Soybean(Glycine max)rhizosphere organic phosphorus recycling relies on acid phosphatase activity and specific phosphorusmineralizing-related bacteria in phosphate deficient acidic soils

Bacteria play critical roles in regulating soil phosphorus(P) cycling. The effects of interactions between crops and soil P-availability on bacterial communities and the feedback regulation of soil P cycling by the bacterial community modifications are poorly understood. Here, six soybean(Glycine max) genotypes with differences in P efficiency were cultivated in acidic soils with long-term sufficient or deficient P-fertilizer treatments. The acid phosphatase(AcP) activities, organic-P concentrations and associated bacterial community compositions were determined in bulk and rhizosphere soils. The results showed that both soybean plant P content and the soil AcP activity were negatively correlated with soil organic-P concentration in P-deficient acidic soils. Soil P-availability affected the ɑ-diversity of bacteria in both bulk and rhizosphere soils. However, soybean had a stronger effect on the bacterial community composition, as reflected by the similar biomarker bacteria in the rhizosphere soils in both P-treatments. The relative abundance of biomarker bacteria Proteobacteria was strongly correlated with soil organic-P concentration and AcP activity in low-P treatments. Further high-throughput sequencing of the phoC gene revealed an obvious shift in Proteobacteria groups between bulk soils and rhizosphere soils, which was emphasized by the higher relative abundances of Cupriavidus and Klebsiella, and lower relative abundance of Xanthomonas in rhizosphere soils. Among them, Cupriavidus was the dominant phoC bacterial genus, and it was negatively correlated with the soil organic-P concentration. These findings suggest that soybean growth relies on organic-P mineralization in P-deficient acidic soils, which might be partially achieved by recruiting specific phoCharboring bacteria, such as Cupriavidus.

Morphological Characterization of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Associated with the Rhizosphere According to the Age of Xanthosoma sagittifolium L. Schott Plants in the Field

The objective of this work was to carry out a morphological characterization of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the rhizosphere of Xanthosoma sagittifolium L. Schott plants. The plant material used was the white and red cultivars of X. sagittifolium, belonging to age intervals of 3 - 6, 6 - 9, and 9 - 12 months. Three harvest sites were chosen in the Central Region of Cameroon. In each site, soil from the rhizosphere and plant roots was collected in a randomized manner. In the field, the agronomic parameters were evaluated. The physicochemical characteristics of the soils, the mycorrhization index, and the morphological characterization of the mycorrhizal types of each site were carried out. The results obtained show that the agronomic growth parameters varied significantly using the Student Newman and Keuls Test depending on the harvest sites. The soils’ pH in all sites was acidic and ranged between 4.6 and 5.8. The Nkometou site has a loamy texture while the Olembe and Soa sites have loam-clay-sandy and loam-clay textures respectively. The highest mycorrhization frequencies appeared at the Nkometou site, with 75 and 87.33% of the white and red cultivars plant roots at 6 - 9 and 3 - 6 months. The relative abundance of AMF arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal spores in the rhizosphere of X. sagittifolium plants varied with age and cultivar. There were 673 spores between 9 - 12 months in Nkometou in the red cultivar. Six AMF genera were identified in all the different soils collected: Acaulospora sp., Funneliformis sp., Gigaspora sp., Glomus sp., Scutellospora sp., and Septoglomus sp. The genus Glomus sp. was the most present at all age intervals in both cultivars.

Changes in the activities of key enzymes and the abundance of functional genes involved in nitrogen transformation in rice rhizosphere soil under different aerated conditions

Soil microorganisms play important roles in nitrogen transformation. The aim of this study was to characterize changes in the activity of nitrogen transformation enzymes and the abundance of nitrogen function genes in rhizosphere soil aerated using three different methods(continuous flooding(CF), continuous flooding and aeration(CFA), and alternate wetting and drying(AWD)). The abundances of amoA ammonia-oxidizing archaea(AOA) and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria(AOB), nirS, nirK, and nifH genes, and the activities of urease, protease, ammonia oxidase, nitrate reductase, and nitrite reductase were measured at the tillering(S1), heading(S2), and ripening(S3) stages. We analyzed the relationships of the aforementioned microbial activity indices, in addition to soil microbial biomass carbon(MBC) and soil microbial biomass nitrogen(MBN), with the concentration of soil nitrate and ammonium nitrogen. The abundance of nitrogen function genes and the activities of nitrogen invertase in rice rhizosphere soil were higher at S2 compared with S1 and S3 in all treatments. AWD and CFA increased the abundance of amoA and nifH genes, and the activities of urease, protease, and ammonia oxidase, and decreased the abundance of nirS and nirK genes and the activities of nitrate reductase and nitrite reductase, with the effect of AWD being particularly strong. During the entire growth period, the mean abundances of the AOA amoA, AOB amoA, and nifH genes were 2.9, 5.8, and 3.0 higher in the AWD treatment than in the CF treatment, respectively, and the activities of urease, protease, and ammonia oxidase were 1.1, 0.5, and 0.7 higher in the AWD treatment than in the CF treatment, respectively. The abundances of the nirS and nirK genes, and the activities of nitrate reductase and nitrite reductase were 73.6, 84.8, 10.3 and 36.5% lower in the AWD treatment than in the CF treatment, respectively. The abundances of the AOA amoA, AOB amoA, and nifH genes were significantly and positively correlated with the activities of urease, protease, and ammonia oxidase, and the abundances of the nirS and nirK genes were significantly positively correlated with the activities of nitrate reductase. All the above indicators were positively correlated with soil MBC and MBN. In sum, microbial activity related to nitrogen transformation in rice rhizosphere soil was highest at S2. Aeration can effectively increase the activity of most nitrogen-converting microorganisms and MBN, and thus promote soil nitrogen transformation.

Nutrient coordination mechanism of tiger nut induced by rhizosphere soil nutrient variation in an arid area, China

Tiger nut is a bioenergy crop planted in arid areas of northern China to supply oil and adjust the planting structure.However,in the western region of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region,China,less water resources have resulted in a scarcity of available farmland,which has posed a huge obstacle to planting tiger nut.Cultivation of tiger nut on marginal land can effectively solve this problem.To fully unlock the production potential of tiger nut on marginal land,it is crucial for managers to have comprehensive information on the adaptive mechanism and nutrient requirement of tiger nut in different growth periods.This study aims to explore these key information from the perspective of nutrient coordination strategy of tiger nut in different growth periods and their relationship with rhizosphere soil nutrients.Three fertilization treatments including no fertilization(N:P(nitrogen:phosphorous)=0:0),traditional fertilization(N:P=15:15),and additional N fertilizer(N:P=60:15)were implemented on marginal land in the Dengkou County.Plant and soil samples were collected in three growth periods,including stolon tillering period,tuber expanding period,and tuber mature period.Under no fertilization,there was a significant correlation between N and P contents of tiger nut roots and tubers and the same nutrients in the rhizosphere soil(P<0.05).Carbon(C),N,and P contents of roots were significantly higher than those of leaves(P<0.05),and the C:N ratio of all organs was higher than those under other treatments before tuber maturity(P<0.05).Under traditional fertilization,there was a significant impact on the P content of tiger nut tubers(P<0.05).Under additional N fertilizer,the accumulation rate of N and P was faster in stolons than in tubers(P<0.05)with lower N:P ratio in stolons during the tuber expansion period(P<0.05),but higher N:P ratio in tubers(P<0.05).The limited availability of nutrients in the rhizosphere soil prompts tiger nut to increase the C:N ratio,improving N utilization efficiency,and maintaining N:P ratio in tubers.Elevated N levels in the rhizosphere soil decrease the C:N ratio of tiger nut organs and N:P ratio in stolons,promoting rapid stolon growth and shoot production.Supplementary P is necessary during tuber expansion,while a higher proportion of N in fertilizers is crucial for the aboveground biomass production of tiger nut.

Different genotypes regulate the microbial community structure in the soybean rhizosphere

The soybean rhizosphere has a specific microbial community,but the differences in microbial community structure between different soybean genotypes have not been explained.The present study analyzed the structure of the rhizosphere microbial community in three soybean genotypes.Differences in rhizosphere microbial communities between different soybean genotypes were verified using diversity testing and community composition,and each genotype had a specific rhizosphere microbial community composition.Co-occurrence network analysis found that different genotype plant hosts had different rhizosphere microbial networks.The relationship between rhizobia and rhizosphere microorganisms in the network also exhibited significant differences between different genotype plant hosts.The ecological function prediction found that different genotypes of soybean recruited the specific rhizosphere microbial community.These results demonstrated that soybean genotype regulated rhizosphere microbial community structure differences.The study provides a reference and theoretical support for developing soybean microbial inoculum in the future.

Effect of slope position on leaf and fine root C,N and P stoichiometry and rhizosphere soil properties in Tectona grandis plantations

Little is known about C-N-P stoichiometries and content in teak(Tectona grandis)plantations in South China,which are mostly sited on hilly areas with lateritic soil,and the effect of slope position on the accumulation of these elements in trees and rhizosphere soils.Here we analyzed the C,N,P content and stoichiometry in leaves,fine roots and rhizosphere soils of trees on the upper and lower slopes of a 12-year-old teak plantation.The Kraft classification system of tree status was used to sample dominant,subdominant and mean trees at each slope position.The results showed that the C,N and P contents in leaves were higher than in fine roots and rhizosphere soils.The lowest C/N,C/P and N/P ratios were found in rhizosphere soils,and the C/N and C/P ratios in fine roots were higher than in leaves.Nutrient accumulation in leaves,fine roots and rhizosphere soils were significantly influenced by slope position and tree class with their interaction mainly showing a greater effect on rhizosphere soils.Leaf C content and C/N ratio,fine root C and P contents,and C/N and C/P ratios all increased distinctly with declining slope position.The contents of organic matter(SOM),ammonium(NH4+-N),nitrate-nitrogen(NO3--N)and available potassium(AK)in rhizosphere soils were mainly enriched on upper slopes,but exchange calcium(ECa),available phosphorus(AP),and pH were relatively lower.Variations in the C,N and P stoichiometries in trees were mainly attributed to the differences in rhizosphere soil properties.N and P contents showed significant positive linear relationships between leaf and rhizosphere soil,and C content negative linear correlation among leaves,fine roots and rhizosphere soils.Chemical properties of rhizosphere soils,particularly C/N and NH4+-N,had significant effects on the leaf nutrients in trees on the upper slope.Correspondingly,rhizosphere soil properties mainly influenced fine root nutrients on the lower slope,and soil AK was the major influencing factor.Overall,these results offer new insights for the sustainability and management of teak plantations in hilly areas.

Rhizosphere bacterial communities and soil nutrient conditions reveal sexual dimorphism of Populus deltoides

Sexual dimorphism of plants shapes the diff erent morphology and physiology between males and females.However,it is still unclear whether it infl uences belowground ecological processes.In this study,rhizosphere soil of male and female Populus deltoides and bulk soil were collected from an 18-year plantation(male and female trees mix-planted)and grouped into three soil compartments.Soil carbon(C),nitrogen(N)and phosphorus(P)levels were determined,and soil bacterial communities were analyzed by high-throughput sequencing.The results showed the less total carbon and total organic carbon,the more nutrients(available phosphorus,nitrate nitrogen and ammonium nitrogen)available in the rhizosphere soils of female poplars than soils of males.However,α-diversity indices of the rhizosphere bacterial communities under male plants were signifi-cantly higher.Principal component analysis showed that the bacterial communities were signifi cantly diff erent between the male and female soil compartments.Further,the bacterial co-occurrence network in soil under male trees had more nodes and edges than under females.BugBase analysis showed the more functional bacteria taxa related to biofi lm formation and antioxidation under males.The results indicate that soils under male poplars had more diverse and more complex co-occurrence networks of the rhizosphere bacterial community than soils under female trees,implying that male poplars might have better environmental adaptability.The study provides insight into the diff erent soil-microbe interactions of dioecious plants.More details about the infl uencing mechanism of sexual dimorphism on rhizosphere soil bacterial communities need to be further studied.

Correction to:Effect of slope position on leaf and fi ne root C,N and P stoichiometry and rhizosphere soil properties in Tectona grandis plantations

During production process,the below mentioned errors appeared in the original article and inadvertently published with error.The corrections are as given below.

Rhizosphere Soil Fungal Diversity and Soil Physicochemical Properties of Different Vegetations in Tundra of Changbai Mountain

By studying the diversity and community structure of rhizosphere soil fungi of different plants in the tundra on the northern slope of Changbai Mountain, it provides theoretical support for the restoration of environmental degradation and in-depth study of fungal diversity in the tundra of Changbai Mountain. High-throughput sequencing technology was used to determine the ITS1 region of fungal amplicons, so as to analyze the diversity of fungal communities in the rhizosphere soil of six plants in the tundra of Changbai Mountain, and to analyze the correlation between the environment and the diversity and richness of fungal communities in combination with relevant soil physical and chemical factors. The diversity and richness of fungal community in the rhizosphere soil of six plants in Changbai Mountain tundra were different. The Simpson and Shannon indexes of Saxifraga stolonifera Curt were the highest, and the richness of fungal community in Dryas octopetala was the highest. The analysis of fungal community composition showed that the fungal colonies in plant rhizosphere soil samples mainly belonged to Ascomycota and Basidiomycota, which were the main dominant phyla. Mortierella, Fusarium and Sordariomycetes are common fungal genera in the rhizosphere soil of six plants, but their abundances are different among different plants. Water content was negatively correlated with fungal diversity, and TP was positively correlated with fungal community diversity. There were some differences in the composition and diversity of rhizosphere soil fungal communities of six plants in Changbai Mountain tundra. Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were the main soil fungal phyla in the rhizosphere of six plants in Changbai Mountain tundra. The results could provide theoretical guidance for ecological protection of Changbai Mountain tundra.

Effects of reduced nitrogen and suitable soil moisture on wheat(Triticum aestivum L.) rhizosphere soil microbiological,biochemical properties and yield in the Huanghuai Plain,China

Soil management practices affect rhizosphere microorganisms and enzyme activities, which in turn influence soil ecosystem processes. The objective of this study was to explore the effects of different nitrogen application rates on wheat(Triticum aestivum L.) rhizosphere soil microorganisms and enzyme activities, and their temporal variations in relation to soil fertility under supplemental irrigation conditions in a fluvo-aquic region. For this, we established a split-plot experiment for two consecutive years(2014–2015 and 2015–2016) in the field with three levels of soil moisture: water deficit to no irrigation(W1), medium irrigation to(70±5)% of soil relative moisture after jointing stage(W2), and adequate irrigation to(80±5)% of soil relative moisture after jointing stage(W3);and three levels of nitrogen: 0 kg ha^–1(N1), 195 kg ha^–1(N2) and 270 kg ha^–1(N3). Results showed that irrigation and nitrogen application significantly increased rhizosphere microorganisms and enzyme activities. Soil microbiological properties showed different trends in response to N level;the highest values of bacteria, protease, catalase and phosphatase appeared in N2, while the highest levels of actinobacteria, fungi and urease were observed in N3. In addition, these items performed best under medium irrigation(W2) relative to W1 and W3;particularly the maximum microorganism(bacteria, actinobacteria and fungi) amounts appeared at W2, 5.37×10^7 and 6.35×10^7 CFUs g^–1 higher than those at W3 in 2014–2015 and 2015–2016, respectively;and these changes were similar in both growing seasons. Microbe-related parameters fluctuated over time but their seasonality did not hamper the irrigation and fertilization-induced effects. Further, the highest grain yields of 13 309.2 and 12 885.7 kg ha^–1 were both obtained at W2 N2 in 2014–2015 and 2015–2016, respectively. The selected properties, soil microorganisms and enzymes, were significantly correlated with wheat yield and proved to be valuable indicators of soil quality. These results clearly demonstrated that the combined treatment(W2 N2) significantly improved soil microbiological properties, soil fertility and wheat yield on the Huanghuai Plain, China.

Inuence of oxytetracycline on the structure and activity of microbial community in wheat rhizosphere soil

The microbial community composition in wheat rhizosphere was analyzed by detecting colony forming units （CFUs） in agar plates. The total CFUs in rhizosphere were 1.04×10^9/g soil with 9.0×10^8/g bacteria, 1.37×10^8/g actinomyces and 3.6×10^6/g fungi. The 10 dominant bacteria were isolated from wheat rhizosphere and were grouped into genus Bacillus according to their full length 16S rRNA gene sequences. Although belonging to the same genus, the isolated strains exhibited different sensitivities to oxytetracycline. When a series of the rhizosphere soil was exposed under various concentrations of oxytetracycline, the microbial community structure was highly affected with significant decline of CFUs of bacteria and actinomyces （22.2% and 31.7% at 10 mg/kg antibiotic, respectively）. This inhibition was clearly enhanced with the increase exposure dosage of antibiotic and could not be eliminated during 30 d incubation. There was no obvious influence of this treatment on fungi population. Among the four soil enzymes （alkaline phosphatase, acidic phosphatase, dehydrogenase and urease）, only alkaline phospbatase was sensitive to oxytetracycline exposure with 41.3% decline of the enzyme activity at 10 mg/kg antibiotic and further decrease of 64.3%-80.8% when the dosage over 30 mg/kg.

Changes in fungal community and diversity in strawberry rhizosphere soil after 12 years in the greenhouse

Soil fungi play a very important role in the soil ecological environment. In agricultural production, long-term monoculture and continuous cropping lead to changes in fungal community diversity. However, the effects of long-term monoculture and continuous cropping on strawberry plant health and fungal community diversity have not been elucidated. In this study, using high-throughput sequencing(HTS), we compared the fungal community and diversity of strawberry rhizosphere soil after various durations of continuous cropping(0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 years). The results showed that soil fungal diversity increased with consecutive cropping years. Specifically, the soil-borne disease pathogens Fusarium and Guehomyces were significantly increased after strawberry continuous cropping, and the abundance of nematicidal(Arthrobotrys) fungi decreased from the fourth year of continuous cropping. The results of correlation analysis suggest that these three genera might be key fungi that contribute to the changes in soil properties that occur during continuous cropping. In addition, physicochemical property analysis showed that the soil nutrient content began to decline after the fourth year of continuous cropping. Spearman's correlation analysis showed that soil pH, available potassium(AK) and ammonium nitrogen(NH_4^+-N) were the most important edaphic factors leading to contrasting beneficial and pathogenic associations across consecutive strawberry cropping systems.

Heavy metal (Pb,Zn) uptake and chemical changes in rhizosphere soils of four wetland plants with different radial oxygen loss

Lead and Zn uptake and chemical changes in rhizosphere soils of four emergent-rooted wetland plants;Aneilema bracteatum,Cyperus alternifolius,Ludwigia hyssopifolia and Veronica serpyllifolia were investigated by two experiments：（1） rhizobag filled with ＂clean＂ or metal-contaminated soil for analysis of Pb and Zn in plants and rhizosphere soils;and （2） applied deoxygenated solution for analyzing their rates of radial oxygen loss （ROL）.The results showed that the wetland plants with different ROL rates had significant effects on the mobility and chemical forms of Pb and Zn in rhizosphere under flooded conditions.These effects were varied with different metal elements and metal concentrations in the soils.Lead mobility in rhizosphere of the four plants both in the ＂clean＂ and contaminated soils was decreased,while Zn mobility was increased in the rhizosphere of the ＂clean＂ soil,but decreased in the contaminated soil.Among the four plants,V.serpyllifolia,with the highest ROL,formed the highest degree of Fe plaque on the root surface,immobilized more Zn in Fe plaque,and has the highest effects on the changes of Zn form （EXC-Zn） in rhizosphere under both ＂clean＂ and contaminated soil conditions.These results suggested that ROL of wetland plants could play an important role in Fe plaque formation and mobility and chemical changes of metals in rhizosphere soil under flood conditions.

Dynamics of Microbial Communities in Bulk and Developing CucumberRhizosphere Soil

The microbial population dynamics in bulk and developing cucumber rhizospheres were studiedby cultivation and cultivation-independent approach based on directly extracted DNA toprovide baseline data. Soil and rhizosphere samples were taken from tested field 2, 4, 7 and10 weeks after the seeds were planted, which was positively related to the corresponding dateof cucumber growth stages. The plate culture amount showed that total number of bacteria,fungi and actinomyces began to rise when cucumber planted and quickly reached peak at seedlingor blossom period, but decreased slightly later. Bacterial population in rhizosphere washigher by comparison with that of counterpart except for seedling and flowering stages, butthe shift trend of them were quite similar all the time. Nitrogen fixating, nitrobacter andammonifying bacteria showed the same change tendency in population as bacteria and actinomycesdid, however, cellulose-decomposing bacteria had the contrary rhizosphere effect as cucumberdeveloped. Data revealed that positive relevance existed between the dominant rhizospheremicrobe population and cucumber development. PCR was employed to amplify the V3 region of 16SrDNA, then the products were subjected to denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis(DGGE). DGGEprofile indicated that a few microbe species lived stable in farmland soil, but some wereinfluenced by population due to cucumber roots growth. Significant difference was observed inbulk and rhizosphere soils especially for the seedling and flowering samples. Few prominentbands in DGGE patterns, which displayed stronger or less illumination, means the representativebacteria had great population variation in that period. These phenomena indicated thatflowering cucumber heavily affected rhizosphere bacteria, or the bacteria, most probably theuncultured bacteria, functioned specially to cucumber blossom. Most detected bands with noillumination change in DGGE quite possibly represent the indigenous microbes that wereessential for constructing and stabilizing farmland microecological environment.

Influence of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) on rhizosphere soil solution chemistry in long-term contaminated soils:A rhizobox study

This study investigated the influence of Indian mustard （Brassicajuncea） root exudation on soil solution properties （pH, dissolved organic carbon （DOC）, metal solubility） in the rhizosphere using a rhizobox. Measurement was conducted following the cultivation of Indian mustard in the rhizobox filled four different types of heavy metal contaminated soils （two alkaline soils and two acidic soils）. The growth of Indian mustard resulted in a significant increase （by 0.6 pH units） in rhizosphere soil solution pH of acidic soils and only a slight increase （〈 0.1 pH units） in alkaline soils. Furthermore, the DOC concentration increased by 17-156 mg/L in the rhizosphere regardless of soil type and the extent of contamination, demonstrating the exudation of DOC from root. Ion chromatographic determination showed a marked increase in the total dissolved organic acids （OAs） in rhizosphere. While root exudates were observed in all soils, the amount of DOC and OAs in soil solution varied considerably amongst different soils, resulting in significant changes to soil solution metals in the rhizosphere. For example, the soil solution Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn concentrations increased in the rhizosphere of alkaline soils compared to bulk soil following plant cultivation. In contrast, the soluble concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Zn in acidic soils decreased in rhizosphere soil when compared to bulk soils. Besides the influence of pH and DOC on metal solubility, the increase of heavy metal concentration having high stability constant such as Cu and Pb resulted in a release of Cd and Zn from solid phase to liquid phase.

The role of arbuscular mycorrhiza on change of heavy metal speciation in rhizosphere of maize in wastewater irrigated agriculture soil

To understand the roles of mycorrhiza in metal speciation in the rhizosphere and the impact on increasing host plant tolerance against excessive heavy metals in soil, maize(Zea mays L.) inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus(Glomus mosseae) was cultivated in heavy metal contaminated soil. Speciations of copper, zinc and lead in the soil were analyzed with the technique of sequential extraction. The results showed that,in comparison to the bolked soil, the exchangeable copper increased from 26% to 43% in non-infected and AM-infected rhizoshpere respectively; while other speciation (organic, carbonate and Fe-Mn oxide copper) remained constant and the organic bound zinc and lead also increased but the exchangeable zinc and lead were undetectable. The organic bound copper, zinc and lead were higher by 15%, 40% and 20%, respectively, in the rhizosphere of arbuscular mycorrhiza infected maize in comparison to the non-infected maize. The results might indicate that mycorrhiza could protect its host plants from the phytotoxicity of excessive copper, zinc and lead by changing the speciation from bio-available to the non-bio-available form. The fact that copper and zinc accumulation in the roots and shoots of mycorrhia infected plants were significantly lower than those in the non-infected plants might also suggest that mycorrhiza efficiently restricted excessive copper and zinc absorptions into the host plants. Compared to the non-infected seedlings, the lead content of infected seedlings was 60% higher in shoots. This might illustrate that mycorrhiza have a different mechanism for protecting its host from excessive lead phytotoxicity by chelating lead in the shoots.

Effects of different rotation patterns on the occurrence of clubroot disease and diversity of rhizosphere microbes

Clubroot disease, caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae, is one of the most destructive soil-borne diseases in cruciferous crops worldwide. New strategies are urgently needed to control this disease, as no effective disease-resistant varieties or chemical control agents exist. Previously, we found that the incidence rate and disease index of clubroot in oilseed rape decreased by 50 and 40%, respectively, when oilseed rape was planted after soybean. In order to understand how different rotation patterns affect the occurrence of clubroot in oilseed rape, high-throughput sequencing was used to analyze the rhizosphere microbial community of oilseed rape planted after leguminous (soybean, clover), gramineous (rice, maize) and cruciferous (oilseed rape, Chinese cabbage) crops. Results showed that planting soybeans before oilseed rape significantly increased the population density of microbes that could inhibit P. brassicae (e.g., Sphingomonas, Bacillus, Streptomyces and Trichoderma). Conversely, consecutive cultivation of cruciferous crops significantly accumulated plant pathogens, including P. brassicae, Olpidium and Colletotrichum (P<0.05). These results will help to develop the most effective rotation pattern for reducing clubroot damage.

Rhizosphere and bulk soil enzyme activities in a Nothotsuga longibracteata forest in the Tianbaoyan National Nature Reserve,Fujian Province,China

The rhizosphere, distinct from bulk soil, is defined as the volume of soil around living roots and influenced by root activities. We investigated protease, invertase, cellulase, urease, and acid phosphatase activities in rhizosphere and bulk soils of six Nothotsuga longibracteata forest communities within Tianbaoyan National Nature Reserve, including N. longibracteata ＋ either Phyllostachys pubescens, Schima superba, Rhododendron simiarum, Cunninghamia lanceolata, or Cyclobalanopsis glauca, and N. longibracteata pure forest. Rhizosphere soils possessed higher protease, invertase, cellulase, urease, and acid phosphatase activities than bulk soils. The highest invertase, urease, and acid phosphatase activities were observed in rhizosphere samples of N. longibracteata ＋ S. superba. Protease was highest in the N. longibracteata ＋ R. simiarum rhizosphere, while cellulase was highest in the pure N. longibracteata forest rhizosphere. All samples exhibited obvious rhizosphere effects on enzyme activities with a significant linear correlation between acid phosphatase and cellulase activities （p 〈 0.05） in rhizosphere soils and between protease and acid phosphatase activities （p 〈 0.05） in bulk soils. A principal component analysis, correlating 13 soil chemical properties indices relevant to enzyme activities, showed that protease, invertase, acid phosphatase, total N, and cellulase were the most important variables impacting rhizosphere soil quality.

Ecological effects of crude oil residues on the functional diversity of soil microorganisms in three weed rhizospheres

Ecological effects of crude oil residues on weed rhizospheres are still vague. The quantitative and diversity changes and metabolic responses of soil-bacterial communities in common dandelion （Taraxacum officinale）, jerusalem artichoke （Silphiurn perfoliatum L.） and evening primrose （A colypha australis L.） rhizospheric soils were thus examined using the method of carbon source utilization. The results indicated that there were various toxic effects of crude oil residues on the growth and reproduction of soil bacteria, but the weed rhizospheres could mitigate the toxic effects. Total heterotrophic counting colony-forming units （CFUs） in the rhizospheric soils were significantly higher than those in the non-rhizospheric soils. The culturable soil-bacterial CFUs in the jerusalem artichoke （S. perfoliatum） rhizosphere polluted with 0.50 kg/pot of crude oil residues were almost twice as much as those with 0.25 kg/pot and without the addition of crude oil residues. The addition of crude oil residues increased the difference in substrate evenness, substrate richness, and substrate diversity between non-rhizospheric and rhizospheric soils of T. officinale and A. australis, but there was no significant （p〉0.05） difference in the Shannon＇s diversity index between non-rhizospheric and rhizospheric soils of S. perfoliatum. The rhizospheric response of weed species to crude oil residues suggested that S. perfoliatum may be a potential weed species for the effective plant-microorganism bioremediation of contaminated soils by crude oil residues.

Rhizosphere Aeration Improves Nitrogen Transformation in Soil, and Nitrogen Absorption and Accumulation in Rice Plants

Two rice cultivars(Xiushui 09 and Chunyou 84)were used to evaluate the effects of various soil oxygen(O2)conditions on soil nitrogen(N)transformation,absorption and accumulation in rice plants.The treatments were continuous flooding(CF),continuous flooding and aeration(CFA),and alternate wetting and drying(AWD).The results showed that the AWD and CFA treatments improved soil N transformation,rice growth,and N absorption and accumulation.Soil NO3–content,nitrification activity and ammonia-oxidising bacteria abundance,leaf area,nitrate reductase activity,and N absorption and accumulation in rice all increased in both cultivars.However,soil microbial biomass carbon and pH did not significantly change during the whole period of rice growth.Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between the nitrification activity and ammonia-oxidising bacteria abundance,and both of them significantly increased as the total N accumulation in rice increased.Our results indicated that improved soil O2 conditions led to changing soil N cycling and contributed to increases in N absorption and accumulation by rice in paddy fields.