A diazotrophic bacterial endophyte isolated from stems of Zea mays L. and Zea luxurians Iltis and Doebley

The apoplastic fluids of field-grown Zea mays and Zea luxurians plants were isolated from surface sterilized stem tissue by centrifugation and spread on agar plates containing a nitrogen-free, defined medium. The predominant bacterium isolated from these plates was characterized further. The ability of this bacterium to fix nitrogen was confirmed by its ability to grow on a semi-solid, nitrogen-free medium and reduce ¹⁵N₂ to ¹⁵NH₃ and acetylene to ethylene. Protions of the nifH and 16S rRNA genes from this organism were amplified by PCR and sequenced. The nifH gene, which codes for dinitrogenase reductase, from this organism is closely related to nifH from Klebsiella pneumoniae. Similarly, the 16S rRNA gene sequences and carbon utilization tests grouped it closely with K. pneumoniae. Based an these data, the isolates from Z. mays and Z. luxurians are tentatively classified as Klebsiella spp. (Zea). The ability of this bacterium to contribute to the nitrogen economy of the corn plant is unknown.     

Isolation, molecular characterization and growth-promoting activities of endophytic sugarcane diazotroph Klebsiella sp. GR9

A group of endophytic diazotrophs were isolated from surface-sterilized roots and stems of different sugarcane varieties in the Tamilnadu region of India. From these, four isolates were selected, based on the highest acetylene reduction activity. Gene-specific PCR amplification confirmed the presence of nif-D genes in those isolates. The 16S rRNA sequence of isolates GR4 and GR7 had a 99.5% sequence similarity to the Pseudomonas sp. pDL01 (AF125317) and 16S rDNA sequence of isolate GR3 had a 100% similarity to that of Burkholderia vietnamiensis (AY973820). The 16S rDNA sequence of isolate GR9 was 99.79% similar to that of the Klebsiella pneumoniae type strain (KPY17657). Colonization by the isolates was confirmed using micropropagated sugarcane and sterile rice seedlings. Isolate GR9, identified as Klebsiella pneumoniae, was consistently more active in reducing acetylene as compared with the other isolates. The effects of GR9 and the sugarcane diazotroph Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus were compared in inoculated micropropagated sugarcane plantlets. The effects of K. pneumoniae GR9, and four other diazotrophs, G. diazotrophicus, Herbaspirillum seropedicae, Azospirillum lipoferum 4B, and Burkholderia vietnamiensis in inoculated rice seedlings were compared. GR9 alone or in combination with the other diazotrophs performed best under pot conditions. The combined effects of nitrogen fixation and endophytic colonization of this diazotroph may be useful for the development of bio-inoculants.     

Functional significance of dinitrogen fixation in sustaining coral productivity under oligotrophic conditions

Functional traits define species by their ecological role in the ecosystem. Animals themselves are host–microbe ecosystems (holobionts), and the application of ecophysiological approaches can help to understand their functioning. In hard coral holobionts, communities of dinitrogen (N₂)-fixing prokaryotes (diazotrophs) may contribute a functional trait by providing bioavailable nitrogen (N) that could sustain coral productivity under oligotrophic conditions. This study quantified N₂ fixation by diazotrophs associated with four genera of hermatypic corals on a northern Red Sea fringing reef exposed to high seasonality. We found N₂ fixation activity to be 5- to 10-fold higher in summer, when inorganic nutrient concentrations were lowest and water temperature and light availability highest. Concurrently, coral gross primary productivity remained stable despite lower Symbiodinium densities and tissue chlorophyll a contents. In contrast, chlorophyll a content per Symbiodinium cell increased from spring to summer, suggesting that algal cells overcame limitation of N, an essential element for chlorophyll synthesis. In fact, N₂ fixation was positively correlated with coral productivity in summer, when its contribution was estimated to meet 11% of the Symbiodinium N requirements. These results provide evidence of an important functional role of diazotrophs in sustaining coral productivity when alternative external N sources are scarce.     

Isolation of endophytic diazotrophic bacteria from wetland rice

Endophytic nitrogen-fixing bacteria are believed to contribute substantial amounts of N to certain gramineous crops. We have been interested to find (a) a diazotroph(s) in rice which can aggressively and stably persist and fix nitrogen in interior tissues and (b) unique rice-diazotrophic endophyte combinations. To achieve these objectives, it has been essential to find an efficient method to surface sterilize rice tissues. The method described here consists of exposing tissues to 1% Chloramine T for 15 min followed by shaking with glass beads. It has proven very efficient since (a) surface bacterial populations on the root and culm were found to be reduced by more than 90%, (b) the number of the internal colonizers was found to be significantly higher than the number of surface bacteria, and (c) colonization of root but not subepidermal tissue by gusA-marked Herbaspirillum seropedicae Z67 bacteria was found to be virtually eliminated. Nitrogen-fixing putative endophytic populations (MPN g dry wt) in the root (7.94 × 10) and culm (2.57 × 10) on field-grown IR72 plants grown in the absence of N fertilizer was found to be significantly higher near heading stage. The corresponding total putative endophyte populations in the tissues of 25 highly diverse genotypes of rice and their relatives was found to range from 10–10and 10–10, in the roots and culms, respectively. Generally, the resident bacteria were found to be non-diazotrophic, although in isolated cases diazotrophs were found, for example in the roots and culm of IR72 rice plants, or the culm of Zizaniopsis villanensis plants. The size of populations of diazotrophic bacteria in different rice genotypes was found to be 10–10 for the roots and 10–10 for the culms, respectively. The rice genera-related plants Potamophila pariffora and Rhynchoryza subulata showed the highest levels.     

类芦和狗牙根内生固氮菌初步研究

为探索水土保持禾草的固氮能力,利用乙炔还原法(ARA)对类芦(Neyraudia reynaudiana)和狗牙根(Cynodon dactylon)植株内生固氮菌的固氮酶活性进行研究.结果表明:在类芦茎部和狗牙根叶片中存在高固氮酶活性的内生固氮菌群;这些菌群在无氮培养基上经划线分离纯化得到40个菌株,其中26株有微弱固氮酶活性,14株检测不到固氮酶活性;从类芦茎部和狗牙根叶片中筛选到的固氮菌群在兼性厌氧的环境中有较高的固氮酶活性,且在石蜡油密封条件下,两者的固氮酶活性均最高;在不改变自然界微生物之间的协同关系情况下,混合菌群均具有较高的固氮酶活性,而人为组配混合得到的菌群固氮酶活性较低. reynaudiana)和狗牙根(Cynodondxtylon)植株内生固氮菌的固氮酶活性进行研究.结果表明:在类芦茎部和狗牙根叶片中存在高固氮酶活性的内生固氮菌群;这些菌群在无氮培养基上经划线分离纯化得到40个菌株,其中26株有微弱固氮酶活性,14株检测不到固氮酶活性;从类芦茎部和狗牙根叶片中筛选到的固氮菌群在兼性厌氧的环境中有较高的固氮酶活性,且在石蜡油密封条件下,两者的固氮酶活性均最高;在不改变自然界微生物之间的协同关系 况下,混合菌群均具有较高的固氮酶     

Characterization of plant-growth promoting diazotrophic bacteria isolated from field grown Chinese cabbage under different fertilization conditions

Diazotrophic bacteria isolated from the rhizosphere of Chinese cabbage were assessed for other plant growth promoting characteristics viz., production of IAA, ethylene, ACC deaminase, phosphate solubilization, and gnotobiotic root elongation. Their effect on inoculation to Chinese cabbage was also observed under growth chamber conditions. A total of 19 strains that showed higher nitrogenase activity identified by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis were found to be the members of the genera Pseudomonas and Agrobacterium belonging to α- and γ-Proteobacteria groups. These strains were also efficient in producing IAA and ACC deaminase though they produced low levels of ethylene and no phosphate solubilization. In addition, inoculation of selected diazotrophic bacterial strains significantly increased seedling length, dry weight, and total nitrogen when compared to uninoculated control. The colonization of crop plants by diazotrophic bacteria can be affected by many biotic and abiotic factors, and further studies are oriented towards investigating the factors that could influence the establishment of a selected bacterial community.     

凉山州龙肘山锈红杜鹃与薄叶马银花根部真菌分子检测

【目的】为检验直接分子检测法用于揭示杜鹃花属(Rhododendron)植物根部真菌(Root-associated fungi,RAF)组成的有效性。【方法】采用不依赖于培养的分子检测技术直接从锈红杜鹃(R.bureavii)与薄叶马银花(R.leptothrium)的发根(Hair root)提取DNA,用真菌特异性引物扩增r DNA-ITS区、经克隆后测序,对获得的ITS序列进行分析;通过收集NCBI中与本研究的RAF相似性97%以上的所有序列对应的真菌来源(土壤或根系的身份)数据,分析真菌的生态学特性,并用FUNGuild软件提供的方法划分真菌的生态类型。【结果】从两种杜鹃花根部共检测到15种真菌,其中担子菌门(Basdiomycota)真菌3种,子囊菌门(Ascomycota)真菌12种。柔膜菌目(Helotiales)真菌在两种杜鹃花RAF群落中占据优势,并且在两种杜鹃花根系中均检测到该类真菌。此外,两种杜鹃花根部有多种生态类型的RAF共存,包括曾被频繁报道的杜鹃花类菌根菌Oidiodendron sp.和Rhizoscyphus sp.、内生真菌Phialocephala fortinii、共生一致病过渡型真菌Pezoloma ericae、外生菌根共生菌Meliniomyces sp.,以及腐生型真菌Myceana sp.、Lachnum virgineum、Herpotrichia sp.。【结论】直接分子检测法从两种杜鹃花属植物根部检测到的真菌谱系多样性较高、生态类型复杂,这一方法能较为全面地反映杜鹃花属植物RAF多样性。     

禾本科植物联合固氮研究及其应用现状展望

综述了近年来从禾本科植物体内和根际发现的内生固氮菌和根际固氮菌的种类、特征及对宿主的促生机理,以及固氮菌接种剂在农业生产中的应用现状和存在的问题,指出影响联合固氮菌接种效果的主要因素有土著微生物的竞争;植物基因型差异和环境条件的变化,如结合态氮(氨、亚硝酸盐、硝酸盐等)对固氮酶的合成阻遏和较高的氧分压对联合固氮菌的固氮效率影响．提出了发掘和利用禾本科植物的生物固氮潜力的努力方向：从自然界分离筛选获得广谱高效固氮菌株;应用基因工程构建耐铵、泌铵型联合固氮菌;诱导禾本科植物形成固氮根瘤;充分发挥植物内生固氮菌的优势．     

典型生境巨菌草根内生固氮菌的群落多样性

【目的】探究不同生境巨菌草内生固氮菌群落组成多样性及其分异规律。【方法】采用高通量测序固氮酶nif H标靶基因方法,研究了我国6个典型地区的巨菌草内生固氮菌群,包括福建闽侯县、新疆墨玉县、内蒙古阿拉善左旗、青海贵德县、甘肃安定区、海南那大镇,结合地理气候因子统计,分析了固氮菌多样性的环境驱动机制。【结果】共获得64122条nif H基因的有效序列,640个OTUs,归属于6个门、10个纲、17个目、24个科、33个属和39个种。不同地区巨菌草中优势内生固氮菌群的种类和丰度存在较大的差异。在门水平上,福州闽侯县、甘肃安定区、新疆墨玉县、内蒙古阿拉善左旗和青海贵德县5个地区的优势菌门均为变形菌门,海南那大镇的优势菌门为变形菌门和蓝藻菌门;属水平上,不同地区巨菌草最优势内生固氮菌类群分别为:福州闽侯县(变形菌门中未定属,80.56%);新疆墨玉县(变形菌门中未定属,33.14%);内蒙古阿拉善左旗(变形菌门中未定属,76.23%);甘肃安定区(α-变形菌纲中的未定属,53.78%);海南那大镇(变形菌门中未定属,38.37%);青海贵德县(变形菌门中未定属,46.12%)。Alpha多样性和Beta多样性分析表明,不同地区巨菌草内生固氮菌群落的多样性存在较大的差异,海南那大镇样本中巨菌草各类内生固氮菌群的多样性及丰富度最高,福建闽侯县样本中巨菌草各类内生固氮菌群的多样性及丰富度最低。典范对应分析(CCA)结果表明,年均降雨量和年均气温是影响巨菌草内生固氮菌群变化的主要因素,其次是土壤有机质、土壤全氮和土壤p H。【结论】不同地区巨菌草内生固氮菌群落的组成及丰度存在着较大的差异,海南那大镇巨菌草内生固氮菌群的种类及相对丰度较高,本研究可为巨菌草内生固氮菌群的资源开发及其固氮微生物肥料的菌种选育和生产应用提供理论支持。     

高秆野生稻内生固氮细菌多样性

高秆野生稻(Oryza alta)是一种重要的种质资源, 其组织内也蕴藏着非常宝贵的功能微生物资源。本实验采用无氮培养基, 从高秆野生稻中分离到43株内生固氮菌, 结合乙炔还原法测定其固氮酶活性。经固氮酶基因(nifH)的PCR扩增检测, 43株内生固氮菌代表菌株均能扩增出固氮酶基因片段。利用IS-PCR DNA指纹图谱和SDS-PAGE全细胞蛋白电泳图谱将获得的菌株聚类为6个类群(I、II、III、IV、V、VI)。对各个类群的代表菌株(ZF3, ZF8, ZF13, ZF15, ZF24, ZF43)进行16S rRNA基因序列测定, 结果表明, 类群I属于土生拉乌尔菌(Raoultella terrigena), 类群II属于类肺炎克雷伯氏菌类肺炎亚种(Klebsiella quasipnmoniae subsp. quasipneumoniae), 类群III属于越南伯克氏菌(Burkholderia vietnamiensis), 类群IV的菌株代表肠秆菌属的一个类群(Enterobacter sp.), 类群V的菌株属于门多萨假单胞菌(Pseudomonas mendocina), 类群VI归属于固氮植物菌(Phytobacter diazotrophicus)。Biolog聚类结果与IS-PCR指纹图谱类型及SDS-PAGE全细胞蛋白聚类结果一致。Biolog板测定结果显示, 来自不同类群的代表菌株对碳源的利用差异显著, 说明野生稻内多样的内生固氮菌从环境中获取碳源和氮素的适应能力较强。