Nodulation and nitrogen fixation on vegetative soybean plants as affected by photoperiod and gibberellic acid

Long-day photoperiods and applications of gibberellic acid promoted shoot growth by stimulating leaf enlargement as a result of increasing avaliable photosynthates, which was also reflected in the higher leaf, stem and nodule plant dry weights. Short-day plants had more nodules, but they were smaller (by weight) than those of long-day plants. Gibberellic acid at 1.5×10^–6 m enhanced nodule growth without preventing nodule formation. Factors other than just gibberellic acid are concluded to be involved in the responses of nodulation and nitrogen fixation to day length.

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Résumé Des photopériodes de longue journée et l'application d'acide gibbérellique a promu la croissance des pousses en stimulant l'élargissement des feuilles. Celle-ci résuitalent d'un accroissement de photosynthates disponibles. Cet effet s'est aussi réflecté dans un accroissement de la masse de feullies, de tiges et de nodules chez la plante. Des plants soumis à des photopériodes de courte journée présentaient plus de nodules mais ceux-ci étaient plus petits et de masse moindre que ceux de plants soumis à des photopériode de longue journée. L'acide gibbérellique à la dose de 1.5 10^–6 m a accru la croissance des nodules sans empêcher la formation des nodules. On a conclu que des facteurs autres que le seul acide gibbérellique sont mêlés aux réponses de la nodulation et de la fixation d'azote à la longueur de la journée.

     

Activity of an isothiazolone biocide against Hormoconis resinae in pure and mixed biofilms

Biofilms containing single or mixed cultures of the fungus Hormoconis resinae and anaerobic sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB) on stainless steel were incubated with an isothiazolone biocide (Kathon FP) at 28°C for 24 h. H. resinae within the biofilm was enumerated by immunofluorescence microscopy using specific antiserum, and SRB were assayed by culture. Fungal numbers in mixed biofilms were considerably reduced in comparison with those in pure biofilms. The biocide was shown to be effective against H. resinae in pure biofilms at 50 and 100 ppm, but in mixed biofilms only at the higher concentration. This concentration also reduced the sessile SRB numbers by 99%.P.S. Guiamet is with the Sección Biolectroquimica, INIFTA, Suc. 4, C.C. 16, 1900 La Plata, Argentina. C.C Gaylarde is with the Departamento de Solos, Fac. de Agronomia, UFRGS, Av. Bento Gonçalves, 7712, 91540-000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil     

Biodeterioration of Mayan archaeological sites in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Many of the monuments of the Mayan civilization are suffering deterioration caused by environmental factors (high temperatures and relative humidities), increasing contamination from natural and anthropogenic sources, and by the action of micro- and macro-biological communities. Archaeological sites and historical monuments in the Mayan area were constructed with different limestones which offer different resistances to degradation by the various types of contamination. Two different sampling sites were chosen at the archaeological site of Uxmal in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Heterotrophic bacteria, cyanobacteria and different fungi were isolated and classified taxonomically. The other archaeological site chosen for this study was the fortress of Tulum, located at the side of the Caribbean Sea and exposed to chloride of marine spray and sand erosion. In this case, heterotrophic aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, cyanobacteria and fungi were isolated from the four sampling areas selected. In both archaeological sites crust deposits were observed by using light microscopy, SEM and ESEM. Surface analyses were made by means of EDAX and electron microprobe. Possible mechanisms of stone decay, based on the type of microorganisms isolated, the physico-chemical characteristics of the constructional materials and environmental factors are discussed.