi goesingense Hálácsy in a rhizobox experiment and in related soil chemical and Ni uptake studies. In the rhizobox, a root monolayer was separated from rhizosphere soil by a nylon membrane. Rhizosphere soil was then sliced into 0.5 mm layers and analyzed for changes in soluble (water-extractable, Ni _S) and labile (1 M NH ₄NO ₃-extractable, Ni _L) Ni pools. Ni _L in the rhizosphere was depleted due to excessive uptake in T. goesingense. Ni _S in the rhizosphere increased in contrast to expectations based on the experimental Ni desorption isotherm. Mathematical simulations following the Tinker–Nye–Barber approach overestimated the depletion of the Ni _L and predicted a decrease of Ni _S in the rhizosphere. In a hydroponic experiment, we demonstrated that T. goesingense takes up Ni ²⁺ but excludes metal–organic complexes. The model output was then improved in later versions considering this finding. A sensitivity analysis identified I _max and K _m, derived from the Michaelis–Menten uptake kinetics experiment to be the most sensitive of the model parameters. The model was also sensitive to the accuracy of the estimate of the initial Ni concentration (C _Si) in soil solution. The formation of Ni–DOM complexes in solution could not explain the poor fit as in contrast to previous field experiments, the correlation between soluble Ni and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was weak. Ion competition of Ni with Ca and Mg could be ruled out as explanation of enhanced Ni solubility in the rhizosphere as the molar ratio of Ni/(Ca + Mg) in solution was not affected. However, a decreased Vanselov coefficient Kv near the root plane indicated (an apparent) lower selectivity of the exchange complex for Ni, possibly due to adsorption of oxalate exuded by T. goesingense roots or associated rhizosphere microbes. This conclusion is supported by field data, showing enhanced oxalate concentrations in the rhizosphere of T. goesingense on the same experimental soil. The implications for phytoextraction and bio-available contaminant stripping (BCS) as well as for future modeling and experimental work are discussed.     

Drought impacts on biogeochemistry and microbial processes in salt marsh sediments: a flow-through reactor approach

The effects of drought on salt marsh sediments from Sapelo Island, Georgia, were examined in flow-through reactor experiments. Three hydrological treatments were employed: a continuously flooded anoxic control, a periodic drought treatment that experienced alternate periods of flooding and drying, and a severe drought treatment, where sediment was exposed to drought (drying) for several weeks and then flooded; the effect of both buffered and non-buffered flooding solutions were examined. In permanently anoxic sediments as well as in sediments exposed to drought, organic carbon oxidation was dominated by SO₄ ^2? reduction (SR) and SR rates increased over time. The shift from anoxic to oxic conditions in drought treatments significantly altered sediment geochemistry and pathways of microbial metabolism. Drought conditions favored suboxic mineralization processes, such as Fe(III) reduction and denitrification, which was fueled by NH₄ ⁺ oxidation promoted by O₂ delivered during drought conditions. Other major drought-induced changes included pH decrease, and altered concentrations of solid phase adsorbed metals.     

Predicting invasion risk of 16 species of eucalypts using a risk assessment protocol developed for Brazil

Risk analyses are predictive systems designed to detect the risk of invasion by non‐native species. Although eucalypts are often considered moderately invasive given the extent of cultivation on a global scale, some species are widely recognized as invasive for transforming and impacting natural areas in several countries. These problems may be due to propagule pressure derived from human interest in forest production and aesthetic values. Risk analyses were carried out for 16 eucalypt species cultivated in Brazil using a protocol adapted from an Australian model to Brazilian conditions. The species were: Corymbia citriodora, Corymbia maculata, Corymbia torelliana, Eucalyptus benthamii, Eucalyptus brassiana, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Eucalyptus cloeziana, Eucalyptus dunnii, Eucalyptus globulus, Eucalyptus grandis, Eucalyptus pellita, Eucalyptus robusta, Eucalyptus saligna, Eucalyptus tereticornis, Eucalyptus urophylla and Eucalyptus viminalis. Results indicate high risk for seven species, moderate risk for eight species and low risk for one species. The only low risk species is E. dunnii, while the highest risk scores refer to C. torelliana, E. tereticornis and E. grandis. These results are consistent with the history of invasion of the species around the world and should be considered for plantations especially when investment capacity to prevent and permanently control spread is low or not associated with forest certification standards. Risk analysis is a valid tool for discriminating between species and making decisions on species to be introduced or cultivated. The results of this study show that there are many species that can be cultivated without incurring biological invasions.     

The impacts of a watershed CaCO3 treatment on stream and wetland biogeochemistry in the Adirondack Mountains

Temporal and longitudinal variations in the chemistry of two tributary streams of Woods Lake in the Adirondack Mountains of New York were monitored before and after a watershed CaCO₃ application. One subcatchment of the lake had a large beaver pond and wetland at its headwaters, while the second was free-flowing. Treatment of both subcatchments with CaCO₃ resulted in an immediate increase in acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) associated with Ca²⁺ release. The extent and duration of the response to the treatment were greater in the wetland-impacted stream. Aluminum was retained and complexed with organic solutes generated within the beaver-pond. In the free-flowing stream, NO ₃ ^– concentration increased significantly after the manipulation; this pattern was not evident in the wetland-impacted stream. Net retention of SOkinf4/sup2– was evident in the beaver pond prior to and following treatment, and this response was enhanced after the watershed liming. Comparisons of beaver pond inlet/outlet concentrations, mass balance calculations, and in-pond profiles of chemical parameters revealed patterns of retention of SO ₄ ^2– , NO ₃ ^– and Al, and release of Fe²⁺, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and NH ₄ ⁺ in the wetland during the summer before CaCO₃ treatment. Post-treatment releases of Ca²⁺ from the near-sediment zone in the beaver pond corresponded to anoxic periods in mid- to late-summer and under ice in winter. These findings demonstrate the importance of increased microbial processing of organic matter, along with high partial pressure Of CO₂ (Pco₂) in facilitating the dissolution of the applied CaCO₃. Dissolved silica (H₄SiO₄) was retained in the wetland during the summer prior to treatment but was released after the manipulation. This phenomenon may reflect the dissolution of diatom frustules or silicate minerals in the wetland at higher pH and DOC concentrations. Within two years of the CaCO₃ treatment 60% of the CaCO₃ applied to the beaver pond and surrounding wetland was dissolved and transported from the pond, in contrast to only 2.2% of the CaCO₃ applied to the upland subcatchment draining into the wetland. These results, coupled with high quantities of exchangeable Ca²⁺ found in sediments and onSphagnums mosses in the pond, demonstrate the importance of hydrologic source areas and wetlands in facilitating the dissolution of added CaCO₃ and in regulating the production of chemical species important in ANC generation.     

In situ observation of localized,sub-mm scale changes of phosphorus biogeochemistry in the rhizosphere

Plant and Soil - We imaged the sub-mm distribution of labile P and pH in the rhizosphere of three plant species to localize zones and hot spots of P depletion and accumulation along individual root...     

No-till reduces global warming potential in a subtropical Ferralsol

Aims

We investigated the link between tree community composition and soil microbial community biomass and structure in central-eastern Spain.

Methods

The effects of the forest stand composition on the soil organic matter dynamics and on the structure and activity of the soil microbial community have been determined using phospholipid fatty acid profiles and soil enzymatic activities.

Results

The soil and litter N and C contents were higher in Pinus nigra Arn. ssp. salzmannii and Quercus ilex mixed forest stands (SBHO) and in long-term unmanaged Pinus nigra Arn. ssp. salzmannii forest stands (SBPC) than in pure Pinus nigra Arn. ssp. salzmannii forest stands (SBPA) and Pinus nigra Arn. ssp. salzmannii and Juniperus thurifera mixed forest stands (SBSJ). The bacterial biomass was significantly higher in SBSJ and SBPA than in SBPC and SBHO. The results show an uncoupling of the soil microbial biomass and its activity. pH is related to microbial biomass and its community structure under a Mediterranean humid climate.

Conclusions

The tree species seem to affect the biomass of the soil microbial community and its structure. The pH, but not the C/N ratio, is a factor influencing the microbial dynamics, biomass, and community structure.     

Rainfall variability and Twareg perceptions of climate impacts in Niger

A survey was conducted among the pastoral Twareg of Niger on their perceptions of rainfall impacts for each year from 1947 through 1988. The herders saw drought as a prolonged process with a multi-year onset that culminated in a single year of extreme crisis and abated gradually. The identified crisis years, 1973 and 1984, corresponded with historical rainfall data that showed each of these to have been the second consecutive year of extreme drought. Single years of drought, which may have served as red-flag signals of impending crisis scenarios, were not identified by the herders. Rainfall measurements from the zone of extensive cultivation, south of the pastoral habitat, did not correlate well with key crisis years or the herders' perceptions. Neither did national-level livestock market statistics. It was concluded that rainfall was a reliable indicator for a drought early warning system for the northern Sahel, provided that the measurements were taken from an ecologically-defined pastoral habitat.This paper was written while the author was a research affiliate at the University of Florida Center for African Studies.     

Diversity and potential biogeochemical impacts of viruses in bulk and rhizosphere soils

Viruses can affect microbial dynamics, metabolism and biogeochemical cycles in aquatic ecosystems. However, viral diversity and functions in agricultural soils are poorly known, especially in the rhizosphere. We used virome analysis of eight rhizosphere and bulk soils to study viral diversity and potential biogeochemical impacts in an agro-ecosystem. The order Caudovirales was the predominant viral type in agricultural soils, with Siphoviridae being the most abundant family. Phylogenetic analysis of the terminase large subunit of Caudovirales identified high viral diversity and three novel groups. Viral community composition differed significantly between bulk and rhizosphere soils. Soil pH was the main environmental driver of the viral community structure. Remarkably, abundant auxiliary carbohydrate-active enzyme (CAZyme) genes were detected in viromes, including glycoside hydrolases, carbohydrate esterases and carbohydrate-binding modules. These results demonstrate that virus-encoded putative auxiliary metabolic genes or metabolic genes that may change bacterial metabolism and indirectly contribute to biogeochemical cycling, especially carbon cycling, in agricultural soil.     

Nitrogen fixation (C2H2 reduction) in soil samples from rhizosphere of rice grown under alternate flooded and nonflooded conditions

Summary In a greenhouse study the influence of alternate flooded and nonflooded conditions on the N₂-ase activity of rice rhizosphere soil was investigated by C₂H₂ reduction assay. The soil fraction attached to roots represent the rhizosphere soil. Soil submergence always accelerated N₂-ase and this effect was more pronounced in planted system. Moreover, rice plant exhibited phase-dependent N₂-ase with a maximum activity at 60 days after transplanting. The alternate flooded and nonflooded regimes resulted in alterations of the N₂-ase activity. Thus, the N₂-ase activity increased following a shift from nonflooded to flooded conditions, but the activity decreased when the flooded soil was returned to nonflooded condition by draining. However, the differential influence of the water regime on N₂-ase was not marked in prolonged flooded-nonflooded cycles. Microbial analysis indicated the stimulation of different groups of free-living and associative N₂-fixing microorganisms depending on the water regime.     

Acetylene reduction in gnotobiotic cultures with rhizosphere bacteria and wheat

Summary In comparison with other crop species, sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) has been found to be very tolerant of high manganese (Mn) concentrations in nutrient solution. Furthermore, sunflower was able to accumulate high Mn concentrations in plant tops without apparent detrimental effect on growth. The first symptom of excess Mn supply (c. 30M Mn in solution) was the appearance of small, dark-brown to black spots (<0.5 mm in diameter) on lower stems and on petioles and blades of the lower leaves. The spots were not necrotic and were visibly associated with the trichomes on these plant parts. Electron microprobe techniques demonstrated an accumulation of Mn in and around the trichomes. A compartmentation mechanism is suggested whereby sunflower is able to tolerate high Mn concentrations in its tissues through localization of Mn in a metabolically inactive form.At Mn concentrations approximately 6 times higher than that required to produce the small, dark spots, the upper recently-expanded leaves developed a veinal chlorosis and severe leaf crinkling of the interveinal areas. Dark brown lesions (>2 mm in size) developed on the lower leaves, especially along the veins. A concentration of 2205 g Mn g^–1 in the tops was associated with a 10% reduction in plant dry matter yield.     

Mineral nutrition and reduction processes in the rhizosphere of rice

Summary The influence of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium on the reduction processes in the rhizosphere of rice grown in solution culture and of rice under lowland conditions was studied. In solution culture the redox potential in the complete nutrient solution was highest, indicating that fully nourished roots have the highest oxidizing power. When the supply of only one element was interrupted, the lack of potassium in the nutrient solution caused the greatest decline in redox potential. Redox potential was further decreased when, besides nitrogen, either phosphorus or potassium was discontinued. Simultaneous deficiencies of nitrogen and potassium lowered redox potential even more severely than did deficiency of all three elements. A long-term nitrogen fertilizer trial under lowland conditions, however, revealed that an abundant supply of nitrogen can decrease redox potential. Redox potential was higher in the soil near plants than in the soil away from plants. In solution culture, at low Eh levels, the increase in iron reducing power of the solution was correlated with the decrease in redox potential. The total number of bacteria and iron reducing bacteria increased almost parallel to the decrease in redox potential and increase in iron reducing power. These relationships show that the nutritional status of the rice plant essentially influences bacterial activity and, thus, oxidation-reduction conditions around the roots. Since sufficient potassium nutrition seems important in maintaining the oxidising power of rice roots, root growth in a potassium deficient soil with K application was compared with root growth without K application. Without potassium the fine lateral roots far from the root base showed black coloration due to ferrous sulfide, indicating a loss of oxidising power. With increasing potassium supply, this phenomenon disappeared and the iron content of the rice plants decreased. re]19751208     

Manganese reduction in the rhizosphere of mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal maize

The influence of rhizosphere microorganisms and vesicular-arbuscular (VA) mycorrhiza on manganese (Mn) uptake in maize (Zea mays L. cv. Tau) plants was studied in pot experiments under controlled environmental conditions. The plants were grown for 7 weeks in sterilized calcareous soil in pots having separate compartments for growth of roots and of VA mycorrhizal fungal hyphae. The soil was left either uninoculated (control) or prior to planting was inoculated with rhizosphere microorganisms only (MO-VA) or with rhizosphere microorganisms together with a VA mycorrhizal fungus [Glomus mosseae (Nicol and Gerd.) Gerdemann and Trappe] (MO+VA). Mycorrhiza treatment did not affect shoot dry weight, but root dry weight was slightly inhibited in the MO+VA and MO-VA treatments compared with the uninoculated control. Concentrations of Mn in shoots decreased in the order MO-VA > MO+VA > control. In the rhizosphere soil, the total microbial population was higher in mycorrhizal (MO+VA) than nonmycorrhizal (MO-VA) treatments, but the proportion of Mn-reducing microbial populations was fivefold higher in the nonmycorrhizal treatment, suggesting substantial qualitative changes in rhizosphere microbial populations upon root infection with the mycorrhizal fungi. The most important microbial group taking part in the reduction of Mn was fluorescent Pseudomonas. Mycorrhizal treatment decreased not only the number of Mn reducers but also the release of Mn-solubilizing root exudates, which were collected by percolation from maize plants cultivated in plastic tubes filled with gravel quartz sand. Compared with mycorrhizal plants, the root exudates of nonmycorrhizal plants had two fold higher capacity for reduction of Mn. Therefore, changes in both rhizosphere microbial population and root exudation are probably responsible for the lower acquisition of Mn in mycorrhizal plants.     

Linking transpiration reduction to rhizosphere salinity using a 3D coupled soil-plant model

Background and aims

In cold biomes, litter decomposition, which controls the nutrient availability for plants and the ecosystem carbon budget, is strongly influenced by climatic conditions. In this study, focused on the early litter decay within snowbed habitats, the magnitude of the short- and long-term influences of climate warming, the direction of the effects of warmer temperature and advanced snowmelt, and the control of microclimatic features and plant traits were compared.

Methods

Combining experimental warming and space-for-time substitution, mass loss and nutrient release of different plant functional types were estimated in different climatic treatments with the litter bag method.

Results

Plant functional types produced a larger variation in the early-decomposition compared to that produced by climatic treatments. Litter decay was not affected by warmer summer temperatures and reduced by advanced snowmelt. Structural-related plant traits exerted the major control over litter decomposition.

Conclusions

Long-term effects of climate warming, resulting from shifts in litter quality due to changes in the abundance of plant functional types, will likely have a stronger impact on plant litter decomposition than short-term variations in microclimatic features. This weaker response of litter decay to short-term climate changes may be partially due to the opposite influences of higher summer temperatures and advanced snowmelt time.     

Using tree population size structures to assess the impacts of cattle grazing and eucalypts plantations in subtropical South America

To evaluate the effects of distinct management of the matrix in which forest fragments are found upon plant populations thriving in forest remnants in south Brazil, we assessed the conservation status of populations of four woody species (Campomanesia rhombea, Diospyros incontans, Myrciaria cuspidata and Sebastiania commersoniana) through analyses of size structure. Analyzes were carried out at two scales. At a local scale, we consider populations in fragments surrounded by pastures or eucalypts forest plantations, and at a regional scale we also consider larger forest tracts taken as reference areas (Rio Grande do Sul Forest Inventory databank). Population size structures were summarized using the symmetry of height distributions. Small individual size classes prevailed at the local scale in fragments surrounded by eucalypts plantations, whereas in areas exposed to cattle ranching, populations of the same species consistently lack small individuals. At the regional scale, populations in fragments surrounded by pastures presented greater skewness (prevalence of small plants) than populations in reference areas, while populations surrounded by eucalypts plantations presented intermediate skewness. These results reinforce the notion that plantations have a higher conservation value for forest ecosystems than other commercial land uses, like cattle ranching.     

Survival of potentially pathogenic human-associated bacteria in the rhizosphere of hydroponically grown wheat

Plants may serve as reservoirs for human-associated bacteria (H-AB) in long-term space missions containing bioregenerative life support systems. The current study examined the abilities of five human-associated potential pathogens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas cepacia, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes and Escherichia coli, to colonize and grow in the rhizosphere of hydroponically grown wheat, a candidate crop for life support. All of these bacteria have been recovered from past NASA missions and present potential problems for future missions. The abilities of these organisms to adhere to the roots of axenic five-day-old wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Yecora rojo) were evaluated by enumeration of the attached organisms after a one hour incubation of roots in a suspension (approximately 10(8) cfu ml-1) of the H-AB. Results showed that a greater percentage of P. aeruginosa cells adhered to the wheat roots than the other four H-AB. Similarly incubated seedlings were also grown under attempted axenic conditions for seven days to examine the potential of each organism to proliferate in the rhizosphere (root colonization capacity). P. cepacia and P. aerogiunosa showed considerable growth, E. coli and S. aureus showed no significant growth, and S. pyogenes died off in the wheat rhizosphere. Studies examining the effects of competition on the survival of these microorganisms indicated that P. aeruginosa was the only organism that survived in the rhizosphere of hydroponically grown wheat in the presence of different levels of microbial competition.     

Influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on zinc biogeochemistry in the rhizosphere of Lindenbergia philippensis growing in zinc-contaminated sediment

The association of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) with the roots of Lindenbergia philippensis (Cham.) Benth., sampled from a Zn-contaminated settling pond at a zinc smelter, significantly enhanced Zn accumulation (72,540 ± 5,092 mg kg^?1 dry weight) in rhizosphere sediment amended with 1,000 mg L^?1 of Zn sulfate solution compared to fungicide-treatments that suppressed AMF colonization. This can be explained by a significant proportion of Zn being found in rectangular crystals that were associated with the root mucilaginous sheath. Despite this, all treatments maintained the same Zn coordination geometry in both Zn oxidation state and the coordinated neighbouring atoms. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) showed a Zn(II) oxidation state as a core atom and associated with six oxygen atoms symmetrically arranged in an octahedral coordination and coordinated with sulfur. The results may indicate a role for AMF in enhancing Zn immobilization in the rhizosphere of indigenous plants that successfully colonize Zn mining and smelting disposal sites.