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At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources

Selective isolation of members of the Streptomyces violaceoruber clade from soil.

Large numbers of filamentous actinomycetes which formed distinctive red coloured colonies were isolated from three out of four composite soil samples using a medium designed to be selective for members of the Streptomyces violaceoruber clade, a taxon which includes the model organisms "Streptomyces coelicolor" A3(2) and "Streptomyces lividans" 66. The isolation medium, dextran-histidine-sodium chloride-mineral salts agar supplemented with antibacterial and antifungal antibiotics, also supported the growth of representatives of the S. violaceoruber clade. One hundred and ninety one representatives of the isolates that produced red colour colonies on the isolation medium were distributed into four colour groups based on their ability to form distinctive pigments and morphological properties typical of members of the S. violaceoruber clade, an assignment that was confirmed by corresponding 16S rRNA gene sequencing studies. The selective isolation and characterisation procedures used in the present investigation provide a practical means of determining the taxonomic diversity, geographical distribution and roles of representatives of the S. violaceoruber clade in natural habitats.

Bacteriological Techniques↗

Umbelopsis dimorpha sp. nov., a link between U. vinacea and U. versiformis.

The new species Umbelopsis dimorpha sp. nov. was isolated from a soil sample in the Red Hills area of Mt Richmond Forest Park, in the northern part of the South Island of New Zealand. It has two kinds of pale pinkish sporangia: (1) single-spored, indistinguishable from those of U. versiformis; and (2) multi-spored, similar to those of U. vinacea. ITS sequences place the species in the immediate vicinity of the former species.

Base Sequence↗

Protection of bacterial spores in space, a contribution to the discussion on Panspermia.

Spores of Bacillus subtilis were exposed to space in the BIOPAN facility of the European Space Agency onboard of the Russian Earth-orbiting FOTON satellite. The spores were exposed either in dry layers without any protecting agent, or mixed with clay, red sandstone, Martian analogue soil or meteorite powder, in dry layers as well as in so-called 'artificial meteorites', i.e. cubes filled with clay and spores in naturally occurring concentrations. After about 2 weeks in space, their survival was tested from the number of colony formers. Unprotected spores in layers open to space or behind a quartz window were completely or nearly completely inactivated (survival rates in most cases < or = 10(-6)). The same low survival was obtained behind a thin layer of clay acting as an optical filter. The survival rate was increased by 5 orders of magnitude and more, if the spores in the dry layer were directly mixed with powder of clay, rock or meteorites, and up to 100% survival was reached in soil mixtures with spores comparable to the natural soil to spore ratio. These data confirm the deleterious effects of extraterrestrial solar UV radiation. Thin layers of clay, rock or meteorite are only successful in UV-shielding, if they are in direct contact with the spores. The data suggest that in a scenario of interplanetary transfer of life, small rock ejecta of a few cm in diameter could be sufficiently large to protect bacterial spores against the intense insolation; however, micron-sized grains, as originally requested by Panspermia, may not provide sufficient protection for spores to survive. The data are also pertinent to search for life on Mars and planetary protection considerations for future missions to Mars.

Bacillus subtilis↗

Light reflected from red mulch to ripening strawberries affects aroma, sugar and organic acid concentrations.

Strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) fruit size and flavor are important to both growers and consumers. Plastic mulches are frequently used in raised-bed culture to conserve water, control weeds with less herbicides, keep fruit clean and produce ripe berries earlier in the season. The most commonly used plastic mulch color is black. We hypothesized that changing mulch color to reflect more far-red (FR) and red light (R) and a higher FR/R photon ratio would keep those benefits and improve berry size and flavor by altering phytochrome-mediated regulation of pathways in ripening berries. Size and chemical composition of berries developed in sunlight over a specially formulated red plastic were compared with those that developed over standard black plastic mulch. Berries that ripened over red were about 20% larger, had higher sugar to organic acid ratios and emitted higher concentrations of favorable aroma compounds. We conclude that FR and the FR/R ratio in light reflected from the red mulch on the soil surface acted through the natural phytochrome system within the growing plants to modify gene expression enough to result in increased fruit size and improved concentrations of phytonutrient, flavor and aroma compounds.

Acids↗

Heavy metal uptake by two edible Amaranthus herbs grown on soils contaminated with lead, mercury, cadmium, and nickel.

The uptake of an element by a plant is primarily dependent on the plant species, its inherent controls, and the soil quality. Amaranthus hybridus (green herbs) and Amaranthus dubius (red herbs) were chosen to investigate their response and ability to accumulate and tolerate varying levels of elements in their roots and shoots. Red herbs and green herbs were grown in soil pots contaminated with three mixtures of Cd(II), Ni(II), Pb(II), and Hg(II). Plants in the control treatment were grown in the absence of the heavy metals mixture. The distribution of Cd, Ni, Pb, and Hg in the plants (in roots, stems, and leaves) was determined in two stages. Stage 1, after 5 weeks of plant growth and stage 2, full grown after 10 weeks of growth. In the red herbs the Cd concentration in the leaves at stage 2 was 150 ppm and was present in higher concentrations than Ni, Hg, and Pb. At the highest contamination level, in the green herbs plant, Hg was present in the highest concentration in the root, i.e., 336 ppm at stage 1, while the level in the leaves was 7.12 ppm. Both the green and red herbs species showed an affinity for Ni and Cd with moderate to high levels detected in the leaves, respectively.

Amaranthus↗

Responses of ABA and CTK to soil drought in leafless and leafy apple tree.

The authors tested the contents of ABA (abscisic acid), ZR (zeatin riboside), DHZR (dihydrozeatin riboside) and iPA (isopentenyl adenosine) in leafless and leafy apple trees (Red Fuji/Malus micromalus Makino) during soil drought stress. ABA concentration in drought stressed leafless trees increased significantly compared to the controls. ABA both in roots and xylem rose steadily in the earlier drought stage, reaching a maximum of 1.46 +/- 0.35 nmol g(-1) FW and 117 nmol l(-1) after the 8th day. Similar change patterns of ABA concentration was observed in the leafy trees during soil drought stress; ABA concentrations in roots and xylem sap increased and reached the maximum in the first three days; after 8th day, it decreased slightly, whereas leaf ABA concentration increased steadily in drought stressed plants throughout the duration of the experiment. Between drought stressed and control trees, no significant differences were observed in concentration of ZR and DHZR in both leafless and leafy trees; whereas iPA concentration of the drought stressed leafless and leafy plants decreased markedly in the later stage of drought. These results showed that endogenous ABA originated mainly from the roots in the earlier drought stage, and mainly from the leaves in the later drought stage. Total CTK showed no reduction in the earlier drought stage and decreased in the later drought stage.

Abscisic Acid↗

Use of LANDSAT MSS imagery and soil type in a geographic information system to assess site-specific risk of fascioliasis on Red River Basin farms in Louisiana.

A geographic information system (GIS) was constructed in an ERDAS environment using maps of soil types from the USDA Soil Conservation Service, LANDSAT satellite multispectral scanner data (MSS), boundaries for 25 study farms, and slope and hydrologic features shown in a two-quadrangle (USGS, 7.5') area in the Red River Basin near Alexandria, Louisiana. Fecal sedimentation examinations were done in the fall of 1989, spring of 1990, and fall and winter of 1990-1991 on 10-16 random samples per herd. Fecal egg shedding rates for F. hepatica ranged from 10-100% prevalence and 0.3-21.7 eggs per two grams of feces (EP2G). For Paramphistomum spp., a rumen fluke also transmitted by F. bulimoides but not affected by flukicides, egg shedding rates ranged from 10-91% prevalence and 0.1-42.8 EP2G. Soil types present ranged from sandy loams to hydric, occasionally flooded clays. Herd Paramphistomum spp. egg shedding rates increased with the proportion of hydric clays present, adjusted for slope and major hydrologic features. F. hepatica infection intensity followed a similar trend, but were complicated by differing treatment practices. Results suggest that earth observation satellite data and soil maps can be used, with an existing climate forecast based on the Thornthwaite water budget, to develop a second generation model that accounts for both regional climate variation and site-specific differences in fascioliasis risk based on soils prone to snail habitat.

Animals↗

[Fixation of free nitrogen in the soil and on the roots of citrus trees in the subtropics of the Georgian SSR].

The rate of biological nitrogen fixation was determined by the acetylene technique in soils and on the roots of orange, mandarin and lemon trees growing in red, yellow, podzolic, alluvial brown forest, and humus-calcareous soils. The minimum nitrogen fixation in podzolic soils was 3--8 kg of nitrogen per hectare per vegetative period. The maximum nitrogen fixation (48--51 kg N per hectare) was found in red and humus-calcareous soils of orange plantations. One dose of nitrogen fertilizers with liming increased the nitrogen fixing activity of subtropic podzolic soils of mandarin plantations whereas a triple dose inhibited the activity. The rate of nitrogen fixation by the root microflora was 3--4 times higher than that by the soil microflora.

Aerobiosis↗

[Trace element supply to ruminants in the German Democratic Republic. 2. Supply of copper].

The supply of copper to ruminants as influenced by and depending on the geological origin of soils was investigated in different parts of the GDR by using the hair test. Red clovers (meadow clover and field clover) were used as indicator plants. The following results were obtained: Data on the Cu content of clovers grown on soils of the same geological origin were found to correlate with r = 0,81. After eliminating the effects of Cu antagonists resulting from industrial pollution it was possible to establish numerical relations (B = 0.39 and B = 0.89) between the relative values (specific for the particular location) for the Cu content of the indicator plants and the percentage of cows suffering from Cu deficiencies (6.0 and 5.0 ppm Cu in hair). The lowest percentages of Cu supply to the ruminants (established on the basis of the Cu content of red clovers) were found on diluvial sandy soils, glacial loams and peat and bog soils whereas the highest percentages of Cu were found on weathered soils (of phyllite, gneiss, shell limestone, red marl soils and porphyry). Secondary Cu deficiencies in ruminants may arise, independent of the geological origin of the soil material, in places exposed to the main direction of the winds from major industrial areas (emission of SO2, Cd and Mo). Due to primary and/or secondary deficiencies the supply of Cu to ruminants in various locations (syenite, granite, red sandstone, gneiss, loess; peat soils, diluvial sandy soils) may be insufficient. A detailed description is given of areas where Cu deficiency is likely to occur and recommendations are given on how to use mineral mixtures containing a high proportion of Cu (1.00 g Cu per kg).

Animal Feed↗

Effect of temperature and season on reproduction, neutral red retention and metallothionein responses of earthworms exposed to metals in field soils.

This study investigated the short-term survival, reproduction and physiological (lysosomal membrane stability, metallothionein transcript copy number, body tissue metal concentrations) responses of Lumbricus rubellus exposed to metal contaminated field soils under different laboratory temperatures (10, 15 and 20 degrees C) and physiological responses of earthworms collected from the field in three different seasons (spring, autumn, winter). In the laboratory, metal contaminated soils had significant effects on reproduction (p<0.001), metallothionein-2 (MT-2) expression (p=0.033) and earthworm As (p=0.003), Cd (p=0.001), Pb (p<0.001) and Zn (p<0.001) concentration, but not lysosomal membrane stability and tissue Hg and Cu. No effect of temperature was found for any parameter. Principal component analysis of extractable and tissue metal concentrations indicated PC1 as a measure of metal stress. Both cocoon production (r=-0.75) and MT-2 induction (r=0.41) were correlated with PC1. A correlation was also found between cocoon production and MT-2 expression (r=-0.41). Neutral red retention and MT-2 measurements in worms collected from the field sites in three seasons confirmed the absence of a temperature effect on these responses.

Animals↗

Effects of elevated nitrate and aluminum on the growth and nutrition of red spruce (Picea rubens) seedlings.

Acidic deposition in high-elevation forests in the Appalachian Mountains of the eastern United States has been implicated in the decline of red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.). Elevated soil acidity may increase soil Al availability and toxicity to roots. Enhanced soil solution NO(3) (-) concentrations, resulting from precipitation inputs and enhanced soil organic matter mineralization, may exacerbate Al toxicity by increasing root Al uptake. We exposed red spruce seedlings to 350, 500, 800 or 1400 micro M NO(3) (-) and 0 or 200 micro M Al in a factorial design in sand-nutrient solution culture to test if increased NO(3) (-) concentrations enhance Al uptake and toxicity. In addition to significant reductions in seedling growth parameters resulting from Al exposure, we found significant interactions between NO(3) (-) and Al for seedling height growth rate, needle weight, shoot weight and root weight. Differences in these parameters between Al treatments became more pronounced as solution NO(3) (-) concentration increased and reflected an Al-mediated inhibition of seedling response to increasing NO(3) (-) concentration. Solution NO(3) (-) concentrations above 500 micro M induced root nitrate reductase (NR) activity, whereas shoot NR activity increased in response to NO(3) (-) up to 500 micro M and declined above that concentration. In contrast, exposure to Al depressed NR activity of roots but tended to stimulate needle NR activity. Foliar N concentrations increased in seedlings grown in cultures containing between 350 and 500 micro M NO(3) (-), with no change above 500 micro M. Increasing concentrations of NO(3) (-) depressed foliar P concentrations, with reductions being greatest in seedlings exposed to 1400 micro M NO(3) (-). Exposure to Al increased foliar Ca, K and Al concentrations, decreased foliar P concentrations, and inhibited increases in foliar Mg concentration in response to increasing NO(3) (-). The consistent interactions between NO(3) (-) and Al for growth, root NR activity and foliar Mg concentration were the result of an inhibition of seedling response to NO(3) (-) mediated by Al in solution, rather than enhanced Al toxicity resulting from growth in the presence of elevated NO(3) (-) concentrations.

Journal Article↗

Diversity of green-like and red-like ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large-subunit genes (cbbL) in differently managed agricultural soils.

A PCR-based approach was developed to detect ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RubisCO) form I large-subunit genes (cbbL) as a functional marker of autotrophic bacteria that fix carbon dioxide via the Calvin-Benson-Bassham cycle. We constructed two different primer sets, targeting the green-like and red-like phylogenetic groups of cbbL genes. The diversity of these cbbL genes was analyzed by the use of three differently managed agricultural soils from a long-term field experiment. cbbL gene fragments were amplified from extracted soil DNAs, and PCR products were cloned and screened by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Selected unique cbbL clones were sequenced and analyzed phylogenetically. The green-like cbbL sequences revealed a very low level of diversity, being closely related to the cbbL genes of Nitrobacter winogradskyi and Nitrobacter vulgaris. In contrast, the red-like cbbL gene libraries revealed a high level of diversity in the two fertilized soils and less diversity in unfertilized soil. The majority of environmental red-like cbbL genes were only distantly related to already known cbbL sequences and even formed separate clusters. In order to extend the database of available red-like cbbL sequences, we amplified cbbL sequences from bacterial type culture strains and from bacterial isolates obtained from the investigated soils. Bacterial isolates harboring the cbbL gene were analyzed phylogenetically on the basis of their 16S rRNA gene sequences. These analyses revealed that bacterial genera such as Bacillus, Streptomyces, and Arthrobacter harbor red-like cbbL genes which fall into the cbbL gene clusters retrieved from the investigated soils.

Agriculture↗

Effect of landfill leachate irrigation on red maple (Acer rubrum L.) and sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) seedling growth and on foliar nutrient concentrations.

Greenhouse experiments were conducted to investigate the nature and severity of stresses imposed on northern hardwood tree species (red maple (Acer rubrum L.) and sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.)) by the application of municipal landfill leachate. Red maple seedlings received applications of untreated and pretreated (lime, activated carbon) leachate, to both leaves and soil, at irrigation rates consistent with evapotranspirational demands. Plant height measurements indicated no significant growth effects arising from leachate application over a 7-week period. Stem diameter, however, was positively affected by applications of both untreated and lime-treated leachate diluted to 75% with deionized water. Iron foliar concentrations were significantly higher in seedlings irrigated with untreated leachate applied to leaves and soil, but not in seedlings where leachate was applied to soil only. Nitrogen foliar concentrations were substantially higher in seedlings receiving undiluted and untreated leachate applied to the soil only. The Cu concentration of the red maple foliage decreased appreciably in plants receiving moderate applications of leachate. Foliar Ca concentrations decreased notably in seedlings irrigated with untreated leachate applied to the soil and with diluted, carbon-treated leachate. The Cu concentration of the red maple foliage decreased appreciably in plants receiving applications of undiluted and 50% water-diluted lime-treated leachate while Mn levels were consistently high across all treatments. Leachate application did not cause any discernable changes in foliar concentrations of P, K, Mg, B or Zn. In an ancillary experiment, sugar maple seedlings were subjected to saturation/ drainage treatment cycles with undiluted and untreated leachate. Severe visible symptoms of vegetative stress were apparent within 24 h and 100% seedling mortality occurred after five such waterlogging cycles. Fe assimilation was apparent in both leachate treatments relative to the 24 h water treatment. Despite the short-term nature of the experiments, the results indicate how quickly forest vegetation may respond to altered chemical environments. This underscores the need for correct installation and control of leachate irrigation systems.

Journal Article↗

Radiocesium contamination behavior and its effect on potassium absorption in tropical or subtropical plants.

The accumulation and long-term decline of radiocesium contamination in tropical plant species was studied through measurements of gamma-ray spectra from pomegranate (Punica granatum) and chili pepper (Capsicum fructescens) trees. The plants were originally grown at a (137)Cs contaminated site (where a radiological accident occurred in the city of Goiânia, Brazil, in 1987), and transplanted to uncontaminated soil, so that the main source of contamination of the new leaves and fruits would be the fraction of the available radiocesium in the body of the plants. Measurements of (137)Cs and (40)K concentrations along the roots, main trunk, twigs, leaves and fruits before and after the transplant process of both plant species indicated a direct competition between Cs and K ions, suggesting that these elements could have a common accumulation mechanism. Cesium transfer factors from soil to pomegranate, green and red chili pepper fruits were evaluated as 0.4 +/- 0.1, 0.06 +/- 0.01 and 0.05 +/- 0.01, respectively. Biological half-life values due to (137)Cs translocation from the tree reservoir (BHL(T)) were calculated as 0.30 years for pomegranate, 0.12 years and 0.07 years for red and green peppers, respectively.

Capsicum↗

Reduction of silver solubility by humic acid and thiol ligands during acanthite (beta-Ag2S) dissolution.

Precipitation of highly insoluble metal sulfide minerals like acanthite (beta-Ag2S) or red cinnabar (HgS) is in principle an effective means to reduce metal availability and toxicity in contaminated soils. Unfortunately, experiments have shown that red cinnabar may be solubilized in the presence of dissolved organic matter or thiol ligands. To determine whether the same applies to acanthite, a laboratory synthesized beta-Ag2S mineral was incubated for up to 3 weeks in the presence of KNO3, dissolved humic acids, cysteine, methionine and thiosulfate. XPS analysis identified Ag2O (52%), Ag2SO4 (8%) and Ag2S (40%) on the particle surfaces. Ag was released into solution in the presence of KNO3 and methionine, presumably from mixed-oxidation surface layers. Contrary to earlier results with cinnabar, however, humic acids reduced Ag concentrations in solution by about 75%, and cysteine and thiosulfate, each containing a free -SH functional group, almost completely suppressed Ag release into solution.

Humans↗

Environmental control of stomatal conductance in forest trees of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

To determine if stomatal conductance (g(s)) of forest trees could be predicted from measures of leaf microclimate, diurnal variability in in situ g(s) was measured in black cherry (Prunus serotina), red maple (Acer rubrum), and northern red oak (Quercus rubra). Relative to overstory trees, understory saplings exhibited little diurnal variability in g(s) and ozone uptake. Depending on species and site, up to 30% of diurnal and seasonal variation in g(s )of overstory trees was explained by photosynthetically active radiation and vapor pressure deficit. Daily maximum g(s) was significantly related to soil moisture in overstory northern red oak and black cherry (R(2) ranged from 33 to 65%). Although g(s) was not fully predicted using instantaneous measures of leaf microclimate, ozone uptake of large forest trees was reduced by low soil moisture.

Journal Article↗

Enumeration of soil bacteria with the green fluorescent nucleic acid dye Sytox green in the presence of soil particles.

Total counts in soils are usually determined using fluorescent dyes, such as DAPI or Sybr green, due to fluorescence enhancement if they are bound to nucleic acids. Unfortunately, these commonly used dyes stain soil particles as well. Therefore, besides fluorescence enhancement, sufficient spectral differentiation is also required. We present a new procedure that overcomes the problems of visualising bacteria on surfaces in soil and avoids the separation of soil particles to a large extent. Spectral differentiation between bacteria and soil matrix is achieved by using Sytox green and a suboptimal excitation wavelength. Bacteria exhibit a bright green fluorescence, while soil particles fluoresce blue or red. Slight homogenisation and sedimentation of the sand and coarse silt that were too big for microscopic investigations were the only separation steps required. We compared the proposed Sytox green staining with Sybr green staining. The recovery of Sybr green-stained cells amounted to 38%, whereas in samples stained by Sytox green 81% of the spiked cells were counted. Sytox green can also be combined with fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) using deep red dyes such as Cy5.

Aluminum Silicates↗