Character of interactions of saprophytic soil microflora via gaseous metabolites

The character of interaction between saprophytic soil bacteria via gaseous metabolites was studied. It was established that, at the metabolic level, a diverse character of interspecies interrelationships between bacteria exist, directly influencing their reproduction and preservation in soil. Volatile compounds produced by bacteria are able to act as both intra-and interspecies regulators of microbial communities. The soil microbiocenosis composition may be therefore regulated by volatile products of metabolism of saprophytic soil bacteria. Methanol released by bacteria into the environment plays an important role in this process.     

Character of interactions of saprophytic soil microflora via gaseous metabolites

The character of interaction between saprophytic soil bacteria via gaseous metabolites was studied. It was established that, at the metabolic level, a diverse character of interspecies interrelationships between bacteria exist, directly influencing their reproduction and preservation in soil. Volatile compounds produced by bacteria are able to act as both intra- and interspecies regulators of microbial communities. The soil microbiocenosis composition may be therefore regulated by volatile products of metabolism of saprophytic soil bacteria. Methanol released by bacteria into the environment plays an important role in this process.     

Hyphal growth and mycorrhiza formation by the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus claroideum BEG 23 is stimulated by humic substances

Effects of humic substances (humic acid or fulvic soil extract) or saprophytic microorganisms (Paecilomyces lilacinus and an unidentified actinomycete) on growth of mycelium and mycorrhiza formation by Glomus claroideum BEG23 were studied in a hydroponic system. Humic substances stimulated root colonization and production of extraradical mycelium by the mycorrhizal fungus. Both humic and fulvic acids tended to decrease populations of culturable bacteria and fungi in the cultivation system, indicating a moderately antibiotic activity. The addition of saprophytic microorganisms able to use humic substances to the cultivation system further stimulated the development of the mycorrhizal fungus. However, stimulation of G. claroideum was also observed when the saprophytic microorganisms were heat-killed, suggesting that their effect was not linked to a specific action on humic substances. The results indicate that humic substances may represent a stimulatory component of the soil environment with respect to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.     

地下水脱卤过程中的微生物种间代谢互作：提高原位氯代烯烃厌氧脱氯效能的有效途径

有机卤呼吸细菌(organohalide-respiring bacteria, OHRB)在氯代烯烃污染地下水的原位生物修复中扮演着关键性的角色,提高其丰度及活性对氯代烯烃的完全去除具有重要意义。在实际环境中,有机卤呼吸细菌往往与多种微生物共存,微生物种间代谢互作现象十分普遍,有机污染物的完全无害化往往需要通过微生物菌群的协同代谢作用来实现。因此,本文围绕微生物种间代谢互作进行综述,对目前获得的脱氯微生物菌种资源及脱氯机理进行了回顾,重点阐述了专性OHRB、非专性OHRB和非OHRB的种间代谢互作行为及机制,并提出以种间代谢互作为指导进行合成微生物群落的构建来有效提高氯代烯烃厌氧生物降解效率,为实现环境氯代烯烃类有机污染物的快速、彻底无害化提供理论指导。     

The microbiology of soils under successive wheat crops in relation to take-all disease

Abstract Thirty-eight wheat fields in southern England were sampled in an attempt to correlate the amount of take-all disease with 35 microbiological and chemical measurements of soil. There was little correlation between field take-all and pot tests to determine soil infectivity. Myxogastrids were important components of the soil population, being up to half of the amoebal population, and most soils contained dictyostelids, reticulate amoebae and myxobacteria. Amoebae, ciliates, bacteria and saprophytic fungi were recorded for all soils. pH was a major determinant of soil populations, being clearly correlated with fungal abundance and with numbers of ciliates, dictyostelids and bacteria. Principal component analysis separated dictyostelids from the other soil amoebae and again showed the importance of pH in determining soil microbial populations. Take-all was negatively correlated with soil fertility and positively related to nematodes and myxobacteria, but this was probably an effect of take-all, and represented saprophytic growth on dead roots rather than being a cause. Reticulate amoebae and dictyostelids were both correlated with low levels of take-all. This study emphasises the large number of interrelated populations of soil microorganisms which could have an effect on the severity of take-all infections.     

Plant species richness,identity and productivity differentially influence key groups of microbes in grassland soils of contrasting fertility

The abundance of microbes in soil is thought to be strongly influenced by plant productivity rather than by plant species richness per se. However, whether this holds true for different microbial groups and under different soil conditions is unresolved. We tested how plant species richness, identity and biomass influence the abundances of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), saprophytic bacteria and fungi, and actinomycetes, in model plant communities in soil of low and high fertility using phospholipid fatty acid analysis. Abundances of saprophytic fungi and bacteria were driven by larger plant biomass in high diversity treatments. In contrast, increased AMF abundance with larger plant species richness was not explained by plant biomass, but responded to plant species identity and was stimulated by Anthoxantum odoratum. Our results indicate that the abundance of saprophytic soil microbes is influenced more by resource quantity, as driven by plant production, while AMF respond more strongly to resource composition, driven by variation in plant species richness and identity. This suggests that AMF abundance in soil is more sensitive to changes in plant species diversity per se and plant species composition than are abundances of saprophytic microbes.     

基于分子生态学网络探究亚高山草甸退化对土壤微生物群落的影响

土壤微生物群落在草地生态系统功能中发挥着至关重要的作用,但目前尚不清楚微生物群落的分子生态网络如何响应亚高山草甸退化。以五台山4个不同退化阶段(未退化、轻度退化、中度退化和重度退化)亚高山草甸为研究对象,利用高通量测序和随机矩阵网络构建理论构建土壤微生物群落分子生态网络。探讨草地退化对亚高山草甸土壤微生物群落结构及网络的影响,不同退化程度下微生物网络结构中的关键微生物变化规律以及该过程中微生物之间的互作关系。研究结果表明,不同退化程度亚高山草甸土壤微生物(细菌、真菌和细菌-真菌)网络拓扑属性存在差异。总体上,退化增加了土壤细菌内部、真菌内部以及细菌-真菌群落间的相互作用,导致其网络结构更为复杂。未退化草甸土壤微生物网络具有较长的平均路径距离和较高的模块性,使其比退化草甸更能抵抗外界环境的变化,在应对人为干扰或者气候变化时可能具有更高的稳定性。退化草甸中的网络关键物种(模块枢纽和连接器)与未退化草甸明显不同。土壤含水量和pH与亚高山草甸土壤细菌、真菌以及整个微生物网络连通度均显著相关(P<0.05),总氮和硝氨态氮含量与土壤真菌和微生物网络连通度呈显著相关(P<0.05)。亚...     

The impact of soil organism composition and activated carbon on grass-legume competition

Belowground mechanisms involved in plant competition are still poorly understood. Since plant species are differently affected by soil organisms, changes in soil community composition might affect interspecific competition with consequences for plant community structure. We studied whether soil community composition affects competition between the grass Holcus lanatus L. and the legume Lotus corniculatus L. We established three different soil communities by adding no soil organisms (control), microorganisms <30 μm, and a soil suspension including microorganisms >30 μm, AMF and nematodes to gamma-sterilized soil. Nodulation and aboveground biomass of Lotus was decreased in the sterilized control soil and in the presence of Holcus. Contrastingly, the grass grew better in the presence of the legume than in monoculture and was not affected by soil community composition. Legume monocultures tended to produce the greatest aboveground biomass of the plant combinations when soil microorganisms were present, while the root biomass in legume monocultures was the lowest. Then, in a second experiment, we used natural (not sterilized) soil and added activated carbon to test whether the reduced nodulation of Lotus in interspecific competition is caused by allelopathic compounds of Holcus. In the natural soil, nodulation and flowering of Lotus was reduced, but the aboveground biomass was not affected by the competition with Holcus. Contrary to our expectations, activated carbon had a strong negative effect on the nodulation, growth and flowering of Lotus and shifted the interspecific competition in favour of Holcus. Probably, activated carbon impeded the nodulation by disrupting the communication between the legume and N₂-fixing bacteria. We suggest that interruption of plant-microbe communications by activated carbon might be widespread and will confound interpretations on the role of allelopathy. Generally, we observed that the symbiosis of the legume with N₂-fixing bacteria plays a crucial role in the grass-legume competition. When the symbiosis was deterred, the legume was outcompeted by the grass.     

Oxygen control inRhizobium

Rhizobia are gram-negative bacteria with two distinct habitats: the soil rhizosphere in which they have a saprophytic and, usually, aerobic life and a plant ecological niche, the legume nodule, which constitutes a microoxic environment compatible with the operation of the nitrogen reducing enzyme nitrogenase. The purpose of this review is to summarize the present knowledge of the changes induced in these bacteria when shifting to a microoxic environment. Oxygen concentration regulates the expression of two major metabolic pathways: energy conservation by respiratory chains and nitrogen fixation. After reviewing the genetic data on these metabolic pathways and their response to oxygen we will put special emphasis on the regulatory molecules which are involved in the control of gene expression. We will show that, although homologous regulatory molecules allow response to oxygen in different species, they are assembled in various combinations resulting in a variable regulatory coupling between genes for microaerobic respiration and nitrogen fixation genes. The significance of coordinated regulation of genes not essential for nitrogen fixation with nitrogen fixation genes will also be discussed.     

Vertical Distribution of Bacteria in Forest Lakes of Karelia

Biology Bulletin - Abstract—The total abundance of bacteria, the number of saprophytic, oligotrophic, and sulfate-reducing microorganisms, the shapes of bacterial cells, the primary and...     

Relations between soil microflora and CO2 evolution upon decomposition of cellulose

Summary The investigation was carried out to study the relation between CO₂ evolution and the changes in microflora in the case of cellulose-decomposition in soil with special attention to the heterogeneity of soil crumbs.The rates of CO₂ evolution correlated with the number of Gram-negative bacteria, while the number of cellulose-decomposing microorganisms did not. The Gram-negative bacteria probably contribute directly to CO₂ evolution by decomposing simple sugars produced from cellulose by cellulose-decomposing microorganisms. Both the Gram-negative bacteria and cellulose-decomposing microorganisms seemed to grow luxuriantly on the surface area of soil crumbs with added cellulose powder. Therefore, it is speculated that there is a cooperation between the Gram-negative bacteria and the cellulose-decomposing microorganisms with respect to cellulose decomposition in soil. The main locus where this reaction takes place may be the surface area of soil crumbs.This work was carried out at the Laboratory of Microbiology, Agricultural University, Wageningen, The Netherlands during author's stay as guest researcher.     

蚯蚓与微生物的相互作用

蚯蚓从成体到卵内均有微生物,微生物来源于蚯蚓生活的环境,在消化消化道时,随食物进入体内的真菌营养体及大部分细菌被杀死,只有真菌的孢子和部分细菌仍保持生活力,生长缓慢的细菌通过蚯蚓消化道后群体下降;而生长快的细菌,由于在消化道内迅速繁殖,在蚯蚓排泄物中的群体数量甚至会超过进入蚯蚓体内时的数量,蚯蚓能促进土表有益和致病微生物在土壤内从向传播,但也能减轻由病原真菌引起的病害。真菌是蚯蚓食物的一部分,消化     

Bacterial Diversity of East Calcutta Wet Land Area: Possible Identification of Potential Bacterial Population for Different Biotechnological Uses

The extent of microbial diversity in nature is still largely unknown, suggesting that there might be many more useful products yet to be identified from soil microorganisms. This insight provides the scientific foundation for a renewed interest in examining soil microorganisms for novel commercially important products. This has led us to access the metabolic potential of soil microorganisms via cultivation strategy. Keeping this in mind, we have performed a culture-dependent survey of important soil bacterial community diversity in East Calcutta Wetland area (Dhapa Landfill Area). We describe isolation of 38 strains, their phenotypic and biochemical characterization, and finally molecular identification by direct sequencing of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified 16S rRNA gene products. We have isolated and identified strains able to fix nitrogen, produce extracellular enzymes like protease, cellulase, xylanase, and amylase, and solubilize inorganic phosphates. Some isolates can synthesize extracellular insecticidal toxins. We find a good correlation between biochemical and phenotypic behavior and the molecular study using 16S rRNA gene of the isolates. Furthermore, our findings clearly indicate the composition of cultivable soil bacteria in East Calcutta Wetland Area.     

Evaluation of Bacillus thuringiensis bioinsecticidal protein effects on soil microorganisms

The effect of B. thuringiensis and its crystal protein on plant growth and on functional groups of microorganisms is not well understood. Soybean (Glycine max) var. Br 322 was grown in non-sterile soil infested with three B. thuringiensis (Bt) inocula: insecticidal crystal protein producer (Cry+), a mutant non-producer (Cry–), or insecticidal crystal protein (ICP), at a rate of 10⁷ cells g^–1 dry soil or 1.25 mg of protein g^–1 dry soil. Non-inoculated plants were maintained as control. Measurements were carried out on soil samples before sowing (time zero) and after sowing and inoculation (5, 15, 25, 35 and 45 d) on samples of rhizosphere soil. The effect of spore and crystal protein produced by B. thuringiensis on the populations of functional groups of microorganisms (bacteria including actinomycetes and fungi) involved in the biogeochemical cycling of carbon (cellulolytic, amylolytic and proteolytic), phosphorus (arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi), and nitrogen (number of nodules and proteolytic) were evaluated. Population sizes of culturable heterotrophic bacteria and saprophytic fungi were also evaluated. No difference was found in heterotrophic bacterial populations inoculated with B. thuringiensis. Difference was observed in functional groups of C-cycling microorganisms. Nodule formation and plant growth were increased by Cry+ strain and ICP when compared with uninoculated plants. Crystal protein did not show any effect on arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) colonization. However, a deleterious effect was observed with Cry+ and Cry– strains that inhibited colonization of AM fungi when compared with uninoculated plants.     

Controls for rhizosphere microorganisms to study effects of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae on Artemisia tridentata

Seven treatments were set up to test the effects of vesicular-arbuscular (VA) mycorrhizal fungi and other rhizosphere microorganisms on the growth of Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata. Soil sievings had no significant effect on root or shoot mass. Spores and surface-sterile spores were a poor inoculum source, but roots and fresh soil caused 45–75% mycorrhizal infection. Whereas root-inoculated plants still had low growth responses by the end of the experiment, fresh soil inoculum caused the greatest response, and partial fresh inoculum caused a lesser response. These results suggest that fresh soil is an appropriate inoculum for this plant-fungal-soil system, and that the major effect on plant growth of the fresh soil inoculum is from the mycorrhizal fungi and not from the other microorganisms, because the sievings had no effect on plant growth. In addition, soil dilution plating of saprophytic fungi showed 85% species similarity between sterile and fresh soil inoculum by the end of the experiment. Since the effects of non-VA microorganisms are complex and varied, we suggest that researchers work out the type of mycorrhizal controls that best suit their system.     

熏蒸剂溴甲烷对农田土壤微生物的影响

土壤微生物是反应土壤健康状况最敏感的生物学指标,溴甲烷残留不仅消耗臭氧层,影响生态平衡,还会造成土壤质量恶化和微生物群落结构的变化。为明确溴甲烷对农田土壤微生物群落结构及生态过程的影响,以兰州市红古区连续两年种植草莓的土壤为研究对象,测定熏蒸剂溴甲烷处理后土壤微生物量碳、基础呼吸、诱导呼吸和微生物代谢熵等相关指标,并运用磷脂脂肪酸法(PLFA)测定不同类群微生物的变化。结果表明:经溴甲烷熏蒸处理至培养结束(第90天)时土壤微生物基础呼吸和诱导呼吸分别下降0.6%和16.2%,并且与对照皆差异显著(P 0.05);微生物量碳培养结束时与对照差异显著(P 0.05),且减少5.6%;总体上微生物基础呼吸、诱导呼吸和微生物量碳都呈现先下降后逐渐恢复的趋势;微生物代谢熵(q CO_2)第15天后都高于对照,但随培养时间延长,处理组和对照组的差值逐渐降低,到培养期结束仍未恢复,相差5.1%。溴甲烷对土壤细菌(B)、真菌(F)和革兰氏阴性菌(GN)、革兰氏阳性菌(GP)都存在抑制作用; B、F含量分别较对照下降0.64%—8.72%、0.03%—5.61%;到培养期结束时,GP的量下降0.26%,GN下降10.42%,GN对溴甲烷的敏感性强于GP,且GN的变化具有滞后性;溴甲烷处理降低了B/F和GN/GP,但对GN/GP影响比对B/F的更为显著,土壤微生物压力指数增加。综上,说明施用溴甲烷使农田土壤微生物受到了长期的、持续的外源压力胁迫,溴甲烷在对有害微生物杀死的同时,也对有益微生物造成极大的伤害,不利于土壤优良性状的保持,使土壤中微生物丰富度和多样性下降。因此,实际应用中应充分考虑溴甲烷对土壤微生物带来的负面影响。     

Microbial conversion of daunomycin wastes in unsteril soil inoculated with Bjerkandera adusta R59

Effect of cooperation between native soil microorganisms and white-rot fungus Bjerkandera adusta R59 on degradation of daunomycin post-production wastes in soil was described. Pure cultures of B. adusta R59 strain were capable to decolorize and decompose that cytostatic xenobiotic in liquid media. Presence of R59 strain in studied daunomycin waste/soil systems increased the rate of the antibiotic conversion. The markers of that process were changes of waste biomass or daunomycin concentration (in pulp) and phenolics level and peroxidase activity (in effluent). It was shown that daunomycin in the wastes may be metabolized even up to 20% of its initial concentration. This effect was conjugated with the propagation of native soil microorganisms (microfungi and bacteria) more significant than in parallel system without R59 strain.     

Ecological and biological maintenance of sapronoses exemplified by melioidosis

The growth and death of Pseudomonas pseudomallei, the causative agent of melioidosis, in the soil and the antigenic properties of this microorganism in the soil, in culture media, and in the body of animals have been studied. As revealed in this study, P. pseudomallei can grow in nonsterile soil substrates without the loss of virulence and changes in its antigenic structure. In the body of animals this microorganism rapidly adapts its virulence to host species by the transformation of its antigenic structure. The pathogenicity factors of P. pseudomallei are mainly thermolabile antigens, probably exoenzymes. This microorganism has been shown to have close ecological relations with abiotic environmental objects. The author suggests that the type of relationship between saprophytic microorganisms acting as causative agents of diseases and warm-blooded hosts should be characterized as pseudoparasitic.     

有机污染土壤电动修复过程中微生物的分布特征及模型构建

外加电场下土壤微生物会发生快速繁殖和定向迁移.本研究在十四烷污染土壤中不同位置投加十四烷高效降解菌,并施加1 V·cm^-1的单向直流电场,考察目标菌群的迁移分布及降解特征.结果表明:微生物受电渗析和电泳作用分别向阴极和阳极迁移,电渗析迁移量是电泳的3.5倍.同时,施加电场还会使土壤环境在空间上存在差异进而影响微生物生长,施加电场的土壤中微生物数量平均值为1.16×10⁸ CFU·g^-1 (6 d),是不施加电场处理组的2.3倍;S₂～S₄区是微生物的高效生长区域,电动30 d后,区域平均数量是阴阳极的2.8～3.5倍,是对照处理组的2.1倍.十四烷降解率与微生物数量呈显著正相关关系(r=0.895, P<0.05),最佳降解区域在近阴极区(S₄),可达94.6%.基于试验结果模拟,建立了环境因子修正的电动区域微生物分布模型.该模型结合电动激活和电动运移作用对土壤微生物的叠加影响,实现了定点投加微生物在电动过程中数量的分布模拟.研究结果可为外源功能菌在电动-微生物修复有机污染土壤中的高效引入提供理论依据.     

浓香型白酒发酵过程微生物合成正丙醇途径解析

【目的】揭示浓香型白酒窖内发酵过程与正丙醇合成相关的微生物和代谢途径。【方法】通过对浓香型白酒窖内发酵过程酒醅中微生物的宏转录组进行分析,解析与正丙醇合成相关的微生物和代谢途径,并验证相关微生物合成正丙醇的能力。【结果】浓香型白酒窖内发酵过程中有3条可能的酒醅微生物合成正丙醇的途径。真菌主要通过2-甲基苹果酸代谢途径和苏氨酸代谢途径合成正丙醇,细菌则主要通过丙酸代谢途径合成并参与苏氨酸代谢途径。宏转录组测序分析表明,这3条途径对白酒窖内发酵过程正丙醇的合成与积累均有贡献,并且微生物通过这3条途径合成正丙醇的时期和能力存在较大差异。此外,对分离自酒醅的酵母和乳酸菌合成正丙醇能力分析发现,它们均与浓香型白酒窖内发酵过程正丙醇的合成有关。【结论】本研究揭示了浓香型白酒窖内发酵过程中正丙醇合成相关的微生物和代谢途径,为阐明白酒发酵过程中正丙醇的形成机制奠定了理论基础。