Temperature control of nitrogen fixation in Klebsiella pneumoniae

At growth temperatures above 37°C, Klebsiella pneumoniae does not grow in a medium containing N₂ or NO ₃ ^- as nitrogen sources. However, both the growth in the presence of other nitrogen sources as well as the in vitro nitrogenase activity are not affected at this temperature. The inability to fix N₂ at high temperature is due to the failure of the cells to synthesize nitrogenase and other nitrogen fixation (nif) gene encoded proteins. When cells grown under nitrogen fixing conditions at 30°C were shifted to 39°C, there was a rapid decrease of the rate of de novo biosynthesis of nitrogenase (component 1), nitrogenase reductase (component 2), and the nifJ gene product. There was no degradation of nitrogenase at the elevated temperature since preformed enzyme remained stable over a period of at least 3 h at 39°C. Thus, temperature seems to represent a third control system, besides NH ₄ ⁺ and O₂, governing the expression of nif genes of K. pneumoniae.     

Nodulation,nitrogen fixation and nitrogen uptake in pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp) of different maturity groups

Summary The seasonal patterns of nodulation, acetylene reduction, nitrogen uptake and nitrogen fixation were studies for 11 pigeonpea cultivars belonging to different maturity groups grown on an Alfisol at ICRISAT Center, Patancheru, India. In all cultivars the nodule number and mass increased to a maximum around 60–80 days after sowing and then declined. The nodule number and mass of medium- and late-maturing cultivars was greater than that of early-maturing cultivars. The nitrogenase activity per plant increased to 60 days after sowing and declined thereafter, with little activity at 100 days when the crop was flowering. At later stages of plant growth nodules formed down to 90 cm below the soil surface but those at greater depth appeared less active than those near the surface. All the 11 cultivars continued to accumulate dry matter until 140 days, with most biomass production by the late-maturing cultivars (up to 11 t ha⁻¹) and least by the early-maturing determinate cultivars (4 t ha⁻¹). Total nitrogen uptake ranged from 69 to 134 kg ha⁻¹. Nitrogen fixation by pigeonpea was estimated as the difference in total nitrogen uptake between pigeonpea and sorghum and could amount to 69 kg N ha⁻¹ per season, or half the total nitrogen uptake. Fixation by pigeonpea increased with crop duration, but there were differences within each maturity group. The limitations of the methods used for estimating N₂ fixation by pigeonpea are discussed. Submitted as J.A. No. 552 by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT).     

Contribution from nitrogen fixation (acetylene reduction) to the nitrogen budget of Lake Tohopekaliga (Florida)

Nitrogen fixation, as assayed by the acetylene reduction technique, provided 44% of the input of nitrogen to a lake in central Florida (Lake Tohopekaliga) during 1984. Ninety-four percent of the lake total fixation was found in the water column and associated with Anabaena spp. The lake-wide average nitrogen fixation rate of 5.7 g N/m²-yr amounted to a mass loading of 497 metric tons of nitrogen for the year, and is one of the highest nitrogen fixation rates reported.     

Fungal community assembly in soils and roots under plant invasion and nitrogen deposition

Fungal community composition in the Anthropocene is driven by rapid changes in environmental conditions caused by human activities. This study examines the relative importance of two global change drivers – atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition and annual grass invasion – on structuring fungal communities in a California chaparral ecosystem, with emphasis on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. We used molecular markers, functional groupings, generalized linear statistics and joint distribution modeling, to examine how environmental variables structure taxonomic and functional composition of fungal communities. Invasive grasses had a lower richness and relative abundance of symbiotic fungi (both AMF and other fungi) compared to native shrubs. We found a higher richness and abundance of rhizophilic (e.g. Glomeraceae) and edaphophilic (e.g. Gigasporaceae) AMF with increasing soil NO₃. Our findings suggest that invasive persistence may decrease the presence of multiple soil symbionts that native species depend on for pathogen protection and increased access to soil resources.     

Consequences of flower heliotropism for reproduction in an alpine buttercup (Ranunculus adoneus)

Summary The flowers of the alpine snow buttercup Ranunculus adoneus track the sun's movement from early morning until mid-afternoon. Individual blooms last up to a week: younger female stage flowers show greater solar tracking fidelity than older hermaphrodite or dehisced flowers. Flowers aligned parallel to the sun's rays reach mean internal temperatures several degrees Celsius above ambient air temperature. As a flower's angle of deviation from the sun increases beyond 45 degrees, internal flower temperature is significantly reduced. Fly pollinators are seen disproportionately often on flowers aligned with the sun; this is due, in part, to their greater residence time on tracking flowers. Fly visitation is important to fecundity. When flies were excluded from flowers, some selfed seeds were matured, but total seed production was much less than in either handoutcrossed or open-pollinated flowers. Flowers that were tethered at random angles to prevent solar tracking set fewer, smaller seeds than unmanipulated control flowers. Reductions in seed weight were statistically consistent at different times in the season, but tethering influenced seed number per flower most strongly in the early season. Effects of tethering on maternal reproduction could be due to either pollinator diserimination, post-pollination developmental processes, or both. In a second series of experiments using fluorescent dye particles as pollen analogs, tethered donor flowers dispersed dye to as many recipients as paired control flowers, suggesting that solar tracking fidelity may have little effect upon this component of male reproduction.     

高原鼠兔挖掘活动对土壤中氮素含量的影响

本文通过测定不同类型高原鼠兔鼠丘和鼠丘下0 ～ 10 cm 土壤中总氮、铵态氮和硝态氮的含量变化,分析了高原鼠兔挖掘活动对土壤中无机氮含量的影响,并通过测定高原鼠兔鼠丘密度,计算了每只高原鼠兔对氮素循环的贡献。研究结果表明:不同类型鼠丘土壤中总氮含量无明显变化,铵态氮、硝态氮和无机氮含量处理间变化趋势为当年鼠丘>两年鼠丘> 多年鼠丘> 对照。方差分析结果表明,硝态氮含量在5 月时差异显著,当年鼠丘和两年鼠丘显著大于多年鼠丘和对照,无机氮含量在5 月和9 月表现为当年鼠丘显著高于对照。在不同月份,铵态氮含量月间变化趋势为5 ～ 8 月逐渐降低,至9 月略有增加,硝态氮和无机氮含量呈现“高- 低- 高-低- 高”的“W”变化趋势。方差分析结果显示,铵态氮、硝态氮和无机氮含量月间变化显著。不同类型鼠丘下0 ～ 10 cm 土壤中铵态氮、硝态氮和无机氮含量处理间和月份间变化趋势与鼠丘土壤中变化趋势基本一致,但硝态氮和无机氮含量在当年鼠丘中均显著高于对照,且不同月份间铵态氮、硝态氮和无机氮的含量差异显著(P
< 0.05)。每只高原鼠兔挖掘活动所形成的鼠丘土壤中的铵态氮、硝态氮和无机氮分别增加了162.6 mg/ kg、355.1 mg/kg 和497.7 mg/ kg。     

Nodulation and symbiotic nitrogen fixation of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp)

Summary Rhizobium strains CIAT 301, CIAT 79 and SLM 602 were tested and found effective in the nodulation and nitrogen fixation of cowpea cv. MI-35 (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) plants in growth chamber experiments. Fresh weight of nodules increased with plant age initially and stabilized in 20–30 days from planting, followed by a secondary flush of nodule growth after 30 days. Apparent nitrogen fixation per gram nodule fresh weight reached a maximum in 20–30 days after planting and then decreased, even though a flush of new nodules was produced.     

Bridging the gap between micro - and macro-scale perspectives on the role of microbial communities in global change ecology

In order to understand the role microbial communities play in mediating ecosystem response to disturbances it is essential to address the methodological and conceptual gap that exists between micro- and macro-scale perspectives in ecology. While there is little doubt microorganisms play a central role in ecosystem functioning and therefore in ecosystem response to global change-induced disturbance, our ability to investigate the exact nature of that role is limited by disciplinary and methodological differences among microbial and ecosystem ecologists. In this paper we present results from an interdisciplinary graduate-level seminar class focused on this topic. Through the medium of case studies in global change ecology (soil respiration, nitrogen cycling, plant species invasion and land use/cover change) we highlight differences in our respective approach to ecology and give examples where disciplinary perspective influences our interpretation of the system under study. Finally, we suggest a model for integrating perspectives that may lead to greater interdisciplinary collaboration and enhanced conceptual and mechanistic modeling of ecosystem response to disturbance.     

湿润持续时间对生物土壤结皮固氮活性的影响

土壤可利用氮是干旱半干旱区生态系统中除水分之外的关键限制因子,研究湿润持续时间和温度变化对温性荒漠藻类结皮和藓类结皮固氮活性的影响,对于深入认识和准确评价全球变化大背景下生物土壤结皮对区域生态系统的氮贡献至关重要。通过野外调查采样,在一次较大降水事件发生后,利用开顶式生长室,采用乙炔还原法连续测定了沙坡头地区人工植被区和天然植被区两类典型生物土壤结皮固氮活性的变化,分析了湿润持续时间和模拟增温对其固氮活性的影响。研究结果表明:在经历31d持续干旱,降水发生后第4天两类结皮的固氮活性达到最大,此后随样品水分含量下降,至第10天其固氮活性将至最低;结皮固氮活性与水分含量之间呈显著的二次函数关系,其固氮活性随水分含量的增加呈先上升后下降的趋势,藻类结皮的固氮活性显著高于藓类结皮;短期模拟增温并不能显著提高其固氮活性,增温主要通过加速结皮水分散失来影响其固氮活性。上述结果反映了水分是控制生物土壤结皮固氮活性的关键因子,而实验前样品所经历的环境条件则决定了降水发生后其到达最大固氮速率的时间,野外长期观测结合控制严格的室内实验才能准确评价生物土壤结皮对区域生态系统的氮贡献。     

应用DGGE研究微生物群落时的常见问题分析

变性梯度凝胶电泳(DGGE)是通过核酸片段对微生物群落进行研究,可以监测未培养细菌及其功能基因,被广泛地应用于微生物群落多样性和动态分析,并成为微生物分子生态学研究中的重要手段之一。文中论述了DGGE操作过程中遇到的常见问题,并提出了相应的解决方法。全面分析了样品预处理过程和PCR扩增效果对DGGE分析的影响,探讨了DGGE图谱的优化过程和图谱分析方法,并对DGGE的应用前景进行了综述。     

聚乳酸材料在不同土壤环境中生物降解的菌群结构分析

【目的】评价聚乳酸(Polylactic acid,PLA)材料在不同土壤环境中自然降解的效果,通过对3种不同土壤菌群结构的分析,找到能够对聚乳酸材料有降解作用的优势菌群。【方法】通过扫描电镜、断裂拉伸强度和CO2释放量测定来评价3种土壤对PLA材料的降解效果,并运用高通量测序技术,对3种土壤细菌群落进行基因组测序分析,检测3个样本细菌群落的差异性。【结果】PLA材料在沼泽地、芒果林地和稻田中的生物降解率分别为13.7%、10.6%和4.5%。3种土壤的样品分别获得11 110、11 236和8 848个OTU,共涉及细菌域的9个主要门和16个主要科。其中沼泽地土壤的微生物群落丰富度和多样性最高,稻田土壤最低。【结论】结合土壤的降解效果,土壤中生物群落丰富度和多样性越高,对PLA材料的降解作用越好。同时变形菌门(Proteobacteria)和拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes)是降解聚乳酸材料的优势菌群。在科水平上,黄杆菌科(Flavobacteriaceae)、丛毛单胞菌科(Comamonadaceae)和噬纤维菌科(Cytophagaceae)的微生物对聚乳酸材料的降解最有潜力。这一研究成果为能有效降解聚乳酸材料的微生物资源的开发提供了理论依据。     

高原鼠兔对高寒草甸植物群落生物量的影响

2010 年和2011 年8 月在青海省果洛州矮嵩草草甸,采用样方法测定了不同密度高原鼠兔栖息地内杂草斑和秃斑植物群落特征及地上生物量的变化。结果表明:2010 年与2011 年相比,相同高原鼠兔密度的栖息地内杂草斑和秃斑植物总盖度、平均高度和总地上生物量差异不显著,但同一年份不同密度栖息地间差异显著。高原鼠兔低、中、高密度栖息地植物总盖度、平均高度和总地上生物量显著低于无鼠兔对照组(P < 0.05),不同密度间无明显变化规律。低、中、高密度栖息地的莎草、禾草和豆科植物盖度、平均高度和地上生物量显著低于无鼠兔对照组(P <0.05),秃斑上豆科植物消失;杂类草平均高度在低密度栖息地和无鼠兔对照组显著高于中、高密度栖息地(P < 0. 05),盖度和地上生物量对照组最小,随高原鼠兔密度增加呈增加趋势。2010 年和2011 年,高原鼠兔低、中、高密度栖息地内杂草斑面积分别占样地面积的4. 0% 、4.3% 、13. 3% 和3.8% 、4. 3% 、11. 0% ,秃斑面积分别占样地面积的0 2% 、2 6% 、4 0% 和0 2% 、2 2% 、3 4% ;植物损失地上生物量分别为110.84 kg/ hm² 、203. 18 kg/ hm² 、431.58 kg / hm² 和107.67 kg / hm² 、189. 46 kg / hm² 、365. 72 kg/ hm² 。高原鼠兔
的密度(x)与植物损失地上生物量(y)之间存在对数曲线关系,说明高原鼠兔的活动显著降低了植物总盖度、平均高度和总地上生物量,同时也改变了植物功能群组成。随高原鼠兔密度增加,栖息地内杂草斑、秃斑的面积和植物损失地上生物量呈增加趋势。     

Regulation of symbiotic nitrogen fixation in root nodules of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) infected with Rhizobium meliloti

Symbiotic nitrogen fixation of Rhizobium meliloti bacteroids in Medicago sativa root nodules was suppressed by several inorganic nitrogen sources. Amino acids like glutamine, glutamic acid and aspartic acid, which can serve as sole nitrogen sources for the unnodulated plant did not influence nitrogenase activity of effective nodules, even at high concentrations.Ammonia and nitrate suppressed symbiotic nitrogen fixation in vivo only at concentrations much higher than those needed for suppression of nitrogenase activity in free living nitrogen fixing bacteria. The kinetics of suppression were slow compared with that of free living nitrogen fixing bacteria. On the other hand, nitrite, which acts as a direct inhibitor of nitrogenase, suppressed very quickly and at low concentrations. Glutamic acid and glutamine enhanced the effect of ammonia dramatically, while the suppression by nitrate was enhanced only slightly.     

Differential response of six cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) cultivars to liming in an ultisol

Summary The differential response of six cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) cultivars to liming was assessed in a greenhouse trial using an Ultisol (Typic Paleudult) from southeastern Nigeria. Lime rates from 0 to 5.0 t/ha were applied to give a range of soil pH, determined in 11 soil/water from 4.25 to about 7.0. Without liming, relative dry matter yields of tops ranged between 46.6 and 76.8 percent. Significant yield responses to the first lime increment (0.5 t/ha) were observed particularly in the less tolerant cultivars and maximum yields were generally obtained with application of 1.6 to 2.5 t/ha lime.Among the six cultivars, TVu 4557 and Ife Brown were most tolerant, Vita-1 and Vita-3 were moderately tolerant, and TVu 1977-OD and TVu 4552 were least tolerant to soil acidity. The latter two cultivars were the most poorly nodulated when grown in the unlimed soil. The first lime increment enabled excellent nodulation to be achieved in all cultivars. Nitrogen analyses on tops confirmed the visual symptoms of nitrogen deficiency in two cultivars (Vita-1, TVu 1977-OD) grown in the unlimed soil. Analysis of data on chemical composition of plant tops and chemical soil characteristics gave indications that aluminium toxicity is the major growth limiting factor for cowpeas in this soil.This study, albeit with a limited range of cowpea germplasm clearly indicates that cowpea possesses considerable potential as a grain legume on strongly acid soils (pH<5.0), even in circumstances where lime is not available. Low rates of lime (0.5 t/ha or less) will greatly expand the available choice of cultivars.     

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.     

Heterotrophic nitrogen fixation (acetylene reduction) associated to flooded rice: A modified measurement technique in the field

A modifiedin situ technique for measuring heterotrophic nitrogen fixing (acetylene reducing) activity associated to rice is proposed. Ethylene evolution rates measured in opaque cylinders covering the stems of rice plants which have been cut 10 cm over the water level were found independent of the diurnal cycle. Cutting of the leaves resulted in decreased variation between plants and suppression of the acceleration of ethylene evolution rate after 12 h incubation as compared to intact plants. In both systems ethylene evolved was swept by a current of methane and the molar ratio between methane and ethylene was stabilized after 12 h. Methane evolution rates remained stable during 12 h and more than 24 h in whole plants and cut plants respectively. It is suggested that alteration in the active gas transport system after 12 h incubation under 10% acetylene may lead to erroneous evaluation of the actual ethylene production in the root's environment. The average values of ethylene evolution rates by cut plants between 12 and 24 h of incubation may be used for comparative studies of nitrogen fixing activity associated to flooded rice.     

Physiological and production responses of plant growth forms to increases in limiting resources in alpine tundra: implications for differential community response to environmental change

Physiological and growth measurements were made on forbs and graminoids following additions of water and N+water in a graminoid-dominated dry meadow and a forb-dominated moist meadow, to determine if the community-level response was related to differential responses between the growth forms. Graminoids had higher photosynthetic rates and lower transpiration rates and foliar N concentrations than forbs, and consequently maintained higher photosynthetic N- and water-use efficiencies. Photosynthetic rates, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rates increased significantly only in response to N fertilization and only in moist meadow species. The increase in photosynthetic rates was unrelated to variation in foliar N concentration, but instead correlated with variation in stomatal conductance. Growth based N-use efficiency was higher in moist meadow graminoids than in moist meadow forbs, but did not differ between the growth forms in the dry meadow. The moist meadow community had higher biomass and N standing crops, but the relative increase in these factors in response to N fertilization was greater in the dry meadow. Graminoids had a greater relative increase in biomass and N accumulation than forbs following N fertilization, but moist meadow graminoids exhibited a greater response than dry meadow graminoids. The difference in the growth response between the dry meadow and moist meadow graminoids to N fertilization was correlated with more conservative leaf gas exchange responses in dry meadow species, presumably related to a higher frequency of soil water deficits in this community. Community-level response to the resource additions was therefore mediated by the plant growth form response, corresponding with differences between the growth forms in physiological factors related to resource acquisition and use.     

Regulation of nitrogen starvation responses by the alarmone (p)ppGpp in rice

Nitrogen is an essential macronutrient for all living organisms and is critical for crop productivity and quality.In higher plants, inorganic nitrogen is absorbed through roots and then assimilated into amino acids by the highly conserved glutamine synthetase/glutamine:2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase(GS/GOGAT) cycle.How nitrogen metabolism and nitrogen starvation responses of plants are regulated remains largely unknown. Previous studies revealed that mutations in the rice ABNORMAL CYTOKININ RES...